Transition Area Research Articles

Spatiotemporal dynamic of soil erosion and the key factors impact processes over semi-arid catchments in Southwest China

The heterogeneity of geographic environments and vegetation types plays a crucial role in determining soil erosion patterns. Highlighting the influence of environmental factors and their gradient changes on soil erosion is key to effective control and management. In this study, conducted in the arid-hot valley area of the Jinsha River, one of the main sand-producing areas in the Yangtze River Basin, we considered the topographic factors and land cover and applied the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RULSE) with geographic information system (GIS) was applied to quantify the contribution and change pattern of different factors to soil erosion in the arid-hot valleys. Then, the spatial and temporal patterns of soil erosion in 2000 and 2015 were analyzed, showing erosion amount of 1812.96 t/(km2·a) and 1965.98 t/(km2·a), respectively. The increase in erosion was attributed to the frequency of heavy rainfall events. In terms of spatial distribution, strong soil erosion has been mainly observed in arid-hot basins, such as Yuanmou and Huaping. The soil erosion modulus (SEM) was closely connected to topographical elements, increasing incrementally with slope. High soil erosion areas were predominantly distributed across slopes between 18° and 36°. In contrast, SEM decreased gradually with increasing altitude, with strong erosion occurring primarily below 2000 m. SEM for different land use types followed this order: bare land > cultivated land > grassland > forest > paddy land. Based on the relationship between vegetation cover and soil erosion, the area could be roughly divided into three types of area by vegetation coverage: erosion control areas (30% vegetation coverage), erosion-vegetation transition areas (30–70%), and vegetation control areas (>70%). These results provide an essential reference for assessing soil erosion patterns and implementation of ecological vegetation restoration measures in arid-hot valleys.

Provenance of volcano-sedimentary features using tourmaline and REE compositional analysis, in the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil

The present research focuses on sediments' compositional analysis, in the Paraná Basin, to demonstrate provenance contributions for the volcano-sedimentary features distributed along three regions of the Basin's border. In this context, the analyzed sediments, which are generally attributed to the Botucatu Formation, interact with volcanic lava flows from the Serra Geral Formation, establishing a volcano-sedimentary interaction. Nonetheless, the classic description for the Botucatu Formation comprehends almost ubiquitous fine to medium sandstones, while the herein sedimentary rocks vary from fine-grained to very coarse sediments. The granulometry difference raises questions about unexplained events during the Cretaceous volcanism (Serra Geral Formation) over the Botucatu desert. Accordingly, the studied area is distributed into regions A, B, and C from the center to the eastern of the state respectively, covering the Paraná basin's border where the volcano-sedimentary rocks can be outcropped. The methodologies employed involve the analysis of tourmaline compositions and REE patterns. These analytical tools help identify provenance variations and the development of local processes. As a result, the data indicate the predominance of meta-pelites and metapsammites in region A, while in region C there is a prevalence of granitoids contribution, while region B is a transition area showing contributions of both meta-pelites, metapsammites, and granitoids that are attributed to some units of the Sul-Rio-Grandense Shield.

Experimental investigation of crack propagation mechanism in refill friction stir spot joints of AA6082-T6

Since many aluminum alloys preferred in structural engineering can be welded conventionally only with great effort and energy input interest in alternative joining techniques is growing, such as solid state joining processes. In this work, the effect of refill friction stir spot welding (refill FSSW) on the crack propagation behavior in AA6082-T6 is studied. To be able to identify the individual fracture mechanism, refill FSSW was performed as a blind weld, i.e. only in one sheet designed as C(T)100 specimens. The vertical distance between notch and spot weld was varied and tested in two phases. First, a cyclic pre-crack was induced and then the specimen was caused to fail in quasi-static conditions, resulting in two different fracture modes. The results showed that the cyclic crack is dominated by residual stresses but the microstructure mainly influences the quasi-static crack propagation. It was also found that a stress concentration occurs in the transition area even without a hook. Furthermore, it was found that the crack propagation is not exclusively driven by the local strength but also by the angle at which the crack hits the spot weld.

The bay barnacle Amphibalanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854) in the Pleistocene of Europe? A review of Pleistocene Balanidae of northern Central Europe

ABSTRACTThe bay barnacle Amphibalanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854) has been found in Northern Germany in brackish marine sediments of the Holsteinian interglacial. Whereas the cause of the contemporary distribution of this species is anthropogenic and there is evidence that it has resulted mainly from shipping, the fossil findings demonstrate that A. improvisus had also already reached Europe naturally during the Pleistocene in Europe, probably via the Gulf Stream system of the Atlantic. Today, A. improvisus is considered one of the most successful aquatic invasive species worldwide and it is characterized by a high environmental tolerance. The ingression of the Holsteinian Sea, during the Pleistocene, took place during the climate optimum from the North Sea into the ‘Elbe Estuary’ through the Hamburg region and far to the south‐east into Brandenburg. It has been possible to reconstruct the palaeo‐ecological conditions based in particular on molluscs. Accordingly, environmental conditions ranged from normal marine in the north, via brackish in the transitional area to limnic–fluviatile in the Berlin region. The morphological features of the bay barnacles and their ecological parameters are described here in detail. In addition, we provide a general review of the known Pleistocene Balanidae in northern central Europe.

The Adaptation of Global Norms The 1951 Refugee Convention in Indonesia

This article aims to explain and answer the research question: Why did the localization of the global norms of the 1951 Refugee Convention in Indonesia lead to the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016? Indonesia has been a transit area for refugees since 1979 and is the third country in ASEAN with the highest number of refugees. However, Indonesia has never formally and officially adopted the 1951 Refugee Convention. To answer the research question, this study applies the concept of norm localization proposed by Acharya (2004) as the framework for the analysis. This concept explains that the localization process of global norms might lead to three possible outcomes: acceptance of the norms, adaptation and modification of the norms, or complete rejection of the norms. The adaptation of the global norms is the result of adjusting some elements of the norm that are considered more appropriate to the local situations. In this article, we argue that the consideration of humanitarian values, national interests, and domestic challenges are the three most significant domestic factors that influence the process of norm localization in Indonesia. This article discusses how the three factors influenced the process of policy/decision-making on how Indonesia should deal with its refugee issues. In conclusion, we mainly argue that Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016 is the result of a complex adaptation process of the UN 1951 Refugee Convention, which involved multidimensional issues, as well as a multi-actor that represents various interests.

Climate change leads to an expansion of global drought-sensitive area

Droughts will occur more extensively and frequently worldwide, where the increase in drought-sensitive area will further threaten the stability of global ecosystems. However, the distribution and changes of the drought-sensitive area remain unclear. Here we found the distribution and changes of the drought-sensitive area, humid type partition, and arid type partition of the propagation of meteorological drought to agricultural drought during the last 40 years via drought propagation analysis. We show that, globally, drought-sensitive area have increased significantly by 120 × 104 km2, an area equivalent to The Republic of South Africa (122 × 104 km2), while the humid type partition has decreased significantly by 384 × 104 km2 which is larger than that of India (329 × 104 km2). It indicates that the risk of drought is increasing significantly globally. Asia and South America are facing the most critical situation among the continents. Notably, the increase of drought-sensitive area and the loss of humid type partition were concentrated in their transition areas, and 6.44 % of humid type partition are changing into drought-sensitive area globally. In these transformation areas, the largest area is forested and agricultural land, which will seriously threaten the stability of the global ecosystem and food security.

Short-term Safety Performance Functions by Random Parameters Negative Binomial-Lindley model for Part-time Shoulder Use

Part-time Shoulder Use (PTSU) is a traffic management and operation strategy that allows the use of the left or right shoulder as a travel lane, typically during the peak hours of the day. Though PTSU is an effective strategy for increasing roadway capacity in congested traffic conditions, there is very limited quantitative information about PTSU design elements and operational strategy in the existing literature, which could impact the occurrence of crashes on freeways. This study contributes to the safety literature by analyzing various potential crash contributing factors related to PTSU operation and design elements through the development of short-term Safety Performance Functions (SPFs). A comparison of the estimated models demonstrated that by utilizing the mixed distribution and allowing the posterior parameter estimates of explanatory variables to vary from one observation to another, the Random Parameters Negative Binomial-Lindley (RPNB-L) model outperformed the traditional NB and fixed coefficient NB-L models. The results of the proposed RPNB-L model indicated that the PTSU implemented sections experienced a lower number of traffic crashes compared to the non-PTSU freeway sections. Among the attributes related to PTSU operation and design elements, the usage of the leftmost shoulder lane as PTSU, the presence of emergency rest areas for damaged vehicles, and adequate shoulder width would significantly reduce crash frequency for the PTSU implemented freeways. Moreover, investigation of the identified hotspots revealed that the transition areas (start/end locations of PTSU) are the most critical sections. The findings from this research could assist transportation agencies to take appropriate countermeasures for preventing and reducing crash occurrences on PTSU implemented freeways.

Intrinsically disordered Pseudomonas chaperone FapA slows down the fibrillation of major biofilm-forming functional amyloid FapC.

Functional bacterial amyloids play a crucial role in the formation of biofilms, which mediate chronic infections and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. This study focuses on the FapC amyloid fibrillar protein from Pseudomonas, a major contributor to biofilm formation. We investigate the initial steps of FapC amyloid formation and the impact of the chaperone-like protein FapA on this process. Using solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we recently showed that both FapC and FapA are intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Here, the secondary structure propensities (SSPs) are compared to alphafold (DeepMind, protein structure prediction tool/algorithm: https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/) models. We further demonstrate that the FapA chaperone interacts with FapC and significantly slows down the formation of FapC fibrils. Our NMR titrations reveal ~ 18% of the resonances show FapA-induced chemical shift perturbations (CSPs), which has not been previously observed, the largest being for A82, N201, C237, C240, A241, and G245. These sites may suggest a specific interaction site and/or hotspots of fibrillation inhibition/control interface at the repeat-1 (R1)/loop-2 (L2) and L2/R3 transition areas and at the C-terminus of FapC. Remarkably, ~ 90% of FapA NMR signals exhibit substantial CSPs upon titration with FapC, the largest being for S63, A69, A80, and I92. A temperature-dependent effect of FapA was observed on FapC by thioflavin T (ThT) and NMR experiments. This study provides a detailed understanding of the interaction between the FapA and FapC, shedding light on the regulation and slowing down of amyloid formation, and has important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting biofilms and associated infections.

Hippocampal Structures Among Japanese Adolescents Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Few studies have used a large-sample, longitudinal, population-based cohort study to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic as a global major life event is associated with structural plasticity of the adolescent hippocampus. To examine whether Japan's first state of emergency (SoE) during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with alterations in the macrostructures and microstructures of the hippocampus during its development. The population-neuroscience Tokyo TEEN Cohort study is a prospective cohort study with 4 consecutive waves in Tokyo, Japan. Due to the SoE, data collection was suspended between March 27, 2020, and July 30, 2020. Analyzed data, comprising 1149 brain structural scans obtained from 479 participants, of whom 336 participants had undergone 2 or more scans, were collected between October 2013 and November 2021. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to December 2023. Japan's first SoE (April 7 to May 25, 2020). Hippocampal volume, 12 hippocampal subfield volumes, and 7 microstructural measures of the hippocampus. A total of 1060 brain scans from 459 participants (214 female participants [47%]) including 246 participants from wave 1 (median [IQR] age, 11.3 [11.1-11.7] years), 358 from wave 2 (median [IQR] age, 13.8 [13.3-14.5] years), 304 from wave 3 (median [IQR] age, 15.9 [15.4-16.5] years), and 152 from wave 4 (median [IQR] age, 17.9 [17.5-18.4] years) were included in the final main analysis. The generalized additive mixed model showed a significant associations of the SoE with the mean hippocampal volume (β = 102.19; 95% CI, 0.61-203.77; P = .049). The generalized linear mixed models showed the main associations of the SoE with hippocampal subfield volume (granule cell and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus: β = 18.19; 95% CI, 2.97-33.41; uncorrected P = .02; CA4: β = 12.75; 95% CI, 0.38-25.12; uncorrected P = .04; hippocampus-amygdala transition area: β = 5.67; 95% CI, 1.18-10.17; uncorrected P = .01), and fractional anisotropy (β = 0.03; 95% CI, 0.00-0.06; uncorrected P = .04). After the first SoE, a volumetric increase in the hippocampus and trend increase in 3 subfield volumes and microstructural integration of the hippocampus were observed, suggesting that the transient plasticity of the adolescent hippocampus was affected by a major life event along with the typical developmental trajectory.

The Lawn as a Social and Cultural Phenomenon in Perth, Western Australia

Lawns, introduced in Australia through English colonial heritage, dominate public spaces in cities, serving various ecosystem functions. Australian lawns consist of non-native grasses that differ from native original vegetation and require intensive management and maintenance. This study explores public perspectives on urban lawns in Perth, Western Australia, an area largely overlooked in ecological and social research in the context of Australia compared to Europe and North America. This paper presents empirical research on public perceptions of urban lawns and alternatives in Perth, Western Australia. The study explores social values and preferences regarding traditional lawns and new options, considering visual appearance, uses, and maintenance. Findings from an online questionnaire, involving 171 respondents, identified seven categories based on a content analysis of lawn definitions: flat area; ground covered by grass; maintained; non-native vegetation; open space; recreational space; and turf grass. The results revealed that respondents most value lawns for aesthetics, cooling and recreation (exercises, walking pets, as a transit area, passive recreation, and social gatherings). At the same time, participants demonstrated an environmental awareness of lawns and the necessity of revisiting the existing planning and maintenance routine based on irrigation and intensive mowing by considering several alternative solutions. While valuing new solutions such as Scaevola patches in dedicated areas and “weedy lawns”, participants still preferred alternatives closest in appearance to a conventional lawn (e.g., lawn grass with Dichondra and lawn grass with clover). The study emphasizes the need for a ‘blended model’ of urban lawns, combining durability with heat-resistant, biodiverse vegetation to address social values and environmental concerns.

Fossil Equidae in the Linxia Basin with Biostratigraphic and Paleozoogeographic Significance

AbstractThe Linxia Basin is characterized by an abundance of Cenozoic sediments, that contain exceptionally rich fossil resources. Equids are abundant in the Linxia Basin, the fossil record of equids in this region including 16 species that represent 10 genera. In comparison to other classic late Cenozoic areas in China, the Linxia Basin stands out, because the fauna and chronological data accompanying Linxia equids render them remarkably useful for biostratigraphy. The anchitheriines in the region, such as Anchitherium and Sinohippus, represent early equids that appeared in the late stages of the middle and late Miocene, respectively. Among the equines, most species of Chinese hipparions have been identified in the Linxia Basin and some species of the genera Hipparion and Hippotherium have FAD records for China. Furthermore, Equus eisenmannae is one of the earliest known species of Equus in the Old World and is well‐represented at the Longdan locality. Some species with precise geohistorical distributions can serve as standards for high‐resolution chronological units within this framework. Located at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and subject to considerable uplift, the Linxia Basin has served as a biogeographic transition area for equids throughout the late Cenozoic.

전라남도 방언구획을 위한 계량적 연구방법 탐색 -레벤슈타인 거리와 음운 네트워크를 중심으로-

The purpose of our study is to divide the sub-dialects of Jeollanam-do using Levenshtein distance and network analysis. For the first time, we measured the Levenshtein distance on Korean dialect data, and constructed a phonological network which is based on this. Then, clustering analysis was performed to divide the sub-dialects of Jeollanam-do and compared them with the dialect division of Lee Ki-gap(1984, 1986). Through the Levenshtein distance measurement, the closest regions in Jeollanam-do were Yeong-am gunseo and Yeong-am Sijong, Yeong-am gunseo and Yeong-am Haksan, Yeong-am Sijong and Yeong-am Haksan, Wando Wansdo-eup and Wando Gogeum regions. But the farthest regions were Gwang-yang Jinwol and Jindo Imhui, Gwang-yang Jinwol and Jindo Jodo area. This distance was converted into network weights to construct a phonological network in Jeollanam-do. On the phonological network in the sub-dialect of Jeollanam-do, we measured the degree strength centrality, closeness centrality and betweenness centrality. The west of Jeollanam-do tended to be higher in terms of centrality, and the core area of sub-dialect division were judged to be Hampyeong and Yeong-am, and the most heterogeneous sub-dialect was Gwang-yang Jinwol. As a result of clustering analysis on the sub-dialects of Jeollanam-do, the sub-dialects of Jeollanam-do are largely divided into the east and the west, and the east was again divided into two areas, and the west was also divided into two areas. Interestingly, Boseong Ungchi is a unique sub-dialect region in the west, and appears to be a transitional area between the east and the west. This study will be meaningful in that it is the first study that uses Korean dialect phonological data and divide sub-dialects using a quantitative method-Levenshtein distance and network analysis.

Performance analysis of wind turbine blades using E-Glass fiber and SiO2- Al2O3-TiO2 MMT nanocomposite with AW 106 epoxy

ABSTRACT In a wind turbine, blades are an essential component. In recognition of their remarkable qualities, nanoparticle-reinforced composites (also known as nanocomposites) are becoming increasingly popular among academics and companies. In preceding investigations of wind turbine blades, it was discovered that manufacturing issues, such as cracks in the supporting airfoil transition area, fiberglass, and hardener, were brought on by insufficient resin availability. For the effective investigation of wind turbine blades, a unique e-glass fiber and nanocomposite using AW 106 epoxy have been presented. The primary purpose of this research is on the viability of nanocomposites based on montmorillonite, specifically for use in wind turbine blades. The production and in-depth investigation of nano SiO2-Al2O3-TiO2 montmorillonite dispersed E-glass fiber/AW 106 epoxy composites are the subjects of the investigation of proposed method. The experimental findings were confirmed by GRA and SEM analysis in ANSYS to predict wind turbine blade failures, evaluate the blades’ hardness, and test the edge and flap loading conditions. As the result, demonstrated that nanocomposite has a tensile strength of Al2O3with 1% high with a value of 106 MPa, Al2O3with 1% withstands the highest number of failure cycles with 273, Rockwell number is 43, and the maximum value of Al2O3is 0.992 in GRA with various materials.

A Novel Reconstruction Technique to Reduce Stair-Step Artifacts in Sequential Mode Coronary CT Angiography.

Prospective electrocardiography-triggering is one of the most commonly used cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan modes but can be susceptible to stair-step artifacts in the transition areas of an acquisition over multiple cardiac cycles. We evaluated a novel reconstruction algorithm to reduce the occurrence and severity of such artifacts in sequential coronary CT angiography. In this institutional review board-approved, retrospective study, 50 consecutive patients (16 females; mean age, 58.9 ± 15.2) were included who underwent coronary CT angiography on a dual-source photon-counting detector CT in the sequential ultra-high-resolution mode with a detector collimation of 120 × 0.2 mm. Each scan was reconstructed without (hereafter called standard reconstruction) and with the novel ZeeFree reconstruction algorithm, which aims to minimize stair-step artifacts. The presence and extent of stair-step artifacts were rated by 2 independent, blinded readers on a 4-point discrete visual scale. The relationship between the occurrences of artifacts was correlated with the average and variability of heart rate and with patient characteristics. A total of 504 coronary segments were included into the analyses. In standard reconstructions, reader 1 reported stair-step artifacts in 40/504 (7.9%) segments, from which 12/504 led to nondiagnostic image quality (2.4% of all segments). Reader 2 reported 56/504 (11.1%) stair-step artifacts, from which 11/504 lead to nondiagnostic image quality (2.2% of all segments). With the ZeeFree algorithm, 9/12 (75%) and 8/11 (73%) of the nondiagnostic segments improved to a diagnostic quality for readers 1 and 2, respectively. The ZeeFree reconstruction algorithm significantly reduced the frequency and extent of stair-step artifacts compared with standard reconstructions for both readers ( P < 0.001, each). Heart rate variability and body mass index were significantly related to the occurrence of stair-step artifacts ( P < 0.05). Our study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel reconstruction algorithm leading to a significant reduction of stair-step artifacts and, hence, a reduction of coronary segments with a nondiagnostic image quality in sequential ultra-high-resolution coronary photon-counting detector CT angiography.

A histological study of the protracted dismantling of the spent (Sertoli‐only) shark spermatocyst post‐spermiation: Insight from species with or without testis‐associated lymphomyeloid tissue

AbstractSertoli cells of sharks are non‐permanent components of the spermatocyst that they share exclusively with only one germ cell stage. After spermiation, all Sertoli cells, and thus the whole spent cyst, are disposed of in an area adjacent to the spermatozoal spermatocysts, that is, the resorption zone (RZ). Differences in the histology and magnitude of the RZ of the mature blue shark and Greenland shark correlate with differences in how spent cysts are dismantled. In the blue shark's RZ, the spent cyst's Sertoli nuclei were synchronously and stepwise fragmented into pyknotic bodies that were eventually resorbed in a whorl in the RZ interstitium. Conversely, cyst dismantling in the Greenland shark, that also lacked a spatially definitive RZ, revealed redundancy. One mode entailed the sloughing of the bulky Sertoli nuclei through an indistinct cyst–ductule transition area into its attached collecting ductule. A second mode entailed the asynchronous, progressive fragmentation of the bulky Sertoli nuclei into membrane‐enclosed pyknotic bodies. Both these modes solely entailed an internally coordinated demise of the spent cyst and whose basal lamina remained intact almost right to the end. Whatever the underlying mechanisms of these differences, these findings nonetheless reveal species‐specificity in the clearing up of the elasmobranch testicular parenchyma after the completion of a round of spermiogenesis. One consideration is the blue shark's expansive immune cell augmented RZ, that adjoins the animal's bone marrow equivalent tissue. The notable finding of a second conspicuous Sertoli cell type in the Greenland shark's spent cysts is also discussed.

CHECK-LIST OF BIRD SPECIES FROM PIAUÍ STATE, BRAZIL

Piauí is inserted between two important biomes, the Cerrado and the Caatinga. The transition areas, demonstrate unique characteristics and derived from adjacent biomes, thus presenting a high number of species of different types of habitats. Studies that have specific data on the occurrence of species are essential for the knowledge and conservation of the biodiversity of a region. The article aims to present the species of birds recorded in the state of Piauí, analysing the conservation status of the species. For this survey a systematic review is being used through indexers such as Google Scholar, Scielo and virtual libraries of Higher Education Institutions. A single table with all the species found in the surveys and maps was made to help visualize the municipalities that have scientific publications. The state of Piauí has 224 municipalities, of these only 35 have a survey of the avifauna with 143 publications between 1982 and 2022, which recorded 487 species of birds in the territory of Piauí. Of these records 36 species (7.4%) are classified with some degree of threat according to the IUCN and MMA. The studies are concentrated in the north and south, with few studies in the center of the state. Analyzing the map of the state of Piauí it was possible to observe that the Conservation Units are also concentrated in the northern and southern regions of the state. Thus, most of the studies were carried out in Conservation Units, and the surveys found outside Conservation Units are within Priority Areas for Conservation.

Study on the effect of step ratio to temperature field of cut-fill transition in deep seasonal frozen soil region

The existing studies lack numerical simulation of the temperature field in the cut-fill transition of the deep seasonal frozen soil regions. The ratio effect of steps in the backfill area of cut-fill transitions has also been little studied. Therefore, this paper establishes a numerical model based on some geological and meteorological data of Yichun City, China. It simulates the temperature field process of the cut-fill transition for the next 10 years under three ratio step conditions: 1:1, 2:3, and 1:2. The results show that the temperature field of the subgrade corresponding to different working conditions varies relatively significantly in terms of maximum freezing depth and frozen layer morphology. The law shows that in the cut-fill transition section, the gentler the step gradient is, the deeper the maximum freezing depth is, and the larger the frozen layer retained area in the thaw period. The retention of frozen interlayers is likely to cause differences in subgrade stiffness and exacerbate the “thaw-basin” phenomenon. Therefore, this study recommends 1:1 ratio of steps as the optimal program for the construction of backfill area, and can be targeted according to the numerical results of this paper in the arrangement of drainage, insulation and other measures.

Impact of topographic factors on animal field pathings: Analysis and prediction of deer movement patterns

Understanding and tracking the complexities of animal movement patterns is of paramount importance in wildlife management, conservation efforts, and the sustainable use of natural resources. An infinite number of factors influence the movement path of animals within their respective habitats, including: the structure of the habitat, the availability of resources, the presence of natural predators, social memory, the topographic attributes of the environment, etc.Numerous studies have attempted to delineate the spatial boundaries of animal habitats by elucidating the complexities of their movement dynamics. These investigations have highlighted the profound impact of factors such as environmental topography and the presence of natural impediments and other anthropogenic structures on animal mobility, but very few have analyzed topographic factors at a fine three-dimensional spatial scale.This research focuses on a novel methodology for identifying animal trajectories at a fine scale and evaluating the influence of topographic factors on these trajectories, specifically of deer herds in southern Spain. To understand movement patterns, transects recorded in the field due to continued use by deer are analyzed. Topographical information was obtained in two steps: first with a graphical analysis of orthophotos for the incorporation of the sufficient data set. Secondly, the veracity of this data was verified using Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking technology. The integration of data from multiple sources with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allowed the analysis to be automated. Next a statistical linear regression model, based on both the ascent and descent lengths and the total length of the path traveled, was designed to infer the trajectories between two designated points within the study area. Using topographical variables obtained in the study environment, such as the slope, the elevation difference (cumulative vertical distance), and the 3D length of the transect paths, the influence of these variables on the movement decisions of animals within their habitat is established in order to facilitate their subsequent prediction.Analytical tests of the trajectories have shown that the movement behavior of cervids is predictable. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology presented which, by providing and collect valuable topographic information on movement and transit areas, can guide sustainable management practices for deer populations and their habitats.

Research landscape of energy transition and green finance: A bibliometric analysis

This study utilizes bibliometric analysis to examine historical and present research patterns in the area of energy transition and green finance and to forecast potential future domains. Using the bibliometric method, 328 scholarly articles from the Web of Science database were evaluated. This paper identifies influential publications, maps the research landscape, and forecasts emerging tendencies through co-citation and co-word analyses. Co-citation analysis found three main clusters, while co-word analysis revealed four main clusters. Despite the growing significance of research on energy transition and green finance research, further in-depth investigation is necessary to offer a thorough depiction of the research domain. This research represents a pioneering endeavour in the utilization of bibliometric analysis to investigate the interrelationship between two items. It offers valuable insights into the rapidly expanding field of energy transition and green finance, effectively highlighting its contours and indicating potential future developments.

The distribution and conservation of areas with microendemic species in a biodiversity hotspot: a multi-taxa approach.

Microendemic species are species with very small geographic distributions (ranges). Their presence delimitates areas with microendemic species (AMs), denoting a spatial unit comprising at least one population of at least one microendemic species. AMs are assumed to be distributed distinctively and associated with specific ecological, historical, and anthropogenic attributes. However, the level of influence of these factors remains unclear. Thus, we studied the distribution patterns of microendemic species within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to (a) identify the region's AMs; (b) evaluate whether ecological (latitude, altitude, distance from the coastline), historical (climate stability), and anthropogenic (ecological integrity) attributes distinguish AMs from non-AMs; and (c) assess the conservation status of the Atlantic Forest's AMs. We mapped the ranges of 1,362 microendemic species of angiosperms, freshwater fishes, and terrestrial vertebrates (snakes, passerine birds, and small mammals) to identify the region's AMs. Further, spatial autoregressive logit regression models were used to evaluate whether latitude, altitude, distance from the coastline, Climate Stability Index, and ecological integrity can be used to discern AMs from non-AMs. Moreover, the AMs' conservation status was assessed by evaluating the region's ecological integrity and conservation efforts (measured as the proportion of AMs in protected areas). We identified 261 AMs for angiosperm, 205 AMs for freshwater fishes, and 102 AMs for terrestrial vertebrates in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, totaling 474 AMs covering 23.8% of the region. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a large and complex biogeographic mosaic where AMs represent islands or archipelagoes surrounded by transition areas with no microendemic species. All local attributes help to distinguish AMs from non-AMs, but their impacts vary across taxonomic groups. Around 69% of AMs have low ecological integrity and poor conservation efforts, indicating that most microendemic species are under threat. This study provides insights into the biogeography of one of the most important global biodiversity hotspots, creating a foundation for comparative studies using other tropical forest regions.