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The concern to think about the place of caste as a conceptual category – within, and in relation to, broader sociological understandings of inequality – was the primary motivation of the British Sociological Association Presidential event on 'Caste and its Implications for Sociologies of Inequality' held at the London School of Economics in late autumn 2023. It sought not only to engage with caste sociologically but also to ask the question of what a consideration of caste could bring to sociological thinking more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The hemovigilance system in Chongqing, China has been established, could provide representative regional data for the nation. • VVR showed a higher prevalence among young people, first-time, college students, and donors who donated in moving vehicles. • Among first-time whole blood donors, stratified analysis revealed seasonal and gender variation within a same age group. Vasovagal reactions (VVR) are the most common adverse reactions in blood donation. This study aimed to provide and analyze the data of the regional hemovigilance system in Chongqing, China from 2020 to 2022, report the prevalence and explore the risk factors of VVR. R software (version 4.2.3) was used for all statistical analyses. Frequency and composition rates were used to describe the data of total donation, as well as data on the different types of ADR. The Chi-square test was used to analyze risk factors for VVR and inter-group comparisons of VVR stratified by gender (female/male), age (18–22; 23–29; 30–39; 40–49; 50–60) and season(Spring (Mar.-May.); Summer (Jun.-Aug.); Autumn (sep.-Nov.); Winter (Dec.-Feb.)). The reported incidence rate of VVR was 8.69‰ during whole blood donations and 1.02‰ during platelet-apheresis donations.The stratified analysis revealed that female donors aged 18–22 years old and 30–39 years old were reported to have lower VVR rates than male donors, oppositely, higher in females in 50–60 years old. Statistically significant differences in the incidence rate of VVR were observed between winter and summer, and between winter and spring in 18–49 years old. No seasonal variation was found in 50–60 years old. The reported incidence rate of VVR related to blood donation was very low and varied from those calculated by other haemovigilance systems. The higher prevalence of VVR in young, first-time donors, college students, donating in mobile vehicles, males and in spring. Among first-time donors, the prevalence of VVR was higher in males than in females; and stratified analysis revealed there were seasonal variation and gender differences within a same age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, where dairy production leads globally, infrared thermography (IRT) and short milking tube thermography specifically are vital for managing mastitis. Therefore, the present study focuses on thermal imaging of the udder and short milking tube (SMT) of the milking machine during the peak milking process of Sahiwal cows and Murrah buffaloes during winter, summer, rainy and autumn seasons to identify sub-clinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) cases using the Darvi DTL007 camera. The udder health was assessed using the California Mastitis Test, Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and IRT throughout the year. Log10SCC and thermogram analysis revealed a difference (p < 0.01) between healthy, SCM, and CM cases during different seasons in both breeds. Further results showed an increase (p < 0.01) in SMT thermograms of SCM and CM cases compared to healthy quarters in Sahiwal cows during winter, summer, rainy, and autumn were 4.26 and 7.51, 2.37 and 4.47, 2.20 and 3.64, 2.90 and 4.94 ºC, respectively and for Murrah buffaloes were 3.56 and 5.55, 2.70 and 3.81, 1.72 and 3.10, 3.14 and 4.42ºC, respectively. The highest degree of increase in milking udder skin surface temperature and SMT of SCM and CM cases compared to healthy quarters was observed during the winter and the least during the rainy season. Thus, regardless of the seasons examined in this study, SMT thermograms effectively assessed SCM and CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Dispersal and connectivity play important roles in shaping the population structure of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, across the western coast of South America. Its high potential dispersal capacity suggests the existence of metapopulations, where discrete habitat patches or groups of patches form subpopulations that interact at some level. However, the dispersal patterns of giant kelp in this region have not been quantified. This study assesses the dispersal and settlement of Macrocystis pyrifera in the southeast Pacific, specifically focusing on the impact of environmental variables and ocean currents within the Humboldt Current System. Location: Southeast Pacific (coast of Chile and Peru). Time Period: 1997–2008. Major Taxa Studied: Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp). Methods: Using a combination of hydrodynamic and individual‐based models, we analysed kelp fragment movements over 12 years, with a particular emphasis on the effects of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and seasonal changes. Results: Our results highlight a key settlement area in the southern Chilean region. We found that shorter travel distances of kelp fragments increased the likelihood of reaching a suitable habitat, underscoring the importance of local environmental conditions. We delineated intricate northward dispersal paths for kelp fragments, which appear to be governed by the interplay of wind and ocean current dynamics. Seasonal variations, notably in autumn and winter, favour the likelihood of reaching a settlement area due to favourable winds. Furthermore, ENSO events appear to influence dispersal distances, with fragments travelling the longest distances during El Niño phases. Main Conclusion: These findings are essential for informing kelp conservation strategies in the context of climate change, emphasizing the necessity of considering local and seasonal environmental factors alongside ENSO impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the importance of the Central Valley of California, USA, to shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway, conservation investments have been made in the area's agricultural fields and managed wetlands. Increasingly, landowner incentive programs are being used to deliver shorebird habitat, presenting opportunities to answer remaining questions about which implementation strategies and field management practices are most effective at attracting birds. To provide management guidance for these investments, we collected and analyzed 5 years of data (2014–2018) on shorebird abundance in flooded rice fields enrolled in a dynamic habitat incentive program. The program incentivized flooding in fallow and post‐harvest rice fields in seasons when habitat is relatively sparse, specifically the early fall and late spring. Across nearly 9,000 field observations over 5 years, we explored the relationship between abundance and density (birds/ha) of shorebirds and vegetation cover, soil clay, landscape‐level flooding, and local flood timing, duration, and depth. We observed more shorebirds in fields that were approximately 50% flooded, had water depths of 5–10 cm, and had minimal rice straw or stubble cover, with strong or very strong evidence for each of these relationships. We found that the timing of habitat provisioning was important, with moderate evidence that earlier fall flooding and strong evidence that the duration of fall flooding was associated with higher shorebird density. We observed lower shorebird densities in locations with ample flooded rice habitat in surrounding areas, potentially because shorebirds spread out across the landscape. We found very strong evidence that flooding consistency, either at a site that was continually flooded over many months or a site that had been flooded in previous years, was associated with higher shorebird density. Soil clay content was associated with decreased observed shorebird density, potentially through its influence on the ability of shorebirds to forage for invertebrate prey. These results suggest best practices for shorebird habitat creation in agricultural landscapes, providing important information for conservation and population recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) mosquitoes can transmit deadly arboviruses and are globally invasive due to their ability to survive in both tropical and temperate climates. Although adults cannot survive harsh winters, females are capable of anticipating seasonal change and producing overwintering diapause (DP) eggs that remain in a state of arrested development over the winter and hatch when favorable conditions return in the spring. While low temperatures can facilitate DP entry under short photoperiods, temperature signals alone are not sufficient to induce DP. Methodology/Principal findings: To identify maternal phenotypes predictive of DP egg production in laboratory conditions, we characterized aspects of maternal physiology and behavior to identify those that correlate with DP egg production and changes in photoperiod, versus changes in temperature. Neither changes in temperature nor photoperiod impacted protein preference, blood meal consumption, or total number of eggs produced per female. Egg retention and oviposition timing were influenced by temperature, independent of DP egg production. However, females housed under short photoperiod conditions showed increased starvation resistance, despite showing similar levels of locomotor activity and internal stores of triacylglycerols, glucose, glycogen, and trehalose compared to females housed in long photoperiods. Conclusions/Significance: These results suggest that temperature and photoperiod differentially affect maternal phenotypes and identify starvation resistance as a maternal phenotype that is influenced by photoperiod and correlates with DP egg status. Author summary: Aedes albopictus mosquitoes can survive in temperate climates because females are able to detect changes in temperature and day length in the autumn to produce "diapause" eggs that are provisioned with extra nutrients to survive harsh winters by remaining in a state of arrest and hatching in the spring. Although temperature and day length normally change in concert with each other throughout the year, studies have shown that day length is the most important cue used by female mosquitoes to initiate diapause egg production. In this study, the authors examined aspects of feeding and reproduction to determine which of these correlated with day length. Many aspects of reproduction were influenced by temperature; however, housing female mosquitoes under autumn-like short-day conditions led to increased starvation resistance. Surprisingly these females survive longer even though they do not appear to expend less energy compared to females housed in spring-like long-day conditions at the same temperature. This suggests that the mosquito mothers undergo changes in their metabolism that correlate with the production of DP eggs that can survive the winter. This new knowledge may lead to novel targets to disrupt seasonal reproduction in mosquitoes and limit the parts of the world where they can survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plankton play an indispensable role in the biogeochemical processes of marine ecosystem. However, unraveling the intricate interactions among biodiversity, trophic linkages, and biotic-abiotic interplay between phytoplankton-zooplankton remains a significant challenge. Here, we conducted field studies in the neritic area of the Bohai Sea during autumn 2023 and spring 2024 to explore seasonal variations of both phytoplankton and zooplankton through microscope. Our analysis revealed a sharp decline in trophic interactions across phytoplankton and zooplankton, with an abundance ratio in autumn 2023 being 5.5 times higher than in spring 2024. Additionally, dominant plankton species (Y ≥ 0.02) exhibited obvious differences between the two seasons, with higher species diversity observed in autumn. Moreover, each dominant zooplankton species had distinct preferred food items in both seasons, with Rhizosolenia setigera being favored by Noctiluca scintillans and Acartia pacifica. Furthermore, a multivariate biota-environment analysis indicated that each dominant plankton species had unique correlation with specific environmental parameters, highlighting how plankton can fully exploit external environmental conditions to survive in seasonal variations. Ultimately, our findings emphasize significant seasonal dynamics and provide a solid foundation for assessing the potential impacts of environmental changes on plankton in coastal marine realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought dramatically impacts the autumn phenology of vegetation. However, the underlying mechanisms of vegetation autumn phenology responses to drought in tropical and subtropical forests remain unclear. Here, we employed three fitting methods to extract the end‐of‐photosynthetic‐growing‐season (EOPS) dates and quantified their responses to drought intensity using ridge regression and correlation analysis. Our analysis revealed a general delay in the trend of EOPS at an average rate of 3.6 days per decade from 2001 to 2020 in southern China. The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) emerged as the primary influencing predictor of EOPS processes, surpassing the impacts of temperature, precipitation, and radiation. Notably, our analysis highlighted a shift in the response of EOPS to drought from delay to advancement when drought intensity exceeded 0.38. Incorporating this reversal phenomenon into EOPS models is crucial for accurately predicting autumn phenology under future escalating drought conditions. Plain Language Summary: Ongoing climate change is substantially altering autumn phenology, and subsequently impacting terrestrial carbon and water balance. Tropical and subtropical forests, being major reservoirs of global carbon, are experiencing notable effects due to escalating drought conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms of its autumn phenology responses to drought remain unclear. We employed three fitting methods to extract the end‐of‐photosynthetic‐growing‐season (EOPS) dates of subtropical and tropical forests and quantified their response to drought intensity through ridge regression and correlation analysis. Our analysis revealed a delay in EOPS across over 70% of the studied forests during the period 2001–2020, and we found that the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) primarily determined the EOPS processes. Interestingly, our analysis demonstrated a shift in the response of EOPS to drought from delay to advancement when drought intensity exceeded 0.38. These findings underscore the existence of a critical threshold in drought severity, beyond which a reversal in the response of EOPS to drought is anticipated. This reversal effect may stem from vegetation's adaptive strategies and environmental constraints. Incorporating this reversal phenomenon into EOPS modeling is imperative for enhancing predictions of autumn phenology and advancing our comprehension of carbon and water balances in forest ecosystems. Key Points: The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) emerged as the primary influencing predictor factor on EOPS processesIncreasing drought induces contrasting shifts in the autumnal photosynthetic phenology of tropical and subtropical forestsThe effect of drought on autumn photosynthetic vegetation phenology shifts from delay to advancement as drought intensity exceeds 0.38 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamics of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) is crucial for comprehending land-atmosphere interactions. This study utilizes three years of Doppler wind lidar measurements from June 2019 to June 2022 to investigate PBL dynamics over Hefei, a city in the Western Yangtze River Delta, China. We focus on the seasonal and diurnal variations in key characteristics, such as wind profiles, shear intensity, turbulent mixing, low-level jets (LLJs), and mixing layer heights (MLH). Results show that horizontal wind speeds accelerated more rapidly above 3 km, with the predominant westerly winds (270°±15°) in all seasons. The vertical depth of high wind zone (> 8 m s-1) during the day is found generally deeper than at night, particularly in winter. In Hefei, LLJs primarily form at sunset and dissipate by noon, typically at altitudes between 0.5 and 0.6 km throughout the year, except in July. LLJ occurrences are most frequent in spring (31.7 %), followed by summer (24.7 %), autumn (22.3 %), and winter (21.3 %). Summer LLJs are most intensified, extending up to 1.5 km. The larger wind gradient below the jets significantly enhances turbulence and shear intensity near the ground at night. The seasonal average MLH peaks between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., reaching approximately 1.2 km in spring and summer. Cloud cover raises MLH by about 100 m at night but decreases it by 200 m at the afternoon peak. This study provides insights into lidar-based PBL dynamics and highlights implications for local standards concerning low-altitude economic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-Pacific Warm Pool (IPWP) has been warming due largely to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, but its impact on Arctic sea ice remains unclear. Our study finds a significant negative correlation between the IPWP index and sea ice concentration in northeastern Canada during boreal autumn (October-December). Our results suggest that IPWP warming statistically accounts for 45% of sea ice loss observed in this region. We introduce the "Arctic capacitor effect of the IPWP", a novel concept that expounds upon the distant connection between greenhouse gas emissions and Arctic sea ice loss. Specifically, as greenhouse gases elevate temperatures in the IPWP, increasing temperature gradient and tropical convection, a planetary wavetrain is initiated. This wavetrain, along with transit eddy feedback, traverses towards the Arctic and thereby influences the strength of the Arctic vortex and its associated effects on Arctic sea ice. Our findings highlight the crucial role of tropical oceans in the broader context of global climate change, emphasizing the necessity of accounting for their impact on polar climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across biomes, soil biodiversity promotes ecosystem functions. However, whether this relationship will be maintained within ecosystems under climate change is uncertain. Here, using two long-term soil warming experiments, we investigated how warming affects the relationship between ecosystem functions and bacterial diversity across seasons, soil horizons, and warming duration. Soils were sampled from these warming experiments located at the Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, where soils had been heated +5°C above ambient for 13 or 28 years at the time of sampling. We assessed seven measurements representative of different ecosystem functions and nutrient pools. We also surveyed bacterial community diversity. We found that ecosystem function was significantly affected by season, with autumn samples having a higher intercept than summer samples in our model, suggesting a higher overall baseline of ecosystem function in the fall. The effect of warming on bacterial diversity was similarly affected by season, where warming in the summer was associated with decreased bacterial evenness in the organic horizon. Despite the decreased bacterial evenness in the warmed plots, we found that the relationship between ecosystem function and bacterial diversity was unaffected by warming or warming duration. Our findings highlight that season is a consistent driver of ecosystem function as well as a modulator of climate change effects on bacterial community evenness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResults:Conclusion:Physical activity (PA), sleep, and sedentary time (SST) are important outcomes to monitor and to improve as part of patients’ asthma management. This study aimed to assess the number of measurement days needed to reliably measure PA and SST. Secondly, the influence of external factors on the reliability of measuring PA and SST was studied.Adult patients with stable asthma were asked to wear a triaxial accelerometer for at least four days, with at least 22.5 h of wear time per day. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) between different number of measurement days were used to determine reliability. Values ≥0.75 indicated good reliability.Data from 452 patients were analyzed (63% women; age: 49 ± 16 years; FEV1: 87 ± 17% predicted). PA could reliably be measured with four valid measurement days (ICC 0.761). For SST, three days were needed (ICC 0.778). In summer and autumn, three days were needed to reliably measure PA, in winter four, in spring six. For SST, five days were needed in spring for good reliability, and two in all other seasons. Based on data from four valid days, PA and SST can reliably be measured with an accelerometer in patients with asthma. Seasonal influences are present, especially during spring. When measuring for four days, using only weekdays or three weekdays and one weekend day is recommended. The degree of asthma control, dyspnea or spirometric values did not influence the reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Nerve damage and/or spinal cord injury in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) may result in the development of bladder and bowel problems. We wanted to gain insight into two issues: the prevalence of bladder and bowel problems among individuals with MS and the referral pathways for these problems to various physicians treating patients with MS. Methods: In the autumn of 2021, we undertook a nationwide cross-sectional study. We used a comprehensive questionnaire comprising 63 questions covering aspects such as MS diagnosis, disease progression, bladder and bowel issues, and consultations with healthcare professionals. Individuals with MS were invited to participate through social media or by direct mail. Results: The study included 1,082 validated respondents (81.5% female) with an average age of 53.3 years at participation, and an average age of 38.3 years at MS-diagnosis. Among the respondents, 91% experienced bladder problems while 73% indicated they had bowel problems. Within these respective groups, 42% and 47% were not aware of the connection between these issues and MS. Bladder and bowel related complaints disrupted daily life for 45% and 28% of the respondents, respectively. The patients consulted various healthcare providers for their complaints. Most respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the time it took to resolve their problems and 9% of those with bladder complaints and 60% of those with bowel complaints had not yet found a satisfactory solution. Conclusions: In the Netherlands, bladder and bowel symptoms in individuals with MS are highly prevalent and have a considerable impact on quality of life. Lack of awareness of these symptoms frequently leads to inadequate recognition, both by the patient and healthcare professional. Patients often consult various healthcare professionals for these complaints, which can potentially result in suboptimal treatment due to a lack of specialized expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable net primary production (NPP) estimations of kelp forests are important to evaluate their C-fixation potential. Photosynthetic oxygen measurements can be converted to C-fixation using photosynthetic quotients (PQs). Although there is a known high variability in PQs, the extent and the consequences for NPP is understudied in kelp species. Thus, the present study aimed (i) to quantify the variability of PQs, (ii) to model NPP and (iii) to assess the impact of warming on both. The kelp, Laminaria hyperborea, was studied near the island of Helgoland (North Sea, Germany) along a depth gradient (2, 4, 6 m below mean low water spring tide) across all four seasons. Blade discs were cultivated during at least 6 days per season under simulated ambient photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and temperature conditions and, in parallel, in a warming scenario (+ 4°C). PQs were calculated from parallel oxygen production and 14C-fixation measurements at saturating PPFD at the end of the incubation period. Seasonal PQs varied between 1.7 and 4.4, with highest values in summer due to increased oxygen production. The warming scenario stimulated C-fixation in most seasons, lowering the PQ in comparison to ambient temperature conditions, while collection depth had no significant effect on PQs. The seasonal PQs were used to model daily NPP rates for kelp standing stock at 4 m depth. These daily NPP rates were compared between temperature treatments and with daily NPP rates based on fixed PQs. The warming scenario had a stimulating effect on daily NPP rates in the high-light season spring. In the low-light season autumn, warming resulted in negative daily NPP rates, as the high respiration rates could not be compensated by gross photosynthesis. Overall, annual NPP rate under warming conditions (347 g C m-2 yr-1) was 14% higher than the annual NPP rate under ambient conditions (303 g C m-2 yr-1). Modelling daily NPP with fixed PQs, which neglects the seasonal variation of the PQs, led to a high overestimation of up to 255%. We, therefore, recommend modelling NPP rates not with a fixed PQ, but with seasonal PQs determined under different temperature scenarios in order to obtain reliable future predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted three surveys on representative random samples of adult Polish residents drawn from the citizens' register. They were conducted in June 2022 (N = 1050), October 2022 (N = 1041), and February 2023 (N = 982). Interviews were conducted using a mixed‐mode technique (CAPI, CATI, and CAWI). Our key findings are that at least mild symptoms of depression are exhibited by a quarter of adults surveyed (25.8%), including a tenth (9.4%) with moderate or more severe symptoms. Translated to the population, that is more than 7.5 million Poles with at least mild symptoms and more than 2.7 million with more severe symptoms, respectively. The scale of depression symptoms is characterized by a certain seasonality. Fewer people experience them in spring than in autumn and winter. The most significant risk factors include, first of all, a poor economic situation, the presence of other health problems, and young age. There is also a higher risk for women and residents of large cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In single-site validations, site-pixel, synthetic pixel and footprint-integrated methods are commonly used to validate evapotranspiration (ET) retrieval at the pixel scale. To reveal the reliability of these methods, this study analysed the performance of the three methods for ET retrieval validation based on eddy-covariance observations at the Daman site which is numerously used for validation in Heihe Watershed Allied Telemetry Experimental Research (HiWATER). The analysis at different spatial scales in different seasons showed that the validation results of the site-pixel method were more similar that of the footprint-integrated method than the synthetic pixel method. However, the validation results of the site-pixel method showed significant discrepancies from those of the footprint-integrated method, especially in summer at the 480 M scale which is near to the spatial resolution of MODIS with a large difference of more than 125.65 W M−2. This error is due to aggregation and high spatial heterogeneity. The use of synthetic pixel can avoid this error. Normally, the error probably appears when the wind direction is 270°–360°, usually in summer, autumn and winter. In addition, the different aggregation methods had a slight effect on the ET estimation results. This study is helpful in determining the reliability of different single-point validation methods and provides a reliable way to select a validation method for single-site validation of remote sensing retrieval of ET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology characteristics of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in children from January 2018 to December 2023, in Nanjing, China. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 21,210, 49,494 and 32,457 outpatients and inpatients aged 1 day to 17 years who were subjected to the three herpesviruses (HSV-2, EBV, and CMV) nucleic acid testing from January 2018 to December 2023, respectively. Demographic information, laboratory findings, etc. were collected and analyzed. HSV-2, EBV and CMV nucleic acid testing were performed by real-time PCR. Results: The total rate of detection of the three herpesviruses for all specimens was 0.32% (67/21,210), 14.99% (7419/49,494), and 8.88% (2881/32,457), respectively. A declining trend in the incidence of viral infections over the years was observed for the three herpesviruses (all P<0.05). The detection rate for HSV-2, EBV, and CMV was highest among patients aged 1-3 years, 3-7 years, and 28 days to 1 year, respectively (all P<0.05). The presence of HSV-2 and CMV infection did not exhibit a discernible seasonal pattern, whereas EBV typically demonstrated an elevation during the summer and autumn. Conclusion: EBV and CMV were both prevalent among children in China, except for HSV-2. The annual prevalence of the three herpesviruses show decreasing trend from 2018 to 2023, and no difference in gender (except for EBV). EBV infections usually occur in the summer and autumn, whereas HSV-2 and CMV do not exhibit significant seasonality. The positivity rate of HSV-2 is highest in 1-3 years, EBV is highest in 3-7 years, and that of CMV is highest in 28 days to 1 year. Positive detection rates are higher in outpatients than in inpatients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is an essential parameter for evaluating water quality and plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of lake ecosystems, particularly in arid and semi-arid climates. Salinity responds to changes in climate and human activity, with significant impacts on water quality and ecosystem services. In this study, Sentinel-2A/B Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) images and quasi-synchronous field data were utilized to estimate lake salinity using machine learning approaches (i.e., XGB, CNN, DNN, and RFR). Atmospheric correction for MSI images was tested using six processors (ACOLITE, C2RCC, POLYMER, MUMM, iCOR, and Sen2Cor). The most accurate model and atmospheric correction method were found to be the extreme gradient boosting tree combined with the ACOLITE correction algorithm. These were used to develop a salinity model (N = 70, mean absolute percentage error = 9.95%) and applied to eight lakes in Inner Mongolia from 2016 to 2024. Seasonal and interannual variations were explored, along with an examination of potential drivers of salinity changes over time. Average salinities in the autumn and spring were higher than in the summer. The highest salinities were observed in the lake centers and tended to be consistent and homogeneous. Interannual trends in salinity were evident in several lakes, influenced by evaporation and precipitation. Climate factors were the primary drivers of interannual salinity trends in most lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-evolutionary responses to environmentally induced selection fundamentally depend on magnitudes of genetic variation underlying traits that facilitate population persistence. Additive genetic variances and associated heritabilities can vary across environmental conditions, especially for labile phenotypic traits expressed through early life. However, short-term seasonal dynamics of genetic variances are rarely quantified in wild populations, precluding inference on eco-evolutionary outcomes in seasonally dynamic systems. This limitation applies to seasonal migration versus residence, constituting one key trait where rapid microevolution could rescue partially migratory populations from changing seasonal environments. We fitted novel quantitative genetic 'capture–recapture animal models' to multi-generational pedigree and year-round resighting data from 11 cohorts of European shags (Gulosus aristotelis), to estimate season-specific additive genetic variances in liabilities to migrate, and in resulting expression of migration, in juveniles' first autumn and winter. We demonstrate non-negligible genetic variation underlying early-life migration, with twice as large additive genetic variances and heritabilities in autumn than winter. Since early-life survival selection on migration typically occurs in winter, highest genetic variation and strongest selection are seasonally desynchronized. Our results reveal complex within- and among-year dynamics of early-life genetic and phenotypic variation, demonstrating that adequate inference of eco-evolutionary outcomes requires quantifying microevolutionary potential on appropriate scales and seasonal timeframes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenology of temperate perennials, including the timing of vegetative growth and flowering, is well known to be controlled by seasonal dormancy cycles. Dormant structures are known as buds and have specialized covering structures, symplastic isolation from the plant, and often autonomous stores of carbon and nitrogen reserves. In contrast, in annual plants, our current understanding of the control of the timing of flowering focuses on the mechanisms affecting floral initiation, the transition from a vegetative apical meristem to a inflorescence meristem producing flower primordia in place of leaves. Recently we revealed that annual crops in Brassicaceae exhibit chilling-responsive growth control in a manner closely resembling bud dormancy breakage in perennial species. Here I discuss evidence that vernalization in autumn is widespread and further discuss its role in inducing flower bud set prior to winter. I also review evidence that flower bud dormancy has a more widespread role in annual plant flowering time control than previously appreciated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific discourse on climate change throughout the US has primarily revolved around changes in mean climate and/or climate extremes. However, little is known about the impacts of climate change on mild weather conditions despite its significant relevance to quality of life. Here, we adopt the concept of "outdoor days" defined as those relatively pleasant days when most people may enjoy outdoor activities (Choi et al., 2024). We project how climate change reshapes seasonality of US outdoor days: relatively large drops in summer, late spring, and early fall; and a significant increase in winter. However, annual outdoor days are projected to change slightly, with notable exceptions. We project relatively large drops in southeast (−23%), south (−19%), and Ohio Valley (−19%), and a significant increase in northwest (14%) toward the end of the century. Our findings have implications for quality of life in different regions, and for nation‐wide travel and tourism. Plain Language Summary: Here, we contribute to the understanding of how climate change will influence quality of life in the US by applying the concept of outdoor days—thermal comfort conditions allowing for outdoor activities, such as walking, jogging, and cycling by most people. We project using state‐of‐the‐art global climate models that climate change will shift the seasonality of outdoor days, resulting in less frequent outdoor days in summer and more frequent outdoor days in the other seasons across the country. Our results highlight specific regional hotspots in the US where annual outdoor days could significantly decrease or increase with important implication for quality of life in different climate regions of the US. Key Points: We project how climate change reshapes seasonality of US outdoor daysFuture climate change will likely result in a northwest‐southeast disparity in the projected change of annual outdoor days in the USWe provide new evidence of the impact of global warming on the quality of human life, travel, and tourism in the US [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red macroalgae in the genus Porphyra are widely collected for human consumption and increasingly harvested along the North Atlantic coasts but their ability to withstand repeated harvesting and maintain high cover and abundance on natural shorelines remains poorly explored, raising sustainability concerns. Therefore, we investigated the effect of frequent hand-harvesting on Porphyra dioica in a population in South Wales, UK, where it is commercially harvested. Twelve control and twelve treatment quadrats were installed in spring and six control and treatment plots in autumn. Monthly hand-harvesting of P. dioica individuals larger than 5 cm was performed in the treatment plots, while the control plots remained undisturbed. We monitored P. dioica percentage cover, yield, thallus length and recruit density, as well as benthic flora and fauna. Harvesting only impacted P. dioica thallus length, resulting in 41% smaller thalli compared to unharvested plots during summer, with possible long-term implications (e.g. reproductive output). Strong seasonality of P. dioica cover and yield was observed, peaking during spring and summer. The results suggest high resilience of the opportunistic life strategy of P. dioica under frequent harvesting, but to allow for full recovery, we urge for a recovery period of more than the tested 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the temperate zone, many bat species depend on underground sites during the autumn mating period and as hibernacula in winter. Anthropogenic or natural alteration or destruction of a hibernaculum may severely threaten the bats that rely on the site, especially if they are not aware of suitable alternatives. Currently, the rate at which bats visit other hibernacula, or disperse between them, is poorly understood. Here, we studied hibernation site fidelity in two European bat species, Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) and Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri), that share hibernacula but differ in their hibernation phenology and mating systems. The activity of over 2500 RFID‐tagged individuals was monitored using an automated recording system at the entrances of three hibernacula over eight full years. Hibernation site fidelity was high in both species, with only 1.6% of Daubenton's bats and 4.1% of Natterer's bats moving between the monitored sites during their lifetimes. Juvenile bats moved more frequently than adults and contrary to our expectations, in Natterer's bats, more females moved between hibernacula than males. Movements almost always occurred during the autumn mating season, and more frequently between neighboring hibernacula than between distant sites. Finally, we also found that individuals rarely explored more than one of the three entrances to a site, despite their close proximity. Taken together, our results suggest that some juvenile bats may explore multiple sites, but that they rarely disperse to other hibernacula as adults. As a result, most individuals are either not aware of alternative sites or do not regularly update this information. We therefore argue that the creation of new underground objects as a mitigation measure may not function as an immediate compensation for the disturbance or the loss of an existing hibernaculum. Instead, the proactive identification and protection of existing hibernacula should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangjing is becoming a new generation of crop. Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium (XHJ) is a variant of P. kingianum (DHJ), and they are treated as Huangjing. Unlike other Polygonatum species, the rhizome bud of XHJ can germinate both in spring and autumn, which contributes to its high rhizome yield. However, the molecular mechanism of the autumn shooting of XHJ was still unknown. In the present study, cellular observation, comparative targeted metabolome of phytohormones, and transcriptome analysis between XHJ and DHJ in autumn were conducted. Interestingly, 'Diterpenoid biosynthesis' (ko00904) and 'Plant hormone signal transduction' (ko04075) were commonly enriched by differentially accumulated phytohormones (DAPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in all tissues, which indicated the high auxin content, low cytokinin (CTK) content, and low abscisic acid/gibberellin (ABA/GA) ratio might contribute to the XHJ rhizome buds' differentiation and germination in autumn. Moreover, according to the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA), transcript factors (TFs) related to auxin, CTK, GA, and jasmonic acid (JA) metabolism were screened, such as AP2/ERFs, WRKY, and NAC, which deserve further research. In conclusion, we comprehensively illustrated the mechanism of XHJ natural autumn shooting through cytological, metabolic, and transcriptomic analysis, which improves our understanding of the high yield of XHJ rhizomes and the diversity of shooting mechanisms in Polygonatum to lay the foundation for the further development of the Huangjing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive strategies vary widely among bats, even within the same species. The molossid Tadarida teniotis has an intermediate latitudinal distribution between tropical bats and those of temperate zones. There are still some uncertainties about its migratory behaviour and reproductive mode that are not yet fully understood. Some authors believe that this species breeds in spring and is sedentary, while others propose a bimodal breeding cycle with occasional or partial migration. In this paper, these contradictory approaches are exposed, providing more data to help solving this controversy. The results of the species monitoring for several years verified the existence of harems in spring and summer-autumn in at least one location of its range (Valladolid, central Spain). In both periods and during several months, males were observed performing patrols and displaying aggressive behaviour towards male intruders. This may have been facilitated by the peaks in migratory moth abundance. For the late parturitions occurring in autumn/winter and in case of absence of deferred reproduction mechanisms, a sex-biased migration is necessary for, at least, the females who got pregnant during the autumn mating. Thus, the species appears to show greater reproductive and migratory complexity than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xinjiang is one of the most sensitive regions in China in terms of its response to climate change. Against the background of global warming, analyses and predictions using different scenarios for Xinjiang should be conducted. The spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and trends of future temperature and precipitation trends should be considered to provide a scientific basis for the government to respond to future climate change. In this paper, using the CN05.1 dataset and seven models from the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, the delta downscaling method is used to predict the temperature and precipitation changes in Xinjiang Province from 2021 to 2050 under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. The results show that (1) most models of CMIP6 have a good effect on temperature simulation in Xinjiang, and the mean values as well as the trends of the temperatures expressed by the multi-model ensemble averaging are in good agreement with the observed data and have a high degree of confidence. The observed precipitation increase rate is significantly higher than that predicted by the model, and the simulation results of each model overestimate the precipitation. (2) The mean annual temperatures in the Xinjiang region increase at rates of 0.32°C/10 a, 0.46°C/10 a, 0.47°C/10 a and 0.67°C/10 a, respectively, under the four scenarios. The rates of temperature increase in the four seasons exhibit the following pattern: autumn > summer > spring > winter. (3) From 2021 to 2050, the average annual precipitation in Xinjiang will change at rates of 3.95 mm/10 a, 1.90 mm/10 a, 2.50 mm/10 a, and 8.67 mm/10 a, respectively, under the four scenarios. The precipitation amounts predicted under the different scenarios increase at the slowest rates in winter and at faster rates in spring. Spatially, the precipitation in the whole Xinjiang region under the four scenarios shows an increasing trend. Overall, except for the SSP1-2.6 scenario, the rates of increase in precipitation increase gradually in all seasons during the future period as the emission scenarios increase. Overall, the climate of the Xinjiang region will be characterized by warming and humidification from 2021 to 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The agricultural sector is vital for food production, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. However, it also poses significant occupational health and safety challenges due to factors such as heavy machinery usage, exposure to chemicals, and challenging environmental conditions. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 366 farmers affiliated with the Yozgat Chamber of Agriculture in Turkey. Data on demographic characteristics, occupational factors, and work accidents were collected with interview technique between May and August 2023. While descriptive data were expressed as categories with numbers and percentages, chi-square analysis was used to compare the obtained answers with the status of having or not having a work accident. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of independent variables on the probability of having a work accident. Results: The study revealed that 33.0% of farmers experienced work accidents in the last year. Most accidents occurred during work shifts (28.8%) and in the fall season (34.8%). Factors contributing to accidents included lack of personal protective equipment (51.5%) and transportation-related issues (36.4%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that working more than 8 h daily, working 5 days or more per week, and using bus/minibus transportation significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing work accidents. Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of implementing effective occupational health and safety measures, including proper training, provision of personal protective equipment, and improving transportation safety. Addressing these issues can enhance the well-being of agricultural workers and contribute to a safer working environment in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban rivers, including Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan in Haikou City, Hainan Island, are vital water sources for agricultural production and support industrial and domestic activities. Despite the rivers experiencing anthropogenic impacts, limited studies have assessed their water quality. Accordingly, this study assessed the phytoplankton community structure, utilized the river phytoplankton assemblage index (Qr index) to evaluate the ecological status, and compared its performance with the comprehensive trophic level index (TLI). Sample collection and microscopy analysis was conducted seasonally in 2019. Two hundred ninety-eight phytoplankton species belonging to 8 phyla were identified, predominated by Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Cyanophyta. The phytoplankton biomass ranged from 0.04 to 34.98 mg L−1, with averages of 3.06 ± 0.71, 5.16 ± 1.92, and 2.70 ± 0.76 mg L−1 in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan, respectively. The phytoplankton biomass varied seasonally, recording the highest and lowest values in summer and autumn, respectively. The phytoplankton species were classified into 26 functional groups, which exhibited spatial and seasonal differences in their biomass and composition. The redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that NH3-N, TP, CODMn, Chl-a, salinity, and temperature were the main environmental factors influencing phytoplankton functional groups. The average Qr index values in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan were 3.39 ± 0.61, 3.44 ± 0.51, and 3.22 ± 0.67, and all the rivers were rated "good" in status. Seasonally, the Qr index and TLI revealed that the rivers' ecological condition was better in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer. Generally, the Qr index performed better, indicating that parameters such as NH3-N, CODMn, TP, and Chl-a decreased with improving ecological conditions from "poor" to "excellent" status. In addition, the Qr index exhibited a significant negative relationship with TLI, suggesting that low Qr index values may indicate increased eutrophication or deteriorated water quality. Thus, the ecological condition of the urban rivers could be adequately assessed using the Qr index to guide their water quality monitoring and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In temperate ecosystems, resource availability fluctuates seasonally due to changes in environmental conditions and productivity. Intra‐ and inter‐specific trophic niche overlap under resource limitation is a measure of competitive interactions and influences species coexistence and community dynamics, but patterns of this overlap are influenced by anthropogenic activities. To investigate seasonal trophic niche dynamics of coexisting fish species in a flow‐altered river, we analysed prey resources, stomach content samples and stable isotope signatures of mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii and juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta in the Blue River, Colorado, USA, a high‐elevation oligotrophic river. Prey biomass (i.e. benthic macroinvertebrates) peaked in spring and declined through summer and autumn. Stomach content and stable isotope analysis results showed that diet composition of mottled sculpin and brown trout varied seasonally in response to changes in prey availability. Stomach content analysis results revealed that in autumn, both species exhibited the highest frequency of empty stomachs and expanded population trophic niches due to increased inter‐individual diet variation despite decreased individual trophic niche breadth. Inter‐specific trophic niche overlap was relatively high across all seasons, but the lowest degree of overlap occurred in autumn of both years when prey availability was lowest. Isotopic analysis revealed similar trends to stomach content analysis, of wider isotopic niches and reduced overlap in autumn compared to spring. Our data indicated that seasonal variation affected individual‐ and population‐level trophic niche dynamics and inter‐specific niche overlap between mottled sculpin and brown trout. This trophic segregation under resource limitation may serve as a mechanism that facilitates species coexistence in a flow‐regulated, oligotrophic river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the nutritional health of cetaceans has become increasingly important in a changing environment, where multiple stressors impact animals. Particularly for those species that require consumption of energy‐dense prey, such as the common dolphin. Thus far, no uniform measure for monitoring body condition has been recommended across cetaceans, and species‐specific measures may need to be developed if employed as a population condition indicator under Descriptor 1 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Here, nine morphometric body condition indices were applied to long‐term common dolphin stranding data sets originating from Ireland and the UK. We report a recent decline in the nutritional health of common dolphins in the Celtic Seas ecoregion comparing animals from 2017 to 2019 to animals from 1990 to 2006, with an increase in cases of animals dying due to starvation. Using ordinal regression trees, ventral blubber thickness (VBT) was identified as the most important index to predict nutritional status, defined at necropsy, followed by the scaled mass index (SMI). Using generalised linear models, both the VBT and SMI indices differentiated individuals that died from chronic and acute causes of death (i.e., bycatch), where animals in chronic conditions had significantly thinner VBT and lower SMI. Both significant temporal and seasonal patterns in VBT were identified, with poorer body conditions observed during the autumn and better body conditions observed during the spring, as well as an overall decline detected in VBT during the study period. While VBT was positively correlated with total body length, SMI showed the opposite trend. The VBT index is recommended for monitoring nutritional health within the species when total body length and season are considered. Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes for the observed decline, including shifts in prey availability and/or quality, to inform targeted conservation management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-sized fish are a vital food source for large predatory commercial fish and play a key role in marine food webs, bridging lower and higher trophic levels. They are indispensable in maintaining the energy flow and material cycling within aquatic ecosystems. This study utilized bottom-trawl survey data from 2017 to 2020 along the south inshore of Zhejiang, China, complemented by concurrent environmental data, to examine the influence of environmental factors on the resource density and seasonal distribution patterns of four dominant small-sized fish species. The research findings indicated that SSH (sea surface height) and Chl (chlorophyll-a concentration) emerged as the key environmental factors influencing resource densities, with all four species exhibiting similar preferences toward these variables. However, significant disparities were observed in their preferences for SST (sea surface temperature), SSS (sea surface salinity), and DO (dissolved oxygen). The various species' resource density and distribution patterns underwent significant seasonal variations. Additionally, the seasons and regions with the highest resource densities consistently aligned, occurring predominantly in autumn within the northern waters of the study area. This research further elucidated the environmental predilections and seasonal spatial distribution traits of small-sized fish in the south inshore of Zhejiang, an important feeding ground for economic fish species in the East China Sea. This provides scientific backing for forecasting alterations in coastal fishery resources under environmental and climate change scenarios and supports ecosystem-based fisheries management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgal solutions to clean waste streams and produce biomass were evaluated in Nordic conditions during winter, spring, and autumn in Southeast Sweden. The study investigated nitrogen (N) removal, biomass quality, and safety by treating industrial leachate water with a polyculture of local microalgae and bacteria in open raceway ponds, supplied with industrial CO2 effluent. Total N (TN) removal was higher in spring (1.5 g−2d−1), due to beneficial light conditions compared to winter and autumn (0.1 and 0.09 g−2d−1). Light, TN, and N species influenced the microalgal community (dominated by Chlorophyta), while the bacterial community remained stable throughout seasons with a large proportion of cyanobacteria. Winter conditions promoted biomass protein (19.6–26.7%) whereas lipids and carbohydrates were highest during spring (11.4–18.4 and 15.4–19.8%). Biomass toxin and metal content were below safety levels for fodder, but due to the potential presence of toxic strains, biofuels or fertilizer could be suitable applications for the algal biomass. Practitioner points: Microalgal removal of nitrogen from leachate water was evaluated in Nordic conditions during winter, spring, and autumn.Total nitrogen removal was highest in spring (1.5 g−2d−1), due to beneficial light conditions for autotrophic growth.Use of local polyculture made the cultivation more stable on a seasonal (light) and short‐term (N‐species changes) scale.Toxic elements in produced algal biomass were below legal thresholds for upcycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A regional climatology of the subtropical area along the South Brazil Bight is created to establish the seasonal average hydrographic conditions over the continental shelf and slope. A multiscale objective analysis with a potential vorticity constraint is used with historical hydrographic temperature and salinity profiles from different databases. Relative to the World Ocean Atlas 2018, the interpolation produced improved results, which were evaluated by comparing the surface fields with satellite data and sea surface elevation simulated with the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS). ROMS three-dimensional currents showed that the temperature and salinity fields support the presence of both Brazil Current and its seasonal variability, the Intermediate Western Boundary current, along with recurrent features such as the Cape Frio (cyclonic) Eddy, and the signature of quasi-stationary anticyclonic vortices along São Paulo slope. Cape Frio Eddy structure favours the onshore transport of the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) in the bottom layer along the northeastern area ( 23 ∘ S) of the shelf break. On the continental shelf, features such as the seasonal uplifting of SACW and midwater intrusions of Tropical Water beneath the Coastal Water (CW) are correctly described. CW is subdivided into spicy (austral summer/autumn) and minty (austral winter/spring) subgroups with the second being influenced by the Subtropical Shelf Water coming from the continental shelf along Argentina and Uruguay, where Rio de La Plata is diluted in the shelf waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon (BC) changes the radiative flux in the atmosphere by absorbing solar radiation, influencing photochemistry in the troposphere. To evaluate the seasonal direct radiative effects (DREs) of BC and its influence on surface atmospheric oxidants in China, the WRF-Chem model was utilized in this study. The simulation results suggested that the average annual mean values of the clear-sky DREs of BC at the top of the atmosphere, in the atmosphere and at the surface over China are +2.61, +6.27 and −3.66 W m−2, respectively. Corresponding to the seasonal variations of BC concentrations, the relative changes of the mean surface photolysis rates (J[O1D], J[NO2] and J[HCHO]) in the four seasons range between −3.47% and −6.18% after turning off the BC absorption, which further leads to relative changes from −4.27% to −6.82%, −2.14% to −4.40% and −0.47% to −2.73% in hydroxyl (OH) radicals, hydroperoxyl (HO2) radicals and ozone (O3), respectively. However, different from the relative changes, the absolute changes in OH and HO2 radicals and O3 after turning off BC absorption show discrepancies among the different seasons. In the North China Plain (NCP) region, O3 concentration decreases by 1.79 ppb in the summer, which is higher than the magnitudes of 0.24–0.88 ppb in the other seasons. In southern China, the concentrations of OH and HO2 radicals reach the maximum decreases in the spring and autumn, followed by those in the summer and winter, which is due to the enhancement of solar radiation and the summer monsoon. Thus, BC inhibits the formation of atmospheric oxidants, which further weakens the atmospheric oxidative capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A seasonal–diurnal analysis of land-sea contrast in lightning activity over Bulgaria and the Black Sea over 10 years is presented here. The maximum number of flashes over both surface types is registered during the summer (with a peak over Bulgaria in June and over the Black Sea in July) and a minimum number in winter (December/February, respectively). During spring, the maximum flash density is observed over Bulgaria (in May), while in autumn, it is over the Black Sea (in September). The results show that only in autumn lightning activity dominates over the Black Sea compared to over land (Bulgaria), while in winter, spring, and summer is vice versa. For this reason, an additional investigation was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between lightning activity and the sea surface temperature (SST) of the Black Sea in autumn. The analysis reveals that the influence of SST on the formation of thunderstorms over the Black Sea varies depending on the diurnal time interval, with the effect being more significant at night. At nighttime intervals, there is a clear trend of increasing mean flash frequency per case with rising SST (linear correlation coefficients range from R = 0.92 to 0.98), while during the daytime, this trend is not as evident. This indicates that, during the day, other favorable atmospheric processes have a greater influence on the formation of thunderstorms than sea-surface temperature, while in the autumn night hours, the higher SST values probably play a more significant role in thunderstorms formation, in combination with the corresponding orographic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane, a type of greenhouse gas, poses considerable concern for humans. This study uses field experiments and satellite measurements to explore methane emission mechanisms during the freezing of seasonal permafrost and the contributing factors. In the transitional seasons of autumn and winter, as soil begins to freeze, methane emissions surge dramatically in a brief period. During this phase, the emissions peak, enabling the soil to accumulate over 9000 mg/m3 of methane rapidly. Snow cover also plays a crucial role in mitigating methane emissions. The porous nature of a sufficiently thick snow cover aids in temporarily trapping methane through a stratified blocking process, effectively matching the inhibitory capability of unfrozen soil. In comparison to unfrozen soil (54–237 mg/m3), snow cover can suppress methane emissions up to 20 times more, reducing emissions by as much as 3399 mg/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CFOSAT (Chinese-French Oceanography Satellite) equipped with the high-performance wave spectrometer SWIM has obtained continuous and extensive wave data. While CFOSAT wave data have undergone numerous validations and calibrations globally, most comparisons have been made with buoy data. There is a lack of contrast with existing mature datasets when applying satellite data to the study of wave field characteristics. By focusing on the China's adjacent seas, comparing the significant wave heights (SWH) between CFOSAT and ERAS data and analyzing their differences. The results show that the CFOSAT data and ERAS data exhibit similar performance and high correlation in wave field observations; The difference in SWH between them shows seasonal variation characteristics, with a greater degree of dispersion in the autumn and winter seasons and a more stable in the spring and summer seasons; With the increase of wave height, the bias between CFOSAT and ERAS data significantly increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total alkalinity (TA) has increased in the Baltic Sea, with implications for atmospheric CO2‐induced acidification and CO2 uptake. We compiled extensive data of TA in surface waters of the Baltic Sea, aiming to (i) identify new tendencies in the relationship between TA and salinity (TA–S relationship), (ii) update the TA trend analysis, (iii) investigate spatial–temporal patterns, and (iv) discuss potential drivers and implications. We observed a progressive decrease in the slopes and increase in the intercepts of the TA–S overtime due to the persistent process of TA enhancement. A weak seasonal pattern was identified, with warmer months presenting lower salinity and TA. Lower rates of TA increase were observed in high salinities (Skagerrak–Kattegat; +1.00 to +2.20 μmol kg−1 yr−1), intermediate trends in low salinities (Gulf of Bothnia; +3.28 to +3.57 μmol kg−1 yr−1), and maximal trends in the Central Baltic Sea (+3.70 to +4.57 μmol kg−1 yr−1) and Bornholm Basin (+4.82 to +5.32 μmol kg−1 yr−1). The increase in the intercept of the TA–S in the Gulf of Bothnia suggests a progressive increase in the external supply of TA, although lower than previously thought. The maximum trend in the Bornholm Basin suggests an increase in external supply from the Southern catchment and/or the accumulation of internal production. The positive TA–phosphorus correlations underscore a significant internal source. The TA increase amplifies the CO2 uptake by 1.8–7.8% during spring/summer and reduces the CO2 outgassing by 3.4–7.7% in autumn/winter. The TA enhancement has the potential to buffer CO2‐induced acidification by 39–60% by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigation translocations move wildlife from specific areas due to conflict with humans over land use at the site. A critical decision when carrying out mitigation translocation is the acceptable distance across which animals can be moved. This decision trades off logistical expediency of unrestricted translocation with the risk of reducing translocation success due to environmental mismatch between origin and translocation site conditions. In this study, we used a large dataset of 502 individually identifiable carcasses to examine the role of geographic origin and translocation distance in the relative survival of 2822 translocated subadult and adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), a species experiencing large‐scale mitigation translocation, at a recipient site in the Florida panhandle, USA. We hypothesized that if climate or habitat differences between the origin and translocation site influenced survival, tortoises translocated from within the Florida panhandle would have the highest survival. To the contrary, we found that survival slightly increased with increasing climatic difference between origin and recipient site, driven by higher survival of tortoises coming from central Florida sites compared to those from the panhandle and north Florida. This suggests that environmental mismatch due to long‐distance translocation is not a main driver of mortality. These models also indicated an effect of season, with a survival advantage to tortoises translocated in the spring and late fall, relative to summer translocations, and a negative effect of initial density on survival. Finally, we also estimated the upper bound on annual survival in three well‐monitored groups to be quite low (92–95%) for several years following release, suggesting caution when considering large translocated populations to be viable without first assessing adult survival. Our unexpected results highlight the importance of investigating species‐specific sensitivities to translocation distances and indicate the limitations of assumed linear effects of translocation distance on outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake level, area and volume are sensitive indicators of climate change. At present, many studies have focused on the interannual water balance of lakes, but lake level and area can change remarkably with seasons, especially for lakes with seasonal ice cover. Zhari Namco, a seasonal frozen lake, was selected as an example to investigate its seasonal water balance. Multi-source altimetry and Landsat data were used to obtain the seasonal lake level and area from 1992 to 2019, and seasonal lake volume variations were also estimated. The results indicated the average lake level, area and volume in autumn were the largest. The lake level, area, and volume experienced three turning points approximately in 2000, 2010, and 2016, and showed an overall increasing trend from 1992 to 2019, with slopes of 0.15 m/year, 2.17 km2/year, and 0.14 km3/year, respectively. The lake area expanded significantly in autumn, which was related to the abundant precipitation. Delay time of land surface runoff, increased temperature, and evaporation may be the reason for the low lake level and volume in summer. The precipitation was the dominant factor of water balance, which explained 62.09%, 62.43%, and 62.10% of the variations in lake level, area, and volume, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Although studies have shown that light affects sleep in polar populations, the sample size of most studies is small. This meta‐analysis provides the first systematic review of the effects of summer glare, spring and fall moderate daylight, and artificial lighting on general sleep problems (sleep duration, efficiency, and delay). This analysis included 18 studies involving 986 participants. We calculated the random effect size via an evidence‐based meta‐analysis that analysed the effect of bright/auxiliary light on sleep and the effect of three different types of light on sleep compared with conventional light. There was no significant correlation between specific light types and sleep duration. Intense summer light has a negative effect on sleep time and efficiency. Moderate, natural light in spring and autumn effectively delayed sleep but could not improve sleep efficiency. For artificial fill light, neither blue light nor enhanced white light has been found to have a significant effect. In summary, summer light has a detrimental effect on sleep in polar populations, and moderate natural light may be superior to conventional light. However, specific strategies to improve sleep and artificial lighting in polar populations must be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish stocks composed of several populations are considered to have more stable productivity than stocks containing only one or few populations. This stability is attributed to complementary or independent dynamics among the populations within the stock—the so-called portfolio effect. Declines of populations within stocks that have delayed recovery potentially increase risk to productivity and local extinctions. Portfolio effects may be relevant in the Baltic Sea, where autumn-spawning herring was the dominant herring ecotype until the early/mid-20th century. The current fishery assessment and management in the area assumes that the abundance of autumn spawning herring has been negligible since the 1970s; the share of spring spawning herring has become dominant and is considered to be the only ecotype. Data from a multi-annual ichthyoplankton survey in the southern Baltic Sea (Bornholm Basin) during autumn 2002–2019 show that abundance and spatial distribution of the smallest larval stages have increased significantly. This pattern could be due to an increase in autumn spawners in the area. Genetic studies confirm that these larval herring are offspring from true autumn spawners. Preserving intraspecific diversity is critical for a species' future abilities to adapt to and survive in changing environmental conditions. Thus, our results not only provide new insights to the temporal dynamics of herring ecotypes and challenge the current understanding of central Baltic herring stock processes in general, but are also important in the context of monitoring, assessment, and spatial management of herring in the Baltic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual film recovery machines has have been commonly used in cotton fields in Xinjiang Province in autumn. The plastic film can tear into strips and entangles with impurities on the film during picking. The film with impurities mixture cannot be effectively layered in the conveying process, resulting in low separation of the film with impurities, high impurity content of mulch film, and difficult recycling. This study aims to design the a two-order pin-tooth chain-plate type device for residual film recovery. The multiple tooth collaborative operation was achieved in the continuous picking for the whole residual film in the autumn season. The whole residual film was transported upward to spread on the pin-tooth chain plate. A better separation environment was obtained for the impurity to maintain the effective stratification of membrane impurity in the recovery process. The structure of film film-collecting mechanism was longitudinally arranged with 23 pin-tooth chain plates. The structural parameters of the pin-tooth chain plate were determined to analyze the force in the whole continuous picking of plastic film. The spacing range between the adjacent pin-tooth chain plates was 84mm before the pin-tooth broke the plastic film; The structural parameters were determined for the main, passive rollers, and the stripping ring in the film collecting mechanism; Meanwhile, the angle of the recovery device were also determined, where the angles of the first- and second-order pin-tooth chain plate film collecting mechanism were 125° and 105°, respectively. The kinematics and dynamics analysis showed that the film film-collecting mechanism was used to lift the residual film with impurity. The optimal conditions were clarified to realize the continuous picking, step-by-step spreading, and conveying of the whole residual film. A prototype was trial-produced to conduct the field performance tests. The main influencing factors on the residual film recovery rate of the recovery device were determined as the angular velocity of the picking-passive roller and the operating speed of machinery, according to the principle of picking up film recovery. As the two-order pin-tooth chain-plate type recovery device of the experimental prototype was driven by the front depth limiting roller, the angular velocity of the picking-passive roller was linearly related to the operating speed of the machinery; The first-order film collecting mechanism shared the little range of variation in the ratio of the linear velocity of the tooth end during picking. The operating speed of 0.97 was achieved in by the continuously picking the whole residual film. A single-factor experiment was conducted with the recovery rate of residual film and the rate of containing poles content inside the recycled plastic film as experimental indicators, while the operating speed of the machinery was the influencing factor. The field test showed that the two-order pin-tooth chain-plate type residual film recycling machine was realized for the continuous picking and step-by-step spreading and conveying of the whole film, when the operation speed was within 5.5-7.5 km/h. The average rate of residual film recovery was 89.4%, and the average rate of containing poles was 8.6% in the recovered film. The second-stage nail-tooth chain-plate type device of residual film recovery was enhanced the recovery rate of residual film, whereas, there was the a significant decrease in the rate of containing poles in the recovered film, compared with the commonly- used one. The findings can provide a strong reference for the design of residual film recovery machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using monthly data from 19 meteorological stations in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region from 1961 to 2020, this study calculated the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) based on the Penman-Monteith evapotranspiration model (SPEI_PM). The temporal and spatial variation of meteorological drought were analyzed via linear tendency estimation, and Mann-Kendall trend test. The correlation between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and meteorological drought in Guangxi was also explored by cross-correlation function, cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence. The values for summer, autumn, and annual SPEI_PM from 1961 to 2020 exhibited a significant linear trend of increasing wetness over time. Annual and seasonal droughts throughout the region were predominately mild and moderate, with less frequent severe and extreme droughts. Spring droughts were concentrated in the central part of the region, summer droughts in the southwest, autumn droughts in the southeast and northeast, and winter droughts spread throughout the region. Annual droughts were concentrated in the northeast. The rate of drought occurrence as measured by the stations in Guangxi exhibited a distinctly chronological character. Large-scale droughts (especially severe and extreme droughts) across the entire region occurred most often in the 1960s, 1970s, and 2000s. The impact of ENSO on the meteorological drought in Guangxi was characterized by spatial heterogeneity. Correlation between the ocean Niño index (ONI) and meteorological drought was highest in the northeast and southeast, as well as the northwest. There was no significant correlation between drought and ONI in coastal areas and most southwestern parts of the region. As a typical example from meteorological stations in northeastern Guangxi, SPEI-3 and ONI at the Guilin Meteorological station showed interannual oscillation cycles of 16-48 months in the period 1962-1976, and 12-64 months in the period 1990-2019. These results can serve as a useful reference for future drought forecasting and assessment in Guangxi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]