by Xiaoxuan Wu, Jun Zhu, Qiang Wen Accurate forecasting of PM2.5 concentrations serves as a critical tool for mitigating air pollution. This study introduces a novel hybrid prediction model, termed MIC-CEEMDAN-CNN-BiGRU, for short-term forecasting of PM2.5 concentrations using a 24-hour historical data window. Utilizing the Maximal Information Coefficient (MIC) for feature selection, the model integrates Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Bidirectional Recurrent Gated Neural Network (BiGRU) to optimize predictiv ..read more

by Jin Hu, Peter J. Stauvermann This paper studies the redistributive effects of two major pay-as-you-go pension systems by constructing an intergenerational iterative model which does not only considers standard utility but also relative utility. The study find that the two main pay-as-you-go pension systems are both sustainable. If we consider different preferences, then the choice of pension system should depend on the question of whether individuals are more interested in the absolute level of consumption or in the consumption related to a reference group. If the latter is more important ..read more

by Shubo Yue, Jian Zeng, Yongping Chen, Zhiyong Zhang, Dongfeng Xie Tidal bore impact can be strong and destructive, placing estuarine infrastructures under great threat. However, there is a lack of research focusing on accurately estimating the impact pressure exerted by tidal bores. Herein new experiments were conducted to investigate the pressure of tidal bore fronts in a glass flume. Through analysis of instantaneous pressure of three forms of tidal bore, it was observed that the pressure fluctuation of weak and strong breaking bore fronts is characterized by impact pressure. The vertical ..read more

by Qiang Li, Guoxing He, Degang Zhang, Xiaoni Liu To quantitatively analyze the impact of climate variability and human activities on grassland productivity of China’s Qilian Mountain National Park, this study used Carnegic-Ames-Stanford Approach model (CASA) and Integrated Vegetation model improved by the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System (CSCS) to assess the trends of grassland NPP from 2000 to 2015, the residual trend analysis method was used to quantify the impact of human activities and climate change on the grassland based on the NPP changes. The actual grassland NPP acc ..read more

by Leyuan Ma, Jingui Wei, Guojun Han, Xiaomei Sun, Xiaobing Yang Water stress can adversely affect seed germination and plant growth. Seed osmopriming is a pre-sowing treatment in which seeds are soaked in osmotic solutions to undergo the first stage of germination prior to radicle protrusion. Seed osmopriming enhances germination performance under stressful environmental conditions, making it an effective method to improve plant resistance and yield. This study analyzed the effect of seed osmopriming with polyethylene glycol (PEG) on seed germination and physiological parameters of Coronilla ..read more

by Taavi Päll, Aare Abroi, Radko Avi, Heiki Niglas, Arina Shablinskaja, Merit Pauskar, Ene-Ly Jõgeda, Hiie Soeorg, Eveli Kallas, Andrio Lahesaare, Kai Truusalu, Dagmar Hoidmets, Olga Sadikova, Kaspar Ratnik, Hanna Sepp, Liidia Dotsenko, Jevgenia Epštein, Heleene Suija, Katrin Kaarna, Steven Smit, Lili Milani, Mait Metspalu, Ott Eric Oopkaup, Ivar Koppel, Erik Jaaniso, Ivan Kuzmin, Heleri Inno, Uku Raudvere, Mari-Anne Härma, Paul Naaber, Tuuli Reisberg, Hedi Peterson, Ulvi Gerst Talas, Irja Lutsar, Kristi Huik Background The COVID-19 pandemic was characterised by rapid waves of disease, carried ..read more

by Lalita Sathitsamitphong, Imjai Chitapanarux, Pimwarat Srikummoon, Natthapat Thongsak, Nawapon Nakharutai, Salinee Thumronglaohapun, Titaporn Supasri, Phonpat Hemwan, Patrinee Traisathit The objective of this study is to determine the possible association between exposure to air pollution and the risk of death from cancer during childhood in upper northern Thailand. Data were collected on children aged 0–15 years old diagnosed with cancer between January 2003 and December 2018 from the Chiang Mai Cancer Registry. Survival rates were determined by using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional h ..read more

by Jieyuan Bai, Hongcheng Wang The field of landscape architecture has placed significant emphasis on low-carbon landscapes due to the increasing challenges posed by global warming and environmental deterioration in recent years. The soil ecological conditions in saline–alkaline areas are characterized by poor quality, resulting in suboptimal growth conditions for trees. This, in turn, hampers their ability to effectively sequester carbon, thereby diminishing the potential benefits of carbon sinks. Additionally, the maintenance of tree landscapes in such areas generates more carbon emissions t ..read more

by Ziwei Feng, Wende Chen, Yichen Meng, Haixia Lu, Xinyi Shi, Jiajun Zhang Heavy metal pollution in farmland soil represents a considerable risk to ecosystems and human health, constituting a global concern. Focusing on a key area for the cultivation of special agricultural products in Cangxi County, we collected 228 surface soil samples. We analyzed the concentration, spatial distribution, and pollution levels of six heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Hg) in the soil. Moreover, we investigated the sources and contribution rates of these heavy metals using Principal Component Analysis/Absol ..read more

by Danyela Casadei Donatelli, Dina Goodman-Palmer, Maria Lisa Odland, Sandra Agyapong-Badu, Natalia da Cruz-Alves, Meire Rosenburg, Lisa R. Hirschhorn, Carolyn Greig, Justine Davies, Vânia Barbosa do Nascimento, Eduardo Ferriolli Background There are few data reporting the needs and priorities of older adults in Brazil. This hampers the development and/or implementation of policies aimed at older adults to help them age well. The aim of this study was to understand areas of importance, priorities, enablers and obstacles to healthy ageing as identified by older adults and key stakeholders in bo ..read more