Land inequality is a global and historic issue. There is a problem of unequal distribution of land ownership in modern China; research results on this topic are extensive, but the conclusions are ...quite different or even completely opposite. This study systematically reviewed the research results obtained for land inequality in modern China and performed an international comparison. The results show that the debate on the estimation of land inequality in modern China has existed for a long time. The overall estimation of land inequality has been repeatedly revised, and many subdivision estimates show great regional variability. The application of the Gini coefficient and other methods can address the drawbacks of traditional methods. A change trend toward equality was found to be more likely in the late modern period. The majority of studies support the notion that debt burden, power, and strength exacerbated land inequality in modern China, whereas the inheritance system with equal sharing, revolution, and reform reduced the land inequality. However, the impact of disasters and commercialization remains controversial. Compared with relevant international studies, the study on land inequality in modern China focused on estimations with unique interpretation perspectives, but there are limitations in terms of the research methods used.
Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and severe postoperative complication in elderly patients undergoing major surgery linked to increased morbidity and mortality. It is reported that ...transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effectively enhances cognitive function and improves impaired consciousness.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS on POD in elderly patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty, including total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Patients aged ≥65 years scheduled for THA or TKA were randomly assigned to receive 2 mA tDCS for 20 min active-tDCS (n = 61) or sham-tDCS (n = 61). The primary outcome was the incidence of POD during the first 3 postoperative days.
All 122 patients (median age, 70 years; 80 women 65.6%) completed the trial. The incident delirium risk was 4.9% (n = 3) vs. 19.7% (n = 12) in active-tDCS and sham-tDCS groups, respectively (relative risk, 0.250; 95% CI, 0.074 to 0.842; P = 0.013). Compared to the sham-tDCS group, the anxiety and depression scores of patients in the active-tDCS group were lower at 2 h and one day after surgery (P < 0.001 for each), and pain scores of patients in the active-tDCS group were lower during the first three days after surgery (P < 0.05).
One session of anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may decrease the incidence of POD in elderly patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.
•POD is a common perioperative complication in older patients after major surgery.•tDCS over the DLPFC decreases the incidence of POD in elderly patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.•Our results show a possible prophylactic effect of tDCS on POD in elderly patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.
As a major sink of atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2), nitrate (NO3−) in polar snow can reflect the long‐range transport of NOx and related species (e.g., peroxyacetyl nitrate). On the ...other hand, because NO3− in snow can be photolyzed, potentially producing gas phase NOx locally, NO3− in snow (and thus, ice) may reflect local processes. Here we investigate the relationship between local atmospheric composition at Summit, Greenland (72°35′N, 38°25′W) and the isotopic composition of NO3− to determine the degree to which local processes influence atmospheric and snow NO3−. Based on snow and atmospheric observations during May–June 2010 and 2011, we find no connection between the local atmospheric concentrations of a suite of gases (BrO, NO, NOy, HNO3, and nitrite (NO2−)) and the NO3− isotopic composition or concentration in snow. This suggests that (1) the snow NO3− at Summit is primarily derived from long‐range transport and (2) this NO3− is largely preserved in the snow. Additionally, three isotopically distinct NO3− sources were found to be contributing to the NO3− in the snow at Summit during both 2010 and 2011. Through the complete isotopic composition of NO3−, we suggest that these sources are local anthropogenic particulate NO3− from station activities (δ15N = 16‰, Δ17O = 4‰, and δ18O = 23‰), NO3− formed from midlatitude NOx (δ15N = −10‰, Δ17O = 29‰, δ18O = 78‰) and a NO3− source that is possibly influenced by or derived from stratospheric ozone NO3− (δ15N = 5‰, Δ17O = 39‰, δ18O = 100‰).
Key Points
Nitrate in snow at Summit, Greenland is not affected by postdepositional processing
Three isotopically distinct sources contribute to nitrate at Summit, Greenland
Local atmospheric influence is not found in the isotopic composition of nitrate in snow
Previous studies have demonstrated improvements in motor, behavioral, and emotional areas following transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), but no published studies have reported the efficacy ...of tDCS on postoperative recovery quality in patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty. We hypothesized that tDCS might improve postoperative recovery quality in elderly patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.
Ninety-six patients (≥65 years) undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to receive 2 mA tDCS for 20 min active-tDCS or sham-tDCS. The primary outcome was the 15-item quality of recovery (QoR-15) score on postoperative day one (Т2). Secondary outcomes included the QoR-15 scores at the 2nd hour (T1), the 1st month (Т3), and the 3rd month (Т4) postoperatively, numeric rating scale scores, and fatigue severity scale scores.
Ninety-six elderly patients (mean age, 71 years; 68.7% woman) were analyzed. Higher QoR-15 scores were found in the active-tDCS group at T2 (123.0 114.3, 127.0 vs. 109.0 99.3, 115.3; median difference, 13.0; 95% CI, 8.0 to 17.0;
< 0.001). QoR-15 scores in the active-tDCS group were higher at T1 (
< 0.001), T3 (
= 0.001), and T4 (
= 0.001). The pain scores in the active-tDCS group were lower (
< 0.001 at motion;
< 0.001 at rest). The fatigue degree scores were lower in the active-tDCS group at T1 and T2 (
< 0.001 for each).
tDCS may help improve the quality of early recovery in elderly patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.
The trial was registered at the China Clinical Trial Center (ChiCTR2200057777, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=162744).
We report measurements of bromine monoxide (BrO) and use an observationally constrained chemical box model to infer total gas-phase inorganic bromine (Bry) over the tropical western Pacific Ocean ...(tWPO) during the CONTRAST field campaign (January–February 2014). The observed BrO and inferred Bry profiles peak in the marine boundary layer (MBL), suggesting the need for a bromine source from sea-salt aerosol (SSA), in addition to organic bromine (CBry). Both profiles are found to be C-shaped with local maxima in the upper free troposphere (FT). The median tropospheric BrO vertical column density (VCD) was measured as 1.6×1013 molec cm−2, compared to model predictions of 0.9×1013 molec cm−2 in GEOS-Chem (CBry but no SSA source), 0.4×1013 molec cm−2 in CAM-Chem (CBry and SSA), and 2.1×1013 molec cm−2 in GEOS-Chem (CBry and SSA). Neither global model fully captures the C-shape of the Bry profile. A local Bry maximum of 3.6 ppt (2.9–4.4 ppt; 95 % confidence interval, CI) is inferred between 9.5 and 13.5 km in air masses influenced by recent convective outflow. Unlike BrO, which increases from the convective tropical tropopause layer (TTL) to the aged TTL, gas-phase Bry decreases from the convective TTL to the aged TTL. Analysis of gas-phase Bry against multiple tracers (CFC-11, H2O ∕ O3 ratio, and potential temperature) reveals a Bry minimum of 2.7 ppt (2.3–3.1 ppt; 95 % CI) in the aged TTL, which agrees closely with a stratospheric injection of 2.6 ± 0.6 ppt of inorganic Bry (estimated from CFC-11 correlations), and is remarkably insensitive to assumptions about heterogeneous chemistry. Bry increases to 6.3 ppt (5.6–7.0 ppt; 95 % CI) in the stratospheric "middleworld" and 6.9 ppt (6.5–7.3 ppt; 95 % CI) in the stratospheric "overworld". The local Bry minimum in the aged TTL is qualitatively (but not quantitatively) captured by CAM-Chem, and suggests a more complex partitioning of gas-phase and aerosol Bry species than previously recognized. Our data provide corroborating evidence that inorganic bromine sources (e.g., SSA-derived gas-phase Bry) are needed to explain the gas-phase Bry budget in the upper free troposphere and TTL. They are also consistent with observations of significant bromide in Upper Troposphere–Lower Stratosphere aerosols. The total Bry budget in the TTL is currently not closed, because of the lack of concurrent quantitative measurements of gas-phase Bry species (i.e., BrO, HOBr, HBr, etc.) and aerosol bromide. Such simultaneous measurements are needed to (1) quantify SSA-derived Bry in the upper FT, (2) test Bry partitioning, and possibly explain the gas-phase Bry minimum in the aged TTL, (3) constrain heterogeneous reaction rates of bromine, and (4) account for all of the sources of Bry to the lower stratosphere.
BackgroundPostoperative sleep disturbance (PSD) is a common and serious postoperative complication and is associated with poor postoperative outcomes.AimsThis study aimed to investigate the effect of ...transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on PSD in older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.MethodsIn this prospective, double-blind, pilot, randomised, sham-controlled trial, patients 65 years and over undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive active tDCS (a-tDCS) or sham tDCS (s-tDCS). The primary outcomes were the objective sleep measures on postoperative nights (N) 1 and N2.Results116 inpatients were assessed for eligibility, and a total of 92 patients were enrolled; 47 received a-tDCS and 45 received s-tDCS. tDCS improved PSD by altering the following sleep measures in the a-tDCS and s-tDCS groups; the respective comparisons were as follows: the promotion of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time on N1 (64.5 (33.5–105.5) vs 19.0 (0.0, 45.0) min, F=20.10, p<0.001) and N2 (75.0 (36.0–120.8) vs 30.0 (1.3–59.3) min, F=12.55, p<0.001); the total sleep time on N1 (506.0 (408.0–561.0) vs 392.0 (243.0–483.5) min, F=14.13, p<0.001) and N2 (488.5 (455.5–548.5) vs 346.0 (286.5–517.5) min, F=7.36, p=0.007); the deep sleep time on N1 (130.0 (103.3–177.0) vs 42.5 (9.8–100.8) min, F=24.4, p<0.001) and N2 (103.5 (46.0–154.8) vs 57.5 (23.3–106.5) min, F=8.4, p=0.004); and the percentages of light sleep and REM sleep on N1 and N2 (p<0.05 for each). The postoperative depression and anxiety scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. No significant adverse events were reported.ConclusionIn older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty, a single session of anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a potentially prophylactic effect in improving postoperative short-term objective sleep measures. However, this benefit was temporary and was not maintained over time.
We quantify the stratospheric injection of brominated very short‐lived substances (VSLS) based on aircraft observations acquired in winter 2014 above the Tropical Western Pacific during the ...CONvective TRansport of Active Species in the Tropics (CONTRAST) and the Airborne Tropical TRopopause EXperiment (ATTREX) campaigns. The overall contribution of VSLS to stratospheric bromine was determined to be 5.0 ± 2.1 ppt, in agreement with the 5 ± 3 ppt estimate provided in the 2014 World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Ozone Assessment report (WMO 2014), but with lower uncertainty. Measurements of organic bromine compounds, including VSLS, were analyzed using CFC‐11 as a reference stratospheric tracer. From this analysis, 2.9 ± 0.6 ppt of bromine enters the stratosphere via organic source gas injection of VSLS. This value is two times the mean bromine content of VSLS measured at the tropical tropopause, for regions outside of the Tropical Western Pacific, summarized in WMO 2014. A photochemical box model, constrained to CONTRAST observations, was used to estimate inorganic bromine from measurements of BrO collected by two instruments. The analysis indicates that 2.1 ± 2.1 ppt of bromine enters the stratosphere via inorganic product gas injection. We also examine the representation of brominated VSLS within 14 global models that participated in the Chemistry‐Climate Model Initiative. The representation of stratospheric bromine in these models generally lies within the range of our empirical estimate. Models that include explicit representations of VSLS compare better with bromine observations in the lower stratosphere than models that utilize longer‐lived chemicals as a surrogate for VSLS.
Key Points
Based on winter 2014 observations, very short‐lived bromocarbons produced by oceanic biology contribute 5 ± 2 ppt to stratospheric bromine
Of the bromine from very short‐lived substances that reaches the stratosphere, 60% enters as organic species and 40% as inorganic species
Representation of stratospheric bromine within global models is greatly improved upon consideration of very short‐lived bromocarbons
β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) was cross-linked with ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to prepare ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid–β-cyclodextrin (EDTA/β-CD). EDTA/β-CD was applied for the removal of ...ciprofloxacin (CPX) from water. The qualitative analysis of this material was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Kinetic experimental data showed that the adsorption of CPX by EDTA/β-CD reached equilibrium state quickly, and corresponded to the pseudo-second-order model. Non-linear fitting parameters of the adsorption isotherm studies showed that the adsorption process matched the Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm model. Because of the electrostatic attraction between the adsorbent and adsorbate, the competitiveness of the adsorbate and the ions in the solution, and the salting-out effect, the adsorption process will be affected by the pH and ionic strength. EDTA/β-CD has low toxicity, is environmentally friendly, cheap, and has an excellent adsorption performance, so it is an excellent material for the removal of organic pollutants from water.
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