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This study examines the interplay between sibling sex composition, son preference, and child education outcomes in China, leveraging the natural experiment of the country's One-Child Policy. Using China 1990 census, we find that the presence of a brother in the second birth exerts contrasting effects on firstborn girls' education. Son-biased family resource allocation diminishes their educational attainment, while parental decisions to curtail family size after the son's birth lead to increased educational opportunities for firstborn girls. These opposing mechanisms counteract each other, resulting in a near-zero net effect on their education. In contrast, sibling sex composition has no discernible impact on firstborn boys' education in either way. Our findings underscore the intricate interplay of sibling composition, policy and culture in shaping educational outcomes in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the heterogeneous influence of economic networks on urban economic resilience capacity from different network characteristics, providing an innovative research perspective and theoretical framework for the economic resilience capacity of urban clusters. The urban economic elasticity is measured by multiple indicators and constructed economic network using night light data, the complex network approach was combined with spatial econometrics to analyse the contribution of economic network linkages and economic network locations to regional economic resilience capacity. The results show that: urban economic network linkage has a significant positive impact on urban economic resilience capacity, and the polycentric pattern of urban clusters has a driving effect on this impact; in contrast, the influence of urban network location on economic resilience capacity has an inverted u-shaped curve. Compared with non-smart cities, regions in smart cities are better able to promote urban economic resilience capacity through economic networks, and the impact of economic networks on regional economic resilience capacity has network external spillover effects beyond geographical distance, The results of the study infer that cities in urban agglomeration should rationalize network locations, and build a coordinated urban agglomeration network structure to enhance economic resilience capacity of the regional economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both urban land cover (ULC) change and anthropogenic heat (AH) emission are important causes of urban heat island, but their relative contributions to the changes in urban precipitation and the related mechanism remain unclear. Based on numerical simulations utilizing the latest realistic urban fraction and AH data over the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, we found that ULC and AH resulted in nearly opposite effects on precipitation. Various dynamical and thermodynamic processes were involved according to the atmospheric moisture budget analyses. AH increased precipitation particularly during afternoon, and the increases were stronger during heavy precipitation events because of the enhanced moisture convergence effect together with the release of moisture storage previously accumulated in the atmosphere. Differently, ULC reduced mean precipitation mainly due to suppressed evaporation. During weak precipitation events, the suppressed evaporation was largely balanced by the intensified moisture convergence, but during heavy events, ULC caused more pronounced precipitation reduction because the moisture convergence response disappeared and failed to offset the evaporation effect. The relative contributions of different dynamical and thermodynamic processes such as those related to circulation, moisture gradient, and background moisture availability to the temporal variation in the total moisture convergence were further quantified. Overall, our results help better understand the relative roles of different aspects of urbanization on precipitation, and suggest that compared to ULC, reduction in AH emission that is tightly related to the energy consumption structure could be more efficient for mitigating the risk of extreme precipitation. Plain Language Summary: Urban land cover (ULC) change and anthropogenic heat (AH) emission are two main causes of urban heat island, but how they would modify urban precipitation are still unclear. Here, based on numerical simulations utilizing the latest urban fraction and AH data over the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, we found that ULC and AH can result in nearly opposite effects on precipitation. AH increased precipitation via intensifying moisture convergence, which was more pronounced during heavy precipitation events. Differently, ULC caused reduction in the mean precipitation due to the limitation in surface evaporation, but the disappeared moisture convergence response that failed to offset the suppressed evaporation was the main reason for the stronger ULC effect on precipitation during heavy precipitation events. Our findings help better understand the relative roles of different aspects of urbanization on precipitation and provide useful information to support the mitigation of the risk associated with extreme precipitation. Key Points: Urban land cover (ULC) and anthropogenic heat (AH), respectively, decreased and increased precipitation in the Yangtze River DeltaBoth the ULC and AH effects on precipitation were more pronounced during afternoon and during heavy precipitation eventsRelative contributions of various dynamical and thermodynamic processes to the temporal variation of precipitation responses were quantified [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nitrogen (N) availability plays an important role in regulating priming effects (PE). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of long-term N fertilization on PE under single and more frequent additions of labile carbon (C) inputs (13C-labeled glucose). The soils collected from a 6-year-long inorganic N fertilization experiment in a subtropical Phyllostachys edulis forest in China were incubated at a constant temperature of 25 °C for 90 days. Regardless of the mode of glucose addition, the cumulative primed C was lower in the previously fertilized soil and showed a positive relationship with soil pH and peroxidase activity. When comparing the amount of cumulative primed C and the remaining added glucose-C after 90 days of incubation, the fertilized soil had a higher net C increase than the control. These results indicate that atmospheric N deposition and N fertilization might reduce the PE caused by labile organic matter inputs, thereby increasing soil organic C sequestration. The effect of N fertilization on PE under a single glucose addition (reduced by 11%) was smaller than that of repeated additions (reduced by 24%). Previously fertilized soil with a single glucose addition exhibited higher microbial P deficiency, which had a negative impact on PE; in contrast, in soil with repeated glucose additions, higher abundance of Gram-positive bacteria contributed to the negative PE. As such, the frequency of glucose addition affects the intensity and regulation of soil PE. Regardless of the N fertilization treatment, soil with a single glucose addition exhibited stronger PE but lower soil net C increases than those with repeated additions, which might be related to higher microbial activities. Collectively, our findings provide insights regarding soil PE in subtropical forests under the combined effects of increasing N deposition and glucose addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of policy uncertainty on air pollution, using the turnover of local officials in China as a quasi-natural experiment. The results from the two-way fixed effects model show that policy uncertainty caused by the turnover of different officials produces contrasting effects on air pollution. While the turnover of the mayor has no effect on air pollution, the turnover of the municipal party committee secretary deteriorates it. Two-Stage Least Square estimation confirms these results where the age and tenure of officials were used as instrumental variables of policy uncertainty. The results are robust after endogenous treatments and robustness tests. The mechanism analysis further indicates that policy uncertainty worsens air quality by weakening environmental regulation and crowding out green innovation. Moreover, the impact is more pronounced in smaller and less developed cities. The conclusions provide policy implications for environmental governance in the period of policy uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of plague has rebounded in the Americas, Asia, and Africa alongside rapid globalization and climate change. Previous studies have shown local climate to have significant nonlinear effects on plague dynamics among rodent communities. We analyzed an 18-year database of plague, spanning 1998 to 2015, in the foci of Mongolia and China to trace the associations between marmot plague and climate factors. Our results suggested a density-dependent effect of precipitation and a geographic location-dependent effect of temperature on marmot plague. That is, a significantly positive relationship was evident between risk of plague and precipitation only when the marmot density exceeded a certain threshold. The geographical heterogeneity of the temperature effect and the contrasting slopes of influence for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and other regions in the study (nQTP) were primarily related to diversity of climate and landscape types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has been widely recommended as an effective soil amendment for reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrogen (N) leaching. However, the effects of biochar application to Lei bamboo plantations on soil N2O emissions and N leaching remain unclear. These effects on soil N2O emissions and N leaching were investigated in the present study using five treatments applied with the same amount of N: rice husk at 10 t ha−1 (10H) and 30 t ha−1 (30H), biochar at 10 t ha−1 (10B) and 30 t ha−1 (30B), and no additions (control, CK). Both the 10H and 30H treatments significantly increased cumulative N2O emissions compared to the CK treatment, with an increment of 0.78 and 2.20 kg N ha−1, respectively. The 30B treatment significantly reduced cumulative N2O emissions by 0.90 kg N ha−1, whereas the 10B treatment had no significant effect. The reduction in N2O emissions following the high-rate biochar addition was probably due to the increased pH and the total abundance of nosZ I and nosZ II genes. The 30H treatment significantly increased nitrate N (NO3−–N) and dissolved organic N (DON) leaching by 38% and 170% respectively compared to the CK treatment, and had the largest N loss via N2O emissions and N leaching, while the 30B treatment had the lowest N loss. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that soil chemical properties [ammonium nitrogen (NH4+–N), NO3−–N, DON, dissolved organic C (DOC), total N (TN), soil organic C (SOC), and pH] dominantly affected soil N2O emissions, while the total abundance of denitrifying genes (nirS, nirK, nosZ I, and nosZ II) were the key factors involved in reducing NO3−–N leaching. There was a strong positive correlation between cumulative N2O emissions and N leaching loss, which may be related to excessive N surplus in the soil. Our results suggest that the replacement of rice husk by its biochar at a high-rate would reduce the risk of N2O emissions and N leaching loss effectively from Lei bamboo forests in subtropical China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic received widespread media attention, and global financial markets reacted strongly to the pandemic shocks. It is, therefore, worthwhile to detect the influence of media hype about COVID-19 and the pandemic index on stock market price returns. Utilising a newly developed non-linear ARDL model, our empirical outcomes show that the direct effect of the COVID-19 pandemic index on sectoral stock market returns is generally weak and significant only in the Energy, Financials, and Health Care sectors. In contrast to the direct effect of the COVID-19, we find that the media hype index pronouncedly affects sectoral stock market returns, with a significant negative effect in most sectors and with asymmetry. The dynamic asymmetric causality test has been applied for robustness check, where there is time-varying asymmetric causality from media hype to sectoral stock markets. These findings help investors with different investment horizons in emerging markets understand sector-level stock price dynamics and formulate investment strategies during the pandemic. Furthermore, market regulators should consider asymmetric effects over time when formulating strategies and making policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Empowering leadership is often considered unequivocally positive for employees, but recent studies have shown that this ostensibly straightforward effect is more complex. The dual facets of the effect of empowering leadership – especially on employees' innovative behaviour – have received insufficient attention. Based on job demand-resource (JD-R) theory, this study aims to propose a theoretical framework for the relationship between empowering leadership and employees' innovative behaviours with a dual process model of gain and loss. Design/methodology/approach: This study is survey based, with 261 paired leader–employee data points collected in the People's Republic of China. Findings: The results show that empowering leadership has a "double-edged" effect on employees' innovative behaviours: it affects innovative behaviours positively through employee job engagement and negatively through emotional exhaustion. Moreover, trust in leaders moderates the mediating roles of job engagement and emotional exhaustion. Originality/value: This study contends that empowering leadership has a dual impact on employees and proposes a promising model of this double-edged effect to contrast with other complex models in the empowering leadership literature. Furthermore, this study uses JD-R theory to deeply explore the dual process whereby empowering leadership influences employees' innovative behaviour and provides practical guidance for business management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A record‐breaking rainfall event occurred on the west coast of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during the onset of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon in 2021. The present study quantitatively investigated the effects of local factors including land‐sea contrast, coastal terrain, and nearby convection‐induced cold pool on the convection initiation (CI) of the event. The two major local contributors to the CI of the event were the land‐sea frictional contrast on the west coast and the low‐level outflow of the cold pool produced by the rainfall system on the east coast of the PRD, which result in low‐level moisture convergence and lifting on the west coast. The two factors contributed comparably to the moisture convergence. The terrain effect on the west coast of the PRD plays a minor role in modulating the location, time, and intensity of the generated convection cells. Furthermore, the Ʌ‐shaped coastline of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) acts to suppress convection at coastal PRD. On the west coast of the PRE, the north‐south‐oriented coastline causes a divergence of the low‐level southwesterlies, which is not conducive to moisture convergence in the area. In addition, the southwesterlies weakened by the west coast of the PRD are also unfavorable to convection on the east coast. This is distinct from previous studies focused on other areas of coastal south China with relatively straight west‐east‐oriented coastlines, where the CI can be triggered by the moisture convergence induced by the joint effects of land‐sea contrast and coastal terrain. Plain Language Summary: Coastal south China has long and extremely complicated coastlines and terrain. The high heterogeneity in rainfall distribution over coastal south China is likely related to the specific characteristics of the coastline and terrain in different regions. Thus, investigating and comparing the local contributions to the convection initiation (CI) of heavy rainfall in different areas in coastal south China are the way to summarize the similarities and differences among the CI mechanisms in these areas, and improve our understanding on the applicability of the coastal CI mechanism over coastal south China. We quantitatively investigated the effects of local factors including land‐sea contrast, coastal terrain, and nearby convection‐induced cold pool on the CI of a record‐breaking rainfall event in coastal Pearl River Delta (PRD). The results reveal that the land‐sea contrast on the west coast and the cold pool produced by the rainfall system on the east coast of the PRD are the two major local contributors to the CI of the investigated event. In addition, the Ʌ‐shaped coastline of coastal PRD acts to suppress convection in this region, which is distinct from the CI mechanism in other areas in coastal south China. Key Points: The major local contributors to the convection initiation (CI) were land‐sea contrast and low‐level outflow of a cold pool produced by a near‐by rainfall systemThe CI mechanism at coastal Pearl River Delta (PRD) is distinct from that over other areas of coastal south ChinaCompared to areas with straight coastlines, the Ʌ‐shaped coastline of the Pearl River Estuary acted to suppress convection at coastal PRD [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore how employees respond to tensions in groups and whether experiencing tensions could spur on their creativity (including radical and incremental creativity). Through integrating the literature on tension and regulatory focus theory, this study develops a model depicting the process from experiencing tensions to creativity via regulatory foci. This study further investigates the moderating effect of employees' hierarchical level on these processes. Design/methodology/approach: A two-wave survey was conducted with a sample of 375 employees in China. MPLUS was used to examine the moderated mediation model. Findings: The results show that experiencing tensions can simultaneously activate employees' prevention focus and promotion focus, both of which in turn influence radical and incremental creativity. Specifically, prevention focus mediates the negative relationship between experiencing tensions and the two aforementioned types of creativity, and promotion focus mediates the positive relationship between experiencing tensions and radical creativity. Employees' hierarchical level significantly buffers the link between experiencing tensions and prevention focus. Practical implications: Organizations should optimize their work design to simplify the role demand of employees in the early stages of their careers. Top-tier employees should be encouraged and empowered to think and act with a paradoxical approach, which can drive them to generate more creative outcomes. Besides, when aiming to discover radical ideas, managers should emphatically cultivate employees' promotion focus. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on tension through revealing and testing the dual paths resulted by employees' experiencing tensions. It also advances current research by contrasting the effects of experiencing tensions on different types of creativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study aims to evaluate and compare computed tomography (CT)-contrast operational workflow and hospital imaging efficiency when using a multi-dose bulk IV contrast delivery system and when using a single-dose packaging contrast. Materials and Methods. A multi-center prospective observational study was conducted in six regions in China. The operating time and workflow of radiology nursing staff were evaluated and observed using an investigational tool and recorded by the investigators using a stopwatch. Nursing staff's knowledge and the imaging capabilities of hospitals were collected using a questionnaire. Rate, t-test, χ2 test, and partial correlation analysis were used to describe the knowledge of nursing staff. The operation time and frequency of the two contrast agent packages were further compared using the Stata 15.0 software. Results. A total of 42 radiology nurses and 1,167 CT contrast-operating procedures in six provinces in China were evaluated. The total operating times for the 100 ml contrast agent versus the 200 ml contrast agent were 80.67 s and 63.81 s, respectively (P < 0.01). According to the average annual hospital CT scans (49,807 scans) and the power injector (PI) market share, approximately 233 h yearly could be saved in a hospital. Regarding CT contrast knowledge, approximately 57.14% nurses expressed their willingness to use multi-dose packaging contrast agents. Conclusion. Through difference and correlation analysis on real-world data, this study suggests that, considering safety, the use of a multi-dose bulk IV contrast agent is more time-saving and efficient for Chinese nurses and medical institutions compared with that of a single-dose package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thinning and understory clearance are among the two most popular forest management practices carried out to improve stand productivity in subtropical plantations. Unfortunately, studies have not fully explored the single and combination effect of thinning and understory clearance on soil microbial properties. By conducting a field manipulation experiment in a subtropical moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantation in Southern China, we assessed the effects of thinning, understory clearance, and their combination on soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) three years after treatments were first applied. We also examined the changes in soil properties after thinning and/or understory clearance. Thinning decreased soil fungal and bacterial PLFAs, and consequently soil total microbial PLFAs due to the increased soil NH4+-N, and NO3−N concentrations. Understory clearance decreased soil pH and soil water content resulting in increased soil fungal PLFAs and the ratio of soil fungal to bacterial (F:B). In addition, thinning and understory clearance caused apparent interactive effects on soil total microbial PLFAs and bacterial PLFAs, and the negative influence of thinning on soil total microbial and bacterial PLFAs were partly compensated by understory clearance. These results suggest the contrasting and interactive effect of thinning and understory clearance should be considered to assess the changes of soil microbial community and ecological processes in subtropical moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantations in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fungal communities are key players in biogeochemical processes of peatlands, which are important carbon stocks globally. Although it has been elucidated that fungi are susceptible to environmental changes, little is known about the intricate and interactive effect of long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment on fungal community structure in northern peatlands. In this study, we compared a short- (2 years) with a long-term (10 years) fertilization experiment in a peatland complex in northeastern China to assess how N and/or P additions influence fungal community structure. The results showed that fungal community composition and diversity were altered by N addition, without a significant interactive effect with P addition. Not only the long-term but also the short-term nutrient addition could change the abundance of different plant functional types. However, there were no strong cascading effects on the fungal community in any of the fertilization experiments. Long-term nutrient addition showed a stronger effect on the relative abundance of different fungal functional guilds; an increase in the relative abundance of saprotrophs after fertilization did not jeopardize mycorrhizal fungi. Moreover, the decline in Sphagnum cover after long-term N addition did not parallel changes in the relative abundance of Sphagnum -associated fungi (Clavaria sphagnicola , Galerina tibiicystis , G. sphagnicola , and G. paludosa). Given that short- and long-term fertilization showed strongly contrasting effects on fungal community structure, our study highlights the necessity of assessing the long-term effects of nutrient enrichment on the association between vegetation and fungal community in peatland ecosystems. Future research priorities should emphasize the connection between the community structure of fungal functional guilds and their functionality, which is of paramount importance to better understand their influences on C storage in the face of uncertain N and P deposition regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at exploring the formation mechanism of mathematics self-concept of left-behind children and the influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept on their mathematics achievement. In study 1, the formation mechanism of mathematics self-concept was examined using multilevel analyses of 874 left-behind children. The results showed that (1) the individual mathematics achievement of left-behind children had a significant positive predictive effect on mathematics self-concept, Chinese achievement had a significant negative predictive effect on mathematics self-concept, and the class-average mathematics achievement had no significant effect on mathematics self-concept; and (2) when left-behind children were the majority group, there was an assimilation effect on downward interpersonal social comparison. When left-behind children were the minority group, there was a contrast effect on upward intergroup social comparison. In study 2, the influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept of 585 left-behind children was investigated with a tracking research. The results suggested that (1) Time 1 mathematics self-concept had significant effects on Time 2 mathematics school engagement at between-group and within-group levels; and (2) Time 2 mathematics school engagement played a partial mediating role between Time 1 mathematics self-concept and Time 2 mathematics achievement at the within-group level. These results indicate that the formation and influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept of left-behind children is influenced by contextualized characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how different operational risks impact firm stock market performance. By using a sample of 762 operational risk events published by 543 listed Chinese firms over the period of 2010–2017, we document an overall significantly negative market reaction to operational risks. Specifically, we find that the stock market reaction differs across operational risk types. Man‐made operational risk and disruption operational risk events are associated with greater negative market reaction than nature‐caused and nondisruption operational risk events, respectively. We further find that regulatory violations (external risks) have a smaller negative market reaction than operational incidents (internal risks). Finally, we show that different determinants of competitive forces, namely, a firm's market share and product substitutability, have contrasting effects on the market reaction of all operational risks. These findings can aid various stakeholders to understand the impact of different operational risks and advance cost‐effective mechanisms aimed at mitigating operational risks in China, with potential application to other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water uptake abilities of organic aerosol under sub-saturated conditions play critical roles in direct aerosol radiative effects and atmospheric chemistry; however, field characterizations of the organic aerosol hygroscopicity parameter κOA under sub-saturated conditions remain limited. In this study, a field campaign was conducted to characterize κOA at a relative humidity of 80 % with hourly time resolution for the first time in the Pearl River Delta region of China. Observation results show that, during this campaign, secondary organic aerosol (SOA) dominated total organic aerosol mass (mass fraction > 70 % on average), which provides a unique opportunity to investigate influences of SOA formation on κOA. Results demonstrate that the commonly used organic aerosol oxidation level parameter O/C was weakly correlated with κOA and failed to describe the variations in κOA. However, the variations in κOA were well reproduced by mass fractions of organic aerosol factor resolved based on aerosol mass spectrometer measurements. The more oxygenated organic aerosol (MOOA) factor, exhibiting the highest average O/C (∼ 1) among all organic aerosol factors, was the most important factor driving the increase in κOA and was commonly associated with regional air masses. The less oxygenated organic aerosol (LOOA; average O/C of 0.72) factor revealed strong daytime production, exerting negative effects on κOA. Surprisingly, the aged biomass burning organic aerosol (aBBOA) factor also formed quickly during daytime and shared a similar diurnal pattern with LOOA but had much lower O/C (0.39) and had positive effects on κOA. The correlation coefficient between κOA and mass fractions of aBBOA and MOOA in total organic aerosol mass reached above 0.8. The contrasting effects of LOOA and aBBOA formation on κOA demonstrate that volatile organic compound (VOC) precursors from diverse sources and different SOA formation processes may result in SOA with different chemical composition, functional properties and microphysical structure, consequently exerting distinct influences on κOA and rendering single oxidation level parameters (such as O/C) unable to capture those differences. Aside from that, distinct effects of aBBOA on κOA were observed during different episodes, suggesting that the hygroscopicity of SOA associated with similar sources might also differ much under different emission and atmospheric conditions. Overall, these results highlight that it is imperative to conduct more research on κOA characterization under different meteorological and source conditions and examine its relationship with VOC precursor profiles and formation pathways to formulate a better characterization and develop more appropriate parameterization approaches in chemical and climate models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the combined effects of biochar and straw on N2O flux and the community compositions of nitrifiers and denitrifiers in the maize season in an intensively farmed area in northern China. The experiment consisted of four treatments: (1) CK (only chemical fertilizer application); (2) C (biochar application); (3) SR (straw application to the field); and (4) C+SR (the application of both biochar and straw). The results indicated that during the maize growing season, N2O flux decreased by 30.3% in the C treatment and increased by 13.2% and 37.0% in the SR and C+SR treatments compared with CK, respectively. NO3−-N, NH4+-N, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were the main soil factors affecting N2O flux, and they were positively correlated with NO3−-N and negatively correlated with MBC in the C treatment and positively correlated with NH4+-N in the SR and C+SR treatments. Both biochar addition and straw return shifted the community compositions of nitrifiers and denitrifiers. N2O production was mainly reduced by promoting the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) gene abundance and inhibiting the nirK gene abundance in the C treatment but promoted by inhibiting the AOB and nosZ gene abundances in the SR and C+SR treatments. Nitrosospira (AOB) and Rhizobium (nirK) were the main contributors among the treatments. NO3−-N, NH4+-N, and MBC were the main soil factors affecting the denitrifier communities. The predominant species associated with the nirK, nirS, and nosZ genes were positively correlated with NO3−-N and MBC and negatively correlated with NH4+-N. These results provide valuable information on the mechanism of N2O production and reduction in biochar- and straw-amended soil under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study revisits the long-term variabilities of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) in 1958–2017 through examination of diurnal cycles. We group monsoon days into four dynamic quadrants (Q1 to Q4), with emphasis on the strong daily southerlies coupled with a large (Q1) or small (Q4) diurnal amplitude over Southeast China. The occurrence day of Q1 increases in June–July with the seasonal progress of the EASM. It is most pronounced in the 1960s to the 1970s and declines to the lowest in the 1980s to the 1990s, whereas the Q4 occurrence increases notably from the 1970s to the 1990s; both groups return to normal in recent years. The interdecadal decrease (increase) of Q1 (Q4) occurrence corresponds well to the known weakening of EASM in the twentieth century, and it also coincides with the rainfall anomalies over China shifting from a “north flooding and south drought” to a “north drought and south flooding” mode. The rainfall under Q1 (Q4) can account for ~60% of the interannual variance of summer rainfall in northern (southern) China. The contrasting effects of Q1 and Q4 on rainfall are due to their remarkably different regulation on water vapor transport and convergence. The interannual/interdecadal variations of Q1 (Q4) occurrence determine the anomalous water vapor transports to northern (southern) China, in association with the various expansion of the western Pacific subtropical high. In particular, Q1 conditions can greatly intensify nighttime moisture convergence, which is responsible for the long-term variations of rainfall in northern China. The results highlight that the diurnal cycles in monsoon flow act as a key regional process working with large-scale circulation to regulate the spatial distributions and long-term variabilities of EASM rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrying out domestic research and development (R&D) activities can improve environmental performance. However, extant studies have not conclusively indicated that R&D activities in all energy fields lead to a reduction in the SO2 intensity. SO2 intensity is defined as the ratio of SO2 emissions to the GDP. Hence, green R&D activities are required. However, the strong heterogeneity between green R&D activities could have distinctive economic consequences. Thus, it is imperative to study the heterogeneity of green R&D activities on SO2 intensity. Moreover, previous studies have ignored regional differences. Although overlooked in the literature, a technology's adsorptive ability could be a key determinant of the effects of green R&D activities on SO2 intensity. Based on a linear analysis of China's provincial data over 2000–2016, we show that green R&D activities are instrumental in reducing SO2 intensity. Different green R&D activities have distinct goals and contrasting statistical effects on SO2 intensity. The empirical results show that the impact of green R&D activities on SO2 intensity differs by region. Lastly, it is proposed that green R&D activity effects on SO2 intensity are nonlinear by analysing a technology's adsorptive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21 ka BP) was the most recent glacial period when the global ice sheet volume was at a maximum. Therefore, the LGM can be used to investigate atmospheric dynamics under a climate that differed significantly from the present. This study quantitatively compares pollen records of boreal summer (June–July–August) precipitation with the PMIP3 LGM simulations. The data-model comparison shows an overall agreement on a drier than pre-industrial East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) climate. Nevertheless, 17 out of 55 records show a regional precipitation increase that is also simulated over the additional land mass area due to sea level drop. The thermodynamic and dynamic responses are analyzed to explain a drier LGM EASM as a combination of these two antagonistic mechanisms. Relatively low atmospheric moisture content was the main thermodynamic control on the lower LGM (relative to pre-industrial levels) EASM precipitation amounts in both the reconstructions and the models. In contrast, two dynamic processes in relation to stationary eddy activity act to increase EASM precipitation regionally in records and simulations, respectively. Precipitation increase in records is explained by dynamic enhancement of the horizontal moisture transport, while dynamic enhancement of the vertical moisture transport leads to simulated precipitation increase over the specific region where landmass was exposed during LGM along continental coastlines of China due to significant drop in sea level (relative to pre-industrial levels). Overall, the opposing effects of thermodynamic and dynamic processes on precipitation during the LGM provide a means to reconcile the spatial heterogeneity of recorded precipitation changes in sign, although data-model comparison suggests that the simulated dynamic wetting mechanism is too weak relative to the thermodynamic drying mechanism over data-model disagreement regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by solid economic developments, emerging economies are experiencing significant institutional change, particularly in regulatory structures and market systems. Coupled with fierce market competition and reforms, serious challenges for the sustainable development of new ventures are created due to smallness and newness liabilities. This study examines how new ventures grow and adapt to the rapid environmental shifts in emerging economies by exploring the effects of entrepreneurial bricolage. This study found that entrepreneurial bricolage has a positive impact on both new venture growth and adaptiveness. Further, institutional voids have contrasting effects on these two relationships. The effectiveness of entrepreneurial bricolage on new venture growth is stronger in a context with serious institutional voids, while the effectiveness of entrepreneurial bricolage on new venture adaptiveness is weaker in a context with serious institutional voids. These findings not only enrich our knowledge on the implications of entrepreneurial bricolage, but also advance our understanding of the emerging economy context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among potential hosts, the rejection of foreign eggs, which is a common and effective strategy to counter brood parasitism, depends on egg recognition. Multimodal and multicomponent recognition cues of brood parasitic eggs, which include both tactile (size, shape, and texture) and visual (size, shape, color, and maculation) cues, are potentially involved in the perception and discrimination of foreign eggs by hosts. An egg rejection experiment on the host with different types of model eggs can help to accurately assess the relative contribution of different components on egg recognition and constraints to rejection, in which videos can help identify the method of host rejection. Methods: Here, we assessed egg recognition and rejection responses by Oriental reed warblers (Acrocephalus orientalis), one of the most common hosts of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) which breed in eastern China. We designed six groups of model eggs for rejection experiments in which sensory cues included three grades of size and two categories of visual mimicry. Results: Our experiments confirmed that the multimodal traits, which included variation in size, were significant predictors of egg rejection: We detected significantly higher rejection rates of mimetic spotted model eggs than of nonmimetic blue eggs. However, large model eggs did not yield higher rejection rates and, instead, these were less likely to be rejected and more likely to be deserted compared with smaller eggs. Further video‐recording data showed that there was no significant effect of egg size on the egg recognition rate (percentage of nests with evidence of egg pecking). No evidence that the egg appearance had an effect on the method of egg rejection (ejection or nest desertion) was found. Conclusions: Only visual signals, such as color and maculation, contributed to the recognition of foreign eggs by Oriental reed warblers as recognizable clues, but not the egg size. The egg size had an impact on the type of egg rejection. It was less feasible for the warblers to eject large eggs and that is why they opted more often for desertion as the mean of model egg rejection. The significantly lower egg rejection rate of large eggs suggested that although some of them were recognized as foreign eggs, hosts failed to reject these eggs and finally the eggs were assumed to being accepted by the commonly used nest‐checking methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the fashion market in China has greatly expanded. However, little is known about why Chinese consumers purchase fashion products. Drawing on the theory of social motivation, this research proposes that face affects fashion consumption but that it exerts two contrasting effects, depending on the type of consumers' motivation regarding face. Specifically, when consumers desire to gain face, they are more motivated to choose fashion products than those in the control condition (i.e., not primed with the desire to gain face). In contrast, when consumers fear losing face, they are demotivated to buy fashion products compared with those in the control condition (i.e., not primed with the fear of losing face). Data from a survey study (Study 1) and two experiments (Studies 2a and 2 b) provide consistent support for the dual impact of face on fashion consumption. Moreover, these effects are shown to be driven by the need for uniqueness (Studies 2a and 2 b). Finally, Studies 3a and 3 b find that such face-fashion effects exist when the context is public but not when it is private. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, maize-soybean relay-intercropping system follow the two main planting-patterns: (i) traditional relay-intercropping; maize-soybean equal row planting, where soybean experience severe maize shading on both sides of plants, and (ii) modern relay-intercropping; narrow-wide row planting, in this new planting pattern only one side of soybean leaves suffer from maize shading. Therefore, in this study, changes in morphological traits, cytochrome content, photosynthetic characteristics, carbon status, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were investigated at 30 days after treatment (DAT) in shade-tolerant soybean variety Nandou-12 subjected to three different types of shading conditions; normal light (NL, all trifoliate-leaves of soybean plants were under normal light); unilateral shade (US, all right-side trifoliate-leaves of soybean plants from top to bottom were under shade while all the left-side of trifoliate-leaves from top to bottom were in normal light); bilateral shade (BS, all trifoliate-leaves of soybean plants were under complete shade). Compared with BS, US conditions decreased plant height and increased stem diameter, leaf area, and biomass at 30 DAT. Biomass distribution rates to stem, petiole and leaves, and photosynthetic characteristics were markedly improved by the US at all sampling stages, which proved to be a better growing condition than BS with respect to shade tolerance. The enhanced net photosynthesis and transpiration rates in the left-side leaves (LS) of soybean plants in US, when compared with the LS in BS, allowed them to produce higher total soluble sugar (by 70%) and total soluble protein (by 17%) at 30 DAT which reduce the adverse effects of shading at right-side leaves (RS) of the soybean plants. Similarly, soybean leaves under US accumulated higher proline content in US than the leaves of BS plants. Soybean leaves grown in shading conditions (LS and RS of BS and RS of US) developed antioxidative defence-mechanisms, including the accelerated activities of SOD, POD, APX, and CAT. Comparatively, soybean leaves in US displayed lower activity levels of the antioxidative enzymes than the leaves of BS plants, showing that soybean plants experienced less shade stress in US as compared with BS treatment. Overall, these results indicate that the association of improved photosynthetic characteristics, sugar and protein accumulation and optimum antioxidative defences could be an effective approach for growing soybean in intercropping environments. Slight shading could be an effective approach for growing soybean in intercropping systems. Soybean responds to slight shade by producing larger leaves to intercept more sunlight. Compared with severe-shading, soybean maintained the optimum chlorophyll contents, high net photosynthetic rate, and improved antioxidant enzyme activities under slight-shading. Through configuring the space deployment in the intercropping system, slight shade could be helpful for optimum growth and yield. Redesigning photosynthesis through slight shade for intercropping systems could meet global food and bioenergy demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Explore the land use-travel relationship from a household perspective. • Examine how residential and workplace built environments affect partners' travels. • Land use factors have varied and even contrast effects on partners' travel behaviors. • Land use factors affect husbands' travels indirectly by affecting wives' travels. The linkage between travel and the built environment has received extensive research attention over the past decades. However, the existing studies normally evaluate the built environment effect on travel from an individual-based perspective, neglecting the influence of intra-household interactions. We argue that individuals' travel behavior is derived from the allocation of household tasks and resources (e.g., household vehicles) and the travel behaviors of household members are interdependent. This suggests that the built environment may impact one member's travel behavior indirectly through its influence on others members' travel choices. Thus, examining the travel impact of the built environment needs to consider intra-household interactions. This paper proposes to analyze the land use-travel relationship from a household perspective. We simultaneously examine the effects of the built environments of residential and work locations on married couples' travel behaviors, considering the interrelations between their travels and controlling for both partners' travel attitudes. The empirical study in Beijing, China indicates that the built environment effect on travel is different between partners. Two work environment factors influence the partners' driving behaviors in opposite directions. Moreover, the wife's travel behavior mediates the association between the built environment and the husband's travel behavior. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the land use impact on travel behavior from the household perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing China's provincial panel data covering period 2001–2016, the present study empirically investigates the impact of ICT on CO2 emission intensity. Specifically, this paper utilizes Internet penetration and mobile phone penetration as proxies to measure ICT respectively and employs quantile regression method to estimate the benchmark model at five quantiles (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 0.9). It is demonstrated that Internet penetration at the national level has a significant negative effect on the CO2 emission intensity for all quantiles. In addition, Internet penetration has a significant negative effect on CO2 emission intensity at all quantiles except for 0.1 quantile for China's eastern provinces and has a significant negative effect on CO2 emission intensity at all quantiles for China's central provinces, whereas Internet penetration has no significant negative impact on CO2 emission intensity at all quantiles for China's western provinces. By comparison, the reduction effect of Internet penetration on CO2 emission intensity in China's eastern and central provinces is more obvious and in contrast with the reduction effect of Internet penetration on CO2 emission intensity in China's eastern provinces, it is greater in China's central provinces. Finally, the impact of mobile phone penetration on CO2 emission intensity is generally consistent with the impact of Internet penetration. This study provides further evidence that developing countries can simultaneously achieve economic development and reduce carbon emissions through ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As China and the United States have a great impact on Japan, Japanese attitudes toward China and the United States have been the focus of debate. This study uses nationally representative longitudinal data from Japan to investigate how the economic and political threats are relevant to Japanese attitudes toward China and the United States. Empirical analyses find that: first, socioeconomic status (SES) is significantly associated with individuals' attitudes toward the United States but not China. Second, individuals' perceptions of Japan's economic situation influence their attitudes toward China and the United States; that is, an optimistic assessment of Japan's economy increases the Japanese people's positive attitudes toward both China and the United States. Finally, the political threats have contrasting effects on Japanese attitudes toward China and the United States. Concerns over political threats increase Japan's favorable attitudes toward the United States while deteriorating the positive attitudes toward China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The evolutionary history and functional traits of species can illuminate ecological processes supporting coexistence in diverse forest communities. However, little has been done in decoupling the relative importance of these mechanisms on the turnover of phylogenetic and functional characteristics across life stages and spatial scales. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the contribution of environment and dispersal on the turnover of phylogenetic and functional diversity across life stages and spatial scales, in order to build a coherent picture of the processes responsible for species coexistence. Methods We conducted the study in Xishuangbanna Forest Dynamics Plot in Yunnan Province, southwest China. We used four different spatial point process models to estimate the relative importance of dispersal limitation and environmental filtering. The functional traits and phylogenetic relationships of all individual trees were incorporated in the analyses to generate measures of dissimilarity in terms of pairwise and nearest-neighbor phylogenetic and functional characteristics across life stages and spatial scales. Important Findings We found non-random patterns of phylogenetic and functional turnover across life stages and spatial scales. Environmental filtering structured pairwise phylogenetic and functional beta diversity across spatial scales, while dispersal limitation alone, and in combination with environment filtering, shaped nearest neighbor phylogenetic and functional beta diversity. The relative importance of dispersal limitation and environmental filtering appeared to change with life stage but not with spatial scale. Our findings suggest that phylogenetic and functional beta diversity help to reveal the ecological processes responsible for evolutionary and functional assembly and highlight the importance of using a range of different metrics to gain full insights into these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) plays an important role in ultraviolet (UV) light absorption in the ocean. CDOM is known to originate from either an allochthonous or autochthonous source and has varying compositions and levels of reactivity; however, the effects of individual radiation treatments and the combined effects of UVA and UVB on allochthonous and autochthonous CDOM remain poorly understood. Thus, here, we measured changes in the common optical properties of CDOM collected from China's marginal seas and the Northwest Pacific, using full-spectrum, UVA (315–400 nm), and UVB (280–315 nm) irradiation to induce photodegradation over the same time period (60 h). Excitation–emission matrices (EEMs) combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) identified four components: marine humic-like C1, terrestrial humic-like C2, soil fulvic-like C3, and tryptophan-like C4. Although the behaviours of these components during full-spectrum irradiation exhibited similar decreasing tendencies, three components (C1, C3, and C4) underwent direct photodegradation under UVB exposure, whereas C2 was more susceptible to UVA degradation. The diverse photoreactivities of the source-dependent components to different light treatments led to differing photochemical behaviours of other optical indices [ a CDOM (355), a CDOM (254), S R , HIX, and BIX]. The results indicate that irradiation preferentially reduced the high humification degree or humic substance content of allochthonous DOM, and promoted the transformation from the allochthonous humic DOM components to recently produced components. Although values for the samples from different sources overlapped frequently, principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the overall optical signatures could be linked to the original CDOM source features. The degradation of CDOM humification, aromaticity, molecular weight, and autochthonous fractions under exposure can drive the CDOM biogeochemical cycle in marine environments. These findings can aid in a better understanding of the effects of different combinations of light treatments and CDOM characteristics on CDOM photochemical processes. [Display omitted] • Irradiation can reduce CDOM humification, aromaticity, molecular weight, and autochthonous components. • Irradiation preferentially reduced the high humification degree or humic substance content of allochthonous DOM. • The photoreactivity of CDOM depends on light regimes and its source and composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aeration in aquaculture ponds decreased CH 4 emission but increased N 2 O emission. • The annual global warming potential of the GHGs was ca. 40% less in aerated ponds. • CH 4 was the principal contributor to the annual SGWP of the ponds. • Aeration can be an effective strategy to mitigate climate impacts of aquaculture pond. The increasing number of small-hold aquaculture ponds for food production globally has raised concerns of their emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane (CH 4) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O). Aeration is commonly applied to improve oxygen supply for the farmed animals, but it could have opposite effects on GHG emission: It may inhibit anaerobic microbial processes that produce GHGs; it may also increase water-to-air GHG exchange via physical agitation. To resolve the overall effect of aeration on GHG emissions, this study analyzed and compared the monthly CH 4 and N 2 O emissions from earthen shrimp ponds with and without aeration, in the farming period for two consecutive years, in an estuary in subtropical southeastern China. CH 4 flux was mainly influenced by water temperature and dissolved oxygen, and it was significantly higher in non-aerated pond (7.6 mg m-2h−1) than in aerated ponds (4.5 mg m-2h−1), with ebullition accounting for >90 % of the emission. Conversely, non-aerated pond had ca. 50 % lower N 2 O flux than aerated ponds, and dissolved nitrate was the main driving factor. The combined CO 2 -equivalent emission in aerated ponds (avg. 10,829 kg CO 2 -eq ha−1 yr−1) was substantially lower than that in non-aerated pond (avg. 17,627 kg CO 2 -eq ha−1 yr−1). While aeration may increase diffusive flux of GHGs via physical agitation, it remains a simple and effective management practice to decrease the overall climate impact of aquaculture ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A survey of visual problems in typical secondary school classrooms of China showed that poor legibility on the blackboard caused by reflections is the most reported issue that disturbs visual tasks in class. Studying the correlations between variables and the legibility of chalk writings on the blackboard, accessing the borderline threshold of contrast and revealing the effects of other variables are the priority assignments to address the problem. Based on the findings from the questionnaire survey and on-site contrast measurement, an experiment of legibility assessment was settled in a mockup classroom scenario, in where the subjective rating study about disturbance level of reflections and clarity level of texts on blackboard was carried out. 210 trials were conducted during the 10-month test, more than 3,300 sets of data were collected totally. Category rating results show that 63% of all ratings could sort as disturbed. Four variables including luminance contrast between white and black portions of the board, vertical eye illuminance (E V), etc. are analyzed against the ratings of clarity level. It can be concluded from this study that: 1- Disturbance level of daylight reflections has a linear correlation with the legibility level of the texts on the blackboard. 2- The seat far from glazing and in the front row is the most disturbing position in a typical secondary classroom. 3- The dominant factor of legibility is luminance contrast, and the borderline threshold of good legibility is 1.30. 4- No evidence shows E V has a strong correlation with legibility level of then contents on a blackboard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wheat phenological observations with the longest time period at the most stations were applied. • Climate warming impacts increased for winter wheat but declined for spring wheat. • Growing periods were more sensitive to mean and maximum than minimum temperature. • Cultivar shifts only partly offset the negative effects of climate warming. • Changes in sowing date shortened growing periods on average by <0.5 days/decade. Investigating crop phenology change has important implications to understand crop response and adaptation to climate change. The spatiotemporal changes of wheat phenology had been investigated before, nevertheless some key scientific questions remain inconclusive. Here, the updated phenological observations with the longest time period (1981–2018) and the largest number of records (7,659 records at 357 stations) for wheat in China were applied to investigate whether the response of wheat phenology to recent climate warming declined, how wheat responded to asymmetric warming, and how different drivers affected wheat phenology change. The results showed wheat sowing date delayed but heading and maturity date advanced generally during 1981–2018. Trends in wheat sowing date, heading date, maturity date, vegetative growing period (VGP), reproductive growing period (RGP) and whole growing period (GP) between 1981–1999 and 2000–2018 changed heterogeneously across the agro-ecological zones. This inconsistence may be ascribed to the compound impacts of climate change and agricultural managements such as cultivar shifts. Climate warming impacts on GP increased for winter wheat but declined for spring wheat in most regions from 1981–1999 to 2000–2018. Daily minimum temperature increased more than mean and maximum temperature, however VGP, RGP and GP were more sensitive to mean and maximum temperature than to minimum temperature. Maximum and minimum temperature had contrasting effects. Spring wheat was more sensitive to temperature than winter wheat, and RGP was more sensitive to temperature than VGP and GP because the later was also subject to photoperiod and vernalization. During 1981–2018, climate warming shortened GP on average by 4.2 and 4.6 days/decade for winter and spring wheat, respectively. Cultivar shifts prolonged it by 2.0 and 2.9 days/decade, respectively. Changes in sowing date shortened it on average by 0.5 and 0.4 days/decade, respectively. The effects of other factors such as fertilization and irrigation changed it on average by 0.1 and -0.3 days/decade, respectively. And the effects of all agricultural managements together prolonged it on average by 1.6 and 2.4 days/decade, respectively. Our findings provide new insights into the spatiotemporal changes of wheat phenology, as well as their drivers, across China in the past four decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the seasonal heterogeneity of land surface temperature (LST) and the interaction relationship between potential drivers in Sichuan Basin, China. In this study, based on exploring the spatial heterogeneity of LST in Sichuan Basin, China, multi-source remote sensing data as potential drivers were selected and a Geo-detector model was applied to analyze the main drivers and the interactive relationship between drivers on LST during different seasons. The results showed that the high-temperature areas in Sichuan Basin in different seasons all appeared in the cities near the high mountains on the edge of the basin. This phenomenon was summarized as "sinking heat island" by us. From the driving factors, the biophysical parameters (DEM, SLOPE and NDVI) had the greatest impact on LST in each season, reaching the peak in the transition season. The climate parameters (WIND, HUM, PRE and TEM) and socioeconomic parameters (LIGHT, POP and ROAD) also had a certain impact on LST. The influence of a single landscape parameter (SHDI, PD, LPI, ED and LSI) on LST is limited. From the effect of factor interaction on LST, the interaction of biophysical parameters, climatic parameters and landscape parameters from summer to the transitional season was strengthened obviously, and it showed a downward trend in the winter; in contrast, the socioeconomic parameters showed the opposite characteristics, indicating that the interaction between human activities and other factors affected LST more obviously in the winter. The results of this study are not only valuable for understanding the spatial features of LST but also important for formulating mitigation strategies and sustainable development of urban heat island in Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spatial heterogeneity of LUCC and ecosystem service (ES) changes driven by policies. • Spatial characteristics of synergies and trade-offs between ES. • The drivers of synergies and trade-offs between ES. • Contrasting effects of multi-policies on ES in northeastern China. Understanding the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics in ecosystem services can provide scientific guidance to promote the sustainable management of ecosystems. Comprehensive and detailed information of ecosystem services response to multiple development and conservation policies is needed for Liaoning. Therefore, this study examined land cover changes and documented ecosystem service dynamics associated with diverse policies in this region. The results revealed that agricultural development was considered to be the most significant factor leading to the degradation of natural vegetation. Moreover, large-area croplands recovered to natural vegetation under the guidance of ecological restoration policies, resulting in a net woodland area increase by 220.45 km2. Built-up land expanded markedly at the expense of cropland, while newly formed cropland was primarily converted from wetland and woodland. Furthermore, ecosystem carbon stock, soil retention and water yield were enhanced at the Liaoning scale, while habitat suitability experienced a slight decline. Ecological rehabilitation programs enhanced synergies between ecosystem services, while urban development strategy may be responsible for the trade-offs between supply services and regulation services. In terms of current policy and ecosystem service dynamics, it is worth considering how to weaken policy-driven natural ecosystem losses and promote the efficacy of ecological rehabilitation programs. The findings in this study are expected to benefit both ecological protection and socio-economic prosperity in Liaoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bamboo invasion consistently increased soil pH and organic C content across three sites. • Bamboo invasion consistently decreased fungal ITS gene abundances across the sites. • Bamboo invasion improved the closeness of soil bacterial but not fungal communities. • Total soil enzyme activities positively correlated with the abundances of fungi rather than bacteria. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) invasions into adjacent forests have been reported to threaten aboveground biodiversity and alter belowground soil processes. However, the impacts of bamboo invasion on soil microbial community composition, co-occurrence network and enzyme activity remain largely unknown. We presented a cross site field investigation on soil bacterial and fungal communities and enzyme activities in three forests (an original broadleaf forest, a mixed bamboo-broadleaf forest and a pure bamboo forest) at three sites in South China. Our results showed that bamboo invasion consistently increased soil pH (by 6.72% − 17.56%) and soil organic carbon concentrations (by 11.75% − 40.63%) across the three sites. Bamboo invasion consistently decreased fungal ITS gene abundances across the sites, but had little effect on bacterial 16S rRNA gene abundances and diversity indices. The community composition of both bacteria and fungi and their functional guilds differed among the three sites and were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by bamboo invasion. Bamboo invasion significantly decreased the relative abundances of ectomycorrhizal but increased those of soil saprotrophs. The complexity of co-occurrence network of bacterial communities was increased whereas that of fungal communities was decreased due to bamboo invasion. The activities of soil enzymes involved in C, N and P cycling were also altered by bamboo invasion, and they were significantly positively correlated with the abundances of fungal ITS gene and ectomycorrhizal rather than those of bacteria and predicted metabolic function. This study suggested that bamboo invasions into adjacent broadleaf forests had contrasting effects on soil bacterial and fungal communities by shifting microhabitats towards a condition that is unfavorable for some fungal functional guilds, which were tightly associated with soil functioning. These results highlight the need for sustainable forestry management against bamboo invasion to maintain fungal diversity and network complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure a good air quality during the 7th Military World Games (MWG) held in the megacity, Wuhan of central China, an unprecedented substantial emission reduction has been conducted during October 13–27, 2019. Here we present an observational overview on the effects of emission control measures as well as their implications by integrated satellite observations and surface measurements. Compared with air quality before control, there is a remarkable overall decline (~15–30%) in PM 10 and SO 2 concentration in control period. By contrast, NO x and O 3 remain at high levels under persistent stagnant weather conditions since vehicle emission is not restricted. Despite high NO x (~100 μg/m3) in ground measurements, satellite column NO 2 exhibits a considerable decline (~30–50%) over Wuhan, indicating that the large reduction of industrial emission from elevated chimneys has limited effects on changes of NO x near surface. The NO 3 − and NH 4 + in PM 2.5 reach peak values at the beginning of emergency control period, and then decrease steadily with a rising temperature. Meanwhile, OC and EC in PM 2.5 have a continuous accumulation process on the premise of enhanced emission control, which can be caused by vehicle emissions. Generally, the stringent emission reduction focusing on industrial sources obviously mitigates particle pollution in Wuhan. Considering complicated relationship between atmospheric pollutants and their precursors, synchronized emission reduction measures based on their accurate roles are necessary in improving air quality effectively. • The emission reduction in central China has contrasting effects on different atmospheric pollutants. • Stringent emission reduction leads to a remarkable decrease in particle pollution and SO 2 in Wuhan. • Despite high-level NO x and O 3 , nitrate exhibits a continuous decline due to rising temperature. • It's necessary to consider the complicated relationship between different atmospheric pollutants in future air quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research suggests that East Asians (Easterners) are more likely than North Americans and Western Europeans (Westerners) to incorporate information from concurrent affective contexts when judging facial expressions. The present research extends this literature by investigating the impact of temporal affective contexts on emotion perception. Specifically, two experiments tested the hypothesis that when judging smiles, Easterners are more likely than Westerners to be influenced by preceding facial expressions. In Experiment 1, participants from China and Canada judged the valence of low-intensity smiles that were preceded by expressions of anger or high-intensity smiles. The results indicated that, compared to Canadian participants, Chinese perceivers were more influenced by preceding expressions, with larger differences in perceived valence of smiles preceded by different start emotions. Experiment 2 investigated whether this pattern of findings generalized to other Western populations and to other emotional transitions. Participants from China and the Netherlands judged the valence of (high- or low- intensity) smiles preceded by angry, fearful, or neutral expressions. Consistent with Experiment 1, Chinese participants' judgments of smiles were impacted more by the preceding expressions, a finding that was stable across emotions. Together, these findings demonstrate that Easterners, relative to Westerners, are influenced more by the preceding temporal emotional context when judging others' current smiling facial expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effect of fertilization on needle and root nutrient concentrations is via soil available N and P. • P contributes more than N fertilization to basal area increment during both seasons. • The opposite effects of N and P fertilizations on growth rate vary with season. Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) are the major limiting nutrients for plant growth in most ecosystems. However, it is unclear whether P fertilization exhibits higher effects on plant growth than N fertilization and whether the effects vary with season, since plant demands for N vs. P vary differently during different seasons. We seasonally measured N and P concentrations of fine roots, leaves, and soil as well as growth in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantations fertilized with P (5 g m−2 a−1) and/or N (5 g m−2 a−1 and 10 g m−2 a−1) over five years in subtropical China. Needle N and P concentrations were significantly influenced by P fertilization, whereas root N and P concentrations were significantly influenced by P fertilization and the interaction between P fertilization and season. Phosphorus fertilization generally decreased root N concentration in the warm season and increased P concentrations of needle and root in the cold season. Moreover, root P concentration with P fertilization was significantly higher during the cold season than during the warm season, regardless of N fertilization. Contrary to the cold season, in the case of high N fertilization, basal area increment was significantly lower with than without P fertilization during the warm season. Nitrogen fertilization in the warm season had a positive effect on basal area increment, contrary to the cold season. Contrary to N fertilization, P fertilization had a negative effect on basal area increment in the warm season, whereas it had a positive effect in the cold season. Phosphorus fertilization contributed more than N fertilization to basal area increment during both seasons. Moreover, root P concentration was the most crucial factor determining basal area increment during both seasons. The opposite effects of N and P fertilizations on plant growth depend on the season in the Chinese fir plantation, which suggested that the timing of P and N fertilizations should be considered for the Chinese fir plantations in subtropical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has substantially affected carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. However, the responses of different soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions with different turnover rates to N addition are highly divergent, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we explored the responses of surface soil (0–10 cm) characteristics and microbial communities to six years of experimental N addition (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1) in a subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest in southern China. Our results showed that N addition led to significant soil acidification (pH from 5.3 to 4.9). Microbial biomass carbon and total microbial, bacterial and fungal abundance (phospholipid fatty acid, PLFA) were reduced by N addition, but extracellular enzymes involved in C, N and phosphorus (P) cycling were not responsive to N addition. Soil extractable Ca2+ concentration was depleted by N addition, while other extractable cations (Fe3+, Al3+, Mg2+, K+, Na+) were not affected. Moreover, N addition did not significantly change the C and N concentration of bulk soil. We further separated the bulk soil into particulate organic matter (>53 μm, POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (<53 μm, MAOM) fractions by wet sieving. Interestingly, C in the POM fraction was significantly increased by N addition, while C in the MAOM fraction was depleted by N addition. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling results suggested that N addition may suppress microbial decomposition of plant inputs and thus lead to accumulation of C in the POM fraction, while it may reduce the mineral sorption of microbial necromass and products and thus cause depletion of C in the MAOM fraction. Taken together, our results highlighted the vulnerability of soil C in the stable MAOM fraction to N addition, and emphasized the role of soil metals (particularly extractable Ca2+) and pH in controlling soil C storage under N addition. • N addition did not change plant inputs, soil enzyme activity and total SOC. • N addition reduced soil pH, microbial biomass carbon and exchangeable Ca2+. • N addition increased POC due to suppression of microbial biomass and decomposition. • N addition decreased MAOC because of weaker mineral sorption of microbial necromass and products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montane vegetation belts are sensitive to climate change; however, it is uncertain to what degree their evolution is influenced by changes in mean annual temperature or seasonal climate. In this study, we use pollen assemblages from a high elevation lake (3780 m.a.s.l.) in the Gongga Mountains on the southeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China, to study changes in altitudinal vegetation zones during the last 12,000 years. The relationships between vegetation belts and winter and summer climate parameters are analyzed. Results indicate that winter temperature mainly controlled the development of evergreen broadleaved forest (Cyclobalanopsis and Taxodiaceae), deciduous broadleaved forest (Betula), and sub-alpine shrubland (Rosaceae, Cyperaceae and Gramineae dominated). In contrast, the development of temperate coniferous forest (Pinus and Tsuga) and alpine herbfield (Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae) was mainly controlled by summer temperature and precipitation. Results show that winter temperature gradually increased from the Greenlandian to Meghalayan, indicating that the main driving factor was winter solar insolation in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, changes in summer temperature and precipitation are consistent with the results from Indian monsoon-dominated areas of China, suggesting that the summer climate in this region is mainly driven by the migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Our findings suggest that the influence of seasonal climate changes should be considered on the evolution of montane vegetation belts. • The vegetation dynamics in SW China are reconstructed during the Holocene. • Contrasting effects of seasonal climate on altitudinal vegetation belts evolution. • Winter temperature followed gradual decline with winter insolation in the NH. • Summer climate is mainly driven by migration of the ITCZ under insolation forcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the most important food legume for human nutrition globally, contributes greatly to the improvement of soil fertility in semi-dry lands where most of the soil is already salinized or alkalized, such as in the Songnen Plain of China. In this study, we investigated the effects of salt stress (neutral and alkaline) on the salt-tolerant common bean. Seed germination, seedling growth, photosynthesis, and osmotic adjustment were assessed. Neutral and alkaline salt growth environments were simulated using NaCl and NaHCO3, respectively. The results indicated that at ≥60 mmol·L−1, both NaCl and NaHCO3 caused significant delays in seedling emergence and decreased seedling emergence rates. NaHCO3 stress suppressed seedling survival regardless of concentration; however, only NaCl concentrations >60 mmol·L−1 had the same effect. Alkaline salt stress remarkably suppressed photosynthesis and seedling establishment. The common bean compensated for the increase in inorganic anion concentration (influx of Na+) by synthesizing more organic acids and soluble sugars. This adaptive mechanism enabled the common bean to balance the large inflow of cations for maintaining a stable cell pH environment under alkaline salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]