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The distributional characteristics of microorganisms in karst cave ecosystems have been widely studied. However, in such a dark, humid, and oligotrophic habitat, studies on the differences in carbon-sequestering bacteria in multiple habitats are limited. Therefore, to learn the distribution characteristics of carbon-sequestering colonies in cave habitats and their correlation with habitat factors (e.g., pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, etc.), samples from five cave habitats (weathered rock walls, underground river water, drips, sediments, and air) were collected from the twilight and dark zones of Shiziyan Cave (CO2 concentration 5385 ppm). The results of high-throughput sequencing and statistical analyses showed that there were significant differences in the distribution of communities in different habitats, with higher abundance in sediments habitat and underground river water habitat, and the dominant phyla of Pseudomonadota (30.53%) and Cyanobacteria (75.11%) in these two habitats. The microbial diversity of the carbon-sequestering microbial community was higher in sediments than in underground river water. The pH, and Ca2+, SO 4 2 − , and NO 3 − concentrations can alter the diversity of carbon-sequestering microbes, thereby affecting carbon cycling in caves. Carbon metabolism analyses suggest that microbes in the habitat can cooperate and coexist by participating in different carbon metabolic pathways. These results expanded our understanding of carbon-sequestering microbial communities in cave systems and their responses to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the United States has experienced, on average, costs of USD 20 billion due to natural and climate disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires. In this study, we focus on wildfires, which have occurred more frequently in the past few years. This paper examines how various factors, such as the PM10 levels, elevation, precipitation, SOX, population, and temperature, can influence the intensity of wildfires differently across counties in California. More specifically, we use Bayesian analysis to classify all counties of California into two groups: those with more wildfires and those with fewer wildfires. The Bayesian model incorporates prior knowledge and uncertainty for a more robust understanding of how these environmental factors impact wildfires differently among county groups. The findings show a similar effect of the SOX, population, and temperature, while the PM10, elevation, and precipitation have different implications for wildfires across various groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental context: The widespread use of pesticides leads to a large amount of residues in the natural water where photochemical degradation is the main removal process. The influencing factors on the photodegradation of pyrimethanil were investigated in different aqueous matrix, and the chlorinated product was found in saline water, indicating a higher ecologic risk of residual pyrimethanil in estuarine and nearshore water than in fresh water. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture. Rationale: The photodegradation behaviour of pesticides in natural environments significantly affects their ecological safety. Pyrimethanil (PYR) is a widely used fungicide and is classified as a possible human carcinogen. The influencing factors for the photodegradation of PYR in different aqueous matrixes were studied, and the degradation pathway was evaluated. Methodology: The photodegradation behaviour of PYR was investigated in fresh water and seawater, and the effects of the main photosensitive components including dissolved organic matter (DOM), chloride, Fe3+, NO3− and HCO3− were evaluated in aqueous solutions, and the degradation products determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The photolysis of PYR was much faster in fresh water than in seawater, where DOM and chloride played a role. As DOM model substances, humic acid (HA) and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) both promoted PYR degradation, whereas chloride inhibited PYR's degradation in the presence of SRNOM and resulted in a chlorinated byproduct. Ferric, nitrate and bicarbonate ions promoted PYR degradation. Discussion: PYR is a refractory pesticide for photodegradation, especially in saline water environments where a chlorinated product was formed. The result indicates a high ecological risk of residual PYR in estuarine and nearshore water. Environmental context. The widespread use of pesticides leads to a large amount of residues in natural waters where photochemical degradation is the main removal process. The factors influencing the photodegradation of pyrimethanil were investigated in different aqueous matrixes, and a chlorinated product was found in saline water, indicating a higher ecological risk of residual pyrimethanil in estuarine and nearshore water than in fresh water. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture. (Image credit: Jiayun Zhao.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the photochromic properties of magnesium tin oxide (MTO) films deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates under various environmental conditions. The photochromic behavior involves the transition of the material to a black state upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and its return to transparency upon heating. MTO films deposited on ITO substrates exhibited significant coloration upon UV exposure, with a notable decrease in visible light transmittance. Structural analysis revealed the formation of metallic indium at the MTO/ITO interface during UV irradiation, suggesting a complex reaction mechanism involving oxygen and hydrogen radicals. Investigations into the effects of atmospheric gases and humidity on UV-induced coloration indicated that moisture plays a crucial role in promoting photochromism, while the presence of oxygen influences the degree of coloration. The study provides insights into the underlying processes driving the photochromic phenomenon in MTO/ITO systems and underscores the importance of environmental factors in modulating their optical properties. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of oxygen and its derivatives in the photochromic mechanism of MTO films for potential applications in energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regression analysis is essential for prediction analysis and variable identification since air pollution studies are complicated by competing suggestions and require careful interpretation. In the existing predictive analysis, estimating indoor radon levels is challenging due to multicollinearity issues and the existing algorithm's assumption of independent predictor variables, making it difficult to accurately assess individual effects. Hence a novel Unsupervised Bayesian Multiple Regression Analysis is used to correctly offer the specific impacts of each predictor variable by taking the complex interactions between factors in the estimation of indoor radon levels. Furthermore, in the variable identification, indoor radon levels are influenced by complex residual distributions, with existing algorithms failing to predict non-Gaussian residuals due to outlier-sensitive least squares estimation. So a novel Quadratic Discriminant Extreme Learning Machine is implemented to overcome this issue, which creates models that are better able to reliably detect the factors driving indoor radon levels and are more robust to non-Gaussian residual distributions. The proposed method demonstrates excellence in predictive analysis and variable identification achieving high coefficient of relation and low MAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease that includes a range of different physiological disorders causing abnormal renal function and progressive decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This study aimed to investigate the associations of several Environmental factors with CKD in the Iranian population. This is the second phase of a hospital-based case-control study, which was conducted on 700 participants (350 CKD cases and 350 controls, age and gender frequency matched). Multiple logistic regression was applied to measure the associations between the selected factors and CKD. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. All p-values were two-sided and the results were considered statistically significant at p

The human microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms living on or within their hosts, play an irreplaceable role in maintaining human health. Dysbiosis of the microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of diverse human diseases. In recent years, growing evidence has been presented to support the substantial effect of human microbiota on the progression of infectious diseases. In this review, we describe the functional role of human microbiota in infectious diseases by highlighting their Janus-faced effects in the regulation of acute and chronic infections as well as their related co-morbidities. Thereafter, we review the latest advances elucidating the mechanisms underlying tri-directional interactions between the microbiota, hosts, and invading pathogens, with a further discussion on external environmental factors that shape this interconnected regulatory network. A better understanding of the regulatory functions and mechanisms of human microbiota in infectious diseases will facilitate the development of new diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic approaches for infectious diseases.

Abstract Background Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease. Whereas some patients have an indolent disease, others experience an aggressive course and early death. Our aim was to investigate if modifiable and non‐modifiable medical history and lifestyle factors prior to diagnosis had an impact on the natural course of the disease. Method In 1154 CLL patients, we assessed if the weight, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption or non‐modifiable characteristics including family history of lymphoid malignancy and medical history were associated with time‐to‐first‐treatment (TTFT) and adjusted all results for the CLL‐International Prognostic Index (CLL‐IPI). Results TTFT was shorter for patients with high/very high‐risk CLL‐IPI than those with low/intermediate risk CLL‐IPI. In the adjusted analysis we did not find additional impact on TTFT besides CLL‐IPI from any environmental characteristics assessed. Conclusions We found limited impact of environmental factors on the natural course of CLL (measured as the TTFT in treatment naïve patients) providing valuable knowledge, and potential relief, to share with patients at the time of diagnosis.

Abstract Background Few animal populations have been studied under the framework of the OCBIL theory, which addresses the ecology and evolution of biodiversity on old climatically buffered infertile landscapes. Available genetic data challenge the low connectivity and high genetic differentiation predicted for isolated tepui-summit vertebrate communities, suggesting potential dispersal among summits. However, the OCBIL theory posits reduced dispersibility, enhanced resilience to habitat fragmentation and inbreeding due to small populations. We tested these hypotheses by conducting the first analytic evaluation of the spatial ecology and population biology of a tepui-summit vertebrate at multiple spatial scales. Results We used harmonic radar tracking (100 individuals/448 points of contact) and capture-mark-recapture data (596 individuals captured/52 recaptured) to reveal the temporal niche, microhabitat use, population size, and dispersal abilities of the tepui-summit endemic toad Oreophrynella quelchii on Roraima-tepui. Abundance was determined using a closed population model incorporating sources of variation in capture probability. We tested the relative influence of biotic and abiotic variables on distances moved through model selection. Our data indicate that the population size of O. quelchii is remarkably large (ca. 12 million individuals), with strong seasonal demographic fluctuations. Ecology and observed limited spatial movements challenge the likelihood of active dispersal among tepui tops in this species. Our results are counter to those predicted by the available genetic data but support two hypotheses of the OCBIL theory: reduced dispersibility and enhanced resilience. However, they do not support the expectation of a small refugial population size. Conclusion We postulate that the insular, hostile tepui-summit environment tends to produce robust demographic populations, likely to buffer stochastic adverse environmental effects, rather than diversity, as observed in much younger post-Pleistocene Neotropical landscapes. Our results draw attention to the value of faunal studies using an OCBIL framework to better understand the ecology and evolution of this unique biota worldwide.

Abstract Objective This study aims to analyze the geographical variations and identify key environmental and behavioral predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality in Turkiye. Methods A 10-year longitudinal province-level data was used to identify change trajectories of CAD mortality. Environmental determinants (such as air quality and climatic conditions) and behavioral factors of alcohol consumption and smoking were examined for their association with CAD mortality change trajectories using Ordinal Logistic Regression models. Results The study revealed significantly different trajectoriesof CAD mortality across Turkiye. Environmental factors, particularly air quality (Particulate Matter-10 variation) and climatic conditions (humidity and temperature variations), were heavily associated with the level of CAD mortality. Behavioral factors, notably alcohol consumption and smoking, also exhibited a significantly positive association. Humidity, sunlight, and temperature remained as key predictors of CAD after controlling for smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusion The study underscores the importance of addressing environmental and lifestyle factors in CAD management and prevention strategies. The findings suggest the necessity for region-specific interventions and public health policies tailored to the unique characteristics of each province in Turkiye. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the multifactorial nature of CAD mortality, providing valuable insights for future research to investigate causal associations, healthcare planning, and policy-making. Trial registration Our study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.GOV system with a procotol ID of CAD001.

يهدف البحث إلى استنباط معايير تصميم الحدائق المصرية القديمة، للاستفادة بها؛ سواء في تصميم حدائق على الطراز المصري القديم عمومًا، أو حدائق المتاحف وحدائق المواقع الأثرية المصرية القديمة التي تتسم بالبعد تمامًا عن معايير حديقة الموقع الأثري كما نصت عليها وثيقة "نارا". ذلك عن طريق دراسة كل المصادر التي تناولت الحديقة المصرية القديمة من آثار ونماذج ونقوش ونصوص، واستقراء مبادئ التصميم، وعناصر الحديقة، وتأثر كل منهما بالعوامل البيئية والعقائدية والوظيفية في مصر القديمة، وتقديمها كقاعدة بيانات للمهتمين بتطوير حدائق على الطراز المصري القديم. The research aims to derive design standards for ancient Egyptian gardens, in order to benefit from them. Whether in designing gardens in the ancient Egyptian style in general, or museum gardens and gardens of ancient Egyptian archaeological sites, which are completely far from the standards of the archaeological site garden as stipulated in the “Nara” document. This is done by studying all the sources that dealt with the ancient Egyptian garden, including antiquities, models, inscriptions and texts, and extrapolating the design principles and elements of the garden, and the influence of each of them on the environmental, ideological and functional factors in ancient Egypt, and presenting it as a database for those interested in developing gardens in the ancient Egyptian style.

Abstract With a large number of film capacitors being deployed in critical locations in electrical and electronic systems, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is also expected to address the problems encountered in this process. According to our findings, AI applications can cover the entire lifecycle of film capacitors. However, the AI safety hazards in these applications have not received the attention they deserve. To meet this, the authors argue, with specific examples, risks that flawed, erratic, and unethical AI can introduce in the design, operation, and evaluation of film capacitors. Human‐AI common impact and more multi‐dimensional evaluation for AI are proposed to better cope with unknown, ambiguity, and known risks brought from AI in film capacitors now and in the future.

The black ant (Dolichoderus thoracicus) is known as a natural enemy of Hypothenemus hampei Ferr., the Coffee Berry Borer (CBB). The conservation efforts for this natural enemy can be carried out by using ant nest technology with artificial feed. This research explored artificial nesting and feeding methods for black ant colonies in coffee plantations in Jember District, Indonesia, to combat the CBB. Utilizing a Randomized Block Design, the study examines different nest materials and shapes, various artificial feeds, and the influence of environmental factors on ant colony growth. Cocoa leaves are the most effective nesting material, significantly increasing ant populations (11,532 individuals on average) compared to coconut leaves (4,645.83 individuals); no significant impact of nest shape on ant attraction; granulated sugar is the preferred artificial feed. A notable increase in ant populations was observed with a longer nest placement duration of four weeks. Environmental factors, especially humidity and temperature, significantly influence nests' and feed interactions. The study highlights the importance of specific nesting materials and environmental considerations in effective pest management strategies in tropical agriculture, offering a sustainable approach to enhancing coffee plantation productivity.

Nawaf Almarzouki Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Nawaf Almarzouki, Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Email nawaf.almarzouki@gmail.comBackground: Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, is characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Intraocular pressure (IOP) remains a well-established risk factor, but recent research suggests environmental and lifestyle factors may also play a role.Objective: This review aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the impact of environmental factors on glaucoma progression.Methods: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, searching various databases for studies on environmental factors and glaucoma progression.Results: Our review identified several key findings. IOP remains the most crucial modifiable risk factor. Aerobic exercise and mindfulness practices may lower IOP and provide neuroprotection. Lifestyle modifications like smoking cessation and balanced diets were also emphasized. Studies suggest air pollution exposure, particularly PM2.5, may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma. However, the studies were primarily observational, and more research is needed to establish causality and elucidate underlying mechanisms.Conclusion: This review highlights the multifaceted nature of glaucoma, emphasizing the interplay between established risk factors (IOP) and emerging environmental influences (air pollution). Environmental factors hold promise as potential targets for glaucoma prevention and management strategies. Future research should focus on well-designed studies to investigate causal relationships and biological mechanisms.Keywords: glaucoma, intraocular pressure, IOP, environmental factors, air pollution, lifestyle modifications, aerobic exercise, diet, public health

Pilgrimage represents a sacred journey to religiously significant places. Recent studies highlight a 35 times increase in travel to pilgrimage sites from 1991 to 2019 in India. This surge in pilgrim numbers underscores the growing need for improved mobility infrastructure to ensure a comfortable environment. The study investigates the relationship between street-level walkability indicators on mobility within a pilgrimage town, Nanjungud in India. Through field surveys, we documented four crucial environmental indicators tailored for Indian conditions: sidewalk availability, green view, aspect ratio, and connectivity. Both vehicle and pedestrian volumes are measured using gate count method at 22 different locations of the study area on weekdays and weekends. SPSS is utilized for analysing the correlation. The findings reveal a statistically significant, albeit moderate, correlation between sidewalk availability and pedestrian volume during day time (0.446). However, pedestrians were observed walking on the streets where the sidewalks are discontinuous. Additionally, there tends to be less of green view in the most populated streets, and a noticeable negative correlation of aspect ratio with sidewalk availability (−0.444). The study highlights the need to prioritize improvements in sidewalk infrastructure and urban shading enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience.

Abstract Background Understanding the impact of environmental factors on physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) is crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents. This study examines how awareness of sports policies, school, family, and community environments influence PA and PF in Chinese youth. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2747 children and adolescents (mean age 12.90 ± 2.49; 48.2% male) from 17 schools across five Chinese cities. Environmental factors were assessed via questionnaires, and PA levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). PF metrics, including BMI, waist-to-height ratio, grip strength, vertical jump, and 20-m shuttle run test (20-mSRT), were measured onsite. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to explore relationships between environmental factors and PA/PF outcomes. Results The school environment scored highest (78.0 ± 9.5), while the community environment scored lowest (38.7 ± 18.0). Family environment positively influenced low-intensity PA (LPA) (β = 0.102, P

Photosynthetic carbon flux and soil respiration are major determinants of the carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems. Components of the carbon exchange of woody plants and soils were estimated in a 10-year-old clear-cut site of mid-boreal bilberry-type pine forest in southern Karelia during the warm season (July–August) in 2017–2019. The control was trees of the same age (10–15 years) and natural soils under the canopy of a mature bilberry pine forest. A comparison of the parameters of CO2 gas exchange in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), gray alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench), and aspen (Populus tremula L.) revealed that photosynthetic uptake of CO2 exceeded its release by foliage during dark respiration in all the species more significantly in the regenerating clear-cutting (6–10-fold) than under mature stand canopy (3–6-fold). The rate of photosynthesis in trees of the same age was higher in deciduous species compared to pine both in the clear-cut site (16.6–17.6 and 7.4 μmol/m2·s) and under pine forest canopy (11.2–12.3 and 5.5 μmol/m2·s). The contributions of soil emission to the atmospheric СО2 flux in the regenerating clear-cutting (4.6 μmol/m2 s) and under the stand canopy (5.9 μmol/m2·s) are reported. Intra-seasonal variability of the parameters of carbon exchange in woody plants and soil was high as opposed to the relatively low variation among years in both sample plots.

Abstract The accumulation of secondary metabolites in Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) exhibits significant geographical variation, normally due to environmental factors. The current study aimed at elucidating the key environmental factors modulating the accumulation of secondary metabolites in P. ginseng. Plant and the associated soil samples were collected from ten geographical locations within the latitudinalrange of 27.09°N − 42.39°N and longitudinal range of 99.28°E − 128.19°E. 12 secondary metabolites in P. ginseng toots were measured. And the correlation between secondary metabolites with a series of soil properties and 7 climatic factors were investigated through Pearson’s correlation, mantel test, random forest and pathway analysis. The results revealed that climatic factors were stronger drivers of ginseng secondary metabolite profile than soil nutrients. Specifically, temperature seasonality (TS) and soil available phosphorus (AP) were the most effective environments to have significantly and positively influence on the secondary metabolites of ginseng. This findings contribute to identifying optimal cultivation areas for P. ginseng, and hopefully establishing methods for interfering/shaping microclimate for cultivating high-quality P. ginseng.

Background: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is prevalent among office workers and influenced by various environmental and individual factors. This study assesses the prevalence, seasonal variations, symptom severity, and environmental influences on DES among office workers. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of DES among office workers in Warangal, Telangana, India, and to evaluate the impact of seasonal variations, symptom severity, and environmental factors on DES. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 office workers aged 25–55 years old. Data were collected through questionnaires on DES symptoms, environmental conditions, and demographics. The prevalence of DES was calculated, and seasonal variations were analyzed. Symptom severity was recorded on a scale from 1 to 10. Environmental factors such as humidity, air-conditioning use, screen time, and indoor air quality were examined for their correlation with DES prevalence. Results: The overall prevalence of DES was 45%, with females showing a higher prevalence (50%) compared to males (37.5%). Seasonal variations showed the highest DES prevalence in winter (40%) and the lowest in summer (16%). Symptom severity scores were highest in winter (6.5 overall) and lowest in summer (3.8 overall). Low humidity in winter was associated with a 55% prevalence of DES, especially among females (65%). High air-conditioning use in summer correlated with a lower DES prevalence (12.5%). Increased screen time (>6 h/day) resulted in a 60% prevalence of DES, with seasonal peaks in winter (65%). Poor indoor air quality was reported by 70% of participants and linked to a 50% prevalence of DES. Conclusion: The study highlights significant gender differences, seasonal variations, and environmental factors impacting DES prevalence and severity among office workers. Interventions focusing on improving workplace conditions, managing screen time, and enhancing indoor air quality may mitigate DES symptoms.

Fear of crime is one of the most significant factors affecting citizen’s quality of life. It isparticularly necessary to control the environmental factors that cause fear of crime in the neighborhood, as that is more worrisome. This study aimed to investigate women’s fear of crime in public streets in their neighborhoods and to identify the environmental factors that affect their fear of crime using a questionnaire and an eye-tracking experiment, respectively. Thirty participants watched four low-rise residential streets in Seoul and responded to a survey about their fear of crime. Through a multiple regression analysis, Factors such as “maintenance”, “pilotis”, “building entrance”, and “emergency bell” were found to largely influence fear of crime. This study contributes to the literature by identifying specific physical environment factors in parallel with eye tracking experiments, and our results have implications for future street design aimed at reducing the fear of crime.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted human health and socioeconomic development, posing an enormous public health challenge. Extensive research has been conducted into the relationship between environmental factors and the transmission of COVID-19. However, numerous factors influence the development of pandemic outbreaks, and the presence of confounding effects on the mechanism of action complicates the assessment of the role of environmental factors in the spread of COVID-19. Direct estimation of the role of environmental factors without removing the confounding effects will be biased. To overcome this critical problem, we developed a Double Machine Learning (DML) causal model to estimate the debiased causal effects of the influencing factors in the COVID-19 outbreaks in Chinese cities. Comparative experiments revealed that the traditional multiple linear regression model overestimated the impact of environmental factors. Environmental factors are not the dominant cause of widespread outbreaks in China in 2022. In addition, by further analyzing the causal effects of environmental factors, it was verified that there is significant heterogeneity in the role of environmental factors. The causal effect of environmental factors on COVID-19 changes with the regional environment. It is therefore recommended that when exploring the mechanisms by which environmental factors influence the spread of epidemics, confounding factors must be handled carefully in order to obtain clean quantitative results. This study offers a more precise representation of the impact of environmental factors on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a framework for more accurately quantifying the factors influencing the outbreak.

Urbanization constitutes a major threat to biodiversity. Understanding its effects on insect communities is relevant because they are key elements of trophic interactions, and indicators and targets of conservation. Herein, we investigated the influence of meteorological and habitat factors on the soil entomofauna in three areas with distinct levels of urbanization at the Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Brazil. We investigated whether community structure differs among areas with different levels of urbanization, and how changes in the environment affect soil insect community composition and distribution. We systematically monitored communities for 12 months in three areas along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance, representing preserved secondary forest, disturbed forest and peridomicile areas. The results revealed that the degree of urbanization affects insect communities, with a strong effect of habitat factors, such as canopy cover, presence of flooded areas, quantity of fallen trunks and mean temperature. Insect abundance did not show significant differences among areas, while biomass was higher in disturbed forest than in preserved forest and peridomicile areas. Additionally, insect richness and diversity were higher in preserved and disturbed forests than in peridomicile areas, with no significant difference between preserved and disturbed forests. Our results can be used to enhance the understanding of the effects of urbanization on taxonomically and functionally diverse groups of insects, and to advise residents and urban planners about the consequences of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban-sylvatic interface areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The striped murrel (Channa striatus) is an economically valuable species in aquaculture due to its high price, medicinal properties, rapid growth, widespread consumer appeal, and ability to thrive in high-density intensive farming owing to its air-breathing capabilities. Despite these advantages, challenges in larval rearing hinder the production of high-quality fingerlings with increased survival rate. This review examines current larval rearing protocols for striped murrel, identifies bottlenecks, and explores digestive development during early stages to enhance understanding of its ontogeny. While advancements have been made, there are gaps in knowledge regarding the roles of specific genes and hormones during early development, and the impact of environmental factors on larval survival and metabolism. To address these gaps, this review draws an extensive knowledge acquired from studies on other fish species, examining digestive and metabolic genes, hormones, and environmental factors, with the goal of advancing larviculture practices for striped murrel. In addition, this review provides insights into the methodologies for studying the digestive system during early developmental stages of striped murrel larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurial intention plays a critical role in the economic growth and development of countries. As a result, an increasing number of studies have examined different antecedents of entrepreneurial intention to understand how to foster entrepreneurial intention in a country. This research focuses on macro-environmental-related factors and endeavors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the critical factors in these areas that can impact entrepreneurial intention. A total of 40 studies from high-ranked journals were systematically identified and analyzed in the field of entrepreneurship and management. This review sheds light on details of the key cultural, regional, and economic factors as well as governmental and political factors and highlights how they impact entrepreneurial intention. It also provides some suggestions for future research directions. While some systematic literature review papers have been conducted on entrepreneurial intention and its antecedents, environmental factors have only been identified broadly as key antecedents. This research systematically reviews the existing papers and unravels different aspects of these factors and explains how they impact entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it sheds light on related future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large old trees (LOTs) are important ecological assets that contribute significantly to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and local culture. This study analyzed the abundance, species composition, spatial and altitudinal distribution patterns, and conservation needs of LOTs in Baisha County, tropical southern China. We conducted a comprehensive field survey of 301 LOTs and recorded their biological characteristics, geographical locations, and environmental conditions. Species importance values were calculated, and the spatial distribution was analyzed using GIS techniques. Redundancy analysis (RDA) examined the relationships between LOT diversity and environmental factors. The results indicated a complex and diverse stock dominated by species from the Moraceae family, particularly of the genus Ficus. The structural analysis displayed a skewed age distribution, with a higher frequency of younger trees and a decline in older classes. Spatial analysis showed that LOTs are concentrated in the northwestern and central areas and are favored by microclimatic conditions, soil types, and historical land-use practices. The abundance and species richness of LOTs were greater at intermediate elevations. Redundancy analysis highlighted the intricate relationships between LOT diversity, abundance, and socioeconomic factors. This study provided crucial insights into the ecology and conservation requirements for LOTs in Baisha. The findings underscored the importance of targeted conservation efforts, particularly for older trees and mid-elevation habitats. We recommended integrating ecological research, long-term monitoring, traditional ecological knowledge, and community involvement in formulating conservation strategies to preserve these ecologically and culturally significant trees for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The power frequency electric field is the most important electromagnetic environmental factor in alternating current power transmission projects. The humidity has a negative influence on available electric field measuring devices, which may lead to discrepancies of up to seven times the actual value at a relative humidity exceeding 80%. The changes in the support and probe shell impedance may be the reason for the error. The optimization measures include modifying the communication mode, designing a suitable structure and circuit for the probe, and using composite insulating material with strong hydrophobicity for the support. A three‐axis omnidirectional electric field measuring device was developed based on wireless communication and composite support. The variation of the measured electric field strength value is less than 1% at relative humidities ranging from 45% to 90% in the laboratory, and the measured results obtained in high humidity at the high‐voltage test site and under the transmission line demonstrated high accuracy. The research demonstrates that the composite support can be used to improve the performance of conventional devices. The proposed device can better meet the needs for accurate measurement of electric field strength in a high‐humidity environment and overcome the technical problems raised by the IEC standard.

Recently, the United States has experienced, on average, costs of USD 20 billion due to natural and climate disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires. In this study, we focus on wildfires, which have occurred more frequently in the past few years. This paper examines how various factors, such as the PM10 levels, elevation, precipitation, SOX, population, and temperature, can influence the intensity of wildfires differently across counties in California. More specifically, we use Bayesian analysis to classify all counties of California into two groups: those with more wildfires and those with fewer wildfires. The Bayesian model incorporates prior knowledge and uncertainty for a more robust understanding of how these environmental factors impact wildfires differently among county groups. The findings show a similar effect of the SOX, population, and temperature, while the PM10, elevation, and precipitation have different implications for wildfires across various groups.

Environmental factors are essential input variables for susceptibility assessment models of mountain geohazards. However, the existing literature provides a limited understanding of the relative contribution of these factors to the occurrence of geohazards with a warming climate, posing tremendous challenges for risk management in mountainous areas. Ya'an city is susceptible to hazards because of its steep terrain, abundant precipitation and active seismic activity. In this regard, we utilise the GeoDetector model to extract critical environmental factors affecting the spatial patterns of mountain geohazards (i.e., landslide, debris flow and rockfall) in Southwest China. The analysis indicates that the factors with the highest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of landslides, debris flows, and rockfalls are soil property, extreme precipitation and extreme temperature, respectively. Notably, we revealed the synergistic effects among factors given their larger q-value than individual ones. We further explored the responses of mountain geohazards to climate change, including the rising temperature and precipitation, because the frequent occurrence of mountain geohazards is closely related to a warming climate. The variation in snow water equivalent caused by antecedent snowfall and snowdrifts acts as a crucial indicator for geohazards, highlighting the significance of snow and wind observations in meteorological nowcasting and disaster prewarning. We disclose the phenomenon of the geohazard hysteresis to the precipitation peak resulting from the top–down (i.e., precipitation-runoff and surface-deep soil moisture) peak shifts. Our work is expected to enhance the precision of susceptibility assessment models and the reliability of short-term forecasts for mountain geohazards.

Patricia Muñoz-Villegas,1,2 Gisela García-Sánchez,1 Ricardo O Jauregui-Franco,1 Sebastian Quirarte-Justo,1 Alejandra Sánchez-Ríos,1 Oscar Olvera-Montaño1 1Regional Medical Affairs Department, Laboratorios Sophia, S.A. de C.V., Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; 2Centro de Investigación en Matemáticas, A.C., Unidad Aguascalientes (CIMAT), Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, MexicoCorrespondence: Patricia Muñoz-Villegas, Laboratorios Sophia, S.A. de C.V., Paseo del Norte 5255, Technology Park, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45010, México, Tel +52 33 3001 4200, Email patricia.munoz@sophia.com.mxBackground: This research aims to investigate the influence of environmental factors on the treatment efficacy of ocular lubricants in patients from urban areas with dry eye disease (DED).Methods: A phase IV clinical trial, which included 173 patients from major cities in Mexico, was randomly assigned to use ocular lubricants four times a day for 30 days. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), noninvasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), ocular staining, and conjunctival hyperemia (CH) among other factors like weather, and air pollution as covariates were analysed.Results: After 30 days, OSDI score decreased by 14.8 points (p< 0.001), and NIBUT increased by 2.9 seconds (p< 0.001), with longer values observed in patients recruited in autumn and winter (additional 1.8 seconds, p< 0.05) compared to those recruited in spring. Patients living in cities with cooler weather and high humidity, but low air quality had higher OSDI and conjunctival stain scores of up to 4.4 and 0.3 points, respectively, as compared to those living in cities with similar pollution and humidity levels but with higher temperatures (p-values= 0.019 and 0.050). Patients with moderate CH had an increase of up to 0.8 points in their corneal stain score (p< 0.010). We also found that ozone levels were related to the predicted changes in OSDI and NIBUT.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the impact of environmental factors on the signs and symptoms of DED and suggests that patients residing in cities with inadequately controlled air pollution can benefit from using ocular lubricants to alleviate their symptoms.Trial Registration: Trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04702776).Keywords: Dry eye disease, dry eye symptoms, dry eye signs, environmental factors, ocular lubricants

Abstract Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) hold promises for enhanced therapeutic potential surpassing that of their parental monoclonal antibodies. However, bsAbs pose great challenges in their manufacturing, and one of the common reasons is their susceptibility to aggregation. Building on previous studies demonstrating the functionality and potential manufacturability of Fab-scFv format bsAb, this investigation delved into the impact of environmental factors—such as pH, buffer types, ionic strength, protein concentrations, and temperatures—on its stability and the reversal of its self-associated aggregates. Mildly acidic, low-salt conditions were found optimal, ensuring bsAb stability for 30 days even at elevated temperature of 40 °C. Furthermore, these conditions facilitated the reversal of its self-associated aggregates to monomers during the initial 7-day incubation period. Our findings underscore the robustness and resilience of Fab-scFv format bsAb, further confirming its potential manufacturability despite its current absence as commercial products. Graphical Abstract

The structure and function of microbial communities in aquaculture water bodies are important in the aquaculture ecosystem. To comprehensively and systematically evaluate the structure and functional composition of the microbial community in the water during Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) cultivation, the water quality indicators in the crab pond in Chongming District, Shanghai were monitored monthly from June to October 2022. The microbial species and functional structural characteristics in the water environment during the breeding period were analyzed based on metagenomics technology, and their relationships with environmental factors were discussed. The results showed that the major water quality indicators that exceeded the standard in the breeding pond were pH, permanganate index, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen. During the breeding period, the diversity of the microbial community in the water body from June to August and the richness of the microbial community from July to August were high, and the dominant microbial phyla in the water body were mainly Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Cyanobacteria, and Uroviricota. At the genus level, the top 10 dominant genera regarding abundance were significantly different among multiple groups. For example, the abundances of Microcystis bacteria in July and unclassified_o_Caudovirales viruses in August–October were significantly higher than those in other months. The primary function of microorganisms is metabolism, including energy metabolism, global and overview maps, and amino acid metabolism. Notable differences are present in the functional composition of different months; particularly, the abundance of metabolic pathways in June–July was significantly higher than that in August–October, and the dominant bacteria (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes) were major contributors to the aforementioned functions. The influence trends of environmental factors on the structure and functional composition of microbial communities were consistent. Chlorophyll a and pH had the most significant impact on the structure and functional composition of microbial communities, whereas dissolved oxygen and total phosphorus had a slightly weaker impact. The pathogenic bacteria with a relatively large abundance in aquaculture water bodies are Salmonella enterica, Edwardsiella ictaluri, and Staphylococcus aureus. The research results provide basic data for the study of microbial community structure and functional composition in water bodies of Chinese mitten crab breeding ponds and can provide a theoretical basis for aquaculture water quality control and ecosystem construction.

Relevance. Altai Krai (AK) is one of the least prosperous subjects of the Russian Federation in terms of the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Results of studying long-term and intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in various population groups of the AK in 2011–2021 led to a conclusion about possible connection between the characteristics of the epidemic process of ARI and environmental factors, primarily air pollution, as well as the widespread distribution of natural and atropurgic foci of tick-borne transmissible and zoonotic infections in the territory of the AK, along with the problems of diagnostics. Aim. Assessment of the possible influence of environmental factors on the formation of a high level of registered incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory, as well as diagnostics of some natural focal and zoonotic infections with fever and respiratory symptoms. Materials and methods. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted based on annual and monthly official statistical reporting during 2011–2021 about the morbidity of the population, demographic and environmental features of the territory of the AK for each of the municipalities (MU), the average long-term incidence rates of ARI, VBP, tuberculosis, Siberian tick typhus (STT), ixodid tick-borne borreliosis, tick-borne viral encephalitis were calculated; appeals of the population regarding tick bites; population density and annual average sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the analyzed indicators; and seasonality coefficients and the method of trend-seasonal decomposition were used to assess the intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and CAP (for the period 2011-2019). To study seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii, R. sibirica and SARS-CoV-2 in febrile patients with symptoms of ARI blood samples were collected in October 2022 from ten rural districts of the AK. Results and discussion. It was established that there was a significant direct correlation between the incidence of ARI and the amount of SO2 emissions into the atmosphere (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), as well as between the incidence of ARI and population density (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). The largest share (69%) of the total number of ARI cases in the Altai Territory in 2011–2021 was attributed to the cities of Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsk, Zarinsk and Novoaltaisk, which are characterized by maximum SO2 emissions and population density. An additional contribution (8% total) to the incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory was attributed to 7 rural areas with the highest levels of SO2 emissions. Regardless of the ranking for the incidence of ARI and CAP, in 9 out of 10 areas selected for the study, patients had both anamnestic and diagnostic titers of antibodies to C. burnetii and/or R. sibirica. At the same time, coxiellosis cases in these areas were not registered for 12 years, and the number of cases of STT was much less than the probable number based on the proportion of patients which were seropositive to R. sibirica and had symptoms of ARI. IgM to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 5 out of 203 examined samples, IgG – in 188 out of 203 examined samples, moreover 13.8% of samples had 118 to 499 BAU/ml, 40.9% of samples had 500 to 5000 BAU/ml, and the rest of samples had more than 5000 BAU/ml. Conclusion. Among all the variables analyzed in the study, the greatest role in the formation of the high level of registered incidence of ARI in the AK for many years belong to the high level of air pollution with SO2 emissions, high population density and, especially, their combination. Underdiagnosis of tick-borne rickettsioses and coxiellosis is of particular importance due to the unavailability of test kits for laboratory verification. Starting from 2020, a new coronavirus infection made some contribution to the registered incidence of ARI.

Modern electricity networks are facing significant challenges in terms of power quality due to the increasing integration of power electronics. Even though low order harmonic control has largely been achieved, the emergence of supraharmonics is becoming a new cause for concern. This topic has gained interest in the past decade since power quality issues have become important due to the proliferation of highly sensitive electrical and electronic equipment. This special case of harmonics is mainly due to the power electronic converters utilized in industrial as well as residential applications, including electromobility, motor drive systems, and photovoltaic installations. While the adverse effects of supraharmonics have been pointed out in numerous studies and intensive research is underway on the crucial subject of supraharmonic measurements, the parameters affecting their levels have not received adequate attention. We attempted to shed more light on this important issue in the specific case of a small grid-connected PV system. In particular, the supraharmonic emission levels of the system were investigated through experimental measurements, and useful conclusions on the impact of specific environmental factors were derived.

Ovarian reserve is the basis of female fertility. The main markers of ovarian reserve are the level of anti-Mullerian hormone and the number of antral follicles. In addition to the natural age-related loss of follicles, many women experience a premature diminished ovarian reserve associated with a number of factors. This can be caused by both various diseases and environmental factors, lifestyle, and social aspects.The aim of this review was to examine the influence of external factors on the ovarian reserve and women fertility. A systematic analysis of data from modern scientific literature, domestic and foreign sources was carried out. The search involved such resources as PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, eLibrary, Scopus, Cyberleninka. A detailed analysis of the influence of environmental pollution, lifestyle (sleep, nutrition, physical activity), previous surgeries, bad habits, obesity, psychological and social factors on the ovarian reserve and reproductive function of women was carried out. Significantly diminished ovarian reserve was noted with low sleep quality, excessive physical activity, and an unbalanced diet poor with animal proteins. Regular consumption of alcohol, smoking and exposure to certain chemical environmental pollutants cause premature follicle apoptosis and the onset of menopause. Circadian dysrhythmia, chronic stress and obesity can lead to the ovarian menstrual cycle disorders and the development of infertility in women. Previous parovarium surgeries are a significant risk factor for diminished ovarian reserve. Further population-based studies are needed to determine the precise mechanisms of influence of various factors on female fertility.

Algal lipidomics is a new field of research that is gaining increasing popularity. The use of high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) has made it possible to accurately determine the structure of each lipid molecule in a sample. Since algae are considered as a promising source of various compounds with pharmacological and biotechnological potential, including bioactive lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, lipidomics research of this group of organisms are of particular interest. The algae lipidome has high plasticity, which is due to the influence of abiotic and biotic environmental factors, and the observed changes in lipid composition are, as a rule, adaptive reactions. This review examines current research in the field of algal lipidomics, discusses the results of studying the influence of various environmental factors, such as temperature, light intensity, nutrient concentration, epi- and endophytic infections on the algae lipidome, and seasonal and geographical plasticity of algae lipidome; questions about the adaptation mechanisms of algae at the level of individual lipid molecular species are considered, and gaps in this area of research are noted.

In this study, the current state of hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) populations in Ukraine was analysed in detail using the Maxent geographic modelling tool. It is known that fragmentation of natural ecosystems is one of the main threats to biodiversity conservation. Species with low population numbers, such as the hazel dormouse, are particularly vulnerable to this process. Reducing the area of forests leads to a reduction in the number of areas available for nesting, makes it more difficult to find food and can change the microclimate in forest fragments, which leads to changes in the vegetation cover on which the food base depends. The isolation of individual populations limits the opportunities for genetic exchange and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. To estimate the potential range, we developed a distribution model using data on records of the species and climatic characteristics of these areas. The results of the modelling allowed us to identify areas where there is a high probability of occurrence of this species and to identify key factors affecting its distribution. The model allowed us to identify areas where there is a high probability of occurrence of this species, even in the absence of direct observations. It is an important tool for planning measures to protect and restore natural habitats. The analysis of the obtained data showed that the distribution of the hazel dormouse is most influenced by climatic factors that reflect the temperature of the warmest months, humidity, and precipitation. It is these factors that we recommend to be used to develop more accurate distribution models of the species and predict the potential consequences of climate change for its range. The study highlights the importance of preserving forest ecosystems to maintain biodiversity in general and its index species, such as the hazel dormouse. The obtained results can be used to develop effective strategies for the conservation of the hazel dormouse and other species that depend on forest habitats, including the creation of new nature reserves, reforestation and preservation of old forests.

Little is known about the effect of car traffic on airborne fungal communities. We investigated the environmental factors affecting the diversity and concentration of airborne fungi at high-traffic density junctions, in Tianjin, China. A total of 244 fungal strains belonging to 78 species and 45 genera of Ascomycota (78.69%) and Basidiomycota (21.31%) were isolated and identified using morphological and molecular analysis. Aspergillus was the species-richest genus, with 9 recorded species, followed by Alternaria and Cladosporium, both with 8 species. Coprinellus radians was the most abundant fungal species, with 31 isolated strains, followed by Alternaria alternata (26 strains), Cladosporium cladosporioides (21), Alternaria compacta (13), and Cladosporium tenuissimum (11). We found a higher diversity and concentration of airborne fungi in the analysed urban air environments when the road traffic was at its highest intensity. Higher level of car traffic resulted in higher concentrations of fungal particles in the air for various taxa, including Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium, which are known to cause respiratory allergies and infections. This result suggests that reducing vehicular traffic could be an effective measure to control airborne fungal exposure and microbial pollution.

Abstract Profiling antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the Yellow River of China’s Henan Province is essential for understanding the health risks of antibiotic resistance. The profiling of ARGs was investigated using high-throughput qPCR from water samples in seven representative regions of the Yellow River. The absolute and relative abundances of ARGs and moble genetic elements (MGEs) were higher in summer than in winter (ANOVA, p

Background. Special attention is paid in many regions to invasive plant species introduced into natural plant communities. Studying the degree of naturalization of Berberis aquifolium Pursh and Daphne laureola L. on the Crimean Peninsula is important because these species are currently observed in different types of forest vegetation, including Protected Areas. Materials and methods. Forest plant communities with B. aquifolium and D. laureola served as the research target. A geobotanical survey was conducted in 2019–2021 using the Braun-Blanquet approach. The JUICE platform and the PC-ORD 5.0 algorithm were employed to perform the cluster analysis, and the PAST 3.26 software for the ordination analysis. Twelve factors were considered: soil humidity (Hd), humidity fluctuation (fH), substrate acidity (Rc), anionic composition (Tr), carbonate content (Ca), nitrogen content (Nt), granulometric (mechanical) composition of the substrate (Ae), illuminance of the community (Lc), thermal regime (Tm), aridity/humidity (Om), cryoregime (Cr), and climate continentality (Kn). Phytoindication technique was used to determine the parameters of ecological niches. Results and conclusion. The communities with B. aquifolium and D. laureola on the Southern Coast of Crimea were found to belong to the Quercetea pubescentis and Erico-Pinetea classes of vegetation. The species appeared to be most widespread in the pine-oak-hornbeam and oak-hornbeam-dogwood forest communities where they occurred mainly along riverbeds, near springs, and along gully bottoms. According to a majority of edaphoclimatic factors, their habitat conditions corresponded to the parameters of the fundamental niches for the studied species, which explains their high degree of adaptation to the natural environments on the Southern Coast of Crimea.

Abstract Invasive alien species implications in ecological threats are attributed to their unique characteristics that are linked to their invasion. Veronica persica (Plantaginaceae family) is an alien weed species in Egypt. Regardless of its widespread globally in various regions, the growth traits and behavior of V. persica remain poorly understood. The comprehensive analysis, reveals the optimal germination (Gmax) was detected at 10/20 °C, 15/20 °C, and 20/25 °C at the moderate temperature regimes. The rapid germination rate (G rate) peaked at 10/20 °C regime, with a rate of 0.376 per day. Furthermore, under stress conditions, V. persica has 50% germination inhibition (G50) and 50% of growth inhibition occurred at − 0.91 MPa and 0.75 MPa of osmotic pressure and 3225.81 ppm and 2677.1 ppm of salt stress (NaCl) respectively. The germination ranged from 6 to 9 pH, with the highest germination percentage occurring at a pH of 7 & 8, reaching 88.75% compared to the control group. There is a strong interaction effect between habitats and plant stages, the plant stages and habitats have significant effects (p ≤ 0.00) on V. persica growth. There was high and moderate plasticity in the response of morphological and growth features between stages. During the seedling-juvenile interval and the juvenile-flowering stages, respectively, there was a noticeable increase in both Relative Growth Rate and Net Assimilation Rate. Demographic surveys identified approximately 24 species across 11 families associated with V. persica in invaded areas. The Sorenson indices of qualitative index exhibited high similarity values in the invaded sites by (82.35%) compared to (72.72%) in non-invaded sites. However, interactions with native communities were reflected in lower richness, diversity, and evenness, displaying slightly higher Simpson index 1 (λ) values compared to invaded and non-invaded sites (0.043 and 0.0290) vs. (0.0207 and 0.268), in rangelands and F. carica orchards respectively. These results emphasize the substantially higher adaptability of V. persica to variable environmental conditions and abilities to invade a new community. This knowledge about invasive V. persica weeds germination and growth is itemized as the consistent predictive base for future invasion and informs strategic management priorities.

In any region of the globe, the cultivation of industrial crops, including hemp, imposes certain conditions related to relief, climate, hydrology, or soil. The interrelations between these factors lead to differentiations regarding the establishment of cultivation zones and implicitly in terms of productivity. This study aimed to identify suitable areas for hemp cultivation and generate favorability maps in western Romania, based on GIS and MCDA techniques. Ten factors, significantly important for hemp cultivation, related to relief, climatic conditions, soil, and human intervention were considered. Following spatial analyses using the Weighted Overlay Analysis (WOA) method, the territory was classified into four zones: Zone I, with highly suitable lands (26%), located in the western half, overlapping with plain areas and river valleys; Zone II, with moderately suitable lands (28%), located in regions of high plains and hilly areas; Zone III, with marginal lands (3%), located in some depression areas, hilly areas, or at the contact with pre-mountainous areas; Zone IV, with unsuitable lands for hemp cultivation, in mountainous areas, under restrictive environmental conditions. The obtained results can be used in land management strategies or by farmers for estimating available land resources.

To clarify the changes in milk microbiota by lactation stage, i.e., d ays in milk (DIM) for Fresh of 0 to 21, Early (DIM of 22 to 80), Middle (DIM of 81 to 200), and Late (DIM 201 or more) lactation stages in dairy cows, we performed longitudinal (12 sampling at each stage, total 48 samples) and cross-sectional sampling (Fresh [n = 7], Early [n = 12], Middle [n = 11], and Late [n = 11] stages, total of 41 samples) to comprehensively analyze the microbiota in milk samples by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Although the relative abundance of bacteria of the phylum Actinobacteria increased significantly in the Late lactation stage in the longitudinal study, no significant changes were observed in the cross-sectional study. While no changes were observed in the milk microbiota during the lactation stages, environmental factors appeared to have a comparatively larger impact than interindividual diversity on the composition of the milk microbiota. Furthermore, the findings illustrated the importance of selecting appropriate study designs to clarify changes in milk microbiota throughout the lactation period. The findings obtained in this study not only provide useful information for interpreting previous research results, but also provide knowledge that could be helpful when designing new studies.

Abstract The forest soil methane (CH4) flux exhibits high spatiotemporal variability. Understanding these variations and their driving factors is crucial for accurately assessing the forest CH4 budget. In this study, we monitored the diurnal and seasonal variations in soil CH4 fluxes in two poplar (Populus spp.) plantations (Sihong and Dongtai) with different soil textures using the static chamber-based method. The results showed that the annual average soil CH4 flux in the Sihong and Dongtai poplar plantations was 4.27 ± 1.37 kg CH4-C ha–1 yr–1 and 1.92 ± 1.07 kg CH4-C ha–1 yr–1, respectively. Both plantations exhibited net CH4 emissions during the growing season, with only weak CH4 absorption (–0.01 to –0.007 mg m–2 h–1) during the non-growing season. Notably, there was a significant difference in soil CH4 flux between the clay loam of the Sihong poplar plantation and the sandy loam of the Dongtai poplar plantation. From August to December 2019 and from July to August and November 2020, the soil CH4 flux in the Sihong poplar plantation was significantly higher than in the Dongtai poplar plantation. Moreover, the soil CH4 flux significantly increased with rising soil temperature and soil water content. Diurnally, the soil CH4 flux followed a unimodal variation pattern at different growing stages of poplars, with peaks occurring at noon and in the afternoon. However, the soil CH4 flux did not exhibit a consistent seasonal pattern across different years, likely due to substantial variations in precipitation and soil water content. Overall, our study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal variations in forest soil CH4 flux with different soil textures. This understanding is vital for developing reasonable forest management strategies and reducing uncertainties in the global CH4 budget.

The altitude of the habitat is one of the important regulators of species survival. Kaçkar Mountains National Park is located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. This is the first study on the benthic diatom flora of the high mountain lakes in Kaçkar Mountains National Park, which is situated between 2782 and 3075 m a.s.l. A total of 84 diatom species were identified from benthic communities of 15 habitats in summer (19 July, 28 August) and autumn (10 September) months of 2020. The genus Pinnularia (thirteen species) formed the basis of the taxonomic list, followed by Eunotia (five species), Navicula (five species), and Frustulia (four species) genera, respectively. The waters in all the studied lakes were fresh, low-saline, with low-alkaline or circumneutral pH and organically uncontaminated, as evidenced by prevailed bioindicator groups. Statistical methods and comparative floristic results confirm the role of the lake altitude for the diatom species distribution. The species richness of the studied lakes was higher in lakes with lower altitudes. The statistical approach also revealed the potential for an increase in the number of species in high mountain lakes if the study of the diatom flora of the Kachkar Mountains National Park is continued and the species composition of the lakes is replenished. Further studies will be needed to continue exploring this pattern. To protect studied high mountain lakes, their ecological conditions must be constantly monitored in the Kaçkar Mountains National Park.

Abstract Background The study offers insightful information about the adaptability of local and imported Chili cultivars. This experiment examines how three different chili cultivars Tanjung, Unpad, and Osaka perform in the germination and early growth phases while considering a wide range of environmental conditions. Research conducted in Jatinangor, Sumedang Regency, Indonesia, highlights the differences between cultivars and the varied possibilities for adaptability each variation possesses. Results Among them, Tanjung stands out as the most promising cultivar; its robust performance is demonstrated by its high germination index 91.7. Notable features of Osaka include the highest biomass output (1.429 g), the best water usage efficiency (WUE) at 0.015 g/liter, and the best distribution uniformity (91.2%) and application efficiency (73.6%) under different irrigation conditions. Tanjung’s competitiveness is further evidenced by the fact that it trails Osaka closely on several metrics. Lower performance across criteria for Unpad suggests possible issues with flexibility. Conclusion The value of this information becomes apparent when it comes to well-informed breeding programs and cultivation techniques, especially considering uncertain climate patterns and global climate change. This research contributes significantly to the body of knowledge, enabling well-informed choices for environmentally dynamic, sustainable chili farming.

Abstract Longwave radiation is an important open-air environmental factor that can significantly affect the temperature of concrete, but it has often been ignored in the temperature analysis of open-air concrete structures. In this article, an improved analytical model of concrete temperature was proposed by considering solar radiation, thermal convection, thermal conduction and especially longwave radiation. Temperature monitoring of an open-air concrete block was carried out to verify the proposed model and analyze the heat energy characteristics of open-air concrete. As demonstrated by the open-air experiment, under the influence of longwave radiation, the temperature at the top of the concrete block could decrease rapidly at night and even become lower than the minimum temperature at its bottom. Compared with the analytical model that ignores longwave radiation, the improved model that includes it better matches the measured temperature. According to the energy analysis, although solar radiation controls the transient variation in heat energy, the heat exchange caused by longwave radiation were more than that caused by convection on sunlit surfaces, which indicates the importance of considering longwave radiation.