Aboveground carbon sequestration of Cunninghamia lanceolata forests:Magnitude and drivers

Understanding the spatial variation,temporal changes,and their underlying driving forces of carbon sequestration in various forests is of great importance for understanding the carbon cycle and carbon management options.How carbon density and sequestration in various Cunninghamia lanceolata forests,extensively cultivated for timber production in subtropical China,vary with biodiversity,forest structure,environment,and cultural factors remain poorly explored,presenting a critical knowledge gap for realizing carbon sequestration supply potential through management.Based on a large-scale database of 449 permanent forest inventory plots,we quantified the spatial-temporal heterogeneity of aboveground carbon densities and carbon accumulation rates in Cunninghamia lanceolate forests in Hunan Province,China,and attributed the contributions of stand structure,environmental,and management factors to the heterogeneity using quantile age-sequence analysis,partial least squares path modeling(PLS-PM),and hot-spot analysis.The results showed lower values of carbon density and sequestration on average,in comparison with other forests in the same climate zone(i.e.,subtropics),with pronounced spatial and temporal variability.Specifically,quantile regression analysis using carbon accumulation rates along an age sequence showed large differences in carbon sequestration rates among underperformed and outperformed forests(0.50 and 1.80 Mg·ha^(-1)·yr^(-1)).PLS-PM demonstrated that maximum DBH and stand density were the main crucial drivers of aboveground carbon density from young to mature forests.Furthermore,species diversity and geotopographic factors were the significant factors causing the large discrepancy in aboveground carbon density change between low-and high-carbon-bearing forests.Hotspot analysis revealed the importance of culture attributes in shaping the geospatial patterns of carbon sequestration.Our work highlighted that retaining largesized DBH trees and increasing shade-tolerant tree species were important to enhance carbon sequestration in C.lanceolate forests.

Forbidden Fruit Tastes the Sweetest—A Study of Norwegians’ Consumption Pattern of Chocolate, Sweets, Salty Snacks, Soft Drinks and the Like

The theme of this study is eating and drinking patterns for products of which the health authorities want the Norwegian people to reduce their consumption. Although consumption development has shown positive trends over the past few years, Norwegians still have a much higher intake of such products than what is advisable. The study showed that only a small proportion had not eaten chocolate, sweets, sweet pastries, salty snacks etc. in the last seven days. Young people, men, people with low education and people living in households with children had the highest eating and drinking frequency of these kinds of products. Gender and age had the strongest impact on eating and drinking frequency. However, women had a higher eating rate of chocolate and sweets, and men had a higher eating and drinking frequency of salty snacks and sugary soda. People with low education had a considerably higher frequency of drinking sugary soda than people with high education. Among those who ate these products weekly, there were many who expressed that they would prefer to avoid such products, but that they were often tempted. Among those who ate these products a few times a month or less, few said that they did not like chocolate, sweets, etc. The main reason for having a relatively low eating and drinking frequency was that they perceived such products as unhealthy and fattening. Although there were only a few in the group of respondents who were concerned with healthy eating that had not eaten any of the listed products in the past seven days, this group had a significantly lower frequency of eating chocolate, sweets, etc. than the group that was not concerned with this. It was also clear that people who were health conscious to a greater extent limited eating of such products to the weekends and special occasions than those who were not. In order to succeed in reducing eating and drinking frequency of these products, it will be necessary to draw attention to product availability and social acceptance.

The Origin and Application of Retro-futurism

Via case analysis and literature retrospect,a kind of active design style at present is initially explored: retro-futurism,and the design method of realizing this style and its artistic value are discussed.By reviewing and analyzing the modeling element and spatial form of futurism in the space age,designers can refine the special formal language of this period,adjust these formal languages according to the need,and then place these formal languages in the context of the new era,thereby obtaining style of retrofuture.Retro-futurism design can create a strong visual style,arouse people’s nostalgia and trigger double associations about history and the future.By shaping model and space,people’s attention is directed to the perception of time,thereby stimulating people to reflect on technology and modern life.Its intrinsic complexity brings strong visual impact,makes it have wide application prospects in architecture,plane,clothing,products and other different design areas,and brings people richer visual experience.

Beijing Horticulture Expo: Green Ceremony Celebrated by the World

The 2019 Beijing Horticulture Expo came to a close in the fall.This 5-month event had attracted millions of tourists and guests from all over the world,providing a platform of communication for people of the world and inspiring people to make contributions to a greener world.It has also played a positive role in promoting world sustainable development.

Historical Course Follows Climate Change: Patterns of the Northern Hemisphere — From Peoples’ Migration until the Industrial Revolution (3^rd-18^thCentury)

This paper relates to the statement that the so-called “Little Ice Age” (RCC 6: 1.350-1.800 A.D.) represents—besides the 8k-Event (8.200-8.000 yr cal. B.P.)—the fastest and strongest onset in Holocene History [1]. Its intention focuses on the correlation of interplaying natural processes (i.e. solar energy variation, aerosols, oceanic currents, volcanism as part of plate tectonics, heat flow) with social/political evidence through the time-span of Peoples’ Migration until Industrial Revolution (3rd-18th Century). The time-span comprises the cool/wet/respectively dry climate phase of the P.M. (260-550), a Climate Optimum (600-1.100 A.D.) owning a final Thermal Maximum (1.100-1.260 A.D.) and the “little Ice Age” (1.350-1.800 A.D.), the latter intercalated by the Spörer Minimum (1.460-1.550 A.D.) and the Maunder Minimum (1.650-1.720 A.D.). Thereby, an average temperature difference of 1.0°C - 2.0°C seems sufficient for incising climatic/cultural consequences [2]. It has become obvious that a Climate Optimum primarily provides constructive life conditions;however with a problematic final as the following “Effect-Chain” tells: balanced agricultural/cultural population growth → rich harvests → satisfying nourishment → health, encouragement → overpopulation under favorable materialistic conditions → increasing stress → lack of food, high prices → revolts → migration. In contrast, cool/wet/resp. dry conditions originate destructive/depressive conditions (see Peoples’ Migration) which initiate the following “Effect Chain”: bad agricultural conditions → poor/no harvesting → famine → disease, growing death rate → social, political revolts, wars → human cruelties with psychic/religious background (inquisition, witch-combustion → general chaos (30 yr-war) → death, migration (maritime endeavors, colonization). Furthermore, it should be stressed that volcanic aerosols play besides the solar influx variation—an important role on climate/cultural change [3]. However, the effects of oceanic currents’ heat flow of Mid-Oceanic Ridges and Hot Spots, as well as Earth-Magnetism and Sun/Earth Geometry are poorly understood in this context (Example: Iceland as hot spot situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge having been working since 40 Ma). The Chapter-introducing citations play a challenging role in regard to Science Criticism and touch the so-called 95% Confidence line (accepted realm of causal interrelation and according recommendation to Society [4]).

Mongolian Sovereign Regime——Golden Age of the Silk Road

In the early 1200s century,a nomadic empire meteorically rose in the nowadays eastern steppe based on its undefeated cavalry based army,and built the most huge and influential regime across Eurasia—the Mongol empire.Featured with their unique economic structure and political culture,the mongol rulers strategically conquered and tactically controlled the silk road based on their strong desires to generate a great amount of wealth out of it.To realize their intentions and to meet their interests,the Mongols had gradually built a characterized proto-capitalist commercial system,consisting of a con-certed the efforts from different ethnic groups,which contributed greatly to the economic prosperity and cultural interactions on the vast and fertile land.

Effect of Lamb Age and in vitro Culture System of Oocytes on JIVET Technology

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of lamb age and in vitro culture system of oocytes on the results of juvenile in vitro embryo transfer( JIVET). [Methods]Ten Dorper × small-tailed Han lambs aged 5 to 10 weeks were induced to superovulate via i. p. injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin( PMSG). The oocytes were matured in basal maturation solution or modified maturation solution,which was prepared by adding 200 μmol/L cysteine to the basal maturation solution. Then,the oocytes were fertilized in fertilization medium I containing 2% estrus sheep serum( ESS) or fertilization medium II containing 3 mg/ml bull serum albumin( BSA). Finally,the number of oocytes,oocyte maturation rate and cleavage rate of the lambs of different ages were determined. [Results]The average number of oocytes recovered per lamb was( 111. 00 ± 16. 97),( 139. 50 ± 28. 99),( 108. 50 ± 17. 68) and( 42. 00 ± 11. 31) for5-,7-,8-and 10-week-old Dorper × small-tailed Han lambs,respectively. The number of oocytes obtained from 5-,7-and 8-week-old lambs was significantly higher than that from 10-week-old lambs( P < 0. 05),but there was no significant difference among 5-,7-and 8-week-old lambs( P > 0. 05). The maturation rate of oocytes cultured in modified maturation solution was 3. 64% higher than that in basal maturation solution. The cleavage rate of oocytes in fertilization medium I was very significantly higher than that in fertilization medium II( P < 0. 01). [Conclusions] The results of JIVET can be improved by harvesting oocytes from lambs aged 5-8 weeks,adding a certain amount of cysteine into oocyte maturation solution,and a certain amount of ESS into fertilization medium.

Climate Change, Geopolitics, and Human Settlements in the Hexi Corridor over the Last 5,000 Years

Social responses to climate change over human history have been widely discussed in academia over the last two decades. However, the transformation of the human–environment nexus crossing prehistoric and historic periods and the processes associated with it are not yet clearly understood. In this study, based on published works on radiocarbon dating, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and archaeological sites, together with a synthesis of historical documents and highresolution paleoclimatic records, we trace the extent to which human settlement patterns in the Hexi Corridor in northwestern China evolved in conjunction with climate change over the last 5,000 years. A total of 129 Neolithic, 126 Bronze Age, and 1,378 historical sites in the Hexi Corridor(n=1,633) were surveyed. Our results show that, in the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age periods(~2800–100 BC), climate change contributed to the transformation of subsistence strategies and the subsequent changes in human settlement patterns in the Hexi Corridor. The warm-humid climate in ~2800–2000 BC promoted millet agriculture and helped the Majiayao, Banshan, and Machang Cultures to flourish. The cold-dry climate in ~2000–100 BC resulted in the divergence and transformation of subsistence strategies in the Xichengyi–Qijia–Siba and Shajing–Shanma Cultures and in a shift in their settlement patterns. However, in the historical period(121 BC–AD 1911), human settlement patterns were primarily determined by geopolitics related to the alternating rule of regimes and frequent wars, especially in the Sui–Tang dynasties. We also find that trans-Eurasian cultural exchange since ~2000 BC improved social resilience to climate change in the Hexi Corridor, mediating the human–environment nexus there. Our findings may provide insights into how human societies reacted to climate change in arid and semi-arid environments over the long term.

Childhood Development Cross Culturally:Implications for Designing Childhood Obesity Interventions and Providing Culturally Competent Care

United States is experiencing significant growth in its foreign-born population,especially Chinese American population comprising of 1.2%of the U.S.population.Many healthcare providers are challenged in their efforts to provide culturally competent healthcare to this population.To provide culturally competent healthcare,healthcare providers should understand variations in cultural attributes that impact health.One group in which cultural variation holds great influence is that of children.Culture influences a child's behavior,development and health.This article provides a cross-cultural,comparative examination of important cultural influences on child behaviors development and health in China and the U.S.Using the findings about these two populations,interventions for childhood obesity cross culturally are addressed through the analysis of a U.S.based Children's Obesity Program.The author suggests that uniquely different approaches to childhood obesity intervention research are needed based upon the cultural differences identified within this paper.

Culture Age on Evaluation of Electrically Active Magnetic Nanoparticles as Accurate and Efficient Microbial Extraction Tools

A potential confounding factor in the development and evaluation of biosensors is the diverse nature of the disciplines involved. Biosensor technology involves electrochemistry, microbiology, chemical synthesis, and engineering, among many other disciplines. Biological systems, due to non-homogeneous distribution, are already imprecise compared with other systems, especially food based systems. Inadequate knowledge of the techniques to moderate this leads to ineffective evaluation strategies and potentially halting the pursuit of excellent technology that was merely poorly evaluated. This research was undertaken to evaluate the effect culture age had on the capture efficiency of the electrically active magnetic nanoparticles (EAMNP) using culture as the evaluation tool. The age of culture used for immunomagnetic separation (IMS) over all the experiments was 6 to 18 hours. Ideal culture age range for evaluating biosensors is 4 to 10 hours according to the growth curve for E. coli O157: H7 in trypticase soy broth. This is supported by the statistically significant difference among organisms in groups from 3 to 10 hours old compared with those grouped from 11 to 18 and >19 hours old (α = 0.05, p = 0.001 and p = 0.014 respectively). The two older categories were not different from each other. The capture efficiency in all biosensor analysis will vary less than when culture of only viable cells is the diagnostic tool. This allows a true evaluation of the consistency and accuracy of the method, less hindered by the variation in the ability to culture the organism.

Translation, Cultural Adaption and Validation of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture in Kosovo

Background: An essential condition to improve patient safety is considered to ensure a supportive patient safety culture. Measuring the culture of patient safety in all health care institutions may be a first step to target improvements. Creating a culture of safety requires eliminating the culture of blame. In order to formulate actions for improvement, it is important for hospitals to assess their baseline scores for the existing safety culture and to determine the areas of priority. Aim: The aim of this study was first to measure the use, translation in Albanian and adaptation of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) assessment as a tool for improving patient safety in Kosovo Hospitals. The second aim was to measure the level of patient safety culture in Kosovo, in seven hospitals and one University Clinical Center (hospitals with over 50 beds, including psychiatric hospitals). Method: The questionnaire (HSOPSC) was translated into Albanian for use in the Kosovo. It was used forward-backward translation: the questions were translated into Albanian by one translator and then translated back into English by an independent translator who was blinded to the original questionnaire. Results: In the eight-factor model, the internal consistency of the factors and the construct validity of the HSOPSC questionnaire were mostly satisfactory. The construct validity was sufficient for all subscales, except for the 4 other subscale regarding intention to report incidents which correlated poorly with other subscales. In total, HSOPSC has 12 dimensions. Cronbach’s α showed that in Kosovarian society, we could use only 8 dimensions model. Conclusion: The hypothesis that HSOPSC would be a suitable instrument to provide important indicators for the improvement of patient safety culture was tested and it was confirmed, that HSOPSC could be used as 8 dimension model. HSOPSC is suitable to improve patient safety culture and provide each hospital with a basic profile on patient safety culture and recommendations for an oriented intervention plan.

Plant Tissue Culture and Biosynthesis Provide a Fast Way to Produce Active Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

The plant kingdom has provided literally thousands of natural products with widely diverse chemical structures and a vast array of biological activities.Many of them have seen subsequent application in discovery of new druids and the pharmaceutical industry and clinical therapeutic application.

Value Analysis and Protective Planning of Famous Historical and Cultural Villages: A Case Study of Ancient Sangyuan Village in Jishui County, Jiangxi Province

Through analyzing historical value of patriarchal society, village layout, and characteristic folk dwel ings in Ancient Sangyuan Village, Jishui County, Jiangxi Province, this paper proposed the protective planning based on the gist of protecting villagers' benefits, applied classified protection of buildings, enhanced water protection and landscape design, and tried to carry out its intangible cultures via folk custom activities, in order to further develop the value of its historical and cultural resources.

STONE AGE CULTURE:New Discoveries in Tibet

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中国的尊老敬老文化与养老

尊老敬老作为我国的优秀传统文化,源于春秋时代,历经各朝各代的发展,渗透到社会生活的方方面面,成为传统社会养老的重要思想基础。尊老敬老的概念源于家庭伦理,与孝道有着十分密切的关系。尊老敬老是尊重道德和智慧的反映,体现着人道原则,内含着和谐理念,蕴涵着知恩图报的传统美德。挖掘和弘扬这一优秀传统文化,对我国应对日益严重的人口老龄化、解决好老有所养问题具有重要的思想保障作用。

公共数字文化的服务主体职能

公共数字文化是社会信息化环境下公共文化发展的新形式。社会信息化使公共文化需求出现新变化,推动数字文化服务主体法律地位的确立。社会信息化环境下,公共数字文化服务主体承担新角色——公共数字文化事业的信息整序者、服务提供者和问题反馈者。要转变角色,须从公共数字文化服务信息的收集、整序与加工、深度整合、安全保护及矛盾调和等方面完善职能。

中国传统家庭养老的演进:文化伦理观念的转变结果

中国家庭养老功能的变化从现象上看是由于家庭构成的变化导致了养老功能的变化,而本质原因是文化伦理观念转变导致的家庭养老的协调费用变化。针对这种变化,从历史发展和中西比较两个角度进行文化伦理分析。部分养老职能虽然已从家庭组织中分离出来,但家庭作为养老职能的最主要承担者的作用并未降低,在某些方面还有所加强。家庭养老有着很高的财政贡献度、传统伦理支持度和社会和谐贡献度。

从尊老养老文化内涵的变化看我国调整制定老龄政策基本原则的必要性

尊老养老文化是我国制定老龄政策的理论和文化依托之一。我国传统尊老敬老文化具有年龄标识、生活依赖以及生存性养老三大内涵,随着社会经济文化的发展,这些内涵正在向淡化年龄标识、老年人独立和自主以及追求生活质量等具有当代尊老养老文化色彩的方向变化。适应这些变化,我国制定老龄政策的基本原则也应适当扩增弱化年龄标识、提升老年人自立自理能力、推动老年人社会参与以及吸纳健康老龄化和积极老龄化理念等方面的内容。

中国养老文化面临的现实问题与出路

中国养老文化是一种建立在血缘道义基础上的崇老文化,包含着中国人独特的人生理想和价值追求。随着人口老龄化、社会流动加快和社会价值观念的变化,中国传统的养老文化正面临严峻挑战,在解决老年人"照顾"问题时愈来愈显得力不从心。因此,应当在继承中国传统优秀文化的基础上,借鉴世界上其他国家一切有益的文明成果,构建具有中国特色的和谐养老文化。