Association of daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity with body fat among U.S.adults

Background:Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity lead to low energy expenditures.However,little is known about the joint impact of daily sitting time and physical activity on body fat distribution.We investigated the independent and joint associations of daily sitting time and physical activity with body fat among adults.Methods:This was a cross-sectional analysis of U.S.nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey2011-2018 among adults aged 20 years or older.Daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity(LTPA)were self-reported using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.Body fat(total and trunk fat percentage)was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results:Among 10,808 adults,about 54.6%spent 6 h/day or more sitting;more than one-half reported no LTPA(inactive)or less than 150 min/week LTPA(insufficiently active)with only 43.3%reported 150 min/week or more LTPA(active)in the past week.After fully adjusting for sociodemographic data,lifestyle behaviors,and chronic conditions,prolonged sitting time and low levels of LTPA were associated with higher total and trunk fat percentages in both sexes.When stratifying by LTPA,the association between daily sitting time and body fat appeared to be stronger in those who were inactive/insuufficiently active.In the joint analyses,inactive/insuufficiently active adults who reported sitting more than 8 h/day had the highest total(female:3.99%(95%confidence interval(95%CI):3.09%-4.88%);male:3.79%(95%CI:2.75%-4.82%))and trunk body fat percentages(female:4.21%(95%CI:3.09%-5.32%);male:4.07%(95%CI:2.95%-5.19%))when compared with those who were active and sitting less than 4 h/day.Conclusion:Prolonged daily sitting time was associated with increased body fat among U.S.adults.The higher body fat associated with 6 h/day sitting may not be offset by achieving recommended levels of physical activity.

1932 Scarface vs.2013 Gangster Squad:The Major Differences and Minor Similarities in Filmmaking

Gangster films in the Pre-Code Era were historically produced to address social and economic issues during the Great Depression.A particularly controversial gangster film,Scarface:The Shame of the Nation(1932),was produced/directed by Howard Hawks and Howard Hughes.The producers/directors created realistic and raw scenes of violence,smuggling,and explosions that were entertaining to the audience but contained a strong,passionate message.Although Scarface:The Shame of the Nation was wildly popular,films such as the 2013 Gangster Squad,also about organized crime,contained a somewhat different message due to it having been produced in a different era.Scarface conveyed a message addressing the issues of society while Gangster Squad’s message was the telling of Italian mobster Mickey Cohen’s story for entertainment.

Natural climate solutions.The way forward

Climate change is a global challenge that threatens global ecological security and sustainable development.Find-ing ways to mitigate their impacts is paramount through engineering carbon storage,low-carbon energy tran-sition,or natural climate solutions(NCS).NCS involve a set of measures(e.g.,afforestation,land restoration,biochar reuse or sustainable land use practices).Implementing NCS increases carbon sequestration and mitigates climate change at the lowest costs and greenest ways.In addition,NCS practices can improve multiple ecosystem services(ES)such as air quality,flood and erosion regulation,pest control,water purification,wild food biomass,recreation or landscape aesthetics.However,unsustainable implementation of NCS,such as over-afforestation of dense mono-forest,can lead to tradeoffs with water supply,wildfire risk,and decreased grasslands and crop-lands.Therefore,to optimise the NCS implementation,reducing the tradeoffs associated and transforming the“expand ecosystem area”to“improve ecosystem management efficiency”is vital.Although NCS can contribute significantly to mitigating climate change,systematic climate actions must be accompanied by a transformation in the global society and investment in new technologies.This will be key to addressing global challenges such as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),such as SDG 13(Climate Action),SDG 15(Life on Land),SDG 2(Zero Hunger),SDG 3(Good Health and Wellbeing),SDG 6(Clean Water and Sanitation),and SDG 14(Life Bellow Water).

Analysis of differentially expressed genes in Verruca vulgaris vs.adjacent normal skin by RNA-sequencing

Introduction:Verruca vulgaris is one of the most common low-risk HPV infections and is characterized by excessive proliferation of keratinocytes.Currently,very little genetic information is available regarding verruca vulgaris in the Chinese population.This study aimed to obtain comprehensive transcript information of verruca vulgaris by RNA sequencing.Methods:High-throughput sequencing was performed on three fresh verruca vulgaris samples and adjacent normal skin on the Illumina sequencing platform.The transcriptomes were analyzed using bioinformatics and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were verified by immunohistochemistry.Verruca vulgaris exhibited a unique molecular signature.Results:In total,1,643 DEGs were identified in verruca vulgaris compared to normal skin.The functions of the DEGs were studies by Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis,DEGs Reactome analysis,disease annotation function,and STRING protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis.The results revealed 595 GO terms associated with the cell cycle,signal transduction,immune system,signaling molecules,and interaction.The Reactome analysis revealed enrichment in reversible hydration of carbon dioxide and BMP signaling,while the disease annotation function revealed that the enriched DEGs are involved in keratosis disorders.The STRING PPI network showed that the edges with the highest density mainly included the 2′-5′oligoadenylate synthase(OAS)family-related proteins.Furthermore,the M-code analysis found ISG15,IRF7,and OASL were scored as significant modules and their high expression compared to the control was verified by immunohistochemistry.Conclusion:These findings contribute to the genetic information of verruca vulgaris in the Chinese population,revealing that interferon-stimulated genes may play essential roles in verruca vulgaris.

Product vs.Organization Approach for the Quantification of Carbon Footprint of Events:The Hero Dolomites Case Study

Events have always played an important role in our society since they are a way to gather and share experiences on music,sport,culture,economy or even only for socialization.The number and variety of events has increased over the past years and the process of globalization has facilitated the constantly increasing participation at international level.As consequence,also the impact on climate change of events is constantly rising,as well as the awareness of citizens and participants on this topic,with the growing request to take action on the GHG(Greenhouse Gas)mitigation.It shall be noted that there is still lack of clarity on the most suitable quantification methodology which shall be used.The two main approaches are the CFP(Carbon Footprint of Product)and CFO(Carbon Footprint of Organization).The most suitable one seems to be the CFP since it is more able to describe an event intended as a service provided to the participants.An important consequence of this approach is the need to develop a PCR(Product Category Rule),with the purpose to establish common rules for the CFP quantification,in order to increase consistency in the methodology and comparability of the results with other events.This PCR was developed on the basis of the Hero Dolomites event case study,here described.The clarity on the most effective methodology for the carbon footprint quantification is fundamental for allowing the implementation of suitable GHG reduction plans by event’s organizers,considering the reliable quantification as the base for any GHG mitigation path,even in direction of credible carbon neutrality targets.

Contrasting climate drivers of seasonal growth in western vs. eastern Mexican mountain conifer forests

Hydroclimate affects the radial growth responses of trees, but the drivers of their spatial and population variability are not sufficiently understood. We addressed this issue by sampling several conifer populations located at the same latitude, but at different longitude and elevation in western(W) and eastern(E) Mexican regions. We used dendroecology to disentangle how earlywood width(EW), latewood width(LW) and adjusted LW(LWadj),i.e. the residuals after removing EW influences on LW, responded to climate variables(temperature and precipitation), climate indices(Southern Oscillation Index, SOI, Nino 3.4, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, PDO) and a drought index(Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index, SPEI). The W species(Pinus herrerae Martinez, Pinus durangensis Martinez, Abies durangensis Martínez and Cupressus lusitanica Mill.) showed lower growth rates than the E species(Pinus hartwegii Lindl., Picea mexicana Martinez, Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.) Franco and Abies vejari Martinez). Growth in W benefits mostly from high precipitation in the prior winter and current spring and it is limited by high temperatures in spring, whereas growth in the E showed similar but weaker responses.Furthermore, positive(negative) correlations were found in radial growth with the Nino 3.4(SOI) and the PDO from the prior to current autumns, which were again stronger in absolute terms in the W than in the E regions,excepting SOI in summer. In the W, P. durangensis and C. lusitanica were the least and most responsive species to spring drought, respectively;whilst P. menziesii and A. vejari were very responsive to spring drought compared to P. hartwegii in the E. Our results suggest greater responsiveness to hydroclimate and atmospheric patterns in the W than in the E region. These findings allow better interpretations of future changes in growth and composition in Mexican conifer forests, considering that climate models forecast warmer spring conditions and increased water shortage.

Reduction of N2O emissions by DMPP depends on the interactions of nitrogen sources(digestate vs. urea) with soil properties

The inhibition of nitrification by mixing nitrification inhibitors(NI)with fertilizers is emerging as an effective method to reduce fertilizer-induced nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions.The additive 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate(DMPP)apparently inhibits ammonia oxidizing bacteria(AOB)more than ammonia oxidizing archaea(AOA),which dominate the nitrification in alkaline and acid soil,respectively.However,the efficacy of DMPP in terms of nitrogen sources interacting with soil properties remains unclear.We therefore conducted a microcosm experiment using three typical Chinese agricultural soils with contrasting pH values(fluvo-aquic soil,black soil and red soil),which were fertilized with either digestate or urea in conjunction with a range of DMPP concentrations.In the alkaline fluvo-aquic soil,fertilization with either urea or digestate induced a peak in N_(2)O emission(60μg N kg^(-1)d^(-1))coinciding with the rapid nitrification within 3 d following fertilization.DMPP almost eliminated this peak in N_(2)O emission,reducing it by nearly 90%,despite the fact that the nitrification rate was only reduced by 50%.In the acid black soil,only the digestate induced an N_(2)O emission that increased gradually,reaching its maximum(20μg N kg^(-1)d^(-1))after 5–7 d.The nitrification rate and N_(2)O emission were both marginally reduced by DMPP in the black soil,and the N_(2)O yield(N_(2)O-N per NO2–+NO3–-N produced)was exceptionally high at 3.5%,suggesting that the digestate induced heterotrophic denitrification.In the acid red soil,the N_(2)O emission spiked in the digestate and urea treatments at 50 and 10μg N kg^(-1)d^(-1),respectively,and DMPP reduced the rates substantially by nearly 70%.Compared with 0.5%DMPP,the higher concentrations of DMPP(1.0 to 1.5%)did not exert a significantly(P<0.05)better inhibition effect on the N_(2)O emissions in these soils(either with digestate or urea).This study highlights the importance of matching the nitrogen sources,soil properties and NIs to achieve a high efficiency of N_(2)O emission reduction.

Transcatheter Closure vs.Surgical Ligation in Preterm Infants with Patent Ductus Arteriosus:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:Persistent patent ductus arteriosus(pPDA)is a common condition in preterm infants.This metaanalysis aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure(TC)when compared to surgical ligation(SL)in preterm infants with pPDA.Methods:A literature search of Ovid Cochrane Library,Medline,Embase,Epub,Scopus,PMC Preprints,and ClinicalTrials.Gov was conducted from inception to May 06,2022.Eligible studies reported infants diagnosed with pPDA born at≤2000 g birth weight or at≤37 weeks’who underwent TC or SL as treatment.This review was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42022325944).Results:From 97 studies screened,8 studies met the eligibility criteria,with a total of 756 preterm infants undergoing either TC(n=366)or SL(n=390).Compared to TC,SL had higher mortality rates(OR=0.32,95%CI:0.16,0.66,I^(2)=0%).No difference was seen in post-procedural complication rate(OR=0.90,95%CI:0.18,4.44,I^(2)=79%),mean duration of post-procedural mechanical ventilation(MD=−2.21 days,95%CI:−4.88,0.47,I^(2)=60%),hospital stay length(MD=−8.30 days,95%CI:−17.03,0.44,I^(2)=0%)or neonatal intensive care unit stay length(MD=−3.50 days,95%CI:−10.27,3.27,I^(2)=0%).Conclusion:Our meta-analysis demonstrated TC as a viable alternative option in managing preterm infants with pPDA in the context of SL.Despite the promising trends demonstrated in this meta-analysis,further studies with larger sample size and controlled baseline characteristics are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TC and SL for preterm infants with pPDA.

Erratum:Flat Band and Z_(2) Topology of Kagome Metal CsTi_(3)Bi_(5)[Chin.Phys.Lett.40,037102(2023)]

In our most recently published article,[1]an important reference[2]predicting CsTi_(3)Bi_(5) is missing and should be added,along with Ref.[3](originally Ref.[28]),to the introduction section.

S.T.O.N.E.影像评分系统在输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管结石中的临床应用

目的探讨S.T.O.N.E.影像评分系统在输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管结石中的应用效果。方法回顾性分析2017年1月—2019年12月江苏省东台市人民医院泌尿外科收治的输尿管结石行输尿管镜钬激光碎石的98例患者的临床资料,根据术后结石清除情况,分为结石清除组和结石残留组。使用S.T.O.N.E.影像评分系统对两组患者进行评分,比较两组患者的手术时间、术后住院时间、手术并发症及S.T.O.N.E.评分,并分析S.T.O.N.E.影像评分系统对结石清除率的预测价值。结果98例患者于术后1周复查结石残留情况,结石清除组76例,结石残留组22例。结石清除组的手术时间、术后住院天数短于结石残留组,手术并发症发生率低于结石残留组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组S.T.O.N.E.各项评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),结石残留组S.T.O.N.E.总分高于结石清除组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。S.T.O.N.E.评分预测结石清除率的AUC为0.952(95%CI 0.938~0.971,P<0.05),准确性较高。结论S.T.O.N.E.影像评分系统可以有效的预测输尿管镜钬激光碎石术后结石的清除情况,值得临床广泛应用推广。

S.T.O.N.E肾结石评分系统在MPCNL治疗上尿路开放术后肾结石中的应用

目的探讨S.T.O.N.E评分系统与微创经皮肾镜技术(MPCNL)治疗上尿路开放术后肾结石中清石率及并发症的相关性。方法回顾性分析2014年1月至2020年1月在萍乡市人民医院泌尿外科泌尿外科接受同一组医生施行MPCNL的82例肾结石患者资料,根据术后结石清除状态分为结石清除组(57例)与结石残留组(25例)。根据术后是否发生并发症将入选患者分为并发症组(38例)和无并发症组(44例),同时依据Clavien分级系统对术后并发症进行分级,将患者分为轻度并发症组(23例)与严重并发症组(15例)。比较结石清除组与结石残留组的S.T.0.N.E.肾结石评分以及无并发症组、轻度并发症组与严重并发症组之间S.T.0.N.E.肾结石评分的差异,并分析S.T.O.N.E.评分与结石清除率及术后并发症的相关性。结果结石清除组的S、N、E评分及总分低于结石残留组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结石清除率与S.T.O.N.E.评分、S评分、N评分、E评分有关系(P<0.05),与T评分、O评分无关系(P>0.05)。logistic回归分析结果显示,S.T.O.N.E.评分、S评分、N评分、E评分是结石清除的危险因素(P<0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,S.T.O.N.E.评分与结石清除率呈负相关(r=-0.712,P=0.018),S评分与结石清除率呈负相关(r=-0.685,P=0.021),N评分与结石清除率呈负相关(r=-0.637,P=0.025),E评分与结石清除率呈负相关(r=-0.526,P=0.034)。无并发症组、轻度并发症组与严重并发症组的S.T.O.N.E.肾结石评分系统评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);且三组间S.T.O.N.E.肾结石评分系统评分两两比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。S.T.O.N.E.评分、S评分、T评分、O评分、N评分、E评分不是并发症的危险因素(P>0.05)。结论S.T.O.N.E.评分系统在MPCNL治疗上尿路开放术后与肾结石清石率具有相关性,呈负相关,但与并发症的相关性还需进一步验证。

S.suis 2中国强毒株烯醇化酶Enolase基因的分子克隆及蛋白生物功能研究

对中国强毒株S.suis 2烯醇化酶Enolase进行克隆表达、定位分析、酶活性检测及免疫相关功能研究,探讨Enolase在S.suis 2致病中的作用。基于S.suis 2 05ZYH33全基因组测序,对Enolase编码基因进行生物信息学分析。构建pET32a∷eno重组表达质粒,转化入E.coli BL21中诱导表达,利用His-Beads和FPLC纯化后获得Enolase重组蛋白。对纯化后的Enolase进行酶活性检测,鉴定其糖代谢功能。然后利用FCM分析Enolase在S.suis 2的定位情况,最后通过外周血单核细胞MTT实验检测Enolase对PBMCs活性的影响。同源性分析发现S.suis 2 eno与多种细菌中eno高度同源。SignalP和TMHMM分析发现Enolase没有信号肽也没有跨膜区。eno分子克隆并测序显示长度为1 308 bp。重组质粒经诱导表达并纯化后,获得75 kD的Enolase蛋白。纯化的重组Enolase有将2-PEG转化成PEP的能力。FCM分析表明Enolase也存在于细菌表面。MTT测试表明Enolase能够引发PBMCs活性的下降。Enolase不仅在S.suis 2体内参与基础代谢活动,同时也存在于S.suis 2表面,可能通过破坏单核细胞参与感染过程。

用S.E.N.B.法测量陶瓷材料K_(ic)的研究

研究了 S.E.N.B.法测量陶瓷材料的 K_(ic),结果表明,加载速度、切口深度对 K_(ic)值无明显影响,切口宽度对 K_(ic)值影响极大.因此,用 S.E.N.B.法测定陶瓷材料的 K_(ic)值时,必须严格控制切口的宽度以保证Δa/ρ大于0.5以上.

Molecular phylogeny of Solms-laubachia(Brassicaceae) s.l.,based on multiple nuclear and plastid DNA sequences,and its biogeographic implications

The Hengduan Mountains region of south-west China is a noted biodiversity,hotspot, but the geographic origins and historical assembly of its rich endemic flora, including the sky-island species ofSolms-laubachia Muschl. （Brassicaceae）, have been little studied. Previous molecular studies on the phylogeny of Solms-laubachia showed it to be paraphyletic, leading to considerable expansion not only of its taxonomic limits, but also its geographic range, with the inclusion of taxa from outside the Hengduan region. However, these studies provided little resolution of interspecific relationships, preventing inferences about historical biogeography within the clade. In the present study, new sequence data from two nuclear genes （LEAFY and G3pdh） and two chloroplast intergenic spacers （petN-psbM and psbM-trnD） were combined with existing markers to increase phylogenetic signals. Phaeonychium villosum （Maxim.） Al-Shehbaz was found to be nested within Solms-laubachia s.l. In general, phylogenetic relationships appear to be a good predictor of geography, with the Hengduan Mountain endemics embedded in a paraphyletic grade of species from the western Himalayas and central Asia, but they also imply morphological homoplasy, lncongruence was detected between the nuclear and chloroplast gene trees, perhaps resulting from incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphisms. The crown age ofSolms-laubachia s.l. was estimated to be approximately 1.42-3.68 mya, using Bayesian relaxed molecular clock analysis. Historical biogeographic analysis using a parametric dispersalextinction-cladogenesis model inferred central Asia and the western Himalayas as most probable ancestral range of Solms-laubachia s.l., and estimated higher rates of eastward expansion than westward during the diversification of descendant lineages. In summary, our results suggest that Solms-laubachia s.l. originated during the Pliocene in central Asia, and subsequently migrated eastward into the Hengduan Mountains, colonizing sky-island, alpine scree-slope habitats that may have provided novel ecological opportunity and accelerated speciation, ultimately establishing this region as the present center of diversity of the genus.

新冠肺炎临床试验注册特点分析:基于美国ClinicalTrials.gov和中国临床研究注册中心数据库

目的:分析注册于美国ClinicalTrials.gov与中国临床研究注册中心(Chinese Clinical Trial Registry,ChiCTR)的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)临床试验的特点。方法:全面检索自ClinicalTrials.gov与ChiCTR数据库成立至2020年2月13日的COVID-19临床试验,记录并分析相关特征。结果:ChiCTR数据库COVID-19临床试验注册量为97项,ClinicalTrials.gov为19项,共计116项。湖北注册数量排名第1,浙江、北京并列第2,四川、广东并列第3;超过一半的研究正在征募研究对象,绝大部分临床试验已通过伦理审批;试验研究类型以干预性研究和观察性研究为主,其中干预性研究的试验设计大多数为随机平行对照试验;受试者研究数量与研究时限分别集中在100~199例与3~6个月区间;大部分临床试验处于探索性研究/预试验阶段,研究分期以Ⅳ期为主;西药治疗是COVID-19临床试验的主要治疗方式,其中洛匹那韦/利托那韦研究频次最多,其次为干扰素、氯喹/羟氯喹。结论:及时探讨该领域研究现状和发展态势,可快速为抗新型冠状病毒的研发提供基于情报学的数据基础和信息参考。

Analysis of Volatile Compounds and Identification of Characteristic Aroma Components of <i>Toona sinensis</i>(A. Juss.) Roem. Using GC-MS and GC-O

In this study, volatile compounds present in Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roem (TS) were investigated and their characteristic aromatic components were identified using Headspace Solid-phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry (GC-O). The optimum conditions for extracting the volatiles from TS were achieved with the experimental parameters including the use of a 65 μm polydimethylsiloxane/divinyl benzene (PDMS/DVB) fibre, an extraction temperature of 40℃ and an extraction time of 30 min. Under these conditions, 56 volatile compounds were separated and 53 were identified by GC-MS. Among them, 21 sulfide compounds (42.146%) and 27 terpenes(55.984%) were found to be the major components. The sample was analyzed by GC-O and 26 elutes were sniffed and their sensory descriptions evaluated by an odor panelists. Analysis of the data indicated, two compounds cis and trans isomers of 2-Mercapto-3,4-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrothiophene were major contributors to the characteristic aroma of TS.

Pre-recorded instructional audio vs. dispatchers' conversational assistance in telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A randomized controlled simulation study

BACKGROUND:To assess the effectiveness of the telephone chest-compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)guided by a pre-recorded instructional audio when compared with dispatcher-assisted resuscitation.METHODS:It was a prospective,blind,randomised controlled study involving 109 medical students without previous CPR training.In a standardized mannequin scenario,after the step of dispatcher-assisted cardiac arrest recognition,the participants performed compression-only resuscitation guided over the telephone by either:(1)the pre-recorded instructional audio(n=57);or(2)verbal dispatcher assistance(n=52).The simulation video records were reviewed to assess the CPR performance using a 13-item checklist.The interval from call reception to the first compression,total number and rate of compressions,total number and duration of pauses after the first compression were also recorded.RESULTS:There were no significant differences between the recording-assisted and dispatcher-assisted groups based on the overall performance score(5.6±2.2 vs.5.1±1.9,P>0.05)or individual criteria of the CPR performance checklist.The recording-assisted group demonstrated provided(170.2±48.0 vs.156.2±60.7).CONCLUSION:When provided by untrained persons in the simulated settings,the compression-only resuscitation guided by the pre-recorded instructional audio is no less efficient than dispatcher-assisted CPR.Future studies are warranted to further assess feasibility of using instructional audio aid as a potential alternative to dispatcher assistance.

On solitary waves.Part 2 A unified perturbation theory for higher-order waves

A unified perturbation theory is developed here for calculating solitary waves of all heights by series expansion of base flow variables in powers of a small base parameter to eighteenth order for the one-parameter family of solutions in exact form, with all the coefficients determined in rational numbers. Comparative studies are pursued to investigate the effects due to changes of base parameters on （i） the accuracy of the theoretically predicted wave properties and （ii） the rate of convergence of perturbation expansion. Two important results are found by comparisons between the theoretical predictions based on a set of parameters separately adopted for expansion in turn. First, the accuracy and the convergence of the perturbation expansions, appraised versus the exact solution provided by an earlier paper [1] as the standard reference, are found to depend, quite sensitively, on changes in base parameter. The resulting variations in the solution are physically displayed in various wave properties with differences found dependent on which property （e.g. the wave amplitude, speed, its profile, excess mass, momentum, and energy）, on what range in value of the base, and on the rank of the order n in the expansion being addressed. Secondly, regarding convergence, the present perturbation series is found definitely asymptotic in nature, with the relative error δ （n） （the relative mean-square difference between successive orders n of wave elevations） reaching a minimum, δm at a specific order, n = n both depending on the base adopted, e.g. nm,α= 11-12 based on parameter α （wave amplitude）, nm,δ = 15 on δ （amplitude-speed square ratio）, and nm.ε= 17 on ε （ wave number squared）. The asymptotic range is brought to completion by the highest order of n = 18 reached in this work.

Final report of IGCP Project 410 （1997-2002）——The Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. E-mail： bwebby@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au

In 1997, IGCP Project No. 410 was established to appraise known records of Ordovician biotas, in order to evaluate one of the greatest-ever diversifications of life on Earth, between 489 and 443 million years ago. Data collection and analysis of biodiversity were coordinated through seven regional teams, and a global“clade” team.

Identification and Quantification of Aerosol Polar Oxygenated Compounds Bearing Carboxylic or Hydroxyl Groups.1.Method Development

In this study,a new analytical technique was developed for the identification and quantification of multifunctional compounds containing simultaneously at least one hydroxyl or one carboxylic group,or both.This technique is based on derivatizing first the carboxylic group(s) of the multifunctional compound using an alcohol (e.g.,methanol,1-butanol) in the presence of a relatively strong Lewisacid (BF3) as a catalyst.This esterification reaction quickly and quantitatively converts carboxylic acids to their ester forms.The second step is based on silylation of the ester compounds using bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) as the derivatizing agent.For compounds bearing ketone groups in addition to carboxylic and hydroxyl groups,a third step was used based on PFBHA derivatizationof the carbonyls.Different parameters including temperature,reaction time,and effect due to artifacts were optimized.A GC/MS in EI and in methane-CI mode was used for the analysis of these compounds.The new approach was tested on a number of multifunctional compounds.The interpretation of their EI (70 eV) and CI mass spectra shows that critical information is gained leading to unambiguous identification of unknown compounds.For example,when derivatized only with BF3-methanol,their mass spectra comprise primary ions at m/z M ·+ +1,M ·+ +29,and M ·+ - 31 for compounds bearing only carboxylic groups and M ·+ +1,M ·+ +29,M ·+ -31,and M ·+ -17 for those bearing hydroxyl andcarboxylic groups.However,when a second derivatization (BSTFA) was used,compounds bearing hydroxyl and carboxylic groups simultaneously show,in addition to the ions observed before,ions at m/z M ·+ +73,M ·+ -15,M ·+ -59,M ·+ -75,M ·+ -89,and 73.To the best of our knowledge,this technique describes systematically for the first time a method for identifying multifunctional oxygenated compounds containing simultaneously one or more hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups.