On the National Symptoms of Boar Crossing the River:One Hundred Years of Solitude in a Malaysian Chinese Village

After the famous“Rainforest Trilogy”such as Monkey Cup and Elephants,Zhang Guixing,a Malaysian Chinese writer in Taiwan,recently published another Nanyang story Boar Crossing the River,in the background of anti-Japanese War,focusing on the massacres and resistance of the Chinese in Krokop,a Malaysian Chinese village in Borneo from 1941 to 1945 according to a list of“Committee for the Relief of Refugees of the Motherland”.In this novel,Zhang Guixing changes the accustomed narrative mode of individual family history,expands the description to the group images of the Chinese in Krokop,highlights their patriotic sacrifice,and saves the reality of the slaughter of the compatriots by magic means such as the myths and legends of Borneo and masks in children’s imagination.It is also noteworthy that the novel talks about the relationship between individual freedom and national identity in depth,and describes the tragic fate of cross-national love in the period of national opposition.These nation-state discourses in Boar Crossing the River are Zhang Guixing’s biggest transitions when missing in the literary world for 17 years,which indicate a landmark progress in his spiritual history.

Sacrificial piles as a countermeasure against local scour around underwater pipelines

Local scour around pipelines crossing rivers or in marine environments is a significant concern.It can lead to failure of the pipelines resulting in environmental side effects and economic losses.This study developed an experimental method to reduce local scour around pipelines with a steady flow of clear water by installing cylindrical and cubical sacrificial piles.Three sizes of sacrificial piles were examined in a linear arrangement.Sacrificial piles were installed on the upstream side of the pipeline at three distances.Maximum scour depth reduction rates below the pipeline were computed.The results showed that sacrificial piles could protect a pipeline from local scour.A portion of scoured sediment around the sacrificial piles was deposited beneath the pipeline.This sediment accumulation reduced the scour depth beneath the pipeline.Analysis of the experimental results demonstrated that the size of piles(d),the spacing between piles,and the distance between the pipe and piles(Xp)were the variables that reduced the maximum scour beneath the pipeline with a diameter of D.For the piles with d=0.40D and 0.64D,X_(p)=4OD was the optimal distance to install a group of piles,and cubical piles could mitigate scour more effectively than cylindrical piles under similar conditions.For the piles with d=D,the greatest reduction in scour depth was achieved at X_(p)=50D with any desired spacings between piles,and cylindrical piles in this dimension could protect the pipeline against scour more effectively than cubical piles.

Physico-chemical indices of breeding sites of Simulium damnosum in the lower Cross River Basin, Nigeria

To determine the factor influencing the abundance development and distribution of Simulium damnosum(S.I) immature stages in the lower Cross River Basin, Nigeria, the physico-chemical characteristics of water at breeding sites were analysed longitudinally over a 12 month period. Analysis of the water samples showed that water current correlated positively and significantly(p<0.05), with dissolved oxygen(r = 0.95 vs 0.10); conductivity(r = 0.95 vs 0.81); hydrogen ion concentration(r = 0.03 vs 0.46); and biochemical oxygen demand(r = 0.80 vs 0.64); from Agbokim Waterfalls and Afi River respectively. The result indicates that these parameters and low ionic concentration are the most essential requirement for the development of S. damnosum pre-imaginal stages. Amplitudes of annual variability as measured by co-efficient of variation varied between the parameters. From the trends in hydrological variables it was deduced that the integrated impact of precipitation, input of surface runoff and municipal effluents played an overriding role in determining the absolute levels and temporal pattern in the water quality attributes. Of the 3578 pre-imaginal stages of S. damnosum collected, 52.52% and 47.4% were collected from Agbokim Waterfall and Afi River respectively. There was a significant difference(p<0.05) in the number of pre-imaginal stages collected from both sites. The highest number of pre_imaginal stages of S. damnosum collected were at the peak of rain(July—September) indicating that S. damnosum in the River Basin is a wet season breeder. The need for long term laboratory colonization of blackfly immature stages becomes imperative especially how these parameters could be exploited in control programme through the testing of larvicides without adverse ecological damage to the aquatic habitat.

Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of “Ailments of Utmost Native Importance” in Cross River State, Nigeria

Regardless of the high value of medicinal plants to residents of Cross River State in health maintenance especially for the treatment of “ailments of utmost native importance”, the major constraint is the uncertainty of the availability of the herbs and knowledge of traditional medicine still being passed by word of mouth. For better reliance on the plant species as medicine, this research seeks to identify and infer on the population and distribution of the species used in their treatment and documents them. Data were collected using field work and oral interviews. The survey team comprised of Taxonomists, survey assistants, five trado-medical herbal practitioners and the Authors. The status and geographical distribution of the identified medicinal plant species was appalling, 59 percent of the medicinal plant species were distributed in 3 out of 15 sampled plots. Causal factors included over misuse of therapeutic plant species, habitats destruction and absence of proper conservation education of the masses. Recommendations are that Communities should set up therapeutic plants farms, enrichment planting be made in agricultural fields and sustainable harvesting methods used.

Re-examination of Hydrochemistry and Groundwater Potentials of Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo Intersecting Tropical Basins of South-South Nigeria

This review attempted a detailed description of geological and hydrogeological configurations of Cross River and Imo-Akwa Ibo basins.It presented a synthesis of hydrochemistry and a description of the hydrogeological configurations of the two basins.Hydrogeologically,most areas under Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo are poor in terms of groundwater potentials.Based on the hydrochemistry,the basins hold water of excellent quality.Groundwater sources fall in soft to moderately hard classes.The entire sources groundwater has a TDS concentration of less than 500 mg/l.Groundwater classification based on electrical conductivity(EC)showed EC levels were less than 500μS/cm.Most of the examined cations and anions are within WHO reference guidelines for drinking water quality.However,no broad analysis of water quality based on water quality indices.Also,studies modeling pollution or the impact of land use changes on groundwater quality are wanting.Thus,further analysis of the hydrochemistry of groundwater aquifers is recommended.

长江中游武汉—九江河段河道形态及水动力学特征(英文)

Based on measured hydrological data by using ship-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler （ADCP） instrument, we analyzed shapes of river cross sections of the middle Yangtze River basin （mainly focusing on Makou and Tianjiazhen river reach）. Hydrodynamic properties of river channels were also discussed. The research results indicate that nonlinear relationships can be identified between river-width/river-depth ratio （W/D ratio）, sizes of cross section and mean flow velocity. Positive relations are detected between W/D ratio and mean flow velocity when W/D〈1; and negative relations are observed when W/D〉1. Adverse relationships can be obtained between W/D ratio and cross-section area. Geomorphologic and geologic survey indicates different components of river banks in the wider and narrower river reaches respectively. These may be the main driving factors causing unique hydrological properties of river channels in the middle Yangtze River basin. Narrower river cross sections tend to raise water level in the upstream river reach near narrower river channel, giving rise to backwater effects. River knots can cause serious backwater effects, which is harmful for flood mitigation. However river knots will also stabilize river channel and this will be beneficial for river channel management. The results of this paper may be helpful for flood mitigation and river channel management in the middle Yangtze River basin.

Crossing the River Frontier trade with Russia gives the Chinese border town of Heihe a taste of prosperity

Aglimpse at the Heihe Island International Trade Center offers a vivid insight into how far the business has progressed. The center

Estimation of Stature from Percutaneous Tibia Length of Indigenes of Bekwara Ethnic Group of Cross River State, Nigeria

Estimating stature by developing linear regression equations which incorporate the features of fragmented body parts or human skeletal remains has been employed by many forensic anthropologists to establish the identity of victims of mass disaster although all formulas are ethnic,age,and gender specific.The study is aimed at using the percutaneous tibia length(PCTL)to deriving a specific regression equation formula which could be used to estimate the stature of adult indigenes of Bekwara ethnic group in Cross River State.A total number of 600 subjects within the age range of 21–45 years were recruited randomly for this research(300 males and 300 females).Observed height and PCTL were measured using the standard anthropometric technique,respectively.Stature was estimated from PCTL using simple regression analysis.On analysis of the data,the mean PCTL for male was found to be 43.60±2.31 cm while that of female was 42.55±2.83 cm.The observed height was 165.80±6.88 cm and 156.70±6.06 cm for male and female,respectively.Statistical analysis showed that the male values of the measured parameters were significantly higher than the corresponding female values.The linear regression equations derived for male and female for the estimation of height using the PCTL was found to be 5.289(PCTL)+(−64.78)and 4.230(TL)+(−23.28),respectively.It was concluded that stature can be estimated using the length of an intact mutilated leg.Thus,the data of this study are recommended in anthropological studies for stature estimation among the ethnic group under study.

Buruli ulcer in Nigeria:results of a pilot case study in three rural districts

Background:Buruli ulcer(BU),also known as Mycobacterium ulcerans disease,is the third most common mycobacterial disease worldwide.Although BU disease has been diagnosed among Nigerians in neighbouring West African countries,data on the burden of the disease in Nigeria itself are scanty.This study aimed to assess the magnitude and epidemiology of BU in the South South region of Nigeria.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional survey in the Ogoja territory(comprising 31 communities).We undertook sensitisation programmes centred on BU in 10 of the communities.Participants were asked to identify community members with long-standing ulcers,who were then invited for evaluation.We also contacted traditional healers to refer their clients who had non-healing ulcers.All suspected cases had a full clinical evaluation and laboratory testing.Confirmed cases were given treatment in a referral hospital in the territory.Results:We diagnosed 41 clinical BU cases;36(87.8%)of which were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).These 36 PCR-confirmed cases were diagnosed in a total population of 192,169 inhabitants.Therefore,the estimated crude prevalence of BU was 18.7 per 100,000 population,varying from 6.0 to 41.4 per 100,000 in the districts surveyed.The majority(66.7%)of the cases were females.About 92%of the BU lesions were located on the patients’extremities.No differences were observed between the sexes in terms of the location of the lesions.The age of the patients ranged from four to 60 years,with a median age of 17 years.All 35(100%)patients who consented to treatment completed chemotherapy as prescribed.Of the treated cases,29(82.9%)needed and received surgery.All cases healed,but 29(82.9%)had some limitations in movement.Healing with limitations in movement occurred in 18/19(94.7%)and 8/10(80.0%)of patients with lesions>15 cm(Category III)and 6–15 cm in diameter(Category II),respectively.The median duration of treatment was 130(87–164)days for children and 98(56–134)days for adults(p=0.15).Conclusions:In Nigeria,BU is endemic but its severity is underestimated—at least in the study setting.There is a need to identify and map BU endemic regions in Nigeria.A comprehensive BU control programme is also urgently needed.