Changes In Production Research Articles

Modeling NPP and NDVI time series in different bioclimatic regions of Iran.

Vegetation is one of the important components of ecosystems that usually changes seasonally. An accurate parameterization of vegetation cover dynamics by developing time series models can strengthen our understanding of vegetation change. This research aims to investigate and model the temporal changes of net primary production (NPP) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across bioclimatic regions of Iran, including the Khazari, Baluchi, semi-desert, steppe, semi-steppe, and arid forests. We used Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor products for NPP and NDVI time series (MOD17A2 and MOD13Q1, respectively). The SARIMA (Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) time series model is developed for NPP and NDVI time series. The investigation of autocorrelation functions (ACF) showed a strong seasonality in NPP and NDVI at the 12-month lag time. Comparing the lag times from 1 to 24 month for different regions shows that the NPP variable has a stronger seasonality. The evaluation of error criteria which showed NPP time series models based on RMSE, R2, MRE, and CE criteria was better, while based on the ME criteria, the models perform better for NDVI time series (for example, in Khazari region for NPP and NDVI time series, respectively, ME = 3.67, 0.05, RMSE = 0.12, 0.18, R2 = 0.87, 0.63, MRE = 0.02, 0.12, and CE = 0.84, 0.12). The selected models provided a short-term forecasting of the NPP and NDVI index for study regions at 24-month time, which is useful for the planning and management to reduce vegetation degradation and preserve ecosystem and biodiversity.

Analyzing the Environmental Impact of Livestock Manure Recycling Process Using Life Cycle Assessment

Objectives:This study aims to assess the environmental impact of the composting process, which constitutes 75.3% of the domestic livestock manure recycling methods, and to determine the environmental impacts of methane and nitrous oxide, the major greenhouse gases in the livestock sector, as well as ammonia, a precursor to fine particulate matter that has recently become a social issue. The analysis will focus on the categories of climate change and fine particulate matter formation to identify the most significant factors impacting the environment.Methods:This study applied the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology according to ISO 14040/14044 standards to evaluate the environmental impact of producing one bag (20kg) of livestock manure compost. The system boundary included the transportation of livestock manure and sawdust to the composting facility and the compost production process. The methodology applied for impact assessment was the ReCiPe 2016 v.1.1 Midpoint (H) method, which allows for a more global evaluation by utilizing worldwide average data.Results and Discussion:The impact assessment of livestock manure compost production revealed that producing one bag contributes 2.667 kg CO2-eq. to climate change, with electricity consumption responsible for 68.95% of emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the dominant greenhouse gas, making up 84.37% of the total. Particulate matter formation is 0.037 kg PM2.5-eq., with 91.97% resulting from emissions during the composting process. Ammonia (NH3) is the main cause of particulate matter, accounting for 92.02% of emissions.Conclusion:Based on the research, electricity consumption is the main factor affecting climate change in compost production, and ammonia is the primary cause of fine particulate matter. This study provides a case for evaluating the environmental impact of livestock manure composting and can serve as a foundational reference for developing policies and technologies to address climate change and fine particulate matter issues.

Integrated Genomic Approaches to Characterize and Mitigate Heat Stress in Poultry.

With the burgeoning human population, climate change, and expansion of poultry production in hot climates, it is imperative to aid global food security by enhancing the resilience of thermally challenged poultry. As a complement to management approaches used to mitigate heat stress, we give selected examples of recent studies on heat stress in poultry using various omics technologies. An integrated analysis of positional and functional candidate genes is provided, highlighting the most prominent pathways involved in the heat stress response. We finish by discussing efficient strategies to enhance thermal tolerance of poultry by genomics approaches, advocating for preservation of biodiversity that may provide beneficial allelic variation, and identifying current and future challenges in producing climate-resilient poultry.

Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition Controls Interannual Variability of Net Primary Production in the Bohai Sea

AbstractIncreasing human activities and climate change have resulted in significant changes in net primary production (NPP) of the marginal sea in the past several decades. The Bohai Sea (BHS) is a shallow semi‐enclosed marginal sea of North China, the knowledge of the relative impacts of human activities and climate change on the NPP in the BHS remains limited. This study primarily aimed to elucidate the interannual variability of NPP and its influencing factors in the BHS during the 2002–2021 period by synthesizing four widely‐used global NPP models, namely the vertically generalized production model (VGPM), the Eppley‐VGPM, the size‐fractioned phytoplankton pigment absorption‐based model (SABPM), and the carbon, absorption, and fluorescence euphotic‐resolving model (CAFE). The multi‐model average NPP showed significant interannual variation, with an increasing trend from 2002 to 2012 and a decreasing trend from 2012 to 2021. The concentration of DIN in the BHS was primarily affected by atmospheric nitrogen deposition. The structural equation model demonstrated that chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) concentration, influenced by DIN concentration, had an important effect on NPP. In brief, atmospheric nitrogen deposition impacted the DIN concentration and thus controlled the (Chl‐a) concentration and NPP change in the BHS. Furthermore, atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the BHS have potential ecological impacts on the red tide features. These findings hold valuable implications for future marine resource planning and marine ecological management in the BHS.

An Adaptive Energy Orchestrator for Cyberphysical Systems Using Multiagent Reinforcement Learning

Reducing carbon emissions is a critical issue for the near future as climate change is an imminent reality. To reduce our carbon footprint, society must change its habits and behaviours to optimise energy consumption, and the current progress in embedded systems and artificial intelligence has the potential to make this easier. The smart building concept and intelligent energy management are key points to increase the use of renewable sources of energy as opposed to fossil fuels. In addition, cyber-physical systems (CPSs) provide an abstraction of the management of services that allows the integration of both virtual and physical systems in a seamless control architecture. In this paper, we propose to use multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) to model the CPS services control plane in a smart house, with the purpose of minimising, by shifting or shutdown services, the use of non-renewable energy (fuel generator) by exploiting solar production and batteries. Furthermore, our proposal dynamically adapts its behaviour in real time according to current and historic energy production, thus being able to handle occasional changes in energy production due to meteorological phenomena or unexpected energy consumption. In order to evaluate our proposal, we have developed an open-source smart building energy simulator and deployed our use case. Finally, several simulations with different configurations are evaluated to verify the performance. The simulation results show that the reinforcement learning solution outperformed the priority-based and the heuristic-based solutions in both power consumption and adaptability in all configurations.

Seasonal Changes in Salicylic and Jasmonic Acid Levels in Poplar with Differing Stress Responses

Poplars are essential tree species with critical roles in wood production, ecological conservation, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation. Plants of different poplar populations exhibit varying responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, largely driven by phytohormones—key regulators of plant growth and stress responses. Phytohormones control fundamental processes such as cell division, growth, tissue differentiation, organ development, and resistance to environmental challenges such as temperature extremes and drought. In this study, we conducted a quantitative analysis of phytohormone levels in the leaves of two populations of poplar species from the same geographical region over a one-year period, covering the early, mid, and late growth stages. Our results revealed that salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations in the stress-resistant poplar (RP) increased significantly during the late growth stage (September), particularly in response to elevated pathogen pressure and fluctuating climatic conditions. In contrast, the susceptible poplar (SP) consistently exhibited lower levels of SA and JA across all growth stages, particularly during the mid-growth stage (characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation) and the late growth stage, when pathogen stress typically intensifies. The limited increase in phytohormone levels in the SP suggests a weaker defense response compared with the RP. These findings demonstrate that climatic factors significantly influence the phytohormonal dynamics in poplars, with the RP exhibiting more robust regulation of SA and JA to mitigate both biotic and abiotic stresses. This study provides a theoretical framework for better understanding the resistance mechanisms in Populus and offers insights for improving stress tolerance in future breeding programs.

Assessing the Future of Oil and Gas Production and Local Government Revenue in Five Western US Basins

Oil and gas production is a major source of public revenue in many US regions, but uncertainty exists over the future of demand for hydrocarbons. We model how oil and gas production and related government revenue change in five western US basins depending on future oil and natural gas prices under three scenarios of climate policy ambition. We find that the Green River and San Juan basins experience production declines across all scenarios, while production in the Bakken, Permian, and Powder River basins are more dependent on prices. Government revenue generally follows the direction of production, but these relationships are not directly proportional. Under the lower price scenarios, revenue declines more steeply than production because it reflects both production and prices, which both decline. Long-term permanent funds, which are in place across all the states we examine, provide an important fiscal cushion for school districts, their primary beneficiary. JEL Classification: H71, H72, H73, O13, Q41, Q48

Hurricane‐induced changes in mayfly assemblage structure, production and emergence in a tropical island stream

Hurricane‐induced changes in mayfly assemblage structure, production and emergence in a tropical island stream

Instability Analysis and Decomposition of Output of Oilseeds Crops in Rajasthan and India

Aim: The study deals with analysis of instability of area production and productivity of major oilseeds in Rajasthan and India. It also includes calculation of sources of growth of production over the period of study. Area effect, yield effect and interaction effect for crop production were calculated. Place and Duration: The time series data of thirty years, 1990-91 to 2019-20, was analyzed. The data were further divided into Three decades, period I(1990-91 to 1999-2000), period II (2000-01 to 2009-10) and period III (2010-11 to 2019-20). Area production and productivity of major oilseed crops (Rapeseed-mustard, groundnut and soybean) for all three decade in Rajasthan and India were analyzed. Methodology: This paper deals with the analysis of instability in area production and productivity of major oilseed crops in Rajasthan and India. The Cuddy Della Vella Index has been used for instability analysis. It also includes the decomposition analysis to determine factors that were responsible for the change in production of the crops. The additive decomposition method has been used to determine area, yield and interaction effect. Results: Calculations revealed that the magnitude of instability in Rajasthan during period II (2000-01 to 2009-10) remained high for all the selected crops. There was instability of 32.49 percent and 34.40 percent for area and production, respectively, while 13.34 percent of variation was found in productivity. In Rajasthan, the lowest instability was observed during period III (2010-11 to 2019-20) with variation of 7.44 percent, 9.47 percent and 6.62 percent for area production and productivity of groundnut. In India, the highest instability was during period II. The area of Rapeseed-mustard has shown the highest (17.72%) instability compared to the instability of the area of other crops. Variation of production and productivity of groundnut was recorded at 24.79 and 21.88 percent, respectively, which is highest among the selected crops. The decomposition analysis revealed that the area effect was a major source for the growth of production of oilseed in Rajasthan as compared to the yield effect and interaction effect. During period I (1990-91 to 1999-2000), the area effect for rapeseed mustard, groundnut and soybean was 68.08, 87.97 and 91.35 percent. In India, both area and yield effect have a major contribution to the growth of production. During period I, the yield effect (57.50 %) was responsible for growth of rapeseed-mustard production, while groundnut and soybean had a high contribution of area effect with magnitudes of 70.86 percent and 84 percent. Area effects for groundnut and soybean were 118.44 percent and 58.06 percent during period II, respectively. Area effect (42.90%) and yield effect (45.76%) were equally responsible for the growth of rapeseed-mustard. During period III, the yield effect for rapeseed-mustard and soybean was 101.34 percent and 257.7 percent, respectively, while the area effect (52.29 %) was responsible for growth in groundnut production. Conclusion: It has been found that groundnut was the most stable crop in term of area production and productivity. The major source for the growth of production was area effect and Yield effect while interaction effect has least impact on production of crops.

Novelties on Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease-Focus on Gut and Oral Microbiota Involvement.

Recent studies underscore the role of gut and oral microbiota in influencing neuroinflammation through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, including in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of recent findings on the involvement of gut and oral microbiota in the neuroinflammatory processes associated with AD, emphasizing novel insights and therapeutic implications. This review reveals that dysbiosis in AD patients' gut and oral microbiota is linked to heightened peripheral and central inflammatory responses. Specific bacterial taxa, such as Bacteroides and Firmicutes in the gut, as well as Porphyromonas gingivalis in the oral cavity, are notably altered in AD, leading to significant changes in microglial activation and cytokine production. Gut microbiota alterations are associated with increased intestinal permeability, facilitating the translocation of endotoxins like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the bloodstream and exacerbating neuroinflammation by activating the brain's toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways. Furthermore, microbiota-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and amyloid peptides, can cross the blood-brain barrier and modulate neuroinflammatory responses. While microbial amyloids may contribute to amyloid-beta aggregation in the brain, certain SCFAs like butyrate exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue to mitigate neuroinflammation. This review not only highlights the critical role of microbiota in AD pathology but also offers a ray of hope by suggesting that modulating gut and oral microbiota could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for reducing neuroinflammation and slowing disease progression.

Climate Change Impact on Photovoltaic Production From the Perspective of Climate Models: a Systematic Review

Objective: This study investigates how the researchers approached the theme the climate change impacts on photovoltaic production (PVP) from the perspective of simulations using climate models. Methodology: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to establish correlations between future PV production and climate change susceptibility on regional and global scales. Keywords related to the theme were used in the Web of Science database. Inclusion criteria selected only complete, free, English scientific articles related to the research theme, published between 1965 and 2023. Results and analysis: As a result, it generated a sample consisted of 58 articles on the impact of climate change on photovoltaic production, with 14 included in the final quantitative synthesis. A wide range of results was presented, stemming from both climate change models and models assessing the influence of weather-related factors on PV production. Patterns in the impacts of climate change on photovoltaic production were observed, and the main climate models used to estimate PVP were recognized, grouped, and discussed. Key databases, commonly used simulation periods, and equations linking meteorological variables to PVP were identified and examined. Conclusion: Numerous publications have emerged on the impacts of climate change on PVP, focusing on empirical equations that relate meteorological variables, cell temperature, and cell efficiency. Most studies adopted a forecast period until the end of the 21st century. The majority of the studies focused on Europe and Asia, with little research on impacts of climate changes on PVP in South and Central America.

Exploring Online Education for Circular Economy: Content Analysis and Didactical Approaches in Plastic Waste Management Courses

Purpose: The increasing emphasis on sustainable practices in managing plastic waste underscores the importance of education and training in fostering a circular economy. This article aims to elucidate the critical role of awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives, which have become pivotal as societies transition towards more sustainable economic models, particularly concerning plastic management. Study design/methodology/approach: This article investigates online courses' availability, content, and methodological frameworks dedicated to the circular economy and plastic-related issues. The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework that elucidates how these courses are designed to enhance awareness of plastic-related challenges, disseminate relevant knowledge, and educate the public about potential solutions. Findings: The analysis focuses on these courses' structure, content, and pedagogical methodologies to evaluate their effectiveness in informing and engaging learners. It assesses how effectively these courses enhance learners' capacities to tackle plastic-related challenges and equip them with the skills necessary for fostering innovation within the plastic value chain. Originality/value: While awareness-raising and capacity-building are essential for advancing a circular economy, systemic changes in production and consumption patterns are equally critical. The integration of advanced recycling methods, renewable energy solutions, and carbon capture technologies can significantly mitigate the plastic industry's carbon footprint. A holistic approach that comprehensively addresses the lifecycle of plastics—from design to disposal—is essential for achieving a genuinely circular and climate-neutral economy.

Investigating the regulatory mechanism of glucose metabolism by ubiquitin-like protein MNSFβ.

Monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor β (MNSFβ), a ubiquitously expressed member of the ubiquitin-like protein family, is associated with diverse cell regulatory functions. It has been implicated in glycolysis regulation and cell proliferation enhancement in the macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7. This study aims to show that HIF-1α regulates MNSFβ-mediated metabolic reprogramming. In Raw264.7 cells, MNSFβ siRNA increased the oxygen consumption rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production but decreased ATP levels. Cells with MNSFβ knockdown showed a markedly increased ATP reduction rate upon the addition of oligomycin, a mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitor. In addition, MNSFβ siRNA decreased the expression levels of mRNA and protein of HIF-1α-a regulator of glucose metabolism. Evaluation of the effect of MNSFβ on glucose metabolism in murine peritoneal macrophages revealed no changes in lactate production, glucose consumption, or ROS production. MNSFβ affects both glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting HIF-1α involvement in the MNSFβ-regulated glucose metabolism in Raw264.7 cells.

Analyses of sea surface chlorophyll a trends and variability from 1998 to 2020 in the German Bight (North Sea)

Abstract. Satellite remote sensing of ocean colour properties allows observation of the ocean with high temporal and spatial coverage, facilitating the better assessment of changes in marine primary production. Ocean productivity is often assessed using satellite-derived chlorophyll a concentrations, a commonly used proxy for phytoplankton concentration. We used the Copernicus GlobColour remote sensing chlorophyll a surface concentration to investigate seasonal and non-seasonal variability, temporal trends, and changes in spring bloom chlorophyll a magnitude. Complementary, we analysed the chlorophyll a relationship with sea surface temperature and mixed-layer depth in the German Bight from 1998 to 2020. Empirical orthogonal functions were employed in order to investigate dominant spatial and temporal patterns (modes) related to the main processes of chlorophyll a variability. Multi covariance analysis was used to extract the dominant structures that maximize the covariance between chlorophyll a and sea surface temperature mixed-layer depth fields. High levels of chlorophyll a were found near the coast, showing a decreasing gradient towards offshore waters. A significant chlorophyll a positive trend was observed close to the Elbe estuary and adjacent area, while 55 % of the German Bight was characterized by a significant chlorophyll a negative trend. The chlorophyll a non-seasonal variability showed that the first four modes explained around 45 %, with the first and second modes related to inter- and intra-annual variability, respectively, observed in the temporal principal components spectral analyses. Monthly chlorophyll a concentration anomalies co-varied by 45 % with sea surface temperature anomalies and 23 % with mixed-layer depth anomalies. The monthly averages of chlorophyll a anomaly fields were suitable to investigate long-term trends and variability. The rising water temperature, combined with its indirect effects on other variables, can partially explain the observed trends in chlorophyll a.

Animal breeding and feeding tools may close human nutrition gaps

The last century has witnessed many innovations in agriculture and food technologies that have ensured the production of sufficient quantities of good hygienic food. Animal scientists have contributed substantially to efficient breeding and feeding practices by adapting animals for faster growth and improving feed efficiency and utilization. Breeding goals and feeding recommendations have been proposed with a primary focus on profitability to promote significant changes in the macronutrient content, i.e., animal body protein and fat reduction. However, improving the nutritional quality of meat was not included in the profit assessment. Increasing the lean meat fraction is consistent with the goal of public dietary guidelines for human nutrition proposed in 1980, emphasizing the importance of reducing the consumption of animal fat, particularly saturated fat. The application of breeding and feeding tools to modify and improve the fatty acid composition has been partly implemented in pigs and broiler chickens to supplement the dietary recommendations for humans. The health benefits of lean “red meat” have been questioned in recent years, with dietary guidelines and upper limits being introduced for human intake. Animal breeding indirectly reduces the total and heme iron (the redness generator) content in meat, due to covariation with priority breeding goals. Two micronutrients play important roles in the human diet and are derived largely from meat (selenium) and milk (iodine) if the amount provided and absorbed is sufficient and predictable. The iodine content can be highly dependent on the use of novel (more sustainable) feeds. The micronutrients discussed in this study (Fe, Se, I, and vitamin D) highlight opportunities for the utilization of breeding and feeding knowledge to adjust their levels to procure meat with a high nutrient density. The gaps in micronutrient levels in humans must be addressed by navigating within approved animal feeding levels. Animal scientists must recognize the nutritional impact of breeding and feeding and advertise them. In addition, human nutritionists must acknowledge the existing and potential changes in animal production to meet the dietary guidelines. Sustainable food production within the “One Health” concept can only be achieved through cooperation.

Distinct chikungunya virus polymerase palm subdomains contribute to viral protein accumulation and virion production.

Alphaviruses encode an error-prone RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), nsP4, required for genome synthesis, yet how the RdRp functions in the complete alphavirus life cycle is not well-defined. Previous work using chikungunya virus has established the importance of the nsP4 residue cysteine 483 in replication. Given the location of residue C483 in the nsP4 palm domain, we hypothesized that other residues within this domain and surrounding subdomains would also contribute to polymerase function. To test this hypothesis, we designed a panel of nsP4 variants via homology modeling based on the coxsackievirus B3 3D polymerase. We rescued each variant in mammalian and mosquito cells and discovered that the palm domain and ring finger subdomain contribute to host-specific replication. In C6/36 cells, we found that while the nsP4 variants had replicase function similar to that of wild-type CHIKV, many variants presented changes in protein accumulation and virion production even when viral nonstructural and structural proteins were produced. Finally, we found that WT CHIKV and nsP4 variant replication and protein production could be enhanced in mammalian cells at 28°C, yet growing virus under these conditions led to changes in virus infectivity. Taken together, these studies highlight that distinct nsP4 subdomains are required for proper RNA transcription and translation, having major effects on virion production.

Innate players in Th2 and non-Th2 asthma - emerging roles for the epithelial cell, mast cell and monocyte/macrophage network.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and is characterized by airway inflammation, increased mucus production and structural changes in the airways. Recently, there is increasing evidence that the disease is much more heterogeneous than expected, with several distinct asthma endotypes. Based on the specificity of T cells as the best-known driving force in airway inflammation, bronchial asthma is categorized into T helper cell (Th)2 and non-Th2 asthma. The most studied effector cells in Th2 asthma include T cells and eosinophils. In contrast to Th2 asthma, much less is known about the pathophysiology of non-Th2 asthma, which is often associated with treatment resistance. Besides T cells, the interaction of myeloid cells such as monocytes/macrophages and mast cells with the airway epithelium significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the underlying molecular regulation and particularly the specific relevance of this cellular network in certain asthma endotypes remains to be understood. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the regulation of and complex interplay between epithelial cells and the "non-classical" innate effector cells, mast cells and monocytes/macrophages, in Th2 and non-Th2 asthma with the ultimate goal to provide the rationale for future research into targeted therapy regimens.

Economic impacts of large dams on downstream brickmaking in developing countries

Large dams have positive and negative impacts, including disrupting brickmaking on the floodplains downstream due to flow regulation and sediment reduction, affecting the supply of essential construction material, notably in developing countries. In this study, we introduce an analytical framework to assess the economywide effects of large dams on downstream brickmaking, focusing on Traditional Fired Clay Brick (TFCB). The framework includes three steps: characterizing the impacts on river flow and sediment load using river system modeling and secondary data, understanding the role of TFCB production in the economy based on survey and economic data, and quantifying the economywide impacts of changes in TFCB production using dynamic computable general equilibrium modeling. We demonstrate the functionality of the approach by conducting a case study of the impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Sudanese economy due to changes in TFCB production by comparing two scenarios: “with GERD” and “no GERD.” Results show that Sudan’s accumulated (2023–2050) discounted (at 0.5% annually) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at factor cost would decline by US$ 6 billion (−0.38%) due to a reduction in TFCB production. Consumer flexibility regarding brick types and the ability of alternative brick sources to fill the demand gap are key determinants of the impacts.

Socio-Economic Impact of Seasonal Migration on Tribal livelihood: A case study in Tribal areas of District Dare Ghazi Khan

The use of circular migration is done by Tribal households to diversify their income source and to cope with the seasonality of agriculture production, climate, political and/or economic changes. Temporary migration is a form of migration unpredictable and unidirectional in nature which occur where migrations take place for employment for a particular season of the year. This present study was conducted in Tribal areas of district D.G. Khan. The reasons and effects of tribal to urban migration in district D. G. Khan examined using descriptive survey research. The main objectives of the study are; i) to study the socio-economic characteristics of respondents; ii) to identify the causes of Tribal to urban migration in district D. G. Khan and; iii) to investigate the consequence of seasonal migration for livelihoods of migrants and their families. The result showed that 82.5% of the respondents was male, 33.3% respondents belong to age group between 18-25 years, 54.2% was married, while 31.7% income level was 10001-20,000, 80% respondents were strongly agreeing regarding consequence of seasonal migration is family care during extreme season, 65% were strongly agree, consequence of lack of facilities for their family they move to urban areas. Moreover 72.5% respondents were strongly agree regarding lack of education for their children they tend to move to urban areas, 51.6% were strongly agree regarding lack of basic needs for their family they get shelter in urban areas, 63% respondents were strongly agree, lack of source of income a big consequence to move urban areas, 56.6% were strongly agree increase in financial difficulties in winter season is a factor in seasonal migration, 54.1% were strongly agree regarding lack of agricultural tendency, 55% were strongly agree that secure extra income is driving of seasonal migration, 55% respondents were strongly agreed that lack of necessary infrastructure leads to seasonal migration, 60.8% were strongly agree that cause of seasonal migration is insufficient availability of food in winter season, 56.6% respondents were strongly agreed that seasonal migration is shortage of food tension, 60.8% were strongly agreed seasonal migration is lack of doctors or paramedical staff during illness, 55% respondents were strongly agreed that shortage of water for us cause to seasonal migration in winter season, 55% respondents were strongly agreed that shortage of water for us cause to seasonal migration in winter season, 59.1% respondents were strongly agreed that seasonal migration due to lack of suitable land, 54.1% respondents were strongly agreed that seasonal migration leads to an increase in cultural diversity, 55.8% respondents were strongly agreed that seasonal migration leads to a decline in agricultural cultivating.

Pottery Production Changes During the Transition from Byzantine to Umayyad Rule

Pottery is the most affected tool by the changes in human societies; this is due to its flexibility during forming. In order to estimate the effect of the transition of inhabitants of the urban center of Umm Qais (Gadara), north Jordan, from Byzantine (Christianity) to Umayyad (Islam) rule on pottery production traditions, a total of 29 cooking pots and sherds of pottery jars were selected. The samples were dated according to stratigraphy, archaeological context, and parallel examples to the proposed periods. The samples were investigated following the typological and archaeometric approaches. The raw materials and firing technology of the pottery during the two periods were determined following chemical and mineralogical methods using petrography, XRD, ED-XRF, and EDX-SEM techniques. The results revealed that many styles and forms of pottery continued to be produced and some new styles emerged at the urban center of Gadara. Technically, the potters inherited the knowledge of selecting the available raw materials and firing conditions of pottery during the Byzantine and Umayyad periods. During these periods, Umm Qais potters used the local raw materials—non-calcareous ferruginous illite clays mixed with medium to high amounts of coarse quartz grains and fired at temperatures around 1000° in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce cooking pots. They used the available medium to highcalcareous ferruginous illite clays and fired them at temperatures between 850° and 950° in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce the jars. Importing fine fabric jars and cooking pots during the seventh century from Jarash are indicated too. Thus, the types and forms of everyday use pottery were more affected by the political and religious changes than the technical aspects.