Oxidation Resistance of Form-stable Hightemperature Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage Materials Doped by Impregnated Graphite

We adopted the solution impregnation route with aluminum dihydrogen phosphate solution as liquid medium for effective surface modification on graphite substrate.The mass ratio of graphite to Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) changed from 0.5:1 to 4:1,and the impregnation time changed from 1 to 7 h.The typical composite phase change thermal storage materials doped with the as-treated graphite were fabricated using form-stable technique.To investigate the oxidation and anti-oxidation behavior of the impregnated graphite at high temperatures,the samples were put into a muffle furnace for a cyclic heat test.Based on SEM,EDS,DSC techniques,analyses on the impregnated technique suggested an optimized processing conditions of a 3 h impregnation time with the ratio of graphite:Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) as 1:3 for graphite impregnation treatment.Further investigations on high-temperature phase change heat storage materials doped by the treated graphite suggested excellent oxidation resistance and thermal cycling performance.

Relationship between longitudinal changes in lipid composition and ischemic stroke among hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND Dyslipidemia was strongly linked to stroke,however the relationship between dyslipidemia and its components and ischemic stroke remained unexplained.AIM To investigate the link between longitudinal changes in lipid profiles and dyslipidemia and ischemic stroke in a hypertensive population.METHODS Between 2013 and 2014,6094 hypertension individuals were included in this,and ischemic stroke cases were documented to the end of 2018.Longitudinal changes of lipid were stratified into four groups:(1)Normal was transformed into normal group;(2)Abnormal was transformed into normal group;(3)Normal was transformed into abnormal group;and(4)Abnormal was transformed into abnormal group.To examine the link between longitudinal changes in dyslipidemia along with its components and the risk of ischemic stroke,we utilized multivariate Cox proportional hazards models with hazard ratio(HR)and 95%CI.RESULTS The average age of the participants was 62.32 years±13.00 years,with 329 women making up 54.0%of the sample.Over the course of a mean follow-up of 4.8 years,143 ischemic strokes happened.When normal was transformed into normal group was used as a reference,after full adjustments,the HR for dyslipidemia and ischemic stroke among abnormal was transformed into normal group,normal was transformed into abnormal group and abnormal was transformed into abnormal Wei CC et al.Dyslipidemia changed and ischemic stroke WJCC https://www.wjgnet.com 2 February 6,2025 Volume 13 Issue 4 group were 1.089(95%CI:0.598-1.982;P=0.779),2.369(95%CI:1.424-3.941;P<0.001)and 1.448(95%CI:1.002-2.298;P=0.047)(P for trend was 0.233),respectively.CONCLUSION In individuals with hypertension,longitudinal shifts from normal to abnormal in dyslipidemia-particularly in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-were significantly associated with the risk of ischemic stroke.

Macular microvascular and structural changes on optical coherence tomography angiography in atypical optic neuritis

BACKGROUND Atypical optic neuritis,consisting of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders(NMOSD)or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease(MOGAD),has a very similar presentation but different prognostic implications and longterm management strategies.Vascular and metabolic factors are being thought to play a role in such autoimmune neuro-inflammatory disorders,apart from the obvious immune mediated damage.With the advent of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA),it is easy to pick up on these subclinical macular microvascular and structural changes.AIM To study the macular microvascular and structural changes on OCTA in atypical optic neuritis.METHODS This observational cross-sectional study involved 8 NMOSD and 17 MOGAD patients,diagnosed serologically,as well as 10 healthy controls.Macular vascular density(MVD)and ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer thickness(GCIPL)were studied using OCTA.RESULTS There was a significant reduction in MVD in NMOSD and MOGAD affected as well as unaffected eyes when compared with healthy controls.NMOSD and MOGAD affected eyes had significant GCIPL thinning compared with healthy controls.NMOSD unaffected eyes did not show significant GCIPL thinning compared to healthy controls in contrast to MOGAD unaffected eyes.On comparing NMOSD with MOGAD,there was no significant difference in terms of MVD or GCIPL in the affected or unaffected eyes.CONCLUSION Although significant microvascular and structural changes are present on OCTA between atypical optic neuritis and normal patients,they could not help in differentiating between NMOSD and MOGAD cases.

Current understanding of adult nephrotic syndrome:Minimal change disease

The underlying molecular changes that result in minimal change disease(ne-phrotic syndrome)require an in-depth analysis.Current molecular studies have shown the involvement of zinc fingers and homeobox transcriptional factors in its pathogenesis.The application of therapeutic drugs relies on understanding the cascade of molecular events to determine their efficacy in managing the clinical condition.

Reconstructing forest and grassland cover changes in China over the past millennium

Historical forest and grassland cover changes not only are critical indicators for quantifying ecological and environmental change processes but also serve as fundamental data for long-term climate change simulations and terrestrial ecosystem carbon emission assessments.However,because of limitations in historical data,quantitative estimations and spatially gridded reconstructions of these changes remain challenging,necessitating further methodological exploration.This study focused on China's present-day land area over the past millennium,objectively capturing the characteristics and drivers of forest and grassland cover changes.On this basis,using the forest transition theory and the space-for-time substitution method,we depicted the historical deforestation process as an inverted“S”curve and developed a model to reconstruct historical forest area changes based on the functional relationship between the forest area and population size dynamics.Subsequently,a gridded forest allocation model was established on the basis of deforestation tendencies.For the grassland cover,we implemented regionspecific methods,such as the cropland area deduction method and the habitat constraint method,to quantitatively reconstruct historical changes.Consequently,we obtained provincial forest and grassland area changes over the past millennium and mapped 10-km-resolution gridded data of forest and grassland cover.The results indicated the following.(1)The methods developed using population data as a proxy objectively reproduced the spatiotemporal evolution of forest and grassland cover in China over the past millennium.These feasible methods offer a novel pathway for the quantitative reconstruction of historical forest and grassland cover changes.(2)The data indicated that China's forest area generally decreased over the past millennium,characterized by a“decrease-then-increase”pattern.The forest area experienced three distinct phases:a slow decline(AD 1000–1650),a rapid decline(AD 1650–1960),and a gradual recovery(AD 1960–2000).The area decreased from 298 million hectares(Mha)in AD 1000 to 89 Mha in AD 1960 before increasing to 153 Mha in AD 2000.Spatially,deforestation began in the middlelower reaches of the Yellow River and gradually expanded to the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River,the southern coastal areas of China,southwest China,and northeast China,with the forest cover declining by 27%,40%,58%,55%,and 35%in these regions,respectively.(3)China's grassland area has shown a continuous decline over the past millennium with three phases:stable fluctuation(AD 1000–1600),slow decline(AD 1600–1900),and rapid decline(AD 1900–2000).The grassland area decreased from 305 Mha in AD 1000 to 277 Mha in AD 2000.Notably,zonal grassland areas in Northeast China,Inner Mongolia,Gan-Ning,Qinghai,Xinjiang,and Xizang decreased by 28 Mha over the millennium,whereas nonzonal secondary grassland areas in the hilly and mountainous areas of eastern and southern China increased by 0.3 Mha.

Assessing the impact of climate change on dissolved oxygen using a flow field ecosystem model that takes into account the anaerobic and aerobic environment of bottom sediments

This study examines the potential impacts o climate change on Lake Biwa,Japan’s largest freshwate lake,with a focus on temperature,wind speed,and pre cipitation variations.Leveraging data from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report,including CCP scenarios,projecting a significant temperature rise of 3.3–5.7℃in the case o very high GHG emission power,the research investigates how these shifts may influence dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Biwa.Through a one-dimensional model incorporat ing sediment redox reactions,various scenarios where ai temperature and wind speed are changed are simulated.I is revealed that a 5℃increase in air temperature leads to decreasing 1-2 mg/L of dissolved oxygen concentrations from the surface layer to the bottom layer,while a decrease in air temperature tends to elevate 1–3 mg/L of oxygen lev els.Moreover,doubling wind speed enhances surface laye oxygen but diminishes it in deeper layers due to increased mixing.Seasonal variations in wind effects are noted with significant surface layer oxygen increases from 0.4to 0.8 mg/L during summer to autumn,increases from 0.4 to 0.8 mg/L in autumn to winter due to intensified vertica mixing.This phenomenon impacts the lake’s oxygen cycle year-round.In contrast,precipitation changes show limited impact on oxygen levels,suggesting minor influence com pared to other meteorological factors.The study suggests the necessity of comprehensive three-dimensional models that account for lake-specific and geographical factors fo accurate predictions of future water conditions.A holistic approach integrating nutrient levels,water temperature,and river inflow is deemed essential for sustainable management of Lake Biwa’s water resources,particularly in addressing precipitation variations.

Study on discharge characteristics of low-temperature sub-atmospheric pressure under steep change rate voltage

Aiming at the gas discharge problem in electric aircraft,this work studies the gas discharge characteristics at low-temperature sub-atmospheric pressure.A gas discharge shooting platform was built,and the discharge process was photographed by intensified charge-coupled device(ICCD).A two-dimensional axisymmetric model of needle-plate electrode gas discharge was established,and three sets of Helmholtz equations were used to solve the photoionization.The results show that under the same voltage,the electric field intensity in the discharge process increases first,then decreases and finally increases again.The discharge speed increases with the increase of altitude,and the electron density in the streamer decreases with the increase of altitude.The development speed of the streamer in the middle stage is higher than that in the early stage,and the speed increases more obviously with the increase of altitude.The development speed of the streamer in the later stage is lower than that in the middle stage,but with the increase of altitude,the development speed of the streamer in the later stage is higher than that in the middle stage.

Impact of Climate Change on Crop-cropland Coupling Relationship:A Case Study of the Loess Plateau in China

Climate change brings new challenges to the sustainable development of agriculture in the new era.Accurately grasping the patterns of climate change impacts on agricultural systems is crucial for ensuring agricultural sustainability and food security.Taking the Loess Plateau(LP),China as an example,this study used a coupling coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation analysis to portray the spatial and temporal features of crop-cropland coupling relationship from 2000 to 2020 and explored the impact law of climate change through geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR).The results were as follows:1)the crop-cropland coupling coordination degree of the LP showed a gradual upward trend from 2000 to 2020,forming a spatial pattern with lower values in the central region and higher values in the surrounding areas.2)There was a positive correlation in the spatial distribution of cropcropland coupling coordination degree in the LP from 2000 to 2020,and the high value-low value(H-L)and low value-low value(L-L)agglomerations continued to expand eastward,while the spatial and temporal evolution of the high value-high value(H-H)and low value-high value(L-H)agglomerations was not obvious.3)The impacts of climatic elements on crop-cropland coupling coordination degree in the LP showed strong heterogeneity in time scales.The inhibitory impacts of summer days(SU)and frost days(FD)accounted for a higher proportion,while the annual average temperature(TEM)had both promoting and inhibiting impacts.The impacts proportion and intensity of extreme heavy precipitation day(R25),continuous drought days(CDD),and annual precipitation(PRE)all experienced significant changes.4)In space,the impacts of SU and FD on the crop-cropland coupling coordination degree varied with latitude and altitude.The adaptability of the LP to R25 gradually strengthened,and the extensions of CDD and increase of PRE led to the increasing inhibition beyond the eastern region of LP,and TEM showed a promoting impact in the Fenwei Plain.As an important grainproducing area in China,the LP should actively deal with the impacts of climate change on the crop-cropland coupling relationship,vigorously safeguard food security,and promote sustainable agricultural development.

Do farmers care about climate change? Evidence from five major grain producing areas of China

Using a logistic model,this paper empirically investigated farmers’perception of climate change and its determinants based on a field survey of 1 350 rural households across five major grain producing provinces in China.The results show:i)There is an apparent difference in perception levels for long-term temperature and precipitation changes.Specifically,57.4%of farmers perceived the long-term temperature change correctly,but only 29.7%of farmers perceived the long-term precipitation change correctly;ii)The factors influencing the farmers’perceptions are almost completely different between precipitation and temperature,the former are mostly agriculture related,while latter are mostly non-agriculture related,except for farm size;and iii)Farmers are not expected to pay more attention to long-term precipitation changes over the crop growing seasons,because less than 30%of farmers can correctly perceive long-term precipitation change.Therefore,to improve the accuracy of farmers’perceptions of climate change,the government is recommended to:i)enhance education and training programs;ii)speed up land transfer and expand household land farm size;iii)develop farmer cooperative organizations;iv)invest more in agricultural infrastructure,specifically in major grain producing regions;and v)improve the agricultural environment and increase farming income.

Spatio-temporal Characteristics of Disturbance of Land Use Change on Major Ecosystem Function Zones in China

In recent years, because of increasing human activities, ecosystems have been substantially disturbed and their service functions have been greatly compromised. Based on the effect of land use changes on the major ecosystem services, we estimated the ecosystem comprehensive anthropogenic disturbance index(ECADI) and analyzed the spatio-temporal characteristics of changes in the ECADI in China from 1990 to 2010. The average ECADI of the major ecosystem function zones in China in 2010 is approximately 0.382. The ECADI of Northeast China and North China is slightly higher than that of Northwest China and Southwest China. Most zones have slight changes in the ECADI. The average increases of ECADI in the major ecosystem function zones in China from 1990 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2010 are 0.0024 and 0.0002, respectively. The increase is mainly due to reclamation and urbanization, whereas the decrease is due to the implementation of ecosystem protection policies. During the last 20 years, the ECADI of water resources conservation zones increased first, and then stopped. The ECADI of soil conservation zones increased first, and then declined. The ECADI of sandstorm prevention zones, biodiversity conservation zones and flooding mitigation zones increased continuously. Our results may provide proposals to the government regarding land use planning and ecosystem protection plans in the major ecosystem zones. The major ecosystem function zones in the western part of China have been protected effectively. However, the major ecosystem function zones in the eastern part of China require more protection in the future.

Comparison of temporal and spatial changes in three major tropical forests based on MODIS data

Numerous studies have shown that intact tropical forests account for half of the total terrestrial sink for anthropogenic carbon dioxide.Here,we analyzed and compared changes in three main tropical forest regions from 2000 to 2014,based on time-series analysis and landscape metrics derived from moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer data.We examined spatialpattern changes in percentage of tree cover and net primary production(NPP)for three tropical forest regions—Amazon basin,Congo basin,and Southeast Asia.The results show that:the Amazon basin region had the largest tropical forest area and total NPP and a better continuity of TC distribution;the Southeast Asia region exhibited a sharp decrease in NPP and had comparatively separate spatial patterns of both TC and NPP;and the Congo basin region exhibited a dramatic increase in NPP and had better aggregation of forest NPP distribution.Results also show that aggregative patterns likely correlate with high NPP values.

Potential impacts of climate and anthropogenic-induced changes on DOM dynamics among the major Chinese rivers

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is closely linked to human activities in drainage basins and plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem functioning and reflecting environmental quality. However, the impacts of climate and anthropogenic-induced changes on DOM in riverine systems under increasingly warming conditions still need to be better understood, particularly at large regional scales. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed a dataset containing 386 published measurements for nine major Chinese river systems, examining dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and optical properties of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) under diverse envi- ronmental conditions, including mean air temperature, precipitation, surface solar radiation, population density, and land use. Our findings indicate that riverine DOC concentrations are significantly higher in northern China (at ∼46.8%) than in the south. This disparity is primarily due to the high input of soil erosion-induced DOM from drying-affected lands (57.0%), farmland (49.1%), and forests in the north. The high temperate and strong hydrological conditions would lead to DOM degradation easily in the riverine system in the south of China. Our study highlights that various climatic and anthropogenic factors, such as agriculture, vegetation coverage, soil erosion, surface solar radiation, and precipitation, individually or in combination, can affect DOM dynamics in river systems. Therefore, considering alterations in DOM dynamics resulting from climate and environmental changes is crucial for carbon-neutral policies and sustainable river ecosystem assessments.

Study on the Changes of the Major Nutrient Elements During Simple Composting Process of Dry Chicken Manure

[Objectives]This study was conducted to provide a theoretical basis for production and application of chicken manure compost.[Methods]With dry manure as a material,the variations of the major nutrients during simple composting process of dry chicken manure were studied,in order to get the best fermentation method.[Results]Chicken manure should not be preserved wet,but should be preserved after air-drying and fermented before use.Necessary moisture,simple sealing treatment and a certain amount of N element were conducive to simple fermentation of chicken manure.The treatments in which the chicken manure was wrapped around and compacted,added with an appropriate amount of water(50%-60%)and naturally fermented,or was wrapped around and compacted and added with an appropriate amount of water(50%-60%)and 0.2%of urea,were more appropriate for the production directly.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the actual production and application of chicken manure compost.

Flow Variation of the Major Tributaries of Tigris River Due to Climate Change

Iraq relies greatly on the flow of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and their tributaries. Five tributaries namely Khabour, Greater Zab, Lesser Zab, AlAdhiam and Daylia, which are the major tributaries of Tigris River, sustain Northern Iraq Region, a semi-arid, mainly a pastureland. These tributaries contribute about 24 km3 of water annually. The discharge in the tributaries, in recent times, has been suffering increasing variability contributing to more severe droughts and floods apparently due to climate change. This is because there were no dams constructed outside Iraq previously. For an appropriate appreciation, Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to evaluate the impact of climate change on their discharge for a half-centennial lead time to 2046-2064 and a centennial lead time to 2080-2100. The suitability of the model was first evaluated, and then, outputs from six GCMs were incorporated to evaluate the impacts of climate change on water resources under three emission scenarios: A1B, A2 and B1. The results showed that water resources are expected to decrease with time.

Recent advances in graphene-based phase change composites for thermal energy storage and management

Energy storage and conservation are receiving increased attention due to rising global energy demands.Therefore,the development of energy storage materials is crucial.Thermal energy storage(TES)systems based on phase change materials(PCMs)have increased in prominence over the past two decades,not only because of their outstanding heat storage capacities but also their superior thermal energy regulation capability.However,issues such as leakage and low thermal conductivity limit their applicability in a variety of settings.Carbon-based materials such as graphene and its derivatives can be utilized to surmount these obstacles.This study examines the recent advancements in graphene-based phase change composites(PCCs),where graphene-based nanostructures such as graphene,graphene oxide(GO),functionalized graphene/GO,and graphene aerogel(GA)are incorporated into PCMs to substantially enhance their shape stability and thermal conductivity that could be translated to better storage capacity,durability,and temperature response,thus boosting their attractiveness for TES systems.In addition,the applications of these graphene-based PCCs in various TES disciplines,such as energy conservation in buildings,solar utilization,and battery thermal management,are discussed and summarized.

Uphill or downhill?Cropland use change and its drivers from the perspective of slope spectrum

The continuous decrease of low-slope cropland resources caused by construction land crowding poses huge threat to regional sustainable development and food security.Slope spectrum analysis of topographic and geomorphic features is considered as a digital terrain analysis method which reflects the macro-topographic features by using micro-topographic factors.However,pieces of studies have extended the concept of slope spectrum in the field of geoscience to construction land to explore its expansion law,while research on the slope trend of cropland from that perspective remains rare.To address the gap,in virtue of spatial analysis and geographically weighted regression(GWR)model,the cropland use change in the Yangtze River Basin(YRB)from 2000 to 2020 was analyzed and the driving factors were explored from the perspective of slope spectrum.Results showed that the slope spectrum curves of cropland area-frequency in the YRB showed a first upward then a downward trend.The change curve of the slope spectrum of cropland in each province(municipality)exhibited various distribution patterns.Quantitative analysis of morphological parameters of cropland slope spectrum revealed that the further down the YRB,the stronger the flattening characteristics,the more obvious the concentration.The province experienced the greatest downhill cropland climbing(CLC)was Shannxi,while province experienced the highest uphill CLC was Zhejiang.The most common cropland use change type in the YRB was horizontal expansion type.The factors affecting average cropland climbing index(ACCI)were quite stable in different periods,while population density(POP)changed from negative to positive during the study period.This research is of practical significance for the rational utilization of cropland at the watershed scale.

Timing theory integrated nursing combined behavior change integrated theory of nursing on primiparous influence

BACKGROUND The comprehension and utilization of timing theory and behavior change can offer a more extensive and individualized provision of support and treatment alternatives for primipara.This has the potential to enhance the psychological well-being and overall quality of life for primipara,while also furnishing healthcare providers with efficacious interventions to tackle the psychological and physiological obstacles encountered during the stages of pregnancy and postpartum.AIM To explore the effect of timing theory combined with behavior change on selfefficacy,negative emotions and quality of life in patients with primipara.METHODS A total of 80 primipara cases were selected and admitted to our hospital between August 2020 and May 2022.These cases were divided into two groups,namely the observation group and the control group,with 40 cases in each group.The nursing interventions differed between the two groups,with the control group receiving routine nursing and the observation group receiving integrated nursing based on the timing theory and behavior change.The study aimed to compare the pre-and post-nursing scores of Chinese Perceived Stress Scale(CPSS),Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale(EPDS),Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),breast milk knowledge,self-efficacy,and SF-36 quality of life in both groups.RESULTS After nursing,the CPSS,EPDS,and SAS scores of the two groups was significantly lower than that before nursing,and the CPSS,EPDS,and SAS scores of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P=0.002,P=0.011,and P=0.001 respectively).After nursing,the breastfeeding knowledge mastery,selfefficacy,and SF-36 quality of life scores was significantly higher than that before nursing,and the breastfeeding knowledge mastery(P=0.013),self-efficacy(P=0.008),and SF-36 quality of life(P=0.011)scores of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group.CONCLUSION The integration of timing theory and behavior change integrated theory has been found to be an effective approach in alleviating negative mood and stress experienced by primipara individuals,while also enhancing their selfefficacy and overall quality of life.This study focuses on the key concepts of timing theory,behavior change,primipara individuals,negative mood,and quality of life.

Response of vegetation variation to climate change and human activities in the Shiyang River Basin of China during 2001-2022

Understanding the response of vegetation variation to climate change and human activities is critical for addressing future conflicts between humans and the environment,and maintaining ecosystem stability.Here,we aimed to identify the determining factors of vegetation variation and explore the sensitivity of vegetation to temperature(SVT)and the sensitivity of vegetation to precipitation(SVP)in the Shiyang River Basin(SYRB)of China during 2001-2022.The climate data from climatic research unit(CRU),vegetation index data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS),and land use data from Landsat images were used to analyze the spatial-temporal changes in vegetation indices,climate,and land use in the SYRB and its sub-basins(i.e.,upstream,midstream,and downstream basins)during 2001-2022.Linear regression analysis and correlation analysis were used to explore the SVT and SVP,revealing the driving factors of vegetation variation.Significant increasing trends(P<0.05)were detected for the enhanced vegetation index(EVI)and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)in the SYRB during 2001-2022,with most regions(84%)experiencing significant variation in vegetation,and land use change was determined as the dominant factor of vegetation variation.Non-significant decreasing trends were detected in the SVT and SVP of the SYRB during 2001-2022.There were spatial differences in vegetation variation,SVT,and SVP.Although NDVI and EVI exhibited increasing trends in the upstream,midstream,and downstream basins,the change slope in the downstream basin was lower than those in the upstream and midstream basins,the SVT in the upstream basin was higher than those in the midstream and downstream basins,and the SVP in the downstream basin was lower than those in the upstream and midstream basins.Temperature and precipitation changes controlled vegetation variation in the upstream and midstream basins while human activities(land use change)dominated vegetation variation in the downstream basin.We concluded that there is a spatial heterogeneity in the response of vegetation variation to climate change and human activities across different sub-basins of the SYRB.These findings can enhance our understanding of the relationship among vegetation variation,climate change,and human activities,and provide a reference for addressing future conflicts between humans and the environment in the arid inland river basins.

Global Change in Agricultural Flash Drought over the 21st Century

Agricultural flash droughts are high-impact phenomena, characterized by rapid soil moisture dry down. The ensuing dry conditions can persist for weeks to months, with detrimental effects on natural ecosystems and crop cultivation. Increases in the frequency of these rare events in a future warmer climate would have significant societal impact. This study uses an ensemble of 10 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP) models to investigate the projected change in agricultural flash drought during the 21st century. Comparison across geographical regions and climatic zones indicates that individual events are preceded by anomalously low relative humidity and precipitation, with long-term trends governed by changes in temperature, relative humidity, and soil moisture. As a result of these processes, the frequency of both upperlevel and root-zone flash drought is projected to more than double in the mid-and high latitudes over the 21st century, with hot spots developing in the temperate regions of Europe, and humid regions of South America, Europe, and southern Africa.

Precipitation and anthropogenic activities regulate the changes of NDVI in Zhegucuo Valley on the southern Tibetan Plateau

Whether climate change or anthropogenic activities play a more pivotal role in regulating vegetation growth on the Tibetan Plateau is still controversial.A better understanding on grassland changes at a fine scale may provide important guidance for local government policy and grassland management.Using two of the most reliable satellite NDVI products(MODIS NDVI and SPOT NDVI),we evaluated the dynamic of grasslands in the Zhegucuo valley on the southern Tibetan Plateau from 2000 to 2020,and analyzed its driving factors and relative influences of climate change and anthropogenic activities.Here,the key indicators of climate change were assumed to be precipitation and temperature.The main results were:(1)the grassland NDVI in Zhegucuo valley did not reflect a significant temporal change during the last 21 years.The variation of precipitation during the early growing season(GSP)resembled that of NDVI,and the GSP was positively correlated with NDVI.At the pixel level,the partial correlation analysis showed that 37.79%of the pixels depicted a positive relationship between GSP and NDVI,while 11.32%of the pixels showed a negative relationship between temperature during the early growing season(GST)and NDVI.(2)In view of the spatial distribution,the areas mainly controlled by GSP were generally distributed in the southern part,while those affected by GST stood in the eastern part,mainly around the Zhegucuo lake where most population in Cuomei County settled down.(3)Decreasing NDVI trends were mainly occurred in alpine steppe at lower elevations rather than alpine meadow at higher elevations.(4)The residual trend(RESTREND)analysis further indicated that the anthropogenic activities played a more pivotal role in regulating the annual changes of NDVI rather than climate factors in this area.Future studies should pay more attention on climate extremes rather than the simple temporal trends.Also,the influence of human activities on alpine grassland needs to be accessed and fully considered in future sustainable management.