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Objective Different library construction methods, combined with high-throughput sequencing methods, were used to understand the genetic characteristics of the virus of the first confirmed imported monkeypox case in mainland China, and to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different library types. Methods The herpetic fluids and nasopharyngeal swabs of the first imported monkeypox case in the Chinese mainland were used as samples. After nucleic acid extraction and quantification, the library was directly constructed or the amplicon library was constructed using the monkeypox virus whole genome capture kit, and the whole genome sequence of the virus was obtained by high-throughput sequencing. Combined with 34 monkeypox virus sequences downloaded from the NCBI and GISAID databases, a phylogenetic evolutionary tree was constructed using vaccinia, variola, and cowpox sequences as out groups. Results The whole genome sequence of the virus was obtained by both library construction methods, named hMpxV/China/CQ-CQCDC-001/2022, which belongs to the monkeypox virus branch lib, located in the same branch as hMpxV/Germany/BE-ChVir28656/2022 belonging to the IIb B.1 branch. Metagenomic libraries have more uniform sequence coverage than amplicon libraries, but the sequencing depth is lower and the effective data volume accounts for less. Conclusion Clade IIb B.1 monkeypox viruses have already been introduced into the mainland China, and the sequencing of subsequently discovered monkeypox viruses should be based on the sample size and sequencing timeframe, sequencing cost-effectiveness ratio, and other factors to choose the appropriate library construction method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A second rain belt sometimes occurs ahead of a frontal rain belt in the warm sector over coastal South China, leading to heavy precipitation. We examined the differences in the mesoscale characteristics and microphysics of the frontal and warm sector rain belts that occurred in South China on May 10-13, 2022. The southern rain belt occurred in an environment with favorable mesoscale conditions but weak large-scale forcing. In contrast, the northern rain belt was related to low-level horizontal shear and the surface-level front. The interaction between the enhanced southeasterly winds and the rainfall-induced cold pool promoted the persistent growth of convection along the southern rain belt. The convective cell propagated east over the coastal area, where there was a large temperature gradient. The bow-shaped echo in this region may be closely related to the rear-inflow jet. By contrast, the initial convection of the northern rain belt was triggered along the front and the region of low-level horizontal shear, with mesoscale interactions between the enhanced warm-moist southeasterly airflow and the cold dome associated with the earlier rain. The terrain blocked the movement of the cold pool, resulting in the stagnation of the frontal convective cell at an early stage. Subsequently, a meso-γ-scale vortex formed during the rapid movement of the convective cell, corresponding to an enhancement of precipitation. The representative raindrop spectra for the southern rain belt were characterized by a greater number and higher density of raindrops than the northern rain belt, even though both resulted in comparable hourly rainfalls. These results help us better understand the characteristics of double rain belts over South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A better understanding of the factors that influence engagement is needed to provide a reference for conducting genetic testing in female relatives of patients with hemophilia (PWH). We therefore determined the perceptions and understanding of genetic testing among female relatives of PWH in China. Methods: We carried out a qualitative study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 11 female relatives of PWH in Shanxi Province, China. The resulting data were analyzed using thematic analyses. Results: This study extracted four topics: uncertainty about carrier genetic status; limited understanding of genetic testing; coexistence of positive and negative coping; and multi-aspect demands. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should provide personalized and multidimensional health education and comprehensive decision-making support to female relatives of PWH, to enhance their motivation and willingness to undergo genetic testing. It is also important to actively improve relevant policies, strengthen the genetic testing service system, and promote the popularization of genetic testing in female relatives of PWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's Yellow River, the nation's second-longest, grapples with severe water scarcity, impeding the high-quality development of its basin. Our study meticulously examines the intricate virtual water trade network inside and outside the basin, providing essential insights to combat its acute water scarcity. We calculated water consumption coefficients for seven pivotal sectors across diverse Chinese provinces, forming the foundational data for quantifying virtual water trade both inside and outside the basin. Utilizing the 2015 Multi-Regional Input-Output Table, we assessed the Yellow River Basin's reliance on external water resources. Despite enduring chronic water scarcity, the basin annually exports a substantial 27.2 billion m3 of virtual water, equivalent to half of its yearly runoff. This outflow predominantly flows to the economically advanced eastern coastal region, with Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors dominating. Significantly, an irrational industrial layout leads to a substantial transfer of virtual water from economically disadvantaged areas to more affluent regions, exacerbating water scarcity in the basin's less privileged areas. Our study yields critical insights for mitigating water shortages in the Yellow River Basin and provides a transferrable framework for regions worldwide grappling with analogous challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combination therapy offers a new option for treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (uICC). Aim: To compare the effect of different anti‐PD‐1 combination therapies as the first‐line treatments for uICC. Methods: This study included 318 patients who received chemotherapy alone (Chemo), anti‐PD‐1 plus chemotherapy (ICI‐chemo), anti‐PD‐1 plus targeted therapy (ICI‐target) or anti‐PD‐1 plus targeted therapy and chemotherapy (ICI‐target‐chemo) as first line for uICC from 22 centres in China. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety. Results: Patients with ICI‐chemo (median PFS [mPFS], 6.3 months; HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42–0.88; p = 0.008; median OS [mOS], 10.7 months; HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.94; p = 0.026), ICI‐target (7.2 months; HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36–0.80; p = 0.002; 15.8 months; HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.35–0.84; p = 0.006) or ICI‐target‐chemo (6.9 months; HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47–0.90; p = 0.009; 14.4 months; HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31–0.70; p < 0.001) achieved better clinical outcomes than those with Chemo (3.8 months; 9.3 months). ICI‐target was not inferior to ICI‐chemo in survival outcomes (HR for PFS: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.55–1.42; p = 0.614; HR for OS: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.51–1.55; p = 0.680). ICI‐target‐chemo yielded similar prognoses as ICI‐chemo (HR for PFS: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.70–1.62; p = 0.764; HR for OS: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.45–1.31; p = 0.328) and ICI‐target (HR for PFS: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.77–1.88; p = 0.413; HR for OS: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.51–1.47; p = 0.583) but resulted in more adverse events (p < 0.001; p = 0.010). Multivariable and propensity score analyses supported these findings. Conclusions: Among patients with uICC, ICI‐chemo or ICI‐target provided more survival benefits than Chemo while achieving comparable prognoses and fewer adverse events than ICI‐target‐chemo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though numerous empirical and theoretical studies have been conducted on the determinants and effects of executive compensation, empirical evidence regarding the bargaining effect on the monetary compensation decisions of executives, especially in a large emerging economy such as China, remains scarce. In this study, a two-tier stochastic frontier and endogenous correction model was developed to quantitatively estimate the bargaining effect on the monetary compensation decisions of investment bank executives. Our study is the first to provide comprehensive empirical evidence that bargaining between investment banks and executives in China significantly affects the compensation decisions of executives. In the bargaining process, investment banks are more proficient than executives, and the comprehensive bargaining effect tends to lower the negotiated compensation of executives. The bargaining effect exhibited obvious heterogeneity in the characteristics of executives and investment banks. When these characteristics tend to augment the bargaining power of executives, the negotiated compensation exhibits a limited decrease; when these characteristics augment the bargaining power of investment banks, the negotiated compensation decreases substantially. Our results provide deep insight into factors that determine executive compensation and help compensation designers of investment banks better understand and design executive pay packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: For this experiment, the Cherry Valley duck was selected as the experimental animal. By measuring the chemical composition of wheat from different sources and net energy values, we analyzed the correlation between the NE and the chemical composition of wheat. Finally, the best-fit equation was established: NE = 0.380 AME − 0.147 NDF − 0.274 ADF + 5.262 (R2 = 0.874, RSD = 0.19, p < 0.001). The goal of this study was to determine the net energy (NE) value of wheat for growing ducks and establish a NE prediction equation based on the grain's chemical composition. Forty wheat samples were selected based on bulk weight from major wheat-producing regions in China. A total of 460 1-week-old ducks (initial body weight (BW): 134.86 ± 3.32 g) were randomly assigned to 46 diets, including a basal diet, 5 restricted feeding diets and 40 test diets. Each diet contained five replicates, each with two ducks. The basic diet was a corn–soybean meal, and 40 kinds of experimental diets were prepared by mixing the basic diet with 20% wheat. A prediction equation for the NE concentration was created using the chemical make-up of wheat samples. The results indicated that the NE and apparent metabolism energy (AME) content of 40 wheat samples ranged from 6.81 to 9.12 MJ/kg and from 11.03 to 14.34 MJ/kg, respectively. The ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and AME were highly correlated with NE value (p < 0.01), with the AME and NE showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.884). Chemical features could be used to predict the NE values with accuracy, and the prediction equation was strengthened by the inclusion of the AME. The best-fit equation was as follows: NE = 0.380 AME − 0.147 NDF − 0.274 ADF + 5.262 (R2 = 0.874, RSD = 0.19, p < 0.001). In summary, the NE value of wheat is 8.49 ± 0.30 MJ/kg for growing ducks, and the chemical composition can be used to accurately predict NE in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the rapid development of the cosmetic industry, cosmetic safety has become the focus of consumers' attention. However, in order to achieve the desired effects in the short term, the illegal addition of hormones in cosmetics has emerged frequently, which could induce skin problems and even skin cancer after long-term use. Therefore, it is of great significance to master the illegal addition in cosmetics and effectively detect the hormones that may exist in cosmetics. In this review, we analyze the illegally added hormone types, detection values, and cosmetic types, as well as discuss the hormone risks in cosmetics for human beings, according to the data in unqualified cosmetics in China from 2017 to 2022. Results showed that although the frequency of adding hormones in cosmetics has declined, hormones are still the main prohibited substances in illegal cosmetics, especially facial masks. Because of the complex composition and the low concentration of hormones in cosmetics, it is necessary to combine efficient sample preparation technology with instrumental analysis. In order to give the readers a comprehensive overview of hormone analytical technologies in cosmetics, we summarize the advanced sample preparation techniques and commonly used detection techniques of hormones in cosmetics in the last decade (2012–2022). We found that ultrasound-assisted extraction, solid phase extraction, and microextraction coupled with chromatographic analysis are still the most widely used analytical technologies for hormones in cosmetics. Through the investigation of market status, the summary of sample pretreatment and detection technologies, as well as the discussion of their development trends in the future, our purpose is to provide a reference for the supervision of illegal hormone residues in cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To probe into the needs and barriers underlying patients' participation in shared decision-making related to rehabilitation nursing for hemophilic arthropathy. Patients and Methods: The phenomenological research approach was adopted to conduct a series of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 patients with hemophilic arthropathy undergoing rehabilitative treatments, 10 caregivers, and 7 healthcare providers from a hemophilia treatment center in Shanxi province, China. Colaizzi's seven-step method of data analysis was applied to organize, analyze, and extract the themes from the interview materials. Results: Three main themes emerged from the analysis: the status quo of the healthcare system (insufficient decision support systems and mismatch between healthcare providers' and patients' resources), circumstances of provider–patient interactions (lack of information exchange and unbalanced power structure between healthcare providers and patients), and patient-related factors influencing participation in decision-making (lack of self-efficacy, personal characteristics, family and social decision support, and attitude toward participation in decision-making). Conclusion: Participation in rehabilitation decision-making among patients with hemophilic arthropathy is affected by multiple barriers. Healthcare professionals should improve their understanding of shared decision-making, offer patients active guidance on participating in the decision-making process, prioritize their affective needs, and formulate professional and effective solutions to support shared decision-making as early as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) is an important enterovirus B species (EV-Bs) type. We used the full-length genomic sequences of 53 viral sequences from the national hand, foot, and mouth disease surveillance network in the Chinese mainland (2001–2021). Among them, 69 entire VP1 coding region nucleotide sequences were used for CVB5 genotyping and genetic evolution analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on a data set of 448 complete VP1 sequences showed that CVB5 could be divided into four genotypes (A-D) worldwide. Sequences from this study belonged to genotypes B and D, which dominated transmission in the Chinese mainland. Two transmission lineages of CVB5 have been discovered in the Chinese mainland, lineage 2 was predominant. Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis indicated that the tMRCA of CVB5 in the Chinese mainland could be traced to 1955, while the global trend could be traced to 1862, 93 years earlier than China. The evolution rate of CVB5 was higher in the Chinese mainland than worldwide. The spatiotemporal dynamics analysis of CVB5 assessed that virus transportation events were relatively active in Central, Northeast, North and Northwest China. Recombination analysis revealed frequent intertypic recombination in the non-structural region of CVB5 genotypes B and D with the other EV-Bs, revealing eight recombination lineages. Our study showed the molecular evolution and phylogeography of CVB5 that could provide valuable information for disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the relationship between vegetation structure and diversity is important in an area having karst topography and unique traditional customs. We selected a total of six traditional villages in Zunyi City, China, to collect vegetation data. Additionally, using one-way ANOVA and the Pearson correlation coefficient analytic method to analyze, the results showed that, overall, plant communities were mostly regularly distributed. The overall differentiation degree was low aggregation, intensity, and the extreme intensity mixed state. Overall, competitive pressure, growth vigor and stability were better than the natural forest. The community stability index at lower altitude was significantly higher than that at higher altitude. The recorded plant communities in the living space were typically aggregated, the plant communities were randomly distributed in the production space, and the plant communities were uniformly distributed in the ecological space. In general, the diversity indexes, except the Jh index, were the highest in the herb layer; the second was in the shrub layer and the lowest was in the tree layer. Species diversity at the middle altitude was higher than that at low and high altitudes (except for the shrub at a high altitude of 1100–1160 m). The overall plant species diversity was highest in the living space, second highest in the ecological space and lowest in the production space. On the whole, there was a significant correlation between the spatial structure of plant communities and the species diversity of plant communities at different altitudes, and in PLE spaces. The main objective of this study was to reveal the plant community structure, species diversity, and their relationship under the dual effects of national traditional culture and karst landform. Additionally, we sought to provide theoretical guidance for the construction of plant community protection and biodiversity conservation in traditional villages in karst areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the importation and circulation patterns of rubella virus lineages 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c circulating in China since 2018, 3,312 viral strains collected from 27 out of 31 provinces in China between 2018 and 2021 were sequenced and analyzed with the representative international strains of lineages 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c based on genotyping region. Time-scale phylogenetic analysis revealed that the global lineages 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c presented distinct evolutionary patterns. Lineage 1E-L2 circulated in relatively limited geographical areas (mainly Asia) and showed geographical and temporal clustering, while lineage 2B-L2c strains circulated widely throughout the world and exhibited a complicated topology with several independently evolved branches. Furthermore, both lineages showed extensive international transmission activities, and phylogeographic inference provided evidence that lineage 1E-L2 strains circulating in China possibly originated from Japan, while the source of lineage 2B-L2c isolated since 2018 is still unclear. After importation into China in 2018, the spread of lineage 1E-L2 presented a three-stage transmission pattern from southern to northern China, whereas lineage 2B-L2c spread from a single point in western China to all the other four regions. These two transmission patterns allowed both imported lineages to spread rapidly across China during the 2018–9 rubella epidemic and eventually established endemic circulations. This study provides critical scientific data for rubella control and elimination in China and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin disease with rising prevalence. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are recommended as first-line therapy for patients with AD in China; however, corticophobia is a widespread concern, which can manifest as noncompliance: in a previous Chinese study, almost all parents whose children had AD were very concerned about the side effects of TCS and, as a result, nearly half did not use it in the event of recurrence. We propose a TCS-sparing treatment algorithm for the management of infants, children, adolescents, and adults with mild-to-moderate AD, to guide clinical practice in China. Methods: A panel of eight experts in AD from China and one expert from Germany formed to develop a practical algorithm for the management of mild-to-moderate AD, focusing on pimecrolimus. Results: Irrespective of body location, all patients with mild AD (including acute flares) and infants with moderate AD should apply the topical calcineurin inhibitor (TCI) pimecrolimus twice daily to the affected area until symptoms disappear. For children, adolescents, and adults with moderate AD, pimecrolimus should be applied twice daily to sensitive skin areas, and a TCI (either pimecrolimus or tacrolimus) should be applied twice daily to other body locations. Short-term administration of TCS, followed by TCI twice daily, is recommended for most patients with moderate AD experiencing acute flares, regardless of lesion site. Emollients should be used regularly. Conclusions: The algorithm presented intends to simplify treatment of AD in China and guide clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the ultrafast spin dynamics of an antiferromagnet in a ferromagnet/antiferromagnet heterostructure Fe/GdFeO3 via an all-optical method. After laser irradiation, the terahertz spin precession is hard to be excited in a bare GdFeO3 without spin reorientation phase but efficiently in Fe/GdFeO3. Both quasi-ferromagnetic and impurity modes, as well as a phonon mode, are observed. We attribute it to the optical modification of interfacial exchange coupling between Fe and GdFeO3. Moreover, the excitation efficiency of dynamics can be modified significantly via the pump laser influence. Our results elucidate that the interfacial exchange coupling is a feasible stimulation to efficiently excite terahertz spin dynamics in antiferromagnets. It will expand the exploration of terahertz spin dynamics for antiferromagnet-based opto-spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Postoperative percutaneous choledochoscopy via T tube sinus tract is a common modality for treating retained intrahepatic stones in China. We report a rare complication of postoperative choledochoscopy for treating retained hepatolithiasis: T tube sinus tract duodenal fistula. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2018, intrahepatic duct stones with or without common bile duct stones were detected in 1031 patients. Fifteen of the 1031 patients with intrahepatic stones developed a T tube sinus tract duodenal fistula that was diagnosed by cholangiography and choledochoscopy. Results: The incidence of T tube sinus tract duodenal fistula in patients with retained intrahepatic stones being treated by postoperative choledochoscopy is 1.45% (15/1031) in this series. The chi-squared test showed that hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.003), long duration of T tube (P = 0.002), and high frequency of procedure (P = 0.008) might be associated with the occurrence of T tube sinus tract duodenal fistula. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hypoalbuminemia might be the independent risk factor for this special fistula (P = 0.037). Conclusions: Hypoalbuminemia, long time placement of T tube in situ and high frequency of procedure are probably the main causes of the T tube sinus tract duodenal fistula. Placement of T tube in correct way and improving nutritional status may be the key points to prevent the formation of T tube sinus tract duodenal fistula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent emergence of satellite detection and imaging technologies has increased the demand for the application of satellite cloud images to current weather forecasting. However, approaches based on nonlinear prediction technology to forecast satellite images are lacking, and forecasting timelines are relatively short, e.g., 1–3 h in advance. In the present study, a nonlinear dimensionality reduction approach based on Laplacian eigenmaps (LEs) was combined with a random forest (RF) algorithm to construct an intelligent computing prediction model for rainstorm satellite images obtained from the first annual rainy season (April–June) in South China from 2010 to 2018. Results showed that the proposed forecasting model based on nonlinear intelligent calculation can accurately predict the key features and trends of the development and movement of strong precipitation clouds. The predicted satellite images described by the model were also consistent with the major features of the observed satellite images. This study then used a multiple linear regression (MLR) method based on the same prediction factors to establish a model for predicting satellite images for the same modeling and forecasting samples. Comparative results of the two prediction schemes showed that the LE + RF algorithm satellite image prediction scheme yields more samples exhibiting a high correlation with observed satellite images than the MLR method. Compared with that of the proposed scheme, the amount of samples of the MLR scheme in the low-correlation area was significantly larger. In general, the nonlinear intelligent computing scheme developed in this study is superior to the MLR method for predicting satellite cloud images. Thus, the LE + RF algorithm satellite image prediction scheme provides an objective and practical method for observed satellite cloud image predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever, a serious infectious disease, has been found in many countries around the world over the last nearly 100 years, and causes untold damage to the economy wherever it occurs. Diagnosis is currently performed by real-time PCR, which is highly sensitive but can only be carried out in a diagnostic laboratory environment with sophisticated equipment and expertise. A sensitive, rapid diagnostic method that can be implemented in agricultural settings is thus urgently needed for the detection and control of African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection. In this study, we developed an isothermal amplification technology to achieve molecular diagnosis of ASFV in clinical samples, using recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay combined with a portable instrument. This assay method avoids the limitations of traditional real-time PCR and offers detection times within 20 min, enabling detection of as few as 10 copies of ASFV DNA molecules per reaction without cross-reaction with other common swine viruses. We evaluated clinical performance using 200 clinical blood samples. The coincidence rate of the detection results between rt-RAA and RT-qPCR was 96.94% positive, 100% negative, and 97.50% total. We have also developed an rt-RAA system for the detection of ASFV targeting the EP402R gene, with detection of as few as 10 copies of DNA per reaction; this offers the possibility of DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) diagnosis, because CD2V gene-deleted ASFV could soon be approved to be the leading candidate for live attenuated vaccine in China. The rt-RAA assay is a reliable, rapid, highly sensitive method, and it offers a reasonable alternative to RT-qPCR for point-of-care detection of ASFV. Key points: • The RT-RAA assay can detect as few as 10 copies of ASFV genome per reaction within 20 min. • The rt-RAA assay system targeting different genes can achieve differentiating infected from vaccinated diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few studies investigated the impact of quarantine on anxiety of general population during a second wave of COVID-19 breakout. We aimed to compare anxiety levels of quarantined and non-quarantined people and investigate factors affecting anxiety during the second COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1837 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. Anxiety was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Participants were divided into the quarantined group (QG) and non-quarantined group (Non-QG). The mean STAI-S score in the QG was significantly higher than Non-QG (41.8 ± 11.2 vs 40.01 ± 9.9), so was the proportion of severe state anxiety (11.6% vs 5.5%). Males in the QG were significantly more anxious than females evaluated by both STAI-S and STAI-T. High income was independent protective factors while moderate or bad health status and high trait anxiety level were independent risk factors for severe state anxiety. In conclusion, the COVID-19 confinement could significantly increase anxiety of quarantined people. Males were more vulnerable to the quarantine of COVID-19 with significantly increased anxiety level than females. The results suggest that attention should be paid to anxiety during a second round of quarantine due to COVID-19 and are of help in planning psychological interventions. • The COVID-19 confinement could significantly increase anxiety of quarantined people. • Males were more vulnerable to the quarantine of COVID-19 with significantly increased anxiety level than females. • Attention should be paid to anxiety during a second round of quarantine due to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated WF-2T, was isolated from bensulfuron-methyl contaminated watermelon soil in Weifang, Shandong province, China. Cells of strain WF-2T were strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Strain WF-2T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0. Strain WF-2T possessed ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the predominant respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain WF-2T (> 5.0%) were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, C16:0, iso-C17:0, and summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1ω9c/C16:0 10-methyl). The polar lipids consisted of two unidentified lipids, three unidentified phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidyl glycolipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gTne sequences revealed that WF-2T was a member of the genus Luteimonas and showed the highest sequence similarity to Luteimonas lumbrici 1.1416T (98.6%) and Lysobacter pocheonensis Gsoil 193T (97.9%), lower sequence similarity (< 97.0%) to other known species. The genomic DNA G + C content of WF-2T was 69.2 mol%. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and the digital DNA-DNA hybridizations (DDH) between strains WF-2T and L. lumbrici 1.1416T were 81.9% and 24.7%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented here, a new species with the name Luteimonas weifangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WF-2T (= KCTC 62441T = CGMCC 1.13633T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the remarkable progress in efforts to control disease spread, the nationwide elimination of hepatitis B in China is still hindered by the persistently high rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Western China. This study aimed to evaluate the strategy of hepatitis B prevention and control in Western China and identify potential areas and strategies for improvement. Susceptible population vaccination, health education, professional training of doctors, and other prevention and control measures have been implemented in Wuwei city since 2010. Data were obtained from three representative cross-sectional serosurveys conducted in 2010, 2013, and 2015. The serum samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect the following seromarkers: HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Estimates of variance were determined using Taylor series linearization methods. The three serosurveys revealed decreases in the prevalence of HBsAg (7.19% in 2010 vs. 6.51% in 2013 vs. 5.87% in 2015) and anti-HBc positivity (43.89% vs. 32.87% vs. 28.46%) and an increase in the prevalence of anti-HBs positivity (49.07% vs. 53.66% vs. 53.72%) over time. From 2010 to 2015, the legally reported incidence of hepatitis B in Wuwei city decreased from 686.53/100,000 to 53.72/100,000. Notably, persistently high HBsAg-positive rates (above 5.40%) were observed among subjects aged 20–69 years old in the three serosurveys; the prevalence of HBsAg was above 1% among children younger than 10 years old. Furthermore, rural subjects had higher rates of HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity than their urban counterparts (6.04% vs. 4.83% and 30.26% vs. 20.35%, respectively) in 2015 but had a lower rate of anti-HBs positivity (49.68 vs. 55.18%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age, urban and rural areas, and education level were the main factors affecting HBV infection. Although vaccine-based prevention and control measures reduced the rate of HBV infection in Wuwei City over time, the hepatitis B infection rate in children younger than 10 years was still higher than the national average level. Therefore, the prevention and control of mother-to-child transmission and the management of the infected should be the focus of future prevention and control work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the North China Plain, coal mining subsided lakes are surface water bodies that form after the conclusion of coal mining. In China, mining subsided lakes are often transformed into artificial wetland parks for ecological restoration. While many studies have focused on evaluating coal mining subsidence lake ecosystem service value and water pollution, little attention has been paid to changes in ecological regimes and ecological spillover effects before and after the reclamation of mining areas. This paper examines the Pan'an Lake artificial wetland in Jiawang District, Xuzhou, as a case study. Changes in the ecological regime of the mining subsidence area before and after land reclamation and corresponding spatial spillover effect on land prices are assessed based on remote sensing, GIS raster calculations and geostatistical methods. The results show that the ecosystem service value and ecological storage capacity changed significantly after the mining subsided lake was transformed into an artificial wetland and the wetland ecosystem has been developing well with significantly positive spillover effects on surrounding land prices. From 2008 to 2017, service functions of the artificial wetland ecosystem of Pan'an Lake increased by 81.95%, and the system's ecological storage capacity increased from RMB 6,754 yuan/hm2 in 2008 to RMB 12,289 yuan/hm2 in 2017. The average impact of the Pan'an Lake artificial wetland on the spillover effects of surrounding residential land prices was measured at RMB 195.18 yuan/m2, and the total spillover value of planned residential land in the study area was measured at RMB 805,422,100 yuan. The present study can serve as a useful guide for evaluating the economic feasibility of land reclamation planning and ecological restoration in mining subsidence areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic pollutants are affecting the environment on a global scale. To quantify the extent of the elemental pollution in Peixian, a typical Chinese city, we collected 332 soil samples from agricultural, residential, woodland, and hydrological environments. Using multivariate statistical and geostatistical analyses, the results indicate that contaminants including chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) may share common sources such as commercial activities, coal mining activities, water transportation, power generation, and livestock manure. The presence of mercury (Hg) in the southern part of the study area, however, is almost entirely attributed to nearby mining activities. The value of contamination index was the highest in hydrological environments. Health exposure risk assessments of the elements were also investigated. With the exception of Pb, the potentially toxic elements in the study area do not pose a severe non-carcinogenic health risk. At the levels observed in our study, however, Pb may pose a non-carcinogenic risk to children. Based on these results, the area's livability is assessed. The urban livability analysis shows that the livability level is higher in the western part of the study area than it is in the eastern part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Camellia sinensis 'Huangjinju' is an albino tea variety developed recently in China. Young leaves of 'Huangjinju' demonstrate bright yellow when cultivated under natural sunlight, but regreens under reduced light intensity. To elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of this light-sensitive albinism, we compared leaf pigmentation, metabolites, cellular ultrastructure and transcriptome between plants cultured under natural sunlight and shade. Results: Shading treatment doubled the chlorophyll concentration and regreened albino leaves; carotenoid also increased by 30%. Electron microscopy analyses showed that chloroplast not only increased in number but also in size with a complete set of components. In addition, regreened leaves also had a significantly higher concentration of polyphenols and catechins than albino leaves. At transcriptomic level, a total of 507 genes were differentially expressed in response to light condition changes. The most enriched pathways include light harvest protein complex, response to stimuli, oxidation-reduction process, generation of precursor metabolites and energy response. Conclusion: The integrated strategy in this study allows a mechanistic understanding of leaf albinism in light-sensitive tea plants and suggested the regulation of gene networks involved in pigmentation and protein processing. Results from this study provide valuable information to this area and can benefit the domestication and artificial breeding to develop new albino tea varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dexamethasone (DE) is a synthetic glucocorticoid that is frequently added to cosmetic products for its good short-term effects, especially in facial masks, but long-term use is hazardous to the health. The abuse of DE in whitening and acne cosmetic products is currently a serious problem in China. It is necessary to establish a rapid method of detecting illegal DE addition in cosmetics. In the present study, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against DE, 2D5-3D12, was developed that displayed cross-reactivities of 124.5%, 38.8%, 6.7%, 0.9%, 1.1%, 1.82%, and 2.39% with prednisolone, betamethasone, prednisone, beclomethasone, hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, and flumetasone, respectively. A colloidal gold-based lateral flow immunographic assay based on mAb 2D5-3D12 was established and used to determine the DE contents of commercial facial masks. The indicator range of the immunographic assay for DE was 100–200 ng/mL, and the results were consistent with those afforded by LC-MS. This novel method provides the advantages of simple sample treatment, a user-friendly procedure, and rapid detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article outlines a Virtual Monitoring approach for fatigue life assessment of orthotropic steel deck bridges. Bridge weigh-in-motion was used to calculate traffic loads which were then used to calculate "virtual" strains. Some of these strains were checked through long-term monitoring of dynamic strain data. Field tests, incorporating calibration with pre-weighed trucks and monitoring the response to regular traffic, were conducted at Fochen Bridge, which has an orthotropic steel deck and is located in Foshan City, China. In the calibration tests, a 45-t 3-axle truck ran repeatedly across Lane 2, the middle lane in a 3-lane carriageway. The results show that using an influence surface to weigh vehicles can improve the accuracy of the weights and, by inference, of remaining service life calculations. The most fatigue-prone position was found to be at the cutout in the diaphragms. Results show that many vehicles are overweight—the maximum gross vehicle weight recorded was 148 t, nearly 3.6 times heavier than the fatigue design truck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptococcal infection has become a public health challenge globally. However, information about cryptococcal infection in patients with hematological diseases remains relatively rare.Methods: HIV-uninfected cryptococcosis cases with hematological diseases admitted to Huashan Hospital from January 2001 to December 2014 were reviewed.Results: In total, 33 cryptococcosis patients were enrolled, including 12 malignant and 21 non-malignant hematological cases. Twenty-six patients had central nervous system (CNS) involvement, which was observed more often in patients with non-malignancies than with malignancies (20/21 vs. 6/12, P = 0.001) Most patients (25/26) with CNS infection were confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture or smear, and 100% (20/20) of them tested positive for the CSF cryptococcal antigen test. Eighteen out of 26 cryptococcal meningitis patients were treated with amphotericin B (AmB)-based therapy, 16 of them with AmB deoxycholate (d-AmB) and 2 patients with liposomal AmB. The clinical success rate was 55.6%. D-AmB was well-tolerated at 0.35-0.59 mg/kg/d (median 0.43 mg/kg/d) and only 12 patients had mild adverse events.Conclusions: CNS cryptococcal infection was more frequent in patients with hematological non-malignancies, and cryptococcal antigen test as well as the CSF fungal culture or smear are suggested for early diagnosis. D-AmB could be used as an alternative therapy for CNS-infected patients with hematological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural modernization in China has been profound as the countryside has moved from agricultural production to industrial and tertiary industry development. Within rural areas these changes can have enormous significance for how we think about their sustainability. One rural county that vividly illustrates both the challenges and opportunities of rural development is Anji in Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. Anji is held up as a model of rural sustainable development. In this paper we analyse the basis for the sustainability claims made of Anji and to do so, we examine how the production and processing of bamboo materials transformed Anji into a place-specific bamboo-making locality that is lauded for its sustainability. We analyse how thinking on a place and a material (bamboo) come together to reinforce thinking on sustainability in rural China. We then go on to critically question the politico-economic arrangements that construct Anji and bamboo as models of sustainability. We argue that whilst both Anji and bamboo do have notable features that characterise them as sustainable and together can make an even more persuasive case for rural sustainability, a more detailed analysis allows us to uncover the deep-rooted tensions that persist in Chinese rural development between environmental protection and economic growth. The paper draws on a mixture of published and unpublished material to provide a detailed examination of the ways in which bamboo supply chains operate within and through Anji. The paper concludes that local constructions of sustainability are driven by economic rather than environmental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the characteristics and implications of jump tail dependence in the Chinese stock market with high-frequency data. The results indicate that jumps contribute significantly to tail dependence between individual stocks and the aggregate market. Jumps are more tail dependent than raw returns and account for an average of 17 percent of the daily tail-dependence coefficient. We also find that jump tail dependence is asymmetric and substantially stronger in the lower tail than in the upper tail. Ignoring jump tail dependence may lead to underestimation of risks and produce inaccurate conclusions about the tail neutrality of a portfolio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3a (eIF3a) gene and the risk for gastric cancer within the Chinese population.Subjects and Methods: A total of 322 patients with gastric cancer were selected as the patient group and 340 non-gastric cancer patients were selected as the control group using the case-control method. Polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer technology was leveraged to genotype the rs77382849 single nucleotide polymorphism in the eIF3a gene. The demographic characteristics of the study population and other exposures to risk factors were collected. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the risk factors and gastric cancer.Results: A higher frequency of the eIF3a rs77382849 GG homozygote genotype was observed in the gastric cancer patients compared with the controls (63.98 vs. 54.41%, p < 0.05). After adjustment of exposure risks, such as age, gender, smoking, and drinking, the rs77382849 single nucleotide polymorphism was still associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer. When the eIF3a rs77382849 GG homozygote genotype was used as the reference group, the GA genotype (GA vs. GG: OR = 0.545, 95% CI: 0.386-0.769, p = 0.001) and AA genotype (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.245, 95% CI: 0.072-0.836, p = 0.025) were both correlated with a significantly decreased risk for gastric cancer development.Conclusion: An association between eIF3a rs77382849 polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer was observed in these Chinese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, fine-grain quartz was used for luminescence dating for lava baked samples from different sites in Datong. Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL), thermal transferred OSL (TT-OSL)/recuperated OSL (Re-OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) dating protocols were applied. For these samples, the OSL signals saturate at about 300–400 Gy, which limits their age to less than 100 ka based on their ambient dose rates. The TT-OSL/Re-OSL method has poor dose recovery. TL dating gives reliable results, and multiple-aliquot regenerative-dose TL method with sensitivity change correction based on the 325 °C TL peak of a test dose can be applied for samples up to 400 ka. The results indicate that the ages of the volcanoes in Datong are from 380 ka to 84 ka. The volcanic activity started earlier in the southeast area than those in the northwest part, which is consist with the literature data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China owns the world's largest capacity of coal-fired power units. By the end of 2012, the capacity of installed national thermal power has been 819.68 million kilowatts. The latest standard requires that newly built power plants emit SO in no more than 100 mg/m and the emission of old ones be lower than 200 mg/m while in some key areas the emission should be controlled under 50 mg/m. So by the end of 2012, 90 % of the active coal-fired units have been equipped with flue gas desulfurization devices. Among the desulfurization methods adopted, limestone-gypsum wet flue gas desulphurization accounts for 92 %, causing the problem of fine droplets in the exhaust gas after defogger, which may even form 'gypsum rain.' At present, sampling methods are widely used at home and abroad, such as magnesium ion tracer method, modified magnesium ion tracer method and chemical analysis. In addition, some scholars use aerodynamic methods, such as ELPI, to measure the diameter distribution and concentration. The methods mentioned above all have their own demerits, such as the inability to on-line, continuous measurements and the need of prolonged measuring time. Thus, in this paper some potential optical on-line methods are presented, such as Fraunhofer diffraction pattern analysis and wavelength-multiplexed laser extinction. Also brought up are their measuring scope and merits. These methods have already been utilized to measure small liquid droplets and their demonstrations and evaluations are as well stated. Finally, a 3D imaging method based on digital holographic microscope is proposed for in-line measurement of size and concentration of slurry droplets. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated by preliminary experimental investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including how natural disasters in China are affecting investments in the country, energy sustainability and climate change.

Plant cell walls are composed of cellulose microfibrils embedded in a cross-linked-net of matrix polysaccharides and co-polymerized with lignin. The study presented the genotypic variations of cell wall composition, biohydrogen production, and lignocellulose degradation ratio in a collection of 102 Miscanthus sinensis ( M. Sinensis, hereafter) accessions collected from a wide geographical range in China. Significant variations were observed for the determined traits, cellulose content, hemicellulose content, cellulose and hemicellulose degradation efficiency, and biohydrogen yield. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents ranged from 30.20-44.25, 28.97-42.65, and 6.96-20.75%, respectively. The degradation ratio of cellulose and hemicellulose varied from 2.08% to 37.87% and from 14.71% to 52.50%, respectively. The feedstock was fermented to produce biohydrogen, and the production varied from 14.59 to 40.66 ml per gram of Miscanthus biomass. The expression profile of three cellulose synthase ( MsCesA) genes was initially established to indicate the genotypic difference among the M. sinensis accessions. Pearson's correlations were conducted to reveal the perplexing relationship between the tested traits, biohydrogen yield, cell wall composition and their degradation efficiency. In addition, the relationship pattern, between the test traits and the geographic factors corresponding with the original place, was investigated. The result showed that the significant variation among the M. sinensis genotypes is the result of natural selection in different environments of their original habitats. Improvement in cell wall composition and structure and enhancement of lignocellulose degradation ratio could significantly increase sustainable bioenergy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well recognized that various degrees of mantle-derived materials are incorporated in the formation of granite, and mantle-derived mafic melts are generally considered to mix with crustal felsic melt. Here, however, we provide an example of the Shanggusi leucocratic granite where external mantle-derived hydrous fluid, rather than mafic melt, might be incorporated into a nearly pure crustal granitic melt system. Field observations suggest that the Shanggusi granite consists of granite porphyry, granite dyke and granitic pegmatite and they have consistent zircon U–Pb ages and molybdenite Re–Os ages. The marginal pegmatite, interconnected miarolitic cavities, heterogeneous molybdenite mineralization and significant variation of micro-texture of the Shanggusi granite physically indicate that strong fluid activities occurred in the granitic system. Accumulation of quartz and K-feldspar and bulk-rock major element data imply that fractional crystallization played an important role in the evolution of the granitic system which, however, cannot reasonably explain the significant trace elements fractionation, non-CHARAC trace elements behavior and simultaneous concave and convex REE tetrad effect of the Shanggusi granite, but which can be best explained by the influence of external fluorine-rich hydrous fluid. Importantly, the chemical fractionation, including bulk-rock trace elements and isotopes, is closely correlated with quantitative textural parameter L max (the average length of the four largest quartz crystals in each sample), indicating that the vast majority of physical and chemical characteristics of the granitic system were most likely controlled by the wholesale fluid flow. The Shanggusi granite is highly siliceous (SiO 2 = 74.91–79.50 wt.%, except granitic pegmatite with SiO 2 = 67.41 wt.%), extremely poor in mafic minerals, and with relative homogeneous bulk-rock major element chemistry and mineralogy, which approximate experimentally pure crustal melt that generated by dehydration melting of sedimentary rocks. The mantle-derived Nd–Pb–O isotopic features, however, require a great deal of contributions from mantle materials. Therefore, it is proposed that external mantle-derived fluid was infiltrated into the Shanggusi granitic system at least before emplacement, and fluid–melt mixing may be an important but not easily recognized part in granite origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving energy efficiency is an important approach to decrease energy consumption, and the magnitude of energy rebound effect caused by technology progress directly affects the effectiveness of energy effect policies. This paper briefly reviews the main theory of energy rebound effect, with China's 30 provincial government panel data from 1996 to 2011, builds a double logarithm and a panel error correction model to empirically analyze the direct rebound effect of urban residential electricity use. The results show that: the Chinese urban residential electricity consumption exists a partial rebound effect, and the longterm rebound effect is 0.71, the short-term rebound effect is 0.47. A majority of the expected reduction in urban residential electricity consumption from efficiency improvement could be offset due to the existence of rebound effect. The rebound effect impairs the functions of energy efficiency policies, and therefore the Chinese government should take the effect into consideration when formulating energy policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant plagioclase basalts (GPBs) reflect the storage of flood basalt magma in subvolcanic magma chambers at crustal depths. In this study of the Late Permian Emeishan large igneous province in southwest China, we focus on understanding the plumbing system and ascent of large-volume basaltic magma. We report a quantitative textural analysis and bulk-rock geochemical composition of clustered touching crystals (CT-type) and single isolated crystal (SI-type) GPB samples from 5- to 240-m-thick flows in the Daqiao section. Both types of GPBs are evolved (<6 MgO wt%), but have high Ti/Y ratios (>500) and high total FeO content (11.5-15.2 wt%). The mineral chemistry of the two types of plagioclase displays a small range of anorthite content (<5 mol%), which is consistent with their unzoned characteristics. The two types of GPBs have S-type crystal size distributions but have quite different slopes, intercepts, and characteristic lengths. The characteristic lengths of the five flows are 1.54, 2.99, 1.70, 3.22, and 1.86 mm, respectively. For plagioclase growth rates of 10 to 10 mm/s, steady-state magma chamber models with simple continuous crystal growth suggest that CT-type plagioclase megacrysts have the residence time of about 500-6,000 years, whereas the residence time for SI-type plagioclase is significantly longer, about 1,000-10,000 years. By combining field geology, quantitative textural data with geochemistry, we suggest that CT- and SI-type crystals grew and were coarsened in the outer part and inner part of a magma chamber, respectively. Magma evolution during storage is controlled by crystallization, crystal growth, and magma mixing, and pulsating eruptions occur in response to the continuous supply of hot magma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between futures and spot prices for the China's commodity futures markets displays high and low volatility regimes that often affected by various factors, which greatly impacts the hedging behavior. The Markov regime-switching method was introduced to study the optimal hedging of China's commodity futures markets, and to analyze the hedging with regime-switching. The results show that there are different high and low volatility regimes in the relationship between futures and spot prices, the stability and duration of the high volatility regime are lower than the low volatility regime, and the regimes of the markets are closely related to the changes of basis. Moreover, hedging performance analysis shows that in the single regime models the hedging performance of MGARCH is better than the VECM, the VECM is better than the VAR, and the three models are better than the OLS model. And the hedging performance of the constant and time-varying transition probability Markov models is better than that of single regime models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the degradation of rizazole in water-sediment systems (West Lake system, WL; Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal system, BG) with two different types of sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The half-lives of rizazole in the WL water phase (14.59–15.13 d) were similar to those in the BG water phase (15.90–16.46 d). Within 3–7 d, the rizazole concentration in the sediments reached the maximum values, i.e., equilibrium. Rizazole dissipation was faster in the WL sediment phase with higher organic matter content (T1/2= 18.99–19.09 d) compared with the BG sediment phase (T1/2= 31.08–33.32 d). Rizazole degradation was slightly faster in the West Lake water-sediment system (WL system) (T1/2= 17.11–18.05 d) than in the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal water—sediment system (BG system) (T1/2= 20.51–25.02 d). The aerobic degradation of rizazole was similar to its anaerobic degradation in the water-sediment system. The findings are useful to understand the behavior of pesticide in environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangjingou gold deposit in Jilin Province lies 11 km south of the large-scale Xiaoxinancha gold–copper deposit. Yangjingou orebodies are structurally controlled fault- or fracture-related auriferous quartz veins. This type of mineralization is significantly different from that of the Xiaoxinancha porphyry gold–copper deposit, and has mineral assemblages and fluid inclusion compositions typical of orogenic gold deposits. We suggest that the Yangjingou deposit is the first orogenic gold deposit discovered in the Yanbian area, even in all of NE China. Here, we present new isotopic dating and trace element analysis of the ore-hosting monzogranite and auriferous quartz veins within the deposit, in order to determine the age and tectonic setting of metallogenesis, and the geological conditions controlling gold mineralization. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of zircons separated from the monzogranite yielded an age of 262.3 ± 1.3 Ma, indicating intrusion during the late Permian. Hydrothermal muscovite from auriferous quartz veins yielded a40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 241.57 ± 1.2 Ma, indicating that gold mineralization occurred at 241 Ma. Trace element and REE compositions of the monzogranite and auriferous quartz veins are both indicative of the formation from a region of the upper mantle that previously underwent crustal contamination. Geochronological analysis indicates that the diagenesis and mineralization resulting in the Yangjingou gold deposit occurred during the late Permian–Early Triassic. The tectonic evolution of the region and comparison of this deposit with other mineralizing events indicate that the orebody formed during orogenesis associated with collision between the North China and Siberian cratons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has resulted in great pressure on energy consumption, especially the energy intensive sector – the industrial sector. To achieve sustainable development, China has to consider how to promote energy efficiency to meet the demand of Chinese rapid economic growth, as the energy efficiency of China is relatively low. Meanwhile, the appeal of energy saving and emission reduction has been made by the Chinese central government. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the energy efficiency of industrial sector in China and to assess efficiency development probabilities. The framework of total factor energy efficiency index is adopted to determine the discrepancy of energy efficiency in Chinese industrial sector based on the provincial statistical data of industrial enterprises above designated size in 30 provinces from 2005 to 2009, with gross industrial output as the output value and energy consumption, average remaining balance of capital assets and average amount of working force as the input values. Besides, in considerate of the regional divide of China, namely eastern, central, and western, and economic development differences in each region, energy efficiency of each region is also analysed in this paper. The results show that there is room for China to improve its energy efficiency, especially western provinces which have large amount of energy input excess. Generally speaking, insufficient technological investment and fail of reaching best scale of manufacture are two factors preventing China from energy efficiency promotion. Based on our findings, some policy implications on the improvement of energy efficiency, particularly for economically underdeveloped regions in China, are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three new cassane-diterpene-lactones, methyl 1α,7β-diacetoxy-5α,12α-dihydroxy-cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide-17β-carboxylate (1), methyl 7β-acetoxy-1α,5α,12α-trihydroxy-cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide-17β-carboxylate (2), and 12α-ethoxyl-1α,6α,7β-triacetoxy-5α,14β-dihydroxy-cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide (3), were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance. Their structures were established on the basis of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper empirically analyzes the dynamic relationship between Renminbi (RMB) real effective exchange rate and stock price with VAR and multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models using monthly data from January 1991 to June 2009. The results show that there is not a stable long-term equilibrium relationship between RMB real effective exchange rate and stock price. There are also not mean spillovers between the foreign exchange and stock markets. Furthermore, the paper examines the cross-volatility effects between foreign exchange and stock markets using likelihood ratio statistic. There exist the bidirection volatility spillovers effects between the two markets, indicating the past innovations in stock market have the great effect on future volatility in foreign exchange market, and vice versa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Nihewan Formation, consisting of thick fluvio–lacustrine sediments with abundant mammalian faunas and Paleolithic remains, is widely distributed in the Nihewan Basin, northern Hebei Province, China. In this study the fluvio–lacustrine sediments of the Nihewan Formation and the loess–paleosol sequence evident in the Haojiatai Section were dated by recuperated OSL (ReOSL) of fine-grained quartz (Wang, X.L., Lu, Y.C., Wintle, A.G., 2006a. Recuperated OSL dating of fine-grained quartz in Chinese loess. Quaternary Geochronology 1, 89–100.). The preliminary ReOSL dating results show that: (i) the loess–paleosol sequence in the upper part of the profile started to develop at about 128ka ago; (ii) the unconformity separating the loess–paleosol from the underlying Nihewan Formation represents a sedimentation break of about 130ka. On the basis of the ReOSL dates and related stratigraphic evidence it is proposed that the ancient Lake Nihewan dried shortly after about 266ka. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pyraoxystrobin is a new QoI fungicide developed in China. The present study was aimed at determining the baseline sensitivity of M. oryzae to pyraoxystrobin and investigating the potential resistance risk and resistance mechanism of pyraoxystrobin in M. oryzae. The results showed that the mean EC 50 of 109 M. oryzae isolates to pyraoxystrobin was 0.0094 μg/mL and the sensitivity exhibited a unimodal distribution. The established baseline sensitivity could provide critical data for monitoring sensitivity changes of M. oryzae to pyraoxystrobin in rice fields. The potential resistance risk was assessed by investigating the biological characteristics of the resistant mutants obtained by fungicide adaptation. The results indicated that the resistance risk of pyraoxystrobin in M. oryzae was medium to high with positive cross-resistance between pyraoxystrobin and azoxystrobin, but without cross resistance between pyraoxystrobin and carbendazim, isoprothiolane, and prochloraz. Further investigation revealed that the pyraoxystrobin-resistant mutants had a G143S mutation in the cyt b protein. Molecular docking confirmed that the G143S substitution conferred high resistance to pyraoxystrobin in M. oryzae. Collectively, the results of this study provided essential data for monitoring the emergence of resistance and developing resistance management strategies for pyraoxystrobin. [Display omitted] • Baseline sensitivity of M. oryzae to pyraoxystrobin was established. • The resistance risk of pyraoxystrobin in M. oryzae was medium to high. • The G143S mutation in cyt b conferred high resistance to pyraoxystrobin in M. oryzae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coal mine areas in China have the serious conflicts between resources exploitation and ecology safety, therefore the coal mine ecological risk assessment is an important problem which relates to the sustainability of coal mines to regions and the whole country. In this study, open coal mine area serves as researching object, heavy metals, soil erosion and coast are screened out as risk resources, soil wireworm as the receiver of heavy metals risk, biotope ecosystem as the receiver of soil erosion and coast risk; ecological indexes are calculated with species background index, biological diversity index and natural degree index, ecological friability indexes are calculated with soil fertility index, plant coverage, plant species diversity index, soil wireworm index and maturity index, and the typical coal mine area assessment indexes system is established. In addition, the regional ecological risk assessment is conducted on the friable ecological system of Fuxin Haizhou open coal mine area. Examples are researched of Haizhou open coal mine, the coal mine risk distribution is established, and foundations are provided for the administrative decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to demonstrate the validity of using scalp hair rare earth elements (REEs) content as a biomarker of human REEs exposure, data were collected on REEs exposure levels from children aged 11–15 years old and living in an ion-adsorptive type light REEs (LREEs) mining and surrounding areas in southern China. Sixty scalp hair samples were analyzed by ICP-MS for 16 REEs (La–Lu, Y and Sc). Sixteen REEs contents in the samples from the mining area (e.g., range: La: 0.14–6.93 µg/g; Nd: 0.09–5.27 µg/g; Gd: 12.2–645.6 ng/g; Lu: 0.2–13.3 ng/g; Y: 0.03–1.27 µg/g; Sc: 0.05–0.30 µg/g) were significantly higher than those from the reference area (range: La: 0.04–0.40 µg/g; Nd: 0.04–0.32 µg/g; Gd: 8.3–64.6 ng/g; Lu: 0.4–3.3 ng/g; Y: 0.03–0.29 µg/g; Sc: 0.11–0.36 µg/g) and even much higher than those published in the literature. The distribution pattern of REEs in scalp hair from the mining area was very similar to that of REEs in the mine and the atmosphere shrouding that area. In conclusion, the scalp hair REEs contents may indicate not only quantitatively but also qualitatively (distribution pattern) the absorption of REEs from environmental exposure into human body. The children living in this mining area should be regarded as a high-risk group with REEs (especially LREEs) exposure, and their health status should be examined from a REEs health risk assessment perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses a study which examined the mechanism behind tectonic uplift of the Hua Shan, the main ridge of the Qinling Mountain, in the Cenozoic era. Collection of granite samples; Fission track dating and results; Tectonic evolution of Hua Shan.