Net Carbon Sequestration Performance of Cropland Use in China’s Principal Grain-Producing Area: An Evaluation and Spatiotemporal Divergence

As cropland possess dual carbon effects of emitting and sequestering, giving full attention to its net carbon sequestration is an effective option for mitigating global warming. By analyzing the carbon cycle of a cropland use system, we develop an inventory for measuring the net carbon sequestration, covering four carbon sources, i.e., agricultural materials, rice fields, soils, straw burning, with the crop carbon sequestration considered. Different from conventional studies that have focused on quantity, in this study, we define net carbon sequestration performance of cropland use (NCSPC) as the ratio of actual net carbon sequestration to an optimal value per unit of cropland. We estimate the net carbon sequestration of cropland use, from 2000 to 2019, for the study area consisting of the 13 principal grain-producing provinces in China. Then, global-SBM is applied to measure the provincial NCSPC; furthermore, the Theil index and convergence test are employed to portray the spatiotemporal characteristics and regional divergence. The results show the following: (1) The net carbon sequestration was 3.837 t per hectare of cropland in the principal grain-producing area, of which the sequestration and the emission were 6.343 t and 2.506 t, respectively. The share of emissions, from largest to smallest, was methane from rice paddies, agricultural materials, straw burning, and soil nitrous oxide. Specifically, cropland use in Henan exhibited the strongest net carbon sequestration, whereas in Hunan it was the lowest. (2) The average NCSPC was 0.774 in the principal grain-producing area, indicating that 22.6% of the net carbon sequestration per unit of cropland remained to be explored under the corresponding production technology and input combinations. Temporally, the NCSPC had an annual change rate of −0.30%, displaying a slowly declining trend. Spatially, the NCSPC evolved from a scattered distribution to blocky agglomeration, eventually presenting a decreasing pattern from north to south. (3) First, the total Theil index increased, and then decreased, indicating that the regional disparity of the NCSPC expanded early but shrank later. From 2011 to 2019, inter-regional disparity took up more in the total. Over time, both the whole region and the subregions obeyed the σ convergence. Unlike the benign trends observed in Zones I and II, the NCSPC values of Zone III converged to a low level. This study aims to provide a theoretical base for emission mitigation and sequestration promotion for cropland use.

Abstract P025: Atrial Fibrillation Associated With Worsened Postoperative Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Orthotropic Liver Transplantation.

Introduction: Pre-orthotropic liver transplant (OLT) cardiac risk assessment commonly focuses on evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on post-OLT outcomes is less well known. In this study, we sought to evaluate the prevalence and effect of pre-transplant AF on 30-day post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing OLT. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample Database was queried from 2011 to 2017 for relevant ICD-9 and -10 procedural and diagnostic codes. Baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were compared in patients who underwent OLT with AF and those without. Results: Among 45,357 patients who underwent OLT, 35.8 % were women. The prevalence of AF prior to transplant was 2,932 (6.5%) with a trend towards increasing prevalence between 2011 and 2017 with an annual change rate of 4.19%, see Figure 1. Compared to the non-AF cohort, the AF group was older (59.9±7.9 vs 51.2±16.9 years old, p<0.001), with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), CAD, chronic kidney disease, heart failure (HF), anemia, and thrombocytopenia (p<0.001 for all). In-hospital 30-day mortality (5.8% vs. 3.6%, p<0.001), intra-operative cardiac arrest (8.1% vs. 1.7%, p<0.001), post-operative ventricular tachycardia (7.5% vs. 2.6%, p<0.001) and acute kidney injury (64.2% vs. 49.3%, p<0.001) were higher in the AF group when compared to those without. Using a multivariate logistic regression model to adjust for confounding factors, AF was still predictive of an increased odds of in-hospital 30-day mortality (OR: 1.92; 95% CI [1.61-2.30], p<0.001). Conclusion: In patients undergoing OLT, pre-transplant AF is increasing in prevalence and appears to be associated with worse in-hospital outcomes and 30-day mortality. This effect may be driven in part by a higher prevalence of concurrent cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors in patients with AF. Greater emphasis should be placed on AF in the preoperative cardiovascular risk stratification of patients undergoing OLT.

Spatiotemporal dynamic evolution and driving factors of desertification in the Mu Us Sandy Land in 30 years

The Mu Us Sandy Land is located in the middle of the farming pastoral ecotone of northern China. The direction of the development of desertification has a direct impact on the economy and development of the northern region. Six remote sensing images acquired during 1990–2017 served as data sources. Using an ENVI 5.3 and ArcGIS 10.3 platform an analysis was conducted of the dynamic changes nearly 30 years in desertified land using a center of gravity moving model, annual change rate, a transfer matrix, and an aeolian desertification index; the factors driving desertification were discussed. The research shows that the time period can be divided into three stages of desertification: development (1990–2000), rapid reversal (2000–2010), and stable reversal (2010–2017). A total of 1680 km2 of desertification were managed over the three stages. Spatially, the distribution of the center of desertification from west to east includes mild, moderate, severe, and extreme desertification, which is consistent with the spatial distribution trends of desertified land in the Mu Us Sandy Land. By the end of 2017, the degree of desertification of the Mu Us Sandy Land was in the central area > northwest > southwest > east > south. Nearly 30 years, the wind speed has decreased year by year at the rate of 0.1 m s−1, which directly reduce the ability to winds to transport soil in the Mu Us Sandy Land and promoted the reversal of desertification. From 1990 to 2010, the climate tended to become warmer and drier. Environmental protection policies along with human intervention and control of desertification have played important roles in reversing desertification. From 2010 to 2020, under the general background of a warm-wet climatic tendency, rational use of sand resources and strengthening scientific control of desertification inducing factors are the keys to reversing desertification.

Temporal Association between Abdominal Weight Status and Healthy Aging: Findings from the 2011–2018 National Health and Aging Trends Study

Background/objectives: The longitudinal effect of abdominal weight status (AWS) defined by waist circumference (WC) on healthy aging has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the temporal association between WC-defined AWS and a comprehensive assessment for healthy aging. Subjects/methods: This study utilized data from 5211 respondents aged 65+ who participated in the National Health and Aging Trends Study from 2011 to 2018. Mixed effects regression models were used to examine the association between baseline AWS and the annual change rate in healthy aging score (HAS) via interaction terms (AWS*round) adjusting for confounding effects. Further multiple mixed models examined the relationship of AWS and HAS over an 8-year period. Results: There were no annual change rate differences in HAS by baseline AWS, regardless of sex. However, males with abdominal obesity were more likely to have a lower HAS than males with normal AWS (β = −0.20, 95% CI: −0.30, −0.10, p < 0.001) but no difference in HAS was observed between males with overweight and normal AWS. A similar pattern was observed among females. Conclusions: Study results indicate that AWS was associated with HAS but it did not modify annual HAS change rate over time.

Observing land-use/land-cover dynamics in semi-arid environment: Evidence from Damaturu Town and its surrounding lands, Yobe State, Nigeria

The fragile Sudano-Sahelian ecological zone of Nigeria has been classified as a hotspot of land cover change (LCC) that has been suffering from serious anthropogenic and biophysical stresses. Damaturu, being the fastest growing town situated in the region happened to be a victim of this negative development. The purpose of this study is to remotely observe and assess the prevailing land-use/land-cover (LULC) dynamics of Damaturu town and its delicate surrounding lands from the year 1987-2017 study periods. To achieve this, a supervised image classification technique with Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) algorithm was used in ERDAS Imagine version 15 software to classify the three epochs multi-temporal and multi-spectral Landsat imageries (TM 1987, ETM+7 2000 and OLI 2017). The classified LULC maps and their resulting statistics were then used to assess the spatio-temporal aspects of the observed changes by placing the results within the wider context of previous related literature and evidences. Findings revealed that the built-up area has been expanding since 1987 with an annual change rate of 4.5% between 1987-2000, and 5.3% during 2000-2017 respectively. The growth of the town is being accompanied by massive farmlands expansion and vegetal cover (trees and shrubs) lost making the surrounding arable lands seriously disturbed. Thus, if the observed trends continue, the entire studied region will be subjected to severe environmental hazard such as desertification. Overall, the study provides valuable information required for sustainable environmental management.

Determination of the original coastline on Semarang city and Demak district using remote sensing approach

Development of the coastal area without environmental consciousness is disrupting coastline equilibrium, thus triggering erosion and accretion. This results in the obscurity of the border area due to coastline change. The objective of this study is to determine the original coastline of Semarang city and Demak district. The method used is remote sensing using Landsat satellite imagery data dating from 1984 to 2018. The results showed that the length of the coastline in Semarang and Demak border coast shows a continuous increase from 48.2, 57.9, 63.7, and 73.5 km in 1984, 1992, 2000, and 2008, respectively to 92.6 km in 2018, and the average annual change rate from 1984 to 1992, 1992 to 2000, 2000 to 2008, and 2008 to 2018 is 1.2 km per year, 0.7 km per year, 1.2 km per year, and 2.1 km per year, respectively. It was concluded that the current coastline condition of Semarang city and Demak district has had an increase of 29.8 km in length and shifted inwards by 0.5-2 km in 2000 – 2018 compared to the original coastline. This shows a deviation of 5-15% from Government Regional Spatial Plan. The study recommends a sustainable coastal management and action plan to be prepared by the government, as it is vital in preserving the coastal regions.

Drug utilisation trends in a physical rehabilitation hospital

Background/Aim. Drug utilisation monitoring could identify drug-related problems and hence improve the awareness of irrational drug use. The objective of this study was to analyse the drug utilisation patterns in a rehabilitation hospital over the period 2011?2016. Methods. The Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology was used to monitor the drug utilisation expressed as a number of DDD per 100 patient-days (HPD). The values of DDDs were obtained from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. Utilisation trends were analysed by means of the Compound Aggregate Growth Rate (CAGR), which is defined as an average annual change rate of some value during the period of interest. Results. The number of patient-days increased during the six years period; the CAGR being1.8% annually. At the same time, the total number of dispensed DDDs as well as the number of DDD/HPD decreased with the CAGR of -2.0% and -3.7% respectively. The average drug cost per patient-day varied from BAM 1.38 in 2013 to 0.95 in 2016; the CAGR being -1.8%. The most utilised drugs belonged to the ATC groups C, A, B, M and N and they contributed to an average of 77% of all drugs used each year. On the top of the list of most utilised drugs were: hydroxocobalamin, thioctic acid, enalapril, diclofenac, amlodipine, acetylsalicylic acid, pantoprazole, paracetamol and bromazepam. Conclusions. The overall drug utilisation in the hospital was modest and almost equal in 2016 compared to 2011. Besides the leading consumption of vitamin B12 and thioctic acid, this study points out some interesting prescribing patterns, such as predominant use of diclofenac over ibuprofen, and overuse of proton pump inhibitors. There is a need for educative interventions among physicians in order to improve their prescribing practice.

Deforestación en el sureste de la amazonia del Perú entre los años 1999 - 2013; caso Regional de Madre de Dios (Puerto Maldonado – Inambari).

<p class="Default">El estudio cuantifica las áreas deforestadas en una de las zonas más impactadas por el hombre, al suroeste de la ciudad de Puerto Maldonado (Puerto Maldonado – Inambari), las imágenes Landsat TM 5 y 8 OLI fueron procesados utilizando una clasificación semiautomática denominada “Random Forest” propuesto por la <a href="http://reddcommunity.org/link/mesa-de-servicios-ambientales-y-redd-de-madre-de-dios">Mesa de Servicios Ambientales y Reducción de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero Causadas por la Deforestación y Degradación de los Bosques de la Región Madre de Dios</a>, Perú. La metodología incluyo procedimientos de documentación, verificación y validación que permitieron evaluar la calidad de la información generada y los datos reportados. Los resultados de la investigación reportan; una superficie deforestada para los años 1999-2013 de 55426 ha, que representa una tasa anual de cambio de cobertura de – 0,22% y una deforestación anual promedio de 3 246 ha/año. De ello se deducen para los años 1999-2008, 2008-2011 y 2011-2013 tasas anuales de cambio de – 0,18%, -0,30% y -0,31%, con una deforestación anual promedio de 2 594 ha/año, 4 427 ha/año y 4 410 ha/año respectivamente. Los cambios producidos en el área de estudio, muestran la sistemática conversión de bosque a deforestación para el año 2008-2011 con 29 478 ha, siendo la mayor responsable el avance de la minería aurífera aluvial influenciada por la pavimentación de la vía interoceánica y por el alza del precio del oro como el agente principal de la deforestación, y en menor orden, la ampliación de la frontera agrícola, la ganadería y la actividad forestal.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>The study quantifies the deforested areas in one of the areas most affected by humans, southwest in the city of Puerto Maldonado (Puerto Maldonado - Inambari), the Landsat images TM 5 and 8 OLI were processed using a semiautomatic classification called "Random Forest" proposed by Mesa de Servicios Ambientales y Reducción de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero Causadas por la Deforestación y Degradación de los Bosques in the region of Madre de Dios, Peru. The methodology included documentation procedures, verification and validation to assess the quality of information generated and the data reported. The results of the investigation report; a deforested for years 1999-2013 of 55426 ha, which represents an annual rate of change of coverage of -0,22% and an average annual deforestation of 3246 ha/year. It deducted for the years 1999-2008, 2008-2011 and 2011-2013 annual rates of change of -0,18%, -0,30% and -0,31%, with an average annual deforestation of 2594 ha/year, 4427 ha/year and 4,410 ha/year respectively. Changes in the study area, show the systematic conversion of forest to deforestation for the year 2008-2011 with 29 478 ha, being most responsible advancing of alluvial gold mining influenced by the paving of the interoceanic highway and the gold price rises as the main agent of deforestation, and lower order, expanding the agricultural frontier, cattle rising and forestry.</p><p><strong><em>Key words: </em></strong>Cover change, Annual change rate, Random Forest, alluvial Gold Mining.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p>