Key Period Research Articles

Deep neural network and transfer learning for annual wetland vegetation mapping using sentinel-2 time-series data in the heterogeneous lake floodplain environment

ABSTRACT The lake-floodplain wetlands are characterized by high biodiversity, difficult access, and significant environmental changes. Traditional remote sensing mapping methods struggle to generate consistent time-series data on wetland vegetation communities. Current research has endeavoured to address this issue through the application of deep learning methodologies. However, a significant limitation of these models is their reliance on a substantial volume of training samples, which contradicts the difficulty and high cost of obtaining samples from the lake-floodplain wetlands. Whether it is possible to construct a transferable deep learning model under small sample conditions and apply it to the mapping of lake-floodplain wetlands is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. To solve this problem, this study first constructed a deep neural network (DNN) designed specifically for mapping complex lake-floodplain wetland vegetation under conditions of limited sample size. Subsequently, using 2021 as a reference year, a novel histogram threshold method was proposed to identify the unchanged samples for the target transfer years of 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. Finally, annual wetland vegetation mapping was performed in Poyang Lake using DNN and sample transfer learning (STL). The results showed that high-quality annual time-series data of wetland vegetation can be generated using the constructed DNN and STL, with all overall accuracies exceeding 80%. The histogram threshold method, which combines SAD and NDVI indicators of key phenological period, can effectively solve the problem of difficulty in determining the unchanged samples in transfer learning for heterogeneous lake wetlands. Furthermore, the performance of STL based on the constructed DNN model was significantly superior to those based on support vector machine and random forest algorithms for mapping annual wetland vegetation communities using limited training samples. This study demonstrates that the effective application of DNN and STL will be highly beneficial for long-term monitoring of vegetation in lake-floodplain wetlands, particularly where sample availability is limited.

Inhomogeneous MHz-scale intensity noise in double-pass fiber amplifiers

Abstract Here we report about the first demonstration of periodic MHz-scale inhomogeneous relative intensity noise (RIN) induced in double-pass fiber amplifiers. An Er:Yb-doped double-pass fiber amplifier operating near 1570.2 nm and stable continuous-wave single-frequency radiation source are used for the demonstration. The periodic structure of RIN has typical period of units of MHz observed in the range of 0–50 MHz and is formed in the radio-frequency spectrum of the amplified signal. It was found that the key factor influencing period of the RIN structure is spacing between the active fiber and a reflector forming the double-pass amplifier configuration. The population dynamics gratings formed in the active fiber are considered to be responsible for the formation of the periodic RIN structure. Here we investigate an influence of various factors on the period and positions of the RIN structure maxima. The results obtained can be used for designing single-frequency double-pass fiber amplifiers.

The place of school-based strategies for universal, selective, and indicated prevention for depression

Abstract In response to the question ‘what is the place of universal, selective and indicated prevention strategies for depression and other mood disorders’ posed by Hickie et al. (2024) we examine the role of school-based strategies for universal and targeted (including selective and indicated) prevention of depression. Schools represent a unique opportunity for systematic evidence-based depression prevention, targeting key developmental risk periods before peak depression onset. However, the realisation of this potential has been challenging particularly for universal approaches. We summarise the evidence for each of these tiers of prevention, including recent large-scale trials of universal prevention in high-income countries. Targeted approaches show more consistent preventive effects on depression however hold significant implementation challenges in the school context. We provide recommendations about next steps for the field including a continuum of support across all levels of prevention outlined above and broadening current strategies to focus on the school contexts and structural factors in which prevention programs are delivered, as well as teacher mental health.

Evaluation of Auricular Acupressure on Myopia Prevention among Children Aged 6–12 Years with Pre-Myopia in China: Study Protocol of a Prospective Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The increasing prevalence of myopia among Chinese children and adolescents, especially at younger ages, has emerged as a significant concern in recent years. Pre-myopia is a key period for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents. Previous studies suggested auricular acupressure (AA) therapy might offer a viable approach to prevent and slow down myopia progression. Nonetheless, these studies lack robust, high-quality, large-scale, multi-center evidence to conclusively support such assertions. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and economic benefits of AA therapy in preventing myopia in Chinese children aged 6–12 years with pre-myopia. Methods: The single-blind, multi-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial will involve 318 pre-myopic children from 20 different centers across China. After recruitment, these participants will be randomly assigned to two groups (the AA group and the control group) at a 1:1 ratio. The AA group will receive auricular point sticking therapy along with health education for a period of 24 weeks, while the control group will be provided the sham AA treatment and routine health education. The assessments of outcomes will be conducted at the start of this study, and then after 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in spherical equivalent refraction at various follow-up times. The secondary outcomes include the number of myopia cases, uncorrected visual acuity, axial length, corneal curvature radius, accommodation amplitude, retinal and choroidal thickness, and eye behavior management. In addition, the cost-effectiveness analysis will be used as the evaluation index for economic assessment. Discussion: The results of this research will provide evidence on the efficacy, safety, and economic benefits of AA therapy in preventing myopia among children aged 6–12 years with pre-myopia in China.

E-cigarette use among adolescents in Latin America: A systematic review of prevalence and associated factors.

Electronic cigarettes, introduced as a safer tobacco alternative, have unintentionally exposed millions of youths to nicotine and harmful chemicals. Adolescence, a key period for forming lifelong habits, has seen rising e-cigarette use, particularly in developing regions like Latin America, warranting thorough investigation. To describe the prevalence and factors associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents in Latin America. A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, covering studies published between 2003 and May 2024. Database searches included PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Scielo, and LILACS. A total of 582 studies were identified, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. Study data were synthesized and assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. The prevalence of e-cigarette among adolescents in six Latin American countries ranged from 2.6% to 64.2%, with a pooled mean prevalence of 18.9%, and lifetime use higher than current use. Key associated factors included male sex, concurrent use of tobacco and other substances, social influences, and exposure to online advertising. A widespread lack of knowledge regarding e-cigarette risks, coupled with limited regulatory oversight, may be contributing to higher usage rates. This review underscores critical gaps in data on adolescent e-cigarette use in Latin America and highlights the need for expanded research and targeted public health interventions. Nearly one-fifth of adolescents reported using e-cigarettes. Comprehensive prevention programs addressing factors associated with adolescent e-cigarette use in Latin America, involving diverse stakeholders and integrating education, school-based policies, social media campaigns, and policy restrictions, are strongly recommended.

Caragana High-Quality Development

As economic develop and population increase, there is an increasing demand for plant goods and ecological service. Because plant goods and service producing by original forest cannot meet the increasing need of people, most of the original forest has gradually become fruit, farmland, plantation and grass. A lot of exotic plant was introduced to produce special production and service in the plant restoration. As introduced plant grow, vegetation decline and crop failure will happen because plant overload and overuse nature resources or plant waste resources because plant underuse nature resources because underload. To solve these problems, according to my years of research, the results have showed that there is a resource use limit by plants, vegetation carrying capacity and the critical period of plant resources relation regulation. Resources use limit by plants includes space resources use limit by plants in soil water and nutrient rich regions, soil water resources use limit by plants in water-limited regions and soil nutrient resources use limit by plants in nutrient-limited regions. vegetation carrying capacity includes space vegetation carrying capacity, soil water vegetation carrying capacity and soil nutrient vegetation carrying capacity and the critical period of plant resources relation regulation in the process of plant growth. When the available amount of nature resources reduced to resources use limit by plants, such as soil water resources use limit by plants, which is the soil water resources in the range of the maximum infiltration depth is equal to soil water resources use limit by plants, the plant resources relation enters the critical period of plant resources relation regulation. The ending time of the key period of plant resources relation regulation is the ineffective time of plant resources relation regulation. If the existing plant density is more than vegetation carrying capacity in the key period of plant resources relation regulation, the plant resources relation has to be regulated on the vegetation carrying capacity to get maximal yield and beneficial effect and realize sustainable use of nature resources, high quality sustainable management of forest vegetation and agriculture high quality production.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Tuberculosis Intervention in the US

This study evaluates the effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) interventions implemented in the United States by comparing actual TB incidence and mortality data with predicted data that assumes no interventions. The analysis focuses on two key intervention periods: the introduction of strict infection control measures and enhanced environmental controls in 2005, and the update to TB screening guidelines for healthcare personnel in 2019. This study trained the Auto-regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model on pre-2005 data in order to forecast the number of tuberculosis cases and the proportion of cases overall that did not get these interventions. The predicted data was then compared with actual post-intervention data to assess the impact of these public health measures. Results show that without these interventions, TB cases and mortality rates would have remained significantly higher. The actual data, in contrast, demonstrated a marked decline in both metrics following the implementation of these measures. The findings underscore the critical role of comprehensive public health interventions in reducing the burden of TB. The long-term impact of these measures is evident in the sustained reduction in TB incidence and mortality, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation of TB control strategies to maintain effective disease management.

Cold Deep Over Hot Shallow Crust: A Peculiar Metamorphic Architecture in the Neoarchean Metasedimentary Pontiac Subprovince, Superior Craton (Canada)

ABSTRACTThe Neoarchean Era is a key period in Earth's history as it witnessed a significant pulse of crustal formation corresponding to the assembly of several cratons, potentially coeval with a transition in the global tectonic regime. Neoarchean metasedimentary subprovinces of the Superior Craton, the largest unreworked Archean craton on Earth, were formed shortly before its final assembly and cratonization, thus providing valuable insights into the tectonic style, thermal state and architecture prevailing during this key period. Among these, the Pontiac Subprovince is one of the most studied, yet has a largely debated geodynamic history. In its northern extent, metamorphosed turbiditic sequences display a southward succession of index minerals—biotite, garnet, staurolite, kyanite and sillimanite—that may be indicative of a Barrovian‐like metamorphic gradient. However, the origin and evolution of this apparent gradient and its link to Neoarchean tectonics remain unclear. New mapping of metamorphic isograds and zones, petrological and microstructural analyses, whole rock and mineral chemistry analyses and phase equilibria modelling are integrated to decipher the Pontiac Subprovince tectonothermal evolution. Our analysis indicates that the peak equilibrium assemblages from the garnet, staurolite and sillimanite/melt zones developed early to late relative to the main regional deformation event (D2) and its associated steeply dipping S2 schistosity. Garnet zone rocks recorded a burial‐heating path with peak P–T conditions at 8.1–8.2 kbar and 582°C–585°C, along a low T/depth ratio of ~20°C/km. In contrast, staurolite and sillimanite/melt zone rocks followed isobaric heating and isothermal decompression paths with peak P–T conditions at 5.9–6.1 kbar and 610°C–625°C and 6 kbar and 700°C, respectively, along a moderate T/depth ratio of ~30–33°C/km. Since there is clear D2 structural continuity across the metamorphic zones over ~12 km and metamorphism occurred pre‐ to post‐D2, we interpret that the diverse P–T paths and contrasting T/depth ratios likely represent a spatially heterogeneous thermal structure developed within a single coherent structural block during and shortly after the formation of the subvertical S2 schistosity. Such features are hardly compatible with either modern inverted or continuous Barrovian sequences—known for consistent P–T evolution paths and similar T/depth ratios—or with discontinuous sequences requiring diachronicity. Our findings therefore do not fully reconcile with the existing accretionary/collisional models for the Pontiac Subprovince, given differences in their predicted apparent thermal gradients, metamorphic evolution and structural patterns. Alternatively, our data more closely match predictions for a sagduction‐dominated vertical process, where high heat influx at the base of the crust causes pooling/diapiric ascent of voluminous S‐type plutons, bordered by sagging synclines. This process led to the development of steeply dipping tectonic fabrics and pre‐ to late‐kinematic mineral assemblages along diverse P–T paths at contrasting yet coeval T/depth ratios. Our study provides insights into the evolution of the southeastern Superior Craton and highlights the need to apply an integrated quantitative approach to decipher its thermal structure and constrain the likely geodynamic processes that operated in the Neoarchean.

How did investigations into spontaneous human combustion influence alcohol medicine? An examination of the medical and literary discussions that brought the two together.

The presence of sections or chapters on spontaneous human combustion in more than half of the key texts in English on the action of alcohol on the body and mind in the first half of the nineteenth century demonstrates the seriousness with which it was considered. We aimed to chart discussions about the links between spontaneous human combustion and spirit drinking in medical texts and representations in fiction through three key chronological periods from 1804 to 1900. A contextual analysis using eighteenth- and nineteenth-century historical, literary and medical sources to chart and reflect on public and medical discourses. The development of new theories about the action of alcohol on the body and mind appears to have been influenced by the now-discredited eighteenth- and nineteenth-century idea that the phenomenon of human combustion, spontaneous or not, was linked to spirit drinking. As an extreme example of the consequences of heavy drinking, spontaneous human combustion was used to underpin early theories on the clinical chemistry of alcohol.

Longitudinal determination of seroprevalence and immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in a population of food and retail workers through decentralized testing and transformation of ELISA datasets.

Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, numerous studies have been conducted worldwide to understand our immune response to the virus and to vaccination. This study investigates the humoral response elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection and by vaccination in the poorly studied population of food and retail workers. These occupations were classified as essential by the Public Health Agency of Canada, potentially placing this population at greater risk of infection. Such a risk requires access to reliable and adaptable serological assays that can be rapidly deployed to guide public health strategies. Here we investigate the benefits and limitations of applying adaptable, decentralized tests for population-level immune surveillance in response to a pandemic, even before centralized testing is available. The 1.5-year study period spans from early 2021, when vaccination became available in this region, to mid-2022, following the emergence of the first Omicron variants. The cohort of 304 food and retail workers was recruited in the Québec City area. Participants attended five evenly spaced visits, providing blood samples as well as information on SARS-CoV-2 symptoms or risk factors, prior antigen or PCR test results and vaccination status, as well as work-related risk factors and protective measures. Parallel COVID-19 serological assays were performed using both a standardized chemiluminescent ELISA assay at the centralized platform operated in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and a semi-automated in-house colorimetric ELISA assay developed at our decentralized site. The YES/NO determination of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine seroconversion and/or infection events using the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral spike protein and nucleocapsid protein validated coherence of the centralized and decentralized assays. The flexibility of the decentralized assays allowed broadening the study to determine cross-reactivity of IgG directed against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron VOCs, and IgM directed against the ancestral spike and nucleocapsid proteins. The nature of the data obtained in the decentralized assays allowed treatment with a recently developed mathematical transformation to obtain normal distribution, enabling ANOVA-Welsh statistical analysis. Although no significant differences were observed in humoral response as related to BMI, age, level of education, or chronic illnesses in this cohort of workers, statistically higher levels of vaccine-induced antibodies were observed for restaurant workers and hardware store workers in the early stages of the study, compared to workers in bars and grocery stores and in non-smokers versus smokers. This work highlights the importance of developing adaptable, decentralized tests for population-level immune surveillance in response to a pandemic, even before centralized testing is available. To our knowledge, no other study has reported such an extensive longitudinal investigation during key periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in a cohort of food and retail workers to analyze two types of immunoglobulin, three epitopes and antigens to three VOC. This study will inform strategies and measures to be implemented in the event of a future pandemic.

Neutral fraction of hydrogen in the intergalactic medium surrounding high-redshift gamma-ray burst 210905A

ABSTRACT The Epoch of Reionization (EoR) is a key period of cosmological history in which the intergalactic medium (IGM) underwent a major phase change from being neutral to almost completely ionized. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are luminous and unique probes of their environments that can be used to study the timeline for the progression of the EoR. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope X-shooter spectrum of GRB 210905A, which resides at a redshift of $z\sim 6.3$. We focus on estimating the fraction of neutral hydrogen, $x_{\rm H \, {\small I}}$, on the line of sight to the host galaxy of GRB 210905A by fitting the shape of the Lyman-$\alpha$ damping wing of the afterglow spectrum. The X-shooter spectrum has a high signal-to-noise ratio, but the complex velocity structure of the host galaxy limits the precision of our conclusions. The statistically preferred model suggests a low neutral fraction with a 3$\sigma$ upper limit of $x_{\rm H \, {\small I}} \lesssim 0.15$ or $x_{\rm H \, {\small I}} \lesssim 0.23$, depending on the absence or presence of an ionized bubble around the GRB host galaxy, indicating that the IGM around the GRB host galaxy is mostly ionized. We discuss complications in current analyses and potential avenues for future studies of the progression of the EoR and its evolution with redshift.

Initiation and stability of self-harm in adolescence and early adulthood: investigating social and aetiological factors in twins.

Almost one in five (18.8%) UK adolescents are estimated to self-harm and many young people initiate self-harm early (average age 13 years). Prevention of self-harm should be informed by knowledge about risk factors (e.g. socio-demographic indices), characteristics (i.e. motivation for self-harm and help-seeking behaviours), as well as relative aetiological genetic and environmental processes. Previous twin studies evidence both genetic and environmental influences on self-harm. However, to date, there has been no genetically informed research on self-harm aetiology across development, nor studies identifying risk factors for initiating self-harm at a younger age. We examined self-harm in the Twins Early Development Study, a birth cohort twin study. Using clustered regression models, we tested associations of socio-demographic factors and victimisation with lifetime self-harm and age of self-harm initiation, both reported at 21. To investigate stability and/or change in genetic and environmental influences on self-harm we interpreted a multivariate Cholesky decomposition across ages ≤16, 21, and 26. Self-harm was more common in adolescence than early adulthood, and the incidence of self-harm in early adulthood was low (1.4%). The most common motivation for self-harm was 'to get relief from a terrible state of mind' (83.4%). Independent predictors of self-harm and earlier initiation of self-harm were being female, belonging to a gender and/or sexual minority group, and experience of bullying victimisation. Sexual minority status was still significantly associated with self-harm after controlling for familial factors in co-twin control analyses. The Cholesky decomposition showed stability in genetic influences and innovation in non-shared environmental influences on self-harm. Adolescence should be a key period for self-harm interventions. Women, sexual, and gender minorities, and those experiencing victimisation may need targeted support early in adolescence. Furthermore, it should be acknowledged that different individuals can be at risk at different stages as environmental factors influencing self-harm change across time.

The “Mutual Influence” Between Buddhism and Political Factors in Its Spread and Development in Japan

Since Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century – through individual efforts like Sima Da from China’s Southern Liang Dynasty and the official introduction by King Seong of Baekje from the Korean Peninsula – its spread and development in Japan have been closely intertwined with the political environment. Historical events such as the two prohibitions of Buddhism by the Mononoke clan during the Kofun period, Prince Shotoku’s promulgation of the Seventeen-Article Constitution that advocated respect for the “Three Treasures” in the Asuka period, the introduction of the clerical system in the Nara period, the division during the Muromachi period, and the implementation of the temple registration system in the Edo period all reflect Buddhism’s fluctuating influence and religious status in Japan. This paper primarily examines the political changes, and regime shifts during key periods, such as the Kofun, Asuka, Nara, and Kamakura periods, to explore how political factors—including government religious policies, socioeconomic conditions, and national political landscapes—impacted the spread and localization of Buddhism in Japan. It further analyzes how Buddhism, in turn, influenced Japan’s political environment, revealing the “mutual influence” between Buddhism and political factors throughout Japanese history.

Analysis of the Impact of Multidimensional Stressors on Adolescent Mental Health

Adolescence represents a pivotal developmental phase, marked by substantial physiological, psychological, and social changes that may result in various stressors that can profoundly affect mental health. As such, a comprehensive understanding of major stressors experienced by adolescents and their impact on mental health is essential for the formulation of effective intervention strategies and policies. The paper explores the main sources of stress for adolescents, which includes social interactions, familial expectations, academic pressures, and socioeconomic difficulties, and analyzes how these stressors contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and decreased quality of life. Furthermore, it synthesizes relevant literature, and integrates quantitative data from longitudinal surveys and qualitative data from interviews with adolescents aged 12 to 18, including participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The results indicate that academic stress is the most prevalent, followed by stress from interpersonal relationships and family, with socioeconomic factors also having a notable impact. However, despite the variation in individual responses to stress, its impact on mental health is particularly pronounced during adolescence, which is a key period for emotional and psychological development. The paper concludes with recommendations for targeted interventions and emphasizes the need for policies to help adolescents manage stress and thereby improve mental health outcomes.

Prevalence and Changes in Usage of Mental Health Services for Rhode Island Children and Youth Before, During, and After Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study reports the prevalence of inpatient, emergency department (ED), and outpatient mental health service usage of children/youth before, during, and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rhode Island. Additionally, we identify significant changes in usage across these time periods and the prevalence of each service type contingent upon various demographic profiles. This retrospective observational analysis used Rhode Island Medicaid claims to identify the unique children and youth who used inpatient, ED, and outpatient mental health services across three key time periods: pre-onset (March 2019-February 2020); onset (March 2020-February 2021); and post-onset (March 2021-February 2022). We used z-tests to analyze changes in the proportion of children/youth who accessed these services in each period. We examined relationships between demographic characteristics and time period with chi-square tests. Significant decreases in inpatient and ED usage were identified from pre-onset to onset (p < .05). While inpatient nearly returned to pre-pandemic usage in post-onset, ED usage remained lower. Outpatient usage increased significantly leading up to the pandemic but remained at similar levels between pre-onset and post-onset. From pre-onset to post-onset, females grew as a percentage of all inpatient, ED, and outpatient users. Over this same period, the proportion of inpatient users aged 12-18 increased and the proportion of ED and outpatient users aged 19-24 increased. Female usage of mental health services increased significantly, and older children/youth seemed to drive any significant increases. Future public health and disaster preparedness policies should focus on the unique mental health needs of these socially vulnerable groups.

Response of Larix sibirica Radial Growth to Climate Change in Kanas, Northern Xinjiang, China

Understanding how forest ecosystems respond to climate variability is critical for predicting the impacts of climate change on semi-arid and temperate regions. This study examines the climatic drivers of radial growth in Larix sibirica Ledeb in the Kanas Lake region, northern Xinjiang, China, to explore how climate change may alter forest growth patterns. Using tree-ring chronologies, we examine the relationships between temperature, precipitation, and drought conditions, as well as the influence of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns on growth. Results indicate that high summer temperatures negatively affect tree growth, while adequate precipitation plays a crucial role in mitigating water stress, especially during key growth periods. Positive correlations with the Palmer Drought Severity Index further underscore the importance of long-term moisture availability. Moreover, the study highlights the role of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in influencing moisture transport, with significant correlations between sea surface temperatures in the Niño 4 region and tree-ring growth. Future growth simulations under two climate scenarios suggest that moderate warming (SSP 2–4.5) may enhance growth, while more extreme warming (SSP 5–8.5) introduces greater uncertainty and potential growth instability. These findings provide critical guidance for forest management strategies in the face of climate change.

Dual-frequency electromagnetic sounding of a Triton ocean from a single flyby.

Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune, is in a retrograde orbit and is likely a captured Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). Triton has a mean density of only 2.061 gm/cm3 and is therefore believed to have a 250-400 km thick hydrosphere. Triton is also one of the few planetary satellites to possess a thick ionosphere whose height-integrated Pedersen conductivity exceeds 104 S, complicating the sounding of Triton's subsurface using electromagnetic induction. Triton experiences a time-varying magnetic field dominated by two periods, one at 14.4 h, at the synodic rotation period of Neptune (from Neptune's tilted field) and one at 141 h, at the orbital period of Triton (from large inclination of Triton's orbit). We show that for most models of ionospheric conductivity, the 14.4 h wave creates a large response from the ionosphere itself and is unable to sound the putative ocean below. However, the 141 h wave penetrates the ionosphere easily and provides information on Triton's ocean. We introduce a technique that allows us to determine the complex magnetic moments generated at the two key periods from the magnetic data from a single flyby, allowing us to infer the presence of a subsurface ocean.This article is part of the theme issue 'Magnetometric remote sensing of Earth and planetary oceans'.

Establishment of Austro-Hungarian Military Buildings in Banja Luka and Their Subsequent Repurposing

This paper explores the replanning, reconstruction, and rebranding of Austro-Hungarian military buildings, encompassing common military administrative, healthcare, and housing facilities as well as railways that were under military jurisdiction, and their profound influence on the development of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. These structures, originally built for military and logistic purposes during the Austro-Hungarian period (1878–1918), played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s urban and architectural landscape. The study employs historical analysis of archival documents, maps, and photographs, combined with contemporary field observations that assess the current state and adaptive reuse of these buildings. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the buildings’ transformation over time, from symbols of military authority to cultural and social landmarks within the city. The key periods of transformation—between 1945–1991 and post-1995—were largely driven by changes in national politics, military ownership, and local urban development policies that promoted the urbanization of unused military zones. The findings reveal a dynamic process of adaptive reuse, wherein the rebranding of these historical edifices has repurposed them into cultural, educational, and public spaces. These adaptive transformations not only preserved the architectural integrity of the buildings but also revitalized their roles in the community. The study concludes that Banja Luka’s experience serves as a model for sustainable heritage management, demonstrating the balance between historical preservation and modern urban development. The results highlight how the city successfully merged its rich architectural past with contemporary needs, contributing to its cultural identity and urban growth.

Emerging Reporters in a Nascent Democracy: How Tunisian Pre-Professional Journalists Perceive and Use Social Media in Their Work

Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution facilitated the development of the nation’s first press freedoms. The success of the 2011 revolution is often attributed to social media, which played an influential role as a means of catalyzing resistance and communicating atrocities. However, social media was also used as a tool of disinformation. This study assessed how future journalists who had not worked in the field prior to the establishment of tentative press freedoms used social media in their reporting. This examination of Tunisian journalism students’ uses, values, and role perceptions regarding social media during a key period of post-revolution democracy building may serve as a barometer for the future of the field. Results demonstrate respondents primarily use social media to track breaking news, keep in touch with audiences, and find information. These uses most strongly correlate with the monitorial role, which is most closely associated with established democracies. Overall, respondents indicated the impacts of social media on their individual work were favorable.

Study on the effects of extreme climate and human activities on the growth mechanisms of Zostera japonica in the Yellow River estuary

Zostera japonica, as one of the major seagrasses in the Yellow River Estuary, plays a critical ecological role, particularly in providing habitat for marine organisms, stabilizing sediment, and contributing significantly to carbon sequestration. In recent years, Zostera japonica seagrass beds have receded extensively due to multiple impacts of natural factors and human activities. This study investigates the complex effects of extreme climate events and human activities on the growth mechanisms of Zostera japonica in the Yellow River Estuary using a combination of field sampling, laboratory analysis, and quantitative calculations. The result shows that there are significant differences in sediment characteristics between the north and south shores, with the south shore having finer sediments and higher nutrient content, which support more robust seagrass growth. The Water and Sediment Regulation Scheme (WSRS) dramatically alters water quality by reducing salinity and increasing turbidity, thus inhibiting photosynthesis and disrupting the physiological functions of Zostera japonica. Additionally, WSRS introduces an increase in heavy metals, which could potentially impact plant health and stress levels. Extreme weather events, particularly Super Typhoon Lekima, further compound these impacts by causing soil erosion, uprooting seagrass beds, and reducing biomass and seed production. The interplay of WSRS, climate change, and anthropogenic activities necessitates integrated management strategies to mitigate adverse effects and enhance habitat resilience. This study underscores the need for specific management strategies, such as controlling heavy metal inflows, implementing sediment stabilization techniques, and regulating freshwater discharge during key growth periods, to mitigate adverse effects and enhance habitat resilience for Zostera japonica in the Yellow River Estuary.