Understandings of Urban Sustainability in China:a Bibliometric Analysis Using Chinese Literatures

Cities hold a critical responsibility for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)due to their high population density,extensive resource consumption,and significant economic contributions.To examine the present state of understandings regarding urban sustainability(SDG 11:Sustainable Cities and Communities)within Chinese research communities,this study collected 15950 papers from 1994 to 2022 on the 12 indicators of SDG 11,from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),a hub of Chinese academic papers,that directly relate to policymaking.Significant research topics on SDG 11 were identified for each indicator using bibliometrics analysis approaches.The high-frequency keywords and clusters of keywords over the last three decades reveal that existing studies primarily concentrated on the physical aspects,such as transportation and environment,while there is a lack of consideration of societal aspects.This indicates a limited and biased understanding of the urban sustainability within the Chinese academic community.Hence,it is crucial to prioritize the societal aspects in order to develop a research agenda that further advances urban sustainability.

Factors Influencing the Spatial Variability of Air Temperature Urban Heat Island Intensity in Chinese Cities

Few studies have investigated the spatial patterns of the air temperature urban heat island(AUHI)and its controlling factors.In this study,the data generated by an urban climate model were used to investigate the spatial variations of the AUHI across China and the underlying climate and ecological drivers.A total of 355 urban clusters were used.We performed an attribution analysis of the AUHI to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its formation.The results show that the midday AUHI is negatively correlated with climate wetness(humid:0.34 K;semi-humid:0.50 K;semi-arid:0.73 K).The annual mean midnight AUHI does not show discernible spatial patterns,but is generally stronger than the midday AUHI.The urban–rural difference in convection efficiency is the largest contributor to the midday AUHI in the humid(0.32±0.09 K)and the semi-arid(0.36±0.11 K)climate zones.The release of anthropogenic heat from urban land is the dominant contributor to the midnight AUHI in all three climate zones.The rural vegetation density is the most important driver of the daytime and nighttime AUHI spatial variations.A spatial covariance analysis revealed that this vegetation influence is manifested mainly through its regulation of heat storage in rural land.

Research on Strategies for Enhancing the Ability of Chinese German Learners to Tell Chinese Stories Through Short Videos

In the age of new media,short videos play an increasingly important role in international cultural exchange.However,German learners often encounter challenges when producing and sharing short videos due to factors such as technology and language proficiency.Such challenges can affect the professionalism and attractiveness of the videos.This study focuses on German learners at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology.The aim of this study is to investigate students’experiences in producing short videos,identify issues through surveys and interviews,and concentrate on editing skills,language proficiency,and intercultural communication abilities.It proposes strategies for developing these skills and aims to provide insights for German and other foreign language learners in telling Chinese stories using short videos.

An interpretability model for syndrome differentiation of HBV-ACLF in traditional Chinese medicine using small-sample imbalanced data

Objective Clinical medical record data associated with hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(HBV-ACLF)generally have small sample sizes and a class imbalance.However,most machine learning models are designed based on balanced data and lack interpretability.This study aimed to propose a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)diagnostic model for HBV-ACLF based on the TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment theory,which is clinically interpretable and highly accurate.Methods We collected medical records from 261 patients diagnosed with HBV-ACLF,including three syndromes:Yang jaundice(214 cases),Yang-Yin jaundice(41 cases),and Yin jaundice(6 cases).To avoid overfitting of the machine learning model,we excluded the cases of Yin jaundice.After data standardization and cleaning,we obtained 255 relevant medical records of Yang jaundice and Yang-Yin jaundice.To address the class imbalance issue,we employed the oversampling method and five machine learning methods,including logistic regression(LR),support vector machine(SVM),decision tree(DT),random forest(RF),and extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)to construct the syndrome diagnosis models.This study used precision,F1 score,the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),and accuracy as model evaluation metrics.The model with the best classification performance was selected to extract the diagnostic rule,and its clinical significance was thoroughly analyzed.Furthermore,we proposed a novel multiple-round stable rule extraction(MRSRE)method to obtain a stable rule set of features that can exhibit the model’s clinical interpretability.Results The precision of the five machine learning models built using oversampled balanced data exceeded 0.90.Among these models,the accuracy of RF classification of syndrome types was 0.92,and the mean F1 scores of the two categories of Yang jaundice and Yang-Yin jaundice were 0.93 and 0.94,respectively.Additionally,the AUC was 0.98.The extraction rules of the RF syndrome differentiation model based on the MRSRE method revealed that the common features of Yang jaundice and Yang-Yin jaundice were wiry pulse,yellowing of the urine,skin,and eyes,normal tongue body,healthy sublingual vessel,nausea,oil loathing,and poor appetite.The main features of Yang jaundice were a red tongue body and thickened sublingual vessels,whereas those of Yang-Yin jaundice were a dark tongue body,pale white tongue body,white tongue coating,lack of strength,slippery pulse,light red tongue body,slimy tongue coating,and abdominal distension.This is aligned with the classifications made by TCM experts based on TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment theory.Conclusion Our model can be utilized for differentiating HBV-ACLF syndromes,which has the potential to be applied to generate other clinically interpretable models with high accuracy on clinical data characterized by small sample sizes and a class imbalance.

Preliminary Study on Overseas Applicability of Chinese Architectural Design Standards:Taking China-Aided Construction Projects in Asia Since the Belt and Road Initiative as Examples

This research takes China-aided construction projects in Asia since the Belt and Road Initiative as examples to explore the applicability of Chinese architectural design standards in other Asian countries.So far,the standards demonstrated the highest applicability in South Asia is the best followed by Southeast Asia.Chinese architectural design standards for educational buildings showed the highest applicability,followed by office,medical,and sports buildings.This study puts forward some strategies to improve the applicability of Chinese architectural design standards.These strategies include integrating regionalism and local cultural traditions,optimizing energy efficiency,and aligning designs with local usage habits.This study serves as a reference for similar projects in the future.

Study on the Effects of Chinese Herb Additive on Milk Yield and Anti-heat Stress Ability of Holstein Cow

[Objective] The research aimed to explore the effects of Chinese herb additive on milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow.[Method] 36 Holstein cows with similar birth order and milk yield were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups which were control group, Chinese medicine Ⅰ group and Chinese medicine Ⅱ group. In control group, cows were fed with basic feed, while in Chinese medicine Ⅰ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 4% compound Chinese herb additive and in Chinese medicine Ⅱ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 3% compound Chinese herb additive.All cows in the 3 groups were analyzed comparatively.[Result] Adding some compound Chinese herb additive into basic feed would increase milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow,besides,it also could decrease cow diseases such as cow mastitis.Chinese medicine Ⅰ would generate the highest economic benefit of practical production.[Conclusion] Adding Chinese herb additive into basic feed is an effective way for reliefing heat stress and increasing milk yield.

Adaptability Comparison of Chinese Milk Vetch (Astragalus sinicus) Varieties for Double-rice Cropping System in Hunan

Five Chinese milk vetch（Astragalus sinicus） varieties were selected to make a comparison in order to screen effective varieties which could suit for the double-rice cropping system of Hunan Province. The results showed that the growth period of Xiangzi 2 is shorter than that of Xiangfei 2, Xiangfei 3 and Yujiangdaye,and is similar to that of Xinyang Chinese milk vetch. The full-bloom stage of Xiangzi 2 is also similar to Xinyang variety and obviously earlier than that of the other three varieties. The fresh grass yield of Xiangzi 2 in full-bloom stage is 23 842.5kg/hm^2, which increases by 39.9% compared with Xinyang variety. Nitrogen content in the fresh grass of Xiangzi 2 is higher than that of the other four varieties. In conclusion, Xiangzi 2 is an extremely early-blossoming and early-maturing Chinese milk vetch variety with moderate fresh grass yield, high nutrient contents, stable characters and wide adaptability. So, Xiangzi 2 is suitable for planting in double-rice cropping region in Hunan Province and other same latitude regions which have similar ecological conditions.

Molecular mechanism and research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer(PCa)is one of the most common malignant tumors in the male genitourinary system,ranking second in incidence worldwide.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),as an important component of complementary and alternative medicine,shows unique advantages in cancer treatment.Chinese herbal medicine is usually composed of multiple ingredients and involves multiple signaling pathways,which showed function of inducing apoptosis of cancer cells,arresting the cell cycle,inhibiting invasion and metastasis,reducing drug resistance,and regulating immune function.Physical therapy is also an important treatment of TCM.Currently,Physical therapy such as acupuncture or Tai Chi and Qigong are gaining increased recognition in the management of PCa,particularly in addressing issues like urinary incontinence and bone metastasis-related pain.This article reviews the TCM treatment and therapy of PCa,in order to provide new research avenues and treatment options for the treatment of PCa with TCM and improve the quality of life of patients.

Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of Helicobacter pylorirelated gastritis:The mechanisms of signalling pathway regulations

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis(HPAG)is a common condition of the gastrointestinal tract.However,extensive and long-term antibiotic use has resulted in numerous adverse effects,including increased resistance,gastrointestinal dysfunction,and increased recurrence rates.When these concerns develop,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)may have advantages.TCM is based on the concept of completeness and aims to eliminate pathogens and strengthen the body.It has the potential to prevent this condition while also boosting the rate of Helicobacter pylori eradication.This review elaborates on the mechanism of TCM treatment for HPAG based on cellular signalling pathways,which reflects the flexibility of TCM in treating diseases and the advantages of multi-level,multipathway,and multi-target treatments for HPAG.

Literature study on traditional Chinese medicine syndromes after renal transplantation

BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is the most effective means to treat patients with renal failure,but its postoperative problems such as rejection reactions,immunosuppressant poisoning,chronic transplant kidney nephropathy,etc.still have not been effectively solved.This study searched for literature on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes after kidney transplantation in China,conducted statistical analysis of the results,and sought to identify the underlying patterns.AIM To understand the TCM syndromes after renal transplantation and associated rules and provide a theoretical basis for further clinical research.METHODS The literature pertaining to TCM syndromes in renal transplantation,published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang database,and WIP database from 1970 to 2021,was meticulously searched and comprehensively and statistically analyzed.RESULTS Following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria,13 studies were selected for analysis.Post-renal transplantation,no significant discrepancy was noted among the groups based on the location of TCM viscera.However,when categorized according to TCM pathogenic factors,the groups with spleen and kidney yang deficiency,as well as liver and kidney yin deficiency,exhibited a statistically significant difference in the frequency.CONCLUSION Currently,the research on TCM syndromes pertaining to renal transplantation is in its nascent phase.It is imperative to conduct a multicentric,large-scale survey of TCM syndromes subsequent to renal transplantation in the ensuing years.

Cohort study on the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine

BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.

Investigating the Reliability and Validity of Chen and Starosta's Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) against Chinese Cultural Background

Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC), as one of the research fields of intercultural communication, has been given much importance from scholars all around the world. Intercultural sensitivity is one of the three dimensions in Dr Chen's ICC model. This research investigates the reliability and validity of Chen and Starosta's Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) (2000) against Chinese cultural background by using Chinese university students majoring in English as respondents.

Chinese nomogram to predict probability of positive initia prostate biopsy： a study in Taiwan region

Several nomograms for prostate cancer detection have recently been developed. Because the incidence of prostate cancer is lower in Chinese men, nomograms based on other populations cannot be directly applied to Chinese men. We, therefore, developed a model for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy using clinical and laboratory data from a Chinese male population. Data were collected from 893 Chinese male referrals, 697 in the derivation set and 196 in the external validation set, who underwent initial prostate biopsies as individual screening. We analyzed age, prostate volume, total prostate-specific antigen （PSA）, PSA density （PSAD）, digital rectal examinations （DRE） and transrectal ultrasound （TRUS） echogenicity. Logistic regression analysis estimated odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals and Pvalues. Independent predictors of a positive biopsy result included advanced age, small prostate volume, elevated total PSA, abnormal digital rectal examination, and hyperechoic or hypoechoic TRUS echogenicity. We developed a predictive nomogram for an initial positive biopsy using these variables. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the model was 88.8%, which was greater than that of the prediction based on total PSA alone （area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve 74.7%）. If externally validated, the predictive probability was 0.827 and the accuracy rate was 78.1%, respectively. Incorporating clinical and laboratory data into a prebiopsy nomogram improved the prediction of prostate cancer compared with predictions based solely on the individual factors.

Food Frequency Questionnaire for Chinese Children Aged 12-17 Years: Validity and Reliability

Objective The primary objective of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) among Chinese children aged 12-17 years. Methods A semi-quantitative 72-food item FFQ was developed for children aged 12-17 years. The reliability and validity of this FFQ were evaluated against 24-h dietary recalls(24 h DRs) to measure the consumption of foods and nutrients. We administered two FFQs and three DRs to children(N = 160) over a period of 1 month to evaluate the reliability and validity. Reliability was examined by quartile agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs), and validity was examined by quartile agreement, Bland-Altman plots and correlation with DRs. Results For reliability, the ICCs between the two FFQs ranged from 0.21 to 0.76 for foods and nutrients, and the quartile agreement ranged from 70.0% to 95.0% in the same or adjacent quartiles. Spearman’s correlation coefficients of foods and nutrients between the second FFQ and the 24 h DRs ranged from-0.04 to 0.59. The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated good agreement across the range of intakes among nutrients. The quartile agreement ranged from 50.0% to 100.0%, with infrequent misclassification. Conclusion The FFQ assessment of dietary intakes demonstrated acceptable relative validity and high reproducibility for Chinese children aged 12-17 years.

Development of Chinese Near-isogenic Line of Rice and Their Differentiating Ability of Pathogenic Races of Blast Fungus

The rice( Oryza L. ) variety, Lijiangxintuanheigu(LTH), is a universally susceptible variety. A set of near-isogenic lines (NILs) of rice which has single resistance gene for each line was developed by use of LTH as recurrent parent and Kusabue,Tsuyuake, K1, PiNo. 4, K60 and BL1, which are from Kiyosawa's differential varieties(KDV), as donor parents. Differentiating ability of these NILs to Philippine isolates was compared with that of their donor parents, KDV and IRRI' s NILs. The results of comparative studies were as follows: (1) Differentiating ability of Chinese NILs to Philippine isolates was much stronger than that of their donor parents and that of KDV. (2) Chinese NILs had similar ability to differentiate races to IRRI's NILs or higher differentiating ability than them. But IRRI's NILs almost had no differentiating ability to isolates from japonica rice-growing regions. They can not be used to differentiate races of isolates from japonica ricegrowing regions. Whereas, Chinese NILs can be used to differentiate races of isolates from both japonica ricegrowing regions and indica rice-growing regions. It was concluded that the set of Chinese NILs can be used as international differentials.

Substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch improves the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon in a double-rice cropping system

The double-rice cropping system is a very important intensive cropping system for food security in China. There have been few studies of the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the double-rice cropping system following a partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch (Mv). We conducted a 10-year (2008–2017) field experiment in Nan County, South-Central China, to examine the double-rice productivity and SOC accumulation in a paddy soil in response to different fertilization levels and Mv application (22.5 Mg ha^–1). Fertilizer and Mv were applied both individually and in combination (sole chemical fertilizers, Mv plus 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, labeled as F100, MF100, MF80, MF60, MF40, and MF0, respectively). It was found that the grain yields of double-rice crop in treatments receiving Mv were reduced when the dose of chemical fertilizer was reduced, while the change in SOC stock displayed a double peak curve. The MF100 produced the highest double-rice yield and SOC stock, with the value higher by 13.5 and 26.8% than that in the F100. However, the grain yields increased in the MF80 (by 8.4% compared to the F100), while the SOC stock only increased by 8.4%. Analogous to the change of grain yield, the sustainable yield index (SYI) of double rice were improved significantly in the MF100 and MF80 compared to the F100, while there was a slight increase in the MF60 and MF40. After a certain amount of Mv input (22.5 Mg ha^–1), the carbon sequestration rate was affected by the nutrient input due to the stimulation of microbial biomass. Compared with the MF0, the MF100 and MF40 resulted in a dramatically higher carbon sequestration rate (with the value higher by 71.6 and 70.1%), whereas the MF80 induced a lower carbon sequestration rate with the value lower by 70.1% compared to the MF0. Based on the above results we suggested that Mv could partially replace chemical fertilizers (e.g., 40–60%) to improve or maintain the productivity and sustainability of the double-rice cropping system in South-Central China.

Stability of soil organic carbon changes in successive rotations of Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata(Lamb.) Hook) plantations

The importance of soil organic carbon （SOC） under forests in the global carbon cycle depends on the stability of the soil carbon and its availability to soil microbial biomass. We investigated the effects of successive rotations of Chinese fir （Cunninghamia lanceolata （Lamb.） Hook） plantations on the stability of SOC and its availability to microbes by adopting the two-step hydrolysis with H2SO4 and density fractionation. The results showed that successive rotations of Chinese fir decreased the quantity of total SOC, recalcitrant fraction, and carbohydrates in Labile Pool I （LPI）, and microbial properties evidently, especially at 0-10 cm horizon. However, cellulose included in Labile Pool Ⅱ （LP Ⅱ） and the cellulose/total carbohydrates ratio increased in successive rotations of Chinese fir. The noncellulose of carbohydrates included in LPI maybe highly available to soil microbial biomass. Hence the availability of SOC to microbial biomass declined over the successive rotations. Although there was no significant change in recalcitrance of SOC over the successive rotations of Chinese fir, the percentage of heavy fraction to total SOC increased, suggesting that the degree of physical protection for SOC increased and SOC became more stable over the successive rotations. The degradation of SOC quality in successive rotation soils may be attributed to worse environmental conditions resulted from disturbance that related to ＂slash and burn＂ site preparation. Being highly correlated with soil microbial properties, the cellulose/total carbohydrates ratio as an effective indicator of changes in availability of SOC to microbial biomass brought by management practices in forest soils.

Reliability of Relative Paleointensity Recorded in Chinese Loess-Paleosol Sediments

A detailed paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigation spanning loess L7 to paleosol S8 has been carried out at the Baoji and Xifeng sections. Results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility confirm that the studied loess-paleosol sediments retain primary sedimentary fabrics. Stepwise thermal demagnetization shows that two well-defined magnetization components can be isolated from both loess and paleosol specimens. A low-temperature component, isolated between 100°C and 200°C, is consistent with the present geomagnetic field direction, and a high-temperature component, isolated between 200-300°C and 620-680°C, includes clearly normal and reversed polarities. Isothermal remanent magnetization and thermomagnetic analyses indicate that characteristic remanent magnetization is mainly carried by magnetite and hematite. The Day plot, together with the stratigraphic variations of rock-magnetic parameters, shows that the uniformity of magnetic mineralogy and grain size fulfills the criteria for relative paleointensity （RPI） studies. RPI records have been constructed using natural remanent magnetization （NRM） intensity after thermal demagnetization at 300°C normalized by low-frequency magnetic susceptibility （NRM 300 /χ）. The results show that the RPI record from the Baoji section, where pedogenesis is quite weak, is compatible with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, suggesting that it might reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. The RPI record from the Xifeng section, where pedogenesis is rather strong, indicates a clear dissimilarity with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, implying that it does not reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. Our new results show that the NRM 300 /χ from the strongly pedogenetic paleosols does not completely eliminate the pedogenetic （climatic） influence, so it might be unsuitable for a reliable paleointensity study.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with Modern Rehabilitation Training Improves the Spasticity and Motor Function of Hemiplegia after Stroke

Objective:To analyze the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)(based on modern rehabilitation training)on the spasticity and motor function in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods:Seventy-nine stroke and hemiplegia patients admitted to the hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a control group(39 cases)using modern rehabilitation training,and an observation group combined with comprehensive TCM rehabilitation therapy(40 cases),over 1 month.The clinical index data of the two groups were compared.Results:There were differences in the clinical index data between the two groups.The total effective rate after 2 treatment in the observation group(92.50%)was higher than that of the control group(74.36%)(χ^(2)=4.727,P<0.05).All central sensitization inventory(CSI)and stroke quality of life(PRO)scores in both groups were lower after treatment,with the observation group having lower scores as compared to the control group(P<0.05).The scores of FMA(upper limbs,lower limbs),Barthel index scores,and Functional Ambulation Categories(FAC)scores of both groups increased after treatment,with the observation group having higher scores as compared to the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comprehensive TCM rehabilitation therapy had a significant therapeutic effect on patients with hemiplegia after stroke.It improved the patient’s spasticity,limb movement,and walking function.Their daily living abilities and quality of life were also enhanced.

Novel assays for quality evaluation of XueBiJing:Quality variability of a Chinese herbal injection for sepsis management

XueBiJing is an intravenous five-herb injection used to treat sepsis in China.The study aimed to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)-or liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(LC-UV)-based assay for quality evaluation of XueBiJing.Assay development involved identifying marker constituents to make the assay therapeutically relevant and building a reliable one-point calibrator for monitoring the various analytes in parallel.Nine marker constituents from the five herbs were selected based on XueBiJing's chemical composition,pharmacokinetics,and pharmacodynamics.A selectivity test(for“similarity of response”)was developed to identify and minimize interference by nontarget constituents.Then,an intercept test was developed to fulfill“linearity through zero”for each analyte(absolute ratio of intercept to C response,<2%).Using the newly developed assays,we analyzed samples from 33 batches of XueBiJing,manufactured over three years,and found small batch-to-batch variability in contents of the marker constituents(4.1%-14.8%),except for senkyunolide I(26.5%).