The impact of sea embankment reclamation on soil organic carbon and nitrogen pools in invasive Spartina alterniflora and native Suaeda salsa salt marshes in eastern China

The construction of sea embankments is an increasingly common approach for controlling the spread of the exotic C-4 perennial grass Spartina alterniflora Loisel. in coastal wetlands of eastern China. However, the impact of sea embankment reclamation on the soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in salt marshes is not fully understood. In this study, we examined the stocks of the total, labile and recalcitrant organic C and N, the recalcitrant indices of C and N, and the concentrations of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and cumulative CO2-C mineralization (MINC) in sea embankment-reclaimed S. alterniflora and Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. salt marshes through comparisons with adjacent unreclaimed S. alterniflora and S. salsa salt marshes in a coastal wetland of eastern China. Sea embankment reclamation significantly decreased plant biomass by 55.34%, soil salinity by 81.71%, soil moisture by 43.16%, soil total organic C by 50.60% and total organic N by 49.99%, and also lowered labile and recalcitrant organic C and N, WSOC, MBC and MINC in the invasive S. alterniflora salt marsh. However, sea embankment reclamation did not significantly affect the stocks of the soil organic total C and N, recalcitrant organic C and N, and soil organic C dynamics in the native S. salsa salt marsh, possibly because the total quantity of S. salsa materials entering the soil, soil salinity, moisture and bulk density were not affected by sea embankment reclamation. Our results suggest that the impact of sea embankment reclamation on soil organic C and N pools is much more profound in S. alterniflora salt marsh than in S. salsa salt marsh. Sea embankment reclamation could greatly weaken the C and N sinks of S. alterniflora salt marsh and potentially affect C and N sinks in the coastal wetlands of eastern China. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Au Nanoparticles-Decorated BiOI Nanosheet Arrays for Cathodic Photoelectrochemical Dopamine Sensors

Photocathode-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors can well evade the intrinsic hole oxidation reactions occurring at the photoelectrode–electrolyte interface and expand the application of PEC sensors in the field of bioanalysis. Herein, a cathodic PEC sensor based on p-type semiconductor bismuth oxyiodide nanosheet arrays (BiOI NSAs) integrated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrode (ITO/BiOI NSAs/AuNPs) is fabricated by a two-step electrodeposition method. The local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of AuNPs facilitates the capability of visible light absorption of the BiOI NSAs. Meanwhile, AuNPs, as an electron reservoir, improve the charge separation efficiency of carriers by forming a Schottky barrier, allowing more electrons to be transferred to O2 dissolved in the electrolyte, consequently promoting the PEC activity of the photoactive materials. Furthermore, dopamine (DA) can enhance the photocurrent of the ITO/BiOI NSAs/AuNPs photoelectrode by binding to Bi3+ on the BiOI NSAs surface to in-situ-form a charge-transfer complex (CTC). Based on this phenomenon, a PEC sensor was designed for the determination of DA, and the PEC sensor showed acceptable results for DA detection in real samples. The PEC sensor demonstrates the prospect of BiOI-based materials in cathodic PEC biosensing

Transcriptome Sequencing and Comparison of Venom Glands Revealed Intraspecific Differentiation and Expression Characteristics of Toxin and Defensin Genes in <i>Mesobuthus martensii</i> Populations

Mesobuthus martensii, a famous and important Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long medical history and unique functions. It is the first scorpion species whose whole genome was sequenced worldwide. In addition, it is the most widespread and infamous poisonous animal in northern China with complex habitats. It possesses several kinds of toxins that can regulate different ion channels and serve as crucial natural drug resources. Extensive and in-depth studies have been performed on the structures and functions of toxins of M. martensii. In this research, we compared the morphology of M. martensii populations from different localities and calculated the COI genetic distance to determine intraspecific variations. Transcriptome sequencing by RNA-sequencing of the venom glands of M. martensii from ten localities and M. eupeus from one locality was analyzed. The results revealed intraspecific variation in the expression of sodium channel toxin genes, potassium channel toxin genes, calcium channel toxin genes, chloride channel toxin genes, and defensin genes that could be related to the habitats in which these populations are distributed, except the genetic relationships. However, it is not the same in different toxin families. M. martensii and M. eupeus exhibit sexual dimorphism under the expression of toxin genes, which also vary in different toxin families. The following order was recorded in the difference of expression of sodium channel toxin genes: interspecific difference; differences among different populations of the same species; differences between sexes in the same population, whereas the order in the difference of expression of potassium channel toxin genes was interspecific difference; differences between both sexes of same populations; differences among the same sex in different populations of the same species. In addition, there existed fewer expressed genes of calcium channel toxins, chloride channel toxins, and defensins (no more than four members in each family), and their expression differences were not distinct. Interestingly, the expression of two calcium channel toxin genes showed a preference for males and certain populations. We found a difference in the expression of sodium channel toxin genes, potassium channel toxin genes, and chloride channel toxin genes between M. martensii and M. eupeus. In most cases, the expression of one member of the toxin gene clusters distributed in series on the genome were close in different populations and genders, and the members of most clusters expressed in same population and gender tended to be the different. Twenty-one toxin genes were found with the MS/MS identification evidence of M. martensii venom. Since scorpions were not subjected to electrical stimulation or other special treatments before conducting the transcriptome extraction experiment, the results suggested the presence of intraspecific variation and sexual dimorphism of toxin components which revealed the expression characteristics of toxin and defensin genes in M. martensii. We believe this study will promote further in-depth research and use of scorpions and their toxin resources, which in turn will be helpful in standardizing the identification and medical applications of Quanxie in traditional Chinese medicine

Feasibility, Safety and Timing of Secondary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention via Distal Transradial Artery Approach

Background Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via distal transradial artery approach (dTRA) is effective in reducing the incidence of radial artery occlusion, however, there are no reports on the feasibility, safety and timing of secondary PCI via dTRA domestically. Objective To explore the feasibility, safety and timing of secondary PCI via dTRA. Methods A total of 70 patients who were to undergo secondary PCI via dTRA in Fuwai Hospital, CAMS&amp;PUMC from July 2021 to July 2022 were consecutively included and divided into ≤30 d group (n=33) and &gt;30 d group (n=37) according to the time interval since the last PCI via dTRA. The general clinical data, operation-related indicators, coronary artery lesions and radial artery inner diameters at 5, 10 and 15 cm proximal to the radial styloid process before and 24 h after PCI were compared between the two groups. Results The dTRA puncture and catheterization were successfully conducted in 69 of 70 patients, with a success rate of 98.6% (69/70) . Second PCI via dTRA was successfully completed in 66 of 67 patients assessed for secondary PCI, with a success rate of 98.5% (66/67) . There were significantly difference in age, platelet count, incidence of diabetes, number of lesioned vessels and ACC/AHA coronary artery lesions typing (P&lt;0.05) . The compression bandage was released 3 hafter surgery, and the radial artery pulsation on the puncture side was palpable immediately and 24 h after surgery, and none of the patients occurred radial artery occlusion, with the radial artery patency rate of 100.0% (69/69) . The radial artery inner diameters at 5, 10 and 15 cm proximal to the radial styloid process in ≤30 d group were significantly greater than that in &gt;30 d group before and 24 h after PCI when comparing between the two groups, respectively (P&lt;0.05) . Radial artery inner diameter at 15 cm proximal to the radial styloid process 24 h after PCI was smaller than that before surgery in ≤30 d group, radial artery inner diameter at 5 cm proximal to the radial styloid process 24 h after PCI was smaller than that before surgery in &gt;30 d group (P&lt;0.05) . Conclusion Secondary PCI via dTRA is safe and feasible independent of first dTRA PCI time (≤30 days or &gt;30 days from the first dTRA PCI) , and the timing of secondary PCI via dTRA should be determined according to the patient&apos;s condition and puncture site

The fluid mud flow deposits represent mud caps of Holocene hybrid event beds from the widest and gentlest shelf

The internal fabric of mud caps, which are on top of sediment gravity flow deposits, remains unexplored so far. We identified four hybrid event beds on one of the widest and gentlest shelf (East China Sea Shelf). Three types of lithofacies, including massive sand, chaotic mud and homogeneous mud, were distinguished. Homogeneous mud represents mud caps of these hybrid event beds. Scanning electron microscopy performed in both homogeneous mud and chaotic mud has revealed the presence of mud aggregates (mud clasts) conforming sand-size clasts. Chemical analyses of the aggregates show the presence of abundant gypsum/anhydrite and clay mineral components as well as relicts of quartz, muscovite and feldspar, suggesting an origin related to erosional events and an intraclast origin. The vertical shortening, deformation together with the pore spaces of mud clasts indicate a shallow burial depth of erosion, where mud sediments were still unconsolidated and water-saturated. No background sedimentation is present in the mud caps, because we did not observe any bioturbated interval in core images and X-radiographs. The lack of laminated muds and synsedimentary trace fossils in the homogeneous muds suggest an origin related to fluid mud flows. As proved on previous experiments, the mud caps could be related to head erosion and shearing of the muddy debris flow/mud flow´s upper surface which generated a slower moving fluid mud flow. Our study further confirms that no laminated sand/silt (H4 division) would be present in hybrid event beds with mud-dominated H3 division. Head erosion of muddy debris flow/mud flow would not allow laminated H4 division to form, because the fluid mud flow derived from the parent mud-dominated debris flow was mainly composed of grains smaller than 30 μm which can effectively damp turbulence effectively. Grain size analysis performed on samples from fluid mud flow deposit fall into pelagites/hemipelagites area (T area), suggesting that fluid mud flow deposits are also a candidate for T area, and the area does not necessarily reflect a deposition under un-stressed environment.Fil: Shan, Xin. Ministry of Natural Resources; China. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; ChinaFil: Shi, Xuefa. Ministry of Natural Resources; China. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; ChinaFil: Qiao, Shuqing. Ministry of Natural Resources; China. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; ChinaFil: Jin, Lina. Nanjing University; ChinaFil: Otharán, Germán Aníbal. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Zavala, Carlos. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; ArgentinaFil: Liu, Jianxing. Ministry of Natural Resources; China. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; ChinaFil: Zhang, Yingqiu. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; China. Ministry of Natural Resources; ChinaFil: Zhang, Dan. East China Normal University; ChinaFil: Xu, Taoyu. Ministry of Natural Resources; China. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology; ChinaFil: Fu, Chao. China University of Geosciences; Chin

Mating strategies in Chinese culture : female risk avoiding vs. male risk taking

Previous evolutionary literature demonstrating risk taking as a male mating strategy ignored cultural influences and the function of risk avoiding for women. The present research is the first to support the hypothesis that risk taking and risk avoiding, respectively, reflect Chinese male and female mating strategies. In Study 1, when under the impression of being watched by the opposite sex, Chinese men took more risks and women took fewer risks than when watched by a same sex or alone. In Study 2, Chinese male risk taking and female risk avoiding were positively related to their mating-related evaluation of the opposite-sex observer, and these results were reinforced by behavioral findings in Study 3. The implications of the findings regarding Chinese traditional mate preference and the evolutionary mechanism behind it are discussed