Western Sector Research Articles

Influence of environmental conditions on the abundance of the striped venus Chamelea gallina in the northern Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Environmental conditions can easily modulate the abundance of short-lived species, including those of commercial interest. These effects can occur during key periods of their life cycle, such as the spawning and recruitment periods, which are crucial for the stability of natural populations. This study attempts to elucidate the effects of abiotic factors on an important commercial species for artisanal fisheries in the northern Alboran Sea, Chamelea gallina, using CPUE data covering a 16-year period (2004–2020). Generalised Additive Models (GAM) were used to study how the abundance of the species was influenced by a set of environmental variables (sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, phytoplankton, dissolved oxygen, North Atlantic Oscillation index and pluviometry) at spatial and temporal scale, as well as the spatio-temporal variation considering two areas (eastern and western areas) with different oceanographic conditions. The analysis showed that the abundance of C. gallina showed fluctuations over the historical time series in this ecoregion. The largest catches are observed in the western sector of the northern Alboran Sea, where the local sediment characteristics are more suitable for the species occurrence and the upwelling effect is more pronounced. Results showed that the most influential variables in the abundances during the spawning period were sea temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen while during the recruitment period were only salinity and dissolved oxygen. Studies on the effects of environmental variables on the life cycle of species are essential to understand complex biological processes such as the spawning and recruitment, especially in commercially exploited species and in highly dynamic environments as the Alboran Sea.

“Assessing the wave power density in the Atlantic French façade from high-resolution CryoSat-2 SAR altimetry data”

The wave energy resource potential and trends are assessed in coastal areas of the Atlantic French Façade. High-resolution satellite altimetry sea state estimates (significant wave height and backscatter coefficient) are used, taking advantage of the time and spatial coverage of ESA's CryoSat-2 mission data processed with the coastal zone SAMOSA + waveform retracker algorithm. Due to this novel retracker specifically designed for challenging regions like the coastal zone, the successful measurements of the significant wave height in the coastal zone allows us to solve previously difficult coastal issues such as land and calm water interference in the altimetry footprint. The study comprises 12 years, from January 2011 to December 2022, and applies a relatively simple empirical model to estimate the wave power density. Results are analyzed by season, showing the time of the year and location where the resource is abundant and identifying potential reserves of wave power. The highest value of the mean wave power density (27.1 kW/m) over the 12 years is found in the western sector and to the south of Belle-Île-en-mer, whereas the autumn, in which sea state conditions are less harsh for the extraction activity, appears as the most favorable season for extracting the wave resource. In conclusion, according to the estimated positive trend of wave power density, the wave resource is abundant in nearshore regions of the Atlantic French Façade and promising in view of its future exploitation. The study highlights the importance of an innovative methodology and the role of satellite data in enhancing the accuracy of wave energy assessments.

Estimating Evapotranspiration in the Qilian Mountains Using GRACE/GRACE-FO Satellite Data

Evapotranspiration (ET) is the most significant constituent of the response to climate warming. It serves as a crucial link in the soil–vegetation–atmospheric continuum. Analyzing the driving forces and response of ET to regional-scale climate warming holds scientific significance in improving global water resource assessment methods and drought monitoring techniques. The innovation presented in this article is the calculation of ET by using GRACE/GRACE-FO satellite data through the water balance equation. The inter-annual and seasonal changes in ET in different regions of the Qilian Mountains were analyzed, along with quantifying the contribution of environmental meteorological factors to ET. The ETGRACE and ETMonitor products have good consistency, with a monthly correlation coefficient of 0.92, an NSE coefficient of 0.80, and a root mean square error of 10.38 mm. The results indicate that the increasing trend of ET in the Qilian Mountains region exhibits a “medium–high–low” distribution pattern. The rate of increase in ET is 5.2 mm/year in the central segment. In spring and summer, the overall trend of ET is an increasing one. However, the central and western segments exhibit a slight decreasing trend of ET in autumn. During winter, the southern part of the Qilian Mountains experiences a notable reduction in ET. The correlation between the changes in ET and soil moisture exhibited a strong association, with soil moisture change contributing significantly to ET: 57.8% for the eastern section, 52.8% for the middle section, and 46.9% for the western section. The thermal effect primarily controls ET variations within eastern sections, where temperature change accounts for approximately 6.7% of the total variation in ET levels. Conversely, the moisture factor dominates western sections, where precipitation change accounts for about 6.5% of the total variation in ET levels. Due to the distinct gradient characteristics of environmental meteorological factors in the central segment, the fluctuation of these factors collaboratively drives ET changes. This article provides a new approach for obtaining continuous and reliable actual evapotranspiration in high-altitude areas.

Numerical simulation of fault activity in the Qilian tectonic belt and dynamic background of Menyuan earthquake series

Some faults in the Qilian tectonic belt are seismogenic areas for strong earthquakes, including the western section of the Lenglongling fault, which frequently occures moderate-strong Menyuan earthquakes. In this study, using GPS velocity data of 1991–2015 as the boundary constraints, a three-dimensional viscoelastic finite element dynamic model is constructed by comprehensively considering the regional dynamic environment, crust-mantle transverse-longitudinal inhomogeneity, and spatial spreading of a complex fault system. The objective is to investigate the long-period characteristics of fault movement and stress change in the Qilian tectonic belt caused by tectonic loading, and to discuss the seismogenic conditions of the Menyuan earthquakes. The results show that the annual change of long-period movement and stress of the major faults in the Qilian Mountain tectonic zone are characterized by significant segmentation. Due to its unique geometric bend morphology, the western section of Lenglongling fault has a low movement rate, significant slip deficit and high shear stress accumulation, which are conducive to the gestation and occurrence of earthquakes. Furthermore, the seismogenic area of the Menyuan earthquake series is jointly subjected to NE-SW compressive and NW-SE tensile stress fields, and the maximum shear stress and elastic strain energy accumulate faster than in the surrounding areas. Overall, the western section of the Lenglongling fault has a strong dynamic background and favorable conditions for the frequent occurrence of the Menyuan earthquake series.

Integrating remote sensing and field investigation for lithological mapping of Per-Eonile to Neonile sequences west of Sohag city, Egypt: Impact on urban development

In the domains of geological study, natural resource exploitation, geological hazards, sustainable development, and environmental management, lithological mapping holds significant importance. Conventional approaches to lithological mapping sometimes entail considerable effort and difficulties, especially in geographically isolated or inaccessible regions. Incorporating geological surveys and satellite data is a powerful approach that can be effectively employed for lithological mapping. During this process, contemporary RS-enhancing methodologies demonstrate a remarkable proficiency in identifying complex patterns and attributes within the data, hence facilitating the classification of diverse lithological entities. The primary objective of this study is to ascertain the lithological units present in the western section of the Sohag region. This objective will be achieved by integrated Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery and field observations. To achieve our objectives, we employed many methodologies, including the true and false color composition (FCC&TCC), the minimal noise fraction (MNF), principal component analysis (PCA), decoration stretch (DS), and independent component analysis (ICA). Our findings from the field investigation and the data presented offer compelling evidence that the distinct lithological units can be effectively distinguished. A recently introduced geology map has been incorporated within the research area. The sequence of formations depicted in this map is as follows: Thebes, Drunka, Katkut, Abu Retag, Issawia, Armant, Qena, Abbassia, and Dandara. Implementing this integrated technique enhances our comprehension of geological units and their impacts on urban development in the area. Based on the new geologic map of the study area, geologists can improve urban development in the regions by detecting building materials “aggregates”. This underscores the significance and potential of our research in the context of urban development.

Landscape evolution during Holocene transgression of a mid‐latitude low‐relief coastal plain: The southern North Sea

AbstractLow‐relief coastal landscapes are at major risk of rising sea levels, as vertical changes in relative sea level have far‐reaching lateral effects. Integration of a dense 2D grid of seismic reflection data with sedimentological and geotechnical data obtained in two offshore wind farm zones allows detailed documentation of postglacial landforms and environmental change over a 1,021 km2 area in the western sector of the southern North Sea. Following the retreat of Last Glacial Maximum ice sheets from the southern North Sea, the resulting postglacial terrestrial landscape provided a surface for peatland formation as climate started to warm and the water table rose in response to relative sea‐level rise. Southward‐draining fluvial networks formed contemporaneously with the peatlands, and remnants of this terrestrial wetland landscape are buried beneath Holocene marine sediments. Distinctive isolated incisional features and discrete widening of fluvial channels that cut through the peats are interpreted as either tidal ponds or relict tidal channels. These features record the evolution of this landscape through the Early Holocene as marine transgression inundated a low‐relief coastal plain. The erosion of the peatlands observed in the cores, the patchy preservation of the organic wetland landscape, and the lack of preserved barrier systems recorded by the seismic reflection data suggest that the rate of relative sea‐level rise outpaced sediment supply during the Late Postglacial and Early Holocene in this area of the southern North Sea. In a regional context, the southward draining river channels contrast to northward fluvial drainage to the North Sea, pointing to a subtle drainage divide in the palaeolandscape and the presence of a low‐relief land bridge separating the North Sea and the English‐Channel/La Manche during the Early Holocene. The documented scenario of rising sea levels combined with decreasing sediment supply in a low‐relief setting is a situation faced by many global deltas and coastlines, which makes the southern North Sea a crucial archive of coastal landscape change.

Provenance signature and tectono–sedimentary setting of the Permian Shihezi formation (Ordos basin, China): Insights from geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb dating

During the depositional period of the Permian Shihezi Formation, the southern margin of the Ordos Basin was a key location for studying the tectonic movement of the North China Craton (NCC) and South China Blocks. The sedimentary environment was the first period of complete transition from marine to continental. However, the distribution of sediments controlled by a multi–provenance supply and the response of deposition to tectonics remain ambiguous, and the restoration of paleogeography remains in the qualitative stage, restricting the study of larger-scale tectono–sedimentary patterns. Based on field profiles and core observations, the paleocurrent direction, lithic fragments, heavy mineral assemblages, rare earth element distribution patterns, 11 detrital zircon U–Pb age datasets, and discrimination diagram of major and trace elements, the provenance signature and tectono–sedimentary setting were revealed. The results indicated that there are three main provenances in the southern margin of the Ordos Basin: North Qilian and western and eastern sections of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt. The tectonic setting of the North Qilian was a continental island arc, and the North Qinling was transformed from a passive to an active continental margin. Owing to the continued intense tectonic activities of the North Qilian, a braided river delta with a large sedimentary range developed in the west, and it was mixed with detrital sediments from the western section of the North Qinling with weak tectonic activity in the central. Affected by the uplift of the southern North China Craton, the sedimentary environment in the eastern range was unstable, and the thickness distribution of sandy sediments in the braided river delta was uneven. Refinement of provenance and deposition has important implications for the study of basin–mountain coupling relationships and paleogeographic reconstruction in the southern Ordos Basin and provides a basis for the study of collision evolution of the North and South China Blocks in the Permian.

Immature characteristics of the East Anatolian Fault Zone from SAR, GNSS and strong motion data of the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake doublet

On February 6, 2023, an Mw 7.9 earthquake occurred in the western section of the East Anatolia Fault Zone (EAFZ). It was subsequently followed by an Mw 7.7 earthquake on the northern branch of the EAFZ, known as the Sürgü Fault Zone. Coseismic deformation fields were derived for these earthquakes using joint evaluation of near-field strong motion data, Global Navigation Satellite System data, and Synthetic Aperture Radar datasets. The coseismic slip distribution model was determined through the joint kinematic finite fault inversion. The Mw 7.9 earthquake was a left-lateral strike-slip event, predominantly occurring at depths up to 20 km. The earthquake displayed three distinct asperities that correlate well with bends and stepovers along the EAFZ. The Mw 7.7 earthquake also exhibited left-lateral strike-slip characteristics, with a major asperity along the Çardak Fault featuring a maximum slip of approximately 9.5 m at depths between 0 and 24 km. The occurrence of this unanticipated large Mw 7.9 catastrophic seismic event on a fault with low-intermediate structural maturity is noteworthy. In the vicinity of immature faults with multiple jogs, stress tends to accumulate at barrier locations. When the accumulated stress near several adjacent barriers reaches a certain threshold, it may result in the transformation of multiple barriers into asperities, triggering cascading ruptures.

Multi-stage magmatism and Sn-polymetallic mineralization in the Shuicheng Region, SW China

The economically important tin‑tungsten mineralization in southwestern China has attracted much interest in recent years, yet its age, tectonic setting, and genetic relationship to the host granites remain uncertain in most regions. Our focus in this study is the Shuicheng tin-polymetallic deposit, situated in the western sector of the Diantan Batholith, within the northern Tengchong Block. The granites in this area consist of two intrusive units, i.e., 1) biotite monzogranite (T1), with LA-ICP-MS zircon UPb ages ranging from 76.88 ± 0.43 Ma to 74.69 ± 0.57 Ma, whole-rock εNd(t) values ranging from −9.75 to −8.11, and zircon εHf(t) values from −12.19 to −8.85; and 2) alkali-feldspar granite (T2), with an LA-ICP-MS zircon UPb age of 52.16 ± 0.23 Ma, whole-rock εNd(t) values of −10.15 to −8.25, and zircon εHf(t) values of −9.64 to −8.06. These two intrusive events have been linked to prolonged low-angle subduction and retreat of the subducting Neo-Tethys Ocean Plate, respectively. The Shuicheng granites exhibit high concentrations of SiO2 and Al2O3, contrasted with low levels of FeOT, CaO, MgO, TiO2, and P2O5, suggesting that they are highly fractionated S-type granites. High abundances of Rb, K, U, and Hf, along with low contents of Ba, Sr, and Ti, further indicate significant fractionation and crystallization processes during magma evolution. Importantly, a transition from purely magmatic conditions to a magmatic-hydrothermal state occurred during the latter stages of magmatic evolution. This transition, associated with an amplified potential for tin mineralization, provides fresh insight into the role of magmatic processes in ore genesis, enriching our understanding of the tin‑tungsten mineralization history of the Tengchong region.

The last 1100 years of activity of La Fossa caldera, Vulcano Island (Italy): new insights into stratigraphy, chronology, and landscape evolution

A detailed study of past eruptive activity is crucial to understanding volcanic systems and associated hazards. We present a meticulous stratigraphic analysis, a comprehensive chronological reconstruction, thorough tephra mapping, and a detailed analysis of the interplay between primary and secondary volcanic processes of the post-900 AD activity of La Fossa caldera, including the two main systems of La Fossa volcano and Vulcanello cones (Vulcano Island, Italy). Our analyses demonstrate how the recent volcanic activity of La Fossa caldera is primarily characterized by effusive and Strombolian activity and Vulcanian eruptions, combined with sporadic sub-Plinian events and both impulsive and long-lasting phreatic explosions, all of which have the capacity to severely impact the entire northern sector of Vulcano island. We document a total of 30 eruptions, 25 from the La Fossa volcano and 5 from Vulcanello cones, consisting of ash to lapilli deposits and fields of ballistic bombs and blocks. Volcanic activity alternated with significant erosional phases and volcaniclastic re-sedimentation. Large-scale secondary erosion processes occur in response to the widespread deposition of fine-grained ash blankets, both onto the active cone of La Fossa and the watersheds conveying their waters into the La Fossa caldera. The continuous increase in ground height above sea level, particularly in the western sector of the caldera depression where key infrastructure is situated, is primarily attributed to long-term alluvial processes. We demonstrate how a specific methodological approach is key to the characterization and hazard assessment of low-to-high intensity volcanic activity, where tephra is emitted over long time periods and is intercalated with phases of erosion and re-sedimentation.

ALTAI IN THE PRE-TURKIC PERIOD: HISTORICAL FATE OF THE NOMADS OF THE DYALYAN TRADITION OF RITUAL PRACTICE

The article presents the study of the Dyalyan tradition of ritual practice characteristic of one of the groups of the Bulan-Koby archaeological culture of Altai in the last quarter of the 1st millennium BC – the first half of the 1st millennium AD. The key features of this tradition are identified, the most significant of which is the burial of an individual oriented to the western sector of the horizon, accompanied by a horse laid “above” or “at the feet” of the buried individual. 45 similar burials localized in the northern and central Altai have been excavated to date. These burials demonstrate the features of the formation and evolution of the Dyalyan tradition throughout the entire period of the existence of the Bulan-Koby culture. This group of the population had the greatest importance in the pre-Turkic period (second half of the 4th – first half of the 5th centuries AD). New materials from the excavations of the Choburak-I necropolis, one of the demonstrative objects of which is published and analyzed in the article, confirm that in the nomads of Dyalyan tradition were representatives of the local elite in the Northern Altai. This is evidenced by the composition of the accompanying inventory from the studied burials which included advanced models of weapons and defensive armament, equipment for a person and a riding horse. The possibilities of reconstructing the historical fate of the Dyalyan tradition bearers are presented. It should be stressed that the characteristic features of the rite were not continued in the funeral practice of the early medieval Turks. The available rather fragmentary materials make it possible to outline the western direction of the migrations of the “Dyalyans” (probably as part of the Rouran community), as well as to make an assumption about their participation in the formation of certain population groups of the Srostki culture of the Forest-Steppe Altai.

Is China an imperialist power?

Among the mainstream press, western political elites and sections of the Left, China is accused of exploiting the Global South and even being an imperialist power. China argues it is pursuing a ‘win-win’ policy. To explore this question, this article looks at several factors, including labour exploitation, debt, environmental damage and military activity. Imperialism today operates through a vast network of integrated transnational investments and expansive global assembly lines, overseen by a transnational capitalist class. China’s position in the global capitalist system needs to be assessed in this context. It is certainly a major power within that system and its capitalists engage in the super-exploitation of labour, for example in Africa. At the same time, Chinese development loans have so far helped countries in the Global South build infrastructure and reduce neoliberal austerity, even as associated projects have been beset by corruption and environmental harms. China has not yet used its military in imperialist adventures, but it does apply regional pressure and cultivates military relationships with countries where it has investments. Overall, the picture that emerges is complex and contradictory.

Longitudinal population dynamics of Mediterranean-Atlantic Arbutus during the last 30 ka

The current distribution of the genus Arbutus in the Old World prompts questions about its long-term population dynamics, location and extent of refuge areas, and modern vulnerability in relation to climate change and human activity. Our work aims to address these questions by combining modern occurrence data with a comprehensive survey of pollen and macrofossil records. Range maps of past distribution have been produced for the last 32 ka to investigate geographical trends in population dynamics and the timing of the appearance of Arbutus across different biogeographical regions. In the Atlantic domain, Arbutus has been consistently present during the last 32 ka, even during the Last Glacial Maximum. In the central and eastern Mediterranean regions, it progressively increased since the beginning of the Holocene, appearing along the coasts of the Black Sea and in the Levant during the Middle Holocene. In addition, the dynamics of Arbutus in a number of peripherals stands (Ireland, Canary Islands, Cyrenaica, Crimea, and Black Sea coasts) is discussed. The palaeobotanical evidence suggests that the delayed emergence of eastern populations and peripheral stands in the fossil record may be ascribed to a very low population density, rather than to a sequential migration process from the western sectors of the range. The comparison of fossil records and modern occurrences highlights an overall temporal continuity between long-term persistence areas and current centers of gravity and calls for density-weighted ecological models that may contribute to an informed assessment of conservation actions and strategies.

Harmful blooms caused by dinoflagellates in the Pacific of Guatemala (2019–2022)

Plankton studies in Guatemala are associated with the history of harmful algal blooms (HAB). An important event was observed in 1987, with 193 human poisonings due to shellfish consumption, of which 22 were lethal. The causative organism was Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum. This species was reported again in November 2019 in the coastal Guatemalan Pacific. The species reached an abundance of 1 × 104 cells/L. In September 2020, the abundance of the Margalefidinium polykrikoides vegetative stage reached 1.24 × 106 cells/L, and its cysts 1.5 × 106 cells/L. Noctiluca scintillans proliferated (the first quantitatively estimated bloom of this species in Guatemala) in November 2020 and March 2021 (up to 1.2 × 106 cells/L). From January to December 2021, monthly monitoring was carried out in front of the Port of Quetzal at three sites (bottle and 25 μm mesh net samples). In April 2022, 11 cases of humans presenting symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) were recorded in the western sector of the Guatemalan Pacific, in particular, in the municipality of Tiquisate in the department of Escuintla. From May 3 to 27, 2022, a HAB event caused the death of 4 and the poisoning of 34 humans in the departments near Mexico: Retalhuleu (Champerico), San Marcos (Tilapa) and Escuintla (Tiquisate, Buena Vista and Iztapa). The maximum saxitoxin (STX) concentration was determined in Retalhuleu (14,099 MU/100 g); until 7 July 2022, STX continued to be detected in Tilapa and Tiquisate (1,021 MU/100 g). The P. bahamense cells were observed in the stomach contents of the clam Tagelus sp. (Bivalvia: Solecurtidae).

Cetacean fauna of the southern part of the Barents Sea in winter 2019–2023 under changing climate conditions

Biophysical changes occurring in Arctic marine ecosystems under the influence of climatic factors may affect cetaceans staying here. For this reason, the urgent task is to conduct regular monitoring of marine mammals in order to assess the state of their populations and preserve the biodiversity of species. We analyzed the results of ship-based surveys of marine mammals carried out by the Polar branch of VNIRO in January–March 2019–2023 in the south of the Barents Sea and compared them with the observation data of earlier years. As the studies have shown, the winter cetacean fauna is currently represented by six species of baleen Mysticeti and toothed Odontoceti whales. White-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray, 1846 was the most abundant and widespread species among all cetaceans; however, since 2022 we have seen a decrease in both the number of observations and abundance of this species. Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, 1758 and killer whale Orcinus orca Linnaeus, 1758 were regularly registered in the study area, while sightings of harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena Linnaeus, 1758 and humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781 were single. Comparative analysis of the obtained data with the materials of 2012–2013 revealed some changes in the cetacean fauna that occurred during the last decade. In the waters of the southern part of the Barents Sea, there began met species that had not been previously recorded in our surveys, first of all, minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède, 1804 and humpback whale. The materials we collected expanded our understanding of cetaceans staying in the western sector of the Russian Arctic during the winter.

Analyzing the Current State and Visibility of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives at Urology Residency Programs

ObjectiveTo analyze AUA urology residency program websites to determine visibility of DEI initiatives. There is growing interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives by urology applicants, and in recent years, urology programs have invested in efforts to promote DEI. MethodsAll ACGME-accredited urology residency program with a website were assessed. Military programs were excluded. A DEI Score Card was developed using published pillars of DEI, including five domains: departmental inclusion, pipeline growth, departmental education, community engagement, and faculty demographics. Program Doximity rank, address, and surrounding demographics were collected to determine predictors of investing in DEI. Results141 urology residency websites were included for analysis. Only 40.7% of programs referenced DEI on their webpage, and 21.4% offered funded mentorship opportunities. Department education and community engagement were the least popular initiatives. The Western, Northeastern, and North Central sections had the highest DEI total score with wide variation across domains. Mention of DEI was not associated with program’s county-level social vulnerability or percent minority but was associated with being a top 50 program (OR=4.0; 95% CI 1.8, 8.9; p=0.0007). DiscussionLess than half of academic urology programs' websites referenced DEI initiatives. Using a DEI score card, our study shows that investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion varies widely by AUA section, and greater investment is positively correlated with program rank. Our DEI score card serves as a tool that programs can use to assess their current DEI investment, identify areas for improvement, and ensure existing initiatives are visible to applicants.

Spatial distribution and diversity of the heterotrophic flagellates in the Cosmonaut Sea, Antarctic

As predators of bacteria and viruses and as food sources for microzooplankton, heterotrophic flagellates (HFs) play an important role in the marine micro-food web. Based on the global climate change’s impact on marine ecosystems, particularly sea ice melting, we analyzed the community composition and diversity of heterotrophic flagellates, focusing on the Antarctic Cosmonaut Sea. During the 36th China Antarctic research expedition (2019-2020), we collected seawater samples, subsequently analyzing HFs through IlluminaMiSeq2000 sequencing to assess community composition and diversity. Notable variations in HFs abundance were observed between the western and eastern sectors of the Cosmonaut Sea, with a distinct concentration at a 100-meter water depth. Different zones exhibited diverse indicators and dominants taxa influenced by local ocean currents. Both the northern Antarctic Peninsula and the western Cosmonaut Sea, where the Weddell Eddy and Antarctic Land Slope Current intersect, showcased marine stramenopiles as dominant HFs species. Our findings offer insights into dominant taxa, spatial distribution patterns among heterotrophic flagellates, correlations between taxa distribution and environmental factors, and the exploration of potential indicator taxa.

Source parameter inversion of the 2021 MW7.4 Maduo earthquake and stress transfer in the eastern Bayan Har block

In order to explore the constraint degree of GNSS and InSAR data on the Maduo earthquake under the layered earth model structure, and to understand the cause of the Maduo earthquake and the danger of the surrounding area, this paper uses D-InSAR technology to obtain the InSAR co-seismic deformation field of the Maduo earthquake on May 22,2021. Based on GNSS and InSAR data, the co-seismic slip model and fault plane stress distribution of the Maduo earthquake are jointly inverted. This paper calculates the Coulomb stress changes caused by 14 M ≥ 7 strong earthquakes co-seismic, post-seismic viscoelastic relaxation and inter-seismic tectonic stress loading of 19 fault segments in the Bayan Har block research area (96°E-106°E, 29°N-36°N) since 1900. The results show that: (1) The maximum Line Of Sight (LOS) deformation obtained based on the ascending and descending InSAR data was about 0.9 m. The maximum slip amount of GNSS + InSAR joint inversion is 4.87 m, which is located in the Dongcao Along Lake section (∼98.6°E). Combined with the stress drop distribution of the fault surface, it is found that the Maduo earthquake is dominated by strike-slip. (2) The historical strong earthquakes delayed the Maduo earthquake by nearly 103 years. The 1937 Huashixia earthquake, the 1947 Dari earthquake, the 1963 Dulan earthquake, and the 1973 Luhuo earthquake had the greatest stress unloading effect, which was equivalent to delaying the Maduo earthquake by 53 years, 21 years, 11 years, and 17 years, respectively. The cumulative Coulomb stress at the source location of the Maduo earthquake reached 0.0112 MPa. Most area of the fault sections such as the East Kunlun Fault, the Maduo-Gande Fault, the western and eastern sections of the Dari Fault, the western and eastern sections of the Qingshuihe Fault, the Ganzi-Yushu Fault, and the eastern section of the Kunlunshankou-Jiangcuo Fault are in the Coulomb stress loading area, which should be paid attention to.

The variation of the 400 mm isohyet and its influence mechanism on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1982 to 2021

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has experienced an overall increase in humidity over recent decades, but the changes in aridity and humidity within the transitional climate zone, as well as the underlying factors driving these changes, remain unclear. We present a framework to quantify the spatiotemporal variations transitional zone indicated by 400 mm isohyets and its driving factors on the QTP. The results show that the 400 mm isohyets has moved an average of 87.85 km to the north-west direction, moving an average 0.04 km per year, and a maximum distance traveled of 261 km (northernmost orientation) during the past four decades. Over time, the variation in isohyets exhibited distinct piecewise characteristics and obvious spatial differences. The central section (95°E–101°E) remained relatively stable, whereas the eastern section (101°E–104°E) and western section (91°E–95°E) experienced violent fluctuations. The east–west boundary of the spatiotemporal movement of the 400 mm isohyets was utilized to delineate the eastern humid zone, transitional zone, and western arid zone. The transition zone interannual precipitation has experiences more significant interdecadal oscillations between dry and wet climates, while the western region has experienced the opposite. The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) exhibited a positive correlation with precipitation, increased precipitation is the main factor driving the westward and northward movement of the 400 mm isohyets. The vegetation response to precipitation exhibited greater variability in the transitional zone. This study provides a novel reference for quantitatively comprehending the aridity and humidity of climatic conditions, as well as the driving mechanisms behind regional climate change in the QTP.

Exploring Teaching Beliefs, Efficacy, Innovation, and Organisational Atmosphere in Western China Universities

Background: In response to the challenges posed by the information economy, Chinese education, like many other global educational institutions, has undergone significant changes. The economic expansion and educational progress in China have led to an improvement in the country's overall educational standards. However, the economic disparities between the eastern and western regions have resulted in lower living standards in the western part of the country. Notably, there are substantial differences in economic and educational growth between the eastern and western regions, with the eastern region experiencing rapid expansion, while the western sector lags behind, particularly in the realm of university education. Objective: This review explores teaching beliefs, efficacy, innovation, and organizational atmosphere in Western China Universities, aiming to understand the dynamics in the context of regional economic and educational disparities. Method: Recent research in China on teaching beliefs and related aspects is emerging. Scholars emphasize adopting progressive educational values aligned with contemporary society's complexity. The study aligns with the pedagogical shift towards student activation through methods like inquiry-based and collaborative learning. Results & Conclusion: The review emphasizes disparities between eastern and western China, highlighting the crucial role of positive teaching elements in enhancing outcomes in Western China Universities. Recommendations include addressing economic and educational gaps and adopting progressive educational values for better alignment with societal needs.