By using digitized land use maps of Beijing in 1982, 1992 and 1997 and employing GIS spatial analysis techniques, this paper conducts an empirical study on the spatial differentiation and spatial patterns of urban lan...By using digitized land use maps of Beijing in 1982, 1992 and 1997 and employing GIS spatial analysis techniques, this paper conducts an empirical study on the spatial differentiation and spatial patterns of urban land use growth in Beijing in the period of 1982–1997. It is observed that urban land use growth in Beijing went beyond the control of urban planning, in terms of the extraordinary high growth rate and undesired spatial pattern. The rate of urban expansion after 1982, which was predominated by growth of industrial land, was extraordinary high compared to its historical period. While its growth centers have been actively shifting toward the northern part, rather than toward the southern and eastern parts as designated by the latest General Plan (1991–2010) of Beijing, its spatial pattern of urban land use growth in general was in distinct concentric sprawl, which seriously violated the General Plan of Beijing.展开更多
BACKGROUND Different histological growth patterns(HGPs)of colorectal carcinoma(CRC)liver metastasis are associated with patients’prognosis and response to antiangiogenic therapy.However,the relationship between HGPs ...BACKGROUND Different histological growth patterns(HGPs)of colorectal carcinoma(CRC)liver metastasis are associated with patients’prognosis and response to antiangiogenic therapy.However,the relationship between HGPs of liver metastasis and clinicopathological and genomic characteristics of primary cancer has not been well established.AIM To assess whether certain clinicopathological and genomic features of primary CRC could predict the HGPs of liver metastasis.METHODS A total of 29 patients with paired resections of both primary CRC and liver metastasis were divided into two groups:A(15 cases with desmoplastic liver metastasis)and B(14 cases with replacement liver metastasis).Clinical information was obtained from patients’charts.Mismatch repair proteins,BRAFV600E,and PD-L1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Five cases were selected randomly from each group for whole exome sequencing(WES)analysis.RESULTS In the primary tumor,expanding growth pattern,low tumor budding score(TBS),and Crohn’s disease-like response(CDR)were associated with desmoplastic liver metastasis and better overall survival,whereas infiltrating growth pattern alone of primary carcinoma could predict the replacement liver metastasis and worse overall survival(P<0.05).On WES analysis,primary carcinoma with desmoplastic liver metastasis showed mutations in APC(4/5);TP53(3/5);KRAS,PIK3CA,and FAT4(2/5);BRCA-1,BRCA2,BRAF,and DNAH5(1/5),whereas primary carcinoma with replacement liver metastasis showed mutations in APC and TP53(3/5);KRAS,FAT4,DNH5,SMAD,ERBB2,ERBB3,LRP1,and SDK1(1/5).CONCLUSION The HGPs,TBS,and CDR of primary CRC as well as the presence of specific genetic mutations such as those in PIK3CA could be used to predict the HGPs of liver metastasis,response to therapy,and patients’prognosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND In recent years,approximately half of the newly diagnosed cases and mortalities attributed to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have been reported in China.Despite the high incidence of HCC,there remains a pauci...BACKGROUND In recent years,approximately half of the newly diagnosed cases and mortalities attributed to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have been reported in China.Despite the high incidence of HCC,there remains a paucity of data regarding the natural growth pattern and the determination of optimal surveillance intervals specific to the Chinese population.AIM To quantify the natural tumor growth pattern of HCC in regional China.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on patients from a single institution in Southwest China who had undergone two or more serial dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans between 2014 and 2020,without having received any anti-cancer therapy.Tumor growth was assessed using tumor volume doubling time(TVDT)and tumor growth rate(TGR),with volumes measured manually by experienced radiologists.Simple univariate linear regression and descriptive analysis were applied to explore associations between growth rates and clinical factors.RESULTS This study identifies the median TVDT for HCC as 163.4 d,interquartile range(IQR)72.1 to 302.3 d,with a daily TGR of 0.42%(IQR 0.206%-0.97%).HCC growth patterns reveal that about one-third of tumors grow indolently with TVDT exceeding 270 d,another one-third of tumors exhibit rapid growth with TVDT under 90 d,and the remaining tumors show intermediate growth rates,with TVDT ranging between 3 to 9 months.CONCLUSION The identified TGRs support biannual surveillance and follow-up for HCC patients in certain regions of China.Given the observed heterogeneity in HCC growth,further investigation is warranted.展开更多
Objective This study aimed to understand the characteristics of dietary patterns among children aged12 to 23 months and discusses the relationship between dietary patterns and the growth of children.Method Cross-secti...Objective This study aimed to understand the characteristics of dietary patterns among children aged12 to 23 months and discusses the relationship between dietary patterns and the growth of children.Method Cross-sectional data were selected from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for 0 to 18 year-old children in China(n=2,449)to describe the patterns of complementary feeding and the growth of children.Cluster analysis was used to analyze complementary feeding patterns,and an analysis of variance and Bonferroni test were conducted to analyze the relationship between Z scores and complementary feeding patterns.Results Four dietary patterns were identified among the children via cluster analysis.In Pattern 4(n=104,4.2%),children still consumed milk as their staple food.They displayed the lowest grain,fruit,vegetable,egg,and flesh foods consumption,a medium frequency of breast milk consumption,and a high frequency of dairy product consumption.Pattern 4 had the lowest length-for-age Z scores and weight-for-age Z scores,with-0.10±1.34 and 0.24±1.00,respectively(F=7.940,P<0.001;F=5.317,P<0.001).Conclusion Although China is undergoing rapid urbanization and economic development,there is still a phenomenon of insufficient intake of protein-rich foods and dairy-based dietary patterns at the stage of complementary food introduced among children aged 12 to 23 months.展开更多
The researches about reed growth were mainly concentrated on seasonal dynamics, investigation of reed resource, and comparison of different ecotypes of reed. By means of fractal geometric theory of non linear science...The researches about reed growth were mainly concentrated on seasonal dynamics, investigation of reed resource, and comparison of different ecotypes of reed. By means of fractal geometric theory of non linear science, the fractal character of growth pattern of reed, for the purpose of quantitatively exploring the mechanism of reed growth was studied. The way to calculate fractal dimension of reed growth is box dimension (BD) and information dimension (ID). The results showed that the difference between two samplings in May and those among three samplings in June and later were not remarkable for both BD or ID. It was noted that the difference between samplings in and after May is significant. It was demonstrated that the fractal dimension of size distribution of reed ranged from 0 6235 to 0 8761 The distribution pattern could be statistically divided as two significant periods: the size of reed is quite well distributed at the beginning of reed growth (fractal dimension>0 8), but is irregular in the middle and later growth season (fractal dimension<0 7). These results are benefit to reach the goal of rational use of reed resources and to protect the biodiversity in wetland ecosystem.展开更多
The clonal growth pattern of Sabina vulgaris, a coniferous clonal plant in Mu Us sandland, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was surveyed. The results showed that with the stolon extending, internode length and branchi...The clonal growth pattern of Sabina vulgaris, a coniferous clonal plant in Mu Us sandland, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was surveyed. The results showed that with the stolon extending, internode length and branching angle decreased, the branching intensity increased gradually within the 3 m range from the edge of the shrub to its center along the stolon. Internode length, branching intensity and branching angle were 5.9 cm, 4.4 and 55.3°in the shrub, and 1.6 cm, 13.7 and 38.3°at the edge of the shrub, respectively. The clonal architecture exhibited plasticity. The internode length, branching intensity and ramet length changed with an exponential model with extention of the stolon. The stolon of S. vulgaris was monopodial branching, and each ramet should possess more than 3 adventitious roots. Ramets could take on the phenomenon of 搒elf-thinning?with clonal growth. There was a prior grade in allocation of the nutrients gained from heterogeneous space. The clonal architecture of S. vulgaris was the 搈ixed?type.展开更多
The Baiyunpu deposit lies in the southwest plunging Dachengshan anticline in central Hunan, which is a large Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit. The orebodies were surrounded by the Qiziqiao Formation limestone in the Middle ...The Baiyunpu deposit lies in the southwest plunging Dachengshan anticline in central Hunan, which is a large Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit. The orebodies were surrounded by the Qiziqiao Formation limestone in the Middle Devonian, and its geological occurrence is consistent with the wall rocks. A large number of spheroidal pyrite aggregates are found unevenly distributed in the ores. The spheroidal aggregates are made up of kernels and concentric rings. The kernels are composed of approximately epigranular pyrite nanocrystals, while the rings are composed of accumulated pyrite microcrystals growing along the radial direction. The spheroidal pyrite aggregate and its outer zones can be divided into five areas(A–E). The results of electron probe micro analysis(EPMA) show that from the zone A1 to B, Co/Ni 〈1, the sum of Co and Ni is 0.08%–0.26%, S/Fe increases from 2.06 to 2.15. While from the zone C to E, Ni cannot be detected and S/Fe decreases from 2.22 to 2.08. Powder X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis in the micro zone shows obvious crystalline characteristics in the aggregates. Moving from the inside outwards, the maximum diffraction peak intensity of the(111) and(220) crystal planes of pyrite increases, and the crystallinity improves. The degree of change in the(111) plane is the most prominent. Considering the theory of crystal growth along with the geologic features of the depositional environment where the spheroidal pyrite aggregates developed, we confirm that the spheroidal aggregates are the result of nano-micro crystalline gathering and growth occurring by the following sequence of processes:nano-crystalline nucleation and growth, gathering into a ball, oriented growth of microcrystals, continuous accumulation, and adjustment of grain boundaries. The formation of the spheroidal pyrite aggregates in the late Qiziqiao Formation of the Middle Devonian occurred in a neutral to weak alkaline and reductive sedimentary environment in the normal oxygen-rich shallowwater carbonate platform edge. The variations in the S/Fe ratio and crystallisation characteristics indicate that during pyrite crystal growth, the sulphur fugacity was high locally and rose constantly, the degree of supersaturation decreased locally and the growth environment was stable relatively.展开更多
The live-bearing genus Sebastes is renowned for its outstanding species richness and color diversity,and its speciation has been a point of interest.This study investigated the age,growth,reproductive biology,color pa...The live-bearing genus Sebastes is renowned for its outstanding species richness and color diversity,and its speciation has been a point of interest.This study investigated the age,growth,reproductive biology,color pattern and ontogenetic divergence of a pair of closely related rockfishes from the coasts of the Shandong Peninsula,namely,Sebastes koreanus(n=879)and S.nudus(n=257).Marginal increment analysis of sectioned otoliths showed that annulus formation occurred once a year between June and July in both species.The sex-pooled growth curves of S.nudus and 3 populations of S.koreanus differed significantly from each other.No apparent latitudinal cline in growth parameters was found in S.koreanus.For both species,the peak parturition periods were from April to May,and the peak copulation periods were from November to December.S.nudus has a highly variable and conspicuous color pattern while S.koreanus has a stable and dull color pattem.This difference,together with the overlapping distribution and the close relationship,make S.koreanus and S.nudus an ideal model to investigate the color-driven speciation of the Sebastes.We confirmed that S.nudus changes its body color with age and season and fully expresses the carotenoid-based nuptial coloration when the fish reaches first maturity.Moreover,our comparisons of morphological traits that are likely related to survival and quality of these fishes suggested that S.nudus may suffer higher predation risk and foraging difficulty beginning at age 3.In light of the ontogenetic development of the color pattern in S.nudus,we suggested that the full expression of nuptial coloration most likely triggers the strong selective pressure to enhance swimming performance,anti-predator defense and foraging capacity of S.nudus through predator-prey interactions.By understanding all these details,we further inferred a hypothesis that both color pattem and bathymetric segregation play key roles in facilitating the speciation of demersal rockfishes.展开更多
Growth of annual plants in arid environments depends largely on rainfall pulses. An increased understanding of the effects of different rainfall patterns on plant growth is critical to predicting the potential respons...Growth of annual plants in arid environments depends largely on rainfall pulses. An increased understanding of the effects of different rainfall patterns on plant growth is critical to predicting the potential responses of plants to the changes in rainfall regimes, such as rainfall intensity and duration, and length of dry intervals. In this study, we investigated the effects of different rainfall patterns(e.g. small rainfall event with high frequency and large rainfall event with low frequency) on biomass, growth characteristics and vertical distribution of root biomass of annual plants in Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia of China during the growing season(from May to August) of 2014. Our results showed that the rainfall patterns, independent of total rainfall amount, exerted strong effects on biomass, characteristics of plant growth and vertical distribution of root biomass. Under a constant amount of total rainfall, the aboveground biomass(AGB), belowground biomass(BGB), plant cover, plant height, and plant individual and species number increased with an increase in rainfall intensity. Changes in rainfall patterns also altered the percentage contribution of species biomass to the total AGB, and the percentage of BGB at different soil layers to the total BGB. Consequently, our results indicated that increased rainfall intensity in future may increase biomass significantly, and also affect the growth characteristics of annual plants.展开更多
Pattern selection during crystal growth is studied by using the anisotropic lattice Boltzmann-phase field model.In the model,the phase transition,melt flows,and heat transfer are coupled and mathematically described b...Pattern selection during crystal growth is studied by using the anisotropic lattice Boltzmann-phase field model.In the model,the phase transition,melt flows,and heat transfer are coupled and mathematically described by using the lattice Boltzmann(LB)scheme.The anisotropic streaming-relaxation operation fitting into the LB framework is implemented to model interface advancing with various preferred orientations.Crystal pattern evolutions are then numerically investigated in the conditions of with and without melt flows.It is found that melt flows can significantly influence heat transfer,crystal growth behavior,and phase distributions.The crystal morphological transition from dendrite,seaweed to cauliflower-like patterns occurs with the increase of undercoolings.The interface normal angles and curvature distributions are proposed to quantitatively characterize crystal patterns.The results demonstrate that the distributions are corresponding to crystal morphological features,and they can be therefore used to describe the evolution of crystal patterns in a quantitative way.展开更多
Background:Heterosis is an important biological phenomenon that has been extensively utilized in agricultural breeding.However,negative heterosis is also pervasively observed in nature,which can cause unfavorable impa...Background:Heterosis is an important biological phenomenon that has been extensively utilized in agricultural breeding.However,negative heterosis is also pervasively observed in nature,which can cause unfavorable impacts on production performance.Compared with systematic studies of positive heterosis,the phenomenon of negative heterosis has been largely ignored in genetic studies and breeding programs,and the genetic mechanism of this phenomenon has not been thoroughly elucidated to date.Here,we used chickens,the most common agricultural animals worldwide,to determine the genetic and molecular mechanisms of negative heterosis.Results:We performed reciprocal crossing experiments with two distinct chicken lines and found that the body weight presented widely negative heterosis in the early growth of chickens.Negative heterosis of carcass traits was more common than positive heterosis,especially breast muscle mass,which was over−40%in reciprocal progenies.Genome-wide gene expression pattern analyses of breast muscle tissues revealed that nonadditivity,including dominance and overdominace,was the major gene inheritance pattern.Nonadditive genes,including a substantial number of genes encoding ATPase and NADH dehydrogenase,accounted for more than 68%of differentially expressed genes in reciprocal crosses(4257 of 5587 and 3617 of 5243,respectively).Moreover,nonadditive genes were significantly associated with the biological process of oxidative phosphorylation,which is the major metabolic pathway for energy release and animal growth and development.The detection of ATP content and ATPase activity for purebred and crossbred progenies further confirmed that chickens with lower muscle yield had lower ATP concentrations but higher hydrolysis activity,which supported the important role of oxidative phosphorylation in negative heterosis for growth traits in chickens.Conclusions:These findings revealed that nonadditive genes and their related oxidative phosphorylation were the major genetic and molecular factors in the negative heterosis of growth in chickens,which would be beneficial to future breeding strategies.展开更多
The study profiles and explains the significant changes that have taken place in China's spatial development patterns since the inception of its economic reform and opening two decades ago. Principal component an...The study profiles and explains the significant changes that have taken place in China's spatial development patterns since the inception of its economic reform and opening two decades ago. Principal component analysis is used to delineate spatial patterns. The analyses show that prior to the reform China's spatial development pattern was characterized by the dominance of the three municipalities and the Northeast, as well as by both the coast-interior and the north-south disparities. Northern provinces were generally more industrialized and economically powerful than the southern ones. After two decades of reform, regional development has become multi-centered with South China, the Yangtze Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin area being the three most important regions of the country. The coastal provinces as a whole rose to prominence on China's economic map while the Northeast has diminished its clout. The coast-interior gap not only remains but may have widened. The north-south disparity also still exists but there has been a role reversal with the south now in the lead position. Virtually all inland provinces now find themselves at or near the low end of the development spectrum. We argue that the major reason for the recent shifts in Chinese space economy is the spatially differentiated economic growth resulted from the reform and open door policy and from the new, uneven development strategy adopted by the Chinese government. The paper discusses four specific factors that have reshaped China's spatial development patterns.展开更多
Liver is the most common site of metastases of colorectal cancer,and liver metastases present with distinct histopathological growth patterns(HGPs),including desmoplastic,pushing and replacement HGPs and two rare HGPs...Liver is the most common site of metastases of colorectal cancer,and liver metastases present with distinct histopathological growth patterns(HGPs),including desmoplastic,pushing and replacement HGPs and two rare HGPs.HGP is a miniature of tumor-host reaction and reflects tumor biology and pathological features as well as host immune dynamics.Many studies have revealed the association of HGPs with carcinogenesis,angiogenesis,and clinical outcomes and indicates HGP functions as bond between microscopic characteristics and clinical implications.These findings make HGP a candidate marker in risk stratification and guiding treatment decision-making,and a target of imaging observation for patient screening.Of note,it is crucial to determine the underlying mechanism shaping HGP,for instance,immune infiltration and extracellular matrix remodeling in desmoplastic HGP,and aggressive characteristics and special vascularization in replacement HGP(rHGP).We highlight the importance of aggressive features,vascularization,host immune and organ structure in formation of HGP,hence propose a novel"advance under camouflage"hypothesis to explain the formation of rHGP.展开更多
Aim of this study is to assess growth pattern in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and factors associated with growth retardation. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all cases of JIA following up...Aim of this study is to assess growth pattern in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and factors associated with growth retardation. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all cases of JIA following up at Pediatric Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, between July 2000 to July 2016. Demographic, clinical and biological data were collected and analyzed as risk factor for growth retardation. These included age, gender, age at diagnosis, disease duration, type of JIA, the presence of uveitis, rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity, antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer and treatment. Growth pattern was assessed as the percentile for height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height in reference to the Growth Chart for Saudi Children and Adolescents. Change in percentile rank was divided into 3 categories: regression (a drop of ≥1 percentile);stable (uphold of the same percentile);and progression (change for a superior percentile). Results: A total 78 children were eligible, 52.6% females, mean ± SD age = 9.94 ± 4.92 years, and age at diagnosis = 7.44 ± 4.52 years, mean ± SD [range] disease duration = 2.93 ± 2.70 [6 months;15 years]. The most frequent types of JIA were systemic (33.3%), oligoarticular (30.8%) and polyarticular negative RF (26.9%). Other parameters included positive ANA in 41.0%, positive RF in 7.7% and uveitis in 9.0%. The most frequent treatment was methotrexate (59.0%), followed by biological therapy (47.4%), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (43.6%) and prednisolone (33.3%). Growth data were available for 67 (85.9%) children, and assessments showed 36% cases of break of the growth curve in both height-for-age and weight-for-age percentiles and 31% in weight-for-height percentiles. In all three parameters, there were shifts towards lower percentiles from time of diagnosis to last follow-up, in both males and females. Correlation and regression analysis showed low age at diagnosis and disease duration to be significant predictors for growth retardation severity. Conclusion: One in three children with JIA has growth retardation, the severity of which is predicted by low age at disease onset and long disease duration.展开更多
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and other emerging economies have become a driving global force for the past twenty years. However, their growth patterns are obsolete, impeding the quality ...The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and other emerging economies have become a driving global force for the past twenty years. However, their growth patterns are obsolete, impeding the quality and competitiveness of their economic growth, while simultaneously threatening the sustainability of their economic convergence with developed nations. Transforming the domestic growth pattern-the solution to the middle-income trap-has therefore become a key priority for each of these economies. This paper presents a comparative analysis of how to transform the pattern of economic growth in BRICS and achieve sustainable economic convergence with a comparative analysis of the pattern of economic growth and problems among BRICS countries.展开更多
This paper is ttie continuation of part (Ⅰ), which completes the derivations of the 3D global wave modes solutions, yields the stability criterion and, on the basis of the results obtained, demonstrates the selecti...This paper is ttie continuation of part (Ⅰ), which completes the derivations of the 3D global wave modes solutions, yields the stability criterion and, on the basis of the results obtained, demonstrates the selection criterion of pattern formation.展开更多
AIM:To describe the prevalence and changes in treatment patterns of ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy(PDT) among retinal disease patients who attended the Ophthalmology Clinic in the tertiary care Hospital Selay...AIM:To describe the prevalence and changes in treatment patterns of ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy(PDT) among retinal disease patients who attended the Ophthalmology Clinic in the tertiary care Hospital Selayang from 2010 to 2014.METHODS:Study subjects were recruited retrospectively using the Electronic Medical Record(EMR) database software in Hospital Selayang.Demographic data,medical history,diagnostic procedure,treatments and diagnosis of patients were recorded.RESULTS:The five-year analysis included 821 patients with a mean age of 65.9±11.73 y.Overall,there were a highernumber of males(63.1%) and a higher number of Chinese(47.4%) patients.Among the 821 patients,62.9% received ranibizumab injection followed by 19.2% PDT therapy and 17.9% had ranibizumab combined with PDT therapy.Age-related macular degeneration(AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV) were the most common retinal eye diseases reported,recording prevalence of 25.0% and 45.6%,respectively.The trend in ranibizumab treatment was reported to increase while PDT showed a decrease in trend from year 2010 to 2014.In terms of treatment,following multiple logistic regression,AMD was associated with the subjects being more likely to have received ranibizumab monotherapy(P〈0.001) while PCV was associated with more likely to have received PDT(P〈0.001) and PDT combined with ranibizumab therapy(P〈0.001).CONCLUSION:The tertiary care setting in Malaysia is consistent with management of patients from other countries whereby ranibizumab is the most common treatment given to patients with AMD,while PCV patients most commonly receive PDT and ranibizumab combined with PDT therapy.展开更多
The study examined the growth pattern of settlements in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Nigeria between 1984 and 2011;and predicted the future growth pattern of settlements in the study area. Both primary and secondary da...The study examined the growth pattern of settlements in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Nigeria between 1984 and 2011;and predicted the future growth pattern of settlements in the study area. Both primary and secondary data were used for this study. Primary sources of data include Global Positioning System (GPS), Landsat TM and ETM+ imageries of 1984, 1990, 2000, and 2011. Secondary data included administrative map and population data of the study area. Descriptive statistics and geospatial technique were used to analyse the data collected. The results showed a random pattern of settlement distribution in the study area. Results revealed that settlements covered about 0.52% of the total land area in 1984;1.32% in 2000;and 3.78% in 2011. Whereas linear pattern of growth characterised the periods between 1984 and 1990;clustering, infilling, and fringes were the patterns of growth that characterised the periods between 1990 and 2011. The study predicted that, at an average 1.2% of annual growth rate, settlements will occupy about 44.37% of the total land area by 2031. The study concluded that settlements in the study area varied in the patterns of distribution;the area was dominated by indigenous settlements type with overconcentration of social and economic infrastructures in few centres.展开更多
Tree growth is affected by environmental factors, climate condition and tree age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth patterns of <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chamaecy...Tree growth is affected by environmental factors, climate condition and tree age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth patterns of <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chamaecyparis</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">obtusa</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">C.</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">obtusa</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) stand in the Gyeongnam province. Data was collected from two cities and one county by using sample quadrats of 20 * 20 m. A total of 11 quadrats were used to collect tree height, diameter at the breast height (DBH), annual growth rings and soil data. The data analysis of soil moisture content, pH, organic matter (%), EC (cmol + /kg of soil), and available phosphorous was conducted. Growth ring was analyzed by using computer based software and the ages of the trees were identified. Average growth of height and DBH was computed from the surveyed data and annual growth of each tree was assessed by computer based reading of annual growth rings. The results of the study revealed that tree growth showed a reducing trend along the longevity. It was identified that soil pH, age, variation in annual average temperature, and altitude were the main factors related with growth of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">C.</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">obtusa</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> trees along the life of the stand.</span>展开更多
基金The Knowledge Innovation Project of CAS, No.KZCX2-310-01, No.KZCX2-307 National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 40101010
文摘By using digitized land use maps of Beijing in 1982, 1992 and 1997 and employing GIS spatial analysis techniques, this paper conducts an empirical study on the spatial differentiation and spatial patterns of urban land use growth in Beijing in the period of 1982–1997. It is observed that urban land use growth in Beijing went beyond the control of urban planning, in terms of the extraordinary high growth rate and undesired spatial pattern. The rate of urban expansion after 1982, which was predominated by growth of industrial land, was extraordinary high compared to its historical period. While its growth centers have been actively shifting toward the northern part, rather than toward the southern and eastern parts as designated by the latest General Plan (1991–2010) of Beijing, its spatial pattern of urban land use growth in general was in distinct concentric sprawl, which seriously violated the General Plan of Beijing.
基金the Human Resources Development Program for the Outstanding Talents in The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai,Fudan University,No.2017WYRCJY09the Key Medical Speciality of The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai,Fudan University,No.2017WY202K08
文摘BACKGROUND Different histological growth patterns(HGPs)of colorectal carcinoma(CRC)liver metastasis are associated with patients’prognosis and response to antiangiogenic therapy.However,the relationship between HGPs of liver metastasis and clinicopathological and genomic characteristics of primary cancer has not been well established.AIM To assess whether certain clinicopathological and genomic features of primary CRC could predict the HGPs of liver metastasis.METHODS A total of 29 patients with paired resections of both primary CRC and liver metastasis were divided into two groups:A(15 cases with desmoplastic liver metastasis)and B(14 cases with replacement liver metastasis).Clinical information was obtained from patients’charts.Mismatch repair proteins,BRAFV600E,and PD-L1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Five cases were selected randomly from each group for whole exome sequencing(WES)analysis.RESULTS In the primary tumor,expanding growth pattern,low tumor budding score(TBS),and Crohn’s disease-like response(CDR)were associated with desmoplastic liver metastasis and better overall survival,whereas infiltrating growth pattern alone of primary carcinoma could predict the replacement liver metastasis and worse overall survival(P<0.05).On WES analysis,primary carcinoma with desmoplastic liver metastasis showed mutations in APC(4/5);TP53(3/5);KRAS,PIK3CA,and FAT4(2/5);BRCA-1,BRCA2,BRAF,and DNAH5(1/5),whereas primary carcinoma with replacement liver metastasis showed mutations in APC and TP53(3/5);KRAS,FAT4,DNH5,SMAD,ERBB2,ERBB3,LRP1,and SDK1(1/5).CONCLUSION The HGPs,TBS,and CDR of primary CRC as well as the presence of specific genetic mutations such as those in PIK3CA could be used to predict the HGPs of liver metastasis,response to therapy,and patients’prognosis.
基金Supported by Cultivate Project for the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.gyfynsfc[2020]-27and National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81960328.
文摘BACKGROUND In recent years,approximately half of the newly diagnosed cases and mortalities attributed to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have been reported in China.Despite the high incidence of HCC,there remains a paucity of data regarding the natural growth pattern and the determination of optimal surveillance intervals specific to the Chinese population.AIM To quantify the natural tumor growth pattern of HCC in regional China.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on patients from a single institution in Southwest China who had undergone two or more serial dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans between 2014 and 2020,without having received any anti-cancer therapy.Tumor growth was assessed using tumor volume doubling time(TVDT)and tumor growth rate(TGR),with volumes measured manually by experienced radiologists.Simple univariate linear regression and descriptive analysis were applied to explore associations between growth rates and clinical factors.RESULTS This study identifies the median TVDT for HCC as 163.4 d,interquartile range(IQR)72.1 to 302.3 d,with a daily TGR of 0.42%(IQR 0.206%-0.97%).HCC growth patterns reveal that about one-third of tumors grow indolently with TVDT exceeding 270 d,another one-third of tumors exhibit rapid growth with TVDT under 90 d,and the remaining tumors show intermediate growth rates,with TVDT ranging between 3 to 9 months.CONCLUSION The identified TGRs support biannual surveillance and follow-up for HCC patients in certain regions of China.Given the observed heterogeneity in HCC growth,further investigation is warranted.
基金This research was funded by National Special Program for Science&Technology Basic Resources Investigation of China[Grant Number:2017FY101100 and 2017FY101104].
文摘Objective This study aimed to understand the characteristics of dietary patterns among children aged12 to 23 months and discusses the relationship between dietary patterns and the growth of children.Method Cross-sectional data were selected from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for 0 to 18 year-old children in China(n=2,449)to describe the patterns of complementary feeding and the growth of children.Cluster analysis was used to analyze complementary feeding patterns,and an analysis of variance and Bonferroni test were conducted to analyze the relationship between Z scores and complementary feeding patterns.Results Four dietary patterns were identified among the children via cluster analysis.In Pattern 4(n=104,4.2%),children still consumed milk as their staple food.They displayed the lowest grain,fruit,vegetable,egg,and flesh foods consumption,a medium frequency of breast milk consumption,and a high frequency of dairy product consumption.Pattern 4 had the lowest length-for-age Z scores and weight-for-age Z scores,with-0.10±1.34 and 0.24±1.00,respectively(F=7.940,P<0.001;F=5.317,P<0.001).Conclusion Although China is undergoing rapid urbanization and economic development,there is still a phenomenon of insufficient intake of protein-rich foods and dairy-based dietary patterns at the stage of complementary food introduced among children aged 12 to 23 months.
文摘The researches about reed growth were mainly concentrated on seasonal dynamics, investigation of reed resource, and comparison of different ecotypes of reed. By means of fractal geometric theory of non linear science, the fractal character of growth pattern of reed, for the purpose of quantitatively exploring the mechanism of reed growth was studied. The way to calculate fractal dimension of reed growth is box dimension (BD) and information dimension (ID). The results showed that the difference between two samplings in May and those among three samplings in June and later were not remarkable for both BD or ID. It was noted that the difference between samplings in and after May is significant. It was demonstrated that the fractal dimension of size distribution of reed ranged from 0 6235 to 0 8761 The distribution pattern could be statistically divided as two significant periods: the size of reed is quite well distributed at the beginning of reed growth (fractal dimension>0 8), but is irregular in the middle and later growth season (fractal dimension<0 7). These results are benefit to reach the goal of rational use of reed resources and to protect the biodiversity in wetland ecosystem.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.30060069)
文摘The clonal growth pattern of Sabina vulgaris, a coniferous clonal plant in Mu Us sandland, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was surveyed. The results showed that with the stolon extending, internode length and branching angle decreased, the branching intensity increased gradually within the 3 m range from the edge of the shrub to its center along the stolon. Internode length, branching intensity and branching angle were 5.9 cm, 4.4 and 55.3°in the shrub, and 1.6 cm, 13.7 and 38.3°at the edge of the shrub, respectively. The clonal architecture exhibited plasticity. The internode length, branching intensity and ramet length changed with an exponential model with extention of the stolon. The stolon of S. vulgaris was monopodial branching, and each ramet should possess more than 3 adventitious roots. Ramets could take on the phenomenon of 搒elf-thinning?with clonal growth. There was a prior grade in allocation of the nutrients gained from heterogeneous space. The clonal architecture of S. vulgaris was the 搈ixed?type.
基金granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41172047, 41272062)the Open Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang) (Grant No. 201308)
文摘The Baiyunpu deposit lies in the southwest plunging Dachengshan anticline in central Hunan, which is a large Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit. The orebodies were surrounded by the Qiziqiao Formation limestone in the Middle Devonian, and its geological occurrence is consistent with the wall rocks. A large number of spheroidal pyrite aggregates are found unevenly distributed in the ores. The spheroidal aggregates are made up of kernels and concentric rings. The kernels are composed of approximately epigranular pyrite nanocrystals, while the rings are composed of accumulated pyrite microcrystals growing along the radial direction. The spheroidal pyrite aggregate and its outer zones can be divided into five areas(A–E). The results of electron probe micro analysis(EPMA) show that from the zone A1 to B, Co/Ni 〈1, the sum of Co and Ni is 0.08%–0.26%, S/Fe increases from 2.06 to 2.15. While from the zone C to E, Ni cannot be detected and S/Fe decreases from 2.22 to 2.08. Powder X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis in the micro zone shows obvious crystalline characteristics in the aggregates. Moving from the inside outwards, the maximum diffraction peak intensity of the(111) and(220) crystal planes of pyrite increases, and the crystallinity improves. The degree of change in the(111) plane is the most prominent. Considering the theory of crystal growth along with the geologic features of the depositional environment where the spheroidal pyrite aggregates developed, we confirm that the spheroidal aggregates are the result of nano-micro crystalline gathering and growth occurring by the following sequence of processes:nano-crystalline nucleation and growth, gathering into a ball, oriented growth of microcrystals, continuous accumulation, and adjustment of grain boundaries. The formation of the spheroidal pyrite aggregates in the late Qiziqiao Formation of the Middle Devonian occurred in a neutral to weak alkaline and reductive sedimentary environment in the normal oxygen-rich shallowwater carbonate platform edge. The variations in the S/Fe ratio and crystallisation characteristics indicate that during pyrite crystal growth, the sulphur fugacity was high locally and rose constantly, the degree of supersaturation decreased locally and the growth environment was stable relatively.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41876177)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.201822027)
文摘The live-bearing genus Sebastes is renowned for its outstanding species richness and color diversity,and its speciation has been a point of interest.This study investigated the age,growth,reproductive biology,color pattern and ontogenetic divergence of a pair of closely related rockfishes from the coasts of the Shandong Peninsula,namely,Sebastes koreanus(n=879)and S.nudus(n=257).Marginal increment analysis of sectioned otoliths showed that annulus formation occurred once a year between June and July in both species.The sex-pooled growth curves of S.nudus and 3 populations of S.koreanus differed significantly from each other.No apparent latitudinal cline in growth parameters was found in S.koreanus.For both species,the peak parturition periods were from April to May,and the peak copulation periods were from November to December.S.nudus has a highly variable and conspicuous color pattern while S.koreanus has a stable and dull color pattem.This difference,together with the overlapping distribution and the close relationship,make S.koreanus and S.nudus an ideal model to investigate the color-driven speciation of the Sebastes.We confirmed that S.nudus changes its body color with age and season and fully expresses the carotenoid-based nuptial coloration when the fish reaches first maturity.Moreover,our comparisons of morphological traits that are likely related to survival and quality of these fishes suggested that S.nudus may suffer higher predation risk and foraging difficulty beginning at age 3.In light of the ontogenetic development of the color pattern in S.nudus,we suggested that the full expression of nuptial coloration most likely triggers the strong selective pressure to enhance swimming performance,anti-predator defense and foraging capacity of S.nudus through predator-prey interactions.By understanding all these details,we further inferred a hypothesis that both color pattem and bathymetric segregation play key roles in facilitating the speciation of demersal rockfishes.
基金supported by the Strategic Leading Science and Technology Projects of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA05050201-04-01)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41371053, 31500369)the ‘One Hundred Talent’ Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Y451H31001)
文摘Growth of annual plants in arid environments depends largely on rainfall pulses. An increased understanding of the effects of different rainfall patterns on plant growth is critical to predicting the potential responses of plants to the changes in rainfall regimes, such as rainfall intensity and duration, and length of dry intervals. In this study, we investigated the effects of different rainfall patterns(e.g. small rainfall event with high frequency and large rainfall event with low frequency) on biomass, growth characteristics and vertical distribution of root biomass of annual plants in Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia of China during the growing season(from May to August) of 2014. Our results showed that the rainfall patterns, independent of total rainfall amount, exerted strong effects on biomass, characteristics of plant growth and vertical distribution of root biomass. Under a constant amount of total rainfall, the aboveground biomass(AGB), belowground biomass(BGB), plant cover, plant height, and plant individual and species number increased with an increase in rainfall intensity. Changes in rainfall patterns also altered the percentage contribution of species biomass to the total AGB, and the percentage of BGB at different soil layers to the total BGB. Consequently, our results indicated that increased rainfall intensity in future may increase biomass significantly, and also affect the growth characteristics of annual plants.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51728601 and 51771118)the Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing in NPU(Grant No.SKLSP201901)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(Grant No.2242019K1G003).
文摘Pattern selection during crystal growth is studied by using the anisotropic lattice Boltzmann-phase field model.In the model,the phase transition,melt flows,and heat transfer are coupled and mathematically described by using the lattice Boltzmann(LB)scheme.The anisotropic streaming-relaxation operation fitting into the LB framework is implemented to model interface advancing with various preferred orientations.Crystal pattern evolutions are then numerically investigated in the conditions of with and without melt flows.It is found that melt flows can significantly influence heat transfer,crystal growth behavior,and phase distributions.The crystal morphological transition from dendrite,seaweed to cauliflower-like patterns occurs with the increase of undercoolings.The interface normal angles and curvature distributions are proposed to quantitatively characterize crystal patterns.The results demonstrate that the distributions are corresponding to crystal morphological features,and they can be therefore used to describe the evolution of crystal patterns in a quantitative way.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31930105)China Agriculture Research Systems(CARS-40)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2020 M680028).
文摘Background:Heterosis is an important biological phenomenon that has been extensively utilized in agricultural breeding.However,negative heterosis is also pervasively observed in nature,which can cause unfavorable impacts on production performance.Compared with systematic studies of positive heterosis,the phenomenon of negative heterosis has been largely ignored in genetic studies and breeding programs,and the genetic mechanism of this phenomenon has not been thoroughly elucidated to date.Here,we used chickens,the most common agricultural animals worldwide,to determine the genetic and molecular mechanisms of negative heterosis.Results:We performed reciprocal crossing experiments with two distinct chicken lines and found that the body weight presented widely negative heterosis in the early growth of chickens.Negative heterosis of carcass traits was more common than positive heterosis,especially breast muscle mass,which was over−40%in reciprocal progenies.Genome-wide gene expression pattern analyses of breast muscle tissues revealed that nonadditivity,including dominance and overdominace,was the major gene inheritance pattern.Nonadditive genes,including a substantial number of genes encoding ATPase and NADH dehydrogenase,accounted for more than 68%of differentially expressed genes in reciprocal crosses(4257 of 5587 and 3617 of 5243,respectively).Moreover,nonadditive genes were significantly associated with the biological process of oxidative phosphorylation,which is the major metabolic pathway for energy release and animal growth and development.The detection of ATP content and ATPase activity for purebred and crossbred progenies further confirmed that chickens with lower muscle yield had lower ATP concentrations but higher hydrolysis activity,which supported the important role of oxidative phosphorylation in negative heterosis for growth traits in chickens.Conclusions:These findings revealed that nonadditive genes and their related oxidative phosphorylation were the major genetic and molecular factors in the negative heterosis of growth in chickens,which would be beneficial to future breeding strategies.
文摘The study profiles and explains the significant changes that have taken place in China's spatial development patterns since the inception of its economic reform and opening two decades ago. Principal component analysis is used to delineate spatial patterns. The analyses show that prior to the reform China's spatial development pattern was characterized by the dominance of the three municipalities and the Northeast, as well as by both the coast-interior and the north-south disparities. Northern provinces were generally more industrialized and economically powerful than the southern ones. After two decades of reform, regional development has become multi-centered with South China, the Yangtze Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin area being the three most important regions of the country. The coastal provinces as a whole rose to prominence on China's economic map while the Northeast has diminished its clout. The coast-interior gap not only remains but may have widened. The north-south disparity also still exists but there has been a role reversal with the south now in the lead position. Virtually all inland provinces now find themselves at or near the low end of the development spectrum. We argue that the major reason for the recent shifts in Chinese space economy is the spatially differentiated economic growth resulted from the reform and open door policy and from the new, uneven development strategy adopted by the Chinese government. The paper discusses four specific factors that have reshaped China's spatial development patterns.
基金Supported by National Nature Science Foundation,No.81873111,No.82174454,and No.82074182Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No.7202066。
文摘Liver is the most common site of metastases of colorectal cancer,and liver metastases present with distinct histopathological growth patterns(HGPs),including desmoplastic,pushing and replacement HGPs and two rare HGPs.HGP is a miniature of tumor-host reaction and reflects tumor biology and pathological features as well as host immune dynamics.Many studies have revealed the association of HGPs with carcinogenesis,angiogenesis,and clinical outcomes and indicates HGP functions as bond between microscopic characteristics and clinical implications.These findings make HGP a candidate marker in risk stratification and guiding treatment decision-making,and a target of imaging observation for patient screening.Of note,it is crucial to determine the underlying mechanism shaping HGP,for instance,immune infiltration and extracellular matrix remodeling in desmoplastic HGP,and aggressive characteristics and special vascularization in replacement HGP(rHGP).We highlight the importance of aggressive features,vascularization,host immune and organ structure in formation of HGP,hence propose a novel"advance under camouflage"hypothesis to explain the formation of rHGP.
文摘Aim of this study is to assess growth pattern in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and factors associated with growth retardation. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all cases of JIA following up at Pediatric Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, between July 2000 to July 2016. Demographic, clinical and biological data were collected and analyzed as risk factor for growth retardation. These included age, gender, age at diagnosis, disease duration, type of JIA, the presence of uveitis, rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity, antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer and treatment. Growth pattern was assessed as the percentile for height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height in reference to the Growth Chart for Saudi Children and Adolescents. Change in percentile rank was divided into 3 categories: regression (a drop of ≥1 percentile);stable (uphold of the same percentile);and progression (change for a superior percentile). Results: A total 78 children were eligible, 52.6% females, mean ± SD age = 9.94 ± 4.92 years, and age at diagnosis = 7.44 ± 4.52 years, mean ± SD [range] disease duration = 2.93 ± 2.70 [6 months;15 years]. The most frequent types of JIA were systemic (33.3%), oligoarticular (30.8%) and polyarticular negative RF (26.9%). Other parameters included positive ANA in 41.0%, positive RF in 7.7% and uveitis in 9.0%. The most frequent treatment was methotrexate (59.0%), followed by biological therapy (47.4%), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (43.6%) and prednisolone (33.3%). Growth data were available for 67 (85.9%) children, and assessments showed 36% cases of break of the growth curve in both height-for-age and weight-for-age percentiles and 31% in weight-for-height percentiles. In all three parameters, there were shifts towards lower percentiles from time of diagnosis to last follow-up, in both males and females. Correlation and regression analysis showed low age at diagnosis and disease duration to be significant predictors for growth retardation severity. Conclusion: One in three children with JIA has growth retardation, the severity of which is predicted by low age at disease onset and long disease duration.
基金Interim results for the state social science foundation key project "Raising Macro Regulation Level and Maintain Fast and Steady Economic Growth" (approve No. 09&ZD017) and "Funding Program for Academic Human Resources Development in Institutions of Higher Learning Under the Jurisdiction of Beijing Municipality" (approve No. 00491162340 142).
文摘The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and other emerging economies have become a driving global force for the past twenty years. However, their growth patterns are obsolete, impeding the quality and competitiveness of their economic growth, while simultaneously threatening the sustainability of their economic convergence with developed nations. Transforming the domestic growth pattern-the solution to the middle-income trap-has therefore become a key priority for each of these economies. This paper presents a comparative analysis of how to transform the pattern of economic growth in BRICS and achieve sustainable economic convergence with a comparative analysis of the pattern of economic growth and problems among BRICS countries.
基金supported by the Nankai University, China and in part by NSERC Grant of Canada
文摘This paper is ttie continuation of part (Ⅰ), which completes the derivations of the 3D global wave modes solutions, yields the stability criterion and, on the basis of the results obtained, demonstrates the selection criterion of pattern formation.
基金Supported by Putra Grant from Universiti Putra Malaysia(No.9409800No.9432700)
文摘AIM:To describe the prevalence and changes in treatment patterns of ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy(PDT) among retinal disease patients who attended the Ophthalmology Clinic in the tertiary care Hospital Selayang from 2010 to 2014.METHODS:Study subjects were recruited retrospectively using the Electronic Medical Record(EMR) database software in Hospital Selayang.Demographic data,medical history,diagnostic procedure,treatments and diagnosis of patients were recorded.RESULTS:The five-year analysis included 821 patients with a mean age of 65.9±11.73 y.Overall,there were a highernumber of males(63.1%) and a higher number of Chinese(47.4%) patients.Among the 821 patients,62.9% received ranibizumab injection followed by 19.2% PDT therapy and 17.9% had ranibizumab combined with PDT therapy.Age-related macular degeneration(AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV) were the most common retinal eye diseases reported,recording prevalence of 25.0% and 45.6%,respectively.The trend in ranibizumab treatment was reported to increase while PDT showed a decrease in trend from year 2010 to 2014.In terms of treatment,following multiple logistic regression,AMD was associated with the subjects being more likely to have received ranibizumab monotherapy(P〈0.001) while PCV was associated with more likely to have received PDT(P〈0.001) and PDT combined with ranibizumab therapy(P〈0.001).CONCLUSION:The tertiary care setting in Malaysia is consistent with management of patients from other countries whereby ranibizumab is the most common treatment given to patients with AMD,while PCV patients most commonly receive PDT and ranibizumab combined with PDT therapy.
文摘The study examined the growth pattern of settlements in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Nigeria between 1984 and 2011;and predicted the future growth pattern of settlements in the study area. Both primary and secondary data were used for this study. Primary sources of data include Global Positioning System (GPS), Landsat TM and ETM+ imageries of 1984, 1990, 2000, and 2011. Secondary data included administrative map and population data of the study area. Descriptive statistics and geospatial technique were used to analyse the data collected. The results showed a random pattern of settlement distribution in the study area. Results revealed that settlements covered about 0.52% of the total land area in 1984;1.32% in 2000;and 3.78% in 2011. Whereas linear pattern of growth characterised the periods between 1984 and 1990;clustering, infilling, and fringes were the patterns of growth that characterised the periods between 1990 and 2011. The study predicted that, at an average 1.2% of annual growth rate, settlements will occupy about 44.37% of the total land area by 2031. The study concluded that settlements in the study area varied in the patterns of distribution;the area was dominated by indigenous settlements type with overconcentration of social and economic infrastructures in few centres.
文摘Tree growth is affected by environmental factors, climate condition and tree age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth patterns of <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chamaecyparis</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">obtusa</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">C.</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">obtusa</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) stand in the Gyeongnam province. Data was collected from two cities and one county by using sample quadrats of 20 * 20 m. A total of 11 quadrats were used to collect tree height, diameter at the breast height (DBH), annual growth rings and soil data. The data analysis of soil moisture content, pH, organic matter (%), EC (cmol + /kg of soil), and available phosphorous was conducted. Growth ring was analyzed by using computer based software and the ages of the trees were identified. Average growth of height and DBH was computed from the surveyed data and annual growth of each tree was assessed by computer based reading of annual growth rings. The results of the study revealed that tree growth showed a reducing trend along the longevity. It was identified that soil pH, age, variation in annual average temperature, and altitude were the main factors related with growth of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">C.</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">obtusa</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> trees along the life of the stand.</span>