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The energetically most favorable chemical ordering of bimetallic nanoparticles can be characterized by combining global optimization algorithms and surrogate energy models. The latter approximate the energy of nanoalloys relying on structural descriptors, training models, and data. Here, we systematically evaluate the performance of highly data-efficient topological descriptors [Kozlov et al., Chem. Sci. 6, 3868 (2015)] for predicting the energies of metal nanoalloys with different chemical orderings. We also introduce a new descriptor based on atomic coordination types, which results in a less data-efficient and interpretable approach, but improves the general accuracy and the quantification of orderings in the inner parts of nanoparticles. The capacity of both the original and new approaches in combination with a basin hopping algorithm is illustrated by generating convex hulls of PdZn nanoalloys and predicting the resulting active surface site distribution as a function of particle composition. Finally, we show how these approaches can be combined with machine-learning adsorption models in electrocatalysis studies for a fast evaluation of the reactivity landscape of targeted nanoalloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnocentric models of disability have resulted in an ontology that rarely embraces the cultural nuances and social structures of specific countries. There have been increasing calls from scholars to expand understandings of disability beyond this hegemonic focus and develop new ways to do culturally specific and respectful inclusive work. Utilizing a novel methodological approach based on Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed", we problematized past research and the current knowledge landscape of inclusive physical education (PE) in Japan. We identified that PE teachers were constantly "Grappling with Conflict" regarding their intrinsic desire to include disabled students in PE, and the cultural, institutional demands that instructed them how to teach. We drew upon numerous holistic, cultural, and Globally Eastern philosophies of thought to interpret these findings. Through reinterpreting past research, we developed a future research agenda for improving inclusive PE in Japan to support teachers and students through cultural praxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates land use and land cover changes in the Teiči Strict Nature Reserve, Latvia, from 1982 to 2023 and models potential future changes based on four legislative scenarios extending to 2064. The research aims to assess the effectiveness of existing conservation zoning in relation to historical and projected changes in land use and land cover, addressing the ongoing debate between fixed and adaptable conservation strategies. The study employs remote sensing imagery, geographical information system data, and land use and land cover modeling methods to analyze historical changes and predict future trends. The results suggest substantial land use and land cover changes over the past four decades, including intensified urbanization, agricultural expansion, and a decline in peat bogs and forested areas. Scenario projections indicate that continued land use and land cover changes could further challenge the efficiency of current conservation strategies, with varying outcomes depending on legislative measures and climate change impacts. The study concludes that adaptive management and variable conservation zoning are necessary to address these dynamic changes and preserve the reserve's ecological integrity. The results emphasize the importance of integrating predictive modeling into conservation planning to improve flexibility and sustainability in protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate crisis seriously threatens Central European forests and their ecosystem functions. There are indications that old-growth forests are relatively resilient and efficient in micro-climatic regulation during extreme climatic conditions. This study evaluates five well-protected old beech forests in Germany, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We examined temperature dynamics and vitality in core, buffer, and border zones during hot days from 2017 to 2023, using Landsat 8 and 9 imageries to assess Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), alongside on-site Air Temperature (AT) measurements. Our findings reveal that all five forests were impacted by recent extreme heat events, with core zones remaining cooler and more vital, followed by buffer zones. Temperature-regulating patterns varied with landscape characteristics and the surrounding matrixes. We observed a site-dependent cooling effect of the forest interior that increased with higher LST. Our study highlights the value of old-growth forests and recommends increasing effective protection around mature forests, establishing corridors between isolated patches, and creating mosaics in managed landscapes that include unmanaged areas capable of developing into old-growth ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One possible solution for regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being in deforested and degraded landscapes is Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR). Togo has set a goal to restore 1.4 million hectares of lands by 2030. Despite the national commitment to FLR, no significant progress has been made and drivers that impact FLR adoption remain poorly understood. Thus, it is crucial to enhance knowledge on drivers influencing the adoption of FLR to facilitate its implementation while also providing recommendations for policy and practice. Surveying 494 Togolese smallholder farmers, this study focuses on socio-economic, biophysical, geographical, and institutional aspects of FLR as well as farmers' perceptions. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression are employed to provide a model of the drivers affecting FLR in Togo. The results reveal that 43.62% of smallholder farmers adopt FLR practices in the study areas. FLR practices linked to agricultural land restoration, such as improved fallow and crop rotation system (33.40%) and agroforestry (32.19%), are the most widely adopted, followed by reforestation (13.36%), community forest creation (8.7%), commercial forest plantation (7.29%), and sacred forest enrichment (2.83%). Results also indicate that smallholder farmers in cooperatives and involved in restoration activities have a higher awareness of the importance of restoration and willingness to adopt practices. Similar observations are made for farmers living in a zone with high exposure to FLR activities. Secure property rights also support adopting FLR practices. Further, the services of local technicians or facilitators create favorable conditions that encourage smallholders to implement FLR practices. Perception of restoration practices and need, motivation for maintaining restoration practices, and relevance for food security greatly impact smallholder farmer adoption. These results suggest that FLR practices can be increased through training and access to seedlings, supporting reforestation and community forest creation by incentivizing smallholder participation through subsidies or technical assistance, clarifying and strengthening smallholders' land rights, and deploying more local technicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species extinction rates have accelerated despite the global growth of the protected area estate, and maintaining or restoring ecological connectivity across landscapes is a major challenge in conservation. To address shortfalls in statutory protected areas, the designation of private protected areas (PPA) has been encouraged. Here we assess the level of ecological connectivity in the National System of Protected Areas in Chile (SNASPE) and measure the contribution of PPAs to the connectivity of the system, using novel indicators derived from landscape ecology. In so doing, we demonstrate how countries could report progress towards achieving connectivity among protected areas, using three complementary indicators. Our results show that while SNASPE currently has a high level of ecological connectivity, it varies substantially from region to region, with more protected and connected land needed to enhance connectivity. When PPAs are considered alongside statutory protected areas, connectivity is improved slightly, but still falls well short of meaningful levels. We therefore conclude that substantial expansion of the formal protected area network in Chile needs to happen, guided by a scientific and systematic process that enables the strategic designation of new PAs that enhance the performance of the current PA system and achieves international conservation goals. Additionally, new approaches and frameworks to recognize and manage land outside protected areas for connectivity and other ecosystem services are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address impacts of climate change and other stressors on stream ecosystems, managers must prioritize resources and locations for conservation actions to facilitate effective cross‐boundary solutions. Through a science management partnership, we co‐produced a spatially explicit landscape assessment framework for cold‐water fish habitat and riparian corridors in three large watersheds of the southwestern United States. Using literature review and stakeholder workshops, we developed indicators of vulnerability and built spatial datasets depicting areas of low to high vulnerability based on exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity for each resource. We found that, in general, vulnerability was greater for cold‐water fish habitat than for riparian corridors. The Little Colorado River and San Juan River watersheds had the highest percentages of subwatersheds with high vulnerability of cold‐water fish habitat. Conversely, the Upper Rio Grande watershed had the highest percentage with high vulnerability of riparian corridors. Assessments like ours facilitate the management of water resources at the scale of watersheds or river basins and incorporate physical characteristics, land‐use history, current management practices, and status of imperiled species into actionable management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and other sexual/gender minorities (LGBTQ+) may experience discrimination when seeking healthcare. Medical students should be trained in inclusive and affirming care for LGBTQ+ patients. This narrative literature review explores the landscape of interventions and evaluations related to LGBTQ+ health content taught in medical schools in the USA and suggests strategies for further curriculum development. Methods: PubMed, ERIC, and Education Research Complete databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles on LGBTQ+ health in medical student education in the USA published between 1 January 2011–6 February 2023. Articles were screened for eligibility and data was abstracted from all eligible articles. Data abstraction included the type of intervention or evaluation, sample population and size, and key outcomes. Results: One hundred thirty-four articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. This includes 6 (4.5%) that evaluate existing curriculum, 77 (57.5%) study the impact of curriculum components and interventions, 36 (26.9%) evaluate student knowledge and learning experiences, and 15 (11.2%) describe the development of broad learning objectives and curriculum. Eight studies identified student knowledge gaps related to gender identity and affirming care and these topics were covered in 34 curriculum interventions. Conclusion: Medical student education is important to address health disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and has been an increasingly studied topic in the USA. A variety of curriculum interventions at single institutions show promise in enhancing student knowledge and training in LGBTQ+ health. Despite this, multiple studies indicate that students report inadequate education on certain topics with limitations in their knowledge and preparedness to care for LGBTQ+ patients, particularly transgender and gender diverse patients. Additional integration of LGBTQ+ curriculum content in areas of perceived deficits could help better prepare future physicians to care for LGBTQ+ patients and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic occupancy model estimates the probabilities of occupancy, detection, extinction and colonization of individuals throughout seasons and is, thus, a useful tool for identifying whether individuals select a site to improve population phenology and fitness.We used multi‐season dynamics occupancy models to assess how abiotic factors (monthly variation, percentage of forest and edge and temperature) and biotic factors (female abundance) affect the demographic dynamics of coprophagous beetles Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas that differ in their habitat preferences in a human‐modified landscape in a cloud forest in Mexico.For both species, we captured a total of 1069 individuals with a density of 48.2 individuals per trap in forest areas and 14.8 individuals per trap in non‐forest areas. The species differed in their spatiotemporal occupancy dynamics in the landscape. Specifically, we found that monthly variation, percentage of forest cover and percentage of edge affected the models for both species. Each species showed a specific set of explanatory covariates for the model parameters, indicating that phenological and demographic regulatory mechanisms act as drivers of the spatiotemporal occupancy in a year period.We highlight the importance of considering abiotic factors (landscape characteristics) as drivers of occupancy, especially in highly heterogeneous landscapes. Such understanding is relevant to establish the effects of the landscape on the distribution and occurrence of dung beetles by determining how forest and generalist species differ in colonization and extinction patterns with respect to their phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the geomorphological point of view, urbanization changes fluvial systems more drastically than any other single human activity. Its impact on rivers is of interest as it results in serious issues concerning geomorphic instability, ecosystem service reduction, and geo-hydrological risk increase. The present study provides a quantitative and qualitative assessment of landscape changes driven by urbanization, which occurred from the mid-19th century to the present day along the lower reaches of the Bisagno and Polcevera rivers and their tributaries in the Mediterranean coastal city of Genova (NW Italy). The bankfull channel morphological adjustments, the minor hydrographic network disappearance, the land use and land cover changes, and the current physical accessibility of river margins were investigated. This work is based on collection and review of historical data, photograph interpretation, GIS analysis, and field surveys. Urbanization essentially occurred between the mid-19th century and the late 1930s. The bankfull channel of the Bisagno and Polcevera rivers experienced large narrowing associated with widespread establishment of channelization structures. The minor hydrographic network essentially disappeared underground. After the 1930s, further minor anthropogenic interventions were implemented to accommodate urban expansion and consolidate channelization works; however, the overall geomorphological setting remained unchanged. The geomorphological evolution of the Bisagno and Polcevera rivers followed three different phases associated with the urban expansion process. Nowadays, the study area is completely urbanized, the fluvial stems flowing through the valley floor are totally disconnected from their adjacent areas, the main rivers show a relevant geomorphological stability induced by anthropogenic pressures, and the accessibility of river margins for people is rather limited. The outcomes from this study represent an essential knowledge base for technicians and policymakers to plan urban development and inform effective and sustainable management measures. Moreover, they provide insights into the medium- and short-term morphological evolution of urban rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground point filtering on national-level datasets is a challenge due to the presence of multiple types of landscapes. This limitation does not simply affect to individual users, but it is in particular relevant for those national institutions in charge of providing national-level Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds. Each type of landscape is typically better filtered by different filtering algorithms or parameters; therefore, in order to get the best quality classification, the LiDAR point cloud should be divided by the landscape before running the filtering algorithms. Despite the fact that the manual segmentation and identification of the landscapes can be very time intensive, only few studies have addressed this issue. In this work, we present a multistage approach to automate the identification of the type of landscape using several metrics extracted from the LiDAR point cloud, matching the best filtering algorithms in each type of landscape. An additional contribution is presented, a parallel implementation for distributed memory systems, using Apache Spark, that can achieve up to 34 × of speedup using 12 compute nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment is a critical aspect of coping with environmental changes. The identification of values at risk — entities, attributes, and ideas that are important to a community — is a key component of a population's ability to resist or adapt to hazards. In colonial contexts, risk assessment must take into account the distinct relationality to the land of Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups and the historicized power relations. Most risk assessment frameworks ignore or oversimplify the cultural heterogeneity of human–environment relationships by using generalized value concepts. The few context-dependent frameworks that have been proposed do not account for different sociocultural groups living on the same land. We propose a spatial-based risk assessment approach inspired by the concept of riskscape, acknowledging diverse perceptions of risk and landscape among different sociocultural groups. We present a risk assessment method eliciting values for different sociocultural groups in their specific contexts using separate valuation methods, and then aggregating them into a joint geospatial interface to highlight convergent and competing interests. Illustrated with the boreal region of northwestern Quebec (Canada), we discuss how the riskscape framework balances Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives in a non-hierarchical assessment of values at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the central role of landscape connectivity in many ecological processes, evaluating and accounting for it has gained attention in both theoretical and applied ecological sciences. To address this challenge, researchers often use generic species to simplify multi‐species connectivity assessments. Yet, this approach tends to oversimplify movement behaviour, likely reducing realism and precision of connectivity model outputs. Also, the most widely used methods and theories for assessing landscape connectivity, namely circuit and network theories, have strong limitations. Finally, uncertainty or robustness estimates are rarely integrated in connectivity assessments.Here, we propose a versatile framework, which, instead of using arbitrary defined generic species, first identifies species groups based on species' environmental niches and morphological, biological, and ecological traits. Second, it combines circuit and network theories to take the best of the two methods to assess landscape connectivity for those groups, while integrating uncertainties in modelling choices. Specifically, ecological continuities (i.e. landscape elements contributing to connectivity) are calculated for these groups and used together with group dispersal capacities to derive network‐based connectivity metrics for conservation areas. We detailed our framework through a case study where we assess the connectivity of 1619 protected areas in metropolitan France for 193 vertebrate species.Our study revealed that both the protection of ecological continuities and the connectivity of protected areas for 11 mammal and 19 bird groups, respectively, were quite low, with variations among groups. Different protection types (i.e. national parks, reserves or prefectural orders) contributed unequally to the overall connectivity of group‐specific suitable habitats. Considering uncertainty propagation was crucial, as many connectivity metrics varied among repetitions.The proposed framework combines different connectivity tools to provide a more relevant and comprehensive assessment of landscape connectivity. It can be used to inform the decision‐making process for spatial planning, particularly in the context of connectivity conservation and management, or support theoretical studies to better understand the ecological role of landscape connectivity. Its flexibility allows easy application under various environmental conditions, including future scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document discusses the importance of computer-assisted screening in systematic evidence synthesis and the need for robust stopping criteria to manage the risk of missing relevant studies. It highlights the challenges in determining when to stop screening and the lack of consensus on safe stopping methods. The commentary provides recommendations for promoting, developing, and applying safe stopping criteria in machine learning-supported evidence synthesis. It emphasizes the importance of transparent and accountable search strategies and the need for guidelines to incorporate stopping rules into systematic review platforms. The document calls for further research to enhance the safety and efficiency of using machine learning in systematic reviews. [Extracted from the article]

The non-structural protein 1 (NS1), a viral toxin, is linked to serious consequences of dengue. Given its crucial role in the viral life cycle, NS1 has been a primary target for antiviral drug development. This study elucidates the mechanistic impact of specific NS1 mutations, V220D and A248V, identified by Tan and colleagues as potential inhibitors of viral replication. We developed an integrated computational framework to analyze these mutations relative to the native NS1 protein. Using conventional all-atom molecular dynamic simulations followed by site-directed in silico mutagenesis, significant alterations in protein structure were observed. Conformational ensembles over time showed average backbone deviations of 0.44 nm and 0.43 nm for V220D and A248V, respectively, compared to 0.37 nm for the wild type. Residue-wise fluctuations were higher in A248V compared to both wild type and V220D systems. Mutation-induced disruptions in the hydrogen bond network and altered protein structure graphs were also revealed. Principal component analysis and free energy landscape assessments showed the wild-type protein had a more constrained and stable conformation, whereas the mutants displayed scattered energy contours, suggesting reduced structural stability. This comprehensive assessment provides deep insight into the structural impact of NS1 mutations, informing future efforts in antiviral drug development targeting NS1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation and advancement of cultural heritage continue to present significant challenges, arising from conflicting objectives, concepts, methodologies, and limited resources. Image perception not only serves as an observational tool for cultural heritage but also as a research method to uncover deeper meanings and implications. To explore the complex dynamics of cultural heritage and address the risks of its deterioration, this study employed virtual engine software (Unity 2019) to create digital landscapes for immersive exploration. An image perception evaluation framework was established through field surveys and behavioral synthesis experiments across five key areas, including ancient tree ecosystems and architectural sites. Our findings revealed that participants showed the greatest interest in the ancient tree ecological area, indicating a strong attachment to historical continuity and natural progression. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis further demonstrated that participants experienced positive emotional responses, suggesting that well-designed cultural landscapes can enhance mental well-being and uplift mood. Additionally, participants expressed a strong willingness to discuss the ancient tree eco-region, with image perception playing a crucial role in motivating information sharing and driving conservation efforts. This study introduces an innovative model—Design Practice, Immersive Experience, and Image Perception Evaluation—which offers a new perspective for the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has significantly altered landscape environments in both urban and rural regions, and these landscapes have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in human well-being. This study develops a coherent framework that integrates landscape change, landscape ecological indicators, and landscape preferences within the context of the evolving landscape environments of rural communities in Taiwan. Four distinct types of rural communities were selected, and a quantitative methodology was employed to investigate the variations and transformations in landscape preferences among rural residents in the context of landscape change. A qualitative methodology was employed to investigate the relationship between landscape ecological indicators and landscape preferences. The study's findings indicate significant temporal variations in residents' landscape preferences, with landscape beauty, stewardship, and coherence emerging as key determinants in the evaluation of these preferences. Landscape ecological indicators were found to be significantly correlated with variables such as landscape complexity, landscape beauty, openness, naturalness, and comprehensive landscape assessment. The findings of this study indicate that design planners, land managers, and public sector organizations can employ multidimensional thinking in the management of rural landscapes to align with the visual aesthetic preferences of rural residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive examination of recent developments in both neurofeedback and brain-computer interface (BCI) within the medical field and rehabilitation. By analyzing and comparing results obtained with various tools and techniques, we aim to offer a systematic understanding of BCI applications concerning different modalities of neurofeedback and input data utilized. Our primary objective is to address the existing gap in the area of meta-reviews, which provides a more comprehensive outlook on the field, allowing for the assessment of the current landscape and developments within the scope of BCI. Our main methodologies include meta-analysis, search queries employing relevant keywords, and a network-based approach. We are dedicated to delivering an unbiased evaluation of BCI studies, elucidating the primary vectors of research development in this field. Our review encompasses a diverse range of applications, incorporating the use of brain-computer interfaces for rehabilitation and the treatment of various diagnoses, including those related to affective spectrum disorders. By encompassing a wide variety of use cases, we aim to offer a more comprehensive perspective on the utilization of neurofeedback treatments across different contexts. The structured and organized presentation of information, complemented by accompanying visualizations and diagrams, renders this review a valuable resource for scientists and researchers engaged in the domains of biofeedback and brain-computer interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological value (EV) refers to the intrinsic values of a landscape based on the assessment of five criteria: biodiversity, vulnerability, fragmentation, connectivity, and resilience. While many studies use remote sensing for EV assessment, few incorporate fieldwork data. In our research, we present a novel methodology involving field data collection to quantify each criterion. Additionally, we propose a numerical procedure to aggregate rankings and determine EV. Our study took place in a highly biodiverse neotropical cloud forest in western Mexico. Biodiversity was assessed through evenness, vulnerability by counting threatened species, fragmentation based on tree functional traits, connectivity by tree dispersal syndrome and successional behavior, and resilience from tree species' information and material legacies. To reveal similarity patterns among plots regarding the criteria and EV, we used nonmetric multidimensional scaling with permutational multivariate analysis of variance. To assess EV estimation reliability, we used altitude and azimuth as predictors through generalized additive models. The methodology unveiled that plots with the highest EV do not necessarily possess superior ecological properties (biodiversity and/or vulnerability) or structural and functional features (fragmentation, connectivity, and/or resilience), thus demonstrating the importance of including all criteria in the assessment and avoiding the use of a single criterion. Results showed that cloud forest plots with the highest EV were at an altitude of 1900–2200 m asl, facing southeast and northwest orientations. These plots were characterized by a high number of threatened species, low fragmentation, and high levels of connectivity and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban space renewal is crucial for addressing urban issues but faces challenges including funding shortages, complex planning, and resource waste. To enhance its efficacy, this study introduces a new comprehensive framework to evaluate the renewal potential of urban spatial through visual landscape perception (VLP). Based on expert evaluation of panoramic street view images, it adopts entropy-weighted comprehensive evaluation, kernel density estimation, spatial correlation, and GWR methods to depict VLP at the 500-m GIS grid level. By selecting Jinan, a city with a rich history and rapid development in China, as the study area, the findings reveal: (1) Overall VLP of Jinan is low, with considerable variation across grids, indicating pronounced urban landscape imbalances from the city center to its external areas. (2) Significant spatial clustering is observed in VLP, particularly with lower values concentrated on the outskirts of the city, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing urban renewal efforts in these areas. (3) Varied factors influence urban landscape perception across grid cities, with urban intensity and ecological space proportions impacting the center, while economic factors affect the periphery. Utilizing grid-based evaluations of urban landscape perception can enhance urban spatial renewal by pinpointing challenges, prioritizing renewal areas, and crafting tailored strategies based on influential factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the cultural importance of universities continues to grow, university museums have become key platforms for promoting university heritage and values. However, enhancing the visitor experience in these museums remains challenging. This study examines the effectiveness of smellscape in enhancing the visitor experience in university history museums, with a focus on how various scents impact visitors' emotions. Using the Fuzhou University History Museum as a case study, the museum was divided into three distinct zones: the Historical Evolution Zone (HEZ), the Contemporary Development Zone (CDZ), and the Thematic Exhibition Zone (TEZ). Specific scents were selected for each area to evaluate their emotional impact, and data were gathered using electroencephalography (EEG) indicators, emotional questionnaires, and scent pleasure scales. The results indicated that calming scents like sandalwood and agarwood, used in the HEZ, convey a sense of historical depth but may also evoke negative emotions, whereas sage enhances positive feelings. In the CDZ, rosemary and mint significantly improve emotional states, while lemongrass exhibits weaker pleasantness and appears less suited for this area. In the TEZ, scents such as patchouli and orange blossom align well with future-oriented themes, demonstrating high levels of pleasantness and emotional value. Smellwalk interviews further validated the experimental results, revealing notable differences in the emotional impact of smellscape across different exhibit zones. A thoughtful selection of scents can enhance the cultural expression of spaces and effectively regulate visitors' emotional experiences, strengthening the cultural resonance of museum environments. Future designers may consider incorporating olfactory elements into landscape design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban forest parks offer valuable spaces for walking activities that benefit both physical and mental health. However, trails in current park designs are often underutilised, and the scene layout does not fully meet the preferences of walkers. Therefore, understanding the connection between scene characteristics and walking preferences is essential. This study aimed to develop an ensemble protocol to assess the role of scene characteristics in walking preferences, using Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park as an illustrative example. A walking preference heat map was created using a combination of crowdsourced GPS data. The scene characteristics were quantified using panoramic photographs, drone orthophotos, computer vision, and deep learning techniques. Taking spatial dependence into account, the key findings include the following: (1) From an overhead view, the shortest paths, waterbody density, and recreational facility selection positively influenced walking preferences, while secondary asphalt trails had a negative effect. (2) At the eye level, aesthetically pleasing landscape elements, such as flowers and bridges, attracted more pedestrians, while closed trails were less favoured. (3) Eye-level features explained 43.5% of the variation in walking preference, with a stronger influence on walking preference compared to 22.4% for overhead features. (4) Natural elements were generally more significant than artificial ones; the feature ranking of significant impact was flowers > NACHr1000 > visual perception > water body density > bridge > SVF > retail > entertainment > asphalt. This study proposes a flexible protocol that provides urban forest park managers and planners with practical tools to create a more walker-friendly environment and more accurate trail alignment, as well as a solid empirical basis for assessing the use of urban forest parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of global climate and environmental challenges, exploring sustainable urban vegetation management and development is crucial. This study aims to investigate the design strategies of urban road green space plants under the guidance of the dual theories of carbon sequestration and cooling eco-efficiency and aesthetics. In this study, Yangling, a representative small- and medium-sized city, was selected as the study area, and road green space plants were identified as the research objects. The assimilation method was employed to ascertain the carbon sequestration and oxygen release, as well as the cooling and humidification capacities of the plants. The aesthetic quality of the plants was evaluated using the Scenic Beauty Estimation and Landscape Character Assessment. Finally, we propose design strategies for landscapes with higher aesthetic and carbon sequestration and cooling benefits. The results demonstrate a clear nonlinear positive correlation. The carbon sequestration and cooling benefits of plants and the aesthetic quality, with correlation coefficients of 0.864 and 0.922, respectively. Across the same sample points, the rankings of standardized values for carbon sequestration, cooling benefits, and aesthetic quality vary minimally. This indicates that eco-efficient plants with harmonious colors and elegant forms can boost the aesthetic appeal and ecological function in road green spaces. Furthermore, the Sophora japonica Linn., Ligustrum lucidum Ait., Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., Prunus serrulata Lindl., Prunus cerasifera Ehrhar f., Ligustrum sinense Lour., Photinia × fraseri Dress, Ligustrum × vicaryi Rehder, Sabina chinensis (L.) Ant. cv. Kaizuca, and Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker Gawl. are proved to be ecologically dominant plants. They can be employed as the principal selected species for plant design. This study summarizes applicable design strategies for three types of green spaces: avenue greenbelts, traffic separation zones, and roadside greenbelts. The nonlinear regression model developed here provides a reference for scientifically assessing and optimizing urban planting designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an evaluation of the environmental impact of forestry based on landscape theory. It has been argued that this type of forestry offers a positive impact on the climate because there is a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and the absorption of these gases within an entire forested area. However, this analysis will demonstrate that the arrangement and composition of managed forests are linked to a significant carbon debt. This debt represents the disparity between the carbon that would typically be stored in a natural forest and the actual amount of carbon stored in the managed forest. While this excess carbon remains in the atmosphere rather than being sequestered, it contributes to the greenhouse effect. Using Swedish forestry as an example, the carbon debt is estimated to be comparable in scale to the total accumulated fossil fuel emissions of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-wildlife interactions can range from reverence to extreme conflict. Conservationists have come to the realization that humans and wildlife have always coexisted together in shared landscapes across the globe. Thus, understanding and acting upon the prospects of human-wildlife coexistence (HWCo) is now a crucial component of biodiversity conservation to sustain it. HWCo is a state where humans and wildlife share spaces by exposing each other to tolerable levels of risks and disadvantages. HWCo transpires as a result of interplay between a number of perceived and behavioral factors, some of which are interdependent on one another. Through this framework, we find ways to identify these factors, which can then be used to evaluate HWCo and understand the drivers of HWCo. Therefore, the current article focuses on changing this paradigm in HWCo research. We suggest three continuums involving three crucial factors viz., space-use by wildlife, daily activity pattern of wildlife, and human attitude towards wildlife, be used to obtain a cumulative value signifying HWCo for a particular species/taxon in a shared landscape. We propose that these factors be measured simultaneously on a predefined scale, which will allow it to become relative, and will further allow cross-site comparisons. This preliminary framework is expected to enable scientists and researchers to visualize the complexity and dynamicity embedded within human-wildlife interactions through modeling. The evaluation on a continuum is especially effective when positive or negative interactions between humans and wildlife are not obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the impacts of land use and vegetation carbon sequestration under varying climate scenarios is essential for optimizing regional ecosystem services and shaping sustainable socioeconomic policies. This study presents a novel research framework that integrates a system dynamics (SD) model, a patch generation land use simulation (PLUS) model, and the random forest algorithm, coupled with SSP-RCP scenarios from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), to simulate future vegetation net primary production (NPP). A case study in Hubei Province, central China, demonstrates the framework's effectiveness in elucidating the interactions between land use change, climate change, topography, and vegetation conditions on carbon sequestration. The integration of SSP-RCP scenarios provides a clear understanding of how different climate conditions influence regional carbon sinks, offering valuable scientific insights for regional carbon neutrality and sustainable development policymaking. The simulation results for Hubei Province across the years 2030, 2040, 2050, and 2060, under three pathways—SSP1-1.9, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5—reveal that SSP1-1.9 leads to the highest carbon sequestration, while SSP5-8.5 results in the lowest. The annual total carbon sink ranges from 115.99 TgC to 117.59 TgC, with trends varying across scenarios, underscoring the significant impact of policy choices on local ecosystems. The findings suggest that under low-carbon emission scenarios, there is greater potential for NPP growth, making carbon neutrality goals more achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water ecosystem services (WESs) are intrinsically associated with the livelihood of urban residents and are frequently disrupted by human activities. Land use and landscape patterns are key driving factors of alterations in WESs. However, existing research primarily quantifies single-factor influences and often overlooks the interactions between these factors. This study addresses this gap by employing a multi-model coupling approach, integrating the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS), Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model, and Geographical Detector (GD) models alongside various indicators to analyse the evolution of land use, landscape patterns and WESs in the Greater Bay Area from 2000 to 2020, and to simulate spatio-temporal change patterns in different scenarios from 2030 to 2050. Additionally, this study examines the multi-factorial interactions between land use, landscape patterns, and WESs. The results indicate that (1) urbanisation steadily increased, leading to intensified landscape fragmentation, and water yield (WY) and total phosphorus (TP) consistently increased, while total nitrogen (TN) in water gradually decreased; (2) urban areas exerted the most significant impact on WY in the Greater Bay Area while Patch density (PD) had a stronger influence on WY, and Shannon's diversity index (SHDI) had the most pronounced effect on TN and TP; (3) the interaction between any two land-use types or landscape indices exerted a greater impact on WESs compared with the impact of individual factors alone. The interaction between urban areas and cropland substantially influenced WY ( q ¯ = 0.634) and most strongly affected TN and TP in water ( q ¯ = 0.74 and 0.73, respectively). SHDI and PD had the most significant impact on WY in the economic development scenario ( q ¯ = 0.19) and exhibited the greatest influence on the TN and TP levels in the ecological priority scenario ( q ¯ = 0.12 and 0.15, respectively). Our findings can provide theoretical and technical support for the integrated scientific planning of regional water ecosystems and the development of comprehensive land use policies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land ecological security (LES) is a crucial issue pertaining to the sustainability of landscapes or land systems. Nevertheless, previous studies largely neglected the impacts of landscape structure on LES. This study, taking the Yellow River Delta (YRD) as the case area, analyzed the spatiotemporal differentiation patterns of regional LES in 19 counties (cities and districts) from 2000 to 2020 through the application of landscape metrics and employed GeoSOS-FLUS to forecast the landscape structure and corresponding land ecological security in 2030 under four different scenarios to advance sustainability. The results show that, first, landscape fragmentation and irregularity are decreasing, while aggregation and connectivity are increasing. The primary landscape change involves the transition from farmland to developed areas. Second, the LES index is rising. In 2020, about 73.68% of the research units reached level IV, while most were at level III. Third, it is projected that by 2030, the LES index will rise under all scenarios, exhibiting an eastward-declining gradient in its geographic distribution, with higher values prevailing in the eastern regions and gradually tapering off towards the west. It is expected that in the business-as-usual scenario, the proportion of LES reaching level V will be the highest. This study not only reveals the impact mechanism of the landscape structure on land ecological security but also provides an important basis for formulating scientific and rational land use planning and management strategies from the perspectives of sustainable land governance and sustainable land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia, one of China's most ecologically vulnerable regions, requires careful evaluation and prediction of landscape ecological risks to improve its environment and support sustainable development. Our study built a model to assess the landscape ecological risks from 1990 to 2020 using land use data from Google Earth Engine. We examined the changes in landscape ecological risks and their driving factors through spatial autocorrelation analysis and geographic detectors. Future ecological risks from 2025 to 2040 were predicted using the multi-criteria evaluation-cellular automata-Markov model. Results revealed a declining trend in both disturbance and loss intensity across land use types, with the overall ecological risk index also decreasing. Higher risk areas were concentrated in the east and southwest, while lower risks were observed in the north and center. Temperature and precipitation are key natural factors, while the impact of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a human factor, on ecological risk is increasing and surpassed natural influences in 2015 and 2020. In the future, the highest risk areas will remain in the southwest and northeast. This study provides detailed evidence and guidance for ecological safety and sustainable development in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polder landscapes, as a representative of lowland agriculture landscapes, possess diverse natural and cultural values. However, polder landscapes are facing multiple challenges arising from economic and climate changes, including increasing flood threats and the fragmentation of landscape patterns. These issues have severely threatened the safety and regional characteristics of the polder landscape. Therefore, this study aims to preserve the regional characteristics of polder landscapes while promoting the sustainable development of lowland environments, and the objective is to provide a foundation and baseline for the management and planning of polder landscapes. In this study, the Dongting Lake Area (DLA) was selected as a representative case of polder landscapes. To identify the landscape character and delineate the landscape management zones, this study employed the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method in conjunction with a polder typology method at two scales. As a result, the polder landscape types were identified and visualized at two different scales. At the Lake Scale, a comprehensive identification method for polder unit types and polder landscape regions was established, achieving a stepwise transition from polder areas to polder clusters and ultimately to individual polder units. At the Local Scale, an integrative analysis of landscape character diversity (LCD) and land construction suitability (LCS) was employed to establish five landscape management zones for polder landscapes, thereby realizing a balance between the conservation of polder landscape diversity with the sustainable development of wetland environments. This study contributes a set of cross-scale ideas and methods for identifying landscape characters and delineating management zones in polder landscapes, which could be expanded to other lowland agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desertification poses a significant threat to dry and semi-arid regions worldwide, including Northeast Iran. This study investigates the impact of future climate and land-use changes on desertification in this region. Six remote sensing indices were selected to model desertification using four machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), and Generalized Linear Models (GLM). To enhance the model's reliability, an ensemble model was employed. Future climate and land-use scenarios were projected using the CNRM-CM6 model and Markov chain analysis, respectively. Results indicate that the RF and SVM models performed best in mapping current desertification patterns. The ensemble model highlights a 2% increase in decertified areas by 2040, primarily in the northwestern regions. The study underscores the importance of land-use change and climate change in driving desertification and emphasizes the need for sustainable land management practices and climate change adaptation strategies to mitigate future impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-mining landscapes are multifaceted, comprising multiple characteristics, more so in big metropolitan regions such as Gauteng, South Africa. This paper evaluates the efficacy of Fuzzy overlay and Random Forest classification for integrating and representing post-mining landscapes and how this influences the perception of these landscapes. To this end, this paper uses GISs, MCDA, Fuzzy overlay, and Random Forest classification models to integrate post-mining landscape characteristics derived from the literature. It assesses the results using an accuracy assessment, area statistics, and correlation analysis. The findings from this study indicate that both Fuzzy overlay and Random Forest classification are applicable for integrating multiple landscape characteristics at varying degrees. The resultant maps show some similarity in highlighting mine waste cutting across the province. However, the Fuzzy overlay map has higher accuracy and extends over a larger footprint owing to the model's use of a range of 0 to 1. This shows both areas of low and high memberships, as well as partial membership as intermediate values. This model also demonstrates strong relationships with regions characterised by landscape transformation and waste and weak relationships with areas of economic decline and inaccessibility. In contrast, the Random Forrest classification model, though also useful for classification purposes, presents a lower accuracy score and smaller footprint. Moreover, it uses discrete values and does not highlight some areas of interaction between landscape characteristics. The Fuzzy overlay model was found to be more favourable for integrating post-mining landscape characteristics in this study as it captures the nuances in the composition of this landscape. These findings highlight the importance of mapping methods such as Fuzzy overlay for an integrated representation and shaping the perception and understanding of the locality and extent of complex landscapes such as post-mining landscapes. Methods such as Fuzzy overlay can support research, planning, and decision-making by providing a nuanced representation of how multiple landscape characteristics are integrated and interact in space and how this influences public perception and policy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of the ecologically fragile areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is a matter of concern. With the implementation of the Western Development Strategy, the Lanzhou-Xining Urban Agglomeration (LXUA) has encountered conflicts and compromises between urban expansion, ecological protection, and farmland protection policies in the rapid development of the past 2 decades. These deeply affect the land use layout, making the ecological sustainable development of the ecologically fragile areas of the QTP a complex and urgent issue. Exploring the impact of different policy-led land use patterns on regional ecosystem services is of great significance for the sustainable development of ecologically fragile areas and the formulation of relevant policies. Following the logical main line of "history-present-future", the Patch-level Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model, which explores potential factors of historical land use, and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model were used to construct three future scenarios for the modernization stage in 2031 dominated by different land use policies in this study. These scenarios include the Business-as-Usual Scenario (BS), the Cropland Protection Scenario (CP), and the Ecological Protection Scenario (EP). The study analyzed and predicted land use changes in the LXUA from 2001 to 2031 and assessed carbon storage, habitat quality at different time points, and water yield in 2021. The results indicated that land use changes from 2001 to 2021 reflect the impacts and conflicts among the Western Development Strategy, ecological protection policies, and cropland preservation policies. In 2031, construction land continues to increase under all three scenarios, expanding northwards around Lanzhou, consistent with the actual "northward expansion" trend of Lanzhou City. Changes in other land uses are in line with the directions guided by land use policy. By 2031, carbon storage and habitat quality decline under all scenarios, with the highest values observed in the EP scenario, the lowest carbon storage in the BS scenario, and the lowest habitat quality in the CP scenario. Regarding water yield, the LXUA primarily relies on alpine snowmelt, with construction land overlapping high evapotranspiration areas. Based on the assessment of ecosystem services, urban expansion, delineation of ecological red lines, and improvement of cropland quality in the LXUA were proposed. These findings and recommendations can provide a scientific basis for policy makers and planning managers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes the example of industrial architectural heritage in Dalian to explore design scheme generation methods based on generative artificial intelligence (AIGC). The study compares the design effects of three different tools using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). It first establishes the key indicator weights for the renovation of industrial architectural heritage, with the criterion layer weights as follows: building renovation 0.230, environmental landscape 0.223, economic benefits 0.190, and socio-cultural value 0.356. Among the goal layer weights, the highest weight is for the improvement of living quality at 0.129, followed by resident satisfaction at 0.096, and educational and display functions at 0.088, while the lowest is for renovation costs at only 0.035. The design schemes are generated using Stable Diffusion, Mid Journey, and Adobe Firefly tools, and evaluated using a weighted scoring method. The results show that Stable Diffusion excels in overall image control, Mid Journey demonstrates strong artistic effects, while Adobe Firefly stands out in generation efficiency and ease of use. In the overall score, Stable Diffusion leads the other two tools with scores of 6.1 and 6.3, respectively. Compared to traditional design processes, these tools significantly shorten the design workflow and cycle, improving design quality and efficiency while also providing rich creative inspiration. Overall, although current generative artificial intelligence tools still have limitations in understanding human emotions and cultural differences, with continuous technological iteration, this method is expected to play a larger role in the design field, offering more innovative solutions for the renovation of industrial architectural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Urban landscape is directly perceived by residents and is a significant symbol of urbanization development. A comprehensive assessment of urban landscapes is crucial for guiding the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements. Previous studies have primarily analyzed two-dimensional landscape indicators derived from satellite remote sensing, potentially overlooking the valuable insights provided by the three-dimensional configuration of landscapes. This limitation arises from the high cost of acquiring large-area three-dimensional data and the lack of effective assessment indicators. Here, we propose four urban landscapes indicators in three dimensions (UL3D): greenness, grayness, openness, and crowding. We construct the UL3D using 4.03 million street view images from 303 major cities in China, employing a deep learning approach. We combine urban background and two-dimensional urban landscape indicators with UL3D to predict the socioeconomic profiles of cities. The results show that UL3D indicators differs from two-dimensional landscape indicators, with a low average correlation coefficient of 0.31 between them. Urban landscapes had a changing point in 2018–2019 due to new urbanization initiatives, with grayness and crowding rates slowing, while openness increased. The incorporation of UL3D indicators significantly enhances the explanatory power of the regression model for predicting socioeconomic profiles. Specifically, GDP per capita, urban population rate, built-up area per capita, and hospital count correspond to improvements of 25.0%, 19.8%, 35.5%, and 19.2%, respectively. These findings indicate that UL3D indicators have the potential to reflect the socioeconomic profiles of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractUrban expansion models (UEMs) help unfold the mechanism, future pathways, and relevant repercussions of urban landscape dynamics. Although a plethora of UEMs have been developed, the field of open-access modeling platform for urban expansion simulation still presents gaps in terms of representing urban development events, regulating multilevel urban morphologies, and reflecting underlying regularities of physical urban growth. This study develops an open-access Multiengine Urban Expansion Simulation (MUSE) platform together with software that addresses some of these limitations. MUSE employs patch-based concepts and different patch generation engines to represent urban development events of distinctive types, enabling control over spatial morphology at landscape, class and patch levels. Moreover, MUSE incorporates two general regularities on urban development waves and urban diffusion and coalescence to govern physical urban expansion processes. Experiments in two cities examine MUSE’s ability in simulating realistic urban dynamics, and a series of synthetic experiments verify the operational behavior of the patch generation engines. These experiments show that MUSE can simulate a range of urban expansion types, including infill, edge growth and leapfrog expansion, and various morphologies, such as aggregated, sprawl, fragmented and compact. MUSE can empower practitioners to better project, analyze and understand complex urbanization dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural beauty evaluation is an important branch of geography and landscape studies and has profound impact on the protection and sustainable development of World Heritage sites (WHs). However, systematic literature reviews in this field are insufficient. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed 262 relevant studies in the Web of Science and CNKI databases published since 1982, systematically reviewed the research progress in the field of natural beauty evaluation, analyzed the current main research methods, theoretical frameworks, and application practices, and explored their specific implications for the World Heritage karst sites (WHKs). The following observations were made. (1) The number of publications has been increasing year by year, reaching its peak in 2019, indicating increasing research interest in this field. (2) The research content covers five aspects: theory, evaluation indicators, methods, technology, and World Heritage value. The proportion of research on technology integration (33.94%) and evaluation methods (28.05%) is the highest, accounting for 61.99% of the total, and indicating a positive inclination toward innovation and development of research methods. (3) Methodology tends toward interdisciplinary collaboration, and evaluation methods have gradually shifted from a single qualitative description to quantitative, diversified, and interdisciplinary comprehensive evaluation. The combination of traditional and emerging technologies such as SD method, SBE method, AHP method, neuroscience, and UGC data has increased, breaking through time and space constraints and expanding data sources. (4) In future studies, the assessment of natural beauty should concentrate on aesthetic preferences across diverse cultural contexts, develop a concept of global localization, and enhance evaluators' aesthetic perception through multisensory integration. Simultaneously utilizing UGC data to balance the authority of evaluation standards and the inclusiveness of evaluation systems, developing quantifiable indicators, and improving quantitative research in analogy methods; Finally, a karst landscape aesthetic evaluation model is constructed from both global and local perspectives, providing scientific reference for the formation of a unified evaluation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lualaba Province, located in the southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), consists of five territories with varied dominant land uses: agriculture (Dilolo, Kapanga, and Musumba in the west) and mining (Mutshatsha and Lubudi in the east). The province also includes protected areas with significant governance challenges. The tropical dry forests that cover the unique Miombo woodland of Lualaba are threatened by deforestation, which poses risks to biodiversity and local livelihoods that depend on these forests for agriculture and forestry. To quantify the spatio-temporal dynamics of Lualaba's landscape, we utilized Landsat images from 1990 to 2024, supported by a Random Forest Classifier. Landscape metrics were calculated at multiple hierarchical levels: province, territory, and protected areas. A key contribution of this work is its identification of pronounced deforestation trends in the unique Miombo woodlands, where the overall woodland cover has declined dramatically from 62.9% to less than 25%. This is coupled with a marked increase in landscape fragmentation, isolation of remaining woodland patches, and a shift toward more heterogeneous land use patterns, as evidenced by the Shannon diversity index. Unlike previous research, our study distinguishes between the dynamics in agricultural territories—which are particularly vulnerable to deforestation—and those in mining areas, where Miombo forest cover remains more intact but is still under threat. This nuanced distinction between land use types offers critical insights into the differential impacts of economic activities on the landscape. Our study also uncovers significant deforestation within protected areas, underscoring the failure of current governance structures to safeguard these critical ecosystems. This comprehensive analysis offers a novel contribution to the literature by linking the spatial patterns of deforestation to both agricultural and mining pressures while simultaneously highlighting the governance challenges that exacerbate landscape transformation. Lualaba's Miombo woodlands are at a critical juncture, and without urgent, coordinated intervention from local and international stakeholders, the ecological and socio-economic foundations of the region will be irreversibly compromised. Urgent action is needed to implement land conservation policies, promote sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen Miombo woodland regulation enforcement, and actively support protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The foundation of urban landscape design optimization is the precise evaluation of the effectiveness. To address the issues of strong subjectivity, low efficiency, and poor accuracy in urban landscape design evaluation methods, an intelligent evaluation method combining improved genetic algorithm and error backpropagation neural network is proposed. First, based on Maslow's demand theory and questionnaire survey results, it selects indicators to construct an evaluation index system for urban landscape design. Second, in response to the performance defects of the error backpropagation neural network model, the moth flame algorithm is used to optimize it. Then, in response to the defect that the optimization effect of the moth flame algorithm is not ideal enough, a multiple strategy including improved genetic algorithm is adopted to optimize it. Finally, an urban landscape design evaluation model is constructed based on improved error backpropagation neural network. The experimental results show that the fitting coefficient of the model is 0.9523, with a minimum deviation of less than 1%. The above results indicate that the proposed model can effectively improve the accuracy and efficiency of urban landscape design evaluation, providing data support for urban landscape design optimization. The research on the intelligent development of urban landscape design is of reference significance and has to some extent promoted the development of urban landscape design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] Chongqing is a mega-metropolis located in the southwestern hilly region. The rising population and extensive economic development have led to rapid urban landscape ascent and expansion, resulting in a dual urban-rural and 3T) spatial structure directly influencing the landscape's configuration, functionality, and sustainability. Tt is urgent to conduct spatiotemporal dynamics, sloping characteristics, and future scenario predictions for regional ecological risk. Methods］ Based on the use of land use/cover data from 1 99() -- 2020 and SSPs-RCPs (2035 and 2050), integrate the landscape ecological risk assessment model, portray the time and space dynamics and climbing laws of landscape ecological risks in Chongqing, predict the ecological risk and the flows of 5 SSPs-RCPs in 2035 and 2050. Results］ (1) The ecological risk index in Chongqing decreased from ().1 4 in 199() to ().1 2 in 2020, indicating an overall improvement in habitat quality. Ecological risk was higher in natural landscapes (excluding forests), compared to artificial landscapes (cultivated land and built-up land), with urban landscapes showing an increasing ecological risk trend as urban-rural density decreased. Notably, grasslands exhibited an inverse ecological risk gradient. (2) The ecological risk was low in the northeast and southeast regions of Chongqing, including the Dab a and W uling Mountainous regions. Tn contrast, the southwestern region and hilly river valleys had high ecological risk. Low and moderately low-risk areas accounted for over 9()% of the entire region. (3) Approximately 89.4% of landscapes were distributed in areas with a slope of 5°, and ecological restoration efforts in ecological barrier zones with a slope of 二＞7.5° significantly reduced risks associated with steep slope erosion or rocky desertification. (4) Comparing ecological risks and spatial transition scenarios for 2035 and 2050 under different SSPs-RCPs, SSP1 demonstrated the most sustainable development pathway. The climbing and spreading of urban landscapes would lead to increased ecological risk, while effective risk reduction can be achieved through the management and restoration of the Yangtze River riparian zone, steep slope areas in the Wuling and Dalou Mountains, and mining sites. Conclusion] The landscapes of the mountainous metropolis are sustainable which requires science-practice-policy collaborative governance, planning and management of scientific landscapes, and cross-department and public collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial in the journal "Evaluation" focuses on various aspects of evaluation practice, including participatory approaches, complex program theories, stakeholder participation, and dilemmas faced by evaluators in a 'post-truth' world. The study by Esposito and colleagues examines Belgium's Freedom of Information laws using 'citizen science' within a 'collaborative governance' framework. Other articles discuss theory-based evaluation, longer-term evaluation perspectives, challenges posed by 'post-truth' tactics, and realist evaluation approaches. The editorial also explores the persistence of theory-driven evaluation approaches in the charitable sector in Australia. Additionally, a review section by Tom Aston highlights online discussions on evaluation theory, methodology, and practice. [Extracted from the article]

Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China) has a long history as a trading port and serves as a window for studying the history of Sino-Western cultural exchanges. Canton was a city built under Confucian orders, leading to significant differences (when compared to Christian cities) in urban functional zoning, layout, urban landscape, and methods for shaping spatial order. Therefore, the churches constructed by Christian missionary societies in Canton merit particular attention in missionary history research and urban planning history. Based on local gazetteers, historical maps, export paintings, Western travelogues, and archives at that time, from a cultural landscape perspective, this article compares and analyzes the spatial expansion of Christian churches and their influences on the urban landscape in Canton in two stages. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the spatial layout of the churches indicated an active integration into Canton City. After the Opium War, churches were not only used for religious purposes but also served as symbols asserting the presence of Christians and Western powers (which made the situation more complicated). Missionary societies attracted believers through the construction of public facilities, building Christian communities centered around churches, thereby competing with authorities for spatial power and influencing the urban functional system and spatial layout controlled by the authorities. Comparatively, the Roman Catholic Cathedral has profoundly changed the traditional landscape order in Canton, while the Protestant Dongshan Church interacted more closely with the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses the exponential growth in scientific research publications, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it presents. The surge in publications is attributed to factors like the expansion of the global research community and the pressure to publish in academia. While the increase in research output can lead to more knowledge and discoveries, it also poses challenges such as information overload, concerns about research quality, and the need for new approaches to research evaluation. The editorial emphasizes the importance of adapting to the evolving research landscape to ensure genuine progress and quality academic research. [Extracted from the article]

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) has been known as runoff or diffuse pollution. It is still difficult to real-time monitor and simulate NPS, due to the significantly complex influencing factors. Therefore, the assessment theory of landscape ecological risk can be expected to identify the regional pollution risk from the perspective of landscape pattern and ecological process. In this study, NPS risk assessment was established using the “ source-sink“ landscape pattern theory. The first step was to identify “source-sink“ landscape. Cultivated, residential, transportation and commercial land were identified “ source landscape", while woodland, green land, water area and wetland were identified “sink“ landscape. The second step was the landscape spatial load comparison index (LCI) correction. The output coefficient and empirical model were combined to determine the “ source-sink” landscape pollutant output/interception coefficient. Then, the slope, altitude and distance from river were selected as the pollutions migration factors to correct LCI values. The final step was to evaluate the NPS pollution risk. The risk was calculated by LCI, slope factor and cost distance. The risks were divided into three grades, according to the natural breakpoint. Taking Shenzhen River-bay Basin as an example, the risk of NPS pollution was assessed using the “ source-sink“ landscape pattern theory. The numerical and spatial correlation analysis was conducted with the field monitoring pollutant data to verify the accuracy of the improved model. The research results showed that: (1) No.7, 9, 10, 12 and 13 watersheds were the high risk of NPS in Shenzhen River-Bay watershed in the whole Buji River basin and the lower reaches of Futian River basin. The low-risk areas were except No. 1 and 6 watersheds in the north of study area and No. 16, 17 and 18 watersheds in the east of study area. The rest 8 watersheds were all medium risk areas. NPS risk level was closely related to the “source-sink” landscape area ratio and landscape spatial pollutants load index, but the topographic factor shared the little influence on the basin. The residential land and transportation land showed the largest contribution rate to NPS risk, while the forest land and water area had outstanding effect on pollutant retention. (2) Both average concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in Shenzhen River-Bay basin were fully met the IV standard level of surface water quality. The average concentration exceedance rate of TN and TP were 12.99% and 11.89%, respectively, in rainy season, and 8.61% and 9.44% in the non-rainy reason. The maximum concentrations of pollutions occurred in the rainy season. The pollutants spatial analysis showed that Shenzhen River basin pollution risk was more serious than Shenzhen Bay basin, while the downstream was than in the upstream, and the higher in the coastal area than in the non-coastal area. The pollutants monitoring data showed that the high-risk area of NPS were No.5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 watersheds. Except No.5 watershed, the high-risk watersheds were consistent between monitoring and assessment. (3) The NPS risk assessment index using the “source-sink” landscape theory shared a significant correlation with the actual monitoring risk of TN and TP, indicating a highly spatial aggregation. The NPS risk assessment index can also provide the scientific and accurate reference to assess the ecological risk of watershed in regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatially explicit models are an important component of systematic conservation planning, enabling the depiction of biodiversity metrics across landscapes and objective evaluation of candidate sites for conservation delivery. However, sites considered "best" for conservation are typically viewed from the standpoint of biological value and may not be the most effective or efficient when risk of habitat loss, cost of conservation, intended conservation treatments, and overall conservation strategy are considered. We evaluated risk of habitat loss, land cost, and landscape context for geographic areas harboring most‐dense to least‐dense population quartiles for 16 species of grassland birds in the US northern Great Plains. Differences in land cost, risk of grassland conversion, and landscape context among quartiles and species indicated that a minimum‐area strategy may be inefficient and even ineffective. Priority zones for western species were generally associated with lower agricultural land cost, more protected land, and landscape characteristics associated with intact grasslands; eastern species were generally associated with higher agricultural land cost, tillage probability, grass loss, cropland, development, forest, Conservation Reserve Program grasslands, and distance to grass. Our results indicate that addressing areas outside of population cores increases conservation options and may provide substantial benefits to portions of populations that are most vulnerable to habitat loss or other stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrated the effect of differences in the exterior of erosion control dams (ECDs) on humans. We recruited 34 university students. Participants sat 1.4 m away from the display while wearing a device for measuring heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability. They (i) took a rest while viewing a gray screen for one minute; (ii) viewed a randomly displayed image of one of the three ECDs' images for one minute; (iii) filled out questionnaires (using the semantic differential method and a profile of mood states) for five minutes; and (iv) took a rest to wash out residual sensitivity for five minutes. The process was repeated three times with three different ECD images. No significant difference was found between the participants' HRs measured before and while viewing the images of the three ECDs with different exterior materials, although the HRs were significantly reduced when viewing the wood-attached ECD compared with the concrete-exposed ECD. Participants perceived the concrete-exposed and stone-attached ECDs artificially, while they felt the wood-attached ECD naturally. In addition, the vigor score was significantly increased while total mood disturbance was significantly decreased when viewing the wood-attached ECD. However, there were no significant differences in other indicators, and participants' responses to the exteriors of the ECDs were positive overall. Our findings show that people do not physiologically and psychologically perceive ECDs negatively. Therefore, securing stability against sedimentary disasters should be a priority before using the landscape elements of an ECD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most organisms are at risk of being consumed by a predator or getting infected by a parasite at some point in their life. Theoretical constructs such as the landscape of fear (perception of risk) and nonconsumptive effects (NCEs, costly responses sans predation or infection) have been proposed to describe and quantify antipredator and antiparasite responses. How prey/host species identify and respond to these risks determines their survival, reproductive success and, ultimately, fitness. Most studies to date have focused on either predator–prey or parasite–host interactions, yet habitats and ecosystems contain both parasitic and/or predatory species that represent a complex and heterogenous mosaic of risk factors. Here, we experimentally investigated the behavioral responses of a cactophilic fruit fly, Drosophila nigrospiracula, exposed to a range of species that include parasites (ectoparasitic mite), predators (jumping spiders), as well as harmless heterospecifics (nonparasitic mites, ants, and weevils). We demonstrate that D. nigrospiracula can differentiate between threat and non‐threat species, increase erratic movements and decrease velocity in the presence of parasites, but decrease erratic movements and time spent grooming in the presence of predators. Of particular importance, flies could distinguish between parasitic female mites and nonparasitic male mites of the same species, and respond accordingly. We also show that the direction of these NCEs differs when exposed to parasitic mites (i.e., risk of infection) versus spiders (i.e., risk of predation). Given the opposing effects of predation versus infection risk on fly behavior, we discuss potential trade‐offs between parasite and predator avoidance behaviors. Our findings illustrate the complexity of risk assessment in a landscape of fear and the fine‐tuned NCEs that arise in response. Moreover, this study is the first to examine these behavioral NCEs in a terrestrial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes interpreting the narrator of Teju Cole's Every Day is for the Thief (2014) as a 'motorized returnee', exploring how his visual experiences through the windows of various modes of transportation resonate with his perception of 'returning home'. I argue that the narrator's progressive motorized lens reflects his deepening understanding of the transience of homelike landscapes and the irreversibility of his departure from home. As he navigates through different modes of transportation, the distance between him and his former hometown gradually narrows. Such progression is mirrored in the changing states of vehicle windows, moving from closed to open, and eventually, to a state where their presence is entirely neglected, depicting his transition from a detached observer's perspective to an embedded inhabitant's one. My analysis highlights that the danfo bus emerges as pivotal, both thematically and formally, during the narrator's homecoming trip, providing him with a liminal space that maintains a balance between distance and proximity, estrangement, and vulnerability to unpack his complex perceptions of the landscapes of Lagos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a thorough exploration of the key elements influencing the quality of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), examining the quality parameters at the various stages of MOOC development and the evolving landscape of quality assessment. Many MOOCs offered by prestigious universities and business schools cover among other things, business strategies, management techniques and organizational development. The paper delves into existing literature to establish a foundation for understanding MOOC quality parameters and MOOC development stages. The background section elucidates the complexities of MOOCs and highlights the need for a nuanced evaluation of quality in these educational platforms. The paper critically examines MOOC evaluation, focusing on two key aspects: the stages of MOOCs and quality dimensions. It discusses best practices, models for high-quality MOOC development, and strategies for achieving quality objectives. Exploring existing standards, frameworks, and guidelines, it offers insights into quality measures and introduces new evaluation developments. The paper concludes with discussions on the current state of MOOC quality, proposing future research avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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