West Of China Research Articles

Prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in Beichuan County, Sichuan, China and phylogenetic evidence for an undescribed Leishmania sp. in China based on 7SL RNA

BackgroundLeishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease, which is still endemic in the west and northwest area of China. Canines are the major reservoirs of Leishmania, the etiological agent of human visceral leishmaniasis. Phlebotomus chinensis is the main transmission vector of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL).MethodsIn this study, rK39 dip-stick, ELISA and PCR methods were used to investigate the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province, China.ResultsAmong the 86 dogs which were included in the study, 13 dogs were positive using the dip-stick test (15.12%), while 8 dogs were positive using ELISA (9.30%) and 19 dogs were positive for PCR (22.03%). In total, 32 dogs were positive for one or more tests (37.21%). Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 7SL RNA fragment provided evidence that an undescribed Leishmania species, which is clearly a causative agent of CanL and human visceral leishmaniasis, does exist in China. This result is consistent with our previous study.ConclusionsOur work confirmed that canine leishmaniasis is still prevalent in Beichuan County. Further control is urgently needed, as canine leishmaniasis is of great public health importance. The phylogenetic analysis based on 7SL RNA segment provides evidence for the existence of an undescribed Leishmania sp. in China.

Association between complementary factor H Y402H polymorphisms and age-related macular degeneration in Chinese: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world and complement factor H (CFH) polymorphism has been found to associate with the AMD. To investigate whether the Y402H variant in CFH is associated with AMD in Chinese populations, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to estimate the magnitude of the gene effect and the possible mode of action. A meta-analysis was performed using data available from ten case-control studies assessing association between the CFH Y402H polymorphism and AMD in Chinese populations involving 1538 AMD. Data extraction and study quality assessment were performed in duplicate. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) an allele contrast and genotype contrast were estimated using fixed- effects models. The Q-statistic test was used to assess heterogeneity, and Funnel plot was used to evaluate publication bias. Seven of ten case-control studies were neovascular AMD, and few studies came from west and north of China. There was strong evidence for association between CFH and AMD in Chinese population, with those having risk allele C 2.35 times more likely to have AMD than subjects with T allele. Evidence of publication bias was not observed in our meta-analysis. [corrected] This meta-analysis summarizes the strong evidence for an association between CFH and AMD in Chinese and indicates each C allele increasing the odds of AMD by 2.33-fold.But more evidences about the relation between CFH polymorphism and different type of Chinese AMD from various district were needed.

Risk Management and Risk Aversion Model Design for Mineral Resource Development in the West of China

Based upon analysis of environmental and resource risks in development of mineral resources in the western area of China, the research has proposed five ways to avert risks in development of mineral resources from systematic perspective. Firstly, green mineral industry shall be developed to avert environmental risks. Secondly, group enterprises in the field shall be developed to avert market risks. Thirdly, technical chain shall be developed to avert resource risks. Fourthly, urban development and prospection of mineral resources shall be incorporated to avert the risk of city declining due to distinct resources. Finally, prospection of mineral resources shall be enhanced to better fight against risks.

Risk Management and Risk Aversion Model Design for Mineral Resource Development in the West of China

Based upon analysis of environmental and resource risks in development of mineral resources in the western area of China, the research has proposed five ways to avert risks in development of mineral resources from systematic perspective. Firstly, green mineral industry shall be developed to avert environmental risks. Secondly, group enterprises in the field shall be developed to avert market risks. Thirdly, technical chain shall be developed to avert resource risks. Fourthly, urban development and prospection of mineral resources shall be incorporated to avert the risk of city declining due to distinct resources. Finally, prospection of mineral resources shall be enhanced to better fight against risks.

Sexual Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among unmarried migrant female workers in China: a comparative analysis

BackgroundIn recent years, many studies have focused on adolescent's sex-related issues in China. However, there have been few studies of unmarried migrant females' sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, which is important for sexual health education and promotion.MethodsA sample of 5156 unmarried migrant female workers was selected from three manufacturing factories, two located in Shenzhen and one in Guangzhou, China. Demographic data, sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors associated with premarital sexual intercourse.ResultsThe average age of the unmarried female workers included in the sample was 20.2 years, and majority of them showed a low level of sex-related knowledge. Females from the west of China demonstrated a significant lower level of sex-related knowledge than those from the eastern or central provinces (p < 0.05). Approximately 13% of participants held a favorable attitude towards premarital sexual intercourse, and youths from the east/central were more likely to have favorable attitudes compared with those from the west (p < 0.05). About 17.0% of the unmarried female workers reported having engaged in premarital sexual intercourse, and females from the east/central were more likely to have experienced premarital sexual intercourse than those from the west (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, education, current residential type, dating, sexual knowledge, attitudes, and pattern of communication were significantly associated with premarital sexual intercourse.ConclusionThe unmarried migrant female workers lack sexual knowledge and a substantial proportion of them are engaged in premarital sexual behaviors. Interventions aimed at improving their sexual knowledge and related skills are needed.

Community health service capacity in China: a survey in three municipalities

China is reforming its health care system. It aims to strengthen primary health care through building community health facilities and assigning a 'gate-keeper' role to primary care providers. However, it remains unknown whether community health facilities are able to fulfil such a mission. This study evaluated the service capacity of a selected sample of community health facilities and the competency of primary care practitioners employed by those facilities. Three municipalities from the east, middle and west of China were purposely selected. A questionnaire was undertaken in 45 randomly selected community health facilities in the three municipalities and 700 primary care practitioners responded to the survey. The survey investigated the capacity of the community health facilities in providing diagnostic services and the competency of the primary care providers in handling common health problems. The most common reasons for doctor-patient encounters were common cold and chronic diseases. The capacity of the community health facilities in providing diagnostic services was limited. Although the majority of respondents believed that they could correctly identify common symptoms, many were unable to perform some essential physical examinations. The community health facilities are not able to fulfil their designated mission because of the limited diagnostic capacity and poor competency of the primary care practitioners. Priorities should be given to capacity building for the development of community health services in the future.

Nickel Induced Oxidative Stress and the Responses of SOD Isoenzymes in &lt;i&gt;Microcystis aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; FACHB-905

The laboratory experiment was conducted to investigated the effect of nickel over a concentration gradient of 0.1~1.00 mg/L on biomass ( indicated by absorbance of cell culture at 663nm wavelength ), superoxide anion (O2•ˉ), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB 905 isolated from Dianchi Lake, south west of China . The results showed: (1) M. aeruginosa could live normally in Ni (II)-absence culture medium，but 0.3 mg/L Ni(II) was the fittest concentration for test M. aeruginosa, in which biomass and SOD activity were highest among all test cultures; (2) Ni(II) induced O2•ˉ and MDA in M. aeruginosa cells under the experimental condition, showing that Ni(II) could influence on M. aeruginosa by inducing oxidative stress; (3) Fe-SOD and Mn-SOD were found in M. aeruginosa and both of them were induced by lower Ni(II) but inhibited by higher concentration. The multiformity of SOD isoenzymes enhance the resistance of M. aeruginosa to oxygen stress induced by unfavorable condition, which explained that M. aeruginosa is the preponderant species in badly polluted Dianchi Lake water for long period.

Reservoir Characteristics and Favorable Area Prediction of Devonian Kizirtag Formation in Bashituo Area, Tarim Basin

Tarim Basin is the largest petroleum potential in the west of China. As a co-prospecting project, some wells of the Devonian Kizirtage formation in Bashituo area have gained encouraging industrial oil flow. The basic characteristics of the reservoir beds are described in detail in this paper by collecting and processing plenty of existing data. The results of petrologic analysis show that the pore types of the Kizirtag formation are mainly residual primary intergranular pores and intergranular dissolution pores, and the lithology is mainly fine grain quartz sandstone. Based on the analyses of reservoir physical properties, the reservoir porosities of Kizirtag formation in study area mainly range from 2% to 8% with an average of 6.14%, and the reservoir has a lower permeability with a range less than 1 × 10−3μm2 with average of 1.86 × 10−3μm2. The core analyses indicate there is a distinct positive correlation between porosity and permeability, and members 4 to 6 are the main reservoir section. The inversion prediction of reservoir physical properties shows that the distributions of favorable zones are similar to the distribution of sand body and sedimentary facies. The favorable zones of reservoir physical property of member 6 in Kizirtag formation range from well BK8 to well BK2 and the northern area. Well Q003 and the south eastern area have the poorest physical properties. The favorable zones of reservoir physical property of member 5 distribute in the northwestern and south central area of the study area. The favorable zones of reservoir physical property of member 4 distribute in well BK8 area. Through the statistics analysis, it was found that the reservoir physical properties in study area were controlled by primary sedimentary environment and diagenetic transformation and was especially influenced by the carbonate cementation. There is an obvious negative correlation between the carbonate content and porosity and permeability. Based on the tectonic characteristics, reservoir distributions and hydrocarbon test results of the study area, the favorable areas of main productive layers in the Kizirtag formation were divided to I type, II type and III type. The I type area with the optimum forming conditions is the most favorable part for oil and gas accumulation. So it is suitable to immediately implement drilling, which poses a low drilling risk. The I type areas of the sixth member in the Kizirtag formation is mainly distributed in the intensive areas of exploration wells. The I type areas of the fifth member are mainly concentrated in east in the study area, and the distribution of I type areas in the fourth member of Kizirtag formation is similar to that of the sixth member, but the range is reduced. The distribution of the fourth member is concentrated in the Q002 well to BK9 well range. The II type area has better reservoir forming conditions, and belongs to a more favorable area for hydrocarbon accumulation. However, there are also some exploration risks. In II type areas it is appropriate to carry out drilling to explore objects combined with other hydrocarbon bearing series. The II type areas of the sixth member in Kizirtag formation is concentrated in the east of the study area,; that of the fifth member basically covers the scope of the two traps that are interpreted in this study. In addition, there are larger distribution areas in the east of the study area, and a small distribution area in the south western part of the study area. The II type area distribution of the fourth member in the Kizirtag formation is diminshed, and is mainly distributed in the north of the study area. The reservoir formation conditions of III type zone are poor, so there is no drilling under its current condition. It was considered that this research can provide a new method for future exploration of this area.

Mining Damage and Prevention Countermeasures of Coal Exploitation in West of China

In order to carry on control and countermeasure of mining damage effectively, by analyzing the conditions of geology, mining and entironment in west of china, the text discusses the possibly arisen problems of structural establishment, traffic establishment and environment and so on when western regions enter a large-scale mining phase. It analyses all these problems which will restrict and affect continuable development of mining area’s economy, and advances some thoughts about harmonious development of mining industry and environment protection by controlling mining technology and approach of synthetical treatment.

Mesozoic molybdenum deposits in the east Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt: Characteristics and tectonic settings

The East Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt accommodates the largest Mo ore district in the world. It contains 8.43 Mt of proven Mo metal reserves which accounts for 66% of the total proven Chinese Mo reserves. The Mo ore district includes 24 deposits and 12 occurrences, with four major types of Mo mineral systems, i.e., porphyry, porphyry-skarn, skarn and hydrothermal veins. The latter can be further subdivided into quartz vein and carbonatite vein types. Although Mo mineralization in the belt began in the Paleoproterozoic (1680 ± 24 to 2044 ± 14 Ma), all economically significant deposits were formed during the Mesozoic. Re/Os dating of molybdenite has shown that there are three episodes of Mo mineralization, i.e., Late Triassic (233–221 Ma), Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (148–138 Ma) and Early to middle Cretaceous (131–112 Ma). Late Triassic Mo deposits developed as molybdenite–quartz veins and carbonatite vein types. Stable isotope systematics (C, O, S) and high contents of Re and Sr indicate that the carbonatite Mo veins are mantle-derived. Porphyry and porphyry–skarn Mo mineral deposits were formed in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and Early to middle Cretaceous. The Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granite porphyries that are associated with the Mo deposits usually occupy less than 1.5 km 2 at the surface and are situated in the East Qinling area, far west of China's continental margin. On the other hand, the Early to middle Cretaceous batholiths and granite porphyries, , with associated Mo deposits are located in the Dabieshan area and eastern part of the East Qinling area. The Late Jurassic to Early Creataceous granitoids and related Mo deposits possibly formed in a back-arc extensional setting of the Eurasian continental margin, which was probably triggered by the oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate. The Early to middle Cretaceous batholiths and granite porphyries are linked to the tectonic regime of lithospheric thinning, asthenospheric upwelling and partial melting of the crust, induced by a change in Izanagi Plate motion parallel to the continent margin. In the East Qinling–Dabie belt there are vein type Pb–Zn–Ag deposits surrounding porphyry and/or porphyry–skarn Mo (W) deposits, forming well defined ore clusters. The same spatial arrangement (i.e., porphyry Mo stockworks and outlying Pb–Zn–Ag ore veins) is also observed at the deposit scale. Thus, Mo porphyry stockworks and distal polymetallic veins belong to the same ore system and may reflect an outward temperature decrease from the highly fractionated granite plutons. Both, porphyry stockworks and polymetallic veins, can be used as vectors for further prospecting.

Environmental evolution of Xingkai (Khanka) Lake since 200 ka by OSL dating of sand hills

Crossing the Sino-Russian boundary, Xingkai Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast Asia. In addition to the lakeshore, there are four sand hills on the north side of the lake that accumulated during a period of sustainable and stable lacustrine transgression and were preserved after depression. Analysis of well-dated stratigraphic sequences based on 18 OSL datings combined with multiple index analysis of six sites in the sand hills revealed that the north shoreline of Xingkai Lake retreated in a stepwise fashion since the middle Pleistocene, and that at least four transgressions (during 193-183 ka, 136-130 ka, 24-15 ka and since 3 ka) and three depressions occurred during this process. The results of this study confirmed that transgressive stages were concurrent with epochs of climate cooling, whereas the period of regression corresponded to the climatic optima. Transgressions and regressions were primarily caused by variations in the intensity of alluvial accumulation in the Ussuri River Valley and fluctuations in regional temperature and humidity that were controlled by climatic change. Moreover, one obvious transgressive process that occurred in MIS3 may have been related to enhanced precipitation that was reportedly widespread in the west of China, while short-term fluctuations in the lake level might well be a direct response to regional precipitation variations on the millennial scale.

Corynebacterium deserti sp. nov., isolated from desert sand

A novel coryneform bacterium, designated strain GIMN1.010T, was isolated from a sand sample collected in the desert in the west of China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming, catalase-positive, irregular rods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that strain GIMN1.010T belonged to the genus Corynebacterium and was related closely to Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032T (98.4 % similarity). However, the level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain GIMN1.010T and C. glutamicum ATCC 13032T was only 22.4±1.72 %, showing that strain GIMN1.010T represented a genomic species distinct from C. glutamicum. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain GIMN1.010T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GIMN1.010T (=CCTCC AB 2010341T=NRRL B-59552).

Carbon footprint of different industrial spaces based on energy consumption in China

Using energy consumption and land use data of each region of China in 2007, this paper established carbon emission and carbon footprint model based on energy consumption, and estimated the carbon emission amount of fossil energy and rural biomass energy of different regions of China in 2007. Through matching the energy consumption items with industrial spaces, this paper divided industrial spaces into five types: agricultural space, living & industrial-commercial space, transportation industrial space, fishery and water conservancy space, and other industrial space. Then the author analyzed the carbon emission intensity and carbon footprint of each industrial space. Finally, advices of decreasing industrial carbon footprint and optimizing industrial space pattern were put forward. The main conclusions are as following: (1) Total amount of carbon emission from energy consumption of China in 2007 was about 1.65 GtC, in which the proportion of carbon emission from fossil energy was 89%. (2) Carbon emission intensity of industrial space of China in 2007 was 1.98 t/hm2, in which, carbon emission intensity of living & industrial-commercial space and of transportation industrial space was 55.16 t/hm2 and 49.65 t/hm2 respectively, they were high-carbon-emission industrial spaces among others. (3) Carbon footprint caused by industrial activities of China in 2007 was 522.34×106 hm2, which brought about ecological deficit of 28.69×106 hm2, which means that the productive lands were not sufficient to compensate for carbon footprint of industrial activities, and the compensating rate was 94.5%. As to the regional carbon footprint, several regions have ecological profit while others have not. In general, the present ecological deficit caused by industrial activities was small in 2007. (4) Per unit area carbon footprint of industrial space in China was about 0.63 hm2/hm2 in 2007, in which that of living & industrial-commercial space was the highest (17.5 hm2/hm2). The per unit area carbon footprint of different industrial spaces all presented a declining trend from east to west of China.

Open-switch fault diagnosis and system reconfiguration of doubly fed wind power converter used in a microgrid

Microgrid is becoming more and more popular in the west and north of China, where there is abundant wind energy. For the microgrid, the faults in the wind generation system usually result in the power accidents. The open switch fault of wind power converter is one of the faults, and many diagnosing methods have been developed. To avoid the disadvantages of current open-switch fault diagnosing methods for a doubly fed wind power converter, an anti-false-alarm method, which can detect one or two open switch faults is proposed in the paper, which is based on the investigation of the characteristics of current signals. Simulations were carried out to test the method presented in the paper, and results indicate the diagnosing method cannot only detect one open switch fault, also two open switch faults at the same time. In addition, the false alarm caused by the open switch fault at the rotor side can be avoided. Finally, a system reconfiguration topology was designed to keep the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) continue running after the open switch faults. Simulation results show that the method can detect the locations and styles of open switch faults precisely, and the system reconfiguration strategy can restart the DFIG rapidly.

Development of a three‐dimensional watershed modelling system for water cycle in the middle part of the Heihe rivershed, in the west of China

AbstractA three‐dimensional numerical modelling system is developed to study transformation processes of water resources in alluvial fan and river basin along the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China, an arid and semi‐arid region. Integrating land utilization, remote sensing and geographic information systems, we have developed a numerical modelling system that can be used to quantify the effects of land use and anthropogenic activities on the groundwater system as well as to investigate the interaction between surface water and groundwater. Various hydraulic measurements are used to identify and calibrate the hydraulic boundary conditions and spatial distributions of hydraulic parameters. In the modelling study, various water exchanges and human effects on the watershed system are considered. These include water exchange between surface water and groundwater, groundwater pumping, lateral water recharges from mountain areas, land utilization, and infiltration and evaporation in the irrigation and non‐irrigation areas. The modelling system provides a quantitative method to describe spatial and temporal distributions and transformations between various water resources, and it has application to other watersheds in arid and semi‐arid areas. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Characterization of cry2-type genes of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from soil-isolated of Sichuan basin, China

Sichuan basin, situated in the west of China, is the fourth biggest basin in China. In order to describe a systematic study of the cry2-type genes resources from Bacillus thuringiensis strains of Sichuan basin, a total of 791 Bacillus thuringiensis strains have been screened from 2650 soil samples in different ecological regions. The method of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to identify the type of cry2 genes. The results showed that 322 Bacillus thuringiensis strains harbored cry2-type genes and four different RFLP patterns were found. The combination of cry2Aa/cry2Ab genes was the most frequent (90.4%), followed by cry2Aa (6.8%) and cry2Ab alone (2.5%), and only one novel type of cry2 gene was cloned from one isolate (JF19-2). The full-length of this novel gene was obtained by the method of thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (Tail-PCR), which was designated as cry2Ag1 (GenBank No. ACH91610) by the Bt Pesticide Crystal Protein Nomenclature Committee. In addition, the result of scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation showed that these strains had erose, spherical, bipyramidal, and square crystal. And the results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) demonstrated that these strains harbored about one to three major proteins. These strains exhibited a wide range of insecticidal spectrum toxic to Aedes aegypti (Diptera) and Pieris rapae Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera). Particularly, JF19-2 contained cry2Ag gene had the highest insecticidal activity. All these researches mentioned above revealed the diversity and particularity of cry2-type gene resources from Bacillus thuringiensis strains in Sichuan basin.

Sedentarisation of Tibetan nomads in China: Implementation of the Nomadic settlement project in the Tibetan Amdo area; Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces

Sedentarisation efforts have been part of the Chinese policy on the Tibetan grassland since the 1960s. These efforts increased significantly after the introduction of the Opening of the west (Chin: 西部大开发 xibu da kaifa) development strategy. The aim of the sedentarisation programs is mainly to improve the grassland ecosystem and also the socio-economic situation of nomadic households. Nevertheless the program aims do not concentrate primarily on the nomads and how they cope with the situation and new lifestyle in the urban settlements. Are the settlement measures going to solve the situation on the grassland in the west of China, or is the hasty implementation going to bring further social problems for Tibetan nomads, that the Central Government will have to solve? This article will not be able to answer all these important questions as the resettlement process has not been completely accomplished yet. The article focuses on recently implemented projects in the sequence of sedentarisation programs, the so-called Nomadic settlement (Chin: 游牧民定居 you mumin dingju) and describes the main elements of this project according to governmental documents, interviews with responsible persons and its implementation in areas of Maqin and Zeku Counties in Qinghai Province and Hongyuan County in Sichuan Province. The article provides information on the outcome of the project, the recent situation and offers a basis for further research.

Robert Southey and the Romantic Failure of China

In his seminal Oriental poem of 1801, Thalaba Destroyer, Robert Southey teasingly alludes to topos of In Book 6, Southey describes how Thalaba sleeps after journeying at night to dark valley. On waking, he is confronted with a scene of wonders as thousand streams wander across plain into blue ethereal ocean, creating isles of colourful mosses and lichens and spectacular gushing fountains: This was wild and wondrous scene, Strange and beautiful, as where By Oton-tala, like sea of stars, The hundred sources of Hoangho burst. (Southey 2004, 3: 94) Southey here refers to Whang-ho (Huang He) or Yellow River. His notes to these lines direct reader to two sources. The first is A Description of Tibet collected fourth volume of 'Thomas Astley's New General Collection of Voyages and Travels (1745-47), from which we learn in place where ho rises, there are more than an hundred springs which sparkle like stars, whence it is called Hotun Nor, Sea of Stars. This remark is attributed to Jesuit, Antoine Gaubil. The second source is Thomas Percy's remarkable 1761 edition of first Chinese novel ever to be translated into English or any other European language for matter, seventeenth-century Ming work, Hao Ch'iu Chuan or The Story of an Ideal Marriage (Hau Kiou Choann or The Pleasing History Percy's version). Percy supplies note describing how Whang ho, or as Portugueze call it Hoam-ho, i.e. River rises not far from source of Ganges Tartarian mountains west of China. He points out river receives its name from yellow mud which stains waters and composes third part of its volume: the Chinese say its waters cannot become clear thousand years; whence it is common proverb among them for any thing which is never likely to happen, proverb actually used novel (Southey 2004, 3: 252; Percy 1761, 2: 214-55). Southey's tentative engagement with literature of China, through Percy's edition of Hau kio Choann, might be regarded as metonymic of Romantic-period response to Qing Empire of late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was clearly fascinated by Chinese and he absorbed much of Percy's translation, yet his interest and knowledge of China was not itself translated into work of Romantic imagination. In letter to John Rickman of October 1808, Southey remembered novel enough to use it discussion of one of his bete noires, practice of polygamy by non-European peoples. Southey argued polygamy was some way responsible for perceived stagnation of 18th century Contra Southey, Rickman argued China goes on pretty well despite its well-known practicing of polygamy and it was want of an alphabet really accounted for what he stereotypically describes as the frozen limits of Chinese science. China's successes, meanwhile, Southey ascribed to its remaining an undivided empire due to unique circumstance of its haying literary aristocracy, all subordinate authority being bands of men whose education and whose habits of life make them averse to war. Robbers are only rebels there; demoralizing effects of system are same there as elsewhere. exemplifies that (Southey 1849-50, 3: 191-92). Shuey-ping-sin (Ping-hsin) is heroine of Pleasing History though novel actually centres on issue of arranged marriage rather than polygamy, which is not heavily featured, though briefly mentioned Percy's notes (1761, 4: 143-44). Southey read great deal more about China than what was discoverable Percy and Astley's collection of voyages. While still at Westminster school, he encountered seven-volume English translation (1733-39) of Jean Frederic Bernard's Ceremonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde (1723-43), lavishly illustrated by engraver Bernard Picart. …

Genetic variation in seed and seedling traits of six Haloxylon ammodendron shrub provenances in desert areas of China

China is one of the countries most severely affected by desertification. Haloxylon ammodendron is an ecologically important component of the desert ecosystem and is one of the main shrub species used for ecological restoration. We compared the genetic variation in seed and seedling traits among six H. ammodendron provenances arrayed from east to west in China. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in well-prepared seedling beds (lines 1.5 m apart and seeds with in lines 1.0 m apart, 2.0 cm deep) with five lines (seven seeds per line) per provenance in a randomized block design with six replicates. The seed traits of fruit wing length, kernel weight, germination rate, and survival rate were compared, as were the seedling traits of internode length, branch number, assimilation shoot diameter, height, collar diameter, new shoot length, main root number, main root length, aboveground fresh weight, and underground fresh weight. Moreover, correlations between each seed and seedling trait and climate and geographical factors were assessed. The results show that the seeds from Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia had the best performance. Germination rate and survival rate were significantly positively correlated with longitude; and fruit wing length, kernel weight, seedling height, and new shoot length were significantly negatively correlated with latitude. Fruit wing length was significantly correlated with altitude. Among the climatic factors, the temperature in January had a strong direct effect on fruit wing length, germination rate, seedling height, and new shoot length. The mean annual rainfall had a strong direct effect on collar diameter. Humidity had a strong direct effect on survival rate. Seedling height, aboveground weight, and collar diameter could be important criteria for early provenance selection in the seedling stage. This study provides a reference for the selection of high-quality H. ammodendron seeds for drylands of northwest China.

Estimation of GPS strain rate and its error analysis in the Chinese continent

In this paper we first estimate the strain rate field with 1202 GPS vectors from 1999 to 2005 in the Chinese continent. Then we propose a method to make error analysis of the strain rates computed from GPS vectors based on the Monte Carlo technique. In general, the orientations of compressive principal strain rates are in agreement with those of present tectonic stresses. The strain rates in the paper confirm the tectonic features of Tibetan Plateau such as NE–W compression and shortening, E–W extension, and normal faulting along near N–S faults. At the same time, the eastward extrusion in the east part of Tibet can also be seen from the strain rate field. In the error analysis, independent computation of strain rates is repeated for a large number of times, both the absolute and relative errors as well as the mean value of strain rates are obtained through statistical theory. The error result shows that the errors of strain rates may be associated with the uncertainties of GPS measurement and the distribution of GPS stations in space. The magnitude of the strain rate error is in the range of 3–8 × 10 −9/yr across China in general. However, we found that the relative errors are much larger in East China than those in the west of China. In addition, the relative errors of maximum shear strain rates are smaller than those of surface dilation rates. Also, we found that there may be some correlations between maximum shear strain rates and seismic activities. Where the maximum shear strain rates are higher, there the earthquakes occur more frequently. The computed GPS strain rates reveal the distributed nature of deformation across the whole Chinese continent, and can represent the main present-day tectonic features. The strain rate and its error in the paper may provide important constraints to geodynamical modeling.