Exploring carbon sequestration in broad-leaved Korean pine forests: Insights into photosynthetic and respiratory processes.

A comprehensive understanding of carbon assimilation and sequestration in broad-leaved Korean pine forests is crucial for accurately estimating this significant aspect of temperate forests at a regional scale. In this study, we introduced a high-temporal resolution model designed for carbon assimilation insights at the plot scale, focusing on specific parameters such as leaf area dynamics, vertical leaf distribution, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) fluctuations, and the photosynthetic traits of tree species. The findings reveal that most tree species in broad-leaved Korean pine forests exhibit an inverted U-shaped pattern in leaf area dynamics, with shorter leaf drop periods than leaf expansion events.

Indoor Robot Path Planning Using an Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm.

An improved whale optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the problems of the original algorithm in indoor robot path planning, which has slow convergence speed, poor path finding ability, low efficiency, and is easily prone to falling into the local shortest path problem. First, an improved logistic chaotic mapping is applied to enrich the initial population of whales and improve the global search capability of the algorithm. Second, a nonlinear convergence factor is introduced, and the equilibrium parameter A is changed to balance the global and local search capabilities of the algorithm and improve the search efficiency.

Copy number variations of gene and the relationship with growth traits in four Chinese sheep.

CNVs (copy number variations) are the novel and common structural variants that could cover entire genes found in plenty of species. CNV may influence economically important traits or disease susceptibility in livestock species. Based on the whole genome resequencing results, we found that there was a CNV region on the gene.

Polymorphism of CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C > G is associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease in a Chinese population.

Background And Aims: The association of polymorphism of circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK) gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was examined in the present study.

Methods: This was a case/control study and investigated the association of polymorphism of CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of AD. Genotypes of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) detection method.

Prognostic significance of serum miR-17-5p in lung cancer.

miR-17-5p is abnormally expressed in various tumor types. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level of miR-17-5p in serum of patients with lung cancer and to determine whether serum miR-17-5p expression is related to the prognosis of patients with lung cancer. RT-qPCR was used to examine expression of miRNA-17-5p in 20 pairs of lung cancer and adjacent normal tissues, and sera from 221 patients with lung cancer and 54 matched controls.

Surgical excision of extensive sacrococcygeal chordomas assisted by occlusion of the abdominal aorta.

Object: An extensive sacrococcygeal chordoma is considered a challenge for neurosurgeons. Because of the complex anatomy of the sacral region, the risk of uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage, and the typically large tumor size at presentation, complete resections are technically difficult and the tumor recurrence rate is high. The aim of this study was to assess the value of using occlusion of the abdominal aorta by means of a balloon dilation catheter and electrophysiological monitoring when an extensive sacrococcygeal chordoma is removed.