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• Potential water sources for plant in rocky environment are hard to locate and sample. • They were separated into two water pools based on their hydrological differences. • Tree and shrub on a cliff-face were identified to rely on different water pools. • Linkage between plant water use and the two different water pools was built up. Sources of water used by plants in rock-dominated environments are far less clear than those in relatively homogeneous soils, largely because plants in rocky environments normally expose to more complex substrate conditions and their potential water sources are hard to locate and sample. In the current study, potential water sources for plants growing on cliff-face (a typical kind of rock-dominated environment) were roughly separated into two water pools based on their hydrological differences. A variable pool that is composed of water derived from recent precipitation that has rapid fluctuations in water content due to recharge by precipitation and depletion by transpiration, and a constant pool that is characterized by slower changes in water status because it can only be recharged by precipitation under certain conditions and depleted by transpiration of deep-rooted species. This study was conducted in a typical karst catchment of Northwest Guangxi, Southwest China. Stem water samples for the most common dominant tree species of cliff-faces and rainwater for each rain event were consecutively collected throughout the growing season. A co-occurring shrub species, which was identified to have a shallow root system, was further selected as a reference species. The reliance on different water pools was qualitatively identified based on the deviation of stem water isotope values between current and last sampling times, as well as its relationship to the isotope values of rainfall between these two sampling times. Our results showed that the shrub species continuously relied on water from the variable water pool, which was consistent with its shallow root system. While the dominant tree species shifted from the constant pool during the early wet season to the variable pool during the mid-wet season, then back to the constant pool during the early dry season. Moreover, the divergent reliance on different water pools by the two species was further supported by the species-specific dynamics in the efficiency in water use by various plants (reflected by leaf carbon isotope ratio). Our results provide new insights into the linkages between plant transpiration and hydrologically different water pools, which would be helpful in understanding the hydrological importance of different plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Qinling Mountains in Central China mark a gigantic composite orogenic belt with a complex tectonic evolution involving multiple phases of rifting and convergence. This belt separates the North China and South China Blocks and consists of the South and North Qinling terranes separated by the Shangdan suture. The suture is marked by the Grenvillian Songshugou ophiolite along the southern margin of the North Qinling terrane, which is key to understanding the Proterozoic tectonic evolution of the belt. The ophiolite consists of highly metamorphosed ultramafic and mafic rocks. Three groups of meta-basalts are present: group 1 rocks are LREE depleted and have a MORB compositional affinity. Their low Ta/Yb ratios (<0.1) are consistent with high degrees of partial melting of a depleted asthenospheric mantle. Rocks of group 2 have higher TiO2 (1.63–2.08wt%) and Ta/Yb ratios (>0.12), and display slight enrichment of LREE, suggesting that the original magmas were derived from a depleted mantle source mixed with some enriched material. Samples from group 3 are enriched in LREE and other incompatible elements (Ti, Zr, Ta, Nb), suggesting derivation from an enriched mantle source, possibly a plume. All the basalts have high εNd(t) (+4.2 to +6.9), variable εSr(t) and high 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios for given 206Pb/204Pb ratios. These characteristics are compatible with formation at a mid-ocean ridge system above an anomalous Dupal mantle region. The mafic rocks have a Sm–Nd whole-rock isochron age of 1030±46Ma. The Songshugou ophiolite was emplaced onto the southern margin of the North Qinling terrane, an active continental margin from the Meso-Proterozoic to Neo-Proterozoic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Four metamorphic stages (M 1 –M 4) of the Helanshan pelitic granulites are recorded by the mineral inclusions and reaction textures of garnets. • A complete clockwise P–T path of the Helanshan pelitic granulites is defined for the first time. • The prograde geothermal gradient of the Helanshan pelitic granulites (14 ± 1 °C/km) is similar to that the pelitic schists in the Himalayan Orogen (13 ± 2 °C/km). Granulite-facies metamorphic rocks are widely exposed in Paleoproterozoic orogens, and their prograde metamorphic evolution is critical for a better understanding of the Paleoproterozoic collisional orogenic and geodynamic processes. In this paper, we present the results of petrology, trace element geochemistry of garnet, P–T conditions calculated by phase equilibrium modeling and garnet trace element geothermobarometry, for the pelitic granulites of the Helanshan Complex in the western Khondalite Belt of the North China Craton (NCC). These results are used for determination of their metamorphic evolution and tectonic implications. Petrographic observations show that the metamorphic evolution of the pelitic granulites can be divided into four stages (M 1 –M 4), and these metamorphic stages are recorded by the mineral inclusions and reaction textures of garnets. Compared with the nearly flat major-element zoning, the zoning of yttrium (Y) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) in the garnet cores and mantles show bell-shaped distributions as well as inner-rim troughs and increases on the outer-rims. Different garnets have the same REE patterns in the same textural domain. The bell-shaped distributions of trace elements (Y and HREEs) in the garnets were controlled mainly by Rayleigh fractionation processes under subsolidus conditions, whereas the increases in these elements in the garnet rims were related to the breakdown of major and accessory phases under suprasolidus conditions. By combination of phase equilibrium modeling and garnet trace element geothermobarometry, a complete clockwise P–T path is constructed for the pelitic granulites. This P–T path is characterized by the heating as pressure rising during evolution from early metamorphic stage (M 1 : 4.2 ± 0.3 kbar/524 ± 17 °C) to peak metamorphic stage (M 2-1 ; 9.8–10.6 kbar /794–815 °C), which is followed by a isothermal decompression (ITD) to the condition of 5.8–6.5 kbar/808–833 °C and later near isobaric cooling (IBC) to subsolidus. As a result, the pelitic granulites revealed that the formation of the Khondalite Belt experienced initially crustal thickening and post collisional extensional uplift. Integrated with previously reported results, the prograde geothermal gradient of the Helanshan pelitic granulites (14 ± 1 °C/km) is similar to that the pelitic schists in the Himalayan Orogen (13 ± 2 °C/km), which suggests that the Paleoproterozoic and present-day orogens have similar geothermal gradient during crustal thickening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Gastrodia elata Blume ( Orchidaceae ) is commonly called Tian ma in Chinese and mainly distributed in the mountainous areas of eastern Asia, such as China, Korea, Japan and India. It is an extensively used traditional Chinese herbal medicine in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, to treat headache, migraine, dizziness, epilepsy, infantile convulsion, tetany and so on. The present paper reviews the advancements in investigation of botany and ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of Gastrodia elata Blume. Finally, the possible tendency and perspective for future investigation of this plant are also put forward. Materials and methods The information on Gastrodia elata Blume was collected via piles of resources including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine, and scientific databases including Pubmed, Google Scholar, ACS, Web of science, ScienceDirect databases, CNKI and others. Plant taxonomy was validated by the databases “The Plant List”, and “Mansfeld’s Encyclopedia”. Results Over 81 compounds from this plant have been isolated and identified, phenolics and polysaccharides are generally considered as the characteristic and active constituents of Gastrodia elata Blume. Its active compounds possess wide-reaching biological activities, including sedative, hypnotic, antiepileptic, anticonvulsive, antianxietic, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antipsychotic, anti-vertigo, circulatory system modulating, anti-inflammationary, analgesic, antioxidative, memory-improving and antiaging, antivirus and antitumor effects. Conclusion Despite the publication of various papers on Gastrodia elata Blume, there is still, however, the need for definitive research and clarification of other bioactive compounds using bioactivity-guided isolation strategies, and the possible mechanism of action as well as potential synergistic or antagonistic effects of multi-component mixtures derived from Gastrodia elata Blume need to be evaluated. It is also necessary and important to do more quality control and toxicological study on human subjects in order to maintain its efficacy stable in the body and validate its safety in clinical uses. In addition, more investigations on other parts of this plant beyond the tubers are needed. Further studies on Gastrodia elata Blume will lead to the development of new drugs and therapeutics for various diseases, and how to utilize it better should be paid more attention to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sand physico-chemical properties exhibited distinct changes across the intertidal zones on island beaches. • Consistent patterns of variation were observed in macrofaunal diversity and functional groups across the intertidal zones. • Variations in macrofaunal communities on island beaches were primarily influenced by sand moisture, salinity, and nutrition. • Island beaches are not ecological deserts, they require careful protection. Island beaches, once mistakenly considered as 'ecological deserts', are actually unique ecosystems that support abundant macrofaunal communities. However, limited studies have examined the variations and determinants of macrofaunal communities across the intertidal zones on island beaches, which is crucial for shedding light on the underlying ecological processes and enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts. Here, we explored the variations in macrofaunal communities along sand physico-chemical gradient across four intertidal zones on nine representative beaches, within the largest land-bridge archipelago in eastern China. Our findings revealed that species richness, density, and Shannon-Wiener diversity of macrofaunal communities were notably higher in the lower intertidal zones, exhibiting a positive correlation with elevated levels of sand moisture (M), electrical conductivity (EC), available potassium (AK), and grain size (GS). Conversely, macrofaunal Simpson diversity displayed an inverse pattern, with heightened values observed in the vegetation zone. The Saprophagous, Predaceous, and Omnivorous groups of macrofaunal communities demonstrated an increase with higher levels of EC, AK, and M in the lower intertidal zones. Furthermore, Phytophagous group of macrofaunal communities tended to inhabit the vegetation zones characterized by elevated levels of sand total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and organic carbon (OC). Primarily, our findings indicate that sand nutrition, moisture, and salinity play pivotal roles in shaping the variations of macrofaunal communities on island beaches. These insights offer valuable perspectives into the holistic responses of macrofauna on island beaches to changes in sand physico-chemical properties, serving as a crucial theoretical foundation for the assessment, conservation, and restoration of island beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The quartz monzodiorites are contemporaneous with the UHT pelitic granulites. • The quartz monzodiorites formed by differentiation of mantle-derived magma. • Crust–mantle interaction at ca. 1.93 Ga in the Helanshan Complex. Insights into crust–mantle interaction in continental collisional orogens is key to understanding high- and ultrahigh-temperature (HT–UHT) metamorphism, continental crustal growth, and the tectonic evolution of such orogens. Here, we present whole-rock major- and trace-element and Nd isotope geochemistry, as well as zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope data, for quartz monzodiorites from the Helanshan Complex to constrain their petrogenesis and draw implications regarding crust–mantle interaction during formation of the Khondalite Belt in the North China Craton. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 1938–1931 Ma for three samples, contemporaneous with spinel-bearing UHT pelitic granulites from the Helanshan Complex. The quartz monzodiorite samples have variable whole-rock compositions, with relatively low SiO 2 (low to 51.41 wt.%) but high MgO (up to 5.05 wt.%) and Cr (up to 80.9 ppm) contents, as well as high Mg# values (up to 0.50), which suggest their derivation from the mantle. These samples exhibit a narrow range of ε Nd (t) values of −0.3 to + 1.0, with no decrease as decreasing whole-rock MgO content, and variable zircon ε Hf (t) values of −2.4 to + 5.8. In addition, Mg# values of hornblende and biotite, and X an values of plagioclase decrease gradually with increasing whole-rock SiO 2 content. All of these geochemical data indicate that the studied quartz monzodiorites were produced by fractional crystallization of mantle-derived magma, with assimilation of crustal material. On the basis of previously published data in the Khondalite Belt, the Helanshan quartz monzodiorites formed in the post-collisional setting, and record a tectonic transition from compression to extension during the period ca. 1.95–1.93 Ga. The emplacement of mantle-derived magma that formed the quartz monzodiorites through differentiation at ca. 1.93 Ga, was possibly responsible for the formation of ca. 1.93 Ga UHT rocks in the Helanshan Complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debris flows in the mountain regions surrounding Beijing have been occurring for a long time and have resulted in great economic losses. In this study, 23 rainstorm events, surficial sediments, and debris flow deposits were analyzed to quantify the area's rainfall threshold and to investigate how such conditions may be used to predict debris flow in this region. Rainfall threshold of intensity-duration ( I-D ) functions after vegetation recovery was higher than before recovery and also higher than I-D levels in other regions where debris flows are closely associated with runoff. Field investigations revealed that surficial sediments were characterized by coarse-grained sediments and that debris flow deposits lacked fine particles. Local debris flows can be triggered by runoff; however, no single standard equation is used to predict the conditions that lead to runoff-triggered debris flow; and commonly used equations give different values. Here, we propose an empirical function that takes into account peak discharge per width and particle diameter. This model should be verified with further investigations so that it can be used as a reference to analyze the conditions that lead to debris flow in the study area. Finally, debris flows may have been related to occasional storms in the study area, which has been experiencing substantially increased temperatures and decreased annual precipitation. This work provides important information about the conditions that initiated debris flow in the Beijing mountain regions in the last few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing demand for seafood drives the aquaculture industry to new-generation offshore aquaculture systems with high production efficiency. As a healthy, sustainable and ecological aquaculture pattern, the pile-net enclosure has been widely applied in the aquaculture industry in China. The flow field distribution and hydrodynamic characteristics are of great importance for the welfare of farmed fish and the structure safety. This paper proposes a one-way fluid-structure coupling model to examine the flow interaction with the pile-net structures. A series of physical experiments are conducted to verify the accuracy of the numerical model. Then, different configurations, pile-net at different locations and distance between upstream and downstream pile-nets are selected to estimate their influence on the flow field and hydrodynamic characteristics of pile-net structures. Results show that the net intensifies the velocity attenuation and reduces the velocity in front of the structure. The variation of vortices is affected by the downstream pile-net and the distance between twines and piles. The wake width behind the pile is barely affected by intersection angles between pile-net and flow, but the wake width behind the net increases slightly with the increase of intersection angles between pile-net and flow. Increasing the intersection angles between pile-net and flow aggravates the attenuation of downstream velocity. The computed force decreases with decreasing intersection angles between pile-net and flow. Double rows of the pile-net intensify the upstream and downstream velocity attenuation. The distance between pile-nets has little influence on downstream flow velocity. The interaction between upstream and downstream pile-net structures weakens with the increase of the distance between upstream and downstream pile-nets. With this understanding, the proposed model can be further used to assess the hydrodynamic performance of the pile-net enclosure and the large offshore aquaculture platform under steady flows, oscillating flows and waves. • A one-way fluid-structure coupling model is proposed to examine the flow interaction with the pile-net structures. • The influence of different flow incident angles is analyzed. • Suggestions about the design and constructions of the pile-net structure are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Leaf unfolding of male and female ginkgo responses similarly to climate. • Long photoperiod significantly shortened the time to leaf unfolding. • Effects of temperature and photoperiod on leaf unfolding decreased along elevations. Climate change substantially affects plant phenology, resulting in earlier vegetation onset across temperate and boreal regions. Phenological shifts caused by warming may alter species interactions across trophic levels because of species-specific responses, and influence the reproductive success of dioecious species if the phenological sensitivity to warming (S T) differs between genders. We used twigs collected from male and female gingko trees at three elevations on Tianmu Mountain in eastern China. The twigs were cultivated in climate chambers to determine the effects of three temperatures (10, 15, and 20 °C) and two photoperiods (8 and 16 h). We observed slightly earlier leaf unfolding dates in male twigs (1 day), and a higher heat requirement (growing degree hours) for leaf unfolding in female (14,334 ± 588 °C) compared to male twigs (13,874 ± 551 °C). Similar responses to temperature (S T = 3.7 days °C−1), photoperiod and elevation were observed across genders. The long photoperiod treatment shortened the time to leaf unfolding by 9.1 days, but temperature and photoperiod effects on leaf unfolding differed significantly depending on the elevation of the donor trees. Specifically, S T was higher (4.17 days °C−1) and the photoperiod effect on S T was larger (decreased by 1.15 days °C−1) at the lowest elevation than at the higher elevations (S T = 3.26 days °C−1; decreased by 0.48 days °C−1). This may be related to environment-induced local adaptations and self-protection mechanisms of trees at high elevations to avoid frost damage. Our results indicate that the photoperiod and genetic adaptations to local environments influenced the warming-induced phenological responses in ginkgo, but these responses were generally similar between the genders. For a given species, individuals in different climates may exhibit different phenological responses to higher temperatures, with individuals in warmer regions likely becoming increasingly limited by the photoperiod as the climate warms further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Quercetin''s protective effects on the glomerulosclerosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rat mesangial cells were investigated. The cell cycles, type IV collagen and laminin, TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad 2/3 and Smad 7, and activities of cell antioxidases were measured. Compared with the high glucose group, quercetin may decrease the cell percentages of G0/G1 phase, Smad 2/3 expression, laminin and type IV collagen, and TGF-β1 mRNA level significantly. The antioxidant capacity, the cell percentages of S phase and Smad 7 expression was significantly increased by quercetin. These results suggest that quercetin is a protective agent against glomerulosclerosis in DN. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A total of 131 ERF genes were identified and characterized in Actinidia valvata based on transcriptome analysis data. • AvERF73 and AvERF78 may play key roles for waterlogging responses in A. valvata. • This study furthers understanding the role of ERF and waterlogging-tolerance mechanism of A. valvata. Recently, there has been a tremendous increase in the cultivated area of kiwifruit in China. However, the low tolerance of most cultivars to waterlogging largely halted its expansion in waterlogged areas. Previously, some genotypes from Actinidia valvata , like KR5, were proved to be highly tolerant for waterlogging stress. ERF transcription factors, belong to the AP2/ERF superfamily, have played key roles in adaptation to waterlogging stress in numerous plant species. In this study, a total of 131 AvERF genes were identified based on the full-length transcriptome analysis data from KR5. By clustering with Arabidopsis thaliana ERFs, 131 AvERF proteins were sorted into eleven clades and renamed as AvERF1 to AvERF131. Within the same group, similar motifs for AvERFs were found in all members by MEME online tool. According to FPKM analysis, the expression of AvERF-VIIs in KR5 under waterlogging conditions was strongly promoted compared to other group members. Six genes from AvERF-VIIs (AvERF73 , AvERF75 , AvERF77 , AvERF78 , AvERF79 , and AvERF80) were chosen based on the higher fold changes in their expression against waterlogging. Moreover, their expression was evaluated in two tolerant genotypes: KR5 and KR1 from A. valvata , and two sensitive genotypes 'Xuxiang' and 'Hayward' from A. chinensis var. deliciosa during waterlogging stress by qRT-PCR. AvERF73 and AvERF78 were specifically induced in waterlogging-tolerant genotypes, but relatively low in the sensitive genotypes, indicating their positive roles in waterlogging tolerance. Both AvERF73 and AvERF78 had transcriptional activation activity. In the present study, we identified and characterized AvERFs into KR5 to reveal their importance in determining the waterlogging tolerance of kiwifruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ore-forming fluids belong to a CO 2 –H 2 O–NaCl system. • Gold deposition was caused by Fluid boiling. • H-O isotopes indicate that the ore-forming fluids were dominated by magmatic water. • S-Pb-Sr isotopes indicate that the ore-forming materials were derived the lower crust. • Toudaoliuhe gold deposit formed in the early Middle Jurassic. The Jiapigou mining district (JMD) in the northeastern part of the North China Block mainly contains quartz vein- and altered rock-type gold deposits that have been prospected and mined for over 200 years. Recently, a breccia-type gold deposit, known as Toudaoliuhe, was discovered in the JMD, that has attracted attention for prospecting and exploration. In this paper, we report the ore geology, gold-bearing sulfide (i.e., pyrite, galena, and sphalerite) Rb–Sr age, fluid inclusions (FIs), and H–O–S–Pb–Sr isotope data of the Toudaoliuhe gold deposit to determine its genesis and ore-forming mechanisms. Gold orebodies mainly occur in the breccia cements, as well as in several quartz veins controlled by NW-trending brittle faults. There were three hydrothermal stages: the early (quartz–pyrite), main (quartz–polymetallic sulfide), and late (quartz–carbonate) stages. Gold mineralization occurred in the main hydrothermal stage. Three types of FIs were identified: CO 2 –H 2 O–NaCl (C-type), H 2 O–NaCl (W-type), and pure CO 2 (PC-type). The FIs in quartz from the early hydrothermal stage are predominantly of the C- and W-types (with traces of PC-type), and have homogenization temperatures of 299.8–340.0 °C and salinities of 6.5–14.8 wt% NaCl equivalent (E). The FIs in the quartz and sphalerite forming the main hydrothermal stage are also predominantly of the C- and W-types (with trace PC type), and have homogenization temperatures of 169.1–298.7 °C and salinities of 5.7–16.5 wt% E. The FIs in the quartz and calcite from the late hydrothermal stage were solely of the W-type, and have homogenization temperatures of 126.0–210.2 °C and salinities of 2.1–11.4 wt% E. The ore-forming fluids are characterized by moderate temperature and low salinity, suggesting a CO 2 –H 2 O–NaCl system. The H–O–S–Pb–Sr isotopic results suggest that the ore-forming fluids were dominated by magmatic water, and that the ore-forming materials were mainly extracted from the Middle Jurassic magmatic reservoir (177–163 Ma), sourced mainly from the lower crust with trace mantle components. Fluid boiling was the dominant mechanism for gold and associated sulfide precipitation. The Rb–Sr isochron age of the gold-bearing sulfides at 177.7 ± 1.7 Ma indicates that gold mineralization occurred in the early Middle Jurassic. We therefore proposed that the Toudaoliuhe is a mesothermal gold deposit that formed in an extensional setting related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]