Natural Conditions Research Articles

Study of the modern reclamation and ecological state of soils in Azerbaijan

For many years in the Republic of Azerbaijan, numerous reclamation and ecological measures aimed at attracting agricultural lands of natural cenoses to use in agrocenoses were carried out. The soils of the studied territory are quite unique in terms of their soil-forming structure and ecological conditions, and they differ from other regions of the country in terms of irrigation water content. The article reflects some important results of soil and water studies conducted over the last years. Determining the qualitative composition of groundwater and irrigation water in different seasons of the year using modern methods is relevant from an environmental and reclamation point of view. Based on remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies, our research is based on the analysis of natural and anthropogenic landscape changes and changes in natural conditions as a result of agricultural development in the 20 km buffer zone along the banks of Kura and Araz rivers. As a result of the conducted research, it was determined that the rapid growth of the population has caused the reduction of the area of agro-landscapes, the salinization of the soil, the drying of the water in the water basins, the expansion of the construction areas. This has disrupted the natural balance.

Evaluation of the Pollination Efficiency of Apple Trees by Osmia excavata Alfken (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae).

The mason bee Osmia excavata Alfken is an apple pollinating insect widely distributed in northern China, in order to effectively utilize the mason bee and improve the pollination rate of apples, there is a need to evaluate the pollination efficiency of the bees. This study evaluated the pollination efficiency of the mason bee on apple orchards in Jinan and Yantai, Shandong Province, China. The study compared natural pollination areas and pollination areas with different release densities of O. excavata in terms of the effects of bee density, timing of pollination, and distance effects on fruit set rate, fruit shape index, fruit shape skewness, fruit soluble solids content, and fruit firmness. The optimal release density of bees was 6000 cocoons per hectare, resulting in the highest fruit setting rate of apple lateral flowers. From 07:00 to 14:00 was the best time for bee pollination. The optimal distance of hives from apple trees for pollination by O. excavata was 60m. Single fruit weight was significantly higher and fruit unsymmetrical rate, partial slope and hardness were all significantly lower at the release densities of 6000 or 12000 cocoons per hectare compared with 3000 cocoons per hectare or under natural pollination conditions. There was no significant difference in the content of soluble solids under different release densities. Thus, the radius of 60m from the hive was the effective pollination range and 6000 cocoons per hectare of mason bees could ensure the fruit quality of apple.

Взаимосвязь инновационных и классических методик профессиональной направленности обучения физике в техническом вузе

The introduction of two forms of conducting a laboratory workshop in physics for students for engineering and technology studies in the sphere of marine heat and power engineering, electrical equipment and automation means is considered to the process of studying at the Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education “Astrakhan State Technical University”. The possibility of developing students' working skills in natural conditions with industrial devices and an engineering approach taking into account the multifactorial conditions of the experiment as an independent work in the framework of the workshop of technical creativity Applied Physics organized at the Department of General Engineering Disciplines and Ground Transport is shown. The formation of the professional orientation of interdisciplinary connections of students of the specialty Thermal Power Engineering and Heat Engineering is illustrated by the example of the development of the laboratory work Determination of the specific heat capacity of metals. The advantages of virtual laboratory work and the possibility of their use on the educational portal of the “Astrakhan State Technical University”, built on the Moodle virtual learning environment, are examined. An example of creating a virtual laboratory work Studying the law of conservation of momentum is considered. It is theoretically proved that the introduction of these types of work into the educational process in physics contributes to the optimally effective formation of general professional competencies and the professional orientation of students' education. The importance of introducing these types of laboratory work into the educational process of physics at the university for the development of students' analytical abilities, creativity and innovation, which is a prerequisite for studying of modern engineers in demand in the labor market in a rapidly changing world, is shown.

Object Detection Driven Precision Forecasting in Curved Terrains

Abstract: This study introduces an inventive approach to avalanche forecast in fastener twist locales utilizing the You Simply See Once (YOLO) protest location system. Fastener twists, with their interesting geography, posture particular challenges for avalanche forecast, requiring a custom fitted arrangement that coordinating progressed computer vision strategies. The proposed technique combines high-resolution fawning symbolism information to make nitty gritty territory models of clip twist ranges. YOLO, known for its real-time question location capabilities, is adjusted to recognize potential avalanche triggers, counting slant flimsiness and changes in vegetation cover, inside these complex scenes. Real-time observing frameworks, counting ground-based sensors and climate stations, are deliberately put to ceaselessly capture natural conditions. Integration with the YOLO-based prescient demonstrate empowers the early recognizable proof of potential avalanche dangers, encouraging the usage of focused on early caution frameworks. Community engagement remains a pivotal perspective of this approach, including neighborhood inhabitants within the improvement of departure plans and readiness techniques. The cooperative energy between YOLO-based innovation and community association makes a comprehensive arrangement for proactively overseeing avalanche dangers in clip twists

An Environmentally Friendly Method to Protect Box Trees (Buxus spp.) from Attacks by the Invasive Moth Cydalima perspectalis

The non-native invasive box-tree moth Cydalima perspectalis causes severe damage to ornamental box trees (Buxus spp.) and natural boxwood stands. So far, no promising natural enemy of C. perspectalis has been discovered in Europe. Many garden owners would like to protect their box trees from C. perspectalis without the use of insecticides, which also harm other arthropod species. In a controlled experiment under natural conditions, we tested whether box trees covered with a net during the flight period of C. perspectalis are as well protected against the moth as trees treated with a bioinsecticide. After 1 year, the box trees covered with a net during the moths’ flight activity (monitored by light traps) showed no damage by larvae (average loss of leaves 0%), as did box trees regularly treated with a bioinsecticide (control group 1). In contrast, box trees with no protection (untreated box trees; control group 2) lost 97.7% of their leaves due to larval feeding. In a second experiment, we investigated whether defoliated box trees can recover when covered with a net during the flight period of the moth. Protected by the net, the emerging new leaves were not attacked by C. perspectalis. After 1.5 years, the trees had 24% of their original foliage again. Our study demonstrates that temporarily covering box trees with a net protects them against damage by C. perspectalis in an effective way.

Growth Evaluation of Selfcrossed Progenies BC1F2 Experiencing Submerged and Non-submerged at BC1F1 and its Parents

A non-tidal swamp is an option to increase the rice harvested land and production, however, its utilization still depends on the natural condition so the plants are vulnerable to submergence and drought stress. Developing dual-tolerant varieties is the right choice for developing rice cultivation in non-tidal swamps. Inpara 8 has the SUB1 gene which is tolerant to submergence stress and Inpago 5 is tolerant to drought stress. The study aimed to evaluate the growth of BC1F2 from Inpara 8 and Inpago 5 that experienced submerged stress and its parents (Inpago 5 and Inpara 8). The research was carried out at the greenhouse of Agriculture Faculty, Sriwijaya University on July 2021 – January 2022. Inpago 5 has the highest average plant height ( 145.81 cm ), the highest number of tillers (4.73), the most productive tillers (3.87), and the highest total grain in the clump (720.87 grains), the weight of the clump grain (15.86 g) and the lowest percent of empty grain (33.47 %). The donor parent Inpara 8 had the highest average total grain per panicle (192.08), and the highest dry weight (20.69 g). BC1F2 Submerged had the highest average 1000 grain weight (25.26 g) and the fastest harvest age (114.50 DAP). The BC1F2 selfcross progeny which had experienced submergence stress and was not in the BC1F1 phase had almost the same characteristics as its two parents as indicated by the results of the observed parameters which generally did not show any significant differences.

Accounting for Organizational and Economic Mechanisms in Greenhouse Activities

The article considers a specific area of greenhouse vegetable production, which is an important area of greenhouse farming that significantly affects the availability of plant products and canned vegetables yearly in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In adopting greenhouse vegetable cultivation, certain factors are considered, such as the location of the farm, natural and climatic conditions, and types of farming, that as open field or protected farming. Agriculture is the main pillar of the country’s economy. This work aims to study greenhouse vegetable farming adopted in the country. It also aims to study the technological innovation applied in its operation, its structural and functional organization, and the economic benefits derived from it. The study data were obtained from the statistical database of the World Bank. The data were analyzed based on the descriptive statistics of the factors characterizing the organizational and economic mechanisms of agriculture in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study results show that the main technology adopted in the country for the proper running of greenhouse farming is greenhouse vegetable clusters, and there is a strong correlation between the organizational and economic indicators of the greenhouse vegetable clusters. It is found that the economic yield of the greenhouse vegetable clusters depends on the patterns in which the clusters are organized, such as the availability of labor, as well as transport routes for transporting products. Adopting the appropriate policies for organizing the clusters could lead to sustainable food security for the population of the country, including the development of agricultural infrastructures, such as road networks, crop storage facilities, access to electricity, foreign investments, domestic loans, etc. The work analyzes the production efficiency and current economic status of farms. It also gives recommendations for improving the production of vegetable crops in the greenhouse.

Experimental-Numerical Assessment of Mechanical Behavior of Laboratory-Made Steel and NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Wire Ropes

The mechanical behaviors of laboratory-fabricated steel and superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wire ropes are assessed in this study through a comprehensive approach encompassing both experimental investigations and finite element (FE) numerical simulations. The assessment of steel wire ropes involves experimental scrutiny under sinusoidal cyclic loading and natural earthquake loading conditions. In parallel, SMA wire ropes’ behaviors are analyzed utilizing FE simulations employing the widely acknowledged ABAQUS software version 2020. The validation of all numerical simulations is undertaken against the experimentally observed behaviors. Moreover, full-scale steel wire ropes are subjected to shaking table tests to validate the simulations, facilitating a comparative analysis between the mechanical responses of SMA and steel wire ropes. The findings demonstrate that SMA wire ropes exhibit superelastic behavior akin to SMA wires, with marginal variations in overall response observed across distinct configurations, akin to steel wire ropes. Furthermore, augmenting the helix angle of SMA wire ropes results in reduced stress and increased strain when exposed to the El Centro earthquake scenario. Nevertheless, the mechanical response of SMA wire ropes closely mirrors that of a single wire.

First report of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot on Polygonatum kingianum in China.

Polygonatum kingianum is a Chinese herbal medicine that belongs to the genus Polygonatum of the family Liliaceae. In June 2023, Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl. in nurseries in Qujing, Yunnan Province, China, showed irregular brown spots on the leaves, whole leaf necrosis, and plant death in serious cases, with an incidence of 10-20% (Fig. S1). To identify the pathogens of P. kingianum, six diseased samples were collected from nurseries with 0.6 acre. These diseased sample leaves were soaked in 0.1% HgCl2 for 1 min and 75% ethanol for 2 min and then rinsed thrice with sterile water. Treated leaves were cut into small pieces (5×5 mm) and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for five days at 28°C. Total thirteen fungal strains were isolated from PDA medium. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) region of these 13 strains was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal primers ITSI/ITS4 (White et al. 1990). Sequencing and BLAST of the ITS region on NCBI showed that 11 out of 13 fungal strains belonged to the genus Alternaria, with an identity ≥99%. We selected one of the Alternaria strains, HJ-A1, for further study. The HJ-A1 colony appeared grayish brown white-to-gray with a flocculent texture on the front side and a dark gray underside on the PDA medium (Fig. S1). The conidiophores appeared brown, either single or branched, and produced numerous short conidial chains. The conidia were obclavate to obpyriform or ellipsoid in shape and contained 1-4 transverse septa and 0-2 oblique septa. The conidial diameter was 27.30µm in length and 12.27µm in width. (Fig. S1). To further determine the species of HJA1, the genomic DNA of HJ-A1 was extracted using the Lysis Buffer for PCR (AG, Hunan, China). Four Alternaria genomic DNA regions including the ITS, translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1-α), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and Alternaria major allergen gene (Alt a1) were amplified by PCR using the primers as previously reported (Woudenberg et al. 2013, Hong et al. 2005). Sequence analysis revealed that the ITS (484bp) of HJ-A1 (NCBI No. PP082633), TEF1-α (267bp) of HJ-A1 (NCBI No. PP419893), GAPDH (582bp) of HJ-A1 (NCBI No. PP419892), and Alt a1 (522bp) of HJ-A1 (NCBI No. PP228046) shared the highest identity with A. alternata respectively (99≥%). A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed with the combined sequence data sets of ITS, GAPDH, TEF, and Alt a1 using MEGA 7. The results showed that HJ-A1 strain clustered with A. alternate (Fig. S2). The pathogenicity of HJ-A1 was tested according to Koch's postulates by inoculating HJ-A1 conidia suspension (2×105 conidia/mL) into leaves of 1-year-old P. kingianum, with sterile water as a control. Each treatment group included 3 plants with 3 replicates. The tested plants were planted in a phytotron at 28℃ and 90% humidity. Three days after inoculation, symptoms similar to those under natural conditions were observed in the HJ-A1-inoculated plants, whereas no symptoms were observed in the control plants (Fig. S1). The same fungal strains were re-isolated from inoculated leaves and identified by morphologically and sequence of ITS. Previous studies showed that Alternaria alternata funji cause many plant diseases, such as fig fruit rot (Latinović N et al. 2014)，daylily leaf spot (Huang D et al. 2022), fruit blight on sesame (Cheng H et al. 2021)，leaf spot of Cynanchum atratum Bunge (Sun H et al. 2021) and so on. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata causing P. kingianum leaf spot in China. The discovery of this pathogen will help to guide the protection and control of P. kingianum disease.

Temporal adaptation of the postural control following a prolonged fin swimming.

Postural control deteriorates following a transition between two environments, highlighting a sensory conflict when returning to natural conditions. Aquatic immersion offers new perspectives for studying postural control adaptation in transitional situations. Our aim is to study immediate and post-task static postural control adaptation on land after a prolonged fin swimming exercise in total immersion. Standing static postural control was assessed in 14 professional or recreational SCUBA divers (11 men, 3 women; 33.21 ± 10.70years), with eyes open and closed, before, immediately after, and in the following 20min following a fully-immersed 45-min fin swimming exercise. Centre-of-pressure metrics (COP) including average position, amplitude, velocity, length and 95% ellipse were evaluated in medial-lateral (x-axis) and anterior-posterior (y-axis) directions with a force platform. The Romberg ratio was also assessed for each metric. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of the measurement period on COPx vel (p = 0.01), COPy vel (p < 0.01) and Length (p < 0.01), and of the visual condition on COPy vel (p < 0.01) and Length (p < 0.01). Eyes closed measures were systematically higher than eyes open measures despite there being no significant difference in the Romberg ratio in all periods. Post-immersion, the velocity and total trajectory of the centre of pressure remained systematically lower than baseline values in both visual conditions. Post-immersion, COP velocity and length significantly decreased, suggesting a sensory reweighting strategy potentially associated with ankle stiffening.

The Effectiveness of Pictorial Teaching Materials in English Language to Improve the Understanding of Mentally Retarded

The Effectiveness of Using Pictorial Teaching Materials in Class VII English Learning (Studies at SMPLB)" The research uses a qualitative research approach. The qualitative research approach was chosen because the research was carried out in natural conditions or described the actual situation of the Special School. The aims of this research were (1) to find out what media was used in SMPLB (2) to find out the effectiveness of using picture media in teaching English at SMPLB (3) To find out what supports and hinders the use of media images in learning English at SMPLB. To obtain these data, researchers used several instruments, namely by using observation and interview guidelines. Furthermore, the data obtained were then processed and analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. The results of the study show the application and effectiveness of the use of media images in learning English at SMPLB. There is a change in the motivation to learn English for mentally retarded students in Class VII SMPLB, the motivation to learn English for mentally retarded students in Class VII SMPLB is categorized as high.

Mechanical and biodegradation analysis under various environmental conditions of the waste vetiver root fiber reinforced soy composite

AbstractTo address the difficulty posed by non‐biodegradable thermoplastics, scientists are focusing on solid waste management research. Waste vetiver root fibers reinforced in polymerized soy matrix biomass composites were fabricated and tested for biodegradability and sustainability in different natural decomposing conditions like seawater aging and fungal and termite attacks. This study reports and compares the dimensional changes caused by these attacks, as well as the moisture absorption of vetiver‐soy and alkali‐treated vetiver‐soy composites at different relative humidity. After‐degradation characterizations included Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and SEM examinations, as well as weight loss, which gave additional insights into the degradation mechanism. The tensile strength of degraded samples decreased as the degradation duration increased. Mechanical properties like Izod impact strength, dynamic mechanical analysis and moisture absorption also provided insights into the structural firmness of the fabricated composite. This research contributes to a better knowledge of the bio‐deterioration process of cellulosic vetiver‐soy biocomposites under various situations, and to check their functionality in furniture and packaging industries. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Exogenic Relief-forming Processes in the Azerbaijani Part of Greater Caucasus

This paper presents the results of various studies conducted in the highlands of the Azerbaijani part of the Main Caucasus and the Lateral Ridges of the Greater Caucasus, utilizing materials from field surveys and the interpretation of satellite images. These findings, in conjunction with an analysis of previous research, allowed for the characterization of highland natural conditions, the identification of highly degraded mountain landscape areas, and the determination of optimal strategies for preserving the natural environment.

Phytotesting as a method for soil quality assessing

Phytotesting is used for environmental monitoring of soil objects. The purpose of the work is to evaluate phytotesting to determine the quality of artificially created soils. Two samples were examined: Soil 1 with sewage sludge and Soil 2 with pit soil, a small amount of peat and sapropel. Control is soil that ensures free growth of test crops in the natural conditions of a certain soil-climatic zone where it is planned to supply the finished soil. Tests were carried out with seeds of three types of test plants: a monocot – oats (Avena sativa) and two dicotyledons – white mustard (Sinapis alba), creeping white clover (Trifolium repens). They were sown in containers with soil/ground and placed in a climate control system for 14 days (daytime – 20°C, night – 15°C). It was found that in Soil 1 all the studied biometric indicators of oats and white mustard are statistically significantly higher than in the control soil, and the development of creeping white clover is suppressed (wet weight is 8.9 and 2.1 times less compared to the control soil, respectively for seeding rates 10 and 30 g/m2). At the same time, in Soil 1, an excess of the content of gross forms of zinc by 2.5 and copper by 1.4 times was revealed. When testing Soil 2, the biometric indicators of oats and white mustard were at the control level, the wet and dry weight of clover sprouts was 2.9 and 1.7 times higher, respectively. Phytotesting can be considered as a qualitative reaction of the studied soil to plants and an integral indicator of its fertility. A prerequisite is the use of test plants with small seeds. This will allow us to evaluate their response to stimulating and toxic soil components.

Dynamic changes in evapotranspiration, canopy photosynthesis and expansive growth in open field under rapid fluctuating radiation

AbstractIn open fields, plants experience dynamic changes in environment, particularly radiation, temperature, wind, and humidity but their short-term responses have not been adequately characterized under natural conditions. In this study, we assessed causal effects of rapid radiation fluctuation on seven plant parameters in open fields of cotton and sweet corn canopies. The parameters are evapotranspiration (ET), canopy photosynthesis indicated by CO2 flux from air to canopy (FCO2), sensible heat energy flux (H), canopy conductance for water vapor (gcw), canopy surface temperature (Ts), shoot and leaf elongation rate, and stem diameter change. The energy and CO2 fluxes were measured with Bowen ratio/energy balance/CO2 gradient (BREB+) technique, using averaging time of 5 min. Shoot + leaf elongation and stem diameter change were monitored with position transducers using averaging time of 1 min. All parameters were all found to respond to change in radiation and transpiration within minutes or sooner. While radiation effects on canopy gas exchanges are expected, illuminating are the indirect but immediate effects on shoot + leaf growth and stem diameter change through radiation effects on transpiration and plant water status. A novel finding is that gcw also responded within minutes or sooner to radiation fluctuations and that FCO2 was related almost linearly to gcw. Results are discussed in terms of soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, and interpreted in terms of dynamic interactions between transpiration and plant water status. The clear inverse relationship between ET and elongation rate or stem diameter changes provides additional evidence supporting the validity of 5-min averaging for the BREB + technique.

Review of the high bed–low ditch system as an alternative to lowland paddy in tropical and subtropical Asia

Many forms of traditional raised bed systems could be found around the world. Several of them have been identified as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Unlike traditional raised bed systems with similar structures in the Americas, the high bed–low ditch (HBLD) system in tropical and subtropical Asia, which is originated and developed from rice production, has been playing an important role in enhancing food security and maintaining farmer livelihood for centuries. Moreover, products provided by HBLD system are not only important for the livelihood of the local farmers, but also important for people living in the nearby towns and cities especially for vegetable and fruit supply. In this system, the ditches or sunken beds can be used to lower the groundwater table, retain nutrients and soil particles washed from the bed, grow rice or aquatic vegetables, and raise fish or shrimp. The HBLD system can also help to reduce salinity in coastal lowlands due to the presence of ditches. The raised beds can be used to grow various upland crops. Compared with rice monocropping, the adoption of HBLD system significantly improves the cropping intensity, productivity, employment, and income of farmers. Famers’ long-term practices fully demonstrate that this system is a type of sustainable agriculture with strong adaptability to the changes of natural environment. However, it should also be noted that the large-scale development of HBLD systems is not simply dependent on natural conditions, but is also determined by specific socioeconomic factors, such as good transportation facilities, a well market system, and a sufficient supply of labor. As a model of equilibrium between food production and high levels of biodiversity maintenance, the HBLD system is an important agricultural heritage system with global significance, and it should be well preserved and utilized in new ways to realize its important multiple functions under conditions of rapid urbanization in lowland and coastal regions.

Scent of a frog: Can conservation detection dogs be used to locate endangered amphibians in the wild?

AbstractIn recent years, the potential to locate endangered animals using scent trained detection dogs (conservation detection dogs) has gained attention. Among vertebrates, conservation detection dogs have demonstrated a remarkable capacity to detect the scent of endangered mammals, reptiles, and birds, but their use in detecting amphibians is only beginning to be explored. A lack of work in this area is surprising given that amphibians are declining faster than any other vertebrate taxa. Moreover, amphibians are generally small, highly cryptic and breed in complex habitats, making them difficult to locate for the purpose of monitoring or establishing conservation breeding programs. This study aimed to provide a preliminary investigation into whether conservation detection dogs can be imprinted on the scent of the critically endangered Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti) under captive conditions, and then effectively trained to locate wild frogs in their complex natural habitat. Two conservation detection dogs were trained to identify and locate P. frosti scent under controlled conditions before assessing their ability to locate wild P. frosti. Both conservation detection dogs were effective at locating P. frosti scent under controlled conditions, and also demonstrated an ability to detect live frogs under natural conditions. From an applied perspective, our findings provide new evidence that conservation detection dogs are capable of learning to detect the scent of small, cryptic anuran species. They also indicate that detection dogs are capable of locating frogs in highly complex forest habitat, confirming their untapped potential to aid in the management of imperiled species that have previously proven difficult to detect, monitor, and protect. We discuss the limitations of our approach and provide recommendations to help direct future amphibian conservation detection dog research.

Carbon Emission Pathways of Biodegradable Thermoplastic-based Species in Natural and Simulated Aqueous Conditions

This study assessed the carbon emission pathways of the biodegradation processes of bio-based thermoplastic moieties in two aqueous (surface and simulated marine water) environments and its implications on environmental quality. The physicochemical parameters of the aqueous media were determined using standard methods. The American Society for Testing and Materials’ standard was used to assess amount of CO2 evolved. Cellulose, bioplastic and polyethylene were inserted in two aquatic environments and arranged thrice in a randomized experimental arrangement of 2x4x3. Ultimate biodegradations of the test films were monitored using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The amount of CO2 evolved was assayed using the titration method. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. After biodegradation, the initial values of the physicochemical parameters were within recommended values of the WHO standards with slight (less than 2%) differences. Moreover, CO2 captured from the two aqueous conditions were lower than the amount of CO2 evolved in aqueous solution with cellulose which is a natural polymer in this order: 88.725×102 mg from the soaked cellulose samples in marine &gt; 85.215×102 mg of CO2 evolved from cellulose entrenched in surface water &gt; 82.758×102 mg of CO2 evolved from bioplastic soaked in marine water &gt; 82.758×102 mg of CO2 evolved from bioplastic soaked in surface water &gt; 65.046×102 mg of CO2 evolved from polyethylene soaked in marine water &gt; 60.152×102 mg of CO2 evolved from polyethylene soaked in surface water. Moreover, the SEM results revealed high level of biodegradation and growth of biofilm on the biodegradable thermoplastics while the nylon 6 had little or no biofilm growth because of the recalcitrant nature. This study concluded that some biodegradable thermoplastics can biodegrade totally in aquatic environments without the release of greenhouse gases that could threaten the integrity of the aquatic environment as well as the release of toxic residues.

The Honey Bee Colony’s Criterion for Candidate Selection: “Ongoing” or “One-Shot”?

In the honey bee, the queen’s death severely threatens the survival of the colony. In an emergency, new queens are reared from young worker larvae, where nepotism is thought to influence the choice of queen candidates by the workers. This article simulates the emergency queen-rearing process in a colony under natural conditions and records the results of colony selection (without nepotism). In queenless colonies, worker larvae aged three days or younger were preferred for queen rearing, and 1-day-old larvae were the first to be selected for the queen-cell cups. In the capping stage, the number of capped queen cells selected from the 1-day-old larvae was much higher than the 3-day-old larvae. On the first day, the number of emerging queens reared from 1-day-old larvae was significantly higher than the queens reared from 2-day-old and 3-day-old larvae. However, there was no significant difference in the birth weights of queens reared from 1-day-old, 2-day-old, or 3-day-old larvae. When the newly emerged queens were introduced into the original queenless colony, 1-day-old larval queens triggered more worker followers than 2-day-old larval queens. The expression of ovarian development-related genes (vg, hex110, and Jh) was higher in queens reared from 1-day-old larvae than those reared from 2-day-old and 3-day-old larvae, indicating that the quality of the queens reared from 1-day-old larvae is superior. This study shows that in the absence of nepotism, the colony selection of queen candidates at the larval stage, capping stage, and emerging stage is not final, but is gradually optimized to maximize colony development through a “quality control” process.

Does the European Union need a ‘Drought Directive’? A legal perspective

With global warming progressing, droughts are anticipated to increase in frequency in the European Union. However, under the current EU legal framework, they remain on the margin of water management policies. To adapt to changing natural conditions, the Member States should take a more proactive approach to drought mitigation. The policy options on how to accelerate such a transition encompass the continuation of reliance on soft-law guidances, the amendment of the Water Framework Directive or the adoption of a ‘European Drought Directive’ – a new, up-to-date, all-encompassing legal instrument. This paper analyses those policy options from a legal perspective. It also exposes problems and benefits they can bring if and when pursued. As the Water Framework Directive remains ‘fit for purpose’, the priority shall be given to updating existing soft-law guidances and their translation into all official EU languages. However, there are strong arguments in favour of future legislative reform. This paper submits that a more proactive approach would conform more fully to EU primary law. Nevertheless, irrespective of the chosen policy option, coordination of drought mitigation and measures under existing EU water legislation at the river basin district level must be ensured.