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Satellite remote sensing has been widely utilized for petroleum detection offshore since oil spill is normally widespread. However, the onshore hydrocarbon detection is insufficient because the lower spectral resolution of previous satellites made it difficult to identify small scales of seepages. In this study, a dataset of the High-Resolution 5 satellite (GF-5) of China was chosen to directly detect hydrocarbon seeps in the Karamay area. First, an IDL program was used to remove the vertical tripe noise of the image to ensure the high quality of the image. Second, use principal component analysis (PCA) was combined with the classification and regression trees (CART) method RuleGen to process the image. The detected hydrocarbon information was enhanced by RGB color synthesis. The results show that the methods can detect hydrocarbon effectively. Field verification results show that the accuracy is 86.5%. This study provides an effective method for hydrocarbon detection using GF-5 data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by the rapid construction of China's transportation and the integration of urban and rural development, a large network of different transportation modes, such as roads, railways, waterways, and aviation, have formed in urban and rural areas. The multi-mode coordinated planning of transportation has therefore become a new trend in the integration of urban and rural transportation, promoting the common development of urban and rural areas. Based on this, this paper uses multi-source data information to explore the coordinated development and planning of different modes of urban and rural transportation and takes GIS software as a tool to coordinate the development between urban and rural transportation planning and production, life, ecology and cultural elements in urban and rural space for the purpose of evaluating the traffic needs of different modes in urban and rural space. Wuxue City is taken as an example to analyze the shortcomings of the current urban and rural transportation coordination, and accordingly proposes a four-pronged coordinated traffic planning strategy: road network structure, hub layout, information service, and public transport optimization. Spatially, this paper intends to find out a new approach of coordinated planning of urban and rural multi-mode transportation which can promote the integrated development of urban and rural transportation and set a good example for the development of urban and rural transportation in other similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital twin is considered the central component of modern industry. It has been adopted in many industrial fields. However, its application in nuclear engineering is very rare, especially for the radioactive waste deposits winch is an urgent and tricky issue. Motivated by this demand and considering China's research & development guidelines for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (a three-step strategy by 2050 to construct the radioactive waste repository), a framework of the radioactive waste repository digital twin is proposed. The digital twin uses the framework edge + cloud with a multi-layer structure. It can be adopted in the construction of the radioactive waste repository. It can significantly strengthen the management capability, reduce the operating cost, improve the safety level and deal with accidents more efficiently. The first step for the achievement for the digital twin development of radioactive waste repository based on the framework is also introduced in the paper. The proposed digital twin framework of the radioactive waste repository in this work could be widely used as a reference and easily extended to support management in other industrial fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a major source of mortality in China. Convincing evidence has demonstrated that the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is correlated with lowering ASCVD risk. The efficacy of lifestyle management in lipid levels reduction has been confirmed in numerous studies. However, considering that low compliance to lifestyle management has limited the benefits of lowering lipid levels, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is proposed as a solution to improve clinical outcomes. The objective of this trial is to compare the LDL-C outcome in ASCVD patients receiving mobile device-based CBT to a control group, with both groups under standard pharmacological treatments.Methods: This trial is designed as a multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial with a 6-month follow-up. Mean LDL-C level and the percentage of different LDL-C levels, coefficient of variation of LDL, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSEs), quality of life index (QL-index), etc., between the two groups at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months will be measured.Discussion: This trial should demonstrate that the implementation of mobile-based CBT intervention will be potentially effective in lowering LDL-C levels in ASCVD patients.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( ChiCTR2100046775 ) [registered: 2021/5/28]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoboletus infuscatus (Boletaceae, Boletales) is described as a new species from Yinggeling of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, southern China. It is morphologically characterized by a large basidioma with a nearly glabrous, brownish yellow, yellowish brown to pale brown pileus, pores orangish red when young, yellowish brown to brown when old, context and hymenophore staining blue when injured, a yellow stipe with red punctuations, surfaces of the pileus and the stipe usually covered with a thin layer of white pruina when young. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from part of the 28S gene, the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and part of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) also confirm that N. infuscatus forms an independent lineage within Neoboletus. Detailed morphological description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of microstructures are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new whitefly species, Aleuroclava schimae Wang, sp. nov. infesting leaves of Schima superba (Parietales, Theaceae) is described and illustrated from Zhejiang, China. Puparia of the new species are elliptical, broad at the transverse molting suture region and broadly truncate posteriorly. Thoracic and caudal tracheal pores are discernible. In life, the puparia are covered by a thin layer of white wax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing techniques are widely used during petroleum exploration. However, limitations in spectral and spatial resolution mean that these techniques are used mainly to detect hydrocarbons either indirectly or under laboratory conditions. To investigate the spectral signatures of natural hydrocarbon-bearing features, we took spectral measurements from oil seeps and associated hydrocarbon-bearing materials in Karamay city, northwest China. The hydrocarbon content of 16 hydrocarbon-bearing samples was also determined to study the relationship between hydrocarbon content and spectral absorption. The results reveal a positive correlation between spectral absorption intensities at 1725 nm and hydrocarbon contents of >1 wt%. Thus, surface hydrocarbon content can be direct detection above a detection limit of around 1 wt% using this method. This result is not only instructive for petroleum exploration, but also important for environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism consumption has been steadily increasing in China, as has its impact on society, the economy, and the environment; thus, it is necessary to promote socially responsible consumption among tourists. Our primary objective was to develop a scale to measure tourists’ socially responsible consumption intention in China. We identified 5 dimensions that we labeled as safeguarding rights and interests, moderating consumption, promotion of local residents’ income, respecting local cultures, and conserving resources. Our scale has the same basic principles as more general socially responsible consumption: maximizing the positive impacts of tourism on the environment, economy, and society, and minimizing the negative impacts. The scale was designed mainly for use at the tourism destination, which is an unfamiliar environment for the tourist. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A framework of TC wind hazard assessment based on the probability density evolution method integrated with the change-of-measure technique is proposed. • The high efficiency of the proposed framework in assessing the TC wind hazard at multiple locations is validated. • The sensitivity of the TC wind hazard to controlling random variables is analyzed. • The TC wind hazard on the southeast coast of China is assessed. The tropical cyclone (TC) wind hazard assessment formulates a change-of-random-variable problem, which maps the probability space of controlling parameters to that of the TC-induced wind. This study presents a framework for analyzing the TC wind hazard based on the probability density evolution method (PDEM) integrated with the change of probability measure (COM). It is advantageous in the problem of assessing the TC wind hazards at multiple locations over the traditional approach because a common set of representative deterministic solutions of physical equations can be re-used for all locations rather than solving a separate set of solutions at each location. The proposed method is applied to estimate the wind hazard on the Chinese southeast coastline. The common representative deterministic points are selected by the generalized-F-discrepancy-based method with the probability distributions of controlling parameters at Shantou. Based on the COM, the geographical dependence of probabilistic characteristics is represented by changing the assigned probability. The PDEM is incorporated to evaluate the propagation of randomness from the input-controlling parameters to the TC-induced surface wind. The comparison to the Monte Carlo simulation demonstrates the high efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a model for predicting tropical cyclone (TC) intensity evolution by utilizing the conditional Wasserstein generative adversarial network with gradient penalty (CWGAN-GP) for TC-related risk assessment. The TC intensity evolution is treated as a random variable, which is the output of a nonlinear system conditioned on a series of input random variables that characterize both the TC state (e.g., translation speed and potential intensity) and environment (e.g., vertical wind shear and ocean mixed layer depth). To represent the high-dimensional non-Gaussian probabilistic characteristics, the system is modeled by the CWGAN-GP and calibrated concerning the dataset of 1010 historical TCs from the western North Pacific basin. The over-ocean and overland branches of the model are calibrated separately and then merged. The suitability of the established model is validated by comparing the predicted TC intensity to the observations and the results of existing models such as those based on linear regression. Numerical results indicate that the proposed model successfully replicates the probabilistic properties such as the non-Gaussian marginal distribution of the intensity change and the input-output joint distribution and moments between the TC intensity and predictors, which the linear regression model cannot provide. Further application examples are also carried out by using the model to simulate the evolution of historical TC events and the extreme TC intensities in Southern China, demonstrating its potential role in the TC hazard assessment. • A deep-learning model for predicting tropical cyclone intensity evolution is proposed. • The CWGAN-GP is used to model TC intensity change every 6 h conditioned on environmental variables. • Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed model can replicate the probabilistic properties of TC intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new whitefly species, Aleuromarginatus dielsianae Wang & Xu, sp. n. collected from Millettia dielsiana Harms (Rosales: Fabaceae) in Jiangshan (28°40'N, 118°40'E, 512 m) and Xinchang (29°22'N, 120°46'E, 308 m), Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is characterized by the dark brown lateral margin area and a pair of longitudinal furrows extending from the cephalothorax to the vasiform orifice. The submargin has an elongate-oval fold at the base of each marginal tooth and with 3-4 rows of irregular shaped papillae, nine pairs submedian setae and 13 pairs submarginal setae. Thoracic and caudal tracheal folds and pores discernible. An identification key and checklist of species of Aleuromarginatus known from China are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taihua metamorphic complex exposes in the southern Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) and records at least three episodes of magmatism. The Shanxian TTG gneisses obtained at 2.54–2.48 Ga have high SiO 2 , variable Mg# with high (La/Yb) N and Sr/Y ratios (15.08–93.26 with average of 37.31 and 7.33–115.05 with average of 49.59, respectively). They show negative Nb and Ta but positive Zr and Hf anomalies with low Nb/Ta and Gd/Yb, and high Zr/Hf and Zr/Sm ratios (4.97–18.8, 1.92–6.37, 23.71–50.26, and 29.18–75.23, respectively), and have positive ε Hf (t) values (+1.7 to +7.9) and ε Nd (t) values (+0.72 to +2.55), indicating that they were possibly produced by partial melting of lower crust derived from metasomatized lithospheric mantle with the residue of minor garnet. The Sihe granitic gneisses recorded at 2.35–2.30 Ga are enriched in silica, Al 2 O 3 contents (13.59–15.33), K 2 O/Na 2 O ratios (1.13–1.7), defined as high-Al TTG. They exhibit high Sr/Y, Zr/Sm and Zr/Hf ratios and low Nb/Ta and Gd/Yb ratios (44.71–83.09, 47.79–62.58, 36.05–37.43, 12.04–16.36, and 2.95–3.68, respectively) with negative Eu anomaly. Combined with Hf and Nd isotopes (−2.5 to +4.7 and −0.74 to +0.36), the Sihe granitic gneiss was possibly generated from partial melting of lower crust with minor ancient material contributions, leaving residual amphibole and minor garnet in the source. The Muce monzonitic gneisses emplaced at 2.17–2.16 Ga have high Mg#, Ni and Cr contents, constant Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N (42.39–50.33, 19.8–41.4, 33.6–74.2, 31.32–34.14, and 15.32–16.7, respectively), with relatively low and constant Dy/Yb ratio (1.82–1.85). Together with Hf and Nd isotopes (−6.5 to −0.9 and −2.07 to −2.86), the Muce monzonitic gneisses might be derived from partial melting of Neoarchean pre-existing crustal materials, possibly in an arc setting. It is therefore found that four episodes of crustal growth and/or reworking in the southern segment of the TNCO have occurred at 2.85–2.72 Ga, 2.57–2.48 Ga, 2.35–2.30 Ga and 2.2–2.0 Ga, respectively, likely to connect with the subduction–collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks along the TNCO in the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • VNS spectroscopy are used to investigate mineralogy and geochemistry of drill cores rapidly and non-destructively. • K-M values are negatively correlated with Fe 2 O 3 , Fe3+/Fe2+, TOC, and carbonates, and positively with clay and kaolinite. • Redox is found to be the key U enrichment factor, and kaolinite and organic matter may cause limited U enrichment. The Qianjiadian deposit is the first late Mesozoic–Cenozoic sandstone-type uranium deposit discovered in the Songliao Basin, northeast China. It remains uncertain whether high-temperature hydrothermal fluid or low-temperature groundwater dominated the mineralization process that led to uranium enrichment in this deposit. We investigated the gamma ray intensity and semi-quantitative mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of drill cores from the Qianjiadian deposit. A total of 60 gamma ray anomalies were identified; most of these anomalies are associated with negative Fe 2 O 3 and Fe3+/Fe2+ anomalies, four are associated with positive total organic carbon (TOC) anomalies, and none are associated with positive carbonate (calcite + dolomite) anomalies. The absence of positive carbonate anomalies, together with low kaolinite crystallinities, rules out the influence of high-temperature fluid on uranium enrichment. The dominant negative Fe 2 O 3 and Fe3+/Fe2+ anomalies and the occurrence of pyrite in thin section and gray-red sandstone and native sulfur in some U-rich drill cores indicate that redox reactions in low-temperature groundwater may have been the principal control on uranium enrichment. In addition, two gamma ray anomalies are associated with positive TOC, Fe 2 O 3 , and Fe3+/Fe2+ anomalies and another two are associated only with positive kaolinite anomalies, suggesting that carbonaceous debris and kaolinite could also cause limited uranium enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital ilmenite and its altered minerals are common in sandstone-hosted U deposits in the northern Ordos Basin, north China. Petrographic observation, SEM-EDS, EMPA, and LA-MC-ICP-MS were utilized to characterize the spatial relationship between altered ilmenite and the U minerals, and to investigate the U enrichment mechanism and alteration processes of ilmenite. Ilmenite was completely or partially altered to leucoxene and anatase along its rim and crack in ore-bearing sandstone. Framboidal and cement pyrite of BSR and TSR origin were identified around altered ilmenite. Two U phases closely related to altered ilmenite contain Ti-coffinite (I) and coffinite (II). These data indicate that ilmenite alteration and the associated processes of U enrichment can be divided into two stages. Stage one involves U pre-enrichment and adsorption, with stage two involving U enrichment via TiO2 (leucoxene and anatase) catalytic reduction. Ilmenite was altered into porous leucoxene that can adsorb U as uraniferous leucoxene and Ti-coffinite (I) and framboidal pyrite directly by reactions with H2S, produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria during synsedimentary and early diagenesis stages. Altered ilmenite can enrich U in the form of coffinite (II) through a catalytic reduction reaction which is triggered by β and γ radiation produced by previously adsorbed U during the uplift of ore-bearing bed in the Late Cretaceous period. In addition, cement pyrite can also reduce U6+ into U4+ which deposits on its surface in the form of coffinite (II). These results demonstrate a new mechanism, mediated by adsorption and catalytic reduction, to enrich U in sandstone-hosted U deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a new typhoon hazard analysis method is presented by introducing the probability density evolution theory. In the suggested method, the randomness in the typhoon occurrence is represented by the combination of a homogeneous Poisson process and a joint probability density function for both the typhoon genesis time and the genesis position. Then a set of physical models, including a typhoon intensity model, a typhoon track model and a boundary layer wind field model, is introduced to describe the typhoon process. The typhoon intensity model with high efficiency is used to simulate the evolution of typhoon intensity given the environmental variables. The typhoon motion is simulated by the beta-advection model where the steering flow is the linear combination of the large-scale flows at 850 hPa and 250 hPa, and the beta drift is solved from the non-divergent barotropic vorticity equation. At last, the typhoon induced surface wind at the interested engineering site is calculated with the help of a three-dimensional non-linear boundary layer wind field model. On the basis of the above physical models, the generalized density evolution equation is adopted to solve the probability distribution of the annual maximum typhoon surface wind speeds. The typhoon surface wind speeds associated with specified recurrence intervals are estimated consequently. As an example, the typhoon hazard at ten selected cities on the southeast coast of China is assessed. The surface wind records from the observation stations are collected to estimate the cumulative distribution function of the annual maximum wind and are compared to the analyzed results. The good comparison between the historical records and the analyzed results demonstrates the adequacy of the proposed method. • Physical models are used to generate the synthetic history of typhoon. • The probability density evolution theory is used to investigate the propagation of randomness. • The proposed method is used to assess the typhoon hazard of several cities on the southeast coast of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si Wu Tang, a Chinese herbal formula composed of four Chinese herbs (Danggui, Chuanxiong, Baishao and Shudi) was analysed for its magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron and calcium concentrations when made into a decoction. The commonly prescribed amount is 42 g in a specific ratio of the four herbs, and from this it was determined that all metals analysed were within safe limits and daily tolerable limits would not be able to be reached by ingesting this formula (42 g/day) alone. The highest metal in the Si Wu Tang decoction was found to be magnesium at 25 mg/L, which is under the daily intake recommendations. Varying the brewing time during the preparation of the herbs was found to have various effects on the different micronutrients when made up into separate decoctions from 1 g of each separate herb and these observations may be beneficial to Chinese medicine practitioners who wish to vary the Si Wu Tang formula to better suit a patient's needs. Samples were analysed at least in triplicate and error was found not to be over 15% at the 95% confidence level. Investigating the amount of metals present will increase the understanding of the levels of these beneficial metals and the potential curative effects they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been increasing in China in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate and compare the prevalence of MS among Chinese adults in Shanghai, one of the most economic developed areas in China, using definitions proposed by World Health Organization (WHO), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (modified ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF).Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5,584 adults at age 20-79 randomly selected from Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China, through a three-stage sampling. All participants were interviewed in-person between April and July of 2008 to collect information on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. At the interview, anthropometry and blood pressure were measured and bio-specimens were collected.Results: The prevalence estimates for the MS increased with age for each definition in men and women, but the estimates varied greatly between the definitions and by sex. The prevalence of the MS was higher in men (20.2%) than in women (18.7%) using WHO definition but this sex difference was reversed when using the modified ATP III (28.4% for men vs. 35.1% for women) and the IDF (15.9% for men vs. 26.7% for women) criteria. The most common metabolic disorder in this population was dyslipidaemia, regardless of the definition used. Substantial agreement, estimated using the kappa statistic, was found between the modified ATP III and IDF definition, whereas the lowest agreement was observed between the WHO and ATP III criteria.Conclusions: The MS is highly prevalent among Chinese adults in Pudong New Area of Shanghai and the most prevalent component was dyslipidemia. These findings underscore the importance of prevention and control efforts for the MS in this area and the need for a unified predictive definition for the syndrome for use by clinical practitioners and public health agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study conducted regarding the role of progesterone receptor (PGR) gene in endometrial cancer risk development in China. The study which collected DNA samples and information from Shanghai Endometrial Cancer Study aims to determine the association of PGR with the cancer risk in the Chinese population. The result shows that the gene is associated with the risk due to the polymorphism in the PGR region.

To explore the prevalence of hematuria or proteinuria in school children in Shanghai and to evaluate the screening methods, we conducted urine screening in more than 40,000 school children between 2003 and 2005. Children were tested with dipsticks read manually (method A) or dipsticks read by machines (method B) combined with a sulfosalicylic acid test or microscopy. Some children were tested once, and others who had abnormal results in the first screening were tested again 2 weeks later. The prevalence of urine abnormalities in the first screening was more than 5.00% and of the second screening about 1.00%. Either method B or testing two urine samples for each child had higher specificity. As to the direct cost, that of screening twice with method A was lower than just screening once with method B. So using method A to screen twice for each child was not only convenient and economical, but also could reduce the false positive rate effectively. More than 10 months of follow-up diagnosed two cases of IgA nephropathy. Asymptomatic chronic renal diseases in school children could be detected through school urine screening. For Shanghai, China, screening twice using method A might be the best choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the physical activity patterns and their correlates among Chinese men in Shanghai, China. The study describes the patterns of physical activity and their interrelations and associations with individual socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men living in Shanghai. The research evaluated physical activity patterns and their association with socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors in the Shanghai Men's Health Study, a cohort of 61,582 Chinese men ages 40 to 74 living in eight communities of urban Shanghai, China.

Low peak bone density (PBD) in adulthood is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture (OF) in the elderly. The tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) gene has been considered as an important candidate gene for PBD due to its important role in bone turnover. In this study, we recruited a total of 1,263 subjects from 402 Chinese nuclear families composed of both parents and at least one daughter, and tested the association of the (CA)n polymorphism in intron 4 of the TNFR2 gene with PBD using a more contemporary quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT). Significant within-family association was detected between the CA16 allele and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine with the P-value of 0.005 after permutations, which is still significant after correction for multiple testing. Some evidence of total-family association between the CA16 allele and lumbar spine BMD was found ( P=0.021), although the significant level did not reach the empirical threshold ( P≤0.007). About 3.14% of lumbar spine BMD variation can be explained by the CA16 allele. In summary, our results suggest that the TNFR2 gene may play an important role in determining lumbar spine BMD variation in Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoon track model plays an important role in typhoon wind hazard estimation. In this article, a beta-advection model is developed to simulate the typhoon track over the western North Pacific (WNP). The typhoon motion is driven by two effects, the steering flow and beta drift. The steering flow is modeled as the linear combination of the 850 ​hPa height large scale flow and 250 ​hPa height large scale flow. The spatially varying weights are estimated from the 20th Century Reanalysis dataset for each 5 ​° ​× ​5 ​° square in WNP. The large scale flows at both heights are simulated as multivariate random process based on the fact that the energy spectrum of the geostrophic turbulence follows a "-3" power law. As another driving force of typhoon motion, the beta drift is calculated by solving the non-divergent barotropical vorticity equation. The adequacy of the present model is validated by the comparison between the typhoon translation velocity inferred from the best-track dataset and that simulated by the model. Finally, integrated with an intensity model, the beta-advection model is used to analyze the statistics of typhoon key parameters and typhoon wind hazard along the southeast coast of mainland China. • The typhoon motion is modeled by combining the large scale steering flow and the beta drift effect. • The kinetic analysis is used to remove the typhoon structure in the reanalysis data. • The beta advection typhoon track model is used to assess the typhoon hazard along the southeast coast of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical cyclone intensity model is one of the most important components in the tropical cyclone hazard assessment. In this study, the tropical cyclone fast intensity model, which uses features of the surrounding large-scale environment to predict the evolution of the tropical cyclone intensity, is used to estimate the typhoon wind hazard in the southeast coast of China. The fast tropical cyclone intensity model that consists of an intensity dynamic equation and a moisture dynamic equation is first validated for the western North Pacific basin. The coefficients in the moisture dynamic equation are calibrated by minimizing the error between the model and the observation from the best track dataset. The model is then integrated with a typhoon track model and a parametric radial wind profile to estimate the 50-year and 100-year recurrence-interval surface wind speeds at selected sites. Three different models for the radius of the maximum wind are considered in this analysis. Accordingly, surface wind records are utilized to estimate 50-year and 100-year recurrence-interval winds. The comparison shows a good agreement between the results of the model and that of the surface observations, which validates the adequacy of the model for engineering applications in the southeast coast of China. • The tropical cyclone fast intensity model is validated with the best track dataset. • The tropical cyclone fast intensity model is used for typhoon hazard analysis for southeast coast of China. • The influence of using different models for the radius of maximum wind on the estimated typhoon hazard is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metamorphic time was determined by SIMS U–Th–Pb dating of metapelitic monazite. • The peak metamorphism occurred at ~1.95–1.83 Ga. • Subduction and collision of the TNCO occurred between 1.97 Ga and 1.80 Ga. As a key accessory mineral in metapelite, monazite forms in the metamorphic event and therefore, places important direct constraint on the timing of the tectono-metamorphic event. In this study, we investigate four representative metapelites from different metamorphic terranes in the central-south Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), applying secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Th–Pb dating on monazite. The dating results reveal that monazite collected from the Huashan, Luoning, Zanhuang and Wutai metamorphic complexes record the metamorphic ages of ~ 1.83 Ga, ~ 1.95 Ga, ~ 1.85 Ga and ~ 1.91 to 1.83 Ga, respectively. Combined with the literature data of metamorphic geochronology on the discrete terranes within the TNCO, it is suggested that the amalgamation between the Western and Eastern Blocks of the North China Craton along the nearly NS-trending TNCO stared as earlier as ~ 1.97 Ga and continued to as late as ~ 1.80 Ga, which was in fact a long-lived tectono-metamorphic event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect children's development, and their harm to health is pervasive throughout the life course. To identify ACEs and their risk factors in Chinese household with or without parental mental illness. A controlled study was conducted among 181 young adults with parental mental illness (positive group) and 201 demographically matched individuals without parental mental illness (negative group). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study the correlation between ACEs and their risk factors. The positive group suffered emotional abuse, domestic violence, bullying, and cumulative ACEs more frequently than the negative group. In the positive group, living in rural areas and having a low household economic status during childhood were identified as risk factors for cumulative ACEs, whereas a higher education level of the mother was a protective factor for cumulative ACEs in univariate analyses. Low household economic status remained an independent risk factor for cumulative ACEs in the positive group in multivariate analyses. Children living with parental mental illness are more vulnerable to ACEs, and our findings highlight the importance of socioeconomic factors in increasing the risk of ACEs. To alleviate the deleterious impact of parental mental illness on offspring, multidimensional supports are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel failure caused due to geologic heterogeneity and variability in both mining processes and tunnel arrangement in deep metal mines is very complex. In this paper, a quantitative risk assessment for deep tunnel failure was conducted using clustering and logistic regression. The study was performed by considering various representative evaluation indexes of geological conditions, mining disturbance, and microseismic (MS) data. Comprehensive Seismic Event Clustering (CSEC) methodology was used to analyse the MS data to filter noise data and identify seismic sources. Additionally, peak particle velocity (PPV) was used to quantitatively evaluate the influence of MS activities on the response of tunnel which would aid in determining the PPV distribution characteristics of a large regional tunnel. Furthermore, Excavation Vulnerability Potential (EVP) index was used to quantitatively evaluate the effect of site conditions on response of the tunnel. Thus, based on logistic regression, PPV and EVP were used to establish a risk assessment model to determine the tunnel damage levels and probability of damage occurrence. The successful application of the proposed method at the Ashele copper mine demonstrates that it is capable of conducting a risk assessment for tunnel failure in deep metal mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to invasions by various pestiferous organisms. Bactrocera dorsalis is one of the invasive insect pests on fruits and vegetables in southern China, gradually spreading northward in past decades. To clarify its risk to damage to the northern fruits, the performance and fitness of the first and third reared generations of B. dorsalis were studied with two-sex life table on northern fruits (apples and peaches as dominant fruits) and southern fruit (oranges as appropriate host). Furthermore, the preference of host and oviposition selection were also conducted in laboratory experiments. Also, the CLIMEX model was used to comprehensively assess its potential risk in northern orchards. It was found that B. dorsalis had high fitness on peaches and good-performance on apples within first and third generations. This implies that peaches and apples are liable to become one of its most favorable hosts in northern orchards. The simulation based on CLIMEX model showed B. dorsalis had a high population growth potential in summer and autumn in some regions of northern China, where the life cycle can be completed and two simulated occurrence peaks last two to three months from early June to late July and from mid-late August to early September, long enough to cause serious harm. Projection for its distribution by 2080 indicated that the suitable area for B. dorsalis would further expand northward. Innate ability of B. dorsalis in flight, adaptability and wide range of hosts is conducive to its diffusion into new habitats, and external causes including harm concealment within fruits, frequent transportation were also discussed. Therefore, monitoring of B. dorsalis occurrence in northern orchards is necessary, combined with strict quarantine and control efforts, to avoid its further expansion and the consequent economic losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate beneath the North China block has been well documented in terms of magmatic activity, geophysical investigations, and numerical modeling, but the timing of its onset along the eastern Asian margin and the tectonic processes involved remain poorly understood. We have now reconstructed the structural evolution and sedimentation of the Shihuiyao-Gangzidian-Yuantai region of the southern Liaodong Peninsula, on the overriding plate at the eastern Asian margin, using geologic mapping, borehole data sets, field structural studies, and zircon geochronology. In the Shihuiyao area, based on geologic mapping and drilling, top-to-the-NW thrust faults truncated earlier top-to-the-NE reverse faults and then were subsequently overprinted by normal faults. In the Gangzidian area, geologic mapping and 40 boreholes allowed us to construct eight cross sections revealing the top-to-the-WNW/W thrust faults from the surface to a depth of at least 0.5 km; the sections show that the thrust faults extend to the basement and that subsequent normal faults dip subvertically. In the Yuantai thrust system, the top-to-the-NW thrusts, expressed as four tectonic windows and a duplex on the map scale, were intruded by late porphyry and diabase sills. Integration of the data from the three study areas allowed us to identify one angular unconformity and at least two phases of later deformation (D1 and D2). The pre-D1 unconformity is marked by a foreland basin that was filled with Middle Jurassic clastic rocks that unconformably overlie the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian basement. The D1 deformation is represented by NE-SW-striking thrust faults that displaced Neoproterozoic or Cambrian strata onto the Middle Jurassic strata. The D2 deformation is defined by kilometer-scale, high-angle normal faults with variable dips and strikes. Although three samples from the Middle Jurassic clastic rocks did not yield ideal maximum deposition ages (MDAs; ca. 246 Ma), a porphyry dike and a diabase sill that intruded the Yuantai thrust system and remain undeformed yielded zircon U-Pb ages of ca. 124 and 117 Ma, respectively. Detrital zircon geochronology yielded a MDA of ca. 129 Ma for Cretaceous deposits in graben structures with hanging walls formed by D2 normal faults. Thus, the D1 and D2 deformation events can be constrained to the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, respectively (D1 between ca. 174 and 124 Ma, and D2 after ca. 129 Ma). The provenance of the detritus in the Middle Jurassic Wafangdian Formation suggests that the deposits in the retroarc foreland basin had a source in a thrust sheet of the Paleoproterozoic basement, but the source of deposits in a minigraben (D2) was possibly the nearby Neoproterozoic rocks. Therefore, we reconstructed the retroarc foreland basin and fold-and-thrust belt of the southern Liaodong Peninsula in terms of a subduction margin and constrained a Toarcian-Aptian (ca. 174-124 Ma) age for the onset of paleo-Pacific plate subduction. We interpret the foreland basin system and the subsequent synconvergent extension to have been the result of slab flattening and rollback during episodic subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metamorphic evolution and geochronology of pelitic granulites were reported for the first time in the Taihua metamorphic complex, Mts. Huashan area, southern segment of the trans-North China Orogen (TNCO). Three generations of metamorphic mineral assemblages are recognized: (1) the prograde metamorphic mineral assemblages (M 1 ) are represented by mineral inclusions within the garnet porphyroblasts; (2) the metamorphic peak assemblage (M 2 ) are the garnet porphyroblasts and minerals in the matrix (biotite + orthopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz + K-feldspar + ilmenite + zircon + magnetite); and (3) the retrograde metamorphic mineral assemblages (M 3 ) are represented by the symplectic assemblages around the garnet porphyroblasts, resulted from decomposition reactions between garnet rims and neighboring minerals in the matrix. Calculated by both conventional thermobarometry and pseudosection modeling in the NCKFMASHT system using the Perple_X technique, the P–T conditions of these three metamorphic stages are constrained to be of 4–5 kbar/520–530 °C for the M 1 stage, 6.8–8.6 kbar/730–810 °C for the M 2 stage and 4.1–6.4 kbar/570–740 °C for the M 3 stage, respectively. The derived clockwise P–T paths imply that the Mts. Huashan terrane involved in the subduction and subsequent collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks of the North China Craton (NCC) along the Palaeoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO). High resolution SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons reveals the metamorphic ages of 1.85–1.82 Ga. Combined with geochronological data from the literature, it is concluded that the tectonothermal evolution between the Eastern and Western Blocks started as early as ∼1.97 Ga and lasted as late as 1.80 Ga. Furthermore, the eastern Taihua complex records older metamorphic ages and higher peak metamorphic pressures than those of the western Taihua complex, possibly suggesting an eastward subduction model for the TNCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been suggested to increase the risk of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of common cancers in Chinese patients with T2DM.Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study including 36,379 T2DM patients was conducted in Minhang District of Shanghai, China, during 2004 to 2010. All T2DM patients were enrolled from the standardized management system based on local electronic information system. Newly-diagnosed cancer cases were identified by record-linkage with the Shanghai Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the risk of cancers among T2DM patients.Results: Overall crude incidence rate (CIR) of cancers was 955.21 per 105 person-years in men and 829.57 per 105 person-years in women. Increased risk of cancer was found in both gender, with an SIR being 1.28 (95% CI = 1.17-1.38) in men and 1.44 (95% CI =1.32-1.55) in women. Increased risk of colon (SIR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.49 to 2.46), rectum (1.72; 1.23 to 2.21), prostate (2.87; 2.19 to 3.56), and bladder cancers (1.98, 1.28 to 2.68) were observed in men and elevated risk of colon (1.67; 1.25 to 2.08), breast (1.66; 1.38 to 1.95), and corpus uteri cancers (2.87; 2.03 to 3.71) were observed in women.Conclusions: Our results indicate that Chinese patients with T2DM may have an increased risk of some cancers, and the increase may vary by sub-sites of cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and physical activity (PA) in different domains among male coal miners of Shanxi Province in China. Method: The study was conducted from July 2013 to December 2013. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used. Data regarding the general information of participants were collected by well-trained interviewers. MetS was denned according to IDF criteria. Self-reported PA was obtained with the IPAQ and categorized into three tertiles of intensity levels across occupation, transportation, household, and leisure-time domains. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to compute the odds ratios and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 3076 males aged 18-65 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of MetS was 40.5% in the study subjects. The percentages of vigorous-intensity PA in MetS and non-MetS groups were 70.07% and 62.92%, respectively. Participants spent most of their time on occupation (2034 MET-min/w) and transportation (693MET-min/w) domains. Higher-intensity levels in occupation domains were significantly associated with lower risk of MetS (OR: 0.759,95% CI: 0.633-0.911; OR: 0.627, 95% CI: 0.516-0.762). Conclusions: Across four types of workers, the relationships between PA domains and MetS were different. For underground and underground auxiliary workers, the negative relationship was found between occupation PA and MetS. For office workers, the negative relationship was found between household PA and MetS. For ground workers, only leisure-time PA had positively related to MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is considered the major pathogen of porcine circovirus associated-diseases (PCVAD) that causes large economic losses for the swine industry in the world annually, including China. Since the first report of PCV2 in 1998, it has been drawing tremendous attention for the government, farming enterprises, farmers, and veterinary practitioners. Chinese researchers have conducted a number of molecular epidemiological work on PCV2 by molecular approaches in the past several years, which has resulted in the identification of novel PCV2 genotypes and PCV2-like agents as well as the description of new prevalence patterns. Since late 2009, commercial PCV2 vaccines, including the subunit vaccines and inactivated vaccines, have already been used in Chinese swine farms. The aim of this review is to update the insights into the prevalence and control of PCV2 in China, which would contribute to understanding the epidemiology, control measures and design of novel vaccines for PCV2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Clockwise ITD P–T paths were retrieved from the Mts. Huashan amphibolites. [•] U–Pb geochronology of metamorphic zircons demonstrates the metamorphism occurred during ca. 1.96–1.80Ga. [•] Metamorphism of the southernmost Trans-North China Orogen started earlier and lasted longer than other terranes in the TNCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine meadow plays important roles in the animal production and conservation of water resources in the upper basin of Yellow River. In recent decades, desertification of this alpine meadow has resulted in changes in vegetation and soil features, as well as threatening the ecosystem functions and security. A field study was conducted to explain the response of vegetation pattern and soil features to desertification of alpine meadows. Results of vegetation studies indicated that hygrophytes were gradually replaced by mesophytes, xerophytes, and some annual psammophilous plants, and that cover and herbaceous biomass decreased along with the progressive desertification. Vegetation height increased in the slightly desertified stage, and then decreased in the very severe stage. Species diversity decreased, suggesting that desertification of alpine meadow contributed to species loss. This study also indicated that soil features gradually declined with increasing desertification of alpine meadow with soil texture becoming coarser and water content decreasing gradually. Soil bulk density (0-20 cm layer) increased with increasing desertification, but in the deeper soil (20-40 cm layer) decreased from original vegetation to the moderately desertified stage, and then increased after the severely desertified stage. The difference between the topsoil and the deeper soil in both soil bulk density and soil moisture was greatest at the moderately desertified stage. Soil organic matter dramatically reduced with progressive desertification. Soil nutrients (total N, P and K) decreased greatly due to desertification. Soil pH (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) showed no significant differences among desertification stages. Overall, desertification of alpine meadow decreased plant diversity, reduced dominance of palatable species and changed soil physical and chemical properties. Correlation analysis indicated that vegetation change has been regulated by soil texture, soil organic matter and soil water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of ammonium-based N ( $$ {\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} - {\text{N}} $$ ) addition on soil nitrification and acidification were investigated in terms of kinetic mechanisms and major factors controlling these soil processes for terrestrial ecosystems in subtropical China. Soil samples were collected from an upland soil derived from a sandstone parent (SU), a brush-land soil from a granite (GB), and a forest soil from a quaternary red earth (QF) in a typical subtropical region of China. The samples were incubated at 30°C with soil moisture content of 60% water holding capacity (WHC) for 35 days, after adding ammonium sulphate, urea, and ammonium bicarbonate at rates of 0, 100, and 250 mg N kg−1, respectively. Nitrification in SU soil (pH 6.27) followed a first-order reaction model ( P < 0.001). Addition of ammonium sulphate, urea and ammonium bicarbonate significantly ( P < 0.05) stimulated nitrification. As a result, the soil was significantly acidified ( P < 0.05) and the soil pH at the end of incubation decreased with increasing N addition. In contrast, nitrification in QF (pH 4.46) and GB (pH 4.82) soils followed a zero-order reaction model ( P < 0.001) and hence the addition of $$ {\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ did not directly affect soil nitrification. However, the chemical input directly changed initial pH of GB and QF soils, resulting in either a decrease or an increase in $$ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ production, dependent on the impact of the chemicals applied. At the end of incubation, the pH of QF and GB soils was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in treatments with $$ {\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ -input than without $$ {\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ -input. These results indicated that for some acid soils nitrification was not controlled by available $$ {\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ -N and that $$ {\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ -N-input was not necessary to stimulate soil nitrification. And so no acceleration of soil acidification occurred. In order to characterize nitrification intensity in these humid soils and its effect on acidification, nitrification without N-amendment is a better indicator than with N-amendment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Garnet-bearing mafic granulites occur as lenses within TTG gneiss. • These mafic granulites contain three to four generations of mineral assemblages. • They record clockwise P-T paths with ITD and subsequent near IBC segments. • The metamorphic peak occurred at ∼1.85 Ga. Garnet-bearing mafic granulites occur as lenses within TTG gneiss or metapelite in the Fuping Complex, middle Palaeoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen. They are composed mainly of garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, hornblende, plagioclase, quartz and accessary zircon and titanite. Four stages of metamorphic mineral assemblages have been found in these mafic granulites: (a) the prograde assemblages (M1) are inclusions preserved in the garnet porphyroblasts, including clinopyroxene, hornblende, plagioclase and quartz; (b) the metamorphic peak assemblages (M2) consist of garnet porphyroblasts plus matrix minerals clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz + zircon + titanite; (c) the first retrograde assemblages (M3) are represented by clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz symplectites rimming the garnets; and (4) the final retrograde assemblages (M4) are hornblende + plagioclase + quartz symplectites rimming or adjacent to the garnets. The retrieved metamorphic P-T paths pass from 530–600 °C/6.5–7.0 kbar (M1) through 680–820 °C/7.2–11.7 kbar (M2) to 730–760 °C/3.2–3.9 kbar (M3) and finally to 600–640 °C/3.2–3.7 kbar (M4). All the P-T paths of the mafic granulites are clockwise, two of these even contain near isothermal decompression (ITD) and subsequent near isobaric cooling (IBC) segments. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of metamorphic zircons of the mafic granulites yields a mean weighted age of ∼1849 ± 9Ma, which is consistent with the metamorphic time of surrounding TTG gneisses. Therefore, the Fuping Complex records the collision event between the Eastern and Western Blocks of the North China Craton that led to the final assembly of this craton during the late Paleoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and molecular epidemiology and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolated from pediatricians in China.Methods: SA strains were isolated from Beijing Children's hospital from February 2016 to January 2017. Isolates were typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa and SCCmec typing (for Methicillin-resistant SA [MRSA] only). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by agar dilution method except sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (E-test method). Biofilm formation and biofilm associated genes were detected.Results: Totally 104 children (41 females and 63 males; median age, 5.2 months) were enrolled in this study, in which 60 patients suffered from MRSA infection. Among the 104 cases, 54.8% were categorized as community associated SA (CA-SA) infections. The children under 3 years were more likely to occur CA-SA infections compared with older ones (P = 0.0131). ST59-SCCmec IV-t437 (61.7%) was the most prevalent genotype of MRSA, and ST22-t309 (18.2%), ST5-t002 (9.1%), ST6-t701 (9.1%), ST188-t189 (9.1%) were the top four genotypes of methicillin-sensitive SA (MSSA). All the present isolates were susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, mupirocin, tigecyclin, fusidic acid. No erythromycin-susceptible isolate was determined, and only a few isolates (3.8%) were identified as susceptible to penicillin. Multi-drug resistant isolates were reponsible for 83.8% of the ST59-SCCmec IV-t437 isolates. The isolates with strong biofilm formation were found in 85% of MRSA and 53.2% of MSSA, and in 88.7% of ST59-SCCmec IV-t437 isolates. Biofilm formation ability varied not only between MRSA and MSSA (P = 0.0053), but also greatly among different genotypes (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of the biofilm associated genes among ST59-SCCmec IV-t437 clone was: icaA (100.0%), icaD (97.3%), fnbpA (100.0%), fnbpB (0), clfA (100%), clfB (100%), cna (2.7%), bbp (0), ebpS (88.5%), sdrC (78.4%), sdrD (5.4%), and sdrE (94.5%).Conclusions: These results indicated strong homology of the MRSA stains isolated from Chinese children, which was caused by spread of multiresistant ST59-SCCmec IV-t437 clone with strong biofilm formation ability. The MSSA strains, in contrast, were very heterogeneity, half of which could produce biofilm strongly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ZIF-90 nanoparticles with different particle sizes were synthesized. • pH- and α-amylase-responsive nanocarriers were successfully prepared. • β-CD-NH 2 surface coating reduced the photodegradation of indoxacarb. • IDC@ZIF-90-CD was able to disrupt the intestinal cells of red imported fire ants. • IDC@ZIF-90-CD affected amino acid metabolic pathways in red imported fire ants. The invasion area of red imported fire ants (RIFAs) in China continues to expand due to factors such as ecological changes and human activities, and the resulting damage is becoming increasingly severe. The development of smart nanopesticides that respond to environmental stimuli response with precisely controlled release has great potential in improving insecticidal effects. In this work, a smart pH and α-amylase dual stimuli-responsive pesticide delivery system was constructed by combining mono-(6-amino-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (β-CD-NH 2) with zeolitic imidazole skeleton-90 (ZIF-90) nanoparticles (IDC@ZIF-90-CD) loaded with indoxacarb. The average particle size of the prepared IDC@ZIF-90-CD was 249 nm, and the loading efficiency was 18.43%. The β-CD-NH 2 coating on the surface of nanoparticles reduced the photodegradation of indoxacarb and prevented the premature release of the active ingredient. In vitro release kinetics showed that IDC@ZIF-90-CD rapidly released IDC under acidic and amylase conditions, consistent with the oral and intestinal environment of RIFAs. The results of bioactivity tests showed that IDC@ZIF-90-CD enhanced the toxicity of IDC toward RIFAs by increasing feeding and damaging intestinal cells. The mortality rate of the IDC@ZIF-90-CD-treated group was significantly higher than that of the IDC EC-treated group at 72 h. The nontargeted metabolomic results showed that IDC@ZIF-90-CD affected the metabolism of RIFAs by interfering with the metabolic pathways of six amino acids and one amino acid transport carrier, whereas IDC EC interfered with only two of these amino acid metabolic pathways. Overall, this work provides insight into the effective control of RIFA damage for sustainable pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons of the TTG gneisses, gneissic granitoid and amphibolites of the Lushan terrane, Taihua metamorphic complex, suggests that the metamorphism had taken place at least as early as ~1.96–1.86 Ga. These new dates, along with reference data, demonstrate that the southern and middle terranes of the Trans-North China Orogen had been involved in the continent–continent collision between the Western Block and the Eastern Block of the North China Craton. This orogenic process started as early as 1.96 Ga and lasted as late as 1.80 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Though the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was introduced into China more than 60 years ago, the genetic diversity and structure of this exotic insect pest and virus vector have not been studied. To investigate the population genetic characteristics of this invasive species and to identify potential invasion routes, the genetic diversity and population structure of 17 collections of T. vaporariorum from nine provinces in China were analyzed using seven microsatellite loci. The results of the analyses indicated that the genetic diversity for the populations examined from the four provinces: Jilin, Ningxia, Guizhou and Qinghai, was lower than the genetic diversity of populations from the five provinces: Yunnan, Shandong, Shanxi, Liaoning, and Gansu. The T. vaporariorum populations analyzed in this study grouped as two distinct genetic clusters based on the analysis using STRUCTURE, whereas, 8 clusters were identified based on the BAPS analysis. Of the 136 genetic distance (Fst) values, 128 (94%) were associated with a significant exact test. There was a significant relationship between Fst and geographical distance. These results demonstrate that populations of T. vaporariorum in China exhibit significant genetic differentiation, indicating the likelihood that multiple introductions of T. vaporariorum into China have occurred. Also, the populations collected from the provinces of Jilin, Ningxia, Guizhou and Qinghai appear to represent secondary introductions originating from other Chinese provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from animals in different regions of China have shown a limited genetic diversity and type China 1 was the dominant genotype of T. gondii prevalent in Chinese animals. However, little has been known concerning the isolation and genotyping of T. gondii circulating in chickens, pigs and rodents in China. The aim of the study was to characterize samples of T. gondii isolates obtained from naturally infected cats, pigs and free-range chickens slaughtered for human consumption in China. Methods: In the present study, brain tissues of 77 animals collected from different areas of China, including 24 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) , 13 voles (Rattus flavipectus), 23 pigs and 17 cats, were bioassayed in mice and viable T. gondii were isolated from the brains of eleven. These eleven T. gondii isolates were maintained in Kunming (KM) outbred mice and DNA isolated from tissues of infected mice was characterized using 11 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) markers: SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3. Moreover, to determine mouse virulence of China 1 lineage of parasites, a TgCtgy5 genotype isolate was selected randomly and assessed in KM mice with different inoculation doses. Results: Results of genotyping revealed that ten isolates were type China 1 (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #9), and TgCksz1 was a new genotype that was reported for the first time designated here as ToxoDB PCR-RFLP #225. No clonal types I, II and III lineages were found. DNA sequencing of four introns (EF1, HP2, UPRT1 and UPRT7) and two genes (GRA6 and GRA7) from representative isolates confirmed the results of PCR-RFLP genotyping. The TgCtgy5 isolate was highly virulent in KM mice; all infected mice died of acute toxoplasmosis, irrespective of the inoculation dose. The results indicate that mouse virulent isolates of T. gondii are predominantly circulating in cats in China. Conclusions: T. gondii isolated from chickens, pigs, cats and rodents in different locations in China were genotyped and the results reconfirmed the limited diversity of T. gondii in China and showed that type China 1 lineage was dominant in this country [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has been applied to identify type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the U.S. and European countries. It has not been used in China mainly due to lack of a standardized approach to measure HbA1c, short of knowledge about racial-specific standard and deficiency of an optimal cut-off point. Methods: To evaluate combination of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in diagnosing T2DM in Chinese adults, a multistage sampling cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, China, in 2009. The FPG measurement, HbA1c assay, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed in 6,661 Chinese adults (3057 men, 3604 women) who had no prior history of diabetes to identify unrecognized T2DM. Results: A total of 454 participants were identified as T2DM based on the 1999 World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria. Of these patients, 239 were detected using an FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/l and 141 were further identified using an HbA1c ≥ 43 mmol/mol (6.1%), achieving a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 89.3% for combining use of FPG and HbA1c. In subjects at high risk of diabetes, the combining use of FPG and HbA1c produced a higher sensitivity and an improved positive predictive value (PPV), and had a satisfactory specificity and negative predictive value (NPV). Conclusions: The combining use of FPG and HbA1c is a potential screening and diagnosis approach for T2DM in Chinese adults, especially among those at high risk of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To investigate the specific link between lung and large intestine. Methods. Rat COPD-like model was prepared. Mirabilite or Chinese rhubarb was administrated intragastrically to stimulate the large intestine. Histological analysis of lung inflammation was assessed. The tissues levels of SP, VIP, NK1R, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were measured by using ELISA kits. In addition, mouse model of allergic asthma was prepared. Mirabilite was administrated intragastrically to stimulate the large intestine. Airway responsiveness and lung inflammation were assessed. The tissues levels of SP, VIP, NKA, NKB, NK1R, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were measured by using ELISA kits. Results. Stimulating the intestine with Mangxiao or Dahuang, SP, NK-1R, VIP, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were significantly increased in intestine tissues of rats with COPD and mice with asthma. Meanwhile, the SP and NK1R were significantly decreased, while VIP, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were significantly increased in lung tissues. An abnormal secretion of SP and VIP can be observed in other tissues; however, no marked changes were found in the receptors. The NKA and NKB levels were similar in lung tissues of mice with asthma among groups. Conclusions. Stimulating intestine with Mangxiao or Dahuang can specifically regulate the secretion of SP, VIP, and the receptors in lung tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) plus conventional treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and Results. Participants (n = 808) with ACS who underwent PCI from thirteen hospitals of mainland China were randomized into two groups: CHMs plus conventional treatment group (treatment group) or conventional treatment alone group (control group). All participants received conventional treatment, and participants in treatment group additionally received CHMs for six months. The primary end point was the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal recurrent MI, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Secondary endpoint was the composite of readmission for ACS, stroke, or congestive heart failure. The safety endpoint involved occurrence of major bleeding events. The incidence of primary endpoint was 2.7% in treatment group versus 6.2% in control group (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.87; P = 0.015). The incidence of secondary endpoint was 3.5% in treatment group versus 8.7% in control group (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.72; P = 0.002).No major bleeding events were observed in any participant. Conclusion. Treatment with CHMs plus conventional treatment further reduced the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with ACS after PCI without increasing risk of major bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary factors play an important role in glycemic control in diabetic patients. However, little is known about their effects among Chinese diabetic patients, whose diets are typically abundant in fiber and high in glycemic index (GI) values. Methodology/Principal Findings: 934 patients with type 2 diabetes and 918 healthy volunteers from Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, were interviewed during the period of Oct-Dec, 2006 to elicit demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors. Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, bio- specimen collection and biochemical assays were conducted at the interview according to a standard protocol. In this population, diabetic patients consumed lower levels of energy and macronutrients but had higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycolated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride and body mass index than healthy adults. While the average consumption levels of the nutrients among diabetic patients did not vary along duration of the disease, the average levels of FPG and HbA1c increased with increasing duration. Regardless of diabetes duration, HbA1c level was observed lower in patients having a higher fiber or lower GI intake. Compared with those with the lowest tertile intake of fiber, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for poor glycemic control reduced from 0.75 (95%CI: 0.54--1.06) to 0.51 (95%CI: 0.34--0.75) with increasing tertile intake (P for trend <0.001). Conclusions: Dietary fiber may play an important role in reducing HbA1c level. Increasing fiber intake may be an effective approach to improve glycemic control among Chinese diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dexing porphyry copper ore mine is located in the Qin-Hang metallogenic belt between the Yangtze block and the Cathaysia block. It is a giant porphyry copper mine in China, including 3 ore districts: Tongchang, Fujiawu and Zhushahong. Our analyses of Re in molybdenite indicate that the ore-forming material of the copper ore deposits in Dexing should be mainly mantle-derived. Our study fills in a gap in the study of formation time of the Dexing copper mine, and further proves that the copper ore deposits in the three ore districts should be formed simultaneously, about 170 Ma, belonging to the early Yanshan period, and that the formation time of the copper ore deposits should be consistent with the formation time of granodiorite porphyry in which the copper ore deposits are hosted. Promising areas for seeking porphyry copper ore deposits is predicated to be the west or southwest of Dexing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three Gorges Project has been subject to intense debates regarding its benefits and costs. The environmental impacts of this huge project have been an important focus of these debates since the project planning stage. After the operation of the Three Gorges Dam at full capacity at the end of 2008, new environmental and ecological issues are emerging. This paper gives a brief description of the Three Gorges Project and its environmental impact assessment process, as well as major efforts to control environmental problems brought about by the project. From the long and complicated evaluation process, it is clear that there are large uncertainties and competing opinions regarding the benefits and costs, especially the ecological and environmental ones, of the project even after great research effort. Emphasis here is given to the environmental challenges including: (1) water quality control; (2) water and sediment regulation; (3) biodiversity conservation in the riparian and aquatic ecosystems; (4) environmentally friendly dam operation and regional sustainable development. Opportunities often grow out of the challenges. The Three Gorges Project provides opportunities for grand-scale experiments on the environmental, ecological, and socio-economic impacts of large dams. Local, national, and international concerted efforts and concrete actions should be directed to the mitigation and control of the negative impacts as well as securing the positive contributions of the project across scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White pottery is among the most significant finds from China's earliest state, Erlitou ( c. 1900–1500bc). Samples were primarily discovered in small numbers from elite tombs of a few sites, leading to the hypothesis that they were made at only a few locations and then circulated regionally as prestige items. To facilitate determining provenances, we compare the ICP–MS trace elements and TIMS Sr isotopes of whiteware with two soil samples from Nanwa, a possible manufacturing site, and with shards found at three other sites: Erlitou, Huizui and Nanzhai. The Nanwa shards demonstrate special elemental and Sr isotopic features. Considering the chemical observation and archaeological background together, we propose that Nanwa was a centre for whiteware production, although the two soil samples we collected there were probably not the exact materials used. Some whiteware pieces from Erlitou, Huizui and Nanzhai fall in the chemical field defined by Nanwa samples, indicating that they were possibly made at Nanwa. Many other samples from these three sites plot outside the Nanwa field, implying they were probably not Nanwa products. This study demonstrates that while chemical sourcing is very useful, firm archaeological context must remain the cornerstone of such research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To cope with adverse environments, the majority of indigenous plants in arid regions possess adaptive plasticity after long-term evolution. Leaf-level morphology, anatomy, biochemical properties, diurnal water potential and gas exchange of Salix gordejevii distributed in fixed dunes and lowlands in Hunshandake Sandland, China, were compared. Compared to plants growing in lowlands, individuals of S. gordejevii in fixed dunes displayed much smaller leaf area (0.26 vs 0.70 cm2) and thicker leaves (leaf total thickness 148.59 vs 123.44 μm), together with heavier crust wax, denser hairs, and more compacted epidermal cells. Moreover, those growing in fixed dunes displayed stronger drought-resistance properties as evidenced by higher levels of proline (3.68 vs 0.20 mg g−1 DW) and soluble sugar (17.24 vs 14.49%). Furthermore, S. gordejevii in fixed dunes demonstrated lower water potential and lower light compensation point (28.8 vs 51.9 μmol m−2 s−1). Our findings suggest that morphological and/or anatomical plasticity in leaves has had great adaptive value for Salix in responding to deteriorating environments. The evidence provided here may facilitate the prediction of plant adaptation in community succession in sandy habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer. Obesity, particularly central obesity, is considered as a systemic inflammatory condition and is related strongly to insulin resistance. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most recognized biologic marker of chronic systematic inflammation, and it is conceivable that the CRP gene may work together with obesity in the development of endometrial cancer.Methods: On the basis of a population-based case-control study in a Chinese population, the authors obtained obesity measurements and data on 6 CRP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 1046 patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer (cases) and from 1035 age frequency-matched controls. The association of the CRP SNPs with endometrial cancer risk and their modification on the association between obesity and endometrial cancer risk were evaluated.Results: Although CRP SNPs alone were not associated with endometrial cancer, the associations of endometrial cancer with central obesity, measured as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and the waist circumference, seemed to be stronger in women who were homozygous for the major allele of reference SNP (rs)1130864 (cytidine [C]/C) than in women who had the C/thymidine (T) and T/T genotypes (interaction test: P = .013 for WHR; P = .083 for waist circumference). When the women were stratified further by menopausal status, the observed interactions persisted mainly in premenopausal women (interaction test: P < .001 for WHR; P = .002 for waist circumference).Conclusions: The current results suggested that, in the Chinese population that was studied, obesity-related insulin resistance and proinflammatory effects may play an important role in endometrial cancer risk, and these effects were modified significantly by the CRP SNP rs1130864. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]