Mean Rh Research Articles

The Combined Effects of Long Term Mixture Exposure to Temperature and Relative Humidity on Asthma in China

Background: Few previous stud ies ha ve examined the joint effect of long term exposure to temperature and relative humidity ( RH on ast hma This study endeavors t o explore the combined association between long term co exposure to temperature and R H and asthma in China. Methods: The individual data of asthma were collected from the wave 1 to wave 3 (2007 2019) of the Study on global AGEing and adult health in China. M eteorological factors data were obtained from the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5 (ERA5) and extracted from the corresponding interpolated grid according to individual residential latitude, longi tude and survey time. Individual and joint association of long term exposure to annual mean temperature and RH with asthma were estimated using Cox regression model and Quantile Based g Computation model Q gcomp)gcomp), respectively Then , the joint effects of different temperature RH compound events w ere further estimated Results: We observed negative association between both temperature and RH with asthma. In individual effect analysis, for 1 °C or 1% decrease in 3 year average temperature and RH , asthma increased 4 44 (95% 1 76 7 0 5) and 6 45 (95% 2 79 9 98 respectively. The joint effect of long term exposure to temperature and RH on asthma was also negative . F or each percentile decreasing of both temperature and RH asthma decreased 1.50% (95%CI: 0.85% 2.15%) in total population . People 60 years old and female were more susceptible to mixture exposure to low temperature and low RH. W e also observed a higher risk of asthma in dry cold event ( 2.44 , 95%CI: 1 67 3 55 than wet cold, wet hot and dry hot events Conclusion: Long term exposure to t emperature and RH may jointly associate with asthma , and low RH and cold may have higher risk on asthma onset .

Changes in soil oxidase activity induced by microbial life history strategies mediate the soil heterotrophic respiration response to drought and nitrogen enrichment.

Drought and nitrogen deposition are two major climate challenges, which can change the soil microbial community composition and ecological strategy and affect soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh). However, the combined effects of microbial community composition, microbial life strategies, and extracellular enzymes on the dynamics of Rh under drought and nitrogen deposition conditions remain unclear. Here, we experimented with an alpine swamp meadow to simulate drought (50% reduction in precipitation) and multilevel addition of nitrogen to determine the interactive effects of microbial community composition, microbial life strategy, and extracellular enzymes on Rh. The results showed that drought significantly reduced the seasonal mean Rh by 40.07%, and increased the Rh to soil respiration ratio by 22.04%. Drought significantly altered microbial community composition. The ratio of K- to r-selected bacteria (BK:r) and fungi (FK:r) increased by 20 and 91.43%, respectively. Drought increased hydrolase activities but decreased oxidase activities. However, adding N had no significant effect on microbial community composition, BK:r, FK:r, extracellular enzymes, or Rh. A structural equation model showed that the effects of drought and adding nitrogen via microbial community composition, microbial life strategy, and extracellular enzymes explained 84% of the variation in Rh. Oxidase activities decreased with BK:r, but increased with FK:r. Our findings show that drought decreased Rh primarily by inhibiting oxidase activities, which is induced by bacterial shifts from the r-strategy to the K-strategy. Our results highlight that the indirect regulation of drought on the carbon cycle through the dynamic of bacterial and fungal life history strategy should be considered for a better understanding of how terrestrial ecosystems respond to future climate change.

Effect of CaCl2 on the micromorphology of a self-thickening agent (TZXJ) for acidizing diversion

The effect of CaCl2 on the micromorphology of a self-thickening agent (TZXJ) was investigated. This study involved analyzing the compositional changes in acid solutions during acid–rock reactions. It combined dynamic light scattering and viscosity testing to confirm that the presence of CaCl2 enhances the aggregation strength of the TZXJ network structure in acid solutions. This enhancement is macroscopically evident as an increase in viscosity. Incorporating 10 % CaCl2 as a promoter into a fresh acid solution, the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) distribution of TZXJ in varying reaction stages was analyzed using dynamic light scattering experiments. The results indicated that the promoter CaCl2 further strengthens the network association of the TZXJ acid solution, thereby improving its thickening capability. Investigating the viscosity of TZXJ aqueous solutions with varying concentrations of CaCl2 revealed that TZXJ exhibits notable salt-thickening effects and can withstand saturated CaCl2 solutions. The microstructural aggregation state and morphology of TZXJ in aqueous solutions were characterized at different CaCl2 concentrations. Dynamic light scattering results demonstrated an increase in the Rh of TZXJ solutions with CaCl2 concentrations. In particular, the mean Rh of a 0.8 % TZXJ solution increased from 150.8 nm to 3078.93 nm. Ultraviolet spectral analysis confirmed that the absorption intensity of the TZXJ solutions increased with CaCl2 concentration, indicating a strengthened network aggregate structure in the TZXJ solutions. Microscopic observations using environmental scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that under the influence of calcium chloride, the microstructure of TZXJ transitions from a non-associated, linear carbon chain skeleton to a dense, aggregated network structure. The findings of this study offer theoretical insights for researching polymers resistant to extreme concentrations of CaCl2.

Seasonal Dynamics of Soil Respiration and Its Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Components in Subtropical Camphor Forests

On a global scale, soil respiration (Rs), representing the CO2 flux between the soil surface and the atmosphere, ranks as the second-largest terrestrial carbon (C) flux. Understanding the dynamics between Rs and its autotrophic (Ra) and heterotrophic (Rh) components is necessary for accurately evaluating and predicting global C balance and net ecosystem production under environmental change. In this study, we conducted a two-year root exclusion experiment in subtropical China’s Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl.) forests to assess seasonal changes in Ra and Rh and their relative contributions to Rs. Additionally, we examined the influence of environmental factors on the dynamics of Ra, Rh, and Rs. Our results showed that seasonal mean Rs values were 2.88 µmol m−2 s−1, with mean Ra and Rh of 1.21 and 1.67 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively, in the studied forests. On an annual basis, the annual values of mean Rs in the studied forests were 405 ± 219 g C m−2 year−1, with Rh and Ra accounting for 240 ± 120 and 164 ± 102 g C m−2 year−1, respectively. The seasonal mean ratio of Rh to Rs (Rh/Rs) was 58%, varying from 45 to 81%. Seasonal changes in Rs and Rh were strongly correlated with soil temperature but not soil water content. Both Rh and Rs increased exponentially with the average soil temperature measured in the topsoil layer (about 5 cm), with Q10 values of 2.02 and 1.73 for Rh and Rs, respectively. Our results suggest that the composition and activity of soil microbes and fauna play a primary role in releasing carbon flux from soil to the atmosphere in the studied forest ecosystems.

Impact of Patient Body Mass Index on Post-Operative Recovery from Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy.

A longitudinal, descriptive, prospective, and prolective study of individuals with endometrial or cervical cancer/pre-cancer diagnoses and high BMI (over 35 kg/m2) undergoing RH was conducted. Of the 53 participants recruited, 3 (6%) were converted to open surgery. The 50 RH participants had median BMI 42 kg/m2 (range 35 to 60): the range 35-39.9 kg/m2 had 17 cases; the range 40-44.9 kg/m2 had 15 cases; 45-49.9 kg/m2 8 cases; and those ≥50 kg/m2 comprised 10 cases. The mean RH operating time was 128.1 min (SD 25.3) and the median length of hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-14 days). Increased BMI was associated with small, but statistically significant, increases in operating time and anaesthetic time, 65 additional seconds and 37 seconds, respectively, for each unit increase in BMI. The median self-reported time for individuals who underwent RH to return to their pre-operative activity levels was 4 weeks (range 2 to >12 weeks). There was a significant improvement in pain and physical independence scores over time (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and no significant difference in scores for overall QOL, pain, or physical independence scores was found between the BMI groups. Patient-reported recovery and quality of life following RH is high in individuals with high BMI (over 35 kg/m2) and does not appear to be impacted by the severity of obesity.

Assessment of reanalysis datasets against radiosonde observation over the Eastern Mediterranean region

Four meteorological components (geopotential height Z, air temperature T, dew point temperature Td, and relative humidity RH) collected from ERA-5 and ERA-Interim were compared with the observations of nine radiosonde stations with different climatic changes, at different isobaric levels (850, 700, 500, and 200 hPa) during the period 2000–2017, in order to assess the accuracy of the aforementioned reanalysis datasets. The results showed that both reanalysis datasets have a strong correlation with the observed variables, except with dew point temperature and relative humidity in the upper troposphere. The mean values of geopotential height and temperature from both grid dataset are generally consistent with the radiosonde values, whereas considerable bias in the mean Td and RH exists and increases upwards. The study clearly proved that the reanalysis datasets can be used to compensate for the lack of radiosonde observation. Furthermore, air temperature (during 1959–2021) showed an increasing trend from the surface to the lower troposphere, while the temperature decreased in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Finally in this study, the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) on the air temperature was also examined, and a negative relationship was found between NAOI and temperature at the levels: surface, 850, 700, and 500 hPa, while a positive relationship was found, only in winter, at 200 hPa. At the level of 100 hPa, the correlation is positive for both seasons.

Painted Wood Climate Risk Analysis by the HERIe Model of Building Protection and Conservation Heating Scenarios in Norwegian Medieval Stone Churches

HERIe was used to model the effect of changes to indoor climate on the risk of humidity-induced mechanical damage (cracking and plastic deformation) to wooden panels painted with stiff gesso in two Norwegian medieval stone churches: Kinn (mean relative humidity (RH, %) = 79%) on the humid west coast, and Ringsaker (mean RH = 49%) in the drier eastern part of the country. The risk involved in moving cultural heritage objects (paint on wood) between the churches and a conservation studio with more “ideal”, stable conditions was also modeled. A hypothetical reduction in RH to ~65% and, proportionally, of the climate fluctuations in Kinn, and an increase in the RH in Ringsaker to a more stable value of ~63% via conservation heating, were found to improve (Kinn) and uphold (Ringsaker) the conformity to relevant standards and significantly reduce the risk of damage, except in the scenario of moving objects from Ringsaker to a conservation studio, when the risk would increase. The use of conservation heating could save ~50% of the heating cost. The estimated risk reductions may be less relevant for objects kept in situ, where cracks in the original paint and gesso have developed historically. They may be more relevant when moving original objects away from their proofed climate into a conservation studio for treatment.

Analysis of Atmospheric Pollutants and Meteorological Factors on PM2.5 Concentration and Temporal Variations in Harbin

With rapid economic development, the problem of air pollution has become increasingly prominent. Countries have paid attention to PM2.5, one of the main air pollutants, and have gradually addressed this issue. Based on the 2015–2019 air quality data, meteorological data, and aerosol optical depth data from Harbin, China, this study investigated the relationship between PM2.5, a number of influencing factors, and their temporal changes using a machine-learning method. It can be seen from the analysis that the random forest model can predict PM2.5 concentration. In this model, the mean RH and AOD have a high impact on PM2.5 concentration, but there was negligent correlation with PM2.5. The results indicated that the level of PM2.5 pollution continuously decreased from 2015 to 2019, and there were significant seasonal differences in PM2.5 concentration and its variations. In 2019, due to the impact of heating and adverse meteorological conditions, PM2.5 pollution during the heating period increased significantly. This study provides theoretical and data support for the analysis of PM2.5 pollution in Harbin and formulation of air pollution control policies.

Soil CO2 Emission Largely Dominates the Total Ecosystem CO2 Emission at Canadian Boreal Forest

The natural carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from the ecosystem, also termed as the ecosystem respiration (Reco), is the primary natural source of atmospheric CO2. The contemporary models rely on empirical functions to represent decomposition of litter with multiple soil carbon pools decaying at different rates in estimating Reco variations and its partitioning into autotrophic (Ra) (originating from plants) and heterotrophic (originating mostly from microorganisms) respiration (Rh) in relation to variation in temperature and soil water content. Microbially-mediated litter decomposition scheme representation are not very popular yet. However, microbial enzymatic processes play integral role in litter as well as soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition. Here we developed a mechanistic model comprising of multiple hydro-biogeochemical modules in the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) code to explicitly incorporate microbial-enzymatic litter decomposition and decomposition of SOM for separately estimating regional-scale Ra, Rh and Reco. Modeled annual mean Reco values are found varying from 1,600 to 8,200 kg C ha−1 yr−1 in 2000–2013 within the boreal forest covered sub-basins of the Athabasca River Basin (ARB), Canada. While, for the 2000–2013 period, the annual mean Ra, Rh and soil CO2 emission (Rs) are varying within 800–6,000 kg C ha−1 yr−1, 700–4,200 kg C ha−1 yr−1 and 1,200–5,000 kg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Rs generally dominates Reco with nearly 60–90% contribution in most of the sub-basins in ARB. The model estimates corroborate well with the site-scale and satellite-based estimates reported at similar land use and climatic regions. Mechanistic modeling of Reco and its components are critical to understanding future climate change feedbacks and to help reduce uncertainties particularly in the boreal and subarctic regions that has huge soil carbon store.

Soil Respiration in Planted and Naturally Regenerated Castanopis carelesii Forests during Three Years Post-Establishment

Reforestation through assisted natural regeneration usually accumulates more biomass carbon than through tree planting, but its effects on soil respiration (Rs) and its components, autotrophic respiration (Ra) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh), are poorly understood despite the importance in forest carbon cycling. In this study, we clear-cut part of a 35-year-old secondary Castanopsis carelesii (C. carelesii) forest and reforested the logged land with C. carelesii via two approaches—active tree planting and assisted natural regeneration—and measured Rs, Ra, and Rh as well as soil temperature and moisture in these forests. In the first two years following reforestation, Rs, Ra and Rh rates were mostly reduced in the two young forests compared to the secondary forest, likely due to reduced photosynthate production and thus carbon substrate input associated with the clear-cut. However, the Rh:Rs ratio was significantly greater in the young plantation than in the other two forests in the first two years, suggesting a greater loss of soil organic carbon from the young plantation. In the third year, the mean Rs, Rh, and Ra rates of the young forest established via assisted natural regeneration were similar to those of the secondary forest, but significantly greater than those of the young plantation. The rates of Rs, Rh, and Ra mostly increased exponentially with increasing soil temperature in all forests, but mostly lack significant relationships with soil moisture. These findings indicate that, compared with reforestation via tree plantation, assisted natural regeneration not only reduced the loss of soil organic carbon via soil respiration, but also had a more rapid recovery of soil respiration to the level of the secondary forest. Our study highlights that, in addition to temperature, carbon substrate availability is also important in regulating soil respiration following reforestation.

Comparison Statistical Rice Yield Prediction with Multiple Weather Parameters

Advance knowledge of harvestable products, especially essential food crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and pulses, would allow policymakers and traders to plan procurement, processing, pricing, marketing, and related infrastructure and procedures. There are many statistical models are being used for the yield prediction with different weather parameter combinations. The performance of these models are dependent on the location’s weather input and its accuracy. In this context, a study was conducted at Agro Climate Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Kharif (2020) season to compare the performance of four multivariate weather-based models viz., SMLR, LASSO, ENET and Bayesian models for the rice yield prediction at Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu State with Tmax, Tmin, Mean RH, WS, SSH, EVP and RF. The results indicated that the R2, RMSE, and nRMSE values of the above models were ranged between 0.54 to 0.79 per cent, 149 to 398 kg/ha, 4.0 to 10.6 per cent, respectively. The study concluded that the Bayesian model was found to be more reliable followed by LASSO and ENET. In addition, it was found that the Bayesian model could perform better even with limited weather parameters and detention of wind speed, sunshine hours and evaporation data would not affect the model performance. It is concluded that Bayesian model may be a better option for rice yield forecasting in Thanjavur districts of Tamil Nadu.

Crop-weather based relation and severity prediction of aerial blight incited by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn in soybean

&#x0D; Crop-weather based relation and other aspects of aerial blight incited by Rhizoctoniasolani Kuhn were investigated on two mega varieties (JS 335 and JS 97-52, now susceptible) under central Indian conditions during 2017, 2018 and 2019. It was found that aerial severity and sclerotial formation on affected leaves were varied significantly in all three season, and progress of disease was rapid between 63–84 days old crop {full pod (R4) to maturity initiation (R7) stage}.Increasing crop age was also significantly positively correlated with increasing severity (0.732*) and sclerotial formation (0.981**). Mean relative humidity and maximum temperature of current as well as previous week were found to be positively and negatively correlated with increasing severity of aerial blight, respectively. A regression based model with three explanatory variables (Mean RH, Rainfall and Minimum temperature) of current week was found to be most significant in prediction of disease severity (R2=0.946) of aerial blight. Whereas previous week weather variables i.e. rainy days and rainfall were also accounted 71.7 per cent variability (R2 = 0.717) in disease severity. Overall, weekly average maximum temp (27 to 30o C) and mean RH (80 to 90 per cent) in current week coupled with more rainfall and rainy days in previous week were found to be most conducive field condition for rapid progress of aerial blight disease in soybean.&#x0D;

Urban host plant utilisation by the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in northern Utah

The invasive and highly polyphagous brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a severe agricultural and urban nuisance pest in North America. Since its initial invasion into Utah in 2012, H. halys has become well established in urban and suburban locations along the western foothills of the Wasatch Front in northern Utah. Bordering the Great Basin Desert, this area is unique from other North American locations with H. halys due to its high elevation (&amp;gt; 1200 m), aridity (30-year mean RH = 53.1%; dew point = -1.9 °C) and extreme temperatures (the 30-year mean minimum and maximum in January and July in Salt Lake City range from -3.1 to 3.6 °C and 20.3 to 32.4 °C, respectively). To document which plant species harbour H. halys, surveys were conducted in 17 urban/suburban sites in four counties during 2017 and 2018. Halyomorpha halys was more abundant in Salt Lake and Utah counties than in the more northern counties of Davis and Weber and was found on 53 plant species, nine of which hosted two or more developmental stages in both years. The majority of hosts were in the families Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Sapindaceae. Northern catalpa, Catalpa speciosa (Warder), was the most consistent host, supporting a majority of H. halys detections in all life stages; thus we identify it as a sentinel host. Twenty-nine species were novel hosts for H. halys in North America; of these, Acer ginnala Maxim, Populus tremuloides Michx., Prunus armeniaca × domestica ‘Flavor King’ and Prunus virginiana ‘Schubert’ were detected with two or more life stages of H. halys in both years. Peak populations of H. halys occurred from mid-June to mid-September. We describe H. halys plant utilisation by life stage and seasonal period to aid future detection and management of this invasive insect in the greater Intermountain West region.

Hemolytic Disease of the New-born Due to Anti-c Isoimmunization: A Case Report

Introduction:The Rhesus (Rh) blood group system is one of the complex blood group systems in humans. The Rh system plays important role in transfusion and clinical applications. The Rh antibodies are being the main cause ofHemolytic Disease of Newborn (HDN). Anti-D is the most common cause of severe HDN [1], but it does not mean other Rh antibodies won’t cause HDN. The second common cause of severe HDN is Anti-cantibodies [2] which might miss during the routine screening of antenatal patients. Here we are discussing a case of HDN caused by Anti-c antibody isoimmunization. The relative ability of antigen to cause clinically significant HDN has been the focus of debate [3].Material and Method:The blood grouping was done for both mother and newborn in QWALYS 3 (DIAGAST) and confirmed with gold standard test tube method. Direct and Indirect Antiglobulin Test was done with polyspecific column agglutination card (BIORAD). The Antibody screening was done with 3- cell panel (BIORAD) and Antibody identification was done with 11-cell panel (BIORAD).Results:The blood group of mothers is “O” positive and the blood group of newborns is confirmed as “O” positive. The newborn got DAT Grade 4 positive. The mother sample is tested for IAT which gave Grade 3 positive. The antibody screening shows positive and antibody identification shows the presence of Anti-c antibody in the mother’s serum.Discussion:The newborn had severe hemolytic anemia in which the cause was found to be Anti-c antibody. Though the antibody is severe next to Anti- D, still it produces very severe hemolytic disease. Among all severe HDN Anti-c antibodies cause 8.5% of cases [5].Conclusion:The newborn is treated with double volume exchange transfusion with same blood group [5] and discharged after 10 days. The case report shows the importance of implementation of protocols for screening irregular antibodies to avoid perinatal mortality.

Nutritional ecology bridges the gap between mites’ biological and ecological research results under Mediterranean environment

Under Mediterranean conditions a conflict between mite laboratory studies concerning thermal effects on growth durations, rates, life table parameters and field population dynamics was observed. Laboratory studies aim at determining growth rates at different temperatures are conducted to elucidate field ecological patterns. Laboratory growth rate results can be presented mathematically within a certain range as linear relationship. It is the base of Degree–Day models used for prediction models. Under field conditions maximum and minimum temperatures and mean RH are considered as the influential weather factors. Under Mediterranean moderate climate and artificial irrigation systems, annual crops are produced throughout the year and some crops and perennials grow year around. The change in mite pest populations shows non–linear relationships during each plant growth seasons regardless of the change in environmental factors. This contradicts lab results at constant temperatures. Considering nutritional ecology bridges this gap. The change in available nutritional value (which is variable during the growing season) becomes the main factor. This factor is affected by host plant biological phenomena (different stages of growth and their nutritional contents). This factor is a dynamic one and can be included mathematically as plant age of the third degree (i.e. X, X2 andX3, respectively) in a polynomial equation along with other environmental factors. The regression model becomes (Y = a ± b1 Tmax ± b2 Tmin± b3 RH ± b4 X ± b5 X2 ± b6 X3). Published results reveal that this factor is more influential on mite population dynamics than environmental ones.

Global patterns of soil heterotrophic respiration – A meta-analysis of available dataset

Soil heterotrophic respiration (RH) represents the carbon losses from the decomposition of litter detritus and soil organic matter by microorganisms. Despite conflicting findings on the dominant climatic, soil and vegetation controls on RH from local studies, little is known on the global patterns of RH and the potential drivers behind these patterns. Based on the updated Global Soil Respiration Database, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of climatic, soil and vegetation controls on RH across the globe using structure equation model (SEM). Our results showed that the global weighted mean RH was 457 ± 139 g C m−2 a−1 (mean ± standard deviation), but RH differed significantly among ecosystem types and positively correlated with gross primary production, highlighting the importance of the vegetation control on RH. Climate was the most important environmental control on RH indicated by SEM. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content had a negative influence on RH at the global scale, challenging the current understanding that SOC leads to a positive effect on RH at site or ecosystem scale, further indicating that SOC quantity may dominate RH at local scales, while SOC quality and availability may dominate RH at regional or global scales. Great differences were found not only between observed and dymanic global vegetation model (DGVM)-based RH, but also among different DGVMs, highlighting a better parameterizing of DGVMs, particularly the model output not validated by field observations, to better understand RH and belowground carbon dynamics.

Field measurements of comfort, seasonal performance and cold stress in cross-laminated timber (CLT) school buildings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the seasonal performance, occupants’ comfort and cold stress in cross-laminated timber school buildings located in the USA (Northeast region). Design/methodology/approach The Fall survey was done from October–November 2017. In the Winter, it was considered from December 2017–February 2018. The study measured environmental parameters in the chosen spaces. The research applied the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) model to determine the indexes in various seasons. Findings In the Fall, the average inside temperature was 21.2°C, the average RH was 50.7 per cent, and the mean dew-point was 9.3°C. The mean inside temperature was 20.5°C in the Winter while the mean RH was 23.9 per cent and the average dew-point was −1.9°C. The overall mean inside temperatures in both seasons were within the ASHRAE comfort temperature limits for cold seasons. During the surveys, higher average values of temperature, RH and dew-point were measured in the offices than the other spaces. Practical implications The research showed people might be subject to lower temperatures in the hall than the other spaces. Some design parameters and occupation hours may contribute to the lower temperatures reported in the hall than the different spaces. Originality/value The study proposes the WBGT of 16.0°C and 13.7°C as the stress indexes in the Fall and Winter seasons correspondingly. Last, the research suggests a WBGT of 14.9°C as the overall mean stress index within the spaces considered in this study.

Will heterotrophic soil respiration be more sensitive to warming than autotrophic respiration in subtropical forests?

Understanding the responses of heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic (Ra) components of soil respiration (Rs) to warming is important in evaluating and modelling the effects of changes in climate on soil carbon (C) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. We used a mesocosm system with buried heating cables (5°C warming) to investigate the responses of Rs, Rh and Ra to warming in a subtropical forest in southern China. Soil CO2 effluxes were measured with a portable automatic soil CO2 flux system from March 2014 to July 2015. We found that warming increased mean Rs and Rh from 788 to 1036 g C m−2 year−1 (+31%) and from 512 to 707 g C m−2 year−1 (+38%), respectively. There was no difference in Ra between the warming treatment and the control. The lack of response of Ra to warming was probably because the fine root biomass did not change with warming treatment. Soil warming also increased available dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, actinomycetal biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal biomass. Our results suggest that Rh might be more sensitive to climate warming than Ra, and future climate warming could increase soil C loss from increased Rh in subtropical forest ecosystems.Highlights A field warming experiment with partitioning of soil respiration in a humid subtropical forest. Warming increased Rs and Rh without significantly altering soil microbial substrate availability. Heterotrophic respiration appeared more sensitive to warming than autotrophic respiration. Warming increased Actinomycetes bacteria and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Development of prediction models for the management of rapeseed-mustard diseases-Current scenario

An epidemic is the progress of disease in time and space. each epidemic has a structure whose temporal dynamics, and spatial patterns are jointly determined by the pathosystem characteristics, and environmental conditions. One of the important objectives in epidemiology is to understand such spatio-temporal dynamics via mathematical and statistical modelling. Knowledge of epidemiology and forecasting provides the basic information to develop efficient and workable plant disease control methods. The various weather variables such as temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), rainfall, wind velocity and direction, leaf wetness duration, and solar radiation influence different parameters of infection process, and disease development. Interaction between these weather variables (independent variables) and disease development (dependent variables) pave the way for the development of the prediction models. The average productivity of rapeseed-mustard, an important oil seed crop in India, is quite low due to infection by several diseases such as Alternaria blight (Alternaria brassicae) white rust (Albugo candida), downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica), powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum), and white or Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). These diseases are being managed through chemical fungicides, but the efficiency of control measures depends upon the interaction between pathogen and host, which is influenced by environmental factors. Prediction models developed for the management of important diseases of rapeseedmustard are discussed here. Development of alternaria blight is favoured by tmax of 20–25OC, tmin of 15OC, rhmor > 90% and rheve > 50%. For white rust, tave of >15OC and rh >65% with intermittent rains proved most effective for disease development. Similarly, for downy mildew, a T range of 15–20OC with high rh was considered optimal for its progress. Leaf wetness duration of 4–6 h at 20OC and 6–8 h at 15OC is essential to initiate the downy mildew infection. stag-head due to mixed infection of downy mildew and white rust is favoured by a t 20OC with high RH. A reduced period of sunshine (2–6 h/d) with rainfall up to 161 mm during flowering favours the stag-head formation. Powdery mildew development is favoured by t range of 16–28OC, mean rh 80%), Tmax up to 25OC and tmin of 5–12OC. Often prediction models developed at one location may not fit at other locations. It indicates that data need to be generated for a longer period and the model be tested at multilocations. For greater efficiency, the disease-forecasting models must be developed by taking into account the crop variety, the prevalence of a particular pathotype and the microclimatic factors.

Contrasting Rhizospheric and Heterotrophic Components of Soil Respiration during Growing and Non-Growing Seasons in a Temperate Deciduous Forest

The contributions of heterotrophic respiration (RH) to total soil respiration (RS) for the non-growing season, growing season, and annual period are 84.8%, 60.7%, and 63.3%, respectively.Few studies have partitioned RS into its rhizospheric (RR) and heterotrophic components throughout the year in northern forest ecosystems. Our objectives were to quantify the contributions of non-growing season and heterotrophic respiration. We conducted a trenching experiment to quantify RR and RH in a temperate deciduous forest in Northeast China over two years using chamber methods. Temperature sensitivities (Q10) for RS and for RH were both much higher in the non-growing season (November to April) than those in the growing season. The Q10 for RS was higher than Q10 for RH in both seasons, indicating a higher temperature sensitivity of roots versus microorganisms. Mean non-growing season RS, RH, and RR for the two years were 94, 79 and 14 g carbon (C) m−2, respectively, which contributed 10.8%, 14.5%, and 4.5% to the corresponding annual fluxes (869, 547 and 321 g C m−2 year−1, respectively). The contributions of RH to RS for the non-growing season, growing season, and annual period were 84.8%, 60.7%, and 63.3%, respectively. Using the same contribution of non-growing season RS to annual RS, to scale growing season measurements, to the annual scale would introduce significant biases on annual RH (−34 g C m−2 yr−1 or −6%) and RR (16 g C m−2 yr−1 or 5%).We concluded that it was important to take non-growing season measurements in terms of accurately partitioning RS components in northern forests.