Proportion Of Area Research Articles

Surprisingly good fit of pressure-based cropland condition map and bird census data at the national scale

As the world is struggling to halt the rapid decline of biodiversity, the assessment and mapping of ecosystem condition is getting ever increasing attention. Croplands are artificial ecosystems, but as they occupy a large portion of land, they significantly influence biodiversity. Yet, there is a knowledge gap about their suitability to support and maintain wildlife on a national scale. Large-scale condition mapping is meant to address this gap; the good condition of croplands includes their ability to support biodiversity. However, the lack of suitable databases is often a challenge when creating such maps. As there is a strong causal relation between pressures on the ecosystem and its condition, pressure indicators can be used as proxies to approximate condition when more direct indicators are lacking. The validation of condition maps based on pressure proxies is a key but challenging step. In this study, we tested a previously designed pressure-based cropland condition map for Hungary using bird census data. Besides validating the composite condition indicator, we also tested some key elements of the mapping process, such as the choice of variables and thresholds.Using multiple comparisons of means by Tukey’s contrast and Random Forest modelling, we examined the relationship of (1) the continuous pressure-based cropland condition variables, (2) their rescaled, ordinal version (called sub-indicators), and (3) the composite cropland condition indicator (sum of the sub-indicators) with a biodiversity measure, the standardised relative richness of characteristic farmland bird species (rRRCS). To get a picture of the spatial patterns of the examined relationships across Hungary, individual Random Forest models were constructed for all the spatial units of the bird census database, using focal analysis with a 30 km radius moving window.We found significant differences in the mean rRRCS for nearly all sub-indicator categories, signifying that the literature-derived thresholds were mostly sound. Categories with higher (better) condition scores had higher mean rRRCS; the differences are significant in the mid-range but not in the extreme categories, indicating a need for a meaningful simplification of the categories. The goodness-of-fit (R2) of the Random Forest models was found to be high, but it is spatially heterogeneous (ranged from 0.69 to 0.89, with a median value of 0.81), similarly to the variable importance. The proportion of semi-natural areas proved to be the most important condition variable. The proportion of maize and alfalfa were more important than parcel size. Our results show that condition maps based on pressure proxies can reflect patterns of biodiversity surprisingly well. They also highlight the spatial context dependence of the uncertainty of condition maps.

A method for evaluating the visual quality of wetland park landscapes: a case study of qianlu lake wetland park in Wuping, China

Wetland parks are an important part of urban ecosystems, characterized by artificial and natural features. While providing outdoor recreational space for urban residents, the aesthetics of the landscape also affect residents’ willingness to visit the wetland park. Previous studies of wetland parks focused on the ecological benefit. However, fewer systematic studies analyzed the aesthetic qualities and influencing elements of wetland parks. In this study, the Wuping Qianlu Lake Wetland Park in Fujian Province, China was used to evaluate the landscape visual quality of the wetland park using the the Scenic Beauty Estimation method (SBE), and the landscape features of the wetland park were obtained through the Semantic Differential (SD) method and semantic segmentation technique. The regression model of landscape visual quality and landscape features in wetland parks was established using SBE values as the dependent variable, and 23 landscape features as independent variables. The SBE values and accessibility were also combined to create four quadrants, which were combined with K-means clustering to diagnose existing problems. The results of the study showed that two landscape features, approach and proportion of water area were weaker among the four types of wetland park landscapes. The SBE values of the man-made landscape type were the most significant. Meanwhile, the high enclosure landscape type had a significant sense of rusticity, accentuating the wildness of the plants. It was less aesthetically pleasing and had the poorest landscape visual quality of the four types. This study provides a systematic method for diagnosing landscape problems in wetland parks, evaluating landscape visual quality assessment, and providing theoretical and technical support for urban wetland park renewal and construction.

Prognostic Value of Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure in Severe Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Current guidelines recommend intervention for asymptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) with mitral valve area ≤1.5 cm2 based on indicators including pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) >50 mm Hg and new-onset atrial fibrillation; however, evidence supporting this is lacking. This single-center retrospective study included patients with rheumatic MS between 2006 and 2022. Pulmonary hypertension was evaluated by using echocardiography to estimate PASP. Primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including all-cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, and arterial thromboembolic events for up to 5 years. Overall, 287 patients with severe rheumatic MS were enrolled (mean age, 62.5±11.3 years; 74.6% women). During a median follow-up of 2.52 years, MACE occurred in 99 patients. There were no differences in echocardiographic parameters, such as the mean mitral valve pressure gradient, mitral valve area, and proportion of mitral valve area <1.0 cm2, between patients who developed primary outcomes and those who did not. Survival analysis showed a worse prognosis in patients with estimated PASP (ePASP) >50 mm Hg than in those with ePASP ≤50 mm Hg (log-rank P<0.001); however, atrial fibrillation was not a significant prognostic indicator. As a continuous variable, ePASP (mm Hg) was a significant predictor of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.027 [95% CI, 1.011-1.042]; P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an optimal ePASP threshold of >45 mm Hg, which was an independent predictor of MACE in patients with severe rheumatic MS (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.127 [95% CI, 1.424-3.177]; P<0.001). Competing risk analysis considering mitral valve intervention as a competing risk showed similar results. Our study demonstrated the prognostic significance of ePASP, rather than atrial fibrillation, in relation to MACE among patients with severe rheumatic MS. Additionally, we proposed a lower ePASP threshold (>45 mm Hg) as a predictor of an unfavorable prognosis.

Spatiotemporal characteristics and socio-ecological drivers of ecosystem service interactions in the Dongting Lake Ecological Economic Zone

Uncovering the spatiotemporal characteristics of ecosystem services and their complex interactions is a prerequisite for managing multiple simultaneously. However, the prior research has predominantly overlooked cultural service objects and neglected the indirect socio-ecological impact pathways on ecosystem services. To delve into the dynamics and developmental trends of ecosystem alterations prior to and following the inception of an Eco-Economic Zone, this study quantitatively assessed four pivotal ecosystem services within the Dongting Lake Ecological Economic Zone spanning from 2000 to 2020. These services encompassed:crop production(CP), carbon sequestration(CS), habitat quality(HQ), and forest recreation (RS). The trade-offs and synergies between them were explored, and the driving mechanism of ecosystem services was explained based on the partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that: (1) during the study timeframe, the crop production witnessed a pronounced upward trajectory, whereas the carbon sequestration, habitat quality and forest recreation remained relatively stable. Notably, the low habitat quality area (HQ ≤ 0.3) has been expanding, with a growth rate of 29.4 %; (2) the most trade-offs were observed between crop production and other ecosystem services, among which the trade-off effect between crop production and habitat quality was the strongest, with the highest average proportion of trade-off area, reaching 57.8 %. Among the six ecosystem service pairs, two are in a state of deterioration: the crop production and forest recreation, the carbon sequestration and habitat quality; (3)topographic factors were identified as the primary drivers of crop production, carbon sequestration, and habitat quality, whereas forest recreation was chiefly influenced by landscape configuration factors. Land use intensity and landscape configuration played crucial intermediary roles, with socio-economic elements adversely impacting all four ecosystem services directly, yet significantly contributed to the crop production and carbon sequestration through Suppression Effects. The research endorses the combined utilization of lake area land to improve human welfare, based on the principle of protecting the primary services of various functional sub-regions.

Effects of habitat fragmentation on ecosystem services and their trade-offs in Southwest China: A multi-perspective analysis

Exploring the relationships between habitat fragmentation on ecosystem services (ESs) is important for ecological conservation and spatial pattern optimisation. However, analyzing the influence of different habitat fragmentation processes on ESs and their trade-offs from a multiple perspective is still relatively lacking. Therefore, taking Southwest (SW) China as an example, this paper evaluated the dynamics and trade-off relationship of four main types of ESs (i.e., carbon storage (CS), grain production (GP), water retention (WR), soil retention (SR)) during 2000–2020, and analyzed the effects of four habitat fragmentation processes (i.e., decreasing habitat area, increasing habitat density, increasing habitat shape complexity and decreasing habitat cohesion) on ESs and their trade-offs by using geographically and temporally weighted regression model. The results showed that ESs showed a deterioration trend during 2000–2020, with GP, WR, CS, SR, and total ecosystem services (TES) declined by 66.45 %, 54.33 %, 41.68 %, 76.25 % and 65.83 %, respectively. The GP-SR, GP-CS and GP-WR pairs exhibited trade-offs, while other ES types pairs exhibited synergies with each other. Increasing habitat density and increasing in habitat shape complexity were the two strongest fragmentation processes influencing ESs and their trade-offs. The effects of various habitat fragmentation processes on ESs and their trade-offs have obvious spatial heterogeneity. With changes in terrain relief, proportion of karst area, habitat quality, and urbanization level, the association of habitat fragmentation-ESs and habitat fragmentation-ESs trade-offs existed different sensitivities. The results can provide effective guidance for landscape planning and ecosystem management in the SW.

Topical Application of 0.05% Cyclosporine for the Treatment of Neurotrophic Keratopathy Secondary to Herpes Simplex Keratitis

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) eye drops for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) secondary to herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). Fifteen patients (15 eyes) with prior HSK and secondary NK, classified as stage 2 or 3 on the basis of the Mackie classification, were enrolled. All patients received a combined treatment regimen of 0.05% CsA eye drops (1 drop 4 times daily), a silicone hydrogel bandage contact lens, and 0.15% ganciclovir ophthalmic gel (1 drop 3 times daily). For patients achieving corneal healing, CsA was continued at a reduced dosage of twice daily for an additional 2 months and other treatments were discontinued. Follow-ups were scheduled at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 and at months 2 and 3 after treatment initiation, followed by a 3-month follow-up period. Key outcomes, including best-corrected visual acuity, Schirmer I test, and corneal sensitivity, were assessed at each visit before and after treatment. Significant reductions were observed in the area of corneal defects, expressed as proportion of total corneal area, throughout follow-up period. Complete corneal healing was achieved by 13.3% of patients by week 2, 60.0% by week 3, 86.7% by week 4, and 100.0% by week 8, with the mean (SD) time to healing being 3.8 (1.8) weeks (range, 2-8 weeks). Additionally, significant improvements were noted in diseased eyes for best-corrected visual acuity, tear secretion (Schirmer I test values), and corneal sensitivity after treatment. CsA eye drops, with bandage lenses and ganciclovir, effectively resolve NK from HSK, without adverse effects. This combination therapy shows promise for future clinical use and research. Our study is a retrospective observational study because it involves the analysis of previously collected data, so the study was not registered prior to its commencement. However, if it is necessary for publication, we are willing to proceed with retrospective registration.

Cerebellar Molecular Signatures in Non-Human Primates.

Cerebellar molecular signatures in primates remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the immunoreactivity of neuroplasticity-related molecular markers, including aldolase C (Aldoc), phospholipase C beta 3 (PLCB3), and phospholipase C beta 4 (PLCB4) in the cerebellar cortex and associated nuclei of rhesus macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Our main findings are as follows: First, the cerebellar vermis in macaques exhibited striped compartmentalization for all markers, with the striped expression boundary of PLCB3 being less distinct than those of Aldoc and PLCB4. Second, the striped pattern was less pronounced in the cerebellar hemisphere compared to the vermis, with signals in the hemisphere being predominantly intense throughout. Third, distinct zonal patterns and elevated signals for Aldoc and PLCB3 were observed in the cerebellar deep nuclei. Specifically, the fastigial nucleus displayed intense Aldoc signals in both caudal and rostral regions, while the dentate nucleus displayed strong Aldoc signals in both ventral and dorsal regions. Compared to previous rodent studies, the macaque cerebellum demonstrated a higher proportion of intense signal areas and distinct compartmentalization patterns in both cortical and deep nuclei. These findings offer crucial insights into the unique molecular organization of the primate cerebellum, enhancing our understanding of the advanced neuroplasticity, cognitive, and motor capabilities in primates.

Analyzing the spatial scale effects of urban elements on urban flooding based on multiscale geographically weighted regression

In the context of rapid urbanization and the frequent occurrence of extreme rainfall in cities, the risk of flooding in the future will further increase, and the problem of urban flooding cannot be ignored. Urban elements exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity, which largely determines the spatial distribution differences in urban flooding. Therefore, it is important to clarify the scale of influence of different urban elements and explore their scale effects on urban flooding to accurately assess the risk of urban flooding. Taking Zhengzhou City, China, as the study area, this study analyzed the urban elements associated with urban flooding, quantified the scale of the influence of urban elements on flooding using multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR), and further explored the spatial scale effects of urban elements on urban flooding. The results showed that MGWR can better fit the spatially non-uniform distribution of urban flooding and that the scale of the influence of urban elements on urban flooding can be reflected by the bandwidth of MGWR. The results of MGWR indicated that the bandwidths of elevation, number of drainage outfalls (NDO1Abbreviations: RRP, Rainfall return period; DDR, Distance to river; NDO, Number of drainage outfalls; ILMFCP, Input level of materials for flood control projects; PRL, Proportion of residential land; PCL, Proportion of commercial land; PIL, Proportion of industrial land; PPSL, Proportion of public service land; PRA, Proportion of road area; PGL, Proportion of green land; PD, Population density; MI, Manpower input; GDP, Gross domestic product; ILER, Investment level in education and research.1), distance to river (DR), Gross domestic product (GDP), proportion of residential land (PRL), and proportion of commercial land (PCL) were small, and their influence scales were localized. In contrast, the influence of rainfall return period (RRP), slope, proportion of industrial land (PIL), proportion of public service land (PPSL), proportion of road area (PRA), proportion of green land (PGL), input level of materials for flood control projects (ILMFCP), population density (PD), manpower input (MI), and investment level in education and research (ILER) were at global scales. The most influential factors for urban flooding were RRP, PD, and MI. Slope, DR, and PRA had less influence on urban flooding. This study helps improve the effectiveness of urban flood prevention and mitigation efforts.

Influence of urban functional zone change on land surface temperature using multi-source geospatial data: A case study in Nanjing City, China

The urban heat island effect is a prevalent urban concern, and studies on its influencing factors are essential to mitigate its negative effects and promote sustainable urban development. Although many studies have revealed the impact of land cover change on land surface temperature (LST) during urbanization, most have focused only on built-up areas without considering the relationship between urban internal functional structure and LST. To clarify the influence of changes in urban functional zones (UFZs) on LST, focusing on the downtown area of Nanjing City, China, this study proposed an effective framework using multi-source geospatial data for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Specifically, very high spatial resolution images and point of interest data were jointly used to generate UFZ maps using an advanced deep learning approach, and LST distribution maps were retrieved from Landsat 8 images using the radiative transfer equation. The UFZ and LST maps were then overlaid and analyzed to reveal the impact of UFZ change on LST. The results showed that in 2013, 2018, and 2022, the residential region constituted the largest proportion of area, comprising 23.52%, 24.52%, and 27.28%, respectively. The areas of unused region and transport region experienced the most rapid decrease and increase of 6.08% and 4.05% from 2013 to 2022, respectively. Furthermore, the area of sub-high temperature zone decreased the most, by 3.47%, whereas that of the high-temperature zone increased the most, by 6.05%. In the study area, water and green space maintained relatively low LSTs, whereas residential region and unused region exhibited higher LSTs. From 2013 to 2022, UFZ changes contributed to a 0.71°C increase in LST. Transfers from green space, water, commercial region, transport region, and industrial region mostly resulted in a higher LST, which was associated with a decrease in fractional vegetation cover (FVC). Transfers from unused region, residential region, and public service region mostly contributed to reducing LST, which was caused by the increase in FVC. The findings and the proposed framework can provide reliable references for urban managers to optimize urban spatial layout and promote sustainable urban development.

Contrasting foliar nitrogen nutrition of coexisting temperate and boreal trees across a modest temperature cline

The temperate-boreal forest ecotone represents a transition zone from temperate to boreal forest where nitrogen (N) is frequently limiting tree growth, which is highly sensitive to climate change. However, the spatial patterns and potential drivers of plant N nutrition and soil N availability remain poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a field investigation along a temperate-boreal forest ecotone in northeastern China, characterized by a modest mean annual temperature gradient (∼1°C) within the range of current climate warming. Our goal was to evaluate the spatial variation in foliar N nutrition and soil N availability, and the potential driving factors for Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) and Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), the dominant trees of the local temperate and adjacent boreal forests, respectively. Our results revealed no significant spatial trend in topsoil N availability across the sampling transect. Overall, foliar N concentration was significantly higher, but foliar δ15N was lower, for Mongolian oak than Dahurian larch. More important, foliar N concentration for Mongolian oak increased significantly toward the boreal forest, driven by lower mean annual temperatures and mean annual precipitation, with no significant trend observed for Dahurian larch. Additionally, foliar Δδ15N (foliar δ15N−soil δ15N) decreased significantly for Mongolian oak as it approached the boreal forest, while it increased significantly for Dahurian larch toward the temperate forest. Furthermore, the foliar N concentration, δ15N, and Δδ15N for Dahurian larch were all higher with an increasing basal area proportion of Mongolian oak. Our findings reveal contrasting patterns of foliar N nutrition between co-occurring temperate and boreal trees across a temperate-boreal forest ecotone which experiences a modest climatic gradient. These results underscore the importance of incorporating interspecific interactions to enhance our understanding of future N cycling in southern boreal forests in the context of climate warming.

An Indoor Air Quality Analysis in Newly Constructed Apartments

This study analyzes the indoor air quality inspections of newly constructed apartments by the Busan Institute of Health and Environment for the last three years (2021-2023). Of the 41 inspections, 33 exceeded the recommended standard, and the average excess rate was 80.5%. When classified by measuring households, 148 out of 332 exceeded the standards, whereas, the average excess rate by household was 44.6%. Benzene was exceeded in two out of the 332 households; therefore, the excess rate was only 0.6%. However, the relative standard deviation was the largest, showing as the highest item in the scattergram. The average concentration of toluene was 1,006.0 µg/m3, which was 100.6% of the recommended standard and was exceeded by 138 households; hence, the excess rate was 41.6%. All six items(Formaldehyde, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, Styrene) reached the highest concentration in spring or summer when the indoor temperature increased. The average concentration of toluene in July was 1,922 µg/m3, close to 1.9 times the recommended standard; toluene is considered an item of particular concern in summer. In the correlation analysis with indoor temperature, the formaldehyde coefficient of determination was 0.4855, regarded as somewhat significant; it was difficult to confirm the correlation with temperature for the other five items, including benzene. In correlation with relative humidity, formaldehyde showed the same tendency as indoor temperature, with a coefficient of determination of 0.4404, which is believed to be due to its small molecular weight and high solubility. Due to the chimney effect, high concentrations of volatile organic compounds could be confirmed at low atmospheric pressure in the upper floors, and this trend was most evident for formaldehyde. For most items(Formaldehyde, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene), a negative correlation was confirmed in which the emission amount decreased as the number of households increased. For large apartment houses, it is believed that it is due to sufficient bake-out and flush-out according to the adequate construction period and the use of eco-friendly and high-end building materials. Small apartments are classified together with many small houses. The emission concentration of small houses is relatively high because the proportion of the surface area where pollutants are released is high.

Alkali Metal Cations Induce Structural Evolution on Au(111) During Cathodic Polarization.

The activity of the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is substantially affected by alkali metal cations (AM+) in electrolytes, yet the underlying mechanism is still controversial. Here, we employed electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy and in situ observed Au(111) surface roughening in AM+ electrolytes during cathodic polarization. The roughened surface is highly active for catalyzing the CO2RR due to the formation of surface low-coordinated Au atoms. The critical potential for surface roughening follows the order Cs+ > Rb+ > K+ > Na+ > Li+, and the surface proportion of roughened area decreases in the order of Cs+ > Rb+ > K+ > Na+ > Li+. Electrochemical CO2RR measurements demonstrate that the catalytic activity strongly correlates with the surface roughness. Furthermore, we found that AM+ is critical for surface roughening to occur. The results unveil the unrecognized effect of AM+ on the surface structural evolution and elucidate that the AM+-induced formation of surface high-activity sites contributes to the enhanced CO2RR in large AM+ electrolytes.

A Probabilistic Statistical Risk Assessment Method for Soil Erosion Using Remote Sensing Data: A Case Study of the Dali River Basin

Soil erosion risk assessment enables the identification of areas requiring priority treatment and avoids wasting human and material resources. The factor scoring method used in existing studies has high subjectivity, and the method of expressing erosion risk according to the soil erosion intensity ignores the random nature of the occurrence of erosion; therefore, neither method accurately reflects the risk of soil erosion. In order to address this issue, this study proposes a soil erosion risk assessment method that integrates the outcome and the probability of occurrence of soil erosion by means of a probabilistic statistical model. Subsequently, experimental research is conducted in the Dali River Basin. On the basis of long time-series data, using mathematical statistics as a tool and drawing on the empirical frequency formula, the probabilistic statistical risk assessment model is combined with the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to account for the probability of regional soil erosion at different intensity levels in the long time-series, which is combined with the intensity of erosion to carry out soil erosion risk assessment. The results of our study show the following: (1) The central and southwestern regions of the Dali River Basin (DRB) present medium and high levels of soil erosion risk, with the proportion of low-risk areas increasing annually, accounting for 78.97% of the DRB in 2020, while extremely high-risk areas account for only 0.40% of the DRB. (2) The major components impacting soil erosion risk in the DRB, as revealed by the geodetector, are the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and slope, where the interaction between the two dominated the spatial variation in soil erosion risk. (3) Comparing the soil erosion risk and its status in the coming years, the proposed assessment method based on the occurrence probability can reveal the future soil erosion risk better than the traditional assessment method.

Ultrasound Multimodality Examination Improves the Diagnostic Efficiency of Non-Mass-Like Breast Lesions

This study is focused on ultrasound multimodality examination, which refers to the combined use of three ultrasound examination modalities, ultrasound (US), acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The purpose of this study is to analyze the value of applying ultrasound multimodality examination in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast non-mass-like lesions (NMLs). Cases of breast NMLs were analyzed retrospectively, and the nature of all the lesions was verified by pathological examination. Based on the gray-scale ultrasound image characteristics, the cases were classified into types Ⅰ to Ⅴ, and type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ were further classified into 4 subtypes, Ⅰa, Ⅰb, Ⅱa, and Ⅱb, according to whether there was also calcification, and the proportion of malignant cases in each subtype was statistically analyzed. Logistic regression models of US, US+ARFI, US+CEUS, and US+ARFI+CEUS for the diagnosis of malignant cases were established, ROC curves were drawn, the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated, and comparisons were made accordingly. The detection rate of malignant NMLs without calcification (atypical malignant NMLs) by the combination examination of US, ARFI, and CEUS was analyzed. A total of 407 cases were included in the study. All subjects were female, aged 22 to 81 years, with the average age being (47.0±11.0) years. There were 220 benign cases and 187 malignant cases. Ranked from the highest to the lowest, the malignancy proportion of the different types was Ⅰb>Ⅱb>Ⅲ>Ⅴ>Ⅰa>Ⅱa>Ⅳ. The malignant proportion of the low echo area with calcification was significantly higher than that of the lesions without calcification. The AUC (95% confidence interval [CI]) for diagnosing malignant cases with the logistic regression models of US, US+ARFI, US+CEUS, and US+ARFI+CEUS were 0.895 (0.862-0.927), 0.908 (0.878-0.937), 0.921 (0.893-0.948), and 0.927 (0.902-0.952), respectively. Comparison of the AUC of the 4 regression models showed significant differences (P<0.001). The detection rate of US for NMLs without calcification was 80.7%. When US was used in combination with ARFI and CEUS, 86.4% of the malignant NMLs lesions without calcification could be detected if the lesion CEUS score was 4 or 5 points or if shear-wave velocity (SWV)≥4.28 m/s. Breast NMLs with calcification show high risks of malignancy, and a pathological examination is always recommended for a conclusive diagnosis. Ultrasound multimodality examination can improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast NML without calcification.

Human-derived food shrinks home ranges and alters resource selection of mammals at the urban-wild interface

Protected lands are an important source of food, shelter, and reproductive opportunities for wildlife, especially in urban landscapes. When urban development abuts the edges of undisturbed ecosystems, synanthropic species can alter their foraging behaviors and movement to utilize human-supplemented resources throughout the urban-wild interface. Therefore, urban development on the edges of protected lands can have pronounced effects on animal movement and ecosystem functions. Iconic urban adaptive mesopredators such as northern raccoons (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) often benefit from human-supplemented food sources such as unsecured garbage, pet food, and fresh water when available. To investigate how urban edges affect the movements of urban-adapted omnivores within conservation lands, we estimated home ranges and third-order resource selection of 27 raccoons and 12 opossums with GPS collars throughout the protected areas of northern Key Largo, FL, USA between April 2022–October 2023. The proportion of urban development in an individual's home range was the most influential factor associated with home range size, followed by species and sex. Individuals with greater proportions of residential neighborhoods and commercial areas in their home ranges exhibited smaller home ranges. Third-order resource selection functions identified both mesopredator species using residential and commercial land use areas more than they were available on the landscape. These results indicate that urban areas attract urban-adapted mesopredators from protected areas and result in smaller home ranges in the face of abundant human-derived food. Reduced home ranges on edges can support higher densities of animals, which may increase rates of disease transmission, especially when the urban borders support populations of feral domestic species. Shifting foraging behaviors from the protected areas to urban edges could have cascading downward effects if seed-dispersing roles are diluted. As urbanization increases and the distance between wild lands and human disturbance decreases, it is increasingly important to study the mechanisms of how urban development on the edges of protected areas affect the movement of wildlife.

Early spectral dynamics are indicative of distinct growth patterns in post‐wildfire forests

AbstractWestern North America has seen a recent dramatic increase in large and often high‐severity wildfires. After forest fire, understanding patterns of structural recovery is important, as recovery patterns impact critical ecosystem services. Continuous forest monitoring provided by satellite observations is particularly beneficial to capture the pivotal post‐fire period when forest recovery begins. However, it is challenging to optimize optical satellite imagery to both interpolate current and extrapolate future forest structure and composition. We identified a need to understand how early spectral dynamics (5 years post‐fire) inform patterns of structural recovery after fire disturbance. To create these structural patterns, we collected metrics of forest structure using high‐density Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAS) lidar (light detection and ranging). We employed a space‐for‐time substitution in the highly fire‐disturbed forests of interior British Columbia. In this region, we collected RPAS lidar and corresponding field plot data 5‐, 8‐, 11‐,12‐, and 16‐years postfire to predict structural attributes relevant to management, including the percent bare ground, the proportion of coniferous trees, stem density, and basal area. We compared forest structural attributes with unique early spectral responses, or trajectories, derived from Landsat time series data 5 years after fire. A total of eight unique spectral recovery trajectories were identified from spectral responses of seven vegetation indices (NBR, NDMI, NDVI, TCA, TCB, TCG, and TCW) that described five distinct patterns of structural recovery captured with RPAS lidar. Two structural patterns covered more than 80% of the study area. Both patterns had strong coniferous regrowth, but one had a higher basal area with more bare ground and the other pattern had a high stem density, but a low basal area and a higher deciduous proportion. Our approach highlights the ability to use early spectral responses to capture unique spectral trajectories and their associated distinct structural recovery patterns.

Exploring Ecological Quality and Its Driving Factors in Diqing Prefecture, China, Based on Annual Remote Sensing Ecological Index and Multi-Source Data

The interaction between the natural environmental and socioeconomic factors is crucial for assessing the dynamics of plateau ecosystems. Therefore, the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) and CatBoost-SHAP model were employed to investigate changes in the ecological quality and their driving factors in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, from 2001 to 2021. The results showed an increase from 0.44 in 2001 to 0.71 in 2021 in the average RSEI for the Diqing Prefecture, indicating an overall upward trend in the ecological quality. Spatial analysis shows the percentage of the area covered by different levels of RSEI and their temporal changes. The results revealed that “good” ecological quality accounted for the largest proportion of the study area, at 42.77%, followed by “moderate” at 21.93%, and “excellent” at 16.62%. “Fair” quality areas accounted for 16.11% and “poor” quality areas only 2.57%. The study of ecological and socioeconomic drivers based on the CatBoost-SHAP framework also indicated that natural climate factors have a greater impact on ecological quality than socioeconomic factors; however, this effect differed significantly with altitude. The findings suggest that, in addition to strengthening climate monitoring, further advancements in ecological engineering are required to ensure the sustainable development of the ecosystem and the continuous improvement of the environmental quality in the Diqing Prefecture.

Integrating calibrated PTFs and modified OpenKarHydro framework to map the responses of ecohydrological processes to climate change across the Loess Plateau

Climate change is exacerbating the risk of soil water stress, soil erosion and ecological degradation in the Loess Plateau (CLP). However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecohydrological processes, including soil water balance (SWB), soil erosion (SE) and vegetation net primary productivity (NPP), in response to climate change remain isolated and ambiguous. Additionally, existing studies often rely on limited measured data from specific watersheds with particular land use/cover types to establish the pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for single soil hydraulic parameter (SHP). There is a notable lack of comprehensive studies that explore PTFs encompassing all SHPs applicable to the entire CLP, predict the spatiotemporal response of ecohydrological processes to climate change, and identify future risk periods and regions for SWB, SE, and NPP. To address these gaps, we first screened the PTFs applicable for the whole CLP, and then projected the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecohydrological processes from 2020 to 2030 under CMIP6 scenarios by integrating the PTFs with the OpenKarHydro, RUSLE, and CASA model, and finally classified the soil water content, SE and NPP to identify their risk periods and regions. The results showed that the PTFs achieved satisfactory accuracy, with RMSEs for Ks, θs, θr, α, n, θfc and θw being 2.682, 0.109, 0.016, 0.111, 0.897, 0.060 and 0.058, BIASs of 1.365, 0.182, 0.012, 0.031, 0.214, 0.057 and 0.048, R2s of 0.445, 0.500, 0.430, 0.400, 0.694, 0.453 and 0.453, and NSEs of 0.645, 0.737, 0.874, 0.349, 0.567, 0.756 and 0.458, respectively. SE decreased significantly from 2020 to 2030, with an average annual rate of −6.18 %. Soil water storage decreased significantly between 2020 and 2030, and declining from southeast to northwest. The proportion of area in the wet zone decreased by 4 %, while the proportion of area in the dry zone increased by 11.9 % from 2020 to 2030. The average NPP in 2020–2030 is 320.07 gC·m−2·a−1, with the largest in summer and smallest in winter, and decreasing from southeast to northwest. The NPP increased significantly in 2020–2030, with average annual value and rate of 19.61 gC·m−2·a−1 and 70.84 %, respectively. The NPP increased significantly in spring, summer and autumn, but remained stable in winter. This investigation bridges the gap between existing soil properties, missing SHPs, the strong regional applicability of PTFs, and isolated ecohydrological processes. It is promises to provide valuable insights into the response to climate change in the CLP and another water-limited regions.

Projection of the Potential Global Geographic Distribution of the Solanum Fruit Fly Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel, 1912) (Diptera: Tephritidae) Based on CLIMEX Models

The solanum fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an invasive alien insect that causes huge economic losses to pepper and other solanaceous plant industries. It is mainly distributed in South and Southeast Asia, SW Europe, Western USA, and in some African countries. However, the potential global geographical distribution of B. latifrons is unknown. Therefore, in this study, based on the current (1981–2010) and future (2040–2059) climatic scenarios determined using the CNRM-CM5, Access1.0, GFDL-ESM-2M, and NorESM1-M models, we used a species distribution model (CLIMEX 4.0) to project the potential global geographic distribution of B. latifrons to prevent further invasion and harm. In the current climate scenario, South America (1286.06 × 104 km2), Africa (1435.47 × 104 km2), and Oceania (410.66 × 104 km2) have the largest proportions of suitable land areas for B. latifrons colonization. Under all four future climate models, the global potential suitable area for Bactrocera latifrons is projected to decrease and shift towards higher latitudes. This study provides an important baseline upon which researchers, quarantine personnel, and governments can develop the appropriate control strategies against B. latifrons.

Spatio-temporal interplay between ecosystem services and urbanization in the Yangtze River Economic Belt: A new perspective for considering the scarcity effect

The expeditious trajectory of urbanization has profound ramifications on the configuration and functioning of the natural milieu. Given the constrained opulence of natural capital and its indispensable bestowal of ecosystem services in different regions, meticulous contemplation of the relationship between urbanization and the ecosystem service scarcity value (ESSV) while formulating decisions is imperative. This study focuses on the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), where ESSV is quantified by combining the dynamic changes in market supply and demand factors. The influence of supply and demand changes on the ESSV is discussed and analyzed in four scenarios. Subsequently, a multidimensional urbanization comprehensive evaluation index system was established to explore the spatiotemporal interactive response mode between ESSV and urbanization. Our findings manifest a notably augmented ESSV in the YREB from 1990 to 2020, particularly prominent between 2000 and 2010. Moreover, the growth in public goods services outpaced that in private goods services within the same period. Demand-driven scarcity has emerged as the foremost determinant of ESSV. Urbanization levels gradually increased from 1990 to 2020, with a uniform allocation of heightened ESSV and urbanization throughout the region. The urbanization level of YREB, as a whole, exhibited conspicuous spatial heterogeneity, with the downstream region significantly surpassing the middle and upper reaches, and the downstream Yangtze River Delta city cluster and the middle reaches of the Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster notably outpacing that in the surrounding region. The coupling coordination degree (CCD) between the ESSV and urbanization in the YREB develops in a harmonious direction during the study period, accompanied by palpable spatial disparities. The area of unbalanced development gradually decreased, and the area proportion of the coordinated development type of ESSV and urbanization increased continuously. Overall, this study elucidates regional disparities in the reciprocal relationship between the ESSV and urbanization in the YREB, thereby unveiling the extent of incongruity between regional urbanization and the ecosystem. It serves to identify the juncture at which ecological sustainability and urbanization converge harmoniously, thus offering novel insights in achieving comprehensive, high-caliber, and synchronized development in the YREB.