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Purpose: To evaluate the performance of the Framingham cardiovascular risk score (FRS)/pooled cohort equations (PCE)/China prediction for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk (China-PAR model) in a prospective cohort of Chinese older adults. Patients and Methods: We assessed 717 older adults aged 75– 85 years without ASCVD at the baseline from the Sichuan province of China. The participants were followed annually from 2011 to 2021. We obtained the participants' information through the medical records of physical examination and evaluated their 10-year ASCVD risk using FRS, PCE, and China-PAR. We further evaluated the predictive abilities of three assessment models. Results: During the 10-year follow-up, 206 participants developed ASCVD, with an incidence rate of 28.73%. The FRS and China-PAR moderately underestimated the risk of ASCVD (22.1% and 12.4%, respectively), but while PCE overestimated the risk (36.1%). FRS and China-PAR were found to underestimate the risk of ASCVD (26% and 63%, respectively) for men, while PCE overestimated the risk by 8%; For women, FRS and China-PAR were found to underestimate the risk of ASCVD (14% and 35%, respectively), while PCE overestimated the risk by 88%. Conclusion: The 10-year ASCVD risk was found to be overestimated by PCE. China-PAR had the most accurate predictions in women, while FRS was particularly well-calibrated in males. All three risk models have good discrimination, with FRS and PCE being well-calibrated in men and all three being well-calibrated in women. Therefore, accurate risk models are warranted to facilitate the prevention of ASCVD at the baseline among Chinese older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the thermal maturity of the Longmaxi Formation in the southern Sichuan Basin is too high, the pore structure of shale becomes poor. Therefore, to investigate the effect of organic matter thermal maturity on shale pore structure, a study was conducted. Using the Longmaxi Formation shale in the southern Sichuan Basin as an example, the intrinsic relationship between shale porosity, pore structure parameters, organic matter laser Raman maturity, and organic matter graphitization degree was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, particle helium porosity measurement, organic matter micro-laser Raman spectroscopy, and gas adsorption experiments. The results indicate that thermal maturity is the macroscopic manifestation of the graphitization degree of organic matter, and the correlation coefficient between the two is 0.85. A thermal maturity of 3.5% (with a corresponding organic matter graphitization degree of 17%) aligns with the highest values of shale porosity, pore volume, and pore-specific surface area across all pore size conditions. The evolution model of shale pore structure can be divided into two stages. The first stage is characterized by a thermal maturity between 2.0% and 3.5% (with a corresponding degree of graphitization of organic matter between 0% and 17%). During this stage, the number and connectivity of micro-macropores increase with increasing thermal maturity. The second stage is marked by a thermal maturity between 3.5% and 4.3% (with a corresponding degree of graphitization of organic matter between 17% and 47.32%). Basement faults are present, leading to abnormally high thermal maturity, poor preservation conditions, continuous generation of micropores, better connectivity, and a reduced number of pores. Medium macropores with good connectivity suffer from gas loss in the fracture network, leading to the collapse and disappearance of pores. The results mentioned in the statement have an important guiding role in the efficient exploration of shale gas in the Longmaxi Formation in the southern Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many geophysical models have been proposed in the Longmenshan fault zone (LFZ) and its surrounding areas, the deep structure of the seismic gap and its constraint of the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes remain uncertain. Based on the compiled aeromagnetic data and Bouguer gravity data, we have tried to create a more detailed and reasonable magnetic and density model using 2D forward modeling and 3D inversion and made the deep structure of the LFZ visible. The research shows that structure is heterogenous across the LFZ. The earthquake epicenters are located in regions with high-magnetic anomalies and gravity gradients that are associated with rigid blocks that were likely to accumulate stress. However, the seismic gap shows low-magnetic anomalies and transition of gravity anomalies related to a weak zone. The Sichuan Basin has two NE-trending banded high-magnetic blocks extending beneath the LFZ that firmly support the idea that the crust of the Sichuan Basin has subducted downward the LFZ. More importantly, the basement subducts to approximately 33 km west of the Wenchuan–Maoxian fault, with a low dip angle beneath the middle segment of the LFZ, whereas the distance decreases to approximately 17 and 19 km under the southern segment. Thus, the crust of the Sichuan Basin beneath the middle segment extends farther than that beneath the southern segment, with the seismic gap as the transition zone. Therefore, we propose that the structural heterogeneity of the basement on the western margin of the Sichuan Basin may be the main reason for the different focal mechanisms and geodynamics of the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to the widely used sequence stratigraphic models for passive continental margins, the stacking patterns of strata within epeiric seas, which are influenced by regional tectonic activity, may display opposing characteristics during the same geological period. These variations serve as a record of basin evolution and also affect the accumulation of hydrocarbons within the strata. Our study investigated the development potential of the deep Longmaxi Shale in the southern Sichuan Basin by examining the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary fill patterns. Using a combination of core observation, well-logging data analysis, and 3D seismic profile interpretation, we aimed to gain an understanding of the sedimentary fill history of the Longmaxi Shale during the Early Silurian. Our analysis revealed that deglaciation and regional tectonic events affected the sequence stratigraphy, resulting in unconformities that were identifiable using seismic data and wireline logs. Through an analysis of thirty wireline logs and two seismic profiles, we identified two third-order sequences suggested in the Lower Longmaxi Formation. Within the two third-order sequences were five systems tracts, with the first exhibiting a complete cycle of sea-level change and the second cycle being incomplete due to regional tectonic events. The graptolite succession on the upper Yangtze Platform provided a temporal view of the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentation rates of the Longmaxi Shale. The thickness trends of the systems tracts reflected the interplay of short-term eustasy fluctuations, subsidence, and uplift. Our analysis suggests that regional subsidence played a significant role in the deposition of the second transgressive systems tract (TST) in the Weiyuan and Luzhou areas, which represents a promising target for shale gas exploration, in addition to the first TST. However, the Changning area experienced a relative sea-level decrease due to the intense uplift of the Qianzhogn Paleo-uplift and the increased supply of sediment and is interpreted as a highstand systems tract (HST); it is not considered to have shale gas exploration potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine–continental transitional shale is one of the most promising targets for shale gas exploration in the Lower Yangtze region. To investigate the sedimentary environments and the regularity of the enrichment of the Longtan shale, multiple techniques including core and thin-section observations, geochemical and elemental analyses, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and low-pressure nitrogen adsorption (LPNA) were used to analyze the sedimentology, mineralogy, and pore structure of the Longtan shale. The core descriptions and thin-section observations showed that the Longtan shale was deposited in marine–delta transitional environments including delta-front, shore swamp, mixed tidal flat and shallow shelf environments. The Sr/Cu, V/Cr, CIA, EF (Mo), EF (U), and other major and trace element results indicated warm and moist climates and water-reducing conditions in the Longtan period. Both the climate and water conditions were favorable for organic matter production and preservation. The geochemical results showed that the Longtan shale was in the overmature stage (Ro values ranging from 2.4% to 3.57%) and that the average total organic carbon (TOC) content was 5.76%. The pore system of the Longtan shale consisted of inorganic pores with a small number of organic pores and microfractures. The porosity and specific surface area were mainly affected by the TOC and clay mineral contents. An effective combination of brittle mineral particles, organic matter, and clay minerals provided the necessary conditions for pore preservation. The organic pores, intergranular pores in clay minerals, and brittle mineral pores formed the main network system for the Longtan shale. In summary, the lithological combinations, organic geochemistry, and pore structure system were all affected by the sedimentary environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic benefits of transport infrastructure investment have been widely accepted. However, the varying influence of road transport development across vertical space has rarely been discussed. Taking Sichuan province in China as case study area where the landform is diverse and complex, administrative counties were categorized into 4 main types: plain counties, hill counties, mountain counties, and plateau counties. Using statistical data during 2006-2014, the performance of economic development and transport construction level in the four types of counties are discussed. Subsequently, the heterogeneous effect of each grade road on economy was calculated by local regression model (GWR). The results indicate that plain counties largely surpassed the other geomorphic counties in economic development level, while the gradient gap among them was on the decline. Similarly, distribution of transport infrastructure presented a decreasing trend from the low plain counties to high plateau counties. Regional imbalances were mainly reflected in the County road and Village road. Regarding the changes of regional gaps, National & Provincial roads and County roads were constantly expanding, whereas the disparity of Village road was slowly narrowing over time. Particularly noteworthy was the non-stationary economic influence of traffic factors across vertical gradients. On average, National & Provincial roads generated higher benefits in the high elevation regions than the lowlands. In contrast, County road and Village road were found to be more effective in promoting economic development in plains. With regard to local estimates of traffic factors, coefficients in mountain counties exhibited larger fluctuation ranges than other geomorphic units. The conclusions provide a basis for government decisionmaking in a more reasonable construction arrangement of road facilities and sustainable economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural land carbon opportunity cost (COC) characterizes potentials for carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration, which is a critical component for formulating nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. Yet existing relevant estimates still stayed at global scale, lacking estimates at national and provincial scale. Here, we integrated multi-source downscaled data to estimate the magnitude of land COC for 20 categories of crops and livestock in 30 provinces of China. Results show that beef got the highest land COC with about 29% of the national total, and COC per unit production of beef was much higher than that of other products. The high beef-induced COC was primarily caused by vast amount of grass feed consumed by beef cattle, resulting in native forest land being cleared into grazing land. Moreover, both land COC and crops yield per unit area of cropland enhanced with latitude decrease, but the increase rate of the former was much higher than that of the latter. Therefore, improving utilization efficiency of existing grazing land and raising yields per unit area of existing croplands in low-latitude provinces, rather than clearing new native forest land into grazing land and cropland, would have great functions on declining national total land COC for agricultural products. The research could also contribute to discussions of local tradeoffs between land carbon storage and agricultural production and then inform climate mitigation strategies. • Land carbon opportunity cost (COC) by province-product in China was estimated. • Sichuan, Hunan, and Guangxi had the largest capacity to restore carbon. • Beef production contributed the most (29%) of national total COC. • Land COC per unit yield enhanced substantially with decreasing latitude. • Tradeoffs between carbon stock and agricultural production needs to be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The welfare of many poor and low-income rural households is vulnerable to earthquakes and secondary geological disasters. The academic literature, however, pays little attention to the livelihood pressure, adaptability, and livelihood strategies of these households. Based on the survey data of 327 rural households in the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquake-stricken areas in the Sichuan Province, the livelihood pressure, adaptability, and livelihood strategy characteristics of rural households were analyzed, and the disordered multi-classification logistic regression model was constructed to explore the correlation between the above-mentioned variables. The results show that: (1) Rural households face the greatest economic pressure and the least social pressure; rural households have the strongest adaptability in social capital and the lowest adaptability in financial capital. The proportion of rural households that chose the aid livelihood strategy was the highest, while the proportion of rural households that chose the adjustment livelihood strategy was the lowest. (2) Compared with the expanded livelihood strategy, (a) When the health pressure is higher, the rural households are more inclined to choose the expanded livelihood strategy, followed by the contractive livelihood strategy and, finally, the aid livelihood strategies; (b), the higher the physical capital, the more often the rural households tend to choose the expanded livelihood strategy compared to the adjustment livelihood strategy; (c), The higher the financial capital of farm households, the more they prefer contractive livelihood strategies compared to the expanded livelihood strategy and (d), compared with the aid livelihood strategy, rural households with greater economic pressure are more inclined to choose the expanded livelihood strategy.This study can provide a reference for the establishment of relevant policies related to the adaptation capacity of rural households in the earthquake hazard zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical benefits and complications of vesselplasty using the Mesh-Hold™ bone-filling container in the treatment of vertebral osteolytic fractures.Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with vertebral osteolytic pathological fractures treated by vesselplasty at Sichuan Cancer Hospital between 09/2014 and 01/2018. VAS1 (Visual analog scale) scores and ODI2 (Oswestry disability index) were recorded routinely 1 day preoperative, at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperation, and at the last follow-up. V13 (The of bone cement injection volume) and V24 (vertebral body osteolytic volume) were evaluated, and the R5 (ratio) of bone cement filling was obtained according to the V1/V2.Results: Sixty-three patients were included (105 segments with osteolytic fractures). The amount of bone cement for each vertebra was 2.4-5.2 ml (3.1 ± 0.7 ml). The ratio (R) of bone cement filling was not related to pain relief or functional recovery (all P > 0.05).The VAS scores and ODI at different time points after surgery were decreased compared with before surgery (all P < 0.05). The bone cement leakage rate was 16.2 % (17/105). The follow-up was 4-30 months (mean of 13 ± 6 months). Thirty patients had died by the last follow-up, all from their cancer.Conclusions: The Mesh-Hold™ bone-filling container in the treatment of vertebral fractures induced by osteolytic metastases could reduce pain, improve function, and reduce the bone cement leakage rate in the process of vesselplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]