Bio-cement and bio-concrete are innovative solutions for sustainable construction, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the durability and versatility of building materials. Bio-cement is an eco-fri...Bio-cement and bio-concrete are innovative solutions for sustainable construction, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the durability and versatility of building materials. Bio-cement is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cement, produced through Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), which mimics natural biomineralization processes. This method reduces CO2 emissions and enhances the strength and durability of construction materials. Bio-concrete incorporates bio-cement into concrete, creating a self-healing material. When cracks form in bio-concrete, dormant bacteria within the material become active in the presence of water, producing limestone to fill the cracks, extending the material’s lifespan and reducing the need for repairs. The environmental impact of traditional cement production is significant, with cement generation accounting for up to 8% of global carbon emissions. Creative solutions are needed to develop more sustainable construction materials, with some efforts using modern innovations to make concrete ultra-durable and others turning to science to create affordable bio-cement. The research demonstrates the potential of bio-cement to revolutionize sustainable building practices by offering a low-energy, low-emission alternative to traditional cement while also addressing environmental concerns. The findings suggest promising applications in various construction scenarios, including earthquake-prone areas, by enhancing material durability and longevity through self-repair mechanisms.展开更多
Animals communicate information within their environments via visual, chemical, auditory, and/or tactile modalities. The use of each modalityis generally linked to particular brain regions, but it is not yet known whe...Animals communicate information within their environments via visual, chemical, auditory, and/or tactile modalities. The use of each modalityis generally linked to particular brain regions, but it is not yet known whether the cellular morphology of neurons in these regions has evolved in association with the relative use of a modality.We investigated relationships between the behavioral use of communication modalities and neural morphologies in six lizard species. Two of these species （Anolis carol# nensis and Leiocephalus carinatus） primarily use visual signals to communicate with conspecifics and detect potential prey, and two （Aspidoscelis gularis and Scincella lateralis） communicate and forage primarily using chemical signals. Two other species （Hemidactylus turcicus and Sceloporus olivaceus） use both visual and chemical signals. For each species, we performed beha- vioral observations and quantified rates of visual and chemical behaviors. We then cryosectioned brain tissues from 9-10 males of each species and measured the soma size and density of neurons in two brain regions associated with visual behaviors （the lat- eral geniculate nucleus and the nucleus rotundus） and one region associated with chemical behaviors （the nucleus sphericus）. With analyses conducted in a phylogenetic context, we found that species that performed higher rates of visual displays had a denser lateral geniculate nucleus, and species that used a higher proportion of chemical displays had larger somas in the nucleus sphericus. These relationships suggest that neural morphologies in the brain have evolved convergently in species with similar communication behaviors .展开更多
The evolution of many morphological structures is associated with the behavioral context of their use, particularly for structures involved in copulation. Yet, few studies have considered evolutionary relationships am...The evolution of many morphological structures is associated with the behavioral context of their use, particularly for structures involved in copulation. Yet, few studies have considered evolutionary relationships among the integrated suite of structures associated with male reproduction. In this study, we examined nine species of lizards in the genus Anolis to determine whether larger copulatory morphologies and higher potential for copulatory muscle performance evolved in association with higher copulation rates. In 10--12 adult males of each species, we measured the size of the hemipenes and related muscles, the seminiferous tubules in the testes, and the renal sex segments in the kidneys, and we assessed the fiber type composition of the muscles associated with copulation. In a series of pbylogenetically-informed analyses, we used field behavioral data to determine whether observed rates of copulation were associated with these morphologies.We found that species with larger hemipenes had larger fibers in the RPM （the retractor penis magnus, a muscle that controls hemipenis movement）, and that the evolution of larg- er hemipenes and RPM fibers is associated with the evolution of higher rates of copulatory behavior. However, the sizes of the seminiferous tubules and renal sex segments, and the muscle fiber composition of the RPM, were not associated with copulation rates. Further, body size was not associated with the size of any of the reproductive structures investigated. The results of this study suggest that peripheral morphologies involved in the transfer of ejaculate may be more evolutionarily labile than internal structures involved in ejaculate production.展开更多
In this study,effects of temperature,light and their interactions on allelopathic effects and the functional traits specific leaf area(SLA)and stem mass fraction(SMF)of different allelopathic potential rice accessions...In this study,effects of temperature,light and their interactions on allelopathic effects and the functional traits specific leaf area(SLA)and stem mass fraction(SMF)of different allelopathic potential rice accessions at different growth stages were analyzed.The main results were as follows:Allelopathic responses to temperature and light varied with different allelopathic potential rice accessions at different growth stages.With the rise of temperature and the extension of photoperiod,allelopathic effect increased firstly and then decreased at 2–3 leaf stage,but increased constantly at the 4–5 and 7–8 leaf stages in strong allelopathic rice accessions[O.longistaminata,F1(O.longistaminata×RD23),F2(RL159 and RL169)].Temperature had significant impact on allelopathic effect without considering light factors,but light showed little effect on rice allelopathy at the same temperature conditions.The greatest allelopathic effect was attained with moderate temperature and long photoperiod at 2–3 leaf stage in strong allelopathic rice accessions,but all the rice accessions showed weak allelopathic effects at the low temperature condition(15oC/10oC),and the influence of different factors on allelopathy followed a general trend as temperature>leaf stage>light,indicating that among the multiple factors impacting rice allelopathy,temperature was the main factor.Allelopathic characteristics of F1 and F2 to various temperature and light were similar to O.longistaminata,showing that allelopathic genes from wild rice can be expressed in its descendants.Temperature and light also had significant effects on SLA and SMF,and rice allelopathy was closely correlative to SLA in strong allelopathic rice accessions at the 4–5 and 7–8 leaf stages,but there was no correlation between rice allelopathy and SMF at different growth stages.These results suggested that rice adjust the relationship between allelopathy and SLA and adapt to the varied environments,and that high temperature and long photoperiod can enhance rice allelopathic activity.展开更多
Cultures are beliefs, knowledge, and languages people use to communicate with others. In the same rationale, the communication betweenChinese and Western medicinal cultures is the communication between two medicinal b...Cultures are beliefs, knowledge, and languages people use to communicate with others. In the same rationale, the communication betweenChinese and Western medicinal cultures is the communication between two medicinal beliefs, knowledge, and languages. In this article,the key components of Chinese and Western cultures will be discussed to lay the foundations for better communication of TraditionalChinese Medicine (TCM) in the Western world. Besides the discussion of similarities and differences between the two cultures, the potentialof being complementary to each other in practices will be explored. Moreover, in this article, using key leadership skills to enable bettercommunication and practices of TCM in the Western world will be examined as well.展开更多
The pygmy marmoset,the smallest of the anthropoid primates,has a broad distribution in Western Amazonia.Recent studies using molecular and morphological data have identified two distinct species separated by the Napo ...The pygmy marmoset,the smallest of the anthropoid primates,has a broad distribution in Western Amazonia.Recent studies using molecular and morphological data have identified two distinct species separated by the Napo and Solimoes-Amazonas rivers.However,reconciling this new biological evidence with current taxonomy,i.e.,two subspecies,Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea(Spix,1823)and Cebuella pygmaea niveiventris(Lönnberg,1940),was problematic given the uncertainty as to whether Spix’s pygmy marmoset(Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea)was collected north or south of the Napo and Solimoes-Amazonas rivers,making it unclear to which of the two newly revealed species the name pygmaea would apply.Here,we present the first molecular data from Spix’s type specimen of Cebuella pygmaea,as well as novel mitochondrial genomes from modern pygmy marmosets sampled near the type locality(Tabatinga)on both sides of the river.With these data,we can confirm the correct names of the two species identified,i.e.,C.pygmaea for animals north of the Napo and Solimoes-Amazonas rivers and C.niveiventris for animals south of these two rivers.Phylogenetic analyses of the novel genetic data placed into the context of cytochrome b gene sequences from across the range of pygmy marmosets further led us to reevaluate the geographical distribution for the two Cebuella species.We dated the split of these two species to 2.54 million years ago.We discuss additional,more recent,subdivisions within each lineage,as well as potential contact zones between the two species in the headwaters of these rivers.展开更多
Background:Soccer match-play is typically contested over 90 min;however,in some cup and tournament scenarios,when matches are tied,they proceed to an additional 30 min,which is termed "extra-time^(ET).This system...Background:Soccer match-play is typically contested over 90 min;however,in some cup and tournament scenarios,when matches are tied,they proceed to an additional 30 min,which is termed "extra-time^(ET).This systematic review sought to appraise the literature available on 120-min of soccer-specific exercise,with a view to identifying practical recommendations and future research opportunities.Methods:The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.Independent researchers performed a systematic search of PubMed,CINAHL,and PsycINFO in May 2019,with the following keywords entered in various combinations:"soccer","football","extra-time","extra time","extratime","120 minutes","120 min","additional 30 minutes",and "additional 30 min".Results:The search yielded an initial 73 articles.Following the screening process,11 articles were accepted for analyses.Articles were subsequently organized into the following 5 categories:movement demands of ET,performance responses to ET,physiological and neuromuscular response during ET,nutritional interventions,and recovery and ET.The results highlighted that during competitive match-play,players cover5%-12% less distance relative to match duration(i.e.,meters per minute) during ET compared to the preceding 90 min.Reductions in technical performance(i.e.,shot speed,number of passes and dribbles) were also observed during ET.Additionally,carbohydrate provision may attenuate and improve dribbling performance during ET.Moreover,objective and subjective measures of recovery may be further compromised following ET when compared to 90 min.Conclusion:Additional investigations are warranted to further substantiate these findings and identify interventions to improve performance during ET.展开更多
Despite being a philosophical group since the late 60s/early 70s,Deep Ecology has failed to produce the type of change necessary to effectively combat the climate crisis.This paper examines Deep Ecology’s more spirit...Despite being a philosophical group since the late 60s/early 70s,Deep Ecology has failed to produce the type of change necessary to effectively combat the climate crisis.This paper examines Deep Ecology’s more spiritual/philosophical approach to climate change,including:their history,their advocacy for biocentric equality,and their focus on cultivating an ecological consciousness.The paper then examines major criticisms with the movement and finds that all critics come to a unifying and damning conclusion about the movement:Deep Ecology does not offer a realistic solution to the fast approaching climate crisis.Yet,Deep Ecology’s inability to solve the climate crisis does not mean the philosophical movement is a failure and bad;instead,it just shows that Deep Ecology in combination with other more tangible steps should be taken to effectively combat the current climate crisis.Reformist groups,led by former Deep Ecologists,like Social Ecology and Green Anarchism,still maintain many of the core principles of Deep Ecology;however,they include a stronger focus on how to take direct action in order to combat climate change.The reformist approach provides the best—and most realistic—solutions to the current global climate crisis.展开更多
Objective:This study is to address the health beliefs and health behavior of Chinese immigrants residing in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia(BC)Province in Canada.This article discussed Chinese immigrant...Objective:This study is to address the health beliefs and health behavior of Chinese immigrants residing in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia(BC)Province in Canada.This article discussed Chinese immigrants’traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)use,health beliefs,and health behaviors.Methods:Information used in this study is based on data collected in the Chinese-speaking community in the Greater Vancouver area of BC in 2020–2022.Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to this study.The first stage recruited 314 participants for the quantitative study to cross-validate an instrument tool,followed by the 2nd stage of 20 stratified random sampling out of the 314 participants for TCM-related in-depth qualitative interviews.This study focuses on the second stage of TCM qualitative interviews.Results:Results indicated that TCM health beliefs have cultural and spiritual meanings tied to the Chinese-speaking participants.There are barriers for the Chinese-speaking population to access the existing healthcare services due to their TCM health beliefs and other health needs,for example,family doctors,integrated medicine for better health outcomes,and mental health services especially during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Conclusion:Integrating TCM health beliefs and behaviors of Chinese-speaking immigrants into existing Canadian mainstream health services are strongly recommended.展开更多
The peptide β-Amyloid (β-A) is known to be one of the primary factors causing neurodegeneration in the Alzheimer disease. Hence, one would like to know the factors that would increase or decrease the toxicity of β-...The peptide β-Amyloid (β-A) is known to be one of the primary factors causing neurodegeneration in the Alzheimer disease. Hence, one would like to know the factors that would increase or decrease the toxicity of β-Amyloid in the brain. One of the factors that are debated in the literature is cholesterol, where it is not clear if modulating the levels of cholesterol would affect the degree of toxicity of β-Amyloid on neuron cells in the brain. In order to investigate this problem, data were collected and analyzed for three types of experiments: 1) Correspondence between cholesterol and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) measurements;2) measurements of the relative fluorescence unit (RFU) with respect to MβCD concentration (with/without β-A);and 3) RFU measurements with respect to β-A concentration (with/without MβCD). HT22 hippocampal neurons immortalized with the simian virus SV-40 large T-antigen plasmid vector were used to conduct the experiments. Mito-ID Membrane potential cytotoxicity was used as a measure of mitochondrial potential change. The statistical analysis of the presented experimental results indicates that cholesterol has no statistically significant effect on the degree of toxicity of β-Amyloid.展开更多
The reasons behind states＇ ratification of intemational human rights agreements have been the object of extensive investigations. However, it has also been proven that states＇ initial commitment to human rights trea...The reasons behind states＇ ratification of intemational human rights agreements have been the object of extensive investigations. However, it has also been proven that states＇ initial commitment to human rights treaties does not necessarily lead to improved human rights standards. Indeed, a systematic analysis of the annual reports and concluding observations of the committees overseeing compliance with the international human rights instruments shows that, often, states members fall under the scrutiny of the UN treaty based bodies for not abiding by the terms of the agreements. The author contends that, although ratification of human rights treaties is an important component of compliance with human rights, vague international human rights standards and a weak international enforcement system, create meaningless commitments, only enforceable by internationally aligned national legislation. This study proposes a systematic analysis of the UN human rights treaties committees＇ reports and concluding observations to understand what happens within the domestic legislation once states become members of international human rights agreements.展开更多
Aspergillus species and aflatoxins production are more prevalent during times of high heat and drought. In South Africa, there is frequent occurrence of drought as a result of climate change. The aim of this study was...Aspergillus species and aflatoxins production are more prevalent during times of high heat and drought. In South Africa, there is frequent occurrence of drought as a result of climate change. The aim of this study was to investigate the biodiversity and distribution of Aspergillus species with their corresponding toxins in maize from main maize producing regions of South Africa;[Western Regions (WR) and Eastern Regions (ER)]. One hundred and twenty-three (64 from WR and 59 from ER) maize samples from the two agro-climatic regions in South Africa were analyzed using cultural, molecular and analytical methods. Across agro-climatic regions, Aspergillus species contaminated about 62% of the maize samples, while Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent (47.15%) followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (4.69%) while the least was Aspergillus parasiticus (0.81%). The Western Regions showed a higher distribution of varieties of Aspergillus species compared to the Eastern Regions. Aflatoxins contaminated only 27.64% of the maize samples with a mean total aflatoxin concentration of 2.40 μg/kg which is below the South Africa’s set standard for total aflatoxin in food (5 μg/kg). About 10.57% of the samples produce aflatoxins above the 5 μg/kg permissible limit for total aflatoxin in foods. The ratio of toxigenic to atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus was generally low in all the regions of South Africa. This study could aid policy makers to make informed decisions in developing remediation strategies for Aspergillus mycotoxins.展开更多
Japanese aggressive war committed extremely serious crimes, which brought miserable experiences and damage to Asian people including Chinese. Undoubtedly war crimes committed by the government and the army of Japan we...Japanese aggressive war committed extremely serious crimes, which brought miserable experiences and damage to Asian people including Chinese. Undoubtedly war crimes committed by the government and the army of Japan were the violation of human rights physically and emotionally. However, Japan refused to admit these crimes and even made excuses postwar, which constituted further violation of human rights. If Japan respected human rights, took the responsibility and apologized for what they’ve done, it would help those nations recover from trauma and contribute to build more peaceful relationships among nations.展开更多
This article provides an in-depth discussion of the impact of general practice nursing on the lives of patients with chronic diseases.General Nursing is an integrated model of care that encompasses health,prevention,r...This article provides an in-depth discussion of the impact of general practice nursing on the lives of patients with chronic diseases.General Nursing is an integrated model of care that encompasses health,prevention,rehabilitation and nursing,focusing on the patient's overall health and long-term care needs.Patients with chronic diseases often face physiological,psychological,social and economic challenges,such as decreased physiological function,frequent psychological problems,impaired social skills,and increased economic burden.General practice nursing actively improves the physiological health of patients by regularly monitoring physiological indicators,providing pain management and comfort improvement,and preventing complications.At the same time,it also provides psychological counseling,emotion regulation training,and helps patients build a positive mindset.In addition,general practice nursing focuses on the involvement of family members,the use of community resources,and the enhancement of social support for patients.Economically,general practice reduces the burden on patients by reducing the number of hospitalizations and improving the efficiency of medical resource utilization.In summary,general practice nursing has a positive impact on the lives of people with chronic diseases and helps to improve their quality of life.展开更多
This article mainly discusses the application prospects and suggestions of DeepSeek in theoretical teaching of nursing.DeepSeek,with core technologies such as natural language processing,machine learning,and deep lear...This article mainly discusses the application prospects and suggestions of DeepSeek in theoretical teaching of nursing.DeepSeek,with core technologies such as natural language processing,machine learning,and deep learning,can provide personalized learning plans,real-time feedback,and curriculum generation,bringing innovation to nursing education.The article proposes application suggestions such as using DeepSeek to create customized learning materials,optimizing teaching content and presentation methods,enhancing teaching interactivity,and emphasizes the importance of protecting student privacy and following ethical norms.At the same time,the article also points out strategies that combine traditional teaching methods,such as integrating online and offline teaching and leveraging the leading role of teachers.展开更多
The teaching evaluation system is an important mechanism for the quality assurance of nursing education,which can comprehensively and systematically evaluate the learning effectiveness of students,the teaching quality...The teaching evaluation system is an important mechanism for the quality assurance of nursing education,which can comprehensively and systematically evaluate the learning effectiveness of students,the teaching quality of teachers,and the scientificity of curriculum design.However,the current evaluation system has some problems,such as the singleness and one-sidedness of evaluation criteria,the limitations and deficiencies of evaluation methods,the singleness and subjectivity of evaluation subjects,the insufficient feedback and application of evaluation results,the disconnection between evaluation system and clinical practice,and the lack of continuous improvement mechanism.In order to promote the continuous improvement of the quality of nursing education,this paper proposes optimization strategies such as establishing diversified evaluation criteria,innovating evaluation methods and technologies,strengthening the feedback and application of evaluation results,strengthening the connection between evaluation system and clinical practice,and establishing an evaluation mechanism for continuous improvement.展开更多
In this paper, a semi-parametric regression model with an adaptive LASSO penalty imposed on both the linear and the nonlinear components of the mode is considered. The model is rewritten so that a signed-rank techniqu...In this paper, a semi-parametric regression model with an adaptive LASSO penalty imposed on both the linear and the nonlinear components of the mode is considered. The model is rewritten so that a signed-rank technique can be used for estimation. The nonlinear part consists of a covariate that enters the model nonlinearly via an unknown function that is estimated using Bsplines. The author shows that the resulting estimator is consistent under heavy-tailed distributions and asymptotic normality results are given. Monte Carlo simulations as well as practical applications are studied to assess the validity of the proposed estimation method.展开更多
文摘Bio-cement and bio-concrete are innovative solutions for sustainable construction, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the durability and versatility of building materials. Bio-cement is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cement, produced through Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), which mimics natural biomineralization processes. This method reduces CO2 emissions and enhances the strength and durability of construction materials. Bio-concrete incorporates bio-cement into concrete, creating a self-healing material. When cracks form in bio-concrete, dormant bacteria within the material become active in the presence of water, producing limestone to fill the cracks, extending the material’s lifespan and reducing the need for repairs. The environmental impact of traditional cement production is significant, with cement generation accounting for up to 8% of global carbon emissions. Creative solutions are needed to develop more sustainable construction materials, with some efforts using modern innovations to make concrete ultra-durable and others turning to science to create affordable bio-cement. The research demonstrates the potential of bio-cement to revolutionize sustainable building practices by offering a low-energy, low-emission alternative to traditional cement while also addressing environmental concerns. The findings suggest promising applications in various construction scenarios, including earthquake-prone areas, by enhancing material durability and longevity through self-repair mechanisms.
基金We thank the members of the Johnson Lab at Trinity University for assistance in the field and labor- atory - particularly Bonnie Kircher, Alisa Dill, Michelle Ob- emdorf, Adam Silva, Taren Blackmon, Jordan Bush, McKen- zie Quinn, EUee Cook, Grayam Sailor-Tynes, and Collin Shinkle. We also thank David Ribble, Troy Murphy, Jimmy Roberts, Kevin McIntyre, and three reviewers for comments on an earlier version of this work, and Kevin McIntyre and Kimberly Phillips for statistical advice. This work was funded by a Sigma Xi GIAR （to C.D.R.）, a Trinity University Mind Science Foundation grant （to C.D.R.）, Trinity University＇s HHMI and Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fel- lowships （to C.D.R.）, Texas Ecolab, and the National Science Foundation （IOS 1257021 to M.A.J.）. All procedures were approved by Trinity University＇s Animal Research Committee （protocol # 050213_MAJ2）.
文摘Animals communicate information within their environments via visual, chemical, auditory, and/or tactile modalities. The use of each modalityis generally linked to particular brain regions, but it is not yet known whether the cellular morphology of neurons in these regions has evolved in association with the relative use of a modality.We investigated relationships between the behavioral use of communication modalities and neural morphologies in six lizard species. Two of these species （Anolis carol# nensis and Leiocephalus carinatus） primarily use visual signals to communicate with conspecifics and detect potential prey, and two （Aspidoscelis gularis and Scincella lateralis） communicate and forage primarily using chemical signals. Two other species （Hemidactylus turcicus and Sceloporus olivaceus） use both visual and chemical signals. For each species, we performed beha- vioral observations and quantified rates of visual and chemical behaviors. We then cryosectioned brain tissues from 9-10 males of each species and measured the soma size and density of neurons in two brain regions associated with visual behaviors （the lat- eral geniculate nucleus and the nucleus rotundus） and one region associated with chemical behaviors （the nucleus sphericus）. With analyses conducted in a phylogenetic context, we found that species that performed higher rates of visual displays had a denser lateral geniculate nucleus, and species that used a higher proportion of chemical displays had larger somas in the nucleus sphericus. These relationships suggest that neural morphologies in the brain have evolved convergently in species with similar communication behaviors .
文摘The evolution of many morphological structures is associated with the behavioral context of their use, particularly for structures involved in copulation. Yet, few studies have considered evolutionary relationships among the integrated suite of structures associated with male reproduction. In this study, we examined nine species of lizards in the genus Anolis to determine whether larger copulatory morphologies and higher potential for copulatory muscle performance evolved in association with higher copulation rates. In 10--12 adult males of each species, we measured the size of the hemipenes and related muscles, the seminiferous tubules in the testes, and the renal sex segments in the kidneys, and we assessed the fiber type composition of the muscles associated with copulation. In a series of pbylogenetically-informed analyses, we used field behavioral data to determine whether observed rates of copulation were associated with these morphologies.We found that species with larger hemipenes had larger fibers in the RPM （the retractor penis magnus, a muscle that controls hemipenis movement）, and that the evolution of larg- er hemipenes and RPM fibers is associated with the evolution of higher rates of copulatory behavior. However, the sizes of the seminiferous tubules and renal sex segments, and the muscle fiber composition of the RPM, were not associated with copulation rates. Further, body size was not associated with the size of any of the reproductive structures investigated. The results of this study suggest that peripheral morphologies involved in the transfer of ejaculate may be more evolutionarily labile than internal structures involved in ejaculate production.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31260453)the Science and Technology Innovation Talents Project of Yunnan Province, China (Grant No. 2014HB039)
文摘In this study,effects of temperature,light and their interactions on allelopathic effects and the functional traits specific leaf area(SLA)and stem mass fraction(SMF)of different allelopathic potential rice accessions at different growth stages were analyzed.The main results were as follows:Allelopathic responses to temperature and light varied with different allelopathic potential rice accessions at different growth stages.With the rise of temperature and the extension of photoperiod,allelopathic effect increased firstly and then decreased at 2–3 leaf stage,but increased constantly at the 4–5 and 7–8 leaf stages in strong allelopathic rice accessions[O.longistaminata,F1(O.longistaminata×RD23),F2(RL159 and RL169)].Temperature had significant impact on allelopathic effect without considering light factors,but light showed little effect on rice allelopathy at the same temperature conditions.The greatest allelopathic effect was attained with moderate temperature and long photoperiod at 2–3 leaf stage in strong allelopathic rice accessions,but all the rice accessions showed weak allelopathic effects at the low temperature condition(15oC/10oC),and the influence of different factors on allelopathy followed a general trend as temperature>leaf stage>light,indicating that among the multiple factors impacting rice allelopathy,temperature was the main factor.Allelopathic characteristics of F1 and F2 to various temperature and light were similar to O.longistaminata,showing that allelopathic genes from wild rice can be expressed in its descendants.Temperature and light also had significant effects on SLA and SMF,and rice allelopathy was closely correlative to SLA in strong allelopathic rice accessions at the 4–5 and 7–8 leaf stages,but there was no correlation between rice allelopathy and SMF at different growth stages.These results suggested that rice adjust the relationship between allelopathy and SLA and adapt to the varied environments,and that high temperature and long photoperiod can enhance rice allelopathic activity.
文摘Cultures are beliefs, knowledge, and languages people use to communicate with others. In the same rationale, the communication betweenChinese and Western medicinal cultures is the communication between two medicinal beliefs, knowledge, and languages. In this article,the key components of Chinese and Western cultures will be discussed to lay the foundations for better communication of TraditionalChinese Medicine (TCM) in the Western world. Besides the discussion of similarities and differences between the two cultures, the potentialof being complementary to each other in practices will be explored. Moreover, in this article, using key leadership skills to enable bettercommunication and practices of TCM in the Western world will be examined as well.
基金This study was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa,Brazil(563348/2010)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(3261/2013)+2 种基金NSF(1241066)FAPESP(12/50260-6)NERC(NE/T000341/1)。
文摘The pygmy marmoset,the smallest of the anthropoid primates,has a broad distribution in Western Amazonia.Recent studies using molecular and morphological data have identified two distinct species separated by the Napo and Solimoes-Amazonas rivers.However,reconciling this new biological evidence with current taxonomy,i.e.,two subspecies,Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea(Spix,1823)and Cebuella pygmaea niveiventris(Lönnberg,1940),was problematic given the uncertainty as to whether Spix’s pygmy marmoset(Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea)was collected north or south of the Napo and Solimoes-Amazonas rivers,making it unclear to which of the two newly revealed species the name pygmaea would apply.Here,we present the first molecular data from Spix’s type specimen of Cebuella pygmaea,as well as novel mitochondrial genomes from modern pygmy marmosets sampled near the type locality(Tabatinga)on both sides of the river.With these data,we can confirm the correct names of the two species identified,i.e.,C.pygmaea for animals north of the Napo and Solimoes-Amazonas rivers and C.niveiventris for animals south of these two rivers.Phylogenetic analyses of the novel genetic data placed into the context of cytochrome b gene sequences from across the range of pygmy marmosets further led us to reevaluate the geographical distribution for the two Cebuella species.We dated the split of these two species to 2.54 million years ago.We discuss additional,more recent,subdivisions within each lineage,as well as potential contact zones between the two species in the headwaters of these rivers.
文摘Background:Soccer match-play is typically contested over 90 min;however,in some cup and tournament scenarios,when matches are tied,they proceed to an additional 30 min,which is termed "extra-time^(ET).This systematic review sought to appraise the literature available on 120-min of soccer-specific exercise,with a view to identifying practical recommendations and future research opportunities.Methods:The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.Independent researchers performed a systematic search of PubMed,CINAHL,and PsycINFO in May 2019,with the following keywords entered in various combinations:"soccer","football","extra-time","extra time","extratime","120 minutes","120 min","additional 30 minutes",and "additional 30 min".Results:The search yielded an initial 73 articles.Following the screening process,11 articles were accepted for analyses.Articles were subsequently organized into the following 5 categories:movement demands of ET,performance responses to ET,physiological and neuromuscular response during ET,nutritional interventions,and recovery and ET.The results highlighted that during competitive match-play,players cover5%-12% less distance relative to match duration(i.e.,meters per minute) during ET compared to the preceding 90 min.Reductions in technical performance(i.e.,shot speed,number of passes and dribbles) were also observed during ET.Additionally,carbohydrate provision may attenuate and improve dribbling performance during ET.Moreover,objective and subjective measures of recovery may be further compromised following ET when compared to 90 min.Conclusion:Additional investigations are warranted to further substantiate these findings and identify interventions to improve performance during ET.
文摘Despite being a philosophical group since the late 60s/early 70s,Deep Ecology has failed to produce the type of change necessary to effectively combat the climate crisis.This paper examines Deep Ecology’s more spiritual/philosophical approach to climate change,including:their history,their advocacy for biocentric equality,and their focus on cultivating an ecological consciousness.The paper then examines major criticisms with the movement and finds that all critics come to a unifying and damning conclusion about the movement:Deep Ecology does not offer a realistic solution to the fast approaching climate crisis.Yet,Deep Ecology’s inability to solve the climate crisis does not mean the philosophical movement is a failure and bad;instead,it just shows that Deep Ecology in combination with other more tangible steps should be taken to effectively combat the current climate crisis.Reformist groups,led by former Deep Ecologists,like Social Ecology and Green Anarchism,still maintain many of the core principles of Deep Ecology;however,they include a stronger focus on how to take direct action in order to combat climate change.The reformist approach provides the best—and most realistic—solutions to the current global climate crisis.
基金This research project entitled “Cross-cultural Validation Methods for Generic PROMS”(PCM-010) was funded for 2020–2022 by the BC Support Unit Methods Cluster under Michael Smith Health Research BC
文摘Objective:This study is to address the health beliefs and health behavior of Chinese immigrants residing in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia(BC)Province in Canada.This article discussed Chinese immigrants’traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)use,health beliefs,and health behaviors.Methods:Information used in this study is based on data collected in the Chinese-speaking community in the Greater Vancouver area of BC in 2020–2022.Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to this study.The first stage recruited 314 participants for the quantitative study to cross-validate an instrument tool,followed by the 2nd stage of 20 stratified random sampling out of the 314 participants for TCM-related in-depth qualitative interviews.This study focuses on the second stage of TCM qualitative interviews.Results:Results indicated that TCM health beliefs have cultural and spiritual meanings tied to the Chinese-speaking participants.There are barriers for the Chinese-speaking population to access the existing healthcare services due to their TCM health beliefs and other health needs,for example,family doctors,integrated medicine for better health outcomes,and mental health services especially during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Conclusion:Integrating TCM health beliefs and behaviors of Chinese-speaking immigrants into existing Canadian mainstream health services are strongly recommended.
文摘The peptide β-Amyloid (β-A) is known to be one of the primary factors causing neurodegeneration in the Alzheimer disease. Hence, one would like to know the factors that would increase or decrease the toxicity of β-Amyloid in the brain. One of the factors that are debated in the literature is cholesterol, where it is not clear if modulating the levels of cholesterol would affect the degree of toxicity of β-Amyloid on neuron cells in the brain. In order to investigate this problem, data were collected and analyzed for three types of experiments: 1) Correspondence between cholesterol and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) measurements;2) measurements of the relative fluorescence unit (RFU) with respect to MβCD concentration (with/without β-A);and 3) RFU measurements with respect to β-A concentration (with/without MβCD). HT22 hippocampal neurons immortalized with the simian virus SV-40 large T-antigen plasmid vector were used to conduct the experiments. Mito-ID Membrane potential cytotoxicity was used as a measure of mitochondrial potential change. The statistical analysis of the presented experimental results indicates that cholesterol has no statistically significant effect on the degree of toxicity of β-Amyloid.
文摘The reasons behind states＇ ratification of intemational human rights agreements have been the object of extensive investigations. However, it has also been proven that states＇ initial commitment to human rights treaties does not necessarily lead to improved human rights standards. Indeed, a systematic analysis of the annual reports and concluding observations of the committees overseeing compliance with the international human rights instruments shows that, often, states members fall under the scrutiny of the UN treaty based bodies for not abiding by the terms of the agreements. The author contends that, although ratification of human rights treaties is an important component of compliance with human rights, vague international human rights standards and a weak international enforcement system, create meaningless commitments, only enforceable by internationally aligned national legislation. This study proposes a systematic analysis of the UN human rights treaties committees＇ reports and concluding observations to understand what happens within the domestic legislation once states become members of international human rights agreements.
文摘Aspergillus species and aflatoxins production are more prevalent during times of high heat and drought. In South Africa, there is frequent occurrence of drought as a result of climate change. The aim of this study was to investigate the biodiversity and distribution of Aspergillus species with their corresponding toxins in maize from main maize producing regions of South Africa;[Western Regions (WR) and Eastern Regions (ER)]. One hundred and twenty-three (64 from WR and 59 from ER) maize samples from the two agro-climatic regions in South Africa were analyzed using cultural, molecular and analytical methods. Across agro-climatic regions, Aspergillus species contaminated about 62% of the maize samples, while Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent (47.15%) followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (4.69%) while the least was Aspergillus parasiticus (0.81%). The Western Regions showed a higher distribution of varieties of Aspergillus species compared to the Eastern Regions. Aflatoxins contaminated only 27.64% of the maize samples with a mean total aflatoxin concentration of 2.40 μg/kg which is below the South Africa’s set standard for total aflatoxin in food (5 μg/kg). About 10.57% of the samples produce aflatoxins above the 5 μg/kg permissible limit for total aflatoxin in foods. The ratio of toxigenic to atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus was generally low in all the regions of South Africa. This study could aid policy makers to make informed decisions in developing remediation strategies for Aspergillus mycotoxins.
文摘Japanese aggressive war committed extremely serious crimes, which brought miserable experiences and damage to Asian people including Chinese. Undoubtedly war crimes committed by the government and the army of Japan were the violation of human rights physically and emotionally. However, Japan refused to admit these crimes and even made excuses postwar, which constituted further violation of human rights. If Japan respected human rights, took the responsibility and apologized for what they’ve done, it would help those nations recover from trauma and contribute to build more peaceful relationships among nations.
文摘This article provides an in-depth discussion of the impact of general practice nursing on the lives of patients with chronic diseases.General Nursing is an integrated model of care that encompasses health,prevention,rehabilitation and nursing,focusing on the patient's overall health and long-term care needs.Patients with chronic diseases often face physiological,psychological,social and economic challenges,such as decreased physiological function,frequent psychological problems,impaired social skills,and increased economic burden.General practice nursing actively improves the physiological health of patients by regularly monitoring physiological indicators,providing pain management and comfort improvement,and preventing complications.At the same time,it also provides psychological counseling,emotion regulation training,and helps patients build a positive mindset.In addition,general practice nursing focuses on the involvement of family members,the use of community resources,and the enhancement of social support for patients.Economically,general practice reduces the burden on patients by reducing the number of hospitalizations and improving the efficiency of medical resource utilization.In summary,general practice nursing has a positive impact on the lives of people with chronic diseases and helps to improve their quality of life.
文摘This article mainly discusses the application prospects and suggestions of DeepSeek in theoretical teaching of nursing.DeepSeek,with core technologies such as natural language processing,machine learning,and deep learning,can provide personalized learning plans,real-time feedback,and curriculum generation,bringing innovation to nursing education.The article proposes application suggestions such as using DeepSeek to create customized learning materials,optimizing teaching content and presentation methods,enhancing teaching interactivity,and emphasizes the importance of protecting student privacy and following ethical norms.At the same time,the article also points out strategies that combine traditional teaching methods,such as integrating online and offline teaching and leveraging the leading role of teachers.
文摘The teaching evaluation system is an important mechanism for the quality assurance of nursing education,which can comprehensively and systematically evaluate the learning effectiveness of students,the teaching quality of teachers,and the scientificity of curriculum design.However,the current evaluation system has some problems,such as the singleness and one-sidedness of evaluation criteria,the limitations and deficiencies of evaluation methods,the singleness and subjectivity of evaluation subjects,the insufficient feedback and application of evaluation results,the disconnection between evaluation system and clinical practice,and the lack of continuous improvement mechanism.In order to promote the continuous improvement of the quality of nursing education,this paper proposes optimization strategies such as establishing diversified evaluation criteria,innovating evaluation methods and technologies,strengthening the feedback and application of evaluation results,strengthening the connection between evaluation system and clinical practice,and establishing an evaluation mechanism for continuous improvement.
文摘In this paper, a semi-parametric regression model with an adaptive LASSO penalty imposed on both the linear and the nonlinear components of the mode is considered. The model is rewritten so that a signed-rank technique can be used for estimation. The nonlinear part consists of a covariate that enters the model nonlinearly via an unknown function that is estimated using Bsplines. The author shows that the resulting estimator is consistent under heavy-tailed distributions and asymptotic normality results are given. Monte Carlo simulations as well as practical applications are studied to assess the validity of the proposed estimation method.
