Molecular Phylogeny of Bisexual Artemia Based on 16S rDNA

[Objective] The research aimed at investigating the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationship of bisexual brine shrimps.[Method] 16S rDNA of three species of bisexual Artemia from China was determined;the homologous sequences between them and 11 relative species of Artemia from GenBank were compared;the molecular phylogenetic tree was constructed by Mega Microsoft using Artemiopsis stefanssoni as outgroup.[Result] Artemia persimilis was the primal group in genus Artemia;Artemia franciscana and Artemia monica were the evolved groups;Artemia urmiana,Artemia sinica and other Artemia species from China shared a close genetic relationship.[Conclusion] Based on the 16S rDNA sequence of them,the phylogenetic relationships of these bisexual Artemia species were A.persimilis→A.urmiana,A.sinica and A.tibetiana→A.tunisiana→A.monica→A.Franciscan.

Flowering Habits and Seed Setting Traits under Artificial Pollination in Chinese Water Chestnut(Eleocharis dulcis)

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the crossbreeding method for Chinese water chestnut. [Method] The growth of Chinese water chestnut stalk and inflorescence was observed. Chinese water chestnut flowering law and stamen and pistil growth were investigated in an artificial pollination experiment. [Result] Stamens and pistils reached their full bloom stages when the flower stalk lengths were approximate 37.0 and 46.9 cm, respectively, with a height difference of 9.84 cm and time difference of 28.5 h; and 9：00-11：00 a.m. was the optimal period for artificial pollination. Seven hours after artificial pollination, pistils wilted rapidly. The seed setting rates under artificial pollination and a natural condition was 43% and 15.5%, respectively. [Conclusion} The time difference between the full bloom stages of stamens and pistils is crucial to the success of artificial pollination of Chinese water chestnut. The seed setting rate under artificial pollination is much higher than that under a natural condition.

Early Cretaceous Archaefructus eoflora sp. nov. with Bisexual Flowers from Beipiao, Western Liaoning, China

Recently, whether Archaefructus has bisexual multi-parted flowers or just inflorescences of unisexual flowers, and whether it is ancestral to all angiosperms or a derived eudicot have been debated. Here, from the same Yixian Formation, NE China, we report a new Archaefructus species, A. eoflora sp. nov., with the generic characteristics of dissected leaves and bisexual reproductive axes. It is entirely preserved with roots, rhizome, shoots and protogynous reproductive organs at different developmental stages. Its lateral and main fertile shoots form a pseudo-indeterminate pattern, while the reproductive branches on the main shoot form a cymose inflorescence. Subtended by 1-2 bract-like leaves, the section of stamen clusters changes into a much shorter section of carpels that have one row of orthotropous ovules. Significantly, one cluster bearing two carpels and one stamen between the two sections demonstrates a true bisexual flower, an important step of the origin of floral bisexuality, and the homology between the stamen and carpel. The complex reproductive axes represent a mix between flowers and inflorescences, and suggest that A. eoflora sp. nov. possesses the potential to evolve into a variety of diverse flower types as found in modern basal and early fossil angiosperms. A comparison with other two species also leads to a revision of the generic diagnosis.

An Undercover Angiosperm from the Jurassic of China

Searching for early angiosperms is a riveting activity in botany because it helps to resolve the phyiogenetic relationships among seed plants and among angiosperms themselves. One of the challenges for this job is what the target fossils look like. Most possibly early angiosperms may elude our scrutiny with gymnospermous appearances. This possibility becomes a reality in a Jurassic plant, Solaranthus gen. nov, which bears a peltaspermalean appearance and enclosed ovules. According to knowledge available hitherto, the latter feature makes it an angiosperm. However, such a feature is more likely to be eclipsed by its gymnospermous appearance. The early age and unexpected character assemblage of Solaranthus urge for a fresh look on the assumed-simple relationship between angiosperms and gymnosperms. Its resemblance to the order Peltaspermales favors the Mostly Male Theory.

FORM ERROR EVALUATION OF CIRCLES BASED ON A FINELY-DESIGNED GENETIC ALGORITHM

A genetic algorithm(GA)-based new method is designed to evaluate thecircularity error of mechanical parts. The method uses the capability of nonlinear optimization ofGA to search for the optimal solution of circularity error. The finely-designed GA (FDGA)characterized dynamical bisexual recombination and Gaussian mutation. The mathematical model of thenonlinear problem is given. The implementation details in FDGA are described such as the crossoveror recombination mechanism which utilized a bisexual reproduction scheme and the elitist reservationmethod; and the adaptive mutation which used the Gaussian probability distribution to determine thevalues of the offspring produced by mutation mechanism. The examples are provided to verify thedesigned FDGA. The computation results indicate that the FDGA works very well in the field of formerror evaluation such as circularity evaluation.

THE ASYMPTOTIC PROPERTIES OF SUPERCRITICAL BISEXUAL GALTON-WATSON BRANCHING PROCESSES WITH IMMIGRATION OF MATING UNITS

In this article the supercritical bisexual Galton-Watson branching processes with the immigration of mating units is considered. A necessary condition for the almost sure convergence, and a sufficient condition for the L^1 convergence are given for the process with the suitably normed condition.

ON THE EXTINCTION OF POPULATION-SIZE-DEPENDENT BISEXUAL GALTON-WATSON PROCESSES

In this article, the population-size-dependent bisexual Galton-Watson processes are considered. Under some suitable conditions on the mating functions and the offspring distribution, existence of the limit of mean growth rate per mating unit is proved. And based on the limit, a criterion to identify whether the process admits ultimate extinct with probability one is obtained.

The Stressors and Psychological Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual among Chinese Adults in Hong Kong

Background: Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) are individuals who often experienced stigma and discrimination which has detrimental effects on psychological well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the major stressors and psychological well-being of LGB among Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed using self-administered questionnaires. Convenience sampling was used to recruit subjects. Demographic information, Measure of Gay-related stress (MOGS) and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D Scale) were used to collect data. Results: The major stressor among LGB individuals in Hong Kong was family reaction. Majority of them had a high level of depression. Conclusion: LGB individuals in Hong Kong experienced high level of depression.

Anal Cancer in a HIV Sero-Positive Bisexual Bachelor—A Case Report and Literature Review

Anal cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) variety, is evolving with rising incidence globally. This is due to the increasing adoption of risky life styles and social habits even in populations with rare occurrences previously. This case report aims to expose risk factors exhibited by a patient recently managed for anal cancer in our facility before his demise. Early exposure to bisexual orientation, receptive anal intercourse and multiple sexual partners, are notable high risk factors for the development of anal SCC. The permissive role of smoking, illicit drug and alcohol use enhances the disease occurrence. Acquisition of human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) sero-positive status further reduces the body’s immune competence and enhances early age of onset as well as accelerates development of anal SCC. Proper history exploring the risk factors, physical/anorectal examination and histological analysis, are vital for proper diagnosis and staging which guides appropriate treatment with chemo-radiation as mainstay.

Chemsex and its risk factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong

We were intrigued by Hanum et al,who published a study on the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)in homosexual,bisexual,and other men who have sex with men at sexual health clinics in England and the relationship between baseline variables and future HIV occurrence.Chemically-enhanced sexual experience(chemsex)is becoming a global phenomenon.There are increasing medical and academic concerns about chemsex,where substances are used to boost sexual satisfaction,which is prevalent in groups,especially among homosexuals.Lesbians,gays,bisexuals,transgenders,and queers have become increasingly visible,valued,and committed community.However,chemsex requires urgent attention.

A.S.Convergence Rate and L^(p)-Convergence of Bisexual Branching Processes in a Random Environment and Varying Environment

Let(Z_(n))be a supercritical bisexual branching process in a random environmentξ.We study the almost sure(a.s.)convergence rate of the submartingale W_(n)=Z_(n)/In to its limit W,where(In)is an usually used norming sequence.We prove that under a moment condition of order p∈(1,2),W-W_(n)=o(e^(-na))a.s.for some a>0 that we find explicitly;assuming the logarithmic moment condition holds,we haveW-W_(n)=o(n^(-α))a.s..In order to obtain these results,we provide the L^(p)-convergence of(W_(n));similar conclusions hold for a bisexual branching process in a varying environment.

Bisexual Galton-Watson Branching Processes in Random Environments

In this paper, we consider a bisexual Galton-Watson branching process whose offspring probability distribution is controlled by a random environment proccss. Some results for the probability generating functions associated with the process are obtained and sufficient conditions for certain extinction and for non-certain extinction are established.

The Earliest Normal Flower from Liaoning Province, China

The early evolution of angiosperms has been a focus of intensive research for more than a century. The Yixian Formation in western Liaoning yields one of the earliest angiosperm macrofioras. Despite multitudes of angiosperm fossils uncovered, including Archaefructus and Sinocarpus, no bona fide normal flower has been dated to 125 Ma （mega-annum） or older. Here we report Callianthus dilae gen. et sp. nov. from the Yixian Formation （Early Cretaceous） in western Liaoning, China as the earliest normal flower known to date. The flower demonstrates a typical floral organization, including tepals, androecium, and gynoecium. The tepals are spatulate with parallel veins. The stamens have a slender filament, a globular anther, bristles at the anther apex, and in situ round-triangular pollen grains. The gynoecium is composed of two stylate carpels enclosed in a fleshy envelope, and develops into a ＂hip＂ when mature. Since the well-accepted history of angiosperms is not much longer than 125 Ma, Callianthus together with Chaoyangia, Archaefructus and Sinocarpus from the Yixian Formation demonstrate a surprisingly high diversity of angiosperms, implying a history of angiosperms much longer than currently accepted.

Health-related attitudes and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections of Chinese women who have sex with women

Background Previous studies have shown evidence of health-related risk behaviors among women who have sex with women （WSW）, such as sex with men, multiple bisexual partners, and drug use. Women who have sex with women have also been known to avoid routine physical examinations and conceal their same-sex history from physicians, which can affect their ability to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. No previous research has targeted women who have sex with women in China. We sought to describe women who have sex with women in China and explore risk factors for their reproductive tract infections （RTI）/sexually transmitted infections （STI）. Methods Participants were recruited through outreach in venues and online for a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using interviews and laboratory tests. Results We recruited 224 women who have sex with women. In the year preceding their participation in the study, 92% （206/224） of women reported sexual relations with women. The RTI rates were： gonorrhea （15.8%）, chlamydia （3.5%）, syphilis （0.5%）, bacterial vaginosis （14.4%）, hepatitis B virus （HBV） （0.9%）, hepatitis C virus （HCV） （0.5%）, and candidiasis （6.9%）. No HIV or herpes simplex virus （HSV） positive cases were detected. Factors associated with gonorrhea infection were non-Beijing local residency （odds ratio （OR）=2.1, 95% confidence interval （C/）： 1.2-3.8） and genital-genital contact （OR=3.1, 95% CI： 1.3-7.2）; factors associated with curable STI （excluding bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, HBV and HCV） were non-Beijing local residency （OR=1.9; 95% CI： 1.2-3.0） and bleeding during or after sex （OR=18.1; 95% CI： 5.2-62.6）; and the factor associated with RTI （including all the infections tested） was bleeding during or after sex （OR=37.8, 95% CI： 11.2-127.4）. Conclusions Behaviors that may cause RTI/STI exist among Chinese women who have sex with women. Researchers should consider these behaviors when planninq correspondin.q prevention and interventions.

Dispersal patterns in Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys

Sex-biased dispersal is common in group-living animals.Due to differences in local demographic and environmental factors,sex-biased dispersal presents many irregular patterns.In this study,a habituated,individually identified Yunnan snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti group was observed over 9 years;192 dispersal events,including 97 male dispersal events(25 natal dispersal and 72 secondary dispersal)and 95 female dispersal events(34 natal dispersal and 61 secondary dispersal)were observed.Males and females showed different dispersal paths,dispersal ages,and dispersal patterns.Females had 2 dispersal paths,whereas males had 4 paths.In terms of age of dispersal,the male age of natal dispersal was younger than for females.Males prefer single dispersal,whereas females prefer parallel dispersal.Our study indicates that the dispersal pattern of R.bieti should be classified as a bisexual dispersal pattern.The differences in dispersal path,average age at dispersal,and dispersal path pattern indicate that Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys may still retain a loose matrilineal social system.

UNCOVERING:THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF LGBT WORKPLACE INCLUSION

Lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender(LGBT)people constitute approximately five percent of the population,but workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains troublingly commonplace.This article summarizes a large and growing body of social science research demonstrating the economic benefits of LGBT inclusion(and the costs of LGBT exclusion)in the workplace.It concludes with recommendations for(1)future research,stressing the need for more China-specific studies,which would inform policymaking and theoretical understanding of diversity and inclusion practices on business performance,(2)improving employer LGBT-inclusion policies,and(3)strengthening state protection of the equal employment rights of LGBT people.