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The Quaternary red clay (QRC) is one of the typical terrestrial sediments in southern China which contains abundant palaeoclimatic information. A natural QRC outcrop, named the Jingxian red clay section (JRCS), was developed in Jingxian City on the northern piedmont of Mt. Huangshan, offering a valuable archive for long-term palaeoclimatic study from a southern China perspective. The objective of this study is to reveal palaeoclimatic information of regional precipitation from the JRCS and its correlation with the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) intensity, using grain-size measurements combined with dating via Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and palaeomagnetism. The results indicate that: (1) Ten palaeoclimatic wetter periods (PWPs) designated as PWP I to PWP X from top to bottom were detected from the grain-size analysis results of the upper 9.4 m JRCS. These PWPs span a period from approximately 840 ka ago to present; (2) three PWPs (PWP VIII to PWP X) were basically determined to approximately 612–690, 720–762 and 792–822 ka ago, basically corresponding to China loess layers of L6, L7 and L8 and deep-sea isotope stages of MIS16, MIS18 and MIS20, respectively. Data suggests that the PWPs in the study area were observed mainly during glaciations; (3) regional precipitation in the study area should be negatively related to the EASM intensity since approximately 840 ka ago as a result of variations in North Hemisphere solar insolation and uplifts of the Tibetan Plateau; (4) the modern anti-phase of monsoonal rainfall at glacial-interglacial timescales seemed to have existed between northern China and southern China since the late Early Pleistocene (approximately 840 ka ago). • We studied precipitation information recorded in the Jingxian red clay in southern China. • Regional rainfall was negatively related to the East Asian summer monsoon intensity since 840 ka ago. • Anti-phase of monsoonal rainfall at longer timescales existed between northern China and southern China since 840 ka ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qingyijiang River, which originates from the northern fringe of Mt. Huangshan, is an important tributary of the lower Yangtze River. A field investigation focused on the natural outcrops of the Qingyijiang in the Jingxian Basin, where a well-preserved sequence of three gravel beds of fluvial terraces is present. Based on gravel fabric analysis and ESR dating, this paper discusses the genesis of the Qingyijiang on the northern fringe of Mt. Huangshan. The main results show that (1) the diameter of the gravels is mainly medium and coarse, showing that the hydrodynamic conditions were strong in the formation periods of the terrace gravel beds, especially for the T3 terrace gravel bed; (2) the gravel orientations in the gravels of the T3 and T2 terraces are 191° and 250°, which are to the SSW and SWW, respectively, and are similar to the present flow, which is from southwest to northeast; (3) the roundness of the gravels is mainly subrounded or rounded, implying that these gravels were transported significant distances from their provenances; (4) the terrace gravels contain mainly quartz sandstone, sandstone, vein quartz and quartzite, which account for 90% of the rudaceous clasts in each terrace gravel, which shows that there was no significant provenance change; (5) the gravels of the T2 and T1 terraces are typical fluvial sediments, whereas that of the T3 terrace is a product of superimposition of debris flow and fluvial deposits; and (6) the Qingyijiang originated from a braided river on an alluvial (or pluvial) fan, and the timing of the Qingyijiang can be traced back at least to 905.4 ± 272.4 kyr ago when the Yangtze cut through the Three Gorges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain are major clinical health issues that represent considerable social and economic burden worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the anti-nociceptive efficacy of delivery of human proenkephalin gene by a plasmid DNA vector (pVAX1-PENK) on complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced inflammatory pain and spared nerve injury (SNI) induced neuropathic pain in mice. Mice were intramuscularly or intrathecally administered pVAX1 or pVAX1-PENK, respectively. Pain thresholds in the pVAX1-PENK treated mice were significantly higher at day 3, then reached a peak at day 7 and lasted until day 28 after gene transfer, and the analgesic effect of pVAX1-PENK was blocked with naloxone hydrochloride. In contrast, pVAX1 treated mice did not significantly improve pain thresholds. These results indicate that peripheral or spinal delivery of a plasmid encoding human proenkephalin gene provides a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Wheat grain yield was decreased under warming treatment in 3 out of 4 years. [•] Warming limited yield gain from nitrogen fertilization under normal winter weather. [•] Wheat yield was increased by warming following an unusual cold and snowy winter. [•] Warming improved nitrogen utilization in a year with unusual cold and wet winter. [•] Early growth phases were shortened whereas later ones were extended under warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The clinical application of gentamicin has been limited by its nephrotoxicity, which is characterized by kidney injury, interstitial fibrosis and progressive renal impairment. In this paper, we examine effects of plasmid pUDK-HGF which encodes the human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene on gentamicin-induced renal injury in rats. The kidney injury was intentionally induced by injecting gentamicin intraperitoneally. On the third day after last gentamicin treatment, pUDK-HGF was injected into the left kidney tissue only once via a sterile back incision. At day 30 after gentamicin treatment, RI, Scr, BUN, 24h-UTP and apoptotic cell death were determined. Tubulointerstitial injury and the renal interstitial vessel regeneration were evaluated by histological scoring. pUDK-HGF treatment significantly improved the renal function with decreasing RI, Scr and BUN. 24h-UTP also presented ameliorating trend compared to the control group with kidney injury. pUDK-HGF treatment significantly decreased the score of tubulointerstitial injury and enhanced angiogenesis, also prevented kidney cells from apoptosis. The tubulointerstitial injury was significantly reduced in the pUDK-HGF injected left kidney and right kidney also showed some improvements. Our results showed that pUDK-HGF may become a novel therapeutic agent for kidney injury and renal fibrosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The acetylene inhibition technique (AIT) is commonly used for the determination of soil denitrification potential (SDP). However, the results obtained with this technique have intrinsic uncertainties. This study aimed at quantifying these uncertainties. A silt loam topsoil from an experimental station was incubated under standard conditions for SDP measurements, with and without acetylene additions. Changes in the concentrations of N2O and N2 in the headspace of incubation vials were monitored during the incubation, using a robotized sampling and analyzing system. Our results showed that the AIT did not completely inhibit the reduction of N2O to N2. As much as 11.7% of the produced N2O was reduced into N2 in the presence of acetylene. We conclude that SDP has to be corrected when determined by the AIT. The procedures used in this study will allow the estimation of correction factors, possibly as function of soil type and environmental conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The majority of soil urease activity measurements have been based on the rate of ammonium production under optimal conditions. However, such procedures do not exclude ammonium consumption by the nitrification process. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of soil urease activity that is underestimated due to soil nitrification. Six soils with diverse properties were incubated using a standard procedure for measuring soil urease activity. The dynamics of nitrite and nitrate were observed during the incubation. Our results showed that the percentage of underestimation ranged from 7.38% to 15.97%, depending on soil types and whether or not a buffer was used. We recommend that nitrification be taken into account when soil urease activity is assayed by the ammonium production rate method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiFePO 4 batteries generally face a challenge of inaccurate state of charge (SoC) estimation due to the plateaus existing in the middle range of the open circuit voltage (OCV)-SoC curve. Generally, conventional SoC estimation methods are not capable of accurately estimating the SoC in this range. In this paper, a deep neural network (DNN) is constructed to estimate the SoC in the charging process. Battery data collected from five state-of-the-art charging protocols at 10 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C are used to train the DNN. The developed DNN can be used for online SoC estimation subsequently. This estimated SoC can serve as the initial SoC of the ampere-hour counting method to calculate the SoC of the discharging process. The overall maximum error and the root mean square error of the SoC estimation over charging process are within 2.5% and 0.8%, respectively. In addition, the input depth of time from 10 s to 100 s with a 10 s interval is investigated. The maximum error is less than 5% in the case of the depth time within 100 s and the error fall to 2% when the depth of time reaches 90 s. • Accurate estimation results can be obtained with only data sampled in 90 s. •A deep neural network is developed to accurately estimate the SOC of LiFePO 4 batteries. • Five state-of-the-art charging protocols are employed for validation. • Accurate SOC estimation can be ensured even in a flat voltage range. • The proposed method has robust performance at different temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Northern China Plain (NCP) produces over 20% of the national grain production. Best management practices (BMP) for intensive irrigated cropping systems of the NCP are based on large nitrogen (N) applications without accounting for N budgets. There are concerns that non-scientific based BMPs may be impacting underground water resources. We conducted the first study in this region, located at the Luancheng Experimental Research Station that measured the effects of N fertilizer rates on nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) leaching losses. From October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2004, we used a water balance approach with a neutron probe, weighing lysimeter, and suction cups located at 1.8m depths on a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–corn (Zea mays L.) rotation to monitor NO3-N leaching. Residual soil NO3-N, yields, and N uptake by aboveground biomass were also measured. Corn received two surface broadcast applications every year of 50, 100, 150 and 200kg urea-Nha−1 for the N200, N400, N600, and N800 treatments, respectively. The first broadcast application was at seeding and the second at tassel. Similarly, winter wheat received two surface broadcast applications, initially as a pre-plant and a second application at the jointing stage of growth in spring. We monitored NO3-N leaching losses for the N200, N400, and N800 treatments. Average NO3-N leaching losses during wheat–corn season were 6, 58, and 149kg NO3-Nha−1 year−1 for the 200, 400, and 800kgNha−1 year−1 treatments, respectively. The NO3-N leaching increased with N applications (P <0.05) and were in agreement with the NO3-N concentrations of 12, 74, and 223mg NO3-NL−1 for soil water at 1.8m depths for the 200, 400, and 800kgNha−1 year−1 treatments, respectively. Higher than needed N fertilizer applications increased the NO3-N leaching losses and reduced the N use efficiency (NUE) without yield increases. We propose that there is a need for a new scientifically based BMP approach for the NCP based on N budgets that credits soil NO3-N before planting, N mineralization from soil organic matter, and other potential N sources as a key mitigation alternative to increase NUE and reduce NO3-N leaching in this region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ammonia (NH 3) emissions, the majority of which arise from livestock production, are linked to high concentration of PM 2.5 and lower air quality in China. NH 3 mitigation options were well studied at the small-scale (laboratory or pilot), however, they lack of a large-scale test in China. This study fills this crucial gap by evaluating the cost-benefit of pioneering NH 3 mitigation projects carried out for a whole county – Sheyang, Jiangsu province, China. Measures were implemented in 2019 following two distinct strategies, improved manure treatment for industrial livestock farms, and collection and central treatment for traditional livestock farms. Emission reductions of 16% were achieved in a short time. While this is remarkable, it falls short of expectations from small-scale studies. If measures were fully implemented according to purpose and meet expectations from the small scale, higher emission reductions of 42% would be possible. The cost benefit analysis presented in this study demonstrated advantages of central manure treatment over in-farm facilities. With improved implementation of mitigation strategies in industrial livestock farms, traditional livestock farms may play an increasing role in total NH 3 emissions, which means such farms either need to be included in future NH 3 mitigation policies or gradually replaced by industrial livestock farms. The study found an agricultural NH 3 reduction technology route suitable for China's national conditions (such as the "Sheyang Model"). [Display omitted] • Huge gaps exist between laboratory/pilot-scale studies and on-farm implementation. • Government support and subsidies are major factors in encouraging technology use. • Traditional livestock farms will remain as key sources of future emissions. • Integrating crop and livestock system is central to efficient manure utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is generally one of the key factors limiting denitrification in subsoil beneath the root zone. Despite a number of laboratory DOC amendment studies, the effects of in situ DOC infiltration on subsoil denitrification, and on subsequent end product composition, are less understood. Here, we report on the effects of in situ infiltration of a DOC-rich liquid, derived from decomposing straw, on potential denitrification rate (PDR), N 2 O/(N 2 O + N 2 ) product ratio, and nitrate stock in a 0–2 m soil profile. The results showed that in situ infiltration with a DOC-rich liquid (100 mm, 2 ton DOC ha −1 ) significantly increased the DOC concentration and PDR, and significantly decreased the N 2 O/(N 2 O + N 2 ) product ratio in the soil profile. Up to 70% of the nitrate accumulated in the 0–2 m soil profile disappeared within three weeks following the infiltration of the DOC-rich liquid. The majority of the nitrate removed could be accounted for by denitrification. The predominant end product of denitrification was N 2 . The mass ratio between the consumed DOC and nitrate-N was about 5. Our results demonstrate the significant potential for removing subsoil nitrate by in situ introduction of DOC generated from the above-ground crop biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is environmentally and agronomically beneficial due to DNRA improving nitrogen (N) retention in soil. However, the rate of DNRA is generally considerably lower than that of denitrification because DNRA requires more electron donors than denitrification. Biochar has been increasingly reported to act as an "electron shuttle" to facilitate electron transfer and to promote redox reactions in soil. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether and how biochar could enhance the DNRA process in a paddy soil. The results showed that, compared with the no-biochar control, the application of rice straw biochar increased the DNRA rate from 0.2 to 0.7 mg NH 4 +-N kg−1 dry soil d−1. As well, biochar simultaneously, increased the relative abundance of DNRA functional microbes (nrfA -type microbes) and functional gene (nrfA) expression levels. Biochar's enhancement of DNRA was positively correlated with the biochar properties relevant to electron shuttling (e.g., specific capacitance). In contrast, the application of electron shuttle-weakened biochar (oxidized by H 2 O 2) did not increase, or even decreased, the DNRA rate in the paddy soil. These results demonstrate that biochar can act as an electron shuttle to enhance electron availability for DNRA functional microorganisms and consequently promote the DNRA process in paddy soil. Our results indicate that amendment of paddy soil with biochar containing a high-capacity electron shuttle function is beneficial for preserving N by transforming the mobile nitrate anion into the less mobile ammonium cation in paddy soils. [Display omitted] • Biochar promoted the DNRA rate and DNRA functional gene expression in paddy soil. • The promotion of DNRA resulted from the electron shuttle function of the biochar. • Biochar's role as an electron shuttle increases N retention in paddy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) from agricultural soils contribute to global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. Applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N) increase N2O emission, but also increase agricultural production. Here, we report on the responses of crop yield, N2O emission and yield-scaled N2O emission (N2O emission per unit N uptake by grain and aboveground biomass) to different N fertilizer rates in a winter wheat–summer corn double-cropping system in the North China Plain. Soil N2O emission measurements were carried out for two years in a long-term field experiment, under semi-arid conditions with four flood irrigations events per year. Our results indicated that N2O emissions were linear functions and yield-scaled N2O emissions were cubic functions of N fertilizer application rate. Yield-scaled N2O emissions were lowest at application rates of 136 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Using a quadratic-plateau model, it was found that maximal crop yields were achieved at an application rate of 317 kg N ha−1 yr−1, which is 20% less than current practice. This level is suggested to be a compromise between achieving food security and mitigation N2O emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study compared the responses of soil chemical and microbial indicators to the conservational tillage (CT) versus traditional tillage (TT) in a Haplic Cambisol in the North China Plain (NCP). These indicators included soil organic C (SOC), soil total N (STN), soil available P (SAP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+, microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN), alkaline phosphomonoesterase (AP), β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), nitrate reductase (NR), protease, urease and the geometric mean of the assayed enzymes (GMea). Our results showed that almost all investigated parameters, except the contents of CEC, Ca2+, Mg2+ and the ratios of GMea/MBN and C/N, were significantly higher under the CT (no-till, NT and reduced-till, RT) than those under the TT, whilst the crop yield was not significantly affected by tillage treatments. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that the first and second component explained 67.2% and 16.6% of the total variation, respectively. The first component was significantly correlated with GMea, MBC, MBN and β-glucosidase, and effectively discriminated soils under the NT or RT from those under the TT. Our results indicated that the 6-year CT improved the quality of the Haplic Cambisol by enhancing its chemical and microbial properties, whilst GMea, MBC, MBN and β-glucosidase were among the most effective indicators for monitoring these improvements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]