Ecological Meaning Research Articles

Evaluation of Bacterial Composition and Viability of Equine Feces after Processing for Transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used empirically for decades in equine medicine to treat intestinal dysbiosis but evidence-based information is scarce. This in vitro study aimed at assessing the effect of a commonly used pre-FMT processing method on the bacterial composition and viability of the fecal filtrate. Three samples of fresh equine manure (T0) were processed identically: the initial manure was mixed with 1 L of lukewarm water and chopped using an immersion blender to obtain a mixture (T1), which was left uncovered during 30 min (T2) and percolated through a sieve to obtain a fecal filtrate (T3). Samples were taken throughout the procedure (Tn) and immediately stored at 4 °C until processing. The 16S rDNA amplicon profiling associated with propidium monoazide treatment was performed on each sample to select live bacteria. Analyses of α and β diversity and main bacterial populations and quantitative (qPCR) analysis were performed and statistically compared (significance p < 0.05) between time points (T0-T3). No significant differences in ecological indices or mean estimated total living bacteria were found in the final fecal filtrate (T3) in regard to the original manure (T0); however, relative abundances of some minor genera (Fibrobacter, WCHB1-41_ge and Akkermansia) were significantly different in the final filtrate. In conclusion, the results support the viability of the major bacterial populations in equine feces when using the described pre-FMT protocol.

Legionella relative abundance in shower hose biofilms is associated with specific microbiome members.

Legionella are natural inhabitants of building plumbing biofilms, where interactions with other microorganisms influence their survival, proliferation, and death. Here, we investigated the associations of Legionella with bacterial and eukaryotic microbiomes in biofilm samples extracted from 85 shower hoses of a multiunit residential building. Legionella spp. relative abundance in the biofilms ranged between 0-7.8%, of which only 0-0.46% was L. pneumophila. Our data suggest that some microbiome members were associated with high (e.g. Chthonomonas, Vrihiamoeba) or low (e.g. Aquabacterium, Vannella) Legionella relative abundance. The correlations of the different Legionella variants (30 Zero-Radius OTUs detected) showed distinct patterns, suggesting separate ecological niches occupied by different Legionella species. This study provides insights into the ecology of Legionella with respect to: (i) the colonization of a high number of real shower hoses biofilm samples; (ii) the ecological meaning of associations between Legionella and co-occurring bacterial/eukaryotic organisms; (iii) critical points and future directions of microbial-interaction-based-ecological-investigations.

Meaning of Legong Dedari Performance in Banjar Abian Nangka Kaja, Kesiman Petilan, East Denpasar

The Legong Dedari is one of the sacred dances performed by the Balinese Hindu community at Banjar Abian Nangka Kaja, Kesiman Petilan Village, East Denpasar. Despite the fact that this dance is frequently performed for ceremonial offerings, no one has studied the Legong Dedari dance. This article aims to discuss the form and meaning of the Legong Dedari dance. The data sources for this research were the Legong Dedari dance performance itself, the dancers, musicians, traditional leaders, village elders, and the local community, who were selected based on purposive sampling and snowball techniques. All the data that has been collected through observation, interviews, and literature studies was analyzed descriptively and qualitatively using structural-functional theory and aesthetic theory. The results showed that the Legong Dedari dance, which is a wali dance (sacred dance), is presented in the form of a loose dance. This can be seen in the manner of presentation, fashion make-up, performance structure, and musical accompaniment. The Legong Dedari dance, which is danced by three female dancers who use delicate princess make-up, is accompanied by Gamelan Gong Kebyar. The community in Banjar Abian Nangka performs this Legong Dedari dance during piodalan ceremonies in the local area, along with Ratu Ayu's sasuhunan on Tumpek Wayang, Tumpek Uduh, and when a prolonged disaster occurs. The local community has continued to preserve the Legong Dedari Dance because the dance contains religious meaning, aesthetic meaning, social meaning, &amp; ecological meaning.

Ecological health and integrity in New Zealand legislation

ABSTRACT New Zealand is introducing new legislation aimed at improving both developmental and environmental outcomes. Objectives include protecting and where required restoring ecological integrity, using environmental limits and targets, as well as improving long-term planning processes. This will contribute to protecting and enhancing biodiversity values, and offers greater opportunities to identify and potentially achieve long-term environmental goals. However, reliance on the mitigation hierarchy and a lack of clarity over what ecological integrity means in practice is likely to result in continuing net decline in natural environment values. The proposed legislation could be improved by distinguishing between ecological health and integrity as part of bioregional and ecoregional planning, and requiring net gains in health and integrity to be primary legislative outcomes.

Frustration and deprivation in ecology and in people’s life

The article analyses the significance of human frustration and deprivation caused by life conditions or ecological frustration/deprivation. Ecological frustration means deprivation of access to some objects of the environment, more precisely, human environment. Ecological deprivation means formation of a psychological view of an individual (social group) on unfair deprivation of benefits due to it, those connected with the use of environmental resources. The article presents a classification of types of ecological frustration and deprivation. The structure of any frustration and deprivation is based on subjects and objects thereof, and its characteristics are intensity, localisation and spread. The subject of frustration (deprivation) is a person or a group of persons – bearers of the given psychological phenomenon (individual, group or mass mentality); the object thereof is an element of the environment which, in case of its inaccessibility, causes frustration or deprivation. The intensity of these phenomena is measured as an indicator of integral manifestation of their subjects’ response. The localisation of both frustration and deprivation is determined by the composition of the affected societal groups, and their spread – by the proportion of these people in such group or in the society as a whole. Frustration and deprivation of life conditions represent critical factors in shaping environmental attitudes. For most people, poor environment is not a result of analysis of a set of physico-chemical and biological indicators. It is a perception of environmental reality formed under the influence of various frustration and deprivation feelings. Monitoring the processes of formation and spread of such phenomena in the society and analysing the results thereof can prevent numerous socio-ecological conflicts. Frustration and deprivation of life conditions that are prevalent in the society should be taken into account when developing environmental education and training programmes.

Українська і польська мови: до проблем екології слова

The article describes the importance and relevance of the concept of "language ecology". The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that it is the first to study the problems of ecolinguistics of the Polish and Ukrainian languages in a comparative aspect. The nature and extent of the impact of modern society and its culture on the Polish and Ukrainian languages is clarified, and the influence of language on human behaviour and thinking is outlined. The article analyses the terms that are closely related in meaning - ecology of language, ecology of thinking, ecology of culture, ecology of the soul, etc. The etymology of the word ecology, consisting of two Greek lexemes, is considered: οἶκος (environment, house, dwelling) and λόγος (doctrine, science, word, concept, thought). In this regard, it is argued that the word ecology means not only the relationship between the organism and the environment, but also the environment of the word (ecology of the word), the environment of thought (ecology of thinking). The ecology of the human soul and the entire nation depends on what this environment will be like. It was found that today's Ukrainian and Polish linguistic environment is characterised by such general negative processes as primitivisation of speech, scarcity of linguistic means for expressing one's own thoughts, dominance of English-language elements, barbarisms, and vulgarisms. The article analyses some negative poems for children by M. Karasyov from The Naturalist's ABC. It is argued that despite the fact that from the linguistic point of view the author does not deviate from the literary norm, does not use profanity and vulgarities, he still promotes permissiveness and immorality, and therefore The Naturalist's ABC is a vivid example of violation of the cultural ecology and spoils the linguistic taste. There is an active process of penetration of not only English words but also Anglo-American cultural realities (Halloween celebrations, etc.) into Slavic languages. It is noted that abbreviations and simplifications in Polish and Ukrainian are most often used in youth slang. Examples of abbreviated formulas of the so-called "computer politeness" are given, which is characterised by the uncritical use of English words. The reasons for the spread of the simplified version of the language are the general trends of modern consumer culture, the processes of globalisation in society, and the fashion for the use of foreign elements in the language. The primitivisation of language is linked to the primitivisation of culture. Low-grade films and literature, the yellow press, and the mass media spread vulgarisms, barbarisms, numerous (often unnecessary) borrowings from the English language, and abbreviations. It is argued that the linguistic environment affects the moral state and spiritual ecology of a person, and effective methods of purifying the ecology of the soul are involvement in high creativity and art. Taking care of the linguistic ecology, native speakers should take care of preserving the national spiritual and artistic heritage of their people. The article makes the conclusion that in order to improve the ecology of the literary language (both Polish and Ukrainian), it is necessary to take care of the education of linguistic taste of modern speakers, which is a condition for the appropriate use of linguistic means, to promote and disseminate moral norms and ideals, traditional national heritage, aesthetics of expression, and high linguistic culture. Key words: ecology, ecology of language, permissiveness, fashion, language norm, anglicisms, vulgarisms, abbreviations.

Impact of E-Scooters on Road Safety: A Case Study in Lithuania

The rapidly growing popularity of electric scooters in recent years has allowed the road user to choose another alternative mode of transportation. On the one hand, it is an ecological means of transportation in the city, allowing you to quickly reach your destination; on the other hand, it is a vehicle that causes risk to road safety. Although this is a fairly new mode of transport, it is already of great concern for road safety authorities. E-scooter accidents are recorded with all road users – pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, other e-scooter riders, or even alone. In this article, the analysis made according to the accident data of 2019–2020 showed that the highest number of accidents occurred between e-scooters and vehicles. Most e-scooter accidents with motor vehicles occur in the intersection zone or during a vehicle turning manoeuvre to (or from) side streets and exit lanes. A descriptive statistical analysis showed that the proportions of the distribution of road accidents between accident participants changed significantly during the analysis period – the number of road accidents between e-scooters and bicycles increased, while the number of accidents between e-scooters and pedestrians decreased. The road accidents between e-scooters and other vulnerable road users are usually caused by sudden, unexpected manoeuvring of road users. Identification of accident schemes and locations is an additional tool for traffic organisation specialists and road safety professionals to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Impacts of sea ice melting procedures on measurements of microbial community structure

Microorganisms play critical roles in sea ice biogeochemical processes. However, microbes living within sea ice can be challenging to sample for scientific study. Because most techniques for microbial analysis are optimized for liquid samples, sea ice samples are typically melted first, often applying a buffering method to mitigate osmotic lysis. Here, we tested commonly used melting procedures on three different ice horizons of springtime, first year, land-fast Arctic sea ice to investigate potential methodological impacts on resulting measurements of cell abundance, photophysiology, and microbial community structure as determined by 16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Specifically, we compared two buffering methods using NaCl solutions (“seawater,” melting the ice in an equal volume of 35-ppt solution, and “isohaline,” melting with a small volume of 250-ppt solution calculated to yield meltwater at estimated in situ brine salinity) to direct ice melting (no buffer addition) on both mechanically “shaved” and “non-shaved” samples. Shaving the ice shortened the melting process, with no significant impacts on the resulting measurements. The seawater buffer was best at minimizing cell lysis for this ice type, retaining the highest number of cells and chlorophyll a concentration. Comparative measurements of bacterial (16S) community structure highlighted ecologically relevant subsets of the community that were significantly more abundant in the buffered samples. The results for eukaryotic (18S) community structure were less conclusive. Taken together, our results suggest that an equivalent-volume seawater-salinity buffered melt is best at minimizing cell loss due to osmotic stress for springtime Arctic sea ice, but that either buffer will reduce bias in community composition when compared to direct melting. Overall, these findings indicate potential methodological biases that should be considered before developing a sea ice melting protocol for microbiological studies and afterwards, when interpreting biogeochemical or ecological meaning of the results.

What Does Ecological Farming Mean for Farm Labour?

SummaryEcological farming, such as organic and low‐input farming, is gaining popularity in the public discourse. One question is how this type of farming may impact farm labour from a socio‐economic point of view. The article first discusses how low‐input farming practices (i.e. with lower reliance on inputs derived from fossil fuels) may affect the economic returns to labour, measured as the farm’s revenue per hour of labour input, on data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) in 2004‐‐2015 for four European countries. Returns to labour appear to be highest at the two extremes – very low‐input farms and highly intensive farms. Farms in the low‐input end of the spectrum are in the minority, while the overwhelming majority of farms are intensive and have internal economic incentives to intensify further. The article also analyses how working conditions differ between organic and conventional dairy farms in two European countries based on interviews with farmers in 2019. Results show that all dimensions of working conditions are affected by being an organic farm or not, but this is not the only factor. There are many influences on working conditions, such as the production context and workforce composition.

The Language of Adolescents in Depicting Migrants

This study ( N = 161 Italian adolescents attending 11th and 12th grade of secondary school) investigated how adolescents linguistically portray migrants. Over a year and a half, the study considered whether positive factors known to reduce social discrimination – i.e., multiple categorization of migrants and/or respondent's identification with the human group – are associated with relatively unbiased linguistic descriptions of migrants . The coding system included three categories of terms referring to the outgroup: generalized/categorical definitions, individuating piecemeal information or membership in the human group. We found that adolescents who used multiple categorizations to describe migrants and self-identified with the human group (at T1) linguistically described migrants in human and individuating terms (at T2) to a higher extent. The findings are discussed underlying the implications of defining the self and outgroups in multiple complex ways through language, as an ecological means used by adolescents to communicate their views of others.

Multi-Agent-Based Model for the Urban Macro-Level Impact Factors of Building Energy Consumption on Different Types of Land

Urban researchers pay more and more attention to building energy consumption from different perspectives to obtain the results of urban overall energy conservation. The research at the micro level has yielded abundant accomplishments, but the macro-level research that can support urban planning decision making is still in the exploration stage. In this study, a multi-agent-based model, including the main panel, building agent, resident agent, and household appliance agent, is established by using Anylogic software. The model integrates Harbin urban macro-level impact factors of building energy consumption by designing and linking three sub-models: an urban morphology sub-model, climate sub-model, and energy use behavior sub-model. In the end, this study explored the building energy-saving potential of different types of land under the impact of variable factors through urban morphology and climate simulation scenarios and discussed the related energy-saving strategies. Findings and suggestions include: (1) The impact of urban morphology on overall urban building energy consumption is mainly reflected in residential and commercial land. The land development intensity (building density, floor area ratio, and building height) control and the coordination of land type layout and configuration can help to reduce the building energy consumption. (2) The energy-saving potential of residential land is more evident under climate impact, and ecological means should be used to adjust the climate to reduce the building energy consumption on different lands. (3) From the methodology perspective, this model can well realize the integration of multiple impact factors at the macro-level of the city and the dynamic simulation of energy consumption. The research results are expected to provide quantitative support for creating a sustainable built environment for the city.

Fish waste: Valorisation methods on a local scale

Fish waste management is being neglected in most parts of the world. Unfortunately, with the worldwide increase of demand, this has generated many environmental impacts. This negligence can be traced to the ridicule of the value of this resource as well as the many difficulties related to its valorization. This work suggests the most efficient methods to valorize fish waste using biological and ecological means. With minimal investments so that they can easily be adopted by local farmers and landowners. These methods can either use bacterial action such as composting to create bio-fertilizer, ensilage to manufacture liquid silage or lastly, the production of fish feed to minimize the cost and the detrimental effects of fish farming.

생태 사상에서 본 소우 후지모토의 건축 특성에 관한 연구

In the 21st century, the ecological crisis has become a problem that cannot be left unattended any longer, and it is necessary to present and implement solutions in terms of science, technology, industry, and systems from the academic, industrial, national, and global perspectives. In the field of architecture, the concept of ecological architecture was proposed in Germany in the 1970s. In the 1990s, Japan established Symbiotic Housing. The American Architects Association (AIA) established the Environment Committee in 1989 and the Green Building Committee in 1993, starting the Energy and Environmental Design Program in 1998. In this study, researchers will examine the principles and concepts of architectural composition in terms of ecological ideas, and examine the orientation points not only in terms of overcoming the ecological crisis of the artificial environment but also in terms of emotion. By analyzing 33 design concepts and 34 housing cases presented by Fujimoto architects based on social ecological classification, researchers will grasp the ecological meaning of primitive future, weak architecture, and natural motifs. In this study, social ecology and Fujimoto architecture are considered relatively in life philosophy, and since the 1990s, environmentally friendly architecture has been developed numerically and technically while emphasizing sustainability as eco-friendly. However, further research was conducted, considering the importance of ecological perspectives in a more fundamental, fundamental and conceptual way. Therefore, it is thought that the ecological crisis can seek sustainability in terms of numerical and technological aspects.

Chub movement is attracted by the collision sounds associated with spawning activities

Cyprinids (carps, chubs and minnows) possess well-developed hearing and high sensitivity to sound pressure. The sensitive hearing may assist cyprinids with searching for food, territory defense, and mating behavior. Many paired fishes violently shake in sand and gravel while spawning in rivers. However, no study has examined the ecological importance of the collision sound made by the behavior. This study examined whether cohabitated chubs (Opsariichthys evolans and Zacco platypus) use the collision sound as a signal to locate spawning events so they can be a male satellite or egg eater. Three types of sounds (i.e., collision sound, music noise and ambient noise) were played with or without jerkbaits at the midstream of the Keelung River, Taiwan during the spawning season in 2018 and 2019. Generalized linear mixed models were then built to examine the effects of the sound types and the presence of jerkbaits on the number of individuals that the two chubs attracted. Results showed significantly different levels of attractiveness among the three sound types, with the collision sound attracting most fishes, including both females and males, followed by music noise and ambient noise. The presence of jerkbaits increased the number of fishes attracted, but the effect was only statistically marginally significant. These results suggest that the collision sound as an acoustic signal may be more important than a visual signal for the chubs to locate spawning events of other mating pairs, probably because of the longer transmission distance of the former. The present study demonstrates the ecological meanings of the collision sounds made in association with spawning activities of the chubs and implies that the native chub's spawning activities may be affected by the introduced Z. platypus. More studies on the interactions between these cohabitated chubs will benefit the conservation of native chubs.

Measuring the conservation attitudes of local farmers towards conservation easements in the Qianjiangyuan National Park

Perceptions and attitudes provide an important means of assessing the performance of conservation practices so that policies can be improved and developed for better biodiversity protection and the wellbeing of people subject to protected area management. Conservation easements (CEs) was introduced in the Chinese context to resolve the conflict between rural land use and area-based conservation measures. In this study, conservation attitude indices were developed and validated to measure attitude towards conservation easements that were placed in the collectively-owned forestland and its implementation institutional background, the Qianjiangyuan National Park pilot (QNP) in Zhejiang Province of China. Conservation easement Attitude Index (CEAI) and QNP Attitude Index (NPAI) were calculated based on a random sample of 241 respondents in three towns concerning their perceptions of specific statements. Demographic characteristics and livelihood capital factors were introduced to predict the attitudes to improve CE and QNP management in a more socially acceptable manner. Results revealed that basic infrastructure, land status, education and information were the main determinants of CEAI and QNP with differences in the three towns. There was a dichotomy of perceptions of the ecological meaning (public welfare) and the economic meaning (local livelihoods) and a mismatch of perceptions of the content and the procedure of the CE agreement. The perceptions and attitude index can assist conservation practitioners and decision-makers to improve CE to a more efficient conservation tool, by making it more context-specific for different communities considering the historical process of protected area development, to demonstrate the linkage between national park management and local livelihood, and promote proactive involvement of the village committee.

Physical Activity and Ecological Means of Transport-Functional Assessment Methodology.

Medical developments have led to lower mortality rates but have increased the proportion of people with disabilities or mobility dysfunctions. A higher level of awareness of the general need to perform physical activity, in different spheres of life and at any age, is necessary. A device produced in response to the growing need of supporting active participation in activities of daily life is the Torqway. The aim of this research conducted at the Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, was to evaluate the kinematic of users’ upper and lower body muscles motion while riding the tested device. The research was carried out using the MyoMotion system on a stand designed for the purpose of the experiment. Analysis of the results showed a high level of activity in the muscles of the upper limbs, demonstrating that the device can be used to train muscle strength and mass, prevent muscle atrophy, improve the elasticity of periarticular soft tissues and improve the action of the muscle pump (increasing blood flow to the muscles and, with it, the flow of oxygen and nutrients, which promotes the development and subsequent regeneration of muscles). The device can not only serve as a form of recreation but also be used to promote convalescence.

Optimization strategy of national park resource utilization system—Take Bawangling Zone of Hainan Tropical Rain Forest National Park as an example

The national park with Chinese characteristics is the highest level of protection of a kind of natural protection, its establishment marks the park will implement the strictest ecological protection means. It is of great value to construct the utilization system of national park resources under the new natural protected area system in the new era to avoid the misunderstanding of “ecological protection only” and explore how to carry out the sustainable utilization of resources in the reform of national park system and mechanism. According to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Delphi method, the evaluation framework, indicators, reference standards and weights of resource utilization under the national park system were determined in combination with the requirements of constructing the protected natural area system and the total value of resource ecosystem services (including harvest value, existence value and future value). Based on the application research of Bawangling zone of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, the optimal resource utilization system in the future was proposed, and two optimization strategies of ecological adjustment of resource utilization system and construction of suitable resource utilization system were put forward.

METHOD OF PROJECTS IN THE CONTEXT OF FORMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF NATURAL SCIENCES

It has been analysed that the educational system in higher education institutions aims to ensure the advanced development of education by modernizing the educational process in accordance with the needs of society for the training of future professionals. It is noted that application of innovative didactic tools has affected the transition from the reproductive style of learning to the productive one, which stimulates the educational and cognitive activity of students. It is established that the use of the project method is effective in the formation of environmental competence in the system of professional and pedagogical training of future teachers of natural sciences, because it involves the achievement of educational goals means of Ecology, thereby expanding the scope of professional competence. The pedagogical purpose of the project method is to develop in students the ability to transform information into knowledge and independently use didactic tools to obtain a learning product. The priority values of ecological-competence education for the future teacher of natural specialties have been highlighted, they include cognitive, subject-practical and personal experience. Prospects for the formation of environmental competence of future teachers in the context of the project method imply fulfilling the educational process with new achievements of the natural and pedagogical field in the context of the project method; inclusion in the one’s own pedagogical activity of a method of projects on the basis of subject modelling; use of the project method in the cognitive activity of an applicant on the basis of solving project tasks; combining and reconstructing familiar techniques of creative activity to solve new problems; self-education, self-development and self-realization of an individual in the process of project activities on an individual and group basis. The research paper is focused on the methodological features of using the project method in the training of future teachers of natural specialties in the process of formation of environmental competencies; an interactive model of interaction "teacher-applicant" and methodological development introduction of the method.

Simulation and Modelling of Electric Vehicle

Today, electric vehicles are increased among all over the world. Transportation vehicles are playing a major role in many applications. Mostly all type of vehicles using energy sources such as oil and gas. This is an ecological and urban means of transport and it's source of energy is battery. Electric vehicles began to play an more important role Since 2000’s. It is economic and simple means of transport and eco friendly. Over the past few years the electric vehicles have remained a frequent subject of the research community. In this article, we developed an EV setup using a DC motor. The model developed contains battery power, DC motor, H-Bridge controller, Wheel configuration (front and rear), PWM controller and vehicle body model developed on Simulink from Matlab. Through Simulink, the designed electric vehicle is simulated and various factors like State of Charge, Current and Voltage were calculated by providing driving cycle. The various factors were analysed for improving the model.

Insect cross-tolerance to freezing and drought stress: role of metabolic rearrangement.

The accumulation of trehalose has been suggested as a mechanism underlying insect cross-tolerance to cold/freezing and drought. Here we show that exposing diapausing larvae of the drosophilid fly, Chymomyza costata to dry conditions significantly stimulates their freeze tolerance. It does not, however, improve their tolerance to desiccation, nor does it significantly affect trehalose concentrations. Next, we use metabolomics to compare the complex alterations to intermediary metabolism pathways in response to three environmental factors with different ecological meanings: environmental drought (an environmental stressor causing mortality), decreasing ambient temperatures (an acclimation stimulus for improvement of cold hardiness), and short days (an environmental signal inducing diapause). We show that all three factors trigger qualitatively similar metabolic rearrangement and a similar phenotypic outcome-improved larval freeze tolerance. The similarities in metabolic response include (but are not restricted to) the accumulation of typical compatible solutes and the accumulation of energy-rich molecules (phosphagens). Based on these results, we suggest that transition to metabolic suppression (a state in which chemical energy demand is relatively low but need for stabilization of macromolecules is high) represents a common axis of metabolic pathway reorganization towards accumulation of non-toxic cytoprotective compounds, which in turn stimulates larval freeze tolerance.