Browsing by Author "Wei, Wei"

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    Effects of terracing on soil water and canopy transpiration of Pinus tabulaeformis in the Loess Plateau of China
    (Elsevier, 2017-05) Zhang, Handan; Wei, Wei; Chen, Liding; Wang, Lixin; Department of Earth Sciences, School of Science
    Terracing has long been considered one of the most effective measures for soil water conservation and site improvement. However, few studies regarding the quantitative effects of terracing on soil water dynamics and vegetation water use efficiency were reported. To fill these knowledge gaps, in this study, soil water content and canopy transpiration from 2014 to 2015 were monitored in both terrace and slope environments in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. Results showed that terracing had positive influences on soil water content among layers. Mean soil water content of the terrace site was 25.4% and 13.7% higher than that in the slope site in 2014 and 2015, and canopy transpiration at the terrace site increased by 9.1% and 4.8%, respectively. Canopy conductance at the terrace site was 3.9% higher than that at the slope site and it decreased logarithmically with the increase of vapor pressure deficit. This study highlighted the critical role of terracing in soil-water improvement and water-stress mitigation in semiarid environments. Thus, terracing has the potential to enhance sustainable vegetation restoration in water-limited regions.
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    Research on the Relationship between Urban Development Intensity and Eco-Environmental Stresses in Bohai Rim Coastal Area, China
    (MDPI, 2016) Wang, Dongchuan; Chen, Wengang; Wei, Wei; Bird, Broxton W.; Zhang, Lihui; Sang, Mengqin; Wang, Qianqian; Department of Earth Sciences, School of Science
    To realize sustainable urban development that minimizes environmental impacts, the relationship between urban development intensity and eco-environmental stresses should be clearly revealed. This paper focused on the Bohai Rim coastal area, where cities have experienced significant development in the last decade. An index system was developed to quantify the comprehensive urban development intensity (CDI) and comprehensive eco-environment stresses (CES). Remote sensing imagery and statistical data were used to provide indices for CDI and CES. Spatiotemporal analysis was carried out on the correlation between the two indices. The coupling between the CDI and CES was then investigated to explore the urban development characteristics of each city in the study area, its development level, and the trend of urban development. Results showed that human activities surrounding urban development were partly dependent on the use of ecological resources to a certain degree, and that the degree of dependence increased with year. To promote a sustainable level of urban development, the government should focus on not only the high development intensity, but also the high quality of the eco-environment. Dalian was a good model of how to achieve a balance between the two.
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    Whole exome sequencing reveals concomitant mutations of multiple FA genes in individual Fanconi anemia patients
    (Springer Nature, 2014-05-15) Chang, Lixian; Yuan, Weiping; Zeng, Huimin; Zhou, Quanquan; Wei, Wei; Zhou, Jianfeng; Li, Miaomiao; Wang, Xiaomin; Xu, Mingjiang; Yang, Fengchun; Yang, Yungui; Cheng, Tao; Zhu, Xiaofan; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare inherited genetic syndrome with highly variable clinical manifestations. Fifteen genetic subtypes of FA have been identified. Traditional complementation tests for grouping studies have been used generally in FA patients and in stepwise methods to identify the FA type, which can result in incomplete genetic information from FA patients. Methods: We diagnosed five pediatric patients with FA based on clinical manifestations, and we performed exome sequencing of peripheral blood specimens from these patients and their family members. The related sequencing data were then analyzed by bioinformatics, and the FANC gene mutations identified by exome sequencing were confirmed by PCR re-sequencing. Results: Homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations of FANC genes were identified in all of the patients. The FA subtypes of the patients included FANCA, FANCM and FANCD2. Interestingly, four FA patients harbored multiple mutations in at least two FA genes, and some of these mutations have not been previously reported. These patients' clinical manifestations were vastly different from each other, as were their treatment responses to androstanazol and prednisone. This finding suggests that heterozygous mutation(s) in FA genes could also have diverse biological and/or pathophysiological effects on FA patients or FA gene carriers. Interestingly, we were not able to identify de novo mutations in the genes implicated in DNA repair pathways when the sequencing data of patients were compared with those of their parents. Conclusions: Our results indicate that Chinese FA patients and carriers might have higher and more complex mutation rates in FANC genes than have been conventionally recognized. Testing of the fifteen FANC genes in FA patients and their family members should be a regular clinical practice to determine the optimal care for the individual patient, to counsel the family and to obtain a better understanding of FA pathophysiology.