Vegetation response to large-scale mountain excavation and city construction projects on the Loess Plateau of China.

Since 2012, the "Mountain Excavation and City Construction" (MECC) project has been implemented extensively on the Loess Plateau of China, transforming gullies into flat land for urban sprawl by leveling loess hilltops to fill in valleys. However, this unprecedented human activity has caused widespread controversy over its unknown potential ecological impacts. Quantitative assessment of the impacts of the MECC project on the vegetation is key to ecological management and restoration. Taking the largest MECC project area on the Loess Plateau, Yan'an New District (YND), as the study area, this study investigated the spatiotemporal pattern of vegetation dynamics before and after the implementation of the MECC project using a multitemporal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series from 2009 to 2023 and explored the response of vegetation dynamics to the large-scale MECC project. The results showed that the vegetation dynamics in the YND exhibited significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity due to the MECC project, with the vegetation in the project-affected areas showing rapid damage followed by slow recovery. Vegetation damage occurred only in the project-affected area, and 84 % of these areas began recovery within 10 years, indicating the limited impact of the large-scale MECC project on the regional vegetation. The strong correlation between vegetation dynamics and the MECC project suggested that the destruction and recovery of vegetation in the project-affected areas was mainly under anthropogenic control, which highlights the importance of targeted ecological policies. Specifically, the MECC project induced local anthropogenic damage to the plant population structure during the land creation period, but regeneration and rational allocation of the vegetation were achieved through urbanization, gradually forming a new balanced ecological environment. These findings will contribute to a full understanding of the response of vegetation to such large-scale engineering activities and help local governments adopt projects or policies that facilitate vegetation recovery.

Comparison of Ciprofol-Based and Propofol-Based Total Intravenous Anesthesia on Microvascular Decompression of Facial Nerve with Neurophysiological Monitoring: A Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial.

Purpose: Ciprofol is a recently developed short-acting gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist with a higher potency than that of propofol. As a new sedative drug, there are few clinical studies on ciprofol. We sought to examine the safety and efficacy of ciprofol use for general anesthesia in neurosurgical individuals undergoing neurosurgical surgery with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). Patients and Methods: This single-center, non-inferiority, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 13, 2022 to September 22, 2023. 120 patients undergoing elective microvascular decompression surgery (MVD) with IONM were randomly assigned to receive either ciprofol or propofol. The primary outcome of this study was the amplitude of intraoperative compound muscle action potential decline, and the secondary outcome included the indexes related to neurophysiological monitoring and anesthesia outcomes. Results: The mean values of the primary outcome in the ciprofol group and the propofol group were 64.7±44.1 and 53.4±35.4, respectively. Furthermore, the 95% confidence interval of the difference was -25.78 to 3.12, with the upper limit of the difference being lower than the non-inferiority boundary of 6.6. Ciprofol could achieve non-inferior effectiveness in comparison with propofol in IONM of MVD. The result during anesthesia induction showed that the magnitude of the blood pressure drop and the incidence of injection pain in the ciprofol group were significantly lower than those in the propofol group (P<0.05). The sedative drug and norepinephrine consumption in the ciprofol group was significantly lower than that in the propofol group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ciprofol is not inferior to propofol in the effectiveness and safety of IONM and the surgical outcome. Concurrently, ciprofol is more conducive to reducing injection pain and improving hemodynamic stability, which may be more suitable for IONM-related surgery, and has a broad application prospect.

A novel global path planning method for robot based on dual-source light continuous reflection.

Aiming to address the problem of robot path planning in environments containing narrow passages, this paper proposes a novel global path planning method: the DSR (Dual-source Light Continuous Reflection Exploration) algorithm. This algorithm, inspired by the natural reflection of light, employs the concept of continuous reflection for path planning. It can efficiently generate an asymptotically optimal path on the map containing narrow passages. The DSR algorithm has been evaluated on different maps with narrow passages and compared with other algorithms. In comparison with the bidirectional Rapidly-exploring Random Tree algorithm, the DSR algorithm achieves a significant reduction in both path length (by 27.08% and 34.35%) and time consumption (by 98.47% and 91.03%). Numerical simulations and experimental analysis have demonstrated the excellent performance of the DSR algorithm.

Characterization and drivers of water and carbon fluxes dynamics in dune ecosystems of the Horqin Sandy Land.

Sandy regions constitute pivotal components of terrestrial ecosystems, exerting significant influences on global ecological equilibrium and security. This study meticulously explored water and carbon fluxes dynamics within a dune ecosystem in the Horqin Sandy Land throughout the growing seasons from 2013 to 2022 by employing an advanced eddy covariance system. The dynamic characteristics of these fluxes and their underlying driving forces were extensively analyzed, with a particular focus on the impact of precipitation. The main results are as follows: (1) During the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016, the dune ecosystem acted as a modest carbon source, while in 2013, 2014, and 2017- 2022, it transformed into a net carbon sink. Notably, the annual mean values of water use efficiency (WUE) and evapotranspiration (ET) were 5.16 gC·kg-1H2O and 255.4 mm, respectively. (2) The intensity, frequency, and temporal distribution of precipitation were found to significantly influence the carbon and water fluxes dynamics. Isolated minor precipitation events did not trigger substantial fluctuations, but substantial and prolonged precipitation events spanning multiple days or consecutive minor precipitation events resulted in notable assimilation delays. (3) Air temperature, soil temperature, and fractional vegetation cover (FVC) were found to be key factors influencing the carbon and water fluxes. Specifically, FVC exhibited a negative logarithmic correlation with net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and a power function relationship with WUE. (4) The interaction between carbon and water fluxes is exhibited by exponential increases in ecosystem respiration (Reco) and gross primary productivity (GPP) with WUE, while NEE displayed an exponential decrease in relation to WUE. These findings are of high significance in predicting the potential ramifications of climate change on the intricate carbon and water cycles, and enhance our understanding of ecosystem dynamics in sandy environments.

Physiological and biochemical monitoring in dancesport athletes / Monitoramento fisiológico e bioquímico dos atletas de dança esportiva / Seguimiento fisiológico y bioquímico de los atletas de danza deportiva

ABSTRACT Introduction The dancesport is an emerging sports competition that integrates competitive sports and dance; college students have been using the training for aesthetic purposes in body delineation. However, the biochemical alterations are still underexplored. Objective Explore the physiological and biochemical changes caused by dancesport. Methods The volunteers were submitted to a two-week high-intensity dancesport protocol. Changes in physiological and biochemical indicators were monitored before and after the experiment. Results The athletes exhibited individual changes in biochemical indicators (P<0.05), with emphasis on an increase in hemoglobin (from 152.3g/L to 169.2g/L). The physiological indices also changed significantly, with an average body fat reduction of over 5%. Conclusion Dancesport proved to help improve its practitioners' physical and biochemical function. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

RESUMO Introdução A dança esportiva é uma competição esportiva emergente que integra esportes competitivos e dança; estudantes universitárias têm recorrido aos treinos para fins estéticos no delineamento corporal, porém as alterações bioquímicas ainda são pouco exploradas. Objetivo Explorar as alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas ocasionadas pela dança esportiva. Métodos As voluntárias foram submetidas a um protocolo de dança esportiva de alta intensidade com duração de duas semanas. As alterações nos indicadores fisiológicos e bioquímicos foram monitoradas antes e depois do experimento. Resultados Os atletas exibiram alterações individuais nos indicadores bioquímicos (P<0,05), com ênfase no aumento de hemoglobina (de 152,3g/L para 169,2g/L). Os índices fisiológicos também mudaram significativamente, com uma redução de gordura corporal média superior a 5%. Conclusão A dança esportiva mostrou-se útil para melhorar a função física e bioquímica de seus praticantes. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción El baile deportivo es una competición deportiva emergente que integra el deporte de competición y la danza; estudiantes universitarias han estado utilizando el entrenamiento con fines estéticos en la delineación del cuerpo, sin embargo, las alteraciones bioquímicas son todavía poco exploradas. Objetivo Explorar las alteraciones fisiológicas y bioquímicas causadas por la danza deportiva. Métodos Las voluntarias fueron sometidos a un protocolo de danza deportiva de alta intensidad de dos semanas. Los cambios en los indicadores fisiológicos y bioquímicos fueron monitoreados antes y después del experimento. Resultados Los atletas mostraron cambios individuales en los indicadores bioquímicos (P<0,05), destacando el aumento de la hemoglobina (de 152,3g/L a 169,2g/L). Los índices fisiológicos también cambiaron significativamente, con una reducción media de la grasa corporal de más del 5%. Conclusión La danza deportiva demostró ser útil para mejorar la función física y bioquímica de sus practicantes. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Influence in core training on physical fitness of college athletes / Influência do treinamento do core na aptidão física de atletas universitários / Influencia del entrenamiento del core en la aptitud física de los deportistas universitarios

ABSTRACT Introduction: Recent research shows the CORE is the central link in the kinetic chain of aerobic gymnastics. The athlete's synchronized performances depend not only on strength but also on the balance and precision of the movements that start from this area. Although the importance of this muscle group is recognized, there is no consensus about the most effective protocol to increase performance in aerobic gymnastics athletes. Objective: Develop and verify the influence of a protocol for CORE training on the aerobic gymnasts' balance. Methods: This paper selects high-level aerobic gymnastics athletes and randomly divides them into experimental and control groups. The experiment was conducted over eight weeks. The experimental group adopted systematic core strength training methods, and the control group continued with traditional conventional strength training methods. Volunteers were tested for physical fitness before and after the experiment. Results: Aerobic gymnastics athletes' physical fitness and athletic abilities were significantly improved after training. Conclusion: The CORE training protocol in aerobic gymnastics athletes increased the execution quality in complex movements. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the result.

RESUMO Introdução: Pesquisas recentes demonstram que o CORE é o elo central na cadeia cinética da ginástica aeróbica. As apresentações sincronizadas dos atletas dependem não só da força quanto também do equilíbrio e precisão dos movimentos que partem dessa área. Embora reconheça-se a importância desse grupo muscular, não há um consenso sobre o protocolo mais eficaz para aumentar o desempenho em atletas de ginástica aeróbica. Objetivo: Desenvolver um protocolo de treinamento do CORE e verificar sua influência sobre o equilíbrio dos atletas em ginástica aeróbica. Métodos: Este artigo seleciona atletas de ginástica aeróbica de alto nível e os divide aleatoriamente em grupos experimentais e de controle. A experiência foi conduzida em 8 semanas. O grupo experimental adotou métodos sistemáticos de treinamento de força central, e o grupo de controle continuou com os métodos tradicionais de treinamento de força convencional. Os voluntários foram testados quanto à aptidão física antes e depois do experimento. Resultados: A aptidão física e as habilidades atléticas dos atletas de ginástica aeróbica foram significativamente aprimoradas após o treinamento. Conclusão: O protocolo de treinamento do CORE em atletas de ginástica aeróbica elevou a qualidade de execução nos movimentos complexos. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción: Investigaciones recientes demuestran que el CORE es el eslabón central de la cadena cinética de la gimnasia aeróbica. Las presentaciones sincronizadas de las atletas dependen no sólo de la fuerza sino también del equilibrio y la precisión de los movimientos que parten de esta zona. Aunque se reconoce la importancia de este grupo muscular, no hay consenso sobre el protocolo más eficaz para aumentar el rendimiento de las gimnastas aeróbicas. Objetivo: Desarrollar un protocolo de entrenamiento del CORE y comprobar su influencia en el equilibrio de los atletas en la gimnasia aeróbica. Métodos: Este trabajo selecciona a atletas de gimnasia aeróbica de alto nivel y los divide aleatoriamente en grupos experimental y de control. El experimento se realizó durante 8 semanas. El grupo experimental adoptó métodos sistemáticos de entrenamiento de la fuerza central, y el grupo de control continuó con los métodos tradicionales de entrenamiento de la fuerza convencional. Los voluntarios fueron sometidos a pruebas de aptitud física antes y después del experimento. Resultados: La aptitud física y las capacidades atléticas de los atletas de gimnasia aeróbica mejoraron significativamente después del entrenamiento. Conclusión: El protocolo de entrenamiento CORE en atletas de gimnasia aeróbica elevó la calidad de ejecución en movimientos complejos. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.