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The annual frequency of ground surface freeze–thaw (AFGSFT) is a crucial indicator of hydrological processes, climate change, and energy balance, as it directly measures the number of times the ground surface freezes and thaws within a year. Unlike other indicators, such as freezing depth and duration, AFGSFT is more closely related to ground surface water heat exchange. However, the mechanism behind the variability of the long-term AFGSFT time series in China remains largely unknown. Based on the observation data from 707 meteorological stations, the AFGSFT in China from 1960 to 2020 was analyzed. The analysis revealed a decreasing trend in AFGSFT from 1960 to 2020, with the highest value observed in the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the rate of change in AFGSFT increasing with elevation. Despite these changes, the spatial distribution of AFGSFT closely aligns with the two regions divided by the Hu Huanyong Line (Hu Line). Elevation was found to be the primary geographic factor explaining the spatial variation of AFGSFT, while the ground surface temperature was the main environmental factor. Using the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA), the study projected that the downward trend of AFGSFT will slow down in the next decade. The widespread climate warming was identified as the primary cause of AFGSFT changes, and this effect is expected to contribute significantly to the climate warming process in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mio‐Pliocene sedimentary archives of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) in NE Tibet record a monotonic response to orbital forcing, dominated by eccentricity. By contrast, Pleistocene archives display a more stochastic response that varies regionally and temporally. When and why this response changed is poorly understood. Here, we present a new high‐resolution Rb/Sr ratio data set of EASM intensity from the Sanmenxia Basin, North China, that spans the Plio‐Pleistocene transition. Our results indicate decreased monsoonal rainfall in the late Pliocene, dated at 2.75–2.6 Ma, associated with an intensified response to obliquity and enhanced climate stochasticity. This transition is attributed to the increase of Northern Hemisphere ice volume. Quaternary monsoons display a sensitivity unique to the modern icehouse with large bipolar ice sheets, while pre‐Quaternary monsoons were solely impacted by Antarctic ice sheet dynamics on orbital time‐scales. Plain Language Summary: The late Pliocene‐early Pleistocene transition (LP/EP) is a period of global cooling and the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation. Yet, the evolution of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) during this time remains a topic of ongoing discussion and debate. Here we present high‐resolution paleoclimate data from a record of lake sediments across the Pliocene‐Pleistocene transition period. We show that there was a reorganization of the East Asian monsoon system 2.75–2.6 million years ago, associated with an increase in climate forcing caused by cyclic changes in Earth's tilt and in climate stochasticity. This transition is attributed to the appearance of new high‐latitude forcing mechanisms on monsoon intensity caused by the growth of ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. Key Points: Cyclic patterns in East Asian summer monsoonal intensity during the Pliocene were mainly driven by Antarctic ice sheet variationsA major reorganization of the East Asian climate system occurred at 2.75–2.6 Ma in response to Northern Hemisphere glaciationQuaternary East Asian summer monsoon on orbital scales displays a sensitivity that is unique to the modern icehouse with bipolar ice sheets [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the factors that regulate the functioning of our ecosystems in response to environmental changes can help to maintain the stable provisioning of ecosystem services to mankind. This is especially relevant given the increased variability of environmental conditions due to human activities. In particular, maintaining a stable production and plant biomass during the growing season (intra‐annual stability) despite pervasive and directional changes in temperature and precipitation through time can help to secure food supply to wild animals, livestock, and humans. Here, we conducted a 29‐year field observational study in a temperate grassland to explore how the intra‐annual stability of primary productivity is influenced by biotic and abiotic variables through time. We found that intra‐annual precipitation variability in the growing season indirectly influenced the community intra‐annual biomass stability by its negative effect on intra‐annual species asynchrony. While the intra‐annual temperature variability in the growing season indirectly altered community intra‐annual biomass stability through affecting the intra‐annual species richness. At the same time, although the intra‐annual biomass stability of the dominant species and the dominant functional group were insensitive to climate variability, they also promoted the stable community biomass to a certain extent. Our results indicate that ongoing intra‐annual climate variability affects community intra‐annual biomass stability in the temperate grassland, which has important theoretical significance for us to take active measures to deal with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although breastfeeding is one of the top priorities for public health in China, the rate of breastfeeding is still low and a large number of women do not initiate breastfeeding due to various reasons. Hence, this study aimed to understand the decision-making of non-initiation and reveal the underlying reasons in order to protect, support, and promote breastfeeding.Methods: In-depth, exploratory interviews were carried out with 13 new mothers who did not initiate breastfeeding. The collected data were analyzed by inductive content analysis.Results: Although mothers generally understood the protective effects of breastfeeding, they believed that formula milk is a good alternative to human milk and even better in some aspects. Five core themes related to non-initiation decision-making emerged: (1) expected breastfeeding stress; (2) maladjustment to the maternal role; (3) concerns about physiological issues; (4) the lack of knowledge about the risks of artificial feeding; (5) belief that it is better not to initiate than to interrupt.Conclusions: The environment for mothers to breastfeed in China is not supportive enough, and the medical staff and families should be held responsible for the non-initiation of breastfeeding. More professionals are needed to support mothers to solve their problems and breastfeeding education should be further expanded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a matter of expediency, most existing corporate-based urban networks can only be quantitatively measured by either counting the number of linkages or calculating the product of estimated service values. However, the impreciseness arising due to the limits of quantitative analysis may prove fatal to studies about non-market economies like China. Employing the capital investment dataset as an example, we build a capital-weighted intervention network as well as an unweighted control network to carry out an examination of the quantitative validity in China's corporate-based urban network analysis. Both the overall spatial pattern and top city-dyads within the capital-weighted network witness Beijing, as the most dominant city, overshadow the performance of the others, and the unweighted network shows multilateral interactions between China's top cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. To further interpret the noticeable differences, we divide the overall network into two subnetworks, inferred by focusing on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private enterprises. The results show that the public and private sectors have separately created vastly different sub-networks in China and that SOEs play a much more significant role in terms of capital. Besides fresh insights into China's urban network, this study provides a cautionary tale reminding researchers of the essentiality and complexity when making a quantitative distinction between different linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bicycle-metro integration is theoretically considered to be an effective solution for improving public transportation efficiency of "last mile" between home and metro station in cities. However, this proposition has not been fully proved in practice. In recent years, the emerging dockless bike-sharing system makes it possible to examine the spatial integration between flexible bicycle traffic and rail transit. This study mapped the bicycle traffic on an equal population cartogram of Shanghai to distinguish overall patterns within the center of Shanghai. The research result indicates the sharing bike usage frequency from metro station to outlying area is gradual declining, which demonstrates that bicycle-metro integration has already become the basic model for daily transport in Shanghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lhasa terrane of the southern Tibetan Plateau participated in a Mesozoic Andean-type orogeny caused by the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. However, metamorphic rocks, which can unravel details of the geodynamic evolution, are rare and only exposed in the south-eastern part of the Lhasa terrane. Therefore, we conducted a detailed petrological, geochemical and U–Pb zircon geochronological study of the late Cretaceous metamorphic rocks and associated gabbros from the Nyemo inlier of the southern Lhasa terrane. The Nyemo metamorphic rocks including gneisses, schists, marbles and calc-silicate rocks, experienced peak amphibolite-facies contact metamorphism under P–T conditions of 3.5–4.0 kbar and 642–657 °C with a very high geothermal gradient of 45–50 °C/km, revealing a distinct deflection from the steady-state geotherm during low-pressure metamorphism. Inherited magmatic zircon cores from the metamorphic rocks yielded protolith ages of 197–194 Ma, while overgrowth zircon rims yielded metamorphic ages of ca. 86 Ma. Whole-rock chemistry and zircon Hf isotopes suggest that the protoliths of the gneisses and schists are andesites and tuffs of the early Jurassic Sangri Group, which were derived from a depleted mantle source of a continental arc affinity. The coeval intimately-associated gabbro (ca. 86 Ma) crystallized under P–T conditions of 3.5–5.3 kbar and 914–970 °C, supplying the heat flux high enough to cause the contact metamorphism of the Sangri Group rock types. We propose that the intrusion of the gabbro and a simultaneous pressure increase of up to 4.0 kbar, which is related to crustal thickening due to crustal overthrusting and the intrusion of mafic material, resulted in the late Cretaceous metamorphism of the early Jurassic Sangri Group during an Andean-type orogeny. Furthermore the Nyemo metamorphic rocks, which have previously been considered to represent slivers of the Precambrian metamorphic basement of the Lhasa terrane, are late Cretaceous metamorphic supracrustal rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most investigations on organophosphate esters (OPEs) are conducted predominantly in a separate biological or abiotic medium, and few joint analyses have been performed in the mariculture ecosystem based on yearly sampling. Herein, we investigated the occurrence, load estimation, phase distribution, source diagnostics, and risks of 20 OPEs in seawater, sediment, and aquaculture organisms from a typical mariculture area in China. The total of these OPEs (∑ OPEs) ranged within 3.97–1068 ng/L, 0.39–65.5 ng/g (dw), and 4.09–16.3 ng/g (ww) in seawater, sediment and organisms, respectively. Chlorinated OPEs were the predominant congeners detected in seawater, whereas alkyl-OPEs were the leading contributors in sediment and biological samples. Seasonal variations of ∑ OPEs in seawater were more distinct than those in sedimentary environments. Load estimation indicated that approximately 70% of the OPEs in the study area existed in the water bodies. Source identification performed using the U.S. EPA positive matrix factorization indicated that polyurethane foam/plastics and hydraulic oil made the greatest contributions in seawater, whereas chemical production was the predominant source in sediment. Indices of ecological and health risks of OPEs were lower than their risk threshold, indicating that the OPEs detected in this study posed a low risk to the aquatic environment and human health. [Display omitted] • Cl-OPEs dominate in seawater, while alkyl-OPEs contribute most in sediment and biota. • Approximately 70% of the OPEs existed in the water bodies in Xiangshan Bay. • Plastics, hydraulic oil and chemical production were the primary OPEs sources in XSB. • OPEs detected in XSB posed low risks to the aquatic environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A three-dimensional balance model of resource and environment bearing capacity was established. • The key technical breakthrough of resource and environment carrying capacity from classification to synthesis was realized. • Integrated resource and environment carrying capacity based on the perspective of SDGs. Resources and environment carrying capacity is the key to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study takes SDGs as the research perspective, taking the Southwest Guangxi Karst-Beibu Gulf as a typical research area, takes counties as the research unit, creates a three-dimensional balance model of resource and environmental carrying capacity, and carried out a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of resource and environmental carrying capacity in this area. It reveals the warning grade of different regions in the transitional space of mountains, rivers and seas, and provides a scientific basis for the construction of ecological civilization and implementation of sustainable development goals in China. Results showed that the natural factors of the human settlement environment will greatly affect the resources and the environment carrying capacity. Water and soil resources and the risk of natural disasters have already restricted resources and the environment. A low level of social and economic development will also reduce the improvement of resources and environmental carrying capacity. More than half of the warning levels of resource and environmental carrying capacity in the study area are in a balanced state. Although the comprehensive carrying capacity of resources and environment has declined, it is in good condition. The focus areas are still the karst mountains in Baise and Chongzuo. Coastal areas of the Beibu Gulf should continue to pay attention to the rational use of land resources and the prevention of natural disasters. Human beings can adjust factors such as water and soil resources, ecological environment, economic framework and social foundation to achieve continuous utilization of regional resources and environment and continuous progress of composite systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Chinese Tianshan occupies the southernmost part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). High-grade metamorphic rocks are widely distributed in its central uplift zones, composing the crustal basement of the Central Tianshan Block of the Chinese Tianshan. However, the origin of the crustal basement and whether the high-grade metamorphism was associated with the Paleozoic orogeny are still unresolved. Here, we present precise LA-ICP-(MC)-MS zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic data for three meta-sedimentary rocks and one orthogneiss from the Xingxingxia Complex, which represents the Precambrian basement of the Central Tianshan Block. Zircon U–Pb dating results show that the protolith age of the orthogneiss is ca. 880Ma and that the meta-sedimentary rocks consist dominantly of 0.8–1.0Ga and 1.3–2.0Ga materials with minor early Paleoproterozoic components. In combination with the zircon Hf isotopic data, it is suggested that the crustal basement of the Central Tianshan Block was formed in the early Mesoproterozoic, which is evidently different from the Archean basement formation of the Tarim Craton. We suggest that the Central Tianshan Block may have formed through a magmatic arc accretionary orogen along the continental margin of Baltica during the Mesoproterozoic. Moreover, both the meta-sedimentary rocks and the orthogneiss of the Xingxingxia Complex simultaneously suffered a metamorphic overprint at ca. 380Ma. Zircon REE and Hf isotopic data indicate that the metamorphic zircon rims were formed by new zircon overgrowths in partial melts. Geothermobarometry and average P–T calculations using THERMOCALC on the Grt–Bt gneiss yielded ca. 720–730°C and 4–6kbar, suggesting amphibolite- to granulite-facies conditions. The Late Devonian metamorphism of the Xingxingxia Complex is possibly related to orogenic low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism in the middle or upper crust during the closure of the eastern segment of South Tianshan Ocean. Our new data, together with the occurrences of Ordovician–Silurian eclogites and HP mafic granulites along the northeastern margin of the Tarim Craton, indicate that progressive continental collisions occurred in the southern CAOB during the Paleozoic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the discovery of a suite of Neoproterozoic granulite facies rocks from the vicinity of the Boston Lake area at the northeastern margin of the Tarim Craton. Mineral parageneses show that these rocks witnessed peak granulite facies metamorphism followed by retrograde amphibolite facies overprinting. Pressure–temperature computations of the Grt–Opx granulites yield ca. 810°C and 1.0GPa, falling in the lower domain of high-pressure granulite-facies P–T field. Most of the zircons in our samples display core–rim textures with metamorphic overgrowths on detrital cores. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating on the zircon cores yields three major age populations at ca. 0.9–1.0Ga, 1.8–2.0Ga and 2.4–2.6Ga, suggesting the composite sources for the protolith sedimentary rocks. The metamorphic zircons from different samples record a narrow age range between 790 and 820Ma, marking the timing of high grade metamorphism. This is the first report of Neoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic event from the northeastern margin of the Tarim Craton. Our results could suggest either a major collisional event associated with the assembly of the Tarim Craton within the supercontinent Rodinia, or an Andean-type orogeny at the periphery of the Rodinia supercontinent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Detailed petrological, geochemical and geochronological studies were carried out for the core samples from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Main Hole (CCSD-MH) with a final depth of 5158 m. This borehole has penetrated into an ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic slice consisting mainly of eclogites, gneisses, garnet–pyroxenites and garnet–peridotites. Geochemical characteristics indicate that their protoliths are igneous rocks, and occur in a continental rifting tectonic setting. Quartz-, rutile- and ilmenite-rich eclogites from 0 to 710 m occur as alternating layers; the eclogites, together with interlayers of peridotites and gneisses form a layered ultramafic–mafic–acidic intrusion, which was formed by extensive fractional crystallization of basaltic magma in continental environments. The granitic gneisses from 1190 to 1505 m and 3460 to 5118 m show affinity to within-plate granite, whereas the granitic gneisses from 710 to 1190 m and 1505 to 3460 m exhibit characteristics of volcanic-arc granite. Zircon U–Pb dating demonstrates that the magmatic zircon cores, which have relatively high Th/U ratios (mostly >0.4), from both eclogites and gneisses, yield the same age at c. 788.8 Ma, suggesting that the protoliths of UHP rocks were formed by bimodal magmatism in Neoproterozoic rifting tectonic zones along the northern margin of the Yangtze Plate, in response to the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia. U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons with coesite and other eclogite-facies mineral inclusions and with relatively low Th/U ratios (mostly <0.14) gives similar Triassic ages, which define two main zircon-forming events at 221.1 Ma and 216.7 Ma. We suggest that the older weighted mean age represents the peak-UHP metamorphic event at a pressure of 5.0 GPa (corresponds to ∼165 km depth), whereas the younger mean age reflects the UHP/HP retrograde event at a pressure 2.8 GPa (∼92 km depth). Therefore, a maximum rate of vertical movement during early exhumation of the UHP rocks from the Sulu orogen would be 17 mm/year, which is quite similar to initial exhumation rates (16 to 35 mm/year) of many UHP terranes in the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Contamination characteristics, equilibrium partitioning and risk assessment of phthalate esters (PAEs) were investigated in seawater, sediment and biological samples collected from the Xiangshan Bay area during an annual investigation between January and November 2019. PAE concentrations detected in the mariculture environment in surface seawater, sediment, and biological samples were 172–3365 ng/L, 190–2430 μg/kg (dry weight [dw]), and 820–4926 μg/kg (dw), respectively. The dominant congeners in different media included di- n -butyl phthalate (DnBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The inner bay and the bay mouth were the gathering area of PAEs and heavily influenced by the mariculture activities, river inputs, and anthropogenic activities. The bioaccumulation of PAEs demonstrated benthic feeding fishes with relatively high trophic levels concentrated high levels of phthalates. The mobility of PAEs in sediment–seawater showed that the transfer tendency of low-molecular weight species was from the sediment to the water, which was in contrast with those of high-molecular weight PAEs. DEHP, DiBP and DnBP had various degrees of ecological risks in the aquatic environment, whereas only the DiBP posed potential risks in sediments. The current assessment of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks posed by fish consumption were within acceptable limits for humans. [Display omitted] • DEHP, DnBP and DiBP were most abundant PAEs in all media. • The inner bay and the bay mouth were the gathering area of PAEs. • The transfer tendency of PAEs in sediment-water is concerned with their K OW. • HR and CR posed by the consumption of fish were within acceptable limits for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinglongshan O- and H-isotope anomaly occurs within a coesite-bearing, eclogite-facies regional metamorphic belt in Eastern China near Donghai in Jiangsu province. The anomaly is defined by low values of δ18O and δD. Garnets from eclogite have δ18O as low as -- 11‰ and rutiles are -15‰ (VSMOW). Phengites have δD of-120‰ (VSMOW). The anomaly is Neoproterozoic in age. Surface outcrops of coesite-eclogite-facies rocks with unusually low δ18O and δ D values extend over an area of at least 1600 km². The Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling project has made it possible to investigate the depth of the Qinglongshan anomaly and to measure an O-isotope profile across a garnet peridotite body sandwiched between crustal rocks. New O-isotope analyses of minerals separated from drill core gneisses, eclogites, amphibolite, and quartzite verify that the Qinglongshan O-isotope anomaly extends to a depth of at least 432 m. Crustal rocks with unusually low δ18O form both the hanging- and foot-walls of a 100 m thick, fault-bounded, garnet peridotite body intersected by the drill. Minerals of the garnet peridotite body have δ18O values indistinguishable from mantle nodules and megacrysts. The garnet peridotites may have originated from enriched mantle sources in sub-cratonic lithosphere, isolated from mantle convection. This origin is consistent with the collision of the Archean Sino-Korean craton with the Yangtze plate, consequent subduction, and UHP metamorphism. The garnet peridotite was transported from the mantle and emplaced into UHP crustal rocks during Triassic subduction and cratonic collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus agalactiae is a serious pathogen causing severe anthropozoonosis in a broad range of hosts, from aquatic animals to mammals, including humans. S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 was isolated from a moribund tilapia fish exhibiting classic clinical symptoms of streptococcosis in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. And it was identified as the etiological factor resulting in fish disease, but was notable because it exhibited attenuated virulence. Here, the genome of S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 was re-analyzed; we assessed the resistome and virulome and deciphered the attenuated characters of HZAUSC001. The S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 genome was assembled into one chromosome with a GC-content of 35.37% and 1972 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that it is evolutionarily similar to piscine GBS strains GD201008-001 and ZQ0910. After re-analyzing the published genomic sequence of HZAUSC001, we identified 38 virulence factor genes and one antibiotic-resistance gene. Note that three previously noted virulence genes, bca (C protein alpha-antigen), cpbA (choline-binding protein A) and esp (enterococcal surface protein), were absent in the virulence-attenuated strain S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 but present in the highly virulent strain S. agalactiae GD201008-001. We speculate that the absence of these three virulence genes may be associated with the attenuated traits of the HZAUSC001 strain. Collectively, our study supports that HZAUSC001 may be an excellent candidate for development of an attenuated vaccine, and our results contribute to further understanding of GBS epidemiology and surveillance targets. • The whole genome of S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 has one chromosome, with a length of 2024692 bp with a G + C-content of 35.37%. • The S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 genome contains 1972 ORFs and one prophage. • S. agalactiae HZAUSC001 shows high evolutionarily similarity with two piscine GBS strains. • 20 virulence factor genes and 1 antibiotic-associated gene was identified. • The attenuated nature may result from the absence of bca, cpbA and esp virulence genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleoclimate reconstruction and aeolian deposits in China indicate a major environmental reorganization – the formation of a nonzonal monsoon-dominated climate pattern – in East Asia in the late Oligocene and the early Miocene. In contrast, a zonal planetary-wind-dominated climate pattern has prevailed during the Paleocene and Eocene. However, this classical paradigm describing the climate transition has been questioned by recent studies. Here, our study emphasizes the importance of considering orbital-scale climate oscillations to better understand and reassess the paradigm. By examining the halite and mudstone sequence in the Jianghan Basin and conducting numerical experiments using the Norwegian Earth System model, we propose the concept of a "green Yangtze" phenomenon, which utilizes orbital-scale climate oscillations to reconcile the wet and dry environmental indicators in Eastern China during the Paleogene. It is essential to differentiate the Paleogene climate, characterized by intense orbital-scale wet and arid oscillations, from the Neogene monsoon-dominated climate. The classic paradigm remains valuable in understanding the long-term mean environment, albeit without capturing the orbital-scale details. Future research should focus on uncovering orbital-scale variations to enhance our understanding of climate evolution and dynamics in East Asia during the Cenozoic. • The paradigm of Paleogene zonal and Neogene nonzonal climate patterns captures Cenozoic East Asian climate evolution. • Orbital-scale oscillations are crucial in differentiating the climate during the Paleogene and Neogene. • A green Yangtze phenomenon reconciles Paleogene wet and dry environmental indicators in Eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Giardia duodenalis is a common zoonotic intestinal protozoan and causes significant economic losses and potential risks to public health. China is among the several major producers of donkeys worldwide, with approximately 2.6 million donkeys being reared in 2019, but studies on G. duodenalis infection in donkeys were limited. Thus, in order to better understand the molecular epidemiology of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province, North China, to determine the presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis based on three established loci (tpi, bg, and gdh). A total of 137 out of 815 fecal samples were detected as G. duodenalis-positive with an overall prevalence of 16.81%. Among the detected assemblages A, B, and E, the most predominant assemblage was B in the three study areas. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were identified with multilocus genotypes (MLGs) analysis and validated by a phylogenetic tree. This is the first report of G. duodenalis infection in donkeys in Shanxi Province, which not only enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides essential baseline data for the prevention and control of G. duodenalis infection donkeys in the study areas. Giardia duodenalis is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan, causing significant economic losses to animal husbandry and posing threats to public health. China ranks the world's sixth largest major producer of donkeys, rearing approximately 2.6 million donkeys in 2019, but limited investigation of G. duodenalis prevalence has been conducted in the past, and it is yet to be known whether donkeys in Shanxi Province are infected with G. duodenalis. In the present study, a total of 815 fecal samples collected from donkeys in representative regions of Shanxi Province, North China, were examined for G. duodenalis using nested PCR. Then, the assemblages and multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were examined based on three established loci: namely, β-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh). The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province was 16.81% (137/815). The region was identified as the main risk factor for the observed difference in G. duodenalis prevalence in donkeys among the three study areas (χ2 = 21.611, p < 0.001). Assemblages A, E, and B were identified, with the latter as the predominant assemblage. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were formed based on sequence variation among the three loci. The present study reveals the presence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province, North China, for the first time, which not only enriches the data on the distribution of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides useful baseline data for planning control strategies against G. duodenalis infection in the sampled areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Six typical indexes are taken as the basis for grouping rock mass discontinuities; • The combined weighting method ensures a reasonable distribution of the weights of various indexes; • Noise data is eliminated based on the possibility clustering principle to ensure grouping accuracy; • The performance of the algorithm is enhanced by adopting adaptive chaotic annealing particle swarm optimization strategies. The properties of discontinuities are determined by their occurrence, trace length, aperture, roughness, and the degree of particle fill; therefore, a multi-index dominant grouping method for rock mass discontinuities based on the combined weighting method was proposed. Firstly, the combined weighting method was used to calculate the weighted value of each index participating in the similarity measurement, and a reasonable elimination of outlier discontinuities is achieved based on the principle of possibility clustering. The adaptive chaotic annealing particle swarm optimization algorithm was then used to search the global optimal initial clustering centers of the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm. The objective function was established by minimizing the weighted sum of the distance between the discontinuities to be grouped, and the clustering centers to complete the multi-index dominant grouping of rock mass discontinuities. 230 artificial discontinuities with outliers were grouped and compared with other methods, which indicated that this method has higher grouping accuracy. The proposed method was applied to group the measured discontinuities of the Huayang tunnel in Chongqing City, China. Based on the grouping results, a discrete element model for tunnel excavation was established, and the construction was guided according to the calculated results from the model. The engineering applicability of the method was further verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metamorphic belt in the Dongjiu area is located in the eastern segment of the Lhasa terrane in South Tibet. The Dongjiu metamorphic rocks are primarily composed of schist and gneiss, with minor amounts of marble, and the protoliths are sedimentary rocks with Precambrian and early Palaeozoic zircons probably deposited during the Palaeozoic or late Neoproterozoic. On the basis of petrology and phase equilibria modelling, this study shows that the Dongjiu metamorphic belt has experienced a kyanite-grade metamorphism, which is characterized by a decompressional vector with slight cooling from a peak of 9.6 kbar and 745°C to medium-pressure amphibolite-facies metamorphic overprinting at 5–6 kbar and 600–630°C. This P–T path was well recorded and recovered by garnet zoning profiles. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in situ U–Pb analyses on metamorphic zircons and zircon rims yielded concordant 206Pb/238U ages of c. 194–192 Ma, suggesting that the Dongjiu metamorphic rocks were formed during the Early Jurassic. Therefore, the Dongjiu metamorphic belt, together with the western Nyainqentanglha, Basongco, and Zhala metamorphic belts, constitutes a nearly continuous tectonic unit with an E–W extension of at least 500 km between the northern and southern Lhasa terranes. The metamorphic ages of these belts, ranging from 230 to 192 Ma, show a younger trend from west to east, indicating that the central segment of the Lhasa terrane experienced an eastward asynchronous collisional orogeny during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been many population-based genomic studies on human-managed honeybees (Apis mellifera and Apis cerana), but there has been a notable lack of analysis with regard to wild honeybees, particularly in relation to their evolutionary history. Nevertheless, giant honeybees have been found to occupy distinct habitats and display remarkable characteristics, which are attracting an increased amount of attention. In this study, we de novo sequenced and then assembled the draft genome sequence of the Himalayan giant honeybee, Apis laboriosa. Phylogenetic analysis based on genomic information indicated that A. laboriosa and its tropical sister species Apis dorsata diverged ∼2.61 Ma, which supports the speciation hypothesis that links A. laboriosa to geological changes throughout history. Furthermore, we re-sequenced A. laboriosa and A. dorsata samples from five and six regions, respectively, across their population ranges in China. These analyses highlighted major genetic differences for Tibetan A. laboriosa as well as the Hainan Island A. dorsata. The demographic history of most giant honeybee populations has mirrored glacial cycles. More importantly, contrary to what has occurred among human-managed honeybees, the demographic history of these two wild honeybee species indicates a rapid decline in effective population size in the recent past, reflecting their differences in evolutionary histories. Several genes were found to be subject to selection, which may help giant honeybees to adapt to specific local conditions. In summary, our study sheds light on the evolutionary and adaptational characteristics of two wild giant honeybee species, which was useful for giant honeybee conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of powerful tornadoes tore through multiple states in the central and southern United States from 10 to 11 December 2021. It is claimed the deadliest tornado outbreak that has taken place on December days. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had confirmed 66 tornadoes as of 21 December, producing at least 90 fatalities. Most tornadoes occurred at night and thus they were difficult to be visually located, which directly increases the risk for local residents. Two violent nighttime tornadoes were rated category 4 on the enhanced Fujita scale (EF4). Although a high death toll was caused during this event, the operational service actually presented an excellent performance. This tornado outbreak has aroused extensive discussion from both the public and the research community in China. This paper presents a brief discussion on the formation environment and warning services of the tornado outbreak. Recall the deadliest violent tornado in the past 45 years in China, the radar-based tornadic vortex signatures at the locations with EF4 damages show a comparable strength with those in the current cases. Some views on the tornado warning issuance and receiving and damage surveys in China are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is the most staple food consuming in China. During the past six decades, a large number of indica inbred rice cultivars have been developed. However, seldom studies have focused on evaluating the dynamic changes of grain quality improvement among the major cultivars. Our study evaluated the genetic improvement of 12 quality traits in indica inbred rice cultivars developed in rice breeding programs in South China during 1956–2020. The results indicated that significant improvement had been gained for the appearance quality, cooking and eating quality in the breeding program since the 1990s, while slight genetic improvement was attained before 1990. Among all the 12 traits, MGL (Milled Grain Length), LWR (Length Rate Ratio), GC (Gel Consistency), and ASV (Alkali Spreading Value) were significantly increased among these different cultivars; MGW (Milled Grain Width), CGR (Chalky Grain Rate), CA (Chalkiness Area), and AC (Amylase Content) showed a tremendously decreased trend from last thirty years. However, the other four traits, such as BRR (Brown Rice Rate), MRR (Milled Rice Rate), HMRR (Head Milled Rice Rate), and PC (Protein Content) showed little improvement during the breeding processes in these cultivars. The results also suggested that selecting a slender grain shape would be beneficial for breeding high quality indica rice. We also discussed that improving milling quality, especially HMRR of the high-quality cultivars and nutrition quality for special consumer groups as an meaningful direction for rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real‐life data on guselkumab in psoriasis are limited and not available in China hitherto. This study aimed to evaluate the short‐term effectiveness and safety of guselkumab in patients with psoriasis under Chinese real‐life conditions and to explore the effect of guselkumab on CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). A Chinese prospective and real‐life study involving patients with psoriasis in Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China from April to September 2020 was conducted. A total of 45 patients with psoriasis were finally enrolled in the study. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 90 and 100 responses at week 16 were achieved by 88.6% and 45.5% of patients, respectively. The analysis of PASI response in different subgroups showed no statistically significant difference. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that at week 16, none of the variables were associated with decreasing PASI 90 response, whereas age at onset of disease was a predictor of PASI 100 response. Dynamic detection of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs frequency from peripheral blood suggested a stable maintained trend in terms of guselkumab treatment duration. No severe adverse events occurred during the follow‐up period. This study confirmed the short‐term effectiveness and safety of guselkumab, as well as its good tolerance against psoriasis, in the Chinese population. Guselkumab treatment maintains levels of Tregs in patients with psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the different organizational forms of logistics in manufacturing, the types of linkage development between the logistics and manufacturing industries include two different logistics service modes: logistics outsourcing and logistics self-operation. This study considers two manufacturing clusters for comparison: the northeast region in China, mainly state-owned and self-operated, and the Yangtze River Delta region in China, mainly focusing on logistics outsourcing services. First, we construct a parallel network system considering heterogeneity and an unexpected super-efficiency slacks-based measure: the Grey Relational Analysis model. Second, considering the unexpected output, this study evaluates the environmental performance of the linkage development of the logistics and manufacturing industries and explains the types of linkage development between them. Finally, the spatial and temporal characteristics of linkage efficiency under different linkage modes are studied using an exploratory spatial data analysis method. The research results show that the efficiency of the two-industry linkage in different linkage types that consider the unexpected output presents different development characteristics. Regarding time characteristics and trends, we compare the development efficiency of the two-industry linkage at the overall level of the northeast and the Yangtze River Delta regions from 2009 to 2016. The Yangtze River Delta region showed a higher state of linkage while the northeast region showed a medium linkage state. Regarding spatial pattern evolution, the effect of the technical efficiency of the linkage between the two industries in the three northeastern provinces showed continuous evolution from the medium linkage stage to the weak linkage stage, and the Yangtze River Delta showed continuous evolution from the medium linkage to the strong linkage stage. Implications: Due to data availability, references to the relevant achievements of the research on the linkage between the manufacturing and logistics industries, the transportation industry, warehousing, and postal and telecommunications industry data are generally used as logistics industry data. Manufacturing data are replaced by industrial data. The manufacturing industry is the core industry of industrial systems. Its output value accounts for more than 90% of the industrial output. Thus, it can reflect the development trend of the manufacturing industry in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest Paleocene to early Eocene was an interval of globally warm climate. However, the driving mechanisms regulating climate across this interval remain unclear due to the paucity of well-dated and stratigraphically continuous records from terrestrial basins. In this study, we present a continuous ∼430-m lacustrine core record from the QY-1 borehole spanning the late Paleocene-Early Eocene in the Subei Basin, East China. This unique record can be used to better elucidate the response of terrestrial sedimentation to astronomically forced climate change. A 4.54 Myr long astronomical time scale spanning 57.1 to 52.56 Ma is constructed for the second member of the Funing Formation (E f 2) based on magnetostratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy. Low-latitude summer insolation via eccentricity modulation of precession controlled paleolake evolution in the basin during the studied interval. At the same time, we show that the climate system during this greenhouse state was sensitive enough to respond to the small changes in insolation associated with 200-kyr eccentricity cycles. Evidence from gamma ray data suggests that the climate in the Subei Basin changed from warm and humid to arid at ∼54.1 Ma. • Establish an ATS with magnetostratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy for E f 2 in Subei Basin, East China. • A record of astronomically forced climate changes in the late Paleocene to early Eocene terrestrial succession in the Subei Basin was conformed. • The climate system during this greenhouse state was sensitive enough to respond to the small changes in insolation associated with 200-kyr eccentricity cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defoliation and artificial ripening are critical steps before mechanical harvesting of cotton. The defoliation effect is a key factor in determining the optimal harvesting time of cotton, as an improper machine-harvesting time can reduce the yield and quality of cotton. Therefore, rapid and accurate estimation of the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate is critical for evaluating the effect of defoliation on machine-harvested cotton. This study aimed to test whether high-resolution RGB images using UAVs, different characteristics screening methods, and modelling techniques can effectively monitor the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate for machine-harvested cotton. The hypothesis was that the combination of vegetation index, colour space component, and textural features, along with different methods, could improve the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate of machine-harvested cotton. Cotton defoliant treatment field experiments were conducted in Shihezi, Xinjiang, China, during 2019–2020, after defoliant treatment to acquire the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate. Correlation coefficient (Cor), maximum information coefficient (MIC), and random forest (RF) was used to screen the visible light vegetation indices, colour space parameters, and texture features. Multivariate stepwise regression (MSR), kernel ridge regression (KRR), extreme learning machine (ELM), and particle swarm optimized extreme learning machine (PSO–ELM) algorithms were used to construct monitoring models for the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate of machine-harvested cotton. Using the principal components analysis algorithm, comprehensive evaluation indices of defoliation effects were constructed to provide theoretical and methodological support for determining the time of machine-harvested cotton. The results showed that (1) a model based on RF_PSO-ELM achieved optimal assessment of the defoliation rate (R²=0.59, RMSE=19.37%, rRMSE=34.54%) and boll-opening rate (R²=0.73, RMSE=19.11%, rRMSE=46.40%), (2) a comprehensive evaluation index of the machine-harvested cotton defoliation effect was constructed based on the defoliation rate, boll-opening rate, and yield, which was named PCA1. (3) PCA1 was used as the standard to determine the harvesting time, when a PCA1 value of > 1.3225 indicated the optimal harvesting time. This index can accurately judge the best harvest time of machine-harvested cotton in large-scale production. • RF is more effective in screening features to monitoring defoliation and boll-opening rate. • The monitoring model constructed by PSO-ELM has relatively good accuracy. • Using model results can construct a defoliation effect comprehensive evaluation index. • The index of defoliation effect can fast judge the harvesting time of cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a severe infectious respiratory disease, the burden of which remains high in China. To provide scientific evidence for developing more targeted prevention and control strategies, this study aimed to determine the incidence trends and explore the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary TB in Anhui Province, Eastern China between 2013 and 2018. Methods: The retrospective study analyzed information regarding pulmonary TB cases reported by the National Infectious Disease Reporting System and census data collected from the Anhui Provincial Bureau of Statistics. Results: Overall, 211,892 cases of TB patients were reported in Anhui Province, China between 2013 and 2018, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 57.7 per 100,000 persons. A significant decrease in the incidence rate of pulmonary TB (p < 0.001) was observed during the study period. Men had a higher incidence rate of pulmonary TB than women (p < 0.001). The highest annual average reported incidence rate was 204.2 per 100,000 persons in those aged 70–74 years. The number of farmers with pulmonary TB, i.e., 155,415, accounted for 73.4% of all cases. Moreover, the peak period of reported cases was from January to March. Four cities along the Yangtze River—Anqing, Tongling, Chizhou, and Wuhu—reported significantly higher incidence rates of pulmonary TB than other cities (p < 0.001). Conclusions: From 2013 to 2018, there was a significant decline in the incidence rate of pulmonary TB in Anhui Province, with peaks occurring from January to March. Prevention and control strategies targeting men, people aged 70–74 years, farmers, and the four cities along the Yangtze River should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proterozoic igneous rocks in the southern margin of the North China Craton can place constraints on its crustal evolution. This paper reports geochemistry, zircon U-Pb ages, Sr-Nd isotopes and Lu-Hf isotopes for the Proterozoic Angou granite from the southwestern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). The Angou granite has zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age of 1819 ± 14Ma (MSWD = 1.3, n = 37), which is synchronous with the Proterozoic Xiong'er Group in the southeastern margin of the NCC. The granite has A-type granite affinity: (1) high SiO2 (67.12% to 73.16%) and alkali (Na2O+K2O = 7.18% to 8.75%) contents, with K2O/Na2O ratios of 1.04 to 4.78; (2) high FeOT/MgO values (4 to 36); (3) significantly negative Eu anomalies (Eu*/Eu = 0.33 to 0.53) and negative Sr anomalies (38.1 to 102ppm); (4) high 104× Ga/Al (2.55 to 4.75, with an average of 3.43) values and Zr+Ce+Nb+Y (634 to 1022ppm) contents; (5) high zircon saturation temperatures (871 to 957°C). In combination with its slightly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.02 to 1.26) nature, the Angou granite can be classified as slightly peraluminous A-type granite. It displays negative ɛNd(t) values of −2.0 to −3.9, variable εHf(t) values (−8.81 to +1.98) with Hf model ages of 2194 to 2721Ma, combined with its high Rb/Sr (1.05 to 3.26) and low Rb/Ba (0.08 to 0.18) ratios, suggesting that the Angou granite was derived from high temperature melting of tonalite in middle-lower crust. The formation of Angou A-type granite is consistent with the mafic dyke swarms and Xiong'er bimodal volcanic rocks in NCC, indicating a Paleoprotozoic extensional setting in the southwestern margin of the NCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tapping panel dryness (TPD) is a complex disorder that causes partial or complete cessation of latex drainage upon tapping of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). In this work, we determined the complete genome sequences of a novel virus identified in a rubber tree with TPD syndrome in China. The genome of the virus consists of 6811 nt and possesses two overlapping open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2), encoding a polyprotein and a movement protein, respectively. The polyprotein shares 37% amino acid sequence identity with cherry virus A (CVA, ARQ83874.1) over 99% coverage. The genome architecture is similar to that of members of the genus Capillovirus (family Betaflexiviridae). Phylogenetic analysis of the replicase proteins showed that the virus clustered together with members of the genus Capillovirus. The new virus is tentatively called "rubber tree virus 1" (RTV1). RTV1 is the first virus reported to infect rubber trees. This work lays a foundation for research into finding the potential causal agent of TPD in Hevea brasiliensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lesser Xing'an–Zhangguangcai Range is located in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Early Mesozoic igneous rocks in this area can place constraints on the crustal growth mechanism in the Northeastern China. This paper reports a suite of Late Triassic high‐Mg diorites and mafic dikes from the southern Lesser Xing'an–Zhangguangcai Range. The mafic dikes have younger zircon U–Pb ages of 195 ± 2 Ma. They display intermediate SiO2 (50.58% to 58.20%) and high Na2O/K2O ratios of 1.90 to 3.20, low A/CNK ratios of 0.75 to 0.84, low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7045 to 0.7046, and high εNd(t) values of +3.1 to +3.5. Most zircons in the mafic dikes exhibit positive εHf(t) values from +8.6 to +16.0, with single‐stage Hf model ages ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 Ga in combination with their enrichment in LREE and LILEs and depletion in HFSEs. They are considered to be formed by melting of metasomatized subarc lithosphere mantle. The diorite and quartz diorite have older zircon U–Pb ages of 200 ± 3 and 202 ± 2 Ma, respectively. They have SiO2 = 54.45% to 61.18%, Al2O3 = 17.16% to 19.10%, TiO2 = 0.74% to 1.13%, and Mg# = 46.6 to 49.5, and they also display moderately depleted Sr–Nd (εNd(t) = +2.3 to +4.3) and zircon Lu–Hf (εHf(t) = +8.6 to +16.0) isotopic compositions. These features suggest that they were formed by melting of juvenile arc crust in active continental margin. Considering the occurrence of the contemporaneous and latter igneous rocks in the Zhangguangcai Range, we argue that the diorite, quartz diorite, and mafic dikes from the Lengshan area were also related to the westward subduction of Palaeo‐Pacific Plate (Izanagi Plate) beneath the Eurasian Plate. The strike‐like fault along the eastern margin of the Songneng–Zhuangguangcai Block may play an important role in the genesis of diorite melt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle to late Eocene marked a key transition from greenhouse to coolhouse. However, a lack of high-resolution and temporally well-constrained continental records hinders our understanding of the driving mechanisms of climate change during this period. In this study, we combined magnetostratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy to establish a high-resolution astronomical time scale spanning the middle to late Eocene (∼42.4 Ma to ∼35.3 Ma) through a 214-m succession of the continental Honghe Formation in the Weihe Basin, North China. Our results show that variability in the hydroclimate of the Weihe Basin at this time was dominated by eccentricity (∼405 kyr and ∼100 kyr) and obliquity (∼1.15 Myr and ∼173 kyr) forcing. Meridional insolation gradient variations controlled by obliquity, and low-latitude summer insolation via eccentricity modulation of precession jointly controlled paleolake evolution in the basin during the ∼42.4 Ma to ∼35.3 Ma interval, rather than being controlled by eccentricity or obliquity as previously inferred. Our study provides new insights into the driving mechanisms of orbital-scale hydroclimate evolution in continental lake basins during the ice-free middle to late Eocene. • Astronomical time scale for the middle to lower Honghe Formation of the Weihe Basin, North China. • Obliquity and Eccentricity jointly controlled paleolake evolution in the Weihe basin during middle to late Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changing position of the northern boundary of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) on different timescales is important for a better understanding of future environmental changes at the edge of this monsoon's influence. Here, we have reconstructed climate changes in the central Hexi Corridor, located at the monsoon-westerlies transition zone of western China, over the past 13.3 ka. Our element data from a loess record suggest a wetting trend through the Holocene, which is different from the climate pattern observed in areas influenced by the monsoon, but consistent with sites influenced by westerlies. Comparisons indicate that the average location of EASM northern boundary in northwestern China during the early to middle Holocene was ∼300 km further northwest than today. Our Zr/Rb and grain size abundance data suggest a significant 500-year periodicity in the intensity of the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM), which most likely originated from AO/NAO changes linked to solar output cycles. • A persistent wetting trend in the central Hexi Corridor through the Holocene was observed. • The EASM northern boundary during the early to middle Holocene was ∼300 km further northwest than today. • A significant 500-year periodicity of the EAWM was most likely originated from solar output-related AO/NAO changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Shitoukengde magma experienced variable lower and upper crustal contamination. • Sulfide segregation at depth caused the significant PGE-depletion in parent magma. • External sulfur from deep-seated magma chamber is important for inducing sulfide saturation. Numerous early Paleozoic mafic–ultramafic intrusions that host important Ni-Cu sulfide mineralization occur in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, NW China. The sulfide-bearing Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit, which is hosted in a ∼424 Ma mafic–ultramafic intrusion, is one of the most represent magmatic sulfide deposits in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt. The intrusion is composed of a large gabbroic body, cut by lherzolite, olivine websterite, websterite, and minor dunite. Disseminated and net-textured sulfide mineralization occurs as lenses in the center and towards the bottom of the ultramafic bodies. The sulfide mineralization has variable sulfur contents of 0.3 to 13.6 wt% with Ni grade of 0.41 wt% on average, and low platinum-group element (PGE) concentrations (<8.2 ppb Ru and <11.9 ppb Pd). Pd and Ru tenors of bulk sulfides in the deposit are characterized by a positive correlation, indicating that PGE tenor variations are mainly controlled by varying R-factors (magma/sulfide mass ratio). The estimated PGE concentrations in the Shitoukengde magma are about three orders of magnitude lower than those in continental tholeiites. The significant PGE depletions in the Shitoukengde deposit may be due to sulfide removal in the magma conduit at depth. Our new sulfur isotope data reported range in δ34S values from −5.0 to 4.9‰ for the sulfide minerals of the Shitoukengde deposit, clearly distinct from those of mantle-derived sulfur (0 ± 2‰) and immediate country rocks (1.1 to 2.0‰). This, together with the modeling for S isotope variation as a function of R-factor, suggest that the current δ34S range is attributed to the addition of external sulfides with anomalous δ34S into the magma at depth, followed by progressive modification to crustal signature by uncontaminated pulses of magma. The ultramafic rocks exhibit low ε Nd (t) values (−4.71 to 2.12) and high (87Sr/86Sr) i ratios (0.7073 to 0.7130), which are more enriched relative to the isotopic compositions of depleted mantle. Mixing calculations indicate that about 15 to 20 wt% of lower crustal contamination plus variable upper crustal contamination is required to explain the variations of Sr-Nd isotopes in the Shitoukengde intrusion. Significant crustal contamination is also supported by the mineralization at Shitoukengde having high (187Os/188Os) i (0.24 to 4.51) and γ Os (t) values (0.24 to 2534) that are comparable to or higher than those of the important Ni-Cu deposits worldwide. Current results provide evidence that assimilation of crustal sulfur at deep crust and siliceous material with variable crustal contamination during magma ascent and emplacement played critical roles in the attainment of sulfide saturation in the parental magma and the formation of the Shitoukengde deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon footprint (CF) and inequality reductions were two of the most important sustainable development goals. However, there was a lack of understanding of the latest equality of carbon footprint across regions. Based on the multi-regional input-output table and the China Family Panel Studies survey data of 17 provinces, this paper examined the evolution of carbon footprint and inequality in China. The results showed a stark disparity between regions and a declined inequality in the last few years. Specifically, the CF per capita in northern provinces (Liaoning, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Shandong and Shaanxi) exceeded the average level in 2017. From 2015 to 2017, the carbon inequality showed a downward trend, with a national CF-Gini coefficient decrease from 0.31 to 0.28. Meanwhile, the gap between CF per capita in urban areas and rural areas was declining, with a growth rate at 18% and 32% from 2015 to 2017, respectively. In addition, CF per capita from various consumption categories indicated that household equipment and daily necessities, residential, transportation and communication were the three most important sources, with a downward trend from 2015 to 2017. This study would provide policymakers with deep insights into policies to achieve just transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is an emerging minimally invasive surgery to reduce abdominal incisions. However, despite the increasing clinical application of SILS, no evidence from large-scale, randomized controlled trials is available for assessing the feasibility, short-term safety, oncological safety, and potential benefits of SILS compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for colorectal cancer.Methods/design: This is a single-center, open-label, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial. A total of 198 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to transumbilical single incision plus one port laparoscopic surgery (SILS plus one) group or to a CLS group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients ranging in age from 18 to 80 years with rectosigmoid cancer diagnosed as cT1-4aN0-2 M0 and a tumor size no larger than 5 cm are considered eligible. The primary endpoint is early morbidity, as evaluated by an independent investigator. Secondary outcomes include operative outcomes (operative time, estimated blood loss, and incision length), pathologic outcomes (tumor size, length of proximal and distal resection margins, and number of harvested lymph nodes), postoperative inflammatory and immune responses (white blood cells [WBC], neutrophil percentage [NE %], C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), postoperative recovery (time to first ambulation, flatus, liquid diet, soft diet, and duration of hospital stay), pain intensity, body image and cosmetic assessment, 3-year disease free survival (DFS), and 5-year overall survival (OS). Follow-up visits are scheduled for 1 and 3 months after surgery, then every 3 months for the first 2 years and every 6 months for the next 3 years.Discussion: This trial will provide valuable clinical evidence for the objective assessment of the feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of SILS plus one compared with CLS for the radical resection of rectosigmoid cancer. The hypothesis is that SILS plus one is feasible for the radical resection of rectosigmoid cancer and offers short-term safety and long-term oncological safety comparable to that of CLS, and that SILS plus one offers better cosmetic results and faster convalescence compared to CLS.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02117557 (registered on 16 April 2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Both granodiorites and monzogranites of the Mopanshan pluton are coeval and formed at ca. 820 Ma. • They were generated by mixing of metasomatized mantle-derived magmas and ancient crust-derived melts. • The adakitic signatures of the Mopanshan pluton were caused by hornblende-dominated fractional crystallization. • The Neoproterozoic magmatic event was due to the intensive crust-mantle interaction in a back-arc extension setting. Crust- and/or mantle-derived igneous rocks in the Neoproterozoic continental magmatic arc along the western Yangtze Block (South China) have been extensively studied, but the crust-mantle interaction that might have been involved in the formation of these rocks was poorly understood. In this paper, we present an integrated study on petrology, whole-rock compositions, in-situ plagioclase Sr and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes for granodiorites and monzogranites from the Neoproterozoic Mopanshan pluton in the western Yangtze Block. Our objective is to provide vital constraint on the magma mixing process in the formation of these rocks. The new LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results reveal that both granodiorites and monzogranites of the Mopanshan pluton were coeval and formed at ca. 820 Ma. They are calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline (SiO 2 = 66.06–70.30 wt%, K 2 O = 2.24–3.34 wt%) and metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.99–1.10) rocks, and characterized by middle-upper crustal trace element patterns (e.g., enrichment in Rb, K, Th, U, and Pb, and depletion in Nb, Ta, Sr, and Ti). The magma mixing process is supported by following ample evidence, including (1) the disequilibrium mineral textures and an abruptly increased An values (up to 60) as well as significant decrease of (87Sr/86Sr) i ratios from core to rim in plagioclase crystals, (2) higher Mg# values (45–50 > 40) than those of experimental melts from basalts at the same silica contents, (3) positive and negative whole-rock εNd(t) (–0.72 to + 1.01) values as well as variable whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr) i (0.702778–0.705404) and zircon εHf(t) (+1.76 to + 7.72) values. The special geochemical characteristics and element modeling support that the Mopanshan pluton was generated by magma mixing of ancient crust-derived melts and relatively mafic melts from metasomatized mantle source. The adakitic signatures observed in the Mopanshan pluton were attributed to subsequent hornblende-dominant intra-crustal fractional crystallization, rather than derived from a thickened lower crust source. In combination with regional geology and our compilation for Nd-Hf isotopes of Neoproterozoic igneous rocks, the Mopanshan pluton is magmatic response of intensive crust-mantle interaction induced by underplating of voluminous mantle-derived magma in a back-arc extension setting. This research highlights that the crust-mantle interaction is significant for the petrological and geochemical diversity of Neoproterozoic granitoids from the western Yangtze Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Paleozoic volcanic–intrusive rocks in the South Qinling Belt, central China, consist of bimodal alkaline suites ranging in composition from basalt to trachyte, with an apparent scarcity of intermediate silicic components (the so-called "Daly gap"). A series of trachytic rocks have been identified in the Quanxi area of the South Qinling Belt. In this work, we combine mineralogical evidence with whole-rock major- and trace-element data, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data, and the results of thermodynamic modeling to gain a better understanding of the petrogenesis and evolutionary process of the Quanxi trachytic rocks, as well as their compositional discontinuity with coeval mafic rocks. Our samples can be clearly classified into two lithological groups based on their phenocryst content: Group 1, phenocryst-poor trachytes (<5 vol% phenocrysts; SiO 2 = 63.91–66.13 wt%) and Group 2, trachytic tufflavas (30–45 vol% pyroclasts; SiO 2 = 53.34–59.03 wt%). All of the samples exhibit typical oceanic island basalt-like enrichment in light rare earth elements and high field strength elements, as well as marked depletion of Ba, Sr, and Ti. A cogenetic metasomatized lithosphere source for the Quanxi trachytic rocks and contemporaneous mafic rocks is indicated by their homogeneous isotopic features (ε Nd (t) = +2.3 to +3.4; initial 206Pb/204Pb = 17.92–18.69; initial 207Pb/204Pb = 15.53–15.57; initial 208Pb/204Pb = 37.96–38.99) and linear geochemical variations, with protracted fractional crystallization regarded as the key mechanism for the compositional variations among these cogenetic rocks. The results of Rhyolite-MELTS modeling predict 72%–80% crystallization involving plagioclase, pyroxene, biotite, apatite, and Fe Ti oxide, to yield the magmatic compositions from an evolved mafic progenitor to the Quanxi trachytes under conditions of low pressure (1.5–2 kbar), high H 2 O content (2–3 wt%), and high f O 2 (FMQ–0.5). Some incompatible elements in trachytic tufflavas deviate markedly from the liquid lines of descent from coeval mafic rocks to the Quanxi trachytes: this deviation is attributed to a combination of the involvement of large proportions of alkali-feldspar pyroclasts and post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration. The presence of the "Daly gap" in early Paleozoic alkaline suites can be explained by an accelerated differentiation rate (i.e., dSiO 2 /d t) in the SiO 2 -intermediate field, which is driven by the simultaneous separation of a considerable scale of SiO 2 -poor phases. • South Qinling Belt, central China, contains trachytes and trachytic tufflavas. • Trachytic rocks and contemporaneous mafic rocks had a cogenetic mantle source. • Trachytes underwent fractional crystallization from an evolved mafic progenitor. • Fractionation of SiO 2 -poor minerals resulted in the presence of "Daly gap". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, originates in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, flows in a contorted square-bend-shaped path through the Loess Plateau, then enters the Fenwei Graben before discharging through the Sanmen Gorge onto the North China Plain. Prior to its connection through the Sanmen Gorge, which cuts through the drainage divide of the Hua and Taihang mountain belt, the Yellow River had been partly impounded as a large lake filling the Fenwei Graben. To help decipher the Pliocene-Pleistocene history of the development of the lower reaches of the Yellow River, we analyzed the sedimentary histories of the Fenhe sub-basin in the northeast part of the Fenwei Graben and of fluvial-lacustrine sediments in the Huangdigou (HDG) section, which is now exposed at the upstream entrance to the current Sanmen Gorge. The Fenhe sub-basin changed from lacustrine/peat deposition to fluvial gravels at ~2.5 Ma. We suggest that this sedimentary facies change indicates the establishment of a significant outflow of the former Fenwei Graben Lake through the deepening Sanmen Gorge. The continuing lowering of base-level in the Fenwei Graben, which culminated in the direct flow of the Yellow River through the Sanmen Gorge and/or fluvial inland regressive erosion, also led to headward erosion of a new paleo-Fenhe River that cut through the Fenhe sub-basin. Tectonic activity and climate shifts may have contributed to the change to the modern path of the Yellow River. • The Fenhe sub-basin changed from lacustrine/peat deposits to fluvial gravels at ~2.5 Ma. • The detrital material deposited in the Sanmenxia isthmus was mainly from local sources at ~2.5 Ma. • Tectonic activity and climate shifts may have contributed to the change to the modern path of the Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here for the first time the occurrence of sapphirine-bearing granulites within the Qinling Group of the Qinling-Tongbai orogen and provide robust evidence for extreme crustal metamorphism at ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) conditions. We document the UHT indicator of sapphirine and spinel in a mafic granulite consisting of orthopyroxene, biotite, plagioclase, amphibole and rutile/ilmenite. The ferromagnesian minerals in the sapphirine-bearing granulite have high X Mg [Mg/(Mg + Fe)] (orthopyroxene X Mg = 0.84–0.95; biotite X Mg = 0.81; amphibole X Mg = 0.87–0.96). The phase equilibria modeling demonstrates that the early spinel-bearing assemblage is stable at 923–950 °C and 6.7–8.9 kbar, and the peak assemblage of Opx + Pl + Spr/Spl + Amp + Bt + Ilm (+ melt) defines a field at 922–947 °C and 8.4–10.2 kbar. Rutiles have variable Zr concentrations but mostly cluster at ca. 1,500 and 3400 ppm. Zr-in-rutile geothermometry yielded high temperatures of up to 890–940 °C. Zircon U–Pb dating of the granulite constrains the timing of the immediate post-peak and retrograde metamorphic stages as 429 ± 7 Ma and 412 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The UHT metamorphism, together with extensive occurrence of coeval magmatic suites suggests that the Tongbai orogen experienced a Paleozoic Andean-type orogeny probably derived from mid-oceanic ridge subduction of the Qinling Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the condition of paucity of mantle-derived ferromagnesian components, peritectic assemblage entrainment (PAE) model can properly explain a large variation of Fe, Mg, Ti, and Ca contents as well as positive linear trends for Ti and Ca plotted against maficity (molar Fe + Mg) exhibited by more mafic I-type granitic melts. Herein we present a comprehensive study of zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes, whole-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopes for newly identified Neoproterozoic high-maficity I-type granitoids collected from the Yonglang area in the western Yangtze Block, South China, in order to evaluate PAE process acting on the petrogenesis of these more mafic granitoids. Zircon U-Pb geochronological results show that the Yonglang granitoids, including the granodiorites, monzogranites, and biotite granites, yield the weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of ca. 850–825 Ma. They are geochemically characterized by high SiO 2 (64.63–72.62 wt.%) and K 2 O (3.49–6.59 wt.%) contents as well as variable A/CNK (0.94–1.09) and molar Fe + Mg values (0.0452–0.1210), and display a negative correlation of A/CNK and Fe + Mg, indicating an I-type affinity. Isotopically, they display negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−4.06 to−6.38) and highly evolved zircon εHf(t) values (−9.36 to +1.92) as well as old two-stage Nd model ages (1.69–1.85 Ga) and crustal Hf model ages (1608–2139 Ma), implying a crustal source. In comparison with the geochemical composition of fluid-absent experimental melts, the Yonglang I-type granitoids have Fe, Mg, Ti, and Ca contents that are too high to equilibrium with those of pure crustal melts, indicating the additional incorporation of a ferromagnesian, Ti-, and Ca-rich component into primary melts. Like the Cotoncello–Monte Capanne granitic complex in Elba Island and Verdenburg I-type granite in South Africa, the Yonglang I-type granitoids exhibit highly positive linear correlations for Ti vs. maficity and Ca vs. maficity as well as negative correlation for A/CNK vs. maficity, suggesting that these high-maficity I-type granitoids predominantly underwent the peritectic assemblage entrainment of Ca-Fe-Mg-Ti bearing minerals (e.g., clinopyroxene, plagioclase, ilmenite, etc.) during coupled melting of biotite and hornblende phases in crustal source. The process of peritectic assemblage entrainment thus play a vital role in moulding geochemical compositions of more mafic I-type granites. [Display omitted] • Newly identified Neoproterozoic high-maficity I-type granitoids were formed at ca. 850-835 Ma. • They originated from coupled melting of biotite and hornblende phases in ancient crustal source. • They predominantly underwent the peritectic assemblage entrainment (PAE) process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The REE–Nb–Zr mineralization is genetically with intensively hydrothermal alteration. • The Al–OH Pos2200 and IC values display regular patterns with metal concentrating. • SWIR spectrometry of white mica has potential for critical-metal exploration. The No. 782 deposit is one of the rare earth elements (REEs), niobium and zirconium resources of NE China and contains ~17 million tons of ore @ 0.23 wt% total REEs and Y oxides, @ 0.12 wt% Nb 2 O 5 , and @ 1.00 wt% ZrO 2. The REE–Nb–Zr minerals are hosted mainly in the late Ordovician porphyritic alkali-feldspar granite, which intrudes in a late Cambrian monzogranite. Zirconium is present mainly in zircon aggregates, niobium and heavy REEs mainly in fergusonite-(Y), and light REEs dominantly in bastnäsite-(Ce) and parisite-(Ce). Most of these economic minerals are hydrothermal in origin, occurred as replacement textures and fracture-filled veins. Six types of phyllosilicate mineral (muscovite, illite, phengite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and halloysite), which cannot be distinguished confidently by visual criteria, were detected using short wavelength infrared (SWIR) analysis. Given that white mica (i.e., muscovite, illite, and phengite) is a pervasive mineral throughout the pluton, SWIR spectroscopy on drill cores from two profiles (II and IV) of the deposit was carried out to decipher the distribution of alteration assemblages that are characterized by subtle variations in the alteration products. The illite Al–OH absorption position (Pos2200) and illite crystallinity (IC) display regular patterns, with Pos2200 values < 2,203 nm and IC > 1.26, coinciding with the high grades of REE–Nb–Zr mineralization. The phengite is limited to the mineralized zone of profile II. Such regular patterns of white mica might have been induced by the relatively high temperature fluids surrounding the center of alteration. Our results suggest that combinations of the SWIR spectral parameters of hydrothermal alteration products can be used as potential vectors to economic ores, tracing the pathways of hydrothermal fluids, and quantifying the ore grades of the No. 782 deposit. The super-enrichment of rare metals in granitic systems is controlled predominantly by extensive hydrothermal activity, and our results show that these REE deposits can be usefully assessed using the SWIR method, which has implications for future metal exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To identify the species within the genus Anaplasma circulating among ruminants in the Southwest of China, we performed the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of two Anaplasma isolates from cattle and seven from goats. The two sequences obtained from cattle strains belonged to the A. marginale cluster, whereas the other seven sequences from caprine strains formed two Anaplasma spp. clusters, which diverged earlier than the clusters of A. marginale, A. centrale and A. ovis. These results indicate that there are at least two Anaplasma species circulating among ruminants in Southwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diploptene is present in four moss species (Sphagnum palustre, Aulacomnium palustre, Polytrichum commune and Hypnum revolutum) and some surface samples collected from the Dajiuhu Peatland in southern China. It exists in enhanced amounts in surface peat samples taken from a site dominated by H. revolutum, the specie that contains the greatest content of diploptene. By comparison of the carbon isotopic values of n-alkanes and diploptene in the four moss species and the peat, we postulate that the moss could be an important contributor of diploptene, especially in environmental settings such as peatlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Maoniuping parental magma is composed of exotic hybrid partial melts. • Subducted marine sediments contributed to the enrichment of REE in deep mantle. • Boron isotopes can be used a tracer of subduction zone processes. The Maoniuping giant rare earth element deposit is genetically related to a Cenozoic alkaline syenite–carbonatite complex. However, the origin of the alkaline complex and the genesis of the Maoniuping deposit are still unclear. In this study, the origin of the Maoniuping complex was constrained through B–Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data for fresh/unaltered alkaline syenites. Our results indicate that the Maoniuping alkaline syenite has arc-like trace element patterns with elevated initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.706040–0.706541), 206Pb/204Pb (18.00–18.32), 207Pb/204Pb (15.53–15.60), and 208Pb/204Pb (38.25–38.78) ratios, and relatively low ε Nd (t) values (–4.92 to –2.66), suggesting derivation by partial melting of fertile mantle source. It also has higher B contents (1.06–7.65 ppm) and heavier δ11B values (−5.38‰ to − 2.46‰) than the upper mantle, indicating modification of the mantle source by interaction with carbonatitic melts/fluids derived from marine sediments and altered oceanic crust within the subducting Indian slab. Our results, together with recently acquired seismic tomographic data, indicate that hybridisation in the mantle source was likely induced by subduction input of marine sediments to the mantle transition zone. Boron isotopes provide a novel indicator of the deep recycling of subducted crustal materials in the sources of alkaline magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus (CoV) is the single stranded sense RNA virus that has been known so far with the largest genomic capacity and plenty of natural hosts. In the past dozens of years, SARS-CoV under the branch of the new evolutionary tree has threatens greatly global public health and the severe acute respiratory syndrome new coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in China could cause fatal pathological lesions. Especially in areas with poor medical care, neglect of indirect transmission can cause more serious consequences.Methods: First of all, with reference to SARS-CoV and other relevant studies, the possibility of virus residues on the surface of multiple media is discussed. Further, it is found that the surface residue of this substance may be an important factor in iatrogenic infection.Results: This correspondence could point out the direction to study the pathomechanism of COVID-19 infecting human beings.Conclusions: Mucosa exposure and inappropriate treatment of medical and non-medical articles used by the patients all could increase the risks of COVID-19 transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ~860 Ma mafic rocks originated from an amphibole-bearing spinel peridotite source. • There existed Neoproterozoic metasomatic mantle beneath the western Yangtze Block. • The Neoproterozoic metasomatic agents include the slab fluids, sediment melts, and oceanic slab melts. Mafic rocks contain important information about the nature of the mantle source and tectonic settings. Here we present results of whole-rock geochemistry and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes for the Early Neoproterozoic mafic rocks (Ganyuhe hornblende gabbros and Guandaoshan gabbro-diorites) in the western Yangtze Block, South China, in order to constrain the petrogenesis and the mantle metasomatism processes under subduction setting. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results display concordant crystallization ages of 857.4 ± 2.0 Ma for the hornblende gabbros and 856.4 ± 2.8 Ma for the gabbro-diorites, respectively. These mafic rocks possess low SiO 2 contents (45.5–53.3 wt%) as well as high MgO contents (3.27–9.20 wt%) and Mg# (48.6–62.6) values, and show characteristics of arc-like trace element patterns with enriched Rb, Ba, Sr, K, and Pb but depleted Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti. The prominently positive whole-rock εNd(t) (+4.9 to + 5.8) and zircon εHf(t) (+8.48 to + 20.6) values suggest a depleted lithospheric mantle source. We therefore infer that the mafic rocks investigated here were derived from an amphibole-bearing spinel peridotite source that was affected by metasomatism between the overlying mantle wedge and subduction-related fluids. In conjunction with the compiled data of Neoproterozoic mafic rocks from the western Yangtze Block, we propose that there exist Neoproterozoic metasomatized mantle sources beneath the western Yangtze Block during the subduction process in response to the evolution of the supercontinent Rodinia. The Neoproterozoic metasomatic agents in mantle sources include the slab fluids, sediment melts, and oceanic slab melts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oedaleus asiaticus is one of the dominant species of grasshoppers in the rangeland on the Mongolian plateau, and a serious pest, but its migratory behavior is poorly known. We investigated the take-off behavior of migratory O. asiaticus in field cages in the inner Mongolia region of northern China. The species shows a degree of density-dependent phase polyphenism, with high-density swarming populations characterized by a brown morph, while low-density populations are more likely to comprise a green morph. We found that only 12.4% of brown morphs engaged in migratory take-off, and 2.0% of green morphs. Migratory grasshoppers took off at dusk, especially in the half hour after sunset (20:00–20:30 h). Most emigrating individuals did not have any food in their digestive tract, and the females were mated but with immature ovaries. In contrast, non-emigrating individuals rarely had empty digestive tracts, and most females were mated and sexually mature. Therefore, it seems clear that individuals prepare for migration in the afternoon by eliminating food residue from the body, and migration is largely restricted to sexually immature stages (at least in females). Furthermore, it was found that weather conditions (particularly temperature and wind speed at 15:00 h) in the afternoon had a significant effect on take-off that evening, with O. asiaticus preferring to take off in warm, dry and calm weather. The findings of this study will contribute to a reliable basis for forecasting migratory movements of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deciphering the geochemical diversity of S-type granites is crucial for obtaining more profound insight into their petrogenesis. We therefore undertook an integrated study of whole-rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd isotopes, and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes for newly recognized Late Mesoproterozoic S-type granites, including two-mica-, biotite-, garnet-bearing two-mica granites, from the western Yangtze Block, South China. The crystallization ages of these granites are ca. 1040 Ma (weighted mean 206Pb/238U age = 1036.4 ± 4.5 Ma to 1042.2 ± 1.1 Ma). They are peraluminous to strongly peraluminous (A/CNK = molar ratio of Al 2 O 3 /(CaO + Na 2 O + K 2 O) = 1.02–1.67), high-K calc-alkaline rocks, and display high concentrations of normative-corundum (0.54–7.04 wt%) as well as positive correlations of A/CNK and FeOT + MgO values, which are characteristics of S-type granites. These S-type granites are characterized by enriched in Rb, Th, K, and Pb, depleted in Ba, Sr, Ti, and Eu, with negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−0.3 to −6.8) and predominantly negative zircon εHf(t) values (−8.09 to +5.70), indicating the affinity of middle-upper crustal trends and a heterogeneous metasedimentary source. Compared with the geochemical diversity of S-type granites around the world, the variably negative εNd(t) values as well as positive and negative εHf(t) values of our S-type granites may be caused by source heterogeneity and disequilibrium melting processes. More importantly, similar to typical more mafic S-type granites from the Cape Granite Suite (South Africa) and north Queensland (Australia), the high and variable FeOT + MgO contents (2.21–6.64 wt%) are significantly attributed to coupled co-entrainment of peritectic and accessory minerals (e.g., garnet, ilmenite, zircon, and monazite), evidenced by positive relationships between FeOT + MgO and TiO 2 , CaO, Zr, Th, Hf, Y, Yb, light rare earth elements (LREEs). In conjunction with the existence of coeval rift-related A-type igneous rocks, depleted asthenosphere-derived mafic rocks, marine sedimentary sequences, and subsequent extensive Neoproterozoic arc magmatism along the western Yangtze Block, we infer that the ca. 1040 Ma S-type granites studied here were produced in a continental rifting basin that was transformed into a compression setting during the Neoproterozoic. • Late Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1040 Ma) S-type granites in the western Yangtze Block. • They originated from heterogeneous metasedimentary sources. • Source heterogeneity & disequilibrium melting cause heterogeneous Nd-Hf isotopes. • Co-entrainment of peritectic and accessory minerals cause high FeOT + MgO contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that granitic melts can be highly evolved, however, the effective records of this process are usually obscure, especially for the exsolution and evolution of volatiles. We present a comprehensive investigation on zircon and apatite from less to highly fractionated granites from the central Xing'an Range, NE China, in order to reveal the mineral records for the evolution processes of granitic melt. Petrographic, whole-rock and mineralogical geochemical investigations indicate that the three granites are co-magmatic and experienced different degrees of fractionation. The variations of zircon morphology, textures and geochemical compositions reflect the progressive evolution of granitic melts from volatile-undersaturated to oversaturated conditions. The significantly decreased Raman spectra intensities imply that the zircon crystals experienced increased radiation damages and hydrothermal alteration during the fractionation of granitic magma. Correspondingly, apatite textures transform from fluid-inclusion-free to fluid-inclusion-rich stage with increasing F/Cl ratios during the magmatic evolution, implying that the segregation of isolated fluid phase in the fractionating magma. Accordingly, we conclude that the textural and compositional evolution of zircon and apatite can be regarded as efficient tools for recording granitic magma evolution. • Three granitic plutons experienced different degrees of crystallization fractionation. • Zircon textures and compositions record the transition from volatile undersaturated to oversaturated. • Apatite volatile and other trace elements fingerprint the fluids exsolution from the aqueous granitic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Neoproterozoic gabbro-diorites, adakitic granites, A-type granites in South China. • Ca. 810 Ma gabbro-diorites were derived from metasomatized lithospheric mantle. • Ca. 800 Ma adakitic granites were derived from the juvenile thickened lower crust. • Ca. 750 Ma A-type granites were derived from a felsic crustal source. • These rocks imply a persistent subduction process during the Neoproterozoic. The occurrence of A-type granites following adakitic granites can provide unique insights into the tectonic evolution of subduction zone. This paper presents a comprehensive study of zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry on the Neoproterozoic gabbro-diorites, biotite granites, and K-feldspar granites in the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block, South China. Zircon U-Pb dating of three distinctive intrusions yield concordant ages of 810.4 ± 2.0 Ma for gabbro-diorites, 800.3 ± 2.1 Ma for biotite granites, and 749.1 ± 2.0 Ma for K-feldspar granites. The gabbro-diorites are sodic and calc-alkaline rocks with low SiO 2 (52.62–53.87 wt%), medium MgO (2.67–3.41 wt%), high Fe 2 O 3 T (7.18–7.49 wt%) and CaO (5.68–7.50 wt%) contents. They display high Th/Zr and Rb/Y ratios but low Nb/Zr and Nb/Y ratios. Together with their positive whole-rock εNd(t) (+1.0 to +1.5) and zircon εHf(t) values (+3.66 to +8.18), we suggest that these gabbro-diorites were derived from the partial melting of depleted lithospheric mantle modified by subduction-related fluids. The biotite granites display relatively high Sr contents (335–395 ppm), Sr/Y ratios (38.9–54.3), low Y (7.04–9.71 ppm) and Yb contents (0.78–1.08 ppm), resembling the adakitic granites. Their low Mg# (36–41) values, Cr (2.94–3.59 ppm) and Ni (1.32–1.55 ppm) contents as well as positive εNd(t) (+0.5 to +0.6) and εHf(t) values (+1.62 to +8.07) indicate that they were formed by partial melting of thickened juvenile mafic lower crust, probably within the existence of garnet. The K-feldspar granites have high SiO 2 (76.61–77.14 wt%) and alkalis (Na 2 O + K 2 O = 8.55–9.69 wt%) contents, high 10,000 * Ga/Al (2.56–2.80) ratios and differentiation index (95.3–96.9), indicating the affinity to highly fractionated A-type granites. We suggest that these A-type granites were mainly generated by the partial melting of felsic crustal rocks under low pressure condition and subsequently extensive fractional crystallization is significant. Taking into account previous studies from the western Yangtze Block, South China, we propose that the gabbro-diorites, adakitic granites and A-type granites in this study were formed in persistent subduction process during the Neoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]