Spatial and Temporal Variation and Prediction of Ecosystem Carbon Stocks in Yunnan Province Based on Land Use Change.

The function of ecosystems as carbon sinks has emerged as a key strategy for advancing the concept of "carbon neutrality" and "carbon peaking". Ecosystem carbon stocks are impacted by land use changes that alter ecosystem structure and function. We evaluated the ecosystem carbon stocks of Yunnan Province in different periods with the aid of the carbon stock module of the InVEST model, analyzed the relationship between land use type shift and ecosystem carbon stock changes, and combine them with the CA-Markov model to predict land use types in 2030. The results showed that between 1990 and 2020, changes in land use primarily affected cropland, grassland, and forested areas. The ecosystem's average carbon stock from 1990 to 2020 was 8278.97 × 106 t. The carbon stocks of cropland, grassland, and unused land decreased by 31.36 × 106 t, 32.18 × 106 t, and 4.18 × 106 t during 1990-2020, respectively, while the carbon stocks of forest land, water area, and construction land increased by 24.31 × 106 t, 7.34 × 106 t, and 22.08 × 106 t. The main cause of the increase in carbon stocks in the ecosystem in Yunnan Province throughout the process of land use type shift was the development of forest land area, whereas the main cause of the decline was the shrinkage of cropland and grassland areas.

The impact of COVID-19 on consumers' eating and purchasing habits of agricultural products in China: key determinants and policy implications.

BACKGROUND: The study looks at a changed in consumer's eating and purchasing habits during COVID-19 period. There are several modes of transmission but transmission through food as being speculated is one area that has not been confirmed through research. The study, therefore, looks at how speculations about COVID-19 spreading through food has affected consumers' eating and purchasing habits. This study through probit model analysed how consumers' eating and purchasing habits have been influenced. RESULTS: The result shows that age, gender and education have negatively influenced consumer's eating and purchasing habits during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period. The preference for imported food items, preference for frozen food, been infected or knowing someone who has been infected by the virus, and been infected through agricultural source or knowing someone who has been infected by the COVID-19 through agricultural source have negatively affected consumers' eating and purchasing habits compared to pre-pandemic period. The result, however, suggests that consumers who trust in the cold-chain food systems ability to limit the spread of the COVID-19 still maintain a positive eating and purchasing habits. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on consumer's eating and purchasing habits. Therefore, there is the need to institute proper sanitary measures, especially at cold-chain food systems to help curb the spread and also boost consumers' confidence.

The measurement of competitiveness of forest green food industry in Yunnan Province.

Improvement in living standards has led to the development and utilization of forest green foods. The study seeks to examine the foundation and potential of forest green food industry in Yunnan Province. By constructing the industrial competitive advantage model, this paper measured and analyzed the competitiveness of forest green food industry in Yunnan Province from 2016 to 2020 by using fuzzy evaluation method and AHP. The conclusions were as follows: (1) The competitiveness of forest green food industry in Yunnan Province was at a medium level with competitiveness index of 83.98. (2) The competitive advantage of forest green food industry in Yunnan Province mainly depended on key factors such as natural endowment and education level. The area is however not having comparative advantage in general factors and important factors. Therefore, there is the need to put in place measures to realise the full potential of forest green food industry in the area by providing players in the sector with requisite skills.

Examining the effect of land transfer on landlords' income in China: An application of the endogenous switching model.

The paper looks at factors that influence landlords' decision to transfer their farmlands and how farmland transfer has impacted on landlords' income. The essence of farmland transfer policy is to promote efficiency in agricultural land use. Endogenous regression model was adopted for the study because of its ability to handle the transfer decisions and impact of transfer decision on outcome simultaneously. The data were obtained from selected communities in Yunnan province, China. A total of 260 landlords were randomly selected for the study. The result shows that out-migration, off-farm income, agesq, public infrastructure and skill training influence transfer decision positively. The results further show that famine experience, access to credit, education and age negatively influence farmland transfer decision. The results show that farmland transfer leads to a significant increase in landlords' income.

How has formal institutions influenced opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship? The case of brics economies.

Using a panel data of BRICS economies, this study looks at how formal institutions have influenced various types of entrepreneurship. The study concentrated mainly on the following formal institutional factors: fiscal freedom, business freedom, property rights, financial freedom, labour freedom, and investment freedom. For the opportunity entrepreneurship, the result is not statistically significant. With the exception of business freedom, the remaining institutional factors have negative relationship with opportunity entrepreneurship. Fiscal freedom and business freedom show negative significant relationship with necessity entrepreneurship. The result also shows that business freedom has a negative significant effect on female opportunity entrepreneurship. The study further reveals that fiscal freedom, business freedom and financial freedom have a negative significant effect on men necessity entrepreneurship. Population growth has a positive effect on all categories of entrepreneurship whiles unemployment contributes negatively to all categories of entrepreneurship.

Molecular Mechanism and Health Role of Functional Ingredients in Blueberry for Chronic Disease in Human Beings.

Functional ingredients in blueberry have the best health benefits. To obtain a better understanding of the health role of blueberry in chronic disease, we conducted systematic preventive strategies for functional ingredients in blueberry, based on comprehensive databases, especially PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and CNKI for the period 2008⁻2018. Blueberry is rich in flavonoids (mainly anthocyanidins), polyphenols (procyanidin), phenolic acids, pyruvic acid, chlorogenic acid, and others, which have anticancer, anti-obesity, prevent degenerative diseases, anti-inflammation, protective properties for vision and liver, prevent heart diseases, antidiabetes, improve brain function, protective lung properties, strong bones, enhance immunity, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and improve cognitive decline. The anthocyanins and polyphenols in blueberry are major functional ingredients for preventive chronic disease. These results support findings that blueberry may be one of the best functional fruits, and further reveals the mechanisms of anthocyanins and polyphenols in the health role of blueberry for chronic disease. This paper may be used as scientific evidence for developing functional foods, nutraceuticals, and novel drugs of blueberry for preventive chronic diseases.

Therapeutic strategy for different types of epicanthus / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the reasonable therapeutic strategy for different types of epicanthus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with epicanthus were classificated according to the shape, extent and inner canthal distance and treated with different methods appropriately. Modified asymmetric Z plasty with two curve method was used in lower eyelid type epicanthus, inner canthus type epicanthus and severe upper eyelid type epicanthus. Moderate upper epicanthus underwent '-' shape method. Mild Upper epicanthus in two conditions which underwent nasal augumentation and double eyelid formation with normal inner canthal distance need no correction surgery. The other mild epicanthus underwent '-' shape method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 66 cases underwent the classification and the appropriate treatment. All wounds healed well. During 3 to 12 months follow-up period, all epicanthus were corrected completely with natural contour and unconspicuous scars. All patients were satisfied with the results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Classification of epicanthus hosed on the shape, extent and inner canthal distance and correction with appropriate methods is a reasonable therapeutic strategy.</p>