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The concept of "world-class university" has been there for some time, and everyone wants a world-class university, and no country feels it can do without one. This battle to develop world-class universities lies not only in the gained status but also in the symbolic role of such universities. Universities exist mainly for research and dissemination of knowledge, which have become critical drivers of economic growth. For this reason, world-class research universities are recognized as central institutions in the 21st century economies. This recognition comes with pressure for universities to rethink their research activities and with the need to raise their research status to that of internationally accepted world-class universities. However, in order to attain the world-class research status, there is a need to sustain the efforts being put in place at both national and university levels. This study analyzed university data over nine years, from 2008 to 2016. It examined how Nanjing Agricultural University has strived to sustain its efforts towards attaining world-class research status. The results reveal that consistency and sustainability have resulted in excellence in research and increased research production. The conclusion is that the sustainability of the efforts significantly increases research production and excellence.

Mandating domestic waste separation is essential for solving the urban waste crisis, but it remains unclear what kind of mandatory policy in detail is more effective or counterproductive. This current study described the mandatory policy of waste separation as a configuration of five attributes, i.e. economic punishment, social punishment, supervision, charges, and community governance. Based on data mining and text analysis of the messages from Sina Weibo, the concurrent effects of those attributes were analysed by a qualitative comparative analysis from 44 pilot cities in China. The study found three configurations of high willingness by residents to separate waste, which all require different mandatory policy attributes working together. Specifically, H1a is the combination of supervision, community governance, and economic punishment; and H1b is a combination of social punishment, community governance, and economic punishment. In configuration H2, supervision and community governance are core conditions, while charges and economic punishment are not necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the year 2021, China's economy continues to recover and moves towards policy normalisation. This report identifies features indicating the beginning of China's macroeconomic normalisation, the internal and external pressure it faces, and the supporting policies. Due to the economic recovery and the base effect, China's real GDP growth rate is projected to reach above 8.0% in 2021, and the quarterly growth rate will drop from 18.3% in Q1 to 5.0% in Q4, showing a declining trend. Based on qualitative assessments and statistical forecasts, this report puts forward some policy suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Great Unconformity between the Precambrian basement and the Phanerozoic successions marks a major gap in the stratigraphic records globally. However, previous studies on the time, magnitude, and the spatial distribution of this unconformity in the North China Craton (NCC) mainly focused on the south‐eastern margin and were seldom investigated in the central area. In this study, we report detrital zircon geochronological data of the Huoshan Formation, a siliciclastic stratigraphic unit between the Archean‐Palaeoproterozoic metamorphic basement and Cambrian successions in the central NCC. The youngest age peak of 685 Ma suggests that the Huoshan Formation was formed in the post‐Ediacaran rather than the counterpart of the lower Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic Changcheng Group. The detrital zircons of the quartz sandstone from the Huoshan Formation show varied age populations of 2,700–2,600 Ma, 2,600–2,500 Ma, 2,200–2,000 Ma, 1,900–1,800 Ma, and 700–600 Ma, which correspond to typical tectono‐thermal events of the NCC. First, the widely developed Precambrian tectono‐thermal events in the NCC were archived in the detrital zircons in the Huoshan Formation, for instance, the crustal growth event at 2,600–2,500 Ma and the 1,850–1,800 Ma magmatic and metamorphic events. Second, the age peaks younger than 1,000 Ma are not distinct in the NCC and are possibly from other terranes. The Great Unconformity represented by the boundary between the Huoshan Formation and the underlying Archean‐Palaeoproterozoic basement suggested a high topography and long‐term denudation in the Lüliang area during the transition from the Proterozoic to the Phanerozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban residents' waste sorting plays a pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenge of the "waste siege" in China and is also closely associated with the quality of urban governance. We draw on the Technology–Organization–Environment framework to identify six key variables affecting municipal waste sorting in China: digital technology innovation, attention allocation, publicity and education, enforcement intensity, economic development level, and volunteer resources. Using the fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to analyze the effect of conditions on municipal waste sorting, the results show the following: 1) A single condition is insufficient to ensure high levels of municipal waste sorting. We propose that the "multiple concurrency" of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions creates diverse paths for promoting municipal waste sorting. 2) We then identify three paths for waste-sorting promotion, which all require technological, organizational, and environmental conditions. In addition, the two paths obtained for low levels of municipal waste sorting are not the opposite of those obtained for high levels. By observing the above five paths of waste sorting, we deduced that digital technology innovation is indispensable in driving waste sorting, and 3) Our cross-case comparisons show that there are effective paths to waste-sorting governance that work for cities regardless of their location or piloting. In some cases, high levels of attention allocation and high levels of publicity and education are substitutes for each other. We recommend that local governments refer to their own unique characteristics and resource endowments when tailoring waste-sorting strategies. • No single condition solely determines municipal waste sorting. • Configuration analysis reveals diverse paths for promoting municipal waste sorting. • Digital technology innovation is indispensable in driving waste sorting. • Local governments should refer to their characteristics when tailoring strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2020 is bound to be a very special year in the history of China's and the world's economy. The sudden onslaught of COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on China's macroeconomy and its market participants. Also, the global economic and trade system has tipped into the most severe downturn since World War II. The macro stimulus policy packages launched by various countries are of an epic scale, in a way rarely seen before. China was the first to be hit by the epidemic, to contain the epidemic, and to resume work and production. China's economic recovery and reconstruction are of landmark and leading significance for the global economy. The content of this report mainly includes the following two aspects: one is to forecast the basic trend and recovery potential of China's economy under the impact of the epidemic; the other is to provide applicable policy recommendations for post-epidemic economic rehabilitation and its mid- to long-term development. We focus on four issues: the progress and nature of China's economic recovery at the current stage; major challenges and risks facing China's economic recovery in the next stage; how to design policies of a sizable scale and policy mechanisms to achieve desired effects; and whether the existing policy is sufficient to cope with various risks and challenges, to enhance resilience and re-consolidate economic foundations. In view of this, the report presents the forecast and prospect of China's core macroeconomic indicators in 2020 and puts forward policy recommendations accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article investigates the mechanism of the direct and indirect effects of epidemics on agricultural production and projects the impact of COVID-19 on agricultural output in China. Design/methodology/approach: This article first adopts a dynamic panel model and spatial Durbin model to estimate the direct and indirect effects, followed by a growth accounting method to identify the channels by which epidemics affect agriculture; finally, it projects the overall impact of COVID-19 on agriculture. Findings: The incidence rate of epidemics in a province has a negative impact on that province's own agricultural productivity, but the increase in the input factors (land, fertilizer and machinery) can make up for the loss and thus lead to insignificant direct effects. However, this "input-offset-productivity" mechanism fails to radiate to the surrounding provinces and therefore leads to significant indirect/spillover effects. It is projected that COVID-19 will lower China's agricultural growth rate by 0.4%–2.0% in 2020 under different scenarios. Research limitations/implications: It is crucial to establish a timely disclosure and sharing system of epidemic information across provinces, improve the support and resilience of agricultural production in the short run and accelerate the process of agricultural modernization in the long run. Originality/value: Considering the infectivity of epidemics, this article evaluates the mechanism of the direct and indirect effects by introducing a spatial dynamic model into the growth accounting framework. Moreover, besides the impact on input portfolio and productivity, this article also investigates whether epidemics reshape agricultural production processes due to panic effects and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nanhaizi Wetland (NHZW) is a significant part of the Baotou Yellow River National Wetland Park in China, an important migration station and habitat for waterfowl. The Yellow River receives a significant amount of industrial and agricultural wastewater. Therefore, the environmental quality of NHZW directly affects the survival of migratory birds in the Baotou region. We aimed to determine the trace element distribution in tissues and risk of exposure in ruddy shelduck and to provide a scientific basis for bird protection and an environmental quality assessment for the NHZW. In January 2018, we collected water, soil, and 18 dead ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (nine males and nine females) from the NHZW. We measured concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Hg, and As) in the specimens and modeled the risk of exposure to trace elements. Trace element concentration was greatest in feathers, followed by the kidneys, liver, and muscle, in descending. There was no significant difference in trace element accumulation between sexes. Exposure doses of Hg in water; Cr, Pb, and Cu in soil; and Pb, Cu, and Hg in corn were higher than the tolerable daily intake and may adversely affect ruddy shelduck. The calculated hazard quotients (HQ) for trace elements were ranked as follows: Hg > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cu > As, where Hg and Cr were at high risk levels (HQ > 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread Mesoproterozoic successions around the world have recorded the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Columbia. In the North China Craton (NCC), the Mesoproterozoic basins in the Yan-Liao and southern NCC are the important evidence to study the nature and evolution of the Mesoproterozoic basins. In this study, we scrutinized the stratigraphic pattern and detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology in the southern Yan-Liao and Mianchi-Queshan areas in the southern NCC, to investigate the evolutionary relationship between the Mesoproterozoic basins in the north and south of NCC. Detrital zircons from the Mesoproterozoic sequence in the southern Yan-Liao areas showed monotonous source with age peak at ca. 2500 Ma, corresponding well with the ages of the Neoarchean complex in the central NCC. However, the Mesoproterozoic sequence in the Mianchi-Queshan areas, which is represented by the Ruyang Group, exhibited significantly different characteristics with influx of much younger zircons. The southern Yan-Liao and Mianchi-Queshan areas showed distinct similarity in the stratigraphic pattern, reflected by the Mesoproterozoic successions in these two areas being both bracketed by two sequence boundaries and further divided into two sequences under a uniform sea-level change. The Mesoproterozoic strata in these two areas probably possessed a correlative relationship in the stratigraphic patterns and basin evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2016, the scenario of stable macroeconomic performance with good momentum has changed due to shifts in global economic architecture, changes in market sentiment, variations in microeconomic bases and mismatched economic policies. Core macroeconomic indicators demonstrated 'continuous slower growth' as downward pressure continued to increase. The situation illustrates that China's macroeconomy has neither stabilised nor entered a steady recovery cycle. A short-term policy may fail to stabilise growth and alleviate the continuous downturn pressure which emerged in 2018. Chinese economy needs comprehensive supply-side structural reforms and opening-up. This report shows that China's internal and external pressures urged wide-range reforms in 2018 and in-depth opening-up in 2019. The year 2019 is crucial for China as it transitions from the dismal 'new normal' phase to a high-quality development mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Given the aging Chinese population and the inevitable degenerative process of the spine, more elderly patients with spinal degenerative disease (SDD) are surgical candidates, placing a significant burden on health care resources. Few studies have investigated recent trends in hospital admissions and procedures for SDD in China. This study aimed to identify the trends, if any, in the number of surgical procedures undertaken for SDD in a large patient cohort. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort analysis used data from inpatient medical records at Peking University Third Hospital between 2003 and 2016. Descriptive statistical analysis, regression models, and a Holt–Winters seasonal model were used to analyze trends. Results: Altogether, 38,676 surgery records from 37,897 SDD patients who had undergone surgical treatment were included in our study, among whom 49.60%, 47.81%, and 2.59% were treated because of cervical, lumbar, and thoracic degenerative disease, respectively. There was an increasing trend for spinal surgery performance with an increasing mean age at surgery, from 50.65 years of age in 2003 to 55.29 years in 2016. We also revealed interesting seasonal variation in our study – that is, most of the spinal procedures were performed during the winter and spring months. Conclusion: Our study showed a significantly increasing surgical workload for addressing SDD in China. Both the public and the health care system should be aware of this increase in chronic degenerative disease in the aging population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A stable labor market is a policy priority for most countries, especially after the burst of the global financial crisis. Unlike most countries, the labor market in China appears to be holding up well, despite sharp slowdown in economic growth. This paper argues that there are underlying fundamental mechanisms that help explain the resilience of China's labor market. The key to understanding labor market dynamics in China is that rural‐to‐urban migrant flows are more sensitive to growth than urban workers in the process of fast urbanization, which serves as a main shock absorber to buffer employment against adverse shocks. Therefore, we propose a generalized Okun's Law (GOL) that incorporates migrant flows with unemployment rates to capture the relation between labor market dynamics and economic cycles. The original Okun's Law can be regarded as a special case of the GOL for developed countries that have already completed urbanization. Conducting empirical analysis with both China's national‐ and city‐level data and cross‐country panel data, we find strong evidence supporting the GOL theory. Findings in the paper have implications for a deeper understanding of the wisdom of Okun's Law and its application in labor market policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Early Carboniferous, the northeastern Qaidam Basin probably formed in an active continental margin setting. Due to marine regression after the late Early Carboniferous, the marginal shelf began to receive more terrestrial clastic sediments, and alternating occurrence of carbonates and siliciclastics characterized this region. Consequently, shales or mudstones with considerable thickness were deposited in the Upper Carboniferous, especially in the Keluke Formation. In order to illuminate a more accurate sedimentary environment of shales and further evaluate the shale gas potential, multidisciplinary traditional methods were conducted including rock core examinations and laboratory analysis. Results reveal that the sedimentary microfacies of shales in the Keluke Formation can be divided into the upper shoreface, the lower shoreface, and the upper to transition offshore. These microfacies developed on a homoclinal carbonate ramp with a gentle slope. The thickest succession of mudstone develops in the lower shoreface, which is a counterpart with the lagoonal setting of a stationary hydraulic system. The quartz content of shale samples ranges from 30% to 66% and clay minerals from 24% to 43% by bulk compositional analysis, which indicates the content of brittle minerals and shales fissility to some extent. The total organic carbon content ranges from 0.5% to 7.6% by weight, with an average value of 2.69% in ZK1‐1 and 1.11% in ZK3‐2, indicating abundant organic matter richness. The kerogen is mainly of type II, which indicates that source for the organic matter is a mixture of higher terrestrial plants and acquatic organisms. The vitrinite reflectance ranges from 1.22% to 1.55%, indicating a moderate to high thermal maturity. Three types of pores are recognized in the shales, including organic pores, intrapartical pores, and interparticle pores. The significance of this work emphasizes two aspects. First, it gives a more detailed classification of sedimentary environment of the mudstone succession; second, it acquires the preliminary subsurface data regarding to the shale gas potential evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the rationales and practices for three types of manufacturing outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) into Africa in the context of the cooperation between Africa’s industrialization and China’s OFDI on manufacturing. African economies have achieved impressive growth in the new century, but sustainable economic growth in this vast continent is still constrained by lagging industrialization and weak manufacturing sector. While China’s economy has made great achievements in Gross Domestic Product growth and poverty reduction, it witnessed hikes of factor price such as wage, land and exchange rate at varying degrees in the recent decade, imposing pressure on economic restructuring. Against the background, the new trend of Chinese manufacturing OFDI provides new opportunities for Africa to solve structural problems of weak manufacturing. Policy implications of this study on China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the lower parts of oil reservoirs Chang 9 and Chang 10 of the Yanchang Formation are oil-bearing layers newly found in oil exploration in the Ordos Basin. Based on GC, GC-MS analyses of saturated hydrocarbons from crude oils and source rocks, reservoir fluid inclusions and BasinMod, the origin of crude oils, accumulation period and accumulation models are discussed in combination with other petroleum geology data in this paper. The result shows that (1) there are two different types of crude oils in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Longdong and Jiyuan regions: crude oils of type I(Well D86, Well A44, Well A75, Well B227, Well X62 and Well Z150) are mainly derived from the Chang 7 source rocks (including mudstones and shales) and distributed in the Jiyuan and Longdong regions; those of type II(Well Z14 and Well Y427), are distributed in the Longdong region, which are derived from the Chang 9 source rocks. Crude oils from oil reservoir Chang 10 in the Shanbei region are mainly derived from the Chang-9 source rocks; (2) there are two phases of hydrocarbon filling in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Jiyuan and Longdong regions and oil reservoir Chang 10 in the Shanbei region: The first phase started at the early stage of Jz. The process of hydrocarbon filling was discontinuous in the Late Jurassic, because of the tectonic-thermal event in the Ordos Basin. The second phase was the main accumulation period, and hydrocarbons began to accumulate from the late stage of Ja to the middle-late of K, mainly at the middle-late stage of K; (3) there exist two types of accumulation models in oil reservoirs Chang 9 and Chang 10 of the Yanchang Formation: source rocks of the reservoirs in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Jiyuan region and oil reservoir Chang 10 in the Shanbei region, the mixed type of reservoirs on the lateral side of source rocks and source rocks of the reservoirs in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Longdong region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We set up a synthesized geochemical and geochronological dataset for the Mesoproterozoic successions of the southern NCC. • Sub-regions of the southern NCC show distinct Mesoproterozoic materials and contrasting provenances. • Our dataset reveals a long term peripheral subduction along southern NCC during Paleo-to-Mesoproterozoic. Controversial issues on the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic tectonic setting of the southern margin of North China Craton (NCC) restricted our understanding of its role in breaking up the Columbia/Nuna Supercontinent. Existing models are still arguing on whether the southern margin was an intra-continental rift or active continental margin. Previous studies mainly focused on the magmatic records in the Paleoproterozoic Xiong'er Group, while the overlain sedimentary series and their depositional nature and the related tectonic environment were not yet well constrained. In this study, we scrutinized the comprehensive geochronological and geochemical dataset for the Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks along the southern margin of NCC. Our new results, together with the previous geochemical data show that the interior part of NCC southern margin (e.g. Wufoshan Group of the Song-Ji area) is dominated by the materials from the mature continental crust. Approaching the marginal area of southern NCC (e.g. Gaoshanhe and Guandaokou Groups of the Xiaoqinling-Luanchuan area), sediments are more enriched in magmatic arc fragments and unfractionated materials. Detrital zircon geochronological results revealed a progressive younging tendency from the northern Song-Ji to southern Xiaoqinling-Luanchuan areas. Together with the newly-reported zircon hafnium data, the synthesized dataset in this study favors the hypothesis that the southern NCC during the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic was in an active continental arc setting under a prolonged peripheral subduction regime, which was surrounding the marginal areas of the Columbia/Nuna Supercontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background During the outbreak, billions of people were eager to get information about COVID-19 through social media. Social media can not only deliver reliable information to the public but can in turn reflect changes in the public's psychological status. Insight into the public's hotspots of concern and mental status through media background tools contributes to the formulation of public health policies and the clarification of epidemic development mode. Methods WeChat is the largest social media in China. Taking the recovery period of COVID-19 in China, for example, we collected WeChat Index data and analyzed the public's concern about the course of COVID-19 and the restoration of emotional tendency through keywords search. Results With the gradual control of the COVID-19 in China, the public psychological status changes from negative to neutral, accompanied by a weakening of negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions. Every obvious inflection point of improvement in social operation is reflected in the increase of public attention and the relaxation of lifestyle. Conclusions Social media can be used to monitor the public psychological status and the development mode and trend of infection in one country during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The North China Craton experienced long-term extension during the Mesoproterozoic and discrepancy of the basin evolution in different areas of the NCC. • The earliest deposition after the cratonization of the NCC may be from the southern NCC. • Three set of the fine-grained formations in the central NCC hold the potential for hydrocarbon. Along with the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna and Rodinia during the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic, a series of sedimentary basins formed within or at the periphery of the ancient cratons. Under the regime of breakup of the supercontinent, these basins underwent different evolutionary history hence formed different geological elements constituting the petroleum systems. In this contribution, the distribution and the stratigraphic successions of the Meso-Neoproterozoic basins in the North China Craton (NCC) were examined, as well as the retrospective review for the mechanisms of the basin formation. The synthesized geological and geochronological data support a long-term extensional environment for the basins in the northern NCC. The Mesoproterozoic basins in the Yanshan, western Liaoning (Yan-Liao) and the Zhaertai areas formed at the intracratonic position later than that in the Bayan Obo, which possibly deposited in the continental margin. The further efforts still need to be devoted to decipher the huge controversial around the tectonic nature of the basins in the southern NCC, as well as their stratigraphic correlations with the basins in the north and central. The distribution and organic geochemical characteristics of the Mesoproterozoic source rock were also summarized. Three sets of source rock in the central NCC, namely the Chuanlinggou, Hongshuizhuang and Xiamaling Formations developed favorable geological and geochemical conditions for the generation of the hydrocarbon. While in the south, the Cuizhuang Formation was the only interval feasible for potential source rock. The progress in seismic geophysics and borehole drilling suggested the existence of the Mesoproterozoic beneath deep Ordos Basin. This open a new window for the reconstruction of the Mesoproterozoic paleogeography as well as the evaluation of the source potential of the Mesoproterozoic basins in the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) can cause thoracic spinal stenosis, which results in intractable myelopathy and radiculopathy. The etiology of T-OPLL is unknown and the condition is difficult to treat surgically. Whole-genome sequencing identified a genetic variant at rs199772854 of the interleukin 17 receptor C (IL17RC) gene as a potentially pathogenic locus associated with T-OPLL. We aimed to determine whether the rs199772854A site mutation causes abnormal expression of the IL17RC in Han Chinese patients with T-OPLL and predict the possible pathogenic mechanisms of T-OPLL. Analyses were performed to determine whether IL17RC is involved in the pathogenicity of T-OPLL. Methods: Peripheral blood and OPLL tissue were collected from a total of 72 patients with T-OPLL disease (36 patients carrying the rs199772854A site mutation in IL17RC and 36 wild-type patients). The expression of IL17RC was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Results: rs199772854A mutation resulted in markedly increased IL17RC gene expression levels in peripheral blood samples and the OPLL tissue obtained following clinical surgery (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the rs199772854A site mutation of IL17RC can significantly increase the expression of IL17RC. The IL17RC gene rs199772854A site polymorphism is a potential pathogenic mutation in T-OPLL disease, which may be associated with the occurrence of T-OPLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In our previous whole-genome sequencing study of 30 unrelated northern Chinese Han patients, we identified six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 17 receptor C (IL17RC) and collagen type VI α1 chain (COL6A1) genes that were potentially associated with thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL). To determine whether these six SNPs are associated with susceptibility to T-OPLL in the northern Chinese Han population, we performed a case-control association study to confirm specific susceptible loci in the expanded samples. Methods: The six SNPs in the IL17RC and COL6A1 genes were analyzed in 200 northern Chinese individuals (100 patients and 100 control subjects) using the Sequenom system. Results: The genotype distributions and allele frequencies of each SNP in the control and patient groups were compared. rs201153092, rs13051496, rs199772854, rs76999397, and rs189013166 showed potential pathogenic loci for T-OPLL in the northern Chinese Han population, whereas rs151158105 did not. At the genotype level, the differences in the genotype frequencies of rs201153092, rs13051496, rs199772854, rs76999397, and rs189013166 between T-OPLL cases and controls reached statistical significance. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first association study of susceptibility genes in Han Chinese patients with T-OPLL. The results revealed five SNPs in the IL17RC and COL6A1 genes that represented potentially pathogenic mutations in patients with T-OPLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archean basement in the Yinshan Block of the western North China Craton consists of a variety rock of assemblage, including TTG (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite) rocks and some dioritic gneiss (sanukitoid). Understanding the petrogenesis of these rocks is crucial for comprehending the late Neoarchean crustal evolution of the western North China Craton. This study provides a new geochronological, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for the TTG-sanukitoid suit that was newly identified in the Zhulagou area. The late Neoarchean TTG gneisses were emplaced around 2.54–2.50 Ga, while dioritic gneiss was emplaced between 2.53 and 2.50 Ga. The TTG gneisses exhibit high SiO 2 (64.46–72.24 wt%) and Al 2 O 3 (13.37–16.48 wt%) contents, relatively elevated (La/Yb) N and Sr/Y ratios, as well as low Y and Yb contents. They display variable ε Hf (t) (+0.94 to +3.57) and ε Nd (t) (−1.02 to +0.82) values, with relatively low Pb isotopic compositions, suggesting that they were derived from the partial melting of a thickened mafic lower crust. On the other hand, dioritic gneiss shows moderate SiO 2 (58.05–61.87 wt%) content, high MgO (2.62–4.06 wt%), Al 2 O 3 (14.42–18.44 wt%) and Cr contents, but relatively low (La/Yb) N values, showing geochemical affinity to the Archean sanukitoids. The dioritic gneiss exhibits variable ε Hf (t) values (−2.29 to +5.56) and ε Nd (t) (−2.05 to +2.02), with relatively low Pb isotopic compositions. Furthermore, the presence of amphibolite xenoliths, along with the high Mg# contents (36.84–53.49), indicating the addition of mantle-derived components to its source region. Therefore, the formation of the dioritic gneiss is primarily attributed to partial melting of the thickened (mafic) lower crust and the addition of mantle material. By combining previous studies with the new data presented in this study, we propose that a late Neoarchean tectonic regime involving a mantle plume is the most favorable explanation for the two major magmatic events in the Yinshan Block. Firstly, the earlier pulse/stage of mantle plume resulted in the ∼2.7 Ga thickened (mafic) lower crust and a limited amount of TTG rocks. Subsequent pulse/stage of mantle plume triggered partial melting of pre-existing thickened (mafic) lower crust and generated 2.54–2.50 Ga TTG rocks and dioritic gneiss. • TTG gneisses and dioritic gneiss were emplaced at 2.54-2.50 Ga. • TTG gneisses and dioritic gneiss derived from partial melting of the thickened (mafic) lower crust. • The Yinshan Block experienced ~2.7 Ga and 2.5 Ga magmatic events that were mainly controlled by a Neoarchean mantle plume regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When modern-style plate tectonics started and operated on a specific old craton has been a key point involving the early Earth's evolution. In order to address this issue on the evolution of the Neoarchean North China Craton (NCC), we investigated a representative successive magmatic rock suite of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) and sanukitoid in the Datong-Huai'an Complex. Geochemically, TTG gneisses in the Datong-Huai'an Complex can be divided into high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) TTG rocks. The HP TTGs emplaced at ∼2538–2497 Ma and 2441 Ma, respectively. Geochemical data shows that they are characterized by steep rare earth element (REE) patterns, obvious negative Nb, Ta, Ti anomalies and positive δEu anomalies, high Sr/Y, Nb/Ta and (La/Yb) N ratios, and positive ɛ Hf (t) (+2.1 to +9.1) and δ18O values (avg. 5.5‰ to 6.0‰). Their protolith is interpreted as the consequence of partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab with garnet and minor rutile as residual phases. In contrast, the LP TTGs emplaced at ∼2518 Ma. They display flat REE patterns, slightly negative Nb, Ta, Ti anomalies and negative δEu anomalies, low Sr/Y, Nb/Ta and (La/Yb) N ratios, positive ɛ Hf (t) (+3.4 to +5.9) and high δ18O values (avg. 5.9‰ to 6.1‰). They were most likely generated by partial melting of the mafic lower crust with residual plagioclase and amphibolite in the source region. The sanukitoid rocks emplaced at 2517–2485 Ma and show high MgO, Cr and Ni concentrations but relatively low (La/Yb) N values, positive ɛ Hf (t) values (+1.5 to +5.4), and higher δ18O values (avg. 6.8‰ to 7.5‰), suggesting that they were originated from partial melting of the mantle peridotite that was previously modified by slab-derived or sediment-derived melts. Combined with previous petrological, geochronological and geochemical data, we propose that the Datong-Huai'an Complex recorded the prolonged magmatism through ca. 2.56 Ga to 2.44 Ga, which was characterized by the high-angle subduction of oceanic lithosphere, leading to the opening of a mantle wedge, slab rollback and back-arc extension. All these lines of evidence manifested that a modern-style plate tectonics regime started along the western margin of the NCC Eastern Block during the late Neoarchean, though the interior Eastern Block was still dominated by the mantle plume-induced crustal growth and vertical tectonism. • Coeval TTGs and sanukitoids were recognized in the Datong-Huai'an Complex. • They recorded the prolonged high-angle subduction with rollback and back-arc extension. • Modern-style plate tectonics started along the margin of NCC Eastern Block in late Neoarchean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new ca. 2.7–2.5 Ga granitoid suite was identified in the Qingyuan, NE China. • The 2.68 Ga TTG was derived from ancient lower crust as well as juvenile crust. • Qingyuan granitoids record two periods of crustal growth and reworking events. Discovery of ca. 2.7 Ga tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) in the North China Craton (NCC) can provide the key clue to understanding the Neoarchean crustal evolution. Most recently, we mapped out ca. 2.7 Ga TTGs from the northern Qingyuan at the northeastern margin of NCC. Together with the associated ca. 2.6–2.5 Ga high-K granites and high-Mg diorites, this study provides new constraints on crustal growth and reworking during the Neoarchean. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the TTGs, high-K granites and high-Mg diorites were formed at ca. 2.68 Ga, ca. 2.56 Ga and ca. 2.54 Ga, respectively. All of these lithologies exhibit enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb and Ba) but depletions in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb and Ta), with positive εHf(t) and εNd(t) values. The TTGs have moderate SiO 2 , low Al 2 O 3 and variable MgO contents with high Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N ratios. They were likely derived from partial melting of mafic lower crust. High SiO 2 and K 2 O but low MgO and Cr contents as well as high Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N ratios reflect an origin of recycling of ancient crustal rocks (e.g., pre-existing TTGs) for the high-K granites. The high-Mg diorites have high MgO and Cr contents but low Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N ratios, which indicate that they could be sourced from partial melting of metasomatized mantle peridotite. Combined with previous studies, the northeastern NCC experienced two major periods of ca. 2.7 Ga and ca. 2.6–2.5 Ga crustal growth and reworking events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Daqingshan quartz monzogranites have affinities with A-type granite, and were emplaced at 1.86–1.80 Ga. • Daqingshan quartz monzogranites were derived from the partial melting of Neoarchean TTG rocks at high temperatures. • Khondalite Belt experienced post-collisional extension at 1.86–1.80 Ga following the collision of the Yinshan and Ordos blocks. The Khondalite Belt is regarded as a Paleoproterozoic continent–continent collisional belt along which the Yinshan Block and the Ordos Block amalgamated to form the Western Block in the North China Craton. Associated with the collision of the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks was granitic magmatism represented by quartz monzogranites in the Khondalite Belt, whose petrology, geochemistry and petrogenesis will provide important insights into understanding of the crustal evolution of the Khondalite Belt in the late Paleoproterozoic. In this paper, we carried out a detailed study on the petrography, geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and zircon Lu-Hf isotope of quartz monzogranites exposed in the Daqingshan Complex of the Khondalite Belt. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating results show that the Daqingshan quartz monzogranites were formed at 1.86–1.80 Ga, at some time posterior to the ∼ 1.95 Ga collision of the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks. Geochemically, the Daqingshan quartz monzogranites belong to ferroan, metaluminous to peraluminous, calc-alkalic to alkalic-calc series, exhibiting high SiO 2 , Na 2 O, K 2 O and FeOT / (FeOT + MgO), low Al 2 O 3 , MgO and CaO, and high Zr, Nb, Ce and Y, low Cr and Ni contents, with an affinity of A-type granites. In terms of REE and trace elements, the Daqingshan quartz monzogranites have right dipping patterns and negative Eu anomalies, enriched large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) (e.g. Rb, Zr and Hf), and depleted high field strength elements (HFSEs) (e.g. Ta, P and Ti). Zircon Lu-Hf isotopic characteristics (ε Hf (t) = -9.63 – −4.31, T DM C = 2744–3050 Ma) indicate that the Daqingshan quartz monzogranites were most likely originated from the partial melting of a Neoarchean ancient crust. Combining new results presented in this paper with previous data, we propose that the quartz monzogranites in the Daqingshan Complex were derived from the partial melting of Neoarchean TTG rocks under high temperatures caused by the upwelling of mantle magmas under a post-collision extensional setting. Meanwhile, it indicates that the Khondalite Belt completed collision at 1.86–1.80 Ga to form the Western Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Syn-collisional granitoids in the Daqingshan Complex were emplaced at 1.95–1.93 Ga. • Granitoids are adakitic-like rocks that were derived from the partial melting of the thickened mafic lower crust. • Syn- to post-collisional tectonic transition in the Khondalite Belt occurred at 1.95–1.93 Ga. As one of the important orogenic belts connecting the Columbia supercontinent in the late Paleoproterozoic, the Khondalite Belt (KB) of the North China Craton (NCC) is a typical continent-continent collisional orogenic belt formed through the collision between the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks at ca. 1.95 Ga. However, very few collision-related magmatic rocks have been recognized in this orogenic belt, which hampers our understanding of the crustal thickening process during this orogeny. In this study, we present new petrological, geochronological, geochemical, and zircon Lu-Hf isotopic data for the late Paleoproterozoic granitoids in the Daqingshan Complex of the KB. Zircon U–Pb dating results reveal that the granitoids were formed at ca. 1.95–1.93 Ga, which was contemporaneous with the metamorphic ages of mafic and pelitic granulites in the KB. Geochemically, these granitoids contain high Sr/Y (34.49–654.88) and (La/Yb) N (23.47–65.11) ratios, low Y (0.59–4.29 ppm) and Yb (0.10–0.42 ppm) contents, coupled with the enrichment in LREE and LILE, all of which are consistent with adakitic affinity. Such signatures along with their strong enrichment in zircon Hf isotopes (ε Hf (t) = −5.9 – −13.6, T DM C = 2928–3398 Ma) indicate that these granitoid rocks were derived from the partial melting of the thickened ancient lower crust. Our new results, combined with previous data, shed light on that the late Paleoproterozoic tectonic transition from syn-collisional to post-collisional regimes developed in the time interval of 1.95–1.93 Ga in the KB. This improves our understanding of the continent-continent collision process between the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks during the late Paleoproterozoic time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Newly identified meta-mafic rocks in the central JLJB were formed at ca. 2.1 Ga. • Mafic magmas were derived from partial melting of depleted asthenospheric mantle that was contaminated by the crustal materials. • An intra-continental rifting dominated the whole JLJB ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga. As one of the global 2.0–1.8 Ga continent-to-continent collisional orogens that welded the Supercontinent Columbia or Nuna, the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt (JLJB) in the North China Craton was formed through ca. 1.90–1.85 Ga collision between the Longgang and Nangrim Blocks. However, the tectonic process before the final collision remains highly controversial. Some people insisted that during 2.2–2.1 Ga the JLJB was in a back-arc area of a subduction regime. In contrast, some other people proposed that ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga represented a continental rifting stage instead of subduction. To tackle this controversy, the coeval mafic rocks and their petrogenesis become the key hints. Therefore, we implemented synthetic petrological, geochronological, geochemical, zircon Hf and the whole rock Sr–Nd isotopic studies for the newly mapped meta-mafic rocks from the central JLJB. Zircon U–Pb dating results revealed that they were emplaced at ca. 2133–2099 Ma and experienced subsequent collision-related regional metamorphism at ca. 1879–1852 Ma. Geochemically, they are sub-alkaline basalts and contain moderate SiO 2 and high concentrations of MgO, total Fe 2 O 3 , Ni, and V. They are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large-ion lithophile elements (LILE; e.g., Ba, Sr and K), and are depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and high field strength elements (HFSE; e.g., Nb and Ta). Geochemical features show largely affinity to the enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts. Isotopic results show low 87Sr/86Sr t ratios (low to 0.676869), positive εNd(t) values (+0.50 to +2.45) and εHf(t) values (+0.04 to +9.81). The parental magmas of ca. 2.1 Ga meta-mafic rocks were most likely derived from the partial melting of the depleted asthenospheric mantle with contamination of crustal material. Associated with the regionally developed A-type and adakitic granites, as well as the bimodal volcanic rocks throughout the JLJB, we proposed that the Longgang and Nangrim Blocks were initially broken apart through an intracontinental rifting that was triggered by delamination of an old thickened lithosphere at ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga, before they were finally collided with each other at ca. 1.90 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The eastern NCC has experienced an important episode of crustal growth at ca. 2.94-2.70 Ga, followed by the pervasive crustal reworking at ca. 2.70-2.55 Ga and regional metamorphism at ca. 2.55-2.45 Ga. • Geochemical features indicate that the Neoarchean Taishan TTG gneisses may be generated in a relative low-pressure condition. • The Neoarchean Taishan TTG gneisses were mostly derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal materials, which were equilibrated with a certain amount of amphibole and plagioclase and minor garnet in the residue. The Taishan Complex is located in the central part of the eastern North China Craton (NCC), and preserves extensive Neoarchean TTG gneisses and potassic granitoids. Their formation age, geochemical features and petrogenesis can provide important insights into understanding the crustal growth and reworking events involving in the evolution of the craton. Previous studies were mainly focused on geochronology of these Neoarchean rock assemblages, but lacked study on their petrogenesis and related tectonic regime. In this study, we carried out lithological, geochronological and geochemical analyses for the representative TTG gneisses of the Taishan Complex. U-Pb zircon age dating results reveal that the Taishan TTG gneisses were mainly emplaced at 2718-2548 Ma. Lu-Hf isotopic data show uniform positive zircon εHf(t) values (+2.2 to +6.6), with Hf model ages of 2949-2665 Ma, indicating that the TTG gneisses were mostly derived from juvenile crustal materials extracted from the depleted mantle during the Mesoarchean to Neoarchean. The δ18O values of zircons vary from +4.6 ‰ to +6.7 ‰, indicating that the source region was not significantly affected by the supracrustal materials. Geochemical data show that these TTG gneisses have high Na 2 O (3.81-4.83 wt%) and ratio of Zr/Sm (24-80), but show low Mg# (40-56), content of Sr (292-508 ppm), and ratios of Sr/Y (35.6-66.6) and Nb/Ta (10.1-15.9). These TTG gneisses were probably derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal materials under a relatively low-pressure environment, which were equilibrated with a certain amount of amphibole and plagioclase and minor garnet in the residue. It indicates that a large-scale magmatic underplating could be a most possible tectonic regime operating in this region during the Neoarchean. Our new results, combined with the available data from the adjacent areas, reveal a significant crustal growth event in the eastern NCC at ca. 2.94-2.70 Ga, which was followed by the pervasive crustal reworking event at ca. 2.70-2.55 Ga and regional metamorphism at ca. 2.55-2.45 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ~2.20–2.16 Ga adakitic granites were generated from partial melting of the thickened lower crust. • The ~2.20–2.16 Ga A-type granites were generated from the partial melting of the Neoarchean TTGs of the NCC. • The Jiao–Liao–Ji belt experienced a rifting event triggered by lithospheric delamination at the early stage of evolution. The Jiao–Liao–Ji belt (JLJB) underwent back-arc or intra-continental rifting during the early Palaeoproterozoic but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To address this issue, this study focuses on the petrogenesis of widespread Palaeoproterozoic granitoids on Liaodong Peninsula, China. Zircon U–Pb dating and geochemical and Hf isotopic data suggest that these granitoids were formed at ca. 2.2 Ga and they can be divided into A-type and adakitic granites. The A-type granites have relatively high SiO 2 , K 2 O, Zr, Ga, Nb and Y contents, and low CaO, MgO, Al 2 O 3 and Sr contents. Based on these characteristics, ε Hf (t) values (−0.8 to +2.8) and T DM2 ages (2797–2569 Ma), the A-type granites are inferred to be derived from Neoarchaean tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorites in a rift setting. In contrast, the coeval adakitic granites have relatively high Na 2 O, Al 2 O 3 and Sr contents and high Sr/Y and La N /Yb N ratios, but low MgO, Ni, Yb and Y contents, suggesting a magma source with garnet but no plagioclase in the residue beneath thickened lower crust. Their variable ε Hf (t) values (−8.5 to +6.9) and T DM2 ages (3276–2305 Ma) indicate that the adakitic magmas were mainly generated by the partial melting of Meso–Neoarchaean crust. The co-existence of contemporaneous ca. 2.2 Ga adakitic and A-type granites provides evidence that the JLJB underwent regional rifting in the Palaeoproterozoic, most likely due to delamination of a thickened lithosphere, as follows. (1) In the Neoarchaean, the lower crust of the Longgang Block underwent granulite- and/or eclogite-facies metamorphism due to continuous thickening, which resulted in increasing lower crustal density. (2) The thickened lower crust became unstable and delaminated at ca. 2.2 Ga. Asthenospheric upwelling following this lithospheric delamination triggered the thinning of the overlying lithosphere. The upper crust and remnant thickened lower crust were partially melted to form the A-type and adakitic granites, respectively. The rifting likely resulted in the separation of the Longgang and Nangrim blocks, prior to their amalgamation in the late Palaeoproterozoic to form the JLJB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Meso-Cenozoic tectonism deformed the Meso-Neoproterozoic differently in the NCC. • They showed both constructive and destructive effects on Meso-Neoproterozoic traps. • Both Meso-Neoproterozoic and Cenozoic hydrocarbons still have potentials in the NCC. As the first extensively developed sedimentary cover in the North China Craton (NCC), the thick Meso- to Neoproterozoic strata have great exploration potential for hydrocarbons. However, the Meso-Cenozoic Indosinian, Yanshanian and Himalayan movements caused the Meso-Neoproterozoic strata in the NCC to experience various deformations and even destroyed Meso-Neoproterozoic primary oil-gas reservoirs, especially their trap conditions. Until now, how each Meso-Cenozoic tectonic movement influenced the development and evolution of Meso-Neoproterozoic oil-gas traps in different parts of the NCC has remained unclear. The Indosinian Movement caused Meso-Neoproterozoic rocks to undergo gentle folding, as well as limited thrusting, and mainly brought about the creation of contractional anticlinal traps in the NCC. In contrast, the early Yanshanian Movement mainly triggered their vertical movement and may have introduced some stratigraphic and faulted-related traps. The middle Yanshanian Movement led to the Meso-Neoproterozoic strata being involved in more intense differential folding, thrusting and strike-slip faulting in the western, central, and eastern NCC, at the cost of destroying the earlier-formed structures, especially those in the central-eastern NCC. Thus, the mid Yanshanian Movement showed both constructive and destructive effects on the formation and evolution of the Meso-Neoproterozoic oil-gas traps and made them develop incoherently in different parts of the NCC. The late Yanshanian and Himalayan movements did not affect the Meso-Neoproterozoic strata in the western NCC, but caused those in the middle NCC to be uplifted and eroded further, whilst strata in the eastern NCC became inverted, subsided and buried. As a consequence, it led to the continuous destruction of the Meso-Neoproterozoic structural-related traps for Meso-Neoproterozoic primary hydrocarbons in the central-eastern NCC, and the formation of the Meso-Neoproterozoic buried-hill traps for Cenozoic hydrocarbons in the eastern NCC. Based on our structural analysis, it is suggested that the Meso-Neoproterozoic primary hydrocarbons could have accumulated in various Meso-Neoproterozoic structural-related traps with the overlying well-preserved Paleo-Mesozoic strata, especially, those in the southwest Ordos Basin. The promising Meso-Neoproterozoic buried-hill traps for Cenozoic hydrocarbons are mainly located in the western Bohai Bay Basin and the south part of the southern North China Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailings pond poses a serious threat to the surrounding environment. This study aimed to explore the current status and mechanism of Hippophae rhamnoides (H. rhamnoides) restoration in the Zhoutaizi magnetite tailings pond in Chengde city by analyzing the physicochemical properties, heavy metal content, and microbial community characteristics of the rhizosphere soil of H. rhamnoides. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from the planting areas (10 m, 50 m, and 80 m) at distances of 10, 50, and 80 m from the mountain, the dead plants areas (D) at a distance of 80 m from the mountain, and the unplanted areas (U) in the center of the Zhoutaizi magnetite tailings pond. The available manganese (Mn) content in groups 10 m, 50 m, 80 m, and D was higher than in group U (p< 0.05). Mn contributed to the relative abundances of Articulospora, Mortierella, Minimedusa, and Knufia, but negatively correlated with that of Fusarium and Cistella (p< 0.05). These results indicated that H. rhamnoides can improve soil quality and microbial community structure by increasing Mn content. The Chao and Ace indices in groups 10 m, 50 m, 80 m and D were higher than in group U (p< 0.05), implying that H. rhamnoides can increase the total number of soil microbial species. The electrical conductivity (EC) of groups D and U was higher than that of the other groups (p< 0.05). EC was positively correlated with Cistella, while negatively correlated with Minimedusa and Knufia (p< 0.05). Therefore, we speculated that the increase of harmful bacteria and the decrease of beneficial bacteria caused by high EC were one of the reasons for H. rhamnoides death. In short, H. rhamnoides can be used to some extent for restoring magnetite tailings pond, but high EC is the main obstacle to its restoration. This study provides a theoretical basis for the construction of green mines., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The energy supply of food available at stopover sites plays an important role in the life cycle of migratory birds. The Yellow River National Wetland in Baotou, China, is an essential migration station and a source of energy for migratory birds as it is located at an important intersection between East Asian/Australian and Central Asian flyways. From February to may 2020, we measured diet composition and energy content of whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) by fecal micro-tissue analysis to understand their use of the stopover site and inform conservation. The following results were obtained: (1) whooper swans mainly fed on nine species of plants belonging to four families, including corn (Zea mays), reeds (Phragmites australis), and Suaeda (Suaeda glauca), which is related to the availability of local crops and abundance of plants. (2) The energy provided by crops to whooper swans was significantly higher than that of the most abundant plants in wetlands. Zea mays was the most consumed crop, and other abundant wetland plants played complementary roles. (3) The daily energy intake of whooper swans was 1393.11 kJ, which was considerably higher than their daily energy consumption. This suggested that the wetlands and the surrounding farmlands provide energy for the whooper swans to continue their migration. In order to protect migratory whooper swans, protection of important refuelling areas such as our study site should be implemented to provide sufficient energy supplies for continuing migration., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Purpose: To explore the normal distribution of cervical sagittal alignment and the relationship between cervical alignment and global spine balance in asymptomatic young adults., Methods: A total of 67 males and 59 females aged from 18 to 30 years old were recruited from 11/2011 to 12/2014. The C 0 -C 2 angle, disk angles from C 2 -C 3 to C 6 -C 7 , vertebral angles from C 3 to C 7 , T 1 slope, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, C 2 -C 7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), center of gravity of head to C 7 SVA (CGH-C 7 SVA), C 7 -S 1 SVA were measured and statistically analyzed. The Roussouly classification was utilized., Results: Mean value of C 0 -C 7 was 26.0° ± 12.8°, composed of 15.2° ± 6.7° for C 0 -C 2 , 9.1° ± 12.1° for sum of disk angles from C 2 -C 3 to C 6 -C 7 , and 1.4° ± 10.2° for sum of vertebral angles from C 3 to C 7 . C 2 -C 7 SVA (18.6 mm ± 7.9 mm) and CGH-C 7 SVA (22.9 mm ± 12.3 mm) were offset ideally by C 7 -S 1 SVA (-21.6 mm ± 31.0 mm). Significant difference was found between cervical alignment of different Roussouly types (p < 0.01). There was significant correlation between cervical alignment and T 1 slope (p < 0.01), TK (p < 0.01). There was significant correlation between adjacent segmental angles from T 1 slope up to C 0 -C 2 angle (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Normative values of each vertebral angle and disk angle were established. The cervical lordosis occurred mainly at C 0 -C 2 and disk levels, which was influenced by parameters of other parts of the spine, such as T 1 slope, TK and the Roussouly classification. There was significant correlation between adjacent disk angles., Level of Evidence I: Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with the consistently applied reference standard and blinding., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Extensive planting of transgenetic Bacillus thuringiensis crops has driven the evolution of pest resistance to Cry1Ac. Adjustment of cropping structures has promoted further outbreak of Helicoverpa armigera in China. To control this pest, a combination of pyramiding RNA interference (RNAi) and Cry2Ab is considered a promising strategy for countering cross-resistance and enhancing the toxicity of Cry2Ab to cotton bollworm. We explored the possibility of using calcineurin (CAN) as a target RNAi gene, because it is involved in cotton bollworm responses to the toxicity of Cry2Ab., Results: Cry2Ab treatment led to a significant increase in HaCAN mRNA level and HaCAN activity. Suppression of HaCAN activity due to RNAi-mediated knockdown of HaCAN increased the susceptibility of midgut cells to Cry2Ab. The increase in HaCAN activity shown by heterologous expression of HaCAN reduced the cytotoxicity of Cry2Ab to Sf9 cells. Moreover, ingestion of HaCAN-specific inhibitor FK506 increased the toxicity of Cry2Ab in larvae. Interestingly, HaCAN does not function as a Cry2Ab direct binding protein that participates in Cry2Ab toxicity., Conclusions: The results in this study provide evidence that suppression of HaCAN not only affected the development of the cotton bollworm, but also enhanced the toxicity of Cry2Ab to the pest. HaCAN is therefore an important candidate gene in cotton bollworm that can be targeted for pest control when the pest infests RNAi+Cry2Ab crops. Meanwhile, the mechanism of action of HaCAN in Cry2Ab toxicity suggested that protein dephosphorylation was involved. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The impact of mandatory policies on residents' willingness to separate waste and how they respond to such measures is not clearly understood. To answer this question, based on deterrence theory, theories of belief change, the theory of rational behavior, and the theory of cognitive consistency, this paper established a mechanism model for the impact of mandatory policies on residents' willingness to separate waste, and analyzed the roles of attitude, subjective norms, and new ecological paradigms. Through a questionnaire survey of 442 ordinary residents in Shanghai, hierarchical regression and bootstrapping analysis were used to verify the above model. The results showed that:(1) mandatory policies positively affected residents' attitude and subjective norms toward waste separation; (2) through the mediation of attitude and subjective norms, mandatory policies positively affected residents' willingness to separate waste; and (3) the new ecological paradigm moderated the above effects. For residents with higher ecological paradigm, the positive influence of mandatory policies on attitudes and subjective norms was stronger, and the mediation effect of attitude and subjective norms was also stronger., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND Circumferential decompression (CD) is an essential treatment option for myelopathy associated with thoracic-ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) when laminectomy cannot achieve sufficient ventral decompression. Although intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is widely used, the operation has a relatively high risk. This study is the first to describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to evaluate the spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) during thoracic spine surgery in humans. The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between intraoperative CEUS and IONM during CD. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-eight T-OPLL patients who received CD from 2007 to 2014 were reviewed. All patients underwent IONM. CEUS was used on the following 2 occasions on 18 patients to evaluate SCBF: the first measurement was performed after laminectomy and the second after ventral decompression. Outcomes were evaluated by the Hirabayashi recovery rate (HRR). RESULTS The overall HRR of all patients was 56.7%. Regarding CEUS, the HRR was 20.0% in Group A (SCBF decreased) and 63.6% in Group B (SCBF increased), indicating a significantly poorer neurological outcome in Group A (P<0.01). Regarding IONM, the HRR did not significantly differ between Groups C (no meaningful change in potential), D (potential changed up to alert criteria), and E (potential improved). CONCLUSIONS IONM is relatively effective in detecting impending spinal cord dysfunction. Intraoperative CEUS is a safe and reliable method for assessing SCBF changes, which may be used as a supplement to IONM, thus reducing the incidence of false-negative results.

Neuropeptide F (NPF), the invertebrate homolog of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in vertebrates, shares similarity of structure and function with NPY. However, a few NPYs were also found in some insect species. In this paper, two neuropeptide genes encoding a NPF and a NPY were cloned from a tobacco budworm Helicoverpa assulta cDNA library. The npf1 gene further produces two splicing variants of rnRNAs, i.e. npf1a (lacks the 120 bp segment) and npf1b (includes a 120 bp segment). These two splicing variants form two mature peptides, NPF1a and NPF1b by modification of transcripts. NPF and NPY co-exist in H. assulta., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)