Effective Adaptive Mechanism Research Articles

Impact of temperature humidity index-based climate services for Murrah buffaloes of India on operational decision-making and economic outcome of the farm

Climate change is likely to affect both the productive and reproductive functions of Murrah buffaloes, the major milch breed of India. Hence, in the present study, weekly modules of Temperature Humidity Index (THI) based climate services were prepared and disseminated to the farmers of experimental villages of Haryana, a state of North-Western part of India through either WhatsApp, Text SMS, and Mobile Application. Difference-in-Difference (DiD), a quasi-experimental research design was used to study the impact of climate services on operational decision-making as well as the economic outcome of the farm. The findings of the study revealed that the climate services had a positive effect on the number of farmers adopting the practices like use of oil cakes, minerals, and feed additives in the animal diet. Treatment effect was found to be significant on quantity of oilcake (0.39, 0.45 and 0.51 kg/animal/day); concentrates during both summer (0.48, 0.56, 0.59 kg/animal/day) and in winter (0.35, 0.40 and 0.42 kg/animal/day); and mineral mixture (9.47, 12.34 and 13.08 gm/animal/day) in Text SMS, WhatsApp and MobileApp group, respectively. The treatment effect of climate services on economic outcome indicators such as summer milk yield was also found to be significant (0.38, 0.44, and 0.50 L/animal) from Text SMS, WhatsApp, and MobileApp, respectively. Overall, the benefit-to-cost ratio of climate services was found to be 1:1.8. Hence, the exclusive climate services developed for Murrah buffalo farmers were found to be an effective adaptive mechanism for helping vulnerable dairy farming to adapt to the climate of today and of the future.

Transcriptional dynamic changes in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and cell cycle regulation reveal the biological adaptation mechanisms of juvenile Acrossocheilus wenchowensis under acute temperature changes

In recent years, frequent acute temperature changes have posed a serious threat to the physiology and survival of fish. This study utilized RNA-Seq technology to analyze the transcriptional dynamics in the muscle tissues of Acrossocheilus wenchowensis under various acute temperature conditions (16◦C, 20◦C, 24◦C, 28◦C and 32◦C). Through comprehensive analysis, we identified 11509 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), a gene set (profiles 19) that was significantly up-regulated with increasing temperature, and two weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) modules that were significantly correlated with acute temperature changes. Furthermore, we identified 28 transcription factors that are pivotal in oxidative stress and energy metabolism under acute temperature changes. Our results showed that, compared to the control group (24°C), KEGG functional enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of DEGs in the cell cycle, DNA replication, and p53 signaling pathway, with an overall trend of suppressed expression. This indicates that maintaining cell stability and reducing cell damage is an effective adaptive mechanism for A. wenchowensis to cope with acute temperature changes. Through STEM analysis and the black WGCNA module associated with high-temperature stress, we identified significant up-regulation of pathways and hub genes related to energy metabolism including oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, purine metabolism, and glutathione metabolism, as well as the central roles of signal transduction pathways such as MAPK signaling pathway and AMPK signaling pathway, which synergistically regulate energy production. Under acute low-temperature stress, the turquoise WGCNA module highlighted significant up-regulation of hub genes associated with Ribosomal and Spliceosomal pathways related to protein synthesis and processing, as well as activation of calcium signaling pathways, which plays an important role in maintaining cellular function during low-temperature adaptation. These findings provide a critical theoretical and molecular basis for the adaptation of eurythermal fish to rapid temperature changes.

Farmers’ Perceptions of the impact of climate change on apple production in lower Mustang, Nepal

Undoubtedly, climate change is becoming a worldwide concern due to its great sensitivity and detrimental effects on livelihood. The government, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders are striving to come up with novel and innovative approaches to combat the effects of climate change. Nevertheless, understanding and perceptions of the issue among local farmers are more crucial before making mitigation or adaptation plans. It’s them who are actually more exposed to these environmental works and who are on the frontlines of climate change. So, the study was conducted in 2022 at Lower Mustang to understand how farmers perceive climate change, how it has impacted apple production, and to find discrepancies between their perceptions and the actual change in climatic variability recorded by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM). Temperature and precipitation were two climatic variables that were taken into account to investigate the significant effects they have on the rate of apple production. Altogether, 60 households from Lower Mustang were selected randomly for the study. Pre-tested interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, as well as secondary data from DHM, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), etc. were used to collect the required information. The majority of farmers observed an increase in temperature (83.30%) and an unpredictable increase in rainfall (98%), which are consistent with the actual change in temperature and precipitation recorded between 1991 and 2021. Findings show that the average annual temperature and mean annual precipitation are increasing at a rate of 0.012°C per year and 0.4146 mm per year, respectively. This has resulted in the outbreak of significant amounts of diseases and insect pest infestations that have a direct impact on the quality and quantity of apples. The majority of farmers acknowledged that rainfall was the most significant climatic hazards that negatively impacted apple production, followed with hailstones having an impact on apples during flowering and fruiting. Farmers in the study area are limited to intercropping practices, mostly as an adaptation strategy to combat the impacts of climate change. The study concluded that farmers perceived climate change; they are aware of the term ‘Climate Change’ but haven’t taken any significant adaptation measures towards it. So, there is an immediate need for effective adaptation mechanisms, taking into account farmers' perspectives, to make Lower Mustang self-sufficient in apple production.

Investigating the differences in metabolism, and the unfolded protein and apoptosis gene responses in two strains of the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 (Decapoda, Penaeoidea) under ammonia stress

Abstract Ammonia is one of the major environmental pollutants in the aquatic system and poses a great threat to shrimp. In this study, we compared the differences in metabolic enzymes and the mRNA expression of unfolded protein response (UPR)-related genes between the ammonia-resistant (LV-AT) and ammonia-sensitive (LV-AS) strains of Penaeus vannamei, aiming to investigate the different tolerance mechanisms of the two extreme strains underlying ammonia stress. The results showed that elevated ammonia concentrations mainly increased glutamine synthetase (GS) content while inhibiting transglutaminase (TG) content in the muscle of both strains and the contents were significantly higher in LV-AT than in LV-AS after 48 h of ammonia stress (). As a protective or adaptive strategy, the expression of the UPR related genes, including activating transcription factors ATF6, ATF4, and the spliced form of X box binding protein 1 (XBP1) were, respectively, either significantly induced, or inhibited () after ammonia stress. The mRNA expressions of the GRP78 (Bip) gene and the apoptosis gene (caspase 3) are then activated. In hepatopancreas and gills, the associated gene expressions gradually increase in LV-AT, while several related genes in LV-AS were first induced and then gradually inhibited. The expressions of key genes (GRP78, ATF6, XBP1 and ATF4) were significantly higher in LV-AT than that in LV-AS after 48 h of ammonia stress (). These results indicate that some enzymes involved in ammonia metabolism and UPR protection genes tended to be highly expressed in LV-AT. Hence, we speculate that LV-AT has a higher ammonia excretion capacity and a more effective adaptive mechanism after ammonia stress. The experimental results will help to further understand the stress response of P. vannamei to ammonia and provide a new perspective for the underlying molecular mechanism of the ammonia adaptation strategy of at least some strains of P. vannamei.

Stabilisation of the financial architecture in the banking system

The article is devoted to theoretical and methodological research financial architecture in the area of elaborating the directions of stabilisation of the banking system in the context of the development of digital transformation of the market environment. The developed procedures and algorithms for creating a stabilisation model include outlining the criteria related to the development of the financial system in general, working out the directions of digital adaptation of processes in the banking system in the interaction of participants in financial relations, and presenting the possibilities for the development of the banking system. Digitalisation of business models at this stage of development of market relations in certain sectors requires the creation of effective adaptation mechanisms that take into account institutional support, the impact of system components on the efficiency of functioning, and the role of each component on performance. Strategic management involves modelling the procedures for incorporating the latest digital tools into the functional load of the banking system. The scenario approach is the basic approach to management decision-making, with a focus on key business models for application. Modelling scenarios for stabilisation of the banking system in the context of digital transformation of the economy is based on analytical research, strategic management, attraction of digital technological innovations, ensuring the security of the digital and information space, monitoring and evaluation of the model's effectiveness.

Angling tourism: A state-of-the-art review

This paper represents a scoping review of angling tourism. Using the Google Scholar search engine and Scopus search, the paper reviews 98 journal articles on angling tourism in terms of year of publication, geographic locations of case studies, disciplinary foci, scientific fields and research themes. Studies on angling tourism focus on different facets of this tourism activity and comprise three major research themes: Angling tourism management, General angling tourism and Impacts both of and on angling tourism. This review shows that tourism studies and journals on tourism management/geography have, by and large, ignored angling tourism as a tourism activity across the globe, despite its significant contribution to the tourism economy. Future research on angling tourism development requires broadening the geographical scope of studies, understanding anglers as tourists with subsequent research from tourism studies perspectives, acquiring and mining of quality data for sustainable site-specific tourism offerings as well as focusing on the issues of global environmental change for implementing effective management and adaptation mechanisms. Significantly more studies are required to understand this tourism activity fully. The review supports the use of Google Scholar search as a reliable tool for accessing scientific publications.

Perception of and adaptation to climate change: the case of wheat farmers in northwest Bangladesh.

Climate change's impact on crop production is a global concern. A better understanding of farmers' perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies will benefit farmers and policymakers in outlining an effective adaptation mechanism to climate change. Therefore, this study assessed wheat farmers' perceptions of climate change, identified major adaptation strategies, factors influencing adaptations, and barriers to effective adaptation by surveying 160 wheat farmers in northwest Bangladesh. The results revealed that farmers experienced more frequent droughts due to higher temperatures, decreased and irregular precipitation, reduced ground and surface water availability, and shorter winter seasons over the last two decades. Key adaptation strategies identified were more irrigation, switching to other crops, and changing fertilizer and insecticide usage. Multinomial logit model results indicate that farming experience, access to climate information and extension services, access to subsidies, farm size, family size, and electricity for irrigation were the significant factors influencing farmers' adaptation decisions. Limited access to climate information, inadequate knowledge of appropriate adaptation measures, and low price of wheat represented major adaptation barriers. The study recommends strengthening agricultural research and extension services to farmers, including education and training, to develop effective adaptation strategies to climate change.

Physiological and molecular features predispose native and invasive populations of sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa L.) to colonization and restoration of drought degraded environments

The aim of this study was to determine physiological and molecular grounds for high adaptation potential of invasive populations of Rosa rubiginosa to soil drought. We assume that the invasive populations possess specific and effective adaptive mechanisms making them capable pioneer and nurse plants in dry environments. By colonizing the land, they limit its degradation and initiate revitalization of areas damaged by soil droughts. We analyzed plant water status, the photosynthetic apparatus activity, carbohydrate and phenolic content, the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants and RbcL protein associated with fixation of CO2. The research involved native (Northern Hemisphere: Poland, Spain) and invasive (Southern Hemisphere: Argentine, New Zealand) populations. Contrary to the native population, the invasive one demonstrated soil drought induced specific responses aimed at maintaining high water potential in the leaves, greater content of soluble carbohydrates, and higher osmotic potential. In the invasive population, the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates prevailed over their consumption for the synthesis of phenolic compounds. The invasive plants also maintained high content of assimilation pigments and showed greater level of non-enzymatic antioxidants. Reduced activity of the photosynthetic apparatus was associated both with increased energy amount dissipated from PSII and the efficiency with which an electron can move from the reduced intersystem electron acceptors to the PSI end electron acceptors. The study results pave the path for further research on the genetic basis of sweet briar response to soil drought in the context of progressive steppe formation and desertification.

“Death discarded”: desemantization of death and new understanding of a man in the early USSR

In this article we explore the evolving concept of death and dying in the Soviet political project. The discur-sive practices of the new state in the field of death and body disposal have been analyzed based on materials from journalism, fiction, memoirs and diaries, archival data and other sources on the history of the early USSR (1920–1930). It has been shown how the concept of creation of a new world and a new Soviet man, the founda-tions of which were laid in the materialist Marxist approach, transformed the deep understanding of human nature. Discarding the metaphysical interpretation of the immortal nature of man, the Bolshevik ideology destroyed the established principles of understanding of human mortality, without offering anything new in exchange. Thus, the traditional logic of the practice of dealing with death, which worked as an effective adaptive mechanism for reas-sembling society in the face of natural loss of its members (A. van Gennep, R. Hertz, Davies D.), was violated. In a situation of confusion caused by the loss of the usual semantics of death and funeral practices, the ideologues of the new government made a number of attempts to build new mechanisms of adaptation. One of them was the project of a new civil funeral ritual, reflected in the journalism of the 1920s, although it did not receive widespread distribution. Another practice was the construction of symbolic immortality through the concept of “life in the me-mory of descendants” reflected both in the literature of socialist realism and in real practices. However, the con-cept of “living in the memory of descendants” was relevant only for few members of the new society, who could be referred to as “Soviet heroes”. It was an elite political practice that could hardly act as a reassembly mechanism for the entire society. In this situation, ordinary deaths and funerals were thrown to the periphery, having lost the ideological and practical attention of the state.

Non-rolling flag leaves use an effective mechanism to reduce water loss and light-induced damage under drought stress.

The study reports on four different types of flag leaf rolling under soil drought in relation to the level of cell wall-bound phenolics. The flag leaf colonization by aphids, as a possible bioindicator of the accumulation of cell wall-bound phenolics, was also estimated. The proteins of the photosynthetic apparatus that form its core and are crucial for maintaining its stability (D1/PsbA protein), limit destructive effects of light (PsbS, a protein binding carotenoids in the antennas) and participate in efficient electron transport between photosystems II (PSII) and PSI (Rieske iron-sulfur protein of the cytochrome b6f complex) were evaluated in two types of flag leaf rolling. Additionally, biochemical and physiological reactions to drought stress in rolling and non-rolling flag leaves were compared. The study identified four types of genome-related types of flag leaf rolling. The biochemical basis for these differences was a different number of phenolic molecules incorporated into polycarbohydrate structures of the cell wall. In an extreme case of non-rolling dehydrated flag leaves, they were found to accumulate high amounts of cell wall-bound phenolics that limited cell water loss and protected the photosynthetic apparatus against excessive light. PSII was also additionally protected against excess light by the accumulation of photosynthetic apparatus proteins that ensured stable and efficient transport of excitation energy beyond PSII and its dissipation as far-red fluorescence and heat. Our analysis revealed a new type of flag leaf rolling brought about by an interaction between wheat and rye genomes, and resulting in biochemical specialization of flexible, rolling and rigid, non-rolling parts of the flag leaf. The study confirmed limited aphid colonization of the flag leaves with enhanced content of cell wall-bound phenolics. Non-rolling leaves developed effective adaptation mechanisms to reduce both water loss and photoinhibitory damage to the photosynthetic apparatus under drought stress.

A Challenges–Adaptive Mechanisms–Results (CARE) Model for Indonesian Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

Abstract. This article explores challenges that motivate persons with disabilities to engage in entrepreneurship and adaptive mechanisms to overcome their challenges. The study expands the understanding of the initial challenges-adaptive mechanisms-results (CARE) model by including entrepreneurs with different disabilities who deal with various challenges and adaptive mechanisms to attain social, personal, and business-related goals. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the lived experiences of nine entrepreneurs with physical, sensory, or mental disabilities. Our empirical findings indicate that difficulties at the personal level decreased all respondents' job opportunities, which encouraged them to become entrepreneurs in striving for independent living. We find support from their circle, education, and technological advancements to have been the most effective adaptive mechanism strategies leading their entrepreneurial activities to success. The expanded CARE model contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities and provides insights potentially for all stakeholders supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem for persons with disabilities. Keywords: Challenges, adaptive mechanism, disability, disabled entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship

Switched Adaptive Resilient Control of Missile Autopilot Systems

This article proposes a switched adaptive resilient control method for missile autopilot systems subject to parametric uncertainties and unknown actuator failures. The nonlinear longitudinal dynamics of missiles are approximated by a piecewise linear system, based on which a computational effective adaptive fault-tolerant mechanism consisting of adaptive laws with a dwell-time constraint is developed. The merit of the proposed adaptive laws consists in integrating time-varying positive-definite matrices instead of constant ones, guaranteeing that the resulting Lyapunov function is decreasing at the switching instants. This decreasing property plays a crucial role in guaranteeing error-bounded tracking, by compensating for possible increase due to actuator failures. The stability guarantee and tracking performance are validated through simulations for missile autopilot design over a large range of operating conditions.

Impact of Salinity on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Two Underutilized Wild Edible Greens: Taraxacum officinale and Reichardia picroides

Soil salinization is one of the major environmental factors responsible for limited crop production throughout the world. Therefore, there is urgent need to find tolerant/resistant species to exploit in commercial cultivation systems. In this context, the valorization of wild edible greens for human consumption and/or medicinal purposes is gaining more and more interest. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of salinity, e.g., electrical conductivity: 2 mS cm−1 (nutrient solution EC), 6 mS cm−1 and 10 mS cm−1 on plant growth and chemical composition of Reichardia picroides and Taraxacum officinale plants grown in a floating hydroponic system. The results showed that R. picroides is a moderately salt-tolerant species, as the majority of plant growth parameters determined were not negatively affected under the treatment of 6 mS cm−1. On the other hand, the growth parameters of T. officinale plants were severely affected under the same conditions. Moreover, high salinity levels (EC at 10 mS cm−1) impaired the growth of both species. The content of leaves in chlorophylls (a, b and total), carotenoids+xanthophylls and total soluble solids was not significantly affected by the tested EC levels in both species, whereas the titratable acidity increased under the treatment of 10 mS cm−1. Moreover, R. picroides exhibited a more effective adaptation mechanism against saline conditions than T. officinale, as evidenced by the higher accumulation of osmolytes such as proline and the higher shoot K content, probably through a more efficient K/Na selectivity. In conclusion, both species were severely affected by high salinity; however, R. picroides showed promising results regarding its commercial cultivation under moderate salinity levels, especially in regions where resources of high-quality irrigation water are limited.

Divergent Leaf Morpho-Physiological and Anatomical Adaptations of Four Lettuce Cultivars in Response to Different Greenhouse Irradiance Levels in Early Summer Season.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a winter-spring leafy vegetable, but the high demand for fresh products available year-round requires off-season production. However, the warm climate of the Mediterranean areas can impair the summer production of lettuce, thus requiring the adoption of genotypes tolerant to high irradiance as well as useful agronomic strategies like shading net installations. The aim of our research was to assess the leaf morpho-physiological and anatomical changes, in addition to productive responses, of four lettuce cultivars (‘Ballerina’, ‘Maravilla De Verano Canasta’, ‘Opalix’, and ‘Integral’) grown under shading and non-shading conditions to unveil the adaptive mechanisms of this crop in response to sub-optimal microclimate (high irradiance and temperature) in a protected environment. Growth and yield parameters, leaf gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence and morpho-anatomical leaf traits (i.e., leaf mass area, stomatal density and epidermal cell density) were determined. Under shading conditions, the fresh yields of the cultivars ‘Ballerina’, ‘Opalix’ (‘Oak leaf’) and ‘Integral’ (‘Romaine’) increased by 16.0%, 26.9% and 13.2% respectively, compared to non-shading conditions while both abaxial and adaxial stomatal density decreased. In contrast, ‘Canasta’ under non-shading conditions increased fresh yield, dry biomass and instantaneous water use efficiency by 9.6%, 18.0% and 15.7%, respectively, while reduced abaxial stomatal density by 30.4%, compared to shading conditions. Regardless of cultivar, the unshaded treatment increased the leaf mass area by 19.5%. Even though high light intensity and high temperature are critical limiting factors for summer lettuce cultivation in a protected environment, ‘Canasta’ showed the most effective adaptive mechanisms and had the best production performance under sub-optimal microclimatic conditions. However, greenhouse coverage with a white shading net (49% screening) proved to be a suitable agricultural practice that ensured an adequate microclimate for the off-season growth of more sensitive cultivars ‘Ballerina’, ‘Oak leaf’ and ‘Romaine’.

Low annual temperature likely prevents the Holarctic amphipod Gammarus lacustris from invading Lake Baikal

Species with effective thermal adaptation mechanisms allowing them to thrive within a wide temperature range can benefit from climatic changes as they can displace highly specialized species. Here, we studied the adaptive capabilities of the Baikal endemic amphipods Eulimnogammarus verrucosus (Gerstfeld, 1858) and Eulimnogammarus cyaneus (Dybowsky, 1874) compared to the potential Holarctic Baikal invader Gammarus lacustris Sars, 1863 at the cellular level including the energy metabolism and the antioxidant system. All species were long-term exposed to a range of temperatures (1.5 °C to mimic winter conditions and the three species-specific preferred temperatures (i.e., 6 °C for E. verrucosus, 12 °C for E. cyaneus and 15 °C for G. lacustris). At 1.5 °C, we found species-specific metabolic alterations (i.e., significantly reduced ATP content and lactate dehydrogenase activity) indicating limitations on the activity level in the Holarctic G. lacustris. Although the two Baikal endemic amphipod species largely differ in thermal tolerance, no such limitations were found at 1.5 °C. However, the cold-stenothermal Baikal endemic E. verrucosus showed changes indicating a higher involvement of anaerobic metabolism at 12 °C and 15 °C, while the metabolic responses of the more eurythermal Baikal endemic E. cyaneus may support aerobic metabolism and an active lifestyle at all exposure temperatures. Rising temperatures in summer may provide a competitive advantage for G. lacustris compared to the Baikal species but the inactive lifestyle in the cold is likely preventing G. lacustris from establishing a stable population in Lake Baikal.

Climate-Induced Mass Relocation in Fiji

Climate change is, undeniably, a global phenomenon, which requires timely and sincere global efforts and commitments to save the planet before it is too late. The island nations in the blue Pacific region are arguably experiencing the destructive nature of climate change more than any other nation in the world. Scientists warn that this slow-motion phenomenon is claiming entire nations, which will not exist on the face of the earth as early as next century. Sea-level rise is one of the biggest existential threats that the region is facing. Countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and Marshall Islands have already started sinking with their citizens looking for alternative countries. In Fiji, more than 200 low-lying villages are at risk of sinking and the government hopes to relocate these communities to higher ground, despite the pressure this would place on its weak economy. The relocatees will lose their most precious commodity, the land, which is their identity, status and source of survival. The other most precious commodity to which they attach a sense of belonging and will be lost for life are their ancestral homes, culture and traditional way of life. The relocation plan also creates distance between people and the sea, which is the source of their food. This article argues that despite being considered an effective adaptation mechanism to climate change, the relocation plan is facing multiple hurdles. The plan is far beyond the financial capacity and technical prowess of the Fijian government. The other possible alternative to mass relocation is strengthening the locally-made seawalls into strong durable structures, which can withstand the strength of cyclones and be an effective barrier to further shoreline erosion. The small island developing nations of the Pacific region will need financial and technical assistance from the industrialised nations to implement such a project successfully.

Planned Relocation

Climate change is undeniably a global phenomenon, which requires timely global efforts and sincere commitments to save the planet before it is too late. The blue Pacific region as a whole is experiencing the destructive effects of climate change, arguably more so than any other nation in the world. Scientists warn us that this slow-in-motion phenomenon is claiming entire nations and will continue to do so. Nations will cease to exist on the face of the earth as early next century. Sea level rise is one of the biggest existential threats that the region is facing. Countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands have already started sinking, with their citizens looking for alternate countries.
 In Fiji, more than 200 low-lying villages are at risk of sinking and the government with its meagre economy has decided to relocate these communities to higher ground. The relocates will lose their most precious commodity, the land, which is their identity, status and source of survival. The other most precious commodity to which they attach a sense of belonging which will be lost for life is their ancestral home, along with their culture and traditional way of life. The relocation plan also creates a large distance between people and the sea, which is the source of their food.
 This article argues that despite being considered as an effective adaptation mechanism to climate change, the relocation plan is facing multiple hurdles. The plan is far beyond the financial capacity and technical prowess of the Fijian government. The other possible alternative to mass relocation is strengthening the locally-made seawalls into strong durable structures, which can withstand the strength of cyclones and be an effective barrier to further shoreline erosion into the sea. The small island developing nations of the Pacific region will need the financial and technical assistance of industrialised nations to implement the project successfully.

An adaptive model to support biofeedback in AmI environments: a case study in breathing training for autism

Biofeedback systems have shown promising clinical results in regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of individuals. However, they typically offer a “one-size-fits-all” solution in which the personalization of the stimuli to the needs and capabilities of its users has been largely neglected. Personalization is paramount in vulnerable populations like children with autism given their sensory diversity. Ambient intelligence (AmI) environments enable creating effective adaptive mechanisms in biofeedback to adjust the stimuli to each user’s performance. Yet, biofeedback models with adaptive mechanisms are scarce in the AmI literature. In this paper, we propose an adaptive model to support biofeedback that takes the user’s physiological data, user’s adherence to therapy, and environmental data to personalize its parameters and stimuli. Based on the proposed model, we present EtherealBreathing, a biofeedback system designed to help children with autism practice box breathing. We used the data from 20 children with autism using EtheralBreating without adaptation mechanisms to feed an adaptive model that automatically adapts the visual and audible stimuli of EtherealBreathing according to changes in each user’s physiological data. We present two scenarios showing how EtherealBreathing is capable of personalizing the stimuli, difficulty level, or supporting the therapist decisions. Results are promising in terms of performance and personalization of each user model, showing the importance of personalization for AmI technology. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities in using adaptive models to support biofeedback in AmI environments.

Self-Correcting Recurrent Neural Network for Acute Kidney Injury Prediction in Critical Care.

Background. In critical care, intensivists are required to continuously monitor high-dimensional vital signs and lab measurements to detect and diagnose acute patient conditions, which has always been a challenging task. Recently, deep learning models such as recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have demonstrated their strong potential on predicting such events. However, in real deployment, the patient data are continuously coming and there is no effective adaptation mechanism for RNN to incorporate those new data and become more accurate.Methods. In this study, we propose a novel self-correcting mechanism for RNN to fill in this gap. Our mechanism feeds prediction errors from the predictions of previous timestamps into the prediction of the current timestamp, so that the model can "learn" from previous predictions. We also proposed a regularization method that takes into account not only the model's prediction errors on the labels but also its estimation errors on the input data.Results. We compared the performance of our proposed method with the conventional deep learning models on two real-world clinical datasets for the task of acute kidney injury (AKI) prediction and demonstrated that the proposed model achieved an area under ROC curve at 0.893 on the MIMIC-III dataset and 0.871 on the Philips eICU dataset.Conclusions. The proposed self-correcting RNNs demonstrated effectiveness in AKI prediction and have the potential to be applied to clinical applications.

Surviving after an eruption: Ecosystem dynamics and mycorrhizae in Nothofagus pumilio forests affected by the 2011 Puyehue Cordón-Caulle tephra

Volcanic eruptions affect ecosystems drastically, and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EM) may play a critical role in forest regeneration. Nothofagus species are usually ectomycorrhizal. The 2011 Puyehue Cordón-Caulle volcanic complex (PCCVC) eruption covered vast areas of N. pumilio forests with thick tephra deposits. The main objectives of this work were to characterize the forest environment following tephra deposition, and to analyze the natural regeneration and development of N. pumilio and associated EM communities. Three study sites were selected and sampled two and three years after the PCCVC eruption. Two sites had a thick tephra layer (50 cm); in one of them most of the tree layer was dead (Highly Affected-Tephra) whereas in the other, most of the adult trees were alive (Affected-Tephra). The third site had minimal tephra deposition (Non-Affected). Physicochemical properties of the substrate, biological environmental factors and EM behavior of N. pumilio seedlings and adults were evaluated in all three sites. The physicochemical properties of the substrate and environmental characteristics differed among sites. Both seedlings and adults had EM in all three sites. The frequency of six-month-old seedlings with EM (40%) and their colonization values (<12%) were significantly lower in both tephra-affected sites than in the Non-affected site (100% and 80 %, respectively). However, all the 18-month-old seedlings from the tephra-affected sites had EM and their colonization increased almost to the value of the seedlings from the Non-Affected site. In both tephra-affected sites N. pumilio seedlings were associated with some exclusive fungal species, which could have a primary successional role. The early, increasing EM colonization recorded in seedlings after the eruption supports the idea of the strong dependence of Nothofagus trees on this symbioses, and highlights that this mutualism could be an effective adaptive mechanism under stressful conditions. Our findings also suggest that EM symbiosis in N. pumilio persists even after a severe disturbance and is regulated by several factors such as time after eruption, availability and type of mycorrhizal inoculum, plant development and physicochemical substrate composition.