Rock discontinuities control rock mechanical behaviors and significantly influence the stability of rock masses.However,existing discontinuity mapping algorithms are susceptible to noise,and the calculation results ca...Rock discontinuities control rock mechanical behaviors and significantly influence the stability of rock masses.However,existing discontinuity mapping algorithms are susceptible to noise,and the calculation results cannot be fed back to users timely.To address this issue,we proposed a human-machine interaction(HMI)method for discontinuity mapping.Users can help the algorithm identify the noise and make real-time result judgments and parameter adjustments.For this,a regular cube was selected to illustrate the workflows:(1)point cloud was acquired using remote sensing;(2)the HMI method was employed to select reference points and angle thresholds to detect group discontinuity;(3)individual discontinuities were extracted from the group discontinuity using a density-based cluster algorithm;and(4)the orientation of each discontinuity was measured based on a plane fitting algorithm.The method was applied to a well-studied highway road cut and a complex natural slope.The consistency of the computational results with field measurements demonstrates its good accuracy,and the average error in the dip direction and dip angle for both cases was less than 3.Finally,the computational time of the proposed method was compared with two other popular algorithms,and the reduction in computational time by tens of times proves its high computational efficiency.This method provides geologists and geological engineers with a new idea to map rapidly and accurately rock structures under large amounts of noises or unclear features.展开更多
The Chinese express delivery industry processes nearly 110 billion items in 2022,averaging an annual growth rate of 200%.Among the various types of sorting systems used for handling express items,cross-belt sorting sy...The Chinese express delivery industry processes nearly 110 billion items in 2022,averaging an annual growth rate of 200%.Among the various types of sorting systems used for handling express items,cross-belt sorting systems stand out as the most crucial.However,despite their high degree of automation,the workload for operators has intensified owing to the surging volume of express items.In the era of Industry 5.0,it is imperative to adopt new technologies that not only enhance worker welfare but also improve the efficiency of cross-belt systems.Striking a balance between efficiency in handling express items and operator well-being is challenging.Digital twin technology offers a promising solution in this respect.A realization method of a human-machine integrated digital twin is proposed in this study,enabling the interaction of biological human bodies,virtual human bodies,virtual equipment,and logistics equipment in a closed loop,thus setting an operating framework.Key technologies in the proposed framework include a collection of heterogeneous data from multiple sources,construction of the relationship between operator fatigue and operation efficiency based on physiological measurements,virtual model construction,and an online optimization module based on real-time simulation.The feasibility of the proposed method was verified in an express distribution center.展开更多
Suicide has become a critical concern,necessitating the development of effective preventative strategies.Social media platforms offer a valuable resource for identifying signs of suicidal ideation.Despite progress in ...Suicide has become a critical concern,necessitating the development of effective preventative strategies.Social media platforms offer a valuable resource for identifying signs of suicidal ideation.Despite progress in detecting suicidal ideation on social media,accurately identifying individuals who express suicidal thoughts less openly or infrequently poses a significant challenge.To tackle this,we have developed a dataset focused on Chinese suicide narratives from Weibo’s Tree Hole feature and introduced an ensemble model named Text Convolutional Neural Network based on Social Network relationships(TCNN-SN).This model enhances predictive performance by leveraging social network relationship features and applying correction factors within a weighted linear fusion framework.It is specifically designed to identify key individuals who can help uncover hidden suicidal users and clusters.Our model,assessed using the bespoke dataset and benchmarked against alternative classification approaches,demonstrates superior accuracy,F1-score and AUC metrics,achieving 88.57%,88.75%and 94.25%,respectively,outperforming traditional TextCNN models by 12.18%,10.84%and 10.85%.We assert that our methodology offers a significant advancement in the predictive identification of individuals at risk,thereby contributing to the prevention and reduction of suicide incidences.展开更多
Leaf-color modification can affect canopy photosynthesis,with potential effects on rice yield and yield components.Modulating source-sink relationships through crop management is often used to improve crop productivit...Leaf-color modification can affect canopy photosynthesis,with potential effects on rice yield and yield components.Modulating source-sink relationships through crop management is often used to improve crop productivity.This study investigated whether and how modifying leaf color alters source-sink relationships and whether current crop cultivation practices remain applicable for leaf-color modified genotypes.Periodically collected data of total biomass and nitrogen(N)accumulation in rice genotypes of four genetic backgrounds and their leaf-color modified variants(greener or yellower)were analyzed,using a recently established modelling method to quantify the source-sink(im)balance during grain filling.Among all leaf-color variants,only one yellower-leaf variant showed a higher source capacity than its normal genotype.This was associated with greater post-flowering N-uptake that prolonged the functional leaf-N duration,and this greater post-flowering N-uptake was possible because of reduced pre-flowering N-uptake.A density experiment showed that current management practices(insufficient planting density accompanied by abundant N application)are unsuitable for the yellower-leaf genotype,ultimately limiting its yield potential.Leaf-color modification affects source-sink relationships by regulating the N trade-off between pre-and post-flowering uptake,as well as N translocation between source and sink organs.To best exploit leaf-color modification for improving crop productivity,adjustments of crop management practices are required.展开更多
Volume is an important attribute used in many forest management decisions.Data from 83 fixed-area plots located in central New Brunswick,Canada,are used to examine how different measures of stand-level diameter and he...Volume is an important attribute used in many forest management decisions.Data from 83 fixed-area plots located in central New Brunswick,Canada,are used to examine how different measures of stand-level diameter and height influence volume prediction using a stand-level variant of Honer's(1967)volume equation.When density was included in the models(Volume=f(Diameter,Height,Density))choice of diameter measure was more important than choice of height measure.When density was not included(Volume=f(Diameter,Height)),the opposite was true.For models with density included,moment-based estimators of stand diameter and height performed better than all other measures.For models without density,largest tree estimators of stand diameter and height performed better than other measures.The overall best equation used quadratic mean diameter,Lorey's height,and density(root mean square error=5.26 m^3·ha^(-1);1.9%relative error).The best equation without density used mean diameter of the largest trees needed to calculate a stand density index of 400 and the mean height of the tallest 400 trees per ha(root mean square error=32.08 m^(3)·ha^(-1);11.8%relative error).The results of this study have some important implications for height subsampling and LiDAR-derived forest inventory analyses.展开更多
This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides(neutral LJP-1,acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3)with significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera ja...This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides(neutral LJP-1,acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3)with significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera japonica.The three polysaccharides differed in chemical composition,molecular weight(Mw)distribution,glycosidic linkage pattern,functional groups and morphology.They exhibited excellent protective effects(in a dose-dependent manner)in lipopolysaccharide-injured RAW264.7 macrophages and Cu SO4-damaged zebrafish via reducing NO production and inhibiting the overexpressions of inflammation-related transcription factors,inflammatory proteins and cytokines in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.Their antiinflammatory effects varied owing to their different molecular characteristics and chemical compositions.Overall,LJP-2 at 400μg/m L was the most effective.LJP-2 consisted mainly of→5)-α-L-Araf(1→,→4)-α-LGalp A(1→and→2)-α-L-Rhap(1→residues with terminal T-β-D-Glcp.Thus,honeysuckle flowers are good sources of anti-inflammatory polysaccharides,and precise fractionation enables the production of potent antiinflammatory agents for the development of functional foods and healthcare products.展开更多
Communication could be an essential part of couples in their daily life.Based on Monitor and Acceptance Theory(MAT),the present study explored the mediating role of communication in the relationship between mindfulnes...Communication could be an essential part of couples in their daily life.Based on Monitor and Acceptance Theory(MAT),the present study explored the mediating role of communication in the relationship between mindfulness and relationship quality among college-student couples.The research examined the dynamic relationship of monitoring and acceptance to relationship satisfaction in the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model(APIM),and the mediating effect of positive or negative communications in these relationships.A total of 96 pairs of couples in the universities in Nanjing,China participated in the research.Momentary measurements were used to measure the momentary levels of their monitor,acceptance,positive/negative communication,and relationship satisfaction.A Hierarchical Linear Model(HLM)was used to deal with the APIM.Results showed that the women’s monitor facet of state mindfulness negatively predicted men’s relationship satisfaction through women’s negative communication,and the women’s acceptance facet of state mindfulness positively predicted women’s relationship satisfaction through women’s positive and negative communication at the within-person level.The study highlights the importance of cooperation in monitoring and acceptance for couples to own and hold high levels of relationship satisfaction.展开更多
Clarifying the relationship between stress sensitivities of permeability and porosity is of great significance in guiding underground resource mining.More and more studies focus on how to construct stress sensitivity ...Clarifying the relationship between stress sensitivities of permeability and porosity is of great significance in guiding underground resource mining.More and more studies focus on how to construct stress sensitivity models to describe the relationship and obtain a comprehensive stress sensitivity of porous rock.However,the limitations of elastic deformation calculation and incompleteness of considered tortuosity sensitivity lead to the fact that the existing stress sensitivity models are still unsatisfactory in terms of accuracy and generalization.Therefore,a more accurate and generic stress sensitivity model considering elastic-structural deformation of capillary cross-section and tortuosity sensitivity is proposed in this paper.The elastic deformation is derived from the fractal scaling model and Hooke's law.Considering the effects of elastic-structural deformation on tortuosity sensitivity,an empirical formula is proposed,and the conditions for its applicability are clarified.The predictive performance of the proposed model for the permeability-porosity relationships is validated in several sets of publicly available experimental data.These experimental data are from different rocks under different pressure cycles.The mean and standard deviation of relative errors of predicted stress sensitivity with respect to experimental data are 2.63%and 1.91%.Compared with other models,the proposed model has higher accuracy and better predictive generalization performance.It is also found that the porosity sensitivity exponent a,which can describe permeability-porosity relationships,is 2 when only elastic deformation is considered.a decreases from 2 when structural deformation is also considered.In addition,a may be greater than 3 due to the increase in tortuosity sensitivity when tortuosity sensitivity is considered even if the rock is not fractured.展开更多
Land use change and occupation have led to modifications in the environment causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout the planet.Some environments with high economic relevance,such as the ferrugin...Land use change and occupation have led to modifications in the environment causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout the planet.Some environments with high economic relevance,such as the ferruginous campo rupestre(rupestrian grassland known as Canga in Brazil),are even more susceptible to severe impacts due to their extreme habitat conditions and low resilience.The determination of reference ecosystems based on the intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystem is essential for conservation as well as to the implementation of ecological restoration.We proposed the reference ecosystem of the three main types of habitats of the ferruginous campo rupestre based on their floristic composition.We described the floristic composition of each habitat and evaluated the physicochemical properties of the soils and the relationship between plants and soils.All three habitats showed high diversity of plant species and many endemic species,such as Chamaecrista choriophylla,Cuphea pseudovaccinium,Lychnophora pinaster,and Vellozia subalata.The distribution of vegetation was strongly related with the edaphic characteristics,with a set of species more adapted to high concentration of base saturation,fine sand,organic carbon,and iron,while another set of species succeeded in more acidic soils with higher S and silt concentration.We provide support for the contention that the ferruginous campo rupestre is a mosaic of different habitats shaped by intrinsic local conditions.Failure to recognize the floristic composition of each particular habitat can lead to inappropriate restoration,increased habitat homogenization and increased loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.This study also advances the knowledge base for building the reference ecosystem for the different types of ferruginous campo rupestre habitats,as well as a key database for highlighting those species contribute most to community assembly in this diverse and threatened tropical mountain ecosystem.展开更多
Despite much research in the field of island biogeography,mechanisms regulating insular diversity remain elusive.Here,we aim to explore mechanisms underlying plant species-area relationships in two tropical archipelag...Despite much research in the field of island biogeography,mechanisms regulating insular diversity remain elusive.Here,we aim to explore mechanisms underlying plant species-area relationships in two tropical archipelagoes in the South China Sea.We found positive plant species-area relationships for both coral and continental archipelagoes.However,our results showed that different mechanisms contributed to similar plant species-area relationships between the two archipelagoes.For coral islands,soil nutrients and spatial distance among communities played major roles in shaping plant community structure and species diversity.By contrast,the direct effect of island area,and to a lesser extent,soil nutrients determined plant species richness on continental islands.Intriguingly,increasing soil nutrients availability(N,P,K)had opposite effects on plant diversity between the two archipelagoes.In summary,the habitat quality effect and dispersal limitation are important for regulating plant diversity on coral islands,whereas the passive sampling effect,and to a lesser extent,the habitat quality effect are important for regulating plant diversity on continental islands.More generally,our findings indicate that island plant species-area relationships are outcomes of the interplay of both niche and neutral processes,but the driving mechanisms behind these relationships depends on the type of islands.展开更多
Understanding the distribution,dispersal,and correlation of modern pollen with vegetation in mountainous regions is essential for establishing accurate modern analogs for fossil pollen records.This study,conducted in ...Understanding the distribution,dispersal,and correlation of modern pollen with vegetation in mountainous regions is essential for establishing accurate modern analogs for fossil pollen records.This study,conducted in Leigong Mountain on the YunnanGuizhou Plateau of southwestern China,involved the collection of 35 surface soil samples from diverse vegetation communities along an elevational gradient ranging from 1210 to 1875 meters.The results reveal a close correspondence between modern pollen assemblages and vegetation zones.Principal Component Analysis(PCA)results indicate that pollen assemblages can effectively distinguish between subtropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest(SEBF)and subtropical montane deciduous broadleaved forest(SDBF).However,both SEBF and SDBF show significant overlap with subtropical montane evergreen-deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest(SEMF).Detrended Correspondence Analysis(DCA)results clearly distinguish the three vegetation zones,and the first axis of DCA shows a significant positive correlation with elevation(p<0.01,R=0.48).Discriminant Analysis(DA)successfully assigns 94.4%of the modern pollen samples to their respective vegetation zones.Pollen taxa such as Impatiens,Astertype,and Rosaceae exhibit significant indicative capabilities for the SEBF zone,effectively distinguishing this vegetation zone from others.Pinus and Alnus display overrepresentation in the Leigong Mountain region,while Quercus(D,deciduous-type)and Poaceae exhibit high representation in the SEBF zone.In the SEBF zone,both pollen diversity and richness are the lowest.Our study reveals the complex relationship between the richness and diversity of pollen and vegetation.The diversity and richness of tree and shrub pollen are found to be lower than those of the corresponding plants.The pollen-vegetation relationship elucidated in this study serves as a critical reference for reconstructing ancient environments from fossil pollen retrieved in this region.展开更多
Background:College students face significant academic and physiological changes,making them more susceptible to psychological issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation.Feelings of defeat can exacerba...Background:College students face significant academic and physiological changes,making them more susceptible to psychological issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation.Feelings of defeat can exacerbate these risks by increasing academic stress.However,interpersonal relationships can moderate the impact of academic stress on students’mental health.Utilizing the presage–process–product model,this study aims to empirically investigate how feelings of defeat influence depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation among college students.Additionally,it explores the mediating role of academic stress and the moderating role of various types of interpersonal relationships.Methods:A total of 1612 college students(750 females,862 males,mean age=19.64±0.62 years)were recruited through cluster sampling.Data were collected via offline questionnaires administered by a trained psychology teacher and a postgraduate student,ensuring high reliability with two examiners per class.Latent profile analysis(LPA)was used to examine the impact of defeat on mental health outcomes,while mediation analysis was conducted to assess the roles of academic stress and interpersonal relationships.Results:1.Defeat is identified as a significant risk factor for mental health issues among college students;2.Four distinct patterns of interpersonal relationships were identified:the interpersonal-relationship risk group,the father–child-relationship high-risk group,the general interpersonal-relationship group,and the superior interpersonal-relationship group;3.Academic stress partially mediates the relationship between defeat and mental health issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation;4.Different interpersonal relationship models moderate the impact of academic stress on depression and suicidal ideation.Conclusion:Defeat is a significant risk factor for mental health problems in college students.Academic stress partially mediates the negative impact of defeat on mental health,while patterns of interpersonal relationships moderate this impact.Effective early prevention and intervention should focus on monitoring students’stress levels and fostering warm,positive parent–child relationships.展开更多
Through literature review,we found that evaluations of urban planning implementation often focus narrowly on either the subject(stakeholders)or the object(projects),while micro-level aspects such as site selection and...Through literature review,we found that evaluations of urban planning implementation often focus narrowly on either the subject(stakeholders)or the object(projects),while micro-level aspects such as site selection and construction are primarily considered within the context of planning implementation.There is insufficient research on the evaluation of implementation.Community daycare centers play a crucial role in the community home care model,yet there is relatively little research on their usage efficiency,satisfaction levels,and spatial evaluation of planning implementation.Based on the theoretical understanding of the human environment,including the subject,object,and their interactions,an evaluation system for the planning and implementation of community day care centers was constructed,incorporating subjective evaluation,objective evaluation,and comparative analysis.展开更多
In this editorial,I comment on the article by Zhang et al.To emphasize the importance of the topic,I discuss the relationship between the use of smart medical devices and mental health.Smart medical services have the ...In this editorial,I comment on the article by Zhang et al.To emphasize the importance of the topic,I discuss the relationship between the use of smart medical devices and mental health.Smart medical services have the potential to positively influence mental health by providing monitoring,insights,and inter-ventions.However,they also come with challenges that need to be addressed.Understanding the primary purpose for which individuals use these smart tech-nologies is essential to tailoring them to specific mental health needs and prefe-rences.展开更多
In the international shipping industry, digital intelligence transformation has become essential, with both governments and enterprises actively working to integrate diverse datasets. The domain of maritime and shippi...In the international shipping industry, digital intelligence transformation has become essential, with both governments and enterprises actively working to integrate diverse datasets. The domain of maritime and shipping is characterized by a vast array of document types, filled with complex, large-scale, and often chaotic knowledge and relationships. Effectively managing these documents is crucial for developing a Large Language Model (LLM) in the maritime domain, enabling practitioners to access and leverage valuable information. A Knowledge Graph (KG) offers a state-of-the-art solution for enhancing knowledge retrieval, providing more accurate responses and enabling context-aware reasoning. This paper presents a framework for utilizing maritime and shipping documents to construct a knowledge graph using GraphRAG, a hybrid tool combining graph-based retrieval and generation capabilities. The extraction of entities and relationships from these documents and the KG construction process are detailed. Furthermore, the KG is integrated with an LLM to develop a Q&A system, demonstrating that the system significantly improves answer accuracy compared to traditional LLMs. Additionally, the KG construction process is up to 50% faster than conventional LLM-based approaches, underscoring the efficiency of our method. This study provides a promising approach to digital intelligence in shipping, advancing knowledge accessibility and decision-making.展开更多
Agricultural heritage systems have the characteristics of ecological fragility and cultural sensitivity.For a long time,the conservation and sustainable development of agricultural heritage systems have received atten...Agricultural heritage systems have the characteristics of ecological fragility and cultural sensitivity.For a long time,the conservation and sustainable development of agricultural heritage systems have received attention from all sectors.However,there are few measurements of tourism disturbance(TD)and community resilience(CR)in agricultural heritage sites,and research on the relationship between the two is even more lacking.This study selects six villages in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System(HHRTS)as examples and constructs an evaluation system for TD and CR.Through questionnaires and in-depth interviews,it explores the response relationship between TD and CR of heritage site,and compares the response relationship of villages in different stages of tourism development.The results indicate that the heritage site's current response relationship between TD and CR shows a positive response type,and the development of tourism has brought positive responses and effects.There are differences in the interactive relationship between TD and CR among communities with different levels of tourism development.In communities with poor tourism development,CR is more susceptible to the impact of TD than other communities.The stability of the relationship between TD and CR response gradually tends to stabilize from poor,good,and moderate tourism development.展开更多
In this article,we comment on the article by Oommen et al.Oommen et al provided a comprehensive overview of the management of hip centre restoration in total hip arthroplasty(THA)for childhood hip disorder sequelae.Gi...In this article,we comment on the article by Oommen et al.Oommen et al provided a comprehensive overview of the management of hip centre restoration in total hip arthroplasty(THA)for childhood hip disorder sequelae.Given the developmental disparity in this population,specific preoperative planning is an essential prerequisite for the success of THA procedures.In the review by Oommen et al,assessments of acetabular and femoral anatomic variations were fully described.However,spinal malalignment and stiffness are common in physical and radiological examinations and should be taken into careful consideration when planning surgical procedures.Poor outcomes of THA for patients with comorbid hip and spinopelvic pathologies have been widely reported,especially for hips with childhood disorder sequelae.Therefore,in this editorial,we would like to emphasize the need for a thorough hip-spine evaluation of patients with childhood hip disorder sequelae before THA.展开更多
Climate change brings new challenges to the sustainable development of agriculture in the new era.Accurately grasping the patterns of climate change impacts on agricultural systems is crucial for ensuring agricultural...Climate change brings new challenges to the sustainable development of agriculture in the new era.Accurately grasping the patterns of climate change impacts on agricultural systems is crucial for ensuring agricultural sustainability and food security.Taking the Loess Plateau(LP),China as an example,this study used a coupling coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation analysis to portray the spatial and temporal features of crop-cropland coupling relationship from 2000 to 2020 and explored the impact law of climate change through geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR).The results were as follows:1)the crop-cropland coupling coordination degree of the LP showed a gradual upward trend from 2000 to 2020,forming a spatial pattern with lower values in the central region and higher values in the surrounding areas.2)There was a positive correlation in the spatial distribution of cropcropland coupling coordination degree in the LP from 2000 to 2020,and the high value-low value(H-L)and low value-low value(L-L)agglomerations continued to expand eastward,while the spatial and temporal evolution of the high value-high value(H-H)and low value-high value(L-H)agglomerations was not obvious.3)The impacts of climatic elements on crop-cropland coupling coordination degree in the LP showed strong heterogeneity in time scales.The inhibitory impacts of summer days(SU)and frost days(FD)accounted for a higher proportion,while the annual average temperature(TEM)had both promoting and inhibiting impacts.The impacts proportion and intensity of extreme heavy precipitation day(R25),continuous drought days(CDD),and annual precipitation(PRE)all experienced significant changes.4)In space,the impacts of SU and FD on the crop-cropland coupling coordination degree varied with latitude and altitude.The adaptability of the LP to R25 gradually strengthened,and the extensions of CDD and increase of PRE led to the increasing inhibition beyond the eastern region of LP,and TEM showed a promoting impact in the Fenwei Plain.As an important grainproducing area in China,the LP should actively deal with the impacts of climate change on the crop-cropland coupling relationship,vigorously safeguard food security,and promote sustainable agricultural development.展开更多
Thirty-three mutations and four different haplotypes were found when cytochrome b（Cytb） gene partial sequences of 12 gayals were analyzed. Together with sequences of Bos indicus, Bos taurus, Bos grunniens, and Bos g...Thirty-three mutations and four different haplotypes were found when cytochrome b（Cytb） gene partial sequences of 12 gayals were analyzed. Together with sequences of Bos indicus, Bos taurus, Bos grunniens, and Bos gaurus with Bubalus bubalis as the out group, the partial sequences of Cytb gene of gayals were aligned and base composition and nucleotide variation of Cytb gene were analyzed. The phylogenetic trees were constructed by the NJ method and the MP method respectively, both supporting almost the same topology. Gayal is an independent species of Bos from Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and Bos gaurus. The results also indicate that a great proportion of gayal bloodline was invaded by other species, and the protection of gayal is facing a formidable situation.展开更多
The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (including 5.8S rRNA) of 15 Rhododendron, species, representing most sections of the genus, one Ledum species and Cassiope fastigiata were sequenc...The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (including 5.8S rRNA) of 15 Rhododendron, species, representing most sections of the genus, one Ledum species and Cassiope fastigiata were sequenced. Together with the ITS sequences of 13 selected Rhododendron species and Bejaria racemosa downloaded from GenBank, we explored the infrageneric and sectional relationships of this important North Temperate genus by employing maximum-parsimony analysis using PAUP software. C. fastigiata and B. racemosa were designated as outgroups. The ITS-based tree inferred that: (1) Rhododendron was a well-supported monophyletic group, while subg. Therorhodion was basal to the rest of the genus; (2) Ledum was a member of Rhododendron, and its close relationship with the lepidote rhododendron was confirmed; (3) the lepidote rhododendron plus Ledum formed a strongly-supported monophyletic clade which was sister to the rest of the elepidote rhododendron; (4) the elepidote rhododendron formed a weakly-supported clade within which the monophyly of subg. Hynwrianthes and subg. Tsutsusi were strongly supported, while subg. Pentanthera and subg. Azaleastrum were polyphyletic; and (5) the monophyly of sect. Choniastnini, (subg. Azaleastrum) was strongly-supported, while subg. Tsutsusi could be sister to a weakly-supported clade composed of two sampled species of sect. Azaleastrum (subg. Azaleastrum) together with R. sentibarbatum, of subg. Mumeazalea.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2023YFC3081200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42077264)the Scientific Research Project of PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited(HDEC-2022-0301).
文摘Rock discontinuities control rock mechanical behaviors and significantly influence the stability of rock masses.However,existing discontinuity mapping algorithms are susceptible to noise,and the calculation results cannot be fed back to users timely.To address this issue,we proposed a human-machine interaction(HMI)method for discontinuity mapping.Users can help the algorithm identify the noise and make real-time result judgments and parameter adjustments.For this,a regular cube was selected to illustrate the workflows:(1)point cloud was acquired using remote sensing;(2)the HMI method was employed to select reference points and angle thresholds to detect group discontinuity;(3)individual discontinuities were extracted from the group discontinuity using a density-based cluster algorithm;and(4)the orientation of each discontinuity was measured based on a plane fitting algorithm.The method was applied to a well-studied highway road cut and a complex natural slope.The consistency of the computational results with field measurements demonstrates its good accuracy,and the average error in the dip direction and dip angle for both cases was less than 3.Finally,the computational time of the proposed method was compared with two other popular algorithms,and the reduction in computational time by tens of times proves its high computational efficiency.This method provides geologists and geological engineers with a new idea to map rapidly and accurately rock structures under large amounts of noises or unclear features.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52075036)Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFC3302204).
文摘The Chinese express delivery industry processes nearly 110 billion items in 2022,averaging an annual growth rate of 200%.Among the various types of sorting systems used for handling express items,cross-belt sorting systems stand out as the most crucial.However,despite their high degree of automation,the workload for operators has intensified owing to the surging volume of express items.In the era of Industry 5.0,it is imperative to adopt new technologies that not only enhance worker welfare but also improve the efficiency of cross-belt systems.Striking a balance between efficiency in handling express items and operator well-being is challenging.Digital twin technology offers a promising solution in this respect.A realization method of a human-machine integrated digital twin is proposed in this study,enabling the interaction of biological human bodies,virtual human bodies,virtual equipment,and logistics equipment in a closed loop,thus setting an operating framework.Key technologies in the proposed framework include a collection of heterogeneous data from multiple sources,construction of the relationship between operator fatigue and operation efficiency based on physiological measurements,virtual model construction,and an online optimization module based on real-time simulation.The feasibility of the proposed method was verified in an express distribution center.
基金funded by Outstanding Youth Team Project of Central Universities(QNTD202308).
文摘Suicide has become a critical concern,necessitating the development of effective preventative strategies.Social media platforms offer a valuable resource for identifying signs of suicidal ideation.Despite progress in detecting suicidal ideation on social media,accurately identifying individuals who express suicidal thoughts less openly or infrequently poses a significant challenge.To tackle this,we have developed a dataset focused on Chinese suicide narratives from Weibo’s Tree Hole feature and introduced an ensemble model named Text Convolutional Neural Network based on Social Network relationships(TCNN-SN).This model enhances predictive performance by leveraging social network relationship features and applying correction factors within a weighted linear fusion framework.It is specifically designed to identify key individuals who can help uncover hidden suicidal users and clusters.Our model,assessed using the bespoke dataset and benchmarked against alternative classification approaches,demonstrates superior accuracy,F1-score and AUC metrics,achieving 88.57%,88.75%and 94.25%,respectively,outperforming traditional TextCNN models by 12.18%,10.84%and 10.85%.We assert that our methodology offers a significant advancement in the predictive identification of individuals at risk,thereby contributing to the prevention and reduction of suicide incidences.
文摘Leaf-color modification can affect canopy photosynthesis,with potential effects on rice yield and yield components.Modulating source-sink relationships through crop management is often used to improve crop productivity.This study investigated whether and how modifying leaf color alters source-sink relationships and whether current crop cultivation practices remain applicable for leaf-color modified genotypes.Periodically collected data of total biomass and nitrogen(N)accumulation in rice genotypes of four genetic backgrounds and their leaf-color modified variants(greener or yellower)were analyzed,using a recently established modelling method to quantify the source-sink(im)balance during grain filling.Among all leaf-color variants,only one yellower-leaf variant showed a higher source capacity than its normal genotype.This was associated with greater post-flowering N-uptake that prolonged the functional leaf-N duration,and this greater post-flowering N-uptake was possible because of reduced pre-flowering N-uptake.A density experiment showed that current management practices(insufficient planting density accompanied by abundant N application)are unsuitable for the yellower-leaf genotype,ultimately limiting its yield potential.Leaf-color modification affects source-sink relationships by regulating the N trade-off between pre-and post-flowering uptake,as well as N translocation between source and sink organs.To best exploit leaf-color modification for improving crop productivity,adjustments of crop management practices are required.
基金the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(Discovery Grant RGPIN-2023-05879)the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation(Emerging Projects Grant EP-0000000033)。
文摘Volume is an important attribute used in many forest management decisions.Data from 83 fixed-area plots located in central New Brunswick,Canada,are used to examine how different measures of stand-level diameter and height influence volume prediction using a stand-level variant of Honer's(1967)volume equation.When density was included in the models(Volume=f(Diameter,Height,Density))choice of diameter measure was more important than choice of height measure.When density was not included(Volume=f(Diameter,Height)),the opposite was true.For models with density included,moment-based estimators of stand diameter and height performed better than all other measures.For models without density,largest tree estimators of stand diameter and height performed better than other measures.The overall best equation used quadratic mean diameter,Lorey's height,and density(root mean square error=5.26 m^3·ha^(-1);1.9%relative error).The best equation without density used mean diameter of the largest trees needed to calculate a stand density index of 400 and the mean height of the tallest 400 trees per ha(root mean square error=32.08 m^(3)·ha^(-1);11.8%relative error).The results of this study have some important implications for height subsampling and LiDAR-derived forest inventory analyses.
基金supported by Key R&D Program of Shandong Province,China(2021CXGC010508)。
文摘This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides(neutral LJP-1,acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3)with significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera japonica.The three polysaccharides differed in chemical composition,molecular weight(Mw)distribution,glycosidic linkage pattern,functional groups and morphology.They exhibited excellent protective effects(in a dose-dependent manner)in lipopolysaccharide-injured RAW264.7 macrophages and Cu SO4-damaged zebrafish via reducing NO production and inhibiting the overexpressions of inflammation-related transcription factors,inflammatory proteins and cytokines in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.Their antiinflammatory effects varied owing to their different molecular characteristics and chemical compositions.Overall,LJP-2 at 400μg/m L was the most effective.LJP-2 consisted mainly of→5)-α-L-Araf(1→,→4)-α-LGalp A(1→and→2)-α-L-Rhap(1→residues with terminal T-β-D-Glcp.Thus,honeysuckle flowers are good sources of anti-inflammatory polysaccharides,and precise fractionation enables the production of potent antiinflammatory agents for the development of functional foods and healthcare products.
基金supported by the National Natura Science Foundation of China(Grant Number:31800929)Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities(Grant Number:2020NTSS42).
文摘Communication could be an essential part of couples in their daily life.Based on Monitor and Acceptance Theory(MAT),the present study explored the mediating role of communication in the relationship between mindfulness and relationship quality among college-student couples.The research examined the dynamic relationship of monitoring and acceptance to relationship satisfaction in the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model(APIM),and the mediating effect of positive or negative communications in these relationships.A total of 96 pairs of couples in the universities in Nanjing,China participated in the research.Momentary measurements were used to measure the momentary levels of their monitor,acceptance,positive/negative communication,and relationship satisfaction.A Hierarchical Linear Model(HLM)was used to deal with the APIM.Results showed that the women’s monitor facet of state mindfulness negatively predicted men’s relationship satisfaction through women’s negative communication,and the women’s acceptance facet of state mindfulness positively predicted women’s relationship satisfaction through women’s positive and negative communication at the within-person level.The study highlights the importance of cooperation in monitoring and acceptance for couples to own and hold high levels of relationship satisfaction.
基金funding support from the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U1637206)Shanghai Sailing Program(Grant No.20YF1417200).
文摘Clarifying the relationship between stress sensitivities of permeability and porosity is of great significance in guiding underground resource mining.More and more studies focus on how to construct stress sensitivity models to describe the relationship and obtain a comprehensive stress sensitivity of porous rock.However,the limitations of elastic deformation calculation and incompleteness of considered tortuosity sensitivity lead to the fact that the existing stress sensitivity models are still unsatisfactory in terms of accuracy and generalization.Therefore,a more accurate and generic stress sensitivity model considering elastic-structural deformation of capillary cross-section and tortuosity sensitivity is proposed in this paper.The elastic deformation is derived from the fractal scaling model and Hooke's law.Considering the effects of elastic-structural deformation on tortuosity sensitivity,an empirical formula is proposed,and the conditions for its applicability are clarified.The predictive performance of the proposed model for the permeability-porosity relationships is validated in several sets of publicly available experimental data.These experimental data are from different rocks under different pressure cycles.The mean and standard deviation of relative errors of predicted stress sensitivity with respect to experimental data are 2.63%and 1.91%.Compared with other models,the proposed model has higher accuracy and better predictive generalization performance.It is also found that the porosity sensitivity exponent a,which can describe permeability-porosity relationships,is 2 when only elastic deformation is considered.a decreases from 2 when structural deformation is also considered.In addition,a may be greater than 3 due to the increase in tortuosity sensitivity when tortuosity sensitivity is considered even if the rock is not fractured.
基金Anglo American and Knowledge Center for Biodiversity for financial supportthe research funding agencies CNPq(Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico)+2 种基金scholarship from CNPq(151341/2023-0,150001/2023-1)FAPEMIG(Fundação de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais)Peld-CRSC 17(Long Term Ecology Program-campo rupestre of Serra do Cipó)。
文摘Land use change and occupation have led to modifications in the environment causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout the planet.Some environments with high economic relevance,such as the ferruginous campo rupestre(rupestrian grassland known as Canga in Brazil),are even more susceptible to severe impacts due to their extreme habitat conditions and low resilience.The determination of reference ecosystems based on the intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystem is essential for conservation as well as to the implementation of ecological restoration.We proposed the reference ecosystem of the three main types of habitats of the ferruginous campo rupestre based on their floristic composition.We described the floristic composition of each habitat and evaluated the physicochemical properties of the soils and the relationship between plants and soils.All three habitats showed high diversity of plant species and many endemic species,such as Chamaecrista choriophylla,Cuphea pseudovaccinium,Lychnophora pinaster,and Vellozia subalata.The distribution of vegetation was strongly related with the edaphic characteristics,with a set of species more adapted to high concentration of base saturation,fine sand,organic carbon,and iron,while another set of species succeeded in more acidic soils with higher S and silt concentration.We provide support for the contention that the ferruginous campo rupestre is a mosaic of different habitats shaped by intrinsic local conditions.Failure to recognize the floristic composition of each particular habitat can lead to inappropriate restoration,increased habitat homogenization and increased loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.This study also advances the knowledge base for building the reference ecosystem for the different types of ferruginous campo rupestre habitats,as well as a key database for highlighting those species contribute most to community assembly in this diverse and threatened tropical mountain ecosystem.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC3100405)the Science and Technology Basic Works Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2013FY111200)+2 种基金the Guangdong Provincial Special Fund for Natural Resource Affairs on Ecology and Forestry Construction(GDZZDC20228704)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070222)the National Science Foundation of USA(DEB-1342754 and DEB-1856318)。
文摘Despite much research in the field of island biogeography,mechanisms regulating insular diversity remain elusive.Here,we aim to explore mechanisms underlying plant species-area relationships in two tropical archipelagoes in the South China Sea.We found positive plant species-area relationships for both coral and continental archipelagoes.However,our results showed that different mechanisms contributed to similar plant species-area relationships between the two archipelagoes.For coral islands,soil nutrients and spatial distance among communities played major roles in shaping plant community structure and species diversity.By contrast,the direct effect of island area,and to a lesser extent,soil nutrients determined plant species richness on continental islands.Intriguingly,increasing soil nutrients availability(N,P,K)had opposite effects on plant diversity between the two archipelagoes.In summary,the habitat quality effect and dispersal limitation are important for regulating plant diversity on coral islands,whereas the passive sampling effect,and to a lesser extent,the habitat quality effect are important for regulating plant diversity on continental islands.More generally,our findings indicate that island plant species-area relationships are outcomes of the interplay of both niche and neutral processes,but the driving mechanisms behind these relationships depends on the type of islands.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers 42171157,42107475 and 41907379)College Students'Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program of Nantong University,and Foundation of Hunan Province(2023JJ40099 and 23B0678)。
文摘Understanding the distribution,dispersal,and correlation of modern pollen with vegetation in mountainous regions is essential for establishing accurate modern analogs for fossil pollen records.This study,conducted in Leigong Mountain on the YunnanGuizhou Plateau of southwestern China,involved the collection of 35 surface soil samples from diverse vegetation communities along an elevational gradient ranging from 1210 to 1875 meters.The results reveal a close correspondence between modern pollen assemblages and vegetation zones.Principal Component Analysis(PCA)results indicate that pollen assemblages can effectively distinguish between subtropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest(SEBF)and subtropical montane deciduous broadleaved forest(SDBF).However,both SEBF and SDBF show significant overlap with subtropical montane evergreen-deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest(SEMF).Detrended Correspondence Analysis(DCA)results clearly distinguish the three vegetation zones,and the first axis of DCA shows a significant positive correlation with elevation(p<0.01,R=0.48).Discriminant Analysis(DA)successfully assigns 94.4%of the modern pollen samples to their respective vegetation zones.Pollen taxa such as Impatiens,Astertype,and Rosaceae exhibit significant indicative capabilities for the SEBF zone,effectively distinguishing this vegetation zone from others.Pinus and Alnus display overrepresentation in the Leigong Mountain region,while Quercus(D,deciduous-type)and Poaceae exhibit high representation in the SEBF zone.In the SEBF zone,both pollen diversity and richness are the lowest.Our study reveals the complex relationship between the richness and diversity of pollen and vegetation.The diversity and richness of tree and shrub pollen are found to be lower than those of the corresponding plants.The pollen-vegetation relationship elucidated in this study serves as a critical reference for reconstructing ancient environments from fossil pollen retrieved in this region.
基金funded by the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation of the Ministry of Education(23JDSZ3163)the 2023 Project of the“14th Five-Year Plan”for Education Science of Shandong Province and the Achievements of the Famous Tutors’Workshop in Shandong Province(202405).
文摘Background:College students face significant academic and physiological changes,making them more susceptible to psychological issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation.Feelings of defeat can exacerbate these risks by increasing academic stress.However,interpersonal relationships can moderate the impact of academic stress on students’mental health.Utilizing the presage–process–product model,this study aims to empirically investigate how feelings of defeat influence depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation among college students.Additionally,it explores the mediating role of academic stress and the moderating role of various types of interpersonal relationships.Methods:A total of 1612 college students(750 females,862 males,mean age=19.64±0.62 years)were recruited through cluster sampling.Data were collected via offline questionnaires administered by a trained psychology teacher and a postgraduate student,ensuring high reliability with two examiners per class.Latent profile analysis(LPA)was used to examine the impact of defeat on mental health outcomes,while mediation analysis was conducted to assess the roles of academic stress and interpersonal relationships.Results:1.Defeat is identified as a significant risk factor for mental health issues among college students;2.Four distinct patterns of interpersonal relationships were identified:the interpersonal-relationship risk group,the father–child-relationship high-risk group,the general interpersonal-relationship group,and the superior interpersonal-relationship group;3.Academic stress partially mediates the relationship between defeat and mental health issues such as depression,self-injury,and suicidal ideation;4.Different interpersonal relationship models moderate the impact of academic stress on depression and suicidal ideation.Conclusion:Defeat is a significant risk factor for mental health problems in college students.Academic stress partially mediates the negative impact of defeat on mental health,while patterns of interpersonal relationships moderate this impact.Effective early prevention and intervention should focus on monitoring students’stress levels and fostering warm,positive parent–child relationships.
基金Scientific and Technological Research Project of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission:Evaluation and Optimization of Planning and Implementation of Community Day Care Centers from the Perspective of Subject-Object Relationship(Project number:KJQN202301901).
文摘Through literature review,we found that evaluations of urban planning implementation often focus narrowly on either the subject(stakeholders)or the object(projects),while micro-level aspects such as site selection and construction are primarily considered within the context of planning implementation.There is insufficient research on the evaluation of implementation.Community daycare centers play a crucial role in the community home care model,yet there is relatively little research on their usage efficiency,satisfaction levels,and spatial evaluation of planning implementation.Based on the theoretical understanding of the human environment,including the subject,object,and their interactions,an evaluation system for the planning and implementation of community day care centers was constructed,incorporating subjective evaluation,objective evaluation,and comparative analysis.
文摘In this editorial,I comment on the article by Zhang et al.To emphasize the importance of the topic,I discuss the relationship between the use of smart medical devices and mental health.Smart medical services have the potential to positively influence mental health by providing monitoring,insights,and inter-ventions.However,they also come with challenges that need to be addressed.Understanding the primary purpose for which individuals use these smart tech-nologies is essential to tailoring them to specific mental health needs and prefe-rences.
文摘In the international shipping industry, digital intelligence transformation has become essential, with both governments and enterprises actively working to integrate diverse datasets. The domain of maritime and shipping is characterized by a vast array of document types, filled with complex, large-scale, and often chaotic knowledge and relationships. Effectively managing these documents is crucial for developing a Large Language Model (LLM) in the maritime domain, enabling practitioners to access and leverage valuable information. A Knowledge Graph (KG) offers a state-of-the-art solution for enhancing knowledge retrieval, providing more accurate responses and enabling context-aware reasoning. This paper presents a framework for utilizing maritime and shipping documents to construct a knowledge graph using GraphRAG, a hybrid tool combining graph-based retrieval and generation capabilities. The extraction of entities and relationships from these documents and the KG construction process are detailed. Furthermore, the KG is integrated with an LLM to develop a Q&A system, demonstrating that the system significantly improves answer accuracy compared to traditional LLMs. Additionally, the KG construction process is up to 50% faster than conventional LLM-based approaches, underscoring the efficiency of our method. This study provides a promising approach to digital intelligence in shipping, advancing knowledge accessibility and decision-making.
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41971264)。
文摘Agricultural heritage systems have the characteristics of ecological fragility and cultural sensitivity.For a long time,the conservation and sustainable development of agricultural heritage systems have received attention from all sectors.However,there are few measurements of tourism disturbance(TD)and community resilience(CR)in agricultural heritage sites,and research on the relationship between the two is even more lacking.This study selects six villages in the Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System(HHRTS)as examples and constructs an evaluation system for TD and CR.Through questionnaires and in-depth interviews,it explores the response relationship between TD and CR of heritage site,and compares the response relationship of villages in different stages of tourism development.The results indicate that the heritage site's current response relationship between TD and CR shows a positive response type,and the development of tourism has brought positive responses and effects.There are differences in the interactive relationship between TD and CR among communities with different levels of tourism development.In communities with poor tourism development,CR is more susceptible to the impact of TD than other communities.The stability of the relationship between TD and CR response gradually tends to stabilize from poor,good,and moderate tourism development.
文摘In this article,we comment on the article by Oommen et al.Oommen et al provided a comprehensive overview of the management of hip centre restoration in total hip arthroplasty(THA)for childhood hip disorder sequelae.Given the developmental disparity in this population,specific preoperative planning is an essential prerequisite for the success of THA procedures.In the review by Oommen et al,assessments of acetabular and femoral anatomic variations were fully described.However,spinal malalignment and stiffness are common in physical and radiological examinations and should be taken into careful consideration when planning surgical procedures.Poor outcomes of THA for patients with comorbid hip and spinopelvic pathologies have been widely reported,especially for hips with childhood disorder sequelae.Therefore,in this editorial,we would like to emphasize the need for a thorough hip-spine evaluation of patients with childhood hip disorder sequelae before THA.
基金Under the auspices of Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42293271)Alliance of International Science Organizations(No.ANSO-PA-2023-16)。
文摘Climate change brings new challenges to the sustainable development of agriculture in the new era.Accurately grasping the patterns of climate change impacts on agricultural systems is crucial for ensuring agricultural sustainability and food security.Taking the Loess Plateau(LP),China as an example,this study used a coupling coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation analysis to portray the spatial and temporal features of crop-cropland coupling relationship from 2000 to 2020 and explored the impact law of climate change through geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR).The results were as follows:1)the crop-cropland coupling coordination degree of the LP showed a gradual upward trend from 2000 to 2020,forming a spatial pattern with lower values in the central region and higher values in the surrounding areas.2)There was a positive correlation in the spatial distribution of cropcropland coupling coordination degree in the LP from 2000 to 2020,and the high value-low value(H-L)and low value-low value(L-L)agglomerations continued to expand eastward,while the spatial and temporal evolution of the high value-high value(H-H)and low value-high value(L-H)agglomerations was not obvious.3)The impacts of climatic elements on crop-cropland coupling coordination degree in the LP showed strong heterogeneity in time scales.The inhibitory impacts of summer days(SU)and frost days(FD)accounted for a higher proportion,while the annual average temperature(TEM)had both promoting and inhibiting impacts.The impacts proportion and intensity of extreme heavy precipitation day(R25),continuous drought days(CDD),and annual precipitation(PRE)all experienced significant changes.4)In space,the impacts of SU and FD on the crop-cropland coupling coordination degree varied with latitude and altitude.The adaptability of the LP to R25 gradually strengthened,and the extensions of CDD and increase of PRE led to the increasing inhibition beyond the eastern region of LP,and TEM showed a promoting impact in the Fenwei Plain.As an important grainproducing area in China,the LP should actively deal with the impacts of climate change on the crop-cropland coupling relationship,vigorously safeguard food security,and promote sustainable agricultural development.
基金This work was supported by the National Natureal Sciences Foundation of China(No: 30571323).
文摘Thirty-three mutations and four different haplotypes were found when cytochrome b（Cytb） gene partial sequences of 12 gayals were analyzed. Together with sequences of Bos indicus, Bos taurus, Bos grunniens, and Bos gaurus with Bubalus bubalis as the out group, the partial sequences of Cytb gene of gayals were aligned and base composition and nucleotide variation of Cytb gene were analyzed. The phylogenetic trees were constructed by the NJ method and the MP method respectively, both supporting almost the same topology. Gayal is an independent species of Bos from Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and Bos gaurus. The results also indicate that a great proportion of gayal bloodline was invaded by other species, and the protection of gayal is facing a formidable situation.
文摘The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (including 5.8S rRNA) of 15 Rhododendron, species, representing most sections of the genus, one Ledum species and Cassiope fastigiata were sequenced. Together with the ITS sequences of 13 selected Rhododendron species and Bejaria racemosa downloaded from GenBank, we explored the infrageneric and sectional relationships of this important North Temperate genus by employing maximum-parsimony analysis using PAUP software. C. fastigiata and B. racemosa were designated as outgroups. The ITS-based tree inferred that: (1) Rhododendron was a well-supported monophyletic group, while subg. Therorhodion was basal to the rest of the genus; (2) Ledum was a member of Rhododendron, and its close relationship with the lepidote rhododendron was confirmed; (3) the lepidote rhododendron plus Ledum formed a strongly-supported monophyletic clade which was sister to the rest of the elepidote rhododendron; (4) the elepidote rhododendron formed a weakly-supported clade within which the monophyly of subg. Hynwrianthes and subg. Tsutsusi were strongly supported, while subg. Pentanthera and subg. Azaleastrum were polyphyletic; and (5) the monophyly of sect. Choniastnini, (subg. Azaleastrum) was strongly-supported, while subg. Tsutsusi could be sister to a weakly-supported clade composed of two sampled species of sect. Azaleastrum (subg. Azaleastrum) together with R. sentibarbatum, of subg. Mumeazalea.
