Age–age correlations and early selection for growth traits in 40 half-sib families of Larix principis-rupprechtii

Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr is a dominant species in coniferous forests of North China.However,early selection of L.principis-rupprechtii for growth traits is poorly characterised.To explore the optimal selection age for this species,heights(HT)and diameters at breast(DBH)of 40 half-sib families were measured at ages 3,12,22,and 28 years in a progeny test population established in the town of Kangjiahui,Shanxi Province.Age trends in heritability,age–age genetic correlations,and early selection efficiency for height and DBH were analysed.The individual heritability of these growth traits varied over time,and maximized at different ages(0.55 at age 12 for HT and 0.48 at age 28 for DBH).The age–age genetic correlations were always positive,and the majority were high(0.790–0.953)between the juvenile and mature ages for HT and DBH.For the same pairs of measurements,HT demonstrated higher age–age genetic correlations than DBH,and both age–age genetic correlation data sets were described well by the linear relationship with the logarithm of the age ratio(r2[0.90).The regression slope for DBH was lower than that for HT.Based on the early selection efficiency estimates,the optimal selection age could be as early as age 6 for DBH and 8–9 years for HT.The results of this study provide information that can be used to assist early selection practices in L.principis-rupprechtii improvement programs in Shanxi Province.

Shift work aggravates metabolic syndrome development among early-middle-aged males with elevated ALT

AIM: To examine whether shift work accelerates metabolic syndrome (MetS) development among early middle-aged males with elevated alanine aminotransferase (e-ALT).METHODS: A retrospective, observational followup study on MetS development at a 5-year interval was conducted using health examination data. Nine hundred and ninety six male employees not fulfi lling MetS criteria at screening were enrolled. Age, MetScomponents, liver enzymes, serological markers for viral hepatitis, abdominal ultrasound, insulin resistance status, lifestyles, and workplace factors were analyzed.RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated serum ALT (> 40 U/L, e-ALT) at baseline was 19.1%. There were 381 (38.3%) workers with long-term exposures to day-night rotating shift work (RSW). 14.2% of subjects developed MetS during follow-up. After 5 years, the workers with e-ALT had significantly unfavorable changes in MetS-components, and higher rates of MetS development, vs subjects with normal baseline ALT levels. Workers with both baseline e-ALT and 5-year persistent RSW (pRSW) exposure had the highest rate of MetS development. Also, e-ALT-plus-pRSW workers had a significant increase in MetS-components atfollow-up, compared with the other subgroups. After controlling for potential confounders, e-ALT-plus-pRSW workers posed a signifi cant risk for MetS development (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confi dence interval, 1.4-5.3, vs workers without baseline e-ALT nor pRSW). CONCLUSION: We suggest that all early middle-aged male employees with e-ALT should be evaluated and managed for MetS. Particularly in terms of job arrangements, impacts of long-term RSW on MetS development should be assessed for all male employees having baseline e-ALT.

Early Mineralization Age of the Hengjian Uranium Deposit: Constraints from Zircon SIMS U-Pb Dating

Objective The Hengjian uranium deposit is a typical hydrothermal deposit in the Xiangshan uranium ore field.The uranium mineralization ages of the Xiangshan deposits are poorly constrained,and only a few mineralization ages using the pitchblende U–Pb method have been published.These ages are commonly discordant and dispersed for abundant inclusions and an open U–Pb system.Zircon grains after strong hydrothermal alteration are usually characterized by high common Pb contents,and their U–Pb isochron ages recorded the hydrothermal alteration event without interference of common Pb components.The Hengjian gray/grayish-green granite porphyry experienced strong alteration by hydrothermal fluids during the pervasive uranium mineralization in the Xiangshan uranium ore field.Uranium mineralization in the Hengjian deposit may had different stages,and strong hydromicatization alteration occurred at a relatively early stage.Their altered zircon U–Pb isochron ages possibly represent relatively early mineralization age of the Xiangshan uranium deposits.Altered zircon grains from the Hengjian granite porphyry were analyzed using the secondary ion mass spectrometry(SIMS)U-Pb method in this study,and U–Pb isochron ages were measured to constrain the relatively early mineralization age of the Hengjian uranium deposit.

Early-age Electrical Resistivity and Reactive Capacity of Mineral Admixtures in Mortars

A non-contacting electrical resistivity measurement device was used to investigate the effect of different types and contents of mineral admixtures on the hydration perfrormanee of mortars during early age. The experimental results show that the changes of measured resistivity with time of hydration can be used to describe the hydration characteristics of cement-based materials, as well as the physical and chemical behavior of fly ash; blast furnace slag and silica fume at the very early ages. With an increasing replacement ratio of mineral admixtures, for the specimens blended with fly ash or slag, the resistivity increases firstly, then the following flatting period extends and after setting the resistivity increasing becomes slow and consequently a lower resistivity value at 24 hours occurs. This is due to the dilution effect and lower pozzolanicl hydraulic activity of fly ash and slag. However, for the samples incorporated with silica fume, the resistivity value through 24 hours is lower with shorter flatting period and larger slope in the resistivity curves, which is because of its particle size effect and higher pozzolanic activity of silica fume. Moreover, non-contacting resistivity measurement might provide a helpful information to predict the long term performanee including the durability of cement-based materials at early ages.

Early Age Hydration of Cement Paste Monitored with Ultrasonic Velocity and Numerical Simulation

Early age hydration of cement paste was investigated by monitoring the ultrasonic propagation velocity and simulated with the numerical model CEMHYD3D. The ultrasonic velocity of the P-wave was recorded during the first 24 hours of the hydration process and its evolution was analyzed. It is shown that the UPV method is an effective, accurate and non-destructive method for monitoring the early age hydration process of cement paste. The early age hydration process can be classified as four periods, which are the dormant period, acceleration period, deceleration period and stabilization period. Higher w/c ratios result in lower UPV, and delay initial setting time due to the decreased solid volume. The change of UPV is clearly related to the hydration degree of cement particles.

Initial Rifting Age of the Nearly N–S Rifts in Southern Tibetan Plateau:New Evidence from the Age limit of the Early Sediments

Objective The nearly parallel N-S-trending rifts in southern Tibet represent the E-W extension of the Tibet Plateau. Most data which constrained the age of the extensional deformation come from isotopic dating of the dikes probably related to the activity of the nearly N-S faulting and micas from hydrothermal activity and the low- temperature thermochronology of plateau uplift. Previous research shows that there are at least three different ideas about the age of the rifts： （1） older than 16-12 Ma, （2） 14- 10 Ma, and （3） 8-4 Ma （Fig. la）. For the old sedimentary strata represented the beginning of the rifting, the dating of the sediments helps to better define the initial rifting age.

Influence of Superplasticizers on Early Age Drying Shrinkage of Cement Paste with the Same Consistency

The influence of superplasticizer（SP） on the early age drying shrinkage of cement paste with the same consistency was investigated. To conduct the test, which lasted for 72 hours, three paste mixtures were used for comparison. The 72 hours early age drying shrinkage staring from the initial setting time was measured by a clock gauge. The pore size distribution was measured by Mercury Intrusion Method. The surface tension of capillary simulation liquid and mass loss of paste were also measured. The experimental results showed that the addition of SP increased the early drying shrinkage greatly. The ratios of water evaporation and the total free water in mixtures added with SPs showed great differences. SPs fined the capillary pores of paste, and the volume of pore with diameter within 50 nm was well consistent with shrinkage rate. The addition of SPs did not raise the capillary liquid surface tension. It showed that with the volume of pore with diameter within 50 nm and the ratio of water evaporation and the total free water a tolerable shrinkage result of paste added with SP could be predicted, and the elastic modulus could have an influence on the early shrinkage. These results have never been proposed before.

Maternal Age, Low Birth Weight and Early Neonatal Death in Tertiary Hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana

Objectives: Current study sought to determine an association between Low Birth Weight (LBW) and early neonatal mortality at a resource limited country’s referral hospital and to determine relationship between maternal age and birth outcomes. Method: A retrospective study analyzing data on births in the Volta Regional Hospital, Ghana from the period of November 2011 to June 2016. A total of 8279 births were analyzed. Results: Results suggest that teenage mothers (8.60%) are more likely to give birth to pre-term babies than the elderly (6.60%) and the adult mothers (4.61%). LBW is highest among the teenage mothers (12.69%) followed by the elderly mothers (7.87%) and then the least among the adult mothers (6.48%). Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) and Macrosomia births were more observed among the elderly mothers (0.90%;2.17%) than the teenage (0.28%;0.14%) and adult mothers (0.34%;1.61%) respectively. Data suggest that 100% of the ELBW were pre-term birth, 88.28% Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW), 34.56% LBW and only 1.06% of the pre-term birth were with Normal Birth Weight (NBW). Death rate ranges from 50% for ELBW, 33.59% for VLBW, 8.22% for LBW, 5.43% for Macrosomia and 1.5% for NBW. However, death rate distribution among the various age groups was statistically not significant (P 0.106). Conclusions: Our study suggests that early neonatal death, especially deaths among ELBW and VLBW is still high at the VRH of Ghana and therefore there is the need for further studies into interventions to reduce death among neonates born with VLBW and ELBW.

Effect of Superplasticizers on the Early Age Hydration of Sulfoaluminate Cement

The effects of two types of superplasticizers on the properties of CSA cement pastes during early hydration were studied. The influences of two types of superplasticizers on the properties of cement pastes, including the normal consistency, setting time, fl uidity, and compressive strength, were investigated by using various methods. The hydration products of the cement pastes cured for 1 day and 3 days were studied by X-ray diffraction（XRD） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The results show that the PCE type superplasticizer retards the early age hydration while the FDN type superplasticizer accelerates the early age hydration of the CSA cement. Both types of superplasticizers have no infl uence on the further hydration of CSA cement, confi rmed by the calorimeter tests as well. The ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements were used to probe the influence of two types of superplasticizers on the hydration of CSA cement pastes at a high water-cement ratio（0.45）. The results show that the PCE type superplasticizer retards the early age hydration of the CSA cement while the FDN type superplasticizer has little infl uence on the early age hydration of the CSA cement.

The Early Breakup of Rodinia Supercontinent in the Northeastern Margin of the Yangtze Plate： New Evidence from SIMS Zircon Ages of the Granitic Gneiss from the Chaolian Island, Shandong Peninsula

The amalgamation and breakup mechanisms of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Meso- and Neoproterozoic have been the focus of much research. However, few studies have examined the response of Neoproterozoic tectonics and magmatism along the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Plate to synchronous global events. The Qianliyan Uplift is located on the eastern margin of the Sulu orogenic belt in the ocean, but the tectonic affinity of the uplift and its relationship to the Sulu orogenic belt remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the formation age, geochemical characteristics, genesis type, and affinity of the granitic gneiss on Chaolian Island of the Qianliyan uplift and its tectonic significance.

Cracking Tendency of Restrained Concrete at Early Ages

A modified testing system characterized by full automation, steady operation and high accuracy of strain and stress measurements was developed to determine the cracking tendency of high strength concrete （HSC） in restrained condition at early ages. The shrinkage stress and the tensile creep behavior of HSC at early ages were investigated. The influence of W/C ratio and curing conditions on the early-age shrinkage stress and tensile creep was evaluated. It was found that the lower W/C ratio and drying curing condition resulted in higher shrinkage stress, stress induced tensile creep and greater cracking tendency.

Effects of Water-cement Ratio and Hydration Heat Regulating Materials on Hydration Process of Early-age Cementitious Materials

By means of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR),the transverse relaxation time(T_(2))signals of physically bound water in cement paste were monitored to indicate water content change and characterize the early-age hydration process.With the curves of the T_(2)signals and hydration time obtained,the hydration process could be divided into four typical periods using the null points of the second derivative curve,and the influences of water-cement ratio(w/c)and hydration heat regulating materials(HHRM)on hydration process were analyzed.The experimental results showed that the hydration rate of pure cement paste in accelerated period presented a positive correlation with w/c.Compared to pure cement paste,the addition of HHRM extended all four periods,and led to a much faster hydration rate in initial period as well as a slower rate in accelerated period.Finally,according to the LFNMR test results,the early-age hydration model of cementitious materials was proposed considering w/c and HHRM content.

The Influence of Advanced Paternal Age on Sperm Chromatin Integrity and Early Embryo Morphological Development during ICSI

The study determined the impact of advanced male ageing (≥50 years) on sperm chromatin integrity and early embryo morphological development in intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique cycles. Six hundred subfertile men were age-grouped;X1 (50 to 59 years), X2 (60 to 69), and X3 (≥70), were compared with 600 fertile males of known fertility (Y, age 25 - 35 years). Oocytes from 254 women, aged ≤ 30 years, were included. Sperm were analyzed using acridine orange fluorescence test (AOT) and categorized: “low”, “inter-mediate” and “high” damage. After ICSI, embryos were evaluated and categorized as “good”, “fair” or “poor” quality. Embryonic morphological development was assessed at three stages: fertilization, early and late paternal effect. The AOT results were: X1: low = 29, intermediate = 53 and high = 118;X2: low = 11, intermediate = 42 and high = 147;X3: low = 8, intermediate = 24 and high = 168;Y: Low = 486, intermediate = 71 and high = 43. The fertilization rate was: X1, 329/350 (93.7%);X2, 298/350 (85.1%);X3, 225/350 (64.1%) and, Y, 350/350 (100%). Associations between increasing age and sperm chromatin damage (χ2 (723.249, 6) p < 0.0001), increasing age and inability to fertilize (χ2 (210.990, 3) p < 0.0001) were observed. Associated with increasing age was the significant proportion of morphologically poor quality embryos over the five days after fertilization. Male age ≥ 50 years, is highly associated with abnormal sperm chromatin organization, an inability to adequately fertilize with ICSI methodology, an increase in the number of poor quality embryos and, a corresponding decrease in the number of good quality embryos five days after fertilization.

Determine the Factors of Female Early Age at First Cohabitation: A Case Study of Bangladesh

The main objective of the current study is to examine the existing situation of female early age at first cohabitation in Bangladesh as well as to identify the factors associated behind this issue. An analysis has been performed by using the secondary data of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2011. Chi-square test for dependency checking has been performed as bivariate analysis. After performing bivariate analysis, binary logistic regression analysis has been performed. To identify the significant variable, stepwise regression method has also been performed. The result of the study has revealed that women education, household economic status, area of residence, religion and geographical location have significant contribution for adolescent cohabitation. From this study it can be concluded that females who has low education and low socio-economic status are more likely to enter into cohabitation at early adulthood.

Advances in Early Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Aged

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is one of the leading causes of death in the aging population, and has become a serious public problem endangering the physical and mental health of the elderly. The disease not only affects the health of the elderly and the quality of life in their later years, but also brings heavy financial and emotional burden to the family and society. The specific mechanism of AD is still unclear, and the current treatments focus on improving mental function and slowing down memory loss. The early diagnosis of AD is difficult and there is no cure for it, so the early prevention is particularly important. This review will introduce the major treatment, potential risk factors and summarize the relevant research about early preventions of AD, such as regular physical sports, reasonable nutritional diet, certain social activities and so on, and expect to provide a new direction for the improvement of AD.

Thermal and Stress Analysis of Early Age Concrete for Spread Footing

The early age performance of spread footing, especially the growth of cracks, is deeply influenced by the heat of hydration of cement. In this paper, 3D finite element method(FEM)models are set up to analyze the temperature distribution and thermal stresses of the spread footing during the first seven days after concrete placement. The mechanical properties of early age concrete are calculated, which are further used in the FEM models. The possibilities of crack growth are estimated by the method of crack index. The crack indexes of quite a number of points are very close to the allowable limit of 1.0 during the last three days. It is also indicated that the influence of foundation ring on the thermal stresses of concrete can be neglected.

MOZAMBIQUE Combating Early Marriage

The Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique approved a law on the prevention of early marriages on July 15. The head of the Commission of Human Rights, Constitutional Affairs and Legality Edson Macuacua told the parliamentary members that with the law, there will be fewer girls dropping out of school and fewer girls forced to marry at an early age.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EGYPT AND PALESTINE IN THE EARLY BRONZE AGE(ca.3400-2000 BCE)

The relationship between Egypt and Palestine can be traced back to theChalcolithic Age thanks to the evidence of current excavations in the Nile Deltaand Sinal.Palestinian pottery and cast metal objects from the Delta sites of Maadi,Minshat Abu Omar,and elsewhere have proved contacts with Palestine inProtodynastic(Nagada Ⅱ-Ⅲ)times.The Egyptian Protodynastic Period andDynasty 1 were contemporary with the Palestinian EB Ⅰ and EB Ⅲ,and

Early Paleozoic basement diorite of arc-magmatism from Kutch basin, Western India

In this study,we report for thefirst time an Early Palaeozoic basement diorite from the drilled well Nirona-A in the Banni Half-Graben of the Kutch basin,western India.The 40Ar–39Ar dates provided a plateau age of 441.84±2.66 Ma and another pseudo plateau of 441.28±5.82 to 388.08±16.65 Ma for the basement diorite.These ages constrain the basement formation age to the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian period.The obtained basement ages are correlatable with the later part of Cambro-Ordovician alkaline magmatism that has been reported from the Huqf area in Central Oman,whereas their lithological and petrographic correlativity with base-ment diorites occurring in the Dinsi Body of Nagar Parkar igneous complex in Pakistan can also be envisaged.The geochemical studies characterized the diorite with enrich-ment of LILE(Rb,Ba,and K)and LREE(La,Ce,Nd),strong depletion of HFSE(Nb,Sr,P,and Ti),along with weakly negative Eu anomalies.The geochemical signatures indicate their petrogenetic affiliation with mantle-derived magmas,as well as their tectonic setting to be arc-related,having post-collisional continental-arc type affinity.The*440 Ma basement of Kutch,therefore,appears to rep-resent the later thermal event associated with the reworked Neoproterozoic subduction-related suite from Greater India’s northwest edge,which has implications for Gond-wana assembly in the northwest Indian subcontinent.

Brief Analysis on the Earlier the Better in SL Learning

With the intense globalization and human migration,a worldwide attention to multiple languages,cultures and abilities to communicate effectively with people across languages and cultures has been aroused. Under such circumstance,the switch to an earlier start of second language introducing in school appears to be an international phenomenon. This paper just aims to make a discussion on the idea of the earlier the better in SL learning.