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• The Dongfanghong peatland originated in 1011 cal. CE post Millennium Eruption, expanding laterally through paludification. • The carbon accumulation averaged 118 g C/m2/yr, ranging from 38 to 374 g C/m2/yr. • Climate mainly governed multi-centennial carbon accumulation rates. • Hydrological conditions regulated both lateral expansion and carbon accumulation. Peatlands are terrestrial ecosystems with high carbon sequestration efficiency, providing critical feedback on climate change. It is crucial to understand how peatland development and carbon accumulation respond to various factors to reveal the future direction of carbon reservoirs under changing climatic conditions. To assess the impact of climate and hydrological conditions on the development and carbon accumulation of peatlands, 15 peat core samples were analyzed to examine the processes of lateral expansion in the Dongfanghong (DFH) peatland, a minerotrophic fen located in the Changbai Mountains of northeast China. Accelerator Mass Spectrometry 14C, total organic carbon, dry bulk density, testate amoebae, δ13C of α-cellulose in Carex spp. and plant macrofossil analyses were conducted on a high-resolution peat core. The proxies were used to calculate carbon accumulation rate (CAR) and reconstruct water table depth as well as surface moisture and vegetation development of the DFH peatland. Our findings indicated that the DFH peatland was initiated at 1011 cal. CE and experienced paludification during the last millennium. The expansion of the DFH peatland was primarily determined by hydrological conditions rather than climatic factors such as total solar irradiance and regional temperature. The rapid expansion between 1500 and 1700 cal. CE was likely resulted from relatively low precipitation and a decrease in water table/surface moisture. CAR generally correlated with total solar irradiance, regional temperature, and precipitation, suggesting that climate may be crucial for CAR in DFH peatlands over multi-centennial timescales. However, the increased CAR under relatively dry conditions suggested that the CAR were regulated by hydrological conditions over a centennial timescale. This study highlighted the important roles of climate and hydrological conditions in the lateral expansion and CAR of the peatland in minerotrophic fen and that there may be a threshold for hydrology during the process of peatland development and carbon accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest China (NW China) falls within Arid Central Asia (ACA) and has a climate dominated by westerly winds, a fragile ecosystem, and a high sensitivity to climate change. Paleoenvironmental reconstructions of this region can assist in understanding the general processes contributing to environmental variation in such arid areas. This study examined a dated sedimentary core containing both peat and lacustrine deposits obtained from the shore of the Bosten Lake, NW China. The study aimed to reconstruct paleoenvironmental variations over the last 3,000 years and to explore the possible drivers of peatland development over the last millennium. An examination of grain size and δ13C was conducted to investigate lake level variation. The results showed that the lake level of the Bosten Lake declined gradually between 2,905 and 480 cal yr BP and increased thereafter, consistent with other records of the Bosten Lake. At a centennial timescale, the lake level was high under a wet climate during the Dark Age Cold Period (DACP), whereas it decreased significantly during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). The inferred "cold and wet" and "warm and dry" patterns indicated climatic characteristics of a "westerlies-dominated climatic regime". In addition, the persistent decreasing lake level during the MWP resulted in Phragmites peatland initiation and development along the shores of the Bosten Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies reported that mildly elevated serum bilirubin levels were associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Whether these are causal relationships remains unclear. This study aims to examine the causal effects of bilirubin on CVD, diabetes and their subtypes. The data we used in this study includes individual data from the UK Biobank cohort with 331,002 white British participants, and summary data from published genome wide associations studies (GWAS) findings. We used individual data to perform logistic regression for the observational study and two-stage least squares method for the Mendelian randomization (MR) study. We also performed several traditional MR methods and MR-TRYX by summary data. The observational study supported the association relationships between bilirubin and CVD and diabetes and their subtypes. Results of MR showed strong evidence for negative causal associations of log e total bilirubin with CVD [OR 0.92, 95%CI 0.88–0.95, p -value 2.15 × 10−6], coronary heart disease [OR 0.90, 95%CI 0.85–0.96, p -value 1.54 × 10−3] and hypertensive diseases [OR 0.91, 95%CI 0.88–0.95, p -value 5.89 × 10−6], but no evidence for diabetes [OR 0.94, 95%CI 0.86–1.02, p -value 0.14] and its subtypes. We also obtained similar results for direct bilirubin. We found that blood pressure, cholesterol, C-reactive protein, alcohol and white blood cell count played important roles in the causal pathway from bilirubin to CVD. Two sample MR and sensitivity analyses showed consistent results with one sample MR. Genetically determined bilirubin was negatively associated with the risk of CVD but had no evident causal association with diabetes in the UK Biobank cohort of white British. • Genetic determined bilirubin is negatively associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). • Bilirubin has no evident causal association with diabetes in white British. • We identified the mediators of the causal pathway from bilirubin to CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Depth to water table (DWT) predominantly determined mire plant assemblages. • The mire plant assemblages - based transfer function was developed. • The MAT model has a strong predictive power. • Reconstructed DWT s were comparable to those from testate amoebae. Quantitative relationships between mire plant assemblages and environmental variables have been investigated widely in Europe and North America, but hitherto insufficiently addressed in the East Asian monsoon region. In this study, the plant assemblages of 274 plots along hydrological gradients in five peatlands from the Changbai Mountains region, Northeast China were investigated during the growing seasons (from May to October) from 2014 to 2016. Seven environmental variables of surface water including depth to water table (DWT), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were measured. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that DWT was the principal environmental variable determining the plant assemblages. A transfer function for inferring DWT based on plant assemblages was developed and refined using four models. The transfer function was shown to have strong predictive power following thorough statistical and ecological tests. When the plant assemblages-based transfer function was applied to a 41 cm peat sequence from Laobaishan bog in the Changbai Mountains region, the reconstructed DWTs were essentially consistent, in the trend and vital details of mire surface wetness, with those inferred from a testate amoebae-transfer function, which has been verified to be robust for reconstructing water table in peatlands in the same region. This study suggests that the mire plant assemblages-based transfer function has great potential for quantitative reconstruction of past mire surface wetness, and allows for further research into palaeoclimatology, palaeohydrology and palaeoecology in the East Asian monsoon region using multi-proxy methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: V and N co-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC–VN) composite films were deposited on cemented carbide substrates by pulsed bias arc ion plating. The effects of V and N contents on the structures and properties of the films were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectra, grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nano-indentation, respectively. The as-deposited films consist of a DLC–VN nanocomposite, where VN nanograins are embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. The V and N contents have significant influences on the relative proportion of VN with respect to DLC. A proper concentration of VN nanocrystals in DLC induces even the formation of nano-diamond. The DLC–VN films have higher hardnesses than pure DLC films, which could be attributed to the nanocomposite structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Peatlands are one of the most significant carbon reservoirs in the terrestrial ecosystem. Understanding past peatland carbon accumulation processes and their responses to varying external and internal forcing factors would help reveal the general development patterns of peatland ecosystems and provide useful insights into projecting the fate of carbon reservoirs into the future. In this paper, the basal ages of 17 peat cores were used to explore the lateral expansion processes of the Laolike peatland, northeast China. Two cores were selected to calculate carbon accumulation rates (CAR) and reconstruct moisture/precipitation records based on δ13C and grain size analyses. The basal ages show that the peatland was initiated at 12.1 cal kyr BP, then laterally expanded with its fastest rate occurring during the early Holocene, and reached its largest area around 6 cal kyr BP. The time-weighted mean CAR in the Laolike peatland ranged from 31.1 to 52.9 g C/m2/yr (with an average of 42 g C/m2/yr) during the Holocene. The peatland experienced a high CAR of 52.5 g C/m2/yr from 11.7 to 5 cal kyr BP, followed by a low CAR of 35.1 g C/m2/yr after 5 cal kyr BP. Both lateral expansion and vertical accretion are consistent with the summer insolation, climate seasonality, and the strength of the East Asia summer monsoon (EASM) over multi-millennium timescales, where the CAR correlated well with δ13C and grain size, implying moisture/precipitation might be the primary factors controlling carbon accumulation over millennium timescales. Local conditions, such as topography and hydrology, also played an important role in the process of peatland initiation and lateral expansion, as well as the discrepant CAR within the peatland. This study reveals the roles of climate and local conditions in peatland initiation, expansion, and CAR during the Holocene. In addition, we provide a window for a better understanding of the driving factors of peatland development in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. • Climate conditions are the primary control on the lateral expansion and vertical accretion of Laolike peatland over multi-millennium timescales. • Moisture/precipitation affects carbon accumulation of Laolike peatland over millennium timescales. • Local conditions play an important role in the lateral expansion and the internal differences of carbon accumulation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testate amoebae (TA) are a common and diverse group of protists and are especially abundant in peatlands. The structure of peatland TA communities is well correlated to surface moisture and water table depth (WTD). For that reason, TA are widely used as proxy indicators in ecological and palaeoecological studies. Peatlands are abundant across Asia, but the diversity and ecology of the TA that inhabit these systems are poorly documented. It is therefore unclear whether TA can be used as palaeohydrological indicators in the manner in which they commonly are in Europe and North-America. There is particular uncertainty as to the efficacy of this approach in the lower latitudes. We compiled existing and new data on testate amoebae from 1124 Sphagnum -dominated samples from 42 individual peatlands covering broad latitudinal (25°–66° N) and longitudinal (68°–129° E) ranges. Using a consensus taxonomic framework, we built a checklist of TA and developed TA-based hydrological transfer functions for Asian peatlands. The results showed that three models, weighted averaging (WA), weighted average partial least squares (WA-PLS), and maximum likelihood (ML), predicted similar WTD values for full samples, while the modern analogue technique (MAT) produced the strongest (R2 boot = 0.58) relationship between observed and estimated water-table depths (WTDs). Removing outlier samples improved the R2 values of observed vs. estimated WTDs, with ML then demonstrating the strongest predictive power (R2 boot = 0.68, RMSEP boot = 8.98 cm). The predictive capability of the developed WTD transfer function is comparable to equivalent models for Europe and North America and thus can be used for palaeohydrological reconstructions for boreal to subtropical peatlands in Asia. • A testate amoebae taxonomic checklist was compiled from Asian peatlands. • We developed continental scale testate amoeba-based hydrological transfer functions. • The water-table depth transfer functions can be used for paleohydrological reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IPMC can be potentially employed as a vector propeller. It is expected to swing symmetrically and asymmetrically, or maintain nearly at a certain position. There are many achievements on symmetric swing properties, but the characteristics of asymmetric swing and influence of driving signal parameters on IPMC displacement are needed to be further studied. And we investigated herein the displacement responses to asymmetric square waves with different frequencies, low level voltages and duty cycles. The results were compared and stated by groups. By combining the Bode magnitude response of IPMC and the Fourier Transform results of adopted square waves, the displacement responses to different square waves were analyzed and explained, the effects of parameters on the displacement responses were discussed, and the potential application of asymmetric swing and parameters determination were presented by the motion control of a IMPC actuated underwater capsule like robot. • Displacement of IPMC is frequency sensitive. • Swing range of IPMC decreases with the increase of frequency and decrease of voltage difference between high and low level. • Average position of IPMC is affected by direct component of square wave. • The average position offset is determined by the direct component of square wave. • A potential application of asymmetric swing is illustrated and discussed by a capsule like underwater robot. Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) is a novel electrical actuated intelligent material with the advantages of low driving voltage, large bending displacement, high flexibility, low density and so on. It has been used as an intelligent driving material with prospective applications for robot fish and bionic organ, and is expected to be used out of water. As an important and applicable characteristic, displacement response of IPMC has drawn tons of researchers' attentions. In this paper, the asymmetric square waves with variable frequencies, low level voltages, and duty cycles were employed to drive IPMC samples, the displacement responses were investigated and analyzed. The control mode of IPMC sample was obtained using curve fitting of step response. By combining Bode plot of IPMC system with the Fourier transform of square waves, the effect of parameters changes to the displacement response were analyzed and discussed, and the potential application of the asymmetric displacement is illustrated and proposed by a capsule like underwater robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Soil bacterial richness and communities differed with altitude and vegetation type. • Soil bacterial richness was mainly controlled by MAAT and MAP. • Soil C/P and MAP were the most important regulators of soil bacterial community. • Soil pH significantly affected bacterial diversity and community but to a less extent. • Soil SMC and C-limitation of microbial metabolism are important regulators of soil SOC. Peatlands are crucial carbon (C) sinks, and the combined activities of soil bacteria and soil abiotic properties play an essential role in regulating the C cycle. However, mountain peatlands are particularly vulnerable to global change, which could lead to a change from C sink to source. Understanding how variations in soil bacterial communities and diversity along an altitude gradient affect C storage through changes in enzyme stoichiometry ratios is essential. To address this issue, this study collected soil samples from six peatlands at different altitudes in the Changbai Mountains, China, which were dominated by either sedge or shrub/ Sphagnum species. The study examined a range of soil physical and chemical properties, quantified bacterial community diversity and structure, and assessed enzyme stoichiometry. The results indicated that bacterial communities varied with altitude and vegetation, with bacterial α-diversity (richness) being higher at lower altitudes and in sedge-dominated peatlands. Mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) were the primary drivers of bacterial diversity, and soil bacterial community composition was significantly influenced by soil carbon/phosphorus (C/P) ratio and MAP. On the other hand, soil pH had only minor effected in mountain peatlands. Path analysis emphasized the greater importance of soil moisture and microbial C limitations than bacterial richness and community on soil organic carbon (SOC) in mountain peatlands. The study also suggested that increasing bacterial richness and relative abundances of rare phyla could increase soil C concentration in peatlands. Overall, this study provided valuable insights into the regulation of C cycling in mountain peatlands and could help mitigate global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Warmer water injection, oscillating tides, and MAR operations collectively affect the efficiency and sustainability of MAR. • Warmer water injection reduces freshwater storage and recovery, as well as extracted water quality. • Starting extraction with a receding tide could extend the duration of extracting water with lower saline concentration. • Intermittent injection-extraction operation could mitigate the efficiency decrease caused by the warmer water injection. • This study provides insights into water management in artificial island with extensive industrial activities. Storing and utilizing freshwater in coastal aquifers with managed aquifer recharge (MAR) presents significant challenges, particularly in small island settings where seawater intrusion is a major source of groundwater salinization. Existing studies usually evaluate density-dependent flow under isothermal condition, which neglects the potential impact of temperature on fluid density. To fill the knowledge gap, we performed both laboratory experiments and numerical modeling to investigate the impact of warmer water injection on freshwater storage and extracted water quality for island aquifer. It is found that warmer water (70 °C) injection compromise the "barrier effect" achieved by normal water injection, resulting in a reduced ability to prevent coastal seawater intrusion by, creating an upward hydraulic gradient beneath the injection well. In addition, warm water injection result in a 5 % decrease in freshwater storage capacity for island aquifer. However, by employing a combination of receding tide cycles and intermittent injection-extraction operations, the duration of lowered saline concentration within the extracted water can be extended by approximately 10 % with an 11 % reduction in the overall extracted saline concentration. This study provides valuable insights into the influence of warmer water injection on coastal aquifer quality. The findings from both the laboratory experiments and numerical simulations enhance the understanding of thermal density-dependent dynamics of coastal aquifers, offering valuable guidance for effective freshwater storage and usage in island settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although observational studies have shown an association between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone (T) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), controversy remains. In this study, we aim to explore the causal effects of SHBG and T on Coronary heart disease (CHD). We used univariable, network and multivariable mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal effect of SHBG and T on CHD. We performed inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR as the primary analysis, with the robustness of this approach further tested by other methods in sensitivity analysis. The SHBG and T were collected from the UK Biobank data, about 180,000 men aged 40 to 69 years. CHD was collected from CARDIoGRAMplusC4D 1000 Genomes-based GWAS, which was a meta-analysis including 48 studies and involving 60,801 CHD cases and 123,504 controls. Using univariable MR-IVW, the results suggested that a one standard deviation (SD) increase in SHBG, the risk of CHD decreased by approximately 14% (OR (95% CI): 0.86(0.76,0.97)), and that a SD increase in total testosterone (TT), the risk also decreased, approximately 8% (OR (95% CI): 0.92(0.85,0.99)). Multivariable MR showed that both SHBG and TT had no direct causal effect with CHD (a SD increase in SHBG: OR (95% CI):0.75(0.57,1.00), P = 0.053; a SD increase in TT: OR (95% CI): 1.05(0.90,1.22), P = 0.53). In the network MR analysis, the results suggested that TT might act as mediator in the causal pathway from SHBG to CHD and account for 93% of the total effect of SHBG on CHD, and that SHBG might be a mediator in the causal pathway from TT to CHD and account for 67% of the total effect of TT on CHD. Genetically predicted SHBG and TT were negatively correlated with CHD in both univariable and network MR, which may provide a causal explanation behind the observed conclusion. In addition, TT and SHBG had a bidirectional causal effect. Further work is required to disentangle the downstream effects of SHBG/TT on CHD and the molecular pathways involved, as the simultaneous regulation of SHBG and TT may make it a viable strategy for the prevention or treatment of CHD. • Multivariable MR showed that both SHBG and TT had no direct causal effect with CHD (a SD increase in SHBG: OR (95%CI):0.75(0.57,1.00), P = 0.053; a SD increase in TT: OR (95%CI): 1.05(0.90,1.22), P = 0.53). • In the network MR analysis, the results suggested that TT might act as mediator in the causal pathway from SHBG to CHD and account for 93% of the total effect of SHBG on CHD, and that SHBG might be a mediator in the causal pathway from TT to CHD and account for 67% of the total effect of TT on CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hillslope topography is essential for local hydrology and peatland formation. • Microtopographic patterning enhances the positive water balance of the peatland. • Feedback between plant growth and pool development reinforces the stability of the peatland. Some sloping peatlands in northern regions often develop surface microtopographic patterns to maintain their water balance and ecosystem functioning. However, we do not know whether and how spatial patterning would influence the water balance and peat formation of permafrost-affected peatlands in relatively dry regions. Here we used data from the field observations and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) survey of a slope peatland at an elevation of around 4800 m in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) to document and understand the topographic controls of water balance and vegetation growth. Our terrain analysis result shows that the peatland—located on the middle section of a hillslope—has a gentle slope of 5.6° ± 2.5°, while the non-peatland upper section has a steep slope of 12° ± 4.5°. The great upstream catchment area and the presence of shallow impermeable permafrost likely create a saturated condition for peat formation. Our UAV results show obvious spatial patterning of abundant pools and ridges across this peatland, and pool sizes and ridge abundance increase with increasing slopes, suggesting that slope-controlled water flow gradient is the main driver of ridge formation and that ridges is to slow down the runoff. UAV-derived greenness values show a positive relationship with the total pool extent locally (R2 = 0.60) and decrease with increasing distance from the individual pools, suggesting sensitive responses of vegetation growth to surface moisture. Thus, enhanced vegetation growth and likely resultant great peat accumulation immediately around pools potentially further differentiate surface microtopography, strengthening the pool stability. We conclude that the local slope gradient, surface patterning (pools and ridges) and permafrost interact together to regulate water flow and maintain water balance, which in turn regulate the vegetation growth, peat accumulation and peatland stability. Our study implies that the delicate water balance maintained partly by microtopography is sensitive to climate change—especially potential extreme hydroclimate events—and natural and human-induced disturbances that may modify the surface patterning and weaken the peatland's stability, affecting the carbon sequestration ability of this type of peatlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel polyaniline (PANI)/Eu3+ nanofiber sensing film was prepared in the presence of Eu(NO 3) 3 which serves as structure-directed agent. The morphological, component, crystallinity and electrochemical properties were carried out by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. The results indicated the nanofiber-like network with porous structure appeared in the PANI embedded by Eu3+ ions, thereby leading to large specific surface area. Furthermore, the PANI/Eu3+ nanofibers were grown onto the inner wall of capillary glass to form the tube sensor. By the sensing measurements, this tube sensor enabled the detection of low-volume (0.3 mL) NH 3 for response 435% at concentration of 0.25 ppm with a short response time (5 s) and recovery time (5 s), and the performances of reproducibility and selectivity were also excellent. The above results demonstrated the potential application of PANI/Eu3+ tube sensor for low-volume NH 3 gas. Image 1 • A PANI/Eu3+ tube sensor was designed for the trace NH 3 detection. • Eu3+ ions dopant as structure-directed agent promoted the formation of nanofiber-like network and porous structure. • The film was grown onto the inner wall of silica glass capillary tube (length 7.5 cm, inner diameter 1 mm). • The low-volume (0.3 mL) NH 3 can be detected with rapid response (435%, 0.25 ppm) with response/recovery time (5 s/5 s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accurately control the longitudinal relative position of a harvester and transport vehicle, such that grain in the harvester can be accurately unloaded into the transport vehicle's granary, this study established a master–slave collaborative harvesting system. Furthermore, this study proposed a calculation method for the longitudinal deviation of two vehicles, analyzed the structure and mathematical model of the hydraulic stepless transmission, identified the proposed stem transfer function of the hydraulic stepless transmission speed, analyzed incremental proportional–integral–derivative (PID), and developed self-adjusting–single-neuron PID control methods. Simulations and field experiments were performed to test the applicability of the proposed system. The experimental results indicated that the maximum overshoot of the longitudinal deviation between the harvester and the transport vehicle did not exceed 0.25 m, the steady-state mean absolute deviation did not exceed 0.08 m, the steady-state maximum deviation did not exceed 0.26 m, and the steady-state standard deviation did not exceed 0.09 m, when the harvester speed was 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s. Field-harvesting application experiments showed that the settling time during the alignment process was 13.2 s, and the steady-state maximum deviation was 0.253 m. The grain can be accurately unloaded into the granary of the transport vehicle. These results indicate that the control method and the master–slave collaborative harvesting system proposed in this study can meet the needs of precise collaborative unloading between the harvester and transport vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational duration has a significant impact on eye diseases. A large number of evidences suggest that cytokines are associated with gestational duration and eye diseases. However, the causal relationships among cytokines, maternal gestational impairment and offspring eye diseases remain unclear. We performed lifecourse-network Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationships between maternal gestational duration (from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) study, N = 84,689), neonatal/adult cytokines (from the NHGRI-EBI Catalog, N = 764/4,618), and adult eye diseases (from FinnGen consotium, N = 309,154) using summary-level data from large genome-wide association studies. Multiplicative random effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) and multivariable-IVW methods were the main analysis methods, and the other 15 pleiotropy-robust methods, weak IV-robust methods, and outliers-robust methods were used as auxiliary methods. Maternal gestational age (early preterm birth, preterm birth, gestational duration, and post-term birth) had a causal relationship with 42 eye diseases. Four neonatal cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α(TNF-α), IL10, GROA, and CTACK, as well as four adult cytokines, CTACK, IL10, IL12p70 and IL6 are mediators in the causal relationships between early preterm birth and preterm birth in eight eye diseases. However, after adjusting for these mediators, a null direct causal effect of early preterm birth and preterm birth on eight eye diseases was found. In addition, there was no mediator in the causal relationship between gestational duration and post-term birth to eye diseases. The effects of maternal gestational duration on offspring eye diseases through cytokines are long-term and life-course effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil PLFAs increased with altitude in the sedge dominated peatlands but decreased with altitude in the shrub/ Sphagnum dominated peatland. • Soil microbes were co-limited by C and P with the limitations greater in the sedge dominated peatlands than in the shrub/ Sphagnum dominated peatlands. • The P limitation was greater at the high altitudes than that at the low altitudes. • Soil PLFAs and community was regulated by soil physical properties and nutrients, respectively. • The C and P limitation was regulated by soil physical properties and nutrient ratios, respectively. Soil microbes regulate the storage of carbon (C) in peatlands, which is facilitated by nutrients. To date, few researchers have examined the spatial distribution of soil microbial biomass, microbial community structure, and their metabolic nutrient limitations in mountain peatlands at different altitudes. This study aimed to improve the knowledge of how and why soil microbial biomass and their metabolic nutrient limitations varied with altitude. We investigated the phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and enzymatic stoichiometry in surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–50 cm) soil from peatlands with different types of vegetation in the Changbai Mountains. Overall, the soil microbial PLFAs were higher in the sedge-dominated peatlands than in the shrub/ Sphagnum- dominated peatlands. The soil microbial PLFAs in the sedge-dominated peatlands were elevated at high altitudes but decreased with altitude in the shrub/ Sphagnum- dominated peatlands. The soil fungal/bacterial ratios (F/B) in the surface soil increased with altitude in the sedge-dominated peatlands but not in the shrub/ Sphagnum- dominated peatlands. The Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacteria ratios (G+/G−) in the surface soil decreased with altitude in the sedge-dominated and shrub/ Sphagnum- dominated peatlands. The soil F/B ratios were higher, but the G+/G− ratios were lower in the shrub/ Sphagnum- dominated peatlands than in the sedge-dominated peatlands. The soil pH and nutrient ratios explained most of the differences in soil bacterial and fungal PLFAs, respectively. However, the total nutrients of soil were the primary regulators of soil F/B and G+/G−. The soil microbial activities suffered from C- and phosphorus (P)- limitations in the mountain peatlands. The limitations were worse in the shrub/ Sphagnum- dominated peatlands than in the sedge-dominated peatlands. The P limitations were greater at high altitude than at low altitude in both types of peatlands. The C and P limitations on soil microbial metabolism were primarily controlled by soil physical properties and nutrient ratios, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Peatland degradation caused a significant loss of testate amoeba (TA) biodiversity. • Unexpectedly, this loss was accompanied by an increase in TA biosilicification. • TA biodiversity was not coupled to protozoic biogeochemical silicon (Si) cycling. • New insights into microbial biogeochemical Si cycling on a continental scale. Anthropogenic peatland degradation is a global threat. As peatlands store large amounts of carbon (C) their potential for mitigation of climate change has been emphasized recently. Global C cycling is linked to silicon (Si) fluxes from the continents into the oceans. These fluxes in turn are driven by biosilicification, the incorporation of inorganic Si into living organisms, in terrestrial ecosystems. Biosilicification by testate amoeba (TA) communities and its potential for Si cycling has been highlighted since the beginning of the 21st century. However, the effects of peatland degradation on TA biodiversity and corresponding protozoic biosilicification on a continental scale remained unresolved so far. We show that TA biodiversity in Asian peatlands is strongly affected by the grade of human impact. This biodiversity decline was accompanied by an unexpected increase in protozoic biosilicification. Our findings provide new insights into the interactions between the biodiversity of soil microorganisms and biogeochemical Si cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To explore the longitudinal effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to evaluate the significance of MetS and its components as early markers of NAFLD risk in a northern urban Han Chinese population. Materials and methods A total of 15,791 cohort members without NAFLD at baseline were included in the current study between 2005 and 2011. The baseline characteristics of the cohort were compared by MetS status at baseline and NAFLD status after follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the unadjusted or adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for development of NAFLD among individuals with MetS compared with individuals without MetS at baseline. Results During 51,652 person-years of follow-up, 3913 (24.78%) new cases of NAFLD occurred between 2005 and 2011. In the unadjusted model, the HR (95% confidence interval [CI]) for NAFLD was 2.51 (2.30, 2.73). After adjusting for gender, age, diet, smoking status, and regular exercise, the HR was 1.94 (1.78, 2.13). Gender differences were observed, with adjusted HRs (95% CIs) of 1.89 (1.71, 2.09) and 1.72 (1.43, 2.07) among males and females, respectively. Compared with individuals without MetS components, the HRs were 1.92 (1.76, 2.09), 2.64 (2.40, 2.90) and 3.51 (3.15, 3.91) for individuals with one, two, or three or more MetS components, respectively. Moreover, participants with obesity or hyperlipidemia had a higher risk of NAFLD than patients with hypertension or hyperglycemia, with HRs of 2.03 (1.83, 2.25) for obesity, 1.94 (1.72, 2.19) for hyperlipidemia, and 3.01 (2.68, 3.37) for these factors in combination. Conclusion The present study indicates that MetS and its components independently predict the risk of NAFLD in a northern urban Han Chinese population and suggests that people with MetS or its component should initiate lifestyle changes to prevent the development of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pulsed bias arc ion plating was used to form Cr-nitride films on stainless steel as bipolar plate of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Surface micrograph, film thickness, film composition, corrosion resistance, interfacial conductivity and contact angle with water of the sample obtained at the optimal flow rate of N2 were investigated. The atomic ratio of Cr to N was close to 2:1 and the CrN phase with crystal planes of (111), (200), (220) and (311) was found in the film. Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic tests showed that the corrosion resistance of the bipolar plate sample was greatly enhanced. The contact resistance between the bipolar plate sample and Toray carbon paper was about two orders of magnitude lower than that of 316L stainless steel. The contact angle of the sample with water was 95°, which is beneficial for water management in fuel cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A perovskite-based NH 3 /amine sensor via the "turn-on" fluorescence process. • The sensor is built by depositing the MAPbBr 3 on the mp-TiO 2 layer. • Excellent NH 3 response (72% at 5 ppm, and 988% at 100 ppm, respectively). • Favorable reversibility, high gas selectivity, humidity insensitivity, and regeneration. • NH 3 -induced trap passivation and electron transfer blocking. Recently, lead halide perovskites have attracted great interest in toxic gas detection, but as gas sensor, it is still a challenge to achieve their high-performance. Here, we propose a novel "turn-on" fluorescence NH 3 /amine vapor sensor by depositing the CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 (MAPbBr 3) on the mesoporous TiO 2 (mp-TiO 2) layer. The fluorescence intensity of the sensor increases rapidly within seconds upon exposure to NH 3 gas (72 % at 5 ppm and 988 % at 100 ppm, respectively) with excellent reversibility, high gas selectivity, humidity insensitivity, and regeneration. Moreover, the sensor can be further used for detecting various amine vapors, including methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, butylamine, hexylamine, octylamine, and decylamine. We presumed the "turn-on" fluorescence sensing mechanism is that the trace NH 3 or amine molecules could decrease the surface trap defects and facilitate the formation of passivation layer. It will impede the electron-injection into mp-TiO 2 , which induces the radiative electron-hole recombination and fluorescence enhancement. This research demonstrates that it is feasible to design a "turn-on" fluorescence gas sensor based on the mp-TiO 2 -based perovskite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]