External Environmental Factors Research Articles

Systematic Literature Review on Knowledge-Driven Approaches for Construction Safety Analysis and Accident Prevention

Due to its inherent complexities in the process and the dynamic interactions with external environmental factors, the construction industry is widely considered one of the most hazardous industries worldwide. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), construction safety management practices have increasingly used knowledge-driven approaches. Such incorporation of knowledge-based methods has led to significant improvements in various elements of construction safety management systems, including hazard identification and risk assessment, selection of risk mitigation strategies, analysis of accident information, sharing of health and safety knowledge, access to regulations, and identification of applicable safety requirements. Against this background, this paper presents a systematic literature review to provide an overview of the current state of the art in the use of knowledge-driven approaches in construction safety management. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) procedure, this study reviews how the knowledge-driven approach is utilized in the construction safety management field to automate different activities that come under it. Journal papers published from 2000 were considered for this review, and the analysis focused on the contributions of research, the evolution of knowledge-driven approaches, sources of incorporated knowledge, methods of system development, yearly publications, and publication by journals. The results provide a comparison of related studies over two decades and offer insights into trends and gaps in this research field. Notably, the trend analysis shows a dramatic increase in the number, as well as the depth, of research efforts utilizing AI techniques for analyzing unstructured data, such as construction images and texts from construction documents, and drawing data-based decisions for accident prevention.

The primary care in providing care for inflammatory bowel diseases: PEST analysis

Aim of the study. The study of macroeconomic (external) environmental factors influencing primary healthcare level as the main link in routing a patient with inflammatory bowel diseases and providing quality care.Materials and methods. The opinion of three experts on 4 groups of indicators (political, economic, social and technological) in the context of their impact on the outpatient level of care for inflammatory bowel diseases in the next 3-5 years is analyzed. All factors were taken into account based on the strength of their influence (from 1 to 3) and the probability of variability. Then, according to the methodology, a weight-adjusted score was determined.Results and discussion. The analysis of environmental factors on the effectiveness of medical care for inflammatory bowel diseases in primary health care has shown the importance of both technological factors (availability of information systems, telemedicine technologies, innovative techniques), political (related to the regulation of the health system at the Ministry level, the existing Standard, labor policy, the level of knowledge of doctors and preventive measures) and economic (financing of the system health care, developed infrastructure, income of the population and accessibility of services); socio-cultural factors are slightly less significant, primarily related to joint responsibility for the health of citizens, the level of education of the population, the degree of trust in medicine and the existing inflated expectations of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.Conclusions. The analysis showed an obviously significant influence of technological, political and economic factors on the quality of care provided for inflammatory bowel diseases in primary health care. It is obvious that socio-cultural factors, primarily related to joint responsibility for the health of citizens, the level of education of the population, the degree of trust in medicine and the existing high expectations of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, are comparatively less significant for the quality of care provided.

Features of proinflammatory activation of macrophages in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) are chronic pathological conditions that arise from an abnormal immune response and are accompanied by systemic inflammation. The most common ARDs include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). The exact pathogenesis of ARDs remains unclear, but the complex influence of genetic, immunological and external environmental factors leads to the occurrence and further progression of ARDs. It has been shown that the cause of chronic inflammation may be proinflammatory activation of macrophages, in which an increase in the secretion of cytokines is observed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response of macrophages in patients with RA, SLE and SSc. Materials and methods. The study included 143 participants: 47 patients with RA, 45 patients with SLE, 34 patients with SSc, and 17 people without ARDs and other chronic diseases. Isolation of a primary culture of monocytes was carried out by centrifugation in a ficoll gradient using magnetic separation from the whole blood of study participants. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to stimulate cells along the proinflammatory pathway. Cell cultivation was carried out for 24 hours. Determination of basal and LPS-stimulated secretion of IL-8 by macrophages was carried out in the culture fluid using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Proinflammatory activation of macrophages was calculated as the ratio of LPS-stimulated and basal IL-8 secretion. Research results. Basal secretion of IL-8 by macrophages was statistically significantly higher in the groups of patients with RA and SSc compared with the SLE and control groups. LPS-stimulated secretion of IL-8 by macrophages in the SSc group had statistically higher values compared to the RA and SLE groups. Proinflammatory activation of macrophages was reduced in the group of patients with RA compared to patients with SLE and the control group, and was also statistically significantly lower in patients with SSc compared to the control group.

Successional changes in aphyllophorales macromycetes at different stages of coniferous xylolysis

The state of modern protective plantations in coniferous-deciduous forests of the Non-Chernozem zone is characterized by great heterogeneity. Currently, both protective forest plantations and protective tree plantations are managed by an extensive method, often without taking into account biological relationships in the agrophytocenosis. Successional changes in Aphyllophorales macromycetes (AFMM) at different stages of xylolysis of large tree debris represent a complex biochemical process. The limiting conditions for the active growth of fungal mycelium inside wood include light, access to moisture and air, violations in water transport. As mycogenic xylolysis develops, there is an increase in the biodiversity of AFMM species, which reaches a maximum at stage III–IV. On a large data set of 332 model trees and 3,543 basidiomes of xylotrophic basidiomycetes, the presence of correlations between the settlement on the substrate of various ecological groups of AFMM involved in xylolysis was established. It has also been shown that the fruit bodies of fungi are actively formed under conditions of abiotic stress and their number increases in subsequent seasons. When using AFMM as indicators of the xylolysis stage of coniferous species, it is necessary to take into account that the development of mycelium depends on the structural features of the wood. The course of mycelium development in the trunk cross-section is associated with both the action of external environmental factors and interference processes between species. At the same time, the frequency of basidioma formation and their age are of great importance in field identification.

Microplastics: Features of appearance, identification methods (subject review)

Polymer packaging materials have become firmly embedded in our way of life. They are used in the manufacture of household items, as well as in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and automotive industries. Production and application of polymer packaging are expanding rapidly encompassing various spheres of the industry. According to Plastics Europe Market Research Group (PEMRG), global plastics production reached 348 million tons in 2017 and is likely to reach 33 billion tons by 2050. At the same time, about 26 million tons of plastic waste are generated annually on the territory of the European Union (EU), of which only 30% is collected for recycling. Despite this, in many countries of the world, including Russia, more than 50% of polymer materials are disposed of at landfills, where under the influence of external environmental factors (temperature, humidity), their destruction occurs with the formation of huge quantities of micro- and nanoplastics. Most people do not consider the environmental problems associated with microplastics to be serious. However, many studies aimed at in-depth study of this problem have proved that micro- and nanoplastics have significant negative effects on terrestrial and marine animals, as well as on human health, whether directly or indirectly. The identification of microplastics in various model environments and living systems is usually based on the use of infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectrophotometry. Each of the methods has its advantages and disadvantages, mainly related to sample preparation to improve the accuracy of identification. This review is devoted to the problem of formation and identification of microplastics in various natural objects.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Logistic Performance Among Registered Freight and Forwarding Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to establish the environmental factors affecting logistics performance among registered freight forwarding firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives comprised of examining the effect of the internal environment, external environment and firm size on the logistic performance of registered freight forwarding firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methodology: This study used a descriptive research design. The study targeted 1676 managing director and senior departmental level managers drawn from the registered freight and forwarding firms. Data was collected using questionnaires. The collected data was entered into SPSS 28 analytical tool where it was coded and analysed. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was applied. Findings: The findings showed that firm size had a positive and significant moderating effect on the relationship between environmental factors and performance of registered freight and forwarding firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study concludes that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between internal environment factors and logistic performance. The study shows that while the structural aspects are important, the cultural and leadership elements play a more pivotal role in enhancing logistic performance. The study further concludes that external environment factors have a positive and significant effect on logistic performance. The study notes that infrastructure, policy and technology are crucial, but the potential benefits of technology may not be fully realized or uniformly adopted across the firms. The study also concludes that firms of all sizes can potentially achieve high logistic performance by focusing on effective resource utilization, strategic market analysis, and continuous development efforts. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommends that the policymakers should focus on simplifying documentation and customs procedures to reduce delays and improve the overall efficiency of logistic operations. The government should invest and increase support in research and development. The study also recommends that firms should establish clear communication policies that foster teamwork and engagement since encouraging participatory engagement and keeping employees informed of shared goals can spur productivity. Logistical firms should also invest in resources including human resource and financial resources. The firm should recruit and retain adequate and competent personnel to meet organizational goals as well as mobilize financial resources effectively to support investments in technology and infrastructure.

Childhood trauma impacts internalizing problems in early adulthood: the affective implications of olfactory dysfunctions

Early detection and prevention of internalizing problems demand a thorough exploration of latent vulnerabilities before clinical symptoms emerge. Limited research attention has been paid to the influence of olfactory perception, a flexible factor intricately linked to emotional processing and external environmental factors. This study sought to examine the mediating role of olfactory function in the relationship between childhood trauma, encompassing both dimensions of child abuse and neglect, and internalizing problems. A total of 1661 individuals (801 males, Meanage = 21.67 years) participated in wave 1, with 327 participants (152 males, Meanage = 21.8 1 years) included in the follow-up wave 2 three months later. Online questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Self-reported Olfactory Disorder Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and General Anxiety Disorder-7, were administered. Mediation tests were conducted using Mplus 8. Our findings revealed a significant mediating effect of olfactory dysfunction between childhood trauma and adult internalizing problems in wave 1 (B = 0.224, 95% CI [0.167, 0.294]). Childhood trauma heightened vulnerability to olfactory dysfunction (B = 0.721, 95% CI [0.671, 0.724]), subsequently exacerbating internalizing problems (B = 0.311, 95% CI [0.226, 0.408]). This effect persisted in longitudinal data (abuse: B = 0.686, p < 0.001; neglect: B = 0.200, p < 0.001). Regarding internalizing problems influenced by olfactory function, childhood abuse had a greater impact compared to childhood neglect (wave 1: χ2 = 56.012, p < 0.001; wave 2: χ2 = 5.156, p = 0.023). This study found that olfactory dysfunction mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and internalizing problems, contributing valuable insights into psychopathology and the early identification of symptoms related to internalizing problems.

Enhanced thermal modeling of power transformers: A comparison of bond graph and IEEE methods considering external environmental factors

The optimal and secure operation of electrical power system is largely affected by the reliability of power transformers in operational and economic terms. The continuous monitoring of power transformer is crucial for ensuring the quality of electrical power supply. Hence, the thermal modeling of power transformer is very essential to prevent their failure. This paper aims to design thermal models of operating power transformer by considering the two external influencing parameters of solar irradiation and wind flow. This paper presents a Bond Graph (BG) method-based design of thermal models for power transformer under operating condition by comparison with the results obtained from IEEE Std. based thermal models and also with the practical readings. The models have been implemented on a 5MVA, 33/11 kV power transformer running at 33 kV Substation, Sardarpura, Jodhpur, by initially considering the input hourly dataset of load and ambient temperature. The designed thermal models were subsequently updated by integrating the impact of solar radiation and wind incident on the surface of power transformer. Comparative study of all the designed thermal models has been done that indicates improved accuracy of the model if the impact of solar radiation and wind flow are included. Also, the effectiveness of the BG based thermal models in accurately predicting the system behaviour validates their applicability for real world engineering applications.

Extraction of deterioration and analysis of vegetation impact effects on the south palace wall of Weiyang Palace

Weiyang Palace, the royal palace of the Western Han Dynasty, is a part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor on the World Heritage list. The south palace wall of Weiyang Palace is a well-preserved earthen heritage site within the palace, but it is undergoing continuous deterioration due to the influence of vegetation and external environmental factors. This study pioneers the integration of high-resolution three-dimensional LiDAR scanning with multi-source data analysis, including unprecedented on-site botanical surveys, to explore the subtle effects of different vegetation types on the structural integrity of the south palace wall. Through contour line analysis and facade grid analysis, we extracted the deterioration locations of typical sections of the earthen heritage sites. And we classified the overlying vegetation types on the wall using an object-oriented classification algorithm. Our findings reveal a complex interaction between vegetation and earthen structures: paper mulberry exhibits protective qualities against erosion, while Ziziphus jujuba significantly exacerbates structural vulnerabilities. The methodologies applied in this study for extracting deterioration at earthen heritage sites and integrating multi-source spatial data can serve as a technical application model for monitoring and analyzing the driving forces of earthen heritage sites along the entire Silk Road network, thereby better guiding the conservation of earthen heritage sites.

Quantitative simulation and validation of energy carbon emission efficiency changes in Chinese urban agglomerations

In the context of the global energy dilemma, enhancing energy efficiency has inevitably become a pivotal strategy for mitigating energy waste and promoting sustainable development. Urban agglomerations, as growth poles leading high-quality regional economic development, play a significant role in this process. Within these urban agglomerations, the aggregation of various factors and the substitution of energy resources substantially influence the energy carbon emission efficiency (ECEE) of surrounding cities during their development and maturation phases. This study initially employs a three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to quantitatively analyze the ECEE values of 19 urban agglomerations from 2006 to 2020. It then establishes a methodology for calculating the joint intensity (JI) and joint threshold (JT) of ECEE within these urban agglomerations. Finally, a validation process is executed using MATLAB simulation and verification methodology to fit and authenticate the evolutionary patterns of ECEE in Chinese urban agglomerations. The primary objective of this research is to model the evolution of ECEE, thereby exploring the sustainable development pathways for urban agglomerations in China. The research findings indicate that: (1) The results from the three-stage DEA demonstrate that, after removing the influences of external environmental factors and random errors, the comprehensive technical efficiency (TE) of energy carbon emissions for the 19 urban agglomerations in China experienced a wave-like increase, rising from 0.410 to 0.506 between 2006 and 2020. (2) The calculation results of the constructed JI model indicate that the JT values of ECEE for national-level, regional-level, and local-level urban agglomerations are 1006.92, 226.60, and 160.14, respectively. The national-level urban agglomerations have significantly higher JT values and JI than the other two levels of urban agglomerations. (3) The results of the Matlab simulation verification show that 16 urban agglomerations fit well with the wave-like ascending evolutionary pattern. However, four urban agglomerations exhibit an opposite fitting effect due to the influence of their pillar industries or the small number of cities within these accumulations, making them unrepresentative. Consequently, the evolutionary curve of ECEE in Chinese urban agglomerations generally exhibits a wave-like upward trend over time.

Impact of Wind Speed on Vibration Levels in Water Cooling Systems

This study explores the intricate relationship between wind speed and structural vibrations, with a particular focus on water cooling systems in oil plants. Water cooling is a vital process in the oil and gas industry, used to dissipate excess heat generated during operations such as refining and petrochemical production. The efficient functioning of these systems is crucial to prevent overheating, which can lead to equipment failure and operational inefficiencies. The research utilizes a comprehensive dataset collected over six months, comprising 8688 observations, to perform a regression analysis that quantifies the impact of wind speed on vibration levels. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation, suggesting that as wind speed increases, so does the vibration within the system. This correlation highlights the influence of wind-induced forces on structural dynamics, potentially exacerbating mechanical wear and risking structural integrity. By understanding these dynamics, engineers can design more robust and resilient cooling systems capable of withstanding external environmental factors like wind. The results of this study provide essential insights for improving the design and maintenance strategies of water cooling systems, ensuring their efficiency and reliability in oil plants, especially in wind-prone regions. To evaluate the system's condition, vibration levels are continuously monitored and analyzed using key criteria such as mechanical stability, vibration intensity, and the system’s ability to maintain operational efficiency under varying wind conditions. These insights help identify critical points where vibrations could compromise the cooling system's performance. This methodology ensures a comprehensive assessment of how wind-induced forces affect system stability

Weathering words: a virtual reality study of environmental influence on reading dynamics.

Reading is a fundamental cognitive activity that is influenced by both textual and external environmental factors, although the latter has been less thoroughly explored. This study aims to examine the impact of environmental visual conditions on reading performance using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. We conducted two experiments to assess the effects of visual contrast and simulated weather conditions on reading dynamics. In Experiment 1, we measured single-word recognition speed using a lexical decision task under different visual contrasts and weather conditions. In Experiment 2, we assessed reading dynamics during a sentence reading task, analyzing how visual contrast and simulated sunny versus rainy weather conditions affected reading behavior, particularly focusing on reading speed and eye fixations. In Experiment 1, high visual contrast, particularly under sunny conditions, significantly enhanced single-word recognition speed, indicating a notable influence of environmental visual conditions. In Experiment 2, visual contrast had minimal effect on sentence reading; however, sunny weather facilitated faster reading times, while rainy scenarios increased the number of eye fixations. These findings suggest that environmental factors, such as weather conditions, can significantly affect reading behavior. The study contributes to the understanding of key environmental influences on reading in everyday life contexts and has implications for the ergonomic design of reading materials, especially for outdoor settings and VR environments. Additionally, the integration of controlled stimuli within VR increases the ecological validity of reading research, underscoring the potential of VR as a powerful tool for cognitive research.

Bolt loosening status classification via wave energy dissipation measurements with temperature-compensated deep learning by piezoelectric active sensing

Abstract In industrial applications, bolts, serving as crucial components, endure substantial loads and are susceptible to loosening problems exacerbated by intricate external environmental factors. The active sensing method based on wave energy dissipation exhibits pronounced sensitivity to axial load fluctuations in bolts and demonstrates extensive applicability, with its measurement indicators directly applicable for discerning the bolt’s status. However, environmental factors, notably temperature, can significantly influence signal energy measurements, and the oversight of temperature impact may result in erroneous state discrimination. To tackle this challenge, this paper introduces a cascaded model comprising a temperature compensation subnetwork and a bolt state discrimination subnetwork. The temperature compensation subnetwork takes temperature and signal energy as inputs and outputs the temperature-compensated signal energy, and conveys the outcomes to the bolt state discrimination subnetwork for state classification. In model design, we quantitatively analyzed the number of convolutional blocks and training epochs for the temperature compensation subnetwork with the aim of enhancing the model’s generalization ability, ultimately determining the model architecture. By comparing the experimental results between a single-task model and a model incorporating the temperature compensation subnetwork, we verified the effectiveness of the temperature compensation subnetwork. The experimental outcomes demonstrate that the proposed cascaded model achieved a state classification accuracy of 98.6% on over 1300 temperature-generalized data points. To comprehensively assess our approach, we conducted detailed comparisons with other bolt loosening monitoring methods, elucidating the effectiveness based on data trends and model design. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed temperature compensation cascaded model accurately identifies bolt states amidst complex temperature variations.

Project management analysis-based on Shanghai Disney

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the project management strategies employed during the development of Shanghai Disneyland. It utilizes three key analytical tools: PESTLE, SWOT, and Fishbone Diagram, to assess various aspects of the project. The PESTLE analysis evaluates the external environment, including political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors, which influenced the park's successful completion. The SWOT analysis identifies the project's internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats it faced. Additionally, the Fishbone Diagram highlights critical challenges, such as financing, technology, and localization, that contributed to delays in project progress. The findings of this study demonstrate how effective project management, supported by government partnerships and market demand, facilitated Shanghai Disneyland's establishment as a globally significant theme park. However, the paper also underscores the importance of addressing localization and financial sustainability to ensure long-term success. The analysis provides valuable insights into managing large-scale, culturally complex projects.

Analysis of the List of Risks Affecting the Verification of Measuring Instruments

The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the risks accompanying the process of verification of measuring instruments in metrological services. Risks are analyzed within the framework of a holistic risk and opportunity management system aimed at identifying and managing potential threats and opportunities affecting the achievement of the ultimate goals of the organization. Risk is defined as a possible negative event that could affect project performance and is evaluated by probability of occurrence and possible consequences. The objectives of risk and opportunity management are aimed at ensuring the achievement of the capabilities of the metrology service under conditions of uncertainty. Effective risk assessment of the process of verification of measuring instruments requires a comprehensive approach. In this regard, in the course of the study the regulatory framework was considered, regulating activities in the field of ensuring the uniformity of measurements, identified internal and external environmental factors affecting the process of verification of measuring instruments, identified stakeholders in the field of metrology services. Procedures for risk identification, analysis, assessment and management have been developed within the system. The list of typical risks and opportunities in the process of verification of measuring instruments in the relationship with environmental factors and possible consequences for the organization is compiled. The developed list of potential risks and opportunities is typical for the process of verification of measuring instruments and therefore can be recommended to employees of metrological services of enterprises. With its help it is possible to assess in advance the potential risks and opportunities in the metrological field and to achieve a more effective result by minimizing the negative consequences.

ТЕОРЕТИКО-МЕТОДИЧНІ ОСНОВИ УПРАВЛІННЯ АСОРТИМЕНТОМ ПРОДУКЦІЇ

The article substantiates the importance of managing the range of products in the general management system. It is noted that the assortment policy of a business entity depends on its mission, the developed strategy and tactics, and on the other hand, the assortment policy affects the formation of strategy and determines the tactical decisions of business entities. It is justified that the formation and implementation of the assortment policy of business entities requires a clear idea of the strategic goals of economic activity; clear understanding of one's own capabilities, analysis of the external environment, industry and market trends. It is justified that in the product assortment management system it is advisable to follow the algorithm / procedure for evaluating and improving the assortment structure, which clearly structures the work on the performance of tasks, removes the need to spend time and resources on periodic assignment of tasks to specialists of structural units, etc. The algorithm provides certainty regarding: 1) the frequency of evaluation of the range of products by the business entity; 2) methods on the basis of which the existing assortment structure of production and feasibility of production of potentially new types of products that can be introduced into production will be evaluated; 3) responsible persons (specialists of the structural unit/department) for performing assortment evaluation procedures and preparing conclusions/working out draft decisions regarding the assortment. A model of formation/adjustment of the assortment portfolio of business entities is proposed. Making managerial decisions according to the model should be based on the results of assessing the impact of external environmental factors, the existing assortment structure, the feasibility of introducing new types of products, and the results of assessing the potential / opportunities for expanding production, forecasting and planning, etc.

Ultraviolet Light Causes Skin Cell Senescence: From Mechanism to Prevention Principle.

The skin is an effective protective barrier that significantly protects the body from damage caused by external environmental factors. Furthermore, skin condition significantly affects external beauty. In today's era, which is of material and spiritual prosperity, there is growing attention on skincare and wellness. Ultraviolet radiation is one of the most common external factors that lead to conditions like sunburn, skin cancer, and skin aging. In this review, several mechanisms of UV-induced skin cell senescence are discussed, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which have their own characteristics and mutual effects. As an illustration, mitochondrial dysfunction triggers electron evasion and the generation of more reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which in turn causes mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA) damage. Based on the current mechanism, suitable prevention and treatment strategies are proposed from sunscreen, dietary, and experimental medications respectively, aimed at slowing down skin cell aging and providing protection from ultraviolet radiation. The effects of ultraviolet rays on skin is summarized, offering insights and directions for future studies on mechanism of skin cell senescence, with an anticipation of discovering more effective prevention and cure methods.

Global meta‐analysis reveals the drivers of gut microbiome variation across vertebrates

AbstractShifts in gut microbial diversity and structure are one route by which vertebrate hosts adapt to local environmental conditions. However, recent studies have mostly been limited to a single species, small sample sizes, or restricted geographic ranges. Therefore, drawing a global picture of vertebrate gut microbiome diversity, community structure, and determinants for their adaptive shifts remains to be elucidated. We here collected 6508 samples from 113 vertebrate species covering diverse classes, feeding behaviors, and host habitats based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that host diet pattern had a significant impact on gut microbiome variation, which might drive taxonomic and functional contents of gut microbiome across vertebrates. Of note, the phylum Fusobacteria were enriched in carnivorous vertebrate gut while herbivorous vertebrate gut selectively increased the abundance of Verrucomicrobia. Also, climate factors were strongly associated with gut microbiome variation across vertebrates. Interestingly, we found that the abundance of microbiota belonging to Bacteroidetes increased gradually while the members from Proteobacteria showed a decreasing trend from high‐ to low‐latitude zones, potentially contributing to vertebrate adaptation to local climate condition. Additionally, we comprehensively deciphered the common antibiotic resistomes and their potential mobility between terrestrial vertebrate gut microbiome (n = 487) and their sympatric soil biological environment samples (n = 203) by integrating metagenomic sequencing datasets. Particularly, potential horizontal antibiotic resistance genes (e.g., bacA) transfers were detected between vertebrates gut microbiome and their sympatric soil biological environment. Together, our findings provide new evidence of how external environmental factors affect vertebrate gut microbiome variation.

Seasonal variations in composition and function of gut microbiota in grazing yaks: Implications for adaptation to dietary shift on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Gut microbiome of animals is affected by external environmental factors and can assist them in adapting to changing environments effectively. Consequently, elucidating the gut microbes of animals under different environmental conditions can provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of their adaptations to environmental change, with a particular focus on animals in extreme environments. In this study, we compared the structural and functional differences of the gut microbiome of grazing yaks between the summer and winter seasons through metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The results indicated that the composition and function of microbes changed significantly. The study demonstrated an increase in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) in winter, this process facilitated the adaptation of yaks to the consumption of low-nutrient forages in the winter. Furthermore, the network structure exhibited greater complexity in the winter. Forage nutrition exhibited a significant seasonal variation, with a notable impact on the gut microbiota. The metagenomic analysis revealed an increase in the abundance of enzymes related to amino acid metabolism, axillary activity, and mucin degradation in the winter. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the gut microbiome of grazing yaks exhibits several adaptive characteristics that facilitate better nutrient accessibility and acid the host in acclimating to the harsh winter conditions. Furthermore, our study offers novel insights into the mechanisms of highland animal adaptation to external environments from the perspective of the gut microbiome.

The synergistic potential of polyethylene glycol 400 for the control of Hyphantria cunea larvae by Beauveria bassiana

The efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi as pest control agents is constrained by both their physiological state and external environmental factors. This study identified synergists capable of enhancing the insecticidal activity of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) and investigated the underlying synergistic mechanisms. Our results found that among 6 potential synergists, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG) and trehalose significantly improved Bb's lethality against Hyphantria cunea larvae, with PEG demonstrating the most pronounced effect. PEG treatment markedly increased Bb spore adhesion and germination rates, while spore hydrophobicity and growth rates remained unaffected. Moreover, PEG-treated spores exhibited higher thermal tolerance compared to untreated ones. In the Bb + PEG treatment group, the hemocyte count, encapsulation and melanization activities, and the expression of related regulatory genes were significantly lower than those in the Bb treatment group. Additionally, pathogen recognition, signal transduction, and humoral immunity effector genes expression were markedly suppressed in the Bb + PEG group. A significant reduction in the content of total amino acids, free fatty acids, glucose, and trehalose, alongside decreased expression of key regulatory genes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glycolysis pathways, was observed in the Bb + PEG treatment group. Furthermore, PEG enhanced Bb-induced apoptosis in H. cunea larvae, as evidenced by the upregulation of apoptosis-related genes. Notably, PEG alone did not significantly impact the innate immunity, energy metabolism, or apoptosis in H. cunea larvae. Overall, PEG exhibits considerable potential in amplifying Bb's insecticidal activity by directly optimizing spore performance and indirectly modulating the larvae's innate immunity, energy metabolism, and apoptosis.