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As the second largest city in northern China, Tianjin has a unique geographical and social status. Following its rapid economic development, Tianjin is experiencing high levels of surface water pollution. The land use/land cover (LULC) pattern has a considerable impact on hydrological cycling and pollutant transmission, and thus on regional water quality. A full understanding of the water quality response to the LULC pattern is critical for water resource management and improvement of the natural environment in Tianjin. In this study, surface water monitoring station data and LULC data from 2021 to 2022 were used to investigate the surface water quality in Tianjin. A cluster analysis was conducted to compare water quality among monitoring stations, a factor analysis was conducted to identify potential pollution sources, and an entropy weight calculation was used to analyze the impact of the land use pattern on water quality. The mean total nitrogen (TN) concentration exceeded the class Ⅴ water quality standard throughout the year, and the correlation coefficient of the relationship between dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH exceeded 0.5 throughout the year, with other water quality parameters showing seasonal changes. On the basis of their good water quality, the water quality monitoring stations near large water source areas were distinguished from those near areas with other LULC patterns via the cluster analysis. The factor analysis results indicated that the surface water in Tianjin suffered from nutrient and organic pollution, with high loadings of ammonia nitrogen (NH3N), TN, and total phosphorus (TP). Water pollution was more serious in areas near built-up land, especially in the central urban area. The entropy weight calculation results revealed that water, built-up land, and cultivated/built-up land had the greatest impact on NH3N, while cultivated land had the greatest impact on electrical conductivity (EC). This study discusses the seasonal changes of surface water and impact of land use/land cover pattern on water quality at a macro scale, and highlighted the need to improve surface water quality in Tianjin. The results provide guidance for the sustainable utilization and management of local water resources.

The regeneration of transformer oil is a trending topic in the dielectric research field. However, the normal way of regeneration requires high cost and complicate process. In this paper, the non-woven polypropylene (PP) electret films were modified by fluorination and corona method to achieve the regeneration function for transformer oil. The results show that the C-H bonds in polypropylene were replaced by C-F bonds during the fluorination process, resulting in the mean diameter of the fibers being decreased to a value of 1.7 μm. The increased roughness of the fibers leads to super hydrophobicity. Further research revealed that the insulation properties of aging oil recovered after filtration by corona charged fluorinated fiber membranes. The result is especially significant for breakdown voltage, the values of which reached half of the original insulating oil. In conclusion, the combination of fluorinating and corona charging method on PP fiber membrane shows great potential for insulation oil regeneration.

Water quality monitoring is very important in agricultural catchments. UV–Vis spectrometry is widely used in place of traditional analytical methods because it is cost effective and fast and there is no chemical waste. In recent years, artificial neural networks have been extensively studied and used in various areas. In this study, we plan to simplify water quality monitoring with UV–Vis spectrometry and artificial neural networks. Samples were collected and immediately taken back to a laboratory for analysis. The absorption spectra of the water sample were acquired within a wavelength range from 200 to 800 nm. Convolutional neural network (CNN) and partial least squares (PLS) methods are used to calculate water parameters and obtain accurate results. The experimental results of this study show that both PLS and CNN methods may obtain an accurate result: linear correlation coefficient (R2) between predicted value and true values of TOC concentrations is 0.927 with PLS model and 0.953 with CNN model, R2 between predicted value and true values of TSS concentrations is 0.827 with PLS model and 0.915 with CNN model. CNN method may obtain a better linear correlation coefficient (R2) even with small number of samples and can be used for online water quality monitoring combined with UV–Vis spectrometry in agricultural catchment.

Osteocalcin regulates energy metabolism in an active undercarboxylated/uncarboxylated form. However, its role on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still controversial. In the current study, we investigated the causal relationship of circulating osteocalcin with NAFLD in two human cohorts and studied the effect of uncarboxylated osteocalcin on liver lipid metabolism through animal models. We analyzed the correlations of serum total/uncarboxylated osteocalcin with liver steatosis/fibrosis in a liver biopsy cohort of 196 participants, and the causal relationship between serum osteocalcin and the incidence/remission of NAFLD in a prospective community cohort of 2055 subjects from Shanghai Changfeng Study. Serum total osteocalcin was positively correlated with uncarboxylated osteocalcin (r = 0.528, p < .001). Total and uncarboxylated osteocalcin quartiles were inversely associated with liver steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis grades in both male and female participants (all p for trend

Hair fescue (Festuca filiformis) is a tuft-forming perennial grass that reduces yields in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) fields. Nonbearing year foramsulfuron applications suppress hair fescue, but there is interest in increasing suppression through foramsulfuron use in conjunction with fall-applied herbicides. The objective of this research was to determine the main and interactive effects of fall-bearing year herbicide applications and spring-nonbearing year foramsulfuron applications on hair fescue. The experiment was a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of fall-bearing year herbicide (none, terbacil, pronamide, glufosinate, dichlobenil) and spring-nonbearing year foramsulfuron application (0, 35 g·ha−1) arranged in a randomized complete block design at lowbush blueberry fields in Portapique and Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, Canada. Spring-nonbearing year foramsulfuron applications did not reduce total tuft density or consistently reduce flowering tuft density, flowering tuft inflorescence number, or flowering tuft seed production. Fall-bearing year pronamide applications reduced hair fescue density for the 2-year production cycle, although additional bearing year density reductions occurred when pronamide was followed by spring-nonbearing year foramsulfuron applications at Stewiacke. Fall-bearing year dichlobenil applications reduced total and flowering tuft density at each site, although reductions in flowering tuft inflorescence number and seed production were most consistent when followed by spring-nonbearing year foramsulfuron applications at Stewiacke. Suppression extended into the bearing year at each site, and dichlobenil should be examined further for hair fescue control. Fall-bearing year glufosinate applications reduced hair fescue total tuft density at each site and flowering tuft density and flowering tuft seed production at Stewiacke. Fall-bearing year glufosinate applications followed by spring-nonbearing year foramsulfuron applications also reduced nonbearing year flowering tuft inflorescence number and bearing year hair fescue seedling density at Stewiacke, indicating that this treatment may reduce hair fescue seedling recruitment at some sites. Fall-bearing year terbacil applications did not suppress hair fescue and are not recommended for hair fescue management in lowbush blueberry.

Hair fescue is a common perennial grass that reduces yields in lowbush blueberry fields. This grass is suppressed with nonbearing-year foramsulfuron applications, though suppression may be improved through use of sequential glufosinate and foramsulfuron applications. The objective of this research was to determine the main and interactive effects of fall bearing-year glufosinate applications, spring nonbearing-year glufosinate applications, and spring nonbearing-year foramsulfuron applications on hair fescue. The experiment was a 2 by 2 by 2 factorial arrangement of fall bearing-year glufosinate application (0, 750 g ai ha–¹), spring nonbearing-year glufosinate application (0, 750 g ai ha–¹), and spring nonbearing-year foramsulfuron application (0, 35 g ai ha–¹) arranged in a randomized complete block design at lowbush blueberry fields located in Parrsboro and Portapique, NS, Canada. Fall bearing-year glufosinate applications, spring nonbearing-year glufosinate applications, and spring nonbearing-year foramsulfuron applications alone provided inconsistent hair fescue suppression. Fall bearing-year glufosinate applications followed by spring nonbearing-year foramsulfuron applications, however, reduced nonbearing-year total tuft density, flowering-tuft density, and flowering-tuft inflorescence number at each site and reduced seed production at Portapique. Sequential fall bearing-year and spring nonbearing-year glufosinate applications or sequential spring nonbearing-year glufosinate and foramsulfuron applications reduced flowering-tuft density and flowering-tuft inflorescence number at each site but did not consistently reduce total tuft density. Sequential herbicide treatments reduced bearing-year seedling density and may therefore contribute to hair fescue seed bank management in lowbush blueberry. Nomenclature: Foramsulfuron; glufosinate; hair fescue; Festuca filiformis Pourr; FESTE; lowbush blueberry; Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.

Hair fescue is a common tuft-forming perennial grass weed that reduces yields and hinders mechanical harvest in lowbush blueberry fields. PRE terbacil applications traditionally controlled hair fescue but currently only provide suppression in most fields. Terbacil use has not, however, been evaluated in conjunction with other currently registered herbicides in lowbush blueberry. The objective of this research was to evaluate a range of terbacil-based herbicide treatments for hair fescue management in lowbush blueberry. The experiment was conducted at three lowbush blueberry fields in Nova Scotia, Canada. Spring nonbearing-year terbacil applications (2,000 g ai ha-1) exhibited variable efficacy on hair fescue with reduced total tuft density at one site and reduced flowering-tuft density and flowering-tuft inflorescence number at two sites. Suppression was limited to the year of application only. Terbacil followed by (fb) foramsulfuron (35 g ai ha-1) did not improve suppression. A terbacil tank mixture with glufosinate (750 ai ha-1), however, reduced flowering-tuft density and flowering-tuft inflorescence number at each site and reduced total tuft density at one site, suggesting improved suppression with terbacil + glufosinate relative to terbacil alone. Terbacil + glufosinate fb foramsulfuron gave additional reductions in total tuft density at two sites and reduced bearing-year flowering-tuft density at two sites, indicating that hair fescue suppression with this herbicide combination extends into the bearing year. Although less effective than the industry standard pronamide applications, terbacil + glufosinate or terbacil + glufosinate fb foramsulfuron could be used as part of a weed management program for hair fescue in lowbush blueberry. Nomenclature: Glufosinate; foramsulfuron; pronamide; terbacil; hair fescue; Festuca filiformis Pourr.; FESTE; lowbush blueberry; Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.

The susceptibility of poverty oat grass and rough bentgrass to foramsulfuron was assessed in greenhouse and field experiments. A dose response study was conducted in a greenhouse with treatments consisting of 0, 4.4, 8.8, 17.5, 35, 70, 140, and 280 g foramsulfuron ha−1. Field experiments were conducted using a similar dose response and also included industry standard fluazifop-P-butyl and sethoxydim applications. Foramsulfuron application rates of 4.04 ± 0.73 and 6.6 ± 1.3 g a.i. ha−1 reduced poverty oat grass biomass by 50% in the greenhouse. In contrast, 4.4 g a.i. ha−1 foramsulfuron caused >70% reduction in rough bentgrass biomass in the greenhouse. In the field, 280 g a.i. ha−1 of foramsulfuron was required to reduce poverty oat grass total and flowering tuft density and >35 g a.i. ha−1 (registered foramsulfuron rate) was required to reduce flowering tuft inflorescence number by 50%. In contrast, rough bentgrass was injured by 4.4 and 8.8 g a.i. ha−1 of foramsulfuron and total and flowering tuft density and flowering tuft inflorescence number were reduced by all other foramsulfuron rates evaluated. Foramsulfuron application rates of 13.1 ± 2.4, 10.3 ± 1.2, and 5.4 ± 0.9 g a.i. ha−1 reduced rough bentgrass total tuft density, flowering tuft density, and tuft inflorescence number, respectively, by 50%. Lowbush blueberry growers can consider foramsulfuron for postemergence management of rough bentgrass, but additional research is required to identify new herbicides for postemergence poverty oat grass management.

Previous studies investigating the effect of excessive weight on the foot have commonly been cross-sectional, therefore, it is still unclear how the foot function gradually changes with the increased body mass that is physiologically gained over time. This study aimed to use a load transfer method to identify the mechanism of how the foot function changed with the increased excessive body mass over two years. Taking normal weight as the baseline, fifteen children became overweight or obese (group 1), and fifteen counterparts maintained normal weight (group 0) over the two years. Barefoot walking was assessed using a Footscan® plate system. A load transfer method was used based upon the relative force–time integral (FTI) to provide an insight into plantar load transference as children increased in weight. Significantly increased FTIs were found at the big toe (BT), medial metatarsal (MM), lateral metatarsal (LM), and lateral heel (HL) in group 1, while at BT, MM, medial heel (HM), and HL in group 0. Foot load showed a posterior to anterior transferal from midfoot (2.5%) and heel (7.0%) to metatarsal and big toe in group 1. The control group, however, shifted the loading within the metatarsal level from LM to HM (4.1%), and equally relieved weight from around the midfoot (MF) (3.0%) to BT, MM, HM and HL. Earlier weight loss intervention is required to prevent further adverse effects on foot functions caused by excessive weight-bearing.

Background: The initial computed tomography (CT) blend sign has been used as an imaging marker to predict haematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with a small volume intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the relationship between the blend sign and outcomes remains elusive. The present study aimed to retrospectively measure the impact of initial CT blend signs on short-term outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent stereotactic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS). Methods: We enrolled 242 patients with spontaneous ICH. Based on the initial CT features, the patients were assigned to a blend sign group (91 patients) or a nonblend sign (control) group (151 patients). The NIHSS, GCS and mRS were used to measure the effects of sMIS. The rates of severe pulmonary infection and cardiac complications were also compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in NIHSS and GCS scores were observed between the two groups. The proportion of patients with good outcomes during follow-up was not different between the two groups. The rate of rehaemorrhaging increased in the blend sign group. No significant differences in severe pulmonary infections and cardiac complications were noted between the two groups. Conclusions: The initial CT blend sign was not associated with poor outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent sMIS. ICH patients with CT blend signs should undergo sMIS if they are suitable candidates for surgery.

The grounding body of the transmission tower is of great significance to the safe operation of the power system, its corrosion state needs to be accurately detected to ensure a safe discharge channel for lightning current. In this paper, transient electromagnetic method is employed to detect the corrosion of tower grounding body. Based on the distribution characteristics of magnetic induction intensity, the location of grounding conductor with corrosion or breakpoint can be accurately located. The model of tower grounding body is established by COMSOL multiphasic software, and the influence of different corrosion degree, conductor material and soil resistivity on magnetic induction intensity is analyzed in detail. Field experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the method.

Background: The initial CT blend sign has been used as an imaging marker to predict haematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with a small volume intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the relationship between the blend sign and outcomes remains elusive. The present study aimed to retrospectively measure the impact of initial CT blend signs on short-term outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent stereotactic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS). Methods: We enrolled 242 patients with spontaneous ICH. Based on the initial CT features, the patients were assigned to a blend sign group (91 patients) or a non-blend sign (control) group (151 patients). The NIHSS, GCS and mRS were used to measure the efficacy of the sMIS. The rates of severe pulmonary infection and cardiac complications were also compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in NIHSS and GCS at one week or two weeks after surgery were observed between the two groups. The proportion of patients with good outcomes during follow-up was not different in the two groups. Both groups displayed good functional outcomes relative to the state at admission. The rate of re-haemorrhaging increased in the blend sign group. No significant differences in severe pulmonary infections and cardiac complications were noted between the two groups. Conclusions: The initial CT blend sign was not associated with poor outcome in patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent sMIS. ICH patients with CT blend signs should undergo sMIS if they are suitable candidates for surgery.

IntroductionTo evaluate the association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated hepatic fibrosis with bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or impaired glucose regulation (IGR).Research design and methodsTwo cohorts including 46 subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 445 subjects with proton magnetic resonance spectrum-proven NAFLD were enrolled in this study. All subjects were postmenopausal women with T2DM or IGR. BMD at the lumbar spine L1–L4 and hip was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. NAFLD fibrosis stage and NAFLD fibrosis score were used to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis.ResultsIn subjects with liver biopsy-proven NAFLD, BMD (T-score, Z-score and BMD value) in the advanced fibrosis group were significantly lower than that in the non-advanced fibrosis group (pConclusionsNAFLD-associated hepatic fibrosis was negatively associated with decreased BMD in postmenopausal women with T2DM or IGR. Liver fibrosis decreased BMD probably via increasing bone turnover. Severe liver fibrosis may represent high risk for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with T2DM or IGR.

Backgrounds: The initial CT blend sign has been used as an imaging maker to predict haematoma expansion and poor outcome in patients with small volume intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the relationship between the blend sign and the outcome of patients remains elusive. The present study aimed to retrospectively observe the impact of initial CT blend signs on the short-term outcome of patients with hypertensive ICH underwent a stereotatic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS). Methods: Two hundreds and forty-two patients with spontaneous ICH were enrolled. Based on the initial CT features, the patients were assigned to a blend sign group (including 91 patients) or a non-blend sign group (control group, including 151 patients). The NIHSS, GCS and the mRS were used to observe the efficacy of the sMIS. The rates of severe pulmonary infection, cardiac complications were also compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in NIHSS and GCS in one week or two weeks after surgery were observed between the two groups. The proportion of patients with good outcome during follow-up did not show any difference between the two groups. However, both the two groups displayed good functional outcome over admission. The rate of rehaemorrhage increased in the blend sign group. No significant differences in severe pulmonary infections and cardiac complications were noted between the two groups. Conclusions：The initial CT blend sign are not associated with poor outcome of patients with hypertensive ICH underwent sMIS. ICH patients with CT blend sign should be also treated by performing sMIS if they are candidates for surgery.

Background The initial CT blend sign is an imaging marker that has been used to predict haematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with small-volume intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the association of the blend sign with the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery remains unclear. The present study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the influence of the initial CT blend sign on short-term outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH after stereotactic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS). Methods We enrolled 242 patients with spontaneous ICH. The patients were assigned to the blend sign group (91 patients) or non-blend sign (control) group (151 patients) based on the initial CT features. The NIHSS, GCS and mRS were used to assess the effects of sMIS. The rates of severe pulmonary infection and cardiac complications were also compared between the two groups. Results Statistically significant differences in the NIHSS and GCS scores were not observed between the blend sign group and the control group. No significant differences in the proportion of patients with good outcomes during the follow-up period were observed between the two groups. A higher rate of re-haemorrhage was noted in the blend sign group. Significant differences in the rates of severe pulmonary infection and cardiac complications were not observed between the two groups. Conclusions The initial CT blend sign is not associated with poor outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH after sMIS. ICH patients with the CT blend sign should undergo sMIS if they are suitable candidates for surgery.

Stereotactic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS) has been used in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in recent years and has obtained promising results. However, the outcomes of patients are associated with many factors. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively observe the relationship between hematoma shape features and the outcome of patients with spontaneous ICH following sMIS. One hundred eighty-three patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent sMIS were enrolled. Based on hematoma shape features, the patients were assigned to a regular-shaped hematoma group (RSH group, including 121 patients) or an irregular-shaped hematoma group (ISH group, including 62 patients). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were assessed on admission and at 1 week and 2 weeks after surgery. The rates of severe pulmonary infection, cardiac complications, and postoperative rebleeding during the hospital stay were also recorded for comparison. The functional outcome assessed by using the modified Rankin scale score was determined at discharge. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for predictors of good outcome in patients with ICH who underwent sMIS. A receiver operating characteristic curve was also used to confirm the results. Compared to the ISH group, the RSH group showed increased median GCS scores at one week and two weeks after surgery. The RSH group showed significantly decreased NIHSS scores at one week and two weeks after surgery compared with the ISH group at the same time point. Significant differences in the GCS score and the NIHSS score at 1 week (P

A simple and portable colorimetric sensor for colorimetric detection of UO

Flazasulfuron was evaluated for crop safety and efficacy on hair fescue (Festuca filiformis Pourr.) in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields. Treatments consisted of flazasulfuron applied at 38 and 50 g a.i. ha−1 in fall of the bearing year and spring and fall of the non-bearing year. Industry standard fall bearing year pronamide (2240 g a.i. ha−1) and spring non-bearing year terbacil (2000 g a.i. ha−1) and foramsulfuron (35 g a.i. ha−1) applications were included for comparison. Pronamide consistently reduced flowering hair fescue tuft density in the non-bearing and bearing years across sites. Terbacil reduced flowering tuft inflorescence height in the non-bearing year, but did not reduce total or flowering tuft density in either year. Foramsulfuron reduced flowering tuft density and flowering tuft inflorescence number and height in the non-bearing year, but hair fescue recovered in the bearing year. Fall bearing year flazasulfuron applications did not reduce total or flowering tuft density or flowering tuft inflorescence number and height. In contrast, spring non-bearing year flazasulfuron applications reduced flowering tuft density and flowering tuft inflorescence number and height, though hair fescue recovered in these treatments in the bearing year. Fall non-bearing year flazasulfuron applications reduced hair fescue total tuft density, flowering tuft density, and flowering tuft inflorescence number in the bearing year. No treatments caused significant injury to wild blueberry. Flazasulfuron may contribute to improved hair fescue management in wild blueberry, and this herbicide should be evaluated further to confirm crop tolerance and identify potential use patterns with currently registered herbicides.

Summary Background & aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common and strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The rapid acceleration of the increase in NAFLD prevalence has exceeded the trends observed for obesity, and has been driven by multiple factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the serum levels of folic acid, the endogenous source of methyl groups for DNA methylation, and NAFLD in Chinese adults. Methods The correlations between the serum folic acid levels and NAFLD were investigated in two independent cohorts of 70 subjects who underwent a liver biopsy and 130 subjects with varying liver fat contents, as measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Independent correlations between serum folic acid levels and liver steatosis grades were detected using a multivariate ordinal regression analysis. The diagnostic performances of serum folic acid levels alone and in combination with existing NAFLD prediction scores were compared with those of traditional NAFLD prediction parameters using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Results Serum folic acid concentrations were inversely correlated with liver histological steatosis grades (ρ = −0.371, P Conclusion Low serum folic acid levels were identified as an independent risk factor for NAFLD in the Chinese population. The addition of the serum folic acid levels to the current existing NAFLD prediction scores significantly improved the prediction of NAFLD.

The prevalence of children who are overweight or obese has been increasing worldwide. Previous study investigated children’s foot morphology and plantar pressure distribution, with the result showi...

A colorimetric sensor for detection of Ni2+ with high sensitivity and selectivity has been developed by functionalizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with phytate (PA) in aqueous solution. The as-prepared PA-AuNPs exhibit the excellent selectivity for colorimetric detection of Ni2+ over 13 metal ions in 15 min. In the presence of Ni2+, the color of PA-AuNPs changes from red to blue, and the plasmon absorption exhibits a redshift. The detection limit of PA-AuNPs is found to be 5 μM and 0.216 μM for naked eyes and UV–vis spectroscopy on basis of signal-to-ratio of 3:1 respectively.

American burnweed is an increasingly common annual weed in wild blueberry fields in Atlantic Canada and Maine. Knowledge of seed dormancy characteristics and potential for this species to form persistent seedbanks in wild blueberry soils, however, is lacking. A series of experiments were therefore conducted to investigate potential mechanisms regulating American burnweed seed dormancy in wild blueberry fields. Seeds were dormant at maturity and did not germinate in dark or light under warm conditions. Cold moist stratification (CMS) at 4 C for 90 d followed by exposure to warm conditions (22/15 C day/night) and light caused >90% germination, and germination was generally maximized following 80 d CMS. Exogenous potassium nitrate applied as a 5% solution did not stimulate germination, but nearly all seeds (>95%) germinated following treatment with 200, 400, 600, or 800 ppm (w/v) gibberellic acid (GA3) solution. Physical removal of the seed coat or seed exposure to short durations of dry heat did not increase germination. Seed exposure to 1 s of direct flame increased germination, but germination was low relative to germination following CMS and treatment with GA3. Based on these results, we conclude that American burnweed seeds in wild blueberry fields exhibit non–deep physiological dormancy that is most readily broken by CMS and light or seed treatment with GA3. Seeds will likely be exposed to favorable conditions for breaking dormancy (cold temperatures and light) in wild blueberry fields due to lack of tillage and seed burial, indicating high potential for this weed species to proliferate in wild blueberry fields if not properly managed.Nomenclature: American burnweed, Erechtites hieraciifolius (L.) Raf. ex DC. EREHI; wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.

As one of the important links of the automatic measurement terminal auto-verification pipeline, the upper and lower table robot control system needs to be further improved and improved in terms of reliability, stability and failure rate etc. Based on the micro-structure of the robot control system and the system dynamics of the robot control system, the transfer function model of the robot control system in auto-verification pipeline for the measurement terminal is established. Then, the zero-pole, unit impulse response and unit step response of the model are analyzed by time domain analysis method. Finally the corresponding simulation results are given. The analysis results show that the upper and lower table robot control system is a stable closed-loop control system, the unit step response overshoot is low and the response process is rapid. Therefore, the system dynamics model can effectively analyze the stability, dynamic performance and other performance of the robot control system.

In diesem zweiten Teil des Artikels, dessen erster Teil in der letzten Ausgabe der Chinesischen Medizin erschienen ist, beschreiben die Autoren den Einsatz von S25/Ma25 („Angel des Himmels“, tianshu) bei der Therapie von Erkrankungen der oo. intestinorum (Fk „Dick- und Dunndarm“, chang). Sie nennen dabei Symptomatiken und Erkrankungen wie Diarrhoe, Dysenterie, Obstipation, Colitis ulcerosa, Colon irritabile und Morbus Crohn, wobei sie jeweils auf die verschiedenen moglichen Krankheitsmechanismen, die empfehlenswerte Vorgehensweise und die jeweilige Wirkung der Akupunktur bzw. Moxibustion eingehen. Abschliesend beleuchten sie die aktuelle Forschungssituation zu diesem Foramen und nennen Aspekte, die sich noch verbessern lassen.

This paper mainly discusses the application of computer visual technology in embedded image recognition system. We propose and realize a new system called automatic recognition system of analog display instruments using computer vision. After the brief introduction of the characteristics of computer visual technology and embedded system, this paper analyzes the principles and the developing status of computer visual technology used in embedded system, proposes the automatic recognition system of analog display instruments using computer vision, which is on the basis of the application characteristics. Its working principles are just like the principles of the visual system of human being, “analyzing” the images “viewed” by the system, and obtaining the information needed. This paper designs the software and hardware system through focusing on the digital image processing technology and the application circumstances of the embedded system. The following key problems have been studied: how to realize automatic recognition of analog display instruments, how to solve automatic judgment of different kinds of indicator dial, how to eliminate disturbance cased by light and circumstances while exact result, how to realize the image collecting with high quality while low cost, how to improve the efficiency of data collection and image recognition(speed and accuracy)and how to correspond the each module design in hardware and software to improve the system's performance and stabilization. At the end, this paper designs automatic recognition program of analog display instruments.

With the energy demand increases, the coverage area of interconnected power grid gradually expanded, the number, variety and complexity of the transmission and substation equipment have increased rapidly, the safe operation of electrical power equipment become more important to the safe and reliable operation of the grid. At present, domestic and abroad condition monitoring and management of power transmission equipment have a lot of study, but there are still have a lot of problems, for instance, panoramic views of the state lacks sharing and analysis of analytical equipment, intelligent equipment is not high, the timeliness of diagnosis and decision-making, interactivity and automation level is not enough, the whole life cycle has lacking of integration and closed-loop problems. While, the Internet of Things (IOT) of electrical power equipment enriches and expands the network properties of the smart grid, and greatly supports the realization of electrical power equipment intelligent in technology. The operation status monitoring, fault diagnosis, condition assessment and life-cycle management of electrical power equipment has important scientific significance and application value to improve its operation reliability and utilization, as well as to achieve its optimal management. Therefore, how to construct power transmission technology based on networking equipment intelligent monitoring and having a full life-cycle management capabilities networking, It has great scientific and practical significance to enhance the safe and stable operation and the grid operation risk control of electrical power equipment and power grid.

Total synthesis of α-elvucitabine was achieved in 26% overall yield by a concise nine-step procedure starting from L-lyxose, with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethaneoulfonate (TMSOTf)–mediated stereocontrolled α-N-glycosidation and olefination through Barton–McCombie deoxygenation being the key steps, and the stereochemistry of the product was determined by nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy.

The synthesis of a designed, sterically congested geminal dimethyl-bearing PAR-1 antagonist was achieved by a route of ten steps, with the oxidation of an electron-rich benzaldehyde, the construction of a tertiary alkyl azide, and the selective hydrogenolysis of a 1,5-fused tetrazole to generate the cyclic amidine with Raney-Ni being the key steps. The selective hydrogenolysis of 1,5-fused tetrazole to generate the cyclic amidine with Raney-Ni was discovered and may be generally used for the synthesis of structurally unusual cyclic amidines. Several unsuccessful attempts to construct the desired geminal dimethyl-bearing cyclic amidine were also discussed.

To observe the impacts of herb-partitioned moxibustion, warm moxibustion and electroacupuncture on the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and collagen type I (Col I) in colons of rats with Crohn’ disease (CD), and discuss the mechanism of acupuncture therapy on the intestinal fibrosis in CD. The model rats were developed by TNBS as multiple proinflammatory method. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a normal group, a model group, a warm moxibustion group, an electroacupuncture group and a herb-partitioned moxibustion group. The treatments were carried out at Tianshu (ST 25) (bilateral) and Qihai (CV 6) in different treatments. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression position of Col I and bFGF. The expressions of Col I and bFGF in colons of rats in the model group significantly increased (compared with the normal group, P

Background Recent studies have linked non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to a reduced bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to detect the quantitative association of liver fat content (LFC) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with BMD in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. Methods The lumbar spine, hip and whole body BMDs were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Lunar iDXA, GE Healthcare) in 1659 Chinese (755 men and 1028 postmenopausal women) from Shanghai Changfeng community. Liver fat content was quantified via an ultrasound quantitative method. Multivariate linear regression analyses were carried out to determine the independent association of LFC and serum ALT with BMD and bone metabolic biomarkers. We also attempted to investigate the synergistic association between LFC and ALT as risk factors for bone mineral loss in Chinese. Results Subjects with higher LFC had significantly lower BMD at all skeletal sites. Univariate correlation analysis showed that both LFC and ALT were inversely associated with BMD at the spine (r = −0.116, P