We report an experimental study of Rayleigh–Bénard convection of liquid metal GaInSn in a cuboid cell with an aspect ratio of 0.5 under the effect of a horizontal magnetic field. The Rayleigh number spans a range of $3.8\times 10^5 \leqslant Ra \leqslant 1.1\times 10^7$, while the magnetic field strength reaches up to 0.5 T, corresponding to a maximum Hartmann number to 2041. By combining temperature and velocity measurements, we identify several flow morphologies, including a novel cellular pattern characterized by four stacked vortices that periodically squeeze and induce velocity reversals. Based on the identified flow morphologies, we partition the entire ($Ra, Ha$) parameter space into five distinct flow regimes and systematically investigate the flow characteristics within each regime. The temperature gradient and oscillation frequency exhibit scaling relationships with the combined parameters $Ra$ and $Ha$. Notably, we observe a coupling between flow regime and global transport efficiencies, particularly in a regime dominated by the double-roll structure, which experiences a maximum 36 % decrease in heat transfer efficiency compared with the single-roll structure. The dependencies of heat and momentum transport on $Ra$ and $Ha$ follow scaling laws as $Nu \sim (Ha^{-2/3}RaPr^{-1})^{3/5}$ and $Re \sim (Ha^{-1}RaPr^{-1})^{4/3}$, respectively.

Nacrite and dickite are found in two localities in northern Taiwan. One, containing nacrite and dickite, is associated with a gold-enargite deposit as a vug-filling clay in the Chinkushih (CKS) mine district near the northern coast. The other is the occurrence of dickite in the interstices of a Miocene coarse-grained quartzose sandstone in the Nanshihchiao (NSC) area, near Taipei city. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and petrographic examinations were used to characterize the mineralogical features. Nacrite most often takes the unusual form of rhombic platelets, and dickite is commonly elongated in habit with the shapes possibly related to their origin. Based on geological evidence, we believe that both nacrite and dickite are of hydrothermal origin. In the CKS area, the formation of nacrite and dickite is related to the hypogene gold-enargite mineralization. In contrast, the transformation of dickite in the NSC area is due to the influence of the raised temperatures of sandstone formation, resulting from volcanic activity during the Kungkuan stage after the deposition of the sandstone.

Chinmen Island is located in the west of the Taiwan Strait, 15 km from the coast of mainland China. Mesozoic granitic gneiss forms the basement rocks of the island. High-defect kaolin deposits, both major sedimentary and minor residual types of clays, have been mined for ceramic uses for many years. The objectives of this study were to characterize the kaolin deposits and to discuss the genesis of kaolin minerals on the island. The kaolin samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In general, the particle-size distribution of the sedimentary kaolin was 0.5–5.0% sand, 15–55% silt and 30–85% clay. In the clay fraction, the ratio of kaolinite to illite ranged from 9:1 to 3:1. The sedimentary kaolin materials were originally transported by river from mainland China. Kaolinite occurred generally as pseudo-hexagonal platelets of ∼1 µm in diameter. The residual kaolin minerals resulted from the argillization of granitoid rocks by in situ weathering which possibly occurred during the Pleistocene. The residual kaolin contained more tubular halloysite.

A typical feature of thermal convection is the formation of large-scale flow (LSF) structures of the order of system size. How this structure affects global heat transport is an important issue in the study of thermal convection. We present an experimental study of the coupling between the flow structure and heat transport in liquid metal convection with different degrees of spatial confinement, characterized by the aspect ratio $\varGamma$ of the convection cell. Combining measurements in two convection cells with $\varGamma =1.0$ and 0.5, the study shows that a large-scale circulation (LSC) transports ${\sim }35\,\%$ more heat than a twisted LSC. It is further found that when the LSF is in the form of the LSC state, the system is in a fully developed turbulence state with a $Nu\sim Ra^{0.29}$ scaling for the heat transport. However, the twisted LSC state with a heat transport scaling of $Nu\sim Ra^{0.37}$ appears when the system is not in the fully developed turbulence state. Bistability is observed when the system evolves from the twisted-LSC-dominated to the LSC-dominated state.

The codling moth Cydia pomonella is a major pest of global significance impacting pome fruits and walnuts. It threatens the apple industry in the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay in China. Sterile insect technique (SIT) could overcome the limitations set by environmentally compatible area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approaches such as mating disruption and attract-kill that are difficult to suppress in a high-density pest population, as well as the development of insecticide resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of X-ray irradiation (183, 366, 549 Gy) on the fecundity and fertility of a laboratory strain of C. pomonella, using a newly developed irradiator, to evaluate the possibility of X-rays as a replacement for Cobalt60 (60Co-γ) and the expanded future role of this approach in codling moth control. Results show that the 8th-day is the optimal age for irradiation of male pupae. The fecundity decreased significantly as the dosage of radiation increased. The mating ratio and mating number were not influenced. However, treated females were sub-sterile at a radiation dose of 183 Gy (20.93%), and were almost 100% sterile at a radiation dose of 366 Gy or higher. Although exposure to a radiation dose of 366 Gy resulted in a significant reduction in the mating competitiveness of male moths, our radiation biology results suggest that this new generation of X-ray irradiator has potential applications in SIT programs for future codling moth control.

To investigate the association between the Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF) and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and compare the predictive value of the METS-VF for T2DM incidence with other obesity indices in Chinese people. A total of 12 237 non-T2DM participants aged over 18 years from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study of 2007–2008 were included at baseline and followed up during 2013–2014. The cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI for the association between baseline METS-VF and T2DM risk. Restricted cubic splines were used to model the association between METS-VF and T2DM risk. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis was used to evaluate the ability of METS-VF to predict T2DM incidence. During a median follow-up of 6·01 (95 % CI 5·09, 6·06) years, 837 cases developed T2DM. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the adjusted HR for the highest v. lowest METS-VF quartile was 5·97 (95 % CI 4·28, 8·32), with a per 1-sd increase in METS-VF positively associated with T2DM risk. Positive associations were also found in the sensitivity and subgroup analyses, respectively. A significant nonlinear dose–response association was observed between METS-VF and T2DM risk for all participants (Pnonlinearity = 0·0347). Finally, the AUC value of METS-VF for predicting T2DM was largest among six indices. The METS-VF may be a reliable and applicable predictor of T2DM incidence in Chinese people regardless of sex, age or BMI.

Teenagers are important carriers of Neisseria meningitidis, which is a leading cause of invasive meningococcal disease. In China, the carriage rate and risk factors among teenagers are unclear. The present study presents a retrospective analysis of epidemiological data for N. meningitidis carriage from 2013 to 2017 in Suizhou city, China. The carriage rates were 3.26%, 2.22%, 3.33%, 3.53% and 9.88% for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. From 2014 to 2017, the carriage rate in the 15- to 19-year-old age group (teenagers) was the highest and significantly higher than that in remain age groups. Subsequently, a larger scale survey (December 2017) for carriage rate and relative risk factors (population density, time spent in the classroom, gender and antibiotics use) were investigated on the teenagers (15- to 19-year-old age) at the same school. The carriage rate was still high at 33.48% (223/663) and varied greatly from 6.56% to 52.94% in a different class. Population density of the classroom was found to be a significant risk factor for carriage, and 1.4 persons/m2 is recommended as the maximum classroom density. Further, higher male gender ratio and more time spent in the classroom were also significantly associated with higher carriage. Finally, antibiotic use was associated with a significantly lower carriage rate. All the results imply that attention should be paid to the teenagers and various measures can be taken to reduce the N. meningitidis carriage, to prevent and control the outbreak of IMD.

Few studies have explored the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Evidence from non-Western areas is particularly lacking. In the present study, we aimed to examine the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of GDM in a Chinese population. A total of 3063 pregnant Chinese women from an ongoing prospective cohort study were included. Data on dietary intake were collected using a FFQ at 24–27 weeks of gestation. GDM was diagnosed using a 75 g, 2 h oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary patterns were determined by principal components factor analysis. A log-binomial regression model was used to examine the associations between dietary pattern and the risk of GDM. The analysis identified four dietary patterns: vegetable pattern; protein-rich pattern; prudent pattern; sweets and seafood pattern. Multivariate analysis showed that the highest tertile of the vegetable pattern was associated with a decreased risk of GDM (relative risk (RR) 0·79, 95 % CI 0·64, 0·97), compared with the lowest tertile, whereas the highest tertile of the sweets and seafood pattern was associated with an increased risk of GDM (RR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·49). No significant association was found for either the protein-rich or the prudent pattern. The protective effect of a high vegetable pattern score was more evident among women who had a family history of diabetes (P for interaction = 0·022). These findings suggest that the vegetable pattern was associated with a decreased risk of GDM, while the sweets and seafood pattern was associated with an increased risk of GDM. These findings may be useful in dietary counselling during pregnancy.

Trichinella spiralis is an intracellular parasitic nematode of mammalian skeletal muscle, causing a serious zoonotic disease in humans and showing a high economic impact mainly in pig breeding. Serine proteinases of T. spiralis play important roles in the host–parasite interactions mediating host invasion. In this study, we have focused on newborn larvae (NBL-1), the first identified serine proteinase from the NBL stage of T. spiralis. Five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the C-terminal part of NBL1, were produced. These mAbs were IgG1κ isotype and specifically recognized as a common motif of 10 amino acids (PSSGSRPTYP). Selected mAbs were further characterized using antigens from various developmental stages of T. spiralis. Western blot revealed that selected mAbs reacted with the native NBL1 at Mr 50 kDa in the adult and NBL mixed antigens and NBL stage alone. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis revealed that selected mAbs intensely stained only the embryos within the gravid females and the NBL. Thus, the produced mAbs are useful tools for the characterization of NBL1 as a major antigen of Trichinella involved in the invasion of the host but also for the development of new serological tests with an early detection of T. spiralis infection.

Epistasis underlying fertility plays an important role in crop breeding. Although a new female sterile mutant in wheat, XND126, has been identified and a major quantitative trait locus (QTL), taf1, for the female sterility has been mapped, the genetic architecture of the female sterility needs to be further addressed. To identify the interaction involving the gene(s) controlling the female sterility, an investigation was carried out for the seed setting ratio in an F2 population derived from the cross between XND126 and Gaocheng 8901. Among 1250 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs in the whole genome, a total of 21 markers, obtained by recessive class approach, along with other ten tightly linked markers on reference maps in wheat, were used to survey 243 F2 individuals. As a result, 28 markers were mapped into five genetic linkage groups. The performance for female sterility for each F2 individual was evaluated simultaneously at the Urumqi and Huai'an experimental stations in 2006–2007. The two phenotypic datasets along with marker information were jointly analysed in the detection of QTL using penalized maximum likelihood approach. A total of six QTLs, including two main-effect QTLs, three epistatic QTLs and one environmental interaction and accounting for 0·67–24·55% of the total phenotypic variance, were identified. All estimated effects accounted for 53·26% of the total phenotypic variation. The taf1 detected in previous study was also located on the same marker interval on chromosome 2DS. These results enrich our understanding of the genetic basis of the female sterility.

This paper provides a brief outline of the current, detailed inter-disciplinary work on the Xiaoyangquiao section, trying to expose all the aspects for reference tied to the Global Single Stratigraphic Point (GSSP) Concept for defining the Cambrian–Ordovician Boundary. The 45 m critical interval of this section outcrops very well along the steep bank of a stream and is free from folding, faulting, intrusions, and has not been affected by weathering. Colour alternation of conodonts and acritarchs, and crystallinity indices of illite all indicate a maximum thermal grade of 100 °C. The lithofacies, being of great lateral persistence for a hundred kilometres, consists mainly of a rhythmical sequence of lime mudstone and shales deposited in a moderately deep outer shelf environment of quiet water, well below the normal storm wave base. Chemical investigation of the rocks demonstrates strong positive correlation between A12O3 content and those of K2O, MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, Be, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn and Ba, indicating these components are tied to the clay fractions. A stable depositional environment is demonstrated by the uniform chemistries through the boundary interval. Close to the boundary itself P2O5 contents are low, indicating continuous sedimentation at fairly substantial rates.

The major biological events, the biostratigraphic framework, and the stratigraphic range of conodont, graptolite, trilobite, and acritarch taxa are illustrated briefly with diagrams. Following the majority views of the Calgary Plenary Session, the boundary level is to be chosen at a point marked by the First Appearance Datum (FAD) of the selected conodont taxon or taxa in the vicinity of the level close to, but below, the first influx of nematophorous graptolites. The following four points marked by the incoming of conodont taxon or taxa are recommended for consideration of the ‘Golden Spike'‘: (1) FAD of Cordylodus intermedius at 5.28 m below the first influx of nematophorous graptolites; (2) FAD of Hirsutodontus simpler–Cordylodus drucei–Albiconus postcostatus at 5.23 m; (3) FAD of Semiacontiodus lavadamensis–Utahconus utahensis–Monocostodus sevierensis at 3.85 m; (4) FAD of Cordylodus lindstromi at 2.23 m. For the following reasons the FAD of H. simplex–C. drucei–A. postcostatus is favoured: (1) the taxa are all distinct and widely dispersed; (2) intensive evolutionary change took place in conodonts, graptolites, trilobites and acritarchs prior to or after this point; all the fossil groups occur together, providing correlation with many regions throughout the world; (3) the point is in a position between the previously widely accepted boundary levels based on graptolites and trilobites; (4) the proposed point lies within a thin, laterally persistent, rhythmical sequence. The FAD of Cordylodus lindstromi is also a favourable point, sharing many advantages mentioned above. But this point is less satisfactory in being defined by the FAD of a single taxon C. lindstromi which also has an extremely small population size.

An isochron age of 500.7 ± 7.4 Ma is determined from clay fractions of mudstones 8.5 m below the proposed point by means of the Rubidium–Strontium method.

The ɛND signature determined from conodonts, trilobites hyolithids and acrotretid brachiopods has a mean value of −6.7, comparable with that of the coeval oceanic water mass occupying southeastern North America and Europe, and indicating that northeastern China bordered the same ocean. The mean Tdm model age determined was 1.26 Ga at the time of sedimentation, compatible with the mean Tdm model age of approximately 1.1 Ga for the Pacific Ocean today. The relatively low value of the Tdm model age indicates a substantial input from young orogenic volcanic island arcs and terranes.

The present study investigated the effect of parenteral glutamine (Gln) supplementation on cellular adhesion molecule expression and release of chemokines responsible for inflammatory cell recruitment in rats undergoing a total gastrectomy. Normal rats with internal jugular catheters were assigned to one control group and two experimental groups and received total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A total gastrectomy was performed in the experimental groups, whereas the control group received a sham operation (Sham). The TPN solutions were isonitrogenous and identical in nutrient composition except that the Sham group and one of the experimental group received conventional (Conv) TPN solution, whereas the other experimental group received 25 % of the amino acid nitrogen as Gln. Half of the rats in each group were killed 1 or 3 d after surgery or the Sham to examine their immune response. The results showed that the surgery produced higher polymorphonuclear leucocyte CD11b/CD18 expressions, and Gln supplementation lowered CD11b/CD18 expressions compared with the Conv group post-operatively. The levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 in peritoneal lavage fluid were higher in the Gln group than those in the Conv group 1 d post-operatively; these chemotactic proteins had returned to the levels comparable with those in the Sham group on post-operative day 3. These results suggest that Gln supplementation attenuated polymorphonuclear leucocyte integrin expression. In addition, Gln-enriched parenteral nutrition induced an earlier more intensive and rapid immune response to injury than the Conv parenteral nutrition after a total gastrectomy.

In order to reveal the molecular basis of heterosis, Large White (LW), an introduced European pig breed, and Meishan (MS), a Chinese indigenous pig breed, were selected to hybridize directly and reciprocally in the present experiment. mRNA differential display (DD) technique was performed to identify genes that were differentially expressed in the backfat tissues of hybrids (LW×MS, MS×LW) and purebred (LW×LW, MS×MS) pigs. The ten anchor primers in combination with ten arbitrary primers (100 sets in total) were used and nearly 1500 reproducible bands were observed in polyacrylamide gels. The 40 differentially displayed bands were selected for cloning and sequencing. Thirty-six out of 40 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) proved to be novel and the sequences were submitted to GenBank (accession No. CV507051-CV507087); the other four showed similarity to known genes published in GenBank. Three among 36 novel ESTs were chosen for further identification with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The result showed that two ESTs were differentially expressed, and the third showed no obvious difference between hybrids and purebreds. In order to reduce the percentage of false-positive DD, RNA pools of four types of pigs were constructed, by mixing samples from six pigs of the same genotype, and subjected to DD. Stringent annealing temperature was applied and only bands that could be repeated in duplicate PCR were used for further study. The results showed that the expression pattern of these 36 ESTs differed among the four genotypes of pigs, suggesting that the genes corresponding to these differentially expressed ESTs might be related to the heterosis occurring in fat tissue.

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is a direct-gap semiconductor with band-gap energy of 2.0 eV and has been extensively investigated as a candidate for a photovoltaic material. However, practical applications have not been achieved to date due to the difficulty in controlling its physical properties. We have investigated the controllability of the formation of pure Cu2O thin films deposited by the reactive DC sputtering method and analysis by XPS and Raman spectrometer to identify the Cu+1 in the cuprous oxide. The formation of pure Cu2O films is not only dependent on the substrate temperature but also strongly effected by the oxygen and argon flow rate ratio. When the substrate temperature was kept constant at 100°C and varied the oxygen and argon flow rate ratio from 3ml/min to 10ml/min, it is found a mixture of Cu2O and CuO phases is formed. At the flow rate of oxygen to 5ml/min, the pure and single phase of Cu2O is formed. Further increasing the oxygen flow rate, the phase is changed to be the CuO phase. The crystallity is improved as increasing the substrate temperature. The electrical resistivity of Cu2O obtained in this study is about 316 ohm-cm at 100°C substrate temperature and 2.66Pa condition. The dependence of cupper oxides resistivity is not only on the substrate temperature and reactive gases but also on the sputter pressure. Because the characteristic resistivity values change with sputter pressure variation due to different phase compositions forming in the films. The lowest resistivity of Cu2O film is obtained when the Cu2O single phase exists in the films.