Development Of Human Society Research Articles

Spatio-Temporal Differentiation and Driving Factors of County-Level Food Security in the Yellow River Basin: A Case Study of Ningxia, China

Food security is the primary condition for the development of human society. The Great River Basin is very important to ensure the accessibility and availability of agricultural irrigation, which is vital for food security. The Yellow River Basin plays a significant role in China’s food security, with counties serving as key administrative units for guaranteeing this security. This study uses the Yellow River Basin in China as a case study to construct an evaluation index system for county-level food security. It assesses the food security of 22 counties (districts) in Ningxia from 2013 to 2022, applying spatial correlation theories and driving factor analysis methods to explore the factors influencing county-level food security. The results reveal the following: (1) Overall, the food security index in Ningxia has been on the rise, but there is significant internal variation among counties. (2) Spatially, the food security index is relatively low in administrative centers, while the irrigation areas along the Yellow River play a crucial role in maintaining food security, and the overall food security index in the central arid areas is improving. (3) Food security is driven by multiple factors including economic, social, and climatic influences. To enhance food security in the Yellow River Basin, it is necessary to manage land resources systematically, improve grain production technology, and balance ecological protection with food security.

Catalytic synthesis of niacin from 3-methyl-pyridine and 30%H2O2 by Cu-based zeolite

Niacin is well known not only as vitamin B3 but also as an important chemical, and has wide applications in the fields of food, farming, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and industry. With the rapid development of human society, the requirement for niacin has been increasing constantly worldwide. Meanwhile, development of green routes to produce niacin under mild conditions has become particularly urgent to substitute the conventional reaction process with the consideration of energy conservation and emission reduction. Among various synthesis routes of niacin, selective oxidation of 3-methyl-pyridine and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the liquid phase has become the focus of research due to its distinct advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, environmentally friendly reaction processes, and so on. Herein, zeolite-based catalysts have been first applied in the liquid phase synthesis of niacin from 3-methyl-pyridine and 30%H2O2 under mild reaction conditions. In addition, Cu-based 13X zeolite is found to show the highest catalytic performance, and optimal catalytic reaction systems have been established. This work provides a green and optional route for the synthesis of niacin.

An Evaluation Study on the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Water Ecological Security in the Hotan River Basin

With the intensification of global climate change, inland river basins in arid desert regions are facing serious challenges in water supply and ecological and environmental protection. A water ecological security assessment is important as a key management tool in the context of inland river basins situated in arid desert areas. This study evaluated the water ecological security of the Hotan River Basin based on a combination of the Ecology–Produce–Life Space perspective and the Drive–Pressure–Status–Influence–Respond (DPSIR) model. The entropy value method and the composite index method were employed for this purpose, and a regression analysis was used to establish a prediction model to forecast the future water ecological security status. The results show that from 2013 to 2020, the water ecological security status of the Hotan River Basin exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, shifting from an average to a good status. The pressure layer has the greatest impact on water ecological security, while the ecological space within the Ecology–Produce–Life Space is increasing in the overall share year by year. In the future, the water ecological safety condition of the Hotan River Basin is expected to improve and remain in good condition. Taking the Hotan River Basin as an example, the results of this study, combining the Ecology–Produce–Life Space perspectives and the DPSIR model, provide in-depth theoretical and practical value for the evaluation and prediction of water ecological security in inland river basins in arid desert areas, provide a scientific basis and feasible suggestions for relevant decision-making, and emphasize the importance of ecological spatial protection and restoration for the sustainable development of human society and ecosystems.

Who will win the competitive game between China and United States?

As the world’s two great powers, China and the United States have developed a relationship that strongly affects the rest of the world. In the present study, we compare the benefits and drawbacks of the relationship between China and the United States with the goal of finding ways to avoid this kind of zero-sum game from four perspectives: political, cultural, economic, and military. The governments of China and the United States should first and foremost work on solving their domestic problems rather than seeking a confrontation. Although competition between individuals, industries, regions, and governments is a major force that drives the development and evolution of human society, competitors must avoid dangerous zero-sum games and instead promote cooperation or coopetition. One approach would be to develop a globalized federation of nations that will work to achieve a “common world of harmony and differences”.

The Influence and Strategies of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Academia, Ethics and Society

In the context of the emerging digital environment, generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is quickly becoming implemented in different spheres of life and even begins to replace people in some professions. This means that GAI is leading a new round of technological and industrial revolution. The application and growth of artificial intelligence has improved the society as well as the economy and but has issued many ethical and social problems thus making ethical governance of artificial intelligence more relevant. To contribute to the further development of the concept GAI under the conditions of sustainable development of human society and science, industries and scholars around the world have started researches on this technology. However, as GAI is still an embryonic field, more research efforts must be directed toward this field in the future. Researched articles that compare the use of GAI to the effects on ethical and societal concerns will form the basis of this paper and the resulting discussion of the pros and cons of this technology, this paper considers and demonstrates the difficulties of students, educators, and academics facing the consequences of GAI development. Finally, it has suggestion for the governance of GAI’s next phase of growth.

Quantitative evidence of the community of shared future for mankind as a driver of sustainable development in human society

In an era marked by global economic challenges, an increasing array of non-traditional security threats, and a proliferation of conflicts and issues, China has put forth the building of a community of shared future for mankind as a way to address this question of the times. The theory of the community of shared future for mankind offers a framework to address contemporary issues by promoting equality, mutual benefit, security, justice, openness, innovation, multicultural exchange, and green development. This paper innovatively quantifies the five core principles of the theory of the community of shared future for mankind using the entropy method. It calculates the proxy variable for sustainable development, green total factor productivity, using the super-efficiency Slack-Based Measure model in Data Envelopment Analysis. Baseline regression is conducted on this basis. The Principal Component Analysis method and another Data Envelopment Analysis method, the Malmquist index, are utilized to recalculate the indicators, followed by another round of regression analysis. The results are consistent with the baseline regression. Additionally, Ordinary Least Squares, Partial Least Squares, Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Ridge regression, and Lasso regression are employed to ensure the robustness of the results. The findings indicate a significant positive relationship between the community of a shared future for mankind and the sustainable development of human society, with consistent conclusions drawn from different calculation methods and regression techniques. Through value recognition, international cooperation based on benefit-sharing and mutual reciprocity can guide humanity towards a harmonious coexistence with nature, irrespective of regional and economic disparities. This study provides quantitative evidence of the impact of the community of a shared future for mankind on the sustainable development of human society, filling a gap in existing research. Based on these findings, feasible policy recommendations are proposed to promote sustainable development in human society.

Impact of the Extent of Population Aging on Economic Development and Countermeasure

With the comprehensive prosperity and development of human society, human life expectancy shows a rising trend, fertility rate shows a declining trend, the world is facing a severe problem of population aging, the ensuing economic impact is the focus we need to pay attention to. Taking various countries and regions in the world from 1960 to 2019 as samples, this paper conducted an empirical test on transnational panel data and found that old age dependency would significantly hinder economic growth. The conclusion remained valid after the robustness test of replacing explanatory variables, instrumental variable method and changing sample interval. Further study found that old-age dependency ratio will also significantly reduce consumption expenditure. Based on this, this paper gets inspiration and puts forward corresponding policy suggestions to mitigate the adverse impact of population aging on China's social and economic development.

Thermal Comfort and Restorative Benefits of Waterfront Green Spaces for College Students in Hot and Humid Regions

Global climate change presents a serious threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the urgent need to develop effective adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. Campus waterfront green spaces, integral to the blue-green infrastructure, have been demonstrated to facilitate stress recovery. However, in hot and humid regions, severe outdoor thermal conditions may impair students’ mental and physical health and cognitive function, leading to symptoms such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. This study examined the influence of outdoor thermal environments on health recovery by selecting three different waterfront green spaces in this climate: Space A (medium water body, sky view factor (SVF) = 0.228), Space B (large water body, SVF = 0.808), and Space C (small water body, SVF = 0.292). The volunteers’ thermal comfort and the restorative benefits of these spaces were evaluated via the perceived restorativeness scale (PRS), heart rate (HR), and electrodermal activity (EDA). We found variations in the neutral physiological equivalent temperature (PET) across the spaces, with values of 28.1 °C (A), 28.9 °C (B), and 29.1 °C (C). The lowest skin conductance recovery rate (RSC) at 0.8811 was observed in Space B, suggesting suboptimal physiological recovery, despite higher scores in psychological recovery (fascination) at 15.23. The level of thermal comfort in this hot and humid region showed a negative correlation with the overall PRS score, the “being away” dimension, and heart rate recovery (RHR). At a lightly warm stress level, where PET increased from 31.0 to 35.7 °C, RSC peaked between 1.45 and 1.53 across all spaces. These insights provide guidance for urban designers and planners in creating waterfront green space designs that can improve the urban microclimate and promote thermal health, achieving sustainable health.

Evaluation and Trade-Offs/Synergies of Ecosystem Services in an Ecologically Fragile Region: A Case Study of Western Jilin Province

Ecosystem services (ES) are the foundation for the survival and development of human society. It is of great significance to clarify the trade-off and synergy between different types of ES in promoting regional sustainable development. This paper selects the western Jilin Province as a case, focusing on exploring the trade-offs and synergies of ES in ecologically fragile areas, enriching the geographical types of research on the relationships between ecosystem services. Utilizing the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model, this study focused on quantifying four pivotal services—carbon storage, water yield, soil conservation, and habitat quality index—over a two-decade span encompassing the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, and analyzed the trade-offs/synergies between the four ecosystem service functions. The results show that from 2000 to 2020, among the four ecosystem services, water yield and soil conservation increased by 13.57 × 109 m3 and 220.61 × 106 t, respectively, while carbon storage and habitat quality decreased by 5.09 × 106 milligrams and 0.01 units, respectively. At the regional scale, there were only synergistic relationships between carbon storage and soil conservation, and carbon storage and habitat quality. This study provides scientific references to promote sustainable development in the western Jilin Province and offers new insights into the trade-off and synergy of ecosystem services in ecologically fragile areas.

Study on the ecosystem service flow based on the relationship of between supply and demand in Yangtze River Economic Belt

Ecosystems supply goods and services to humans and are the basis for sustainable development of human society. The study of the supply of ecosystem services and the demand and consumption of ecosystem services by human society, and the analysis of the supply and demand characteristics and flow relationships of ecosystem service flows are of great significance for the management of regional ecosystems and the development of ecological compensation. Taking the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an example, this paper calculates the supply and demand indices of ecosystem services in 2015 and 2020, and determines the ecosystem spatial flow paths and flow volumes from the ecosystem supply area to the demand area based on various methods and models such as the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and distance decay model. The results indicate that 1). In 2015 and 2020, the supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Zone show an increasing trend numerically, and there is spatial heterogeneity in the spatial distribution. In terms of ecosystem service supply per unit area, the midstream region is higher than the upstream and downstream regions. In terms of the demand for ecosystem services per unit area, the downstream is higher than the midstream and upstream. 2). From the supply-demand balance of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, the midstream region is mainly the area of surplus supply of ecosystem services, and the downstream region is mainly the area of deficit supply. From 2015 to 2020, the number of areas with balanced supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt decreases and the number of areas with unbalanced supply and demand increases, which is related to the changes in the level of economic development and land use patterns. 3). The flow of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt shows an increasing trend, from 726.59 billion yuan in 2015 to 1,450.54 billion yuan in 2020, with Jiangxi Province being the main ecosystem service supply area and Zhejiang Province being the main ecosystem service demand area in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Electronic structure and chemical bonding in Ruddlesden - Popper phase BaLa2In2O7

Hydrogen energy is one of the ways to ensure environmentally friendly and sustainable development of human society. Solid oxide fuel cells are designed to produce energy using hydrogen as fuel. One of the most important components of solid oxide fuel cells is the electrolyte. New promising electrolyte materials are compositions with Ruddlesden-Popper structure, in particular BaLa2In2O7. However, the mechanism of ionic transport has not been studied. In this paper, the electronic structure and chemical bonding were examined using a combination of experimental methods and theoretical calculations. This article is the first step towards understanding the nature of the ion transport mechanism in the composition BaLa2In2O7 with Ruddlesden-Popper structure.

The role of Ni- and Cd-resistant rhizobacteria in promoting the growth of rice seedlings and alleviating the combined phytotoxicity of Ni and Cd

The problem of potentially toxic metal pollution is increasingly acute with the development of human society. In this study, we investigated the remediation of nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) co-contamination through inoculating rice with three new-isolated Ni- and Cd-resistant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Y3, Y4, and Y5. These three strains possessed growth-promoting properties, including 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, the ability of indoleacetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, siderophores production, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) development. According to 16S rDNA sequence homology, strains Y3, Y4, and Y5 were identified as Pseudomonas sp., Chryseobacterium sp., and Enterobacter sp., respectively. Based on the results of rice germination experiments conducted under combined toxicity, we set the contamination concentrations for Ni2+ at 20 μg mL−1 and Cd2+ at 40 μg mL−1. Then we conducted potting experiments at these concentration levels to study the effects of strains Y3, Y4, and Y5 on rice growth under synergistic Ni and Cd stress. The results indicated that the inoculated strains Y3, Y4, and Y5 were effective in promoting the growth of rice seedlings under the combined stress of Ni and Cd, and conferring tolerance to Ni and Cd by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities of the seedlings. Among them, strain Y3 exhibited stronger ACC deaminase activity, IAA production capacity, and EPS production capacity, showing the most pronounced growth-promoting effect on rice. It was demonstrated that after inoculation with strain Y3, the germination rate of rice seeds increased by 43 %, the fresh weight of stems improved by 35 %, and the chlorophyll content enhanced by 70 % and other growth-promoting phenomena. Additionally, under Ni and Cd stress, strain Y5 performed better than strain Y4 in terms of IAA production capacity and its influence on rice root growth, suggesting that IAA production might play a specifically essential role in root growth under Ni and Cd stress.

Applying the driver-pressure-state-impact-response model to ecological restoration: A case study of comprehensive zoning and benefit assessment in Zhejiang Province, China

Ecosystem degradation is a global problem that poses a significant threat to the sustainable development of human societies, particularly in developing countries, such as China. In response, China has implemented a series of ecological restoration (ER) policies over recent years. However, significant regional developmental disparities, pronounced spatial heterogeneity of ecological issues, and substantial historical debt for ER in China present considerable obstacles and financial burdens to the effective implementation of ER strategies. Delineating ER zones and assessing the ER benefits are essential for developing effective ER strategies and implementing ER projects. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive framework for ER utilizing the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, quantified the urbanization levels, ecological state, and restoration costs in Zhejiang Province to delineate ER zones, integrated the patch-generating land use simulation model with the ecosystem service value assessment method to quantify the benefits of ER, and ultimately developed tailored ER strategies. The results showed that: (1) The pattern of urbanization levels was characterized by high levels in the northeast and low levels in the southwest, which constrated with the ecological state. The areas of high restoration costs were located in the northeastern and southeastern regions, and the areas of low restoration costs were situated in the southwestern region. (2) The rate of construction land expansion is significantly curtailed under the ER scenario compared to the natural development scenario in 2035, while forest areas have seen effective protection and an increase from the levels of 2020. (3) The ER policy is projected to generate ecological benefits totaling CNY 8.23 billion by 2035, substantially reducing the rate of ecosystem degradation. (4) Zhejiang Province is divided into five zones at the county scale: ecological autonomous protection zone, ecological core protection zone, ecological priority restoration zone, ecological control zone, and moderate development zone. Strategies have been devised based on the forecasted benefits of ER, offering valuable insights into ecological management. These findings aim to enhance the understanding of ER and support the development and implementation of regional ecological policies.

Ideal construction and adaptation: experiences and implications of idyllic urban planning in Tel Aviv

ABSTRACT As one of the earliest representatives of the garden city concept, Tel Aviv has developed a unique system of urban space under the influence of Zionism, the modern movement and globalisation. The theory of the idyllic city was proposed at the beginning of industrialisation and urbanisation in the 20th century, and is now widely used in the practice of new town construction and urban regeneration. However, the idyllic city is not only a formal expression of concentric circles and parks, but also has wider applications and intrinsic social significance. Through a historical and social contextualisation of Tel Aviv’s idyllic city development over time, we synthesise and compare the early Jewish theory of the idyllic city, the application and adaptation of the idyllic city in Tel Aviv, the strategic planning for sustainable development, and the application of idyllic city planning in today’s new towns. The “adaptive characteristics” of the idyllic city are understood in the context of the “survival and retention” of the plan, providing a reference for the better application of the idyllic city concept in the new era of urban planning to achieve the sustainable development of human beings, society and nature.

Microwave Application in Biomass Conversion: A Review

AbstractBiomass resources are abundant and have huge production capacity. Reasonably and efficiently converting biomass can not only alleviate the depletion of fossil resources but also protect the environment and promote the green and sustainable development of human society. Microwave is one of the currently highly regarded process intensification technologies. This paper reviews the research progress of microwave technology in biomass pyrolysis, biomass pretreatment, and biomass conversion, and analyzes its technical characteristics. Finally, it summarizes and prospects the application of microwave in the field of biomass conversion.

Impact of Land Use/Cover Change on Soil Erosion and Future Simulations in Hainan Island, China

Soil erosion (SE) is a critical threat to the sustainable development of ecosystem stability, agricultural productivity, and human society in the context of global environmental and climate change. Particularly in tropical island regions, due to the expansion of human activities and land use/cover changes (LUCCs), the risk of SE has been exacerbated. Combining the RUSLE with machine learning methods, SE spatial patterns, their driving forces and the mechanisms of how LUCCs affect SE, were illustrated. Additionally, the potential impacts of future LUCCs on SE were simulated by using the PLUS model. The main results are as follows: (1) Due to LUCCs, the average soil erosion modulus (SEM) decreased significantly from 108.09 t/(km2·a) in 2000 to 106.75 t/(km2·a) in 2020, a reduction of 1.34 t/(km2·a), mainly due to the transformation of cropland to forest and urban land. (2) The dominant factor affecting the spatial pattern of SE is the LS factor (with relative contributions of 43.9% and 45.17%), followed by land use/cover (LUC) (the relative contribution is 28.46% and 34.89%) in 2000 and 2020, respectively. (3) Three kinds of future scenarios simulation results indicate that the average SEM will decrease by 2.40 t/(km2·a) under the natural development scenario and by 1.86 t/(km2·a) under the ecological protection scenario by 2060. However, under the cropland protection scenario, there is a slight increase in SEM, with an increase of 0.08 t/(km2·a). Sloping cropland erosion control remains a primary issue for Hainan Island in the future.

Exploration of the Application of Aesthetics in Transportation Teaching

Transportation is the foundation and prerequisite for the development of human society and economy, and also has aesthetic significance in beautifying human life. The development of transportation is a shift from extensive resource consumption to coordinated resource intensive use, and it is also a development in aesthetics. Guiding students to discover the beauty of transportation vehicles, the harmonious integration of transportation infrastructure and nature, the beauty of transportation data, and the beauty of the behavior and soul of transportation participants, igniting more students' curiosity for transportation majors, and inspiring their enthusiasm for the transportation industry, is the central goal of the construction of the Beauty of Transportation course.

Service Design for Social Innovation: A New Path for the Development of Government Public Services Based on the TB4D Model

Public service is related to everyone’s life and future and directly feeds back on the development of society and the country. How to better shape and develop it is a critical issue for both individuals and groups. As the primary provider, the government plays a vital role in its creation, development, and transformation. In recent years, with the rapid development of human society, this field has been placed in the midst of new challenges. These are the difficulties that government departments urgently need to solve, and the traditional solutions have shown apparent inadequacies. Service design, as a powerful responder, is gradually emerging and playing an important role, influencing a series of dimensions from service innovation to social policies. The application of service design in government public services holds significant social value. However, related research remains in its infancy, needing a systematic theoretical framework. This paper focuses on government public service design and carries out systematic design research on it in order to realize the corresponding social and academic value. This paper established a theoretical framework for government public service design centered on the TB4D model, based on an in-depth study of the relevant literature, nearly 30 representative industry case studies, and three practical projects conducted by the author. The model integrates the TSLC operational mechanism model, the Behavior-Organization-Policy operational content model, the “3 + 1” development mode, and the method reference guide for government public service design based on the Double Diamond design process model. The letters and numbers in the model’s name sequentially represent these four components. Specifically, the TSLC operational mechanism model derives its name from the initials of four parts: trans-dimensional cognitive and thinking mode, systems thinking, learning interactive innovation process, and cultural regeneration and value shaping. The “3 + 1” development model denotes three forms of development centered on internal design capability and the form of joint development focused on external design capabilities. The TB4D model combines both theory and practice, yet to better illustrate its overall performance, this paper reverted to the practical domain. It quantitatively evaluated 20 complete projects, calculating the mean value and 95% confidence intervals to verify the model. The results demonstrate that the model is valid and possesses high industry representativeness, effectiveness, and universality. The organic operation of the model will provide systematic, innovative solutions to address the problems and challenges faced in the public service field, promoting the sustainable development of society. Since research in this area is still at an early stage, the theoretical model proposed here emphasizes its intrinsic principles and universal logic. It aims to provide foundational theoretical support for the development of this field and systematic guidance for relevant practices. As the industry evolves, the model’s content can be further refined and enriched to better reflect contemporary characteristics. Additionally, because this model serves as a foundational framework for the entire field, it can be further expanded to develop sub-models with local characteristics when applied to different regions.

Design of small independent photovoltaic power generation system

Abstract This article designs a small independent photovoltaic power generation system, which includes solar panels, controllers, batteries, and inverter modules. The design requirements and principles of boost converters and inverters were elaborated, and the inverters were simulated in Matlab; The fuzzy control method was selected to track the maximum power point, and its effectiveness was verified through MATLAB simulation; Corresponding methods have been proposed to prevent or reduce factors that affect the output power of photovoltaic arrays, such as power attenuation, shielding loss, and temperature rise loss. It has extremely important significance for promoting the development of photovoltaic power generation, achieving zero carbon goals, and sustainable development of human society.

Money Life in These Conditions

The content of the article aims to clarify the life of money in today's conditions, thereby showing that money is not only a measure of value but also a commodity in the exchange of buying and selling; all activities of human life are determined by money. To clarify the purpose of the article, the author uses the methodology of human philosophy and social philosophy, and at the same time, uses qualitative methods, analysis, comparison, and synthesis to clarify the life of money. The result is a systematization of the life of money, at the same time pointing out the driving force of money in the process of economic and social development. Still, it also threatens the sustainable development of human society. With all the above content, I can conclude that: one, money is a product of human beings; it becomes a means of buying and selling goods; two, money is a common commodity, which makes money a monopoly product of the state; Third, the competition in issuing money becomes the competition between nations in all aspects of social life, from economics, politics, culture, to science, weapons, and war.