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In recent years, the eutrophication of lakes has accelerated in cold arid regions; the release of nutrients from sediments is an important contributor. The sequential extraction method, high-resolution peeper (HR-Peeper), and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) techniques were used to study the occurrence characteristics, release risk, and release mechanism of phosphorus (P) at the sediment–water interface (SWI) of Ulanor Wetland in the Hulun Lake Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. The mean total P concentration in overlying water was lower in August than that in May. Dissolved organic P (DOP) or particulate P (PP) was the main form of P in the overlying water. PP dominates in May and DOP in August. Refractory P was the main form of P in sediments. The concentrations of soluble reactive P and DGT-active P in the pore water of the sediment column were higher than those in the overlying water, and the concentrations were higher in August than those in May. Release of P in the wetland sediments occurred during the non-frozen seasons, with a higher risk in August than in May. The good linear correlation between dissolved P, Fe, and Mn in the DGT profiles verified their co-release due to the anaerobic reduction of Fe/Mn oxides. Moreover, alkaline sediments are also conducive to the release of sediment P. This study can provide data and theoretical support for eutrophication control in Ulanor Wetland and other similar water bodies in cold and arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scheelite (CaWO4) is an economically important W mineral in skarns that form when magmatic fluids exsolved from a granitic intrusion react with carbonate wall rocks. In the Fujiashan W skarn deposit, scheelite formed during four stages of the hydrothermal skarn development. We present cathodoluminescence (CL) images and in situ trace element and Sr-O isotope data of scheelite from these four stages, i.e., scheelite in prograde and retrograde skarn, quartz-sulfide veins, and late calcite replacements. Scheelite from prograde skarn and quartz sulfide veins are homogeneous and show oscillatory zoning textures in CL images, whereas scheelite from retrograde skarn and late carbonate stages display dissolution-reprecipitation and patchy textures. The brightness of CL textures decreases with a higher substitution of Mo. Molybdenum-rich scheelite (up to 2.1 wt%) is characterized by relatively high contents of Nb and Ta (up to 156 and 0.9 ppm, respectively), positive Eu anomalies, high-δ18O values (5.2 to 5.9‰), and relatively low-87Sr/86Sr values (0.70661 to 0.70727), and has grown in a system with a continuous supply of magmatic fluid. Molybdenum-poor scheelite (0.2 wt%) has low contents of Nb and Ta, negative Eu anomalies, low-δ18O values (4.2 to 4.3‰), and relatively high-87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70748 to 0.70804). This type of scheelite formed in a system with a restricted flow of magmatic fluid during scheelite precipitation became increasingly depleted in elements that substitute into scheelite. The continued reaction of the magmatic fluid with the wall rocks and the precipitation of minerals from the fluid resulted in a systematic change of the δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Chemical and isotopic variations in scheelite may reflect the pulsed flow of a magmatic fluid and do not require the involvement of different fluids or contrasting redox conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health among older persons,. Focusing on the mediating role of health and the impact of epidemic infectious diseases on these relationships. Methods: Based on the 2018 and 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) databases, the data were screened, and processed. Using Stata17, we employed ordered probit regression to examine the relationships among variables and Bootstrap methods to assess mediation effects, and the CGSS data for 2018 and 2021 were compared and analyzed. Results: Our results revealed that factors such as social class identity, health status, and personal income significantly positively impact older persons' subjective well-being (P<0.01). Notably, there was a partial mediating effect of health status between the subjective well-being of the elderly and social class identity. And findings showed that when older adults were affected by epidemic diseases, their subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health remained significantly positively correlated. Subjective well-being, social class identity. What is more noteworthy is that when affected by epidemic infectious diseases, older adults' subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health remained significantly positively correlated. The mediating role of self-rated health in older adults' subjective well-being and social class identity increased from 9.6% to 12.4%. Conclusions: In the face of epidemic infectious diseases, we need to pay more attention to the Self-rated health of the elderly, and the Chinese government should take effective measures to improve their health level, which will in turn improve the subjective well-being of the elderly and realize the goal of healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global demand for underground gas storage (UGS) is steadily increasing, with the limestone-based UGS system situated in the Sichuan Basin of China gathering considerable interest in recent years. However, studies focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of the injection-production process in these systems are limited. Moreover, existing studies utilizing physical experimental methods frequently fall short in effectively visualizing micro-flow or incorporating real core samples from the reservoir. To address these gaps, we performed a coreflood experiment, integrating micro-Computed Tomography (CT) scanning to investigate mechanisms of fluid flow and storage capacity during the injection and production cycles in limestone reservoirs. Our approach involved utilizing core plugs with artificially engraved fracture-vuggy structures, which mimic the characteristics of the reservoir. Micro-CT scans were performed to visualize the microscopic changes in fractured-vuggy structures and the distribution of irreducible water during each cycle. This study reveals that increased cycles correspondingly affect gas storage capacity, particularly by expanding it in relative larger vuggy structures while reducing it in finer fissure network structures. The amount of irreducible water decreases after injection-production cycles, likely being expelled alongside the extracted dry gas. This plays a critical role in expanding the storage capacity in larger vuggy systems. Conversely, there is a decrease in storage capacity within fissure network systems, as the irreducible water is replaced by gas. This leads to a reduction in the opening force of the fine conduit. The dense matrix has a very limited effect on the flow mechanism and its influence on storage capacity. Overall, these findings offer practical insights for optimizing injection and production strategies in limestone UGS systems within the Sichuan Basin, contributing to a deeper understanding and efficient utilization of this vital infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecal DNA test has emerged as a non-invasive alternative for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk population. However, there is currently insufficient evidence in China to demonstrate the effectiveness of populationbased CRC screening using fecal DNA based test. Here, a large-scale real-world study for CRC screening was implemented in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. A total of 98,683 subjects aged between 45 and 60 years were screened by a fecal DNA test (ColoTect®) which detected methylation status of SDC2, ADHFE1, and PPP2R5C. Participants who tested positive were advised to receive diagnostic colonoscopy. 4449 (4.5%) subjects tested positive for fecal DNA test, and 3200 (71.9%) underwent colonoscopy. Among these, 2347 (73.3%) had abnormal colonoscopy findings, of which 1330 (56.7%) subjects received pathological diagnosis. Detection rates for CRC and advanced precancerous lesions were 1.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Detection rates for nonadvanced adenomas and polyps were 14.0% and 21.6%, respectively. 28.0% of all colonoscopies showed colorectal neoplasm but lack pathological diagnosis. 6.1% showed other abnormalities such as enteritis. In conclusion, preliminary real-world evidence suggested that fecal DNA tests had promising diagnostic yield in populationbased CRC screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stavsolus shihu sp. n., a new species of stonefly family Perlodidae is described from the Jilin Province of China, illustrated and compared with the related taxa. Habitat data of the new species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate is the most important environmental factor influencing yield during rice growth and development. To investigate the relationships between climate and yield under different crop rotation patterns and planting methods, three typical rotation patterns (vegetable–rice (V), rape–rice (R), and wheat–rice (W)) and two mechanical planting methods (mechanical transplanting (T1) and mechanical direct seeding (T2)) were established. The results showed that compared to the V rotation pattern, the average daily temperature (ADT) during the sowing to heading stage increased under both R and W rotation patterns, which significantly shortened the growth period. Thus, the effective accumulated temperature (EAT), photosynthetic capacity, effective panicle (EP), and spikelet per panicle (SP) under R and W rotation patterns significantly decreased, leading to reductions in grain yield (GY). VT2 had a higher ratio of productive tillers (RPT), relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf area index (LAI), and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) than those of VT1, which significantly increased panicle dry matter accumulation (DMA), resulting in an increase in GY. Although RT2 and WT2 had a higher RPT than those of RT1 and WT1, the GY of RT1 and WT1 decreased due to the significant reductions in EAT and photosynthetic capacity. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the comprehensive score for different rotation patterns followed the order of V > R > T with VT2 ranking first. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that EAT and ADT were the most important climate factors affecting yield, with total effects of 0.520 and −0.446, respectively. In conclusion, mechanical direct seeding under vegetable–rice rotation pattern and mechanical transplanting under rape–rice or wheat–rice rotation pattern were the rice-planting methods that optimized the climate resources in southwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a high-performance receiver for underwater acoustic communications based on time reversal processing for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The receiver employs the vector approximate message passing (VAMP) algorithm as a soft equalizer in turbo equalization. By performing self-iteration between the inner soft slicer and the inner soft equalizer, the VAMP algorithm achieves near-optimal performance. Furthermore, an iterative channel-estimation-based soft successive interference cancellation method is incorporated to suppress co-channel interference in the MIMO system. Additionally, the introduction of passive time reversal technology can combine multiple channels into a single channel, which greatly reduces the computational complexity of the MIMO system, especially for large MIMO systems. The effectiveness of the proposed receiver is verified using experimental data collected in Songhua Lake, China in 2019. The results demonstrate that the proposed receiver significantly reduces the complexity of the traditional parallel-VAMP receiver without sacrificing performance and outperforms other receivers of the same type. Moreover, our experimental results also verify that the VAMP-turbo outperforms the generalized approximate message passing (GAMP)-turbo in terms of bit error rate and convergence performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low energy x-ray telescope (LE) is one of the main instruments of the insight-hard x-ray modulation telescope, the first x-ray astronomical satellite of China. The scientific objectives of the LE focus on the scanning and pointed observations of the x-ray sources in the soft x-ray band (1–13 keV). In order to complete the observation tasks and accurately analyze the background information of the LE, it is essential to obtain the background data of the detectors. Therefore, we designed an LE background experiment. The experiment began with an underground background experiment in the China Jinping Underground Laboratory with a rock of a thickness of 2400 m, followed by a ground background experiment. These two experiments lasted for a long time, and through comparison and analysis of the background data, it was found that underground laboratories significantly shielded cosmic rays. In addition, the background of detectors in the underground experiment was more than one order of magnitude lower than that in the ground experiment. The experiments also revealed multiple x-ray fluorescence peaks of various elements in the background, including silicon from the detector itself, erbium in the ceramic substrate, and copper in the mounting plate. The anti-coincidence design of detectors was observed to reduce the x-ray fluorescence peaks of silicon. By comparing the background flux obtained with the background flux in the orbit, it was found that the background generated by radioactive substances inside the LE detector is very low. Within the energy range of less than 7.5 keV, the flux in the orbit is about 0.012 counts/s/keV, the ground flux is ∼3 × 10−3 counts/s/keV, and the underground flux is about 1.5 × 10−4 counts/s/keV. However, the flux in the orbit significantly increases above 7.5 keV, which does not occur in both the ground and underground background experiments. These results provide reference and guidance for scientific teams and instrument teams to analyze the data of the low energy x-ray telescope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) is widely traded in China, and its artificial breeding has now become a major industry. However, the insufficient offspring supply and reproductive decline of farmed turtles make wild turtles more vulnerable. The present study was mainly designed to quantify the fecundity of M. mutica and attempt to screen for good reproductive performance in females. The parent–offspring relationships of all offspring in four consecutive years were confirmed using sixteen microsatellite loci. We also summarised the reproductive results of all females and counted the annual number of offspring and the variation in the number of offspring. The females were then divided into three types (stable, undulating and levelling off) according to the continuity. This study can provide the basis and materials for the creation of a good reproductive group and the study of the reproductive biology of turtles in M. mutica aquaculture. The Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) is widely traded in China, and its artificial breeding has now become a major industry. However, the insufficient offspring supply and reproductive decline of farmed turtles make the wild turtles more vulnerable. The present study was mainly designed to quantify the fecundity of M. mutica and attempt to screen for good reproductive performance in females. The genetic variability of the population and its genetic structure were also analysed. The parent–offspring relationships of all offspring in four consecutive years were confirmed using sixteen microsatellite loci. The genetic variability between the parents and offspring was low, and offspring of different years also showed little variability. We summarised the reproductive results of all females and counted the annual number of offspring and the variation in the number of offspring. The females were then divided into three types (stable, undulating and levelling off) according to the continuity. We selected seven females with good reproductive ability, which provided 16.94% of the annual contributions, while there were two females that had no offspring in four years. We also analysed the possible reasons for this difference and the importance of carrying out a family survey. This research can provide the basis and materials for the creation of a good reproductive group and the study of the reproductive biology of turtles in M. mutica aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been no consensus yet regarding the precise initial timing and duration of the late Mesozoic extensional tectonics in the South‐eastern China Block. This work focusses on the growth strata of the Early Cretaceous red beds in the South‐eastern China Block to determine the late Mesozoic tectonics and the precise timing of the initiation and duration of extensional tectonics in this area. Field observation of several terrigenous basins shows that the dip angles of the Cretaceous red beds have varied from moderate to gentle from basin edges to interiors (or centres). The visible and estimated thickness within a single bed increases slightly downwards from the upper to the lower part. These characteristics indicate that the sedimentary area of these beds has undergone an extensional process with expansion and deepening of the sedimentary basins. Rotation of the border surfaces (limbs) and downward warping of the hanging walls or retreat of the footwalls of listric normal faults causes three types of extensional growth (or syntectonic) strata in the deposits of different basins. Dating of the volcanic rocks related to the growth beds reveals that the sedimentary basins were enlarged and deepened when the Early Cretaceous strata were deposited in the South‐eastern China Block from ca 140 to 137 Ma. Regionally, under the influence of Palaeo‐Pacific plate rollback since ca 140 Ma, the South‐eastern China Block stress field has led to lithospheric uplift and pull‐apart structures near the surface, causing the half‐graben basins to receive sedimentation. Although the extensional event was interrupted by a short compressional event during 120 to 105 Ma, with the oceanward retreat of the trench, the area of extension gradually enlarged and rejuvenated south‐eastwards until the end of the Cretaceous. This Cretaceous extension event of the South‐eastern China Block must belong to a worldwide geological event with global significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulolytic microorganisms play a crucial role in agricultural waste disposal. Strain QXD-8T was isolated from soil in northern China. Similarity analyses of the 16S rRNA gene, as well as the 120 conserved genes in the whole-genome sequence, indicate that it represents a novel species within the genus Microbacterium. The Microbacterium sp. QXD-8T was able to grow on the CAM plate with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a carbon source at 15 °C, forming a transparent hydrolysis circle after Congo red staining, even though the optimal temperature for the growth and cellulose degradation of strain QXD-8T was 28 °C. In the liquid medium, it effectively degraded cellulose and produced reducing sugars. Functional annotation revealed the presence of encoding genes for the GH5, GH6, and GH10 enzyme families with endoglucanase activity, as well as the GH1, GH3, GH39, and GH116 enzyme families with β-glucosidase activity. Additionally, two proteins in the GH6 family, one in the GH10, and two of nine proteins in the GH3 were predicted to contain a signal peptide and transmembrane region, suggesting their potential for extracellularly degrade cellulose. Based on the physiological features of the type strain QXD-8T, we propose the name Microbacterium psychrotolerans for this novel species. This study expands the diversity of psychrotolerant cellulolytic bacteria and provides a potential microbial resource for straw returning in high-latitude areas at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of short- and long-term exposure risks for different dietary consumption populations is meaningful for the health maintenance of residents and the sustainable development of our ecosystem, based on the residual characteristics of cyanamide in the main producing areas of grape across China. A rapid and effective analytical method was developed to trace cyanamide in grapes in this study. Target pesticide was extracted with acetonitrile in samples, then purified by dispersive solid phase extraction, and finally determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The mean recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSD) of cyanamide were 85% ~92% and 3.3% ~10.5% in the grape matrix, respectively. The retention time (RT) for cyanamide was 1.2 min, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.001 mg·kg-1. Cyanamide could be stored stably for 184 d at least in grape samples in the frozen under dark conditions, with the degradation rates of 13.9% ~ 24.1%. The terminal magnitude of cyanamide ranged from 0.001 to 0.003 mg·kg-1, and the supervised trials median residue (STMR) was of 0.002 mg·kg-1. The highest residue (HR) of 0.003 mg·kg-1 was lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.05 mg·kg-1, which was established by China and other countries. The acute risks of cyanamide for dietary grapes were from 1.600% to 25.346%, and the children suffered from the worst exposures (ARfD%, 25.346%), followed by the general population (ARfD%, 3.623%) and the women of childbearing age (ARfD%, 1.600%). The chronic dietary risks were between 0.290% and 4.275% for all of registered crops, including cherries, kiwi fruit and grapes. The exposure risks for urban residents were significantly higher than that of the rural residents ( P<0.05), and the most serious dietary risks were observed in children aged 2 ~6 years with ADI% of 2.763% ~ 4.275%. None of significant differences of chronic risks were obtained between genders of populations (P>0.05). Despite both dietary exposure risks of cyanamide within acceptable levels, the potential hazards amplification should be continuously assessed, given the increasing application and cumulative effects by multi-crops and multi-modes exposures in the biological chain, especially for the susceptible urban children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of the technical cooperation mode in the field of hydrogen energy is of great importance in guiding technological innovation. Based on the social network analysis (SNA) and spatial network method, this paper constructs the technical cooperation graph of China's industry-university-research (IUR) tripartites in the field of hydrogen technology. Based on the performed graphs, it shows the game and evolution of hydrogen technology innovation in three stages, respectively 2000–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2019. Meanwhile, this paper calculates the changes of network indicators and found that: (1) the network density showed a downward trend, from the initial 0.062 to 0.003. (2) The degree centrality of the network decreased from 14.7% to 5.7%. (3) The average path length and clustering coefficient indicate that the internal connections within the network were relatively close from 2000 to 2010, and had small-world characteristics. From 2016 to 2019, although the clustering coefficient increased, the average path length also increased significantly, indicating that the internal connections of the network did not become closer. From the network characteristics, the collaborative innovation network of China's hydrogen energy industry continues to expand in scale and scope, and the cooperation relationship is stable. However, it shows the characteristics of low network density and loose cooperation relationship, gradually developing into a scale-free network. Developed provinces and cities in North and East China occupy core positions in the industry-university-research network, while other regions are gradually expanding their cooperation efficiency; however, the overall cooperation frequency is relatively low in Northeast China, and most provinces and cities in South and Northwest China are in edge positions with poor collaboration capabilities. • Network analysis sheds light on China's hydrogen energy tech cooperation via patent. • Collaborative innovation in hydrogen technology evolves through three stages. • Tight internal connections with small-world properties seen in network (2000–2010). • Network's internal connections didn't become closer (2016–2019). • Network transforms from a stable and expanding structure into a scale-free network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid China's rapid economic expansion, the country's industrial solid waste (ISW) problem is escalating. As each sector generates distinct types of ISW, a multi-indicator assessment of each sector is essential to address China's New Solid Waste Policy. To investigate the ISW situation of each sector and perform a comprehensive assessment, we formulate an industrial solid waste ecological analysis framework based on ISW generation and ISW flow in the sector. Various indicators (i.e., solid waste utilization coefficient, solid waste threat coefficient, and solid waste threat intensity) are employed to assess the utilization of solid waste generated for each sector, as well as the threat of solid waste originating in each sector to society. Ecological network analysis probes the interrelationships between diverse sectors. Taking Shanghai in 2017 as an example, the study indicates that some sectors (e.g., production and supply of electric power and heat power (EH) and metal smelting and rolling processing sector (MS)) exhibit higher direct ISW generation and the direct industrial solid waste value-added coefficient (SVAC) for common industrial solid waste (CISW). Specifically, the direct CISW generation of EH and MS is 539.21Mt and 277.00Mt respectively. The direct SVAC of EH and MS is 157.06kg/103RMB and 126.27kg/103RMB respectively. These sectors should prioritize reducing emissions at the source. Additionally, the threats to society from various sectors are relatively insignificant for the CISW, while for the hazardous waste (HW), all sectors pose a considerable threat to Shanghai's society. Moreover, some sectors (e.g., mining industry) exhibit the highest mutualism relationships in the CISW and the HW. Enhancing mining sector technologies is a vital strategy for mitigating ISW sources. Specifically, MI has 9 pairs of mutualism relationships in the CISW and 8 pairs in the HW. These insights will provide empirical evidence for tackling the ISW problem in Shanghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Since 2010, the highly pathogenic variants of PEDV have spread widely around the world, posing a huge threat to the pig industry. The lack of an efficient vaccine at present makes it challenging to prevent PEDV from spreading throughout China. In this review, we outline the etiology, epidemiology, and antigenicity of PEDV and propose control strategies. We hope to provide basic information for an understanding of PEDV etiology and the formulation of effective control measures. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a porcine enteric coronavirus, which is one of the main causative agents of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), with 100% morbidity and 80–100% mortality in neonatal piglets. Since 2010, large-scale PED caused by highly pathogenic variants of PEDV has occurred successively in China and other countries in the world, posing a great threat to the global pig industry. It has been demonstrated in many investigations that the classic attenuated vaccine strain, PEDV CV777, is insufficient to fully protect against the PEDV variants. Moreover, the maternally derived antibodies elicited by inactivated vaccines also cannot completely protect piglets from infection. In addition, feedback feeding poses a risk of periodic PEDV recurrence in pig farms, making it challenging to successfully limit the spread of PEDV in China. This review focuses on the etiology, epidemiology, antigenicity, and control strategies of PEDV in China and provides information for the formulation of effective control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are ecologically and socioeconomically crucial areas. The application of economic valuation methods could ensure the sustainable utilization of wetlands. Utilizing wetland survey data from Jilin Province, China, representative of the years 2013 and 2017, we assessed the market value of water obtained from wetlands. Simultaneously, we employed the PLUS model to predict changes in wetland areas of different types over the next decade and analyzed their impact on the value of freshwater resource supplies. The results indicate the following points: (1) the area of wetlands decreased from 10,852.84 km2 in 2013 to 10,794.46 km2 in 2017 and that, in 2027, this was projected to further decrease to 10,614.37 km2, with river wetlands experiencing the most substantial decline; (2) the freshwater volumes in 2013 and 2017 were 20.81 × 108 and 20.09 × 108 m3, respectively, representing a 3.58% decrease. The volume for 2027 was projected to further reduce to 19.74 × 108 m3, with lake wetlands contributing the most to water resources and marsh wetlands contributing the least; and (3) the obtained total value of freshwater continuously increased, rising from CNY 8.384 billion in 2013 to CNY 8.642 billion in 2017, and this was projected to further increase to CNY 9.101 billion in 2027. There was regional variation in the value of wetland freshwater resource supplies, with differences in the per unit area and per capita value among administrative units. These findings can facilitate the optimal allocation of freshwater resources in Jilin Province, promoting its sustainable development while ensuring wetland conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hymenochaetales, belonging to Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, comprises most polypores and corticioid fungi and, also, a few agarics. The latest taxonomic framework accepts 14 families in this order. When further exploring species diversity of Hymenochaetales, two corticioid specimens collected from China producing cystidia with large umbrella-shaped crystalline heads attracted our attention. This kind of cystidia was reported only in three unsequenced species, viz. Tubulicrinis corneri, T. hamatus and T. umbraculus, which were accepted in Tubulicrinaceae, Hymenochaetales. The current multilocus-based phylogeny supports that the two Chinese specimens formed an independent lineage from Tubulicrinaceae as well as the additional 13 families and all sampled genera in Hymenochaetales. Therefore, a monotypic family, Umbellaceae, is newly described with the new genus Umbellus as the type genus to represent this lineage. The two Chinese specimens are newly described as U. sinensis, which differs from T. corneri, T. hamatus, and T. umbraculus in a combination of a smooth to grandinioid hymenophoral surface, not flattened, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with a tiny apiculus, and growth on angiosperm wood. Due to the presence of the unique cystidia, the three species of Tubulicrinis, even though they lack available molecular sequences, are transferred to Umbellus as U. corneri, U. hamatus, and U. umbraculus. Hereafter, all known species with large umbrella-shaped crystalline-headed cystidia are in a single genus. In summary, the current study provides a supplement to the latest taxonomic framework of Hymenochaetales and will help to further explore species diversity and the evolution of this fungal order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To address the prevalence of diabetes distress (DD) and its correlators in adults with type 2 diabetes.Patients and Methods: During 2021 and 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study in three Class A tertiary comprehensive hospitals in China, and received 947 participants who completed a printed survey covering DD, demographic, diabetic, physiological, and psychosocial factors. We used Jonckheere-Terpstra, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests to assess intergroup differences between different levels of DD. We used ordinal logistic regression analysis to analyze correlators of DD further.Results: The prevalence of DD was 34.64%. In univariate analysis, those with lower satisfaction with financial status, longer durations of diabetes, more complications, higher glycemia, more severe insomnia, treatment by medications only, poorer lifestyle interventions, fewer self-care activities, more types and frequencies of insulin injections, and spending more money and time on treatment were susceptible to DD. Type D personality, negative illness perceptions, negative coping styles, and psychological effects of major life events were related to higher DD. Hope, self-efficacy, positive coping styles, and social support can reduce DD. In ordinal logistic regression analysis, hypoglycemic episode (β=− 1.118, p=0.019, "have hypoglycemic" as reference) and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (β=0.090, p< 0.001) were significant positive correlators for DD, while diet intervention (β=0.803, p=0.022, "have diet intervention" as reference), money spent on diabetes treatment (β<-0.001,>p=0.035), and SES (β=− 0.257, p< 0.001) were significant negative correlators.Conclusion: More than one-third of Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes experience moderate or high levels of DD. DD was associated with financial, diabetic, physiological, and psychosocial status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of an imbalanced judiciary on the generation and rectification of wrongful convictions in China. Specifically, we investigate the influence of the Political and Legal Affairs Commissions (PLACs), which are tasked by the Communist Party with controlling judicial authorities. By analyzing 335 cases of wrongful convictions between 1990 and 2010, we have identified a significant relationship between the appointment of PLAC secretaries as chiefs of police and an increase in wrongful convictions. This arrangement disrupts the checks within the judicial system, leading to the prosecution of an additional 251 individuals each year in a given province. Our research reveals that in 81% of the cases examined, the correction of a wrongful conviction occurred after the secretary of the provincial PLAC, who held oversight over the court responsible for the conviction, had left office. Furthermore, even after the responsible PLAC secretaries had been replaced, if the successors were previously their subordinates, the likelihood of reversing wrongful convictions remained low. Our findings provide persuasive evidence in favour of judicial independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Type B insulin resistance syndrome (TBIRS) is a rare condition, for which effective treatment remains challenging. Objective This work aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of TBIRS and explore effective therapeutic strategies. Methods The clinical manifestations, biochemical indices, and treatment of 8 patients (3 men and 5 women) with TBIRS from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analyzed and their clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results The average age of the patients was 49.5 ± 16.5 years, and the duration of the disease ranged from 2 months to 1 year. Seven patients with hyperglycemia had normal/lower triglycerides (TGs) and lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels. One patient complained of intractable hypoglycemia. Five patients had accompanied systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 had mixed connective tissue disease, and 1 had undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Five patients had acanthosis nigricans and 3 women of child-bearing age had hyperandrogenism. All 8 patients were treated with glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants, among whom, 5 received high-dose glucocorticoid pulse therapy followed by conventional-dose glucocorticoid therapy, all of whom achieved partial remission within 2 to 4 weeks. Among the 3 patients receiving conventional glucocorticoid therapy, 2 achieved partial remission within 2 to 4 weeks. Six patients were tracked for 10 weeks to 4 years; 4 and 2 achieved complete and partial remission, respectively. Conclusion Decreased serum complement 3 and IGF-1 levels and normal/decreased TG levels act as striking biochemical features of TBIRS. High-dose glucocorticoid pulse therapy followed by conventional-dose long-term therapy combined with immunosuppressants achieves good clinical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrite, the most common sulfide mineral, is a ubiquitous component of many hydrothermal gold deposits. Geochemical patterns within the refractory pyrite structure represent a valuable repository of information that can help constrain the sources of ore-forming materials, and the evolution of ore-forming processes over time. However, there are still a lot of debates on the mechanisms of physico-chemical processes in ore-forming fluid controlling trace element and sulfur isotope distributions in pyrite during growth. In our manuscript, we use cutting-edge complementary microanalytical methods to understand the origin and evolution of zoned gold-bearing pyrite in samples from the largest gold deposit in the Ailaoshan gold belt, SW China, Zhenyuan (exceeding 100t Au, average grade: 5.3 g/t). Pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and stibnite are the most abundant sulfide minerals in most orebodies. Of these, pyrite is dominant and is also the most important host for gold. Two types of pyrite can be clearly distinguished: framboidal pyrite and hydrothermal pyrite. Gold is most commonly hosted by hydrothermal pyrite. Framboidal pyrite, mainly hosted by carbonaceous slate, hosts negligible Au, and features low δ34S values ranging from − 35.0 (± 0.9) to − 25.6 (± 1.0)‰. Hydrothermal pyrite is characterized by complex intra-grain zoned textures with alternating As-rich and As-poor bands readily recognizable on backscattered electron images. Scanning electron microscopy and trace-element analyses show that both visible and invisible gold occur only in the As-rich bands. Compared to the As-poor bands (72.1% of Au concentration data < 1.96 ppm, n = 43), the As-rich bands are characterized by far higher concentrations of Au (up to 1420 ppm), Cu, Ag, Sb, and Tl, but lower concentrations of Co and Ni. In-situ sulfur isotope analysis indicates that the δ34S values of As-rich zones range from − 7.3 (± 0.6) to 2.9 (± 0.6)‰ and are similar to those of As-poor zones (from − 6.9 (± 0.7) to 2.8 (± 0.6)‰), but distinct from the framboidal pyrite. Combined with published fluid inclusion data and a probable age for the magmatic event associated with mineralization, these data suggest that magmatic–hydrothermal fluids contributed most ore-forming materials and that periodic boiling led to formation of the rhythmic As-rich and As-poor bands in pyrite. Our data for pyrite constrain the evolution of ore-forming processes and provide new insights into the formation of zoned pyrite, with the conclusions having broad implications for analogous hydrothermal gold deposits worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most reported members of Microascaceae that have been reported originate from the terrestrial environment, where they act as saprobes or plant pathogens. However, our understanding of their species diversity and distribution in the marine environment remains vastly limited, with only 22 species in nine genera having been reported so far. A survey of the fungal diversity in intertidal areas of China's mainland has revealed the discovery of several Microascaceae strains from 14 marine algae and 15 sediment samples. Based on morphological characteristics and LSU-ITS-tef1-tub2 multilocus phylogeny using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, 48 strains were identified as 18 species belonging to six genera. Among these, six new species were discovered: Gamsia sedimenticola, Microascus algicola, M. gennadii, Scedosporium ellipsosporium, S. shenzhenensis, and S. sphaerospermum. Additionally, the worldwide distribution of the species within this family across various marine habitats was briefly reviewed and discussed. Our study expands the knowledge of species diversity and distribution of Microascaceae in the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In order to investigate the effects of low oxygen stress on the survival rate, antioxidant, anaerobic metabolic enzymes, and related genes of crayfish during aquaculture. This experiment conducted a 24-h low oxygen stress experiment on juvenile and subadult crayfish, and the results showed that the higher the degree of low oxygen stress, the higher the antioxidant and anaerobic metabolic enzyme activity and gene expression levels of juvenile crayfish and subadult crayfish. Compared with subadult crayfish, the antioxidant system of crayfish larvae is more sensitive to hypoxic environments. The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is the most reared shrimp in China, but it is often affected by hypoxia stress in the process of seedling culture and adult crayfish culture. The oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point of juvenile crayfish (1.17 ± 0.03 g) and subadult crayfish (11.68 ± 0.11 g) at different temperatures (20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 °C) were studied. The survival, glycolysis, and expression of antioxidant genes were compared under 24 h acute hypoxia stress (1, 2, and 3 mg/L) and normal dissolved oxygen (7.5 mg/L). The results showed that the oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point of juvenile and subadult crayfish increased with increasing temperatures (20–28 °C). At the same temperature, the oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point of juvenile crayfish were significantly higher than those of subadult crayfish (p < 0.05). Within 24 h, the three hypoxia stress environments did not lead to the death of crayfish, indicating that P. clarkii has a strong ability to adapt to hypoxia. Hypoxia stress significantly affected the activities of antioxidant and anaerobic metabolic enzymes and gene expression in juvenile and subadult crayfish. The activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the content of lactic acid (LD) in the hepatopancreas of juvenile and subadult crayfish in the hypoxia stress groups increased significantly. The expression levels of SOD mRNA, CAT mRNA, Hsp70 mRNA, and crustin 4 mRNA in the hepatopancreas of juvenile and subadult crayfish in the hypoxia stress groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05), and the higher the degree of hypoxia stress, the higher the expression of each gene. The results showed that the antioxidant system of juvenile crayfish was more sensitive to hypoxia environments, and hypoxia stress resulted in increased stress levels in juvenile crayfish and subadult crayfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The global impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has raised concerns about the management of psoriasis patients, especially among those using biologics. Methods. We conducted a survey-based research among Omicron-infected (confirmed, probable, and suspected ones) psoriasis patients in the department of dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 9th to January 22nd, 2023. We collected demographic and clinical information (psoriasis- and COVID-19-related) and conducted statistics analysis. Results. Of the 240 patients enrolled, they were classified by the psoriatic treatment, as biologics (n = 138), nonbiological systematic treatment (n = 52), and topical treatment or without pharmacological treatment (n = 50). This study showed the characteristics of Omicron-related symptoms and cutaneous signs in patients. We observed that patients who received topical treatment or without pharmacological treatment had a lower risk of presenting with COVID-19 symptoms in the fully adjusted logistic model (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18–0.90, and P = 0.025). Moreover, in the model for skin manifestations, nonbiological systematic treatment (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.08–4.27, and P = 0.029) and high BMI (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00–1.20, and P = 0.042) were correlative factors. Conclusions. Our data suggested that differential psoriatic treatment might be a correlative factor in developing symptomatic or asymptomatic Omicron infection and presenting cutaneous signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous in vitro and animal experiments have shown that copper plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Dietary copper is the main source of copper in the human body and the association between dietary copper and cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the associations of dietary copper intake with the risk of major cardiovascular disease incidence, cardiovascular disease mortality, and all-cause mortality in Chinese adults. Methods: Our study is based on Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology China (PURE-China), a large prospective cohort study of 47 931 individuals aged 35–70 years from 12 provinces in China. Dietary intake was recorded using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire designed specifically for the Chinese population. The daily intake of copper was obtained by multiplying the daily food intake with the nutrient content provided in the Chinese Food Composition Table (2002). Cox frailty proportional hazards models were developed to evaluate the association between dietary copper intake with mortality, major cardiovascular disease events, and their composite. Results: A total of 45 101 participants (mean age: 51.1 ± 9.7 years old) with complete information were included in the current study. The mean dietary copper intake was 2.6 ± 1.1 mg/d. During the 482 833 person-years of follow-up, 2 644(5.9%) participants died, 4 012(8.9%) developed new cardiovascular diseases, and 5 608(12.4%) participants experienced the composite endpoint. Compared with those in the first and second quartile of dietary copper intake, individuals in the third and fourth quantile had higher risk of composite outcomes, all-cause death, cardiovascular disease death, major cardiovascular disease and stroke occurrences. The associations remained similar in the subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that excessive dietary copper intake was associated with higher risks of death and cardiovascular diseases in Chinese adults. Further studies in populations with different dietary characteristics are needed to obtain dose–response relationships and to refine global dietary recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are essential in insect's daily behaviors mediated by olfactory perception. Megachile saussurei Radoszkowski (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) is a principal insect pollinating alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in Northwestern China. The olfactory function have been less conducted, which provides a lot of possibilities for our research. Results: Our results showed that 20 OBPs were identified in total. Multiple sequence alignment analysis indicated MsauOBPs were highly conserved with a 6-cysteine motif pattern and all belonged to the classic subfamily, coding 113-196 amino acids and sharing 41.32%-99.12% amino acid identity with known OBPs of other bees. Phylogenetic analysis indicated there were certain homologies existed among MsauOBPs and most sequences were clustered with that of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Expression analysis showed the identified OBPs were mostly enriched in antennae instead of other four body parts, especially the MsauOBP2, MsauOBP3, MsauOBP4, MsauOBP8, MsauOBP11 and MsauOBP17, in which the MsauOBP2, MsauOBP4 and MsauOBP8 presented obvious tissue-biased expression pattern. Molecular docking results indicated MsauOBP4 might be the most significant protein in recognizing alfalfa flower volatile 3-Octanone, while MsauOBP13 might be the most crucial protein identifying (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. It was also found the lysine was a momentous hydrophilic amino acid in docking simulations. Conclusion: In this study, we identified and analyzed 20 OBPs of M. saussurei. The certain homology existed among these OBPs, while some degree of divergence could also be noticed, indicating the complex functions that different MsauOBPs performed. Besides, the M. saussurei and Osmia cornuta were very likely to share similar physiological functions as most of their OBPs were clustered together. MsauOBP4 might be the key protein in recognizing 3-Octanone, while MsauOBP13 might be the key protein in binding (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. These two proteins might contribute to the alfalfa-locating during the pollination process. The relevant results may help determine the highly specific and effective attractants for M. saussurei in alfalfa pollination and reveal the molecular mechanism of odor-evoked pollinating behavior between these two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butylphthalide, a prescription medicine recognized for its efficacy in treating ischemic strokes approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China in 2005, is sourced from the traditional botanical remedy Ligusticum chuanxiong. While chemical synthesis offers a viable route, limitations in the production of isomeric variants with compromised bioactivity necessitate alternative strategies. Addressing this issue, biosynthesis offers a promising solution. However, the intricate in vivo pathway for butylphthalide biosynthesis remains elusive. In this study, we examined the distribution of butylphthalide across various tissues of L. chuanxiong and found a significant accumulation in the rhizome. By searching transcriptome data from different tissues of L. chuanxiong, we identified four rhizome-specific genes annotated as 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2-OGDs) that emerged as promising candidates involved in butylphthalide biosynthesis. Among them, LcSAO1 demonstrates the ability to catalyze the desaturation of senkyunolide A at the C-4 and C-5 positions, yielding the production of butylphthalide. Experimental validation through transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana corroborates this transformative enzymatic activity. Notably, phylogenetic analysis of LcSAO1 revealed that it belongs to the DOXB clade, which typically encompasses genes with hydroxylation activity, rather than desaturation. Further structure modelling and site-directed mutagenesis highlighted the critical roles of three amino acid residues, T98, S176, and T178, in substrate binding and enzyme activity. By unraveling the intricacies of the senkyunolide A desaturase, the penultimate step in the butylphthalide biosynthesis cascade, our findings illuminate novel avenues for advancing synthetic biology research in the realm of medicinal natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lalu wetland is the world's largest plateau urban wetland. It was designated as a national-level nature reserve in China in 2004 and is often called "the lung of Lhasa". It serves as a vital recreational area for urban residents. Concerns have arisen about the potential harm to human health due to heavy metals (HMs) in the wetland soil. This study assessed the ecological risk of HMs in Lalu wetland soil by using the potential ecological risk index and geo-accumulation index techniques. The findings showed that the Lalu wetland's overall risk level is low risk. with Cd being the primary pollutant. Through the absolute principal component scores–multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model and Pearson correlation analysis, three sources of HMs were identified, including traffic sources, soil parent material sources, and geothermal sources, contributing 51.13%, 32.35%, and 16.52%, respectively. The results of the probabilistic health risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation indicate that non-carcinogenic risks are absent for both adults and children. However, acceptable carcinogenic risks are present. For adults, the main exposure mode is through dermal contact, while children are primarily exposed through ingestion. Children manifest a heightened vulnerability to these risks compared to adults, with As being the primary contributing element. The source-oriented health risk assessment (HRA) highlights geothermal sources as the primary contributors to health risks. The research results provide insights into the current status of HMs in Lalu wetland soil, offering a scientific basis for restricting and managing contamination by HMs in wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of urban blue-green spaces is highly recommended as a nature-based solution for mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon, improving urban sustainability, and enhancing resident well-being. However, limited attention has been given to the accumulative impact of the cooling effect and the comparison of different types of landscapes. Based on the maximum and accumulative perspectives, this study selected 375 green spaces, water bodies, and urban parks in 25 cities of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in China to quantify their cooling effect. Correlation and regression analyses were employed to identify the dominant factors influencing the cooling performance. The results indicated that (1) compared to other landscape patches, water areas, and parks exhibited a reduction in daily average air temperature by 3.04 and 0.57 °C, respectively. Urban parks provided the largest cooling area (CA) of 56.44 ha in the YRD region, while water bodies demonstrated the highest cooling effect (CE) of 6.88, cooling intensity (CI) of 0.02, and cooling gradient (CG) of 0.99. (2) From the maximum perspective, the perimeter of the patches played a dominant role in CA and CE for all landscape patch types, contributing more than 40% in CA variation. (3) The dominant factors varied among different landscape types from accumulative perspectives. Green spaces were influenced by road density, shape index, and the proportion of water bodies within the CA, whereas water bodies were primarily affected by the coverage of blue spaces. Vegetation growth and densely populated surroundings contributed the most to the cooling of parks. These findings enhanced the comprehension of the cooling effect in comparable urban contexts and provided valuable insights for sustainable urban management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With global climate change looming large, there is an urgent need for China's energy sector to take steps towards carbon neutrality. This study aims to explore how digital technologies can contribute to the pathway for China's energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality. By analyzing carbon neutrality policies and digital technology applications, we propose a systematic pathway framework to guide China's energy sector in integrating digital technology to accelerate the pace of achieving carbon neutrality in the energy sector. We first review the current status of carbon emissions and carbon neutrality targets in China's energy sector, and in light of the development trend of modern digital technologies, we propose key application areas for digital technologies in realizing carbon neutrality in the energy sector. Second, we detail the specific applications and effects of digital technologies in energy supply side optimization, energy utilization efficiency improvement, carbon sink management, and smart grid construction. Through theoretical modeling and empirical analysis, we demonstrate the great potential of digital technologies in carbon emission reduction and carbon neutrality in the energy sector and reveal the key role of digital technologies in carbon–neutral pathways. Finally, we propose effective technology implementation measures and point out important challenges and solution paths for digital technologies in carbon–neutral practices. This study provides a scientific basis and guidance for China's energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality with the help of digital technologies and promotes the important steps towards carbon neutrality in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affective empathy is generally considered an important inhibitor of aggression. However, the meta-analysis studies on the relationship between affective empathy and aggression have challenged this common-sense view and found no substantial correlation between the two variables. We proposed a double-edged sword model to explain this counterintuitive phenomenon and tested this model by establishing an inconsistent mediation model. A total of 663 college students in China (59.1% female; Mage = 20.69 years) completed questionnaires measuring affective empathy, sympathy, personal distress, anger proneness, and physical aggression. The results showed that on the one hand, affective empathy can indirectly inhibit physical aggression by increasing sympathy; on the other hand, affective empathy can indirectly promote physical aggression through the serial mediation of personal distress and anger proneness. Such two pathways offset each other, leading to an insignificant relation observation between affective empathy and physical aggression. The findings revealed the complexity of the relationship between affective empathy and aggression, which suggested that more efforts to reduce aggression should be made to develop individuals' sympathy, while affective empathy training should be moderate to avoid excessive empathic emotional arousal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian warty treefrogs, genus Theloderma, are morphologically variable arboreal frogs endemic to Southeast Asia and Southern China. However, integrated systematic studies are lacking, and knowledge of the genus in terms of diversity, origin, and historical diversification remains limited. To address these knowledge gaps, we used three mitochondrial and five nuclear gene fragments to reconstruct the Theloderma phylogeny, estimate divergence times, and examine the biogeography of the genus. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses suggest that the genus Theloderma comprises three major clades corresponding to two subgenera and seven species groups, and mPTP identified at least 12 putative cryptic species, suggesting that species diversity has been underestimated. Biogeographic analyses indicated that most recent common ancestor of Theloderma originated in the Indochina Peninsula during the Middle Oligocene (ca. 27.77 Ma) and the splitting of Clade A to C occurred in the Late Oligocene (ca. 23.55–25.57 Ma). Current biogeographic patterns result from two distinct processes: in situ diversification in the Indochina Peninsula and dispersal in multiple areas, namely southward dispersal to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, northeastward dispersal to Southern China, northward dispersal to the Himalayas, and dispersal from Southern China to the Indochina Peninsula. Ancestral character reconstruction suggests that the ancestor of Theloderma may have possessed a small body size, rough dorsal skin, and absence of vomerine teeth and hand webbing, and that these four characters have undergone multiple evolutions. Principal component analysis based on eight bioclimatic variables did not clearly distinguish the three major clades of Theloderma, suggesting that species in these clades may occupy similar climatic ecological niches. Our research highlights the importance of orogeny and paleoclimatic changes, in shaping amphibian biodiversity in mountain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to apply a new machine learning (ML) method to establish prediction models of AKI after CABG. Methods: A total of 2,780 patients from two medical centers in East China who underwent primary isolated CABG were enrolled. The dataset was randomly divided for model training (80%) and model testing (20%). Four ML models based on LightGBM, Support vector machine (SVM), Softmax and random forest (RF) algorithms respectively were established in Python. A total of 2,051 patients from two other medical centers were assigned to an external validation group to verify the performances of the ML prediction models. The models were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic, Bland-Altman plots, and decision curve analysis. The outcome of the LightGBM model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results: The incidence of postoperative AKI in the modeling group was 13.4%. Similarly, the incidence of postoperative AKI of the two medical centers in the external validation group was 8.2% and 13.6% respectively. LightGBM performed the best in predicting, with an AUC of 0.8027 in internal validation group and 0.8798 and 0.7801 in the external validation group. The SHAP revealed the top 20 predictors of postoperative AKI ranked according to the importance, and the top three features on prediction were the serum creatinine in the first 24 h after operation, the last preoperative Scr level, and body surface area. Conclusion: This study provides a LightGBM predictive model that can make accurate predictions for AKI after CABG surgery. The LightGBM model shows good predictive ability in both internal and external validation. It can help cardiac surgeons identify high-risk patients who may experience AKI after CABG surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrotinib, an irreversible pan‐ErbB inhibitor, has been approved for treating HER2‐positive advanced breast cancer in China. We conducted a nationwide, prospective observational study to examine the real‐world data of pyrotinib‐based therapy in this population. Patients from 61 sites across China were included. Pyrotinib‐based regimens were prescribed at local physician's discretion. Demographics, treatment patterns, prognosis and safety were evaluated. The primary outcome was real‐world progression‐free survival (rwPFS). Of 1129 patients, pyrotinib‐based therapy was prescribed as first‐, second‐ and third‐ or later‐line treatment in 437 (38.7%), 476 (42.2%) and 216 (19.1%) patients, respectively. Median rwPFS (mrwPFS) was 14.3 (95% CI, 13.3‐15.2) months in the total population, with the longest mrwPFS of 17.8 (95% CI, 15.2‐24.9) months in the first‐line setting, followed by 14.4 (95% CI, 12.9‐15.3) months in the second‐line setting. Patients with third‐ or later‐line treatment also achieved a mrwPFS of 9.3 (95% CI, 8.4‐11.8) months. Patients with trastuzumab‐ or trastuzumab‐pertuzumab‐treated disease achieved a mrwPFS of 14.3 and 13.6 months, respectively. Dual HER2 blockade with pyrotinib plus trastuzumab showed a mrwPFS of 16.2 months in the total population, with data not mature in the first‐line setting. For patients with baseline brain metastases, the mrwPFS was 11.7 months. The most common adverse event was diarrhea (any grade, 73.5%; grade ≥ 3, 15.3%). In real world, pyrotinib‐based therapy shows promising effectiveness in the first‐, as well as second‐ and later‐line treatment, with acceptable tolerability. Further investigations regarding front‐line use or novel combinations of pyrotinib might facilitate to maximize its anti‐tumor potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To calibrate airborne gravity gradiometers currently in development in China, it is urgent to build an airborne gravity gradiometer test site. The site's selection depends on the preknowledge of high-resolution gravity and gradient structures. The residual terrain modelling (RTM) technique is generally applied to recover the short-scale gravity field signals. However, due to limitations in the quality and resolution of density models, RTM terrain generally assumes a constant density. This assumption can introduce significant errors in areas with substantial density anomalies and of reggued terrain, such as volcano areas. In this study, we promote a method to determine a high-resolution gravity field by integrating long-wavelength signals generated by EGM2008 with short-wavelength signals from terrain relief and shallow density anomalies. These short wavelength signals are recovered using the RTM technique with both constant density and density anomalies obtained through the equivalent source layer (ESL) method, utilizing sparse terrestrial gravity measurements. Compared to the recovery rate of 54.62 % using the classical RTM method, the recovery rate increases to 86.22 % after involving density anomalies. With this method, we investigate the gravity field signals over the Wudalianchi Volcano Field (WVF) both on the Earth's surface and at a flight height of 100 m above the terrain. The contribution of each part and their attenuation characters are studied. In particular, the 5 km × 5 km area surrounding Bijiashan (BJS) and Wohushan (WHS) volcanos shows a strong gravity signature, making it a good candidate for the test site location. This study gives the location of the airborne gravity gradiometer test site which is an essential step in the instruments' development. Furthermore, the method presented in this study offers a foundational framework for future data processing within the test site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CMIP6 simulations suggest that the probability of the compound hot and dry event occurring in summer 2022 in the Yangtze River basin in China is enhanced by anthropogenic effect by 7 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca exhibits are popular attractions for zoos and wildlife parks. However, it remains to be investigated whether such exhibits enhance visitor knowledge about pandas and broader conservation issues. We conducted questionnaire surveys at giant panda exhibits at three city zoos and five wildlife parks in China. Although visitors were generally interested in the giant panda, this was not reflected in their post-exhibit knowledge of giant panda biology. Socio-demographically, men were more knowledgeable of giant panda biology than women. Knowledge correlated positively with respondent level of education. Younger respondents (< 45 years) knew most about giant pandas and expressed an interest in learning more about them using social media. The most informed respondents had visited other giant panda exhibits previously. Respondents were generally satisfied with the giant panda exhibits (mean score 4.44/5). Wildlife parks delivered a better educational outcome than city zoos. We recommend approaches to improve the visitor experience further and to leverage public interest in broader conservation engagement and action in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is an important part of ecological environment problems. Gaseous energy combustion pollution is a key part of air pollution. Analysis of its spatial distribution and drivers is important to effectively manage air quality and promote regional green development. This paper uses panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2019 to analyze the spatial distribution and drivers of gaseous energy combustion pollution in each province of China through a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis based on the spatial Durbin model, and further decompose the spatial effects of each influencing factor. The empirical results show, firstly, that inter-provincial gaseous energy combustion pollution in China shows significant spatial differences and cluster characteristics. Secondly, most areas are located in high–high aggregation area and low–low aggregation area. Finally, population, energy consumption and other independent variables have different impacts on gaseous energy combustion pollution in different regions. The changes of these variables will affect the adjacent areas through spatial transmission while affecting a region. According to the empirical results, this study proposes policy recommendations to balance the pollution degree of gaseous energy combustion in various regions and effectively reduce the emissions of various pollution sources. The research results are helpful to understand the spatial distribution of gaseous energy combustion pollution in various regions of China, provide reference for the future development of various regions, and have important practical significance for the reduction and balance of pollution levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian giant softshell turtle Pelochelys cantorii is one of the largest aquatic turtles in China and has been designated a First Grade Protected Animal in China. To advance conservation research, a combination of Illumina short-read, PacBio long-read, and Hi-C scaffolding technologies was used to develop a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for P. cantorii. A total of 262.77 Gb of clean data were produced (121.6 × depth) and then the genome was assembled into 2.16 Gb with a contig N50 of 41.44 Mb and scaffold N50 length of 120.17 Mb, respectively. Moreover, about 99.98% assembly genome sequences were clustered and ordered onto 33 pseudochromosomes. Genome annotation revealed that 21,833 protein-coding genes were predicted, and 96.40% of them were annotated. This new chromosome-level assembly will be an enabling resource for genetic and genomic studies to support fundamental insight into P. cantorii biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fangcang shelter hospital is a form of large temporary hospital developed in China to tackle public health events. Through the case study and analysis of managing a nursing unit in a huge Fangcang shelter hospital transformed from the National Exhibition and Convention Center during the Omicron wave in Shanghai, China between April 9, 2022 and May 24, 2022, this paper aimed to highlight critical implications of public health nurses in health emergencies. Design: A case study was conducted using data collected from a nursing unit with 570 beds. The five characteristics of management were organized as follows: human resource management, establishment and optimization of the core workflow, safety management of high‐risk patients, the grid cooperation mechanism with patient volunteers, as well as humanistic nursing. Results: Analysis of the data of the nursing unit indicated close team cooperation, efficient and orderly process scheduling, good outcomes of patients, and the indispensable role of volunteers. Conclusion: Practice indicated that nursing unit management in a large Fangcang shelter hospital is important to ensure medical order and efficiency. This practical experience can provide valuable reference and data to support for the nursing management of large‐scale public health events, such as infectious disease epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the survival benefit of consolidative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL). In this retrospective study, the ASCT group underwent consolidative ASCT after first-line therapy at 14 transplantation centers in China between January 2001 and December 2019. Data were collected over the same time frame for the non-ASCT group from the database of lymphoma patient records at Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. A total of 120 and 317 patients were enrolled in the ASCT and non-ASCT groups, respectively, and their median ages were 43 years and 51 years, respectively. In the ASCT group, 101 patients had achieved complete remission (CR) and 19 patients had achieved partial remission at the time of ASCT. The median follow-up time was 40.2 months and 68 months, and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 80.6% and 48.9% (p < 0.001) for the ASCT and non-ASCT groups, respectively. The beneficial effect of ASCT for OS remained even after propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis (81.6% vs 68.3%, p = 0.001). Among the 203 patients who were aged ≤ 65 years and achieved CR, ASCT conferred a significant survival benefit (3-year progression-free survival [PFS]: 67.4% vs 47.0%, p = 0.004; 3-year OS: 84.0% vs 74.1%, p = 0.010), and this was also maintained after PSM analysis (3-year PFS: 66.6% vs 48.4%, p = 0.042; 3-year OS: 84.8% vs 70.5%, p = 0.011). Consolidative ASCT improved the survival outcome of PTCL patients, even those who achieved CR after first-line therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water saving management contract (WSMC) is a new water-saving strategy based on market mechanism. As a period for the water saving service company (WSSC) to provide funds and technology to water user, contract period is one of the key elements in WSMC projects. This paper attempted to establish a model to determine the optimal contract period based on equipment replacement. First, the performance degradation simulation of water-saving equipment was constructed based on degradation path model. Second, water-saving process simulation under equipment replacement was established based on measured renewal cycle of water-saving equipment. Third, a contract period optimization model for WSMC projects was built with the objective of maximizing WSSC profit net present value (NPV) and with constraints of water user incentive constraint, WSSC rational constraint, and minimal cooperation duration. Finally, a WSMC project case in China was studied and the solutions were compared with traditional model. The results showed that the optimal contract period in this paper was 3 years longer than the one in traditional model. Meanwhile, the measured equipment renewal cycle was 7 years and it was less than the estimated economic lifetime. Based on the 9-year contract, the water user's revenue was higher with 55.8% than original contract, while WSSC's profit loss was lower with 60.8% than the traditional results. The findings reveal that the implementation of an equipment replacement plan considerably boost the revenue of participants and assist WSSC in obtaining more profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Requirements of blood transfusions rise rapidly in China. Improving the efficiency of blood donation could help maintaining sufficient blood supplement. We conducted a pilot research to investigate the reliability and safety of collecting more units of red blood cell by apheresis. Methods: Thirty‐two healthy male volunteers were randomized into two groups: red blood cell apheresis (RA) (n = 16) and whole blood (WB) donation (n = 16). RA group donated individualized RBC volumes by apheresis according to the volunteers' basal total blood volumes and haematocrit levels, WB group donated 400 mL whole blood. All volunteers were scheduled seven visit times in 8 weeks' study period. The cardiovascular functions were assessed by laboratory examinations, echocardiography and cardiopulmonary functional tests. All results were compared between groups at the same visit time and compared between visit 1(before donation) and other visit times within the same group. Results: The average donated RBC volume in RA group and in WB group was 627.25 ± 109.74 mL and 175.28 ± 8.85 mL, respectively(p < 0.05); the RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels changed significantly between times and between groups (p < 0.05). Cardiac biomarker levels such as NT‐proBNP, hs‐TnT and CK‐MB did not change significantly between times or between groups (p > 0.05). The echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary results did not change significantly between times or between groups during the whole study period(p > 0.05). Conclusions: We provided an efficient and secure method for RBC apheresis. By harvesting more RBC volumes at one single‐time, the cardiovascular functions did not change significantly compared with traditional whole blood donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of urbanization, the demand for bricks continues to increase. However, traditional brick production methods result in significant energy consumption and environmental pollution. In Hebei Province, China, historical mineral extraction activities have left behind substantial iron ore tailings (IOT). With the objective of recycling IOT resources and promoting ecological restoration and sustainable development, the feasibility of producing alkali-activated bricks using iron ore tailings was explored. This study primarily utilized IOT supplemented with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) to successfully synthesize sustainable eco-friendly alkali-activated high-content IOT bricks. Experimental investigations were conducted to explore the effects of the raw material mixing ratio, content, and modulus of the alkaline activator, molding pressure, and grain size distribution on the strength. The research demonstrated that the IOT: GGBS ratio of 85:15 met the requirements of the Chinese JC/T422-2007 MU25 standard, resulting in compressive and flexural strengths of 31.72 MPa and 2.83 MPa, respectively. Increasing the alkali activator content enhanced the brick strength, with an optimal alkali activator modulus of 1 M. Moreover, the molding pressure significantly improved brick strength and also enhanced the particle-to-particle contact density. Bricks prepared using finer particle size IOT exhibited higher compressive strength, whereas flexural strength remained relatively unaffected by particle size distribution. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the microstructure and alkali activation mechanism of IOT-GGBS bricks was performed using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and AFM techniques. The results indicated that IOT primarily acted as an aggregate and partially participated in the reaction, whereas GGBS reacted extensively, generating C-S-H gel and C-A-H, providing robust bonding strength. Additionally, the increase in GGBS content led to the partial disintegration of some IOT particles, forming more stable aggregates under the influence of the C-S-H gel. This study offers theoretical guidance for the efficient utilization of IOT in construction materials, thereby contributing to the promotion of sustainable development and environmental conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important aspect of plant water consumption, nocturnal water use (En) behavior provides reliable information on the effect of plantation carbon and water budgets at stand and regional scales. Therefore, quantifying En and its environmental and stomatal controlling mechanisms is urgent to establish adaptation strategies for plantation management in semiarid regions. With the help of the sap flow technique, our study investigated the seasonal variations in canopy transpiration and canopy conductance in a Caragana korshinskii Kom plantation. Environmental variables were measured concurrently during the growing seasons of 2020 and 2021. The results indicated that the average En values were 0.10 mm d−1 and 0.09 mm d−1, which accounted for 14% and 13% of daily water use, respectively, over two years. The proportions of nocturnal transpiration (Tn) to En were approximately 49.76% and 54.44%, while stem refilling (Re) accounted for 50.24% and 45.56% of En in 2020 and 2021, respectively, indicating that C. korshinskii was able to draw on stored stem water to support transpiration. En was predominantly affected by nocturnal canopy conductance (Gc–n), air temperature (Ta–n) and wind speed (u2-n). In contrast, Gc–n and Ta–n explained the highest variation in Tn and nocturnal vapor pressure (VPDn), and u2-n explained the highest variation in Re. Total effects of the five environmental and stomatal variables explained 50%, 36% and 32% of En, Tn and Re variation, respectively. These findings could enable a better understanding of nocturnal water use dynamics and their allocation patterns in C. korshinskii plantations on the Bashang Plateau. Moreover, our results reveal the water use strategies of artificial shrubs and highlight the importance of incorporating nocturnal water use processes into large-scale ecohydrological models in semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zizania latifolia is usually infected by the obligate parasitic fungus Ustilago esculenta to form an edible fleshy stem which is an aquatic vegetable called Jiaobai in China. The infection by the teliospore (T) strain of U. esculenta induces Z. latifolia forming gray fleshy stems, while the mycelia-teliospore (MT) strain of U. esculenta induces white fleshy stems which are more suitable for edibility than gray fleshy stems. The mechanism of this phenomenon is still largely unknown. One of the possible causes is the diversity of endophytic microbial communities between these two fleshy stems. Therefore, we utilized fungal ITS1 and bacterial 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to investigate the diversity of endophytic microbial communities in the two different fleshy stems of Z. latifolia. The results revealed that the α diversity and richness of endophytic fungi in white Z. latifolia were significantly greater than in gray Z. latifolia. The dominant fungal genus in both fleshy stems was U. esculenta, which accounted for over 90% of the endophytic fungi. The community composition of endophytic fungi in gray and white Z. latifolia was different except for U. esculenta, and a negative correlation was observed between U. esculenta and other endophytic fungi. In addition, the dominant bacterial genus in gray Z. latifolia was Alcaligenaceae which is also negatively correlated with other bacterium communities. Additionally, the co-occurrence network of white Z. latifolia was found to have a stronger scale, connectivity, and complexity compared to that of gray Z. latifolia. And the detected beneficial bacteria and pathogens in the stems of Z. latifolia potentially compete for resources. Furthermore, the function of endophytic bacteria is more abundant than endophytic fungi in Z. latifolia. This research investigated the correlation between the development of Z. latifolia fleshy stems and endophytic microbial communities. Our findings indicate that the composition of endophytic microbial communities is closely related to the type of Z. latifolia fleshy stems. This research also suggests the potential utilization of specific microbial communities to enhance the growth and development of Z. latifolia, thereby contributing to the breeding of Z. latifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence of innovative technologies, including combinatorial chemistry, high‐throughput screening, computer‐aided drug design (CADD), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, the importance of drug design in the field of drug discovery and development is increasing. Additionally, education in drug design plays an important role in the training of pharmaceutical talent. Starting with undergraduates, cultivating pharmaceutical design thinking, developing innovation and creativity, and establishing an interdisciplinary knowledge system will not only provide students with a solid knowledge basis but also promote the development of the pharmaceutical industry in China. This article presents the current status of pharmaceutical education and the distribution of drug design courses in China and summarizes the employment prospects of graduates, thus providing valuable references and evidence for global pharmaceutical design education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation tillage is an important reform of traditional tillage, which has significant carbon sequestration and emission reduction effects. It is important to investigate the influencing factors and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of net carbon sink of conservation tillage for realizing the "dual carbon" target, and facilitating agricultural sustainable development. This study used the coefficient accounting method to calculate the carbon sink and carbon emission of conservation tillage in China from 2000 to 2019, respectively. Based on this, the net carbon sink of conservation tillage was measured. Then, the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of influencing factors on net carbon sink of conservation tillage was analyzed by using the geographically and temporally weighted regression model. The results showed that (1) the net carbon sink of conservation tillage in China was significant and had potential to have a constant rise; (2) spatially, the net carbon sink of conservation tillage changed more variably in longitudinal direction. Specifically, the promotion effect of conservation tillage machinery gradually decreased from west to east. The planting structure and conservation tillage promotion intensity played key roles in improving net carbon sink of conservation tillage. (3) Temporally, the effect of conservation tillage machinery showed positive effect of decreasing yearly, while the positive effect of promotion intensity increased year by year. Planting structure and economic development negatively affected improvement on the net carbon sink of conservation tillage and the negative effect increased year by year. Additionally, the effect of education on the net carbon sink shifted from positive to negative over time. The study aims to provide a reference for the government to promote conservation tillage according to local conditions and to achieve the "dual carbon" target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]