Influence of mulching and tree shelters on 4-year survival and growth of zeen oak (Quercus canariensis) seedlings

We assessed the effect of mulching and tree shelters on the establishment and early growth of zeen oak(Quercus canariensis Willd.) during the first 4 years after planting in Northwestern Tunisia. Five mulch types(Italian Stone Pine(Pinus pinea L.), Lentisk(Pistacia lentiscus L.),and a combination of Italian Stone Pine and Lentisk(organic mulches), gravel(inorganic mulch) and control), and three tree shelter types(non-vented and vented tree shelters, and control) were tested. An increase in the number of internodes occurred under the gravel mulch, while a reduction in survival was found for the lentisk mulch. Tree shelters had no effect on survival, but increased mean height growth and reduced mean diameter growth during the 4 years(excepting a non-significant effect for vented tree shelter at year four). Comparison of the annual shoots and growth units(GU) between sheltered and unsheltered plants according to year of formation revealed two growth phases. In first phase, shoots were totally or partially inside the shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were greater for sheltered plants. The second phase was characterized by shoots emerging from shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were similar for all plants, with or without tree shelters. Results suggest that the use of tree shelters, particularly vented shelters, could contribute to the improvement of the artificial regeneration of zeen oak.The use of mulching alone or in combination with tree shelters did not improve zeen oak performance in the field.

On-Demand Post-Disaster Emergency Shelters

In post-disaster emergency shelter aid, various relief agencies and other actors with different backgrounds need to cooperate in a tremendously short amount of time and under very different circumstances. In this article, we describe a research project that develops and tests a new approach in which the demands for shelters in a specific situation are methodically connected with available, innovative and sustainable shelter solutions, a DSS （decision support system）. The DSS is a digital tool that translates the gathered evidence on needs, solutions and location including long-term effects of shelter provision into advice for the provision of sustainable, integral broader shelter solutions and designs. The outcome is a set of characteristics for a DSS for the provision of on-demand emergency shelters. A DSS that meets these characteristics leads to the provision of sustainable shelters that meet the needs of the users and, therefore, have higher performance in long term.

Development of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings in response to tree shelters and mulching in northwestern Tunisia

The need for reforestation in cork oak （Quercus suber L.） areas is challenged by difficulties. Principal among these is herbivory of young plants, vegetative competition, and slow growth rates of cork oak seedlings. We evaluated the early development of cork oak seedlings treated using tree shelters and mulching in northwestern Tunisia. We tested three tree shelter treatments （non-vented, vented, and control） to shield seedlings from animal damage and five mulch types to control competing vegetation （Italian Stone Pine, Lentisk, combination of Italian Stone Pine and Lentisk （organic mulches）, gravel （inorganic mulch） and no mulch）. At the end of the two-year experiment, sheltered seedlings were 89-99% taller than unshelteredseedlings and had higher numbers and lengths of shoot growth flushes. In contrast, both stem diameter growth and dry weight biomass （from samples extracted after two years） were significantly reduced inside tree shelters. Root-to-shoot ratio was not significantly different in sheltered vs. unsheltered seedlings, suggesting that tree shelters do not adversely affect this parameter. Mulching alone did not favour growth, but could be beneficial when combined with tree shelters. The combination of vented tree shelters and gravel mulch was the most effective treatment for promoting diameter, height and stem volume growth.

A Rough Set and GIS Based Approach for Selecting Suitable Shelters during an Evacuation Process

Humanity suffers an ever-present threat of crises. In the event of a crisis, the population in affected areas will be in danger and will need to be evacuated to a safer in order to protect their lives. One of the difficulties in emergency management is quickly and accurately selecting suitably safe areas of refuge. This paper aims to explain an evacuation shelter selection process that uses rough set theory and a geographical information system (GIS). The proposed approach uses rough set theory concepts to classify shelters and selects suitable shelters on the basis of three factors: distance, capacity, and the availability of life requirements. The preparation of data and reporting of results are performed via the GIS environment. The proposed approach was implemented using Masoura,Egypt, as a case study and the re- sults of this implementation are presented.

Enhancing the efficiency of cabin heaters in emergency shelters after earthquakes through an optimized fuzzy controller

In just one and half minutes,more than fifty thousand died due to the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes that struck Turkey’s southeast on February 6,2023;thousands of families who barely escaped struggled to survive in the freezing weather.A warm shelter was the most basic requirement of these families.Container buildings are a rapid and easy solution to this issue.However,there is a need for a more effective and safe heating option than a wood fire for these buildings.In this study,cabin heaters,which allow truck drivers to warm up when they park their vehicles to sleep,are specially optimized for emergency shelters after an earthquake.An optimized fuzzy controller was developed to use in such buildings,which allows an air–fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cabin heater to be controlled adaptively based on system dynamics to get lower carbon emissions and fuel consumption.The TRNSYS software was used to establish the transient simulation model of a cabin heater with a capacity of 4 kW for a typical 21 m^(2) shelter building in Turkey’s cold regions.The developed fuzzy controller carried out the heating process of this shelter from the 15th of November to the 15th of March.Instead of using expert knowledge,the Gray Wolf Optimization(GWO)method was applied to optimize the fuzzy controller parameters developed for the cabin heater.With the optimized fuzzy controller,the fuel consumption at the end of the heating season was reduced by an average of 0.2 L/h,and the cabin heater’s efficiency increased by more than 13%.Our simulation results show that the intelligent controller we developed could improve diesel fuel combustion efficiency by up to 85%.

Multi-criteria Satisfaction Assessment of the Spatial Distribution of Urban Emergency Shelters Based on High-Precision Population Estimation

This article introduces a framework for the multi-criteria satisfaction assessment of the spatial distribution of urban emergency shelters.A GIS-based analytic hierarchy process approach was utilized to conduct the assessment based on selected criteria layers for daytime and nighttime scenarios,respectively.The layers were generated from high-precision land use data based on highresolution aerial images and census data.Considering the uncertainty in criteria weighting,a spatial sensitivity analysis was undertaken for deriving more accurate results.The feasibility of the framework was tested on a case study in Jing'an District,Shanghai,China.The assessment results show that both at nighttime and during daytime,even if all potentially available shelters are open,the demand in large areas can only be marginally satisfied or not satisfied,especially in the northern,eastern,and central parts of Jing'an District.The quantitative analysis of the satisfaction conditions of the buildings or land parcels and the affected people,especially children and the elderly,shows a low satisfaction level of shelter services in these areas.The satisfaction assessment of emergency shelters can help government decision makers find low satisfaction areas of sheltering services and support further locationallocation optimization of urban emergency shelters.

Supply-Demand Analysis of Urban Emergency Shelters Based on Spatiotemporal Population Estimation

Supply–demand analysis is an important part of the planning of urban emergency shelters.Using Pudong New Area,Shanghai,China as an example,this study estimated daytime and nighttime population of the study area based on fine-scale land use data,census data,statistical yearbook information,and Tencent user-density big data.An exponential function-based,probability density estimation method was used to analyze the spatial supply of and demand for shelters under an earthquake scenario.The results show that even if all potential available shelters are considered,they still cannot satisfy the demand of the existing population for evacuation and sheltering,especially in the northern region of Pudong,under both the daytime and the nighttime scenarios.The proposed method can reveal the spatiotemporal imbalance between shelter supply and demand.We also conducted a preliminary location selection analysis of shelters based on the supply–demand analysis results.The location selection results demonstrate the advantage of the proposed method.It can be applied to identify the areas where the supply of shelters is seriously inadequate,and provide effective decision support for the planning of urban emergency shelters.

Path analysis of sap flow of tomato under rain shelters in response to drought stress

The physiological characters and growth of tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.)were recorded to be largely affected by different levels of irrigation.The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of deficit irrigation and rain shelters on sap flow,relative water content and the relationship between sap flow and environmental parameters.Experiments under rain shelters conditions were conducted in southern China during the growing seasons in 2012.The threshold of irrigation was designed at 80%field capacity during the whole period(T1,the control),and 30%,40%and 50%decreased water of T1 were applied as the treatments of T2,T3 and T4.The plants subjected to water stress exhibited a decrease in the values of sap flow rate and relative water content.Calculation of 95%confidence level revealed a significant difference of sap flow rate in T4 and T3 as well as the control on sunny and rainy days.The diurnal variation of the sap flow showed a single peak curve on sunny day,while it demonstrated irregular multi-peak variation on rainy days.The study also showed that the most sensitive environmental indicator affecting sap flow was solar radiation,followed by air temperature and vapour pressure deficit.Direct path coefficient was basically consistent with the coefficient of correlation,but there was slight difference between the total contribution R2 and that of variable factors.

Recognition of defensive factors in the architectural heritage of Iran’s organic ancient shelters

In ancient Iran, in addition to defensive elements such as castles, fortresses, and fortifications, there were underground cities called dastkand. These cities had a shelter-protection function and provided safe space to protect residents when enemies attacked. In the scope of dastkand architectural studies, form typology, land-use typology, and provision of thermal comfort have been investigated in various studies but there is no study on dastkand defensive architecture, which is the main purpose of the present research. The research method is a mixed method (qualitative-quantitative). The required data are collected through a survey and then, analyzed using factor analysis in R method. The statistical population includes Iranian architectural heritage specialists and the sample size is estimated to be 165 persons. Sampling adequacy is confirmed based on the results of KMO test. The samples are selected using a non-probability sampling method. The obtained results indicate that ten factors have been effective in the architecture of Iran’s ancient organic shelters. In order from largest to smallest coefficient of variance, the factors include collective defense, multi-layered defense, environmental camouflage, path control, self-sufficiency, secret passage, sustainable architecture, residential values, covert surveillance, and cluster development.

Investigating the influential post-disaster factors in determining the optimal location of shelters:A case study,Sarpol-e Zahab,Kermanshah province,Iran

A proper location is one of the most influential factors in shelter performance.Although considerable research focuses on finding a suitable site for temporary shelters,only a few address the effect of post-disaster circumstances on discovering the optimal location.This study primarily aims to investigate the influential factors in determining a suitable place for temporary shelters after a crisis.Therefore,an algorithm is proposed.This algorithm is achieved by analyzing and computing the post-crisis urban route and facility accessibility based on photogrammetric photographs taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle/satellite.

Role of multi-purpose cyclone shelters in India: Last mile or neighbourhood evacuation

India follows a strategy of having Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters along the coastline for tropical cyclone risk mitigation.These shelters are meant to provide refuge to vulnerable populations at the time of a cyclonic storm and otherwise to be used as school,community centres etc.This paper aims to examine the exact role which these Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters seek to perform;as a safe shelter for people living in a tropical cyclone threatened region or meant for those who fail to evacuate due to various reasons.Based on qualitative method and field work conducted after four cyclones which made landfall on India’s east coast during 2013 e19,this study argues that lack of clarity over its role has led to an emphasis on increasing number of Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters proportionate to the population size without due examination of its safety and sustainability aspects.

Nutrient retranslocation strategies associated with dieback of Pinus species in a semiarid sandy region of Northeast China

In the semiarid sandy region of Northeast China,Mongolian pine(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)suffers dieback after the age of 35,while Japanese red pine(Pinus densiflora)and Chinese pine(Pinus tabuliformis)stay healthy.Foliar nutrient retranslocation reflects the nutrient conservation and utilization mechanism of plants in response to their habitats.However,the nutrient retranslocation strategies employed by three Pinus tree species to cope with nutrient limitations remain largely unknown.For this study,we investigated the seasonal variations in nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)concentrations of Mongolian pine,Japanese red pine,and Chinese pine plantations in terms of the green needles of all ages,senesced needles,and soil.Further,the N retranslocation efficiency(NRE),and P retranslocation efficiency(PRE),and correlations between the N:P ratios of needles and soil were analyzed.The results showed that,except for the spring NRE in 1-year-old needles of Mongolian pine,the spring NRE and PRE in 1-and 2-year-old needles of the three tree species were greater than zero.The autumn PRE was higher than zero for Mongolian pine,but lower than zero for Japanese red pine and Chinese pine.Among the three Pinus species,Mongolian pine showed greater spring PRE in 2-year-old needles,and PRE from 1-to 2-yearold needles,and from 2-year-old needles to litter.However,Japanese red pine had higher P concentrations and lower N:P ratios in senesced needles,while greater PRE was found in Chinese pine litter.Significant relationships between the N:P ratios were found in the current year and 1-year-old needles and soil in the Mongolian pine plantation,while there was an insignificant relationship between the N:P ratios of the needles and soil in the Chinese pine plantation.Thus,for Mongolian pine,the removal of P from needles in autumn,and higher P translocation from older needles under P-deficient soil may have contributed to the tree dieback.In contrast,Japanese red pine and Chinese pine stored P in their needles during autumn.Japanese red pine returned more P to the soil via litter,while Chinese pine maintained N:P homeostasis and increased P withdrawal prior to needle abscission.

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols in a Large-Scale Fangcang Shelter Hospital in Shanghai,China

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic caused by frequently mutating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has had a worldwide impact.However,detailed data on the potential aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in real-world and controlled laboratory settings remain sparse.During the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai,China in 2022,samples were collected in a Fangcang shelter hospital,a large-scale temporary hospital rapidly built by converting the existing National Exhibition and Convention Center(Shanghai)into a health care facility.Aerosol samples at different sites and intervals around patients and in public areas,surface samples,and pharyngeal swab samples from corresponding patients were included.Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)assays,followed by sequencing if the cycle threshold(Ct)value was<30.The positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol samples was high in contaminated zones(37.5%,104/277),especially around the bed(41.2%,68/165)and near ventilation inlets(45.2%,14/31).The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 around the bed,public areas,and air inlets of exhaust vents fluctuated and was closely related to the positivity rate among patients at corresponding sampling sites.Some surface samples of different personal protective equipment from medical staff had high positivity rates.Sixty sequences of joined ORF1ab and spike genes obtained from sixty samples represented two main clusters of Omicron SARS-CoV-2.There was consistency in virus sequences from the same patient and their environment,and the detected virus sequences matched those of virus strains in circulation during the collection periods,which indicated a high likelihood of cross-contamination in the Fangcang shelter hospital.In summary,the results provide a quantitative and real landscape of the aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and a patient-centered view of contamination in large and enclosed spaces and offer a useful guide for taking targeted measures to avoid nosocomial infections during the management of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory virus diseases in a Fangcang shelter hospital.

The Use of Underground Metro Stations and Tunnels as Protective Structures in Case of Nuclear Emergencies

This paper discusses the use of Underground Metro stations and tunnels as protective structures in case of nuclear emergencies. Six lines are taken as a case study to investigate the use of their underground stations and tunnels. The research explains the structural design of Underground Metro and the necessary needs for hidden people inside Underground Metro used as shelters. The research investigates the calculations of the number of hidden persons inside Underground Metro used as shelters. A field study has been conducted to an Underground Metro station to detemaine the peaceful use and the emergency use of all basements of the station. Also, the field study aims to determine the existing spaces and the needed spaces of the Underground Metro station to dual--used as a nuclear shelter. Three Underground Metro stations have been selected and a field study has been conducted to determine the usages of these basements, the planning, general and design features for each one of them, and whether they can be used as protective structures for citizens in emergencies. These basements were compared for their protective factors. Also, their capacities for sheltering were calculated.

美国SI模式对我国大学英语教学的启示

掩蔽式教学是美国从事基础教育的学校对英语语言学习者采用的一种教学模式,它强调知识和语言并重,注重对适当的教学策略的运用。文章从SI视角下的美国Broadmor小学五年级的一次主题阅读课出发,探讨SI模式对我国大学英语教学中教师的专业和教学水平的提高、课程设置的改革等五个方面的启示,希望对大学英语教学与改革起到积极地参考作用。

Functional regionalization with the restriction of ecological shelter zones： A case of Zhaotong in Yunnan

Ecological shelter zones reconstruction is an ecosystem restoration and conservation project aimed to the ecological safety of nations, regions and basins. Reconstruction of ecological shelter zones of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River became one of the most important tasks of Western Development strategy. This article, taking Zhaotong as an example, studies the functional regionalization of ecological shelter zones. The study supplies a case for functional regionalization of small and medium regions whose main tasks are environment reservation. With the guidance of theories of functional regionalization, and based on the analysis of Zhaotong＇s natural, ecological and socioeconomic factors, the paper suggests five principles for factors selection. These principles include： （1） reversing order evaluation; （2） selecting main factors; （3） keeping the integrality of administrative regions of towns; and （4） making the products acceptable by local government. To analyze spatial status of selected factors, LUCC data in 2002, 1：50,000 relief maps and town-unit socioeconomic statistical data in 2004 are used. RS and GIS tools are also applied to melt traditional and modern geographical methods. This would be useful to functional regionalization research in mountainous areas. As a conclusion, the leading functional regions of ecological conservation or economic development are suggested, respectively. Zhaotong city is divided into two-level functional regions. The first-level includes three leading functional regions and they will lead developing direction of sub-regions. The second-level includes eight sub-regions, which are policy implemented regions, and will supply guidance to Zhaotong＇s ecological shelter zones reconstruction.

Non-Structural Mitigation Programs For Sediment-Related Disasters after the Chichi Earthquake in Taiwan

Following the Chichi Earthquake （ML=7.3） in 1999, sediment-related disasters, such as landslides and debris flows, have become more frequent in Taiwan. Because engineering structures cannot be fully and rapidly emplaeed, the government has initiated non-structural hazard mitigation programs. Initially, community debris flow evacuation drills were promoted in 2000. Typhoon Toraji caused numerous debris flow events in July 2001, and some communities evacuated according to the drills, significantly reducing the numbers of possible casualties. Based on that result, the government expanded the program for evacuation drills. Secondly, the early warning system created after the Chichi Earthquake will prevent many potential future casualties. Rainfall threshold values for debris flow warnings in different areas are determined from information received from local weather stations and modified for local geomorphologic situations. Real- time information is gradually being integrated to create a debris flow disaster warning system, the goal of which is to provide warnings to zones in which debris flows are likely. The warning system was launched in 2005 and has two levels of alarms： yellow and red. The final, red alarm triggers enforced evacuation. Overall, the decrease in casualties from debris flows during the decade after the Chichi Earthquake is not the result of a decrease in number or severity of sediment related disasters, but is more directly related to the gradually improved early warning and evacuation system. However, the compound hazards resulting from Typhoon Morakotin 2009 remind us of the ongoing need for improving the existing mitigation system.

A fast and practical method to pack spheres for mesh generation

Sphere packing is an attractive way to generate high quality mesh. Several algorithms have been proposed in this topic, however these algorithms are not sufficiently fast for large scale problems. The paper presents an efficient sphere packing algorithm which is much faster and appears to be the most practical among all sphere packing methods presented so far for mesh generation. The algorithm packs spheres inside a domain using advancing front method. High efficiency has resulted from a concept of 4R measure, which localizes all the computations involved in the whole sphere packing process.

SUSTAINABLE RURAL LIVELIHOOD AND ECOLOGICAL SHELTER CONSTRUCTION IN UPPER REACHES OF CHANGJIANG RIVER——Case Study of Zhaotong of Yunnan Province

Sustainable livelihood theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the interactions between livelihoods of peasant households and regional environment change in low-income areas. Based on field survey and 946 questionnaires from peasant household conducted in the case study area of Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, the paper has analyzed the basic characteristics of the rural livelihoods, including the asset base status, the income-generating activities, the energy consumption pattern, and the fertility behavior, in the upper reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. The micro-level findings show the conflicts among extensive agricultural development models, rural energy consumption structures heavily relying on biomass and the environment protection. The conversion of cropland to forest and grass program(CCFGP) has exerted an important influence on the livelihoods of the peasant households, but its design has given little considerations to their long-term livelihood sources, which will affect its sustainability to a great extent. From the perspective of sustainable livelihoods framework, the objectives that must be addressed in the ecological shelter construction in the upper reaches of the Changjiang River should include, first, facilitating access of peasant households to credit, technology and public services, second, encouraging the peasant households to adopt agricultural technology with environmental benefits and strengthen resources-conserving investments, and third, paying close attention to the rural energy problems and the long-term livelihood sources of the households with CCFGP. Given the weak asset base and difficulties of livelihood strategies shift, ecological shelter construction in the upper reaches of the Changjiang River will take a long time.

Sheltering effect of punched steel plate sand fences for controlling blown sand hazards along the Golmud-Korla Railway:Field observation and numerical simulation studies

Sand fences made of punched steel plate(PSP)have recently been applied to control wind-blown sand in desertified and Gobi areas due to their strong wind resistance and convenient in situ construction.However,few studies have assessed the protective effect of PSP sand fences,especially through field observations.This study analyzes the effects of double-row PSP sand fences on wind and sand resistance using field observations and a computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation.The results of field observations showed that the average windproof efficiencies of the first-row and second-row sand fences were 79.8%and 70.8%,respectively.Moreover,the average windproof efficiencies of the numerical simulation behind the first-row and second-row sand fences were 89.8%and 81.1%,respectively.The sand-resistance efficiency of the double-row PSP sand fences was 65.4%.Sand deposition occurred close to the first-row sand fence;however,there was relatively little sand on the leeward side of the second-row sand fence.The length of sand accumulation near PSP sand fences obtained by numerical simulation was basically consistent with that through field observations,indicating that field observations combined with numerical simulation can provide insight into the complex wind-blown sand field over PSP sand fences.This study indicates that the protection efficiency of the double-row PSP sand fences is sufficient for effective control of sand hazards associated with extremely strong wind in the Gobi areas.The output of this work is expected to improve the future application of PSP sand fences.