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Rare earth elements (REEs) and Nd isotopes are frequently employed to determine provenance, although their characteristics and provenances in the surface sediments of mangrove wetlands are rarely analyzed. In this study, a thorough analysis of the characteristics and provenances of REEs and Nd isotopes in the surface sediments of mangrove wetland in the Jiulong River Estuary was carried out. According to the results, the mean concentration of REEs in the surface sediments was 290.9 mg·kg−1, which was greater than the background value. Unpolluted to moderately polluted for La and Ce, as well as a moderate ecological risk for Lu, were indicated by the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk of individual factors ( E r i ), respectively. The surface sediments showed substantial negative Eu anomalies but no significant Ce anomalies. The enrichments in LREE and flat HREE patterns are visible in the chondrite-normalized REE patterns. REEs in the surface sediments might be attributed to both natural sources (granite and magmatic rocks) and anthropogenic activities, including coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, steel smelting, and fertilizer, based on the (La/Yb)N-∑REE and ternary (La/Yb)N-(La/Sm)N-(Gd/Yb)N plots. The three-dimensional ∑LREE/∑HREE-Eu/Eu*-εNd(0) plot, when combined with the Nd isotope, further demonstrated that the REEs in the surface sediments appeared to have come from additional nonlocal potential sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents new olivine and whole-rock geochemical data for the Xiaogulihe ultrapotassic volcanic rocks of northeastern China. These data provide insights into the petrogenesis of the rocks of the Erkeshan–Wudalianchi–Keluo–Xiaogulihe (EWKX) potassic–ultrapotassic volcanic belt. The petrography and whole-rock geochemical compositions of the Xiaogulihe volcanic rocks are indicative of formation from magmas that primarily underwent olivine + clinopyroxene fractionation with insignificant crustal contamination and post-magmatic alteration. The high-Fo (87–90) olivine within the Xiaogulihe volcanic rocks has high Ni (2050–3800 ppm) and Mn (1190–1750 ppm) contents, high 10000Zn/Fe values (12–15), low Ca (1310–1800 ppm) contents, and low Fe/Mn (56–72) and Mn/Zn (10–14) values. Their high Mn contents and low Fe/Mn values together with their low FC3MS (<0.65; FC3MS = FeO/CaO – 3MgO/SiO 2), low FCKANTMS (<0.37; FCKANTMS = ln(FeO/CaO) − 0.08ln(K 2 O/Al 2 O 3) − 0.052ln(TiO 2 /Na 2 O) − 0.036ln(Na 2 O/K 2 O) ln(Na 2 O/TiO 2) − 0.062(ln(MgO/SiO 2))3–0.641(ln(MgO/SiO 2))2–1.871ln(MgO/SiO 2) − 1.473) and low CaO–Al 2 O 3 –Fe 2 O 3 Total values are indicative of derivation from a mantle source containing refractory peridotite. The Xiaogulihe olivines have slightly higher Zn/Fe and lower Mn/Zn values than expected for olivines formed from typical peridotite-derived melts, suggesting that the source for these lavas was previously metasomatized by interaction with Zn-rich sedimentary carbonatitic melts. The low magmatic water contents of the Xiaogulihe lavas (<1 wt% determined by use of the Ca-in-olivine geohygrometer) is also indicative of derivation from an anhydrous mantle source. These data suggest that the Xiaogulihe ultrapotassic lavas represent partial melts of anhydrous refractory subcontinental lithospheric mantle peridotite. The K-rich nature of these volcanic rocks is indicative of derivation from the K-rich reservoir of the mantle, which is closely associated with carbonatitic metasomatism, indicating the role of this process in the generation of the K-rich EWKX volcanics. [Display omitted] • New olivine and whole-rock geochemical data for the Xiaogulihe ultrapotassic volcanic rocks in NE China are reported. • The Xiaogulihe lavas were derived from an anhydrous refractory peridotite mantle source within SCLM. • Mantle carbonatitic metasomatism plays important role in generation of the K-rich EWKX volcanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasimarket failed in China and it is being critized, inquired even denied, though it is regarded increasingly as a global role model for governance in many countries. Based on the analysis made to the privatization practice as an important aspect of reform in China and combining its results with correlative theories, however, a conclusion is drawn that the contradictions and problems found or caused in privatization practice should not simply be ascribed to the quasimarket itself but mainly to the serious irresponsibility of government in the restructuring period, such as highly insufficient financial support, lack of necessary supervision/regulation with inefficient management especially no astute "buyer" as a role the government should play in quasimarket. In China the quasimarket will be successful in her reform process only if the government retakes its inevitable responsibility for the expenses and administration required for public advantages and socialized services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Round leaf cassia (Chamaecrista rotundifolia) cv. 'Wynn', a species of leguminous forage, was introduced into China from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in 1989. It possesses strong resistance to adversity and is suited for planting in the red soil area of Southern China. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of molybdenum (Mo) application with different concentrations on plant growth, molybdoenzyme activity and mesophyll cell ultrastructure of C. rotundifolia in red soil. The results showed that, plant height, number of branches, and dry matter weight of C. rotundifolia under varying Mo applications (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg kg-1) increased by 2.7%∼11.5%, 0.92%∼28.68%, and 52.9%∼115.2% compared with the control group, respectively, and they all increased with the increase of Mo concentration. Molybdenum contents in plants were also increased significantly with increasing the concentration of Mo, but Mo contents in plants at 4 mg kg-1 Mo application were lower than that at 2 mg kg-1 Mo application. The activities of nitrate reductase in leaf and nitrogenase in root nodule both reached the maximum at 1.0 mg/kg Mo, which increased by 57.77% and 113.1% than the control group respectively. However, their activities began to decrease at 2 and 4 mg kg-1 Mo. The observation on mesophyll cell ultrastructure showed that, Mo application could increase the number of chloroplasts, enhance the stability of lipid bilayer of chloroplast membrane and increase the density of chloroplast lamellae and grana. Simultaneously, the total number of mitochondria and the density of inner cristae were decreased, but there was no significant influence on mitochondrial outer membrane. Moreover, the right amount of Mo fertilizer could enhance the stability of mesophyll cell wall and cell membrane. Although the molybdoenzyme activity decreased at the higher concentration (e.g., 2 and 4 mg kg-1), the application of Mo fertilizer in this test (0.5∼4 mg kg-1) could promote the growth and development of C. rotundifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (anammox) process has been observed in diverse terrestrial ecosystems, while the contribution of anammox to N2 production in paddy soils is not well documented. In this study, the anammox activity and the abundance and diversity of anammox bacteria were investigated to assess the anammox potential of 12 typical paddy soils collected in southern China. Anammox bacteria related to "Candidatus Brocadia" and "Candidatus Kuenenia" and two novel unidentified clusters were detected, with "Candidatus Brocadia" comprising 50% of the anammox population. The prevalence of the anammox was confirmed by the quantitative PCR results based on hydrazine synthase (hzsB) genes, which showed that the abundance ranged from 1.16 × 10(4) to 9.65 × 10(4) copies per gram of dry weight. The anammox rates measured by the isotope-pairing technique ranged from 0.27 to 5.25 nmol N per gram of soil per hour in these paddy soils, which contributed 0.6 to 15% to soil N2 production. It is estimated that a total loss of 2.50 × 10(6) Mg N per year is linked to anammox in the paddy fields in southern China, which implied that ca. 10% of the applied ammonia fertilizers is lost via the anammox process. Anammox activity was significantly correlated with the abundance of hzsB genes, soil nitrate concentration, and C/N ratio. Additionally, ammonia concentration and pH were found to be significantly correlated with the anammox bacterial structure., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of prostate cancer in urban Qingdao and provide some theoretical evidence for the scientific prevention and treatment of the disease., Methods: We performed a hospital-based matched case-control study in Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The cases and controls were matched in age, gender, nationality and the place of residence. All the subjects were interviewed face to face in the hospital using a questionnaire, and the data analyzed by the conditional logistic regression method., Results: According to the 258 valid questionnaires collected, the prostate cancer risk was significantly higher in the cases with a family history of cancer than in those without (OR = 2.58), and so was it in the men with the first spermatorrhea at the age of < or = 15 years than in those at the age of > or = 18 years (OR = 2.27). A decreased risk of prostate cancer was found among the men with the first experience of sexual intercourse between 25 to 30 years of age (OR = 0.76). An increased risk was shown in those with sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old (OR = 2.57), masturbations > or = 3 times per week (OR = 2.30) and a drinking history (alcohol > or = 150 g/d) of > or = 10 years (OR = 2.83)., Conclusion: Positive family history of cancer, earlier age of the first spermatorrhea, sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old, frequent masturbations, and heavy drinking for more than 10 years are risk factors for prostate cancer.