How elevation and soil properties affect plant distribution patterns and species diversity in the Mediterranean mountain ecosystem of Al-Jabal Al- Akhdar, Libya

The objectives of this study were to assess distribution patterns of plant species richness,plant diversity and vegetation structure in relation to environmental factors along elevation gradient in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar,Libya.For each species,its growth form,chorological affinities,degree of occurrence,endemism status and originality were provided.A total of 534 taxa were generated from 70 families of the flowering plants,and 3 of the non-flowering plants were identified.The native flora of the study area was counted for 80.2%of the total indigenous taxa(465).The hump-shaped pattern of plant species richness was obtained,with the highest species richness at the mid-elevations,and both ends of the gradient have the lowest.The annuals(300 species,56.2%)and non-succulent perennial herbs(165 species,30.9%)were the most dominant growth forms of the total species composition.Along the elevation gradient,Asteraceae,Fabaceae,Poaceae,Lamiaceae and Apiaceae were the dominant families with the highest numbers of species.This investigation recorded 31 endemic taxa,comprising 25 dicots and 6 monocots,primarily of Mediterranean origin,with most belonging to the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families.Mediterranean chorotype was the dominant,whether pure(mono-),or combined with one(bi-and pluri-regional)or more(pluri-regional).Application of cluster analysis on the vegetation data yielded four cluster groups;each was linked to an elevation level.It emphasized the importance of establishing conservation strategies to minimize human disturbance and safeguard relic habitats of Juniperus phoenicea L.at its southern distribution limits in Africa,underlining the proactive management required for species preservation.The application of Redundancy Analysis revealed that Shannon diversity index(H'),pH and Fe were the determinant soil factor in the mid-elevation levels(L2 and L3)whereas altitude,fine sand,HCO3,OM,and soil contents of Na,SO4 and Cl for the extreme levels(L1 and L4).

Salinity fronts shape spatial patterns in zooplankton distribution in Hangzhou Bay

Ocean fronts play important roles in nutrient transport and in the shaping ecological patterns.Frontal zones in small bays are typically small in scale,have a complex structure,and they are spatially and temporally variable,but there are limited data on how biological communities respond to this variation.Hangzhou Bay,a mediumsized estuary in China,is an ideal place in which to study the response of plankton to small-scale ocean fronts,because three water masses(Qiantang River Diluted Water,Changjiang River Diluted Water,and the East China Sea current) converge here and form dynamic salinity fronts throughout the year.We investigate zooplankton communities,and temperature,salinity and chlorophyll a(Chl a) in Hangzhou Bay in June(wet perio d) and December(dry period) of 2022 and examine the dominant environmental factors that affect zooplankton community spatial variability.We then match the spatial distributions of zooplankton communities with those of salinity fronts.S alinity is the most important explanatory variable to affect zooplankton community spatial variability during both wet and dry periods,in that it contributes>60% of the variability in community structure.Furthermore,the spatial distributions of zooplankton match well with salinity fronts.During December,with weaker Qiantang River Diluted Water and a stronger secondary Changjiang River Plume,zooplankton communities occur in moderate salinity(MS,salinity range 15.6±2.2) and high salinity(HS,22.4±1.7) regions,and their ecological boundaries closely match the Qiantang River Diluted Water front.In June,different zooplankton communities occur in low salinity(LS,3.9±1.0),MS(11.7±3.6) and HS(21.3±1.9) regions.Although the LS region occurs abnormally in the central bay rather than its apex because of the anomalous influence of rising and falling tides during the sampling perio d,the ecological boundaries still match salinity interfaces.Low-salinity or brackish-water zooplankter taxa are relatively more abundant in LS or MS regions,and the biomass and abundance of zooplankton is higher in the MS region.

Diversity, Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Epibenthic Echinoderms in Dungonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan

The abundance, distribution and diversity of epibenthic echinoderm were investigated at Dungonab Bay in the Red Sea coastal water of the Sudan. Four permanent line transects were chosen. Eight (30 × 2) square metre belt transects along each permanent line transect at 20 metre intervals were used to collect data. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Spatial variations of epibenthic echinoderm abundance were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to identify and illustrate the similarities in echinoderm abundance between line transects and between belt transects. Indices of richness (d), diversity (H'), evenness (J') and dominance (C) were used to explain the diversity of epibenthic echinoderm species. The distribution pattern of each echinoderm species was determined in each permanent line transect. A total of 986 individuals were recorded within sixteen species of epibenthic echinoderms in the four line transects. Holothuriidae was the dominant family (5 species and 342 individuals). The most abundant echinoderms species was Pearsonothuria graeffei (77 individuals, about 7.81%). Abundances intra-transects and intra-families were insignificant (f = 1.67, p = 0.183, df = 3 and f = 3.24, p = 0.083, df = 9, respectively). The highest values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Pielou evenness index (J'), Margalef species richness index (d), and Simpson Dominance index (C) were 2.738, 0.9875, 2.791 and 0.07159, respectively. The distribution patterns of all species in the study transects varied between clumped and uniform, with the exception of Asthenosoma varium of the Echinothuridae family, which had clumped distribution patterns in all transects. The study concluded that Dungonab Bay supports rich and diverse communities of epibenthic echinoderms.

Vertical distribution characteristics of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity under different land use patterns in the Mu Us sandy land

Background,aim,and scope Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(s))is a key parameter in the hydrological cycle of soil;however,we have very limited understanding of K_(s) characteristics and the factors that inf luence this key parameter in the Mu Us sandy land(MUSL).Quantifying the impact of changes in land use in the Mu Us sandy land on K_(s) will provide a key foundation for understanding the regional water cycle,but will also provide a scientific basis for the governance of the MUSL.Materials and methods In this study,we determined K_(s) and the basic physical and chemical properties of soil(i.e.,organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition)within the first 100 cm layer of four different land use patterns(farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland)in the MUSL.The vertical variation of K_(s) and the factors that influence this key parameter were analyzed and a transfer function for estimating K_(s) was established based on a multiple stepwise regression model.Results The K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub increased gradually with soil depth while that of grassland remained unchanged.The K_(s) of the four patterns of land use were moderately variable;mean K_(s)values were ranked as follows:grassland(1.38 mm·min^(-1))<tree(1.76 mm·min^(-1))<farmland(1.82 mm·min^(-1))<shrub(3.30 mm·min^(-1)).The correlation between K_(s) and organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition,varied across different land use patterns.A multiple stepwise regression model showed that silt,coarse sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were key predictive factors for the K_(s) of farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,in the MUSL.Discussion The vertical distribution trend for K_(s) in farmland is known to be predominantly influenced by cultivation,fertilization,and other factors.The general aim is to improve the water-holding capacity of shallow soil on farmland(0-30 cm in depth)to conserve water and nutrients;research has shown that the K_(s) of farmland increases with soil depth.The root growth of tree and shrub in sandy land exerts mechanical force on the soil due to biophysical processes involving rhizospheres,thus leading to a significant change in K_(s).We found that shallow high-density fine roots increased the volume of soil pores and eliminated large pores,thus resulting in a reduction in shallow K_(s).Therefore,the K_(s) of tree and shrub increased with soil depth.Analysis also showed that the K_(s) of grassland did not change significantly and exhibited the lowest mean value when compared to other land use patterns.This finding was predominantly due to the shallow root system of grasslands and because this land use pattern is not subject to human activities such as cultivation and fertilization;consequently,there was no significant change in K_(s) with depth;grassland also had the lowest mean K_(s).We also established a transfer function for K_(s) for different land use patterns in the MUSL.However,the predictive factors for K_(s) in different land use patterns are known to be affected by soil cultivation methods,vegetation restoration modes,the distribution of soil moisture,and other factors,thus resulting in key differences.Therefore,when using the transfer function to predict K_(s) in other areas,it will be necessary to perform parameter calibration and further verification.Conclusions In the MUSL,the K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub gradually increased with soil depth;however,the K_(s) of grassland showed no significant variation in terms of vertical distribution.The mean K_(s) values of different land use patterns were ranked as follows:shrub>farmland>tree>grassland;all land use patterns showed moderate levels of variability.The K_(s) for different land use patterns exhibited differing degrees of correlation with soil physical and chemical properties;of these,clay,silt,sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were identified as important variables for predicting K_(s) in farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,respectively.Recommendations and perspectives In this study,we used a stepwise multiple regression model to establish a transfer function prediction model for K_(s) for different land use patterns;this model possessed high estimation accuracy.The ability to predict K_(s) in the MUSL is very important in terms of the conservation of water and nutrients.

Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules Enabled by Tailoring Additive Distribution According to the Film Growth Dynamics

Gas quenching and vacuum quenching process are widely applied to accelerate solvent volatilization to induce nucleation of perovskites in blade-coating method.In this work,we found these two pre-crystallization processes lead to different order of crystallization dynamics within the perovskite thin film,resulting in the differences of additive distribution.We then tailor-designed an additive molecule named 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea to obtain films with fewer defects and holes at the buried interface,and prepared perovskite solar cells with a certified efficiency of 23.75%.Furthermore,this work also demonstrates an efficiency of 20.18%for the large-area perovskite solar module(PSM)with an aperture area of 60.84 cm^(2).The PSM possesses remarkable continuous operation stability for maximum power point tracking of T_(90)>1000 h in ambient air.

Differential distribution of PINK1 and Parkin in the primate brain implies distinct roles

The vast majority of in vitro studies have demonstrated that PINK1 phosphorylates Parkin to work together in mitophagy to protect against neuronal degeneration.However,it remains largely unclear how PINK1 and Parkin are expressed in mammalian brains.This has been difficult to address because of the intrinsically low levels of PINK1 and undetectable levels of phosphorylated Parkin in small animals.Understanding this issue is critical for elucidating the in vivo roles of PINK1 and Parkin.Recently,we showed that the PINK1 kinase is selectively expressed as a truncated form(PINK1–55)in the primate brain.In the present study,we used multiple antibodies,including our recently developed monoclonal anti-PINK1,to validate the selective expression of PINK1 in the primate brain.We found that PINK1 was stably expressed in the monkey brain at postnatal and adulthood stages,which is consistent with the findings that depleting PINK1 can cause neuronal loss in developing and adult monkey brains.PINK1 was enriched in the membrane-bound fractionations,whereas Parkin was soluble with a distinguishable distribution.Immunofluorescent double staining experiments showed that PINK1 and Parkin did not colocalize under physiological conditions in cultured monkey astrocytes,though they did colocalize on mitochondria when the cells were exposed to mitochondrial stress.These findings suggest that PINK1 and Parkin may have distinct roles beyond their well-known function in mitophagy during mitochondrial damage.

Practice patterns among ophthalmic surgeons in treating concomitant oculoplastic conditions in preoperative period:A questionnaire-based study

BACKGROUND Addressing oculoplastic conditions in the preoperative period ensures both the safety and functional success of any ophthalmic procedure.Some oculoplastic conditions,like nasolacrimal duct obstruction,have been extensively studied,whereas others,like eyelid malposition and thyroid eye disease,have received minimal or no research.AIM To investigate the current practice patterns among ophthalmologists while treating concomitant oculoplastic conditions before any subspecialty ophthalmic intervention.METHODS A cross-sectional survey was disseminated among ophthalmologists all over India.The survey included questions related to pre-operative evaluation,anaesthetic and surgical techniques preferred,post-operative care,the use of adjunctive therapies,and patient follow-up patterns.RESULTS A total of 180 ophthalmologists responded to the survey.Most practitioners(89%)felt that the ROPLAS test was sufficient during pre-operative evaluation before any subspecialty surgery was advised.The most common surgical techniques employed were lacrimal drainage procedures(Dacryocystorhinostomy)(63.3%),eyelid malposition repair(36.9%),and ptosis repair(58.7%).Post-operatively,47.7%of respondents emphasized that at least a 4-week gap should be maintained after lacrimal drainage procedures and eyelid surgeries.Sixty-seven percent of ophthalmologists felt that topical anaesthetic procedures should be preferred while performing ocular surgeries in thyroid eye disease patients.CONCLUSION Approximately 50%of ophthalmologists handle prevalent oculoplastic issues themselves,seeking the expertise of an oculoplastic surgeon under particular conditions.Many ophthalmologists still favor using ROPLAS as a preliminary screening method before proceeding with cataract surgery.Eyelid conditions and thyroid eye disease are not as commonly addressed before subspecialty procedures compared to issues like nasolacrimal duct obstruction and periocular infections.

Pretreatment red blood cell distribution width as a predictive marker for postoperative complications after laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND Red blood cell distribution width(RDW)is associated with the development and progression of various diseases.AIM To explore the association between pretreatment RDW and short-term outcomes after laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy(LPD).METHODS A total of 804 consecutive patients who underwent LPD at our hospital between March 2017 and November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Correlations between pretreatment RDW and clinicopathological characteristics and short-term outcomes were investigated.RESULTS Patients with higher pretreatment RDW were older,had higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores and were associated with poorer short-term outcomes than those with normal RDW.High pretreatment RDW was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications(POCs)(hazard ratio=2.973,95%confidence interval:2.032-4.350,P<0.001)and severe POCs of grade IIIa or higher(hazard ratio=3.138,95%confidence interval:2.042-4.824,P<0.001)based on the Clavien-Dino classification system.Subgroup analysis showed that high pretreatment RDW was an independent risk factor for Clavien-Dino classi-fication grade IIIb or higher POCs,a comprehensive complication index score≥26.2,severe postoperative pancreatic fistula,severe bile leakage and severe hemorrhage.High pretreatment RDW was positively associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and was negatively associated with albumin and the prognostic nutritional index.CONCLUSION Pretreatment RDW was a special parameter for patients who underwent LPD.It was associated with malnutrition,severe inflammatory status and poorer short-term outcomes.RDW could be a surrogate marker for nutritional and inflammatory status in identifying patients who were at high risk of developing POCs after LPD.

Distribution pattern of rare plants along riparian zone in Shennongjia Area

Due to the importance of riparian zone in maintaining and protecting regional biodiversity, increasingly more ecologists paid their attentions to riparian zone and had been aware of the important effects of riparian zone in basic study and practical management. In this study, 42 sampling belts (10 m?00 m) parallel to the bank of Xiangxi River at different elevations in Shennongjia Area were selected to investigate the riparian vegetation and rare plants. 14 species of rare plants were found distributing in riparian zone, accounting for 42.4% of the total rare plant species in Shennongjia Area. The main distribution range of the 14 rare plant species was the evergreen and deciduous mixed broadleaved forest at elevation of 1200-1800 m, where, species diversity of plant community was the maximum at the moderate elevation. The analysis of TWINSPAN divided the 14 rare species into 3 groups against the elevation, namely low elevation species group, moderate elevation species group, and high elevation species group. The analysis of DCA ordination showed similar results to that of TWINSPAN. In the paper, the authors discussed the reasons forming the distribution pattern of rare plant species, and pointed out that the important function of riparian zone on rare plant species protection.

Distribution Patterns of Ground Moss Species and Its Relationships with Environmental Factors in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

The relationships of 42 species of ground moss with six environmental factors in 41 sites on Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve were analyzed. Four site groups and four groups of ground moss ecological species were identified using the method of Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). The results of Detrended Canonical. Correspondence Analysis (DCCA) showed that altitude, soil sand content, soil acidity, forest canopy coverage and soil water content are the five major environmental factors influencing the distributional patterns of the moss species. The four groups of ecological species, which correspond well with the four site groups, are projected on the species-environment biplot of DCCA. Group 1 dominated in the bogs of Larix olgensis forest, group 2 in the alpine tundra, group 3 in the dense conifer forest, and group 4 mainly in the Betula ermanii community and the Betula ermanii-Larix olgensis forest in sub-alpine respectively.

Study on Spatial Distribution Pattern of Thrip (Odentot hrips lati) on Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

[Objective] The aim of this study was to reveal and analyze the spatial distribution pattern of thrip（Odentot hrips lati） on alfalfa（Medicago sativa）.[Method] Within alfalfa plantation areas,experimental plots with the sizes of 10×10,10×20,10×30,20×30,20×40,20×80,30×30,30×40,30×50,40×40,40×50,40×80 and 50×50 m2 respectively were set up in the randomly selected sampling sites of 1 m ×2 m in size.During bud-emerging period and florescence period of alfalfa in the experimental plots,the number of thrips was counted and their distribution pattern was measured using XU Ru-mei＇s method.[Result] During bud-emerging period of alfalfa,the spatial distribution of thrips assumed an elliptic shape sized of 40×30-40×40 cm2 at horizontal level and that presented an ascending-falling trend of tress density down from the top at vertical level.During the florescence period of alfalfa,it showed a homogeneous distribution or randomly distributed pattern at horizontal level and a falling trend of tress density from the top to the apex to the root at vertical level.[Conclusion] Our results provide theoretical basis for field selection of insect-resistant alfalfa varieties.

Spatial Distribution Pattern and Application of Fourth-Generation Mature Larvae of Cotton Bollworm(Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) in Corn Field

[ Objective] The paper was to study the spatial distribution pattern of fourth-generation mature larvae of cotton bellworm in corn field. [ Method] The plots with different occurrence densities of fourth-generation cotton bollworm were investigated from August to September in 2009. Six groups of sampling data were obtained, and seven indicators including aggregation index method, Iwao method and Taylor method, etc. were used to determine its spatial distribution pattern. [ Result ] Aggregation index test showed that in all plots, Moore I 〈 0, Lloyed m＊/m 〈 1, Kuno Ca 〈 0, diffusion coefficient C 〈 1, diffusion index 16 〈 1, negative binomial distribution K 〈 0, indicating that mature larvae of cotton bollworm showed uniform distribution in summer corn. Iwae regression equation of fourth-genera- tion mature larvae of cotton boUworm in summer corn was m ＊ = 0. 090 6 ＋ 0. 766 9 m, r = 0. 986 3, indicating that the basic components of cotton bollworm distribu- ted was single individual, and mature larvae of cotton bollworm in summer corn showed uniform distribution. The optimal sampling number of fourth-generation ma- ture larvae of cotton bollworm in corn under different population densities could be calculated using formula N1 = （ 1. 090 6/m -0. 233 1 ）/D2. [ Conclusion] The result provided basis for accurate evaluation of population quantities and variation law of cotton boUworm, as well as prediction and control of the pest.

Space-time Distribution Pattern of Monochamus alternatus in Wanding City

[Objective] The purpose was to study space-time distribution pattern of Monochamus alternatus in Wanding City. [Method] Based on data about insect situation supervision on M. alternatus in Wanding City, using related mathematical statistics methods including linear regression analysis and spatial distribution pattern of insect population, the relationship between emergence period, emergence quantity and temperature of M. alternatus adult, spatial distribution pattern of adults and their life history were studied. [Result] M. alternatus occurred one generation per year in Wanding city, June was the maximum period of adults, which was also the key trapping period. Spatial distribution of M. alternatus was accumulative. [Conclusion] This study provided theoretical basis for further control on M. alternatus for forestry bureau of Wanding City.

Preliminary Study on Spatial Distribution Pattern of Endoclyta signifer Walker Larva

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the spatial distribution of Endoclyta signifer Walker Larva. [ Method] The larvae distribution in eucalyptus planta- tion in Beiliu and Luchuan counties of Guangxi province were investigated. Ten standard plots were set, and the spatial distribution pattern of E. signifer larva was confirmed using six different aggregation indexes and regression model analysis method. [ Result] The larvae mainly distributed in the base of tnmk lower than 1 m, and its spatial distribution pattern was mainly aggregated distribution, which was caused by the enviromnental factors. The optimum sampling formula of E. signifer larva under different population densities was n = t2 （ 1.1/m ＋ 0. 674 4）/D2, and limited sequential sampling decision model was T＇0（n）, T＇0（n） = n ＋ 1. 332√n（ m0 = 1 ）. [ Conclusion] The result provided scientific basis for sampling and forecasting of E. signifier.

Spatial Distribution Pattern of Overwintering Larvae of Dendrlimus punctatus

Based on the data of mean population density of overwintering larvae of Dendrolimus punctatus in Shatang forest farm in Guangxi Province, the spatial pattern of overwintering larva of D. punctatus were analyzed by the distribution index and regression model method. The results showed that the spatial pattern of overwintering larvae of D. punctatus assumed the aggregation pattern, the basic component of distribution was individual group. The optimal sampling number of forest survey and the sequential sampling analysis were presented, and the upper and low bound index for controlling D. punctatus were put forward to provide certain theoretical basis for integrated pest management.

Developmental Mechanism and Distribution Pattern of Stomatal Clusters in Begonia peltatifolia

The function of stomata in plants is controlling gas exchange and modulating water balance. The distribution pattern of stomata in most vascular plants follows a certain regulation with at least one normal epidermal cell between two stomata. However, some plants restricted in several genera of vascular plants have stomatal clusters in which more than one stoma is adjacently arranged with no epidermal cells among them. The developmental process of stomatal clusters in plants, especially in non-mutant (wild type) vascular plants, has rarely been documented, and very few studies concerning the distribution pattern of stomatal clusters on leaf epidermis have been carried out. We reported the developmental mechanism and distribution pattern of stomatal clusters in Begonia peltatifolia Li native to China. The results indicated that the clustered arrangement of meristemoids at the juvenile stage of the leaf development contributed greatly to the pattern of stomatal clusters. Additionally, satellite meristemoids derived from subsidiary cells around the mature stomata also had an impact on the development as well as the pattern of stomatal clusters. Regarding stomatal cluster and singly occurring stoma both as a stomatal unit, we found that the stomatal unit density (i.e., number of stomatal unit per area) increased gradually from the middle part to the edge and the apex of the leaf, while stomatal unit size (i.e., number of stomata per stomatal unit) decreased. The possible reason of this pattern was discussed.

Spatial Distribution Pattern and Sampling Technique of Spring Wheat Aphid

[ Objective] The aim was to study the spatial distribution pattern and field sampling method of aphid population in spring wheat. [ Method] The aphid quantity in tested wheat field was calculated, the field distribution pattern of wheat aphid was calculated by using aggregated index method, the aggregated reason was analyzed and the field theoretical sampling number was ascertained. [ Result] The wheat aphid population showed aggregation distribution and negative binomial distribution, and such aggregation distribution was induced by interaction of its behavior and environmental factors. The field theoretical sampling number of wheat aphid was related to sample variance and permissible error; the less the sam- ple variance [ S^2 ） was, the less the permissible error [ d＇） was, the bigger the theoretical sampling number without replacement was; when the initial population numbers were different, the theoretical sampling numbers were also different; after the permissible error being set, the bigger the sample variance （ S^2 ） was, the bigger the theoretical sampling number was. [ Conclusion] This study supplied scientific basis for prediction and field control of wheat aphid.

Population structure and distribution pattern of Taxus cuspidata in Muling region of Heilongjiang Province, China

An investigation was conducted on distribution pattern, site condition and population structure of yew Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. in Muling Forest Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, China in April, 2005. Results showed that yew is mainly distributed under the main storey of natural mixed forest of conifer and broadleaf, the soil moisture content of the yew site is high （40%-60%）, the pH value of soil is relatively lower （4.7-5.5）, and that the population structure of wild yew is not rational, belonging to the degeneration population, which is one of the reasons leading to the population decline. Although the site conditions of Muling area are suitable for the growth of wild yew, the population of wild yew shows a decline tendency, due to the fact that the middle-sized adult yew trees have been cut, young yews are often grazed by wildlife, and that the trunks of adult yew tend to be hollow.

Distribution patterns of rock mass displacement in deeply buried areas induced by active fault creep slip at engineering scale

Active fault creep slip induces deformation of rock mass buried deeply in fault zones that significantly affect the operational safety of long linear projects passing through it.Displacement distribution patterns of rock masses in active fault zones which have been investigated previously are the key design basis for such projects.Therefore,a discrete element numerical model with different fault types,slip time,dip angles,and complex geological features was established,and then the creep slip for normal,reverse,and strike-slip faults were simulated to analyze the displacement distribution in the fault rock mass.A disk rotation test system and the corresponding laboratory test method were developed for simulating rock mass displacement induced by creep slippage of faults.A series of rotation tests for softand hard-layered specimens under combined compression and torsional stress were conducted to verify the numerical results and analyze the factors influencing the displacement distribution.An S-shaped displacement distribution independent of fault dip angle was identified corresponding to reverse,normal,and strike-slip faults.The results indicated that the higher the degree of horizontal extrusion,the softer the rock mass at the fault core,and the higher the degree of displacement concentration in the fault core;about 70%of the creep slip displacement occurs within this zone under 100 years of creep slippage.

Quantitative studies of the regular distribution pattern for Salmonella enteritidis in the internal organs of mice after oral challenge by a specific real-time polymerase chain reaction

AIM： To identify and understand the regular distribution pattern for Salmonella enteritidis （S. enteritidis） in the internal organs of mice after an oral challenge over a 3 wk period. METHODS： Assays based on the serovar-specific DNA sequence of S. enteritidis from GenBank, and a serovar-specific real-time, fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （FQ-PCR） were developed for the detection of S. enteritidis. We used this assay to detect genomic DNA of S. enteritidis in the blood and the internal organs, including heart, liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder, from mice after oral challenge at different time points respectively.RESULTS： The results showed that the spleen was positive at 12 h post inoculation （PI）, and the blood was at 14 h PI. The organism was detected in the liver and heart at 16 h PI, the pancreas was positive at 20 h PI, and the final organs to show positive results were the kidney and gallbladder at 22 h PI. The copy number of S. enteritidis DNA in each tissue reached a peak at 24-36 h PI, with the liver and spleen containing high concentrations of S. enteritidis, whereas the blood, heart, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder had low concentrations. S. enteritidis populations began to decrease and were not detectable at 3 d PI, but were still present up to 12 d PI in the gallbladder, 2 wk for the liver, and 3 wk for the spleen without causing apparent symptoms.CONCLUSION： The results provided significant data for understanding the life cycle of S. enteritidis in the internal organs, and showed that the liver and spleen may be the primary sites for setting itself up as a commensa over a long time after oral challenge. Interestingly, it may be the first time reported that the gallbladder is a site of carriage for S. enteritidis over a 12 d period. This study will help to understand the mechanisms of action of S. enteriCdis infection in vivo.