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"Yan, Dandan"
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Diplomacy of quasi-alliances in the Middle East
Quasi-alliance refers to the ideation, mechanism and behavior of policy-makers to carry out security cooperation through informal political and security arrangements. As a \"gray zone\" between alliance and neutrality, quasi-alliance is a hidden national security statecraft. Based on declassified archives and secondary sources, this book probes the theory and practice of quasi-alliances in the Middle East. Four cases are chosen to test the hypotheses of quasi-alliance, one of which is the Anglo-French-Israeli quasi-alliance during the Suez Canal War of 1956.
Book
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective
To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the relationship between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), poly-brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates (PAEs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Methods
Relevant studies from their inception to November 2021 were identified by searching EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science. The cohort and case–control studies that reported effect size with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of EDC exposure and GDM were selected. The heterogeneity among the included studies was quantified by
I
2
statistic. Publication bias was evaluated through the Begg and Egger tests.
Results
Twenty-five articles with a total of 23,796 participants were found. Results indicated that exposure to PCBs has a significant influence on the incidence of GDM (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.00-–1.31;
n
= 8). The risk of GDM was found to be associated with PBDE exposure (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.15–1.53;
n
= 4). PAEs and PFASs exposure were also positively associated with the risk of GDM, with summary ORs of 1.10 (95% CI = 1.03–1.16;
n
= 7 for PAEs) and 1.09 (95% CI = 1.02–1.16;
n
= 11 for PFASs), respectively. When only cohort studies were considered, the summary OR between PCBs exposure and the risk of GDM was 0.99 (95% CI = 0.91–1.09;
n
= 5). Meanwhile, the summary ORs from cohort studies for PBDEs, PAEs, and PFASs exposure were 1.12 (95% CI = 1.00–1.26;
n
= 2), 1.08 (95% CI = 1.02–1.15;
n
= 5), and 1.06 (95% CI = 1.00–1.12;
n
= 8), respectively. The Beggs and Egger tests did not show publication bias, and the sensitivity analyses did not change the results in this meta-analysis.
Conclusion
These results support that exposure to certain EDCs, including PCBs, PBDEs, PAEs, and PFAS, increase the risk of GDM. Further large-sample epidemiologic researches and mechanistic studies are needed to verify the potential relationship and biological mechanisms. These results are of public health significance because the daily EDC exposure is expected to increase the risk of GDM development.
Graphical Abstract
Journal Article
Tumour stroma ratio is a potential predictor for 5-year disease-free survival in breast cancer
Background
The tumour–stroma ratio (TSR) is identified as a promising prognostic parameter for breast cancer, but the cutoff TSR value is mostly assessed by visual assessment, which lacks objective measurement. The aims of this study were to optimize the cutoff TSR value, and evaluate its prognosis value in patients with breast cancer both as continuous and categorical variables.
Methods
Major clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected for a series of patients with breast cancer. Tissue microarray images stained with cytokeratin immunohistochemistry were evaluated by automated quantitative image analysis algorithms to assess TSR. The potential cutoff point for TSR was optimized using maximally selected rank statistics. The association between TSR and 5-year disease-free survival (5-DFS) was assessed by Cox regression analysis. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to assess the significance in survival analysis.
Results
The optimal cut-off TSR value was 33.5%. Using this cut-off point, categorical variable analysis found that low TSR (i.e., high stroma, TSR ≤ 33.5%) predicts poor outcomes for 5-DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.81–4.40,
P
= 0.000). When TSR was considered as a continuous parameter, results showed that increased stroma content was associated with worse 5-DFS (HR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.34–2.18,
P
= 0.000). Similar results were also obtained in three molecular subtypes in continuous and categorical variable analyses. Moreover, in the Kaplan–Meier analysis, log-rank test showed that low TSR displayed a worse 5-DFS than high TSR (
P
= 0.000). Similar results were also obtained in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, and luminal–HER2-negative breast cancer.
Conclusion
TSR is an independent predictor for 5-DFS in breast cancer with worse survival outcomes in low TSR. The prognostic value of TSR was also observed in other three molecular subtypes.
Journal Article
Monitoring Spartina alterniflora Expansion Mode and Dieback Using Multisource High-Resolution Imagery in Yancheng Coastal Wetland, China
Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), China’s most common invasive species, has posed significant challenges to native plant communities and coastal environments. Monitoring the invasion and dieback process of S. alterniflora by multisource high-resolution imagery is necessary to manage the invasion of the species. Current spatial analyses, however, are insufficient. As a result, we first extracted S. alterniflora by integrating multisource high-resolution images through the multiscale object-oriented classification method, then identified the expansion patterns of S. alterniflora on the seaward side by the landscape expansion index, and conformed the main drivers of S. alterniflora dieback on the landward side in the Jiangsu Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve. The findings revealed that the area of S. alterniflora decreased in size from 1511.26 ha in 2010 to 910.25 ha in 2020. S. alterniflora continues to grow to the sea and along the tidal creek on the seaward side, with a total increase of 159.13 ha. External isolation expansion patterns accounted for 65.16% of the total expansion patches, with marginal expansion patches accounting for 24.22% and tidal creek-leading expansion patches accounting for 10.62%. While the landward side showed a declining trend, the total area decreased by 852.36 ha, with an annual average change rate of 8.67%. S. alterniflora dieback was negatively related to the number of tidal creeks and positively related to the number of wild Elaphures davidianus and the length of artificial ditches. Our findings provide a scientific foundation for the ecological control of S. alterniflora. Its presence in coastal wetlands inspires evidence-based protection and management strategies to protect the coastal wetland ecosystem.
Journal Article
Quantifying the cooling effect of green spaces on urban heat island effect
The rapid development of urbanization has increasingly intensified the urban heat island (UHI) effect, becoming a global environmental issue. Urban green spaces (UGS) have a mitigating effect on the UHI. However, there has been limited analysis on how the spatial distribution pattern of UGS influences the UHI effect. Therefore, we combined spatial autocorrelation and buffer zone analysis to determine the cooling distance of UGS based on Google Earth Engine. It also explores the impact of the spatial distribution pattern of UGS on the UHI effect using landscape pattern indices. The results show that: (1) UGS have the most significant cooling effect on the UHI effect during summer, with evergreen coniferous forests providing the greatest cooling effect and grasslands the weakest. (2) The cooling distance of UGS is 300 meters, with the best cooling effect observed within the 200-meter buffer zone. (3) When the spatial aggregation of UGS exceeds the threshold range of 85–89, the cooling effect increases significantly, while below this threshold range, the cooling effect is not significant. This study provides a basis for future development planning that utilizes UGS to mitigate the UHI effect, thereby alleviating the negative impacts of UHI and enhancing the comfort of residents' lives.
Journal Article
Dynamics of Carbon Storage in Saltmarshes Across China’s Eastern Coastal Wetlands From 1987 to 2020
Saltmarsh carbon storage contributes significantly to combating global climate change and achieving regional carbon neutrality. Yet saltmarsh carbon stocks have shown a trend of decline in recent years. Therefore, long-term monitoring and analyzing of saltmarshes for their carbon storage is imperative to better protect and manage this pool of carbon. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics in saltmarsh carbon storage during 1987–2020, by using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and applying the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, and analyzed the driving factors of carbon storage in saltmarshes. The key results are as follows. Firstly, carbon density values in saltmarshes ranged more than 14-fold, from 7.24 to 104.99 Mg·hm -2 , and the total carbon storage showed a decreasing trend. Secondly, reduced carbon storage was concentrated in inshore saltmarshes adjacent to reclamation sites, especially in Shandong, whereas augmented carbon storage characterized the offshore saltmarshes dominated by Spartina alterniflora , especially in Shanghai and Jiangsu. Overall, the carbon stocks of saltmarshes have fallen by 10.44 Tg; the decrease in carbon storage caused by Suaeda salsa , Phragmites australis , and mudflats exceeded the increase in carbon storage caused by Spartina alterniflora and Scirpus mariqueter . Further, we found that reclamation was the most dominant driver of carbon storage reductions, except for sea level rise and hurricane disturbances that can also negatively impact carbon storage, while greater carbon storage was closely related to the invasion of Spartina alterniflora . This study’s findings facilitate the development of a carbon storage management strategy for saltmarsh ecosystems to address global climate change and contribute to attaining carbon neutrality.
Journal Article
Modeling the Spatial Distribution of Three Typical Dominant Wetland Vegetation Species’ Response to the Hydrological Gradient in a Ramsar Wetland, Honghe National Nature Reserve, Northeast China
Water level fluctuations resulting from natural and anthropogenic factors have been projected to affect the functions and structures of wetland vegetation communities. Therefore, it is important to assess the impact of the hydrological gradient on wetland vegetation. This paper presents a case study on the Honghe National Nature Reserve (HNNR) in the Sanjiang Plain, located in Northeast China. In this study, 210 plots from 18 sampling line transects were sampled in 2011, 2012, and 2014 along the hydrological gradient. Using a Gaussian logistic regression model, we determined a relationship between three wetland plant species and a hydrologic indicator—a combination of the water level and soil moisture—and then applied that relationship to simulate the distribution of plants across a larger landscape by the geographic information system (GIS). The results show that the optimum ecological amplitude of Calamagrostis angustifolia to the hydrological gradient based on the probability of occurrence model was [0.09, 0.41], that of Carex lasiocarpa was [0.35, 0.57], and that of Carex pseudocuraica was [0.49, 0.77]. The optimum of Calamagrostis angustifolia was 0.25, Carex lasiocarpa was 0.46, and Carex pseudocuraica was 0.63. Spatial distribution probability maps were generated, as were maps detailing the distribution of the most suitable habitats for wetland vegetation species. Finally, the model simulation results were verified, showing that this approach can be employed to provide an accurate simulation of the spatial distribution pattern of wetland vegetation communities. Importantly, this study suggests that it may be possible to predict the spatial distribution of different species from the hydrological gradient.
Journal Article
A bibliometric analysis of blue carbon (1993–2023): evolution of research hot topics and trends
Blue carbon refers to the carbon fixed in marine ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. Considered a treasure house for capturing and storing carbon dioxide, it can alleviate environmental issues linked to climate change and positively influence the environments where people live. Thus, to clarify the hotspots and development trends of blue carbon research, bibliometric analysis incorporating ScientoPy and VOSviewer software were used to quantitatively analyze 4,604 blue carbon publications from Web of Science and Scopus databases between 1993 and 2023. The results indicate a rapidly growing number of published studies on blue carbon, with blue carbon research being multifaceted and gradually becoming an interdisciplinary and international topic. This study on blue carbon, which is based on keyword clustering analysis, comprises three stages. The analysis of the strength of the cooperative connections between scholars in various countries who have published work on blue carbon. found that the cooperation networks of developed countries are strong and those of developing countries are relatively weak. Quantitative trend analysis reveals a growing focus on the restoration and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems, with remote sensing being the predominant technology used in the blue carbon research field in recent years. In blue carbon research, increasing carbon sequestration capacity, climate change mitigation, and carbon sequestration in macroalgae remain potential hotspots for research and development.
Journal Article
Inner Flow Analysis of Kaplan Turbine under Off-Cam Conditions
Kaplan turbines are widely utilized in low-head and large flow power stations. This paper employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to complete numerical calculations of the full flow channel under different blade angles and various guide vane openings, based on 25 off-cam experimental working conditions. The internal flow characteristics of the runner blade and draft tube are analyzed, and a discriminant number for quantitatively assessing the flow uniformity of the draft tube is proposed. The results indicate that low-frequency and high-amplitude pressure pulsations occur on the high- and low-pressure edge of the blade when the opening is small, with pulsations decreasing as the opening increases. The inner flow line of the draft tube is disturbed when both the blade angle and opening are small. Additionally, the secondary frequency of the draft tube inlet is double that of the vane passing frequency. The discriminant number of the flow inhomogeneity approaches 0 under optimal flow conditions. The number increases continuously with the decrease in efficiency, and the flow in the three piers of draft tube becomes more nonuniform. The research results provide a reference for enhancing performance and ensuring the operational stability of Kaplan turbines.
Journal Article
Resource Allocation for Network Slicing in RAN Using Case-Based Reasoning
As a key technology of 5G, network slicing can meet the diverse needs of users. In this research, we study network slicing resource allocation in radio access networks (RAN) by case-based reasoning (CBR). We treat the user distribution scenario as a case and stored a massive number of cases in the library. CBR is used to match a new case with cases in the case library to find similar cases and determine the best slice bandwidth ratio of the new case based on these similar cases. In the matching process, the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm is used to retrieve similar cases, the nearest k neighbors being determined by considering sparsity reduction and locality-preserving projections. Although only an initial study, the results confirm that the proposed architecture is capable of allocating resources efficiently in terms of prediction error and computational cost.
Journal Article