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Whereas there is a large literature evaluating the impacts of education, most of the focus has been on getting to universal primary enrollment and understanding the returns to basic education; but it misses the major shifts toward higher education in many fast-growing parts of the developing world over the last 20 years. In this paper, I study the returns to higher education in China using the reinstatement of the National College Entrance Examination in 1977 as a natural experiment, investigating the causal impacts of higher education on later life outcomes and well-being. Through a combination of regression discontinuity and difference-in-difference methods, I find that cohorts that were more likely to complete high school and obtain a college education as a result of the reform were no more likely to be employed, but were more likely to have a high-socioeconomic (SES) occupation in their early 30s, and lesser of the same in their 40s. Cohorts with higher education work for fewer days in a week, and, on average, earn a higher monthly income by 56 percent in their late 40s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory tract infection in children ≤5 years old. • The prevalence peak of HMPV in southern China appeared between March and May. • Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common respiratory virus coinfected with HMPV in children. • The predominant subtype of HMPV in this area is B1, followed by A2c subtype. • Long sunshine duration might decrease the HMPV prevalence. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and genetic features of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in children in southern China, and the effect of meteorological factors on infection. 14,817 children (≤14 years) with acute respiratory tract infections from 2010 to 2019 were examined for HMPV and other respiratory viruses by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Full-length F gene of 54 positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The correlation between the HMPV-positive rate and meteorological factors was analyzed by linear regression analysis. HMPV was detected in 524 (3.5%) children, who were mostly younger than 1 year. The seasonal peak of HMPV prevalence mainly occurred in spring. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most common virus coinfected with HMPV (5.3%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequenced HMPV strains belonged to four sublineages, including A2b (1.9%), A2c (31.5%), B1 (50.0%), and B2 (16.7%). After adjusting for all meteorological factors, sunshine duration was inversely correlated with the HMPV-positive rate. HMPV is an important respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory tract infections in children in southern China, particularly in children ≤5 years old. The prevalence peak of HMPV in this area appeared in spring, and the predominant subtype was B1. Meteorological factors, especially long sunshine duration, might decrease the HMPV prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the sources of plutonium in seawaters of Liaodong Bay and Bohai Strait, China, surface seawater samples were collected and analyzed for 239+240 Pu and 137 Cs by radiochemical separation combined with ICP-MS and γ-spectrometry, respectively. A large variation of 239+240 Pu activities was observed, ranging from 1.993 to 29.677 mBq/m 3 in the Liaodong Bay and from 0.932 to 10.183 mBq/m 3 in the Bohai Strait. 137 Cs activities showed little variation between the investigated locations, which was attributed to the different behavior characteristics of 239+240 Pu and 137 Cs in seawaters. The 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios showed a significant variation between the Liaodong Bay (0.185) and Bohai Strait (0.225), indicating that Pu derived from the Pacific Proving Grounds might have been transported to the Bohai Strait but not yet to the Liaodong Bay, which could further provide valuable reference for evaluating the seawater exchange cycle between the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity concentration of plutonium (Pu) and its isotopic compositions are extensively used for measuring transport processes of Pu and identifying its source. We investigated the spatial distribution characteristics of 239+240 Pu activity concentrations and 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio in several sediment cores collected from the Liao River coastal zone. Additionally, we calculated the 239+240 Pu inventories and based on the 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio to trace Pu source. The activity concentrations of 239+240 Pu in surface sediments of the Liao River estuary ranged between 0.103 ± 0.008 and 0.978 ± 0.035 mBq/g, with an average of 0.294 ± 0.024 mBq/g. The 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios, ranging from 0.173 ± 0.047 to 0.215 ± 0.061 (mean: 0.188 ± 0.049 (1σ)), were consistent with global fallout value, which indicates the global atmospheric fallout is the main source of Pu in sediment cores from the both sides of Liao River estuary. As for the tidal flat core LT-2, the mean 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio, slightly higher than that of the global fallout value, was 0.217 ± 0.050. Such pattern of Pu isotopic compositions indicated that Pu on the tidal flat in the Liao River estuary is sourced from a combination of global fallout and close-in fallout from the PPG by ocean currents transporting. And by using a two end-member mixing model, the results indicate the relative contribution of the PPG close-in fallout to core LT-2 is round 27% and 73% can be attributed to global fallout and river input. Therefore, these results clearly indicate that the direct global fallout is the main source of Pu in the Liao River estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ∼785 Ma mafic-ultramafic cumulates in West Cathaysia formed from hydrous basaltic magmas. • Their geochemical data are consistent with arc-related cumulate petrogenesis. • They were probably formed at a crustal depth in a subduction setting. • Yangtze and West Cathaysia were not amalgamated in the Tonian, but more likely in the early Paleozoic. The Neoproterozoic tectonic setting of the West Cathaysia terrane and its relationship with the Yangtze Block are critical to understanding the formation and tectonic evolution of South China. A detailed study of late Tonian mafic-ultramafic cumulate slivers embedded in the Shenshan tectonic mélange along the northwest margin of West Cathaysia is presented here with the aim of elucidating its Neoproterozoic tectonic history. These partly-altered mafic-ultramafic rocks include olivine-bearing cumulates (olivine pyroxene hornblendite or olivine hornblende pyroxenite), pyroxene hornblendite, and gabbroic cumulates. The early crystallization of clinopyroxene and the abundance of hornblende indicate that they formed from hydrous magmas. The rocks have similar geochemical distribution patterns and show variable initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.702679 to 0.709742 and positive εNd(t) values of +2.10 to +4.52. The mineral compositions of the clinopyroxene and hornblende and their whole-rock extended normalized trace element patterns show features (e.g., negative Nb anomalies, LILE enrichment) typical of rocks with an arc affinity. The high calculated Mg# values (58–77, average 71) of the equilibrium magmas are close to those of primary mantle-derived basalts. We conclude that these mafic and ultramafic cumulates were derived from a subduction-related, hydrous, magnesian basalt in a subduction setting. The estimated crystallization temperature and pressure, based on the composition of the amphiboles, suggest that the minerals accumulated in magma chambers at middle to lower crustal depths. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircon from the gabbroic cumulate indicates crystallization at ca. 785 Ma. A previous interpretation for West Cathaysia at this time involved a continental rift basin (the Nanhua basin) that straddled the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block and the northwestern margin of West Cathaysia. In contrast, our results suggest that West Cathaysia was an arc at ca. 785 Ma, which supports the interpretation that the amalgamation between Yangtze and West Cathaysia did not occur in the Tonian, but more likely in the early Paleozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estuarine oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis), a species native to Asia, is widespread throughout the estuarine region along the northern and southern coasts of China and has important ecological and economic values. Owing to runoff dropping and environmental threats caused by climate change and anthropogenic influences, the natural resources of C. ariakensis have persistently declined. Therefore, breeding oysters with high adaptability, which requires efficient and accurate genotyping tools, is beneficial to restore the germplasm resources and aquaculture. However, targeted genotyping tools are poorly developed for this species and even in other aquatic species. Previously, we have detected some selective regions and genes associated with temperature and salinity adaptation using selection signature analysis and found that the upstream regulatory regions of the environment-responsive genes exhibited higher differentiation. In this study, we developed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) targeted genotyping tool for C. ariakensis , which includes 30 K SNPs located in previously identified target regions. The target genomic regions were enriched by hybridization capture using double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) biotin-labeled probes, and sequenced with high depth. A total of 24,541 (81.8%) high-quality SNPs were successfully genotyped in 655 samples. Compared to the genotypes obtained from previous genome-wide resequencing, 74.2% of the SNPs had a consistency rate of 1, with an average consistency rate for each sample of 97.8%. Population structure analysis showed three divergent populations (northern, southern, and middle) on the coast of China, consistent with those constructed using SNPs derived from whole-genome resequencing data. Most of the 30 K SNPs were located in the intergenic and regulatory regions, whereas 7% were located in the coding region. These high-quality SNPs were located in 953 genes, including 100 heat-response and 348 high-salinity-responsive genes. Therefore, this panel can be used to evaluate the adaptive divergence between populations, and causative SNPs related to temperature and salinity adaptation in the linkage and association analysis, providing robust support for the molecular breeding of estuarine oyster. To the best of our knowledge, this study proposes the first high-throughput SNP-targeted genotyping tool for studying the genetic basis of environmental adaptation in oyster, and providing insights into the development of targeted SNP genotyping tools for the adaptation study in other aquatic species under climate changes. • We developed a 30 K targeted genotyping tool for Crassostrea. Ariakensis. • 24,541 high-quality SNPs were successfully genotyped in 655 samples. • These high-quality SNPs were located in environment-responsive genes. • 74.2% of the SNPs had a consistency rate of 1 with resequencing. Population structure analysis showed three divergent populations on the coast of China • This study could be used to dissect the genetic basis of environmental adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of electric bicycles (EBs) for short- and medium-distance travel provides an opportunity to decarbonize the transport sector. Using life cycle assessment, this study evaluated and compared the environmental and economic performances of EBs powered by four different types of batteries in China. The results show that EBs powered by lead-acid batteries have the worst environmental performance, whereas those powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries have the best environmental performance. Motor production was found to have the highest potential for metal depletion and toxicity for humans and ecology, owing to the use of copper in its production. These environmental consequences can be mitigated by continuous promotion of circular economy. The use stage brings about the most environmental pressure related to energy use. Power cleaning will reduce most environmental indicators by 10–25%. EBs powered by lithium manganate batteries have been a mainstream technology, but the short lifetime and low economic value of recycling the battery may constrain their development. [Display omitted] • Environmental and economic performance of electric bicycles (EBs) are evaluated. • Lead-acid battery EBs have the worst performance but use the least metals. • Motor is the component with the greatest environmental impact due to copper use. • Promoting circular economy can reduce environmental impact related to metal use. • EBs powered lithium-ion batteries have higher total cost but lower cost per km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Lower Triassic, consisting of the Yinkeng Fm., Helongshan Fm. and the lower part of the Nanlinghu Fm., is well developed at the Meishan D Section of Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, South China. Based on detailed study of the conodont biostratigraphy from the interval of the Permian–Triassic boundary and the Lower Triassic in the Meishan D Section, 8 conodont zones are recognized in ascending order as follows: the Neogondolella changxingensis yini–Hindeodus praeparvus Zone (beds 24a–24e, top of the Changxing Fm.), the Neogondolella meishanensis meishanensis–Hindeodus eurypyge Zone (beds 25–27b, base of the Yinkeng Fm.), the Hindeodus parvus Zone (beds 27c–27d, first conodont zone of Triassic, the global index for the base of Triassic), the Isarcicella staeschei Zone (beds 28–29a, lower part of the Yinkeng Fm), I. isarcica Zone (beds 29b–51, lower part of the Yinkeng Fm.), the Neogondolella tulongensis–N planata Zone (beds 52–72, from upper part of the Yinkeng Fm. to lower part of the Helongshan Fm.), the Neospathodus kummeli Zone (beds 73–92, middle part of the Helongshan Fm.), and the Neospathodus cristagalli–N dieneri Zone (beds 93–111, from upper part of the Helongshan Fm. to the base of the Nanlinghu Fm.). At the Meishan D Section, the palynological biostratigraphy is also studied herein. The palynological assemblage of Lundbladispora–Taeniaesporites–Equisetosporites is found in the intervals which contain the conodont Isarcicella isarcica Zone and the lower part of the Neogondolella tulongensis–N. planata Zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Beishan Orogen, located in the southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt, is a key area for research on accretionary orogens. The formation of the Beishan Orogen is closely related to the evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, but the closure time of a significant branch of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Beishan area, i.e., the Hongliuhe–Niujuanzi–Xichangjing (HNX) Ocean, remains controversial. This study investigates the sedimentary sequences of Baihu Basin adjacent to the HNX suture zone and presents new detrital zircon U Pb geochronology and whole-rock geochemistry data to reveal depositional ages, provenance variations, paleogeography changes and attributes of Baihu Basin. Detrital zircon ages indicate that deposition began in the Permian and lasted until the Triassic. Two coarse sandstones in Member 1 and one siltstone in Member 2 contain abundant detrital zircons older than 700 Ma, in addition to the typical age peak that characterises the Gongpoquan Arc at ca. 450 Ma, while two sandstones in Member 3 contain rare detrital zircons older than 700 Ma. The whole-rock geochemistry shows that the lower part of the Hongyanjing Formation possesses numerous old components and higher chemical index of alteration values. The sediment in the lower part of the Hongyanjing Formation was derived from both the Gongpoquan Arc, mainly comprising Palaeozoic arc-related magmatic rocks, and the Shuangyingshan Arc, including large quantities of Precambrian meta-sedimentary rocks. The upper part originated solely from the juvenile Gongpoquan Arc. During the collision, the Shuangyingshan Arc played a role similar to a craton. Craton-derived source rocks and fining-upward sequences in the lower part indicate uplift of the Shuangyingshan Arc, which may represent the development of a forebulge and foredeep. In the upper part, the source rocks were derived from the Gongpoquan Arc and accretionary wedges, with coarsening-upward sequences reflecting the springback of the Shuangyingshan Arc and disappearance of the forebulge. Based on the sedimentary sequences, provenance variations, and paleogeographic changes, we suggest that Baihu Basin is a foreland basin associated with the collision between the Gongpoquan Arc and Shuangyingshan Arc, marking the final closure of the HNX Ocean from the Late Permian to Early Triassic. We investigate the closure of the HNX Ocean and reconstruct the evolution of the central Beishan Orogen in the youngest Palaeozoic. • Baihu Basin adjacent to the Niujuanzi suture zone is proved to be a foreland basin. • Baihu foreland basin began to form in the Permian and lasted until the Triassic. • In the early stage, sediments derived from two arcs and accretionary wedge. • In the late stage, the source areas were mainly the Gongpoquan Arc and wedge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South China is the largest block of Rodinia in southeastern Asia. It consists of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, separated by the Jiangshan-Shaoxing-Pingxiang Fault. Most studies suggest that the two blocks were amalgamated in the early Neoproterozoic, and the middle Neoproterozoic vocano-sedimentary sequences on both blocks were deposited in a post-collisional rift basin (the Nanhua rift basin). Here, we conducted a geochemical and geochronological study of a turbidite sequence at the western margin of the Cathaysia Block that was previously considered to have been deposited in the Nanhua rift basin. The sedimentary rocks are characterized by bathypelagic to bathyal facies. They are composed of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks interlayered with tuffaceous materials and have geochemical compositions between felsic to intermediate arc igneous rocks. Abundant euhedral detrital zircons define a major age peak at ca. 790–770 Ma, indicating that the detrital grains were derived mostly from locally distributed syn-sedimentary middle Neoproterozoic arc igneous rocks. Predominance of zircons with ages close to the time of deposition and the whole-rock trace element compositions of the turbidite sequence also imply a convergent plate margin setting for the turbidite. The Hf isotopic compositions of the Neoproterozoic detrital zircons suggest that their provenance consisted of largely reworked crustal materials, inconsistent with a potential interpretation that similarly aged igneous rocks in the Jiangnan Orogen were the provenance. These lines of evidence, combined with other available data, suggest that the western margin of the Cathaysia Block (the West Cathaysia terrane) bears more similarities to the western and northern margins of the Yangtze Block and northern India and formed part of a Neoproterozoic subduction-accretion system located along the margin of Rodinia. We suggest that early Paleozoic strike-slip movement along the Jiangshan-Shaoxing-Pingxiang Fault played a significant role in shaping the current tectonic framework of South China by bringing the West Cathaysia terrane to its present position with respect to the Yangtze Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oysters are a keystone species in estuaries and intertidal zones and have important economic and ecological significance; however, worldwide, the dominant aquaculture oyster species suffers from mass mortality owing to anthropogenic impacts and rapid climate change. As a possible solution, inter/intraspecies hybridization is a feasible way to breed new germplasms with genetic improvement and high environmental adaptability. Suminoe oysters (Crassostrea ariakensis) are broadly distributed in the estuaries of China and have evolved strong genetic divergence between the northern and southern populations; therefore, they are ideal candidates to explore intraspecies heterosis and the associated molecular mechanisms. In this study, we performed reciprocal hybridization and examined fitness traits in oysters cultured in both northern and southern habitats. Reciprocal hybrids performed better than inbred populations in both environments, indicating heterosis in Suminoe oysters. Hybrids reared in maternal habitats showed faster growth, higher field survival, and greater aerobic metabolism than alternative hybrid oysters under the same conditions. The transcriptional analysis identified modules related to heterosis and maternal effect, while genes responsible for galactose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were enriched and upregulated in hybrids, especially those in maternal environments. Our findings reveal that accelerated aerobic energy metabolism, which may result from mitonuclear coadaptation, underlies the molecular basis of heterosis and maternal effect in the hybridization of Suminoe oysters. Thus, we provide important insights for the aquaculture management of marine species, revealing that selecting appropriate environments (maternal habitats) is critical for heterosis in cross-breeding. • Hybrids from divergent oyster populations showed heterosis in growth and survival. • Hybrids in maternal habitat exhibited better performance indicating maternal effect. • Accelerated aerobic metabolism underlies heterosis and maternal effect in oyster. • Our findings propose better hybridization breeding of hybrids in maternal habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and last appearance patterns of different taxa, inhabiting varied palaeo-water depths, can provide significant insights into the deterioration process of palaeoecosystems. This paper systematically summarizes the last appearance of the end-Permian planktons (including deep-water, intermediate-water, and shallow-water radiolarians) and benthos (including ostracods, foraminifers, brachiopods and bivalves) from Dongpan, a deep-water section of South China. Results show that the deep-water radiolarian Albaillellaria was the first order to go extinct, quickly followed by the intermediate- and shallow-water radiolarians and bottom-water ostracods and foraminifers. This was followed by the extinction of the bottom-water brachiopods and bivalves. We propose that the two-stage extinction pattern was related to the end-Permian migration and vertical expansion (both upward and downward) of an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) along the southern margin of South China. • An end-Permian two-stage extinction pattern in deep water. • Planktons and benthos at Dongpan. • Deep-water, shallower-water, and bottom-water dwellers successively went extinct. • Extinction was related to the upward and downward migrations of an OMZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The AOP approach in land management marked its pioneering effort. • Multi-path presentation provided holistic land ecosystem protection. • AOP identification unveiled pivotal ecological mechanisms confirming hypotheses. • Tailored strategies for distinct AOP stages were devised. • GIS visualization ensured precise strategy implementation within the AOP. At the regional scale, the complexity of ecological deterioration limits effective decision-making and preventive measures. In this study, an adverse outcome pathway approach was developed and applied to land resource management and environmental decision-making in Daye, a traditional mining city in China. First, adverse outcome pathways for land degradation were hypothesized. Second, a weight of evidence approach was used based on the data strength and causal chain strength of each degradation pathway. Then, the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used with entropy information and integrated with the geographic information system (GIS) to evaluate the credibility of each pathway. The most likely adverse outcome pathway and the spatial distribution for different sub-regions were obtained. The apparent spatial heterogeneity suggests that land degradation pathways are closely associated with economic production activities in each sub-region. This study is expected to facilitate the identification of key mechanisms underlying ecological degradation and to guide the management of land systems to ensure long-term functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extinct legume genus Podocarpium first appeared in the middle Eocene of South China and then became widely distributed throughout Eurasia during the Oligocene and Miocene. Fossil records from Central Asia are important for understanding the patterns of floristic change of Podocarpium between Eastern Asia and Europe, but they are relatively rare. Here, we describe well-preserved fossil fruits and leaves of Podocarpium podocarpum (A. Braun) Herendeen from the early Oligocene (Rupelian) of the Qaidam Basin, northwest China. Morphological comparison among fossil fruits of all Podocarpium reported so far confirms the difference in fruit shape between Podocarpium eocenicum and P. podocarpum , and shows a decrease in fruit size during the Oligocene, which might be a response from this thermophilous plant to a cooler condition. The presence of P. podocarpum in the early Oligocene of Qaidam suggests that the Qaidam Basin might play an important role in the migration of this genus between Eastern Asia and Europe during the early Oligocene. Moreover, the expansion of Podocarpium in China during the Cenozoic appears to be strongly influenced by the East Asia monsoon development. • Podocarpium favors a warm and humid environment. • Fruit size of Podocarpium is correlated with temperature. • Evolution of East Asian monsoon impacted distribution of Podocarpium in China. • Qaidam Basin had been a key node for the migration of Podocarpium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of marine ecosystem collapse during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction may have varied in different paleogeographic settings and the intensity of oxygen depletion changed with different water depths. It remains largely unknown about the detailed biotic community collapse and its relation to paleo-redox condition in the deep-water basin. At the Kejiao section in the Nanpanjiang Basin of South China, the continuous sedimentation sequences and complete fossil records from the Changhsingian of Permian to the lowest Triassic provide a unique opportunity to study the progressive biotic crisis associated with oxygen deficiency in a deep-water setting. Here, we document high-resolution records of both the biodiversity dataset of different taxa and the redox data from the Kejiao section to achieve a new understanding of ecosystem deterioration associated with changes of redox conditions. The redox evolution revealed by changes in pyrite framboid size and morphology shows a change trend from lower dysoxic to oxygenated, and then to dysoxic interrupted by oxygenated and anoxic conditions in the late Changhsingian, and ending with euxinic conditions in the earliest Triassic. 60 species in 41 genera from radiolarians, bivalves, brachiopods and cephalopods were identified in the section and their occurrences show two pulses of extinction. The first pulse corresponds to the reduction in species richness of planktonic radiolarians and nektonic cephalopods, and the second pulse is documented by the wipe out of benthic brachiopods and remnant nektonic cephalopods and the decline in the species richness of benthic bivalves. This indicates the collapse of plankton and most nekton communities is ahead of the counterpart of benthos in the deepwater setting, supporting what observed in other sections in South China. The plankton and nekton communities inhabited water columns and the benthic community dwelled in the bottom water. Thus, the stagewise collapse of communities might be contributed by the expansion/migration, in particular, the downward expansion of Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) documented by the information from pyrite framboids and the sedimentation. • New records on the largely unknown deep-water palaeocommunity collapse near the PTB. • Radiolarian, bivalve, brachiopod and cephalopod species were examined at Kejiao. • The collapse of plankton and most nekton communities is ahead of that for benthos. • Changes in pyrite framboid sizes show a fluctuated, deficient oxygen condition. • The stagewise collapse of communities recalled the expansion of OMZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric aerosol pollution, such as fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and inhalable particulate matter (PM 10), is one of the most important environmental problems in China. To mitigate particulate air pollution, the Chinese government has been implementing a series of clean air actions. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis on surface air pollutants data obtained from the China air quality observation network using a random forest (RF) approach, to evaluate the impact of clean air actions on aerosol pollution from 2015 to 2022. Overall, the observed PM 2.5 and PM 10 showed evidently decreasing trends during 2015–2022 in each season, with the largest trends in winter. Based on the RF model analysis, we further quantified the seasonal-dependent trends in PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations driven by anthropogenic emissions over China, which were approximately −3.84 and −6.14, −2.82 and −4.71, −2.58 and −4.45, and −2.77 and −4.06 μg m−³ yr−1 for winter, spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. Furthermore, anthropogenic emissions were estimated to contribute 34.44 and 54.98, 24.10 and 37.22, 23.48 and 36.20, and 21.04 and 30.69 μg m−3 to declines in annual mean PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations during the eight years in megacity clusters of eastern China for winter, spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. These seasonal-dependent trend analyses reveal the largest reduction in ambient aerosol pollution due to anthropogenic emission abatements during cold season and further demonstrate substantial effectiveness of the clean air actions for improvement in particulate air quality in China. Correlation analysis on PM 2.5 with the major meteorological parameters and the RF model built-in feature importance suggested that a combination of high relative humidity, shallow boundary layer heights, and low wind speeds could promote wintertime aerosol pollution in short-time scales over northern China (e.g., the North China plain). • Machine learning quantified aerosol pollution trends in China during 2015–2022. • Trends in aerosol pollution in all seasons was driven by anthropogenic emissions. • The largest emission-driven improvement in particulate air quality was in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of global warming, climate extremes, including extreme wet event and drought events, have become one of the most significant and attractive themes around the world. The target region of this study is confined to eastern China, with most of the country's population concentrated, where both the wet and drought climate extremes can cause considerable damages to the economy, particularly to agriculture. From the inter-annual and intraseasonal scale, temporal and spatial distributions of climate extremes for 27 stations in the Huaihe River Basin over the period 1960–2013, are examined rigorously by means of a modified FAO Penman-Monteith method and the standardized variables of the monthly Surface Humid Index. Morlet wavelet analysis is utilized to thoroughly investigate the oscillation and periodicity of extreme wet/drought events during four seasons, as well as the whole year. The results suggest that the frequency of extreme wet events has significantly increased by 0.0118 times/year, whereas the trend for extreme drought events has gradually decreased, at the rate of 0.0127 times/year, both of which are in accordance with inter-decadal variations of climate extremes. Comparative study reveals climate extremes in autumn shows great differences, in sharp contrast to other seasons and the general inter-annual tendency. Spatial distributions of inter-annual extreme climate events exhibit certain symmetry characteristics, from west to east, indicating the combined influences of topography and monsoon circulation. The major cycles of extreme wet and drought events are 14 years and 24 years, respectively. Finally, possible causes of the temporal and spatial distributions of climate extremes are tentatively analyzed, by correlation analysis of six indexes, namely, AOI, AAOI, EASMI, WNPMI, SASMI, and NAOI, with AOI and NAOI being the dominant indexes under the background of large-scale atmospheric circulation. Additionally, other factors such as total annual precipitation, northward movement and enhancement of the subtropical anticyclone, and anthropogenically induced greenhouse forcing can also contribute to the changes in extreme climate events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In past studies, the health and ecological risks of PCBs are well established. The impact of low-dose PCBs on aquatic ecosystems for an extended period is a matter of concern in the current era. The application of fatty acids (FAs) as bioindicators of pollution in the freshwater food web is almost unavailable. This study investigated concentrations of 209 PCB congeners, stable isotope levels, and FAs composition in ten freshwater species of Dongtinghu Lake, China. Total PCB congeners (∑PCBs) concentrations were ranged from 4.17 to 38.35 ng/g lipid weight. A total of 84 PCB congeners were detected out of 209 target PCB congeners, particularly PCB101, 118, 138, 153, and 155 found in all samples. The concentrations of 24 PCB congeners increased with trophic levels, but PCB 155 concentrations were consistent throughout trophic levels. The toxic equivalents (TEQ) of dl-PCBs (mostly PCB 126 and 169) also increased with trophic levels Out of total 35 FAs, 21 FAs were significantly positively correlated with 43 PCB congeners. Among FAs, C16:0 was the most abundant and positively correlated with most PCB compounds. Positive correlations between FAs and PCBs indicated that FAs can be used as efficient bioindicators of PCBs pollution in the aquatic food web. [Display omitted] • Stable isotope, fatty acids and PCBs were analyzed in a freshwater lake food web. • A total of 84 PCB congeners were detected out of 209 target PCBs. • Fatty acids were significantly positively correlated with PCBs in the food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High-resolution stratigraphic records through the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) interval of the global stratotype section and point (GSSP) at Meishan, Zhejiang Province, China reveal that the PTB crisis was not a single, abrupt catastrophe. A bed-by-bed analysis of environmental and biotic changes makes clear that the crisis can be resolved into two discrete episodes, each consisting of three stages: A) unstably oscillating conditions, B) peak crisis conditions, and C) ameliorating conditions. The first crisis episode commenced in Bed 23, peaked in Beds 24e–26, and ameliorated in Beds 27 and 28, while the second crisis episode commenced in Bed 29, peaked in Beds 34–38, and ameliorated in Beds 39 and higher. The macroscopic mass extinctions happened not at the beginning, nor the end of each cycle, but at times when the crisis or perturbation of environments began. These extinction events do not show detectable feedbacks to concurrent environmental changes. In each episode, cyanobacteria proliferation postdated the macroscopic extinction while proliferation of green sulfur bacteria predated the environmental crisis. Causational analysis between environmental and microbial changes show that geomicrobial functional groups exercised pronounced effects on the marine C–N–S cycles and ocean redox conditions during the PTB crisis. It is possible thus that the microbial crises played an important role in strengthening or evening triggering the environmental crisis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The microstructure, particle size distribution, mineral and chemical compositions of both the white net-like veins and the red matrix of the Xuancheng laterite soil section in Anhui, south China, in the middle to lower reaches of the Yangtze River, were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), polarized light microscopy observation, and particle size distribution analysis. There was more quartz while less clay minerals in the white veins relative to the red matrix. In particle size distribution patterns the more abundant 5–20μm particle size component of the white veins resulted from their higher quartz content. Discrepancy in degree of weathering between the white veins and the red matrix was derived from the depletion of Fe2O3 (total) and MnO2 and the relative accumulation of SiO2 in the white veins. White veins across the lithological layers and inclusions of relict red matrix material in the white veins indicated that the net-like soils originated from an initial uniform red soil. The white spots or veins were derived from the long-term modification of the pre-existing soil or concurrent weathering soils. Hydrodynamic conditions of the groundwater exerted influence on the formation of white veins. The formation process of the white net-like veins was different from that of the red matrix, suggesting that the white vein materials reflected a hydrological imprint upon the result of these conditions. The net-like soils in south China were compatible to the mottled soils in Africa, Australia, India, and Brazil. However, much more intense depletion of Fe oxide and much better developed white veins in the net-like soils of south China suggest probably even warmer and more humid palaeoclimatic conditions relative to those in Africa, Australia, India, and Brazil during the period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Kunlun Range, a reactivated orogenic belt, constitutes the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The extreme relief and major landforms of the Kunlun Range are a product of late Cenozoic tectonics and erosion. However, well-developed late Quaternary terraces that occur along the northern slope of the Kunlun Range probably resulted from climatic change rather than surface uplift. The terrace sequences formed in thick Quaternary valley fills and have total incision depths of 50–60m. Optically stimulated luminescence dating was employed to place time controls on the valley fills and associated terraces. Dating results suggest that periods of significant aggradation were synchronous between different rivers and correspond to the last glacial stage. The abrupt change from aggradation to incision occurred between 21.9±2.7 and 16±2.2ka, coincident with the last glacial–interglacial transition. Additional terraces developed during the late glacial period and early to middle Holocene. Based on a broader set of chronological data in northern Tibet, at least four regional incision periods can be recognized. Chronological data, terrace elevation profiles, and climate proxy records suggest that these terracing periods were triggered by cool and/or wet climatic conditions. A geometric survey of the riverbed longitudinal profile suggests that surface uplift serves as a potential dynamic forcing for long-term incision. A model is proposed for terrace formation as a response to climatic perturbation in an uplifted mountain range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A herpesvirus was isolated during a diagnostic investigation of severe cases of conjunctivitis in feral pigeons ( Columba livia f. domestica ). Isolates of the virus were recovered from throat swabs of the pigeons followed by inoculation of the swab samples in chicken embryo fibroblasts. Pigeons inoculated with the isolated virus had similar clinical signs to those observed in naturally infected birds. Transmission electron microscopy revealed viral structures with typical herpesvirus morphology. Polymerase chain reaction amplification, using herpesvirus-identifying primers resulted in an amplicon of the expected size for herpesvirus. Sequencing of these amplicons and database comparisons identified the herpesvirus UL30 homologue. Phylogenetic reconstructions suggested that the isolated herpesvirus belongs to the Mardivirus genus of Alphaherpesvirinae . Using the current herpesvirus nomenclature conventions, the authors propose that the herpesvirus be named Columbid herpesvirus-1 Heilongjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• δ18O carb and δ13C alk records from a >5,000 m-thick sequence in the Qaidam Basin. • Regional moisture fluctuations over the Cenozoic inferred. • Linkage of moisture changes to global climate depends on the chosen chronology. The Cenozoic history of aridification in the Asian interior is thought to be intimately linked to uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and long-term global cooling. How fluctuating climatic conditions influenced regional moisture levels during the Cenozoic remains largely unknown. To infer moisture changes, we present oxygen isotope values of carbonates (δ18O carb) and carbon isotope values of long-chain n -alkanes (δ13C alk) from a continuous geological section in the Qaidam Basin, northwestern China. The section spans most of the Cenozoic Era, from ~52 to 5 million years ago (Ma), based on conventional chronology, whereas recently a drastically revised chronology has placed its basal age at ~26 Ma. The association of moisture changes with global climate largely depends on the chosen chronology. With the revised chronology, our records are inconsistent with existing moisture records from the Asian interior and do not show clear association with global climatic conditions. However, with the conventional chronology, our δ18O carb record shows a long-term aridification trend over the Cenozoic, whereas the δ13C alk suggests reduced moisture levels during the Oligocene. Both records consistently show enhanced aridity, notably during the Oligocene, ~20–17 Ma and after ~13 Ma, which largely corresponded to relatively cool global periods. Our records thus suggest that global climatic conditions during the Cenozoic exerted more influence on the moisture levels in the Asian interior than previously thought, if the conventional chronology is correct. Our study also highlights the importance of constructing a reliable chronology in order to make an association of Cenozoic terrestrial records with global climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology and position of elements in the apparatus are keys to resolving the taxonomy, homology, evolutionary relationships, structure, function and feeding patterns among conodont taxa. Fused clusters preserving natural associations between elements provide direct information on element morphology, the positions of elements within the apparatus, and even their original three-dimensional arrangement. Here, we report 41 fused conodont clusters from Member II of the Guanling Formation in Luoping County, Yunnan Province, southwestern China, which provide a basis for inferring the multielement composition of the apparatus of the early Middle Triassic Nicoraella. The apparatus is composed of 15 elements (a single S 0 element, two pairs of S 1–4 , M and P 1–2 elements) like other apparatuses in Gondolellidae, i.e. the genera Novispathodus and Neogondolella. These Luoping Biota clusters are significant because (a) they permit a positional homology-based comparison of multielement Novispathodus with form genera such as Cypridodella (S 1), Enantiognathus (S 2), and Hindeodella (S 3 and S 4), (b) they facilitate a review of apparatus composition within superfamily Gondolelloidea, (c) they provide direct insight into apparatus architecture currently interpreted largely in light of distantly related Carboniferous polygnathacean ozarkodinins, and (d) these clusters, along with collections of discrete conodont elements, provide a model for inferring the multielement composition of closely related species known only from discrete element collections. • Exceptionally preserved Middle Triassic conodont clusters from Luoping, Yunnan, southwest China; • conodont multielement apparatus of Nicoraella were reconstructed; • The new 15 element conodont apparatus highlights the importance to revise other apparatus in family Gondolelloidea; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]