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We first consider the sequential detection of transient signals by generalizing the moving average chart to exponential family and study the false detection probability (FDP) and power of detection (POD) in the steady state. Then windowed adjusted signed (or modified directed) likelihood ratio chart is studied by treating it as approximate normal random variable. In the multi-parameter exponential family, the detection of the transient change of one of the canonical parameters or a function of canonical parameters is considered by using the generalized adjusted signed likelihood ratio chart. Comparisons with window restricted CUSUM and Shiryayev-Roberts (S-R) procedures show that the generalized signed likelihood ratio chart performs quite well. Several important examples including the mean or variance change under normal model and a real-time example are used for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amdoparvoviruses infect various carnivores, including mustelids, canids, skunks, and felids. Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) belongs to the prototypical species Amdoparvovirus carnivoran1. Here, we identified a novel amdoparvovirus in farmed Asian badgers (Meles meles), and we named this virus "Meles meles amdoparvovirus" (MMADV). A total of 146 clinical samples were collected from 134 individual badgers, and 30.6% (41/134) of the sampled badgers tested positive for amdoparvovirus by PCR. Viral DNA was detected in feces, blood, spleen, liver, lung, and adipose tissue from these animals. Viral sequences from eight samples were determined, five of which represented nearly full-length genome sequences (4,237-4,265 nt). Six serum samples tested positive by PCR, CIEP, and IAT, four of which had high antibody titers (> 512) against AMDV-G. Twenty-six of the 41 amdoparvovirus-positive badgers showed signs of illness, and necropsy revealed lesions in their organs. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of the viral NS1 and VP2 genes of these badger amdoparvoviruses showed that their NS1 proteins shared 62.6%-88.8% sequence identity with known amdoparvoviruses, and they clustered phylogenetically into two related clades. The VP2 proteins shared 76.6%-97.2% identity and clustered into two clades, one of which included raccoon dog and arctic fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV), and the other of which did not include other known amdoparvoviruses. According to the NS1-protein-based criterion for parvovirus species demarcation, the MMADV isolate from farm YS should be classified as a member of a new species of the genus Amdoparvovirus. In summary, we have discovered a novel MMADV and other badger amdoparvoviruses that naturally infect Asian badgers and are possibly pathogenic in badgers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen rising mortality rates linked to cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), despite advances in immunotherapy. Understanding RNA N6‐methyladenosine (M6A) significance in SKCM is crucial for prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME), immune cell presence, and immunotherapy efficacy. We analyzed 23 M6A regulators using SKCM samples from TCGA and GEO databases, identifying three M6A modification patterns linked to TME cell infiltration. Principal component analysis (PCA) yielded an M6A score for individual tumors, utilizing patient gene expression profiles and CNV data from TCGA. M6A modification patterns play a crucial role in SKCM development and progression, influencing tumor attributes such as inflammatory stage, subtype, TME interstitial activity, and genetic mutations. The M6A score independently predicts patient outcomes and correlates with improved response to immunotherapy, validated across anti‐PD‐1 and anti‐PD‐L1 therapy cohorts. M6A modifications significantly impact the TME landscape, with the M6A score serving as a predictive marker for immunotherapy response. Integrating M6A‐related information into clinical practice could revolutionize SKCM management and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of an electromagnetic-tuned liquid column inerter, known as ETLCDI, for mitigating the seismic response in a nuclear containment structure has been studied. The optimization of the structure incorporating the device has rarely been reported. The recently introduced enhanced version of the traditional liquid column inerter, called the ETLCDI, has been designed to meet the demanding requirements of engineering applications. This study explores the parameters and seismic analysis FPS-based structures that incorporates ETLCDI devices. Numerical method is used to optimize the parameters of the two components of the structure, which will minimize the variations in the seismic response. The results are based on the analysis of the stationary stochastic conditions under the influence of the FPS system's nonlinear damping. This study thoroughly examines the effects of ETLCDI on a FPS-isolated framework. The numerical analysis of the structure is performed on a 2-DOF FPS-isolated framework that is equipped with an optimal ETLCDI. It has been found that the optimized ETLCDI can effectively address both the superstructure and base floor responses during severe seismic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a novel passive device defined as the tuned mass damper inerter (TMDI) is studied to control the response of a base-isolated nuclear power plant containment (BI-NPPC) structures under stochastic horizontal ground motions. A new method of connecting TMDI to the isolation foundation is proposed. Recently, the TMDI has been introduced as a generalization of the classical TMD to achieve enhanced performance. Consider the case of a base-isolated structure equipped with a TMDI device, which is served as a base-isolated nuclear power plant containment. A particular arrangement of mechanical gearings (inerter) attached to TMD is set, optimum parameters of this system are found based on a simplified two degree of freedom model that reflects the dynamic properties of both the isolation structure and the TMDI. A straightforward numerical approach is developed for the optimal design of this device considering a white noise ground excitation, and a simplified analytical solution for the optimal design of TMDI parameters are introduced and compared with the numerical results in terms of the optimum frequency ratio, the optimum damping ratio and enhanced performance. Within a probabilistic framework, the influence of soil conditions is investigated by modeling the seismic ground motion as a filtered Gaussian random process. Different filter parameters are considered that may be associated with firm, medium or soil conditions depending on the frequency content of the power spectral density function. Several natural recorded accelerograms are also selected to scrutinize the effectiveness of the TMDI isolated-base structure via time-domain analyses. Properties of the BIS are considered in respect of its damping and stiffness. It can be concluded that higher control performances are achieved when lower values of base isolation sub-system damping ratio are used, however, the control performances of the TMDI are basically not affected by small variation of the natural frequency of the isolated-base structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest China (NWC) is experiencing noticeable climate change accompanied with increasing impacts of climate hazards induced by changes in climate extremes. Towards developing climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the negative climatic impacts on both the ecosystem and socioeconomic system of the region, this study investigates systematically the spatial patterns of climate change and the associated climate hazards across NWC based on high resolution reanalysis climate dataset for the period 1979 to 2018. We find that NWC overall is under a warming and wetting transition in climate with change rate of temperature and precipitation around 0.49 °C/10a and 22.8 mm/10a respectively. Characteristics of climate change over the NWC however vary considerably in space. According to significance of long-term trends in both temperature and aridity index for each 0.1° × 0.1° grids, five types of climate change are identified across NWC, including warm-wetting, warm-drying, warm without wetting, wetting without warming and unchanging. The warm-wetting zone accounts for the largest proportion of the region (41%) and mainly locates in the arid or semi-arid northwestern NWC. Our findings show most region of NWC is under impacts of intensifying heatwave and rainstorm due to significant increases in high temperature extremes and precipitation extremes. The warming but without wetting zone is found under a more severe impact of heatwave, particularly for areas near northern Mount. Qinling and northern Loess Plateau. Areas with stronger wetting trend is suffering more from rainstorm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the detection of a common change when M independent Poisson processes are monitored simultaneously where only a portion of the processes have rate decrease after the change time. In contrast to the detection of rate increase (Wu and Wu (2022)), the individual CUSUM and Shiryayev–Roberts (S–R) processes need to be calculated continuously in parallel. A combined CUSUM-SR procedure is proposed by using the sum of S–R processes as the detection process for a common change and after the detection, the M individual CUSUM processes are used to isolate the changed panels with FDR control. The medians of change time estimates from the individual CUSUM or S–R processes from the isolated changed panels are then used to estimate the common change time. Coal mining disaster data in USA are used for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Hailuogou glacial retreat chronosequence, a mature forest has surprisingly fast developed in ∼120 yr, although the glacial debris is dominated by nutrient‐poor granite with a small contribution of carbonate minerals. In previous work, we hypothesized that the fast vegetation development is synchronized with initial fast carbonate weathering followed by slow silicate weathering. To test this hypothesis, we (a) characterized the composition of the glacial debris to elucidate the sources of base cations and (b) determined the base cation release kinetics from topsoils (0–10 cm) along the chronosequence with a weathering experiment at a constant pH value (pHstat). Besides granitic rocks, the glacial debris contained some meta‐sedimentary and meta‐volcanic calc‐silicate rocks, amphibolite, mica schist, and quartzite. Although the total Ca concentration of the glacial debris was only about double that of Mg, K, and Na, during the 1st day of the pHstat experiment, the released mass of Ca was >10 times higher than that of Mg and K, and even about 100 times higher than that of Na. The size of the fast‐reacting Ca‐carbonate pool decreased quickly in the first approximately 40 yr, after which a slow‐reacting Ca‐silicate pool matched the fast‐reacting pool with a size of 1.9 ± 0.6 g kg–1 Ca. In contrast, for Mg, K, and Na the slow‐reacting pool dominated from the beginning, suggesting that these elements mainly originated from silicate weathering. Our findings support the view that the well‐synchronized interplay between carbonate and silicate weathering facilitated the fast vegetation succession. Core Ideas: Calcite occurred in the mainly granitic substrate of the Hailuogou chronosequence.The calcite originated from meta‐sedimentary and meta‐volcanic rocks in the glacial debris.Carbonate weathering determined the rapid initial Ca but not Mg release.The main sources of weathered Mg, K, and Na were silicate minerals.Base cation release kinetics followed the order, Ca>>Mg>K>>Na. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quick detection of common changes is critical in sequential monitoring of multi-stream data where a common change is referred as a change that only occurs in a portion of panels. After a common change is detected by using a SR-SUM procedure, we compare the CUSUM and EWMA methods in terms of FDR and FNR after a common change is detected. The BH-type procedure is used for both CUSUM processes and EWMA processes at the detection time to isolate the changed panels with the control of FDR (False Discovery Rate). The numerical results show that the FNR for the CUSUM method is smaller than that for the EWMA method. Also the CUSUM method has the advantage that the common change point is conveniently estimated after isolation. To reduce the FNR, the tightened FDR control procedure is considered by using the estimated number of changed panels. Further, the estimated number of changed panels can also be used to identify whether the alarm is true or false. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, motivated by detecting the occurrence of an epidemic when the arrival rates of patients increase in a portion of M panels or detecting the deterioration of a system composed of M independent components that causes an increase in failure rates in a portion of components, we consider the detection of a common change when M independent Poisson processes are monitored simultaneously where only a portion of the processes have rate increases after the change time. M individual cumulative sum (CUSUM) processes and Shiryaev-Roberts (S-R) processes are calculated recursively in parallel at each pooled arrival time. A systematic procedure is proposed by using the sum of M S-R processes as the detection process for a common change. After the detection, the M individual CUSUM processes are used to isolate the changed panels with false discovery rate (FDR) control and then the medians of the change time estimates from each individual CUSUM process or S-R process based on the isolated panels are used to estimate the common change time. The model can be generalized to different prechange rates, jittered change time, and unknown postchange rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A systematic study of spatiotemporal evolution of extreme ultraviolet spectra in laser-produced germanium (Ge) plasmas is performed with aid of a spatio-temporally resolved emission spectroscopy and multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock calculations. • In combination with a steady-state collisional-radiative model, an analysis of the spectral diagnostics and dynamic evolution of the Ge plasma was completed that revealed the distributions and contributions of the different transition arrays from the Ge4+-Ge13+ ions. • The radiation transition distribution of the Ge ions and the dynamic analysis of the plasma show that the plasma exhibits rapid overall temporal and spatial evolution, with significant gradients in both the electron temperature and the electron density. This paper presents comprehensive spectral measurements and a theoretical analysis of laser-produced germanium (Ge) plasma within the 7.5–17 nm wavelength range, with the measurements being performed using spatiotemporally-resolved emission spectroscopy. We obtained and analyzed the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra and their variations meticulously at various positions adjacent to the target surface. The 3p and 3d excitations of Ge ions spanning from Ge4+ to Ge13+ were calculated using the Cowan configuration interaction codes, with particular emphasis being placed on analysis of the spectral line distributions in the 3d-np, 3d-nf, and 3p-3d, 4s, 4d transition arrays. This analysis indicated the contributions made by these transition arrays to the broadband spectral features that were observed experimentally. By using a steady-state collisional radiation model along with a normalized Boltzmann distribution assumption, we clarified the predominant contributions of the 3d-4p and 3p-3d transitions from the Ge7+ to Ge9+ ions in close proximity to the target surface, along with those from the Ge5+ and Ge6+ ions at greater distances. Furthermore, by combining the results above with a plasma dynamics evolution analysis, we gained insights into how the plasma's transient and nonuniform properties influence the analysis of complex EUV band spectral profiles and examine their implications for spectral diagnostics. These results will be useful for plasma spectral diagnosis and for application to development of pulsed short-wavelength light sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address severe soil Pb and Cd contamination from anthropogenic activities, governments have implemented various environmental management measures. However, the extent to which these measures have constrained Pb and Cd accumulation in industrial and mining city soils remains unclear. Here, we investigated Pb and Cd accumulation patterns in soils of Panzhihua City, Southwest China, and determined their dominant anthropogenic drivers using Pb and Cd isotopes. Pb accumulation initially slowed and then increased, while Cd showed a continuous acceleration. Traffic and coal-burning power generation were the dominant anthropogenic forcings for Pb and Cd accumulation in the soils, respectively. Environmental protection measures, particularly the ban on leaded gasoline, significantly reduced Pb accumulation by decreasing traffic-related Pb contributions to soils from 1980 to 2008. However, environmental management measures could not practically mitigate Cd accumulation in the soils owing to the high Cd content in consumed coal, poor efficiency of air pollutant control measures, and steep rise in coal-burning power generation. This study thus indicates the criticality of controlling Cd emissions from thermal power generation. Additionally, the challenges faced by small industrial and mining cities during economic transformation and environmental policy implementation warrant more attention. [Display omitted] • Pb accumulation initially slowed and then increased. • Cd accumulation showed a continuous acceleration. • Traffic was the dominant source of Pb in the soils. • Power generation was the leading cause of the accelerated Cd accumulation. • Environmental protection measures mitigate Pb but not Cd accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terrestrial ecosystems, phosphorus (P) is the limiting nutrient of primary production. The soil organic horizon is a vital source of bioavailable P in subalpine coniferous forests. However, the response of organic horizon P to temperature increase in subalpine coniferous forests is not well characterized. By studying different decomposed degree of organic horizon across an altitudinal gradient, we aimed to simulate responses of the organic horizon P conversion to MAT increase in subalpine ecosystems. In this study, relative enrichment and relative depletion of P fractions were defined as the conversions between different P fractions. We initially observed only unidirectional conversion from labile inorganic P (LIP) to highly resistant organic P (HOP) at a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 1 °C. However, with increasing MAT, there was a relative depletion of moderately resistant inorganic P (MIP) (MAT = 2.4 °C), followed by a successive depletion of moderately resistant organic P (MOP) (MAT = 4.1 °C). Concurrently, we observed relative enrichment of labile organic P (LOP) (MAT = 2.4 °C). Combined with indoor incubation experiments, we further found that the concentration of available P peaked (81.79 mg kg−1) at the initial stage of MIP relative depletion (MAT = 2.4 °C), while the net P mineralization rate (2.19 mg kg−1 d−1) reached a maximum following the initial relative depletion of MOP (MAT = 4.1 °C). Under elevated temperature, the pH of the organic horizon plays a crucial role in determining P fractions variation. These findings suggest that temperature increase can exacerbate the conversion of P fractions and the release of bioavailable P from organic horizon by successively triggering the relative depletion of MIP, the relative enrichment of LOP and relative depletion of MOP at specific MAT thresholds, which has important implications for the enhancement of primary production and carbon sequestration in subtropical coniferous forests under future climate warming. • There was only a unidirectional conversion from LIP to HOP at a MAT of 1.0 °C. • As The MAT increased, MIP began to be released at a MAT of 2.4 °C, followed by degradation of MOP at a MAT of 4.1 °C. • As The MAT increased, LIP began to show significant enrichment at a MAT of 2.4 °C. • The concentration of AP exhibited a significant peak at the initial stage of MIP release at a MAT of 2.4 °C. • The net release rate of AP reached relative stability following the initial degradation of MOP at a MAT of 4.1 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved oxygen is one of the crucial determinants affecting production and welfare of fish in aquaculture. This study aimed to study the effects of varying levels of dissolved oxygen under normoxia on growth performance, biochemical activity and gene expression in bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). Juvenile bighead carp were raised in three groups of tanks for 60 days with O 2 concentrations of 4 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 6 mg/L, respectively. In the fish group of 6 mg/L, we harvested the highest body weight (19.30 ± 0.29 g) and the highest SGR (specific growth rate) (0.45 ± 0.01%) among three groups. The mRNA levels of the oxygen-sensing pathway genes including epas1a (HIF-2α), hif3a (HIF-3α) and egln1a (PHD2) were highest at 4 mg/L, indicating a negative correlation with growth rate. Plasma catalase (CAT) activity was significantly higher in 6 mg/L group than in the other two groups. Furthermore, the fish of 6 mg/L group showed the highest transcription level in gh (GH). These results demonstrated that increasing water oxygen under normoxia condition positively improve growth and antioxidant, and this further extended our understanding how effective aeration strategies affect outcome of integrated aquaculture in bighead carp and other food fish. • Effects of varying levels of dissolved oxygen on growth and O 2 -sensitive pathway were studied in bighead carp. • Increasing water oxygen significantly improved growth performance. • No oxidative stress was observed when bighead carp cultured in normoxia condition. • Expressions of growth-stimulating and O 2 -sensing genes were dynamically associated with growth rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft fibroma is a common benign skin tumour. The size varies from 1 to 10 mm, and giant soft fibromas were rare. Mostly, the appearances of soft fibromas were pedicled, filiform and papular. We reported a female adolescent with a giant penis‐like soft fibroma in her vulva, meanwhile with an external genital malformation. We recalled our treatment process, including diagnosis and surgery, and aimed to broaden the understanding of soft fibroma through our case report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal dispersion power depends on thermal conductivity and thickness of the thermal dispersion material that is a critical component of modern electronic devices due to the demands of high operating power in a miniaturized space. Films made of assembled graphene flakes have been becoming an emerging thermal dispersion material owing to their high thermal conductivity and tunable thickness up to millimeters, which outperform that of artificial graphite films made from polyimide. But the thermal conductivity typically decreases with the increase of film thickness. In our work, by pre-reducing the graphene oxide with Vitamin C and sequentially annealing the stacking films at 2950 °C, a 80 μm-thick graphene film (GF) with an in-plane thermal conductivity of above 1600 W/(m·K) is achieved. Detailed characterizations indicate that, the addition of Vitamin C is beneficial to the assembly ordering of graphene oxide platelets and the defect healing during the thermal annealing, which both contribute to the excellent thermal conductivity of the films. Our work provides an industrially scalable strategy towards high performance heat dissipation films for future electronic devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) grading is a simple and reproducible parameter. There is limited information about the association between GEFV abnormality and novel parameters in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) symptoms by the Lyon Consensus. To investigate the value of GEFV grading in GERD, the clinical data of 320 patients with GERD symptoms who underwent endoscopy, 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring, and high-resolution manometry (HRM) were retrospectively analyzed. The percentage of acid exposure time (AET%)(4.2 [1.5–7.4] vs. 1.3 [0.3–4.2], P < 0.001) and the proportion of abnormal esophagogastric junction (EGJ) morphology (71 [87.7%] vs. 172 [72.0%], P = 0.011) were significantly higher, while the mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) (2068.3 [1658.4–2432.4] vs. 2228.5 [1794.8–2705.3]Ω, P = 0.012) and post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index (PSPWI) (19.7 [13.9–29.0] vs. 33.3 [25.0–44.0]%, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the abnormal GEFV group compared with the normal GEFV group. AET% and EGJ morphology showed positive correlations with GEFV grade, while PSPWI and MNBI showed negative correlations. Patients with an abnormal GEFV had a significantly greater risk of conclusive evidence of GERD compared to those with a normal GEFV (OR 3.035, 95% CI 1.758–5.240, P < 0.001). Further, when identifying patients with conclusive evidence of GERD, abnormal GEFV had a specificity of 80.4% (95% CI 75.3–85.5%). GEFV grading might be regarded as supportive evidence for GERD diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil pollution and crude oil leakage in the ocean have severely impacted marine ecology. The emergence of super-wetting materials provides a new approach to addressing the issue of oil leakage. Chemical vapor deposition, which can be applied to prepare super-wetting materials, is a method that can modify uniformly and enhance the stability of the material, while mostly needing to be performed at high temperatures. In this study, melamine sponge (MS) was preliminarily modified by low-temperature vacuum evaporation deposition (LTVED) of hydrolyzed γ-mercaptopropyl triethoxy silane (KH580). The nano-silica and FS-50 were stepwise coated on the MS skeleton by a simple immersion-drying process. A superhydrophilic/air superoleophobic sponge (MS-KCSiF) as obtained with water contact angle of nearly 0° and crude oil contact angle of approximately 154° in the air, which can retain the wetting properties after immersion in different chemical solutions, ultraviolet irradiation aging, and mechanical destruction like cutting, twisting, bending, and pressing. Its efficiency for high-viscosity crude oil-seawater mixtures was maintained at over 96 % after 20 cycles. Empowered with the shape of mortise and tenon joint structure, MS-KCSiF can scoop up spilled crude oil from the sea surface. This strategy provides a new idea for the construction of super-wetting materials and oil spill collection. [Display omitted] • MS-KCSiF was modified through low-temperature vacuum evaporation deposition for performance stability the first time. • MS-KCSiF had excellent separation efficiency of the crude oil-seawater mixture. • MS-KCSiF maintained crude oil anti-fouling properties after 10 cycles.MS-KCSiF maintains crude oil anti-fouling properties after 10 cycanti-les. • MS-KCSiF can collect crude oil from the sea surface without reducing its viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We conducted a comparative analysis of soil phosphorus fractions changes under unstable landforms. The aim was to clarify the differences between study area and Walker and Syers (1976) model. • Variation partitioning analysis (VPA) was employed to discern the impact of environmental factors (climate, microbes, and soil) on soil phosphorus fraction within unstable landforms. • Structural equation models (SEMs) were employed to investigate the cycling of soil phosphorus and the availability of bioavailable phosphorus within unstable landforms. Landslides significant influence on bedrock weathering, pedogenesis, and ecological succession, thereby playing a pivotal role in driving biogeochemical cycles. Landslide chronosequences have traditionally served as invaluable study systems for investigating vegetation succession and exploring soil development and nutrient dynamics. In this study, we analyzed soil phosphorus fractions across a 22,000-year landslide chronosequence. Our investigation examined the impact of environmental factors on these fractions and elucidated the supply of bioavailable phosphorus. Our findings revealed a decline in the concentration of all phosphorus fractions with soil age. Notably, even at an age exceeding 22,000 years, primary mineral phosphorus constituted 23 % of the total phosphorus pool at the later stages of soil development, while organic phosphorus accounted for a mere 7 %. This discrepancy can be attributed to frequent landslides replenishing phosphorus stocks. These findings indicate that the Walker and Syers model may not adequately anticipate alterations in soil phosphorus fractions under geologically unstable landscapes. Environmental factors had limited impact on primary mineral phosphorus concentrations. Yet, they significantly influenced occluded and nonoccluded phosphorus. Changes in organic phosphorus concentrations cannot be fully explained by the examined environmental factors, as organic phosphorus in the soil primarily originates from plant litter decomposition. The sources of bioavailable phosphorus in the investigated region were elucidated using structural equation modeling. The bioavailable phosphorus in the study area is mainly derived from nonoccluded phosphorus rather than organic phosphorus. This observation can be attributed to the distinct landform conditions, which sustain elevated levels of primary mineral phosphorus during soil development. Consequently, the continuous availability of nonoccluded phosphorus ensures a reliable supply of bioavailable phosphorus. In conclusion, the landslide chronosequence serves as a vital example of long-term ecosystem development under unstable landforms. Its refinement of the Walker and Syers model under unstable landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology is a database that is operated by multiple parts and forms a chain structure through hash index. The blockchain uses multiple nodes and distributes multiple accesses to data, thereby reducing the dependence on the central Internet server and avoiding the possibility of damage to the central server point due to data and data loss. Encryption technology is used to ensure its integrity and ensure that the data files stored in the blockchain are not tampered with or deleted maliciously. Blockchain technology has inherent advantages in supply chain finance with its technical attributes such as nontampering, distributed ledger, and traceability and has great potential to build trust to solve the main problems of supply chain finance, which is conducive to promoting financial development in the Beibu Gulf region. This article mainly introduces the application research of blockchain technology in supply chain finance in the Beibu Gulf region and intends to provide some ideas for the development of supply chain finance in the Beibu Gulf region combined with blockchain technology. This article proposes the application research methods of blockchain technology in supply chain finance in the Beibu Gulf region, including blockchain technology, supply chain financial risk evaluation on the blockchain, and supply chain finance game for relevant experiments. The experimental results of this article show that the average processing time of the algorithm of the designed blockchain supply chain financial system is 4.10 seconds, the algorithm processing efficiency is faster, and the relevant risks can be better assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The more and more developed network has caused more and more impact on people's life and work, providing convenient channels for people's information exchange, and then improving people's living and working conditions. However, when data is transmitted through the network, there are hidden security risks, especially important accounting data. Once intercepted and used by criminals, it may cause serious harm to the owner of the data. Based on the above background, the purpose of this article is to study the use of the DES algorithm to encrypt accounting data in a computing environment. This paper proposes an improved quantum genetic algorithm and applies it to the S-box design of the DES algorithm, which improves the non-linearity of the S-box, reduces the differential uniformity, and enhances the security of the DES algorithm. This improved DES algorithm reduces the number of iterations by increasing the key length and iterative processing using a two-round function, which further increases the security of the algorithm and improves the operation speed of the encryption process. It is found that the 64 ciphertexts of the DES algorithm and the number of changed bits compared to the original ciphertext fluctuates around 32 bits, which explains the problems that should be paid attention to when using the DES algorithm to encrypt accounting data. The validity of key characters should be guaranteed to prevent key loss or leakage. Shorter data encryption regular solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modesty, often defined as a goal-direct self-presentational behavior, is highly beneficial to behavioral health regulation, self-efficacy, interpersonal relation, and group performance. Recent theories and studies have provided evidence that modesty is linked to adaptive well-being, but the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. This study examined the mediating roles of emotional intelligence (EI) and self-esteem (SE) in the relationship between modesty and subjective well-being (SWB) as well as depression among 500 Chinese adults. The results showed that higher levels of modesty were positively associated with EI, SE, SWB, and negatively correlated with depression. Furthermore, EI and SE were positively related to SWB, and were negatively related to depression. Path analyses indicated that EI and SE mediated the relationship between modesty and both SWB and depression in-sequence. EI was also a direct mediator between modesty and depression, whereas SE played an indirect role through its relationship with EI. These findings suggest an important role of modesty in promoting well-being and provide the preliminary evidence regarding possible mechanisms through which modesty contributes to well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great advances had been achieved in the discipline of environmental perception, motion planning and control strategy implementation, however, fully autonomous vehicle is still far from large-scale commercial application. The concept of "human-automation shared control" provides a promising solution to enhance autonomous driving safety, to which great research effort has been contributed in recent years. Nevertheless, more attention should be given to the following aspects. The present shared control strategy either only considers the discontinuous switching control between driver and ADS or investigates the simple effect of driver's behavior in specific scenarios. The adaptive authority allocation between the driver's active assistance and ADS hasn't been investigated yet. In this paper, a shared control experiment with driver's active assistance is conducted in scheduled traffic scenarios to observe the state of vehicle and arm' EMG signal. After that, we construct a feature classification algorithm for shared control authority by clustering the experimental data. Then, a SCS with incremental PID controller and 2 DOF vehicle dynamic model is proposed. For validation of the SCS, the comparison of vehicle performance for different control authority illustrates that SCS can allocate appropriate control authority to improve the safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quick detection of common changes is critical in sequential monitoring of multistream data where a common change is a change that only occurs in a portion of panels. After a common change is detected by using a combined cumulative sum Shiryaev-Roberts (CUSUM-SR) procedure, we first study the joint distribution for values of the CUSUM process and the estimated delay detection time for the unchanged panels. A Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) method using the asymptotic exponential property for the CUSUM process is developed to isolate the changed panels with control on the false discovery rate (FDR). The common change point is then estimated based on the isolated changed panels. Simulation results show that the proposed method can also control the false non-discovery rate (FNR) by properly selecting the FDR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aimed to quantify the pool size of soil microbial biomass P (Pmic) during the early stage of soil development up to 125 years after glacial retreat in the Gongga Mountains, China and relate the pool size of Pmic to the plant P (Pplant) pools in the ecosystem. Methods: We determined the pool sizes of P in soil microbes, plants and soils and the P fluxes with plant uptake and litterfall in successional ecosystems at five study sites along the 125-year Hailuogou glacial retreat chronosequence. Moreover, we estimated the flux of P cycled through microbial biomass (Pmic cycling) based on literature data. We also approached the likelihood of P competition between plants and soil microbes based on the P status of the plants, soils and soil microbes. Results: The size of the Pmic pools (0.2–8.3 g m−2) in the organic layer and top 10 cm of the mineral soils was comparable to that of the Pplant pools (0.3–9.1 g m−2) at all study sites along the Hailuogou chronosequence. Based on the literature, the Pmic cycling at our study site (0.3–13.5 g m−2 year−1 if estimated based on temporal fluctuations of Pmic, 5.2–268 g m−2 year−1 if estimated based on the isotope dilution method) was at least one order of magnitude larger than the Pplant uptake (not detected-0.36 g m−2 year−1) and the Pplant return by litterfall (not detected-0.16 g m−2 year−1). Although Pmic became a major pool of biological P, we did not find indications of P competition between plants and soil microbes as indicated by the positive relationships between the concentrations of Pmic and plant-available P in soils and the P-rich status of plants and soil microbes. Conclusions: Soil microbial biomass already becomes a major P pool in the early stage of soil development. Our estimations based on the literature suggest that Pmic cycling is probably the largest P flux in the studied up to 125-year ecosystems. Plants likely did not suffer P competition with microbes, in part due to the preferential decomposition of the P-rich compounds from dead microbial biomass which led to net P mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the response of soil respiration (R s) to future climate projections is critical for understanding feedbacks and developing effective mitigation strategies. We conducted a warming and N deposition manipulation experiment using a 2 × 2 full-factorial design to evaluate the interactive effects of soil warming and N deposition on R s , microbial community composition and soil organic carbon (SOC) composition in a subalpine coniferous forest on the eastern slope of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Soil warming and N addition independently increased R s and changed microbial community composition, resulting in a net increase in bacteria with N addition and an increase in protozoa with warming; but the interaction of these two factors proved to be antagonistic, resulting in a lower R s and protozoa concentration in the combined warming and nitrogen addition (WN) treatment relative to the warming (W) treatment. The chemical structure of SOC changed with the treatments, with alkyl C increased with warming, aromatic C decreased with both warming and N addition, and the interaction of warming and N induced a lower O-alkyl C and a higher contribution of alkyl C to SOC. The negative correlation between R s and aromatic C and the positive correlation between R s and alkyl C and MBC indicates that the elevated CO 2 emission under warming and N addition was related to the decomposition of aromatic C and the following relative accumulation of alkyl C. Our observations suggest that climate induced soil warming will likely increase soil CO 2 emissions, but this effect could be largely offset by a simultaneous increase in N deposition in subalpine coniferous forests. • Soil warming and N addition independently increased soil respiration (R s) rates. • Soil warming and N addition changed microbial community composition. • Warming and N addition shifted the chemical structure of soil organic carbon. • The interaction of soil warming and N addition was antagonistic. • The R s was correlated with aromatic C, alkyl C and microbial biomass carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic phosphorus (P) accumulates in soil during pedogenesis, yet information on the composition and transformation of organic P during the early stages of soil development remains scarce. We studied the top 5 cm of mineral soil immediately beneath the organic horizon from six sites (0, 35, 45, 57, 85 and 125 years) along the Hailuogou glacier foreland chronosequence, on the southeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Phosphorus compounds in the soils were determined by NaOH–EDTA extraction and solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy. Extractable P was dominated by phosphomonoesters (up to 51.5%) and orthophosphate (37.9–44.6%) throughout the chronosequence. The phosphomonoesters were mainly hydrolysis products of RNA and phospholipids and followed a unimodal pattern with soil age, with maximum concentration at the 57-year-old site. myo -Inositol hexakisphosphate was not detected, although scyllo -inositol hexakisphosphate accounted for 4.7–9.3% of the extracted P and d - chiro - and neo -inositol hexakisphosphates occurred small amounts in a few soils (1.1–3.3% of the extracted P). DNA accounted for 4.0–8.3% of extracted P and increased continuously along the chronosequence, associated with increased inputs of plant and microbial residues and stronger sorption to soil surfaces during the rapid decline in soil pH. Pyrophosphate, an inorganic polyphosphate, occurred in small concentrations (up to 5.0%) that fluctuated with soil age. We conclude that organic P compounds accumulate rapidly in the top mineral soil during the early stages of pedogenesis, predominantly as relatively labile compounds from plant and microbial residues. • Phosphomonoesters dominated organic P and showed a unimodal trend during 125-years of pedogenesis. • Phosphomonoesters were mainly the hydrolysis products of RNA and phospholipids. • myo -Inositol hexakisphosphate were not detected in these young soils. • The concentrations of DNA increased through time. • The composition of soil P o reflects an accumulation of plant and microbial residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A procedure based on the sum of N Shiryayev–Roberts processes is proposed to detect common changes in panel data and shown to perform better for small portions of changed panels. The change-point for each panel is estimated by using the CUSUM process calculated in parallel. The changed panels are isolated by using the scores formed by the post-change parameter estimations and the common change point is then estimated from the isolated changed panels. A real example is used for illustration. An adaptive detection procedures is also proposed when the unknown post-change parameters are estimated adaptively in each panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The purpose of this study is to better understand the key driving factors affecting the distribution of trace elements in remote mountainous areas at a national scale. In this regard, eight trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) in mosses were investigated at thirty remote mountains across China. The sources and possible factors controlling the distribution of trace elements in the mosses were identified through multivariate statistical analysis and Pb isotopic ratios. The results showed that the concentrations of trace elements in the mosses were higher than the levels in most European countries but comparable to those in Chinese cities. Mosses had the highest concentration levels of Cd and Sb and slightly lower levels of other trace elements. Spatially, moss contamination with the trace elements was significantly higher in the eastern, southern and southwestern China than in other regions. Mining-related activities, fuel combustion and other industrial emissions were identified as the main anthropogenic sources of As, Cd, Pb, Sb and Zn, whereas Cr, Cu and Ni were mainly from natural sources. The precipitation from monsoons clearly altered the distribution of anthropogenic elements in the mosses. The results of this study indicate that the trace elements in the mosses of China's remote mountains were affected by regional anthropogenic emissions, and the monsoon-dominated trace element transport and deposition should be highlighted at a large regional scale. These findings provide baseline data for future targeting policies to protect remote ecosystems from long-term inputs of trace elements via long-range atmospheric transportation. Highlights • Investigation of trace elements in mosses from thirty China's remote mountains. • Relatively high contamination of mosses by As, Cd, Pb, Sb and Zn. • Hotspots of trace element contamination in eastern, southern and southwestern China. • Mining, fuel combustion and industrial emissions as main anthropogenic sources. • Monsoon regulating the transport and deposition of anthropogenic elements in mosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The hierarchical hollow hydroxyapatite microspheres were prepared. • The factors affected adsorption of U(VI) in aqueous solution were investigated. • The tests indicated high adsorption performance, high capacity, and quick reaction. • The mechanism of U(VI) adsorption reaction by HAP was revealed. Rapidly increasing development of nuclear power stimulates the exploration of low-cost and highly efficient materials to selectively remove uranium (VI) from contaminated wastewater streams. Herein, we successfully developed a novel hydroxyapatite (HAP) adsorbent by using a facile and template-free hydrothermal method. The XRD results demonstrated that the HAP was crystallized in hexagonal structure (space group P63/m (176)), and the images of SEM and TEM indicated that the HAP possessed hollow and hierarchical nanostructure. A large BET specific surface area (182.6 m2/g) and average pore size of 10.5 nm, suggested that the hierarchical hollow HAP microspheres could provide sufficient active sites for highly efficient removal of uranium from aqueous solutions, indicated the HAP might be a prompt emergency material for the remediation of nuclear leakage accident. Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics model fitted well to sorption experimental data. The study was further advanced by FT-IR and XPS. The sorption mechanism was mainly attributed to surface chemisorption between U(VI) and HAP, forming a new U-containing compound, viz., autunite (Ca(UO 2) 2 (PO 4) 2 ·3H 2 O). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Precipitation is the main water source shaping the Tibetan Plateau (TP) to be the Asian "water tower," but it is challenging to estimate. It is crucial to assess the performances of the increasingly available precipitation products for hydroclimate research on the TP. In this paper, three precipitation products (CMFD, TRMM and CHIRPS) are evaluated within a comprehensive framework, covering temporal and spatial consistency between the products, the errors of each product on the basis of extended triple collocation (ETC) analysis, and the performance of each product in reproducing streamflow when used as input in a hydrological model. The results show that, overall, the three products have better precipitation estimates in the southeast of the TP (a wetter region) than in the northwest (a drier region). CMFD and TRMM are more consistent with each other and represent precipitation across the TP better than CHIRPS. Among the three products, the areal precipitation from CMFD results in more satisfactory simulation of streamflow. Collectively, these precipitation products, together with the limited available gauge observations, address the uncertainty range of the predicted streamflow well. Graphical abstract Taylor diagram of model performance at daily (left) and monthly (right) time scales using different precipitation inputs. The diagram shows the standard deviations of the observed and simulated daily streamflow (the gray lines), the correlation coefficient between the simulated and the observation (blue lines), and the centered pattern root mean square deviation (RMSD) of the simulations against the observation (green lines). A-D represents respectively GOP, CMFD-G, TRMMG, CHIRPS-G, which are site-specified precipitation inputs, while E, F and G represents CMFD-C, TRMM-C, and CHIRPS-C respectively, which are mean catchment precipitation inputs. Unlabelled Image Highlights • Three gridded precipitation products have been assessed comprehensively for Tibetan Plateau. • CMFD and TRMM precipitation products show higher temporal and spatial consistency. • Extended triple collocation analysis shows CMFD has lower bias and higher correlation with the "true" precipitation. • Areal precipitation from CMFD results at satisfactory simulation of streamflow. • Precipitation products collectively well quantify the uncertainty of predicted streamflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Regular impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) with intensified human activities in the watershed imparts a significant effect on the environmental changes in the riparian zone. In this study, six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the riparian sediments of the entire TGR mainstream were investigated in 2014 and 2016 to identify their contamination and risk characteristics and decipher the main factors for the variation of the metal contamination. The results showed that the concentrations of the heavy metals in the sediments did not vary significantly between 2014 and 2016, and their contamination degrees decreased in the order of Cd> > Cu ≈ Zn > Pb > Cr ≈ Ni in 2014 and Cd> > Zn > Cu ≈ Pb > Cr ≈ Ni in 2016. The potential eco-risk of Cd was extremely high in the two years, while the eco-risk of other metals was very low. The sediments showed a moderate to high contamination level, a high potential eco-risk but a low toxic risk to aquatic biota in the two years. Spatially, the contamination and risk levels of heavy metals were relatively higher in the downstream TGR region in 2014 except for the sites close to the urban areas but in the upper-middle TGR region in 2016. Increasing anthropogenic influence contributed to the high contamination and risk levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the upper-middle region in 2016. The results indicated that the Cd contamination in the riparian sediments of the TGR was still a vital environmental issue, and the decreased sediment inputs from the upstream major tributaries, the periodic and anti-seasonal flow regulation, local geomorphological characteristics and anthropogenic activities determined the contamination distribution of heavy metals in the riparian sediments. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Spatial variation of metal contamination in the riparian sediments could occur after the TGR flow regulation. • Higher contamination and eco-risk of metals existed in the downstream TGR in 2014 but in the upper-middle regions in 2016. • Cd was the concerned metal with high contamination and potential eco-risk in both years. • Human activities increasingly contributed to metal contamination in the upper-middle TGR region. • Decreasing sediment inputs, flow regulation, geomorphological and anthropogenic factors determined the metal redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of social media influencers' (SMIs) intimate self-disclosure, environmental concern, and spending self-control on consumers' sustainable food purchase intention and explores the mediating effect of consumption value. It ranks the relative importance of these factors and measures generational differences on the impact of SMIs. Data from 628 respondents obtained via an online survey was analyzed using a dual-stage multi-group structural equation model (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. The SEM revealed that SMIs' intimate self-disclosure, environmental concern, and spending self-control positively affected sustainable food purchase intention by mediating social and epistemic values. A multi-group analysis of the SEM found no significant generational differences. The ANN indicated that consumer purchases of sustainable food were primarily associated with SMIs' spending self-control followed by their environmental concern. The ANN predicted consumer sustainable food purchase intention with 99.4% accuracy. Theoretically, this study enhances the knowledge of how consumers internalize social media influencer marketing (SMIM) and encourages their endorsement of sustainable foods by introducing TCV into the SOR framework. It also refutes the view that SMIs are significant only for younger generations and reveals the relative importance of SMIs impact factors from a non-linear perspective. From a practical perspective, we offer a specific SMIM investment strategy to maximize consumers' sustainable food purchases and several persuasive strategies for SMIs as opinion leaders. From a societal perspective, this research promotes sustainable development, human health, and a sustainable food economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The deep-sea environment has rich microbial resources, and these resources have been an important subject in the efforts to culture microflora. Special devices that maintain in situ pressures have been developed and applied in culturing piezophilic and hyperpiezophilic microbes. However, culturable microorganisms comprise the minority of deep-sea microbes (archaea and bacteria), which reflects the disadvantages of traditional cultivation methods, the ignorance of microbial habitats, and the fastidiousness of microbial growth requirements. This mini-review introduces the diversity of microbes in the deep sea and discusses the deep-sea species that have been identified in the past two years. In addition, this review summarizes almost all of the recognized piezophilic microbes and describes the isolation methods that have been employed. Additionally, we recommend that some of the methods that have been developed to obtain microbes from surface water, freshwater, sediments, soils and organisms should be modified to enable the isolation of the deep-sea microbes. It is anticipated that this mini-review will provide novel insights into exploration of "uncultured" deep-sea microbial resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adaptive cumulative sum (CUSUM) procedure is proposed to monitor parameter changes in a multiparameter exponential family where the change-point and postchange parameters are estimated adaptively. Approximations for average run lengths are derived. Monitoring changes in both mean and variance in the normal case is considered as an illustration. The conditional biases of the estimations for the change-point and postchange mean and variance is studied by simulation comparison with several other CUSUM procedures. An adaptive dam process by modifying the adaptive CUSUM process is used to detect and identify change points and change segments by using Citibank stock prices from 30 Dow Jones Industry Index. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

rRNA operon (rrn) copy number is a functional trait that reflects the ecological strategies of bacteria. Here, we estimated the average rrn copy number of soil bacterial communities in postglacial ecosystems of Mount Gongga using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing data and the ancestral trait reconstruction method. We found that the community rrn copy number decreased with soil depth and ecosystem succession. More than 90 % of the variations were explained by soil pH and resource availability, indicating that this trait was under strong selection pressure of environmental factors. Thus, community rrn copy number may reveal the changes in bacterial community from the perspective of adaptive strategies, which is a complement to the taxonomic approach. • Community rRNA operon (rrn) copy number of soil bacteria decreased with soil depth and ecosystem succession. • Soil pH and resource availability explained >90 % of the variation in community rrn copy number. • Community rrn copy number revealed the changes in bacterial community from the perspective of adaptive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraneural perineuriomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors that cause progressive debilitating focal extremity weakness. The etiology of perineuriomas is largely unknown. We utilized whole exome sequencing, copy number algorithm evaluation, and high-resolution whole genome microarray to investigate for a genetic causal link to intraneural perineuriomas. Ten of 16 (60%) tumor cases had mutations in the WD40 domain of TRAF7, the same location for causal mutations of meningiomas. Two additional perineurioma cases had large chromosomal abnormalities in multiple chromosomes, including chromosome 22q. This study identifies a common cause for intraneural perineuriomas and an unexpected shared pathogenesis with intracranial meningiomas. Ann Neurol 2017;81:316-321. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) altered the hydrodynamic conditions and modulated the accumulation and behaviors of heavy metals in the sediments. In this study, the sediments from the riparian and submerged areas of the entire TGR mainstream were collected in 2014 to investigate the spatial distribution of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni), and to assess their contamination state and potential eco-risk to aquatic environment by multiple indices. Results showed that the concentrations of Cr and Ni in the sediments increased toward the dam. The concentrations of Cr were significantly higher in the riparian sediments than in the submerged sediments, whereas the Ni concentrations were comparable. The relatively high storages of Cr and Ni in the sediments existed near the dam. The physiochemical properties of sediments and local human activities controlled the spatial variations of Cr and Ni in the sediments. Currently, the TGR sediments are not heavily contaminated by Cr and Ni and show low eco-risk. Nevertheless, considering the decrease in sediment loads from the upper Yangtze River and the rapid urbanization in the TGR catchment, much more attentions should be paid to the geochemical behaviors and the eco-risk of Cr and Ni in the sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Biomonitoring permits determinations of trace metal contamination in remote areas like the high mountain ecosystems. In this study, six trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in seven sympatric alpine species (five tree species: Salix rehderiana , Populus purdomii , Betula albosinensis , Abies fabri , Picea brachytyla , and two dominant mosses: Pleurozium schreberi , Papillaria crocea ) at the Hailuogou Glacier foreland, Eastern Tibetan Plateau, were investigated to monitor their contamination. The concentrations of trace metals and Pb isotopic ratios ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 208 Pb/ 206 Pb) in leaves/needles, twigs, bark, roots, and mosses were determined, and the biological factors and enrichment factors were calculated. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn in mosses were significantly higher than those in tree tissues and normal plants indicating the exogenous sources. The accumulation of trace metals (except Cd and Zn) was relatively higher in the tree roots, whereas their enrichments were significant in the leaves/needles and bark. According to biological factors, enrichment factors, and factor analysis, Cd, Pb, and Zn in trees and mosses were markedly impacted by anthropogenic emissions, whereas Cr, Cu, and Ni in trees were mainly from root adsorption from soils. The Pb isotopic compositions identified the anthropogenic Pb mainly from mining and smelting, coal combustion, and vehicle exhausts. The results indicated that mosses were still priority indicator of trace metal contamination from atmospheric deposition, and the leaves and bark of S. rehderiana , P. purdomii , and B. albosinensis were the better alternatives to monitor the atmospheric contamination of trace metals in the alpine ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite that organic phosphorus (Po) is a source of bioavailable P during the early stage of soil development, it remains unclear whether P availability or organic carbon (C) mineralization is the main regulator of Po mineralization. In this study, the P availability (labile inorganic P, Pi) and the potential organic C mineralization (β-glucosidase activity) were investigated at the Hailuogou Chronosequence and a reference site (35-125 and ∼1400 years after glacier retreat, respectively) to decipher their relationships with the potential Po mineralization (acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activities). Labile Pi displayed no trend in the soil profile, whereas it was significantly higher at the reference site than the young sites. Enzyme activities decreased down the soil profile, but this trend weakened for specific activities (enzyme activity per microbial biomass C). Enzyme activities and specific activities displayed no trend with the succession stage. Potential Po mineralization was more related to potential organic C mineralization ( R = 0.41-0.69, p < 0.0001) than P availability ( R = 0.05-0.09, p ≤ 0.05). By increasing the specific activity of β-glucosidase, the microbial biomass C:P ratio decreased to reach the value of 8:1. Probably, the phosphate in the excess of microbial demand was released as the by-product of C mineralization. At the young sites of the chronosequence, the significant correlation between Po and C concentrations in the surface mineral horizon ( R = 0.85, p < 0.0001) suggested that the mineralizations of Po and organic C were linked to each other. The results suggested that the demand for C may drive the microbial mineralization of soil Po during the early stage of soil development, and the phosphate released by the Po mineralization may serve as a potential source of labile Pi for plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts and relative importance of temperature, precipitation, lithology, soil properties, vegetation type and microbial activity on soil P biogeochemistry along altitudinal gradients are poorly understood. Our aim is to reveal the variations and main driving factors governing soil P forms across six different vegetation types along an altitudinal gradient (2032–4235 m asl) on Mt. Gongga, southwest China. Soil P forms were measured using a sequential fractionation technique. The results showed that the spatial distributions of total P and organic P clearly exhibited altitudinal variations along the gradient. The total P stocks in the 3838–4235 m zones were significantly higher than those in the 2032–3614 m zones. This pattern is likely influenced by climate, soil erosion, total P content in the parent material and vegetation type. Unlike the total P stock, the concentrations and stocks of available P in the surface soils showed a parabolic pattern with altitude, with maximums at the 3060 m site and minimums at the lowest site. The Ca-Pi concentrations (extracted by 1 M HCl solutions) displayed a spatial pattern opposite to that of the available P. The NaOH-Pi concentrations changed little with altitude and accounted for a small part of the total P. The Ca-Pi represented the largest part of the total P at the 2032 m site and in the alpine zones, whereas the organic P contributed the largest portion of total P in the sub-alpine zones. A redundancy analysis showed that the general spatial pattern of all the P forms was mainly related to soil pH, vegetation and soil organic matter. In particular, the soil pH, which was mainly controlled by vegetation type and precipitation, significantly influenced the altitudinal pattern of Ca-Pi. The effect of soil pH, perhaps coupled with the amount of P returned by litter production, is a crucial factor in the parabolic pattern of available P between 2032 and 4235 m asl. Furthermore, in the 3060–4235 m zone, temperature becomes an additional important factor governing the pattern of available P due to its influence on litter decomposition rates. These results emphasize the central role of vegetation in regulating soil P biogeochemistry along the altitudinal gradient by affecting soil properties and litter production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cave air CO is a vital part of the cave environment. Most studies about cave air CO variations are performed in caves with no streams; there are few studies to date regarding the relationship of cave air CO variations and drip water hydrochemistry in underground stream-developed caves. To study the relationship of underground stream, drip water, and cave air CO, monthly and daily monitoring of air CO and of underground stream and drip water was performed in Xueyu Cave from 2012 to 2013. The results revealed that there was marked seasonal variation of air CO and stream hydrochemistry in the cave. Daily variations of cave air CO, and of stream and drip water hydrochemistry, were notable during continuous monitoring. A dilution effect was observed by analyzing hydrochemical variations in underground stream and drip water after rainfall. High cave air CO along with low pH and low δC in stream and drip water indicated that air CO was one of the dominant factors controlling stream and drip water hydrochemistry on a daily scale. On a seasonal scale, stream flows may promote increased cave air CO in summer; in turn, the higher cave air CO could inhibit degassing of drip water and make calcite δC more negative. Variation of calcite δC (precipitated from drip water) was in reverse of monthly temperature, soil CO, and cave air CO. Therefore, calcite δC in Xueyu Cave could be used to determine monthly changes outside the cave. However, considering the different precipitation rate of sediment in different seasons, it was difficult to use stalagmites to reconstruct environmental change on a seasonal scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assume i.i.d. random variables {X1, …,Xn, …} follow the standard exponential family {dFθ(x) =exp(θx−c(θ))dF0(x)}. For the one-sided hypothesis testH0: θ = θ0< 0 andHa: θ ⩾ θ1> 0 wherec(θ0) =c(θ1), the truncated sequential probability ratio test stops at min (τ,T) where, andH0is rejected if τ

Reconstructing trace metal historical trends are essential for better understanding anthropogenic impact on remote alpine ecosystems. We present results from an alpine lake sediment from the Eastern Tibetan Plateau to decipher the accumulation history of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) over last century, from the preindustrial to the modern period. Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediment of Caohaizi Lake clearly suffered from atmospheric deposition, and the mining and smelting were regarded as the main anthropogenic sources. Since the mid-1990s, over 80% of trace metals were quantified from anthropogenic emissions. The temporal trends of anthropogenic metal fluxes showed that the contamination history of Pb was earlier than that of Cd and Zn, which was in agreement with the regional Pb emission history, but lagged behind the Pb decline in Europe and North America. The fluxes of anthropogenic Cd and Zn were relatively constant until the 1980s, increased sharply between the 1980s and the mid-1990s, and then kept the high values. The anthropogenic fluxes of Pb showed a marked rise around 1950, and increased sharply in the 1980s. In the mid-1990s, this flux reached the peak, and then decreased gradually. The Pb deposition flux at present in comparison with other lake records in the areas of Tibetan Plateau further demonstrated that trace metals in the Caohaizi Lake region were probably from Southwest China and South Asia. Economic development in these regions still puts pressure on the remote alpine ecosystems, and thus the impact of trace metals merits more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a sequence of correlated normal random variables following the AR(1) change-point model, the inference problem for the change-point and post-change mean is considered when the residuals are used to form the sequential model-based CUSUM procedure. Higher order biases and corrected pivots are developed to construct confidence intervals. Numerical comparison with the classical CUSUM procedure shows that the model-based CUSUM procedure has smaller average delay detection time and change-point estimation bias. Northern hemisphere average temperature data is used for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degeneration of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) commonly occurs in patients with Parkinson׳s disease (PD), which is characterized by a selective injury of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). The pathological impact of the LC on the SN in the disease is unknown. In the present study, we used a noradrenergic toxin, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP4), to deplete noradrenaline (NA) derived from the LC to explore its influence on degeneration or injury of dopaminergic neurons in the SN in mouse model produced by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our results demonstrated that lesion of the LC could change microglial function in the brain, which led to enhanced or prolonged expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, diminished neurotrophic factors, and weakened ability of anti-oxidation in the SN. The in vitro experiments further confirmed that NA could reduce the inflammatory reaction of microglia. The selective injury of dopaminergic neurons by inflammation, however, was due to the inflammation in different brain regions rather than the depletion of NA. Our results indicate that the lesion in the LC is an important factor in promoting dopaminergic neuron degeneration by impacting the function of microglia in the midbrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamics of many lakes around the globe are shifting under a warming climate, affecting nutrients and oxygen transportation within the lake and altering lake biota. However, long-term variation in lake heat and water balance is not well known, particularly for regions like the Tibetan Plateau. This study investigates the long-term (1963–2019) variation in the heat balance of a large lake in the Tibetan Plateau (Nam Co) by combining the strengths of modeling and remote sensing. Remotely sensed lake surface water temperatures from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Along Track Scanning Radiometer Reprocessing for Climate: Lake Surface Water Temperature and Ice Cover (ARC-Lake) are used to calibrate and validate a conceptual model (air2water) and a thermodynamic model (LAKE) for the studied lake, for which in situ observation is limited. The results demonstrate that remotely sensed lake surface water temperature can serve as a valuable surrogate for in situ observations, facilitating effective calibration and validation of lake models. Compared with the MODIS-based lake surface water temperature (LSWT) for the period 2000–2019, the correlation coefficient and root mean square error (RMSE) of the LAKE model are 0.8 and 4.2 °C, respectively, while those of the air2water model are 0.9 and 2.66 °C, respectively. Based on modeling, we found that the water temperature of Nam Co increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the period of 1963–2019, corresponding to a warming climate. The rate of water temperature increase is highest at the surface layer (0.41 °C/10a). This warming trend is more noticeable in June and November. From 1963 to 2019, net radiation flux increased at a rate of 0.5 W/m2/10a. The increase in net radiation is primarily responsible for the warming of the lake water, while its impact on changes in lake evaporation is comparatively minor. The approaches developed in this study demonstrate the flexibility of incorporating remote sensing observations into modeling. The results on long-term changes in heat balance could be valuable for a systematic understanding of lake warming in response to a changing climate in the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negativity bias refers to the phenomenon whereby people put more weight on negative information. Although evolutionarily favorable for survival, negative bias in impression processing is detrimental to relationships and cooperation. To explore whether the motivation to maintain relationships, indicated by self‐construal, mitigates negativity bias, two studies were conducted. In study 1, participants interacted with three agents (worsened, improved, baseline) in a modified social learning task and evaluated the moral level of these agents. Results showed that positivity bias appeared among interdependent individuals, with larger updating for the improved agent than for the worsened agent. Moreover, interdependent individuals exhibited less immediate decreases toward the worsened agent and steeper increases toward the improved agent than did independent individuals. To validate the results of study 1, we used a narrative description paradigm in study 2. Participants read the behavior descriptions of agents and rated them on morality. The negativity bias was significantly mitigated among individuals with high interdependence, though it did not reverse. These results indicate that interdependent individuals focus more on positive information when others change, yielding a more positive pattern in impression updating. This flexible interpersonal coping strategy can bring advantages to social interaction and cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Eight gridded evapotranspiration products have been assessed comprehensively across China. • ET products show considerable difference in the estimated mean annual ET (from 378 to 528 mm/a). • Consistency and uncertainty were investigated systematically by pairwise intercomparison, assessment against observation and uncertainty quantification. • The uncertainties in ET estimates are more evident in the arid region. • Model averaging (like that in generating the GLASS) could substantially reduce the uncertainties. Terrestrial evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical process in water, energy and carbon cycles but challenging to estimate. Several gridded terrestrial ET products have been developed for regional or global applications based on different algorithms and forcing inputs and with different temporal-spatial resolutions and accuracy. This study systematically investigates the consistency and uncertainty of eight ET products over China for the period from 2003 to 2014. Temporal and spatial pairwise correlation analysis indicates that the ET products are largely consistent with each other, among which the ET estimates from GLEAM and EB-ET presenting highest spatial consistency with each other (R2 = 0.91). Compared to the ground-based observations from the flux network, the centered root-mean-squared-deviation (RMSD) for each of the eight products is found lower than 30 mm/month, according to which CR and PMLv2 outperform the others. The ET products however show considerable difference in the estimated mean annual ET averaged over China (from 378 mm/a to 528 mm/a). Uncertainty assessment based on the extended collocation method (ECM) suggests the uncertainties in ET estimates are more evident in the arid region than in the humid region. It also indicates that model averaging (like that in generating the GLASS ET product) could substantially reduce the uncertainties. The findings of this research could facilitate the application of the ET products to assess water balance dynamics over China while considering their uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]