Near-surface sand-dust horizontal flux in Tazhong-the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert

Tazhong is the hinterland and a sandstorm high-frequency area of the Taklimakan Desert. However, little is known about the detailed time-series of aeolian sand transport in this area. An experiment to study the sand-dust horizontal flux of near-surface was carried out in Tazhong from January to December 2009. By measur- ing the sand-dust horizontal flux throughout sixteen sand-dust weather processes with a 200-cm tall Big Spring Number Eight （BSNE） sampler tower, we quantitatively analyzed the vertical variation of the sand-dust horizontal flux. And the total sand-dust horizontal flux of different time-series that passed through a section of 100 cm in width and 200 cm in height was estimated combining the data of saltation movement continuously recorded by piezo- electric saltation sensors （Sensit）. The results indicated that, in the surface layer ranging from 0-200 cm, the inten- sity of sand-dust horizontal flux decreased with the increase of the height, and the physical quantities obeyed power function well. The total sand-dust horizontal flux of the sixteen sand-dust weather processes that passed through a section of 100 cm in width and 200 cm in height was about 2,144.9 kg, the maximum of one sand-dust weather event was about 396.3 kg, and the annual total sand-dust horizontal flux was about 3,903.2 kg. The high levels of aeolian sand transport occurred during daytime, especially from 13：00 to 16：00 in the afternoon. We try to develop a new method for estimation of the detailed time-series of aeolian sand transport.

Vertical distribution characteristics of dust aerosol mass concentration in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland

The different height mass concentrations of dust aerosol data from the atmosphere environment observation station （Ta- zhong Station） was continuously observed by instruments of Grimm 1.108, Thermo RP 1400a and TSP from January of 2009 to February of 2010 in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland. Results show that： （1） The mass concentration value of 80 m PMl0 was higher, but PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentrations at 80 m was obviously lower than 4 m PMl0, and the value of 80 m PM1.0 mass concentration was the lowest. （2） The PM mass concentrations gradually decreased from night to sunrise, with the lowest concentration at 08：00, with the mass concentration gradually increased, up to the highest concentration around 18：00, and then decreased again. It was exactly the same with the changes of wind speed. （3） The high monthly average mass concentration of TSP mainly appeared from March to September, and the highest concentration was in April and May, subsequently gradually decreased. Also, March-September was a period with high value area of PM monthly average mass concentration, with the highest monthly average mass concentration of 846.0 p.g/m3 for 4 m PM^0 appeared in May. The concentration of PM10 was much higher than those of PM2.5 and PM1.0 at 80 m. There is a small difference between the concentration of PM2.5 and PM~ 0. Dust weather was the main factor which influenced the concentration content of the different diameter dust aerosol, and the more dust weather days, the higher content of coarse particle, conversely, fine particle was more. （4） The mass concentration of different diameter aerosols had the following sequence during dust weather： clear day 〈 blowing dust 〈 floating and blowing dust 〈 sandstorm. In different dust weather, the value of PM^o/TSP in fine weather was higher than that in floating weather, and much higher than those in blowing dust and sandstorm weather. （5） During the dust weather process, dust aerosol concentration gradually decreased with particle size decreasing. The dust aerosol mass concentration at different heights and diameter would have a peak value area every 3-4 days according to the strengthening process of dust weather.

Application of wind profiler data to rainfall analyses in Tazhong Oilfield region,Xinjiang,China

To improve the level of meteorological service for the Oilfield region in the Taklimakan Desert, the Urumqi Institute of Desert Meteorology of the China Meteorological Administration （CMA） conducted a detection experiment by means of wind profiling radar （WPR） in Tazhong Oilfield region of Xinjiang, China in July 2010. By using the wind profiler data obtained during the rainfall process on 27 July, this paper analyzed the wind field fea- tures and some related scientific issues of this weather event. The results indicated that： （1） wind profiler data had high temporal resolution and vertical spatial resolution, and could be used to analyze detailed vertical structures of rainfall processes and the characteristics of meso-scale systems. Before and after the rain event on 27 July, the wind field showed multi-layer vertical structures, having an obvious meso-scale wind shear line and three airflows from different directions, speeding up the motion of updraft convergence in the lower atmosphere. Besides, the wind directions before and after the rainfall changed inversely with increasing height. Before the rain, the winds blew clockwise, but after the onset of the rain, the wind directions became counterclockwise mainly; （2） the temperature advection derived from wind profiler data can reproduce the characteristics of low-level thermodynamic evolution in the process of rainfall, which is capable to reflect the variation trend of hydrostatic stability in the atmosphere. In the early stage of the precipitation on 27 July, the lower atmosphere was mainly affected by warm advection which had accumulated unstable energy for the rainfall event and was beneficial for the occurrence of updraft motion and precipitation; （3） the ＂large-value zone＂ of the radar reflectivity factor Z was virtually consistent with the onset and end of the rainfall, the height for the formation of rain cloud particles, and precipitation intensity. The reflectivity factor Z during this event varied approximately in the range of 18-38 dBZ and the rain droplets formed mainly at the layer of 3,800-4,500 m.

Analysis of mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter in a sandstorm course and its affecting factors in the Taklimakan Desert

During the course of a major sandstorm from April 17 to April 23, 2008 in the Taklimakan Desert, data pertaining to the mass concentrations of different-sized atmospheric particulate matter were observed continuously with Grimm 1.108, Thermo RP 1400a, TSP, and CAWS-600 instruments. The results showed that： （1） during the entire sandstorm process there were some dif- ferences between the daily mean particle concentration peaks and the hourly mean particle concentration peaks because the actual sandstorm lasted for only about 4 hr, whereas more particles were accumulated in the floating dust days before and after the actual sandstorm; （2） the intensity of the sandstorm was enhanced with the increase of wind speed, and this was related to the peak mass concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter; the wind speed directly affected the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter： the higher the wind speed, the higher the mass concentration （〉0.23 μm was 39,496.5 μg/m^3, and 〉20.0 μm was 5,390.7μg/m^3）; （3） the concentration changes of PM10 and TSP were also related to the course and intensity of the sandstorm; and （4） the mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter had the following sequence during the dust weather： clear day 〈 floating dust 〈 floating and blowing dust 〈 sandstorm. Temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure are important factors affecting the strength of storms, which could also indirectly affect the concentration change of atmospheric particulate matter.

The variation characteristics and effect factors of surface ozone concentration in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland

Based on automatic continuous surface ozone concentration observation data from June 10, 2010 to March 20, 2012 in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland, combined with corresponding meteorological data, the temporal, seasonal and daily variation characteristics of surface ozone concentrations under different weather conditions were analyzed. At the same time, the main fac- tors affecting ozone variation are discussed. Results show that： （1） Daily variation of ozone concentration was characterized by one obvious peak, with gentle changes during the night and dramatic changes during the day. The lowest concentration was at 09：00 and the highest was at 18：00. Compared to urban areas, there was a slight time delay. （2） Ozone concentration variation had a weekend effect phenomenon. Weekly variation of ozone concentration decreased from Monday to Wednesday with the lowest in Wednesday, and increased after Thursday with the highest in Sunday. （3） The highest monthly average concentration was 89.6 I.tg/m3 in June 2010, and the lowest was 32.0 ~g/m3 in January 2012. Ozone concentration reduced month by month from June to December in 2010. （4） Ozone concentration in spring and summer was higher than in autumn and winter. The variation trend agreed with those in other large and medium-sized cities. （5） Under four different types of weather, daily ozone concentration var- ied most dramatically in sunny days, followed by slight variation in rain days, and varied gently in cloudy days. Ozone concentra- tion varied inconspicuously before a sandstorm appearance, and dropped rapidly at the onset of a sandstorm. （6） Daily variation of radiation was also characterized by a single peak, and the variation was significantly earlier than ozone concentration variation. Sun radiation intensity had a direct influence on the photochemical reaction speed, leading to variation of ozone concentration. （7） Daily average ozone concentration in dust weather was higher than in slight rain and clear days. The variation of near surface ozone concentration could also be affected by meteorological factors such as relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction and sunshine hours. Thus, numerous factors working together led to ozone pollution.

The spatial and temporal distribution and characteristics of inorganic ion concentrations of TSP in the Tarim Basin

Based on Total Suspended Particulates （TSP） observations of Tazhong, Tikanli, Kashi and Minfeng in 2009, combined wa- ter-soluble inorganic ion analyses, this paper studied the spatial and temporal distribution of TSP in the Tarim Basin and analyzed concentration characteristics. The results are as follows： （1） monthly average TSP concentrations shows a similar trend in Tazhong, Tikanli, Kashi and Minfeng with peak values in April-May and low values in November-December. As for the quarter average mass concentration trends, spring has the highest value, followed by summer and autumn, and winter is the lowest; （2） total annual concentration trend of water-soluble inorganic ions in TSP is as follows： Tazhong 〉 Tikanli 〉 Minfeng 〉 Kashi. SO4^2- concentra- tions are 58%, 50%, 54% and 51% of total ion concentration; Ca^2＋ concentrations are 13%, 16%, 16% and 11%; Na^＋ concentra- tions are 12%, 13%, 10% and 12% and Cl^- concentrations are 12%, 16%, 11% and 22%, respectively. Therefore, sulfate, calcium, sodium and chloride ions are the main inorganic components of TSP in the Tarim Basin; （3） the correlation coefficients of anions and cations in Tikanli, Minfeng, Kashi and Tazhong are 0.99, 0.99, 0.25 and 0.91, respectively; the average anion concentrations are 2.57, 2.12, 2.15 and 3.02 times the average cation concentrations, indicating that ions were unbalanced; （4） SO4^2-/NO3^- ratio is much larger than the ratio of coal-fired emissions SO4^2-/NO3^-, thus the impact of fixed emission sources in the four regions on the atmosphere is far greater than that of mobile emission sources.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soil from three typical industrial areas in Beijing, China

Areas containing industrial facilities belonging to three different typical industries that may cause pollution by polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） in Beijing, China were investigated. Specifically, the areas contained a solid waste incineration plant, a chemical factory, and a heat and power plant. Investigation of the pollution status of PBDEs in the surface soil from areas around these industries revealed the highest concentration of 42 PBDE congeners （118 ng/g, dry mass） at the solid waste incineration plant. In the other two plants, the highest concentrations were both 26 ng/g （dry mass）. Among the PBDE homologues, the PBDE contamination at all sites showed similar congener compositions, with BDE 209 being the dominant congener. Our findings established the first contamination status of three typical industrial areas in Beijing. Furthermore, the total concentrations of 42 PBDE congeners tended to decrease as the distance from the investigated plants increased. Overall, these plants were identified as potential pollution sources of PBDEs in Beijing. Moreover, Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the major PBDE source in Beijing may be associated with the technical deca-BDE and penta-BDE mixture. Based on the data obtained in this preliminary investigation, further study of the potential of these sources to emit PBDEs in Beijing is warranted.

Relationships between chemical elements of PM2.5 and O3 in Shanghai atmosphere based on the 1-year monitoring observation

Mass level of fine particles(PM2.5)in main cities in China has decreased significantly in recent years due to implementation of Chinese Clean Air Action Plan since 2013,however,03 pollution is getting worse than before,especially in megacities such as in Shanghai.In this work,O3 and PM2.5 were continuously monitored from May 27,2018 to March 31,2019.Our data showed that the annual average concentration of PM2.5 and O3(O3-8 hr,maximum8-hour moving average of ozone days)was 39.35±35.74 and 86.49±41.65μg/m3,respectively.The concentrations of PM2.5 showed clear seasonal trends,with higher concentrations in winter(83.36±18.66μg/m3)and lower concentrations in summer(19.85±7.23μg/m3),however,the seasonal trends of O3 were different with 103.75±41.77μg/m3 in summer and58.59±21.40μg/m3 in winter.Air mass backward trajectory,analyzing results of potential source contribution function model and concentration weighted trajectory model implied that pollutants from northwestern China contributed significantly to the mass concentration of Shanghai PM2.5,while pollutants from areas of eastern coastal provinces and South China Sea contributed significantly to the mass level of ozone in Shanghai atmosphere.Mass concentration of twenty-one elements in the PM2.5 were investigated,and their relationships with O3 were analyzed.Mass level of ozone had good correlation with that of Ba(r=0.64,p<0.05)and V(r=0.30,p>0.05),suggesting vehicle emission pollutants contribute to the increasing concentration of ozone in Shanghai atmosphere.

Long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)HOTAIR:Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the first malignant cancers in the world and a large number of people die every year due to this disease.Many genetic and epigenetic risk factors have been identified that play a major role in gastric cancer.HOTAIR is an effective epigenetic agent known as long noncoding RNA(lncRNA).HOTAIR has been described to have biological functions in biochemical and cellular processes through interactions with many factors,leading to genomic stability,proliferation,survival,invasion,migration,metastasis,and drug resistance.In the present article,we reviewed the prognostic value of the molecular mechanisms underlying the HOTAIR regulation and its function in the development of Gastric Cancer,whereas elucidation of HOTAIR–protein and HOTAIR–DNA interactions can be helpful in the identification of cancer processes,leading to the development of potential therapeutic strategies.

Innovative Electric Vehicle Body Design Based on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Side Impact Conditions

A version of an electric vehicle was developed and designed for the US market on the basis of the required domestic body structure.When compared with the original car,the new car body design leads to two major technical difficulties.First,the installation of high-voltage components such as the battery pack and other new energy sources increases the vehicle weight and occupies a great deal of its structural space;this limits the impact paths and the use of traditional structural designs,which greatly increases the design difficulty.Second,the USA,as an advanced automobile-using country,has well-developed laws and regulations for collision standards,vehicle operating conditions and evaluation standards.Using a combination of butterfly diagram analysis,bending moment management,section forces and other computer-aided simulation and analysis techniques,this paper presents a body structure design that can achieve a“GOOD”evaluation under the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety(IIHS)side impact body structure conditions by optimizing the force transfer path,the B-pillar deformation mode and the threshold support structure.The threshold support structure supports realization of the“GOOD”rating for IIHS side impact and helps the body to meet the crash requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS214 and the US New Car Assessment Program(NCAP)requirements for side impact at 32 km/h and 75°angular pole impact.