Short Summer Research Articles

Potential benefits of climate change for potatoes in the United States

Potatoes are a mainstay of human diets and 4 million metric tons are produced annually in the United States. Simulations of future crop production show that climate change is likely to reduce the yields of the major grain crops around the world, but the impacts on potato production have yet to be determined. A model ensemble consisting of five process-based and one statistical model was used to estimate the impact of climate change on fully irrigated, well-fertilized potato crop across the USA under the RCP 8.5 scenario of high emissions. Results indicate that increasing temperature will reduce potato yields, but this will be mostly compensated by elevated atmospheric CO2. Yields are predicted to decline with climate change in the current highest-yielding areas, which might experience the highest rises in growing season temperature during short hot summers. Simulated yields increase slightly elsewhere in the southern regions of the USA. Planting potatoes earlier as adaptation to avoid hot summers might improve yields in most regions. Water use by the potato crop is predicted to decline despite higher temperatures, due to a shorter growing season and increased water use efficiency under elevated atmospheric CO2. With higher yields in many regions, crop uptake for (nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium) NPK fertilizer will increase, despite the reduced concentration of nutrients in potatoes due to a growth stimulus from elevated atmospheric CO2. With earlier planting, by 2050 water use will decline by 11.7%, NPK fertilizer uptake will increase by 10.4%, and yields of slightly less nutritious potatoes will increase by 14.9% nationally.

Survival and reproduction in Arctic caribou are associated with summer forage and insect harassment

Investigators have speculated that the climate-driven “greening of the Arctic” may benefit barren-ground caribou populations, but paradoxically many populations have declined in recent years. This pattern has raised concerns about the influence of summer habitat conditions on caribou demographic rates, and how populations may be impacted in the future. The short Arctic summer provides caribou with important forage resources but is also the time they are exposed to intense harassment by insects, factors which are both being altered by longer, warmer growing seasons. To better understand the effects of summer forage and insect activity on Arctic caribou demographic rates, we investigated the influence of estimated forage biomass, digestible energy (DE), digestible nitrogen (DN), and mosquito activity on the reproductive success and survival of adult females in the Central Arctic Herd on the North Slope of Alaska. We tested the hypotheses that greater early summer DN would increase subsequent reproduction (parturition and late June calving success) while greater biomass and DE would increase adult survival (September–May), and that elevated mosquito activity would reduce both demographic rates. Because the period when abundant forage DN is limited and overlaps with the period of mosquito harassment, we also expected years with low DN and high harassment to synergistically reduce caribou reproductive success. Examining these relationships at the individual-level, using GPS-collared females, and at the population-level, using long-term monitoring data, we generally found support for our expectations. Greater early summer DN was associated with increased subsequent calving success, while greater summer biomass was associated with increased adult survival. Mosquito activity was associated with reductions in adult female parturition, late June calving success, and survival, and in years with low DN, had compounding effects on subsequent late June calving success. Our findings indicate that summer nutrition and mosquito activity collectively influence the demographic rates of Arctic caribou, and may impact the dynamics of populations in the future under changing environmental conditions.

Differences in Adipose Gene Expression Profiles between Male and Female Even Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Sakha (Yakutia).

Reindeer are native to harsh northern Eurasian environments which are characterized by long and cold winters, short summers, and limited pasture vegetation. Adipose tissues play a significant role in these animals by modulating energy metabolism, immunity, and reproduction. Here, we have investigated the transcriptome profiles of metacarpal, perirenal, and prescapular adipose tissues in Even reindeer and searched for genes that were differentially expressed in male and female individuals. A total of 15,551 genes were expressed, where the transcriptome profile of metacarpal adipose tissue was found to be distinct from that of perirenal and prescapular adipose tissues. Interestingly, 10 genes, including PRDM9, which is known to have an important role in adaptation and speciation in reindeer, were always upregulated in all three tissues of male reindeer.

Biomorphological features of plants and amino acid composition of <i>Agastache anisatus</i> and <i>Agastache rugosa</i> (Lamiaceae) proteins under culture conditions in the North

This paper summarizes the results of a long-term collection study of the growth and development of plants of two species of polygrate Agastache anisatus and A. rugosa (Lamiaceae) in the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. The material for the study was attracted according to the exchange lists of seeds from other botanical gardens and abroad. Under the conditions of the culture of the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic, both types of multi-grate behave like juvenile herbaceous plants. Seeds of these species do not need pre-sowing preparation. When sown in open ground at the end of May the first ten days of June, mass seedlings were noted on the 1220th day, depending on the weather conditions of the season. During the first year of life, the plants successively passed through all phases of the pregenerative period, and only 510% of plants passed into the generative period in September, forming one shoot up to 4045 cm high with 13 inflorescences. Winter hardiness of plants of the pregenerative period is quite high, 7085%. The following year, plant regrowth was observed in mid may. They entered the flowering phase at the end of July August, forming 35 generative shoots per individual 5080 cm high, branched in the upper part of the stem up to the second or third order. At the same time, under the conditions of a short northern summer, for 120130 days of vegetation, plants of the second year of life are able to form abundant self-sowing, but as a result, winter hardiness of plants fell to 10%. Overwintering was tolerated by single individuals, 24 specimens from 2030 generative plants. A more optimal option for growing multi-grate plants in the north is the seedling method. When plants were planted at the age of 3040 days in early June in open ground with an optimal feeding area of 40 40 cm, large branched shoots 5065 cm high were formed, which until mid-September went through the phases of flowering and fruiting, forming mature seeds. Winter hardiness of seedlings of plants of the first year of life is low. It has been established that under the culture conditions of the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic, plants of the multi-grate are able to accumulate a large amount of nitrogenous substances in the aboveground phytomass. Thus, a high content of crude protein was found in the aboveground phytomass of plants of the first and second years of life 26,228,8% in Agastache anisatus and 21,922,5% A. rugosa. 17 amino acids, including 7 essential amino acids, were found and determined in the above-ground phytomass of plants of polygonium. The proportion of essential amino acids varied from 34 to 39%. The highest indicators in the raw plant phytomass were noted for amino acids: glutamic, aspartic, leucine, proline, lysine and arginine 13,0, 10,7, 9,0, 8,6, 7,5 and 6,4% respectively.

High site and mate fidelity in a monogamous Arctic seabird

In long‐lived seabirds, social monogamy and mate and site fidelity are common due to the cost entailed by site change and divorce such as delayed laying or reduced reproductive success. We used 13 years of monitoring data from marked Long‐tailed Jaegers Stercorarius longicaudus in the Canadian High Arctic to quantify the degree of mate and site fidelity, and to investigate (1) how nesting success and mate fidelity affect site fidelity and (2) how mate fidelity affects laying date and nesting success. We observed a minimum mate retention rate of 79% for males and 85% for females; the site fidelity of birds that nested successfully was higher for those faithful to their mate than for those that changed mates but we found no evidence that mate change affected laying date or nesting success. The short summer and high unpredictability of resources of the Arctic tundra probably favour high site and mate fidelity in this species.

Study of the effect of enzymes on the clarification of juice from the fruits of Amur grapes

Most of the territory of the Russian Far East is located either in the zone of a sharply continental climate or a monsoon climate, characterized by short summers and long cold winters. Under such climatic conditions, the population of this region has the possibility of year-round availability for eating their own fresh vegetables, berries and fruits, which is sharply reduced compared to similar opportunities for residents of the central and southern regions of the country. The basis of the food diet of the inhabitants of the Far East is cereals, potatoes, pasta, carbohydrate-containing products. Such food imbalance leads to a lack of a number of important and necessary phytochemicals contained in fruits and berries. The way out of this situation is the use of wild plants growing in the Far Eastern territories as a source of these phytochemicals, as well as functional products based on them. One of these promising plants is the Amur grape, which has a high antioxidant activity due to the content of a significant amount of resveratrol, which is one of the most effective ingredients that has an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the fact that the period of consumption of fresh berries is not long (1-2 months), the production of juice is a good option for the food industry. In order to influence the perception of consumers, the developed product must have an attractive color. The color of the juice is associated with the content of anthocyanins and has a strong connection with the antioxidant ability, and the transparency of the juice increases its consumer rating. As a result, the study of the effect of enzymes on the clarification of juice from wild fruits of Amur grapes is of particular practical interest.

Hypothalamic remodeling of thyroid hormone signaling during hibernation in the arctic ground squirrel

Hibernation involves prolonged intervals of profound metabolic suppression periodically interrupted by brief arousals to euthermy, the function of which is unknown. Annual cycles in mammals are timed by a photoperiodically-regulated thyroid-hormone-dependent mechanism in hypothalamic tanycytes, driven by thyrotropin (TSH) in the pars tuberalis (PT), which regulates local TH-converting deiodinases and triggers remodeling of neuroendocrine pathways. We demonstrate that over the course of hibernation in continuous darkness, arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii) up-regulate the retrograde TSH/Deiodinase/TH pathway, remodel hypothalamic tanycytes, and activate the reproductive axis. Forcing the premature termination of hibernation by warming animals induced hypothalamic deiodinase expression and the accumulation of secretory granules in PT thyrotrophs and pituitary gonadotrophs, but did not further activate the reproductive axis. We suggest that periodic arousals may allow for the transient activation of hypothalamic thyroid hormone signaling, cellular remodeling, and re-programming of brain circuits in preparation for the short Arctic summer.

Proteomic analysis of summer and winter Apis mellifera workers shows reduced protein abundance in winter samples

Apis mellifera workers display two stages; short lived summer bees that engage in nursing, hive maintenance and foraging, and long lived winter bees (diutinus bees) which remain within the hive and are essential for thermoregulation and rearing the next generation of bees in spring before dying. Label free quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted on A. mellifera workers sampled in June and December to compare the proteomes of summer and winter bees. Proteomic analysis was performed on head, abdominal and venom sac samples and revealed an elevated level of protein abundance in summer bees. Head and abdominal samples displayed an increased abundance in cuticular proteins in summer samples whereas an increase in xenobiotic proteins was observed in winter samples. Several carbohydrate metabolism pathways which have been linked to energy production and longevity in insects were increased in abundance in winter samples in comparison to summer samples. Proteomic analysis of the venom sacs of summer samples showed an increased abundance of bee venom associated proteins in comparison to winter workers. These data provides an insight into the adaptions of A. mellifera workers in summer and winter and may aid in future treatment and disease studies on honeybee colonies. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD030483.

The effect of retained placenta on the reproductive performance and its economic losses in a Holstein dairy herd

Retention of placenta (RP) is a failure of the fetal membrane to be expelled and remained from 8 to 48 hours, average 12 hours after parturition. There are a variety of risk factors for the occurrence of RP. So, the aim of this study was to quantify the relative risk of calving season, parity, and gestation length on the occurrence of RP, and assess the impact of RP on the subsequent reproductive parameters, and the economic losses. A data of 2940 purebred Holstein-Friesian cows were collected from reliable records of large commercial dairy farm, Sharkia governorate, Egypt. These cows calved during the period extended from January 2018 to December 2019. Cows that did not release the fetal membranes within the first 12 hours after calf expulsion were diagnosed with RP.Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the important risk factors for the occurrence of RP were summer calving season and short gestation period. Odds ratio estimation for summer calving season compared to spring calving was 2.84. The probability of RP incidence in cows with shorter gestation period was 0.19 times more than cows with longer gestation length, and the total direct economic losses from RP was 47 $/cow.Finally, we can conclude that short gestation length and summer calving season are strongly correlated with the development of RP in dairy cows. Subsequently, the occurrence of RP significantly affects reproductive parameters resulting in economic losses in dairy herds.

Parker Ice Tongue Collapse, Antarctica, Triggered by Loss of Stabilizing Land‐Fast Sea Ice

AbstractAfter a likely multi‐century period of intermittent calving, the full length of Parker Ice Tongue (18 km or 41 km2), calved in March 2020 co‐incident with repeated summer break‐outs of the surrounding land‐fast sea ice. A complete ice tongue collapse for these otherwise stable glaciological landmarks along the Victoria Land Coast is previously unrecorded. Prior to break‐off, we found an inverse correlation between fast ice extent and ice tongue velocities (R = −0.62; R2 = 0.39). The short summer period, characterized by decreased land‐fast sea ice extent, showed around 11% higher velocities compared to winter. Any previous events of comparable magnitude could not have occurred since at least ∼1,850, assuming continuous growth (∼193m yr−1) derived from the last 60 years of satellite observations. We highlight the vulnerability of the ice tongue once left exposed to oceanic processes, which poses questions about the fate of other ice tongues if land‐fast sea ice decreases more broadly in the future.

Stream Boundary Detection of a Hyper-Arid, Polar Region Using a U-Net Architecture: Taylor Valley, Antarctica

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are becoming an increasingly popular approach for classification mapping of large complex regions where manual data collection is too time consuming. Stream boundaries in hyper-arid polar regions such as the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) in Antarctica are difficult to locate because they have little hydraulic flow throughout the short summer months. This paper utilizes a U-Net CNN to map stream boundaries from lidar derived rasters in Taylor Valley located within the MDVs, covering ∼770 km2. The training dataset consists of 217 (300 × 300 m2) well-distributed tiles of manually classified stream boundaries with diverse geometries (straight, sinuous, meandering, and braided) throughout the valley. The U-Net CNN is trained on elevation, slope, lidar intensity returns, and flow accumulation rasters. These features were used for detection of stream boundaries by providing potential topographic cues such as inflection points at stream boundaries and reflective properties of streams such as linear patterns of wetted soil, water, or ice. Various combinations of these features were analyzed based on performance. The test set performance revealed that elevation and slope had the highest performance of the feature combinations. The test set performance analysis revealed that the CNN model trained with elevation independently received a precision, recall, and F1 score of 0.94±0.05, 0.95±0.04, and 0.94±0.04 respectively, while slope received 0.96±0.03, 0.93±0.04, and 0.94±0.04, respectively. The performance of the test set revealed higher stream boundary prediction accuracies along the coast, while inland performance varied. Meandering streams had the highest stream boundary prediction performance on the test set compared to the other stream geometries tested here because meandering streams are further evolved and have more distinguishable breaks in slope, indicating stream boundaries. These methods provide a novel approach for mapping stream boundaries semi-automatically in complex regions such as hyper-arid environments over larger scales than is possible for current methods.

Morphological and physico-chemical properties of Cryosoils in the Bulgarian antarctic base on Livingston island, Antarctica

Under the global climatic changes and anthropogenic impacts on the environment, information about characteristics and specific features of soils in remote regions as Antarctica is valuable and could be used as references. This study focuses on the analyses of original data about the physico-chemical composition and micromorphological structure of Cryosols, collected in 2019 from the sampling area of the Bulgarian Antarctic Base “St. Kl. Ohridski” located on Livingston Island, Antarctica. The studied Cryosols are moderately acidic with slow and incomplete transformation of organic residues. The organic carbon content is low, except for soils formed under the influence of an ornithogenic factor. The mezo- and micromorphological observations show a predominance of the mineral phase, weakly affected by weathering processes. Many soil pores and voids are observed, which facilitates water-air and intra-soil exchange during the short Antarctic summer. The analyses showed an evidence for the connection of the processes of soil formation of Cryosols in the region with the pulsating degradation of the glaciers.

Effect of Deep Vibration on Physical State of Soil Being Changed

The effect of vibration on soil compaction has gained a good reputation when consolidating an artificially improved foundation. The studies aimed at analyzing the effect of the deep vibration on the properties of the compacted water-saturated soil have made it possible to establish that vibration can be an effective means of consolidation speeding-up. Vibration contributes to the emergence of additional excess pressures in the pore water; the filtration rate due to the increased pressure gradient increases as well. Consolidation speeding-up (soil compaction by squeezing out the pore water) is quite relevant. It is clear that consolidation speeding-up of foundation water-saturated soil is extremely important in site preparation for reducing site preparation time up to a period of a short summer. The study focuses on the mechanism of deep vibration (longitudinal mechanical waves) having an effect on water-saturated soil consolidation. The mechanism is based on the changed physical state of the medium and takes into account its structure. Two soil models have been proposed. The first one-parameter soil model is called a

An innovative ‘flat-pack’ wharf: overcoming construction challenges in Antarctica

A new longer and deeper wharf was completed in 2020 for the UK’s largest Antarctic research station. The £40 million structure replaced the life-expired wharf at Rothera Point on Adelaide Island and enables the station to accommodate British Antarctic Survey’s new polar research and supply vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough. Design and construction at this remote and environmentally extreme location presented many challenges, leading to the development of an innovative ‘flat-pack’ modular solution. This paper describes how the new 74 m long wharf was designed, manufactured, delivered and built in just two short austral summers.

Work performance and support needs analysis of students with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND: School-to-work transition planning for students with intellectual disabilities should include community-based early work experiences to prepare for possible future integrated employment. Employers have noted job performance levels and appropriate use of supports as important for maintaining employment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess work performance and support needs of students with intellectual disabilities attending a short summer early work experience. METHOD: A small group of secondary-level school students with intellectual disabilities attended a summer-long vocational rehabilitation program where they worked with a job coach at a work setting. Student participants and their job coaches rated their perceptions of the students’ work performance quality and support needs on the Job Observation and Behavior Scale pre-post program. RESULTS: The groups deviated significantly in their pre-assessment and post-assessment ratings. Job coaches and students both reported significant increases in perception of quality of student performance. In addition, job coaches reported students needing significantly less employment supports by program end. Student participants also reported needing less employment supports by program end; however, results were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: When both student and job coach realistically view student work performance and supports needed, the school-to-work transition can be improved.

Environmental Influences on the Larval Density and Age-Class Distribution of Ascaphus truei near the Northern Extent of Its Range

Complex environmental factors influence the distribution of species within lotic systems. This is especially apparent for amphibian species that have a multi-year larval stage. Pre-metamorphic Coastal Tailed Frogs (Ascaphus truei) are found in fast-flowing headwater streams for up to four years. Although there is considerable opportunity for the spatial redistribution of larval frogs, there is relatively little known of the habitat ecology of the various growth stages. We compared the abundance of larvae near the northern extent of the species range to a collection of environmental factors hypothesized to influence population density. We also assessed spatial segregation at various developmental stages where relatively short summers and cool climates result in a long residence for larvae. The top ranked model for larvae abundance included covariates representing the wetted width and wetted depth of the stream. Capture rates decreased in a nonlinear fashion as wetted width increased, and rates increased in streams wider than 6 m. Capture rates nonlinearly increased when stream depth exceeded 20 cm. Older larvae were associated with greater slopes than younger larvae. Our results suggest little evidence for a relationship between elevation and cohort distribution. We recommend considering micro-scale influences on the presence and movement patterns of Coastal Tailed Frog larvae within streams.

Moisture related challenges in the Greenlandic building sector – results from a survey

The building industry is booming in the larger cities of Greenland; there is a need for housing, and the building stock is in urgent need of renovation, mainly due to the combination of extreme weather conditions and the lack of tradition to maintain buildings. The harsh climate with short summers and long periods of cold weather combined with occasionally high wind speed and precipitation makes it difficult to prevent moisture during the construction phase, causing high drying costs. These challenges highlight the need for guidelines on how to handle moisture especially in the construction phase, both at renovation or when erecting new buildings. To prepare the guidelines, a survey was carried out aimed at building professionals in Greenland. Focus was on identifying construction work challenged by the conditions in Greenland including geography and seasons. The feedback gave an overview on the main challenges and what kind of solutions that do or do not work, showing that handling of moisture in the construction phase is not the only problem. Further, the survey gave feedback on challenges related to specific technical solutions, e.g. crawl spaces, and what kind of information is missing in relation to moisture-safe construction in Greenland. As key-points, focus should be on project design, improved competences, handling of building materials and components at the building site, and explainable guidelines for specific solutions and building types.

Adaptation to a High Iodine Intake in Greenland Inuit Suggested by Thyroid Disease Pattern.

Objective: Arctic living is influenced by cold winters, short summers, and excessive iodine intake from the traditional Inuit diet providing for habitation of the Arctic for centuries. This is changing and we surveyed thyroid function in populations living in Greenland. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Methods: Data were collected in the capital city in West Greenland and in rural East Greenland. Information on lifestyle, dietary habits, and medical history was obtained using questionnaires. Thyrotropin, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, thyroglobulin, and thyroglobulin antibody were measured in serum, iodine, and creatinine in spot urine samples. Results: One percent of the Greenlandic population was invited and 535 participated with an overall participation rate of 95%. Iodine excretion was 225 μg/24 hours in East Greenland and 169 μg/24 hours among West Greenland Inuit. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 10.7% of West Greenlandic Inuit (men/women: 4.3%/16.3%) and 7.8% of East Greenlandic Inuit (3.8%/12.8%). Hypothyroidism was found in 2.7% in West Greenland (0.0%/5.0%) and 5.6% (5.6%/5.6%) in East Greenland. Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism was frequent among Inuit and the occurrence of hypothyroidism was low. The pattern of hyper- and hypothyroidism among Greenlandic Inuit with adequate iodine intake was comparable with those seen in populations with iodine deficiency. Inuit may thus have adapted to excessive iodine intake over centuries, causing a need for a higher iodine intake to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

Individual heterogeneity in fitness in a long-lived herbivore.

Heterogeneity in the intrinsic quality and nutritional condition of individuals affects reproductive success and consequently fitness. Black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) are long‐lived, migratory, specialist herbivores. Long migratory pathways and short summer breeding seasons constrain the time and energy available for reproduction, thus magnifying life‐history trade‐offs. These constraints, combined with long lifespans and trade‐offs between current and future reproductive value, provide a model system to examine the role of individual heterogeneity in driving life‐history strategies and individual heterogeneity in fitness. We used hierarchical Bayesian models to examine reproductive trade‐offs, modeling the relationships between within‐year measures of reproductive energy allocation and among‐year demographic rates of individual females breeding on the Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, using capture–recapture and reproductive data from 1988 to 2014. We generally found that annual survival tended to be buffered against variation in reproductive investment, while breeding probability varied considerably over the range of clutch size‐laying date combinations. We provide evidence for relationships between breeding probability and clutch size, breeding probability and nest initiation date, and an interaction between clutch size and initiation date. Average lifetime clutch size also had a weak positive relationship with apparent survival probability. Our results support the use of demographic buffering strategies for black brant. These results also indirectly suggest associations among environmental conditions during growth, fitness, and energy allocation, highlighting the effects of early growth conditions on individual heterogeneity, and subsequently, lifetime reproductive investment.

ОЦЕНКА ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ НАТУРАЛИЗАЦИИ ФОРЕЛИ В ВОДОЕМАХ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОГО СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОКА РОССИИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ПРИТОКОВ РЕКИ ВЫЧЕГДА)

The article highlights the ichthyological studies carried out in the Sysola river basin (a second order tributary of the Severnaya Dvina river), where rainbow trout is reared in cages for commercial purposes in the waters of regulated tributaries. The forecast for trout naturalization seems to be poor due to the fact that trout of different ages enter the river system every year as a result of technological accidents. It has been found that, despite the numerous cases of trout occurring in the natural conditions during 40 years, in the basin of the Sysola river has not formed a self-reproducing population of rainbow trout, and cases of its by-catch are rare. The data on the climatic and ecological conditions of the region are given. It has been inferred that the main factors preventing the naturalization of trout in the water bodies of the region are unfavorable temperature and hydrological regimes during the spawning and early ontogenesis of fish. The short summer feeding period does not allow trout to prepare for successful long wintering, as evidenced by a sharp decrease in the growth rate of fish that have fallen into natural conditions, compared to fish grown in cages. Trout of cage origin obviously do not form stable groups capable of reproducing the species and do not pose a threat to the aboriginal fish population, including Atlantic salmon, whose spawning and a significant part of the life cycle take place on many rivers of the north-eastern European Russia, including the basins of the Severnaya Dvina and Pechora rivers