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The ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) eclogites from the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan, which formed by the deep subduction of the Indian plate beneath the Asian plate in the Eocene, contain complex metamorphic vein systems (including both isolated veins and vein networks), with mineral assemblages of epidote + quartz + kyanite + phengite ± omphacite ± garnet. The investigations on the Kaghan UHP eclogite‐vein systems provide important insights into the mechanism and timing of metamorphic dehydration, fluid flow, and fluid–rock interaction in the deeply subducted Indian continental slab as well as the chemical characteristics of slab‐derived, aqueous fluids. Abundant lawsonite pseudomorphs, characterized by prismatic aggregates of epidote, kyanite, and quartz porphyroblasts, are first recognized in the Kaghan eclogites. This observation, in combination with the occurrence of coesite pseudomorphs in epidote porphyroblasts as well as the coexistence of epidote and coesite in the eclogite zircon, indicates the previous existence of UHP lawsonite in these eclogites. Petrological studies and phase equilibrium modelling reveal clockwise P–T trajectories for the Kaghan eclogites that are featured by prograde vectors in lawsonite‐stability regions with peak conditions of 3.0–3.4 GPa/650–690°C, followed by isothermal decompression and lawsonite breakdown under UHP conditions during the initial exhumation stage. The results of metamorphic evolution, together with in situ epidote and bulk Sr isotopic analyses, indicate that the fluids responsible for vein systems are most likely derived from the breakdown of UHP lawsonite in the eclogites. SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons from the eclogites, integrated with the Raman analysis of inclusions in zircons, indicates that the UHP dehydration of eclogites occurred at 46.4 ± 1.2 and 46.8 ± 0.9 Ma. Analyses of hydrothermal zircons from the veins yielded slightly younger ages of 44.7 ± 1.0 and 44.9 ± 1.4 Ma, which represent the timing of fluid flow and/or vein crystallization during exhumation of the UHP rocks. Mass‐balance calculation results, in combination with the vein compositions, show that the fluid flow and fluid‐eclogite interaction led to the transfer of Si, Al, Ca, K, and incompatible trace elements from the eclogites into the fluids, from which the vein systems crystallized. This study indicates cold deep subduction of Indian continental crust along low geothermal gradients (6–7°C/km). The UHP fluid liberation and channelized fluid flow occurred during the initial exhumation of the cold Indian slab and are expected to induce the transfer of H2O and incompatible trace elements from the Indian slab to the Asian lithosphere, which potentially contributes to the formation of post‐collisional magmas. Moreover, we suggest that metamorphic vein systems in UHP lawsonite eclogites offer important constraints on the occurrence and timing of fast slab exhumation in continental subduction‐collision zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland and other herbaceous communities cover significant portions of Earth's terrestrial surface and provide many critical services, such as carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and food production. Forecasts of global change impacts on these services will require predictive tools, such as process‐based dynamic vegetation models. Yet, model representation of herbaceous communities and ecosystems lags substantially behind that of tree communities and forests. The limited representation of herbaceous communities within models arises from two important knowledge gaps: first, our empirical understanding of the principles governing herbaceous vegetation dynamics is either incomplete or does not provide mechanistic information necessary to drive herbaceous community processes with models; second, current model structure and parameterization of grass and other herbaceous plant functional types limits the ability of models to predict outcomes of competition and growth for herbaceous vegetation. In this review, we provide direction for addressing these gaps by: (1) presenting a brief history of how vegetation dynamics have been developed and incorporated into earth system models, (2) reporting on a model simulation activity to evaluate current model capability to represent herbaceous vegetation dynamics and ecosystem function, and (3) detailing several ecological properties and phenomena that should be a focus for both empiricists and modelers to improve representation of herbaceous vegetation in models. Together, empiricists and modelers can improve representation of herbaceous ecosystem processes within models. In so doing, we will greatly enhance our ability to forecast future states of the earth system, which is of high importance given the rapid rate of environmental change on our planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parameterization of key photosynthesis parameters is one of the key uncertain sources in modeling ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP). Solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) offers a good proxy for GPP since it marks the actual process of photosynthesis; while machine learning (ML) provides a robust approach to model the GPP‐SIF relationship. Here, we trained the boosted regressing tree (BRT) and the Random Forest ML models with Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite SIF data and in situ GPP observations from 49 eddy covariance towers. These trained ML GPP‐SIF models were fed into the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Land Model (ELM) to generate ELM‐simulated global SIF estimates, which were then benchmarked against satellite SIF observations with a surrogate modeling approach. Our results indicated good modeling performance of the ML‐based GPP‐SIF relationship. The ELM model when fed with the ML GPP‐SIF models also can well predict the spatial‐temporal variations in SIF. We also found high model accuracy for the surrogate modeling. Model parameter sensitivity analysis suggested that the fraction of leaf nitrogen in RuBisCO (flnr) is the most sensitive parameter to the SIF; other sensitive parameters include the Ball‐Berry stomatal conductance slope (mbbopt) and the vcmax entropy (vcmaxse). The posterior uncertainty in simulated GPP was greatly reduced after benchmarking, and the model produced improved spatial patterns of mean GPP relative to FLUXCOM GPP. Our integrated approach provides a new avenue for improving land models and using remote‐sensing SIF, which can be further improved in the future with more ground‐ and satellite‐based observations. Plain Language Summary: Model estimation of photosynthesis product, that is, gross primary productivity (GPP), is a challenging but vital task. One of the keys is to find better values for key parameters. This parameter searching process requires good proxies for GPP that can be widely available across space and time, good statistical methods to relate proxies to GPP and to make best estimations that reduce the gaps between modeled results and observations. Here, we designed a new method that use solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF, a good proxy for photosynthesis) as a key input, and employ machine learning (a robust way to relate SIF and GPP) and surrogate modeling (a good method for finding the best parameters), to improve the photosynthesis parameterization in the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Land Model (ELM), a state‐of‐the‐art terrestrial biosphere model. Our results demonstrate that this new integrated approach has great potential for improving the parameterization of key photosynthesis parameters in land models. Key Points: We built a unique method to improve gross primary productivity (GPP) modeling in land modelsThis method integrates solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence observations, machine learning, and surrogate modelingThe method reduced posterior uncertainties in simulated GPP and improved the modeling of its spatial patterns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gradient and scale are two key concepts in ecology and evolution that are closely related but inherently distinct. While scale commonly refers to the dimensional space of a specific ecological/evolutionary (eco–evo) issue, gradient measures the range of a given variable. Gradient and scale can jointly and interactively influence eco–evo patterns. Extensive previous research investigated how changing scales may affect the observation and interpretation of eco–evo patterns; however, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of changing gradients. Here, synthesizing recent research progress, we suggest that the role of scale in the emergence of ecological patterns should be evaluated in conjunction with considering the underlying environmental gradients. This is important because, in most studies, the range of the gradient is often part of its full potential range. The difference between sampled (partial) versus potential (full) environmental gradients may profoundly impact observed eco–evo patterns and alter scale–gradient relationships. Based on observations from both field and experimental studies, we illustrate the underlying features of gradients and how they may affect observed patterns, along with the linkages of these features to scales. Since sampled gradients often do not cover their full potential ranges, we discuss how the breadth and the starting and ending positions of key gradients may affect research design and data interpretation. We then outline potential approaches and related perspectives to better integrate gradient with scale in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Based on the investigation of altitudinal distribution data with identification by using both molecular and morphological classifications of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae, this paper determines the altitudinal gradient pattern for these two subfamilies on the north slope of Mount Taibai of the Qinling Mountains, and provides a test of the universality of Rapoport's rule in Lepidoptera by using four methods. Our results show that alpha diversity of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae both decrease with rising altitude. By contrast, the species distribution ranges increase with rising altitude. Three of the four methods used to test Rapoport's rule yielded positive results, while Rohde's results show a unimodal distribution model and do not support Rapoport's rule. Rapoport's rule proposes that a species' range size increases with the increase in a gradient (such as latitude, altitude or water depth). However, altitudinal distributions and Rapoport's rule have rarely been tested for Asian Lepidoptera. Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are extremely diverse in temperate Asia, including on Mount Taibai, which is considered a hotspot area for studying the vertical distribution patterns of insect species. Based on the investigation of altitudinal distribution data with identification by using both DNA barcoding and the morphological classification of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae, this paper determines the altitudinal gradient pattern for these two subfamilies on the north slope of Mount Taibai, and provides a test of the universality of Rapoport's rule in Lepidoptera by using four methods, including Stevens' method, Pagel's method, Rohde's method, and the cross-species method. Our results show that the alpha diversity of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae both decrease with rising altitude. By contrast, the species' ranges increase with rising altitude. Three of the four methods used to test Rapoport's rule yielded positive results, while Rohde's results show a unimodal distribution model and do not support Rapoport's rule. Our findings fill the research gap on the elevational diversity of Lepidoptera in temperate Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical land-use practices have caused forest loss in Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake area (TSLA), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. However, it remains unclear if this deforestation trend had continued since 2001 when the land was designated as protected areas. Using satellite imagery, we investigated forest conversion flows and fragmentation patterns in the TSLA for 1992–2001, 2001–2010, and 2010–2019, respectively. Results show substantial forest losses and fragmentations occurring at the lower floodplain where the protected areas are located until 2010, with some forest regain during 2010–2019. The land conversions indicated that forest clearing and agricultural farming were the primary causes for observed extensive forest loss during 1992–2010. Hence, despite the creating of protected areas in 2001, our findings reveal the persistence of alarming forest loss in the TSLA until 2010. On the other hand, while net forest loss has stopped after 2010, forest regain during 2010–2019 is way too small to restore the region's total forest area to even the level when the protected areas were established. Thus, more effective planning and implementations of forest management and restoration policies are needed for the TSLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Original Article Cold deep subduction of Indian continental crust and release of ultrahigh‐pressure fluid during initial exhumation: Insights from coesite‐bearing eclogite‐vein systems in Kaghan Valley, Pakistan by Shun Guo et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/jmg.12760.By Shun Guo; Anping Chen; Xirun Cai; Yi Chen; Pan Tang and Qiuli LiReported by Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

Satellite‐derived sun‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has been increasingly used for estimating gross primary production (GPP). However, the relationship between SIF and GPP has not been well defined, impeding the translation of satellite observed SIF to GPP. Previous studies have generally assumed a linear relationship between SIF and GPP at daily and longer time scales, but support for this assumption is lacking. Here, we used the GPP/SIF ratio to investigate seasonal variations in the relationship between SIF and GPP over the Northern Hemisphere (NH). Based on multiple SIF products and MODIS and FLUXCOM GPP data, we found strong seasonal hump‐shaped patterns for the GPP/SIF ratio over northern latitudes, with higher values in the summer than in the spring or autumn. This hump‐shaped GPP/SIF seasonal variation was confirmed by examining different SIF products and was evident for most vegetation types except evergreen broadleaf forests. The seasonal amplitude of the GPP/SIF ratio decreased from the boreal/arctic region to drylands and the tropics. For most of the NH, the lowest GPP/SIF values occurred in October or September, while the maximum GPP/SIF values were evident in June and July. The most pronounced seasonal amplitude of GPP/SIF occurred in intermediate temperature and precipitation ranges. GPP/SIF was positively related to temperature in the early and late parts of the growing season, but not during the peak growing months. These shifting relationships between temperature and GPP/SIF across different months appeared to play a key role in the seasonal dynamics of GPP/SIF. Several mechanisms may explain the patterns we observed, and future research encompassing a broad range of climate and vegetation settings is needed to improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal relationships between SIF and GPP. Nonetheless, the strong seasonal variation in GPP/SIF we identified highlights the importance of incorporating this behavior into SIF‐based GPP estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation productivity first increases and then decreases with temperature; and temperature corresponding to the maximum productivity is called optimal temperature (Topt). In this study, we used satellite derived near‐infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv) data to map Topt of vegetation productivity at the spatial resolution of 0.1° on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), one of most sensitive regions in the climate system. The average Topt of non‐forest vegetation on the TP is about 14.7°C, significantly lower than the Topt value used in current ecosystem models. A remarkable geographical heterogeneity in Topt is observed over the TP. Higher Topt values generally appear in the north‐eastern TP, while the south‐western TP has relatively lower Topt (<10°C), in line with the difference of climate conditions and topography across different regions. Spatially, Topt tends to decrease by 0.41°C per 100 m increase in elevation, faster than the elevational elapse rate of growing season temperature, implying a potential CO2 regulation of Topt in addition to temperature acclimation. Topt increases by 0.66°C for each 1°C of rising mean annual temperature as a result of vegetation acclimation to climate change. However, at least at the decadal scale, there is no significant change in Topt between 2000s and 2010s, suggesting that the Topt climate acclimation may not keep up with the warming rate. Finally, future (2091–2100) warming could be close to and even surpass Topt on the TP under different RCP scenarios without considering potential climate acclimation. Our analyses imply that the temperature tipping point when the impact of future warming shifts from positive to negative on the TP is greatly overestimated by current vegetation models. Future research needs to include varying thermal and CO2 acclimation effects on Topt across different time scales in vegetation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective use of solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) to estimate and monitor gross primary production (GPP) in terrestrial ecosystems requires a comprehensive understanding and quantification of the relationship between SIF and GPP. To date, this understanding is incomplete and somewhat controversial in the literature. Here we derived the GPP/SIF ratio from multiple data sources as a diagnostic metric to explore its global‐scale patterns of spatial variation and potential climatic dependence. We found that the growing season GPP/SIF ratio varied substantially across global land surfaces, with the highest ratios consistently found in boreal regions. Spatial variation in GPP/SIF was strongly modulated by climate variables. The most striking pattern was a consistent decrease in GPP/SIF from cold‐and‐wet climates to hot‐and‐dry climates. We propose that the reduction in GPP/SIF with decreasing moisture availability may be related to stomatal responses to aridity. Furthermore, we show that GPP/SIF can be empirically modeled from climate variables using a machine learning (random forest) framework, which can improve the modeling of ecosystem production and quantify its uncertainty in global terrestrial biosphere models. Our results point to the need for targeted field and experimental studies to better understand the patterns observed and to improve the modeling of the relationship between SIF and GPP over broad scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large literature examining the effects of agglomeration on income distribution but less is known about its effects in developing countries. In this study, we apply panel data from a microfirm‐level survey and from city‐level data to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between agglomeration and establishment wage dispersion in China. Given the potential endogeneity of city size, we employ an instrumental variable regression approach. We find strong evidence that agglomeration has significant effects on wage inequality in the short and long run. The link between agglomeration and wage inequality is heterogeneous across regions. The spatially varying results appear to be due to different stages of development. Our results are consistent with the sorting models in that it appears that the most productive and least productive firms are relatively thriving in coastal cities, but not inland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive gaseous nitrogen (Ngr) emissions significantly affect Earth's climate system. Disagreement exists, however, over Ngr contributions to short‐ versus long‐term climate forcing, from local to global scales and among different gaseous forms, including NH3, NOx, and N2O. Here, we provide a comprehensive inventory of Ngr from China's croplands based on a new bottom‐up, mass flow‐based approach integrated with fine‐resolution agricultural activity data and nitrogen emission factors. We demonstrate that China's croplands emit about 8.87 Tg N to the atmosphere in 2014. Across different prefectures, Ngr emission per capita conforms to a "Kuznets curve," that is, first increases then decreases, along the gradient of increasing urbanization. Ngr emission per gross domestic productivity (GDP) decreases exponentially with increasing urbanization or per capita GDP. Furthermore, climate change impact analyses suggest that the global‐scale warming effect of China's cropland N2O emissions dominate over local cooling effects ascribed to its NH3 and NOx emissions. Plain Language Summary: Reactive gaseous nitrogen, sourced to the world's highest fertilizer application rates in China, imparts local cooling effects on short time scales. The effects are ultimately counterbalanced by nitrous oxide emissions over the long term, leading to substantial warming effects on the global climate system. We base our conclusion on the first‐ever high‐resolution assessment of reactive nitrogen emissions to the atmosphere from China's croplands. Owing to limited high‐resolution reactive gaseous nitrogen emissions data, hitherto, large uncertainties have existed in the detailing the role of China's cropland reactive gaseous nitrogen emissions on climate forcing. This paucity of information poses a challenge for informing China's agricultural sustainability policies with regard to maintaining/increasing agricultural yields while reduces reactive gaseous nitrogen emissions and their warming potential. Our analyses provide essential information for further sustainable N management and the interactions between agriculture and climate change. We provide policy‐relevant information for mitigation targets, including the 2°C limit goal set by the 2015 Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, enabling progress related to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Key Points: We provide new high‐resolution estimates of reactive gaseous nitrogen (Ngr) emissions from China's croplands and their seasonal dynamicsAcross different prefectures, Ngr emission per capita follows an environmental Kuznets curve against urbanization rateThe overall warming effect of N2O emissions dominate over local cooling effects ascribed to NH3 and NOx emissions each year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the past decades, birdwatching as a hobby developed rapidly and produced ample scientific records that have aided conservation efforts. Therefore, it is increasingly attractive to promote avian research by providing data from birdwatching. Methods: We compared records from 16 years of community birdwatching and a 1-year formalized bird monitoring in Suzhou, China to study the similarities and differences between the two monitoring methods. Results: We showed that within the 325 bird species recorded by the two methods, an annual average of 108 species were documented by community science and 223 bird species were recorded by 1-year formalized monitoring. Measured by the number of bird species recorded per survey trip, the bird monitoring activity of community birdwatchers was significantly lower. Furthermore, the monitoring intensity of community birdwatching measured as the average survey trips per site each survey year was also lower than that of formalized bird monitoring. In addition, community birdwatchers preferred urban landscapes to rural areas. Conclusions: Community birdwatching could record the majority of local birds and complements the professional surveys in avian research. Well designed and coordinated community science can be used to expand the knowledge about avian distribution and population dynamics. These findings are critical for the development of conservation science with regard to community involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2007, China's growth has fallen from around 10% to about 6%–7% per annum. This paper investigates the experience of this slowdown at the provincial level. We use a vector‐autoregressive modelling approach and annual data from 1978 to decompose each province's growth into various factors. We find that (a) all provinces experienced the slowdown; (b) there is considerable variation in this experience across provinces; (c) national factors dominate the provincial slowdown while province‐specific factors explain most of the interprovincial variation; (d) when the national factor is separated into supply and demand components, the supply component dominates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests played an important role in carbon sequestration during the past two decades. Using a model tree ensemble method (MTE) to regress the seven reflectance bands of EOS-Terra-MODIS satellite data against country level forest biomass carbon density (BCD) of 2001-2005 provided by United Nations's Forest Resource Assessment (FRA), we developed a global map of forest BCD at 1 km×1 km resolution for both 2001-2005 and 2006-2010. For 2006-2010, the total global forest biomass carbon stock is estimated as 279.6±7.1 Pg C, and the tropical forest biomass carbon stock is estimated as 174.4±5.4 Pg C. During the first decade of the 21st century, we estimated an increase of global forest biomass of 0.28±0.75 Pg C yr−1. Tropical forest biomass carbon stock slightly decreased (−0.31±0.60 Pg C yr−1); by contrast, temperate and boreal forest biomass increased (0.58±0.28 Pg C yr−1) during the same period. Our estimation of the global forest biomass carbon stock and its changes is subject to uncertainties due to lack of extensive ground measurements in the tropics, spatial heterogeneity in large countries, and different definitions of forest. The continuously monitoring of forest biomass carbon stock with MODIS satellite data will provide useful information for detecting forest changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 400-year natural history of a tropical coastal mangrove-fringed lagoon: What can we learn? Coastal lagoon ecosystems are important natural carbon sinks but are threatened by both climate change and direct human disturbances. Enhancing carbon sequestration and reducing soil erosion of the hinterland ecosystem may decrease the carbon sink of lagoon ecosystems, but can provide long-term increases in carbon sequestration and ecosystem services of the coupled hinterland-lagoon ecosystems. [Extracted from the article]

• We compared vegetation phenology from a SIF product (CSIF) and from MODIS NDVI. • We found similar spatial patterns in CSIF and NDVI derived phenology. • NDVI data indicated an earlier start and later end of the growing season than CSIF. • Models based on leaf greenness may overestimate photosynthesis active period. Vegetation phenology is highly sensitive to climate change, although the data and methods used to estimate key phenological states can influence this sensitivity. Because of its direct relation to leaf photosynthetic carbon uptake, remotely sensed solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) can provide new insight assessing changes in vegetation phenology. Here, we investigated the potential of using a SIF time series product named contiguous SIF (CSIF) to estimate spring, summer, and autumn phenology in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere (>30°N) and compared the results with those based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the period 2001–2018. Overall, we found similar spatial patterns in phenological states. However, specific dates of key phenological events differed when using CSIF vs. MODIS NDVI data. NDVI data indicated that the growing season started earlier (by 10.1 days on average) and ended later (11.5 days on average) relative to CSIF data. This implies that actual periods for photosynthetic activity are shorter (by 21.6 days on average) than those estimated from vegetation indices more directly related to changes in canopy structure. These large differences between results from NDVI and that from CSIF suggest that vegetation indices such as NDVI seem to overestimate the period for active photosynthesis over the extratropical Northern Hemisphere. Furthermore, while phenology of the early growing season is dominated by temperature for both NDVI and CSIF data, phenology of the late growing season is mainly controlled by temperature for NDVI but by precipitation for CSIF. Our findings were further confirmed by other SIF (GOME-2 SIF) and vegetation index (MODIS EVI) datasets. Phenology modes in Earth system modelling are often parameterized using leaf unfolding and senescence from either station or satellite observations. Our results imply that canopy structure-based parameterization schemes may have overestimated photosynthesis active period, and thus productivity responses. We conclude that SIF data offers a novel and unique approach for assessing phenological change - one that is more directly tied to the carbon cycle and how it is being influenced by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutral theory of biodiversity (NTB) provides an individual-based modeling framework to study eco-evolutionary dynamics. Previous NTB models usually assumed the same per capita rate of speciation across lineages. However, population dynamics may induce macroevolutionary feedbacks that can result in variable per capita speciation rates across lineages. In this paper, with analytical and simulation approaches, we explore how different scenarios of density-dependent speciation may impact the diversity and phylogenetic patterns of neutral communities, and compare the results to predictions of the original NTB model with an invariant speciation rate. Our results show that positive per capita speciation rate–abundance relationships could result in higher species richness and evenness, enhanced stability (evidenced by higher post-disturbance recovery rates and lower temporal variability in species diversity), and higher imbalance in phylogenetic trees. The opposite patterns are predicted when per capita speciation rates decrease with abundance. Particularly, strong negative speciation rate–abundance relationships can generate a positive correlation between phylogenetic age and abundance, which has been observed in Panamanian tree species. Our findings demonstrate the importance of eco-evolutionary feedbacks for understanding long-term diversity and phylogenetic patterns in ecological communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palaeozoic mafic-ultramafic complexes hosting Ni-Cu-Co mineralization occurred discontinuously and coexisted with early Palaeozoic eclogites in the East Kunlun orogenic belt (EKOB), western China. The giant Xiarihamu Cu-Ni-Co sulphide deposit in the EKOB is the largest Cu-Ni-Co sulphide deposit in an orogenic setting in the world. Early Palaeozoic eclogites are distributed as a belt for ca. 530 km in length in the Central Kunlun Zone of the EKOB. The geochronological data, geology and geochemistry of mafic-ultramafic complexes and eclogites in the EKOB are summarized for the tectonic settings of magmatic Cu-Ni-Co mineralization under the Proto- and Paleo-Tethys evolution. The mafic-ultramafic complexes show diverse lithofacies with different formation ages, indicating the multiple stages of long-lived Palaeozoic mantle-derived magmatism in the EKOB. The tectonic location, Neoproterozoic Ocean island basalt (OIB)-like mafic volcanic rocks and eclogite protolith of the EOKB imply the presence of the Neoproterozoic mantle plume magmatism as well as its contribution for enrichments of Ni-Cu-Co beneath EKOB. The ultramafic complexes show a close spatio-temporal relationship with eclogites. The basaltic protoliths of EKOB eclogite were derived from same mantle source as the mafic-ultramafic complexes. A positive correlation of geochronological data between ultramafic complexes with the eclogites in the EKOB is determined and indicated that the mafic magmatism with Cu-Ni-Co mineralization and eclogites were related to the tectonic-magmatic events in process of Proto-Tethys. The ultramafic complexes were formed under the subduction compression and post-collisional extensional settings of the Proto-Tethys and Paleao-Tethys Ocean corresponding to the peak (430–450 Ma) and retrograde (~405–410 Ma) metamorphic periods of eclogites. The Cu-Ni-Co metals were enriched extremely in the stage magma chamber by multi-stage magmatism in EKOB. Therefore, the mafic-ultramafic complexes with a large age span co-occurred with eclogites (especially retrograde eclogites) could be a favourable area for Ni-Co mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including volatility of Chinese economic activities, globalization and industrial performance in China, and regional disparities and productivity in China.

China has promised large cuts in CO2 emissions by 2020, which is likely to have differential effects across regions. We know little about the regional effects of pollution reduction. We make a contribution to filling this gap using a small theoretical model with two regions, features of the Chinese economy and the right to emit CO2 as a factor of production. We find regionally differentiated effects on income, welfare and output and explore government policies designed to reduce these effects. The effects of fiscal policies depend crucially on whether one or both regions respond and on whether output or welfare is targeted. Boosts to productive capacity do better in terms of output but not welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to down-regulate leaf maximum net photosynthetic capacity (Amax) and dark respiration rate (Rdark) in response to shading is thought to be an important adaptation of trees to the wide range of light environments that they are exposed to across space and time. A simple, general rule that accurately described this down-regulation would improve carbon cycle models and enhance our understanding of how forest successional diversity is maintained. In this paper, we investigated the light response of Amax and Rdark for saplings of six temperate forest tree species in New Jersey, USA, and formulated a simple model of down-regulation that could be incorporated into carbon cycle models. We found that full-sun values of Amax and Rdark differed significantly among species, but the rate of down-regulation (proportional decrease in Amax or Rdark relative to the full-sun value) in response to shade was not significantly species- or taxon-specific. Shade leaves of sun-grown plants appear to follow the same pattern of down-regulation in response to shade as leaves of shade-grown plants. Given the light level above a leaf and one species-specific number (either the full-sun Amax or full-sun Rdark), we provide a formula that can accurately predict the leaf's Amax and Rdark. We further show that most of the down regulation of per unit area Rdark and Amax is caused by reductions in leaf mass per unit area (LMA): as light decreases, leaves get thinner, while per unit mass Amax and Rdark remain approximately constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A well-documented pattern in the fossil record is a long-term decline in the origination rate of new taxa after diversity rebounds from a mass extinction. The mechanisms for this pattern remain elusive. In this article, we investigate the macroevolutionary predictions of an individual-based birth-death model (BDI model) where speciation and extinction rates emerge from population dynamics. We start with the simplest neutral model in which every individual has the same per capita rates of birth, death, and speciation. Although the prediction of the simplest neutral model agrees qualitatively with the fossil pattern, the predicted decline in perspecies speciation rates is too fast to explain the long-term trend in fossil data. We thus consider models with variation among species in per capita rates of speciation and a suite of alternative assumptions about the heritability of speciation rate. The results show that interspecific variation in per capita speciation rate can induce differences among species in their ability to resist extinction because a low speciation rate confers a small but important demographic advantage. As a consequence, the model predicts an appropriately slow temporal decline in speciation rates, which provides a mechanistic explanation for the fossil pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensitivity of vegetation productivity to precipitation (Sppt) is a key metric for understanding the variations in vegetation productivity under changing precipitation and predicting future changes in ecosystem functions. However, a comprehensive assessment of Sppt over all the global land is lacking. Here, we investigated spatial patterns and temporal changes of Sppt across the global land from 2001 to 2018 with multiple streams of satellite observations. We found consistent spatial patterns of Sppt with different satellite products: Sppt was highest in dry regions while low in humid regions. Grassland and shrubland showed the highest Sppt, and evergreen needle‐leaf forest and wetland showed the lowest. Temporally, Sppt showed a generally declining trend over the past two decades (p <.05), yet with clear spatial heterogeneities. The decline in Sppt was especially noticeable in North America and Europe, likely due to the increase in precipitation. In central Russia and Australia, however, Sppt showed an increasing trend. Biome‐wise, most ecosystem types exhibited significant decrease in Sppt, while grassland, evergreen broadleaf forest, and mixed forest showed slight increases or non‐significant changes in Sppt. Our finding of the overall decline in Sppt implies a potential stabilization mechanism for ecosystem productivity under climate change. However, the revealed Sppt increase for some regions and ecosystem types, in particular global grasslands, suggests that grasslands might be increasingly vulnerable to climatic variability with continuing global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite high economic growth over the past 30 years, China's substantial and persistent regional disparities have been the subject of continuing concern to policy makers, as well as the target of a wide variety of policies. An important issue in the policy debate about whether and how best to attack these disparities is whether measures designed to improve regional equality come at a cost to national development, i.e., whether there is a trade-off between the level of national output and the equality of its distribution across the regions. There is little analysis of this issue in the literature. We help fill this gap by setting up a two-region model designed to capture some of the salient features of the Chinese economy. We subject this model to a number of policy shocks and assess the effects on regional disparities in per capita output, on the one hand, and on aggregate output on the other to investigate the trade-off. We also consider income and welfare as alternatives to output. We find, first, that disparities in per capita output, income, and welfare may move in different directions so that it is important to specify which disparity is being targeted. Second, since both disparities and aggregate outcomes are endogenous, how they move together depends on the nature of the shock driving the model. Thus, some policies designed to reduce disparities face a trade-off and others do not. Only a reduction in internal migration restrictions unambiguously reduces all three disparity measures and increases aggregate output, income, and welfare. All other policies considered face a trade-off in at least one dimension. Third, whether there is a trade-off depends also on the time horizon-some policies face a trade-off in the short run and not in the long run and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diabetes is featured by elevated levels of blood glucose, i.e. hyperglycemia, which might be a risk factor for hepatic fibrogenesis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major effectors during hepatic fibrogenesis. This study was designed to evaluate impacts of high levels of glucose on HSC activation, assess roles of the phytochemical curcumin in attenuating the glucose impacts, and elucidate underlying mechanisms. In this report, levels of intracellular glucose were measured. Contents and gene expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) in cell fractions were examined. Levels of cellular glutathione and oxidative stress were analyzed. We observed that high levels of glucose induced cell proliferation, type I collagen production and expression of genes relevant to HSC activation, and elevated intracellular glucose levels in cultured HSCs. Curcumin eliminated the stimulatory impacts. Curcumin abrogated the membrane translocation of GLUT2 by interrupting the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, curcumin suppressed glut2 expression by stimulating the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and de novo synthesis of glutathione. In conclusion, hyperglycemia stimulated HSC activation in vitro by increasing intracellular glucose, which was eliminated by curcumin by blocking the membrane translocation of GLUT2 and suppressing glut2 expression. The latter was mediated by activating PPARγ and attenuating oxidative stress. Our results presented evidence to impacts of hyperglycemia on stimulating HSC activation and hepatic fibrogenesis, and provided novel insights into the mechanisms by which curcumin eliminated the hyperglycemia-caused HSC activation and potential therapeutic strategies for treatment of diabetes-associated hepatic fibrogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: Hyperleptinemia is commonly found in obese patients, associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the most relevant effectors during hepatic fibrogenesis. We recently reported that leptin stimulated HSC activation, which was eliminated by curcumin, a phytochemical from turmeric. This study was designed to explore the underlying mechanisms, focusing on their effects on intracellular glucose in HSCs. We hypothesized that leptin stimulated HSC activation by elevating the level of intracellular glucose, which was eliminated by curcumin by inhibiting the membrane translocation of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) and inducing the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P).Experimental Approach: Levels of intracellular glucose were measured in rat HSCs and immortalized human hepatocytes. Contents of GLUT4 in cell fractions were analysed by Western blotting analyses. Activation of signalling pathways was assessed by comparing phosphorylation levels of protein kinases.Key Results: Leptin elevated the level of intracellular glucose in cultured HSCs, which was diminished by curcumin. Curcumin suppressed the leptin-induced membrane translocation of GLUT4 by interrupting the insulin receptor substrates/phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/AKT signalling pathway. Furthermore, curcumin stimulated glucokinase activity, increasing conversion of glucose to G-6-P.Conclusions and Implications: Curcumin prevented leptin from elevating levels of intracellular glucose in activated HSCs in vitro by inhibiting the membrane translocation of GLUT4 and stimulating glucose conversion, leading to the inhibition of HSC activation. Our results provide novel insights into mechanisms of curcumin in inhibiting leptin-induced HSC activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper investigates almost automorphic mild solutions of the fractional semilinear equation , considered in a Banach space , where is a linear operator of sectorial type . Some sufficient conditions are given for the existence, uniqueness and uniform stability of almost automorphic mild solutions to this semilinear equation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, by using the theory of calculus on time scales, contraction mapping principle and Liapunov functional method, some sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure the existence and global exponential stability of periodic solution to BAM neural network with delays on time scales. This paper unifies the periodic discrete-time and continuous-time BAM neural networks under the same framework. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: Obesity is often accompanied by hypercholesterolemia characterized by elevated levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which could progress to hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major effectors of hepatic fibrogenesis. This study aims to clarify effects of LDL on activation of HSC, to evaluate roles of curcumin in suppressing these effects and to further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.Experimental Approaches: HSCs were prepared from rats and cell proliferation was measured by cell proliferation assays (MTS assays). Transient transfection assays were performed to evaluate gene promoter activities. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to analyse the expression of genes.Key Results: LDL stimulated HSC activation in vitro, which was attenuated by curcumin. Curcumin reduced the abundance of LDL receptor (LDLR) in activated HSCs, decreasing cellular cholesterol. Curcumin-dependent activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) differentially regulated the expression of the transcription factors, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), in activated HSCs, resulting in the suppression of LDLR gene expression.Conclusions and Implications: Curcumin suppressed LDLR gene expression in activated HSCs in vitro by activating PPARgamma and differentially regulating gene expression of SREBPs, reducing cellular cholesterol and attenuating the stimulatory effects of LDL on HSC activation. These results provide novel insights into the roles and mechanisms of curcumin in the inhibition of LDL-induced HSC activation. This curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, may be useful in preventing hypercholesterolemia-associated hepatic fibrogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Some sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the global exponential stability of delayed bi-directional associative memory (BAM) neural network on time scale, using the time scale calculus theory and the Liapunov functional method. The conditions possess highly important significance and can be easily checked in practice by simple algebraic methods. This is the first time applying the time scale calculus theory to unify and improve discrete-time and continuous-time bi-directional associate memory neural network under the same framework. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Some sufficient conditions are obtained for the global exponential stability of periodic solutions to periodic bi-directional Cohen–Grossberg neural networks involving distributed delays, by using the Lyapunov functional method and some analytical techniques. These results improve and generalize some previous works, and are helpful for designing a global exponential stable periodic bi-directional Cohen–Grossberg neural networks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the major effectors of hepatic fibrogenesis, is coupled with sequential alterations in gene expression, including an increase in receptors for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and a dramatic reduction in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). The relationship between them remains obscure. We previously demonstrated that curcumin induced gene expression of PPAR-γ in activated HSC, leading to reducing cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and suppressing expression of extracellular matrix genes. The underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. We recently observed that stimulation of PPAR-γ activation suppressed gene expression of TGF-β receptors in activated HSC, leading to the interruption of TGF-β signaling. This observation supported our assumption of an antagonistic relationship between PPAR-γ activation and TGF-β signaling in HSC. In this study, we further hypothesize that TGF-β signaling might negatively regulate gene expression of PPAR-γ in activated HSC. The present report demonstrates that exogenous TGF-β1 inhibits gene expression of PPAR-γ in activated HSC, which is eliminated by the pretreatment with curcumin likely by interrupting TGF-β signaling. Transfection assays further indicate that blocking TGF-β signaling by dominant negative type II TGF-β receptor increases the promoter activity of PPAR-γ gene. Promoter deletion assays, site-directed mutageneses, and gel shift assays localize two Smad binding elements (SBEs) in the PPAR-γ gene promoter, acting as curcumin response elements and negatively regulating the promoter activity in passaged HSC. The Smad3/4 protein complex specifically binds to the SBEs. Overexpression of Smad4 dose dependently eliminates the inhibitory effects of curcumin on the PPAR-γ gene promoter and TGF-β signaling. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the interruption of TGF-β signaling by curcumin induces gene expression of PPAR-γ in activated HSC in vitro. Our studies provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of curcumin in the induction of PPAR-γ gene expression and in the inhibition of HSC activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the major effectors in hepatic fibrogenesis. During liver injury, HSC become activated and proliferative. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are the potent mitogens for many cell types. We previously demonstrated that (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major and active component in green tea extracts, inhibited HSC growth, including reducing cell proliferation, and inducing apoptosis. We have reported that EGCG interrupts PDGF signaling by reducing receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and gene expression of PDGF-β receptor. Additional experiments are necessary to elucidate the effect of EGCG on EGF signaling in activated HSC. The aims of this study are to evaluate the effect of EGCG on the expression of EGFR and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms in activated HSC. We hypothesize that EGCG might interrupt EGF signaling by suppressing gene expression of EGF receptor (EGFR) in activated HSC, which, together with the interruption of PDGF signaling, might collectively result in the inhibition of HSC growth. The present report demonstrates that the phyto-chemical dose-dependently suppresses gene expression of EGFR in activated HSC in vitro. The Egr-1 binding site located in the egfr promoter is found to be cis-activating element in regulating the promoter activity of the gene. EGCG inhibits the trans-activation activity of Egr-1 in activated HSC by suppressing gene expression of the transcription factor. The interruption of the ERK signaling pathway by EGCG reduces the trans-activation activity of Egr-1 and the promoter activity of EGFR gene in HSC. Taken together, our results demonstrate that EGCG suppresses gene expression of EGFR in rat activated HSC in vitro mediated by reducing the trans-activation activity of Egr-1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Some sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence and global exponential stability of a periodic solution to the general bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with distributed delays by using the continuation theorem of Mawhin''s coincidence degree theory and the Lyapunov functional method and the Young''s inequality technique. These results are helpful for designing a globally exponentially stable and periodic oscillatory BAM neural network, and the conditions can be easily verified and be applied in practice. An example is also given to illustrate our results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: By using the continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory and Liapunov function, we obtain some sufficient criteria to ensure the existence and global exponential stability of periodic solution to the bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with periodic coefficients and continuously distributed delays. These results improve and generalize the works of papers [J. Cao, L. Wang, Phys. Rev. E 61 (2000) 1825] and [Z. Liu, A. Chen, J. Cao, L. Huang, IEEE Trans. Circuits Systems I 50 (2003) 1162]. An example is given to illustrate that the criteria are feasible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this Letter, several sufficient conditions are obtained for the almost periodic attractor of delayed neural networks with variable coefficients based on the theory of exponential dichotomy, Lyapunov method and Halanay inequality technique. Many previous results reported in the literature are extended or improved for neural networks with or without delays. The obtained results are helpful to design globally stable almost periodic oscillatory neural networks. A numerical example is also given in the end to show the feasibility of our results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By using the continuation theorem of Mawhin''s coincidence degree theory, Lyapunov functional method and some analytical techniques, some sufficient conditions are obtained ensuring existence and global exponential stability of periodic solution of the self-connection BAM neural networks with periodic coefficients and delays. These results are more effective than the ones in [IEEE Trans. Circuits Systems 50 (2003) 1162] for some neural networks, which has an important leading significance in the designing globally exponentially stable and periodic oscillatory BAM neural networks with self-connection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By using some analytic techniques, several simple criteria are derived for the global exponential stability of delayed bi-directional associative memory (BAM) neural networks. Our results throw off the usual assumption that the activation function is of bounded character. Exponential converging velocity indexes are provided, which depend on the transmission delays and system parameters. A numerical example is also given to show the correctness of our analysis. These results have an important instructional significance in the design of exponential stable delayed BAM circuits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several sufficient conditions are obtained ensuring the existence and global exponential stability of almost periodic solution for BAM neural networks with distributed delays based on fixed point method and some analysis technique. Some previous results are improved and extended in this Letter and an example is given to illustrate the conditions of our results are feasible. These results are helpful to design globally exponentially stable BAM networks with continuously distributed delays. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We obtain some results about the existence and the global exponential stability conditions for almost periodic solution of delayed cellular neural networks(DCNNs) with variable coefficients by using the Banach fixed point theorem and constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals. These results possess important significance in design and applications of global stable DCNNs and almost periodic oscillatory DCNNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the Banach fixed point theorem and constructing suitable Lyapunov function, some sufficient conditions are obtained ensuring existence, uniqueness and global stability of almost periodic solution of the BAM neural networks with variable coefficients and delays. These results are helpful to design global exponential stable BAM networks and almost periodic oscillatory BAM networks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By combining the theory of the exponential dichotomy and Liapunov function, we study the existence and attractivity of almost periodic solutions for cellular neural networks (CNNs) with distributed delays and variable coefficientsdxi/dt=−bi(t)xi(t)+∑j=1naij(t)fj(xj(t))+∑j=1nbij(t)fjμj∫0∞kij(u)xj(t−u) du+Ii(t).We obtain some sufficient conditions to ensure that for the networks there exists a unique almost periodic solution, and all its solutions converge to such an almost periodic solution. An example is given to illustrate that the conditions of our results are feasible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Growth of Caco-2 and many cancer cells is inhibited by 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3]. Whereas TGF-β1 inhibits normal colonic epithelial cell growth, most human colon cancer-derived cells, including Caco-2 and SW480 cells, are resistant to it. The mechanisms underlying these antiproliferative actions and resistance to TGF-β growth inhibition are largely unknown. We observed that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D[sub 3] [1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3]] sensitized Caco-2 and SW480 cells to TGF-β1 growth inhibitery effects. Versus 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] alone, the combination of 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] and TGF-β1 significantly reduced cell numbers. Also, the amount of active TGF-β1 was increased (∼4-fold) by this secosteroid in conditioned media from Caco-2 cells. The 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] increased the expression of IGF-II receptors (IGF-IIR), which facilitated activation of latent TGF-β1, and was found to activate TGF-β signaling in Caco-2 cells. By using neutralizing antibodies to human TGF-β1, we showed that this cytokine contributes to secostereid-induced inhibition of Caco-2 cell growth. Also, 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] was found to enhance the type I TGF-β receptor mRNA and protein abundance in Caco-2 cells. Whereas the 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3]-induced sensitization of Cace-2 cells to TGF-β1 was IGF-IIR independent, the type I TGF-β1 receptor was required for this sensitization. Thus 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] treatment of Caco-2 cells results in activation of latent TGF-β1, facilitated by the enhanced expression of IGF-IIR by this secosteroid. Also, 1,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] sensitized Caco-2 cells to growth inhibitory effects of TGF-β1, contributing to the inhibition of Caco-2 cell growth by this secosteroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Banach fixed point theorem, we obtain a sufficient condition for the existence of almost periodic solution of shunting inhibitory cellular neural networks dxij/dt=−aijxij−∑lower limit Ckl∈Nr(i,j) Cijklfxkl(t−τ)xij+Lij(t), the global attractivity of SICNNs is also obtained. An example is given to illustrate that the condition of our results are feasible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adipogenesis is one of the triggers of obesity, which is a risk factor for various metabolic diseases. Long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator (lncRNA-SRA) is closely related to adipogenesis and p38/JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates lipid production by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Aerobic exercise can be efficient in improving adiposity and losing weight. Hence, we hypothesize that aerobic exercise ameliorates obesity by affecting the SRA/p38/JNK/PPARγ pathway and downstream target genes. The broad approaches used to test hypotheses are as follows. Spectrophotometer detected C57BL/6J mice blood lipid level; hematoxylin and eosin-stained fat tissue to check the grade of epididymis fat; quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot detected messenger RNA expression and protein levels. Injected lncRNA-SRA virus vector to overexpress SRA. After 8 weeks of aerobic exercise intervention, obese mice showed significant improvements in body weight, white fat weight, lipid levels, and the Lee index. Aerobic exercise significantly inhibited the expression of SRA, activated the p38/JNK signaling pathway, further inhibited the expression of PPARγ and downstream target genes, and improved obesity. Aerobic exercise intervention improved lipid metabolism in obese mice, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the LncSRA/p38/JNK/PPARγ signaling pathway. Aerobic exercise is a globally recognized method for weight loss, and aerobic exercise successfully attenuates obesity by suppressing long noncoding steroid receptor RNA activator (lncSRA) expression caused by a high-fat diet. When lncSRA is suppressed, it activates the p38/JNK signaling pathway and further suppresses peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and its downstream target genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein-2, fatty acid synthase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and glucokinase. Hence, aerobic exercise inhibits lncSRA expression and further activates p38/JNK signaling pathway to suppress PPARγ and its targets expression to improve adipogenesis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the housing markets in China. China has developed more rapidly as compared to any other country in the history. A study conduced by Siqi Zheng & colleagues investigated spatial heterogeneity pattern in housing prices is related to the public goods provision of a centralized metropolitan government.

Studies the lethal effects of deficiency in l-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in Streptococcus mutans bacterium in the absence of compensatory mutations. Use of S. mutans as effecto strains for the replacement therapy of dental caries; Effect of the introduction of mutated LDH in S. mutans.