Sand dust belts span approximately one-fifth of the global land surface.In these regions,dust tends to settle on vegetation surfaces,altering the observed reflectance and affecting remote sensing detections.To enhance...Sand dust belts span approximately one-fifth of the global land surface.In these regions,dust tends to settle on vegetation surfaces,altering the observed reflectance and affecting remote sensing detections.To enhance the accuracy of maize growth monitoring in dust-affected regions,this study aims to quantify the effect of sand dust retention on maize during the tasseling stage in the Kashgar Prefecture,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,by analyzing changes in canopy reflectance and vegetation indices.First,field sampling was conducted to measure the key canopy structure parameters and dust retention levels of maize,and laboratory spectral measurements were performed on leaf spectral properties under gradient dust retention.The measured data were then used to drive the LargE-Scale remote sensing data and image Simulation framework(LESS)model for simulating realistic maize canopy spectra across different dust levels,with validation against Sentinel-2 imagery.Second,on the basis of the simulated and satellite-derived spectra,the dust resistance of 36 common vegetation indices was systematically evaluated,and new robust dust-resistant indices were developed.The results showed that compared with dust-free maize,the canopy reflectance of dust-retained maize followed an increase–decrease–increase pattern,with critical turning points at 735 and 1325 nm.The maximum reflectance difference of–0.11755(change rate:29.002%)occurred within the 735–1325 nm range at 24 g/m^(2)dust retention,and the minimum reflectance difference of 0.04285(change rate:148.950%)was observed in the 350–735 nm range under the same dust retention level.Among the 36 vegetation indices,only the global environment monitoring index(GEMI)and the ratio of transformed chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index to optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index(TCARI/OSAVI)exhibited dust resistance,with GEMI being effective below 6 g/m^(2)and TCARI/OSAVI remaining stable across all levels(average ratio:0.970).The newly developed indices in this study,(RE3–RE2)/(NIR–RE2),(RE3–RE2)/(RE4–RE2),and(NIR–RE2)/(RE4–RE2),retained values within the predefined dust-resistant range over the full dust retention levels of 0–24 g/m^(2),thus showing a more stable dust resistance compared with the commonly used 36 vegetation indices.Specially,(RE3–RE2)/(RE4–RE2)performed the most robustly in Sentinel-2 imagery,that is,58.020%of pixels were within the dust-resistant range,and an average ratio of 0.937 was obtained for the original-spectra index.This study provides a scientific basis for crop monitoring and management in dust-affected regions.展开更多
Precipitation events,which follow a life cycle of initiation,development,and decay,represent the fundamental form of precipitation.Comprehensive and accurate detection of these events is crucial for effective water re...Precipitation events,which follow a life cycle of initiation,development,and decay,represent the fundamental form of precipitation.Comprehensive and accurate detection of these events is crucial for effective water resource management and flood control.However,current investigations on their spatio-temporal patterns remain limited,largely because of the lack of systematic detection indices that are specifically designed for precipitation events,which constrains event-scale research.In this study,we defined a set of precipitation event detection indices(PEDI)that consists of five conventional and fourteen extreme indices to characterize precipitation events from the perspectives of intensity,duration,and frequency.Applications of the PEDI revealed the spatial patterns of hourly precipitation events in China and its first-and second-order river basins from 2008 to 2017.Both conventional and extreme precipitation events displayed spatial distribution patterns that gradually decreased in intensity,duration,and frequency from southeast to northwest China.Compared with those in northwest China,the average values of most PEDIs in southeast China were usually 2-10 times greater for first-order river basins and 3-15 times greater for second-order basins.The PEDI could serve as a reference method for investigating precipitation events at global,regional,and basin scales.展开更多
In this study, a group of indices were defined regarding intensity （P）, area （S） and central position （λc, Фc） of the Aleutian low （AL） in the Northern Hemisphere in winter, using seasonal and monthly mean h...In this study, a group of indices were defined regarding intensity （P）, area （S） and central position （λc, Фc） of the Aleutian low （AL） in the Northern Hemisphere in winter, using seasonal and monthly mean height field at 1000-hPa. These indices were calculated over 60 winter seasons from 1948/1949 to 2007/2008 using reanalysis data. Climatic and anomalous characteristics of the AL were analyzed based on these indices and relationships between the AL, and general circulations were explored using correlations between indicesP, λc, and Pacific SST, as well as Northern Hemisphere temperature and precipitation. The main results are these： （1） AL is the strongest in January, when the center shifts to the south and west of its climatological position, and it is the weakest in December when the center shifts to the north and east. （2） AL intensity （P） is negatively correlated with its longitude （λc）： a deeper low occurs toward the east and a shallower low occurs toward the west. On a decadal scale, the AL has been persistently strong and has shifted eastward since the 1970s, but reversal signs have been observed in recent years. （3） The AL is stronger and is located toward the east during strong E1 Nifio winters and vice versa during strong La Nifia years; this tendency is particularly evident after 1975. The AL is also strongly correlated with SST in the North Pacific. It intensifies and moves eastward with negative SST anomalies, and it weakens and moves westward with positive SST anomalies. （4） Maps of significance correlation between AL intensity and Northern Hemisphere temperature and rainfall resemble the PNA teleconnection pattern in mid-latitudes in the North Pacific and across North America. The AL and the Mongolian High are two permanent atmospheric pressure systems adjacent to each other during boreal winter over the middle and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, but their relationships with the E1 Nifio/La Nifia events and with temperature and precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere are significantly different.展开更多
A climate network of six climate indices of the North Pacific air-sea system is constructed during the period of 1948-2009. In order to find out the inherent relationship between the intrinsic mechanism of climate ind...A climate network of six climate indices of the North Pacific air-sea system is constructed during the period of 1948-2009. In order to find out the inherent relationship between the intrinsic mechanism of climate index network and the important climate shift, the synchronization behaviour and the coupling behaviour of these indices are investigated. Results indicate that climate network synchronization happened around the beginning of the 1960s, in the middle of the 1970s and at the beginnings of the 1990s and the 2000s separately. These synchronization states were always followed by the decrease of the coupling coefficient. Each synchronization of the network was well associated with the abrupt phase or trend changes of annually accumulated abnormal values of North Pacific sea-surface temperature and 500-hPa height, among which the one that happened in the middle of the 1970s is the most noticeable climate shift. We can also obtain this mysterious shift from the first mode of the empirical orthogonal function of six indices. That is to say, abrupt climate shift in North Pacific air-sea system is not only shown by the phase or trend changes of climate indices, but also might be indicated by the synchronizing and the coupling of climate indices. Furthermore, at the turning point of 1975, there are also abrupt correlation changes in the yearly mode of spatial degree distribution of the sea surface temperature and 500-hPa height in the region of the North Pacific, which further proves the probability of climate index synchronization and coupling shift in air sea systems.展开更多
Drought, as a recurring extreme climate event, affects the structure, function, and process of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the increasing occurrence and intensity of the drought in the past decade in Southwestern ...Drought, as a recurring extreme climate event, affects the structure, function, and process of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the increasing occurrence and intensity of the drought in the past decade in Southwestern China, the impacts of continuous drought events on vegetation in this region remain unclear. During 2001–2012, Southwestern China experienced the severe drought events from 2009 to 2011. Our aim is to characterize drought conditions in the Southwestern China and explore the impacts on the vegetation condition and terrestrial ecosystem productivity. The Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI) was used to characterize drought area and intensity and a light-use efficiency model was used to explore the effect of drought on the terrestrial ecosystem productivity with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer(MODIS) data. The SPI captured the major drought events in Southwestern China during the study period, indicated that the 12-year period of this study included both ‘normal' precipitation years and two severe drought events in 2009–2010 and 2011. Results showed that vegetation greenness(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI and Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI) both declined in 2009/2010 drought, but the 2011 drought resulted in less declines of vegetation greenness and productivity due to shorten drought duration and rising temperature. Meanwhile, it was about 5 months lapse between drought events and maximum declines in vegetation greenness for 2009/2010 drought events. In addition, forest, grassland and cropland revealed significant different ecosystem responses to drought. It indicated that grassland showed an early sensitivity to drought, while cropland was the most sensitive to water deficit and forest was more resilient to drought. This study suggests that it is necessary to detect the difference responses of ecosystem to drought in a regional area with satellite data and ecosystem model.展开更多
Objective Identification of one’s constitution based on a combination of features and back propagation neural network theory is needed in modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).We describe a method to ...Objective Identification of one’s constitution based on a combination of features and back propagation neural network theory is needed in modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).We describe a method to identify one’s constitution based on TCM constitution classification and a physical index model.Methods We created a constitution identification system based on neural network using Visio Studio development tool.We report the initial implementation of the system,the accuracy of which was verified using actual data.Results We found a relatively strong correlation between TCM constitution and physical indicators.Conclusion Finally,our report describes a possible application of the proposed system.展开更多
History provides valuable lessons for the interplay of factors that shape urban growth and development. This study examines changes in land use, socioeconomic indices, and the transportation system of Gifu City during...History provides valuable lessons for the interplay of factors that shape urban growth and development. This study examines changes in land use, socioeconomic indices, and the transportation system of Gifu City during the late 20th century using geographical information system (GIS) methods. The data for the study were historical maps and the population census and economic statistics data from 1950 to 2000, when Japan was in a period of high economic growth. The discussion focuses on the master plan, road construction, land use, the spatial distribution of the population, and socioeconomic indices. It was possible to compare spatial distribution patterns over time using GIS. When policies were created that attached importance to construction of a road network due to the development of motorization and elimination of the city tram, the surrounding suburban area became the focus of land-use development. As a result, Gifu City is plagued by the doughnut phenomenon. It is important to identify the relationships among urban planning factors to provide for future urban and transportation planning.展开更多
This paper analyzes the reliability of low voltage(LV)distribution system of the Sri Lankan power system.Performance of LV distribution systems where mainly domestic consumers depend on the individual components of th...This paper analyzes the reliability of low voltage(LV)distribution system of the Sri Lankan power system.Performance of LV distribution systems where mainly domestic consumers depend on the individual components of the system.Failure rates of elements of the system are calculated based on the historical data of the LV distribution system in a semi-urban area.Load point reliability indices are calculated using the analytical method.Consumer-oriented reliability parameters and energy not served,and its cost are determined.As a method of improvement of reliability,inclusion of fuses to the lateral feeders of the main feeder is proposed.Load point reliability indices,consumer-oriented reliability indices,and energy not served are calculated for the distribution system with fuses in lateral feeders.The results are compared with the reliability indices of the present system and analyzed.展开更多
Fire severity classifications determine fire damage and regeneration potential in post-fire areas for effective implementation of restoration applications.Since fire damage varies according to vegetation and fire char...Fire severity classifications determine fire damage and regeneration potential in post-fire areas for effective implementation of restoration applications.Since fire damage varies according to vegetation and fire characteristics,regional assessment of fire severity is crucial.The objectives of this study were:(1)to test the performance of different satellite imagery and spectral indices,and two field—measured severity indices,CBI(Composite Burn Index)and GeoCBI(Geometrically structured Composite Burn Index)to assess fire severity;(2)to calculate classification thresholds for spectral indices that performed best in the study areas;and(3)to generate fire severity maps that could be used to determine the ecological impact of forest fires.Five large fires in Pinus brutia(Turkish pine)and Pinus nigra subsp.pallasiana var.pallasiana(Anatolian black pine)—dominated forests during 2020 and 2021 were selected as study sites.The results show that GeoCBI provided more reliable estimates of field—measured fire severity than CBI.While Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8/OLI images performed similarly well,MODIS performed poorly.Fire severity classification thresholds were determined for Sentinel-2 based RdNBR,dNBR,dSAVI,dNDVI,and dNDMI and Landsat-8/OLI based dNBR,dNDVI,and dSAVI.Among several spectral indices,the highest accuracy for fire severity classification was found for Sentinel-2 based RdNBR(72.1%)and Landsat-8/OLI based dNBR(69.2%).The results can be used to assess and map fire severity in forest ecosystems similar to those in this study.展开更多
The objective of this study was to evaluate the production system and productivity indices of local swine raised in subsistence production system in East Timor.About 1,096 respondents were interviewed in fitting villa...The objective of this study was to evaluate the production system and productivity indices of local swine raised in subsistence production system in East Timor.About 1,096 respondents were interviewed in fitting villages in eight municipalities.In each village,10%of breeders were interviewed as respondents,using simple random method and the interviews based on established questionnaires.It was observed that about 80%-90%of total respondents still used subsistence production system.The result of descriptive statistical analysis showed that the average of piglets per litter was 4-6 and weight of piglets at birth was 0.97±0.22 kg.The age of weaning of piglets and the weaning weight was 3.94±0.72 months and 5.56±0.88 kg,respectively.The age of the first breeding gilts was 8-10 months;calving interval was 6-12 months.Productive period of females was 3-12 years,and the number of mortality rate of piglets was 0.17%to 1%per production period.Thus it was concluded that the subsistence production system could affect the productivity level of local pigs.展开更多
Water quality indices (WQI) are useful tools for indicating the suitability of water for an expected use. However, they can suffer from some problems. The objective of this paper was to analyze the development of WQI ...Water quality indices (WQI) are useful tools for indicating the suitability of water for an expected use. However, they can suffer from some problems. The objective of this paper was to analyze the development of WQI to determine which parameters are used in water quality assessment and to discuss the characteristics of WQI. To screen articles on WQI, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method is applied to include or exclude articles. Four necessary steps are needed to design WQI: parameter selection, standardization, weighting and aggregation. A set of six methods of aggregations of sub-indices are identified: the arithmetic mean, the geometric mean, the root square, the logarithmic function, the fuzzy inference and the minimum operator. The problems encountered for the overall index are different according to the form of aggregation. They are eclipsing, ambiguity, rigidity or flexibility, adaptability and compensation. The chemical parameters (70%) are the most used in the development of WQI with the physical parameters used at 24% and the biological parameters at 6%. Dissolved oxygen (DO, 87%), total coliforms (87%), biological oxygen demand (BOD, 73%), pH (73%), temperature (67%), turbidity (60%), ammonia (53%), ammonium (47%) and total dissolved solids (47%) are the most commonly used parameters for water quality assessment.展开更多
The Siddha system of medicine is one of the ancient systems of the world that is believed to be originated and found popular in the southern parts of India.The philosophical bases of this alternative system are also f...The Siddha system of medicine is one of the ancient systems of the world that is believed to be originated and found popular in the southern parts of India.The philosophical bases of this alternative system are also found comparable with the Ayurveda.The process of computing the Drug Efficacy Index Q(VPK)of various Ayurvedic formulations was reported earlier and supported by many research publications.In this modern era of medicine,the incorporation of artificial intelligence to various research fields is found common.In this paper,it is tried to incorporate artificial intelligence to predict the efficacy of certain unique powder formulations of the Siddha System of medicine that are frequently prescribed in the common parlance.We computes the Drug Efficacy Indices Q(VPK)of certain common simple curnas of Siddha System of Medicine,such as Amukkara kizzhangu Curnam,Arathai Curnam,Nannari Curnam,Nellivattral Curnam and Punaikali Curnam,using a previously reported method which was found successful for the computation of efficacies of various Ayurvedic formulations.The possible variations in the efficacies of these powder formulations with respective recommended adjuvants used in common parlance were also studied from the computed values and compared accordingly.The selected curnas are unique and common but simple/single powder formulations for the practice of Siddha system of medicine.展开更多
Wetland degradation is an escalating global challenge with profound impacts on animal diversity,particularly during successional processes.Birds,as highly mobile and environmentally sensitive organisms,serve as effect...Wetland degradation is an escalating global challenge with profound impacts on animal diversity,particularly during successional processes.Birds,as highly mobile and environmentally sensitive organisms,serve as effective indicators of ecological change.While previous studies have primarily focused on local community structures and species diversity during a specific season,there is a need to extend the research timeframe and explore broader spatial variations.Additionally,expanding from simple species diversity indices to more multidimensional diversity indices would provide a more comprehensive understanding of wetland health and resilience.To address these gaps,we investigated the effects of wetland degradation on bird diversity across taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional dimensions in the Zoige Wetland,a plateau meadow wetland biodiversity hotspot.Surveys were conducted during both breeding(summer)and overwintering(winter)seasons across 20 transects in 5 sampling areas,representing 4 degradation levels(pristine,low,medium,and high).Our study recorded a total of 106 bird species from 32 families and 14 orders,revealing distinct seasonal patterns in bird community composition and diversity.Biodiversity indices were significantly higher in pristine and low-degraded wetlands,particularly benefiting waterfowl(Anseriformes,Ciconiiformes)and wading birds(Charadriiformes)in winter,when these areas provided superior food resources and habitat conditions.In contrast,medium and highly degraded wetlands supported increased numbers of terrestrial birds(Passeriformes)and raptors(Accipitriformes,Falconiformes).Seasonal differences in taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity indices highlighted the contrasting ecological roles of wetlands during breeding and overwintering periods.Furthermore,indicator species analysis revealed key species associated with specific degradation levels and seasons,providing valuable insights into wetland health.This study underscores the importance of spatiotemporal dynamics in understanding avian responses to wetland degradation.By linking seasonal patterns of bird diversity to habitat conditions,our findings contribute to conservation efforts and provide a framework for assessing wetland degradation and its ecological impacts.展开更多
Objectives:We systematically reviewed the rational use of medicines using the World Health Organization/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs(WHO/INRUD)core drug use indicators.We also assessed the impact of ...Objectives:We systematically reviewed the rational use of medicines using the World Health Organization/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs(WHO/INRUD)core drug use indicators.We also assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the National Drug Policy(NDP)2005 on the rational use of medicines.Methods:Searches were conducted in PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar databases to identify studies that met our eligibility criteria.Assessment of the quality of studies was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute criteria for analytical studies.We reported and compared the median values of WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators with standard thresholds.Data were presented with median,interquartile range(IQR),and percentages.MannWhitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to assess for statistical significance(P<0.05)across variables.Results:Thirty-one studies were included in the review,comprising 50,931 patient encounters across 268 health facilities.Within prescribing indicators,average number of medicines per patient encountered[3.4(IQR:3.0to 4.0)],percentage of medicines prescribed by generic[50.4%(IQR:47.4%to 65.0%)],percentage of encounters with antibiotic prescribed[40.2%(IQR:30.5%to 52.7%)],percentage of encounters with injection prescribed[18%(IQR:3.2%to 30.0%)]and the percentage of medicines prescribed from essential medicines list[82.0%(IQR:66.4%to 89.3%)].The median percentage of encounters with antibiotics(P=0.04)and the median percentage of medicines prescribed by generics(P=0.03)increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Prescribing indicators were worse in primary and secondary health facilities,with significant differences in the median percentage of encounters with antibiotics(P=0.007)and injections(P=0.0002)across primary,secondary,and tertiary health facilities.There were improvements across all prescribing indicators after the implementation of NDP 2005.Conclusions:Core drug use indicators in Nigerian health facilities deviated from the WHO/INRUD thresholds,with noticeable improvement after the implementation of NDP 2005.More efforts are needed to improve rational drug use in Nigerian hospitals.展开更多
Damage indices are effective in quantifying structural seismic damage.Numerous response-based damage indices have been developed and validated through the hysteretic response of various experimental specimens.However,...Damage indices are effective in quantifying structural seismic damage.Numerous response-based damage indices have been developed and validated through the hysteretic response of various experimental specimens.However,the accuracy of these indices for evaluating damage of RC columns is challenged by fluctuating axial load and irregular horizontal loading paths from 3-D earthquake excitations.This study introduces D_(iem),a material-based damage model for RC columns under random bidirectional loads and variable axial forces.Section damage indices of the plastic hinge are calculated by integrating the damage indices of concrete and steel fiber elements,considering their distance to the centroid axis.The P-Δeffect index is defined,and the component failure index is calculated using a combination of these indices.A hysteretic simulation and D_(iem)damage analysis program for cantilever RC columns is developed using Fortran.Three RC columns tested under bidirectional hysteretic loading are simulated to calibrate the program.Parameter analysis of 1,638 RC columns is conducted to verify D_(iem)’s applicability.The results demonstrated that D_(iem)’s failure assessment aligns with the 80%residual criterion.D_(iem)analysis of a real seismic damaged RC column shows satisfactory agreement with post-earthquake damage assessment and illustrates significant damage differences between columns with and without axial load fluctuation.展开更多
In this editorial,we discuss the recent article by Regassa et al,published in the World Journal of Diabetes,which highlights the potential role of platelet indices(PI)in predicting poor glucoregulation in patients wit...In this editorial,we discuss the recent article by Regassa et al,published in the World Journal of Diabetes,which highlights the potential role of platelet indices(PI)in predicting poor glucoregulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with T2DM,there is a constant need to find new and accessible methods for predicting and treating individuals with this condition.The pathophysiology of T2DM involves systemic inflammation,metabolic dysfunction,and an increased risk of vascular injury,which are commonly associated with the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications,such as cardiovascular diseases and neuropathies.The link between these complications and T2DM requires further elucidation but may be explained by prolonged exposure to high glycemic levels and increased advanced glycation end products.PI might play an important role in determining whether some individuals are prone to poor glucoregulation.Recent evidence encourages the scientific efforts to demonstrate the consistency of this role and its applicability in monitoring glucoregulation,underscoring the importance of the study by Regassa et al.展开更多
Climate warming and humidification trends have significantly influenced vegetation growth patterns in Chinese semi-arid areas.Exploring vegetation dynamics is crucial for understanding regional ecosystem structure and...Climate warming and humidification trends have significantly influenced vegetation growth patterns in Chinese semi-arid areas.Exploring vegetation dynamics is crucial for understanding regional ecosystem structure and improving the efforts of ecosystem restoration.However,the applicability of various vegetation indices(VIs)in these arid areas remains uncertain.Evaluating the applicability of multiple VIs for vegetation monitoring can elucidate the variability of VIs performance at regional scale.Therefore,this study selected the Zuli River Basin(ZLRB),a typical loess hilly watershed in the semi-arid areas of China.Using Landsat data,we calculated the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI),Enhanced Vegetation Index(EVI),and kernel NDVI(kNDVI)for the ZLRB from 1990 to 2020.We analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of these VIs using trend analysis and the Mann-Kendall test,and quantified the contributions of climate change(considering time-lag effects)and human activities to VIs changes through wavelet and residual analyses.Results indicated that VIs generally exhibited an upward trend in the ZLRB,with significant improvements observed in 54.91% of the area for NDVI,31.69% for EVI,and 33.71% for kNDVI.Among them,NDVI outperformed EVI and kNDVI in capturing vegetation changes in the semi-arid area.VIs responded to precipitation with 1-month time lag and no time lag to temperature during growing season.Moreover,precipitation had a stronger positive correlation with VIs than temperature.Climate change was identified as the dominant driver of vegetation dynamics in the ZLRB,accounting for 93.12% of NDVI variation,while human activities contributed only 6.88%.Comparative analysis of VIs suggests that NDVI was more suitable for describing vegetation changes in the typical arid area of the ZLRB.Our findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate VIs for targeted ecological restoration and sustainable land management.展开更多
Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death in the Chinese population.The incidence of cerebral infarction is higher in high-altitude regions,particularly those above 3,500 m,than in populations residing at lower al...Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death in the Chinese population.The incidence of cerebral infarction is higher in high-altitude regions,particularly those above 3,500 m,than in populations residing at lower altitudes[1].There are various speculations regarding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon,one of which is that the low oxygen content and cold climate at high altitudes may increase the occurrence of vascular diseases[2].The multifactorial effect of high-altitude environments on residential populations makes it challenging for researchers to determine the specific pathways through which these diseases occur.展开更多
The attenuation of the acoustic activity in marble specimens under uniaxial compressive loadingunloading loops is quantified in juxtaposition to that of the electric activity.In parallel,the existence of"pre-fail...The attenuation of the acoustic activity in marble specimens under uniaxial compressive loadingunloading loops is quantified in juxtaposition to that of the electric activity.In parallel,the existence of"pre-failure indiceso"warning about entrance into a critical stage,that of impending fracture,is explored.The acoustic activity is quantified in terms of the normalized number of acoustic hits,their average rate of production and their cumulative energy,and,the cumulative counts and their average rate of change.The electric activity is studied in terms of the pressure stimulated currents and the electric charge released.The analysis revealed that the acoustic and electric activities are linearly correlated to each other,suggesting that they are different manifestations of the same damage mechanisms.In addition,Kaiser's effect,governing the acoustic activity,is found to govern,also,the electric activity.Moreover,it is concluded that entrance into the critical stage is safely predicted by means of a simple criterion,based on the evolution of the average rate of change of the normalized cumulative counts in the natural time domain.These predictions are almost identical with those of the criterion based on the "varianceo" and the "entropies" of the time series of acoustic events in this domain.展开更多
As the world grapples with increasing environmental challenges,innovative technologies are essential for promoting sustainability and accountability.This study examined the impact of environmental performance indices(...As the world grapples with increasing environmental challenges,innovative technologies are essential for promoting sustainability and accountability.This study examined the impact of environmental performance indices(EPIs)on the growth and investment trends of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies in 15 countries(Belgium,Czechia,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Italy,Norway,Poland,Sweden,Spain,Switzerland,the United Kingdom,and the United States)from Europe and America during 2010-2022.This study used the negative binomial regression model to assess the relationship between EPIs and blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies based on the data from the CrunchBase and EarthData.Results indicated that in ecosystem vitality,national terrestrial biome protection efforts were negatively correlated the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies,while global terrestrial biome protection efforts and marine protected areas had a positive impact on the formation of these companies and the number of funding rounds.In environmental health,PM2.5 exposure had a positive impact on the number of funding rounds.Conversely,pollutants such as sulfur dioxide(SO_(2))and ocean plastics deterred the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies and reduced the number of funding rounds.In climate change performance,adjusted emission growth rate for carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),adjusted emission growth rate for F-gases,and adjusted emission growth rate for black carbon had a significantly positive impact on the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies.Conversely,adjusted emission growth rate for Nitrous Oxide(N_(2)O)and projected greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 negatively affected the formation of these companies.These findings highlight the dual role of EPIs as driving factors and barriers in the development and investment of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies in countries from Europe and America.展开更多
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(N2001020)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41201359).
文摘Sand dust belts span approximately one-fifth of the global land surface.In these regions,dust tends to settle on vegetation surfaces,altering the observed reflectance and affecting remote sensing detections.To enhance the accuracy of maize growth monitoring in dust-affected regions,this study aims to quantify the effect of sand dust retention on maize during the tasseling stage in the Kashgar Prefecture,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,by analyzing changes in canopy reflectance and vegetation indices.First,field sampling was conducted to measure the key canopy structure parameters and dust retention levels of maize,and laboratory spectral measurements were performed on leaf spectral properties under gradient dust retention.The measured data were then used to drive the LargE-Scale remote sensing data and image Simulation framework(LESS)model for simulating realistic maize canopy spectra across different dust levels,with validation against Sentinel-2 imagery.Second,on the basis of the simulated and satellite-derived spectra,the dust resistance of 36 common vegetation indices was systematically evaluated,and new robust dust-resistant indices were developed.The results showed that compared with dust-free maize,the canopy reflectance of dust-retained maize followed an increase–decrease–increase pattern,with critical turning points at 735 and 1325 nm.The maximum reflectance difference of–0.11755(change rate:29.002%)occurred within the 735–1325 nm range at 24 g/m^(2)dust retention,and the minimum reflectance difference of 0.04285(change rate:148.950%)was observed in the 350–735 nm range under the same dust retention level.Among the 36 vegetation indices,only the global environment monitoring index(GEMI)and the ratio of transformed chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index to optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index(TCARI/OSAVI)exhibited dust resistance,with GEMI being effective below 6 g/m^(2)and TCARI/OSAVI remaining stable across all levels(average ratio:0.970).The newly developed indices in this study,(RE3–RE2)/(NIR–RE2),(RE3–RE2)/(RE4–RE2),and(NIR–RE2)/(RE4–RE2),retained values within the predefined dust-resistant range over the full dust retention levels of 0–24 g/m^(2),thus showing a more stable dust resistance compared with the commonly used 36 vegetation indices.Specially,(RE3–RE2)/(RE4–RE2)performed the most robustly in Sentinel-2 imagery,that is,58.020%of pixels were within the dust-resistant range,and an average ratio of 0.937 was obtained for the original-spectra index.This study provides a scientific basis for crop monitoring and management in dust-affected regions.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2023YFC3206605,No.2021YFC3201102National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41971035。
文摘Precipitation events,which follow a life cycle of initiation,development,and decay,represent the fundamental form of precipitation.Comprehensive and accurate detection of these events is crucial for effective water resource management and flood control.However,current investigations on their spatio-temporal patterns remain limited,largely because of the lack of systematic detection indices that are specifically designed for precipitation events,which constrains event-scale research.In this study,we defined a set of precipitation event detection indices(PEDI)that consists of five conventional and fourteen extreme indices to characterize precipitation events from the perspectives of intensity,duration,and frequency.Applications of the PEDI revealed the spatial patterns of hourly precipitation events in China and its first-and second-order river basins from 2008 to 2017.Both conventional and extreme precipitation events displayed spatial distribution patterns that gradually decreased in intensity,duration,and frequency from southeast to northwest China.Compared with those in northwest China,the average values of most PEDIs in southeast China were usually 2-10 times greater for first-order river basins and 3-15 times greater for second-order basins.The PEDI could serve as a reference method for investigating precipitation events at global,regional,and basin scales.
基金supported by National Key Technology Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2007BAC29B02)the National Basic Research Program of China’s 973 Program (Grant Nos.2010CB950502 and 2010CB428904)the project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD)
文摘In this study, a group of indices were defined regarding intensity （P）, area （S） and central position （λc, Фc） of the Aleutian low （AL） in the Northern Hemisphere in winter, using seasonal and monthly mean height field at 1000-hPa. These indices were calculated over 60 winter seasons from 1948/1949 to 2007/2008 using reanalysis data. Climatic and anomalous characteristics of the AL were analyzed based on these indices and relationships between the AL, and general circulations were explored using correlations between indicesP, λc, and Pacific SST, as well as Northern Hemisphere temperature and precipitation. The main results are these： （1） AL is the strongest in January, when the center shifts to the south and west of its climatological position, and it is the weakest in December when the center shifts to the north and east. （2） AL intensity （P） is negatively correlated with its longitude （λc）： a deeper low occurs toward the east and a shallower low occurs toward the west. On a decadal scale, the AL has been persistently strong and has shifted eastward since the 1970s, but reversal signs have been observed in recent years. （3） The AL is stronger and is located toward the east during strong E1 Nifio winters and vice versa during strong La Nifia years; this tendency is particularly evident after 1975. The AL is also strongly correlated with SST in the North Pacific. It intensifies and moves eastward with negative SST anomalies, and it weakens and moves westward with positive SST anomalies. （4） Maps of significance correlation between AL intensity and Northern Hemisphere temperature and rainfall resemble the PNA teleconnection pattern in mid-latitudes in the North Pacific and across North America. The AL and the Mongolian High are two permanent atmospheric pressure systems adjacent to each other during boreal winter over the middle and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, but their relationships with the E1 Nifio/La Nifia events and with temperature and precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere are significantly different.
基金supported by the Special Scientific Research Project for Public Interest,China (Grant Nos.GYHY201006021 and GYHY201106016)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.40930952 and 40875040)
文摘A climate network of six climate indices of the North Pacific air-sea system is constructed during the period of 1948-2009. In order to find out the inherent relationship between the intrinsic mechanism of climate index network and the important climate shift, the synchronization behaviour and the coupling behaviour of these indices are investigated. Results indicate that climate network synchronization happened around the beginning of the 1960s, in the middle of the 1970s and at the beginnings of the 1990s and the 2000s separately. These synchronization states were always followed by the decrease of the coupling coefficient. Each synchronization of the network was well associated with the abrupt phase or trend changes of annually accumulated abnormal values of North Pacific sea-surface temperature and 500-hPa height, among which the one that happened in the middle of the 1970s is the most noticeable climate shift. We can also obtain this mysterious shift from the first mode of the empirical orthogonal function of six indices. That is to say, abrupt climate shift in North Pacific air-sea system is not only shown by the phase or trend changes of climate indices, but also might be indicated by the synchronizing and the coupling of climate indices. Furthermore, at the turning point of 1975, there are also abrupt correlation changes in the yearly mode of spatial degree distribution of the sea surface temperature and 500-hPa height in the region of the North Pacific, which further proves the probability of climate index synchronization and coupling shift in air sea systems.
基金Under the auspices of National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2016YFB0501501,2017YFB0504000)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41401110,31400393)
文摘Drought, as a recurring extreme climate event, affects the structure, function, and process of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the increasing occurrence and intensity of the drought in the past decade in Southwestern China, the impacts of continuous drought events on vegetation in this region remain unclear. During 2001–2012, Southwestern China experienced the severe drought events from 2009 to 2011. Our aim is to characterize drought conditions in the Southwestern China and explore the impacts on the vegetation condition and terrestrial ecosystem productivity. The Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI) was used to characterize drought area and intensity and a light-use efficiency model was used to explore the effect of drought on the terrestrial ecosystem productivity with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer(MODIS) data. The SPI captured the major drought events in Southwestern China during the study period, indicated that the 12-year period of this study included both ‘normal' precipitation years and two severe drought events in 2009–2010 and 2011. Results showed that vegetation greenness(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI and Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI) both declined in 2009/2010 drought, but the 2011 drought resulted in less declines of vegetation greenness and productivity due to shorten drought duration and rising temperature. Meanwhile, it was about 5 months lapse between drought events and maximum declines in vegetation greenness for 2009/2010 drought events. In addition, forest, grassland and cropland revealed significant different ecosystem responses to drought. It indicated that grassland showed an early sensitivity to drought, while cropland was the most sensitive to water deficit and forest was more resilient to drought. This study suggests that it is necessary to detect the difference responses of ecosystem to drought in a regional area with satellite data and ecosystem model.
基金funding support from the Traditional Chinese Medicine of Sichuan Province Youth Science and Technology Research Special Fund (No.2016Q065)Chengdu University of TCM Fund for Development of Science and Technology (No.ZRQN1790)
文摘Objective Identification of one’s constitution based on a combination of features and back propagation neural network theory is needed in modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).We describe a method to identify one’s constitution based on TCM constitution classification and a physical index model.Methods We created a constitution identification system based on neural network using Visio Studio development tool.We report the initial implementation of the system,the accuracy of which was verified using actual data.Results We found a relatively strong correlation between TCM constitution and physical indicators.Conclusion Finally,our report describes a possible application of the proposed system.
文摘History provides valuable lessons for the interplay of factors that shape urban growth and development. This study examines changes in land use, socioeconomic indices, and the transportation system of Gifu City during the late 20th century using geographical information system (GIS) methods. The data for the study were historical maps and the population census and economic statistics data from 1950 to 2000, when Japan was in a period of high economic growth. The discussion focuses on the master plan, road construction, land use, the spatial distribution of the population, and socioeconomic indices. It was possible to compare spatial distribution patterns over time using GIS. When policies were created that attached importance to construction of a road network due to the development of motorization and elimination of the city tram, the surrounding suburban area became the focus of land-use development. As a result, Gifu City is plagued by the doughnut phenomenon. It is important to identify the relationships among urban planning factors to provide for future urban and transportation planning.
文摘This paper analyzes the reliability of low voltage(LV)distribution system of the Sri Lankan power system.Performance of LV distribution systems where mainly domestic consumers depend on the individual components of the system.Failure rates of elements of the system are calculated based on the historical data of the LV distribution system in a semi-urban area.Load point reliability indices are calculated using the analytical method.Consumer-oriented reliability parameters and energy not served,and its cost are determined.As a method of improvement of reliability,inclusion of fuses to the lateral feeders of the main feeder is proposed.Load point reliability indices,consumer-oriented reliability indices,and energy not served are calculated for the distribution system with fuses in lateral feeders.The results are compared with the reliability indices of the present system and analyzed.
基金funded by the Turkish General Directorate of Forestry(project number:19.9402/2020-2023)。
文摘Fire severity classifications determine fire damage and regeneration potential in post-fire areas for effective implementation of restoration applications.Since fire damage varies according to vegetation and fire characteristics,regional assessment of fire severity is crucial.The objectives of this study were:(1)to test the performance of different satellite imagery and spectral indices,and two field—measured severity indices,CBI(Composite Burn Index)and GeoCBI(Geometrically structured Composite Burn Index)to assess fire severity;(2)to calculate classification thresholds for spectral indices that performed best in the study areas;and(3)to generate fire severity maps that could be used to determine the ecological impact of forest fires.Five large fires in Pinus brutia(Turkish pine)and Pinus nigra subsp.pallasiana var.pallasiana(Anatolian black pine)—dominated forests during 2020 and 2021 were selected as study sites.The results show that GeoCBI provided more reliable estimates of field—measured fire severity than CBI.While Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8/OLI images performed similarly well,MODIS performed poorly.Fire severity classification thresholds were determined for Sentinel-2 based RdNBR,dNBR,dSAVI,dNDVI,and dNDMI and Landsat-8/OLI based dNBR,dNDVI,and dSAVI.Among several spectral indices,the highest accuracy for fire severity classification was found for Sentinel-2 based RdNBR(72.1%)and Landsat-8/OLI based dNBR(69.2%).The results can be used to assess and map fire severity in forest ecosystems similar to those in this study.
文摘The objective of this study was to evaluate the production system and productivity indices of local swine raised in subsistence production system in East Timor.About 1,096 respondents were interviewed in fitting villages in eight municipalities.In each village,10%of breeders were interviewed as respondents,using simple random method and the interviews based on established questionnaires.It was observed that about 80%-90%of total respondents still used subsistence production system.The result of descriptive statistical analysis showed that the average of piglets per litter was 4-6 and weight of piglets at birth was 0.97±0.22 kg.The age of weaning of piglets and the weaning weight was 3.94±0.72 months and 5.56±0.88 kg,respectively.The age of the first breeding gilts was 8-10 months;calving interval was 6-12 months.Productive period of females was 3-12 years,and the number of mortality rate of piglets was 0.17%to 1%per production period.Thus it was concluded that the subsistence production system could affect the productivity level of local pigs.
文摘Water quality indices (WQI) are useful tools for indicating the suitability of water for an expected use. However, they can suffer from some problems. The objective of this paper was to analyze the development of WQI to determine which parameters are used in water quality assessment and to discuss the characteristics of WQI. To screen articles on WQI, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method is applied to include or exclude articles. Four necessary steps are needed to design WQI: parameter selection, standardization, weighting and aggregation. A set of six methods of aggregations of sub-indices are identified: the arithmetic mean, the geometric mean, the root square, the logarithmic function, the fuzzy inference and the minimum operator. The problems encountered for the overall index are different according to the form of aggregation. They are eclipsing, ambiguity, rigidity or flexibility, adaptability and compensation. The chemical parameters (70%) are the most used in the development of WQI with the physical parameters used at 24% and the biological parameters at 6%. Dissolved oxygen (DO, 87%), total coliforms (87%), biological oxygen demand (BOD, 73%), pH (73%), temperature (67%), turbidity (60%), ammonia (53%), ammonium (47%) and total dissolved solids (47%) are the most commonly used parameters for water quality assessment.
文摘The Siddha system of medicine is one of the ancient systems of the world that is believed to be originated and found popular in the southern parts of India.The philosophical bases of this alternative system are also found comparable with the Ayurveda.The process of computing the Drug Efficacy Index Q(VPK)of various Ayurvedic formulations was reported earlier and supported by many research publications.In this modern era of medicine,the incorporation of artificial intelligence to various research fields is found common.In this paper,it is tried to incorporate artificial intelligence to predict the efficacy of certain unique powder formulations of the Siddha System of medicine that are frequently prescribed in the common parlance.We computes the Drug Efficacy Indices Q(VPK)of certain common simple curnas of Siddha System of Medicine,such as Amukkara kizzhangu Curnam,Arathai Curnam,Nannari Curnam,Nellivattral Curnam and Punaikali Curnam,using a previously reported method which was found successful for the computation of efficacies of various Ayurvedic formulations.The possible variations in the efficacies of these powder formulations with respective recommended adjuvants used in common parlance were also studied from the computed values and compared accordingly.The selected curnas are unique and common but simple/single powder formulations for the practice of Siddha system of medicine.
基金supported by the Southwest Minzu University Research Startup Funds (No.16011221038,RQD2022021)Double World-Class Project (No.CX2023010)。
文摘Wetland degradation is an escalating global challenge with profound impacts on animal diversity,particularly during successional processes.Birds,as highly mobile and environmentally sensitive organisms,serve as effective indicators of ecological change.While previous studies have primarily focused on local community structures and species diversity during a specific season,there is a need to extend the research timeframe and explore broader spatial variations.Additionally,expanding from simple species diversity indices to more multidimensional diversity indices would provide a more comprehensive understanding of wetland health and resilience.To address these gaps,we investigated the effects of wetland degradation on bird diversity across taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional dimensions in the Zoige Wetland,a plateau meadow wetland biodiversity hotspot.Surveys were conducted during both breeding(summer)and overwintering(winter)seasons across 20 transects in 5 sampling areas,representing 4 degradation levels(pristine,low,medium,and high).Our study recorded a total of 106 bird species from 32 families and 14 orders,revealing distinct seasonal patterns in bird community composition and diversity.Biodiversity indices were significantly higher in pristine and low-degraded wetlands,particularly benefiting waterfowl(Anseriformes,Ciconiiformes)and wading birds(Charadriiformes)in winter,when these areas provided superior food resources and habitat conditions.In contrast,medium and highly degraded wetlands supported increased numbers of terrestrial birds(Passeriformes)and raptors(Accipitriformes,Falconiformes).Seasonal differences in taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity indices highlighted the contrasting ecological roles of wetlands during breeding and overwintering periods.Furthermore,indicator species analysis revealed key species associated with specific degradation levels and seasons,providing valuable insights into wetland health.This study underscores the importance of spatiotemporal dynamics in understanding avian responses to wetland degradation.By linking seasonal patterns of bird diversity to habitat conditions,our findings contribute to conservation efforts and provide a framework for assessing wetland degradation and its ecological impacts.
文摘Objectives:We systematically reviewed the rational use of medicines using the World Health Organization/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs(WHO/INRUD)core drug use indicators.We also assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the National Drug Policy(NDP)2005 on the rational use of medicines.Methods:Searches were conducted in PubMed,Scopus,and Google Scholar databases to identify studies that met our eligibility criteria.Assessment of the quality of studies was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute criteria for analytical studies.We reported and compared the median values of WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators with standard thresholds.Data were presented with median,interquartile range(IQR),and percentages.MannWhitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to assess for statistical significance(P<0.05)across variables.Results:Thirty-one studies were included in the review,comprising 50,931 patient encounters across 268 health facilities.Within prescribing indicators,average number of medicines per patient encountered[3.4(IQR:3.0to 4.0)],percentage of medicines prescribed by generic[50.4%(IQR:47.4%to 65.0%)],percentage of encounters with antibiotic prescribed[40.2%(IQR:30.5%to 52.7%)],percentage of encounters with injection prescribed[18%(IQR:3.2%to 30.0%)]and the percentage of medicines prescribed from essential medicines list[82.0%(IQR:66.4%to 89.3%)].The median percentage of encounters with antibiotics(P=0.04)and the median percentage of medicines prescribed by generics(P=0.03)increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Prescribing indicators were worse in primary and secondary health facilities,with significant differences in the median percentage of encounters with antibiotics(P=0.007)and injections(P=0.0002)across primary,secondary,and tertiary health facilities.There were improvements across all prescribing indicators after the implementation of NDP 2005.Conclusions:Core drug use indicators in Nigerian health facilities deviated from the WHO/INRUD thresholds,with noticeable improvement after the implementation of NDP 2005.More efforts are needed to improve rational drug use in Nigerian hospitals.
基金Scientific Research Fund of Institute of Engineering Mechanics,China Earthquake Administration under Grant No.2019B12National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Fund under Grant No.51108433National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.51778186。
文摘Damage indices are effective in quantifying structural seismic damage.Numerous response-based damage indices have been developed and validated through the hysteretic response of various experimental specimens.However,the accuracy of these indices for evaluating damage of RC columns is challenged by fluctuating axial load and irregular horizontal loading paths from 3-D earthquake excitations.This study introduces D_(iem),a material-based damage model for RC columns under random bidirectional loads and variable axial forces.Section damage indices of the plastic hinge are calculated by integrating the damage indices of concrete and steel fiber elements,considering their distance to the centroid axis.The P-Δeffect index is defined,and the component failure index is calculated using a combination of these indices.A hysteretic simulation and D_(iem)damage analysis program for cantilever RC columns is developed using Fortran.Three RC columns tested under bidirectional hysteretic loading are simulated to calibrate the program.Parameter analysis of 1,638 RC columns is conducted to verify D_(iem)’s applicability.The results demonstrated that D_(iem)’s failure assessment aligns with the 80%residual criterion.D_(iem)analysis of a real seismic damaged RC column shows satisfactory agreement with post-earthquake damage assessment and illustrates significant damage differences between columns with and without axial load fluctuation.
文摘In this editorial,we discuss the recent article by Regassa et al,published in the World Journal of Diabetes,which highlights the potential role of platelet indices(PI)in predicting poor glucoregulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with T2DM,there is a constant need to find new and accessible methods for predicting and treating individuals with this condition.The pathophysiology of T2DM involves systemic inflammation,metabolic dysfunction,and an increased risk of vascular injury,which are commonly associated with the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications,such as cardiovascular diseases and neuropathies.The link between these complications and T2DM requires further elucidation but may be explained by prolonged exposure to high glycemic levels and increased advanced glycation end products.PI might play an important role in determining whether some individuals are prone to poor glucoregulation.Recent evidence encourages the scientific efforts to demonstrate the consistency of this role and its applicability in monitoring glucoregulation,underscoring the importance of the study by Regassa et al.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A2011).
文摘Climate warming and humidification trends have significantly influenced vegetation growth patterns in Chinese semi-arid areas.Exploring vegetation dynamics is crucial for understanding regional ecosystem structure and improving the efforts of ecosystem restoration.However,the applicability of various vegetation indices(VIs)in these arid areas remains uncertain.Evaluating the applicability of multiple VIs for vegetation monitoring can elucidate the variability of VIs performance at regional scale.Therefore,this study selected the Zuli River Basin(ZLRB),a typical loess hilly watershed in the semi-arid areas of China.Using Landsat data,we calculated the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI),Enhanced Vegetation Index(EVI),and kernel NDVI(kNDVI)for the ZLRB from 1990 to 2020.We analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of these VIs using trend analysis and the Mann-Kendall test,and quantified the contributions of climate change(considering time-lag effects)and human activities to VIs changes through wavelet and residual analyses.Results indicated that VIs generally exhibited an upward trend in the ZLRB,with significant improvements observed in 54.91% of the area for NDVI,31.69% for EVI,and 33.71% for kNDVI.Among them,NDVI outperformed EVI and kNDVI in capturing vegetation changes in the semi-arid area.VIs responded to precipitation with 1-month time lag and no time lag to temperature during growing season.Moreover,precipitation had a stronger positive correlation with VIs than temperature.Climate change was identified as the dominant driver of vegetation dynamics in the ZLRB,accounting for 93.12% of NDVI variation,while human activities contributed only 6.88%.Comparative analysis of VIs suggests that NDVI was more suitable for describing vegetation changes in the typical arid area of the ZLRB.Our findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate VIs for targeted ecological restoration and sustainable land management.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,China(CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX1100)National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.82101499).
文摘Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death in the Chinese population.The incidence of cerebral infarction is higher in high-altitude regions,particularly those above 3,500 m,than in populations residing at lower altitudes[1].There are various speculations regarding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon,one of which is that the low oxygen content and cold climate at high altitudes may increase the occurrence of vascular diseases[2].The multifactorial effect of high-altitude environments on residential populations makes it challenging for researchers to determine the specific pathways through which these diseases occur.
文摘The attenuation of the acoustic activity in marble specimens under uniaxial compressive loadingunloading loops is quantified in juxtaposition to that of the electric activity.In parallel,the existence of"pre-failure indiceso"warning about entrance into a critical stage,that of impending fracture,is explored.The acoustic activity is quantified in terms of the normalized number of acoustic hits,their average rate of production and their cumulative energy,and,the cumulative counts and their average rate of change.The electric activity is studied in terms of the pressure stimulated currents and the electric charge released.The analysis revealed that the acoustic and electric activities are linearly correlated to each other,suggesting that they are different manifestations of the same damage mechanisms.In addition,Kaiser's effect,governing the acoustic activity,is found to govern,also,the electric activity.Moreover,it is concluded that entrance into the critical stage is safely predicted by means of a simple criterion,based on the evolution of the average rate of change of the normalized cumulative counts in the natural time domain.These predictions are almost identical with those of the criterion based on the "varianceo" and the "entropies" of the time series of acoustic events in this domain.
文摘As the world grapples with increasing environmental challenges,innovative technologies are essential for promoting sustainability and accountability.This study examined the impact of environmental performance indices(EPIs)on the growth and investment trends of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies in 15 countries(Belgium,Czechia,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Italy,Norway,Poland,Sweden,Spain,Switzerland,the United Kingdom,and the United States)from Europe and America during 2010-2022.This study used the negative binomial regression model to assess the relationship between EPIs and blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies based on the data from the CrunchBase and EarthData.Results indicated that in ecosystem vitality,national terrestrial biome protection efforts were negatively correlated the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies,while global terrestrial biome protection efforts and marine protected areas had a positive impact on the formation of these companies and the number of funding rounds.In environmental health,PM2.5 exposure had a positive impact on the number of funding rounds.Conversely,pollutants such as sulfur dioxide(SO_(2))and ocean plastics deterred the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies and reduced the number of funding rounds.In climate change performance,adjusted emission growth rate for carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),adjusted emission growth rate for F-gases,and adjusted emission growth rate for black carbon had a significantly positive impact on the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies.Conversely,adjusted emission growth rate for Nitrous Oxide(N_(2)O)and projected greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 negatively affected the formation of these companies.These findings highlight the dual role of EPIs as driving factors and barriers in the development and investment of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies in countries from Europe and America.
