Distribution and Source Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Sediment Collected From The Continental Shelf Off Hainan Island, China

Contents of rare earth elements (REEs), major elements and the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were determined for 152 surface sediment samples collected from the continental shelf off Hainan Island (CSHI). From high to low, the average contents of REEs were: Ce > La > Nd > Pr > Sm > Gd > Dy > Er > Yb > Eu > Ho > Tb > Tm > Tm. The concentrations of REEs in the north of the study area were higher than in the south. The LREE concentrations in the south were higher than in the north. This resulted higher values for the LREE/HREE ratio in the south than in the north. The mean EF could be arranged from highest to lowest as follows: Tm > Sm > Pr > Er > La > Lu > Ce > Tb > Eu > Nd > Yb > Gd > Ho > Dy. The enrichment factor (EF) indicates that pollution as a result of human activity was more serious in the southeast of the study area than in the north. The factors affecting the REE concentrations in this area include naturally occurring minerals and industrial pollution. Based on the spatial variation of upper continental crust (UCC)-normalized REE concentrations, the CSHI was classified into three geochemical provinces. The sediment of province I was controlled by the Red and Pearl rivers. The composition of the province II is mainly controlled by the Red River and the Pearl River, although some sediments have originated from the South China Sea Island. Province III sediments mainly originated from sources on Hainan Island.

GNSS for Quasi-Real-Time Earthquake Source Determination in Eastern Tibet: A Prototype System toward Early Warning Applications

Active crustal deformation of the Tibetan plateau results in destructive continental earthquakes and is therefore the focus of intense research interest. Increases in the numbers of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) networks and stations deployed in Tibet are allowing for the characterization of crustal deformation during different phases of the earthquake cycle. Here, we present the status of a “seismic + high-rate GNSS” network deployed in eastern Tibet, including its data streams and data processing system, with the goal of supporting quasi-real-time earthquake source determination. Furthermore, we use this network to test a prototype earthquake early warning (EEW) system using data from the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku earthquake, and 2200 synthetic earthquakes with moment magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the southern Longmen Shan fault and Anninghe fault. The results show that our current methodology could respond to moderate-to-large earthquakes (magnitude 7+) within tens of seconds after the origin time, with implications for EEW applications in China.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Artemisia pallens lEAVES IN CLOFIBRATE AND PHENOL TREATED FRESHWATER FISH Pangasius Sp.

Aim: The key motive was to investigate the toxicological upshot of clofibrate and phenol prescribed under human medicine, having potential in water and sediments contamination via input from sewage treatment plants as active pharmaceutical ingredients’ discharge into the environment had kindled present catastrophic effects upon the aquatic ecosystem. Methods: The present study involved, exposing the fish model, Pangasius sp. after acclimatizing them at a suitable LC50 concentration of selective drugs. Their toxic effects were studied in terms of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant status, and protein damage levels in the occupancies under the bioremediation source, Artemisia pallens and further supported by histopathological and cortisol level studies. Results: The results’ comparison between fish maintained under the bioremediation source, when exposed to clofibrate and phenol resulted in severe oxidative stress (significant *P<0.001, #P<0.001) with significant alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities (significant *P<0.001, #P<0.001), histopathological changes and cortisol levels. In the fish exposed to clofibrate and phenol, the significant increase in cortisol level (significant *P<0.05, #P<0.05) may confer distinctive effects on the cell survival by protecting against oxidative stress-induced changes. Conclusion: Since these results varied with the dwelling of the bioremediation source, determination of oxidative stress biomarkers in Pangasius along with Artemisia pallens may serve as a convenient approach for pollution biomonitoring.

Diagnostic accuracy of postmortem computed tomography for bleeding source determination in cases with hemoperitoneum

Aim The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the accuracy of postmortem computed tomography and different radiological signs for the determination of the bleeding source in cases with hemoperitoneum confirmed at autopsy. Methods Postmortem computed tomography data of consecutive cases with hemoperitoneum confirmed at autopsy were reviewed by two raters, blinded to the autopsy findings. The determination of possible bleeding sources was based on the presence of the sentinel clot sign, blood or sedimented blood surrounding an organ, intraparenchymal abnormal gas distribution, and parenchymal disruption. The bleeding source and the cause of hemoperitoneum (traumatic, surgical, natural, or resuscitation) as reported in the autopsy report were noted. The survival intervals of the deceased were calculated when information about the time of an incident related to death was available in the autopsy reports. Results Eighty-five cases were included in the study. Postmortem computed tomography showed 79% sensitivity and 92.1% specificity for the detection of the bleeding source. The sentinel clot sign was associated with surgical or natural causes of hemoperitoneum and longer survival intervals. Sedimented blood around the bleeding source was associated with resuscitation. Abnormal gas distribution within organs and combination of multiple radiological signs provided higher sensitivity. Conclusion Postmortem computed tomography provides moderate sensitivity and high specificity for determining the bleeding source in cases with hemoperitoneum. Different PMCT signs are associated with different causes of hemoperitoneum and survival intervals.