OBJECTIVE: Baby skin differs significantly from adult skin and requires special care. The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range (Sensicare) of products has been specifically formulated for baby skin and a range of standard cos...OBJECTIVE: Baby skin differs significantly from adult skin and requires special care. The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range (Sensicare) of products has been specifically formulated for baby skin and a range of standard cosmetic clinical tests were conducted in adult females with dry skin to evaluate the effectiveness of the range on skin moisturization and barrier function. METHODS: The studies were within subject, controlled, single blind studies. For the Sensicare Body Wash skin moisturization (Corneometer) was measured before application and after 7 and 14 days of twice daily use. For the Sensicare Moisturizing Lotion and Sensicare Soothing Cream skin moisturization was measured before application and at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours after a single application;skin elasticity (Cutometer) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL, Tewameter) were assessed before and after 14 days of twice daily use;and skin erythema (Mexameter) before induction with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), and at 30 mins, 24 and 48 hours after patch removal. Changes from baseline and changes versus control were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty to thirty-five subjects completed each study. Skin moisture content was significantly increased from baseline for all Cussons Baby Sensicare Products (p < 0.05 for Hair & Body Wash;and p < 0.001 for Cream & Lotion). Changes from baseline in skin elasticity were significantly superior to control (unperfumed liquid soap) after 14 days twice daily use of the Lotion, and Cream (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes from baseline or significant differences from control in TEWL for the Lotion, or Cream. The increases in the average skin erythema index were significantly smaller for the Lotion, and Cream 30 minutes following SLS patch removal (p < 0.05 v sterile water, p < 0.001 v no treatment for both products). All the Sensicare products were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: These studies support the use of the Cussons Baby Sensicare range of products for new born, sensitive and eczema prone skin.展开更多
Rock brittleness is a critical property in geotechnical and energy engineering,as it directly influences the prediction of rock failure and stability assessment.Although numerous methods have been developed to evaluat...Rock brittleness is a critical property in geotechnical and energy engineering,as it directly influences the prediction of rock failure and stability assessment.Although numerous methods have been developed to evaluate brittleness,many fail to comprehensively account for the impacts of microstructural changes,mineralogical characteristics,and stress conditions on energy evolution during failure.This study proposes a novel approach for brittleness evaluation based on the energy evolution throughout the post-peak failure process,integrating two micromechanical mechanisms:crack propagation and frictional sliding.A new brittleness index is defined as the ratio of generated surface energy to released elastic energy,providing a unified framework for assessing both Class I and Class II mechanical behaviors.The brittleness of cyan,white,and gray sandstones was investigated under various confining pressures and moisture conditions using X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and conventional triaxial compression(CTC)tests.The results demonstrate that brittleness decreases with increasing confining pressure,due to suppressed crack propagation,and increases under saturated conditions,as moisture enhances crack propagation.By establishing connections between mineral composition,microstructural features,and stress-induced responses,the proposed method overcame limitations of previous approaches and offered a more precise tool for evaluating rock brittleness under diverse environmental scenarios.展开更多
Moisture electricity generation(MEG)has emerged as a sustainable and versatile energy-harvesting technology capable of converting ubiquitous environmental moisture into electrical energy,which holds great promise for ...Moisture electricity generation(MEG)has emerged as a sustainable and versatile energy-harvesting technology capable of converting ubiquitous environmental moisture into electrical energy,which holds great promise for renewable energy and constructing self-powered electronics.In this review,we begin by outlining the fundamental mechanisms—ion diffusion,electric double layer formation,and streaming potential—that govern charge transport for MEG in moist environments.A comprehensive survey of material innovations follows,highlighting breakthroughs in carbon-based materials,conductive polymers,hydrogels,and bio-inspired systems that enhance MEG performance,scalability,and biocompatibility.We then explore a range of device architectures,from planar and layered systems to flexible,miniaturized,and textile-integrated designs,engineered for both energy conversion and sensor integration.Key challenges are analyzed,along with strategies for overcoming them.We conclude with a forward-looking perspective on future directions,including hybrid energy systems,AI-assisted material design,and real-world deployment.This review presents a timely and comprehensive overview of MEG technologies and their trajectory toward practical and sustainable energy solutions.展开更多
The root-to-shoot(R/S)ratio is a critical indicator of the balance between root biomass and shoot biomass,representing the ecological strategies and adaptive responses of plants to environmental conditions.However,the...The root-to-shoot(R/S)ratio is a critical indicator of the balance between root biomass and shoot biomass,representing the ecological strategies and adaptive responses of plants to environmental conditions.However,the patterns of change in community R/S ratios during forest succession and their response to moisture levels across broad geographic gradients remains unclear.Based on forest biomass data from a national field inventory of 5,825 plots conducted across China between 2011 and 2015,this study looked into allocating biomass shoots and roots at the early,middle,and late stages of growth in plantations and succession in natural forests,and evaluated how moisture availability influences this allocation.The results revealed a significant decline in R/S ratios from early to late stages for both plantations and natural forests.Shoot and root biomass in plantations grew isometrically during the early and middle succession stages but shifted to allometric growth in the late stage,with the slope of the log-transformed shoot-root biomass relationship differing significantly across growth stages.Natural forests,in contrast,maintained isometric growth across successional stages,showing no significant variation in the slope of the log-transformed shoot-root biomass relationship.Environmental factors,particularly moisture levels,strongly influenced R/S ratios.Moisture levels significantly affected size-corrected R/S ratios,particularly in the middle stage of plantations and the early and middle stages of natural forests,supporting the hypothesis of optimal allocation.These findings suggest that in water-limited regions,forest management should prioritize drought-tolerant,deep-rooted native species,encourage mixed-species planting in the early stage,and reduce logging intensity in mature plantations.Conserving natural forests to maintain successional dynamics is essential for long-term ecological resilience.These findings emphasize the importance of balancing productivity with ecological sustainability by adapting practices to specific environments and forest types under climate change.展开更多
This study presents a multi-physical modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of moisture potential and stress-deformation features near deep desiccation cracks in clayey soils under three consecutive years’climate ...This study presents a multi-physical modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of moisture potential and stress-deformation features near deep desiccation cracks in clayey soils under three consecutive years’climate variability in an arid region.A triple research approach of statistical analysis,analytical framework,and numerical modeling was used to investigate the complex thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of desiccation-cracked soil,incorporating realistic climatic data of Qom,Iran.The results revealed the interplay between stress,strain,and pore water pressure over time,demonstrating that soil experiences significant swelling and shrinkage due to cyclic wetting and drying.The horizontal stress distribution shows compressive stress concentration at crack tips during wetting,transitioning to tensile stresses uniformly across the soil surface during drying paths.Similarly,vertical stress distributions exhibit localized compressive stresses along crack boundaries during wetting and tensile stresses during drying,highlighting the critical stress conditions at crack tips.The model differentiates between microstructural and macrostructural changes in porosity.Annual trends in micro-porosity revealed cyclic-dependent behavior,with significant volumetric changes occurring in the first year,stabilizing with successive cycles.The results also indicated that part of the volumetric changes are irreversible,with volumetric plastic strain increasing exponentially but at a decreasing rate over three years.Principal stress analysis indicates a shift from compressive to tensile stress states around cracks,driven by climate-induced wetting and drying cycles.These findings underscore the critical role of climate variability in shaping cracked soil behavior in arid regions,providing insights into the heterogeneous behavior of cracked soil surfFicial layers.展开更多
The dual-probe heat pulse(DPHP)is a well-established method for estimating soil moisture(θ)using soil thermal conductivity(λ)and volumetric heat capacity(C_(v)).Recently,monitoringθhas been improved by integrating ...The dual-probe heat pulse(DPHP)is a well-established method for estimating soil moisture(θ)using soil thermal conductivity(λ)and volumetric heat capacity(C_(v)).Recently,monitoringθhas been improved by integrating the DPHP method with distributed temperature sensing(DTS)technology.In the DPHP-DTS approach,a single fiber optic(FO)cable with embedded metallic constituents functions as a heating element,while a parallel cable serves to monitor the temperature.Despite ongoing advancements,challenges such as the difficulty in positioning heating and sensing cables and high energy requirements hinder the widespread adoption of the DPHP-DTS method.As alternative heating materials are seldom used,this study evaluated the feasibility of employing a resistive metallic alloy as the heating element in a laboratory DPHP-DTS application.Overall,higher errors were observed when assessing C_(v)andλat higherθvalues(>0.2),but using C_(v)data produced more accurateθestimates(with the root mean square error(RMSE)≤0.06).Based on C_(v)values,a low-power,long-duration heat pulse(8.07 W/m for 300 s)yielded more consistentθestimates(RMSE=0.04)than a high-power,shortduration pulse(15.93 W/m for 180 s,with RMSE=0.06).The findings of this study also indicated that variations in heating uniformity and electrical power fluctuations potentially affected measurement accuracy.Nevertheless,the resistive alloy proved advantageous for DPHP-DTS due to its independent power connection,ability to maintain linear positioning within the soil,and potential for energy savings,all while providing reliableθestimates.展开更多
Soil moisture(SM)is a critical variable in terrestrial ecosystems,especially in arid and semi-arid areas where water sources are limited.Despite its importance,understanding the spatiotemporal variations and influenci...Soil moisture(SM)is a critical variable in terrestrial ecosystems,especially in arid and semi-arid areas where water sources are limited.Despite its importance,understanding the spatiotemporal variations and influencing factors of SM in these areas remains insufficient.This study investigated the spatiotemporal variations and influencing factors of SM in arid and semi-arid areas of China by utilizing the extended triple collation(ETC),Mann-Kendall test,Theil-Sen estimator,ridge regression analysis,and other relevant methods.The following findings were obtained:(1)at the pixel scale,the long-term monthly SM data from the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative(ESA CCI)exhibited the highest correlation coefficient of 0.794 and the lowest root mean square error(RMSE)of 0.014 m^(3)/m^(3);(2)from 2000 to 2022,the study area experienced significant increase in annual average SM,with a rate of 0.408×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a).Moreover,higher altitudes showed a notable upward trend,with SM increasing rates at 0.210×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)between 1000 and 2000 m,0.530×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)between 2000 and 4000 m,and 0.760×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)at altitudes above 4000 m;(3)land surface temperature(LST),root zone soil moisture(RSM)(10-40 cm depth),and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)were identified as the primary factors influencing annual average SM,which accounted for 34.37%,24.16%,and 22.64%relative contributions,respectively;and(4)absolute contribution of LST was more significant in subareas at higher altitudes,with average absolute contributions of 0.800×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)between 2000 and 4000 m and 0.500×10^(-2) m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)above 4000 m.This study reveals the spatiotemporal variations and main influencing factors of SM in Chinese arid and semi-arid areas,highlighting the more pronounced absolute contribution of LST to SM in high-altitude areas,providing valuable insights for ecological research and water resource management in these areas.展开更多
Tafoni are globally developed on cliffy slopes,and many of them are favorable places for the preservation of stone historical relics.However,the characteristics and formation processes of tafoni in the Loess Plateau a...Tafoni are globally developed on cliffy slopes,and many of them are favorable places for the preservation of stone historical relics.However,the characteristics and formation processes of tafoni in the Loess Plateau are yet to be understood.This paper studied the features of the tafoni on conglomerate slopes in Huoshizhai National Geopark of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and discussed its formation processes by field investigation and morphometry,insitu relative humidity(RH)measurement,salt chemistry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer(XRF)experiments of 24 samples.The bedrock of the tafoni is dominated by reddish fluvial conglomerates of the Lower Cretaceous Heshangpu Formation with abundant chemically unstable components including feldspars,lithic fragments,and calcite cements.The RH values vary from 5%to 100%,but the backwalls of the tafoni have higher RH values than outer surfaces.The more moisture on the backwalls is possibly generated by water influx from the rock interior,resulting in more salt precipitation on the backwalls.As a result,the backwalls have been subject to predominant salt weathering.The dominant salts involved in salt weathering are probably derived from the dissolution of the salt interbeds in the basin,although the chemical dissolution of the unstable components such as feldspars,lithic fragments,and calcite cements might have produced small amounts of salts.The salt types dominantly include nitrates,sulfates,and halite.In the progression of tafoni,the moisture maintenance on the backwalls gives rise to the accretion of salts,which in turn enhance the weathering rates of the backwalls.As a result,the volumes of the tafoni have become enlarged owing to inward growth and coalescence of adjacent smaller ones.展开更多
Southerly moisture surges over the central South China Sea(SCS)are characterized by the strengthening of lowlevel southerlies that transport moisture northward from the Pacific or Indian Oceans to South China.These su...Southerly moisture surges over the central South China Sea(SCS)are characterized by the strengthening of lowlevel southerlies that transport moisture northward from the Pacific or Indian Oceans to South China.These surge events typically occur for days in the early-summer season(from April to June)and can lead to heavy rains in South China.This study categorizes surge events into three types of flow patterns and examines their multiscale variations and impacts on rainfall.The first type occurs mainly in April,with the southeasterlies enhanced by a deepening trough in South China and the western Pacific subtropical high established over the SCS.The second type of surge events mostly appears in June,featuring the prevailing southwesterlies of summer monsoon from the Indian Ocean during the active phases of intraseasonal oscillations.Most surge events exhibit semi-diurnal variations with morning and afternoon peaks of northward moisture fluxes.Specifically,the first type features a dominant afternoon peak,while the second type shows a dominant early-morning peak,which is induced by thermal contrast between the Indochina Peninsula and the SCS.In general,the surge events enhance moisture convergence and increase rainfall downstream in South China,but they show some regional differences.The second type strengthens moisture convergence and rainfall in coastal regions with a morning peak.In contrast,the first type enhances inland rainfall with a morning peak,while moisture divergence dominates coastal regions.The third type of surge events denotes transitional conditions between the first two types,in terms of atmospheric circulations,diurnal cycles,and rainfall patterns.These results highlight a diversity of regional moisture surges and related rainfall ranging from diurnal to sub-seasonal scales.展开更多
Mountainous areas are the priority for forest restoration in semiarid regions,with hillslopes serving as the basic units of mountains.Precipitation is the only water source in these regions,and the uneven distribution...Mountainous areas are the priority for forest restoration in semiarid regions,with hillslopes serving as the basic units of mountains.Precipitation is the only water source in these regions,and the uneven distribution of hillslope soil moisture replenishment after precipitation determines vegetation survival and growth.Therefore,in this study experiments were performed on a hillslope in the Liupan Mountains,Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China,to quantify the unevenness of soil moisture replenishment.Soil water content(SWC)in the 0–60 cm layer and precipitation were monitored throughout the growing season in 2020 and 2021.The results showed that(1)Annual soil moisture replenishment was the highest at the mid-slope position,with an average of 309.9 mm,especially under moderate and heavy rain grade conditions,reaching 38.7% and 30.8% of the total replenishment,respectively;(2)Vertical replenishment played a dominant role in the total replenishment,accounting for 82.8%;lateral replenishment played an important but lesser role,accounting for up to 17.2% of the total replenishment;(3)Based on a soil moisture replenishment model established in this study,the maximal replenishment occurred at 90 m from the top of the slope;(4)The dominant factors contributing to the soil moisture replenishment were rainfall amount and saturated hydraulic conductivity(Ks).These findings suggest that attention should be given to both vertical and lateral soil moisture replenishment,and the mid-slope position could be preferred for site selection to achieve precise and integrated forest-water management on hillslopes in semi-arid mountainous regions.展开更多
Accurate drought assessment demands thoughtful consideration of drought definition first of all.Drought is commonly defined as a prolonged period of below-average precipitation leading to water shortages that impact e...Accurate drought assessment demands thoughtful consideration of drought definition first of all.Drought is commonly defined as a prolonged period of below-average precipitation leading to water shortages that impact ecosystems,agriculture,and human societies.However,meteorologists,hydrologists,and agronomists often use different criteria to define drought,depending on their specific focus areas.For example,hydrologists define drought according to water deficits in some components of the hydrological cycle(such as precipitation,soil moisture,river flow,and groundwater)or its impacts on the level of services provided to public water supply,irrigation,or hydropower demands(Tate and Gustard,2000).Differences in drought definitions may result in great uncertainties in drought assessment(Satoh et al.,2021).We cannot expect the existence of any workable generalized objective definition of drought(Lloyd-Hughes,2014).展开更多
Soil desiccation cracking is a common phenomenon on the earth surface.Numerical modeling is an effective approach to study the desiccation cracking mechanism of soil.This work develops a novel 3D moisture diffusion di...Soil desiccation cracking is a common phenomenon on the earth surface.Numerical modeling is an effective approach to study the desiccation cracking mechanism of soil.This work develops a novel 3D moisture diffusion discrete model that is capable of dynamically assessing the effect of cracking on moisture diffusion and allowing moisture to be discontinuous on both sides of the cracks.Then,the parametric analysis of the moisture exchange coefficient in the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model is carried out for moisture diffusion in continuous media,and the selection criterion of the moisture exchange coefficient for the unbroken cohesive element is given.Subsequently,an example of moisture migration in a medium with one crack is provided to illustrate the crack hindering effect on moisture migration.Finally,combining the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model with the finite-discrete element method(FDEM),the moisture diffusion-fracture coupling model is built to study the desiccation cracking in a strip soil and the crack pattern of a rectangular soil.The evolution of crack area and volume with moisture content is quantitatively analyzed.The modeling number and average width of cracks in the strip soil show a good consistency with the experimental results,and the crack pattern of the rectangular soil matches well with the existing numerical results,validating the coupled moisture diffusion-fracture model.Additionally,the parametric study of soil desiccation cracking is performed.The developed model offers a powerful tool for exploring soil desiccation cracking.展开更多
This study investigates the mechanism of action of representative molecules of basalt fibers on the healing of water-soaked asphalt.Thermodynamic parameters,morphological characteristics,interfacial healing energy,and...This study investigates the mechanism of action of representative molecules of basalt fibers on the healing of water-soaked asphalt.Thermodynamic parameters,morphological characteristics,interfacial healing energy,and interfacial healing strength were analyzed using molecular dynamics and macroscopic tests under different time,temperature,and water conditions to evaluate the specific states and critical conditions involved in self-healing.The results indicate that basalt-fiber molecules can induce rearrangement and a combination of water-soaked asphalt at the healing interface.Hydroxyl groups with different bonding states increase the interfacial adsorption capacity of water-soaked asphalt.The interaction between basalt fiber molecules and water molecules leads to a"hoop"phenomenon,while aromatics-2 molecules exhibit a"ring band aggregation"phenomenon.The former reduces the miscibility of water and asphalt molecules,while the latter causes slow diffusion of the components.Furthermore,a micro-macro dual-scale comparison of interfacial healing strength was conducted at temperatures of 297.15 and 312.15 K to identify the strength transition point and critical temperature of 299.4 K during the self-healing process of basalt-fiber modified water-soaked asphalt.展开更多
During the boreal summer,intraseasonal oscillations exhibit significant interannual variations in intensity over two key regions:the central-western equatorial Pacific(5°S-5°N,150°E-150°W)and the s...During the boreal summer,intraseasonal oscillations exhibit significant interannual variations in intensity over two key regions:the central-western equatorial Pacific(5°S-5°N,150°E-150°W)and the subtropical Northwestern Pacific(10°-20°N,130°E-175°W).The former is well-documented and considered to be influenced by the ENSO,while the latter has received comparatively less attention and is likely influenced by the Pacific Meridional Mode(PMM),as suggested by partial correlation analysis results.To elucidate the physical processes responsible for the enhanced(weakened)intraseasonal convection over the subtropical northwestern Pacific during warm(cold)PMM years,the authors employed a moisture budget analysis.The findings reveal that during warm PMM years,there is an increase in summer-mean moisture over the subtropical northwestern Pacific.This increase interacts with intensified vertical motion perturbations in the region,leading to greater vertical moisture advection in the lower troposphere and consequently resulting in convective instability.Such a process is pivotal in amplifying intraseasonal convection anomalies.The observational findings were further verified by model experiments forced by PMM-like sea surface temperature patterns.展开更多
A cytotoxicity study based on keratinocytes was carried out to determine the safe dosing concentration of plant extract formulation(hereinafter referred to as the MOSOGY).On this basis,the 3D epidermal skin model(Epik...A cytotoxicity study based on keratinocytes was carried out to determine the safe dosing concentration of plant extract formulation(hereinafter referred to as the MOSOGY).On this basis,the 3D epidermal skin model(Epikutis^(®),which is abbreviated as Epikutis later)was stimulated with anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS)was used to construct an in vitro 3D epidermal skin injury model and detect the proinflammatory factor(IL-1α)after MOSOGY acted on the 3D epidermal skin model.Additionally,capsaicin(CAP)was used to stimulate the 3D epidermal skin model(EpiKutis)to detect changes in the content of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)after MOSOGY treatment.The hydration levels of the stratum corneum were tested using the 3D epidermal skin model.A hyaluronidase(HAase)inhibition experiment was conducted to assess the soothing effect of BSBE.The experimental results showed that MOSOGY exhibited no significant cytotoxicity within the concentration range of 0~2.50%At a concentration of 2.00%,the inhibition rates of IL-1αand PGE2 were 15.71%and 19.00%respectively.At a concentration of 5.00%,MOSOGY exhibited inhibition rates of 43.76%for TRPV1 and 11.11%for IL-1α.MOSOGY at concentrations of 1.00%and 5.00%showed inhibition rates of 76.50%and 86.50%for HAase,respectively.The moisturizing efficacy test showed that at the concentration of 5.00%,the water content of the stratum corneum of the 3D epidermal skin model increased by 31.91%.In addition,the 3D epidermal skin model used in this experiment has the characteristics of layered structure,physiological and metabolic functions that are highly similar to natural human skin.The above research shows that MOSOGY at a certain concentration effectively inhibits IL-1α,PGE2,TRPV1 and HAase in human skin,especially the inhibition rate of HAase is more than 70.00%,indicating that BSBE have strong anti-allergic effect,and skin hydration of the 3D epidermal skin model also has a significant increase.The results indicate that MOSOGY exhibits inhibitory effects on IL-1α,PGE2,TRPV1,and HAase,achieving significant soothing and reparative effects through the inhibition of multiple targets.Additionally,it demonstrates good moisturizing efficacy and safety,making it suitable for use in cosmetics with corresponding efficacy claims.展开更多
Moisture-enabled electricity generation(MEG)has emerged as a promising sustainable energy harvesting technology,comparable to photovoltaics,thermoelectrics,and triboelectrics[1].MEGs generate electricity by converting...Moisture-enabled electricity generation(MEG)has emerged as a promising sustainable energy harvesting technology,comparable to photovoltaics,thermoelectrics,and triboelectrics[1].MEGs generate electricity by converting the chemical potential of moisture into electric energy through interactions with hygroscopic materials and nanostructured interfaces.Unlike solar or thermal harvesters,MEGs operate continuously by utilizing ubiquitous atmospheric moisture,granting them unique spatial and temporal adaptability.Despite nearly a decade of progress and the exploration of diverse material systems for MEG,the overall output power remains significantly limited due to inherently low charge carrier concentrations and restricted ion diffusion fluxes[2].As a result,standalone MEG devices often deliver low and unstable output,limiting practical applications.To enhance performance and versatility,recent efforts have explored hybridization of MEG with other ambient energy sources such as triboelectric or thermoelectric effects.展开更多
A common concern to planting for reforestation is seedling failure that is directly measurable by seedling early field performance of growth and survival.Root growth potential(RGP)is a commonly used metric of seedling...A common concern to planting for reforestation is seedling failure that is directly measurable by seedling early field performance of growth and survival.Root growth potential(RGP)is a commonly used metric of seedling quality and has been considered indicative of seedling field performance.The effect of RGP is thought to be dependent on planting site and underlining environmental conditions.Moisture stress often is considered the primary cause of seedling failure in addition to other environmental factors such as soil physicochemical properties in regions such as the Inland Northwest of the United States that is prone to growing season drought.In addition,it is interesting to test whether seedling early field performance is related to their morphological attributes and whether the morphological attributes are related to RGP.A comprehensive evaluation on early field performance of three planted conifer species of interior Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.)Franco var.glauca(Beissn.)Franco),grand fir(Abies grandis(Douglas ex D.Don)Lindl.),and western larch(Larix occidentalis Nutt.)was conducted in this study.It was found that RGP did not show clear correlation with early field performance across species.RGP also was not significantly correlated with seedling morphological measures such as below-and above-ground biomass and root-to-shoot ratio(R:S,by mass).Early field performance of growth and survival varied greatly across individuals of seedlings.The most influential predictors of early seedling growth and survival were their initial size(indicative of energy reserve)and soil temperature that likely interacted with soil moisture.Our findings suggest that seed stock selection for reforestation probably should favor species and genotypes with greatest heat tolerance that may be better adapted to future conditions in the region.展开更多
Activity 1 Think about the following questions and write down your answers before reading the text.1.What are some common factors that usually cause damage to trees when they are struck by lightning?2.How might the un...Activity 1 Think about the following questions and write down your answers before reading the text.1.What are some common factors that usually cause damage to trees when they are struck by lightning?2.How might the unique characteristics of a tree contribute to its ability to survive a lightning strike?展开更多
In this study,we investigate the complex relationship between western disturbances(WDs),the El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO),and extreme precipitation events(EPEs) in the western Himalaya(WH) during the extended wi...In this study,we investigate the complex relationship between western disturbances(WDs),the El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO),and extreme precipitation events(EPEs) in the western Himalaya(WH) during the extended winter season(November–March).WDs west of WH coincide with 97% of recorded EPEs,contributing substantially(32% in winter,11% annually) to total precipitation within WH.WDs are 6% less frequent and 4% more intense during El Ni?o than La Ni?a to the west of WH.During El Ni?o(compared to La Ni?a) years,WDs co-occurring with EPEs are significantly more intense and associated with 17% higher moisture transport over “WH box”(the selected region where most of the winter precipitation over WH occurs).This results in twice the EPE frequency during El Ni?o periods than La Ni?a periods.A substantial southward shift(~180 km) of the subtropical jet(STJ) axis during El Ni?o brings WD tracks further south towards their primary moisture sources,especially the Arabian Sea.We have shown that WDs that are both more intense and pass to the south of their typical latitudes have higher levels of vertically integrated moisture flux(VIMF)within them.VIMF convergence in the most intense pentile of WDs is 5.7 times higher than in the weakest,and is 3.4 times higher in the second lowest latitude pentile than in the highest.Overall,this study demonstrates a direct link between changes in the latitudinal position and intensity of WDs associated with the winter STJ,and moisture convergence,which leads to the occurrence of EPEs over WH during ENSO phases.展开更多
The article examines the impact of increased aridization of the territory due to an increase in air temperature,reduced precipitation,and the formation of moisture deficiency on grain yields in Northern Kazakhstan.The...The article examines the impact of increased aridization of the territory due to an increase in air temperature,reduced precipitation,and the formation of moisture deficiency on grain yields in Northern Kazakhstan.The most important result of the work is the revealed inverse relationship between grain yields and the temperature of the growing season:low-yielding years are associated with high temperatures and droughts,and high-yielding years are associated with lower temperatures and an optimal ratio of heat and moisture.The novelty of this study is the use of the method of hydrological and climatic calculations in identifying the nature of temperature variability and precipitation in the territory of Northern Kazakhstan for the modern period(1991–2020)compared with the base period(1961–1990).At all the studied meteorological stations,there is a tendency for the average annual temperature and the temperature of the growing season to increase:in the forest-steppe zone with an average warming intensity of 0.3–0.33℃ per decade;in the steppe zone by 0.2–0.43℃ per decade;and in the growing season by 0.2–0.7℃ per decade.The air temperature in the steppe zone is rising more intensively than in the forest-steppe zone,and precipitation in the forest-steppe zone has changed more than in the steppe zone.An increase in the average annual air temperature during the growing season(May–August),combined with a shortage of atmospheric moisture or a constant amount of it,led to an increase in the degree of aridization of the territory,an increase in the frequency of droughts in the steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan.展开更多
文摘OBJECTIVE: Baby skin differs significantly from adult skin and requires special care. The Cussons Baby Sensicare Range (Sensicare) of products has been specifically formulated for baby skin and a range of standard cosmetic clinical tests were conducted in adult females with dry skin to evaluate the effectiveness of the range on skin moisturization and barrier function. METHODS: The studies were within subject, controlled, single blind studies. For the Sensicare Body Wash skin moisturization (Corneometer) was measured before application and after 7 and 14 days of twice daily use. For the Sensicare Moisturizing Lotion and Sensicare Soothing Cream skin moisturization was measured before application and at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours after a single application;skin elasticity (Cutometer) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL, Tewameter) were assessed before and after 14 days of twice daily use;and skin erythema (Mexameter) before induction with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), and at 30 mins, 24 and 48 hours after patch removal. Changes from baseline and changes versus control were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty to thirty-five subjects completed each study. Skin moisture content was significantly increased from baseline for all Cussons Baby Sensicare Products (p < 0.05 for Hair & Body Wash;and p < 0.001 for Cream & Lotion). Changes from baseline in skin elasticity were significantly superior to control (unperfumed liquid soap) after 14 days twice daily use of the Lotion, and Cream (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes from baseline or significant differences from control in TEWL for the Lotion, or Cream. The increases in the average skin erythema index were significantly smaller for the Lotion, and Cream 30 minutes following SLS patch removal (p < 0.05 v sterile water, p < 0.001 v no treatment for both products). All the Sensicare products were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: These studies support the use of the Cussons Baby Sensicare range of products for new born, sensitive and eczema prone skin.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42277147)Ningbo Public Welfare Research Program(Grant No.2024S081)Ningbo Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.2024J186).
文摘Rock brittleness is a critical property in geotechnical and energy engineering,as it directly influences the prediction of rock failure and stability assessment.Although numerous methods have been developed to evaluate brittleness,many fail to comprehensively account for the impacts of microstructural changes,mineralogical characteristics,and stress conditions on energy evolution during failure.This study proposes a novel approach for brittleness evaluation based on the energy evolution throughout the post-peak failure process,integrating two micromechanical mechanisms:crack propagation and frictional sliding.A new brittleness index is defined as the ratio of generated surface energy to released elastic energy,providing a unified framework for assessing both Class I and Class II mechanical behaviors.The brittleness of cyan,white,and gray sandstones was investigated under various confining pressures and moisture conditions using X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and conventional triaxial compression(CTC)tests.The results demonstrate that brittleness decreases with increasing confining pressure,due to suppressed crack propagation,and increases under saturated conditions,as moisture enhances crack propagation.By establishing connections between mineral composition,microstructural features,and stress-induced responses,the proposed method overcame limitations of previous approaches and offered a more precise tool for evaluating rock brittleness under diverse environmental scenarios.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52305388,BE0200030)Shanghai Pujiang Program(22PJ1407600)+1 种基金SJTU Explore X programShanghai Jiao Tong University Initiative Scientific Research Program(WH220402021)。
文摘Moisture electricity generation(MEG)has emerged as a sustainable and versatile energy-harvesting technology capable of converting ubiquitous environmental moisture into electrical energy,which holds great promise for renewable energy and constructing self-powered electronics.In this review,we begin by outlining the fundamental mechanisms—ion diffusion,electric double layer formation,and streaming potential—that govern charge transport for MEG in moist environments.A comprehensive survey of material innovations follows,highlighting breakthroughs in carbon-based materials,conductive polymers,hydrogels,and bio-inspired systems that enhance MEG performance,scalability,and biocompatibility.We then explore a range of device architectures,from planar and layered systems to flexible,miniaturized,and textile-integrated designs,engineered for both energy conversion and sensor integration.Key challenges are analyzed,along with strategies for overcoming them.We conclude with a forward-looking perspective on future directions,including hybrid energy systems,AI-assisted material design,and real-world deployment.This review presents a timely and comprehensive overview of MEG technologies and their trajectory toward practical and sustainable energy solutions.
基金supported by the China National Science Foundation(No.42130506,42071031)the Special Technology Innovation Fund of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality in Jiangsu Province(BK20231515)+1 种基金the Spanish Government grant PID2022-140808NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033the Catalan Government grants SGR 2021-1333 and AGAUR2023 CLIMA 00118.
文摘The root-to-shoot(R/S)ratio is a critical indicator of the balance between root biomass and shoot biomass,representing the ecological strategies and adaptive responses of plants to environmental conditions.However,the patterns of change in community R/S ratios during forest succession and their response to moisture levels across broad geographic gradients remains unclear.Based on forest biomass data from a national field inventory of 5,825 plots conducted across China between 2011 and 2015,this study looked into allocating biomass shoots and roots at the early,middle,and late stages of growth in plantations and succession in natural forests,and evaluated how moisture availability influences this allocation.The results revealed a significant decline in R/S ratios from early to late stages for both plantations and natural forests.Shoot and root biomass in plantations grew isometrically during the early and middle succession stages but shifted to allometric growth in the late stage,with the slope of the log-transformed shoot-root biomass relationship differing significantly across growth stages.Natural forests,in contrast,maintained isometric growth across successional stages,showing no significant variation in the slope of the log-transformed shoot-root biomass relationship.Environmental factors,particularly moisture levels,strongly influenced R/S ratios.Moisture levels significantly affected size-corrected R/S ratios,particularly in the middle stage of plantations and the early and middle stages of natural forests,supporting the hypothesis of optimal allocation.These findings suggest that in water-limited regions,forest management should prioritize drought-tolerant,deep-rooted native species,encourage mixed-species planting in the early stage,and reduce logging intensity in mature plantations.Conserving natural forests to maintain successional dynamics is essential for long-term ecological resilience.These findings emphasize the importance of balancing productivity with ecological sustainability by adapting practices to specific environments and forest types under climate change.
基金support provided by the Research Grant Office at Sharif University Technology by way of grants G4010902 and QB020105 is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘This study presents a multi-physical modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of moisture potential and stress-deformation features near deep desiccation cracks in clayey soils under three consecutive years’climate variability in an arid region.A triple research approach of statistical analysis,analytical framework,and numerical modeling was used to investigate the complex thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of desiccation-cracked soil,incorporating realistic climatic data of Qom,Iran.The results revealed the interplay between stress,strain,and pore water pressure over time,demonstrating that soil experiences significant swelling and shrinkage due to cyclic wetting and drying.The horizontal stress distribution shows compressive stress concentration at crack tips during wetting,transitioning to tensile stresses uniformly across the soil surface during drying paths.Similarly,vertical stress distributions exhibit localized compressive stresses along crack boundaries during wetting and tensile stresses during drying,highlighting the critical stress conditions at crack tips.The model differentiates between microstructural and macrostructural changes in porosity.Annual trends in micro-porosity revealed cyclic-dependent behavior,with significant volumetric changes occurring in the first year,stabilizing with successive cycles.The results also indicated that part of the volumetric changes are irreversible,with volumetric plastic strain increasing exponentially but at a decreasing rate over three years.Principal stress analysis indicates a shift from compressive to tensile stress states around cracks,driven by climate-induced wetting and drying cycles.These findings underscore the critical role of climate variability in shaping cracked soil behavior in arid regions,providing insights into the heterogeneous behavior of cracked soil surfFicial layers.
基金funded in part by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel(CAPES,Finance Code 001)in part by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq,Grant No.131511/2020-3)/Ministry of Science,Technology and Innovation(MCTI)in part by the State of São Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP)(Grant Nos.2015/03806-1 and 2023/08756-9).
文摘The dual-probe heat pulse(DPHP)is a well-established method for estimating soil moisture(θ)using soil thermal conductivity(λ)and volumetric heat capacity(C_(v)).Recently,monitoringθhas been improved by integrating the DPHP method with distributed temperature sensing(DTS)technology.In the DPHP-DTS approach,a single fiber optic(FO)cable with embedded metallic constituents functions as a heating element,while a parallel cable serves to monitor the temperature.Despite ongoing advancements,challenges such as the difficulty in positioning heating and sensing cables and high energy requirements hinder the widespread adoption of the DPHP-DTS method.As alternative heating materials are seldom used,this study evaluated the feasibility of employing a resistive metallic alloy as the heating element in a laboratory DPHP-DTS application.Overall,higher errors were observed when assessing C_(v)andλat higherθvalues(>0.2),but using C_(v)data produced more accurateθestimates(with the root mean square error(RMSE)≤0.06).Based on C_(v)values,a low-power,long-duration heat pulse(8.07 W/m for 300 s)yielded more consistentθestimates(RMSE=0.04)than a high-power,shortduration pulse(15.93 W/m for 180 s,with RMSE=0.06).The findings of this study also indicated that variations in heating uniformity and electrical power fluctuations potentially affected measurement accuracy.Nevertheless,the resistive alloy proved advantageous for DPHP-DTS due to its independent power connection,ability to maintain linear positioning within the soil,and potential for energy savings,all while providing reliableθestimates.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province(252300421290)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41771438)+1 种基金the Program for Innovative Research Team(in Science and Technology)of Henan University(22IRTSTHN010)the Postgraduate Education Reform and Quality Improvement Project of Henan Province(HNYJS2020JD14).
文摘Soil moisture(SM)is a critical variable in terrestrial ecosystems,especially in arid and semi-arid areas where water sources are limited.Despite its importance,understanding the spatiotemporal variations and influencing factors of SM in these areas remains insufficient.This study investigated the spatiotemporal variations and influencing factors of SM in arid and semi-arid areas of China by utilizing the extended triple collation(ETC),Mann-Kendall test,Theil-Sen estimator,ridge regression analysis,and other relevant methods.The following findings were obtained:(1)at the pixel scale,the long-term monthly SM data from the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative(ESA CCI)exhibited the highest correlation coefficient of 0.794 and the lowest root mean square error(RMSE)of 0.014 m^(3)/m^(3);(2)from 2000 to 2022,the study area experienced significant increase in annual average SM,with a rate of 0.408×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a).Moreover,higher altitudes showed a notable upward trend,with SM increasing rates at 0.210×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)between 1000 and 2000 m,0.530×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)between 2000 and 4000 m,and 0.760×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)at altitudes above 4000 m;(3)land surface temperature(LST),root zone soil moisture(RSM)(10-40 cm depth),and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)were identified as the primary factors influencing annual average SM,which accounted for 34.37%,24.16%,and 22.64%relative contributions,respectively;and(4)absolute contribution of LST was more significant in subareas at higher altitudes,with average absolute contributions of 0.800×10^(-3)m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)between 2000 and 4000 m and 0.500×10^(-2) m^(3)/(m^(3)•a)above 4000 m.This study reveals the spatiotemporal variations and main influencing factors of SM in Chinese arid and semi-arid areas,highlighting the more pronounced absolute contribution of LST to SM in high-altitude areas,providing valuable insights for ecological research and water resource management in these areas.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42361002)the Fund of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region(Grant No.2022AAC03665).
文摘Tafoni are globally developed on cliffy slopes,and many of them are favorable places for the preservation of stone historical relics.However,the characteristics and formation processes of tafoni in the Loess Plateau are yet to be understood.This paper studied the features of the tafoni on conglomerate slopes in Huoshizhai National Geopark of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and discussed its formation processes by field investigation and morphometry,insitu relative humidity(RH)measurement,salt chemistry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer(XRF)experiments of 24 samples.The bedrock of the tafoni is dominated by reddish fluvial conglomerates of the Lower Cretaceous Heshangpu Formation with abundant chemically unstable components including feldspars,lithic fragments,and calcite cements.The RH values vary from 5%to 100%,but the backwalls of the tafoni have higher RH values than outer surfaces.The more moisture on the backwalls is possibly generated by water influx from the rock interior,resulting in more salt precipitation on the backwalls.As a result,the backwalls have been subject to predominant salt weathering.The dominant salts involved in salt weathering are probably derived from the dissolution of the salt interbeds in the basin,although the chemical dissolution of the unstable components such as feldspars,lithic fragments,and calcite cements might have produced small amounts of salts.The salt types dominantly include nitrates,sulfates,and halite.In the progression of tafoni,the moisture maintenance on the backwalls gives rise to the accretion of salts,which in turn enhance the weathering rates of the backwalls.As a result,the volumes of the tafoni have become enlarged owing to inward growth and coalescence of adjacent smaller ones.
基金Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research(2020B0301030004)National Natural Science Foundation of China(42475003)Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Zhuhai)(SML2023SP209)。
文摘Southerly moisture surges over the central South China Sea(SCS)are characterized by the strengthening of lowlevel southerlies that transport moisture northward from the Pacific or Indian Oceans to South China.These surge events typically occur for days in the early-summer season(from April to June)and can lead to heavy rains in South China.This study categorizes surge events into three types of flow patterns and examines their multiscale variations and impacts on rainfall.The first type occurs mainly in April,with the southeasterlies enhanced by a deepening trough in South China and the western Pacific subtropical high established over the SCS.The second type of surge events mostly appears in June,featuring the prevailing southwesterlies of summer monsoon from the Indian Ocean during the active phases of intraseasonal oscillations.Most surge events exhibit semi-diurnal variations with morning and afternoon peaks of northward moisture fluxes.Specifically,the first type features a dominant afternoon peak,while the second type shows a dominant early-morning peak,which is induced by thermal contrast between the Indochina Peninsula and the SCS.In general,the surge events enhance moisture convergence and increase rainfall downstream in South China,but they show some regional differences.The second type strengthens moisture convergence and rainfall in coastal regions with a morning peak.In contrast,the first type enhances inland rainfall with a morning peak,while moisture divergence dominates coastal regions.The third type of surge events denotes transitional conditions between the first two types,in terms of atmospheric circulations,diurnal cycles,and rainfall patterns.These results highlight a diversity of regional moisture surges and related rainfall ranging from diurnal to sub-seasonal scales.
基金financially supported by the Central Public-Interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund of Chinese Academy of Forestry(CAFYBB2021ZW002)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFF1300404)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A2005)。
文摘Mountainous areas are the priority for forest restoration in semiarid regions,with hillslopes serving as the basic units of mountains.Precipitation is the only water source in these regions,and the uneven distribution of hillslope soil moisture replenishment after precipitation determines vegetation survival and growth.Therefore,in this study experiments were performed on a hillslope in the Liupan Mountains,Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China,to quantify the unevenness of soil moisture replenishment.Soil water content(SWC)in the 0–60 cm layer and precipitation were monitored throughout the growing season in 2020 and 2021.The results showed that(1)Annual soil moisture replenishment was the highest at the mid-slope position,with an average of 309.9 mm,especially under moderate and heavy rain grade conditions,reaching 38.7% and 30.8% of the total replenishment,respectively;(2)Vertical replenishment played a dominant role in the total replenishment,accounting for 82.8%;lateral replenishment played an important but lesser role,accounting for up to 17.2% of the total replenishment;(3)Based on a soil moisture replenishment model established in this study,the maximal replenishment occurred at 90 m from the top of the slope;(4)The dominant factors contributing to the soil moisture replenishment were rainfall amount and saturated hydraulic conductivity(Ks).These findings suggest that attention should be given to both vertical and lateral soil moisture replenishment,and the mid-slope position could be preferred for site selection to achieve precise and integrated forest-water management on hillslopes in semi-arid mountainous regions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42471027).
文摘Accurate drought assessment demands thoughtful consideration of drought definition first of all.Drought is commonly defined as a prolonged period of below-average precipitation leading to water shortages that impact ecosystems,agriculture,and human societies.However,meteorologists,hydrologists,and agronomists often use different criteria to define drought,depending on their specific focus areas.For example,hydrologists define drought according to water deficits in some components of the hydrological cycle(such as precipitation,soil moisture,river flow,and groundwater)or its impacts on the level of services provided to public water supply,irrigation,or hydropower demands(Tate and Gustard,2000).Differences in drought definitions may result in great uncertainties in drought assessment(Satoh et al.,2021).We cannot expect the existence of any workable generalized objective definition of drought(Lloyd-Hughes,2014).
基金supported by the State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering(Grant No.SKLGDUEK2206)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11872340).
文摘Soil desiccation cracking is a common phenomenon on the earth surface.Numerical modeling is an effective approach to study the desiccation cracking mechanism of soil.This work develops a novel 3D moisture diffusion discrete model that is capable of dynamically assessing the effect of cracking on moisture diffusion and allowing moisture to be discontinuous on both sides of the cracks.Then,the parametric analysis of the moisture exchange coefficient in the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model is carried out for moisture diffusion in continuous media,and the selection criterion of the moisture exchange coefficient for the unbroken cohesive element is given.Subsequently,an example of moisture migration in a medium with one crack is provided to illustrate the crack hindering effect on moisture migration.Finally,combining the 3D moisture diffusion discrete model with the finite-discrete element method(FDEM),the moisture diffusion-fracture coupling model is built to study the desiccation cracking in a strip soil and the crack pattern of a rectangular soil.The evolution of crack area and volume with moisture content is quantitatively analyzed.The modeling number and average width of cracks in the strip soil show a good consistency with the experimental results,and the crack pattern of the rectangular soil matches well with the existing numerical results,validating the coupled moisture diffusion-fracture model.Additionally,the parametric study of soil desiccation cracking is performed.The developed model offers a powerful tool for exploring soil desiccation cracking.
文摘This study investigates the mechanism of action of representative molecules of basalt fibers on the healing of water-soaked asphalt.Thermodynamic parameters,morphological characteristics,interfacial healing energy,and interfacial healing strength were analyzed using molecular dynamics and macroscopic tests under different time,temperature,and water conditions to evaluate the specific states and critical conditions involved in self-healing.The results indicate that basalt-fiber molecules can induce rearrangement and a combination of water-soaked asphalt at the healing interface.Hydroxyl groups with different bonding states increase the interfacial adsorption capacity of water-soaked asphalt.The interaction between basalt fiber molecules and water molecules leads to a"hoop"phenomenon,while aromatics-2 molecules exhibit a"ring band aggregation"phenomenon.The former reduces the miscibility of water and asphalt molecules,while the latter causes slow diffusion of the components.Furthermore,a micro-macro dual-scale comparison of interfacial healing strength was conducted at temperatures of 297.15 and 312.15 K to identify the strength transition point and critical temperature of 299.4 K during the self-healing process of basalt-fiber modified water-soaked asphalt.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 42088101]。
文摘During the boreal summer,intraseasonal oscillations exhibit significant interannual variations in intensity over two key regions:the central-western equatorial Pacific(5°S-5°N,150°E-150°W)and the subtropical Northwestern Pacific(10°-20°N,130°E-175°W).The former is well-documented and considered to be influenced by the ENSO,while the latter has received comparatively less attention and is likely influenced by the Pacific Meridional Mode(PMM),as suggested by partial correlation analysis results.To elucidate the physical processes responsible for the enhanced(weakened)intraseasonal convection over the subtropical northwestern Pacific during warm(cold)PMM years,the authors employed a moisture budget analysis.The findings reveal that during warm PMM years,there is an increase in summer-mean moisture over the subtropical northwestern Pacific.This increase interacts with intensified vertical motion perturbations in the region,leading to greater vertical moisture advection in the lower troposphere and consequently resulting in convective instability.Such a process is pivotal in amplifying intraseasonal convection anomalies.The observational findings were further verified by model experiments forced by PMM-like sea surface temperature patterns.
文摘A cytotoxicity study based on keratinocytes was carried out to determine the safe dosing concentration of plant extract formulation(hereinafter referred to as the MOSOGY).On this basis,the 3D epidermal skin model(Epikutis^(®),which is abbreviated as Epikutis later)was stimulated with anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS)was used to construct an in vitro 3D epidermal skin injury model and detect the proinflammatory factor(IL-1α)after MOSOGY acted on the 3D epidermal skin model.Additionally,capsaicin(CAP)was used to stimulate the 3D epidermal skin model(EpiKutis)to detect changes in the content of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)after MOSOGY treatment.The hydration levels of the stratum corneum were tested using the 3D epidermal skin model.A hyaluronidase(HAase)inhibition experiment was conducted to assess the soothing effect of BSBE.The experimental results showed that MOSOGY exhibited no significant cytotoxicity within the concentration range of 0~2.50%At a concentration of 2.00%,the inhibition rates of IL-1αand PGE2 were 15.71%and 19.00%respectively.At a concentration of 5.00%,MOSOGY exhibited inhibition rates of 43.76%for TRPV1 and 11.11%for IL-1α.MOSOGY at concentrations of 1.00%and 5.00%showed inhibition rates of 76.50%and 86.50%for HAase,respectively.The moisturizing efficacy test showed that at the concentration of 5.00%,the water content of the stratum corneum of the 3D epidermal skin model increased by 31.91%.In addition,the 3D epidermal skin model used in this experiment has the characteristics of layered structure,physiological and metabolic functions that are highly similar to natural human skin.The above research shows that MOSOGY at a certain concentration effectively inhibits IL-1α,PGE2,TRPV1 and HAase in human skin,especially the inhibition rate of HAase is more than 70.00%,indicating that BSBE have strong anti-allergic effect,and skin hydration of the 3D epidermal skin model also has a significant increase.The results indicate that MOSOGY exhibits inhibitory effects on IL-1α,PGE2,TRPV1,and HAase,achieving significant soothing and reparative effects through the inhibition of multiple targets.Additionally,it demonstrates good moisturizing efficacy and safety,making it suitable for use in cosmetics with corresponding efficacy claims.
基金the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22205165).
文摘Moisture-enabled electricity generation(MEG)has emerged as a promising sustainable energy harvesting technology,comparable to photovoltaics,thermoelectrics,and triboelectrics[1].MEGs generate electricity by converting the chemical potential of moisture into electric energy through interactions with hygroscopic materials and nanostructured interfaces.Unlike solar or thermal harvesters,MEGs operate continuously by utilizing ubiquitous atmospheric moisture,granting them unique spatial and temporal adaptability.Despite nearly a decade of progress and the exploration of diverse material systems for MEG,the overall output power remains significantly limited due to inherently low charge carrier concentrations and restricted ion diffusion fluxes[2].As a result,standalone MEG devices often deliver low and unstable output,limiting practical applications.To enhance performance and versatility,recent efforts have explored hybridization of MEG with other ambient energy sources such as triboelectric or thermoelectric effects.
基金Funded by PotlatchDeltic Corporation,grant number RGPSQ17。
文摘A common concern to planting for reforestation is seedling failure that is directly measurable by seedling early field performance of growth and survival.Root growth potential(RGP)is a commonly used metric of seedling quality and has been considered indicative of seedling field performance.The effect of RGP is thought to be dependent on planting site and underlining environmental conditions.Moisture stress often is considered the primary cause of seedling failure in addition to other environmental factors such as soil physicochemical properties in regions such as the Inland Northwest of the United States that is prone to growing season drought.In addition,it is interesting to test whether seedling early field performance is related to their morphological attributes and whether the morphological attributes are related to RGP.A comprehensive evaluation on early field performance of three planted conifer species of interior Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.)Franco var.glauca(Beissn.)Franco),grand fir(Abies grandis(Douglas ex D.Don)Lindl.),and western larch(Larix occidentalis Nutt.)was conducted in this study.It was found that RGP did not show clear correlation with early field performance across species.RGP also was not significantly correlated with seedling morphological measures such as below-and above-ground biomass and root-to-shoot ratio(R:S,by mass).Early field performance of growth and survival varied greatly across individuals of seedlings.The most influential predictors of early seedling growth and survival were their initial size(indicative of energy reserve)and soil temperature that likely interacted with soil moisture.Our findings suggest that seed stock selection for reforestation probably should favor species and genotypes with greatest heat tolerance that may be better adapted to future conditions in the region.
文摘Activity 1 Think about the following questions and write down your answers before reading the text.1.What are some common factors that usually cause damage to trees when they are struck by lightning?2.How might the unique characteristics of a tree contribute to its ability to survive a lightning strike?
基金the Ministry of Science and Technology,Government of India,and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)(09/081(1371)/2019-EMRI)for its funding,supported by a NERC Independent Research Fellowship(MITRE,NE/W007924/1)。
文摘In this study,we investigate the complex relationship between western disturbances(WDs),the El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO),and extreme precipitation events(EPEs) in the western Himalaya(WH) during the extended winter season(November–March).WDs west of WH coincide with 97% of recorded EPEs,contributing substantially(32% in winter,11% annually) to total precipitation within WH.WDs are 6% less frequent and 4% more intense during El Ni?o than La Ni?a to the west of WH.During El Ni?o(compared to La Ni?a) years,WDs co-occurring with EPEs are significantly more intense and associated with 17% higher moisture transport over “WH box”(the selected region where most of the winter precipitation over WH occurs).This results in twice the EPE frequency during El Ni?o periods than La Ni?a periods.A substantial southward shift(~180 km) of the subtropical jet(STJ) axis during El Ni?o brings WD tracks further south towards their primary moisture sources,especially the Arabian Sea.We have shown that WDs that are both more intense and pass to the south of their typical latitudes have higher levels of vertically integrated moisture flux(VIMF)within them.VIMF convergence in the most intense pentile of WDs is 5.7 times higher than in the weakest,and is 3.4 times higher in the second lowest latitude pentile than in the highest.Overall,this study demonstrates a direct link between changes in the latitudinal position and intensity of WDs associated with the winter STJ,and moisture convergence,which leads to the occurrence of EPEs over WH during ENSO phases.
文摘The article examines the impact of increased aridization of the territory due to an increase in air temperature,reduced precipitation,and the formation of moisture deficiency on grain yields in Northern Kazakhstan.The most important result of the work is the revealed inverse relationship between grain yields and the temperature of the growing season:low-yielding years are associated with high temperatures and droughts,and high-yielding years are associated with lower temperatures and an optimal ratio of heat and moisture.The novelty of this study is the use of the method of hydrological and climatic calculations in identifying the nature of temperature variability and precipitation in the territory of Northern Kazakhstan for the modern period(1991–2020)compared with the base period(1961–1990).At all the studied meteorological stations,there is a tendency for the average annual temperature and the temperature of the growing season to increase:in the forest-steppe zone with an average warming intensity of 0.3–0.33℃ per decade;in the steppe zone by 0.2–0.43℃ per decade;and in the growing season by 0.2–0.7℃ per decade.The air temperature in the steppe zone is rising more intensively than in the forest-steppe zone,and precipitation in the forest-steppe zone has changed more than in the steppe zone.An increase in the average annual air temperature during the growing season(May–August),combined with a shortage of atmospheric moisture or a constant amount of it,led to an increase in the degree of aridization of the territory,an increase in the frequency of droughts in the steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan.
