Depositional model of the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex of the Dengying Formation in the southwestern Sichuan Basin, SW China: Implications for the Ediacaran microbial mound construction and hydrocarbon exploration

Recent advances in hydrocarbon exploration have been made in the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex reservoirs of the Dengying Formation in the western Sichuan Basin, SW China,where the depositional process is regarded confusing. The microfacies, construction types, and depositional model of the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex have been investigated using unmanned aerial vehicle photography, outcrop section investigation, thin section identification,and seismic reflections in the southwestern Sichuan Basin. The microbialite lithologic textures in this region include thrombolite, dendrolite, stromatolite, fenestral stromatolite, spongiostromata stone,oncolite, aggregated grainstone, and botryoidal grapestone. Based on the comprehensive analysis of“depositional fabrics-lithology-microfacies”, an association between a fore mound, mound framework,and back mound subfacies has been proposed based on water depth, current direction, energy level and lithologic assemblages. The microfacies of the mound base, mound core, mound flank, mound cap, and mound flat could be recognized among the mound framework subfacies. Two construction types of marginal microbial mound-bank complex have been determined based on deposition location, mound scale, migration direction, and sedimentary facies association. Type Jinkouhe microbial mound constructions(TJMMCs) develop along the windward margin owing to their proximity to the seaward subfacies fore mound, with a northeastwardly migrated microbial mound on top of the mud mound,exhibiting the characteristics of large-sized mounds and small-sized banks in the surrounding area. Type E'bian microbial mound constructions(TEMMCs) primarily occur on the leeward margin, resulting from the presence of onshore back mound subfacies, with the smaller southwestward migrated microbial mounds existing on a thicker microbial flat. The platform margin microbial mound depositional model can be correlated with certain lateral comparison profile and seismic reflection structures in the 2D seismic section, which can provide references for future worldwide exploration. Microbial mounds with larger buildups and thicker vertical reservoirs are typically targeted on the windward margin, while small-sized microbial mounds and flats with better lateral connections are typically focused on the leeward margin.

Discussion on the Implications of Expansion in Postgraduate Education

This paper explores the development of postgraduate education in China,including the overall situation of postgraduate education,the trend in enrollment expansion in professional degrees as well as in various academic fields;it also triggers the impact and discussion about the postgraduate enrollment expansion,such as over-education and credential inflation,as well as the concerns about the quality of education and talent cultivation and so forth.Although the expansion brings various problems,the challenges may also become new opportunities for higher education reform,this paper also provides some suggestions on the expansion of postgraduate education.

Upper and Lower Bounds of the α-Universal Triple I Method for Unified Interval Implications

Theα-universal triple I(α-UTI)method is a recognized scheme in the field of fuzzy reasoning,whichwas proposed by our research group previously.The robustness of fuzzy reasoning determines the quality of reasoning algorithms to a large extent,which is quantified by calculating the disparity between the output of fuzzy reasoning with interference and the output without interference.Therefore,in this study,the interval robustness(embodied as the interval stability)of theα-UTI method is explored in the interval-valued fuzzy environment.To begin with,the stability of theα-UTI method is explored for the case of an individual rule,and the upper and lower bounds of its results are estimated,using four kinds of unified interval implications(including the R-interval implication,the S-interval implication,the QL-interval implication and the interval t-norm implication).Through analysis,it is found that theα-UTI method exhibits good interval stability for an individual rule.Moreover,the stability of theα-UTI method is revealed in the case of multiple rules,and the upper and lower bounds of its outcomes are estimated.The results show that theα-UTI method is stable for multiple rules when four kinds of unified interval implications are used,respectively.Lastly,theα-UTI reasoning chain method is presented,which contains a chain structure with multiple layers.The corresponding solutions and their interval perturbations are investigated.It is found that theα-UTI reasoning chain method is stable in the case of chain reasoning.Two application examples in affective computing are given to verify the stability of theα-UTImethod.In summary,through theoretical proof and example verification,it is found that theα-UTImethod has good interval robustness with four kinds of unified interval implications aiming at the situations of an individual rule,multi-rule and reasoning chain.

Atypical variants of takotsubo cardiomyopathy: mechanistic and clinical implications

Over past decades,takotsubo cardiomyopathy(TTC)has drawn a substantial interest as a unique form of acute and reversible cardiomyopathy that usually emerges in response to adrenergic hyperactivation associated with a variety of emotional and physical triggers.[1,2]Even though,this phenomenon is generally characterized by an apical balloning pattern(classical variant),it might occasionally present with atypical morphological variants including mid-ventricular,inverted and focal forms of myocardial involvement.

Age and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic granitoids in the the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, NE China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

The Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif(SZRM)is located in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt and crops out over an extensive part of NE China.The massif was originally thought to contain numerous Precambrian terranes(e.g.,Xingdong,Dongfengshan,Yimianpo and Zhangguangcailing groups).However,more recent zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the majority of these so-called Precambrian sedimentary and igneous rocks actually formed during either the Paleozoic or Mesozoic and contain only minor Precambrian components(Wang et al.,2014).The presence of Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons with magmatic origins from and Paleozoic units of the SZRM indicating that this area occurs Proterozoic magmatism(Wang et al.,2014),whereas no Proterozoic magmastism has been found.Recently,Pei et al.(2007)reported the ca.1800Ma magmastism,as evidenced by the data of exploration drillholes in the southern Songliao basin.However,an alternative view is that the basement within the SZRM is predominantly Phanerozoic,as evidenced by the presence of Paleozoic fossils and comparatively rare geochronological data(Guo and Liu,1985;Wu et al.,2011),meaning that the ca.1800 Ma rocks in this area may be a tectonically emplaced slice of the North China Craton(Zhang et al.,2005).All of this means that the age and nature of the SZRM basement,and whether this area records Neoproterozoic magmatism,remain unclear.This study presents new geochronological,whole-rock geochemical,and zircon Hf isotopic data for early Proterozoic granitoids within the eastern margin of the SZRM of NE China.These data provide insights into the Neoproterozoic tectonic setting of the SZRM and the links between this magmatism and the evolution of the Rodinia supercontinent.The zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Neoproterozoic magmatism within the SZRM can be subdivided into two stages:(1)a^917–911 Ma suite of syenogranites and monzogranites,and(2)an^841 Ma suite of granodiorites.The 917–911 Ma granitoids contain high concentrations of Si O2(67.89–71.18 wt.%),K2O(4.24–6.91 wt.%),and Al2O3(14.89–16.14 wt.%),and low concentrations of TFe2O3(1.63–3.70 wt.%)and Mg O(0.53–0.88 wt.%).They are enriched in the light rare earth elements(LREE)and the light ion lithophile elements(LILE),are depleted in the heavy REE(HREE)and the heavy field strength elements(HFSE;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti),and have slightly positive Eu anomalies,indicating they are geochemically similar to high-K adakitic rocks.They have zirconεHf(t)values and TDM2 ages from–4.4 to+1.5and from 1915 Ma to 1592 Ma,respectively,suggesting they were derived from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of ancient thickened lower crustal material.In comparison,the 841 Ma granodiorites contain relatively low concentrations of Al2O3(14.50–14.58 wt.%)and K2O(3.27–3.29 wt.%),relatively high concentrations of TFe2O3(3.78–3.81 wt.%)and the HREE,have negative Eu anomalies,and have zirconεHf(t)values and TDM2ages from–4.7 to+1.0 and from 1875 to 1559 Ma,respectively.These granodiorites formed from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of ancient crustal material.The^917–911 Ma magmatism within the SZRM is inferred to have formed in an orogenic setting,whereas the^841 Ma magmatism formed in an anorogenic setting related to either a post-orogenic tectonic event or the onset of Neoproterozoic continental rifting.It is proposed that the microcontinental massifs within the SZRM formed during or following the final stage of assembly of Rodinia before rifting away from the Tarim Craton in response to Rodinia breakup.

2.7 Ga Monzogranite on the Songnen Massif and Its Geological Implications

Objective The formation and evolution of Songnen massif has always been a hot topic,and the presence of Precambrian basement on the Songnen massif is still controversial:(1)Lacking of Pre-Paleozoic dating results,the Precambrian basement on Songnen massif does not extend largely according to the isotopic dating results of core from basement,(2)the existence of gneiss from deep drill holes

New Discovery of Molybdenite in the Dongping Gold Deposit, Hebei Province, China and its Re-Os Geochronological Implications

The Dongping gold deposit is located on the northern margin of the North China Craton,and is the largest alkaline pluton-related gold deposit in China(Bao et al.,2014),which is characterized by its large amounts of tellurides.The deposit is largely hosted in the Shuiquangou syenitic complex and consists of auriferous quartz veins and disseminated sulfide ores.It has been extensively studied since its discovery in the 1980s;however the geochronology and genesis of the deposit are still controversial.Nie(1998)considered that the deposit was formed in the Devonian.

Petrogenesis of the～2115 Ma Haicheng Mafic Sills in the Eastern North China Craton and Their Implications for An Intra-Continental Rifting

It is well known that there are widespread igneous events at;100 Ma in the Eastern North China Craton;however,their tectonic environments are controversial.They were thought to be either related to an intra-continental rifting or

Molar-Tooth Structure from the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation in Lingyuan,Yanshan Region,North China,and Geological Implications

Although its origin has not yet reached a consensus so far, MTS （Molar-Tooth Structure） has been documented for more than 100 years. Current study reports a discovery of MTS from the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation, Lingyuan, Yanshan Region, North China, and the features and geological implications of MTS are further discussed. Here, straitigraphic horizons of MTS＇s occurrences show that it was mainly located within the top part of the Wumishan Formation, i.e., limestone unit. Four kinds of morphology of MTS, i.e., fine fusiform, debris, ribbon, ptigmatic and nodular （irregular）, were recognized and thought to be highly related to the sedimentary environments and facies. Geochemistry of MTS including oxides, trace elements and C, O and Sr isotopes indicates that the horizons of MTS-bearing is of higher Sr/Ba and Ca/Mg ratios, lower positive ~13C and highly negative 3180 values than the adjacent stratigraphic levels of rare MTS. Lithology, morphology and geochemistry of MTS in the Wumishan Formation suggest that MTS occurs mainly in shallow subtidal near the storm wave base, which is typically characterized by warm temperature, oversaturated calcium carbonate seawater and high organic productivity. Furthermore, occasional enrichment of algae bacteria here is more favorable for the calcification of calcium oozes and catalytic for MTS. C isotope composition of the Wumishan Formation and MTS of this study is well correlated with that of the Mesoproterozoic Belt Supergroup, North America and Riphean, Siberia, suggesting that MTS acts as a sedimentary record responding to global changes and is a perfect indicator in Precambrian stratigraphic correlation worldwide.

Environmental Implications of Excessive Selenium: A Review

Selenium is a naturally occurring trace element that is nutritionally required in smallamounts but it can become toxic at concentrations only twice those required. The narrow mar-gin between beneficial and harmful levels has important implications for human activities thatincrease the amount of selenium in the environment. Two of these activities, disposal of fbssilfuel wastes and agricultural irrigation of arid, seleniferous soils, have poisoned fish andwildlife, and threatened public health at several locations in the United States. Research stud-ies of these episodes have generated a data base that clearly illustrates the environmental hazardof excessive selenium. It is strongly bioaccumulated by aquatic organisms and even slight in-creases in waterborne concentrations can quickly result in toxic effects such as deformed em-bryos and reproductive failure in wildlife. The selenium data base has been very beneficial indeveloping hazard assessment procedures and establishing environmentally sound water qualitycriteria. The two faces of selenium, required nutrient and Potent toxin, make it a particularlyimportant trace element in the health of both animals and man. Because of this paradox, envi-ronmental selenium in relation to agriculture, fisheries, and wildlife wiIl continue to raise im-POrtant land and water management issues for decades to come. If these issues are dealt withusing prudence and the available environmental selenium data base, adverse irnpacts to naturalresources andspublic health can be avoided

Implications of periostin in the development of subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced brain injuries

Target of research in subarachnoid hemorrhage（SAH）：The outcome of aneurysmal SAH remains poor despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment.Although many factors related to patients,aneurysms,and institutions,as well as physiological parameters and medical complications were reported as prognostic factors,

Clinical implications of diabetes in chronic liver disease:Diagnosis,outcomes and management,current and future perspectives

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is common in liver cirrhosis(LC).The pathophysiological association is bidirectional.DM is a risk factor of LC and LC is a diabetogenic condition.In the recent years,research on different aspects of the association DM and LC has been intensified.Nevertheless,it has been insufficient and still exist many gaps.The aims of this review are:(1)To discuss the latest understandings of the association of DM and LC in order to identify the strategies of early diagnosis;(2)To evaluate the impact of DM on outcomes of LC patients;and(3)To select the most adequate management benefiting the two conditions.Literature searches were conducted using Pub Med,Ovid and Scopus engines for DM and LC,diagnosis,outcomes and management.The authors also provided insight from their own published experience.Based on the published studies,two types of DM associated with LC have emerged:Type 2 DM(T2 DM)and hepatogenous diabetes(HD).High-quality evidences have determined that T2 DM or HD significantly increase complications and death pre and post-liver transplantation.HD has been poorly studied and has not been recognized as a complication of LC.The management of DM in LC patients continues to be difficult and should be based on drug pharmacokinetics and the degree of liver failure.In conclusion,the clinical impact of DM in outcomes of LC patients has been the most studied item recently.Nevertheless many gaps still exist particularly in the management.These most important gaps were highlighted in order to propose future lines for research.

Aortic stenosis： insights on pathogenesis and clinical implications

Aortic stenosis （AS） is a common valvular heart disease in the Western populations, with an estimated overall prevalence of 3% in adults over 75 years. To understand its patho-biological processes represents a priority. In elderly patients, AS usually involves trileaflet valves and is referred to as degenerative calcific processes. Scientific evidence suggests the involvement of an active ＂atherosclerosis-like＂ pathogenesis in the initiation phase of degenerative AS. To the contrary, the progression could be driven by different forces （such as mechanical stress, genetic factors and interaction between inflammation and calcification）. The improved understanding presents potentially new therapeutic targets for preventing and inhibiting the development and progression of the disease. Furthermore, in clinical practice the management of AS patients implies the evaluation of generalized atherosclerotic manifestations （i.e., in the coronary and carotid arteries） even for prognostic reasons. In counselling elderly patients, the risk stratification should address individual frailty beyond the generic risk scores. In these regard, the co-morbidities, and in particular those linked to the global atherosclerotic burden, should be carefully investigated in order to define the risk/benefit ratio for invasive treatment strategies. We present a detailed overview of insights in pathogenesis of AS with possible practical implications.

Extra-skeletal manifestations in mice affected by Clcn7-dependent autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 clinical and therapeutic implications

Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 (ADO2) is a high-density brittle bone disease characterized by bone pain,multiple fractures and skeletal-related events,including nerve compression syndrome and hematological failure.We demonstrated that in mice carrying the heterozygous Clcn7^G213R mutation,whose human mutant homolog CLCN7^G215R affects patients,the clinical impacts of ADO2 extend beyond the skeleton,affecting several other organs.The hallmark of the extra-skeletal alterations is a consistent perivascular fibrosis,associated with high numbers of macrophages and lymphoid infiltrates.Fragmented clinical information in a small cohort of patients confirms extra-skeletal alterations consistent with a systemic disease,in line with the observation that the CLCN7 gene is expressed in many organs.ADO2 mice also show anxiety and depression and their brains exhibit not only perivascular fibrosis but also β-amyloid accumulation and astrogliosis,suggesting the involvement of the nervous system in the pathogenesis of the ADO2 extra-skeletal alterations.Extra-skeletal organs share a similar cellular pathology,confirmed also in vitro in bone marrow mononuclear cells and osteoclasts,characterized by an impairment of the exit pathway of the Clcn7 protein product,ClC7,through the Golgi,with consequent reduced ClC7 expression in late endosomes and lysosomes,associated with high vesicular pH and accumulation of autophagosome markers.Finally,an experimental siRNA therapy,previously proven to counteract the bone phenotype,also improves the extra-skeletal alterations.These results could have important clinical implications,supporting the notion that a systematic evaluation of ADO2 patients for extra-skeletal symptoms could help improve their diagnosis,clinical management,and therapeutic options.

CCA Inferred Environmental Implications of Common Ostracods on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

103 surface sediment samples in 71 water bodies, such as lakes with different salinity, swamps, shallow puddles and rivers on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau （QTP）, were collected to study the ecological distribution of living ostracods and their environmental implications. Total of 12 genus and 45 species living ostracods are identified. According to the frequencies and abundance of ostracods occurrence, Limnocythere dubiosa, Limnocytherellina kunlunensis, llyocypris bradyi, Candona candida, Eucypris rischtanica and Leucocythere dilatata are the common species on the QTP, with occurrence frequency of more than 8 and abundance of more than 570 in the 71 water bodies. Among them, L. dubiosa, occurring in 28 water bodies with 2177 shells, is the most widely distributed ostracod in this research. Canonical Correspondence Analysis （CCA） indicates high correlation between species and environmental variables, suggesting that the occurrence of species is strongly related to the changes in ecological conditions of habitats. Among eight environmental factors, salinity and pH value are the most affective variables that influence the species occurrence. L. kunlunensis is positively correlated with salinity while E. rischtanica is negatively correlated with salinity. C. candida has a positive correlation with salinity, as does I. bradyi although there is not such a strong correlation. L. dubiosa displays a positive correlation with pH value. Consequently, we discuss the environmental implications of the common living ostracods on the QTP based on the CCA as well as the distribution of ostracod species in different salinity and pH values water. L. dubiosa, L. kunlunensis and E. rischtanica are euryhaline species, among which, L. dubiosa is the most adaptable species on the QTP with large occurrence in sundry salinity water and the most widely adaptive range for pH values. L. kunlunensis prefers to saline water while E. rischtanica prefers to fresh water. Both L. kunlunensis and E. rischtanica can live in water from faintly acid to alkaline, in contrast, L. dubiosa only appears in neutral and alkaline water bodies. L bradyi only occurs in fresh water and oligohaline water with a large pH tolerance range tolerance range from weakly acidic water to alkaline water weakly acidic water to alkaline water. C. Candida lives in freshwater, with pH value above eight. The six common species reach maximum abundance in alkaline water （pH 8-10） except for llyocypris bradyi.

Oceanic Island Basalts within the West Junggar Ophiolitic Mélanges: Petrogenetic and Tectonic Implications

Recently, we focused on the Darbut and Karamay ophiolitic m41anges in West Junggar of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB, SengOr et al., 1993; Windley et al., 2007; Xiao and Santosh, 2014）, and made much progress. This study was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China （No. 41303027） and Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of Central Colleges Project （No. 2014G1271058）. The achievements are illustrated as follows.

Paleoproterozoic Multistage Metamorphic Ages Registered in the Precambrian Basement Rocks at the Southeastern Margin of the North China Craton and Their Geological Implications

The Precambrian basement rocks in the Bengbu and neighboring areas, located at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton, occur as granulite terrains and xenoliths in the Mesozoic dioritic porphyry.

Global Burden of Disease, Injury and Risk Factor Study 2010: Its Policy Implications for China

Results of the Global Burden of Disease, Injury and Risk Factor Study 2010 （GBD 2010） were released on December 13, 2012 in London, a series of papers concerning the project have been published in the Lancet[1]. Research findings of the project have been reported in the United States, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, China[2] and Australia, and widely applied across the world. In addition, the GBD 2010 will see more countries report their project research findings and implement these findings in the near future. The GBD 2010 provides researchers, administrators and policymakers with new and critical sources for their research, teaching and policymaking.

Challenges Brought about by Rapid Changes in Chinese Diets: Comparison with Developed Countries and Implications for Further Improvement

Given developments in urbanization, agricultural, and technological practices, the diet and lifestyle of developed countries has changed dramatically over the course of the last century[1].

Long-term changes in sedimentary diatom assemblages and their environmental implications in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary, China

Long-term data on diatom assemblages in a sediment core （60 cm） obtained from the Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary were analyzed in order to assess the environmental changes that took place in the approximately 38 years （as determined by 210pb measurements）, i.e., between 1974 and 2012, of sediment accumulation. From the sediment core, 62 diatom taxa and genera were identified. The diatom biomass in the core generally increased beginning in the mid-1990s （core depth： 35 cm）, accompanied by a shift in the dominant species from Podosira stelliger and two species of Cyclotella （C. stylorum and C. striata） to Paralia sulcata, three species of Thalassiosira （ T. eccentria, I＂. oestrupii, and T. excentrica）, Actinoptychus undulates, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. The changes in both species diversity and abundance suggested that since the 1980s the estuary has undergone extensive eutrophication. This conclusion was supported by the increased proportion of planktonic species, another indicator of high nutrients inputs, in the Changjiang River estuary.