When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytri...When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytrichiodes as a model species,we aimed to assess the sex-specific facilitation intensity of cushion plant by measuring the beneficiary cover ratio,and to assess the potential costs in cushion reproductive functions by measuring the flower and fruit cover ratios.The total beneficiary cover ratio was similar between females and hermaphrodites.Females produced much less flowers but more fruits than hermaphrodites.These results suggested that females and hermaphrodites possess similar facilitation intensity,and female cushion A.polytrichoides may allocate more resources saved from pollen production to seed production,while hermaphrodites possibly allocate more resources to pollen production hence reducing seed production.The surface areas covered by beneficiaries produced less flowers and fruits than areas without beneficiaries.In addition,strong negative correlations between beneficiary cover and flower cover were detected for both females and hermaphrodites,but the correlation strength were similar for these two sex morphs.However,the correlation between beneficiary cover and fruit cover was only significantly negative for females,suggesting that beneficiary plants negatively affect fruit reproduction of females while have neutral effects on hermaphrodites.All the results suggest that to facilitate other beneficiaries can induce reproductive costs on cushion A.polytrichoides,with females possibly suffering greater cost than hermaphrodites.Such differentiation in reproductive costs between sex morphs,in long-term perspective,may imply sex imbalance in population dynamics.展开更多
Ongoing encroachment is driving recent alpine shrubline dynamics globally,but the role of shrub-shrub interactions in shaping shrublines and their relationships with stem density changes remain poorly understood.Here,...Ongoing encroachment is driving recent alpine shrubline dynamics globally,but the role of shrub-shrub interactions in shaping shrublines and their relationships with stem density changes remain poorly understood.Here,the size and age of shrubs from 26 Salix shrubline populations along a 900-km latitudinal gradient(30°-38°N)were measured and mapped across the eastern Tibetan Plateau.Point pattern analyses were used to quantify the spatial distribution patterns of juveniles and adults,and to assess spatial associations between them.Mean intensity of univariate and bivariate spatial patterns was related to biotic and abiotic variables.Bivariate mark correlation functions with a quantitative mark(shrub height,basal stem diameter,crown width)were also employed to investigate the spatial relationships between shrub traits of juveniles and adults.Structural equation models were used to explore the relationships among conspecific interactions,patterns,shrub traits and recruitment dynamics under climate change.Most shrublines showed clustered patterns,suggesting the existence of conspecific facilitation.Clustered patterns of juveniles and conspecific interactions(potentially facilitation)tended to intensify with increasing soil moisture stress.Summer warming before 2010 triggered positive effects on population interactions and spatial patterns via increased shrub recruitment.However,summer warming after2010 triggered negative effects on interactions through reduced shrub recruitment.Therefore,shrub recruitment shifts under rapid climate change could impact spatial patterns,alter conspecific interactions and modify the direction and degree of shrublines responses to climate.These changes would have profound implications for the stability of alpine woody ecosystems.展开更多
Objectives:Effective facilitation is crucial to improve critical care outcomes in life-threatening conditions through improved teamwork,caring,decision-making,and problem-solving.The meaning of facilitation remains un...Objectives:Effective facilitation is crucial to improve critical care outcomes in life-threatening conditions through improved teamwork,caring,decision-making,and problem-solving.The meaning of facilitation remains unprecise in a critical care context despite its frequent usage in nursing education and clinical practice.This study aimed to report a thorough concept analysis to clarify the meaning of facilitation in the critical care context by formulating attributes,antecedents,and consequences and providing model cases related to facilitation.Methods:This analysis was performed by searching online sources published from 1999 to 2023.EBSCOhost,CINAHL,PubMed,and Google Scholar databases were searched using online search engines.The analysis also included the manual search of books,thesaurus and dictionaries that showed relevance to facilitation.Walker and Avant’s eight-step approach was applied to explore and analyze the meaning of facilitation in critical care units.Results:A total of 68 articles were included in the analysis of this study.Eleven attributes,six antecedents,and seven consequences related to facilitation were formulated.The attributes included dynamic,interactive processes,creating a positive environment,mobilizing resources,assistance,studentcentered,shared goals,collaboration,engagement,participation,and feedback.Antecedents were facilitator qualities,motivation,a positive learning environment,student-facilitator relationship,time availability,and specified learning outcomes.The consequences of facilitation were identified as follows:change,professional development,competency,quality development,increased job satisfaction,staff retention,and self-confidence.Conclusions:The findings from the analysis indicated that effective facilitation results in nurses and critical care staff developing competency,caring,critical thinking,and independence.Therefore,clinical outcomes in critical care environments are improved through teamwork,decision-making,and problemsolving in life-threatening situations.展开更多
With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, as an emerging form of trade, has gradually become a powerful engine to promote the development of global trade. BRICS is an important forc...With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, as an emerging form of trade, has gradually become a powerful engine to promote the development of global trade. BRICS is an important force in the global economy, and the progress of the BRICS countries' trade facilitation level has an important impact on the global trade environment. This paper conducts an in-depth study of the dynamic changes in BRICS trade facilitation from 2013 to 2022, and uses an extended gravity model to analyze the specific impact of this change on China's exports using cross-border e-commerce. The results show that although the BRICS countries have made some progress in trade facilitation, the overall level still needs to be improved, and there are obvious differences among member countries. However, the improvement of trade facilitation among BRICS countries has undoubtedly brought significant positive effects to China's exports using cross-border e-commerce.展开更多
This study evaluated the impact of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), implemented within the National Single Window initiative, on the efficiency of issuing Delivery Orders (DO) at Tema Port. Filli...This study evaluated the impact of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), implemented within the National Single Window initiative, on the efficiency of issuing Delivery Orders (DO) at Tema Port. Filling a gap in the existing literature, the research employed a quantitative approach to assess a specific time-related aspect of the cargo clearance process. Employing an Independent t-test on a dataset spanning 2026 Delivery Orders (924 pre-ICUMS and 1102 post-ICUMS) from July 2020 to July 2023, the study investigated ICUMS’s effectiveness in reducing DO issuance time. Results indicate a noteworthy decrease in average DO issuance time, from 11 days pre-implementation to approximately 9 days post-implementation, a reduction validated by statistical analysis through the independent t-test. In light of these findings, the study recommends ongoing refinement of the implementation, reinforcement of trade facilitation measures, and the adoption of best practices from successful global ports. Continuous stakeholder training and regular assessments of ICUMS performance are also endorsed. The study’s implications support the theoretical framework for Single Window systems and carry significant policy implications, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to streamline trade facilitation processes driven by Information Technology. Practically, the results serve as a management tool for stakeholders, highlighting areas for targeted interventions to reduce DO issuance times. Methodologically, this research contributes by applying robust statistical analysis to a specific component within the Time Release Study framework, offering a nuanced understanding of trade facilitation systems’ effectiveness in improving cargo clearance processes.展开更多
BACKGROUND Stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease with high prevalence,mortality,and onset of disability.As a neurodevelopmental therapy,neuromuscular joint facilitation(NJF)is widely used in the treatment of ort...BACKGROUND Stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease with high prevalence,mortality,and onset of disability.As a neurodevelopmental therapy,neuromuscular joint facilitation(NJF)is widely used in the treatment of orthopedic and neurological disorders in the clinical practice.It is mainly used for central nervous system diseases or orthopedic diseases,movement disorders,and pain rehabilitation.According to related studies,NJF can also be used as a rehabilitation treatment in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain(HSP).AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with NJF in patients with HSP.METHODS Forty patients with HSP were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.The treatment group was treated with acupuncture combined with NJF and the control group was treated with acupuncture alone.All patients were assessed by using the visual analogue scale(VAS),Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA),Barthel index(BI),and passive range of motion(PROM)before and after the training.All the clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software.RESULTS There was no statistical difference in the general characteristics between the two groups.In the terms of duration of treatment,age,and pre-treatment indicators,the two groups were comparable(P>0.05).After the treatment,VAS,PROM,BI,and FMA scores were significantly improved in the two groups of patients(P<0.05).The VAS,PROM and FMA scores were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both acupuncture alone and acupuncture combined with NJF in the treatment of HSP are effective,and can improve the clinical symptoms of patients.Acupuncture combined with NJF can improve the upper limb motor function,relieve pain,and increase joint mobility in patients with HSP.The combination therapy is better than acupuncture alone.However,there is no significant difference in improving the score of patients’self-care ability.展开更多
C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. I...C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. In the present study, the root traits including root distribution, root length（RL）, root surface area（RSA）, root weight（RW） and specific root length（SRL） of both species in two growth forms were investigated to clarify their response to facilitation in associated growth. Six isolated plants of each species, as well as six associated plants similar in size and development were selected during the plant growing season, and their roots were excavated at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm soil depths at the end of the growing season. All the roots of each plant were separated into the two categories of fine roots（2 mm diameter） and coarse roots（≥2 mm diameter）. Root traits such as RL and RSA in the fine and coarse roots were obtained by the root analyzing system WinRHIZO. Most of the coarse roots in R. soongorica and S. passerina were distributed in the top 10 cm of the soil in both growth forms, whereas the fine roots of the two plant species were found mainly in the 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depths in isolated growth, respectively. However, the fine roots of both species were mostly overlapped in 10–20 cm soil depth in associated growth. The root/canopy ratios of both species reduced, whereas the ratios of their fine roots to coarse roots in RL increased, and both species had an increased SRL in the fine roots in associated growth. In addition, there was the increase in RL of fine roots and content of root N for S. passerina in associated growth. Taken together, the root growth of S. passerina was facilitated for water and nutrient exploration under the interaction of the overlapped roots in both species in associated growth, and higher SRL allowed both species to more effectively adapt to the infertile soil in the desert ecosystem.展开更多
Strongly-interacting Rydberg atomic ensembles have shown intense collective excitation effects due to the inclusion of single Rydberg excitation shared by multiple atoms in the ensemble.In this paper we investigate a ...Strongly-interacting Rydberg atomic ensembles have shown intense collective excitation effects due to the inclusion of single Rydberg excitation shared by multiple atoms in the ensemble.In this paper we investigate a counter-intuitive Rydberg excitation facilitation with a strongly-interacting atomic ensemble in the strong probe-field regime,which is enabled by the role of a control atom nearby.Differing from the case of a single ensemble,we show that,the control atom's excitation adds to a second two-photon transition onto the doubly-excited Rydberg state,arising an excitation facilitation for the ensemble atoms.Our numerical studies depending on the method of quantum Monte Carlo wave function,exhibit the observation constraints of this excitation facilitation effect under practical experimental conditions.The results obtained can provide a flexible control for the excitation of Rydberg atomic ensembles and participate further uses in developing mesoscopic Rydberg gates for multiqubit quantum computation.展开更多
This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in gr...This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in groupleadership but not in small-group facilitation or large-group coordination. Based on a six-step model fororganizational intervention, the course was run in co-facilitation, using the effect of demonstration, modelling, andobservation to improve performance at individual level. The course represents a mix of organizational behaviourand human resources management that has proved to be effective in preparing managers to improve organizationalinnovation and accelerate change in companies. Each step produced outputs, namely three innovation projects.Participants rated the course in every item of an extensive questionnaire as Good and Very Good, except theintroduction (pre-consult), which was considered “too theoretical”. Therefore, the course model proved to beadequate for the preparation of managers as coaches for organizational innovation in the hospitality industry. As tofuture developments, they will have to do mostly with the functioning of a matrix structure in the hospitality industry,so that the whole approach may have a full impact on the company.展开更多
This study examined the impact of trade facilitation on economic development, particularly the impact of customs environment on trade flows over the period from 1995 to 2010. Five countries of the East African Communi...This study examined the impact of trade facilitation on economic development, particularly the impact of customs environment on trade flows over the period from 1995 to 2010. Five countries of the East African Community （EAC）, namely, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, are involved. The study employs a gravity model for estimating bilateral trade flows between the EAC partner states. The ordinary least square （OLS） technique is adopted and applied for the regression analysis by using the Stata 10.0 software. Results suggest that, the customs environment of the importer is significant and possesses a strongly positive impact on East African trade flows. Results also find that the customs environment of the exporter is insignificant, even though it shows a negative relationship with the East African trade flows, hence a negative determinant. East African countries have to improve their customs environment, especially when undertaking an importation, in order to boost the overall trade flow in the block. They should also improve other trade facilitation indicators, such as port efficiency, regulatory environment, and infrastructure. The aid for trade, in terms of technical and financial assistance, should also be enhanced for the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, bridges, and border posts.展开更多
High-level investment facilitation is crucial for China's overseas free economic zones(COFEZs)to attract and retain investment,mitigate business interruption risks,and foster a virtuous cycle.While research on inv...High-level investment facilitation is crucial for China's overseas free economic zones(COFEZs)to attract and retain investment,mitigate business interruption risks,and foster a virtuous cycle.While research on investment facilitation in COFEZs has mainly focused on summarizing and examining the investment facilitation measures adopted by typical national-level examples of COFEZs,relatively little attention has been paid to investigating the overall level and general problems of investment facilitation across COFEZs.This study expands the scope of case investigations by taking 60 COFEZs as samples.It constructs a comprehensive evaluation indicator system which includes four dimensions:industrial infrastructure,social infrastructure,business support services,and seamless administrative supervision.By employing content analysis and regression analysis,this study identifies the characteristics and influencing factors of investment facilitation level in COFEZs.The results show that the overall level of investment facilitation in COFEZs is currently low.Specifically,COFEZs exhibit higher levels of investment facilitation in processing and manufacturing types and in Europe,while those in trade and logistics types and in Africa are relatively poor.Industrial infrastructure and business support services contribute more significantly to the overall scores of investment facilitation in COFEZs compared to social infrastructure and seamless administrative supervision.The investment facilitation level in COFEZs is essentially the result of a series of behaviors by developers and host governments,and it is affected by a combination of developers'perceptions of investment facilitation and the social environment in which developers and host governments promote investment facilitation.This study offers a new perspective on understanding COFEZs and contributes to the sustainable development of COFEZs.展开更多
Nutrient constraints in low-fertility soil were modified by different species combinations.Grass-clover assemblages benefited both species in terms of nutrient procurement.Interplay of competition and facilitation is ...Nutrient constraints in low-fertility soil were modified by different species combinations.Grass-clover assemblages benefited both species in terms of nutrient procurement.Interplay of competition and facilitation is demonstrated.An invasive weed removed essential nutrients from the grazing cycle.To investigate the interplay of competition and facilitation between plants in low-fertility pasture grasslands of New Zealand,we compared nutrient uptake and acquisition of key nutrients of three species from different func-tional groups.Combinations of Pilosella officinarum(mouse-eared hawk-weed,an invasive weed),Trifolium repens(white clover,a nitrogen fixer)and Dactylis glomerata(cocksfoot,a pasture grass)were planted into a soil with low-to-deficient concentrations of key nutrients.Highest yields were achieved by the grass growing alone but,when the clover and grass had grown together,there were complementary benefits in terms of procurement of a wide range of nutrients from soil despite lower root biomass.The inva-sive weed negated these benefits,and soil nutrients were exploited less efficiently when Pilosella had grown alone or in a mixture with the other species.Competition from the weed removed the benefits of grass-legume coexistence.These findings are interpreted to suggest that requirements for legumes to be the main source of nitrogen in pasture grasslands may be compromised unless competitive weeds are controlled to avoid disrupted procurement of key nutrients.It is likely these constraints to nutrient procurement would similarly impact conservation grasslands.展开更多
This paper examines the integration of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence(AI)to enhance trade facilitation.It highlights their individual contributions to efficiency and transparency,explores their theo...This paper examines the integration of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence(AI)to enhance trade facilitation.It highlights their individual contributions to efficiency and transparency,explores their theoretical foundations,and identifies synergistic benefits such as improved data quality,enhanced trust,and optimized decision-making.Key challenges,including technical,legal,and organizational barriers,are discussed.Real-world case stud-ies illustrate practical outcomes and implications for stakeholders.The study concludes with policy recommendations and future research directions,emphasizing the potential trans-formative impact on global trade models and a more efficient,transparent,and inclusive trade ecosystem.展开更多
This paper explores the role of Artificial Intelligence(AI)in enhancing trade facilitation through its integration with Single Window Systems(SWS).It investigates how AI tech-nologies such as machine learning,natural ...This paper explores the role of Artificial Intelligence(AI)in enhancing trade facilitation through its integration with Single Window Systems(SWS).It investigates how AI tech-nologies such as machine learning,natural language processing,and predictive analytics can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of trade processes.Case studies of Singapore and Australia are analyzed to highlight successful AI applications and key lessons learned.The study discusses the benefits,including increased efficiency,reduced costs,enhanced accuracy,and improved user experience,alongside the challenges posed by technical com-plexities,legal and ethical considerations,and resistance to change.The paper also pro-vides policy implications and recommendations for governments,international organiza-tions,and private sector stakeholders.Future research directions emphasize emerging AI technologies like AI-driven blockchain and advanced NLP,and their potential long-term impacts on global trade dynamics.展开更多
The cushion plant Androsace tapete is an endemic species that is widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and also predominant in the alpine grassland that is locally degraded due to overgrazing and other re...The cushion plant Androsace tapete is an endemic species that is widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and also predominant in the alpine grassland that is locally degraded due to overgrazing and other reasons. As an ecosystem engineer cushion plant, its ability to facilitate the restoration of degraded alpine grassland was studied in a degraded alpine grassland at an elevation of 4500 m on the southern slope of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains in Damxung. The species diversity, soil nutrients and water content underneath and outside the cushion plant A. tapete were investigated. The results showed that soil nutrients underneath the A. tapete cushion were significantly increased by about 16%-48% compared to outside the cushion, of which the organic matter and total N were increased by 16.2% and 18.9% respectively, and the soil water content was increased about 12%. The index of species diversity of richness(S), Shannon-Wiener’s H and Simpson’s D all increased with the coverage of cushion plant A. tapete. Our results suggested that this cushion plant can facilitate restoration of the degraded alpine grassland by modifying the local soil environment and increasing the community diversity, so it should be conserved for the restoration of degraded alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
Aims In estuarine salt-marshes,nitrate supply and soil salinity,which are known as two main environmental drivers,simultaneously affect the interspecific interactions between plant species.However,to date,their intera...Aims In estuarine salt-marshes,nitrate supply and soil salinity,which are known as two main environmental drivers,simultaneously affect the interspecific interactions between plant species.However,to date,their interactive effects on interspecific interactions have not been closely examined for salt-marsh plant species.Methods Juvenile plants of Suaeda salsa L.(Chenopodiaceae)and Scirpus planiculmis Fr.(Cyperaceae)were grown in rinsed river sand to conduct a greenhouse experiment with three treatment categories:interspecific interaction(mixed culture or monoculture),three salinity levels(1,50 and 100 mmol L^(-1))and three nitrate levels(0.5,5 and 10 mmol L^(-1)).First,height and biomass of all plants were measured.Then,the growth data,relative interaction index and competitive important index of the two species were analyzed.Important Findings The interspecific interactions between S.salsa and S.planiculmis were facilitation across the salinity gradients.The promotion of S.salsa growth with high nitrate supply did not enhance the facilitative effect of the species,especially at low salinity.However,high nitrate supply significantly shifted the interspecific interactions of S.planiculmis from facilitation to competition at high salinity.Our results suggest that excessive nitrate application changes the prediction of the stress-gradient hypothesis along a salinity gradient,leading to collapse of the two species coexistence in the salt-marshes.These findings make a contribution to the understanding of how S.salsa and S.planiculmis,as well as salt-marsh communities,respond to the human modification of estuarine nutritional levels.展开更多
Using data on firms listed on Chinese A-share markets from 2009 to 2017,this paperapplies the difference-in-difference model to test the effect of trade facilitation onpreventing the formation of zombie firms.We find ...Using data on firms listed on Chinese A-share markets from 2009 to 2017,this paperapplies the difference-in-difference model to test the effect of trade facilitation onpreventing the formation of zombie firms.We find that the China Railway Express(CRE)significantly prevented the formation of such firms.Mechanism tests show:(i)the CRE has accelerated the speed of sales,which increased the overseas salesrevenue of firms;(ii)the economies of scale and the capital accumulation effectcaused by the CRE can help increase firms'solvency and development ability.Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the effect of the CRE on preventing theformation of zombie firms is mainly reflected in non-state-owned firms,firms inhighly competitive industries,and firms in the eastern region of China.We suggestthat China should continue to promote trade facilitation by expanding the CRE andstrengthening the market's dominant role in preventing the formation of zombie firms.Disadvantaged firms should seize the development opportunities brought by the CRE.展开更多
The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment;however,the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the bloo...The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment;however,the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the blood-brain barrier remain poorly understood.The major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A has been identified as a key regulator of blood-brain barrier function.It plays a critical role in promoting and maintaining the formation and functional stability of the blood-brain barrier,in addition to the transport of lipids,such as docosahexaenoic acid,across the blood-brain barrier.Furthermore,an increasing number of studies have suggested that major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A is involved in the molecular mechanisms of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in a variety of neurological diseases;however,little is known regarding the mechanisms by which major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A affects the blood-brain barrier.This paper provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the close relationship between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins and the blood-brain barrier,including their basic structures and functions,cross-linking between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A and the blood-brain barrier,and the in-depth studies on lipid transport and the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability.This comprehensive systematic review contributes to an in-depth understanding of the important role of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins in maintaining the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier and the research progress to date.This will not only help to elucidate the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,improve the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis,and optimize clinical treatment strategies,but it may also play an important role in prognostic monitoring.In addition,the effects of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A on blood-brain barrier leakage in various diseases and the research progress on cross-blood-brain barrier drug delivery are summarized.This review may contribute to the development of new approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases.展开更多
Aims Positive plant interactions can promote higher species density of beneficiary species in deserts.However,there is limited evidence examining the trait sets of seeds from beneficiary species.in this study,we exami...Aims Positive plant interactions can promote higher species density of beneficiary species in deserts.However,there is limited evidence examining the trait sets of seeds from beneficiary species.in this study,we examined the hypothesis that shrubs(benefactors)influ-ence the germination of desert annuals(beneficiaries)and promote ecotypic differentiation by generating distinct microhabitats through abiotic stress amelioration.The following predictions were tested using growth chambers and field-collected seeds:(i)seed mass and viability will be greater and less variable for seeds collected from within shrub understory relative to seeds from open microhabitats,(ii)germination of seeds from shrub and open microhabitats will be greatest under simulated home(source)conditions,(iii)seeds from the shrub microhabitat will adaptively accelerate their germination rate when germinated in simulated home(source)microhabitats relative to their simulated away(reciprocal)microhabitat.Methods Seeds and their associated maternal plants were collected from four annual species found within a shrub understory(Larrea triden-tata)and open microhabitats in the Mojave Desert of California(35.30ºN,117.26ºW,793 m.a.s.l.),and then reciprocally germi-nated in growth chambers simulating both microclimatic conditions.Cumulative germination and germination rate was measured every 4-5 days for 42 days.Important Findings There was no significant difference in the mean or coefficient of variation for seed mass and viability between the shrub and open microhabitats.The source of the seeds did not significantly impact the cumulative germination,and there was no accelerated rate of germination within potential species ecotypes thereby suggesting no ecotypic differentiation.Cumulative germination was signifi-cantly higher within the shrub-simulated microhabitat for three out of the four species examined.Cumulative germination and germina-tion rate were significantly different between species.Hence,shrubs influence the germination of desert annuals,and the outcome of this interaction is species specific,but shrub microhabitats do not nec-essarily alter the more conserved seed biology traits.Future studies should examine the influence of gene flow on beneficiary adapta-tion and the influence of species-specificity on beneficiary species response to facilitation.展开更多
Aims Lianas are expected to influence composition,structure and func-tioning of forest systems due to unequal distribution across the potential set of host plants.However,our understanding of mecha-nisms associated wi...Aims Lianas are expected to influence composition,structure and func-tioning of forest systems due to unequal distribution across the potential set of host plants.However,our understanding of mecha-nisms associated with preferences for specific hosts is still limited,and so is our ability to discern between endogenous and exogenous forces driving forest dynamics in the long run.In this paper,we eval-uated whether the dominant liana Hedera helix can indirectly con-tribute to the eventual dominance of the small multi-stemmed tree Corylus avellana in a remnant temperate forest in central Iberian Peninsula from comparatively reduced liana infestation on C.avel-lana relative to co-occurring woody species.Methods through principal component analysis and co-occurrence ana-lysis,we studied the distribution and spatial association between woody species and the liana H.helix.We analyzed the relationship between the number of species in a plot and the number of species infested by the liana to test the hypothesis that H.helix is a gen-eralist liana.through generalized linear mixed models,we tested the dynamic-multi-stemmed growth form of C.avellana as a plaus-ible life strategy to withstand,in the long run,the liana infestation.In particular,we tested(i)the relationship between stem size and the probability of H.helix infestation including all the tree species within plots and(ii)the relationship between stem size and mortal-ity as evidence of the stem turn over in the tree C.avellana.Important Findings Our results indicate that H.helix and C.avellana significantly co-occur in mature stands of this remnant temperate forest where pion-eer woody species are absent.Hedera helix severely infests all the woody species whenever stem size exceed≈25 cm perimeter and there is physical contact at the base of the stem.this implies that all the trees in the community are potential hosts for H.helix.Mixed models indicate that both,infestation by H.helix and stem mortality,are positively related to C.avellana stem perimeter.Reduced long-term infestation of the liana by means of a multi-stemmed growth form with high stem turnover in C.avellana might be an advantage with respect to unipodial tree species.thus,the liana-tree coexistence pattern may be interpreted as an indirect positive interaction that,contrary to previous findings,results here in species dominance instead of species coexistence.展开更多
基金supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0502 to H.S.)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA20050203 to H.S.)+3 种基金the Yunnan Applied Basic Research Project(202001AT070060 to J.G.C.)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31271552 to J.G.C.)the CAS“Light of West China”Program(J.G.C.)the Young Academic and Technical Leader Raising Foundation of Yunnan Province(202205AC160053 to J.G.C.)。
文摘When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytrichiodes as a model species,we aimed to assess the sex-specific facilitation intensity of cushion plant by measuring the beneficiary cover ratio,and to assess the potential costs in cushion reproductive functions by measuring the flower and fruit cover ratios.The total beneficiary cover ratio was similar between females and hermaphrodites.Females produced much less flowers but more fruits than hermaphrodites.These results suggested that females and hermaphrodites possess similar facilitation intensity,and female cushion A.polytrichoides may allocate more resources saved from pollen production to seed production,while hermaphrodites possibly allocate more resources to pollen production hence reducing seed production.The surface areas covered by beneficiaries produced less flowers and fruits than areas without beneficiaries.In addition,strong negative correlations between beneficiary cover and flower cover were detected for both females and hermaphrodites,but the correlation strength were similar for these two sex morphs.However,the correlation between beneficiary cover and fruit cover was only significantly negative for females,suggesting that beneficiary plants negatively affect fruit reproduction of females while have neutral effects on hermaphrodites.All the results suggest that to facilitate other beneficiaries can induce reproductive costs on cushion A.polytrichoides,with females possibly suffering greater cost than hermaphrodites.Such differentiation in reproductive costs between sex morphs,in long-term perspective,may imply sex imbalance in population dynamics.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42271054)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0301)。
文摘Ongoing encroachment is driving recent alpine shrubline dynamics globally,but the role of shrub-shrub interactions in shaping shrublines and their relationships with stem density changes remain poorly understood.Here,the size and age of shrubs from 26 Salix shrubline populations along a 900-km latitudinal gradient(30°-38°N)were measured and mapped across the eastern Tibetan Plateau.Point pattern analyses were used to quantify the spatial distribution patterns of juveniles and adults,and to assess spatial associations between them.Mean intensity of univariate and bivariate spatial patterns was related to biotic and abiotic variables.Bivariate mark correlation functions with a quantitative mark(shrub height,basal stem diameter,crown width)were also employed to investigate the spatial relationships between shrub traits of juveniles and adults.Structural equation models were used to explore the relationships among conspecific interactions,patterns,shrub traits and recruitment dynamics under climate change.Most shrublines showed clustered patterns,suggesting the existence of conspecific facilitation.Clustered patterns of juveniles and conspecific interactions(potentially facilitation)tended to intensify with increasing soil moisture stress.Summer warming before 2010 triggered positive effects on population interactions and spatial patterns via increased shrub recruitment.However,summer warming after2010 triggered negative effects on interactions through reduced shrub recruitment.Therefore,shrub recruitment shifts under rapid climate change could impact spatial patterns,alter conspecific interactions and modify the direction and degree of shrublines responses to climate.These changes would have profound implications for the stability of alpine woody ecosystems.
文摘Objectives:Effective facilitation is crucial to improve critical care outcomes in life-threatening conditions through improved teamwork,caring,decision-making,and problem-solving.The meaning of facilitation remains unprecise in a critical care context despite its frequent usage in nursing education and clinical practice.This study aimed to report a thorough concept analysis to clarify the meaning of facilitation in the critical care context by formulating attributes,antecedents,and consequences and providing model cases related to facilitation.Methods:This analysis was performed by searching online sources published from 1999 to 2023.EBSCOhost,CINAHL,PubMed,and Google Scholar databases were searched using online search engines.The analysis also included the manual search of books,thesaurus and dictionaries that showed relevance to facilitation.Walker and Avant’s eight-step approach was applied to explore and analyze the meaning of facilitation in critical care units.Results:A total of 68 articles were included in the analysis of this study.Eleven attributes,six antecedents,and seven consequences related to facilitation were formulated.The attributes included dynamic,interactive processes,creating a positive environment,mobilizing resources,assistance,studentcentered,shared goals,collaboration,engagement,participation,and feedback.Antecedents were facilitator qualities,motivation,a positive learning environment,student-facilitator relationship,time availability,and specified learning outcomes.The consequences of facilitation were identified as follows:change,professional development,competency,quality development,increased job satisfaction,staff retention,and self-confidence.Conclusions:The findings from the analysis indicated that effective facilitation results in nurses and critical care staff developing competency,caring,critical thinking,and independence.Therefore,clinical outcomes in critical care environments are improved through teamwork,decision-making,and problemsolving in life-threatening situations.
基金Supported by Western Project of National Social Science Fund of China(23XJY013)Project of Social Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province(2022D032).
文摘With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, as an emerging form of trade, has gradually become a powerful engine to promote the development of global trade. BRICS is an important force in the global economy, and the progress of the BRICS countries' trade facilitation level has an important impact on the global trade environment. This paper conducts an in-depth study of the dynamic changes in BRICS trade facilitation from 2013 to 2022, and uses an extended gravity model to analyze the specific impact of this change on China's exports using cross-border e-commerce. The results show that although the BRICS countries have made some progress in trade facilitation, the overall level still needs to be improved, and there are obvious differences among member countries. However, the improvement of trade facilitation among BRICS countries has undoubtedly brought significant positive effects to China's exports using cross-border e-commerce.
文摘This study evaluated the impact of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), implemented within the National Single Window initiative, on the efficiency of issuing Delivery Orders (DO) at Tema Port. Filling a gap in the existing literature, the research employed a quantitative approach to assess a specific time-related aspect of the cargo clearance process. Employing an Independent t-test on a dataset spanning 2026 Delivery Orders (924 pre-ICUMS and 1102 post-ICUMS) from July 2020 to July 2023, the study investigated ICUMS’s effectiveness in reducing DO issuance time. Results indicate a noteworthy decrease in average DO issuance time, from 11 days pre-implementation to approximately 9 days post-implementation, a reduction validated by statistical analysis through the independent t-test. In light of these findings, the study recommends ongoing refinement of the implementation, reinforcement of trade facilitation measures, and the adoption of best practices from successful global ports. Continuous stakeholder training and regular assessments of ICUMS performance are also endorsed. The study’s implications support the theoretical framework for Single Window systems and carry significant policy implications, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to streamline trade facilitation processes driven by Information Technology. Practically, the results serve as a management tool for stakeholders, highlighting areas for targeted interventions to reduce DO issuance times. Methodologically, this research contributes by applying robust statistical analysis to a specific component within the Time Release Study framework, offering a nuanced understanding of trade facilitation systems’ effectiveness in improving cargo clearance processes.
文摘BACKGROUND Stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease with high prevalence,mortality,and onset of disability.As a neurodevelopmental therapy,neuromuscular joint facilitation(NJF)is widely used in the treatment of orthopedic and neurological disorders in the clinical practice.It is mainly used for central nervous system diseases or orthopedic diseases,movement disorders,and pain rehabilitation.According to related studies,NJF can also be used as a rehabilitation treatment in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain(HSP).AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with NJF in patients with HSP.METHODS Forty patients with HSP were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.The treatment group was treated with acupuncture combined with NJF and the control group was treated with acupuncture alone.All patients were assessed by using the visual analogue scale(VAS),Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA),Barthel index(BI),and passive range of motion(PROM)before and after the training.All the clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software.RESULTS There was no statistical difference in the general characteristics between the two groups.In the terms of duration of treatment,age,and pre-treatment indicators,the two groups were comparable(P>0.05).After the treatment,VAS,PROM,BI,and FMA scores were significantly improved in the two groups of patients(P<0.05).The VAS,PROM and FMA scores were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both acupuncture alone and acupuncture combined with NJF in the treatment of HSP are effective,and can improve the clinical symptoms of patients.Acupuncture combined with NJF can improve the upper limb motor function,relieve pain,and increase joint mobility in patients with HSP.The combination therapy is better than acupuncture alone.However,there is no significant difference in improving the score of patients’self-care ability.
基金support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91025026, 31070359)the National Basic Research Program of China (Y31JA61001)
文摘C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. In the present study, the root traits including root distribution, root length（RL）, root surface area（RSA）, root weight（RW） and specific root length（SRL） of both species in two growth forms were investigated to clarify their response to facilitation in associated growth. Six isolated plants of each species, as well as six associated plants similar in size and development were selected during the plant growing season, and their roots were excavated at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm soil depths at the end of the growing season. All the roots of each plant were separated into the two categories of fine roots（2 mm diameter） and coarse roots（≥2 mm diameter）. Root traits such as RL and RSA in the fine and coarse roots were obtained by the root analyzing system WinRHIZO. Most of the coarse roots in R. soongorica and S. passerina were distributed in the top 10 cm of the soil in both growth forms, whereas the fine roots of the two plant species were found mainly in the 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depths in isolated growth, respectively. However, the fine roots of both species were mostly overlapped in 10–20 cm soil depth in associated growth. The root/canopy ratios of both species reduced, whereas the ratios of their fine roots to coarse roots in RL increased, and both species had an increased SRL in the fine roots in associated growth. In addition, there was the increase in RL of fine roots and content of root N for S. passerina in associated growth. Taken together, the root growth of S. passerina was facilitated for water and nutrient exploration under the interaction of the overlapped roots in both species in associated growth, and higher SRL allowed both species to more effectively adapt to the infertile soil in the desert ecosystem.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12174106 and 11474094)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(Grant No.18ZR1412800)。
文摘Strongly-interacting Rydberg atomic ensembles have shown intense collective excitation effects due to the inclusion of single Rydberg excitation shared by multiple atoms in the ensemble.In this paper we investigate a counter-intuitive Rydberg excitation facilitation with a strongly-interacting atomic ensemble in the strong probe-field regime,which is enabled by the role of a control atom nearby.Differing from the case of a single ensemble,we show that,the control atom's excitation adds to a second two-photon transition onto the doubly-excited Rydberg state,arising an excitation facilitation for the ensemble atoms.Our numerical studies depending on the method of quantum Monte Carlo wave function,exhibit the observation constraints of this excitation facilitation effect under practical experimental conditions.The results obtained can provide a flexible control for the excitation of Rydberg atomic ensembles and participate further uses in developing mesoscopic Rydberg gates for multiqubit quantum computation.
文摘This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in groupleadership but not in small-group facilitation or large-group coordination. Based on a six-step model fororganizational intervention, the course was run in co-facilitation, using the effect of demonstration, modelling, andobservation to improve performance at individual level. The course represents a mix of organizational behaviourand human resources management that has proved to be effective in preparing managers to improve organizationalinnovation and accelerate change in companies. Each step produced outputs, namely three innovation projects.Participants rated the course in every item of an extensive questionnaire as Good and Very Good, except theintroduction (pre-consult), which was considered “too theoretical”. Therefore, the course model proved to beadequate for the preparation of managers as coaches for organizational innovation in the hospitality industry. As tofuture developments, they will have to do mostly with the functioning of a matrix structure in the hospitality industry,so that the whole approach may have a full impact on the company.
文摘This study examined the impact of trade facilitation on economic development, particularly the impact of customs environment on trade flows over the period from 1995 to 2010. Five countries of the East African Community （EAC）, namely, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, are involved. The study employs a gravity model for estimating bilateral trade flows between the EAC partner states. The ordinary least square （OLS） technique is adopted and applied for the regression analysis by using the Stata 10.0 software. Results suggest that, the customs environment of the importer is significant and possesses a strongly positive impact on East African trade flows. Results also find that the customs environment of the exporter is insignificant, even though it shows a negative relationship with the East African trade flows, hence a negative determinant. East African countries have to improve their customs environment, especially when undertaking an importation, in order to boost the overall trade flow in the block. They should also improve other trade facilitation indicators, such as port efficiency, regulatory environment, and infrastructure. The aid for trade, in terms of technical and financial assistance, should also be enhanced for the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, bridges, and border posts.
基金Key Program of the National Social Science Fund of China,No.22AZD052。
文摘High-level investment facilitation is crucial for China's overseas free economic zones(COFEZs)to attract and retain investment,mitigate business interruption risks,and foster a virtuous cycle.While research on investment facilitation in COFEZs has mainly focused on summarizing and examining the investment facilitation measures adopted by typical national-level examples of COFEZs,relatively little attention has been paid to investigating the overall level and general problems of investment facilitation across COFEZs.This study expands the scope of case investigations by taking 60 COFEZs as samples.It constructs a comprehensive evaluation indicator system which includes four dimensions:industrial infrastructure,social infrastructure,business support services,and seamless administrative supervision.By employing content analysis and regression analysis,this study identifies the characteristics and influencing factors of investment facilitation level in COFEZs.The results show that the overall level of investment facilitation in COFEZs is currently low.Specifically,COFEZs exhibit higher levels of investment facilitation in processing and manufacturing types and in Europe,while those in trade and logistics types and in Africa are relatively poor.Industrial infrastructure and business support services contribute more significantly to the overall scores of investment facilitation in COFEZs compared to social infrastructure and seamless administrative supervision.The investment facilitation level in COFEZs is essentially the result of a series of behaviors by developers and host governments,and it is affected by a combination of developers'perceptions of investment facilitation and the social environment in which developers and host governments promote investment facilitation.This study offers a new perspective on understanding COFEZs and contributes to the sustainable development of COFEZs.
文摘Nutrient constraints in low-fertility soil were modified by different species combinations.Grass-clover assemblages benefited both species in terms of nutrient procurement.Interplay of competition and facilitation is demonstrated.An invasive weed removed essential nutrients from the grazing cycle.To investigate the interplay of competition and facilitation between plants in low-fertility pasture grasslands of New Zealand,we compared nutrient uptake and acquisition of key nutrients of three species from different func-tional groups.Combinations of Pilosella officinarum(mouse-eared hawk-weed,an invasive weed),Trifolium repens(white clover,a nitrogen fixer)and Dactylis glomerata(cocksfoot,a pasture grass)were planted into a soil with low-to-deficient concentrations of key nutrients.Highest yields were achieved by the grass growing alone but,when the clover and grass had grown together,there were complementary benefits in terms of procurement of a wide range of nutrients from soil despite lower root biomass.The inva-sive weed negated these benefits,and soil nutrients were exploited less efficiently when Pilosella had grown alone or in a mixture with the other species.Competition from the weed removed the benefits of grass-legume coexistence.These findings are interpreted to suggest that requirements for legumes to be the main source of nitrogen in pasture grasslands may be compromised unless competitive weeds are controlled to avoid disrupted procurement of key nutrients.It is likely these constraints to nutrient procurement would similarly impact conservation grasslands.
文摘This paper examines the integration of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence(AI)to enhance trade facilitation.It highlights their individual contributions to efficiency and transparency,explores their theoretical foundations,and identifies synergistic benefits such as improved data quality,enhanced trust,and optimized decision-making.Key challenges,including technical,legal,and organizational barriers,are discussed.Real-world case stud-ies illustrate practical outcomes and implications for stakeholders.The study concludes with policy recommendations and future research directions,emphasizing the potential trans-formative impact on global trade models and a more efficient,transparent,and inclusive trade ecosystem.
文摘This paper explores the role of Artificial Intelligence(AI)in enhancing trade facilitation through its integration with Single Window Systems(SWS).It investigates how AI tech-nologies such as machine learning,natural language processing,and predictive analytics can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of trade processes.Case studies of Singapore and Australia are analyzed to highlight successful AI applications and key lessons learned.The study discusses the benefits,including increased efficiency,reduced costs,enhanced accuracy,and improved user experience,alongside the challenges posed by technical com-plexities,legal and ethical considerations,and resistance to change.The paper also pro-vides policy implications and recommendations for governments,international organiza-tions,and private sector stakeholders.Future research directions emphasize emerging AI technologies like AI-driven blockchain and advanced NLP,and their potential long-term impacts on global trade dynamics.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China (31770477)The Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA19050502, XDA20010201)The National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFA0604801, 2016YFC0502001)。
文摘The cushion plant Androsace tapete is an endemic species that is widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and also predominant in the alpine grassland that is locally degraded due to overgrazing and other reasons. As an ecosystem engineer cushion plant, its ability to facilitate the restoration of degraded alpine grassland was studied in a degraded alpine grassland at an elevation of 4500 m on the southern slope of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains in Damxung. The species diversity, soil nutrients and water content underneath and outside the cushion plant A. tapete were investigated. The results showed that soil nutrients underneath the A. tapete cushion were significantly increased by about 16%-48% compared to outside the cushion, of which the organic matter and total N were increased by 16.2% and 18.9% respectively, and the soil water content was increased about 12%. The index of species diversity of richness(S), Shannon-Wiener’s H and Simpson’s D all increased with the coverage of cushion plant A. tapete. Our results suggested that this cushion plant can facilitate restoration of the degraded alpine grassland by modifying the local soil environment and increasing the community diversity, so it should be conserved for the restoration of degraded alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFC0506200).
文摘Aims In estuarine salt-marshes,nitrate supply and soil salinity,which are known as two main environmental drivers,simultaneously affect the interspecific interactions between plant species.However,to date,their interactive effects on interspecific interactions have not been closely examined for salt-marsh plant species.Methods Juvenile plants of Suaeda salsa L.(Chenopodiaceae)and Scirpus planiculmis Fr.(Cyperaceae)were grown in rinsed river sand to conduct a greenhouse experiment with three treatment categories:interspecific interaction(mixed culture or monoculture),three salinity levels(1,50 and 100 mmol L^(-1))and three nitrate levels(0.5,5 and 10 mmol L^(-1)).First,height and biomass of all plants were measured.Then,the growth data,relative interaction index and competitive important index of the two species were analyzed.Important Findings The interspecific interactions between S.salsa and S.planiculmis were facilitation across the salinity gradients.The promotion of S.salsa growth with high nitrate supply did not enhance the facilitative effect of the species,especially at low salinity.However,high nitrate supply significantly shifted the interspecific interactions of S.planiculmis from facilitation to competition at high salinity.Our results suggest that excessive nitrate application changes the prediction of the stress-gradient hypothesis along a salinity gradient,leading to collapse of the two species coexistence in the salt-marshes.These findings make a contribution to the understanding of how S.salsa and S.planiculmis,as well as salt-marsh communities,respond to the human modification of estuarine nutritional levels.
基金the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.71902050).
文摘Using data on firms listed on Chinese A-share markets from 2009 to 2017,this paperapplies the difference-in-difference model to test the effect of trade facilitation onpreventing the formation of zombie firms.We find that the China Railway Express(CRE)significantly prevented the formation of such firms.Mechanism tests show:(i)the CRE has accelerated the speed of sales,which increased the overseas salesrevenue of firms;(ii)the economies of scale and the capital accumulation effectcaused by the CRE can help increase firms'solvency and development ability.Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the effect of the CRE on preventing theformation of zombie firms is mainly reflected in non-state-owned firms,firms inhighly competitive industries,and firms in the eastern region of China.We suggestthat China should continue to promote trade facilitation by expanding the CRE andstrengthening the market's dominant role in preventing the formation of zombie firms.Disadvantaged firms should seize the development opportunities brought by the CRE.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82104412(to TD)Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Program,No.2023-YBSF-165(to TD)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Department of Science and Technology,No.2018JM7022(to FM)Shaanxi Provincial Key Industry Chain Project,No.2021ZDLSF04-11(to PW)。
文摘The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment;however,the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the blood-brain barrier remain poorly understood.The major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A has been identified as a key regulator of blood-brain barrier function.It plays a critical role in promoting and maintaining the formation and functional stability of the blood-brain barrier,in addition to the transport of lipids,such as docosahexaenoic acid,across the blood-brain barrier.Furthermore,an increasing number of studies have suggested that major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A is involved in the molecular mechanisms of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in a variety of neurological diseases;however,little is known regarding the mechanisms by which major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A affects the blood-brain barrier.This paper provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the close relationship between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins and the blood-brain barrier,including their basic structures and functions,cross-linking between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A and the blood-brain barrier,and the in-depth studies on lipid transport and the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability.This comprehensive systematic review contributes to an in-depth understanding of the important role of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins in maintaining the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier and the research progress to date.This will not only help to elucidate the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,improve the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis,and optimize clinical treatment strategies,but it may also play an important role in prognostic monitoring.In addition,the effects of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A on blood-brain barrier leakage in various diseases and the research progress on cross-blood-brain barrier drug delivery are summarized.This review may contribute to the development of new approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases.
文摘Aims Positive plant interactions can promote higher species density of beneficiary species in deserts.However,there is limited evidence examining the trait sets of seeds from beneficiary species.in this study,we examined the hypothesis that shrubs(benefactors)influ-ence the germination of desert annuals(beneficiaries)and promote ecotypic differentiation by generating distinct microhabitats through abiotic stress amelioration.The following predictions were tested using growth chambers and field-collected seeds:(i)seed mass and viability will be greater and less variable for seeds collected from within shrub understory relative to seeds from open microhabitats,(ii)germination of seeds from shrub and open microhabitats will be greatest under simulated home(source)conditions,(iii)seeds from the shrub microhabitat will adaptively accelerate their germination rate when germinated in simulated home(source)microhabitats relative to their simulated away(reciprocal)microhabitat.Methods Seeds and their associated maternal plants were collected from four annual species found within a shrub understory(Larrea triden-tata)and open microhabitats in the Mojave Desert of California(35.30ºN,117.26ºW,793 m.a.s.l.),and then reciprocally germi-nated in growth chambers simulating both microclimatic conditions.Cumulative germination and germination rate was measured every 4-5 days for 42 days.Important Findings There was no significant difference in the mean or coefficient of variation for seed mass and viability between the shrub and open microhabitats.The source of the seeds did not significantly impact the cumulative germination,and there was no accelerated rate of germination within potential species ecotypes thereby suggesting no ecotypic differentiation.Cumulative germination was signifi-cantly higher within the shrub-simulated microhabitat for three out of the four species examined.Cumulative germination and germina-tion rate were significantly different between species.Hence,shrubs influence the germination of desert annuals,and the outcome of this interaction is species specific,but shrub microhabitats do not nec-essarily alter the more conserved seed biology traits.Future studies should examine the influence of gene flow on beneficiary adapta-tion and the influence of species-specificity on beneficiary species response to facilitation.
基金J.M.G.was granted with a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Alcalá.E.G.thanks support of FONDECYT grant 1140070The last sampling period was funded by the FUNDIVER project(MINECO:CGL2015-69186-C2-2-R).
文摘Aims Lianas are expected to influence composition,structure and func-tioning of forest systems due to unequal distribution across the potential set of host plants.However,our understanding of mecha-nisms associated with preferences for specific hosts is still limited,and so is our ability to discern between endogenous and exogenous forces driving forest dynamics in the long run.In this paper,we eval-uated whether the dominant liana Hedera helix can indirectly con-tribute to the eventual dominance of the small multi-stemmed tree Corylus avellana in a remnant temperate forest in central Iberian Peninsula from comparatively reduced liana infestation on C.avel-lana relative to co-occurring woody species.Methods through principal component analysis and co-occurrence ana-lysis,we studied the distribution and spatial association between woody species and the liana H.helix.We analyzed the relationship between the number of species in a plot and the number of species infested by the liana to test the hypothesis that H.helix is a gen-eralist liana.through generalized linear mixed models,we tested the dynamic-multi-stemmed growth form of C.avellana as a plaus-ible life strategy to withstand,in the long run,the liana infestation.In particular,we tested(i)the relationship between stem size and the probability of H.helix infestation including all the tree species within plots and(ii)the relationship between stem size and mortal-ity as evidence of the stem turn over in the tree C.avellana.Important Findings Our results indicate that H.helix and C.avellana significantly co-occur in mature stands of this remnant temperate forest where pion-eer woody species are absent.Hedera helix severely infests all the woody species whenever stem size exceed≈25 cm perimeter and there is physical contact at the base of the stem.this implies that all the trees in the community are potential hosts for H.helix.Mixed models indicate that both,infestation by H.helix and stem mortality,are positively related to C.avellana stem perimeter.Reduced long-term infestation of the liana by means of a multi-stemmed growth form with high stem turnover in C.avellana might be an advantage with respect to unipodial tree species.thus,the liana-tree coexistence pattern may be interpreted as an indirect positive interaction that,contrary to previous findings,results here in species dominance instead of species coexistence.
