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Over the past three decades, China has transformed itself from a stagnant, inward, centrally planned economy into an animated, outward-looking, decentralized market economy. Its rapid growth and trade surpluses have caused uneasiness in Western governments, which perceive this growth to be a result of China's rejection of international protocols that protect intellectual property and its widespread theft and replication of Western technology and products. China's major trading partners, particularly the United States, persistently criticize China for delivering, at best, half-hearted enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) norms. Despite these criticisms, Zhenqing Zhang argues that China does respect international intellectual property rights, but only in certain cases. In Intellectual Property Rights in China , Zhang addresses the variation in the effectiveness of China's IPR policy and explains the mechanisms for the uneven compliance with global IPR norms. Covering the areas of patent, copyright, and trademark, Zhang chronicles how Chinese IPR policy has evolved within the legacy of a planned economy and an immature market mechanism. In this environment, compliance with IPR norms is the result of balancing two factors: the need for short-term economic gains that depend on violating others' IPR and the aspirations for long-term sustained growth that requires respecting others' IPR. In case studies grounded in theoretical analysis as well as interviews and fieldwork, Zhang demonstrates how advocates for IPR, typically cutting-edge Chinese companies and foreign IPR holders, can be strong enough to persuade government officials to comply with IPR norms to achieve the country's long-term economic development goals. Conversely, he reveals the ways in which local governments protect IPR infringers because of their own political interests in raising tax revenues and creating jobs.

Road detection plays key roles for remote sensing image analytics. Hough transform (HT) is one very typical method for road detection, especially for straight line road detection. Although many variants of Hough transform have been reported, it is still a great challenge to develop a low computational complexity and time-saving Hough transform algorithm. In this paper, we propose a generalized Hough transform (i.e., Radon transform) implementation for road detection in remote sensing images. Specifically, we present a dictionary learning method to approximate the Radon transform. The proposed approximation method treats a Radon transform as a linear transform, which then facilitates parallel implementation of the Radon transform for multiple images. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, we conduct extensive experiments on the popular RSSCN7 database for straight road detection. The experimental results demonstrate that our method is superior to the traditional algorithms in terms of accuracy and computing complexity.

Using high-resolution charcoal and TOC records from a sediment core collected in a coastal wetland along the middle reaches of the Ussuri River, the local fire history and carbon accumulation patterns were reconstructed for the past 5000 years. Results indicate that fire intensity remained relatively low and stable from 5000 to 1500 cal. yr BP, after which it increased markedly. This trend intensified over the past 400 years, likely due to rapid population growth and heightened anthropogenic disturbance. Regional fire frequency averaged approximately 3.1 fires per 1500 years, with notable peaks during 5000–4600 cal. yr BP, 3400–2400 cal. yr BP, and 1500 cal. yr BP to present. These high-fire intervals correspond closely to regional warm and dry climatic conditions, underscoring the strong influence of climate variability on fire activity. Carbon accumulation rates also showed a significant increase, rising from 0.11 g·kg−1·a−1 around 5000 years ago to 1.60 g·kg−1·a−1 in recent centuries. Importantly, a significant positive correlation was observed between fire regimes and carbon accumulation rates, suggesting that fires have potentially played a key role in enhancing long-term carbon sequestration in wetlands of this region. These findings highlight the complex interplay between fire, climate, and carbon dynamics in wetland ecosystems.

Although many studies have attempted to reconstruct millennial‐scale hurricane patterns using various proxy‐based methods, it is still unclear what the most effective proxies are to identify storm surge deposits in different environmental settings. This study quantitatively compares the application of grain‐size, loss‐on‐ignition, stable isotopes, X‐ray fluorescence, and palynological proxies in paleotempestology from an organic‐rich environment in the Florida Everglades. The nonparametric tests indicate that only 9 among the 27 parameters (mean diameter, %water, %organic, %carbonate, Ca, Sr, Ca/Ti, Cl/Br, and marine microfossils) exhibited significant differences between storm‐surge and in situ deposits. The principal component analysis shows that five marine indicators (Sr, Ca, Ca/Ti, %Carbonate, and Marine microfossils) have the closest association with the allochthonous samples, while Cl/Br and Mz are the most sensitive proxies in low‐ and high‐energy environments, respectively. Moreover, organic geochemical proxies (e.g., δ13C and δ15N of bulk sedimentary organic matter) are ineffective for identifying storm‐surge deposits in organic‐rich mangrove environments. Plain Language Summary To help objectively identify the occurrence of storm‐surge deposits in coastal sediment cores, this study uses a statistical approach to evaluate the effectiveness of 27 widely used sedimentological, organic and inorganic geochemical, and biological parameters in distinguishing allochthonous deposits from autochthonous deposits in an organic‐rich environment in the Florida Everglades. The results show that Ca, Sr, Ca/Ti, and marine microfossil are four of the most sensitive parameters to distinguish storm‐surge deposits in organic‐rich environments in south Florida. In addition, Cl/Br can be used to indicate storm surge inundation in further inland and lower‐energy environments. Moreover, organic geochemical proxies cannot effectively distinguish storm‐surge deposits from in situ deposits in mangrove‐dominated coastal zones. Future studies need to explore the use of more specific organic geochemical proxies (e.g., biomarker) in mangrove‐dominated environments and evaluate the effective proxies in detecting storm deposits from sandy, deltaic/estuarine, and nontropical coastal environments. Key Points Ca, Sr, Ca/Ti, and marine microfossil are the most sensitive parameters to identify storm‐surge deposits in organic‐rich environments Cl/Br can be used to indicate storm surge inundation in further inland and lower energy environments Organic geochemical proxies cannot effectively distinguish storm‐surge deposits from in situ deposits in mangrove‐dominated coastal zones

The Ili River Transboundary Basin is an important area within the Belt and Road Initiative, and its ecological security impacts China–Kazakhstan diplomatic relations and the building of the Belt and Road Initiative. Using the copula method, this study quantifies the vulnerability of vegetation to drought in the Ili River Transboundary Basin based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). The vulnerability of vegetation in the Ili River Transboundary Basin is highest in June, with the proportion of highly vulnerable areas reaching 63.29% under extreme drought conditions. As the drought severity increases, the probability of vegetation loss rises, with vegetation being affected the most in June. From May to June, drought-prone areas are mainly located in Almaty Oblast and East Kazakhstan. From July to September, drought-prone areas are mainly found in the Ili River Valley and southeastern Almaty Oblast. Rainfed croplands are most susceptible to drought, while, for irrigated croplands, higher drought severity enhances the mitigating effect of irrigation measures. Vegetation areas are most affected by drought in semi-arid regions, particularly in summer. These findings offer valuable scientific support for drought management and sustainable development in the region.

The pharmacokinetics of LXT-101 sustained-release suspension, an anti-prostate cancer polypeptide, were studied on beagle dogs using a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method. Samples were prepared by the protein precipitation, evaporation and reconstitution. Chromatographic separation was performed using a Hypersil GOLD C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, I.D. 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile, water and formic acid (20:80:0.1, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The acquisition was carried out in selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision and accuracy, extraction recovery and matrix effect, and stability. It showed good linearity over the range of 2–600 ng/mL (R 2  = 0.9977). The intra- and inter-batch accuracy were within 93.36–93.94% and 95.61–99.27%, while the intra- and inter-batch precision were in the range of 3.23–14.26% and 5.03–11.10%, respectively. The extraction recovery and matrix effect data for LXT-101 in beagle dog plasma ranged from 75.90–126.40% and 83.13–95.50%, respectively. The stability results proved that the storage conditions, disposal, intermittent analysis and analysis techniques were valid and reliable for LXT-101 in beagle dog plasma. In the single-dose groups (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg), the values of AUC 0-t (588.09 ± 137.79 ng/mL·d vs. 1203.62 ± 877.42 ng/mL·d) and AUC 0-∞ (592.89 ± 134.21 ng/mL·d vs. 1209.97 ± 873.78 ng/mL·d) were observed increasing proportionately with the increasing dose of LXT-101 sustained-release suspension. The results in the repeated-dose group suggested the possibility of accumulation in beagle dogs.

Recently, certain lots of heparin have been associated with an acute, rapid onset of serious side effects indicative of an allergic-type reaction. To identify potential causes for this sudden rise in side effects, we examined lots of heparin that correlated with adverse events using orthogonal high-resolution analytical techniques. Through detailed structural analysis, the contaminant was found to contain a disaccharide repeat unit of glucuronic acid linked β1→3 to a β- N -acetylgalactosamine. The disaccharide unit has an unusual sulfation pattern and is sulfated at the 2- O and 3- O positions of the glucuronic acid as well as at the 4- O and 6- O positions of the galactosamine. Given the nature of this contaminant, traditional screening tests cannot differentiate between affected and unaffected lots. Our analysis suggests effective screening methods that can be used to determine whether or not heparin lots contain the contaminant reported here.

Ammoxetine, a novel chiral serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, holds promise for major depressive disorder treatment. This study aimed to thoroughly investigate its preclinical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) profiles. The preclinical DMPK profiles of ammoxetine were examined through , , and methods. Assessment of blood-brain barrier penetration MDCK-MDR1 cells revealed strong brain permeation by ammoxetine, despite being a probable P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate. Molecular docking indicated a robust binding interaction between ammoxetine and P-gp. Ammoxetine was well absorbed orally, with T ranging from 0.75 to 3.83 h in rats and 0.75-1.40 h in beagle dogs. At a 2 mg/kg dose in beagle dogs, ammoxetine exhibited an absolute bioavailability of approximately 42%. Plasma protein binding rates were around 50%-60% in beagle dogs, rats, and humans, suggesting moderate binding. Tissue distribution studies displayed rapid and extensive ammoxetine spread in major rat tissues post-gavage, with notable brain exposure and no tissue accumulation. Cumulative excretion rates in rats' urine, feces, and bile accounted for only 1.11% of the total administered drug, indicating extensive transformation into metabolites. Chiral inversion of ammoxetine was absent . Metabolic stability varied across species using liver microsomes, but beagle dogs showed clearance rates more akin to humans. Metabolic pathways unveiled two key metabolites, M1 and M2. M1, likely generated through methylenedioxyphenyl ring oxidation, involves CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, crucial human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes for liver metabolism, while M2 is M1's glucuronide conjugate. Ammoxetine may exhibit saturation elimination trends with increasing doses in rats and beagle dogs. A high-throughput assay using the cocktail-substrate method indicated weak CYP inhibition by ammoxetine on CYP2D6 and CYP1A2, with minimal effects on other CYP enzymes, suggesting a low likelihood of CYP inhibition-related drug-drug interactions. This study presents encouraging DMPK profiles of ammoxetine, backing its potential as a candidate compound for future clinical assessments.

Background Wrist fracture is one of the common limb fractures. Its incidence rate increases with age and osteoporosis. Nowadays, Sleep health is increasingly valued, but the relationship between wrist fractures and sleep time is not yet clear. Methods Data in this study were collected and screened from the NHANES from 2005 to 2010 and 2013 to 2014. The variables were extracted from interviews and compared between the wrist fractures and the sleep duration. The data was analyzed by weighted multivariate logistic regression. Results After excluding individuals who were not eligible and had invalid data, we finally identified 1835 participants for inclusion in this study. We found a negative association between the sleep duration and the fractured of the wrist (OR = 1.027,95% CI (1.027, 1.028), P  < 0.00001). Conclusion This study demons that the association between the sleep duration and the fractures of the wrist is significant. Our findings provide a better understanding of the relationship between sleep duration and wrist fractures. This study may help us reducing the incidence of wrist fractures in the population based on healthy sleep management in the future, and improve the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly patients. Provide evidence for clinical patients to manage healthy sleep.