226. The attempt to make up lost ground is welcome, but the nation would be better served by steady, predictable increases in science funding at the rate of long-term GDP growth, which is on the order of inflation plus 3 percent per year.

尝试填补研究领域的空白是可喜的，但想要更好地服务国家，就应该使可预期的科学经费稳定地增长，增长速率要与长期国内生产总值增长速率同步，这相当于每年的通货膨胀率再加上3％。

本句是由but连接的并列句，句子的主干是attempt is welcome, but nation would be served。in science funding为increases的后置定语，at the rate of long-term GDP growth是状语；which引导的是the rate of long-term GDP growth的非限制性定语从句。

make up此处的意思是“弥补”。如：

You have to make up the time you wasted yesterday. 你得把昨天浪费的时间补回来。

at the rate of的意思是“以……的速度或比率”。如：

The factory produced cars at the rate of 100 per week. 工厂以每周100辆的速度生产汽车。

on the order of的意思是“相似于，大约”。如：

The impact of Internet market is on the order of the traditional market. 互联网市场的影响与传统市场相似。

make up除指“弥补”外，还有以下含义：

“构成，组成”。如：

Those qualities make up his character. 那些特质构成了他的性格。

“捏造，虚构”。如：

How can you make up an excuse? 你怎么能编造借口呢？

“放在一起”。如：

Mom made up a basket of food for the picnic. 妈妈为野餐装好了一篮子食物。

“铺（床），支（床）”。如：

She made up the bed for the guest. 她为客人铺好了床。

“补足，补齐。如：

I still need $1,000 to make up the sum required. 我还需要1000美元才能补齐所需的数目。