Physicochemical composition and climate response of surface sediments at different altitudes in Motuo on the southern slope of the Himalayas

Background,aim,and scope Certain physicochemical indexes of topsoil are closely related to climatic factors including temperature,and precipitation.Understanding the relationship between modern topsoil properties and climatic factors is essential for quantitative paleoclimate reconstruction.Motuo located in the eastern Himalayas,exhibits a significant elevation gradient of over 7000 m from Nnamjagbarwa Peak(7782 m a.s.l.)to the Baxika(150 m a.s.l.).This region features a complete vertical zonation of vegetation,from alpine meadow to tropical forest,presenting an ideal place to investigate the relationships among vegetation,soil and climate conditions across altitudinal gradients.This study aims to explore the vertical variations in the physicochemical composition of topsoil and its relationship with temperature and precipitation.Materials and methods Twenty-seven topsoil samples were collected at 100 m intervals from 800 m to 3600 m a.s.l.along the southern slope of the Himalayas.Grain size,magnetic susceptibility and geochemical elements were measured to discuss the vertical variation characteristics of topsoil composition and their correlation with climatic factors.Results(1)The grain size of topsoil at different altitudes in Motuo is mainly composed of sand accounting for an averaged 53.2%,followed by silt and clay.(2)In the mixed forest zone,frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility(χfd%)shows a clear relationship with altitude,and clay is positively correlated with both altitude and climatic factors.(3)The oxides of topsoil in this area mainly consist of SiO_(2),Al_(2)O_(3) and Fe_(2)O_(3),followed by MgO,CaO,Na_(2)O and K_(2)O,with slight variations in the primary components at different altitudes.The sensitivity of elements to climate varies across different altitudes and vegetation zone,likely due to the region’s complex topography and vegetation.(4)Physical and biological weathering dominates in the broad-leaved forest zone of Motuo,while chemical weathering is more prominent in the coniferous forest zone,with the mixed forest zone falling in between.Discussion The formation of topsoil across the three vegetation zones is influenced by various factors,including parent material,vegetation,and climate.In the broad-leaved forest zone,physical weathering(precipitation,root wedging etc.)and pedogenesis dominate,resulting in finer grain size.The χ_(fd)% increases with altitude likely due to the high temperature and abundant precipitation in this zone,which facilitate the transformation of strong magnetic miners into weaker ones,particularly when the soil is oversaturated.Zirconium(Zr),primarily found in zircon,is depleted at lower altitudes by strong current erosion.Barium(Ba)is similarly reduced at low altitudes in this zone.In mixed forest zone,clay content is the lowest,indicating weaker physical weathering conditions than broad-leaved forest zone.The coarser grain size may result from the combined effects of topography and vegetation coverage.Magnetic susceptibility and organic matter show a positive correlation with altitude.Zr concentration is higher than that in the broad-leaved forest zone,likely resulting from decreased precipitation.In the coniferous zone,the clay content shows considerable fluctuations,with grain size generally becoming finer as altitude increases.This trend may be explained by intensified soil disintegration from seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.The χ_(fd)% values lack a clear trend or pattern,possibly due to soil erosion causing the migration of magnetic minerals or insufficient iron precipitation,which reduces the concentration of magnetic minerals in the soil.Additionally,a positive correlation is observed between altitude and organic matter content,with higher altitudes associated with greater organic matter accumulation.This may be attributed to lower microbial activity in colder conditions,which slows the decomposition and transformation of organic matter.Conclusions The variations in grain size,magnetic susceptibility,and geochemical elements differ across altitudes and vegetation zones,closely connected to the complex interplay of terrain,vegetation,and climate in Motuo.In the mixed forest,altitude has a significant impact onχfd%,and the clay component is particularly sensitive to changes in altitude,mean annual temperature,and precipitation.Zr shows a strong correlation with altitude and climate factors,making it a valuable indicator for assessing changes in atmospheric precipitation within specific altitude ranges.Recommendations and perspectives This study enhances our understanding of the relationships between the physicochemical properties of topsoil and climate conditions,offering valuable insights for paleoclimate reconstruction in Motuo.

Electronic and Optical Properties of O-Terminated Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons

The structure, electromagnetic and optical properties of the O-terminated graphene nanorib- bons with armchair edge are studied using first-principles theory. The results show that the O-terminated armchair edge are more stable than the H-terminated ribbons and show metal- lic character. Spin-polarized calculations reveal that the antiferromagnetic state are more stable than the ferromagnetic state. The energy band and density of states analyses show that the O-terminated armchair edge are antiferromagnetic semiconductors. Because of the terminated 0 atoms, the dielectric function has an evident red shift and the first peak is the strongest with its main contribution derived from the highest valence band. The peaks of the dielectric function, reflection, absorption, energy loss are related to the transition of electrons. Our results suggest that the O-terminated graphene nanoribbons have potential applications in nanoelectronics, opto-electric devices.

PROJECTS SEEKING FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Project NameⅠ.Farm and Sideline Products Planting and Processing1.Sweet corn production-processing-marketing integration2.Fine quality rice base construction and fine processingtechnology3 Nongfeng Flower Garden Cooperation Co.4.Qianshan County famous and excellent tea productionand processing5.Langxi County tea plantation tea series productsdevelopment6.Cooperation project of burdock production,processingand marketing7.Anti-season vegetables comprehensive developmentin high sea level mountainous region of Jiexi County8.500 thousand-mu Chinese cinnamon production basein Deqing

Nearly Free Electron State in Graphane Nanoribbon Superlattice

Nearly free electron （NFE） state has been widely studied in low dimensional systems. Based on first-principles calculations, we identify two types of NFE states in graphane nanoribbon superlattice, similar to those of graphene nanoribbons and boron nitride nanoribbons. Effect of electron doping on the NFE states in graphane nanoribbon superlattice has been studied, and it is possible to open a vacuum transport channel via electron doping.

Halogen-Driven Bandgap Opening in Graphdiyne for Overall Photocatalytic Water Splitting

In this work,we studied the electronic band structure of the halogen(F,Cl,and Br)functionalized graphdiynes(GDYs)by using hybrid density functional theory.The results revealed that the bandgap energies of modified GDYs increase as the number of halogen atoms increases.It is also found that the position of the valence band maximum(VBM)is influenced by the electronegativity of halogen atoms.The higher the electronegativity,the deeper the VBM of the GDYs modified by the same number of halogen atoms.Importantly,our results revealed that the bandgap of GDY could be effectively tuned by mixing types of halogen atoms.The new generated conduction band and valence band edges are properly aligned with the oxidation and reduction potentials of water.Further thermodynamic analysis confirms that some models with mixing types of halogen atoms exhibit higher performance of overall photocatalytic water splitting than non-mixing models.This work provides useful insights for designing efficient photocatalysts that can be used for overall water splitting.

Landform Instability and Land-use Dynamics in Tropical High Mountains, Central Mexico

This investigation is an analysis of the influence of landform instability on the distribution of land-use dynamics in a hydrographical basin, located in the Mexican Volcanic Belt mountain range (central Mexico), currently affected by substantial changes in land use and deforestation. A landform map was produced, in addition to seven attribute maps - altimetry, drainage density, slope, relief energy, potential erosion, geology and tectonics - which were considered as factors for determining landform instability through Multi-criteria Evaluation Analysis. Likewise, the direction and rhythm of land-use dynamics were analyzed in four dates - between 1976 and 2000 - and cross tabulations were made between them, in order to analyze the trends and processes of land-use dynamics. Afterwards, the databases obtained were cross tabulated with the landform variables to derive areas, percentages and correlation indices. In the study area, high-instability landforms are associated with most ancient volcanic and sedimentary landforms, where high altitude, drainage density, slope and potential to develop gravitational and fluvial processes are the major factors favouring a land-use pattern, dominated by the conservation of extensive forest land, abandonment of human land use and regeneration of disturbed areas. In contrast, low-instability landforms correspond to alluvial plains and lava hills covered by pyroclasts, where low potential erosion to develop fluvial processes, added to water and soil availability and accessibility, have favoured a land-use pattern dominated by the expansion of agroforestry plantations and human settlements, showing a marked trend towards either intensification or permanence of the current land use and with little abandonment and regeneration.

Negative Differential Resistance and Spin-Filtering Effects in Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons with Nitrogen-Vacancy Defects

We explore the electronic and transport properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbons （GNRs） with nitrogen-vacancy defects by performing fully self-consistent spin-polarized density functional theory calculations combined with non-equilibrium Green＇s function technique. We observe robust negative di erential resistance （NDR） effect in all examined molecular junctions. Through analyzing the calculated electronic structures and the bias-dependent transmission coefficients, we find that the narrow density of states of electrodes and the bias-dependent effective coupling between the central molecular orbitals and the electrode subbands are responsible for the observed NDR phenomenon. In addition, the obvious di erence of the transmission spectra of two spin channels is observed in some bias ranges, which leads to the near perfect spin-filtering effect. These theoretical findings imply that GNRs with nitrogenvacancy defects hold great potential for building molecular devices.

Species and Plant Community Reorganization in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt under Climate Change Conditions

This study analyzes six vegetation communities in relation to current climatic parameters and eight climate change scenarios along an elevation gradient extending from 2,710 m to 4,210 m in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The projected movements of 25 plant species with the current restricted or wide altitudinal distributions were also modeled. To relate climatic parameters to the species and communities, a Precipitation/Temperature （P/T） index was used both for the current and the different climate-change scenarios. The temperatures are expected to increase by 1.1℃ to 1.7℃ by 2020 and by 2℃ to 3℃ by 2o5o. A decrease of 4% to 13% in the annual precipitation is expected for the 2020 horizon, and a reduction between 3% and 20% is expected for 2050. The reductions in water availability were projected for all altitude levels and plant communities. The most marked reduction was under the HADLEY- A2 scenario, in which the lower limit of the altitudinal range increased from 2,71o to 3,31o m （2050 horizon） with reductions in the P/T index between 36% and 39% compared to the current climate. Most plant species tended to shift their distribution from 20o to 300 m upward in the 2020 temporal horizon scenarios. The Pinus hartwegii, Alnus jorullensis and Pinus montezumae communities would have a shorter altitudinal range as they move upward and merge with the remaining species at the higher altitudinal range. For the 2o5o temporal horizon, 3o% of the species, primarily those from the higher altitudinal range, would disappear because their P/Tindex values would be above the limit of plant survival （〉4,210 m）.

Land cover change and carbon stores in a tropical montane cloud forest in the Sierra Madre Oriental,Mexico

Tropical montane cloud forest is one of the ecosystems with the highest biomass worldwide, representing an important carbon store. Globally its deforestation index is –1.1%, but in Mexico it is higher than –3%. Carbon estimates are scarce globally, particularly in Mexico. The objective of this study was to simulate future land-cover scenarios for the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico, by analyzing past forest cover changes. Another objective was to estimate stored carbon in the two study areas. These objectives involve the generation of information that could be useful inputs to anti-deforestation public policy such as the REDD+ strategy. Remote sensing was used to measure land cover change and estimate carbon stocks. Satellite images from 2015, 2000 and 1986 were used, and Dinamica EGO freeware generatedmodels of future projections. Between 1986 and 2015, 5171 ha of forest were converted to pasture. The annual deforestation rates were –1.5% for Tlanchinol and –1.3% for the San Bartolo Tutotepec sites. Distance to roads and marginalization were highly correlated with deforestation. By 2030, an estimated 3608 ha of forest in these sites will have been converted to pasture. Stored carbon was estimated at 16.35 Mg C ha-1 for the Tlanchinol site and 12.7 Mg C ha-1 for the San Bartolo site. In the Sierra Madre Oriental deforestation due to land cover change(–1.4%) is higher than levels reported worldwide. Besides having high values of stored carbon(14.5 Mg C ha-1), these forests have high biodiversity. The models' outputs show that the deforestation process will continue if action is not taken to avoid the expansion of livestock pasturing. This can be done by paying incentives for forest conservation to the owners of the land. The results suggest that REDD+ is currently the most viable strategy for reducing deforestation rates in tropical montane cloud forests in Sierra Madre Oriental.

Inverse Stone-Thrower-Wales defect and transport properties of 9AGNR double-gate graphene nanoribbon FETs

Defect-based engineering of carbon nanostructures is becoming an important and powerful method to modify the electron transport properties in graphene nanoribbon FETs. In this paper, the impact of the position and symmetry of the ISTW defect on the performance of low dimensional 9AGNR double-gate graphene nanoribbon FET (DG-GNRFET) is investigated. Analyzing the transmission spectra, density of states and current-voltage characteristics shows that the defect effect on the electron transport is considerably varied depending on the positions and the orientations (the symmetric and asymmetric configuration) of the ISTW defect in the channel length. Based on the results, the asymmetric ISTW defect leads to a more controllability of the gate voltages over drain current, and drain current increases more than 5 times. The results have also con rmed the ISTW defect engineering potential on controlling the channel electrical current of DG-AGNR FET.

Achieving large transport bandgaps in bilayer graphene

Since opening sizable bandgaps in bilayer graphene （BLG） was proven possible, BLG has attracted considerable attention as a promising high-mobility candidate material for many electronic and optoelectronic applications. However, the bandgaps observed in the transport experiments reported in the literature are far smaller than both the theoretical predictions and the bandgaps extracted from optical measurements. In this study, we investigate the factors preventing the formation of large bandgaps and demonstrate that a -200-meV transport bandgap can be opened in BLG by scaling the gate dielectric and employing a ribbon channel to suppress the percolative transport. This is the largest transport bandgap that has been achieved in BLG to date.

Temporal-spatial segregation among hummingbirds foraging on honeydew in a temperate forest in Mexico

Spatial and temporal variation in interactions between hummingbirds and plants have often been examined, and hummingbirds and insects are known to indirectly interact in networks of nectar plants. In a highland temperate forest in Hidalgo, Mexico some oak trees were heavily infested by honeydew-producing insects （family Margarodidae, tribe Xylococcini, genus Strigmacoccus） and the honeydew was consumed by hummingbirds. Here using survival analysis we investigate how the honey- dew produced by dense populations of these margarodids is temporally and spatially partitioned by hummingbirds. We also measured the availability and quality of honeydew exudates, and then we recorded the time until a bird visited and used such re- sources. Four hummingbird species consumed this resource （Atthis eloisa, Hylocharis leucotis, Colibri thalassinus and Eugenes fulgens）. Data from 294 hours of observation on seven focal trees suggested temporal and spatial segregation among visiting birds according to body size and territorial behavior during the most honeydew-limited time. Hummingbird species differed in the dally times they foraged, as well as in the location where honeydew-producing insects were visited on the trees. Temporal and spatial segregation among hummingbird species is interpreted as an adaptation to reduce the risk of aggressive encounters. This may facilitate multispecies coexistence and allow these birds to exploit honeydew more effectively

Graphene-CdSe Nanobelt Solar Cells with Tunable Configurations

We have combined two planar nanostructures, graphene and CdSe nanobelts, to construct Schottky junction solar cells with open-circuit voltages of about 0.5 V and cell efficiencies on the order of 0.1%. By covering transparent graphene or carbon nanotube （CNT） films on selected positions along macroscopically long CdSe nanobelts, we have demonstrated the fabrication of active solar cells with many different configurations and parallel connections from individual or multiple assembled nanobelts. The graphene-CdSe nanobelt solar cells reported here show a great flexibility in creating diverse device architectures, and might be scaled up for cell integration based on assembled nanobelt arrays and patterned graphene （or CNT） films.

Risk factors connected to gastrointestinal parasites in mantled Alouatta palliata mexicana and black howler monkeys Alouatta pigra living in continuous and in fragmented rainforests in Mexico

In this study we document the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites （helminths and protozoans） found in fecal samples of populations of Alouatta palliata mexicana and ofA. pigra in Los Tuxtlas and in Palenque, southeast Mexico, and its re- lation to habitat condition, sex/age and season. Nineteen parasite morphotypes were detected in the fecal samples from populations of the two howler monkeys, of which 58% were shared by both species. When considering all parasite species, populations of the two howler species were more likely to be parasitized in fragmented habitat compared to continuous habitat. Individuals of both howler monkey species that lived in fragmented habitat had a higher prevalence of Controrchis biliophilus. A. p. mexicana individuals had a higher prevalence of Trypanoxyuris minutus than A. pigra, probably the result of the larger group sizes found in the former species, and T. minutus was more likely to be found in A. palliata individuals that lived in fragmented habitat. Adult A. p. mexicana males had a higher risk of being parasitized compared to adult females, but these differences were not detected in A. pigra, Parasite species such as Entamoeba sp., Nematoda sp. 28, Nematoda sp. B and Parabronema sp. where only found during the wet season in both howler monkey species. Populations of both howler monkey species had a higher prevalence of Nematoda sp. A in the wet season and Ascaridae eggs were only detected during the wet season in A. pigra. Other parasites detected displayed no clear seasonal pattern [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 375-383, 2012].

Electrical Investigation of Armchair Graphene-Graphdiyne-Graphene Nanoribbons Heterojunctions

In this study,the structural and electronic properties of armchair graphdiyne nanoribbons,which have different widths are studied using the first principle calculation.The results indicate that all studied AGDYNRs show semiconducting behavior in which the band gap values decrease with the increase of nanoribbons width.The electronic and electrical properties of the graphdiyne sandwiched between two graphene nanoribbons are also investigated.The findings of our study indicate that among 4 investigated n-G-GDY-G-NR structures,the highest current is calculated for n = 3(3-G-GDY-G-NR),due to phase transition.

Unconventional chemical graphitization and functionalization of graphene oxide toward nanocomposites by degradation of ZnSe[DETA]0.5 hybrid nanobelts

The high surface energy of nanomaterials endows them a metastable nature,which greatly limits their application.However,in some cases,the degradation process derived from the poor stability of nanomaterials offers an unconventional approach to design and obtain functional nanomaterials.Herein,based on the poor stability of ZnSe-[DETA]0.5 hybrid nanobelts,we developed a new strategy to chemically graphitize and functionalize graphene oxide(GO).When ZnSe[DETA]0.5 hybrid nanobelts encountered a strong acid,they were attacked by H^+cations and could release highly reactive Se^2−anions into the reaction solution.Like other common reductants(such as N2H4·H2O),these Se^2−anions exhibited an excellent ability to restore the structure of GO.The structural restoration of GO was greatly affected by the reaction time,the volume of HCl,and the mass ratio between GO and ZnSe[DETA]0.5 nanobelts.By carefully controlling the reaction process and the post-processing process,we finally obtained several Se-based reduced GO(RGO)nanocomposites(such as ZnSe/Se-RGO,ZnSe-RGO,and Se-RGO)and various selenide/metal-RGO nanocomposites(such as Ag2Se-RGO,Cu2Se-RGO,and Pt-RGO).Although the original structure and composition of ZnSe[DETA]0.5 nanobelts are destroyed,the procedure presents an unconventional way to chemically graphitize and functionalize GO and thus provides a new material synthesis platform for nanocomposites.

SnO2-reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons as anodes for lithium ion batteries with enhanced cycling stability

A nanocomposite material of SnO2-reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons has been developed. In this composite, the reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons are uniformly coated by nanosized SnO2 that formed a thin layer of SnO2 on the surface. When used as anodes in lithium ion batteries, the composite shows outstanding electrochemical performance with the high reversible discharge capacity of 1,027 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 165 cycles and 640 mAh/g at 3.0 A/g after 160 cycles with current rates varying from 0.1 to 3.0 A/g and no capacity decay after 600 cycles compared to the second cycle at a current density of 1.0 A/g. The high reversible capacity, good rate performance and excellent cycling stability of the composite are due to the synergistic combination of electrically conductive reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons and SnO2, The method developed here is practical for the large-scale development of anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

Controlling Thermal Conductivity of Few-Layer Graphene Nanoribbons by Using the Transversal Pressure

We study the thermal transport of few-layer graphene nanoribbons in the presence of the transversal pressure by using molecular dynamics simulations. It is reported that the pressure can improve the thermal conductivity of few-layer graphene nanoribbons. This improvement can reach 37.5% in the low temperature region. The pressure dependence of thermal conductivity is also investigated for different length, width and thickness of few-layer graphene. Our results provide an alternative option to tuning thermal conductivity of few-layer graphene nanoribbons, b-arthermore, it maybe indicate a so-called pressure-thermM effect in nanomaterials.

The role of shaded cocoa plantations in the maintenance of epiphytic orchids and their interactions with phorophytes

Aims Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main threats to biodiversity in tropical forests.Agroecosystems such as shaded cocoa plantations(SCP)provide refuge for tropical forest biota.However,it is poorly known whether the interspecific ecological interactions are also maintained in these transformed habitats.We evaluated the diversity,reproductive status and photosynthetic metabolism(CAM or C3)of the epiphytic orchid community,and their interactions with host trees(phorophytes)in SCP compared to tropical rainforest(TRF).Methods In southeastern Mexico,three sites each in TRF and SCP were studied,with four 400 m2 plots established at each site to record all orchids and their phorophytes.We determined the reproductive(adult)or non-reproductive(juvenile)status of each orchid individual in relation to the presence or absence,respectively,of flowers/fruits(or remnants),and assigned the photosynthetic pathway of each orchid species based in literature.We used true diversity and ecological networks approaches to analyze orchid diversity and orchid–phorophyte interactions,respectively.Important Findings In total,607 individuals belonging to 47 orchid species were recorded.Orchid diversity was higher in TRF(19 effective species)than in SCP(11 effective species)and only seven species were shared between the two habitats.CAM orchid species were more frequent in SCP(53%)than in TRF(14%).At the community level the proportion of non-reproductive and reproductive orchid species and the nested structure and specialization level of the TRF orchid–phorophyte network were maintained in SCP.However,only a subset of TRF epiphytic orchids remains in SCP,highlighting the importance of protecting TRF.Despite this difference,shaded agroecosystems such as SCP can maintain some of the diversity and functions of natural forests,since the SCP epiphytic orchid community,mainly composed of CAM species,and its phorophytes constitute a nested interaction network,which would confer robustness to disturbances.