Environmental Shaping Research Articles

Food insecurity and adolescent impulsivity: The mediating role of functional connectivity in the context of family flexibility.

Adolescent food insecurity is a salient adversity hypothesized to affect neural systems associated with increased impulsive behavior. Family environments shape how adverse experiences influence development. In this study, hypotheses were tested regarding the conjoint effects of food insecurity and family flexibility on impulsivity via alterations in connectivity between regions within the salience and central executive networks. Such alterations are reflected in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) metrics between the anterior insula (AI) and the middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Hypotheses were tested in a longitudinal moderated mediation model with two waves of data from 142 adolescents (Time 1 [T1] Mage = 12.89, SD=0.85; Time 2 [T2] Mage = 15.01, SD=1.07). Data on past-year household food insecurity, family flexibility, and rsFC were obtained at T1. Impulsivity was self-reported by the adolescent at T1 and T2. Findings revealed that high T1 left-to-left rsFC between the AI and MFG was associated with increased impulsivity at T2. The interaction of family flexibility and food insecurity was associated with AI and MFG rsFC. In the context of low family flexibility, food insecurity was linked to high levels of AI and MFG rsFC. Conversely, in the context of optimal family flexibility, food insecurity was associated with low levels of AI and MFG rsFC. Conditional indirect analysis suggests that the links among food insecurity, rsFC, and impulsive behavior depend on family flexibility. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Adolescent food insecurity was associated with anterior insula and middle frontal gyrus connectivity only at certain levels of family flexibility. High family flexibility attenuated the link between food insecurity and neural connectivity, while low levels of family flexibility increased this risk. High left anterior insula and left middle frontal gyrus connectivity was associated with increased impulsivity 1 year later.

One faith for different realities: accounting and management practices of Benedictine monasteries

Purpose This paper aims to explore how the accounting and management practices of monastic institutions were shaped by their surrounding social, political, geographical and economic environments, as well as religious ideologies, during critical historical periods. Design/methodology/approach By applying institutional theory and the comparative international accounting history perspective, this study conducts a comparative analysis of archival records from two monasteries, examining how their accounting and managerial practices were influenced by differing institutional logics. The research relies on systematic archival data collection, complemented by secondary sources, to analyze how religious beliefs shaped the accounting and management practices of these institutions and the degree of convergence between the two. Findings This study found that both monasteries adapted their accounting and management practices to their external environments. San Placido demonstrated resilience amidst disruptions such as wars and earthquakes, while Silos showed financial sophistication through diverse income streams. The resilience of these institutions was driven by their ability to align internal operations with external political, economic and social factors. This adaptability, coupled with strategic management, enhanced their capacity to maintain financial stability, illustrating the direct link between external changes, organizational resilience and improved financial health. Research limitations/implications This study highlights the historical interplay between religious principles and accounting management practices in Benedictine monasteries by comparing two monasteries. It reveals how external environments shape internal operations, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of these institutions in maintaining financial sustainability through the alignment of external pressures with internal resilience mechanisms, which in turn bolster their financial health. Originality/value This research contributes valuable insights to historical managerial and accounting literature, shedding light on the financial resilience and strategies used by Benedictine monasteries. It underscores the enduring respectful legacy of their accounting practices and the unique interplay between spiritual devotion and organizational structure within these institutions.

Understanding Factors Affecting Inclusions of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: A Study among Non-Disabled University Students

Inclusive education for people with disabilities is gaining importance globally, with improving factors that support the inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education as a key objective. This study explores how societal and environmental factors shape perceptions of disability, rather than viewing it solely as an individual limitation. A non-probability convenience sampling method was employed, involving 279 university students from six different faculties. Data were analyzed through frequency distribution and SPSS to examine the attitudes of non-disabled students toward the inclusion of their disabled peers in higher education. The findings reveal that environmental barriers are strongly associated with the attitudes of non-disabled students toward their peers with disabilities (r = .693, p < .01), indicating that these barriers significantly impact how students perceive and interact with those who have impairments. The non-disabled students identified specific environmental factors that either support or hinder the inclusion of disabled students in university settings. This research highlights the need for addressing environmental obstacles to foster a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.

Explaining the Dynamics and Stability of Dialects: A Representational Approach

Abstract In this article, the focus is on the pivotal role of speakers in shaping language dynamics and dialectal stability, particularly within the context of dialectal variation. It is evident that language is intricately tied to human experience, serving as a tool for navigation, problem-solving, and social interaction. This article posits that understanding the interplay between language dynamics and stability of dialects requires a nuanced consideration of speakers and their practical relationships with the world as well as their linguistic mental representations. People are not passive recipients of language; rather, they actively engage with it in various contexts, adapting to new situations and influencing linguistic change. Through empirical examples from German dialectology, the article illustrates how speakers’ interactions with their environment shape language evolution. Overall, the article aims to provide insight into the role of speakers in driving linguistic change and maintaining linguistic conventions within dialectal contexts. By examining the practical relationships between speakers and their environment, it contributes to the development of a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexities of language variation and evolution considering linguistic representations.

Variation in species-specific responses to habitat fragmentation and land cover structure in urban small mammal communities

Abstract Urbanization is a key driver of habitat loss and fragmentation worldwide, yet many urban ecosystems contain vegetated habitat patches that support diverse wildlife communities. Managing urban systems to support robust wildlife communities requires us to understand the mechanisms that drive the response of species to the urban environment. Small mammals are key components of terrestrial ecosystems (e.g., seed predators, prey) and likely also carry out these roles in urban ecosystems; however, the effects of urbanization on small mammal communities are understudied. To identify how species-specific responses to urban environments shape community composition, we quantified both overall community and species-specific changes in small mammal abundance across an urbanization gradient in a Midwestern US metropolitan area. We combined small mammal trapping and land cover data to generate a hierarchical community abundance model. Species diversity increased with increasing proportional cover of human-modified land cover (i.e., impervious surfaces and turfgrass). This finding is driven by high species diversity on sites bordering streams in mowed parks and low diversity on sites with high tree canopy closure. Additionally, modeling results indicated that species responded differently to landscape attributes, leading to variation in small mammal community composition across the urbanization gradient: prairie-associated species tended to be more abundant in tall vegetation bordering mowed parks while habitat generalists tended to be more abundant on sites with greater canopy closure and shrub cover. Our results suggest that studies that focus on community-level responses (e.g., species richness) to urbanization may miss important species-specific responses. It may be particularly important to assess both species-specific and community-level responses in cities at ecotones (e.g., between forest and grassland) where species with different habitat requirements may replace one another in different types of green spaces, thereby changing community composition without affecting species diversity or richness. Our findings also indicate that vegetated urban patches, especially patches with tall vegetation cover and low canopy cover, are important habitat for prairie-associated small mammal communities, providing conservation options in heavily altered landscapes.

Life's a ditch: demographic history and environmental factors shape fine-scale local adaptation within small populations of brook trout

Many studies have investigated the loss of adaptive potential in endangered or exploited species experiencing recent population declines. Less research has studied adaptive genomic variation in small populations known to have persisted for long periods, despite the unique contribution that such populations provide for determining mechanisms underlying population persistence in evolutionary and conservation modeling. Small populations of Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) have persisted in Cape Race, Newfoundland for >12,000 years. We used genotyping-by-sequencing data to investigate the demographic history and adaptive genomic variation of 26 populations with effective population sizes (Ne) ranging from 11 to 442, and to explore mechanisms underlying long-term persistence. We show that all populations experienced demographic declines following postglacial colonization but have remained in their current, small Ne state for thousands of years. We also reveal greater homozygosity in adaptive alleles within the smallest populations and found signatures of adaptive divergence in small populations relating to several abiotic and biotic factors. Our study illustrates how the demographic history of a species can influence the adaptive dynamics of small populations persisting over long time periods.

Demographic History and Adaptive Evolution of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Western Australia.

Demographic processes can substantially affect a species' response to changing ecological conditions, necessitating the combined consideration of genetic responses to environmental variables and neutral genetic variation. Using a seascape genomics approach combined with population demographic modelling, we explored the interplay of demographic and environmental factors that shaped the current population structure in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) along the Western Australian coastline. We combined large-scale environmental data gathered via remote sensing with RADseq genomic data from 133 individuals at 19 sampling sites. Using population genetic and outlier detection analyses, we identified three distinct genetic clusters, coinciding with tropical, subtropical and temperate provincial bioregions. In contrast to previous studies, our demographic models indicated that populations occupying the paleo-shoreline split into two demographically independent lineages before the last glacial maximum (LGM). A subsequent split after the LGM 12-15 kya gave rise to the Shark Bay population, thereby creating the three currently observed clusters. Although multi-locus heterozygosity declined from north to south, dolphins from the southernmost cluster inhabiting temperate waters had higher heterozygosity in potentially adaptive loci compared to dolphins from subtropical and tropical waters. These findings suggest ongoing adaptation to cold-temperate waters in the southernmost cluster, possibly linked to distinct selective pressures between the different bioregions. Our study demonstrated that in the marine realm, without apparent physical boundaries, only a combined approach can fully elucidate the intricate environmental and genetic interactions shaping the evolutionary trajectory of marine mammals.

Barriers and Boundaries: How Residents Make Meaning of Segregating Built Environments

Built environments have structured urban space in racist and classist ways, contributing to residential segregation and related inequalities. Previous research has examined how perceivable built environment features become symbolic boundaries that structure both socio-spatial division and meaning-making, but little research has examined how physical barriers—features that carry symbolic meaning and limit connectivity between nearby areas—may promote both symbolic “othering” and inhibit contact between residents on either side. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, we examine how residents interpret and experience physical barriers and symbolic boundaries in race-, income-, and race-and-income distinct areas in Houston, Texas. We describe three typologies of barriers/boundaries (unremarkable, intrusive, and hyper-salient), demonstrating how the same barrier or boundary can have different meanings for people on either side. For physical barriers, these meanings were often mediated by residents’ actions. Our findings extend theorization of how the built environment shapes interpretations and experiences of segregation, and vice versa.

Caves’ environmental stability shaping subterranean biodiversity in the neotropics

Caves, once thought to be isolated ecosystems", are now understood to have intricate connections with surface environments, particularly evident at their entrances. These connections can significantly affect the microclimate within caves, leading to varying degrees of environmental stability. Our research explores the impact of microclimate conditions, specifically related to cave environmental stability, on biodiversity changes. We surveyed subterranean invertebrates during two different seasonal periods in 17 limestone caves in three karst regions in southeastern Brazil. Our analysis aimed to understand how environmental stability influences the overall richness of cave invertebrates and troglobitic species richness (restricted to subterranean habitats). We hypothesized that more stable caves would experience less fluctuation in relative species richness and lower turnover between seasons. Additionally, we anticipated that caves with greater environmental stability would harbor a higher richness of cave-restricted species in the function of their length. Our findings support these hypotheses, revealing a significant positive correlation between cave environmental stability and species richness. Caves with higher environmental stability demonstrated lower species turnover rates between seasons, indicating enhanced community stability. While environmental stability significantly affected species richness, its influence on cave-restricted species was comparatively less pronounced. This suggests a complex interplay of factors shaping the unique fauna of caves. Nonetheless, the implications of climate change underscore the importance of preserving the environmental stability of these ecosystems. Using environmental stability as a guide can help protect cave biodiversity from the adverse effects of climate change, contributing to broader conservation efforts for these unique habitats.

How Perceived Child-Friendly Communities Alleviate Adolescents' Psychological Reactance.

When children enter adolescence, their personality traits easily give rise to psychological reactance (PR). PR involves a desire for autonomy and independence, as well as an aversion to parental and social rules and restrictions. Factors that influence PR include physiological, familial, and social aspects. However, most studies on adolescent noncompliance have primarily focused on rebellious behavior. Little research has examined motivational state reactance, although its interaction with environmental perception can significantly affect adolescents' lives. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the perceived friendliness of the community environment and cognitive processing at different quality of life (QoL) levels in relation to PR among adolescents. Propensity score matching was performed on a sample of 3546 adolescents, collected in Sanya, China. The results show that child-friendly communities (CFCs) had a significantly negative impact on adolescents' PR levels. Additionally, QoL had a moderating effect, meaning that the higher the QoL, the stronger the role of a CFC in alleviating PR. In contrast to claims that PR is determined by temperament or character profiles, this study reveals the importance of environmental shaping through triadic reciprocal determinism and a focus on the key role of the community environment.

Can environmental transformational leadership shape organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment in Indonesia?

This research examines the influence of environmental transformational leadership on organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment. In testing this relationship, other aspects were involved, including green human resources management, a moderating variable, and green employee empowerment, a mediating variable. To achieve their environmental goals, company employees must care about the environment, however motivating them is challenging. Research into environmental transformational leadership and green human resources management is needed in Indonesia. Research there focuses on the impact of companies’ environmentally friendly practices, seen from an external perspective. This study’s data came from an online survey of Indonesian company employees. This was processed using SmartPLS. The results show environmental transformational leadership positively influences organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment, and green employee empowerment. Green employee empowerment partially mediates the relationship between green human resources management and organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment. Green human resources management is a moderator variable in the relationship between environmental transformational leadership and green employee empowerment. Companies must have environmental transformational leadership, green employee empowerment, and green human resources management to achieve green goals. Companies must pay attention to those aspects, so their employees will show organizational citizenship behavior toward the environment to support the company’s success.

Unraveling the Secrets of Early-Maturity and Short-Duration Bread Wheat in Unpredictable Environments.

In response to the escalating challenges posed by unpredictable environmental conditions, the pursuit of early maturation in bread wheat has emerged as a paramount research endeavor. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted landscape of strategies and implications surrounding the unlocking of early maturation in bread wheat varieties. Drawing upon a synthesis of cutting-edge research in genetics, physiology, and environmental science, this review elucidates the intricate mechanisms underlying early maturation and its potential ramifications for wheat cultivation in dynamic environments. By meticulously analyzing the genetic determinants, physiological processes, and environmental interactions shaping early maturation, this review offers valuable insights into the complexities of this trait and its relevance in contemporary wheat breeding programs. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates the trade-offs inherent in pursuing early maturation, navigating the delicate balance between accelerated development and optimal yield potential. Through a meticulous examination of both challenges and opportunities, this review provides a comprehensive framework for researchers, breeders, and agricultural stakeholders to advance our understanding and utilization of early maturation in bread wheat cultivars, ultimately fostering resilience and sustainability in wheat production systems worldwide.

An ecological and evolutionary approach to arboreal communities under different environmental stress conditions

Biodiversity distribution patterns and the ecological processes underlying them reflect how organisms respond to abiotic and biotic factors that interact across both space and time. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that small-scale environmental variations shape ecological and phylogenetic patterns in arboreal communities through environmental filters created by the specific conditions of each environment examined. We investigated a mosaic of Atlantic forest environments, analyzing species composition, community dynamics, and phylogenetic relationships among the various environments. This approach provided valuable insight into how environmental factors influence the ecological differentiation of these communities. Variations in conditions and resources produced environmental filters that resulted in significant small-scale heterogeneity in species composition, community dynamics, and evolutionary relationships among the environments. By considering the dynamic interations between biotic and abiotic factors, we conclude that the prevailing environmental conditions at these sites play a crucial role in shaping the behavior and distribution of the species that inhabit them.

The food industry supply chain: Synergy of environmental orientation and collaboration in implementing circularity

AbstractCircularity within supply chains can be realized through the seamless integration of ecological concerns into business strategies, coupled with stakeholder collaboration throughout the supply chain. A study of a supply chain aiming for circularity was conducted in a real setting for a renowned multinational company in the food processing industry to explore how environmental orientation shapes collaborative practices. The model was applied to reveal the significance of the circular practices that supply chain members follow within the case company. The interpretive ranking process (IRP) was further applied to rank the stakeholders in the supply chain of this company. Results reveal that raw material suppliers, farmers, customers, and volunteers occupy a significant position in implementing circularity in this supply chain. It is essential to provide incentives to suppliers in order to encourage them to adopt practices that promote circular supply chains. Simultaneously, local communities need to play an active role in implementing effective waste management practices. This case study underscores the critical imperative of nurturing a pro‐environmental mindset while fostering synergetic collaboration among stakeholders, thereby paving the path towards achieving circularity.

Climatological Tracking and Lifecycle Characteristics of Mesoscale Convective Systems in Northwestern South America

AbstractMesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are crucial in shaping large‐scale tropical circulation and the hydrological cycle, particularly in Northwestern South America (NwSA), a region marked by complex terrain and significant MCS activity. Understanding MCSs in NwSA is vital due to their impact on precipitation patterns and potential for severe weather events. To enhance this understanding, the ATRACKCS algorithm was developed for tracking convective systems, utilizing precipitation and brightness temperature data sets. This research focuses on documenting the spatiotemporal variability of MCS occurrence, life cycle, and movement. Notably, MCS hotspots were identified to the west of the major orographic features in the region, with maximum occurrences at night, contrasting with the region's typical afternoon peak in land convection. MCS movement is also heavily influenced by topography, with higher velocities on the eastern (windward) side of the Andes compared to velocities on the western (leeward) side. MCSs generally move westward, driven by easterly winds, but this pattern is not consistent throughout the year or region. Northward movement is predominant to the west of the Andes, while southward movement is observed to the east. These seasonal and regional movement variations are linked to factors such as the intertropical convergence zone position, moisture availability, topography, and low‐level jets. This research underscores the complexity of MCSs in NwSA and emphasizes the need for detailed studies on the atmospheric environment shaping these systems. Additionally, it provides a robust 21‐year MCS database for NwSA and an advanced tracking tool for research in various geographic contexts and impact areas.

Challenges and Approaches in the Study of Neural Entrainment.

When exposed to rhythmic stimulation, the human brain displays rhythmic activity across sensory modalities and regions. Given the ubiquity of this phenomenon, how sensory rhythms are transformed into neural rhythms remains surprisingly inconclusive. An influential model posits that endogenous oscillations entrain to external rhythms, thereby encoding environmental dynamics and shaping perception. However, research on neural entrainment faces multiple challenges, from ambiguous definitions to methodological difficulties when endogenous oscillations need to be identified and disentangled from other stimulus-related mechanisms that can lead to similar phase-locked responses. Yet, recent years have seen novel approaches to overcome these challenges, including computational modeling, insights from dynamical systems theory, sophisticated stimulus designs, and study of neuropsychological impairments. This review outlines key challenges in neural entrainment research, delineates state-of-the-art approaches, and integrates findings from human and animal neurophysiology to provide a broad perspective on the usefulness, validity, and constraints of oscillatory models in brain-environment interaction.

Megabenthic Diversity Patterns on a Seamount in the Philippine Sea: Implications for Conservation Planning on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge.

The oligotrophic tropical western Pacific region is characterized by a high density of seamounts, with the Kyushu-Palau Ridge (KPR) being the longest seamount chain here. Effective spatial management plans for seamount ecosystems necessitate an understanding of distribution patterns and key environmental factors influencing benthic communities. However, knowledge regarding deep-sea biodiversity patterns over intricate topography remains limited. In this study, we investigated a seamount with a water depth of 522 m at the summit located in the southern section of KPR. Survey transects were conducted from 522 m to 4059 m. By analyzing video-recorded data obtained by a human-occupied vehicle (HOV) during dives and environmental variables derived from bathymetry, distinct assemblages were identified through noise clustering. α- and β-diversity patterns within the seamount megabenthic community were analyzed across the depth gradient, along with investigation of their environmental drivers. A total of 10,596 megafauna individuals were documented, categorized into 88 morphospecies and statistically separated into six distinct community clusters using noise clustering analysis. Species abundance and richness were highest within the 700-800 m water depth range, declining notably beyond 2100 m, indicating a critical threshold for habitat classification in this region. The β-diversity of megabenthic communities was high (0.836). Although β-diversity patterns along the depth gradient were mostly dominated by differences in species richness, the contribution of species replacement increased with depth, becoming dominant at depths greater than 3000 m. Depth emerged as the primary driver of spatial variation in community structure, while near-bottom current velocity, topographic parameters (bathymetric position index, slope), and substrate type also influenced the formation of microhabitats. The study highlights the depth gradients, thresholds, and other intricate environmental factors shaping the spatial heterogeneity of these communities. It provides valuable insights for the future development of effective survey and conservation strategies for benthic biodiversity on the KPR.

Interactive effects of aridity and local environmental factors on the functional trait composition and diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages in dryland rivers

Drought and local habitat alteration are major environmental stressors shaping the aquatic biota in dryland rivers. However, the combined effects of these factors on aquatic biodiversity remain poorly understood. We collected macroinvertebrate data from Central Asian dryland rivers in Xinjiang, China, from 2012 to 2022, to investigate the individual and interactive effects of drought (as indicated by increasing values of Aridity, AI) and local habitat conditions (fine sediments, velocity and pH) on aquatic macroinvertebrate functional trait composition and diversity. We found that interactions of the selected environmental stressors exhibited more frequent additive than synergistic or antagonistic effects, leading to shifts in macroinvertebrate functional trait composition and diversity accordingly. Interaction of AI and fine sediments showed more pronounced synergistic effects (positive or negative) compared to others and had positive influences on traits like small body size, ovoviviparity, etc. Functional diversity metrics responded differently to stressor interactions, with FRic and FDis being negatively affected, whereas FEve was positively correlated to stressor interaction, suggesting the complementary roles of functional diversity metrics to diagnose impacts of stressor interactions. Overall, our study provides new insights into macroinvertebrate assemblage-stressor relationships in dryland rivers and can help better assess, predict and manage aquatic biodiversity in these rivers under ongoing environmental change.

Contextual drivers of energy demand and supply from renewable sources

This study investigates the socio-economic and environmental drivers shaping renewable energy demand and supply within a meso-level setting (Italian regions, 2004–2020). Employing a panel vector error correction mechanism (PVECM) and an integrative biplot analysis, the research outcomes reveal a market equilibrium between demand and supply in the short and long run. Human capital accumulation is identified as pivotal in driving the renewable energy transition. Significant regional heterogeneities indicate challenges in achieving convergence towards sustainability and socio-economic development and well-being. Key empirical implications include enhancing education and vocational training to strengthen human capital and implementing tailored regional strategies for sustainable infrastructure development. These findings support policymakers in formulating targeted policies for a resilient, balanced energy future and addressing regional disparities in renewable energy adoption.

Examining the Effects of Environment, Geography, and Elevation on Patterns of DNA Methylation Across Populations of Two Widespread Bumble Bee Species.

Understanding the myriad avenues through which spatial and environmental factors shape evolution is a major focus in biological research. From a molecular perspective, much work has been focused on genomic sequence variation; however, recently there has been increased interest in how epigenetic variation may be shaped by different variables across the landscape. DNA methylation has been of particular interest given that it is dynamic and can alter gene expression, potentially offering a path for a rapid response to environmental change. We utilized whole genome enzymatic methyl sequencing to evaluate the distribution of CpG methylation across the genome and to analyze patterns of spatial and environmental association in the methylomes of two broadly distributed montane bumble bees (Bombus vancouverensis Cresson and Bombus vosnesenskii Radoszkowski) across elevational gradients in the western US. Methylation patterns in both species are similar at the genomic scale with ∼1% of CpGs being methylated and most methylation being found in exons. At the landscape scale, neither species exhibited strong spatial or population structuring in patterns of methylation, although some weak relationships between methylation and distance or environmental variables were detected. Differential methylation analysis suggests a stronger environment association in B. vancouverensis given the larger number of differentially methylated CpG's compared to B. vosnesenskii. We also observed only a handful of genes with both differentially methylated CpGs and previously detected environmentally associated outlier SNPs. Overall results reveal a weak but present pattern in variation in methylation over the landscape in both species.