Significant Trend Research Articles

Novel biopolymeric materials potential utilization for environmental practices

Significant current trending research explored in this article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the materials manufacturing processes involved in the utilization of environmentally friendly biopolymers for industrial practices. Biopolymers are gaining significant attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics due to their renewable nature and reduced environmental impact. This manuscript aims to identify the different types of biopolymers used in industrial applications, their manufacturing techniques, and their potential benefits and challenges. It also explores the current state of research in this field and outlines future directions for advancements in biopolymer manufacturing. The rapid growth of environmental practices has led to an alarming increase in pollution and environmental degradation. To tackle this issue, researchers and industries have been exploring the utilization of biopolymers as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. Biopolymers, derived from renewable sources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, offer numerous advantages such as reduced carbon footprint, biodegradability, and non-toxicity. This article aims to provide a comprehensive studies of the materials manufacturing process of environmentally friendly biopolymers and their industrial applications.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Factors Related to the Increasing Summer High Temperature Extremes on the Tibetan Plateau under the Background of Global Warming

Abstract The related atmospheric and oceanic factors are investigated in this analysis to understand the natural attributes responsible for the significant increase of the high temperature extremes (HTEs) on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in summer. It is found that a stronger-than-normal South Asian high (SAH) and corresponding weaker-than-normal East Asian jet, an anomalous anticyclone and intensified midlevel westerly wind over the TP, and a more extensive, stronger, farther westward- and northward-stretching western Pacific subtropical high motivate more occurrences of HTEs over the TP on the interannual time scale. From 1961 to 2021, these crucial circulation patterns show a significant changing trend favorable for the occurrence of HTEs and thus contribute to its great increase. Further, the significant warmings of sea surface temperature (SST) in the tropical western Indian, northern North Pacific, and western North Atlantic Oceans make great contributions through different air–sea interactive processes as the Matsuno–Gill response, zonal vertical circulation cell, and mid- to high-latitude teleconnection wave train, respectively. Meanwhile, the interdecadal variability plays an important role. A breakpoint at the early twenty-first century is detected in the occurrence of summer HTEs on the TP. Both the crucial circulation patterns and the SST anomalies in the key oceanic regions experienced significant interdecadal transition to favor the occurrence of HTEs. In particular, the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) is significantly and positively correlated with the interdecadal variation of summer HTEs on the TP. The zonal teleconnection wave train triggered by AMO forms a stronger-than-normal SAH and strengthened midlevel westerly airflow over the TP, conducive to the increase of summer HTEs on the TP.

Forecasting some climate parameters of Türkiye using the SSP3-7.0 scenario for the years 2040–2059

This study employs the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Projects (CMIPs) and the Sixth phase of CMIPs (CMIP6) to unravel the multifaceted impacts of global climate change on climate of Türkiye. The CMIP6 data, fundamental to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Reports, forms the basis for projecting future climate scenarios, specifically under the medium-high reference scenario SSP3-7. Utilizing a suite of global climate models, including the innovative Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) approach, this study combines predictions to enhance the precision climate projections of Türkiye. Historical data spanning from 1951 to 2020 were subjected to rigorous statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The findings reveal an unequivocal upward trajectory in Türkiye’s annual mean temperature, with an accelerated pace in recent decades. Despite a lack of a significant long-term trend in annual precipitation from 1951 to 2020, the rate of change in precipitation is accelerating, indicating potential future challenges. Projections for 2040-2059 under the SSP3-7.0 scenario indicate a non-uniform increase in mean temperature across Türkiye, with the southern and western regions facing the most significant impact. This warming trend poses imminent threats to agriculture, altering crop yields and increasing the risk of heat stress for livestock. Additionally, the projected decrease in precipitation, alongside a surge in hot days and tropical nights, underscores the urgency for adaptive measures. As Türkiye navigates the complex terrain of climate change, this study provides valuable insights, emphasizing the significance of robust climate modeling for informed decision-making. The results underscore the imminent challenges Türkiye faces and emphasize the critical importance of proactive climate action on both national and global fronts.

Temporal trends in prevalence and disability of chronic kidney disease caused by specific etiologies: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

The prevalence of disability in CKD is high. In this context the aim of the present study wasto assess the temporal trends of prevalence and disability progression for chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by specific etiologies. Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2019, we examined the age-standardized rates of CKD prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years for different etiologies, including Type 1/2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM/T2DM), glomerulonephritis, and hypertension. We also calculated the average annual percentage changes to assess trends. Additionally, we utilized the joinpoint regression model to identify significant shifts over time. From 1990 to 2019, the global prevalence of CKD due to various etiologies exhibited an overall increasing trend, albeit with fluctuations. Notably, CKD due to T1DM, glomerulonephritis, and hypertension consistently demonstrated a significant upward trend across all continents, while the prevalence of CKD due to T2DM varied across continents. In terms of disability-adjusted life-years, CKD due to T2DM and hypertension exhibited a significant rising trend over the past 30 years. However, changes in age standardized disability-adjusted life-years for CKD due to different etiologies were not consistent across continents, with an upward trend observed in The Americasand a contrasting trend in Asia. Furthermore, both age-standardized prevalence rate and age standardized disability-adjusted life-year trends for CKD varied significantly across 204 countries and territories. Additionally, a negative association was observed between the Socio-demographic Index and the disability progression of CKD. The prevalence and disability burden of CKD caused by specific etiologies show substantial heterogeneity worldwide, highlighting significant disparities in the distribution of CKD. It is crucial to implement geographic and personalized strategies in different regions to alleviate the burden of CKD effectively.

Temporal Trends in the Initiation of Dialysis Among Patients With Heart Failure With or Without Diabetes: A Nationwide Study From 2002 to 2016.

The incidence and distribution of acute and chronic dialysis among patients with heart failure (HF), stratified by diabetes, remain uncertain. We hypothesized that with improved survival and rising comorbidities, the demand for dialysis would increase over time. Patients with incident HF, aged 18 to 100 years, between 2002 and 2016, were identified using Danish nationwide registers. Primary outcomes included acute and chronic dialysis initiation, HF-related hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. These outcomes were assessed in 2002 to 2006, 2007 to 2011, and 2012 to 2016, stratified by diabetes. We calculated incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 person-years and hazard ratios (HR) using multivariable Cox regression. Of 115 533 patients with HF, 2734 patients received acute dialysis and 1193 patients received chronic dialysis. The IR was 8.0 per 1000 and 3.5 per 1000 person-years for acute and chronic dialysis, respectively. Acute dialysis rates increased significantly among patients with diabetes over time, while no significant changes occurred in those without diabetes, chronic dialysis, HF-related hospitalization, or overall mortality. Diabetes was associated with significantly higher HRs of acute and chronic dialysis, respectively, compared with patients without diabetes (HR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.80-2.39] and 2.93 [95% CI, 2.40-3.58] in 2002 to 2006; HR, 2.45 [95% CI, 2.14-2.80] and 2.86 [95% CI, 2.32-3.52] in 2007 to 2011; and 2.69 [95% CI, 2.33-3.10] and 3.30 [95% CI, 2.69-4.06] in 2012 to 2016). The IR of acute and chronic dialysis remained low compared with HF-related hospitalizations and mortality. Acute dialysis rates increased significantly over time, contrasting no significant trends in other outcomes. Diabetes exhibited over 2-fold increased rates of the outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and renal care in patients with HF, especially with diabetes, to optimize outcomes and prevent adverse events.

Low-Dose Aspirin and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: Evidence From a Nationwide Registry-Based Cohort in Norway.

To examine the association between low-dose aspirin use and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this nationwide cohort study, we identified individuals aged 50 years or older residing for 6 months or more in Norway in 2004-2018 and obtained data from national registers on drug prescriptions, cancer occurrence, and sociodemographic factors. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between low-dose aspirin use and CRC risk. In addition, we calculated the number of CRC potentially averted by low-dose aspirin use. We included 2,186,390 individuals. During the median follow-up of 10.9 years, 579,196 (26.5%) used low-dose aspirin, and 38,577 (1.8%) were diagnosed with CRC. Current use of aspirin vs never use was associated with lower CRC risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-0.90). The association was more pronounced for metastatic CRC (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.74-0.84) than regionally advanced (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.85-0.92) and localized CRC (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87-1.00; P heterogeneity = 0.001). A significant trend was found between duration of current use and CRC risk: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.95) for <3 years, HR 0.85 (0.80-0.91) for ≥3 and <5 years, and HR 0.84 (0.80-0.88) for ≥5 years of use vs never use ( P trend < 0.001). For past use, HR were 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.94) for <3 years, 0.90 (0.83-0.99) for ≥3 and <5 years, and 0.98 (0.91-1.06) for ≥5 years since last use vs never use ( P -trend < 0.001). We estimated that aspirin use averted 1,073 cases of CRC (95% CI 818-1,338) in the study period. In this nationwide cohort, use of low-dose aspirin was associated with a lower risk of CRC.

Multiple-Time-Scale Variations of the Record-Breaking Pre-Summer Rainfall over South China in 2022

Abstract South China encountered an exceptionally heavy pre-summer rainy season in 2022 with the regional precipitation ranking first in the past 44 years. This study aims to analyze the multiple-time-scale variations of precipitation in this pre-summer rainy season to shed light on the complex dynamics influencing pre-summer precipitation over South China. The findings reveal that the variation of precipitation was dominated by the 10–20-day oscillation during April–May, while interannual variation and trend during May–June. The 10–20-day oscillation of precipitation in pre-summer rainy season in South China demonstrates a strong association with cold-air activity, which can be traced back to the propagation of disturbances along a teleconnection, which represents the dominant mode of intraseasonal atmospheric circulation over Eurasia in high latitudes during April–May. This teleconnection plays a crucial role in facilitating cold-air invasion and triggering precipitation over East China and South China. The interannual component of abnormal precipitation is strong during May–June of 2022. It is primarily attributed to the abnormal highs in the lower troposphere over the subtropical western North Pacific and Japan. These abnormal highs are likely stimulated by the combined influences of Eurasian teleconnection propagation and cooling sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) over the tropical central and eastern Pacific in the third year of a consecutive La Niña event. However, the universality of the impact of Eurasian teleconnection propagation on the abnormal high over Japan on interannual scale necessitates further investigation. Furthermore, there is a significant upward trend in pre-summer rainfall over South China, accounting for 38% of the total anomaly observed in 2022.

Patterns of Resource Allocation and Divisional Budgets: The CEO's Strategic Lens Across Various Industries

This paper explores how Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across various industries adapt their resource allocation and divisional budgeting strategies in response to contemporary business challenges. It aims to shed light on the evolving role of CEOs in steering organizational success through strategic initiatives, highlighting the shift from traditional, efficiency-focused models to flexible, value-driven approaches. By conducting a qualitative analysis of recent literature, the study examines patterns in strategic decision-making, focusing on the balance between operational needs and strategic goals amidst changing market conditions. The research emphasizes the impact of industry-specific factors, such as market volatility and organizational size, on these strategic adaptations. Findings reveal a significant trend towards more adaptable and strategic resource management practices among CEOs, moving beyond short-term operational efficiency to support long-term goals. This shift is evident across different sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and e-commerce, though the extent and nature of its implementation vary according to each industry's unique challenges and opportunities. The study underscores the importance of strategic adaptability for organizational resilience and success in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Evaluation of the impact of export restrictions on the upgrading of China’s energy industry based on the Kuznets curve

The EI is an important pillar of modern economic development and a key factor in ensuring national strategic energy security. The upgrading of China’s Energy Industry (EI) faces a series of problems and challenges, such as excessive energy production, difficulty in energy technology innovation, and low energy efficiency. The significance of this study lies in its endeavor to tackle these challenges by focusing on several facets, including the promotion of innovation in energy technology and the enhancement of energy management. Utilizing the Kuznets Curve (KC) theory and considering energy export restrictions (ER) as a constraint, the study analyzed the impact of China’s EI upgrading. It analyzed the relationship between changes in indicators such as EI resource utilization rate, degree of ERs, export proportion, and resource allocation proportion of energy enterprises and the impact of China’s EI upgrading. According to the experimental results, it can be concluded that when the resource utilization rate was between 30% and 60%, the energy export volume showed a significant growth trend. As it gradually approached saturation, the contribution of energy production growth began to weaken and showed an inverted U-shape. Examining how the expansion of Economic Relations (ERs) affects the enhancement of China’s Economic Infrastructure (EI) within the framework of the Knowledge Capital (KC) can provide valuable insights. It offers guidance on striking a balance between exports and domestic demand in China’s economic development, facilitating the formulation of export policies, supporting structural adjustments and advancements in China’s EI, and contributing to the promotion of sustainable development (SD). Additionally, this analysis aids in preventing potential issues and safeguarding both the ecological environment and the interests of citizens.

Exploring the nutritional landscape and emerging trends in kidney stone research: visualization and bibliometric analysis

BackgroundKidney stones, or renal nephrolithiasis, are common and dangerous, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease. Dietary manipulation is essential for the prevention and recurrence of kidney stones. Research into nutrition and kidney stones lacks library analysis, making it difficult to identify new trends. This bibliometric study was conducted to explore the current landscape of research on nutrition and kidney stones worldwide. This paper also emphasizes significant research trends in this area over the past two decades, aiming to assist researchers in understanding the current research status and identifying potential future directions.MethodsThe scholarly literature pertaining to diet and kidney stones was systematically explored utilizing SciVerse Scopus to identify pertinent research articles released from 2003 to 2022. The examination encompassed an assessment of publication patterns, key contributors, focal areas of research, prevalent themes, influential articles, and emerging research avenues. Following data extraction to Excel, analyses, including frequencies, percentages, and linear regression, were conducted. Visual exploration was facilitated through the use of the VOSviewer program version 1.6.19.ResultsBetween 2003 and 2022, 697 publications on nutrition and kidney stones were identified. There were 478 original articles (68.58%), 120 reviews (17.22%) and 99 other types of publications (14.20%). The United States is the most productive country, with significant growth in research in the fields of nutrition and kidney stones. The United States has demonstrated the strongest partnerships between researchers’ networks from various countries. Cluster analysis revealed three major research themes: sex differences in kidney stone disease, the correlation between increased dietary acid consumption and calcium oxide kidney stones, and nephrolithiasis associated with a ketogenic diet.ConclusionsThis study offers a thorough examination of nutrition and kidney stone research, encompassing key research domains, collaborative networks, and emerging patterns. The findings can aid researchers in gaining insight into the present landscape of the discipline and determining future research directions.

Modeling future land use and land cover under different scenarios using patch-generating land use simulation model. A case study of Ndola district

Accurate predictions of changes in Land-use and Land-cover (LULC) are crucial in climate modeling, providing valuable insights into the possible effects of land-use alterations on Earth’s intricate system. This study focuses on forecasting and examining future LULC changes in the Ndola district from 2022 to 2042, considering three scenarios: Traditional mode (TM), Ecological protection (EP), and Economic Development (ED). TM reflects past land use changes, EP prioritizes environmental conservation, and ED emphasizes economic growth and urbanization. Using the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model, we achieved precise predictions of LULC changes in Ndola district. The model, which combines LEAS rule-extraction with a CA model using CARS, addresses limitations of previous models like CLUE-S, CA-Markov, and FLUS by accurately simulating scattered LULC patterns and the mutual attraction and evolution of open space and urban land under different policies. Using LULC data from the livingatlas platform for the base period (2017–2022), the model demonstrated a Kappa coefficient of 78% and a FoM value of 0.34. Key findings indicate significant trends, such as reductions in forest and agricultural lands in the TM and ED scenarios, with rangeland expanding consistently across all scenarios, particularly in the ED scenario. The decline in agricultural and forest lands raises concerns about household food security, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and diminished ecosystem services. Urban sprawl onto other land uses could further strain urban infrastructure and public services. Future research should incorporate uncertainty analysis methods such as fuzzy logic or Bayesian methodologies to quantify and differentiate uncertainties related to modeling simulations.

Applying a Three-Tier Approach to Address Gaps in Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake and Continuity in Uganda: A Mixed Methods Approach.

We describe a 3-tier approach involving a gap analysis, root cause analysis, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) collaborative to understand the gap and identify and address the main barriers to oral PrEP uptake and continuity in Uganda. We used a mixed methods design with retrospective, cross-sectional, and prospective components. The gap analysis involved descriptive analysis of PrEP uptake and continuity. The RCA identified the main barriers to initiation and continuity on PrEP among 1,334 clients who declined to start PrEP and 1,266 who missed their appointment but were at risk. The PrEP collaborative tested changes mapped onto specific barriers to optimize the PrEP clinical service delivery. A trend analysis of routinely collected data of the PrEP cascade determined significant shifts and trends in PrEP uptake and continuity. Only 60% of the high-risk population eligible for PrEP were enrolled, while fewer than 30% of the cumulative number of PrEP users were refilled each quarter. Uncertainty and fear of side effects, perceptions about the harmfulness of the medication, perceived inability to adhere to PrEP, and stigma were the main reasons why clients rejected PrEP. Lack of access to the facility, side effects, pill burden, stigma, perceived low-risk exposure to HIV, and preference of staying at work as opposed to picking up refills affected continuity on PrEP. The collaborative registered statistically significant shifts in PrEP enrollment from 64% to 89% and continuity from 51% to 78% between July 21 and November 22 following the collaborative intervention. We recommend using a 3-tier approach for other similar implementation contexts to strengthen PrEP programming, given the marked statistical shift in PrEP uptake and continuity. This begins with understanding the gap and barriers to use among clients, followed by mapping interventions to specific barriers through a quality improvement collaborative.

Development and State of the Art of Entrepreneurship Education: A Bibliometric Review

Entrepreneurship education (EE) plays a vital role in fostering an entrepreneurial culture and promoting the growth of the small- and medium-sized business sector in a nation. Research on EE has advanced extremely rapidly in the last two decades. These changes are evident not only in the quantity of published works but also in the evolving methods of academic communication, the rise of emerging nations as prominent contributors to EE research, and the shifting areas of focus in study themes. This current study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of these processes based on a big-data-centred bibliometric analysis of a corpus of 3787 articles that appeared in the Web of Science literature database. The bibliographic metadata was analysed using Biblioshiny, CitNetExplorer, and VOSviewer. To understand the most significant development trends, researchers employed the triangulation method, which included scientific mapping and epistemological analysis in addition to standard tools of bibliometric analysis. This has led to the identification of some study needs. First, improving EE methods in secondary school curricula; second, EE in adult education and the practicality of the findings for andragogy; third, EE in least developed countries and its unique challenges; fourth, combining EE with internet-based, innovative training and education approaches like gamification and simulations; fifth, EE’s role and methodological development in societal economic integration; and sixth, women’s unique EE requirements. On top of that, this study provides the basis for policymakers and practitioners to consider incorporating entrepreneurial education programmes, which can help to create a prosperous entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Leaf traits of Central-European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oaks (Quercus petraea/robur): Effects of severe drought and long-term dynamics

In 2018—2020, Central-European forests suffered from extremely hot and dry summers. We used data from long-term forest monitoring of six stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and two stands of oak (Quercus petraea/Q. robur) growing on different geological substrates in the climatically uniform state of Saarland (south-western Germany) for analyzing leaf traits of the period 2004—2021. We aimed at detecting overall effects of the drought on foliar morphology, nutrient concentrations, and injury, and long-term alterations in these traits. Across sites, drought resulted in a decrease in leaf size and specific leaf area (SLA) and increased fruiting in the beech and a decrease in the foliar nitrogen (N) concentrations in both tree genera. During drought, foliar calcium and manganese concentrations were lower and potassium (K) concentrations higher across the beech stands, whereas in the oak stands, drought led to a reduction in the foliar phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. High rates of anthropogenic N deposition during recent decades have resulted in high foliar N concentrations and low to deficient concentrations of P and, in the beech, of Mg. However, a significant (negative) long-term trend in leaf traits across the study sites was only found for the K concentration and necroses of the beech leaves. Foliar N correlated positively with SLA in the beech and with leaf size in the oak but was not related to herbivory. Chlorosis was the only leaf trait that, in the beech, correlated (negatively) with the climatic water balance. We conclude that even severe drought during three consecutive years does not seem to critically affect the nutrient supply to the two most important deciduous forest tree genera of Central Europe. In the beech, a decrease in leaf size and SLA might be used as an early indication of severe drought stress effects in regular monitoring programs.

Handling missingness and specify the dropout models in haematocrit levels over time in patients who received renal graft

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or renal failure is a public global health problem with an estimated prevalence of as 8 to 16% worldwide. This study was conducted in order to Specify Dropout Models the haematocrit levels over time in renal patients after their transplant. This is a longitudinal study that consisted of 1160 patients who received a renal transplant. Level of Haematocrit level as a response, time (log (years)), gender and age of the patients just to mention a few were as a covariate. Different statistical methods, such as dropout models were employed. Direct likelihood and MI based approach of Linear Mixed Model revealed that all the covariates included in the final models were significant. It was observed that the evolution of haematocrit levels follows a quartic time trend and the effect of time on the evolution varies according to gender and age. The effect of time followed a significant 5th power time trend under MI GEE and quadratic time trend under WGEE. However, both models are valid under MAR. In addition, age, gender and rejection symptoms have a significant effect on the evolution of haematocrit levels in renal patients, however their effect varies with time.

Unveiling the Coupling Coordination and Interaction Mechanism between the Local Heat Island Effect and Urban Resilience in China

Climate change and urbanization have led to the increasing prominence of urban heat islands (UHIs) today, posing a huge challenge to cities. Urban resilience (UR) refers to the ability of a city or region to adapt to changes and risks. However, the influence between the heat island effect and regional urban resilience is not well understood. In this study, we proposed a methodological framework for unveiling the coupling coordination and interaction mechanism between UHIs and UR. This study first explored UHIs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and described the creation of a multidimensional index system that evaluates urban resilience across social, economic, ecological, and engineering dimensions. Furthermore, this study unveiled the coupling coordination effect of UHIs and UR through the coupling coordination degree model, and the influence mechanism between the drivers of UHIs and the change in UR was detected using a geographic probe. The results showed that the UHI region forms a ring-shaped belt around the entrance to the Pearl River Delta. The UHIs of the GBA show a significant trend of expansion and escalation over time. The UR of the GBA shows a spatial distribution pattern of high resilience among regional central cities and low resilience among peripheral cities, with significantly uneven development in sub-resilience dimensions. The UHIs and UR of the GBA showed a certain coupling and coordination effect, improving from barely synergistic to a primary coordination state. Among the drivers of UHIs, population density, precipitation, average nighttime light brightness, and ground-average CO2 emissions have strong explanatory power for the spatial variation in UR. The interaction between two factors has a stronger influence on UR than individual factors. The purpose of this paper is to initially reveal the influence mechanism between UHIs and UR and to provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the path of sustainable urban development.

Evolutionary dynamics of genome size and transposable elements in crickets (Ensifera: Gryllidea)

AbstractOrthoptera species are characterised by their expansive genomes. However, crickets, the third largest group of this order, have notably smaller genomes than grasshoppers or katydids. The evolutionary drivers behind these differences in genome size (GS) remain largely uncharted. In our study involving 56 cricket species, we assessed GS using flow cytometry and assembled 43 novel mitochondrial genomes for phylogenetic analysis. Model fitting indicated that GS generally conformed to an Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck adaptive evolutionary model, displaying a 5.1‐fold range of variation in GS, from 0.82 pg in Myrmecophilus quadrispina Perkins to 4.68 pg in Ornebius formosanus Shiraki. Remarkably, despite such variations, no significant trends in genome contraction or expansion were detected, suggesting an adaptive stabilisation. We found strong evidence that expansions of repeat elements, particularly transposable elements (TEs), are key drivers of the large GS in crickets. Across the 56 cricket species analysed, TE content exhibited substantial variability, spanning from a mere 3.63% to a pronounced 31.22%. Clades exhibiting significant GS or TE variations, such as mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae), ant‐loving crickets (Myrmecophilidae) and scaly crickets (Mogoplistidae), are often observed at basal phylogenetic nodes and exhibit distinct ecological niches and morphological divergences. This implies that cricket genomes undergo early mutations and stabilise throughout evolution. Our findings shed light on common patterns and uncover lineage‐specific differences in content and evolution of TEs in crickets. We anticipate that our study will provide a foundation for future comparative research on the insect TE repertoire.

Mixture effects of trace element levels on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes risk in adults using G-computation analysis

There is an increasing concern about the health effects of exposure to a mixture of pollutants. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between serum levels of heavy/essential metals ([Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn)]) and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Data were collected from 450 participants (150 with CVDs, 150 with T2D, and 150 healthy subjects) randomly selected from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort in Western Iran, covering the years 2018–2023. Trace element levels in the serum samples were assayed using ICP-MS. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the adjusted risk of exposure to single and multi-metals and CVD/T2D. Odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, education, residential areas, hypertension, and BMI. The mixture effect of exposure to multi-metals and CVD/T2D was obtained using Quantile G-computation (QGC). In the logistic regression model, chromium, nickel, and zinc levels were associated with CVD, and significant trends were observed for these chemical quartiles (P < 0.001). Arsenic, chromium, and copper levels were also associated with T2D. The weight quartile sum (WQS) index was significantly associated with both CVD (OR 4.17, 95% CI 2.16–7.69) and T2D (OR 11.96, 95% CI 5.65–18.26). Cd, Pb, and Ni were the most heavily weighed chemicals in these models.The Cd had the highest weight among the metals in the CVD model (weighted at 0.78), followed by Hg weighted at 0.197. For T2D, the serum Pb (weighted at 0.32), Ni (weighted at 0.19), Cr (weighted at 0.17), and Cd (weighted at 0.14) were the most weighted in the G-computation model. The results showed the significant role of toxic and essential elements in CVDs and T2D risk. This association may be driven primarily by cadmium and mercury for CVDs and Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd for T2D, respectively. Prospective studies with higher sample sizes are necessary to confirm or refute our preliminary results as well as to determine other important elements.

Quantitative Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on the Growing Season of Vegetation Gross Primary Productivity in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

Quantitatively determining the direct, indirect, and comprehensive effects of climatic factors on the growing season of the vegetation GPP (GPPGS) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River at the regional and vegetation type scales can provide a scientific basis for the management and restoration of regional vegetation resources under the background of global climate change. Using MODIS GPP data, meteorological data, and vegetation type data, combined with Theil-Sen Median trend analysis and the Mann-Kendall significance test, the spatiotemporal characteristics of the GPPGS in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were investigated at different temporal and spatial scales. Path analysis was used to further reveal the direct, indirect, and comprehensive effects of climate factors on GPPGS variation in different vegetation types. The results showed that:① from 2000 to 2021, the vegetation GPPGS in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River showed a fluctuating upward trend, with a rising rate (in terms of C, same below) of 2.70 g·(m2·a)-1 (P<0.01). The GPPGS of different vegetation types all showed a significant upward trend (P<0.01), with shrubs having the highest upward rate of 3.31 g·(m2·a)-1 and cultivated vegetation having the lowest upward rate of 2.54 g·(m2·a)-1. ② The proportion of the area with an upward trend in GPPGS in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River was 88.11%. The proportion of the area with an upward trend in GPPGS was greater than 84% for all different vegetation types, with shrubs (49.76%) and cultivated vegetation (44.36%) having significantly higher proportions of the area with an upward trend than that in other vegetation types. ③ The path analysis results showed that precipitation and the maximum temperature had a significant positive direct effect on vegetation GPPGS (P<0.05), whereas solar radiation had a non-significant positive effect (P ≥ 0.05). The indirect effects of maximum temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation on vegetation GPPGS were all non-significantly negative (P ≥ 0.05). Under the combined effects of direct and indirect influences, precipitation and maximum temperature had a non-significant positive effect on vegetation GPPGS (P ≥ 0.05), whereas solar radiation had a non-significant negative effect on vegetation GPPGS (P ≥ 0.05). Among different vegetation types, precipitation was the main climate factor affecting the changes in GPPGS of cultivated vegetation, whereas the maximum temperature was the main climate factor affecting the changes in GPPGS of coniferous forests, broad-leaved forests, shrubs, and grasslands. ④ The changes in vegetation GPPGS in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were mainly influenced by the direct effects of maximum temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation, with the direct effect of precipitation dominating 56.72% of the changes in GPPGS. The research results can provide a reference for quantifying the carbon sequestration potential of vegetation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and formulating ecological restoration governance policies tailored to local conditions under the background of global climate change.

Can land-use and land-cover change explain reduced resilience in forests?

Generating signals of reduced resilience in ecosystems is crucial for conservation and management endeavors. However, the practical implications of such systems are still limited due to the lack of high-frequency data and uncertainties associated with predicting complex systems such as ecosystems. This study aims to investigate the potential of time series analysis of remote sensing data in detecting signals of reduced resilience in mangrove forest ecosystems. Using time series analysis of remote sensing images, the resilience of mangrove forests was explored across two distinct study sites. One site (Qeshm Island) has been adversely affected by land-use and land-cover changes, while the other (Gabrik) serves as a reference ecosystem. The study uses data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite to quantify three remotely sensed indices: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), and the Modified Vegetation Water Ratio (MVWR). In addition, Landsat data has been used to explore temporal alterations in land-use and land-cover change. To identify signals of reduced resilience, trend analyses of indicators such as autocorrelation (acf (1)) and standard deviation (SD) are applied. The findings revealed a notable decrease in resilience, signaled by significant upward trends in NDVI statistical metrics for Qeshm Island (Kendall’s τ of acf (1): 0.50 and SD: 0.90), contrasting with the pattern observed in Gabrik (Kendall’s τ of acf (1): −0.19 and SD: −0.19). These results align with our expectations derived from previous studies. Despite MNDWI significantly indicating reduced resilience in Qeshm Island (Kendall’s τ of acf (1): 0.86 and SD: 0.90), it also signaled decreased resilience in Gabrik (Kendall’s τ of acf (1): 0.79 and SD: 0.90). Moreover, MVWR failed to indicate signals of reduced resilience in both sites, specifically in Qeshm (Kendall’s τ of acf (1): −0.10 and SD: −0.07) and in Gabrik (Kendall’s τ of acf (1): −0.72 and SD: −0.12). These findings may be explained through quantitative analyses of land-use and land-cover change. While Qeshm Island and Gabrik share similarities in climate, geography, and annual rainfall, the analysis of land-use and land-cover change revealed significant differences between the two study areas. Qeshm Island underwent drastic increases in the built-up class by a 64.40% change between 1996 and 2014, whereas the built-up class expanded modestly by a 4.04% change in the Gabrik site. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of ecosystem dynamics. The findings of this study can be integrated with ecosystem management tools to enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This is the first report of the successful application of remote sensing in generating signals of reduced resilience within mangrove forests in the Middle East.