Derivation of the green vegetation fraction from TM data of three gorges area

AbstractFraction of green vegetation, fg is needed as one of regular parameters for vegetation cover analysis. The paper explores the potentials of deriving this variable from thermal mapper (TM) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data considering the leaf area index (LAI) of agricultural field. Geometric, radiometric and atmospheric correction of the images were performed before further analysis. According to the sub-pixel structure characteristic, we choose mosaic-pixel model for calculating percent vegetation cover. A new method was put forward to achieve LAI values of non-dense vegetation where soil line equation was considered. Two schemes are produced to obtain different LAI values and type-specific accuracy is evaluated using parameter defined in this paper

Pharmacological Basis for Use of Armillaria mellea

Armillaria mellea, an edible fungus, exhibits various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. However, the effects of A. mellea on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have not been systemically reported. The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of mycelium polysaccharides (AMPS) obtained from A. mellea, especially AMPSc via 70% ethanol precipitation in a L-glutamic acid- (L-Glu-) induced HT22 cell apoptosis model and an AlCl3 plus D-galactose- (D-gal-) induced AD mouse model. AMPSc significantly enhanced cell viability, suppressed nuclear apoptosis, inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, prevented caspase-3 activation, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In AD mice, AMPSc enhanced horizontal movements in an autonomic activity test, improved endurance times in a rotarod test, and decreased escape latency time in a water maze test. Furthermore, AMPSc reduced the apoptosis rate, amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, oxidative damage, and p-Tau aggregations in the AD mouse hippocampus. The central cholinergic system functions in AD mice improved after a 4-week course of AMPSc administration, as indicated by enhanced acetylcholine (Ach) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) concentrations, and reduced acetylcholine esterase (AchE) levels in serum and hypothalamus. Our findings provide experimental evidence suggesting A. mellea as a neuroprotective candidate for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases

Agriculture intensifies soil moisture decline in Northern China

Northern China is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Agricultural activities have intensified since the 1980s to provide food security to the country. However, this intensification has likely contributed to an increasing scarcity in water resources, which may in turn be endangering food security. Based on in-situ measurements of soil moisture collected in agricultural plots during 1983–2012, we find that topsoil (0–50cm) volumetric water content during the growing season has declined significantly (p < 0.01), with a trend of −0.011 to −0.015 m3 m−3 per decade. Observed discharge declines for the three large river basins are consistent with the effects of agricultural intensification, although other factors (e.g. dam constructions) likely have contributed to these trends. Practices like fertilizer application have favoured biomass growth and increased transpiration rates, thus reducing available soil water. In addition, the rapid proliferation of water-expensive crops (e.g., maize) and the expansion of the area dedicated to food production have also contributed to soil drying. Adoption of alternative agricultural practices that can meet the immediate food demand without compromising future water resources seem critical for the sustainability of the food production system

The prediction of structural fractures in coal seams of the Kuba coalfield, China: an application for coalbed methane (CBM) recovery development

The structural fracture system in a coal reservoir enables coalbed methane (CBM) percolation and migration. It plays an important role in CBM exploration and exploitation (recovery) development. Nearly vertical strata with Mesozoic bituminous coal seams in the central part of the Kuba coalfield of the Xinjiang Province in China were studied using large-scale mapping of the structural fractures on the surface, and a using a technique for comparing and analyzing sections of the underground coal mine. This investigation verified that similar structural fractures are developed in the underground coal seams as those on the surface,  , and surrounding rocks represent the same tectonic layer. Meanwhile, a corresponding relationship between the characteristics of the development of fractures - including the growth directions and degree of development of fractures in coal seams and the surrounding rocks - was established. Based on this, the research presents a new method for predicting a pattern of fractures in coal seams and the coal structure, respectively. Finally, the study area was divided into zones with dense, moderate and un-developed fractures. The method should be applicable in various coal-and-gas engineering fields,  for example the prediction of fractured zones in coal seams,  the prediction of coal structure, and for projecting the well arrangement in the exploration and development of economic recovery of CBM.</p

Systematics of g factors of 2_1^+ states in even-even nuclei from Gd to Pt: A microscopic description by the projected shell model

The systematics of g factor of first excited 2^+ state vs neutron number N is studied by the projected shell model. The study covers the even-even nuclei of all isotopic chains from Gd to Pt. g factors are calculated by using the many-body wavefunctions that reproduces well the energy levels and B(E2)'s of the ground-state bands. For Gd to W isotopes the characteristic feature of the g factor data along an isotopic chain is described by the present model. Deficiency of the model in the g factor description for the heavier Os and Pt isotopes is discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure