Magnetic properties and geochemistry of the Xiashu Loess in the present subtropical area of China, and their implications for pedogenic intensity

Abstract Variations in the magnetic susceptibility of Chinese loess have been used to indicate pedogenic intensity and therefore past climate across the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). However, the relationship between climate and magnetic properties has not been fully resolved, and therefore a study of loess sections distributed over a wider climatic region is timely. In this study, we have investigated a 22.1 m loess section (named the Xiashu Loess) at Dagang, China, by integrating both rock magnetic and geochemical proxies. This loess profile is situated in a modern subtropical climate region with annual mean precipitation and temperature of 1100 mm and 15.4°C, respectively, and therefore has experienced a stronger weathering intensity due to its lower latitude, higher temperature and rainfall. Geochemical and magnetic evidence indicate the same source area for the Xiashu Loess as for loess in northern China. The magnetic mineral assemblage of the Xiashu Loess is dominated by a higher concentration of superparamagnetic (SP)/single domain (SD) magnetite/maghemite grains in strongly weathered paleosols than in the loess layers, consistent with the production of fine-grained ferrimagnetic minerals during pedogenic processes. Nevertheless, compared to loess in the CLP, the Xiashu Loess shows: 1) reduced contrasts in magnetic susceptibility (χ), Hard Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (HIRM) and remanence of coercivity (B cr ) between loess and paleosols units, which indicates that the loess units have undergone stronger pedogenic alterations; 2) lower peak values of HIRM and χ in paleosols. In addition, the ratios SIRM/χ, χ ARM /SIRM (where SIRM and χ ARM are Saturation Isothermal Remanent Magnetization and the susceptibility of Anhysteretic Remanent Magnetization, respectively) and B cr are found to be significantly correlated with the quotient (CaO ⁎ + Na 2 O + MgO)/TiO 2 , a geochemical indicator of pedogenic intensity. Overall, it seems that pedogenic processes in the Xiashu Loess lead to a relative increase in fine-grained ferrimagnetic SP/SD grains but depletion of anti-ferromagnetic minerals. Magnetic and geochemical proxies indicate strengthened East Asia summer monsoon during Marine Isotope Stages 13, 11 and 5, which is in good agreement with the records from the CLP and the South China Sea

Paleoenvironment and Migration of rivers,delta and lakes in the lowest reaches of Heihe River

Migration of rivers and lakes in the lowest reaches of Heihe River during the last 8000 years, was investigated mainly by field observation, micro-fossil and chemical analyses of sediments, AMS datings and satellite images, in relation to the shift of delta and sand dunes. The results are summarized as follows.From 7500 to 1700 years BP, giant Old Juyan Lake was existed just faced on the Juyan Delta. The extension of Old Juyan Lake in the past was reconstructed by the former shorelines (gravel bars) and those ages were determined by AMS method using molluscan fossils from the bar deposits. The main part of the Juyan Delta is covered with sand dunes, but traces of braided channels still preserved. Around the Green City and western half of Juyan Delta, human occupation including irrigation channels and agricultural land was dominated at least in Han Dynasty.After AD250, the Old Juyan Lake was dried up or became very small lakes, because no former shorelines were found. At this moment a river began to enter into Sogo Nur. Sand dune formation was activated and disturbed the river course.Around AD1200, Heihe channels migrated to northward, commenced to form Ejina Delta. Frequent flooding deposits are distributed and the river water reached to Gashun Nur. In Xixia and Yuan Dynasties, they used still irrigation channels for agriculture around Black City and in the western part of Juyan Delta.During the Little Ice Age, pollen and diatom analyses indicate that Gashun Nur environment alternated between water coverage and desiccation. AD 1450 - 1550, irrigation channels were covered with Tamarix cones, suggesting abandonment of the human occupation under such arid environments in the lower reaches of Heih

First Succinylome Profiling of Vibrio alginolyticus Reveals Key Role of Lysine Succinylation in Cellular Metabolism and Virulence

Recent studies have shown that a key strategy of many pathogens is to use post-translational modification (PTMs) to modulate host factors critical for infection. Lysine succinylation (Ksuc) is a major PTM widespread in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and is associated with the regulation of numerous important cellular processes. Vibrio alginolyticus is a common pathogen that causes serious disease problems in aquaculture. Here we used the affinity enrichment method with LC-MS/MS to report the first identification of 2082 lysine succinylation sites on 671 proteins in V. alginolyticus, and compared this with the lysine acetylation of V. alginolyticus in our previous work. The Ksuc modification of SodB and PEPCK proteins were further validated by Co-immunoprecipitation combined with Western blotting. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the identified lysine succinylated proteins are involved in various biological processes and central metabolism pathways. Moreover, a total of 1,005 (25.4%) succinyl sites on 502 (37.3%) proteins were also found to be acetylated, which indicated that an extensive crosstalk between acetylation and succinylation in V. alginolyticus occurs, especially in three central metabolic pathways: glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. Furthermore, we found at least 50 (7.45%) succinylated virulence factors, including LuxS, Tdh, SodB, PEPCK, ClpP, and the Sec system to play an important role in bacterial virulence. Taken together, this systematic analysis provides a basis for further study on the pathophysiological role of lysine succinylation in V. alginolyticus and provides targets for the development of attenuated vaccines

Video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy combined with laparoscopy for esophageal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Minimally invasive transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer includes mediastinoscopic and laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy. It is inadequate in both two techniques. It is impossible to dissect the lower esophagus with single mediastinoscopy or the upper and middle esophagus with single laparoscopy. We use mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy to dissect the whole esophagus and stomach including lymph node dissection. In addition, laparoscopic gastric mobilization leads to less trauma than an open gastroplasty.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>40 cases of video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy were performed and divided into two groups.32 patients were received surgical therapy of single mediastinoscopic esophagectomy with open gastroplasty in group A, while 8 patients were received surgical therapy of mediastinoscopic esophagectomy combined with laparoscopic lower esophageal and gastric dissection in group B. The perioperative complications were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy was performed successfully both in group A and B. It suggested that mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy be better than single mediastinoscopy because of less blood loss, less pain, shorter ICU stay and complete lower mediastinal lymph nodes resection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy combined with laparoscopy is a safe and minimally invasive technique with whole esophagus and mediastinal lymph node dissection in the clear visualization of the mediastinum, reducing the abdominal trauma.</p

Fire dynamics and driving mechanisms on the Eastern Coast of China since the Late Pleistocene: evidence from charcoal records on Shengshan Island

Fires play a significant role in ecosystems, exerting a profound influence on climate, vegetation, and geochemical cycles, while being reciprocally affected by these factors. The reconstruction of past fire events serves as a valuable window into understanding environmental changes over time. To investigate the history of ancient fires on the Eastern Coast of China, we conducted the first charcoal analysis on a loess profile of Shengshan Island (East China Sea). Along with other biological and geochemical proxies, we successfully reconstructed the ancient fire dynamics and elucidated their driving mechanisms in this region since the Late Pleistocene. Our initial findings revealed a peak in charcoal concentration during the 60-50 ka period, but after calibrating for sedimentation rate, the concentration significantly decreased. Fire activities remained weak during 50-30 ka, likely due to the scarcity of combustible materials. Between 30-12 ka, fires were frequent in the early period, while gradually diminishing during the later stage. Dry climate and dense vegetation likely attributed to frequent fires in early period, while some extreme events (e.g., sudden change in temperature) may have decreased the fire frequency in later period. The Holocene (began ~12 ka) evidenced the most frequent fire events as a high charcoal concentration was recorded, likely caused by human activities. After comparing our findings with other paleoecological records from surrounding areas, we confirmed the accuracy of our reconstruction of ancient fires. This reconstruction captures not only local shifts but also broader regional changes. Overall, our study highlights the importance of calibrating sedimentation rate in charcoal profiles, while also contributing to an enhanced understanding of environmental changes along the Eastern Coast of China since the Late Pleistocene

Confinement of carbon dots localizing to the ultrathin layered double hydroxides toward simultaneous triple-mode bioimaging and photothermal therapy

It is a great challenge to develop multifunctional nanocarriers for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Herein, versatile CDs/ICG-uLDHs nanovehicles for triple-modal fluorescence/photoacoustic/two-photon bioimaging and effective photothermal therapy were prepared via a facile self-assembly of red emission carbon dots (CDs), indocyanine green (ICG) with the ultrathin layered double hydroxides (uLDHs). Due to the J-aggregates of ICG constructed in the self-assembly process, CDs/ICG-uLDHs was able to stabilize the photothermal agent ICG and enhanced its photothermal efficiency. Furthermore, the unique confinement effect of uLDHs has extended the fluorescence lifetime of CDs in favor of bioimaging. Considering the excellent in vitro and in vivo phototherapeutics and multimodal imaging effects, this work provides a promising platform for the construction of multifunctional theranostic nanocarrier system for the cancer treatment

Modeling and Identification Method of Bolt Loosening of Joint Surface under Axial Tension of Multistage Disk-Drum Rotor

Individual bolt at key connection positions is prone to loose when the engine is cycle-operating under complex loads. A joint surface equivalent stiffness model is derived and developed based on the connection characteristics of bolt screwing in the multi-exciting environment of the high-pressure rotor. The model is used to analyse the effect of bolt missing at circumferential positions with the equivalent stiffness loss. Vibration experiments under both axial force and lateral impact were carried out to obtain the dynamic response feature of the multistage disk-drum simulated rotor with missing one bolt at different positions. The Spearman correlation coefficient was applied to evaluate the identification effect of different measuring points on the bolt loosening position. The study shows that the eigenfrequencies of experimental results have a consistent trend with the equivalent stiffness variation caused by single bolt missing model. This method also provides a theoretical basis for the detection of bolt deviation position with multi-exciting vibration detection

Design of microenvironment intelligent monitoring system of network cabinet

To improve the ability of network cabinet to deal with early warning and failure, a microenvironment intelligent monitoring system of network cabinet was designed. The system installs embedded terminal in the cabinet, collects power and non-power information and transmits to Web server via Ethernet. When collecting information was abnormal or cabinet fault occurs, the terminal can alarm intelligently and send SMS tips to remind abnormal situation. The experimental results show that the system can quickly and accurately locate abnormal and failure, and its remote control function is stable and reliable