Thedeployment of the Internet of Things(IoT)with smart sensors has facilitated the emergence of fog computing as an important technology for delivering services to smart environments such as campuses,smart cities,and ...Thedeployment of the Internet of Things(IoT)with smart sensors has facilitated the emergence of fog computing as an important technology for delivering services to smart environments such as campuses,smart cities,and smart transportation systems.Fog computing tackles a range of challenges,including processing,storage,bandwidth,latency,and reliability,by locally distributing secure information through end nodes.Consisting of endpoints,fog nodes,and back-end cloud infrastructure,it provides advanced capabilities beyond traditional cloud computing.In smart environments,particularly within smart city transportation systems,the abundance of devices and nodes poses significant challenges related to power consumption and system reliability.To address the challenges of latency,energy consumption,and fault tolerance in these environments,this paper proposes a latency-aware,faulttolerant framework for resource scheduling and data management,referred to as the FORD framework,for smart cities in fog environments.This framework is designed to meet the demands of time-sensitive applications,such as those in smart transportation systems.The FORD framework incorporates latency-aware resource scheduling to optimize task execution in smart city environments,leveraging resources from both fog and cloud environments.Through simulation-based executions,tasks are allocated to the nearest available nodes with minimum latency.In the event of execution failure,a fault-tolerantmechanism is employed to ensure the successful completion of tasks.Upon successful execution,data is efficiently stored in the cloud data center,ensuring data integrity and reliability within the smart city ecosystem.展开更多
The entomofauna in the Republic of Congo is very little known. Studies carried out in natural forests are few. It is in this context that this inventory of entomofauna was carried out from April to July 2022 in the Sc...The entomofauna in the Republic of Congo is very little known. Studies carried out in natural forests are few. It is in this context that this inventory of entomofauna was carried out from April to July 2022 in the Scientific City Forest. The general objective is to contribute to the knowledge of the trapping, mowing and sight hunting;the three types of traps used are: Barber pots, colored plates and aerial traps. This study made it possible to invent 1523 specimens belonging to 106 species, 99 genera, 59 families and 12 orders. The order Diptera is the most abundant and richest in species (47% and 26%). This order is followed by Hymenoptera (23% and 23%). Formicidae (14%) and Calliphoridae (13%) are the most abundant families. The Formicidae family presents the greatest species richness (7%), Calliphora sp and Polyrhachis cyaniventris present the highest specific relative abundance of the entire collection. These preliminary results of the entomofauna of Scientific City constitute a database. However, this study must be continued and extended to other areas of Brazzaville, using other capture techniques and taking into account the seasons.展开更多
Groundwater and surface water contamination by PTE(Potentially Toxic Elements)was assessed in Ruashi and Annexe municipalities of Lubumbashi city.Analyses of seventy water samples collected from six drilled wells,eigh...Groundwater and surface water contamination by PTE(Potentially Toxic Elements)was assessed in Ruashi and Annexe municipalities of Lubumbashi city.Analyses of seventy water samples collected from six drilled wells,eight spade-sunk wells,one river and one spring in both municipalities in 2017 and 2018 were carried out by ICP-SF-MS(Inductively Coupled Plasma-Sector Field Mass Spectrometry).Twenty PTEs including aluminum,arsenic,barium,bismuth,cadmium,cesium,chromium,cobalt,copper,iron,lead,manganese,molybdenum,nickel,strontium,thallium,tungsten,uranium,vanadium and zinc were detected at various concentrations in each one of the samples.Many samples had concentrations and mean concentrations of PTEs,such as aluminum,cadmium,copper,iron,lead,manganese,nickel and zinc,higher than the respective acceptable limits set for drinking water by the EU(European Union),the USEPA(United States Environmental Protection Agency),and the WHO(World Health Organization)standards.Most PTEs being deleterious to human health even at very low concentrations,people who use the groundwater and surface water to meet their water needs in both Ruashi and Annexe municipalities are at risk.展开更多
Despite the global attention towards pollution,it remains a significant global threat and challenge for both developed and developing countries.Urbanization and economic development influence different types of pollut...Despite the global attention towards pollution,it remains a significant global threat and challenge for both developed and developing countries.Urbanization and economic development influence different types of pollution.Visual pollution is considered a new phenomenon referring to the impact of existing and growing mainstream pollution which impairs an individual’s ability to enjoy visits or views.Recently,Jordanian cities have expanded in response to urbanization and ongoing development.Irbid City has the second largest population in Jordan after the capital Amman City highest population density in Jordan.In the modern era,Irbid City dramatically increased in population and dimension.The growth of the demographic population has been significant and has led to overpopulation,rapid urbanization,and unresolved problems associated with spatial planning and infrastructures leading to different types of pollution including visual pollution.The study area focuses on the city center with the most crowded population through field visits and actual observations.The study technique is descriptive and analytical,with a focus on meticulous monitoring and a follow-up-based questionnaire which is a tool for the study,involving data collection,classification,presentation,analysis,interpretation,and exploration to identify new facts and generalizations that can help solve current issues of visual pollution.The study provides recommendations for Irbid Municipal to eliminate visual pollution,in parallel with stricter supervision from the municipality during the building process to ensure proper implementation of the new rules,adopting an integrated policy for the city with the rest of the social,political,sensory,cultural,economic,and functional aspects,so that this policy is in the short and long term.展开更多
The Knowledge Economic City (KEC) of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah is one of the major projects and represents the cornerstone for the new development activities for Al Madinah. The study area contains different geological...The Knowledge Economic City (KEC) of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah is one of the major projects and represents the cornerstone for the new development activities for Al Madinah. The study area contains different geological units dominated by basalt and overlain by surface deposits. The surface soils vary in thickness and can be classified into well-graded SAND with silt and gravel (SW-SM), silty SAND with gravel (SM), silty GRAVEL with sand (GM), and sandy SILTY clay (CL-ML). The subsurface soil obtained from the drilled boreholes can be classified into poorly graded GRAVEL (GP), well-graded GRAVEL with sand (GW), poorly graded GRAVEL with silt (GP-GM), silty CLAYEY gravel with sand (GC-GM), silty SAND with gravel (SM), silt with SAND (ML), and silty CLAY with sand (CL-ML), sandy lean CLAY (CL), and lean CLAY (CL). The relative density of the deposit and the different gravel sizes intercalated with the soil influenced the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) values. The SPT N values are high and approach refusal even at shallow depths. The shallow refusal depth (0.10 to 0.90 m) of the Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT) was observed. Generally, the soil can be described as inactive with low plasticity and dense to very dense consistency. The basalt of the KEC site is characterized by slightly (W2) to highly (W4) weathering, their strength ranges from moderate (S4) to very strong (S2), and the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) ranges from very poor (R5) to excellent (R1). The engineering geological map of the KEC characterized the geoengineering properties of the soil and rock materials and classified them into many zones. The high sulphate (SO42−) and chloride (Cl−) contents in groundwater call for protective measures for foundation concrete. The current study revealed that geohazard(s) mitigation measures concerning floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes should be considered.展开更多
The global rise in animal protein consumption has significantly amplified the demand for fodder.A comprehensive understanding of the diversity and characteristics of existing fodder resources is essential for balanced...The global rise in animal protein consumption has significantly amplified the demand for fodder.A comprehensive understanding of the diversity and characteristics of existing fodder resources is essential for balanced nutritional fodder production.This study investigates the diversity and composition of fodder plants and identifies key species for cattle in Zhaotong City,Yunnan,China,while documenting indigenous knowledge on their usage and selection criteria.Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 19 villages across seven townships with 140 informants.Data were collected through semi-structured interviews,free listing,and participatory observation,and analyzed using Relative Frequency Citation.A total of 125 taxa(including 106 wild and 19 cultivated)were reported.The most cited family is Poaceae(27 taxa,21.43%),followed by Asteraceae(17 taxa,13.49%),Fabaceae(14 taxa,11.11%),Polygonaceae(9 taxa,7.14%)and Lamiaceae(4 taxa,3.17%).The whole plant(66.04%)and herbaceous plants(84.80%)were the most used parts and life forms.The most cited species were Zea mays,Brassica rapa,Solanum tuberosum,Eragrostis nigra,and Artemisia dubia.Usage of diverse fodder resources reflects local wisdom in managing resource availability and achieving balanced nutrition while coping with environmental and climatic risks.Preferences for certain taxonomic groups are due to their quality as premier fodder resources.To promote integrated crop-livestock farming,we suggest further research into highly preferred fodder species,focusing on nutritional assessment,digestibility,meat quality impacts,and potential as antibiotic alternatives.Establishing germplasm and gene banks for fodder resources is also recommended.展开更多
Under the guidance of national policies,the“coal to gas”project has become one of the important measures to promote the transformation of energy structure in China.Foshan,an important industrial town in Guangdong pr...Under the guidance of national policies,the“coal to gas”project has become one of the important measures to promote the transformation of energy structure in China.Foshan,an important industrial town in Guangdong province,the implementation of the“coal to gas”policy has demonstrated significance for the optimization of the national energy structure.Through the analysis of the change in Foshan’s energy consumption structure and the implementation of the policy,this paper found that there were some challenges in the policy implementation process,such as high economic cost,lagging infrastructure,low social acceptance,and lack of technical personnel.To address this,suggestions are put forward,including increasing financial subsidies,improving laws and regulations,promoting technological innovation,and encouraging social inclusion policies.These recommendations aim to provide guidance and reference for the remaining“coal to gas”projects and the development of clean energy.展开更多
In order to identify the nutrient level and environmental quality of paddy fields in Wanchang area,and to provide scientific basis and technical support for planting rice in Wanchang area, the soil geochemicalsurvey w...In order to identify the nutrient level and environmental quality of paddy fields in Wanchang area,and to provide scientific basis and technical support for planting rice in Wanchang area, the soil geochemicalsurvey was carried out, 30 samples were collected from paddy soil in Wanchang area, and 20 elements(indicators) were analyzed. The characterization of the elemental content of soils in the study area was carriedout, and the geochemical level for soil nutrients, the geochemical level for the soil environment, and thecomprehensive geochemical level of soil quality were evaluated. The results showed that the average valuesof K content and pH of the soil in the study area were smaller than the background values of Jilin Province,and the average values of 18 elements including N, P, Ca, S, Pb, Zn etc. were bigger than the backgroundvalues of Jilin Province. The results of the evaluation of soil single element nutrient in the study area showedthat the available state nutrient levels of Mn, Zn, Cu, and K increased compared with the total amounts ofnutrients level, with Cu increasing the most;the available state nutrient level of N, P, B, and Mo decreasedcompared with the total amounts of nutrients level, with Mo decreasing the most. The comprehensive levelof soil nutrients geochemistry in paddy fields was mainly Level III (medium), accounting for 53.33%, andthe low abundance level was caused by the lack of P element;the comprehensive level of soil environmentalgeochemistry was mainly Level I (clean), accounting for 96.67%, with only slight pollution caused byCd. The comprehensive geochemical level of soil quality was mainly Level II, accounting for 66.67%.Suggestions were put forward for the rational utilization of soil resources in paddy fields in the study area.展开更多
This study investigated the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of ecosystem service value(ESV)alongside its driving influencing factors,thereby offering valuable theoretical insights for the sustainable develop...This study investigated the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of ecosystem service value(ESV)alongside its driving influencing factors,thereby offering valuable theoretical insights for the sustainable development of Jingzhou City,Hubei Province.Based on the land use data for Jingzhou City from 2000 to 2020,this study quantified the value of the ecological environment using the equivalent factor method.Furthermore,it analyzed and elucidated the spatio-temporal heterogeneity and driving mechanisms of ecosystem services in Jingzhou City.The results indicated that between 2000 and 2020,cultivated land(66.40%)and water area(18.82%)were the predominant land use types in Jingzhou City.The areas of water area and construction land exhibited a growth trend during this period.Construction land had the highest rate of land use change,followed by water area and cultivated land.Land use transitions primarily occurred between cultivated land and water area,as well as between cultivated land and construction land.The total value of ecosystem services in Jingzhou City increased by 165.07%from 2000 to 2020.ESV exhibited an upward trend from 2000 to 2015,followed by a gradual decline from 2015 to 2020.The ranking of individual ecosystem services,in descending order,was as follows:regulation services,supporting services,provisioning services,and cultural services.High-value ESV areas were predominantly situated in the water area of Lake Honghu,while low-value regions were mainly found in the cultivated land in the central and western parts of Jingzhou City.The spatial differentiation of ESV in Jingzhzou City was influenced by both natural and socio-economic factors,with natural factors exerting a more significant impact than socioeconomic factors.Specifically,the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)was the dominant environmental factor,while GDP plays a synergistic role.展开更多
In the groundbreaking study “The Contribution of AI-powered Mobile Apps to Smart City Ecosystems,” authored by Zaki Ali Bayashot, the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in urban development is metic...In the groundbreaking study “The Contribution of AI-powered Mobile Apps to Smart City Ecosystems,” authored by Zaki Ali Bayashot, the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in urban development is meticulously examined. This comprehensive research delineates the multifaceted ways in which AI-powered mobile applications can significantly enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and livability of urban environments, marking a pivotal step towards the realization of smart cities globally. Bayashot meticulously outlines the critical areas where AI-powered apps offer unprecedented advantages, including urban mobility, public safety, energy management, and environmental monitoring. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, these applications not only streamline city operations but also foster a more sustainable interaction between city dwellers and their environment. The paper emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in urban planning, showcasing how AI analytics can predict and mitigate traffic congestion, optimize energy consumption, and enhance emergency response strategies. The author also explores the social implications of AI in urban settings, highlighting the potential for these technologies to bridge the gap between government entities and citizens. Through engaging case studies, Bayashot demonstrates how participatory governance models, enabled by AI apps, can promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in urban management. A significant contribution of this research is its focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of AI into smart city ecosystems. Bayashot discusses the technical, ethical, and privacy concerns associated with AI applications, advocating for a balanced approach that ensures technological advancements do not come at the expense of civil liberties. The study calls for robust regulatory frameworks to govern the use of AI in public spaces, emphasizing the need for ethical AI practices that respect privacy and promote inclusivity. Furthermore, Bayashot’s research underscores the necessity of cross-disciplinary collaboration in the development and implementation of AI technologies in urban contexts. By bringing together experts from information technology, urban planning, environmental science, and social sciences, the author argues for a holistic approach to smart city development. This interdisciplinary strategy ensures that AI applications are not only technologically sound but also socially and environmentally responsible. The paper concludes with a visionary outlook on the future of smart cities, posited on the seamless integration of AI technologies. Bayashot envisions a world where AI-powered mobile apps not only facilitate smoother urban operations but also empower citizens to actively participate in the shaping of their urban environments. This research serves as a critical call to action for policymakers, technologists, and urban planners to embrace AI as a tool for creating more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive cities. By presenting a detailed analysis of the current state of AI in urban development, coupled with practical insights and forward-looking recommendations, “The Contribution of AI-powered Mobile Apps to Smart City Ecosystems” stands as a seminal work that is poised to inspire and guide the evolution of urban landscapes worldwide. Its comprehensive exploration of the subject matter, combined with its impactful conclusions, make it a must-read for anyone involved in the field of smart city development, AI technology, or urban policy-making.展开更多
Mountain excavation and city construction(MECC)projects being launched in the Loess Plateau in China involve the creation of large-scale artificial land.Understanding the subsurface evolution characteristics of the ar...Mountain excavation and city construction(MECC)projects being launched in the Loess Plateau in China involve the creation of large-scale artificial land.Understanding the subsurface evolution characteristics of the artificial land is essential,yet challenging.Here,we use an improved fiber-optic monitoring system for its subsurface multi-physical characterization.The system enables us to gather spatiotemporal distribution of various parameters,including strata deformation,temperature,and moisture.Yan’an New District was selected as a case study to conduct refined in-situ monitoring through a 77 m-deep borehole and a 30 m-long trench.Findings reveal that the ground settlement involves both the deformation of the filling loess and the underlying intact loess.Notably,the filling loess exhibits a stronger creep capability compared to underlying intact loess.The deformation along the profile is unevenly distributed,with a positive correlation with soil moisture.Water accumulation has been observed at the interface between the filling loess and the underlying intact loess,leading to a significant deformation.Moreover,the temperature and moisture in the filling loess have reached a new equilibrium state,with their depths influenced by atmospheric conditions measuring at 31 m and 26 m,respectively.The refined investigation allows us to identify critical layers that matter the sustainable development of newly created urban areas,and provide improved insights into the evolution mechanisms of land creation.展开更多
Under the influence of anthropogenic and climate change,the problems caused by urban heat island(UHI)has become increasingly prominent.In order to promote urban sustainable development and improve the quality of human...Under the influence of anthropogenic and climate change,the problems caused by urban heat island(UHI)has become increasingly prominent.In order to promote urban sustainable development and improve the quality of human settlements,it is significant for exploring the evolution characteristics of urban thermal environment and analyzing its driving forces.Taking the Landsat series images as the basic data sources,the winter land surface temperature(LST)of the rapid urbanization area of Fuzhou City in China was quantitatively retrieved from 2001 to 2021.Combing comprehensively the standard deviation ellipse model,profile analysis and GeoDetector model,the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the winter urban thermal environment were systematically analyzed.The results showed that the winter LST presented an increasing trend in the study area during 2001–2021,and the winter LST of the central urban regions was significantly higher than the suburbs.There was a strong UHI effect from 2001 to 2021with an expansion trend from the central urban regions to the suburbs and coastal areas in space scale.The LST of green lands and wetlands are significantly lower than croplands,artificial surface and unvegetated lands.Vegetation and water bodies had a significant mitigation effect on UHI,especially in the micro-scale.The winter UHI had been jointly driven by the underlying surface and socio-economic factors in a nonlinear or two-factor interactive enhancement mode,and socio-economic factors had played a leading role.This research could provide data support and decision-making references for rationally planning urban layout and promoting sustainable urban development.展开更多
Mainstream media play a crucial role in constructing the cultural memory of a city.This study used 319 short videos released by“Hi Chengdu,”a new media product of Chengdu Radio and Television,as samples.Based on the...Mainstream media play a crucial role in constructing the cultural memory of a city.This study used 319 short videos released by“Hi Chengdu,”a new media product of Chengdu Radio and Television,as samples.Based on the grounded theory,a research framework encompassing“content,technology,and discourse”was established to explore the paths through which mainstream media construct the cultural memory.Regarding content,this paper emphasized temporal and spatial contexts and urban spaces,delving deep into the themes of the cultural memory and vehicles for it.In terms of technology,this paper discussed the practice of leveraging audio/visual-mode discourse to stitch together the impressions of a city and evoke emotional resonance to create a“flow”of memory.As for discourse,this paper looked at the performance of a communication ritual to frame concepts and shape urban identity.It is essential to break free from conventional thinking and leverage local culture as the primary driving force to further boost a city’s productivity,in order to excel in cultural communication.展开更多
City cluster is an effective platform for encouraging regionally coordinated development.Coordinated reduction of carbon emissions within city cluster via the spatial association network between cities can help coordi...City cluster is an effective platform for encouraging regionally coordinated development.Coordinated reduction of carbon emissions within city cluster via the spatial association network between cities can help coordinate the regional carbon emission management,realize sustainable development,and assist China in achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.This paper applies the improved gravity model and social network analysis(SNA)to the study of spatial correlation of carbon emissions in city clusters and analyzes the structural characteristics of the spatial correlation network of carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta(YRD)city cluster in China and its influencing factors.The results demonstrate that:1)the spatial association of carbon emissions in the YRD city cluster exhibits a typical and complex multi-threaded network structure.The network association number and density show an upward trend,indicating closer spatial association between cities,but their values remain generally low.Meanwhile,the network hierarchy and network efficiency show a downward trend but remain high.2)The spatial association network of carbon emissions in the YRD city cluster shows an obvious‘core-edge’distribution pattern.The network is centered around Shanghai,Suzhou and Wuxi,all of which play the role of‘bridges’,while cities such as Zhoushan,Ma'anshan,Tongling and other cities characterized by the remote location,single transportation mode or lower economic level are positioned at the edge of the network.3)Geographic proximity,varying levels of economic development,different industrial structures,degrees of urbanization,levels of technological innovation,energy intensities and environmental regulation are important influencing factors on the spatial association of within the YRD city cluster.Finally,policy implications are provided from four aspects:government macro-control and market mechanism guidance,structural characteristics of the‘core-edge’network,reconfiguration and optimization of the spatial layout of the YRD city cluster,and the application of advanced technologies.展开更多
The context of recognizing handwritten city names,this research addresses the challenges posed by the manual inscription of Bangladeshi city names in the Bangla script.In today’s technology-driven era,where precise t...The context of recognizing handwritten city names,this research addresses the challenges posed by the manual inscription of Bangladeshi city names in the Bangla script.In today’s technology-driven era,where precise tools for reading handwritten text are essential,this study focuses on leveraging deep learning to understand the intricacies of Bangla handwriting.The existing dearth of dedicated datasets has impeded the progress of Bangla handwritten city name recognition systems,particularly in critical areas such as postal automation and document processing.Notably,no prior research has specifically targeted the unique needs of Bangla handwritten city name recognition.To bridge this gap,the study collects real-world images from diverse sources to construct a comprehensive dataset for Bangla Hand Written City name recognition.The emphasis on practical data for system training enhances accuracy.The research further conducts a comparative analysis,pitting state-of-the-art(SOTA)deep learning models,including EfficientNetB0,VGG16,ResNet50,DenseNet201,InceptionV3,and Xception,against a custom Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)model named“Our CNN.”The results showcase the superior performance of“Our CNN,”with a test accuracy of 99.97% and an outstanding F1 score of 99.95%.These metrics underscore its potential for automating city name recognition,particularly in postal services.The study concludes by highlighting the significance of meticulous dataset curation and the promising outlook for custom CNN architectures.It encourages future research avenues,including dataset expansion,algorithm refinement,exploration of recurrent neural networks and attention mechanisms,real-world deployment of models,and extension to other regional languages and scripts.These recommendations offer exciting possibilities for advancing the field of handwritten recognition technology and hold practical implications for enhancing global postal services.展开更多
基金supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University under research grant number(R.G.P.2/93/45).
文摘Thedeployment of the Internet of Things(IoT)with smart sensors has facilitated the emergence of fog computing as an important technology for delivering services to smart environments such as campuses,smart cities,and smart transportation systems.Fog computing tackles a range of challenges,including processing,storage,bandwidth,latency,and reliability,by locally distributing secure information through end nodes.Consisting of endpoints,fog nodes,and back-end cloud infrastructure,it provides advanced capabilities beyond traditional cloud computing.In smart environments,particularly within smart city transportation systems,the abundance of devices and nodes poses significant challenges related to power consumption and system reliability.To address the challenges of latency,energy consumption,and fault tolerance in these environments,this paper proposes a latency-aware,faulttolerant framework for resource scheduling and data management,referred to as the FORD framework,for smart cities in fog environments.This framework is designed to meet the demands of time-sensitive applications,such as those in smart transportation systems.The FORD framework incorporates latency-aware resource scheduling to optimize task execution in smart city environments,leveraging resources from both fog and cloud environments.Through simulation-based executions,tasks are allocated to the nearest available nodes with minimum latency.In the event of execution failure,a fault-tolerantmechanism is employed to ensure the successful completion of tasks.Upon successful execution,data is efficiently stored in the cloud data center,ensuring data integrity and reliability within the smart city ecosystem.
文摘The entomofauna in the Republic of Congo is very little known. Studies carried out in natural forests are few. It is in this context that this inventory of entomofauna was carried out from April to July 2022 in the Scientific City Forest. The general objective is to contribute to the knowledge of the trapping, mowing and sight hunting;the three types of traps used are: Barber pots, colored plates and aerial traps. This study made it possible to invent 1523 specimens belonging to 106 species, 99 genera, 59 families and 12 orders. The order Diptera is the most abundant and richest in species (47% and 26%). This order is followed by Hymenoptera (23% and 23%). Formicidae (14%) and Calliphoridae (13%) are the most abundant families. The Formicidae family presents the greatest species richness (7%), Calliphora sp and Polyrhachis cyaniventris present the highest specific relative abundance of the entire collection. These preliminary results of the entomofauna of Scientific City constitute a database. However, this study must be continued and extended to other areas of Brazzaville, using other capture techniques and taking into account the seasons.
基金funding received from UNESCO-SIDA Project as well as Professor Martine Leermakers and Professor Willy Baeyens for their financial help to analyze the water samples in their laboratory at VUB.Acknowledgements
文摘Groundwater and surface water contamination by PTE(Potentially Toxic Elements)was assessed in Ruashi and Annexe municipalities of Lubumbashi city.Analyses of seventy water samples collected from six drilled wells,eight spade-sunk wells,one river and one spring in both municipalities in 2017 and 2018 were carried out by ICP-SF-MS(Inductively Coupled Plasma-Sector Field Mass Spectrometry).Twenty PTEs including aluminum,arsenic,barium,bismuth,cadmium,cesium,chromium,cobalt,copper,iron,lead,manganese,molybdenum,nickel,strontium,thallium,tungsten,uranium,vanadium and zinc were detected at various concentrations in each one of the samples.Many samples had concentrations and mean concentrations of PTEs,such as aluminum,cadmium,copper,iron,lead,manganese,nickel and zinc,higher than the respective acceptable limits set for drinking water by the EU(European Union),the USEPA(United States Environmental Protection Agency),and the WHO(World Health Organization)standards.Most PTEs being deleterious to human health even at very low concentrations,people who use the groundwater and surface water to meet their water needs in both Ruashi and Annexe municipalities are at risk.
文摘Despite the global attention towards pollution,it remains a significant global threat and challenge for both developed and developing countries.Urbanization and economic development influence different types of pollution.Visual pollution is considered a new phenomenon referring to the impact of existing and growing mainstream pollution which impairs an individual’s ability to enjoy visits or views.Recently,Jordanian cities have expanded in response to urbanization and ongoing development.Irbid City has the second largest population in Jordan after the capital Amman City highest population density in Jordan.In the modern era,Irbid City dramatically increased in population and dimension.The growth of the demographic population has been significant and has led to overpopulation,rapid urbanization,and unresolved problems associated with spatial planning and infrastructures leading to different types of pollution including visual pollution.The study area focuses on the city center with the most crowded population through field visits and actual observations.The study technique is descriptive and analytical,with a focus on meticulous monitoring and a follow-up-based questionnaire which is a tool for the study,involving data collection,classification,presentation,analysis,interpretation,and exploration to identify new facts and generalizations that can help solve current issues of visual pollution.The study provides recommendations for Irbid Municipal to eliminate visual pollution,in parallel with stricter supervision from the municipality during the building process to ensure proper implementation of the new rules,adopting an integrated policy for the city with the rest of the social,political,sensory,cultural,economic,and functional aspects,so that this policy is in the short and long term.
文摘The Knowledge Economic City (KEC) of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah is one of the major projects and represents the cornerstone for the new development activities for Al Madinah. The study area contains different geological units dominated by basalt and overlain by surface deposits. The surface soils vary in thickness and can be classified into well-graded SAND with silt and gravel (SW-SM), silty SAND with gravel (SM), silty GRAVEL with sand (GM), and sandy SILTY clay (CL-ML). The subsurface soil obtained from the drilled boreholes can be classified into poorly graded GRAVEL (GP), well-graded GRAVEL with sand (GW), poorly graded GRAVEL with silt (GP-GM), silty CLAYEY gravel with sand (GC-GM), silty SAND with gravel (SM), silt with SAND (ML), and silty CLAY with sand (CL-ML), sandy lean CLAY (CL), and lean CLAY (CL). The relative density of the deposit and the different gravel sizes intercalated with the soil influenced the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) values. The SPT N values are high and approach refusal even at shallow depths. The shallow refusal depth (0.10 to 0.90 m) of the Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT) was observed. Generally, the soil can be described as inactive with low plasticity and dense to very dense consistency. The basalt of the KEC site is characterized by slightly (W2) to highly (W4) weathering, their strength ranges from moderate (S4) to very strong (S2), and the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) ranges from very poor (R5) to excellent (R1). The engineering geological map of the KEC characterized the geoengineering properties of the soil and rock materials and classified them into many zones. The high sulphate (SO42−) and chloride (Cl−) contents in groundwater call for protective measures for foundation concrete. The current study revealed that geohazard(s) mitigation measures concerning floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes should be considered.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDA26050301-02)。
文摘The global rise in animal protein consumption has significantly amplified the demand for fodder.A comprehensive understanding of the diversity and characteristics of existing fodder resources is essential for balanced nutritional fodder production.This study investigates the diversity and composition of fodder plants and identifies key species for cattle in Zhaotong City,Yunnan,China,while documenting indigenous knowledge on their usage and selection criteria.Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 19 villages across seven townships with 140 informants.Data were collected through semi-structured interviews,free listing,and participatory observation,and analyzed using Relative Frequency Citation.A total of 125 taxa(including 106 wild and 19 cultivated)were reported.The most cited family is Poaceae(27 taxa,21.43%),followed by Asteraceae(17 taxa,13.49%),Fabaceae(14 taxa,11.11%),Polygonaceae(9 taxa,7.14%)and Lamiaceae(4 taxa,3.17%).The whole plant(66.04%)and herbaceous plants(84.80%)were the most used parts and life forms.The most cited species were Zea mays,Brassica rapa,Solanum tuberosum,Eragrostis nigra,and Artemisia dubia.Usage of diverse fodder resources reflects local wisdom in managing resource availability and achieving balanced nutrition while coping with environmental and climatic risks.Preferences for certain taxonomic groups are due to their quality as premier fodder resources.To promote integrated crop-livestock farming,we suggest further research into highly preferred fodder species,focusing on nutritional assessment,digestibility,meat quality impacts,and potential as antibiotic alternatives.Establishing germplasm and gene banks for fodder resources is also recommended.
文摘Under the guidance of national policies,the“coal to gas”project has become one of the important measures to promote the transformation of energy structure in China.Foshan,an important industrial town in Guangdong province,the implementation of the“coal to gas”policy has demonstrated significance for the optimization of the national energy structure.Through the analysis of the change in Foshan’s energy consumption structure and the implementation of the policy,this paper found that there were some challenges in the policy implementation process,such as high economic cost,lagging infrastructure,low social acceptance,and lack of technical personnel.To address this,suggestions are put forward,including increasing financial subsidies,improving laws and regulations,promoting technological innovation,and encouraging social inclusion policies.These recommendations aim to provide guidance and reference for the remaining“coal to gas”projects and the development of clean energy.
基金Supported by the Special Study on Mineral Resources Planning in Changchun City(No.JM-2020-11-13594)Jilin Agricultural Geological Survey Project(No.12120105111208)。
文摘In order to identify the nutrient level and environmental quality of paddy fields in Wanchang area,and to provide scientific basis and technical support for planting rice in Wanchang area, the soil geochemicalsurvey was carried out, 30 samples were collected from paddy soil in Wanchang area, and 20 elements(indicators) were analyzed. The characterization of the elemental content of soils in the study area was carriedout, and the geochemical level for soil nutrients, the geochemical level for the soil environment, and thecomprehensive geochemical level of soil quality were evaluated. The results showed that the average valuesof K content and pH of the soil in the study area were smaller than the background values of Jilin Province,and the average values of 18 elements including N, P, Ca, S, Pb, Zn etc. were bigger than the backgroundvalues of Jilin Province. The results of the evaluation of soil single element nutrient in the study area showedthat the available state nutrient levels of Mn, Zn, Cu, and K increased compared with the total amounts ofnutrients level, with Cu increasing the most;the available state nutrient level of N, P, B, and Mo decreasedcompared with the total amounts of nutrients level, with Mo decreasing the most. The comprehensive levelof soil nutrients geochemistry in paddy fields was mainly Level III (medium), accounting for 53.33%, andthe low abundance level was caused by the lack of P element;the comprehensive level of soil environmentalgeochemistry was mainly Level I (clean), accounting for 96.67%, with only slight pollution caused byCd. The comprehensive geochemical level of soil quality was mainly Level II, accounting for 66.67%.Suggestions were put forward for the rational utilization of soil resources in paddy fields in the study area.
文摘This study investigated the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of ecosystem service value(ESV)alongside its driving influencing factors,thereby offering valuable theoretical insights for the sustainable development of Jingzhou City,Hubei Province.Based on the land use data for Jingzhou City from 2000 to 2020,this study quantified the value of the ecological environment using the equivalent factor method.Furthermore,it analyzed and elucidated the spatio-temporal heterogeneity and driving mechanisms of ecosystem services in Jingzhou City.The results indicated that between 2000 and 2020,cultivated land(66.40%)and water area(18.82%)were the predominant land use types in Jingzhou City.The areas of water area and construction land exhibited a growth trend during this period.Construction land had the highest rate of land use change,followed by water area and cultivated land.Land use transitions primarily occurred between cultivated land and water area,as well as between cultivated land and construction land.The total value of ecosystem services in Jingzhou City increased by 165.07%from 2000 to 2020.ESV exhibited an upward trend from 2000 to 2015,followed by a gradual decline from 2015 to 2020.The ranking of individual ecosystem services,in descending order,was as follows:regulation services,supporting services,provisioning services,and cultural services.High-value ESV areas were predominantly situated in the water area of Lake Honghu,while low-value regions were mainly found in the cultivated land in the central and western parts of Jingzhou City.The spatial differentiation of ESV in Jingzhzou City was influenced by both natural and socio-economic factors,with natural factors exerting a more significant impact than socioeconomic factors.Specifically,the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)was the dominant environmental factor,while GDP plays a synergistic role.
文摘In the groundbreaking study “The Contribution of AI-powered Mobile Apps to Smart City Ecosystems,” authored by Zaki Ali Bayashot, the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in urban development is meticulously examined. This comprehensive research delineates the multifaceted ways in which AI-powered mobile applications can significantly enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and livability of urban environments, marking a pivotal step towards the realization of smart cities globally. Bayashot meticulously outlines the critical areas where AI-powered apps offer unprecedented advantages, including urban mobility, public safety, energy management, and environmental monitoring. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, these applications not only streamline city operations but also foster a more sustainable interaction between city dwellers and their environment. The paper emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in urban planning, showcasing how AI analytics can predict and mitigate traffic congestion, optimize energy consumption, and enhance emergency response strategies. The author also explores the social implications of AI in urban settings, highlighting the potential for these technologies to bridge the gap between government entities and citizens. Through engaging case studies, Bayashot demonstrates how participatory governance models, enabled by AI apps, can promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in urban management. A significant contribution of this research is its focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of AI into smart city ecosystems. Bayashot discusses the technical, ethical, and privacy concerns associated with AI applications, advocating for a balanced approach that ensures technological advancements do not come at the expense of civil liberties. The study calls for robust regulatory frameworks to govern the use of AI in public spaces, emphasizing the need for ethical AI practices that respect privacy and promote inclusivity. Furthermore, Bayashot’s research underscores the necessity of cross-disciplinary collaboration in the development and implementation of AI technologies in urban contexts. By bringing together experts from information technology, urban planning, environmental science, and social sciences, the author argues for a holistic approach to smart city development. This interdisciplinary strategy ensures that AI applications are not only technologically sound but also socially and environmentally responsible. The paper concludes with a visionary outlook on the future of smart cities, posited on the seamless integration of AI technologies. Bayashot envisions a world where AI-powered mobile apps not only facilitate smoother urban operations but also empower citizens to actively participate in the shaping of their urban environments. This research serves as a critical call to action for policymakers, technologists, and urban planners to embrace AI as a tool for creating more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive cities. By presenting a detailed analysis of the current state of AI in urban development, coupled with practical insights and forward-looking recommendations, “The Contribution of AI-powered Mobile Apps to Smart City Ecosystems” stands as a seminal work that is poised to inspire and guide the evolution of urban landscapes worldwide. Its comprehensive exploration of the subject matter, combined with its impactful conclusions, make it a must-read for anyone involved in the field of smart city development, AI technology, or urban policy-making.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.4203070 and 41977217)the Key Research&Development Program of Shaanxi Province(Grant No.2020ZDLSF06-03).
文摘Mountain excavation and city construction(MECC)projects being launched in the Loess Plateau in China involve the creation of large-scale artificial land.Understanding the subsurface evolution characteristics of the artificial land is essential,yet challenging.Here,we use an improved fiber-optic monitoring system for its subsurface multi-physical characterization.The system enables us to gather spatiotemporal distribution of various parameters,including strata deformation,temperature,and moisture.Yan’an New District was selected as a case study to conduct refined in-situ monitoring through a 77 m-deep borehole and a 30 m-long trench.Findings reveal that the ground settlement involves both the deformation of the filling loess and the underlying intact loess.Notably,the filling loess exhibits a stronger creep capability compared to underlying intact loess.The deformation along the profile is unevenly distributed,with a positive correlation with soil moisture.Water accumulation has been observed at the interface between the filling loess and the underlying intact loess,leading to a significant deformation.Moreover,the temperature and moisture in the filling loess have reached a new equilibrium state,with their depths influenced by atmospheric conditions measuring at 31 m and 26 m,respectively.The refined investigation allows us to identify critical layers that matter the sustainable development of newly created urban areas,and provide improved insights into the evolution mechanisms of land creation.
基金Under the auspices of the Social Science and Humanity on Young Fund of the Ministry of Education of China(No.21YJCZH100)the Scientific Research Project on Outstanding Young of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(No.XJQ201920)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Innovation Special Fund Project of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(No.CXZX2021032)the Forestry Peak Discipline Construction Project of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(No.72202200205)。
文摘Under the influence of anthropogenic and climate change,the problems caused by urban heat island(UHI)has become increasingly prominent.In order to promote urban sustainable development and improve the quality of human settlements,it is significant for exploring the evolution characteristics of urban thermal environment and analyzing its driving forces.Taking the Landsat series images as the basic data sources,the winter land surface temperature(LST)of the rapid urbanization area of Fuzhou City in China was quantitatively retrieved from 2001 to 2021.Combing comprehensively the standard deviation ellipse model,profile analysis and GeoDetector model,the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the winter urban thermal environment were systematically analyzed.The results showed that the winter LST presented an increasing trend in the study area during 2001–2021,and the winter LST of the central urban regions was significantly higher than the suburbs.There was a strong UHI effect from 2001 to 2021with an expansion trend from the central urban regions to the suburbs and coastal areas in space scale.The LST of green lands and wetlands are significantly lower than croplands,artificial surface and unvegetated lands.Vegetation and water bodies had a significant mitigation effect on UHI,especially in the micro-scale.The winter UHI had been jointly driven by the underlying surface and socio-economic factors in a nonlinear or two-factor interactive enhancement mode,and socio-economic factors had played a leading role.This research could provide data support and decision-making references for rationally planning urban layout and promoting sustainable urban development.
文摘Mainstream media play a crucial role in constructing the cultural memory of a city.This study used 319 short videos released by“Hi Chengdu,”a new media product of Chengdu Radio and Television,as samples.Based on the grounded theory,a research framework encompassing“content,technology,and discourse”was established to explore the paths through which mainstream media construct the cultural memory.Regarding content,this paper emphasized temporal and spatial contexts and urban spaces,delving deep into the themes of the cultural memory and vehicles for it.In terms of technology,this paper discussed the practice of leveraging audio/visual-mode discourse to stitch together the impressions of a city and evoke emotional resonance to create a“flow”of memory.As for discourse,this paper looked at the performance of a communication ritual to frame concepts and shape urban identity.It is essential to break free from conventional thinking and leverage local culture as the primary driving force to further boost a city’s productivity,in order to excel in cultural communication.
基金Under the auspices of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.72273151)。
文摘City cluster is an effective platform for encouraging regionally coordinated development.Coordinated reduction of carbon emissions within city cluster via the spatial association network between cities can help coordinate the regional carbon emission management,realize sustainable development,and assist China in achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.This paper applies the improved gravity model and social network analysis(SNA)to the study of spatial correlation of carbon emissions in city clusters and analyzes the structural characteristics of the spatial correlation network of carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta(YRD)city cluster in China and its influencing factors.The results demonstrate that:1)the spatial association of carbon emissions in the YRD city cluster exhibits a typical and complex multi-threaded network structure.The network association number and density show an upward trend,indicating closer spatial association between cities,but their values remain generally low.Meanwhile,the network hierarchy and network efficiency show a downward trend but remain high.2)The spatial association network of carbon emissions in the YRD city cluster shows an obvious‘core-edge’distribution pattern.The network is centered around Shanghai,Suzhou and Wuxi,all of which play the role of‘bridges’,while cities such as Zhoushan,Ma'anshan,Tongling and other cities characterized by the remote location,single transportation mode or lower economic level are positioned at the edge of the network.3)Geographic proximity,varying levels of economic development,different industrial structures,degrees of urbanization,levels of technological innovation,energy intensities and environmental regulation are important influencing factors on the spatial association of within the YRD city cluster.Finally,policy implications are provided from four aspects:government macro-control and market mechanism guidance,structural characteristics of the‘core-edge’network,reconfiguration and optimization of the spatial layout of the YRD city cluster,and the application of advanced technologies.
基金MMU Postdoctoral and Research Fellow(Account:MMUI/230023.02).
文摘The context of recognizing handwritten city names,this research addresses the challenges posed by the manual inscription of Bangladeshi city names in the Bangla script.In today’s technology-driven era,where precise tools for reading handwritten text are essential,this study focuses on leveraging deep learning to understand the intricacies of Bangla handwriting.The existing dearth of dedicated datasets has impeded the progress of Bangla handwritten city name recognition systems,particularly in critical areas such as postal automation and document processing.Notably,no prior research has specifically targeted the unique needs of Bangla handwritten city name recognition.To bridge this gap,the study collects real-world images from diverse sources to construct a comprehensive dataset for Bangla Hand Written City name recognition.The emphasis on practical data for system training enhances accuracy.The research further conducts a comparative analysis,pitting state-of-the-art(SOTA)deep learning models,including EfficientNetB0,VGG16,ResNet50,DenseNet201,InceptionV3,and Xception,against a custom Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)model named“Our CNN.”The results showcase the superior performance of“Our CNN,”with a test accuracy of 99.97% and an outstanding F1 score of 99.95%.These metrics underscore its potential for automating city name recognition,particularly in postal services.The study concludes by highlighting the significance of meticulous dataset curation and the promising outlook for custom CNN architectures.It encourages future research avenues,including dataset expansion,algorithm refinement,exploration of recurrent neural networks and attention mechanisms,real-world deployment of models,and extension to other regional languages and scripts.These recommendations offer exciting possibilities for advancing the field of handwritten recognition technology and hold practical implications for enhancing global postal services.
