AIM To describe the characteristics of people diagnosed with acute and chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection in British Columbia(BC).METHODS We used data from the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort(BCHTC),which includes a...AIM To describe the characteristics of people diagnosed with acute and chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection in British Columbia(BC).METHODS We used data from the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort(BCHTC),which includes all individuals tested for hepatitis C virus(HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) or those diagnosed with HBV or active tuberculosis in BC since 1990.These data were integrated with prescription drug,medical visit,hospitalization and mortality data.HBV cases were classified as acute or chronic according to provincial guidelines.We compared characteristics of individuals by HBV infection group(acute,chronic and negative).Factors associated with acute or chronic HBV infection were assessed with multinomial logistic regression models in comparison to the HBV negative group.RESULTS46498 of the 1058056 eligible BC-HTC participants were diagnosed with HBV infection.4.3% of HBV positive individuals were diagnosed with acute HBV infections while 95.7% had chronic infections.Problematic alcohol use,injection drug use,and HIV or HCV co-infection were more common among individuals diagnosed with acute HBV compared to those with chronic infections and HBV negative individuals.In multivariable multinomial logistic regression models,we observed significant associations between acute or chronic HBV diagnosis and being male,age at HBV diagnosis or birth cohort,South and East Asian ethnicity,HCV or HIV infection,and injection drug use.The odds of acute HBV decreased with increasing age among people who inject drugs,while the opposite was true for chronic HBV.Persons with acute HBV were predominantly White(78%) while those with chronic HBV were mostly East Asian(60%).Relative to Whites,East Asians had 12 times greater odds of being diagnosed with chronic HBV infection.These odds increased with increasing socioeconomic deprivation.CONCLUSION Differences in the profiles of people diagnosed with acute and chronic HBV infection necessitate differentiated screening,prevention,care and treatment programs.展开更多
Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health is vital for informing public health policy and decision-making.However,information on mental health-related healthcare service utilisa...Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health is vital for informing public health policy and decision-making.However,information on mental health-related healthcare service utilisation trends beyond the first year of the pandemic is limited.Aims We examined mental health-related healthcare service utilisation patterns and psychotropic drug dispensations in British Columbia,Canada,during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic period.Methods We conducted a retrospective population-based secondary analysis using administrative health data to capture outpatient physician visits,emergency department visits,hospital admissions and psychotropic drug dispensations.We examined time trends of mental health-related healthcare service utilisation and psychotropic drug dispensations between January to December 2019(prepandemic period)and January 2020 to December 2021(pandemic period).In addition,we calculated age-standardised rates and rate ratios to compare mental health-related healthcare service utilisation before and during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic,stratified by year,sex,age and condition.Results By late 2020,except for emergency department visits,utilisation of healthcare services recovered to prepandemic levels.Between 2019 and 2021,the monthly average rate for overall mental health-related outpatient physician visits,emergency department visits and psychotropic drug dispensations increased significantly by 24%,5%and 8%,respectively.Notable and statistically significant increases were observed among 10–14 year-olds(44%in outpatient physician visits,30%in emergency department visits,55%in hospital admissions and 35%in psychotropic drug dispensations)and 15–19 year-olds(45%in outpatient physician visits,14%in emergency department visits,18%in hospital admissions and 34%in psychotropic drug dispensations).Additionally,these increases were more prominent among females than males,with some variation for specific mental health-related conditions.Conclusions The increase in mental health-related healthcare service utilisation and psychotropic drug dispensations during the pandemic likely reflects significant societal consequences of both the pandemic and pandemic management measures.Recovery efforts in British Columbia should consider these findings,especially among the most affected subpopulations,such as adolescents.展开更多
Background: The global network of eddy-covariance(EC) flux-towers has improved the understanding of the terrestrial carbon(C) cycle, however, the network has a relatively limited spatial extent compared to forest inve...Background: The global network of eddy-covariance(EC) flux-towers has improved the understanding of the terrestrial carbon(C) cycle, however, the network has a relatively limited spatial extent compared to forest inventory data and plots. Developing methods to use inventory-based and EC flux measurements together with modeling approaches is necessary evaluate forest C dynamics across broad spatial extents.Methods: Changes in C stock change(ΔC) were computed based on repeated measurements of forest inventory plots and compared with separate measurements of cumulative net ecosystem productivity(ΣNEP) over four years(2003 – 2006) for Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii) dominated regeneration(HDF00), juvenile(HDF88and HDF90) and near-rotation(DF49) aged stands(6, 18, 20, 57 years old in 2006, respectively) in coastal British Columbia. ΔC was determined from forest inventory plot data alone, and in a hybrid approach using inventory data along with litter fall data and published decay equations to determine the change in detrital pools. These ΔC-based estimates were then compared with ΣNEP measured at an eddy-covariance flux-tower(EC-flux) and modelled by the Carbon Budget Model- Canadian Forest Sector(CBM-CFS3) using historic forest inventory and forest disturbance data.Footprint analysis was used with remote sensing, soils and topography data to evaluate how well the inventory plots represented the range of stand conditions within the area of the flux-tower footprint and to spatially scale the plot data to the area of the EC-flux and model based estimates.Results: The closest convergence among methods was for the juvenile stands while the largest divergences were for the regenerating clearcut, followed by the near-rotation stand. At the regenerating clearcut, footprint weighting of CBM-CFS3 ΣNEP increased convergence with EC flux ΣNEP, but not for ΔC. While spatial scaling and footprint weighting did not increase convergence for ΔC, they did provide confidence that the sample plots represented site conditions as measured by the EC tower.Conclusions: Methods to use inventory and EC flux measurements together with modeling approaches are necessary to understand forest C dynamics across broad spatial extents. Each approach has advantages and limitations that need to be considered for investigations at varying spatial and temporal scales.展开更多
The province of British Columbia, Canada, has established an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to protect the most suitable soil landscapes for agriculture. Increases in population and urbanization have resulted in deve...The province of British Columbia, Canada, has established an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to protect the most suitable soil landscapes for agriculture. Increases in population and urbanization have resulted in development challenges on ALR lands. The Metro Vancouver area is the most productive agricultural area in British Columbia as well as the most rapidly growing urban region. The increase in impervious areas has decreased the amount of arable land for soil-based agriculture and altered the hydrological cycle. Analysis using a combination of aerial imagery and GIS found that impervious areas comprise about 10 percent of the ALR within Metro Vancouver. Farm residences and greenhouses have the largest effect on reducing the soil surface for water infiltration. This decrease in area has negatively influenced the ecosystem heath of the region, as well as, decreasing the amount of agricultural land for soil based agriculture and both surface and groundwater dynamics.展开更多
Understanding the relationship between forest management and water use efficiency(WUE)is important for evaluating forest adaptability to climate change.However,the effects of thinning and understory removal on WUE and...Understanding the relationship between forest management and water use efficiency(WUE)is important for evaluating forest adaptability to climate change.However,the effects of thinning and understory removal on WUE and its key controlling processes are not well understood,which limits our comprehension of the physiological mechanisms of various management practices.In this study,four forest management measures(no thinning:NT;understory removal:UR;light thinning:LT;and heavy thinning:HT)were carried out in Pinus massoniana plantations in a subtropical region of China.Photosynthetic capacity and needle stable carbon isotope composition(δ^(13)C)were measured to assess instantaneous water use efficiency(WUE_(inst))and long-term water use efficiency(WUE_(i)).Multiple regression models and structural equation modelling(SEM)identified the effects of soil properties and physiological performances on WUE_(inst)and WUE_(i).The results show that WUE_(inst)values among the four treatments were insignificant.However,compared with the NT stand(35.8μmol·mol^(-1)),WUE_(i)values significantly increased to 41.7μmol·mol^(-1)in the UR,50.1μmol·mol^(-1)in the LT and 46.6μmol·mol^(-1)in HT treatments,largely explained by photosynthetic capacity and soil water content.Understory removal did not change physiological performance(needle water potential and photosynthetic capacity).Thinning increased the net photosynthetic rate(A_n)but not stomatal conductance(g_s)or predawn needle water potential(ψ_(pd)),implying that the improvement in water use efficiency for thinned stands was largely driven by radiation interception than by soil water availability.In general,thinning may be an appropriate management measure to promote P.massoniana WUE to cope with seasonal droughts under future extreme climates.展开更多
Fluorinated carbons CF_xhold the highest theoretical energy density(e.g.,2180 W h kg^(-1)when x=1)among all cathode materials of lithium primary batteries.However,the low conductivity and severe polarization limit it ...Fluorinated carbons CF_xhold the highest theoretical energy density(e.g.,2180 W h kg^(-1)when x=1)among all cathode materials of lithium primary batteries.However,the low conductivity and severe polarization limit it to achieve its theory.In this study,we design a new electrolyte,namely 1 M LiBF_(4)DMSO:DOL(1:9 vol.),achieving a high energy density in Li/CF_xprimary cells.The DMSO with a small molecular size and high donor number successfully solvates Li^(+)into a defined Li^(+)-solvation structure.Such solvated Li^(+)can intercalate into the large-spacing carbon layers and achieve an improved capacity.Consequently,when discharged to 1.0 V,the CF_(1.12)cathode demonstrates a specific capacity of 1944 m A h g^(-1)with a specific energy density of 3793 W h kg^(-1).This strategy demonstrates that designing the electrolyte is powerful in improving the electrochemical performance of CF_(x) cathode.展开更多
The unique geomorphological features and farming methods in the Mollisol region of Northeast China increase water catchment flow and aggravate the erosion of ephemeral gully(EG).Vegetation suffers from rain erosion an...The unique geomorphological features and farming methods in the Mollisol region of Northeast China increase water catchment flow and aggravate the erosion of ephemeral gully(EG).Vegetation suffers from rain erosion and damage during the growth stage,which brings serious problems to the restoration of grass in the early stage.Therefore,effects of coir geotextile and geocell on EG erosion under four confluence intensities were researched in this study.Results of the simulated water discharge erosion test showed that when the confluence strength was less than 30 L/min,geocell and coir geotextile had a good effect on controlling EG erosion,and sediment yield of geocell and coir geotextile was reduced by 25.95%–37.82%and 73.73%–88.96%,respectively.However,when confluence intensity increased to 40 L/min,protective effect of coir geotextile decreased,and sediment yield rate increased sharply by 189.03%.When confluence intensity increased to 50 L/min,the protective effect of coir geotextile was lost.On the other hand,geocell showed that the greater the flow rate,the better the protective effect.In addition,with the increase in confluence intensity,erosion pattern of coir geotextile developed from sheet erosion to intermittent fall and then to completion of main rill,and the protective effect was gradually weakened.In contrast,the protective effect of EG under geocell was gradually enhanced from the continuous rill to the intermittent rill and finally to the intermittent fall.This study shows that coir geotextile and geocell can prevent EG erosion,and the effect of geocell is better than that of coir geotextile on the surface of EG.展开更多
Background Traditional methods for monitoring mining equipment rely primarily on visual inspections,which are time-consuming,inefficient,and hazardous.This article introduces a novel approach to monitoring mission-cri...Background Traditional methods for monitoring mining equipment rely primarily on visual inspections,which are time-consuming,inefficient,and hazardous.This article introduces a novel approach to monitoring mission-critical systems and services in the mining industry by integrating virtual reality(VR)and digital twin(DT)technologies.VR-based DTs enable remote equipment monitoring,advanced analysis of machine health,enhanced visualization,and improved decision making.Methods This article presents an architecture for VR-based DT development,including the developmental stages,activities,and stakeholders involved.A case study on the condition monitoring of a conveyor belt using real-time synthetic vibration sensor data was conducted using the proposed methodology.The study demonstrated the application of the methodology in remote monitoring and identified the need for further development for implementation in active mining operations.The article also discusses interdisciplinarity,choice of tools,computational resources,time and cost,human involvement,user acceptance,frequency of inspection,multiuser environment,potential risks,and applications beyond the mining industry.Results The findings of this study provide a foundation for future research in the domain of VR-based DTs for remote equipment monitoring and a novel application area for VR in mining.展开更多
G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)represent the most substantial family of membrane receptors that are targeted by U.S.Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.Much of the preclinical research to understand the pha...G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)represent the most substantial family of membrane receptors that are targeted by U.S.Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.Much of the preclinical research to understand the pharmacology of many membrane receptors including GPCRs is derived from studies in male animal models(Karp and Reavey,2019).展开更多
Accurate cropland information is critical for agricultural planning and production,especially in foodstressed countries like China.Although widely used medium-to-high-resolution satellite-based cropland maps have been...Accurate cropland information is critical for agricultural planning and production,especially in foodstressed countries like China.Although widely used medium-to-high-resolution satellite-based cropland maps have been developed from various remotely sensed data sources over the past few decades,considerable discrepancies exist among these products both in total area and in spatial distribution of croplands,impeding further applications of these datasets.The factors influencing their inconsistency are also unknown.In this study,we evaluated the consistency and accuracy of six cropland maps widely used in China in circa 2020,including three state-of-the-art 10-m products(i.e.,Google Dynamic World,ESRI Land Cover,and ESA WorldCover)and three 30-m ones(i.e.,GLC_FCS30,GlobeLand 30,and CLCD).We also investigated the effects of landscape fragmentation,climate,and agricultural management.Validation using a ground-truth sample revealed that the 10-m-resolution WorldCover provided the highest accuracy(92.3%).These maps collectively overestimated Chinese cropland area by up to 56%.Up to 37%of the land showed spatial inconsistency among the maps,concentrated mainly in mountainous regions and attributed to the varying accuracy of cropland maps,cropland fragmentation and management practices such as irrigation.Our work shed light on the promotion of future cropland mapping efforts,especially in highly inconsistent regions.展开更多
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a well-known but uncommon chronic liver disease that is presumed to be of autoimmune etiology. Recently, investigations in British Columbia (BC), a province of Canada situated along ...Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a well-known but uncommon chronic liver disease that is presumed to be of autoimmune etiology. Recently, investigations in British Columbia (BC), a province of Canada situated along the Pacific North-West of North America, have suggested that PBC is not a rare disease amongst BC's Aboriginal (i.e. First Nations) communities. Geographically, BC is adjacent to South East Alaska, an American state that has also reported an increased prevalence of PBC amongst its Aboriginal communities. In this article, the medical evidence supporting a hypothesis of increased risk of PBC amongst BC's First Nations communities is reviewed. Evidence suggesting that autoimmune hepatitis is also more likely amongst BC's First Nations communities is also presented.展开更多
Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The pur...Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the health beliefs, health behaviors, primary care access, and perceived unmet healthcare needs of Chinese young adults.Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with eight Chinese young adults in Vancouver, Canada. Results: A content analysis revealed that these Chinese young adults experienced unmet healthcare needs, did not have a primary care provider, and did not access preventive services. Cultural factors such as strong family ties, filial piety, and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine influenced their health behaviors and healthcare access patterns. Conclusion: Chinese young adults share similar issues with other young adults in relation to not having a primary care provider and accessing preventive care but their health beliefs and practices make their needs for care unique from other young adults.展开更多
There is concern regarding the loss of ecosystem goods and services as a result of land use changes such as the expansion and intensification of agricultural activities. Assessments of these interactions require innov...There is concern regarding the loss of ecosystem goods and services as a result of land use changes such as the expansion and intensification of agricultural activities. Assessments of these interactions require innovative analyses that combine qualitative and quantitative economic analyses. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework was applied to a peri-urban region in British Columbia, Canada to assess the effects of the integration of agricultural programs and the maintenance of waterfowl habitat located on the Pacific Flyway. The Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust, a non-governmental organization, has implemented several activities to enhance ecosystem goods and services by cooperative programs among the agricultural community and wildlife interests. The successful collaborative framework has resulted in enhanced soil quality, increased biodiversity, and the maintenance of valuable agriculture and waterfowl habitat.展开更多
Food waste is a growing global concern. Data on the factors and magnitude are largely global estimates, thus local studies aid in providing information on the impacts of food waste. Three important agro-climatic zones...Food waste is a growing global concern. Data on the factors and magnitude are largely global estimates, thus local studies aid in providing information on the impacts of food waste. Three important agro-climatic zones in British Columbia and nine common crops, both annual and perennial, were selected to evaluate the environmental and nutritional implications of local food waste. Using Canadian estimates of total food waste, the constituent water, caloric content, protein, vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium wasted by each crop were estimated. Regionally, the total production and losses were the highest in the Lower Fraser Valley which had high production of potatoes and blueberries, followed by the Okanagan, with grapes and apples, and Vancouver Island, with potatoes. Virtual water was estimated by the BC Agriculture Water Calculator and used to assess the soil and climatic factors impacting the local water demand. Although soil texture seemed to influence water demand, the agro-climatic zone was the main factor controlling the water demand and the corresponding amount of water wasted. Dry agro-climatic zones had annual virtual water up to two times higher for the same crop and soil texture. Lower water demand crops, finer soils and more efficient irrigation systems were more congruent with water stress scenarios. Total losses for each region were based on conservative estimates and would have supplied the caloric energy and protein for over 40,000 adults, and vitamin C for over 300,000 adults for one year. Additionally, the total N, P and K wasted accounted for up to 32, 2 and 13 kg/ha respectively for common fertilizers used in British Columbia. This study confirmed the significance of food waste impacts on local water demand, human nutrition and soil management based on regional data for representative crops.展开更多
Strategies for managing mixed broadleaf-conifer stands in British Columbia (BC) have been under review in recent years as the benefits of mixedwood management have been recognized. More has been learned about the role...Strategies for managing mixed broadleaf-conifer stands in British Columbia (BC) have been under review in recent years as the benefits of mixedwood management have been recognized. More has been learned about the role of broadleaves in forest ecosystems however ecosystem-specific knowledge about the competitive interactions between mixed broadleaf-conifer stands is still scarce. Therefore a competitive interactions study was conducted to facilitate ecosystem-specific management for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex Loud. Var. latifolia Engelm.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in the sub-boreal spruce (SBS) zone of central BC. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with six different aspen densities replicated three times. Each replicate was sampled three times between ages 14 to 19 years. Pine diameter and height growth were influenced by aspen density. Our current quantitative findings suggest that lodgepole pine growth was not impacted when growing with aspen densities up to 2500 stems ha-1. Considering free growing (FTG) and not free growing (NFTG) pine at the time of trial establishment, an insignificant difference was found for DBH, height and crown volume responses. Leaf area index (LAI) and diffuse non-interceptance (DIFN) radiation were also not significantly different between FTG or NFTG trees suggesting our results exceed the current BC’s free growing standard. Further work is recommended to determine whether or not the current free growing standards are appropriate for producing the desired crop outcome.展开更多
Although it has been recognized that soils play a critical role in carbon storage and that coastal temperate forests have considerable potential to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC), studies related to SOC stocks an...Although it has been recognized that soils play a critical role in carbon storage and that coastal temperate forests have considerable potential to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC), studies related to SOC stocks and stability are scarce in these ecosystems. Forest disturbances may leave legacies on SOC properties and may further compromise SOC storage capacity of these ecosystems. In the Pacific Spirit Regional Park of southwestern British Columbia, we compared SOC stocks and stability among three second-growth forests that have been affected by disturbances of different magnitudes. We collected data on soil chemical and physical properties to estimate SOC content and assess SOC stability. We found that SOC stocks in the forest characterized by low magnitude disturbance were greater than those of the forest characterized by high magnitude disturbance (8.2 ± 1.3 kg·Cm<sup>-2</sup> versus 5.3 ± 0.1 kg·Cm<sup>-2</sup> to 30 cm depth). SOC was less stable in the highly disturbed forest and subsequent vegetation changes might have further reduced SOC stability. Our results provide insight into the role of disturbance history in the current SOC storage capacity of coastal temperate rainforests of British Columbia.展开更多
Aggregate extraction in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, has affected the soil water storage of the Pepin Creek watershed. Although local government has set regulations for aggregate extraction pro...Aggregate extraction in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, has affected the soil water storage of the Pepin Creek watershed. Although local government has set regulations for aggregate extraction projects to avoid negative environmental impacts, the gradual loss of soil materials and associated changes in vegetative cover has led to an alteration of the water balance within the watershed, which may affect surface or groundwater levels, and aquatic habitats. The study assessed the effects of aggregate extraction on the water storage of the Pepin Creek watershed and estimated that 25% of the surface area of the Canadian portion of the watershed has been affected by aggregate mining with an estimated loss of water storage of 10%. Evapotranspiration has decreased as a result of the removal of the vegetative cover. Precipitation has remained relatively constant over the study period but the annual discharge measured at Pepin Creek has decreased. Recommendations for enhancing environmental monitoring to better measure and understand ecological functions of the watershed during aggregate extraction are provided.展开更多
The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work consid...The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.展开更多
According to the definition, seismology is a science that studies the processes and causes of seismic phenomena and the structure of the Earth, i.e. a scientific discipline that studies the movement of blocks of rocks...According to the definition, seismology is a science that studies the processes and causes of seismic phenomena and the structure of the Earth, i.e. a scientific discipline that studies the movement of blocks of rocks of the Earth’s crust and mantle and related phenomena. Seismology conducts research in the following areas and is designed to scientifically explain two main issues: 1) Study of the nature of seismic phenomena and the internal structure of the Earth. Why, how and where do seismic impacts occur? 2) Protecting humanity from the catastrophic consequences of seismic events. Is it possible to predict seismic impacts? Like any other scientific discipline, seismology is obliged to follow the laws of science and its fundamental principles. This article is devoted to the description of violations of the fundamental laws of science committed by seismologists in the study of seismic processes and raises the question of compliance of the stated research directions with the current level of development of sciences. Answering point No. 1, regarding the structure of the Earth, it is possible to recognize some successes of seismology, which nevertheless cause great doubts in the scientific community of geophysicists, because if the stratigraphic data of ultra-deep wells often refute [1] the conclusions made by seismologists on the structure of the Earth’s crust at shallow depth, then to assert something unambiguously about the structure of the mantle and at the present stage, seismology cannot. Answering the main questions of seismology, why seismic phenomena occur, and how earthquake energy is formed, seismologists have not had, and have not. Answering point No. 2, we can confidently say that in the matter of forecasting seismic phenomena, seismology has not advanced one iota over the past century, and as seismologists have been confused in the search for earthquake prediction algorithms, they are also confused without any hope of success. All that modern seismology can “boast” is the theory of Elastic recoil [2], the absurdity of which does not cause any doubt among the progressive part of geophysicists. But, the fact that most of the leading scientists-seismologists continue to piously believe the conclusions of the Elastic Recoil theory puts seismology in a humiliating position, because Mr. Reid’s theory is the clearest example of a false theory based on scientific incompetence of scientists, a model of brazen violation of the fundamental laws of science and the foundation of false and ignorant conclusions. Based on the results achieved, or rather on their absence, we regret to draw a sad conclusion: modern seismology is in the deepest decline, the cause of which is the incompetence of researchers as a result of their catastrophically low level of academic training, who stuff the scientific community with scientific geophysical rubbish, breeding similar ignoramuses in seismology. We understand that by asserting this, we offend most seismologists, but it is impossible to continue to tolerate this state of affairs in geophysics, because: “Amicus plato, sed magis amica est veritas.” Obviously, the time has come for a new meteorologist, Alfred Wagener [3], who will come and teach seismologists not to guess on coffee grounds, but to investigate seismic processes using the fundamental laws of science. In this article, we not only investigate the reasons for the unsatisfactory state of affairs in seismology, but also give our answers to the questions, of why earthquakes occur and how seismic energy is formed.展开更多
基金Supported by the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research,No.NHC–142832 and No.PHE-141773
文摘AIM To describe the characteristics of people diagnosed with acute and chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection in British Columbia(BC).METHODS We used data from the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort(BCHTC),which includes all individuals tested for hepatitis C virus(HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) or those diagnosed with HBV or active tuberculosis in BC since 1990.These data were integrated with prescription drug,medical visit,hospitalization and mortality data.HBV cases were classified as acute or chronic according to provincial guidelines.We compared characteristics of individuals by HBV infection group(acute,chronic and negative).Factors associated with acute or chronic HBV infection were assessed with multinomial logistic regression models in comparison to the HBV negative group.RESULTS46498 of the 1058056 eligible BC-HTC participants were diagnosed with HBV infection.4.3% of HBV positive individuals were diagnosed with acute HBV infections while 95.7% had chronic infections.Problematic alcohol use,injection drug use,and HIV or HCV co-infection were more common among individuals diagnosed with acute HBV compared to those with chronic infections and HBV negative individuals.In multivariable multinomial logistic regression models,we observed significant associations between acute or chronic HBV diagnosis and being male,age at HBV diagnosis or birth cohort,South and East Asian ethnicity,HCV or HIV infection,and injection drug use.The odds of acute HBV decreased with increasing age among people who inject drugs,while the opposite was true for chronic HBV.Persons with acute HBV were predominantly White(78%) while those with chronic HBV were mostly East Asian(60%).Relative to Whites,East Asians had 12 times greater odds of being diagnosed with chronic HBV infection.These odds increased with increasing socioeconomic deprivation.CONCLUSION Differences in the profiles of people diagnosed with acute and chronic HBV infection necessitate differentiated screening,prevention,care and treatment programs.
基金The BCC19C was established and maintained through operational support from Data Analytics,Reporting and Evaluation(DARE)BC Centre for Disease Control(BCCDC)at the Provincial Health Services Authority(PHSA).
文摘Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health is vital for informing public health policy and decision-making.However,information on mental health-related healthcare service utilisation trends beyond the first year of the pandemic is limited.Aims We examined mental health-related healthcare service utilisation patterns and psychotropic drug dispensations in British Columbia,Canada,during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic period.Methods We conducted a retrospective population-based secondary analysis using administrative health data to capture outpatient physician visits,emergency department visits,hospital admissions and psychotropic drug dispensations.We examined time trends of mental health-related healthcare service utilisation and psychotropic drug dispensations between January to December 2019(prepandemic period)and January 2020 to December 2021(pandemic period).In addition,we calculated age-standardised rates and rate ratios to compare mental health-related healthcare service utilisation before and during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic,stratified by year,sex,age and condition.Results By late 2020,except for emergency department visits,utilisation of healthcare services recovered to prepandemic levels.Between 2019 and 2021,the monthly average rate for overall mental health-related outpatient physician visits,emergency department visits and psychotropic drug dispensations increased significantly by 24%,5%and 8%,respectively.Notable and statistically significant increases were observed among 10–14 year-olds(44%in outpatient physician visits,30%in emergency department visits,55%in hospital admissions and 35%in psychotropic drug dispensations)and 15–19 year-olds(45%in outpatient physician visits,14%in emergency department visits,18%in hospital admissions and 34%in psychotropic drug dispensations).Additionally,these increases were more prominent among females than males,with some variation for specific mental health-related conditions.Conclusions The increase in mental health-related healthcare service utilisation and psychotropic drug dispensations during the pandemic likely reflects significant societal consequences of both the pandemic and pandemic management measures.Recovery efforts in British Columbia should consider these findings,especially among the most affected subpopulations,such as adolescents.
基金the Canadian Forest Service Pacific Forestry Centre Graduate Student Award, a CFCAS grant to the Canadian Carbon Program (CCP)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant to NCCBenoit St-Onge of the University of Quebec at Montreal as part of an ongoing collaborative project with funds provided by NSERC and BIOCAP
文摘Background: The global network of eddy-covariance(EC) flux-towers has improved the understanding of the terrestrial carbon(C) cycle, however, the network has a relatively limited spatial extent compared to forest inventory data and plots. Developing methods to use inventory-based and EC flux measurements together with modeling approaches is necessary evaluate forest C dynamics across broad spatial extents.Methods: Changes in C stock change(ΔC) were computed based on repeated measurements of forest inventory plots and compared with separate measurements of cumulative net ecosystem productivity(ΣNEP) over four years(2003 – 2006) for Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii) dominated regeneration(HDF00), juvenile(HDF88and HDF90) and near-rotation(DF49) aged stands(6, 18, 20, 57 years old in 2006, respectively) in coastal British Columbia. ΔC was determined from forest inventory plot data alone, and in a hybrid approach using inventory data along with litter fall data and published decay equations to determine the change in detrital pools. These ΔC-based estimates were then compared with ΣNEP measured at an eddy-covariance flux-tower(EC-flux) and modelled by the Carbon Budget Model- Canadian Forest Sector(CBM-CFS3) using historic forest inventory and forest disturbance data.Footprint analysis was used with remote sensing, soils and topography data to evaluate how well the inventory plots represented the range of stand conditions within the area of the flux-tower footprint and to spatially scale the plot data to the area of the EC-flux and model based estimates.Results: The closest convergence among methods was for the juvenile stands while the largest divergences were for the regenerating clearcut, followed by the near-rotation stand. At the regenerating clearcut, footprint weighting of CBM-CFS3 ΣNEP increased convergence with EC flux ΣNEP, but not for ΔC. While spatial scaling and footprint weighting did not increase convergence for ΔC, they did provide confidence that the sample plots represented site conditions as measured by the EC tower.Conclusions: Methods to use inventory and EC flux measurements together with modeling approaches are necessary to understand forest C dynamics across broad spatial extents. Each approach has advantages and limitations that need to be considered for investigations at varying spatial and temporal scales.
文摘The province of British Columbia, Canada, has established an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to protect the most suitable soil landscapes for agriculture. Increases in population and urbanization have resulted in development challenges on ALR lands. The Metro Vancouver area is the most productive agricultural area in British Columbia as well as the most rapidly growing urban region. The increase in impervious areas has decreased the amount of arable land for soil-based agriculture and altered the hydrological cycle. Analysis using a combination of aerial imagery and GIS found that impervious areas comprise about 10 percent of the ALR within Metro Vancouver. Farm residences and greenhouses have the largest effect on reducing the soil surface for water infiltration. This decrease in area has negatively influenced the ecosystem heath of the region, as well as, decreasing the amount of agricultural land for soil based agriculture and both surface and groundwater dynamics.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0600201)the National Nonprofit Institute Research Grant of CAF(CAFYBB2017ZB003)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(3187071631670720)。
文摘Understanding the relationship between forest management and water use efficiency(WUE)is important for evaluating forest adaptability to climate change.However,the effects of thinning and understory removal on WUE and its key controlling processes are not well understood,which limits our comprehension of the physiological mechanisms of various management practices.In this study,four forest management measures(no thinning:NT;understory removal:UR;light thinning:LT;and heavy thinning:HT)were carried out in Pinus massoniana plantations in a subtropical region of China.Photosynthetic capacity and needle stable carbon isotope composition(δ^(13)C)were measured to assess instantaneous water use efficiency(WUE_(inst))and long-term water use efficiency(WUE_(i)).Multiple regression models and structural equation modelling(SEM)identified the effects of soil properties and physiological performances on WUE_(inst)and WUE_(i).The results show that WUE_(inst)values among the four treatments were insignificant.However,compared with the NT stand(35.8μmol·mol^(-1)),WUE_(i)values significantly increased to 41.7μmol·mol^(-1)in the UR,50.1μmol·mol^(-1)in the LT and 46.6μmol·mol^(-1)in HT treatments,largely explained by photosynthetic capacity and soil water content.Understory removal did not change physiological performance(needle water potential and photosynthetic capacity).Thinning increased the net photosynthetic rate(A_n)but not stomatal conductance(g_s)or predawn needle water potential(ψ_(pd)),implying that the improvement in water use efficiency for thinned stands was largely driven by radiation interception than by soil water availability.In general,thinning may be an appropriate management measure to promote P.massoniana WUE to cope with seasonal droughts under future extreme climates.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52072061,22322903,12174162)the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan,China(No.2023NSFSC1914)21C Innovation Laboratory,Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd.by project No.21C-OP-202103。
文摘Fluorinated carbons CF_xhold the highest theoretical energy density(e.g.,2180 W h kg^(-1)when x=1)among all cathode materials of lithium primary batteries.However,the low conductivity and severe polarization limit it to achieve its theory.In this study,we design a new electrolyte,namely 1 M LiBF_(4)DMSO:DOL(1:9 vol.),achieving a high energy density in Li/CF_xprimary cells.The DMSO with a small molecular size and high donor number successfully solvates Li^(+)into a defined Li^(+)-solvation structure.Such solvated Li^(+)can intercalate into the large-spacing carbon layers and achieve an improved capacity.Consequently,when discharged to 1.0 V,the CF_(1.12)cathode demonstrates a specific capacity of 1944 m A h g^(-1)with a specific energy density of 3793 W h kg^(-1).This strategy demonstrates that designing the electrolyte is powerful in improving the electrochemical performance of CF_(x) cathode.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41907047)the China Scholarship Council(202106515016)the Strategic International Collaboration of Scientific and Technological Innovation for the National Key Research and Development Plan(2016YFE0202900).
文摘The unique geomorphological features and farming methods in the Mollisol region of Northeast China increase water catchment flow and aggravate the erosion of ephemeral gully(EG).Vegetation suffers from rain erosion and damage during the growth stage,which brings serious problems to the restoration of grass in the early stage.Therefore,effects of coir geotextile and geocell on EG erosion under four confluence intensities were researched in this study.Results of the simulated water discharge erosion test showed that when the confluence strength was less than 30 L/min,geocell and coir geotextile had a good effect on controlling EG erosion,and sediment yield of geocell and coir geotextile was reduced by 25.95%–37.82%and 73.73%–88.96%,respectively.However,when confluence intensity increased to 40 L/min,protective effect of coir geotextile decreased,and sediment yield rate increased sharply by 189.03%.When confluence intensity increased to 50 L/min,the protective effect of coir geotextile was lost.On the other hand,geocell showed that the greater the flow rate,the better the protective effect.In addition,with the increase in confluence intensity,erosion pattern of coir geotextile developed from sheet erosion to intermittent fall and then to completion of main rill,and the protective effect was gradually weakened.In contrast,the protective effect of EG under geocell was gradually enhanced from the continuous rill to the intermittent rill and finally to the intermittent fall.This study shows that coir geotextile and geocell can prevent EG erosion,and the effect of geocell is better than that of coir geotextile on the surface of EG.
基金the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)under GR012389.
文摘Background Traditional methods for monitoring mining equipment rely primarily on visual inspections,which are time-consuming,inefficient,and hazardous.This article introduces a novel approach to monitoring mission-critical systems and services in the mining industry by integrating virtual reality(VR)and digital twin(DT)technologies.VR-based DTs enable remote equipment monitoring,advanced analysis of machine health,enhanced visualization,and improved decision making.Methods This article presents an architecture for VR-based DT development,including the developmental stages,activities,and stakeholders involved.A case study on the condition monitoring of a conveyor belt using real-time synthetic vibration sensor data was conducted using the proposed methodology.The study demonstrated the application of the methodology in remote monitoring and identified the need for further development for implementation in active mining operations.The article also discusses interdisciplinarity,choice of tools,computational resources,time and cost,human involvement,user acceptance,frequency of inspection,multiuser environment,potential risks,and applications beyond the mining industry.Results The findings of this study provide a foundation for future research in the domain of VR-based DTs for remote equipment monitoring and a novel application area for VR in mining.
基金supported by a New Investigator grant fram the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and Alzheimer Disease Research Grant from Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health(to KSAE)。
文摘G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)represent the most substantial family of membrane receptors that are targeted by U.S.Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.Much of the preclinical research to understand the pharmacology of many membrane receptors including GPCRs is derived from studies in male animal models(Karp and Reavey,2019).
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72221002,42271375)the Strategic Priority Research Program(XDA28060100)the Informatization Plan Project(CAS-WX2021PY-0109)of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
文摘Accurate cropland information is critical for agricultural planning and production,especially in foodstressed countries like China.Although widely used medium-to-high-resolution satellite-based cropland maps have been developed from various remotely sensed data sources over the past few decades,considerable discrepancies exist among these products both in total area and in spatial distribution of croplands,impeding further applications of these datasets.The factors influencing their inconsistency are also unknown.In this study,we evaluated the consistency and accuracy of six cropland maps widely used in China in circa 2020,including three state-of-the-art 10-m products(i.e.,Google Dynamic World,ESRI Land Cover,and ESA WorldCover)and three 30-m ones(i.e.,GLC_FCS30,GlobeLand 30,and CLCD).We also investigated the effects of landscape fragmentation,climate,and agricultural management.Validation using a ground-truth sample revealed that the 10-m-resolution WorldCover provided the highest accuracy(92.3%).These maps collectively overestimated Chinese cropland area by up to 56%.Up to 37%of the land showed spatial inconsistency among the maps,concentrated mainly in mountainous regions and attributed to the varying accuracy of cropland maps,cropland fragmentation and management practices such as irrigation.Our work shed light on the promotion of future cropland mapping efforts,especially in highly inconsistent regions.
文摘Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a well-known but uncommon chronic liver disease that is presumed to be of autoimmune etiology. Recently, investigations in British Columbia (BC), a province of Canada situated along the Pacific North-West of North America, have suggested that PBC is not a rare disease amongst BC's Aboriginal (i.e. First Nations) communities. Geographically, BC is adjacent to South East Alaska, an American state that has also reported an increased prevalence of PBC amongst its Aboriginal communities. In this article, the medical evidence supporting a hypothesis of increased risk of PBC amongst BC's First Nations communities is reviewed. Evidence suggesting that autoimmune hepatitis is also more likely amongst BC's First Nations communities is also presented.
文摘Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the health beliefs, health behaviors, primary care access, and perceived unmet healthcare needs of Chinese young adults.Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with eight Chinese young adults in Vancouver, Canada. Results: A content analysis revealed that these Chinese young adults experienced unmet healthcare needs, did not have a primary care provider, and did not access preventive services. Cultural factors such as strong family ties, filial piety, and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine influenced their health behaviors and healthcare access patterns. Conclusion: Chinese young adults share similar issues with other young adults in relation to not having a primary care provider and accessing preventive care but their health beliefs and practices make their needs for care unique from other young adults.
文摘There is concern regarding the loss of ecosystem goods and services as a result of land use changes such as the expansion and intensification of agricultural activities. Assessments of these interactions require innovative analyses that combine qualitative and quantitative economic analyses. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework was applied to a peri-urban region in British Columbia, Canada to assess the effects of the integration of agricultural programs and the maintenance of waterfowl habitat located on the Pacific Flyway. The Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust, a non-governmental organization, has implemented several activities to enhance ecosystem goods and services by cooperative programs among the agricultural community and wildlife interests. The successful collaborative framework has resulted in enhanced soil quality, increased biodiversity, and the maintenance of valuable agriculture and waterfowl habitat.
文摘Food waste is a growing global concern. Data on the factors and magnitude are largely global estimates, thus local studies aid in providing information on the impacts of food waste. Three important agro-climatic zones in British Columbia and nine common crops, both annual and perennial, were selected to evaluate the environmental and nutritional implications of local food waste. Using Canadian estimates of total food waste, the constituent water, caloric content, protein, vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium wasted by each crop were estimated. Regionally, the total production and losses were the highest in the Lower Fraser Valley which had high production of potatoes and blueberries, followed by the Okanagan, with grapes and apples, and Vancouver Island, with potatoes. Virtual water was estimated by the BC Agriculture Water Calculator and used to assess the soil and climatic factors impacting the local water demand. Although soil texture seemed to influence water demand, the agro-climatic zone was the main factor controlling the water demand and the corresponding amount of water wasted. Dry agro-climatic zones had annual virtual water up to two times higher for the same crop and soil texture. Lower water demand crops, finer soils and more efficient irrigation systems were more congruent with water stress scenarios. Total losses for each region were based on conservative estimates and would have supplied the caloric energy and protein for over 40,000 adults, and vitamin C for over 300,000 adults for one year. Additionally, the total N, P and K wasted accounted for up to 32, 2 and 13 kg/ha respectively for common fertilizers used in British Columbia. This study confirmed the significance of food waste impacts on local water demand, human nutrition and soil management based on regional data for representative crops.
文摘Strategies for managing mixed broadleaf-conifer stands in British Columbia (BC) have been under review in recent years as the benefits of mixedwood management have been recognized. More has been learned about the role of broadleaves in forest ecosystems however ecosystem-specific knowledge about the competitive interactions between mixed broadleaf-conifer stands is still scarce. Therefore a competitive interactions study was conducted to facilitate ecosystem-specific management for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex Loud. Var. latifolia Engelm.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in the sub-boreal spruce (SBS) zone of central BC. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with six different aspen densities replicated three times. Each replicate was sampled three times between ages 14 to 19 years. Pine diameter and height growth were influenced by aspen density. Our current quantitative findings suggest that lodgepole pine growth was not impacted when growing with aspen densities up to 2500 stems ha-1. Considering free growing (FTG) and not free growing (NFTG) pine at the time of trial establishment, an insignificant difference was found for DBH, height and crown volume responses. Leaf area index (LAI) and diffuse non-interceptance (DIFN) radiation were also not significantly different between FTG or NFTG trees suggesting our results exceed the current BC’s free growing standard. Further work is recommended to determine whether or not the current free growing standards are appropriate for producing the desired crop outcome.
文摘Although it has been recognized that soils play a critical role in carbon storage and that coastal temperate forests have considerable potential to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC), studies related to SOC stocks and stability are scarce in these ecosystems. Forest disturbances may leave legacies on SOC properties and may further compromise SOC storage capacity of these ecosystems. In the Pacific Spirit Regional Park of southwestern British Columbia, we compared SOC stocks and stability among three second-growth forests that have been affected by disturbances of different magnitudes. We collected data on soil chemical and physical properties to estimate SOC content and assess SOC stability. We found that SOC stocks in the forest characterized by low magnitude disturbance were greater than those of the forest characterized by high magnitude disturbance (8.2 ± 1.3 kg·Cm<sup>-2</sup> versus 5.3 ± 0.1 kg·Cm<sup>-2</sup> to 30 cm depth). SOC was less stable in the highly disturbed forest and subsequent vegetation changes might have further reduced SOC stability. Our results provide insight into the role of disturbance history in the current SOC storage capacity of coastal temperate rainforests of British Columbia.
文摘Aggregate extraction in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, has affected the soil water storage of the Pepin Creek watershed. Although local government has set regulations for aggregate extraction projects to avoid negative environmental impacts, the gradual loss of soil materials and associated changes in vegetative cover has led to an alteration of the water balance within the watershed, which may affect surface or groundwater levels, and aquatic habitats. The study assessed the effects of aggregate extraction on the water storage of the Pepin Creek watershed and estimated that 25% of the surface area of the Canadian portion of the watershed has been affected by aggregate mining with an estimated loss of water storage of 10%. Evapotranspiration has decreased as a result of the removal of the vegetative cover. Precipitation has remained relatively constant over the study period but the annual discharge measured at Pepin Creek has decreased. Recommendations for enhancing environmental monitoring to better measure and understand ecological functions of the watershed during aggregate extraction are provided.
基金“Promoting research by writing”:Exploring the code of writing,supported by the Special Fund for basic scientific research of the Central University,Northwestern Polytechnical University(project no.KCJS23WT25).“Research on the construction of the linking-up curriculum system:Taking the industry characteristic research university as an example”was established by the Ministry of Education’s Youth Fund for Humanities and Social Sciences,the Department of Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education(project no.23YJC880099).
文摘The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.
文摘According to the definition, seismology is a science that studies the processes and causes of seismic phenomena and the structure of the Earth, i.e. a scientific discipline that studies the movement of blocks of rocks of the Earth’s crust and mantle and related phenomena. Seismology conducts research in the following areas and is designed to scientifically explain two main issues: 1) Study of the nature of seismic phenomena and the internal structure of the Earth. Why, how and where do seismic impacts occur? 2) Protecting humanity from the catastrophic consequences of seismic events. Is it possible to predict seismic impacts? Like any other scientific discipline, seismology is obliged to follow the laws of science and its fundamental principles. This article is devoted to the description of violations of the fundamental laws of science committed by seismologists in the study of seismic processes and raises the question of compliance of the stated research directions with the current level of development of sciences. Answering point No. 1, regarding the structure of the Earth, it is possible to recognize some successes of seismology, which nevertheless cause great doubts in the scientific community of geophysicists, because if the stratigraphic data of ultra-deep wells often refute [1] the conclusions made by seismologists on the structure of the Earth’s crust at shallow depth, then to assert something unambiguously about the structure of the mantle and at the present stage, seismology cannot. Answering the main questions of seismology, why seismic phenomena occur, and how earthquake energy is formed, seismologists have not had, and have not. Answering point No. 2, we can confidently say that in the matter of forecasting seismic phenomena, seismology has not advanced one iota over the past century, and as seismologists have been confused in the search for earthquake prediction algorithms, they are also confused without any hope of success. All that modern seismology can “boast” is the theory of Elastic recoil [2], the absurdity of which does not cause any doubt among the progressive part of geophysicists. But, the fact that most of the leading scientists-seismologists continue to piously believe the conclusions of the Elastic Recoil theory puts seismology in a humiliating position, because Mr. Reid’s theory is the clearest example of a false theory based on scientific incompetence of scientists, a model of brazen violation of the fundamental laws of science and the foundation of false and ignorant conclusions. Based on the results achieved, or rather on their absence, we regret to draw a sad conclusion: modern seismology is in the deepest decline, the cause of which is the incompetence of researchers as a result of their catastrophically low level of academic training, who stuff the scientific community with scientific geophysical rubbish, breeding similar ignoramuses in seismology. We understand that by asserting this, we offend most seismologists, but it is impossible to continue to tolerate this state of affairs in geophysics, because: “Amicus plato, sed magis amica est veritas.” Obviously, the time has come for a new meteorologist, Alfred Wagener [3], who will come and teach seismologists not to guess on coffee grounds, but to investigate seismic processes using the fundamental laws of science. In this article, we not only investigate the reasons for the unsatisfactory state of affairs in seismology, but also give our answers to the questions, of why earthquakes occur and how seismic energy is formed.
