Search

Granite is the main host rock for the underground storage of nuclear waste in Beishan, China. Heat is continuously generated during the long-term disposal of nuclear waste; therefore, it is important to investigate the influence of high temperature on the physical and mechanical properties and the constitutive relation of Beishan granite. In this study, laboratory experiments on heat-treated (25 ∘ C, 200 ∘ C, 400 ∘ C, 600 ∘ C and 800 ∘ C) Beishan granite samples were performed in combination with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and regular physical-mechanical tests. The results show that the elastic modulus tends to decline faster at the temperature ranges of 25–200 ∘ C and 600–800 ∘ C by approximately 26.767% and 66.996%, respectively. Compared with the results at 25 ∘ C, the peak stress decreases by 72.664% at 800 ∘ C. The peak strain increases gradually from 25 ∘ C to 600 ∘ C and abruptly from 600 ∘ C to 800 ∘ C. The peak strain at 800 ∘ C is 2.303× greater than that at 25 ∘ C. Based on the damage theory, the Weibull distribution, the rock damage threshold point, and the residual strength, this study corrected the Drucker–Prager (D–P) criterion to consider the damage stress and then to establish the constitutive model of thermally damaged Beishan granite. The parameters required for the model are conventional mechanical parameters that can be calculated from the uniaxial test results, thus making the model convenient to apply. Meanwhile, the mechanical behavior of thermally damaged Beishan granite under uniaxial compression was simulated using the Particle Flow Code (PFC) to explore the development of cracks from the microscopic scale. The research results can provide theoretical support for the calculation and numerical simulation related to the mechanics of high-temperature treated rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magmatic zircon tends to present characteristic trends in trace element compositions in response to magma petrogenesis and metallogenesis, such that zircon may provide a window into melt evolution not accessible by whole rock chemistry. The Yangla large Cu deposit is located in the central part of the Jinshajiang Suture Zone, southwest China, constrained between the Jinshajiang and Yangla Faults. In this study, the trace elements and hafnium isotopic compositions of zircons from quartz diorite were studied. Previous published relevant data of Yangla granitoid plutons (i.e., dioritic enclave, granodiorite, and quartz monzonite porphyry) also have been systematically cited and discussed. The result shows that the crystallization temperature and two-stage Hf mode ages (tCDM; the age of the source rocks for the magmas) gradually increased while the oxygen fugacity (fO2) and εHf(t) values gradually decreased, corresponding to the diorite enclave (~232 Ma), through granodiorite (~208 Ma) and quartz monzonite porphyry (~202 Ma), and to quartz diorite (~195 Ma). It is suggested that four plutons were from the same three-component mixing of upper crust + lower crust + mantle magmas, while the upper crustal metasediments ratios were gradually increased from the early to late stage. The increasing upper crust inputs resulted in higher melting temperatures and compositions of the initial magma. All melts experienced distinct fractional crystallization of apatite, titanite, and amphibole, and the later granite melts experienced higher assimilation and fractional crystallization degrees than the early ones in the evolution processes four stages of intrusive rocks. These Yangla granitoids are the products of large-scale acid magmatic emplacement activities in the Triassic-early Jurassic and have a good metallogenic potential of the Cu-W polymetallic deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has significantly reduced the energy consumption for per unit of GDP by using both command-and-controls or market-based strategies. This paper examines empirically the relative effectiveness and efficiency of command-and-control strategy (energy reduction target) vs. market-based strategy (electricity price). We find that (1) electricity price was similarly effective in reducing electricity intensity across firms, but government targets were more effective for firms that were more technologically outdated and energy intensive; and (2) government targets led to expenditures that were not useful in reducing energy intensity, suggesting inefficiency associated with targets. Despite the Chinese governments' capacities and resources in directing and influencing enterprises, market-based approaches might still be more effective and efficient than command-and-control ones to reduce energy intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study indicates that energy-related industries, such as coal mining and dressing, metal melting and rolling, electric and heat power, as well as petroleum refining, are the central causes of carbon emissions. China has been the largest emitter of carbon dioxide worldwide since 2008, and its current energy structure is still coal-dominated, which further increases carbon emissions. The reduction in these carbon emissions is a focus of attention in China, and the carbon reduction potential is particularly studied with the aim to issue appropriate mitigation policies. This study calculates the total embodied carbon emissions from a multi-sector perspective, using the economic input–output life cycle assessment model and analyzing the carbon reduction potential of Liaoning province, China. The level of export and provincial outflow consumption is the primary cause that leads to embodied carbon emissions from the consumption demand perspective. The carbon reduction potential is divided into three grades (weak, medium, and strong). Energy-intensive industries were classified as high carbon emission industries with the strongest potential for carbon emission reduction. This study provides policy insights that will aid the preparation of emissions reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, policies are often announced at the national level but implemented locally. Innovation policies are no exceptions. This article studies China's 50% R&D tax deduction policy, a key innovation policy promulgated by the central government in 2006. We find that the degree to which the policy was implemented during the period of 2006-2009 varied across the provinces and industries, which in turn had significant impacts on local firms' innovation output. The findings of the heterogeneity in local implementation of national innovation policies are of important implications for both policy makers and innovation scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mixing of black carbon (BC) with secondary materials is a major uncertainty source in assessing its radiative forcing. However, current understanding of the formation and evolution of various BC components is limited, particularly in the Pearl River Delta, China. This study measured submicron BC-associated nonrefractory materials and the total submicron nonrefractory materials using a soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer and a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer, respectively, at a coastal site in Shenzhen, China. Two distinct atmospheric conditions were also identified to further explore the distinctive evolution of BC-associated components: polluted period (PP) and clean period (CP). Comparing the components of two particles, we found that more-oxidized organic factor (MO-OOA) prefers to form on BC during PP rather CP. The formation of MO-OOA on BC (MO-OOA BC) was affected by both enhanced photochemical processes and nocturnal heterogeneous processes. Enhanced photo-reactivity of BC, photochemistry during the daytime, and heterogeneous reaction at nighttime were potential pathways for MO-OOA BC formation during PP. The fresh BC surface was favorable for the formation of MO-OOA BC. Our study shows the evolution of BC-associated components under different atmospheric conditions, which should be considered in regional climate models to improve the assessment of the climate effects of BC. [Display omitted] • More-oxidized organic components were preferentially formed on BC during polluted period. • More-oxidized organic components on BC tended to be formed through photochemistry. • Aqueous-phase reaction promoted the formation of more-oxidized organic on BC. • The surface of fresh BC was favorable for formation of more-oxidized organic components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating resilience is a proactive approach engaging with natural disaster reduction, which should be based on an understanding of the linkages between social-physical systems. Here we report a case study of Wenchuan earthquake, revealing that vulnerable built systems, degraded ecological systems, and socially disadvantaged communities were closely interrelated and largely existed in rural areas of inland China. This indicates that, while it is urgent to improve resilience of built systems, fundamentally, approaches should be adopted for rural dwellers to enter virtuous circles of economical activities as well as benign ecological cycles. Achieving these is challenging that will require systematic governance improvements in China. The lessons from Wenchuan earthquake suggest a research and policy emphasis on the interactions between social processes and ecological processes in inland rural areas of developing countries for enhancing physical resilience, which would facilitate achieving the mutual objectives on adaptation to earthquake-caused risks, weather-related disaster mitigation, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of studies have demonstrated the importance of marital quality among patients undergoing medical procedures. The aim of the study was to expand the literature by examining the relationships between stress, social support and family and marriage life among hemodialysis patients. A total of 114 participants, including 38 patients and their spouses and 38 healthy controls, completed a survey package assessing social support, stress, family functioning and marital satisfaction and quality. We found that hemodialysis patients and spouses were less flexible in family adaptability compared with the healthy controls. Patients and spouses had more stress and instrumental social support compared with healthy people. Stress was negatively associated with marital satisfaction. Instrumental support was not associated with family or marital outcomes. The association between marital quality and support outside of family was positive in healthy individuals but was negative in patients and their spouses. Family adaptability was positively associated with support within family as perceived by patients and positively associated with emotional support as perceived by spouses. In conclusion, findings suggest that social support may promote adjustment depending on the source and type. Future research should pay more attention to the types and sources of social support in studying married couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has made significant progress in developing new energy sources such as solar energy and wind power in recent decades. However, commercial exploitation of shale gas in China is in the very early stages, in sharp contrast to that in the United States. Patents related to shale gas exploitation are analyzed by using data mining and patent maps. The findings show that shale gas exploitation involves complex technologies that technological accumulation is a long-term process. Despite decades of rapid growth, significant technology gaps still exist for Chinese enterprises and technological factors could be the bottleneck of China's exploitation of its massive shale gas resources. Meanwhile, foreign enterprises have applied for a large number of patents in China. Chinese enterprises might have to obtain licenses from foreign patent holders, which could have important implications for shale gas exploitation in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system of information publicity of administrative law enforcement in China is being developed. Positive and negative experiences from various fields such as the quality supervision, industry and commerce administration, and urban management, show that such trends should be concerned : diversification of publicizing mode, production of multiple effect of information publicity, trends of integration and sharing of information, more mutual communication than unilateral re- lease. There are many main problems of the administrative law enforcement information publicity system as following: The participants are partly aware of the information system to restrict the effect of the administrative law enforcement system ; the legal norms, fuzzy and blank of the system cause distress to practices ; the type of the system, lack of targeted and opening design of the system are simple and rough. It is difficult to achieve system goals, weak public oversight of administrative law enforcement information system. We should conform with the world trend for the opening government building to resolve these problems to make positive improvement, and to take effective countermeasures initiatives for this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A significant greening trend of vegetation dynamics was detected in the YRB of China during the 21st century. • The contributions to vegetation greening in the YRB under the climate change and increasing anthropogenic disturbances was quantitatively explored. • The extent to how much anthropogenic disturbances contributed to vegetation greening in the YRB was quantified. Reliable detection and observation of vegetation changes are increasingly essential for investigating the dynamic balance of regional ecosystems. The Yellow River Basin (YRB) serves as an ecological barrier in northern China, where vegetation is extremely sensitive to climate change and human activities. However, whether there has been a significant change in the intensity of vegetation dynamics in the YRB during the 21st century and how much anthropogenic disturbances contribute to the change are still poorly documented so far; thus, this work may hold a far-reaching significance for maintaining the eco-balance of northern China and even all of China. In this study, based on the annually and seasonally averaged normalized deviation vegetation index (NDVI), a comprehensive analysis was conducted to detect the trends of vegetation changes derived by NDVI at six different time scales during the period 2000–2018 using Theil-Sen statistics, and the Mann-Kendall (M-K) method was employed to test the significance levels of vegetation greening and browning. Subsequently, based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer land cover data, in situ climatic and meteorological data and socioeconomic and anthropogenic factors were included to explore the driving forces for vegetation change through the GeoDetector method. Our results show that the YRB experienced both significant vegetation greening and browning with great spatial heterogeneity. More than 94% of the regions in the YRB showed vegetation greening trends at average rates of 0.0040 yr−1 in the annually averaged NDVI (NDVI AN) and 0.0053 yr−1 in the growing season averaged NDVI (NDVI GS) during the 21st century; the trend was significant in more than 71% (p < 0.05) of the total YRB territory. This phenomenon was mainly detected in the middle reaches of the YRB, where effective land use activities and afforestation played vital roles. There was great seasonal disparity for greening; spring NDVI (NDVI SP) and summer NDVI (NDVI SU) exhibited the largest greening rates. However, only small parts of the YRB (0.9%, p < 0.05) showed browning trends at average rates of 0.0015 yr−1 in NDVI AN and 0.0021 yr−1 in NDVI GS , mainly located in the Weihe River basin and the lower reaches of the YRB, where the sharp increase in urban and built-up areas contributed substantially to the browning trends. Overall, warming, increasing population and afforestation jointly dominated the significant vegetation greening trends in the YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: α-Thalassemia is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder. It is one of the most common monogenic abnormalities known in the world and is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. α-Thalassemia is more frequently caused by deletional type than non-deletional type. Recently, we identified a novel large deletional type of α-thalassemia named --FZ/αα from a family in South China. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was used for diagnosing the carrier and prenatal diagnosing for a fetus. Real-time PCR was employed for characterizing the deletion breakpoints and the deletional segment was determined as 300kb in length extending from the telomere to AXIN1 gene on the short arm of chromosome 16. The carriers in the family members were detected by real-time PCR using designed primers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of stroke(S). This study aimed to screen the loci associated with S risk in northwestern Chinese population by genome-wide association analysis (GWAS)., Methods: A total of 1394 subjects, including 682 S patients and 692 controls, were enrolled in this study. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and the independent sample t-test as well as Chi-square test were used to analyze the differences in age and gender between the case and control groups. The Precision Medicine Diversity Array (PMDA) genotyping chip was used in this study. The genotyping platform was the Gene Titan multi-channel instrument, and the Axiom Analysis Suite 6.0 software was used for the data analyzing. Besides, the LASSO analysis, SNP-SNP and GO/KEGG analysis were conducted to analyze the association between significant loci and S risk., Results: A total of 30 SNPs were found to be associated with the S risk based on additive model (p < 5 × 10 -8 ). After the LASSO screening, 22 SNPs showed the diagnostic value in S. The SNPs interaction analysis further screened the SNP-SNP interaction groups associated with the S risk(p < 0.05). Finally, the GO/KEGG analysis discovered the suggestive significance loci could be involved in the S development mainly by immune-related functions and pathways., Conclusion: This study discovered 30 S related SNPs and analyzed the potential pathways associated with genes located on the 30 SNPs, which were beneficial for enriching the genetic mechanism analysis of S in northwestern Chinese population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Soil matrix infiltration is an important pathway for plantations to obtain water, which affects ecological benefits and water conservation function of plantations. The changes of soil matrix infiltration and its influencing factors in different growth stages of Chinese fir plantations remain unclear. We measured soil matrix infiltration process using a tension infiltrometer in Chinese fir plantations (5, 8, 11, and 15 years old) of Beijiang River Forest Farm in Rongshui, Guangxi, and analyzed soil basic physicochemical properties to identify the dominant factors influencing soil matrix infiltration. The results showed that initial infiltration rate, stable infiltration rate, and cumulative infiltration increased with stand ages. The ranges of different stand ages were 141-180 mm·h -1 , 109-150 mm·h -1 , and 188-251 mm, respectively. The initial infiltration rate, stable infiltration rate, and cumulative infiltration were significantly positively correlated with soil capillary porosity, soil organic matter, soil water stable macroaggregate, sand content, and clay content, while negatively correlated with soil bulk density and silt content. Early thinning had a positive effect on soil matrix infiltration, but thinning measures after 11 years did not enhance soil matrix infiltration further. Philip model was optimal for describing soil matrix infiltration process in this region. In conclusion, soil matrix infiltration capacity of Chinese fir plantations gradually increased from young to middle-aged stands, but matrix infiltration capacity tended to stabilize after 11 years old. Silt content and water stable macroaggregate were the dominant factors influencing matrix infiltration.

Introduction: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is reported to be related to poor functional outcomes and all-cause mortality post-stroke. However, the association between TyG index and recurrent stroke after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has not been well described. We aimed to identify whether the TyG index was associated with 1-year recurrent stroke after AIS., Methods: Baseline patient information was collected at admission, and the TyG index was calculated. Recurrent stroke events were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis. We then examined the association between the TyG index and risk of 1-year recurrent stroke using multivariable Cox regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses., Results: Among 2,288 participants, the mean TyG index was 8.8 ± 0.7. Those in the fourth quartile (Q4) demonstrated higher recurrent stroke risk than those in Q1 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-2.72; p = 0.059). Subgroup analysis revealed a sex-specific association between TyG index and recurrent stroke (p for interaction = 0.022). Additionally, restricted cubic splines analyses showed a nonlinear association between the TyG index and 1-year recurrent stroke. In females, patients in the Q4 had a 2.95-fold increased recurrent stroke risk than did patients in the Q1 (adjusted HR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.09-7.94; p = 0.032); the risk increased when the TyG index was &gt;8.73. However, no significant correlation was observed in males., Conclusion: A nonlinear association was found between the TyG index and 1-year recurrent stroke risk. Subsequently, a high TyG index could predict an increased 1-year recurrent stroke risk in female AIS patients., (© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in our daily life, which may lead to chronic ankle instability, reducing the quality of patients' life and imposing a heavy burden on social medical security system. There are many kinds of methods treating ankle sprain, which can be divided into the conservative treatments and surgical intervention. Acupuncture is one of the conservative treatments for ankle sprain, especially in China. Therefore, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness, safety and cost benefits for the treatment., Methods: For the acquisition of required data of eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), literature search will be undertaken from the following database: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, and Wanfang database. Quality assessment of the included studies will be independently performed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool by 2 investigators and the level of evidence for results will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. Statistical analysis will be conducted with Revman 5.3., Results: From the study we will assess the effectiveness, safety and cost benefit of acupuncture on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with ankle sprain., Conclusion: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to ensure the effectiveness, safety and cost benefits of acupuncture on ankle sprain, which can further guide the selection of appropriate interventions., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42018116829.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer., Methods: Fifteen Chinese research centers are involved in the BO18255 (ToGA) study. Patients with gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer were eligible for inclusion if their tumor showed overexpression of HER-2 protein by immunohistochemistry +++ or FISH-positive. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a chemotherapy regimen consisting of capecitabine or 5-FU plus cisplatin or chemotherapy in combination with intravenous trastuzumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival., Results: Eighty-five Chinese patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 84 were included in the primary analysis: trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (FP/H) (n = 36) and chemotherapy alone (FP)(n = 48). The median follow-up was 15.2 months in the FP/H group and 14.2 months in the FP group. The median survival time was 12.6 months in the FP/H group compared with 9.7 months in the FP group [hazard ratio 0.72, 95%CI (0.40; 1.29)]. Grade 3/4 adverse events were higher in the FP/H(63.9%)than FP (47.9%) groups, including neutropenia, vomiting and nausea. Two mild cardiac adverse events occurred in the FP/H group. Severe adverse events occurred in 3 cases of both two groups, respectively., Conclusions: Addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is well tolerated and shows improved survival in Chinese patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. These results are consistent with the results of ToGA whole population trial. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy can be considered as a new option for patients with HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.

Objective: To understand the situation of downward dislocation of intrauterine device (IUD) and the impact related to the effectiveness of HJD use, in China., Methods: An epidemiological survey with cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective study designs was conducted to investigate 18,922 IUD users who were selected by a multi-phase stratified cluster sampling method., Results: IUD's downward dislocation had been an important unsuccessful issue related to the IUD insertion that accounted for 20% of total the cases of failure. The top three failure outcomes would include extrusion, removal due to downward dislocation and unintended pregnancy. Respectively, the cumulative rates and the ranking due to IUD failure (per 100 women) in the first, third, sixth and twelfth month were shown as follows: extrusion appeared as 0.33%, 1.13%, 2.21% and 4.30%; removal as 0.10%, 0.37%, 0.80% and 2.34%; while unintended pregnancy were 0.03%, 0.14%, 0.41% and 1.14%., Conclusion: IUD's downward dislocation made great impact on the effectiveness of IUD use that should call for attention from relative governmental sectors and researchers in the areas of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Objective. Push-pull maneuver (PPM) was simulated using a tilt table to assess detailed cardiovascular responses and the simulation model. Method. Ten healthy fighter pilots were exposed to 3 times transition of body position of head-up tilt (HUT) for 1 min-->head-down tilt (HDT) for 10 s, 15 s and 20 s respectively-->HUT for 1 min in randomized sequences. The rate of tilt table rotation was 45 degrees /s. Heart-level arterial blood pressure was monitored with 4 s intervals, and HR was continuously monitored by ECG. Result. HR and BP fell significantly during HDT compared with those during HUT; upon subsequent HUT, HR and BP were significantly less than those during previous HUT, except BP at 11-15 s. Conclusion. Cardiovascular responses to PPM can be simulated with a tilt table. It is suggested that the tilt table model is valid in simulating the PPM.