Environmental Related Characteristics Research Articles

Water temperature and chlorophyll a density drive the genetic and epigenetic variation of Vallisneria natans across a subtropical freshwater lake.

Plant genetic diversity differs in habitat's oscillations, especially species distributed under heterogeneous environmental conditions. Freshwater ecosystems are vulnerable to biotic and abiotic impacts, which affect the genetic and epigenetic variations in aquatic plants. The extent of environmental heterogeneous attributes can be examined based on genetic and epigenetic variations. Such variations under environmental gradient can provide evidence for understanding the correlations between rapid environmental changes and species evolution. In this study, we performed amplified fragment polymorphism length and methylated-sensitive amplified polymorphism analysis to depict the genetic and epigenetic variations of Vallisneria natans in a subtropical lake. Results showed that this species maintained a relatively high genetic diversity (mean H E = 0.320, I = 0.474, PPL = 85.93%) and epigenetic variation (mean eH E = 0.282, eI = 0.428, ePPL = 83.91%). Water body temperature and chlorophyll a density were positively correlated to the genetic and epigenetic variations. The clonal generates of V. natans depicted a relative high methylation level and shew ancestral scenario between the genet and the second clonal generation. These findings revealed that species diversity is unevenly distributed under environmental heterogeneity, even at a fine geographic scale. Environmental characteristics in relation to temperature and chlorophyll a should be considered in the analysis of the genetic and epigenetic variations. Additionally, epigenetic variations between genets and ramets should be considered with caution when applied to analysis of other aquatic species.

AZAR eye and vision cohort study

According to World Health Organization (WHO), currently, 2.2 billion people are living with visual impairment worldwide, of which almost half could have been prevented. There are both modifiable and unmodifiable factors leading to visual disability and, ultimately, blindness. Several population-based studies in different parts of Iran have tried to determine these factors concerning their specific population and environment-related characteristics. AZAR Eye and Vision cohort is the second-largest cohort study in the whole country. AZAR Eye and Vision cohort is the ophthalmologic branch of AZAR cohort which is the largest eye cohort study in the country, which is trying to determine the prevalence and incidence of visual impairment, blindness, and other major ophthalmologic conditions and their associated risk factors in East Azerbaijan province located in Iran, a middle eastern country. A recently emerging phenomenon is the drying of the ultra-salty lake of Urmia located in the West Azerbaijan province which is a direct neighbor of our studied population and has caused recurrent salt storms in the immediate near areas. This phenomenon could adversely affect visual health via different conditions which our study will elucidate. The enrollment phase took place between 2014 and 2017 and 11,208 participants were enrolled out of 15,000 participants in the primary cohort. The resurvey phase will begin five years after the enrollment phase. In this phase, 30% of the participants are randomly selected to be reexamined and complete questionnaires. The participants showing any issues such as diabetes and being a glaucoma suspect will be included in the resurvey phase, too. Data categories gathered include demographics, lifestyle factors, past medical and drug histories, and a diet quality and quantity questionnaire including 130 edible items. Urine, hair, nail, and 25-ml blood samples, were collected from the participants. Then they were referred to an optometrist to complete an ophthalmologic questionnaire and undergo eye examination and lensometry. Then they underwent slit-lamp examinations and pictures were taken of the lens and fundus. People with suspected visual impairment were referred to an ophthalmology clinic. The data are processed and a four-level quality check is performed on each block. The most common visual impairment is cataracts. This study’s most important aim is to evaluate the effect of local environmental and ethnic factors on eye diseases in this specific population.

Epävarmuudesta arvokkaaseen lopputulokseen - serendipisyys tiedonhankintakäyttäytymisessä

A serendipitious event in everyday life is common: it means unexpected information that yields some unintended information and potential value later on. Serendipity as a word has been around for hundreds of years. As a studied concept it is rather recent. Serendipity is not just the unexpected information or experience but rather the ability to recognize and do something with it. Serendipitious discovery of information is different from purposive or known item search as it is more complicated and lasts much longer. The discovery of information by chance or accident is still looking it’s explicit place in models and frameworks of information behaviour. It is still not clear what constitutes the core of the research area of serendipity in information behaviour. The qualities of interaction among people, information, and objects differ in physical vs. digital environments. The bisociation, a creative association between different peaces of information may be computer supported. This article presents an overview of the research study of serendipity in information seeking behaviour. We explore serendipity mainly in the digital information environment. As a setting for our study we use six main drivers of serendipity research relating to digital enviroments presented in McCay-Peet and Toms (2017). The drivers are: 1. Theoretical understanding of the phenomen of serendipity, 2) physical vs digital, 3) information overload, 4) filter bubbles, 5) user experience, and 6) user strategies. A new refined temporal model of information encountering by Erdelez and Makri (2020) is also presented in this article. The model presents a framework for better understanding of the temporal dimension of the information acqusition. At a macro level the model positions information encountering within contextual factors related for user, information, task and environment related characteristics.

Investigating the Mental Health Impacts of University Campus Green Space Through Perceived Sensory Dimensions and the Mediation Effects of Perceived Restorativeness on Restoration Experience

Introduction: Green spaces support people mentally in their everyday life. Perceived restorativeness and Perceived Sensory Dimension (PSD) have been addressed as optimal environmental related characteristics with regards to psychological restoration. However, relatively little research has investigated how the perception of these characteristics, directly and indirectly, affects restoration experience, particularly in a sample of university students within the area of green outdoor campus landscapes.Methods: This study hypothesizes these associations through application of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), inputting data from a sample of university students in Malaysia. In the hypothesized model, we examine the degree of restoration that is enjoyed by subjects within landscapes through the effects of these characteristics. Indirect effects of perceived restorativeness via evaluation of mediation effects associated with perception of landscape characteristics and restoration experience are also investigated.Results: Through validation of the measurement model, we find significant positive coefficient paths with adequate predictive abilities in the hypothesized model. Findings suggest the effect of PSD on perceived restorativeness leads to a better explanation of restoration experience. In addition, perceived landscape characteristics of PSD enhance restoration experience in alignment with perceived restorativeness characteristics.Conclusions: Greater effects on restoration experience come through perceived restorativeness that is affected by PSD, which itself is capable of promoting favorable experiences of restorativeness in a green space and facilitating psychological restorative outcomes. The mechanistic effect of emotional regulation implies a distinct role of green spaces in maintaining good mental health and has relevance to public health models that promote independence and well-being through preventative approaches. The work paves the way for further studies that examine which dimensions of PSD support perceived restorativeness and restoration experience more than others, and the wider psycho-social value of green spaces through the application of mediation effects and personal sensory dimensions in the development of mental health.

Analyzing injury severity of rear-end crashes involving large trucks using a mixed logit model: A case study in North Carolina

As one of the most frequently occurring crashes, rear-end crashes often result in injuries and property damage, especially when large trucks are involved. To investigate the contributing factors and the unobserved heterogeneity in such factors, a mixed logit model is developed to analyze rear-end crashes involving large trucks. A dataset containing 7,976 rear-end crashes involving large trucks is collected from Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) in North Carolina between 2005 and 2013. Driver, roadway, and environmental related characteristics are considered in the analysis. Speed limit over 50 mph is found to be better modeled as a random-parameter at specific injury severity levels. Results also indicate that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, rural roadways, dark light condition, grade roadway configuration, speed limit over 50 mph will significantly increase the injury severity of large truck involved rear-end crashes. Roadway with traffic control will significantly decrease the injury severity of such crashes. The findings in this study can greatly help traffic agencies and truck companies develop better large truck-involved rear-end crash prevention strategies.

Child- and Environment-Related Factors Influencing Daily Cochlear Implant Use: A Datalog Study.

To understand the varying levels of daily cochlear implant (CI) use in children, previous studies have investigated factors that may be of influence. The objective of this study was to investigate the degree with which new child-related and environment-related characteristics were associated with consistent CI use. The design of this study was retrospective. Data were reviewed of 81 children (51% females, mean age 6.4 years with a range of 1.3 to 17.7 years) who received a CI between 2012 and 2019. Developmental status, quantified burden of comorbidity, hearing experience, and hearing environment were investigated for correlation with consistency in daily CI use. The CIs datalog was used to objectively record the wearing times. Associations were examined using univariate correlation analyses and a linear regression analysis. On average, the CI was worn 8.6 hr per day and 59% of the children wore it more than 8 hr daily. The latter children's hearing performance was significantly higher than that of the others. Consistency in CI use correlated significantly with the child-related characteristics chronological age, nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class, pre CI acoustic experience, CI experience, and one of the environment related characteristics "parental communication mode." In a multivariate linear regression model, consistency in CI use was significantly dependent on nonverbal IQ and parental communication mode. These together accounted for 47% of the variation in daily CI use. The findings indicate that children with lower nonverbal IQ scores and low exposure to oral communication by their parents are at risk of inconsistent CI use.

Association between selected individual and environmental characteristics in relation to health behavior of Brazilian adolescents.

The study investigates the evolution of healthy behaviors (healthy eating and regular physical activity) in Brazilian adolescents during 2012 and 2015, and its associations with self-assessment of body weight and adoption of weight control attitudes, in the context of diverse household features, school environments, and regional characteristics. Two cross-sectional surveys of Brazilian adolescents attending the ninth grade in 2012 and 2015 were gathered comprising a national sample. Data from 209,601 completed surveys were analyzed using robust error estimates of ordinary least squares regressions. Results showed that there was a decrease in the frequency of healthy foods consumption andrecommended physical activity level between 2012 and 2015. The regression analyses revealed that healthy eating and physical activity were significantly higher for adolescents with normal weight perception (i.e., did not perceive themselves to have either low or excess body weight) and for adolescents who were male, were members of middle socioeconomic stratum families, and had mothers with college degrees. In addition, healthy eating was significantly higher for adolescents who did not wish to lose weight, did not watch TV while eating, went to public schools, and lived with both parents. Ethnic differences varied based on region, with healthy eating being significantly higher among black/mulato/indigenous adolescents in the South and Southeast regions, but significantly higher among white/yellow adolescents in the North region. Ethnic and gender-related differences were identified in health behaviors and attitudes towards weight control of Brazilian adolescents. Findings indicate the relevance of individual characteristics combined with the influence of social networks for the adoption of healthy behaviors among adolescent students. Level IV, evidence obtained from multiple time series without intervention.

Individual and environmental factors associated with death of cyclists involved in road crashes in Spain: a cohort study

ObjectiveTo quantify the magnitude of associations between cyclist fatalities and both cyclist and environment related characteristics in Spain during the first 24 hours after a crash.DesignCohort study.SettingSpain.Participants65 977 cyclists injured...

A Non-Accident-Based Spatial Method to Analyse Pedestrian-Vehicular Conflict

Due to the tremendous increase in automobile transportation and heavy pedestrian movements in developing countries, roads are becoming deadlier year by year. It is acknowledged that context specific research on pedestrian-vehicular conflict are urgently needed considering the built environment characteristics. Therefore, this paper aims to (1) redefine pedestrian-vehicular conflict that would enable to explain micro- and macro-built environment-related variables in a particular context, and (2) develop a methodology that could be used in a place where comprehensive data are limitedly available for a spatial analysis. This research redefines pedestrian-vehicular conflict as “the pedestrian contact with potentially harmful vehicular traffic”, rather than accidents. Based on this definition devise a methodology. The primary data collection method adopted to collect causal factors related to spatial data was, photographs. The spatial data were analysed by using QGIS platform. The pedestrian volume models are constructed by a space syntax framework and correlated with a composite choropleth map to get the potential conflicting points. A perception survey was carried out to confirm the spatial analysis. The research findings indicate that the methodology developed can be used to identify built environment factors related risk areas spatially. Consequently, it is possible to fill the research gap by introducing a low-cost, widely applicable, impartial, spatial and perception-based methodology that assesses the built environmental characteristics in relation to pedestrian-vehicular conflict. This research would support the urban planners and designers, allowing them to comprehend the risk related nature of pedestrian-vehicular conflict in their urban planning schemes before intervening with plans and designs

Factors related to the risk of pedestrian fatality after a crash in Spain, 1993–2013

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to quantify the magnitude of association between pedestrian fatalities during the first 24 h after a crash and pedestrian-, driver-, vehicle- and environment-related characteristics in Spain from 1993 to 2013. MethodsData were analyzed for all 203,622 traffic crashes involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle recorded in the Spanish Registry of Road Crashes with Victims. After multiple imputation for missing values, crude (CMRR) and adjusted mortality rate ratios (AMRR) were obtained for each variable with Poisson regression models. ResultsPedestrian risk of death after a crash increased nearly exponentially with pedestrian age. Male sex, committing an infraction and having a physical defect were also associated with a higher risk of death (AMRR 1.27, 95%CI 1.17–1.37 for physical defect). Regarding driver-related factors associated with pedestrian fatalities, visual defects (AMRR 1.21, 95%CI 1.08–1.37) and the commission of a speed infraction (AMRR 2.59, 95%CI 2.43–2.76) increased the risk. Heavy vehicles (trucks, vans, buses) and the presence of passengers were also associated with a higher risk of pedestrian death. The risk of pedestrian death was lower for crashes that occurred between 12:00 and 14:00, in good light conditions, at intersections, and when the pedestrian was on a sidewalk. Risk was higher in crashes in rural areas with fewer than 5000 inhabitants. ConclusionsWe identified several factors strongly associated with the risk of pedestrian fatality; some of these factors are analyzed here for the first time. This knowledge is potentially useful in the design and prioritization of measures intended to increase pedestrian safety.

Does host socio-spatial behavior lead to a fine-scale spatial genetic structure in its associated parasites?

Gastro-intestinal nematodes, especially Haemonchus contortus, are widespread pathogenic parasites of small ruminants. Studying their spatial genetic structure is as important as studying host genetic structure to fully understand host-parasite interactions and transmission patterns. For parasites having a simple life cycle (e.g., monoxenous parasites), gene flow and spatial genetic structure are expected to strongly rely on the socio-spatial behavior of their hosts. Based on five microsatellite loci, we tested this hypothesis for H. contortus sampled in a wild Mediterranean mouflon population (Ovis gmelini musimon × Ovis sp.) in which species- and environment-related characteristics have been found to generate socio-spatial units. We nevertheless found that their parasites had no spatial genetic structure, suggesting that mouflon behavior was not enough to limit parasite dispersal in this study area and/or that other ecological and biological factors were involved in this process, for example other hosts, the parasite life cycle, or the study area history.

A comparison of freeway median crash frequency, severity, and barrier strike outcomes by median barrier type

Median-crossover crashes are among the most hazardous events that can occur on freeways, often resulting in severe or fatal injuries. The primary countermeasure to reduce the occurrence of such crashes is the installation of a median barrier. When installation of a median barrier is warranted, transportation agencies are faced with the decision among various alternatives including concrete barriers, beam guardrail, or high-tension cable barriers. Each barrier type differs in terms of its deflection characteristics upon impact, the required installation and maintenance costs, and the roadway characteristics (e.g., median width) where installation would be feasible. This study involved an investigation of barrier performance through an in-depth analysis of crash frequency and severity data from freeway segments where high-tension cable, thrie-beam, and concrete median barriers were installed. A comprehensive manual review of crash reports was conducted to identify crashes in which a vehicle left the roadway and encroached into the median. This review also involved an examination of crash outcomes when a barrier strike occurred, which included vehicle containment, penetration, or re-direction onto the travel lanes. The manual review of crash reports provided critical supplementary information through narratives and diagrams not normally available through standard fields on police crash report forms. Statistical models were estimated to identify factors that affect the frequency, severity, and outcomes of median-related crashes, with particular emphases on differences between segments with varying median barrier types. Several roadway-, traffic-, and environmental-related characteristics were found to affect these metrics, with results varying across the different barrier types. The results of this study provide transportation agencies with important guidance as to the in-service performance of various types of median barrier.

Association Between Work-Related Stress and Coronary Heart Disease: A Review of Prospective Studies Through the Job Strain, Effort-Reward Balance, and Organizational Justice Models.

Work‐related stress is an example of a psychosocial risk factor that has become of interest in today's ever‐demanding, fast‐paced, and globalized society, although its link to adverse health and in particular coronary heart disease (CHD) is incompletely understood. In this review, we will

Emotional intimacy with nature and life & intellectual interest in life of pre-service biology teachers for environmental education

We investigated emotional intimacy with nature and life, and intellectual interest in life among South Korean pre-service teachers (N = 114) training in biology education, analysing the differences between these two constructs as well as their relationship to environmental behaviour and sensitivity. In addition, differences in the respondents’ experiences of nature, concerns about environmental problems and willingness to perform environmental education were explored. Four groups of pre-service biology teachers, categorised by the two investigated personal variables, showed different responses for the environment-related characteristics and other variables. Our results suggest that biology teachers should have higher emotional and intellectual interest in nature and life, and a balance between emotional intimacy with nature and life, and intellectual interest in life is needed to prepare them.

AN INITIAL DESIGN OF ISO 19152:2012 LADM BASED VALUATION AND TAXATION DATA MODEL

Abstract. A fiscal registry or database is supposed to record geometric, legal, physical, economic, and environmental characteristics in relation to property units, which are subject to immovable property valuation and taxation. Apart from procedural standards, there is no internationally accepted data standard that defines the semantics of fiscal databases. The ISO 19152:2012 Land Administration Domain Model (LADM), as an international land administration standard focuses on legal requirements, but considers out of scope specifications of external information systems including valuation and taxation databases. However, it provides a formalism which allows for an extension that responds to the fiscal requirements. This paper introduces an initial version of a LADM – Fiscal Extension Module for the specification of databases used in immovable property valuation and taxation. The extension module is designed to facilitate all stages of immovable property taxation, namely the identification of properties and taxpayers, assessment of properties through single or mass appraisal procedures, automatic generation of sales statistics, and the management of tax collection, dealing with arrears and appeals. It is expected that the initial version will be refined through further activities held by a possible joint working group under FIG Commission 7 (Cadastre and Land Management) and FIG Commission 9 (Valuation and the Management of Real Estate) in collaboration with other relevant international bodies.

Changes in Individual and Social Environmental Characteristics in Relation to Changes in Physical Activity: a Longitudinal Study from Primary to Secondary School.

Physical activity (PA) strongly decreases when children make the transition from primary to secondary school. The study aimed to investigate how individual and social environmental factors toward PA changed when children (11-12years) made the transition from primary to secondary school (13-14years) and how changes in these factors were related to changes in different PA domains. In total, 321 children (48.9% girls) and one of their parents both filled out a questionnaire concerning individual (i.e., attitude, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and barriers of PA) and social environmental factors related to PA (parental support, friend's co-participation, parental trust in child's ability to be physically active, and social norm) in the last grade of primary school and 2years later. Children wore an activity monitor for 7days and self-reported different domains of PA. Most individual and social factors became less positive toward PA after the transition to secondary school. Among girls, a more positive attitude and an increase in self-efficacy were related to an increase in average daily steps and sports during leisure, respectively. Among boys, a decrease in perceived barriers (lack of time and parental reported lack of transportation to sport activities) was related to a decrease in average daily steps. An increase in parental support and a decrease in the parental perceived barrier of not liking sports were related to an increase in sports during leisure. The prevention of adverse changes in individual and social factors toward physical activity may lead to a smaller decrease or an increase in physical activity.

A Study on the Work Environment and VDT Syndrome in Radiation Technologists Working in the Area of 3D Processing

As the frequency of use of VDT has increased in the hospitals, related diseases have been found to occur. Especially among the radiologists who perform 3D operations, there has been a gradual increase in the number of reported cases of VDT diseases. Hence, this study performed surveys among radiologists working in the area of 3D processing operations in MRI rooms, CT rooms, PACS rooms, and radiation oncology treatment planning offices to determine the symptoms and work conditions of radiologists suffering from VDT syndrome. It was also found that work environment related characteristics had an effect on VDT syndrome (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis between general characteristics and work environment related characteristics of radiologists suffering from VDT syndrome, it was found that both showed a positive correlation. A positive correlation was only observed in the questions on how 3D operation affected health (p<0.05). In this study, the following result was obtained: There is a need for promotion and education to prevent VDT syndrome symptoms in order to improve the problems related to the work environment of 3D processing workspace.

A random forest approach for predicting the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis intermediate host Ochotona spp. presence in relation to landscape characteristics in western China

Understanding distribution patterns of hosts implicated in the transmission of zoonotic disease remains a key goal of parasitology. Here, random forests are employed to model spatial patterns of the presence of the plateau pika (Ochotona spp.) small mammal intermediate host for the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis which is responsible for a significant burden of human zoonoses in western China. Landsat ETM + satellite imagery and digital elevation model data were utilized to generate quantified measures of environmental characteristics across a study area in Sichuan Province, China. Land cover maps were generated identifying the distribution of specific land cover types, with landscape metrics employed to describe the spatial organisation of land cover patches. Random forests were used to model spatial patterns of Ochotona spp. presence, enabling the relative importance of the environmental characteristics in relation to Ochotona spp. presence to be ranked. An index of habitat aggregation was identified as the most important variable in influencing Ochotona spp. presence, with area of degraded grassland the most important land cover class variable. 71% of the variance in Ochotona spp. presence was explained, with a 90.98% accuracy rate as determined by ‘out-of-bag’ error assessment. Identification of the environmental characteristics influencing Ochotona spp. presence enables us to better understand distribution patterns of hosts implicated in the transmission of Em. The predictive mapping of this Em host enables the identification of human populations at increased risk of infection, enabling preventative strategies to be adopted.

Place and food insecurity: a critical review and synthesis of the literature.

In some high-income countries, a sizeable proportion of households are estimated to be food insecure. It is well known that food insecurity varies between countries and is strongly tied to household income level. The local environment may be another level of influence, which has been relatively understudied. The present review sought to synthesize and critically appraise the existing literature examining local environmental characteristics in relation to individual/household-level food insecurity in the general population. A systematic search strategy was used to search MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-process and Other Non-indexed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Social Services Abstracts and Sociological Abstracts databases for studies examining local place characteristic(s) in relation to self-reported food insecurity. Studies could be experimental or observational, but had to be published in a peer-reviewed journal in French or English, and involve individuals from developed countries. 'Place' was defined locally, as ranging from the street to the county level. The target population for the review included non-institutionalized individuals in the general population. After obtaining full-text articles, eighteen primary studies met the eligibility criteria. Most studies were conducted in the USA and all but one was cross-sectional. Seven of the eleven studies that examined location of residence found that rural living was inversely associated with food insecurity. Mixed results were seen for other place measures such as social capital and distance to food stores. Studies were heterogeneous and had various limitations that preclude definitive conclusions from being drawn. Recommendations for future research are provided.