Environmental Changes Research Articles

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of bHLH Gene Family in Hevea brasiliensis

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, their identification and insights into the understanding of their role in rubber trees remain largely uncovered. In this study, the bHLH gene family was explored and characterized in rubber trees using systematic bioinformatics approaches. In total, 180 bHLH genes were identified in the rubber tree genome, distributed unevenly across 18 chromosomes, and phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into 23 distinct subfamilies. Promoter regions revealed a high density of cis-elements responsive to light and hormones. Enrichment analysis indicated involvement in numerous biological processes, including growth, development, hormone responses, abiotic stress resistance, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Protein interaction network analysis identified extensive interactions between HbbHLH genes and other functional genes, forming key clusters related to iron homeostasis, plant growth, and stomatal development. Expression profiling of HbbHLH genes have demonstrated varied responses to endogenous and environmental changes. RT-qPCR of eleven HbbHLH genes in different tissues and under ethylene, jasmonic acid, and cold treatments revealed tissue-specific expression patterns and significant responses to these stimuli, highlighting the roles of these genes in hormone and cold stress responses. These findings establish a framework for exploring the molecular functions of bHLH transcription factors in rubber trees.

Robots in Partially Known and Unknown Environments: A Simulated Annealing Approach for Re-Planning

The path planning problem using mobile robots, also known as robot motion planning, is a key problem in robotics. The goal is to find a collision-free path from a starting point to a target point in an environment with obstacles. These obstacles can be known, partially unknown, or completely unknown to the robot. The robot’s decisions are different according to its degree of knowledge of the environment. If the environment is fully known, using an offline approach is sufficient. Otherwise, online techniques are required to find a path. They must be fast, effective, and adaptive to tackle the complexity of changing environments. In this work, we propose a framework based on a simulated annealing approach to solve the path planning problem with different degrees of knowledge of the environment for the robot. We evaluate our approach with a set of large-scale instances with different features. The results show that our framework can quickly find quality solutions and is also able to manage environmental changes.

How Much Does the CEO’s Age Impact Corporate Performance Under a Changing Environment?

The recent technological innovations and the consequences of the pandemic are rapidly changing the management paradigm. Organizations that seek to survive and remain competitive must adapt to these changes. One strategy to cope with these environmental changes is to hire a younger CEO. This study aims to empirically analyze how the age of the CEO affects the performance of the firm based on upper echelons theory. Using a sample of 706 CEOs of companies listed on the South Korean public stock market (KOSPI) as of 2023, we found that CEO age is positively related to financial performance. We also found that CEO age is negatively related to risk-taking behavior and innovation. These findings have both practical and theoretical implications, suggesting that the recent shift to the relationship between a long-term perspective and innovation have positive implications. Young CEOs often seek these perspectives and are more willing to be aggressive in investment and risk-taking behaviors in the interests offor an innovative business.

Interspecific competition among anemonefishes: pink anemonefish engage in hostile takeovers of sea anemones occupied by clown anemonefish

AbstractUnderstanding drivers of species co-existence on coral reefs is important to predict community responses to environmental change. Here, we present, for the first time, observations of takeovers of anemones occupied by one species, Amphiprion percula, by another species, A. perideraion, and ask if habitat characteristics, fish characteristics, or environmental conditions predict these occurrences. Comparing survey data from multiple years, we find that takeovers occur at a frequency of 0.48–6.84 per 100 groups/year and that this does not depend on disturbances (anemone bleaching) in the population. Takeovers are not predicted by depth, anemone size, A. percula rank 1 size or the number of A. percula in the original group. Instead, we hypothesize that proximity of the A. percula group to the A. perideraion group is a key predictor. Our study demonstrates how long-term observations of tagged individuals and groups could reveal the drivers and consequences of interspecific conflicts on coral reefs.

Cross-talk between tissues is critical for intergenerational acclimation to environmental change in Acanthochromis polyacanthus

Cross-talk between tissues is critical for intergenerational acclimation to environmental change in Acanthochromis polyacanthus

What a forest’s glow can reveal about the impact of environmental change

What a forest’s glow can reveal about the impact of environmental change

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Associated with the Practice of Dermatology

Purpose: The environmental impact of the practice of medicine including dermatology can be significant, driven by a growing and aging population that increasingly demands medical resources. This review explores the environmental effects of the practice of dermatology and identifies actionable solutions to reduce negative environmental impacts. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted using the terms (“environmental impact” OR “sustainability”) AND “dermatology.” Results were screened to include English-only articles between 2018 - 2024 and excluded duplicates. Further exploration of dermatology’s environmental effects was enhanced through citation tracking and additional PubMed searches. Results: A total of 25 articles were included based on relevance and search terms and an additional 21 were added. Results were categorized into six categories for data representation. Patient travel was the largest contributor to negatively impact the environment, followed by waste management practices, journal publication and written patient material, and traveling to medical conferences. The environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, including topicals, is also notable. Potential sustainable alternatives include teledermatology, more appropriate waste production and segregation, and electronic versus printed formats and more virtual conferences. Additionally, dermatologic disease evolves in response to a changing environment, with new data indicating epidemiological shifts due to climate change. More sustainable practices within dermatology also have the potential to cut total overhead expenses. Conclusions: Clinical and surgical subspecialties, specifically dermatology, can contribute significantly to environmental pollution, leading to environmental and financial impacts, but implementing simple, documented methods can reduce their ecological footprint and provide potential financial benefits.

Seasonal drought drives sugarcane borer outbreaks.

Sugarcane borers (SCB) pose a major threat to sugarcane production. Effective pest management requires detailed knowledge of SCB phenology and population dynamics in responses to environmental changes. This study tested the hypothesis that drought drives SCB outbreaks and identified season-specific effects by investigating large-scale field data of these pests in 4 key sugarcane-growing provinces in south subtropical and tropical China (Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Hainan) from 1987 to 2018. The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index was used as a drought indicator at various time scales. We found that drought during a specific month can result in significant changes in the annual SCB outbreak status, such as November in Guangxi, June in Yunnan, and September in Hainan. By summarizing seasonal effects of drought across study locations, we found a general pattern that SCB outbreaks increased with drier conditions in summer, whereas they were promoted by wetter conditions in fall. This research provides crucial knowledge for predicting SCB outbreaks under seasonal and climate changes. This information is also highly critical for increasing the efficiency and accuracy of integrated pest management strategies.

Environmental public health research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: A blueprint for exposure science in a connected world.

Exposure science plays an essential role in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) mission to protect human health and the environment. The U.S. EPA's Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) within the Office of Research and Development (ORD) provides the exposure science needed to characterize the multifaceted relationships between people and their surroundings in support of national, regional, local and individual-level actions. Furthermore, exposure science research must position its enterprise to tackle the most pressing public health challenges in an ever-changing environment. These challenges include understanding and confronting complex human disease etiologies, disparities in the social environment, and system-level changes in the physical environment. Solutions will sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Our objectives for this paper are to review the role of CPHEA exposure science research in various recent decision-making contexts, to present current challenges facing U.S. EPA and the larger exposure science field, and to provide illustrative case examples where CPHEA exposure science is demonstrating the latest methodologies at the intersection of these two motivations. This blueprint provides a foundation for applying exposomic tools and approaches to holistically understand real-world exposures so optimal environmental public health protective actions can be realized within the broader context of a One Health framework. IMPACT STATEMENT: The U.S. EPA's Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment exposure research priorities reside at the intersection of environmental decision contexts and broad public health challenges. The blueprint provides a foundation for advancing the tools and approaches to holistically understand real-world exposures so optimal environmental protection actions can be realized. A One Health lens can help shape exposure research for maximum impact to support solutions that are transdisciplinary and must engage multiple sectors.

Processing Tomato and Potato Response to Biostimulant Application in Open Field: An Overview

Biostimulants include a wide array of microorganisms and substances that can exert beneficial effects on plant development and growth, often enhancing nutrient uptake and improving tolerance against abiotic and biotic stress. Depending on their composition and time of application, these products can influence plant physiology directly as growth regulators or indirectly through environmental condition changes in the rhizosphere, such as nutrient and water availability. This review evaluated 48 case studies from 39 papers to summarize the effects of biostimulant application on fruit and tuber yields and on the quality of processing tomato and potato in open field conditions. For potato, PGPR bacteria were the main studied biostimulant, whereas the low number of studies on processing tomato did not permit us to delineate a trend. The yield and quality were greatly influenced by cultivars and biostimulant composition, application method, period, and dose. For processing tomato, a positive effect of the biostimulant application on the marketable yield was reported in 79% of the case studies, whereas for potato, the effect was reported in only 47%. Few studies, on processing tomato and potato, also reported data for quality parameters with contrasting results. The variability of crop response to biostimulant application in open field conditions highlights the need for more comprehensive studies. Such studies should focus on diverse cultivars, deeply understand the interaction of biostimulant application with agronomic management (e.g., irrigation and fertilization), and evaluate yield and quality parameters. This approach is crucial to fully understand the potential and limitations of biostimulant applications in agriculture, particularly regarding their role in sustainable crop production.

Innovative multi-trial breeding and genotype screening in triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) for enhanced stability under drought stress.

Triticale is a man-made crop produced by crossing wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rye (Secal cereal) with the aim of increasing the adaptability and potential production of its parental line (wheat) under environmental stresses and harsh conditions. Accordingly, the objectives of this study are as follow, a: compare different stability measurement methods regarding their suitability, b: identify most stable genotypes for cultivar release, and c: provide a freely available package in R programming language (named 'Stbidx') capable of exploiting all stability methods for similar studies. Accordingly, 30 triticale genotypes were evaluated for their stability and adaptability to changing environments during four consecutive years from 2016 to 2020 in different locations in Iran (one year in Zarghan, two years in Ghorveh, one year in Sanandaj) and under two different irrigation regimes (normal irrigation and water deficit stress conditions). All 30 triticale genotypes were cultivated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in each environment (12 environments: 6 trials in 2 conditions). Grain yield of triticale genotypes was measured and it applied to calculate all known stability indices (univariate methods) along with the meta-analysis models were evaluated in this study. Additionally, two novel techniques (Stability ID: SID and AMMI PC Value: APCV) were introduced and successfully tested for screening stable genotypes. These methods were introduced to improve and resolve the limitation of the previous stability methods. Meanwhile, heatmap analysis, as a proper data-mining technique, has been successfully applied for the first time to find stable genotypes in different environments in this study. The results clearly indicated a higher suitability of our introduced methods over previous multi-trials screening methods. Based on our methods and considering all environments, triticale genotypes ELTTCL21 (SID = 8.00; APCV = 28.12), ELTTCL25‌ (SID = 8.14; APCV = 30.02), ELTTCL30 (SID = 8.43; APCV = 17.00), ET-90-8 (SID = 14.00; APCV = 42.05), and Sanabad (SID = 10.57; APCV = 12.44) were among stable genotypes and they can be nominated as new cultivars. Additionally, for stress condition genotypes ELTTCL30 (stress: 380.6g/m2) and ELTTCL18 (stress: 360.79g/m2) and for normal condition genotypes ET-90-4 (normal: 849.4g/m2) and ELTTCL20 (normal:845g/m2) were respectively the most proper genotypes with the highest production to be considered for each condition separately.

Turkish validity and reliability of the Aging Simulation Experience Scale for undergraduate students of nursing: A methodological study

ABSTRACT The older adult population is growing gradually. The demographic structure is changing with the increasing elderly population. Changing demographic structure may lead to changes in the patient profile that nurses will provide care for. Nurses need to adapt to changing environments, and the quality of care they provide must reflect this. Simulating situations experienced by older adults allows future nurses to gain experience that may help raise awareness without having to face the changing patient profile. There is a need for valid and reliable measurement tools intended to evaluate simulation experiences about aging. The purpose of this study was to adapt the Aging Simulation Experience Scale into Turkish and determine its validity and reliability. A methodological and cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected between May and June 2023. The validity of the scale was determined using language, content, and construct validity. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and item analysis were used to determine the reliability of the scale. The content validity index of the scale items ranged from 0.80 to 0.95. Item-total correlations of the items ranged from 0.413 to 0.713. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.91 for the perception toward older adults dimension and 0.83 for the simulation experiences dimension. In conclusion, the Turkish form of the Aging Simulation Experience Scale was found valid and reliable.

Impact of anomalous ocean warming on the abundance and foraging habits of the California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) from the San Benito Archipelago in the Mexican Pacific

Abstract The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus; CSL) reflects environmental conditions of the Northeastern Pacific, where resource availability was importantly reduced for different taxa during climatic variations such as the North Pacific heatwave (The Blob 2014 to 2015) or El Niño 2015 to 2016 due to the effect of these anomalies on primary productivity. Our objective was to determine the abundance and foraging habits of CSLs from the San Benito Archipelago (Mexican Pacific) in a period (2013 to 2019) that involved warm anomalies. Annual counts were conducted by sex/age classes; scats were sampled to identify the main prey consumed; and pup fur (maternal foraging indicators) was collected for analysis of δ13C and δ15N. The prey importance index (PII) and trophic level were calculated and the Siber assessment in R was used to estimate isotopic niches. Colony abundance decreased by approximately 50% from 2013 to 2019. Values of δ13C showed significant interannual differences (P < 0.001) with more negative values (−17.2‰ to −16.7‰) from 2015 onwards, indicating offshore foraging habits. Significant interannual differences (P < 0.001) were found for δ15N, with a declining trend (20.4‰ to 19.07‰), and a difference of more than 1‰ between 2013 and 2019, evidencing a probable shift of foraging grounds toward higher latitudes. Based on the PII, Strongylura exilis (30%), Merluccius productus (24%), Ommastrephes bartramii (10%), and Sardinops sagax (10%) were the most important prey, showing significant interannual differences (P < 0.001). CSLs had a mean trophic level of 4.89, with a slight increasing trend toward the end of the period. Dietary plasticity was found in CSLs, possibly caused by environmental changes that modified prey availability and led to variations in foraging grounds, and consequently in the colony abundance over time.

Climate and Land‐Use Change Leading to Niche Expansion and Shifts in Birds

ABSTRACTAimThe realised niches of species change following environmental and distributional shifts. Still, the magnitude of niche change and its consequences are determined by how different species cope with environmental changes, which ultimately depends on their ecology and traits. We assessed how environmental and distributional shifts have led to changes in the realised breeding niches of 121 species of North American birds over the last four decades and how the magnitude of niche change was associated with species traits.LocationNorth America.TaxonBirds.MethodsWe calculated geographic and niche overlap, breadth and shift, and estimated the temporal trends of the different niche metrics from 1980 to 2018 for each species. The slopes of these temporal trends were then modelled as a function of species traits using Bayesian models that accounted for phylogenetic relatedness and the uncertainty of the temporal slopes.ResultsWe found that the niche of 57% of the bird species diverged through time as they experienced widespread environmental change, including changes in both niche breadth and position. Most niches expanded due to increasing environmental variability within their ranges, but habitat specialists showed a tendency for niche contraction. Niche shifts were larger in species that live in habitats with denser vegetation cover. However, species showing larger average geographical shifts were able to track their reference niche more effectively.Main ConclusionsBird species were in general increasingly exposed to higher environmental variation that led to changes in their realised niches over a relatively short time span (four decades), while the niches of many others remained stable. The differences in the magnitude of niche change were to some extent related to species traits, providing clues about how different species respond to widespread environmental change in both geographical and niche space.

Forest management affects the functional traits of birds and mammals differently

AbstractForest management is an important component of global change as more than half of the world's forests are managed for human use. Although the effect of forest management on taxonomic diversity is well‐studied, we do not fully understand its impact on functional diversity. Understanding this is important to better predict how ecosystem processes will respond to global change scenarios and to implement efficient conservation actions. We conducted two large‐scale (~81 800 km2) research projects over 4 years in temperate forests of the northeastern USA to investigate how the functional structure of bird and mammal communities are affected by forest disturbance. We surveyed 85 bird species distributed in 115 sites using point counts, and 14 mammal species across 197 sites using camera traps. For each species, we selected functional traits that summarize key features of their biology, and for each site, we collected data on the level of forest disturbance based on forest loss events. We found that functional richness increased with forest disturbance for mammals but not for birds. Our results also showed that niche breadth (diet), morphological (body mass and wing length), and physiological (litter size) factors were the main determinants of the functional structure of both groups. These findings emphasize the complexity of making predictions about responses to forest management given the heavy dependence on the context and taxa studied. Overall we observed a limited response of functional diversity to forest management, which might indicate that the environmental changes generated by forest management in this region are less extreme than deforestation or conversion of natural forest to plantations of exotic species. Nonetheless, our results underscore the importance of investigating the effects of forestry on individual traits to develop strategies for managing for ecosystem functions.

Heavy metal concentrations in soil and ecological risk assessment in the vicinity of Tianzhu Industrial Park, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Industrial parks in China are centers of intensive chemical manufacturing and other industrial activities, often concentrated in relatively small areas. This concentration increases the risk of soil pollution both within the parks and in surrounding areas. The soils of the Tibetan Plateau, known for their high sensitivity to environmental changes, are particularly vulnerable to human activity. In this study, we examined the concentrations (mg/kg) of 10 metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in soils at depths of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm from the surface at three distances (500 m, 1000 m, and 1500 m from the park boundary) on the east, south, west, and north sides of the Tianzhu Industrial Park on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The concentrations of As, Cr, Mn, and Pb were close to the standard reference values for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, while Cu, Ni, Se, and Zn levels were found to be 1.6-2.2 times higher than the reference values. Cd and Hg concentrations were particularly concerning, at 8.0 and 6.5 times higher than reference values, respectively. The potential ecological risk indexes indicated persistent risk levels for Cd and Se across various directions and distances. Variations in soil depth and direction were observed for the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn, underscoring the need for regular or long-term monitoring. Cd, in particular, presents a significant hazard due to its high concentration and its propensity for uptake by plants in the study area.

COMPETITIVENESS AS THE MAIN GUIDELINE FOR MARKETING MANAGEMENT IN AGRIBUSINESS

The objective of this article is to examine the principal indicators of competitiveness and environmental factors, to delineate the methodologies employed in the analysis and assessment of the competitiveness of agrarian enterprises, and to justify the marketing management decisions aimed at enhancing the level of competitiveness, thereby enabling agrarian enterprises to adapt to the contemporary conditions of agribusiness. The study's methodology was based on a synthesis of the results of applied economic research, as well as the scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists. This synthesis highlighted the fundamental theories of competitive advantage, competitiveness, and marketing management. Results. The article examines the principal indicators of competitiveness and environmental factors, considers the methods of analysis and assessment of the competitiveness of agrarian enterprises, and justifies marketing management decisions aimed at enhancing the level of competitiveness in order to facilitate the adaptation of agrarian enterprises to the contemporary conditions of agribusiness. Practical results. It has been demonstrated that it is of the utmost importance for agricultural enterprises to promptly identify and respond to changes in the competitive environment in order to optimise their strategies and minimise potential risks. Accordingly, a comprehensive understanding and analysis of these aspects is essential for an effective assessment of the marketing environment itself. Those engaged in agricultural production who possess competitive advantages are able to adapt to the complex and dynamic factors that characterise the macro-, micro-, marketing and competitive environment. This enables them to strengthen their market positions and to minimise the risks associated with numerical data. Value / Originality. In order to ascertain the competitiveness of an agricultural enterprise, it is necessary to undertake a comparative analysis of the enterprise in question with respect to a number of key indicators. These include the enterprise's conditions, resources and productivity, which should be evaluated in accordance with appropriate methods.

Early growth response-1, a dynamic conduit in cardiovascular disease

The transcription factor, early growth response-1 (Egr-1) is the product of a prototypic immediate-early gene that plays an integral role in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. Egr-1 has been linked with atherogenesis, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. Egr-1 expression is triggered by a host of factors including cytokines, hormones, growth factors, hyperglycaemia, biomechanical forces and oxygen deprivation. Egr-1 is a molecular conduit that links changes in the cellular environment with the inducible expression of genes whose products play a causative role in this inflammatory disease. It is rapidly synthesised, undergoes post-translational modification, interacts with a range of cofactors and drives gene expression. Studies in Egr-1 deficient mice, animal models using DNAzymes, RNA interference, oligodeoxynucleotide decoys, antisense oligonucleotides, and new insights provided by technologies such as single cell RNA sequencing, have shaped our understanding of the importance of Egr-1 in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. This article describes Egr-1's role in various cardiovascular settings and discusses potential mechanisms of action. Given the range of conditions linked to Egr-1, this zinc finger protein may serve as a therapeutic target for intervention.

Social learning is triggered by environmental cues in immigrant birds.

After dispersal, what cues trigger social learning in immigrants? A new study in wild-caught great tits in PLOS Biology suggests that changes in the physical environment, rather than the social environment, are key in prompting social learning by immigrants.

Perception of E-learning among the Students Studying in Higher Education Institutions with Reference to Kerala

The advent of the internet and innovative technologies has rendered learning solutions for universities currently navigating an environment of passionate change. Universally, the COVID-19 lockdown has impacted every facet of life, and education is no exception. Understanding students' perceptions of e-learning technologies is essential for the successful growth of academic programs. This study aims to investigate college students' current status and future expectations regarding e-learning. It is an empirical research study encompassing students pursuing higher education in arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, and health sciences. The purposive sampling, with a sample size of 497 is adopted for the study. Primary data are collected through a questionnaire. Cross-tabulation and Chi-square tests, aided by IBM SPSS Statistics 22, are employed for analysis and interpretation. The study reveals a low awareness level towards e-learning.