Distribution, origin and speciation of soil selenium in the black soil region of Northeast China.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element within human beings that hold with crucial biological functions. Investigating the complex origin of soil Se is of great importance to scientifically approach the land use of Se-rich land use, and the respective promotion of regional economic development. In this study, 160 soil samples from 10 profiles in farmland and woodland were collected in Hailun city, which is a typical black soil region in Northeast China, in order to characterize the distribution and speciation of Se in the black soil, and to identify the origin of soil Se. The total selenium content in the soil ranges from 0.045 to 0.444 µg g-1, with an average selenium content in black soil (0.318 µg g-1) of three times greater than that found in the yellow-brown soil (0.114 µg g-1). The land-use type has a significant influence on the distribution of selenium in the black soil. Moreover, Se and heavy metals have a significant (positive or negative) correlation, in which TOC plays an important role. The black soil presents a consistent REE distribution pattern with underlying yellow-brown soil indicating black soil originates from yellow-brown soil. REE geostatistical analysis suggests that the soil Se partly originates from shale weathering and enriches in black soil. Moreover, elemental geochemical analysis and XRD results show that the paleoclimate change from humid and warm to dry and cold is favorable for organic matter accumulation, resulting in less leaching and enhanced adsorption of selenium into the black soil.

Why do oncologists hide the truth? Disclosure of cancer diagnoses to patients in China: A multisource assessment using mixed methods.

OBJECTIVE: In the United States and most European countries, cancer diagnoses are disclosed to patients. In China, however, the trend toward full disclosure has progressed slowly. The present study aimed to explore attitudes toward truth-telling practice among physicians, patients, patients' family members, and the general population, and reasons for nondisclosure. METHODS: We administered a short survey to 212 physicians, 143 patients with cancer, 413 family members of patients with cancer, and 1415 members of the general population. A MANOVA was performed to examine group differences in attitudes toward cancer disclosure. In addition, we interviewed 20 oncologists. Interview data were analyzed using NVivo10. After the interview, we administered another short survey to 143 patients with cancer. RESULTS: Quantitative data indicated that physicians were the least, and patients the most, in favor of disclosure. Qualitative data among physicians and follow-up surveys among cancer patients revealed 5 reasons for the concealment of cancer diagnoses by physicians, including lack of awareness of patients' right to knowledge, cultural influences, insufficient medical resources and training, families' financial concerns, and the need to protect doctors from violence. CONCLUSION: There is a discrepancy between the needs of patients and those in medical practice. These results deepen our understanding regarding the reasons for oncologists' attitudes toward nondisclosure.

Occurrence and risk assessment of antibiotics in surface water and groundwater from different depths of aquifers: A case study at Jianghan Plain, central China.

The occurrence of 14 antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, macrolides and sulfonamides) in groundwater and surface water at Jianghan Plain was investigated during three seasons. The total concentrations of target compounds in the water samples were higher in spring than those in summer and winter. Erythromycin was the predominant antibiotic in surface water samples with an average value of 1.60µg/L, 0.772µg/L and 0.546µg/L respectively in spring, summer and winter. In groundwater samples, fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines accounted for the dominant proportion of total antibiotic residues. The vertical distributions of total antibiotics in groundwater samples from three different depths boreholes (10m, 25m, and 50m) exhibited irregular fluctuations. Consistently decreasing of antibiotic residues with increasing of depth was observed in four (G01, G02, G03 and G05) groundwater sampling sites over three seasons. However, at the sampling sites G07 and G08, the pronounced high concentrations of total antibiotic residues were detected in water samples from 50m deep boreholes instead of those at upper aquifer in winter sampling campaign, with the total concentrations of 0.201µg/L and 0.100µg/L respectively. The environmental risks posed by the 14 antibiotics were assessed by using the methods of risk quotient and mixture risk quotient for algae, daphnids and fish in surface water and groundwater. The results suggested that algae might be the aquatic organism most sensitive to the antibiotics, with the highest risk levels posed by erythromycin in surface water and by ciprofloxacin in groundwater among the 14 antibiotics. In addition, the comparison between detected antibiotics in groundwater samples and the reported effective concentrations of antibiotics on denitrification by denitrifying bacteria, indicating this biogeochemical process driven by microorganisms won't be inhibitory influenced by the antibiotic residues in groundwater.

Sequential development among dimensions of job burnout and engagement among IT employees.

The current study examined the sequential development of job burnout and job engagement and their related antecedents (job demands, job resources and personality) using a three-wave longitudinal design. We collected usable responses from 160 Information Technology employees in China. Using M-plus 5.0, we compared four models: the exhaustion-cynicism-inefficacy model of burnout and the vigour-dedication-absorption model of engagement, the exhaustion-cynicism-inefficacy model of burnout and the dedication-absorption-vigour model of engagement, the cynicism-inefficacy-exhaustion model of burnout and the dedication-absorption-vigour model of engagement and the cynicism-inefficacy-exhaustion model of burnout and the vigour-dedication- absorption model of engagement. The results of the model comparisons revealed that the last model had the best fit with the data. In addition, we found that job demands, job resources and personality influenced burnout and engagement in different ways. The results showed that the pathways from job demands/job resources to burnout/engagement were robust and direct, whereas personality had both a direct influence and an indirect influence (through job demands/resources) on burnout/engagement.