Competitive effect, but not competitive response, varies along a climatic gradient depending on tree species identity

Background: Understanding the role of species identity in interactions among individuals is crucial for assessing the productivity and stability of mixed forests over time. However, there is limited knowledge concerning the variation in competitive effect and response of different species along climatic gradients. In this study, we investigated the importance of climate, tree size, and competition on the growth of three tree species: spruce(Picea abies), fir(Abies alba), and beech(Fagus sylvatica), and examined their competitive response and effect along a climatic gradient.Methods: We selected 39 plots distributed across the European mountains with records of the position and growth of 5,759 individuals. For each target species, models relating tree growth to tree size, climate and competition were proposed. Competition was modelled using a neighbourhood competition index that considered the effects of inter-and intraspecific competition on target trees. Competitive responses and effects were related to climate.Likelihood methods and information theory were used to select the best model.Results: Our findings revealed that competition had a greater impact on target species growth than tree size or climate. Climate did influence the competitive effects of neighbouring species, but it did not affect the target species? response to competition. The strength of competitive effects varied along the gradient, contingent on the identity of the interacting species. When the target species exhibited an intermediate competitive effect relative to neighbouring species, both higher inter-than intraspecific competitive effects and competition reduction occurred along the gradient. Notably, species competitive effects were most pronounced when the target species' growth was at its peak and weakest when growing conditions were far from their maximum.Conclusions: Climate modulates the effects of competition from neighbouring trees on the target tree and not the susceptibility of the target tree to competition. The modelling approach should be useful in future research to expand our knowledge of how competition modulates forest communities across environmental gradients.

Hybrid Prisms: Revolutionizing Optical Systems across Spectral Ranges

This research article introduces and explores the concept of a hybrid prism, which combines the properties of a lens and a reflective prism, designed for optical systems that operate in different spectral ranges of electromagnetic waves. The hybrid prism allows for precise focusing of light rays in a glass body and X-rays in a vacuum, enabling it to serve as an objective in various optical systems for imaging objects. The article delves into the structure and working principles of the hybrid prism, discussing its potential applications, including as an intraocular prism for macular degeneration, a lidar system for vehicle navigation, and objectives for cameras, telescopes, microscopes, X-ray devices, and X-ray microscopes. The revolutionary hybrid prism unlocks precise imaging of light and X-rays, reshaping optical systems and enabling groundbreaking applications.

Utilization of Corn Residues for Water Filtration at Fish Tanks

Filtration has been widely used in re-circulating aquaculture system to remove waste. However, the study of some agricultural residues （corn） usage as the filter medium has not yet been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study is to construct a filter made from inexpensive and readily available corn residues and to analyze its effectiveness in controlling suspended solids that directly impact health of fish through abrasion of gill tissues or indirectly through water quality deterioration. The performance evaluation procedure was carried out in an aquaculture system with production in glass tanks located indoor in laboratory at Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Egypt. The evaluation included three concentrations of total suspended solids （450, 900 and 1,350 mg/L）; four residues particle size distribution （3.35, 9.53, 12.7 mm and ascending order to mentioned sizes from bottom to top）; and four thicknesses of filter layer （9, 21, 33 and 45 cm）. The effectiveness of this filter was measured by determining filter efficiency （ηf）, % and filtration rate （FR）, mL/min. It was observed that the maximum value of （ηf）, % was achieved at 450 mg/L concentration of total suspended solids, ascending order to sizes from bottom to top and 45 cm thickness of filtration layer. The maximum value of filtration rate was achieved at 450 mg/l concentration of total suspended solids, 12.7 mm particle size distribution and 9 cm thickness of filter layer. Results indicated that this filter is efficient enough to remove suspended solids. Therefore, this milled corn residues filter can be used in aquaculture systems for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus culture system.

Effect of Acid and Alkali Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Caragana versicolor

With seeds of Caragana versicolor in Purang County, Tibet as the materials, the seed germination and seedling growth of C. versicolor were measured under acid and alkali stress, and the soil acidity and alkalinity for normal growth and development of C. versicolor were determined, so as to provide the theoretical basis for cultivation of C. versicolor in acidified or alkaline soil. The results showed that the seed germination of C. versicolor was promoted when treated by strong acid (pH 3) and strong alkali (pH 11) solutions, and the seedling effect was good. The results also indicated that C. versicolor was a kind of plant with strong acid and alkali resistance, suitable for cultivation in acid and alkali soil areas.

Photoresponse Process and Model Comparison of Paeonia ludlowii under Saline-alkali Stress

The research aimed to analyze changes in photosynthetic characteristics of Paeonia ludlowii under saline-alkali stress, and annual seedlings of P. ludlowii were taken as the materials. Photoresponse process of P. ludlowii leaves under saline-alkali stress was simulated, and different models were used to fit photoresponse curve. The results showed that P n of P. ludlowii leaves showed the trend of first rising and then declining with PAR increased under saline-alkali stress;both G s and T r showed a rising trend with PAR increased;C i showed the trend of first declining and then rising with PAR increased. Photoresponse curve fitted by modified rectangular hyperbolic model had the best effect, and it was the optimal fitting model. P. ludlowii could adapt to saline-alkali stress in lower concentration, showing that P. ludlowii could be introduced and cultivated in saline-alkali land at a lower level.

Regeneration of the central nervous system-principles from brain regeneration in adult zebrafish

Poor recovery of neuronal functions is one of the most common healthcare challenges for patients with different types of brain injuries and/or neurodegenerative diseases.Therapeutic interventions face two major challenges:(1)How to generate neurons de novo to replenish the neuronal loss caused by injuries or neurodegeneration(restorative neurogenesis)and(2)How to prevent or limit the secondary tissue damage caused by long-term accumulation of glial cells,including microglia,at injury site(glial scar).In contrast to mammals,zebrafish have extensive regenerative capacity in numerous vital organs,including the brain,thus making them a valuable model to improve the existing therapeutic approaches for human brain repair.In response to injuries to the central nervous system(CNS),zebrafish have developed specific mechanisms to promote the recovery of the lost tissue architecture and functionality of the damaged CNS.These mechanisms include the activation of a restorative neurogenic program in a specific set of glial cells(ependymoglia)and the resolution of both the glial scar and inflammation,thus enabling proper neuronal specification and survival.In this review,we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regenerative ability in the adult zebrafish brain and conclude with the potential applicability of these mechanisms in repair of the mammalian CNS.

Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the military: a qualitative systematic review of the literature from the past two decades and a new prioritizing injury model

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries(MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training,operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available.Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2019. Additionally, a reference list scan was performed(using the “snowball method”). Thereafter, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel scored the level of evidence per risk factor, and a classification of modifiable/non-modifiable was made.Results: In total, 176 original papers and 3 meta-analyses were included in the review. A list of 57 reported potential risk factors was formed. For 21 risk factors, the level of evidence was considered moderate or strong. Based on this literature review and an in-depth analysis, the expert panel developed a model to display the most relevant risk factors identified, introducing the idea of the “order of importance” and including concepts that are modifiable/nonmodifiable, as well as extrinsic/intrinsic risk factors.Conclusions: This is the qualitative systematic review of studies on risk factors for MSkIs in the military that has attempted to be all-inclusive. A total of 57 different potential risk factors were identified, and a new, prioritizing injury model was developed. This model may help us to understand risk factors that can be addressed, and in which order they should be prioritized when planning intervention strategies within military groups.

Effect of impinging angle and rotating speed on erosion behavior of aluminum

Commercial aluminum（grade 1900） in rotary motion was exposed to slurry of sand in water.Samples were mounted at various angles and rotated at different speeds.Wear rate was calculated using mass loss measurement.The results show that wear rates increase with increasing impingement angle up to 90°.Contrary to the conventional understanding of maximum loss of ductile material at about 45° impingement angle,maximum wear rate was observed in case of the aluminum sample fixed at 90°.However,increasing rotation speed of the samples results in exponential increase in wear rate.The findings are substantiated with the metallographic study of worn surface.

Impact of Irrigation Water Salinity on Germination and Seedling Growth of Egyptian Barley Cultivars

The aim of this research was to assess the influence of saline irrigation water which prepared to obtain salt stress of 0.31,3.21,5.74,8.28 and 12.86 dS/m on seed germination,and early seedling growth of 10 cultivars(Giza 123,124,125,126,127,129,130,134,135 and 2000)of Egyptian barley grown in clay loam soil.Germination was tested in germination cups filled with clay loam soil moistened with different concentrations of saline water,in the growth chambers condition.Results indicated that,the highest values of germinated seeds were recorded mainly at fresh water(0.31 dS/m)at all germination periods.Also,the maximum values were recorded at investigated barley cultivars Giza 126,127 and 2000 for three studied periods(3,5 and 7 d),while Giza 129,130 and 135 got the same trend where the highest values for germinated seeds attained at the 5 d,7 d and at 3 d were 9.5 seeds,respectively.Barley cultivar Giza 126 had significantly higher root length(4.07 cm),shoot length(11.75 cm),root fresh weight(48.2 mg),shoot fresh weight(101.1 mg),root dry weight(7.1 mg),shoot dry weight(6.6 mg)and seedling vigor index(13.44).The 6 kDa protein bands had the same increasing after salt stress in cultivars Giza 123,127,129,134 and 135.Barley cultivars in clay soil can be classified into barley cultivars Giza 126,127 and 2000 as highly tolerance and barley cultivar Giza 129,123 and 127 as moderately tolerance and the rest is less.

Floristic Study of Vascular Plants in Typical Plant Communities in the Middle and Upper Reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River

[Objective] Species composition and flora of vascular plants in the middle and upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River were analyzed,to provide scientific basis for the estimation and protection of plant diversity,construction of ecological security shelter for the Tibetan Plateau.[Methods] In the middle and upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River,quadrat (line transect) method was applied to investigate the phytocoenoses in sample plots,and relative literature was used to analyze the floristic composition and floristic element of vascular plants in the middle and upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River.[Results]① There are 96 species (including subspecies and variations),69 genera of 35 vascular plant families,accounting for 16.83%,5.48%,1.66% and 11.63%,2.02%,0.31% of total vascular plant families,genera and species in Tibet and China.② There are 24 monotypic-genus families,accounting for 68.57% of the total family number in the local area;22 monotypic-species families,accounting for 62.86% of the total family number in the local area.Local flora shows the characteristics of ancient relict,such as Euphorbiaceae,Rubiaceae,Liliaceae and Ranunculaceae,they are all ancient primitive groups of the third flora and the fourth flora.③ Local vascular plant genera fall into 10 areal types and 8 variations.④ Temperate elements are much more than tropical elements,R/T is 0.19,indicating that vascular plants have typical temperate nature and residual tropical nature.There are only a few endemic genera,but more endemic species to the local area,and these species are closely related,of which there are some transitional species,indicating that local flora is too young to experience more differentiation and specialization.⑤ There are 24 Chinese endemic species,accounting for 25% of total number of species in the local area;among which there are 12 endemic species to Tibet,accounting for 50% of endemic species to China,12.5% of total number of species in the local area.Four key wild plant species are included in the second batch of national key protection.[Conclusions]① There are scarce plant groups in the local area.② Among the obvious advantages,single-genus (species) families possess the absolute advantage,and the flora has ancient origins.③ The local flora has diversified distribution types,and the complicated geographical elements.④ Temperate species possess obvious advantages,and the flora is young.⑤ Rich unique and rare species have high species diversity protection and research value.

Magnetohydrodynamic effect of internal transport barrier on EAST tokamak

An internal transport barrier(ITB)can be formed on EAST in exploring high-parameter operation.Previous studies show that safety factor(q)profiles,Shafranov shift and magnetohydrodynamic behaviors could be helpful in ITB formation by suppressing anomalous transport.Recently,electron density evolution with high resolution demonstrates that fishbone could be dominant in electron density ITB formation and sustainment.The power threshold is low in the fishbone condition and the electron density profile is determined by traits of fishbone.Simulation shows that the low-k ion mode is suppressed by fishbone.Direct measurement of turbulence in the inner region shows that the internal kink mode could sustain an electron temperature ITB by suppressing the trapped electron mode.The multi-scale interaction between the kink mode and turbulence by current could be key in sustaining high-electron-temperature long-pulse operation.

An Optimized Algorithm for CR-MIMO Wireless Networks

With the rapid development of wireless communication technology,the spectrum resources are increasingly strained which needs optimal solutions.Cognitive radio(CR)is one of the key technologies to solve this problem.Spectrum sensing not only includes the precise detection of the communication signal of the primary user(PU),but also the precise identification of its modulation type,which can then determine the a priori information such as the PU’service category,so as to use this information to make the cognitive user(CU)aware to discover and use the idle spectrum more effectively,and improve the spectrum utilization.Spectrum sensing is the primary feature and core part of CR.Classical sensing algorithms includes energy detection,cyclostationary feature detection,matched filter detection,and so on.The energy detection algorithm has a simple structure and does not require prior knowledge of the PU transmitter signal,but it is easily affected by noise and the threshold is not easy to determine.The combination of multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO)with CR improves the spectral efficiency and multipath fading utilization.To best utilize the PU spectrum while minimizing the overall transmit power,an iterative technique based on semidefinite programming(SDP)and minimum mean squared error(MMSE)is proposed.Also,this article proposed a new method for max-min fairness beamforming.When compared to existing algorithms,the simulation results show that the proposed algorithms perform better in terms of total transmitted power and signal-tointerference plus noise ratio(SINR).Furthermore,the proposed algorithm effectively improved the system performance in terms of number of iterations,interference temperature threshold and balance SINR level which makes it superior over the conventional schemes.

老年性黄斑病变遗传风险的异质性:基于人群的家族风险研究

Objective: To assess the extent of heterogeneity of the genetic risk of age- related macular disease (AMD) among families. Design: Case- controlled population- based familial aggregation study. Participants: Participants comprised 190 first- degree relatives of 65 case probands and 347 relatives of 100 control probands. All probands had been identified from the baseline phase of the Rotterdam Study in The Netherlands. Methods: A family score was computed for each family based on the presence and type of macular disease, the expected risk of disease, and the number, extent of kinship, and age of all family members. Main Outcome Measures: Presence and stage of AMD as diagnosed on fundus photographs, family score, and logistic regression coefficient. Results: The family score of case families showed a peak of approximately 0 with a skewed tail (14% of families) of higher than expected risks of disease toward a maximum of 2.9. The family score of control families centered on 0, apart from 1 outlier. The risk of AMD increased significantly with higher family scores (β =1.34; P< 0.001). Conclusions: The heterogeneity of genetic risk among AMD families is considerable, and the proportion of high- risk families is relatively small. The family score method is relevant for genetic counseling as well as for implementation in studies of genetic dissection of AMD.

脊髓灰质炎患者肘屈肌随意运动、肌力和耐力预测

To examine the long term effects of polio, maximal vo luntary strength and voluntary activation of elbow flexor muscles of 177 patients from a postpolio clinic were investigated using twitch interpolation. Muscle endurance was studied in 142 patients during 45 min of submaximal exercise, and predictors of impaired muscle performance were investigated. Twentynine of 177 patients (16.4% ) had impaired voluntary drive to their elbowflexor muscles, but only 16 (9.0% ) had markedly reduced elbow flexor strength, despite 74 (41.8% ) reporting they were initially affected in their tested limb and 172 (97.2% ) patients reporting new generalized symptoms. Seven patients had impaired muscle endurance in the tests of strength and voluntary drive. During the submaximal exercise, 16 patients (11.3% ) had impaired peripheral muscle endurancewith normal voluntary activation. These results confirm a low incidence of impaired upper limb muscle performance in postpolio patients, despite many patients having subjective symptoms consistent with postpolio syndrome. There was an increased relative risk for impaired muscle function in those patients with a subjective decrease in strength in the tested limb, a recent decline in activities of daily living in their tested limb, and who used orthotic devices in their tested limb. Monitoring of function in prior polio patients with impaired muscle performance may be useful, particularly when combined with investigation of other potential contributory factors to the functional impairment.

星形胶质细胞变性与额颞叶痴呆的严重程度相关

The main unifying feature of cases with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the p attern of brain atrophy. Surprisingly, there are a variety of underlying histopa thologies in cases with the clinical features and typical pattern of atrophy cha racterizing FTD. This suggests that the degenerative mechanism(s) associated wit h pyramidal cell loss and gliosis in FTD is likely to be similar in the differen t histopathological forms of the disease. In this study we tested this hypothesi s by analysing a common cell death mechanism, apoptosis, in cases of FTD with ei ther Picks disease (PiD) (n = 9) or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) ( n = 7) compared with normal controls (n = 10). Tissue sections from previously a nalysed cases were stained using anti activated caspase-3 immunohistochemistry , TUNEL, propidium iodide, and cell and pathology specific labels. These marke rs of apoptosis identified both astrocytes and neurons in regions vulnerable to degeneration in all cases of FTD. However, neuronal apoptosis was rare (<2 %of neurons), even at early disease stages where there is considerably less fro ntotemporal atrophy or pyramidal cell loss. This suggests that other cell death mechanisms account for the progressive neuronal loss in FTD. In contrast, astroc ytes with beaded processes and other apoptotic features were very frequent in bo th PiD and FTLD, with the severity of astrocytosis and astrocytic apoptosis corr elating with both the degree of neuronal loss and the stage of disease. These fi ndings provide evidence that astrocytic apoptosis occurs as an early event in di fferent histopathological forms of FTD. Furthermore, this astrocytic apoptosis d irectly relates to the degree of degeneration in FTD, and becomes the overwhelmi ng pathological feature as the disease progresses.

Phenotypic Diversity of Different Populations of Paeonia ludlowii in Nyingchi of Tibet

[Objectives] To study the differences in fruit traits of different populations of Paeonia ludlowii , and to provide basic data for the identification, protection and utilization of germplasm resources of P. ludlowii .[Methods] Nine fruit traits of three different populations of P. ludlowii in Tibet were tested and analyzed.[Results] The mean values of 9 fruit traits of P. ludlowii were different in different populations;the coefficients of variation of different traits of different populations were also different;there were morphological differences of different sizes among individuals in each population;there were significant differences in 8 traits (pod length, pod width, pod thickness, pod weight, seeds per pod, seed length, seed width, and seed weight) among different populations. Among the 9 traits of the three P. ludlowii populations, the variability of the five traits was higher in the fruit pods, the variation degree of five traits including pod weight, pod thickness, seeds per pod, and seed weight was higher. It is of great significance for the screening and preservation of the germplasm resources of P. ludlowii . According to the principal component analysis (PCA), the seed weight, seed width, and seed length, i.e. the seed traits, were the main factors causing differences in fruit traits among populations. There was a certain correlation between different traits of P. ludlowii . Among the 36 Pearson- related combinations of 9 fruit traits, 11 combinations had extremely significant correlations, and 8 combinations had significant correlations, indicating that there was a certain correlation between fruit traits in the growth and development. Through cluster analysis, three populations of P. ludlowii can be divided into two categories. The BV population was a category, which is characterized by long pods, long seeds, wide seeds, thick seeds and large seed weight. Therefore, the BV population is suitable material for breeding excellent varieties.[Conclusions] This study provides basic data for the identification, protection and utilization of germplasm resources of P. ludlowii .

早产儿脑白质损伤后CSF与血浆中细胞因子水平间的关系

Ischemia and systemic infection are implicated in the etiology of periventricular white matter injury, a major cause of adverse motor and cognitive outcome in preterm infants. Cytokines are signaling proteins that can be produced as part of the inflammatory response to both ischemia and infection. The aim of this study was to relate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α ), and Interferon gamma (IFN-γ ) to magnetic resonance-defined white matter injury in preterm infants. Relationships between CSF and plasma cytokine concentrations were also examined. Preterm infants (≤ 32 wk) and more mature infants from The Royal Women’ s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, and Christchurch Women’ s Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand, were eligible for study if they required a clinically indicated lumbar puncture. Plasma samples were obtained in a subgroup of Christchurch infants. Preterm infants underwent advanced quantitative volumetric magnetic resonance imaging using a 1.5-Tesla scanner at term equivalent. One hundred forty-six infants were enrolled and 190 CSF and 42 plasma samples obtained. There was no significant correlation between paired CSF and plasma concentrations for any cytokine. In comparing plasma and CSF concentrations, levels of IL-8 were significantly higher in CSF than plasma. Preterm infants with MRI-defined cerebral white matter injury had higher levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in the CSF than infants without such injury. Plasma cytokine concentrations may not reflect CSF cytokine levels or inflammatory events within the brain. Elevated CSF levels of cytokines in infants with white matter injury suggest an altered inflammatory balance.

含早老素-1的阿尔茨海默病家族患者中的Pick小体

Presenilin-1 (PS-1) mutations can cause Pick’s disease without evidence of Alzheimer’s disease(AD). We describe a family with a PS-1 M146L mutation and both Pick bodies and AD. Sarkosyl-i nsoluble hyperphosphorylated tau showed three bands consistent with AD, although dephosphorylation showed primarily three-repeat isoforms. M146L mutant PS-1 may predispose to both Pick’s disease and AD by affecting multiple intracellu lar pathways involving tau phosphorylation and amyloid metabolism.

A novel transgenic mouse line with hippocampus-dominant and inducible expression of truncated human tau

Background Intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a defining hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease(AD).However,mouse models imitating AD-exclusive neuronal tau pathologies are lacking.Methods We generated a new tet-on transgenic mouse model expressing truncated human tau N1-368(termed hTau368),a tau fragment increased in the brains of AD patients and aged mouse brains.Doxycycline(dox)was administered in drinking water to induce hTau368 expression.Immunostaining and Western blotting were performed to measure the tau level.RNA sequencing was performed to evaluate gene expression,and several behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate mouse cognitive functions,emotion and locomotion.Results Dox treatment for 1-2 months at a young age induced overt and reversible human tau accumulation in the brains of hTau368 transgenic mice,predominantly in the hippocampus.Meanwhile,the transgenic mice exhibited AD-like high level of tau phosphorylation,glial activation,loss of mature neurons,impaired hippocampal neurogenesis,synaptic degeneration and cognitive deficits.Conclusions This study developed a well-characterized and easy-to-use tool for the investigations and drug development for AD and other tauopathies.

End-to-end data-driven modeling framework for automated and trustworthy short-term building energy load forecasting

Conventional automated machine learning(AutoML)technologies fall short in preprocessing low-quality raw data and adapting to varying indoor and outdoor environments,leading to accuracy reduction in forecasting short-term building energy loads.Moreover,their predictions are not transparent because of their black box nature.Hence,the building field currently lacks an AutoML framework capable of data quality enhancement,environment self-adaptation,and model interpretation.To address this research gap,an improved AutoML-based end-to-end data-driven modeling framework is proposed.Bayesian optimization is applied by this framework to find an optimal data preprocessing process for quality improvement of raw data.It bridges the gap where conventional AutoML technologies cannot automatically handle missing data and outliers.A sliding window-based model retraining strategy is utilized to achieve environment self-adaptation,contributing to the accuracy enhancement of AutoML technologies.Moreover,a local interpretable model-agnostic explanations-based approach is developed to interpret predictions made by the improved framework.It overcomes the poor interpretability of conventional AutoML technologies.The performance of the improved framework in forecasting one-hour ahead cooling loads is evaluated using two-year operational data from a real building.It is discovered that the accuracy of the improved framework increases by 4.24%–8.79%compared with four conventional frameworks for buildings with not only high-quality but also low-quality operational data.Furthermore,it is demonstrated that the developed model interpretation approach can effectively explain the predictions of the improved framework.The improved framework offers a novel perspective on creating accurate and reliable AutoML frameworks tailored to building energy load prediction tasks and other similar tasks.