Specific Environmental Effects Research Articles

Investigation of linear and microscopic nonlinear optical responses of 1-indanone compounds in different environments based on polarity models

Molecular spectroscopic and nonlinear features can indicate positive changes by solvent molecules. In this work, DFT and spectroscopic techniques were used to study the polarity effects of different solvent environments. Polarity-based models were used for studying solvent induced interactions on the optical features of new groups of biomolecules. Despite the significant contribution of general effects on the molecular absorption spectra, there is considerable competition between general and specific environmental effects on the molecular emission properties. Under this condition, strong hydrogen bonds tend to increase molecular nonlinear responses. The same results were observed for the low order (first and second order) nonlinearity of biomolecules. Therefore, the studies on the environment effects on the biomolecules’ first order nonlinearity can give valuable information about higher-order optical responses. Moreover, 1-Indanone compounds with high nonlinearity can be considered as an effective element in designing optical devices.

The genetics of intelligence and social outcomes in a Hungarian twin sample

Most previous research found that within-family resemblance on social outcomes and intelligence is mostly due to genetic factors with a limited role of the shared environment, with the exception of educational attainment. Hypotheses about a gene-environment interaction with SES, with a presumably smaller role of genetic factors in families with low social status, have been only partially confirmed. However, these results do not necessarily generalize to all societies, and data from Central or Eastern European countries is currently deficient. In the current work we replicate using data from the Hungarian Twin Registry that intelligence, income, and educational attainment are substantially heritable, with limited role of the shared environment. In contrast to studies in Anglo-Saxon or Western European countries, we found an influence of the shared environment on standardized high school test scores, especially history. Both genetic and shared environmental (but not nonshared environmental) correlations were substantial, in line with generalist genes and shared environments but specific nonshared environmental effects. The results show that the heritability of social traits is observable in Central/Eastern Europe, but they highlight a potentially problematic aspect of Hungarian high school final tests, as students' family of origin appears to be a potent determinant of grades.

The Detection of Environmental Influences on Academic Achievement Appears to Depend on the Analytic Approach.

One long-standing analytic approach in adoption studies is to examine correlations between features of adoptive homes and outcomes of adopted children (hereafter termed 'measured environment correlations') to illuminate environmental influences on those associations. Although results from such studies have almost uniformly suggested modest environmental influences on adopted children's academic achievement, other work has indicated that adopted children's achievement is routinely higher than that of their reared-apart family members, often substantially so. We sought to understand this discrepancy. We examined academic achievement and literacy-promotive features of the home in 424 yoked adoptive/biological families participating in the Early Growth and Development Study (EGDS; i.e., adopted children, adoptive mothers, birth mothers, and biological siblings of the adopted children remaining in the birth homes) using an exhaustive modeling approach. Results indicated that, as anticipated, adopted children scored up to a full standard deviation higher on standardized achievement tests relative to their birth mothers and reared-apart biological siblings. Moreover, these achievement differences were associated with differences in the literacy-promotive features of the adoptive and birth family homes, despite minimal measured environment correlations within adoptive families. A subsequent simulation study highlighted noise in measured environmental variables as an explanation for the decreased utility of measured environment correlations. We conclude that the field's heavy focus on measured environment correlations within adoptive families may have obscured detection of specific environmental effects on youth outcomes, and that future adoption studies should supplement their measured environment analyses with mean differences between reared-apart relatives.

Environmental Unilateralism and the Chapeau of Article XX GATT: The ‘Line of Equilibrium’ and the Question of ‘Differently Situated’ Countries

The EU is adopting a set of unilateral trade-related measures that are designed to produce specific environmental effects. Increasing recourse to environmental leverage triggers an array of questions surrounding the treatment of ‘differently situated’ (including developing and least developed) countries. This article critically examines the extent to which the Chapeau (introductory clause) of Article XX GATT requires regulating Members to differentiate the treatment of ‘differently situated’ countries where the same relevant conditions prevail, or take their different prevailing conditions into account at the regulatory design or regulatory implementation stage. It finds that the dispute settlement organs’ narrow interpretative approach cannot do justice to the claims of ‘differently situated’ countries, but has several beneficial implications in environmental protection terms. As the climate crisis spirals out of control, the environmental cost of differentiation has become too high. Regulating Members should rather combine stringent unilateral standards with truly ambitious enabling and capacity-building strategies. Chapeau of Article XX GATT, Environmental Unilateralism, npr-PPMs, Anti- Deforestation Standards, CBAM, EU – Palm Oil, Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries, Arbitrary or Unjustifiable Discrimination, Line of Equilibrium

Life cycle assessment of a typical lead smelting process in China

The production of lead smelting in China has led to dangerous environmental contamination, which poses a continuous threat to human health and the ecosystem. To evaluate the specific environmental effects of lead smelting, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using Simapro 9.0 software in this study. A typical industrial area dominated by the lead smelting industry was chosen as the field data source, and more than 90% of the lead escape routes were found to produce water-quenched slag and zinc hypoxide during fuming. Furthermore, this work clarified the fates of the associated element elements and the key nodes of pollution. In addition, the ReCiPe H method was used to calculate normalized results with uncertainty information, revealing that marine ecotoxicity had the most significant impact, followed sequentially by freshwater ecotoxicity, human toxicity, human noncarcinogenicity, and terrestrial ecotoxicity. The processing plant played a significant role in environmental contamination according to a contribution analysis. Specifically, the purchased crude lead and the concentrated crude lead should be given close attention because they made the largest contributions to the pollution of each environment. According to a sensitivity analysis, improving the smelting efficiencies of heavy metals during smelting and reducing the direct discharge of industrial waste could effectively solve environmental problems.

A Multifunctional and Sustainable Pavement Material: Pervious Concrete

Pervious concrete (PC), as sustainable pavement material, has gained a lot of attention as a result of its specific environmental effects. This manuscript analyzes the advancements and state-of-the-art pertinent to PC research and practices. This review focuses on the utilization of various waste components (used as aggregate) in PC, its composition and specifications, mechanical strength and durability, pore properties and clogging behaviour; in-situ applications and the future scope of the material. The unique ability of PC addresses a number of environmental interests ex: ground water recharging, water runoff mitigation, controlled heat island effect, decrease in risk pertaining to flash flooding runoff, noise reduction, etc. The multitudinous benefits of PC paves a way for further investigations to understand the material functionality in a better way and make it a promising sustainable construction material in future.

Violet Phosphorus Quantum Dots as Distinguishable Environmental Biosensors

AbstractA molecular probe is demonstrated to be an effective semi‐invasive technique to measure the local environments of biomaterials. Environmental probes based on fluorescence intensity and lifetime are well studied as temperature sensors. However, usually both fluorescence intensity and lifetime of reported molecular probes depend on various local environments, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strength. It is a big challenge to distinguish the specific environmental effects on the fluorescence. Herein, the violet phosphorus quantum dots (VPQDs) are demonstrated to be effective fluorescence molecular probes to distinguish temperature or pH environment variation. The fluorescence intensity and bandwidth of VPQDs are demonstrated to be linearly correlated to a wide range of temperatures (283–363 K), while the fluorescence lifetime of VPQDs is demonstrated to be temperature‐independent. However, the fluorescence lifetime is demonstrated to be linearly correlated to pH value. Additionally, good water dispersibility, superior photo‐ and thermal stability, and excellent reversibility are also obtained by VPQDs. More importantly, the high sensitivity of fluorescence intensity to temperature instead of pH environments and the high sensitivity of fluorescence lifetime to pH environments instead of temperature allow VPQDs to be distinguishable biosensors to temperature and pH environments.

Comprehensive characterization of Echinochloa frumentacea leaf fiber as a novel reinforcement for composite applications

AbstractThe promising characteristic features of some natural plant fibers identified has driven many scientists/researchers to seek more plant fibers with good mechanical, thermal, tensile and surface properties. Plant fibers with such characteristics along with their renewable, degradable, eco‐friendly, cost‐effective nature could make them a probable competitor against synthetic ones, in many aspects. Since identification of novel plant fibers with superior quality is necessary at the moment in order to reduce the harmful effects of synthetic materials. Since the current study recognized a novel natural plant fiber from Echinochloa frumentacea and analyzed its efficiency for composite fabrication through various characterization practices. It was found from the physico‐chemical investigation that the fiber encloses with good crystallinity index (35.87%), cellulose content (60.31%) and relatively low density (896 ± 32.14 kg/m3). In fact, EFLF's has admirable thermal stability (330°C) and tensile strength (204.32 ± 14.25 MPa) designated its suitability for temperature varying environments. Conversely, the proposed fiber ensures good fiber‐matrix adhesion in spite of good surface roughness and decreased microfibrillar angle (9.27 ± 0.31°), noted by surface analysis. Hence, the current study recommends further utilization of EFLF as a reinforcing material with high specific qualities and low environmental effect, for composite manufacturing.

Characterization of Trophic Structure of Fish Assemblages in the East and South Seas of Korea Based on C and N Stable Isotope Ratios

The aim of this study was to assess seasonal variation in the food-web structure of fish assemblages in the East (two sites) and the South (one site) Seas of Korea, and to compare the isotopic niche areas between the regions. To do this, we analyzed the community structures and the δ13C and δ15N values for fish assemblages, and their potential food sources collected during May and October 2020. There were spatial differences in the diversity and dominant species of fish assemblages between the two seas. The fish assemblages in the South Sea had relatively wide ranges of δ13C and δ15N (−22.4‰ to −15.3‰ and 7.4‰ to 13.8‰, respectively) compared to those (−22.1‰ to −18.0‰ and 9.8‰ to 13.6‰, respectively) in the East Sea. The δ13C and δ15N values of suspended particulate organic matter, zooplankton, and fish assemblages differed significantly among sites and between seasons (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05, in all cases). Moreover, isotopic niche indices were relatively higher in the South Sea compared to those in the East Sea. Such differences in food-web characteristics among sites are likely due to the specific environmental effects (especially, major currents) on the differences in the species compositions and, therefore, their trophic relationships. Overall, these results allow for a deeper understanding of the changing trophic diversity and community structure of fish assemblages resulting from climate variability.

Exergy-Based Multi-Objective Optimization of an Organic Rankine Cycle with a Zeotropic Mixture.

In this paper, the performance of an organic Rankine cycle with a zeotropic mixture as a working fluid was evaluated using exergy-based methods: exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analyses. The effect of system operation parameters and mixtures on the organic Rankine cycle’s performance was evaluated as well. The considered performances were the following: exergy efficiency, specific cost, and specific environmental effect of the net power generation. A multi-objective optimization approach was applied for parametric optimization. The approach was based on the particle swarm algorithm to find a set of Pareto optimal solutions. One final optimal solution was selected using a decision-making method. The optimization results indicated that the zeotropic mixture of cyclohexane/toluene had a higher thermodynamic and economic performance, while the benzene/toluene zeotropic mixture had the highest environmental performance. Finally, a comparative analysis of zeotropic mixtures and pure fluids was conducted. The organic Rankine cycle with the mixtures as working fluids showed significant improvement in energetic, economic, and environmental performances.

Exploring efficient linear mixed models to detect quantitative trait locus-by-environment interactions.

Genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions are important for understanding genotype–phenotype relationships. To date, various statistical models have been proposed to account for G × E effects, especially in genomic selection (GS) studies. Generally, GS does not focus on the detection of each quantitative trait locus (QTL), while the genome-wide association study (GWAS) was designed for QTL detection. G × E modeling methods in GS can be included as covariates in GWAS using unified linear mixed models (LMMs). However, the efficacy of G × E modeling methods in GS studies has not been evaluated for GWAS. In this study, we performed a comprehensive comparison of LMMs that integrate the G × E modeling methods to detect both QTL and QTL-by-environment (Q × E) interaction effects. Model efficacy was evaluated using simulation experiments. For the fixed effect terms representing Q × E effects, simultaneous scoring of specific and nonspecific environmental effects was recommended because of the higher recall and improved genomic inflation factor value. For random effects, it was necessary to account for both G × E and genotype-by-trial (G × T) effects to control genomic inflation factor value. Thus, the recommended LMM includes fixed QTL effect terms that simultaneously score specific and nonspecific environmental effects and random effects accounting for both G × E and G × T. The LMM was applied to real tomato phenotype data obtained from two different cropping seasons. We detected not only QTLs with persistent effects across the cropping seasons but also QTLs with Q × E effects. The optimal LMM identified in this study successfully detected more QTLs with Q × E effects.

Effect of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Impaction of Lower Third Molars

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of genetic and environmental factors on the impaction of lower third molars using a classical twin study by evaluation of the third molar eruption space and M3 angulation. The study group consisted of 212 twins: 80 dizygotic and 132 monozygotic twins with digital panoramic radiograms and lateral cephalograms. The zygosity of twins was determined using 15 highly polymorphic DNA regions from the venous blood of twins. The results showed that differences between siblings in the dizygotic and monozygotic twin pairs were not statistically significant. The most fitting model for the angulations of lower third molars was AE (additive genetic and specific environmental effect), where the additive genetic factors had up to 88% influence and the specific environment up to 27%. Therefore, the ACE( additive genetic, common and specific environmental effect), model showed higher significance for the lower third molar eruption level where additive genetic estimates reached 71%, a specific environment contributed up to 15% and the common environment reached 32%. The conclusion was that a considerable proportion of the third molar impaction could be attributed to additive genetic effects and the common environment, whereas the specific environment had a lower, but significant impact.

Environmental impact of an aircraft engine with exergo-life cycle assessment on dynamic flight

The one of ways to moderat aviation emissions resulting from aircraft engines is to comprehend formation mechanism of environmental impacts. In this article, exergo-environmental aspects of Boeing-747 propulsion system (PW4000 turbofan) used in long range air transport is dealt with life cycle assesment method for eight different flight phases. Environmental impact regarding the turbofan engine and its components is calculated using Eco-indicator points per unit second (Pts/s). Results show that environmental impact related to exergy destruction for the combustor changes from 8.16 mPts/s (at cruise phase) to 24.35 mPts/s at (take-off phase), whereas its environmental impact related to component production and maintenance phases is found as 0.374 mPts/s. On the other hand, exergo-environmental factor of the whole PW4000 engine is calculated as the lowest with 15.83% and 17.22% at take off and climb-out phases, respectively. Moreover, a new environmental indicator, namely, specific thrust environmental effect index (mPts/kN.s) is defined in this study. In this context, environmental effect index of Fan and core specific thrust is estimated the lowest with 0.065 mPts/kN.s and 0.107 mPts/kN.s at cruise phase, respectively. Especially, take-off and climb out phases seem to be the two where the PW4000 behaviour affects environmental effect to the greatest degree. The reason for this could be attributed that these two phases have relatively higher thrust settings. However, considering cumulative environmental impact, cruise phase has the highest environmental impact from exhaust air of the Fan and core as 54.2 Pts and 74.41 Pts, respectively. Consequently, it is expected that the method used in present study could help comparing aircraft flight phases in terms of exergo based-environmental impact.

Risk Retirement—Decreasing Uncertainty and Informing Consenting Processes for Marine Renewable Energy Development

Marine renewable energy (MRE) is under development in many coastal nations, adding to the portfolio of low carbon energy sources that power national electricity grids as well as off-grid uses in isolated areas and at sea. Progress in establishing the MRE industry, largely wave and tidal energy, has been slowed in part due to uncertainty about environmental risks of these devices, including harm to marine animals and habitats, and the associated concerns of regulators and stakeholders. A process for risk retirement was developed to organize and apply knowledge in a strategic manner that considered whether specific environmental effects are likely to cause harm. The risk retirement process was tested against two key MRE stressors: effects of underwater noise from operational MRE devices on marine animals, and effects of electromagnetic fields from MRE electrical export cables on marine animals. The effects of installation of MRE devices were not accounted for in this analysis. Applying the risk retirement process could decrease the need for costly investigations of each potential effect at every new MRE project site and help move the industry beyond current barriers.

Mothers' distress exposure and children's withdrawn behavior - A moderating role for the Interferon Gamma gene (IFNG).

The dysregulation of the inflammatory response, including pro-inflammatory molecules, produces neuropsychiatric symptoms and depression-like behavior, including withdrawal from the physical and social environment. Genetic variants that enhance immune reactivity may thus increase inflammatory and withdrawn reactions to stress. Here we investigated a functional polymorphism of Interferon Gamma gene (IFNG+874 T>A, rs2430561) as moderator of the relationship between mothers' distress exposure and children's withdrawn behavior at preschool age. Participants were 198 Portuguese preschool children (mean age=57.98months). Exposure to mother's distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory, and withdrawn behavior with the Caregiver Teacher Report Form. All children provided saliva samples for genotyping. Contrary to expecations based on prior work, the rs2430561 AA genotype-not the T variant-interacted with (high levels of) mothers' distress exposure, to increase children's withdrawn behavior. No significant main effects were detected. The polymorphism in Interferon Gamma gene showed specific environmental stressor-dependent effects on withdrawn behavior during childhood, ones which are interpreted in light of the "behavioral immune system" hypothesis, and which proved inconsistent with diathesis-stress thinking.

The Brightest UV-selected Galaxies in Protoclusters at z ∼ 4: Ancestors of Brightest Cluster Galaxies?

We present the results of a survey of the brightest UV-selected galaxies in protoclusters. These proto-brightest cluster galaxy (proto-BCG) candidates are drawn from 179 overdense regions of $g$-dropout galaxies at $z\sim4$ from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program identified previously as good protocluster candidates. This study is the first to extend the systematic study of the progenitors of BCGs from $z\sim2$ to $z\sim4$. We carefully remove possible contaminants from foreground galaxies and, for each structure, we select the brightest galaxy that is at least 1 mag brighter than the fifth brightest galaxy. We select 63 proto-BCG candidates and compare their properties with those of galaxies in the field and those of other galaxies in overdense structures. The proto-BCG candidates and their surrounding galaxies have different rest-UV color $(i - z)$ distributions to field galaxies and other galaxies in protoclusters that do not host proto-BCGs. In addition, galaxies surrounding proto-BCGs are brighter than those in protoclusters without proto-BCGs. The image stacking analysis reveals that the average effective radius of proto-BCGs is $\sim28\%$ larger than that of field galaxies. The $i-z$ color differences suggest that proto-BCGs and their surrounding galaxies are dustier than other galaxies at $z\sim4$. These results suggest that specific environmental effects or assembly biasses have already emerged in some protoclusters as early as $z \sim 4$, and we suggest that proto-BCGs have different star formation histories than other galaxies in the same epoch.

TWIN STUDY OF AGGRESSIVENESS AND IMPULSIVENESS RELATIONSHIP

Aggressive and impulsive behaviors have shown sufficient genetic influences and high co-occurrence, thus the question is whether dispositions for these behaviors share unique genetic or environmental contributions. The aim of this research was to explore etiology of phenotypic relationships between aggressiveness and impulsiveness. More precisely, we tested which component of aggressiveness (affective, behavioral, or cognitive) shared the most underlying genetic and environmental influences with impulsiveness. There were applied Serbian adaptation of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire as a measure of three aggressiveness components, and Behavioral Activation System scale from the Revised Sensitivity Theory Questionnaire as a measure of impulsiveness, on a sample of 208 adult twin pairs (132 pairs were monozygotic). Results of a multivariate biometric method showed that the aggressiveness and impulsiveness could be explained by the common additive genetic (6% of impulsiveness and 16- 31% of aggressiveness components), and common non-shared environmental contributions (1% of impulsiveness and 11-47% of aggressiveness components), but those contributions were rather small. An affective component of aggressiveness (anger) showed the most genetic similarity with impulsiveness, indicating that the lack of anger and behavior regulation shared partially the same genetic basis. However, aggressiveness and impulsiveness contained a larger proportion of the specific genetic and environmental effects, which confirmed a distinction between these phenomena.

Genetic and environmental influences on third molar root mineralization

ObjectiveTo assess the genetic and environmental influences on the variability of human third molar (M3) root mineralization stages via a twin study. DesignThe study sample consisted of 162 same-sex twins (66 dizygotic and 96 monozygotic, mean age: 17.9 years) with normal growth and development. Panoramic radiographs were evaluated to assess root mineralization stages of the upper and lower third molars, using the method of Demirijian et al. (1973). Zygosity was established using 15 specific DNA markers. ResultsFemales developed their third molar roots earlier in life than males. Monozygotic twins (MZ) demonstrated higher intra-pair correlations for M3 root development stages than did DZ twins. An ACE model with additive genes, as well as common and specific environmental factors, provided the best explanation of variation in M3 root development. The mineralization of M3 roots showed highly additive genetic determination, varying from 60 to 63%, whereas a common environment contributed from 25 to 27%, and a specific environment only accounted 14% of the total variation, at most. ConclusionsA considerable proportion of the total variability of the third molar root mineralization rate can be attributed to additive genetic effects, while common and specific environmental effects have a smaller, yet significant, impact.

Mitigating tourism-driven impacts on mangroves in Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Mexico: an evaluation of conservation policy strategies and environmental planning instruments

The characteristics and patterns of tourism-driven impacts on mangroves are considerable, but still poorly understood. Therefore, this paper focuses on Mexico’s prime holiday destination to shed light on the specific environmental effects of high-end tourist development. It also evaluates the context-specific and structural challenges that conservation strategies and measures recently-applied to mitigate tourism-related environmental degradation of mangroves face. Fieldwork conducted from 2013 to 2015 was based on in-depth interviews with experts and mapping. Results show that the implementation of legal norms and environmental planning has not impeded the progressive deterioration of mangroves. Complex, self-reinforcing impacts due to site-specific natural conditions and vulnerability to encroachments, political priorities at the local and regional levels, poor integration of environmental policies, the predominance of private land tenure, and the prohibition of retroactive legislation, coupled with weak law enforcement, continue to thwart efforts to conserve the remaining mangroves. Thus, reconciling the long-term conservation of highly-vulnerable wetlands with a fast-growing tourism sector remains a difficult task, as comprehensive legal frameworks and detailed spatial environmental planning at the national and regional levels encounter considerable obstacles when attempts are made to implement them at the local level.

Regional Variation in Changes in Agricultural Production in Poland in the Context of Environmental Impact

Abstract Subject and purpose of work: Agricultural production activity brings about specific environmental effects. The aim of the study was to analyse changes in agricultural production in regions of Poland (NUTS-2) in the context of environmental impact using the gross nitrogen balance. Materials and methods: The analysis covered the medium-term perspective of 2001-2016. The primary source of information was statistical data of the Polish Central Statistical Office (Główny Urząd Statystyczny - GUS). Results: During the 2002-2004 period, the balance of gross nitrogen balance in Poland did not change and amounted to an average of 47.5 kg N∙ha-1 UAA (Utilized Agricultural Area). The progressive extensification of plant production in the following provinces: Slaskie, Malopolskie, Podkarpackie and Swietokrzyskie, is accompanied by a rapid reduction in the stocking density of livestock. Conclusions: The nitrogen balance, highly differentiated regionally, just as its individual elements, show the potential differentiation scale of the agricultural impact on the state of the environment. Very high balance surpluses occurring in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie and Wielkopolskie provinces may indicate high environmental pressure from the agricultural production.