Nonhomogeneous seawater Sr isotopic composition in the coastal oceans : a novel tool for tracing water masses and submarine groundwater discharge

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2011. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 12 (2011): Q05002, doi:10.1029/2010GC003372.Here we present high-precision (2σ = ±3 ppm) 87Sr/86Sr measurements in coastal waters, together with salinity, to evaluate water mass mixing and the influence of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in coastal waters and marginal seas. Nonhomogeneous Sr isotopic variations in water columns were documented in the Southern Okinawa Trough (SOT), South China Sea, and Kao-ping Canyon (KPC), where seawater 87Sr/86Sr varied up to 70 ppm. Seawater Sr isotopic composition changes only slightly in the upper 200 m of the SOT but was detectable and highly correlated with salinity, indicating a mixing between radiogenic North Pacific Tropical Water (high 87Sr/86Sr and high salinity) at 100–150 m and a less radiogenic component with low 87Sr/86Sr and low salinity at ∼200 m. Vertical profiles of seawater 87Sr/86Sr along the KPC show significant variations, suggesting dynamic mixing affected by continental inputs (i.e., river runoff and SGD) in this region. These results highlight the potential use of seawater Sr isotopes as a powerful tracer for determining mixing ratios and the dynamic mixing of oceanic water masses, especially in coastal and marginal seas.This research was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from Top University (NCKU), Taiwan, to K.‐F. Huang and funds from NSC and MOE, Taiwan, to C.‐F. You

The impacts of convective parameterization and moisture triggering on AGCM-simulated convectively coupled equatorial waves

This study examines the impacts of convective parameterization and moisture convective trigger on convectively coupled equatorial waves simulated by the Seoul National University (SNU) atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). Three different convection schemes are used, including the simplified Arakawa-Schubert (SAS) scheme, the Kuo (1974) scheme, and the moist convective adjustment (MCA) scheme, and a moisture convective trigger with variable strength is added to each scheme. The authors also conduct a "no convection" experiment with deep convection schemes turned off. Space-time spectral analysis is used to obtain the variance and phase speed of dominant convectively coupled equatorial waves, including the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO), Kelvin, equatorial Rossby (ER), mixed Rossby-gravity (MRG), and eastward inertio-gravity (EIG) and westward inertio-gravity (WIG) waves. The results show that both convective parameterization and the moisture convective trigger have significant impacts on AGCM-simulated, convectively coupled equatorial waves. The MCA scheme generally produces larger variances of convectively coupled equatorial waves including the MJO, more coherent eastward propagation of the MJO, and a more prominent MJO spectral peak than the Kuo and SAS schemes. Increasing the strength of the moisture trigger significantly enhances the variances and slows down the phase speeds of all wave modes except the MJO, and usually improves the eastward propagation of the MJO for the Kuo and SAS schemes, but the effect for the MCA scheme is small. The no convection experiment always produces one of the best signals of convectively coupled equatorial waves and the MJO.open585

Association of hepatitis B virus infection status with outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and survival outcomes of anti-programmed cell death (PD)-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monotherapy in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and different hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection status. Methods: Patients with advanced NSCLC and both chronic and/or resolved HBV infection who were treated with anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was the safety of PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy, while the secondary endpoints included the survival outcomes. Results: Of the 62 eligible patients, 10 (16.1%) were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive [chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection] and 52 (83.9%) were HBsAg negative and HBcAb positive [resolved hepatitis B (RHB) infection]; 42 (67.7%) patients had at least 1 treatment-related adverse event (AE), with 4 patients (6.5%) developing grade 3 AEs and 6 (9.7%) developing hepatic AEs. One CHB patient experienced HBV reactivation during anti-PD-1 immunotherapy due to the interruption of antiviral prophylaxis. The objective response rate and durable clinical benefit (DCB) rate were 17.7% and 29.0%, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 23.6 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 14.432.8] and 2.1 months (95% CI: 1.2-3.0), respectively. The DCB rate was significantly higher in the CHB group than in the RHB group (60% vs. 23.1%; P=0.048). Patients with CHB experienced a longer PFS (8.3 vs. 2.0 months; P=0.103) and OS (35.0 vs. 18.2 months, P=0.119) than did RHB patients. Conclusions: Anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy was safe and effective in patients with NSCLC and HBV infection. This population should not be excluded from receiving immunotherapy in routine clinical practice or within clinical trials if HBV biomarkers are monitored and antiviral prophylaxis is properly used

Biodegradable Polydepsipeptides

This paper reviews the synthesis, characterization, biodegradation and usage of bioresorbable polymers based on polydepsipeptides. The ring-opening polymerization of morpholine-2,5-dione derivatives using organic Sn and enzyme lipase is discussed. The dependence of the macroscopic properties of the block copolymers on their structure is also presented. Bioresorbable polymers based on polydepsipeptides could be used as biomaterials in drug controlled release, tissue engineering scaffolding and shape-memory materials

An analysis of the warm-season diurnal cycle over the continental united states and northern Mexico in general circulation models

The diurnal cycle of warm-season rainfall over the continental United States and northern Mexico is analyzed in three global atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) from NCEP, GFDL, and the NASA Global Modeling Assimilation Office (GMAO). The results for each model are based on an ensemble of five summer simulations forced with climatological sea surface temperatures. Although the overall patterns of time-mean (summer) rainfall and low-level winds are reasonably well simulated, all three models exhibit substantial regional deficiencies that appear to be related to problems with the diurnal cycle. Especially prominent are the discrepancies in the diurnal cycle of precipitation over the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and adjacent Great Plains, including the failure to adequately capture the observed nocturnal peak. Moreover, the observed late afternoon-early evening eastward propagation of convection from the mountains into the Great Plains is not adequately simulated, contributing to the deficiencies in the diurnal cycle in the Great Plains. In the southeast United States, the models show a general tendency to rain in the early afternoon - several hours earlier than observed. Over the North American monsoon region in the southwest United States and northern Mexico, the phase of the broadscale diurnal convection appears to be reasonably well simulated, though the coarse resolution of the runs precludes the simulation of key regional phenomena. All three models employ deep convection schemes that assume fundamentally the same buoyancy closure based on simplified versions of the Arakawa-Schubert scheme. Nevertheless, substantial differences between the models in the diurnal cycle of convection highlight the important differences in their implementations and interactions with the boundary layer scheme. An analysis of local diurnal variations of convective available potential energy (CAPE) shows an overall tendency for an afternoon peak - a feature well simulated by the models. The simulated diurnal cycle of rainfall is in phase with the local CAPE variation over the southeast United States and the Rocky Mountains where the local surface boundary forcing is important in regulating the diurnal cycle of convection. On the other hand, the simulated diurnal cycle of rainfall tends to be too strongly tied to CAPE over the Great Plains, where the observed precipitation and CAPE are out of phase, implying that free atmospheric large-scale forcing plays a more important role than surface heat fluxes in initiating or inhibiting convection.open383

Analysis of Adversity Quotient of Nursing Students in Macao: A Cross-Section and Correlation Study

Background Many studies have shown that people's success depends not only on intelligence and technical ability, but also on their resilience and ability to overcome adversity, which is called adversity quotient (AQ). Objectives To investigate the AQ of Macao undergraduate nursing students and to analyse its influencing factors in order to understand how best to cultivate their AQ. Methods A Cross-Section and Correlation design was chosen and a convenience sampling method (n=158 valid) was used to select nursing students from a tertiary institute in Macao. In addition to demographic questions the adversity scale, emotional intelligence (EI) scale, simplified coping style questionnaire and the Chinese version of parental styles scale, were used to assess the student’s characteristics. Results The average AQ score of the students was 116.72±11.39. AQ scores were negatively correlated with coping-negative, and maternal style (excessive interference, excessive protection) (r=-0.332, p<0.001; r=-0.167, p=0.036). Coping-negative entered the regression equation (F=19.154, p<0.001). The female nursing students had higher AQ-ownership scores than their male counterparts (t=-4.442, p<0.001). Conclusions The average AQ scores of Macao undergraduate nursing students was moderate. The female nursing students are more likely to attribute the cause of adversity to themselves. Specific psychosocial and cultural issues maybe at play and there is a necessity for Macao nursing students to improve their ability to overcome setbacks. Special attention should be paid to the cultivation of students’ positive coping styles

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese Yi nationality: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Overweight and obesity are considered a serious health problem. There are little data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the Yi ethnic group in China. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiologic features of overweight/obesity among Chinese Yi nationality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study, including 1255 subjects aged 20-75 years, was carried out in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province from 2007 to 2008. Overweight/overall obesity was defined by World Health Organization (WHO) or the Working Group on Obesity in China.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.0% and 2.9%, respectively, based on the WHO definition, while it was 21.0% and 7.4%, respectively, according to the Working Group on Obesity in China, which is similar to data reported in the 2002 Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey. Urban residents had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (WHO criteria: 4.3% vs 1.7% <it>p </it>= 0.008; China criteria: 11.4% vs 3.7%, <it>p </it>< 0.001) and overweight (WHO criteria: 28.9% vs 8.9% <it>p </it>< 0.001; China criteria: 31.2% vs 10.4%, <it>p </it>< 0.001) than that in rural residents. Older age, a family history of obesity, higher income, drinking and urban residence were significantly associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of overweight/obesity in the Yi nationality is similar to that in Chinese adults 5 years ago. However, urban residents have a much higher prevalence of overweight/obesity than their rural counterparts. Lifestyle and diet patterns associated with socioeconomic status may explain the difference between urban and rural residents. The prevention of overweight/obesity among urban inhabitants deserves more attention in national health education programs.</p

Tissue Microenvironments Define and Get Reinforced by Macrophage Phenotypes in Homeostasis or during Inflammation, Repair and Fibrosis

Current macrophage phenotype classifications are based on distinct in vitro culture conditions that do not adequately mirror complex tissue environments. In vivo monocyte progenitors populate all tissues for immune surveillance which supports the maintenance of homeostasis as well as regaining homeostasis after injury. Here we propose to classify macrophage phenotypes according to prototypical tissue environments, e.g. as they occur during homeostasis as well as during the different phases of (dermal) wound healing. In tissue necrosis and/or infection, damage- and/or pathogen-associated molecular patterns induce proinflammatory macrophages by Toll-like receptors or inflammasomes. Such classically activated macrophages contribute to further tissue inflammation and damage. Apoptotic cells and antiinflammatory cytokines dominate in postinflammatory tissues which induce macrophages to produce more antiinflammatory mediators. Similarly, tumor-associated macrophages also confer immunosuppression in tumor stroma. Insufficient parenchymal healing despite abundant growth factors pushes macrophages to gain a profibrotic phenotype and promote fibrocyte recruitment which both enforce tissue scarring. Ischemic scars are largely devoid of cytokines and growth factors so that fibrolytic macrophages that predominantly secrete proteases digest the excess extracellular matrix. Together, macrophages stabilize their surrounding tissue microenvironments by adapting different phenotypes as feed-forward mechanisms to maintain tissue homeostasis or regain it following injury. Furthermore, macrophage heterogeneity in healthy or injured tissues mirrors spatial and temporal differences in microenvironments during the various stages of tissue injury and repair. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Characterization and source identification of fine particulate matter in urban Beijing during the 2015 Spring Festival

The Spring Festival (SF) is the most important holiday in China for family reunion and tourism. During the 2015 SF an intensive observation campaign of air quality was conducted to study the impact of the anthropogenic activities and the dynamic characteristics of the sources. During the study period, pollution episodes frequently occurred with 12 days exceeding the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standards for 24-h average PM2.5 (75 μg/m3), even 8 days with exceeding 150 μg/m3. The daily maximum PM2.5 concentration reached 350 μg/m3 while the hourly minimum visibility was <0.8 km. Three pollution episodes were selected for detailed analysis including chemical characterization and diurnal variation of the PM2.5 and its chemical composition, and sources were identified using the Positive Matrix Factorization model. The first episode occurring before the SF was characterized by more formation of SO42− and NO3− and high crustal enrichment factors for Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn and seven categories of pollution sources were identified, whereby vehicle emission contributed 38% to the PM2.5. The second episode occurring during the SF was affected heavily by large-scale firework emissions, which led to a significant increase in SO42−, Cl−, OC, K and Ba; these emissions were the largest contributor to the PM2.5 accounting for 36%. During the third episode occurring after the SF, SO42−, NO3−, NH4+ and OC were the major constituents of the PM2.5 and the secondary source was the dominant source with a contribution of 46%. The results provide a detailed understanding on the variation in occurrence, chemical composition and sources of the PM2.5 as well as of the gaseous pollutants affected by the change in anthropogenic activities in Beijing throughout the SF. They highlight the need for limiting the firework emissions during China's most important traditional festival

Estimation of HIV-1 incidence among five focal populations in Dehong, Yunnan: a hard hit area along a major drug trafficking route

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 1989 when the first 146 HIV positives in China were identified, Dehong Prefecture had been one of the areas hardest-hit by HIV in China. The local and national governments have put substantial financial resources into tackling the HIV epidemic in Dehong from 2004. The objective of this study was to track dynamic changes in HIV-1 prevalence and incidence among five focal populations in Dehong and to assess the impact of HIV prevention and control efforts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consecutive cross-sectional surveys conducted in five focal populations between 2004 and 2008. Specimens seropositive for HIV were tested with the BED IgG capture enzyme immunoassay to identify recent seroconversions (median, 155 days) using normalized optical density of 0.8 and adjustments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From 2004 to 2008, estimated annual HIV incidence among injecting drug users (IDUs) decreased significantly [from 15.0% (95% CI = 11.4%-18.5%) in 2004 to 4.3% (95% CI = 2.4%-6.2%) in 2008; trend test P < 0.0001]. The incidence among other focal populations, such as HIV discordant couples (varying from 5.5% to 4.7%), female sex workers (varying from 1.4% to 1.3%), pregnant women (0.1%), and pre-marital couples (0.2 to 0.1%) remained stable. Overall, the proportion of recent HIV-1 infections was higher among females than males (P < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The HIV epidemic in Dehong continued to expand during a five-year period but at a slowing rate among IDUs, and HIV incidence remains high among IDUs and discordant couples. Intensive prevention measures should target sub-groups at highest risk to further slow the epidemic and control the migration of HIV to other areas of China, and multivariate analysis is needed to explore which measures are more effective for different populations.</p