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The Yinggen‐Ejinaqi Basin (YEB) is located in the central‐southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Tectonically, the basin is situated at the intersection between the eastern and western CAOB, where Late Palaeozoic strata were well exposed. Hence, it offers a great opportunity to study the deep strata of the eastern CAOB. In this paper, based on extensive studies of Upper Palaeozoic field outcrops and reanalysis of associated geochemical and geochronological data in previous research, the local stratigraphic correlation is established, and the tectonic evolution, sedimentary filling, sedimentary characteristics, and petroleum system of the YEB are discussed. It is revealed that: (a) The filling characteristics of the Upper Palaeozoic strata in YEB are closely related to the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). YEB underwent subduction‐related compression during the initial extensional phase of the fore‐arc basin from the Viséan to the Serpukhovian (late Early Carboniferous). During the Bashkirian–Sakmarian interval (Late Carboniferous to Early Permian), it was in subduction‐related fore‐arc and postarc rifting phases. During the Artinskian–Capitanian (Early‐Middle Permian) times, it was in an intracontinental rifting‐depression phase. During the Wuchapingian (Late Permian), it was in an intracontinental compressional phase. Tectonostratigraphy, tectonic evolution, and hydrocarbon potential assessments of the study area show that the Zhusileng Hangwula‐Tost Ul tectonic zone (ZHTUTZ) and southwestern part of Querrshan‐Atasbogd tectonic zone (QATZ) are identified as the main prospective areas for the exploration in the YEB. (b) According to the tectonostratigraphic analysis, tectonic evolution and hydrocarbon system of Carboniferous–Permian in the YEB, the YEB has similar attributes to the basin province in western CAOB (e.g., Santanghu and Junggar basins) and eastern CAOB (Erlian, Songliao Basin). To explore commercial oil and gas in the deeper strata (Carboniferous–Permian) of the eastern CAOB basins, further tectonostratigraphic analyses and comprehensive assessment on hydrocarbon potentials are necessitated in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of grazing on the soil carbon of an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were studied. The aims were to estimate the effects of grazing on the spatial and vertical distribution of soil organic carbon, estimate the potential carbon sink and provide suggestions for sustainable grassland management. Biomass and soil characteristics of the topmost 1 m soil layer in plots under three different grazing intensities were investigated. Soil organic carbon density (SOCD) and stocks (SOCS) were calculated as weighted averages. Soil organic carbon content (SOCC) decreased with increasing grazing intensity and soil depth, with the highest values observed in the top 30 cm of the soil layer at light grazing (LG) sites. Soil water content, total carbon, and biomass had a positive relationship with SOCC. However, bulk density was negatively correlated with SOCC. The lowest SOCD and SOCS were in the 30–100 cm soil layer at heavy grazing (HG) sites, indicating that HG could have significant negative effects on SOC. It could take at least ∼60 years for C stocks at HG sites to reach a steady state. A regime of low grazing is recommended for combining C sequestration with sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate the quality of written instructions for dental prostheses in China, including metal-ceramic fixed restorations and removable partial dentures (RPDs). Materials and Methods A total of 1600 prepiloted questionnaires were distributed to five major commercial dental laboratories in different regions in China. The opinions of dental technicians on the written instructions provided by dentists were investigated. In addition, this study also revealed the technicians' responses to poorly written instructions. Results Seven percent of the written instructions clarified the disinfection status of the impressions or casts, while 32% of the instructions provided general patient information (e.g., gender and age). In cases of metal-ceramic fixed restorations, percentages of written instructions specifying shade, ceramic veneering area, and margin design were 72%, 20%, and 9%, respectively. In fixed partial denture cases, 60% of written instructions provided the number of pontics, while 22% specified the pontic design. In the case of RPDs, 90% of instructions showed the type and position of clasps, 88% provided connector design, while 68% mentioned information regarding the artificial teeth. Dental technicians claimed that 78% of the written instructions involved were inadequately prescribed to some extent, but only about one-third of them would contact dentists for clarification. Conclusions Written instructions are not well prescribed in many cases. This situation may jeopardize the quality of prosthodontic treatment. It is necessary to shape responsible policy and mandatory professional guidelines for prosthodontic treatment procedures including dental laboratory services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) populations and their habitat decreased significantly over the past decades due to unsustainable, long-term hunting and deforestation. To support the species' conservation, we assessed its potential distribution, conservation priority areas, core patch fragmentation, and potential connectivity corridors in Northeast China. We concluded that large areas of a high-quality M. moschiferus habitat with low fragmentation and low human influence remain in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains. In contrast, a habitat in the Lesser Khingan Mountains and the Changbai Mountains was highly fragmented and highly influenced by human activity. The Greater Khingan Mountains offer a suitable habitat for the recovery of M. moschiferus populations in Northeast China. These findings offer recommendations to support the Chinese government's goal of establishing protected area systems with national parks in Northeast China. Species conservation actions are guided by available information on the biogeography of the protected species. In this study, we integrated the occurrence data of Siberian musk deer (Moschusmoschiferus L.) collected from 2019 to 2021 with species distribution models to estimate the species' potential distribution in Northeast China. We then identified conservation priority areas using a core-area zonation algorithm. In addition, we analyzed core patch fragmentation using FRAGSTATS. Lastly, we identified potential connectivity corridors and constructed a potential protection network based on the least-cost path and the circuit theory. The results showed concentrations of M. moschiferus in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains, the southeastern Lesser Khingan Mountains, and the eastern Changbai Mountains, with a potential distribution area of 127,442.14 km2. Conservation priority areas included 41 core patches with an area of 106,306.43 km2. Patch fragmentation mainly occurred in the Changbai Mountains and the Lesser Khingan Mountains. We constructed an ecological network composed of 41 core patches and 69 linkages for M. moschiferus in Northeast China. The results suggest that the Greater Khingan Mountains represent the most suitable area to maintain the stability of M. moschiferus populations in Northeast China. Considering the high habitat quality requirements of M. moschiferus and its endangered status, we propose that the Chinese government accelerates the construction of the Greater Khingan Mountains National Park and the Lesser Khingan Mountains National Park and enlarges the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park to address the fragmentation of protected areas and the habitat of M. moschiferus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the surface 2 m monthly minimum temperature from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis dataset, the spatial and temporal characteristics of winter minimum temperature during 1961-2010 have been analyzed in China. Results showed that the minimum temperature in China has a significant increasing rate of 0.25° per decade calculated by the Mann-Kendall statistical test, which is consistent with the global warming trend. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis reveals that there are three main patterns that can explain more than 57.6% of the total variance of the winter minimum temperature. The EOF1, EOF2, and EOF3 account for 34.8%, 13.5%, and 13.5% of the total inter-annual variance, respectively. The EOF1, EOF2, and EOF3 patterns are synchronous in northern China, central China, and on the Tibetan Plateau. There exist a decrease trend in the corresponding time coefficients of EOF1 and EOF2 and an increase trend in that of EOF3 since the 1960s. Both the corresponding time coefficients of EOF1 and EOF2 have significant positive correlations with the 500 hPa geopotential heights of the Arctic region and negative correlations in the regions lower than 40°N, while a significant positive correlation is found between the corresponding time coefficients of EOF3 and 500 hPa geopotential heights in the low latitudes. This suggests that rapid warming occurs in northern China and on the Tibetan Plateau, while the weakest trend locates in southeast China. Thus, warming in winter is more pronounced at higher altitudes and latitudes. These patterns are tightly connected with the atmospheric circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sinks are key strategies to effectively remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Assessing the current carbon emission status and predicting future carbon emission scenarios could help formulate effective regional carbon emission reduction targets. However, it is necessary to enhance the carbon sink capacity of terrestrial ecosystems and improve forest management methods to promote greenhouse gas absorption. In this study, the spatiotemporal characteristics and dynamic evolution of fossil fuel CO 2 (FFCO 2) emissions in China from 2000 to 2019 were analyzed using the standard deviation ellipse, kernel density of emissions, and Theil index. A backpropagation (BP) neural network optimized with a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to predict FFCO 2 emission during 2020–2030. The biomass increment methodology was used to predict the potential carbon sinks generated by Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) carbon-sink forestry projects during 2020–2030. The results showed that China's FFCO 2 emissions exhibited a gradual increasing trend during 2000–2019, with an average annual growth rate of 6.29%. China's FFCO 2 emissions show a greater distribution on the southeastern coast than in the northwestern interior. The GA-BP prediction shows that China's FFCO 2 emissions will continue to fluctuate and increase between 2020 and 2030. The potential of carbon sinks will be 0.69 × 108 Mg C generated by the CCER carbon-sink forestry projects during 2020–2030, which could offset 0.56% of FFCO 2 emissions. In the future, imbalances in regional development should be considered when formulating carbon-reduction strategies. Moreover, using carbon-sink of forestry projects of CCER to balance economic development including poverty eradication and environmental conservation should be considered. Specifically, establishing a methodology of projects for the management of natural forests' carbon-sink will be an important future strategy. • China's FFCO 2 emissions rose in volatility with an average growth rate of 6.29%. • The spatial differences of FFCO 2 emissions are gradually narrowing. • FFCO 2 emissions will continue to rise in the future. • Carbon-sink forestry project is ideal approach to offset carbon emission. • The Methodology of Forests Management for natural forest should be focused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inappropriate grazing management is one of the most common causes of grassland degradation, and thus, an assessment of soil properties under different grazing intensities is critical for understanding its effects on ecosystem nutrient cycling and for formulating appropriate management strategies. However, the responses of certain main elements, including soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, to grazing in alpine meadow ecosystems remain insufficiently clarified. Here, we measured carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents in the topmost 30 cm of soil in an alpine meadow under three grazing intensities (light, moderate, and heavy) and found clear differences in soil physical and chemical properties among different grazing intensities and soil layers. As grazing intensity increased, soil water content, carbon and nitrogen contents and stocks, and carbon to phosphorus and nitrogen to phosphorus ratios decreased, whereas soil bulk density increased. However, soil phosphorus and carbon to nitrogen ratio remained stable. Our findings highlight the negative impacts of heavy grazing intensity, in terms of soil carbon and nitrogen loss and phosphorus mineralization. Moreover, we emphasize that further related studies are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of grazing on grassland ecosystems, and thereby provide information for sustainable management practices and eco-compensation policies.