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Abstract This study delved into the complex effects of work schedules on the well-being of healthcare professionals, spotlighting Nigeria’s medical landscape. A diverse cohort of 387 participants, spanning doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians or scientists, formed the research base, with the majority being women (67.7%), with a mean age of 34.67 years. Professionals self-reported their predominant schedules to gauge work patterns, classifying them as day or night shifts. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) tool assessed the quality of life across the physical, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains. Psychological distress was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS), and perceived social support was evaluated via the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). A cross-sectional design was adopted, and the study employed moderated mediation analysis using SmartPLS 4.0. The results underscored the significant ramifications of night shifts on environmental and physical well-being. Psychological health and social relationships were better among day shift than night shift workers. There was a pronounced correlation between night shifts and heightened levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. The mediating role of psychological distress and the moderating influence of social support in these relationships were evident. This study offers invaluable insights into the role of work schedules in shaping the well-being of healthcare professionals, emphasising the protective role of social support and the unique challenges faced by migrant health workers.

The study investigated the factors influencing chromium absorption by the microalgae species S. obliquus and C. vulgaris using an ANOVA approach. The analysis revealed significant independent effects of contact time, temperature, pH, density, algal species, and production methods, as well as notable interactions among these factors. Under standardized conditions of pH 7, 105 min of contact time, a temperature of 25 °C, light intensity of 3500 lux, and a density of 60, S. obliquus showed the highest chromium absorption. The biofilm production method was consistently more effective than the suspension method for both species. At a pH of 5, C. vulgaris outperformed S. obliquus, achieving maximum absorption rates in both production methods. The study also found that higher temperatures facilitated increased chromium absorption, peaking at 27.5 °C for suspension and 26.5 °C for biofilm methods, with S. obliquus demonstrating superiority. Significant interactions resulted in the combination of the biofilm method and S. obliquus yielding the best absorption rates at specified conditions. Density trends indicated decreasing absorption rates for both microalgae at densities of 30 and 40, but S. obliquus later exhibited a reversal of this trend, unlike C. vulgaris. Contact time results indicated increased absorption from 60 to 115 min, but a decline afterwards, with S. obliquus again leading. The optimal conditions for chromium absorption were identified as pH 5, temperatures around 26–28 °C, with particular density levels, highlighting the importance of production method in enhancing absorption rates for both microalgae species.

Material extrusion (MEX) is one of the most widely used additive manufacturing techniques these days. This study investigates how the properties of MEX 3D-printed objects depend on the relative humidity (RH) conditions in which filaments are stored before and during the manufacturing process. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) filament was drawn directly from a humidity-controlled chamber into the MEX 3D printer's nozzle. For each set of samples, the filaments were conditioned under different RH conditions, ranging from 10 % to 90 %. The macrostructure of the fabricated products was characterized using computed tomography, revealing increased porosity at higher RH values (from 0.84 % to 4.42 %). The increased porosity at higher storage RH is attributed to under-extrusion and volatile entrapment due to excess moisture. With growing storage RH, the melt flow rate of PLA also gradually increased, indicating a plasticizing effect of humidity on the biopolymer. Gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were conducted to determine whether hydrolytic chain scission took place when PLA was processed in the presence of excessive moisture. Neither measurement indicated any considerable alteration in molecular integrity and crystalline structure as a function of storage RH. Mechanical tests, however, revealed a reduced load-bearing capacity of the manufactured PLA specimens. Flexural strength decreased from 103.0 to 99.6 MPa, and the impact strength dropped from 18.2 to 16.2 kJ/m2, which is ascribed to the increasing size of pores inside the specimens with increasing storage RH. These findings should be taken into account when designing and processing PLA products by MEX-based additive manufacturing.

The survival of marginal/peripheral silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) populations in the broader region of Southeast Europe is endangered due to climate change and population decline. This study aimed to determine the level and pattern of variability for the anatomical traits of needles and the possibility of linking the pattern of phenotypic variability with environmental factors. In most of the analyzed needle traits, the statistically significant variability between populations was determined. According to the results of the multivariate principal component analysis, it is evident that the populations are distinct from each other, in three groups. The climatic factors Hargreaves reference evaporation, mean annual temperature, and growing degree-days, were statistically significantly correlated. The altitude and heating degree-days are statistically significantly correlated with the following three environmental factors: Hargreaves reference evaporation, mean annual temperature and growing degree-days, but negatively with others. The paper's findings indicate significant moderate and high correlations between the anatomical traits of the needles' central bundle diameter with the resin duct diameter, the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct and the epidermis thickness with cuticle, the resin duct diameter with the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct and the epidermis thickness with cuticle, as well as the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct with the hypodermis height and the epidermis thickness with cuticle. The results of agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis, performed for anatomical and climatic traits, confirmed the existence of three groups of tested populations according to the altitude gradient. Research results provide knowledge on the diversity and structure of Abies alba populations of Southeast Europe, important for further research and guidelines for the species' conservation and genetic variability preservation in the southern marginal distribution area and keeping in line with climate change projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands soils worldwide are naturally colonized by microbial communities known as biocrusts. These soil microbiomes render important ecosystem services associated with soil fertility, water holding capacity, and stability to the areas they cover. Because of the importance of biocrusts in the global cycling of nutrients, there is a growing interest in describing the many microbial configurations these communities display worldwide. However, comprehensive 16S rRNA genes surveys of biocrust communities do not exist for much of the planet: for example, in the continents of South America and the northern part of Africa. The absence of a global understanding of biocrust biodiversity has lead us to assign a general importance to community members that may, in fact, be regional. Here we report for the first time the presence of biocrusts in Colombia (South America) through 16S rRNA genes surveys across an arid, a semi-arid and a dry subtropical region within the country. Our results constitute the first glance of the Bacterial/Archaeal communities associated with South American biocrust microbiomes. Communities where cyanobacteria other than Microcoleus vaginatus prevail, despite the latter being considered a key species elsewhere, illustrate differentiable results in these surveys. We also find that the coastal biocrust communities in Colombia include halo-tolerant and halophilic species, and that niche preference of some nitrogen fixing organisms deviate from previously described global trends. In addition, we identified a high proportion (ranging from 5 to 70%, in average) of cyanobacterial sequences that did not match any formally described cyanobacterial species. Our investigation of Colombian biocrusts points to highly diverse communities with climatic regions controlling taxonomic configurations. They also highlight an extensive local diversity to be discovered which is central to better design management and restoration strategies for drylands soils currently undergoing disturbances due to land use and global warming. Finally, this field study highlights the need for an improved mechanistic understanding of the response of key biocrust community members to changes in moisture and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and efficient sampling of fog droplets is a prerequisite for online measurement. The performance of such a sampler relies on the internal flow field, temperature, and humidity. Based on aerodynamics and turbulence theory, we designed a fog droplet sampler with multi-segment structure and specific temperature control. First, we used COMSOL to investigate the effects of key system parameters. The sampling efficiency first increased and then decreased with sampling flow. The reason was that the impact force under reasonable flows maintained particles in suspension, whereas high flows with high turbulence intensity increased the likelihood of particles colliding with the walls. Based on the simulations, we determined the optimal sampling flow (1000 L/min), segment structure (a cylindrical inlet), and segment dimension (25 mm for the optical measurement segment) of the sampler, with a sampling efficiency of 0.87. Subsequently, we investigated the effects of temperature, relative humidity, and sampling flow on the particle size. Size change increased with temperature but decreased with relative humidity and sampling flow. Additionally, temperature control contributed to condensation prevention, and size change was < 1% when the temperature was 15 °C. Finally, we conducted an experiment for verification purposes. The sampling efficiency of the fabricated system was 0.77, i.e., 11.49% lower than for the simulation. Size change was < 1 μm in both the simulations and the experiments, while variation was 6.30% in the experiment, i.e., a difference of 3.97% from the simulation. Hence, the designed fog droplet sampler achieved accurate and efficient sampling of fog droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examined the association between on‐water rowing stroke‐rate (SR), velocity and heart‐rate (HR) in highly trained rowers (n = 8 male; n = 8 female and 19.3 ± 1.1 year) over a 4‐month real‐world (i.e., variable environment and boat class) training period. On‐water SR, prognostic velocity (percent of world's best velocity) and HR were captured for 1453 sessions via smart‐watch and chest‐strap HR monitor. Data was filtered and smoothed with individual HR training zones identified (T1–T5). Linear mixed modeling and an overlapping index (ηˆ $\widehat{\eta }$) were used to assess differences in SR and prognostic velocity between HR zones. Correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the SR and prognostic velocity relationship and progression of prognostic velocity at a SR of 20spm over time. There were significant differences in SR and prognostic velocity between HR zones (T1>T2>T3>T4>T5, p < 0.001); however, data overlap between adjacent zones was substantial for both variables (SR:ηˆ $\text{SR}:\widehat{\eta }$ = 0.69–0.85; prognostic velocity: ηˆ $\widehat{\eta }$ = 0.46–0.86). A significant, positive correlation (r = 0.50 and p < 0.001) between SR and prognostic velocity was found. Progression of prognostic velocity at SR 20spm over the study duration was trivial (r = −0.01 and p = 0.71). Variables commonly used to prescribe and describe on‐water rowing training showed large variability in a real‐world training environment impacting the ability to accurately monitor training performance and progression. Highlights: Data from this study suggested that in a real‐world training environment, stroke rate and prognostic velocity show large spread when examined within heart rate training zones resulting in substantial data overlap between adjacent zones (ηˆ $\widehat{\eta }$ = 0.69–0.85).Using these variables in isolation to prescribe training may not result in the desired training stimulus, whilst performance monitoring using these variables may not accurately reflect athlete progression.Consideration should be given to the goal of on‐water rowing sessions (physiological and technical) as well as the context under which on‐water data is collected (e.g., flow, environmental conditions, session type and boat class) if using these variables for prescription and description purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three carriers（ Bumpy clay, Carrageenan and Diatomaceous earth） were selected for the preparation of immobilized microbial particles, and the different particle properties, pollutant removal performance and influencing factors were investigated in the present paper. The particle performance studies showed that the mechanical strength of the immobilized particles was high for Bumpy clay and Diatomaceous earth and low for Carrageenan; with nutrient supplementation, Bumpy clay and Carrageenan could stably release 1. 50×106 CFU/mL and 2. 60×105 CFU/mL of microorganisms, while the release of Diatomaceous earth was poor. According to fitting results of the Monod equation, it could be obtained that the Diatomaceous earth immobilized microbial particles had the largest specific degradation rate （μmax） for CODMn. Carrageenan was comparable to it, and the lowest μmax was observed for Bumpy clay. While the Ks of Diatomaceous earth particles was significantly lower than that of the other two particles. Also, the kinetics of ammonia degradation showed a similar pattern to that of CODMn. The effect of environmental conditions on the degradation performance of the immobilized microbial particles showed that the highest first-order rate constants （k1） for CODMn were found under neutral （pH=7） condition for the three materials. The k1 for ammonia degradation were higher for Bumpy clay and US diatomaceous earth under neutral and alkaline conditions, however the highest rate of ammonia degradation was found for Carrageenan under neutral conditions. The k1 of CODMn and ammonia by immobilized microbial particles increased with the increase of temperature, among which the Bumpy clay was more sensitive to the change of temperature. Except for the Diatomaceous earth particles, the k1 for CODMn degradation by the other two immobilized microorganisms increased significantly（ P < 0. 05） with the increase of the initial concentration of the pollutant. There was no significant difference in the k1 of CODMn at different aeration intensities （P > 0. 05）, and higher aeration intensity was beneficial to the degradation of ammonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of O Social em Questão is the property of Faculdades Catolicas - Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The operational efficacy of lane departure warning systems (LDWS) in autonomous vehicles is critically influenced by the retro-reflectivity of road markings, which varies with environmental wear and weather conditions. This study investigated how changes in road marking retro-reflectivity, due to factors such as weather and physical wear, impact the performance of LDWS. The study was conducted at the Yeoncheon SOC Demonstration Research Center, where various weather scenarios, including rainfall and transitions between day and night lighting, were simulated. We applied controlled wear to white, yellow, and blue road markings and measured their retro-reflectivity at multiple stages of degradation. Our methods included rigorous testing of the LDWS's recognition rates under these diverse environmental conditions. Our results showed that higher retro-reflectivity levels significantly improve the detection capability of LDWS, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the study led to the development of a simulation framework for analyzing the cost-effectiveness of road marking maintenance strategies. This framework aims to align maintenance costs with the safety requirements of autonomous vehicles. The findings highlight the need for revising current road marking guidelines to accommodate the advanced sensor-based needs of autonomous driving systems. By enhancing retro-reflectivity standards, the study suggests a path towards optimizing road safety in the age of autonomous vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polar ecosystems are subjected to many stressors, including climate change, that impact their overall functioning. Seabirds are good bioindicators of these systems as they readily respond to changes in environmental conditions. To quantify how environmental changes affect their life history, data on seabird diet, spatial distribution and body condition are needed to reveal the underlying mechanisms. We explored possible drivers of the winter distribution of single-colony populations of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica and black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla, two of the most numerous seabird species in the North Atlantic. Based on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic data from feathers moulted during winter migration, we identified three groups of Atlantic puffins and two groups of black-legged kittiwakes occupying different isotopic niches. We then used geolocator tracking data for the same birds to determine if these groups reflected parallel differences in the location of moulting grounds rather than differences in their diet. We found that the isotopic niches of the three Atlantic puffin groups likely resulted from their use of different habitats during winter moult. In contrast, the isotopic niches of the two black-legged kittiwake groups were more likely a result of differences in their diet, as both groups were distributed in the same area. These findings suggest that different winter feeding and/or migration strategies may play a role in shaping the body condition of individuals for their following breeding season. We discuss the role of environmental conditions encountered by seabirds during winter migration to further elucidate such intracolony divergence in strategies. As polar ecosystems experience rapid changes in environmental conditions, the approach presented here may provide valuable information for the development of effective conservation measures (taking both intra- and intercolony variability into account), and to better predict future impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lWater samples were collected from a tailings pond wastewater site in the Rudnik mountain area, where polymetallic ore flotation processes generate high concentrations of Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. The study aimed to identify microorganisms resistant to heavy metals and assess their potential for bioremediation. Growth capabilities under varying conditions, including temperature, pH, and NaCl concentrations, were analyzed using a spectrophotometer. Minimal inhibitory and lethal concentrations of tested substances were determined for both planktonic cells and their biofilms. Key isolates, namely Bacillus altitudinis PMFKG-R3, B. pumilus PMFKG-R15, B. cereus PMFKG-R46, Pseudomonas veronii PMFKG-R30, and Pantoea agglomerans PMFKG-R20, demonstrated growth ability at both 22 and 37°C and exhibited halotolerance, albeit sensitivity to acidic pH. Most isolates in both planktonic and biofilm forms displayed notable resistance to heavy metals, particularly Pb2+ and Zn2+, in line with the sampling location. Notably, planktonic cells were sensitive to antibiotics, while biofilms exhibited slightly higher resistance. Promising candidates for bioremediation purposes were identified in P. veronii PMFKG-R30 and P. agglomerans PMFKG-R20, which displayed resistance to heavy metals and sensitivity to antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density-independent and density-dependent population regulation has long been a subject of investigation. We examined density-dependent and density-independent factors on growth rates of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana (Ord, 1815)) using a retrospective analysis of population survey data. Across Idaho, we found that as the proportion of the subpopulation harvested the previous year increased, growth rates increased. Similarly, as fawn recruitment increased, growth rates increased. We also found when the growth rate in the previous year increased, the growth rate the subsequent year decreased. When subpopulations were examined independently, we found that in a low-elevation desert subpopulation, growth rates were influenced by growth the previous year. In an agricultural-dominated site, growth rates were influenced by fawn recruitment in the current year and maximum temperature the previous fall. Growth rates in a mid-elevation shrub–steppe site were influenced by drought severity prior to parturition and the growth rates from the previous year. Growth rates in two mountain valley subpopulations were influenced by measures of vegetative greenness. At the statewide scale, while managers may strive for increased numbers of pronghorn, density dependence will limit the ability for a region-wide numerical response. On the localized scale, drivers of growth were temporally and spatially explicit, and biologists must consider site-specific actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

QuerySeed germination is a vital step in the life cycle of a plant, playing a significant role in seedling establishment and crop yield potential. It is also an important factor in the conservation of plant germplasm resources. This complex process is influenced by a myriad of factors, including environmental conditions, the genetic makeup of the seed, and endogenous hormones. The perception of these environmental signals triggers a cascade of intricate signal transduction events that determine whether a seed germinates or remains dormant. Despite considerable progress in uncovering the molecular mechanisms governing these processes, many questions remain unanswered. In this review, we summarize the current progress in the molecular mechanisms underlying the perception of environmental signals and consequent signal transduction during seed germination, and discuss questions that need to be addressed to better understand the process of seed germination and develop novel strategies for germplasm improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revitalisation of post-harbour and waterfront areas is an issue that has been subject to intensive public discussion over the recent years. The topic is becoming increasingly popular due to the high value of post-harbour areas. They are distinguished by their aesthetic, environmental and recreational qualities. The possibilities for developing such areas are considerable: residential development, waterfront park areas, public spaces, a variety of service developments. So far, many successful projects of such transformation have been carried out. This article focuses on an analysis of the conditions and potential of the Port of Żerań in Warsaw and the possibilities for its transformation. The study was carried out by desk research using available spatial data and information provided in scientific publications. A survey was also carried out on a group of 146 Żerań residents. The results of the analyses showed that the local environment is under heavy anthropopressure and the social and technical infrastructure is in very poor condition, while the area also has many advantages and significant development potential. The most important of these include the convenient location, the favourable ownership situation, the multitude of areas not yet developed and the presence of elements related to former activities. The current condition of the harbour offers opportunities for development in both recreational and leisure and residential directions. It is also possible to create a mixed-use neighbourhood, and the potential development would have a positive impact on the entire neighbourhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humboldt squid, Dosidicus gigas, is one of the main economic cephalopod species off Peruvian waters, and their abundance and distribution are regulated by localized oceanic mesoscale dynamical processes. To this end, the present study employs normalization and frequency distribution methods, combining mesoscale eddy, oceanic environment, and D. gigas fishery data. This is the first exploration into the different stages of mesoscale eddies during their evolution off Peruvian waters and their influence on the regional marine environment, as well as the abundance and distribution of D. gigas resources. The results indicate that across the four stages of eddies, namely formation, intensification, mature, and aged, their kinetic energy and structure follow a pattern of "growth–equilibration–decay". The abundance of D. gigas within the eddy's covered zone undergoes an initial increase, followed by a decrease during the evolution of the four stages, peaking during the eddy's mature stage. The abundance of D. gigas was higher in the anticyclonic eddies than that in the cyclonic eddies under different stages. The environmental factors conducive to D. gigas in eddies exhibited similar changes to D. gigas abundance throughout the eddy's different stages. Our research emphasizes that anticyclonic eddies, during their evolution, exerted a more significant impact on the abundance and distribution of D. gigas in the Peruvian waters compared with cyclonic eddies. The eddy-induced changes in water temperature and productivity caused by the eddies may be the primary drivers of this impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Northeast China cold vortex (NCCV) is one of the main synoptic-scale systems causing short-duration heavy rainfall (SDHR) in Northeast China. Environmental conditions (e.g., water vapor, instability, and vertical wind shear) are known to be distinctly different over the four quadrants of NCCVs, rendering prediction of the SDHR related to NCCVs (NCCV_SDHR) more challenging. Based on 5-yr hourly rainfall observations from 3196 automatic weather stations and ERA5 reanalysis data, 10,232 NCCV_SDHR events were identified and divided into four quadrant groups according to their relative position to the center of the NCCV (CVC). The results show that the southeast quadrant features the highest frequency of SDHR, with stronger intensity, longer duration, and wider coverage; and the SDHR in different quadrants presents different formation mechanisms and varied temporal evolution. A new coordinate system is established relative to the CVC that uses the CVC as the origin and the radius of the NCCV (rCV) as the unit distance. In this new coordinate system, all of the NCCV_SDHR events in the 5-yr study period are synthesized. It is found that the occurrence frequency of NCCV_SDHR initially increases and then decreases with increasing distance from the CVC. The highest frequency occurs mainly between 0.8 and 2.5 times rCV from the CVC in the southeast quadrant. This can be attributed to the favorable conditions, such as convergence of the low-level shear line and abundant water vapor, which are concentrated in this region. Furthermore, high-frequency NCCV_SDHR larger than 50 mm (NCCV_SDHR50) is observed to be closer to the CVC. When NCCV_SDHR50 occurs, the NCCV is in closer proximity to the subtropical high, resulting in stronger low-level convergence and more abundant water vapor. Additionally, there are lower lifting condensation levels and stronger 0–6- and 0–1-km vertical wind shears in these environments. These findings provide a valuable reference for more accurate prediction of NCCV_SDHR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to address the greenhouse effect and achieve the artificial carbon cycle, the electrocatalytic reduction reactions offer an effective approach for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals. In addition to the rational design of catalyst structure to improve the high selective conversion of CO2, exploring the influence of environmental conditions on the reaction path and product types is one of the keys to realizing the high selective conversion of CO2. In this review, we illustrate the important influence of changes in environmental conditions on the effectiveness of electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) technology from the design of the reactor, the selection of the electrolyte, and the setting of the reaction conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.). Through in‐depth understanding and optimization of these factors, the efficiency and selectivity of the CO2RR can be further improved to promote the development of CO2 conversion technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We focus on finding a correlation between the asymmetries of electroencephalography (EEG) signals and subjective well-being (SWB) when changed on short time scales via environmental conditions. Most research in this field focuses on frontal alpha asymmetry. We systematically examine different sensor locations and filter the sensor data into the delta band, the theta band, the alpha band, the beta band, and the gamma band, or leave the EEG signal unfiltered. We confirm that frontal alpha asymmetry is correlated to SWB. However, asymmetries between other sensors and/or filtering the data to other bands also shows a linear correlation to SWB values. Asymmetries of anterior brain regions show statistically significant results not only in the alpha band but also in the delta band and theta band, or when the data is not filtered into a specific band. Asymmetries of posterior regions show a trend to be correlated to SWB when EEG activity is higher on the opposite hemisphere and filtered into different frequency bands. Thus, our results let us conclude that focusing just on frontal sensors and the alpha band might not reveal the whole picture of brain regions and frequency bands involved in SWB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture toughness is an important parameter in determining the fracture mechanism of rocks, concretes and other composites, and it is used in performing design and stability analyses. In this study, the aim was to determine the effects of different environmental conditions (dry, saturated, freezing, thermal shock and thermal aging) on fracture toughness and fracture energy values of rocks from three different origins: gabbro, recrystallized limestone and limestone. In the first stage, the physical, chemical, mechanical, mineralogical and petrographic properties of rocks were determined. The material properties of rocks were revealed by physico-mechanical tests, XRD, XRF and petrographic analysis. In the second stage, the rocks were aged by exposing them to pre-determined environmental conditions for a certain period of time and then, semi-circular bending strength tests were applied to the aged rocks. SEM images were taken to determine the effects of different environmental conditions on surface cracks. According to the experimental results, thermal shock, thermal ageing and water saturation conditions led to decreasing fracture toughness, while freezing conditions led to increasing fracture toughness. It was determined that thermal shock was the environmental condition that caused the most weakening. In freezing conditions, it was observed that physico-mechanical properties and fracture toughness values of rocks increased. It was seen that the fracture toughness values of the monomineralic structured samples were more affected by the environmental conditions than the multimineralic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of New Building Materials / Xinxing Jianzhu Cailiao is the property of New Building Materials Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We analyze the impact of Hofstede's culture dimensions on green bond issuance in 84 countries during 1991–2021, using novel International Monetary Fund data. We control for environmental, macroeconomic and institutional factors. Our results show that countries that score higher on individualism, masculinity and indulgence are associated with lower green bond issuance, whilst countries that score high on long‐term orientation and uncertainty avoidance are associated with higher green bond issuance. Culture appears to play a role in green bond market development. The culture effect remains broadly robust after applying sensitivity and endogeneity tests, adding new controls and performing coefficient stability and dominance analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The scale-dependent forced and free vibrational behaviors of a nanobeam located on variable elastic foundations subjected to a transverse moving load and an axial tensile force are analyzed based on the nonlocal Rayleigh beam theory. Meanwhile, a comprehensive parametric investigation is accomplished to elucidate the impacts of various system parameters, such as geometry, foundation coefficients, rotational inertia factor, surface energy, and hygro-thermo-magnetic fields on the dynamical response of the nanobeam. Methods: The dynamical equation of the system is derived by considering linear, parabolic, and sinusoidal distributions for the elastic foundation. Employing the Galerkin discretization technique and eigenvalue analysis, the vibrational frequencies of the system are determined numerically. The dynamical response of the system is also acquired analytically. Results: The critical velocity of the moving load and the dynamical amplification factor for the forced vibration of the system are computed. In addition, the conditions of the cancellation phenomenon and the maximum amplitude of free vibration are determined. The outcomes indicated that, in contrast to the effects of axial tensile force and elastic foundations, the critical velocity of the moving load decreases with increasing the nonlocal parameter and the rotational inertia factor. Moreover, it is inferred that the cancellation velocities of the moving load can be increased by exerting a magnetic field and increasing the length-to-thickness ratio of nanobeams. Conclusions: The findings reveal that considering the impacts of the surface energy, rotational inertia factor, and environmental conditions is essential to the dynamical analysis of small-scale structures under traveling loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulching practice offers farmers an opportunity to minimize the effects of drought, water loss, and soil erosion on crop production. Plastic film is widely used as a mulching material; however, contamination of arable lands by residual plastic has become a serious concern. Synthetic biodegradable mulch films and sprays may offer a more sustainable alternative to plastic films, however current evidence on the factors that influence the suitability of these products for agricultural applications is fragmented, making it unclear under what conditions these products meet agronomic, environmental, and societal needs. We address this gap by conducting a systematic review of studies that evaluate the use of synthesized biodegradable mulch for agricultural applications and extract data from 151 primary studies on factors that directly and indirectly influence the suitability of its use. Like others, we find that using biodegradable mulches nearly always provides agronomic benefits over not mulching but rarely provides agronomic benefits over conventional plastic films. However, we also find that reported benefits vary across climate conditions, mulch type, and crop and agronomic factors tested, highlighting the context-specificity of biodegradable mulch benefits which is not yet well understood. In addition, we identify a need for studies that experimentally evaluate the secondary environmental and social benefits of biodegradable mulch use to provide a better understanding of the full potential of these products for sustainable agriculture.

In the conditions of the Ryazan region, adaptive properties and ecological plasticity of 8 breeding lines of spring soft wheat (standard Agatha variety) were studied in 2020–2023 according to the "yield" trait using diverse statistical methods. Ecological plasticity (bi), stability (σ2d ), index of environmental conditions (Ij) were determined by S. A. Eberhart, W. A. Russell, variation – by B. A. Dospekhov, stress resistance and genetic flexibility – by A. A. Rossielle, J. Hemblin, index of ecological plasticity – by A. A. Gryaznov, indicator the level of the variety yield stability – according to E. D. Nettevich, homeostaticity (Hom ), breeding value (Sc) – according to V. V. Hangildin, relative stability, stability criterion – according to N. A. Sobolev, multiplicativity (KM) – according to V. A. Dragavtsev. It has been established that the yield level is mostly influenced by the factor "environment" – 51.5 %, the contribution of the factor "genotype" is 11.5 %. The average yield in the experiment was 5.19 t/ha, favorable conditions in 2022 (Ij = 0.50) allowed the yield to be 17.9 % higher than in 2021 (Ij = -0.52). Lines 2-17 (6.24 t/ha) and 21-17 (6.05 t/ha) had high yields, their genetic flexibility index was 5.58 and 5.41 t/ha, respectively. Lines 1-17, 465-17 and 531-17 had the highest resistance to stress (-0.63, -1.00), they are characterized by high yield stability (σ2d = 0.27–0.65) and the least decrease in it under adverse conditions. Strong responsiveness to changes in environmental conditions was noted for lines 290-17, 2-17 and 21-17: bi – 1.25–1.29, KM – 2.22–2.27. According to the degree of homeostaticity, line 1-17 was distinguished (Sc – 4.63, PUSS – 212, Hom – 18.3), these indicators exceeded the average values by 10.2 %, 81.0 abs. %, 98.9 %, respectively. According to the results of the integrated assessment by the ranking method, breeding lines 1-17; 465-17 and 21-17 showed varying degrees of adaptability, environmental stability, homeostaticity and had a high rating. The lowest rating in terms of the sum of the ranks of adaptability and plasticity parameters was obtained by the standard Agate variety.

Photosynthetic characteristics of tall trees play important roles in improving the accuracy of ecosystem models, but they are laborious to be accurately measured or estimated owing to the influence of multiple factors. To clarify the main drivers of vertical and seasonal patterns of leaf photosynthetic characteristics of young planted Larix Olgensis trees, we collected data on the photosynthetic, morphological, and meteorological characteristics by a long-term observation throughout the entire growing season. Vertical and seasonal patterns of leaf photosynthetic characteristics and their impact factors were analyzed. Results showed that maximum net CO2 assimilation (Amax), light saturated stomatal conductance (gs-sat), respiration rate (RD), needle mass per area (NMA), and ratio of needle length to needle width (rlw) all significantly and negatively correlated with relative depth into crown (RDINC), that was caused by the adaptive alteration of mesophyll tissue to the differed light intensity and humidity. Amax and gs-sat both showed a similar 'parabolic' seasonal trend, that was not only affected by the variation of environment but also the leaf economic spectrum, such as NMA. Our results suggested that spatiotemporal variations of crown photosynthetic characteristics were directly influenced by leaf economic spectrum but fundamentally affected by the long-term acclimation to surrounding environmental factors. This is helpful to optimize the crown photosynthesis model to assess instantaneous or even long-term photosynthetic production, in order to clarify the balance of supply and demand within crown, and further guide the effective pruning for individual trees.

Warm water temperature is a risk factor for recurrent mass mortality in farmed Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas caused by Ostreid herpesvirus-1, but there is little information on environmental conditions when the disease first appears in a region—the index case. Environmental conditions between four index cases in Australia (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2024) were compared to provide insight into possible origins of the virus. Each index case was preceded by unusually low rainfall and higher rates of temperature change that could increase oyster susceptibility through thermal flux stress. Water temperature alone did not explain the index cases, there being no consistency in sea surface, estuary or air temperatures between them. Tidal cycles and chlorophyll-a levels were unremarkable, harmful algae were present in all index cases and anthropogenic environmental contamination was unlikely. The lack of an interpretable change in the estuarine environment suggests the recent introduction of OsHV-1; however, viral emergence from a local reservoir cannot be excluded. Future events will be difficult to predict. Temperature flux and rainfall are likely important, but they are proxies for a range of undetermined factors and to identify these, it will be necessary to develop comprehensive protocols for data acquisition during future index cases.

Strawberry, a profitable crop, adapts well to diverse environments. This study evaluated the stability of fruit quality in different strawberry varieties produced as green plants without chilling during the harvest season in northern Uruguay. The focus was on understanding the impact of harvest date versus agricultural practices (different orchards and growers) on key fruit quality variables such as color, firmness, sugars, and acidity. Results indicated that the INIA Yrupé variety showed greater stability in external coloration and sugar content across harvest dates, suggesting that standardizing fruit coloration is viable under challenging conditions. INIA Guapa consistently met minimum requirements for soluble solids and ratio, with stable acidity and red coloration. Firmness was positively correlated with ratio (r = 0.81) and negatively impacted by rainfall 2–3 days before harvest. The findings suggest that harvest date has a more significant impact on INIA Yrupé fruit quality than growing conditions or practices, with variability observed in firmness and ratio but minimal variation in fruit coloration. These insights highlight the importance of harvest timing for maintaining stable fruit quality traits, which is crucial for breeding programs and ensuring consistent sensory quality and crop profitability.

Epiphytic and endophytic micro-organisms associated with plants form complex communities on or in their host plant. These communities influence physiological traits, development, and host susceptibility to abiotic and biotic stresses, and these communities are theorized to have evolved alongside their hosts, forming a unit of selection known as the holobiont. The microbiome is highly variable and can be influenced by abiotic factors, including applied exogenous agents. In this study, we compared the impact of chemical fungicide and salicylic acid treatments on the fungal communities of "Honeycrisp" apples at harvest over two consecutive growing years. We demonstrated variations in fungal community structure and composition by tissue type, growing season, and treatment regimes and that fungicide treatments were associated with reduced network complexity. Finally, we show that the inclusion of salicylic acid with 50% less chemical fungicides in an integrated spray program allowed a reduction in fungicide use while maintaining effective control of disease at harvest and following storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercialization of modular timber products as cost-effective and lightweight components has resulted in innovative engineering products, e.g., glued laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber, I-beams, cross-laminated timber and solid timber joined with wedge joints. With the passage of time, timber structures can deteriorate, or new structural elements are required to increase the stiffness or load-bearing capacity in newly built structures, e.g., lintels over large-scale glazing or garages, or to reduce cross-sectional dimensions or save costly timber material while still achieving low weight. It is in such cases that repair or correct reinforcement is required. In this experimental and numerical study, the static performance of flexural timber beams reinforced with prestressed basalt BFRP, glass GFRP and hybrid glass–basalt fiber bars is shown. The experimental tests resulted in an increase in the load-carrying capacity of BFRP (44%), GFRP (33%) and hybrid bars (43%) and an increase in the stiffness of BFRP (28%), GFRP (24%) and hybrid bars (25%). In addition to this, glued laminated timber beams reinforced with prestressed basalt rods subjected to biological degradation, 7 years of weathering and prolonged exposure to various environmental conditions were examined, and an increase in the load-bearing capacity of 27% and an increase in stiffness of 28% were obtained. In addition, full-size laminated timber beams reinforced with prestressed basalt bars were investigated in the field as an exploratory test under fire conditions at elevated temperatures, and the effect of the physical–mechanical properties during the fire was examined via an analysis of these properties after the fire. In addition, a satisfactory correlation of the numerical simulations with the experimental studies was obtained. The differences were between 1.1% and 5.5%. The concordance was due to the fact that, in this study, the Young, Poisson and shear moduli were determined for all quality classes of sawn timber. Only a significant difference resulted in the numerical analysis for the beams exposed to fire under fire conditions. The experimental, theoretical and numerical analyses in this research were exploratory and will be expanded as directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Cup is traditionally held oppressive thermal conditions. Therefore, teams should follow heat strain mitigation strategies, including optimal fluid ingestion. The objective of this analysis was to assess and visually communicate match-based World Cup player hydration opportunities and behaviors. Broadcast recordings of the 2018 World Cup (June–July) were analyzed. Descriptive data were reported for match duration, the number, type, and duration of breaks, and player-initiated hydration moments, as well as environmental conditions categorized as 'no thermal stress' and 'thermal heat stress.' The median number and interquartile range of total match breaks were 7 [5–8] during official breaks, with a duration of 42 [23–72] seconds. There were 2 [1–3] player-initiated hydration moments per game, with a duration of 77 [55–100] seconds. On top of the 29% (#126) of breaks in which drinking occurred, an additional 26% (#33) of self-initiated drinking was registered with a duration of 7 [4–28] seconds without an official break. There was no significant difference (P = 0.22) in self-initiated hydration between thermal conditions. Relative percentages showed suboptimal use of substitution (14%) and VAR (38%) breaks vs. injury breaks (75%). In conclusion, football players did not sufficiently use available breaks to hydrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), being a multiharvest crop, can increase farm profitability and cropping system diversification, including in marginal areas. Since inflorescence essential oil (EO) represents a valuable co-product for cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of pedoclimatic conditions on the inflorescence yield. EO content, composition and antioxidant capacity of the monoecious variety 'Futura 75'. So, on-farm trials were performed in central Italy at three sites (SL, LA and SPG), which differed in terms of soil (taxonomic classes; chemical and physical characteristics), microclimate conditions (rainfall and air temperatures) and agricultural value. The results highlighted how location specificities significantly influence crop performance. Strong differences in productive parameters were observed among the farms, with inflorescence yields ranging from 1.3 to 4.9 Mg ha−1, mainly depending on the differences between the maximum and minimum air temperatures (ΔT) since negative correlations were found. Similarly, the concentration of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons showed a reduction when ΔT during the studied period was higher; conversely, oxygenated sesquiterpenes showed an increment due to a higher ΔT. Only phenylpropanoids were affected by rainfall, showing a positive correlation. All these findings confirm that in hemp, satisfactory productions can be reached only by matching territorial suitability. The variability in EO's characteristics suggests, in fact, that the "uniqueness" of the EOs derives from a combination of the pedological, climatic and agronomic variables of each site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites made from fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are a crucial and highly adaptable category of materials widely utilized in numerous fields. Their flexibility and the range of criteria for classification enable the creation of tailored solutions to address distinct requirements in sectors such as civil engineering, aerospace, automotive, and marine, among others. The distinguishing characteristics of FRP composites include the type of reinforcing fiber used, the composition of the matrix material, the employed manufacturing process, the orientation of the fibers, and the specific end-use application. These classification variables offer engineers a versatile structure to determine and select the most appropriate materials and production techniques for their specific needs. Furthermore, the present study aims to reunite the criteria of classification for FRPs and specific manufacturing technologies of FRPs, such as conventional ones (matched die molding, contact molding), automated ones (filament winding, tape lay-up, and fiber placement), and advanced ones (electrospinning and additive manufacturing),with the chronological development of FRPs, insights on material characteristics, and comprehensive design guidelines based on their behavior in different environments of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To determine the level of productivity of new varieties of soft winter wheat, their stability and plasticity when grown in different soil and climatic conditions of Ukraine. Methods. The field trial was carried out in 2022-2023 under the conditions of the research stations of the Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination (UIPVE) in the Steppe, Forest Steppe and Polissia soilclimatic zones. The peculiarities of plant growth and development, the yield formation of 34 new varieties of soft winter wheat were studied. Plasticity and stability of yield formation were calculated and analyzed according to the Ebergard - Russell method, general homeostaticity and selection value according to Khangildin V.V. and Lytvynenko N.A. In the course of the research, computational and statistical methods were used. Analysis and synthesis were used to draw conclusions. Results. The yield varied from 5.4 to 8.4 t/ha, depending on the soil and climate zone and the location of the trial. The variety 'LG Optimist' had the highest average yield (8.1 t/ha) and 'YUSON' the lo west (6.0 t/ha). The most favorable conditions for the study of growth and development of genotypes in 2022 were in the Forest-Steppe (Ij = 0.9) and Polissia (Ij = 0.6) zones, in 2023 - Polissia (Ij = 0.2); the worst in 2022 - in the Steppe (Ij = -0.7), in 2023 - in the Steppe (Ij = -0.7) and Forest-Steppe (Ij = -0.5) zones. In 2023, the best climatic conditions were in the Polissia zone (Ij = 0.2), the worst were in the points located in the Steppe (Ij = -0.7) and Forest Steppe (Ij = -0.5) zones. The theoretical yield values of the varieties at the research points did not differ from the actual values and averaged 7.1 t/ha, ranging from 6.0 to 8.1 t/ha. High homeostaticity and low level of variation (V ≤ 10.0%) were found in the varieties 'Yevraziia' (Hom = 15.6), 'Dekaster' (Hom = 15.2), 'FORSAIT' (Hom = 13.9) and 'LG Optimist' (Hom = 12.1). In addition, 'LG Optimist' (Sc = 6.9) and 'Dekaster' (Sc = 6.6) had the highest breeding value. The variety 'FORSAIT' (bi = 0.2; S²di = 0.24), with an average yield of 7.4 t/ha, has a high plasticity, so it is recommended to grow it on extensive backgrounds and in unfavorable conditions. Varieties 'Yevraziia', 'Nosivochka', 'SOLIFLOR CS', 'Mizynka', 'Troiana', 'LG Optimist', 'Biskvit', 'MIP Dovira', 'Etual', 'Tvorchist Odeska', 'Attribut', 'Epihraf', 'Dekaster', 'Epitet', 'Jannis', 'Pamiati Horlacha', 'Trembita Bilotserkivska' and 'Slava Unavy' with a combined manifestation of high ecological plasticity bi = 1 and stability S2di = 0 in average grain yield 7.2 t/ha, according to the genotype respond well to the improvement of growing conditions and are stable, are considered the most practically valuable. Conclusions. New varieties of soft winter wheat, when grown in different soil and climatic conditions, fully develop their genetic potential under significant changes in environmental conditions and produce the highest yield that can be obtained under ideal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forest plantations (Norway spruce, pine) installed outside the habitat are fragile, vulnerable ecosystems, exposed to some risk factors, registering significant damages. In the paper, the analysis of the environmental conditions of some lands with Norway spruce stands outside the habitat, affected by intense drying, and the substantiation of their ecological restoration solutions are presented. The results were obtained based on research carried out in 2023 in the area of the Suceava Plateau (Marginea Forest District). The physicochemical characteristics of the soils were strongly altered, having a low content of nutrients and minerals, with a contrasting texture, being poor in bases and heavy drainage, strong acidity, and affected by pseudo-glazing processes. The ecological restoration of Norway spruce stands affected by drying consists of replacing them with species corresponding to the environmental conditions, but only after carrying out special land and soil preparation works to improve its physical and chemical properties. The results obtained are particularly important considering the need for ecological restoration of large areas with Norway spruce stands outside the habitat, strongly affected by drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aimed to investigate the crown dieback of Persian oak trees in relation to their individual and site characteristics, and evaluated the changes in the crown health of trees during the years 2019 to 2022 in the Meleh-Siah forest in the northern half of Ilam province. Two sites were identified in the northern and southern aspects and 100 oak trees were marked in each site. The characteristics of each tree, including the diameter at breast height, tree height, max and min crown diameter and tree origin were measured and determined. The dieback condition of tree crowns was evaluated and divided into four classes of crown dieback including; First class: healthy trees, second class: tree crowns with low dieback, third class: trees with crown dieback less than 50%, fourth class: trees with crown dieback more than 50%. The evaluation of crown dieback of trees was done over four years and in September. The results showed that the highest abundance of trees in the northern site is in the classes of declining and crown dieback up to 50%, and in the southern site is in the class of crown dieback more than 50%. The number of trees leaving the healthy and declining classes was higher, respectively, which were transferred to the higher crown dieback classes. The healthy and declining classes were associated with decreasing changes and the crown dieback less than 50% class was associated with increasing changes. The dbh, height and crown area of healthy trees were lower than those of other crown dieback classes. The frequency of crown dieback was higher in denser stands. The rate of crown dieback was higher in coppice trees than in standard trees; in addition, the temporal changes of crown dieback were more in coppice trees. The results indicate that individual and social traits and environmental conditions have a considerable impact on the crown health of oak trees and how they react to recent droughts. Also, the temporal changes of crown dieback of trees showed the rapid process of oak trees dieback towards their death, which can lead to serious destruction of forests under the condition of continued drought, which is a warning to the executive organs for the protection and restoration management of these forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, the demand for stone raw materials has increased significantly. The stone industry is an unusual sector that combines domestic stone extraction with the global market. The stone market supported by the achievements of new technologies provides a processed product, which in consequence create great potential for development of this sector. What is more an intensification of the demand effect on raw stones can be initiated by the construction industry, which is one of the basic drivers of the country's economy. In this paper there are presented conclusions from an analysis of the local and global stone market. What is more, authors present the results of analysis the mining potential of dimension and crushed stones deposits occurring in Poland in the context of limited exploitation possibilities due to selected protection areas such as areas of Major Groundwater Reservoirs (hereinafter: GZWP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we propose the use of telomeric length (TL) as an authenticity marker that could provide an alternative method for differentiating fish and seafood samples or detecting fraud. Considering the ever-growing number of incidents of economically motivated fish and seafood adulteration using even more sophisticated methods to overcome current authenticity markers, the need to identify novel authenticity markers becomes essential. The TL of fish and seafood depends on individual characteristics (e.g., sex, age) and the environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, water quality) to which these are exposed. Hence, both wild marine and freshwater populations occupying different geographical origin habitats might differ substantially because of the environmental cues affecting them. Moreover, the implementation of various rearing practices in aquaculture, such as different levels of fish and seafood density and increased ambient noise combined with site-specific environmental cues could affect TL, providing regulatory authorities with valuable information by distinguishing wild from reared populations and organic from conventional ones. In the present review the effects of both the environmental conditions and individual characteristics on the telomeric stability of fish and seafood telomeres are discussed, suggesting TL as a potential prospect authenticity marker that could be used to prevent fish and seafood adulteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Through a preliminary analysis of animal remains from the large settlement site of Yucun, located east of the Longshan Mountain and associated with the Zhou people during the first half of the first millennium BC, the authors investigated the subsistence practices in relation to the exploitation of animal resources by the site's residents. The examination of animal species representation and the mortality profiles of major domesticates suggest similarities between Yucun and sites associated with the Qin people, located to the west of the Longshan Mountain. However, differences were observed when comparing Yucun to other contemporaneous sites in the middle and lower Yellow River valley. These patterns in animal use strategies appear to have been influenced by local environmental conditions. The first millennium BC saw the expansion of the Western Zhou dynasty in its northwestern frontier, alongside the rise and development of the Qin State in the Longshan Mountain region of northern China. Exploring the subsistence practices of these communities is crucial to gaining a better understanding of the social, cultural, and political landscape in this region at the time. While much of the research to date has focused on the Qin people, the subsistence practices of the Zhou people remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed animal remains from Yucun, a large settlement site associated with the Zhou people, located to the east of the Longshan Mountain. These animal remains were recovered in the excavation seasons of 2018–2020. Our results show that pigs, dogs, cattle, caprines, and horses, which were the major domestic animals at Yucun, accounted for over 90.8% of the animal remains examined in terms of the number of identified specimens (NISP) and 72.8% in terms of the minimum number of individuals (MNI), with cattle and caprines playing dominant roles. In terms of the taxonomic composition and the mortality profiles of pigs, caprines, and cattle, Yucun shared similarities with Maojiaping and Xishan, two contemporaneous Qin cultural sites located to the west of the Longshan Mountain, and differ from other farming societies in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River valley. Considering the cultural attributes and topographic conditions of these various sites, these findings imply that environmental conditions may have played a more significant role than cultural factors in shaping the animal-related subsistence practices in northern China during the first millennium BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the stability, and vibrational characteristics of functionally graded single-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-SWCNTRC) plates resting on a Visco-Hetenyi medium are perused based on a 12 unknown higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The system is subjected to hygro-thermal environments and both compressive and tensile in-plane loads in both x- and y-direction. In addition to both linear and nonlinear thermal conditions, a two-dimensional (2D) magnetic field's effects on the stability of the system are studied. The governing equations of motion are solved numerically by means of the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) due to its capability to consider the various geometric boundary conditions (BCs). In order to validate the current work, a comparative study is accomplished between the present outcomes and reported ones in the open literature. The impact of the carbon nanotube (CNT) volume fraction, patterns of CNT distribution, environmental attacks, magnetic field strength and direction, structure aspect ratios, BCs, and foundation types on the vibrational behavior of the considered structure are scrutinized. Obtained results represent that considering the impacts of in-plane tensile forces and the magnetic field in modeling improves the system's vibrational behavior. While imposing the hygro-thermal effects similar to the axial compressive loads have destabilizing influences on the system and make the structure more vulnerable to static instability. Moreover, uncertain conditions are assessed for sensitive parameters which have effects on the performance of the system. Finally, using a supervised neural network (NN) learning approach, the accuracy of the model is proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the structure and trophic characteristics of zooplankton communities of the East Siberian Sea (ESS) was performed within the program "Marine Ecosystems of the Siberian Arctic" during cruise 69 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The material was collected on two quasimeridional transects conducted in the latitudinal range ~71°00′–75°30′ N from the inner shelf adjacent to the Indigirka and Kolyma outfalls to the outer shelf during September 5–9, 2017. The list of species and larger taxa, as well as their biomass and trophic characteristics, are presented, and the peculiarities of cross-shelf distribution in relation to the conditions of the pelagic environment are described. The obtained estimates of the mezoplankton biomass in the ESS are on the whole within the range typical of the rest of the Siberian Seas in summer–fall. It has been established that mezoplankton communities of the western and eastern ESS significantly differ in quantitative characteristics, the role of dominant species and taxonomic groups in biomass, grazing impact of mesoplankton on the phytoplankton biomass and production, and features of the cross-shelf distribution of these characteristics. The boundary between the communities with different structural functional characteristics is located approximately at 160°–163° E. A conclusion is made that analysis of climatic and seasonal changes in ESS mezoplankton should be examined with allowance for the principal differences between pelagic biotopes and communities of the western and eastern parts of the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are one of the most important distributed computing systems and environmental conditions have a great impact on their functionality. Some sensor nodes in WSNs have a battery as the power source and use renewable energy such as solar energy to charge it. If the batteries are not charged by harvesting energy from the environment, the tasks of the sensor nodes will fail. To prevent it, the sensor nodes can also decide to migrate tasks to neighbor nodes based on their battery status. On the other, the arrival rate of tasks at day hours is more than the arrival rate of tasks at night hours, but the charging rate of batteries is higher during the day than at night. Therefore, decisions of WSNs should be based on information from environmental conditions. The different arrival rates of tasks and charge rates of the batteries at day and night hours as the main environmental conditions have been ignored in the modeling of WSNs. In this paper, we model a WSN node using Stochastic Reward Nets (SRN) and then compute the steady-state probabilities of processing, failure, and migration of tasks and evaluate the impact of different environmental conditions on them in the WSNs. The results prove that changing the charge rate has a greater impact on the WSN functionality than changing the arrival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands soils worldwide are naturally colonized by microbial communities known as biocrusts. These soil microbiomes render important ecosystem services associated with soil fertility, water holding capacity, and stability to the areas they cover. Because of the importance of biocrusts in the global cycling of nutrients, there is a growing interest in describing the many microbial configurations these communities display worldwide. However, comprehensive 16S rRNA genes surveys of biocrust communities do not exist for much of the planet: for example, in the continents of South America and the northern part of Africa. The absence of a global understanding of biocrust biodiversity has lead us to assign a general importance to community members that may, in fact, be regional. Here we report for the first time the presence of biocrusts in Colombia (South America) through 16S rRNA genes surveys across an arid, a semi-arid and a dry subtropical region within the country. Our results constitute the first glance of the Bacterial/Archaeal communities associated with South American biocrust microbiomes. Communities where cyanobacteria other than Microcoleus vaginatus prevail, despite the latter being considered a key species elsewhere, illustrate differentiable results in these surveys. We also find that the coastal biocrust communities in Colombia include halo-tolerant and halophilic species, and that niche preference of some nitrogen fixing organisms deviate from previously described global trends. In addition, we identified a high proportion (ranging from 5 to 70%, in average) of cyanobacterial sequences that did not match any formally described cyanobacterial species. Our investigation of Colombian biocrusts points to highly diverse communities with climatic regions controlling taxonomic configurations. They also highlight an extensive local diversity to be discovered which is central to better design management and restoration strategies for drylands soils currently undergoing disturbances due to land use and global warming. Finally, this field study highlights the need for an improved mechanistic understanding of the response of key biocrust community members to changes in moisture and temperature.