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Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) was introduced to China many years ago. In recent years, a breeding boom for C. quadricarinatus has been set off in China due to a breakthrough in key technology of seedling breeding. The size and growth rate of C. quadricarinatus vary greatly between female and male individuals, usually the size and growth rate of male individuals are bigger than that of female individuals. There is usually a certain linkage relationship between the sex traits of crustaceans and their own nutrition. In order to explore the linkage relationship between the sex traits of C. quadricarinatus and its nutritional components, this study measured and analyzed the muscle nutritional components of female and male individuals. The results showed that the meat yield rate of male individuals was significantly higher than that of females (p < 0.05), and the crude fat content was significantly lower than that for females (p < 0.05). The ratios of essential amino acids to total amino acids for females and males were 39.61% and 38.49%, respectively. The ratios of essential amino acids to non-essential amino acids were 79.69% and 75.66%, respectively, which far exceed FAO/WHO standards and both belong to high-quality protein. The total amount of flavor amino acids of male individuals was significantly higher than that of female individuals (p < 0.05). The total amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid of males are both significantly higher than that of females (p < 0.05). Studies have shown that there are certain differences in nutrition between male and female individuals. Compared with female individuals, the meat yield rate, crude protein content, and edible value of the muscles of male individuals is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The West Bogda Mountains separate the two largest petroliferous sedimentary basins in Northwest (NW) China and may record the evolution history of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The timing of the initial uplift of the West Bogda Mountains is debated, which may provide the robust constraint on the CAOB evolution. Here we present an integrated study of sedimentology, geochemistry, and detrital zircon geochronology to constrain the timing of the initial uplift of the West Bogda Mountains. The late Lower Permian Lucaogou Formation in the West Bogda Mountains is dominated by organic-rich laminated shale, gravity flow deposits and dolomite without shallow-water sedimentary structures, suggesting a deep-water lacustrine depositional environment. The Middle Permian Quanzijie Formation is mainly composed of poorly sorted and sub-rounded conglomerate, which indicates that the depositional environment changed to an alluvial fan. The depositional environment changed to a meandering river system in the early Upper Permian Wutonggou Formation, with evidence from the widely developed cross-bedding in its sandstone and the typical 'dual structure'. The compositions of immobile elements and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology reveal changes in sediment sources from the early to late Permian. The sediments of the late Lower Permian Lucaogou Formation were mainly sourced from the North Tianshan, while the sediments in the Middle Permian were mostly locally derived. Combining these evidences, we infer that the initial uplift of the West Bogda Mountains likely occurred in the period from the late Lower to Middle Permian (~289.8 Ma to ~265.7 Ma), and was probably caused by the intracontinental collision between Junggar Block in the north and the Tarim Block in the south. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submarine or sub-lacustrine lobe deposits are important reservoirs, but the fan fringe deposits form heterogeneities within deep water fan deposits. Fan fringe facies records the complex sediment gravity flow types. By understanding of the bed types and flow mechanisms, we can identify the fan fringe deposit, which aids in the reconstruction of deep water fan and reservoir evaluations. The Jiucaiyuanzi and Dalongkou sections in the West Bogda Mountains preserve well-exposed 536-m and 171-m thick successions, respectively, of a deep water lacustrine depositional system from the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation. Bed types of the Lucaogou Formation include high-density turbidite, low-density turbidite, incomplete Bouma-type turbidite, hybrid event beds, and slump deposits. The Lucaogou Formation is interpreted here as a fan fringe facies due to the thin bed thickness that characterize turbidites and hybrid event beds, as well as the predominance of the isolated sheet architecture. Previous studies suggest that these deposits were considered as deposited in a deep water setting due to the absence of wave-related structures. The presence of abundant mud clasts in massive medium-coarse grained sandstone beds reflects the significant erosional capability and interactions between high-density turbidity currents and lake floor. The fan fringe facies here contains amalgamated and thick-bedded homolithic facies (~ 30%) and thin-bedded heterolithic facies (~ 70%). The examination of the bed type is of wider significance for facies prediction and reservoir heterogeneity in the sub-lacustrine fan fringe facies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Shan 2 Member, Shan 1 Member and He 8 Member of the Mid–Late Permian Shanxi and lower Xiashihezi formations, in the southeastern Ordos Basin, together comprise ∼150 m of deltaic deposits. This sequence records an overall evolution from deep marine environment to shallow lake associated with braided river, braided river delta and meandering river delta. Core description, well log interpretation, and stable isotope analysis, including carbon, oxygen and strontium, were conducted to understand the sedimentary evolution of Shan 2 to He 8 Member. The Shanxi Formation, which consists of the Shan 2 and Shan 1 members, is characterized by a tidal‐influenced meandering river delta environment and a higher δ13C value and 87Sr/86Sr ratio and a lower δ18O value. The He 8 Member, the basal part of the Xiashihezi Formation, is featured by a braided river to braided river delta system and a lower δ13C value, 87Sr/86Sr ratio, and a higher δ18O value. Four third‐order depositional sequences separated by five sequence boundaries are determined. Coarsening upward sequences of the Shan 2 Member–He 8 Member indicate a general regression trend, which can be correlated to global sea‐level fall occurring during the Roadian–Wuchiapingian, as also evidenced by previous published zircon U–Pb results. The coal‐bearing sequence (Shanxi Formation) to non‐coal‐bearing sequence (He 8 Member), as well as a decrease of 87Sr/86Sr, suggest a trend from humid to arid climates. A combined effect of sea‐level drop and a small uplift at the end of Shanxi Formation are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-penetrating radar and trenching studies of a barrier spit on the north shore of Huangqihai Lake were made, that reveal important implications for the coastal washover barrier boundary hierarchy and interpretations of this depositional record. A four-fold hierarchy bounding-surface model, representing different levels of impact and genesis, is defined. Each level of the hierarchy is enclosed by a distinct kind of surface characterized by different ground-penetrating radar reflection features, sedimentary characteristics (color, grain size, sorting, rounding and sedimentary structures) and origin. We suggest that this hierarchical model can be applied to any coastal washover barrier deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paleo-spit is identified from Huangqihai Lake in North China and proposed as a classic example for investigating the influence of lake level changes and storms on the construction of these bodies. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data, collected with a 400 MHz antenna, are used together with sedimentologic observations from trenches to define the facies and sedimentary architecture of the spit. Six types of radar surface, both depositional and erosional, were identified. Radar facies bounded by radar surfaces were interpreted from reflection characteristics and termination patterns. Eight different radar facies were identified in the profiles, and we assign these to three groups (inclined, horizontal and irregular). The whole barrier spit system comprises spit bar and salt marsh units, distinguished using GPR profiles. Linked radar and sedimentologic data are used to develop a model for spit bar evolution. The spit was formed during a cycle of lake-level change spanning ~ 200 years. The characteristics of the different building blocks (washover lobes, sheets and swash laminated sands) within the spit bar unit and their depositional regimes are defined and interpreted. Based on the known lake evolution during the Holocene, a relative chronological framework is presented. Two storms in the 1880s and 1960s may have played an important role in building the spit bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of vertical sedimentary succession of a delta in the arid and semi-arid basin-margin progradation dramatically depends on the variation of sediment flux and accommodation, but the discontiguous record of signals tends to exist enormously variable, which renders the bulk record of microfacies difficult to quantify from the vertical sedimentary succession. We analyzed the 18 vertical sedimentary successions collected from 18 field trenches of a lake delta by the cusp-catastrophe model, allowing detailed mapping of microfacies. The present detailed study indicates the suitability of cusp-catastrophe theory for explaining vertical sedimentary succession in the BWH (Bawanghe) delta. Three equilibrium states of processes responsible for the deposition of the BWH delta's evolution were established: sandy-dominated upper leaves primarily exhibit the delta plain; sandy/muddy-dominated lower leaves present the delta plain and pro-delta; and sandy-dominated middle leaves which commonly developed the delta front. The result of analysis shows that the reliability of the cusp-catastrophe model to identity mutation of vertical sedimentary succession exceeds 50 %, and to identity microfacies transitions with a precipitation periodicity exceeds 70 %. These cognitions support the previous view that changing precipitation results in an abrupt change in margin progradation. Simultaneously, the study gives new insights into the microfacies quantification of lake deltas and reveals the influence of crest value changes of precipitation on vertical sedimentary succession can be understood from the dependence of microfacies distribution on the change of sediment flux and accommodation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 8 August 2017 an earthquake (MS7.0) occurred within Jiuzhaigou County, Northern Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, triggering 4834 landslides with an individual area greater than 7.8 m2 over a more than 400 km2 region. Instead of correlating geological and topographic factors with the coseismic landslide distribution pattern, this study has attempted to reveal the control from seismic landslide susceptibility mapping, which relies on the calculation of critical acceleration values using a simplified Newmark block model. We calculated the average critical acceleration for each cell of the gridded study area (1 km×1 km), which represented the seismic landslide susceptibility of the cell. An index of the potential landslide area generation rate was defined, i.e., the possible landsliding area in each grid cell. In combination with PGA (peak ground acceleration) distribution, we calculated such indexes for each cell to predict the possible landslide hazard under seismic ground shaking. Results show that seismic landslide susceptibility plays an important role in determining the coseismic landslide pattern. The places with high seismic landslide susceptibility tends to host many landslides. Additionally, the areas with high potential landslide area generation rates have high real landslide occurrence rates, consistent with dominant small-medium scale landslides by this earthquake. This approach can aid assessment of seismic landslide hazards at a preliminary stage. Additionally, it forms a foundation for further research, such as the rapid evaluation of post-earthquake landslides and identifying highly impacted areas to help decision makers prioritize disaster relief efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bogeda Shan (Mountain) is in southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and well preserved Paleozoic stratigraphy, making it an ideal region to study the tectonic evolution of the CAOB. However, there is a long-standing debate on the tectonic setting and onset uplift of the Bogeda Shan. In this study, we report detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock geochemistry of the Permian sandstone samples, to decipher the provenance and tectonic evolution of the West Bogeda Shan. The Lower-Middle Permian sandstone is characterized by a dominant zircon peak age at 300–400 Ma, similar to the Carboniferous samples, suggesting their provenance inheritance and from North Tian Shan (NTS) and Yili-Central Tian Shan (YCTS). While the zircon record of the Upper Permian sandstone is characterized by two major age peaks at ca. 335 Ma and ca. 455 Ma, indicating the change of provenance after the Middle Permian and indicating the uplift of Bogeda Shan. The initial uplift of Bogeda Shan was also demonstrated by structural deformations and unconformity occurring at the end of Middle Permian. The bulk elemental geochemistry of sedimentary rocks in the West Bogeda Shan suggests the Lower-Middle Permian is mostly greywacke with mafic source dominance, and tectonic setting changed from the continental rift in the Early Permian to post rift in the Middle Permian. The Upper Permian mainly consists of litharenite and sublitharenite with mafic-intermediate provenances formed in continental island arcs. The combined evidences suggest the initial uplift of the Bogeda Shan occurred in the Late Permian, and three stages of mountain building include the continental rift, post-rift extensional depression, and continental arc from the Early, Middle, to Late Permian, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Braided delta is an important reservoir of oil and gas which is enriched in sand with good physical properties. Consequently, study of its sedimentary characteristics and sedimentary sequence has important guiding significance for the oil and gas exploration. In this study, sedimentary model and stratigraphy sequence for Wulabo Formation are established through outcrop measure, analysis of microfacies and sedimentary characteristics in southern margin of Junggar Basin. The results show that the main subfacies of Wulabo Formation is braided delta plain and front, the microfacies is delta plain distributary channel, subaqueous interdistributary channel, subaqueous distributary channel, mouth bar etc. The sandbody in braided delta front is significant reservoir for oil and gas since it has fine particle size, well sorting and rounding. Through lithofacies division, Wulabo Formation can be divided into 8 typical lithofacies and 4 typical litho-facies combination. The grain size probability cumulative of distributary channel is made up of saltation and suspension, moreover, the saltation of subaqueous distributary channel can be divided into two sections and the grain size probability cumulative of mouth bar is composed of multiple sections which is more complicated.Based on the study of sedimentary characteristics, lithofacies and grain size, the braided river delta depositional model of Wulabo Formation is established, which can provide guidance for oil and gas exploration in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals (HMs) pose ecological and resistome risks to aquatic systems. To efficiently develop targeted risk mitigation strategies, apportioning HM sources and assessing their source-oriented risks are essential. Although many studies have reported risk assessment and source apportionment of HMs, yet few have explored source-specific ecological and resistome risks associated with geochemical enrichment of HMs in aquatic environments. Therefore, this study proposes an integrated technological framework to characterize source-oriented ecological and resistome risks in the sediments of a plain river in China. Several geochemical tools quantitatively showed Cd and Hg had the highest pollution levels in the environment, with 19.7 and 7.5 times higher than their background values, respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and Unmix were comparatively used to apportion sources of HMs. Essentially, the two models were complementary and identified similar sources including industrial discharges, agricultural activities, atmospheric deposition and natural background, with contributions of 32.3–37.0%, 8.0−9.0%, 12.1−15.9% and 42.8−43.0%, respectively. To analyze source-specific ecological risks, the apportionment results were integratively incorporated into a modified ecological risk index. The results showed anthropogenic sources were the most significant contributors to the ecological risks. Particularly, industrial discharges majorly contributed high- (44%) and extremely high (52%) ecological risk for Cd, while agricultural activities posed a greater percentage of considerable-(36%) and high- (46%) ecological risk for Hg. Furthermore, the high-throughput sequencing metagenomic analysis identified abundant and diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including some carbapenem-resistance genes and emerging genes such as mcr -type in the river sediments. Network and statistical analyses displayed significant correlations between ARGs and geochemical enrichment of HMs (ρ > 0.8; P-value <0.01), indicating their important impacts on resistome risks in the environment. This study provides useful insights into risk prevention and pollution control of HMs, and the framework can be made applicable to other rivers facing environmental challenges worldwide. [Display omitted] • A multidisciplinary-based framework has been proposed for analyzing HM risks. • Apportionment results of PMF and Unmix models were similar and complementary. • Industrial and agricultural sources were the main contributors of HM ecological risks. • Diverse ARGs were identified and correlated with the geochemical enrichment of HMs. • This work facilitates the progress of characterizing source-oriented risks of HMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing variations in channel morphology of ephemeral streams and deciphering controls on the variations are important for environment management and protection, and even for paleoenvironment reconstruction. Insights gained from modern ephemeral streams in various hydroclimatic or tectonic settings are a key to elucidating the relationship between channel morphology and genetic processes. In this study, we present a small ephemeral stream in a semi-arid area with influence of the East Asia monsoon in North China. Based on field work and high-resolution topographic data collected by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), this study reveals detailed geomorphological characteristics of the ephemeral stream from upland to lowland, which is divided into five segments. The channel dimension exhibits an overall increasing longitudinal trend in the upland and a general decreasing trend in the lowland, but locally, the lowland channel morphology fluctuates quasi-periodically. Quantitative analysis of channel morphological parameters and related factors is conducted to discuss the controls on channel morphology. Variations in the upland channel morphology are directly influenced by discharge/drainage area, composition of substrate, and sediment flux, and indirectly affected by slope. Ephemeral floods in the uplands, associated with an unconsolidated substrate that produces a high sediment flux, are capable of generating larger channels than the case for perennial flows in the bedrock-dominated upland. In the lowland, fluctuation in channel reach morphology is an integrated result of the local flow regimes, vegetations, and anthropogenic activities. Froude supercritical flows associated with hydraulic jumps are inferred as the primary cause of the alternating channel geometry in the lowland. Through this study, we highlight the significant roles of intensive floods derived from monsoon precipitation and abundant sediment supply in forming large-scale ephemeral stream channels, yet details of flood process are needed for further exploration. Unlabelled Image • Intensive floods derived from monsoon precipitation play a crucial role in forming large-scale ephemeral channels. • Effective discrimination of bedrock and alluvial reaches support universal application of critical slope threshold model. • Froude-supercritical flows regime is inferred as the primary cause of alternating channel geometry in the lowland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The age of onset of hypertension (HTN) is decreasing, and obesity is a significant risk factor. The prevalence and racial disparities in pediatric HTN and the association between body composition and blood pressure are insufficiently studied. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HTN in Chinese and American children and adolescents and to assess the relationship between various body composition indices and HTN., Methods: Seven thousand, five hundred and seventy-three Chinese and 6239 American children and adolescents aged 8-18 years from the 2013-2015 China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health study and the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed. Blood pressure and body composition (fat and muscle) were measured by trained staff. The crude prevalence and age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of primary HTN and its subtypes [isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH)] were calculated based on 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression coefficients and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess the associations of body composition indicators with HTN, ISH and IDH., Results: The ASPR of HTN was 18.5% in China (CN) and 4.6% in the United States (US), whereas the obesity prevalence was 7.4% and 18.6%, and the population attributable risk of HTN caused by overweight and obesity was higher in the US than in CN. Increased fat mass, muscle mass and body fat percentage mass were associated with a higher risk of HTN in both countries. The percent of muscle body mass had a protective effect on HTN and ISH in both countries [HTN (CN: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.78-0.88; US: OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64-0.81); ISH (CN: OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.80-0.94; US: OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.62-0.81)], and the protective effect was more common among children and adolescents with high levels of physical activity., Conclusions: The burden of HTN in Chinese children and adolescents was substantial and much greater than that in the US, and the contribution of obesity to HTN was higher in the US than in CN. Augmenting the proportion of muscle mass in body composition has a protective effect against HTN in both populations. Optimizing body composition positively influences blood pressure in children and adolescents, particularly those with high-level physical activity. Video abstract (MP4 149982 KB)., (© 2023. Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.)

Antibiotics have been heavily used over the past decades, resulting in their frequent detections in rivers and increasing ecological risks. Recognizing characteristics of antibiotic ecological risks (AERs) and making effective strategies to mitigate the AERs are essential to ensure the safety of aquatic ecosystem and public health. In this study, an integrated technological framework has been proposed toward identifying management options for reducing AERs by jointly utilizing multimedia fugacity modelling and ecotoxicological risk assessment, and applied to characterize the AERs in a peri-urban river in Beijing. Specifically, a level III fugacity model has been successfully established to simulate the fate of antibiotics in the environment, and the manageable parameters have been screened out via sensitivity analysis of the model. Then the validated fugacity model has been used for scenario modellings to optimize mitigation strategies of AERs. Results show most of the antibiotics considered are frequently detected in the river, and pose medium or high risks to aquatic organisms. Relatively, the macrolides and fluoroquinolones present higher ecotoxicological risks than sulfonamides and tetracyclines. Furthermore, the mixture risk quotient and predictive equation of concentration addition suggest joint and synergistic/antagonistic effects of AERs for multiple or binary antibiotics in the environment. Largely, the concentrations of antibiotics in the river are determined by the source emissions into water and soil. Scenario modellings show the improvement of antibiotic removal rates would be considered preferentially to mitigate the AERs. Also, controlling human consumption is conducive to reducing the risks posed by tetracyclines, macrolides and trimethoprim, while controlling animal consumption would benefit the reduction for sulfonamides. Overall, the joint strategy presents the greatest reduction of AERs by reducing antibiotic consumption and together improving sewage treatment rate and antibiotic removal rate. The study provides us a useful guideline to make ecological risk-based mitigation strategy for reducing AERs in environment., 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 © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The frequency and distribution of genetic mutations that cause deafness differ significantly according to ethnic group and region. Zhejiang is a province in the southeast of China, with an exceptional racial composition of the population caused by mass migration in ancient China. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and spectrum of gap junction‑β2 (GJB2), solute carrier family 26 (anion exchanger) member 4 (SLC26A4) and GJB3 mutations in patients with autosomal recessive non‑syndromic hearing loss (ARNHL) in this area. A total of 176 unrelated pediatric patients with ARNHL were enrolled in the study. A genomic DNA sample was extracted from the peripheral blood. Polymerase chain reaction was employed, and the products were sequenced to screen for mutations in GJB2. In addition, a SNaPshot sequencing method was utilized to detect four hotspot mutations in SLC26A4 (IVS7‑2A>G and c.2168A>G) and GJB3 (c.538C>T and c.547G>A). All patients were subjected to a temporal bone computed tomography scan to identify enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVA). In total, 14 different mutations, including two new mutations (p.W44L and p.D66N) of GJB2, were detected. The most common pathogenic mutation of GJB2 was c.235delC (15.1%), followed by c.176&#95;191del16 (1.7%), c.299&#95;300delAT (1.7%), c.508&#95;511dup (0.85%) and c.35delG (0.28%) of the total alleles. Mutation analysis of SLC26A4 demonstrated that 13.6% (24/176) of patients carried at least one mutant allele. The patients with EVA (84.2%) had SLC26A4 mutations, and 31% had homozygous mutations. Only one patient carried a heterozygous mutation of GJB3 (c.538C>T). Compared with the other regions of China, in the present population cohort, the prevalence and spectrum of mutations in GJB2 was unique, and in patients with EVA the frequency of a homozygous mutation in SLC26A4 was significantly lower. These findings may be of benefit in genetic counseling and risk assessment for families from this area of China.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic abnormalities in obese children and adolescents in Beijing., Methods: This study involved 387 obese children and adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years in Beijing. Data on anthropometric measurements was collected, including weight, height and age. All subjects underwent a clinic examination containing fasting blood and liver ultrasonography. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was diagnosed using diagnostic criteria for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which was recommended by the Fatty liver and Alcoholic Liver Disease Study Group of Liver Disease Association in China., Results: 174 out of the 387 children were diagnosed as having NAFLD. The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 45.0% in this study population. The prevalence rates of NAFLD did not show significant difference between girls and boys. The prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus and IFG were 0.8% and 49.1% respectively. The prevalence rates of HTG, HTC, HLDL-C, LHDL-C, IFG, elevated ALT (or AST) and acanthosis nigricans were 6.3%, 4.0%, 37.9%, 22.8%, 46.0%, 17.8% and 28.5% in students combined with obesity and NAFLD, respectively. In the NAFLD subgroup, higher prevalence of high TG, acanthosis nigricans, abnormal ALT or AST were seen. With the increasing of obesity, the level of LDL-C, TG, liver function disturbance and prevalence of NAFLD and acanthosis nigricans were aggravated. Under binary logistic regression analysis, results showed that high BMI, acanthosis nigricans and TG were significantly correlated with NAFLD in obese children and adolescent population., Conclusion: NAFLD was common in obese children, and the prevalence of NAFLD in obese children was 45.0%. Higher BMI, acanthosis nigricans and abnormal TG were independent risk factors for NAFLD in obese children. Obese children who had been exposed to high risk factors should take the ultrasonography.