Demands Of Population Research Articles

Human-hippo conflicts around Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve, Ethiopia: Vulnerability of hippopotamus in human-dominated landscape.

Currently, the demand of the human population for more land, water, and other natural resources from wildlife habitats is increasing all over the world. Such intense human pressure results in conflict with wildlife and the impacts affect both parties negatively. The human-hippo conflict poses a serious problem for both local farmers' livelihoods and hippo conservation. To date, the extent of human-hippo conflict is poorly documented in Ethiopia. Specifically, the extent of human-hippo conflicts around Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve (LTBR) is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the extent of human-hippo conflict, and possible mitigation measures proposed by the local people around LTBR, Ethiopia. We conducted a questionnaire interview with the household head, the household head's wife, or other adults ≥ 18 years old. All respondents reported that crop damage was the main cause of human-hippo conflict around LTBR. Livestock grazing competition (17.4%) and human attack (19.5%) were also sources of conflicts in the region. Respondents claimed that hippos destroyed crops including maize (Zea mays), teff (Eragrostis teff), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), and rice (Oryza sativa). Most (91.2%) respondents claimed that the severity of crop damage caused by hippos was high in the region. Most respondents (range 90 to 93%) complained about high crop damage suggesting that hippos be eliminated from the region. Local people estimated that the population sizes of hippos comprise an average of 243 individuals; however, we counted 122 hippos during our boat survey in the area. The result of this study showed that human-hippo conflicts cause negative effects on both farmers' livelihood and hippo conservation in the region. To mitigate human-hippo conflict, we suggest that proper land use zonation systems around key areas, broad awareness creation among local people, and alternative crop production should be promoted around the LTBR.

Field phenotyping for African crops: overview and perspectives.

Improvements in crop productivity are required to meet the dietary demands of the rapidly-increasing African population. The development of key staple crop cultivars that are high-yielding and resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses is essential. To contribute to this objective, high-throughput plant phenotyping approaches are important enablers for the African plant science community to measure complex quantitative phenotypes and to establish the genetic basis of agriculturally relevant traits. These advances will facilitate the screening of germplasm for optimum performance and adaptation to low-input agriculture and resource-constrained environments. Increasing the capacity to investigate plant function and structure through non-invasive technologies is an effective strategy to aid plant breeding and additionally may contribute to precision agriculture. However, despite the significant global advances in basic knowledge and sensor technology for plant phenotyping, Africa still lags behind in the development and implementation of these systems due to several practical, financial, geographical and political barriers. Currently, field phenotyping is mostly carried out by manual methods that are prone to error, costly, labor-intensive and may come with adverse economic implications. Therefore, improvements in advanced field phenotyping capabilities and appropriate implementation are key factors for success in modern breeding and agricultural monitoring. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of field phenotyping and the challenges limiting its implementation in some African countries. We suggest that the lack of appropriate field phenotyping infrastructures is impeding the development of improved crop cultivars and will have a detrimental impact on the agricultural sector and on food security. We highlight the prospects for integrating emerging and advanced low-cost phenotyping technologies into breeding protocols and characterizing crop responses to environmental challenges in field experimentation. Finally, we explore strategies for overcoming the barriers and maximizing the full potential of emerging field phenotyping technologies in African agriculture. This review paper will open new windows and provide new perspectives for breeders and the entire plant science community in Africa.

The impact of passenger electric vehicles on carbon reduction and environmental impact under the 2050 net zero policy in Taiwan

In response to the 2050 net-zero emission goal, Taiwan initiated the “Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions” in 2022, including a focus on electric vehicles (EVs). However, the emission reduction effect of electric vehicles has not been fully studied in Taiwan. Therefore, this study aims to conduct life cycle assessment (LCA) on environmental performance by replacing petrol vehicles with electric vehicles on the basis of the well-to-wheel method. This study also establishes a feedback mechanism through system dynamics to correlate the DALY results of LCA with population and energy demand. Results of the impact of DALY on lifespan and population is relatively small, indicating that the reduction in environmental impact from electric vehicles helps mitigate the decline in population. The emission-reducing potential and environmental impact of electric vehicles by 2050 are also estimated. Results demonstrate that within a 95% confidence interval and considering uncertainties arising from total driving distance, fuel economy, and energy intensity of electric vehicles, the greenhouse gas emissions of electric vehicles in 2050 will be between 7.826 × 105 and 1.069 × 106 tCO2e, respectively. In addition, the emission-reducing potential of electric vehicles is in the range of 1.076 × 106 to 1.804 × 106 tCO2e.

Phenomic versus genomic prediction—A comparison of prediction accuracies for grain yield in hard winter wheat lines

AbstractCommon bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key component of global diets, but the genetic improvement of wheat is not keeping pace with the growing demands of the world's population. To increase efficiency and reduce costs, breeding programs are rapidly adopting the use of unoccupied aerial vehicles to conduct high‐throughput spectral analyses. This study examined the effectiveness of multispectral indices in predicting grain yield compared to genomic prediction. Multispectral data were collected on advanced generation yield nursery trials during the 2019–2021 growing seasons in the Colorado State University Wheat Breeding Program. Genome‐wide genotyping was performed on these advanced generations and all plots were harvested to measure grain yield. Two methods were used to predict grain yield: genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) generated by a genomic best linear unbiased prediction (gBLUP) model and phenomic phenotypic estimates (PPEs) using only spectral indices via multiple linear regression (MLR), k‐nearest neighbors (KNNs), and random forest (RF) models. In cross‐validation, PPEs produced by MLR, KNN, and RF models had higher prediction accuracy () than GEBVs produced by gBLUP ( ). In leave‐one‐year‐out forward validation using only multispectral data for 2020 and 2021, PPEs from MLR and KNN models had higher prediction accuracy of grain yield than GEBVs of those same lines. These findings suggest that a limited number of spectra may produce PPEs that are more accurate than or equivalently accurate as GEBVs derived from gBLUP, and this method should be evaluated in earlier development material where sequencing is not feasible.

Application of Nanotechnology in Plant Genetic Engineering.

The ever-increasing food requirement with globally growing population demands advanced agricultural practices to improve grain yield, to gain crop resilience under unpredictable extreme weather, and to reduce production loss caused by insects and pathogens. To fulfill such requests, genome engineering technology has been applied to various plant species. To date, several generations of genome engineering methods have been developed. Among these methods, the new mainstream technology is clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) with nucleases. One of the most important processes in genome engineering is to deliver gene cassettes into plant cells. Conventionally used systems have several shortcomings, such as being labor- and time-consuming procedures, potential tissue damage, and low transformation efficiency. Taking advantage of nanotechnology, the nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery method presents technical superiority over conventional approaches due to its high efficiency and adaptability in different plant species. In this review, we summarize the evolution of plant biomolecular delivery methods and discussed their characteristics as well as limitations. We focused on the cutting-edge nanotechnology-based delivery system, and reviewed different types of nanoparticles, preparation of nanomaterials, mechanism of nanoparticle transport, and advanced application in plant genome engineering. On the basis of established methods, we concluded that the combination of genome editing, nanoparticle-mediated gene transformation and de novo regeneration technologies can accelerate crop improvement efficiently in the future.

Mid Term Followup of Patient Reported Outcomes in Patients <50 years with a Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: End stage arthritis is a debilitating condition that significantly affects patients’ quality of life. Ankle arthritis differs from arthritis of the hip and knee in that ankle arthritis is often posttraumatic in nature and affects a younger patient population. Historically, younger age was a contraindication to total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and ankle arthrodesis was the mainstay of treatment. Advances in TAA implant design and revision implants has expanded indications and increased usage of TAA. Despite this, many surgeons remain hesitant due to the lack of long term data on patient outcomes and survivorship in these patients. The purpose of our study was to evaluate patient reported outcome measures and survivorship after primary TAA in patients < 50 years of age at the time of surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients < 50 years of age who underwent primary TAA at a single institution from 2010-2020. Patient demographics, outcome measures, and complications were recorded. All patients had a minimum clinical follow up of 5 years. Patient reported outcome (PRO) measures collected included FADI, VAS, SMFA SF-36, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and FAOS scores. Outcome measures were evaluated preoperative, 1 year postoperative, and at final clinical follow up. Paired t-tests were performed to compare individual patients’ changes in PRO from preoperative to postoperative timepoints. Multiple comparisons correction was performed using the Bonferroni method. Implant survivorship was evaluated based on need for revision of either the tibial or talar component. Results: A total of 59 patients were included in the study. The average age at time of surgery was 43.2 years. All patients had a minimum follow up of 5 years with a mean follow up time of 8.8 years. Mean FADI improved from 53.3 (sd:14.1) preoperatively to 16.1 (sd:11.4) (p < 0.001) at 1-year postoperatively. Mean VAS and SMFA also improved from preoperative to 1-year postoperative timepoints [VAS: 68.2 (sd:27.0) to 10.3(sd:13.1) (p < 0.001); SMFA: 36.1 (sd:12.2) to 14.8 (sd:13.7) (p < 0.001)]. A total of 5 patients required revision of components during the follow up period. Three patients required complete revision of both tibial and talar components, 2 due to aseptic loosening and 1 due to deep infection requiring explant of components. Conclusion: Patients < 50 years undergoing TAA for end stage ankle arthritis have improved patients reported outcomes greater than 5 years after surgery. Despite the increased demands of the younger population, survivorship of total ankle implants in our study was 85% at a mean of 8.8 years postoperative. We believe that TAA is a safe and reliable option for young patients with high patient satisfaction at mid term follow up.

WAYS TO INCREASE THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF LEMON GROWING ON THE FARM

The article describes ways to increase the economic efficiency of lemon cultivation on the farm. Meeting the demand of the country's population for food products and raw materials of industry depends primarily on the level of development and management of the agro-industrial complex and the agricultural network, which is the basis of this complex.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEASURES FOR THE RESTORATION OF SOILS TRANSFORMED AS A RESULT OF MILITARY OPERATIONS

The Earth is a wealth of society. Its role in addressing the food problem cannot be overstated. It is known that the population's demand for staple food products doubles on average every thirty years. Therefore, in order to provide enough food for all the people living in the years 2010-2020, the productivity of agriculture needs to be doubled. The solution to this incredibly complex task primarily depends on the efficiency of land utilization. Observations are conducted using ground-based methods, primarily field-based techniques, and remote sensing tools. The establishment of correlation relationships between ground-based and remote sensing methods is carried out on dedicated test sites. The purpose of the article is to provide proposals for implementing measures for the restoration of lands transformed as a result of military actions. The methodology should include modern mathematical support, including principles of database creation, automated data processing and retrieval systems, and methods for real-time and long-term forecasting. For an accurate assessment of such transformations and the implementation of targeted regulation of soil processes, there is a need to organize systematic monitoring services to observe them. The absence of such monitoring can lead to irreversible degradation of the soil cover, which would later require enormous costs and time for restoration. It is clear that from both economic and socio-environmental perspectives, it is more practical and advantageous to prevent adverse changes rather than trying to remedy them later. By processing such information, it is possible to identify optimal natural conditions for various activities, predict both positive and negative factors for agricultural operations, and take measures to reduce the impact of negative factors on human life and activities. It is known that for a long time, observations were only conducted on changes in the state of the natural environment caused by natural factors. Indeed, the state of the biosphere changes under the influence of both natural and anthropogenic factors. However, there is a significant difference in the outcomes of these influences: the state of the biosphere, which constantly changes due to natural causes, usually returns to its previous state. Large balanced ecological systems, geosystems, change extremely slowly under the influence of natural processes. These gradual evolutionary changes occur only over time measured by historical epochs. The deteriorating ecological situation in Ukraine, including the agroecological state of the soil cover, emphasizes the need for the State Agrochemical Service to transition from soil agrochemical surveys to comprehensive soil-agrochemical monitoring of agricultural lands. Such monitoring belongs to the ecological monitoring type and consists of three main components: soil surveys (including laboratory analysis), assessment of their agro-ecological condition, prediction of changes in relevant indicators, and soil fertility management, which refers to the specific properties of soils that distinguish them qualitatively from their parent geological formations.

Optimisasi Energi Melalui Pelatihan Mekanisasi Sistem Kontrol Mobil Listrik: Sebuah Pendekatan PKM

The increasing population growth and demand for transportation energy in Indonesia, particularly from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, highlight the urgency of adopting environmentally friendly technologies. The government's focus on electric vehicles is promising, but it requires competent human resources support. The Community Service Program (PKM) titled "Energy Optimization Through Mechanization Training for Vehicle Control Systems: A PKM Approach" at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Makassar, has made a significant contribution. Through the PKM approach, students are actively engaged, enhancing their knowledge and practical skills in implementing energy-efficient technology. The outcomes include improved assembly and integration skills for control system mechanisms and the implementation of technology in personal vehicles. This training also raises environmental awareness and empowers students as agents of change. Positive evaluations from aspects of knowledge, skills, and social impact support the importance of developing competent human resources to facilitate the advancement of energy-efficient vehicle technology in Indonesia.

Designing a Model of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System for Off-Grid Localities in Tanzania

Modeling of photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system for rural water localities is vital especially in these modern days, in Tanzania. This is due to the rise of high number of solar-powered rural water projects constructed lacking appropriate design. The fate result into poor and substandard projects delivering below expectations. Kikombo Solar Water Project situated in Dodoma; Tanzania is one among poorly designed solar project chosen as a case study to validate proposed model. The main problem of Kikombo project is unsatisfactory amount of water from domestic points to satisfy population demand. This matter has been raised by pumping-station attendants and the Kikombo village community. The Kikombo water project can only deliver 14.21 m3/day while required demand is 50 m3/day. In order to solve the existing problem, solar water pumping model was developed. It consists of PV array, a motor-pump (AC), inverters (DC–AC converter), maximum power point tracker (MPPT) integrated with a controller and a storage water tank. Analysis was done in MATLAB to estimate which parameters should be upgraded to meet the water requirements. Moreover, the input and output variable for each model component were identified and simulated in MATLAB software. Finally, PV model was validated and system capacity improvement to rectify designs limitation for Kikombo is proposed. The model results were validated through real measurement data at Kikombo water pumping station. The differential error of 0.04062 was observed as a system error. PV model displayed an error of 0.0509 for power output, 0.0383 for current and 0.0131 for voltage; inverter displayed error of 0.0686 and 0.0406 for motor pump. In order to acquire sufficient water demand of 50 m3 /day, the PV panel and pump capacities should be increased to 8.82 kW and 7.35 kW respectively from the existing PV panel’s power of 2.5 kW and motor-pump of 4 kW.

Optimisation of energy solutions: Alternative energy, reactive power compensation, and energy efficiency management

The relevance of the problem under study is determined by the need to create a sustainable, efficient and environmentally safe energy complex. The growth of the world population, industrial development, and overall energy demand endanger the provision of society’s energy needs, making the need for research urgent at the present time. The purpose of the study is to examine optimal energy optimisation strategies, including alternative energy, compensation of reactive power, and energy efficiency management, to ensure the stable and efficient functioning of the energy complex. Among the methods used, analytical, classification, functional, statistical, and synthesis methods were applied. In investigating the optimisation of energy solutions, a thorough analysis of various aspects of alternative energy, reactive power compensation, and energy efficiency management was conducted. This analysis encompassed various aspects and parameters related to these areas, including technical, economic, and environmental indicators. As a result of the study, it was established that alternative energy has significant potential for ensuring sustainable development of the energy system. It can serve as a reliable source of energy that does not harm the environment and is not dependent on limited resources. In addition, reactive power compensation was recognised as an effective way to avoid energy losses in the system. This strategy helps to ensure more efficient energy use and reduce losses during transmission and distribution. Energy efficiency management also proved to be a key aspect in achieving energy supply sustainability. This allows optimising resource utilisation, reducing energy costs, and mitigating the negative impact on the environment. The practical value of the study lies in the development of innovative recommendations and strategies for energy optimisation, which will contribute to the creation of a stable, efficient, and environmentally safe energy complex and enhance its compliance with current and future challenges, making a considerable contribution to the development of science and the energy sector

Comparative analysis of CMIP5 and CMIP6 in conjunction with the hydrological processes of reservoir catchment, Chhattisgarh, India

Study regionMahanadi reservoir project complex (MRP), Chhattisgarh, India Study focusThis study assesses and compares the performance of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and CMIP6 models in modeling the hydrological regime. The study compared the performance of 13 CMIP6 GCMs in two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSEPs) with that of 16 CMIP5 GCMs in two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Before being used to drive the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for streamflow prediction, the raw CMIP outputs were adjusted and downscaled using Bias Correction and Spatial Disaggregation methods (BCSD). In addition, the water deficits were also assessed between the mean monthly released by the optimized model and the mean monthly water demand. Results of this research projected the domestic water demand for future scenarios (2023–2099). New hydrological insights for the study regionThe results of this study revealed that the genetic algorithm (GA) outperforms the various optimization techniques for CMIP5, with deficits observed by the GA algorithm. In addition, CCCmaCanESM2 was found to be the most efficient among CMIP5 GCMs, whereas MPI-ESM1–2-HR was used for CMIP6 GCMs. Overall, the CMIP6 multi-model mean ensemble (MMME) outperformed the CMIP5 MMME in simulating streamflow over the study area at annual and seasonal timescales. CMIP6 MMME also reduced maximum and minimum temperature biases over the study region significantly. In overall conclusion, the CMIP6 ensemble offers a lower margin of uncertainty for future climate projections and better credibility for hydrological effect analysis. The results further indicate that satisfactory steam flows can be obtained from the SWAT model while slight underestimations can be seen for higher discharges. In addition, the projected domestic water demand based on future population and irrigation demand clearly showcases significant annual increases.

THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS

This article presents a bibliographical contribution on the use of digital technologies in Youth and Adult Education (EJA) and how this modality has been increasingly present in various educational programs and projects. Technological evolution has enabled significant changes in EJA teaching, however, this process still faces important challenges. With regard to the use of digital technologies, it is necessary to consider, firstly, the historical dimensions of EJA, which presents traces of a complex and challenging trajectory, meeting the demands of an adult population seeking to resume or begin their basic education. The use of digital media can be seen as a way to meet this demand, enabling access to content in a flexible way and based on the individual needs of each student. In this sense, Pierre Lévy’s ideas have been fundamental in thinking about the use of technologies in EJA. Author of important concepts such as What is virtual, he presents the internet as a central tool in the construction of a new network society. Teacher training is a fundamental aspect for the success of virtualization at EJA. Educators need to be prepared to take on a mediating role between students and technology, in order to guarantee meaningful learning adapted to the specific needs of each student. In this way, virtualization at EJA, with support from Pierre Lévy, can be seen as an opportunity to democratize access to education and guarantee the formation of a more connected and inclusive society.

Suggestions for Lawsons Entry into the Global Market: Evidence from Operations and Strategy of Lawson Convenience Stores in China

Convenience store as a retail format meets urban populations demand of a more efficient and expedient lifestyle. This retail model originated in Japan, and Lawson, as the second largest Japanese convenience store chain, has reached saturation in the domestic market and is now looking to expand internationally for future growth. This essay examines Lawsons development in China and provides suggestions for its future growth in the global market based on its operations and strategies in China. Through the analysis of literature research, market data and Lawsons official annual reports, this paper gives a comprehensive analysis of Lawsons successful experience in the Chinese market and offers advice on the firms global development, emphasizing detailed market research and entry mode, a well-structured supply chain and technological investment, and targeted marketing strategies.

1D convolutional neural networks-based soil fertility classification and fertilizer prescription

Sustainable agriculture is essential to meet the demands of the global population. An adequate application of fertilizers is essential for sustainable agricultural productivity. This research aims to determine soil fertility and provide precise fertilizer to improve crop yield. Many researchers have proposed soil fertility classification using deep learning-based approaches, such as extreme learning machines (ELMs) and multilayer perceptrons (MLPs). Although both ELM and MLP have the highest performance, insufficient training data prevent them from being useful. To address this limitation, this research proposes a 1D convolution neural networks (1D-CNN)-based soil fertility classification method that is straightforward, compact, and supports scalar additions and multiplications. To classify soil fertility, the classifier employs laboratory-measured soil data that encompasses electrical conductivity, pH, organic carbon, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. The proposed approach employs MinMax normalization and the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to improve the classifier performance. The results of soil classification are used to recommend fertilizers. An experimental study using a laboratory-measured soil dataset showed that the proposed technique outperformed ELM and MLP classifiers. The proposed approach outperformed ELM and MLP with a classification accuracy of 97.9%, while ELM and MLP achieved classification accuracies of 69.80% and 87.06%, respectively. The proposed method can help farmers manage soil fertility sustainably to increase crop production.

Breeding Novel Rice Hybrids for Aerobic Ecology: A Way Out from Global Warming and Water Crisis

The development of novel rice hybrids is a prospectus area of research for enhancing grain yield to meet the growing population demands. An experiment was conducted in 2016–2017 to develop novel rice hybrids for aerobic ecology with lesser yield penalties than irrigated ecosystems, with the added advantage of reduced methane emissions and water budget as witnessed in irrigated systems. Based on the restorer-maintainer reaction and spikelet fertility (%), ten restorer lines were selected to cross with three CMS (Cytoplasmic male sterile) lines in the Line by Tester fashion in Yasangi (summer) season 2016–2017. They resulted in 30 experimental hybrids besides 13 parental lines (10 restorer lines and 3 B—lines of akin CMS lines) and checks (GK 5022, CR Dhan 201) assessed during the Vankalam (rainy) season 2017 at three different places/locations viz., Rajendranagar, Warangal, and Kampasagar. The outcome of the experiment was that two experimental hybrids viz., APMS-6A × HRSV-7 and IR-79156A × ATR-372, were categorized as stable hybrids with desirable sca (Specific combining ability) effects, heterosis (ranging from 7% to 13%) over best check GK 5022, along with an in-essence performance for yield and other yield attributing characters.

RNAi-chitosan biopesticides for managing forest insect pests: an outlook

The expanding world population demands superior forest protection to fulfil feasible environmental certainty. The persistent pest infestations negatively influence forest health and cause substantial economic losses. In contrast, the traditional use of conventional pesticides results in a loss of soil microbial biodiversity, a drop in the population of pollinators, and adverse effects on other non-target organisms, including humans. Global forestry is looking for solutions to reduce the adverse environmental effects of current chemical pesticides. RNAi-nanotechnology has recently drawn much attention for its use in pest management. The advantages of engineered RNAi-chitosan nano-formulations in terms of simple digestion and dissolution, non-toxicity, high adsorption power, potential biodegradation in nature, and widespread availability and cost-effectiveness, have been well documented for pest management in agroecosystems. However, deploying such control strategies in forest ecosystems is still pending and demands further research. Hence, we highlight the putative uses of RNAi-chitosan biopesticides and their preparation, characterization, and putative application methods for forest pest management. We also discussed potential environmental risks and plausible mitigation strategies.

Accessibility Improvement and Renewal of Urban Park Green Space for the Elderly and the Disabled

With the global population aging, balancing urban development with the social lives of the elderly and disabled has become an important issue. Network analysis was employed as the primary research method, utilizing tools such as Network Analysis on the ArcGIS platform and Python. To enhance the applicability of the analytical model in population demand and travel characteristic studies, a dataset was established based on the behavioral characteristics of elderly and disabled individuals. Resistance values and evaluation indicators were selected for this purpose. We summarized the travel preferences of the elderly and disabled and proposed corresponding accessibility optimization strategies. Through the analysis of the experimental results, we believe that setting the optimization goal as a 10-min walk for the elderly and a 500-m walk for the disabled to access parks and green spaces is reasonable. Additionally, the service area ratio and service population ratio should exceed 90% to ensure equitable access to the ecological services of urban parks for the elderly and disabled population. We also found that connecting and extending linear green spaces are of significant importance in improving green space accessibility, because linear green spaces have more entrances and exits than dot green spaces and area green spaces.

Reservation-Based Cooperative Ecodriving Model for Mixed Autonomous and Manual Vehicles at Intersections

Oversaturation has become a serious issue for urban intersections worldwide due to the rapid increase in population and traffic demands. The emergence of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies demonstrates the potential to improve oversaturated arterial traffic. Integrating vehicular control and intersection controller optimization into a single process based on CAV technologies can optimize the performance of mixed traffic flow scenarios with various levels of CAV market penetration. This paper proposes an efficient reservation-based cooperative ecodriving model (RCEM) for an isolated intersection under partial and complete CAV market penetration, which can simultaneously optimize the CAV trajectories and intersection controller. CAVs are utilized to precluster manual vehicles into a platoon to improve vehicle passage efficiency. Then, a heuristic-based algorithm is developed to effectively obtain an optimal solution. The proposed RCEM scheme is compared with fixed signal control and actuated signal control in a Simulation of Urban MObility (SUMO)-based platform. Experimental results prove that the RCEM scheme outperforms the fixed signal control and actuated signal control in terms of stop delay, fuel consumption, and emissions under the condition of low levels of CAV penetration. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the system performance further improves as the CAV penetration rate increases, and the stop delay is almost eliminated when the CAV market penetration reaches 100%. Furthermore, the vehicle delay fluctuation under left-turning rates ranging from 5%-75% is 4.4 sec, which is far better than the vehicle delay fluctuation of the fixed signal control (176 sec) and actuated control (65.6 sec).

The 2022 Summer record-breaking heatwave and health information-seeking behaviours: an infodemiology study in Mainland China

IntroductionHeatwave is a major global health concern. Many countries including China suffered a record-breaking heatwave during the summer of 2022, which may have a significant effect on population health or...