Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in adult and paediatric populations.Despite the advances made in intraoperative biliary anatomy recognition,iatrogenic bile duct in...Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in adult and paediatric populations.Despite the advances made in intraoperative biliary anatomy recognition,iatrogenic bile duct injuries during LC represent a fatal complication and consist an economic burden for healthcare systems.A series of methods have been proposed to prevent bile duct injury,among them the use of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence.The most commonly reported method of ICG injection is the intravenous administration,while literature is lacking studies investigating the direct intragallbladder ICG injection.This narrative mini-review aims to assess the potential applications,usefulness,and limitations of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC.Authors screened the available international literature to identify the reports of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive cholecystectomy,as well as special issues regarding its use.Literature search retrieved four prospective cohort studies,three case-control studies,and one case report.In the three case-control studies selected,intragallbladder near-infrared cholangiography(NIRC)was compared with standard LC under white light,with intravenous administration of ICG for NIRC and with standard intraoperative cholangiography(IOC).In total,133 patients reported in the literature have been administered intragallbladder ICG administration for biliary mapping during LC.Literature includes several reports of intragallbladder ICG administration,but a standardized technique has not been established yet.Published data suggest that NIRC with intragallbladder ICG injection is a promising method to achieve biliary mapping,overwhelming limitations of IOC including intervention and radiation exposure,as well as the high hepatic parenchyma signal and time interval needed in intravenous ICG fluorescence.Evidence-based guidelines on the role of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC require the assessment of further studies and multicenter data collection into large registries.展开更多
为了建立水禽细小病毒(WPV)快速检测方法,根据序列比对结果在水禽细小病毒NS基因SF3保守区域内设计特异性引物,建立SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR通用检测方法。该方法的扩增效率(E)为90.0%,相关系数(R~2)=0.99,标准曲线方程为y=-3.607x+38....为了建立水禽细小病毒(WPV)快速检测方法,根据序列比对结果在水禽细小病毒NS基因SF3保守区域内设计特异性引物,建立SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR通用检测方法。该方法的扩增效率(E)为90.0%,相关系数(R~2)=0.99,标准曲线方程为y=-3.607x+38.77;除WPV出现S形扩增曲线外,新城疫病毒(NDV)、H9亚型禽流感病毒(H9 AIV)、鸭坦布苏病毒(DTMUV)、鸭肝炎病毒(DHAV)、鸭肠炎病毒(DEV)、鸭呼肠孤病毒(DRV)样品均未出现S形阳性扩增曲线;批内变异系数(CV)为0.15%~0.23%,批间变异系数为0.09%~0.28%。结果表明,SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR检测方法重复性好、灵敏度高和特异性强。临床样品检测结果表明,SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR与普通PCR的符合率达98.4%,灵敏度是普通PCR的1 000倍。SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR检测方法不仅能定性检测WPV,还可以进行定量检测,可用于种鸭场、种鹅场的WPV净化检测,也可用于WPV临床大量样品的快速检测。展开更多
The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with...The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with its HS6-digit export data of agri-food products to quantify the impact of Green Food Certification on export quality. We identify the significant and positive effect of Green Food Certification on export quality. The 2SLS estimation based on instrumental variables and a range of robustness checks confirm the validity and robustness of the benchmark conclusions. Further analysis discloses that Green Food Certification improves export quality by raising agricultural production efficiency and brand premiums. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of Green Food Certification varies across regions, notably improving the quality of agri-food products exported to developed regions and regions with high levels of import supervision. Furthermore, among various product types, Green Food Certification significantly improves the export quality of primary products and products vulnerable to non-tariff measures. The above findings could guide the future development of agri-food quality certification systems, potentially leading to a transformation and promotion of the agri-food trade.展开更多
Urbanization has profound impacts on ecological environments. Green spaces are a vital component of urban ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing sustainability. This study a...Urbanization has profound impacts on ecological environments. Green spaces are a vital component of urban ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing sustainability. This study aimed to investigate the community composition characteristics of butterflies in urban green spaces within the context of rapid urbanization. Simultaneously, it explored the status and differences in butterfly taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, and functional traits among different types of urban green spaces, regions, and urban gradients to provide relevant insights for further improving urban green space quality and promoting biodiversity conservation. We conducted a year-long survey of 80 green spaces across different urban regions and ring roads within Hefei City, Anhui Province, with monthly sampling intervals over 187 transects. A total of 4822 butterflies, belonging to 5 families, 17 subfamilies, 40 genera, and 55 species were identified. The species richness, Shannon, Simpson, functional richness, and Rao's quadratic entropy indices of butterflies in urban park green spaces were all significantly higher than those in residential and street green spaces(P < 0.05). Differences in butterfly diversity and functional traits among different urban regions and ring roads were relatively minor, and small-sized, multivoltine, and long flying duration butterflies dominated urban green spaces. Overall, these spaces offer more favorable habitats for butterflies. However, some residential green spaces and street green spaces demonstrate potential for butterfly conservation.展开更多
Green transformation is an unavoidable choice for resource-based cities(RBCs)that face resource depletion and environmental pollution.Existing research has focused primarily on specific RBCs,making it challenging to a...Green transformation is an unavoidable choice for resource-based cities(RBCs)that face resource depletion and environmental pollution.Existing research has focused primarily on specific RBCs,making it challenging to apply green transformation strategies universally across cities.The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA)is a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses that can handle multiple concurrent causality problems and determine how different conditions combine into configurations and generate an outcome.Thus,to address this gap,in this study,we established a research framework for green transformation and utilized the fsQCA to examine the configurations of 113 RBCs in China.By incorporating the element of time,this study explored the dynamic evolution of solutions in 2013,2016,and 2019.The main findings indicate that individual elements do not constitute the necessary conditions for improving the green transformation efficiency(GTE),and the systematic combination of multiple conditions is an effective path for realizing the improvement of the GTE in RBCs.Green transformation paths of RBCs exhibit the same destination through different paths.Additionally,the combination of system environment elements and system structure elements is both complementary and alternative.Differences in RBCs have led to various factor combinations and development paths,but there are some similarities in the key elements of the factor combinations at different stages.Economic environment,government support,and technological innovation are key factors that universally enhance the GTE in RBCs.These insights can assist city managers in formulating policies to drive green transformation and contribute to a better theoretical understanding of green transformation paths in RBCs.展开更多
The green innovation value chain is a key step in transforming green,innovative scientific,and technological achievements into productive forces.The establishment of green innovation value chains based on value distri...The green innovation value chain is a key step in transforming green,innovative scientific,and technological achievements into productive forces.The establishment of green innovation value chains based on value distribution rather than technical conditions can effectively overcome the common bottleneck faced by different nations during their green innovation endeavors,namely,the substitution of conventional products with green alternatives.This study investigates the impeded diffusion of green products and their underlying causes,analyzes the internal structure and mechanism of the green innovation value chain,and explores the establishment of regional green innovation value chains and the models available for value chain upgrading.展开更多
Given the global focus on green and low-carbon development and the increasing prominence of digital finance,it is particularly important to explore how to leverage digital finance to achieve these environmental goals....Given the global focus on green and low-carbon development and the increasing prominence of digital finance,it is particularly important to explore how to leverage digital finance to achieve these environmental goals.This study,through mechanism analysis,deeply examines how China’s digital finance promotes green and low-carbon development and elucidates the positive interaction between digital finance and the green industry.The study found that digital finance,through more flexible and efficient financial functions,alters the cost structure of carbon emissions,and reduces the risks and costs of green investments,thereby creating a cooperative green mechanism benefiting all parties,and guiding social groups toward a green and low-carbon transformation.Additionally,the rapid development of digital finance has strengthened the implementation of environmental protection policies,effectively promoted the expansion of the environmental protection industry,and established the green ethos as a mainstream concept in financial development.This study aims to provide reference perspectives and suggestions,assist policymakers in promoting the green and lowcarbon development of digital finance,and offer insights into the integrated development of digital finance and the green environmental protection industry.展开更多
为了建立高效、灵敏的猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)检测方法,本研究从GenBank数据库中获取PEDV N基因序列,扩增出PEDV N基因标准质粒,并在N基因的保守区域内设计了一对特异性荧光定量引物,成功建立了SYBR Green I实时荧光定量PCR检测方法。...为了建立高效、灵敏的猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)检测方法,本研究从GenBank数据库中获取PEDV N基因序列,扩增出PEDV N基因标准质粒,并在N基因的保守区域内设计了一对特异性荧光定量引物,成功建立了SYBR Green I实时荧光定量PCR检测方法。经过一系列试验表明,该检测方法线性关系良好,R^(2)值为0.99;特异性强,敏感性高,最低可检测至2.23 copies/μL,比普通PCR灵敏约100倍;重复性好,组内变异系数为0.25%~0.43%,组间变异系数为0.67%~0.97%;对于各地区96份临床样品检测出PEDV阳性率为25%。本研究建立的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法为PEDV的临床诊断、流行病学调查以及定量研究提供了有效的检测工具。展开更多
BACKGROUND Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intra-hepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH)techniques.The indocyanine green(ICG)flu...BACKGROUND Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intra-hepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH)techniques.The indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence navi-gation technique has emerged as the most effective method for identifying hepatic regions,potentially overcoming the limitations of LH.While laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy(LLH)is a standardized procedure,there is a need for innova-tive strategies to enhance its outcomes.important anatomical markers,surgical skills,and ICG staining methods.METHODS Thirty-seven patients who underwent ICG fluorescence-guided LLH at Qujing Second People's Hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The cranial-dorsal approach was performed which involves dissecting the left hepatic vein cephalad,isolating the Arantius ligament,exposing the middle hepatic vein,and dissecting the parenchyma from the dorsal to the foot in order to complete the anatomical LLH.The surgical methods,as well as intra-and post-surgical data,were recorded and analyzed.Our hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee approved this study(Ethical review:2022-019-01).RESULTS Intraoperative blood loss during LLH was 335.68±99.869 mL and the rates of transfusion and conversion to laparotomy were 13.5%and 0%,respectively.The overall incidence of complications throughout the follow-up(median of 18 months;range 1-36 months)was 21.6%.No mortality or severe complications(level IV)were reported.CONCLUSION LLH has the potential to become a novel,standardized approach that can effectively,safely,and simply expose the middle hepatic vein and meet the requirements of precision surgery.展开更多
Three kinds of iron nanoparticles(FeNPs)were prepared via green route based on pomegranate(PG),green tea(GT),and mulberry(ML)extracts under ambient conditions.The obtained materials were characterized by scanning elec...Three kinds of iron nanoparticles(FeNPs)were prepared via green route based on pomegranate(PG),green tea(GT),and mulberry(ML)extracts under ambient conditions.The obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electronic microscopy(TEM),X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer(EDS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)techniques.The experimental results show that FeNPs were in the form of amorphous iron(Ⅱ,Ⅲ)-polyphenol complex with different dispersity and morphologies.GT-Fe has the smallest size range of 25-35 nm,PG-Fe has a moderate size-distribution of 30-40 nm,while ML-Fe formed a tuberous net-type with a sheeting structure.PG-Fe displays the highest removal efficiency of 90.2%in 20 min towards cationic dye of malachite green(16.6%by ML-Fe and 69.3%by GT-Fe),which is attributed to its highest polyphenol content,lowest zeta potential,as well as the most Fe^(2+)on the surface of FeNPs.The removal mechanism was mainly induced by electrostatic adsorption based on pH and zeta potential tests.展开更多
文摘Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in adult and paediatric populations.Despite the advances made in intraoperative biliary anatomy recognition,iatrogenic bile duct injuries during LC represent a fatal complication and consist an economic burden for healthcare systems.A series of methods have been proposed to prevent bile duct injury,among them the use of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence.The most commonly reported method of ICG injection is the intravenous administration,while literature is lacking studies investigating the direct intragallbladder ICG injection.This narrative mini-review aims to assess the potential applications,usefulness,and limitations of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC.Authors screened the available international literature to identify the reports of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive cholecystectomy,as well as special issues regarding its use.Literature search retrieved four prospective cohort studies,three case-control studies,and one case report.In the three case-control studies selected,intragallbladder near-infrared cholangiography(NIRC)was compared with standard LC under white light,with intravenous administration of ICG for NIRC and with standard intraoperative cholangiography(IOC).In total,133 patients reported in the literature have been administered intragallbladder ICG administration for biliary mapping during LC.Literature includes several reports of intragallbladder ICG administration,but a standardized technique has not been established yet.Published data suggest that NIRC with intragallbladder ICG injection is a promising method to achieve biliary mapping,overwhelming limitations of IOC including intervention and radiation exposure,as well as the high hepatic parenchyma signal and time interval needed in intravenous ICG fluorescence.Evidence-based guidelines on the role of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC require the assessment of further studies and multicenter data collection into large registries.
文摘为了建立水禽细小病毒(WPV)快速检测方法,根据序列比对结果在水禽细小病毒NS基因SF3保守区域内设计特异性引物,建立SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR通用检测方法。该方法的扩增效率(E)为90.0%,相关系数(R~2)=0.99,标准曲线方程为y=-3.607x+38.77;除WPV出现S形扩增曲线外,新城疫病毒(NDV)、H9亚型禽流感病毒(H9 AIV)、鸭坦布苏病毒(DTMUV)、鸭肝炎病毒(DHAV)、鸭肠炎病毒(DEV)、鸭呼肠孤病毒(DRV)样品均未出现S形阳性扩增曲线;批内变异系数(CV)为0.15%~0.23%,批间变异系数为0.09%~0.28%。结果表明,SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR检测方法重复性好、灵敏度高和特异性强。临床样品检测结果表明,SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR与普通PCR的符合率达98.4%,灵敏度是普通PCR的1 000倍。SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR检测方法不仅能定性检测WPV,还可以进行定量检测,可用于种鸭场、种鹅场的WPV净化检测,也可用于WPV临床大量样品的快速检测。
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72061147002)the National Social Science Foundation of China(18ZDA074)。
文摘The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with its HS6-digit export data of agri-food products to quantify the impact of Green Food Certification on export quality. We identify the significant and positive effect of Green Food Certification on export quality. The 2SLS estimation based on instrumental variables and a range of robustness checks confirm the validity and robustness of the benchmark conclusions. Further analysis discloses that Green Food Certification improves export quality by raising agricultural production efficiency and brand premiums. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of Green Food Certification varies across regions, notably improving the quality of agri-food products exported to developed regions and regions with high levels of import supervision. Furthermore, among various product types, Green Food Certification significantly improves the export quality of primary products and products vulnerable to non-tariff measures. The above findings could guide the future development of agri-food quality certification systems, potentially leading to a transformation and promotion of the agri-food trade.
基金funded by the National Non Profit Research Institutions of the Chinese Academy of Forestry(CAFYBB2020ZB008)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371936)the Research Projects in Anhui Universities in 2022(natural sciences)(2022AH051874).
文摘Urbanization has profound impacts on ecological environments. Green spaces are a vital component of urban ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing sustainability. This study aimed to investigate the community composition characteristics of butterflies in urban green spaces within the context of rapid urbanization. Simultaneously, it explored the status and differences in butterfly taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, and functional traits among different types of urban green spaces, regions, and urban gradients to provide relevant insights for further improving urban green space quality and promoting biodiversity conservation. We conducted a year-long survey of 80 green spaces across different urban regions and ring roads within Hefei City, Anhui Province, with monthly sampling intervals over 187 transects. A total of 4822 butterflies, belonging to 5 families, 17 subfamilies, 40 genera, and 55 species were identified. The species richness, Shannon, Simpson, functional richness, and Rao's quadratic entropy indices of butterflies in urban park green spaces were all significantly higher than those in residential and street green spaces(P < 0.05). Differences in butterfly diversity and functional traits among different urban regions and ring roads were relatively minor, and small-sized, multivoltine, and long flying duration butterflies dominated urban green spaces. Overall, these spaces offer more favorable habitats for butterflies. However, some residential green spaces and street green spaces demonstrate potential for butterfly conservation.
基金supported by the Chongqing Social Science Planning Fund,China(2023BS034)the Science and Technology Project of Chongqing Jiaotong University,China(F1230069).
文摘Green transformation is an unavoidable choice for resource-based cities(RBCs)that face resource depletion and environmental pollution.Existing research has focused primarily on specific RBCs,making it challenging to apply green transformation strategies universally across cities.The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA)is a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses that can handle multiple concurrent causality problems and determine how different conditions combine into configurations and generate an outcome.Thus,to address this gap,in this study,we established a research framework for green transformation and utilized the fsQCA to examine the configurations of 113 RBCs in China.By incorporating the element of time,this study explored the dynamic evolution of solutions in 2013,2016,and 2019.The main findings indicate that individual elements do not constitute the necessary conditions for improving the green transformation efficiency(GTE),and the systematic combination of multiple conditions is an effective path for realizing the improvement of the GTE in RBCs.Green transformation paths of RBCs exhibit the same destination through different paths.Additionally,the combination of system environment elements and system structure elements is both complementary and alternative.Differences in RBCs have led to various factor combinations and development paths,but there are some similarities in the key elements of the factor combinations at different stages.Economic environment,government support,and technological innovation are key factors that universally enhance the GTE in RBCs.These insights can assist city managers in formulating policies to drive green transformation and contribute to a better theoretical understanding of green transformation paths in RBCs.
基金the part of the“Research on Paths to High-quality Development in Agriculture Against the Backdrop of Rural Revitalization,”a project of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee for Young Talents in Publicity,Socialist Thought and Cultural Promotionthe National Social Science Fund of China-supported project,“Research on Theoretical Logic and Realization Path of Urban-Rural Integration Based on Industrial Internet”(21XJL001)+1 种基金the major project of Sichuan province in philosophy and social science planning,“Research on the Innovation and Policy Adaptation of Sichuan’s Agricultural Green Development System under the‘Dual Carbon’Goal”(SC22ZDYC44)the key project of Sichuan province in soft science research and planning,“Research on the Path to Peak Carbon and Carbon Neutrality of the Agricultural Sector in Rural Areas of Sichuan Province”(2022JDR0157).
文摘The green innovation value chain is a key step in transforming green,innovative scientific,and technological achievements into productive forces.The establishment of green innovation value chains based on value distribution rather than technical conditions can effectively overcome the common bottleneck faced by different nations during their green innovation endeavors,namely,the substitution of conventional products with green alternatives.This study investigates the impeded diffusion of green products and their underlying causes,analyzes the internal structure and mechanism of the green innovation value chain,and explores the establishment of regional green innovation value chains and the models available for value chain upgrading.
文摘Given the global focus on green and low-carbon development and the increasing prominence of digital finance,it is particularly important to explore how to leverage digital finance to achieve these environmental goals.This study,through mechanism analysis,deeply examines how China’s digital finance promotes green and low-carbon development and elucidates the positive interaction between digital finance and the green industry.The study found that digital finance,through more flexible and efficient financial functions,alters the cost structure of carbon emissions,and reduces the risks and costs of green investments,thereby creating a cooperative green mechanism benefiting all parties,and guiding social groups toward a green and low-carbon transformation.Additionally,the rapid development of digital finance has strengthened the implementation of environmental protection policies,effectively promoted the expansion of the environmental protection industry,and established the green ethos as a mainstream concept in financial development.This study aims to provide reference perspectives and suggestions,assist policymakers in promoting the green and lowcarbon development of digital finance,and offer insights into the integrated development of digital finance and the green environmental protection industry.
基金Supported by The High-level Talent Training Support Project of Yunnan Province,No.YNWR-MY-2020-053and the Key Project of the Second People's Hospital of Qujing in 2022,No.2022ynkt04。
文摘BACKGROUND Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intra-hepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH)techniques.The indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence navi-gation technique has emerged as the most effective method for identifying hepatic regions,potentially overcoming the limitations of LH.While laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy(LLH)is a standardized procedure,there is a need for innova-tive strategies to enhance its outcomes.important anatomical markers,surgical skills,and ICG staining methods.METHODS Thirty-seven patients who underwent ICG fluorescence-guided LLH at Qujing Second People's Hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The cranial-dorsal approach was performed which involves dissecting the left hepatic vein cephalad,isolating the Arantius ligament,exposing the middle hepatic vein,and dissecting the parenchyma from the dorsal to the foot in order to complete the anatomical LLH.The surgical methods,as well as intra-and post-surgical data,were recorded and analyzed.Our hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee approved this study(Ethical review:2022-019-01).RESULTS Intraoperative blood loss during LLH was 335.68±99.869 mL and the rates of transfusion and conversion to laparotomy were 13.5%and 0%,respectively.The overall incidence of complications throughout the follow-up(median of 18 months;range 1-36 months)was 21.6%.No mortality or severe complications(level IV)were reported.CONCLUSION LLH has the potential to become a novel,standardized approach that can effectively,safely,and simply expose the middle hepatic vein and meet the requirements of precision surgery.
基金Funded by the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.2024AFB946)the Excellent Young and Middle-aged Science and Technology Innovation Team Plan of Hubei Colleges(No.T201824)。
文摘Three kinds of iron nanoparticles(FeNPs)were prepared via green route based on pomegranate(PG),green tea(GT),and mulberry(ML)extracts under ambient conditions.The obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electronic microscopy(TEM),X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer(EDS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)techniques.The experimental results show that FeNPs were in the form of amorphous iron(Ⅱ,Ⅲ)-polyphenol complex with different dispersity and morphologies.GT-Fe has the smallest size range of 25-35 nm,PG-Fe has a moderate size-distribution of 30-40 nm,while ML-Fe formed a tuberous net-type with a sheeting structure.PG-Fe displays the highest removal efficiency of 90.2%in 20 min towards cationic dye of malachite green(16.6%by ML-Fe and 69.3%by GT-Fe),which is attributed to its highest polyphenol content,lowest zeta potential,as well as the most Fe^(2+)on the surface of FeNPs.The removal mechanism was mainly induced by electrostatic adsorption based on pH and zeta potential tests.