Under the current government strategy of building a Silk Road economic belt, tourism in Chinese border counties has becoming increasingly popular. Studying tourism competitiveness in Chinese border counties is of siza...Under the current government strategy of building a Silk Road economic belt, tourism in Chinese border counties has becoming increasingly popular. Studying tourism competitiveness in Chinese border counties is of sizable theoretical and practical importance, as there are several notable factors involved. In this study, we constructed a tourism competitiveness evaluation model based on eight factors: natural environment, tourism resource, location and transportation, social environment, tourism service facility, border port, tourism industrial cluster and tourism market. We then analyzed the spatial characteristics of tourism competitiveness in border counties and identified five types of border counties: resource advantage type(RA), border-port advantage type(PA), location advantage type(LA), agglomeration advantage type(AA), and relative balance type(RB), and examined the correlation between tourism market competitiveness and interior competitiveness factors in the counties from 2006 to 2011. Results showed that tourism resource, location and transportation, and tourism service facility are the most important competition factors for RA border counties during the study period. Competition factors in PA counties transferred from tourism resource, social environment and tourism service facility to border port and tourism industrial cluster; competition factors in LA counties transferred from natural environment and tourism resource to tourism service facility and tourism industrial cluster and border port. Competition factors in AA counties transferred from tourism service facility to tourism resource. Tourism industrial cluster, tourism service facility and tourism resource proved to be important competition factors in RB counties. The findings of this study can be used to target tourism strategies according to different county types.展开更多
This study reveals the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of the winter nighttime urban heat island(UHI)effect in the case of Beijing,China.The land surface temperature(LST)is retrieved by radiative transf...This study reveals the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of the winter nighttime urban heat island(UHI)effect in the case of Beijing,China.The land surface temperature(LST)is retrieved by radiative transfer equation by using the remote sensing data from Landsat ETM+/OLI_TIRS from 2007 to 2017 for the winter nighttime period,and LST is then divided by the mean-standard deviation method into different levels of thermal landscapes.A combination of the migration calculation of gravity center and multi-directional profile analysis is used to study the directional differentiation characteristics of LST and the migratory characteristics of the gravity center of UHI.Finally,the overall temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of winter nighttime surface urban heat island(SUHI)in Beijing are studied,and the possible reasons for the changes are discussed.Results show that Beijing's UHI effect first increased and subsequently decreased from 2007 to 2017.The winter heat island in the urban area developed from low-density agglomeration to high-density agglomeration to lowdensity diffusion.Additionally,the high-level thermal landscapes migrated to the southwest along with the city center of gravity,and the expansion rate is fastest in the southwest,which is directly linked to the changes in the urban construction land.Moreover,the overall spatial distribution of winter nighttime LST is high in the east and south and low in the west and north,and is influenced by topography,land cover,urbanization,anthropogenic heat,and other factors as well.展开更多
Under the background of global warming, extreme cold events occur frequently. It is important to enhance the understanding of cold air patterns for forecasting cold air and reducing cold air-induced meteorological dis...Under the background of global warming, extreme cold events occur frequently. It is important to enhance the understanding of cold air patterns for forecasting cold air and reducing cold air-induced meteorological disasters. The study used the daily minimum temperatures from the National Climate Centre to classify the cold events affecting China into five different grades and the characteristics of different intensity cold events in China during the winter from 1960 to 2020 were analyzed. The results showed that there is little difference in the distribution of the frequency of general cold events from north to south, with duration longer in the north than in the south and an increase in frequency in the north in the last 60 years. The frequency of strong cold events is more in the north of China than in the south of China, and the duration is longer in the south than in the north China, with the frequency decreasing in most parts of the country. In addition to latitude, cold events frequency is closely linked to topography, with basins surrounded by high mountains being difficult to be affected by cold events, especially extreme cold events. In terms of month distribution, December was subject to the highest frequency of cold events and the longest duration of a single cold events process.展开更多
In recent years, the large scale and frequency of severe air pollution in China has become an important consideration in the construction of livable cities and the physical and mental health of urban residents. Based ...In recent years, the large scale and frequency of severe air pollution in China has become an important consideration in the construction of livable cities and the physical and mental health of urban residents. Based on the 2016-year urban air quality index(AQI) data published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics of air quality and its influencing factors in 338 urban units nationwide. The analysis provides an effective scientific basis for formulating national air pollution control measures. Four key results are shown. 1) Generally, air quality in the 338 cities is poor, and the average annual values for urban AQI and air pollution in 2016 were 79.58% and 21.22%, respectively. 2) The air quality index presents seasonal changes, with winter > spring > autumn > summer and a u-shaped trend. 3) The spatial distribution of the urban air quality index shows clear north-south characteristic differences and a spatial agglomeration effect; the high value area of air pollution is mainly concentrated in the North China Plain and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 4) An evaluation of the spatial econometric model shows that differences in urban air quality are due to social, economic, and natural factors.展开更多
The Multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer(MISR) land-surface(LS) bidirectional reflectance factor(BRF) product(MILS_BRF) has unique semi-simultaneous multi-angle sampling and global coverage. However, unlike on-satell...The Multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer(MISR) land-surface(LS) bidirectional reflectance factor(BRF) product(MILS_BRF) has unique semi-simultaneous multi-angle sampling and global coverage. However, unlike on-satellite observations, the spatio-temporal characteristics of MILS_BRF data have rarely been explicitly and comprehensively analysed. Results from 5-yr(2011–2015) of MILS_BRF dataset from a typical region in central Northeast Asia as the study area showed that the monthly area coverage as well as MILS_BRF data quantity varies significantly, from the highest in October(99.05%) through median in June/July(78.09%/75.21%) to lowest in January(18.97%), and a large data-vacant area exists in the study area during four consecutive winter months(December through March). The data-vacant area is mainly composed of crop lands and cropland/natural vegetation mosaic. The amount of data within the principal plane(PP)±30°(nPP) or cross PP ±30°(nCP), varies intra-annually with significant differences from different view zeniths or forward/backward scattering directions. For example, multiple off-nadir cameras have nPP but no nCP data for up to six months(September through February), with the opposite occurring in June and July. This study provides explicit and comprehensive information about the spatio-temporal characteristics of product coverage and observation geometry of MILS_BRF in the study area. Results provide required user reference information for MILS_BRF to evaluate performance of BRDF models or to compare with other satellite-derived BRF or albedo products. Comparing this final product to on-satellite observations, what was found here reveals a new perspective on product spatial coverage and observation geometry for multi-angle remote sensing.展开更多
Although China’s urban floating population is mainly concentrated in developed cities,from the central and western cities to the eastern developed cities,but the characteristics of the floating population in differen...Although China’s urban floating population is mainly concentrated in developed cities,from the central and western cities to the eastern developed cities,but the characteristics of the floating population in different cities are significantly different.This paper systematically investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of the floating population in different levels of cities.The results show that the regional imbalance to further strengthen,accumulation and dispersion trend has become increasingly obvious,liquidity is positively correlated and city level scale,and urban agglomeration and the core city is still polarization center of floating population.Flow range is closely related to urban hierarchy:the higher the intra-urban grade,the more tend to inter-provincial flow;the lower the city grade,the more tend to intra-urban mobility.Short-term(1-2 years)and long-term(more than 7 years)flow-time coexist.The short-term liquidity increases with the city grade,and the long-term liquidity decreases with the city level.Farmers are still the main body of the floating population.Younger age,lower education level,low-skilled,high gender ratio employees are the most basic demographic characteristics of the floating population,although there are differences between different cities.The main reason for affecting the floating population is seeking jobs and doing business.展开更多
Spatial and temporal characteristics of standardized precipitation index （SPI）, which is widely used for drought/flood monitoring, are investigated in this study. The purpose is to obtain a reasonable primary scheme...Spatial and temporal characteristics of standardized precipitation index （SPI）, which is widely used for drought/flood monitoring, are investigated in this study. The purpose is to obtain a reasonable primary scheme of zoning on the basis of drought/ wetness conditions in the study area. Spatio-temporal distributions of SPI with the time scales of 3 months and 12 months are investigated with the datasets of precipitation in the Taihu basin during past decades （1951-2000）. Results indicate that SPI series of 3 months show random fluctuation while that of 12 months behaves like I/f noise. SPI series of 3 months show little trend while that of 12 months show significant trend at several stations. Drought magnitude （DM） is also estimated on the basis of SPI values to assess drought condition. No trend is detected in DMs with time scales of both 3 months and 12 months. Spatial variability of DM is analyzed by mapping the DM with 12 months for extreme drought and wetness, and regional characteristics are analyzed for DM.展开更多
Pseudo Human Settlements(PHS)are a fundamental element in human settlements geography,serving as an innovative frontier in the exploration of human–land relationships.Since entering the information age,PHS have emerg...Pseudo Human Settlements(PHS)are a fundamental element in human settlements geography,serving as an innovative frontier in the exploration of human–land relationships.Since entering the information age,PHS have emerged as a new catalyst for people's lives and urban development.Based on the Baidu Index,cold hot spot analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficient method were used to evaluate the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the development of the quality of PHS at different levels in the three provinces of Northeast China(TPNC)during 2011–2022 and to characterize the influence of the system and factors.The results indicated that:1)temporally,PHS exhibits significant fluctuations,with an overall pattern of rapid increase followed by a gradual decline;2)spatially,PHS is marked by regional differentiation,with“three-core”dominance and a“cluster-like”distribution;3)systematically,the five major PHS systems generally exhibit an ascending and then a descending trend;4)in terms of influence,the socialization system serves as the core influence of PHS,with WeChat,JD.COM,and others are identified as the core influencing factors of subsystems.The findings of this study can provide scientific guidance for diversifying approaches to human settlements,promoting sustainable urban development,and revitalizing Northeast China.展开更多
This paper comprehensively studies the spatio-temporal characteristics of the frequency of extremely heavy precipitation events over South China by using the daily precipitation data of 110 stations during 1961 to 200...This paper comprehensively studies the spatio-temporal characteristics of the frequency of extremely heavy precipitation events over South China by using the daily precipitation data of 110 stations during 1961 to 2008 and the extremely heavy precipitation thresholds determined for different stations by REOF, trend coefficients, linear trend, Mann-Kendall test and variance analysis. The results are shown as follows. The frequency distribution of extremely heavy precipitation is high in the middle of South China and low in the Guangdong coast and western Guangxi. There are three spatial distribution types of extremely heavy precipitation in South China. The consistent anomaly distribution is the main type. Distribution reversed between the east and the west and between the south and the north is also an important type. Extremely heavy precipitation events in South China mainly occurred in the summer-half of the year. Their frequency during this time accounts for 83.7% of the total frequency. In the 1960 s and 1980 s, extremely heavy precipitation events were less frequent while having an increasing trend from the late 1980 s. Their climatological tendency rates decrease in the central and rise in the other areas of South China, and on average the mean series also shows an upward but insignificant trend at all of the stations. South China's frequency of extremely heavy precipitation events can be divided into six major areas and each of them shows a different inter-annual trend and three of the representative stations experience abrupt changes by showing remarkable increases in terms of Mann-Kendall tests.展开更多
The global spread of viruses can lead to the release of large amounts of disinfectants or antiviral drugs into the water environment.The resulting disinfection byproducts(DBPs)and residual antiviral drugs,acting as ge...The global spread of viruses can lead to the release of large amounts of disinfectants or antiviral drugs into the water environment.The resulting disinfection byproducts(DBPs)and residual antiviral drugs,acting as genotoxic substances or their precursors,may pose risks to aquatic animals and drinking water sources;however,to date,no studies have analyzed the changes in genotoxicity in the Yangtze River before and after the epidemic.In the present study,water and sediment samples from the Yangtze River were collected during different seasons,just before and after the outbreak of COVID-19,and were assessed using the SOS/umu test(with and without liver S9).The results indicated that water samples exhibited more pronounced genotoxicity than did sediments,with direct genotoxicity being the primary factor.Additionally,there were significant regional differences,with notably greater genotoxicity observed in the upper Yangtze River than in the lower reaches before the COVID-19 epidemic.However,this trend was reversed six to ten months later,suggesting the accumulation of DBPs or antiviral drugs after the COVID-19 pandemic.Moreover,the risk quotient indicated that 65%of the water samples posed a high risk for Paramecium caudatum,whereas 71%of the samples posed a medium risk for Danio rerio,thereby representing a potential threat to the ecological security of the Yangtze River.In conclusion,this study,at the basin scale,revealed the impacts of COVID-19 on the Yangtze River,highlighting the need to prevent DBPs and pharmaceutical pollution during similar events in the future.展开更多
The dependence of shrinkage porosities on microstructure characteristics of Mg−12Al alloy was investigated.The distribution,morphology,size,and number density of shrinkage porosities were analyzed under different cool...The dependence of shrinkage porosities on microstructure characteristics of Mg−12Al alloy was investigated.The distribution,morphology,size,and number density of shrinkage porosities were analyzed under different cooling rates.The relationship between shrinkage porosities and microstructure characteristics was discussed in terms of temperature conditions,feeding channel characteristics,and feeding capacity.Further,the feeding behavior of the residual liquid phase in the solid skeleton was quantified by introducing permeability.Results show a strong correlation between the solid microstructure skeleton and shrinkage porosity characteristics.An increase in permeability corresponds to a declining number density of shrinkage porosities.This study aims to provide a more complete understanding how to reduce shrinkage porosities by controlling microstructure characteristics.展开更多
BACKGROUND Appropriate care for individuals who attempt suicide and are admitted to the emergency department(ED)can prevent future suicidal behavior.It is vital to understand their sociodemographic characteristics and...BACKGROUND Appropriate care for individuals who attempt suicide and are admitted to the emergency department(ED)can prevent future suicidal behavior.It is vital to understand their sociodemographic characteristics and the effects of targeted psychological care.AIM To analyze sociodemographic characteristics of suicide attempters treated in the ED and evaluate the efficacy of psychological care.METHODS Data from 239 suicide attempters treated in the ED of the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture(Hubei Province,China)between January 2021 and February 2025 were divided into 2:Control(n=108)and psychological care(n=131).The demographic characteristics and effects of the psychological care were analyzed.RESULTS The mean(±SD)age of the 239 patients[114 male(47.7%),125 female(52.3%)]was 26.25±9.3 years,of whom 122(45.2%)were single,117(48.9%)were married,and 106(44.4%)had secondary education.Thirty-eight(15.9%)patients had suicidal intent,with a mean of 1.26±0.59 suicide attempts each.Twenty-two(9.21%)patients had a family history of suicide,while 8(3.34%)had a family history of suicide attempt(s).Before intervention,mean Suicidal Intent Scale scores in the psychological nursing and control groups were 21.57±5.28 and 19.86±5.92,respectively(P>0.05).After 1 month of nursing intervention,the respective scores were 10.09±1.11 and 16.48±0.87(P<0.001);and the re-suicide rates were 11.45%(15/131)and 24.07%(26/108)(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Psychological care significantly reduces suicide risk;EDs should provide comprehensive mental health care.展开更多
Microglia,the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,exhibit a wide array of functional states,even in their so-called“homeostatic”condition,when they are not actively responding to overt pathological s...Microglia,the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,exhibit a wide array of functional states,even in their so-called“homeostatic”condition,when they are not actively responding to overt pathological stimuli.These functional states can be visualized using a combination of multi-omics techniques(e.g.,gene and protein expression,posttranslational modifications,mRNA profiling,and metabolomics),and,in the case of homeostatic microglia,are largely defined by the global(e.g.,genetic variations,organism’s age,sex,circadian rhythms,and gut microbiota)as well as local(specific area of the brain,immediate microglial surrounding,neuron-glia interactions and synaptic density/activity)signals(Paolicelli et al.,2022).While phenomics(i.e.,ultrastructural microglial morphology and motility)is also one of the key microglial state-defining parameters,it is known that cells with similar morphology can belong to different functional states.展开更多
Recent advances in the study of the characteristics, processes, and causes of spatio-temporal variabilities of the East Asian monsoon （EAM） system are reviewed in this paper. The understanding of the EAM system has ...Recent advances in the study of the characteristics, processes, and causes of spatio-temporal variabilities of the East Asian monsoon （EAM） system are reviewed in this paper. The understanding of the EAM system has improved in many aspects： the basic characteristics of horizontal and vertical structures, the annual cycle of the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） system and the East Asian winter monsoon （EAWM） system, the characteristics of the spatio-temporal variabilities of the EASM system and the EAWM system, and especially the multiple modes of the EAM system and their spatio-temporal variabilities. Some new results have also been achieved in understanding the atmosphere-ocean interaction and atmosphere-land interaction processes that affect the variability of the EAM system. Based on recent studies, the EAM system can be seen as more than a circulation system, it can be viewed as an atmosphere-ocean-land coupled system, namely, the EAM climate system. In addition, further progress has been made in diagnosing the internal physical mechanisms of EAM climate system variability, especially regarding the characteristics and properties of the East Asia-Pacific （EAP） teleconnection over East Asia and the North Pacific, the ＂Silk Road＂ teleconnection along the westerly jet stream in the upper troposphere over the Asian continent, and the dynamical effects of quasi-stationary planetary wave activity on EAM system variability. At the end of the paper, some scientific problems regarding understanding the EAM system variability are proposed for further study.展开更多
Investigating the spatio-temporal transmission features and process of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mitigation strategies are of great practical significance to understand the development of COVID-19 and es...Investigating the spatio-temporal transmission features and process of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mitigation strategies are of great practical significance to understand the development of COVID-19 and establish international cooperation for prevention and control.In this paper,the cumulative number of confirmed cases,number of confirmed cases per day and cumulative number of deaths,were used to compare transmission paths,outbreaks timelines,and coping strategies of COVID-19 in China and the US.The results revealed that:first,the COVID-19 outbreaks in both China and the US exhibited a 6-week initiation stage.In China,the COVID-19 erupted in late January.It lasted only a short period of time and was almost completely contained within 6-8 weeks.But the COVID-19 erupted in early March in the US and was still in the peak or post-peak stage.Second,in China,the COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan and spread to other regions of Hubei Province and then nationwide,exhibiting a cross('+')-shaped of spread with Wuhan city as the center.Importantly,the COVID-19 in China had a large concentration and there were no national outbreaks.In contrast,the COVID-19 in the US first spread through New York and the western and eastern coasts but has since emerged throughout the entire country.Third,the lack of emergency response planning in both countries in the early stage(about 6-week)hampered COVID-19 prevention.However,actively high-pressure prevention and control measures were used to basically control COVID-19 in early March in China.And then China has gradually resumed business and production activities.Unfortunately,the US government missed the best opportunity to contain the epidemic.Faced with the choice between economic recovery and coronavirus containment,the US removed the quarantine and restriction measures too early.The COVID-19 is continuing to spread in the country and blossom everywhere,still showing no signs of receding.展开更多
Objective This study investigated the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal dynamics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS)in Qingdao City,China.Methods Information was collected on HFRS cases in Qingda...Objective This study investigated the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal dynamics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS)in Qingdao City,China.Methods Information was collected on HFRS cases in Qingdao City from 2010 to 2022.Descriptive epidemiologic,seasonal decomposition,spatial autocorrelation,and spatio-temporal cluster analyses were performed.Results A total of 2,220 patients with HFRS were reported over the study period,with an average annual incidence of 1.89/100,000 and a case fatality rate of 2.52%.The male:female ratio was 2.8:1.75.3%of patients were aged between 16 and 60 years old,75.3%of patients were farmers,and 11.6%had both“three red”and“three pain”symptoms.The HFRS epidemic showed two-peak seasonality:the primary fall-winter peak and the minor spring peak.The HFRS epidemic presented highly spatially heterogeneous,street/township-level hot spots that were mostly distributed in Huangdao,Pingdu,and Jiaozhou.The spatio-temporal cluster analysis revealed three cluster areas in Qingdao City that were located in the south of Huangdao District during the fall-winter peak.Conclusion The distribution of HFRS in Qingdao exhibited periodic,seasonal,and regional characteristics,with high spatial clustering heterogeneity.The typical symptoms of“three red”and“three pain”in patients with HFRS were not obvious.展开更多
Under the support of the remote sensing and geographical information system(GIS) techniques,we acquire the land use data in 1990 and 2008 regarding 6 inhabited islands,namely Longxue Island,Hengmen Island,Weiyuan Isla...Under the support of the remote sensing and geographical information system(GIS) techniques,we acquire the land use data in 1990 and 2008 regarding 6 inhabited islands,namely Longxue Island,Hengmen Island,Weiyuan Island,Qi'ao Island,Hengqin Island and Gaolan Island in Pearl River Estuary.By using dynamic degree of land use,land use change intensity,relative change rate and other indicators,we conduct quantitative description,and thus quantitatively and qualitatively analyse characteristics of temporal evolution and law of spatial pattern change concerning land use of each island.The study indicates that in the period 1990-2008,the area of construction land and water in 6 islands increased,while the area of agricultural land and unused land increased in some islands and decreased in others.The land use change shows spatial disparity;the holistic land use change degree in Hengmen Island is higher than that of other islands;the dynamic degree of land use,intensity of land use,and relative change rate differ in different islands.展开更多
Assessing the temporal and spatial characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation is necessary to identify management practices that can reduce negative environmental effects.Thus,the purpose of this study was to us...Assessing the temporal and spatial characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation is necessary to identify management practices that can reduce negative environmental effects.Thus,the purpose of this study was to use principal component analysis and spatial autocorrelation to analyze the dynamic characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in different landform areas in Liaoning Province,China,in terms of time and space.An additional objective was to match the changes with the natural and social environment to support the sustainable development of fragmented cultivated land.The results indicated that the evolutionary trends of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area showed a weakening trend,contrary to those observed in the western hilly and eastern mountainous areas.Moreover,the spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the western hilly area were generally“external low,internal high,”primarily because of the edge density of cultivated land patches.The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area were generally“external high,internal low,”primarily because of the number and division of cultivated land patches.The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the eastern mountainous area were generally“south low,north high”because of the division of cultivated land patches.These results can provide guidelines for planners,managers,decision-makers and others to formulate regulatory policies,identify land remediation areas,and promote the sustainable development of cultivated land.展开更多
With the advent of the era of big data and artificial intelligence, new infrastructure construction(NIC) has attracted the attention of many countries. The development of NIC provides an opportunity to bridge the digi...With the advent of the era of big data and artificial intelligence, new infrastructure construction(NIC) has attracted the attention of many countries. The development of NIC provides an opportunity to bridge the digital divide and narrow the regional gap,providing continuous impetus to further promote economic development. Here, we considered 31 provincial-level administrative units in China(not including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan of China due to data unavailable) and established comprehensive evaluation indicators for the development potential of NIC. Afterward, we used the entropy-weight TOPSIS model to determine the development potential of NIC and analyze its spatio-temporal evolution characteristics. Furthermore, the GeoDetector model was applied to explore the driving mechanism of the NIC development potential. The conclusions were as follows: (1) The Chinese NIC development potential is generally low. The eastern China was the region with the highest development potential year by year, while the development potential in the central China was found to be in an accelerating phase. (2) The evolution of the Chinese NIC development potential’s spatial pattern has been characterized by an inland extension and coastal agglomeration. Moreover, we identified a superior development zone, a rising development zone, an inferior development zone, and a declining development zone. (3) The scope of Chinese NIC development potential agglomeration areas has gradually expanded and its degree has gradually deepened. The range of high-value agglomeration in eastern area gradually expanded and its degree gradually deepened. (4) Investment in innovative talents appears as the core factor affecting the Chinese NIC development potential. Whether acting alone or synergistically with other factors, its promoting effect on Chinese NIC development potential is the strongest.展开更多
Foodborne diseases(FBDs) represent a substantial, yet largely preventable, health burden and result in considerable morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries[1]. The FBDs Burden Epidemiology R...Foodborne diseases(FBDs) represent a substantial, yet largely preventable, health burden and result in considerable morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries[1]. The FBDs Burden Epidemiology Reference Group(FERG)found that the global burden of FBDs is comparable to those of major infectious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, malaria, and tuberculosis[2].展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41171435)
文摘Under the current government strategy of building a Silk Road economic belt, tourism in Chinese border counties has becoming increasingly popular. Studying tourism competitiveness in Chinese border counties is of sizable theoretical and practical importance, as there are several notable factors involved. In this study, we constructed a tourism competitiveness evaluation model based on eight factors: natural environment, tourism resource, location and transportation, social environment, tourism service facility, border port, tourism industrial cluster and tourism market. We then analyzed the spatial characteristics of tourism competitiveness in border counties and identified five types of border counties: resource advantage type(RA), border-port advantage type(PA), location advantage type(LA), agglomeration advantage type(AA), and relative balance type(RB), and examined the correlation between tourism market competitiveness and interior competitiveness factors in the counties from 2006 to 2011. Results showed that tourism resource, location and transportation, and tourism service facility are the most important competition factors for RA border counties during the study period. Competition factors in PA counties transferred from tourism resource, social environment and tourism service facility to border port and tourism industrial cluster; competition factors in LA counties transferred from natural environment and tourism resource to tourism service facility and tourism industrial cluster and border port. Competition factors in AA counties transferred from tourism service facility to tourism resource. Tourism industrial cluster, tourism service facility and tourism resource proved to be important competition factors in RB counties. The findings of this study can be used to target tourism strategies according to different county types.
基金supported by the Fund of National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Remote Sensing Information and imagery Analysis,Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology(No.6142A01210404)。
文摘This study reveals the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of the winter nighttime urban heat island(UHI)effect in the case of Beijing,China.The land surface temperature(LST)is retrieved by radiative transfer equation by using the remote sensing data from Landsat ETM+/OLI_TIRS from 2007 to 2017 for the winter nighttime period,and LST is then divided by the mean-standard deviation method into different levels of thermal landscapes.A combination of the migration calculation of gravity center and multi-directional profile analysis is used to study the directional differentiation characteristics of LST and the migratory characteristics of the gravity center of UHI.Finally,the overall temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of winter nighttime surface urban heat island(SUHI)in Beijing are studied,and the possible reasons for the changes are discussed.Results show that Beijing's UHI effect first increased and subsequently decreased from 2007 to 2017.The winter heat island in the urban area developed from low-density agglomeration to high-density agglomeration to lowdensity diffusion.Additionally,the high-level thermal landscapes migrated to the southwest along with the city center of gravity,and the expansion rate is fastest in the southwest,which is directly linked to the changes in the urban construction land.Moreover,the overall spatial distribution of winter nighttime LST is high in the east and south and low in the west and north,and is influenced by topography,land cover,urbanization,anthropogenic heat,and other factors as well.
文摘Under the background of global warming, extreme cold events occur frequently. It is important to enhance the understanding of cold air patterns for forecasting cold air and reducing cold air-induced meteorological disasters. The study used the daily minimum temperatures from the National Climate Centre to classify the cold events affecting China into five different grades and the characteristics of different intensity cold events in China during the winter from 1960 to 2020 were analyzed. The results showed that there is little difference in the distribution of the frequency of general cold events from north to south, with duration longer in the north than in the south and an increase in frequency in the north in the last 60 years. The frequency of strong cold events is more in the north of China than in the south of China, and the duration is longer in the south than in the north China, with the frequency decreasing in most parts of the country. In addition to latitude, cold events frequency is closely linked to topography, with basins surrounded by high mountains being difficult to be affected by cold events, especially extreme cold events. In terms of month distribution, December was subject to the highest frequency of cold events and the longest duration of a single cold events process.
文摘In recent years, the large scale and frequency of severe air pollution in China has become an important consideration in the construction of livable cities and the physical and mental health of urban residents. Based on the 2016-year urban air quality index(AQI) data published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics of air quality and its influencing factors in 338 urban units nationwide. The analysis provides an effective scientific basis for formulating national air pollution control measures. Four key results are shown. 1) Generally, air quality in the 338 cities is poor, and the average annual values for urban AQI and air pollution in 2016 were 79.58% and 21.22%, respectively. 2) The air quality index presents seasonal changes, with winter > spring > autumn > summer and a u-shaped trend. 3) The spatial distribution of the urban air quality index shows clear north-south characteristic differences and a spatial agglomeration effect; the high value area of air pollution is mainly concentrated in the North China Plain and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 4) An evaluation of the spatial econometric model shows that differences in urban air quality are due to social, economic, and natural factors.
基金Under the auspices the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(No.2017TD-26)the Plan for Changbai Mountain Scholars of Jilin Province,China(No.JJLZ[2015]54)
文摘The Multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer(MISR) land-surface(LS) bidirectional reflectance factor(BRF) product(MILS_BRF) has unique semi-simultaneous multi-angle sampling and global coverage. However, unlike on-satellite observations, the spatio-temporal characteristics of MILS_BRF data have rarely been explicitly and comprehensively analysed. Results from 5-yr(2011–2015) of MILS_BRF dataset from a typical region in central Northeast Asia as the study area showed that the monthly area coverage as well as MILS_BRF data quantity varies significantly, from the highest in October(99.05%) through median in June/July(78.09%/75.21%) to lowest in January(18.97%), and a large data-vacant area exists in the study area during four consecutive winter months(December through March). The data-vacant area is mainly composed of crop lands and cropland/natural vegetation mosaic. The amount of data within the principal plane(PP)±30°(nPP) or cross PP ±30°(nCP), varies intra-annually with significant differences from different view zeniths or forward/backward scattering directions. For example, multiple off-nadir cameras have nPP but no nCP data for up to six months(September through February), with the opposite occurring in June and July. This study provides explicit and comprehensive information about the spatio-temporal characteristics of product coverage and observation geometry of MILS_BRF in the study area. Results provide required user reference information for MILS_BRF to evaluate performance of BRDF models or to compare with other satellite-derived BRF or albedo products. Comparing this final product to on-satellite observations, what was found here reveals a new perspective on product spatial coverage and observation geometry for multi-angle remote sensing.
文摘Although China’s urban floating population is mainly concentrated in developed cities,from the central and western cities to the eastern developed cities,but the characteristics of the floating population in different cities are significantly different.This paper systematically investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of the floating population in different levels of cities.The results show that the regional imbalance to further strengthen,accumulation and dispersion trend has become increasingly obvious,liquidity is positively correlated and city level scale,and urban agglomeration and the core city is still polarization center of floating population.Flow range is closely related to urban hierarchy:the higher the intra-urban grade,the more tend to inter-provincial flow;the lower the city grade,the more tend to intra-urban mobility.Short-term(1-2 years)and long-term(more than 7 years)flow-time coexist.The short-term liquidity increases with the city grade,and the long-term liquidity decreases with the city level.Farmers are still the main body of the floating population.Younger age,lower education level,low-skilled,high gender ratio employees are the most basic demographic characteristics of the floating population,although there are differences between different cities.The main reason for affecting the floating population is seeking jobs and doing business.
基金Supported by the Major Special Science and Technology Projects on Water Pollution Control and Management (2008ZX07526-001)"Jingshi Scholar" Leading Professor Program of Beijing Normal University
文摘Spatial and temporal characteristics of standardized precipitation index （SPI）, which is widely used for drought/flood monitoring, are investigated in this study. The purpose is to obtain a reasonable primary scheme of zoning on the basis of drought/ wetness conditions in the study area. Spatio-temporal distributions of SPI with the time scales of 3 months and 12 months are investigated with the datasets of precipitation in the Taihu basin during past decades （1951-2000）. Results indicate that SPI series of 3 months show random fluctuation while that of 12 months behaves like I/f noise. SPI series of 3 months show little trend while that of 12 months show significant trend at several stations. Drought magnitude （DM） is also estimated on the basis of SPI values to assess drought condition. No trend is detected in DMs with time scales of both 3 months and 12 months. Spatial variability of DM is analyzed by mapping the DM with 12 months for extreme drought and wetness, and regional characteristics are analyzed for DM.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42471246,No.42201221Liaoning Province Natural Science,No.2023-MS-254+1 种基金Liaoning Province Social Science Planning Fund Project,No.L22CJY016Dalian Federation of Social Sciences,No.2022dlskzd037。
文摘Pseudo Human Settlements(PHS)are a fundamental element in human settlements geography,serving as an innovative frontier in the exploration of human–land relationships.Since entering the information age,PHS have emerged as a new catalyst for people's lives and urban development.Based on the Baidu Index,cold hot spot analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficient method were used to evaluate the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the development of the quality of PHS at different levels in the three provinces of Northeast China(TPNC)during 2011–2022 and to characterize the influence of the system and factors.The results indicated that:1)temporally,PHS exhibits significant fluctuations,with an overall pattern of rapid increase followed by a gradual decline;2)spatially,PHS is marked by regional differentiation,with“three-core”dominance and a“cluster-like”distribution;3)systematically,the five major PHS systems generally exhibit an ascending and then a descending trend;4)in terms of influence,the socialization system serves as the core influence of PHS,with WeChat,JD.COM,and others are identified as the core influencing factors of subsystems.The findings of this study can provide scientific guidance for diversifying approaches to human settlements,promoting sustainable urban development,and revitalizing Northeast China.
基金"Variations of Extremely Heavy Precipitation and Their Response to Global Climate Change",a project in Research Fund for the Science of Tropical Marine and Meteorology(200804)"On the Regional Extremely Heavy Rain in South China Under the Background of Climate Warming,a project in Special China Meteorological Administration Program for Climate Change(CCSF-09-03)Assessment Report on the Climate Change in the South China Region(CCSF-09-11)
文摘This paper comprehensively studies the spatio-temporal characteristics of the frequency of extremely heavy precipitation events over South China by using the daily precipitation data of 110 stations during 1961 to 2008 and the extremely heavy precipitation thresholds determined for different stations by REOF, trend coefficients, linear trend, Mann-Kendall test and variance analysis. The results are shown as follows. The frequency distribution of extremely heavy precipitation is high in the middle of South China and low in the Guangdong coast and western Guangxi. There are three spatial distribution types of extremely heavy precipitation in South China. The consistent anomaly distribution is the main type. Distribution reversed between the east and the west and between the south and the north is also an important type. Extremely heavy precipitation events in South China mainly occurred in the summer-half of the year. Their frequency during this time accounts for 83.7% of the total frequency. In the 1960 s and 1980 s, extremely heavy precipitation events were less frequent while having an increasing trend from the late 1980 s. Their climatological tendency rates decrease in the central and rise in the other areas of South China, and on average the mean series also shows an upward but insignificant trend at all of the stations. South China's frequency of extremely heavy precipitation events can be divided into six major areas and each of them shows a different inter-annual trend and three of the representative stations experience abrupt changes by showing remarkable increases in terms of Mann-Kendall tests.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(No.2021YFC3200803)the Scientific Research Project of China Three Gorges Corporation(No.201903139)+3 种基金the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFC3200102)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42007227)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52030003)the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin(No.22YFYSHZ00060).
文摘The global spread of viruses can lead to the release of large amounts of disinfectants or antiviral drugs into the water environment.The resulting disinfection byproducts(DBPs)and residual antiviral drugs,acting as genotoxic substances or their precursors,may pose risks to aquatic animals and drinking water sources;however,to date,no studies have analyzed the changes in genotoxicity in the Yangtze River before and after the epidemic.In the present study,water and sediment samples from the Yangtze River were collected during different seasons,just before and after the outbreak of COVID-19,and were assessed using the SOS/umu test(with and without liver S9).The results indicated that water samples exhibited more pronounced genotoxicity than did sediments,with direct genotoxicity being the primary factor.Additionally,there were significant regional differences,with notably greater genotoxicity observed in the upper Yangtze River than in the lower reaches before the COVID-19 epidemic.However,this trend was reversed six to ten months later,suggesting the accumulation of DBPs or antiviral drugs after the COVID-19 pandemic.Moreover,the risk quotient indicated that 65%of the water samples posed a high risk for Paramecium caudatum,whereas 71%of the samples posed a medium risk for Danio rerio,thereby representing a potential threat to the ecological security of the Yangtze River.In conclusion,this study,at the basin scale,revealed the impacts of COVID-19 on the Yangtze River,highlighting the need to prevent DBPs and pharmaceutical pollution during similar events in the future.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFB3701000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52471118,52101125,U2037601,and U21A2048)Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST,China(No.2022QNRC001)。
文摘The dependence of shrinkage porosities on microstructure characteristics of Mg−12Al alloy was investigated.The distribution,morphology,size,and number density of shrinkage porosities were analyzed under different cooling rates.The relationship between shrinkage porosities and microstructure characteristics was discussed in terms of temperature conditions,feeding channel characteristics,and feeding capacity.Further,the feeding behavior of the residual liquid phase in the solid skeleton was quantified by introducing permeability.Results show a strong correlation between the solid microstructure skeleton and shrinkage porosity characteristics.An increase in permeability corresponds to a declining number density of shrinkage porosities.This study aims to provide a more complete understanding how to reduce shrinkage porosities by controlling microstructure characteristics.
文摘BACKGROUND Appropriate care for individuals who attempt suicide and are admitted to the emergency department(ED)can prevent future suicidal behavior.It is vital to understand their sociodemographic characteristics and the effects of targeted psychological care.AIM To analyze sociodemographic characteristics of suicide attempters treated in the ED and evaluate the efficacy of psychological care.METHODS Data from 239 suicide attempters treated in the ED of the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture(Hubei Province,China)between January 2021 and February 2025 were divided into 2:Control(n=108)and psychological care(n=131).The demographic characteristics and effects of the psychological care were analyzed.RESULTS The mean(±SD)age of the 239 patients[114 male(47.7%),125 female(52.3%)]was 26.25±9.3 years,of whom 122(45.2%)were single,117(48.9%)were married,and 106(44.4%)had secondary education.Thirty-eight(15.9%)patients had suicidal intent,with a mean of 1.26±0.59 suicide attempts each.Twenty-two(9.21%)patients had a family history of suicide,while 8(3.34%)had a family history of suicide attempt(s).Before intervention,mean Suicidal Intent Scale scores in the psychological nursing and control groups were 21.57±5.28 and 19.86±5.92,respectively(P>0.05).After 1 month of nursing intervention,the respective scores were 10.09±1.11 and 16.48±0.87(P<0.001);and the re-suicide rates were 11.45%(15/131)and 24.07%(26/108)(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Psychological care significantly reduces suicide risk;EDs should provide comprehensive mental health care.
基金supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,German Research Foundation grant GA 654/13-2 to OG.
文摘Microglia,the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,exhibit a wide array of functional states,even in their so-called“homeostatic”condition,when they are not actively responding to overt pathological stimuli.These functional states can be visualized using a combination of multi-omics techniques(e.g.,gene and protein expression,posttranslational modifications,mRNA profiling,and metabolomics),and,in the case of homeostatic microglia,are largely defined by the global(e.g.,genetic variations,organism’s age,sex,circadian rhythms,and gut microbiota)as well as local(specific area of the brain,immediate microglial surrounding,neuron-glia interactions and synaptic density/activity)signals(Paolicelli et al.,2022).While phenomics(i.e.,ultrastructural microglial morphology and motility)is also one of the key microglial state-defining parameters,it is known that cells with similar morphology can belong to different functional states.
基金supported jointly by the National Basic Research Program of China 973 Projects (Grant No. 2010CB950403)the National Special Scientific Research Project for Public Interest (Meteorology) (Grant No. GYHY201006021)+1 种基金the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No. KZCX2-EW-QN204)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40975046)
文摘Recent advances in the study of the characteristics, processes, and causes of spatio-temporal variabilities of the East Asian monsoon （EAM） system are reviewed in this paper. The understanding of the EAM system has improved in many aspects： the basic characteristics of horizontal and vertical structures, the annual cycle of the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） system and the East Asian winter monsoon （EAWM） system, the characteristics of the spatio-temporal variabilities of the EASM system and the EAWM system, and especially the multiple modes of the EAM system and their spatio-temporal variabilities. Some new results have also been achieved in understanding the atmosphere-ocean interaction and atmosphere-land interaction processes that affect the variability of the EAM system. Based on recent studies, the EAM system can be seen as more than a circulation system, it can be viewed as an atmosphere-ocean-land coupled system, namely, the EAM climate system. In addition, further progress has been made in diagnosing the internal physical mechanisms of EAM climate system variability, especially regarding the characteristics and properties of the East Asia-Pacific （EAP） teleconnection over East Asia and the North Pacific, the ＂Silk Road＂ teleconnection along the westerly jet stream in the upper troposphere over the Asian continent, and the dynamical effects of quasi-stationary planetary wave activity on EAM system variability. At the end of the paper, some scientific problems regarding understanding the EAM system variability are proposed for further study.
基金Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.XDA20010203Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP),No.2019QZKK1006。
文摘Investigating the spatio-temporal transmission features and process of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mitigation strategies are of great practical significance to understand the development of COVID-19 and establish international cooperation for prevention and control.In this paper,the cumulative number of confirmed cases,number of confirmed cases per day and cumulative number of deaths,were used to compare transmission paths,outbreaks timelines,and coping strategies of COVID-19 in China and the US.The results revealed that:first,the COVID-19 outbreaks in both China and the US exhibited a 6-week initiation stage.In China,the COVID-19 erupted in late January.It lasted only a short period of time and was almost completely contained within 6-8 weeks.But the COVID-19 erupted in early March in the US and was still in the peak or post-peak stage.Second,in China,the COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan and spread to other regions of Hubei Province and then nationwide,exhibiting a cross('+')-shaped of spread with Wuhan city as the center.Importantly,the COVID-19 in China had a large concentration and there were no national outbreaks.In contrast,the COVID-19 in the US first spread through New York and the western and eastern coasts but has since emerged throughout the entire country.Third,the lack of emergency response planning in both countries in the early stage(about 6-week)hampered COVID-19 prevention.However,actively high-pressure prevention and control measures were used to basically control COVID-19 in early March in China.And then China has gradually resumed business and production activities.Unfortunately,the US government missed the best opportunity to contain the epidemic.Faced with the choice between economic recovery and coronavirus containment,the US removed the quarantine and restriction measures too early.The COVID-19 is continuing to spread in the country and blossom everywhere,still showing no signs of receding.
基金supported by the Chinese Field Epidemiology Training Program,the Research and Development of Standards and Standardization of Nomenclature in the Field of Public Health-Research Project on the Development of the Disciplines of Public Health and Preventive Medicine[242402]the Shandong Medical and Health Science and Technology Development Plan[202112050731].
文摘Objective This study investigated the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal dynamics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS)in Qingdao City,China.Methods Information was collected on HFRS cases in Qingdao City from 2010 to 2022.Descriptive epidemiologic,seasonal decomposition,spatial autocorrelation,and spatio-temporal cluster analyses were performed.Results A total of 2,220 patients with HFRS were reported over the study period,with an average annual incidence of 1.89/100,000 and a case fatality rate of 2.52%.The male:female ratio was 2.8:1.75.3%of patients were aged between 16 and 60 years old,75.3%of patients were farmers,and 11.6%had both“three red”and“three pain”symptoms.The HFRS epidemic showed two-peak seasonality:the primary fall-winter peak and the minor spring peak.The HFRS epidemic presented highly spatially heterogeneous,street/township-level hot spots that were mostly distributed in Huangdao,Pingdu,and Jiaozhou.The spatio-temporal cluster analysis revealed three cluster areas in Qingdao City that were located in the south of Huangdao District during the fall-winter peak.Conclusion The distribution of HFRS in Qingdao exhibited periodic,seasonal,and regional characteristics,with high spatial clustering heterogeneity.The typical symptoms of“three red”and“three pain”in patients with HFRS were not obvious.
基金Supported by Guangdong 908 Special Plan(GD908-01-02)The Marine Science and Technology Director Foundation of South China Sea Branch (0871)
文摘Under the support of the remote sensing and geographical information system(GIS) techniques,we acquire the land use data in 1990 and 2008 regarding 6 inhabited islands,namely Longxue Island,Hengmen Island,Weiyuan Island,Qi'ao Island,Hengqin Island and Gaolan Island in Pearl River Estuary.By using dynamic degree of land use,land use change intensity,relative change rate and other indicators,we conduct quantitative description,and thus quantitatively and qualitatively analyse characteristics of temporal evolution and law of spatial pattern change concerning land use of each island.The study indicates that in the period 1990-2008,the area of construction land and water in 6 islands increased,while the area of agricultural land and unused land increased in some islands and decreased in others.The land use change shows spatial disparity;the holistic land use change degree in Hengmen Island is higher than that of other islands;the dynamic degree of land use,intensity of land use,and relative change rate differ in different islands.
基金This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41671329)China Scholarship Council(Grant No.201808210445).
文摘Assessing the temporal and spatial characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation is necessary to identify management practices that can reduce negative environmental effects.Thus,the purpose of this study was to use principal component analysis and spatial autocorrelation to analyze the dynamic characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in different landform areas in Liaoning Province,China,in terms of time and space.An additional objective was to match the changes with the natural and social environment to support the sustainable development of fragmented cultivated land.The results indicated that the evolutionary trends of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area showed a weakening trend,contrary to those observed in the western hilly and eastern mountainous areas.Moreover,the spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the western hilly area were generally“external low,internal high,”primarily because of the edge density of cultivated land patches.The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area were generally“external high,internal low,”primarily because of the number and division of cultivated land patches.The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the eastern mountainous area were generally“south low,north high”because of the division of cultivated land patches.These results can provide guidelines for planners,managers,decision-makers and others to formulate regulatory policies,identify land remediation areas,and promote the sustainable development of cultivated land.
文摘With the advent of the era of big data and artificial intelligence, new infrastructure construction(NIC) has attracted the attention of many countries. The development of NIC provides an opportunity to bridge the digital divide and narrow the regional gap,providing continuous impetus to further promote economic development. Here, we considered 31 provincial-level administrative units in China(not including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan of China due to data unavailable) and established comprehensive evaluation indicators for the development potential of NIC. Afterward, we used the entropy-weight TOPSIS model to determine the development potential of NIC and analyze its spatio-temporal evolution characteristics. Furthermore, the GeoDetector model was applied to explore the driving mechanism of the NIC development potential. The conclusions were as follows: (1) The Chinese NIC development potential is generally low. The eastern China was the region with the highest development potential year by year, while the development potential in the central China was found to be in an accelerating phase. (2) The evolution of the Chinese NIC development potential’s spatial pattern has been characterized by an inland extension and coastal agglomeration. Moreover, we identified a superior development zone, a rising development zone, an inferior development zone, and a declining development zone. (3) The scope of Chinese NIC development potential agglomeration areas has gradually expanded and its degree has gradually deepened. The range of high-value agglomeration in eastern area gradually expanded and its degree gradually deepened. (4) Investment in innovative talents appears as the core factor affecting the Chinese NIC development potential. Whether acting alone or synergistically with other factors, its promoting effect on Chinese NIC development potential is the strongest.
文摘Foodborne diseases(FBDs) represent a substantial, yet largely preventable, health burden and result in considerable morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries[1]. The FBDs Burden Epidemiology Reference Group(FERG)found that the global burden of FBDs is comparable to those of major infectious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, malaria, and tuberculosis[2].
