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The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is an economically important marine species in China, and understanding the mechanisms underlying its gonad development is crucial for successful reproduction and breeding. In this study, we performed transcriptome comparisons and analyses of A. japonicus gonadal and non-gonadal tissues to identify genes and molecular pathways associated with gonadal development. We also supplemented the annotation of the A. japonicus genome. Collectively, results revealed a total of 941 ovary-specific genes and 2499 testis-specific genes through different expression analysis and WGCNA analysis. The most enriched pathways in ovary and testis were "DNA replication" and "purine metabolism", respectively. Additionally, we identified key candidate gene modules that control gonad development and germ cell maturation, with CDT1 and DYNC2LI1 serving as hub genes. Our findings provide important insights into the gonadal development system of A. japonicus and offer valuable references for further research on reproductive biology in this marine invertebrate species. [Display omitted] • Comparative analyses of gene expression in sea cucumber gonadal and non-gonadal tissues • Key candidate gene modules specifically expressed by females and males gonad were screened. • The ovarian module with CDT1 as the core gene may affect ovarian development through the pre-replication complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantify the province-level GHG emissions of meat products in China. • Employ process-based life-cycle inventory approach for bottom-up modeling. • The GHG emissions of Chinese livestock sector were 429 million tons CO 2 e in 2018. • Beef has the highest GHG intensity, followed by mutton, chicken, and pork. • Shandong, Henan, and Sichuan are the top GHG emitters, about 100 million tons CO 2 e in 2018. Driven by a continuous rise in household living standards, China's meat consumption keeps growing, increasing the need for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation. This study employed a process-based life-cycle inventory model to quantify the province-level GHG emissions of meat products in China. Four major livestock products (beef, mutton, chicken, and pork) at four farming scales (cage-free, small, medium, and large-scale farming) were considered. The GHG emissions of the Chinese livestock sector were 429 million tons (MT) CO 2e in 2018. Beef had the highest GHG intensity (19.6 kg CO 2 e /kg), followed by mutton (10.0 kg CO 2 e /kg), chicken (4.4 kg CO 2 e /kg), and pork (3.8 kg CO 2 e /kg). Spatially, northwestern China had a high GHG intensity 5.58 g CO 2 e /kcal), while the eastern and central regions presented low-intensity values (1.89 and 1.71 g CO 2 e /kcal, respectively). At the province level, Shandong (38.2 MT CO 2 e) was the top emitter, while Shanghai (0.5 MT CO 2 e) had the lowest emissions. This study identified the GHG emission hotspots along the meat product production chain and revealed the spatial pattern of meat-related GHG emissions in China, advancing the low-carbon transition of China's livestock sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial regrowth especially opportunistic pathogens regrowth and contamination in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) have become an emerging threat to public health in the whole world. To explore bacterial regrowth and biological stability, assimilable organic carbon (AOC), biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) and bacterial regrowth potential (BRP) were evaluated in a full scale DWDS and bench tests in South China. A significant correlation between BRP and AOC in both water treatment processes (WTP) and DWDS was obtained. For BRP and BDOC, the correlation was more significant in WTP than in DWDS. Both AOC and BRP were significantly correlated with UV 254 , total organic carbon (TOC), and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) ( p < 0.01), whereas BDOC was only significantly associated with UV 254, temperature and chlorine residual ( p < 0.01). Through a bench test, when chlorine was higher than 0.5 mg/L, the HPC level was low and AOC concentration almost unchanged. On contrary the HPC level increased quickly and declined slightly, with chlorine lower than 0.15 mg/L, which was in accordance with the large amount of biological stability data obtained from DWDS. Through another bench test, the HPC level was positively correlated to AOC concentration and when AOC was below 135 μg/L, the growth rate of HPC was low, which was verified by the analysis of biological stability data from DWDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-seated xenoliths in volcanic rocks offer direct glimpses into the nature and evolution of the lower continental crust. In this contribution, new data on the U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes of zircons in six felsic granulite xenoliths and one pyroxenite xenolith from the Hannuoba Cenozoic basalts, combined with published data from mafic to felsic xenoliths, are used to constrain the lithological and age structure of the lower crust beneath the northern edge of the North China Craton. Two newly-reported felsic granulites contain Precambrian zircons with positive (+ 7.5–+ 10.6) and negative ε Hf values (− 10.1 to − 3.7) corresponding to upper intercept ages of 2449 ± 62 Ma and 1880 ± 54 Ma, respectively, indicating crustal accretion in the late Archean and reworking in Paleoproterozoic time. Zircons in another four felsic xenoliths give Phanerozoic ages from 142 Ma to 73 Ma and zircons from one pyroxenite xenolith give a concordant age of 158 Ma. The zircon ε Hf values of these four felsic xenoliths range between − 23.3 and − 19.1, reflecting re-melting of the pre-existing lower crust. Integration of geothermobarometric, and geochronological data on the Hannuoba xenoliths with seismic refraction studies shows that the lower crust beneath the northern edge of the North China Craton is temporally and compositionally zoned: the upper lower crust (24–33 km) consists dominantly of Archean (~ 2.5 Ga with minor 2.7 Ga) felsic granulites with subordinate felsic granulites that reworked at 140–120 Ma; both Precambrian and late Mesozoic mafic granulites are important constituents of the middle lower crust (33–38 km); major late Mesozoic (140–120 Ma) and less Cenozoic (45–47 Ma) granulites and pyroxenites are presented in the lowermost crust (38–42 km). The zoned architecture of the lower crust beneath Hannuoba suggests a complex evolution beneath the northern margin of the craton, including late Neoarchean (~ 2.5 Ga) accretion and subsequent episodic accretion and/or reworking during Paleoproterozoic (~ 1.8–1.9 Ga) and Phanerozoic (~ 220 Ma, 120–140 Ma, 45–47 Ma) times, with possible links to circum-craton subduction/collision events and the destruction of the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle formation in point source plumes is a typical sub-grid process not explicitly resolved in chemical transport models, and is an important contributor to atmospheric aerosols. The sub-grid particle formation (SGPF) is closely associated with the concentration of hydroxyl radical and condensation sinks in the plume, thus it has diurnal, seasonal and spatial variations. The impacts of SGPF in point source plumes on both aerosol mass and number concentrations were first investigated in China by a newly developed global nested chemical transport model with a SGPF parameterization scheme. Although a mean oxidation fraction of 2.5% sulfur dioxide for parameterizing the SGPF is suggested, the oxidation fraction and the particles formed in point source plumes have clear spatiotemporal variations based on the results of the SGPF scheme. The SGPF can enhance the annual mean concentration of sulfate by more than 1 μg m−3 (10–25%) over high emission areas (HEAs) in central-eastern China (CEC). In terms of particle number concentration, the SGPF contributes much more to nucleation mode particles with increasing number concentration, by 25–50% in HEAs, 10–25% in CEC, and 1–5% in northwestern China (NWC) compared with lower values (within ±5%) for the accumulation mode. This study reveals the significant impacts of SGPF over China and its strong dependence on meteorological and environmental factors. Physically-based SGPF scheme should be incorporated when studying the regional effects of point source plumes on air quality and climate. • The impacts of SGPF were first investigated in China using a 3-D model with a sub-grid scheme. • The particles formed in point source plumes have clear spatiotemporal variations. • The SGPF increased PNC in nucleation mode by 25–50% in high emission areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health impact of changes in particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM 2.5) pollution associated with the COVID-19 lockdown has aroused great interest, but the estimation of the long-term health effects is difficult because of the lack of an annual mean air pollutant concentration under a whole-year lockdown scenario. We employed a time series decomposition method to predict the monthly PM 2.5 concentrations in urban cities under permanent lockdown in 2020. The premature mortality attributable to long-term exposure to ambient PM 2.5 was quantified by the risk factor model from the latest epidemiological studies. Under a whole-year lockdown scenario, annual mean PM 2.5 concentrations in cites ranged from 5.4 to 68.0 μg m−3, and the national mean concentration was reduced by 32.2% compared to the 2015–2019 mean. The Global Exposure Mortality Model estimated that 837.3 (95% CI: 699.8–968.4) thousand people in Chinese cities would die prematurely from illnesses attributable to long-term exposure to ambient PM 2.5. Compared to 2015–2019 mean levels, 140.2 (95% CI: 122.2–156.0) thousand premature deaths (14.4% of the annual mean deaths from 2015 to 2019) attributable to long-term exposure to PM 2.5 were avoided. Because PM 2.5 concentrations were still high under the whole-year lockdown scenario, the health benefit is limited, indicating that continuous emission-cutting efforts are required to reduce the health risks of air pollution. Since a similar scenario may be achieved through promotion of electric vehicles and the innovation of industrial technology in the future, the estimated long-term health impact under the whole year lockdown scenario can establish an emission–air quality–health impact linkage and provide guidance for future emission control strategies from a health protection perspective. [Display omitted] • Predicted PM2.5 under whole-year lockdown in China ranged from 5.4 to 68.0 μg m−3. • Predicted PM2.5 in 2020 decreased by 32.2% compared with the 2015–2019 means. • A 14.4% reduction of premature deaths was estimated under whole-year lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread Mesozoic granitoids in the Cathaysia Block of South China are associated with intensive reworking of the lower crust as a result of magma underplating. This inference is based mainly on studies of mafic igneous rocks, whereas there is little evidence from lower-crustal rocks. Lower-crustal xenoliths in Mesozoic basalts in the Daoxian region within the Cathaysia Block might record information on the relationship between magma underplating and remelting of the pre-existing crust beneath the block. The xenoliths are mainly mafic granulites, with minor felsic granulites. The mafic granulites have low SiO 2 contents (47.22–49.46 wt%) and high Mg# values (77.8–82.4), suggesting that their protoliths were derived from a mantle source. The felsic granulite xenoliths have high SiO 2 (69.56–70.27 wt%) and low MgO (1.63–2.50 wt%) contents, and zircons in these xenoliths yield negative ε Hf (t) values (−6.1 to −12.6) and high δ18O values (6.8–7.6‰), consistent with a crustal source. Both mafic and felsic granulite xenoliths record magmatic (226–218 Ma) and metamorphic (218–193 Ma) events, suggesting a genetic link between mafic and felsic rocks in the lower crust. We propose that the magma underplating was responsible for the origin of the mafic granulites and partial melting of pre-existing lower crust, as recorded by the felsic xenoliths. The granulite xenoliths also contain abundant inherited zircons that formed during the Archean–Neoproterozoic (2584–659 Ma), early Paleozoic (peaking at ca. 425 Ma), and late Paleozoic (peaking at ca. 261 Ma). Zircons from the Daoxian granulite xenoliths have distinct Hf O isotopic compositions that record the multistage evolution of the lower crust beneath the Cathaysia Block. This evolution involved the accretion of juvenile crust during the late Archean (ε Hf (t) = +4.2 to +4.6) and late Paleozoic (ε Hf (t) = +1.3 to +5.3; δ18O = 5.8–6.2‰), crustal reworking during the Neoproterozoic (ε Hf (t) = −7.5 to −11.8; δ18O = 5.1–9.5‰) and early Paleozoic (ε Hf (t) = −0.5 to −2.2; δ18O = 7.3–7.5‰), and crustal accretion with significant reworking during the early Mesozoic (ε Hf (t) = −19.2 to +5.9; δ18O = 6.8–7.6‰). The U Pb ages and Hf O isotopic data of zircons from the Daoxian granulite xenoliths are consistent with the distribution of Phanerozoic igneous rocks in the Cathaysia Block. These data support the inference that Mesozoic magma underplating triggered the remelting of pre-existing crustal materials and produced extensive granitoid magmatism. • Daoxian granulite xenoliths record multistage accretion/reworking of lower crust. • Mafic xenoliths are related to early Mesozoic magma underplating. • Felsic xenoliths originated mainly from remelting of pre-existing lower crust. • Underplating triggered Mesozoic remelting of lower crust in the Cathaysia Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable chromium isotope composition of Earth's mantle has been suggested to be heterogeneous, with mantle-derived chromitites slightly enriched in heavier Cr isotopes than mantle-derived silicate rocks. To better understand such heterogeneity and to search for a potentially complementary light Cr isotope reservoir in the mantle, we analyzed the stable Cr isotope compositions (δ53Cr expressed as deviation of sample 53Cr/52Cr from NIST SRM 979) of whole-rock pyroxenite and peridotite xenoliths from the North China Craton using a double spike technique. The δ53Cr values of the peridotites vary from −0.21‰ to −0.07‰ with an average value of −0.14 ± 0.10‰ (2SD, N = 5), which overlaps with the range of the Bulk Silicate Earth (−0.12 ± 0.10‰). In contrast, pyroxenites in this study yield lower δ53Cr values (−0.30‰ to −0.14‰ with an average value of −0.21 ± 0.08‰, 2SD, N = 20). The variation in the δ53Cr values of the pyroxenites can be explained by a Rayleigh distillation model during partial melting of the primitive mantle. The model provides minimum Cr isotope fractionation factors during partial melting ranging from 0.01‰ to 0.12‰, with light isotopes enriched in the melt. Combined with literature data, our results suggest that both peridotites and basalts are indistinguishable from the Bulk Silicate Earth in terms of δ53Cr. However, pyroxenites and chromitites are isotopically lighter and heavier than the Bulk Silicate Earth, respectively. Future work is needed to investigate the petrogenetic relationship between chromitites and pyroxenites in order to understand why they seem to complement each other in δ53Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is a pathway to deep decarbonization. However, limited understanding of the CCU sector's technical and economic performance has hindered investment and deployment. Thus, this study comprehensively reviews CCU technologies by analyzing their strengths and applicability and quantifying their technical and economic performance based on data harmonization techniques. Results show that physical absorption presents favorable carbon dioxide (CO 2) capture cost (12.38 USD/t CO 2 on average) and CO 2 capture energy consumption (1.03 GJ/t CO 2 on average). Pipelines are the most economical method for CO 2 transportation, with a mean cost of 0.025 USD/tkm. For CO 2 chemical utilizations, dimethyl ether synthesis has the shortest economic payback time (1.88 years on average) and methanol synthesis has the highest energy efficiency (51.7% on average). Overall, CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery is well-rounded in terms of technological maturity and economic cost-effectiveness, with an average payback time of 4.1 years. For China, the annual CO 2 mitigation potential of CCU peaks in 2050 (reaching 1691 Mt of CO 2), which is mainly derived from the power, cement, and chemical production sectors. Key opportunities for CCU development in China include deploying chemical absorption in the cement and power sectors, reducing physical absorption costs in the chemical production sector, developing highly active and stable catalysts to improve the conversion rate of CO 2 to dimethyl ether, and supporting CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery via economic incentives. [Display omitted] • Techno-economic analysis for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies is performed. • Physical absorption presents favorable CO 2 capture cost and energy efficiency. • Pipeline is the most economical method for CO 2 transportation, 0.025 $/tkm on average. • CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery is well-rounded regarding technological and economic performance. • Annual CO 2 mitigation potential of CCU in China peaks in 2050 (1691 million tons). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel facultative anaerobic strain Chelatococcus daeguensis HB-4 was first isolated from Oilfield. • The strain HB-4 can degrade long chain hydrocarbons to shorter chains. • Core flooding tests demonstrated 20.5% oil recovery by microbial enhancement, and 59.8% viscosity reduction. • Strain HB-4 can be used for microbial enhanced oil recovery in heavy oil reservoirs. Biodegradation of crude heavy oil was investigated with Chelatococcus daeguensis HB-4 that was isolated from the produced fluid of Baolige Oilfield in China. Batch growth characterization and crude oil degradation tests confirmed HB-4 to be facultative anaerobic and able to degrade heavy oil. The oil degradation was found to occur through degrading long hydrocarbons chains to shorter ones, resulting in oil viscosity reduction. By mixing crude oil with glucose, or using sole crude oil as carbon source, the content of light fractions (C 8 -C 22) increased by 4.97% while heavy fractions (C 23 -C 37) decreased by 7.98%. It was also found that bioemulsifiers were produced rather than commonly observed biosurfactants in the fermentation process, which was attributed to the extracellular degradation of hydrocarbons. Core flooding tests demonstrated 20.5% oil recovery by microbial enhancement, and 59.8% viscosity reduction, showing potential of strain HB-4 for application in the oil industry, especially in enhanced heavy oil recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant A-type granitic intrusions are located within the South Tienshan Orogenic Belt (STOB) and the adjacent area to the Tarim Block. Most of these intrusions share the analogical epoch of the Tarim Large Igneous Province (TLIP), however display diverse alkalinity and geochemical signature. There is controversy in deciphering the subdivision, petrogenesis and geodynamic setting of these intrusions based on their varied geochemical compositions. In this contribution, we conduct integrated research of whole-rock major and trace element compositions, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and in-situ zircon Hf–O isotopic characteristics of several Halajun intrusions in the STOB, to unravel their subdivision, petrogenesis and geodynamics. The Halajun IV quartz-syenite, Kaladuowei quartz-monzonite and tourmaline-rich granite show Permian crystallization ages of 283.4 ± 1.1 Ma, 280.2 ± 1.3 Ma and 270.7 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively. These intrusions exhibit high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y concentrations (449–1592 ppm), 10,000 × Ga/Al values (3.31–4.47), Na 2 O + K 2 O (6.9–10.9 wt%), (K 2 O + Na 2 O)/CaO (3.5–19.2) and FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) (0.67–0.95), which are similar to those of typical A-type granitoids. These samples show various degrees of enriched Rb, Th, U, Zr, Hf and Pb, and depleted Ba, Sr and Eu. Decoupling of Nb and Ta in late granitic phases infers that the Nb–Ta differentiation occurred during the magmatic evolution. The in-situ zircon Hf and O isotopes of these intrusions show wide ranges of ε Hf(t) (−1.2 to +4.7) and δ 18O (+6.2‰ to +8.2‰), indicating that crust- and mantle-derived materials were both involved in the quartz-syenite, quartz-monzonite and tourmaline-rich granite. End-member mixing model shows that the mantle contribution is ∼80% for quartz-syenite and ∼60–65% for quartz-monzonite and tourmaline-rich granite, respectively. With the increasing crustal materials of the parental magma and the subsequent fractionation of ilmenite and biotite, they exhibit a gradual tendency from A 1 -type to A 2 -type granitoids. This suggests that A-subtypes may evolve during the magmatic process. Considering the same tectonic setting and a common parental source, the quartz-syenite, quartz-monzonite and tourmaline-rich granite should be A 1 -type. The Halajun plutons were emplaced between the STOB and Tarim Block, and their generation might be related to the contemporaneous Permian Tarim mantle plume. The primitive magmas, derived from mantle plume, was mixed with the ancient Proterozoic crust and formed the Halajun A 1 -type granitoids. These alkaline intrusions share two tectonic regimes, i.e., the southern margin of the Tienshan Orogenic Belt and the northern margin of TLIP. The regional tectonic setting was in the transitional period from a compressive regime to an extensional or post-collisional one in the Late Paleozoic. The rising plume generated the ultramafic pipes, and provided dynamic energy to the extensional motion. The collapse of the Tienshan Orogenic Belt and the contemporary heavy eruption of TLIP not only afforded channels for the upwelling mantle magma, but also cycled the lithosphere or crustal materials into the mantle, which might have been involved in the formation of the A 2 -type granitoids in the STOB. The A 1 -type granitoids were mainly derived from the mantle source along the terminal suture. • Tarim Large Igneous Province is responsible for the formation of the Halajun granites. • The transition from A 1 - to A 2 -type granitoid is caused by increased crustal materials. • Crystallization differentiation of ilmenite and biotite will enhance this tendency. • A 1 -type granitoids mainly occur along the North Tarim Suture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ferroptosis is involved in airway inflammation in OVA induced mouse asthmamodel. • Acupuncture relieves ferroptosis related exacerbation in airway inflammation. • Mechanism of acupuncture is associated with down regulation of ACSL4-15LO1. Acupuncture has been frequently used in China for the treatment asthma for thousands of years. Ferroptosis was recently revealed to be involved in several pathological conditions including asthma. However, the detailed links between ferroptosis and airway inflammation in asthma, as well as the detailed regulation of acupuncture on these disorders remains unclear. Our results demonstrated that the non-haem Fe2+ level increased markedly in the lung tissue of mouse asthma model, and positively correlated with R L and IL-4 level in BALF. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation markers MDA and GSSG increased remarkably in OVA-induced experimental asthma mice. Up-regulation of lipid peroxidation associated proteins ACSL4 and15-LO1 was also observed in OVA-induced experimental asthma mice. To demonstrate the role of ferroptosis in asthma and the effect of acupuncture on these disorders, ferroptosis-induction agent erastin and ferroptosis-inhibition agent fer-1 were used, and our data demonstrated that erastin could augment lung inflammation and lipid peroxidation in OVA induced asthma model. Fer-1 was able to relieve AHR, lung inflammation, non-haem Fe2+ level, lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis related pathway ACSL4-15LO1 in OVA-induced experimental asthma mice. Acupuncture treatment alleviated R L , lung inflammation as well as type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 levels induced by OVA inhalation. What's more, acupuncture significantly reduced the MDA and GSSG levels, the non-haem Fe2+ level and ACSL4-15-LO1 proteins expression. Acupuncture also relieved erastin-induced exacerbation in lung inflammation and lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis. Acupuncture treatment could relieve ferroptosis related exacerbation in airway inflammation. Our study provided insights into the underlying mechanisms for the protective effects of acupuncture and highlighted a therapeutic potential of acupuncture treatment in the attenuation of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Precambrian tectonic evolution of the North China Craton (NCC) has long been a matter of debate. The Huai’an Complex, situated at the conjunction of the Khondalite Belt and Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), undoubtedly can provide some key constraints on the geological evolution of the Khondalite Belt and the TNCO. We report zircon U–Pb ages and Hf-isotope results for four gneissic rocks and one Mesozoic mafic dyke in the Huai’an Complex to constrain the Precambrian tectonothermal evolution and crustal accretion in the northern margin of the NCC. The zircons from three dioritic to granitic gneisses and inherited zircons from the mafic dyke all yield Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic protolith ages of 2445–2533 Ma, and register three later tectonomagmatic events with ages of ∼2360, ∼2150 and ∼1850 Ma. The ∼2360 Ma magmatism is recorded by a dioritic gneiss (2358 ± 34 Ma) from the Dongyanghe area and a granodioritic gneiss (2370 ± 24 Ma) from the Hunyuanyao area. The ∼2150 Ma magmatism is recognized in a dioritic gneiss (2172 ± 7 Ma), granodioritic gneiss (2159 ± 63 Ma) and the Mesozoic mafic dyke (2144 ± 57 Ma). The ∼1850 Ma magmatism is represented by zircon populations with ages of 1877 ± 48 Ma in the dioritic gneiss, 1844 ± 69 Ma in the granodioritic gneiss and ∼1800 Ma in the mafic dyke. These Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic ages reveal that the Huai’an Complex underwent a successive, complicated tectonomagmatic evolution, similar to the Hengshan–Wutai–Fuping Complexes, which represent a long-lived Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic magmatic arc. In contrast, a sillimanite–garnet gneiss from the Kouzicun area yields completely different zircon U–Pb ages with peaks at 2056 ± 32 Ma, 1952 ± 25 Ma and 1901 ± 25 Ma. These three age groups suggest that the Kouzicun area experienced a tectonothermal evolution diagnostic of the Khondalite Belt, including protolith ages (2100–2000 Ma), peak metamorphism (∼1950 Ma) and post-orogenic exhumation (∼1900 Ma). Thus, the geological boundary between the Khondalite Belt and the TNCO can be constrained to a position between the Kouzicun and Hunyuanyao areas. Coupled with zircon U–Pb ages, zircon Hf isotopic results reveal that ∼2500 Ma mantle-derived mafic magmas not only provided enormous heat for partial melting of the 2.7–2.8 Ga juvenile crust to form widespread TTG rocks, but also contributed directly to the generation of dioritic rocks. The Huai’an Complex in the northern margin of the NCC witnessed two Neoarchean episodes of continental-crust growth at 2.7–2.8 Ga and at 2.5 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GC-MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS were used to characterize volatile and non-volatile components of AR. • Volatile and non-volatile components were integratively processed with chemometric to evaluate the holistic quality of AR. • The commercial AR samples could be classified into two main groups. • The volatile components were majorly responsible for the classification. In present study, a comprehensive strategy integrating multiple chromatographic and chemometric methods to simultaneously characterize the volatile and non-volatile components was developed for the holistic quality evaluation of commercial Agastache rugosa (AR), a common edible and medicinal herb, collected in China. The volatile components and the non-volatile components were characterized by GC-MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, respectively. And the data were analyzed either independently or integratively by multivariate statistical analysis (MVS) for the quality assessment of commercial samples. The results revealed that the commercial AR samples were different in both the composition and the content of volatile components. However, the compositions of non-volatile components in commercial AR were generally similar, whereas the contents of some components were different. All the results indicated that the holistic quality of commercial AR was inconsistent, and the commercial samples collected could be classified into two main groups, the volatile components were majorly responsible for the classification. Whether or not the holistic quality variations affect the efficacy of AR deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) with multivariate linear regression (MLR) to apportion sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China, based on the measured PAH concentrations of 32 samples collected at eight sites in four seasons in 2006. The results indicate that petrogenic and pyrogenic sources are the important sources of PAHs. Further analysis shows that the contributions of coal combustion, traffic-related pollution and spills of oil products (petrogenic) are 40%, 36% and 24% using PCA/MLR, respectively. Pyrogenic sources (coal combustion and traffic related pollution) contribute 76% of anthropogenic PAHs to sediments, which indicates that energy consumption is a predominant factor of PAH pollution in Shanghai. Rainfall, the monsoon and temperature play important roles in the distinct seasonal variation of PAH pollution, such that the contamination level of PAHs in spring is significantly higher than in the other seasons. Brief: We apportion PAHs in surface sediments of the Huangpu River and show that coal combustion, traffic-related pollution, and petroleum spillage are the major sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poisoning is an increasing and significant burden that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this retrospective study, poisoning-related cases that occurred in 19 cities and prefectures in Sichuan, Southwest China, between 2010 and 2018 were collected from the West China Forensic Medical Center of Sichuan and Public Security Bureaus. A total of 782 poisoning-related deaths were recorded, and their demographic characteristics, season of death, type of poison, and manner and cause of death were analysed. Of these cases, the victims were predominantly male (65.3%), and the 21∼50-year-old age group included the most victims (63.2%). The rural incidence was 71%. The most common poisoning agent was pesticide (40%), followed by toxic gases (32%), and there were cases of poisoning by poisonous animals and plants that are not common in other regions of China. The predominant manner of poisoning death was accident (50%), followed by suicide (38.3%) and homicide (5.0%). In this study, relevant information on poisoning-related cases was collected and compared with the poisoning data from other areas of China and foreign countries to provide guidance for the formulation of public health policies in Sichuan, Southwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]