Global Change in Agricultural Flash Drought over the 21st Century

Agricultural flash droughts are high-impact phenomena, characterized by rapid soil moisture dry down. The ensuing dry conditions can persist for weeks to months, with detrimental effects on natural ecosystems and crop cultivation. Increases in the frequency of these rare events in a future warmer climate would have significant societal impact. This study uses an ensemble of 10 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP) models to investigate the projected change in agricultural flash drought during the 21st century. Comparison across geographical regions and climatic zones indicates that individual events are preceded by anomalously low relative humidity and precipitation, with long-term trends governed by changes in temperature, relative humidity, and soil moisture. As a result of these processes, the frequency of both upperlevel and root-zone flash drought is projected to more than double in the mid-and high latitudes over the 21st century, with hot spots developing in the temperate regions of Europe, and humid regions of South America, Europe, and southern Africa.

Lantern Festival: The New Platform for Cultural Exchanges Between China and the World

Theincreasinglyadvanced lantern technology and the emerging Chinese-style scenes are intertwined so that the lanternfestivals across China show the characteristics of combining traditional culture and modern innovation.As for international cultural exchanges,lantern art has connected different cultures with its unique artistic charm and profound cultural connotation.

Assessing the impact of climate change on agricultural production in central Afghanistan

Afghanistan has faced extreme climatic crises such as drought,rising temperature,and scarce precipitation,and these crises will likely worsen in the future.Reduction in crop yield can affect food security in Afghanistan,where the majority of population and economy are completely dependent on agriculture.This study assessed the interaction between climate change and crop yield in Kabul of Afghanistan during the reference(1990–2020)and future(2025–2100)periods.Climate data(1990–2020)were collected from four meteorological stations and three local organizations,and wheat yield data(1990–2020)were acquired from the United States Agriculture Department.Data during the reference period(1990–2020)were used for the validation and calibration of the statistical downscaling models such as the Statistical Downscaling Model(SDSM)and Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator(LARS-WG).Furthermore,the auto-regression model was used for trend analysis.The results showed that an increase in the average annual temperature of 2.15℃,2.89℃,and 4.13℃will lead to a reduction in the wheat yield of 9.14%,10.20%,and 12.00%under Representative Concentration Pathway(RCP)2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5 during the future period(2025–2100),respectively.Moreover,an increase in the annual maximum temperature of 1.79℃,2.48℃,and 3.74℃also causes a significant reduction in the wheat yield of 2.60%,3.60%,and 10.50%under RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.Furthermore,an increase in the annual minimum temperature of 2.98℃,2.23℃,and 4.30℃can result in an increase in the wheat yield of 6.50%,4.80%,and 9.30%under RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.According to the SDSM,the decrease of the average monthly precipitation of 4.34%,4.10%,and 5.13%results in a decrease in the wheat yield of 2.60%,2.36%,and 3.18%under RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.This study suggests that adaptation strategies can be applied to minimize the consequences of climate change on agricultural production.

Relationship between longitudinal changes in lipid composition and ischemic stroke among hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND Dyslipidemia was strongly linked to stroke,however the relationship between dyslipidemia and its components and ischemic stroke remained unexplained.AIM To investigate the link between longitudinal changes in lipid profiles and dyslipidemia and ischemic stroke in a hypertensive population.METHODS Between 2013 and 2014,6094 hypertension individuals were included in this,and ischemic stroke cases were documented to the end of 2018.Longitudinal changes of lipid were stratified into four groups:(1)Normal was transformed into normal group;(2)Abnormal was transformed into normal group;(3)Normal was transformed into abnormal group;and(4)Abnormal was transformed into abnormal group.To examine the link between longitudinal changes in dyslipidemia along with its components and the risk of ischemic stroke,we utilized multivariate Cox proportional hazards models with hazard ratio(HR)and 95%CI.RESULTS The average age of the participants was 62.32 years±13.00 years,with 329 women making up 54.0%of the sample.Over the course of a mean follow-up of 4.8 years,143 ischemic strokes happened.When normal was transformed into normal group was used as a reference,after full adjustments,the HR for dyslipidemia and ischemic stroke among abnormal was transformed into normal group,normal was transformed into abnormal group and abnormal was transformed into abnormal Wei CC et al.Dyslipidemia changed and ischemic stroke WJCC https://www.wjgnet.com 2 February 6,2025 Volume 13 Issue 4 group were 1.089(95%CI:0.598-1.982;P=0.779),2.369(95%CI:1.424-3.941;P<0.001)and 1.448(95%CI:1.002-2.298;P=0.047)(P for trend was 0.233),respectively.CONCLUSION In individuals with hypertension,longitudinal shifts from normal to abnormal in dyslipidemia-particularly in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-were significantly associated with the risk of ischemic stroke.

Macular microvascular and structural changes on optical coherence tomography angiography in atypical optic neuritis

BACKGROUND Atypical optic neuritis,consisting of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders(NMOSD)or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease(MOGAD),has a very similar presentation but different prognostic implications and longterm management strategies.Vascular and metabolic factors are being thought to play a role in such autoimmune neuro-inflammatory disorders,apart from the obvious immune mediated damage.With the advent of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA),it is easy to pick up on these subclinical macular microvascular and structural changes.AIM To study the macular microvascular and structural changes on OCTA in atypical optic neuritis.METHODS This observational cross-sectional study involved 8 NMOSD and 17 MOGAD patients,diagnosed serologically,as well as 10 healthy controls.Macular vascular density(MVD)and ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer thickness(GCIPL)were studied using OCTA.RESULTS There was a significant reduction in MVD in NMOSD and MOGAD affected as well as unaffected eyes when compared with healthy controls.NMOSD and MOGAD affected eyes had significant GCIPL thinning compared with healthy controls.NMOSD unaffected eyes did not show significant GCIPL thinning compared to healthy controls in contrast to MOGAD unaffected eyes.On comparing NMOSD with MOGAD,there was no significant difference in terms of MVD or GCIPL in the affected or unaffected eyes.CONCLUSION Although significant microvascular and structural changes are present on OCTA between atypical optic neuritis and normal patients,they could not help in differentiating between NMOSD and MOGAD cases.

Possible Impacts of Climate Change on Agricultural Production in China and Its Adaptation Countermeasures

Global climate warming has discernable impacts on various natural systems and biological systems. As the most fragile ecosystem,agriculture is subjected to the most direct impacts from climate change. Of these impacts,the first one is the change in agricultural climate resources,which directly affects agricultural cultivation structure and crop variety distribution and finally results in the change in crop yield. Here,we review the advances in the impacts of climate change on crop yield,agricultural climate resources and China＇s agricultural cropping system and crop variety distribution pattern,and prospect the countermeasures for agricultural production in order to meet the future climate change,and several issues must be given high priority.

Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Haidong Agricultural Region in Qinghai and Its Adaptive Countermeasures

[Objective] The aim was to study climate changes and its effects on agriculture in Haidong agricultural region.[Method] Based on meteorology and agricultural observation data in Haidong agricultural region from 1961 to 2009,the characteristics of climate change and its effects on agriculture were analyzed,and the possible effects of future climate change on Haidong agriculture were predicted according to the future climate scenarios provided by down-scaling climate model.[Result] Annual mean temperature in Haidong agricultural region during 1961-2009 showed obvious increase trend,with the rising rate of 0.37 ℃/10 a;annual mean precipitation and annual total sunshine duration went down slightly,with the climatic tendency of 3.70 mm/10 a and-27.55 h/10 a,respectively;climate extreme event occurred less frequently but became severer in recent 49 years.In future 100 years,temperature in Haidong agricultural region would go up significantly,with the slight increase of rainfall,and climate changes would affect agricultural production environment,arrangement,structure and productivity,namely increasing yield fluctuation of agricultural production,cost and investment and changing arrangement and structure.In order to adapt climate change,it was necessary to adjust agricultural structure,strengthen management,improve agricultural infrastructure,adopt new technology,increase the resistance ability of agricultural production to climate change actively and designedly,so as to improve adaptability,furthest reduce loss and realize potential benefit.[Conclusion] Our study could provide references for the decision of government and agricultural sector.

The Climate Change in Fushun City and Its Effect on Agricultural Production in Recent 48 Years

Based on the meteorological data in Fushun region from 1961 to 2008,the characteristics of climate change in Fushun City were concluded through statistical analysis.The results showed that the temperature increased,while there was a decrease in precipitation and sunlight.Moreover,climate change had both positive and negative influences on agricultural production and crop growth,so we should take effective measures to make use of effective accumulated temperature.

Morphological Change of Starch Grain Based on Simulated Experiment and its Significance of Agricultural Archaeology——Taking Wheat as an Example

[Objective] The aim was to research and identify starch grain microfossil found in archaeological sites in China, and to find appropriate procedures for the starch grain analysis experiment.[Method] Wheat starch grain size distribution was analyzed, and some simulated experiments were carried out, like mortar grinding, ultrasonic treatment, hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide immersion, drying treatment, and so on. [Result] The mean size of wheat starch grains had increased in the growth process. Mortar grinding would make wheat starch grains larger than untreated sample. Long time of ultrasonic treatment can also make the starch grain size larger. 10% HCl and 6% H2O2 would have little effects on morphological feature of wheat starch grains. Low temperature heating did not cause starch grains to be gelatinized. [Conclusion] These experiment results can improve the accuracy of starch grain microfossil identification in the archaeological site. Starch grain analysis may be a utility and effective analytical tool in studying the origin of agriculture and the dispersal of crops in China.

Change Characteristics of Climate and Main Agricultural Meteorological Disasters in Shiyang River Basin

Based on 35 a meteorological data and main crops planting data in Shiyang River basin meteorological station,the agricultural climate change,agricultural production,hydrology change and the influences on the crops layout,planting in the basin were discussed.The results showed that the linear inclined rates of ≥0 ℃,10 ℃ accumulated temperature increase in the north-central part were bigger than in the south,and the heat resources increased evidently.The annual precipitation increased in the linear inclined rate which was 4.719 mm/10 a,and the annual runoff decreased in 0.274×109 m3/10 a velocity.The climate productivity increased in 134.62 kg/(hm2·10 a) velocity.In late spring and early summer,the regional drought increased evidently,and the frostless period prolonged.The sand storm decreased evidently.The gale in the south increased and decreased in the north-central part.The agricultural climate change made that the spring wheat planting zone advanced to the high-altitude area.The seeding date advanced,and the growth period shortened.It didn't favor for the yield formation.However,it was favorable to improve the yield and quality of thermophilous crops such as the corn,cotton and wine grape and so on.

Reflections on Cultural Changes of Ethnic Villages in the Tide of Tourism Industry——Based on the Investigation of Tourism Development in Gucheng Village,Turpan,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China

By utilizing materials obtained from the field investigation,tourism development of Gucheng Village was analyzed from the history and status quo of tourism industry as well as the inevitability of developing tourism industry in Gucheng Village,cultural changes of the village during the tourism development were introduced and analyzed mainly from 5 perspectives:participation of donkey,language change,religion,morality,villagers' knowledge of cultures of Buddhism in ancient Gaochang.It was believed that tourism industry was an important approach to improve present living conditions of villagers,enlarging the scale of tourism industry was an important way of changing production mode of villagers,and negative influence of tourism development should be attached sufficient importance by relevant departments,consumption concepts of villagers should be guided properly,and all regions of minorities should pay attention to the protection and utilization of local characteristic cultures.

The change of Chinese students＇ cultural patterns and its roots in the process of globalization

One of the most important characteristics of culture is that it is subject to change. The theory of cultural patterns in intercultural communication is used to study the change of Chinese students＇ living pattern, communication pattern and thinking pattern because of globalization. The factors and reasons of both change and the unchanged are analyzed and summarized.

On the social-cultural changes of English and Chinese words from ＂jiayou＂

Word is the most active factor in the research of culture connotations and it is essential in understanding the culture of target language. This article not only attempts to analyze non-equivalence in semantic and cultural connotation of words between Chinese and English words from cross-cultural perspective, but also highlights the profound understanding of the relation of culture, and language is the best way to avoid cross-cultural barriers and obstacles. Finally, by elaborating the loan words between two different cultures, the paper maintains the cultural integration out of respect, appreciation and acceptance is the embodiment of human social and cultural development of human society and the vitality of the cultural changes.

Environmental change and cultural response around 4200 cal. yr BP in the Yishu River Basin, Shandong

Neolithic culture series in the Yishu River Basin developed in the order of Beixin culture-Dawenkou culture-Longshan culture-Yueshi culture. During the early and middle stage of Longshan culture （4600-4300 cal. yr BP）, the climate in the Yishu River Basin was warm and wet. Paddy-oriented agriculture planted paddy was very developed. The society was flourishing with great amount of archaeological sites. The cooling starting in 4200 cal. yr BP made the paddies shortfall in output or even no seeds were gathered. This situation intensified the discrepancy between population and resource. The scarcity in natural resource led to substantial decrease in population and subsequent drop in archaeological sites. About 4000 cal. yr BP Longshan culture was displaced by Yueshi culture which was relatively un- derdeveloped, simple and unsophisticated.

Groundwater quality and land use change in a typical karst agricultural region:a case study of Xiaojiang watershed,Yunnan

Taking the typical karst agricultural region, Xiaojiang watershed in Luxi of Yurman Province as a research unit, utilizing the groundwater quality data in 1982 and 2004, the aerial photos in 1982 and TM images in 2004, supported by the GIS, we probe into the law and the reason of its space-time change of the groundwater quality over the past 22 years in the paper. The results show： （1） There were obvious temporal and spatial changes of groundwater quality during the past 22 years. （2） Concentrations of NH4^＋, SO4^2- , NO3, NO2^-, Cl^- and the pH value, total hardness, total alkalinity increased significantly, in which NH4^2-, NO3, and NO2^- of groundwater exceeded the drinking water standards as a result of non-point pollution caused by the expansion of cultivated land and mass use of the fertilizer and pesticide. （3） Oppositely, Ca^2＋ and HCO3^- showed an obvious decline trend due to forest reduction and degradation and stony desertification. Meantime, there was a dynamic relation between the groundwater quality change and the land use change.

How Could Agricultural Land Systems Contribute to Raise Food Production Under Global Change?

To feed the increasing world population, more food needs to be produced from agricultural land systems. Solutions to produce more food with fewer resources while minimizing adverse environmental and ecological consequences require sustainable agricultural land use practices as supplementary to advanced biotechnology and agronomy. This review paper, from a land system perspective, systematically proposed and analyzed three interactive strategies that could possibly raise future food production under global change. By reviewing the current literatures, we suggest that cropland expansion is less possible amid iferce land competition, and it is likely to do less in increasing food production. Moreover, properly allocating crops in space and time is a practical way to ensure food production. Climate change, dietary shifts, and other socio-economic drivers, which would shape the demand and supply side of food systems, should be taken into consideration during the decision-making on rational land management in respect of sustainable crop choice and allocation. And ifnally, crop-speciifc agricultural intensiifcation would play a bigger role in raising future food production either by increasing the yield per unit area of individual crops or by increasing the number of crops sown on a particular area of land. Yet, only when it is done sustainably is this a much more effective strategy to maximize food production by closing yield and harvest gaps.

Vegetation changes in the agricultural-pastoral areas of northern China from 2001 to 2013

Climate change and human activity have resulted in increasing change of vegetation growth globally. Numerous studies have been conducted on extreme climate events and analyses of ecological environment evolution. However, such studies have placed little emphasis on vegetation change and spatial variation in this type of ecotone. Accordingly, this study analyzed the changes in vegetation type and growth using the 16-d composite MOD13A1 product with 1-km resolution and MOD12Q1 product with 1-km resolution. We used the mean, maximum, standard deviation normalized-difference vegetation index（NDVI） values, and the rate of change（ROC） of NDVI value to explain vegetation changes within the studied ecotone. Our results showed that significant vegetation type and growth changes have occurred in the study area. From 2001 to 2013, for example, with the exception of 2001, 2004 and 2009, a certain extent of grassland area was converted to cropland. Drought severity index（DSI） results indicate that there exists drought in 2001, 2004 and 2009. Such temporal changes in cropland and grassland area confirmed the ecological vulnerability of the ecotone. At the same time, vegetation varied spatially from west to east and from south to north. The mean, maximum and standard deviation NDVI values were all sorted in descending order based on differences in latitude and longitude, as follows： NDVI_（2013）〉NDVI_（2009）〉NDVI_（2004）〉NDVI_（2001）

Interpretation of Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptations by Local Household Farmers: a Case Study at Bin County, Northeast China

Although climate change impacts and agricultural adaptations have been studied extensively, how smallholder farmers perceive climate change and adapt their agricultural activities is poorly understood. Survey-based data （presents farmers＇ personal perceptions and adaptations to climate change） associated with external biophysical-socioeconomic data （presents real-world climate change） were used to develop a farmer-centered framework to explore climate change impacts and agricultural adaptations at a local level. A case study at Bin County （1980s-2010s）, Northeast China, suggested that increased annual average temperature （0.6＆#176;C per decade） and decreased annual precipitation （46 mm per decade, both from meteorological datasets） were correctly perceived by 76 and 66.9%, respectively, of farmers from the survey, and that a longer growing season was conifrmed by 70%of them. These reasonably correct perceptions enabled local farmers to make appropriate adaptations to cope with climate change：Longer season alternative varieties were found for maize and rice, which led to a signiifcant yield increase for both crops. The longer season also affected crop choice：More farmers selected maize instead of soybean, as implicated from survey results by a large increase in the maize growing area. Comparing warming-related factors, we found that precipitation and agricultural disasters were the least likely causes for farmers＇ agricultural decisions. As a result, crop and variety selection, rather than disaster prevention and infrastructure improvement, was the most common ways for farmers to adapt to the notable warming trend in the study region.

Impacts of Climate Change on Water and Agricultural Production in Ten Large River Basins in China

The overall goal of this paper is to examine impacts of climate change on water supply and demand balance and their consequences on agricultural production in ten river basins in China. To realize this goal, China Water Simulation Model （CWSM） is used to analyze three alternative climate scenarios （A1B, A2 and B2）. The results show that the impacts of climate change on water supply and demand balance differ largely among alternative scenarios. While significant impacts of climate change on water balance will occur under the A1B scenario, the impacts of climate change under the A2 and B2 scenarios will be marginal. Under the A1B scenario, the water shortage in the river basins located in the northern China will become more serious, particularly in Liaohe and Haihe river basins, but the other river basins in the southern China will improve their water balance situations. Despite larger impacts of climate change on water balance in the northern China, its impacts on total crops＇ production will be moderate if farmers would be able to reallocate water among crops and adjust irrigated and rainfed land. The paper concludes with some policy implications.

ANALYSIS ON SPATIAL DIFFERENCE OF LAND USECHANGE BASED ON PHYSICAL AND CULTURALLANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES──A Case Study at Mongolian AutonomousCounty of Qian Gorlos, Jilin Province

Land use changes are regarded as landscape pattern change driven by many interactive natural and social-economic factors. Different combination of physical geographical elements induced the difference of spatio-temporal pattern of land use change. There are four physical geographical regions in Mongolian Autonomou County of Qian Gorlos of Jilin Province. Based on spatial analysis and statistical analysis, we conclude that the primary pattern of land use and the tendency of land use changes are all different in four physical geographical regions. During 1987 – 1996, the dominant land use change processes were from grassland or forest to arableland, from unused land to paddy and grassland to unused land. Though land use change is mainly affected by social and economic condition in short period, the composite characters of physical geographical elements controls land use dynamic process. The relationship between land use dynamic process and the character of physical geographical units differ in different regions. Possible human impacts on land use change are explored with application of buffer areas of series distance along main roads and radius around main settlements. A few models are built to describe the relationship between land use spatial change rates and distance to road and settlements. According to our result, the relationship with the proximity to roads was a negative liner function, with the change rate decreasing rapidly when moving away from roads. Within a distance of less 7.5km from main traffic lines, land use changes occur red more. The bulk of grassland was apt to be opened up for cultivation around the settlements and the transformation from dryland to paddy occurred within the distance of 1km away from settlements.