Search

In order to investigate the changes in soil enzyme activity and their influencing factors in coal mining subsidence areas with high underground water levels, in this study, we collected soil samples at different depths (SL: 0–20 cm; ML: 20–40 cm; DL: 40–60 cm) in a deep coal seam subsidence area (T1), a shallow coal seam subsidence area (T2), and control non-subsidence areas (W1 and W2) in eastern China. Soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were determined, and the mechanism of the latter's response to coal mining subsidence was investigated based on correlation analysis, redundancy analysis, and structural equation modeling. The results show the following: (1) In the coal mining subsidence areas, the soil pH value (pH), soil available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and soil organic matter (SOM) contents were lower than those in the non-subsidence areas, while the soil water content (SWC) and bulk density (BD) were higher than those in the non-subsidence areas and increased with depth. (2) The activities of soil urease (URE), sucrase (SUC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and catalase (CAT) gradually decreased with depth and were all lower than those in the non-subsidence areas; the largest decreases with respect to the latter were 24.33%, 18.73%, 38.89%, and 5.88%, respectively. (3) The soil nutrient environment had a highly significant and direct positive effect on enzyme activity, with AN, AP, and SOM contents having the greatest impact. (4) Soil BD had a highly significant and direct negative effect and an indirect negative effect (by affecting nutrients) on enzyme activity. The results of this study on the effects of soil physicochemical properties on enzyme activity provide a basis for the ecological restoration of mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To 1) determine the prevalence and types of disrespectful maternity care witnessed by students; 2) describe students' perceptions of respectful maternity care and associated factors; and 3) investigate whether witnessing disrespectful care influences their perceptions of respectful maternity care. Limited evidence exists about nursing and midwifery students' perceptions of respectful maternity care and prevalence of disrespectful maternity care in China. Understanding students' perceptions can inform pre-registration curricula and clinical practice programs, promoting the implementation of respectful maternity care. An exploratory national online survey was conducted. Data were analysed using bivariate analysis and multi-factor analysis of variance. Among 733 students, positive perceptions towards respectful maternity care were common. Approximately one-fifth witnessed disrespect, with physical violence, lack of communication and untimely care most frequently reported. A better understanding of respectful maternity care was associated with female students of Han ethnicity, majoring in midwifery, undertaking a longer internship/practicum and reporting fewer instances of observed disrespect. Although students reported positive perceptions of respectful maternity care, inadequate understanding was evident. Incorporating relevant content about respectful care into the curriculum is suggested. Reducing students' exposure to disrespectful maternity care may ensure that certain forms of disrespect or abuse do not become normalized among students. This requires system-level efforts to create a safe and supportive working environment for maternity health providers. To promote respectful maternity care in China, system-level changes are warranted. Respectful maternity care needs to be essential content in pre-registration midwifery and nursing curricula. Encouraging students to identify poor practice and discuss good practice in a safe learning environment is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure water security, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in water and to reduce their inputs. We conducted a 2-year trial (2021–2022) in tobacco fields across three sites in the Erhai Lake basin, China, to comprehensively measure and summarize N and P loss through runoff and leaching for four fertilizer treatments: no fertilizer (CK); farmers' traditional organic fertilizer (FP); chemical fertilizer (CF); and a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer (OIC). The highest N concentrations were detected in leachate in the early tobacco growth stage, whereas the highest P concentrations occurred in runoff in the middle growth stage. Compared to FP, the OIC treatment improved nutrient uptake in flue-cured tobacco, while also reducing N loss through runoff and leaching by 45.37% and 19.34%, and reducing P loss by 7.22% and 8.26%, respectively. Correlation analyses revealed positive relationships of nutrient loss with soil organic matter content and nutrient inputs; elevation and soil water content exhibited varying correlations with different nutrients. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the effective management of agricultural non-point source pollution in the Erhai Lake basin and shed light on water pollution pressures worldwide. [Display omitted] • The characteristics of nutrient loss under different fertilization treatments and geographical conditions were explored. • The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer increased the yield of tobacco field and reduced the nutrient loss. • Nitrogen and Phosphorus were mainly lost in the form of nitrate N and dissolved P. • Soil organic matter content and nutrient input had a positive effect on nutrient loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]