Environmental Manipulations Research Articles

A Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework for Control of Robotic Manipulators in Simulated Environments

A Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework for Control of Robotic Manipulators in Simulated Environments

OMEPP: Online Multi-Population Evolutionary Path Planning for Mobile Manipulators in Dynamic Environments

OMEPP: Online Multi-Population Evolutionary Path Planning for Mobile Manipulators in Dynamic Environments

A Sensory Soft Robotic Gripper Capable of Learning-Based Object Recognition and Force-Controlled Grasping

Soft robotic grippers possess high structural compliance and adaptability, allowing them to grasp objects with unknown and irregular shapes and sizes. To enable more dexterous manipulation, soft sensors that are similar in mechanical properties to common elastomer materials are desired to be integrated into soft grippers. In this paper, we develop ionic hydrogel-based strain and tactile sensors and integrate these sensors into a three-finger soft gripper for learning-based object recognition and force-controlled grasping. Such hydrogel-based sensors have excellent conductivity, high stretchability and toughness, good ambient stability, and unique antifreezing property; they can be readily attached to a soft gripper at desired locations for strain and tactile sensing. By using a deep-learning model, the sensory soft gripper is demonstrated to be capable of grasping and recognizing objects at both room and freezing temperatures, and achieving close to 100% recognition accuracy for ten typical objects. Moreover, the capacitive tactile feedback of the gripper is utilized to develop a closed-loop force controller and realize force-controlled grasping of fragile or highly deformable objects. A new slip detection and compensation strategy is also proposed and validated for the sensory gripper for adjusting the grasping force in real time upon detecting slippage. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Note to Practitioners</i> —The multimodal sensation of a soft robotic gripper could enrich its grasping functionalities and improve its manipulation performance. This research integrates novel antifreezing ionic hydrogel-based strain and tactile sensors into a three-finger soft robotic gripper for learning-based object recognition and force-controlled grasping. Constructed from a highly stretchable, ambient-stable, and antifreezing ionic hydrogel, the strain and tactile sensors can be readily integrated at the desired locations on the soft gripper, and can reliably operate at both ambient and freezing temperatures with excellent mechanical and electrical properties. Based on the feedback of the strain and tactile sensors, a deep learning model is employed to enable high-accuracy object recognition while grasping, which can be useful for manipulation in vision-free environments. Closed-loop force control and slip compensation strategies are also demonstrated for reliably grasping fragile/deformable objects and handling slip events during the manipulation of heavy objects. The sensory soft gripper and the associated object recognition and force control methods could find practical applications in a variety of robotic manipulation tasks.

Integrating Psychosocial Skill and Characteristic Development Into an English Academy Soccer Coaching Program: A Preliminary Investigation

This study aimed to assess the impact of a psychosocial development program on academy soccer players with coaches being central design and delivery. The 8 Pillars program (designed to foster Communication, Control, Commitment, Confidence, Concentration, Resilience, Presence, and Self-awareness) was delivered through player workshops, coaching practice, and coach-led environmental manipulation. A total of 25 academy soccer players (Mage 14.7 ± 0.3) completed the Psychological Characteristics of Development Excellence Questionnaire-2 pre- and postseason, and a self-report scale for each of the eight prescribed psychosocial skills and characteristics at five time points across the season. Significant (p &lt; .05) improvement between pre- and postseason for “Imagery and Active Preparation,” “Seeking and Using Social Support,” and “Active Coping” factors within the Psychological Characteristics of Development Excellence Questionnaire-2 were evident. Significant (p &lt; .05) improvements were shown for “Communication,” “Control,” “Commitment,” “Concentration,” and “Resilience” scales across the season. These findings give initial efficacy that a targeted, multifaceted program, largely delivered by coaches, can improve player self-reported psychosocial skills and characteristics in a U.K. academy soccer setting.

SELF-PERCEPTIONS OF AGING AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL RESOURCE FOR ENRICHMENT SEEKING

Abstract In older adulthood, positive perceptions of one’s own aging can facilitate enrichment seeking–the underlying motivation to seek out new experiences and perform intellectually challenging activities–by diminishing and buffering reactions to perceived threats to one’s sense of self and perceived capabilities. In this study, we examined the extent to which self-perceptions of aging were associated with cognitive performance and affective experience while completing a series of challenging foraging tasks in the form of word puzzle games within the presence and absence of resources in the environment, such as a fireplace or an observing neurologist. The study employed a 2x2 within-person design (fireplace on vs. not; neurologist present vs. not) and took place within the home office of a home simulation environment. In each of the four conditions, 61 participants (age 50-82, 57% female) played the foraging task and then endorsed adjectives representing their feelings while playing that game. Multilevel models, which nested study stages within participants, showed individuals with higher self-perceptions of aging benefited significantly from both environmental manipulations, with the fireplace acting as environmental support and the observing neurologist raising the stakes of the task. However, despite providing additional motivation and being associated with stronger cognitive performance, the neurologist’s presence also provoked a higher negative affect response. The relationship between self-perceptions of aging and receptiveness to environmental resources merits further investigation to assess how certain environmental resources might act as a moderator of both cognition and affect.

Outcomes of early social experiences on glucocorticoid and endocannabinoid systems in the prefrontal cortex of male and female adolescent rats.

Social and emotional experiences differently shape individual's neurodevelopment inducing substantial changes in neurobiological substrates and behavior, particularly when they occur early in life. In this scenario, the present study was aimed at (i) investigating the impact of early social environments on emotional reactivity of adolescent male and female rats and (ii) uncovering the underlying molecular features, focusing on the cortical endocannabinoid (eCB) and glucocorticoid systems. To this aim, we applied a protocol of environmental manipulation based on early postnatal socially enriched or impoverished conditions. Social enrichment was realized through communal nesting (CN). Conversely, an early social isolation (ESI) protocol was applied (post-natal days 14-21) to mimic an adverse early social environment. The two forms of social manipulation resulted in specific behavioral and molecular outcomes in both male and female rat offspring. Despite the combination of CN and ESI did not affect emotional reactivity in both sexes, the molecular results reveal that the preventive exposure to CN differently altered mRNA and protein expression of the main components of the glucocorticoid and eCB systems in male and female rats. In particular, adolescent females exposed to the combination of CN and ESI showed increased corticosterone levels, unaltered genomic glucocorticoid receptor, reduced cannabinoid receptor type-1 and fatty acid amide hydrolase protein levels, suggesting that the CN condition evokes different reorganization of these systems in males and females.

Visually guided and context-dependent spatial navigation in the translucent fish Danionella cerebrum

Danionella cerebrum (DC) is a promising vertebrate animal model for systems neuroscience due to its small adult brain volume and inherent optical transparency, but the scope of their cognitive abilities remains an area of active research. In this work, we established a behavioral paradigm to study visual spatial navigation in DC and investigate their navigational capabilities and strategies. We initially observed that adult DC exhibit strong negative phototaxis in groups but less so as individuals. Using their dark preference as a motivator, we designed a spatial navigation task inspired by the Morris water maze. Through a series of environmental cue manipulations, we found that DC utilize visual cues to anticipate a reward location and found evidence for landmark-based navigational strategies wherein DC could use both proximal and distal visual cues. When subsets of proximal visual cues were occluded, DC were capable of using distant contextual visual information to solve the task, providing evidence for allocentric spatial navigation. Without proximal visual cues, DC tended to seek out a direct line of sight with at least one distal visual cue while maintaining a positional bias toward the reward location. In total, our behavioral results suggest that DC can be used to study the neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation with cellular resolution imaging across an adult vertebrate brain.

Bioregenerative dietary supplementation in space: Brassica rapa var. nipposinica and other Brassica cultivars

Despite the precise environmental manipulation enabled by controlled environment agriculture (CEA), plant genotype remains a key factor in producing desirable traits. Brassica rapa var. nipposinica (mizuna) is a leading candidate for supplementing deficiencies in the space diet, however, which cultivar of mizuna will respond best to the environment of the international space station (ISS) is unknown. It is also unclear if there are more inter-varietal (mizuna - mustards) or intra-varietal (mizuna - mizuna) differences in response to the ISS environment. Twenty-two cultivars of mustard greens, including 13 cultivars of mizuna, were grown under ISS-like conditions to determine which would provide the greatest yield and highest concentrations of carotenoids, anthocyanins, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, ascorbic acid, thiamine, and phylloquinone. The experiment was conducted thrice, and data were analyzed to determine which cultivar is most suited for further optimization of space-based cultivation. It was found that phylloquinone and β-carotene concentrations did not vary between cultivars, while all other metrics of interest showed some variation. ‘Amara’ mustard (B. carinata) provided the best overall nutritional profile, despite its low biomass yield of 36.8 g, producing concentrations of 27.85, 0.40, and 0.65 mg·g − 1 of ascorbic acid, thiamine, and lutein, respectively. Of the mizuna cultivars evaluated, open pollinated mibuna provided the best profile, while 'Red Hybrid’ mizuna provided a complimentary profile to that of ‘Amara’, minimally increasing dietary iron while providing beneficial anthocyanins lacking in ‘Amara’.

Moisture modulated refractive index difference of engineered pore interface for indoor temperature and humidity regulation

Regulation of indoor environments like temperature and humidity consumes enormous energy and brings environmental crises. Therefore, the development of energy-free approaches is critical as it simultaneously improves living comfort and decreases the carbon footprint. Here we report a moisture-modulated strategy to access switchable thermal regulation by tuning solar radiative scattering through manipulation of the refractive index difference (Δn) of a porous surface. This approach is based on a double-layered film containing an upper porous polymer layer and a lower photothermal layer. Via moisture absorption and evaporation, the film performs a reversible thermal switching between solar heating and radiative cooling, allowing efficient space temperature manipulation in the range from + 12.0 to − 8.0 °C. Besides, the moisture-modulated characteristic also offers an opportunity for solar dehumidification by automatically absorbing ambient moisture while mitigating temperature rise. This work bridges a thermal nexus between moisture with solar radiation, while providing a guideline for energy-free indoor environment manipulation.

Light quality regulates plant biomass and fruit quality through a photoreceptor-dependent HY5-LHC/CYCB module in tomato

Abstract Increasing photosynthesis and light capture offers possibilities for improving crop yield and provides a sustainable way to meet the increasing global demand for food. However, the poor light transmittance of transparent plastic films and shade avoidance at high planting density seriously reduce photosynthesis and alter fruit quality in vegetable crops, and therefore it is important to investigate the mechanisms of light signaling regulation of photosynthesis and metabolism in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Here, a combination of red, blue, and white (R1W1B0.5) light promoted the accumulation of chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin, and enhanced photosynthesis and electron transport rates by increasing the density of active reaction centers and the expression of the genes LIGHT-HARVESTING COMPLEX B (SlLHCB) and A (SlLHCA), resulting in increased plant biomass. In addition, R1W1B0.5 light induced carotenoid accumulation and fruit ripening by decreasing the expression of LYCOPENE β-CYCLASE (SlCYCB). Disruption of SlCYCB largely induced fruit lycopene accumulation, and reduced chlorophyll content and photosynthesis in leaves under red, blue, and white light. Molecular studies showed that ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (SlHY5) directly activated SlCYCB, SlLHCB, and SlLHCA expression to enhance chlorophyll accumulation and photosynthesis. Furthermore, R1W1B0.5 light-induced chlorophyll accumulation, photosynthesis, and SlHY5 expression were largely decreased in the slphyb1cry1 mutant. Collectively, R1W1B0.5 light noticeably promoted photosynthesis, biomass, and fruit quality through the photoreceptor (SlPHYB1 and SlCRY1)-SlHY5-SlLHCA/B/SlCYCB module in tomato. Thus, the manipulation of light environments in protected agriculture is a crucial tool to regulate the two vital agronomic traits related to crop production efficiency and fruit nutritional quality in tomato.

Lineage-specific genes are clustered with HET-domain genes and respond to environmental and genetic manipulations regulating reproduction in Neurospora.

Lineage-specific genes (LSGs) have long been postulated to play roles in the establishment of genetic barriers to intercrossing and speciation. In the genome of Neurospora crassa, most of the 670 Neurospora LSGs that are aggregated adjacent to the telomeres are clustered with 61% of the HET-domain genes, some of which regulate self-recognition and define vegetative incompatibility groups. In contrast, the LSG-encoding proteins possess few to no domains that would help to identify potential functional roles. Possible functional roles of LSGs were further assessed by performing transcriptomic profiling in genetic mutants and in response to environmental alterations, as well as examining gene knockouts for phenotypes. Among the 342 LSGs that are dynamically expressed during both asexual and sexual phases, 64% were detectable on unusual carbon sources such as furfural, a wildfire-produced chemical that is a strong inducer of sexual development, and the structurally-related furan 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF). Expression of a significant portion of the LSGs was sensitive to light and temperature, factors that also regulate the switch from asexual to sexual reproduction. Furthermore, expression of the LSGs was significantly affected in the knockouts of adv-1 and pp-1 that regulate hyphal communication, and expression of more than one quarter of the LSGs was affected by perturbation of the mating locus. These observations encouraged further investigation of the roles of clustered lineage-specific and HET-domain genes in ecology and reproduction regulation in Neurospora, especially the regulation of the switch from the asexual growth to sexual reproduction, in response to dramatic environmental conditions changes.

Manipulation of the aquatic physical environment and its relationship with ectoparasitic infection in dumbo catfish (Clarias sp)

Fish disease is an obstacle in the cultivation of Dumbo catfish (Clarias sp.) which can result in fish death. The need for information on how to prevent and treat fish diseases is very necessary. This study aims to determine the effect of aeration duration on water quality, ectoparasite intensity, prevalence, dominance, survival and condition factors, then correlate water quality with ectoparasite intensity. This study used a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and four replications. Treatment includes aeration 0 hours/day, 6 hours/day, 12 hours/day, 18 hours/day and 24 hours/day. Data analysis using ANOVA of a certain level of significance. If there is a noticeable difference from each treatment, proceed to the DUNCAN test. Test the correlation of water quality with ectoparasite intensity. The result of this study is that long aeration can increase oxygen solubility, acidity but reduce ammonia and nitrite. The correlation value of oxygen solubility in ectoparasite intensity is 0.828, acidity (pH) is 0.849, ammonia is -0.888, nitrite is -0.592. The prevalence value of P0 and P1 is 0%, P2 is 89%, P3 and P4 is 100%. The intensity of ectoparasites in Dumbo catfish (Clarias sp.), at P0 is 2, P1 is 13, P2 is 75, while at P3 and P4 is 100. The dominance of ectoparasites that infect is Trichodina sp. by 71.7-100% and Dactylogyrus sp. by 0-28.4%. The survival rate of fish at P0 was highest with a value of 89%, P1 at 84%, P2 at 71%, P3 and P4 rates at 0%. The value of the condition factor then P0 and P1 have a value of 1, P2, P3 and P4 have a condition factor value of 1. It is concluded that the longer aeration is given, the solubility of oxygen increases which results in an increase in the intensity and prevalence of ectoparasite infections, the pH of the water becomes neutral and decreases the content of ammonia and nitrite. There is a moderate to very strong correlation between water quality and ectoparasite intensity. There is an increase in the prevalence of infection, ectoparasite intensity and fish mortality so that it can reduce the survival and condition factors of Dumbo catfish (Clarias sp.).Keywords:AerationInfectionEctoparasitesClarias sp

Single‐Atom Zinc Sites with Synergetic Multiple Coordination Shells for Electrochemical H2O2 Production

AbstractPrecise manipulation of the coordination environment of single‐atom catalysts (SACs), particularly the simultaneous engineering of multiple coordination shells, is crucial to maximize their catalytic performance but remains challenging. Herein, we present a general two‐step strategy to fabricate a series of hollow carbon‐based SACs featuring asymmetric Zn−N2O2 moieties simultaneously modulated with S atoms in higher coordination shells of Zn centers (n≥2; designated as Zn−N2O2−S). Systematic analyses demonstrate that the synergetic effects between the N2O2 species in the first coordination shell and the S atoms in higher coordination shells lead to robust discrete Zn sites with the optimal electronic structure for selective O2 reduction to H2O2. Remarkably, the Zn−N2O2 moiety with S atoms in the second coordination shell possesses a nearly ideal Gibbs free energy for the key OOH* intermediate, which favors the formation and desorption of OOH* on Zn sites for H2O2 generation. Consequently, the Zn−N2O2−S SAC exhibits impressive electrochemical H2O2 production performance with high selectivity of 96 %. Even at a high current density of 80 mA cm−2 in the flow cell, it shows a high H2O2 production rate of 6.924 mol gcat−1 h−1 with an average Faradaic efficiency of 93.1 %, and excellent durability over 65 h.

Single-Atom Zinc Sites with Synergetic Multiple Coordination Shells for Electrochemical H2 O2 Production.

Precise manipulation of the coordination environment of single-atom catalysts (SACs), particularly the simultaneous engineering of multiple coordination shells, is crucial to maximize their catalytic performance but remains challenging. Herein, we present a general two-step strategy to fabricate a series of hollow carbon-based SACs featuring asymmetric Zn-N2 O2 moieties simultaneously modulated with S atoms in higher coordination shells of Zn centers (n≥2; designated as Zn-N2 O2 -S). Systematic analyses demonstrate that the synergetic effects between the N2 O2 species in the first coordination shell and the S atoms in higher coordination shells lead to robust discrete Zn sites with the optimal electronic structure for selective O2 reduction to H2 O2 . Remarkably, the Zn-N2 O2 moiety with S atoms in the second coordination shell possesses a nearly ideal Gibbs free energy for the key OOH* intermediate, which favors the formation and desorption of OOH* on Zn sites for H2 O2 generation. Consequently, the Zn-N2 O2 -S SAC exhibits impressive electrochemical H2 O2 production performance with high selectivity of 96 %. Even at a high current density of 80 mA cm-2 in the flow cell, it shows a high H2 O2 production rate of 6.924 mol gcat -1 h-1 with an average Faradaic efficiency of 93.1 %, and excellent durability over 65 h.

Super concentrated HCl in a deep eutectic solvent as media for the integrated leaching and separation of metals from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries

Recycling spent lithium-ion batteries is vital to ensure the recovery of added-value resources and minimize environmental impact. Herein, an integrated and efficient process is developed for metal recovery from spent cathode powder combining both leaching and transition metal separation in one step. A hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) is proposed as a HCl super concentrator for the one-pot leaching of cathodes from spent lithium-ion batteries and simultaneous Ni(II) precipitation. The DES composed of decanoic acid and trioctylphosphine oxide can super concentrate HCl, 2.2-folds more than the aqueous limit of 37 wt%, whilst being thermally and chemically stable under leaching conditions up to 373 K. The proposed leaching process can quantitatively extract Co(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) from spent cathodes of laptop batteries whilst only extracting 10 % of Ni(II). The latter could be easily recovered as NiCl2·2H2O with 99 % purity through the manipulation of the coordination environment afforded by the DES relative to aqueous media. Key leaching parameters were the HCl:metal molar ratio and temperature, both having a significant impact on the leaching efficiency and its selectivity. Metal recovery was accomplished after stripping of the loaded DES solution via a straightforward sequential precipitation process, with 99 % Co(II) and 98 % Mn(II) being precipitated with 95 % and 81 % purity, respectively. The reported system presents a better atom economy compared to other DES and conventional inorganic acids, providing a new mild approach for the simultaneous leaching and separation of metals from lithium-ion batteries.

A review of magnetically driven swimming microrobots: Material selection, structure design, control method, and applications

Abstract Magnetically driven swimming microrobot is a typical one in the family of microrobots and they can achieve navigation and manipulation in low Reynolds number biomedical environments with an external magnetic drive strategy. This study reviews recent advances in material selection, structure design, fabrication techniques, drive control method, and applications for magnetically driven swimming microrobots. First, the materials used in magnetically driven swimming microrobots were introduced and the effect of material selection on performance was discussed. Second, structure design of swimming microrobots and manufacturing techniques are reviewed, followed by a discussion on the main advances in effective motion control, path planning, and path tracking. Then, the multi-applications of magnetically driven swimming microrobots including targeted drug delivery, cell manipulation, and minimally invasive surgery are summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future directions of the work on magnetically driven swimming microrobots are discussed.

Endogenous Ghrelin Levels and Perception of Hunger: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone primarily released by the stomach and has 2 isoforms: acylated ghrelin (AG) and de-acylated ghrelin (DAG), that appear to have different functions in humans. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between plasma concentrations of total ghrelin (TG), AG, and DAG and perceptions of hunger in healthy adults. The following criteria were used for inclusion: 1) sample contained adults ≥18 y of age, 2) body mass index [BMI kg/m2] was ≥18.5, 3) ghrelin was sampled through blood, 4) subjective hunger was measured on a validated scale, 5) study reported a Pearson product correlation of ghrelin or had relevant figure(s) for data extraction, 6) participants were healthy with no overt disease, 7) protocols contained no physical activity or weight loss medication that suppressed appetite, 8) interventions were conducted without environmental manipulations. Moderators assessed were age, BMI, percentage of body fat (%BF), macronutrient content of test meals, energy intake (kcals), sex, and ghrelin isoform (AG, DAG, or TG). The analysis included 47 studies (110 trials, n = 1799, age: 31.4 ± 12.0 y, BMI: 26.0 ± 4.75) and measured AG (n = 47 trials), DAG (n = 12 trials), and TG (n = 51 trials). The overall model indicated that ghrelin concentrations and perceptions of hunger were moderately correlated (r = 0.43, P < 0.001), and ghrelin isoform significantly moderated this relationship (AG: r = 0.60, P < 0.001; TG: r = 0.215, P=0.01; DAG: r = 0.53, P = 0.695). Other significant moderators included age (b = -0.02, P = 0.01), BMI (b = -0.03, P = 0.05), %BF (b=-0.03, P = 0.05), energy intake (b = 0.0003, P = 0.04), and percentage of carbohydrates of test meals (b = 0.008, P = 0.05). Ghrelin is associated with perceptions of hunger in humans, and this relationship is strengthened when AG is isolated; thus, AG may have a large impact on hunger signals in various populations. Future research should attempt to understand the role of DAG in hunger sensations.

Parasitic and Ecological Factors Associated with Transmission of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Owena Reservoir Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

Human urogenital schistosomiasis caused by infection of the trematode worm Schistosoma hematobium is a major source of morbidity and mortality in Ondo State especially in Owena Reservoir Area, Ondo East Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) the seasonal and spatial distribution, infection and cercariae shedding patterns of identified local Schistosoma intermediate snail host(s); (ii) to determine the influence of ecological factors on the identified intermediate snail species in the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis along the Owena Reservoir and river courses. All the snails collected were placed in pre-labeled plastic containers and were transported to a Malacology Laboratory at Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The snails were identified to species level, counted and recorded as number of snails, per site, per date. The snails were identified using standard identification keys. Examination of snails for Schistosoma infection was carried out by crushing method. Cercariae were identified to genus level. However, only snails shedding Schistosoma cercariae were recorded as infected. Each of the eight sites was sampled once monthly for twenty-four months. Eight stations (sites) of diverse ecological characteristics were selected along the Owena Reservoir and monitored for snails species’ diversity, distribution and infection patterns, physicochemical properties of H2O, macrophyte types and coverage in relation to the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. Seven snail species representing two sub-classes, three families and five genera were identified in Owena Reservoir Area. Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncatus were the only established Schistosoma intermediate snail hosts in site 4 (KAJ 1) located in Kajola community. Out of the eight sites studied, site 4 in Kajola community had the highest infection rate while Embankment/Dam (site 8) had the least. Site 4 in Kajola community is therefore the major transmission site. All the snail species correlated positively with alkalinity conduction, negatively with air temperature. Bulinus globosus correlated significantly positive with Ludwiga erecta, Ludwiga decurrens, Commelina africana, and Berberis calamus (p&lt;0.05) but correlated significantly negative with Panicum maximus and Ervatomia hirta (p&gt;0.05). Bulinus truncatus correlated significantly positive with Aspillia africana, Ludwiga decurrens, Emilia occinina, and Crosus sativue (p&lt;0.05) but correlated significantly negative with Ludwiga erecta, Panicum maximus, and Commelina africana (p&gt;0.05). This study recommends environmental management and manipulation using water level regulations to render water contact sites environmentally unfriendly for both snail growth and human recreational activities during the period of high risk transmission since chemical control (the use of molluscicide) poses a risk to health, not only to the snail intermediate hosts but also to the inhabitants of the communities who commonly depend on reservoirs, streams, rivers, dams for their domestic water supply.

The environment and dry eye-manifestations, mechanisms, and more.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition that often presents with chronic symptoms of pain (that can be characterized as "dryness," "burning," and "irritation," to name a few) and/or fluctuating or poor-quality vision. Given its multifactorial nature, several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been identified that can underlie symptoms, including tear film, ocular surface, and/or corneal somatosensory nerve abnormalities. Research has focused on understanding how environmental exposures can increase the risk for DED flares and negatively impact the tear film, the ocular surface, and/or nerve health. Given that DED is a common condition that negatively impacts physical and mental functioning, managing DED requires multiple strategies. These can include both medical approaches and modulating adverse environmental conditions, the latter of which may be a cost-effective way to avoid DED flares. Thus, an understanding of how environmental exposures relate to disease is important. This Review summarizes research on the relationships between environmental exposures and DED, in the hope that this information will engage healthcare professionals and patients to consider environmental manipulations in their management of DED.

Changes in pH and Nitrite Nitrogen Induces an Imbalance in the Oxidative Defenses of the Spotted Babylon (Babylonia areolata).

In order to reveal the acute toxicity and physiological changes of the spotted babylon (Babylonia areolata) in response to environmental manipulation, the spotted babylon was exposed to three pH levels (7.0, 8.0 and 9.0) of seawater and four concentrations of nitrite nitrogen (0.02, 2.7, 13.5 and 27 mg/L). The activities of six immunoenzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and peroxidase (POD), were measured. The levels of pH and nitrite nitrogen concentrations significantly impacted immunoenzyme activity over time. After the acute stress of pH and nitrite nitrogen, the spotted babylon appeared to be unresponsive to external stimuli, exhibited decreased vigor, slowly climbed the wall, sank to the tank and could not stand upright. As time elapsed, with the extension of time, the spotted babylon showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing ACP, AKP, CAT and SOD activities in order to adapt to the mutated environment and improve its immunity. In contrast, POD and GSH-PX activities showed a decrease followed by an increase with time. This study explored the tolerance range of the spotted babylon to pH, nitrite nitrogen, and time, proving that external stimuli activate the body's immune response. The body's immune function has a specific range of adaptation to the environment over time. Once the body's immune system was insufficient to adapt to this range, the immune system collapsed and the snail gradually died off. This study has discovered the suitable pH and nitrite nitrogen ranges for the culture of the spotted babylon, and provides useful information on the response of the snail's immune system.