Higher Average Temperature Research Articles

Evaluation of Euphrates River Water Quality on Phytoplankton Biodiversity in Ramadi, Iraq

Water quality deterioration is a major global issue due to population growth and rapid economic development, making healthy water essential for human societies' and ecosystems' sustainable development. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the quality of Euphrates River water through its chemical and physical parameters, as well as the distribution of the phytoplankton community. An environmental comparison was conducted between three stations in Ramadi city to assess the Euphrates River's water quality. The comparison was based on physicochemical and biological variables. Fifteen environmental parameters were measured: temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total turbidity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, bicarbonate, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. The occurrence of seasonal phytoplankton communities was also examined, and the Palmer diversity index, water quality index, and Pearson correlation were calculated. Significant differences were found in the physical and chemical variables of the Euphrates water between studied stations, and in the biological diversity of phytoplankton. The highest average temperature was 26.5 °C at station 1, the highest average pH was 7.575 at station 3, and the electrical conductivity was high at both stations 1 and 3, reaching 810 µS/cm. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) ranged from 1.375 to 1.675 mg/L, the lowest average total hardness was 304.5 mg/L at station 3 and the highest average was 310.75 mg/L at station 1. In addition, the study revealed a high diversity in phytoplankton species and groups. 45 genera of green algae were found at all stations, while only 4 genera of Euglenophyceae and Dinophyceae were found. The study confirmed that the quality of the Euphrates River's water is medium and is characterized by high contamination with organic materials, according to the pollution index for water. It was concluded that phytoplankton groups are a sensitive and useful indicator of waterway health.

Fatal Sarcoptes scabiei and Demodex sp. co-infestation in wolves (Canis lupus) at the Białowieża National Park, Poland - is it a consequence of climate change?

In winter 2021/2022, a wolf population in the primeval Białowieża Forest in Poland was struck by an outbreak of severe mange caused by mixed infestations of Sarcoptes and Demodex mites. We present an epidemiological analysis of this mange which caused significant morbidity and mortality. Ten sites known for wolf activity were monitored by camera trapping. A diagnostic necropsy and testing of a young wolf was performed to determine the causes of death. Five young wolves with severe alopecia of the entire body and some other individuals with minor to medium mange lesions were identified by the camera surveillance. The necropsy of the carcass revealed emaciation, dehydration and anaemia with starvation as the cause of death, likely attributable to severe infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei and Demodex sp. mites. Rabies and infections with Borreliella sp., Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia sp., Francisella tularensis, Babesia sp. and tick-borne encephalitis virus were excluded by specific tests. The described analysis is the first documented co-infestation of this kind in wolves. The outbreak coincided with very mild winter conditions with a high average minimum temperature, which may have favoured mite survival outside the host, and light snowfall, which may have influenced the wolves' ability to hunt. Other potential drivers of the outbreak could be the large proportion of wetland terrain, increasing number of wolves in the area and anthropogenic pressure on their habitats including the migration crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border and the increased presence of military and border forces, even despite the relief from the anthropogenic pressure from tourism due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Environmental influences on sleep quality in university dormitories

Abstract Environmental factors play a critical role in determining sleep quality, which is essential for physical and cognitive restoration. Key environmental parameters such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, CO2 levels, and particulate matter (PM2.5) have been identified as significant contributors to sleep disturbances. This study investigates the impact of university’s dormitory environmental conditions on student’s sleep quality. By understanding these influences, we aim to provide data-driven recommendations for optimizing the dormitory environment to promote better sleep quality. The findings revealed that students’ sleep quality was poor, with subjective measures such as a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score above 5 and Sleep Onset Latency (SOL) over 20 minutes, and objective measures showing less than 7 hours of total sleep time, REM sleep percentage below 25%, and NREM sleep percentage under 75%. High average temperatures of 29.79°C and relative humidity of 88.70% were significant environmental factors associated with poor sleep quality. Additionally, CO2 and PM2.5 concentrations exceeded safe limits, contributing to respiratory discomfort and reduced sleep quality. Thus, improving the dormitory environment at UNDIP is essential for enhancing sleep quality.

Effect of High Temperature Exposure and Laboratory Processing Techniques on the Diagnostic Performance of Dry Swabs for the Detection of African Swine Fever Virus.

One of the key surveillance strategies for the early detection of an African swine fever (ASF) incursion into a country is the sampling of wild or feral pig populations. In Australia, the remote northern regions are considered a risk pathway for ASF incursion due to the combination of high numbers of feral pigs and their close proximity to countries where ASF is present. These regions primarily consist of isolated arid rangelands with high average environmental temperatures. A specific objective of this study was to assess whether the exposure of swabs to the high temperatures that may be encountered in outback Australia, over an extended period, would reduce the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) of real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect ASF virus (ASFV). We found that the extended heat exposure (up to 45 °C) of FLOQSwabs or GenoTube swabs, either prior to blood sampling or post sampling, showed no reduction in the DSe of the ASFV qPCR compared to swabs stored at room temperature (~21 °C). We also assessed an improved DNA extraction method for samples collected using GenoTube swabs to obtain DSe results comparable to FLOQSwabs. Taken together, these experiments demonstrate that dry swabs can provide the basis for an effective low-cost surveillance system for ASF in situations where extended exposure to high environmental temperatures is unavoidable.

Numerical study on the hydrothermal characteristics of a wire-wrapped rod bundle with nonuniform wire pitches

In this study, thermal hydraulic behaviors in a 19-pin bundle fuel assembly with nonuniform wire pitches is investigated by combing CFD with the Kriging method. To optimize the design, two geometric variables—the ratio of inner pitch to reference pitch (Pi/P) and the ratio of outer pitch to reference pitch (Po/P)—are selected, and the design space is sampled using Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). The sampled points are then subjected to CFD analysis. Convergence is considered achieved when the residuals of all variables are below 1e-5. The optimization problem aims to minimize the objective function, which is a linear combination of the cross-sectional temperature difference and friction factor. Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) is employed to search for the optimal point using a constructed meta-model. When compared to the reference shape, the optimal shape exhibits higher axial velocity in the inner channel, higher average temperature, smaller temperature difference at the outlet section, and reduced pressure drop in the fuel assembly. The Kriging model accurately predicts the cross-sectional temperature difference and friction coefficient for the optimal shape, consistent with the CFD calculation results. This confirms the accuracy and feasibility of the Kriging model in fuel assembly optimization.

Associations of Climatic Variables with Health Problems in Dairy Sheep Farms in Greece

This study aimed to study the potential effects of climatic conditions prevalent at the locations of sheep farms in the country. The specific objectives were to explore associations between climatic variables and the incidence of four clinical problems in sheep farms and, moreover, to compare these to the health management practices applied in the farms. Our hypothesis was that climatic factors may be associated with the prevalence of diseases in sheep farms; this will provide information regarding potential weather effects, to take into account in the efforts for control of the diseases. Data were obtained during a large cross-sectional investigation performed across Greece involving 325 sheep flocks. Climatic variables prevailing at the location of each farm were derived from ‘The POWER Project’. The annual incidence rate for abortion was 2.0% (95% confidence intervals: 1.9–2.1%), for clinical mastitis 3.9% (3.8–4.0%), for lamb pneumonia 1.4% (1.3–1.4%) and for lamb diarrhoea 7.9% (7.8–8.1%). In multivariable analyses, climatic variables emerged as significant predictors for abortion—high annual precipitation at the farm location (p = 0.024)—and for lamb diarrhoea—high average annual temperature range at the farm location (p < 0.0001)—but not for clinical mastitis or lamb pneumonia. The potential effects of climatic variables were found to be more important in lambs than in adult animals. Future studies may focus on how variations in temperature and precipitation can be translated into on-farm metrics to understand the impacts on sheep health and welfare.

Geo-climatic factors co-drive the phenotypic diversity of wild hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in the Potohar Plateau and Lesser Himalayas

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual, and dioecious herb belonging to the Cannabaceae family. This plant is native to Central and Southeast Asia. The wild races of this species are commonly growing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, as well as in Islamabad, Pakistan. This study provides crucial insights into how environmental variables influence the wild hemp populations, which can be utilized in for conservation and breeding. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of key environmental factors such as altitude, geographical location, precipitation, relative humidity, maximum, minimum, and average temperature on 16 morpho-agronomic traits of a wild population of hemp growing in the Potohar Plateau and Lesser Himalayas. Our findings indicated that high relative humidity (> 64%), low average temperature (< 15 °C), intermediate average temperature (19–22 °C), and high average temperature (> 22 °C) played significant roles in determining the distribution pattern of the wild hemp. Correlation analysis demonstrated that average annual temperature contributed a higher percentage of variation in phenotypic diversity than geographic variables. Additionally, cluster analysis indicated three groups for the selected 35 populations. Clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the morpho-agronomic traits indicated that group 1 from the Lesser Himalayas showed high relative humidity (> 64%) and low average temperature (< 15 °C). Conversely, Group 2 populations from the Potohar Plateau demonstrated intermediate average temperature (19–22 °C). There is an existence of Group 3 in the Potohar Plateau with a high average temperature (> 22 °C) compared to Group 1 and Group 2. Our examination highlights the complex interplay between ecological factors, and morphological attributes in native landraces of Cannabis sativa, giving significant insight into knowledge for preservation and breeding initiatives. A study of genetic diversity could complement morpho-agronomic traits in future research to learn more about how genetic variation affects environmental adaptation.

Temperature and Precipitation Synergistically Affect Yield, Harvesting Time and Post-Processing Quality of Tropical Macadamia Nuts

In response to climate change challenges and to ensure stable macadamia nut production, this study analyzed empirical data on macadamia nut yield, climate factors, harvesting time, and post-processing quality from 2020 to 2022. Key findings include: (1) During the flowering to fruit growth stage, 2020 had the highest average temperature, followed by 2021, and then 2022. Conversely, 2022 had the highest precipitation, followed by 2021, and then 2020. (2) Lower temperatures and higher precipitation during the flowering to fruit growth stage contributed to a significant increase in macadamia nut yield, which indirectly extended the harvesting time. In 2022, the average yield of the eight macadamia growers was 8.04 t ha−1, significantly higher than the yields of 6.60 t ha−1 and 6.16 t ha−1 in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Furthermore, the average harvesting time for the eight macadamia growers in 2022 was 8.88 days longer than that in 2021, and 12.50 days longer than that in 2020. (3) Temperature and precipitation had a significant impact on the post-processing quality of macadamia nuts. Lower temperature and higher precipitation during the flowering to fruit growth stage significantly increased the proportion of first-grade fruit, as well as the incidence of mildewed and insect-infested fruits. In conclusion, although a lower temperature and higher precipitation can improve macadamia nut yield, they also lead to delayed harvesting and decreased post-processing quality. Given the observed yield sensitivity to temperature and precipitation, targeted water supplementation strategies during peak heat periods emerge as vital. This approach should be integrated with broader climate resilience planning, including the timing of pest control and disease management, to safeguard macadamia nut production against the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.

Integrating phase change materials in buildings for heating and cooling demand reduction – A global study

This study aims to analyse the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in building envelopes globally, focusing on its ability to reduce the energy demand and its economic viability. The study conducted extensive simulations using the DesignBuilder software across 5684 locations globally and utilising artificial intelligence (AI) models to extend the simulation further to 73,515 locations, evaluating the impacts of PCM properties such as melting temperature (MT) and thickness. The main findings indicate that pronounced annual energy savings, 2500 to 3000 kWh, are observed in equatorial regions including northeast Brazil, central Africa, and the Malay Archipelago. Additionally, the optimal utilisation of increased PCM thickness is contingent upon selecting the correct MT and is most effective in regions with high average maximum temperatures, while the most common effective thickness is 20 mm. The study demonstrates that MT significantly affects energy savings, more than PCM thickness, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate MT based on climatic conditions. The 25 °C MT is most effective within lower latitude range (−15°–30°), averaging 743.2 kWh greater savings than the 21 °C option. The 21 °C MT shows superior performance outside of this range, however the advantage is marginal as the average savings is 251.0 kWh. Economically, regions such as the USA, southern Europe (Spain and Italy), Brazil, and northern Australia show the best viability for PCM integration, aligning energy efficiency improvements with substantial economic returns. This comprehensive analysis suggests that tailored PCM integration strategies are essential for maximising energy savings and advancing sustainable building practices.

The relationship of short-term exposure to meteorological factors on diabetes mellitus mortality risk in Hefei, China: a time series analysis.

The study aims to explore whether short-term exposure to meteorological factors has a potential association with the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) mortality. During the period 2015-2018, we collected daily data on meteorological factors and deaths of diabetic patients in Hefei. A total of 1101 diabetic deaths were recorded. We used structural equation modeling to initially explore the relationships among air pollutants, meteorological variables, and mortality, and generalized additive modeling (GAM) and distributional lag nonlinear modeling (DLNM) to explore the relationship between meteorological factors and the mortality risk of DM patients. We also stratified by age and gender. The mortality risk in diabetic patients was expressed by relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for both single and cumulative days. Single-day lagged results showed a high relative humidity (RH) (75th percentile, 83.71%), a fairly high average temperature (T mean) (95th percentile, 30.32°C), and an extremely low diurnal temperature range (DTR) (5th percentile, 3.13°C) were positively related to the mortality risk of DM. Stratified results showed that high and very high levels of T mean were significantly positively linked to the mortality risk of DM among females and the elderly, while very high levels of DTR were linked to the mortality risk in men and younger populations. In conclusion, this study found that short-duration exposure to quite high T mean, high RH, and very low DTR were significantly positively related to the mortality risk of DM patients. For women and older individuals, exposure to high and very high T mean environments should be minimized. Men and young adults should be aware of daily temperature changes.

Stingless Bee Foraging Activity Related to Environmental Aspects.

The environment where bee colonies are inserted must provide the necessary resources for their survival. Given this, any biotic and abiotic changes in the environment can affect the development and survival of the colonies. We evaluated the foraging activity of Plebeia droryana (Friese), Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Lepetelier), and Melipona quadrifasciata (Lepetelier) in areas with different land uses and land cover. These areas were classified as predominantly (i) urbanized/forest (CDA-Cidade das Abelhas), (ii) agricultural (FER-Fazenda Experimental da Ressacada), and (iii) with dense vegetation (SFB-Sitio Florbela). We correlated the morphometric characteristics of the bees with the pollen load transported. Four colonies from each species were installed in the three areas. We recorded light, wind speed, humidity, and temperature and counted the foragers returning with nectar, pollen, and resin. Plebeia droryana and S. bipunctata collected more resin and nectar in with dense vegetation area compared to agricultural area. Scaptotrigona bipunctata collected more pollen in urbanized/forest area and with dense vegetation area, and M. quadrifasciata did not show differences in foraging activity between areas. Plebeia droryana and M. quadrifasciata showed moderate and strong correlations between morphometric characteristics and pollen load. SFB had higher luminosity and wind speed. CDA had higher average temperature. FER had higher humidity. The three species showed positive and negative correlations between temperature and light and foraging in the different areas. Smaller species showed a higher gathering of resources in the area predominantly covered by dense vegetation. The reduction of vegetation cover can affect the resource collection activity of stingless bees.

Investigating the performance of an affordable parabolic dish collector with double glass vacuum cavity cover

Parabolic dish collectors (PDC) are one of the most important ways to concentrate solar energy. In this study, the performance of a low-cost parabolic dish collector with high average output temperatures is investigated. The low-cost PDC has a 45 ° edge angle and a circular receiver. A vacuum double-glazed cavity is used to keep heat inside the receiver and reduce the rate of heat losses. On clear and cloudy days, tests were conducted with thermal oil as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) to analyze the performance of the PDC. The results show that the change in temperature of the heat transfer fluid between the open and closed ends of the cavity receivers affected the receiver heat gain, thermal efficiency, and exergy efficiency. It was also found that the HTF has the highest exit temperature of 221 °C, with an average radiation intensity of 1032 W/m2. With 48.4 % thermal efficiency and 9.1 % exergy efficiency, the results showed the best performance. When it came to total efficiency, PDC showed its highest value of 46.2 % at 13:17 p.m. on January 4th, 2024.

Effects of temperature and lactic acid Bacteria additives on the quality and microbial community of wilted alfalfa silage

This study investigated the influence of different temperatures (35℃ High temperature and average indoor ambient temperature of 25℃) and lactic acid bacterial additives (Lactiplantibacillus plantarym, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, or a combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarym and Lentilactobacillus buchneri) on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, and microbial community of alfalfa silage feed. After a 60-day ensiling period, a significant interaction between temperature and additives was observed, affecting the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the silage feed (p < 0.05). Temperature had a highly significant impact on the pH value of the silage feed (p < 0.0001). However, the effect of temperature on lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid was not significant (p > 0.05), while the inoculation of additives had a significant effect on lactic acid, acetic acid, and butyric acid (p > 0.05). As for the dynamic changes of microbial community after silage, the addition of three kinds of bacteria increased the abundance of lactobacillus. Among all treatment groups, the treatment group using complex bacteria had the best fermentation effect, indicating that the effect of complex lactic acid bacteria was better than that of single bacteria in high temperature fermentation. In summary, this study explained the effects of different temperatures and lactic acid bacterial additives on alfalfa fermentation quality and microbial community, and improved our understanding of the mechanism of alfalfa related silage at high temperatures.

Heat and Drought Have Exacerbated the Midday Depression Observed in a Subtropical Fir Forest by a Geostationary Satellite

Recently, increasing heat and drought events have threatened the resilience of Chinese fir forests. Trees primarily respond to these threats by downregulating photosynthesis including through stomatal limitation that causes a drop in productivity at noon (known as the midday depression). However, the effects of these events on midday and afternoon GPP inhibition are rarely analyzed on a fine timescale. This may result in negligence of critical responses. Here, we investigated the impact of climatic events on the midday depression of photosynthesis at a subtropical fir forest in Huitong from 2016 to 2022 using data from the Himawari 8 meteorological satellite and flux tower. Our results indicated that the highest number of midday depression occurred in 2022 (126 times) with the highest average temperature (29.1 °C). A higher incidence of midday depression occurred in summer and autumn, with 48 and 34 occurrences, respectively. Compound drought, heat, and drought events induced increases in midday depression at 74.3%, 66.0%, and 47.5%. Thus, trees are more likely to adopt midday depression as an adaptive strategy during compound drought and heat events. This study can inform forest management and lead to improvements in Earth system models.

Unveiling the Role of Climate and Environmental Dynamics in Shaping Forest Fire Patterns in Northern Zagros, Iran

Wildfires present a major global environmental issue, exacerbated by climate change. The Iranian Northern Zagros Forests, characterized by a Mediterranean climate, are particularly vulnerable to fires during hot, dry summers. This study investigates the impact of climate change on forest fires in these forests from 2006 to 2023. The analysis revealed significant year-to-year fluctuations, with notable fire occurrence in years 2007, 2010, 2021, and 2023. The largest burned area occurred in 2021, covering 2655.66 ha, while 2006 had the smallest burned area of 175.27 ha. Climate variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, heat waves, and solar radiation were assessed for their effects on fire behavior. Strong correlations were found between higher average temperatures and larger burned areas, as well as between heat waves and increased fire frequency. Additionally, higher wind speeds were linked to larger burned areas, suggesting that increased wind speeds may enhance fire spread. Multiple linear regression models demonstrated high predictive accuracy, explaining 84% of the variance in burned areas and 69.6% in the variance in fire frequency. These findings document the growing wildfire risk in the Northern Zagros region due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need to integrate scientific research with policies to develop effective wildfire management strategies for sustainable forest management.

Whole Genome Sequences of Cryptotympana Atrata Fabricius, 1775 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in the Korean Peninsula: Insights into Population Structure with Novel Pathogenic Or Symbiotic Candidates

Background: The blackish cicada (Cryptotympana atrata) exhibits unique characteristics and is one of the model cicadas found in the Korean Peninsula. It is a species of southern origin, prefers high temperatures, and is listed as a climate-sensitive indicator species in South Korea. Therefore, this species can be utilized to study the impact of climate change on the genetic diversity and structure of populations. However, research on the genome of C. atrata is limited. Methods: We sequenced the genome of an individual collected from South Korea and constructed a draft genome. Additionally, we collected ten specimens from each of the five regions in South Korea and identified single nucleotide variants (SNVs) for population genetic analysis. The sequencing library was constructed using the MGIEasy DNA Library Prep Kit and sequenced using the MGISEQ-2000 platform with 150-bp paired-end reads. Results: The draft genome of C. atrata was approximately 5.0 Gb or 5.2 Gb, making it one of the largest genomes among insects. Population genetic analysis, which was conducted on four populations in South Korea, including both previously distributed and newly expanded regions, showed that Jeju Island, a remote southern island with the highest average temperature, formed an independent genetic group. However, there were no notable genetic differences among the inland populations selected based on varying average temperatures, indicating that the current population genetic composition on the Korean Peninsula is more reflective of biogeographic history rather than climate- induced genetic structures. Additionally, we unexpectedly observed that most individuals of C. atrata collected in a specific locality were infected with microbes not commonly found in insects, necessitating further research on the pathogens within C. atrata. Conclusion: This study introduces the draft genome of C. atrata, a climate-sensitive indicator species in South Korea. Population analysis results indicate that the current genetic structure of C. atrata is driven by biogeographic history rather than just climate. The prevalence of widespread pathogen infections raises concerns about their impact on C. atrata. Considering the scarcity of publicly available genomic resources related to the family Cicadidae, this draft genome and population data of C. atrata are expected to serve as a valuable resource for various studies utilizing cicada genomes.

Study on the Fire Characteristics of Dual Fire Sources and the Difference in Power Temperature of Different Fire Sources in Tunnel

To investigate the combustion characteristics of multiple fire sources in the tunnel caused by ‘jumping’ discontinuous fire spread, we utilized scaled model experiments, numerical simulation software, and theoretical research. Our study focused on analyzing the influence of different fire source powers on the temperature characteristics of double fire sources in the tunnel. We examined the temperature characteristics, critical wind speed, and change rule under various wind speeds, fire source spacing, and fire source powers. Additionally, we explored the temperature characteristics, critical wind speed, and change rule of different fire source powers under varying wind speed conditions. The mathematical model for roof temperature decay and the temperature decay coefficients of dual source fires were established through the analysis of scale-down model experiments and numerical simulations. In comparison to single-source fires, the temperature variations in the tunnel of dual source fires exhibit a more intricate pattern, with higher average temperature and temperature peak values. These values are influenced by factors such as fire source spacing and power. Numerical simulation software was utilized to investigate the impact of fire source spacing at 10 m, 15 m, and 20 m, as well as the effect of varying fire source power on the temperature distribution within a tunnel under consistent fire source position and growth coefficient. The study revealed that, with consistent double fire source position and ventilation conditions in the tunnel, the upstream fire source exhibited greater power than the downstream fire source, resulting in the lowest average and peak temperatures in the tunnel. This observation could potentially enhance escape and rescue operations within the tunnel. Similarly, the lowest average and peak temperatures in the tunnel were also identified, offering potential benefits for optimizing escape and rescue strategies in tunnel scenarios.

Environmental conditions influence host-parasite interactions and host fitness in a migratory passerine.

The study of host-parasite co-evolution is a central topic in evolutionary ecology. However, research is still fragmented and the extent to which parasites influence host life history is debated. One reason for this incomplete picture is the frequent omission of environmental conditions in studies analyzing host-parasite dynamics, which may influence the exposure to or effects of parasitism. To contribute to elucidating the largely unresolved question of how environmental conditions are related to the prevalence and intensity of infestation and their impact on hosts, we took advantage of 25 years of monitoring of a breeding population of pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca, in a Mediterranean area of central Spain. We investigated the influence of temperature and precipitation during the nestling stage at a local scale on the intensity of blowfly (Protocalliphora azurea) parasitism during the nestling stage. In addition, we explored the mediating effect of extrinsic and intrinsic factors and blowfly parasitism on breeding success (production of fledglings) and offspring quality (nestling mass on day 13). The prevalence and intensity of blowfly parasitism were associated with different intrinsic (host breeding date, brood size) and extrinsic (breeding habitat, mean temperature) factors. Specifically, higher average temperatures during the nestling phase were associated with lower intensities of parasitism, which may be explained by changes in blowflies' activity or larval developmental success. In contrast, no relationship was found between the prevalence of parasitism and any of the environmental variables evaluated. Hosts that experienced high parasitism intensities in their broods produced more fledglings as temperature increased, suggesting that physiological responses to severe parasitism during nestling development might be enhanced in warmer conditions. The weight of fledglings was, however, unrelated to the interactive effect of parasitism intensity and environmental conditions. Overall, our results highlight the temperature dependence of parasite-host interactions and the importance of considering multiple fitness indicators and climate-mediated effects to understand their complex implications for avian fitness and population dynamics.

The Effect of Perforated Plate Geometry on Thermofluid Characteristics of Briquette Drying Oven: A 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study

The process of drying briquettes in an oven is very costly due to the amount of fuel, labor, and drying time required. Furthermore, inadequate air circulation also results in an uneven and ineffective drying process for briquettes. The performance of the briquette drying oven can be improved by changing the geometry of the perforated plate in the oven to optimize the air distribution. This research process was conducted through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using Ansys Fluid Flow (Fluent) software by testing three different perforated plate geometries in the oven to determine their effect on the air distribution that occurred in the oven. The research findings indicate that the temperature, velocity, pressure, and airflow pattern of the air are all considerably impacted by the incorporation of perforated plates into the first, second, and third geometries of the oven. When compared to the original geometry, the average air temperature in ovens using the first, second, and third geometries increased by 6.86%, 7.38%, and 9.15%, respectively. Average air velocity increased by 226.04%, 235.77%, and 431.60% in ovens with the first, second, and third geometries. However, the air pressure in ovens with the first, second, and third geometries decreased by 11.05%, 8.62%, and 10.66%. The use of perforated plates on the right, back, and left sides in an oven with the third geometry is the best geometry produced in this research. This happens because this oven produces the most even airflow pattern in the oven compared to other geometries. In addition, the oven with the third geometry has the highest average temperature and average air velocity, with a lower average air pressure compared to the other geometries. Consequently, drying is more effective and takes less time.

Effects of heat shocks, heat waves, and sustained warming on solitary bees

Along with higher average temperatures, global climate change is expected to lead to more frequent and intense extreme heat events, and these different types of warming are likely to differ in their effects on bees. Although solitary bees comprise &amp;gt;75% of bee species, and despite their ecological and economic value as pollinators, a literature search revealed that only 8% of studies on bee responses to warming involve solitary bees. Here we review studies that have addressed how solitary bees are affected by three main types of warming that vary in magnitude and duration: heat shocks, heat waves, and sustained warming. We focus on direct physiological and behavioral effects of warming on solitary bees, rather than the underlying mechanisms. We find that heat shocks have received little attention in solitary bees both in terms of number of studies and relative to social bees, and all of those studies examine the effects of heat shocks on a single genus, Megachile. This work has shown that heat-shocked eggs, larvae, and pupae tend to upregulate heat shock protein genes, while heat shock at the adult stage can increase mortality in male bees, potentially altering population sex ratios. We find that solitary bee responses to heat waves have received even less study, but the few studies suggest that these events can increase larval mortality and slow development time, and that bees may not be able to physiologically acclimate to heat wave conditions by increasing their critical thermal maxima. Finally, sustained warming, which has been relatively well-studied in solitary bees, can speed development rate, reduce body mass, increase mortality, and alter foraging behavior. Our review reveals knowledge gaps in the effects of heat shocks and heat waves on solitary bees and, more broadly, in the responses of unmanaged solitary bees to warming. To improve our ability to anticipate the consequences of climate change for these critical pollinators, we encourage research on solitary bee thermal responses that examines short-term, extreme warming and incorporates greater ecological realism and complexity.