Influence of Human Activity Intensity on Habitat Quality in Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park,China

Due to long-term human activity interference,the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park(HTRNP)of China has experienced ecological problems such as habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss,and with the expanding scope and intensity of human activity impact,the regional ecological security is facing serious challenges.A scientific assessment of the interrelationship between human activity intensity and habitat quality in the HTRNP is a prerequisite for achieving effective management of ecological disturbances caused by human activities and can also provide scientific strategies for the sustainable development of the region.Based on the land use change data in 2000,2010,and 2020,the spatial and temporal variations and the relationship between habitat quality(HQ)and human activity intensity(HAI)in the HTRNP were explored using the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs(InVEST)model.System dynamics and land use simulation models were also combined to conduct multi-scenario simulations of their relationships.The results showed that during 2000–2020,the habitat quality of the HTRNP improved,the intensity of human activities decreased each year,and there was a negative correlation between the two.Second,the system dynamic model could be well coupled with the land use simulation model by combining socio-economic and natural factors.The simulation scenarios of the coupling model showed that the harmonious development(HD)scenario is effective in curbing the increasing trend of human activity intensity and decreasing trend of habitat quality,with a weaker trade-off between the two compared with the baseline development(BD)and investment priority oriented(IPO)scenarios.To maintain the authenticity and integrity of the HTRNP,effective measures such as ecological corridor construction,ecological restoration,and the implementation of ecological compensation policies need to be strengthened.

Centennial Analysis of Human Activity Intensity and Associated Historical Events in Heilongjiang River Sino-Russo Watershed

Human activities in a transborder watershed are complex under the influence of domestic policies,international relations,and global events.Understanding the forces driving human activity change is important for the development of transborder watershed.In this study,we used global historical land cover data,the hemeroby index model,and synthesized major historical events to analyze how human activity intensity changed in the Heilongjiang River(Amur River in Russia)watershed(HLRW).The results showed that there was a strong spatial heterogeneity in the variation of human activity intensity in the HLRW over the past century(1900-2016).On the Chinese side,the human activity intensity change shifted from the plain areas for agricultural reclamation to the mountainous areas for timber extraction.On the Russian side,human activity intensity changes mostly concentrated along the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal-Amur Mainline.Localized variation of human activity intensity tended to respond to regional events while regionalized variation tends to reflect national policy change or broad international events.The similarities and differences between China and Russia in policies and positions in international events resulted in synchronous and asynchronous changes in human activity intensity.Meanwhile,policy shifts were often confined by the natural features of the watershed.These results reveal the historical origins and fundamental connotations of watershed development and contribute to formulating regional management policies that coordinate population,eco-nomic,social,and environmental activities.

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.

Human activity intensity of land surface: Concept, methods and application in China

Human activity intensity is a synthesis index for describing the effects and influences of human activities on land surface. This paper presents the concept of human activity intensity of land surface and construction land equivalent, builds an algorithm model for human activity intensity, and establishes a method for converting different land use/cover types into construction land equivalent as well. An application in China based on the land use data from 1984 to 2008 is also included. The results show that China＇s human activity intensity rose slowly before 2000, while rapidly after 2000. It experienced an increase from 7.63% in 1984 to 8.54% in 2008. It could be generally divided into five levels： Very High, High, Medium, Low, and Very Low, according to the human activity intensity at county level in 2008, which is rated by above 27%, 16%-27%, 10%-16%, 6%-10%, and below 6%. China＇s human activity intensity was spatially split into eastern and western parts by the line of Helan Mountains-Longmen Mountains-Jinghong. The eastern part was characterized by the levels of Very High, High, and Medium, and the levels of Low and Very Low were zonally distributed in the mountainous and hilly areas. In contrast, the western part was featured by the Low and Very Low levels, and the levels of Medium and High were scattered in Gansu Hexi Corridor, the east of Qinghai, and the northern and southern slopes of Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang.

Spatio-temporal correlation between human activity intensity and land surface temperature on the north slope of Tianshan Mountains

Research on the spatio-temporal correlation between the intensity of human activities and the temperature of earth surfaces is of great significance in many aspects,including fully understanding the causes and mechanisms of climate change,actively adapting to climate change,pursuing rational development,and protecting the ecological environment.Taking the north slope of Tianshan Mountains,located in the arid area of northwestern China and extremely sensitive to climate change,as the research area,this study retrieves the surface temperature of the mountain based on MODIS data,while characterizing the intensity of human activities thereby data on the night light,population distribution and land use.The evolution characteristics of human activity intensity and surface temperature in the study area from 2000 to 2018 were analyzed,and the spatio-temporal correlation between them was further explored.It is found that:(1)The average human activity intensity(0.11)in the research area has kept relatively low since this century,and the overall trend has been slowly rising in a stepwise manner(0.0024·a-1);in addition,the increase in human activity intensity has lagged behind that in construction land and population by 1-2 years.(2)The annual average surface temperature in the area is 7.18℃with a pronounced growth.The rate of change(0.02℃·a-1)is about 2.33 times that of the world.The striking boost in spring(0.068℃·a-1)contributes the most to the overall warming trend.Spatially,the surface temperature is low in the south and high in the north,due to the prominent influence of the underlying surface characteristics,such as elevation and vegetation coverage.(3)The intensity of human activity and the surface temperature are remarkably positively correlated in the human activity areas there,showing a strong distribution in the east section and a weak one in the west section.The expression of its spatial differentiation and correlation is comprehensively affected by such factors as scopes of human activities,manifestations,and land-use changes.Vegetation-related human interventions,such as agriculture and forestry planting,urban greening,and afforestation,can effectively reduce the surface warming caused by human activities.This study not only puts forward new ideas to finely portray the intensity of human activities but also offers a scientific reference for regional human-land coordination and overall development.

Identifying the spatio-temporal variability of human activity intensity and associated drivers: a case study on the Tibetan Plateau

Human activities have significantly degraded ecosystems and their associated services.By understanding the spatio-temporal variability and drivers of human activity intensity(HAI),we can better evaluate the interactions between human and terrestrial ecosystems,which is essential for land-use related decision making and eco-environmental construction.As the“third pole,”the Tibetan Plateau(TP)plays a strong role in shaping the global environment,and acts as an important ecological security barrier for China.Based on land-use/cover change data,environmental geographic data,and socioeconomic data,we adopted a method for converting different land use/cover types into construction land equivalent to calculate the HAI value and applied the Getis-Ord Gi*statistic to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics associated with HAI since 1980 on the TP.Thereafter,we explored the forces driving the HAI changes using GeoDetector software and a correlation analysis.The main conclusions are as follows:It was observed that HAI increased slowly from 3.52%to 3.65%during the 1980-2020 period,with notable increases in the western part of the Qaidam Basin and Hehuang Valley.Spatially,HAI was associated with a significant agglomeration effect,which was mainly concentrated in the regions of the Yarlung Zangbo and Yellow-Huangshui rivers.Both natural and anthropogenic factors were identified as important driving forces behind the spatial changes in HAI,of which soil type,gross domestic product,and population density had the greatest influence.Meanwhile,the temporal changes in HAI were largely driven by economic development.This information provides crucial guidance for territory development planning and ecological-protection policy decisions.

Discussion of the Horizontal Intensity of Late Quaternary Fault Activity Along the Tianjingshan Fault Zone in Different Time Intervals and Fault Segments

By computing and classifying the data of gully offset obtained from field surveys along the Tianjingshan fault zone and estimating the ages of three types of gullies,the strike-slip rates along the fault zone are discussed in different time intervals and fault segments.The results suggest that the intensity of activity along the fault zone is not strong,but the differences between different time intervals and fault segments since the late Pleistocene have been obvious.The average rates range from 0.23 mm/a to 1.62 mm/a.The largest average rate is 1.40 mm/a,which occurred in the early and middle of late Pleistocene along the western segment of the fault zone.Since the late stage of the late Pleistocene,the center of faulting activity of the fault zone has shifted to the middle segment,and the average slip rates range have changed from 1.30 mm/a to 1.63 mm/a.

The Response of Transpiration Rate of Malus pumila cv.Goldspur to Illumination and Soil Moisture

We tested the transpiration rate ( Tr ) of seven\|year\|old field and two\|year\|old potted Malus pumila cv.Goldspur under different conditions of illumination and soil water. The results showed that the interrelationship between Tr of Malus pumila cv.Goldspur and illumination and soil water content ( SWC ) was quite remarkable. Tr increased with the increase of light intensity and SWC . However, when one of the environmental stresses of illumination and water existed, the improvement of the other condition couldn't make Tr rise greatly. Only when SWC was higher than 11%, which arrived at over 55% of the field content ( FC ), or the photosynthetic active radiation ( PAR ) higher than 400?μmol·s -1 m -2 , Tr could rise greatly with the increase of PAR or SWC . But when SWC was higher than 15%, which reached over 75% of FC or PAR higher than 1?000?μmol·s -1 ·m -2 , Tr would not change a lot with the change of PAR or SWC . That PAR and SWC influenced the magnitude of stomatic resistance( RS ) and leaf water potential ( Ψ l) was the basic reason for the Tr responded to them. Light stress reduced the open degree of stomas, so when severe light stress existed ( PAR <100?μmol·s -1 ·m -2 ), RS was larger ( RS >2 0?s·cm -1 ), which led to the decrease of Tr(Tr <5?μgH 2O·s -1 ·cm -2 ). When severe water stress existed( SWC <11% and<55% of FC and soil water potential Ψ ws <-1 15?MPa), RS was higher than 4 00?s·cm -1 and Ψ l lower than -2 10?MPa, which led to Tr lower than 11?μgH 2O·s -1 ·cm -2 . When soil water was adequate( SWC >15% amd over 75% of FC , and Ψ ws >-0 50?MPa), RS was lower than 2 00?s·cm -1 , Ψ l higher than -1 65?MPa and Tr would be higher than 15?μgH 2O·s -1 ·m -2 . The range of SWC , 11%～15%, which accounted for 55% to 75% of FC , and correspond RS (2 00～4 00?s·cm -1 ) were the turning area, where the variable curve of Tr transited from a variable trend to another variable one. It could be considered as the range to control soil water.

Analysis of insidious fault activation and water inrush from the mining floor

Based on the stress field distribution rule of the mining floor under abutment pressure, we have established a simplified mechanical model, which contains multiple factors relating to activation and evolution of insidious water-conductive faults. The influence of normal and shear stresses on fault activation and effective shear stress distribution in the fault plane was acquired under mining conditions.Using fracture mechanics theory to calculate the stress intensity factor of an insidious fault front, we have derived the criterion for main fault activation. Results indicate that during the whole working face advance, transpressions are exerted on fault planes twice successively in opposite directions. In most cases, the second transpression is more likely to lead to fault activation. Activation is influenced by many factors, predominant among which are: burial depth of the insidious fault, friction angle of the fault plane, face advance direction and pore water pressure. Steep fault planes are more easily activated to induce a sustained water inrush in the face.

Space-division multiple access for CDMA multiuser underwater acoustic communications

Time reversal mirror （TRM） can use the physical characteristics of the underwater acoustic （UWA） channel to focus on the desired user in multi-user UWA communication. The active average sound intensity （AASI） detector can estimate all azimuths of users with the same frequency band at the same time in order to achieve directional communication by vector combination. Space-division multiple access （SDMA） based on TRM combined with the AASI detector is proposed in this paper, which can make the capacity of the code division multiple access （CDMA） UWA system significantly increase. The simulation and lake test results show that the 7-user UWA multi-user system can achieve low bit error communication.

Nutritional supplement drink reduces inflammation and postoperative depression in patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND Coronary artery bypass grafting is a surgical treatment for ischemic heart disease.Although development in surgical technique and improvement of perioperative management reduced the postoperative complications,some patients still delayed in progress of postoperative rehabilitation.In this study,we aimed to investigate the effect of daily intake of an herbal medicine-containing drink for rehabilitation after surgery in patients with ischemic heart disease.AIM To investigate the effect of taking an herbal medicine-containing,commercially available drink for postoperative rehabilitation in those patients.METHODS Patients who underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass(OPCAB)surgery were divided into two groups depend on the timing of the admission to the hospital:the Yunker(YKR)group,that consumed one bottle of a caffeine-free nutritional supplement drink on a daily basis and the control group(CTL)that underwent regular rehabilitation.RESULTS A total of 229 patients(CTL=130,YKR=99)were enrolled.No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the two groups.The YKR group had a significantly increased number of daily steps postoperatively(P<0.05)and had significantly lower postoperative serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels(P<0.01),while no significant differences were observed in the levels of other inflammatory or stress-related cytokines(interleukin-6,adiponectin,superoxide dismutase,and urine 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine)between the two groups.Also,the YKR group showed a significant improvement in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score(P<0.05).Moreover,there were no differences in postoperative complications and the duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups.CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the daily intake of an herbal medicine-containing drink after OPCAB surgery may have beneficial effects on cardiac rehabilitation by reducing inflammation markers and depression.

Canopy structure:An intermediate factor regulating grassland diversity-function relationships under human disturbances

Grasslands are one of the largest coupled human-nature terrestrial ecosystems on Earth,and severe anthropogenic-induced grassland ecosystem function declines have been reported recently.Understanding factors influencing grassland ecosystem functions is critical for making sustainable management policies.Canopy structure is an important factor influencing plant growth through mediating within-canopy microclimate(e.g.,light,water,and wind),and it is found coordinating tightly with plant species diversity to influence forest ecosystem functions.However,the role of canopy structure in regulating grassland ecosystem functions along with plant species diversity has been rarely investigated.Here,we investigated this problem by collecting field data from 170 field plots distributed along an over 2000 km transect across the northern agro-pastoral ecotone of China.Aboveground net primary productivity(ANPP)and resilience,two indicators of grassland ecosystem functions,were measured from field data and satellite remote sensing data.Terrestrial laser scanning data were collected to measure canopy structure(represented by mean height and canopy cover).Our results showed that plant species diversity was positively correlated to canopy structural traits,and negatively correlated to human activity intensity.Canopy structure was a significant indicator for ANPP and resilience,but their correlations were inconsistent under different human activity intensity levels.Compared to plant species diversity,canopy structural traits were better indicators for grassland ecosystem functions,especially for ANPP.Through structure equation modeling analyses,we found that plant species diversity did not have a direct influence on ANPP under human disturbances.Instead,it had a strong indirect effect on ANPP by altering canopy structural traits.As to resilience,plant species diversity had both a direct positive contribution and an indirect contribution through mediating canopy cover.This study highlights that canopy structure is an important intermediate factor regulating grassland diversity-function relationships under human disturbances,which should be included in future grassland monitoring and management.

Habitual sedentary time and stationary time are inversely related to aerobic fitness

A one metabolic-equivalent-of-task increase in peak aerobic fitness(peak MET)is associated with a clinically relevant improvement in survival risk and all-cause mortality.The co-dependent impact of free-living physical behaviours on aerobic fitness are poorly understood.The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of theoretically re-allocating time spent in physical behaviours on aerobic fitness.We hypothesized that substituting sedentary time with any physical activity(at any intensity)would be associated with a predicted improvement in aerobic fitness.Peak volume rate of oxygen uptake(VO_(2)peak)was assessed via indirect calorimetry during a progressive,maximal cycle ergometer protocol in 103 adults(52 females;[38±21]years;[25.0±3.8]kg/m^(2);VO_(2)peak:[35.4±11.5]ml⋅kg^(-1)⋅min^(-1)).Habitual sedentary time,standing time,light-(LPA),moderate-(MPA),and vigorous-physical activity(VPA)were assessed 24-h/day via thigh-worn inclinometry for up to one week(average:[6.3±0.9]days).Isotemporal substitution modelling examined the impact of replacing one physical behaviour with another.Sedentary time(β=0.8,95%CI:[-1.3,-0.2])and standing time(β=0.9,95%CI:[-1.6,-0.2])were negatively associated with VO_(2)peak,whereas VPA was positively associated with relative VO_(2)peak(β=9.2,95%CI:[0.9,17.6]).Substituting 30-min/day of VPA with any other behaviour was associated with a 2.4–3.4 higher peak MET.Higher standing time was associated with a lower aerobic fitness.As little as 10-min/day of VPA predicted a clinically relevant 0.8–1.1 peak MET increase.Theoretically,replacing any time with relatively small amounts of VPA is associated with improvements in aerobic fitness.

An executive review of sludge pretreatment by sonication

Ultrasonication（US）, which creates hydro-mechanical shear forces in cavitation, is an advanced technology in sludge pretreatment. However, there are many factors affecting the efficacy of cavitation and ultrasonication disintegration of sludge as a consequence.The objective of this work is to present an extensive review of evaluation approaches of sludge US pretreatment efficiency. Besides, optimization methodologies of related parameters,the differences of optimum values and the similarities of affecting trends on cavitation and sludge pretreatment efficiency were specifically pointed out, including ambient conditions,ultrasonic properties, and sludge characteristics. The research is a prerequisite for optimization of sludge US pretreatment efficiency in lab-scale and practical application. There is not-yet a comprehensive method to evaluate the efficiency of sludge US pretreatment, but some main parameters commonly used for this purpose are degree of sludge disintegration, proteins,particle size reduction, etc. Regarding US parameters, power input PUS, intensity IUS, and frequency FSseem to have significant effects. However, the magnitude of the effect of PUSand probe size in terms of IUShas not been clearly detailed. Investigating very low FSseems interesting but has not yet been taken into consideration. In addition, static pressure effect has been marginally studied only and investigation on the effect of pH prior to US process has been restricted. Their effects therefore should be varied separately and simultaneously with other related parameters, i.e. process conditions, ultrasonic properties, and sludge characteristics, to optimize sludge US pretreatment process.

GUIDING STUDENTS TO READ ACTIVELY THROUGH INTENSIVE READING

This article reviews the background and problems in theteaching of intensive reading (IR) to the students with non-English majors and proposes some activities for improving theteaching and learning process of the IR classroom. It is expectedthat with some applicable and effective activities, the teachercan help students read actively and grow into effective andindependent readers.