The Gulf Stream anchors a notable time-mean convergence zone during warm seasons, which produces strong precipitation and huge latent heat release in the free atmosphere. How the Gulf Stream front ...drives transient winds resulting in the convergence zone remains intensely debated. The oceanic-front-induced convergences are masked by strong synoptic disturbances. By synthesizing the 10-years high-frequency samplings by QuikSCAT, this study develops a novel procedure to isolate the subtle but climatically important convergence response to the oceanic front from the energetic synoptic disturbances. The binned convergence exhibits an evident cosine dependence on the angles between sea surface temperature (SST) gradients and transient winds and reaches its maximum when the winds deceleratingly blow down SST gradients, consistent with the so-called vertical mixing mechanism. The transient surface winds accelerate (decelerate) due to the enhanced (reduced) downward momentum transfer over the mesoscale warm (cold) waters. Thus, stronger down-SST-gradient winds cause stronger convergences over shaper SST gradients. The linear relationship between convergence and wind advection over SST gradients significantly contributes to the time-mean Gulf Stream convergence zone. The increased boundary-layer moisture acts to strengthen the SST-front-induced convergence and shifts convergence towards the Gulf Stream axis. As the synoptic disturbances frequent over the Gulf Stream, this study provides a potential pathway that the mesoscale SST gradients modulate synoptic disturbances through driving the surface wind convergences.
This study presents the effects of fluorescent dissolved organic matters (FDOM) on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in western Lake Chaohu and its inflow rivers. The surface water samples from the 27 ...sites in western Lake Chaohu and its inflow rivers were collected in March and September 2013. The contents of PFAAs and the FDOM in the water samples were measured by a high-performance liquid chromatograph - mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS) and by a fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. The temporal-spatial distributions of PFAAs and FDOM, as well as their interrelationships, were investigated. Eleven PFAA components were detected, and the mean concentration of total PFAAs (TPFAAs) in western Lake Chaohu and its inflow rivers were 12.93 ± 5.19 ng/L and 11.84 ± 9.50 ng/L, respectively. PFOA was the predominant contaminant in two regions (7.13 ± 3.07 ng/L and 4.30 ± 2.14 ng/L) followed by PFHxA (1.72 ± 0.80 ng/L and 1.42 ± 1.41 ng/L) and PFBA (1.44 ± 0.78 ng/L and 1.37 ± 0.78 ng/L). The mean concentration of total FDOM in western Lake Chaohu and its inflow rivers were 220.0 ± 40.30 μg quinine sulfate units (Q.S.)/L and 406.3 ± 213.1 μg Q.S./L, respectively. The significant, positive correlations were observed between the PFAAs and FDOMs in both the lake area and the inflow rivers. However, no significant correlation was observed between PFAAs and the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the lake area. This finding indicated that the residues and distributions of PFAAs were significantly dependent on the compositions of dissolved organic matters (DOM) and not on the total content of DOM.
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•The mean concentration of total FDOM was higher in western Lake Chaohu than in its inflow rivers.•The mean concentration of total PFAAs in western Lake Chaohu and its inflow rivers were similar.•The PFAAs in the dry season were significantly higher than those in the rainy season.•The significant positive correlations between the PFAAs and FDOMs in two regions•Humic substances and protein-like substances might have opposite effects on PFAAs' distributions.
This paper explores the characteristics of embodied CO2 emissions from the perspective of carbon inflows, carbon outflows, and the net effects, at both an aggregate and bilateral scale. We identify ...several important relationships in bilateral carbon flows, including China–EU, China–USA, Russia–EU, and China–Japan, which make China and Russia the largest carbon exporters and the EU and the USA the largest carbon importers. A further investigation of the sectors contributing to carbon flows shows that exports from the mineral, chemicals, metals, oil, transport, and other manufacturing sectors are the main cause of carbon outflows, while the intermediate inputs of the electricity and transport sectors are the primary cause of carbon outflows due to export production. Moreover, we propose an intensity-based shared responsibility strategy and find that China should take the most responsibility because it is responsible for nearly 32% of all embodied emissions, due to its less efficient and high carbon-intensive technologies. The USA and the EU follow China, with shares of 13.2% and 11.3%, respectively, owing to their heavy consumption. As a result, China and the USA contribute 31.8% and 20.6%, respectively, of the total global emissions, outweighing the aggregated contribution from all other countries/regions.
•China and Russia were the major CO2 exporters to EU, USA and Japan.•Exports from sectors of mineral, chemical and metals embodied most CO2.•Intermediate use of electricity and transport sectors was the primary cause.•China shared 32% of embodied CO2 due to its carbon-intensive technologies.•China and USA contributed 31.8% and 20.6% of the total global emissions.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common and devastating microvascular complication of diabetes and a major cause of acquired blindness in young adults. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) ...accumulated under hyperglycemic conditions are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of DR. AGEs can exert their deleterious effects by acting directly to induce aberrant crosslinking of extracellular matrix proteins, to increase vascular stiffness, altering vascular structure and function. Moreover, AGEs binding to the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) evokes intensive intracellular signaling cascades that leading to endothelial dysfunction, elaboration of key proinflammatory cytokines and proangiogenic factors, mediating pericyte apoptosis, vascular inflammation and angiogenesis, as well as breakdown of the inner blood-retinal barrier (BRB), the end result of all these events is damage to the neural and vascular components of the retina. Elucidation of AGE-induced mechanisms will help in the understanding of the complex cellular and molecular pathogenesis associated with DR. Novel anti-AGEs agents or AGE crosslink “breakers” are being investigated, it is hoped that in next few years, some of these promising therapies will be successfully applied in clinical context, aiming to reduce the major economical and medical burden caused by DR.
Vertical deformation can be revealed by various techniques such as precise leveling, satellite imagery, and extensometry. Despite considerable effort, recording detailed subsurface deformation using ...traditional extensometers remains challenging when attempting to detect localized deformation. Here we introduce distributed fiber optic sensing based on Brillouin scattering as a geophysical exploration method for imaging distributed profiles of vertical deformation. By examining fiber optic cable‐soil interaction we found a threshold in confining pressure to achieve a strong cable‐soil coupling, thus validating data collected from a borehole‐embedded fiber optic cable deployed in Shengze, southern Yangtze Delta, China. Clear‐cut strain profiles acquired from November 2014 to December 2016 allowed us to pinpoint where compaction or rebound was actively occurring and examine strain responses at various locations along the entire cable length. We suggest that distributed fiber optic sensing can complement with extensometry and remote sensing techniques for improved monitoring of vertical deformation.
Plain Language Summary
Recording detailed subsurface deformation using traditional methods (e.g., extensometers) is sometimes difficult due to limited measuring points. This dilemma may be overcome by using the emerging distributed fiber optic sensing technology, which transforms common telecommunication fiber optic cables into sensors capable of making distributed strain measurements. We report the use of this technology for monitoring distributions of vertical deformation resulting from groundwater ion in Shengze, southern Yangtze Delta, China. An evaluation of the performance of a borehole‐embedded fiber optic cable helps us to validate the in situ strain data. The advantage of using this technology for vertical deformation sensing is the ability to locate any strata undergoing compaction or rebound and look at strain responses at any depth of interest. Moreover, recording subsurface changes in this fashion may also be useful in other geophysical and engineering applications that require refined monitoring of the media.
Key Points
Distributed fiber optic sensing with Brillouin scattering provides a clear subsurface strain profile using a single fiber optic cable
We find a threshold in confining pressure to achieve a strong fiber optic cable‐soil coupling
Distributed fiber optic sensing can complement with existing techniques for improved monitoring of vertical deformation
At present, about 90% of the elderly in the country choose to live at home. For various reasons, many elderly people feel lonely, even with children around. Using the methods of questionnaire survey ...and indepth interviews, this paper visited the elderly service centers in 15 communities in Wuhan, and conducted a questionnaire survey on 412 elderly people over 60 years old. The results showed that 54% of the elderly often go to community elderly service centers to participate in activities, but 30% of the elderly never go; the elderly who go to the community have the highest satisfaction with community entertainment activities such as mahjong room and square dance, 50%are satisfied; elderly people with higher education level are less likely to participate in community activities; the elderly generally lack spiritual comfort; 37% of them want to use their expertise to contribute to the community but do not know how to start. To this end, this paper proposes to take advantage of Wuhan’s 83 colleges and universities to seek strategic cooperation between universities and neighboring communities, so that relatively young healthy elderly people aged 60-75 can have lifelong learning opportunities and continue their spiritual growth. At the same time, it promotes the effective combination of theoretical knowledge and social practice of teachers and students in universities. This move will enhance the social participation and well-being of the elderly and promote the construction of an elderlyfriendly society.
This article starts with the definition of a small business, its several stages of development, and the main behavioral manifestations of transformational leadership style, analyzes and draws a ...preliminary conclusion that transformational leadership is suitable for the growth of small businesses. Then it tells the story of New Oriental from a training school for studying abroad in Beijing to gradually grow into New Oriental Education Technology Group Co.,Ltd., the leader of China’s private education and training industry, which further supports the original conclusion.
The relationship between sex and creativity remains an unresolved research question. The present study aimed to approach this question through the lens of
, which posits a dynamic pattern of sex ...differences in intellectual abilities from female superiority in childhood and early adolescence to male superiority starting at 16 years of age. A total of 775 participants from three age groups (i.e., children, adolescents, and emerging adults) completed a 4-year longitudinal study comprising four assessments of creative thinking at 1-year intervals. Creative thinking was assessed with the Test for Creative Thinking-Drawing Production. While the results revealed female superiority in childhood and early adolescence, male superiority was not found in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Rather, greater sex similarities and greater male variability were found based on mean and variability analyses, respectively. This study elucidated the link between sex and creativity by (1) taking a developmental perspective, (2) employing a 4-year longitudinal design in three age groups (i.e., children, adolescents, and emerging adults), and (3) analyzing sex differences based on both mean and variability analyses.
Since the discovery of liquid-phase-exfoliated black phosphorus (BP) as a field-effect transistor in 2014, BP, with its 2D layered structure, has attracted significant attention, owing to its ...anisotropic electroconductivity, tunable direct bandgap, extraordinary surface activity, moderate switching ratio, high hole mobility, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Several pioneering research efforts have explored the application of BP in different types of electrochemical sensors. This review summarizes the latest synthesis methods, protection strategies, and electrochemical sensing applications of BP and its derivatives. The typical synthesis methods for BP-based crystals, nanosheets, and quantum dots are discussed in detail; the degradation of BP under ambient conditions is introduced; and state-of-the-art protection methodologies for enhancing BP stability are explored. Various electrochemical sensing applications, including chemically modified electrodes, electrochemiluminescence sensors, enzyme electrodes, electrochemical aptasensors, electrochemical immunosensors, and ion-selective electrodes are discussed in detail, along with the mechanisms of BP functionalization, sensing strategies, and sensing properties. Finally, the major challenges in this field are outlined and future research avenues for BP-based electrochemical sensors are highlighted.
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•Developments in black phosphorus (BP)-based electrochemical sensors are discussed.•BP synthesis and stability-enhancement strategies are elaborated.•BP functionalization and applications in electrochemical sensors are described.•Challenges and opportunities in BP-based electrochemical sensors are outlined.
Real-time in situ monitoring of low-abundance cancer biomarkers (e.g., miRNAs and proteins) in living cells by nonenzymatic assembly entirely from original DNA probes remains unexplored due to an ...extremely complex intracellular environment. Herein, a nonenzymatic palindrome-catalyzed DNA assembly (NEPA) technique is developed to execute the in situ imaging of intracellular miRNAs by assembling a three-dimensional nanoscale DNA spherical structure (NS) with low mobility from three free hairpin-type DNAs rather than from DNA intermediates based on the interaction of designed terminal palindromes. Target miRNA was detected down to 1.4 pM, and its family members were distinguished with almost 100% accuracy. The subcellular localization of NS products can be visualized in real time. The NEPA-based sensing strategy is also suitable for the intracellular in situ fluorescence imaging of cancer-related protein receptors, offering valuable insight into developing sensing protocols for understanding the biological function of vital biomolecules in disease pathogenesis and future therapeutic applications.
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