Life cycle assessment as a prospective tool for sustainable agriculture and food planning at a local level

Owing to the far-reaching environmental consequences of agriculture and food systems,such as their contribution to climate change,there is an urgent need to reduce their impact.International and national governments set sustainability targets and implement corresponding measures.Nevertheless,critics of the globalized system claim that a territorial administrative scale is better suited to address sustainability issues.Yet,at the subnational level,local authorities rarely apply a systemic environmental assessment to enhance their action plans.This paper employs a territorial life cycle assessment methodology to improve local environmental agri-food planning.The objective is to identify significant direct and indirect environmental hotspots,their origins,and formulate effective mitigation strategies.The methodology is applied to the administrative department of Finistere,a strategic agricultural region in North-Western France.Multiple environmental criteria including climate change,fossil resource scarcity,toxicity,and land use are modeled.The findings reveal that the primary environmental hotspots of the studied local food system arise from indirect sources,such as livestock feed or diesel consumption.Livestock reduction and organic farming conversion emerge as the most environmentally efficient strategies,resulting in a 25%decrease in the climate change indicator.However,the overall modeled impact reduction is insufficient following national objectives and remains limited for the land use indicator.These results highlight the innovative application of life cycle assessment led at a local level,offering insights for the further advancement of systematic and prospective local agri-food assessment.Additionally,they provide guidance for local authorities to enhance the sustainability of planning strategies.

Extreme rain event highlights the lack of governance to face climate change in the Southeastern coast of Brazil

New rainfall records were registered in the southeastern region of Brazil during February 2023.The amount of rain in the north coast region of the State of São Paulo was more than 650 mm in less than two days.Landslides and tragedies with a socioeconomically vulnerable population marked this climatic extreme.The country has a regulatory system that suggests the elaboration and implementation of municipal public policies aimed at territorial organization,environmental conservation,and the prevention of disasters induced by natural hazards.In addition,both federal and state funds earmarked for such hazard's prevention have been underutilized over the last decade.In addition to this current devastating climate episode,other events were registered in this decade,reinforcing that financial governance is a key challenge to face the climate crisis in Brazil.The predicted future extreme events in different regions of Brazil will require a different governance system to minimize social inequality,seek sustainable alternatives for urban environments and manage to adapt cities for the challenges posed by climate change.

Addressing inclusion,innovation,and sustainability challenges through the lens of economic geography:Introducing the hierarchical regional innovation system

The world is facing dramatic challenges related to environmental sustainability at an accelerating pace.In this context,the field of economic geography(EG)has been playing an important role in understanding both the socioeconomic and technological dimensions of these challenges,as it deals with a variety of complementary notions and perspectives.Departing from this lens,our aim is to explore a conceptual framework that can help us to understand environmental changes relating to multi-dimensional territorial development,notably in eco-nomic contexts where inequality is high,and stratification based on hierarchies regulate social and economic life.Based on the territory concept,we propose the original notion of a hierarchical regional innovation system(HRIS)that emphasises the pervasive role of hierarchies(powers)in regional innovation systems and illustrate its value with evidence and case studies from extant literature on sustainability transitions.The HRIS can help us understand and promote development paths considering the contribution of inclusive eco-innovations(another original conceptual amalgam).Through some empirical cases from other studies in low-carbon transitions,we show the application of the HRIS(and inclusive eco-innovation)framework.In conclusion,we provide incen-tives to explore new regional innovation systems,alongside the HRIS,adapted to different regions worldwide and centred on the inclusiveness of people and places.

Frontier Progress of Landscape Character Assessment in China

The role of Landscape Character Assessment(LCA)at the level of territorial landscape governance spans both natural and social sciences.By analyzing the development history,research distribution,methods and applications of cutting-edge cases of LCA in China,the following conclusions are drawn:①the LCA research in China originated earlier than that in Europe,but has not yet been systematically applied to the implementation of urban and rural planning at all levels;②the fundamental theory of LCA in China has been well constructed,with three main research directions:technologyled,assessment-led,and assessment combined with other theories;③the development of LCA in rural areas is more mature than in urban areas,but the progress of research is uneven across regions;④the current research presents significant“bottom-up”academic characteristics,and there is an urgent need for government decision-making authorities and academia to jointly promote a“top-down”standardized governance mechanism to comprehensively promote the modernization of territorial landscape governance.

Why employees stay： the roles of psychological ownership, territoriality and work relationship closeness in affecting employee turnover intention

Drawing on a tripartite perspective on attitudes, this study examines the influence of psychological ownership and territoriality on turnover intention, as well as the moderating role of work relationship closeness on the relationship between territoriality and turnover intention. Analyses of longitudinal data collected from 341 employees in three Chinese automobile manufacturing companies demonstrate that employees＇ psychological ownership is negatively related to their turnover intention. As well, territoriality is negatively related to turnover intention and mediates the relationship between psychological ownership and turnover intention. Additionally, work relationship closeness moderates the relationship between territoriality and turnover intention such that the negative relationship is stronger when employees experience a higher level of work relationship closeness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Ephrin-B1-mediated regulation of germinal center T-cell territoriality and function

Subject Code:C08With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,a study by the research group led by Prof.Qi Hai(祁海)from the School of Medicine,Tsinghua University revealed a novel mechanism that regulates the germinal center reaction,aphysiological process that underlies high-quality

Coping with extremes:convergences of habitat use,territoriality,and diet in summer but divergences in winter between two sympatric snow finches on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,extreme environmental conditions have imposed intense selective pressure on the evolution of phenotypic traits of wild animals.To date,limited information is available on behavioral and ecological traits concerning niche differentiation among sympatric animals on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,especially during winter when the environments are most severe.Here,we studied the seasonal variations in habitat occurrence,territorial behavior,and diet in two sympatric snow finches(the white-rumped snow finch,Onychostruthus taczanowskii,WRSF;and the rufous-necked snow finch,Pyrgilauda ruficollis,RNSF)to determine convergence and divergence of ecological traits in such severe climatic conditions.Our results showed that:(i)WRSF occupied rural areas as a dominant species throughout the annual cycle while RNSF occupied the rural areas in summer and then shifted to human-occupied areas in winter and spring;(ii)WRSFs exhibited robust aggressive behavior and territoriality during winter relative to RNSFs;(iii)the diets of both species varied with the season but did not vary between species except that WRSF ate significantly more seeds but RNSF consumed more starchy material derived from human food waste during winter.Therefore,the separations in the spatial niche and territoriality between WRSF and RNSF,especially in winter,may contribute to alleviating the pressure of interspecific competition,and promoting the coexistence of the two sympatric snow finches in the extreme environments on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Population structure and body condition of White-crested Elaenia(Elaenia albiceps)in relation to habitat in a modiffed Neotropical forest landscape

Despite the widely accepted view that planted forests are valuable habitat for wildlife species,there is a lack of empirical evidence showing the suitability of this novel habitat,especially in relation to plantations of exotic tree species.Furthermore,little is known about the effects of forest management on the ecology and dynamics of wild populations in the Neotropics.During the breeding season,the migrant flycatcher White-crested Elaenia is the most abundant bird species in forested landscapes in Chile.For several years we have studied different aspects of these artificial forests in the coastal range of south-central Chile as habitat for the species,particularly in contrast to the native forest.In general,our results indicate that plantation forests offer a poorer quality habitat,where the density of the species tends to be lower than in the native forest,although a significant edge effect suggests that its quality can be mitigated by planting as a matrix mosaic with native forest.Furthermore,compared to native forests,populations in plantations contained a higher proportion of younger adult individuals maintaining larger territories,and showing poorer body condition.We suggest that these differences could also have an impact on the birds'longevity and survival.

The Management of Mental Health, and Service Networks in Italy

Madness has attracted and frightened for centuries,and talking about this means discussing how this diversity was built and managed in different social contexts and historical periods.Not all societies have had,and still have,the same relationship with madness.It is only with the affirmation of the Modern State,and of Capitalism,that the idea of“normality”indispensable to be able to conceive diversity as something dangerously distant and different from the norm takes over.In our post-modern society,people with mental illness in Italy can resort to specialists and social-health services.But the heterogeneous answers given after the approval of law 180 appear to be increasingly diversified.In this research,much attention will be paid to how the social and health services,located in different areas of Italy(Messina,Rome,Trento)face the current growing risk of social,housing and economic isolation of these fragile subjects.The aim of the research is to explore the possibility of a new relationship between the social-health service and the local community.On the one hand,research investigates what the contribution of the services could be.On the other what the spaces of protagonism and participation of the community could be in inclusion process account.In order to better understand the differences between these two dimensions,a qualitative research approach was chosen through the conduct of in-depth interviews.In this way it was possible to investigate:(1)the partial representations characteristic of the single individual,family members,operators and stackholders in general;(2)the services around the topic dealt with is articulated.From the first results of the research it emerges that the territory can no longer be considered as an abstract entity,but becomes the social space within which the construction of a new community welfare can and must take place.

Rural Revitalization Planning under the Territorial Spatial Planning System

With the rapid development of China’s social economy,village planning is increasingly important.Departments should fully draw up practical village plan“integrating various plans”.In the context of“rural revitalization”,how to better promote“rural revitalization”and realize the concept that“lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”is a difficult problem in front of everyone.After many years of pilot of“integrating various plans”,“five levels,three categories and four systems”have been formed,but the territorial spatial planning in the new era under the construction of ecological civilization still faces many problems and challenges.In this paper,the practical village planning of“integrating various plans”under the background of territorial spatial planning was analyzed,aiming to establish and improve a complete rural spatial system and provide an effective scheme for rural governance mechanism by analyzing and refining the key points of rural planning.

Thinking and Research on County-level Territorial Spatial Plans in the Territorial Spatial Plan System:A Case Study of Jiangxi Province

The establishment of the territorial spatial plan system is an important space reform act to meet the new era in China.The reform of territorial spatial plans according to classification is in line with the characteristics of China’s current territorial spatial administration and urban development.At present,China’s provincial and municipal territorial spatial plans have been publicized,and county-level territorial spatial plans are being approved one after another,while the compilation of township-level territorial spatial plans is being carried out in an orderly manner.In this paper,based on the historical background of the establishment of territorial spatial plan system integrating“multiple plans”,the background of territorial spatial plans and the important role of county-level territorial spatial plans were first elaborated,and then the progress of the compilation of county-level territorial spatial plans in Jiangxi Province was sorted out.Finally,the problems existing in the compilation were discussed,and corresponding suggestions were put forward to provide a certain reference for the construction of a scientific and reasonable territorial spatial plan system.

A Device to Improve Collaborative Practices of Sanitation Department Agents of a Territory: The Case of the Lamkansa District in Casablanca

The aim of this article is to strengthen and improve the collaboration between professional agents of a service that manages one of the technical processes acting on a given territory by synchronizing the spatio-temporal dimensions including all agents assembled for the task. This proposal was tested in the Lamkansa neighborhood in Casablanca, Morocco. The employed approach is based GIS resources and on systemic analysis of communication present in a territory. We were inspired by several methodological developments that carried multi-actor processes in land use planning. We focused our work on strengthening the collaboration between professionals, field agents and office agents, in the process of design and monitoring the liquid sanitation system. The device is based on geolocation and synchronous feedback of topological, geographical, and multimedia data related to the liquid sanitation network. Thanks to a geo-collaborative, participative, and motivating logic, we reduced the management costs of the network and made it faster and more efficient by equally mobilizing another type of non-specialized actors (the inhabitants). This device uses spatial and temporal dimensions to consolidate collaborative work tools through ICT and GIS technologies that thematize and exchange information collected in the field. Furthermore, this device raises great interest as it entails the concept of integration of several actors in a geo-collaborative mode while combining geomatics with communication and information sciences.

多贡:倾情守护绿水青山

In Tibetan,the word "Markham" is used in reference to a most fabulous location.This place,seated at the confluence of three major areas(Tibet,Sichuan,and Yunnan) of China,is actually the east entrance gate to the Tibet Autonomous Region.Inside Markham,the famous rivers Lanchangjiang and Jinshajiang cut through the territory.Regardless of geographic position or ecological significance.

Territory and territorial behavior of migrating Common Coot (Fulica atra)

Territory and territorial behavior of the Common Coot（Fulica atra） were studied in two breeding sites,Anbanghe Nature Reserve and Daqing Longfeng wetland,in Heilongjiang Province,China from April to October in 2008 and 2009.In the breeding season,the breeding pairs occupied an area and protected it throughout the reproduction,and both interspecific and intraspecific conflicts were observed.Territory activities became severe since early May,the peak of territory behaviors appeared at late May,and then declined gradually.The territorial activities level was higher than that in the nest building period than in the laying and incubation periods.The most adopted behavioral model was expelling,which was the least energy cost.The degree of territorial behavior tended to be descended since the development of breeding phase.The territory size differed from 1 333 m2 to above 5 000 m2.Wintering population was observed in Poyang Lake of Jiangxi Province.The coots gathered in the open water;however,there was no territory behavior both in the interspecies and intraspecies in wintering sites.The hypotheses why there was territory behaviors for coots both in the interspecies and intraspecies were also discussed.

Keratinized Nuptial Spines Are Used for Male Combat in the Emei Moustache Toad(Leptobrachium boringii)

We describe the natural history and reproductive behaviour of the Emei Moustache Toad(Leptobrachium boringii) with an emphasis on the development of keratinized nuptial spines in males and document combat behaviour for the first time in this species. Between February and March of 2011, 19 female and 43 male L. boringii from Mount Emei UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sichuan, China were observed throughout the breeding season. This species exhibits male-biased sexual size dimorphism(SSD) with limited evidence of paternal care(nest guarding by males). Prior to the breeding season males grow 10 – 16 keratinized spines on their upper lip, which fall off once the season has ended. Throughout the breeding season males construct and defend aquatic nests where they produce advertisement calls to attract females. During this time we documented 14 cases involving a total of 22 males where males used their moustaches for aggressive interaction. Combat typically occurred at the beginning of the season when males would compete for a limited number of available nest sites. Neither male body size, nor body condition significantly affects the outcome of an aggressive interaction, suggesting that size may not be the only factor influencing an individual’s chance of victory. Our evidence for male competition and aggression, along with observed paternal care are potential mechanisms to explain the evolution of male-biased SSD observed in this species.

徽州古民居室内装饰对现代室内设计的启示

1基本构型与室内装饰的空间秩序1.1基本模块徽州古民居不仅局限于单独的厅堂、天井等,而且系统地体现出整个民宅的基本"原型"。徽州的古民居住宅,在视觉上均呈相似形态,即由"凹形"三合院这一基本模块构成。"凹形"三合院生成的基本模式主要有4种方式,即按独立式、

宋元环珠江口的县域变迁与土地开发--以香山县为中心

香山县是古代、近代珠江三角洲最大的沙田县。它具备珠江三角洲发育的各种形式,如沿岛屿发育,沿海岸边发育,沿激流之中的洲心发育,使大大小小的平地分布在海上。它的耕地形成是自然冲积和人工围垦结合的过程。文献所载香山的土地开发,汉唐时期初见端倪,北宋已有雏形。香山在南宋绍兴年间建县,建县后到元朝的沙田开发,使沙洲之间的“海”已经变小很多,这是明清以前沙田开发的一个新起点。关于这一问题尚未见专论,本文试对此加以阐述。

中国主体功能区划的科学基础(英文)

Major function oriented zoning （MFOZ hereafter） is the guideline for optimizing the spatial pattern of regional development in China, which entails both theoretical and methodological innovation in the academic field of economic geography. This study analyzes the basic features of territorial function and puts forward a spatial equilibrium model for regional development for the first time. It argues that there exists a trend of regional convergence in the average value which indicates the comprehensive development status of any region. Based on this finding, the study illustrates that the formation of functional zone should be conducive to the narrowing of regional gap and that free flow of resources between regions is the prerequisite to spatial equilibrium. It also investigates the impact of territorial functional evolution on the process of spatial equilibrium and suggests that the maximization of benefits derived from zoning proposal is interrelative with the method of regional division and the degree of understanding towards the temporal changes of territorial function. Furthermore, this study goes on to examine the scientific foundation of several issues concerning the reconciliation between contradictory functions of development and protection, the selection of indicators and the spatial and temporal features of MFOZ. It is then probes into the rationality of achieving dual goals of efficiency and equality simultaneously through three-dimensional flow and spatial equilibrium. The paper ends with discussions on the position, implementation and coordination of MFOZ from the perspective of institutional arrangements of spatial governance including law, planning and government policy.

Arterial spin labeling in neuroimaging

Arterial spin labeling(ASL) is a magnetic resonance imaging technique for measuring tissue perfusion using a freely diffusible intrinsic tracer.As compared with other perfusion techniques,ASL offers several advantages and is now available for routine clinical practice in many institutions.Its noninvasive nature and ability to quantitatively measure tissue perfusion make ASL ideal for research and clinical studies.Recent technical advances have increased its sensitivity and also extended its potential applications.This review focuses on some basic knowledge of ASL perfusion,emerging techniques and clinical applications in neuroimaging.

Global Longitudinal Strain at Rest for Detection of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients without Diabetes Mellitus

Global longitudinal strain （GLS） at rest on two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography （2D STE） was demonstrated to help detect coronary artery disease （CAD）. However, the optimal cut-off point of GLS and its diagnostic power for detecting critical CAD in non-diabetes mellitus （DM） patients are unknown. In the present study, 211 patients with suspected CAD were prospectively included, with DM patients excluded. All patients underwent echocardiography and subsequently coronary angiography within 3 days. Left ventricular （LV） GLSs were quantified by 2D STE. Territorial peak systolic longitudinal strains （TLSs） were calculated based on the perfusion territories of the 3-epicardial coronary arteries in a 17-segment LV model. Critical CAD was defined as an area stenosis _〉70% in _〉1 epicardial coronary artery （_〉50% in left main coronary artery）. Totally 145 patients were diagnosed as having critical CAD by coronary angiography. Significant differences were observed in all strain parameters between patients with and without critical CAD. The area under the receiver operating charcteristic （ROC） curve （AUC） for GLS in the detection of left main （LM） or threevessel CAD was 0.875 at a cut-off value of-19.05% with sensitivity of 78.1% and specificity of 72.7%, which increased to 0.926 after exclusion of apical segments （cut-off value -18.66%; sensitivity 84.4% and specificity 81.8%）. The values of TLSs were significantly lower in regions supplied by stenotic arteries than in those by non-stenotic arteries. The AUC for the TLSs to identify critical stenosis of left circumflex （LCX） artery, left anterior descending （LAD） artery and right coronary artery （RCA）, in order of diagnostic accuracy, was 0.818 for LCX, 0.764 for LAD and 0.723 for RCA, respectively. In conclusion, in non-DM patients with suspected CAD, GLS assessed by 2D STE is an excellent predictor for LM or three-vessel CAD with high diagnostic accuracy, and a higher cut-off point than reported before should be used. Excluding apical segments in the calculation of GLS can further improve the predictive accuracy of GLS. It is unsatisfactory for TLSs to be used to identify stenotic coronary arteries.