General Increase Research Articles

Sex and Gender Publications in Brain Health: A Mapping Review of the Asia-Pacific Region

Introduction: Reporting of sex and gender analysis in medical research has been shown to improve quality of the science and ensure findings are applicable to women and men. There is conflicting evidence on whether efforts by funding agencies and medical journals to encourage reporting of sex and gender analysis have resulted in tangible improvements. This study mapped the inclusion of sex and gender analysis in stroke and dementia research conducted in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A systematic search for Asia-Pacific stroke and dementia research was conducted in PubMed and papers included from the period 2012 to 2022. Eligible studies were reviewed for inclusion of a primary sex or gender focus and categorized by type of sex and gender analysis. Author gender was determined using an algorithm and its associations with inclusion of sex and gender analysis were examined. Results: Total Asia-Pacific publications increased from 109 in 2012 to 313 in 2022, but the rate of studies with a primary sex or gender focus did not increase significantly (R2 = 0.06, F(1, 9) = 0.59, p = 0.46). Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea produced the most publications over the study period and were the only countries with at least 50 publications. The impact of author gender was mixed, with female first authorship associated with inclusion of sex or gender analysis and last female authorship associated with studies having a primary sex or gender focus. Conclusions: In the Asia-Pacific, brain health research is currently centred around high-income countries, and efforts are needed to ensure research findings are applicable throughout the region. While there was a general increase in brain health publications over the last decade, the rate of sex and gender analysis was unchanged. This demonstrates that even with efforts in some countries in place, there is currently a lack of progress in the Asia-Pacific region to produce more research focussing on sex and gender analysis.

Effects of running time on biological activated carbon filters: water purification performance and microbial community evolution.

Ozone-biologically activated carbon (BAC) filtration is an advanced treatment process that can be applied to remove recalcitrant organic micro-pollutants in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). In this study, we continuously monitored a new and an old BAC filter in a DWTP for 1year to compare their water purification performance and microbial community evolution. The results revealed that, compared with the new filter, the use of the old BAC filter facilitated a slightly lower rate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal. In the case of the new BAC filter, we recorded general increases in the biomass and microbial diversity of the biofilm with a prolongation of operating time, with the biomass stabilizing after 7months. For both new and old BAC filters, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla. At the genus level, the microbial community gradually shifted over the course of operation from a predominance of Herminiimonas and Hydrogenophaga to one predominated by Bradyrhizbium, Bryobacter, Hyphomicrobium, and Pedomicrobium, with Bradyrhizobium being established as the most abundant genus in the old BAC filter. Regarding spatial distribution, we detected reductions in the biomass and number of operational taxonomic units with increasing biofilm depth, whereas there was a corresponding increase in microbial diversity. However, compared with the effects of time, the influence of depth on the composition of the biofilm microbial community was considerably smaller. Furthermore, co-occurrence network analysis revealed that the microbial community network of the new filter after 11months of operation was the most tightly connected, although its modular coefficient was the lowest of those assessed. We speculate that the positive and negative interactions within the network may be attributable to symbiotic or competitive relationships among species. Moreover, there may have been a significant negative interaction between SWB02 and Acidovorax, plausibly associated with a competition for substrates.

High-power impulse magnetron sputter deposition of TiBx thin films: Effects of pulse length and peak current density

We report on a systematic study of the effect of pulse length (ton=25−200μs), and peak target current density (JT,peak=0.25−2.0A/cm2) during HiPIMS deposition of AlB2-phase TiBx thin films from a TiB2 target at a pressure of pAr=1.33Pa(10mTorr) and substrate temperature Ts=500°C. All films are under-stoichiometric with B/Ti = 1.36–1.89, with the higher values corresponding to longer pulses and higher JT,peak values. While the deposition flux, including both ions and neutrals, in general increases with increasing ton and JT,peak, the Ti+ ion flux saturates, resulting in the higher B/Ti values under these conditions. Thus, the relative amount of Ti ionization, and the degree to which these ions are guided toward the substrate by magnetic fields, are main modulators determining the composition of TiBx thin films.

STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING STRESS IN STUDENTS

The degree of influence of stressors on our body can be different: from mild excitement in anticipation of, say, a trip on vacation, to a severe psychosomatic disorder of post-traumatic stress. In any case of manifestation of stress, it affects all components of our individuality (individuality itself), such as memory, thinking, language, emotional and volitional sphere. However, this does not mean that stress is only evil, trouble, it is also the most important tool for training and hardening a person, since stress helps to increase the resistance of the psyche and the body in general, training its adaptive mechanisms. Stress is our faithful ally in continuous adaptation to any changes in the environment. For some students, student life is associated with student societies, communication with interesting people, various activities and fun. For others, it is a serious test, a life change, a difficult life situation to which it is necessary to adapt. Students are young and face various problems, new learning conditions require more independence, responsibility, self-organization, and not all students are ready to solve numerous problems and tasks. Which gives life. In any case, studying at a higher educational institution is stressful for many students. The student needs to overcome difficulties, master new roles and modify old ones, adapt to new life conditions.
 There is a lot of evidence that chronic stress is a companion of student life. Researchers note that the causes of stress in students are related to problems of finances, housing, security, etc. The stress experienced by students can affect learning (acquiring, applying, and processing knowledge), which hinders academic performance. Problems with academic performance also create discomfort, as a result of which general stress increases.

Effects of pH Changes on Phytoplankton Biomass

A phytoplankton was incubated for a week to determine the effects of pH changes on its biomass growth in nutrient enrichment incubation samples. In this experiment, a general increase in phytoplankton biomass was observed after 24 hours of incubation, with a similar growth pattern in all incubation samples. By comparing with the same pH range (7.0 to 8.0), Pulau Pangkor (PP) incubation samples achieved the peaks earlier compared to Pulau Redang (PR) samples, although they had a higher increment in biomass. Meanwhile, in extreme pH (4.0 and 9.0) incubation samples, the phytoplankton biomass was observed to thrive well. This present study suggests that the phytoplankton community in Pulau Redang and Pulau Pangkor waters is able to survive in a wide range of pH levels, and the change in ocean pH has no vital impacts on the phytoplankton based on the short-term experiment.

Effect of microwave and oven roasting on chemical composition, bioactive properties, phenolic compounds and fatty acid compositions of sunflower seed and oils

AbstractIn this study, the effects of microwave (540, 720 and 900 W) and oven (120, 150 and 230°C) roasting techniques on the total phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, polyphenolic and fatty acid results of sunflower seed and oils were investigated. Total phenol (except oven 150°C), flavonoid (except oven 120°C) contents and antioxidant activity values of sunflower seeds and oils subjected to oven and microwave heat treatment decreased compared to the control. Total phenolic, total flavonoids and antioxidant activities were higher in MRS oil than ORS oil. Individual phenolic constituent in both seed and oil samples from ORS and MRS showed significant (p < 0.05) changes to the control (non‐roasted seed and its oil). A general increase in the phenolic components of seeds and oils was observed with oven and microwave roasting compared to the control. Oleic acid values (%) of the oil extracted from seeds roasted in oven and microwave systems were recorded to be between 23.76 (120°C) and 29.41% (150°C) to 24.32 (540 W) and 26.10% (720 W), respectively. Linoleic acid values of the oils obtained from seeds roasted in oven and microwave systems varied to be between 57.01 (150°C) and 65.89% (120°C) to 60.70 (720 W) and 65.26% (540 W), respectively. As a result of the applied heat treatment, while the linoleic acid values of the oil samples decreased, an increase was observed in the palmitic, stearic and oleic acid values of the oil.

COVID-19 Increased Mortality Salience, Collectivism, and Subsistence Activities: A Theory-Driven Analysis of Online Adaptation in the United States, Indonesia, Mexico, and Japan

How does a life-threatening pandemic affect a culture? The Theory of Social Change, Cultural Evolution, and Human Development predicts that danger, as indicated by rising death rates and narrowing social worlds, shifts human psychology and behavior toward that found in small-scale, collectivistic, and rural subsistence ecologies. In particular, mortality salience, collectivism, and engagement in subsistence activities should increase as death rates rise and the social world retracts. Studies on the psychological response to the pandemic in the United States confirmed these predicted increases. The present study sought to generalize these previous findings by comparing the frequency of conceptually relevant linguistic terms used in Google searches and Twitter posts in the United States, Japan, Indonesia, and Mexico for 30 days before the coronavirus pandemic began in each country with frequencies of the same terms for 30 days after. Generally, we found that mortality salience increased to the extent that countries experienced excess COVID mortality; collectivism increased to the extent that countries experienced excess COVID mortality and increased mortality salience; and subsistence activities increased to the extent that countries experienced excess COVID mortality and/or stay-at-home-policies. Almost all these increases went beyond the general increase in internet use, which was a control variable in all analyses. These findings support a growing body of research documenting a human response to ecological danger.

Ecological Zoning Based on Value–Risk in the Wuling Mountains Area of Hunan Province

Based on land use data from the Wuling Mountains area of Hunan Province for 2000, 2010, and 2020, we used tools such as frastats4.8 and ArcGIS10.8 to construct a model for assessing ecosystem service value and the ecological risk index. We divided the area into four regions based on ecosystem service value and ecological risk indicators, which served as the foundation for ecological zoning and a proposed strategy for an ecological security pattern that suits the ecology of the region. The results showed a general increase in both ecosystem service value and ecological risk in the study area from 2000 to 2020. The annual ecosystem service value exceeded CNY 300 × 109, with forests providing more than 77% of this value, and the regulating services value accounted for 68% of the total value. The mean ecological risk indexes for the periods of 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 0.0384, 0.0383, and 0.0395, respectively. The sizes of the four zones within the study area remained relatively stable: the ecological barrier zone accounted for more than 53% over three years; the ecological improvement zone, approximately 32%; the ecological control zone comprised 8.62% of the total area in 2000, and this proportion rose to 9.56% in 2020. The ecological conservation zone had the smallest proportion of the total area among the four zones. Our research provides a comprehensive analytical framework for constructing ecological security patterns in other developing countries and offers a new perspective for regional ecological zoning management and conservation planning.

Effects of exposition to glycol ethers on heart rate recovery, parasympathetic modulation and oxygen diffusion at rest and during exercise

Introduction Daily exposition to ether glycols is common. Caretakers using cleaning products are critically exposed by combining physical activity with exposition to highly concentrated products. Previous animal studies showed hemato-, respiratory and autonomic nervous system toxicity amongst others. Yet, no controlled study explored the combination of an exposition to glycol ethers with physical activity in humans. Methods 30 young healthy participants were exposed a control condition (ambient air) and to one of three vaporized glycol ethers: propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PGPE, 25 ppm, n = 10) or propylene glycol ethyl ether (PGEE, 35 ppm, n = 10) or propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME, 35 ppm, n = 10) in a single-blind cross-over design. They performed an orthostatic test (5-min supine, 5-min standing) and a 6-min steady-state exercise at 1.5 W/kg followed by 10-min recovery in PGPE/PGEE conditions. In addition, an incremental exercise to exhaustion followed in PGME condition. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured throughout the protocol, Heart rate recovery (HRR) was assessed during the 10-min recovery post steady-state exercise. Root-mean-square of the successive differences (RMSSD), power spectrum of the low- (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands, tau, amplitude and T30 were computed for HRR. Near Infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and cardiac output (using thoracic impedance) were measured for PGME exposition. PO2, PCO2 and pH were measured regularly via arterialized and venous blood sampling. Results Resting values of supine LF (1,180 ± 851 vs. 2,993 ± 2,259 ms2) and standing RMSSD (32 ± 17 vs. 41 ± 17 ms) increased under PGEE. Supine and standing HR decreased under PGPE (65.5 ± 4.8 vs. 61.3 ± 6.9 and 83.8 ± 7.0 vs. 76.1 ± 10.0 bpm) whereas standing RMSSD (26.6 ± 10.0 vs. 37.0 ± 14.9 ms) and LF (825 ± 474 vs. 2,028 ± 1,471 ms2) increased. Parasympathetic reactivation (e.g., RMSSD, LF and HF) was increased post-exercise under exposition to all three glycol ethers. In addition, amplitude significantly increased when exposed to PGEE. However, unexpectedly, HRR was neither slowed nor speeded. Finally, no differences were observed in any NIRS variables or cardiac output. Accordingly, the modelled muscle oxygen diffusion coefficient was not modified between any solvent conditions. Arterialized blood pH (7.35 ± .06 vs. 7.39 ± .04) and PaCO2 (34.1 ± 5.0 vs. 35.7 ± 4.3 mmHg) increased whilst PaO2 (81.8 ± 9.7 vs. 77.9 ± 10.6 mmHg) decreased. Discussion/Conclusion: The decrease in supine/standing HR associated with a general increase in HRV during recovery likely indicate an increase in parasympathetic modulation, which is compatible with the sedative effects of glycol ethers previously described in animal models. However, HR recovery was not altered. Despite no change in the O2 diffusion coefficient, there was an increase in PaCO2, a decrease in PaO2 and an increase in blood pH, all indicative of potential impaired blood oxygenation during exercise, to be further investigated. To conclude, exposition to different glycol ethers induced an enhanced parasympathetic activation without any changes in HR recovery or O2 diffusion.

Nucleus accumbens neurons dynamically respond to appetitive and aversive associative learning.

To survive, individuals must learn to associate cues in the environment with emotionally relevant outcomes. This association is partially mediated by the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain region of the reward circuit that is mainly composed by GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), that express either dopamine receptor D1 or D2. Recent studies showed that both populations can drive reward and aversion, however, the activity of these neurons during appetitive and aversive Pavlovian conditioning remains to be determined. Here, we investigated the relevance of D1- and D2-neurons in associative learning, by measuring calcium transients with fiber photometry during appetitive and aversive Pavlovian tasks in mice. Sucrose was used as a positive valence unconditioned stimulus (US) and foot shock was used as a negative valence US. We show that during appetitive Pavlovian conditioning, D1- and D2-neurons exhibit a general increase in activity in response to the conditioned stimuli (CS). Interestingly, D1- and D2-neurons present distinct changes in activity after sucrose consumption that dynamically evolve throughout learning. During the aversive Pavlovian conditioning, D1- and D2-neurons present an increase in the activity in response to the CS and to the US (shock). Our data support a model in which D1- and D2-neurons are concurrently activated during appetitive and aversive conditioning.

Late-Winter and Springtime Temperature Variations throughout New Jersey in a Warming Climate

Abstract Large temperature variations in a temperate climate, particularly in late winter and early spring, can be disruptive for native ecosystems and agricultural crops. As warmer temperatures occur earlier in the year in midlatitude regions as a result of anthropogenic climate change, springtime temperatures may become less consistent, leading to potential damage to species and crops that are vulnerable to the return of historically cooler temperatures, including late-spring frosts, after an initial warm-up. In this work, we quantify shifting patterns in late-winter and springtime temperature variations at eight sites across New Jersey from 1950 to 2019. Many sites located along the coast or in the coastal plain experience increases in the number of times the temperature climbs above 15.5°C (60°F) and then falls below freezing (i.e.,0°C, or 32°F). Sites in southern New Jersey (where much of the state’s agriculture is located) experience the most significant (P < 0.05) increases in large springtime temperature variations. Across all sites, there is a general increase in both the percentage and magnitude of temperature variations that occur as early as February. At 75% of sites, day-to-day variation in daily maximum temperature has increased from the 1950s through 2019; day-to-day variation in daily minimum temperatures has increased over the same time at more than half of sites considered. These amplifications in extreme temperature variations indicate the need for both mitigation and adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable crops and ecosystems in the region during this critical time of the year. Significance Statement Human-caused climate change has made it more likely for warmer temperatures to occur earlier in the year, causing many locations to experience late-winter and early-springtime temperatures that are less consistent than they may have been in the past. These variations can be highly problematic for both vital agricultural crops and critical ecosystems. Here, we evaluate how late-winter and early-springtime temperatures have changed throughout New Jersey (home to a variety of agriculture and unique ecosystems) from the mid-twentieth century until 2019. We find critical changes to temperature patterns during late winter and early spring, including larger and more frequent temperature swings (particularly in February) and increased day-to-day variation in high and low temperatures.

Los Angeles Basin's air quality transformation: A long-term investigation on the impacts of PM regulations on the trends of ultrafine particles and co-pollutants

This study investigates the long-term trends of ambient ultrafine particles (UFPs) and associated airborne pollutants in the Los Angeles Basin from 2007 to 2022, focusing on the indirect effects of regulations on UFP levels. The particle number concentration (PNC) of UFPs was compiled from previous studies in the area, and associated co-pollutant data, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and ozone (O3), were obtained from the chemical speciation network (CSN) database. Over the study period, a general decrease was noted in the PNC of UFPs, NOx, EC, and OC, except for CO, the concentration trends of which did not exhibit a consistent pattern. UFPs, NOx, EC, and OC were positively correlated, while O3 had a negative correlation, especially with NOx. Our analysis discerned two distinct sub-periods in pollutant trends: 2007–2015 and 2016–2022. For example, there was an overall decrease in the PNC of UFPs at an annual rate of −850.09 particles/cm3/year. This rate was more pronounced during the first sub-period (2007–2015) at −1814.9 particles/cm3/year and then slowed to −227.21 particles/cm3/year in the second sub-period (2016–2023). The first sub-period (2007–2015) significantly influenced pollutant level changes, exhibiting more pronounced and statistically significant changes than the second sub-period (2016–2022). Since 2016, almost all primary pollutants have stabilized, indicating a reduced impact of current regulations, and emphasizing the need for stricter standards. In addition, the study included an analysis of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) trends from 2007 to 2022 within the Los Angeles Basin. Despite the general increase in VMT, current regulations and cleaner technologies seem to have successfully mitigated the potential increase in increase in PNC. Overall, while a decline in UFPs and co-pollutant levels was observed, the apparent stabilization of these levels underscores the need for more stringent regulatory measures and advanced emission standards.

Parasites alter food-web topology of a subarctic lake food web and its pelagic and benthic compartments

We compared three sets of highly resolved food webs with and without parasites for a subarctic lake system corresponding to its pelagic and benthic compartments and the whole-lake food web. Key topological food-web metrics were calculated for each set of compartments to explore the role parasites play in food-web topology in these highly contrasting webs. After controlling for effects from differences in web size, we observed similar responses to the addition of parasites in both the pelagic and benthic compartments demonstrated by increases in trophic levels, linkage density, connectance, generality, and vulnerability despite the contrasting composition of free-living and parasitic species between the two compartments. Similar effects on food-web topology can be expected with the inclusion of parasites, regardless of the physical characteristics and taxonomic community compositions of contrasting environments. Additionally, similar increases in key topological metrics were found in the whole-lake food web that combines the pelagic and benthic webs, effects that are comparable to parasite food-web analyses from other systems. These changes in topological metrics are a result of the unique properties of parasites as infectious agents and the links they participate in. Trematodes were key contributors to these results, as these parasites have distinct characteristics in aquatic systems that introduce new link types and increase the food web’s generality and vulnerability disproportionate to other parasites. Our analysis highlights the importance of incorporating parasites, especially trophically transmitted parasites, into food webs as they significantly alter key topological metrics and are thus essential for understanding an ecosystem’s structure and functioning.

Long‐term phytoplankton dynamics in two High Arctic lakes (north‐east Greenland)

Abstract Primary producers form the base of lake ecosystems and, due to their often short lifecycles, respond rapidly to changing conditions. As the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, we see major shifts in environmental conditions, which impacts lake ecosystem functioning. Previous studies have found a general increase in primary productivity due to climate warming. However, few long‐term studies have included changes in phytoplankton community composition and biomass in relation to warming in Arctic lakes and it therefore remains unclear how different algal taxa and thus the community respond. We investigated how climate warming affects phytoplankton community composition, taxon richness and biomass in High Arctic lakes, using a unique 23‐year data series on phytoplankton in two shallow lakes at Zackenberg, north‐east Greenland, one with Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and one without fish. We further elucidated the role of physico‐chemical variables and zooplankton grazers in the changes observed. Few major changes were observed in phytoplankton community composition over time, but the year‐to‐year variation was large. Taxon richness did, however, increase throughout the monitoring period, and in both lakes there was a significant increase in diatom biomass coinciding with increasing conductivity. Additionally, phytoplankton biomass was greater during warmer years with earlier ice melt. We further found that nutrient levels were positively associated with the total phytoplankton biomass in both lakes, indicating that expected increased nutrient levels, due to climate change, may lead to a greater phytoplankton biomass in High Arctic lakes in the future. The large year‐to‐year variability, in both climate and environmental conditions, makes it difficult to predict weather patterns and their consequences for lake ecosystems in the Arctic region. This underlines the importance of long‐term monitoring programmes across the circumpolar Arctic and collaboration across regions and institutes within large scale studies.

Uneven evolution of regional European summer heatwaves under climate change

Heatwaves (HWs) are extreme events magnified under climate change with critical implications for the human and environmental systems they impact. These phenomena are generally investigated as a large-scale effect over extensive regions. However, their regional-to-local characteristics and trends are responsible for the specific effects on local communities. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and evolution of regional HWs covering the 1950 to 2021 period across different European climates, central Europe (CE), France (FR), and the Iberian Peninsula (IP), including an analysis of the local and remote relationship between summer heat periods and winter-spring precipitation conditions. Our results confirm the general increase in frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial extent of the HW phenomena over the three domains but point out their uneven evolution under climate change. While a larger frequency increase in the number of heat periods affects IP and FR, it is over CE, where the largest frequency change is observed in the most recent decades. Over north-western FR and CE the most intense HW events have recently registered, further over CE HWs’ long-lasting durations between five to six days have tripled from the sixties to recent decades. It is indeed over the latter that a substantial increase in human exposure to HW phenomena is observed. Probably, the unalike progressions are related to the proven differential rate of warming between the mean and hottest days at northern and southern European domains and the influence of soil conditions over IP on the development of summer heat periods over FR and CE.

Hydroperiod length, not pond age, determines zooplankton taxonomic and functional diversity in temporary ponds

Mediterranean Temporary ponds (MTPs) are suffering severe alterations in their hydrological and salinity regime through global change, and restoration or conservation of these habitats is a priority. However, there is little information that can be used as a scientific basis for restoration.We studied the taxonomic and functional diversity of zooplankton communities in a set of 96 ponds in Doñana, Spain during four consecutive hydroperiods after their creation. We examined the differences across hydroperiods in alpha and beta diversity (and its turnover and nestedness components) of the rotifer, cladoceran and copepod community, as well as the influence of local environmental variables including the proximity to natural wetlands.There was no general increase in diversity indices after the first two hydroperiods. We found that shorter hydroperiods significantly reduced taxonomic diversity, but increased the contribution to functional beta diversity through turnover. Shorter hydroperiods also reduced community complexity, with long-term effects. Conductivity was the most important predictor of zooplankton alpha and beta diversity, but the direction of its effects changed between hydroperiods. The distance from a natural source of colonists, and pond depth, were key during the early stage of community assembly and after a hydrological perturbation.Our results suggest that new restoration projects for MTPs should focus on increasing local environmental heterogeneity and on reducing vulnerability to salinization.The use of functional approaches in monitoring studies can improve our understanding of mechanisms and processes affecting zooplankton community assembly under dynamic hydrological regimes. This in turn can help us predict the consequences of management and restoration policies for biodiversity conservation in MTPs.

E-Advertorial Design using the Addie Model as a Marketing and Health Promotion Strategy

Teaching factory Nutrition Care Center (NCC) is a nutrition service center for the wider community in health consultations, but so far patients only come from internal campuses. NCC has experienced a decline in the number of visits every months. The decrease in the number of visits to NCC may be caused by many things, and one of them caused by the marketing strategy. NCC needs to introduce its products by using effective messages such as e-advertorials. E-advertorials are more effective in creating brand awareness than other advertisements. The aim of this research is to design an EAdvertorial as a marketing and health promotion strategy to introduce NCC service products to the general public and increase patient visits. The research method uses a qualitative approach with descriptive qualitative research type. The design study was research and development. Data collected by questionnaire, interview, and literature study. The development of E-Advertorial uses ADDIE model. The results of the validation assessment score is 90.8%, which means this media is suitable for publication. The feasibility test assessment score is 80%, which means the E-Advertorial media is very good. E-advertorials can be used as a eligible promotional medium that is interesting, informative and easily accessible.

Vaporized Δ9-THC in utero results in reduced birthweight, increased locomotion, and altered wake-cycle activity dependent on dose, sex, and diet in the offspring

AimsPreclinical studies have found that chronic ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) treatment is directly associated with weight gain when introduced during adolescence and adulthood, but the effect of prenatal THC is unclear. Clinical studies have demonstrated prenatal exposure to THC is a prospective predictor of increased health risks associated with obesity. Our study aims to examine prenatal THC impact on obesity risks in males and females throughout adolescence using a clinically relevant inhalation model. MethodsPregnant rats were exposed to one of the following from gestational day 2 through birth: 10 mg THC, 40 mg THC, or air. Daily 10-min inhalations were conducted in each animal from 0900 to 1200. Offspring from each treatment group were given either a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal diet (ND). Food and bodyweights were collected daily, while circadian activity, locomotion, and exercise were measured periodically (PND 21–60). Pregnancy weight gain and birth weight were collected to determine early-life developmental effects. ResultsRats prenatally treated with low-dose THC (LDTHC) generally had lower dark-cycle activity compared with control counterparts, but this altered activity was not observed at the higher dose of THC (HDTHC). In terms of open-field activity, THC doses displayed a general increase in locomotion. In addition, the LDTHC male rats in the ND showed significantly greater exploratory behavior. Prenatal THC had dose-dependent effects on maternal weight gain and birth weight. ConclusionsOverall, our findings indicate there are some activity-related and developmental effects of prenatal THC, which may be related to obesity risks later in life.

A circle that closes. First report of Echinolittorina punctata (Gmelin, 1791) (Gastropoda; Littorinidae) for the coasts of Sardinia

Echinolittorina punctata (Gmelin, 1791), a thermophilic supralittoral species, was historically distributed along the Atlantic coasts from southern Spain to Senegal, and in the southern and eastern sectors of the Mediterranean. In the latter sea it has spread its range northwards only in recent years, moving up the Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy up to Tuscany, the Adriatic ones up to Croatia, and the southern coasts of Western Europe up to France. Sardinia, in an intermediate position between the Italian Tyrrhenian coasts and the southern Spanish and French ones, both recently colonized by E. punctata, presented itself as a foreseeable new settlement area. The discovery of some populations of this species in north-western Sardinia, along the coasts of the municipality of Porto Torres, represents the first report for Sardinia. It fills the last missing range gap for this species to be defined as widely distributed in the Mediterranean. The expansion of this species further northward in the Mediterranean seems linked to the general increase in sea water temperatures resulting from climate change.

Worldwide scaling of waste generation in urban systems

The production of waste as a consequence of human activities is one of the most fundamental challenges facing our society and global ecological systems. Waste generation is rapidly increasing, with corresponding shifts in the structure of our societies, where almost all nations are moving from rural agrarian societies to urban and technological ones. However, the connections between these societal shifts and waste generation have not yet been described. In this study we applied scaling theory to establish a new understanding of waste in urban systems and identified universal scaling laws of waste generation across diverse urban systems worldwide for three forms of waste: wastewater, municipal solid waste, and greenhouse gases. We found that wastewater generation scales superlinearly, municipal solid waste scales linearly, and greenhouse gas emissions scale sublinearly with city size. In specific cases, production can be understood in terms of city size coupled with financial and natural resources. For example, wastewater generation can be understood in terms of the increased economic activity of larger cities, and the deviations from the scaling relationship, indicating relative efficiency, depend on gross domestic product per person and local rainfall. The temporal evolution of these scaling relationships reveals a loss of economies of scale and a general increase in waste production, where sublinear scaling relationships become linear. Our findings suggest general mechanisms controlling waste generation across diverse cities and global urban systems. Our approach offers a systematic framework to uncover these underlying mechanisms that might be key to reducing waste and pursuing a more sustainable future.