Local Environmental Temperature Research Articles

Flexibility in thermal requirements: a comparative analysis of the wide-spread lizard genus Sceloporus.

Adaptation or acclimation of thermal requirements to environmental conditions can reduce thermoregulation costs and increase fitness, especially in ectotherms, which rely heavily on environmental temperatures for thermoregulation. Insight into how thermal niches have shaped thermal requirements across evolutionary history may help predict the survival of species during climate change. The lizard genus Sceloporus has a widespread distribution and inhabits an ample variety of habitats. We evaluated the effects of geographical gradients (i.e. elevation and latitude) and local environmental temperatures on thermal requirements (i.e. preferred body temperature, active body temperature in the field, and critical thermal limits) of Sceloporus species using published and field-collected data and performing phylogenetic comparative analyses. To contrast macro- and micro-evolutional patterns, we also performed intra-specific analyses when sufficient reports existed for a species. We found that preferred body temperature increased with elevation, whereas body temperature in the field decreased with elevation and increased with local environmental temperatures. Critical thermal limits were not related to the geographic gradient or environmental temperatures. The apparent lack of relation of thermal requirements to geographic gradient may increase vulnerability to extinction due to climate change. However, local and temporal variations in thermal landscape determine thermoregulation opportunities and may not be well represented by geographic gradient and mean environmental temperatures. Results showed that Sceloporus lizards are excellent thermoregulators, have wide thermal tolerance ranges, and the preferred temperature was labile. Our results suggest that Sceloporus lizards can adjust to different thermal landscapes, highlighting opportunities for continuous survival in changing thermal environments.

Stability, resilienceand eco-evolutionary feedbacks of mutualistic networks to rising temperature.

Ecological networks comprising of mutualistic interactions can suddenly transition to undesirable states, such as collapse, due to small changes in environmental conditions such as a rise in local environmental temperature. However, little is known about the capacity of such interaction networks to adapt to a rise in temperature and the occurrence of critical transitions. Here, combining quantitative genetics and mutualistic dynamics in an eco-evolutionary framework, we evaluated the stability and resilience of mutualistic networks to critical transitions as environmental temperature increases. Specifically, we modelled the dynamics of an optimum trait that determined the tolerance of species to local environmental temperature as well as to species interaction. We then evaluated the impact of individual trait variation and evolutionary dynamics on the stability of feasible equilibria, the occurrence of threshold temperatures at which community collapses, and the abruptness of such community collapses. We found that mutualistic network architecture, that is the size of the community and the arrangement of species interactions, interacted with evolutionary dynamics to impact the onset of network collapses. Some networks had more capacity to track the rise in temperatures than others and thereby increased the threshold temperature at which the networks collapsed. However, such a result was modulated by the amount of heritable trait variation species exhibited, with high trait variation in the mean optimum phenotypic trait increasing the environmental temperature at which networks collapsed. Furthermore, trait variation not only increased the onset of temperatures at which networks collapsed but also increased the local stability of feasible equilibria. Our study argued that mutualistic network architecture interacts with species evolutionary dynamics and increases the capacity of networks to adapt to changes in temperature and thereby delayed the occurrence of community collapses.

High spatial-resolved heat manipulating membrane heterogeneity alters cellular migration and signaling.

Plasma membrane heterogeneity is a key biophysical regulatory principle of membrane protein dynamics, which further influences downstream signal transduction. Although extensive biophysical and cell biology studies have proven membrane heterogeneity is essential to cell fate, the direct link between membrane heterogeneity regulation to cellular function remains unclear. Heterogeneous structures on plasma membranes, such as lipid rafts, are transiently assembled, thus hard to study via regular techniques. Indeed, it is nearly impossible to perturb membrane heterogeneity without changing plasma membrane compositions. In this study, we developed a high-spatial resolved DNA-origami-based nanoheater system with specific lipid heterogeneity targeting to manipulate the local lipid environmental temperature under near-infrared (NIR) laser illumination. Our results showed that the targeted heating of the local lipid environment influences the membrane thermodynamic properties, which further triggers an integrin-associated cell migration change. Therefore, the nanoheater system was further applied as an optimized therapeutic agent for wound healing. Our strategy provides a powerful tool to dynamically manipulate membrane heterogeneity and has the potential to explore cellular function through changes in plasma membrane biophysical properties.

Effects of heat wave on development, reproduction, and morph differentiation of Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

As global warming intensifies, heat waves occur frequently in the summer and autumn in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is an important pest of soybean in the region, which faces great survival pressure due to high temperature. In this study, A. glycines fed soybean (AgFS) and wild soybean (AgFW) were exposed to diurnal 35 °C for 7 days begin at different developmental stages, and the development, reproduction, and morph differentiation were studied. When AgFS were exposed to heat waves from the second stadium to the adult stage, they performed worse in adult lifespan and fecundity than the control. When AgFW were exposed to heat waves begin at different developmental stages, the adult lifespan and reproduction period were shortened and reproduction ability decreased. When exposed to heat waves, the adult fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase in AgFW were lower than those of AgFS. Lower proportion of males were deposited on day 13, when AgFS and AgFW were exposed to diurnal 35 °C begin at different developmental stages. The results showed that heat waves lasting for 7 days were likely to be useful in the management of A. glycines, which reduced adult reproduction ability and male differentiation proportion in the offspring and significantly affected AgFW compared to AgFS. These results are important for predicting the dynamics of A. glycines in Heilongjiang, northeast China, where the local environmental temperature is increasing and heat waves occur frequently.

Research on the particle scale gas and solid non-gray thermal radiation transfer

Gas radiation emission is important for particle heat transfer in combustion scenarios where gas products are radiative participating media. However, it is usually neglected in particle scale simulations, and its magnitude and variation with void fraction are unclear. A particle scale thermal radiation model is developed to investigate the radiation heat transfer mechanism between the gas and solid phase. The radiative properties are modeled by the full spectrum k-distribution method, and the radiative transfer equation is solved by the discrete ordinates method. Results show that gas and solid radiative heat fluxes are about 1300 W/m2 and 4500 W/m2 for the dense and dilute conditions respectively, and decrease exponentially with the solid volume fraction. The local environmental temperature model is evaluated and shown to significantly over-estimate the gas radiation. Variations of the radiative exchange between the gas and solid with temperature and species fractions are also simulated and analyzed.

Holocene warming trend based on peat brGDGTs records from southeastern humid to northwestern arid China

Recent syntheses of marine paleoclimate records have revealed an overall long-term Holocene warming trend, especially in mean annual temperature (MAT), which is inconsistent with most terrestrial records on continental and global scales. We present a record of branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) from the Shiwangutian (SWGT) peatland in central-southern China. Comparative results from surface peat samples from the SWGT peatland and the surrounding surface soils demonstrate that the brGDGTs are primarily of in-situ origin, demonstrating their potential as a record of local environmental changes. Monthly observational results show no seasonal variations in the methylation index of 5-methyl brGDGTs (MBT'5MEwhich has been proposed as an indicator of local environmental temperature in peatlands) in the surface peat samples, suggesting that it is an indicator of MAT. Thus, we conclude that the long-term increasing trend in the brGDGTs-based MBT'5ME records of two parallel independently-dated peat cores from the SWGT peatland clearly demonstrate a long-term warming trend during the Holocene. Additionally, we found that the brGDGTs-based records from five peatlands along an environmental gradient from southeastern (SE) humid to northwestern (NW) arid China also show a long-term Holocene warming trend. However, this trend is the opposite to the long-term Holocene cooling trend indicated by brGDGTs records from two peatlands in northeastern (NE) China, highlighting the complexity of peat brGDGTs as a climatic indicator. We therefore appeal for more peat brGDGTs studies, which are important for understanding the climate history of the Holocene and its potential relationship with human activities.

Interactive effects of temperature and bisphenol A on phytoplankton growth and community structure.

Environmental contamination of bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread and multifaceted issue with vast ecological, social and economic consequences. Thus, understanding how local environmental conditions, such as temperature, interact with BPA to affect populations and community dynamics remain important areas of research. Here, we conduct laboratory experiments aimed at understanding how environmental gradients of both temperature and BPA concentration influence freshwater phytoplankton population growth and community structure. We exposed phytoplankton assemblages comprised of three common species of green algae (Chlorella vulgaris, Ankistrodesmus braunii and Scenedesmus quadricauda) as well as isolates of each individual species to three BPA concentrations (0, 2, 13mg/L BPA) and three temperatures (18, 23, 27°C) monitoring population growth and community structure (via biovolume). We observed antagonistic interactions between BPA and warmer temperatures, such that when warmer temperatures decreased growth (observed with A. braunii), high concentrations of BPA elevated growth at these warm temperatures; however, when warmer temperatures increased growth (C. vulgaris, S. quadricauda), high BPA concentrations diminished these gains. Although BPA exposure inhibited the growth of most C. vulgaris populations, growth was not reduced in A. braunii or S. quadricauda populations exposed to 2mg/L BPA. Phytoplankton assemblage evenness (Pielou evenness index) decreased as BPA concentration increased and was consistently lowest under 27°C. Community composition was similar in assemblages cultured under 0 and 2mg/L BPA under 18 and 23°C but was most similar between assemblages cultured under 2 and 13mg/L BPA under 27°C. These results indicate that local environmental temperatures can mediate the consequences of BPA for freshwater phytoplankton growth rates and community structure and that BPA can diminish potential gains of increased growth rate for warm-adapted phytoplankton species at high environmental temperatures.

Adaptability of Two Soybean Aphid Species to High Diurnal Temperatures.

The local temperature in the Harbin region of northeast China has been rising, with temperatures above 27°C often being recorded. The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are important pests in soybeans in the region, which face great survival pressure due to rising temperatures. In this study, A. glycines and A. solani were reared at thermoperiods with diurnal temperatures of 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, and 37°C, nocturnal temperature of 20 °C, 70% ± 5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L: D) hr. Diurnal thermoperiod 25°C was used as control. Some life characteristics of the aphids were assessed. The adaptation of A. solani to high diurnal temperatures was found to be worse than that of A. glycines. Aphis glycines could develop and reproduce successfully at diurnal temperatures of 27-35°C, whereas A. solani could only develop and reproduce at 27-29°C. At diurnal thermoperiods at 25°C, adult lifespan of A. solani was as long as that of A. glycines. When diurnal temperatures increased from 27 to 31°C, adult lifespan of A. solani were shorter than those of A. glycines. At diurnal thermoperiods at 25 and 27°C, the body sizes of A. solani adults were larger than those of A. glycines. At diurnal thermoperiods at 29 and 31°C, the body size of A. solani adults were as large as those of A. glycines. Our results provide important information on the survival, development, and reproduction of A. glycines and A. solani exposed to temperatures above 27°C, which is important for evaluating the adaptability of aphids to high temperatures and predicting their dynamics in soybeans in northeast China, where the local environmental temperature continues to rise.

A Linear Relationship between Vertical Velocity and Condensation Processes in Deep Convection

Abstract Vertical velocities and microphysical processes within deep convection are intricately linked, having wide-ranging impacts on water and mass vertical transport, severe weather, extreme precipitation, and the global circulation. The goal of this research is to investigate the functional form of the relationship between vertical velocity (w) and microphysical processes that convert water vapor into condensed water (M) in deep convection. We examine an ensemble of high-resolution simulations spanning a range of tropical and midlatitude environments, a variety of convective organizational modes, and different model platforms and microphysics schemes. The results demonstrate that the relationship between w and M is robustly linear, with the slope of the linear fit being primarily a function of temperature and secondarily a function of supersaturation. The R2 of the linear fit is generally above 0.6 except near the freezing and homogeneous freezing levels. The linear fit is examined both as a function of local in-cloud temperature and environmental temperature. The results for in-cloud temperature are more consistent across the simulation suite, although environmental temperatures are more useful when considering potential observational applications. The linear relationship between w and M is substituted into the condensate tendency equation and rearranged to form a diagnostic equation for w. The performance of the diagnostic equation is tested in several simulations, and it is found to diagnose the storm-scale updraft speeds to within 1 m s−1 throughout the upper half of the clouds. Potential applications of the linear relationship between w and M and the diagnostic w equation are discussed.

Nature versus nurture in heat stress induced learning between inbred and outbred populations of Lymnaea stagnalis.

Changing environmental conditions often lead to microevolution of traits that are adaptive under the current selection pressure. Currently, one of the major selection pressures is the rise in temperatures globally that has a severe impact on the behavioral ecology of animals. However, the role of thermal stress on neuronal plasticity and memory formation is not well understood. Thermal tolerance and sensitivity to heat stress show variation across populations of the same species experiencing different thermal regimes. We used two populations of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis: one lab-bred W-snails and the other wild Delta snails to test heat shock induced learning and memory formation for the Garcia effect learning paradigm. In Garcia effect, a single pairing of a heat stressor (30°C for 1h) with a novel taste results in a taste-specific negative hedonic shift lasting 24h as long-term memory (LTM) in lab bred W-snails. In this study we used a repeated heat stress procedure to test for increased or decreased sensitivity to the heat before testing for the Garcia effect. We found that lab-bred W-snails show increased sensitivity to heat stress after repeated heat exposure for 7days, leading to enhanced LTM for Garcia effect with only 15min of heat exposure instead of standard 1h. Surprisingly, the freshly collected wild snails do not show Garcia effect. Additionally, F1 generation of wild snails raised and maintained under laboratory conditions still retain their heat stress tolerance similar to their parents and do not show a Garcia effect under standard learning paradigm or even after repeated heat stressor. Thus, we found a differential effect of heat stress on memory formation in wild and lab bred snails. Most interestingly we also show that local environmental (temperature) conditions for one generation is not enough to alter thermal sensitivity in a wild population of L. stagnalis.

Prenatal ambient temperature and risk for schizophrenia

ObjectiveWe conducted a systematic review of the published literature to test the hypothesis that maternal exposure to extremes of ambient temperatures during pregnancy is associated with the risk for psychiatric disorders or congenital malformations in offspring, both of which are indicative of perturbations of fetal neurodevelopment. MethodThis study was conducted in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting proposal.Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid PsycINFO, Ovid Global Health, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched. Four independent reviewers selected studies with the following criteria: (1) prenatal maternal ambient temperature exposure; (2) outcome of offspring psychiatric disorder or congenital defects; (3) empirical study; (4) full-length article, no conference presentations or abstracts. ResultsTwenty-two studies met criteria and one was added from a reference list (n = 23). Of these, schizophrenia (n = 5), anorexia nervosa (n = 3) and congenital cardiovascular malformations (n = 6) studies were the most common. Each of these categories showed some evidence of association with an early pregnancy maternal ambient heat exposure effect, with other evidence for a late pregnancy cold effect. ConclusionSome evidence supports a role for early pregnancy maternal exposure to extreme ambient heat in the development of psychiatric disorders, but large-scale, prospective cohort data on individual births is essential. Optimal studies will be conducted in seasonally variable climates, accounting for actual maternal residence over the pregnancy and at parturition, local environmental temperature records, and appropriate covariates, similar to studies identified by this systematic review for congenital malformations.

Division of Frosting Type and Frosting Degree of the Air Source Heat Pump for Heating in China

The frosting type and frosting degree of the outdoor heat exchanger of air source heat pump (ASHP) in the heating season are greatly affected by the local environmental temperature and humidity. China has a vast territory, and the climate varies greatly in different regions. Therefore, when the ASHP is running in different climate zones for heating in winter, there are significant differences in the frosting type and frosting degree. In order to achieve deeper understanding of frost formation and provide more accurate guidance for the suitability application of antifrosting and defrosting technologies, a study on the division of frosting type and frosting degree was performed in this work. Based on the three-phase diagram of water and combined with the theory of phase change dynamics, the outdoor heat exchanger of the ASHP in the heating season was divided into four states: neither frosting nor condensation, condensation, condensation frosting, and sublimation frosting, and the proportion of each state in a typical city in different climate zones was calculated. The results showed that more than 80% of the heating seasons in Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Changsha, Xi’an, and Harbin had the frosting phenomenon. Sublimation frosting was the main frosting type in Xi’an, Beijing, and Harbin, while Chongqing was all condensation frosting. Moreover, a frosting model was developed and the frosting degree was divided into mild frosting, moderate frosting, and heavy frosting, according to the performance attenuation of the ASHP under frosting conditions. The proportion of each frosting degree in a typical city was achieved. About 50% of the heating seasons in Nanjing and Changsha were distributed in the heavy frost area and 100% in Chongqing.

Temperature‐mediated variation in selection on offspring size: A multi‐cohort field study

Abstract Offspring size is a key life‐history trait that often covaries negatively with temperature. Most studies focus on how temperature alters selection on offspring size during early life‐history stages such as embryos or larvae. The degree to which temperature alters the relationship between offspring size and post‐metamorphic performance remains unclear as field studies across multiple temperature regimes are rare. I deployed over 6,000 individuals of known offspring size, into the field across 28 cohorts spanning 4 years for the model marine invertebrate, Bugula neritina and monitored their survival, growth and reproduction. Offspring size closely tracked the local environmental temperature across cohorts. This offspring size–temperature covariance appeared to be adaptive, at least from the perspective of mothers. When temperatures were warmer, the relationship between offspring size and performance was weak; when temperatures were cooler, the relationship was strongly positive. The estimates of selection based on maternal fitness differed from those based on offspring fitness, suggesting temperature‐mediated parent–offspring conflict over offspring provisioning exists. I also found evidence for temporal autocorrelation in temperature and selection on offspring size. The fact that temperature affects the relationship between offspring size and post‐metamorphic performance further complicates the challenge in understanding the ubiquitous covariance between offspring size and temperature. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Environmental and Air Pollution Factors Affecting Allergic Eye Disease in Children and Adolescents in India.

The aim of this study was to describe the correlation between the meteorological and air pollution parameters with the temporal pattern of presentation of recent onset allergic eye disease (AED). This cross-sectional hospital-based study included new patients (≤21 years of age) presenting between January 2016 and August 2018 from the district of Hyderabad with a clinical diagnosis of AED and an acute exacerbation of recent onset of symptoms of less than 3 months duration. Correlation analysis was performed with the local environmental rainfall, temperature, humidity, windspeed, and air pollution. Of the 25,354 new patients hailing from the district of Hyderabad, 2494 (9.84%) patients were diagnosed with AED, of which 1062 (4.19%) patients had recent onset of symptoms. The mean monthly prevalence in this cohort was 4.13%, and the month of May (6.09%) showed the highest levels. The environmental parameters of humidity (r2 = 0.83/p = < 0.0001) and rainfall (r2 = 0.41/p = 0.0232) showed significant negative correlation, while temperature (r2 = 0.43/p = 0.0206) and ground-level ozone (r2 = 0.41/p = 0.0005) showed significant positive correlation with the temporal pattern of AED in the population. An increase in rainfall and humidity was associated with a lower prevalence, and an increase of temperature and ground-level ozone was associated with a higher prevalence of AED cases during the year among children and adolescents.

Detection of hydrogen concentration based on an all-fiber fluorescence intensity ratio optical thermometer with Er3+/Yb3+ codoped NaBi(WO4)2 phosphors

The detection of hydrogen concentration was realized by measurement the change of local environmental temperature using an all-fiber fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) optical thermometer. The temperature sensing optical material Er3+/Yb3+ codoped NaBi(WO4)2 phosphors were synthesized and used for the development of temperature sensing probe. Intense green upconversion luminescence was observed at an excitation power of 1.5 mW at room temperature and the dependence of FIR on the environmental temperature was obtained at the temperature range of 298.15–373.15 K. The maximum absolute temperature sensitivity reached the maximum value of 0.0127 K−1 at 373.15 K and the absolute error was 0.4 K to 0.3 K at 303.15 K, which laid the foundation for further research on real-time and remote H2 concentration detection. The local temperature change ∆T was measured due to the heat release from the reaction of H2 embedded with Pt-loaded WO3/SiO2 film. The relationship between ∆T and H2 concentration was established, which may be used to detect the leakiness of H2 gas during the traffic and storage process.

Temporal trend of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis and correlation with environmental and air pollution factors in India.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to describe the correlation between the temporal pattern of presentation of acute microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis (MKC) with meteorological parameters such as environmental temperature, rainfall, humidity, windspeed, and air pollution.Methods:This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 182,789 patients presenting between January 2016 and December 2019 hailing from the district of Hyderabad. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of MKC in at least one eye with an acute onset (≤1 week) of presentation were included as cases. Correlation analysis was performed with the local environmental temperature, rainfall, humidity, and windspeed (Telangana State Development and Planning Society) and air pollution (Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India).Results:Overall, 84 (0.05%) patients were diagnosed with acute onset MKC from the district of Hyderabad. The mean monthly prevalence in this cohort was 0.05% with peak prevalence in the months of July (0.08%), August (0.09%), September (0.12%), and October (0.08%). The environmental parameters of rainfall (r2 = 0.87/P = < 0.0001), humidity (r2 = 0.78/P = 0.0001), windspeed (r2 = 0.38/P = 0.0321) were significantly positively correlated and the air pollution parameters such as ground level ozone (r2 = 0.89/P = < 0.0001), particulate matter PM10 (r2 = 0.65/P = 0.0013), PM2.5 (r2 = 0.50/P = 0.0095), nitrogen dioxide (r2 = 0.53/P = 0.0071), and carbon monoxide (r2 = 0.69/P = 0.0008) were significantly negatively correlated with the temporal pattern of MKC in the population.Conclusion:Parasitic infections like MKC show a distinct temporal trend peaking during the monsoon season in the population. An increase in humidity, wind speed, and especially rainfall contributes to a higher prevalence of MKC cases during the year. An increase in ground-level ozone seems to be protective against infection.

Optically Cooling Cesium Lead Tribromide Nanocrystals.

One photon up-conversion photoluminescence is an optical phenomenon whereby the thermal energy of a fluorescent material increases the energy of an emitted photon compared with the energy of the photon that was absorbed. When this occurs with near unity efficiency, the emitting material undergoes a net decrease in temperature, so-called optical cooling. Because the up-conversion mechanism is thermally activated, the yield of up-converted photoluminescence is also a reporter of the temperature of the emitter. Taking advantage of this optical signature, cesium lead trihalide nanocrystals are shown to cool during the up-conversion of 532 nm CW laser excitation. Raman thermometric analysis of a substrate on which the nanocrystals were deposited further verifies the decrease in the local environmental temperature by as much as 25 °C during optical pumping. This is the first demonstration of optical cooling driven by colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal up-conversion.

Environmental Determinants of Calling Activity and Temporal Body Size Variation in Males of Boana pulchella (Anura: Hylidae) from Southern Uruguay

Amphibian activity is affected by environmental variables, and in some species from tropical and subtropical regions the males in activity are bigger at the beginning of the rainy season than at the end. In this context, the relationship between male calling activity and climatic variables was evaluated in a population of Boana pulchella from Uruguay. This tree frog is distributed from southern Brazil to central and northern Argentina and is a prolonged breeder, enabling us to evaluate temporal male body size variations. The study population was in a temperate region with seasonal variation of temperature and aseasonal rainfall. Monthly mean temperatures and total rainfall were obtained from a meteorological station 15 km from the semi-permanent pond where the sampling work was conducted. From November 2005 to November 2006, 10 m from this pond, and three days per month, air temperature and relative humidity were recorded, and monthly photoperiods were calculated. From 20:00–22:00 on the days climatic variables were determined, the activity of B. pulchella was measured through an acoustic and visual encounter survey. In addition, animals were collected, measured, and released. Male activity was not correlated with either mean temperature or photoperiod. This was compatible with the aseasonal male activity calculated with circular statistics. However, male activity was positively correlated with rainfall. The occurrence of froglets was seasonal, concentrated mainly in November 2005. The males in the cold season were larger than those in the warm season. Qualitative comparison among calling phonologies at different latitudes indicated B. pulchella was inactive during some cold months in the south and during some warm months in the north. This geographical variation in calling phenology indicates that local environmental temperatures affect activity and likely reproduction of B. pulchella, with the optimum being in the range of cold to mild.

Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis in India: Trend Analysis and Implications for Viral Outbreaks

Purpose:To describe the correlation between the temporal pattern of presentation of acute epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) of presumed adenoviral etiology with meteorological parameters such as environmental temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind speed.Methods:This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 2,408,819 patients presenting between August 2010 and February 2020. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of EKC in at least one eye were included as cases. A smaller cohort of patients with acute (≤1 week) presentation hailing from the district of Hyderabad during the calendar years 2016–2019 was used to perform correlation analysis with the local environmental temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind speed (data obtained from the Telangana State Development and Planning Society).Results:Overall, 21,196 (0.87%) patients were diagnosed with EKC, of which 19,203 (90.6%) patients had acute onset; among which the cohort from the district of Hyderabad included 1,635 (8.51%) patients. The mean monthly prevalence in this cohort was 0.89% with a peak prevalence in April (1.09%). The environmental parameters of rainfall (r2 = 0.47/P = 0.0131), humidity (r2 = 0.65/P = 0.0014), and wind speed (r2 = 0.56/P = 0.0047) were significantly negatively correlated with the temporal pattern of EKC in the population. There was no visible trend or significant correlation seen with temperature (r2 = 0.08/P = 0.3793).Conclusion:Contrary to popular belief, epidemic viral infections like EKC may not be affected by temperature, but rather by a complex interplay of other environmental factors such as humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. An increase in rainfall, wind speed, and humidity contributes to a lower prevalence of EKC cases during the year.

Oxygen isotope analysis of Equus teeth evidences early Eemian and early Weichselian palaeotemperatures at the Middle Palaeolithic site of Neumark-Nord 2, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Here we present phosphate oxygen isotope (δ18OPO4) data from horse (Equus sp.) tooth enamel (bioapatite) from early Eemian and early Weichselian find levels at the archaeological site of Neumark-Nord 2, Germany. Based on the relationship between δ18OPO4 of bioapatite, body water, local precipitation and air temperature, these data are used to reconstruct palaeoclimatic conditions contemporary to the different phases of Neanderthal activity at the site. Bulk enamel samples representing one year of growth were taken from horse teeth from early Eemian (NN2/2b [∼121 ± 5 ka], and NN2/1c) and early Weichselian (NN2/0; ∼93 ± 7 ka) find levels, and δ18OPO4 values were then utilised to calculate δ18O of local environmental water and mean annual air temperatures (MATs) during these phases of MIS5. Results indicate that during the early Eemian MAT was ∼9 °C, with some evidence of variability through time. Although ∼3 °C lower, the calculated early Weichselian MAT exceeds that indicated by other local and regional climate proxy datasets, suggesting that Neanderthal activity may have coincided with more ameliorate phases of the early Weichselian in this area.