Search

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) poses serious threats to human health. TikTok (Douyin in Chinese), a major social media platform focused on sharing short videos, has demonstrated great potential in spreading health information, including information related to H. pylori infection. This study aims to evaluate the content and quality of the information shared in TikTok videos about H. pylori infection in mainland China. Methods: We collected a sample of 116 videos in Chinese related to H. pylori infection from TikTok. Video contents were evaluated by the coding schema proposed by Goobie et al., and the Hexagonal Radar Schema was used to intuitively display the spotlight and weight of each aspect of the videos. The DISCERN questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of the videos. Results: We identified two major sources of videos related to H. pylori: individual users (n = 89) and organizational users (n = 27). Regarding content, the Hexagonal Radar Charts showed that more than 35% of the videos delivered moderate to high quality content (>1 point) in terms of definition, symptoms and management of the disease, whereas risk factors, evaluation and outcomes of the disease were less discussed. The DISCERN classification data showed that 0.9% of the videos were "very poor," 5.2% "poor," 68.7% "fair," 20.0% "good," and only 5.2% "excellent". Regarding total DISCERN scores, videos published by nonprofit organizations had the highest scores, followed by videos uploaded by health professionals. Conclusion: Although the overall quality of TikTok videos related to H. pylori infection was medium, users should be careful when obtaining information related to H. pylori infection on TikTok and opt for videos uploaded by nonprofit organizations and health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has abundant germplasm resources of pomegranate. Previous studies have analyzed the fruit quality of the cultivated and wild pomegranates collected from different regions of China. In this study, 45 pomegranate cultivars from Yicheng, Shandong province, China were used as materials. Principal component and cluster analysis was performed based on 18 fruit quality traits. There were significant differences in 18 fruit traits among 45 pomegranate cultivars. Nine principal components (PCs) were extracted by principal component analysis, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 84.9%. PC1 and PC2 represented 20.9%, 14.3% of total variance respectively. The former was highly positively contributed by total flavonoid and phenolic content of juice, pericarp (FCJ, PCJ, FCP and PCP), and Vitamin C content of juice, while the latter was highly positively correlated with proanthocyanidins and total flavonoid content of seeds (PAS and FCS) and titratable acid content. According to the comprehensive scores, Yushiliu, Gangliu, Mantianhongsuan, Tianlvzi, Xinjianghongpi, Huaiyuanerbenzi, Xiaoqingpi, Damaya, Yichengheshunzhuangwuci, Taishanhong ranked as the top ten. The 45 pomegranate cultivars were clustered into four categories according to 18 fruit quality indicators, each group had unique characteristics. Most cultivars of group III had higher PCJ and proanthocyanidins content of pericarp, while most members of group Ⅳ had higher total anthocyanin contents, FCP and PCP, which suggested that the two groups were rich in functional substances and can be used for further processing. Therefore, the results would provide a method to comprehensively evaluate different cultivars and provide a reference for agricultural cultivation, industrial utilization and breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex microstructures of pyrite induced by superimposed deformation and fluid infiltration in lode gold deposits can record time-integrated physicochemical changes of ore-forming fluids. This study used a combination of techniques (EBSD, μ-XRF, EMPA, APT, and TEM) to characterize and decode the microstructures of pyrite in an optically homogeneous polymetallic sulfide veinlet of the Wulong lode gold deposit. The EBSD data show that the sulfide veinlet is composed of microstructurally heterogeneous pyrite grains in three generations, i.e., Py1, Py2, and Py3. The pyrite grains display diverse deformation-induced microstructures, i.e., kinked low-angle (0.5 to 5°) boundaries within Py1, curvilinear low-angle boundaries penetrating both Py1 and Py2, and foam-like textured Py3. These microstructures may offer pathways to transport exotic fluids, leading to superimposed microstructures in early-formed pyrite. Integrated μ-XRF, EMPA, APT, and HRTEM data sets present grain- to nanometer-scale elemental distributions of Au, As, Bi, and Te, and reveal that the Bi-(Te)-rich mineral associations, rather than arsenian pyrite, are major gold carriers in the polymetallic sulfide veinlet. The superimposed microstructures in pyrite reveal that the major Au mineralization stage likely comprises two episodes of ore-forming fluids. The early-episode fluids had T-fO2 condition overlapping the stable field of pyrrhotite, which dissolved Py1 and developed Bi-(Te)-rich melts as major Au scavengers. The late-episode fluids crystallized arsenian Py2 containing 20–60 ppm of invisible gold. This study highlights the effectiveness of multiple techniques to reveal complex microstructures of pyrite, which can serve as critical fingerprints to establish a temporal framework of fluid evolution and Au deposition in lode gold deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The microstructure analysis offers a novel window to test different formation models of net-textured Fe-Ti oxide ores. • Static recrystallization resulted in the straight or smoothly curved grain boundaries of Fe–Ti oxide grains. • The microstructural evidence suggests crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides from immiscible Fe-rich melt within crystal mush. The mafic–ultramafic layered intrusions in the Emeishan large igneous province (LIP) host significant amounts of Fe, Ti and V resources. The Fe-Ti oxide ore layers hosted in these layered intrusions are variable in thickness and it is enigmatic how the large amounts of Fe-Ti oxides are accumulated to form the Fe-Ti oxide ore layers. The Fe-Ti oxide ore layers are mainly composed of net-textured ores, however, the processes to form the net-textured ores have not yet been well constrained due to lack of diagnostic microstructural evidence of Fe-Ti oxides in the ores. Here we use the electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique to characterize the microstructures of Fe-Ti oxides in the net-textured ores of the Baima layered intrusion in the Emeishan LIP, e.g. , crystallographic orientation and neighbor-/random-pair misorientation, and to assess the formation model of net-textured ores. The net-textured ores are composed of silicate crystals (olivine, and minor plagioclase and clinopyroxene) isolated by interconnected matrix composed of Fe-Ti oxides (titanomagnetite and ilmenite) and minor sulfides. It is likely that the Fe-Ti oxides simultaneously crystallized from a common Fe–Ti–(P)-rich melt, but postdated olivine and other cumulus minerals. The compaction induced by the gravity of overlying cumulus minerals only caused weak intragrain deformation of Fe-Ti oxides so that the Fe-Ti oxides did not experience intense dynamic recrystallization. Instead, the relatively high temperature and water-rich condition facilitated the operation of static recrystallization, resulting in the straight or smoothly curved grain boundaries of Fe-Ti oxides. The neighbor-pair misorientation patterns of Fe-Ti oxides show the preference for low-angle misorientation, supporting the idea that adjacent crystallized Fe-Ti oxides were rotated to coincident orientation in a melt. This study provides new microstructural evidence for the presence of immiscible Fe-rich melt from which the Fe-Ti oxides crystallized to form the net-textured ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Building on conservation of resources theory, our study investigates how inclusive human resource management (IHRM) promotes nurses' innovative behavior through job crafting and further examines the moderating role of shared leadership. Background. Nurses' involvement in innovation is essential to improve nursing care delivery and accommodate changing medical environments, especially in the face of crisis events like the COVID-19 outbreak. However, knowledge about the relationship between human resource management and nurses' innovative behavior remains scarce. Methods. We collected three-wave data from 338 on-duty registered nurses at four public hospitals in China from November 2022 to January 2023. We used SPSS 22 to conduct hierarchical regressions to test our hypotheses. Results. IHRM positively predicted innovative behavior of nurses with the mediating role of job crafting. In addition, we found that IHRM was more effective in promoting job crafting and subsequent innovative behavior when nurses perceived high levels of shared leadership. Conclusion. IHRM initiated by the organization and shared leadership style are two collaborative approaches to facilitating nurses' job crafting, thereby responding to the imperative need to foster nurses' innovative behavior. Implications for Nursing Management. The present study emphasizes the important roles of IHRM and shared leadership in promoting nurses' job crafting and subsequent innovative behavior, providing theoretical and practical implications for nursing management in the current dynamic and challenging environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an evaluation framework to explore the linking mechanisms between customer knowledge management competence (CKMC) and Balanced Scorecard (BSC). With a case study from Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle of China, this paper attempts to empirically justify the framework. An index system was established for evaluating CKMC based on BSC and knowledge management process, the weight design and consistency check of the indexes were implemented by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and the overall evaluation value and concrete index scores at all levels were obtained via the fuzzy evaluation method. Empirical results show that CKMC performance measurement indicators were ranked in order of importance as Business process performance dimensions (0.465), System support dimensions (0.289), Customer communication dimensions (0.152) and Market performance dimension (0.094). It also shows that the overall score of CKMC was 3.404, reflecting that the CKMC was in a state of general satisfaction. This research also identifies key factors hindering implementation of CKMC, including Attention from senior leaders (2.871), customer knowledge sharing efficiency (2.928), and information technology level (3.133). This research could contribute to CKM theory by extending customer knowledge management competence research with BSC initiatively. For practitioners, this study may provide useful suggestions to identify key factors promoting business CKMC, and finally promotes sustainable development of Agritourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regolith-hosted ion-exchangeable rare earth element (REE) mineralization in South China dominate the global source of heavy REEs. The lack of studies on spectral features of ion-exchangeable REEs limits the application of visible/near infrared reflectance (VNIR, 350–2500 nm) spectroscopy for rapid identification of regolith-hosted REE deposits in prospective areas. This paper presents a systematic study on VNIR spectral features of ion-exchangeable REEs hosted by a series of synthetic REE-adsorbed clay minerals and natural regolith samples. The results show that ion-exchangeable Nd3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ display diagnostic absorption features at the bands of 730–870, 805, 641, 652, and 684 nm. Specifically, the Nd3+ related absorption bands of regolith samples at ~800 nm show a shoulder at ~802 nm that are distinguishable from unweathered primary REE(−bearing) minerals. The maxima of second derivative curves derived from the Nd3+ absorption at ~802 nm, M802_2nd, can be used to quantify variations of ion-exchangeable REEs in regoliths. Nevertheless, the absorption features of REE3+ ions could be subdued due to an overlapping problem caused by the broad absorption bands of Fe-oxides in the range of 700–900 nm. The obtained VNIR spectra of ion-exchangeable REEs provide critical supplement to spectral library for REE-bearing minerals. This study demonstrates that field-based VNIR spectroscopy can be deployed as a powerful tool for regional and deposit-scale exploration of regolith-hosted ion-exchangeable REE resources. • Ion-exchangeable REEs display diagnostic VNIR spectral features. • VNIR features of Nd3+ can quantify mineralization of regolith-hosted REE orebodies. • VNIR features of Ion-exchangeable REEs can be subdued by the bands of Fe-oxides. • VNIR spectroscopy is feasible for exploration of regolith-hosted REE deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The chloroplast genome of Prunus zhengheensis was reported for the first time. • The chloroplast genomes of P. zhengheensis was compared with other Prunus plants. • We analysis phylogenetic relationships between P. zhengheensis and other Prunus species. • The results provided important information for the genetic evolution of P. zhengheensis. Prunus zhengheensis is a novel species originated in Fujian province, China. However, there is no further information available on its classification and molecular biology study. In this study, we first report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of P. zhengheensis. The cp genome of P. zhengheensis is 158,106 bp and GC content is 36.73%, is a circular structure composed of LSC (large single copy), SSC (small single copy), and IR (inverted repeat) regions, with the size of the three regions being 86,321 bp, 18,999 bp and 26,393 bp, respectively. The cp genome of P. zhengheensis contains 130 genes, and 242 SSRs are identified in the cp genome. The comparative analysis of cp genomes in eight Prunus plants demonstrates the subtle divergences occur in the protein-coding gene rps18 , rps12 , psbF , rpl33 , matK , and rbcL , and that the K A /K S nucleotide substitution ratio of the ndhF of P. zhengheensis and P. armeniaca is 1.79636. The phylogenetic results indicate that the P. zhengheensis is closely related to P. mume , compared to other species of Prunus. Our research results provide the important genomic information for molecular phylogeny of P. zhengheensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A 78 m long weathering profile developed in quartz diorite of the Huangshe regolith-hosted LREE deposit was investigated. • LREE-rich minerals, e.g., titanite and allanite, were dissolved preferentially during the breakdown of rocks during weathering. • The activated REEs are immobilised, occurring mainly as ion exchangeable and Fe-Mn (hydr)oxide fractions, with a few amounts of the organic and carbonate binding fractions. • Most HREEs were preferentially scavenged in the Fe-Mn (hydr)oxide fraction, which leads to LREE enrichment in the ion exchangeable fraction. Regolith-hosted rare earth element (REE) resources in South China are the dominant global source of heavy REEs (HREEs), which are critical for high technology and military industries. Most previous studies focused on the proportion of ion exchangeable REE fractions, but other speciations thereof and their effects on REE fractionation are still poorly understood. Therefore, to address this issue, this study focused on a systematic analysis of the geochemistry and mineralogy of a complete weathering 78 m profile in the Renju regolith-hosted REE deposit in northeast Guangdong Province, China. In the quartz diorite bedrock, the main REE minerals were titanite, allanite, and REE fluorocarbonates abundant in REEs (332–338 ppm). During the breakdown of rocks due to weathering, the light REE (LREE)-rich minerals, e.g., titanite and allanite, were dissolved preferentially, resulting in the release of the REEs. Thus, the HREE-rich minerals, including xenotime and zircon, are preserved with progressive weathering. The results of sequential extraction show that the activated REEs are immobilised, occurring mainly as ion exchangeable and Fe-Mn (hydr)oxide fractions, with a few amounts of the organic and carbonate binding fractions. Fe (hydr)oxides, as seen via transmission electron microscopy, usually occur in the form of goethite and hematite in the lower and upper parts of regoliths, respectively, while Mn is present as a trace element in Fe (hydr)oxides. The lower La/Yb ratios in the Fe-Mn (hydr)oxide fraction indicate that HREEs are preferably bonded on Fe-Mn (hydr)oxides, causing LREEs to exist mainly as ion exchangeable fractions. In addition, positive Ce anomalies exist in both the lateritic horizon with strong oxidation of weak acid and in the Fe-Mn (hydr)oxide fraction as a co-precipitate with Fe oxides. The results obtained advance our understanding of the mechanisms of REE fractionation and the mutual effect of REE speciation on the formation of regolith-hosted REE deposits in South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compaction is important to the expulsion and compositional modification of interstitial liquid of crystal mush in the solidification of layered intrusions hosting Fe–Ti oxide mineralization. However, the compaction manner and compositional evolution of interstitial liquid after the onset of abundant Fe–Ti oxide crystallization in crystal mush are still enigmatic. In this study, we collected samples from a drill core profile across the major Fe–Ti oxide-rich segment of the Bijigou intrusion, a large and differentiated layered intrusion in Central China, and carried out a detailed study on the late-stage magmatic microstructures of rocks and crystal size distributions (CSDs) and spatial distribution patterns (SDPs) of clinopyroxene and plagioclase to examine the compaction manner of interstitial liquid. The Fe–Ti oxide-rich segment is composed of, from the base upward, a Fe–Ti oxide ore layer (~80 m), a troctolite unit (~105 m), an oxide gabbro unit (~153 m) and an apatite–oxide–gabbronorite unit (~165 m). The CSD curves for both plagioclase and clinopyroxene grains of the samples from the Fe–Ti oxide ore layer display gentle slopes for small crystals and consistent slopes for large crystals. In addition, there is a positive correlation of the SDP R -value (ratio of observed and predicted nearest neighbor distance of plagioclase/clinopyroxene) and mineral mode except plagioclase/clinopyroxene of the samples. The interstitial liquid was likely expelled by intensive pressure solution concomitant with crystallization of abundant Fe–Ti oxides, evidenced by the positive correlation of aspect ratio and alignment factor of plagioclase and the low fraction of trapped liquid (F TL) of 4–6% for the Fe–Ti oxide ore layer. The cumulus plagioclase of the Fe–Ti oxide ore layer was partially dissolved during pressure-solution compaction, leading to ambient Fe-rich interstitial liquid becoming Al-enriched in local places so that abundant amphibole and hercynite are present in the replacive symplectites adjacent to cumulus plagioclase. Above the Fe–Ti oxide ore layer, plagioclase grains in the samples from the troctolite unit show consistent slopes of the CSD curves and negative correlation of SDP R -value and mineral mode in the SDP plot, indicating that the interstitial liquid was mainly expelled by mechanical compaction, with F TL ranging from 7 to 9%. The CSD curves for clinopyroxene grains of the samples from the oxide gabbro unit have been modified by Ostwald ripening, but the expulsion of interstitial liquid in this unit is also attributed to mechanical compaction due to higher compaction rate than accumulation rate. This study demonstrates that the compaction manner of interstitial liquid can change from pressure solution to mechanical compaction with dramatically diminishing crystallization of Fe–Ti oxides. The pressure-solution compaction accompanying with large amounts of Fe–Ti oxides can remarkably modify the composition of interstitial liquid. This study also demonstrates that a combined measurement of CSDs and SDPs for cumulus minerals can be used to quantify the compaction manner of interstitial liquid during solidification of layered intrusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese apricot is an important subtropical deciduous fruit tree in China, widely distributed in different altitude areas. How does it adapt to the different temperature environments in these areas? In this study, we identified a low‐temperature transcription factor PmCBF03 on chromosome 7 through adaptive analysis of populations at different altitudes, which has an early termination single nucleotide polymorphism mutation. There were two different types of variation, PmCBF03A type in high‐altitude areas and PmCBF03T type in low‐altitude areas. PmCBF03A gene increased the survival rate, Fv/Fm values, antioxidant enzyme activity, and expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes, and reducing electrolyte leakage and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in transgenic Arabidopsis under low temperature and freezing stress. Simultaneously, PmCBF03A gene promoted the dormancy of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds than wild‐type. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that PmCBF03A directly bound to the DRE/CRT element in the promoters of the PmCOR413, PmDAM6 and PmABI5 genes, promoting their transcription and enhanced the cold resistance and dormancy of the overexpressing PmCBF03A lines. While PmCBF03T gene is unable to bind to the promoters of PmDAM6 and PmABI5 genes, leading to early release of dormancy to adapt to the problem of insufficient chilling requirement in low‐altitude areas. Summary statement: The PmCBF03 allele variation is involved in regulating the low‐temperature adaptability of Japanese apricots at different altitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace elements in molybdenite can provide important information regarding the composition of ore-forming fluid and the evolution and genesis of ore deposits. However, the occurrence states and behavior of relatively incompatible trace elements (e.g., Pb and Os) in natural molybdenite remain ambiguous. Here, we report an abnormally high enrichment of Pb and layered PbS precipitate within molybdenite grains from the Huanglongpu carbonatite-hosted Mo-Pb deposit in the Qinling orogenic belt of Northern China. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and related nanobeam techniques were applied to characterize the occurrence states of Pb within molybdenite at the atomic scale. The results show that up to several weight percent of Pb can be incorporated into the molybdenite structure during initial crystallization, which can lead to the formation of screw dislocations and 3R/disordered stacking of S-Mo-S sandwich layers. Observations using a scanning transmission electron microscope also reveal that Pb difuses from the host molybdenite into the layered PbS precipitates under prolonged electron beam irradiation. Pb-bearing molybdenite tends to transform into a Pb-poor ordered 2H1 polytype upon Pb exsolution during cooling. Pb preferentially exsolves along the (001) plane of molybdenite and is stored in structural defects (e.g., dislocation loops) and grain boundaries, resulting in nano- scale Pb heterogeneities in molybdenite. Further coarsening of the exsolved Pb results in the formation of layered PbS precipitates along the (001) plane of molybdenite. This study provides an example of the consequences of the incorporation and exsolution of incompatible trace elements in molybdenite and demonstrates that careful mineralogical examination is required to interpret geochemical data obtained by in situ analysis techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pig is usually the carrier of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, and can transmit the bacteria along the pork production chain to cause severe public health problems. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of Salmonella and S. aureus in fattening pigs in Hubei Province, China. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in rectal swab among 896 samples from 22 farms was 17.30%, and that of S. aureus in nasal swab among 814 samples from 20 farms was 28.26%. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis showed that 95.33% of the Salmonella strains exhibited resistance to more than three classes of antimicrobial agents tested. The highest resistance proportions were for chloramphenicol (100%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT) (100%), and tetracycline (TET) (93.46%), while the lowest proportions were for cefotaxime (37.38%), gentamicin (GEN) (34.58%), and ciprofloxacin (24.30%). On the other hand, 98.42% of the S. aureus strains were resistant to more than three classes of antimicrobial agents tested. The most common resistance among the S. aureus strains was against SXT (100.00%), followed by TET (98.43%), erythromycin (91.34%), and clindamycin (91.34%), while the lowest frequent resistances were against GEN (34.65%) and oxacillin (16.54%). The prevalence and AMR of Salmonella and S. aureus exhibited an obvious diversity among different pig farms. Our results provided the epidemiological data for risk analysis of foodborne bacteria and AMR in pig farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extreme sea-level (ESL) event in 2011–2012 and its associated mechanisms are investigated using long-term tide gauge records and satellite altimeter data. The composite sea level anomaly (SLA) along the northwest coast of the SCS is up to 85.2 mm in 2012, reaching the highest since 1975. The ESL event in 2011–2012 is a combined effect of the mean sea-level rise, La Niña event and negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) phase. The three factors work on different time scales. The long-term rising rate is 3.1 mm/yr from 1975 to 2015, the linear estimate of the mean sea level is 45.1 mm in 2012, accounting for about 52.9% of the total ESL (85.2 mm). After removing the linear trend, La Niña has a 28.2% contribution of the highest SLA, the negative PDO phase has a 51.3% contribution, and they jointly give rise to the ESL event on interannual to decadal time scales. The dynamic sea-level variation is the dominant contributor, explaining 72.8% of the observed sea-level differences between 2010 and 2012. The sea level pressure contributes 34.4%, and the steric effect contributes 7.7% of the observed results. •.The composite sea level anomaly is 85.2 mm in 2012 along the northwest coast of the SCS, reaching the highest since 1975. • The extreme sea level event in 2011-2012 is a combined effect of the mean sea level rise, La Niña and negative PDO phase. • The dynamic sea level is the dominant contributor, explaining 72.8% of the observed difference between 2010 and 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anopheles sinensis is one of the major malaria vectors in China and other southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand. Vector control is considered to be the critical measure for malaria control, while the increasing prevalence of insecticide resistance caused by long-term use of insecticides, especially pyrethroids, is threatening the successful control of An. sinensis. In order to understand the underlying resistance mechanisms involved and molecular basis, the principal malaria vector, An. sinensis from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, Southeast China, was investigated. Methods: The adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled from multiple sites across Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, and sufficient mosquitoes collected from eleven sites for insecticide susceptibility bioassays. The DIIS4–DIIS6 region of the para-type sodium channel gene was amplified and sequenced, then multiple PCR and Taqman assays were used to assess the frequencies of kdr mutations at the target gene. Results: In the present study, most of the adult An. sinensis populations were pyrethroids resistant, which indicated the presence of kdr resistance mutations in the para-type sodium channel gene. Sequence analyses demonstrated the kdr mutation existed at codon 1014 in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. In adult An. sinensis, three mutant types (TTT L1014F, TTC L1014F, and TGT L1014C) of kdr alleles were detected, while no wild type (TTG L1014) was observed. The TTC L1014F mutation was first reported in Anhui province. Conclusions: The highly polymorphic kdr alleles were observed in all the adult An. sinensis populations, which suggested that in-depth studies are required for carrying on insecticide resistance monitoring and specific resistance mechanisms studying into establish effective long-term malaria vector control program in eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ship-based Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements were performed over the sea area between China and Korea during winter 2018 and spring 2019. Though the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique analysis we obtain the spatial distribution of Vertical Column Densities (VCDs) of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO) along the cruise of ship-based observation. In addition, the ship-based MAX-DOAS trace gases VCDs were compared with satellite observations of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and achieved a good agreement between two data sets. Besides the trace gases spatial distribution information, combine with the meteorological condition, we have also quantified the contributions of external transmission and local emission of pollutants. Meanwhile, the vertical profiles of these trace gases are achieved from the measured Differential Slant Column Densities (DSCDs) at different elevation angles using optimal estimation method. The retrieved profiles displayed the typical vertical distribution characteristics, which exhibits the low concentrations of trace gases in clean area of the marine boundary layer far from coast while the high value was detected close to the ports or even large ships. This study provided further understanding of the main air pollutants in the marine boundary layer of the sea area between China and Korea and also benefited to quantify the pollutants transport between the China and Korea continental region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regolith-hosted rare earth element (REE) deposits in the Nanling Mountain Range, South China, are the most important source of heavy REE (HREE) in the world. A perplexing thing is that only a few of these deposits are relatively enriched in HREE and most of them are actually light REE (LREE)-enriched, although they are all originated from the granitic bedrocks with similar HREE concentrations. This is supposed to be related to the redistribution of REE in the weathered bedrocks due to groundwater-rock interaction, however, it remains enigmatic how REEs are mobilized and fractionated in the interaction. Titanite is an important REE contributor to the regolith-hosted REE deposit. Here, we investigate textural and compositional variations of the titanite from the granitic bedrocks to weathered profiles in the Zuokeng regolith-hosted REE deposit, the largest one that is newly discovered in this region. Together with thermodynamic modelling, we deduce the nature of the fluids, temperature range for titanite alteration, and the mechanism of REE fractionation. Primary titanite is of magmatic in origin and shows relatively high REE contents and negative Eu anomaly on the chondrite-normalized REE pattern. Secondary titanite is commonly associated with chloritized biotite and is characterized by extremely low REE, high Al2O3, F and significant positive Eu anomaly, typical of authigenic origin due to chloritization of biotite under oxidized conditions in supergene environment. From the bedrocks upward to the surface, primary titanite is gradually replaced by calcite, synchysite-(Ce) and TiO2 in the weathered bedrocks. This is interpreted as the result of infiltration of the F, carbonate-rich, alkaline fluids derived from local groundwater through the bedrocks. The irregular dark patches in primary titanite display typical alteration texture and may have formed through fluid leaching of primary titanite. The patches in primary titanite have lower REE concentrations and higher LREE/HREE ratios than magmatic domains, indicating that the groundwater preferentially scavenges HREE from primary titanite, leaving behind LREE in weatherable secondary minerals, such as synchysite-(Ce) and allanite. Mass balance calculation results also confirm that more HREE are lost from weathered bedrocks than LREE. Therefore, the interaction of groundwater and granitic bedrocks may be favorable to enrich LREE rather than HREE in the regolith. This may explain why most regolith-hosted REE deposits like Zuokeng in South China are of predominant in LREE. This study highlights the role of groundwater in mobilizing, fractionating and enriching REE from the granitic bedrocks to resultant regolith-hosted REE deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the features of paramyxovirus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection and determine the effect of meteorological conditions in Guangzhou, a subtropical region of southern China. We collected 11,398 respiratory samples from hospitalized pediatric patients with acute respiratory illness between July 2009 and June 2016 in Guangzhou. The samples were tested simultaneously for 18 respiratory pathogens using real-time PCR. Local meteorological data were also collected for correlation analysis. Of 11,398 patients tested, 5606 (49.2%) patients tested positive for one or more pathogens; RSV, PIV, and HMPV were the first, sixth, and ninth most frequently detected pathogens, in 1690 (14.8%), 502 (4.4%), and 321 (2.8%) patients, respectively. A total 17.9% (4605/5606) of patients with positive results had coinfection with other pathogens. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of RSV, PIV, and HMPV among all age groups (p < 0.001). RSV and HMPV had similar seasonal patterns, with two prevalence peaks every year. PIV appeared alternatively with RSV and HMPV. Multiple linear regression models were established for RSV, PIV, and HMPV prevalence and meteorological factors (p < 0.05). RSV and PIV incidence was negatively correlated with monthly mean relative humidity; RSV and HMPV incidence was negatively correlated with sunshine duration; PIV incidence was positively correlated with mean temperature. We described the features of paramyxovirus infection in a subtropical region of China and highlighted the correlation with meteorological factors. These findings will assist public health authorities and clinicians in improving strategies for controlling paramyxovirus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auricularia cornea is a widely prized basidiomycetous mushroom with culinary and medicine value, which is cultivated artificially on a large scale in China. However, little attention has been paid to the differences in metabolic profiles under different pH growth conditions. In the present study, weakly acidic and weakly alkaline artificial substrates were developed and used for the cultivation of A. cornea, and the metabolic profiles of its fruiting bodies were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results show that the weakly alkaline substrate environment promoted mycelial growth, increased body surface area, and improved yield and transformation efficiency, but attenuated metabolite accumulation by A. cornea. A total of 412 different metabolites were identified in negative and positive ion mode, of which 99 had significantly different amounts and covered 51 metabolic pathways. Principal component analysis and orthogonal patrial least squares discriminant analysis showed clear separation between two treatments, indicating different metabolic profiles. The different metabolites mainly included seven chemical categories, including amino acids and derivatives, nucleotides and derivatives, phenolic acids, organic acids, lipids, flavonoids and alkaloids. This study revealed the biological significance of these metabolites, which could be useful for further unexplored compounds and possible biological functions of A. cornea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first to propose the deployment of direct air capture (DAC) systems at large airports to provide solutions for achieving carbon neutrality in aviation transportation. Here, an estimating model for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the landing and take-off (LTO) phase of large airports was developed, and the suitability of deploying DAC systems at airports was evaluated by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). This study found that the annual CO2 emissions of 52 large airports in the LTO phase are about 23 Mt, accounting for about 23% of the total CO2 emissions of civil aviation in China. The four dimensions of airport transportation conditions, meteorological conditions, space resources, and security levels had a decreasing impact on the deployment of DAC systems in that order. The airports with suitable DAC systems are mainly located in the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and the Chengdu-Chongqing Airport Cluster. This study provides a theoretical basis for the deployment of DAC systems at airports, which provides new CO2 emission reduction solutions for the aviation transportation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human coronaviruses (HCoV) OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1 are common respiratory viruses which cause various respiratory diseases, including pneumonia. There is a paucity of evidence on the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of these four HCoV strains worldwide. We collected 11,399 throat swabs from hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection from July 2009 to June 2016 in Guangzhou, China. These were tested for four strains of HCoV infection using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HCoV-positive patients were then tested for 11 other respiratory pathogens. 4.3% (489/11399) of patients were positive for HCoV, of which 3.0% were positive for OC43 (346/11399), 0.6% for 229E (65/11399), 0.5% for NL63 (60/11399), and 0.3% for HKU1 (38/11399). Patients aged 7-12 months had the highest prevalence of HCoV and OC43 when compared with other age groups ( p < 0.001). The peak seasons of infection varied depending on the HCoV strain. Patients infected with a single strain of HCoV infection were less likely to present fever (≥ 38 °C) ( p = 0.014) and more likely to present pulmonary rales ( p = 0.043) than those co-infected with more than one HCoV strain or other respiratory pathogens. There were also significant differences in the prevalence of certain symptoms, including coughing ( p = 0.032), pneumonia ( p = 0.026), and abnormal pulmonary rales ( p = 0.002) according to the strain of HCoV detected. This retrospective study of the prevalence of four HCoV strains and clinical signs among a large population of pediatric patients in a subtropical region of China provides further insight into the epidemiology and clinical features of HCoV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of visual defects in children with special needs. However, routine ocular examinations for these children in rural areas of China are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the status of visual impairment (VI) in children at special education schools in rural China. Methods: A total of 316 students from two special schools in Zunyi city, Guizhou province, were enrolled. Full ophthalmic examinations were performed, and gene-sequencing services were offered to potential patients. Results: The mean age of the 316 participants was 12.27 ± 3.49 years and 75 showed abnormal ophthalmic manifestations on slit-lamp examination. Visual acuity (VA) was assessed in 232 eyes, and the mean VA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, logMAR) was 0.27 ± 0.34. Whole-exome sequencing identified 19 mutations in these children, which might explain their visual complaints. Children with Down syndrome had a significantly higher prevalence of ocular disorders than those without. Conclusion: VI is common among children at special education schools in rural areas; however, routine screening and effective interventions have not been consistently implemented. Efforts should be made to address this issue in these already disadvantaged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]