History Research Articles

Extreme Weather Patterns in Ethiopia: Analyzing Extreme Temperature and Precipitation Variability

Climate change is significantly altering Ethiopia’s weather patterns, causing substantial shifts in temperature and precipitation extremes. This study examines historical trends and changes in extreme rainfall and temperature, as well as seasonal rainfall variability across Ethiopia. In this study, we employed the Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator, and empirical orthogonal function (EOF), with data from 103 stations (1994–2023). The findings provide insights into 16 climate extremes of temperature and precipitation by utilizing the climpact2.GUI tool in R software (v1.2). The study found statistical increases were observed in 59.22% of the annual maximum value of daily maximum temperature (TXx) and 77.67% of the annual maximum value of daily minimum temperature (TNx). Conversely, decreasing trends were found in 51.46% of the annual maximum daily maximum temperature (TXn) and 85.44% of the diurnal temperature range (DTR). The results of extreme precipitation found that 72.82% of yearly total precipitation (PRCPTOT), 73.79% of consecutive wet days (CWD), and 54.37% of the number of heavy precipitation days (R10mm) showed increasing trends. In contrast, at most selected stations, 61.17% of consecutive dry days (CDD), 55.34% of maximum 1-day precipitation (RX1day), 56.31% of maximum 5-day precipitation (RX5day), 66.02% of precipitation from very wet days (R95p), and 52.43% of precipitation from extremely wet days (R99p) were decreasing. The results of seasonal precipitation variability during Ethiopia’s JJAS (Kiremt) season found that the first three EOF modes accounted for 59.78% of the variability. Notably, EOF1, which accounted for 35.84% of this variability, showed declining rainfall patterns, particularly in northwestern and central-western Ethiopia. The findings of this study will help policymakers and stakeholders understand these changes and take necessary action, as well as build effective adaptation and mitigation measures in the face of climate change impacts.

Predicting land use and land cover changes for sustainable land management using CA-Markov modelling and GIS techniques

This study addresses the significant issue of rapid land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Lahore District, which is critical for supporting ecological management and sustainable land-use planning. Understanding these changes is crucial for mitigating adverse environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development. The main goal is to evaluate historical LULC changes from 1994 to 2024 and forecast future trends for 2034 and 2044 utilizing the CA-Markov hybrid model combined with GIS methodologies. Landsat images from various sensors (TM, OLI) were employed for supervised classification, attaining high accuracy (> 90%). Historical LULC changes from 1994 to 2024 were analyzed, revealing significant transformations in Lahore. The build-up area expanded by 359.8 km², indicating rapid urbanization, while vegetation cover decreased by 198.7 km² and barren lands by 158.5 km². Water bodies remained relatively stable during this period. Future LULC trends were projected for 2034 and 2044 using the CA-Markov hybrid model (CA-MHM), which achieved a high prediction accuracy with a kappa coefficient of 0.92. The research indicated significant urban growth at the expense of vegetation and barren land. Future forecasts suggest ongoing urbanization, underscoring the necessity for sustainable land management techniques. This research is a significant framework for urban planners, providing insights that combine development with ecological conservation. The results highlight the necessity of incorporating predictive models into urban policy to promote sustainable development and environmental preservation in quickly changing areas such as Lahore.

Surviving on the edge: the role of medieval and modern age charcoal production in the stand composition of colline beech woodlands in NE Hungary (EC Europe)

Abstract This study examines historical forest compositional changes in the Aggtelek Karst region, Hungary, focusing on the relationship between medieval and modern age charcoal burning sites (32 kilns) and the current vegetation. Our aim was to determine woodland composition during the intensive charcoal burning period using wood charcoal analysis and compare it with the present canopy composition to understand Fagus sylvatica (European beech) population dynamics at the margin of its range. Heat map visualization, cluster analysis and Procrustes analyses were used for comparison. The results show European beech as dominant taxon in charcoal spectra in some places, while Quercus, possibly Quercus petraea (sessile oak), and Carpinus betulus (European hornbeam) dominated in others. The findings suggest that beech had varying abundance in the potential beech habitats during the medieval and modern age coppice phases. We found multidirectional changes in canopy composition. Carpinus betulus and Q. petraea dominated the current stands in most cases with F. sylvatica being subordinate. These results suggest that historical forest use and management practices took place in already mixed canopy forests, where Fagus dominance was confined to a few stands only. We demonstrate that the forest stands plausibly represent different stages of secondary succession after last coppice management, leading to varying Carpinus abundance. We discuss the possible role of climate change (summer heat waves, increasing mean annual temperature) and conclude that F. sylvatica and Q. petraea compete with each other in the study region, confirming a transitional zone between the classical Fagus and Quercus climate.

Thinking Through the Tiger: Korean Cultural Identity, Space, and Time

In the region of Northeast Asia, Korea has been identified as a nation that has a distinctive affinity for tigers. Koreans’ lives are deeply ingrained with emotions and thoughts related to tigers, even though they have completely disappeared from Korea due to historical changes and urbanization. This study first connects the image of tigers in Korean creation myths and folk tales with cultural identity. The analysis uncovers that the satire and humor present in the literature and paintings depicting tigers were employed to surmount the realistic fears associated with these creatures. Subsequently, the study delves into historical perceptions and spatial concepts by examining folk tales and maps of the Korean Peninsula that are symbolized by tigers. During the Japanese colonial period, tigers were regarded as a symbol of Korean national consciousness, and since then, they have played a significant role in disseminating national spirit and identity discourse. Finally, the analysis of Korean proverbs related to tigers reveals the profound influence of these animals on the development of Korean concepts of seasons and time. This study thus demonstrates the significant role of tigers in shaping the cultural identity and conceptual framework of space and time in Korea.

Modeling of historical and future changes in temperature and precipitation in the Panj River Basin in Central Asia under the CMIP5 RCP and CMIP6 SSP scenarios

This study examines the complexities of climate modeling, specifically in the Panj River Basin (PRB) in Central Asia, to evaluate the transition from CMIP5 to CMIP6 models. The research aimed to identify differences in historical simulations and future predictions of rainfall and temperature, examining the accuracy of eight General Circulation Models (GCMs) used in both CMIP5 (RCP4.5 and 8.5) and CMIP6 (SSP2–4.5 and 5–8.5). The evaluation metrics demonstrated that the GCMs have a high level of accuracy in reproducing maximum temperature (Tmax) with a correlation coefficient of 0.96. The models also performed well in replicating minimum temperature (Tmin) with a correlation coefficient of 0.94. This suggests that the models have improved modeling capabilities in both CMIPs. The performance of Max Plank Institute (MPI) across all variables in CMIP6 models was exceptional. Within the CMIP5 domain, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFDL) demonstrated outstanding skill in reproducing maximum temperature (Tmax) and precipitation (KGE 0.58 and 0.34, respectively), while (Institute for Numerical Mathematics) INMCM excelled in replicating minimum temperature (Tmin) (KGE 0.28). The uncertainty analysis revealed a significant improvement in the CMIP6 precipitation bias bands, resulting in a more precise depiction of diverse climate zones compared to CMIP5. Both CMIPs consistently tended to underestimate Tmax in the Csa zone and overestimate it in the Bwk zone throughout all months. Nevertheless, the CMIP6 models demonstrated a significant decrease in uncertainty, especially in ensemble simulations, suggesting improvements in forecasting PRB climate dynamics. The projections revealed a complex story, as the CMIP6 models predict a relatively small increase in temperature and a simultaneous drop in precipitation. This indicates a trend towards more uniform temperature patterns across different areas. Nevertheless, the precipitation forecasts exhibited increased variability, highlighting the intricate interaction of climate dynamics in the PRB area under the impact of global warming scenarios. Hydrological components in global climate models can be further improved and developed with the theoretical reference provided by this study.

Factors associated with menstrual-related disturbances following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a Spanish retrospective observational study in formerly menstruating women

Background A growing body of evidence suggests a potential link between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and menstrual changes in women who were menstruating at the time of vaccination. Nevertheless, the prevalence of this event in those with secondary amenorrhea for different causes, i.e. formerly menstruating women, remains unclear. It is plausible that, analogous to those observed in currently menstruating women, they experienced some degree of alteration in their reproductive health, defined here as menstrual-related disturbances. Objective The aim was to analyze this phenomenon and identify the factors associated with the occurrence of menstrual-related disturbances in this subpopulation. Study design: A retrospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Spanish in December 2021 using an online survey (N = 17,512). The present analysis includes a subpopulation of vaccinated and formerly menstruating women (N = 548). General characteristics, medical history, and adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination were recorded. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and McNemar mid-P tests were performed. Bivariate logistic regression was then used to identify the key factors influencing this unexpected event. Results In comparison with the first dose, significantly higher percentages of respondents experienced menstrual-related disturbances (dose 1: 38.5 percent vs. dose 2: 44.8 percent) after receiving the second one. Among them, those related to the length and flow stand out, being of long-term nature in about 17–20 percent of cases. Interindividual factors influencing this unexpected event after receiving the dose 1 may include weight, perimenopause, preexisting diagnoses of non-autoimmune rheumatic/articular conditions, use of hormonal contraceptives, suffering from other vaccine side effects − such as arm pain and the number of previous pregnancies; for dose 2, these factors may include suffering from menstrual-related alterations after receiving dose 1, as well as the use of hormonal contraceptives and perimenopause. Conclusion Formerly menstruating women might experience long-term menstrual-related disturbances following COVID-19 vaccination. Potential influencing factors include weight, perimenopause, rheumatic/articular conditions, hormonal contraceptives, vaccine side effects and previous pregnancies.

Subfossils suggest worse-than-realised losses of small-bodied mammals in northern Australia

Context Examining Australia’s late Quaternary subfossil record can be valuable in assessing whether the current diversity of small-bodied mammals seen across some parts of northern Australia is ‘normal’. Such records are important for establishing baselines for measuring historic changes in communities today and into the future. These datasets are becoming increasingly important, given trajectories in current global climate change, and predicted habitat losses and other potential anthropogenic impacts. Aims The main aim of this study is to utilise the local subfossil record from north-eastern Australia to establish a natural baseline for assessing changes in small mammal communities post-European colonisation. Methods Subfossils of vertebrates and other taxa were recovered from surface deposits adjacent to cave entrances at Broken River, near Greenvale in north-eastern Queensland, and were subjected to taxonomic, taphonomic and statistical analyses. These were then compared with local faunal records from modern surveys to compare differences in faunal communities between past and present. Key results Radiocarbon dating showed that these subfossils are geologically young, dating to approximately the time of European colonisation. We provide evidence for the former presence of extinct species of hopping mice (Notomys spp.) and rabbit rats (Conilurus spp.) in the region. Additional locally extirpated taxa such as Cape York bandicoot (Isoodon peninsulae) and Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys gouldii) demonstrated considerable range contractions since the deposits accumulated, compared with their current distribution. Independent evidence from subfossil land snails recovered from these deposits is, with two exceptions, all modern-day vine thicket, karst-dwelling species indicating a long-term maintenance of vine thicket habitat. Thus, the loss of several mammal species is unlikely to be the result of habitat loss. Conclusions Analysis of the surface deposits showed that local historic small-mammal communities were much more diverse than are the region’s extant faunas recorded by modern surveys. Many extinctions and extirpations evidently occurred prior to such faunas being recorded as local inhabitants of the region. Implications Our data suggested that post-European colonisation small-mammal losses are likely to be substantially worse than previously realised.

WORD FORMATION AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE WORD

Word-formation structure exists exclusively in derivatives and compound words. It is important to distinguish between changes in word-formation structure at different stages of language development: The diachronic approach takes into account historical changes, while the synchronic approach studies the current state of the language. The differences between these approaches can be quite significant. The word-formation meaning and its formal indicator (derivative) form two sides of a single linguistic sign, i.e. derivateme, which is the signified and the signifier. Changes occur in language that affect morphemic structure and derivation. This includes such phenomena as etymologization, loss of morpheme productivity, haplology, folk etymology, and the law of analogy. KEY WORDS: structure of a word, morpheme, derivative, word-formation meaning, diachronic and synchronic approach.

The External Validation of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Recurrent Pelvic Organ Prolapse After Native Tissue Repair: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background/Objectives: A prediction model for anatomical cystocele recurrence after native tissue repair was developed and internally validated in 2016. This model estimates a patients' individual risk of recurrence and can be used for counseling. Before implementation in urogynecological clinical practice, external validation is needed. The aim of this study was to assess the external validity of this previously developed prediction model. The secondary aim was to test the performance of this model with a composite and subjective outcome of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) recurrence. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate whether risk factors for POP recurrence were in line with the population in which the original model was developed. Methods: In this prospective multicenter cohort study, 246 patients who underwent anterior colporrhaphy were included. Inclusion criteria were patients scheduled to undergo a primary anterior colporrhaphy (with a POP Quantification (POPQ) stage ≥ 2 cystocele). A combination of a primary anterior colporrhaphy with other POP or incontinence surgery (without the use of vaginal or abdominal mesh material) was permitted. Patients with prolapse or incontinence surgery prior to index surgery could not participate. All patients filled in questionnaires, pelvic floor ultrasound was performed preoperatively, and data from the medical file concerning POPQ stage and obstetric and general history were obtained. Results: Thirty women (12.2%) were lost at follow up. Anatomical cystocele recurrence was present in 107/216 (49.5%), subjective recurrence in 19/208 (9.1%), and 39/219 (17.8%) patients met the criteria for composite outcome. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for anatomical, composite, and subjective recurrence were 65.5% (95% CI: 58.7-72.4), 55.8% (95% CI 47.3-64.3%, NS), and 55.1% (95% CI 45.1-65.2%), respectively. In the multivariable analysis, preoperative cystocele stage 3 or 4 and a complete levator defect on ultrasound were independent risk factors for anatomical recurrence. For composite recurrence, younger age and an active employment status were only risk factors in univariable analysis. No significant risk factors for subjective recurrence could be identified. Conclusions: This external validation study showed a moderate performance for a prediction model for anatomical recurrence. The model cannot be used for a composite or subjective outcome prediction because of poor performance. For composite and subjective recurrence, new prediction models need to be developed.

Evaluating historical changes in a mussel bed community in northern California

Marine foundation species are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic stressors, driving a loss of diversity within these critical habitats. Prior studies suggest that species diversity within mussel beds has declined precipitously in southern California, USA, but it is unclear whether a similar loss has occurred farther north. Here, we resurvey a mussel bed community in northern California first sampled in 1941 to evaluate changes in diversity after 78 years. More broadly, we explore the value and potential challenges of using imperfect historical data to assess community changes. Our 2019 survey documented 90 species/taxa across 10 phyla. The majority of species (~ 72%) were common to all replicate plots, suggesting that variation in species diversity over small spatial scales was unlikely to mask temporal changes. In contrast to results from southern California, we observed no decline in species diversity between timepoints. However, there were shifts in species composition, with an increase in the abundance of southern species and a decrease in northern species, consistent with warming observed at a nearby shoreline site. Overall, our findings are an encouraging sign for the health of this mussel bed community in northern California and illustrate how non-traditional data can contribute to assessments of long-term ecological change.

Similar phylogeographic history in a fig species and its obligate pollinators forms parallel genetic structure

Abstract Closely related and co-distributed species usually share a common phylogeographic history, but it is still largely unclear whether ecologically interacting species can respond synchronously to historical climate changes. Here, we focused on a fig-pollinator mutualism comprising Ficus pumila var. pumila and its obligate pollinators (morphospecies Wiebesia pumilae), and collected samples across most of their distribution ranges. We employed both cytoplasmic DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci to reveal the species composition within the pollinator and to test whether the two mutualists exhibited similar postglacial phylogeographic patterns. In the three cryptic pollinator species observed here, two dominant cryptic species were parapatric, covering the north and the south of the plant’s distribution range, respectively. Similar current spatial genetic structure was detected in the two dominant cryptic pollinator species and the plant, with an eastern and a western genetic cluster. Moreover, for these three species, evidence for postglacial expansion was found, and their potential refugia at the last glacial maximum were located in the east and the west of their distribution ranges. These results suggest their synchronous responses to historical climate changes. Our study therefore shows congruent phylogeographic patterns between obligate mutualists and highlight the role of biogeographic factors in shaping the current biodiversity across trophic levels.

Neruda through copper-coloured glasses: the role of place attachment in the embeddedness of Chilean entrepreneurship

ABSTRACT Despite scholarly interest in how emotional and instrumental place attachments motivate entrepreneurship, the influences on embeddedness remain underexplored. Building on the notion that entrepreneurship becomes embedded in a locality, we argue that this process is packed with place-based interpretations of the material and imagined reality. Engaging with the empirical setting of Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, we embark on a study examining the interactions between the place attachment, embeddedness and natural resource-based entrepreneurship. We uncover these interactions through analysing several works of poetry by Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda, which focus on the diverging place attachment styles between local and multinational agents. Through reflecting on the poems, we show how historical changes within the Chilean mining industry and broader societal changes are visible in Neruda’s imagery of place attachments, emotions and concerns for local conditions. We problematize embeddedness and entrepreneurship through illuminating the place attachments shaping local actors’ entrepreneurial imagination, thus contributing to knowledge about being embedded in natural resource-based entrepreneurship contexts. We provide new insights into how place attachment can evolve alongside different forms of embedded entrepreneurship.

City-level emergy metabolism accounts for China’s 281 cities from 2000 to 2020

Cities exhibit diverse urban metabolism patterns in terms of the natural environment, industrial composition, energy, and material consumption. A chronicled city-level quantification of emergy metabolic flows over time can significantly enhance the understanding of the temporal dynamics and urban metabolism patterns, which provides critical insights for the transitions to sustainability. However, there exists no city-level urban emergy metabolism dataset in China that can support detailed spatial-temporal analysis. In this study, we present a city-level urban emergy metabolism dataset of China’s 281 cities between 2000 and 2020. This dataset meticulously describes the production and import of 41 resource types that sustain metabolic activities in 281 Chinese cities over a span of 21 years. This database, for the first time, provides insights into the historical metabolic changes of China’s cities by detailing emergy flows including production, consumption, and import of resources. Furthermore, these emergy flow inventories serve as valuable resources for studying urban metabolic characteristics, evaluating policy impacts, and formulating sustainable development strategies for China’s cities.

Isidore of Seville's composite anecdote about Corinthian bronze and the editing of the classical past

ABSTRACT Isidore of Seville incorporated a composite anecdote about the origins of Corinthian bronze into his Etymologies. His version combines elements from Petronius’ Satyrica, Pliny’s Natural History, and Orosius’ Seven Books of History Against the Pagans. Scholars have generally argued that Isidore’s credulous use of the comic Satyrica shows his ignorance of ancient history, and perhaps of genre. These arguments often rely on a simple distinction between the scientific Pliny and the comic Petronius, while overlooking Orosius. This article argues that a close examination of how Isidore treated these three sources shows three things: first, that Isidore was an active editor of his source texts; second, that his editing brought his source texts in line with the limits of his historical knowledge; and third, that he was most likely relying on excerpts to write. However, the passages he edited together are likely to have been excerpted specifically for his project, rather than being from an earlier abbreviator or quotation book.

Tattoo ink products and pigments 2018-19 upfront the new EUREACH regulation: Danish golden benchmark Study of 108 studios and 39687 clients tattooed with inks from 109720 ink bottles.

The new EU regulation on tattoo inks in force January 2022 in a hitherto unregulated market marks a historical change. Mapping of the thousands of tattoo inks de facto used in studios before the new EU regulation and establish a historical reference to tattoo customer exposure, ink toxicology assessment, clinical complications, and the impact on tattooing businesses. A tattooist-operated electronic system (InkBase) for ink registration required by law is used in Denmark since 2018. A local database in studios refers to a central database. Clients, sessions, ink bottles, brand name, and pigment color index (CI) are registered. Person's data protection is respected. Tracing harmful inks is possible, with public warning. Registrations from 108 studios employing about 700 tattooists were collected from March 2018 through 2019. 39687 clients were tattooed in 50604 sessions, using colors from 109720 ink bottles. 10833 were CI-labelled identifying the pigment. 98.1% of inks originated from USA. Detailed statistics on inks and pigments used are provided as a benchmark showing the spontaneous use and preference of "old" tattoo inks before the EU regulation compulsory to member states introduced dramatic restrictions difficult to follow. Denmark can, having detailed ink registration enforced by law and having a commonly used electronic registration system reporting to a central server, function as an index country in future surveillance of use of tattoo inks in studios, toxicology aspects and the impact of regulatory intervention on the tattooing industry, with a large sample of data collected in 2018-19. Wordcount 249.

A global biogeographic regionalization for butterflies.

The partitioning of global biodiversity into biogeographic regions is critical for understanding the impacts of global-scale ecological and evolutionary processes on species assemblages as well as prioritizing areas for conservation. However, the lack of globally comprehensive data on species distributions precludes fine-scale estimation of biogeographical regionalization for numerous taxa of ecological, economic and conservation interest. Using a recently published phylogeny and novel curated native range maps for over 10 000 species of butterflies around the world, we delineated biogeographic regions for the world's butterflies using phylogenetic dissimilarity. We uncovered 19 distinct phylogenetically delimited regions (phyloregions) nested within 6 realms. Regional boundaries were predicted by spatial turnover in modern-day temperature and precipitation seasonality, but historical climate change also left a pronounced fingerprint on deeper- (realm-) level boundaries. We use a culturally and ecologically important group of insects to expand our understanding of how historical and contemporary factors drive the distribution of organismal lineages on the Earth. As insects and global biodiversity more generally face unprecedented challenges from anthropogenic factors, our research provides the groundwork for prioritizing regions and taxa for conservation, especially with the goal of preserving the legacies of our biosphere's evolutionary history.This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Bending the curve towards nature recovery: building on Georgina Mace's legacy for a biodiverse future'.

Updated Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy Based on the EAN/PNS Guideline 2021

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) includes a number of clinical subtypes. The major phenotype is "typical CIDP," which is characterized by symmetric and "proximal and distal" muscle weakness. Due to historical changes in the concept of CIDP, multifocal motor neuropathy, anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) neuropathy, and autoimmune nodopathy were excluded. International guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of CIDP were first published in 2005 and revised in 2010. In 2021, the guidelines of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN)/Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) were the second revision, reflecting changes in the disease concept and progress of electrodiagnosis, neuroimaging, and novel treatments. This review introduces the outline of the guidelines in addition to typical CIDP; related chronic demyelinating neuropathies were classified as CIDP variants. The diagnosis of CIDP is based on (1)the phenotype of a typical CIDP or variant, (2)electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination, and (3)exclusion criteria. The first-line treatments for typical CIDP are corticosteroids and immunoglobulin therapy. These guidelines recommend intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin as maintenance therapy, as well as unresolved questions on the evolving concept of CIDP and future treatments.

Tracing Aquatic Macrophyte Development in Nansi Lake, Northern China's Largest Freshwater Lake: Plant Macrofossils From 1855 to Present.

Examining the impacts of natural and anthropogenic influences on aquatic macrophytes in shallow lakes is crucial for their effective restoration and management. However, there is a lack of direct evidence regarding past species composition or detailed and continuous evidence of recent changes in aquatic macrophyte communities. This study utilized plant macrofossil remains deposited in the sediment, combined with macrophyte surveys from 1983 to 2010, to reconstruct the historical changes in the macrophyte community over approximately 160 years in Lake Weishan, a sub-lake of Lake Nansi located in the lower Yellow River (Huanghe River) Basin, northern China. Approximately 54.3% of the species historically recorded at the core site were identified through macro-remains analysis, including five previously unrecorded submerged taxa (Myriophyllum verticillatum, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Chara sp., Nitella sp., and Vallisneria spinulosa) discovered during monitoring surveys. The findings revealed four major shifts in the macrophyte community: A transition from a swampy environment dominated by emergent/wetland plants (ca. 1855-1875) to an expanded water body characterized by a rapid proliferation of submerged macrophytes (ca. 1875-1910), followed by mass disappearance of macrophytes (ca. 1910-2005) and subsequent significant resurgence (after 2005). Multiple factor analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between these shifts and changes in paleolimnological indicators (invertebrates, geochemistry, and grain size), as well as documented records related to hydrology, climate changes, and human activities. The results confirmed our hypothesis that climatically and anthropogenically induced hydrological alterations were likely the primary drivers influencing macrophyte composition alteration and succession dynamics in the lake. This study highlights the potential use of plant macrofossils for reconstructing long-term changes in macrophyte community components, abundance assessment, and ecosystem health evaluation within the lower Yellow River region. To effectively address persistent challenges such as water diversion and climate change, we propose integrating paleoecological methods into standard ecological monitoring protocols employed for water ecological quality assessment.

Impact of East-Asian monsoon on sandstorm activities over the past half century: Insights from a genetic algorithm.

For nearly half a century, the East Asian sand-dust system (SDS) has undergone complex changes in intensity and has become a new focus of attention. To date, there are many uncertainties in understanding the complex observational facts of SDS using commonly used single-climate models. This study suggests that the SDS is an organized weather system that grows under the support of an atmospheric westerly belt environment (including water, soil, aerosol composition, and climate change). The novelty of this study lies in the development of a new genetic algorithm that can decipher the generation, motion, decay, and regeneration of SDS. It focuses on analysing the historical evolution of SDS over the past half century and establishing a digital coding system based on the Genetic algorithm Chromosome-sequencing Chronology of SDS (GCC-SDS). This approach can decipher the inter- and quasi-annual fluctuations of SDS, as well as the impact of changes in climate conditions. It also reveals the influence of the Earth's rotation on the distribution and changes in winter air currents in East Asia and their influence on SDS activity the region. This further deepens our understanding of historical changes in SDS and the mechanisms behind their impact.

Distribution of zoobenthos diversity in the Lake Donghu (Wuhan): Driving factors and historical changes

Distribution of zoobenthos diversity in the Lake Donghu (Wuhan): Driving factors and historical changes