Pollen analysis was carried out on the Core MD982194 retrieved from the Middle Okinawa Trough which was dated as old as ~200 kyrs BP. The results revealed that pollen assemblages mainly presented an alternation of coniferous and herb pollen. The coniferous saccate pollen, principally Pinus and Tsuga, predominated in most parts of the core, especially highlighted in the interstadial stages including MIS 1,3, 5 and MIS7, whereas the herb pollen significantly increased in the glacial periods. Thus sharp change of their percentage was sensitive responding the transition between interglacial and glacial periods. Our record from this core has first documented that the percentage of Cyperaceae was extremely abundant in the glacial stages with the notably increasing in A r t e m i s i a , G r a m i n e a e , A s t e r a c e a e , Chenopodiaceae and freshwater algaes, which can be used as a proxy for sea-level change at the study site because of their close negative correlation of the orbital-scale changes in sea level . The distance between the continental coastline and the Okinawa Trough has deeply shortened due to the sea-level drop in the LGM. As a result, the sediment materials from Yangtze River was extensively deposited on the flat exposed continental shelf owing to the rapid decline of river flow speed, leading to that pollen grains from Okinawa Trough mainly derived from the flat coastal vegetation of exposed continental shelf at glacial stages, Changes of pollen assemblage were consistent with the variation of temperature and humidity, which showed that the percentage of arboreal pollen was highly augmented at MIS 7,5 and MIS 1, corresponding the strengthening of the East Asian summer monsoon and increasing of rainfall. Moreover, the peak of Pinus percentage in MIS 5.3, 5.1 and MIS 3.3 may be closely linked by orbital and sub-orbital cycles of solar radiation and monsoonal variability. The present study of core MD981294 implied lower temperature and precipitation during the lowest sea-level stage (LGM), and more visibly testified that the vegetation of the flat plain on the exposed continental shelf was dominated by intrazonal communities such as halophyte grasslands and freshwater wetlands rather than zonal steppe or semi-arid desert. All above demonstrated that the fundamental changes of pollen assemblage and their origins in Okinawa Trough since ~200 ka BP were affected by combine factors including the coastline position and climate fluctuation. Moreover, the substantial shortening of distance between shoreline and the Okinawa Trough driven by orbital insolation cycles was clearly indicated by the pollen spectra, whereas, the source-area climate signal of the pollen record was largely weakened.

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a b s t r a c tThe Amur Basin, on the border of Russia and China, has accumulated substantial quantities of peat that have allowed the reconstruction of past vegetation and environments, especially during the Holocene. In this paper, a detailed pollen record from the Basin has been constructed for the last 3800 years and interpreted with the assistance of 40 surface pollen samples taken from vegetation types representative of a broader region. In addition, fossil microcharcoal counts were undertaken to explore variation in fire frequency and the role of fire in peat development and landscape disturbance. The record can be divided into four periods. (1) A period of deciduous broadleaved forest dominated by Betula and Quercus accompanied by thriving sedge-dominated wetlands indicating relatively warm and wet conditions between about 3800 and 2000 cal BP. (2) Coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest domination between about 2000 and 680 cal BP indicating a shift to a cooler climate. (3) Betula-dominant deciduous forest, reduced sedge-dominated wetlands and increased burning between about 680 and 250 cal BP indicating further drying and cooling during the Little Ice Age. (4) Secondary pine forest combined with a large increase in fire activity as well as a further reduction in the swamp environment signaling substantial human impact in the last 250 years.

A benthic foraminiferal proxy record of 290 kyr, acquired from Core SH7B in the northern continental slope of the South China Sea, was studied to identify the bottom-water environment changes since marine isotope stage (MIS) 8. The changes, including oxygenation and types of organic matter flux to the seafloor, reflect the palaeoproductivity fluctuations linked to monsoon variability. Four assemblages, characterizing different palaeoenvironmental changes, have been recognized by factor and cluster analysis with 32 foraminiferal species in 93 samples (>150 µm size fraction). Assemblage Pyrgo spp.–Hoeglundina elegans mainly dominates during interglacial periods of MIS 7, MIS 5 and MIS 3, suggesting well-oxygenated bottom environments with low sea surface productivity linked to a weak East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM). Assemblage Uvigerina spp.–Globocassidulina subglobulosa is composed of a constantly high percentage of shallow infaunal species, occurring in intervals of MIS 4, MIS 5, MIS 7 and MIS 8, which indicates that an enhanced EAWM led to a low seasonality of palaeoproductivity, a constant high flux of fresh and labile marine-derived organic particles to the seafloor and a low oxygen bottom environment. Assemblage Melonis barleeanus–Clavulina spp. is characterized by species that depend on seasonal supplies of more altered refractory organic matter and is mainly distributed in interglacial periods (late MIS 5, MIS 3 and MIS 1), suggesting a high seasonality of palaeoproductivity associated with a seasonal intensification of the EAWM. With low benthic foraminiferal diversity and abundance, assemblage Globobulimina affinis–Chilostomella mediterranensis was identified during the intermediate MIS 8 and early MIS 2. Both substantial input of terrigenous nutrients from an increased river run-off and an increased primary productivity correlated with an enhanced EAWM have led to abundant nutrient supplies and severe bottom-water oxygen depletion. As suggested by the composition of benthic foraminiferal in Core SH7B, changes in bottom-water environments of the northern South China Sea over the last 290 kyr were driven by the fluctuating palaeoproductivity linked to the high variability of the EAWM.

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Background Postoperative delirium (POD) is a sign of deterioration in the homeostasis and physical status of the patient. However, there have been no reports regarding the relationship between the decrease of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSctO2) reading during surgery and the POD in hip replacement in the elder. This study aims to investigate this correlation and the incidence of POD.Methods We performed a retrospective study of 4834 patients who underwent hip arthroplasties between 2015 and 2019 at our hospital. Data were collected as part of routine patient care. The patients’ cognitive performance was evaluated by using the Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR 4th edition) criteria. Patients found to be delirious after surgery served as the delirium group, other patients who did not develop delirium after surgery regarded as the no-delirium group. The various factors including the decline of rSctO2 reading intraoperatively were assessed using Multivariable logistic regression models. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.Results POD was found in 27 patients (n=351); the incidence of POD was 7.7%; all of them were in their 70’s or 80’s. Lab data and rSctO2 reading before surgery were no significantly difference between the delirium group and the no-delirium group. Patients who displayed the decline of rSctO2 reading intraoperatively were at higher risk for POD (compared with no-delirium patients: OR2.169 CI 1.663-2.829 p=0.000) and gender (compared with no-delirium patients: OR 0.163 CI 0.029-0.909 p=0.039) was at a higher risk. Twenty-four patients recovered from POD gradually. One patient had persistent and severe cognitive dysfunction after surgery, two patients died of complications either acute pulmonary embolism 4 days after surgery or acute stroke 21 days after surgery respectively.Conclusions The incidence of POD was 7.7%. This study shows that the decline of rSctO2 reading during hip replacement surgery in the elder is associated with increased probability for the POD.

Neoregelia has high ornamental value, which is tolerant to shade and drought. In addition, the daily maintenance and management of it is easy and convenient, so it is very popular with consumers. However, illumination intensity has great impact on its blade color. The four seasons in the south of Yangtze River are distinct, and cooling and shading in summer are contradictory, resulting in difficulty in production. This study introduced the morphological characteristics and growth habit of Neoregelia. Through a series of experiments in both plain and mountain sites, we confirmed that the optimum illumination intensity for most varieties of Neoregelia was 50~55 klx. During production procedure, 50% shading rate could ensure illumination intensity under 55 klx, but some green blade varieties need weaker illumination intensity. The shading rate should be kept under 70% to maintain regular blade color. 70 klx illumination intensity could burn the blade of Neoregelia. This study could provide guidance for production and daily management of Neoregelia.