Prediction of collapse process and tipping points for mutualistic and competitive networks with k-core method

Ecosystems generally have the self-adapting ability to resist various external pressures or disturbances,which is always called resilience.However,once the external disturbances exceed the tipping points of the system resilience,the consequences would be catastrophic,and eventually lead the ecosystem to complete collapse.We capture the collapse process of ecosystems represented by plant-pollinator networks with the k-core nested structural method,and find that a sufficiently weak interaction strength or a sufficiently large competition weight can cause the structure of the ecosystem to collapse from its smallest k-core towards its largest k-core.Then we give the tipping points of structure and dynamic collapse of the entire system from the one-dimensional dynamic function of the ecosystem.Our work provides an intuitive and precise description of the dynamic process of ecosystem collapse under multiple interactions,and provides theoretical insights into further avoiding the occurrence of ecosystem collapse.

Establishment of Green Cotton Regeneration System

[Objective]The aimed to optimize transformation system for Agrobacterium-mediated green cotton shoot tip and provide reference for genetic engineering-assisted breeding of color cotton. [Method]With shoot tip of natural green cotton as receptor and by using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method,the optimum conditions of regeneration system were obtained. [Result]Combining with vacuum infiltration,3-old-day shoot tips were infected for 10 minutes in Abarobacterium suspension with OD600 value about 0.5 followed by co-culture for 24 h on the medium containing MS＋l mg/L KT,pH value of 5.8. The regeneration culture was conducted in MS medium containing l mg/L KT and increasingly 30,50 and 70 mg/L Kan. The highest transformation frequency was 34.6%,and the positive resistant plantlets of green cotton 9804 were obtained. [Conclusion]Green cotton is more beneficial than white cotton to conduct genetic transformation.

Locally Enhanced Flow and Electric Fields Through a Tip Effect for Efficient Flow‑Electrode Capacitive Deionization

Low-electrode capacitive deionization(FCDI)is an emerging desalination technology with great potential for removal and/or recycling ions from a range of waters.However,it still suffers from inefficient charge transfer and ion transport kinetics due to weak turbulence and low electric intensity in flow electrodes,both restricted by the current collectors.Herein,a new tip-array current collector(designated as T-CC)was developed to replace the conventional planar current collectors,which intensifies both the charge transfer and ion transport significantly.The effects of tip arrays on flow and electric fields were studied by both computational simulations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,which revealed the reduction of ion transport barrier,charge transport barrier and internal resistance.With the voltage increased from 1.0 to 1.5 and 2.0 V,the T-CC-based FCDI system(T-FCDI)exhibited average salt removal rates(ASRR)of 0.18,0.50,and 0.89μmol cm^(-2) min^(-1),respectively,which are 1.82,2.65,and 2.48 folds higher than that of the conventional serpentine current collectors,and 1.48,1.67,and 1.49 folds higher than that of the planar current collectors.Meanwhile,with the solid content in flow electrodes increased from 1 to 5 wt%,the ASRR for T-FCDI increased from 0.29 to 0.50μmol cm^(-2) min^(-1),which are 1.70 and 1.67 folds higher than that of the planar current collectors.Additionally,a salt removal efficiency of 99.89%was achieved with T-FCDI and the charge efficiency remained above 95%after 24 h of operation,thus showing its superior long-term stability.

地基微波辐射计Tipping定标效果及误差分析

地基多通道微波辐射计采用了Tipping定标方法来实现自动定标,它是维持微波辐射计观测亮温数据可靠性的重要措施之一。为了说明Tipping自动定标过程,从Tipping标定的原理出发,详细介绍了微波辐射计Tipping自动定标过程及使用条件,同时对定标误差的基本来源进行了定量分析。最后利用微波辐射计实际观测资料进行了Tipping定标试验,并利用探空资料对Tipping定标效果进行了对比验证。结果表明Tipping定标方法使得亮温定标精度小于1 K,能够有效提高亮温观测精度和湿度廓线的反演效果。该方法对微波辐射计亮温数据观测的长期稳定性有着显著的作用。

Construction of Chimonanthus praecox(L.)Link Aquaporin CpTIP Plant Expression Vector with Mannose Selection System

[ Objective] The aim was to construct drought and saline-alkaline resistance plant expression vector with mannose as selective agent, and further breed unmarked resilient varieties. [ Method] The plant expression vector was constructed by using Chimonanthus praecox（ L. ）Link aquapor.in CpTIP cDNA and Escherichia coli pmi gene, combined stress resistance gene with mannose positive selection system. [ Result] The test successfully constructed the plant expression vector pPMI：：CpTIP. [ Conclusion] The constructed vector linked advantages of stress resistance gene and mannose positive selection system.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for palliative treatment of portal hypertension secondary to portal vein tumor thrombosis

AIM: To evaluate the palliative therapeutic effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in portal vein tumor thrombosis (Pv-n-) complicated by portal hypertension.METHODS: We performed TIPS for 14 patients with PVTT due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Of the 14 patients,8 patients had complete occlusion of the main portal vein,6 patients had incomplete thrombosis, and 5 patients had portal vein cavernous transformation. Clinical characteristics and average survial time of 14 patients were analysed.Portal vein pressure, ascites, diarrohea, and variceal bleeding and circumference of abdomen were assessed before and after TIPS.PESULTS: TIPS was successful in 10 cases, and the successful rate was about 71%. The mean portal vein pressure was reduced from 37.2 mmHg to 18.2 mmHg. After TIPS, the ascites decreased, hemorrhage stopped and the clinical symptoms disappeared in the 10 cases. The average survial time was 132.3 d. The procedure failed in 4 cases because of cavernous transformation in portal vein and severecirrhosis.CONCLUSION: TIPS is an effective palliative treatment to control hemorrhage and ascites due to HCC complicated by PVTT.

Evolution,progress,and prospects of research on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt applications

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shun(TIPS)is an effective procedure for the treatment of portal hypertension complications such as esophagogastric variceal bleeding and refractory ascites.To date,its use by many experts and scholars at home and abroad has benefitted countless patients.In order to further promote the development and innovation of TIPS in China,this paper briefly reviews the development process of TIPS at home and abroad,objectively analyzes the bottlenecks and breakthrough achievements in the development of TIPS,and discusses the application status and research progress of TIPS technology for different indications.Finally,we provide an outlook about the development and application of TIPS in China.

Primary Establishment of the Tissue Culture Technique and Regeneration System for Ornamental Lupinns polyphyllus

The purpose of this paper is to develop a system for tissue culture and rapid propagation of two ornamental lupins, Minaretie and Russell Prize. In view of screening out the better explant regeneration and suitable culture medium, through adding hormone 6-BA, NAA and 2, 4-D into MS and B5 basic culture medium, a series of experiments were carried out with the shoot tips, leaves, leaf petioles and stems from the asepsis seedling. The results showed that the shoot tips had favorableness on the rapidly propagation; MS＋6-BA 0.5 mg. L-1 for first generation, the induction rate of Minaretie and Russell Prize was 90.5% and 95.86% respectivdy; Minaretie had the highest propagation index （6.35） on MS＋6-BA 0.5 mg.L^-1＋NAA 0 mg-L^-1＋GA 30.8 mg. L^1＋AC 2 g. L^-1, but Russell Prize had the highest propagation index （7.24） on MS＋6-BA 0.5 mg.L^-1＋NAA 0.15 mg.L^-1＋GA3 1.0 mg.L^-1＋AC 0.5 g.L^-1; 1/2 MS＋NAA 0.25 mg.L^-1 was the best rooting medium. The ratios of getting roots of Minaretie and Russell Prize were 94.78% and 96.32%, respectively.

Occupant Restraint System Simulation and Optimization Based on TESW

Integrated into the development process of a chinese independent brand class sedan,optimization about occupant restraint system associated with dummy chest deceleration is studied.Based on this simulated vehicle deceleration and the target vehicle′s chest deceleration,tipped equivalent square wave(TESW)is calculated by combining the average stiffness kof occupant restraint system and the average free flight time t*from the existant CNCAP(China new car assessment program)tested cars.After proposing modeling regulations of occupant restraint system and establishing mathematical dynamic modelling(MADYMO)for occupant restraint system of the target vehicle,four optimization design parameters namely vent area A,load limit L,seat belt extension ratio Band pretension force Fare selected by weighted injury criteria(WIC)rule and the first-order response surface method.The four parameters have been optimized by using orthogonal test design of four factors with five levels and the optimum combination A5L1B1F5 has been chosen by range and variance analyses.The results show that occupant restraint system performance has been optimized and improved,while meeting the chest deceleration calculation peak based on TESW.

Bacteremia and “Endotipsitis” following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting

AIM: To identify all cases of bacteremia and suspected endotipsitis after Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS) at our institution and to determine risk factors for their occurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients who underwent TIPS in our institution between 1996 and 2009. Data included: indications for TIPS, underlying liver disease, demographics, positive blood cultures after TIPS, microbiological characteristics, treat- ment and outcome. RESULTS: 49 men and 47 women were included with a mean age of 55.8 years (range 15-84). Indications for TIPS included variceal bleeding, refractory ascites,hydrothorax and hepatorenal syndrome. Positive blood cultures after TIPS were found in 39/96 (40%) patients at various time intervals following the procedure. Seven patients had persistent bacteremia fitting the definition of endotipsitis. Staphylococcus species grew in 66% of the positive cultures, Candida and enterococci species in 15% each of the isolates, and 3% cultures grew other species. Multi-variate regression analysis identified 4 variables: hypothyroidism, HCV, prophylactic use of an- tibiotics and the procedure duration as independent risk factors for positive blood cultures following TIPS (P < 0.0006, 0.005, 0.001, 0.0003, respectively). Prophylactic use of antibiotics before the procedure was associated with a decreased risk for bacteremia, preventing mainly early infections, occurring within 120 d of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Bacteremia is common following TIPS. Risk factors associated with bacteremia include failure to use prophylactic antibiotics, hypothyroidism, HCV and a long procedure. Our results strongly support the use of prophylaxis as a means to decrease early post TIPS infections.

Intravascular treatment for abnormal catheter positioning of port-a-cath system in the subclavian vein:A single-center study

Objective:This study aimed to explore the incidence of abnormal catheter positioning and the effectiveness and safety of intravascular adjustment or removal of abnormally positioned catheters through percutaneous punctures.Materials and methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 58 patients with abnormal catheter positioning,treated between January 2009 and June 2019.Intravascular adjustment of the migrated catheters and removal of the fractured catheters were performed through percutaneous puncture using a pigtail catheter,cobra catheter,and gooseneck snare.Results:Of the 58 cases,there were 23 cases of catheter migration and 35 cases of catheter fracture.The incidence of abnormal catheter positioning was 3.0%,corresponding to 1.2%migrations and 1.8%fractures.Among the 23cases of migration,1 case did not require adjustment and another underwent unsuccessful adjustment.The rate of successful adjustment of migrated catheters was 91.3%,whereas the rate of successful removal of fractured catheters was 100%.No surgery-related complications were observed either immediately or during the 1-month follow-up period.Conclusions:This study showed that the incidence of abnormal catheter positioning is low.Intravascular techniques used for the adjustment or removal of abnormally placed catheters are safe,efficient,and minimally invasive.

Successful transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt in an ineligible liver transplant patient with primary biliary cirrhosis with refractory ascites and aplastic anemia

A transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt (TIPS) is a standard way to decompress the portal system in cirrhotic patients as a bridge to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Traditionally, TIPS has been indicated for certain portal hypertensive sequelae such as refractory ascites, varices treatment and even hepato-hydrothorax. Herein is a case report on the efficacy of TIPS in an OLT ineligible patient with primary biliary cirrhosis and aplastic anemia who had developed refractive ascites requiring serial paracentesis and esophageal varices. He survived 2.5 years post-TIPS placement and died from complications related to severe leucopenia and the development of sepsis.

Ball Tips of Micro/Nano Probing Systems:A Review

To satisfy the measuring demands for the micro components of the industry, micro/nano probing systems with various ball tips have been developed. However, most of them cannot be used to measure the real micro geometrical features high precisely because the parameters of the ball tips are not appropriate. The ball tips with a diameter of less than 100 μm, a sphericity and eccentricity of far less than 1 μm are required urgently. A review on the state-of-the-art of ball tips of micro/nano probing systems is presented. The material characteristics and geometric parameters of now available ball tips are introduced sepa- rately. The existing fabrication methods for the ball tips are demonstrated and summarized. The ball tips＇ future trends, which are smaller diameter, better sphericity and smaller eccentricity, are proposed in view of the practical requirements of high-precision measurement for micro geometrical features. Some challenges have to be faced in future, such as the promotion and high-precision measurement for the small ball tip＇s sphericity and eccentricity. Fusion method without the gravity effect when the molten ball tip solidifying is a more suitable way to fabricate a small diameter ball tip together with a shaft.

Simulation of critical transitions and vulnerability assessment of Tibetan Plateau key ecosystems

Critical transitions in ecosystems may imply risks of unexpected collapse under climate changes,especially vegetation often responds sensitively to climate change.The type of vegetation ecosystem states could present alternative stable states,and its type could signal the critical transitions at tipping points because of changed climate or other drivers.This study analyzed the distribution of four key vegetation ecosystem types:desert,grassland,forest-steppe ecotone and forest,in Tibetan Plateau in China,using the latent class analysis method based on remote sensing data and climate data.This study analyzed the impacts of three key climate factors,precipitation,temperature,and sunshine duration,on the vegetation states,and calculated the critical transition tipping point of potential changes in vegetation type in Tibetan Plateau with the logistic regression model.The studied results showed that climatic factors greatly affect the vegetation states and vulnerability of the Tibetan Plateau.In comparison with temperature and sunshine duration,precipitation shows more obvious impact on differentiations of the vegetations status probability.The precipitation tipping point for desert and grassland transition is averagely 48.0 mm/month,70.7 mm/month for grassland and forest-steppe ecotone,and 115.0 mm/month for forest-steppe ecotone and forest.Both temperature and sunshine duration only show different probability change between vegetation and non-vegetation type,but produce opposite impacts.In Tibetan Plateau,the transition tipping points of vegetation and nonvegetation are about 12.1°C/month and 173.6 h/month for the temperature and sunshine duration,respectively.Further,vulnerability maps calculated with the logistic regression results presented the distribution of vulnerability of Tibetan Plateau key ecosystems.The vulnerability of the typical ecosystems in the Tibetan Plateau is low in the southeast and is high in the northwest.The meteorological factors affect tree cover as well as the transition probability that occurs in different vegetation states.This study can provide reference for local government agencies to formulate regional development strategies and environmental protection laws and regulations.

Will the summer sea ice in the Arctic reach a tipping point?

The Arctic sea-ice cover has decreased in extent,area,and thickness over the last six decades.Most global climate models project that the summer sea-ice extent(SIE)will decline to less than 1 million(mill.)km^(2) in this century,ranging from 2030 to the end of the century,indicating large uncertainty.However,some models,using the same emission scenarios as required by the Paris Agreement to keep the global temperature below 2°C,indicate that the SIE could be about 2 mill.km^(2) in 2100 but with a large uncertainty of±1.5 mill.km^(2).Here,the authors take another approach by exploring the direct relationship between the SIE and atmospheric CO_(2) concentration for the summer-fall months.The authors correlate the SIE and In(CO_(2)/CO_(2)r)during the period 1979-2022,where CO_(2)r is the reference value in 1979.Using these transient regression equations with an R2 between 0.78 and 0.87,the authors calculate the value that the CO_(2) concentration needs to reach for zero SIE.The results are that,for July,the CO_(2) concentration needs to reach 691±16.5 ppm,for August 604±16.5 ppm,for September 563±17.5 ppm,and for October 620±21 ppm.These values of CO_(2)for an ice-free Arctic are much higher than the targets of the Paris Agreement,which are 450 ppm in 2060 and 425 ppm in 2100,under the IPCC SSP1-2.6 scenario.If these targets can be reached or even almost reached,the "no tipping point"hypothesis for the summer SIE may be valid.

Stability of magnetic tip/superconductor levitation systems

The vertical stability of a magnetic tip over a superconducting material is investigated by using the critical state and the frozen image models. The analytical expressions of the stiffness and the vibration frequency about the equilibrium position are derived in term of the geometrical parameters of the magnet/superconductor system. It is found that the stability of the system depends on the shape of the superconductor as well as its thickness.

Extreme events as ecosystems drivers： Ecological consequences of anomalous Southern Hemisphere weather patterns during the 2001/2002 austral spring-summer

The frequency and severity of extreme events associated with global change are both forecast to increase with a concomitant increase expected in perturbations and disruptions of fundamental processes at ecosystem, community and population scales, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Extreme events should thus be viewed as ecosystem drivers, rather than as short term deviations from a perceived ＇norm＇. To illustrate this, we examined the impacts associated with the extraordinary weather pattern of the austral spring/summer of 2001/2002, and find that patterns of ocean-atmosphere interactions appear linked to a suite of extreme events in Antarctica and more widely across the Southern Hemisphere. In the Antarctic, the extreme events appear related to particular ecological impacts, including the substantial reduction in breeding success of Ade1ie penguins at sites in the Antarctic Peninsula as well as for Adelie penguin and snow petrel colonies in East Antarctica, and the creation of new benthic habitats associated with the disintegration of the Larsen B Ice Shelf. Other major impacts occurred in marine and terrestrial ecosystems at temperate and tropical latitudes. The suite of impacts demonstrates that ecological consequences of extreme events are manifested at fundamental levels in ecosystem processes and produce long-term, persistent effects relative to the short-term durations of the events. Changes in the rates of primary productivity, species mortality, community structure and inter-specific interactions, and changes in trophodynamics were observed as a consequence of the conditions during the 2001/2002 summer. Lasting potential consequences include reaching or exceeding tipping points, trophic cascades and regime shifts.

Molecular targeted therapy causes hepatic encephalopathy in patients after Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS):A case report and literature review

We report two cases of hepatic encephalopathy caused by molecular targeted drugs after the Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)procedure in our center.The liver toxicities and anti-angiogenic effects induced by targeted drugs may generate an imbalance in ammonia metabolism,elevating blood ammonia levels.TIPS diverts partial blood supply from the liver,aggravates liver impairment,and shunts ammonia-rich blood from the intestine into the systemic circulation.These may be the mechanisms leading to hepatic encephalopathy caused by molecular targeted drugs following TIPS.When clinicians choose molecular targeted therapy as the second or third targeted therapy for patients who have undergone TIPS,the consequence of drug-induced hepatic encephalopathy should also be considered.

On the Image Reconstruction of Zhuge Liang in ACGN Games Based on the Perspective of the Tipping Point Theory

Zhuge Liang,a well-known figure with rich cultural implications in Chinese history,has exerted profound influences on the spiritual life of the Chinese nation.In the ACGN context,new cultural implications have been attached to him,which offset some of the classic implications of the character forged over a long history.Meanwhile,the inherent traditional cultural spirit embodied by him is being reconstructed.In terms of content design,the ACGN games based on traditional realism tend to refresh people’s collective memories of Zhuge Liang to enhance the stickiness factor of the games,thus creating a sense of familiarity to make the transmitted information easier for the game players to accept.The modern fashionable games,however,are good at leveraging the advantages of technologies to form a tipping point and incorporating fashion elements into the traditional image of Zhuge Liang to attract players,thus enhancing the communication effect.In terms of environmental construction,the ACGN games have created a new industrial environment featuring“ACGN+traditional culture,”which changes the traditional image of Zhuge Liang by means of ACGN game technology while retaining its basic cultural characteristics to provide players with a better immersive and interactive experience.