Environmental Changes Research Articles

Gamification and Game-Based Learning in Nursing Education

With the recent rapid changes in the medical environment and technology, traditional teaching methods are no longer sufficient to meet current professional needs. There is an increasing demand for emerging technologies in higher education, necessitating more interactive and personalized educational approaches. Hence, educators are exploring innovative teaching interventions, including digital simulations and gamified learning, to enhance motivation and engagement in learning. In this article, the concept and core elements of gamified learning are introduced and related methods applicable to nursing education such as digital simulations, virtual reality, tabletop games, and escape rooms are described. In addition, gamification teaching techniques that enhance student learning motivation as well as improve learning outcomes in theory and practice are discussed. Gamified learning enables nursing students to practice in rich and diverse interactive simulated environments. Using appropriate teaching strategies, the gamified approach to learning can strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication confidence in students. Designing game mechanisms and methods that align with educational objectives and mastering the key principles of gamified teaching is an effective approach to diversifying and enhancing the effectiveness of learning activities in the classroom.

Exploring Excited State Landscapes with Surface Enhanced Hyper-Raman Spectroscopy.

In this Perspective, we provide a historical overview of the surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) effect, describe its essential components, highlight the close connection between theory and experiment in several vignettes, and discuss recent analytical applications. SEHRS, the two-photon analog of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), is a spontaneous nonlinear scattering exhibited by molecules in a plasmonic field. Hyper Raman provides distinctive information on the molecular vibrations and electronic excited states of analytes. A 40-year old mystery surrounding the SEHRS spectra of R6G is used to illustrate the power of SEHRS to explore excited electronic states, revealing how non-Condon effects can influence the two-photon molecular properties. The exceptionally large enhancement factors (>1013) obtained from SEHRS enable the analysis of single molecules and molecules at very low concentrations. This high sensitivity is further augmented by an increased sensitivity to chemical effects, allowing SEHRS to probe changes in the local environment and the orientation of surface ligands. As most SEHRS experiments employ near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) light, it also holds promise for bioimaging studies. Before concluding, we discuss future directions and challenges for the field as it moves forward.

The immediate metabolomic effects of whole-genome duplication in the greater duckweed, Spirodela polyrhiza.

In plants, whole-genome duplication (WGD) is a common mutation with profound evolutionary potential. Given the costs associated with a superfluous genome copy, polyploid establishment is enigmatic. However, in the right environment, immediate phenotypic changes following WGD can facilitate establishment. Metabolite abundances are the direct output of the cell's regulatory network and determine much of the impact of environmental and genetic change on the phenotype. While it is well known that an increase in the bulk amount of genetic material can increase cell size, the impact of gene dosage multiplication on the metabolome remains largely unknown. We used untargeted metabolomics on four genetically distinct diploid-neoautotetraploid pairs of the greater duckweed, Spirodela polyrhiza, to investigate how WGD affects metabolite abundances per cell and per biomass. Autopolyploidy increased metabolite levels per cell, but the response of individual metabolites varied considerably. However, the impact on metabolite level per biomass was restricted because the increased cell size reduced the metabolite concentration per cell. Nevertheless, we detected both quantitative and qualitative effects of WGD on the metabolome. Many effects were strain-specific, but some were shared by all four strains. The nature and impact of metabolic changes after WGD depended strongly on the genotype. Dosage effects have the potential to alter the plant metabolome qualitatively and quantitatively, but were largely balanced out by the reduction in metabolite concentration due to an increase in cell size in this species.

Risk Screening Environmental Indicators Model Change Based on Spectral Transformation Around New Yogyakarta International Airport

Risk Screening Environmental Indicators Model Change Based on Spectral Transformation Around New Yogyakarta International Airport

The lack of plasticity and interspecific variability in thermal limits produce a highly heat-tolerant tropical host-parasitoid system

Thermal limits are often used as proxies to assess the vulnerability of ectotherms to environmental change. While meta-analyses point out a relatively low plasticity of heat limits and a large interspecific variability, only few studies have compared the heat tolerance of interacting species. The present study focuses on the thermal limits, and their plasticity (heat hardening), of three species co-occurring in Western Africa: two ectoparasitoid species, Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Eupelmus vuilleti (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), and their common host, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). The investigation delves into the Critical Thermal Maximum (CTmax), representing the upper tolerance limit, to understand how these species may cope with extreme thermal events. The CTmax of all three species appeared similarly high, hovering around 46.5°C, exceeding the global mean CTmax observed in insects by 3.5°C. Short-term exposure to moderate heat stress showed no impact on CTmax, suggesting a potential lack of heat hardening in these species. Therefore, we emphasized the similarity of heat tolerance in these interacting species, potentially stemming from both evolutionary adaptations to high temperatures during development and the stable and similar microclimate experienced by the three species over the years. While the high thermal tolerance should allow these species to endure extreme temperature events, the apparent lack of plasticity raises concerns about their ability to adapt to future climate change scenarios. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the thermal physiology of these interacting species, providing a basis for understanding their responses to climate change and potential implications for the host-parasitoid system.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Innovative Search in Response to Complexity of Environmental Change

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Innovative Search in Response to Complexity of Environmental Change

Reflecting on the symmetry of ecosystem tipping points: The influence of trait dissimilarity and environmental driver dynamics in a simple ecosystem model.

Our understanding of the similarity in trajectories of ecosystem changes during different directions of environmental change is limited. For example, do the dominant organisms exhibit the same responses to different directions of environmental change, that is, do they exhibit symmetric responses? Here, we explore whether such response symmetry is determined and controlled by the symmetry in the features of the underlying biological system (i.e., system symmetry), such as in the network and strength of biotic and abiotic processes, and in symmetry of the environmental change (i.e., environmental symmetry). For this exploration, we developed and used a simple mathematical model of a microbial ecosystem driven by mutual inhibition in which we could vary the amount of system and environmental symmetry. Our results show that perfect system and environmental symmetry indeed produce perfect response symmetry. Moreover, introducing asymmetry in biological systems or in the environment proportionally increases response asymmetry. These findings suggest using symmetries in ecosystem structure and interaction strength to better understand and predict similarities in degradation and restoration phases of environmental change.

Pesticide exposure triggers sex-specific inter- and transgenerational effects conditioned by past sexual selection.

Environmental variation often induces plastic responses in organisms that can trigger changes in subsequent generations through non-genetic inheritance mechanisms. Such transgenerational plasticity thus consists of environmentally induced non-random phenotypic modifications that are transmitted through generations. Transgenerational effects may vary according to the sex of the organism experiencing the environmental perturbation, the sex of their descendants or both, but whether they are affected by past sexual selection is unknown. Here, we use experimental evolution on an insect model system to conduct a first test of the involvement of sexual selection history in shaping transgenerational plasticity in the face of rapid environmental change (exposure to pesticide). We manipulated evolutionary history in terms of the intensity of sexual selection for over 80 generations before exposing individuals to the toxicant. We found that sexual selection history constrained adaptation under rapid environmental change. We also detected inter- and transgenerational effects of pesticide exposure in the form of increased fitness and longevity. These cross-generational influences of toxicants were sex dependent (they affected only male descendants), and intergenerational, but not transgenerational, plasticity was modulated by sexual selection history. Our results highlight the complexity of intra-, inter- and transgenerational influences of past selection and environmental stress on phenotypic expression.

Does habitat modification impact morphology, performance, and inflammatory responses in an amphibian with limited dispersal capacity (Lisssotriton helveticus)?

The environment of an organism exerts selective pressures that affect mobility, feeding, reproduction as well as predator-prey and conspecific interactions. Land use changes induced by human activities modify these selective pressures and may result in the adaptation of organisms. Amphibians are ectotherms that typically show a biphasic life cycle with an aquatic and terrestrial phase, which makes them particularly sensitive to environmental change. We studied the impact of habitat modifications on palmate newt populations in the Ile de France region across four types of habitats: urban, mixed, agricultural, and natural with at least two replicates for each habitat type. We measured the morphology of newts using callipers, quantified maximal running and swimming speed and acceleration using high-speed video recordings, and quantified the swelling of the hind limb linked to an inflammatory reaction. Our results show that in urban habitats, newts are larger and heavier and have a better body condition. Females, moreover, have a larger head in natural habitats, possibly due to diet specialisation of females during the breeding season. In mixed and agricultural habitats, newts have longer limbs and show a tendency to run faster, possibly associated with the selective pressures on movement in mixed habitats. Differences in inflammatory responses were observed between sexes but not habitat types. Overall, our results show differences in morphology and trends for differences in performance in newts living in different habitats suggesting that animals are adapting to human-induced changes in their environment.

Genomic analysis of NE Atlantic sardine (Sardina pilchardus) reveals reduced variation in a recently established North Sea population and directs reconsideration of management units.

The European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) is under intense fishing pressure and exhibits distributional/abundance shifts linked to environmental change. The current understanding of population demographics needed for sustainable management is uncertain due to concerns that previous genetic studies lacked resolution and limited sampling of sardine north of the Bay of Biscay. To address these issues, we performed mtDNA sequencing and genome wide SNP analysis of samples collected across the Bay of Biscay, Celtic Sea, English Channel and North Sea. The complete SNP data reported a lack of structure throughout the sampled area compatible with high gene flow. A consensus suite of positive outlier SNPs was identified which reported a significant correlation with geographical distance with the largest differentiation between the southern Bay of Biscay and North Sea samples which also reported a significant mtDNA ΦST. While the roles of dispersal limitation and environmental heterogeneity underpinning this require further study, this adds to growing evidence that selection is influencing sardine population structure against a background of high gene flow. The results indicate that while there may be a level of demographic independence between North Sea and South Biscay sardine, the current delimitation of central (Biscay) and northern (Channel and Celtic Sea) operational stocks may misrepresent connectivity between the Biscay and Channel. The North Sea sample exhibited markedly lower mtDNA and nuclear variation than other samples. As sardine have only recently invaded the North Sea such reduced genetic variation is compatible with predictions for peripheral leading-edge populations but contrasts with patterns for other small pelagic species and emphasises the need to consider species-specific genetic structure in ecosystem-based management. Nascent management of the North Sea sardine fishery must ensure that current low levels of genetic diversity are not eroded further as this may decrease the species adaptive potential and inhibit its expansion.

HETEROGENEOUS TRANSFER LEARNING OF ELECTROHYDRODYNAMIC PRINTING UNDER ZERO-GRAVITY TOWARDS IN-SPACE MANUFACTURING

Abstract As we continue to mature in-space manufacturing (ISM) processes, there is a strong need to transfer the knowledge we learn from experiments on the ground to zero-gravity environments. Physics-motivated manufacturing processes, like additive manufacturing, experience a shift in fabrication parameters due to the absence of gravity and the change of environments. Thus, we found traditional machine learning methods are not capable of addressing this domain shift and presented a transfer learning scheme as a solution in this paper. We tested a kernel ridge regression model built for heterogeneous transfer learning (KRR-HeITL) on data from the physics-dominated electrohydrodynamic inkjet printing (EHD printing). EHD printing is a process that uses electrical force to control material flows, thus achieving fabrication of electronics under zero-gravity. Our team has successfully conducted three rounds of parabolic flights to validate this technology for ISM. We trained on multiple datasets built from on-ground experiments and tested using zero-gravity printing data obtained from parabolic flight tests. Measurements of the Taylor cone both on-ground and in zero-gravity were exploited. We found our method obtains good interpolation accuracy (MAPE 2.88%) compared to traditional machine learning methods (MAPE 16.84%) for predicting the printed line width. We concluded that KRR-HeITL method is well suited for zero-gravity domain shifts of EHD printing parameters. This study paved the way for future predictions of ISM parameters when there are only on-ground experiments or limited zero-gravity datasets for a given process.

A Detailed Re-Examination of the Period Gene Rescue Experiments Shows That Four to Six Cryptochrome-Positive Posterior Dorsal Clock Neurons (DN1p) of Drosophila melanogaster Can Control Morning and Evening Activity.

Animal circadian clocks play a crucial role in regulating behavioral adaptations to daily environmental changes. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster exhibits 2 prominent peaks of activity in the morning and evening, known as morning (M) and evening (E) peaks. These peaks are controlled by 2 distinct circadian oscillators located in separate groups of clock neurons in the brain. To investigate the clock neurons responsible for the M and E peaks, a cell-specific gene expression system, the GAL4-UAS system, has been commonly employed. In this study, we re-examined the two-oscillator model for the M and E peaks of Drosophila by utilizing more than 50 Gal4 lines in conjunction with the UAS-period16 line, which enables the restoration of the clock function in specific cells in the period (per) null mutant background. Previous studies have indicated that the group of small ventrolateral neurons (s-LNv) is responsible for controlling the M peak, while the other group, consisting of the 5th ventrolateral neuron (5th LNv) and the three cryptochrome (CRY)-positive dorsolateral neurons (LNd), is responsible for the E peak. Furthermore, the group of posterior dorsal neurons 1 (DN1p) is thought to also contain M and E oscillators. In this study, we found that Gal4 lines directed at the same clock neuron groups can lead to different results, underscoring the fact that activity patterns are influenced by many factors. Nevertheless, we were able to confirm previous findings that the entire network of circadian clock neurons controls M and E peaks, with the lateral neurons playing a dominant role. In addition, we demonstrate that 4 to 6 CRY-positive DN1p cells are sufficient to generate M and E peaks in light-dark cycles and complex free-running rhythms in constant darkness. Ultimately, our detailed screening could serve as a catalog to choose the best Gal4 lines that can be used to rescue per in specific clock neurons.

Negative binomial approach: A useful application for the study of Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus. The transmission of E. granulosus is affected by environmental changes and anthropogenic factors, which are in turn influenced by changes in the spatial and population dynamics of animals. The deterministic model can be extended stochastically to address the low prevalence rate, which is often observed in small mammal host populations, and to account for complex processes that reflect the highly widespread disease reservoirs and non-random mixing, such as the heterogeneous contact patterns of susceptible hosts with infectious materials. In this study, a mathematical model based on a set of differential equations that define the continuous transition between different classes was used is not regulated by host. The findings indicate that each protoscolex has an equal chance of developing into a worm and creating a dispersed population. Empirical modeling can be used to represent the frequency distribution of the number of parasites in each host using the negative binomial distribution.

Preparation and characterization of UV-curable coatings based on waterborne polyurethane acrylate/g-C3N4 co-crosslinked network for wood materials

Wood materials are often damaged due to exposure to environmental factors including humidity changes, temperature fluctuations, and ultraviolet radiation, resulting in surface aging, deformation, and cracking. Therefore, developing a new wood coating with good mechanical properties and weather resistance is conducive to improving the usability and service life of wood as an outdoor material. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with a characteristic crystal structure was synthesized using melamine as raw material. By constructing a g-C3N4 /polyurethane acrylate co-crosslinked network, a UV-curable wood coating with excellent interfacial adhesion was prepared, which retained the natural aesthetic texture of the wood and imparted good wear resistance, anti-wetting property, and aging resistance to the wood material. Subsequently, the formation process and cross-linking reaction mechanism of the coating were revealed by XRD, FTIR and XPS measurements. Compared with untreated samples, coatings with a cross-linked network structure exhibited enhanced resistance to external environmental changes. As the content of the g-C3N4 increased (>1.0 %), the mechanical properties were significantly improved, with the mass loss rate and damaged area decreasing by 56.9 % and 60.0 %. Meanwhile, with the increased cross-link density of the coating, the water and heat resistance of the wood increased by 22.77 % and 260 %, respectively. After a seven-day UV aging resistance test, the ΔE values only changed by 10.28 %, showing good weathering resistance. This design and synthesis of wood coating provides an effective technology for the long-term use of outdoor wood material.

Synthetic activators of autophagy

Autophagy is a central process for the degradation of intracellular components that work with disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying this process are extremely difficult to study, since they involve a large number of participants. The main task of autophagy is the redistribution of cellular resources in response to environmental changes, such as starvation. Recent studies show that the regulation of autophagy may be the key to achieving healthy longevity, as well as to create therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Thus, the developmentof autophagy activators with a detailed mechanism of action is a really important direction for research.Several commercial companies are at various stages of development of such molecules, and some of them have already begun to use autophagy activators in practice.

Changes in gill neuroepithelial cells and morphology of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to hypoxia and simulated ocean acidification.

Coastal marine environments are characterized by daily, seasonal and long-term changes in both O2 and CO2, driven by local biotic and abiotic factors. The neuroepithelial cells (NECs) of fish are thought to be the putative chemoreceptors for sensing oxygen and CO2, and, thus, NECs play a key role in detecting these environmental changes. However, the role of NECs as chemosensors in marine fish remains largely understudied. In this study, the NECs of marine threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were characterized using immunohistochemistry. We then determined if there were changes in NEC size and density, and in gill morphology in response to either mild (10kPa) or moderate (6.8kPa) hypoxia and two levels of elevated CO2 (1,500 and 3,000 µatm). We found that the NECs of stickleback contained synaptic vesicles and were innervated, and were 50-300% larger and 2 to 4 times more abundant than in other similar sized freshwater fishes. NEC size and density were largely unaffected by exposure to hypoxia, but there was a 50% decrease in interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) in response to mild and moderate hypoxia. NECs increased in size, but not abundance in response to elevated CO2. Moreover, fish exposed to moderate or elevated CO2 had 53-78% larger ILCMs compared to control fish. Our results demonstrated that adult marine sticklebacks have NECs that can respond to environmentally relevant pCO2 and likely hypoxia, which highlights the importance of NECs in marine fishes under the heterogeneity of environmental conditions in coastal areas.

Strengthening the Family Economy through Efforts to Development of Working Capital Investment in Traditional Fishermen in Pati Karya Village, Indonesia

Type of qualitative research through a phenomenologica approach, while the research results show that the welfare of traditional fishermen in coastal areas, especially those who depend on the fisheries sector, is the main focus in maintaining economic and social sustainability. The main challenges faced are low income and limited access to profitable markets, adequate technology, and sufficient working capital. Therefore, the necessary strategies include the formation of fishing groups, knowledge enhancement training, government support in information technology, and modernization of fishing gear. Through cooperation between the government, development agencies, and communities, efforts to improve the welfare of traditional fishermen can be realized, maintaining the sustainability of the fisheries sector and the local economy. The financial management of traditional fishermen in Selayar Regency has advantages in independence, flexibility, and connectedness with local culture, but also faces a number of challenges. Despite being able to manage finances independently and flexibly in the face of changing markets and seasons, traditional fishermen often have difficulty accessing formal financial resources and lack understanding of modern financial principles. They are also vulnerable to economic and environmental changes and lack of supporting infrastructure in their areas. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve access to formal financial services, modern financial knowledge, and supporting infrastructure to improve financial management and economic stability of traditional fishermen.

Advancing chronologies for Last Interglacial sequences

AbstractStudies of the Last Interglacial (ca. 129 to 116 ka BP) provide an opportunity to study the impact of high‐latitude warm temperatures on the Earth system. To build an accurate spatio‐temporal picture of climate and environmental variability during the Last Interglacial, building robust chronologies, through which the patchwork of terrestrial, marine, and ice core archives can be correlated, is paramount. In this review, we briefly evaluate the most common approaches used to date climate and environmental archives from the Last Interglacial, as well as the chronostratigraphic tools available for direct correlation between sequences, with a focus on terrestrial archives. We then present a case study on the use of pollen biostratigraphy for correlating sequences in NW Europe, highlighting its strength as a local correlation tool, and the challenges this approach presents in comparing sequences to global records of climate and environmental change. A move towards consistently dated sequences will improve our understanding of environmental responses to Last Interglacial climate variability across different elements of the global climate system and the rates at which different elements of the climate system respond to changes in global temperatures.

Changes in Water Utilization Characteristics of Trees in Forests across a Successional Gradient in Southern China

Elucidating the water utilization strategy of trees during forest succession is a prerequisite for predicting the direction of forest succession. However, the water utilization characteristics of trees in forests across a successional gradient remain unclear. Here, we utilized the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes combined with the Bayesian mixed model (MixSIAR) to analyze the water utilization of dominant trees (Pinus massoniana, Castanea henryi, and Schima superba) in forests along a successional gradient in the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve of China. Furthermore, we determined the primary factor affecting the water utilization of various trees based on variation partitioning analysis and a random forest model. Our results illustrated that in the early-successional forest, the water utilization ratios from shallow soil layers by P. massoniana were significantly lower than that in the mid-successional forest (51.3%–61.7% vs. 75.3%–81.4%), while its water utilization ratios from deep soil layers exhibited the opposite pattern (26.1%–30.1% vs. 9.0%–15.0%). Similarly, the ratios of water utilization from shallow soil layers by C. henryi (18.9%–29.5% vs. 32.4%–45.9%) and S. superba (10.0%–25.7% vs. 29.2%–66.4%) in the mid-successional forest were relatively lower than in the late-successional forest, whereas their water utilization ratios from deep soil layers showed the contrary tendency. Moreover, our results demonstrated that the diverse water utilization of each tree in different successional forests was mainly attributed to their distinct plant properties. Our findings highlight the increased percentage of water utilization of trees from shallow soil layers with forest succession, providing new insights for predicting the direction of forest succession under changing environments.

EXPLORANDO AS PERSPECTIVAS DA PSICOLOGIA ORGANIZACIONAL NAS ROTINAS ADMINISTRATIVAS DENTRO DAS ORGANIZAÇÕES

The study addressed here explores the evolution and importance of Organizational and Occupational Psychology over time, highlighting the lack of clarity in initial conceptions of human beings in organizations and the concept of work. Currently, Organizational Psychology aims to understand the worker and promote human dignity in work relationships, representing a significant transformation in perspective over the years. Noted, in the face of rapid changes in the work context, the role of Organizational and Occupational Psychology has expanded beyond simple personnel assessment and selection. The approach has evolved, incorporating aspects such as interests, motivations, employee satisfaction, and the development of systems and teams focused on safety, health, comfort, and productivity. Currently, organizational psychologists play crucial roles in practices related to mental health at work, training planning, and staff development, in addition to addressing labor issues such as stress reduction, absenteeism, retirement, and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in appropriate positions. The role of psychologists in organizations is summarized as being facilitators and consciousness raisers for various groups in the institution, considering the health and subjectivity of individuals, business dynamics, and integration into the broader context of the organization. The activities performed by organizational psychologists, grounded in psychological techniques and instruments, have the potential to promote not only the company’s development but also the individual growth of workers and a positive impact on society. In summary, the text provides a comprehensive view of the evolution and role of Organizational and Occupational Psychology, highlighting adaptation to changes in the work environment and the increasing complexity of labor relations. By exploring the perspectives of Organizational Psychology in Administration, we understand how this discipline plays a crucial role in the effective management of organizations, positively influencing not only the individual aspects of employees but also the overall functioning and sustainability of companies.