mlsa-iai-msu-lab/ru_sci_bench_zho_cite_reranking huggingface dataset:
铁皮石斛活性成分动态变化规律研究

目的开展铁皮石斛活性成分含量的动态变化规律研究。方法采用药典方法测定不同种源铁皮石斛不同生长期的总灰分、醇溶性浸出物、多糖、甘露糖的含量。结果不同种源铁皮石斛总灰分在12月份到次年5月份缓慢下降,醇溶性浸出物7月份之后缓慢上升,1 ~ 2月份达到顶峰,铁皮石斛不同生长期的多糖和甘露糖含量存在显著的差异,多糖和甘露糖含量在5月份到6月份较高。结论为铁皮石斛新资源食品申报、炮制规范修订以及优良品种造育等提供依据。
云南鼠尾草SSR位点信息分析和引物初筛

目的初步从滇丹参转录组文库中筛选出EST序列简单重复序列(SSR)位点,为进一步筛选出多态性丰富的SSR引物奠定基础。方法使用Micro SAtellite(MISA)软件分析滇丹参高通量转录组SSR的分布频率和重复基元的类型特征,利用软件Primer3设计引物,实现SSR引物初次筛选,再使用PCR扩增技术对滇丹参SSR引物进行二次筛选。结果40对引物共有25对出现特异性扩增片段,其中20对扩增产物与预期产物相符度较高。结论利用初步筛选出可用的SSR分子标记,为下一步筛选出多态性丰富的SSR引物奠定基础。转录组SSR分子标记开发将有助于滇丹参遗传多样性的研究。
健脾活血膏方治疗缓解期类风湿关节炎的临床疗效观察

目的观察健脾活血膏方治疗缓解期类风湿关节炎(RA)的临床疗效。方法56例缓解期RA患者分为对照组和治疗组,每组28例,对照组予以常规抗风湿对症基础治疗,治疗组加用健脾活血膏方,制膏后分早晚两次口服(每次服用15g,用开水冲服)。观察两组治疗前后关节炎疼痛评估(VAS),DAS28分值,HAQ评分,SF评分,中医证候积分,以及实验室指标(ESR、RF、CRP; IgA、IgG、IgM、CCP、GPI)变化。结果健脾活血膏方能有效降低RA疼痛VAS评分、DAS28分值、HAQ评分、中医证候积分及实验室指标(ESR、RF、CRP、CCP、GPI),升高SF评分(P < 0。 05或P < 0。 01),治疗组结果显著优于对照组(P < 0。 05或P < 0。 01)。治疗组服用膏方未见全身不良反应,血常规、肝肾功能未见明显异常。结论健脾活血膏方有助于改善RA患者临床症状,改善中医症候,提高患者生活质量,维持病情稳定,具有良好的增效作用,且安全性好,适合长期服用。
从临床研究看老年精神医学范畴

老年精神医学由“老年”和“精神医学”2个核心词组成,传统上重点关注4D,即痴呆(dementia)、抑郁(depression )、谵妄(delirium)和酒药相关问题(drug-related mental problems)等的临床诊断、治疗和相关研究。这一内涵在脑科学时代及社会老龄化形势下都已得到拓展。本期重点专题中关于老年抑郁和认知障碍的临床专家共识、临床研究以及综述,都在一定程度上展现了学科范畴的衍化。
anoctaminopathy 研究进展

anoctaminopathy 是由 AN05基因突变导致 anoctamin 5蛋白表达异常而出现临床表型各异的一组常染色体隐性遗传性骨骼肌疾病。目前认为anoctaminopathy是常染色体隐性遗传肢带型肌营养不良(limb girdle muscular dystrophy,LGMD)、Miyoshi 肌营养不良(Miyoshi myopathy dystrophy,MMD)和无症状高肌酸激酶血症的常见病因之一。迄今国外已有数百例报道,2017年国内通过基因检测确诊1例。我们通过对anoctaminopathy的病因、临床表型、肌肉病理、影像学检查及基因检测的最新研究进展进行综述,为临床识别和鉴别该疾病提供参考。
神经认知障碍精神行为症状群临床诊疗专家共识

精神行为症状群( neuropsychiatric syndrome, NPS)可见于神经认知障碍的不同时期,包括轻度行为损害(mild behavioral impairment,MBI)与痴呆精神行为症状群(behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, BPSD)。MBI是较认知障碍出现更早的行为和情感症状,如动机缺乏、情绪不稳定、冲动控制障碍、社交不适切、异常的信念和观念等,可增加个体发生痴呆的风险,或者是痴呆的早期症状。美国阿尔茨海默病协会设立的国际阿尔茨海默病研究与治疗促进学会(Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimerfs Research and Treatment, ISTAART)神经精神症状研究兴趣小组对MBI提出了操作性诊断标准,但其评估框架和诊断信效度尚需进一步验证。BPSD可出现在痴呆病程中的任何阶段,其可加重患者的社会生活功能障碍,给患者本人、家属和照料者造成较大的心理痛苦,影响生活质量,增加了医疗和照护负担,这往往也是患者接受住院治疗的主要原因,是痴呆临床治疗的重点和难点。本共识中我们将重点介绍BPSD的主要临床表现和临床管理与诊疗策略。
中熟中籼杂交稻新组合宜香优37

宜香优37是四川省农业科学院水稻高粱研究所与宜宾市农业科学院合作,应用宜宾市农业科学院育成的香稻不育系宜香1A与自育恢复系泸恢37配组育成的中熟中籼杂交水稻新组合,2016年通过四川省农作物品种审定委员会审定。该组合具有熟期适宜、丰产性能突出、稳产性好、适应性广、抗稻瘟病能力较强等特点,适宜在四川省平坝丘陵区种植。
优质杂交晚稻新组合银丰优华占高产栽培技术

经江西省各地种植,双季杂交晚稻新组合银丰优华占表现出米质优、产量高、抗性较强、熟期适宜等特点。介绍了该组合2015-2016年在江西各地的种植表现及其高产栽培技术。
籼粳杂交中稻新组合甬优4149在新晃县高产栽培技术

2016年籼粳杂交稻新组合甬优4149在湖南省新晃县示范种植8.06 hm~2,平均产量为13.01 t/hm~2,通过示范种植,掌握了该品种的特性,并总结了其高产栽培技术。
优质杂交糯稻新组合信优糯5533高产制种技术

信优糯5533是信阳市农科院水稻研究所利用自育糯性恢复系信糯恢5533和自育糯性不育系信3122Awx配组育成的三系杂交糯稻新组合。2016年通过了河南省农作物品种审定委员会审定,审定编号:豫审稻2016010。介绍了该组合亲本的特征特性和其在信阳地区的高产制种技术。
环状软骨侵袭性骨巨细胞瘤一例

综上所述,发生在长骨的GCT较为常见,而发生在环状软骨的侵袭性GCT十分罕见。当喉部占位性病灶内出现分房及液-液平面时应考虑到本病的可能。影像特征有助于 GCT的定位、定性诊断,确诊仍依赖于病理,与S-100蛋白联合应用,可对诊断及鉴别诊断提供重要依据。
瘢痕妊娠动脉血管网数字化三维模型重建及意义

目的:探讨剖宫产瘢痕妊娠(CSP)数字化三维模型的构建方法及其在患者行子宫动脉栓塞术(UAE)中的应用和意义。方法:将10例CSP患者随机分为实验组和对照组,各5例。实验组:UAE术前行双源CTA扫描,获取CTA原始图像后利用Mimics10.01软件对盆腔动脉系统进行三维重建,将构建的CSP数字化三维模型用于指导UAE手术操作;对照组:常规行UAE手术。比较两组的手术时间、辐射时间、术后止血时间和副反应发生率。结果:5例CSP数字化三维模型重建特点:2例患者的病灶由双侧子宫动脉和卵巢动脉共同供血,3例仅由双侧子宫动脉供血;患者均双侧血供不均衡,其中3例以左侧为主,2例右侧为主。三维模型与DSA图形结果对比:DSA可显示病灶的血供来源,但1例有卵巢动脉供血的患者DSA图像未见卵巢动脉显影。三维重建可清晰显示动脉的开口角度和走行特点。10例患者UAE术后均无明显并发症发生。实验组的平均手术时间、辐射时间为(39.54±3.12)min和(9.41±0.83)min,显著小于对照组的(46.01±3.65)min和(11.75±1.63)min,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组的术后止血时间无统计学差异。结论:CSP的数字化三维模型可用于UAE的术前和术中指导,缩短CSP-UAE的手术时间和辐射剂量,并为模拟手术平台的建立提供基础。
Effect of yttrium addition on flow behavior of Cu-Zr-Al bulk metallic glass in the supercooled liquid region

The high temperature deformation behaviors and thermal workability of Cu_(43)Zr_(48)Al_9 and(Cu_(43)Zr_(48)Al_9)_(98)Y_2 bulk metallic glasses in the supercooled liquid region were investigated by the uniaxial compression tests. The results showed that the high temperature deformation behaviors were highly sensitive to strain rate and temperature, and the flow stress decreased with the increase of temperature, as well as with the decrease of strain rate. Additionally, the(Cu_(43)Zr_(48)Al_9)_(98)Y_2 bulk metallic glass displayed smaller flow stress under the same condition. The flow behavior changed from Newtonian to non-Newtonian with increase of the strain rate, as well as the decrease of temperature, which could be explained by the transition state theory. We found that(Cu_(43)Zr_(48)Al_9)_(98)Y_2 bulk metallic glass had better flow behavior than the Cu_(43)Zr_(48)Al_9 bulk metallic glass in the supercooled liquid region. In addition, the processing maps of the two bulk metallic glasses were constructed considering the power dissipation efficiency. The optimum domain for thermal workability of the bulk metallic glass was located using the processing map, where the power dissipation efficiency was larger than 0.8. It was shown that the(Cu_(43)Zr_(48)Al_9)_(98)Y_2 bulk metallic glass, which had larger area of optimum domain, had excellent thermoplastic forming.
自身免疫性脑炎14例临床特点分析

目的探讨自身免疫性脑炎的临床特点以及不同的肿瘤干预方法对预后可能的影响。方法纳入自身免疫性脑炎患者14例,分析其临床症状、辅助检查结果、合并肿瘤情况、治疗方案,并利用改良Rankin量表(modified Rankin Scale,mRS)对其神经功能进行评价。结果男女比例为1:1.8,平均发病年龄38.4±18.3岁,呈急性或亚急性起病,临床症状主要为癫痫、精神异常、记忆力减退及反应迟钝,其中3例患者合并肿瘤。大部分患者均接受了糖皮质激素及免疫球蛋白治疗,接受免疫治疗后,患者的mRS较前改善(P<0.001)。结论早期免疫治疗对自身免疫性脑炎总体效果良好,但治疗总疗程目前暂不明确,如发现合并肿瘤,及时干预对预后可能有所帮助。
Clinicopathological and Genetic Study of an Atypical Renal Hemangioblastoma

HEMANGIOBLASTOMA (HB),a kind of benign tumor with uncertain histogenesis,is characterized by the presence of stromal cells (SCs) and a rich vascular component. It occurs sporadically,except for about 25% of the cases associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. HB typically occurs in the cerebellum,but it has been reported that HB occasionally occurs in extraneural tissues,such as kidney, adrenal, gastrointestinal tract, soft tissue,and so on. We reported an atypical case involving the kidney,which might be misdiagnosed for other renal tumors,especially clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We also reviewed previously published cases and literature,and made necessary molecular genetic study,in order to investigate its clinicopatholoical features and differential diagnosis,etc.
Current Updates on Salpingectomy for the Prevention of Ovarian Cancer and Its Practice Patterns Worldwide

A paradigm shift of the origin of ovarian cancer to fallopian tube has brought more focus on bilateral salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingectomy has shown a dramatic reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy has been a long-used practice to prevent ovarian cancer,but it brings surgical menopause and an increased mortality rate to women undergoing such a surgery at the age of <47.5. With the prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy,however,the ovarian function remains unaltered. Recent studies have shown that prophylactic salpingectomy was helpful not only in preventing high-grade serous type ovarian cancer,but also in decreasing adnexal pathologies. With the publication of committee opinion,more practitioners have accepted this proposal,but some are more concerned about its disadvantages. This review illustrates the latest updates on salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer,including its advantages and disadvantages,clinicians' opinions,public opinions,so as to find out Obstetricians' and Gynecologists' practice pattern related to opportunistic salpingectomy worldwide.
藤茶抑制N-亚硝胺的生成及诱导人前列腺癌PC-3细胞凋亡作用

目的研究藤茶提取物及其主要活性物质二氢杨梅素的抗肿瘤作用。方法采用体外体系,研究藤茶对致癌物亚硝酸盐的清除作用和对N-亚硝胺的生成抑制作用,并结合细胞实验评价藤茶对PC-3前列腺癌细胞增殖的抑制用。结果藤茶提取物和二氢杨梅素在能够有效清除亚硝酸盐,半抑制浓度分别为12.2、11.1 μg/mL,同时也能抑制亚硝胺的生成,半抑制浓度分别为48.6、15.1 μg/mL。细胞实验中,藤茶提取物及其主要活性物质二氢杨梅素可以抑制PC-3前列腺癌细胞的增殖,呈剂量依赖关系。细胞周期实验结果表明,藤茶提取物及二氢杨梅素能够将细胞周期阻滞于S期和G_2/M。结论藤茶提取物和二氢杨梅素可以清除亚硝酸盐,抑制N-亚硝胺的生成,诱导人前列腺癌PC-3细胞凋亡。
屋尘螨鼻激发可诱发和增加不合并哮喘的过敏性鼻炎患者上下气道炎症及气道反应性

在我国屋尘螨是引起变应性鼻炎和支气管哮喘(哮喘)的主要过敏原,前期研究结果表明,在过敏原诱发的上气道炎症小鼠模型中,下气道变应性炎症和细胞因子介导的骨髓袓细胞与全身性反应的关系,也证实了屋尘螨致敏的程度与变应性鼻炎或哮喘的严重程度存在密切相关,若能综合评估患者气道对过敏原激发后产生的病理生理及免疫学反应可以为鼻炎和哮喘真实世界研究提供更多关键的信息。本研究目的是通过各种无创性的过敏原检测方法同时观察屋尘螨鼻黏膜激发试验(简称鼻激发)后变应性鼻炎患者上下气道炎症和反应性的改变状态。研究入组了4组受试者,分别为合并气道高反应的变应性鼻炎组15例,单纯变应性鼻炎组15例,屋尘螨致敏的特应质组15例及健康对照组15例。所有受试者均在3次临床随访中按预定流程接受过敏原皮肤点刺试验,血过敏原特异性IgE检测、VAS鼻炎症状评分、鼻腔灌洗细胞学分类、屋尘螨鼻激发、鼻阻力测定、诱导痰细胞学分类、肺功能检测及呼出气一氧化氮(FeNO)检测等。结果表明4组的鼻激发后鼻阻力均升高,其中合并气道高反应的鼻炎患者升高最明显(P<0.05);激发后的VAS鼻炎症状评分、鼻灌洗和痰嗜酸粒细胞在所有鼻炎患者中都有明显升高(P<0.001),但只有合并气道高反应的鼻炎患者出现肺功能PD20-FEV,的下降及FeNO升高(P < 0.05);鼻灌洗嗜酸粒细胞分别与痰嗜酸粒细胞及FeNO水平呈正相关 r=0.737,0.736,均P <0.001),而分别与 FEV,和 PD_(20)呈负相关(r= -0.287,-0.436,0.001)。结果发现屋尘螨鼻激发会诱发和加重不合并哮喘的过敏性鼻炎患者上下气道的炎症和气道反应性,论证了“同一气道,同一疾病”的观点。
美国胸科协会和日本呼吸学会淋巴管肌瘤病2016年临床指南简介

淋巴管肌瘤病(lymphangioleiomyomatosis,LAM )是一种好发于育龄期女性,以弥漫性肺部囊性病变为特点的罕见疾病,临床通常表现为逐渐加重的呼吸困难和反复发作的气胸与乳糜胸。2010年欧洲呼吸学会(ERS)发表了全球首部LAM的诊断和治疗指南,内容包括LAM的诊断标准、评估方法、高危人群的筛查以及治疗建议。6年多过去了,LAM的临床诊断和药物治疗研究均取得了许多重要进展。鉴于此,美国胸科协会(ATS)联合日本呼吸学会(JRS)在2016年发表了 LAM诊断和管理临床指南(简称指南),系统总结了关于LAM诊断和治疗的4个重要的临床问题,本文对此进行简要介绍。
Cu(In,Ga)Se_2 absorbers prepared by electrodeposition for low-cost thin-film solar cells

Reducing the manufacturing cost of solar cells is necessary to their industrial production. Electrodepositing is an effective, non-vacuum method which is very suitable for cutting the manufacturing cost of thin films as well as developing its large-scale industrial production. In this study, about 1-lm-thick Cu(In,Ga)Se_2 (CIGS) precursors were electrodeposited on Mo/glass substrates in aqueous solution utilizing a three-electrode potentiostatic system. Triethanolamine was used as complexing agent, and all parameters of electrodeposition were precisely controlled. After that, the electrodeposited precursors were selenized in a Se atmosphere with different heating ramp rates (60 and 600 °C·min~(-1)). High-quality CIGS films were obtained, and their characteristics were investigated by X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energydispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra and near-infrared-visible (NIR-Vis) spectra. The results reveal that there are many differences between the properties of the films under different heating rates. Finally, CIGS solar cells were fabricated using a fast and a slow heating rate. The maximum efficiencies achieved for the films selenized at 60 and 600 °C·min~(-1) are 3.15% and 0.71%, respectively.
Crystalline Silica Promotes Rat Fibrocyte Differentiation in Vitro, and Fibrocytes Participate in Silicosis in Vivo

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SiO_2 on fibrocytes and whether fibrocytes participate in silicosis in vivo. Methods A macrophagocyte(AM)/fibrocyte coculture system was established, and AMs were treated with 100 μg/mL SiO_2. Flow cytometry was used to detect the number of fibrocytes. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA mRNA. The levels of collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-β1 protein were determined by ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure α-SMA protein expression. A rat silicosis model was induced by intratracheal instillation of SiO_2. Lung histopathological evaluation was conducted using HE and Masson's trichrome staining after 1 and 9 weeks. The number of fibrocytes in peripheral blood or lung tissue of rat was detected by flow cytometry. Double-color immunofluorescence was applied to identify fibrocytes in the lung tissue. Results Peripheral blood monocytes were found to differentiate into fibrocytes in vitro in a time-dependent manner, and exposure to crystalline silica might potentiate fibrocyte differentiation. In addition, fibrocytes were able to migrate from peripheral blood to the lung tissue, and the number of fibrocytes was increased after SiO_2 exposure. Conclusion Silica exposure potentiates fibrocyte differentiation, and fibrocytes may participate in silicosis in vivo.
松果体孤立性纤维性肿瘤/血管外皮细胞瘤二例

松果体恶性SFT治疗经验有限,以手术完整切除和放疗为主要的治疗手段,NAB2-STAT6融合基因可作为潜在的靶向治疗靶点,部分可复发或转移。
重症肌无力管理国际共识(2016)的创新与中国实践

重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)管理国际共识(2016)(后文简称国际共识)是继日本指南、欧洲指南、英国指南和中国指南之后最为完整和最具创新的治疗管理的共识。本文将对该共识在MG治疗方面的创新以及对中国MG患者治疗的影响进行解读。
Immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized clinical entity that often involves multiple organs; it is characterized by high levels of serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), dense infiltration of IgG4+ cells, and storiform fibrosis. Cellular immunity,particularly T cell-mediated immunity,has been implicated in the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD. The most frequent renal manifestations of IgG4-RD are IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis, membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN),and obstructive nephropathy secondary to urinary tract obstruction due to IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis, prostatitis, or ureter inflammation. Kidney function impairment can be acute or chronic. In IgG4-MGN,proteinuria can be in the nephrotic range. The diagnosis of IgG4-related kidney disease should not be based solely on serum IgG4 levels or the number of tissue-infiltrating IgG4+ plasma cells. Diagnosis should be based on specific histopathological findings, confirmed by tissue immunostaining and an appropriate clinical context. Steroid treatment is the first-line therapy. For relapsing or refractory cases, immunosuppressants could be combined with steroids. In hydronephrosis patients,appropriate immunosuppressive therapy could preclude the implantation of a double J ureteral catheter.
High-Order-Harmonic Generation from a Relativistic Circularly Polarized Laser   Interacting with Over-Dense Plasma Grating

The simple surface current model is extended to study the generation of high-order harmonics for a relativistic   circularly polarized laser pulse interacting with a plasma grating surface. Both exact relativistic electron dynamics   and optical interference of surface periodic structure are considered. It is found that high order harmonics in   the specular direction are obviously suppressed whereas the harmonics of the grating periodicity are strongly   enhanced and folded into small solid angles with respect to the surface direction. The conversion efficiency of   certain harmonics is five orders of magnitude higher than that of the planar target cases. It provides an effective   approach to generate a coherent radiation within the so-called 'water window' while maintaining high conversion   efficiency and narrow angle spread.
Stand dynamics of the drought-affected floodplain forests of Araguaia River, Brazilian Amazon

Background: The floodplain forests of Araguaia River, a clear-water river in the southeastern Amazon (Tocantins State, Brazil), are characterized by seasonal flooding up to 3.5 m height, low nutrient levels in the water, and seasonal drought periods of 4-5 months. Methods: We studied the forest dynamics (tree diameter growth, tree mortality and recruitment) of this unique forest ecosystem over a 5-year period by repeated censuses in 12 permanent plots established along a flooding gradient. Results: The cumulative basal area in the plots increased by 0.84 (±0.45) m~2·ha~~(-1)·yr~(-1) (mean ±SD) in the annually-flooded (AF) plots in lower terrain and by 0.69 (±1.00) m~2·ha~(-1)·yr~(-1) in the higher non-annually flooded (NAF) plots, corresponding to an aboveground biomass increase of 0.81 (±0.57) and 0.69 (±1.58) Mg·ha~(-1)·yr~(-l) in the AF and NAF plots, indicating a recent carbon sink in the biomass. Mean diameter growth rate was 1.8 (±0.44) mm.yr~(-1) in the AF and 2.0 (±0.56) mm·yr~(-1) in the NAF plots (corresponding to a coarse wood production of 1.53 (± and 2.02 (±0.52) Mg.ha~(-1)·yr~(-1)), indicating no flooding effect on radial growth. Mean mortality rates in the 5-year period were 1.9 (±0.37)%·yr~(-1) in the AF plots and 1.8 (±0.87)%·yr~(-1) in the NAF plots with no differences along the flooding gradient. Highest mortalities were registered in the AF plots for the 10-20 cm dbh class (2.4%·yr~(-1)), likely as a consequence of flooding, and in the NAF plots for the 40-50 cm dbh class (3.0%·yr~(-1)), probably mainly caused by ENSO-related droughts. Conclusions: We conclude that these drought-affected tropical floodplain forests have a lower standing biomass and aboveground productivity than central Amazonian floodplain forests in more humid climates, and the imprint of the flooding gradient on stand dynamics is relatively weak, which may result from the lower flooding height and the interaction of flooding with low nutrient supply and periodic drought.
Tapping the tree-ring archive for studying effects of resin extraction on the growth and climate sensitivity  Scots pine

Background: In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), resin tapping in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests was a major economic activity, and resin-tapped stands are frequently found up until this day. In this study, we investigate how the mechanical damage caused by resin tapping affects the growth and climate sensitivity of Scots pine using a dendroecological approach. Methods: Tree-ring samples were collected from resin-tapped and non-tapped trees in two forest areas in northeastern Germany, and tree-growth patterns were analyzed. For elucidating effects of resin tapping on the climate sensitivity of pine growth, climate-growth relationships and pointer years were studied. Results: We observed that resin tapping positively affects tree growth at breast height, likely as wood formation is concentrated on the living part of the bole (i.e. after tapping there is no growth taking place on the tapping face due to the mechanical damage done to the cambium). We observed no differences in the climate sensitivity of tapped and non-tapped trees, nor in the occurrence of extreme growth responses. Conclusion: Our results highlight that resin extraction is, apart from inflicting mechanical damage, not altering the sensitivity of Scots pine growth to climatic conditions.
Development and evaluation of robust tree biomass equations for rubber tree (Hevea brosiliensis) plantations in India

Background: In India, rubber (Hevea brosiliensis) plantations cover ~0.8 million ha of land, emphasizing its significant role in the Earth's carbon dynamics. Therefore, it is important to estimate the biomass stocks of plantations precisely in the context of carbon management Previous studies in India have focused on development of allometric equations for estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) through harvesting younger trees (up to 14 yr) only or on studies with small sample sizes without assessing model bias. The objective of this study was to develop biomass estimation models for different tree components in rubber plantations and assess model predictive performance at the stand level. Methods: A total of 67 trees were harvested from plantations of different ages (6, 15, 27 and 34 yr) in North East India and their diameter at 200 cm (D), height and dry weights of different tree components were recorded. The data were used for evaluation of H-D and biomass estimation models at the stand level. Results: The Michaelis-Menten function was found to be the most appropriate model for estimating tree height among 10 commonly used H-D models. For estimation of AGB and coarse root biomass, a model that involves tree volume (i.e. D~2H) was found to provide better prediction than either D or H alone or a model that combines H, D and stand density. The estimated AGB varied from 28 Mg·ha~(-1) in 6 yr. old plantation to 169 Mg·ha~(-1) in 34 yr. old plantations. The coarse root biomass was estimated at 4 Mg·ha~(-1) for 6 yr. old plantation and 12 Mg·ha~(-1) for 34 yr. old stands. Conclusions: It is concluded that models involving tree volume are more appropriate for regional level biomass estimation than simple power-law models for individual stands. We recommend that the power-law model should not be used for estimation of AGB in plantations at different growth stages because power-law parameters can be biased due to data truncation.
Buckling of thin gel strip under swelling

The buckling of thin gel film has attracted much attention due to its applications in the design of three-dimensional structure from two-dimensional template. We have established an analytical model to study the swelling-induced buckling of a thin gel strip with one edge clamped and the others free. The closed-form solutions for the amplitude and wavelength of the buckled shape are obtained by energy minimization of the total potential energy. The analytical results agree well with finite element analysis based on the inhomogeneous gel theory without any parameter fitting. The model provides a route to study complex postbuckling behaviors of thin gel films and guidelines to design the buckled configuration quantitatively by controlling the swelling ratio.
Pressure induced by the interaction of water waves with nearly equal frequencies and nearly opposite directions

We present second-order expressions for the free-surface elevation, velocity potential and pressure resulting from the interaction of surface waves in water of arbitrary depth. When the surface waves have nearly equal frequencies and nearly opposite directions, a second-order pressure can be felt all the way to the sea bottom. There are at least two areas of applications: reflective structures and microseisms. Microseisms generated by water waves in the ocean are small vibrations of the ground resulting from pressure oscillations associated with the coupling of ocean surface gravity waves and the sea floor. They are recorded on land-based seismic stations throughout the world and they are divided into primary and secondary types, as a function of spectral content. Secondary microseisms are generated by the interaction of surface waves with nearly equal frequencies and nearly opposite directions. The efficiency of microseism generation thus depends in part on ocean wave frequency and direction. Based on the second-order expressions for the dynamic pressure, a simple theoretical analysis that quantifies the degree of nearness in amplitude, frequency, and incidence angle, which must be reached to observe the phenomenon, is presented.
Effect of negative permeability on elastic wave propagation in magnetoelastic multilayered composites

With the advent of left-handed magnetic materials, it is desirable to develop high-performance wave devices based on their novel properties of wave propagation. This letter reports the special properties of elastic wave propagation in magnetoelastic multilayered composites with negative permeability as compared to those in counterpart structures with positive permeability. These novel properties of elastic waves are discerned from the diversified dispersion curves, which represent the propagation and attenuation characteristics of elastic waves. To compute these dispersion curves, the method of reverberation-ray matrix is extended for the analysis of elastic waves in magnetoelastic multilayered composites. Although only the results of a single piezomagnetic and a binary magnetoelastic layers with mechanically free and magnetically short surfaces as well as perfect interface are illustrated in the numerical examples, the analysis is applicable to magnetoelastic multilayered structures with other kinds of boundaries/interfaces.