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Peanut has a fairly strong ability of accumulating cadmium (Cd) from the soil, and the problem of Cd content in peanut exceeding the food safety standard is serious in some regions of China. Seed coating is a common technology to control diseases and insect pests and enhance stress resistance in peanut production, but the research of using seed coating technology to control Cd pollution risk in peanut producing areas has not been reported. This study first screened out three suitable concentrations of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) coating agents by seed germination test, and then further screened out the concentration of coating agent with the best Cd reduction effect by pot experiment. The effect of Mn fertilizer and Zn fertilizer seed coating on Cd transfer within peanut plant in Cd-contaminated soil was further explored through pot experiment. The results of seed germination test showed that the seed coating treatment with low to moderate concentrations of Mn and Zn fertilizer did not affect the seed germination rate and could promote the root length, while the excessive concentration could obviously inhibit the seed germination. The results of pot experiment showed that among the seed coating agents of Mn and Zn, 3% Mn fertilizer coating agent (Mn3) and 2% Zn fertilizer coating agent (Zn2) had the most significant effect on reducing Cd in peanut seeds, with the Cd reduction rates reaching 19.0% and 24.1% respectively, and Zn2 had the better Cd reduction effect. Compared with the control, the Cd bioaccumulation factor of roots in the two treatments decreased significantly, the Cd translocation factor (TF) from roots to shoots increased significantly, the TF from shoots to seeds decreased, while the TF from roots to seeds had no obvious change. Compared with the control, the absorption of Cd in peanut plants under Mn3 and Zn2 treatments decreased by 9.18% and 13.6%. There was a significant negative correlation between the contents of Cd in peanut seeds and roots and the contents of Mn and Zn in roots. Seed coating with Mn and Zn can reduce the Cd content in peanut seeds by inhibiting the absorption of Cd by roots and the transport of Cd within peanut plant. This study put forward the technology of reducing Cd content in peanut by seed coating, which provided a new method for risk control of Cd pollution in peanut producing areas. Key words: seed coating; seed germination; peanut; cadmium ble sugar decreased after PS-NPs exposure. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 2112 differentially expressed genes were generated by PS-NPs exposure treatment, GO and KEGG analysis showed that they were mainly enriched in pathways related to redox reaction, reaction to ethylene and abscisic acid, amino acid metabolism and synthesis of other secondary metabolites. It was noted that 250 transcription factors were differentially expressed, mainly including the ERF, WRKY, NAC, bHLH and MYB transcription factor families. This experiment lays a foundation for further exploring the impact of nanoplastics on crops such as soybeans and its molecular mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Giardia duodenalis is a common zoonotic intestinal protozoan and causes significant economic losses and potential risks to public health. China is among the several major producers of donkeys worldwide, with approximately 2.6 million donkeys being reared in 2019, but studies on G. duodenalis infection in donkeys were limited. Thus, in order to better understand the molecular epidemiology of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province, North China, to determine the presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis based on three established loci (tpi, bg, and gdh). A total of 137 out of 815 fecal samples were detected as G. duodenalis-positive with an overall prevalence of 16.81%. Among the detected assemblages A, B, and E, the most predominant assemblage was B in the three study areas. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were identified with multilocus genotypes (MLGs) analysis and validated by a phylogenetic tree. This is the first report of G. duodenalis infection in donkeys in Shanxi Province, which not only enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides essential baseline data for the prevention and control of G. duodenalis infection donkeys in the study areas. Giardia duodenalis is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan, causing significant economic losses to animal husbandry and posing threats to public health. China ranks the world's sixth largest major producer of donkeys, rearing approximately 2.6 million donkeys in 2019, but limited investigation of G. duodenalis prevalence has been conducted in the past, and it is yet to be known whether donkeys in Shanxi Province are infected with G. duodenalis. In the present study, a total of 815 fecal samples collected from donkeys in representative regions of Shanxi Province, North China, were examined for G. duodenalis using nested PCR. Then, the assemblages and multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were examined based on three established loci: namely, β-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh). The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province was 16.81% (137/815). The region was identified as the main risk factor for the observed difference in G. duodenalis prevalence in donkeys among the three study areas (χ2 = 21.611, p < 0.001). Assemblages A, E, and B were identified, with the latter as the predominant assemblage. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were formed based on sequence variation among the three loci. The present study reveals the presence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province, North China, for the first time, which not only enriches the data on the distribution of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides useful baseline data for planning control strategies against G. duodenalis infection in the sampled areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of domperidone for the treatment of Chinese patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) who were diagnosed according to the Rome IV criteria and to identify the FD subtypes that potentially responded better to domperidone. Methods: This multicenter prospective study was conducted in China from August 2018 to July 2020, consisting of a 1‐week screening phase and a 2‐week double‐blind treatment phase. Participants were randomized to receive domperidone 10 mg or matching placebo tablets thrice daily for 14 days. The primary end‐point was the overall treatment effect (OTE) response rate after 2‐week therapy. Results: Altogether 160 patients were included, with 80 patients in each group. The OTE response rate after 2‐week therapy was significantly higher for domperidone compared with placebo (60.7% vs 46.0%; relative risk [RR] 1.318, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.972–1.787). Moreover, the OTE response rate after 2‐week domperidone or placebo treatment was 60.3% versus 54.9% for postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) (RR 1.098, 95% CI 0.750–1.607) and 60.6% versus 35.2% for overlapping PDS–epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) (RR 1.722, 95% CI 0.995–2.980). Adverse events were reported by seven patients in the domperidone group and 12 patients in the placebo group. None of the adverse events in the domperidone group were serious. Conclusion: Domperidone showed a positive pattern regarding OTE response rates after 2‐week therapy compared to placebo in patients with FD, as well as in subtypes of PDS and overlapping PDS–EPS. No new safety issue was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoprothiolane (IPT) resistance has emerged in Magnaporthe oryzae, due to the long-term usage of IPT to control rice blast in China, yet the mechanisms of the resistance remain largely unknown. Through IPT adaptation on PDA medium, we obtained a variety of IPT-resistant mutants. Based on their EC50 values to IPT, the resistant mutants were mainly divided into three distinct categories, i.e., low resistance (LR, 6.5 ≤ EC50 < 13.0 μg/mL), moderate resistance 1 (MR-1, 13.0 ≤ EC50 < 25.0 μg/mL), and moderate resistance 2 (MR-2, 25.0 ≤ EC50 < 35.0 μg/mL). Molecular analysis of MoIRR (Magnaporthe oryzae isoprothiolane resistance related) gene demonstrated that it was associated only with the moderate resistance in MR-2 mutants, indicating that other mechanisms were associated with resistance in LR and MR-1 mutants. In this study, we mainly focused on the characterization of low resistance to IPT in M. oryzae. Mycelial growth and conidial germination were significantly reduced, indicating fitness penalties in LR mutants. Based on the differences of whole genome sequences between parental isolate and LR mutants, we identified a conserved MoVelB gene, encoding the velvet family transcription factor, and genetic transformation of wild type isolate verified that MoVelB gene was associated with the low resistance. Based on molecular analysis, we further demonstrated that the velvet family proteins VelB and VeA were indispensable for IPT toxicity and the deformation of the VelB-VeA-LaeA complex played a vital role for the low IPT-resistance in M. oryzae, most likely through the down-regulation of the secondary metabolism-related genes or CYP450 genes to reduce the toxicity of IPT. Author summary: Isoprothiolane (IPT) resistance has emerged in Magnaporthe oryzae, due to the long-term usage of IPT to control rice blast in China, yet the mechanisms of the resistance remain largely unknown. Here, we explored the mechanisms of low IPT resistance in M. oryzae. Combining the whole genome sequencing and genetic transformation, we identified a conserved MoVelB gene, encoding the velvet family transcription factor to be a determinant for IPT toxicity. We further demonstrated that the deformation of the VelB-VeA-LaeA complex conferred the low IPT-resistance in M. oryzae, most likely through down-regulating the secondary metabolism-related genes or CYP450 genes to reduce the toxicity of IPT. This study improved our understanding of the resistance mechanism as well as the mode of action of IPT which will be helpful for making suitable strategies to manage the emerging resistance of IPT in M. oryzae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide deformation is affected by its geological conditions and many environmental factors. So it has the characteristics of dynamic, nonlinear and unstable, which makes the prediction of landslide displacement difficult. In view of the above problems, this paper proposes a dynamic prediction model of landslide displacement based on the improvement of complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN), approximate entropy (ApEn) and convolution long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) neural network. Firstly, ICEEMDAN and ApEn are used to decompose the cumulative displacements into trend, periodic and random displacements. Then, the least square quintic polynomial function is used to fit the displacement of trend term, and the CNN-LSTM is used to predict the displacement of periodic term and random term. Finally, the displacement prediction results of trend term, periodic term and random term are superimposed to obtain the cumulative displacement prediction value. The proposed model has been verified in Bazimen landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China. The experimental results show that the model proposed in this paper can more effectively predict the displacement changes of landslides. As compared with long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, gated recurrent unit (GRU) network model and back propagation (BP) neural network, CNN-LSTM neural network had higher prediction accuracy in predicting the periodic displacement, with the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) reduced by 3.621%, 6.893% and 15.886% respectively, and the root mean square error (RMSE) reduced by 3.834 mm, 3.945 mm and 7.422 mm respectively. Conclusively, this model not only has high prediction accuracy but also is more stable, which can provide a new insight for practical landslide prevention and control engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe air pollution and urban heat islands (UHI) intensity (UHII) are two challenging problems that have attracted wide attention in populated cities. However, previous studies mostly focused on the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and UHII, but how UHII responds to the interactions between radiative effects (direct effect (DE), indirect effect (IDE) with slope and shading effects (SSE)) and PM2.5 during heavy pollution is still unclear, especially in the cold region. Therefore, this study explores the synergistic interactions between PM2.5 and radiative effects in influencing UHII during a heavy pollution event in the cold-megacity of Harbin-China. Hence, we designed four scenarios: non-aerosol radiative feedback (NARF), DE, IDE, and combined effects (DE + IDE + SSE) in December 2018 (clear-episode) and December 2019 (heavy-haze-episode) using numerical modeling. The results showed that the radiative effects influenced the spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentration leading to a mean drop in 2-m air-temperature by approximately 0.67 °C (downtown) and 1.48 °C (satellite-town) between the episodes. The diurnal-temporal variations revealed that the daytime and nighttime UHIIs were strengthened in the downtown during the heavy-haze-episode, while a reverse effect was observed in the satellite-town. Interestingly, during the heavy-haze-episode, the considerable difference between excellent and heavily polluted PM2.5 levels showed a decrease in UHIIs (1.32 °C, 1.32 °C, 1.27 °C, and 1.20 °C) due to the radiative effects (NARF, DE, IDE, and (DE + IDE + SSE)), respectively. In assessing other pollutants' interactions with the radiative effects, PM10 and NOx had a considerable impact on the UHII during the heavy-haze episode while O3 and SO2 were discovered to be very low in both episodes. Moreover, the SSE has uniquely influenced UHII, especially during the heavy-haze-episode. Therefore, insight from this study provides an understanding of how UHII responds uniquely in the cold region, which in turn could help to formulate effective policies and co-mitigation strategies for air pollution and UHI problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mediate-low maturity continental shale oil reservoir in the 7th member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation is one of the main zones for shale oil exploration and development in Ordos Basin, China, but the seismic response mechanism of the reservoir remains unclear. Therefore, developing a new method for "sweet spot" seismic prediction combined with rock physics is necessary. To determine the petrophysical characteristics of continental shale in the 7th member of the Yanchang Formation in the study area, a series of tests, such as a systematic acoustic test on shale oil samples in the target segment, X-ray diffraction analyses, analysis of thin optical sections, and scanning electron microscopy, were conducted to summarize the patterns of seismic elastic property changes. Results show that the shale oil samples of the 7th member of the Yanchang Formation are primarily composed of lithic feldspar sandstone with feldspar dissolution and intergranular pores, widespread micron pores, and throats. Such composition indicates a positive correlation between porosity and permeability. The velocities of the samples are affected by their porosity and mineral composition. Velocity increases with the increase of the calcium content and decreases with the increase of the clay content, indicating a negative correlation with the porosity and total organic carbon (TOC) content on the condition of the same rock structure (quartz skeleton or clay skeleton). The elastic properties of the rock are horizontally isotropic (T1 medium), and the velocity is vertically anisotropic. In addition, the directional arrangement of clay controls the anisotropy of rock velocity. TOC is mainly distributed in the primary intergranular pores, and it has no contribution to the anisotropy of rock velocity. The results of this paper can provide a reference for the seismic prediction of continental shale oil reservoirs in the 7th member of the Yanchang Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To recognize the spatial and temporal characteristics of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), China national IDD surveillance data for the years of 1995–2018 were analyzed. Time series analysis was used to describe and predict the IDD related indicators, and spatial analysis was used to analyze the spatial distribution of salt iodine levels. In China, the median urinary iodine concentration increased in 1995–1997, then decreased to adequate levels, and are expected to remain appropriate in 2019–2022. The goiter rate continually decreased and is expected to be maintained at a low level. Since 2002, the coverage rates of iodized salt and the consumption rates of qualified iodized salt (the percentage of qualified iodized salt in all tested salt) increased and began to decline in 2012; they are expected to continue to decrease. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a positive spatial correlation in 2016–2018 and revealed feature regarding the spatial distribution of salt related indicators in coastal areas and areas near iodine-excess areas. Iodine nutrition in China showed gradual improvements. However, a recent decline has been observed in some areas following changes in the iodized salt supply in China. In the future, more regulations regarding salt management should be issued to strengthen IDD control and prevention measures, and avoid the recurrence of IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rodents and shrews are important reservoirs for a large number of zoonotic pathogens. Here by performing a literature review, we determined the occurrence and distribution of rodents and shrews in China at three scales including province, city, and county levels. The peer-reviewed papers published in English and Chinese were collected, standard procedures were applied in reference books, field surveys and websites to remove duplicates, and information on recorded locations of rodents and shrews was extracted. The dataset contains 13,911 records of geo-referenced occurrences for 364 rodents and shrews distributed over 1,663 locations distinguished. As pathogens continue to emerge from rodents and shrews, this dataset could assist efforts to put preliminary bounds around a variety of spatial analyses of rodents and shrews, facilitate a better understanding of the transmission risk of the pathogens they carry, and be helpful for assessing the risk of future emergence of rodent-borne zoonoses. Measurement(s) diversity and distribution of rodents and shrews Technology Type(s) literature review Factor Type(s) diversity and distribution Sample Characteristic - Organism rodents • shrews Sample Characteristic - Environment diversity • distribution Sample Characteristic - Location China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To delineate the onset and recurrence characteristics of noncardiogenic ischemic stroke patients in China. Methods: A prospective, multicenter and registry study was carried out in 2,558 patients at 7 representative clinical sub-centers during November 3, 2016 to February 17, 2019. A questionnaire was used to collect information of patients regarding CM syndromes and constitutions and associated risk factors. Additionally, stroke recurrence was defined as a primary outcome indicator. Results: A total of 327 (12.78 %) patients endured recurrence events, 1,681 (65.72%) were men, and the average age was 63.33 ± 9.45 years. Totally 1,741 (68.06%) patients suffered first-ever ischemic stroke, 1,772 (69.27%) patients reported to have hypertension, and 1,640 (64.11%) of them reported dyslipidemia, 1,595 (62.35%) patients exhibited small-artery occlusion by The Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. Specifically, 1,271 (49.69%) patients were considered as qi-deficient constitution, and 1,227 (47.97%) patients were determined as stagnant blood constitution. There were 1,303 (50.94%) patients diagnosed as blood stasis syndrome, 1,280 (50.04%) patients exhibited phlegm and dampness syndrome and 1,012 (39.56%) patients demonstrated qi deficiency syndrome. And 1,033 (40.38%) patients declared intracranial artery stenosis, and 478 (18.69%) patients reported carotid artery stenosis. The plaque in 1,508 (41.36%) patients were of mixed. Particularly, 41.09% of them demonstrated abnormal levels of glycated hemoglobin levels. Conclusions: Recurrence in minor and small-artery stroke cannot be ignored. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, abnormal HbA1c, intracranial artery stenosis and carotid plaque were more common in stroke patients. Particularly, phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndromes, as well as qi deficiency and blood stasis constitutions, were still the main manifestations of stroke. (Trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT03174535) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) is a devastating disease worldwide and frequently causes massive economic losses. In recent years, it has become a pandemic outbreak in most peach production areas of China, especially on precocious peaches in the middle reach of the Yangtze River. Rapid, user-friendly detection is extremely important to make the correct diagnosis and develop suitable control strategies. In this study, we described a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)/Cas12a-based system that combines RPA and CRISPR/Cas12a for Xap identification. A total of three crRNAs were designed to target a highly conserved ABC transporter ATP-binding protein-encoding gene ftsX to make specific detection of Xap. Results showed that crRNA 2 and crRNA 3 could get consistent detection for Xap. To realize the visualization of detection results, we additionally introduced FQ-reporter and FB-reporter. The developed method was highly sensitive and could detect as low as 10–18 M Xap gDNA with a mini-UV torch, corresponding to 1.63 copies/μl or 8.855 fg/μl gDNA of Xap , while with lateral flow strips, the sensitivity was 10–17 M. In addition, this method could specifically detect Xap from other closely related bacteria or pathogens associated with peach diseases. Furthermore, this method could make correct identification for Xap with crude DNA using NaOH-based extraction (3 min) directly from diseased peach samples. Considering that the developed method could get results within 2 h and could be performed at 37°C (body temperature), it is promising to be applied for Xap diagnosis and monitoring in fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the micropaleontology of Ordovician deep-sea cherts is relatively well documented, microfossil assemblages in Ordovician shallow-marine cherts are less well-known. Nodular cherts in the Middle Ordovician carbonates of the Yijianfang Formation (Well YJ1X) in the Tarim Basin, northwestern China, contain a rich microfossil assemblage deposited in a shallow marine setting. These cherts contain 11 genera and 13 species of acritarchs and filamentous cyanobacteria. The acritarch assemblage includes eight genera and eight species, namely, Aremoricanium sp., Cheleutochroa oculata, Cymatiogalea sp., Cymatiosphaera sp., Dictyotidium microreticulatum, Leiosphaeridia sp., Polygonium gracile, and Pterospermella sp. Filamentous cyanobacteria include two genera and four species, namely, Siphonophycus typicum, Siphonophycus kestron, Siphonophycus solidum, and Oscillatoriopsis longa, and a colony of Eoentophysalis sp. coccoidal cells. The acritarch assemblage indicates a Middle–Late Ordovician age. The Yijianfang Formation fossil assemblage indicates a deep offshore depositional environment. Sedimentological evidence also suggests that the limestone that hosts the chert interval was deposited in a low- to moderate-energy, restricted, inner carbonate platform. Cherts formed by silicification during late diagenesis. By complementing previous studies of acritarchs in shales, this work improves the understanding of the Middle Ordovician paleogeography and microbial world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of high suspension and low incision (HSLI) surgery on mixed haemorrhoids, compared with Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy. Methods: A multi-centre, randomized, single-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial was performed. Participants with mixed haemorrhoids from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing Rectum Hospital, Air Force Medical Center of People's Liberation Army of China, and Puyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled from September 2016 to March 2018. By using a blocked randomization scheme, participants were assigned to two groups. The experimental group was treated with HSLI, while the control group was treated with Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy. The primary outcome was the clinical effect evaluated at 12 weeks after operation. The secondary outcomes included the number of haemorrhoids treated during the operation, pain scores, use of analgesics, postoperative oedema, wound healing, incidence of anal stenosis, anorectal manometry after operation, as well as surgical duration, length of stay and total hospitalization expenses. A safety evaluation was also conducted. Results: In total, 246 eligible participants were enrolled, with 123 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in the clinical effect between the two groups (100.00% vs. 99.19%, P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of external haemorrhoids treated during the operation and the pain scores after operation were significantly reduced in the experimental group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the patient number with wound healing at 2 weeks after operation and the functional length of anal canal at 12 weeks after operation were significantly increased in the experimental group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of anal stenosis, the numbers of patients using analgesics and patients with postoperative oedema between the two groups after operation (P>0.05). The surgical duration and length of stay in the experimental group were significantly longer than those in the control group, and the total hospitalization expense was significantly higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). No adverse events were reported in either group during the whole trial or follow-up period. Conclusion: HSLI had the advantages of preserving the skin of anal canal completely, alleviating postsurgical pain and promoting rapid recovery after operation. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022883) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mite-borne diseases, such as scrub typhus and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, present an increasing global public health concern. Most of the mite-borne diseases are caused by the blood-sucking mites. To present a comprehensive understanding of the distributions and diversity of blood-sucking mites in China, we derived information from peer-reviewed journal articles, thesis publications and books related to mites in both Chinese and English between 1978 and 2020. Geographic information of blood-sucking mites' occurrence and mite species were extracted and georeferenced at the county level. Standard operating procedures were applied to remove duplicates and ensure accuracy of the data. This dataset contains 6,443 records of mite species occurrences at the county level in China. This geographical dataset provides an overview of the species diversity and wide distributions of blood-sucking mites, and can potentially be used in distribution prediction of mite species and risk assessment of mite-borne diseases in China. Measurement(s) Distribution Technology Type(s) digital curation • Geographic Information System Factor Type(s) genus • species • province • city • county • GPS Sample Characteristic - Organism mite • Acari Sample Characteristic - Location China Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14459055 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar as a prospective renewable energy candidate could be incorporated into the iron and steel production system to replace part of fossil fuels and reduce high-intensity greenhouse gas emissions. However, great uncertainties still exist on biochar's emission reduction capacity and economic feasibility, depending on different biochar precursors, substitution scenarios, energy consumption of biochar production and financial cost. This study aimed to explore the optimized substitution strategies concerning the above issues. A systematic carbon accounting was performed by material flow analysis method (MFA). Two biochar incorporated iron and steel production routes, integrated production route (BF-BOF) and short production route (EAF), which took the proportion of 71.5% and 28.2% in worldwide production, were considered. CO 2 Supply Curve (CSC) was conducted to carry out a quantitative economic viability analysis of biochar substitution under carbon emission trading schemes (ETS). Results showed that compared with straw-based biochar, wood-based biochar showed stronger carbon reduction capacity of 1.47 t CO 2e (CO 2-equivalent) /t crude steel, and the reduction potential reached 66.94% mostly. Among all the steel production processes, Blast furnace in BF-BOF route had the largest emission contribution proportion (72.06%), achieving the best GWP100 reduction potential of 73.66%. The incorporation of wood-based biochar in sintering (−0.037 yuan/t CO 2e) was selected as the scenario with both reduction potential and economic viability. If the scenario was fully implemented in China, it could reduce 2.01 million tons of CO 2e in 2021. This study would play a vital role in guiding iron and steel industry for biochar substituted fuels. [Display omitted] • Modern self-heating biochar production is considered in fuels substitution. • Wood-based biochar stands out in the emission reduction capacity of GWP100. • Biochar fuels substitution can reduce 66.94% CO 2e /t crude steel of GWP100. • Blast furnace process contributes 73.66% of the GWP100 reduction potential. • Implementation of wood-based biochar in sintering is the most economical route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, we investigated the effects of prior influenza exposure on vaccine-elicited humor immune responses to circulating influenza variants. Method We randomly selected 360 participants in previous clinical trials stratified by age. Blood samples were collected and tested by hemagglutination-inhibition tests during the 2015–2016 influenza seasons in China. The antigenic map was plotted and antigenic distance was calculated. Results Subjects with H1-priming had higher cross-reactive antibodies titers against A/JiangsuTinghu/11019/2015(H3N2) compared with subjects with B-priming did (P adjusted = .038). Subjects with H1-priming also had higher cross-reactive antibodies titers against A/Jiangsu Qinhuai/11059/2015(H3N2) than subjects with both H1 and B priming (P adjusted = .036). Nevertheless, subjects with no H1 and B-priming had higher cross-reactive antibodies titers against A/Jiangsu Qinhuai/11059/2015(H3N2) than subjects with both H1 and B priming (P adjusted =.012). Antigenic distance was well matched with serological results. Moeover, age-specific differences in human postvaccination responses against the identical circulating strain was noted. In addition, children had the most cross-reactive response to both H3N2 and B-yamagata subtypes. Conclusions Our results suggest that prior exposure to H1 or B influenza virus may influence cross-reactivity of H3-specific postvaccination responses and consequently could influence the vaccine effectiveness. Our findings also support that there are age-specific differences in human postvaccination responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally growing vegetation often suffers from the effects of drought. There exists a vast number of drought indices (DI's) to assess the impact of drought on the growth of crops and naturally occurring vegetation. However, assessing the fitness of these indices for large areas with variable vegetation cover is often problematic because of the absence of adequate spatial information. In this study, we compared six DI's to NDVI (the normalized difference vegetation index), a common indicator of vegetation occurrence and health based on satellite-acquired reflectance data. The study area covers an aridity gradient from forests to deserts along a 2,400-km-long section across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. On an annual timescale, standardized precipitation index (SPI) was the most appropriate in assessing drought in steppes and deserts. On a seasonal timescale, the self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI) displayed the greatest sensitivity during the summer, but not during the other seasons. On a monthly timescale, scPDSI demonstrated the greatest sensitivity to the various vegetation zones (i.e., forests, steppes, and deserts) in June and July. Further analysis indicated that summer drought had a lag-effect on vegetation growth, which varied from one to six months according to the specific vegetation cover. The mixed response of DI's to NDVI and the lag-effect in transitional vegetation on annual, seasonal, and monthly timescales were ascribed to differences in DI definition and the dominant plant species within the transitional cover. The current study has the potential to inform the drafting of selection criteria of DI's for the study of drought-related impact on naturally growing vegetation at timescales from month to year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine evaporitic sulfates (gypsum and anhydrite) can record ancient seawater sulfur isotopic data; however, these records are scarce and widely dispersed owing to both restricted environments in which they form and their propensity to be eroded. The late Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian transition was a pivotal timeframe in Earth's history, witnessing the early evolution of animal life and major environmental changes. Seawater chemistry changed abruptly during this interval, including significant changes to the sulfur cycle as evidenced by unusually high sulfur isotopic values. This positive sulfur excursion, termed the Yudomski Event, has been reported previously from early and middle Cambrian units in Siberia, Iran, Australia, and India. In this study, we provide the first report of the Yudomski Event in early and middle Cambrian evaporites from the Tarim Basin, northwestern China. Our data support this event having been of global significance. We additionally report early and middle Ordovician sulfur data from China, which constrain the decline of the Yudomski Event to the late Cambrian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracers of isoprene, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were measured for PM 2.5 aerosols collected at the summit of Mt. Wuyi (1139 m, a.s.l.), to investigate their seasonality and formation mechanism. Concentrations of the isoprene and monoterpene SOA tracers were much higher in summer than those in other seasons. In contrast, β -caryophyllinic acid was found to be the lowest in summer. Concentrations of those BSOA tracers showed a positive correlation with temperature (R2 = 0.52–0.70), and a negative correlation with relative humidity (R2 = 0.43–0.78). Moreover, thermodynamic model (i.e., ISORROPIA-II) calculation results showed that acidity conditions are favorable for BSOA formation. Robust linear correlations between the BSOA tracers and anthropogenic pollutants such as SO 2 (R2 = 0.53–0.7) and NO 2 (R2 = 0.37–0.54) were observed for all the samples, suggesting that SO 2 and NOx can enhance BSOA production in the remote mountain area of southeast China, which is related to an acid-catalyzed heterogeneous chemistry. Moreover, we also found a significant correlation between the concentrations of the BSOA tracers and levoglucosan especially for β -caryophyllinic acid, indicating that biomass burning plumes from the distant lowland regions could influence the production of BSOA in the mountain free troposphere. Our results clearly demonstrated that anthropogenic emissions in China could enhance BSOA formation in the distant mountain regions. Image 1 • Some known biogenic SOA tracers in PM 2.5 are measured at the summit of Mt.Wuyi. • Concentrations of biogenic SOA tracers are most abundant in summer. • Anthropogenic pollutants can enhance biogenic SOA formation. Anthropogenic pollutants can enhance biogenic SOA formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some well-preserved fossil dinoflagellate cysts were found from a lacustrine facies with salt deposition in the Shulu Sag of Hebei Province, China. The diversity and abundance of the assemblage were both low, which indicated a paleoenvironment of brackish water. The main species could be found from the First Member of the Shahejie Formation in Coastal Bohai Region of China, which suggested a geological age of Oligocene. Fossil dinoflagellates showed significance in non-marine facies for recovery of paleoenvironment and regionally stratigraphic correlation. Brackish dinoflagellates are constructive to the formation of salt rocks, and dinoflagellate cysts in salt lakes are easy to be preserved as fossils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meta-analyses support the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in Western cultures. However, there are no adequately powered multicentre studies in China. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of treatment with CBT combined with medication and medication alone in OCD patients in China.Methods: OCD patients (N = 167) were recruited from outpatient clinics at three large tertiary psychiatric hospitals and one general hospital in China. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either CBT combined with medication (n = 92) or medication alone (n = 75) for a 24-week treatment period. Participants' symptoms and social functioning were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity (CGI-S) at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, and the effectiveness of the two treatments compared using linear mixed-effects models.Results: At 24 weeks, both groups showed large within-group effects in all measures. Significantly more patients receiving combined therapy than medication alone had a decrease in symptom severity of at least 35% (based on Y-BOCS total score). The CGI-S and GAF scores decreased in both groups, and significant differences were found between the groups.Limitations: Study limitations included lack of consideration of medication types and dosages, and the absence of a CBT-only arm.Conclusions: CBT combined with medication may be effective in alleviating symptoms and social functioning impairment associated with OCD, and is more effective than medication alone in China, particularly for the treatment of compulsive behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel heteroglycan TLH-G was successfully isolated from Tricholoma lobayense cultivated in south China. TLH-G was composed of five monosaccharides, namely, mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose and galactose, and consisted of →1)-β-D-Glcp-(6→ and →1)-α-D-Galp-(3→ motifs. TLH-G had excellent scavenging activities towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. Structure-activity relationship analysis demonstrated that glycosidic bond types, monosaccharide composition, and branching degree were more important for the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Tricholoma lobayense than other structural factors. All the above results showed that the growth environment played a crucial role in the structure and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Tricholoma lobayense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nationwide study of the occurrence, distribution, potential drivers, and ecological risks of 24 quinolone antibiotics (QNs) in 74 Chinese sludge samples from 48 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was conducted. In domestic sludge, the ∑QNs concentrations were 3rd-generation QNs > 4th-generation QNs > 1st-generation QNs. Meanwhile, abundant veterinary and human/veterinary quinolones (

To determine the effects of long-range transport of aerosols from an upwind area in East Asia to a downwind area in Japan, we chemically analyzed aerosols collected simultaneously on Tuoji Island (Shandong Province, China), Fukue Island (Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan), and Cape Hedo (Okinawa Prefecture, Japan). We focused on changes in the metallic composition of PM2.5 aerosols during long-range transport. The average mass concentrations of PM2.5 at the three sites decreased in the order Tuoji Island > Fukue Island ≈ Cape Hedo (48.3 ± 4.5, 13.9 ± 1.5, and 13.2 ± 0.9 μg/m3, respectively). The fraction of coarse particles in total suspended particles estimated by (1-PM2.5/TSP) was highest on Cape Hedo, indicating that the contribution of sea salts was increased by long-range transport of the aerosols over the ocean. Enrichment factor analysis revealed that at all three sites, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, and Ba originated from soil; whereas Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Tl, and P appeared to be of anthropogenic origin. Na was the most abundant element on Cape Hedo, indicating the addition of sea salts during aerosol transport. The V concentration was highest at Fukue Island, which was ascribed to V emission from ships. Sixty-one percent of the V on Fukue Island and 62% of the V on Cape Hedo were determined to have originated from ships, implicating of data obtained on dates during which backward trajectory analysis indicated that the same air mass passed over Tuoji Island, Fukue Island, and Cape Hedo in that order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining is a high-risk industry, and mine accidents occur frequently. To better understand the characteristics and trends of current coal mine accidents, 29 cases of significant accidents occurred in China in 2016 are introduced first in this manuscript; then, the accident types, occurrence time, occurrence locations, and direct causes were analyzed for these accidents. Finally, according to the analysis results, coal mine accident prevention and control suggestions are presented. This data analysis not only plays a positive role in the prevention and control of mine accidents in China but also has reference significance for the safe production of coal mines in other countries of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades, continuous efforts have been made at a national level to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions in the atmosphere over China. However, public concern and related research mostly deal with tropospheric NO2 columns rather than ground-level NO2 concentrations, but actually ground-level NO2 concentrations are more closely related to anthropogenic emissions, and directly affect human health. This paper presents one method to derive the ground-level NO2 concentrations using the total column of NO2 observed from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and the simulations from the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model in China. One year's worth of data from 2014 was processed and the results compared with ground-based NO2 measurements from a network of China's National Environmental Monitoring Centre (CNEMC). The standard deviation between ground-level NO2 concentrations over China, the CMAQ simulated measurements and in-situ measurements by CNEMC for January was 21.79 μg/m3, which was improved to a standard deviation of 18.90 μg/m3 between our method and CNEMC data. Correlation coefficients between the CMAQ simulation and in-situ measurements were 0.75 for January and July, and they were improved to 0.80 and 0.78, respectively. Our results revealed that the method presented in this paper can be used to better measure ground-level NO2 concentrations over China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burning coal for winter heating has been considered a major contributor to northern China's winter haze, with the district heating boilers holding the balance. However a decade of intensive efforts on district heating boilers brought few improvements to northern China's winter air quality, arousing a speculation that the household heating stoves mainly in rural area rather than the district heating boilers mainly in urban area dominate coal emissions in winter. This implies an extreme underestimation of rural household coal consumption by the China Energy Statistical Yearbooks (CESYs), although direct evidence supporting this speculation is lacking. A village energy survey campaign was launched to gather the firsthand information on household coal consumption in the rural areas of two cities, Baoding (in Hebei province) and Beijing (the capital of China). The survey data show that the rural raw coal consumption in Baoding (5.04 × 10 3 kt) was approximately 6.5 times the value listed in the official CESY 2013 and exceeded the rural total of whole Hebei Province (4668 kt), revealing a huge amount of raw coal missing from the current statistical system. More importantly, rural emissions of particulate matter (PM) and SO 2 from raw coal, which had never been included in widely distributing environmental statistical reports, were found higher than those from industrial and urban household sectors in the two cities in 2013, which highlights the importance of rural coal burning in creating northern China's heavy haze and helps to explain why a number of modeling predictions on ambient pollutant concentrations based on normal emission inventories were more bias-prone in winter season than in other seasons. We therefore recommend placing greater emphasis on the “missing” rural raw coal to help China in its long-term ambition to achieve clean air in the context of rapid economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety of measles vaccination is of great interest and importance to public health practice and the general society. We have analyzed the adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) of currently used measles-containing vaccines (including live attenuated measles vaccine, live attenuated measles and rubella combined vaccine, live attenuated measles and mumps combined vaccine, live attenuated Measles, Mumps and Rubella Combined Vaccine) in Anhui Province, China. From 2009 to 2014, 9.9 million doses of measles-containing vaccines were administrated and 1893 AEFIs were found (191.4 per million doses), of which, 33 serious AEFIs (3.3 per million vaccine doses) were reported. 59.4% (1124 cases) were male cases, and 85.1% (1611 cases) occurred in persons aged < 1 year. 93.3% (1766 cases) occurred at the first dose of vaccination and 95.9% (1815 cases) were found within 3 days after vaccination. This study presents up-to-date data and suggests that the measles-containing vaccines used in Anhui Province of China are safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the spatial, temporal distribution, transformation and source simulation of NO3- were analyzed systematically based on the monitoring data, literature review and numerical simulation (CMAQ4.7.1). Analysis results showed that annual average concentration of NO3- in Beijing was between 6.69 and 12.48 Mg/m3 with an increasing trend in recent years; concentration of NO3- in Beijing in 2013 was higher in winter and autumn than that in spring and summer and diurnal variation of NO3- showed bimodal distribution and spatial distribution of NO3- showed significant north-south gradient distribution; annual average N0R in Beijing was between 0.12 and 0.17 while it was between 0.17 and 0.20 during heavy air pollution days in 2013; the average ratio of NO3-/S02- was between 0.97 and 1. 06 while it was between 1. 00 and 1. 07 during heavy air pollution days in 2013; the emission sources of Beijing was being changed from fixed source to both fixed and moving sources in feature development; simulated local, external transportation, background and boundary condition were 40%, 44% and 16% respectively to the annual average concentration of NO3- in Beijing in 2013 while they were 31%, 57% and 12% respectively in heavy air pollution days, which indicated that external source played an important role to the concentration of NO3- in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halite and other evaporates are rarely observed to degrade via brittle faulting because of their ductile properties. Hydrocarbons resulting from fractures and faults are rarely found in salt structures. However, large-scale hydrocarbons resulting from faulting are not well-documented. The Dabei Gasfield, which produces natural gases with few condensate oils, is found under Paleogene evaporates in the Kelasu tectonic zone of the Kuqa foreland basin. Above these evaporates, the Dawanqi Oilfield produces oils with few natural gases in the Kelasu tectonic zone of the Kuqa foreland basin. The biomarker distribution from oils and carbon isotope from natural gases between the Dabei Gasfield below evaporates and the Dawanqi Oilfield above evaporates are very similar, which indicates that they have same hydrocarbon source. The results provide direct evidences of the rare migration of hydrocarbon through salt due to fractures and faults to form oil reservoirs above the salt. This study indicates that hydrocarbons occasionally exhibit widespread migration through salt due to extensive brittle faulting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Liver transplantation ( LT) for hepatitis B virus ( HBV)-related disease can be complicated by HBV recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors, prophylaxis treatment, and histological characteristics of HBV recurrence after LT when using long-term, low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin ( HBIG) plus nucleoside analog (lamivudine [ LAM] or entecavir [ ETV]). Methods Retrospective data from 253 adult LT patients using long-term, low-dose HBIG plus nucleoside analog after LT, for a mean treatment duration of 1-72 months, were collected from a single center in Beijing, China. Univariate analyses were conducted to determine the association among gender, age, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis B e antigen-positive status, HBV- DNA level and tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) mutations on HBV recurrence in these patients. Results Overall, the HBV recurrence rate was 6.32% (16/253). There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the HBV recurrence and non-recurrence groups. Risk factors for HBV recurrence were: hepatitis B e antigen positivity, HBV- DNA > 105 copies/ mL, hepatocellular carcinoma, and YMDD mutation. Sixteen patients receiving LAM had HBV recurrence (16/169; mean treatment duration: 61.8 ± 18.3 months). No HBV recurrence occurred in patients receiving ETV after LT (0/84; mean treatment duration: 57.1 ± 15.9 months). Differences in rate of mortality and HBV recurrence were not significant between the two groups. Conclusions LT is an effective treatment for HBV-related end-stage liver disease. The combination of ETV and intramuscular HBIG for HBV recurrence prophylaxis after LT was more effective than LAM, especially in Chinese patients with HBV recurrence risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Because of the importance and the absence of industry asset price index, we come up with an approach to conduct the industry asset price index. We built the industry asset price indices based on the data of the listed companies from Wind Financial Database of four industries in China. Some topics in price engineering are argued in this paper, includ ing how to select data, how to select asset types and determine weights, how to choose the best macro-and micro-industry indicators, and how to synthesize. The indexs we got are good, as they are consistent with the results in a recent research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Regional haze episodes have been frequently reported in east China since 2000. In the present study, two regional haze episodes over east China in the spring of 2011 were examined by observations and simulations conducted by a three-dimensional regional chemical transport model (NAQPMS) with an on-line tracer-tagged module. The model reproduced accurately the observed PM2.5 with correlation coefficient ranging from 0.52 to 0.76 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 20-50µg/m³ in four city clusters (Yangtze River Delta, Shandong Peninsula, Huabei Plain and Central Liaoning) over east China. Our results indicate that a northward cross-border transport from the Yangtze River Delta to Central Liaoning below 2 km above ground played an important role in the formation of these regional high PM2.5 episodes. Contributions of regional transport from outside city clusters presented an increasing trend from south to north. In the northernmost cluster (Central Liaoning), the contribution from other city clusters reached 40-50% during the two episodes. In contrast, it was below 10% in the Yangtze River Delta (southernmost cluster). Mixing accumulation of pollutants from various city clusters during transport was responsible for this trend. Furthermore, a preliminary estimate shows that cross-border transport of PM2.5 might increase 0.5-3% daily mortality during the high PM2.5 episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to increasing trends in sulfur deposition in Northeast Asia, three countries in the region (China, Japan, and Korea) agreed to devise abatement strategies. The concepts of critical loads and source-receptor (S-R) relationships provide guidance for formulating such strategies. Based on the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollutants in Northeast Asia (LTP) project, this study analyzes sulfur deposition data in order to optimize acidic loads over the three countries. The three groups involved in this study carried out a full year (2002) of sulfur deposition modeling over the geographic region spanning the three countries, using three air quality models: MM5-CMAQ, MM5-RAQM, and RAMS-CADM, employed by Chinese, Japanese, and Korean modeling groups, respectively. Each model employed its own meteorological numerical model and model parameters. Only the emission rates for SO and NO obtained from the LTP project were the common parameter used in the three models. Three models revealed some bias from dry to wet deposition, particularly the latter because of the bias in annual precipitation. This finding points to the need for further sensitivity tests of the wet removal rates in association with underlying cloud-precipitation physics and parameterizations. Despite this bias, the annual total (dry plus wet) sulfur deposition predicted by the models were surprisingly very similar. The ensemble average annual total deposition was 7,203.6 ± 370 kt S with a minimal mean fractional error (MFE) of 8.95 ± 5.24 % and a pattern correlation (PC) of 0.89-0.93 between the models. This exercise revealed that despite rather poor error scores in comparison with observations, these consistent total deposition values across the three models, based on LTP group's input data assumptions, suggest a plausible S-R relationship that can be applied to the next task of designing cost-effective emission abatement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper initially constructs the theory of cultural space, elaborates its connotation, constitution and characteristics and taking Qufu Area historical site as an example, displays the guiding significance of the theory of cultural space to the preservation and development of great historical site tourism resources. Firstly, we construct the cultural space of Qufu area from the aspects of central concept, core symbol, symbol system and main activities. From the perspective of space production and consumption, we propose that the building of core area should comply with the principles of both local and Chinese characteristics, center focusing and scattered perspective, giving consideration of both static display and dynamic presentation. Then we discuss the function positioning and marketing tactics in the extension of radiation zone. Finally, the paper points out the important role the theory of cultural space plays in expanding the heritage connotation, innovating development train of thought and providing sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To establish and evaluate a real-time PCR assay to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.pneumoniae) in clinical specimens. Methods: By analysing the whole p1 gene sequence of 60 M.pneumoniae clinical isolates in Beijing of China, an optimized real-time PCR assay (MpP1) using p1 gene conserved region was designed. The specificity and sensitivity of this assay were evaluated and compared with other two reported assays (RepMp1 and Mp181) using 40 positive and 100 negative clinical specimens. Results: The detection limit of the new assay was 8.1 fg (about 1∼3CFU) M.pneumoniae DNA. The sensitivity of MpP1, RepMp1, and Mp181 assays appeared to be 100%, 100%, and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: MpP1 assay is suitable for the detection of M.pneumoniae in Chinese clinical specimens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: During 2003-2005, an outbreak of meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C occurred in China. With the aim to find strain clues result in the final epidemics, the ancestral strain 053442, a clinical isolate, and a carrier strain 053426 with different gene type were analyzed. Methods: Clinical strain 053442 and carrier strain 053426 were cultured on GC agar plates under the same condition. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed using the pH 3–10 nonlinear IPG strips of 24 cm length, and all the protein spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight spectrometry. Results: 502 and 380 protein spots were identified in 053426 and 053442 respectively, relating to 266 and 202 different genes covering a wide range of cellular functions. The express volume and number of proteins involved in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and amino acid biosynthesis in 053426 were higher than in 053442. Virulence factor Opa, Opc and a series of proteins involved in pilus assembly and retraction were identified in 053442, which appear to be of primary importance in colonization and invasion of human cells. Compared to 053442, virulence protein species were less in 053426, with lower express volumes too. No Opa and Opc were detected in 053426. Conclusions: The different protein expression profiles of the clinical strain 053442 and carrier strain 053426 in the present study provide some clues of the different pathogenicity of the two strains, which may account for result in the final epidemics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To illuminate the environmental impacts of the secondary pollution in wastewater treatment and facilitate scientific supervision, this research takes a pharmaceutical wastewater treatment process in Harbin as an example, and quantitatively analyzes the environmental impact load of the whole process using life cycle assessment(LCA) methods. In the impact assessment phase, improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to determine the indicator weights. Weighting assessment results show that the impact on depletion of non-renewable resources is the largest, followed by land filling space, potential human health effects, global warming potential ( GWP), water eutrophication ( EU ), acidification potential ( AP), air quality potential (AQP) , and photochemical ozone creation potential(POCP). The improvement measures for the reduction of resource consumption and pollutant emissions are proposed to make wastewater treatment play more environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the relevance of student evaluation of teaching in assuring quality system at higher education institutions (HEI) in China. The author stresses that student evaluation of teaching serves as a fundamental factor in securing the quality of HEI which allows students to voice their concerns and issues to attain resolution on design loopholes. The author notes that standardized evaluation should be carried out to create a scientific system in teaching process to boost teaching quality assurance in the country.

Abstract: An abundance of acritarchs, dominated by Leiosphaeridia, was extracted from the Middle and Upper Triassic cores of Ordos Basin (Northwestern China) by means of palynological maceration. Phycomata of Leiosphaeridia occurred in clusters, bunches, and single vesicular forms, occasionally with connecting macroalgal branches indicating their in-situ preservation. Apart from Proterozoic and Early Paleozoic marine Leiosphaeridia, the highly abundant leiosphaerids from the Yanchang Formation in Northwestern China likely came from a lacustrine environment, and the assemblage includes both phytoplanktonic green algae and spores of muticellular algae. TOC and δ 13Corg in the Middle and Upper Triassic sediments of the basin show a correlation with the abundance of leiosphaerids. This correlation suggests that leiosphaerids were important biological precursors for the generation of petroleum in the main Chang 7-3 hydrocarbon source rocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Based on the introduction of Bass model which is used to describe innovation diffusion, an optimized model which adopts the ant colony optimization (ACO) as the parameter estimation approach of Bass model, is presented. Taking the diffusion of IPv4 standard in China as an example, the diffusion tendency is deeply investigated using optimized Bass model. Through comparison with traditional algorithm, it is proved that adopting ACO can improve the accuracy of parameter estimation for Bass model. By analyzing the research result of model demonstration, conclusion can be drawn that as a special technology innovation diffusion, standard diffusion conforms to the general diffusion rule, and that it is better to adopt the optimized Bass model in the research of standard diffusion. Finally, diffusion tendency of IPv4 standard in China is forecasted and some strategic suggestions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx)–Decoupled Direct Method (DDM) simulations of first-order ozone (O 3) sensitivity to nitrogen oxides (NO x) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions were performed and combined with modelled P H 2 O 2 / P HN O 3 ratios to obtain a range of thresholds for determining O 3 -sensitivity regimes for different areas of China. Utilising the new threshold ranges for photochemical indicators, the method for determining O 3 formation in the Ozone Source Apportionment Technology (OSAT) module within CAMx was improved by a dynamically varied threshold of P H 2 O 2 / P HNO 3 ratio. The O 3 concentration contributions in the newly added transition regime were apportioned to NO x and VOCs emissions in proportion to the relationship between the P H 2 O 2 / P HNO 3 ratio and first-order O 3 sensitivity. The source contributions of O 3 concentrations from different emission sectors from June to September 2019 were compared using the original and improved CAMx-OSAT. The results showed that the O 3 concentration contributions changed significantly in the NO x -limited regime, with a maximum decrease of 21.89%, while the contributions increased by up to 7.57% in the VOC-limited regime, and were within 15 µg/m3 in the transition regime. The modified OSAT module enabled a more sophisticated attribution of O 3 to precursor emissions and may have far-reaching implications for informing O 3 pollution control policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of year-long PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter) simulations over Northeast Asia for the base year of 2013 under the framework of the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollutants in Northeast Asia (LTP) project. LTP is a tripartite project launched by China, Japan, and Korea for cooperative monitoring and modeling of the long-range transport (LRT) of air pollutants. In the modeling aspect in the LTP project, each country's modeling group employs its own original air quality model and options. The three regional air quality models employed by the modeling groups are WRF-CAMx, NHM-RAQM2, and WRF-CMAQ. PM2.5 concentrations were simulated in remote exit-and-entrance areas associated with the LRT process over China, Japan, and Korea. The results showed apparent bias that remains unexplored due to a series of uncertainties from emission estimates and inherent model limitations. The simulated PM10 levels at seven remote exit-and-entrance sites were underestimated with the normalized mean bias of 0.4 ± 0.2. Among the four chemical components of PM2.5 (SO42−, NO3−, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC)), the largest inter-model variability was in OC, with the second largest discrepancy in NO3−. Our simulation results also indicated that under considerable SO42− levels, favorable environments for ammonium nitrate formation were found in exit-and-entrance areas between China and Korea, and gas-aerosol partitioning for semi-volatile species of ammonium nitrate could be fully achieved prior to arrival at the entrance areas. Other chemical characteristics, including NO3−/SO42− and OC/EC ratios, are discussed to diagnose the LRT characteristics of PM2.5 in exit-and-entrance areas associated with transboundary transport over China, Japan, and Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant continental salt deposits were formed in salt basins in eastern China around the Cretaceous–Tertiary periods. However, whether these evaporites had a marine or non-marine origin remains controversial. The Jintan Basin is located between South China and North China, and has a series of very thick, relatively pure salt deposits, such that data from the salt deposits in the Jintan Basin could provide new evidence of marine transgression. The large scale of these salt deposits implies the supplies of marine transgression. Primary fluid inclusions in the halite deposits of the Jintan Basin have recorded the composition of the evaporated salt lake water. The Br contents in halite range from 2 to 16 ppm, and clearly higher than inland non-marine salt deposits in the Yunying Depression, Jianghan Basin, South China. The δ37Cl values of marine salt deposits across different geological eras range from −1 to +1‰. The δ37Cl values from halite in the Jintan Basin range from −0.66 to +0.23‰ (close to zero), indicating a possible marine origin. Our analyses from fluid inclusions in halite show K varies from 0.7 to 15.8 g/l; Mg from 1.1 to 3.1 g/l; sulfate-ion from 3.7 to 27.7 g/l in the samples. The composition of fluid inclusions in halite, from a sample in the lower part of the halite section in the Jintan Basin is very similar to marine seawater on Jänecke diagram. The δ34S of anhydrite deposits (+26.32‰ to +26.51‰) are also very similar to contemporary seawater. Thus, the evidence indicates the Jintan Basin was supplied sporadically by marine transgressions. • To study the composition of Eocene salt deposits in the Jintan Basin, China. • Origin of evaporites as marine or non-marine is controversial. • To analyze elemental and isotopic compositions of halites and fluid inclusions. • Composition of fluid inclusions in halite very similar to Eocene seawater. • δ37Cl value from halite in the Jintan Basin suggest a possible marine origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during long-range transport. Aerosols were collected simultaneously at remote sites on Tuoji Island, China; Fukue Island, Japan; and the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Measurement Station (CHAAMS), Okinawa, Japan in April, October, and December from 2012 to 2013. These remote sites were convenient for investigating the degradation of PAHs during long-range transport. PAHs were analyzed via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We identified air masses that passed over all sites and combined our measurements with a chemical transport model. We estimated the relative contributions of the PAHs at the three sites by normalizing the PAH concentrations to elemental carbon. Benzo[ a ]pyrene persisted in 5–16% of samples. The results of this study are consistent with laboratory studies in which secondary organic aerosol (SOA) coatings protected PAHs from degradation by ozone. We detected an inhibition of the degradation PAHs by SOA coatings by collecting PAHs simultaneously at the three sites. To elucidate the major sources of the SOAs, we carried out a positive matrix factorization analysis to identify the major sources of SOA coating, which controls the lifetime of PAHs. In spring and winter, the contribution of vehicle emissions was higher (46%) at Tuoji Island than at CHAAMS (13%). In contrast, the contribution of coal combustion was higher at CHAAMS (59%) than at Tuoji Island (28%). This result implies that during long-range transport, PAHs derived from coal combustion are more slowly degraded than PAHs derived from vehicle emissions. We found that the viscosity of SOA coatings derived from vehicle emissions in China was low, and the corresponding PAHs were rapidly degraded. In contrast, the viscosity of SOA coatings derived from coal combustion was high, and degradation of the corresponding PAHs was relatively slow. These results imply that PAHs derived from coal combustion have long lifetime. • The degradation of PAHs were investigated during long-range transport at three remote sites. • Benzo[a]pyrene persisted in 5–16% of samples. • The contribution of vehicle emissions was higher (46%) at Tuoji Island than at CHAAMS (13%). • The contribution of coal combustion was higher at CHAAMS (59%) than at Tuoji Island (28%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new polysaccharide fractions (TZP1‐1 and TZP2‐1) were obtained from the fruiting bodies of Thelephora ganbajun using DEAE‐52 cellulose and Superdex 200 columns chromatography. The physiochemical characterization and biological activities of TZP1‐1 and TZP2‐1 were investigated. The relative molecular weight of TZP1‐1 and TZP2‐1 were 2.07 × 106 and 4,886 Da, respectively. TZP1‐1 included mannose, rhamnose, galactose, and xylose (4:1:83.9:7.5), while TZP2‐1 included mannose, glucose, galactose, and xylose (5.4:1:79.0:8.1). The Congo red experiment results confirmed that TZP2‐1 had triple helix conformation. Furthermore, both TZP1‐1 and TZP2‐1 showed a certain cytotoxicity on HeLa and SH‐SY5Y cells, while they exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on HeLa than SH‐SY5Y. Besides, the cytotoxicity of TZP1‐1 was better than that of TZP2‐1. Moreover, both of them exhibited a moderate inhibitory effect on α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase. These findings could promote the application of polysaccharides from T. ganbajun. Practical applications: Thelephora ganbajun is an edible fungus widely distributed in Southwestern China. T. ganbajun polysaccharides as important active ingredients have not been reported. In this current study, two polysaccharides fractions (TZP1‐1 and TZP2‐1) were characterized, and their cytotoxicities and antidiabetic effect were also assayed. These findings could promote polysaccharides from T. ganbajun to be better application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Air pollutant emissions from Chinese households: A major and underappreciated ambient pollution source," by J. Liu and colleagues in the 2016 issue.

• Freeze-thaw cycles varied as a function of the extent of vegetation cover. • Migration of soil water was greatest with low vegetation cover. • Reallocation of soil water caused temperature in the soil complex to vary. • Freeze-thaw cycles promoted evaporation of soil water in the plant-rooting zone. Freeze-thaw events can lead to the upward migration of shallow groundwater in recharging the upper soil profile. However, their effects on soil water movement in areas of deep groundwater is not entirely known, especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world. This study analyzed the soil hydrothermal coupling at two desert sites in the Mu Us Sandy Land (northwest China), noted for their differences in surface scrub-vegetation cover, one with 80 % cover and another with 40 % (sites A and B, respectively). The work consisted of collecting soil temperature and moisture measurements at the two sites, both renowned for their deep watertable. The results showed that the freezing period at both sites was about 3–6 times longer than the thawing period, and that the duration of uniform freezing was inversely related to the degree in surface vegetation cover. During the two freezing periods of 2017–2019, as much as 3.87 (or 21.9 %) and 7.37 mm (42.2 %) of soil water was observed to have migrated upwards from the lower soil layers. Altogether, the total distance traveled by the soil water exceeded 180 cm. Also, about 33.2 (site A) and 22.9 mm of soil water (site B) were depleted because of evaporation in the first 185 cm of the soil complex during the two freeze–thaw events. Extent of vegetation cover, initial soil moisture profile, and soil texture influenced the quantity of water lost from individual soil layers due to evaporation and between soil-layer water exchanges. Soil water migration also affected changes in soil temperature in the range of −12.1 to 4.8 °C within the first 185 cm of the soil complex. Changes in soil temperature were responsible for decelerating freezing and thawing processes, prolonging soil water reallocation processes in the soil. Overall, freeze–thaw events increased the amount of shallow soil water losses due to evaporation, triggering a corresponding decline in soil water in the plant-rooting zone. This drop could conceivably lead to a reduction in sprouting and growth of spring vegetation, further degrading affected sand-dominated desertlands. This information may provide insight into the hydrological response of freeze–thaw events in arid regions, as well as provide useful information in guiding afforestation efforts in associated desertlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive air quality model with extensions (CAMx)-decoupled direct method (DDM) was used to simulate ozone-NO x -VOCs sensitivity of for May–November in 2016–2018 in China. Based on the relationship between the simulated ozone (O 3) sensitivity values and the ratio of formaldehyde (HCHO) to NO 2 (FNR) and the ratio of production rate of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) to production rate of nitric acid (HNO 3) (P H 2 O 2 / P HN O 3 ), the localized range of FNR and P H 2 O 2 / P HN O 3 thresholds in different regions in China were obtained. The overall simulated FNR values are about 1.640–2.520, and P H 2 O 2 / P HN O 3 values are about 0.540–0.830 for the transition regime. Model simulated O 3 sensitivities or region specific FNR or P H 2 O 2 / P HN O 3 thresholds should be applied to ensure the accurate local O 3 sensitivity regimes. Using the tropospheric column FNR values from ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) satellite data as an indicator with the simulated threshold values, the spatial distributions of O 3 formation regimes in China are determined. The O 3 sensitivity regimes from eastern to central China are gradually from VOC-limited, transition to NO x -limited spatially, and moving toward to transition or NO x -limited regime from 2005 to 2019 temporally. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North China Plain including Beijing is frequently suffering from serious haze days in recent years. To best recognize the influence of haze days on regional air quality, the pollution levels of deleterious gases of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene and o-xylene) and carbonyls (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone) under haze and non-haze days were contrastively investigated during the period of September 2008–August 2010 in Beijing. In comparison with non-haze days, remarkable enhancement of BTEX and the carbonyls under haze days in winter was found, with enhancement factors of 1.9–5.7 for BTEX and of 1.5–4.2 for the carbonyls. Whereas the enhancement factors for both BTEX (1.0–3.0) and the carbonyls (1.2–1.9) under haze days in summer were relatively small. The ratios of each BTEX to CO under both haze days and non-haze days exhibited a minimal value in the afternoon, whereas maximal values for the ratios of the carbonyls to CO were usually found in the afternoon. The ratios of each BTEX to CO were extremely greater under haze days than those under non-haze days in winter, but no evident difference was found in summer. The ratios of each carbonyl under both haze days and non-haze days in summer were at least a factor of 2 greater than those in winter and only enhancement of the ratios under haze days was found in winter. The remarkably higher ratios of ethylbenzene to m,p-xylene under haze days than non-haze days in both winter and summer revealed high reactivity of photochemical reactions initiated by OH radicals under haze days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]