Urbanization and health in China, thinking at the national, local and individual levels

BACKGROUND: China has the biggest population in the world, and has been experiencing the largest migration in history, and its rapid urbanization has profound and lasting impacts on local and national public health. Under these conditions, a systems understanding on the correlation among urbanization, environmental change and public health and to devise solutions at national, local and individual levels are in urgent need. METHODS: In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of recent studies which have examined the relationship between urbanization, urban environmental changes and human health in China. Based on the review, coupled with a systems understanding, we summarize the challenges and opportunities for promoting the health and wellbeing of the whole nation at national, local, and individual levels. RESULTS: Urbanization and urban expansion result in urban environmental changes, as well as residents’ lifestyle change, which can lead independently and synergistically to human health problems. China has undergone an epidemiological transition, shifting from infectious to chronic diseases in a much shorter time frame than many other countries. Environmental risk factors, particularly air and water pollution, are a major contributing source of morbidity and mortality in China. Furthermore, aging population, food support system, and disparity of public service between the migrant worker and local residents are important contributions to China’s urban health. CONCLUSIONS: At the national level, the central government could improve current environmental policies, food safety laws, and make adjustments to the health care system and to demographic policy. At the local level, local government could incorporate healthy life considerations in urban planning procedures, make improvements to the local food supply, and enforce environmental monitoring and management. At the individual level, urban residents can be exposed to education regarding health behaviour choices while being encouraged to take responsibility for their health and to participate in environmental monitoring and management.This work was supported by National Science Foundation of China (No. 41371540, No. 41201598, No. 41201155, No. 41101551), Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KFJ-EW-STS-088), and Major Special Project-The China High-Resolution Earth Observation System

Intelligent Multi-Modal Sensing-Communication Integration: Synesthesia of Machines

In the era of sixth-generation (6G) wireless communications, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) is recognized as a promising solution to upgrade the physical system by endowing wireless communications with sensing capability. Existing ISAC is mainly oriented to static scenarios with radio-frequency (RF) sensors being the primary participants, thus lacking a comprehensive environment feature characterization and facing a severe performance bottleneck in dynamic environments. To date, extensive surveys on ISAC have been conducted but are limited to summarizing RF-based radar sensing. Currently, some research efforts have been devoted to exploring multi-modal sensing-communication integration but still lack a comprehensive review. Therefore, we generalize the concept of ISAC inspired by human synesthesia to establish a unified framework of intelligent multi-modal sensing-communication integration and provide a comprehensive review under such a framework in this paper. The so-termed Synesthesia of Machines (SoM) gives the clearest cognition of such intelligent integration and details its paradigm for the first time. We commence by justifying the necessity of the new paradigm. Subsequently, we offer a definition of SoM and zoom into the detailed paradigm, which is summarized as three operation modes. To facilitate SoM research, we overview the prerequisite of SoM research, i.e., mixed multi-modal (MMM) datasets. Then, we introduce the mapping relationships between multi-modal sensing and communications. Afterward, we cover the technological review on SoM-enhance-based and SoM-concert-based applications. To corroborate the superiority of SoM, we also present simulation results related to dual-function waveform and predictive beamforming design. Finally, we propose some potential directions to inspire future research efforts.Comment: This paper has been accepted by IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorial

Precision measurements of A1N in the deep inelastic regime

We have performed precision measurements of the double-spin virtual-photon asymmetry A1A1 on the neutron in the deep inelastic scattering regime, using an open-geometry, large-acceptance spectrometer and a longitudinally and transversely polarized 3He target. Our data cover a wide kinematic range 0.277≤x≤0.5480.277≤x≤0.548 at an average Q2Q2 value of 3.078 (GeV/c)2, doubling the available high-precision neutron data in this x range. We have combined our results with world data on proton targets to make a leading-order extraction of the ratio of polarized-to-unpolarized parton distribution functions for up quarks and for down quarks in the same kinematic range. Our data are consistent with a previous observation of anA1n zero crossing near x=0.5x=0.5. We find no evidence of a transition to a positive slope in(Δd+Δd¯)/(d+d¯) up to x=0.548x=0.548

The Impact of Salinization and Wind Erosion on the Texture of Surface Soils: An Investigation of Paired Samples from Soils with and without Salt Crust

Wind erosion removes fine soil particles and thus affects surface soil properties, but the existence of a salt crust could prevent wind erosion and protect fine soil particles. Such results referring to wind erosion affecting soil surface textural properties have been reported by many studies. However, it is still not clear whether soil properties differ between salt-crusted soils and adjacent soils without a salt crust in areas experiencing serious wind erosion. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate paired samples from salt-crusted and non-crusted surface soils at 23 sites in the Tarim River Basin. The particle size distribution, salt content and composition, and crust thickness and strength were determined. The results of the pooled t-test reveal that, compared with soils without a salt crust, the salt-crusted soils had finer particles (silt + clay), but this difference only occurred in paired soils from the same site, and the silt content showed the largest difference between the paired soils. The salt content and salt crust strength showed great variability, from 88.52 to 603 g·kg−1 and from 0.30 to 5.96 kg·cm−1, respectively, at all sites, but only a weak relationship (R2 = 0.396) between the salt content and crust strength was found, indicating that the salt content was not the only factor affecting crust strength. Our results suggest that wind erosion and salinization cause great soil texture spatial heterogeneity, especially for silt particles in the Tarim River Basin. Variation in salt crust strength can influence dust emissions and must be considered in future management

Comprehensive evaluation of coal-bearing tight sandstone reservoir logging in the Benxi Formation, east-central Ordos Basin

The tight sandstone reservoirs of the Benxi Formation are characterized by low pore and low permeability inhomogeneity, etc. It is important to conduct a comprehensive evaluation study on the characteristics and logging of the tight sandstone reservoirs of the Benxi Formation for exploration and development. The study focuses on the application of imaging logging data such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and array acoustic wave, combined with conventional logging, to carry out the characterization and comprehensive logging evaluation of coal-bearing tight sandstone reservoirs. The study shows that the rock types of tight sandstone of Benxi Formation include quartz sandstone and rock chip quartz sandstone; the porosity is mainly distributed in (1.5%~4.5%) and the permeability is mainly distributed in (0.01mD~0.3mD). The porosity was solved by NMR logging; the permeability was solved by SDR calculation model; the water content saturation was solved by Indonesian equation considering the influence of mud; and the mud content of logging curve was solved by CGR, all of which achieved good agreement with the results of assay analysis. Various methods were used to discriminate the gas content of the reservoir. The rock brittleness indices calculated using sonic imaging and lithology scanning logs are consistent with each other

Comprehensive evaluation of coal-bearing tight sandstone reservoir logging in the Benxi Formation, east-central Ordos Basin

The tight sandstone reservoirs of the Benxi Formation are characterized by low pore and low permeability inhomogeneity, etc. It is important to conduct a comprehensive evaluation study on the characteristics and logging of the tight sandstone reservoirs of the Benxi Formation for exploration and development. The study focuses on the application of imaging logging data such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and array acoustic wave, combined with conventional logging, to carry out the characterization and comprehensive logging evaluation of coal-bearing tight sandstone reservoirs. The study shows that the rock types of tight sandstone of Benxi Formation include quartz sandstone and rock chip quartz sandstone; the porosity is mainly distributed in (1.5%~4.5%) and the permeability is mainly distributed in (0.01mD~0.3mD). The porosity was solved by NMR logging; the permeability was solved by SDR calculation model; the water content saturation was solved by Indonesian equation considering the influence of mud; and the mud content of logging curve was solved by CGR, all of which achieved good agreement with the results of assay analysis. Various methods were used to discriminate the gas content of the reservoir. The rock brittleness indices calculated using sonic imaging and lithology scanning logs are consistent with each other

The Effect of Flooding on Evaporation and the Groundwater Table for a Salt-Crusted Soil

Soil salt crusts have been shown to have a strong influence on evaporation and water movement in soils, and this has attracted considerable attention. However, there is little information available on these processes during flooding. The objective of this study was to investigate the evaporation rate, variation in the groundwater table, and soil water content of salt-crusted soil flooded by five floodwater depths: 2 mm (Treatment A), 6 mm (Treatment B), 10 mm (Treatment C) 14 mm (Treatment D), and 18 mm (Treatment E). The experiments were carried out using repacked homogeneous silt loam soil columns in the laboratory. The experimental results showed that salt crust formation led to a low evaporation rate. The salt crust tended to form a dome, and some breakage occurred when the salt crust was dry. The broken crust increased the evaporation rate, indicating that the evaporation occurred below the crust. The soil moisture did not significantly change in the soil profile from 20 to 70 cm during the experimental period, which indicated that the existence of the evaporation front located in a layer very close to the surface. The evaporation rate rapidly increased when floodwater was added to the soils and returned to its previous low value after the salt crust reformed. However, before the salt crust reformed, there was a total water loss of 2.1, 4.3, 6.6, 10.1, and 13.8 mm for treatments A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, indicating that only a portion of the floodwater evaporated; another portion of the floodwater was discharged into the groundwater, causing the groundwater table to rise, although only by a small amount (6 mm). Therefore, the groundwater recharge caused by flooding should be considered. Otherwise, groundwater consumption may be overestimated

The Impact of Salinization and Wind Erosion on the Texture of Surface Soils: An Investigation of Paired Samples from Soils with and without Salt Crust

Wind erosion removes fine soil particles and thus affects surface soil properties, but the existence of a salt crust could prevent wind erosion and protect fine soil particles. Such results referring to wind erosion affecting soil surface textural properties have been reported by many studies. However, it is still not clear whether soil properties differ between salt-crusted soils and adjacent soils without a salt crust in areas experiencing serious wind erosion. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate paired samples from salt-crusted and non-crusted surface soils at 23 sites in the Tarim River Basin. The particle size distribution, salt content and composition, and crust thickness and strength were determined. The results of the pooled t-test reveal that, compared with soils without a salt crust, the salt-crusted soils had finer particles (silt + clay), but this difference only occurred in paired soils from the same site, and the silt content showed the largest difference between the paired soils. The salt content and salt crust strength showed great variability, from 88.52 to 603 g·kg−1 and from 0.30 to 5.96 kg·cm−1, respectively, at all sites, but only a weak relationship (R2 = 0.396) between the salt content and crust strength was found, indicating that the salt content was not the only factor affecting crust strength. Our results suggest that wind erosion and salinization cause great soil texture spatial heterogeneity, especially for silt particles in the Tarim River Basin. Variation in salt crust strength can influence dust emissions and must be considered in future management

Time Ring Data: Definition and Application in Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Urban Expansion and Forest Loss

Remote sensing can provide spatio-temporal continuous Earth observation data and is becoming the main data source for spatial and temporal analysis. Remote sensing data have been widely used in applications such as meteorological monitoring, forest investigation, environmental health, urban planning, and water conservancy. While long-time-series remote sensing data are used for spatio-temporal analysis, this analysis is usually limited because of the large data volumes and complex models used. This study intends to develop an innovative and simple approach to reveal the spatio-temporal characteristics of geographic features from the perspective of remote sensing data themselves. We defined an efficient remote sensing data structure, namely time ring (TR) data, to depict the spatio-temporal dynamics of two common geographic features. One is spatially expansive features. Taking nighttime light (NTL) as an example, we generated a NTL TR map to exhibit urban expansion with spatial and temporal information. The speed and acceleration maps of NTL TR data indicated extraordinary expansion in the last 10 years, especially in coastal cities and provincial capitals. Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province, Shandong Province, and Jiangsu Province exhibited fast acceleration of urbanization. The other is spatially contractive features. We took forest loss in the Amazon basin as an example and produced a forest cover TR map. The speed and acceleration were mapped in two 10-year periods (2000–2010 and 2010–2020) in order to observe the changes in Amazon forest cover. Then, combining cropland TR data, we determined the consistency of the spatio-temporal variations and used a linear regression model to detect the association between the acceleration of cropland and forest. The forest TR map showed that, spatially, there was an apparent phenomenon of forest loss occurring in the southern and eastern Amazon basin. Temporally, the speed of forest loss was more drastic between 2000 and 2010 than that in 2010–2020. In addition, the acceleration of forest loss showed a dispersed distribution, except for in Bolivia, which demonstrated a concentrated regional acceleration. The R-squared value of the linear regression between forest and cropland acceleration reached 0.75, indicating that forest loss was closely linked to the expansion of cropland. The TR data defined in this study not only optimized the use of remote sensing data, but also facilitated their application in spatio-temporal integrative analysis. More importantly, multi-field TR data could be jointly applied to explore the driving force at spatial and temporal scales

Mapping Urban Functional Zones by Integrating Very High Spatial Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery and Points of Interest: A Case Study of Xiamen, China

Fine-scale, accurate intra-urban functional zones (urban land use) are important for applications that rely on exploring urban dynamic and complexity. However, current methods of mapping functional zones in built-up areas with high spatial resolution remote sensing images are incomplete due to a lack of social attributes. To address this issue, this paper explores a novel approach to mapping urban functional zones by integrating points of interest (POIs) with social properties and very high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery with natural attributes, and classifying urban function as residence zones, transportation zones, convenience shops, shopping centers, factory zones, companies, and public service zones. First, non-built and built-up areas were classified using high spatial resolution remote sensing images. Second, the built-up areas were segmented using an object-based approach by utilizing building rooftop characteristics (reflectance and shapes). At the same time, the functional POIs of the segments were identified to determine the functional attributes of the segmented polygon. Third, the functional values—the mean priority of the functions in a road-based parcel—were calculated by functional segments and segmental weight coefficients. This method was demonstrated on Xiamen Island, China with an overall accuracy of 78.47% and with a kappa coefficient of 74.52%. The proposed approach could be easily applied in other parts of the world where social data and high spatial resolution imagery are available and improve accuracy when automatically mapping urban functional zones using remote sensing imagery. It will also potentially provide large-scale land-use information