Local Scale Research Articles

Autosomal dominant SLURP1 variants cause palmoplantar keratoderma and progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma

Abstract Background Epidermal differentiation disorders (EDDs, a.k.a. ichthyosis and palmoplantar keratoderma) are severe heritable skin conditions characterized by localized or generalized skin scaling and erythema. Objectives To identify novel genetic variants causing palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma (PSEK) phenotypes. Methods We performed whole exome sequencing in a large EDD cohort including PPK and PSEK phenotypes to identify novel genetic variants. We investigated the variant consequence using in silico predictions, assays in patient keratinocytes, high-resolution spatial transcriptomics, and quantitative cytokine profiling. Results We identified three unrelated kindreds with autosomal dominant transmission of heterozygous SLURP1 variants affecting the same amino acid within the signal peptide (c.65C>A, p.A22D, and c.65C>T, p.A22V). One (p.A22V) had isolated PPK, and two others (p.A22D) had PSEK and PPK. In silico modeling suggested that both variants alter pro-SLURP1 cleavage, appending two amino acids to the secreted protein, which we subsequently confirmed with mass spectrometry. In patient keratinocytes we found increased differentiation-induced SLURP1 expression and secretion compared to healthy control cells. Spatial transcriptomics revealed increased NF-κB signaling and innate immune activity which may contribute to epidermal hyperproliferation in dominant SLURP1-PPK/PSEK. Conclusions Our results expand the phenotypic spectrum of EDD due to SLURP1 pathogenic variants. While autosomal recessive Mal de Meleda is due to biallelic loss-of-function SLURP1 variants, our finding of autosomal dominant SLURP1 pathogenic variants in kindreds with PPK and PSEK suggests a novel mechanism of action. We found that heterozygous p.A22V and p.A22D SLURP1 variants append two amino acids to secreted SLURP1, increase differentiation-induced SLURP1 expression and secretion, and upregulate NF-κB signaling in PSEK cases.

Designing biodiversity-friendly landscapes: the effects of landscape heterogeneity across scales on bird species richness in Taiwan

ContextPromoting heterogeneous landscapes could help to reduce the negative impacts of habitat conversion on biota, especially for countries with limited lands. However, the benefits of landscape heterogeneity can vary among spatial scales and taxa.ObjectivesTo design biodiversity-friendly landscapes, we use nationwide bird survey data and land use maps to examine the effects of compositional heterogeneity, configurational heterogeneity, and habitat amount at different scales on the species richness of different bird groups.MethodsWe examined the effects of configurational heterogeneity (measured using edge density), compositional heterogeneity (Shannon’s diversity index of habitat types), and habitat amount (proportion of forest and farmland cover) at both transect (local) and landscape (0.5, 1, and 2 km) scales on the species richness of all breeding birds, forest birds, farmland birds, and introduced birds.ResultsTotal species richness had a hump-shaped relationship with local forest cover, and with farmland cover at landscape scale. Richness of both forest birds and richness of farmland birds increased with Shannon’s diversity index of habitat types at both local and landscape scales, but only increased with the amount of their preferred habitat at the local scale. Richness of introduced birds was greater in landscapes with higher edge density, suggesting those species are associated with human-dominated landscapes.ConclusionsHigh compositional heterogeneity with low configurational heterogeneity at the landscape scale may help maintain native bird richness while minimising the spread of introduced species in Taiwan. These results can help guide land use planning to achieving biodiversity goals in a country with intensive land use competition.

Scale-free behavior of weight distributions of connectomes

To determine the precise link between anatomical structure and function, brain studies primarily concentrate on the anatomical wiring of the brain and its topological properties. In this work, we investigate the weighted degree and connection length distributions of the KKI-113 and KKI-18 human connectomes, the fruit fly, and the mouse retina. We find that the node strength (weighted degree) distribution behavior differs depending on the considered scale. On the global scale, the distributions are found to follow a power-law behavior, with a roughly universal exponent close to 3. However, this behavior breaks at the local scale as the node strength distributions of the KKI-18 follow a stretched exponential, and the fly and mouse retina follow the log-normal distribution, respectively, which are indicative of underlying random multiplicative processes and underpins nonlocality of learning in a brain close to the critical state. However, for the case of the KKI-113 and the H01 human (1mm3) datasets, the local weighted degree distributions follow an exponentially truncated power law, which may hint at the fact that the critical learning mechanism may have manifested at the node level too. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Invisible Threads: Emerging Water Governance in the Multi‐Actor Dynamics of the Mira‐Mataje Transboundary River Basin

ABSTRACTIn recent years, scholarly interest has surged in exploring the emergence of new governance regimes that redefine the self‐governing capacities of local communities in water management, navigating security challenges to ensure compliance to central government water laws and regulations. Embracing polycentric governance across various levels of political interaction provides insights into the factors driving the establishment of these regimes, particularly in regions with limited state presence, and where the threat of climate impact has become visible by climate extreme events as drought. This approach emphasizes the importance of decentralized, collaborative systems for effectively and sustainably managing water resources. Such systems promote equitable water use, regional stability, and resilience to drought through innovative, community‐driven solutions aimed at addressing water scarcity challenges. While the former, polycentric governance, involves multiple centers of authority making decisions collaboratively, the latter, decentralized governance, refers to communities independently managing their affairs. To understand evidence related to these dynamics, we focus on actors' interactions around the downstream area of the transboundary Mira River Basin, between Ecuador and Colombia. Employing mixed method approaches such as qualitative interviews, policy analysis, and participatory observation provides comprehensive insights into the complex interactions shaping transboundary water governance and community responses. These methods facilitate a thorough understanding of how institutional arrangements and governance structures evolve and adapt in diverse sociopolitical contexts, offering valuable lessons for sustainable water management strategies on (local) scale or on (cross‐border) collaboration. This is particularly crucial in addressing the challenges posed by drought scenarios, ensuring resilience and adaptability in water governance worldwide.

On the road to Mecca: Branding discourses and national identity on coffee shop signage.

Commercial branding stands as a discursive and cultural facet of the contemporary global era where competing brands construct their own identities. From a discourse perspective, a brand is discursively constructed on commercial signs. Accordingly, this study examines the interplay between coffee shop branding and national identity in Saudi Arabia. In so doing, the study investigates the competing branding discourses associated with coffee as well as the space given to national identity. To achieve this task, the study developed a conceptual framework grounded on critical discourse analysis (CDA) and linguistic landscape (LL). The data consists of 88 commercial signs of coffee shops collected by driving on a road from Najran to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The research site was then verified through Google Maps. The data built a communicative event for an empirical mixed-method research design. CDA linguistic and multimodal toolbox was utilized. The analysis showed that three names of coffee are found on the road to Mecca: qahwa (Arabic), coffee (English), and kufi (transliteration). With these names, four discourse are in competition. For globalization, English-Arabic glocal discourse (34%), and English global discourse (8%) are competing to construct coffee branding. For national identity, Arabic local discourse (42%) and Arabic-English glocal discourse (16%) are associated with qahwa; something that gives substantial space (58%) for national identity. These findings enhance our understanding of the linguistic and multimodal dimensions of globalized spaces and their discursive construction of branding at the local scale of globalization. The study recommends further research and suggests some cultural and pedagogical implications for authorities, translation, bilingual awareness, teaching, and learning.

Predicted distribution of curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Distributions of plants are expected to change in response to climate change, but the relative probability of that change is often unknown. Curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), an important browse species used by ungulates as forage and cover across the western US, is thought to be moderately to highly vulnerable to climate change this century, and a reduction in curl-leaf mountain mahogany occurrence may negatively impact ungulates reliant upon it. A combination of probability density estimation and vector analysis was used to predict curl-leaf mountain mahogany distribution across the species range relative to climate space and how that relationship would affect curl-leaf mountain mahogany at a local scale. Locally, we used the curl-leaf mountain mahogany population at the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA) in Montana and Wyoming for comparison. We modeled the probability of curl-leaf mountain mahogany occurrence across its distribution using water balance data to spatially and temporally assess the vulnerability of a population at a local scale. Modeled probabilities of occurrence and vector analysis indicated the species to remain in some areas within BICA but will be vulnerable in others given the predicted changes in temperature and precipitation in BICA if historical trajectories continue. This information allows managers to direct limited resources to other management actions by using the best available science to inform decisions. Other curl-leaf mountain mahogany populations currently inhabiting wetter, drier sites may follow a similar trajectory as the effects of climate change manifest. The approach used serves as a model to assess the predicted trend for species-specific plant communities of concern that may be adversely affected by climate change.

Temporal associations between microclimate, adult Aedes mosquito indices, and dengue cases at the residence level in Malaysia: Implications for targeted interventions.

Dengue continues to be a major public health concern in Malaysia, as evidenced by the significant surge in cumulative dengue case numbers and deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year. While previous studies have explored the interplay of abiotic and biotic factors of mosquito density and dengue cases on a local scale in Malaysia, there is a notable gap in the research focusing on adult Aedes mosquito populations. This study aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by investigating the association and time lags (TLs) between daily microclimate (DM), mosquito indices (MIs), and dengue cases at the residence level. In this longitudinal study, field data were collected over 26 weeks using data loggers, gravid oviposit sticky (GOS) traps, and non-structural 1 (NS1) test kits in both non-dengue hotspot (NDH) and dengue hotspots (DH). The collected data encompassed DM variables, vegetation cover (VC), MIs, and number of dengue cases. An autocorrelation analysis was conducted to determine the TLs between MIs and their preceding values, while a cross-correlation analysis revealed the TLs between MIs and DM variables. The study indicated there are positive correlations between the adult index (AI) of Ae. albopictus, their preceding values and rainfall at an NDH. Conversely, the AIs of total Aedes at the DH exhibited positive correlations with their preceding values, temperature, rainfall, and maximum relative humidity (RH), but negative correlations with the mean and maximum RH. The dengue-positive trap index (DPTI) of total Aedes at DHs demonstrated positive associations with their preceding values, mean temperature, minimum temperature, maximum RH, and rainfall, with negative correlations observed for the maximum temperature, mean RH, and minimum RH. Similar trends were identified for the Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus at DHs. The association between dengue cases, DM, and MIs was inconclusive due to underreported cases. This study highlighted the DM and TLs of dengue virus-infected and non-infected adult female Aedes mosquitoes using onsite data collection. Furthermore, this study presents a replicable methodology that can be adopted by researchers worldwide for investigating the dynamics of dengue transmission in similar settings. The findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers, providing them with evidence-based information to implement targeted interventions and strategies aimed at controlling Aedes mosquito populations and mitigating the spread of dengue virus infections.

Projecting Barrier Beach Vulnerability to Waves and Sea-Level Rise Under Climate Change

Long-term impacts of sea-level changes and trends in storm magnitude and frequency along the Mediterranean coasts are key aspects of effective coastal adaptation strategies. In enclosed basins such as a gulf, this requires a step beyond global and regional analysis toward high-resolution modeling of hazards and vulnerabilities at different time scales. We present the compound future projection of static (relative sea level) and dynamic (wind-wave) impacts on the geomorphological evolution of a vulnerable sandy coastal plan located in south Sardinia (west Mediterranean Sea). Based on local temporal trends in Hs (8 mm yr−1) and sea level (5.4 mm yr−1), a 2-year return time flood scenario at 2100 shows the flattening of the submerged morphologies triggering the process of marine embayment. The research proposes adaptation strategies to be adopted to design the projected new coastal area under vulnerabilities at local and territorial scales.

How people make sense of climate issues in the news

This paper asks how people make sense of climate issues in the news. As part of a study in Norway, with repeated interviews and open-ended questionnaires, we invited people to share their thoughts on three real and recent news stories. The examples were related to climate change on local, national and global scales, with varying levels of conflict and different narrative frameworks and visual components. We find that news articles with different characteristics invited three modes of sense-making: inconclusive reasoning, moral stance-taking, and reiterating climate discourse. Our study contributes to untangle central questions about how journalism with various forms of anchoring might mitigate low engagement with climate news. Methodologically, the study provides innovation in the form of a qualitative study with real news examples. In concluding, we discuss why the most important aspects of climate change make the least sense as news.

Usual suspects meet mission impossible: Nutrient losses and effects of mitigation measures on a coastal catchment in the Baltic Sea region.

Eutrophication of coastal areas is a global problem. A full-scale coastal remediation project was initiated in Björnöfjärden bay in the Stockholm archipelago in 2011. Measures to reduce external nutrient inputs from the surrounding catchment (15 km2) targeted agriculture, on-site wastewater treatment facilities, and horse keeping. The effects were evaluated at 22 water quality monitoring stations over 11years (2012-2022) to determine temporal trends in nutrient concentrations, spatial correlations within and between monitored sub-catchments, and effects of individual mitigation measures at local and catchment scale. The effect of individual measures varied from no significant effect to significant nutrient decreases (21% reduction in dissolved P concentrations in one lime filter) or increases (11% higher concentrations in total P in one constructed wetland). However, few significant trends were detected at sub-catchment outlet stations. Tailored placement, design, dimensioning, and maintenance of implemented mitigation measures are needed to improve their nutrient retention effect.

Reactive nitrogen in and around the northeastern and mid-Atlantic US: sources, sinks, and connections with ozone

Abstract. This study describes the application of a regional Earth system model with updated parameterizations for selected land–atmosphere exchange processes and multiplatform, multidisciplinary observations. We estimate reactive nitrogen (Nr = NOy+ NHx) emissions from various sources, surface and column nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and total and speciated Nr dry and wet deposition during 2018–2023 over the northeastern and mid-Atlantic US where nitrogen-oxide-limited or transitional chemical regimes dominate. The estimated Nr concentrations and deposition fluxes are related to ozone (O3) in terms of spatiotemporal variability and its key drivers as well as possible ecosystem impacts. Modeled surface O3 persistently agrees well with observations, with root mean square errors staying within 4–7 ppbv for individual years in May–June–July. Model-based surface O3–NO2 column correlation, which shows a dependency on column formaldehyde / NO2, is higher in 2020 (r=0.62) than in other years (r=0.47–0.56). Ozone vegetative uptake overall dropped by ∼10 % from 2018 to 2023, displaying clearer downward temporal changes than total Nr deposition as declining NOy emission and deposition competed with increasing NHx fluxes. It is highlighted that temporal variabilities of Nr and O3 concentrations and fluxes on subregional to local scales respond to hydrological variability that can be influenced by precipitation and controllable human activities like irrigation. Deposition and biogenic emissions that are highly sensitive to interconnected environmental and plant physiological conditions, plus extra-regional sources (e.g., O3-rich stratospheric air and dense wildfire plumes from upwind regions), have been playing increasingly important roles in controlling pollutant budgets as local emissions decline owing to effective emission regulations and COVID lockdowns.

Microclimate temperature effects propagate across scales in forest ecosystems

ContextForest canopies shape subcanopy environments, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Empirical forest microclimate studies are often restricted to local scales and short-term effects, but forest dynamics unfold at landscape scales and over long time periods.ObjectivesWe developed the first explicit and dynamic implementation of microclimate temperature buffering in a forest landscape model and investigated effects on simulated forest dynamics and outcomes.MethodsWe adapted the individual-based forest landscape and disturbance model iLand to use microclimate temperature for three processes [decomposition, bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) development, and tree seedling establishment]. We simulated forest dynamics with or without microclimate temperature buffering in a temperate European mountain landscape under historical climate and disturbance conditions.ResultsTemperature buffering effects propagated from local to landscape scales. After 1,000 simulation years, average total carbon and cumulative net ecosystem productivity were 2% and 21% higher, respectively, and tree species composition differed in simulations including versus excluding microclimate buffering. When microclimate buffering was included, Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) increased by 9% and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) decreased by 12% in mean basal area share. Some effects were amplified across scales, such as a mean 16% decrease in local-scale bark beetle development rates resulting in a mean 45% decrease in landscape-scale bark beetle-caused mortality.ConclusionsMicroclimate effects on forests scaled nonlinearly from stand to landscape and days to millennia, underlining the utility of complex simulation models for dynamic upscaling in space and time. Microclimate temperature buffering can alter forest dynamics at landscape scales.

Spatial and Habitat Determinants of Small-Mammal Biodiversity in Urban Green Areas: Lessons for Nature-Based Solutions

In an increasingly anthropogenic world, urban green areas are critical for human well-being because of the ecosystem services they offer. However, the management of these areas often prioritizes economic, architectural, and aesthetic needs over ecological functionality, undermining the benefits they ought to provide. Actions to restore the functional ecological processes of urban green areas have thus become increasingly urgent. This study investigated the impact of urban green area characteristics on the community composition of an indicator animal group to inform Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) for urban biodiversity and sustainability enhancement. We analyzed data on small mammal community composition from three Italian metropolitan cities (Milan, Florence, and Rome), focusing on the distribution pattern of synanthropic and non-synanthropic species. Small mammal surveys were carried out using hair tubes in sampled areas located along a gradient of green area size and fragmentation. Multiple Linear Mixed Models assessed the influence of spatial and habitat green area characteristics on species richness. Synanthropic species richness was positively associated with manicured urban parks, while non-synanthropic species richness was higher in woodland green areas characterized by high shrub cover. Through a Linear Mixed Model and NODF-based Nestedness analyses, we found that competitive exclusion and selective extinction/colonization processes did not significantly influence community composition. These insights emphasize the major influence of habitat composition in supporting functional communities of urban small mammals. To move toward resilient urban ecosystems, NBSs must primarily be implemented at a local scale by creating green patches with high habitat quality, and secondarily, they should be embedded in an interconnected and functional network at a city scale.

Geomorphodiversity and anthropization indices for Italian urban areas

Urban geomorphology analyzes modifications of morphology and topography induced by human activity in cities, urban and peri–urban areas. Urban expansion modifies ecosystems, but global actions for sustainability focus on the biosphere, overlooking the role of abiotic components, embedded in and supported by the geosphere and its ecosystem services.We propose the joint study of indicators of land surface variability and of anthropic modifications. We consider geomorphodiversity, as a discrete measure of richness and variability of abiotic components, and a new index describing the degree of human impact inferred from land cover classes. We suggest that a joint study of the two indicators helps quantifying and understanding the effect of specific land cover changes on areas with different values of geomorphodiversity and the relationships between abiotic parameters and the human presence in urban areas.Public datasets permits study geomorphology simultaneously at the national scale, and the local scale, within individual urban areas. We show that (1) urban development in Italy was fostered in lowlands, alluvial plains or hills, and urban areas with large values of geomorphodiversity host larger numbers of natural areas; (2) different definitions of urban boundaries are essential to investigate different aspects of human impact on the landscape; (3) synthetic scenarios of land use change, corresponding to different values of anthropization, are useful to study the effect on geomorphodiversity.Quantitative geomorphodiversity and anthropization index contain complementary information, and their joint study is an additional tool to plan city development and conservation of natural areas in a broad sense.

Coastal Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise Is Exacerbated by Plant Species Invasion.

Coastal salt marshes and their valuable ecosystem services are vulnerable to degradation due to rising sea levels, to which they can adapt through biogeomorphic feedbacks. However, the invasion of plant species, particularly eco-engineering species that alter these interactions, may degrade the structural integrity and functionality of salt marshes, potentially reducing their resilience to sea-level rise. Such impacts presently remain poorly understood. Focusing on coastal marshes of China, we utilized a coupled biogeomorphic model to explore the effects of Spartina alterniflora invasion versus native Suaeda salsa on coastal geomorphology, considering different sea-level rise and tidal scenarios. Our results revealed that Spartina alterniflora invasion contributed to the formation of a "levee-basin" geomorphological structure at both the landscape scale (from seaward to landward zones) and the local scale (from channel fringes to marsh interiors). This pattern led to a prominent marsh depression, particularly in "basin" areas under microtidal conditions, indicating increased vulnerability to rising sea levels in invaded systems. Additionally, the proliferation of Spartina alterniflora could completely displace Suaeda salsa. Our findings emphasize the importance of controlling plant invasion to safeguard ecosystem resilience to environmental change.

Effective Stress and Suffusion Onset at Local and Global Scales in Centrifuge Permeameter Tests

Effective Stress and Suffusion Onset at Local and Global Scales in Centrifuge Permeameter Tests

Five recommendations to fill the blank space in indicators at local and short-term scales

Five recommendations to fill the blank space in indicators at local and short-term scales

A Warming World and a Fading Buzz: The Impact of Climate Change on Pollinators

Insect pollinators are essential for the reproduction of over 80% of flowering plant species and contributes hugely to global crop production. Climate change resulting in rising temperature, increased drought, and more frequent extreme weather events can affect insect pollinators both directly and indirectly. The conservation of pollinators is crucial for maintaining the resilience of the ecosystem and food security at local and global scales. In this review we have compiled articles to have a better understanding of how climate change impacts pollinators by incorporating an up-to-date information on the available research. From the compiled information, we get to know that climate change can affect pollinators both directly and indirectly. The direct effects include changes in physiology and behaviour whereas the indirect effects result from altered interactions with food resources. By having a detailed idea about how severe the issues are and how interwoven they have become; the scientific community and beyond can adapting to and plan for improving resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Weak monsoon signals detected in growth chronologies of lake fish on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Understanding the variation in fish growth responses to climate change across regions is essential for predicting fish population dynamics and relevant ecological consequences on a large scale. Despite the demonstrated sensitivity of fish growth responses to climate change on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), the geographical variations in these responses remain unclear. This study analyzed the growth responses of schizothoracine fish to environmental variables in four geographically distinct QTP lakes (Qinghai Lake, Yamdrok Lake, Pangong Tso, and Co Nag) using otolith biochronologies and hierarchical mixed-effects modeling and quantified the relative contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to fish growth variations. Overall, we found that the optimal model accounted for 82% of the annual growth variability. Age variables were the intrinsic factors primarily influencing fish growth (significant and negative, accounting for 92% of the explained variability), followed by the influence of extrinsic environmental factors at the local (i.e., air temperature and precipitation, significant and positive, 5%), global (i.e., sea surface temperature [SST], significant and negative, 2%), and regional (i.e., monsoon intensity, nonsignificant and negative, 0.4%) scales. At the lake level, the influences of environmental factors on fish growth aligned with overall results but showed varied contributions. Therefore, local factors primarily influence fish growth responses, emphasizing that geographical variations in fish responses to climate change should be accounted for in relevant population predictions. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between fish growth and multi-scale environmental changes and offers scientific support for ecosystem management under climate change on the QTP.

Comparative analysis of hydrological impacts from climate and land use/land cover changes in a lowland mesoscale catchment

ABSTRACT The hydrological processes within the catchment are generally influenced by both climate change (CC) and land use/land cover (LULC) change. However, most of the studies are focused on their individual impact on the catchment’s hydrology, while their combined effects have received little attention. This study employs the physically based distributed hydrological model, MIKE SHE, to study the separate and combined effect of climate and LULC change on the hydrology of a mesoscale catchment in the near future (2050s). An Artificial Neural Network – Cellular Automata (ANN-CA) based prediction model was trained to simulate the future LULC map. The future meteorological data under four CC scenarios was obtained from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). The model results showed that the combined effects of CC with LULC changes did not significantly differ from the individual impact of CC on the catchment scale. However, on the local scale, the changes in LULC can significantly influence the variations in groundwater table, soil moisture, and actual evapotranspiration ranging from approximately – 6–15%, – 9–27%, and – 30–10% respectively, depending on the specific change in LULC class and season. In summary, this research provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between LULC changes, CC, and hydrology.