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• Microgrid optimal dispatch to reduce costs, carbon emissions and power fluctuation. • The multi-objective optimization algorithm based on war strategy. • Pareto frontier sort based on membership degree. • Reasonable allocation of new energy and energy storage. This article introduces a novel metaheuristic multi-objective optimization algorithm to address the complex multi-objective optimization scheduling challenges of the microgrids for the first time. Comparing with common multi-objective optimization algorithms, the proposed Multi-Objective War Strategy Optimization (MOWSO) has the following highlights: 1) MOWSO only needs to set three parameters. The few parameters make the algorithm simple to debug and real-world implement in practical applications. 2) MOWSO avoids the local centralized distribution of Pareto frontier based on a random selection strategy. The selection range of multiple objectives is expanded properly. In addition, a comprehensive multi-objective optimization dispatch model for microgrids is established, concurrently considering operating costs, carbon emissions, and power fluctuations. Furthermore, the impact of new energy proportion and Energy Storage (ES) on microgrid optimal dispatch is thoroughly investigated. Finally, a case study about a village microgrid in North China is presented to validate the effectiveness and the superiority of proposed multi-objective optimization dispatch model and novel MOWSO algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ketamine, as a non-competitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, was originally used in general anesthesia. Epidemiological data show that ketamine has become one of the most commonly abused drugs in China. Ketamine administration might cause cognitive impairment; however, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. The glymphatic system is a lymphoid system that plays a key role in metabolic waste removal and cognitive regulation in the central nervous system. Focusing on the glymphatic system, this study evaluated the behavioral performance and circulatory function of the glymphatic system by building a short-term ketamine administration model in mice, and detected the expression levels of the 5-HT2c receptor, ΔFosb, Pten, Akt, and Aqp4 in the hippocampus. Primary astrocytes were cultured to verify the regulatory relationships among related indexes using a 5-HT2c receptor antagonist, a 5-HT2c receptor short interfering RNA (siRNA), and a ΔFosb siRNA. Ketamine administration induced ΔFosb accumulation by increasing 5-HT2c receptor expression in mouse hippocampal astrocytes and primary astrocytes. ΔFosb acted as a transcription factor to recognize the AATGATTAAT bases in the 5′ regulatory region of the Aqp4 gene (−1096 bp to −1087 bp), which inhibited Aqp4 expression, thus causing the circulatory dysfunction of the glymphatic system, leading to cognitive impairment. Although this regulatory mechanism does not involve the Pten/Akt pathway, this study revealed a new mechanism of ketamine-induced cognitive impairment in non-neuronal systems, and provided a theoretical basis for the safety of clinical treatment and the effectiveness of withdrawal. [Display omitted] • Ketamine administration causes circulatory dysfunction of glymphatic system. • Ketamine administration induces cognitive impairment in mice. • Ketamine induces ΔFosb accumulation by increasing the expression of 5-HT2c receptor. • ΔFosb acts as a transcription factor to recognize and inhibit Aqp4 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An evaluation system considering pressure and pressure-bearing was established. • Grid scale ecological security was evaluated using this system and entropy method. • County scale security level was evaluated based on entropy matter-element model. • Changes of ecological security situation between 2000 and 2015 were explored. Abstract Ecological security is important for social and economic sustainable development which needs stable resources and eco-environment support. In this study, we established an evaluation indicator system considering pressure and pressure-bearing to quantify the ecological security for Kunming city as it is a socioeconomic center in Southwest China with important ecological niche and rapid urbanization. According to the weights assigned by entropy method, we overlaid 13 indicators which were divided into 2 units, pressure indicators and pressure-bearing indicators, to evaluate the ecological security on grid scale. And then, ecological security level on district-county scale was evaluated based on the entropy matter-element model. On this basis, we explored their spatial distribution characteristics and the change trend from 2000 to 2015. Results showed that spatial distribution characteristic of ecological security evaluation was similar with the results of pressure evaluation, showing the scores and levels gradually increased from the urban area to the surrounding areas. Compared the ecological security levels in 2000 and in 2015, both of the highest value and the lowest value increased slightly. In general, the area with improved ecological security situation accounted for 89.10% of the total area. In terms of the change trend of ecological security levels, eight counties deteriorated while five counties remained unchanged which were driven by different deterioration reasons. The evaluation results of this study can provide comprehensive and targeted support for regional sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hoFH) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by extreme elevation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, accelerated coronary artery disease, and premature death. Aggressive LDL-lowering therapies are important for survival, but these are not available worldwide. The aim of the study was to compare and contrast cardiovascular outcomes and mortality of hoFH patients in 2 countries with disparate use of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) and modern therapies for lowering LDL cholesterol. A retrospective study was undertaken comparing cardiovascular disease (CVD)-free survival and mortality in 44 hoFH patients who were treated with statins but not LA, from a center in Beijing, China, and 18 hoFH patients who were treated with LA and novel therapies from an early age, from a center in Rome, Italy. CVD-free survival and survival were significantly reduced in Chinese patients compared with the Italian patients after 30 years of follow-up (log-rank P <.01). In a pooled analysis, cardiovascular survival was significantly increased with earlier age at treatment, longer duration of treatment, and lower on-treatment LDL cholesterol concentrations (P <.05). In addition, the probability of a CVD event and death were increased in patients that carried a null mutation in the LDLR or had elevated lipoprotein(a). We show that coronary artery disease outcomes in patients with hoFH can be significantly improved with earlier and potent LDL cholesterol lowering with pharmacotherapies and LA. This has major implications for countries, such as China, where the models of care for hoFH remains underdeveloped. • We identified important gaps in the care of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients in China and Italy. • Chinese patients had significantly reduced survival compared with Italian patients. • Efficacious therapies (eg, drugs and lipoprotein apheresis) are crucial to improve outcomes in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims To investigate the status of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) research and the characteristics of patients with FH in China. Methods Published papers in Chinese or English language from PubMed, SinoMed and CNKI databases from 1971 to March 2018 were searched using 'Familial hypercholesterolemia', 'Chinese' and 'Han' as keywords. A systematic review of studies on familial hypercholesterolemia was then conducted. Results A total of 391 articles were found, in which 22% were in English and 78% were in Chinese; approximately 43% are case reports and 34% are genetic reports according to the study type; 52% discussed the status of the disease and 11% investigated the subclinical status according to the study content. Furthermore, 96% of the articles were published by tertiary hospitals and 46% were conducted by cardiologists. The first expert consensus was issued in February 2018. Of the 163 case reports published before 2018, 48.7% used the Chinese FH clinical diagnostic criteria and 34.4% did not clearly indicate the diagnostic criteria. The incidence rates of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) mutations were 82% and 9%, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) mutations were rare in Chinese patients with FH. However, the data on lipid-lowering treatment rates, compliance rates and cardiovascular events in FH remain insufficient. Conclusions Large-scale epidemiological investigation of FH has not been demonstrated, the recognition of FH remains rudimentary, and the guidelines are incomplete in China. The diagnosis and management of Chinese FH needs to be improved. Highlights • Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common hereditary disorder in china. • Familial hypercholesterolemia is extremely underdiagnosed in china. • Familial Hypercholesterolemia is undertreated in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partitioning, a method considering environmental protection and development potential, is an effective way to provide regional management strategies to maintain ecological sustainability. In this study, we provide a large-scale regional division approach and present a strategy for Southwest China, which also has extremely high development potential because of the “Western development” policy. Based on the superposition of 15 factors, including species diversity, pattern restriction, agricultural potential, accessibility, urbanization potential, and topographical limitations, the environmental value and development benefit in the region were quantified spatially by weighting the sum of indicators within environmental and development categories. By comparing the scores with their respective median values, the study area was divided into four different strategy zones: Conserve zones (34.94%), Construction zones (32.95%), Conflict zones (16.96%), and Low-tension zones (15.16%). The Conflict zones in which environmental value and development benefit were both higher than the respective medians were separated further into the following 5 levels: Extreme conflict (36.20%), Serious conflict (28.07%), Moderate conflict (12.28%), Minor conflict (6.55%), and Slight conflict (16.91%). We found that 9.04% of nature reserves were in Conflict zones, and thus should be given more attention. This study provides a simple and feasible method for regional partitioning, as well as comprehensive support that weighs both the environmental value and development benefit for China's current Ecological Red Line and space planning and for regional management in similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DOM in Dianchi Lake were dominated by humic-like substances. • DOM in Dianchi Lake is affected by the macrophytes and algae distribution as well as inflowing rivers. • DOM components had high relevance to water quality indicators. • The DOM components of Dianchi Lake are prone to humification. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important part of the material cycle in the water environment, and it plays an important role in the nutrient cycle of nitrogen and phosphorus in eutrophic water and biological processes. Dianchi Lake is a heavily eutrophic plateau lake in China. To investigate the fluorescence characteristics of DOM and the influences of DOM on water quality of rivers and lakes in the Dianchi Lake basin, three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry were employed to determine the features of dissolved organic matter (DOM) components. According to the research results, the DOM components in rivers and lakes in the Dianchi Lake basin were dominated by humic-like substances and affected by seasonal changes to a certain extent. DOM in Dianchi Lake is affected by the macrophytes and algae distribution as well as inflowing rivers, but the dominant factors are different in dry and rainy seasons. PCA results indicated that DOM components had relatively high relevance to water quality indicators, especially COD and TN. In conclusion, Lake ecosystem status and pollution levels can be characterized by DOM to some extent, the DOM components in the Dianchi Lake are prone to humification with the implementation of wastewater treatment and aquatic ecological restoration projects, as reflected in the improved water quality index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three bacterial strains isolated from a sediment sample collected at a water depth of 4 m from the Huaihe River in China were characterized. Phylogenetic investigation of the 16S rRNA gene and concatenated housekeeping gene sequences assigned the three novel strains in a highly supported lineage distinct from the published Bradyrhizobium species. The sequence similarities of the concatenated housekeeping genes of the three novel strains support their distinctiveness with the type strains of named species. Average nucleotide identity values of the genome sequences (79.9–82.5%) were below the threshold value of 95–96% for bacterial species circumscription. Close relatives to the novel strains are Bradyrhizobium erythrophlei , Bradyrhizobium jicamae , Bradyrhizobium lablabi , Bradyrhizobium mercantei , Bradyrhizobium elkanii and Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The complete genomes of strains S2-20-1T, S2-11-2 and S2-11-4 consist of single chromosomes of size 5.55, 5.45 and 5.47 Mb, respectively. These strains lack a symbiosis island, key nodulation and photosystem genes. Based on the data presented here, the three strains represent a novel species for which the name Bradyrhizobium sediminis sp. nov. is proposed for S2-20-1T as the type strain. Those three strains are proposed as novel species in free-living Bradyrhizobium isolates with the smallest genomes so far within the genus Bradyrhizobium. A number of functional differences between the three isolates and other published genomes indicate that the genus Bradyrhizobium is extremely heterogeneous and has roles within the community including non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the conditions of scarce soil water availability, high UV exposure and huge temperature fluctuation, plant growth in desert is extremely limited. In the last three decades, reclaiming desertified land for agricultural use via the application of solar greenhouse has been developing in the arid regions, northwestern China. However, the soil microbiome shift driven by the transformation of land use remains largely unexplored. To this end, we examined the diversity and composition of the bacterial community in the vineyard soil at the edge of Tengger desert, using the high-throughput quantitative 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Two types of agricultural managed soils, including those near the plant (PLT) and the others on the fertilization furrow (FTL), were collected. Soils from the open desert land without agricultural practices were used as the control (CON). The results showed that agricultural reclamation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the desert soil bacterial diversity while promoted the total bacterial abundance from 106 copies up to 108 per ng of DNA, which increased up to 90 folds. Among the dominant bacteria Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria were found to be the keystone taxa responding to the agricultural practices especially to the nutrient inputs from fertilization. The functional prediction of the microbiome suggested that amino acid and carbohydrate transport and metabolism were the most important metabolic pathways differed between the three types of soils. Overall, our findings provide deep insights into the understanding of desert soil microbial responses to agricultural reclamation on the processes of human urbanization and reversion of desertification. • Agricultural reclamation reduces desert soil bacterial diversity. • Fertilization has stronger impact than planting on soil bacterial community. • Agricultural reclamation increases desert soil bacterial abundance up to 89 folds. • Bacilli and Actinobacteira are the keystone taxa in reclaimed desert soil. • Nutrient inputs exclusively influence the bacterial abundance positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), organotin and organolead compounds were measured in sewage sludge samples collected from 24 wastewater treatment plants from 18 cities of 13 provinces in China. Total international toxicity equivalent (I-TEQ) values were evaluated for PCDD/Fs. The total concentration of PCDD/Fs ranged from 104.0 to 1661 pg/g dry weight (d.w.) and 2.51–75.21 pg I-TEQ/g d.w., indicating that all I-TEQs were below Chinese legislation limit value regulated for land application. The concentrations ranged from 258 to 3886, 126 to 1129, and 84–2133 ng/g as Sn d.w., for tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and diphenyltin (DPhT), respectively. On the other side, organolead concentrations ranged from 85 to 668 with an average of 279 ng/g as lead. High concentrations of organolead compounds in sewage sludge indicated that the environmental impact of organolead compounds remains in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Spontaneous plant communities in Chongqing Metropolis included 279 species. • Native species accounted for about 85% of the urban spontaneous plants. • Regional species pool decreased with increasing levels of urbanization intensification. • Habitat types and qualities affected the composition of spontaneous plant communities. Urban ecosystems can host a considerable amount of biodiversity because of the varying habitats created during urban development processes. Spontaneous vegetation is a neglected element of urban biodiversity, and the roles of a city's natural floristic resources, geomorphic features, and topographic characteristics in shaping spontaneous plant diversity patterns have not been fully clarified. We explored the impact of urban growth and elevation and slope on the diversity patterns of urban spontaneous plant communities in a mountainous city in southwest China. We recorded 279 species belonging to 210 genera and 70 families, with native species accounting for about 85% of the urban spontaneous plants. The magnitude of urban growth and elevation were the most important drivers and they were positively correlated with the γ-diversity patterns in Chongqing. Thus, both urban forms and the city's natural conditions are important in affecting the urban biodiversity patterns. Furthermore, urban spontaneous plant communities in Chongqing metropolis were mainly dominated by a few widespread, cosmopolitan species, with nearly 50% of the 279 species we recorded being narrowly distributed and rarely occurring species. The distribution of the rare, spontaneous species may be highly dependent on chance dispersal, the legacies of earlier land-use, and the availability of specific habitats. We propose that urban construction and landscape design should maintain appropriate configurations for the habitat type to preserve rarely occurring plant species to increase biodiversity in urban landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Twenty autosomal short tandem repeat loci were genotyped in Zhangzhou Han population. • A total of 262 alleles were found among 1555 unrelated individuals. • The 20 autosomal loci in Zhangzhou Han population are useful in forensic medicine. • The structure of Zhangzhou Han was similar with that of the southern Han. China harbors 56 ethnic groups and Han is the largest population. It is informative and useful to explore the available population genetic characteristics of Chinese Han population from Fujian Province, Southeast China. In our study, we explored the genetic characteristics of 20 autosomal Short tandem repeat (STR) loci in 1555 unrelated Chinese Han individuals from Zhangzhou City, Southeastern China using the SureID® 21G Human STR Identification Kit. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis was performed between the Zhangzhou Han population and other relevant populations based on the shared autosomal STR genotyping. The neighbor-joining tree and multidimensional scaling analysis were analyzed based on the Nei's standard genetic distance. We found 262 alleles among 1555 unrelated individuals and the corresponding allele frequencies ranged from 0.5521 to 0.0003. The combined power of discrimination and exclusion of the 20 autosomal STR loci were 0.99999999999999999999999943 and 0.999999996166537, respectively. Population comparison revealed that the Zhangzhou Han population were lining up together with the southern Han populations in China while showed significant differences from other China populations. Our results found that the 20 autosomal STR loci in Zhangzhou Han population are meaningful for forensic medicine and human genetic. The genetics characteristic of Zhangzhou Han population is similar with the southern Han population in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) and ozone can greatly affect human health and the Earth's ecological environment. By deploying a UV radiometer aboard a stratospheric balloon released at Qaidam (QDM) during the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) period in 2019, we provided in situ measurement of the UV profiles from the surface to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), China, for the first time. Based on two in situ UV profiles accompanied by four ozonesonde measurements, this study exhibited detailed variations of downwelling UV and vertical ozone distributions over the TP during the ASM period. The UV differences between the surface and stratospheric balloon flight altitudes were 16.7, 15.8, 12.6 and 18.0 Wm−2 during the four ozonesonde launches. Due to the diurnal variations in photochemical production and the stratosphere-troposphere exchange, the integrated ozone columns below 30 km ranged from 184.4 to 221.6 DU from four ozonesonde measurements. A positive correlation between UV attenuation and ozone column was exhibited under low cloud cover and clear sky conditions. The results of this study are expected to improve our understanding of UV and ozone properties, as well as their potential effects on terrestrial ecosystems and living environments over this significant plateau. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose versatile risks to the environment and human health. However, studies on their occurrences, spatial distributions, seasonal variations, possible sources and potential risks of the Han River are still not clear. In this study, 16 PAHs were investigated in the surface water and sediments from 15 sampling sites of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Han River during the dry, normal, and flood seasons. It was found that the sum concentration of PAHs (ΣPAHs) determined by GC-MS ranged from 18.3 to 146.8 ng/L (mean 77.4 ng/L) in surface water, while it was 137.1–1478.4 ng/g (mean 679.6 ng/g) in sediments. The two to three rings PAHs in surfer water and four-five-ring in sediments PAHs comprised the majority of the detected compounds. The level of PAHs in dry season was higher than that in the flood and normal seasons, and the distributions of PAHs varied substantially along the river without clear trend in surface water and sediments. The sources of PAHs in surface water and sediments were mainly from biomass and coal combustion, followed by petroleum combustion. The human health risk of PAHs were evaluated using the risk entropy method of Kalf in surface water, and the mean effects range-median quotient method in sediments, respectively. Overall, the potential health risks caused by PAHs are still acceptable with special concerns about certain specific issues. [Display omitted] • Anthracene in surface water and benzo[ a ]anthracene in sediment are the most predominant PAHs. • The sum concentration of PAHs show the highest concentration in dry season. • The main sources of PAHs are biomass and coal combustion. • Potential health risks of PAHs are acceptable with concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, industry is responsible for 88.15% of the sulfur dioxide emissions, of which coal-fired power plants account for around 35.62%. Moreover, over 90% of power plant had installed FGD implementers. On the road to an optimal economic emission control, this article develops an ILP algorithm to optimize the sorting SO 2 emission control technology costs, based on a detailed database that contains large amounts of information for 1,966 thermal power plants, such as unit installed capacity and annual generating capacity, coal consumption, sulfur content, emission control technologies, operation duration and geographical location. The results demonstrate that the total operating costs will increase along with emission abatement. When the average desulfurization efficiency reaches 95%, 98% and 99%, the total operating cost in China is 54.4 billion CNY, 64.8 billion CNY and 78.6 billion CNY, respectively. Under the scenario that every power plant reaches the SO 2 emission limitation, the total operating cost of following the least-cost retrofitting laws could reduce by 5.05% to 15.31% nationwide. Finally, the study suggests that desulfurization equipment with high removal efficiency should be installed primarily in larger units, and policymakers could develop cost-effectiveness control strategies for coal-fired power plants using the results of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: In traditional Chinese medicines, Cortex Dictamni is prescribed for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases such as acute rheumatoid arthritis, skin inflammation and jaundice. Aim of the study: This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Cortex Dictamni on treatment of hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanisms. Materials and methods: The in vivo effect of Cortex Dictamni extract (CDE) was evaluated by measuring histological changes and collagen content in CCl4-indcued hepatic fibrosis mice. Viability, apoptosis and protein expression of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were analyzed by MTT, Annexin V staining and Western blot respectively. Results: CDE alleviated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice and showed a much stronger inhibition of cell viability in activated HSC cell line HSC-T6 than that in normal hepatocyte L02 cells. Furthermore, CDE induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells associated with increased expressions of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3. Interestingly, CDE activated STAT1 in HSC-T6 cells and the effect of CDE on apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells could be neutralized using JAK/STAT1 signaling inhibitor AG490. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CDE possesses anti-fibrosis activity with selectively induction of activated HSC apoptosis via activating STAT1, which might be a novel strategy for hepatic fibrosis therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Water balance and groundwater dynamics in the oasis and desert sites were altered. • Soil water and groundwater level patterns in the oasis-desert system were reshaped. • Regional groundwater availability is changing and approaching hydrological limits. • Over-development is the dominant control on regional hydrological regimes change. Irrigated agriculture greatly affects the hydrological systems and thereby eco-environment and food security in arid and semi-arid regions. However, a comprehensive assessment of the hydrological system dynamics in response to irrigated agriculture is still scarce, especially in oasis-desert systems of arid inland regions. Thus, we investigated the impact of irrigated agriculture on hydrological regimes in an oasis-desert system of northwest China. Temporal variations in water balance and lateral groundwater flow in oasis and desert experimental fields (i.e. oasis plot and desert plot) were quantified using the water balance analysis method. Soil water variations, groundwater dynamics and surface water and groundwater interactions in the oasis-desert system were determined by combining line transect survey methods and stable isotope (18O, 2H) techniques using the USGS MODFLOW software. The results showed that water exchange fluxes and groundwater dynamics were altered by the application of water-saving irrigation techniques and the increase in total precipitation. In particular, the downward total exchanging flux above groundwater table and the outward total lateral groundwater flow reduced significantly in the oasis plot. Spatial heterogeneity and profile variability of soil moisture along the soil water content (SWC) transect significantly reduced. Simultaneously, the depth dependence of SWC in oasis cropland and the deep soil moisture at the edge of desert were improved under water-saving irrigation scenario. Temporal variations in groundwater table depths (GTDs) exhibited three different patterns (i.e. stable, metastable and fluctuating) and maintained a continuously downward trend except for the oasis-desert ecotone along the GTD transect, and an abrupt change was found to have occurred during 2006–2012, prompting changes in the seasonality of groundwater resource availability. Groundwater recharge and discharge processes changed dramatically due to large-scale land reclamation and groundwater pumping. Groundwater depletion is approaching hydrological limits although the process is largely compensated by precipitation and streamflow variability. Water-saving irrigation in conjunction with restriction of land reclamation and adaptation of water management practices is, at least for the present, the most effective way to maintain the coexistence of oasis and desert ecosystems in arid inland regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]