Interactive Effects Research Articles

Nano-biochar reduces sustainable remediation of cadmium-contaminated soil more than micro-biochar: evidence from cadmium removal and Eisenia foetida toxicity

Micro- (M-BC) and nano-biochar (N-BC) particles are ready to be disintegrated from biochar (BC), which is extensively applied to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soil. Still, its effects on the remediation efficiency remain poorly understood. This study investigated the interactions between the BC particles (M-BC and N-BC) and Eisenia foetida (E. foetida) in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils. Results indicated that M-BC has weak negative effect on E. foetida with survival rates of ≥85% as it is failed to be internalized. The interactive effects between M-BC/N-BC and Cd reduced the mobility of Cd, leading to low avoidance behavior of E. foetida. The synergistic effect of 0.1% M-BC and E. foetida caused pH regulation, BC diffusion and alternation of soil microbial community in the soil. This favoured the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils with 56.2% Cd fixation efficiency identified. Conversely, internalization of Cd-loaded N-BC by E. foetida was recorded when 0.1% N-BC was amended in the soil. This triggered DNA damage, antioxidant suppression, antiapoptotic inhibition, digestion impairment, reproductive decline, and survival rates reduction (55%) in E. foetida, indicating the essential role of E. foetida in the soil is likely to be depressed. These findings are helpful to understand the potential negative effects of BC application in soil remediation.

Childhood irritability-aggression profiles and parent-to-child violence: Evidence of interactive effect in predicting youth violence.

Early irritability, aggression, and parent-to-child violence (PCV) each are presumed to predict later violent behavior. Few studies, however, have examined these factors simultaneously. This study investigated how irritability and aggression jointly manifested during childhood and whether such manifestations, PCV, and their interactions were associated with late-adolescent violence. A prospective sample of 900 participants (55.8% girls; 55.7% Black, 24.7% White, 11.9% mixed race, 7.7% other race) from the LONGitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) was followed from 4 to 18years old. Caregivers assessed children's irritability and aggression biyearly (ages 4-12), and self-reported violence toward their children by age 12. Children reported their violent behaviors at age 18. Group-based dual trajectory modeling identified three profiles varying in the combined levels of irritability and aggression for both genders: Irritable and Aggressive profile, Irritable Only profile, and Typically Developing profile. Binomial logistic regression analyses showed an independent association of the Irritable and Aggressive profile with violence in boys. PCV was associated with violence only in boys with the Irritable Only profile. No such associations were found in girls. Aggression manifested and persisted alongside irritability, but not vice versa during childhood. Comorbidly aggressive and irritable boys had an increased risk of violence, and irritable boys did so only when exposed to PCV. These findings suggest the gender-specific roles of irritability and aggression in portending violent antisociality, and indicate the need to address these problems in conjunction with violent parenting for preventing youth violence.

The interactive effects of shrub and aridity affect co-occurrence network complexity and stability of soil bacterial communities on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The interactive effects of shrub and aridity affect co-occurrence network complexity and stability of soil bacterial communities on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Thermal modulation of insecticide-induced hormetic and oxidative responses in insect pests.

Environmental global changes are dramatically affecting agroecosystems. Insects have been shown to present various responses to multi-stress conditions (i.e., increase in temperature and exposure to contaminants). However, there is a knowledge gap on how temperature can modulate the hormetic effects in individuals sublethally exposed to chemical stressors. Here, we investigated how temperature (15, 20, 25, and 28°C) modulates the effects of lethal and sublethal exposure to insecticides (imidacloprid) on the longevity, fecundity, and oxidative stress of a pest insect, the aphid Mysus persicae. Our results showed additive and interactive effects of temperature and insecticide on the stimulatory and oxidative responses of the insect pest. Overall, imidacloprid was 2.4-fold less toxic at 15°C (3.547μg/ml) than at 20°C (1.482μg/ml) and 24.6 to 19.8-fold less toxic than at 25°C (0.144μg/ml) and 28°C (0.179μg/ml) respectively. Furthermore, although the exposure of female aphids to most sublethal concentrations resulted in a decrease in their longevity and fecundity compared to the control, some of the sublethal concentrations produced positive effects in these parameters for the exposed individuals. The magnitude of induced sublethal effects varied between temperatures and occurred in similar ranges of low concentrations at temperatures 15°C and 20°C, and at temperatures 25°C and 28°C. Additionally, imidacloprid low concentrations induced a temperature-dependent production of reactive oxygen species in exposed insects at 12 and 24h after exposure indicating oxidative stress. Our study supplies valuable data on how temperature modulates pesticide-mediated hormesis that can alter ecological interactions and functions within agroecosystems with potential implications in pest management.

Concentration-dependent interactive toxicity of cadmium and mercury: Non-negligible effects on phytoremediation by indigenous Artemisia lavandulaefolia.

The indigenous species Artemisia lavandulaefolia, widespread in areas co-contaminated with Cd and Hg, has the potential for phytoremediation. However, the mechanisms that underlie these plants' resistance to combined Hg and Cd stress are unelucidated. The influence of the dosage of one metal on another has also not been adequately quantified. We investigated the combined and interactive effects of varying doses of Cd and Hg on this species' growth, heavy metal accumulation, and physiological responses. We found that increased Hg and Cd in the co-contaminants inhibited biomass by 16-59 %. The interaction between these heavy metals on growth was concentration-dependent, with an antagonistic effect (concentration addition index (CAI) and effect addition index (EAI) < 0) at low concentrations and an additive effect at high concentrations. An increase in one metal had a beneficial effect on the aboveground accumulation of the other metal, reaching bioconcentrations of 20.16 and 2.25 for Cd and Hg, respectively. Furthermore, the elevation of Cd in the solution increased the proportion of Hg in the cell walls to 31.5 %; however, increasing the Hg dose did not change the Cd concentration in this substructure. Our results also demonstrate that different physiological responses occurred with increased Hg and Cd in the co-contaminants. The elevation of Hg in the mixture had a greater effect on photosynthetic systems than the increased Cd levels. The antioxidant systems of roots and leaves play important roles in attenuating Hg and Cd stress, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed concentration-dependent trade-offs between heavy metal accumulation and plant growth and between the above- and belowground antioxidant activities of Artemisia lavandulaefolia for the first time. With increasing Hg, plants preferred to stimulate belowground antioxidant activity, whereas high concentrations of Cd followed the opposite trend. This study provides a theoretical basis for the phytoremediation of this species under combined heavy metal pollution. It highlights that the concentration-dependent interaction between Hg and Cd on plant toxicity should not be ignored during phytoextraction in co-contaminated environments.

Effects of exercise and transient estradiol exposure in middle-aged female rats.

The benefits of estrogen treatment on cognition in middle-aged and older women are dependent on many factors, including the timing of treatment. Moreover, the potential interactive effects with other lifestyle factors, such as exercise, are poorly understood. In this study, we tested for lasting benefits of independent and combined treatment with estrogen and voluntary exercise initiated in midlife, using a rat model of menopause. Twelve-month-old, retired female breeders were bilaterally ovariectomized and received six weeks of 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment via subcutaneous implant, with or without access to running wheels. After E2 treatment, animals in the exercise groups had running wheel access for seven additional weeks, including a two-week period of cognitive and affective testing. Thereafter, hippocampal neuronal and cellular plasticity were assessed. E2 and exercise independently exerted effects on behavioral and cellular outcome measures. Transient E2 treatment enduringly increased motor output, lowered body weight, and increased behavioral plasticity. Exercise decreased total hippocampal microglia number and increased brain weight. No additive effects of exercise and E2 treatment were observed. E2 treatment may provide a means by which to enduringly increase physical activity in middle age, but combined E2 and exercise do not produce additive benefits on hippocampal behavioral or cellular plasticity.

Examining the nonlinear and interactive effects of built environment characteristics on travel satisfaction

Examining the nonlinear and interactive effects of built environment characteristics on travel satisfaction

Optimization and experimental validation of a high-efficiency oil–water cyclone separator for well testing conditions

The performance of surface oil–water cyclone separators impacts the measurement accuracy of crude oil produced from exploration and appraisal wells, thereby influencing the formulation of exploration and development plans. To obtain the optimal structural configuration for cyclone oil–water separators, this study optimizes the design of a high-efficiency oil–water cyclone separator suitable for special conditions in well testing. A numerical simulation was performed using the discrete phase model to analyze the three-dimensional turbulent swirl field of the oil–water phases within the separator. Separation efficiency and pressure drop were used as evaluation criteria. The Plackett–Burman experimental method was employed to evaluate six factors affecting separation performance, with oil outlet diameter and cyclone chamber cone angle identified as significant factors. Mathematical models for separation efficiency and pressure drop were developed based on these factors. The central composite design method was then applied to investigate the interactive effects of oil outlet diameter and cyclone chamber cone angle on separation efficiency and pressure drop. The optimal parameter combination was determined: oil outlet diameter of 4.241 mm and cyclone chamber cone angle of 9.622°. The predicted separation efficiency was 93.870%, and the predicted pressure drop was 48.287 kPa. Field tests of the optimized cyclone separator verified the rationality of these optimized parameters, achieving a separation efficiency of 92.9%. This research offers a foundation for optimizing the design of oil–water cyclone separators.

Heterogeneous and Interactive Effects of Multi-Governmental Green Investment on Carbon Emission Reduction: Application of Hierarchical Linear Modeling

Heterogeneous and Interactive Effects of Multi-Governmental Green Investment on Carbon Emission Reduction: Application of Hierarchical Linear Modeling

The Parliamentary Origins of Party Strength in Western Europe before the Second World War

This article uses new quantitative data to systematically test established arguments concerning the origins of party strength in 11 West European countries between 1870 and 1939. Through time-series cross-sectional analyses and using a wide range of sources, I investigate the role of the development of parliamentarism, suffrage extension, civil society, and the adoption of proportional representation. I further theorize that the development of parliamentarism and suffrage had an interactive effect because the legislative strength of a party affected its electoral strength, and vice versa. The main findings are that the development of parliamentarism most consistently helps explain party strength and that suffrage extension also was important, and I find support for an interactive effect of the two. A qualitative illustration of the Dutch development offers further support. Thus, the study provides a general explanation for the historical origins of a key component of West European parliamentary democracy, its strong parties.

Dynamic Water and Fertilizer Management Strategy for Greenhouse Tomato Based on Morphological Characteristics

A dynamic management strategy for water and fertilizer application based on morphological characteristics was developed to enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and fruit yield in greenhouse-cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Multivariate regression analysis was employed to determine the baseline water and fertilizer requirements and to evaluate the effects of varying irrigation and fertilization regimes on fruit yield and WUE. A coupled irrigation–fertilization experiment was conducted, and regression models were established to describe the changes in stem diameter and plant height under these regimes. These models were validated experimentally. The results showed that irrigation significantly influenced both tomato fruit yield and WUE, while fertilization significantly impacted yield, but not WUE. No interactive effects between irrigation and fertilization were observed for either parameter. Stem diameter and plant height were positively correlated with the irrigation and fertilization levels. The proposed dynamic management strategy improved fruit yield by 6.9% and 14.7% under the basic and well-irrigated/fertilized conditions, respectively, compared to that of the fixed regime. Furthermore, model implementation increased WUE by 6.93% and 43.17% and improved the economic benefits by 4.9% and 20.6% under the respective conditions. This provides a practical and effective tool for optimizing water and fertilizer management in greenhouse tomato production, contributing to resource-efficient and high-yield farming practices.

Balancing technology and humans – A sociomaterialistic approach to enhance learning effectiveness in the digital era

Purpose This research paper elaborates on how to balance the social (human interaction) and material (technology) aspects of e-learning and development (e-L&amp;D) to enhance learning effectiveness in an organization. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study was implemented in two phases – in the first phase, 30 employees from oil and gas industry were reached through three focus group discussions (company-wise). The employees were spread over three different companies within the state using the same e-learning platform successfully for more than five years. Discussions were conducted to understand their experiences while using e-learning platforms. In the second phase, pain points from the first phase were discussed with eight HR practitioners from the same industry through interviews to propose countermeasures for balancing human interaction and learning effectiveness. Findings The findings show that the use of e-L&amp;D has increased learning effectiveness but reduced human interaction. This limited human interaction negatively impacts the relationship between the use of e-L&amp;D and learning effectiveness. Countermeasures have been suggested through this article to optimize learning effectiveness in the ongoing digital scenario. Research limitations/implications Other factors influencing learning effectiveness were not considered for this study. Longitudinal study would strengthen the findings. Practical implications A humane approach in e-learning fosters more productive and happier workplaces. This study guides the organization to rightly invest time and money in e-learning resources. Originality/value Many publications unerringly prove how digitalization has productively transformed e-learning and development. This paper adds to the ongoing discussion by focusing on the balance between ‘human’ advantage and ‘digital’ advantage in organizations.

The synergistic effects of remittances, savings, education and digital financial technology on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of remittances, savings and education on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study focuses on understanding how these factors independently and interactively contribute to growth, with a specific emphasis on their potential to drive sustainable economic development in the region.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a panel dataset comprising 23 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period from 1974 to 2020. The system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation technique is utilized to address potential endogeneity issues and also explore the interactions between these variables to assess their combined influence on growth.FindingsThe findings reveal that remittances, savings and education have a significantly positive effect on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the study finds that the interactions between remittances and both savings and education are positively and significantly associated with economic growth.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that Sub-Saharan African countries could harness the full potential of remittances to drive economic growth by implementing policies that encourage a savings culture and improve educational outcomes.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the independent and interactive effects of remittances, savings and education on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study's use of the System GMM approach allows for robust estimation, accounting for potential endogeneity, and offers new insights into how these factors work together to influence economic development in the region.

Analysis of Trend, Growth, and Instability Index in Output, Harvested Area, and Yield of Oil Palm Fruit in Nigeria

The research examined the trend, growth rate, and instability index related to the output, harvested area, and yield of oil palm fruit in Nigeria. Utilizing secondary data sourced from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) covering the period from 1961 to 2022, the study revealed inconsistent patterns in the trend of output, harvested area, and yield of oil palm fruit across the specified timeframes. The compound growth rates identified were 1.11% for output, 1.03% for harvested area, and 0.08% for yield. The Cuddy-Della Valle instability index (CDI) and the Coppock Instability Index (COI) were calculated at 13.87 and 46.57 for output, 13.87 and 46.02 for harvested area, and 2.52 and 37.88 for yield, respectively. These instability indices were relatively low, indicating limited activity within the oil palm fruit sub-sector in Nigeria. A decomposition analysis of the total effect of the output showed that the area effect accounted for 94.20%, the yield effect for 3.19%, and the interactive effect for 2.61%. The findings indicate that the area effect is the predominant factor driving the growth of oil palm fruit production in Nigeria. Consequently, it is recommended that various programs such as; small grower schemes, oil palm farmers’ cooperatives, and off-takers scheme be implemented within the sub-sector to stimulate increased activities, production, and yield. Also, the oil palm fruit farmers should be provided with quality seeds and financial resources in addition to broadening research efforts aimed at developing high-yield varieties.

Financial Inclusion, Inequality and Women in Politics and Business

ABSTRACT This present study examines the role of financial inclusion dynamics (depth, access and efficiency) in mitigating the incidence of income inequality on gender inclusion in terms of women in business and women in politics. The following main findings are established. Income inequality reduces gender inclusion while financial inclusion dynamics dampen the negative effect of income inequality on gender inclusion. The corresponding net effects are negative. Considering positive conditional or interactive effects and the negative net effects, financial institution thresholds at which income inequality no longer reduces gender inclusion are provided and discussed. Policy implications are discussed.

Shared community history strengthens plant diversity effects on below-ground multitrophic functioning.

The relationship of plant diversity and several ecosystem functions strengthens over time. This suggests that the restructuring of biotic interactions in the process of a community's assembly and the associated changes in function differ between species-rich and species-poor communities. An important component of these changes is the feedback between plant and soil community history. In this study, we examined the interactive effects of plant richness and community history on the trophic functions of the soil fauna community. We hypothesized that experimental removal of either soil or plant community history would diminish the positive effects of plant richness on the multitrophic functions of the soil food web, compared to mature communities. We tested this hypothesis in a long-term grassland biodiversity experiment by comparing plots across three treatments (without plant history, without plant and soil history, controls with ~20 years of plot-specific community history). We found that the relationship between plant richness and below-ground multitrophic functionality is indeed stronger in communities with shared plant and soil community history. Our findings indicate that anthropogenic disturbance can impact the functioning of the soil community through the loss of plant species but also by preventing feedbacks that develop in the process of community assembly.

Fossil fuel curse and green transition: The role of renewable energy and green R&amp;D

Many researchers have documented the effects of deploying natural resources on gross domestic product (GDP) growth and confirmed the existence of the resource curse phenomenon. Furthermore, several studies have proved that factors such as institutional quality, trade openness, and commodity price volatility can alter the effects of natural resource deployment on economic growth. However, few studies have considered the effect of green transition on the resource curse. While transitioning to a green economy poses the threat of reducing the potential revenues from exporting natural resources in resource-abundant economies, it can contribute to economic growth by reducing fossil fuel dependance, increasing energy efficiency, and increasing green competitiveness. In this study, we analyze how fossil fuel rents affect GDP growth and study the interactive effects of renewable energy and investment in green research and development. By using the data of 109 countries for the period 1990–2020, we conduct a panel analysis. The results confirm the existence of the resource curse effect, whereby fossil fuel rents hinder economic growth. In addition, increasing renewable energy deployment can alleviate the adverse effects of fossil fuel rents. This mitigation can occur through a reduction in the domestic consumption of fossil fuels, increased access to international trade, and infrastructure investments. Lastly, increasing investments in green research and development mitigates the adverse effects of fossil fuel deployment. This result is achieved because of increases in energy efficiency, investment in human capital, and green competitiveness. We conclude that active green transitioning, especially in fossil-fuel-rich economies, can lead countries to sustainable growth.

How museum posters arouse curiosity and impulse to visit among young visitors: interactive effect of visual appeal and textual introduction

ABSTRACT Posters are often displayed in places such as buses or airports to promote tourist attractions. This study explores the impact of the mysterious appeal of museum posters on evoking potential young visitors’ curiosity and impulse to visit, considering the moderating effect of verbal introduction via two experimental studies. In study 1, a between-group one-way experiment (visual appeal: mysterious vs. non-mysterious) to explore how poster appeal affects potential young visitors’ impulse to visit through curiosity. Study 2 was a 2 (visual appeal: mysterious vs. non-mysterious) × 2 (textual introduction: concrete vs. abstract) between-group experiment to test the interaction effect of the visual appeal and textual introduction. The findings indicate that when the visual appeal is mysterious, prospective young visitors experience heightened curiosity and a higher impulse to visit. Especially when the textual introduction is concrete, the impact is amplified. This research offers insights into effective poster design for tourism marketing.

Humic substances modulate bacterial communities and mitigate adverse effects of temperature stress in coral reef organisms.

In the present study, we tested if terrestrially-derived humic substances (HS) could mitigate the adverse effects of elevated temperature and UVB radiation on the bacterial communities of two hard corals (Montipora digitata and Montipora capricornis), one soft coral (Sarcophyton glaucum), sediment and water. We also examined the impact of temperature, UVB radiation and HS supplementation on coral photosynthetic activity, a proxy for coral bleaching. We performed a multifactorial experiment using a randomized-controlled microcosm setup. Coral photosynthetic efficiency was measured in vivo using a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometer. Bacterial communities were analyzed using 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Corals in HS-supplemented microcosms had significantly higher photosynthetic activities than those in microcosms subjected to elevated temperature and UVB radiation. Additionally, HS supplementation significantly influenced the composition of sediment, water and host-associated bacterial communities. Reef organisms in HS supplemented microcosms contained distinct bacterial communities enriched with groups of potentially beneficial bacteria. In the hard coral Montipora digitata, we observed an interactive effect of HS supplementation, UVB radiation, and temperature. Our findings indicate that HS significantly modulates coral reef bacterial communities and support the hypothesis that these substances contribute to improved reef resistance to the adverse effects of elevated temperature and UVB radiation.

Net Assimilation Rate and Mean Relative Growth Rate of Horticulture Plants on Swamp Land under Control of Organic Compounds

This research involved two experiments and was conducted in the experiment station of Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic University of Riau, Indonesia. This experiment was arranged with a randomly simple design with two factors. First, the effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) compost and rice husk ash on Brassica juncea, and secondly the effects of water hyacinth compost and Rhizobium inoculant on soybean (Glycine max) were investigated. The data analysis was performed with Duncan’s multiple range test with significant differences at p &lt;0.05. The net assimilation rate and mean relative growth rate were used as indicators for the dry weight accumulation of plants. The combination of water hyacinth compost and rice husk ash had an interacting effect on soybean and Brassica juncea. An increase of net assimilation rate was followed by an increase in mean relative growth and a significant increase in dry matter weight was also observed. A combination of water hyacinth compost and rice husk ash had a significant positive effect on plant growth in swamp land. Rice husk ash can potentially balance excess iron and aluminum levels in soil impedes the absorption of essential minerals in swamp land. Rice husk ash can potentially balance excess iron and aluminum levels in soil that impedes the absorption of essential minerals in swamp land. The combination of water hyacinth compost and rice husk ash in swamp land increased the production of seed dry weight of soybean and crop dry weight of Brassica juncea.