Sequence stratigraphy and lithofacies paleogeography of the Middle–Upper Cambrian Xixiangchi Group in the Sichuan Basin and its adjacent area, SW China

Based on isotopic, lithologic and electrical data and logging cycle analysis technique, stratigraphic sequences in the Middle-Upper Cambrian Xixiangchi Group in the Sichuan Basin and its adjacent area are divided, and its sedimentary characteristics and evolution are analyzed. The Xixiangchi Group can be divided into 5 third-order sequences(Sql-Sq5), of which sequences Ⅰ to Ⅲ(Sql-Sq3) are relatively complete, sequences Ⅳ and Ⅴ are denuded in the Late Cambrian because of the Dian-Chuan paleo-uplifts.Third-order sequences of the Xixiangchi Group in this area have the characteristics of thin in the west and thick in the east, showing that the Caledonian paleo-uplift is a synsedimentary paleo-uplift and the paleogeomorphology in the platform is a gentle slope. Sequence Ⅰdevelops high stand systems tract and transgressive systems tract. The other third-order sequences are dominated by highstand systems tracts, and the transgressive systems tracts last shortly in time and are limited in area. The basic features of evaporative-restricted platform of gentle slope type developed continuously in the sedimentary period of the Xixiangchi Group, its sedimentary environment of "high in west and low in east" and the change of micro paleogeomorphology in the platform control the continuous development of sedimentary facies. Open platform is developed only in sequence Ⅰ and sequence Ⅱ, and the inner beach of the platform and the edge beach of the platform are mostly developed in sequence Ⅱ and sequence Ⅲ. It indicates that there are two platform margin zones in the study area,a relatively stable, large-scale platform marginal zone in NE Guizhou-Western Hunan and Hubei, and a moving and small-scale platform marginal zone in North Chongqing-Western Hubei.

Episodic hydrothermal alteration on Middle Permian carbonate reservoirs and its geological significance in southwestern Sichuan Basin,SW China

To analyze the episodic alteration of Middle Permian carbonate reservoirs by complex hydrothermal fluid in southwestern Sichuan Basin,petrology,geochemistry,fluid inclusion and U-Pb dating researches are conducted.The fractures and vugs of Middle Permian Qixia–Maokou formations are filled with multi-stage medium-coarse saddle dolomites and associated hydrothermal minerals,which indicates that the early limestone/dolomite episodic alteration was caused by the large-scale,high-temperature,deep magnesium-rich brine along flowing channels such as basement faults or associated fractures under the tectonic compression and napping during the Indosinian.The time of magnesium-rich hydrothermal activity was from the Middle Triassic to the Late Triassic.The siliceous and calcite fillings were triggered by hydrothermal alteration in the Middle and Late Yanshanian Movement and Himalayan Movement.Hydrothermal dolomitization is controlled by fault,hydrothermal property,flowing channel and surrounding rock lithology,which occur as equilibrium effect of porosity and permeability.The thick massive grainstone/dolomites were mainly altered by modification such as hydrothermal dolomitization/recrystallization,brecciation and fracture-vugs filling.Early thin-medium packstones were mainly altered by dissolution and infilling of fracturing,bedding dolomitization,dissolution and associated mineral fillings.The dissolved vugs and fractures are the main reservoir space under hydrothermal conditions,and the connection of dissolved vugs and network fractures is favorable for forming high-quality dolomite reservoir.Hydrothermal dolomite reservoirs are developed within a range of 1 km near faults,with a thickness of 30–60 m.Hydrothermal dolomite reservoirs with local connected pore/vugs and fractures have exploration potential.

The Effects of Age and Ejaculatory Abstinence on Semen Quality and Reproductive Hormones in Africa and the Middle East

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effects of male age and ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters and reproductive hormones among men residing in Africa and the Middle East. A total of 70,142 semen analysis results were analysed and grouped according to the age intervals (16 - 20, 21 - 30, 31 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 60, >60) and ejaculatory abstinence (<2 days, 2 - 5 days and >5 days). Semen parameters i.e. volume, concentration, progressive motility, total progressively motile count, morphology, total normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation, viability, sORP, normed sORP were specifically evaluated. Additionally, for each age interval, reproductive hormones i.e. estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and prolactin were evaluated. Semen volume, total progressively motile count, sperm morphology and total normal sperm count constantly decrease significantly after the age of 30 years. Sperm concentration started declining significantly after the age of 50 years. There was a constant age- related increase in number of spermatozoa with damaged DNA. sORP constantly increased up to 60 years. Furthermore, constantage-related decreases in FSH, serum testosterone and prolact in were observed from patients aged between 16 years and 60 years. Semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology were significantly higher in patients having > 5 days of abstinence. Patients having > 5 days of abstinence had the lowest normed sORP. Male age significantly affects sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in fertile and infertile men residing in Africa and the Middle East. Prolonged abstinence days provides better semen quality.

Characteristics and main controlling factors of intra-platform shoal thin-layer dolomite reservoirs:A case study of Middle Permian Qixia Formation in Gaoshiti-Moxi area of Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on the study of the distribution of intra-platform shoals and the characteristics of dolomite reservoirs in the Middle Permian Qixia Formation in the Gaoshiti–Moxi area of the Sichuan Basin,SW China,the controlling factors of reservoir development were analyzed,and the formation model of“intra-platform shoal thin-layer dolomite reservoir”was established.The Qixia Formation is a regressive cycle from bottom to top,in which the first member(Qi1 Member)develops low-energy open sea microfacies,and the second member(Qi2 Member)evolves into intra-platform shoal and inter-shoal sea with decreases in sea level.The intra-platform shoal is mainly distributed near the top of two secondary shallowing cycles of the Qi2 Member.The most important reservoir rock of the Qixia Formation is thin-layer fractured-vuggy dolomite,followed by vuggy dolomite.The semi-filled saddle dolomite is common in fracture-vug,and intercrystalline pores and residual dissolution pores combined with fractures to form the effective pore-fracture network.Based on the coupling analysis of sedimentary and diagenesis characteristics,the reservoir formation model of“pre-depositional micro-paleogeomorphology controlling shoal,sedimentary shoal controlling dolomite,penecontemporaneous dolomite benefiting preservation of pores,and late hydrothermal action effectively improving reservoir quality”was systematically established.The“first-order high zone”micro-paleogeomorphology before the deposition of the Qixia Formation controlled the development of large area of intra-platform shoals in Gaoshiti area during the deposition of the Qi2 Member.Shoal facies is the basic condition of early dolomitization,and the distribution range of intra-platform shoal and dolomite reservoir is highly consistent.The grain limestone of shoal facies is transformed by two stages of dolomitization.The penecontemporaneous dolomitization is conducive to the preservation of primary pores and secondary dissolved pores.The burial hydrothermal fluid enters the early dolomite body along the fractures associated with the Emeishan basalt event,makes it recrystallized into medium–coarse crystal dolomite.With the intercrystalline pores and the residual vugs after the hydrothermal dissolution along the fractures,the high-quality intra-platform shoal-type thin-layer dolomite reservoirs are formed.The establishment of this reservoir formation model can provide important theoretical support for the sustainable development of Permian gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin.

Digital Twin Modeling and Simulation Optimization of Transmission Front and Middle Case Assembly Line

As the take-off of China’s macro economy,as well as the rapid development of infrastructure construction,real estate industry,and highway logistics transportation industry,the demand for heavy vehicles is increasing rapidly,the competition is becoming increasingly fierce,and the digital transformation of the production line is imminent.As one of themost important components of heavy vehicles,the transmission front andmiddle case assembly lines have a high degree of automation,which can be used as a pilot for the digital transformation of production.To ensure the visualization of digital twins(DT),consistent control logic,and real-time data interaction,this paper proposes an experimental digital twin modeling method for the transmission front and middle case assembly line.Firstly,theDT-based systemarchitecture is designed,and theDT model is created by constructing the visualization model,logic model,and data model of the assembly line.Then,a simulation experiment is carried out in a virtual space to analyze the existing problems in the current assembly line.Eventually,some improvement strategies are proposed and the effectiveness is verified by a new simulation experiment.

Age and geochemical evolution of granite magmatism in Olkhon region from Caledonian syncollisional ore-free granite to the rare metal granite and pegmatite of Middle Paleozoic intraplate setting

The detailed description of two granite complexes in the Olkhon subterrane is given.The Early Paleozoic Sharanur complex was formed by granitization of gneisses of the Olkhon series.It includes migmatites,granite-gneisses,granites and pegmatites of normal alkalinity;they belong to the type of syncollisional granites.The Middle Paleozoic Aya granite complex includes mother Aya massif of amazonite-bearing granites and several types of rare-metal pegmatites.They have elevated alkalinity,low of Ba,Sr,and high LILE and HFSE elements contents.The Aya pegmatites lie in northwest cracks of stretching and associated with the rise of the territory under the influence of the North Asian plume.These cracks and pegmatites mark the beginning of a new intraplate geodynamic setting.Two geochemical types are distinguished among the pegmatites of this complex.These are amazonite pegmatites of Li-F type with Ta mineralization and complex type pegmatite with Be-Rb-Nb-Ta and Li-F mineralization(the Ilixin vein).The Tashkiney pegmatite vein is similar to Ilixin,but lies in the gneisses of the Olkhon series.It shows high concentrations of Be,Nb,Ta,as well as W,Sn,but lacks Li and F,due to a greater depth and higher temperature of the melt crystallization of this pegmatite.

In the Middle of Global Governance Indonesia is actively participating in global governance reform through the MIKTA middle power grouping

In March 2023,Indonesia took over the chairmanship of MIKTA from Turkiye,marking the second time Indonesia has served as the rotating chair of a global governance mechanism,following the Bali G20 Summit in 2022.

Relationship between ultrasound parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and intrauterine fetal distress

BACKGROUND By comprehensively analyzing the blood flow parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries,doctors can more accurately identify fetal intrauterine distress,as well as assess its severity,so that timely interventions can be implemented to safeguard the health and safety of the fetus.AIM To identify the relationship between ultrasound parameters of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries and intrauterine distress.METHODS Clinical data of pregnant women admitted between January 2021 and January 2023 were collected and divided into the observation and control groups(n=50 each),according to the presence or absence of intrauterine distress.The ultrasound hemodynamic parameters of the uterine artery(UtA),fetal middle cerebral artery(MCA),and umbilical artery(UmA)were compared with neonatal outcomes and occurrence of intrauterine distress in the two groups.RESULTS Comparison of ultrasonic hemodynamic parameters,resistance index(RI),pulsatility index(PI),and systolic maximal blood flow velocity of UmA compared to diastolic blood flow velocity(S/D),revealed higher values of fetal MCA,PI,and S/D of UmA in pregnant women with UtA compared to controls(P<0.05),while there was no difference between the two groups in terms of RI(P<0.05)The incidence of a neonatal Apgar score of 8-10 points was lower in the observation group(66.7%)than in the control group(90.0%),and neonatal weight(2675.5±27.6 g)was lower than in the control group(3117.5±31.2 g).Further,cesarean section rate was higher in the observation group(70.0%)than in the control group(11.7%),and preterm labor rate was higher in the observation group(40.0%)than in the control group(10.0%).The incidence of fetal distress,neonatal growth restriction and neonatal asphyxia were also higher in the observation group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION Fetal MCA,UmA,and maternal UtA hemodynamic abnormalities all develop in pregnant women with intrauterine distress during late pregnancy,which suggests that clinical attention should be paid to them,and monitoring should be strengthened to provide guidance for clinical intervention.

First experience in laparoscopic surgery in low and middle income countries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic surgery has reduced morbidity and mortality rates,shorter post-operative recovery periods and lower complication rates than open surgery.It is routine practice in high-income countries and is becoming increasingly common in countries with limited resources.However,introducing laparoscopic surgery in low-and-middle-income countries(LMIC)can be expensive and requires resour-ces,equipment,and trainers.AIM To report the challenges and benefits of introducing laparoscopic surgery in LMIC as well as to identify solutions to these challenges for countries with limited finances and resources.METHODS MEDLINE,EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for studies reporting first experience in laparoscopic surgery in LMIC.Included studies were published between 1996 and 2022 with full text available in English.Exclusion criteria were studies considering only open surgery,ear,nose,and throat,endoscopy,arthro-scopy,hysteroscopy,cystoscopy,transplant,or bariatric surgery.RESULTS Ten studies out of 3409 screened papers,from eight LMIC were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis,totaling 2497 patients.Most reported challenges were related to costs of equipment and training programmes,equipment pro-blems such as faulty equipment,and access to surgical kits.Training-related challenges were reliance on foreign trainers and lack of locally trained surgeons and theatre staff.The benefits of introducing laparoscopic surgery were economic and clinical,including a reduction in hospital stay,complications,and morbidi-ty/mortality.The introduction of laparoscopic surgery also provided training opportunities for junior doctors.CONCLUSION Despite financial and technical challenges,many studies emphasise the overall benefit of introducing laparoscopic surgery in LMICs such as reduced hospital stay and the related lower cost for patients.While many of the clinical centres in LMICs have proposed practical solutions to the challenges reported,more support is critically required,in particular regarding training.

Effect of nutrition-related infodemics and social media on maternal experience: A nationwide survey in a low/middle income country

BACKGROUND Undernutrition is a crucial cause of morbidity and mortality among children in low-or middle-income countries(LMICs).A better understanding of maternal general healthy nutrition knowledge,as well as misbeliefs,is highly essential,especially in such settings.In the current era of infodemics,it is very strenuous for mothers to select not only the right source for maternal nutrition information but the correct information as well.AIM To assess maternal healthy nutritional knowledge and nutrition-related misbeliefs and misinformation in an LMIC,and to determine the sources of such information and their assessment methods.METHODS This cross-sectional analytical observational study enrolled 5148 randomly selected Egyptian mothers who had one or more children less than 15 years old.The data were collected through online questionnaire forms:One was for the general nutrition knowledge assessment,and the other was for the nutritional myth score.Sources of information and ways of evaluating internet sources using the Currency,Relevance,Authority,Accuracy,and Purpose test were additionally analyzed.RESULTS The mean general nutrition knowledge score was 29±9,with a percent score of 70.8%±12.1%(total score:41).The median myth score was 9(interquartile range:6,12;total score:18).The primary sources of nutrition knowledge for the enrolled mothers were social media platforms(55%).Half of the mothers managed information for currency and authority,except for considering the author's contact information.More than 60%regularly checked information for accuracy and purpose.The mothers with significant nutrition knowledge checked periodically for the author's contact information(P=0.012).The nutrition myth score was significantly lower among mothers who periodically checked the evidence of the information(P=0.016).Mothers dependent on their healthcare providers as the primary source of their general nutritional knowledge were less likely to hold myths by 13%(P=0.044).However,using social media increased the likelihood of having myths among mothers by approximately 1.2(P=0.001).CONCLUSION Social media platforms were found to be the primary source of maternal nutrition information in the current era of infodemics.However,healthcare providers were the only source for decreasing the incidence of maternal myths among the surveyed mothers.

The Impact of Sports Games on the Psychological Health of Middle School Students

This study conducted a 16-week comparative experiment with 160 students from Jinan No.5 Middle School in Shandong Province as the experimental subjects.During the implementation of the experiment,the subjects were divided into two groups:an experimental group and a control group.The experimental group was subjected to physical exercise interventions using sports game teaching methods during physical education class,while the control group followed traditional physical education teaching methods.The results showed that the psychological health status of the students in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group after the experiment.The application of sports games helps to improve the psychological health of middle school students in the course of physical education,promoting a positive and forward direction in student psychology and is an effective means to enhance the psychological health level of middle school students.

Integration of Mathematics History into Junior Middle School Education: A Pedagogical Approach to Enhance Mathematical Literacy

The integration of the history of mathematics into junior middle school mathematics education represents a significant focus of international research in mathematics and education.The mathematics curriculum standards for compulsory education have emphasized the importance of incorporating the history of mathematics,aiming to gradually integrate it into the mathematics classroom.However,in the practical implementation of junior middle school mathematics education,the effective combination of the history of mathematics with teaching methodologies remains largely unexplored.This article explores the integration of junior middle school mathematics education and the history of mathematics,aiming to provide classroom teaching recommendations for teachers and promote the formation of students’mathematical literacy.

Advances in Studies of the Middle and Upper Atmosphere and Their Coupling with the Lower Atmosphere

Recent advances in studies of the middle and upper atmosphere and their coupling with the lower atmosphere in China are briefly reviewed. This review emphasizes four aspects: (1) Development of instrumentation for middle and upper atmosphere observation; (2) Analyses and observation of middle and upper atmosphere; (3) Theoretical and modeling studies of planetary wave and gravity wave activities in the middle atmosphere and their relation to lower atmospheric processes; (4) Study on the coupling between the stratosphere and the troposphere.

Advances in the Studies of the Middle and Upper Atmosphere in 2004 - 2006

This paper summarizes the research results obtained by Chinese scientists and/or through international collaborations during 2004 to 2006. Within the context of COSPAR, the progresses in the studies of the middle and upper atmosphere in China in the past two years are introduced with focusing the developments in facilities and instruments, and the advancements in scientific issues, e.g., dynamics related processes, atmospheric constituents, and the coupling with the lower atmosphere.

A new formula of recovery factor for non-equilibrium transport of graded suspended sediment in the Middle Yangtze River

Suspended sediment concentrations in the Middle Yangtze River(MYR)reduced greatly after the Three Gorges Project operation,causing the composition of bed material to coarsen continuously.However,little is known about the non-equilibrium transport of graded suspended sediment owing to different bed material compositions(BMCs)along the MYR,and it is necessary to determine the magnitude of recovery factor.Using the Markov stochastic process in conjunction with the hiding-exposure effect of non-uniform bed-material,a new formula is proposed for calculating the recovery factor including the effect of different BMCs,and it is incorporated into the non-equilibrium transport equation to simulate the recovery processes of suspended load in both sand-gravel bed and sand bed reaches of the MYR.The results show that:(i)the recovery rate of graded sediment concentrations at Zhicheng was slower than that at Shashi during the period 2003-2007;(ii)the mean recovery factors of the coarse,medium,and fine sediment fractions in the ZhichengShashi reach were 0.152,0.0012,and 0.0005,respectively,and the coarse sediment recovered up to the maximum sediment concentration of 0.138 kg/m3over a distance of 15 km;and(iii)the results of the new formula that can consider the effect of bed material composition are in general agreement with the field observations,and the spatial and temporal delay effects are inversely related to particle size and BMC.Consequently,the BMC effect on the nonequilibrium sediment transport in different reaches of the MYR needs to be considered for higher simulation accuracy.

Advances in the study of the Middle and Upper Atmosphere

The research activities of the middle and upper atmosphere in China paced abig stride in the recent years. This paper provides an brief overview of theadvances in main aspects of the study in China during the past four years.

Farm Production Growth in the Upper and Middle Parts of the Yellow River Basin,China,During 1980-1999

The impact of inputs on farm production growth was evaluated by analyzing the economic data of the upper and middle parts of the Yellow River basin, China for the period of 1980-1999. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize the temporal trends and spatial patterns in farm production and five pertinent inputs of cultivated cropland, irrigation ratio, agricultural labor, machinery power and chemical fertilizer. Stochastic frontier production function was applied to quantify the dependence of the farm production on these inputs. The growth of farm production was decomposed to reflect the contributions by input growths and change in total factor productivity.. The change in total factor productivity was further decomposed into the changes in technology and in technical efficiency. The gross value of farm production in the region of study increased by 1.6 fold during 1980-1999. Among the five selected farm inputs, machinery power and chemical fertilizer increased by 1.8 and 2.8 fold, respectively. The increases in cultivated cropland, irrigated cropland, and agricultural labor were all less than 0.16 fold. The growth in the farm production was primarily contributed by the increase in the total factor productivity during 1980-1985, and by input growths after 1985. More than 80% of the contributions by input growths were attributed to the increased application of fertilizer and machinery. In the change of total factor productivity, the technology change dominated over the technical efficiency change in the study period except in the period of 1985-1990, implying that institution and investment played important roles in farm production growth. There was a decreasing trend in the technical efficiency in the region of study, indicating a potential to increase farm production by improving the technical efficiency in farm activities. Given the limited natural resources in the basin, the results of this study suggested that, for a sustainable growth of farm production in the area, efforts should be directed to technology progress and improvement in technical efficiency in the use of available resources.

Advances in the Researches in Middle and Upper Atmosphere in 2006—2008

This paper summarizes the research results obtained by Chinese scientists and/or through international collaborations in 2006—2008.Specifically,this paper focus on the research fields in the middle and upper atmosphere,including developments in facilities and instruments,and the advancements in scientific issues.

Photodynamic therapy for middle-advanced stage upper gastrointestinal carcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To determine the therapeutic effect of photodynamic therapy(PDT) for middle-advanced stage upper gastrointestinal carcinomas. METHODS We searched PubM ed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Database from inception to April 2018 for randomized controlled studies. These studies compared PDT with other palliative therapies(radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or Nd:YAG laser) and compared PDT, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy alone with PDT combined with chemotherapy/radiotherapy. In our meta-analysis, both fixed and random effects models were used to estimate the risk ratio(RR) for dichotomous outcomes(the response rate and one-year survival rate).RESULTS Ten random controlled clinical studies with 953 patients were included in the analysis. The effective rate for PDT was better than that of radiotherapy or Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of middle-advanced upper gastrointestinal carcinomas [RR = 1.36; 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.13-1.65; P = 0.001]. In addition, PDT combined with chemotherapy had significantly better efficacy and a higher one-year survival rate than PDT or chemotherapy alone(significant remission rate, RR = 1.62; 95%CI: 1.34-1.97; P < 0.00001; one-year survival rate, RR = 1.81; 95%CI: 1.13-2.89; P = 0.01).CONCLUSION PDT is a useful method for the treatment of middleadvanced stage upper gastrointestinal carcinomas. PDT combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy can enhance its efficacy and prolong survival time.

Paleoenvironment reconstruction of the Middle Ordovician thick carbonate from western Ordos Basin, China

Reconstructing paleoenvironments has long been considered a vital component for understanding the development and evolution of carbonate reservoirs.The Middle Ordovician Period is considered the archetypical greenhouse interval,and also a critical period in biological evolution.The Middle Darriwilian isotope carbon excursion has been observed in many areas of the world and may be related to the biological explosions caused by decreases in the temperature.The thick carbonate rocks in the fifth member of the Middle Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Dingbei area of the Ordos Basin were chosen as an example,based on the concentration of major,trace and rare earth elements as well as C,O and Sr isotopic analyses,the paleoenvironment was reconstructed.And its impact on natural gas exploration was analyzed.The results show that the seawater paleotemperature was 29℃,suboxicanoxic paleoredox conditions were observed,and the seawater paleosalinity was high.A large number of plankton in the biological explosion caused a rapid increase in the total organic carbon in carbonate rocks,which provided natural gas as supplemental source rocks.Affected by early meteoric water,the dissolution of gypsum laid the foundation for high-quality reservoirs,and the residual gypsum also further preserved natural gas.This study provides new data for the paleoenvironment and a theoretical basis for further natural gas exploration.