Gene duplications provide evolutionary potentials for generating novel functions, while polyploidization or whole genome duplication （WGD） doubles the chromosomes initially and results in hundreds to thousands of re...Gene duplications provide evolutionary potentials for generating novel functions, while polyploidization or whole genome duplication （WGD） doubles the chromosomes initially and results in hundreds to thousands of retained duplicates. WGDs are strongly supported by evidence commonly found in many species-rich lineages of eukaryotes, and thus are considered as a major driving force in species diversification. We per- formed comparative genomic and phylogenomic analyses of 59 public genomes/transcriptomes and 46 newly sequenced transcriptomes covering major lineages of angiosperms to detect large-scale gene dupli- cation events by surveying tens of thousands of gene family trees. These analyses confirmed most of the previously reported WGDs and provided strong evidence for novel ones in many lineages. The detected WGDs supported a model of exponential gene loss during evolution with an estimated half-life of approx- imately 21.6 million years, and were correlated with both the emergence of lineages with high degrees of diversification and periods of global climate changes. The new datasets and analyses detected many novel WGDs widely spread during angiosperm evolution, uncovered preferential retention of gene functions in essential cellular metabolisms, and provided clues for the roles of WGD in promoting angiosperm radiation and enhancing their adaptation to environmental changes.展开更多
Background:China's coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide.The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands.Methods:The China Coa...Background:China's coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide.The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands.Methods:The China Coastal Waterbird Census was organized by volunteer birdwatchers in China's coastal region.Waterbirds were surveyed synchronously once every month at 14 sites,as well as irregularly at a further 18 sites,between September 2005 and December 2013.Results:A total of 75 species of waterbirds met the 1 % population level Ramsar listing criterion at least once at one site.The number of birds of the following species accounted for over 20 % of the total flyway populations at a single site:Mute Swan(Cygnus olor),Siberia Crane(Grus leucogeranus),Far Eastern Oystercatcher(Haematopus osculans),Bar-tailed Godwit(Limosa lapponica),Spotted Greenshank(Tringa guttifer),Great Knot(Calidris tenuirostris),Spoon-billed Sandpiper(Calidris pygmeus),Saunders' s Gull(Larus saundersi),Relict Gull(Larus relictus),Great Cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo),Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia),Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor) and Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus).A total of 26 sites supported at least one species of which their number met the1 % criterion.Forty-two species met the 1 % criterion in the Yellow River Delta,Shandong;29 at the Cangzhou coast,Hebei and 26 species at the Lianyungang coast,Jiangsu.Conclusions:The results highlight the international importance of China's coastal wetlands for waterbirds.This study also demonstrates that participation of local birdwatchers in waterbird surveys results in data that are invaluable not only for understanding the current status of waterbirds in China's coastal regions but also for waterbird conservation and management.展开更多
We describe the current plans for a spectroscopic survey of millions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy using the Guo Shou Jing Telescope （GSJT, formerly calledthe Large sky Area Multi-Object fiber Spectroscopic Telesc...We describe the current plans for a spectroscopic survey of millions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy using the Guo Shou Jing Telescope （GSJT, formerly calledthe Large sky Area Multi-Object fiber Spectroscopic Telescope -- LAMOST）. The survey will obtain spectra for 2.5 million stars brighter than r 〈 19 during dark/grey time, and 5 million stars brighter than r 〈 17 or J 〈 16 on nights that are moonlit or have low transparency. The survey will begin in the fall of 2012, and will run for at least four years. The telescope＇s design constrains the optimal declination range for observations to 10~ 〈 di 〈 50~, and site conditions lead to an emphasis on stars in the direction of the Galactic anticenter. The survey is divided into three parts with different target selection strategies： disk, anticenter, and spheroid. The resulting dataset will be used to study the merger history of the Milky Way, the substructure and evolution of the disks, the nature of the first generation of stars through identification of the lowest metallicity stars, and star formation through study of open clusters and OB associations. Detailed design of the LAMOST Experiment for Galactic Understanding and Exploration （LEGUE） survey will be completed in summer 2012, after a review of the results of the pilot survey.展开更多
This paper studies the thermoluminescence (TL) dating of the ancient por- celain using a regression method of saturation exponential in the pre-dose technique. The experimental results show that the measured errors ar...This paper studies the thermoluminescence (TL) dating of the ancient por- celain using a regression method of saturation exponential in the pre-dose technique. The experimental results show that the measured errors are 15% (±1σ) for the paleodose and 17% (±1σ) for the annual dose respectively, and the TL age error is 23% (±1σ) in this method. The larger Chinese porcelains from the museum and the nation-wide collectors have been dated by this method. The results show that the certainty about the authenticity testing is larger than 95%, and the measurable porcelains make up about 95% of the por- celain dated. It is very successful in discrimination for the imitations of ancient Chinese porcelains. This paper describes the measured principle and method for the paleodose of porcelains. The TL ages are dated by this method for the 39 shards and porcelains from past dynasties of China and the detailed data in the measurement are reported.展开更多
The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is considered the most critically endangered crocodilian as a result of the near total loss of its habitat and its extremely small and fragmented wild populations. Plans for ...The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is considered the most critically endangered crocodilian as a result of the near total loss of its habitat and its extremely small and fragmented wild populations. Plans for population recovery lie mostly with wetland res- toration and the reintroduction of captive-reared animals. We carried out a first-trial release of 3 adult Chinese alligators (1♂, 2♀) into a pond at the Hongxing conservation site, Xuancheng, southern Anhui Province; the animals were radio-tracked from May to October in 2003. We hypothesized that after a period of adaptation, the alligators would establish definable home ranges. Two (1♂, 1♀) of the 3 alligators were monitored for the whole of the tracking period. The male had an annual home-range size of 7.61 hm2, and the female 4.00 hm2. Water temperature and pond water level were two important factors influencing the alligators' distributions, and daily movements. The radio-tracked alligators had overlapping home ranges, which notably included the one substantial island in the pond; that island is the only known nesting site of the local native wild alligators. Aggressive interactions between the released alligators and native wild alligators were observed during the breeding season around this island. All the three reintroduced alligators survived the winter of 2003 and were alive in the same pond in 2008. We concluded that the Hongxing conservation site provided a suitable habitat for the reintroduced alligators. However, the low water level in the pond resulting from farmland irrigation in August and September can be a substantial threat to the alligators' survival. Therefore, regu- lations on irrigation in summer and autumn are needed to balance the water needs of the alligators and agriculture.展开更多
Human meridian(Jingluo)system was hypothesized by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for thousands of years,suggest-ing 12 normal meridian channels going through respective organs,carrying fluid and energy,and laying th...Human meridian(Jingluo)system was hypothesized by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for thousands of years,suggest-ing 12 normal meridian channels going through respective organs,carrying fluid and energy,and laying thermal effects.Some treatments based on meridians have been proved effective.However,existence of meridians has never been confirmed,let alone the lack of measurement for meridian phenotypes.Thermal effect is one of the major phenotypes of meridian metabo-lism.Infrared photograph was employed to display the picture of meridians since 1970.Unfortunately,no satisfactory results have been obtained.It is possible that only when a certain meridian is activated will there be thermal effect for successful infrared photograph.In this study,13 types of tea were selected out of the herbs to activate the hypothesized 12 meridians for imagery taking.Forty-two volunteers took part in the experiment lasted for 13 days.Different tea was tested in different day.Infrared imageries of the human bodies were taken immediately after each tea was drunk.The highest temperatures of the fingers,palms,and above the organs were derived from the imageries and analyzed.The temperatures of the organs and fingers possibly connected by 12 hypothesized meridians rose together significantly following the meridian hypothesis.Infrared imageries showed quite clear shapes of the organs activated by different kinds of tea,e.g.,heart and kidneys by yel-low tea,etc.Some high temperature lines also matched the hypothetic meridians.Our work displayed the probable imageries of all the 12 hypothetic meridians for the first time,and proved with data that different foods may activate different organs following the meridian hypothesis,shedding light on a possible new method of targeted drug designs.Measurements of meridian phenotypes can be developed based on this method of activation.展开更多
The scientific names of organisms are key identifiers of plants and animals.Correctly treating scientific names is a prerequisite for biodiversity research and documentation.Here,we present an R package,’U.Taxonstand...The scientific names of organisms are key identifiers of plants and animals.Correctly treating scientific names is a prerequisite for biodiversity research and documentation.Here,we present an R package,’U.Taxonstand’,which can standardize and harmonize scientific names in plant and animal species lists at a fast speed and at a high rate of matching success.Unlike most of other similar R packages each of which works with only one taxonomic database,U.Taxonstand can work with all taxonomic databases,as long as they are properly formatted.Multiple databases for plants and animals that can be directly used by U.Taxonstand,which include bryophytes,vascular plants,amphibians,birds,fishes,mammals,and reptiles,are available online.U.Taxonstand can be a very useful tool for botanists,zoologists,ecologists and biogeographers to standardize and harmonize scientific names of organisms.展开更多
Background:Historically,the target in the schistosomiasis control has shifted from infection to morbidity,then back to infection,but now as a public health problem,before moving on to transmission control.Currently,al...Background:Historically,the target in the schistosomiasis control has shifted from infection to morbidity,then back to infection,but now as a public health problem,before moving on to transmission control.Currently,all endemic countries are encouraged to increase control efforts and move towards elimination as required by the World Health Organization(WHO)roadmap for the global control of the neglected tropical diseases(NTDs)and the WHA65.21 resolution issued by the World Health Assembly.However,schistosomiasis prevalence is still alarmingly high and the global number of disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)due to this infection has in fact increased due to inclusion of some‘subtle’clinical symptoms not previously counted.Main body:There is a need to restart and improve efforts to reach the elimination goal.To that end,the first conference of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance(GSA)Research Working Group was held in mid-June 2016 in Shanghai,People’s Republic of China.It reviewed current progress in schistosomiasis control and elimination,identified pressing operational research gaps that need to be addressed and discussed new tools and strategies required to make elimination a reality.The articles emanating from the lectures and discussions during this meeting,together with some additional invited papers,have been collected as a special issue of the‘Infectious Diseases of Poverty’entitled‘Schistosomiasis Research:Providing the Tools Needed for Elimination’,consisting of 26 papers in all.This paper refers to these papers and discusses critical questions arising at the conference related to elimination of schistosomiasis.Conclusion:The currently most burning questions are the following:Can schistosomiasis be eliminated?Does it require better,more highly sensitive diagnostics?What is the role of preventive chemotherapy at the elimination stage?Is praziquantel sufficient or do we need new drugs?Contemplating these questions,it is felt that the heterogeneity of the endemic areas in the world requires WH展开更多
With the advancement of modern science and technology, large scientific facilities are increasingly oriented toward demand and application, and can be used for basic research as well as serving multiple disciplines. D...With the advancement of modern science and technology, large scientific facilities are increasingly oriented toward demand and application, and can be used for basic research as well as serving multiple disciplines. Developing large scientific facilities and related analytical technologies enhances understanding of large scientific facilities and popularizes their application in research across multiple disciplines. The combination of light or neutron sources from large scientific facilities and advanced analytical technologies can be achieved for materials structure information, dynamics study of chemical reactions, high dissociation of biomolecules, 3D visualization of energy materials or biological samples, etc. We first introduce the progress of domestic large scientific facilities of synchrotron radiation(SR) and free electron lasers(FELs) with different wavelengths and neutron sources.We further discuss the comparison between Chinese and typical foreign facilities in X-ray radiation from X-ray tubes, synchrotrons, X-ray FELs, and neutron sources based on physical parameters of light and neutron sources. In addition, we focus on the technological progress and perspectives combined with advanced X-ray radiation and neutron sources of large scientific facilities in China, especially in the nanoscience fields of energy catalysis and biological science. We hope that this roadmap will provide references on technology and methods to experimental users, as well as prospects for future development of technologies based on large research infrastructure facilities. Comprehensive studies and guidelines for basic research to practical application in various disciplines can be made with the assistance of large scientific facilities.展开更多
Increasing field experiments have been conducted in forests to better understand the response of plant growth and photosynthesis to climatic warming. However,it is still unknown whether there is a general pattern in r...Increasing field experiments have been conducted in forests to better understand the response of plant growth and photosynthesis to climatic warming. However,it is still unknown whether there is a general pattern in relation to how and to what extent warming impacts woody plants in forests. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the warming effects. When temperatures increased between 0.3 and 10 ℃, specific leaf area(SLA) was significantly increased by 5.9%, plant height by 7.8%, biomass by 21.9%, foliar calcium(Ca) and manganese(Mn) concentrations by 20.7% and 39.6% and net photosynthetic rate(Pn) by 9.9%. Enhanced growth and Pn may have a relationship with changing SLA, efficiency of PSⅡ(photosystem Ⅱ), photosynthetic pigment concentrations and foliar nutrients. The results will be useful to understand the underlying mechanisms of forests responding to global warming.展开更多
Arabidopsis thaliana（A, thaliana） has long been a model species for dicotyledon study, and was the first flowering plant to get its genome completed sequenced . Although most wild A. thaliana are collected in Europe...Arabidopsis thaliana（A, thaliana） has long been a model species for dicotyledon study, and was the first flowering plant to get its genome completed sequenced . Although most wild A. thaliana are collected in Europe, several studies have found a rapid A. thaliaria west-east expansion from Central Asia . The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau （QTP） is close to Central Asia and known for its high altitude, unique environments and biodiversity . However, no wild-type A. thaliana had been either discovered or sequenced from QTP. Studies on the A. thaliana populations collected under 2000 m asl have shown that the adaptive variations associated with climate and altitudinal gradients .展开更多
A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov., is described here from the Qiantang River in China. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters： second dorsal-fin rays I...A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov., is described here from the Qiantang River in China. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters： second dorsal-fin rays I, 7-9; anal-fin rays I, 6-8; pectoral-fin rays 14-15; longitudinal scales 29-31; transverse scales 7-9; predorsal scales 2-5; vertebrae 27 （rarely 28）; preopercular canal absent or with two pores; a red oblique stripe below eye in males; branchiostegal membrane mostly reddish-orange, with 3-6 irregular discrete or connected red blotches on posterior branchiostegal membrane and lower operculum in males; caudal-fin base with a median black spot; and no black blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin in males.展开更多
Two new freshwater centric diatom species were described from the southwest of China based on light and scanning electron microscopy.Pliocaenicus weixiense sp.nov.has a transversely undulate valve face,marginal fultop...Two new freshwater centric diatom species were described from the southwest of China based on light and scanning electron microscopy.Pliocaenicus weixiense sp.nov.has a transversely undulate valve face,marginal fultoportulae situated at the end of the hyaline strips,central fultoportulae forming a ring positioned in a circular pattern,each with 3-4(usually 3)satellite pores,and a single rimoportula located at the base of the inner distal end of the costa.Tertiarius aspera sp.nov.has an uneven valve face with small granules that may be present on the marginal area and valve mantle,marginal fultoportulae situated on each costa close to the margin of the valve,6-7 central fultoportulae forming a ring near the valve center each with two satellite pores,and one rimoportula located on the valve face/mantle junction in the middle of costa on the internal valve.T.aspera sp.nov.is the first reported extant species in the genus.This study played an important role in studying the taxonomic status and ecological information of the genus,and the establishment of the two new taxa will help demonstrate the unique nature of freshwater diatom flora in the southwest of China.展开更多
The Educational Adaptive-optics Solar Telescope(EAST)at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum has been running routine astronomical observations since 2021.It is a 65-cm-aperture Gregorian solar telescope for scientific educa...The Educational Adaptive-optics Solar Telescope(EAST)at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum has been running routine astronomical observations since 2021.It is a 65-cm-aperture Gregorian solar telescope for scientific education,outreach,and research.The telescope system is designed in an“open”format so that the solar tower architecture can be integrated with it,and visitors can watch the observations live from inside the tower.Equipped with adaptive optics,a high-resolution imaging system,and an integral field unit spectro-imaging system,this telescope can obtain high-resolution solar images in the TiO and Hαbands,and perform spectral image reconstruction using 400 optical fibers at selected wavelengths.It can be used not only in public education and scientific outreach but also in solar physics research.展开更多
In our recent investigations of diatom diversity,we studied three species,namely,Skeletonema costatum,Skeletonema subsalsum,and Skeletonema potamos.Although they have been found frequently in Changjiang(Yangtze)River ...In our recent investigations of diatom diversity,we studied three species,namely,Skeletonema costatum,Skeletonema subsalsum,and Skeletonema potamos.Although they have been found frequently in Changjiang(Yangtze)River Basin,their morphological and molecular identification is difficult in taxonomy.Therefore,to integrate morphological and molecular biological approaches,we compared systematically their morphological characters and performed phylogenetic analysis.Twelve strains of Skeletonema were collected and isolated from Shanghai and Jiangsu,China,and their morphological characteristics were examined by light microscopy(LM)and the scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Based on morphological comparison,we determined that S.potamos is easy to distinguish from the other two species.The heavily silicified areolae,undulated or cleft distal ends of terminal fultoportula processes(TFPPs),absence of basal pores of fultoportula processes(FPPs),the rootlike protrusions of FPPs,and no interlocking connection are the stable characteristics that can be used to identify S.potamos.However,there are only two features that can distinguish S.costatum from S.subsalsum,namely the location of terminal rimoportulae(TRPs)and the distal shape of TFPPs.In addition,we amplified and sequenced nine common genetic markers from the strains,from which 101 sequences were obtained,constructed phylogenetic trees based on the nine genes and evaluated that seven genes can be used to identify S.potamos,and revealed that S.subsalsum is the closest known relative of S.costatum,and only ATP synthetase beta-subunit gene(atp B)is able to distinguish them from each other,which strongly support that it is an effective molecular marker for Skeletonema.This work provided a theoretical basis for the taxonomic study of Skeletonema.展开更多
The Cretaceous Period is a vital time interval in deciphering the evolutionary history of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the convergence of different plates and blocks across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.A detailed stratigra...The Cretaceous Period is a vital time interval in deciphering the evolutionary history of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the convergence of different plates and blocks across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.A detailed stratigraphic framework and paleogeographic patterns are the basis for understanding the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the formation of the QinghaiTibetan Plateau.Here,the Cretaceous stratigraphy,biota,paleogeography,and major geological events in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are analyzed to establish an integrative stratigraphic framework,reconstruct the paleogeography during the Cretaceous Period,and decode the history of the major geological events.The Cretaceous rocks of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding area are predominantly marine deposits,with a small amount of interbedded marine-terrestrial and terrestrial conponents.The Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo Suture Zone was responsible for the deposition of deep marine sediments dominated by ophiolite suites and radiolarian silicalite.To the south,the Tethys Himalayas and Indus Basin received marine sediments of varying depths and lithology;to the north,the Xigaze and Ladakh forearc basins are also filled with marine sediments.The Lhasa Block,Karakorum Block,western Tarim Basin,and West Burma block consist of shallow marine,interbedded marine-terrestrial,and terrestrial sediments.The Qiangtang Basin and other areas are dominated by terrestrial sedimentation.The Cretaceous strata of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas are widely distributed and diversified,with abundant foraminifera,calcareous nannofossils,radiolarians,ammonites,bivalves,and palynomorphs.On the basis of integrated lithostratigraphic,biostratigraphic,geochronologic,and chemostratigraphic analyses,we proposed herein a comprehensive stratigraphic framework for the Cretaceous Period of the eastern Neo-Tethys.By analyzing the Cretaceous biota of different biogeographic zones from eastern Neo-Tethys and its surrounding areas,we reconstructed the paleobiogeography of d展开更多
Nestedness is an important part of the theoretical framework of island biogeography and community ecology.However,most previous studies focused on taxonomic dimension and overlooked functional and phylogenetic nestedn...Nestedness is an important part of the theoretical framework of island biogeography and community ecology.However,most previous studies focused on taxonomic dimension and overlooked functional and phylogenetic nestedness.Here,we simultaneously investigated taxonomic,functional,and phylogenetic nestedness of terrestrial mammals on 39 land-bridge islands in the Zhoushan Archipelago,China.As mammals’response to the environment may depend on their body size,we performed analyses for three mammal assemblages separately:overall species,large and medium-sized species,and small species.The taxonomic nestedness was quantified by organizing the species incidence matrix,while the functional and phylogenetic nestedness were estimated by combining the similarity of their ecological traits and phylogeny.Island characteristics(island area,three isolation indices,land use intensity,and habitat diversity)and species traits(body size,litter size,habitat specificity,geographic range size,and minimum area requirement)were used as predictors of nestedness.Overall and small species were significantly nested in 3 facets of nestedness,and results supported the selective extinction,selective colonization,and habitat nestedness hypotheses.Large and medium-sized species were functionally and phylogenetically nested when matrices were ordered by increasing distance to mainland,supporting the selective colonization hypothesis.Overall,differences in nestedness and its underlying mechanisms were detected not only in 3 facets of nestedness but also in the 3 mammal assemblages.Therefore,frameworks that incorporate taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional nestedness can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of nestedness processes.Additionally,it also improves our ability to understand the divergent responses of mammal assemblages to the insular environment.展开更多
Amphibia ns play a key role in structuring biological assemblages of agricultural landscapes,but they are threatened by global agricultural intensification.Landscape structure is an important variable in flue ncing bi...Amphibia ns play a key role in structuring biological assemblages of agricultural landscapes,but they are threatened by global agricultural intensification.Landscape structure is an important variable in flue ncing biodiversity in agricultural la ndscapes.However,in the Yangtze River Delta,where a"farmland-orchard-fishpond"agricultural pattern is common,the effects of landscape construction on anuran populations are unclear.In this study,we examined the effects of agricultural landscape parameters on the abundance and body condition of the rice frog(Fejervarya multistriata),which is a dominant anuran species in farmland in China.Employing a visual encounter method,we surveyed rice frog abundance for 3years across 20 agricultural landscapes.We also calculated the body condition index(BCD of 188 male frog individuals from these agricultural landscapes.Landscape variables,comprising landscape compositional heterogeneity(using the Shannon diversity in dex of all land cover types except buildings and roads),Ian dscape con figurational heterogeneity(using landscape edge density),breeding habitat diversity(using the number of 5 waterbody types available as breeding habitats),and areas of forest were also measured for each 1-km radius landscape.We found that the amount of forest in each agricultural Iandscape had a sign讦icant positive relationship with rice frog abundance,and breeding habitat diversity was positively related to the BCI of male rice frogs.However,body condition was negatively impacted by landscape configurational heterogeneity.Our results suggested the importance of nonagricultural habitats in agricultural landscapes,such as waterbodies and forest,to benefit rice frog population persistenee.展开更多
Pleurostomatid ciliates,as a highly diverse and widely distributed unicellular eukaryote group,play a crucial role in the cycling of nutrients and energy in microbial food webs.However,research on pleurostomatids rema...Pleurostomatid ciliates,as a highly diverse and widely distributed unicellular eukaryote group,play a crucial role in the cycling of nutrients and energy in microbial food webs.However,research on pleurostomatids remains insufficient,resulting in a paucity of molecular information and substantial gaps in knowledge of their phylogenetic relationships.In recent years,we investigated pleurostomatid diversity in various Chinese habitats,including their systematic relationships and taxonomic circumscriptions,which were comprehensively analyzed using an integrative morphomolecular approach.Results revealed that:(1)pleurostomatids can be categorized into two suborders,Protolitonotina subord.nov.and Amphileptina Jankowski,1967;(2)Protolitonotina subord.nov.represents the ancestral pleurostomatid group and includes two genera,Protolitonotus and Heterolitonotus gen.nov.,characterized by right kineties progressively shortened along rightmost full kineties and absence of a left dorsolateral kinety;(3)Heterolitonotus gen.nov.represents an orphan lineage and is defined by an oral slit extending to its dorsal margin;(4)“Protolitonotus clampi”does not group with congeners but instead represents an orphan lineage,thus Novilitonotus gen.nov.is established to which P.clampi is transferred as Novilitonotus clampi comb.nov.;(5)three new species,Apoamphileptus paraclaparedii sp.nov.,Heterolitonotus rex gen.nov.,sp.nov.,and Loxophyllum apohelus sp.nov.,are described;and(6)helices 21es6a to 21es6d within the V4 region of small subunit ribosomal RNA(SSU rRNA)may serve as a useful tool for discriminating pleurostomatids.The evolutionary relationships among all main lineages of pleurostomatids are discussed and a key to the identification of pleurostomatid genera is provided.展开更多
Background:In China,malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on households.To evaluate malaria economic burden in terms of both direct and indirect costs has its meaning in improving the effectiveness of ...Background:In China,malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on households.To evaluate malaria economic burden in terms of both direct and indirect costs has its meaning in improving the effectiveness of malaria elimination program in China.Methods:A number of study sites(eight counties in five provinces)were selected from the malaria endemic area in China,representing the different levels of malaria incidence,risk classification,economic development.A number of households with malaria cases(n=923)were surveyed during the May to December in 2012 to collect information on malaria economic burden.Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the basic profiles of selected malaria cases in terms of their gender,age group,occupation and malaria type.The malaria economic costs were evaluated by direct and indirect costs.Comparisons were carried out by using the chi-square test(or Z-test)and the Mann-Whitney U test among malaria cases with reference to local/imported malaria patients,hospitalized/out patients,and treatment hospitals.Results:The average cost of malaria per case was 1691.23 CNY(direct cost was 735.41 CNY and indirect cost was 955.82 CNY),which accounted for 11.1%of a household’s total income.The average costs per case for local and imported malaria were 1087.58 CNY and 4271.93 CNY,respectively.The average cost of a malaria patient being diagnosed and treated in a hospital at the county level or above(3975.43 CNY)was 4.23 times higher than that of malaria patient being diagnosed and treated at a village or township hospital(938.80 CNY).Conclusion:This study found that malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on households in terms of direct and indirect costs.There is a need to improve the effectiveness of interventions in order to reduce the impact costs of malaria,especially of imported infections,in order to eliminate the disease in China.展开更多
文摘Gene duplications provide evolutionary potentials for generating novel functions, while polyploidization or whole genome duplication （WGD） doubles the chromosomes initially and results in hundreds to thousands of retained duplicates. WGDs are strongly supported by evidence commonly found in many species-rich lineages of eukaryotes, and thus are considered as a major driving force in species diversification. We per- formed comparative genomic and phylogenomic analyses of 59 public genomes/transcriptomes and 46 newly sequenced transcriptomes covering major lineages of angiosperms to detect large-scale gene dupli- cation events by surveying tens of thousands of gene family trees. These analyses confirmed most of the previously reported WGDs and provided strong evidence for novel ones in many lineages. The detected WGDs supported a model of exponential gene loss during evolution with an estimated half-life of approx- imately 21.6 million years, and were correlated with both the emergence of lineages with high degrees of diversification and periods of global climate changes. The new datasets and analyses detected many novel WGDs widely spread during angiosperm evolution, uncovered preferential retention of gene functions in essential cellular metabolisms, and provided clues for the roles of WGD in promoting angiosperm radiation and enhancing their adaptation to environmental changes.
文摘Background:China's coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide.The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands.Methods:The China Coastal Waterbird Census was organized by volunteer birdwatchers in China's coastal region.Waterbirds were surveyed synchronously once every month at 14 sites,as well as irregularly at a further 18 sites,between September 2005 and December 2013.Results:A total of 75 species of waterbirds met the 1 % population level Ramsar listing criterion at least once at one site.The number of birds of the following species accounted for over 20 % of the total flyway populations at a single site:Mute Swan(Cygnus olor),Siberia Crane(Grus leucogeranus),Far Eastern Oystercatcher(Haematopus osculans),Bar-tailed Godwit(Limosa lapponica),Spotted Greenshank(Tringa guttifer),Great Knot(Calidris tenuirostris),Spoon-billed Sandpiper(Calidris pygmeus),Saunders' s Gull(Larus saundersi),Relict Gull(Larus relictus),Great Cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo),Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia),Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor) and Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus).A total of 26 sites supported at least one species of which their number met the1 % criterion.Forty-two species met the 1 % criterion in the Yellow River Delta,Shandong;29 at the Cangzhou coast,Hebei and 26 species at the Lianyungang coast,Jiangsu.Conclusions:The results highlight the international importance of China's coastal wetlands for waterbirds.This study also demonstrates that participation of local birdwatchers in waterbird surveys results in data that are invaluable not only for understanding the current status of waterbirds in China's coastal regions but also for waterbird conservation and management.
基金partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10573022, 10973015, 11061120454and 11243003)the US National Science Foundation through grant AST-09-37523
文摘We describe the current plans for a spectroscopic survey of millions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy using the Guo Shou Jing Telescope （GSJT, formerly calledthe Large sky Area Multi-Object fiber Spectroscopic Telescope -- LAMOST）. The survey will obtain spectra for 2.5 million stars brighter than r 〈 19 during dark/grey time, and 5 million stars brighter than r 〈 17 or J 〈 16 on nights that are moonlit or have low transparency. The survey will begin in the fall of 2012, and will run for at least four years. The telescope＇s design constrains the optimal declination range for observations to 10~ 〈 di 〈 50~, and site conditions lead to an emphasis on stars in the direction of the Galactic anticenter. The survey is divided into three parts with different target selection strategies： disk, anticenter, and spheroid. The resulting dataset will be used to study the merger history of the Milky Way, the substructure and evolution of the disks, the nature of the first generation of stars through identification of the lowest metallicity stars, and star formation through study of open clusters and OB associations. Detailed design of the LAMOST Experiment for Galactic Understanding and Exploration （LEGUE） survey will be completed in summer 2012, after a review of the results of the pilot survey.
文摘This paper studies the thermoluminescence (TL) dating of the ancient por- celain using a regression method of saturation exponential in the pre-dose technique. The experimental results show that the measured errors are 15% (±1σ) for the paleodose and 17% (±1σ) for the annual dose respectively, and the TL age error is 23% (±1σ) in this method. The larger Chinese porcelains from the museum and the nation-wide collectors have been dated by this method. The results show that the certainty about the authenticity testing is larger than 95%, and the measurable porcelains make up about 95% of the por- celain dated. It is very successful in discrimination for the imitations of ancient Chinese porcelains. This paper describes the measured principle and method for the paleodose of porcelains. The TL ages are dated by this method for the 39 shards and porcelains from past dynasties of China and the detailed data in the measurement are reported.
基金Technically and finan-cially supported by the World Conservation Society (WCS)
文摘The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is considered the most critically endangered crocodilian as a result of the near total loss of its habitat and its extremely small and fragmented wild populations. Plans for population recovery lie mostly with wetland res- toration and the reintroduction of captive-reared animals. We carried out a first-trial release of 3 adult Chinese alligators (1♂, 2♀) into a pond at the Hongxing conservation site, Xuancheng, southern Anhui Province; the animals were radio-tracked from May to October in 2003. We hypothesized that after a period of adaptation, the alligators would establish definable home ranges. Two (1♂, 1♀) of the 3 alligators were monitored for the whole of the tracking period. The male had an annual home-range size of 7.61 hm2, and the female 4.00 hm2. Water temperature and pond water level were two important factors influencing the alligators' distributions, and daily movements. The radio-tracked alligators had overlapping home ranges, which notably included the one substantial island in the pond; that island is the only known nesting site of the local native wild alligators. Aggressive interactions between the released alligators and native wild alligators were observed during the breeding season around this island. All the three reintroduced alligators survived the winter of 2003 and were alive in the same pond in 2008. We concluded that the Hongxing conservation site provided a suitable habitat for the reintroduced alligators. However, the low water level in the pond resulting from farmland irrigation in August and September can be a substantial threat to the alligators' survival. Therefore, regu- lations on irrigation in summer and autumn are needed to balance the water needs of the alligators and agriculture.
基金supported by National Key R&D Program of China(2020YFE0201600)B&R Joint Laboratory of Eurasian Anthropology(18490750300)+1 种基金Shanghai Ziranerran Chinese Medicine Development Foundation(201501)Natural Science Foundation of China(31671297,91731303).
文摘Human meridian(Jingluo)system was hypothesized by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for thousands of years,suggest-ing 12 normal meridian channels going through respective organs,carrying fluid and energy,and laying thermal effects.Some treatments based on meridians have been proved effective.However,existence of meridians has never been confirmed,let alone the lack of measurement for meridian phenotypes.Thermal effect is one of the major phenotypes of meridian metabo-lism.Infrared photograph was employed to display the picture of meridians since 1970.Unfortunately,no satisfactory results have been obtained.It is possible that only when a certain meridian is activated will there be thermal effect for successful infrared photograph.In this study,13 types of tea were selected out of the herbs to activate the hypothesized 12 meridians for imagery taking.Forty-two volunteers took part in the experiment lasted for 13 days.Different tea was tested in different day.Infrared imageries of the human bodies were taken immediately after each tea was drunk.The highest temperatures of the fingers,palms,and above the organs were derived from the imageries and analyzed.The temperatures of the organs and fingers possibly connected by 12 hypothesized meridians rose together significantly following the meridian hypothesis.Infrared imageries showed quite clear shapes of the organs activated by different kinds of tea,e.g.,heart and kidneys by yel-low tea,etc.Some high temperature lines also matched the hypothetic meridians.Our work displayed the probable imageries of all the 12 hypothetic meridians for the first time,and proved with data that different foods may activate different organs following the meridian hypothesis,shedding light on a possible new method of targeted drug designs.Measurements of meridian phenotypes can be developed based on this method of activation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32030068)the Shanghai Municipal Natural Science Foundation (20ZR1418100) to J.Z.
文摘The scientific names of organisms are key identifiers of plants and animals.Correctly treating scientific names is a prerequisite for biodiversity research and documentation.Here,we present an R package,’U.Taxonstand’,which can standardize and harmonize scientific names in plant and animal species lists at a fast speed and at a high rate of matching success.Unlike most of other similar R packages each of which works with only one taxonomic database,U.Taxonstand can work with all taxonomic databases,as long as they are properly formatted.Multiple databases for plants and animals that can be directly used by U.Taxonstand,which include bryophytes,vascular plants,amphibians,birds,fishes,mammals,and reptiles,are available online.U.Taxonstand can be a very useful tool for botanists,zoologists,ecologists and biogeographers to standardize and harmonize scientific names of organisms.
基金XN Zhou was supported by the National Special Science and Technology Project for Major Infectious Diseases of China(2016ZX10004222-004)the Fourth Round of Three-Year Public Health Action Plan of Shanghai,China(No.15GWZK0101,GWIV-29)The funders had no role in study design,data collection and analysis,decision to publish,or preparation of the manuscript。
文摘Background:Historically,the target in the schistosomiasis control has shifted from infection to morbidity,then back to infection,but now as a public health problem,before moving on to transmission control.Currently,all endemic countries are encouraged to increase control efforts and move towards elimination as required by the World Health Organization(WHO)roadmap for the global control of the neglected tropical diseases(NTDs)and the WHA65.21 resolution issued by the World Health Assembly.However,schistosomiasis prevalence is still alarmingly high and the global number of disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)due to this infection has in fact increased due to inclusion of some‘subtle’clinical symptoms not previously counted.Main body:There is a need to restart and improve efforts to reach the elimination goal.To that end,the first conference of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance(GSA)Research Working Group was held in mid-June 2016 in Shanghai,People’s Republic of China.It reviewed current progress in schistosomiasis control and elimination,identified pressing operational research gaps that need to be addressed and discussed new tools and strategies required to make elimination a reality.The articles emanating from the lectures and discussions during this meeting,together with some additional invited papers,have been collected as a special issue of the‘Infectious Diseases of Poverty’entitled‘Schistosomiasis Research:Providing the Tools Needed for Elimination’,consisting of 26 papers in all.This paper refers to these papers and discusses critical questions arising at the conference related to elimination of schistosomiasis.Conclusion:The currently most burning questions are the following:Can schistosomiasis be eliminated?Does it require better,more highly sensitive diagnostics?What is the role of preventive chemotherapy at the elimination stage?Is praziquantel sufficient or do we need new drugs?Contemplating these questions,it is felt that the heterogeneity of the endemic areas in the world requires WH
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2022YFA1603701, 2021YFA1200900)the institutionalized scientific research platform relies on Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility of Chinese Academy of Sciences,the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB36000000)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22027810, 82341044,22388101 and 22307028)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(CIFMS 2019-I2M-5-018)the New Cornerstone Science Foundation。
文摘With the advancement of modern science and technology, large scientific facilities are increasingly oriented toward demand and application, and can be used for basic research as well as serving multiple disciplines. Developing large scientific facilities and related analytical technologies enhances understanding of large scientific facilities and popularizes their application in research across multiple disciplines. The combination of light or neutron sources from large scientific facilities and advanced analytical technologies can be achieved for materials structure information, dynamics study of chemical reactions, high dissociation of biomolecules, 3D visualization of energy materials or biological samples, etc. We first introduce the progress of domestic large scientific facilities of synchrotron radiation(SR) and free electron lasers(FELs) with different wavelengths and neutron sources.We further discuss the comparison between Chinese and typical foreign facilities in X-ray radiation from X-ray tubes, synchrotrons, X-ray FELs, and neutron sources based on physical parameters of light and neutron sources. In addition, we focus on the technological progress and perspectives combined with advanced X-ray radiation and neutron sources of large scientific facilities in China, especially in the nanoscience fields of energy catalysis and biological science. We hope that this roadmap will provide references on technology and methods to experimental users, as well as prospects for future development of technologies based on large research infrastructure facilities. Comprehensive studies and guidelines for basic research to practical application in various disciplines can be made with the assistance of large scientific facilities.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC No.31500416)Research Funds for the Introduction of Talents of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
文摘Increasing field experiments have been conducted in forests to better understand the response of plant growth and photosynthesis to climatic warming. However,it is still unknown whether there is a general pattern in relation to how and to what extent warming impacts woody plants in forests. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the warming effects. When temperatures increased between 0.3 and 10 ℃, specific leaf area(SLA) was significantly increased by 5.9%, plant height by 7.8%, biomass by 21.9%, foliar calcium(Ca) and manganese(Mn) concentrations by 20.7% and 39.6% and net photosynthetic rate(Pn) by 9.9%. Enhanced growth and Pn may have a relationship with changing SLA, efficiency of PSⅡ(photosystem Ⅱ), photosynthetic pigment concentrations and foliar nutrients. The results will be useful to understand the underlying mechanisms of forests responding to global warming.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91131901)the specimen platform of China (teaching specimens sub-platform) and PSCIRT project
文摘Arabidopsis thaliana（A, thaliana） has long been a model species for dicotyledon study, and was the first flowering plant to get its genome completed sequenced . Although most wild A. thaliana are collected in Europe, several studies have found a rapid A. thaliaria west-east expansion from Central Asia . The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau （QTP） is close to Central Asia and known for its high altitude, unique environments and biodiversity . However, no wild-type A. thaliana had been either discovered or sequenced from QTP. Studies on the A. thaliana populations collected under 2000 m asl have shown that the adaptive variations associated with climate and altitudinal gradients .
文摘A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov., is described here from the Qiantang River in China. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters： second dorsal-fin rays I, 7-9; anal-fin rays I, 6-8; pectoral-fin rays 14-15; longitudinal scales 29-31; transverse scales 7-9; predorsal scales 2-5; vertebrae 27 （rarely 28）; preopercular canal absent or with two pores; a red oblique stripe below eye in males; branchiostegal membrane mostly reddish-orange, with 3-6 irregular discrete or connected red blotches on posterior branchiostegal membrane and lower operculum in males; caudal-fin base with a median black spot; and no black blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin in males.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.32170205,32100165)the Research Fund from Department of Education,Yunnan Province(No.2022J0757)。
文摘Two new freshwater centric diatom species were described from the southwest of China based on light and scanning electron microscopy.Pliocaenicus weixiense sp.nov.has a transversely undulate valve face,marginal fultoportulae situated at the end of the hyaline strips,central fultoportulae forming a ring positioned in a circular pattern,each with 3-4(usually 3)satellite pores,and a single rimoportula located at the base of the inner distal end of the costa.Tertiarius aspera sp.nov.has an uneven valve face with small granules that may be present on the marginal area and valve mantle,marginal fultoportulae situated on each costa close to the margin of the valve,6-7 central fultoportulae forming a ring near the valve center each with two satellite pores,and one rimoportula located on the valve face/mantle junction in the middle of costa on the internal valve.T.aspera sp.nov.is the first reported extant species in the genus.This study played an important role in studying the taxonomic status and ecological information of the genus,and the establishment of the two new taxa will help demonstrate the unique nature of freshwater diatom flora in the southwest of China.
基金supported by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
文摘The Educational Adaptive-optics Solar Telescope(EAST)at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum has been running routine astronomical observations since 2021.It is a 65-cm-aperture Gregorian solar telescope for scientific education,outreach,and research.The telescope system is designed in an“open”format so that the solar tower architecture can be integrated with it,and visitors can watch the observations live from inside the tower.Equipped with adaptive optics,a high-resolution imaging system,and an integral field unit spectro-imaging system,this telescope can obtain high-resolution solar images in the TiO and Hαbands,and perform spectral image reconstruction using 400 optical fibers at selected wavelengths.It can be used not only in public education and scientific outreach but also in solar physics research.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32170205)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(No.21ZR144730)。
文摘In our recent investigations of diatom diversity,we studied three species,namely,Skeletonema costatum,Skeletonema subsalsum,and Skeletonema potamos.Although they have been found frequently in Changjiang(Yangtze)River Basin,their morphological and molecular identification is difficult in taxonomy.Therefore,to integrate morphological and molecular biological approaches,we compared systematically their morphological characters and performed phylogenetic analysis.Twelve strains of Skeletonema were collected and isolated from Shanghai and Jiangsu,China,and their morphological characteristics were examined by light microscopy(LM)and the scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Based on morphological comparison,we determined that S.potamos is easy to distinguish from the other two species.The heavily silicified areolae,undulated or cleft distal ends of terminal fultoportula processes(TFPPs),absence of basal pores of fultoportula processes(FPPs),the rootlike protrusions of FPPs,and no interlocking connection are the stable characteristics that can be used to identify S.potamos.However,there are only two features that can distinguish S.costatum from S.subsalsum,namely the location of terminal rimoportulae(TRPs)and the distal shape of TFPPs.In addition,we amplified and sequenced nine common genetic markers from the strains,from which 101 sequences were obtained,constructed phylogenetic trees based on the nine genes and evaluated that seven genes can be used to identify S.potamos,and revealed that S.subsalsum is the closest known relative of S.costatum,and only ATP synthetase beta-subunit gene(atp B)is able to distinguish them from each other,which strongly support that it is an effective molecular marker for Skeletonema.This work provided a theoretical basis for the taxonomic study of Skeletonema.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Project(Grant No.2022YFF08008002)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42272035,42288201,42072001,and 42272027)+2 种基金the Second Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition(Grant No.2019QZKK0706)the 111 Introduction Program(Grant No.B20011)the International Geological Comparison Program(Grant No.IGCP679)。
文摘The Cretaceous Period is a vital time interval in deciphering the evolutionary history of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the convergence of different plates and blocks across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.A detailed stratigraphic framework and paleogeographic patterns are the basis for understanding the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the formation of the QinghaiTibetan Plateau.Here,the Cretaceous stratigraphy,biota,paleogeography,and major geological events in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are analyzed to establish an integrative stratigraphic framework,reconstruct the paleogeography during the Cretaceous Period,and decode the history of the major geological events.The Cretaceous rocks of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding area are predominantly marine deposits,with a small amount of interbedded marine-terrestrial and terrestrial conponents.The Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo Suture Zone was responsible for the deposition of deep marine sediments dominated by ophiolite suites and radiolarian silicalite.To the south,the Tethys Himalayas and Indus Basin received marine sediments of varying depths and lithology;to the north,the Xigaze and Ladakh forearc basins are also filled with marine sediments.The Lhasa Block,Karakorum Block,western Tarim Basin,and West Burma block consist of shallow marine,interbedded marine-terrestrial,and terrestrial sediments.The Qiangtang Basin and other areas are dominated by terrestrial sedimentation.The Cretaceous strata of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas are widely distributed and diversified,with abundant foraminifera,calcareous nannofossils,radiolarians,ammonites,bivalves,and palynomorphs.On the basis of integrated lithostratigraphic,biostratigraphic,geochronologic,and chemostratigraphic analyses,we proposed herein a comprehensive stratigraphic framework for the Cretaceous Period of the eastern Neo-Tethys.By analyzing the Cretaceous biota of different biogeographic zones from eastern Neo-Tethys and its surrounding areas,we reconstructed the paleobiogeography of d
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32271734 and 31971545).
文摘Nestedness is an important part of the theoretical framework of island biogeography and community ecology.However,most previous studies focused on taxonomic dimension and overlooked functional and phylogenetic nestedness.Here,we simultaneously investigated taxonomic,functional,and phylogenetic nestedness of terrestrial mammals on 39 land-bridge islands in the Zhoushan Archipelago,China.As mammals’response to the environment may depend on their body size,we performed analyses for three mammal assemblages separately:overall species,large and medium-sized species,and small species.The taxonomic nestedness was quantified by organizing the species incidence matrix,while the functional and phylogenetic nestedness were estimated by combining the similarity of their ecological traits and phylogeny.Island characteristics(island area,three isolation indices,land use intensity,and habitat diversity)and species traits(body size,litter size,habitat specificity,geographic range size,and minimum area requirement)were used as predictors of nestedness.Overall and small species were significantly nested in 3 facets of nestedness,and results supported the selective extinction,selective colonization,and habitat nestedness hypotheses.Large and medium-sized species were functionally and phylogenetically nested when matrices were ordered by increasing distance to mainland,supporting the selective colonization hypothesis.Overall,differences in nestedness and its underlying mechanisms were detected not only in 3 facets of nestedness but also in the 3 mammal assemblages.Therefore,frameworks that incorporate taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional nestedness can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of nestedness processes.Additionally,it also improves our ability to understand the divergent responses of mammal assemblages to the insular environment.
基金This work was supported financially by the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31901099,31800350)Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration(No.SHUES2019B03)+2 种基金Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.18DZ1205000)Institute of Eco-Chongming(No.ECNU-IEC-201902)Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau(No.F131508).
文摘Amphibia ns play a key role in structuring biological assemblages of agricultural landscapes,but they are threatened by global agricultural intensification.Landscape structure is an important variable in flue ncing biodiversity in agricultural la ndscapes.However,in the Yangtze River Delta,where a"farmland-orchard-fishpond"agricultural pattern is common,the effects of landscape construction on anuran populations are unclear.In this study,we examined the effects of agricultural landscape parameters on the abundance and body condition of the rice frog(Fejervarya multistriata),which is a dominant anuran species in farmland in China.Employing a visual encounter method,we surveyed rice frog abundance for 3years across 20 agricultural landscapes.We also calculated the body condition index(BCD of 188 male frog individuals from these agricultural landscapes.Landscape variables,comprising landscape compositional heterogeneity(using the Shannon diversity in dex of all land cover types except buildings and roads),Ian dscape con figurational heterogeneity(using landscape edge density),breeding habitat diversity(using the number of 5 waterbody types available as breeding habitats),and areas of forest were also measured for each 1-km radius landscape.We found that the amount of forest in each agricultural Iandscape had a sign讦icant positive relationship with rice frog abundance,and breeding habitat diversity was positively related to the BCI of male rice frogs.However,body condition was negatively impacted by landscape configurational heterogeneity.Our results suggested the importance of nonagricultural habitats in agricultural landscapes,such as waterbodies and forest,to benefit rice frog population persistenee.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32030015,32170533)Researchers Supporting Project Number(RSP2024R10)King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia。
文摘Pleurostomatid ciliates,as a highly diverse and widely distributed unicellular eukaryote group,play a crucial role in the cycling of nutrients and energy in microbial food webs.However,research on pleurostomatids remains insufficient,resulting in a paucity of molecular information and substantial gaps in knowledge of their phylogenetic relationships.In recent years,we investigated pleurostomatid diversity in various Chinese habitats,including their systematic relationships and taxonomic circumscriptions,which were comprehensively analyzed using an integrative morphomolecular approach.Results revealed that:(1)pleurostomatids can be categorized into two suborders,Protolitonotina subord.nov.and Amphileptina Jankowski,1967;(2)Protolitonotina subord.nov.represents the ancestral pleurostomatid group and includes two genera,Protolitonotus and Heterolitonotus gen.nov.,characterized by right kineties progressively shortened along rightmost full kineties and absence of a left dorsolateral kinety;(3)Heterolitonotus gen.nov.represents an orphan lineage and is defined by an oral slit extending to its dorsal margin;(4)“Protolitonotus clampi”does not group with congeners but instead represents an orphan lineage,thus Novilitonotus gen.nov.is established to which P.clampi is transferred as Novilitonotus clampi comb.nov.;(5)three new species,Apoamphileptus paraclaparedii sp.nov.,Heterolitonotus rex gen.nov.,sp.nov.,and Loxophyllum apohelus sp.nov.,are described;and(6)helices 21es6a to 21es6d within the V4 region of small subunit ribosomal RNA(SSU rRNA)may serve as a useful tool for discriminating pleurostomatids.The evolutionary relationships among all main lineages of pleurostomatids are discussed and a key to the identification of pleurostomatid genera is provided.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81101280)the National Special Science and Technology Project for Major Infectious Diseases of China(Grant Nos.2012ZX10004-220,2008ZX10004-011,and 2012ZX10004-201)+1 种基金the China UK Global Health Support Programme(GHSP-CS-OP101)-China’s Experiences in Control of Malaria and Schistosomiasis:Relevant to LMICs through Distillation,Synthesis and Dissemination Approaches,the Public Health Overseas Fund,the Bureau of Health,Shanghai(Grant No.GWHW201216)the Shanghai Public Health Improvement Action Plan 2015–2017,and the Global Fund Project in China.The funders had no role in the study design,data collection and analysis,decision to publish,or preparation of the paper.
文摘Background:In China,malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on households.To evaluate malaria economic burden in terms of both direct and indirect costs has its meaning in improving the effectiveness of malaria elimination program in China.Methods:A number of study sites(eight counties in five provinces)were selected from the malaria endemic area in China,representing the different levels of malaria incidence,risk classification,economic development.A number of households with malaria cases(n=923)were surveyed during the May to December in 2012 to collect information on malaria economic burden.Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the basic profiles of selected malaria cases in terms of their gender,age group,occupation and malaria type.The malaria economic costs were evaluated by direct and indirect costs.Comparisons were carried out by using the chi-square test(or Z-test)and the Mann-Whitney U test among malaria cases with reference to local/imported malaria patients,hospitalized/out patients,and treatment hospitals.Results:The average cost of malaria per case was 1691.23 CNY(direct cost was 735.41 CNY and indirect cost was 955.82 CNY),which accounted for 11.1%of a household’s total income.The average costs per case for local and imported malaria were 1087.58 CNY and 4271.93 CNY,respectively.The average cost of a malaria patient being diagnosed and treated in a hospital at the county level or above(3975.43 CNY)was 4.23 times higher than that of malaria patient being diagnosed and treated at a village or township hospital(938.80 CNY).Conclusion:This study found that malaria has been posing a significant economic burden on households in terms of direct and indirect costs.There is a need to improve the effectiveness of interventions in order to reduce the impact costs of malaria,especially of imported infections,in order to eliminate the disease in China.
