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Statistics has played an increasingly important role in applied linguistics research. However, little research has been available that sheds light on statistical literacy among early‐career researchers of applied linguistics. The study reported in this article surveyed statistical literacy, attitudes toward statistics, and statistics self‐efficacy among Chinese applied linguistics research students and further examined the inter‐variable relationships. Based on analyses of the cross‐sectional survey of 211 master's students, we found that: (1) the students' overall statistical literacy was not satisfying; (2) although they thought positively of statistics, they were not particularly confident with statistics; (3) the three experience‐related variables—the number of statistics courses taken, quantitative research orientation, and self‐training—were important predictors of statistical literacy, attitudes toward statistics, and statistics self‐efficacy; and (4) statistics self‐efficacy seemed to mediate the relationship between attitudes toward statistics and statistical literacy. We discussed these findings in relation to improving statistics courses in applied linguistics program in China and to statistics learning and teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambulatory medical care has undergone more than 20 years of development in China, gradually improving into a medical model that provides diagnosis and treatment services throughout the 24-hour hospitalization process. In the past decade, under the guidance of relevant national policies, the development scale and speed of ambulatory medical care have further expanded, providing more patients with efficient and low-cost diagnostic and treatment services, and playing a leverage role in the high-quality development of public hospitals. However, the development of ambulatory medical care is also facing challenges brought about by various factors such as the support of medical insurance policies, performance evaluation, and homogeneous development. Under the new situation and concepts of promoting the high-quality development of public hospitals and improving the medical service experience, the ambulatory medical service model has played a greater role in medical value. However, how to promote the stable and long-term development of ambulatory medical care is a valuable topic for discussion. The article aims to provide ideas for the further development of ambulatory medical care in the future by reviewing the development process and overview of ambulatory medical care in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A full rollout of COVID-19 vaccination offers the most promising prospect of bringing the pandemic to an end. This study aimed to compare the coverage, safety, and confidence of COVID-19 vaccination between patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy individuals so as to give suggestions for future immunization programs. A web-based, nationwide, multicenter survey was carried out in China from 2021 to 2022. The age and sex-standardized vaccination rate was calculated. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression models were used to estimate the influencing factors of vaccination status. We also investigated vaccination safety, willingness, confidence, and reasons for hesitancy with some ad hoc questions. A total of 962 PD patients and 1208 healthy individuals participated in this survey with a vaccination rate of 71.1% vs 94.4% respectively. PD patients living in first-tier cities, with comorbidities, experiencing unstable PD with a longer course and levodopa use were less likely to get vaccinated, while healthy individuals living in first-tier cities and feeling physically poor exhibited a lower vaccination rate. For PD patients, concern about the adverse impact on existing illness and disagreement from doctors were the most common reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Whereas, no evidence was present that they experienced any local or systematic adverse events more frequently or seriously than healthy individuals, or their state of PD and comorbidities was seriously exacerbated after vaccination. A prominent transition from a little concerned to unconcerned about the security and efficacy of vaccines was evident among both two populations from pre-vaccination to post-vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccination rate was remarkably lower in PD patients than healthy individuals in China. The approved vaccines have shown an acceptable safety profile. Our findings would offer a reference to guide future clinical decision-making of COVID-19 vaccination and improve the immunization management of PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melia azedarach Linn. is a deciduous tree of the Melia genus in the Meliaceae family that is native to China. To study the mechanism of drought resistance in Melia azedarach and evaluate the drought resistance capacity of each provenance, we selected eight provenances (Shandong Kenli, Jiangsu Pizhou, Hubei Shayang, Jiangsu Xuanwu, Jiangxi Xihu, Jiangsu Jurong, Guangdong Luogang, and Henan Shihe) as the research subjects and set four levels of drought stress treatment (CK: 75% of field capacity, mild drought: 60% of field capacity, moderate drought: 45% of field capacity, and severe drought: 30% of field capacity). The results showed that the growth in the seedling height and the ground diameter, the leaf relative water content, transpiration rate (Tr), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and the content of chlorophyll (Chl) decreased with the increasing stress levels, while the root–shoot ratio, water saturation deficit, and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased. The SOD in most provenances initially increased and then decreased, reaching a peak during moderate drought. At the late stage of treatment, the magnitude of the changes in the photosynthetic indicators was more pronounced than in the physiological indicators. Principal component analysis showed that the contribution of all four principal components under the three drought stresses was above 85%, which represented the majority of the original data. Combined with the affiliation function method and weights, the comprehensive evaluation value (D value) of the drought resistance was calculated for the eight provenances. Then, we obtained the order of drought resistance of the test materials under the three drought stresses, respectively. The combined results revealed that the drought resistance of Henan Shihe and Jiangxi Xihu was stronger, while the drought resistance of Guangdong Luogang and Hubei Shayang was weaker. Based on the above findings, we can select provenances with strong and weak drought resistance for transcriptome sequencing to screen drought-resistant genes for an in-depth study at the molecular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delay in diagnosis and treatment worsens the disease and clinical outcomes, which further enhances the transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in the community. Therefore, this study aims to assess treatment delay and its associated factors among childhood pleural TB patients in China.Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive patients aged ≤15 years with definite or possible pleural TB were included for analysis. Treatment delay duration was defined as the time interval from the onset of symptoms to treatment initiation and was stratified into two categories: < 30 days, ≥30 days (median delay day is 30 days). The electronic medical records of children were reviewed to obtain demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, and radiographic findings. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to explore the factors associated with treatment delay in patients.Results: A total of 154 children with pleural TB were included, with a mean age of 12.4 ± 3.3 years. The median treatment delay was 30 days (interquartile range, 10-60 days) and 51.3% (n = 79) of patients underwent a treatment delay. Multivariate analysis revealed that heart rate (≤92 beats/min, age-adjusted OR = 2.503, 95% CI: 1.215, 5.155) and coefficient of variation of red cell distribution width (RDW-CV, ≥12.9%, age-adjusted OR = 4.705, 95% CI: 2.048, 10.811) were significant risk factors for treatment delays in childhood pleural TB.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that a significant treatment delay occurs among children with pleural TB in China. Patients with a low heart rate or a high RDW-CV experienced delays in the initiation of anti-TB therapy. Therefore, well awareness of the associations between clinical characteristics and treatment delay may improve the management of children with pleural TB and enable us to develop preventive strategies to reduce the treatment delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early morning off (EMO) is a common feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to characterize its clinical features and develop a convenient and pragmatic self-assessment instrument in a Chinese nationwide population. Methods: This study was conducted on 942 PD patients admitted to 55 clinic centers for movement disorders between June 2018 and May 2019 in China. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to determine potential risk factors and the most predictive symptoms of EMO, as well as whether EMO was an independent risk factor of functional dependency in daily life. Based on this, a 7-question scale was derived for EMO screening. Diagnostic accuracy of this scale was assessed from the area under the receiver operative characteristic curve (AUROC) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We further calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the optimal cutoff point. Results: EMO occurred in 49.2% of PD patients across all disease stages. We identified 7 symptoms most predictive of EMO, including bradykinesia or rigidity, excessive sweating or salivation, difficulty in turning on or getting out of bed, muscle cramp, fatigue or sleepiness, frozen state or freezing gait, and tremor. The resulting 7-item scale was confirmed to be of good discrimination with a relatively large AUROC of 0.83, a relatively high sensitivity of 75.7%, specificity of 77.5%, PPV of 76.5%, and NPV of 76.7%. Nonideal nighttime sleep, long PD duration, advanced H&Y stages, posture instability gait difficulty-dominant or mixed subtypes, and high levodopa dose were independently associated with increased risk of EMO. EMO patients were at 87% higher (OR = 1.87, 95%CI: 1.07–3.32) risk of experiencing functional dependency in daily living compared with their counterparts. Conclusions: We demonstrated that EMO is a common feature for PD patients across all disease stages and put forward an EMO-specific screening card of sufficient accuracy and brevity. Meanwhile we have thrown some light upon potential determinants and negative health effects of EMO. Our findings may exert great impact on improving the awareness, recognition and management of EMO in PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To date, the burden of childhood spinal TB in China has not been estimated, and current treatment is hindered by a lack of evidence. This study aimed to review our experience of childhood spinal TB.Methods: We reviewed the medical records of paediatric patients (≤15 years) admitted for spinal TB (confirmed or possible) at Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital from January 2006 to December 2019. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data were collected from medical records and analysed retrospectively.Results: Seventy-two patients were diagnosed with spinal TB. 45 were male (62.5%), and 27 female (37.5%), with a mean age of 8.42 ± 4.47 (SD) years. During this 14-year period, the overall prevalence of spinal TB among childhood TB was 4.5%. T-SPOT.TB, AFB smear, mycobacterial culture, TB RT-PCR and biopsies were positive in 29.6%, 14.3%, 23.3%, 43.8% and 88.5% of assayed patients, respectively. The overall surgical rate of the studied patients was 40.3%. The requirement of surgery in childhood spinal TB was associated with pulmonary TB (OR = 4.000, 95% CI: 1.197, 13.367).Conclusion: Spinal TB in children cannot be neglected. It remains a severe problem to public health, and more attention should be paid to initiating treatment early. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magmatic and metasomatic rock suites can be commonly found in active convergent margins as the suprasubduction zone mantle wedge is usually impregnated by melts and fluids. Here we present petrologic, whole-rock geochemical and zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf data from metamorphic intermediate-mafic and ultramafic rocks in central Jilin Province, NE China, to constrain the Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southeastern margin of the Xing'an-Mongolia Orogenic Belt. Lithologically, the meta-igneous rocks are composed of plagioclase-actinolite, meta-allgovite, tremolitized pyroxenite, and serpentinized peridotite. Geochronological results indicate that the protoliths of the meta-igneous rocks formed during the Early–Middle Ordovician (474–466 Ma). Geochemical features suggest that the rocks are calc-alkaline and transitional-series rocks relatively enriched in large-ion lithophile and light rare earth elements and depleted in high field strength and heavy rare earth elements, implying that they formed in a supra-subduction zone environment. Additionally, the protoliths of the plagioclase-actinolites, which display an affinity for sanukites, resulted from an equilibrium reaction between mantle peridotite and slab melts derived from the partial melting of subducting sediments during early-stage subduction; the meta-allgovite rocks were likely derived from a juvenile depleted lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids; the ultramafic rocks are magmatic cumulates formed in a suprasubduction zone mantle wedge. Furthermore, the meta-allgovite rocks display both arc-like and MORB-like geochemical characteristics, suggesting an intra-continental back-arc basin setting. These features, combined with the presence of the abundance of zircon xenocrysts with Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic ages, as well as the results of previous studies, reflect that a small-scale and limited back-arc basin, which was related to the northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate, probably existed close to the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Massif during the Early–Middle Ordovician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A natural mud shale (MS) from Yichang Area, China was for the first time experimentally examined for its potential application to oily effluents treatment. The mineralogical compositions, surface structures and pore size distribution of the prepared MS particles were characterised using various advanced analytical technologies, respectively. The performance of the MS particles during the model diesel oil wastewater treatment was examined based on the designed adsorption experiments. Isothermal and kinetic features were investigated according to a variety of adsorption models. The results showed that some pores, cavities and fractures were distributed on the surface of MS particles. The efficiency of MS particles for removing diesel oil from the model oily effluent was associated closely with experimental conditions including the mass of MS particles, initial diesel levels, residence time and pH values. Equilibrium adsorption isotherms conformed to Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption of diesel oil onto MS particles tended to monolayer adsorption. Kinetics of adsorption of diesel oil on MS complied with the pseudo-second-order model. This suggested that the whole oil removal rate was mainly controlled by chemisorption. Results of our study indicates potential utilisation of unmodified MS particles as an abundant and inexpensive adsorbent for low-concentration diesel oil wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The diurnal atmospheric phosphine (PH3) concentrations and fluxes at the water–air interface in Lake Taihu were reported. The results showed that the PH3 flux at the water–air interface ranged from −69.9±29.7 to 121±42ngm−2 h−1, with a mean flux of 14.4±22.5ngm−2 h−1. The fluxes were both negative and positive during the diurnal period, indicating that the lake can act as a sink and a source of PH3. In addition, the PH3 fluxes were positively correlated with water temperature, total soluble phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus, while they were negatively correlated with water redox potential. A similar diurnal variation curve of atmospheric PH3 concentrations was observed during all four seasons, with the maximum level occurring in early morning and the minimum appearing around midday. These findings suggest that light plays an important role in the elimination of atmospheric PH3. A significant positive correlation was also found between air temperature and atmospheric PH3 concentration. The mean flux of PH3 in Lake Taihu was higher than in other reported wetlands, with an estimated annual emission of PH3 to the atmosphere of 2.94×105 gy−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne wind measurement is of great significance for understanding atmospheric motion and meteorological monitoring. In this paper, we present the development and verification of an airborne Doppler wind lidar (ADWL), featuring an approach proposed to integrate a real-time wind retrieval method with an intelligent processing method for automatic adaptive wind detection. Several verification experiments were conducted to evaluate the measurement effectiveness, including comparisons with a calibrated ground-based Doppler wind lidar (GDWL) and a sounding balloon. Compared with the sounding balloon, the ADWL demonstrated mean errors of 0.53 m/s for horizontal wind velocity and 4.60° for wind direction. The correlation coefficients consistently exceeded 0.98 in all linear analyses. Employed in multiple airborne wind detection events in North China at altitudes up to 6600 m, the ADWL provided effective wind field results with a vertical resolution of 50 m and a data rate of 2 Hz. The wind field results obtained during the detection events validate the ADWL's capabilities in diverse environments and underscore its potential for the comprehensive detection of meteorological information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • (1) Trachydacites have zircon U-Pb ages of 116 Ma and were coeval with the most extensive thinning of the North China Craton. • (2) 116 Ma trachydacites were related to subduction of Yangtze Craton and Paleo-Pacific plate. • (3) The mantle source underneath the southeastern North China Craton was modified by the subduction of the Yangtze Craton. The North China Craton has witnessed a large-scale lithospheric thinning event in the Mesozoic. The volcanic rocks of the Qingshan Group formed during the destruction of the North China Craton, therefore retaining important information to the deep processes in this region. Zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical analyses have been carried out on volcanic rocks of the Qingshan Group collected from southeastern margin of the Jiaolai Basin. In combination with previously published data on the volcanic rocks of the Qingshan Group, the newly acquired data show that: (1) the volcanic rocks of Qingshan Group in Mashan have SiO 2 content of 62.82 ∼ 66.3 wt% and total alkali content (K 2 O + Na 2 O) of 7.64 ∼ 9.34 wt%. According to TAS diagram, they belong to trachydacite which experienced strong fractionation between LREEs and HREEs with depletion of HFSEs and enrichment of LILEs. (2) The crystallization age of trachydacite in Mashan is 116.4 ± 2.3 Ma (MSWD = 1.9, n = 9). The magma originated from the partial melting of the ancient lower crust and the enriched lithospheric mantle metasomatized by the fluids/melts released from the subducted slab of the Yangtze Craton. (3) The formation age of magmatic rocks in western Shandong is generally earlier than that in eastern Shandong, while the lower crust delamination in western Shandong preceded that in eastern Shandong. The occurrence of magmatism in eastern Shandong is probably attributed to the delamination process in western Shandong as well as the ongoing tectonic activities along the Tan-Lu fault zone. The lithospheric thinning of the North China Craton was mainly controlled by the change of the subduction angle of the Paleo-Pacific plate, and is probably influenced by the continuous activity of the Tan-Lu fault zone in eastern Shandong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important biogeochemical processes occur in sediments at fine scales. Sampling techniques capable of yielding information with high resolution are therefore needed to investigate chemical distributions and fluxes and to elucidate key processes affecting chemical fates. In this study, a high-resolution diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique was systematically developed and tested in a controlled sediment system to measure organic contaminants, antibiotics, for the first time. The DGT probe was used to resolve compound distributions at the mm scale. It also reflected the fluxes from the sediment pore-water and remobilization from the solid phase, providing more dynamic information. Through the fine scale detection, a reduction of re-supply was observed over time, which was concentration and location dependent. Compared to the Rhizon sampling method, antibiotic concentrations obtained by DGT probes were less than the pore-water concentrations, as DGT measures the labile fraction of the compounds. The DGT probe was also tested on an intact sediment core sampled from a lake in China and used to measure the distribution of labile antibiotics with depth in the core at the mm scale. The abuse of antibiotics and widespread of their residues influences the ecosystem, induces the generation of super-bacteria, and finally poses threat to human health. Sediments adsorbs pollutants from the aquatic environment, while may also release them back to the environment. We systematically developed DGT probe approach for measuring antibiotics in sediment in situ in high resolving power, it provides information at fine scale to help us investigate biogeochemical processes take place in sediment and sediment-water interface. [Display omitted] • Developed a new in situ high resolution sampling probe for studying antibiotics. • Resolving power reached the mm scale, better than conventional methods. • Vertical distribution of antibiotics in sediments and their transport were determined. • Antibiotics were detected in an intact sediment core using DGT probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite autonomous systems are employed to address complex space applications through onboard data processing and mission planning. To take advantage of onboard autonomous systems, rapid onboard satellite visibility predictions are necessary for certain decision-making missions, including Earth observation resource allocation and satellite data transmission. We consider this visibility prediction process as a roots-finding problem for a multiple hump function, and design a metamodeling-based framework with a self-adaptive interpolation method. Metamodels are developed as surrogates for visibility prediction functions to reduce expensive computational costs. Our proposed framework has a broad range of applications for all orbital types and orbit propagators. We conduct the experiments using different metamodeling techniques, radial basis functions, Kriging, and support vector regression based upon real China's satellites. Numerical simulations indicate that the proposed framework outperforms existing interpolation methods, efficiently reducing the onboard computational cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two types of homogenites are found in the Shulu Sag based on sedimentary characteristics. • Earthquakes are the most reasonable triggers of homogenite formation. • Seismic shaking and basin morphology control the formation of homogenites. Homogenites are homogeneous and structureless, fine-grained rocks. They have been studied extensively in marine settings and are typically interpreted as being related to catastrophic events such as earthquakes. However, studies on lacustrine homogenite-like rocks are limited. New core data from the Shulu Sag in China reveal that thick massive calcilutites exist in the lower Shahejie 3 Formation, which formed during the middle Eocene rifting stage. Based on petrographic, geochemical, and mineralogical data, these massive calcilutites are interpreted as homogenites and grouped into two types. Type A homogenite is composed of intrabasinal materials characterized by high calcite, total organic carbon (TOC) content, and δ13C value. Type A homogenite has two facies successions, the first of which is characterized by homogeneous appearance capped by an erosional interface and the second is characterized by repeated massive-laminated calcilutite successions. Type B homogenite contains abundant allochthonous materials displaying relatively high dolomite content and low calcite, TOC, and δ13C content. Type B homogenite represents the topmost finer portion of a graded megabed which includes, from base to top, grain supported carbonate conglomerates, slumped deformed portions, and debrites. The whole unit can be considered as a megaturbidite. Earthquakes are the most reasonable triggers of homogenite formation in the Shulu Sag. Type A homogenites are thought to be derived by fluidification, resuspension, and decantation of lacustrine fines due to shock waves generated by an earthquake. Type B homogenites might be deposits of distal turbidity currents and turbid clouds transformed from other gravity flows. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the formation of homogenites caused by earthquakes in a confined lacustrine basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the centralization of wind power development, power-prediction technology based on wind power clusters has become an important means to reduce the volatility of wind power, so a large-scale power-prediction method of wind power clusters is proposed considering the prediction stability. Firstly, the fluctuating features of wind farms are constructed by acquiring statistical features to further build a divided model of wind power clusters using fuzzy clustering algorithm. Then the spatiotemporal features of the data of wind power are obtained using a spatiotemporal attention network to train the prediction model of wind power clusters in a large scale. Finally, the stability of predictive performance of wind power is analyzed using the comprehensive index evaluation system. The results show that the RMSE of wind power prediction is lower than 0.079 at large-scale wind farms based on the prediction method of wind power proposed in this paper using experience based on the data of 159 wind farms in the Nei Monggol Autonomous Region in China and the extreme error is better than 25% for the total capacity of wind farms, which indicates high stability and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine-grained carbonate rocks, which extensively occur in the Eocene strata in the Shulu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, North China, represent an unconventional, fine-grained carbonate reservoir. However, previous studies have ignored the complexity of the lithofacies components and their formation mechanisms. Fine-grained carbonate rocks are typical reservoirs in which hydrocarbons form and gather. A better understanding of the nature of these rocks is extremely important for evaluating the quality of unconventional, fine-grained carbonate reservoirs. Various lithofacies components were discriminated in this study with a combination of petrographic observations and carbon isotope analyses. These finegrained carbonate rocks comprise terrigenous, biogenic and diagenetic materials. Terrigenous input and biologically induced precipitation are the main sources of the materials in the lake. Five lithofacies were identified based on the observations of sedimentary features (core and thin section) and mineralogical data: (1) varve-like laminated calcilutite, (2) graded laminated calcilutite, (3) interlaminated calcisiltitecalcilutite, (4) massive calcilutite, and (5) massive calcisiltite-calcarenite. Their origins were recorded by various lithofacies components, which are controlled by the interactions of physical, chemical and biological processes. This study indicated that the lithology of the bedrocks was the key factor controlling carbonate accumulation. The tectonics and climate can influence the weathering and types of lithofacies. Primary productivity controlled the precipitation of the endogenic calcite. These factors jointly determined the abundant fine-grained carbonate rocks that have accumulated in the Shulu sag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynanchum paniculatum is a valuable medicinal herb used for the effective treatment of various human ailments. A severe anthracnose disease of C. paniculatum was recently observed in Tai'an, China, which caused considerable economic losses in this main herb-growing region of northern China. Infected plants had conspicuous symptoms consisting of circular brown lesions on the leaves and pods, as well as light brown cankers with dark spines on the stem surface. Fungi were isolated from diseased plant tissues, which exhibited radial colony morphology with dense white mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar. Through morphological observation and multigene sequencing analysis of the ITS region and actin, β-tubulin and histone genes, the isolated fungi were identified as Colletotrichum truncatum. Pathogenicity tests were conducted resulting in symptoms on C. paniculatum similar to those seen in the field. Considering the fungal species in the genus Colletotrichum are major phytopathogens that can cause serious anthracnose diseases on numerous crop species, the pathogenicity of an isolate of C. truncatum was assessed on multiple plant species. This is the first report of C. truncatum causing anthracnose of the Chinese medicinal herb C. paniculatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Internal P loading in the diversion input shallow Lake Hengshui was studied. • High water P concentration was mainly regulated by the high internal P loading. • Littoral wetland showed higher sedimentation and P release than open water areas. • Detritus burial, coprecipitation, and deposition accelerate P retention in wetlands. • Fe-P dominated the internal P release in the lake, accompanied by Org-P. Diversion input lakes usually have a low catchment area/lake area ratio and pulsing pollution input. Various pollutants might accumulate in the lake continuously owing to the concentration effect under high evaporation but low precipitation over the entire area, typically for sedimentary cyclic elements such as phosphorus (P). However, the detailed transportation, sedimentation, and internal release mechanisms of P in the diversion input lakes remain unclear. This study conducted a year-long investigation of the littoral wetlands and open water areas of the shallow Lake Hengshui in the semi-humid region of North China. Results revealed that the average total P concentrations in the water and surficial sediment reached as high as 0.202 mg L−1 and 878.21 mg kg−1 in summer. The high water P levels in the lake were mainly regulated by the high internal P loading during summer and autumn, with the internal P loading being approximately nine times the external P loading. The littoral wetland area serves as a higher sedimentation sink and release source of P than the open water area. The concentrated P was continuously transported to the littoral wetland area through detritus burial, coprecipitation, and deposition of suspended particles. The release of P was mainly controlled by the dissolution of redox-sensitive Fe-P and Org-P at high temperatures and organic matter mineralization in the sediment, accompanied by the potential release capacity of apatite P (Ca-P). Future management of eutrophication and P levels in similar diversion input lakes should pay more attention to the high internal P loading in the sediment and the differentiated sedimentation and release processes in the littoral wetland and open water areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Upper Ediacaran Dengying Formation of the Sichuan Basin, the presence of abundant, well-preserved microbial carbonates provides a unique opportunity to study Precambrian paleoceanography and microbial carbonate origins. Particularly, the underexplored coated grain dolostones of this formation, characterized by distinct microbially induced fabrics and intragranular dissolution, offer crucial insights for understanding late Ediacaran microbial mineralization and diagenetic sequences. Utilizing selected typical samples, we conducted detailed petrographic and geochemical analyses, revealing a dynamic interplay between microbial processes and sedimentary dynamics. We observe the coexistence of constructive micrite envelopes with microbially induced fabrics such as clots and laminations, highlighting microbial biomineralization's key role in fabric formation. The sedimentary dynamics critically determines the formation processes of the coated grains: low-energy settings foster grain agglomeration and consolidation through clot precipitation between grains, while high-energy settings favor smaller grains binding to microbial mats. Geochemically, micrite envelopes play an essential role in preserving distinct rare earth element (REE) signatures. The weak negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies within these envelopes point to a suboxic to anoxic depositional environment, directly indicative of the microenvironmental conditions conducive to microbial mineralization processes. Furthermore, our study sheds light on the structural evolution of coated grains with hollow nuclei, proposing that their internal pore formations are influenced by both mineral instability and selective dissolution by meteoric freshwater. These findings not only provide fresh insights into complex diagenetic processes in the Dengying Formation but also substantially advance our understanding of early microbial life and environmental adaptations during the Precambrian. • Revealed the relationship between micrite envelopes and microbially induced fabrics • Proposed a novel formation mechanism for coated grain dolostone in the Dengying Fm. • Investigated the diverse environmental responses of microbiolite fabrics • Established micrite envelopes as dependable records of seawater REE compositions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the determination of 26 legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in marine sediment pore water was developed using online solid phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed method requires only about 1 mL of pore water samples. Satisfactory recoveries of most target PFASs (83.55–125.30 %) were achieved, with good precision (RSD of 1.09–16.53 %), linearity (R 2 ≥ 0.990), and sensitivity (MDLs: 0.05 ng/L–5.00 ng/L for most PFASs). Subsequently, the method was applied to determine PFASs in the sediment pore water of five mariculture bays in the Bohai and Yellow Seas of China for the first time. Fifteen PFASs were detected with total concentrations ranging from 150.23 ng/L to 1838.48 ng/L (mean = 636.80 ng/L). The ∑PFASs and PFOA concentrations in sediment pore water were remarkably higher than those in surface seawater (tens of ng/L), indicating that the potential toxic effect of PFASs on benthic organisms may be underestimated. PFPeA was mainly distributed in pore water, and the partition of PFHpA (50.99 %) and PFOA (49.01 %) was almost equal in the solid and liquid phases. The proportions of all other PFASs partitioned in marine sediments were significantly higher than those in pore water. [Display omitted] • A convenient method for the detection of PFASs in marine sediment pore water was developed. • Only about 1 mL of actual sediment pore water is needed to determine various PFASs. • High levels of PFASs were detected in pore water from five mariculture bays of China. • Different PFASs exhibit varying partitioning behaviors at the sediment–pore water interface. • Great attention should be paid to PFASs in the sediment pore water of mariculture areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhong, G.H.; Liu, S.G.; Han, C., and Huang, W., 2014. Urban flood mapping for Jiaxing City based on hydrodynamic modeling and GIS analysis. Under the climate change, extreme precipitation has been increasing dramatically, accompanied by more severe floods. The low-lying coastal areas, in particular, those due to the frequent storm surges, are suffering from heavier floods. Recently, in addition to the traditional engineering measures, researchers are exploring non-engineering measures to mitigate damages caused by flood. Development of flood risk maps which assess the vulnerable zones in the floodable (i.e. flood prone) areas is one of these non-engineering measures. Jiaxing City, a key central city in the Yangtze River Delta Area, China, is the study area in this research. Considering its particular features such as low-lying topography, dense rivers, numerous dyked areas, river flow affected by the tides and intensive human activities, a coupling hydrodynamic model of one-dimensional and two-dimensional from MIKEFLOOD is applied to identify areas prone to flooding events for specific return periods. On the basis of the flood risk analysis, spatial analysis and display functions of Arc GIS, the Flood Risk Map is compiled automatically and flood management system is developed for Jiaxing region. As a flood precautionary measure, it not only alerts the public on flood risk issues and reduces flood risk more efficiently in the identified vulnerable areas, but, also helps relevant authorities to make decisions on spatial planning and development strategies, as well as flood control and disaster relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we conducted sandstone petrography analyses and determined detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes for sandstones collected at different stratigraphic levels of the lowest strata of the Laiyang Group. All results nearly point to an evolutionary trend for the source regions of the strata. The detrital zircon U–Pb results reveal multiple age groups at 140–123 Ma, 810–700 Ma, and 2,500–1,750 Ma, but variable age proportions for two sandstones (19LY‐01Z and ‐05Z) collected at lowermost and middle levels of strata, respectively, but only one unimodal age mode at ca. 1,850 Ma for the uppermost sandstone 19LY‐09Z. Provenance analysis illustrates that the lower strata likely include two source regions, including the Jiaobei Terrane and the Sulu orogen, whereas the upper strata appeared to have one dominant source region (i.e., Jiaobei Terrane). Framework modes of sandstones display that lower samples contain more metamorphic lithic fragments, which corresponds to the recycled orogenic field in the Q‐F‐L diagram, while middle‐upper samples are enriched in feldspars but deficient in lithics and plot in the basement uplift field of the Q‐F‐L diagram. This compositional variation reflects an evolution of the source regions from the Sulu Orogen to the Jiaobei Terrane, completely consistent with the observation of an increase in the amount of detrital zircons sourced from the Jiaobei Terrane, but decreasing detrital zircons from the Sulu Orogen in an upward order. This shift in the provenance of sediments reflects two tectonic events including exhumation of the Sulu Orogen to the surface before sedimentation of the Laiyang Group, and a rapid uplift of the Jiaobei Terrane after ca. 125 Ma following removal of lithospheric mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate history of the Alxa desert of northwestern China must be sought both in recent instrumental records (dating from 1960) and in high‐resolution proxy data. Climate proxies are scarce in desert areas; however, long‐lived desert shrubs can offer one such proxy. We have used shrub‐ring data from Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, collected in the central Alxa desert, to reconstruct the Self‐calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) for the period 1880–2015. The data covers the May–July growth season. When we compared the history constructed from the shrub‐ring data with the instrumental data collected 1960–2015, we found that the reconstructed history explained 41% of the variance in scPDSI data (40% after adjusting for loss of degrees of freedom). The reconstructed history shows that this region has experienced six persistent droughts and four seasons wetter than usual during the period under study. Of note is a severe drought event in 1920s that affected much of northern China (as noted in contemporary documents). The droughts and wet seasons identified in our reconstruction are consistent with reports from other researchers who have studied the climate history or the region. Our study suggests that it is feasible to reconstruct climate history using shrub‐ring data from long‐lived desert shrubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present new zircon U-Pb and Hf isotope data and geochemical analyses for Jurassic igneous rocks from the southern Zhangguangcai Range, NE China. In the context of our new U/Pb data together with other published data (n = 165), we recognize three major magmatic pulses in the eastern Songnen Block during the Jurassic: earliest Jurassic (200–195 Ma), late Early Jurassic (183–175 Ma) and early Late Jurassic (ca. 163 Ma). According to the petrological classification scheme, rocks are divided into two categories of andesite and I-type granitoids. Generally, Early Jurassic monzogranites have more evolved compositions with SiO2, Al2O3, and K2O+Na2O concentrations of 67–74 wt.%, 13.28–17.04 wt.% and 7.25–9.31 wt.%, respectively than Late Jurassic granodiorite. Early Jurassic andesite has SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O+K2O contents of 54.64–56 wt.%, 17.27–17.44 wt.% and 3.47–4.06 wt.%, respectively with low Mg# values of 0.18–0.26. In addition, all samples show enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) but depletion in high strength field elements (HSFEs, such as Nb, Ta, P and Ti) and low Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios, all of which are characteristic of arc-type magmatic signatures. In view of the Hf isotope signatures, these rocks show high initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios (0.282711–0.283069) corresponding to positive εHf(t) values (+0.39 to +13.66) and Neoproterozoic two-stage model ages (1154–550 Ma). In summary, the geochemical results suggest that the primary magmas of Jurassic granitoids were derived from variable degrees of partial melting of juvenile lower crust, whereas Early Jurassic andesite was derived from the partial melting of mantle wedge peridotite metasomatized by hydrous melts from subducting sediments and/or oceanic crust. The Jurassic arc-type magmatism in the eastern Songnen Block indicates that the Mudanjiang oceanic plate was still subducting in the Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth observation satellites (EOSs) are specially equipped with remote sensing instruments to acquire images. In practical EOS scheduling, the uncertainty of cloud coverage is inevitable. We are the first to address robust EOS scheduling under uncertainty due to cloud coverage where the objective function aims to maximize the entire observation profit. We provide a robust formulation of the scheduling problem on the basis of a budgeted uncertainty set, while preserving the formulation linearity. A column-generation-based heuristic is also developed, in which the scheduling decisions in each satellite orbit are represented as columns. Eventually, a high-quality feasible solution is obtained using the generated columns. Extensive simulations are conducted on the basis of one of China's EOS constellations. The results indicate that the average optimality gap is less than 5%, which validates the performance of the proposed heuristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A watershed P-SFA model with comprehensive subsystems and detailed P flows was developed. • The P utilization patterns of cultivation and livestock farming influence the P cycling. • The average annual growth rate of P emissions is 2.41%, from 1.67 × 104 t to 8.73 × 104 t. Understanding the historical patterns of phosphorus (P) cycling is essential for sustainable P management and eutrophication mitigation in watersheds. Currently, there is a lack of long-term watershed-scale models that analyze the flow of P substances and quantify the socioeconomic patterns of P flow. This study adopted a watershed perspective and incorporated crucial economic and social subsystems related to P production, consumption, and emissions throughout the entire life cycle. Based on this approach, a bottom-up watershed P flow analysis model was developed to quantify the P cycle for the first time in the Poyang Lake watershed from 1950 to 2020 and to explore the driving factors that influence its strength by analyzing multi-year P flow results. In general, the P cycle in the Poyang Lake watershed was no longer a naturally dominated cycle but significantly influenced by human activities during the flow dynamics between 1950 and 2015. Agricultural intensification and expansion of large-scale livestock farming continue to enhance the P flow in the study area. Fertilizer P inputs from cultivation account for approximately 60% of the total inputs to farming systems, but phosphate fertilizer utilization continues to decline. Feed P inputs have continued to increase since 2007. The expansion of large-scale farming and the demand for urbanization are the main factors leading to changes in feed P input patterns. The P utilization rate for livestock farming (PUEa) is progressively higher than international levels, with PUEa increasing from 0.64% (1950) to 9.7% (2020). Additionally, per capita food P consumption in the watershed increased from 0.67 kg to 0.80 kg between 1950 and 2020. The anthropogenic P emissions have increased from 1.67 × 104 t (1950) to 8.73 × 104 t (2020), with an average annual growth rate of 2.41%. Watershed-wide P pollution emissions have increased by more than five-fold. Population growth and agricultural development are important drivers of structural changes in P flows in the study area, and they induce changes in social conditions, including agricultural production, dietary structure, and consumption levels, further dominating the cyclic patterns of P use, discharge, and recycling. This study provides a broader and applicable P flow model to measure the characteristics of the P cycle throughout the watershed social system as well as provides methodological support and policy insights for large lakes in rapidly developing areas or countries to easily present P flow structures and sustainably manage P resources. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid unconventional systems are composed of juxtaposed organic-rich and organic-lean intervals. Organic matter enrichment, hydrocarbon migration, and the spatial relationship of source rocks and reservoirs have important influences on differential hydrocarbon accumulation within the system. Most studies have ignored the complexity of hydrocarbon accumulation in unconventional oil reservoirs. A typical hybrid lithology system with a combination of marlstone and rudstone has been discovered in the lower part of the third member of the Shahejie Formation of the Shulu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, Northern China. The basin showcases a strong heterogeneity in unconventional hydrocarbon production and is an appropriate case to study hydrocarbon accumulation within hybrid unconventional systems. However, relevant work in the study area was scarce. A study of the mechanisms of organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon accumulation was required to understand the heterogeneity of the oil reservoirs. Nine units in ascending order, namely I L , I U , II L , II U , III L , III U , IV, V L , and V U , were proposed in this study. A detailed geochemical analysis was carried out to distinguish the organic matter sources and preservation conditions among the different units, and assess the migration patterns of the hydrocarbons. The results show that Unit II L has the highest total organic carbon (TOC) content. Unit II L has a higher quantity of aquatic sourced organic matter, with relatively high abundance of short chain n -alkanes, C 27 /C 29 sterane, and 4-methyl steranes. Based on the low ratios of pristane to phytane, the varve-like lamination structure of the lithology and suitable salinity, we can speculate that good organic matter preservation conditions existed in Unit II L. Maturity of the source rocks increases with depth. Biomarkers indicate that hydrocarbons within the marlstones were retained in situ, whereas hydrocarbons within the rudstones were derived from source rocks via short- or long-distance migrations. Fractures can act as effective pathways for hydrocarbon migration. Organic matter sources, preservation conditions, maturity, and hydrocarbon migration ways jointly controlled the formation of oil reservoirs in the Shulu Sag. The results of this study provide a better understanding of organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon accumulation and guide further exploration in the basin. • Aquatic organic matter has the best hydrocarbon generation potential. • Three hydrocarbon accumulation pathways exist in the Shulu Sag. • Biomarkers related to thermal maturity can indicate hydrocarbon migration. • Source rock quality and migration ways influence oil reservoir heterogeneity. • Mature, high TOC source rocks can form high-quality oil reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is a chlorinated flame retardant that is currently in intensive use and has been detected extensively in the environment. In China, the temporal and spatial distribution of DP is characterized by sources of point emissions in the south and diffusion to the north and west, including to remote, high-elevation areas, which are characterized by different climatic conditions and topographies. Thus, relatively high and low concentrations of DP have been observed in areas without significant nearby pollution sources. High DP concentrations have been observed in South China because of the recycling of large amounts of electronic waste and the presence of a DP factory. DP in urban areas is not influenced by atmospheric transportation, whereas DP in rural areas originates from atmospheric transmission from specific sources, such as e-waste recycling areas, which vary seasonally. Furthermore, DP in Chinese forest soils has been observed to preferentially accumulate in the mineral horizon due to leaching by precipitation as well as erosion by weathering in the organic horizon. Although the hazard quotient (HQ) has been estimated to be far from 1 for DP manufacturing operators, the HQ might not reveal deleterious effects on humans. Extremely high DP concentrations have been observed in serum samples from DP manufacturing operators in China. Moreover, different isomer-specific accumulation in terrestrial species, except for aquatic biota, shows that syn-DP is preferentially accumulated. Finally, to achieve better understanding of the mechanisms of DP degradation both in nature and in organisms, further laboratory study is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report zircon U-Pb geochronologic and geochemical data for the post-collisional volcanic rocks from the Batamayineishan (BS) Formation in the Shuangjingzi area, northwestern China. The zircon U-Pb ages of seven volcanic samples from the BS Formation show that the magmatic activity in the study area occurred during 342-304Ma in the Carboniferous. The ages also indicate that the Palaeo-KaramailiOcean had already closed by 342Ma. Moreover, the volcanic rocks also contained 10 inherited zirconswith ages ranging from 565 to 2626 Ma, indicating that Precambrian continental crust or microcontinents with accretionary arcs are two possible interpretations for the basement underlying the East Junggar terrane. The sampled mafic-intermediate rocks belong to the medium-K to high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic series, and the formation of these rocks involved fractional crystallization with little crustal contamination. These Carboniferous mafic-intermediate rocks show depletions in Nb and Ta and enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Ba, U, and Th) and light rare earth elements. The low initial 87Sr/86Sr values (0.7034-0.7042) and positive εNd(t) values (+2.63 to +6.46) of these rocks suggest that they formed from depleted mantle material. The mafic-intermediate rocks were most likely generated by 5-10% partial melting of a mantle source composed primarily of spinel lherzolite withminor garnet lherzolite that had been metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and minor slab melts. In contrast, the felsic rocks in the BS Formation are A-type rhyolites with positive εNd(t) values and young model ages. These rocks are interpreted to be derived from the partial melting of juvenile basaltic lower crustal material. Taken together, the mafic-intermediate rocks formed in a post-collisional extensional setting generated by slap breakoff in the early Carboniferous (342-330 Ma) and the A-type rhyolites formed in a post-collisional extensional setting triggered by the upwelling asthenosphere in the late Carboniferous (330-304 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding various biogeochemical processes, especially in eutrophic sediments, necessitates fine-scale phosphorus (P) measurements in pore waters. To the best of our knowledge, the fine-scale distributions of P across the sediment profiles of Lake Nansi have rarely been investigated. Herein we evaluated the dynamic distributions of labile P and Fe across the sediment-water interface (SWI) of Lake Nansi at two-dimensional (2D) and sub-millimeter resolution, using well-established colorimetric diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) methodology. The concentrations of labile P in all investigated sediment profiles exhibited strong spatial variations, ranging from 0 to 1.50 mg/L with a considerable number of hotspots. Lake Nanyang (0.55 ± 0.21 mg/L) had the highest mean concentration of labile P, followed by Lake Dushan (0.38 ± 0.19 mg/L), Lake Weishan (0.28 ± 0.21 mg/L), and Lake Zhaoyang (0.18 ± 0.09 mg/L). The highest concentrations of labile P were always detected in Lake Dushan, which had been subjected to excessive exogenous P pollution. The co-distributions of labile P and Fe in the majority of the sediment of Lake Nansi confirmed highly positive correlations (P < 0.01), suggesting that the mobility of labile P throughout the SWI was likely governed by iron redox processes. The apparent diffusion fluxes of P across the SWI ranged from −7.7 to 33.6 μg/m2·d, with a mean value of 5.26 ± 7.80 μg/m2·d. Positive apparent fluxes for labile P were recorded in most sediment cores, demonstrating the strong upward mobility of P from the sediment to the overlying water. Our results provided accurate and extensive information regarding the micro-distribution and dynamic exchange of labile P across the SWI. This allows for a better understanding of eutrophication processes and the implementation of P management strategies in Lake Nansi. [Display omitted] • The spatial variation and mobility of P in Lake Nansi were characterized using DGT. • 2D, heterogeneously micro-distribution of P in the sediment profile was observed. • Labile P had a northward and downward spatial gradient, related to human activity. • The mobility of P across the SWI was likely governed by iron redox processes. • Fine-scale measurement improves the accuracy P-cycle depiction for eutrophic lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the East Asian monsoon region, eolian deposits widely distributed in the middle-lower reaches of the Yantgze River are among the best materials available for studies on Quaternary climate change in the subtropical zone of Southern China. Typical eolian deposits in this region include upper Xiashu Loess (XL) and underlying Vermiculated Red Soil (VRS) layers. In this paper, chronological and paleoclimatic studies are conducted on an eolian deposit sequence near Jiujiang (JJ) city in northern Jiangxi province. A magnetostratigraphic study, combined with optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, is conducted on the JJ section and provides further evidence that eolian deposits in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River have been formed since the late Early Pleistocene, and that the boundary age between the XL and VRS layers is about 300-400 kaBP. In grain-size records of the JJ section, the median grain-size and content of the >30 μm size fraction increase sharply after 300-400 kaBP, representing an East Asian winter monsoon intensification event. Further pollen analysis reveals differing pollen assemblages before and after 300-400 kaBP: there is an evident increase in plants adapted to grow in a warm humid environment after 300-400 kaBP, implying an increase in precipitation caused by intensification of the East Asian summer monsoon. Global ice volume and uplift of the Tibet Plateau (TP) are regarded as crucial factors influencing variations of the East Asian monsoon on a long-term scale. The deep-sea δ18O record, which reflects variations in global ice volume, shows no obvious change after 300-400 kaBP. Moreover, the influence of global ice volume changes on the East Asian summer and winter monsoons is inverse; the global ice volume increase (decrease) implies a strengthened (weakened) winter monsoon and weakened (strengthened) summer monsoon. We therefore interpret the coupled intensifications of the East Asian summer and winter monsoons at about 300-400 kaBP to the uplift of the TP in the Middle Pleistocene. This climate event is also documented in eolian deposits from the southern margin of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) and from the desert-loess transitional belt. However, it is not recorded in the loess-paleosol sequences from the central part of the CLP, thereby indicating differing climate responses to TP uplift in different regions, which requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, there is limited data on the risk factors associated with treatment delay in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). This study aimed to assess the duration of delay in the treatment TBM and to investigate its determinants.Methods: During the period from September 2009 to February 2016, a retrospective cohort study of consecutive TBM patients admitted to our hospital was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with treatment delay in TBM. Treatment delay duration was defined as the time interval from onset of symptoms (by patient recall) to initiation of treatment and was stratified into two categories: ≤ 20 days, >20 days (median delay day is 20 days). Data collected included demography, comorbidity, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations and others. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the determinants of treatment delay.Results: A total of 161 TBM patients were included in our study, all were confirmed by CSF mycobacterial culture. The median treatment delay for all patients included in the study was 20 days [interquartile range, 14-60 days]. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (≤21 years old, OR = 0.202, 95% CI: 0.079, 0.521), fever (OR = 0.414, 95% CI: 0.180, 0.952), and headache (OR = 0.204, 95% CI: 0.095, 0.442) had significantly lower risk for treatment delay, while multiple healthcare contact (>3 times) (OR = 3.938, 95% CI: 1.326, 11.691) as well as CSF chloride (>111 mmol/L) (OR = 2.479, 95% CI: 1.143, 5.377) had significantly higher risk of the delay.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that multiple healthcare contact and high CSF chloride predict the risk of long delay, while young age, fever and headache are associated with short delay. Maintained focus on awareness of TBM in the population and in healthcare systems, and continuous implementation of diagnostic methods for TBM to detect the disease early, may reduce the mortality and morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk, as one of the representative artifacts of China, profoundly affects the communication between eastern and western civilizations, and dyes, as the color support of silks, reflected crucial historical, cultural and technological information. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) characterized by vibrational information has been extensively employed in dye analysis. However, since natural plants with complex coloring compositions in ancient China were broadly applied in dying textiles, the existing SERS methods often misinterpret results in dye analysis. Besides, semi-quantification of each component was of great difficulty by SERS, limiting the exquisite comparative analyses of different historical samples. For the first time, a dual-mode strategy combining SERS with high mass resolution MALDI FTICR MS was developed in virtue of core-shell silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@PDA), which realized the precise identification and semi-quantification of complex dye mixtures, thus significantly improving the accuracy and applicability of traditional SERS method. Four typical dye components (alizarin, purpurin, berberine and indigo) have been identified and semi-quantified in unearthed dyed silks from Tang Dynasty based on the method. More interestingly, multiple dye components with different contents and their ratio could be precisely determined, which might help in further investigating their dyeing techniques. This dual-mode strategy represents a promising tool for providing solid support for cognition, evaluation and restoration of textile objects in museums and conservation centers. [Display omitted] • Core-shell AgNPs were used as both SERS enhancement reagent and MALDI matrix. • Multiple types of typical dyes were investigated through the dual-mode analysis. • Dye mixtures can be identified and semi-quantified based on the dual-mode strategy. • Four typical dye components were detected in ancient dyed silks from Tang Dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated the reliability of core needle biopsy (CNB) in evaluating the status of hormone receptor (HR),human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2, and Ki-67 status, and the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on the expression of these immunohistochemical markers. Methods: Among 177 patients with breast adenocarcinoma, 95 patients underwent NACand the remaining 82 patients made up the control group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER-2, and Ki-67 in the specimens obtained by surgical excision or CNB. Results: In the control group, the expression of ER, PR, HER-2, and Ki-67 was highly consistent between samples from surgical excision or CNB (all r > 0.8, P < 0.05). In theNACgroup, the proportions of sampleswith changes in ER, PR, HER-2, and Ki-67 expression were 12.7%, 24.1%, 5.1%, and 38.0%, respectively; the figures in the control group were 2.4%, 4.9%, 2.4%, and 7.3%, respectively, which significantly differed in ER, PR, and Ki-67 (P < 0.05), but not HER-2 (P > 0.05). In theNAC group, pre- and post-treatment ER+ rates did not significantly differ (P > 0.05), although PR+ and high Ki-67 expression rates did significantly differ (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Neither CNB nor surgical excision samples gave highly consistent results in HR, HER-2, and Ki-67 status.NAC can alter HR and Ki-67 status in breast adenocarcinoma patients.NAC decreased PR+ rate and Ki-67 expression. The mean ER+ rate exhibited a decreasing, but insignificant trend after NAC treatment. NAC had no significant effect on HER-2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For centuries, Patrinia heterophylla had been used in China to treat many diseases including tumor. Triterpenes has been identified as the major active constituents in Patrinia heterophylla. To elucidate the antitumor mechanism of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla1 (TPH), a proteomic analysis is carried out with TPH treatment in K562 cells. The total proteins extracted from TPH treated K562 cells are analyzed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and compared with those untreated K562 cells. Mass spectrometry is applied to identify the differentially expressed proteins. Twenty-three differentially expressed significant proteins are discovered. Eight proteins are later identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and Mascot software. Among them, four proteins are up-regulated (Aldolase A, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Flavin reductase and Hemoglobin subunit) and four proteins were down-regulated (Heat-shock protein 90 〈Alpha〉 (HSP90-〈Alpha〉), Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A, Moesin, tublin) by TPH treatment in K562 cells. The identified proteins are associated with energy metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, signal transduction, differential induction, and protein biosynthesis. These findings might provide valuable insights into the antitumor mechanism of TPH in K562 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Shanganning Carbonate Platform (SCP) of the North China Craton (NCC) was located in the Trade Winds belt during the Cambrian, which influenced its facies development. In recent years, numerous drillcores have been recovered from these units, but the depositional environments and facies architecture of this large (~2.0 × 105 km2) carbonate platform system have not yet been reported in detail. In this study, we integrate sedimentological and magnetic fabric data collected from outcrops and drillcores in order to document variation in microfacies and facies associations within the SCP, to infer paleowind directions and constrain the paleogeographic location of the SCP, and to evaluate eolian controls on platform development. This analysis documented numerous carbonate microfacies belonging to six fabric types (mudstone, wackestone, packstone, grainstone, framestone, and dolostone) along with rarer siliciclastic sediments. These microfacies belong to facies associations representing tidal flat, open platform, platform margin, slope, and deep basinal depositional environments. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements yielded mean paleocurrent directions for the Early, Middle, and Late Cambrian of 114°, 63°, and 83° (± ~30°) from paleo-north, respectively, that were relatively consistent for 12 out of 13 platform-margin sites, all vectors being corrected for a post-Cambrian ~150° clockwise rotation of the NCC. These wind orientations are consistent with the SCP shifting from south of the paleo-Equator in the Early Cambrian to north of it by the Middle Cambrian. Paleo-Trade Winds influenced facies patterns across the platform, producing a distinct windward-leeward zonation. The windward margin is characterized by well-sorted oolitic grainstone, as well as (favositids) coral and (dasycladacean) algal-sponge framestone, and the leeward margin by poorly-sorted oolitic wackestone-grainstone and fine bioclastic sediments. The present study is innovative in 1) integrating microfacies and AMS analyses in order to establish paleowind patterns and influences on an ancient carbonate platform, 2) documenting windward-leeward variation in quantifiable sediment properties across the SCP, and 3) constraining the paleo-hemispheric location of the NCC during the Cambrian. • Analysis of microfacies and depositional environments of Cambrian in Ordos Basin • Quantitative measurements of sediment properties across the platform were documented. • Paleo-hemispheric location of North China Craton was constrained during Cambrian. • Paleo-Trade Winds influenced windward versus leeward facies zonation patterns. • An integrated methodology of magnetic anisotropy and standard petrographic data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qianjiang Depression is a typical Eocene hypersaline lake basin developing good source rocks in the Qianjiang Formation, which have recently been identified as a potential target for saline lacustrine shale oil exploration. Previous studies have only focused on estimates of source rock potential and reservoir quality. However, studies on organic matter enrichment mechanisms in evaporative environments are limited. Based on organic geochemical and mineralogical data, as well as sedimentological analyses, we researched the factors controlling differences in organic matter enrichment in the basin. The results show that total organic carbon (TOC) contents are closely associated with lithofacies with distinct variations. Three main lithofacies associations (LAs) were identified: (1) glauberite-rich LA1 with medium TOC; (2) carbonate-rich LA2 with high TOC; and (3) anhydrite-rich LA3 with low TOC. The distribution of biomarkers from 14 samples indicate both higher land plants and aquatic organisms were involved in the organic matter accumulations. Combining experimental results on gammacerane/C 30 hopane, extended tricyclic terpane ratio (ETR), Sr/Ba, V/Ni, and sedimentary characteristics, we analyzed the sedimentary environments of the three LAs. LA1 was deposited in a salinity stratified waterbody with strong evaporation, LA2 was deposited in a still, stratified deep waterbody, whereas LA3 was deposited in a disturbed, saline waterbody. Sedimentary environments not only controlled the formation of the lithofacies, but also influenced the organic matter sources and preservation. Relatively low salinity, strong anoxic condition without physical disturbance, appropriate nutritional terrigenous material inputs, and algal blooms produced the best organic matter enrichment in the saline lake system. • We studied a hypersaline lake rhythmite from the Qianjiang Formation, Hubei, China. • Saline lake environments influence organic matter accumulation. • Hypersalinity is unfavorable for organic matter enrichment. • ETR is a valid biomarker to assess redox conditions in saline lake sediments. • High lake levels with anoxic conditions favor organic matter accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The piedmont depression in the western Junggar Basin is a typical large-scale thrust belt rich in hydrocarbons, but there is still a debate whether its structural properties relate to a foreland basin. This controversy hinders the understanding of regional hydrocarbon plays, giving rise to this study. As a conclusion, we discovered that - it was a foreland basin in the Permian that accounted for the structural properties of the piedmont depression. The basin was generated by continuous thrusting of the Western Junggar Orogenic Belt against the Junggar–Tuha Plate. This occurred after the formation of the Western Junggar Orogenic Belt in the Carboniferous. The western basin in this study can be divided into five different zones moving from the Western Junggar Orogenic Belt to the internal plate, which are: the foreland thrust belt (the Ke–Bai and Wu–Xia thrust belts), the foreland depression (the western part of the Mahu Sag), the foreland slope (the eastern part of the Mahu Sag), the forebulge (the Dabasong Uplift), and the back-bulge basin (the Western Pen 1 Well Sag). Based on the characteristics of geological structure, and the sedimentary strata of the western Junggar Basin, the evolution of the basin was split into two distinctive stages: the Permian development stage and the Mesozoic–Cenozoic burial stage. Throughout the entire process three suites of hydrocarbon source rocks were developed, regional seal rocks, and four types of trap and reservoir assemblages. The western Junggar Basin should be considered as a typical petroliferous foreland basin. • The Permian Junggar Basin are typical of a foreland basin with five structure units. • The Basin evolution can be divided into foreland basin stage and burial stage. • The Junggar Basin could be regarded as a typical petroliferous foreland basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eocene lacustrine carbonates in the western Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin were examined based on integrated analysis of 3D seismic data, cores, thin-sections, and geochemical testing. Seismic profiles and geomorphological mapping revealed a landmass-attached (semi-isolated) carbonate platform restricted by marginal syn-sedimentary faults and surrounded by three deep sags. 3D topographic analysis of the platform revealed six districts characterized by variable buried depths, topographic gradient, and fault combinations, including two flat-topped areas (PFW and SD; topographic gradient <4°) and four transitional zones above deep sags (P1, P2, S1, and S2; 4–10°). Eight lithofacies types were identified, forming five lithofacies associations: reef-shoal complex deposits, small bio-buildups, shoal-intershoal deposits, event flow deposits, and near-landmass mixed deposits. Well cross-sections revealed that facies distributions were closely associated with the geomorphological districts. Therefore, a geomorphology-dominated carbonate platform model was constructed, which highlighted the relationship of platform topography, hydrodynamic conditions, and facies distributions. The littoral facies is mainly composed of medium–high-energy deposits including reef-shoal and shoal sediments, which are mostly distributed in flat-topped areas. The sublittoral facies is dominated by low-to medium-energy deposits but influenced by storm activities, especially in the windward step-fault transitional zones. The profundal facies is positioned away from the platform marginal faults and joined with surrounding deep sags. Besides the regional geomorphology and its controlled hydrodynamic zones, the formation of such considerable lacustrine carbonates throughout the whole basin may have occurred because the global warming of late Eocene period induced sea transgression, which facilitated the development of lacustrine carbonates via marine-sourced reef-builders and biologically-induced carbonate precipitation. Furthermore, the East-Asian paleomonsoon climate influenced regional windfield may also have enhanced the prevailing southeast wind, which influenced the distribution of lithofacies and favorable reservoirs. Porosity-permeability analysis revealed that reservoir properties have a close relationship with geomorphology and lithofacies, thus geomorphology-associated facies prediction is essential for further hydrocarbon prospecting in this area. • A new geomorphology-dominated model was constructed to depict the detailed architecture of the lacustrine carbonate platform.. • The global-warming-induced sea transgression faciliated the development of lacustrine carbonates in the Dongying Depression Geomorphological districts of the carbonate platform controlled the distributions of lithofacies and their associations.. • Lacustrine carbonate reservoir properties were strongly controlled by geomorphology and lithofacies-caused heterogeneity. • Paleomonsoon-climate-enhanced regional windfield could cause local redistribution of carbonate deposits on the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Provenances of Permo-Triassic clastic rocks in eastern CAOB change from single to bidirectional. • The mixing of the Angaran and Cathaysian floras occurred during the Late Permian-Middle Triassic. • The PAO closed via a scissor-like closure model from west to east with bidirectional subduction. The mixture of the Cathaysian and Angaran floras signifies the evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). In this study, we present new zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope analyses from the Jiefangcun Formation, Sidonggou Formation, Kedao Group, and Kaishantun Formation in the Yanbian area, NE China. The Kaishantun Formation contains the Kaishantun flora, which is dominated by the Cathaysian flora with a few Angaran elements. The Jiefangcun Formation is characterized by the Jiefangcun flora, which is dominated by the Angaran taxa and contains some Cathaysian elements. The ages of these strata are widely accepted as Permian. However, in this study, the youngest zircon ages of the rock samples from the Jiefangcun Formation, Kedao Group and Sidonggou Formation are 243–245 Ma. Only the Kaishantun Formation is assigned to the Late Permian. The Kaishantun Formation has age peaks at 758, 934, 1856, and 2493 Ma with negative ε Hf (t) values, and this formation is therefore mainly derived from the North China Craton (NCC). In contrast, the Kedao Group and Jiefangcun Formation have zircon age peaks at ~260, 338 and ~460 Ma with positive and negative ε Hf (t) values, at 800–1000 Ma with mostly positive ε Hf (t) values, and at ~1800 Ma with positive and negative ε Hf (t) values, which suggest bidirectional provenances, including the Jiamusi-Mongolia Block and the NCC. Thus, the mixing between the Angaran and Cathaysian floras occurred during the Late Permian-Middle Triassic, suggesting a scissor-like closure model of the PAO, and the Solonker suture zone extends eastward to the Yanbian area with bidirectional subduction of the PAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]