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Rice farming in Northeast China is crucially important for China's food security and sustainable development. A key challenge is how to optimize nitrogen (N) management to ensure high yield production while improving N use efficiency and protecting the environment. Handheld chlorophyll meter (CM) and active crop canopy sensors have been used to improve rice N management in this region. However, these technologies are still time consuming for large-scale applications. Satellite remote sensing provides a promising technology for large-scale crop growth monitoring and precision management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of using FORMOSAT-2 satellite images to diagnose rice N status for guiding topdressing N application at the stem elongation stage in Northeast China. Five farmers' fields (three in 2011 and two in 2012) were selected from the Qixing Farm in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China. FORMOSAT-2 satellite images were collected in late June. Simultaneously, 92 field samples were collected and six agronomic variables, including aboveground biomass, leaf area index (LAI), plant N concentration (PNC), plant N uptake (PNU), CM readings and N nutrition index (NNI) defined as the ratio of actual PNC and critical PNC, were determined. Based on the FORMOSAT-2 imagery, a total of 50 vegetation indices (VIs) were computed and correlated with the field-based agronomic variables. Results indicated that 45% of NNI variability could be explained using Ratio Vegetation Index 3 (RVI3) directly across years. A more practical and promising approach was proposed by using satellite remote sensing to estimate aboveground biomass and PNU at the panicle initiation stage and then using these two variables to estimate NNI indirectly (R² = 0.52 across years). Further, the difference between the estimated PNU and the critical PNU can be used to guide the topdressing N application rate adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In conservation tillage systems, at least 30% of the soil surface was covered by crop residues which generally contain significant amounts of nitrogen (N). However, little is known about the multi-seasonal recoveries of the N derived from these crop residues in soil-crop systems, notably in northeastern China. In a temperate agro-ecosystem, 15N-labeled maize residue was applied to field surfaces in the 1st year (2009). From the 2nd to 4th year (2010-2012), one treatment halted the application of maize residue, whereas the soil in the second treatment was re-applied with unlabeled maize residue. Crop and soil samples were collected after each harvest, and their 15N enrichments were determined on an isotope ratio mass spectrometer to trace the allocation of N derived from the initially applied maize residue in the soil-crop systems. On average, 8.4% of the maize residue N was recovered in the soil-crop in the 1st year, and the vast majority (61.9%-91.9%) was recovered during subsequent years. Throughout the experiment, the cumulative recovery of the residue N in the crop increased gradually (18.2%-20.9%), but most of the residue N was retained in the soil, notably in the 0-10 cm soil layer. Compared to the single application, the sequential residue application significantly increased the recovery of the residue N in the soil profile (73.8% vs. 40.9%) and remarkably decreased the total and the initially applied residue derived mineral N along the soil profile. Our results suggested that the residue N was actively involved in N cycling, and its release and recovery in crop and soil profile were controlled by the decomposition process. Sequential residue application significantly enhanced the retention and stabilization of the initially applied residue N in the soil and retarded its translocation along the soil profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of annual maximum snow load is important for designing light-weight structures experiencing severe winter climate. The specified (basic) snow load in the Chinese design code is based on statistics of the return period values of ground snow load. The code tabulates the values for a few locations in a region. For example, values are only available at 31 sites for Heilongjiang Province with an area of more than 470,000 km, China. The snow load needs to be spatially interpolated for sites far away from the tabulated locations. However, the statistical justification of the selected probability distribution to model snow depth or load hazard is unclear and the preferred spatial interpolation technique is unknown. This study focuses on the extreme value analysis and spatial interpolation of the annual maximum snow depth and ground snow load using the records at 83 stations in Heilongjiang Province from 1981 to 2010. The statistical analysis results show that the use of the lognormal distribution rather than the Gumbel distribution for the annual maximum snow depth suggested in the code is preferred for most sites, and the application of the ordinary co-kriging is adequate for spatial interpolation of extreme snow depth. The results also show that the uncertainty in snowpack bulk density should not be neglected in estimating the extreme (ground) snow load for updating the snow load in Chinese design code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The currently available studies on the green-up date were mainly based on ground observations and/or satellite data, and few model simulations integrated with wide coverage satellite data have been reported at large scale over a long time period (i.e., > 30 years). In this study, we combined phenology mechanism model, long-term climate data and synoptic scale remote sensing data to investigate the change in the green-up dates for Quercus mongolica over 33 weather stations in Northeast China and its climate-driven mechanism during 1962-2012. The results indicated that the unified phenology model can be well parameterized with the satellite derived green-up dates. The optimal daily mean temperature for chilling effect was between -27°C and 1°C for Q. mongolica in Northeast China, while the optimal daily mean temperature for forcing effect was above -3°C. The green-up dates for Q. mongolica across Northeast China showed a delayed latitudinal gradient of 2.699 days degree-1, with the earliest date on the Julian day 93 (i.e., 3th April) in the south and the latest date on the Julian day 129 (i.e., 9th May) in the north. The green-up date for Q. mongolica in Northeast China has advanced 6.6 days (1.3 days decade-1) from 1962 to 2012. With the prevailing warming in autumn, winter and spring in Northeast China during the past 51 years, the chilling effect for Q. mongolica has been weakened, while the forcing effect has been enhanced. The advancing trend in the green-up dates for Q. mongolica implied that the enhanced forcing effect to accelerate green-up was stronger than the weakened chilling effect to hold back green-up while the changes of both effects were caused by the warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed analysis of the major ion chemistry, chemical weathering and CO consumption was conducted in the Songhua River basin, which is the largest basin with a draining area of 557 thousand km in Northeast China. The dataset used in this study included major ion concentrations came from 56 hydrological stations from the year of 1962 to 1984. The median of the total dissolved solid concentration of the Songhua River was 104.8 mg/L, about two times higher than the global average (65.0 mg/L), but lower than that of other Chinese Rivers. Prevalent ions were Na, Ca and HCO, and the average Ca/Na and Mg/Na molar ratios were 0.70 and 0.42, which were close to silicate weathering end-member. Long-term trend analysis by seasonal MK test showed that from 1962 to 1984, Ca, Na + K and HCO were significantly increasing, and the increasing rates calculated by linear fit slopes for Ca, Na + K and HCO ions were 0.22, 0.63 and 2.35 mg/year, respectively. An inverse model showed that the dissolved loads primarily came from rock weathering (91.5 %), including silicate weathering (66.4 %) and a small portion from carbonates (16.1 %) and evaporites (9.0 %). Other origins consisted of anthropogenic inputs (5.3 %) and atmospheric inputs (3.2 %). Average silicate and carbonate weathering rates were estimated as 4.03 and 1.76 t km year, and CO consumption rates of silicates and carbonates were 17.1 × 104 and 1.85 × 104 mol km year, respectively. These results are consistent with the lithologies of the study area, which mainly consisted of silicate rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerosol optical depth (AOD), Angstrom exponent (Alpha), single scattering albedo (SSA), and volumes of aerosol size distributions were all retrieved from measurements made by a CE318 sunphotometer at four urban and industrial sites (Shenyang, Anshan, Benxi and Fushun) in Northeast China from 2009 to 2013. Values for direct radiative forcing (DRF) were then estimated using these measurements. For all four sites, the mean AOD appeared higher in the spring and summer, with the minimum occurring in the autumn. Conversely, the Alpha was lower in the spring but higher in the autumn and winter. The mean 440 nm SSA at the four sites varied from 0.81 to 0.87, indicating the highly spatial variability of aerosol optical properties. Frequent dust events resulted in a dominant contribution by coarse particles in spring, while fine particles were predominant during the summer. Mixtures of fine and coarse particles influenced aerosol optical properties in the autumn and winter. Results from this study provide useful information for the further understanding of retrieved aerosol optical properties and DRF in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the prediction of the anomalous precipitation and general circulation for the summer (June-July-August) of 1998, the Community Climate System Model Version 4.0 (CCSM4.0) integrations were used to drive version 3.2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF3.2) regional climate model to produce hindcasts at 60 km resolution. The results showed that the WRF model produced improved summer precipitation simulations. The systematic errors in the east of the Tibetan Plateau were removed, while in North China and Northeast China the systematic errors still existed. The improvements in summer precipitation interannual increment prediction also had regional characteristics. There was a marked improvement over the south of the Yangtze River basin and South China, but no obvious improvement over North China and Northeast China. Further analysis showed that the improvement was present not only for the seasonal mean precipitation, but also on a sub-seasonal timescale. The two occurrences of the Mei-yu rainfall agreed better with the observations in the WRF model, but were not resolved in CCSM. These improvements resulted from both the higher resolution and better topography of the WRF model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic film mulching (PM) has been widely used to improve maize (Zea mays L.) yields and water use efficiency (WUE) in Northeast China, but the effects of PM in a changing climate characterized by highly variable precipitation are not well understood. Six site-year field experiments were conducted in the dry and rainy years to investigate the effects of PM on maize growth, grain yield, and WUE in Northeast China. Compared to crops grown without PM treatment (control, CK), PM significantly increased the grain yield by 15-26% in the dry years, but no significant yield increase was observed in the rainy years. Yield increase in the dry years was mainly due to a large increase in dry matter accumulation pre-silking compared to the CK, which resulted from a greater dry matter accumulation rate due to the higher topsoil temperature and water content. As a result, the WUE of the crops that underwent PM (3.27 kg m-3) treatment was also increased by around 16% compared to the CK, although the overall evapotranspiration was similar between the two treatments. In the rainy years, due to frequent precipitation and scant sunshine, the topsoil temperature and water content in the field that received PM treatment was improved only at some stages and failed to cause higher dry matter accumulation, except at the 8th leaf stage. Consequently, the grain yield and WUE were not improved by PM in the rainy years. In addition, we found that PM caused leaf senescence at the late growth stage in both dry and rainy years. Therefore, in practice, PM should be applied cautiously, especially when in-season precipitation is taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to optimize the river monitoring network in Taizihe River, Northeast China. The situation of the network and water characteristics were studied in this work. During this study, water samples were collected once a month during January 2009 - December 2010 from seventeen sites. Futhermore, the 16 monitoring indexes were analyzed in the field and laboratory. The pH value of surface water sample was found to be in the range of 6.83 to 9.31, and the average concentrations of NH4+-N, chemical oxygen demand (COD), volatile phenol and total phosphorus (TP) were found decreasing significantly. The water quality of the river has been improved from 2009 to 2010. Through the calculation of the data availability and the correlation between adjacent sections, it was found that the present monitoring network was inefficient as well as the optimization was indispensable. In order to improve the situation, the matter element analysis and gravity distance were applied in the optimization of river monitoring network, which were proved to be a useful method to optimize river quality monitoring network. The amount of monitoring sections were cut from 17 to 13 for the monitoring network was more cost-effective after being optimized. The results of this study could be used in developing effective management strategies to improve the environmental quality of Taizihe River. Also, the results show that the proposed model can be effectively used for the optimal design of monitoring networks in river systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities are known to increase interference with runoff. Conversely, human activities related to utilizing and managing water resources are primarily determined by annual runoff processes dominated by precipitation distribution. With this view, the soil and water assessment tool was used to quantify human-induced annual runoff changes at different periods and under different patterns of precipitation in seven catchments in Northeast China. The conclusions are as follows. First, although human activities have distinct regional characteristics, an increase in reduced runoff is found for the catchments under investigation; human-induced runoff changes are more significant in the catchment where water resources are limited. Second, the interannual runoff distribution is significantly disturbed in the catchment with large reservoirs. Third, human-induced runoff changes are similar under all patterns of precipitation in the catchment where annual precipitation is less than 500 mm and intense human activities play a dominant role in runoff. Fourth, in general catchments, runoff changes more significantly during relatively drier years or years with uneven precipitation distribution. Finally, human-induced runoff change is related to both annual precipitation characteristics and operations of the reservoirs for catchments in which reservoirs played a significant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss is one of the key factors underlying the decline of many waterbird species, including Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus), a threatened species worldwide. Wetlands are the primary stopover for many waterbirds and restoration of these wetlands involves both hydrological restoration and water resource management. To protect the stopover sites of Siberian Cranes, we collected Siberian Crane stopover numbers, meteorological and hydrological data, and remote sensing data from 2008 to 2011 in Momoge National Nature Reserve, one of the largest wetlands in northeastern China. A model was developed to estimate the suitability of Siberian Crane stopover sites. According to our results, the most suitable daily water level for Siberian Cranes between 2008 and 2012 occurred in the spring of 2008 and in the Scirpus planiculmis growing season and autumn of 2010. We suggest a season-dependent water management strategy in order to provide suitable conditions at Siberian Crane stopover sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residents health risk of Pb, Cd and Cu exposure to street dust with different particle sizes (<100 and <63 μm) near Huludao Zinc Plant (HZP) was investigated in this study. The average concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu in the <100-μm and <63-μm dust were 1,559, 178.5, 917.9 and 2,099, 198.4, 1,038 mg kg, respectively. It showed that smaller particles tended to contain higher element concentrations. Metals in dust around HZP decreased gradually from the zinc smelter to west and east directions. There was significantly positive correlation among Pb, Cd and Cu in street dust with different particle sizes. The contents of Pb, Cd and Cu in dust increased with decreasing pH or increasing organic matter. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment showed that the health index (HI) for children and adult exposed to <63-μm particles were higher than exposed to <100-μm particles, which indicated that smaller particles tend to have higher non-carcinogenic health risk. Non-carcinogenic risk of Pb was the highest in both particle sizes, followed by Cd and Cu. HI for Pb and Cd in both particle sizes for children had exceeded the acceptable value, indicated that children living around HZP were experiencing the non-carcinogenic health risk from Pb and Cd exposure to street dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter plays a pronounced role in soil aggregation, showing a wide variation depending upon soil-management practices. This study was conducted to characterize organic-matter changes in aggregate fractions in response to land-use change and long-term fertilization. Two experimental sites were established for this study: Site 1 included grassland (GL) and bare land (BL); site 2 comprised three treatments under cropland: no fertilizer application (NF), nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application (NP), and NP amended with organic manure (NPM). There was significantly increased carbon (C) sequestration (P< 0.001) in particulate organic matter (POM) observed under grassland and NPM relative to other plots, especially in large macroaggregates, attributable to lack of disturbance and organic input. The protected coarse and fine POM-C together accounted for 15% on average of soil organic carbon, ranging from 10.1 to 18.6% for all plots. The enhanced correlation occurred between protected POM-C fractions and soil C stocks and soil aggregation (calculated as mean weight diameter, MWD) (P= 0.000) relative to other C fractions, indicating that the increases in POM fractions resulting from long-term vegetation restoration and organic amendment enhance soil aggregation and C sequestration in this black soil. In contrast, the significantly negative relationship between MWD and fine-to-coarse POM-C ratio implied that this ratio might account for the decreased soil aggregation. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that three PCs accounted for 42.6, 25.7, and 11.8%, respectively, and together more than 80% of the total variance. The protected POMs with significantly greater positive PC1 loadings (>0.8), particularly for large macroaggregates, were highly sensitive to changes induced by land use and fertilizer-management practices, leading to the wide variations in soil properties. The interrelation of organic matter with soil aggregation helps us to better understand the mechanisms of C protection and restoration in this black soil in the context of soil degradation and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Daily precipitation data from 34 weather stations in Northeast China from 1960 to 2008 are used to examine trends in the occurrence of dry days and prolonged dry episodes. Trends in the mean length and frequency of prolonged dry episodes, as well as the number of dry days within prolonged dry episodes ( DDPDE), are computed regionally and for individual stations at the threshold levels of 1 and 2 mm day−1. Regionally, the number of dry days is increasing in the summer half-year and decreasing in the winter half-year. DDPDE is significantly increasing in the summer half-year; the increased frequency of dry spells has the greatest effect. The mean length of prolonged dry episodes in the winter half-year has decreased significantly. Our results indicate that neither the frequency nor the mean length of prolonged dry episodes, alone, can adequately describe the short-term dry conditions of an area. Multiple characteristics of dry spells, including frequency, length, and the number of DDPDE should be considered. DDPDE is a function of both the frequency and length of dry episodes, but may be more influenced by one or the other characteristics of dry spells, depending on the season or region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop residue resources may affect soil quality, global carbon balance, and stability of crop production, but also contribute to future energy security. This study was performed to evaluate the spatial and temporal variation in residue quantities of field crops in five provinces of North China ( NC) and three provinces of Northeast China ( NEC). The availability of biomass resources was derived from statistical data on crop yields for all crops on the provincial and even county level. We found that cereals - wheat, maize, and rice - were the biggest resource of crop residue feedstock. The ranking of these crops as a source of biomass for bioenergy is determined by the acreage in each region and the crop-specific yield. Annually, the average amount of total residue of 83.0 Mt (Mt = Mega tonnes) in NC (16.9 Million ha) comprised 76.6 Mt field residues and 6.4 Mt process residues on an air-dried basis. The average amount of total biomass residue of 105.7 Mt in NEC (19.8 Million ha) comprised 92.8 Mt field residues and 12.9 Mt process residues. Averaged for 2008, 2009, and 2010, the total standard coal equivalent ( SCE) in NC amounted to 46.4 Mt, which comprised 42.4 Mt field residues and of 3.9 Mt process residues. In NEC, the SCE value of 57.0 Mt comprised 49.7 Mt field residues and 7.4 Mt process residues. The temporal availability of field residues was mainly concentrated in the period between July and September, followed by the period between October and December. In the period between July and September, the amount of field residue available amounted to 40.9 and 53.1 Mt in NC and NEC, respectively. An accurate assessment of field residues may guide policy makers and industry to optimize the utilization of the crop residue resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas are key sources of reactive atmospheric nitrogen (N). Urban forests are moving towards a state of "N-saturation" due to N-deposition. However, the possible future-trend of inherent N-cycling in trees in response to urbanization-related N-deposition is not well known. With regard to the contradiction of current studies on the exogenous N-addition on endogenous N-retranslocation (NR) in the month- or season-long term, we treated 15-month old Changbai larch (Larixo lgensis Henry.) seedlings with ≤sup>15≤/sup>N-labeled ammonium sulfate supplied at rates of 0 (control), 30 (F30), 105 (F105), and 315 (F315) mg ≤sup>15≤/sup>N seedling≤sup>-1≤/sup> to simulate N-deposition at the accumulatively future amounts driven by urbanization. Seedlings were harvested nine days after treatment to determine their response of NR. Results revealed that N-deposition had a significant short-term effect on N-derived from plant (NDFP) in needles, wherein NDFP rose with the increase of ≤sup>15≤/sup>N-deposition intensity. In fine root (in diameter of 0-1 mm) NDFP in the F315 treatment was statistically higher than that in other treatments. There was a mean amount of 1.26 mg of N-retranslocated into needles, which accounted for 19% of total N-content. Results in the present study, together with the other ones we summarized, could be concluded that short-term NR in Changbai larch tended to increase in response to urbanization-related N-deposition. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of numerical experiments designed to analyze the oceanic forcing in spring show that the combined forcing of cold (warm) El Niño (La Niña) phases in the Niño4 region and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in the westerly drifts region would result in abnormally enhanced NorthEast Cold Vortex (NECV) activities in early summer. In spring, the central equatorial Pacific El Niño phase and westerly drift SSTA forcing would lead to the retreat of non-adiabatic waves, inducing elliptic low-frequency anomalies of tropical air flows. This would enhance the anomalous cyclone-anticyclone-cyclone-anticyclone low-frequency wave train that propagates from the tropics to the extratropics and further to the mid-high latitudes, constituting a major physical mechanism that contributes to the early summer circulation anomalies in the subtropics and in the North Pacific mid-high latitudes. The central equatorial Pacific La Niña forcing in the spring would, on the one hand, induce teleconnection anomalies of high pressure from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Sea of Japan in early summer, and on the other hand indirectly trigger a positive low-frequency East Asia-Pacific teleconnection (EAP) wave train in the lower troposphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manure application is effective in promoting soil carbon sequestration, but its impact on N2O emission is not well understood. A field experiment was conducted in a maize-cultivated black soil in Northeast China with six treatments: inorganic fertilizer (NPK), 75% inorganic fertilizer N plus 25% pig (PM1) or chicken (CM1) manure N, 50% inorganic fertilizer N plus 50% pig (PM2) or chicken (CM2) manure N, and no N fertilizer (CK). Annual N2O emission significantly increased from 0.34 kg N ha−1 for CK to 0.86 kg N ha−1 for NPK and further to 1.65, 1.02, 1.17, and 0.93 kg N ha−1 for PM1, CM1, PM2, and CM2, respectively. A 15N tracing study showed that 71-79% of total N2O was related to nitrification at 30-70% water-filled pore space (WFPS), and heterotrophic nitrification contributed 49% and 25% to total N2O at 30% and 70% WFPS, respectively. In an incubation, N2O emission was only stimulated when nitrate and glucose were applied together at 60% WFPS, indicating that denitrification was carbon limited. PM had a stronger effect on denitrification than CM due to higher decomposability, and the lower N2O emission at higher manure application rate was associated with decreased mineral N supply. After compiling a worldwide database and establishing an empirical model that related N2O emissions (kg N ha−1) to precipitation ( Pr, m) and fertilizer N application rate ( Nr, kg N ha−1) (N2O = 1.533 Pr + 0.0238 Pr Nr), annual N2O emission from global-cultivated black soil applied with inorganic fertilizer N was estimated as 347 Gg N. Our results suggested that N2O emission from cultivated black soils in China was low primarily due to low precipitation and labile organic carbon availability, and would be stimulated by manure application; thus, increased N2O emission should be taken into consideration as applying manure increases soil organic carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wudaogou Group in eastern Yanbian, Northeast China, plays a key role in constraining the timing and eastward termination of the Solonker–Xra Moron River–Changchun Suture, where the Palaeo-Asian Ocean closed. The Wudaogou Group consists of schist, gneiss, amphibolite, metasedimentary, and metavolcanic rocks, all of which underwent greenschist- to epidote–amphibolite-facies regional metamorphism, with some hornfels resulting from contact metamorphism. To determine the age of deposition, the timing and grade of metamorphism, and the tectonic setting of the Wudaogou Group, we investigated the petrography and geochronology of the metamorphic rocks in this group. Zircons from the metasedimentary rocks of this group can be divided into metamorphic zircons and detrital zircons of magmatic origin. U–Pb ages of metamorphic zircons dated by LA-ICP-MS vary from 249 ± 4 to 266 ± 4 Ma, approximating the age of regional metamorphism in the eastern Yanbian area. Detrital zircons yield U–Pb ages ranging from 253 ± 5 to 818 ± 5 Ma, and indicate that the provenance of the Wudaogou Group experienced four tectonic–thermal events between 818 and 253 Ma: Neoproterozoic (ca. 818–580 Ma), Cambro–Ordovician (ca. 500–489 Ma), Devonian–Carboniferous (ca. 422–300 Ma), and middle–late Permian (ca. 269–253 Ma). The youngest detrital zircon, with a U–Pb age of 253 ± 5 Ma, defines the maximum depositional age of the Wudaogou Group. The presence of the Cambro-Ordovician and Neoproterozoic detrital zircons implies that the source of the Wudaogou Group had an affinity with Northeast China, which leads us to conclude that the Solonker–Xra Moron River–Changchun Suture extends from Wangqing to Hunchun in eastern Yanbian, and that the Palaeo-Asian Ocean may have closed at the end of the Permian or Early Triassic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the variability of summer [June-August (JJA)] rainfall in northeast China is examined and its predictors are identified based on observational analyses and atmospheric modeling experiments. At interannual time scales, the summer rainfall anomaly in northeast China is significantly correlated with the rainfall anomaly over the Huang-Huai region (32°-38°N, 105°-120°E) in late spring (April-May). Compared with climatology, an earlier (later) rainy season in the Huang-Huai region favors a wet (dry) summer in northeast China. Also, this connection has strengthened since the late 1970s. In addition to the impact of the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the tropical Indian Ocean, the local soil moisture anomalies caused by the rainfall anomaly in the Huang-Huai region in late spring generate summer general circulation anomalies, which contribute to the rainfall anomaly in northeast China. As a result, when compared with the SSTA, the rainfall anomaly in the Huang-Huai region in late spring can be used as another and even better predictor for the summer rainfall anomaly in northeast China. The results from atmospheric general circulation model experiments forced by observed SST confirm the diagnostic results to some extent, including the connection of the rainfall anomaly between the Huang-Huai region in April-May and northeastern China in JJA as well as the influence from SSTA in the tropical Indian Ocean. It is shown that eliminating the internal dynamical processes by using the ensemble mean intensifies the connection, implying that the connection of rainfall variation in the two different seasons/regions may be partially caused by the external forcing (e.g., SSTA in the tropical Indian Ocean). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated diarrheic broiler and layer chickens (<50 days; n = 14) and pigs of three age groups (preweaned <30 days, weaned ≈30 to 60 days, and growing >60 days; n = 64) for E. bieneusi genotypes in northeast China and evaluated the potential roles of chickens and pigs in zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis. Two 45-day-old layer chickens in city Jixi, Heilongjiang province and one 23-day-old broiler chicken in city Songyuan, Jilin province were identified to harbor a human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotype Henan-IV and a new genotype named CC-1, respectively, by nested PCR and sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Eleven of 64 (17.2%) duodenal mucosal specimens from pigs in city Tianjin, city Tongliao of Inner Mongolia, cities Jilin and Songyuan of Jilin province, and cities Daqing, Harbin, and Suihua of Heilongjiang province, were positive for E. bieneusi, with the infection rates of weaned pigs (35%, 7/20) significantly higher than preweaned ones (3.6%, 1/28; P<0.05). Nucleotide sequences of the ITS were obtained from 6 pig specimens, belonging to 3 known genotypes CHN7, EbpC, and Henan-IV. That the previous reports have described the occurrence of genotypes EbpC and Henan-IV in humans and EbpC in wastewater in central China and the clustering of genotypes CC-1 and CHN7 into a major phylogenetic group of E. bieneusi genotypes with zoonotic potential indicated that chickens and pigs could be potential sources of human micorsporidiosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the existence of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes in diarrheic chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessments of the impacts of land use and land cover changes (LUCC) on the terrestrial carbon budget, atmospheric CO concentration, and CO-related climatic change are important to understand the environmental effects of LUCC and provide information about the effects of historical carbon emissions. Using regional land cover reconstructions from historical records, with a bookkeeping model, we estimated the carbon sink changes caused by historical cropland expansion in Northeast China during the past 300 years. The conclusions are as follows: (1) There was a dramatic land reclamation of cropland during the past 300 years in Northeast China. Approximately 26% of the natural land was cultivated, and 38% of the grassland and 20% of the forest and shrubland were converted to cropland. (2) The carbon emission induced by cropland expansion between 1683 and 1980 was 1.06-2.55 Pg C, and the estimation from the moderate scenario was 1.45 Pg C. The carbon emissions of the soil carbon pool was larger than that from the vegetation carbon pool and comprised more than 2/3 of the total carbon emissions. (3) The carbon emissions of the three provinces in Northeast China were different. Heilongjiang Province had the largest carbon emissions, and Jilin Province had the second largest emissions. (4) The primary source of carbon emissions was forest reclamation (taking 60% of the total emissions in the moderate scenario), the secondary source was grassland cultivation (taking 27%), and the tertiary sources were shrubland and wetland reclamation (taking 13%). Examination on the data accuracy revealed that the high-resolution regional land cover data allowed the carbon budget to be evaluated at the county level and improved the precision of the results. The carbon emission estimation in this study was lower than those in previous studies because of the improved land use data quality and various types of land use change considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local actual evapotranspiration can be estimated with routinely measured meteorological variables using the Penman-Monteith model with surface resistance parameterized via the Katerji and Perrier approach (Agronomie 3(6):513-521, ; PM-KP model), or the nonlinear complementary relationship (CR) model proposed by Han et al. (Hydrol Process 26:3973-3981, ). A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the consistencies and differences of two models, as well as the performances of them for a cropland and grassland in northeast China. The departure of the actual evapotranspiration from the potential evaporation is described as a function of the ratio of the surface resistance to the aerodynamic resistance in the Penman-Monteith model, but the ratio of the aerodynamic term to the radiation term in the CR models. The two ratios are connected using a semi-empirical linear function by the Katerji and Perrier approach. The nonlinear CR model can be regarded as replacing the linear function by a power function after mathematical processing. On the other hand, the PM-KP model can be also considered as a CR-type model. On the daily basis at a maize cropland and degraded grassland in semiarid Northeast China, the nonlinear CR model with locally calibrated parameters performed better with data occupying all the growth stages, but the performances of the two models are similar during the early-, mid-, and late-season stages, respectively. On the half-hourly basis, the PM-KP model and the nonlinear CR model both performed well. It is deduced that on the daily basis the nonlinear CR model is more suitable for the cropland and grassland, but further comparisons are needed on the hourly basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of four essential (Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu) and two nonessential elements (Pb and Cd) in feathers and kidneys, livers, gut walls, and muscles of eight carcasses of migratory red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) from Zhalong Wetland, northeastern China, were examined. The concentrations of Cd in the feathers were between 0.4 mg kg−1dry weight (dw) and 3.1 mg kg−1dw, in the livers between 0.4 and 4.4 mg kg−1dw, the maximum of which exceeded a level considered to be environmental exposure risk (i.e., 3 mg kg−1dw in the liver or kidney). High Pb levels (0.4–3.2 mg kg−1dw, with an average of 1.8 mg kg−1) were also detected in livers, which exceeded a level considered toxicosis in birds (1.7 mg kg−1dw). Pb and Cd had the highest scores in principal component analysis. Relatively high Pb and Cd concentrations in the migratory cranes were thought to be associated with their habitat and prey. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ganglioside as a neurotrophic drug has been hitherto widely used in China, although Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following intravenous ganglioside treatment was reported in Europe several decades ago. We identified 7 patients who developed GBS after intravenous use of gangliosides (ganglioside+ group) and compared their clinical data with those of 77 non-ganglioside-associated GBS patients (ganglioside− group) in 2013, aiming at gaining the distinct features of ganglioside-associated GBS. Although the mean age, protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and frequency of cranial nerve involvement were similar between the two groups, the Hughes Functional Grading Scale (HFGS) score and the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score at nadir significantly differed (4.9±0.4 vs 3.6±1.0; 7.7±5.5 vs 36.9±14.5, both p<0.001), indicating a higher disease severity of ganglioside-associated GBS. A higher ratio of patients with ganglioside-associated GBS required mechanical ventilation (85.7% vs 15.6%, p<0.01). The short-term prognosis of ganglioside-associated GBS, as measured by the HFGS score and the MRC sum score at discharge, was poorer (4.3±0.5 vs 2.8±1.1; 17.3±12.9 vs 46.0±13.9, both p<0.001). All the patients in the ganglioside+ group presented an axonal form of GBS, namely acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). When compared with the AMAN patients in the ganglioside− group, more severe functional deficits at nadir and poorer recovery after standard treatment were still prominent in ganglioside-associated GBS. Anti-GM1 and anti-GT1a antibodies were detectable in patients with AMAN while not in patients with the demyelinating subtype of GBS. The concentrations of these antibodies in patients with AMAN were insignificantly different between the ganglioside+ and ganglioside− groups. In sum, ganglioside-associated GBS may be a devastating side effect of intravenous use of gangliosides, which usually manifests a more severe clinical course and poorer outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, authors examine the variabilities of precipitation and surface air temperature (T2m) in Northeast China during 1948-2012, and their global connection, as well as the predictability. It is noted that both the precipitation and T2m variations in Northeast China are dominated by interannual and higher frequency variations. However, on interdecadal time scales, T2m is shifted significantly from below normal to above normal around 1987/1988. Statistically, the seasonal mean precipitation and T2m are largely driven by local internal atmospheric variability rather than remote forcing. For the precipitation variation, circulation anomalies in the low latitudes play a more important role in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. For T2m variations, the associated sea surface pressure (SLP) and 850-hPa wind (uv850) anomalies are similar for all seasons in high latitudes with significantly negative correlations for SLP and westerly wind anomaly for uv850, suggesting that a strong zonal circulation in the high latitudes favors warming in Northeast China. The predictability of precipitation and T2m in Northeast China is assessed by using the Atmospheric Model Inter-comparison Project type experiments which are forced by observed sea surface temperature (SST) and time-evolving greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. Results suggest that T2m has slightly higher predictability than precipitation in Northeast China. To some extent, the model simulates the interdecadal shift of T2m around 1987/1988, implying a possible connection between SST (and/or GHG forcing) and surface air temperature variation in Northeast China on interdecadal time scales. Nevertheless, the precipitation and T2m variations are mainly determined by the unpredictable components which are caused by the atmospheric internal dynamic processes, suggesting low predictability for the climate variation in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients influences crop yield and the environment. Previous research has focused mainly on the surface layer, with little research being carried out on the deep soil layers, where high root density is highly related to crop growth. In the study, 610 soil samples were collected from 122 soil profiles (0-60 cm) in a random-sample method. Both geostatistics and traditional statistics were used to describe the spatial variability of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (TN) deeper in the soil profile (0-60 cm) with high root density from a typical Mollisol watershed of Northeast China. Also, the SOM and TN in farmland and forest (field returned to forest over 10 years) areas was compared. The spatial autocorrelations of SOM at 0-50 cm depth and TN at 30-60 cm depth were strong, and were mainly influenced by structural factors. Compared to farmland, SOM and TN were typically lower in the 0-30 cm depth of the forest areas, while they were higher in the 30-60 cm depth. As well, both SOM and TN decreased from the 0-20 cm layer to the 30-40 cm layer, and then discontinues, while they continuously decreased with increasing soil depth in the farmland. SOM and TN were typically higher at the gently sloped summit of the watershed and part of the bottom of the slope than at mid-slope positions at the 0-30 cm depth. SOM and TN were lower on the back slope at the 30-60 cm depth, but were higher at the bottom of the slope. Also, the spatial distribution of the carbon storage and nitrogen storage were all highest at the bottom of the slope and part of the summit, while they were lowest in most of back slope in depth of 0-60 cm, and mainly caused by soil loss and deposition. SOM at 0-60 cm and TN at 0-40 cm greater than the sufficiency level for crop growth (3.7-79.2 and 0.09-3.09 g kg, respectively) covered 99 % of the total area, yet for TN, over 35 % of the total area was less than the insufficiency level at the 40-60 cm depth. Generally, accurately predicting SOM and TN is nearly impossible when based only on soil loss by water, although the fact that variability is influenced by elevation, soil loss, deposition and steepness, was shown in this research. Nitrogen fertilizer and manure application were needed, especially in conjunction with conservation tillage in special conditions and specific areas such as the back slope, where soil loss was severe and the deep soil that lacked TN was exposed at the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) can effectively reflect on the social status of diabetes conditions. Although several researchers have investigated the awareness, treatment and control rates of diabetes mellitus in China, little is known about their association with risk factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between risk factors and awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus in northeast China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012. Multistage stratified random cluster sampling design was used to select participants aged 18 to 79 years old. The analysis was based on a representative sample of 1,854 adult subjects. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine socio-demographic factors associated with the levels of awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus. Results: The awareness, treatment, and control rates of diabetes mellitus were 64.1%, 52.9% and 44.2%, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, family history of diabetes was significantly positively associated with awareness (OR, 2.145; 95% CI, 1.600–2.875) and treatment (OR, 2.021; 95% CI, 1.559–2.619) of diabetes mellitus, while negatively associated with control (OR, 0.671; 95% CI, 0.529–0.951). Cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers were less likely than non-smokers and non-drinkers to be aware of their blood glucose levels (OR, 0.895, 0.614; 95% CI, 0.659–1.216, 0.446–0.844, respectively). Participants who frequently exercise were more likely to be aware of their diabetic conditions than people who never or rarely exercise (OR, 2.003; 95% CI, 1.513–2.651). Conclusions: We found that the awareness and treatment of diabetes mellitus were positively associated with age and were high in participants with a family history of diabetes and those who exercise frequently, but low for cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers. Participants with a family history of diabetes had their diabetic condition poorly controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), first isolated in 1989, preferentially infects meat-type birds. Chinese layer flocks have experienced outbreaks of this virus since 2008. To analyze the status of ALV-J infection in wild birds in China, 585 wild birds collected from three provinces of Northeast China from 2010 to 2012 were tested, and six ALV-J strains were isolated for the first time. Furthermore, the gp85 genes of the six strains were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. The results indicated that two different ALV-J strains coexisted in Chinese wild birds from 2010 to 2012. These results not only expand the epidemiological data available for ALV-J and provide necessary information for the further understanding of the evolution of ALV-J, but they also highlight the potential role of wild-bird migration in the spread of ALV-J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of two historical time series of temperature and precipitation in Northeast China, spanning, respectively, 1870–2004 and 1841–2004, performed by continuous wavelet transform and other classical and advanced spectral methods, is presented here. Both variables show a particular trend and oscillations of about 85, 60, 35 and 20 years that are highly significant, with a phase opposition at the centennial scale and at the 20-year scale. The analysis of the four temperature series relative to single seasons shows that the 20-year cycle is typical of the summer monsoon season, while the 35-year cycle is most evident in winter. The cycles of ~60 years and longer are present in all seasons. The centennial variation of temperature and precipitation describes well the 1970–1980 transition between a period of relatively strong East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM), corresponding to high precipitation and relatively cool temperatures in Northeast China, and a conditions of weak EASM (low precipitation and warm temperatures). The connection of the detected local variations with large-scale climatic variability is deduced from the comparison with different climatic records (Northern Hemisphere temperature, Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation indexes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interannual variations of summer surface air temperature over Northeast China (NEC) were investigated through a month-to-month analysis from May to August. The results suggested that the warmer temperature over NEC is related to a local positive 500-hPa geopotential height anomaly for all four months. However, the teleconnection patterns of atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with the monthly surface air temperature over NEC behave as a distinguished subseasonal variation, although the local positive height anomaly is common from month to month. In May and June, the teleconnection pattern is characterized by a wave train in the upper and middle troposphere from the Indian Peninsula to NEC. This wave train is stronger in June than in May, possibly due to the positive feedback between the wave train and the South Asian rainfall anomaly in June, when the South Asian summer monsoon has been established. In July and August, however, the teleconnection pattern associated with the NEC temperature anomalies is characterized by an East Asia/Pacific (EAP) or Pacific/Japan (PJ) pattern, with the existence of precipitation anomalies over the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. This pattern is much clearer in July corresponding to the stronger convection over the Philippine Sea compared to that in August. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spring-composite index (s-CI) is proposed in this study that involves slightly altering the use of the accumulated precipitation from the composite index (CI) comparing the value with other three commonly used indices (standardized precipitation index, SPI; self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index, sc-PDSI; and CI). In addition, the spatial-temporal variation of the s-CI in the Songnen Plain (SNP) was investigated using the Mann-Kendall test and empirical orthogonal function (EOF) methods. The results indicated that the proposed s-CI could identify most drought events in 1990s and 2000s and performed relatively better than SPI, sc-PDSI, and CI in this region. Compared with the other three indices, the s-CI had a higher correlation with relative soil moisture in April and May. The recent spring droughts (2000s) were the most severe in April or May. The weather was drier in May compared with April in the 1980s, whereas the weather was wetter in May than in April in the 1960s and 1970s. Moreover, the spatial patterns of the first EOFs for both April and May indicated an obviously east-west gradient in the SNP, whereas the second EOFs displayed north-south drought patterns. The proposed index is particularly suitable for detecting, monitoring, and exploring spring droughts in the Songnen Plain under global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the major cultivated crops of China, having a central role in ensuring the food security of the country. There has been a significant increase in studies of maize under interactive effects of elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and other factors, yet the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and increasing precipitation on maize has remained unclear. In this study, a manipulative experiment in Jinzhou, Liaoning province, Northeast China was performed so as to obtain reliable results concerning the later effects. The Open Top Chambers (OTCs) experiment was designed to control contrasting [CO2] i.e., 390, 450 and 550 µmol·mol−1, and the experiment with 15% increasing precipitation levels was also set based on the average monthly precipitation of 5–9 month from 1981 to 2010 and controlled by irrigation. Thus, six treatments, i.e. C550W+15%, C550W0, C450W+15%, C450W0, C390W+15% and C390W0 were included in this study. The results showed that the irrigation under elevated [CO2] levels increased the leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of maize. Similarly, the stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased with elevated [CO2], but irrigation have a positive effect on increased of them at each [CO2] level, resulting in the water use efficiency (WUE) higher in natural precipitation treatment than irrigation treatment at elevated [CO2] levels. Irradiance-response parameters, e.g., maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax) and light saturation points (LSP) were increased under elevated [CO2] and irrigation, and dark respiration (Rd) was increased as well. The growth characteristics, e.g., plant height, leaf area and aboveground biomass were enhanced, resulting in an improved of yield and ear characteristics except axle diameter. The study concluded by reporting that, future elevated [CO2] may favor to maize when coupled with increasing amount of precipitation in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many major biomes throughout the world are dominated by plants with clonal growth forms. While many recent studies have examined the effects of clonality on the growth of individual plants, relatively few studies have tested the community level effects of clonality as a function of environmental characteristics. By investigating six sand dune sites that have undergone different numbers of years of natural restoration constituting a succession sere, we quantified if the abundance and importance of clonal plants was related to successional age in the stressful environment of a semi-arid sand dune region in northeastern China. We expected that clonal plants would dominate at every stage of the succession sere. We also predicted that species diversity would decrease in later stages of the succession sere due to the extremely high proportion of clonal plants in the community. Our results showed that, through 45 years of succession, the total plant species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index continually increased. While the species number of clonal plants was consistently low during the succession, the importance of clonal plants increased gradually from none at 3 years to 49 % of the total, approximately equal to that of aclonal plants, at the 45-year site. Clonal plants with phalanx strategies were more important than guerillas at all ages in sand dune succession. At the beginning and early stages of sand dune succession, aclonal plants were more important than clonal plants, perhaps due to greater seed propagation. The distribution or arrangement of aclonal and clonal plants in the whole process of sand dune complemented each other. The results presented give new perceptions on the function of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this research, the linkage between late winter Bering Sea ice and maize/rice yields in northeastern China (NEC) is investigated. Results show that such ice influences NEC crop production and thus can be employed to predict harvest amounts. Further investigation reveals that positive anomalies of late winter sea ice cover can persist until spring and that spring sea ice can strengthen North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) positive-phase patterns, and vice versa. NPO significantly affects sea surface temperature (SST) over the North Pacific Ocean through sea-air interaction-in particular, in the Kuroshio region-that may persist until summer. In association with the positive SST anomalies, the polar vortex weakens and the western Pacific subtropical high strengthens, resulting in the convergence of southern and northern air masses over NEC. Moreover, both the southerly flow along the western flank of the western Pacific subtropical high and the easterly flow from the Japan Sea and the central Pacific region supply more water vapor transport; thus, an anomalous water vapor convergence center appears in NEC. With the anomalous updrafts, NEC exhibits positive precipitation anomalies. The greenhouse effect of water vapor results in an increase in minimum temperature, thereby leading to a decrease in diurnal temperature range (DTR). This increase in minimum temperature and decrease in DTR are primary factors favoring increases in rice and maize yields, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of structurally preserved fern rhizome, Ashicaulis plumites (Osmundaceae, Filicales), is described from the Middle Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in western Liaoning Province, NE China. The new species is characterized by a peculiar sclerenchyma mass in the petiolar vascular bundle concavity. This sclerenchyma mass varies from a linear-shape to a mushroom-like shape with a remarkable outward protuberance, which distinguishes the present new species from other Ashicaulis species. Such a protuberance is very rare among osmundaceous ferns, and should represent a unique type for sclerenchymatous tissue in the osmundaceous vascular bundle concavity. Recognition of the peculiar structure of this new fossil species enriches anatomical diversity of permineralized osmundaceous ferns, indicating that the family Osmundaceae might have experienced a remarkable diversification during the Middle Jurassic in NE China. The new species show anatomical similarities to Osmunda pluma Miller from the Palaeocene of North America. The occurrence of A. plumites in the Middle Jurassic of China provides a new clue for understanding the evolution of some members of the living subgenus Osmunda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast China as an important agricultural zone for commercial and economic crop in China suffered from increased drought risk that seriously threatened agricultural production and food security in recent decades. Based on precipitation datasets from 71 stations from 1960 to 2009 and on the reliable statistical methods of the Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope and the Standardized Precipitation Index, we analyzed the temporal and spatial variation of drought occurrence during the crop-growing season (from May to September) and summer (from June to August). The results showed that regional mean precipitation during the crop-growing season and summer over the last 40 years has decreased at the rate of −1.72 and −1.12 mm/year, respectively. According to timescale analysis of abrupt changes, there were two distinct time series (1965-1983 and 1996-2009) with decreasing precipitation trends at a 95 % confidence level. A comparison between the two time series of these two periods demonstrated that more frequent and more severe drought occurred during 1996-2009. Furthermore, drought risk in recent decades has become even more serious both in severity and in extent. Especially in the crop-growing season of 2001 and summer of 2007, over 25 % (2.0 × 10 km) of study area experienced severe drought (serious and extreme droughts). Our results highlight the urgent need for the development of effective drought adaptations for cropland over northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sanjiang Plain has the most representative and largest concentration of inland freshwater wetlands in China, most of which have been degraded or have disappeared as a result of agricultural development and climatic change since the 1950s. To better understand the spatial and temporal variation and driving forces of marsh reduction, this study investigated variations of marsh reduction in the Honghe region of the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China over a 30-year period, and analyzed the role of the different driving forces separately and their combined effect on marsh reduction and identified what driving forces have played key roles on the reduction in different periods. Nine natural and anthropogenic variables from remote sensing, GIS data and field surveys, such as precipitation, temperature, precipitation anomaly, population density, agricultural population density, per capita GDP, distance to road, distance to canal and distance to settlement, were evaluated on their impact on observed variations of marsh reduction between 1975 and 2006. The results show that all of these driving forces have significant influences on the decline of the marsh area, and the combination of driving forces that has crucial impacts on marsh reduction varied largely from 1975 to 2006. During 1975-1989, it was the construction of canal and road networks in farms and changes in average annual precipitation that led to marsh reduction. After 1989, the reduction was mainly related to increases in agricultural population, per capita GDP and settlements. These findings may help understand the declines or degradation of marsh areas and provide an empirical and theoretical base for managers, who design and implement wetland management and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although microembolus monitoring has been widely used for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, the clinical significance of microembolic signal (MES) in asymptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis remains unclear. We aim to investigate the frequency of MES and the value of MES in predicting ischemic stroke secondary to asymptomatic MCA stenosis. From June 2011 to December 2012, microembolus monitoring was performed in 83 asymptomatic and 126 symptomatic subjects. By comparing the demographics and risk factors between the symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects, we found that the ratio of male sexuality and smoking history differed (101/126 vs 43/83, and 88/126 vs 38/83, respectively, p<0.01). The frequency of MES was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (49/126 vs 2/108, p<0.01). Specifically, the frequency of MES in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups with mild stenosis, moderate stenosis, severe stenosis and occlusion groups was 4/18 (22.22%) vs 0/30 (0), 13/31 (41.94%) vs 1/28 (3.57%), 30/62 (48.39%) vs 1/39 (2.56%), 2/15 (13.33%) vs 0/11 (0), respectively. Except for the occlusive group, the frequency of MES is correlated with stenosis degree and symptom. Two patients in the asymptomatic group were found positive for MES, and the MES number was 1 for both. During the one-year follow-up, neither of them developed ischemic stroke. In conclusion, MES detected with TCD differs between symptomatic and asymptomatic MCA stenoses. Due to the low frequency, the value of MES as a predictor of subsequent ischemic stroke in patients with asymptomatic MCA stenosis might be limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have revealed the high diversity of cyanophages in marine and freshwater environments, but little is currently known about the diversity of cyanophages in paddy fields, particularly in Northeast (NE) China. To elucidate the genetic diversity of cyanophages in paddy floodwaters in NE China, viral capsid assembly protein gene (g20) sequences from five floodwater samples were amplified with the primers CPS1 and CPS8. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied to distinguish different g20 clones. In total, 54 clones differing in g20 nucleotide sequences were obtained in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the distribution of g20 sequences in this study was different from that in Japanese paddy fields, and all the sequences were grouped into Clusters α, β, γ and ε. Within Clusters α and β, three new small clusters (PFW-VII∼-IX) were identified. UniFrac analysis of g20 clone assemblages demonstrated that the community compositions of cyanophage varied among marine, lake and paddy field environments. In paddy floodwater, community compositions of cyanophage were also different between NE China and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afforestation of former croplands has been proposed as a promising way to mitigate rising atmospheric CO2 concentration in view of the commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. Central to this C sequestration is the dynamics of soil organic C (SOC) storage and stability with the development of afforested plantations. Our previous study showed that SOC storage was not changed after afforestation except for the 0–10 cm layer in a semi-arid region of Keerqin Sandy Lands, northeast China. In this study, soil organic C was further separated into light and heavy fractions using the density fractionation method, and their organic C concentration and 13C signature were analyzed to investigate the turnover of old vs. new SOC in the afforested soils. Surface layer (0–10 cm) soil samples were collected from 14 paired plots of poplar (Populus × xiaozhuanica W. Y. Hsu & Liang) plantations with different stand basal areas (the sum of the cross-sectional area of all live trees in a stand), ranging from 0.2 to 32.6 m2 ha−1, and reference maize (Zea mays L.) croplands at the same sites as our previous study. Soil ΔC stocks (ΔC refers to the difference in SOC content between a poplar plantation and the paired cropland) in bulk soil and light fraction were positively correlated with stand basal area (R2 = 0.48, p<0.01 and R2 = 0.40, p = 0.02, respectively), but not for the heavy fraction. SOCcrop (SOC derived from crops) contents in the light and heavy fractions in poplar plantations were significantly lower as compared with SOC contents in croplands, but tree-derived C in bulk soil, light and heavy fraction pools increased gradually with increasing stand basal area after afforestation. Our study indicated that cropland afforestation could sequester new C derived from trees into surface mineral soil, but did not enhance the stability of SOC due to a fast turnover of SOC in this semi-arid region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize grain yield varies highly with water availability as well as with fertilization and relevant agricultural management practices. With a 311-A optimized saturation design, field experiments were conducted between 2006 and 2009 to examine the yield response of spring maize (Zhengdan 958, Zea mays L) to irrigation (I), nitrogen fertilization (total nitrogen, urea-46% nitrogen,) and phosphorus fertilization (P2O5, calcium superphosphate-13% P2O5) in a semi-arid area environment of Northeast China. According to our estimated yield function, the results showed that N is the dominant factor in determining maize grain yield followed by I, while P plays a relatively minor role. The strength of interaction effects among I, N and P on maize grain yield follows the sequence N+I >P+I>N+P. Individually, the interaction effects of N+I and N+P on maize grain yield are positive, whereas that of P+I is negative. To achieve maximum grain yield (10506.0 kg·ha−1) for spring maize in the study area, the optimum application rates of I, N and P are 930.4 m3·ha−1, 304.9 kg·ha−1 and 133.2 kg·ha−1 respectively that leads to a possible economic profit (EP) of 10548.4 CNY·ha−1 (CNY, Chinese Yuan). Alternately, to obtain the best EP (10827.3 CNY·ha−1), the optimum application rates of I, N and P are 682.4 m3·ha−1, 241.0 kg·ha−1 and 111.7 kg·ha−1 respectively that produces a potential grain yield of 10289.5 kg·ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the political economy of Manchuria under the rule of Zhang Zuolin, which resulted in the economic instability that occurred during the winter of 1928. One can conjecture that the economic instability did not occur only because of the arbitrariness of the political and military regional government. The instability appears to be related to an ongoing seasonal demand for monies, which was relatively high between the months of September and March, since it corresponded to the period of commerce in soybeans − the region's main economic activity −, the migration of seasonal workers, and also the festive period of the Chinese New Year. The analysis was conducted based on primary materials published by the South Manchuria Railway Company, such as currency issuance and the variation of the exchange rate of the major currencies in circulation among foreign and Chinese currencies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Indications of earlier onset of spring have been observed in behavior of diverse animal and plant species in the Northern Hemisphere in response to recent climate warming. Knowledge of changes in the spring onset is a critical requirement for understanding ecosystem adaption to climate change, especially for agricultural regions. In this study, we present a climatological approach for detecting the temporal and spatial variability in onset of spring with particular emphasis on how they vary along geographical parameters. Yearly dates for spring onset were computed for 71 climate stations in Northeast China based on daily surface air temperature records. These analyses were conducted for the two study periods (1960–2004 and 1979–2004). We also examined the boundary shifts of spring onset for three selected dates between the periods of 1960–1978 and 1979–2004. The results showed that advancement of spring onset was more pronounced for the period of 1979–2004 than for the period of 1960–2004 (4.0 vs. 2.2 days/decade). For the 22 stations where the spring advancement was statistically significant in the two periods, the mean rate of advancement was −0.6 days/decade during the period of 1960 to 1978. The trends of advancement of spring onset decreased with both increasing latitude and altitude up to 300 m above sea level, and these geographical effects were clearer during 1979–2004. Analysis of boundary shifts of three specific dates revealed that the spring onset has moved to higher latitudes for each date with an average shift of about 1° of latitude (about 110 km). Our results suggest that attempts to address how ecosystems will adapt to spring advancement associated with climate warming should consider the differences in response rates and geographical effects across the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedge meadows can be difficult to restore from farmed fields if key structural dominants are missing from propagule banks. In hand-cultivated soybean fields in northeastern China, we asked if tussock-forming Carex and other wetland species were present as seed or asexual propagules. In the Sanjiang Plain, China, we compared the seed banks, vegetative propagules (below-ground) and standing vegetation of natural and restored sedge meadows, and hand-cultivated soybean fields in drained and flooded conditions. We found that important wetland species survived cultivation as seeds for some time (e.g. Calamogrostis angustifolia and Potamogeton crispus) and as field weeds (e.g. C. angustifolia and Phragmites australis). Key structural species were missing in these fields, for example, Carex meyeriana. We also observed that sedge meadows restored without planting or seeding lacked tussock-forming sedges. The structure of the seed bank was related to experimental water regime, and field environments of tussock height, thatch depth, and presence of burning as based on Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling analysis. To re-establish the structure imposed by tussock sedges, specific technologies might be developed to encourage the development of tussocks in restored sedge meadows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of dental caries in elderly population in northeast China. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study among 2376 elderly subjects (age: 65–74 years) from nine urban areas and nine rural areas in three provinces of northeast China was conducted using multistage stratified random sampling per the World Health Organization oral health survey methodology. Decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed-filled teeth (DFT) indices were used to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries. Face-to-face questionnaire survey on oral health was performed in a randomly selected subset (n = 1197). T test and chi square test were employed to compare groups for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding confidence intervals (CIs). Results: 67.5% of elderly subjects reported dental caries (average DFT = 2.68±3.40), and the prevalence was higher in urban areas (P<0.01). Missing teeth accounted for 80.72% of DMFT, and filled teeth due to caries accounted for 2.08% with a rate higher in urban areas (P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated significant association among elderly population in urban areas (OR 1.713; 95% CI 1.337–2.195), smoking (OR 1.779; 95% CI 1.384–2.288), and individuals without dental insurance (OR 2.050; 95% CI 1.120–3.754) with dental caries. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries in the elderly population in northeast China is high. The elderly from urban areas who smoke and who do not have a dental insurance are at a higher risk to develop dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central Jilin Province lies along the eastern edge of the Xing–Meng orogenic belt of northeast China. At least 10 Mo deposits have been discovered in this area, making it the second-richest concentration of Mo resources in China. To better understand the formation and distribution of porphyry Mo deposits in the area, we investigated the geological characteristics of the deposits and applied zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os isotope dating to constrain the age of mineralization. Our new geochronological data show the following: the Jidetun Mo deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 164.6–167.1 Ma, an isochron age of 168 ± 2.5 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 165.9 ± 1.2 Ma; the Houdaomu Mo deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 167.4–167.7 Ma, an isochron age of 168 ± 13 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 167.5 ± 1.2 Ma; and the Chang’anpu Mo deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granodiorite porphyry of 166.9 ± 1.5 Ma (N = 16). These new age data, combined with existing molybdenite Re–Os dates, show that intense porphyry Mo mineralization was coeval with magmatism during the Middle Jurassic (167.8 ± 0.4 Ma,r> 0.999). The geotectonic mechanisms responsible for Mo mineralization were probably related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasian continent. Combining published molybdenite Re–Os and zircon U–Pb ages for northeast China, the Mo deposits are shown to have been formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of magmatic activity. We identified three phases of mineralization, two of which had several stages: the Caledonian (485–480 Ma); the Indosinian comprising the Early–Middle Triassic (248–236 Ma) and Late Triassic (226–208 Ma) stages; and the Yanshanian phase comprising the Early–Middle Jurassic (202–165 Ma), Late Jurassic–early Early Cretaceous (154–129 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (114–111 Ma) stages. Although Mo deposits formed during each phase/stage, most of the mineralization occurred during the Early–Middle Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understory vegetation plays a crucial role in carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems; however, it is not clear how understory species affect tree litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics. In this study, we examined the impacts of understory litter on the decomposition and nutrient release of tree litter both in a pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) and a poplar (Populus × xiaozhuanica) plantation in Northeast China. Leaf litter of tree species, and senesced aboveground materials from two dominant understory species, Artemisia scoparia and Setaria viridis in the pine stand and Elymus villifer and A. sieversiana in the poplar stand, were collected. Mass loss and N and P fluxes of single-species litter and three-species mixtures in each of the two forests were quantified. Data from single-species litterbags were used to generate predicted mass loss and N and P fluxes for the mixed-species litterbags. In the mixture from the pine stand, the observed mass loss and N release did not differ from the predicted value, whereas the observed P release was greater than the predicted value. However, the presence of understory litter decelerated the mass loss and did not affect N and P releases from the pine litter. In the poplar stand, litter mixture presented a positive non-additive effect on litter mass loss and P release, but an addition effect on N release. The presence of understory species accelerated only N release of poplar litter. Moreover, the responses of mass loss and N and P releases of understory litter in the mixtures varied with species in both pine and poplar plantations. Our results suggest that the effects of understory species on tree litter decomposition vary with tree species, and also highlight the importance of understory species in litter decomposition and nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gully erosion has caused soil degradation and even reduced soil productivity. However, only few studies on the effects of gully erosion and artificial controlling measures on soil degradation in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China are available. Thus, this study explores the relationships between gully erosion, gully filling and soil parameters. Two sets of soil samples were collected in the field at: (1) 72 sample points in the gully erosion study area, 60 sample points in the ephemeral and classical gully erosion area (3,518 m), 12 sample points in the deposition zone (443 m), (2)10 reference points along a slope unaffected by gully erosion representing the original situation before the gully was formed. All soil samples were analyzed for gravel content (GC), soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK). The soil property values on unaffected slope were fitted by the polynomial curves as the reference values in no gully erosion area. The interpolated soil property values in gully eroded study area were compared with these polynomial curves, respectively, and then, changes of soil property values were analyzed. Gully erosion caused an increase in GC and a decrease in SOM, TN, AN, AP and AK. The change of GC, SOM, TN, AN, AP, AK was 8.8%, −9.04 g kg, −0.92 g kg, −62.28 mg kg, −29.61 mg kg, −79.68 mg kg. The soil property values in the study area were below optimal values. Thus, we concluded that gully erosion and gully filling caused both on-site and off-site soil degradation. Soil degradation area was 0.65 % of the cultivated land. In addition, it was proved that gully filling were an improper soil and water conservation measure, which seems to exacerbate the problem. Thus, it is suggested that soil where soil is deep is moved to fill the gully, and then the area around the filled gullies should be covered by grass for preventing the formation and development of the gully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]