In-situ cosmogenic ³⁶Cl denudation rates of carbonates in Guizhou karst area

This study quantifies surface denudation of carbonate rocks by the first application of in-situ cosmogenic <sup>36</sup>Cl in China. Concentrations of natural Cl and in-situ cosmogenic <sup>36</sup>Cl in bare carbonates from Guizhou karst areas were measured with isotope dilution by accelerator mass spectrometer. The Cl concentration varied from 16 to 206 ppm. The <sup>36</sup>Cl concentrations were in range of (0.8–2.4)×106 atom g−1, resulting in total denudation rates of 20–50 mm ka−1 that averaged over a 104–105 a timescale. The <sup>36</sup>Cl-denudation rates showed roughly a negative correlation with the local mean temperature. This preliminary observation may suggest the variations of proportions of chemical weathering and physical erosion in denudation process, depending upon local climatic conditions

Current Chinese bryological literature (4)

According to our collections of literature, about 400 scientific papers dealing with Chinese bryophytes have been published in China and abroad during 1990’s. Among these, more than 50 % were published in different scientific journals in China and often written in Chinese with English abstract, which are not well known and assessable for foreign bryologists. Therefore, in addition to previous Chinese literature I-III (Cao et al. 1990, Li et Zhang 1993, 1994), we present the fourth part of Chinese literature herewith. It is hoped that this up-dated list will provide useful information for all people who are interested in bryological research

Ostracods (Crustacea) associated with microbialites across the Permian-Triassic boundary in Dajiang (Guizhou Province, South China)

26 samples were processed for a taxonomic study of ostracods from the Upper Permian (Changhsingian) - Lower Triassic (Griesbachian) interval of the Dajiang section, Guizhou Province, South China. 112 species belonging to 27 genera are recognized. Five new species are described: Acratia candyae sp. nov, Bairdia adelineae sp. nov., Bairdia? huberti sp. nov., Bairdia jeromei sp. nov., Orthobairdia jeanlouisi sp. nov. The unexpected survival faunas associated with microbial formations in the aftermath of the end-Permian extinction are documented for the first time. Ostracod biodiversity variations and palaeo-environmental modifications associated with microbial growth through the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) are discussed

Epidemiological and virological characteristics of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in school outbreaks in China

Background: During the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 (2009) virus (pH1N1) outbreak, school students were at an increased risk of infection by the pH1N1 virus. However, the estimation of the attack rate showed significant variability. Methods: Two school outbreaks were investigated in this study. A questionnaire was designed to collect information by interview. Throat samples were collected from all the subjects in this study 6 times and sero samples 3 times to confirm the infection and to determine viral shedding. Data analysis was performed using the software STATA 9.0. Findings: The attack rate of the pH1N1 outbreak was 58.3% for the primary school, and 52.9% for the middle school. The asymptomatic infection rates of the two schools were 35.8% and 37.6% respectively. Peak virus shedding occurred on the day of ARI symptoms onset, followed by a steady decrease over subsequent days (p = 0.026). No difference was found either in viral shedding or HI titer between the symptomatic and the asymptomatic infectious groups. Conclusions: School children were found to be at a high risk of infection by the novel virus. This may be because of a heightened risk of transmission owing to increased mixing at boarding school, or a lack of immunity owing to socioeconomic status. We conclude that asymptomatically infectious cases may play an important role in transmission of the pH1N1 virus

Using local ecological knowledge to assess the status of the Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus in Guizhou Province, China

The Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus, the world's largest amphibian, is severely threatened by unsustainable exploitation of wild individuals. However, field data with which to assess the salamander's status, population trends, or exploitation across its geographical range are limited, and recent field surveys using standard ecological field techniques have typically failed to detect wild individuals. We conducted community-based fieldwork in three national nature reserves (Fanjingshan, Leigongshan and Mayanghe) in Guizhou Province, China, to assess whether local ecological knowledge constitutes a useful tool for salamander conservation. We collected a sample of dated salamander sighting records and associated data from these reserves for comparative assessment of the relative status of salamander populations across the region. Although Fanjingshan and Leigongshan are still priority sites for salamander conservation, few recent sightings were recorded in either reserve, and respondents considered that salamanders had declined locally at both reserves. The species may already be functionally extinct at Mayanghe. Although respondent data on threats to salamanders in Guizhou are more difficult to interpret, overharvesting was the most commonly suggested explanation for salamander declines, and it is likely that the growing salamander farming industry is the primary driver of salamander extraction from Guizhou's reserves. Questionnaire-based surveys can collect novel quantitative data that provide unique insights into the local status of salamander populations, and we advocate wide-scale incorporation of this research approach into future salamander field programmes

Political and ethnic representation in Chinese local governance : analysis of the roles of the deputies of Leishan County People's Congress, Guizhou Province, China : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

This thesis investigates the political and ethnic environment of local Chinese political actors and their representational dilemmas in the Miao-dominant area of Leishan County, Guizhou Province, China. The investigation is conducted via two research questions: how do the deputies of a Miao County People‘s Congress in China play their roles in representing the interests of the state towards the community, and how do they represent the interests of the community towards the state? The achievements of the deputies and the challenges they face in their dual representational roles are a focus of the analysis. The thesis provides insight into the governance and politics of a local government body dominated by an ethnic minority and the interplay of these dynamics with central government authorities presided over by Han Chinese. The representative structure of the Leishan County People‘s Congress (LCPC) and its deputy membership is explored to understand how the deputies enact their roles in promoting, intervening in and restructuring development projects as both agents of and remonstrators to the central state. Case studies of village governance and cultural tourism are used to illustrate how the LCPC deputies are both coordinators and negotiators in a polycentric local governance structure. The fieldwork was carried out in the ethnic area of Leishan County. Relevant data was collected through four interrelated research methods: focus groups, semi-structured individual interviews, purposive observation and document analysis. The quantification of pairwise ranking by the focus groups highlighted the achievements and challenges in the key functions required of the deputies. The data also led to two further areas for in-depth analysis: centrallocal relations, and the political and ethnic representation of the deputies. The research found that when conflicts exist, political representation that favours the state prevails over community interests. At the same time, the deputies‘ representation of their ethnic communities is enhanced and augmented when they undertake to localise the national development policies and projects handed down by central authorities. Finally, the concept of polycentric governance enables a more precise understanding of the changing local governance systems in China among the diverse stakeholders present in the ethnic communities

A New General Allometric Biomass Model

To implement monitoring and assessment of national forest biomass, it is becoming the trend to develop generalized single-tree biomass models suitable for large scale forest biomass estimation. Considering that the theoretical biomass allometric model developed by West et al. [1,2] was statistically different from the empirical one, the two parameters in the most commonly used biomass equation M=aDb were analyzed in this paper. Firstly, based on the knowledge of geometry, the theoretical value of parameter b was deduced, i.e., b=7/3(~2.33), and the comparison with many empirical studies conducted throughout the globe indicated that the theoretical parameter could describe soundly the average allometric relationship between aboveground biomass M and D (diameter on breast height). Secondly, using five datasets of aboveground biomass which consisted of 1441 M-D pairs of sample trees, the new general biomass allometric model was validated. Finally, the relationship between parameter a and wood density p was analyzed, and the linear regression was developed. The new model, which is not only simple but also species-specific, offers a feasible approach on establishment of generalized biomass models for regional and national forest biomass estimation

Regional innovation and spillover effects of foreign direct investment in China: a threshold approach

Using a data set on twenty-nine Chinese provinces for the period 1985–2008, this paper establishes a threshold model to analyse the relationship between spillover effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) and regional innovation in China. There is clear evidence of double-threshold effects of regional innovation on productivity spillovers from FDI. Specifically, only when the level of regional innovation reaches the minimum innovation threshold will FDI in the region begin to produce positive productivity spillovers. Furthermore, positive productivity spillovers from FDI will be substantial only when the level of regional innovation attains a higher threshold. The double threshold divides Chinese provinces into three super-regions in terms of innovation, with most provinces positioned within the middle-level innovation super-region. Policy implications are discussed

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel fluorescent sensor based on hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene for Zn²+ and Cd²+

A novel type of selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor having triazole rings as the binding sites on the lower rim of a hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene scaffold in a cone conformation is reported. This sensor has desirable properties for practical applications, including selectivity for detecting Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the presence of excess competing metal ions at low ion concentration or as a fluorescence enhancement type chemosensor due to the cavity of calixarene changing from a ‘flattened-cone’ to a more-upright form and inhibition of PET. In contrast, the results suggested that receptor 1 is highly sensitive and selective for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ as a fluorescence quenching type chemosensor due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) or heavy atom effect