Impacts of Human Activities and Season on Species Diversity and Abundance of Butterflies in Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve and Surrounding Farmlands, Tanzania

Maintaining natural habitats is crucial for the preservation of insects and other species that indicate environmental changes. However, the Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve and its surrounding farmlands are facing disturbance due to human activities, which is putting many wildlife species, particularly larger mammals, at risk. To determine the impact of human activities on butterfly species diversity and abundance in the reserve and its surrounding areas, we conducted a study from November 2021 to October 2023. We collected butterfly data using transect walks and baited traps in two habitat types. Our study yielded 2799 butterfly Individuals ranging in 124 species divided into five families habitat, season, and anthropogenic factors are significant environmental variables influencing species diversity and abundance of butterflies. Therefore, it’s important to protect habitat and dry-season water for the conservation of invertebrates such as butterflies. Our study findings provide essential information for ecological monitoring and future assessment of the Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve ecosystem health.

Systematic and Theoretical Unfolding of Research on Xi Jinping’s Discourses on Respecting and Protecting Human Rights

Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protect-ing human rights stand as a shining example of the sinicization and modernization of Marxist human rights theory,embodying profound theoretical,political,practical,and cultural logic.Existing research has conducted comprehensive and systematic theoretical analysis and academic extractions on the following contents:the core essence in-herent in these important discourses,including the“theory of human rights concepts,”the“theory of human rights paths,”the“theory of human rights practices,”the“theory of human rights protection,”and the“theory of human rights governance,”along with their profound theoretical significance,practical significance,and global signifi-cance.In the future,researchers should emphasize efforts on studying the original texts and understanding the original principles.While focusing on the precision of concepts,the scientific nature of the prop-ositions,the maturity of theoretical systems,and the rigor of internal logic related to Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protecting human rights,researchers should also pay attention to constructing a discourse system on human rights from the dimensions of discourse power,discourse cluster,and discourse field.Researchers should be adept at drawing innovative insights into human rights theory from China’s vibrant human rights practices and the vast masses of people.This approach will facilitate the systematic unfolding,academic trans-formation,and innovative development of Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protecting human rights.

Discussion on Action and Potential of Fenlong Megascience in the Symbiosis between Human and Nature

The fourth new farming model Fenlong is identified as megascience for the first time. Fenlong can be directly applied to farming of farmland, remoulding of mortar black soil and saline alkali land and development of degraded grassland. Deep loosening can create huge soil reservoirs, reduce fertilization, promote indi- rectly the improvement of river water fisheries and water sources and the upgrading of shaping and hydropower industry, thus making a new round of mobilization and pooling of natural resources. As a result, the nature is able to produce good food needed by human, the spatial dimension of the land is increased, the natural pre- cipitation storage is increased, the flood and drought disasters are reduced, the eco-environment is improved, and the economic benefits are increased. Fenlong is not restricted to global application by ecological region and crop variety and is not subject to the time-space constraints for a hundred thousand years. On the basis of utilizing the heaven and earth resources, it brings about a huge effect of mega- science. Compare with traditional farming, the depth under the mode of Fenlong is increased by 2-3 times, the contents of nutrient, water, oxygen and microorganism in the soil are increased by 10%-200%, the content of pale salt is increased by 20%-40%, the temperature is increased by 2-4 ~C, and the photosynthetic efficiency of crops is improved by 10%. Under the cultivation mode of Fenlong, the yield of crop applied with no fertilizers is increased by more than 10%, crop yield is still in- creased by more than 5% when the application amount of chemical fertilizer is re- duced by 10%-20%. Under the farming mode of Fenlong combined with no in- crease in fertilization, the crop yield, crop quality, farming efficiency, natural precipi- tation storage and air humidity are increased by 10%-50%, 5%, 15%, 100% and 5%, respectively, and the emissions of methane and other gases are reduced by more than 5%. Even in mortar black soil, saline alkali land and degraded grassland, the yield is still increased by 15%-50%. These improvement effects can last for many years, helping achieve the real harmonious coexistence between human and nature.

The Ecological Landscape with the Integration of Humanistic Culture and Nature Environment —A Case Study of Landscape Transformation in Baoyan Eco-Tourism Garden of Changshu City

Based on the landscape ecology theory,this paper analyzed the ecology concept and the existing misconceptions of landscape design from the perspective of ecology.The misconceptions included the excessive using of ecological concepts,undue emphasis on the natural features of ecology,and endowing landscape with human cultural blindly.Taking Baoyan eco-tourism garden landscape renovation as an example,this study analyzed the superior natural conditions of this garden,the negative status in the current development process which included the conservative development and construction,singleness of entertainment,cultural educational and the other activities,disorder of landscape structure,lack of cultural landscape,weakness of landscape features and the unremarkable competitive advantages.To construct an ecological landscape with integration of humanistic and nature features,this paper proposed "ecological gardens" as the theme,following the design concept which made full integration of creating cultural landscape with the improvement and protection of natural ecological environment.Finally,the author elaborated such kind of ecological landscape from the following 4 aspects,including the integration,protection,restoration,and creation of landscape.

Role of reactive oxygen species in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells

AIM:To investigate the role of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in epithelial–mesenchymal transition(EMT)and apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs).METHODS:Flow cytometry was used to assess ROS production after transforming growth factorβ2(TGF-β2)induction.Apoptosis of HLECs after H_(2)O_(2) and TGF-β2 interference with or without ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine(NAC)were assessed by flow cytometry.The corresponding protein expression levels of the EMT markerα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),the extracellular matrix(ECM),marker fibronectin(Fn),and apoptosis-associated proteins were detected by using Western blotting in the presence of an ROS scavenger(NAC).Wound-healing and Transwell assays were used to assess the migration capability of HLECs.RESULTS:TGF-β2 stimulates ROS production within 8h in HLECs.Additionally,TGF-β2 induced HLECs cell apoptosis,EMT/ECM synthesis protein markers expression,and pro-apoptotic proteins production;nonetheless,NAC treatment prevented these responses.Similarly,TGF-β2 promoted HLECs cell migration,whereas NAC inhibited cell migration.We further determined that although ROS initiated apoptosis,it only induced the accumulation of the EMT markerα-SMA protein,but not COL-1 or Fn.CONCLUSION:ROS contribute to TGF-β2-induced EMT/ECM synthesis and cell apoptosis of HLECs;however,ROS alone are not sufficient for EMT/ECM synthesis.

Assessing the dynamics of human activity intensity and its natural and socioeconomic determinants in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Investigating the spatiotemporal variation of human activity intensity and its determinants is a crucial basis for further revealing the mechanism of human-environment interaction and optimizing the human development mode.In this study,the human activity intensity on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)from 1990 to 2020 was measured based on the quantitative model of land use data and the actual regional background,and the under-lying natural and socioeconomic determinants were investigated using spatial econometric methods.The results demonstrate that(1)the human activity intensity in QTP has increased by 11.96%,and there are differences in different spatial scales;the areas with high human activity intensity are distributed in the Hehuang Valley where Xining City and its surrounding areas are located,as well as the One-River and Two-River Area where Lhasa City and surrounding areas are located.(2)Human activity intensity has significant positive spatial spillover,suggesting that local changes will cause changes in the same direction in adjacent areas.(3)The human activ-ity intensity in QTP is affected by various determinants.Concerning socioeconomic factors,the economic level has no significant impact on the human activity intensity in QTP,which differs from the general regional law.Both urbanization and traffic conditions have a significant positive effect,and the impact intensity continues to increase.Concerning natural factors,topographic relief has a significant positive effect;the impacts of temper-ature and vegetation coverage have changed from insignificant to a significant positive effect;the impacts of precipitation and river network density have not been verified;there is no linear relationship between altitude and human activity intensity in the entire QTP,while it exists in local regions.Finally,this study proposes three policy implications for the realization of a more harmonious human-environment relationship in QTP.

Evaluating Conservation Effectiveness of Nature Reserves Established for Surrogate Species:Case of a Giant Panda Nature Reserve in Qinling Mountains,China

Many nature reserves are established to protect the habitat needs of particular endangered species of interest but their effectiveness for protecting other species is questionable.In this study,this effectiveness was evaluated in a nature reserve network located in the Qinling Mountains,Shaanxi Province,China.The network of reserves was established mainly for the conservation of the giant panda,a species considered as a surrogate for the conservation of many other endangered species in the region.The habitat suitability of nine protected species,including the giant panda,was modeled by using Maximum Entropy(MAXENT)and their spatial congruence was analyzed.Habitat suitability of these species was also overlapped with nature reserve boundaries and their management zones(i.e.,core,buffer and experimental zones).Results show that in general the habitat of the giant panda constitutes a reasonable surrogate of the habitat of other protected species,and giant panda reserves protect a relatively high proportion of the habitat of other protected species.Therefore,giant panda habitat conservation also allows the conservation of the habitat of other protected species in the region.However,a large area of suitable habitat was excluded from the nature reserve network.In addition,four species exhibited a low proportion of highly suitable habitat inside the core zones of nature reserves.It suggests that a high proportion of suitable habitat of protected species not targeted for conservation is located in the experimental and buffer zones,thus,is being affected by human activities.To increase their conservation effectiveness,nature reserves and their management zones need to be re-examined in order to include suitable habitat of more endangered species.The procedures described in this study can be easily implemented for the conservation of many endangered species not only in China but in many other parts of the world.

Changes of NF-kB,p53,Bcl-2 and caspase in apoptosis induced by JTE-522 in human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS cells:role of reactive oxygen species

AIM: To identify whether JTE-522 can induce apoptosis in AGS cells and ROS also involved in the process, and to investigate the changes in NF-kB, p53, bcl-2 and caspase in the apoptosis process. METHODS: Cell culture, MTT, Electromicroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, lucigenin, Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analysis were employed to investigate the effect of JTE-522 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in AGS cells and related molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: JTE-522 inhibited the growth of AGS cells and induced the apoptosis. Lucigenin assay showed the generation of ROS in cells under incubation with JTE-522. The increased ROS generation might contribute to the induction of AGS cells to apoptosis. EMSA and Western blot revealed that NF-kB activity was almost completely inhibited by preventing the degradation of IkBalpha. Additionally, by using Western blot we confirmed that the level of bcl-2 was decreased, whereas p53 showed a great increase following JTE-522 treatment. Their changes were in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that reactive oxygen species, NF-kB, p53, bcl-2 and caspase-3 may play an important role in the induction of apoptosis in AGS cells after treatment with JTE-522.

Review on studies of Eupatorium adenophorum--an important invasive species in China

Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. was introduced in Yunnan Province of China around 1940. Since then it has been spreading rapidly, particularly in the southern and southwestern parts of China and caused serious economic loss. The biological research and inte-grated control on E. adenophorum were carried out from 1980's in Yunnan Province. Together with other 15 invasive external species, the weed has been listed in the White Paper by The State Environmental Protection Administration of China. This paper briefly reviews the studies on natural distribution, biological character, ecological character, chemical component, hazard, potential application and the control of E. adenophorum. The research direction for this invasive external species in future was also discussed.

Ultraviolet light A irradiation induces immunosuppression associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species in human neutrophils

Ultraviolet blood irradiation has been used as a physical therapy to treat many nonspeci¯c diseases in clinics;however,the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear.Neutrophils,the first line of host defense,play a crucial role in a variety of in°ammatory responses.In the present work,we investigated the effects of ultraviolet light A(UVA)on the immune functions of human neutrophils at the single-cell level by using an inverted°uorescence microscope.N-Formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine(FMLP),a classic physiological chemotactic peptide,was used to induce a series of immune responses in neutrophils in vitro.FMLP-induced calcium mobilization,migration,and phagocytosis in human neutrophils was significantly blocked after treatment with 365 nm UVA irradiation,demonstrating the immunosuppressive effects of UVA irradiation on neutrophils.Similar responses were also observed when the cells were pretreated with H2O2,a type of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Furthermore,UVA irradiation resulted in an increase in NAD(P)H,a member of host oxidative stress in cells.Taken together,our data indicate that UVA irradiation results in immunosuppression associated with the production of ROS in human neutrophils.

Study on the Epistemology Development of the Correlation between Human Beings and Nature

This study aimed to alert people that the harmony between human beings and nature has already become an urgent problem. All people are responsible for maintaining the harmony, which is the also the inexorable trend of historical development. Reviewing the evolution history of human kind, the relationship between human beings and nature from harmony to imbalance, from imbalance to a new harmony was analyzed from the macro perspective, and it was pointed out that the present society is in the transitional phase from imbalance to a new harmony and also a phase that people are consciously coordinating their relationship with nature. It was found through the study that a harmonious society relies on the harmony between human beings and nature, and the latter is a necessary condition for a real harmonious society, however, people always forget such a principle. The imbalanced relationship between human beings and nature has seriously influenced many aspects of social harmony, and become instable factors in China and international society, even threatened the development and survival of human beings. Thus, all people should make joint efforts in creating win-win conditions for the development between human beings and nature, and ensuring offspring a healthy and green earth.

Retrospect on the Thought of Clean Government in History and Today -- Based on the Doctrine of Evil Human Nature of Syun Zih

In recent years,with the accelerating development of the socialist market economy and the process of globalization,corruption has appeared and become more and more serious,causing serious harm to the interests of the state and people,so the construction of a clean and honest government draws people’s attention.The doctrine of evil human nature of Syun Zih explained profound theories concerning the nature of human beings and the view of interest with simple language,from which the origin of the construction of a clean and honest government could be found.As a result,we can have a right starting point,representing the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of people in the long-term exploration.The doctrine of evil human nature of Syun Zih plays an irreplaceable role in the correct understanding and analysis of the construction of a clean and honest government and the construction of the incorrupt government culture.

The Development of Managerial Assumptions about Human Nature in China： A Tale from Quanzhou

How managers’ knowledge and beliefs of human nature are formed and manifested has not been fully explored in the context of Chinese society going through rapid transition nowadays. And yet this could be the missing link in our discourse on Chinese managers. Based on a qualitative study conducted in Quanzhou, China, this study found certain assumptions of human nature that are deeply embedded in their managers’ intellectual framework, which in turn guide their managerial behaviours in diverse aspects of their work. Unless the managers are prepared to examine their own thoughts, especially those at the sub-conscious level, they would remain prisoners of their own thought, and all the efforts directed at transforming managers would be seriously compromised.

Dynamic change of arborous species diversity in natural secondary forests after selective cutting on the north slope of Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

The community characteristics of natural secondary forests on the north slope of Changbai Mountain after selective cutting were investigated, and the dynamics of arborous species diversity during the restoration period of 28 years were studied. The results showed that the arborous species richness (S) had little change and kept the range of 18-22 all along, the Simpson index (D) of the secondary layer and regeneration layer and whole stand had similar trends of change, but that of the canopy layer descended slowly in initial 15 years and had little change later, and the change of diversity index was not obvious and the Shannon-Wiener index (H? fluctuated in a very small scopes (H±10%).

Intercontinental comparison of phylogenetic relatedness in introduced plants at the transition from naturalization to invasion:A case study on the floras of South Africa and China

Invasive species may pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem structure and functioning.The number of introduced species that have become invasive is substantial and is rapidly increasing.Identifying potentially invasive species and preventing their expansion are of critical importance in invasion ecology.Phylogenetic relatedness between invasive and native species has been used in predicting invasion success.Previous studies on the phylogenetic relatedness of plants at the transition from naturalization to invasion have shown mixed results,which may be because different methods were used in different studies.Here,I use the same method to analyze two comprehensive data sets from South Africa and China,using two phylogenetic metrics reflecting deep and shallow evolutionary histories,to address the question whether the probability of becoming invasive is higher for naturalized species distantly related to the native flora.My study suggests that the probability of becoming invasive is higher for naturalized species closely related to the native flora.The finding of my study is consistent with Darwin's preadaptation hypothesis.

Natural product-induced oxidative stress-synergistic anti-tumor effects of chemotherapeutic agents

Reactive oxygen species are closely related to tumor development.In recent years,reactive oxygen species has become a hot spot in tumor therapy,and many natural substances in nature contain compound components with anti-tumor effects.However,there is a lack of discussion on the synergistic anti-tumor effects of natural products in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs through reactive oxygen species.The terms“natural products”,“reactive oxygen species”,“anti-tumor”,and“chemotherapy”were used to identify the synergistic effects of natural products.We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed and Web of Science databases for relevant research articles and reviews published in recent years.We systematically summarized the studies related to anti-tumor active ingredients in natural compounds in the field of reactive oxygen species in recent years.A total of 77 relevant literatures were included.Among them,45 literatures containing various natural products such as terpenoids,flavonoids,alkaloids,etc.exert anti-tumor effects by regulating reactive oxygen species levels,and 32 literatures regarding adjunctive role of natural products in anti-tumor therapy.In this study,we found that natural products exert anti-tumor effects by elevating reactive oxygen species levels.It provides strong theoretical support for future clinical studies.

Responses of arid plant species diversity and composition to environmental factors

An oasis is a unique natural landscape in arid and semi-arid areas,significant for regulating regional microclimates and hydrological processes in deserts.However,little is known regarding the response of natural oasis plants communities to various environmental factors.Nineteen sample plots(50 m×50 m)were selected in the Daliyabuyi Oasis in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland based on the location of groundwater monitoring wells and 76 vegetation quadrats(25 m×25 m)were established.A two-way indicator species analysis,Mantel test,detrended correspondence analysis,canonical correspondence analysis(CCA),and hierarchical partitioning were used to provide an in-depth analysis of community classification,species composition,and environmental interpretation of the oasis.A generalized linear model was used to verify the results which showed that the current oasis community could be divided into four types according to the dominant species,which is controlled by soil moisture.Measurement of species composition and distribution of communities showed significant differences between species diversity of individual community types.Variations in groundwater depth affects patterns of species diversity which is sensitive to richness,while the degree of surface water disturbance affects the pattern of species evenness.Moreover,the CCA ordination map showed that community distribution and diversity characteristics have their own preferences in habitat gradients.The study concluded that the species dominance of the community and the composition and distribution are not dominated by a single factor.There are differences in the scale and effect of different water resource types in maintaining community characteristics.

Investigation of Anthropogenic Activities along the Mamouwol River in the Urban Commune of Mamou (Republic of Guinea)

The monitoring of our watercourses for their preservation must be an imperative concern of the whole population.The aim of this study is to describe the main causes of degradation and destruction of the natural resources of the Mamouwol River in the Mamou commune.Data were collected using a survey method(questionnaire,interviews and observations).The study revealed that extensive agro-pastoral activities are the main socio-economic activity of the population,accounting for 78.5%-90%and 20.30%respectively.Fishing follows(1.2%).Related activities include handicrafts and petty trade;Other human activities:hunting(11%),charcoal burning(58%),brick making and firing(45.6%).Riverbanks and water resources in the vicinity of dwellings are damaged and polluted by socio-economic activities and the use of agricultural inputs.The absence of industrial units on the path for the data collection.

Human Nature: A Reflection of “The Minister’s Black Veil: A Parable”

According to Hawthorne’s "The Minister’s Black Veil: A Parable", we can know that the author thinks human nature is evil. This paper discusses the following questions: what is human nature? Whether human nature exists? And how to realize human nature?

Exploring Green Development From the Perspective of Sociology:Logical Basis,Constraints,and Optimization Paths

With the advancement of ecological conservation in China,the concept of green development has gained extensive acceptance and recognition.Exploring green development from the perspectives of environmental protection and sociology holds great theoretical value and practical significance in studying the issues related to green development.Firstly,this paper examines green development in light of the objective needs of the economic and social transformation in the international community and China,and deconstructed its underlying social logic.Secondly,it further investigates the social factors that restrict green development,encompassing social structures,social concepts,social systems,and social behaviors.Finally,within the framework of the“green”discipline system in environmental sociology,this paper proposes specific measures such as restructuring social systems and transforming production modes,lifestyles,and consumption patterns to promote green development.