Spatial Pattern of Plant Specimen and Its Implications in Conservation Biology in Hengduan Mountains of Southwest China

Part 1: GIS, GPS, RS and Precision FarmingInternational audienceIn the past, the spatial patterns of specimen have not been paid enough attention. In this study, we probed the spatial pattern of plant specimen and its implications in conservation biology in Hengduan Mountains, one of the hotspots of global biodiversity, based on the dataset extracted from Chinese Virtual Herbarium. The results showed that there were big differences of specimen density among the units of the studied area. High specimen density was mainly found in the boundary regions of Northwest Yunnan, Southwest Sichuan and Southeast Tibet, the central part and the southern part of the studied area. The interest of the collectors or botanists was mainly focused on the units with low population density (low disturbance of human activity) and high complexity of topography. With the increase of specimen density, an increasing trend of species density was observed. Most of the units studied were not paid enough attention in the history of specimen collection. If we collected specimen at higher density in blank or marginalized area, we may have much more chances to find more taxonomies. The spatial pattern of specimen density may shape our understanding of the spatial pattern of specie diversity. We should not only inherit specimen from our predecessors, but also, we should probe into specimen repositories to understand biodiversity status and its spatial pattern

Analytical solution for vacuum preloading considering the nonlinear distribution of horizontal permeability within the smear zone

<div><p>The vacuum preloading is an effective method which is widely used in ground treatment. In consolidation analysis, the soil around prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) is traditionally divided into smear zone and undisturbed zone, both with constant permeability. In reality, the permeability of soil changes continuously within the smear zone. In this study, the horizontal permeability coefficient of soil within the smear zone is described by an exponential function of radial distance. A solution for vacuum preloading consolidation considers the nonlinear distribution of horizontal permeability within the smear zone is presented and compared with previous analytical results as well as a numerical solution, the results show that the presented solution correlates well with the numerical solution, and is more precise than previous analytical solution.</p></div

Permeability coefficients of the present model and numerical analysis (δ = 0.45) and of the study by Rujikiatkamjorn et al.[11].

<p>Permeability coefficients of the present model and numerical analysis (δ = 0.45) and of the study by Rujikiatkamjorn et al.[<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0139660#pone.0139660.ref011" target="_blank">11</a>].</p

Parameters used in the analytical solution and the numerical model.

<p>Parameters used in the analytical solution and the numerical model.</p

Smear zone permeability coefficient curve based on data from Iyathurai et al.[24] and the proposed model.

<p>Smear zone permeability coefficient curve based on data from Iyathurai et al.[<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0139660#pone.0139660.ref024" target="_blank">24</a>] and the proposed model.</p

Schematic diagram of the vacuum preloading method with a PVD.

<p>Schematic diagram of the vacuum preloading method with a PVD.</p

Permeability coefficient of the present model and the numerical analysis when δ = 0.55.

<p>Permeability coefficient of the present model and the numerical analysis when δ = 0.55.</p

Solutions of Rujikiatkamjorn et al.[11], the present model, and the numerical analysis.

<p>Solutions of Rujikiatkamjorn et al.[<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0139660#pone.0139660.ref011" target="_blank">11</a>], the present model, and the numerical analysis.</p

Partnered Excited-State Intermolecular Proton Transfer Fluorescence (P-ESIPT) Signaling for Nitrate Sensing and High-Resolution Cell-Imaging

Nitrite (NO2−) is a common pollutant and is widely present in the environment and in human bodies. The development of a rapid and accurate method for NO2− detection is always a very important task. Herein, we synthesized a partnered excited-state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorophore using the “multi-component one pot” method, and used this as a probe (ESIPT-F) for sensing NO2−. ESIPT-F exhibited bimodal emission in different solvents because of the solvent-mediated ESIPT reaction. The addition of NO2− caused an obvious change in colors and tautomeric fluorescence due to the graft of NO2− into the ESIPT-F molecules. From this basis, highly sensitive and selective analysis of NO2− was developed using tautomeric emission signaling, achieving sensitive detection of NO2− in the concentration range of 0~45 mM with a detection limit of 12.5 nM. More importantly, ESIPT-F showed the ability to anchor proteins and resulted in a recognition-driven “on-off” ESIPT process, enabling it to become a powerful tool for fluorescence imaging of proteins or protein-based subcellular organelles. MTT experimental results revealed that ESIPT-F is low cytotoxic and has good membrane permeability to cells. Thus, ESIPT-F was further employed to image the tunneling nanotube in vitro HEC-1A cells, displaying high-resolution performance

Three-Dimensional Urban Expansion Analysis of Valley-Type Cities: A Case Study of Chengguan District, Lanzhou, China

The development of cities in the vertical dimension is important in valley-type cities where physical growth is limited by terrain. However, little research has focused on three-dimensional urban expansion of valley-type cities. Lanzhou is a typical valley-type city in China and Chengguan District is the core area of Lanzhou City. This research is aimed at understanding the development of valley-type cities through the analysis of the three-dimensional urban expansion of Lanzhou Chengguan District and providing a reference for urban planning. We extracted five periods of architectural contours and height information between 1975 to 2018 with the support of multi-source remote sensing and network data. We used overlay analysis and mathematical statistical methods to analyze urban horizontal expansion and used the building density, floor area ratio, vertical expansion speed, fluctuation degree, and skyline to analyze urban vertical expansion. We found that the mode of horizontal expansion of Chengguan District shifted from adjacency to enclave through mountain area reclamation. The area with the fastest vertical expansion speed first appeared in the horizontal expansion completed area, and then in both the rapid horizontal expansion area and in the horizontal expansion completed area. Before 2007, the speed of horizontal expansion increased and reached its peak while the vertical expansion speed was relatively stable. After that, the former decreased, and the vertical expansion increased rapidly and dominated the urban development. The vertical expansion of the valley-type city gradually dominates urban development. Urban planning should consider the three-dimensional expansion, especially in the vertical dimension