Short lifespan and ‘prime period’ of carbon sequestration call for multi-ages in dryland tree plantations

Enhancing forest cover is important for effective climate change mitigation.Studies suggest that drylands are promising areas for expanding forests,but conflicts arise with increased forest area and water consumption.Recent tree mortality in drylands raises concerns about carbon sequestration potential in tree plantations.Using Chinese dryland tree plantations as an example,we compared their growth with natural forests.Our results suggested plantation trees grew 1.6–2.1 times faster in juvenile phases,significantly shortening time to maturity(13.5 vs.30 years)compared to natural forests,potentially stemming from simple plantation age structures.Different from natural forests,74%of trees in plantations faced growth decline,indicating a short“prime period”for carbon sequestration and even a short lifespan.Additionally,a negative relationship between evapotranspiration and tree growth was observed in tree plantations since maturity,leading to high sensitivities of trees to vapor pressure deficit and soil water.However,this was not observed in natural forests.To address this,we suggest afforestation in drylands should consider complex age structures,ensuring a longer prime period for carbon sequestration and life expectancy in tree plantations.

DISTORTION THEOREMS FOR CLASSES OF g-PARAMETRIC STARLIKE MAPPINGS OF REAL ORDER IN C^(n)

In this paper,we define the class S_(g)^(BX)of g-parametric starlike mappings of real order γ on the unit ball BX in a complex Banach space X,where g is analytic and satisfies certain conditions.By establishing the distortion theorem of the Fr´echet-derivative type of S_(g)^(BX)with a weak restrictive condition,we further obtain the distortion results of the Jacobi-determinant type and the Fr´echet-derivative type for the corresponding classes(compared with S_(g)^(BX))defined on the unit polydisc(resp.unit ball with the arbitrary norm)in the space of n-dimensional complex variables,n≥2.Our results extend the classic distortion theorem of holomorphic functions from the case in one-dimensional complex space to the case in the higher dimensional complex space.The main theorems also generalize and improve some recent works.

Correlation of Inflammatory Cells in Induced Sputum and Peripheral Blood of Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major chronic respiratory disease worldwide. Inflammatory cells reflect the inflammatory situation both in peripheral blood and induced sputum. Their correlation has not been reported. The correlation between neutrophils (Neu), eosinophils (Eos), and lymphocyte (Lym) in induced sputum and that in peripheral blood of COPD patients was evaluated to explore the consistency of inflammatory cells in peripheral blood and induced sputum. Peripheral blood and induced sputum were collected from 437 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) who were hospitalized in the Department of respiratory and critical care medicine, Inner Mongolia People’s Hospital. The correlation analysis was performed by Spearman correlation analysis. The ratios of Neu, Eos, and Lym in induced sputum were (79.15 ± 22.60)%, (5.23 ± 12.74)%, and (1.69 ± 2.66)%. The ratios of Neu, Eos, and Lym in peripheral blood were (63.29 ± 11.44)%, (2.99 ± 3.60)%, and (25.16 ± 10.19)%. The results showed that the ratios of Neu and Eos in induced sputum were significantly correlated with the proportion of corresponding cells in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between the ratio of Lym and Leu in induced sputum and corresponding cells in peripheral blood (P > 0.05). In patients with AECOPD, the tendency of Neu and Eos in induced sputum was consistent with the corresponding cells in peripheral blood. Neu and Eos in induced sputum and peripheral blood reflected the degree of inflammation to guide the individualized medication of patients.

Integrated Co3O4/carbon fiber paper for high-performance anode of dual-ion battery

In dual-ion batteries (DIBs), energy storage is achieved by intercalation/de-intercalation of both cations and anions. Due to the mismatch between ion diameter and layer space of active materials, however, volume expansion and exfoliation always occur for electrode materials. Herein, an integrated electrode Co3O4/carbon fiber paper (CFP) is prepared as the anode of DIB. As the Co3O4 nanosheets grow on CFP substrate vertically, it promotes the immersion of electrolyte and shortens the pathway for ionic transport. Besides, the strong interaction between Co3O4 and CFP substrate reduces the possibility of sheet exfoliation. An integrated-electrode-based DIB is therefore packaged using Co3O4/CFP as anode and graphite as cathode. As a result, a high energy density of 72 Wh/kg is achieved at a power density of 150 W/kg. The design of integrated electrode provides a new route for the development of high-performance DIBs.

Ecosystem service delivery in Karst landscapes： anthropogenic perturbation and recovery

Covering extensive parts of China, Karst landscapes are exceptional because rapid and intensive land use change has caused severe ecosystem degradation within only the last 50 years. The twentieth century intensification in food production through agriculture has led to a rapid deterioration of soil quality, evidenced in reduced crop production and rapid loss of soil. In many areas, a tipping point appears to have been passed as basement rock is exposed and 'rocky desertification' dominates. Through the establishment of the "Soil processes and ecological services in the karst critical zone of SW China"(SPECTRA)Critical Zone Observatory(CZO) we will endevaour to understand the fundmental processes involved in soil production and erosion, and investigate the integrated geophysical-geochemical-ecological responses of the CZ to perturbations. The CZ spans a gradient from undisturbed natural vegetation through human perturbed landscapes.We seek to understand the importance of heterogeneity insurface and below-ground morphology and flow pathways in determining the spatial distribution of key stocks(soil,C, vegetation, etc.) and their control on ecosystem service delivery. We will assess the extent to which the highly heterogeneous critical zone resources can be restored to enable sustainable delivery of ecosystem services. This paper presents the CZO design and initial assessment of soil and soil organic carbon stocks and evidence for their stability based on caesium-137(^(137) Cs) data.

Ecological stoichiometry of nitrogen, phosphorous, and sulfur in China's forests

Much attention has been paid to the stoichiometry of carbon(C), nitrogen(N), and phosphorus(P) because of their significance for plant growth and climate change. However, other nutrients, such as sulfur(S), are often ignored. In this study, we analyzed the stoichiometry of N, P, and S in leaves of 348 plant species in China's forests. The results show higher N content and higher molar ratios of N/P and P/S in Angiospermae than in Gymnospermae. At the family level, Ulmaceae absorbed more N and P from soils than other families, and Cupressaceae absorbed more S than other families. In addition,except for bamboo and other tropical forests, leaf N and P content of China's forests generally increased from low to middle latitudes and then slightly decreased or plateaued at high latitudes. Plant ecotypes, taxonomic groups, environmental conditions, atmospheric S precipitation, and soil-available N and P significantly affected the distribution and stoichiometry of leaf N, P, and S in China's forests.Our study indicates that China's forests are likely limited by P and S deficiencies which may increase in the future.

Zuogui pills for myelinolysis in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Zuogui pills have been shown to attenuate the inflammatory reaction in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis （EAE）. The present study attempted to investigate the pathology underlying the influence of Zuogui pills on myelinolysis in EAE rats. Hematoxylin-eosin and Luxol fast blue staining showed that the myelinolysis foci in the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and the spinal cord of EAE rats were significantly decreased, along with serum myelin basic protein content following treatment with Zuogui pills.

A DFT theoretical study of CH_4 dissociation on gold-alloyed Ni(111)surface

A density-functional theory（DFT）method has been conducted to systematically investigate the adsorption of CHx（x=0～4）as well as the dissociation of CHx（x=1～4）on（111）facets of gold-alloyed Ni surface.The results have been compared with those obtained on pure Ni（111）surface.It shows that the adsorption energies of CHx（x=1～3）are lower,and the reaction barriers of CH4 dissociation are higher in the first and the fourth steps on gold-alloyed Ni（111）compared with those on pure Ni（111）.In particular,the rate-determining step for CH4 dissociation is considered as the first step of dehydrogenation on gold-alloyed Ni（111）,while it is the fourth step of dehydrogenation on pure Ni（111）.Furthermore,the activation barrier in rate-determining step is higher by 0.41 eV on gold-alloyed Ni（111）than that on pure Ni（111）.From above results,it can be concluded that carbon is not easy to form on gold-alloyed Ni（111）compared with that on pure Ni（111）.

Influences of top clearance and liquid throughput on the performances of an external loop airlift slurry reactor integrated mixing and separation

A new developed external loop airlift slurry reactor, which was integrated with gas–liquid–solid three-phase mixing, mass transfer, and liquid–solid separation simultaneously, was deemed to be a promising slurry reactor due to its prominent advantages such as achieving continuous separation of clear liquid from slurry and cyclic utilization of solid particles without any extra energy, energy-saving, and intrinsic safety design. The principal operating parameters, including gas separator volume, handling capacity, and superficial gas velocity, are systematically investigated here to promote the capabilities of mixing, mass transfer, and yield in the pilot external loop airlift slurry reactor. The influences of top clearance and throughput of the clear liquid on flow regime and gas holdup in the riser, liquid circulating velocity, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient with a typical high solid holdup and free of particles are examined experimentally. It was found that increasing the gas separator volume could promote the liquid circulating velocity by about 14.0% at most. Increasing the handling capacity of the clear liquid from 0.9 m3·h-1 to 3.0 m3·h-1 not only could increase the output without any adverse consequences, but also could enhance the liquid circulating velocity as much as 97.3%. Typical operating conditions investigated here can provide some necessary data and guidelines for this new external loop airlift slurry reactor to upgrade its performances.

Targeting FGFR in non-small cell lung cancer:implications from the landscape of clinically actionable aberrations of FGFR kinases

Objective:Dysfunction in fibroblast growth factor receptor(FGFR)signaling has been reported in diverse cancer types,including non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).The frequency of FGFR aberrations in Chinese NSCLC patients is therefore of great clinical significance.Methods:A total of 10,966 NSCLC patients whose tumor specimen and/or circulating cell-free DNA(cf DNA)underwent hybridization capture-based next-generation sequencing were reviewed.Patients'clinical characteristics and treatment histories were also evaluated.Results:FGFR aberrations,including mutations,fusions,and gene amplifications,were detected in 1.9%(210/10,966)of the population.FGFR abnormalities were more frequently observed in lung squamous cell carcinomas(6.8%,65/954)than lung adenocarcinomas(1.3%,128/9,596).FGFR oncogenic mutations were identified in 19 patients(~0.17%),of which,68%were male lung squamous cell carcinoma patients.Eleven out of the 19 patients(58%)had concurrent altered PI3 K signaling,thus highlighting a potential combination therapeutic strategy of dual-targeting FGFR and PI3 K signaling in such patients.Furthermore,FGFR fusions retaining the intact kinase domain were identified in 12 patients(0.11%),including 9 FGFR3-TACC3,1 FGFR2-INA,1 novel FGFR4-RAPGEFL1,and 1 novel fusion between the FGFR1 and SLC20 A25′-untranslated regions,which may have caused FGFR1 overexpressions.Concomitant EGFR mutations or amplifications were observed in 6 patients,and 4 patients received anti-EGFR inhibitors,in whom FGFR fusions may have mediated resistance to anti-EGFR therapies.FGFR amplification was detected in 24 patients,with the majority being FGFR1 amplifications.Importantly,FGFR oncogenic mutations,fusions,and gene amplifications were almost always mutually exclusive events.Conclusions:We report the prevalence of FGFR anomalies in a large NSCLC population,including mutations,gene amplifications,and novel FGFR fusions.

Genomic prediction using composite training sets is an effective method for exploiting germplasm conserved in rice gene banks

Germplasm conserved in gene banks is underutilized,owing mainly to the cost of characterization.Genomic prediction can be applied to predict the genetic merit of germplasm.Germplasm utilization could be greatly accelerated if prediction accuracy were sufficiently high with a training population of practical size.Large-scale resequencing projects in rice have generated high quality genome-wide variation information for many diverse accessions,making it possible to investigate the potential of genomic prediction in rice germplasm management and exploitation.We phenotyped six traits in nearly 2000 indica(XI)and japonica(GJ)accessions from the Rice 3K project and investigated different scenarios for forming training populations.A composite core training set was considered in two levels which targets used for prediction of subpopulations within subspecies or prediction across subspecies.Composite training sets incorporating 400 or 200 accessions from either subpopulation of XI or GJ showed satisfactory prediction accuracy.A composite training set of 600 XI and GJ accessions showed sufficiently high prediction accuracy for both XI and GJ subspecies.Comparable or even higher prediction accuracy was observed for the composite training set than for the corresponding homogeneous training sets comprising accessions only of specific subpopulations of XI or GJ(within-subspecies level)or pure XI or GJ accessions(across-subspecies level)that were included in the composite training set.Validation using an independent population of 281 rice cultivars supported the predictive ability of the composite training set.Reliability,which reflects the robustness of a training set,was markedly higher for the composite training set than for the corresponding homogeneous training sets.A core training set formed from diverse accessions could accurately predict the genetic merit of rice germplasm.

Simultaneous Determination of Six Constituents in Cangbaiqutong Capsule by HPLC Wavelength Switching Technique

[Objectives] To establish a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) wavelength switching method for the simultaneous determination of content of six constituents (phellodendrine chloride, gentiopicrin, paeoniflorin, tetrandrine, berberine hydrochloride and paeonol) in Cangbaiqutong capsules, and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of Cangbaiqutong capsule.[Methods] The chromatographic column of Waters XSELECT CSH-C 18 (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm), the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphate solution, gradient elution (0-15 min,10%-18% A;15-30 min,18%-50% A;30-35 min, 50%-10% A);the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, wavelength switching of 284 (0-7 min, phellodendrine), 274 (7-10 min, gentiopicrin), 230 (10-14 min, paeoniflorin) and 274 nm (14-35 min, tetrandrine, berberine hydrochloride, paeonol), the injection volume of 10 μL.[Results] There was a good linear relationship between the area of chromatographic peak and the injection volume of phellodendrine chloride, gentiopicrin, paeoniflorin, tetrandrine, berberine hydrochloride and paeonol in the range of 0.150-1.504, 0.768-7.680, 1.096-10.960, 0.220-2.200, 0.296-2.956, 0.0345-0.345 μg, respectively;the average recovery rates ( n =6) were 98.3%, 99.2%, 98.8%, 98.8%, 99.1% and 98.2%, respectively;the RSD value was 1.32%, 1.46%, 1.08%, 1.31%, 1.26% and 1.21%, respectively.[Conclusions] The method can be used to determine many kinds of constituents at the same time, and the operation is simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for the quality control of compound Cangbaiqutong capsules.

Analysis on Vocational Education and Social Mobility of New Generation Migrant Workers:A Case Study of Shijiazhuang City

Based on survey data of current situations of new generation migrant workers vocational education and its influence on social mobility in Shijiazhuang City, the author believes that there are many drawbacks in vocational education of new generation migrant workers, including low participationt and varied training environment of enterprises. In addition, the influence of vocational education of migrant workers on social mobility is not very satisfactory. Finally, it presents countermeasures for improving vocational education, to promote social mobility of new generation migrant workers.

A new approach for high fidelity seismic data recovery by fractal interpolation

Recovering accurate data is important for both earthquake and exploration seismology studies when data are sparsely sampled or partially missing. We present a method that allows for precise and accurate recovery of seismic data using a localized fractal recovery method. This method requires that the data are self- similar on local and global spatial scales. We present examples that show that the intrinsic structure associated with seismic data can be easily and accurately recovered by using this approach. This result, in turn, indicates that seismic data are indeed self-similar on local and global scales. This method is applicable not only for seismic studies, but also for any field studies that require accurate recovery of data from sparsely sampled datasets with partially missing data. Our ability to recover the missing data with high fidelity and accuracy will qualitatively improve the images of seismic tomography.

Electrophoretic Analysis of Isozymes and Proteins in F_1 Hybrids of Ctenopharyngodon idellus ♀ × Elopichthys bambusa ♂

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the biochemical and genetic characteristics of F1 hybrids of Ctenopharyngodon idellus ♀× Elopichthys bambusa ♂ - [ Method ] By using vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technology, three isozymes （LDH, EST, MDH） in nine tissues （heart, brain, eyes, liver, kidney, spleen, fin, muscle, plasma） of F1 hybrids of C. ideUus and parents were compared. [Result] Three isozymes in F1 hybrids of ♀× E. bambusa ♀ were analyzed; differences in isozyme and proteins between F1 hybrids idellus ♀× E. bambusa ♀ exhibited varying degrees of tissue-specificity; isozymes and proteins in F, hybrids were signiticandy different from the parents. [ Conclusion] These nine differences could be used as indicators to identify F1 hybrids and parents.

Numerical Solution of Two Dimensional Fredholm Integral Equations of the Second Kind by the Barycentric Lagrange Function

This paper solves the two dimensional linear Fredholm integral equations of the second kind by combining the meshless barycentric Lagrange interpolation functions and the Gauss-Legendre quadrature formula. Inspired by this thought, we convert the equations into the associated algebraic equations. The results of the numerical examples are given to illustrate that the approximated method is feasible and efficient.

Euler-Maclaurin Expansions of Errors for Multidimensional Weakly Singular Integrals and Their Splitting Extrapolation Algorithm

In this paper, multidimensional weakly singular integrals are solved by using rectangular quadrature rules which base on quadrature rules of one dimensional weakly singular and multidimensional regular integrals with their Euler-Maclaurin asymptotic expansions of the errors. The presented method is suit for solving multidimensional and singular integrals by comparing with Gauss quadrature rule. The error asymptotic expansions show that the convergence order of the initial quadrature rules is , where . The order of accuracy can reach to by using extrapolation and splitting extrapolation, where h0 is the maximum mesh width. Some numerical examples are constructed to show the efficiency of the method.

Phenobarbital in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome(AWS)is a serious disorder affecting alcohol-dependent patients who abruptly stop or reduce their drinking.Mild or moderate AWS usually appears within 6 to 24 h after the last drink,and symptoms may include increased blood pressure and rapid pulse,tremors,high fever,irritability,anxiety,headache,nausea,and vomiting.These symptoms may progress to a more severe AWS characterized by delirium tremens,seizures,coma,cardiac arrest,and death.This article will analyze the phenobarbital(PB)treatment of AWS and make a brief review'.

Minimal descriptors for tests on distinctness, uniformity and stability of sesame

To set a distinction method for sesame cultivars, 110 sesame （Sesamum indicum L.） germplasms were collected from China, Cuba, the former Soviet Union, Mozambique, Japan, and the United States. Materials were characterized for various agro-morphological traits at 3 locations in China （Wuhan, Zhumadian and Shijiazhuang） during 2005 and 2006. 34 traits were observed. Yield-related traits showed wide range of phenotypic variability. Number of nodes to the first flower, initial flowering, leaf length, leaf width, leaf length/ width ratio at initial flowering, lobe incision of basal leaf, petiole length of basal leaf, branch number, plant height, capsule length, capsule width, 1000-seed weight, seed oil content, and seed crude protein content were scored according to grades 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Stem hairiness, leaf color, flower hairiness, color on outer side of corolla, pink color on inner side of lower lip, anther filament color, and capsule hairiness ranged from few （light） to more （heavy） and were scored according to the minimal descriptors 1, 2 and 3. Number of flow-ers per leaf axil, pink color on inner side of corolla, enations on back side of a leaf, petiole color, number of carpels per capsule, plant growth type, stem branching, main stem color at maturity, capsule color at maturity, capsule dehiscence at maturity, seed shape, and seed coat texture varied little and were scored according to two grades, either 1 and 2 or 1 and 9. The 5 seed coat colors white, yellow, brown, grey and black, were scored as 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. Based on traits variability, a set of 34 minimal descriptors was suggested for characterization of sesame for distinctness, uniformity and stability （DUS）, and was recom-mended in national agriculture standard NY/T 2434-2013.

Phenological,morphological,and reproductive characterization of Chinese sesame( Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame （ Sesamum indicum L. ） is an important oilseed crop in tropical and sub - tropical areas, but recent seed shortages for consumption have occurred. To address this, study objectives were to characterize and classify sesame phenotypic traits; disease and drought resistance; and germplasm con-stituents （i. e. , oil, protein, and sesamin content） through accession classification using principle com-ponent analysis at the Oil Crops Research Institute （OCRI） , CAAS. This organization maintains a total of 5,426 sesame accessions, of which 5,218 originated from China （ representing 29 provinces, munici-palities, and autonomous regions, except for Ningxia, Qinghai, and Taiwan） , and 208 derived from 24 countries including Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and North America. A total of 110 randomly selected sesame accessions and cultivars were seeded at OCRI between May 20 and June 10, 2005 - 2006. All accessions produced 8 to 55 g of seed per plant. All tested sesame accessions were successfully grown at the Oil Crops Research Institute （OCRI）,CAAS. Accessions were classified into 4 discrete clusters. Variance analysis and principal component analysis revealed a high degree of variability among the accessions based on phenological, morphological, and reproductive traits. These traits can be used to effectively distinguish accessions and to improve breeding programs for high - yielding sesame cultivars.