Natural environment suitability for human settlements in China based on GIS

With the degeneration of environment and acceleration of urbanization,human environment has attracted great attention worldwide.This paper sets up the Human Settlements Environment Index(HEI) model and evaluates the natural environment suitability for Human Settlements in China based on GIS technology.The results show that the HEI of China decreases from southeast to northwest in general,HEI is significantly correlated with population density at grid size and the correlation coefficient(r) between them reaches 0.93,which indicates that natural environment suitability for Human Settlements has a significant influence on population distribution.Most people in China mainly concentrate in areas with high natural environment suitability.The total suitable area is 430.47×104 km2,which accounts for nearly 45% of the total land area in China,while the proportion of people living in the area reaches 96.56%.With a population density of 18 people per square kilometer,the critical area is the transitional region for people to live in China.The critical area covers 225.11×104 km2 with a population of 41.12 million.The non-suitable area covers 304.42×104 km2 with a population of only 2.49 million.

Automatic image segmentation method for cotton leaves with disease under natural environment

In order to improve the image segmentation performance of cotton leaves in natural environment, an automatic segmentation model of diseased leaf with active gradient and local information is proposed. Firstly, a segmented monotone decreasing edge composite function is proposed to accelerate the evolution of the level set curve in the gradient smooth region. Secondly, canny edge detection operator gradient is introduced into the model as the global information. In the process of the evolution of the level set function, the guidance information of the energy function is used to guide the curve evolution according to the local information of the image, and the smooth contour curve is obtained. And the main direction of the evolution of the level set curve is controlled according to the global gradient information, which effectively overcomes the local minima in the process of the evolution of the level set function. Finally, the Heaviside function is introduced into the energy function to smooth the contours of the motion and to increase the penalty function Φ(x) to calibrate the deviation of the level set function so that the level set is smooth and closed. The results showed that the model of cotton leaf edge profile curve could be obtained in the model of cotton leaf covered by bare soil, straw mulching and plastic film mulching, and the ideal edge of the ROI could be realized when the light was not uniform. In the complex background, the model can segment the leaves of the cotton with uneven illumination, shadow and weed background, and it is better to realize the ideal extraction of the edge of the blade. Compared with the Geodesic Active Contour(GAC) algorithm, Chan-Vese(C-V) algorithm and Local Binary Fitting(LBF) algorithm, it is found that the model has the advantages of segmentation accuracy and running time when processing seven kinds of cotton disease leaves images, including uneven lighting, leaf disease spot blur, adhesive diseased leaf, shadow, complex background, unclear diseased leaf edges, and staggered condition. This model can not only conduct image segmentation of cotton leaves under natural conditions, but also provide technical support for the accurate identification and diagnosis of cotton diseases.

Evaluation of Natural Ecological Environment in Guangzhou City Based on Remote Sensing Technology and Comprehensive Index Method

Based on the ETM remote sensing images of Guangzhou City in 2014, the spatial distribution results o f three environmental factors including vegetation coverage(NDVI), soil index(vegetation index of bare soil) and sl ope were obtained. By using comprehensive index method, the normalized environmental factors were weighted and superimposed, and the fi nal evaluation results of ecological environment in Guangzhou City were obtained. The results showed that overall situation of natural ecological environment in Guangzhou was not optimistic, that is, the area of land with bad, moderate, good and superior environment accounted for 59.70%, 35.79%, 4.50% and around 0.01% of total area of land in Guangzhou City respectively. Ecological environment was generally poor in the central urban districts in the south of Guangzhou City, while it was relatively better in the north and northeast. Attaching importance to the constr uction of greenbelts and greenways is an effective way to improve regional environmental quality and natural ecological e nvironment level.

Sustainable Development and the Basic Value of Natural Environment

Contrast with artificial environment, the multi-level self-organizational system of nature has great gain. Sustain-able material environment should respect nature: non-rubbish and super-cycle quality of natural ecosystem offers the material source of human development, fractal structure of nature offers new field of space and information source to this high-density and information-based society, dissipative structure of nature links the new system of energy with whole ecosystem organi-cally, and life-chain regulation is the base of sustainable life environment. Nature guarantees the physical healthy environ-ment by its all-dimension healthy factor, constructs the mental healthy environment by its quality of co-ordinate and chaos, so that guarantees the whole emergence of sustainable develop-ment on the 'super-science' level. In the view of sustainable development, construction, green economy and human health are basic fields. With the concept of ecosystem regulation, we can relate these fields organically and fulfill the task of human health, welfare and sustainable development. Ecosystem regulation is the base of sustainable development's new para-digm.

Route evaluation indexes of Changsha-Jishou freeway for protecting cultural heritages and natural environment

The highway construction inevitably may cause certain influence to the cultural heritage and the natural environment along the route, particularly in design stage; if the route selection is unreasonable, it will certainly impact the natural resource seriously along the route. On the contrary, good design can reasonably develop, use, protect and promote the value of cultural heritage and natural environment. Changsha to Jishou （Chang-Ji） freeway is one section of Changsha to Chongqing freeway, which is one of the eight big west channels as planned in China; two cities of Changde and Huaihua and one autonomous region of Xianxi in western Hunan province, along which the cultural heritage and the natural resource are rich, and the natural landscape is exquisite. This paper investigates and analyzes the natural resources along the route of Chang-Ji freeway, puts forward some protection design evaluation indexes for mountain area freeway by the thought of context sensitive design. At last, the paper introduces the effect of applying the indexes to select route of Chang-Ji freeway.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT DURING THE LIFE SPAN OF NANJING HOMO ERECTUS

From the comparison of the corresponding strata to the skull of the relic Homo erectus which was found in the Calabash cave of Nanjing Tangshan and dated in 350,000 aBP with other cave strata, the region of Tangshan is a kind of periglacial environment before middle Pleistocene epoch. During the life span of Nanjing Homo erecturs , it had transformed to warm and humid sub-tropical climate from periglacial climate. The natural environment is similar to present except the individual high mountains.

The background features of natural environment and the harnessing pattern for the spread of saline land in the Songnen Plain

The Songnen Plain lying in the central part of the Northeast China Plain covers an area of about 170 000 km2. There are vast patches of saline land, which are still in the process of enlargement. The spread of saline land has already caused the worsening of ecoenvironment and hindered agricultural development in the region. The paper analyses background factors of natural environment that caused the spread of saline land according to the information of Landsat TM images. The result shows that among the three kinds of lakes the fault lake is the background factor of natural environment that causes the spread of saline land under arid conditions. Its lakebeach meadows could not recover from the excessive utilization in farming and stockraising. The proposed countermeasures to prevent and control the spread of saline land serve as biological steps or water conservancy facilities to protect the lakebeach meadows of the fault lakes from being artificial excessively utilized.

Special Issue on "Response of Polar Organisms and Natural Environment to Global Changes"

High altitude and high latitude regions on Earth are experiencing rapid changes in climate, with impacts on polar organisms and the environment. The persistent cold and sometimes inhospitable conditions create unique ecosystems and habitats for polar organisms.

Inviting Contributions to a Special Issue on "Response of Polar Organisms and Natural Environment to Global Changes"

Dear Colleagues, We would like to invite you to submit manuscripts to a special issue of the journal Advances in Polar Science （APS） on ＂Response of Polar Organisms and Natural Environment to Global Changes＂.

Intrinsic Value of the Natural Environment： An Ethical Roadmap to Protect the Environment

The environment in the sense of all the ecosystems on Earth, has been polluted, harmed, and put at risk of degradation to some extent. Nevertheless, the mainstream ethical philosophies have found it difficult to assign an intrinsic value to the environment itself, and most environmental ethics is based on an ＂enlightened＂ anthropocentrism which values environmental protection for the sake of other humans including the future generations. Philosophically speaking, the concept of moral obligations towards generations, who have not been born yet, can be challenged. This vicious circle is a fundamental issue for ＂environmental ethics.＂ The current paper is an attempt to help correct this broken cycle of arguments using three lines of argument： （1） The harmful impact of human activity on the environment does not benefit all humans; the question is not over the selfishness and short-sightedness of humankind regarding the environment as much as it is regarding ＂environmental＂ justice among humans. The pursuit of self-interest and wealth by some humans, but not all, should not lead philosophers to ignore the insufficiencies of our economic and capitalist systems in the delineation of morally correct human-environment interaction. The right to a livable environment is a universal human right and morality has to support it. （2） The moral obligation of humankind toward the environment is similar to any situation where a party, such as a child, does not have the ability to protect itself or defend its rights; this is the principle of ＂due care.＂ Humans have the knowledge to understand the complexity of ecosystem interrelationships and the harm which industrial activity has caused. Therefore they have a moral obligation to exercise due care to prevent it from being harmed irreversibly. （3） The third argument is concerned with human morality and the spirituality of the environment. It can be argued that the natural instinct of the love of the environment, biophilia, is not a cause but a symptom of the grand spiritual value in the environment, even though this spiritual value may not be confined to humans, but be accrued to all life forms that have and/or show a genuine interest in the environment.

The dynamic analysis of natural environment change of nuclear test field in Lop Nur region of China

Using earth satellite observation means, remote sensing information distilled technique and regional research production, we have roundly analyzed and made an integrated evaluation about the Lop Nur nuclear test field in western China. This product reveals the rarely-known nuke explosion effect and response events of geology conditions. It also offers us legible and practical first-hand materials about human extreme effects, important engineering environment and intimidating influence process. By excavating and appraising the materials gradually on the natural environment factors changing in the test field through macroscopic elimination and typical filtration, it can supply basic scientific data for security of national nuclear usage, appraising the nuclear environment synthetically and developing nuclear strategy expediently.

Integration of Natural Environment with Other Fictional Elements in Wuthering Heights

As one of the literary forms,fiction is unified as a whole by its elements.The role natural environment plays can not beneglected,because it makes much sense in the completion of the novel and the formation of the depth.This thesis studies the integration of natural environment with the three fictional elements,plot,character,and theme,in WutheringHeights.In terms of plot,natural environment may develop the plot and suggest the turning.Besides,natural environment in the plot serves as stage for the plot,creating a sense of tableau.In presenting the characters,natural environment echoes the behavior and personality of the characters,especially when the main characters have a big change in temper and emotion.As to theme,the niceness of love and quiet and nice nature,the horror of hatred,the destroying thunder and lightning,all interact with each other.

STRENGTHENING STUDIES ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

This article expounds the significance of sustainable development in the existence and progress of mankind and the policies that China should adopt. It points out that the ecology, and resource and environmental sciences are the core in the study of sustainable development. The author analyzes the achievements, contributions and problems in the studies of resources, ecology and the environment, which have been carried out at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He also puts forward tentative ideas and suggestions in deepening the reform of systems, speeding up the construction of research bases, laying stress on regional features in study, promoting the integrating of disciplines, and giving play to the overall advantages of the Academy.

Spatial Heterogeneity and Risk Factors of Dental Caries in 12-Year-Old Children in Shanxi Province,China

Objective This study aimed to explore the spatial heterogeneity and risk factors for dental caries in 12-year-old children in Shanxi province,China.Methods The data encompassed 3,721 participants from the two most recent oral health surveys conducted across 16 districts in Shanxi Province in 2015 and 2018.Eighteen specific variables were analyzed to examine the interplay between socioeconomic factors,medical resources and environmental conditions.The Geo-detector model was employed to assess the impacts and interactions of these ecological factors.Results Socioeconomic factors(Q=0.30,P<0.05)exhibited a more substantial impact compared to environmental(Q=0.19,P<0.05)and medical resource factors(Q=0.25,P<0.05).Notably,the urban population percentage(UPP)demonstrated the most significant explanatory power for the spatial heterogeneity in caries prevalence,as denoted by its highest q-value(q=0.51,P<0.05).Additionally,the spatial distribution’s heterogeneity of caries was significantly affected by SO2 concentration(q=0.39,P<0.05)and water fluoride levels(q=0.27,P<0.05)among environmental factors.Conclusion The prevalence of caries exhibited spatial heterogeneity,escalating from North to South in Shanxi Province,China,influenced by socioeconomic factors,medical resources,and environmental conditions to varying extents.

Window Views of Wards in Foreign Hospitals

Through the collection and systematic analysis of documents related to window views of hospitals,it is found that natural window views had a significant impact on patients’health benefits.The research focused on three aspects:“shortening length of stay”,“pain reduction”and“improvement of recovery rate”,mainly covering three types of patients:“heart patients”,“postoperative patients”and“patients of rehabilitation centers”.Based on the above analysis,summary and sorting,new directions and perspectives of hospital environment design and research under the concept of comprehensive health of people’s physiological,psychological and social adaptation will be obtained to provide references for the research and practice of health architecture,rehabilitation architecture,biophile design and other fields.

Customized High-speed EMU Design Practice for Jakarta-Bandung HSR

The high-speed EMUs for Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway(HSR)represent an important image and symbol of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR Project.By relying on the technical platform of the model CR400 EMU,the EMU is upgraded for the customized design in terms of adaptability to geographical environment and track conditions,integration of Indonesian cultural characteristics,etc.In the course of development,in order to accurately grasp the boundary conditions and solve matching adaptation problems,studies are conducted on the exploration of design boundary and the related special technology.With the systematic analysis and design experience summary of the high-speed EMUs for Jakarta-Bandung HSR,the paper aims to provide reference for the O&M of high-speed EMUs for Jakarta-Bandung HSR and the other similar overseas HSR projects.

Forecasting changes of hydrological and hydrochemical conditions in the Aral Sea

The increase of irretrievable river water withdrawals and regulation of river flow has a negative effect on the natural regime of the Aral Sea. The Ainu Darya River and the Syr Darya River Basins are the largest irrigated farming areas. Their favorable soil and climatic conditions ensure guaranteed yields of various crops on irrigated lands. Since 1961, for the drastic increase of irretrievable river water withdrawal, mainly for irrigation, the inflow of fiver water into the Aral Sea has started to decrease significantly, accordingly the sea＇s hydrological and hydrochemical regimes disrupted dramatically. The sea level has continued to drop as evaporation exceeds inflow. This negatively transforms the natural environment and worsens socio-economic conditions in Priaralie as a whole, especially in the lower reaches of Amu Darya and Syr Darya, where natural conditions are largely determined by the sea＇s impact. At present, this causes desertification of the nonirrigated zone in the deltas, spreading to new areas as the Aral Sea dries out.

Environmental Protection of Biodiversity in Macedonia and Albania under Legal Analysis View

Environmental problems in the Republic of Macedonia and Albania are similar in other countries in the region. Numerous problems and deficiencies identified through different projects. The studies and planning documents are evident for environmental media and areas. Such as lack of regional integrated systems for municipal solid waste management. The system for special waste types management, including hazardous waste, insufficient coverage of populated places and municipalities by wastewater collection and treatment systems （especially in agglomerations above 10,000 populations）. The need to establish integrated river basin management is in accordance with the new law on waters, air pollution with different intensity in different parts of the country. This paper presents the imperative reforms to protect the natural resources and biodiversity in the countries.

Intelligent Color Reasoning of IOT Based on P-laws

Aiming at the dynamics and uncertainties of natural colors affected by the natural environment,a color P-law generation model based on the natural environment is proposed to develop algorithms and to provide a theoretical basis for plant dynamic color simulation and color sensor data transmission.Based on the HSL(Hue,Saturation,Lightness)color solid,the proposed method uses the function P-set to provide a color P-law generation model and an algorithm of the Dynamic Colors System(DCS),establishing the DCS modeling theory of the natural environment and the color P-reasoning simulation based on the HSL color solid.The experimental results show that based on the color P-law,for the DCS of the natural environment,when the external factors change,the color of the plant changes,accordingly,verifying the effectiveness of the color P-law generation model and the algorithm of the DCS.In the dynamic color intel-ligent simulation system,when external factors change,the dynamic change of plant color generally conforms to the basic laws of the natural environment.This enables the effective extraction of color data from the Internet of Things(IoT)-based color sensors and provides an effective way to significantly reduce the data transmission bandwidth of the IoT network.