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Anthropogenic climate warming is predicted to increase the intensity of global tropical cyclones (TCs) on decadal timescales, known as the 'temperature-TC intensity' paradigm. However, no proxy is currently available to directly quantify TC intensity in the northwestern Pacific region over centennial to millennial timescales. Here, we reconstruct the intensity of past TCs inferred from event-beds detected in two sedimentary systems in eastern China spanning approximately 1910 to 645 yr BP using an instrumental-calibrated technique, thereby encompassing a sufficiently wide range of temperatures to test the paradigm in the time domain. Intriguingly, our two intensity indices, based on flooding depth and wind speed, provide the initial quantitative evidence that TC intensity in eastern China has been anomalously weak since around 1485 ± 45 yr BP, with a reduction of approximately 30 ± 8% in intensity, despite no concurrent temperature shift. This reduction appears to have been pre-conditioned by a combined influence of a weaker El Niño-Southern Oscillation, a stronger Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and an increased level of Saharan dust. We suggest that the magnitudes of these factors may have crossed a tipping point and have not reverted to their pre-shift levels since that time, resulting in their impact on TC intensity exceeding that of temperature by triggering changes in the oceanic and atmospheric state within the tropical Pacific region where TCs originate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how turnovers of provincial officials in China correspond to changes in corporate working capital. We find that during periods of turnover in government, working capital tends to increase as cash and long-term investments decrease, while total assets remain stable. Firms increase their working capital more for promotion of government officials. In addition, a firm obtains more short-term debts from banks and may be more willing to provide trade credit to its customers during political uncertainty period. We find that government policy uncertainty and intervention uncertainty factors coexist and interact with firms' working capital during periods of provincial officials' turnover in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a standard regimen for bowel preparation. However, elderly patients suffered from adverse events. This study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral magnesium sulfate solution (MSS) vs standard PEG in elderly patients undergoing colonoscopy. Elderly patients aged 60–90 years, from two endoscopic centers, were enrolled in China. Patients were randomized to take a low dose of MSS or a standard PEG regime in a split-dose regime. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with adequate bowel preparation, which was defined as the total Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) ≥6 and each segmental BBPS was ≥2. Secondary outcomes included adenoma detection rate (ADR), safety, adverse events, cecal intubation rate, willingness to repeat BP, and so on. 1174 elderly patients were randomly allocated to the MSS group (n = 588) or the standard group (n = 586). Adequate BP was achieved in 94.0% of patients in the MSS group and 92.5% in the control (p =.287). ADR was also comparable between the two groups (43.0% and 39.9%, p =.282). Compared with the standard group, MSS group reported less abdominal discomfort (1.7% vs 6.0%), less nausea (13.6% vs 21.0%) and vomiting (1.2% vs 4.2%). The change in serum potassium levels after preparation in the standard group was significantly lower than that in the MSS group (−0.19 ± 0.08 vs −0.41 ± 0.11, p =.037). Low dose of MSS was not inferior to the standard PEG regime in terms of bowel preparation quality for elderly patients. Low-dose MSS offered fewer adverse events and better tolerability. It is a preferable choice for the elderly to undergo bowel preparation for colonoscopy. NCT 04948567 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instrumental records reveal that intense tropical cyclone (TC) activity varies with tropical sea surface temperature (SST) on annual-decadal scales. Drivers of intense TC activity at the centennial-millennial scale are less clear, due to the sparseness of pre-observational reconstructions. Here, we present a new 2 kyr continuous activity record of intense TCs from offshore eastern China. Our reconstruction indicates that this site witnessed enhanced TC activity during relatively warm periods, with a widespread increase in TC activity during the later part of the Little Ice Age. This latter observation reveals that enhanced TC activity was synchronized with increased Asian dust emissions during the Little Ice Age. TC activity was also lower in the late Roman Warm Period, when SST was higher but Asian dust emissions were lower than in the early phase. Such patterns suggest a centennial-millennial link between TC climatology and a combination of SST changes and Asian dust levels. Here, the authors show that enhanced tropical cyclone activity was synchronized with increased Asian dust emissions during the Little Ice Age, implying a mechanism linking tropical cyclone climatology to Asian dust levels, at 100 to 1000 year scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency changes in intense typhoons are of great concern to modern society. However, current understanding of the influence of climate on typhoon activity on the millennial scale is restricted by the sparseness of pre‐observational reconstructions in the north‐western Pacific. This study presents a 5500 year long typhoon record from the Jiangsu coast that provides the first >2 ka record in eastern China. Variations in the D90 grain size are the best predictor of recent typhoons in a second short high‐resolution core. Comparison with other typhoon records from south‐eastern China establishes a China millennial typhoon variability index during the middle to late Holocene, with maxima at ca 4750 ± 170, 3500 ± 220, 1500 ± 480 and 250 ± 170 yr bp and minima at ca 5200 ± 300, 4150 ± 430, 2600 ± 650 and 750 ± 270 yr bp. Peaks in typhoon activity in south‐eastern China (compared with Japan) correlate with damped (enhanced) El Niño–Southern Oscillation and weak (strong) East Asian Summer Monsoon, indicating a seesaw pattern in typhoon activity between the two regions. A shift in typhoon frequency pattern was also identified around 2000 yr bp in south‐eastern China, with subsequent more frequent typhoon activity. At that time there was sustained Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation reduction and its associated El Niño–Southern Oscillation enhancement, so Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation‐driven El Niño–Southern Oscillation changes are likely to be the major cause of the significant increase in typhoon activity since 2000 yr bp, resulting in the 1500 ± 480 and 250 ± 170 yr bp China millennial typhoon variability peaks. To accurately predict changes in intense typhoon activity, it is therefore important to understand how the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation will respond to future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To guarantee a smooth in-orbit space gravitational wave detection for the Taiji mission, a semi-physical simulation test of inter-satellite laser interference is carried out. The semi-physical simulation test consists of three aspects: the establishment of the inter-satellite laser link, interferometry of the inter-satellite ranging, and simulation of the space environment. With the designed specifications for the semi-physical simulation platform, the test results for the inter-satellite laser interference can be obtained. Based on the semi-physical simulation test, the risks of inter-satellite laser interference technology can be mitigated, laying a solid foundation for the successful detection of in-orbit gravitational waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 80% of adolescent scoliosis cases are idiopathic, and some non-idiopathic scoliosis cases caused by spinal cord abnormalities are misdiagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis. This study examined the risk factors for non-idiopathic scoliosis with intramedullary abnormalities, explored the feasibility of whole-spine MRI, and provided a theoretical basis for the routine diagnosis and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Method: The clinical data of adolescent scoliosis patients who were admitted to Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Shanghai Changhai Hospital between July 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, were reviewed. According to the whole-spine MRI results, the patients were divided into either the idiopathic group or the intramedullary abnormality group. Sex, age, main curvature angle, main curvature direction, kyphosis angle, scoliosis type, coronal plane balance, sagittal plane balance, abdominal wall reflex, sensory abnormality, ankle clonus and tendon reflexes were compared between the two groups. Student's t test was used to evaluate the differences in the continuous variables, and the chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences in the categorical variables. Fisher's exact test was applied to detect the difference in the rate of intraspinal anomalies between the groups. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlation between the multivariate risk factors and intramedullary abnormalities.Result: A total of 714 adolescent scoliosis patients with a mean age of 13.5 (10-18 years) were included in the study, and intramedullary abnormalities were found in 68 (9.5%) patients. There were statistically significant differences in the incidence rates of intramedullary abnormalities between males and females, left and right thoracic curvatures, angular scoliosis and smooth scoliosis, and abnormal abdominal wall reflex and ankle clonus (P < 0.01). Logistic regression showed that the ratios for sex, scoliosis direction, scoliosis type, abdominal wall reflex and ankle clonus were 2.987, 3.493, 4.823, 3.94 and 8.083, respectively. The ROC curve showed a sensitivity of 66.18% and a specificity of 89.01%, and the Youden index corresponding to the optimal critical point was 0.5519.Conclusion: Risk factors associated with adolescent scoliosis caused by abnormal intramedullary abnormalities included male sex, thoracic scoliosis on the left side, sharp curvature of the spine, abnormal abdominal wall reflex and ankle clonus. In adolescent scoliosis patients, the incidence of scoliosis caused by intramedullary abnormalities was approximately 9.5%. These clinical indicators suggest that there is a high-risk adolescent scoliosis population who should undergo whole-spinal MRI preoperatively to rule out intramedullary abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal zones, including a large number of sea islands, have experienced profound and often lasting landscape changes over the past half century. Understanding the drivers and ecological effects of these changes is a prerequisite for large-scale integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). In this study, landscape patterns of Tantoushan Island, China, for 1966, 2004, and 2012 were produced through landscape identification and classification of multi-resource remote sensing KH-7 homochromatic, QuickBird multispectral, and WorldView-2 multispectral imageries, and contemporaneous historical data. Analysis of landscape changes and drivers has shown drastic changes from 1966 to 2012, caused by afforestation, changes in exploitation methods, human-induced fire and diseases, as well as natural succession. Here, a simple weighted sum of CN values representing the runoff potential of specific landscape types from the TR-55 runoff prediction model was calculated to reflect the runoff potentials of the three different periods. The results suggest a marked fluctuation in runoff potential of Tantoushan Island from 1966 to 2012, despite an afforestation program since 1949 to optimize the vegetation structure of the island. Measures such as ecological restoration of bare land and improvement of afforestation tree species should be adopted to improve the management of Tantoushan Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The sources and burial patterns of organic matter in Shamei Lagoon, Hainan, China, were investigated by analyzing the collected sediment cores, in terms of the variations in total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N), and the ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen (TOC/TN). On such a basis, the environmental evolution and primary productivity changes of the lagoon were revealed, and the impacts of both natural environmental changes and human activities were identified. Downcore variation patterns of the parameters representing sources and burial flux of organic matter were predominantly related to natural evolution of the lagoon from 1800 to 1950 and they were increasingly affected by human activities afterwards. In the period 1800–1900, the water exchange capacity of the lagoon declined substantially, but it was still suitable for the growth of marine phytoplankton, as is indicated by relatively high proportion and burial flux of organic matter originated from marine sources. During 1900–1950, the lagoon was transformed into a freshwater environment. After 1950, due to strong influence by human activities, the local freshwater phytoplankton became the major source of buried organic matter; at the same time, marine lost its niche and its burial flux was much lower than that of its freshwater counterpart. The large increment of buried freshwater organic matter also indirectly reflects the eutrophication trend since 1950. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An MIDAS-400 Customised Data Acquisition System was deployed to obtain current velocity and suspended sediment concentration profiles over the intertidal flat at Wanggang, on the Jiangsu coast (China). At the same time, seawater temperature, conductivity and pressure were measured. Using a data sampling rate of 4 Hz, the high-frequency pressure signals in response to water surface fluctuations were recorded and subsequently transformed into wave parameters. The analytical results show that the apparent bed roughness length has a magnitude close to the height of sand ripples, which is much larger than the grain size diameter. The bottom shear stress associated with current-wave interaction is higher than the tidally-induced stress and intensified turbulent mixing and resuspension. Furthermore, several suspended sediment concentration peaks occurred during a tidal cycle, which can be related to strong turbulence near the bed caused by frontal tidal currents and the enhanced resuspension; advection and extreme weather conditions (e. g. storms and strong winds) also played an important role. Finally, large net suspended sediment fluxes were observed to present when the flood or ebb currents prolonged, i.e. the flow became quasi-unidirectional during a tidal cycle. In general, the MIDAS-400 is a suitable tool for high-resolution data collection for the situations of combined current-wave action over intertidal flats; the data obtained can be used to analyze the processes and mechanisms of material transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which dealt with the distribution of heavy metals in the sediments, water quality and biogeochemical features of the Swan Lake Inlet in the Rongcheng Bay, Shandong Peninsula, China. Information on the Swan Lake Inlet; Sampling and methodology; Results and discussion.

This study analyzed the characteristics and the bearing capacity of water surge disasters in Boao Bay, a typical estuarine lagoon. The Danish Hydraulic Institute's (DHI's) MIKE 21 modeling suite was used to numerically simulate the water surges from flood, storm, and combined flood and storm processes. The results show that, in Boao Bay, the peak water surge level caused by the combination of flooding and storm surges is very similar to the level caused by flooding or storm surges alone. Additionally, the storm surge bearing capacity is much greater than the flood bearing capacity. When there is only one entrance, the bay's flood bearing capacity increases with the entrance width, but when the entrance width exceeds 550 m, the flood bearing capacity stabilizes rapidly. However, opening an additional entrance to the south can further increase the flood bearing capacity. Based on hydrometeorological forecasts, this study suggests that the risk of water surge disasters can be reduced by proactively modifying the shape of the entrance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is essential to utilize diverse sources of observational data for the validation of long-term morphological simulations. • The multiple underlayer settings of the Delft3D model enable its acquisition of decadal bed layer stratigraphy. • Wind and waves sort sediment based on grain size, smoothing out morphological changes induced by tides. • Sea level rise significantly influences regions characterized by intricate morphological features. • Radial sand ridges form under a radial regime with low tidal ellipticity, abundant sand, and minor cohesive sediment. The tidal sand ridges in the southwestern Yellow Sea are unique in the world characterized by radial morphology, significantly higher elevation above low water level, and fine-grained sediment deposits. Using a numerical model, we examined the morphological evolution of the radial sand ridge system from 1979 to 2059. The model was calibrated and validated using hydrodynamic and sediment transport data, seabed topography, and grain size distributions from sediment cores. Our findings reveal that tidal force is the primary driver of the ridges' evolution, and they will continue to expand in response to sediment supply from the abandoned Yellow River delta and the Yangtze delta, with the latter contributing more. The ridges are mainly composed of fine sand and mud, with finer sediment dominating in the north and coarser sediment dominating in the south. Wind and waves sort sediment, depositing sand on ridges and fine sediment in channels, leading to erosion of higher elevated lands and filling of deep channels. Sea-level rise increases regional erosion, which has a large impact on areas with complex morphology. The 500-year morphological evolution of sand ridge systems, simulated through an idealized model, illustrated that the formation of radial sand ridges is dependent upon specific conditions such as the radial tidal regime, sufficient sediment sand, and the presence of cohesive sediment. This study deepens our understanding of the long-term prediction of coastal morphology and interpretation of seabed stratigraphy, and offers insights for effective coastal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In recent years, the increased pressure of saltwater intrusion in the Modaomen Estuary, one of the outlets in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China, has threatened the freshwater supply for the surrounding regions. The estuary has complex geometry and bathymetry and branches into three waterways, Madaomen Waterway, Hongwan Waterway, and Hezhou Waterway, entering into the coastal sea. In this study, a three-dimensional baroclinic model (EFDC) was used to investigate salt transport among these branches and saltwater intrusion in the mainstem of the estuary. The salt transport at selected cross sections was decomposed into three components: advection, steady shear, and tidal oscillatory, following the method of Lerczak et al. (Lerczak, J.A., Geyer, W.R., Chant, R.J., 2006. Mechanisms driving the time-dependent salt flux in a partially stratified estuary. Journal of Physical Oceanography 36, 2296–2311). Results from this study indicate that the Hongwan Waterway serves as a salt source for the mainstem of the estuary, especially during spring tides, while the Hezhou Waterway mainly acts as a salt sink for the mainstem. The down-estuary wind increases the steady shear transport in the Modaomen Waterway and the advection transport in the Hongwan Waterway, which alters the saltwater intrusion in the estuary. Closure of the Hongwan and the Hezhou Waterways could result in a 20% decrease of saltwater intrusion in the estuary. These results provide scientific basis for water resource management in the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the hydrodynamic and suspended sediment transport processes in response to sequential reclamations over the intertidal flat, Jiangsu coast, which used to be one of the widest intertidal flats in China. Investigations into the sediment transport patterns reveal that net suspended sediment fluxes increased from 102 kgm−1 on the upper intertidal flat to 103–4 kgm−1 on the lower intertidal flat, per tidal cycle. This variation was caused mainly by the phases of the current velocity, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), local bed geomorphology, inundation patterns, and extreme weather conditions. The longshore component of tidal currents intensifies seaward over the intertidal flat. Extreme weather conditions (e.g. storms) and strong winds were important factors affecting the current velocity structures, the intensity of residual currents, and the SSCs. The SSCs were characterized by several peaks throughout the tidal cycle. These peaks were associated with strong currents, combined wave-current interactions and intense turbulences due to the initial flood surge. Furthermore, the suspended sediment was finer and contained more clay materials during the flood phase of the tidal cycle, than during the ebb. Fine particles were transported within the upper water column by landward residual currents, but coarse particles were transported within the lower water column by seaward residual currents. Overall, residual currents were apt to transport fine-grained sediment landward and coarse-grained sediment seaward. This pattern indicates that the suspended sediment fluxes are highly variable in the water column, even for very shallow tidal environments. The cross-shore component accounted only for a small percentage of the total sediment flux. However, this part of sediment supply dominated accretion over the intertidal flat. The intertidal flat has become narrower and steeper, following sequential reclamations. A negative feedback process existed to maintain the convex profile shape, although the human activities (i.e. reclamation) could have modified the natural process. The surficial sediment tended to become finer on the mid-upper intertidal flat but coarser on the lower intertidal flat following reclamations, in response to a reduction in the tidal currents over the intertidal zone and enhancement of wave action over the lower intertidal flat. Accretion, with high rates, was maintained by landward transport of sediment. In such an accretional system with influences of reclamation, the width or slope of the intertidal flat is adjusted continuously. Before the cease of reclamation, the intertidal flat is unable to achieve an equilibrium shape. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, a Lagrangian particle tracking model driven by hydrodynamic fields was used to investigate the changes of flushing properties in Xiaohai Lagoon resulting from natural evolution and influences of human activities. Comparisons of residence times between 1936 and 2001 indicate that the flushing efficiency of the lagoon has deteriorated greatly during the past seven decades. Over this period, the average residence time of the lagoon has increased from 45 to 71days, an increase of 59%. The Lagrangian residual velocity has decreased from 1936 to 2001 in the large portions of the lagoon, and the spatial distribution pattern of the residual current has changed significantly. The well-developed horizontal circulations in 1936 disappeared. Instead, the horizontal Lagrangian residual velocity showed uniformly seaward motion with reduced velocity in 2001. Human activities have incurred great impacts on the deterioration of flushing efficiency. The reduction of river inflow imposed the most significant impact, causing an increase of average residence time by 33%. The land reclamation in the lagoon came as the second most significant factor, causing an increase of 15%. Closure of the North Opening had posed minor impact. The model results suggest that restoring the river inflow, as well as the dredging of the tidal channel and the inner lagoon, should be the top proprieties for future water quality management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Understanding long-term, large cyclone activity is critical for coastal management and disaster prevention and mitigation, particularly with projected rising sea level and increasing cyclone frequency and the intensity. Here we present sedimentary evidence (cyclone overwash deposits, beachrock boulders, and cyclone-induced clastic deposits) of historic large cyclone events from coastal dune deposits on eastern Hainan Island, China. Based on luminescence dating and sedimentological analysis, eight historic tropical cyclone events (at 1095 ± 90 BCE, 900–1000 BCE, 975 ± 50 CE, 1720 ± 20 CE, 1740 ± 35 CE, 1790 ± 25 CE, 1850 ± 15 CE, and 1895 ± 10 CE) have been identified in this region. The elevation of the termination point of cyclone overwash deposit layers that represent the paleo-cyclone minimum wave run-up stage, in combination with knowledge of present-day cyclone events, was applied to assess the intensity of these extreme events. The intensity of these cyclone events was likely greater than that of cyclones in the local instrumental records. Furthermore, these large cyclone events correspond to historic records of devastating cyclones. Through comparison with regional and global climate records, we infer that the variability of large cyclones in the South China Sea was probably modulated by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, western Pacific warm pool, and local sea surface temperatures over the past 3400 yr. These results provide an improved understanding of long-term, extreme cyclone events and their response to climate change, thereby contributing to regional planning and coastal defense strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among all marine hazards, storm surges cause the most severe damage, and East Asia is one of the regions in the world most affected by tropical cyclones (TCs). With the increase in global mean temperature, the future changes of tropical cyclone (TC) activities are of great concern in East Asian countries. However, due to the inconsistency among different TC datasets, there is no uniform understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution and trends of TC activities in the eastern sea area of China (ESAC). In this study, all TC wind fields affecting ESAC during 1949–2019 were calculated using the Fujita-Takahashi formula, and a new TC dataset with a spatial resolution of 0.1° × 0.1° was thus obtained. Based on this dataset, the spatial-temporal variations of TC activity were analyzed. Three stages (1949–1967, 1968–1993, 1994–2019) of TC activities in ESAC can be identified using Mann Kendall Trend Test, which is closely related to El Niño-Southern Oscillation, sunspot activity, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation. A comparison of the accumulative number and duration of TCs in the three stages shows increasing trend toward the coasts and an northward. To address the issue of shelf storm deposition records on ESAC, we compared the published storm depositional records retrieved from several cores with typhoon impact data from the same sites based on the dataset of this study. We found that the preservation potential of the storm deposition record on ESAC ranged from 8% to 33%, with a high preservation potential in shallow water. These findings reveal the distribution and variability of TC impacts, which can be used to provide a scientific basis for disaster prevention and mitigation planning and adjustment of key coastal protection zones, as well as to evaluate the value of marine sedimentary records better. We have established a new and more comprehensive dataset (0.1° × 0.1°) to analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of tropical cyclone(TC) activity on the seas. Also due to the latitudinal and longitudinal effects of TC effect, the coastal cities in northern China may suffer from more severe storm surge disasters in the future. We also included sedimentary records to help us understand more ancient TC activity. [Display omitted] • We provide a new high-resolution (0.1° x 0.1°) and more detailed dataset of tropical cyclones.. • Coastal cities in northern China are likely to suffer from more severe storm surge disasters in the future. • The tropical cyclone dataset coupled with the sedimentary record can provide a better understanding of paleostorm activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Raman spectra of peony seed oil, a new type of Chinese-specific nut oil, were studied. • The adulteration of peony seed oil was studied by confocal Raman spectroscopy. • Estimatation of the level of adulteration of peony seed oil with chemometrics. • In the paper, rapid and convenient qualitative and quantitative analysis of peony seed oil was realised. Peony seed oil (PSO) is a new woody nut oil which is unique to China. Its unsaturated fatty acids are over 90% and are rich in α - linolenic acid. Although the PSO industry is in its infancy, it is bound to become a top vegetable oil food material because of its own advantages. The potential high commercial profit of its adulteration with cheap vegetable oil will be an important factor hindering the healthy development of PSO industry. It is of great significance to study the adulteration of PSO for preventing large-scale adulteration. In this study, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of PSO was realised based on Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometrics analysis, and the fatty acid composition of PSO was analysed according to Raman characteristic peaks. The technology can be applied to routine analysis and quality control of PSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and human activity have exerted significant influences on the sediment load and channel morphology of the Changjiang River system, China. However, our knowledge of their influence on flood regime on the centennial to millennial timescales remains limited, and this is mainly because of the difficulty in directly determining the long-term hydrological variability of the Changjiang River over the period before hydrological gauges were established. Based on multiproxy analysis that combines chronological, sedimentological, and geochemical analysis of a 4.8-m-long sediment core retrieved from the subaqueous delta of the Changjiang River, this study establishes a flood history for the Changjiang River during the late Holocene. Our palaeoflood reconstruction revealed 14 multi-decadal periods of extreme floods (19–66 BCE, 25–80, 255–350, 415–475, 550–710, 740–835, 970–990, 1080–1130, 1170–1235, 1275–1390, 1440–1500, 1560–1730, 1810–1830, and 1950–2011 CE). These flood units match well with the observed large floods, documentary records of floods, and sedimentary flood deposits, confirming that the coarse units in the sequence are flood-derived and are regionally representative. Comparing with regional and global palaeoclimate records indicates that major flood events of the Changjiang are strongly modulated by the Asian summer monsoon and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but that anthropogenic impacts (e.g. artificial channelization and land clearance) have also greatly amplified the flooding frequency over the past 600 yr. • We report a history of extreme flood events on the Chanjiang River over the past 2000 yr. • Periods of increased extreme flood activity in the Changjiang River typically coincide with El Niño periods and weak EASM phases. • Human modifications have greatly amplified flood activities in the Changjiang River over the past 600 yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollutants in sediment greatly impact the estuarine environment and ecosystems, increasingly influenced by anthropogenic perturbations. Here, we examined the surface sediments of the Modaomen estuary in 2003, 2015, and 2021 to understand how human-induced changes influence the fate of heavy metals in the estuary's sediments. The potential ecological risk index (RI) suggests Cd should be the priority pollutant for environmental pollution control due to its high toxicity coefficient. In each sampling period, two main sources were identified through normalized heavy metals and PCA-MLR: natural and mixed anthropogenic sources (agricultural, industrial, and traffic activities), reflecting an increase in heavy metals pollution, later mitigated by successful environmental protection measures. Moreover, anthropogenic activities have not only impacted the sources discharge of heavy metals but have also influenced their spatial and temporal distribution through factors such as land reclamation, leading to sediment coarsening and reduced heavy metal content in specific areas., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Facing considerable challenges associated with aging and dementia, China urgently needs an evidence-based health-care system for prevention and management of dementia. The Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) is a community-based cohort study initiated in 2008 that focuses on asymptomatic stages of dementia, aims to develop community-based prevention strategies for cognitive impairment, and provides a platform for scientific research and clinical trials. Thus far, BABRI has recruited 10,255 participants (aged 50 and over, 60.3% female), 2021 of whom have been followed up at least once at a 2- or 3-year interval. This article presents aims and study design of BABRI; summarizes preliminary behavioral and neuroimaging findings on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and results of clinical trials on MCI; and discusses issues concerning early prevention in community, MCI diagnosis methods, and applications of database of aging and dementia. BABRI is proposed to build a systematic framework on brain health in old age., (© 2021 the Alzheimer's Association.)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cognitive disorder in the elderly. Its main clinical manifestations are cognitive decline (C), behavioral and psychological symptoms (B), and a decline in the activities of daily living (A), also known as ABC symptoms. Early identification and evaluation of ABC symptoms are helpful for establishing the accurate diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and prognosis of AD. To guide Chinese clinical practice for optimization of the comprehensive management of AD, in 2018, The Academy of Cognitive Disorder of China gathered 22 neurologists and gerontologists in China to build a consensus on the comprehensive management of AD. Based on a review of the evidence, the consensus summarizes the pathogenesis, pathological changes, clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, drug and non-drug treatment, and patient care for AD. Focus group discussion was used to establish a flowchart of comprehensive ABC management for AD patients. The new consensus provides a feasible AD management process for clinicians., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: New therapies are urgently needed for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sodium oligomannate (GV-971) is a marine-derived oligosaccharide with a novel proposed mechanism of action. The first phase 3 clinical trial of GV-971 has been completed in China., Methods: We conducted a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in participants with mild-to-moderate AD to assess GV-971 efficacy and safety. Participants were randomized to placebo or GV-971 (900 mg) for 36 weeks. The primary outcome was the drug-placebo difference in change from baseline on the 12-item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog12). Secondary endpoints were drug-placebo differences on the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change with caregiver input (CIBIC+), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scale, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Safety and tolerability were monitored., Results: A total of 818 participants were randomized: 408 to GV-971 and 410 to placebo. A significant drug-placebo difference on the ADAS-Cog12 favoring GV-971 was present at each measurement time point, measurable at the week 4 visit and continuing throughout the trial. The difference between the groups in change from baseline was - 2.15 points (95% confidence interval, - 3.07 to - 1.23; p < 0.0001; effect size 0.531) after 36 weeks of treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse event incidence was comparable between active treatment and placebo (73.9%, 75.4%). Two deaths determined to be unrelated to drug effects occurred in the GV-971 group., Conclusions: GV-971 demonstrated significant efficacy in improving cognition with sustained improvement across all observation periods of a 36-week trial. GV-971 was safe and well-tolerated., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0229391 5. Registered on November 19, 2014.

The cognitive disease consensus was prepared by panels of health and public representatives based on actual clinical practice in Geriatric Departments in Chinese hospitals and a systematic literature review. This consensus reflects the medical knowledge accumulated by those experts and provides information about professional medical care and advice. A multidisciplinary panel of specialists (neurologists, psychiatrists, and nursing specialists) reports an expert consensus on the medical knowledge accumulated from those experts and provides information about professional medical care and advice. The recommendations focus on the care and management of older adults with mild cognitive impairment, the objectives and methods of maintaining cognition and training, the assessments and measures of daily care for patients at different stages of dementia, the assessments and coping strategies for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, principles and suggestions for an appropriate living environment, arrangements for recreational activities, the care and management of patients with end-stage dementia, and suggestions for addressing stress in caregivers.

To study the fluvial interaction between Changjiang River and Poyang Lake, we analyze the observed changes of riverine flux of the mid-upstream of Changjiang River catchment, the five river systems of Poyang Lake and Poyang Lake basin. Inter-annual and seasonal variations of the water discharge and sediment exchange processes between Changjiang River and Poyang Lake are systematically explored to determine the influence of climate change as well as human impact (especially the Three Gorges Dam (TGD)). Results indicate that climate variation for the Changjiang catchment and Poyang Lake watershed is the main factor determining the changes of water exchanges between Changjiang River and Poyang Lake. However, human activities (including the emplacement of the TGD) accelerated this rate of change. Relative to previous years (1956-1989), the water discharge outflow from Poyang Lake during the dry season towards the Changjiang catchment increased by 8.98 km(3)y(-1) during 2003-2010. Evidently, the water discharge flowing into Poyang Lake during late April-late May decreased. As a consequence, water storage of Poyang Lake significantly reduced during late April-late May, resulting in frequent spring droughts after 2003. The freshwater flux of Changjiang River towards Poyang Lake is less during the flood season as well, significantly lowering the magnitude and frequency of the backflow of the Changjiang River during 2003-2010. Human activities, especially the emplacement and operation of the TGD and sand mining at Poyang Lake impose a major impact on the variation of sediment exchange between Changjiang main river and Poyang Lake. On average, sediments from Changjiang River deposited in Poyang Lake before 2000. After 2000, Changjiang River no longer supplied sediment to Poyang Lake. As a consequence, the sediment load of Changjiang River entering the sea increasingly exists of sediments from Lake Poyang during 2003-2010. As a result, Poyang Lake converted from a depositional to an erosional system, with a gross sediment loss of 120.19 Mty(-1) during 2001-2010, including sand mining., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)