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The establishment of continental-scale drainage systems on Earth is largely controlled by topography related to plate boundary deformation and buoyant mantle. Drainage patterns of the great rivers in Asia are thought to be highly dynamic during the Cenozoic collision of India and Eurasia, but the drainage pattern and landscape evolution prior to the development of high topography in eastern Tibet remain largely unknown. Here we report the results of petro-stratigraphy, heavy-mineral analysis, and detrital zircon U-Pb dating from late Cretaceous–early Palaeogene sedimentary basin strata along the present-day eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Similarities in the provenance signatures among basins indicate that a continental-scale fluvial system once drained southward into the Neo-Tethyan Ocean. These results challenge existing models of drainage networks that flowed toward the East Asian marginal seas and require revisions to inference of palaeo-topography during the Late Cretaceous. The presence of a continent-scale river may have provided a stable long-term base level which, in turn, facilitated the development of an extensive low-relief landscape that is preserved atop interfluves above the deeply incised canyons of eastern Tibet. This study provides evidence for a continental-scale river system that existed in eastern Tibet before the India-Asia collision. The river system developed an extensive low-relief landscape, which was uplifted and dissected during the late Cenozoic.

Archaeologists and palaeoclimatologists have focused on the impact of climate on the prehistoric civilizations around the world; however, social resilience in the face of the climate change remains unclear, especially during the Neolithic and Bronze Age in the Central Plains of China (CPC). In this paper, we present palynological results from the Dahecun Core, Henan Province, China. Our pollen data indicate a warm and wet climate condition from 9200 to 4000 cal BP, which then switches to a cool and dry climatic condition during the Neolithic-Bronze Age transition (∼4000–3600 cal BP). We analyze 14 C dates from archaeological sites to demonstrate four episodes of population increase and present vegetation dynamics, determined from available pollen data, to provide evidence for the synchronous shifts in vegetation and human population during the Neolithic. Our results indicate that the aridification in the early Bronze Age did not cause population collapse, highlighting the importance of social resilience to climate change. The pollen, radiocarbon dates and archaeobotanical records from the CPC provides new evidence that supports the claim that the development of agriculture and complex societies, under the stress of a dry climate, set the stage for the dramatic increase of human population around 3800–3400 cal BP.

The modern high topography of the eastern Tibetan Plateau is drained by several of the largest rivers on Earth, and exerts a prominent influence on the Asian monsoon pattern. However, when the high terrain was formed remains highly debated. Here, we present detrital zircon U‐Pb ages that indicate a south‐flowing drainage system with distal headwaters passed through the Ninglang Basin at ca. 45 Ma. We advocate for early–middle Eocene surface uplift in the Gonjo Basin and areas to the west creating a southeast tilted topography across eastern Tibet. The termination of sedimentation at ca. 40 Ma implies that the river system had deviated from the Ninglang Basin, which we interpret as a result of rise of the Yalong‐Yulong thrust belt. Combined with other lines of evidence from previous studies, we support the establishment of moderate‐high elevation topography of eastern Tibet by late Eocene time. Plain Language Summary The eastern Tibetan Plateau has been a hotspot for studying the interactions between tectonic uplift, monsoon evolution, Asian biodiversity, and topographic development during continental collision. However, the timing of high‐elevation topography formation in eastern Tibet is a matter of debate, with age estimates ranging from middle Eocene to late Miocene. This directly leads to contradictory understanding of uplift processes and plateau growth mechanisms. Sedimentary basins are excellent recorders of past drainage pattern and tectonic process, while many Cenozoic basins in eastern Tibet have been understudied. Here we focus on the Ninglang Basin and carry out comprehensive research including stratigraphy, sedimentology, chronology, and provenance analysis. We indicate that the Ninglang Basin was mainly supplied by a south‐flowing exterior drainage system during the middle Eocene, implying the existence of a regional, low‐gradient landscape beveling to the southeast at that time. The extinction of this drainage system in late Eocene time likely means the initiation of the Yalong‐Yulong thrust belt, a major boundary fault system in eastern Tibet. Our study thus support that the topography of eastern Tibet has been elevated in the late Eocene. Key Points A large‐scale, south‐flowing fluvial system drained through the Ninglang Basin during the middle Eocene The demise of the Ninglang Basin in the late Eocene resulted from the uplift of the Yalong‐Yulong thrust belt The elevated terrain of eastern Tibet was initially formed in the late Eocene

The development of planation surfaces requires stable tectonic and climatic conditions. However, it is difficult to discuss in detail how tectonic movement and/or climate change affects erosion, deposition, and uplift associated with the development, formation, and disintegration of planation surface. This article presents a case study on the development and formation of the Tangxian planation surface (TXPS) by establishing the magnetostratigraphy of one piedmont deposition section related to planation, and combining the depositional sequence overlying TXPS and basin sediments. Further, we discuss the role of tectonics and climate change in the geomorphic evolution of the TXPS during the late Cenozoic and revise the final formation age to be ca. 3.1 Ma by the relative deposition process. The vertical rates of the main fault constrained by different geomorphic surfaces and stable deposition in the basin show stable and moderate tectonic activity in the study area since the Pliocene, and a series of sedimentary records reveal that the climate in North China was stably warm-humid from the late Miocene to early Pliocene. Stable tectonic activity and stable climate were important bases for pediment development; however, abrupt climatic changes during the late Pliocene might be the main driving force of the final formation of the TXPS in North China.

Cooling energy consumption has become a pivotal issue in the pursuit of sustainable and energy-efficient operation within commercial buildings. With the swift progression of big data technology, access to operational data from cooling systems in these buildings is expanding. This surge in data availability coincides with an increased implementation of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, prompting this study to explore their real-world energy efficiency. Our research delves into the cooling energy demands, operational modes, and other vital performance indicators of VRF systems, aiming to shed light on their actual energy utilization in contemporary building practices. We introduce a comprehensive performance analysis framework that encompasses data collection and purification, examination of key performance metrics, and a detailed comparative analysis against alternative cooling systems. The study includes the gathering and cleaning of operational data from 7,925 VRF units across China, with a focus on crucial performance metrics such as duration of use, cooling load, system load ratio, and energy efficiency. Additionally, the research offers comparisons with residential VRF and water-cooling systems in commercial settings, providing a broad perspective on the HVAC systems' performance in China. The outcomes of this investigation are expected to significantly enhance the selection and management of HVAC systems in commercial buildings, guiding stakeholders toward more informed decisions. Ultimately, this could pave the way for notable energy savings and enhanced operational efficiency through strategic, data-driven approaches.

The Qilian Shan, in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, has been continuously extending to the foreland since the late Cenozoic, resulting in the deformation of the Hexi Corridor Basins. Five terraces of the Hongshui River are faulted in the southern Zhangye Basin, a sub-basin of the Hexi Corridor, documenting the tectonic history of the Minle Fault since the late Quaternary. In this study, a high precision digital elevation model (DEM) generated by the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry is used to obtain the cumulative vertical offset of each terrace, and the abandonment ages of terraces are dated by AMS C dating. The results show that the Minle Fault has been active since the Holocene, and produced an almost constant shortening rate of 0.95±0.30 mm/a since 42.3±0.5 ka, indicating that the deformation has spread into the Zhangye Basin. Active tectonics and GPS data indicate the uniform deformation in the Zhangye Basin but different shortening rates in the eastern and western basin. The differential allocation of deformation could have been caused by different wedge structures. Deformation of the North Qilian Fold-Thrust System (NQFTS) has been uniform since the late Quaternary and may be consistent with that in 10-year timescale, although further studies are needed.

Metasurfaces have provided a promising approach to enhance the nonlinearity at subwavelength scale, but usually suffer from a narrow bandwidth as imposed by sharp resonant features. Here, we counterintuitively report a broadband, enhanced second-harmonic generation, in nanopatterned hyperbolic metamaterials. The nanopatterning allows the direct access of the mode with large momentum, rendering the rainbow light trapping, i.e. slow light in a broad frequency, and thus enhancing the local field intensity for boosted nonlinear light-matter interactions. For a proof-of-concept demonstration, we fabricated a nanostructured Au/ZnO multilayer, and enhanced second harmonic generation can be observed within the visible wavelength range (400-650 nm). The enhancement factor is over 50 within the wavelength range of 470-650 nm, and a maximum conversion efficiency of 1.13×10 −6 is obtained with a pump power of only 8.80 mW. Our results herein offer an effective and robust approach towards the broadband metasurface-based nonlinear devices for various important technologies. Though metamaterials enhance nonlinear light-matter interactions due to their resonant features, these materials typically show a narrow spectral bandwidth. Here, the authors report broadband enhanced second-harmonic generation in patterned multilayer hyperbolic metamaterial arrays.

Human infections with different avian influenza viruses—eg, H5N1, H9N2, and H7N9—have raised concerns about pandemic potential worldwide. We report the first human infection with a novel reassortant avian influenza A H10N8 virus. We obtained and analysed clinical, epidemiological, and virological data from a patient from Nanchang City, China. Tracheal aspirate specimens were tested for influenza virus and other possible pathogens by RT-PCR, viral culture, and sequence analyses. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed. A woman aged 73 years presented with fever and was admitted to hospital on Nov 30, 2013. She developed multiple organ failure and died 9 days after illness onset. A novel reassortant avian influenza A H10N8 virus was isolated from the tracheal aspirate specimen obtained from the patient 7 days after onset of illness. Sequence analyses revealed that all the genes of the virus were of avian origin, with six internal genes from avian influenza A H9N2 viruses. The aminoacid motif GlnSerGly at residues 226–228 of the haemagglutinin protein indicated avian-like receptor binding preference. A mixture of glutamic acid and lysine at residue 627 in PB2 protein—which is associated with mammalian adaptation—was detected in the original tracheal aspirate samples. The virus was sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors. Sputum and blood cultures and deep sequencing analysis indicated no co-infection with bacteria or fungi. Epidemiological investigation established that the patient had visited a live poultry market 4 days before illness onset. The novel reassortant H10N8 virus obtained is distinct from previously reported H10N8 viruses. The virus caused human infection and could have been associated with the death of a patient. Emergency Research Project on human infection with avian influenza H7N9 virus, the National Basic Research Program of China, and the National Mega-projects for Infectious Diseases.

Background Liver plays an important role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. We aimed to examine the associations of liver enzymes and hepatic steatosis index (HSI, a reliable biomarker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) in early pregnancy with subsequent GDM risk, as well as the potential mediation effects of lipid metabolites on the association between HSI and GDM. Methods In a birth cohort, liver enzymes were measured in early pregnancy (6-15 gestational weeks, mean 10) among 6,860 Chinese women. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association between liver biomarkers and risk of GDM. Pearson partial correlation and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were conducted to identify lipid metabolites that were significantly associated with HSI in a subset of 948 women. Mediation analyses were performed to estimate the mediating roles of lipid metabolites on the association of HSI with GDM. Results Liver enzymes and HSI were associated with higher risks of GDM after adjustment for potential confounders, with ORs ranging from 1.42 to 2.24 for extreme-quartile comparisons (false discovery rate-adjusted P -trend ≤0.005). On the natural log scale, each SD increment of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and HSI was associated with a 1.15-fold (95% CI: 1.05, 1.26), 1.10-fold (1.01, 1.20), 1.21-fold (1.10, 1.32), 1.15-fold (1.04, 1.27), and 1.33-fold (1.18, 1.51) increased risk of GDM, respectively. Pearson partial correlation and LASSO regression identified 15 specific lipid metabolites in relation to HSI. Up to 52.6% of the association between HSI and GDM risk was attributed to the indirect effect of the HSI-related lipid score composed of lipid metabolites predominantly from phospholipids (e.g., lysophosphatidylcholine and ceramides) and triacylglycerol. Conclusions Elevated liver enzymes and HSI in early pregnancy, even within a normal range, were associated with higher risks of GDM among Chinese pregnant women. The association of HSI with GDM was largely mediated by altered lipid metabolism.

Background Recently, increasing evidence supports that some complex diseases are not attributed to a given pathogen, but dysbiosis in the host intestinal microbiota (IM). The full intestinal ecosystem alterations, rather than a single pathogen, are associated with white feces syndrome (WFS), a globally severe non-infectious shrimp disease, while no experimental evidence to explore the causality. Herein, we conducted comprehensive metagenomic and metabolomic analysis, and intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT) to investigate the causal relationship between IM dysbiosis and WFS. Results Compared to the Control shrimp, we found dramatically decreased microbial richness and diversity in WFS shrimp. Ten genera, such as Vibrio , Candidatus Bacilloplasma, Photobacterium , and Aeromonas , were overrepresented in WFS, whereas 11 genera, including Shewanella , Chitinibacter , and Rhodobacter were enriched in control. The divergent changes in these populations might contribute the observation that a decline of pathways conferring lipoic acid metabolism and mineral absorption in WFS. Meanwhile, some sorts of metabolites, especially lipids and organic acids, were found to be related to the IM alteration in WFS. Integrated with multiomics and IMT, we demonstrated that significant alterations in the community composition, functional potentials, and metabolites of IM were closely linked to shrimp WFS. The distinguished metabolites which were attributed to the IM dysbiosis were validated by feed-supplementary challenge. Both homogenous selection and heterogeneous selection process were less pronounced in WFS microbial community assembly. Notably, IMT shrimp from WFS donors eventually developed WFS clinical signs, while the dysbiotic IM can be recharacterized in recipient shrimp. Conclusions Collectively, our findings offer solid evidence of the causality between IM dysbiosis and shrimp WFS, which exemplify the ‘microecological Koch’s postulates’ (an intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, a disease) in disease etiology, and inspire our cogitation on etiology from an ecological perspective. FQ9SoidJJGxv1orPr3YvZs Video abstract