First record of abnormal body coloration in a rockfish Sebastes koreanus(Scorpaenoidei:Sebastidae)from coastal water of China based on morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding

The first record of abnormal body coloration in Sebastes koreanus Kim and Lee,1994,from the Yellow Sea of China,was documented based on morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding.The two rockfish specimens were collected from the coastal waters of Qingdao,China,and the whole body and all fins of them were red.Of the two red-colored rockfish,there were tiny deep red spots on each fin,2 red radial stripes behind and below the eyes and 1 large deep red blotch on the opercula,while the similar stripe and spot patterns are also present in the S.koreanus specimens with normal body coloration.The countable characteristics of the two specimens are in the range of the morphometry of S.koreanus.To further clarify the species identity and taxonomic status of the two specimens,DNA barcode analysis was carried out.The genetic distance between the red-colored rockfish and S.koreanus was 0,and the minimum net genetic distances between the red-colored rockfish and other Sebastes species except for S.koreanus were 3.0%,which exceeds the threshold of species delimitation.The phylogenetic analysis showed that the DNA barcoding sequences of the two red-colored rockfish clustered with the S.koreanus sequences.The above results of DNA barcode analysis also support that the two red-colored rockfish could be identified as the species of S.koreanus.The mechanism of color variation in S.koreanus is desirable for further research and the species could be an ideal model to study the color-driven speciation of the rockfishes.

Analysis of morphological characteristics of gravels based on digital image processing technology and self-organizing map

A comprehensive understanding of spatial distribution and clustering patterns of gravels is of great significance for ecological restoration and monitoring.However,traditional methods for studying gravels are low-efficiency and have many errors.This study researched the spatial distribution and cluster characteristics of gravels based on digital image processing technology combined with a self-organizing map(SOM)and multivariate statistical methods in the grassland of northern Tibetan Plateau.Moreover,the correlation of morphological parameters of gravels between different cluster groups and the environmental factors affecting gravel distribution were analyzed.The results showed that the morphological characteristics of gravels in northern region(cluster C)and southern region(cluster B)of the Tibetan Plateau were similar,with a low gravel coverage,small gravel diameter,and elongated shape.These regions were mainly distributed in high mountainous areas with large topographic relief.The central region(cluster A)has high coverage of gravels with a larger diameter,mainly distributed in high-altitude plains with smaller undulation.Principal component analysis(PCA)results showed that the gravel distribution of cluster A may be mainly affected by vegetation,while those in clusters B and C could be mainly affected by topography,climate,and soil.The study confirmed that the combination of digital image processing technology and SOM could effectively analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of gravels,providing a new mode for gravel research.

Morphological characteristics and atomic evolution behavior of nanojoints in Ag nanowire interconnect network

Ag nanowires(AgNWs)have shown great application value in the field of flexible electronics due to their excellent optical and electrical properties,and the quality of its joints of AgNWs in the thin film network directly plays a key role in its performance.In order to further improve the joint quality of AgNWs under thermal excitation,the thermal welding process and atomic evolution behavior of AgNWs were investigated through a combination of in situ experimental and molecular dynamics simulations.The influence of processing time,temperature,and stress distribution due to spatial arrangement on nanojoints was systematically explored.What is more,the failure mechanisms and their atomic interface behavior of the nanojoints were also investigated.

Morphological Characteristics Analysis of 11 Broom Sorghum Varieties

[Objective] To provide a theoretical basis for high-yield breeding of broom sorghum.[Method] Using 11 kinds of broom sorghum collected at home as research objects, the differences in morphological characteristics of broom sorghum were compared through the survey of some indicators, such as plant height, tillering, inflorescence, stem node, stem-leaf ratio, yield, and so on. [Result] The 11 kinds of broom sorghum were different in morphological characteristics with large amplitude of plant height; zygl-1, zygl-6, zygl-8 and zygl-9 were appropriate for fixed broom type; zygl-9 had the highest integrated production. [Condusion] The study laid the foundation for further exploring breeding, cultivation and promotion of broom sorghum.

Building Morphological Characteristics and Their Effect on the Wind in Beijing

An urban boundary layer model （UBLM） is improved by incorporating the effect of buildings with a sectional drag coefficient and a height-distributed canopy drag length scale. The improved UBLM is applied to simulate the wind fields over three typical urban blocks over the Beijing area with different height-towidth ratios. For comparisons, the wind fields over the same blocks are simulated by an urban sub-domain scale model resolving the buildings explicitly. The wind fields simulated from the two different methods are in good agreement. Then, two-dimensional building morphological characteristics and urban canopy parameters for Beijing are derived from detailed building height data. Finally, experiements are conducted to investigate the effect of buildings on the wind field in Beijing using the improved UBLM.

Morphological Characteristics of Precipitation Areas over the Tibetan Plateau Measured by TRMM PR

The multidimensional morphological characteristics(including scale, horizontal shape and 3 D morphology) of precipitation areas over the Tibetan Plateau in summer were studied using 15 years(1998–2012) of observational data from the precipitation radar onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. As the scale of the precipitation area increased from 20 to 150 km, the near-surface rain rate(RRav) of the precipitation area increased by up to 78%(from ~1.12 to ~2 mm h~(-1)). Linear precipitation areas had the lowest median RRav(~1 mm h~(-1) over the eastern Tibetan Plateau),whereas square-shaped precipitation areas had the highest median RRav(~1.58 mm h~(-1) over the eastern Tibetan Plateau).The 3D morphology was defined as the ratio of the average vertical scale to the average horizontal scale, where a large value corresponds to thin and tall, and a small value corresponds to plump and short. Thin-and-tall precipitation areas and plump-and-short precipitation areas had a greater median RRav, whereas the precipitation areas with a moderate 3D morphology had the lowest median RRav. The vertical structure of the precipitation-area reflectivity was sensitive to both size and 3D morphology, but was not sensitive to the horizontal shape. The relationship between RRav and the morphological characteristics was most significant over the southern slopes of the Tanggula Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau east of 100°E. The morphological characteristics of precipitation areas are therefore closely related to the intensity of precipitation and could potentially be used to forecast precipitation and verify numerical models.

Morphological characteristics in the area off eastern Taiwan Island and their tectonic implications

On the basis of bathymetric data and other geological and geophysical data obtained during the first survey conducted by Chinese Mainland in the area off eastern Taiwan Island from May to June in 2000, the morphological features of the region, the tectonic control to the seafloor topography and their tectonic implication are studied and discussed. The results have revealed that both the slope zone of the Ryukyu arc and the Ryukyu Trench present a typical morphotectonic characteristics controlled by the trench-arc system in the West Pacific Ocean. At the slope of eastern Taiwan Island the isobathic lines parallel to the coastline and distribute densely in nearly N-S direction and the slope gradient of topography is large. Such a unique feature is attributed to the collision of the Luzon arc and Eurasia continent. In the Huatung Basin, turbidity fans and submarine canyons are well developed, the formations of which are mainly related to the steep topography of the slope of the Luzon arc and the abundant supply of sediments. These submarine canyons are controlled by basement highs and strike-slip faults. On eastern side and western side of the Gagua Ridge, both the water depth and morphological features are different, but the basement of Gagua Ridge belongs to the Huatung Basin. The eastern side of the Gagua Ridge (123°12′E) corresponds to the boundary of two plates with different ages. In the West Philippine Basin, linear ridges and troughs in a NW trending are identified, which are dissected by a NE trending transform fault. According to the seafloor topography features, the direction of the transform fault and the magnetic anomaly lineations, the seafloor of this region was formed during 60-45 Ma B. P. when the West Philippine Basin was spreading along NE-SW relative to the present orientation.

Observation of Morphological Characteristics on Rhbdophaga SP

[Objective] The research aimed at describing morphological characteristics of Rhbdophaga SP. [Method] The morphological characteristics of gall midges （Rhbdophaga SP） on salix, which distributed along lake area of Huaihe river in Huoqiu Country, were observed from March, 2008 to June, 2010, and larval instars, larval duration and pupal duration were also divided. [Result] Morphological characteristics of Rhbdophaga SP were described in detail, and the larvae were divided into three instars based on the development and molting with the greatly varied shapes and sizes. The pupa is free pupa, and the development of a pupa was divided into four stages, pre-pupal stage, early pupal stage, mid-pupal stage and late puapl stage. [Conclusion] Results were referential for further research of Rhbdophaga SP.

Analysis of genotype differences of rice response to low Zn^(2+) activity and some morphological characteristics

Zinc deficiency is one of the most widespreadmicro-nutritional disorder for rice. To solve the problem, screening Zn-efficient cultivars isan available method and understanding geno-

Morphological Characteristics of the Long-legged Chafer Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev(Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) at Various Developmental Stages

The long-legged chafer Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev was described in 1952. Its occurrence was rarely reported and the document about its morphological details was not found. However, the chafer did frequently break out at Buha River valley in Tianjun county, Qinghai province, China since 2005. In this paper, we present a comprehensive description and illustrations of morphological characteristics of H. spectabilis from local collection, including developmental stages of adult, egg, larva and pupa. Among them, characteristics of the larva and pupa, the male genitalia as well as the difference between male and female are described for the first time. The morphological data will be quite useful for identification and characterization of the chafer, a poorly known species. It will also be an important basis for the chafer control when it breaks out.

Effects of Silica on Serum Phospholipid,Lipid Peroxide and Morphological Characteristics of Rat Lung

The effects of instilled silica have been studied on the serum-phospholipid (PL), lipid peroxide (LPO) and histopathology of rat lung up to 140 days from the first day of instillation. Silica induced relatively higher serum-PL throughout the experiment. The level of LPO also increased appreciably. They presented positive linear correlation. The early lesion was acute alveolitis with silica particles. These lesions became silicotic nodules on the 30th day, which then were enlarged gradually and fused by fibrosis. Alveolar macrophages (AM) were activated and surface structure was damaged. These results indicate that instilled sillca can induce lipid peroxidation of cell membrane and selective accumulation of lung PL

Morphological Characteristics and Nutrient Content of Fine Roots of 2-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Eucalyptus grandis Plantation

[ Objective] This study aimed to explore the morphological characteristics and nutrient content of f＇me roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Euca/yptus grand/s plantation and investigate the correlation. [ Method] Fine roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation were collected as experimental materials, to determine the root diameter （D）, root length （L）, specific root length （SRL） and contents of major nutrient elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg and C of fine roots （level 1 -5）, study the morphological characteristics and major nutrient element content and investigate the correlation. [ Result] The results showed that morphological differences of fine roots （ level 1 - 5 ） of Eucalyptus grandis plantation were great with the increase of root order, to be specific, D and L increased and SRL decreased with the increasing root order; SRL, L and D of 3-year-old Eucalyptus grauclis plantation were greater than those of 2-year-old Euca/yptus grand/s plantation. Contents of N, Ca, Mg and C of fine roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation showed consistent orders with the increase of root order： N and Mg contents were reduced, while Ca and C contents were enhanced; P and K contents varied with different forest ages; both 2-year-old and 3-year- old Eucalyptus grandis showed an order of C 〉 K 〉 Ca （Mg） 〉 N. Major nutrient element content and morphological characteristics of Eucalyptus grand/s fine roots （level 1 -5 ） were extremely significantly correlated （P 〈0.01 ）, SRL, L and D could be adopted as reference indices to evaluate nutrient status of Eucalyptus grand/s. Required nutrients and fine root morphology of Eucalyptus grandis plantation changed with the increase of forest age, and the nutrient cycling and energy flow patterns also changed; major nutrient dements in fine roots of 2-year-old and 3-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation transferred in a different order from the growth order, therefore N fertilizer could be applied to improve the growth of fine roots. [ Condusion] This study laid the foundation for understanding the fine root morphology and nutrient variation pattern of Eucalyptus grandis plantation and enriching the response and adaptation mechanism theory of roots to environment, pos- sessing important reference significance for the sustainable development of Eucalyptus grand/s plantation.

Spatial Layout and Morphological Characteristics of the Waterfront Settlements in Northern Jiangxi

The stmctufe types of the waterfront settlements in the north of Jiangxi Province were analyzed. According to the relationship between location and water, die waterfront setdements in northern Jiangxi were classified into tiiree categofies. The structuial commonalities of the three kinds of waterfront settlements were cleady interpreted. On this basis and combined with the field research data and relevant data, the characteristics of the waterfront setdements in northern Jiangxi were summarized： treating water as the main skeleton, choosing location by the distance ￡com watet, magnetic effect and organic textute. The characteiistic space of watetfront settLemeiits found in the investigation process was classified and elaborated, which has certain reference significance for tiie space study of waterfront settlements.

Morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of Pampus echinogaster(Basilewsky, 1855)

The morphological similarities of Pampus fishes have led to considerable confusion in species-level identification,and no accurate information on neotype or DNA barcoding of Pampus echinogaster is available. Two hundred and seven specimens of P. echinogaster were collected from the coastal waters of Dandong, Dongying, Qingdao,Nantong, Zhoushan, Wenzhou, Changle, Taiwan, and Wakayama（Japan）, from June 2010 to April 2013. The diagnostic characteristics of P. echinogaster are as follows： dorsal fin VIII-XI-43–51, anal fin V-VIII-43–49, pectoral fin 22–27, caudal fin 19–22, pelvic fin absent; first gill rakers sparse, slender（pointed）, 3–4＋12–16=15–20; vertebrae39–41; transverse occipital canal on top of head moderately small, wavy ridges not reaching upper origin of pectoral fin; ventral branch of lateral line canal spare, shorter than dorsal branch of lateral line canal. By combining congener sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I（COI） gene from Gen Bank, two absolute groups were detected among all specimens, which further indicated that two valid species were present based on genetic differences in amino acid sequences and the distance between the groups. The sequences of Group 1 can be regarded as DNA barcoding of P. echinogaster. The correct morphological redescription and DNA barcoding of P.echinogaster are presented here to provide a guarantee for efficient and accurate studies, a theoretical basis for classification, and enable appropriate fishery management and conservation strategies for the genus Pampus in the future.

Leaf stable carbon isotope composition in Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica in relation to leaf physiological and morphological characteristics along an altitudinal gradient

To understand the effects of leaf physiological and morphological characteristics on δ13C of alpine trees, we examined leaf δ13C value, LA, SD, LNC, LPC, LKC, Chla+b, LDMC, LMA and Narea in one-year-old needles of Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica at ten points along an altitudinal gradient from 1420 m to 2300 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in northwest China. Our results indicated that all the leaf traits differed significantly among sampling sites along the altitudinal gradient(P<0.001). LA, SD, LPC, LKC increased linearly with increasing elevation, whereas leaf δ13C, LNC, Chla+b, LDMC, LMA and Narea varied non-linearly with changes in altitude. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that four controlled physiological and morphological characteristics influenced the variation of δ13C. Among these four controlled factors, LKC was the most profound physiological factor that affected δ13C values, LA was the secondary morphological factor, SD was the third morphological factor, LNC was the last physiological factor. This suggested that leaf δ13C was directly controlled by physiological and morphological adjustments with changing environmental conditions due to the elevation.

Morphological comparison and molecular marker screening of three Skeletonema species found in Changjiang(Yangtze)River Basin

In our recent investigations of diatom diversity,we studied three species,namely,Skeletonema costatum,Skeletonema subsalsum,and Skeletonema potamos.Although they have been found frequently in Changjiang(Yangtze)River Basin,their morphological and molecular identification is difficult in taxonomy.Therefore,to integrate morphological and molecular biological approaches,we compared systematically their morphological characters and performed phylogenetic analysis.Twelve strains of Skeletonema were collected and isolated from Shanghai and Jiangsu,China,and their morphological characteristics were examined by light microscopy(LM)and the scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Based on morphological comparison,we determined that S.potamos is easy to distinguish from the other two species.The heavily silicified areolae,undulated or cleft distal ends of terminal fultoportula processes(TFPPs),absence of basal pores of fultoportula processes(FPPs),the rootlike protrusions of FPPs,and no interlocking connection are the stable characteristics that can be used to identify S.potamos.However,there are only two features that can distinguish S.costatum from S.subsalsum,namely the location of terminal rimoportulae(TRPs)and the distal shape of TFPPs.In addition,we amplified and sequenced nine common genetic markers from the strains,from which 101 sequences were obtained,constructed phylogenetic trees based on the nine genes and evaluated that seven genes can be used to identify S.potamos,and revealed that S.subsalsum is the closest known relative of S.costatum,and only ATP synthetase beta-subunit gene(atp B)is able to distinguish them from each other,which strongly support that it is an effective molecular marker for Skeletonema.This work provided a theoretical basis for the taxonomic study of Skeletonema.

Morphological and cytological assessments reveal pollen degradation causes pollen abortion in cotton cytoplasmic male sterility lines

Background Understanding the mechanism of male sterility is crucial for producing hybrid seeds and developing sterile germplasm resources.However,only a few cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS)lines of cotton have been produced due to several challenges,like inadequate variation of agronomic traits,incomplete sterility,weak resilience of restorer lines,and difficulty in combining strong dominance.Therefore,the morphological and cytological identification of CMS in cotton will facilitate hybrid breeding.Results Two F_(2) segregating populations of cotton were constructed from cytoplasmic male sterile lines(HaA and 01A,maternal)and restorer lines(HaR and 26R,paternal).Genetic analysis of these populations revealed a segregation ratio of 3:1 for fertile to sterile plants.Phenotypic analysis indicated no significant differences in traits of flower bud development between sterile and fertile plants.However,sterile plants exhibited smaller floral organs,shortened filament lengths,and anther atrophy on the flowering day in comparison with the fertile plants.When performed scanning electron microscopy(SEM),the two F_(2) populations revealed morphological variations in the anther epidermis.Cellular analysis showed no significant differences in pollen development before pollen maturation.Interestingly,between the pollen maturation and flowering stages,the tapetum layer of sterile plants degenerated prematurely,resulting in abnormal pollen grains and gradual pollen degradation.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that fertility-restoring genes are controlled by a single dominant gene.Sterile plants exhibit distinctive floral morphology,which is characterized by stamen atrophy and abnormal anthers.Pollen abortion occurs between pollen maturity and flowering,indicating that premature tapetum degradation may be the primary cause of pollen abortion.Overall,our study provides a theoretical basis for utilizing CMS in hybrid breeding and in-depth investigation of the dominant configuration of cotton hybrid combinations,mechanisms of sterility,and the role of sterile and restorer genes.

Three-dimensional morphological characteristics measurement of ankle joint based on computed tomography image post-processing

As precise positioning of ankle radiography is not possible, quantitative measurement of all syndesmotic parameters on repeated ankle X-ray films may be of little value. The purpose of this study was to provide a set of scientific and objective evaluation criteria for assessing the quality of ankle fracture reduction accurately and reliably by an intelligent combining three-dimensional （3-D） computed tomography （CT） measurement model. Methods From June 2008 to March 2011, all the thin-slice CT images of 100 cases （50 males and 50 females） with normal ankle joint scanned by 16-slice spiral CT were collected. Two-dimensional （2-D） and 3-D images of ankle joints were generated by using multiple planar reconstruction （MPR） and surface shaded display （SSD） respectively. The relevant parameters about bone structures and their relationship were measured and analyzed based on 3-D topological narrow division technique and 3-D measurement techniques combining essential elements of point, line and surface. Results In this study, the mean distance from lateral malleolus tip to talocrural articular surface, the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus to talocrural articular surface and lateral malleolus tip to the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus were （22.83±1.12） mm, （12.84±1.09） mm, and （61.18±2.03） mm respectively in male group, and （20.16±1.00） mm, （10.30±1.05） mm and （53.00±1.40） mm respectively in female group. The above three parameters were correlated with gender, height and weight （P 〈0.05）. However, the mean perpendicular distance from lateral malleolus tip to the plane through the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus, the talocrural angle, later clear space, medial clear space, and the superior clear space were （9.93±0.29） mm, （10.01±0.38）°, （1.94±0.16） mm, （2.78±0.19） mm, and （3.14±0.15） mm respectively in 100 cases, were not significance correlated with gender, height and weight （P 〉0.05）. Conclusions This study could provide a certain amount of relevant data for the standard of injured ankle anatomical reduction and the second surgery planning after malunion. The methods of measurement are reliable, reproducible, and easy to apply in practice.

Numerical study on morphological characteristics of rotational natural supercavitation by rotational supercavitating evaporator with optimized blade shape

In view of the supercavitation effect, a novel device named the rotational supercavitating evaporator (RSCE) has been designed for the desalination. In order to improve the blade shape of the rotational cavitator in the RSCE for the performance optimization, the blade shapes of different sizes are designed by utilizing the improved calculation method for the blade shape and the validated empirical formulae based on previous two-dimensional numerical simulations, from which the optimized blade shape with the wedge angle of 45° and the design speed of 5 000 r/min is selected. The estimation method for the desalination performance parameters is developed to validate the feasibility of the utilization of the results obtained by the two-dimensional numerical simulations in the design of the three-dimensional blade shape. Three-dimensional numerical simulations are then conducted for the supercavitating flows around the rotational cavitator with the optimized blade shape at different rotational speeds to obtain the morphological characteristics of the rotational natural supercavitation. The results show that the profile of the supercavity tail is concaved toward the inside of the supercavity due to the re-entrant jet. The empirical formulae for estimating the supercavity size with consideration of the rotation are obtained by fitting the data, with the exponents different from those obtained by the previous two-dimensional numerical simulations. The influences of the rotation on the morphological characteristics are analyzed from the perspectives of the tip and hub vortices and the interaction between the supercavity tail and the blade. Further numerical simulation of the supercavitating flow around the rotational cavitator made up by the blades with exit edge of uniform thickness illustrate that the morphological characteristics are also affected by the blade shape.

Morphological and Biological Characteristics of Rhynchaenus empopulifolis in Tai’an,China

Rhynchaenus empopulifolis is a defoliator harming poplar,and its occurrence is reported in Tai’an area for the first time.Through indoor rearing and forest investigation,the morphological,biological and damage characteristics of R.empopulifolis in Tai’an were observed,and color pictures of each instar and local characteristics of adult as well as damage symptoms were provided,in order to lay a theoretical basis for rapid identification and precise control of R.empopulifolis.