Man and Nature——A Comparative Study of Views Towards Nature Between Chinese and Westerners

Chinese and westerners, due to the different natural environment they are situated in and further due to different backgroundin history, economy, politics and culture, have made for differences in their ways of seeing nature and the relationship between man andnature, which substantially influences how Chinese and western societies proceed. This is a study on the similarities and differences onpeople's views of nature in the past and the reasons behind the differences.

Where Westerners Stray in Their Exploration of China’s Human Rights

Respecting and protecting human rights is an important fruit of the progress of human society and a significant landmark for a modern civil society. It is a common pursuit for people throughout the world and a long, sublime goal for the Chinese government and its people. Since the reform and opening up initiated in 1978, China has made unprecedented progress in both its human rights cause and modernization drive.

Quantitative effect of kerogen type on the hydrocarbon generation potential of Paleogene lacustrine source rocks,Liaohe Western Depression,China

Kerogen types exert a decisive effect on the onset and capacity of hydrocarbon generation of source rocks.Lacustrine source rocks in the Liaohe Western Depression are characterized by thick deposition,high total organic carbon(TOC)content,various kerogen types,and a wide range of thermal maturity.Consequently,their hydrocarbon generation potential and resource estimation can be misinterpreted.In this study,geochemical tests,numerical analysis,hydrocarbon generation kinetics,and basin modeling were integrated to investigate the differential effects of kerogen types on the hydrocarbon generation potential of lacustrine source rocks.Optimized hydrocarbon generation and expulsion(HGE)models of different kerogen types were established quantitatively upon abundant Rock-Eval/TOC/vitrinite reflectance(R_(o))datasets.Three sets of good-excellent source rocks deposited in the fourth(Es4),third(Es3),and first(Es1)members of Paleogene Shahejie Formation,are predominantly types I-II_(1),II_(1)-II_(2),and II-III,respectively.The activation energy of types I-II_(2)kerogen is concentrated(180-230 kcal/mol),whereas that of type III kerogen is widely distributed(150-280 kcal/mol).The original hydrocarbon generation potentials of types I,II_(1),II_(2),and III kerogens are 790,510,270,and 85 mg/g TOC,respectively.The Ro values of the hydrocarbon generation threshold for type I-III source rocks gradually increase from 0.42%to 0.74%,and Ro values of the hydrocarbon expulsion threshold increase from 0.49%to 0.87%.Types I and II_(1)source rocks are characterized by earlier hydrocarbon generation,more rapid hydrocarbon expulsion,and narrower hydrocarbon generation windows than types II_(2)and III source rocks.The kerogen types also affect the HGE history and resource potential.Three types(conventional,tight,and shale oil/gas)and three levels(realistic,expected,and prospective)of hydrocarbon resources of different members in the Liaohe Western Depression are evaluated.Findings suggest that the Es3 member has considerable conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources.This study can quantitatively characterize the hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks with different kerogen types,and facilitate a quick and accurate assessment of hydrocarbon resources,providing strategies for future oil and gas exploration.

CREB1和CREB3在胃癌及癌前病变组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的探究环磷腺苷反应元件结合蛋白1(CREB1)和环磷腺苷反应元件结合蛋白3(CREB3)在胃癌及癌前病变组织中的表达及临床意义。方法收集慢性浅表性胃炎40例,慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠化生40例,异型增生40例,胃癌50例,采用免疫组化法检测CREB1和CREB3在四种组织中的表达,并分析其与临床病理参数的关系。另收集同期新鲜组织慢性浅表性胃炎、慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠化生、胃癌共30例,应用蛋白印迹法(Western blot)检测CREB1和CREB3在不同胃组织中的表达。利用Kaplan-Meier plotter分析CREB1和CREB3的表达与胃癌患者总生存时间(OS)和无进展生存时间(FP)的相关性。利用STRING数据库分析CREB1和CREB3在信号通路中的位置以及与之相关的上下游基因。结果免疫组化显示:胃癌组、异型增生组、萎缩性胃炎伴肠化生组CREB1、CREB3阳性表达率明显高于慢性浅表性胃炎组(P<0.05);并且CREB1、CREB3在胃癌组的阳性表达率明显高于慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠化生组(P<0.05),但与异型增生组无统计学差异(P>0.05)。临床病理参数分析得出两者表达水平与浸润深度、TNM分期、脉管侵犯、淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05);与患者性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、分化程度无明显相关性(P>0.05)。Western blot结果显示:CREB1、CREB3蛋白表达在慢性浅表性胃炎、慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠化生、胃癌中依次增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。Kaplan-Meier plotter分析显示CREB1、CREB3高表达的胃癌患者OS和FP均缩短。结论CREB1、CREB3可能与胃癌的发生、发展与转移相关,且蛋白高表达可能与胃癌患者预后不良有关。

Differences in spring precipitation over southern China associated with multiyear La Ni?a events

Composite analyses were performed in this study to reveal the difference in spring precipitation over southern China during multiyear La Ni?a events during 1901 to 2015. It was found that there is significantly below-normal precipitation during the first boreal spring, but above-normal precipitation during the second year. The difference in spring precipitation over southern China is correlative to the variation in western North Pacific anomalous cyclone(WNPC), which can in turn be attributed to the different sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA) over the Tropical Pacific. The remote forcing of negative SSTA in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific and the local air-sea interaction in the western North Pacific are the usual causes of WNPC formation and maintenance.SSTA in the first spring is stronger than those in the second spring. As a result, the intensity of WNPC in the first year is stronger, which is more likely to reduce the moisture in southern China by changing the moisture transport, leading to prolonged precipitation deficits over southern China. However, the tropical SSTA signals in the second year are too weak to induce the formation and maintenance of WNPC and the below-normal precipitation over southern China. Thus, the variation in tropical SSTA signals between two consecutive springs during multiyear La Ni?a events leads to obvious differences in the spatial pattern of precipitation anomaly in southern China by causing the different WNPC response.

基于特征多肽抗原的阿胶基原鉴定

目的 以特征多肽为半抗原并制备多克隆抗体,鉴定阿胶原材料基原。方法 经文献调研及数据库比对筛选特征多肽,将多肽抗原与血蓝蛋白偶联并免疫Balb/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体,通过ELISA、dot blot和Western blot分析与验证多克隆抗体的产生、效价及特异性。结果 筛选所得5个特征多肽序列均具有T细胞表位和B细胞表位,亲水性-1~0,二级结构大多为无规则卷曲。多肽抗原ECS1、ECS3~ECS5在二次加强免疫后,效价分别为1∶6 400、1∶400、1∶12 800和1∶800。制备所得的多克隆抗体之间不产生交叉反应,而且多克隆抗体Ab-ECS3与驴皮及其伪品蛋白的结合显现出较大差异。结论 以特征多肽为半抗原制备所得的多克隆抗体可通过Western blot对驴皮进行真伪鉴别,为胶类中药的基原鉴定提供了参考。

Geomorphic signatures and active tectonics in western Saurashtra,Gujarat,India

Active tectonics in an area includes ongoing or recent geologic events.This paper investigates the tectonic influence on the subsidence,uplift and tilt of western Saurashtra through morphotectonic analysis of ten watersheds along with characteristics of relief and drainage orientation.Watersheds 7-9 to the north(N)are tectonically active,which can be linked with the North Kathiawar Fault System(NKFS)and followed by watersheds 6,10,1,4 and 5.Stream-length gradient index and sinuosity index indicate the effect of tectonic events along the master streams in watersheds 6-9.Higher R^(2)values of the linear curve fit for watershed 7 indicate its master stream is much more tectonically active than the others.The R^(2)curve fitting model and earthquake magnitude/depth analysis confirm the region to be active.The reactivation of the NKFS most likely led to the vertical movement of western Saurashtra.

Impacts of hydropower-induced flow alterations on composition and diversity of riparian vegetation in the Western Himalayas: A case study in Uttarakhand, India

The increasing demand for water and energy resources has led to widespread dam construction,particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Himalayan Range.This study focuses on the Uttarakhand state in the Western Himalayas,where hydroelectric projects(HEPs)have significantly altered river flow regimes.The research investigates the impact of flow alterations on the composition and structure of riparian vegetation in the Garhwal Himalayas,specifically analysing four rivers regulated by hydroelectric projects.Utilizing the paired-reach comparison method,control(undisturbed),diverted(downstream of barrage/dam),and altered flow conditions(downstream of water outlet)were examined.The research reveals diverse and unique riparian ecosystems,with 89 genera and 113 taxa identified,showcasing the dominance of families like Asteraceae and Lamiaceae.The study unveils the structural importance of key species such as Berberis asiatica and Artemisia nilagirica.The density,diversity,and richness of shrub and herb species vary significantly across flow conditions.Notably,altered flow conditions demonstrate resilience in vegetation structure,while diverted conditions exhibit decreased species richness and density.The study emphasizes the importance of nuanced environmental flow management for mitigating adverse effects on riparian biodiversity in the fragile Himalayan region.These findings contribute to the global discourse on dam impacts and riparian ecology,shedding light on the complexities of this dynamic relationship in a vulnerable ecosystem.

Track-Pattern-Based Characteristics of Extratropical Transitioning Tropical Cyclones in the Western North Pacific

Based on the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center(RSMC)Tokyo-Typhoon Center best-track data and the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis dataset,extratropical transitioning(ET)tropical cyclones(ETCs)over the western North Pacific(WNP)during 1951–2021 are classified into six clusters using the fuzzy c-means clustering method(FCM)according to their track patterns.The characteristics of the six hard-clustered ETCs with the highest membership coefficient are shown.Most tropical cyclones(TCs)that were assigned to clusters C2,C5,and C6 made landfall over eastern Asian countries,which severely threatened these regions.Among landfalling TCs,93.2%completed their ET after landfall,whereas 39.8%of ETCs completed their transition within one day.The frequency of ETCs over the WNP has decreased in the past four decades,wherein cluster C5 demonstrated a significant decrease on both interannual and interdecadal timescales with the expansion and intensification of the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH).This large-scale circulation pattern is favorable for C2 and causes it to become the dominant track pattern,owning to it containing the largest number of intensifying ETCs among the six clusters,a number that has increased insignificantly over the past four decades.The surface roughness variation and three-dimensional background circulation led to C5 containing the maximum number of landfalling TCs and a minimum number of intensifying ETCs.Our results will facilitate a better understanding of the spatiotemporal distributions of ET events and associated environment background fields,which will benefit the effective monitoring of these events over the WNP.

Old-growth mixed dipterocarp forests show variable losses and gains in aboveground biomass and standing carbon over forty years

Background:No studies have documented long-term trends in aboveground biomass(AGB)for mixed-dipterocarp forests(MDF),the dominant rain forest type in tropical wet equatorial Asia.In our study,we sought to document such trends over forty years across three sites representing lowland to lower montane elevations.Methods:To do this,we established fifty 100 m×25 m plots in 1978 across three sites sampled along an elevation gradient,identified as mature old-growth forest.We measured trees for diameter at breast height that we identified to species and tagged.We took wood samples to calculate species wood-specific gravity.We re-measured plots in 1998 and again in 2018.Results:We show standing AGB for all sites combined to be 517.52 Mg·ha^(-1)in 1978,but this declined by 17%over 40 years to 430.11 Mg·ha^(-1).No differences exist among sites in AGB primarily because of considerable within site variation;but interactions of time with site show declines across sites were not uniform,one remained about the same.Relatively few species represented a high proportion of the AGB with the top five species comprising between 34%and 65%,depending upon site and year sampled.One species,Mesua nagassarium,represented a disproportionately large amount of AGB and decline over time,particularly at the low elevation site.Conclusions:Our results are directly relevant to estimating AGB and standing carbon sequestered in MDF.Our study is the first to demonstrate varying but overall,declining trends in amounts of AGB among forests making predictions of biomass and standing carbon in MDF difficult over wide regions.

Spatiotemporal Changes of Snow Depth in Western Jilin,China from 1987 to 2018

Seasonal snow cover is a key global climate and hydrological system component drawing considerable attention due to glob-al warming conditions.However,the spatiotemporal snow cover patterns are challenging in western Jilin,China due to natural condi-tions and sparse observation.Hence,this study investigated the spatiotemporal patterns of snow cover using fine-resolution passive mi-crowave(PMW)snow depth(SD)data from 1987 to 2018,and revealed the potential influence of climate factors on SD variations.The results indicated that the interannual range of SD was between 2.90 cm and 9.60 cm during the snowy winter seasons and the annual mean SD showed a slightly increasing trend(P>0.05)at a rate of 0.009 cm/yr.In snowmelt periods,the snow cover contributed to an increase in volumetric soil water,and the change in SD was significantly affected by air temperature.The correlation between SD and air temperature was negative,while the correlation between SD and precipitation was positive during December and March.In March,the correlation coefficient exceeded 0.5 in Zhenlai,Da’an,Qianan,and Qianguo counties.However,the SD and precipitation were neg-atively correlated over western Jilin in October,and several subregions presented a negative correlation between SD and precipitation in November and April.

Morphological and molecular description of a new species of sandfly,Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii sp.nov.(Diptera:Psychodidae)from Western Ghats,India

Objective:To report a new species of sandfly,Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii sp.nov.(Diptera:Psychodidae)from Western Ghats,India.Methods:A systematic sandfly survey was conducted in the Thrissur and Kollam districts of Kerala,India using mechanical aspirators,light and sticky traps,both indoor and outdoor habitats,for a period of one year.Deoxyribonucleic acid barcoding of samples was performed targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I(COI)gene and sequence generated was subjected to phylogenetic analysis.Results:Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii,a new sandfly species is recorded and described in this communication.A single row of 10-12 pointed teeth in the cibarium with 4-6 small denticles or fore-teeth are the key characteristics that is distinctive from other members of the subgenus Neophlebotomus.Mitochondrial COI barcode followed by phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence confirms that specimens of the species belong to the same taxonomic group while the genetic distance(14.2%)with the congeners established it to be a different species.Conclusions:The Western Ghats'being an important biodiversity hotspot and has dearth of systematic entomological surveys on sandflies.The current study tried to fill the void and also report a new sandfly species.

No basalt accumulation and segregation atop the 660-km discontinuity beneath the Sea of Okhotsk

Recent seismic evidence shows that basalt accumulation is widespread in the mantle transition zone(MTZ),yet its ubiquity or sporadic nature remains uncertain.To investigate this phenomenon further,we characterized the velocity structure across the 660-km discontinuity that separates the upper mantle from the lower mantle beneath the Sea of Okhotsk by modeling the waveform of the S660P phase,a downgoing S wave converting into a P wave at the 660-km interface.These waves were excited by two regional>410-km-deep events and were recorded by stations in central Asia.Our findings showed no need to introduce velocity anomalies at the base of the MTZ to explain the S660P waveforms because the IASP91 model adequately reproduced the waveforms.This finding indicates that the basalt accumulation has not affected the bottom of the MTZ in the study area.Instead,this discontinuity is primarily controlled by temperature or water content variations,or both.Thus,we argue that the basalt accumulation at the base of the MTZ is sporadic,not ubiquitous,reflecting its heterogeneous distribution.

Chinese Medicine,Acupuncture and Science

Ever since the introduction of Western biomedicine into China, there has been friction between proponents of this new approach, and proponents of the traditional medical practices that had evolved over thousands of years in China. For the most part, this friction has been couched in the unexamined assumption that Western medicine is based on science, while Chinese medicine is not. This article will examine that assumption, which in this author’s opinion is unjustified and incorrect. Having practiced acupuncture for the past 50 years, after receiving my doctoral degrees in medicine and physiology, my thinking on this topic has also evolved over time. I will begin this article with some historical information that bears on the topic under discussion, followed by my personal ideas about how to resolve the confiicts that have arisen.

Contributors to tidal duration asymmetry with varied coastline configurations on western shelf of Yellow Sea

Coastal management in China is confronted with an urgent choice between natural restoration and maintenance of existing seawalls and reclaimed land for economic development.A key criterion for making this decision is the resilience to coastal flooding,which depends on the ability to predict tidal level.Tidal duration asymmetry(TDA)is a key parameter in determination of the arrival and duration of flood tides.This study selected the western inner shelf of the Yellow Sea(WYS)as the study area and investigated the responses of TDA to different shoreline configurations and relative sea level rise.The responses of TDA to shoreline reconstruction yielded spatial variability locally and remotely.In the nearshore area,the responses of TDA to the complex ocean environment mainly originated from the combined functions of reflection,bottom friction,and advection,which controlled the energy transfer from M2 or S2 constituents to their overtides or compound tides.The sensitivity of TDA to coastline typologies was not limited to coastal waters but could stretch over the entire inner shelf.The vulnerability of tidal responses was due to the displacement of the M2 amphidrome of the Kelvin wave on the WYS,which in turn changed tidal energy fluxes over the regime.The relative sea level rise could intensify the feedback of TDA to seawalls and land reclamation.

Introduction of Western Medicines into China and Improvement on Decoctions during Modern China

During the late Qing dynasty(1840 A.D.-1912 A.D.),a large quantity of Western medicines entered China,which continuously impacted the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)market and revealed the shortcomings of Chinese medicines.Some personages in the TCM community followed the trend of learning from the West,and attempted to reform TCM,with the improvement on decoction becoming an important aspect of this effort.Through debates and trials,the improvement on decoction underwent three stages of conceptual evolution:“taking Chinese medicines as the foundation and referring to the dosage forms of Western medicines”,“introducing Western techniques to serve the preparation of decoctions”and“integrating the theories of TCM and Western medicine to improve decoctions”.The study highlights the effective complementarity between modern TCM and Western medicine in the field of pharmacy,and provides valuable experience and support for the reevaluation of the value of TCM in contemporary society.

Overview of Research on the Clinical Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Three kinds of treatment for allergic rhinitis(Western medicine,traditional Chinese medicine and their combination)were described respectively,and the different treatment methods of AR and their characteristics were analyzed.This study will help to further improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and promote the early recovery of patients.

Variability of the Pacific subtropical cells under global warming in CMIP6 models

The Pacific subtropical cells(STCs)are shallow meridional overturning circulations connecting the tropics and subtropics,and are assumed to be an important driver of the tropical Pacific decadal variability.The variability of STCs under global warming is investigated using multimodal outputs from the latest phase of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project(CMIP6)and ocean reanalysis products.Firstly,the volume transport diagnostic analysis is employed to evaluate how coupled models and ocean reanalysis products reproduce interior STC transport.The variation of heat transport by the interior STC under the high-emissions warming scenarios is also analyzed.The results show that the multimodal-mean linear trends of the interior STC transport along 9°S and 9°N are-0.02 Sv/a and 0.04 Sv/a under global warming,respectively,which is mainly due to the combined effect of the strengthened upper oceanic stratification and the weakening of wind field.There is a compensation relationship between the interior STC and the western boundary transport in the future climate,and the compensation relationship of 9°S is more significant than that of 9°N.In addition,compared with ocean reanalysis products,the coupled models tend to underestimate the variability of the interior STC transport convergence,and thus may lose some sea surface temperature(SST)driving force,which may be the reason for the low STC-SST correlation simulated by the model.The future scenario simulation shows that the heat transport of interior STC is weakened under global warming,with a general agreement across models.

髓系特异性Spi1基因敲除小鼠的构建和基因鉴定

目的构建髓系特异性Spi1基因敲除小鼠并分析其基因型,为疾病病理机制及药物靶点研究提供动物模型基础。方法根据CRISPR/Cas9技术原理和Cre/LoxP系统,设计并构建sgRNA和Donor载体,以第2号外显子(Exon 2)所在的转录本为敲除区域,在Exon 2两侧各放置同向Loxp元件;将Cas9蛋白、sgRNA和Donor载体混合显微注射到C57BL/6J小鼠的受精卵中,移植受精卵到假孕的C57BL/6J母鼠的子宫中,19~20 d后获得F0代。将阳性F0代小鼠与C57BL/6J小鼠交配,得到稳定的F1代Spi1^(flox/+)小鼠。F1代Spi1^(flox/+)小鼠雌雄自交得到Spi1^(flox/flox)小鼠。Spi1^(flox/flox)与Lyz2-Cre^(+)小鼠交配得到Spi1^(flox/+)/Lyz2-Cre^(+)小鼠,再将其与Spi1^(flox/flox)交配,得到的Spi1^(flox/flox)/Lyz2-Cre^(+)小鼠为髓系特异性Spi1基因敲除(KO)小鼠;Spi1^(flox/flox)/Lyz2-Cre^(-)小鼠作为野生型(WT)小鼠。提取WT和KO小鼠DNA,PCR扩增后琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定基因型;Western blot检测WT和KO小鼠免疫细胞中脾病灶形成病毒前病毒整合癌基因-1/富含嘌呤盒1(PU.1)表达。结果PCR鉴定结果显示,采用flox引物鉴定时仅扩增出220 bp条带的小鼠,即基因型为Spi1^(flox/flox)纯合子,采用Lyz2-Cre引物鉴定时扩增出700 bp的小鼠,基因型为Lyz2-Cre^(+);Western blot结果显示,与WT组比较,KO组小鼠骨髓来源巨噬细胞(BMDMs)和腹腔原位巨噬细胞(PM)中的PU.1不表达(P<0.01);T细胞中KO小鼠PU.1表达水平与WT小鼠差异无统计学意义;PCR和Western blot结果均表明髓系特异性Spi1 KO小鼠构建成功。结论成功构建和鉴定髓系特异性Spi1 KO小鼠,为进一步揭示PU.1在免疫调节中的潜在机制研究提供动物模型基础。

International Communication of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Popular in the West

With the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)acupuncture and moxibustion,research on acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world is deepening.The concept of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West is formed.By investigating the localization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world,this paper introduces several kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West and concludes the spread of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West through hospitals and clinics,academic works,social organizations,education,and training.This paper provides a global vision developing domestic acupuncture and moxibustion and promoting academic prosperity and technical progress of world acupuncture and moxibustion system.