Future of the current anticoronaviral agents: A viewpoint on thevalidation for the next COVIDs and pandemics

Despite the global decline in the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the disease stillrepresents a major concern to the relevant scientific and medical communities. The primary concern of drug scientists,virologists, and other concerned specialists in this respect is to find ready-to-use suitable and potent anticoronaviraltherapies that are broadly effective against the different species/strains of the coronaviruses in general, not only againstthe current and previous coronaviruses (e.g., the recently-appeared severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2“SARS-CoV-2”), i.e., effective antiviral agents for treatment and/or prophylaxis of any coronaviral infections, includingthose of the coming ones from the next species and strains (if any). As an expert in this field, I tried, in this up-to-dateperspective “viewpoint” article, to evaluate the suitability and applicability of using the currently-availableanticoronaviral agents for the next coronavirus diseases (COVIDs) and coronaviral pandemics, highlighting the mostimportant general guidelines that should be considered in the next pandemics from the therapeutic points of view.

基于ESP理论下复合型英语人才培养的思考

作为应用语言学的一个重要研究领域,ESP(English for Specific Purposes,特殊用途英语)理论近年来有了长足的发展。很多国内外的专家学者在探寻其理论价值的同时,积极寻找其跨学科研究的可能性与可行性。本篇文章在简要分析了ESP理论的形成和特点后,主要探讨了在ESP理论指导下外语专业复合型英语人才培养的模式,并在论证过程中提到了商务英语学科在培养复合型英语人才方面的重大作用。

Determination of Heterotic Groups and Heterosis Analysis of Yield Performance in indica Rice

To compare the heterosis levels among various groups of parental lines used extensively in China, identify foundational heterotic groups in parental pools and understand the relationship between genetic distance and heterosis performance, 16 parental lines with extensive genetic variation were selected from various sub-groups, and 39 hybrid combinations were generated and evaluated in Fujian and Hainan Provinces of China. The main results were as follows： （1） The 16 parental lines can be grouped into 7 sub-groups consisting of 1 maintainer sub-group and 6 restorer sub-groups; （2） Mean grain yield of the restorer lines was higher than that of the maintainer lines, and mean yield of parental lines was higher than that of the hybrid combinations; （3） The two best heterotic patterns were II-32A × G5 and II-32A × G6, moreover, the order of restorer sub-groups according to grain yield, from the highest to lowest, was G7, G6, G5, G4, G3 and G2; High specific combining ability values were observed for combinations of II-32A × G5, II-32A × G6 and Tianfeng A × G7; （4） Hybrid combinations derived from II-32A crossed with 13 restorer lines had higher yield trait values （mid-parent heterosis, better-parent heterosis, standard heterosis over check and specific combining ability） than any other combinations; （5） Genetic distance was positively correlated with panicle number, grain length and length-to-width ratio （P 〈 0.05） and negatively correlated with grain width, grain yield, seed-setting rate, as well as mid-parent heterosis, standard heterosis over check, and specific combining ability for grain yield （P 〈 0.01）. These heterotic groups and patterns and their argonomic traits will provide useful information for future hybrid rice breeding programs.

Genomic prediction of the performance of hybrids and the combining abilities for line by tester trials in maize

The two most important activities in maize breeding are the development of inbred lines with high values of general combining ability(GCA)and specific combining ability(SCA),and the identification of hybrids with high yield potentials.Genomic selection(GS)is a promising genomic tool to perform selection on the untested breeding material based on the genomic estimated breeding values estimated from the genomic prediction(GP).In this study,GP analyses were carried out to estimate the performance of hybrids,GCA,and SCA for grain yield(GY)in three maize line-by-tester trials,where all the material was phenotyped in 10 to 11 multiple-location trials and genotyped with a mid-density molecular marker platform.Results showed that the prediction abilities for the performance of hybrids ranged from 0.59 to0.81 across all trials in the model including the additive effect of lines and testers.In the model including both additive and non-additive effects,the prediction abilities for the performance of hybrids were improved and ranged from 0.64 to 0.86 across all trials.The prediction abilities of the GCA for GY were low,ranging between-0.14 and 0.13 across all trials in the model including only inbred lines;the prediction abilities of the GCA for GY were improved and ranged from 0.49 to 0.55 across all trials in the model including both inbred lines and testers,while the prediction abilities of the SCA for GY were negative across all trials.The prediction abilities for GY between testers varied from-0.66 to 0.82;the performance of hybrids between testers is difficult to predict.GS offers the opportunity to predict the performance of new hybrids and the GCA of new inbred lines based on the molecular marker information,the total breeding cost could be reduced dramatically by phenotyping fewer multiple-location trials.

Analysis of combining ability for stem-related traits and its correlations with lodging resistance heterosis in hybrid wheat

With the application of hybrid wheat, lodging is becoming one of the major factors limiting high yield in its production. However,few studies have focused on combining ability and heterosis analysis of stem-related traits. In this study, 24 crosses were made according to NCII genetic design, using the three(photo-sensitive male sterile lines)×eight(restorer lines) incomplete diallel crosses. The length of basal second internode(LBSI) and breaking strength of basal second internode(BSBSI)as well as other stem-related traits were used to perform the principal component analysis(PCA), combining ability and heterosis analysis. The PCA results showed that the variables could be classified into two main factors, which were named as the positive factor(factor 1) and the negative factor(factor 2), and accounted for 52.3 and 33.2%, respectively, of the total variance in different variables, combined with the analysis for index weight indicated that the factor 1-related traits play positive roles in lodging resistance formation of hybrids. Combining ability variance analysis indicated that its genetic performance was mainly dominated by additive gene effects, and the hybrid combinations with higher lodging resistance can be selected by using of 14 GF6085(R1), 14 GF6343-2(R4), 14 GF6937(R6), 14 GF7433-1(R7), and BS1086(M3),which are with the features with lower general combining ability(GCA) effects of factor 2-related traits whereas higher GCA effects of factor 1-related traits. The heterosis analysis showed that the wide range of heterosis varied with the traits and combinations, and GCA or specific combining ability(SCA) effects of factor 1-related traits except wall thickness of basal second internode(WTBSI) were positively and closely related to the heterosis of lodging resistance. Generally, the correlation coefficients of heterosis to GCA effects of sterile lines(GCAm) of factor 1-related traits are significantly higher than that to GCA of restorer lines(GCAr) and SCA, combined with the higher GCAm variance values of factor 1-related traits compared to GCAr, the GCAm of factor 1-related traits should be particularly considered when breeding hybrid combinations.The heritability analysis showed that the narrow-sense heritability of the diameter of basal second internode(DBSI) and the center of gravity height(TCGH) were obviously lower(<60%) than other traits, suggesting that these two traits were suitable for selection in higher generation for parental breeding. These could provide a theoretical basis for parental breeding and heterosis utilization of lodging resistance.

Combining ability and heterosis analysis over two environments in a diallel cross of three families of the clam Meretrix meretrix

A 3×3 complete diallel cross comprising three families of the clam Meretrix meretrix（P1, P2 and P3） was used to determine the combining ability of parental families and heterosis of F1 under indoor and openair environments for growth traits. Analysis of variance for shell length and whole body weight indicated highly significant cross effects, environment effects and the interaction of cross by environment. General combining ability（GCA） and specific combing ability exhibited great variation among crosses and between two environments. Pooled over environments, P2 was the top combiner among the three parental families for both traits studied. The cross of P1 and P3 had the highest SCA. Additionally, significant reciprocal effects were observed. For individual environment, about half of the crossbred combinations showed favorable Mid-parent heterosis（MPH）（〉1%） for the shell length and whole body weight. Our data has shown that non-additive genetic and reciprocal effects constituted the major sources of genetic variation for both shell length and whole body weight, which indicates that crossbreeding among selective families could further explore the heterotic effects.

A LATTICE BOLTZMANN MODEL FOR COMPRESSIBLE PERFECT GAS

A new lattice Boltzmann model for compressible perfect gas is proposed. The numerical example shows that it can be used to simulate shock wave and contact discontinuity. The results are comparable with those obtained by traditional methods. The ratio of specific heats gamma may be chosen according to the requirement of problems.

Correlation Between Parents and F_1 and Combining Ability of Parents on Seed Dormancy in indica Rice (Oryza sativa)

Dormancy indices of hulled and dehulled seeds were investigated by using 19 cytoplasmic male sterile （CMS） lines, 9 restorer lines and their 109 F1 hybrids of indica hybrid rice. The seeds of each F1 and the parents were harvested on 35 days after flowering. Combining ability was analyzed in 25 combinations made by 5 CMS lines and 5 restorer lines （North Carolina II mating design）. The seed dormancy index of F1 was positively and highly significantly correlated with those of their parents and mid-parent value. Out of the 109 combinations, 82 combinations showed mid-parent heterosis, and 43 heterobeltiosis. Seed dormancy indices of F1s and their parents declined dramatically in dehulled seeds compared with hulled seeds, indicating that the hull played an important role in seed dormancy. However, the trends were similar in hulled seeds and dehulled seeds in terms of relationships between the seed dormancy indicices in F1 and their parents. The influence of hull on seed dormancy mainly depended on F1 genotype, not on the hull from maternal parent. The variances of general combining ability （GCA） in female and male parents occupied 59.2% and 31.1% of total variance, respectively. The variance of specific combining ability （SCA） in combinations occupied 9.7% of total variance, indicating that gene additive effects were principal. Among the 5 CMS lines, II112A had the highest GCA effect for seed dormancy, followed by D62A. Among the 5 restorer lines, IRl12 had the highest GCA effect for seed dormancy, followed by 2786. These lines are elite parental materials for breeding F1 hybrid rice with stronger seed dormancy.

Biplot Analysis of Genotype by Environment for Cooking Quality in Hybrid Rice: A Tool for Line × Tester Data

A study of combining ability for improving rice cooking quality was carried out via genotype plus genotype x environment （GGE） biplot. Four restorer lines and three male sterile lines were used to obtain F1 in a line x tester trial at the Rice Research Institute, Amol, Iran in 2009. GGE biplot analysis showed that Neda and IR56 were the best general combiners for amylose content （AC）, whereas Nemat and IR28 had the highest general combining ability （GCA） effects for gelatinization temperature （GT）, and IR58 and IR59 showed the highest GCA effects in terms of gel consistency （GC）. Meanwhile IR58 and IR59 showed large specific combining ability （SCA） effects for AC, while Neda and SA13 had high SCA effects for GT. Nemat and IR28 had large SCA effects for GC. Because intermediate levels ofAC, GT and GC are ideal, Nemat × IR59 was considered as the best possible cross. Based on these results, the GGE biplot showed good potential for identifying suitable parents, heterotic crosses and the best hybrids in line x tester data.

SOME GENERAL ASPECTS OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

The teaching of English for Specific Purposes has been in existence for over 30 years,and has beenprominence for more than 20 years,and is still in the ascendant.ESP teaching accounts for a consider-able proportion of the teaching of English as a foreign language in China.It is therefore necessary forus Chinese teacher s to know more about ESP.

Diallel Analysis for Lycopene Content in the Hybrids Derived from Different Colored Parents in Tomato

Lycopene is a red pigment in tomato with purported antioxidant properties. As the amount of lycopene has been reported to differ in different colored tomatoes or even absent in non-red tomatoes, the objective of this study was to investigate the inheritance of lycopene content and the color parameters of hybrids using a 10 parent diallel excluding reciprocals. Parents differed in general combining ability (GCA) for lycopene and color parameters. “Chocolate Stripe” (purple and brown striped) had the highest lycopene content followed by NC 1CS (red colored with the crimson gene) with the best general combining ability among parental lines. Hybrids differed in lycopene content and color parameters across two summer and greenhouse experiments, with no interaction between experiments indicating that the lycopene content was consistent. Narrow-sense heritability for lycopene was only 9% whereas broad-sense heritability was estimated to be 25%. The order of dominance for lycopene content was found as purple-brown > red > blue > yellow > green. Heritability estimates for color parameters were close to those for lycopene. This information may be useful in developing specialty type tomatoes or increasing lycopene content in tomatoes.

Identification of Potential F₁Hybrids in Maize Responsive to Water Deficient Condition

The assessment of heterotic F1 combinations is a basic requisite for hybrid seed development. A set of 30 F1 hybrids along with their parental inbred lines were evaluated under both normal and water deficit conditions for various physiological and agronomic traits. Highly significant mean squares due to general combining ability, specific combining ability and reciprocal effect were observed for all traits under both water regimes. Components of variation exhibited greater estimates for GCA variance (б2g) than SCA variance (б2s) for majority of the traits under both normal and stress conditions depicting the predominant role of additive genetic component. Inbred lines NCIL-20-20, D-157 and OH-8 were found to be the best general combiner on the basis of performance regarding grain yield per plant under water deficit condition. The F1 combinations namely, NCIL-20-20 × D-109, NCIL-20-20 × OH-8 and D-157 × NCIL-20-20 were out-performers based on yield and yield attributes under water deficit conditions. On the basis of our results, we recommend these hybrids for further exploitation to assess their potential for commercial cultivation under water deficit condition.

Business English Teaching Reform in Vocational Colleges in China

Since the development of China's economy and the strengthening of globalization, China's international trade is increas-ingly thriving and the total volume of trade is growing as well. The country's demand for bilingual trade talents is increasing at the same time. As the result, it is necessary to make the reform and corresponding adjustments according to the training objectives of Business English curriculum in order to cultivate job-oriented and interdisciplinary trade talents that can meet the needs of mod-ern commercial society.

Breeding for pre-harvest sprouting resistance in bread wheat under rainfed conditions

Pre-harvest sprouting in wheat is the germination of seeds within the spikes when rains occur after or during grain ripening, which occurs commonly in the barani tract of Pakistan. Therefore, 10 cultivars and five advanced lines of spring bread wheat were evaluated for pre-harvest sprouting resistance. After natural rainfall,seeds were immediately collected from the wet spikes and tested for germinating ability. Three different germination tests were applied to hand-threshed seed:(1) spikes threshed on the day of sampling and germination tested immediately,(2) spikes threshed on the day of sampling and germination tested 1 week later, and(3) spikes threshed 1 week after sampling and germination test immediately after threshing. Seeds and spikes kept for 1 week were place on blotting paper at room temperature.Cultivars BARS-09, 09 FJ17, Doukkala-12, NARC-09 and Ouassou-20 exhibited higher sprouting resistance while other genotypes were susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting in each of the three tests. A diallel crossing was conducted with six susceptible and two resistant genotypes to assess the genetic behavior of pre-harvest sprouting resistance.The combining ability(CA) demonstrated a higher proportion of additive genetic effects for sprouting resistance, because of higher variance of general and specific CA for both parameters under study. Doukkala-12 and BARS-09 showed increased pre-harvest sprouting resistance in their F1 descendants.

A study on budget transparency:an analytical framework for tax-sharing system transparency

Improving budget transparency is imperative in establishing a modern government framework in China.Current research into budget transparency normally focuses on revealing budget information but overlooks the principle of neutrality in budgeting,thus being of little use in promoting a democratic budgeting system.We believe that the issue of budget transparency goes beyond the boundaries of the budget but is also about a tax-sharing mechanism based on budget neutrality1.The core of transparent budgeting is an orderly,moderate,fair and just budgeting decision-making.In the public’s eye,a transparent budget must display fairness and justice.A fiscal mechanism with transparent budgeting should adhere to the rule of neutrality and display fairness and justice in its implementation.Neutral taxation and neutral budgeting systems are indispensible in a transparent budget:general expenditures are to be covered by general fiscal revenue and specific expenditures by specifically selected tax revenue.In this way,it will be easier to achieve orderly,moderate,transparent,fair and just government budget decisions.

Learning and Efficiency with Search Frictions

This paper studies the allocative efficiency in a Moscarini （2005）-type equilibrium search environment with learning. It is shown that the stationary equilib- rium is efficient if and only if the Hosios condition holds no matter whether learning is about finn-specific human capital or about general human capital. However, the stationary equilibrium can never be efficient if externalities exist from unemployment. In contrast, even with externalities, the stationary equilibrium can be efficient under some modified Hosios condition if there is no uncertainty （standard Mortensen and Pissarides （1994）-type equilibrium search environment）. The key intuition is that the equilibrium can only be efficient if firm-worker matching is formed and terminated efficiently.