Negative Effects Of High Temperature Research Articles

Hygroscopic hydrogel-based cooling system for photovoltaic panels: An experimental and numerical study

Thermal management is an essential aspect of photovoltaic (PV) system design because of the negative effects of high temperatures on the efficiency of PV panels. The use of hygroscopic hydrogels for the evaporative cooling of PV panels is an emerging technique that has attracted attention owing to the high latent heat and recyclability of these materials. However, a comprehensive understanding of the heat and mass transport mechanisms in hygroscopic hydrogels is necessary. Factors that would ensure the long-term performance of PV panel/hydrogel (PV/HG) systems under real-world conditions are still poorly understood, and the intrinsic properties of hydrogels and the effect thereof on their cooling performance have hitherto remained unexplored. Herein, we propose a mathematical model for hydrogel-cooled PV panels to study the heat and mass transfer mechanisms of PV/HG systems in practical environments. The model is used to examine the impact of the thermal conductivity, diffusion coefficient, and thickness of the hydrogel on the performance of the PV/HG system. Unlike previously reported approaches to enhance the efficiency, in this study, the external heat transfer resistance and internal mass transfer resistance were identified as the primary controlling factors. Enhancement of the thermal conductivity of the hydrogel is shown to have a limited effect on the performance, whereas improving the water diffusion within the hydrogel significantly boosts the system efficiency. Optimally, the thickness of the hydrogel must be such that it balances the heat and mass transfer distances with the available water volume. During the summer in Guangzhou, China, a 6-mm thick layer of hydrogel lowered the temperature of a PV cell by up to 7.5 °C to increase the daily power generation by 2.1%. Analysis of the nationwide situation showed that hydrogels have substantial potential for lowering the peak PV panel temperatures (by as much as 19.3 °C) to mitigate fluctuations in the output power. Our findings offer valuable insights into the design of PV/HG systems towards improving their performance.

The role of cis-zeatin in enhancing high-temperature resistance and fucoxanthin biosynthesis in Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Phaeodactylum tricornutum a prominent source of industrial fucoxanthin production, faces challenges in its application due to its tolerance to high-temperature environments. This study investigates the physiological responses of P. tricornutum to high-temperature stress and its impact on fucoxanthin content, with a specific focus on the role of cis-zeatin. The results reveal that high-temperature stress inhibits P. tricornutum's growth and photosynthetic activity, leading to a decrease in fucoxanthin content. Transcriptome analysis shows that high temperature suppresses the expression of genes related to photosynthesis (e.g., psbO, psbQ, and OEC) and fucoxanthin biosynthesis (e.g., PYS, PDS1, and PSD2), underscoring the negative effects of high temperature on P. tricornutum. Interestingly, genes associated with cis-zeatin biosynthesis and cytokinesis signaling pathways exhibited increased expression under high-temperature conditions, indicating a potential role of cis-zeatin signaling in response to elevated temperatures. Content measurements confirm that high temperature enhances cis-zeatin content. Furthermore, the exogenous addition of cytokinesis mimetics or inhibitors significantly affected P. tricornutum's high-temperature resistance. Overexpression of the cis-zeatin biosynthetic enzyme gene tRNA DMATase enhanced P. tricornutum's resistance to high-temperature stress, while genetic knockout of tRNA DMATase reduced its resistance to high temperatures. Therefore, this research not only uncovers a novel mechanism for high-temperature resistance in P. tricornutum but also offers a possible alga species that can withstand high temperatures for the industrial production of fucoxanthin, offering valuable insights for practical utilization.IMPORTANCEThis study delves into Phaeodactylum tricornutum's response to high-temperature stress, specifically focusing on cis-zeatin. We uncover inhibited growth, reduced fucoxanthin, and significant cis-zeatin-related gene expression under high temperatures, highlighting potential signaling mechanisms. Crucially, genetic engineering and exogenous addition experiments confirm that the change in cis-zeatin levels could influence P. tricornutum's resistance to high-temperature stress. This breakthrough deepens our understanding of microalgae adaptation to high temperatures and offers an innovative angle for industrial fucoxanthin production. This research is a pivotal step toward developing heat-resistant microalgae for industrial use.

Effect of Temperature on the Development of Stages of Spermatogenesis and the Functionality of Sertoli Cells In Vitro.

Spermatogenesis is the process of proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial cells to meiotic and post-meiotic stages and sperm generation. Normal spermatogenesis occurs in vivo at 34 °C to 35 °C, and high temperatures are known to cause male infertility. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of temperature (35 °C compared to 37 °C) on the viability/apoptosis of developed cells, on the development of different stages of spermatogenesis in 3D in vitro culture conditions, and the functionality of Sertoli cells under these conditions. We used isolated cells from seminiferous tubules of sexually immature mice. The cells were cultured in methylcellulose (as a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture system) and incubated in a CO2 incubator at 35 °C or 37 °C. After two to six weeks, the developed cells and organoids were collected and examined for cell viability and apoptosis markers. The development of different stages of spermatogenesis was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining or qPCR analysis using specific antibodies or primers, respectively, for cells at each stage. Factors that indicate the functionality of Sertoli cells were assessed by qPCR analysis. The developed organoids were examined by a confocal microscope. Our results show that the percentages and/or the expression levels of the developed pre-meiotic, meiotic, and post-meiotic cells were significantly higher at 35 °C compared to those at 37 °C, including the expression levels of the androgen receptor, the FSH receptor, transferrin, the androgen-binding protein (ABP), and the glial-derived nerve growth factor (GDNF) which were similarly significantly higher at 35 °C than at 37 °C. The percentages of apoptotic cells (according to acridine orange staining) and the expression levels of BAX, FAS, and CASPAS 3 were significantly higher in cultures incubated at 37 °C compared to those incubated at 35 °C. These findings support the in vivo results regarding the negative effect of high temperatures on the process of spermatogenesis and suggest a possible effect of high temperatures on the viability/apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. In addition, increasing the temperature in vitro also impaired the functionality of Sertoli cells. These findings may deepen our understanding of the mechanisms behind optimal conditions for normal spermatogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

Experiment and numerical investigation on a spectral splitting PV/T system for electrical energy and thermal output

In the traditional PV/T system, there is a certain contradiction in the collection process of heat and electric energy. This paper describes a spectral splitting PV/T system, which effectively alleviates the negative effects of high temperature on monocrystalline silicon cells, and separates the soalr radiation so as to improve the utilization efficiency of full spectrum energy. Then, through the all-day experimental study, the results show that the maximum temperature of the spectral splitting medium can reach 38.21 °C, the maximum thermal and electrical efficiency were 38.7 % and 11.77 %, respectively. The output power of the PV cell is more affected by solar radiation, and the filling factor is more affected by the temperature of the battery. In addition, the mathematical model is established and verified. The results show that the optimal nanofluid concentration of the system is 1*107 μg/m3 and 5*106 μg/m3 in Xining and Hefei, respectively. When applied in Beijing area, the optimal nanofluid concentration is 1*106 μg/m3 in summer and 1*107 μg/m3 in winter. Finally, we calculated the annual electric energy and heat output in the three regions using the best nanofluids, namely 126.6 MJ/m2 and 1186.68 MJ/m2 in Xining, 154.44 MJ/m2 and 948.96 MJ/m2 in Hefei, 164.46 MJ/m2 and 1062.43 MJ/m2 in Beijing.

Dust storms increase the tolerance of phytoplankton to thermal and pH changes.

Aquatic communities are increasingly subjected to multiple stressors through global change, including warming, pH shifts, and elevated nutrient concentrations. These stressors often surpass species tolerance range, leading to unpredictable consequences for aquatic communities and ecosystem functioning. Phytoplankton, as the foundation of the aquatic food web, play a crucial role in controlling water quality and the transfer of nutrients and energy to higher trophic levels. Despite the significance in understanding the effect of multiple stressors, further research is required to explore the combined impact of multiple stressors on phytoplankton. In this study, we used a combination of crossed experiment and mechanistic model to analyze the ecological and biogeochemical effects of global change on aquatic ecosystems and to forecast phytoplankton dynamics. We examined the effect of dust (0-75 mg L-1 ), temperature (19-27°C), and pH (6.3-7.3) on the growth rate of the algal species Scenedesmus obliquus. Furthermore, we carried out a geospatial analysis to identify regions of the planet where aquatic systems could be most affected by atmospheric dust deposition. Our mechanistic model and our empirical data show that dust exerts a positive effect on phytoplankton growth rate, broadening its thermal and pH tolerance range. Finally, our geospatial analysis identifies several high-risk areas including the highlands of the Tibetan Plateau, western United States, South America, central and southern Africa, central Australia as well as the Mediterranean region where dust-induced changes are expected to have the greatest impacts. Overall, our study shows that increasing dust storms associated with a more arid climate and land degradation can reverse the negative effects of high temperatures and low pH on phytoplankton growth, affecting the biogeochemistry of aquatic ecosystems and their role in the cycles of the elements and tolerance to global change.

Highly structured habitats mitigate size‐ and growth‐selective mortality of post‐settlement juvenile fish

AbstractThe role of vegetated habitats such as seagrass and macroalgal beds as nurseries is essential for the survival of larval and juvenile fish, although quantitative evaluation of the contribution of these habitats to nursery function is limited. Moreover, growth–survival relationships of larvae and juveniles associated with vegetated habitats have rarely been examined. To quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the processes affecting juvenile survival in vegetated habitats, we investigated whether there is a correlation between the degree of selection for bigger and faster‐growing fish and mortality rates for three cohorts by birth date of post‐settlement black rockfish (Sebastes cheni) in a macroalgal bed. We also analyzed relationships between growth rate and experienced temperature by age class to examine the effects of temperature on growth. The latest cohort, which grew under lower vegetation coverage due to a seasonal increase in water temperature, showed higher mortality with evidence of strong selection for survival of bigger and faster‐growing fish. The growth–temperature relationships showed that positive effects of temperature on growth weakened after settlement. Therefore, we suggest that macroalgal coverage has a critical role in controlling the growth–mortality relationship of post‐settlement S. cheni. Furthermore, the negative effects of high temperature on juvenile survival through loss of vegetation may be greater than the positive effects on juvenile growth. These findings would contribute to the management of fisheries resources by increasing the understanding of relationships between survival mechanisms in fish early life stages and vegetation phenology of their habitat under the increasing effects of global warming.

Heterogenous climate impacts on crop yields: evidence from Ukraine

Ukraine ranks among the largest global producers and exporters of a variety of agricultural commodities. Despite its importance, there is limited research on the effect of climate change on the future of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. We investigate how weather affects the yields of Ukraine’s five major crops: winter wheat, spring barley, sunflower, soybean, and corn. Using panel data on village-level surveyed crop yields and fine-scale weather data from 2004–2020, we estimate flexible statistical yield models to characterize the impact of temperature and precipitation changes on crop yields. A simple linear model of the effect of average temperature and precipitation on yields suggests warming is beneficial for all crops in Ukraine. However, a more flexible model of the temperature-yield relationship implies that the yields of two cold-season crops, winter wheat and spring barley, respond negatively to temperatures above 29 °C and 30 °C, respectively. We find no negative effects of high temperatures for the three warm-season crops. We conclude that both average temperature and exposure to high temperatures affect Ukrainian yields.

Influence of Increase in Phosphorus Supply on Agronomic, Phenological, and Physiological Performance of Two Common Bean Breeding Lines Grown in Acidic Soil under High Temperature Stress Conditions.

Many common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants cultivated in areas of the world with acidic soils exhibit difficulties adapting to low phosphorus (P) availability, along with aluminum (Al) toxicity, causing yield loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of an increase in P supply level on the agronomic, phenological, and physiological performance of two common bean breeding lines grown in acidic soil, with low fertility and under high temperature conditions, in a screenhouse. A randomized complete block (RCB) design was used under a factorial arrangement (five levels of P × 2 genotypes) for a total of 10 treatments with four replications. The factors considered in the experiment were: (i) five P supply levels (kg ha-1): four levels of P0, P15, P30, and P45 through the application of rock phosphate (RP), and one P level supplied through the application of organic matter (PSOM) corresponding to 25 kg P ha-1 (P25); and (ii) two advanced bean lines (BFS 10 and SEF10). Both bean lines were grown under the combined stress conditions of high temperatures (day and night maximum temperatures of 42.5 °C/31.1 °C, respectively) and acidic soil. By increasing the supply of P, a significant effect was found, indicating an increase in the growth and development of different vegetative organs, as well as physiological efficiency in photosynthesis and photosynthate remobilization, which resulted in higher grain yield in both bean lines evaluated (BFS 10 and SEF10). The adaptive responses of the two bean lines were found to be related to phenological adjustments (days to flowering and physiological maturity; stomatal development), as well as to heat dissipation strategies in the form of heat (NPQ) or unregulated energy (qN) that contributed to greater agronomic performance. We found that, to some extent, increased P supply alleviated the negative effects of high temperature on the growth and development of the reproductive organs of bean lines. Both bean lines (BFS 10 and SEF 10) showed adaptive attributes suited to the combined stress conditions of high temperature and acidic soil, and these two lines can serve as useful parents in a bean breeding program to develop multiple stress tolerant cultivars.

Effects of nitrogen application on physicochemical properties of rice starch under elevated temperature

Nitrogen fertilization can mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures on rice. In this study, we simulated dynamic field temperature increases using a free-air temperature enhancement system. Changes in the physicochemical properties of starch were investigated under increasing nitrogen fertilization during the grain-filling stage. We observed that the application of nitrogen at elevated temperatures (ETN) did not change the chain length distribution compared with elevated temperatures (ET) alone; however, it did significantly increase the heights of the first and second amylose peaks. Specifically, ETN significantly decreased the height of fifth amylopectin and relative crystallinity, and the changes it introduced in the physicochemical properties of starch were greater than those of ET. Overall, these changes in starch properties may be associated with the ability of nitrogen to facilitate the maintenance of rice quality at high temperatures.

Shifting summer holidays in Spain as an adaptation measure to climate change

This paper assesses whether moving summer holidays to the warmest period of the year in Spain could be a useful climate change adaptation strategy. While the most popular period for Spanish summer holidays has traditionally been August, we illustrate that the second half of July is the hottest period of the year and when the negative effects of high temperatures are most pronounced. If the holiday period in the second fortnight of August was moved to the second fortnight of July, some of the associated impacts would be mitigated due to the reduced anthropogenic activity during non-working days. In particular, we find a significant reduction in the annual peak of labour productivity loss (~25 %) and, to a lesser extent, of electricity demand and near-surface ozone concentrations (~3–4 %). Finally, we also show that global warming could lead to enhanced differences between both fortnights (even with no change in the seasonal cycle of temperature) because of the non-linear relationships between temperature and its impacts. Therefore, the positive effect of shifting holidays would be even larger in the coming future.

Drying treatment impact on oil yield extracted from black soldier fly larvae using supercritical carbon dioxide and its biological activities

Abstract Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae are considered economically viable as an alternative source of oil and bioactive compounds. The drying and extraction methods are critical steps in the extraction of oil and have an impact on the characteristics and composition of the extracted oil. Supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from black soldier fly larvae allows for the extraction of important bioactive compounds and oils while causing the least amount of change. The effect of different pre-treatment tray-drying and freeze-drying methods on the quantity and biological activities of oil extracted from black soldier fly larvae using supercritical CO2 was investigated in this study. Oil extraction from tray-dried and freeze-dried black soldier fly larvae samples could be done at low temperatures for a shorter extraction time, resulting in higher yields while avoiding the negative effects of high temperatures on lipids and other valuable components. The oil extracted from tray-dried and freeze-dried black soldier fly larvae contained major fatty acid compositions such as lauric acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, as well as total phenolic compounds (0.067-0.113 mg gallic acid/g oil), antioxidant capacity 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl (DPPH) (0.36-0.56 μmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/10 g oil), and antioxidant capacity 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) (0.23-0.55 μmol TEAC/10 g oil, and ferric reducing antioxidant power antioxidant capacity (0.33-0.64 μmol TEAC/10 g oil). The oil extracted from tray-dried and freeze-dried larvae samples had a shelf life of approximately 2.42-3.63 months and 2.51-3.40 months, respectively, at storage temperatures ranging from 25 to 55 °C. The oil extracted from tray-dried and freeze-dried larvae samples extracted using supercritical CO2 had high acid values which could inhibit keratinocyte growth by 76.70 and 75.04%, respectively, at 100 mg/ml concentrations. Furthermore, the tray-drying and freeze-drying methods had no effect on the physicochemical properties of the supercritical CO2-extracted oil from dried black soldier fly larvae samples.

Reducing Stocking Densities and Using Cooling Systems for More Adapted Pigs to High Temperatures When Reared in Intensive Conditions.

This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of reducing stocking density and using cooling systems to mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures in growing pigs (females and castrated males) reared in intensive conditions (from 25 to 100 kg) during summer (June to October 2020). The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial where pigs were provided with an evaporative cooling system and/or raised at regular or at lower stocking densities (i.e., 0.68 to 0.80 m2/animal). Treatments were distributed in four different rooms containing sex-balanced pens with either castrated males or females. Temperature and humidity were recorded throughout the experiment, and the temperature-humidity index was calculated. Heat stress (HS) on pigs was measured through changes in animals' performance, animal-based indicators (dirtiness and activity budget) and physiological indicators (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and hair cortisol). The use of cooling, lowering stocking density and the combination of both strategies had positive effects on pigs' final body weight (+5 kg, +3 kg, +9 kg, respectively; p < 0.001). The prevalence of dirtiness was similar at the stocking densities tested, and no clear effect of the cooling system was found. Both mitigation strategies lowered the physiological indicators of stress, although only hair cortisone can be considered an indicator of HS. In conclusion, both mitigation strategies are effective in improving pig welfare and performance, especially when both are combined. The severity of the stocking density effect may depend on the severity of the temperature.

Contrasting long‐term trends in juvenile abundance of a widespread cold‐water salmonid along a latitudinal gradient: effects of climate, stream size and migration strategy

A changing climate reshapes the range distribution of many organisms, and species with relatively low thermal optima, like many salmonids, are increasingly expected to face local population extinctions at lower latitudes. Understanding where and how fast these changes are happening is of pivotal importance for successful mitigation and conservation efforts.We used an extensive electrofishing database to explore temporal trends of juveniles of brown troutSalmo truttain 218 locations from 174 Swedish streams, over the last 30 years (1991–2020). We hypothesized that 1) declines in abundance have occurred predominately in the warmer, southern regions, while increases have occurred in the colder, northern regions, 2) larger stream sizes may partly offset negative effects of climate, and 3) migrating and resident populations are affected differently by a warming climate.We found that abundance of brown trout juveniles generally declined in warmer regions especially in smaller streams (≤ 6 m wide), while the abundance increased in colder regions. In larger streams, negative effects of higher temperatures were seemingly buffered, as we found lower rates of decline or even positive trends. The rate of change (i.e. the slopes of the trends in abundance) was more pronounced towards the climate extremes, and was on average zero in regions with a normal annual air temperature (average temperature over 30 year period) around 5–6 °C. Warmer climate had stronger effects on migrating compared to resident populations, suggesting that climate‐induced loss of stream connectivity could be an additional factor that hinders recruitment in anadromous populations in a changing climate.Considering predictions of increasing temperatures and frequency of summer droughts, management of cold‐water salmonid populations should focus on conserving and restoring riparian vegetation, wetlands, climate and thermal refugia, and habitat integrity overall. Such measures may, however, not suffice for small streams at lower latitudes, unless hydrological connectivity is maintained.

Individual and Interactive Ecophysiological Effect of Temperature, Watering Regime and Abscisic Acid on the Growth and Development of Tomato Seedlings

Climate change is a major concern to people all over the world. Most studies have considered singular or dual effects of climate change implications on plant growth and development; however, the combination of multiple factors has received little attention. We therefore studied the single and combined effects of two environmental stress factors (high temperature and water stresses) and abscisic acid on tomato seedlings (Solanum lycoperscum L.). Plants were grown in controlled environment growth chambers under two temperatures (22/18 °C or 28/24 °C; 16 h light/8 h dark), two watering regimes (well-watered or water-stressed), and two abscisic acid treatments (0 and 100 µL of 1mM abscisic acid solution, every other day). Plants were placed under experimental conditions for a total of 33 days, including a 13-day period of initial growth and hardening. Morphological, biochemical, and physiological parameters were measured to assess the growth and development of plants in response to the three factors. ANOVA and Scheffé’s multiple-comparison procedures were used to establish significant differences among treatments and among the three factors being manipulated. All three factors decreased plant height and growth rate. Dry mass accumulation was negatively affected by high temperatures. Transpiration, stomatal conductance, and gas exchange parameters were negatively affected by all three factors; additionally, net carbon dioxide assimilation was reduced by water stress and abscisic acid application. Non-photochemical quenching was decreased in plants grown under higher temperature and in abscisic acid-treated plants. Though it was not significant, abscisic acid appears to mitigate the negative effect of higher temperature and water stress on the nitrogen balance index and total chlorophyll content.

A transgenerational study on the effect of great-granddam birth month on granddaughter EBV for production traits in Italian Simmental cattle

Heat tolerance is a key feature of resilient animals. Offspring of animals that suffer environmental stress during pregnancy could show physiological, morphological, and metabolic modifications. This is due to a dynamic reprogramming of the epigenetics of the mammalian genome that occurs in the early life cycle. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the extent of the transgenerational effect of heat stress during the pregnancy of Italian Simmental cows. The effects of dam and granddam birth months (as indicator of pregnancy period) on their daughter and granddaughter estimated breeding values (EBV) for some dairy traits as well as of the temperature-humidity index (THI) during the pregnancy were tested. A total of 128,437 EBV (milk, fat, and protein yields, and somatic cell score) were provided by the Italian Association of Simmental Breeders. The best birth months (of both dam and granddam) for milk yield and protein yield were May and June, whereas the worst were January and March. Great-granddam pregnancies developed during the winter and spring seasons positively affected the EBV for milk and protein yields of their great-granddaughters; in contrast, pregnancies during summer and autumn had negative effects. These findings were confirmed by the effects of maximum and minimum THI in different parts of the great-granddam pregnancy on the performances of their great-granddaughters. Thus, a negative effect of high temperatures during the pregnancy of female ancestors was observed. Results of the present study suggest a transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in Italian Simmental cattle due to environmental stressors.

Use of Landsat 8 and UAV Images to Assess Changes in Temperature and Evapotranspiration by Economic Trees following Foliar Spraying with Light-Reflecting Compounds

Pistachio is an important economic crop in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. A major problem leading to a reduction in crop quality and reduced marketability is extreme air temperature in summer, which causes sunburn of pistachio leaves and fruit. A solution proposed to deal with the negative effects of high temperatures and increase water consumption efficiency in pistachio orchards is use of light-reflecting compounds. This study investigated the effect of foliar application of gypsum, sulfur, and NAX-95 (calcium-based suspension coating) to trees in a pistachio orchard (150 ha) in central Iran. The effect of these foliar products is assessed at plot scale, using control plots sprayed with calcium sulfate, based on temperature and evapotranspiration changes analyzed through remote sensing. Landsat 8 sensor images and RGB images collected by UAVs (spatial resolution of 30 m and 20 cm, respectively), on the same dates, before and after foliar spray application, were merged using the PCA method and bilinear interpolation re-sampling. Land surface temperature (LST) was then estimated using the split-window algorithm, and daily evapotranspiration using the surface energy balance algorithm for land (SEBAL) algorithm. A land use map was prepared and used to isolate pistachio trees in the field and assess weed cover, whose effect was not accounted. The results showed that temperature remained constant in the control plot between the spraying dates, indicating no environmental changes. In the main plots, gypsum had the greatest effect in reducing the temperature of pistachio trees. The plots with foliar spraying with gypsum displayed a mean tree temperature (47–48 °C) decrease of 3.3 °C in comparison with the control plots (&gt;49 °C), leading to an average decline in evapotranspiration of 0.18 mm/day. NAX-95 and sulfur reduced tree temperature by on average 1.3 °C and 0.6 °C, respectively. Thus, gypsum is the most suitable foliar-spraying compound to lower the temperature of pistachio trees, reduce the water requirement, and increase crop productivity.

Synthesis of a new high temperature and salt resistant zwitterionic filtrate reducer and its application in water-based drilling fluid

To overcome the negative effects of high temperature and salt pollution on the performance of drilling fluid in deep and ultra-deep wells, it is imperative to develop a high- temperature-and salt-resistant filtrate reducer. A zwitterionic quaternary copolymer (DADN) of N, N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC), and N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) was synthesized in an aqueous solution by free radical copolymerization reaction. The composition, structure, and thermal stability of the copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Furthermore, the filtration loss reduction performance of DADN was evaluated according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) standard. The mechanisms of filtrate loss reduction and salt resistance were revealed based on the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, adsorption isotherm and zeta potential analysis for the water-based drilling fluid (WBDF) containing DADN, and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis and Brunner–Emmet–Teller (BET) analysis for the corresponding filter cake. The results showed that the thermal decomposition of DADN mainly happened over 298 ℃. Meanwhile, DADN exhibited the most outstanding filtration loss reduction ability compared to three commercially filtrate reducers (Driscal D, CMC and PAC-Lv). Specifically, the filtration losses of Driscal D/WBDF, CMC/WBDF and PAC-Lv/WBDF were 18.2, 31.2 and 24.8 mL after hot rolling at 220 °C for 16 h, respectively, while the filtration loss of DADN was only 6.5 mL. It was found that 2% DADN showed excellent filtration loss reduction ability at 220 °C and 15% NaCl. As confirmed by the SEM, EDS and adsorption isotherm results, strong adsorption of DADN on bentonite was obtained even under a high temperature and high-salinity environment. In particular, in the high-salinity environment, a firm “star network” structure formed by bentonite/DADN was observed by TEM, significantly improving the colloidal stability and filter cake compactness of WBDF.

Effects of ambient temperature on hospital admissions for obstructive nephropathy in Wuhan, China: A time-series analysis

Under the background of global warming, it has been confirmed that heat exposure has a huge impact on human health. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of daily mean ambient temperature on hospital admissions for obstructive nephropathy (ON) at the population level. A total of 19,494 hospitalization cases for ON in Wuhan, China from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 were extracted from a nationwide inpatient database in tertiary hospitals according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)− 10 codes. Daily ambient meteorological and pollution data during the same period were also collected. A quasi-Poisson Generalized Linear Model (GLM) combined with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was applied to analyze the lag-exposure-response relationship between daily mean temperature and daily hospital admissions for ON. Results showed that there were significantly positive associations between the daily mean temperature and ON hospital admissions. Relative to the minimum-risk temperature (−3.4 ℃), the risk of hospital admissions for ON at moderate hot temperature (25 ℃, 75th percentile) occurred from lag day 4 and stayed to lag day 12 (cumulative relative risk [RR] was 1.846, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.135–3.005, over lag 0–12 days). Moreover, the risk of extreme hot temperature (32 ℃, 99th percentile) appeared immediately and lasted for 8 days (RR = 2.019, 95 % CI: 1.308–3.118, over lag 0–8 days). Subgroup analyses indicated that the middle-aged and elderly (≥45 years) patients might be more susceptible to the negative effects of high temperature, especially at moderate hot conditions. Our findings suggest that temperature may have a significant impact on the acute progression and onset of ON. Higher temperature is associated with increased risks of hospital admissions for ON, which indicates that early interventions should be taken in geographical settings with relatively high temperatures, particularly for the middle-aged and elderly.

Physiological Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Varying Temperature and Irrigation Regimes

Background: Elevated temperature and water stress are the key limiting factors affecting the kidney bean yield. Climate change is projected to enhance these risks for successful crop production. However quantified information, which is limited, on temperatures stress at various growth phases in combination with water regimes, becomes important for optimizing management decisions for higher productivity of kidney bean. The current study is aimed to fill this gap. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during January-April 2020, to investigate the effect of irrigation and temperature regimes on growth parameters and yield of kidney bean. Temperature treatments imposed were elevated temperature for entire crop period i) ~4.6°C ii) ~3.1°C iii) ~2.8°C above mean ambient (19.6°C), iv) ambient temperature Tmax and Tmin regime of 25.9/13.4°C (mean 19.6°C), v) elevated temperature during pre-flowering phase (~3.7°C above mean ambient during that period, 19.6°C), vi) flowering phase (~5.3°C above mean ambient during that period, 23.1°C) and pod-filling phase (~5.2°C above mean ambient during that period, 28.9°C). These were combined with i) two irrigations (applied at sowing and seedling phase) and ii) three irrigations (additional irrigation at pod-filling phase). Result: Elevated temperature regimes led to shortening of the crop duration. LAI, NDVI, net photosynthesis and seed yield were higher in plants exposed to continuous elevated temperature. Heat shock during pre-flowering and flowering led to reduction in yield. Despite exposure to elevated temperature, supplemental irrigation led to higher yield. Seed yield loss was greater when temperature stress coincided with water stress. The negative effects of high temperature were significantly curtailed by provision of supplemental irrigation.

Assessing the Effects of Ocean Warming and Acidification on the Seagrass Thalassia hemprichii

Seagrass beds serve as important carbon sinks, and it is thought that increasing the quantity and quality of such sinks could help to slow the rate of global climate change. Therefore, it will be important to (1) gain a better understanding of seagrass bed metabolism and (2) document how these high-productivity ecosystems are impacted by climate change-associated factors, such as ocean acidification (OA) and ocean warming (OW). A mesocosm-based approach was taken herein in which a tropical, Western Pacific seagrass species Thalassia hemprichii was cultured under either control or OA-simulating conditions; the temperature was gradually increased from 25 to 31 °C for both CO2 enrichment treatments, and it was hypothesized that this species would respond positively to OA and elevated temperature. After 12 weeks of exposure, OA (~1200 ppm) led to (1) increases in underground biomass and root C:N ratios and (2) decreases in root nitrogen content. Rising temperatures (25 to 31 °C) increased the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv:Fm), productivity, leaf growth rate, decomposition rate, and carbon sequestration, but decreased the rate of shoot density increase and the carbon content of the leaves; this indicates that warming alone does not increase the short-term carbon sink capacity of this seagrass species. Under high CO2 and the highest temperature employed (31 °C), this seagrass demonstrated its highest productivity, Fv:Fm, leaf growth rate, and carbon sequestration. Collectively, then, it appears that high CO2 levels offset the negative effects of high temperature on this seagrass species. Whether this pattern is maintained at temperatures that actually induce marked seagrass stress (likely beginning at 33–34 °C in Southern Taiwan) should be the focus of future research.