Environmental Adaptation Research Articles

Population genetic structure of Montipora digitata coral-algal symbiosis in the South China Sea

Species genetic diversity can reflect their adaptability to environmental changes. Coral reefs worldwide are in rapid decline due to climate change and human activities, highlighting the need for conservation intervention. The South China Sea (SCS) is an important biodiversity hotspot, particularly in the Xisha Islands (XS) that contain the majority of coral species in the SCS. However, few studies exist on coral genetic diversity in the SCS. Montipora digitata is the dominant reef-building coral species in the XS. In this study, two mitochondrial DNA fragments and 11 microsatellite markers were employed to investigate the genetic diversity of coral host of M. digitata, and ITS amplicon sequencing was employed to investigate the Symbiodiniaceae community structure. We sampled five wild populations of M. digitata in Hainan Island and the Xisha Islands. Montipora digitata showed low genetic diversity across populations in the SCS. We found significant genetic differentiation between the Sanya (SY) and XS populations but no significant genetic differentiation within XS populations. We identified four Symbiodiniaceae genera, with Cladocopium and Durusdinium being the most common, as well as Gerakladium and Fugacium. The Symbiodiniaceae types of SY and XS are significantly different, C15 is abundant in all populations, while D1a is also abundant in SY. We analyzed the correlation between 16 environmental factors and the genetic diversity of symbionts, genetic diversity of coral host and Symbiodiniaceae community was significantly correlated with sea surface temperature (SST) and other environmental factors. Our study provided a detailed paradigm from the perspective of genetic diversity of how a dominant coral species can be indicative of poor environmental adaptation potential.

Effects of different rootstocks on fruit quality and non-volatile flavor-related compounds of sweet cherry ‘summit’

In practical sweet cherry production, grafting onto rootstocks is a common practice to enhance environmental adaptability. Rootstocks play a crucial role in influencing scion growth and fruit quality by regulating the absorption and utilization of mineral elements. In this study, the influence of five rootstocks with or without root fertilization during the fruit color conversion period on the fruit quality of sweet cherry ‘Summit’ was observed. The physicochemical characteristics, external color characteristics, and total anthocyanin content of ‘Summit’ were significantly affected by both rootstock and fertilization, with an interaction between the two factors. The content of certain sugar components, organic acid components and phenolic acid components in ‘Summit’ were significantly affected by rootstocks and fertilization. ‘Summit’ grafted on Gisela 5 and H22 exhibited higher sugar content, while ‘Summit’ grafted on H11 and H17 exhibited higher organic and phenolic acid content.

Mechanisms of the Quorum Sensing Systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Host and Bacteria.

Quorum-sensing is a communication mechanism between bacteria with the ability to activate signaling pathways in the bacterium and in the host cells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen with high clinical relevance due to its vast virulence factors repertory and wide antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Due to this, it has become a pathogen of interest for developing new antimicrobial agents in recent years. P. aeruginosa has three major QS systems that regulate a wide gene range linked with virulence factors, metabolic regulation, and environment adaption. Consequently, inhibiting this communication mechanism would be a strategy to prevent the pathologic progression of the infections caused by this bacterium. In this review, we aim to overview the current studies about the signaling mechanisms of the QS system of P. aeruginosa and its effects on this bacterium and the host.

Long-Term Elasticity of Environmental Demand: Environmental Protection Expenditures in Sweden, 1972–2020

This study uses reconstructions of historical Environmental Protection Expenditure Accounts (EPEA) in Sweden from 1970–2020 to present a time series approach that analyses the demand for environmental services. The paper’s aim is to analyse environmental adaptation as a historical, economic and environmental process and to explore structural shifts suggestive of an overall periodisation of environmental demand. The article contributes to a deeper understanding of demand-side factors in environmental adaptation as part of contemporary economic history. The investigation also provides evidence that the income elasticity of environmental demand was slightly higher than 1.0 and largely stable over time, and even though we were able to detect trend breaks, there is insufficient evidence for major structural breaks suggesting sharp shifts in societal environmental preferences. Policies requiring sharply rising environmental expenditures should consider this level of historical stability. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0 .

Three birds with one stone: Constructing Janus multilayer carbon fabric to boost solar-driven interfacial evaporation, electrical power generation and inhibit VOCs volatilization

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology has great potential to address both the freshwater and energy crises in a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and sustainable method. How to achieve highly efficient freshwater and energy harvesting simultaneously is still challenging. Here, a Janus-structured multilayer carbon fabric (JMCF) solar evaporator is proposed to effectively overcome the bottleneck in the cogeneration of fresh water and electricity. The Janus structure of the multilayer fabric effectively controls water supply upwards, improves light absorption and photothermal conversion, increases evaporation surface area, facilitates water vapor escape and inhibits VOCs volatilization. Accordingly, the optimized JMCF solar evaporator can achieve a high evaporation rate of 3.12 kg m-2h−1 and an output voltage of 0.577 V in 3.5 wt% seawater under 1 sun irradiation. In addition, the JMCF evaporation system also demonstrates good working stability, self-cleaning capacity, environmental adaptability, and economic feasibility. This work provides new ideas and inspiration for the design of high efficiency solar-driven interfacial evaporation system to address the freshwater scarcity, energy crisis, global change problem, etc.

Ship model self-propulsion instrument development and test verification

Abstract Aimed at the characteristics of high precision requirements and large environmental changes of the thrust and torque coupling test in the self-propulsion test of the ship model, the paper carries out the design of the instrument of the ship model test, the calculation of structural strength, the design of anti-jamming of the thrust and torque coupling, and the selection and realization of thrust and torque module. Based on the above, the instrument was calibrated with sensitivity coefficient, high and low temperature, and dynamic stability tests. Besides this, a self-propulsion test at the design speed point of a ship was carried out to verify the accuracy and environmental adaptability. From the static calibration result, the coefficient of determination is 1.0. The max zero drift of thrust and torque is 0.11% FS and 0.05% FS respectively from the low-high temperature test, and the max zero drift of torque under different revolutions is 0.23% FS from the dynamic test. In addition to the above, the max deviation between Maric-SP01 and R31 of thrust and torque is less than 0.78% and 0.65% respectively from the ship model self-propulsion test. So, in one word, the instrument has good reliability and accuracy and can meet the requirements of the ship model self-propulsion test.

Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling of Halomonas elongata 153B Explains Polyhydroxyalkanoate and Ectoine Biosynthesis in Hypersaline Environments.

Halomonas elongata thrives in hypersaline environments producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and osmoprotectants such as ectoine. Despite its biotechnological importance, several aspects of the dynamics of its metabolism remain elusive. Here, we construct and validate a genome-scale metabolic network model for H. elongata 153B. Then, we investigate the flux distribution dynamics during optimal growth, ectoine, and PHA biosynthesis using statistical methods, and a pipeline based on shadow prices. Lastly, we use optimization algorithms to uncover novel engineering targets to increase PHA production. The resulting model (iEB1239) includes 1534 metabolites, 2314 reactions, and 1239 genes. iEB1239 can reproduce growth on several carbon sources and predict growth on previously unreported ones. It also reproduces biochemical phenotypes related to Oad and Ppc gene functions in ectoine biosynthesis. A flux distribution analysis during optimal ectoine and PHA biosynthesis shows decreased energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, our analysis unveils a diverse spectrum of metabolic alterations that extend beyond mere flux changes to encompass heightened precursor production for ectoine and PHA synthesis. Crucially, these findings capture other metabolic changes linked to adaptation in hypersaline environments. Bottlenecks in the glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism pathways are identified, in addition to PhaC, which has been shown to increase PHA production when overexpressed. Overall, our pipeline demonstrates the potential of genome-scale metabolic models in combination with statistical approaches to obtain insights into the metabolism of H. elongata. Our platform can be exploited for researching environmental adaptation, and for designing and optimizing metabolic engineering strategies for bioproduct synthesis.

Search region updating with hierarchical feature fusion for accurate thermal infrared tracking

Due to their resilience against lighting variations, thermal infrared (TIR) images demonstrate robust adaptability in diverse environments, enabling effective object tracking even in intricate scenarios. Nevertheless, TIR target tracking encounters challenges such as fast target motion and interference from visually similar objects, substantially compromising the tracking precision of TIR trackers. To surmount these challenges, we propose a method grounded in the strategy of search region updating and hierarchical feature fusion, tailored for the precise TIR target-tracking task. Specifically, to address the issue of fast motion causing the target to depart from the search region, we propose to update the current search region by leveraging historical frame information. Additionally, we employ a hierarchical feature fusion strategy to contend with interference from visually similar objects in the tracking scenario. This strategy enhances the ability to model and represent the target more accurately, thereby elevating the tracker’s capacity to discriminate between the target and similar objects. Furthermore, to tackle the challenge of inaccurate estimation of target bounding boxes, we introduce an enhanced Intersection over Union (IoU) loss function, which improvement facilitates a more precise prediction of target bounding boxes, resulting in superior target localization. Extensive experiments substantiate that our tracker exhibits a commendable level of competitiveness when compared to other trackers.

A two-stage stochastic programming model for comprehensive risk response action selection: A case study in Industry 4.0

Effective project risk management is critical in environments where both micro-level and macro-level risks are present. Traditional models often focus on micro-level risks, neglecting broader macroeconomic uncertainties such as geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions. This research introduces a two-stage stochastic programming model designed to optimize the selection of Risk Response Actions (RRAs) under uncertainty while addressing both types of risk. The model incorporates “here-and-now” decisions at the planning stage and “wait-and-see” decisions as uncertainties unfold, enabling adaptive risk management throughout the project lifecycle. To solve the model efficiently, we employ an evolutionary algorithm combined with Sample Average Approximation (SAA) to handle the computational complexity of multiple scenarios. The model is applied to a real-world case study involving the integration of IoT and ERP systems in a smart factory in Iran, a project characterized by significant macroeconomic and geopolitical risks. Our key contribution lies in providing a comprehensive risk response strategy selection model that simultaneously addresses micro- and macro-level risks while incorporating strategic flexibility through outsourcing decisions. The results demonstrate that our model outperforms traditional deterministic models, offering enhanced resilience against macro-level risks and improved project performance under uncertainty. These findings provide valuable insights for project managers aiming to increase resilience and adaptability in volatile environments. By integrating both internal and external risk factors, our model offers a robust tool for managing complex projects, enhancing decision-making and project outcomes in uncertain conditions

Strategies for Showcasing Your Strategic Leadership Skills

This article explores how leaders can demonstrate their strategic thinking skills to key stakeholders through various actions and outputs. It first defines strategic thinking and its main components, including environmental scanning, future orientation, synthesis, adaptability, and intuition. The article then discusses how leaders can communicate strategic thinking through comprehensive yet accessible strategic planning documents, ongoing messaging and communication about strategies and progress, effectively managing organizational change, strategic decision-making, and fostering continuous learning. Specific best practices and examples are provided for each area. The article aims to provide concrete guidance for leaders seeking to exemplify their strategic orientation in tangible ways. Developing a consistent repertoire of actions emphasizing environmental scanning, future visioning and adaptation can help leaders and organizations strengthen their strategic dexterity to navigate today's dynamic business environment.

Innovative synthesis of ternary heterojunction CuInS2/BiOI/Bi2MoO6 for 2,4-DCP degradation and its dechlorination performance

This study focuses on a novel ternary heterojunction catalyst for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), an organic pollutant that is difficult to degrade. An efficient CuInS2/BiOI/Bi2MoO6 ternary heterojunction photocatalyst was formed by constructing a CuInS2/BiOI composite layer on a Bi2MoO6 substrate using an in-situ growth technique. The microstructure and photoelectric conversion properties of the catalysts were comprehensively resolved by systematic material characterization, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and photoelectrochemical testing. The experimental results showed that the optimized catalyst at a loading of 2.0 g/L exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation efficiency against 20 mg/L concentration of 2,4-DCP at neutral pH, reaching 80.3 % degradation rate in 120 min. This high performance was mainly attributed to the enhanced charge-carrier separation mechanism at the heterojunction interface, which effectively enhanced the utilization and transfer rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst. In addition, the study also deeply explored the conversion pathway of elemental chlorine in the photocatalytic system, elucidated the mechanism of 2,4-DCP degradation and dechlorination, and provided a theoretical basis for further improving the environmental adaptability and dechlorination efficiency of the catalyst. Overall, the CuInS2/BiOI/Bi2MoO6 ternary heterojunction photocatalysts proposed in this study demonstrate a broad application prospect in the purification of 2,4-DCP and other organic pollutants, and open up a new way to solve the problems of industrial wastewater treatment, which is of great environmental significance and scientific value.

Harmful Microalgae Exhibit Broad Environmental Adaptability in High-Salinity Area Across the Dafengjiang River Estuary.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) often occur in estuaries due to their unique environmental heterogeneity, posing significant environmental and human health risks. However, there is limited understanding of the community composition and community-level change points (thresholds) of harmful microalgae in subtropical estuaries. This study explored harmful microalgae community structure and thresholds in the Dafengjiang River estuary using a metabarcoding approach. The results revealed 63 harmful microalgae species, and major species included Guinardia flaccida, Prorocentrum cordatum, Thalassiosira punctigera, Pseudo-nitzschia galaxiae and T. gravida. Nonparametric change-point analysis and threshold indicator taxa analysis (TITAN) showed threshold responses of harmful microalgae community structure to ammonium (57.5-60 μg·L-1), total phosphorus (27.8-28.5 μg·L-1) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (14.5-28 μg·L-1) along the salinity gradient. Wider environmental thresholds were also found in hypersaline areas. Additionally, Pyrodinium bahamense, Pfiesteria piscicida, Skeletonema tropicum and T. punctigera were sensitive to environmental changes and thus could be used as bioindicators. Overall, our study unveiled diverse abrupt transitions of harmful microalgal communities, providing a risk assessment for human health and ecological safety in subtropical estuary ecosystems.

Multi-species genome-wide CRISPR screens identify conserved suppressors of cold-induced cell death.

Cells must adapt to environmental changes to maintain homeostasis. One of the most striking environmental adaptations is entry into hibernation during which core body temperature can decrease from 37°C to as low at 4°C. How mammalian cells, which evolved to optimally function within a narrow range of temperatures, adapt to this profound decrease in temperature remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted the first genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screen in cells derived from Syrian hamster, a facultative hibernator, as well as human cells to investigate the genetic basis of cold tolerance in a hibernator and a non-hibernator in an unbiased manner. Both screens independently revealed glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a selenium-containing enzyme, and associated proteins as critical for cold tolerance. We utilized genetic and pharmacological approaches to demonstrate that GPX4 is active in the cold and its catalytic activity is required for cold tolerance. Furthermore, we show that the role of GPX4 as a suppressor of cold-induced cell death extends across hibernating species, including 13-lined ground squirrels and greater horseshoe bats, highlighting the evolutionary conservation of this mechanism of cold tolerance. This study identifies GPX4 as a central modulator of mammalian cold tolerance and advances our understanding of the evolved mechanisms by which cells mitigate cold-associated damage-one of the most common challenges faced by cells and organisms in nature.

Functional and evolutionary analysis of key enzymes triacylglycerol lipase, glycogen hydrolases in the glycerol and glucose biosynthesis pathway and cellular chaperones for freeze-tolerance of the Rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis

Freeze-tolerance is an important physiological trait for terrestrial environmental adaptation and intraspecific geographic-lineage diversification in ectothermic animals, yet there remains a lack of systematic studies on its underlying genetic mechanisms and evolution. To address this problem, we employed the widely distributed rice pest, the Chilo suppressalis, as a model to explore the genetic mechanisms and evolutionary history of freeze-tolerance. First, we systematically characterized its antifreeze mechanisms by performing functional validation of potential key genes in laboratory-reared lines. This revealed the functional roles of glycerol biosynthesis in freeze-tolerance, including the triacylglycerol-originated pathway via triacylglycerol lipase (Tgl) hydrolysis and the glycogen-originated pathway via α-amylase (Aa) and maltase (Ma) hydrolysis, as well as the roles of the cellular chaperones Hsc70 and Hsf1. Then, we investigated the evolution of freeze-tolerance by collecting representative geographical samples and performing population genetic analyses, which suggested differentiated strategies of cold adaptation in different geographic populations. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the functional basis of cold resistance in Chilo suppressalis and reveal the evolutionary history of freeze-tolerance in natural populations, providing insights into organismal freeze-tolerance and clues for pest control.

Changes of collagen content in lung tissues of plateau yak and its mechanism of adaptation to hypoxia.

Collagen is crucial for tissue structure, functional maintenance, and cellular processes such as proliferation and differentiation. However, the specific changes in collagen expression and its associated genes in the lung tissues of yaks at high altitudes and their relationship with environmental adaptation remain poorly understood. Studying differences in the content of collagen fibers and gene expression between yaks at high (4,500 m) and low (2,600 m) altitudes, as well as between cattle at low altitudes (2,600 m). Using Masson staining, we found that the collagen fiber content in the lung tissues of yaks at low altitude was significantly higher compared to yaks at high altitude and cattle at the same altitude (P < 0.05). It was revealed through transcriptomic analyses that genes differentially expressed between high and low altitude yaks, as well as between low altitude yaks and cattle, were notably enriched in pathways related to cell adhesion, collagen synthesis, focal adhesion, and ECM-receptor interactions. Specifically, genes involved in mesenchymal collagen synthesis (e.g., COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1), basement membrane collagen synthesis (e.g., COL4A1, COL4A2, COL4A4, COL4A6), and peripheral collagen synthesis (e.g., COL5A1, COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3) were significantly upregulated in the lung tissues of yaks at low altitude compared to their high altitude counterparts and cattle (P < 0.05). In conclusion, yaks at lower altitudes exhibit increased collagen synthesis by upregulating collagen gene expression, which contributes to maintaining alveolar stability and septal flexibility. Conversely, the expression of collagen genes in yak lung tissues was down-regulated with the increase in altitude, and it was speculated that the decrease in collagen may be used to constrain the function of elastic fibers that are more abundant at high altitude, so as to enable them to adapt to the harsh environment with hypoxia and high altitude. This adaptation mechanism highlights the role of collagen in environmental acclimatization and contributes to our understanding of how altitude and species influence collagen-related physiological processes in yaks.

Self-adaptive radiation recuperator with double phase transition temperature switches based on VO2 intelligent films

Developing renewable energy for heating and cooling to achieve carbon neutrality and environmental protection is of great significance. The combination of photothermal (PT) and radiative cooling (RC) technology to continuously obtain energy throughout the day is gradually attracting interest, in which vanadium dioxide (VO2) intelligent phase transition film serves as a bridge between the daytime PT mode and the nighttime RC mode. The high phase transition temperature of VO2 poses a challenge to environmental adaptability and dynamic switching in practical applications. In this work, a novel self-adaptive radiation recuperator with double phase transition temperature (37 °C and 68 °C) switches is proposed to exchange energy from the sun and outer space by radiation. Compared with VO2 and W-doped VO2 single-layer structure, this method has a higher self-adaptability to easily achieve the phase transition temperature of mode switching. The absorptivity of the radiation recuperator is 0.75 in the solar band (0.3–2.5 μm), and the emissivity switching capability is present from 0.3 to 0.86 in the atmospheric window band (8–14 μm). The transition mode generated by the presence of double phase transition temperature improves temperature self-adaptability and improves energy collection efficiency in dynamic environments.

A telomere-to-telomere Eucalyptus regnans genome: unveiling haplotype variance in structure and genes within one of the world’s tallest trees

BackgroundEucalyptus regnans (Mountain Ash) is an Australian native giant tree species which form forests that are among the highest known carbon-dense biomasses in the world. To enhance genomic studies in this ecologically important species, we assembled a high-quality, mostly telomere-to-telomere complete, chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved reference genome. We sampled a single tree, the Centurion, which is currently a contender for the world’s tallest flowering plant.ResultsUsing long-read sequencing data (PacBio HiFi, Oxford Nanopore ultra-long reads) and chromosome conformation capture data (Hi-C), we assembled the most contiguous and complete Eucalyptus reference genome to date. For each haplotype, we observed contig N50s exceeding 36 Mbp, scaffold N50s exceeding 43 Mbp, and genome BUSCO completeness exceeding 99%. The assembled genome revealed extensive structural variations between the two haplotypes, consisting mostly of insertions, deletions, duplications and translocations. Analysis of gene content revealed haplotype-specific genes, which were enriched in functional categories related to transcription, energy production and conservation. Additionally, many genes reside within structurally rearranged regions, particularly duplications, suggesting that haplotype-specific variation may contribute to environmental adaptation in the species.ConclusionsOur study provides a foundation for future research into E. regnans environmental adaptation, and the high-quality genome will be a powerful resource for conservation of carbon-dense giant tree forests.

Concentration Techniques in the Classroom for Children with ADHD, in an Educational Unit in the Province of Santa Elena

This study analyzes the effectiveness of various concentration techniques applied in classrooms for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in an educational unit in Santa Elena. Employing a mixed-methods approach, surveys and interviews with teachers were examined, and the behavior of students with ADHD was observed. The findings suggest that strategies like environmental adaptation, use of visual and auditory signals, and positive reinforcement are effective in enhancing concentration and academic performance of these students. It is concluded that the implementation of specific concentration techniques, tailored to the size and resources of each institution, is crucial to support students with ADHD, thereby improving their academic performance and satisfaction.

DEVELOPING INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN TOURISM STUDENTS ALONGSIDE LANGUAGE LEARNING

This paper explores the development of intercultural competence in tourism students alongside language learning, emphasizing its critical role in preparing students for the global tourism industry. Drawing from Byram’s framework of intercultural communicative competence and Deardorff’s assessment models, the study highlights the integration of language and culture in educational settings. It also analyzes the contributions of intercultural education programs, showing how they enhance students’ cultural sensitivity and communication skills. The findings demonstrate the necessity of fostering intercultural awareness and competence to improve students’ professional adaptability in diverse cultural environments.

The filamentous γ-prefoldin chaperone is not essential for growth and thermal adaptation in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii.

Elucidating the role of molecular chaperones in extremely thermophilic archaea, including the gamma prefoldin (γPFD) in the deep-sea methanogen Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, is integral to understanding microbial adaptation to hot environments. This study focuses on genetically engineered knock-out and overexpression strains to evaluate the importance of γPFD in the growth and thermal tolerance of M. jannaschii. An in-depth analysis of cell growth, morphology and transcriptional responses to heat stress revealed that although the gene encoding γPFD is substantially upregulated in response to heat shock, the γPFD is not indispensable for high-temperature survival. Instead, its absence in the knock-out strain is compensated for by the upregulation of several proteolytic proteins in the absence of heat shock, nearly matching the corresponding transcription profile of selected transcripts for proteins involved in protein synthesis and folding in the wild-type strain following heat shock, using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). These findings bridge environmental adaptation with molecular biology, underscoring the versatility of extremophiles and providing a deeper mechanistic understanding of how they cope with stress.