Search Results (82)

Background and Objectives: The Drosophila retinal determination network comprises the transcription factor Teashirt (Tsh) and the transcription co-regulator C-terminal Binding Protein (CtBP), both of which are essential for normal adult eye development. Both Tsh and CtBP show a pattern of co-expression in the proliferating cells anterior to the morphogenetic furrow that demarcates the boundary between the anteriorly placed proliferating eye precursor cells and the posteriorly placed differentiating photoreceptor cells in the larval eye-precursor tissue, the eye–antennal disc. The disc ultimately develops into the adult compound eyes, antenna, and other head structures. Both Tsh and CtBP were found to interact genetically during ectopic eye formation in Drosophila, and both were present in molecular complexes purified from gut and cultured cells. However, it remained unknown whether Tsh and CtBP molecules could interact in the eye–antennal discs and elicit an effect on eye development. The present study answers these questions. Methods: 5′ GFP-tagging of the tsh gene in the Drosophila genome and 5′ FLAG-tagging of the ctbp gene were accomplished by the CRISPR-Cas9 and BAC recombineering methods, respectively, to produce GFP-Tsh- and FLAG-CtBP-fused proteins in specific transgenic Drosophila strains. Verification of these proteins’ expression in the larval eye–antennal discs was performed by immunohistological staining and confocal microscopy. Genetic screening was performed to establish functional interaction between Tsh and CtBP during eye development. Scanning Electron Microscopy was performed to image the adult eye structure. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pulldown assays were performed to show that Tsh and CtBP interact in the cells of the third instar eye–antennal discs. Results: This study reveals that Tsh and CtBP interact genetically and physically in the Drosophila third instar larval eye–antennal disc to regulate adult eye development. This interaction is likely to limit the population of the eye precursor cells in the larval eye disc of Drosophila. Conclusions: The relative abundance of Tsh and CtBP in the third instar larval eye–antennal disc can dictate the outcome of their interaction on the Drosophila eye formation. Full article

The 400 mm isohyet in China serves as a critical geographical demarcation of dry and wet regions. Amidst intensifying global warming, this climatic boundary has undergone notable shifts, with significant implications for China’s agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems. This study integrates meteorological station data, the China Gridded Daily Precipitation dataset (CN05.1), and Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM IMERG) satellite observations to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation across mainland China and analyze the migration trend of the 400 mm isohyet. Furthermore, utilizing outputs from five models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), we projected future trends of China’s annual mean precipitation and the 400 mm isohyet’s migration under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs: low, medium, and high radiative forcing scenarios) until the end of this century (2100). Results reveal that from 2001 to 2017, the 400 mm isohyet exhibited a prominent northwestward migration trend. This trend is projected to continue in the future. These findings provide a crucial reference for understanding the spatial distribution and changing dynamics of precipitation patterns in China, offering vital decision support for land resource planning and water resource management. Full article

Quantifying the slip rate along geometrically complex strike-slip faults is essential for understanding kinematics and strain partitioning in orogenic systems. The Karlik Tagh forms the easternmost terminus of Tian Shan and represents a critical restraining bend along the sinistral strike-slip Gobi-Tian Shan Fault System. The North Karlik Tagh Fault (NKTF) is an important fault demarcating the north boundary of the Karlik Tagh. While structurally significant, it is poorly understood in terms of its late Quaternary tectonic activity. In this study, we analyze the offset geomorphology based on interpretations of satellite imagery, field survey, and digital elevation models derived from structure-from-motion (SfM), and we provide the first quantitative constraints on the late-Quaternary slip rate using the abandonment age of deformed fan surfaces and river terraces constrained by the ¹⁰Be cosmogenic dating method. Our results reveal that the NKTF can be divided into the Yanchi and Xiamaya segments based on along-strike variations. The NW-striking Yanchi segment exhibits thrust faulting with a 0.07–0.09 mm/yr vertical slip, while the NE-NEE-striking Xiamaya segment displays left-lateral slip at 1.1–1.4 mm/yr since 180 ka. In easternmost Tian Shan, the interaction between thrust and sinistral strike-slip faults forms a transpressional regime. These left-lateral faults, together with those in the Gobi Altai, collectively facilitate eastward crustal escape in response to ongoing Indian indentation. Full article

Critical speed (CS), the respiratory compensation point (RCP), and the midpoint between gas exchange threshold and maxial oxygen uptake (VO_2max) (i.e., 50%Δ) have been considered indexes able to demarcate the boundary between the heavy and severe exercise domains. However, the agreement between these indexes—and therefore the validity of using them reciprocally—remains to be reported in running. The current study analyzed the agreement between RCP, 50%Δ, and CS. Twelve young runners performed an incremental test to assess VO_2max, RCP, and 50%Δ, with CS estimated by the linear model of time-limited trials at 90, 95, and 110% of the speed corresponding to VO₂max. One-way ANOVA showed no differences when comparing VO₂ and running speed at CS vs. 50%Δ vs. RCP (47.5 ± 4.4 vs. 46.6 ± 4.4 vs. 47.8 ± 4.5 mLO₂∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹; and 13.9 ± 1.3 vs. 13.7 ± 1.3 vs. 14.0 ± 1.4 km∙h⁻¹; p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The bias for 50%Δ vs. CS was −0.82 ± 1.55 mLO₂∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹ and −0.23 ± 0.55 km∙h⁻¹, and for RCP vs. CS, it was 0.36 ± 1.21 mLO₂∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹ and 0.05 ± 0.46 km∙h⁻¹. Therefore, the agreement between RCP, 50%Δ, and CS in estimating VO₂ responses and running speed did not preclude their reciprocal similarity in exercise intensity, although the observed individual variability in physiological variables is a constraint on considering these indexes interchangeable. Full article

The Gobi Wall is a 321 km-long structure made of earth, stone, and wood, located in the Gobi highland desert of Mongolia. It is the least understood section of the medieval wall system that extends from China into Mongolia. This study aims to determine its builders, purpose, and chronology. Additionally, we seek to better understand the ecological implications of constructing such an extensive system of walls, trenches, garrisons, and fortresses in the remote and harsh environment of the Gobi Desert. Our field expedition combined remote sensing, pedestrian surveys, and targeted excavations at key sites. The results indicate that the garrison walls and main long wall were primarily constructed using rammed earth, with wood and stone reinforcements. Excavations of garrisons uncovered evidence of long-term occupation, including artifacts spanning from 2nd c. BCE to 19th c. CE. According to our findings, the main construction and usage phase of the wall and its associated structures occurred throughout the Xi Xia dynasty (1038–1227 CE), a period characterized by advanced frontier defense systems and significant geopolitical shifts. This study challenges the perception of such structures as being purely defensive, revealing the Gobi Wall’s multifunctional role as an imperial tool for demarcating boundaries, managing populations and resources, and consolidating territorial control. Furthermore, our spatial and ecological analysis demonstrates that the distribution of local resources, such as water and wood, was critical in determining the route of the wall and the placement of associated garrisons and forts. Other geographic factors, including the location of mountain passes and the spread of sand dunes, were strategically utilized to enhance the effectiveness of the wall system. The results of this study reshape our understanding of medieval Inner Asian imperial infrastructure and its lasting impact on geopolitical landscapes. By integrating historical and archeological evidence with geographical analysis of the locations of garrisons and fortifications, we underscore the Xi Xia kingdom’s strategic emphasis on regulating trade, securing transportation routes, and monitoring frontier movement. Full article

Refugee camps are typically designed as temporary sustainable settlements, prioritizing logistics over cultural considerations, which can lead to environments being misaligned with the lived experiences of displaced populations. This study addresses the challenge of traditional humanitarian camp designs that prioritize logistical efficiency over cultural and socio-cultural needs, leading to environments that do not align with the lived experiences of displaced populations. Focusing on the Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan, the research employs a structured questionnaire distributed among 102 households to investigate how refugees have reconfigured the camp’s original grid layout into more cohesive clustered patterns, informed by the principles of defensible space theory. Key findings reveal that refugees actively transform public courtyards into semi-private spaces, driven by cultural imperatives and safety needs. Statistical analyses confirm significant correlations between clustering behaviors and the attributes of defensible space, particularly the zones of influence and boundary demarcation, enhancing community resilience and accessibility. However, the study finds a limited predictive power overall, indicating that while these adaptations are significant, factors such as natural surveillance and territorial behavior do not exhibit strong influences on clustering dynamics. These findings have important implications for humanitarian planning and design. They highlight the necessity for more culturally sensitive and flexible approaches that prioritize refugee agencies and communal identity in camp layouts. This research advocates for a hybrid planning approach that integrates socio-cultural values, promoting resilience and quality of life among refugees. By aligning spatial designs with the social and cultural realities of refugee communities, humanitarian actors can enhance the effectiveness of their interventions, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and inclusive urban environments as part of broader goals related to urban planning and development. Future research is encouraged to explore these practices in diverse refugee contexts, providing further validation of these findings and enhancing the applicability of these design principles in global humanitarian efforts. Full article

Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia and one of the fastest-expanding cities in Africa, is undergoing rapid urbanization which has led to acute housing scarcity and a growth of informal settlements. The growth of informal settlements seems unstoppable and needs appropriate policy direction to create a sustainable city. Despite the significance of the challenges posed by informal settlements, their coverage is not well-documented or known spatially. The aim of this research is to identify the spatial coverage of informal settlements after restructuring the boundary of the city. This study reviewed the existing literature and different spatial data including city wide line maps, land use plan, all cadaster data, and other spatial maps collected from different sources including city sectoral offices. Furthermore, observation and interviews with experts in the field were conducted to better understand the context of informal settlements. The data were analyzed by ArcGIS 10.8 software to identify the location of informal settlements by overlying those data and verifying this with field observation at selected areas using recent satellite images. The results show that about 50 percent of the settlements are informal. It was revealed that the existing data are fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to access or retrieve. In this regard, informal settlements are still a critical and growing issue with regard to fast urbanization. Therefore, the results can be used for academic research, devising appropriate policy direction, and in decision-making for sustainable development. Full article

This investigation endeavors to demarcate the boundaries of small- and medium-sized river catchments within the Caspian Sea drainage basin, with a specific focus on the Northeastern Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Iran regions. A multi-faceted approach was employed, incorporating various remote sensing methods to select key areas, including the catchments of the Sunzha, Sulak, Ulluchay, Karachay, Atachay, Haraz, and Gorgan rivers. Subsequently, geoinformation systems (GISs) and topographic maps were utilized to determine the morphometric characteristics of these catchments, accompanied by an assessment of the accuracy of remote sensing data. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and suitability of digital elevation models (DEMs) with a spatial resolution of 30 m per pixel (including ASTER DEM, ALOS DEM, NASADEM, Copernicus 30 m DEM, and SRTM 30 m DEM) and 90 m per pixel (Copernicus 90 m DEM and SRTM 90 m DEM) for delineating small- and medium-sized Caspian Sea basin river catchments. For the DEMs that successfully and accurately delineated watershed boundaries, the morphometric characteristics of the river basins were calculated. This research has yielded novel findings regarding the morphometric characteristics (area, perimeter, ruggedness of the catchment line (roundness coefficient), maximum height, minimum height, average height of the river basin, maximum slope of the surface, average slope of the surface, length of the main watercourse, basin shape parameter (catchment elongation coefficient), shape coefficient, length of the river basin, average river basin slope, and average width of the basin) of individual mountainous small- and medium-sized rivers in the Northeastern Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Iran, with the catchments of the aforementioned rivers serving as exemplars. The practical significance of these results lies in the fact that such detailed morphometric characteristics of catchments have been obtained for the first time, and their boundaries have been clarified (burned out according to various DEMs), which can serve as a basis for decision-making processes and contribute to the development of operational environmental monitoring of the state of rivers and their catchments. Full article

The demarcation of national park boundaries is crucial for comprehensive planning, effective management, and maintaining the integrity of ecosystems and biodiversity. This research uses the proposed ‘Ailaoshan–Wuliangshan’ National Park (AWNP) in Yunnan Province, China, as the study area and adheres to the principles of systematic conservation planning (SCP). It employs the Marxan 2.43, MaxEnt 3.4.4, and InVEST 3.14.2 models to predict suitable distribution areas for key endangered species within the AWNP, identifies core ecological source areas, priority conservation areas, and conservation gaps, and constructs a double boundary protection framework. The study’s findings indicate that the potentially suitable habitats for the major rare and endangered species, as predicted by the MaxEnt model, are predominantly located in the Ailaoshan and Wuliangshan areas, with a smaller portion distributed in the Konglonghe area. The InVEST model assessment of habitat quality revealed that the total area of the core ecological source areas is 4775.26 km², accounting for 35.34% of the total study area. The Marxan model identified a total area of 1064.22 km² as priority conservation areas, constituting 7.90% of the total study area. Additionally, it revealed conservation gaps of 302.1 km², which represent 2.20% of the total area. Ultimately, by integrating biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, the boundaries of the AWNP were optimized into a double boundary delineation model: the inner boundary, characterized by rigid control, spans an area of 1076.20 km², while the outer boundary, characterized by elastic management, covers an area of 3056.92 km². Corresponding management recommendations are proposed for the different areas. The double boundary delineation method proposed in this study can, to a certain extent, reconcile the conflict between biodiversity conservation and resource utilization, providing an appropriate reference for the demarcation and dynamic management of national park boundaries in China. Full article

This paper aims to shed new light on the religious function and symbolic meaning of parasols (san 傘) in Buddhist ritual practices, tracing the origins of the concept and examining its representations in texts and art. The author focuses on manuscripts, particularly the “Liturgies for Installing Parasols” (Ansan wen 安傘文) from Dunhuang, and argues that parasols were used as special ritual instruments to guard the local community. Their sacred power stemmed from the apotheosis of the parasol’s practical function of shielding and protecting people, which was further enhanced by beliefs surrounding the “Mother of Buddhas with Great White Canopy” (Da bai sangai fomu 大白傘蓋佛母) in the late Tang and Five Dynasties. Erecting parasols or carrying them in processions around the city was considered equivalent to demarcating boundaries, establishing defenses, and creating sanctuaries. Whether worn as a protective object, placed at the city’s four gates as a symbol of safeguarding passage, or installed in processions, the Great White Canopy Dhāraṇī and the practice of installing parasols distinguished the inside from the outside, self from others, and purity from impurity. This practice not only had the power to expel plagues and disasters, but also solemnified spaces, bringing blessings, purification, health, and peace. The parasol’s practical functions were continuously extended and mythologized, becoming a central object in rituals aimed at sanctifying space. The rise of the Great White Canopy Dhāraṇī belief in Dunhuang further reinforced its role in local customs. This method of spatial sanctification reflects the internal logic of esoteric Buddhist practices while sharing conceptual and technical similarities with traditional Chinese apotropaic arts (fangshu 方術) and Daoist exorcistic rituals. Through the grand and regular performance of these ceremonies, political legitimacy and communal well-being were successfully established. Full article

Analyzing the spatiotemporal patterns of atmospheric temperature in sensitive areas is critically important for understanding the broader implications of global climate change, which remains a prominent topic in geosciences. It also plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable development. This study utilized daily minimum, maximum, and mean temperature data from twelve meteorological stations across the South and North Mts. Qinling (Qinling Mountains). Employing trend analysis, the Mann–Kendall mutation test, and Morlet wavelet analysis, we explored the predominant temperature trends and characteristics from 1971 to 2022. Our findings revealed consistent inter-annual warming trends in both regions, with more rapid temperature increases in the North compared to the South. Notably, significant shifts occurred in 2003 for both mean and minimum temperatures in the North, while the maximum and minimum temperature values were recorded in the 2010s and 1980s, respectively. Both regions exhibited a primary temperature fluctuation cycle of 28 years. Seasonally, the strongest warming effects appeared in spring, with the weakest in autumn, and moderate effects in winter and summer, indicating that spring contributes most significantly to regional warming. Monthly analysis showed positive temperature trends across all months, with higher rates in the North. The weakening temperature boundary effect of the Mts. Qinling suggested a weakening North–South division, particularly highlighted by the northward shift of the 1 °C isotherm curve for the coldest month, moving away from the previously observed 0 °C isotherm. This northward shift highlights the differential warming rates between the northern and southern regions. Overall, the analysis confirms a robust warming trend, with notable fluctuations in January’s temperatures since 1998, suggesting the Mts. Qinling’s emerging role as a climatic divider in the Chinese Mainland. This introduces new challenges for regional ecosystems, agricultural production, and water resource management, highlighting the pressing need to advance regional sustainable development in the face of climate change. Full article

In developing nations, such as Ekiti State, Nigeria, the utilization of remotely sensed data, particularly satellite and UAV imagery, remains significantly underexploited in land administration. This limits multi-resolution imagery’s potential in land governance and socio-economic development. This study examines factors influencing UAV adoption for land administration in Nigeria, mapping seven rural, peri-urban, and urban sites with orthomosaics (2.2 cm to 3.39 cm resolution). Boundaries were manually delineated, and parcel areas were calculated. Using the 0.05 m orthomosaic as a reference, the Horizontal Radial Root Mean Square Error (RMSEr) and Normalized Parcel Area Error (NPAE) were computed. Results showed a consistent increase in error with increasing resolution (0.1 m to 1 m), with RMSEr ranging from 0.053 m (formal peri-urban) to 2.572 m (informal rural settlement). Formal settlements with physical demarcations exhibited more consistent values. A comparison with GNSS data revealed that RMSEr values conformed to the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Class II and III standards. The research demonstrates physical demarcations’ role in facilitating cadastral mapping, with formal settlements showing the highest suitability. This study recommends context-specific imagery resolution to enhance land governance. Key implications include promoting settlement typology awareness and addressing UAV regulatory challenges. NPAE values can serve as a metric for assessing imagery resolution fitness for cadastral mapping. Full article

The short-term scaling exponent alpha1 of detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA-a1) of heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to be a sensitive marker for assessing global organismic demands. The wide dynamic range within the exercise intensity spectrum and the relationship to established physiologic threshold boundaries potentially allow in-field use and also open opportunities to provide real-time feedback. The present study expands the idea of using everyday workout data from the AI Endurance app to obtain the relationship between cycling power and DFA-a1. Collected data were imported between September 2021 and August 2023 with an initial pool of 3123 workouts across 21 male users. The aim of this analysis was to further apply a new method of implementing workout group data considering representative values of DFA-a1 segmentation compared to single workout data and including all data points to enhance the validity of the internal-to-external load relationship. The present data demonstrate a universal relationship between cycling power and DFA-a1 from everyday workout data that potentially allows accessible and regular tracking of intensity zone demarcation information. The analysis highlights the superior efficacy of the representative-based approach of included data in most cases. Validation data of the performance level and the up-to-date relationship are still pending. Full article

In this study, the microstructural properties, wear resistance, and corrosion behavior of H111 hot-rolled AA5754 alloy before heat treatment, after homogenization, and after aging were examined. The microstructure was mainly composed of the scattered forms of black and gray contrast particles on the matrix and precipitations were observed at the boundaries of the grain. The as-rolled material exhibited a dense pancake-shaped grain structure, which is typical of as-rolled material. Observation along the L-direction did not yield distinct demarcations among the grains and was not uniformly distributed, with precipitates at the grain boundary. When they aged, there was a parallel increase in fine and huge black and gray contrast particles in the zone. Therefore, it could be stated that the amount of fine grains increased due to the rise in the homogenization process. The rolled base metal with the grain orientation was found to be parallel to the rolling direction. On the other hand, the coarse grains were clearly observed in the aging heat-treatment condition. The grains had an elongated morphology consistent with the rolling process of the metal before the heat-treatment process. The aged alloy had the highest hardness with a value of 86.83 HB; the lowest hardness was seen in the alloy before heat treatment with a value of 68.67 HB. The weight loss and wear rate of this material at the end of 10,000 m were, respectively, 1.01 × 10⁻³ g and 5.07 × 10⁻⁹ g/Nm. It was observed that the alloy had the highest weight loss and worst wear resistance before heat treatment. Weight loss and wear rates at the end of 10,000 m were, respectively, 3.42 × 10⁻³ g and 17.08 × 10⁻⁹ g/Nm. According to these results, the friction coefficients during wear were parallel and the material with the lowest friction coefficient after aging was 0.045. While the alloys corroded after aging showed more weight loss, the alloys corroded before heat treatment exhibited better corrosion behavior. Among the alloys, the least weight loss after 24 h was observed in the alloy that was corroded before heat treatment and this value was 0.69 × 10⁻³ mg/dm². The highest weight loss was observed in the aged alloy with a value of 1.37 × 10⁻³ mg/dm². The alloy before heat treatment, which corroded after casting, showed the lowest corrosion rate with a value of 0.39 × 10⁻³ mg/(dm²·day) after 72 h. The alloy that was corroded before heat treatment showed the best corrosion behavior by creating a corrosion potential of 1.04 ± 1.5 V at a current density of −586 ± 0.04 μA/cm². However, after aging, the corroded alloy showed the worst corrosion behavior with a corrosion potential of 5.16 ± 3.3 V at a current density of −880 ± 0.01 μA/cm². Full article

The vertical transition zone of mountain vegetation is characterized by high species diversity, and the width of the transition zone may serve as an indirect indicator of climate change. However, research into the differential characteristics of vegetation response to climate changes at the boundary of vertical transition zones has been limited. This study employs MODIS and climate data spanning 2001 to 2018 to investigate spatiotemporal trends in precipitation (PRE), temperature (TMP), radiation (RAD), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) across nine montane deciduous broad-leaved forests in the eastern monsoon region of China. It explores the time-lag and -accumulation effects of climatic variables on NDVI, quantifying their relative contributions to both its short-term and interannual variations. Results show that, notably, with the Qinling-Daba Mountains as a demarcation, northern regions exhibit significant increases in RAD (0.874–2.047 W m⁻²/a), whereas southern regions demonstrate notable rises in TMP (0.59–0.73 °C/10a). Areas of lower annual PRE correspond to the most rapid increases in annual average NDVI (5.045 × 10⁻³/a). NDVI’s lag time and cumulative duration responses to TMP are the shortest (0 and 2~4 periods), while its correlation with RAD is the strongest (0.815–0.975), generally decreasing from higher to lower latitudes. TMP significantly affects NDVI variations, impacting both short-term and interannual trends, with PRE driving short-term fluctuations and RAD dictating long-term shifts. This research provides critical data and a theoretical framework that enhances our understanding of how regional vegetation’s vertical zonation responds to climate change, thereby making a substantial contribution to the study of mountain vegetation’s diverse adaptability to climatic variations. Full article