Mild Summer Research Articles

Environmental and energy analysis of the renovation of social housing buildings under various climate change scenarios and user profiles

The renovation of social housing buildings, a priority for the European Union, must be assessed under a Climate Change (CC) context. This work, centred on the user and the environmental impact, analyses the climate resilience of the renovation of the social housing building stock of the Basque Country, located in Northern Spain. In this region, characterised by cold winters and mild summers, CC projections indicate a moderate warming even in the worst-case scenario. The assessment of passive renovation actions indicates that reducing heating demand is key no matter the CC scenario. The reduction achieved in heating demand with deep passive renovations is up to 82.2 % when the worst CC scenario is considered. Indeed, since low-income tenants occupy these buildings, it has been found that global warming would help users achieve indoor standard conditions in a more effective way than with passive renovation actions. Consequently, to improve indoor conditions independently of the CC scenario, active renovation measures must also be considered. Furthermore, the thermal comfort analysis proved that the risk of overheating in this region is negligible, with less than 4 % of the yearly hours above 26 °C. Finally, the Life Cycle Impact Assessment shows that the environmental impact of the renovation is short when compared to the impact of the operational stage. The use of conventional or ecological materials during renovation would save up to 6.5 % of Non-Renewable Primary Energy Consumption and 3.7 % of CO2 emissions during the life-cycle of the building.

High‐resolution CMIP6 analysis highlights emerging climate challenges in alpine and Tibetan Tundra zones

AbstractWe employ a high‐resolution Köppen climate classification dataset to examine shifts in Tundra zones within the Alps and Asia. Our analysis shows substantial reductions in Tundra areas by the mid‐21st century under different Shared. Socioeconomic pathways (SSP1‐2.6, SSP3‐7.0, SSP5‐8.5). Tundra zones in the Alps and the Tibetan Plateau are crucial for their unique climates and role as water reservoirs. Characterized by short, mild summers and long, severe winters, these zones are vital for the glaciers and perennial snow. The projected climate instability may significantly reduce alpine snow cover by mid‐century with irreversible consequences. A 2°C temperature increase from the 1981–2010 baseline could eliminate the Tundra climate in the Alps and reduce it by over 70% in Asia. This is particularly concerning given that rivers from the Tibetan Plateau sustain nearly 40% of the global population.

Phenological alignment of a galling insect used as biocontrol agent for an invasive tree following hemisphere translocation

Acacia longifolia is one of the most widespread invasive alien plant species along coastal areas in Portugal. In South Africa, this species is also invasive and has been controlled for over 40 years by the Australian gall wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae. This biological control agent was introduced in Portugal in 2015, being released immediately after import, i.e., without a laboratory rearing period to adjust the life cycle, and is now established in many locations along the coast. When released in the northern hemisphere, the agent came from the austral spring, with the host-plants having tiny buds, and faced boreal winter with host-plants having large buds. As such it had to synchronize its life cycle with the seasons and phenology of the host-plant in this new location. Both locations have mild summer Mediterranean climates. The present work aims to better understand the life cycle of T. acaciaelongifoliae in the northern hemisphere and how it has aligned its phenology to these new conditions, namely different host-plant phenology and seasons. Two sites were selected (Pataias and São Jacinto), and monitored monthly, from November 2021 to October 2022, to: i) describe the early stages of the life cycle, since oviposition, by collecting and dissecting A. longifolia buds of 5 branches/five trees/site; ii) characterize the stages of the life cycle of T. acaciaelongifoliae inside the developing galls, by collecting and analysing 50 galls/site; and iii) monitoring the development of galls on 10 A. longifolia marked branches/ five trees, in the field. The results suggest that T. acaciaelongifoliae in the northern hemisphere has a univoltine life cycle, but the generations are not completely synchronized at the two sites and even within each site. It is not excluded that two generations may occur throughout the year, i.e., a bivoltine cycle, in some individuals. The alignment of the life cycle may not yet be stabilized. The life cycle seems to be more advanced in the site located further south, Pataias, where adults emerged earlier. Reproductive galls dominated in almost all months, as in South Africa. The present work advances the knowledge on the life cycle of T. acaciaelongifoliae, especially in the northern hemisphere, providing details about the timings and duration of each life cycle stage in this new location. These results are relevant for the management of A. longifolia, stressing the plasticity of the agent life cycle which can facilitate the planning of the biocontrol agent releases in new locations.

Repeated Mild Summer Drought in Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Provokes Compensation Growth in the Following Year

Water limitations will pose significant challenges to forest ecosystems across Europe. To gain a deeper understanding of the potential impacts, we investigated the response of the common shrub Crataegus monogyna to two summer droughts, each followed by rewatering. The experimental design consisted of a common garden with potted saplings from a local Belgian (n = 48), a Swedish (n = 47), and a Spanish-Pyrenean provenance (n = 48). We quantified the effects on growth and leaf phenology, focusing on the legacies in the year following the droughts. Responses were influenced by the severity of the drought and by its timing. Most strikingly, height increment was enhanced by 24% (p = 0.046) in comparison to the controls in the year following the droughts in the group of plants that endured the two drought treatments, each time without developing visible stress symptoms. Only one such mild drought, whether early or late summer, did not lead to this response, suggesting stress memory acting as a growth promoter. A late summer drought that resulted in visible drought symptoms led to a reduced diameter increment in the year following the droughts, independent of the preceding treatment (severe, mild, or no drought), whereas this was not the case for a similar drought in early summer. Minor leaf phenological responses were detected in the year following the droughts. Finally, the non-local provenances did not respond in a deviating way to the droughts compared to the local provenance. Our findings contribute to the prediction of carbon sequestration in forests and other woody vegetations in the temperate regions of Europe.

SOME BIOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HYPODERMA LATREILLE, 1818 IN TAVUSH REGION OF ARMENIA

Background. Cattle hypodermosis is a chronic parasitic disease (entomosis) that occurs as a result of parasitizing the larvae of warble flies in the body of animals. Disease is common in more than 55 countries of the world, causing great economic damage. It is considered as a parasitic disease with a certain zoonotic potential. Purpose. To conduct research on biological and ecological features of the warble flies that determines certain epidemiological traits of the caused pathology in Tavush Region of Armenia. Materials and methods. The observations were carried out in Tavush Region, and the experiments were carried out at the Research Center for Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Sanitary Expertise at the Armenian National Agrarian University. The warble flies marked with stain, were released at a distance of 0.5 to 1.5 km from livestock farms with subsequent search and trapping of insects, located on pastures and on the skin of animals. Generally, 275 warble flies were released. Warble fly activity was evaluated visually counting the comparative number of flying insects at the fixed point per minute at different times of the day, as well as animal anxiety state caused by warble flies was identified. Statistical processing of experimental data was performed by means of “Vassart.net” online calculator. Results. Female warble flies Hypoderma bovis flew up to 12.1 km, while female warble flies H. lineatum did it up to 8.6 km. Females of H. bovis and H. lineatum demonstrated various spatial and circadian flying activity that depends on season, and altitude above the sea level. Spring generation of warble flies is more resistant to low air temperatures compared to the summer generation. Mild and humid summers, as well as an increase in the number of animals, contribute to an increase in the population of warble flies, while high temperature and high soil moisture contribute to the mass death of warble fly pupae developing in the ground. Conclusion. The research data cited in the article, detect the presence of a wide range of biocenotic factors that determine the epidemiology of cattle hypodermosis in the Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia. Cattle hypodermosis control plan was designed based on the results of the research, as well as natural and climatic conditions of Tavush region. Pasture prevention activities and periodic treatment of the cattle with insecticides were emphasized.

The Effects of Weather Conditions on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Dogs: A Field Study

Although animals have adaptation abilities to different environmental conditions, various physiological changes may occur. The present research aimed to evaluate the effects of severe winter conditions on hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs kept outside all year. The research was carried out in the province of Kars, which is known for its severe cold conditions in Türkiye. Vital signs, hematological, and biochemical parameters of 12 adult dogs aged 1-8 years old (mixed breed, 8 males and 4 females) included in the study were compared in winter and summer seasons. The results indicated a significant effect of the winter season on the body temperature, respiration, and pulse rate of the dogs. In addition, it was observed that some hematological, including White blood cell (WBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) Hemoglobin (HB), and biochemical parameters (urea, TP, albumin, cholesterol, glucose, creatinine) of dogs differed in winter from those in summer. It should be considered that the vital values of dogs living outdoors in intense winter differed from those in mild winter or summer. It is also concluded that veterinarians should consider these differences in routine clinical examinations of these animals.

HVAC system operation, consumption and compressor size optimization in urban buses of Mediterranean cities

Electric buses are a key element in the transition to sustainable urban mobility. The HVAC system is the primary auxiliary load and significantly affects the efficiency and the driving range. In this work, advanced dynamic models have been developed to simulate accurately and optimize the urban bus energy consumption under real operating and extreme conditions, with a particular emphasis on HVAC systems. This study integrates a 3D city model, a weighted stochastic driving cycle, a climate model, a transient thermal model coupled with a physical HVAC system model using IMST-ART and a battery model. Different bus lines and urban typologies have been analyzed in the city of València. The results indicate that the overall consumption is similar across the different bus lines, around 2.10 kWh/km. The HVAC is the second largest contributor, after the powertrain, and can reduce the driving range by 15%–20% on mild and hot summer days, respectively. Finally, the size of the compressor has been optimized, revealing that a scale factor of 75% is more convenient, since the energy consumption can be reduced by 3% with lower costs in the compressor.

Transformation, leaching and plant uptake simulations of 6:2 and 8:2 polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters (diPAPs) and related transformation products under near-natural conditions

In response to the growing concern over PFAS contamination, employing models to simulate PFAS behavior in the environment becomes necessary. This facilitates evaluating risks tied to leaching into groundwater, adsorption in soil, plant uptake, entry into the food chain, and the conversion of precursors into persistent PFAS. We utilized the MACRO model to simulate the behavior of the precursors 6:2 diPAP and 8:2 diPAP using data from a 2-year lysimeter experiment, key compound parameters were optimized via the caRamel evolutionary algorithm. We assumed that the transformation of both diPAP precursors into stable PFAAs is influenced by temperature and soil moisture, similar to pesticide degradation by microorganisms. Results reveal that the model accurately represents transformation, leaching, soil retention, and plant uptake of diPAP and transformation products. A comparison with a lab-based soil column study supports the slower natural degradation of precursors, affirming our modeling approach. Temperature and soil moisture could indicate that a worst-case scenario for transformation product leaching into groundwater could occur during a mild summer with moderate evapotranspiration and heavy rainfall. Plant uptake involves multiple elements: PFAS availability in the root zone depends on prior degradation or presence. Increased moisture in the root zone favors PFAS uptake combined with temperatures high enough for prior biotransformation. The calculation of temperature and moisture-based conversion rates was adopted directly from MACRO. It is recommended to further investigate these effects to validate and possibly modify them.

Propagation, physiology, and biomass of Giant Cane (Arundinaria gigantea) for conservation and restoration

Arundinaria gigantea is a native species to 22 states in the U.S. The species and its ecosystem are considered critically endangered, and the species has been reduced to 2% of its original extent. Our research goals were to; 1) examine methods for greenhouse propagation for restoration; 2) examine the physiology of cane at one of the only canebrakes on public land in SW MO, greenhouse propagated cane, and field planted cane; and 3) develop an allometric equation to estimate biomass of the canebrake. We used the number of shoots produced as a metric for propagation success. The number of new shoots depended on rhizome length, watering regime, and whether propagation was attempted with the rhizome alone or with an existing culm. We recorded 100% propagation success from every rhizome with culm cut at 2nd internode with regular watering on 8 x 15.6-inch pots having soil-mix/perlite media. Leaf chlorophyll values ranged from 329 umol/m2 in sun leaves to 354 umol/m2 in shade leaves in October 2022. During a mild drought summer 2022, leaves-maintained water potential of -1.8 MPa with photosynthetic rates as high as 12 umol CO2/m2/s. Biomass models based on pole diameter and height were established. We estimated 12,359.508 kg of biomass which is equivalent to 5.8 metric tons of carbon stored by a 0.17 ha canebrake at Mincy Conservation Area in SW MO. Our research provides baseline data for understanding the role of cane and canebrakes in ecosystem functioning in existing canebrakes, and habitats where cane could be restored.

Equilibrium line altitudes of alpine glaciers in Alaska suggest Last Glacial Maximum summer temperature was 2–5 °C lower than during the pre-industrial

Abstract. The lack of continental ice sheets in Alaska during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 26–19 ka) has long been attributed to extensive aridity in the western Arctic. More recently, climate model outputs, a few isolated paleoclimate studies, and global paleoclimate synthesis products show mild summer temperature depressions in Alaska compared to much of the high northern latitudes. This suggests the importance of limited summer temperature depressions in controlling the relatively limited glacier growth during the LGM. To explore this further, we present a new statewide map of LGM alpine glacier equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs), LGM ΔELAs (LGM ELA anomalies relative to the Little Ice Age, LIA), and ΔELA-based estimates of temperature depressions across Alaska to assess paleoclimate conditions. We reconstructed paleoglacier surfaces in ArcGIS to calculate ELAs using an accumulation area ratio (AAR) of 0.58 and an area–altitude balance ratio (AABR) of 1.56. We calculated LGM ELAs (n= 480) in glaciated massifs in the state, excluding areas in southern Alaska that were covered by the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. The data show a trend of increasing ELAs from the southwest to the northeast during both the LGM and the LIA, indicating a consistent southern Bering Sea and northernmost Pacific Ocean precipitation source. Our LGM–LIA ΔELAs from the Alaska Range, supported with limited LGM–LIA ΔELAs from the Brooks Range and the Kigluaik Mountains, average to −355 ± 176 m. This value is much greater than the global LGM average of ca. −1000 m. Using a range of atmospheric lapse rates, LGM–LIA ΔELAs in Alaska translate to summer cooling of < 2–5 ∘C. Our results are consistent with a growing number of local climate proxy reconstructions and global data assimilation syntheses that indicate mild summer temperature across Beringia during the LGM. Limited LGM summer temperature depressions could be explained by the influence of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets on atmospheric circulation.

Local climate modulates the development of soil nematode communities after glacier retreat

AbstractThe worldwide retreat of glaciers is causing a faster than ever increase in ice‐free areas that are leading to the emergence of new ecosystems. Understanding the dynamics of these environments is critical to predicting the consequences of climate change on mountains and at high latitudes. Climatic differences between regions of the world could modulate the emergence of biodiversity and functionality after glacier retreat, yet global tests of this hypothesis are lacking. Nematodes are the most abundant soil animals, with keystone roles in ecosystem functioning, but the lack of global‐scale studies limits our understanding of how the taxonomic and functional diversity of nematodes changes during the colonization of proglacial landscapes. We used environmental DNA metabarcoding to characterize nematode communities of 48 glacier forelands from five continents. We assessed how different facets of biodiversity change with the age of deglaciated terrains and tested the hypothesis that colonization patterns are different across forelands with different climatic conditions. Nematodes colonized ice‐free areas almost immediately. Both taxonomic and functional richness quickly increased over time, but the increase in nematode diversity was modulated by climate, so that colonization started earlier in forelands with mild summer temperatures. Colder forelands initially hosted poor communities, but the colonization rate then accelerated, eventually leveling biodiversity differences between climatic regimes in the long term. Immediately after glacier retreat, communities were dominated by colonizer taxa with short generation time and r‐ecological strategy but community composition shifted through time, with increased frequency of more persister taxa with K‐ecological strategy. These changes mostly occurred through the addition of new traits instead of their replacement during succession. The effects of local climate on nematode colonization led to heterogeneous but predictable patterns around the world that likely affect soil communities and overall ecosystem development.

Development, implementation, and impact analysis of model predictive control-based optimal precooling using smart home thermostats

Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based precooling strategies are typically analyzed through simulations. Their field studies in residential buildings are quite limited due to hardware retrofitting costs, lengthy parameter identification periods, and the need to have homeowners' participation. Therefore, there is a lack of MPC-based precooling impact analysis using field data which may have prevented widespread adoption of the technology. To address this issue, in this paper we developed an MPC agent and implemented it on an online cloud-based platform. The MPC agent makes use of a gray-box model to capture the home thermal dynamics, a novel set of constraints to ensure that the model parameters identified are realistic, and a node sensor to provide interior wall surface temperature measurement. To evaluate its performance and conduct impact analysis, we introduced a modified matrix profile-based weather clustering algorithm and two performance indicators for cost saving and energy flexibility. We also carried out extensive field tests on nine homes over a period of four months. Our results show that the MPC agent can reduce energy cost by 28.72%–51.31% on hot summer days and by up to 60.32% on mild summer days, in addition to achieving significant energy flexibility. Moreover, the agent's performance is found to be most impacted by weather conditions, AC performance, user comfort preferences, and floor areas of the homes.

Evidence of seasonal heat acclimatisation in recreationally active adults during a mild summer

ObjectivesTo assess the magnitude of seasonal heat acclimatisation in recreationally active adults and contextualise the process by documenting the factors that influence adaptations. DesignLongitudinal, repeated measures design. MethodsSeventeen (7 females) recreationally active adults (28 ± 8 yr, V̇O2peak 54 ± 8 mL·kg−1·min−1) exercising outdoors a minimum of 5 h·wk−1 completed a 45-min heat response test running at 60 % V̇O2peak in 40 °C and 30 % relative humidity prior to, midway through, and following summer. Self-reported physical activity diaries were completed at the beginning and end of summer. Daytime wet-bulb globe temperature was calculated for each day of summer. Data were analysed using Bayesian ordinal regressions. ResultsDaytime wet-bulb globe temperature was 22.0 ± 4.4 °C, with the most common hour for recreational exercise being 17:00 to 18:00. Following summer, the rise in oesophageal temperature and mean skin temperature during the heat response test was lower by 0.12 °C [90 % credible interval: −0.30, 0.06; probability of direction = 87 %] and 0.43 °C [−0.74, −0.10; 98 %], respectively. Moreover, forearm local sweat rate increased by 0.26 mg·cm−2·min−1 [0.15, 0.36; 100 %]. There was minimal evidence of a change in the increase in heart rate (1 beat·min−1 [−3, 5; 62 %]), or whole-body sweat rate (0.03 L·h−1 [−0.11, 0.15; 68 %]) during the heat response test. ConclusionsAlthough there was evidence of partial heat adaptation in recreationally active adults following summer, a combination of exercising later in the day and the prevailing environmental conditions (La Niña in South-Eastern Australia) may have blunted the development of further adaptations.

High-Pressure Processing Helps Meet the Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shiga Toxin–Producing E. coli (STEC) Performance Standards for Beef Summer Sausage

The United States Department of Agriculture–Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) performance standards require that manufacturers of fermented beef sausages validate their processes to achieve a 5-log reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC). Most processors rely on rapid fermentation to a low pH and a mild heat treatment to achieve the lethality performance standard. However, this process alters the sensorial characteristics of traditional fermented sausages. An alternative method to achieve lethality using high-pressure processing (HPP) during the manufacture of summer sausage with higher pH (5.0) and minimal heat treatment was evaluated. Sausages inoculated with circa 9.1 log CFU/g of E. coli O157:H7 and 8.9 log CFU/g of STEC were fermented to target pH values of 4.6 or 5.0. Subsequently, fermented sausages were heated to endpoint temperatures of 54.4°C, 48.9°C, or 43.3°C to the total process treatments of (1) Process A: pH 4.6 and 54.4°C, simulated cold air chilling, (2) Process B: pH 5.0 and 54.4°C, simulated cold air chilling, (3) Process C: pH 5.0 and 54.4°C, ice bath chilling, (4) Process D: pH 5.0 and 48.9°C, ice bath chilling, and (5) Process E: pH 5.0 and 43.3°C, ice bath chilling. After processing, the product was subjected to HPP (586 MPa; 4°C±2°C) for hold times of 1, 150, or 300 s and a nontreated (no HPP) control. All treatments subjected to HPP for 150 and 300 s reduced (P≤0.05) E. coli (O157:H7 and STEC) populations by>5.0 log CFU/g and >7.5 logCFU/g, respectively. The use of HPP allows for the production of more mild beef summer sausage (pH 5.0 and a mild thermal treatment of 43.3°C) while still achieving USDA-FSIS performance standards for lethality.

The influence of atmospheric precipitation on the formation of the flow of the Zolota Lypa River during 1945-2015

The article describes the main natural conditions and factors of runoff formation in the Zolota Lypa river basin. An analysis of existing studies of river flow was carried out. The experience of measuring the main characteristics of atmospheric precipitation and methods of river flow analysis are analyzed. The trend of air temperature changes during the observation period from 1945 to 2015 was determined and analyzed. The regime of atmospheric precipitation within the basin of the Zolota Lypa River was studied. Long-term changes and intra-annual distribution of atmospheric precipitation, in particular rain, were analyzed, and based on the data of observations of the Berezhany weather station. Periods of atmospheric precipitation fluctuations relative to the standard norm were identified and the influence of atmospheric precipitation on the formation of runoff was determined. The graph of the dependence of the flow of the Zolota Lypa River on atmospheric precipitation showed a fairly clear dependence between the variable values of the flow and atmospheric precipitation. Research of precipitation, water balance of river basins, and the impact of precipitation on river runoff remain relevant in the context of global and regional climate change. Nowadays, many scientific researches all over the world are devoted to the research of the problem of river runoff change under the influence of climatic factors. This kind of research has been developing strongly in Ukraine in recent decades. The basin of the river Zolota Lypa has a temperate-continental climate with mild summers, mild winters and sufficient rainfall. This area is flat, there are no high mountains. That is why during the year it is under the influence of cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean and arctic air masses that come in the form of high pressure cores. The average annual runoff is characterized by rather complex patterns of change both in time and space. There are periodic, cyclical and unidirectional changes that occur under the influence of a complex system of factors. Climate is a major factor of the water change. To determine the effect of precipitation on river runoff, the method of comparing difference-integral curves of annual runoff and precipitation, as well as water-balance methods are used. Long-term changes and intra-annual distribution of precipitation, in particular rainfall, according to the observations of the meteorological station Berezhany were analyzed. We constructed a differential integrated curve of modular coefficients of the average annual precipitation. It clearly reflects the cyclical changes in precipitation. Long-term changes and intra-annual distribution of water runoff in the Zolota Lypa River also were analyzed. During the observation period, periods of long-term fluctuations of the average annual precipitation were revealed. The average annual rainfall is 631,8 mm. The annual course is stable, in the greatest amount of precipitation falls in the summer, when there are intense thunderstorms and showers, the least – in winter. For the analysis of the water regime of the Zolota Lypa River, observation data from two hydrological stations (Berezhany and Zadariv) were used. According to the graph of the dependence of the flow of the Zolota Lypa River on precipitation for the studied period, a fairly clear connection between the variable values of the flow and precipitation can be traced. To assess the closeness of the relationship between the amount of precipitation and water consumption, a correlation coefficient of 0.74 was calculated, which is a positive approximation. In this case (with a close connection), it can be asserted that the flow of the main watercourses within the basin of the Zolota Lypa River is directly dependent on the amount of precipitation. Keywords: atmospheric precipitation, river runoff, standard climate norm, difference integral curve, correlation coefficien.

The Eastern Australian Floods of February 2022 and Its Relationship with Climate Change

During February 2022 major riverine flooding occurred in an area which has the fastest population growth in Australia. This extended from the Mary River in Southeast Queensland (SEQ) to the Clarence River in Northeast NSW (NENSW). Two centres within this area were devastated by floods unprecedented in living memory. One was the Brisbane Metropolitan area where all-time record daily rainfall in the suburbs flooded creeks. This creek flooding was much worse than that caused by the Brisbane River itself where Wivenhoe Dam played a role in preventing more disastrous flooding. The other was in the Northern New South Wales city of Lismore where rainfall in the Wilsons River catchment exceeded all known rainfall rates there. The structure of the weather system generating the rainfall responsible for these two floods is studied along with the climatology of such events. One event which occurred during 1954 stands out and is examined in detail. A climate shift in 1976 resulted in two decades of relatively benign weather in the region and tourism flourished there due to mild summers and warm winters. The area experienced a huge growth in population with fading memories of past disastrous weather events and huge residential development occurred in flood plain areas. During the twenty-first century these extreme events have returned although so far not as frequent as earlier decades but still result in some residents experiencing multiple flooding events. The 1954 event occurred during an extended period of devastating flood events not experienced in recent decades. With the huge increase in population in this area since the 1970s such a series of events like those in the 1950s would stretch the resources of disaster managers given the problems, they faced in 2022.

Assessing the Influence of Climate on the Spatial Pattern of West Nile Virus Incidence in the United States.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in humans in the United States. Since the introduction of the disease in 1999, incidence levels have stabilized in many regions, allowing for analysis of climate conditions that shape the spatial structure of disease incidence. Our goal was to identify the seasonal climate variables that influence the spatial extent and magnitude of WNV incidence in humans. We developed a predictive model of contemporary mean annual WNV incidence using U.S. county-level case reports from 2005 to 2019 and seasonally averaged climate variables. We used a random forest model that had an out-of-sample model performance of . Our model accurately captured the V-shaped area of higher WNV incidence that extends from states on the Canadian border south through the middle of the Great Plains. It also captured a region of moderate WNV incidence in the southern Mississippi Valley. The highest levels of WNV incidence were in regions with dry and cold winters and wet and mild summers. The random forest model classified counties with average winter precipitation levels as having incidence levels over 11 times greater than those of counties that are wetter. Among the climate predictors, winter precipitation, fall precipitation, and winter temperature were the three most important predictive variables. We consider which aspects of the WNV transmission cycle climate conditions may benefit the most and argued that dry and cold winters are climate conditions optimal for the mosquito species key to amplifying WNV transmission. Our statistical model may be useful in projecting shifts in WNV risk in response to climate change. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10986.

Species distribution models predicting climate suitability for the psyllid Trioza erytreae, vector of citrus greening disease

The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a vector of citrus greening (Huanglonbing - HLB), a bacterial citrus disease caused by Candidatus liberibacter spp. Native to Africa, T. erytreae was detected in the Canary Islands and Madeira in the early 2000s and then in northwestern Spain in 2014. Since then, T. erytreae has become established along the Atlantic coastal areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the potential long-term establishment of T. erytreae in major citrus-growing regions of Europe and the world is urgently needed to design adapted control strategies. I calibrated correlative species distribution models to understand the bioclimatic characteristics that determine the distribution of T. erytreae, and to assess the climatic suitability of the world's major citrus-growing regions for the psyllid under current and future climate conditions. I calibrated the models using only distribution data from Africa (its native range), the Canary Islands, and Madeira, and evaluated them using available data from the invaded area in continental Europe. This approach aims to avoid spurious good measures of model accuracy arising from spatial autocorrelation between the calibration and evaluation datasets. The models identify mild summer and winter temperatures and high levels of precipitation as optimal conditions for long-term psyllid establishment, consistent with its physiology. In Europe, models predict only the Atlantic coastal regions of the Iberian Peninsula as highly climatically suitable, a spatial pattern that corresponds exactly to the area currently invaded by the psyllid. Models predict that most of the important citrus-growing areas in the world are, and will remain in the future, poorly adapted to T. erytreae except in case of future physiological adjustments. These results are crucial for the design of appropriate pest management strategies and are timely for Europe where the African citrus psyllid has recently been detected.

Performance evaluation of solar still integrated with thermoelectric heat pump system

<abstract> <p>This research presents a method for improving a conventional solar still to produce potable water during adverse conditions where there is low or no solar radiation. Summer and winter conditions in the Western Cape province of South Africa were considered. A comparative experimental study was conducted between a conventional solar still and the developed solar still. The developed solar still incorporated a photovoltaic powered thermoelectric heat pump. The purpose of the thermoelectric (TE) heat pump was to accelerate convection inside the developed solar still assembly. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the thermoelectric heat pump installed in the developed solar still ranged from 0.4 to 1.9 at an input current of 5 A. The results indicated that the developed solar still was able to produce 2300 mL per day of drinkable water during a good day in the winter, but the conventional solar still was only able to produce 650 mL per day. The developed solar still produced 2180 mL per day, whereas the ordinary solar still produced 1050 mL per day, during a mild summer day. The developed still had an accumulated water production of 1180 mL during a night with mild temperatures. This significant improvement in yield of the developed solar still system is due to the change in temperature difference between the glazing and the water surface within the developed solar still. This is a significant contribution to the technology of solar water purification.</p> </abstract>

Influence of the urban heat island effect on interstitial condensation in residential buildings with a temperate oceanic climate in winter: Case of Puerto Montt, Chile

Interstitial condensation is a phenomenon that occurs when, somewhere inside a construction element, a pressure equal to or greater than the saturation pressure is reached. At this time, condensation will occur inside the element, producing interstitial condensation. This phenomenon occurs mainly in the winter. This type of condensation produces various problems, such as the deterioration of materials, humidity, reduced comfort conditions inside the home and health problems. Further, the urban heat island effect means that due to different factors — building materials, green areas, volumes— temperatures are not homogeneous in all areas of the city. This effect makes the same building in different areas behave differently. This research aimed to analyse the influence of the urban heat island effect on interstitial conditions in a temperate oceanic climate. This study was carried out through a case study consisting of a typical house, with three different constructive solutions, located in four representative city points. The city where the experiment was carried out corresponds to Puerto Montt, in the south of Chile. Puerto Montt has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers and long winters. The research results will be helpful when selecting different constructive solutions for the thermal envelope in cities with temperate oceanic climates.