Regions Of China Research Articles

Runoff and sediment reduction effects of different Paspalum wettsteinii‐planting measures on the slopes of Masson pine plantation in the red soil region of southern China

AbstractGrass‐planting measure is a crucial vegetation approach to mitigate understory soil erosion and improve ecological environment in the red soil region of southern China. This study aimed to quantify the effects of grass (Paspalum wettsteinii Hackel.)‐planting measures on runoff and sediment reduction on slopes of Masson pine plantations under rainstorm conditions. We conducted a rainfall simulation experiment at a rainfall intensity of 2.0 mm/min, comparing single strip (MT1, strip spacing: 145 cm), double strips (MT2, strip spacing: 70 cm), and triple strips (MT3, strip spacing: 45 cm) grass‐planting measures on slope surface runoff generation and soil erosion processes of the young Masson pine (MT0, no grass strip) plantation, and the bare slope (CK) was selected as the control. Results revealed that grass‐planting measures significantly decreased slope erosion parameters compared to CK and MT0. As the average grass coverage increased (MT1 from 10% to 25%, MT2 from 7.5% to 22.5%, MT3 from 7.3% to 25%), the slope surface erosion parameters under the grass‐planting measures decreased, resulting in significantly improved runoff and sediment reduction benefits. The runoff reduction effect could reach 32%, while the sediment reduction effect could reach 88%. Moreover, MT3 demonstrated superior performance over MT2 and MT1, with minimal runoff and sediment reduction effects observed for the MT0. Overall, this study suggests that grass‐planting measures, coupled with the increasing of grass coverage rates, significantly improve runoff and sediment reduction benefits on slopes in regions experiencing heavy rainfall. Among the tested configurations, MT3 emerged as most effective measure for controlling understory soil erosion in Masson pine plantations, especially when its average grass coverage rate reached 25%. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting appropriate grass‐planting strategies, as well as for understanding the underlying mechanisms of how these measures mitigate soil erosion. This scientific reference will aid in the design and implementation of soil and water conservation measures in the region.

Prospective Analysis and Innovative Path Research on Silver Sports Economy in the Context of Aging Society

This study focuses on the prospects and innovative pathways for the development of the silver-haired sports economy in the context of an ageing society. The proportion of the global population over 65 years old is expected to increase from 9% in 2019 to 16% in 2050, highlighting the huge potential of the silver-hair economy. This paper adopts a mixed research methodology, combining spatial econometric modelling and rootedness theory, to explore in depth the current development status, trend forecasts and innovation paths of the silver-haired sports economy. The study constructs a silver-hair sports economy assessment system containing 22 indicators, and uses panel data to analyse the development level of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China from 2010 to 2023, and the results show that the average annual growth rate of silver-hair sports economy reaches 15.7%, but the gap between Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Guangdong and the central and western regions reaches 1.8 times. Analyses based on the Spatial Durbin Model show that every 1 percentage point increase in silver-haired sports consumption can drive 0.3 percentage points of GDP growth in neighbouring regions. Through a Delphi method research of 150 industry experts, it is predicted that the size of China's silver-haired sports market will exceed RMB 3 trillion in 2030, increasing its share of GDP to 2%. The qualitative study reveals three innovative paths: intelligent transformation, ecosystem construction, and cross-border integration, and proposes specific strategies such as "integration of sports and medicine" and "social platform for silver sports". The results of the study provide data support and theoretical basis for the formulation of policies for the development of the silver sports economy, and provide important insights into the industrial transformation of an aging society.

Changes in insulin utilization in China from 2020 to 2022.

To assess the variation in patterns of use of insulin and other antidiabetic medicines across China, both geographically and over time. Nationally, we calculated the relative change in antidiabetic medicine purchases between the first and last quarters of 2020 through 2022 based on the number of defined daily doses procured per quarter. We used annual data to analyse differences in antidiabetic medicine use and patterns across seven regions of China. Considering large regional variations, we used multifactor linear regression to preliminarily explore the possible factors influencing this variation. Nationally, the procurement of antidiabetic medicines and insulin increased from 2020 to 2022, while the proportion of insulin among antidiabetic medicines remained stable at approximately 22%. Among all insulins, premixed insulin (human) was ranked first. Of the three subgroups of insulin, analogues were the most preferred and had the largest procurement, but different categories showed different trends in terms of purchases and proporation. Regionally, the growth rate of antidiabetic medicines, the proportion of insulin procurement and the preferred types of insulin across the seven regions were different. Regarding preliminary influencing factors, the level of education and owning a domestically funded producer had a positive effect on insulin procurement. From 2020 to 2022, the procurement of insulin increased, which may be due to the increased attention for diabetes from the country and residents.However,the proportion of insulin among all antidiabetic medicines was essentially unchanged, while the use of some non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs increased significantly, especially the SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA. Given the economic and cultural diversity, Insulin procurement and utilization patterns varied greatly across the regions. Owning domestic enterprises potentially influences the procurement of insulin. Enhancing education to further improve the self-management of patients with diabetes is essential.

Music Characteristics and Regional Differences in (SHE) Ethnic Minority Folk Songs: A Comparative Analysis of Ningde and Eastern Fujian Regions

Tucked away in the stunning province of Fujian in southeast China, the region has a cultural tapestry as varied and vibrant as its breath-taking scenery. Through the analysis and coding of folk songs from four different geographical regions in China (Fujian and Ningde), this paper aimed to determine the degree of mutual interaction and integration of the musical cultures of the Shen and Han nationalities into modernity. It did this by developing a new musical characteristic density map for machine music classification. The nationality known as (SHE) is a small ethnic group in the area. The traditional cultural heritage as well as the growth of the (SHE) nationality have lagged behind the rapid advancement of modern times. This study investigates how to incorporate the culture of the (SHE) nationality into modern culture in order to fully realise the goal of "going out," starting from the conventional cultural heritage and creative growth of the (SHE) nationality. This paper discusses the formation of the (SHE) Minority folk songs in the context of protecting intangible cultural heritage. It does this by using the methods of literature research, field investigation, and comprehensive analysis to gather first-hand fresh field data from the components of historical evolution, protection process, inheritance method, development dilemma, and countermeasures. Questions of development and inheritance. The world will recognise the allure of the traditional culture of the (SHE) nationality as it is continuously enhanced and vibrant.

Women as Alternates: A Study on the Mechanism of Village Official Replacement in the Context of Rural Revitalization – A Case Study of Village J in Southeastern Hubei

Abstract The trend of left-behind women serving as village officials and participating in village governance is on the rise. Research in clan-based villages in the general agricultural regions of central and western China reveals that village factional conflicts make it difficult for elderly male village officials to win in village committee elections. Additionally, the emphasis on younger village officials by local governments forces these older men out of their roles. The economic resources available through village governance are limited and fail to meet the material needs of middle-aged and young male village officials, leading to their withdrawal as well. With the departure of men, left-behind women have become significant candidates for village official positions. Because of the increasing “administratization” 行政化 of village governance, village organizations need to mobilize these women to handle the growing administrative tasks in village management. Serving as village officials allows left-behind women to both care for their children and earn a decent income, while fulfilling the local government’s requirements for village officials. Consequently, through a series of training mechanisms, an increasing number of women are becoming the principal cadres within village committees.

Spatiotemporal Variation and Influences of Acidification in the North Pacific, 1995–2019

The continuous rise in atmospheric CO2 levels has led to persistent ocean acidification, which negatively impacts marine environments crucial for marine life and alters the chemical composition of seawater. This phenomenon carries significant implications for human society. Utilizing surface seawater pH data from the North Pacific spanning 1995 to 2019, this study investigates the overall and localized spatiotemporal variations in pH within the region, as well as the factors influencing these variations. Additionally, it conducts a quantitative analysis of the different influencing factors. The findings reveal a consistent downward trend in surface seawater pH in the North Pacific, decreasing from 8.073 to 8.029, with notable seasonal variations. The highest pH values are recorded in winter, followed by spring, with lower values in autumn and summer. Spatially, the pH values are higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with the most pronounced acidification occurring in the central and western regions, while other areas exhibit more uniform acidification levels. Spatial correlation analysis indicates that surface seawater pH in the North Pacific generally shows a negative correlation with sea surface temperature (SST), salinity (SSS), and chlorophyll-a concentration (chl a) and a positive correlation with dissolved oxygen (DO). Among these factors, SST exerts the greatest influence on seawater pH, followed by DO and SSS. The degree of acidification varies across different regions, and the dominant influencing factors differ accordingly. In the equatorial central region (A), the primary factors are chl a and SST; in the eastern regions of China and Japan (B) and the western region of Canada (C), DO and SSS are the main controlling factors. An interaction analysis of each pair of dominant factors using the geodetector shows that their respective contributions to regions A, B, and C are 70%, 90%, and 50%, respectively. Understanding the primary factors driving acidification in different regions can aid in comprehending the biological and environmental impacts of acidification in those areas and provide valuable insights for mitigating marine acidification.

Promotion Effects of High-Speed Rail on Urban Development: Evidence from Three Lines in China

Amid the vigorous development of the high-speed rail (HSR) network, local governments in China generally consider the construction of HSR as a crucial task in their regional development strategies. Currently, most provincial capitals and prefecture-level cities in the eastern and central regions of China already have operational HSR services. This study aims to examine a key question: has the objective of local governments to promote urban development through the construction of HSR been effective? The research selects cities along the Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Guangzhou, and Harbin–Dalian HSR lines as the study subjects. Based on the principles of proximity and similarity, cities with operational HSR and those without are chosen as the experimental group and the control group, respectively. Following the double difference (difference-in-differences) approach, an advantage index is proposed to systematically evaluate the impact of HSR operation on urban development from three dimensions: population aggregation, economic development, and expansion of construction land. Furthermore, the evaluation results are systematically clustered to identify city types that exhibit different promotional effects in various dimensions. The research findings indicate the following: (1) The promotion effect of HSR on the development of small to medium-sized cities is more reflected in economic growth and construction land growth. (2) The promotion effect of HSR on the development of large cities is more reflected in the growth of the employment population. (3) For smaller or economically less-developed cities, HSR may be detrimental to the aggregation of resident and employment populations. (4) Cities with moderate size and good economic development have the opportunity to use HSR to promote population aggregation. On this basis, combined with the findings above, strategies to promote the coordinated development of high-speed rail construction and urban systems are discussed.

Prediction of Forest-Fire Occurrence in Eastern China Utilizing Deep Learning and Spatial Analysis

Forest fires are a major natural calamity that inflict substantial harm on forest resources and the socio-economic landscape. The eastern region of China is particularly susceptible to frequent forest fires, characterized by high population density and vibrant economic activities. Precise forecasting in this area is essential for devising effective prevention strategies. This research utilizes a blend of kernel density analysis, autocorrelation analysis, and the standard deviation ellipse method, augmented by geographic information systems (GISs) and deep-learning techniques, to develop an accurate prediction system for forest-fire occurrences. The deep-learning model incorporates data on meteorological conditions, topography, vegetation, infrastructure, and socio-cultural factors to produce monthly forecasts and assessments. This approach enables the identification of spatial patterns and temporal trends in fire occurrences, enhancing both the precision and breadth of the predictions. The results show that global and local autocorrelation analyses reveal high-incidence areas mainly concentrated in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, with cities like Jiangmen exhibiting distinct concentration characteristics and a varied spatial distribution of fire occurrences. Kernel density analysis further pinpoints high-density fire zones primarily in Meizhou, Qingyuan, and Jiangmen in Guangdong Province, and Dongfang City in Hainan Province. Standard deviation ellipse and centroid shift analysis indicate a significant northward shift in the fire-occurrence centroid over the past 20 years, with an expanding spatial distribution range, decreasing flattening, and relatively stable fire-occurrence direction. The model performs effectively on the validation set, achieving an accuracy of 80.6%, an F1 score of 81.6%, and an AUC of 88.2%, demonstrating its practical applicability. Moreover, monthly fire zoning analysis reveals that high-incidence areas in spring and winter are mainly concentrated in Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Hainan, while autumn shows widespread medium-incidence areas, and summer presents lower fire occurrences in most regions. These findings illustrate the influence of seasonal climate variations on fire occurrences and highlight the necessity for enhanced fire monitoring and prevention measures tailored to different seasons.

Seismic analysis of asphalt concrete core rockfill dams considering the bimodulus effect

In China, with the extensive development of pumped storage power stations, asphalt concrete core rockfill dams have become the preferred dam type because of their good deformation adaptability and impermeability. In seismic-prone western regions of China, the seismic safety of asphalt concrete cores is particularly important. However, asphalt concrete materials used in hydraulic engineering exhibit significant differences in their tensile and compressive moduli under low-temperature conditions, which has not been considered in existing constitutive models. In this study, a dynamic constitutive model considering the bimodulus effect of asphalt concrete was developed on the basis of dynamic tension and compression tests. Using this model, the influence of the bimodulus characteristics on the dynamic response of the core was investigated. The results indicate that a bimodulus constitutive model can effectively simulate the stress‒strain relationship of asphalt concrete materials at low temperatures. Compared with the bimodulus model, the use of the monomodulus model for calculations results in a significant decrease in compressive stress and a substantial increase in tensile stress of the core. Specifically, using the tensile and compressive monomodulus models led to maximum reductions in tensile stress of 42.9 % and an increase by 336.8 %, respectively. Neglecting the bimodulus effect may lead to misjudgment of the damage area, so the bimodulus effect on the seismic safety of dam cores should not be ignored.

Combined Effects of Fishing and Environment on the Growth of Larimichthys polyactis in Coastal Regions of China

In fisheries’ stock assessments, the concept of “growth plasticity”—the ability of organisms to modulate their growth rates in response to environmental conditions—has gained attention in recent years. Historically, the impacts of fishing activities and environmental fluctuations were considered separately, while their combined effects have recently come into focus. This study collected 834 adult small yellow croakers (Larimichthys polyactis) from the northern Yellow Sea, the central Yellow Sea, the southern Yellow Sea, and the northern East Sea by trawling during 2020–2021. Using otolith increments as a proxy for annual somatic growth, the study reconstructed otolith chronologies during 2015–2020 for these four stocks. The results of the mixed-effects modeling suggested that temperature during spawning and previous overwintering seasons had comparable importance for the annual growth of small yellow croakers, with higher temperature promoting growth. The growth of small yellow croakers was also found to be correlated with ENSO events, with a lag of 1 to 2 years. A further investigation into combined effects revealed that higher fishing pressure might inhibit the small yellow croaker’s response to favorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, considering the potential differences in growth plasticity among stocks, an analysis was conducted on the spatial variations in growth response to these factors. The analysis revealed that, compared to the stocks in the Yellow Sea, the stock from the East China Sea could exhibit higher growth, superior adaptability to temperature, and a distinctive response to fishing pressure. In conclusion, the present study, while primarily focusing on temperature, preliminarily analyzed the combined effects of fishing and environment and underscored the differences in growth plasticity between stocks in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. Despite the limited factors analyzed in this study, it suggests a direction for future studies, highlighting the necessity to include more environmental factors, and even population factors (e.g., the biomass of preys), for a more comprehensive understanding of the combined effects. Based on the observed differences between the two potential subpopulations, this study also provides new insights for the management of the small yellow croaker based on metapopulation dynamics.

Does the Concept of Green Development Promote High-Quality Urban Development?—An Empirical Analysis Based on the Pilot Policy of the “Zero-Waste City” in China

Since 2019, eighteen major ministries and commissions, including the National Development and Reform Commission, have launched trials for a “zero-waste city”. Shenzhen, Baotou, Tongling, and 16 other cities and regions have entered the practical operation stage, and the significance of the economic effect of the policy pilot needs to be tested through empirical evaluation. This study systematically gathers time series data from 281 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2022 and constructs an innovative experimental framework for the construction of a zero-waste city. It implements a series of rigorous robustness testing procedures using the difference-in-differences (DID) method to scientifically and objectively measure the actual effects of waste-free city construction strategies in promoting the city’s social development along a high-quality development path. This study provides deep insights into the zero-waste city construction strategy as a strong driving force. Our results indicate that the high-quality development stage has a positive impact on the city as a whole that cannot be ignored. At the same time, in-depth analysis shows that this strategy exhibits strong regional differences in the process of promoting high-quality urban development. For the two core regions of eastern and central China, the implementation of zero-waste city policies has significantly accelerated the pace of high-quality development, and further analysis reveals that, compared with the developed eastern region, the implementation of this policy in the central region has achieved superior results in terms of high-quality development. Third, the benefits of waste-free city policies are related to the economic bases of cities, the number of green patents granted, national policies, geographical location, and other factors.

Combined Effects of Nitrogen Addition and Warming on Shrub Growth and Nutrient Uptake through Microbially Mediated Soil Fertility

Plant restoration strategies are ubiquitously employed for the purposes of soil and water conservation and ecological improvement in forest ecosystems. Despite N and temperature being acknowledged as pivotal factors affecting plant restoration outcomes, their effects on soil fertility, microbial communities, and shrub biomass remain underexplored, particularly in the loess hilly regions of China. Here, we examined the growth patterns and nutrient acquisition abilities of three shrub species, Periploca sepium, Amorpha fruticosa, and Vitex negundo, along with the attendant alterations in soil properties and microbial community composition under controlled greenhouse conditions. Specifically, we imposed three levels of N fertilization (200, 400, and 600 kg ha−1; designated as N1, N2, and N3, respectively) and temperature regimes (18–23, 25–30, and 32–37 °C; labeled T1, T2, and T3, respectively). The results indicated a significant interplay between the combination of N fertilization and temperature significantly affecting shrub growth. Optimal growth conditions, as evidenced by the highest dry biomass accumulation, were identified as N3T1 for A. fruticosa, N1T1 for P. sepium, and N2T2 for V. negundo, with these conditions differentially influencing roots, stems, and leaves. Furthermore, soil microorganisms also responded significantly to the N fertilization and temperature. However, this was largely dependent on shrub species and soil nutrients. For A. fruticosa under N3T1 conditions, Actinobacteria and Basidiomycota abundances correlated strongly with soil C, N, and P contents, while leaf N uptake significantly correlated with the structure of both bacterial and fungal communities. For P. sepium at N1T1, Acidobacteriota was dominant in response to soil N and C, while leaf C uptake and leaf and stem N uptake positively correlated with bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. For V. negundo at N2T2, Chloroflexi had the greatest abundance, responding to the greatest variation in soil N and C, while its stem N uptake was significantly related to the structure of the fungal communities. Thus, our findings underscored the intricate interplay between abiotic factors, shrub growth, soil fertility, and microbial community dynamics, providing insights into the optimization of plant restoration efforts in ecologically sensitive regions.

Are Water Use Efficiency and Effectiveness Relatively Lower in Arid Zones? Comparative Analyses of the Water Productivity of Typical Crops

Agriculture is the largest water user of all sectors. In arid regions in particular, achieving efficient water use in agriculture is an important way to solve water scarcity. However, the difference in water use efficiency between arid and humid regions has long been a focus of academic debate. Many studies consider water use efficiency to be higher in humid areas due to the abundance of water resources. This view is based on the fact that less irrigation in humid areas may lead to higher crop yields and better conditions for agricultural production; however, it ignores the efforts of researchers and agricultural workers in arid zones who have attempted to develop efficient water-saving technologies, as well as the effect of natural conditions on agricultural production. Correctly evaluating the efficiency of agricultural water use in arid zones is important for achieving efficient use of water resources, as well as for water management decisions. This study calculates the yield structure and water productivity of typical crops in both arid and humid regions in China based on the footprint theory and other methodologies. This approach allows for an accurate assessment of irrigation water benefits in various regions, providing a scientific basis for improving agricultural water use efficiency under different climatic conditions. The study results indicate that the average reliance on blue water for wheat and cotton gradually increases from 49.9% to 93.6% as regional aridity intensifies, ranging from the Central China Humid Region to the Northwest China Arid Region. Similarly, the average contribution of blue water to crop yield rises from 31.0% to 100%, while irrigation water productivity increases from 0.27 kg·m−3 to 0.53 kg·m−3. Finally, this study concludes that, in arid zones with lower precipitation and more hours of sunshine, a higher dependence on blue water for crop growth and development leads to a higher productivity of irrigation water. In addition, in arid zones, the focus should be on optimizing the use of irrigation water and improving irrigation technology and efficiency, while, in humid zones, there should be more use of natural precipitation to efficiently reduce dependence on irrigation water.

Effect of urban morphology on microclimate and building cluster energy consumption in cold regions of China

Building energy consumption (BEC) is influenced by the combination of urban morphology and microclimate. This study investigated the influence of urban neighborhood morphology on microclimate and building energy consumption through sixty representative street blocks in cold regions of China. The following conclusions were drawn from the multiple regression analysis, and random forest (RF) in this research: 1) The impact of urban morphology on microclimate and vice versa on energy use intensity (EUI) varies according to the season. 2) Annual temperature (TEMP.), solar radiation (SR), building site cover (BSC), average building height (BH), road area ratio (RAR), and block orientation (BO) were significantly positively correlated with EUI, and the floor area ratio (FAR) was negatively correlated. 3) The FAR is positively correlated with BEC and has a significant negative correlation with relative humidity (RH) which contribution rates are 82.3 % and 7.3 %, respectively. Based on the analysis, the research proposed feasible recommendations to optimize the layout of blocks. The results of this study can be used to predict the energy consumption of new and existing street blocks in cold-climate cities quickly and accurately. Additionally, it provides quantitative strategies for energy-saving and emission reduction in urban planning.

The Impacts of Urban Population Growth and Shrinkage on the Urban Land Use Efficiency: A Case Study of the Northeastern Region of China

In the context of rapid urbanization, urban population differentiation has become increasingly pronounced. Regional development strategies based on growth scenarios often lead to continuous expansion, regardless of urban population status. Such “one-size-fits-all” models exacerbate resource waste and negatively impact urban land use efficiency (ULUE). This study aims to explore the mechanisms by which urban population growth and shrinkage (UPGS) affect ULUE, with the goal of enhancing ULUE and promoting sustainable urban development. We analyzed 34 prefecture-level cities in China’s three northeastern provinces. First, we identified UPGS using population data. We then employed a three-stage SBM-DEA model to measure ULUE from 2000 to 2020. Spatial analysis methods were used to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics and correlations between UPGS and ULUE. Additionally, mediating effect models and spatial Durbin models were utilized to empirically test the impact processes, mechanisms, and spatial heterogeneity. Our findings reveal that: (1) Over the past 20 years, urban population shrinkage in northeastern China has intensified, and significant regional disparities in urban development are evident. (2) Population growth positively influences ULUE, while population shrinkage inhibits its improvement. (3) Economic development, technological innovation, and industrial structure upgrading are key factors in enhancing ULUE in this region, while the impact of public services on ULUE varies significantly at different stages of urban development. (4) Economic development, technological innovation, and industrial structure upgrading exhibit spatial spillover effects, whereas public services are constrained by regional limitations, resulting in minimal spatial spillover effects. To foster coordinated regional development, this study proposes policy recommendations, including strengthening support for resource-dependent cities, optimizing the allocation of public resources, and promoting technological innovation and industrial diversification.

Disentangling the effects of meteorology and emissions from anthropogenic and biogenic sources on the increased surface ozone in Eastern China

China's Clean Air Actions have substantially improved ambient PM2.5 air quality since 2013. However, ozone (O3) pollution in urban areas has worsened in recent years, particularly in the eastern region. The formation of O3 in these high emission areas is highly complex and regulated by numerous factors. Utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem), this study conducted a comprehensive analysis through nine sensitivity experiments for the years 2013 and 2017, aimed at disentangling the relative contributions of major factors (e.g., meteorological factors, anthropogenic emissions, biogenic emissions, and aerosol feedback mechanisms) to the observed O3 concentration trends in Jiangsu, a developed region of China with increasing trend of O3 level. Our findings indicate a pronounced increase in mean daily maximum 8-h average (MDA8) O3 levels in the economically vibrant southern Jiangsu, contrasted with a decrease in the less developed northern regions. The study identifies anthropogenic emissions change as the primary driver of O3 variations, with significant impacts also attributed to meteorological conditions and aerosol feedback effects, while biogenic emission shifts play a lesser role. In terms of meteorological factors, we discovered that the alteration in meteorological thermal factors (enhanced solar radiation and temperatures) in 2017, compared to 2013, exerted a more pronounced influence on the formation of O3 than the change in thermally driven dynamic factors (boundary layer height and wind speed). Moreover, the study observes a shift in O3 formation sensitivity from VOC-sensitive to transitional or NOX-sensitive regimes, signifying a notable transformation in the regional atmospheric chemistry conducive to O3 generation. Aerosol feedback effects, through complex pathways including photolysis rate alterations and modifications in the vertical O3 distribution, further compound the challenge of mitigating O3 levels. Our research underscores the necessity for adaptive, region-specific strategies to mitigate O3 pollution, providing potential insights for policymakers to formulate effective control measures.

Combined Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Linkage Mapping Identifies Genomic Regions Associated with Seedling Root System Architecture (RSA) under Different Nitrogen Conditions in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) in the roots of seedlings is beneficial for increasing crop yield. Creating marker-assisted selection for wheat root traits can assist wheat breeders in choosing robust roots to maximize nutrient uptake. Exploring and identifying the effect of different N supply conditions on root system architecture (RSA) is of great significance for breeding N efficient wheat varieties. In this study, a total of 243 wheat varieties native to the Yellow and Huai Valley regions of China were utilized for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Furthermore, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 123 lines derived from the cross between Avocet and Chilero was utilized for linkage examination. A hydroponic seedling experiment using a 96-well tray was conducted in the lab with two treatments: normal N (NN) and low N (LN). Five RSA traits, including the relative number of root tips (RNRT), relative total root length (RTRL), relative total root surface area (RTRS), relative total root volume (RTRV), and relative average root diameter (RARD), were investigated. GWAS and linkage analysis were performed by integrating data from the wheat 660 k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip and diversity arrays technology (DArT) to identify genetic loci associated with RSA. The results showed that, based on the ratio of RSA-related traits under two N supply conditions, a total of 497 SNP markers, which are significantly associated with RSA-related traits, were detected at 148 genetic loci by GWAS. A total of 10 QTL loci related to RSA were discovered and identified by linkage mapping. Combining two gene localization methods, three colocalized intervals were found: AX-95160997/QRtrl.haust-3D, AX-109592379/QRnrt.haust-5A, and AX-110924288/QRtrl.haust-7D/QRtrs.haust-7D. According to the physical location of the colocalization of these two sites, between 39.61 and 43.74 Mb, 649.97 and 661.55 Mb, and 592.44 and 605.36 Mb are called qRtrl-3D, qRnrt-5A, and qRtrl-7D. This study has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of selecting root traits in wheat breeding programs, offering valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of NUE in wheat. These results could help in breeding wheat varieties with higher NUE by implementing focused breeding strategies.

Effects of Tillage and Straw Mulching on Soil Hydrothermal and Nutrient Content in Agricultural Soil

Long-term intensive tillage has led to soil environment degradation, reduced fertility, and difficulty in increasing crop yield in the Mollisol region of northeast China. In order to improve the soil’shydrothermal environment and nutrient content, we conducted field experiments to investigate the effects of different tillage practices and the amount of straw mulching on soil hydrothermal environment and nutrient content in agricultural soils in seasonal permafrost areas. Four treatments were established: no-tillage without straw (NT0), no-tillage with half straw mulching (NT1), no-tillage with full straw mulching (NT2), and rotary tillage without straw (CK) as the control treatment. The results indicate that the no-tillage with straw mulching treatments increased the soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) content, accompanied by improvements in the soil’s water content and regulation of soil temperature changes, as compared to the CK treatment. Specifically, the soil’s NH4+-N and NO3−-N content in the NT2 treatment were significantly increased by 25.65% and 38.81%, respectively. Our study indicates that NT2 treatment is the most suitable tillage practice and straw-returning method in the Mollisol region of northeast China. This study can provide a theoretical basis and reference for the efficient utilization of farmland soil in seasonal permafrost areas.

Mechanism of Coupled Upper Troposphere and Boundary Layer Induces Two Types of Short‐Term Heavy Rainfall Along the Eastern Foothills of the Taihang Mountains

AbstractUsing 11 years of hourly merged rainfall records and ERA reanalysis data, this paper reveals two major circulation modes leading to two types of short‐term heavy rainfall (STHR) along the Taihang Mountains' eastern foothills, and further explains their mechanisms. One circulation mode has a distinct warm anomaly at 300 hPa covering most areas of North China, together with the boundary‐layer westerly anomaly occurring in North China and its southern region (UTWA‐BLWA). UTWA‐BLWA effectively contributes to the reinforcement of the upper‐level divergence and the low‐level moisture convergence by promoting the strengthening of upper anticyclonic and low‐level southwesterly anomalies. The combined effects of low‐level jet (LLJ) and topographic uplift form the central‐northern STHR pattern. The other circulation structure has a 300‐hPa warm anomaly located to the southeastern Russia and a prominent 300‐hPa cold anomaly covering the south, together with the boundary‐layer easterly anomaly occurring over the whole region of eastern China (UTCA‐BLEA). The southern STHR pattern is attributed to the exit of the boundary‐layer jet (BLJ) over lower elevations due to moist transport and dynamic uplift associated with the easterly anomaly. The results indicate that the locations of STHR are related to the direction, intensity, and height of the LLJ. The findings highlight that the upper‐tropospheric temperature anomalies (UTTA) and boundary‐layer easterly flow jointly modulate heavy rainfall. Analysis of the coupled upper troposphere and boundary layer could help understand and forecast heavy rainfall.

The Impact of Technological Value Recognition on Job Performance Under Digital Transformation

This study focuses on two key factors influencing job performance, technological value recognition (TVR) and emotional labor, that inform the digital labor job performance model. In this study, we argue that digital enterprises enhancing digital workers' TVR and emotional labor can enhance employees' job performance. By analyzing data from 571 digital preschool teachers working in 27 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, we came to the following conclusions: TVR has a positive impact on job performance, emotional labor has a positive impact on job performance, and emotional labor mediates the relationship between TVR and job performance. Our findings also indicate that enhancing the digital resource support employers offered and providing emotional training to employees are two important actions companies can take to improve job performance and innovation capabilities in the digital transformation era.