mlsa-iai-msu-lab/ru_sci_bench_zho_cite_reranking huggingface dataset:
Response of density-related fine root production to soil and leaf traits in coniferous and broad-leaved plantations in the semiarid loess hilly region of China

Fine roots are the most active and functional component of root systems and play a significant role in the acquisition of soil resources. Density is an important structural factor in forest plantations but information on changes in fine roots along a density gradient is limited. In this study, plantations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) with four density classes were analyzed for the influence of soil and leaf traits on fine root growth. Fine root biomass increased with stand density. High fine root biomass was achieved through increases in the fine root production and turnover rate in the high-density black locust plantations and through an increase in fine root production in the pine plantations. In the high-density Chinese pine stand, there was a high fine root turnover which, coupled with high fine root production, contributed to a high fine root biomass. Overall, fine root production and turnover rate were closely related to soil volumetric water content in both kinds of plantations, while fine root biomass, especially the component of necromass, was related to soil nutrient status, which refers to phosphorous content in black locust plantations and nitrogen content in Chinese pine plantations. There was a close linkage between leaf area index and fine root dynamics in the black locust plantations but not in the pine plantations.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Robinia pseudoacacia from six improved variety bases in China as revealed by simple sequence repeat markers

Robinia pseudoacacia is an important afforestation tree introduced to China in 1878. In the present study, we examined the genetic diversity among 687 strains representing four improved varieties and two secondary provenances, comprising 641 clones and 46 seedlings. Ninetyone simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were selected through segregation analysis and polymorphism characterization, and all sampled individuals were genotyped using wellcharacterized SSR markers. After excluding loci with nonneutral equilibrium, missing locus data and null alleles, we used 36 primer pairs to assess the genetic diversity of these germplasm resources, revealing vast genetic differentiation among the samples, with an average of 8.352 alleles per locus and a mean Shannon's index of 1.302. At the population level, the partitioning of variability was assessed using analysis of molecular variance, which revealed 93% and 7% variation within and among collection sites, respectively. Four clusters were detected using structure analysis, indicating a degree of genetic differentiation among the six populations. Insights into the genetic diversity and structure of R. pseudoacacia provide a theoretical basis for the conservation, breeding and sustainable development in China.
Leaf recognition using BP-RBF hybrid neural network

Plant recognition has great potential in forestry research and management. A new method combined back propagation neural network and radial basis function neural network to identify tree species using a few features and samples. The process was carried out in three steps: image pretreatment, feature extraction, and leaf recognition. In the image pretreatment processing, an image segmentation method based on hue, saturation and value color space and connected component labeling was presented, which can obtain the complete leaf image without veins and background. The BP-RBF hybrid neural network was used to test the influence of shape and texture on species recognition. The recognition accuracy of different classifiers was used to compare classification performance. The accuracy of the BP-RBF hybrid neural network using nine dimensional features was 96.2%, highest among all the classifiers.
Rapid Assessment on Potential Risks of Schistosomiasis Transmission - 7 PLADs, China, 2019 and 2021

What is already known about this topic? Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis) and livestock are main infection sources of schistosomiasis. The schistosome infected O. hupensis and livestock's feces are important risk factors in the transmission of schistosomiasis. What is added by this report? The potential risks of schistosomiasis transmission remain prevalent, giving an early warning to local government with information on existing transmission risks. It is expected that the effectiveness and efficiency of schistosomiasis surveillance could be improved by conducting rapid risk assessment at the beginning of transmission season. What are the implications for public health practice? Rapid risk assessment is essential in early detection and the active monitoring of indicators of the transmission risks of schistosomiasis in endemic areas. This could work synergistically with surveillance system to minimize infections and prevent rebounds of endemic schistosomiasis outbreaks.
Impacts of PM_(2.5) on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Indicators Attenuated by Blood Pressure Control Status and Treatment-Two Cities and Two Municipalities,China,2017-2019

What is already known about this topic? Short-term PM_(2.5) exposure has been associated with hourly,24-hour,daytime,and nighttime blood pressure (BP) levels,and further studies focusing whether and how the associations with other ambulatory BP monitoring indicators are warranted.What is added by this report? This study observed that short-term PM_(2.5) exposure was associated with BP elevations and was the first to report the associations of short-term PM_(2.5) exposure with BP variability.Circadian rhythm of BP and BP load among hypertensive patients were found to be modified by controlled BP status or taking angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).What are the implications for public health practice? This study suggested that antihypertensive therapy,especially with well-controlled BP status may be potential measurements to attenuate adverse impacts of PM_(2.5) for hypertensive patients with intermediate-tohigh risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Progress and Prospects of Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination in China

Through concerted stakeholder effort,rabies prevention and control in China has achieved remarkable results.The reported incidence of human rabies continues to decline at a rate of approximately 20% each year.In 2020,a total of 202 human rabies cases were reported countrywide,a decrease of 94% when compared with the most recent peak in 2007(3,300 human cases).Likewise,rabies was reported only in 143 counties and districts,a decrease of 86% when compared to 984 counties and districts in 2007.More than 20 provincial-level administration divisions(PLADs) reported a drop in the number of cases to zero or single digits,demonstrating a sporadic trend in rabies occurrence.China has more than 2,800 counties and districts,and dog-mediated rabies may have been eliminated in some areas,which is a solid foundation for achieving the goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies nationwide (1-3).
Braking Force Model on Virus Transmission to Evaluate Interventions Including the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines-Worldwide,2019-2021

Introduction:Assessing the effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccines on controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is key for each government to optimize the anticontagion policy according to their situation.Methods:We proposed the Braking Force Model on Virus Transmission to evaluate the validity and efficiency of NPIs and vaccines.This model classified the NPIs and the administration of vaccines at different effectiveness levels and forecasted the duration required to control the pandemic,providing an indication of the future trends of the pandemic wave.Results:This model was applied to study the effectiveness of the most commonly used NPIs according to the historic pandemic waves in different countries and regions.It was found that when facing an outbreak,only strict lockdown would give efficient control of the pandemic;the other NPIs were insufficient to promptly and effectively reduce virus transmission.Meanwhile,our results showed that NPIs would likely only slow down the pandemic's progression and maintain a low transmission level but fail to eradicate the disease.Only vaccination would likely have had a better chance of success in ending the pandemic.Discussion:Based on the Braking Force Model,a pandemic control strategy framework has been devised for policymakers to determine the commencement and duration of appropriate interventions,with the aim of obtaining a balance between public health risk management and economic recovery.
Characteristics of Settings and Etiologic Agents of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks-China,2020

Introduction:Foodborne diseases are a growing public health problem and have caused a large burden of disease in China.This study analyzed epidemiological characteristics of foodborne diseases in China in 2020 to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control measures.Methods:Data were collected from 30 of 31 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) in the mainland of China,excluding Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region,via the National Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System.The number and proportion of outbreaks,illnesses,hospitalizations,deaths by setting,pathogen-food category pairs and etiology were calculated.Results:In 2020,7,073 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported,resulting in 37,454 illnesses and 143 deaths.Among the identified pathogens,microbial pathogens were the most common confirmed etiology,accounting for 41.7% of illnesses.Poisonous mushrooms caused the largest proportion of outbreaks (58.0%) and deaths (57.6%).For venues where foodborne disease outbreaks occur,household had the highest number of outbreaks (4,140) and deaths (128),and catering service locations caused the largest proportion of illnesses (59.9%).Outbreaks occurring between June and September accounted for 62.8% of total outbreaks.Conclusions:Foodborne disease outbreaks mainly occurred in households.Microbial pathogens remained the top cause of outbreak-associated illnesses.Poisonous mushrooms were ranked the top cause of deaths in private homes in China.The supervision and management of food safety and health education should be strengthened to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases.Publicity should be increased to reduce the incidence of mushroom poisonings in families,and supervision and management of food should be strengthened to reduce microbial contamination.
Orofacial Clefts in High Prevalence Area of Birth Defects- Five Counties,Shanxi Province,China,2000-2020

What is already known on this topic? The prevalence of structural birth defects,especially neural tube defects,decreased after national folic acid(FA) supplementation initiation.What is added by this report? The prevalence of orofacial clefts (OFCs) in five counties of Shanxi Province in northern China,including most subtypes except cleft palate,showed a downward trend in the past two decades.In this study,pre-perinatal prevalence increased due to earlier detection.What are the implications for public health practice? Periconceptional supplementation with FA may contribute to the decline in OFCs prevalence,while the effect on the OFCs subtype needs further investigation.Continuing to advocate for earlier supplementation (3 months before conception) and increased supplementation frequency (daily consumption) could promote further reduction in the prevalence of OFCs.Specific surveillance of this effect in the era of universal three-child policy is warranted.
Long Distance Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Contaminated Cold Chain Products to Humans — Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, September 2020

What is already known about this topic? Though coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has largely been controlled in China, several outbreaks of COVID-19 have occurred from importation of cases or of suspected virus-contaminated products. Though several outbreaks have been traced to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) isolated on the outer packaging of cold chain products, live virus has not been obtained. What is added by this report? In September 2020, two dock workers were detected as having asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection using throat swabs during routine screening in Qingdao, China. Epidemiological information showed that the two dock workers were infected after contact with contaminated outer packaging, which was confirmed by genomic sequencing. Compared to the Wuhan reference strain, the sequences from the dock workers and the package materials differed by 12–14 nucleotides. Furthermore, infectious virus from the cold chain products was isolated by cell culture, and typical SARS-CoV-2 particles were observed under electron microscopy. What are the implications for public health practice? The international community should pay close attention to SARS-CoV-2 transmission mode through cold chain, build international cooperative efforts in response, share relevant data, and call on all countries to take effective prevention and control measures to prevent virus contamination in cold-chain food production, marine fishing and processing, transportation, and other operations.
Mushroom Poisoning Outbreaks — China, 2010–2020

Introduction: Mushroom poisoning was the leading cause of foodborne disease outbreaks and outbreak-associated deaths in China. Mushroom poisoning outbreak surveillance can provide insight into the epidemiological characteristics of mushroom poisonings and guide policymaking and health education to reduce illnesses and deaths. Methods: Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System was upgraded in 2011 to collect foodborne disease outbreaks in China. Mushroom poisoning outbreaks during 2010–2020 were selected to analyze geographical distribution, seasonal distribution, and setting of food preparation. Results: A total of 10,036 outbreaks, which resulted in 38,676 illnesses and 788 deaths, were reported in this period. Mushroom poisonings occurred all over the country, but with highest incidence in the southwest and central China. Overall, 84.6% outbreaks were associated with food prepared in households, followed by 8.7% in street stalls, and 2.5% in canteens. Mushroom poisoning outbreaks clearly exhibited seasonality, and the peak season was summer through autumn. Outbreaks occurring between May and October accounted for 94.1% of total outbreaks, 92.4% illnesses, and 97.2% deaths. Conclusions: Mushroom poisoning is a food safety issue of higher concern in China. Targeted health education is essential to reduce mushroom poisoning, especially in southwest China. Citizens are advised to not collect or eat wild mushrooms.
Two Imported Cases of New Variant COVID-19 First Emerging in Nigeria—Guangdong Province, China, March 12, 2021

On February 19, 2021, a 48-year-old male (Case A, XG2275) returning from Nigeria and a 38-year-old female (Case B, XG2276) returning from Ukraine via airplane were tested by the laboratory of Guangzhou Customs using nose swabs to test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Both of them tested positive and were transported by ambulance from the isolation point to Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital. They are still undergoing centralized medical observation in the hospital after recovery.
Epidemiological Data of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders—China, 2018-2020

What is already known about this topic? In recent decades, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have become increasingly prominent and have become an important issue that is of universal concern and an urgent need to be solved in all countries of the world. What is added by this report? The top three industries or occupational groups with the highest standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs were flight attendants, medical staff, and vegetable greenhouses in that order. Women workers were 1.5 times more likely to suffer from WMSDs than men workers. What are the implications for public health practice? This study has found the prevalence and distribution characteristics of WMSDs in key industries in China. It is urgent to draw up relevant measures to prevent and control occupational populations with WMSDs.
Interpretation of Healthy Diet Campaign in Healthy China Initiative 2019-2030

With the continuous development of the economy and agricultural modernization in the past three decades, nutritional deficiency issues in the Chinese population have been gradually improving. However, new nutritional and health challenges have emerged. Overweight and obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases have increasingly become major disease burden. In view of the problems above, the State Council released the Healthy China Initiative 2019-2030 focusing on 15 special campaigns and the Healthy Diet Campaign (HDC) as the second campaign. This article intends to interpret HDC in details including the following four aspects: background, major indices, strategies, and features. Healthy diet is the foundation of human health, and the HDC needs to be carried out together with other campaigns to achieve the overall goal of Healthy China.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Osteoarthritis in Yichang City—Hubei Province, China, 2017-2018

What is already known about this topic? OA has been listed as the fastest increasing major public health problem and ranked second as a cause of disability by World Health Organization (WHO). With population aging, osteoarthritis (OA) is causing an increased economic burden for individuals and society and is attracting an increasing amount of scientific attention. What is added by this report? This research used healthcare data to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of OA in Yichang City, Hubei Province, China. The exact number and distribution of patients were obtained, and a descriptive analysis of OA visits by age, gender, and season was performed. Knee joint disease among women was most common, followed by other joint diseases. Knee osteoarthritis was the most common OA diagnosis between 60 and 69 years of age. What are the implications for public health practice? In China, the prevalence of OA among middle-age and elderly people was high. With increases in the size of the elderly population, the burden of disease caused by OA may increase. It is necessary to strengthen publicity to improve people’s awareness of self-health care of bone and joint. Interventions and preventive strategies targeting high-risk groups are urgently needed in order to improve healthy bones and healthy life quality among middle-age and elderly people.
Lessons from COVID-19 to Help Prevent Future Pandemics

In just over 12 months since it was first discovered, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused over 100 million confirmed cases and more than 2.2 million deaths. Its impact on our global economy has been staggering and likely to be in the tens of trillions of dollars by the time vaccines are fully deployed (1). COVID-19 has caused significant hardship, mortality, and morbidity across the world, from the lockdowns experienced by the citizens of Wuhan in early 2020, through to the waves of case spikes in European, North American, and other countries. Pandemics of this scale are rare, and many have called COVID-19 a once-in-acentury pandemic, but our research suggests that they are increasing in frequency, driven by a rise in the animal-to-human pathogen spillover events that usually cause them (2). Over the last 2 decades, our group has been tracking the origins of emerging diseases, analyzing their causes, plotting their geography, and mathematically dissecting the trends that drive them to emerge. Since 1960 alone, we have recorded over 500 emerging infectious disease (EID) "events" - the appearance of a new disease in the human population for the first time or the sudden rise in caseload of a known disease. By correcting for the underlying biases in reporting these events and testing their correlation with likely causes, we have shown that EIDs are on the rise and that there are predictable patterns in their emergence (3). Moreover, these patterns can be used to identify future pandemic risk, set up surveillance and control programs to reduce that risk, and build strategies to ultimately prevent pandemics.
Assessment of the Transmission Risk of Schistosomiasis after Flooding-North Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province, China, 2020

What is already known about this topic? Over 90% of Oncomelania snails, the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, are distributed in the middle and low reaches of Yangtze River. Flooding can extend the distribution of Oncomelania snails and hence accelerate the transmission of schistosomiasis. What is added by this report? Although the dispersal of Oncomelania snails was negligible in north Poyang Lake after flooding in 2020, 2 samples of cattle feces with Schistosoma egg and 2 infected snails samples were indeed found. All four risk sites were distributed in Lushan County. Cattle feces were observed in the six out of seven field sites in Lushan County. What are the implications for public health practice? The present national control strategy focusing on control of infection source should be reinforced in Lushan and other schistosomiasis endemic areas. Overlaps of infected snails and cattle feces with Schistosoma egg were not observed, which called for intensive surveillance in Lushan County.
Development of the National Air Quality Health Index - China, 2013-2018

What is already known about this topic? While the establishment of an air quality health index (AQHI) in some countries yielded positive outcomes in communicating health risks of air pollution, China lagged behind in developing its own AQHI. Several research studies of AQHI were conducted in China, but this scientific research has not yet been applied to standards. What is added by this report? This report introduced the method of calculation of Chinese AQHI to be launched in pilot cities. The index in this report was established on the basis of fully drawing on international experience and considering Chinese characteristics. What are the implications for public health practice? The purpose of this report is to guide unified application of the AQHI throughout China and translate scientific evidence into public services to promote public health. Based on the AQHI construction method in this report, an AQHI real-time computing platform and data transfer interface will be developed. The release of AQHI aims to communicate health risk of air pollution and provide scientific health protective guidance to the general public, accordingly to protect people's health.
Efficient estimation of smoothing spline with exact shape constraints

Smoothing spline is a popular method in non-parametric function estimation. For the analysis of data from real applications, specific shapes on the estimated function are often required to ensure the estimated function undeviating from the domain knowledge. In this work, we focus on constructing the exact shape constrained smoothing spline with efficient estimation. The 'exact' here is referred as to impose the shape constraint on an infinite set such as an interval in one-dimensional case. Thus the estimation becomes a so-called semi-infinite optimisation problem with an infinite number of constraints. The proposed method is able to establish a sufficient and necessary condition for transforming the exact shape constraints to a finite number of constraints, leading to efficient estimation of the shape constrained functions. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated by both simulation and real case studies.