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Economic losses due to snow‐related disasters in pastoral areas of China have become severe in recent decades. Terrain and wind play prominent roles in determining snow distribution patterns. As complex topography and dynamic wind conditions are strong nonlinear multivariables with many uncertain factors, it is difficult to predict elevation‐ and wind‐affected snow depth distribution. The complex characteristics of the snow accumulation process call for highly reliable comprehensive simulation for disaster management. The accuracy of these simulations mainly depends on the integration of multiple models for multi‐stage snow accumulation processes. Focusing on coupling wind‐affected snowdrift and snowmelt processes, we put forward a virtual geographical environment snow accumulation simulation approach. The approach consists of three main steps: (1) computational fluid dynamics prediction of 3D dynamic wind‐flow fields; (2) wind‐affected snowdrift simulation; and (3) snowmelt simulation based on degree‐day model. To check its reliability and efficiency, this approach has been validated by reconstructing a historical snow event at Tacheng City, Xinjiang Province, China. The results have characterized the elevation‐ and wind‐induced snowdrift patterns and their specific levels of risk under various conditions. The comprehensive simulation method described here can be applied to help the government and the public examine future events, and stimulate consideration of appropriate policies and techniques for snow risk mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on daily maximum and minimum temperature from Rongcheng station during 1981 -2010, the changing trends of extreme temperature indexes were analyzed. The results show that for the relative indexes, number of warm days (nights) in Rongcheng station showed an increasing trend, while the number of cold days (nights) showed a decreasing trend from 1981 to 2010, but the decreasing trend of number of cold days was small. For the extreme indexes, the extreme maximum temperature, the maximum of extreme minimum temperature and extreme minimum temperature increased, while the minimum of extreme maximum temperature decreased from 1981 to 2010. For the absolute indexes, the numbers of frozen days and frost days reduced, and frozen days were less than frost days for all year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorine (Cl) released from coal-fired power plants can be harmful to power equipment, the ecological environment and human health. Here, we investigated the Cl releasing characteristics from four coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in China's Anhui province based on an ion chromatography analysis of the combustion by-production samples collected from different locations of the power plants. The results showed that Cl content in coals was low (198–367 μg·g−1), which positively correlated with the contents of lead, mercury and total sulfur, but was weakly correlated with the moisture and ash yield in coal. The releasing rate of Cl during coal combustion was highly correlated with temperature and volatile matter, and most Cl is transferred into the flue gas. Dust collector and wet flue gas devices equipped in the CFPPs were robust for removing Cl in the particulate phase, and the fabric filter showed a higher removal efficiency than the electrostatic precipitator. This study can provide theoretical support for Cl pollution control in coal-fired power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation fluctuation is sensitive to climate change, and this response exhibits a time lag. Traditionally, scholars estimated this lag effect by considering the immediate prior lag (e.g., where vegetation in the current month is impacted by the climate in a certain prior month) or the lag accumulation (e.g., where vegetation in the current month is impacted by the last several months). The essence of these two methods is that vegetation growth is impacted by climate conditions in the prior period or several consecutive previous periods, which fails to consider the different impacts coming from each of those prior periods. Therefore, this study proposed a new approach, the weighted time-lag method, in detecting the lag effect of climate conditions coming from different prior periods. Essentially, the new method is a generalized extension of the lag-accumulation method. However, the new method detects how many prior periods need to be considered and, most importantly, the differentiated climate impact on vegetation growth in each of the determined prior periods. We tested the performance of the new method in the Loess Plateau by comparing various lag detection methods by using the linear model between the climate factors and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The case study confirmed four main findings: (1) the response of vegetation growth exhibits time lag to both precipitation and temperature; (2) there are apparent differences in the time lag effect detected by various methods, but the weighted time-lag method produced the highest determination coefficient (R2) in the linear model and provided the most specific lag pattern over the determined prior periods; (3) the vegetation growth is most sensitive to climate factors in the current month and the last month in the Loess Plateau but reflects a varied of responses to other prior months; and (4) the impact of temperature on vegetation growth is higher than that of precipitation. The new method provides a much more precise detection of the lag effect of climate change on vegetation growth and makes a smart decision about soil conservation and ecological restoration after severe climate events, such as long-lasting drought or flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mineral elements & SIR were applied to determine the geographical origins of maca. • Mineral elements & SIR alone discriminated the maca samples from Peru and China. • Mineral elements are better than SIR to discriminant the regions of maca in China. • K B Mn Fe Mo Cd & As are more effective to identify the origins of Chinese maca. • The applicability of these two methods in tracing maca origins differs. Maca has shown broad application prospects as a new food resource. The function of maca is directly affected by its geographical origin, and an effective method for studying traceability must be established. This study aimed to discriminate maca from different regions at large scales (Peru and China) and small scales (Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Tibet in China) through geographical authentication using the stable isotope ratio (SIR) (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H and δ18O) and mineral elemental fingerprints combined with chemometrics. For Peruvian and Chinese maca, overall discriminatory accuracy of 100% and 96.2% were obtained by applying SIR and the mineral element analysis, respectively. For maca obtained from different Chinese regions, the order of the discriminatory accuracy was mineral elements (80.2%) = SIR combined with mineral elements (80.2%) > SIR (71.9%). K, B, Mn, Fe, Mo, Cd and As were identified as the main discriminating indicators for identifying maca from different Chinese regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, traffic-related sources are considered to be one of the major contributors to air pollutants in urban areas. As the number of motor vehicles increases, the impact of traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) on human health has also increased in recent years. People are easily exposed to TRAPs in their daily lives. However, long-term exposure to TRAPs can have adverse health effects. Mobile monitoring is more flexible compared to traditional urban monitoring stations and can effectively obtain the spatial variation characteristics of air pollutants. We mounted a sensor package on an electric bicycle and conducted mobile measurements of CO, NO2 and SO2 on a circular road in the center of Shaoxing, a city in the center of the Yangtze Delta, China. The CO, NO2 and SO2 concentrations were observed to be higher in the morning and evening rush hours, and the three pollutants show different seasonal and spatial variation characteristics. CO concentration was higher in urban arterial and crossroads. NO2 concentration was variable, alternating between high and low concentrations. SO2 concentration was relatively stable and aggregated. This study provides important information on the spatial and temporal variations of TRAPs, which helps commuters understand how to effectively reduce pollutant exposure during personal travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uterine rupture is an obstetrical emergency with serious undesired complications for laboring mothers resulting in fatal maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of uterine rupture, its association with previous uterine surgery and vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC), and the maternal and perinatal implications.Methods: This is a population-based retrospective study. All pregnant women treated for ruptured uterus in one center between 2013 and 2020 were included. Their information retrieved from the medical records department were reviewed retrospectively.Results: A total of 209,112 deliveries were included and 41 cases of uterine rupture were identified. The incidence of uterine rupture was 1.96/10000 births. Among the 41 cases, 16 (39.0%) had maternal and fetal complications. There were no maternal deaths secondary to uterine rupture, while perinatal fatality related to uterine rupture was 7.3%. Among all cases, 38 (92.7%) were scarred uterus and 3 (7.3%) were unscarred uterus. The most common cause of uterine rupture was previous cesarean section, while cases with a history of laparoscopic myomectomy were more likely to have serious adverse outcomes, such as fetal death. 24 (59.0%) of the ruptures occurred in anterior lower uterine segment. Changes in Fetal heart rate monitoring were the most reliable signs for rupture.Conclusions: Incidence of uterine rupture in the study area, Shanghai, China was consistent with developed countries. Further improvements in obstetric care and enhanced collaboration with referring health facilities were needed to ensure maternal and perinatal safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities, especially industrial production and agricultural practices have led to Cd accumulation in the agricultural soil locating near to the industrial areas of China threatening soil environmental quality and food security. In this study, the sources of Cd pollution were accurately analyzed, which may lead to efficiently control the Cd content in the soil. The samples of agricultural topsoil, four possible pollution sources such as smelter dust, automobile exhaust, cement factory dust and agricultural fertilizer were collected, and the Cd concentrations and Cd isotope ratios were analyzed using the instrument of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Multi-collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The results indicated that the Cd concentration of agricultural topsoil (11.72 ± 0.30 mg kg−1) was much higher than the recommended value (0.6 mg kg−1). The highest δ114/110Cd NIST3108 value (−0.15 ± 0.14‰) was observed for smelter dust and the lowest δ114/110Cd NIST3108 value (−0.64‰) was found in cement factory dust. Similarly, the highest Cd concentration was found in smelter dust and it was clearly distinguishable from the other samples based on δ114/110Cd NIST108 values. Cd isotope analysis suggested that smelter along with agricultural fertilizer were the major sources of Cd accumulation in agricultural topsoil. In addition, based on the IsoSource software, the relative Cd contribution rates due to automobile exhaust, cement factory, agricultural fertilizer, and smelter dust were 14%, 7%, 20%, and 59%, respectively, demonstrating that smelter dust is the main pollution source of Cd in the study area. Cd isotope analysis is a promising tool to accurately identify the heavy metal pollution sources. • The highest Cd concentration was observed in smelter dust followed by automobile exhaust and cement factory dust. • The highest δ114/110Cd value was found in the smelter dust samples whereas other three pollution sources showed lower δ114/110Cd values. • Based on IsoSource software, the relative Cd contribution rates of automobile exhaust, cement factory, agricultural fertilizer and smelter dust were 14%, 7%, 20%, and 59%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which discusses the prevalence of Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) infections in Mainland China. Topics discussed include identification of porcine coronavirus in pigs in Ohio, selection of PDCoV-positive samples for complete genome sequencing, and need of surveillance to define the epidemiology and evolution of PDCoV in Mainland China.