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Abstract The mechanisms underlying the natural control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have long been an intriguing question. Given the wide physiological range of liver stiffness and the growing attention to the role of mechanical microenvironment in homeostasis and diseases, we investigated how physical matrix cues impact HBV replication. High matrix stiffness significantly inhibited HBV replication and activated YAP in primary hepatocyte culture system, a key molecule in mechanosignaling. YAP activation notably suppressed HBV transcription and antigen expression. Several YAP-induced genes exhibited strong anti-HBV effects. Single-cell analysis of liver tissue from male individuals with active HBV replication revealed a strong significant negative correlation between YAP signature activation and HBV transcript levels. Intraperitoneal administration of YAP small molecule agonist potently controls HBV in male mouse models. These findings unveil a mechanism that involves the mechanical environment of hepatocytes and YAP to clear hepatotropic viral infection in the liver, providing new perspectives for HBV cure studies and antiviral development.

Globally, vegetation has been changing dramatically. The vegetation–water dynamic is key to understanding ecosystem structure and functioning in water-limited ecosystems. Continual satellite monitoring has detected global vegetation greening. However, a vegetation greenness increase does not mean that ecosystem functions increase. The intricate interplays resulting from the relationships between vegetation and precipitation must be more adequately comprehended. In this study, satellite data, for example, leaf area index (LAI), net primary production (NPP), and rainfall use efficiency (RUE), were used to quantify vegetation dynamics and their relationship with rainfall in different reaches of the Yellow River Basin (YRB). A sequential regression method was used to detect trends of NPP sensitivity to rainfall. The results showed that 34.53% of the YRB exhibited a significant greening trend since 2000. Among them, 20.54%, 53.37%, and 16.73% of upper, middle, and lower reach areas showed a significant positive trend, respectively. NPP showed a similar trend to LAI in the YRB upper, middle, and lower reaches. A notable difference was noted in the distributions and trends of RUE across the upper, middle, and lower reaches. Moreover, there were significant trends in vegetation–rainfall sensitivity in 16.86% of the YRB’s middle reaches—14.08% showed negative trends and 2.78% positive trends. A total of 8.41% of the YRB exhibited a marked increase in LAI, NPP, and RUE. Subsequently, strategic locations reliant on the correlation between vegetation and rainfall were identified and designated for restoration planning purposes to propose future ecological restoration efforts. Our analysis indicates that the middle reach of the YRB exhibited the most significant variation in vegetation greenness and productivity. The present study underscores the significance of examining the correlation between vegetation and rainfall within the context of the high-quality development strategy of the YRB. The outcomes of our analysis and the proposed ecological restoration framework can provide decision-makers with valuable insights for executing rational basin pattern optimization and sustainable management.

ABSTRACTType I interferons (IFN-Is) have key roles in immune defense and treatments for various diseases, including chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. All IFN-Is signal through a shared IFN-I heterodimeric receptor complex comprising IFN-α receptor 1 (IFNAR1) and IFNAR2 subunits, but differences in antiviral and immunomodulatory responses among IFN-I subtypes remain largely unknown. Because the IFN-IFNAR interactions are species-specific, mice exhibit weak responses to human IFN-I. To more fully characterize the actions of human IFN-α and its subtypes in vivo, a gene targeting strategy was employed to generate gene knock-in mice with extracellular-humanized IFNAR1/2 (IFNAR-hEC) in the C57BL/6N strain. IFNAR-hEC mice actively responded to human IFN-I, and endogenous mouse IFN-I signalling remained active in heterozygous mice (IfnarhEC/+). Analyses of IFNAR-hEC mice and isolated cells showed that human IFN-α2 and α14 subtypes exerted differential effect on the activation of JAK-STAT signalling and immune responses. Compared with IFN-α2, IFN-α14 induced greater activation of STAT1/2 and IFN-stimulated genes, synergistically elicited IFN-α and -γ signalling, and induced higher numbers of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, IFNAR-hEC mice with HBV replication displayed long-term viral suppression upon treatment with the clinically-used PEGylated hIFN-α2. These results indicate that IFNAR-hEC mice may be useful for elucidating antiviral and immunomodulatory functions of human IFN-Is and for conducting preclinical studies. A better understanding of the distinct activities of IFN-α subtypes can provide insights concerning the development of improved IFN-based therapy.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of using a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based iterative reconstruction algorithm with low tube voltage to reduce the radiation dose of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in obese patients. Methods: A total of 40 patients were randomly divided into routine-dose (group A n=20) and low-dose groups (group B n=20). In group A, a tube voltage of 120 kV and a tube current of 200 mAs, whereas in group B, a tube voltage of 80 kV and a tube current of 200 mAs were used. The collected data was transferred to the post-processing workstation. The image reconstructions of the conventional and new iterative reconstruction algorithms based on AI were used. Comparative analysis of average CT value of the aorta, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of the aorta and left coronary, SNR and CNR of right coronary in the two groups. Results: The average CT value of the aorta in group B, the SNR and CNR of the aorta and the left coronary artery, the SNR and CNR of the right coronary artery was not significantly different from those of group A. There was no difference in the subjective image quality between the two groups. However, the radiation dose in patients of group B was reduced by 68.2% compared with that of group A. Conclusion: The new iterative reconstruction algorithm can significantly improve the image quality of the reconstruction. The radiation dose can be significantly reduced with a tube voltage of 80 kVp, and the coronary CTA image equivalent to the image quality of the conventional dose can be obtained.

This paper shows that desertification combating practices decline incomes of farmers and herders, and China needs to adapt its ecological programmes to address the impacts of climate change and create positive synergies to combat desertification.

Abstract Background To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of mDIXON-Quant technique for prediction of bone loss in male adults. Methods One hundred thirty-eight male adults were divided into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on DXA and QCT for the lumbar spine. Differences in mDIXON-Quant parameters [fat fraction (FF) and T2* value] among three groups, as well as the correlation of mDIXON-Quant parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) were analyzed. The areas under the curves (AUCs) for mDIXON-Quant parameters for prediction of low bone mass were calculated. Results According to DXA standard, FF and T2* value were significantly increased in osteoporosis group compared with normal group (P = 0.012 and P

Under global warming, many glaciers worldwide are receding. However, recent studies have suggested the extension of the Karakoram Anomaly, a region of anomalous glacier mass gain, into the western Kunlun and eastern Pamir mountains. However, the eastern limit of this anomaly in the Kunlun Mountains is unclear. This study, using changes in glacier area and surface elevation, estimates the eastern limit of the Kunlun-Pamir-Karakoram anomaly at ~85°E. Over the past 50 years, glaciers west of 85°E in the Kunlun Mountains decreased in area from 8401 to 7945 km2 at a rate of −0.12 ± 0.07% a−1, showed a reduction in the rate of retreat through time and have recently gained mass, with surface elevation changes of 0.15 ± 0.35 m a−1 over the period of 2000–2013. Glaciers east of 85°E have experienced greater rates of area change (−61 ± 12 km2 and −0.43 ± 0.13% a−1) over the past 50 years, accelerated area loss in recent years and elevation change rate of −0.51 ± 0.18 m a−1 between 2000 and 2013. These patterns of elevation and area change are consistent with regional increases in summer temperature in the eastern Kunlun Mountains and slight cooling in the western Kunlun Mountains.

Vegetation is an essential component of terrestrial ecosystems and supplies multiple ecosystem benefits and services. Several indices have been used to monitor changes in vegetation communities using remotely-sensed data. However, only a few studies have conducted a comparative analysis of different indices concerning vegetation greenness variation. Additionally, there have been oversights in assessing the change in greenness of evergreen woody species. In this study, we used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), the near-infrared reflectance of terrestrial vegetation (NIRv), and the leaf area index (LAI) data derived from MODIS data to examine spatial and temporal change in vegetation greenness in the growing season (May–September) and then evaluated the evergreen vegetation greenness change using winter (December–February) greenness using trend analysis and consistency assessment methods between 2000 and 2022 on the Tibetan Plateau, China. The results found that vegetation greenness increased in 80% of pixels during the growing season (northeastern, central-eastern, and northwestern regions). Nevertheless, a decline in the southwestern and central-southern areas was identified. Similar trends in greenness were also observed in winter in about 80% of pixels. Consistency analyses based on the four indexes showed that vegetation growth was enhanced by 29% and 30% of pixels in the growing season and winter, respectively. Further, there was relatively strong consistency among the different vegetation indexes, particularly between the NIRv and EVI. The LAI was less consistent with the other indexes. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting an appropriate index when monitoring long-term temporal trends over large spatial scales.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose substantial challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Exploring systematic SDG strategies is urgently needed to aid recovery from the pandemic and reinvigorate global SDG actions. Based on available data and comprehensive analysis of the literature, this paper highlights ongoing challenges facing the SDGs, identifies the effects of COVID-19 on SDG progress, and proposes a systematic framework for promoting the achievement of SDGs in the post-pandemic era. Progress towards attaining the SDGs was already lagging behind even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inequitable distribution of food–energy–water resources and environmental crises clearly threaten SDG implementation. Evidently, there are gaps between the vision for SDG realization and actual capacity that constrain national efforts. The turbulent geopolitical environment, spatial inequities, and trade-offs limit the effectiveness of SDG implementation. The global public health crisis and socio-economic downturn under COVID-19 have further impeded progress toward attaining the SDGs. Not only has the pandemic delayed SDG advancement in general, but it has also amplified spatial imbalances in achieving progress, undermined connectivity, and accentuated anti-globalization sentiment under lockdowns and geopolitical conflicts. Nevertheless, positive developments in technology and improvement in environmental conditions have also occurred. In reflecting on the overall situation globally, it is recommended that post-pandemic SDG actions adopt a “Classification–Coordination–Collaboration” framework. Classification facilitates both identification of the current development status and the urgency of SDG achievement aligned with national conditions. Coordination promotes domestic/international and inter-departmental synergy for short-term recovery as well as long-term development. Cooperation is key to strengthening economic exchanges, promoting technological innovation, and building a global culture of sustainable development that is essential if the endeavor of achieving the SDGs is to be successful. Systematic actions are urgently needed to get the SDG process back on track.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging shows great potential in clinical applications. However, CEST imaging is challenging in abdomen due to the large B0 shift. Meanwhile, the nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) effect contaminates amide proton transfer (APT) image when using the conventional asymmetry analysis. In this paper, a CEST post-processing approach based on neural network fitting was proposed. Through recognizing the characteristics of acquired Z-spectrum, the background reference Z-spectrum and the B0offset were obtained and used to correct the acquired Z-spectrum. The APT effect and NOE effect could be calculated by subtracting the background reference Z-spectrum from the acquired Z-spectrum. The proposed CEST post-processing approach was validated by the egg white imaging and the abdomen imaging on four healthy volunteers.

Abstract Objective This study aims to investigate the value of the quantitative indicators of MRI in the differential diagnoses of benign, borderline, and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs). Materials and methods The study population comprised 477 women with 513 masses who underwent MRI and operation, including benign EOTs (BeEOTs), borderline EOTs (BEOTs), and malignant EOTs (MEOTs). The clinical information and MRI findings of the three groups were compared. Then, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find the independent diagnostic factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the quantitative indicators of MRI and clinical information in differentiating BeEOTs from BEOTs or differentiating BEOTs from MEOTs. Results The MEOTs likely involved postmenopausal women and showed higher CA-125, HE4 levels, ROMA indices, peritoneal carcinomatosis and bilateral involvement than BeEOTs and BEOTs. Compared with BEOTs, BeEOTs and MEOTs appeared to be more frequently oligocystic (P

Understanding changes of ecosystem services and their influencing factors is crucial for more sustainable ecosystem management and conservation of nature contributions to people, especially in regions suffering high pressure from climate change and human activities, such as the Nordic countries. In this study, we assess multiple ecosystem services and their influencing factors in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. We analyze changes in ecosystem services such as habitat quality, sediment retention, water yield, carbon sequestration, crop and roundwood production between 2003 and 2018. The relationships between ecosystem services and the main influencing factors (temperature, precipitation, elevation, population, livestock, and land use change) are assessed by means of the Spearman’s correlation coefficient and a new method that unravels synergies or tradeoffs at a grid level. Given the importance of forest management in the study region, an advanced land cover dataset that includes maps of forest harvest is produced and used as a basis for the analysis. Results show the large changes in ecosystem services during the study period and their spatial variations. Overall, the habitat quality is decreased, especially in the sites affected by forest management and agricultural production. Water yield and sediment retention increased due to higher precipitation (mainly in Norway). Higher temperature and forest management have generally increased carbon sequestration and provisioning services. The relationship between ecosystem services and their potential influencing factors differs across space. There are 10 out of 15 pairs of ecosystem services that predominantly show a tradeoff relationship, while the rest shows a synergy. In general, our results show the importance to monitor ecosystem services and understand the main drivers of their changes, so to design more sustainable resource management strategies that can secure a long-term delivery of ecosystem services.

Abstract Background The purpose of the current study was to explore the role and underlying mechanism of FGF-2 in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods GSE21727 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by the limma/R package. MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to DEX at different concentrations (0, 10−8, 10−7, 10−6, 10−5 and 10−4 mol/L), and cell viability, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. An FGF-2-pcDNA3 plasmid (oe-FGF-2) was used to overexpress FGF-2, and western blotting was conducted to detect protein expression. Results We found that FGF-2 was downregulated in the DEX-treated group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that DEGs were associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. DEX downregulated FGF-2 gene and protein expression, inhibited viability and induced MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis. Overexpression of FGF-2 reversed DEX-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. FGF-2-mediated anti-apoptosis was impaired by inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway with LY294002. Moreover, overexpression of FGF2 delayed the progression of DEX-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) animal model by regulation PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion In conclusion, FGF-2 is effective at inhibiting DEX-induced MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

AIM: To determine the effects of safranal on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and oxidative stress damage of human choroidal microvascular endothelial cells (HCVECs) and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Forty-five rats were used as a laser-induced CNV model for testing the efficacy and safety of safranal (0.5 mg/kg·d, intraperitoneally) on CNV. CNV leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA) and CNV thickness on histology was compared. HCVECs were used for a H2O2-induced oxidative stress model to test the effect of safranal in vitro. MTT essay was carried to test the inhibition rate of safranal on cell viability at different concentrations. Tube formation was used to test protective effect of safranal on angiogenesis at different concentrations. mRNA transcriptome sequencing was performed to find the possible signal pathway. The expressions of different molecules and their phosphorylation level were validated by Western blotting. RESULTS: On FA, the average CNV leakage area was 0.73±0.49 and 0.31±0.11 mm2 (P?=?0.012) in the control and safranal-treated group respectively. The average CNV thickness was 127.4±18.75 and 100.6±17.34 μm (P=0.001) in control and safranal-treated group. Under the condition of oxidative stress, cell proliferation was inhibited by safranal and inhibition rates were 7.4%-35.4% at the different concentrations. For tube formation study, the number of new branches was 364 in control group and 35, 42, and 17 in 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL safranal groups respectively (P

The great challenges of sustainable development highlight an urgent need to systematically understand the mechanisms linking humans and nature. Resources and Environmental Sciences are a broad and practical discipline focused on coupled human and natural systems. They aim to study the formation and evolution of resources in the earth system, the drivers of various environmental problems, processes and relationships between resources and the environment, particularly under the combined impacts of natural conditions and human activities. The major resources and environmental problems drive the discipline development; international science programmes guide the direction of the discipline; interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary integration promotes new branches of the discipline; and technological progress results in a research paradigm shift. Facing the critical research requirements of strengthening trans- and interdisciplinarity, breaking through the key technology, targeting major environmental and disaster issues, and supporting sustainable development, nine critical scientific issues should be focused on climate change impact and adaptation, petroleum and mineral resources, water cycle and water resources, soil and land resources, ecosystems, remote sensing and geographic information science, environmental science and technology, disaster risk, and global and regional sustainable development. Suggestions to enhancing funding systems, improve talent cultivation, develop scientific platforms, and strength international cooperation are provided in this study to support scientific policymaking. The promotion of Resources and Environmental Sciences enables a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of economic development and environmental changes relevant to assure a more sustainable global development.

Grazing exclusion has been a primary ecological restoration practice since the implement of “Returning Grazing Land to Grassland” program in China. However, the debates on the effectiveness of grazing exclusion have kept for decades. To date, there has been still a poor understand of vegetation restoration with grazing exclusion duration in alpine meadows and alpine steppes, limiting the sustainable management of grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau. We collected data from previous studies and field surveys and conducted a meta-analysis to explore vegetation restoration with grazing exclusion durations in alpine meadows and alpine steppes. Our results showed that aboveground biomass significantly increased with short-term grazing exclusion (1–4 years) in alpine meadows, while medium-term grazing exclusion (5–8 years) in alpine steppes (P < 0.05). By contrast, belowground biomass significantly increased with medium-term grazing exclusion in alpine meadows, while short-term grazing exclusion in alpine steppes (P < 0.05). Long-term grazing exclusion significantly increased belowground biomass in both alpine meadows and alpine steppes. medium-tern, and long-term grazing exclusion (> 8 years) significantly increased species richness in alpine meadows (P < 0.05). Only long-term GE significantly increased Shannon-Wiener index in plant communities of alpine steppes. The efficiency of vegetation restoration in terms of productivity and diversity gradually decreased with increasing grazing exclusion duration. Precipitation significantly positively affected plant productivity restoration, suggesting that precipitation may be an important factor driving the differential responses of vegetation to grazing exclusion duration in alpine meadows and alpine steppes. Considering the effectiveness and efficiency of grazing exclusion for vegetation restoration, medium-term grazing exclusion are recommended for alpine meadows and alpine steppes.

Protected areas (PAs) are the critical societal tool to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services (ESs), but human disturbances frequently threaten them. Here, we used multiple data sources to map the human footprint as a proxy for identifying the intensity of human activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and therein nature reserves (NRs, the primary category of PAs in China). We found that the human footprint on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has increased by 22% since 2000, and on average, human pressure inside NRs was 60% lower than outside. However, human pressure was identified in the majority of the NRs, with only 30% of protected land free from any measurable pressure. From a total of 53 NRs, 28 showed over 10% increase in human footprint, and 6 NRs had over 70% of their extent under intense human pressure (human footprint score≥4). Furthermore, a higher proportion of ESs in NRs is subjected to high levels of human pressure and are therefore at risk, particularly soil and water retention. The applied regression model revealed that large NRs are more resilient to human pressure than NRs with the longer establishment. The continuous human footprint increase may hinder the current and future ESs supply. Our analysis shows evidence-based results to promote the mitigation of human pressures in PAs.

PurposeTo study the effects of Lu-tong Granules (LTG) in ICH etermine the underlying mechanism of molecular network.MethodsModern bioinformatics and network pharmacology methods were used to predict molecular network mechanisms between ICH and LTG. Animal experiments were carried out to verify the effect of LTG for the treatment of ICH, combined with behavior test and morphologic detection.ResultsForty-three active components in LTG and involved 192 gene targets were identified successfully. Moreoner, they were intersected with 1132 genes of ICH,88 intersection targets were obtained. subsequently, Cytoscape was used to screen Hub genes, in which,6 core molecules, including AKT1, IL6, VEGFA, CASP3, JUN and MMP9 were recognized. Furthermore, we constructed Six core compounds by " disease-drug-active ingredient-target-KEGG " (D-D-A-T-K) network, showed including quercetin, luteolin, β sitosterol, stigmasterol, kaempferol and formononetin, and PPI protein network interaction showed that AKT1:OS3 and CNA2:DKN1A had the highest correlation. Whereas the enrichment of GO and KEGG indicated that LTG was most likely to play a therapeutic role in ICH through AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. Integrated analysis also showed that the first 10 pathways of KEGG are integrated into 59 genes, among which 6 core genes are closely involved. Lastly, molecular docking showed that there was a good binding activity between the core components and the core genes, and animal experiments confirmed effect of LTG in the treatment of ICH, by using TTC staining and behavior test.ConclusionLTG are effective for the treatment of ICH, the underlying mechanism could be involved in gene network including anti-inflammatory response, nerve repair, analgesia, anti-epilepsy and other aspects.

Functional constipation, which belongs to the functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), is a common disease and significantly impacts daily life. FGID patients have been progressively proven with functional and structural alterations in various brain regions, but whether and how functional constipation affects the brain gray matter volume (GMV) remains unclear; besides, which genes are associated with the GMV changes in functional constipation is largely unknown. On account of the structural MRI image from the 30 functional constipation patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs), GMV analysis showed that functional constipation patients had significantly decreased GMV in the right orbital prefrontal cortex (OFC), left precentral gyrus (PreG), and bilateral thalamus (THA). Correlation analysis showed that the self-rating depressive scale, patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL), and Wexner constipation scores were negatively correlated with GMV of the OFC and negative correlations between PAC-QOL score and GMV of the bilateral THA. Based on the Allen Human Brain Atlas, a cross-sample spatial correlation was conducted and found that 18 genes’ expression values showed robust correlations with GMV changes in functional constipation patients. These outcomes highlight our recognition of the transcriptional features related to GMV changes in functional constipation and could be regarded as candidates to detect biological mechanisms of abnormality in functional constipation patients.

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is now the most attractive topology for medium and high voltage power conversion applications with several advantages over the traditional voltage source converter (VSC). However, due to a large number of sub-modules (SMs) in the MMC, system reliability is a big challenge in its practical application, where each SM may be considered as a potential point of failure. In this paper, a reliability evaluation based on the Markov model is proposed for the MMC. The failure rates of the power electronic devices and SMs are firstly analyzed. Then, the Markov model and the state transition equation of the system are built in detail. A general reliability evaluation function is established, in which the mean time to failure and reliability evaluation of the MMC with redundant SMs are also discussed. Finally, a practical direct current (DC) distribution example for reliability evaluation is analyzed, and the results verify that the reliability evaluation based on the Markov model could provide a useful reference for project design.

Abstract Background This study aims to investigate the technical feasibility of semi-quantitative and quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the assessment of longitudinal changes of marrow perfusion in a rat osteoporosis model, using bone mineral density (BMD) measured by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histopathology as the gold standards. Methods Fifty rats were randomly assigned to the control group (n=25) and ovariectomy (OVX) group whose bilateral ovaries were excised (n=25). Semi-quantitative and quantitative DCE-MRI, micro-CT, and histopathological examinations were performed on lumbar vertebrae at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after operation. The differences between the two groups in terms of semi-quantitative DCE-MRI parameter (maximum enhancement, Emax), quantitative DCE-MRI parameters (volume transfer constant, Ktrans; interstitial volume, Ve; and efflux rate constant, Kep), micro-CT parameter (BMD), and histopathological parameter (microvessel density, MVD) were compared at each of the time points using an independent-sample t test. The differences in these parameters between baseline and other time points in each group were assessed via Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. A Pearson correlation analysis was applied to assess the relationships between DCE-MRI, micro-CT, and histopathological parameters. Results In the OVX group, the Emax values decreased significantly compared with those of the control group at weeks 6 and 9 (p=0.003 and 0.004, respectively). The Ktrans values decreased significantly compared with those of the control group from week 3 (p

Abstract The sources of modern dust aerosols and their emission magnitudes are fundamental for linking dust with climate and environment. Using field sample data, wind tunnel experiments and statistical analysis, we determined the contributions of wadis, gobi (stony desert), lakebeds, riverbeds, and interdunes to modern dust aerosol availability in the three important potential dust sources including the Tarim Basin, Qaidam Basin, and Ala Shan Plateau of China. The results show that riverbeds are the dominant landscape for modern dust aerosol availabilities in the Qaidam Basin, while wadis, gobi, and interdunes are the main landscapes over the Ala Shan Plateau and Tarim Basin. The Ala Shan Plateau and Tarim Basin are potential dust sources in northwestern China, while the Qaidam Basin is not a major source of the modern dust aerosols nowadays, and it is not acting in a significant way to the Loess Plateau presently. Moreover, most of modern dust aerosol emissions from China originated from aeolian processes with low intensities rather than from major dust events.

Abstract The temporal trends and key driving forces of desertification in the Mu Us Desert are representatives of most arid regions of Asia with a high risk of desertification. We analyzed the significance of Aeolian transport on desertification in the Mu Us Desert by field investigations, sampling, wind tunnel experiments, particle size and nutrient measurements, and statistics on aeolian transport potentials. The results showed that high intensities of aeolian processes may result in low differences in aeolian transport despite differences in the underlying sediments. When high desertification occurred in the 1970s, the annual losses of the ammonium N, nitrate N, available K, and available P were approximately 116, 312, 46,436, and 1,251 kg km−2, respectively. After 2010, the losses were only 8, 20, 3,208, and 84 kg km−2, which were generally only 6.7% of those in the 1970s. The results showed that although human activity may trigger desertification, the dramatic decline of aeolian transport and low nutrient loss may be the key driving forces for the occurrence of rehabilitation in this region.

Glaciers in the Qilian Mountains are important sources of fresh-water for sustainable development in the Hexi Corridor in the arid northwest China. Over the last few decades, glaciers have generally shrunk across the globe due to climate warming. In order to understand the current state of glaciers in the Qilian Mountains, we compiled a new inventory of glaciers in the region using Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) images acquired in 2015, and identified 2748 glaciers that covered an area of 1539.30 ± 49.50 km2 with an ice volume of 81.69 ± 7.40 km3, among which the Shule River basin occupied the largest portion of glaciers (24.8% in number, 32.3% in area, and 35.6% in ice volume). In comparison to previous inventories, glacier area was found to shrink by 396.89 km2 (20.5%) in total, and 109 glaciers with an area of 8.94 km2 disappeared over the period from the 1960s to 2015. This situation was primarily caused by the increase in air temperature, and also related with the size of glacier and some local topographic parameters. In addition, the change of glaciers in the Qilian Mountains showed a distinct spatial pattern, i.e., their shrinking rate was large in the east and small in the west.

Objective Our study focused on acute lacunar infarct shapes to explore the risk factors and clinical significance of irregularly shaped lacunar infarctions. Methods Based on the shape of their acute lacunar infarct, patients (n=204) were classified into the “regular” group or “irregular” group. The characteristics of the lacunar infarction were compared between the regular and irregular groups, between patients with and without neurological deterioration, and between patients with different modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. The risk factors for irregularly shaped lacunar infarctions, neurological deterioration, and high mRS scores were identified. Results Blood pressure variability (BPV) was an independent risk factor for irregularly shaped lacunar infarction. Infarction size, prevalence of advanced leukoaraiosis, and irregularly shaped lacunar infarcts were independent risk factors for higher mRS scores. Conclusions The irregularly shaped lacunar infarcts were correlated with BPV. Irregularly shaped lacunar infarctions and leukoaraiosis may be associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Silent brain infarctions are the silent cerebrovascular events that are distinguished from symptomatic lacunar infarctions by their 'silence'; the origin of these infarctions is still unclear. This study analyzed the characteristics of silent and symptomatic lacunar infarctions and sought to explore the mechanism of this 'silence'. METHODS: In total, 156 patients with only silent brain infarctions, 90 with only symptomatic lacunar infarctions, 160 with both silent and symptomatic lacunar infarctions, and 115 without any infarctions were recruited. Vascular risk factors, leukoaraiosis, and vascular assessment results were compared. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were compared between patients with only symptomatic lacunar infarctions and patients with two types of infarctions. The locations of all of the infarctions were evaluated. The evolution of the two types of infarctions was retrospectively studied by comparing the infarcts on the magnetic resonance images of 63 patients obtained at different times. RESULTS: The main risk factors for silent brain infarctions were hypertension, age, and advanced leukoaraiosis; the main factors for symptomatic lacunar infarctions were hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerosis of relevant arteries. The neurological deficits of patients with only symptomatic lacunar infarctions were more severe than those of patients with both types of infarctions. More silent brain infarctions were located in the corona radiata and basal ganglia; these locations were different from those of the symptomatic lacunar infarctions. The initial sizes of the symptomatic lacunar infarctions were larger than the silent brain infarctions, whereas the final sizes were almost equal between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic ischemic preconditioning and nonstrategic locations may be the main reasons for the 'silence' of silent brain infarctions.

Numerous global-scale land-cover datasets have greatly contributed to the study of global environmental change and the sustainable management of natural resources. However, land-cover datasets inevitably experience information loss because of the nature of the uncertainty in the interpretation of remote-sensing images. Therefore, analyzing the spatial consistency of multi-source land-cover datasets on the global scale is important to maintain the consistency of time and consider the effects of land-cover changes on spatial consistency. In this study, we assess the spatial consistency of five land-cover datasets, namely, GLC2000, CCI LC, MCD12, GLOBCOVER and GLCNMO, at the global and continental scales through climate and elevation partitions. The influencing factors of surface conditions and data producers on the spatial inconsistency are discussed. The results show that the global overall consistency of the five datasets ranges from 49.2% to 67.63%. The spatial consistency of Europe is high, and the multi-year value is 66.57%. In addition, the overall consistency in the EF climatic zone is very high, around 95%. The surface conditions and data producers affect the spatial consistency of land-cover datasets to different degrees. CCI LC and GLCNMO (2013) have the highest overall consistencies on the global scale, reaching 67.63%. Generally, the consistency of these five global land-cover datasets is relatively low, increasing the difficulty of satisfying the needs of high-precision land-surface-process simulations.

Twitter has become a popular data source as a surrogate for monitoring and detecting events. Targeted domains such as crime, election, and social unrest require the creation of algorithms capable of detecting events pertinent to these domains. Due to the unstructured language, short-length messages, dynamics, and heterogeneity typical of Twitter data streams, it is technically difficult and labor-intensive to develop and maintain supervised learning systems. We present a novel unsupervised approach for detecting spatial events in targeted domains and illustrate this approach using one specific domain, viz. civil unrest modeling. Given a targeted domain, we propose a dynamic query expansion algorithm to iteratively expand domain-related terms, and generate a tweet homogeneous graph. An anomaly identification method is utilized to detect spatial events over this graph by jointly maximizing local modularity and spatial scan statistics. Extensive experiments conducted in 10 Latin American countries demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.