Mapping natural capital: optimising the use of national scale datasets

Understanding the spatial distribution of specific environmental variables and the interdependencies of these variables is crucial for managing the environment in a sustainable way. Here we discuss two methods of mapping – a Geographical Information System classification-based approach and a statistical model-based approach. If detailed, spatially comprehensive covariate datasets exist to complement the ecological-response data, then using a statistical model-based analysis provides the potential for greater understanding of underlying relationships, as well as the uncertainty in the spatial predictions. Further, the model-based approach facilitates scenario testing. Although similar methods are already adopted in species distribution modeling, the flexibility of the model framework used is rarely exploited to go beyond modeling occupancy or suitability for a single species, into modeling complex derived metrics such as community composition and indicators of natural capital. As an example, we assess the potential benefits of the statistical model-based approach to mapping natural capital through the use of two national survey datasets; The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) Land Cover Map (LCM) and the British Geological Survey’s (BGS) Parent Material Model (PMM), to predict national soil microbial community distributions based on data from a sample of > 1000 soils covering Great Britain. The results are mapped and compared against a more traditional, land classification-based approach. The comparison shows that, although the maps look broadly similar, the model-based approach provides better overall spatial prediction, and the contribution of individual model terms (along with their uncertainty) are far easier to understand and interpret, whilst also facilitating any scenario testing. We therefore both recommend the use of spatial statistical modelling techniques to map natural capital and anticipate that they will become more prominent over the forthcoming years

Spatial variation of anthropogenic disturbances within watersheds determines dissolved organic matter composition exported to oceans

Global land-use changes alter the delivery of fluvial dissolved organic matter (DOM) along land-to-sea continuum. To study how spatial variations in watershed anthropogenic disturbances control chemodiversity and reactivity of DOM exported to oceans, we used fluorescent and ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate spatial and seasonal variations of DOM properties along two subtropical coastal rivers with contrasting anthropogenic land-use distributions (North and West tributaries of Jiulong River, southeast China). Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and humic- and protein-like fluorescent DOM (FDOM) intensities were high in the mixed urban-agricultural impacted upper North River and lower West River. DOM molecular signatures suggested that the urban-sourced DOM is dominated by bio-labile, S-rich compounds, whereas the agricultural-sourced DOM is characterized by a mixture of bio-labile CHONS and bio-refractory CHON. This anthropogenic-induced spatial variation in DOM signatures was especially prominent during the dry season. Molecular analysis indicated that heteroatomic-containing (phosphorus-sulfur-nitrogen) DOM compounds are more biologically degradable, whereas most of the heteroatom-depleted and highly unsaturated CHO was stable during transport. Due to a longer transit distance and reservoir impoundment in North River, the urban-sourced aliphatic compounds were largely microbially removed or transformed into bio-refractory components, resulting in lower DOC fluxes and an increase of recalcitrance in the DOM exported to the ocean. Conversely, shorter transit times for anthropogenic inputs from the middle/lower West River increased watershed yield and export fluxes of DOC with higher bio-lability. Our study documents that transit history plays a crucial role in assessing the fate of anthropogenic DOM along the land-to-ocean continuum

Observational study of tidal mixing asymmetry and eddy viscosity-shear covariance – induced residual flow in the Jiulong River estuary

Abstract(#br)An observation study was conducted at three stations in the inner regime of the Jiulong River estuary to examine the tidal mixing asymmetry and its associated residual flow induced by eddy viscosity-shear covariance (ESCO). The water columns at the observation stations were approximately well-mixed during the later flood and were stratified during the early ebb, a typical tidal mixing asymmetry. Corresponding to the tidal variation of stratification, the Reynolds stress and vertical eddy viscosity, which were obtained using the ADCP variance method, exhibited distinct differences in the magnitude and vertical structure between flood and ebb tides. The ESCO flow was calculated using the decomposition method for estuarine circulation, revealing a two-layer vertical structure similar to density-driven flow but with a much greater magnitude, confirming the findings of previous generic model studies that the ESCO flow dominates the density-driven flow in periodically stratified estuaries. The drivers of tidal mixing asymmetry were explored using the potential energy anomaly method. Longitudinal straining reduced stratification during flood tides and reinforced stratification during ebb tides, whereas longitudinal advection acted in the opposite manner. Although the contribution of lateral circulation to stratification was neglected due to the lack of lateral observation data, scaling analysis revealed that lateral advection was important in the longitudinal dynamics and tidal evolution of stratification and warrants further study

Greenhouse gas emissions (CO2–CH4–N2O) along a large reservoir‐downstream river continuum: The role of seasonal hypoxia

Recent studies suggest that hypolimnetic respiration may be responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from deep reservoirs. Currently, quantitative evaluation of aerobic vs. anaerobic processes and priming (enhanced processing of organic matter due to the addition of labile carbon) in regulating GHG production and emissions across the reservoir-downstream continuum remains largely unknown. High-resolution, annual time-series observations in a large, subtropical reservoir (Shuikou) experiencing seasonal hypoxia in southeast China indicate that aerobic hypolimnetic CO2 production dominated in most periods of the stratified spring/summer with higher rates at higher temperatures. In addition, anaerobic production of hypolimnetic CO2 occurred in the late stratified spring/summer period, which stimulated hypolimnetic production of CH4 and N2O. Incubation experiments showed that priming in spring enhanced both aerobic and anaerobic production of excess GHGs. A late spring flood event generated the highest daily efflux of CO2 through the flushing of GHG-enriched hypolimnion waters. Turbine degassing contributed 59%, 93%, and 63% of annual CO2, CH4, and N2O effluxes, respectively. Moreover, annual downstream GHG emissions were similar to those in the transition/lacustrine zone of the Shuikou reservoir. Diurnal variation observations revealed net CO2 emissions even during algal bloom seasons. The reservoir-downstream river continuum was a year-round source of GHGs (218.5 ± 18.9 Gg CO2-equivalent yr−1; CO2 contributed 91%). However, the loss of oxygen also leads to increased production and storage of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon (RDOC). Thus, identifying mechanisms controlling both GHG emissions and RDOC production is crucial to constrain the carbon neutrality issue of hydroelectric reservoirs in the context of climate change mitigation strategies

A numerical study of residual flow induced by eddy viscosity-shear covariance in a tidally energetic estuary

Abstract(#br)The inner regime of an estuary has unique tidal mixing processes but received relatively less attention. A numerical model was developed to investigate the tidal variability of vertical mixing and the residual flow induced by eddy viscosity–shear covariance (ESCO) in the inner regime of a tidally energetic estuary in Southeastern China. Because of migration of the saltwater/freshwater interface, the water column in the inner regime undergoes a saltwater-dominant high-water period and a freshwater-dominant low-water period during a tidal cycle. The different mixing processes of high- and low-water periods led to typical (reverse) internal tidal asymmetry, i.e. stronger (weaker) mixing during flood tides than ebb tides when the tidal range was large (small). Tidal straining was the main driver of internal tidal asymmetry during the high-water period, while the asymmetries of duration and current velocity between flood and ebb were the main drivers during the low-water period. For typical internal tidal asymmetry, the ESCO stress was negative and the ESCO flow had a two-layer structure with landward flow near the bottom and seaward flow near the surface. For reverse internal tidal asymmetry, the ESCO stress was positive and the vertical pattern of the ESCO flow was reversed. The magnitude of the ESCO flow was several times greater than that of the density-driven flow. The reverse internal tidal asymmetry occurred in the freshwater-dominant low-water period indicates that the ESCO stress could be an important driver of tidal rectification flow in homogeneous coastal waters

Urbanization increased river nitrogen export to western Taiwan Strait despite increased retention by nitrification and denitrification

Abstract(#br)Urban development and increased human activities impose major environmental stress on the receiving bodies of water. Although urban rivers have been recognized as hotspots of regional nitrogen (N) pollution, detailed measurements of river nutrient species in response to urbanization are rarely reported, so the impacts of urban development on N cycling processes and transport to coast remains unclear. Here we investigated the changes in N species (concentration, composition and isotope) and N functional genes between upstream and downstream sections of several rivers affected by urban development in western Taiwan Strait under various flow conditions (low, medium and high flow). Our results suggest that urban sewage (high ammonium) is the predominant substrate that stimulated nitrification and subsequently denitrification and gaseous N removal (N 2 O, N 2 ). Nitrifying and denitrifying functional genes increased their abundance along the urban rivers. There were hydrological and meteorological controls on urban rivers regulating changes in nitrogen retention between seasons. Overall, the enhanced microbe-driven N retention could not balance the increase of urban N loading. Consequently, urbanization increased riverine N export and caused other changes in nutrient supply such as changing the nutrient ratio (N:P:Si ratio), increasing the potential for eutrophication both in the river and in receiving coastal ecosystems

P relim inary resu lts concern ing th e spa tio2tempora l pa ttern and mechan ism of n itrogen sources and expor ts in th e J iu long R iver wa tersh ed

[摘要]：综合运用定位监测、野外试验、模型模拟与G IS技术等手段和方法, 定量研究了南亚热带地区九龙江流域和五川小流域氮的大气沉降、河 流输送(地表径流)、淋失、反硝化和氨挥发等输入输出(源汇)时空模式与机理. 结果表明, 九龙江流域氮/ 源0以化肥与饲料输入为主(占总输 入125. 6kg# hm- 2的86% ), 氮/ 汇0以氨挥发和河流输送为主(占总输出72. 9kg# hm- 2的82% ). 氮输入后50%以上进入大气和水环境, 14. 5% 通过河流输送至河口与近海. 大气氮沉降通量为14. 9kg# hm- 2, 其中干沉降占34%, 湿沉降占66%, 形成1B2 的干湿沉降结构;源于化肥施用与 畜禽养殖引起的强烈氨挥发, 氮沉降集中在春夏两季(占全年80% ), 且以铵态氮为主( 39%以上). 氮的径流输出及河流输送受人为氮输入与 水文条件的双重控制, 2004年九龙江向厦门海域输送无机氮11. 5kg# hm- 2, 其中90%发生在春夏秋季(同期流量占全年89% ); 五川小流域总 氮径流输出负荷为67. 1kg# hm- 2, 其中85%发生在施肥量大、降雨集中的春夏两季(作物生长期); 基流与降雨径流分别贡献25%和75%. 总 氮淋失负荷为27. 5kg# hm- 2, 占总输入的9%; pH < 5的酸性土壤带正电荷导致氮淋失以铵态氮为主(约占40% ). 九龙江流域反硝化通量为 71 7 kg# hm- 2, 而氨挥发高达42. 1kg# hm- 2, 氨挥发主要来自化肥施用与畜禽养殖(分别贡献50% 和39% ). 减少春夏时期肥料氮的输入(养分 管理), 有效截留雨季的降雨径流(水文控制)是该流域氮素管理的关键.国家自然科学基金国际(地区)合作交流项目( No. 40810069004); 福建省/ 十五0重大科技资助项目(N o. 2002H 009

A nomogram based on the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to distinguish sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma from clear cell renal cell carcinoma

ObjectiveOur study aimed to assess the predictive value of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) in distinguishing sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) from clear cell renal cell carcinoma(CCRCC) and to developing a nomogram based on the preoperative NLR and other factors to distinguish SRCC from CCRCC.Materials and methodsThe database involved 280 patients, including 46 SRCC and 234 CCRCC. logistic analysis was conducted to select the variables associated with identifying SRCC preoperatively, and subgroup analysis was used to further validate the ability of NLR with preoperative identification of SRCC.In addition, The data were randomly separated into a training cohort(n=195) and a validation cohort(n=85). And an NLR-based nomogram was plotted based on the logistic analysis results. The nomogram was evaluated according to its discrimination, consistency, and clinical benefits.ResultsMultivariate analysis indicated that NLR, flank pain, tumor size, and total cholesterol(TC) were independent risk factors for identifying SRCC. The results of subgroup analysis showed that higher NLR was associated with a higher probability of SRCC in most subgroups. The area under the curve(AUC) of the training and validation cohorts were 0.801 and 0.738, respectively. The results of the calibration curve show high consistency between predicted and actual results. Decision Curve Analysis(DCA) showed clinical intervention based on the model was beneficial over most of the threshold risk range.ConclusionNLR is a potential indicator for preoperative differentiation of SRCC and CCRCC, and the predictive model constructed based on NLR has a good predictive ability. The new model could provide suggestions for the early identification of SRCC

TGF-β Regulates DNA Methyltransferase Expression in Prostate Cancer, Correlates with Aggressive Capabilities, and Predicts Disease Recurrence

DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) is one of the major factors mediating the methylation of cancer related genes such as TGF-β receptors (TβRs). This in turn may result in a loss of sensitivity to physiologic levels of TGF-β in aggressive prostate cancer (CaP). The specific mechanisms of DNMT's role in CaP remain undetermined. In this study, we describe the mechanism of TGF-β-mediated DNMT in CaP and its association with clinical outcomes following radical prostatectomy.We used human CaP cell lines with varying degrees of invasive capability to describe how TGF-β mediates the expression of DNMT in CaP, and its effects on methylation status of TGF-β receptors and the invasive capability of CaP in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we determined the association between DNMT expression and clinical outcome after radical prostatectomy. We found that more aggressive CaP cells had significantly higher TGF-β levels, increased expression of DNMT, but reduced TβRs when compared to benign prostate cells and less aggressive prostate cancer cells. Blockade of TGF-β signaling or ERK activation (p-ERK) was associated with a dramatic decrease in the expression of DNMT, which results in a coincident increase in the expression of TβRs. Blockade of either TGF-β signaling or DNMT dramatically decreased the invasive capabilities of CaP. Inhibition of TGF-β in an TRAMP-C2 CaP model in C57BL/6 mice using 1D11 was associated with downregulation of DNMTs and p-ERK and impairment in tumor growth. Finally, independent of Gleason grade, increased DNMT1 expression was associated with biochemical recurrence following surgical treatment for prostate cancer.Our findings demonstrate that CaP derived TGF-β may induce the expression of DNMTs in CaP which is associated with methylation of its receptors and the aggressive potential of CaP. In addition, DNMTs is an independent predictor for disease recurrence after prostatectomy, and may have clinical implications for CaP prognostication and therapy