Evolutionary history and phylogeography of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Europe based on molecular markers

In this review we summarized recent historical records and molecular studies on evolutionary history and phylogeography of Scots pine with focus on the European highly fragmented distribution area of the species. Fossilized pollen, plant micro- and macrofossil records provided evidences on the large-scale species’ range shifts and demographic changes during the Quaternary. Populations of Scots pine were documented both in the glacial (incl. full glaciation) and interglacial periods. Recolonization of Europe after the glaciation originated from the (Sub) Mediterranean areas like the Balkan Peninsula but also from around the Eastern Alps and the surroundings of the Danube plain. Fennoscandia and northern European Baltic regions were most probably colonized from two main directions, from Western Europe and from the Russian Plain. Modern history of Scots pine was hardly affected by anthropogenic activities that started to strengthen in the Bronze and Iron Age. Along with the fossil records, molecular genetic tools were used to infer the origin and putative history including migration, differentiation and demography of the species. In this paper we compiled the major publications (30) of molecular genetic studies of the past 20 years derived from distinctly inherited organelle genomes (mitochondrial, chloroplast, nuclear) revealed by different marker systems (mtDNA-cox1, -nad1, -nad3, -nad7, ISSR, cpSSR, nSSR, B-SAP, SNP). It is important to consider that different phylogeographic patterns can be drawn by the analysis of different DNA marker types. Accordingly the use of more than one marker simultaneously outlines the most sophisticated phylogeographical pattern on the genetic lineages and can reveal high differentiation of the European distribution. Combined marker systems and markers derived from coding sequences have also been used to detect species’ phylogeographic patterns, but these were rarely applied to Scots pine. Although new molecular techniques can provide higher resolution data for populations, the reviewed results can shape the direction of further studies.

Editorial Commentary:The History of Controlling and Treating Infectious Diseases in Ancient China

I recently read the article by LIU et all entitled The History of Controlling and Treating Infectious Diseases in Ancient China with great interest.The paper comprehensively summarizes ancient Chinese approaches to combat epidemics,elucidating them through the lens of three key elements of infectious diseases.Summarizing thousands of years of records detailing major infectious disease occurrences across various dynasties is no small feat.

Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

Diverse phenotype of Méenière’s disease associated with family history,thyroid disorder,migraine and associated disorders

Objective:To better understand the clinical phenotype of Méenière’s disease(MD),we examined family history,thyroid disorder,migraine,and associated disorders in complaints of people living with MD.Method:We designed the study as a retrospective and examined data gathered from 912 participants with MD.Their data were originally collected by the Finnish M′eni`ere Federation(FMF).The survey data included individual case histories for environmental factors,comorbidities,disease-specific complaints,impact-related questions,cognitive complaints,health-related quality of life(HRQoL),and sense of coherence(SOC).Results:We observed significant differences between those with and without sporadic occurrence,family history,thyroid disorder,and migraine-associated complaints.Family history explained 20%of variability in patient complaints.Patients with a family history of MD whose disease started at younger age experienced balance problems,more severe vertigo spells,more severe vestibular drop attacks(VDA),and less nausea,although they had good SOC.Thyroid disorder explained 14%of variability in patient complaints.MD patients with a thyroid disorder comorbidity suffered more often from constant dizziness,balance problems,greater impact of hearing problems,cognitive complaints,and poor HRQoL.Migraine explained 12%of variability in patients’complaints and was associated with poor SOC and cognitive balance problems.MD patients with both thyroid disorder and migraine used antidepressants more often than other groups.Logistic regression analysis showed comorbidities of ischemic brain disorder(among 7.1%),kidney insufficiency(among 1.2%),and diabetes(among 7.3%)had statistically significant but restricted association with balance and gait problems,VDA,and reduced HRQoL.Conclusions:Family history of MD and thyroid disorder or migraine comorbidities in MD influence the complaint pattern and partially explain complex symptom profiles,including symptoms of cognitive problems.Confounders play a minimal role in complaint profile and impact of MD whereas comorbidities influence the complaint structure and partly explain the complex symptom profile in MD.

Genetic analyses of ancient tea trees provide insights into the breeding history and dissemination of Chinese Assam tea(Camellia sinensis var.assamica)

Chinese Assam tea(Camellia sinensis var.assamica)is an important tea crop with a long history of cultivation in Yunnan,China.Despite its potential value as a genetic resource,its genetic diversity and domestication/breeding history remain unclear.To address this issue,we genotyped 469 ancient tea plant trees representing 26 C.sinensis var.assamica populations,plus two of its wild relatives(six and three populations of C.taliensis and C.crassicolumna,respectively)using 16 nuclear microsatellite loci.Results showed that Chinese Assam tea has a relatively high,but comparatively lower gene diversity(H_(S)=0.638)than the wild relative C.crassicolumna(H_S=0.658).Clustering in STRUCTURE indicated that Chinese Assam tea and its two wild relatives formed distinct genetic groups,with considerable interspecific introgression.The Chinese Assam tea accessions clustered into three gene pools,corresponding well with their geographic distribution.However,New Hybrids analysis indicated that 68.48%of ancient Chinese Assam tea plants from Xishuangbanna were genetic intermediates between the Puer and Lincang gene pools.In addition,10%of the ancient Chinese Assam tea individuals were found to be hybrids between Chinese Assam tea and C.taliensis.Our results suggest that Chinese Assam tea was domesticated separately in three gene pools(Puer,Lincang and Xishuangbanna)in the Mekong River valley and that the hybrids were subsequently selected during the domestication process.Although the domestication history of Chinese Assam tea in southwestern Yunnan remains complex,our results will help to identify valuable genetic resources that may be useful in future tea breeding programs.

Retrospect and Prospect-Exploration of the Development History of Chinese Guitar Making

The guitar,an ancient stringed instrument originating from medieval Europe,was introduced to China around the 18th century.However,Chinese guitar-making technology only began to develop significantly in the 1930s and 1940s.Initially imitative,the industry later evolved toward independent research and development,eventually forming a unique identity.This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical development,current status,and future trends of guitar manufacturing in China.Today,Chinese guitar production is advancing through innovation,gaining prominence on the global stage while fostering a distinctive domestic guitar culture.Nevertheless,the Chinese guitar-making industry also faces fierce market competition and diverse consumer demands.

A preliminary study on life history of marine red alga Stylonema alsidii(Zandardini)Drew f.ramosum Zheng et Li

Stylonema alsidii(Zandardini)Drew f.ramosum Zheng et Li is a common species in the genus Stylonema,but there are limited reports on morphological taxonomy and a lack of studies on life history and the regulation of early development.The early development,discoid formation,and erect thallus growth of Stylonema alsidii f.ramosum were observed under laboratory conditions.In addition,the influence of main environmental factors such as temperature and light intensity on its development was briefly studied,and various stages of its life history were observed.The result shows:(1)there are two reproductive modes:asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction;(2)the morphology of this species varies in different degrees under laboratory culture conditions;(3)sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction can coexist under suitable conditions.Five pathways of life history were inferred from experimental phenomena.Mature sporophytes form mature gametophytes by producing initially isolated or initially attached monospore,and mature gametophytes form mature sporophytes by fertilization of eggs and sperms.The sexual and asexual reproduction processes of Stylonema alsidii f.ramosum were reported for the first time,and this is also the first report on sexual reproduction in the genus Stylonema.

A Deep Learning-Based Teaching Design for High School Geography Units:Taking the Example of Landforms of the Humanistic Education Edition

The traditional teaching methods of one-way cultivation of students can no longer meet the requirements of talent cultivation at this stage.The issue of how to promote students from passive acceptance to the independent cognitive understanding stage(i.e.deep learning)has become the focus of geography teaching.Therefore,under the guidance of deep learning theory,this paper takes the“landforms”knowledge unit of the Humanistic Education Edition as an example,improves the classroom teaching means through the unit teaching mode,reconstructs the“landforms”teaching unit,and explores the specific teaching of high school geography unit based on deep learning.This study provides a good example and guidelines for high school geography teaching and learning.

An analysis of the interaction mechanism between the social history of medicine research and health communication from the perspective of mass communication

The mass communication model and interactive ritual chain theory,which serve as communication paradigms in the new media era,facilitate and enhance the synergy between the fields of social history of medicine and health communication.This study employs a comprehensive framework based on the five elements of the mass communication model:information source,communication subject,communication object,message content,and post-communication feedback.Additionally,it incorporates the interactive ritual chain theory to examine the evolving dynamics and developmental trajectory of research in the social history of medicine during the new media era.Conclusively,this paper acknowledges the existing interaction gaps in the interaction between health communication and the social history of medicine research while outlining the challenges for fostering collaboration and proposing strategic optimizations for effective integration.

Shaanxi History Museum

It is one of the must-visit history museums,known for its vast collection of historical artifacts,attracting around three million domestic and international visitors each year.THE Shaanxi History Museum(SHM),in the renowned historic city of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province,is often regarded as one of the museums most difficult to get a ticket to in China.Each day,approximately 12,000 free online tickets are made available and are fully booked within just a couple of minutes.Its vast collection of treasured relics and numerous national treasures leave visitors in awe.

近10年国际社会与文化地理研究的发展及启示——基于《Social and Cultural Geography》论文的统计分析

世纪交替之际"批判"社会地理学和新文化地理学不断得到发展和壮大。在这样的背景下,2000年《Social and Cultural Geography》杂志应运而生。经过10多年的发展,目前该杂志已成为展示国际社会和文化地理学术研究成果的重要窗口之一。本文对《Social and Cultural Geography》2000—2010年刊发的516篇论文进行统计分析,从载文量变化、研究案例地分布和研究领域的关注度等方面分析其特征,在此基础上,对期刊设立的22个研究议题进行了内容分析,以期为国内社会和文化地理学者把握国际最新研究趋势,提升自身研究水平、拓展研究新领域,以及加强与国际研究的融合和促进自身发展等提供借鉴。

Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi):its natural history,behavior and conservation

The Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi) is a bird endemic to China,inhabiting the conifer-dominated high mountains.It occurs in the most southern range of grouse and is the smallest grouse species in the world.The Chinese Grouse has been listed as an endangered species by the China Red Data Book and placed in Category I of nationally protected animals.Since 1995,we have systematically conducted work on the Chinese Grouse using radiotelemetry techniques at the Lianhuashan Nature Reserve in Gansu Province,western China.In this presentation we summarize the mating behavior,nest site selection,incubation rhythm,winter social behavior,diet and other natural history characteristics of this species.With the aid of landscape ecological methods,we also analyze the condition of habitat fragmentation and propose suggestions for conservation.

Dilemma and Exploration of Resource Sharing in University Museums of Natural History——using Natural History Museum of Zhengzhou Normal University as an example

A natural history museum is a museum for collection, researching and presenting natural environment and natural heritages about natural history. In the research, based on the analysis on necessity of university museums’ services to society in resources sharing, the difficulties and dilemmas were summarized in sharing resources of museums and the approaches for resources sharing were explored with the case of Natural History Museum of Zhengzhou Normal University in order to investigate the way for better services of university museum to the public.

Hospice and Palliative Care in China's Mainland:History,Current Status and Challenges

The concept of End-of-Life Care(EOLC)came into China in the late1980s.However,hospice and palliative care in medical practice develope slowly.In recent years,profesionals,patients and their families,as well as government begin to attach importance to it.There is a hospice and palliative care movement now in China.This article gives an overview of the progress and the current status in multiple aspects of hospice and palliative care in China's Mainland,and points out the barriers and challenges for its further development in the future.

Disease that should be remembered: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease and short history

Pilonidal sinus disease has led to heated debates since it was first described in the medical literature. Although a consensus has been built on its etiology and pathogenesis, the same course has not progressed for treatment modality. This review is a short article about the process of pilonidal sinus disease from past to present. Some important points were mentioned between the years 1833, which is accepted as the milestone for the awareness of the disease, in which it was first reported until the year of 1880, in which it was given its name. Although its name has been the same for about two centuries, some other names such as "Jeep Disease" have also been used depending on the population affected by the disease. At present, it is indisputable that the disease is acquired. Large series were presented about the treatment in the last two decades. Some surgical methods were even named after the ones who first described them and they have many supporters. However, since the treatment modalities have some advantages and disadvantages and they do not have marked superiority over others, debates still continue. We hope that pilonidal sinus disease will not lose its significance and be underrated in parallel with the developments in technology and specialization in medicine.

Re-identifying Grateloupia yangjiangensis(Rhodophyta, Halymeniaceae) based on morphological observations, life history and rbcL sequence analyses

On the basis of morphological observations, life history and molecular phylogeny, Grateloupia yangjiangensis, which is similar to G. filicina, G. orientalis, G. catenata, and G. ramosissima in appearance, was re-examined. The results are as follows：（1） the auxiliary-cell ampullae of G. yangjiangensis were of Grateloupia type, thalli was fleshy and gelatinous in texture, and the erect axes were compressed; the cortex was 0.25–0.30 mm thick, consisting of five to seven outer layers, and there were five inner layers of triangular or stellate cells;（2） there was no filamentous stage in the development of the carpospores;（3） the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene（rbcL） sequence of four G. yangjiangensis examined showed that there was no intergeneric divergence among them, and for the phylogenetic tree, four sequences of G. yangjiangensis formed a single monophyletic subclade within the large Grateloupia clade of Halymeniaceae. In conclusion, G. yangjiangensis was a single species within the genus Grateloupia. This research provided criterion for identification and cultivation of G. yangjiangensis.

Cenozoic Stratigraphy Deformation History in the Central and Eastern of Qaidam Basin by the Balance Section Restoration and its Implication

The Qaidam Basin, located in the northern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a large Mesozoic-Cenozoic basin, and bears huge thick Cenozoic strata. The geologic events of the Indian- Eurasian plate-plate collision since -55 Ma have been well recorded. Based on the latest progress in high-resolution stratigraphy, a technique of balanced section was applied to six pieces of northeast- southwest geologic seismic profiles in the central and eastern of the Qaidam Basin to reconstruct the crustal shortening deformation history during the Cenozoic collision. The results show that the Qaidam Basin began to shorten deformation nearly synchronous to the early collision, manifesting as a weak compression, the deformation increased significantly during the Middle and Late Eocene, and then weakened slightly and began to accelerate rapidly since the Late Miocene, especially since the Quaternary, reflecting this powerful compressional deformation and rapid uplift of the northern Tibetan Plateau around the Qaidam Basin.

SEDIMENTARY PROCESS OF THE CENOZOIC BASIN AND ITS RESPONSE TO THE SLIP-HISTORY OF THE ALTYN TAGH FAULT, NW CHINA

The NEE\|striking Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) has been well known as one major point to know the growth history of the Tibetan plateau. Lots of investigations done since 1970’s were mostly focus on active features, particularly on determining slip, slip rate and their distribution along the fault. However, Cenozoic slip\|history of this fault remains poorly understood, and the age of initiation and total offset are controversial. Several Cenozoic sedimentary basins develop in Suo’erkulinan to Mangya regions (Fig.1). Their sedimentary processes are closely related with the ATF. The studies of the Neogene sedimentary sequences and the reconstruction of the paleo\|geography are essential to establish the displacement history of the fault during Late Cenozoic.Located at the southern side of the ATF, the Suo’erkulinan basin consists of more than 600\|meter\|thick Pliocene Shizigou Formation below and about 120\|meter\|thick Early to Middle Pleistocene Qigequan Formation above according to the 1∶200000 geological map by Xinjiang Province. An obvious erosional surface can be seen on the top of the lower sequence. Sediments in the Shizigou Formation are characterized by 400\|meter\|thick yellow to red cobble\|sized conglomerates in the bottom, up\|grading to sandstones and grey\|green mudstones. This indicated that the sedimentary facies changed from alluvial fan to fluvial fan and sediments became more and more mature. The upper sequence, the Qigequan Formation, corresponds to an alluvial facies series composed of yellow to white cobble\|sized conglomerates intercalated with lenticular sandstones. Paleo\|current indicators showed that the Shizhigou conglomeratic series were sourced from northwest. Well\|developed syn\|sedimentary faults, normal faults mostly inherited from syn\|sedimentary faults, and some striation lineations on the surface indicated transtensional tectonic environment of the strike\|slip faulting.

The Thermal History of the Huangmeijian Granite Intrusion in Anhui and Its Relation to Mineralization: Isotopic Evidence

Whole-rock Rb-Sr, zircon U-Pb and hornblende, biotite and K-feldspar K-Ar ages areused to reconstruct the cooling history of the Huangmeijian intrusion in the Anqing-Lujiangquartz-syenite belt in Anhui. Oxygen isotope geothermometry of mineral pairs demonstrates thatdiffusion is a dominant factor controlling the closure of isotopic systems. Assuming the coolingof the intrusion is synchronous with a dicrease in local geothermal gradients, an emplacementdepth of about 8 km and the magma crystallization temperature of 800±50℃ are estimated. TheHuangmeijian intrusion experienced a rapid cooling process and uplifted after its emplacementand crystallization at 133 Ma B.P. with a cooling rate of 34.5℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.35mm/a. The intrusion was rising until it rested at a depth of 3km at a temperature of 300±50℃about 14 Ma later. Then the intrusion was in slow cooling and uplifting with a cooling rate of4.4℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.04 mm/a. U-Pb dating of pitchblende is done for the hydrothermal uranium deposit formed in thecontact zone of the Huangmeijian intrusion. The result shows that the mineralization age is closeto the closing time of the K-Ar system in biotite. The fluid inclusion thermometry indicates thatthe mineralization temperature is in agreement with the closure temperature of the biotite K-Arsystem. This suggests a close relationship between the slow cooling of the intrusion and thehydrothermal uranium mineralization process.