Validation of MODIS ocean-colour products in the coastal waters of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea

An extensive study collected in situ data along the Yellow Sea(YS) and East China Sea(ECS) to assess the radiometric properties and the concentration of the water constituents derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS). Thirteen high quality match-ups were obtained for evaluating the MODIS estimates of Rrs(λ), chlorophyll a(Chl a) and concentrations of suspended particulate sediment matter(SPM). For MODIS Rrs(λ), the mean absolute percentage difference(APD) was in the range of 20%–36%, and the highest uncertainty appeared at 412 nm, whereas the band ratio of Rrs(λ) at 488 nm compared with that at 547 nm was highly consistent, with an APD of 7%. A combination of near-infrared bands and shortwave infrared wavelengths atmosphere correction algorithm(NIR-SWIR algorithm) was applied to the MODIS data, and the estimation accuracy of Rrs were improved at most of the visible spectral bands except 645 nm, 667 nm and 678 nm. Two ocean-colour empirical algorithms for Chl a estimation were applied to the processed data, the results indicated that the accuracy of the derived Chl a values was obviously improved, the four-band algorithms outperformed the other algorithm for measured and simulated datasets, and the minimum APD was 35%. The SPM was also quantified. Two regional and two coastal SPM algorithms were modified according to the in situ data. By comparison, the modified Tassan model had a higher accuracy for the application along the YS and ECS with an APD of 21%. However, given the limited match-up dataset and the potential influence of the aerosol properties on atmosphere correction, further research is required to develop additional algorithms especially for the low Chl a coastal water.

Isolation and characterization of liver epithelial progenitor cells from normal adult rhesus monkeys （Macaca mulatta）

Dear Editor, Based on their ability to proliferate and the capacity to differentiate into specific cell types, hepatic progenitor/stem cells （HPCs） from adult human liver may have potential therapeutic effects on end-stage liver failure. In addition, adult HPCs have a reduced risk of teratoma for- mation and are not subject to the same ethical issues as fetal HPCs or embryonic stem cells . The HPCs from rhesus monkeys are relevant because they may serve as a valuable preclinical model for assessment of cell therapy in humans. To date, there are no reports of HPCs or liver epithelial progenitor cells （LEPCs） isolated from normal adult rhesus monkey although a few studies in other species were reported. We report here for the first time the successful isolation of rhesus monkey LEPCs （mLEPCs） from normal adult livers （n = 12）.

Effects of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To explore the effects and dose-response relationship of Tai Chi for type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials and evidence quality of the outcomes.Methods:Nine major English and Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of Tai Chi for T2DM from inception to December 2021.The effects and dose-response relationships were assessed with a meta-analysis and meta-regression using Stata.16.The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the risk of bias tool.The evidence quality of the outcomes was assessed using the GRADE tool.Results:A total of 24 studies with 1314 patients were included.Compared with the usual care,Tai Chi improved HbA1c(MD¼0.80%,95%CI[1.05,0.54],P<.001,I2¼18.29%,very low-quality evidence),FBG(SMD¼0.58,95%CI[0.86,0.31],P<.001,I2¼53.2%,low-quality evidence),fasting insulin(FIN),diastolic blood pressure,BMI,and the outcomes of quality of life(QoL)in patients with T2DM.However,when Tai Chi was compared with other exercise,there was no between-group difference in the HbA1c,FBG,TC,TG,HDL,LDL,BMI,and waist circumference(WC).Furthermore,the findings showed that an increase at every 18 weeks in length or an 823-h increase in the total time of Tai Chi intervention resulted in approximately a one unit reduction in the SMD of FBG.Conclusion:Compared with usual care,Tai Chi may improve HbA1c(with clinical significance),FBG,FIN,BMI,diastolic blood pressure,and outcomes of QoL in T2DM patients.The effects of Tai Chi were similar to those of other exercises on the HbA1c,FBG,TC,TG,HDL,LDL,BMI,and WC.Given the overall poor methodological quality and evidence quality,these findings should be treated cautiously.

Assessing Total Factor Productivity for Soybean Production in China Based on DEA-Malmquist Index: 2005-2017

The low and slowly increasing soybean yield restricts the development of soybean production. Accurate measures of total factor productivity (TFP) for soybean production can be helpful in identifying conditions, institutions or policies that promote soybean production development in China. In this paper, TFP growth for soybean production was estimated for a panel data of 10 major soybean producing provinces from 2005 to 2017. Results reveal that TFP grew at an average rate of 1.3% over the whole period, with technical progress contributing 2.3% and efficiency change providing the other -1.0%. The change of TFP for soybean production over that time, whether increase or decline, was mainly derived by technical change except in three years (2005-2007). Positive TFP growth in the provinces of Liaoning and Inner Mongolia, and negative TFP growth in Hebei and Anhui were mainly driven by efficiency change, specifically scale efficiency change except pure technical efficiency in Liaoning.

Mechanical response of a tunnel subjected to strike-slip faulting processes,based on a multi-scale modeling method

The stick-slip action of strike-slip faults poses a significant threat to the safety and stability of underground structures.In this study,the north-east area of the Longmenshan fault,Sichuan,provides the geological background;the rheological characteristics of the crustal lithosphere and the nonlinear interactions between plates are described by Burger’s viscoelastic constitutive model and the friction constitutive model,respectively.A large-scale global numerical model for plate squeezing analysis is established,and the seemingly periodic stick-slip action of faults at different crust depths is simulated.For a second model at a smaller scale,a local finite element model(sub-model),the time history of displacement at a ground level location on the Longmenshan fault plane in a stick-slip action is considered as the displacement loading.The integration of these models,creating a multi-scale modeling method,is used to evaluate the crack propagation and mechanical response of a tunnel subjected to strike-slip faulting.The determinations of the recurrence interval of stick-slip action and the cracking characteristics of the tunnel are in substantial agreement with the previous field investigation and experimental results,validating the multi-scale modeling method.It can be concluded that,regardless of stratum stiffness,initial cracks first occur at the inverted arch of the tunnel in the footwall,on the squeezed side under strike-slip faulting.The smaller the stratum stiffness is,the smaller the included angle between the crack expansion and longitudinal direction of the tunnel,and the more extensive the crack expansion range.For the tunnel in a high stiffness stratum,both shear and bending failures occur on the lining under strike-slip faulting,while for that in the low stiffness stratum,only bending failure occurs on the lining.

PINK1 kinase dysfunction triggers neurodegeneration in the primate brain without impacting mitochondrial homeostasis

In vitro studies have established the prevalent theory that the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 protects neurodegeneration by removing damaged mitochondria in Parkinson's disease(PD).However,difficulty in detecting endogenous PINK1 protein in rodent brains and cell lines has prevented the rigorous investigation of the in vivo role of PINK1.Here we report that PINK1 kinase form is selectively expressed in the human and monkey brains.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deficiency of PINK1 causes similar neurodegeneration in the brains of fetal and adult monkeys as well as cultured monkey neurons without affecting mitochondrial protein expression and morphology.Importantly,PINK1 mutations in the primate brain and human cells reduce protein phosphorylation that is important for neuronal function and survival.Our findings suggest that PINK1 kinase activity rather than its mitochondrial function is essential for the neuronal survival in the primate brains and that its kinase dysfunction could be involved in the pathogenesis of PD.

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic action of cinnamaldehyde in C57blks/j Db/db mice

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde(CA),an active and major compound in cinnamon,on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in C57BLKS/J db/db mice.METHODS:Sixteen male C57BLKS db/db mice were randomly divided into control and CA treatment groups.CA was given(20 mg.kg-1.day-1,p.o.) for 4 weeks.Pure water was given to control and db/+ mice.Subsequently,the levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),fasting serum insulin,triglyeride,cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),and free fatty acids(FFA),as well as the mRNA content of adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in adipose tissue,glucose transporter type 4(GLUT-4) in skeletal muscle,and protein expressions of Akt,phospho-Akt(Thr308),AMPKα,phospho-AMPKα(Thr172) in skeletal muscle were measured.RESULTS:1) CA decreased serum levels of FBG and insulin as well as body weight in db/db mice;2) CA increased serum HDL-C levels;3) CA significantly decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α in adipose tissue and upregulated mRNA expression of GLUT-4 in skeletal muscle;4) protein expression of p-Akt was increased in CA-treated mice,but Akt,AMPKα and p-AMPKα showed no change.CONCLUSION:CA has antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic actions in db/db mice and could be useful in the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Case study on the seismic response of a subway station combined with a flyover

With the rapid development of urban traffic networks,subway stations will inevitably be constructed close to other structures in the future.The subject of this study is a new subway station in China,combined with a flyover standing on the roof,owing to its unique structural design.Based on the time history-analysis method,the dynamic responses of the subway station,piers,and piles under seismic conditions were examined.The results show that the internal force and deformation of the underground structure vary under seismic excitation in different directions and are more dangerous in the under transverse excitation than under longitudinal excitation.Moreover,the dynamic response of the underground structure is severe under the action of low-frequency-rich Wenchuan waves,and the resonance effect is distinct.The load of the bridge was found to inhibit the deformation of the underground structure to a certain extent.Furthermore,the mid-pillar and slab-mid-pillar connections are the weakest parts,and special attention should be paid to their seismic design.Meanwhile,the piers and piles can maintain good working condition under the action of an earthquake with the peak acceleration of 0.1g.

Pore engineering of ZIF-8 with ionic liquids for membrane-based CO_(2)separation:bearing functional group effect

CO_(2)separation performance of polymer membranes can be significantly enhanced by selecting porous fillers with high CO_(2)affinity.Ionic liquids incorporation has been recognized as an effective strategy for improving the separation ability of pristine porous fillers.However,the influence of the specific functional groups of ILs in IL@MOF composites on separation performance of MMMs still remains unclear.Herein,we designed three microenvironment-tuned IL@ZIF-8 composites in which the three ILs contain different functional groups(-CH3,–SO3H,and–NH2).Molecular simulation results showed that the NH2-IL@ZIF-8 has a commendable CO_(2)adsorption capacity and CO_(2)/CH4 adsorptive selectivity,and the results were well confirmed by the following experimental data.More importantly,the prepared NH2-IL@ZIF-8 based MMMs also exhibit superior CO_(2)separation performance among the three IL@ZIF-8 based MMMs owning to its high CO_(2)affinity.Thus,this work can provide guidance for designing IL@MOF composites for MMMs fabrication towards gas separation,and the research mode combining molecular simulation prediction and experimental verification can afford valuable reference for material development in membrane separation field.

Towards making co-training suffer less from insufficient views

Co-training is a famous semi-supervised learning algorithm which can exploit unlabeled data to improve learning performance.Generally it works under a two-view setting (the input examples have two disjoint feature sets in nature),with the assumption that each view is sufficient to predict the label.However,in real-world applications due to feature corruption or feature noise,both views may be insufficient and co-training will suffer from these insufficient views.In this paper,we propose a novel algorithm named Weighted Co-training to deal with this problem.It identifies the newly labeled examples that are probably harmful for the other view,and decreases their weights in the training set to avoid the risk.The experimental results show that Weighted Co-training performs better than the state-of-art co-training algorithms on several benchmarks.