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Culicoides biting midges are small dipterous insects known as biological vectors of arboviruses, protozoa, and filaria parasites worldwide. Many studies on Culicoides focus on trapping them at ground level, without considering the best trap heights for different vector species. This implies that we might overlook insects positioned higher in the canopy. From June to August, we used UV traps to catch Culicoides biting midges at three different heights in three temperate mature forest areas in east Lithuania, Baltic region of Europe. We conducted this study to test the differences in midge numbers, male and female proportions, and female parity at each height. We caught the majority of biting midges (80.6%) at the mid-canopy and high-canopy. A higher number of female Culicoides midges than males was caught, with the proportion of males varying based on height and reaching its lowest point at ground level. No significant difference between the proportion of nulliparous and parous females caught at different height was detected. Culicoides pictipennis and C. festivipennis were the most common species of biting midge we found. They were found in the mid-canopy (86.8%) and the high-canopy (50.0%), respectively. Culicoides kibunensis was next, found at ground level (66.2%), and C. punctatus was found at the high canopy strata (63.0%). Each species' abundance was seasonal dependent. Information on the vertical distribution of vector species in the temperate forest ecosystem is an important step in understanding patterns of vector borne disease transmission in wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precipitation and raindrop size distribution (RSD) characteristics of the four seasons and different rain types were studied using a PARSIVEL2 raindrop disdrometer set in the southwest mountain areas of China from 2019 to 2021. The seasonal precipitation in the southwest mountain areas was mainly stratiform rain. The peaks of the RSD were about 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those in the plains. The convective rain in spring and autumn was very close to the ocean-like convective mass. The local shape–slope (μ–Λ), radar reflectivity–rain rate (Z–R), and kinetic energy–rain rate (KE–R) relationships were further derived, and the diversity of these relationships was mainly due to the variability of the RSDs. In addition, the differences in the RSD characteristics between the top and the foot of the mountain during a typical precipitation process in the summer of 2020 were further compared. It was found that the number density of the small particles at the top of the mountain was higher than that at the foot of the mountain due to the broken large raindrops caused by the high wind speed, while the high evaporation rate, strong convective available potential energy (CPAE), and water vapor content at the foot of the mountain could strengthen the RSD, making the number density of the large raindrops at the foot of the mountain higher than that at the top. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the chemical structural differences of key components at varying bamboo heights enhances knowledge of its biological properties and adaptive mechanisms, promoting its high-value utilization. In this study, lignin and lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC) were extracted from the base, middle, and top sections of bamboo culms, and the chemical composition, micro-regional distribution, and structural characteristics of key components were analyzed. Results showed that both lignin and hemicellulose contents followed the trend: top > base > middle. The size and number of fiber cells decreased progressively from the base to the top, with lignin content most abundant in the cellular tissues at the top, where the S/G structural unit ratio was also the highest. Lignin-ferulic acid (FA)-carbohydrate complexes were identified as major recalcitrant structures in LCCs across different bamboo heights. These findings offer key insights into the chemical structural differences of lignin and LCCs at various bamboo heights, providing a scientific foundation for understanding bamboo's biological characteristics and facilitating its high-value applications. [Display omitted] • Lignin content follows the order: top > base > middle. • The size and quantity of fiber cells gradually decrease from base to top. • The S/G ratio is highest in the lignin of the top bamboo stalk. • Differences in FA and pCA linkages affect the thermal stability of LCC. • Structural differences in lignin and LCC in bamboo at various heights are clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of five different hues of blue colored basin traps at different heights on capture rates of Tropinota (Epicometis) hirta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) adults in a cherry garden in Çanakkale (Ezine-Akköy) province, was investigated. Basin traps, which were painted with blue colors coded as #B4C8E1, #C4D5E3, #A6CDE3, #4D9AC9 and #05467A, and made from 35x25x15 cm sized basins, were used to capture T. hirta adults. The trial was conducted on a 21 da cherry orchard with 5 years old Regina cultivar trees on Maxima 14 rootstock. It was planned with three repetitions, traps were mounted on platforms on wooden stakes placed between two trees with 10 m space with other traps at three different heights as; on ground level (0 cm), on 50 cm and 100 cm from ground level, on 22 March, 15 days before the trees bloomed with a total of 45 traps. The basin traps were filled with 1/3 of water and licensed attractants (100 mg Trans-Anethol + 100 mg Cinnamyl Alcohol) are added to the traps. The samplings were done with an interval of 2 days and the adults caught in the traps were recorded. The adult flight period was determined from the number of T. hirta adults caught in different blue colored traps at three heights. A total of 3828 adults were captured in all traps. 73.45% of the total adults caught in the traps were found before flowering period (before April 7th). The difference between the numbers of adults caught in traps at three heights was statistically significant. Highest number of adults was caught on the ground level (0 cm) in the #C4D5E3 code trap (429 adults) and this trap was followed by the trap #B4C8E1 at 50 cm height (384 adults). The number of adults caught by all traps at 100 cm height was lower than the other two heights. As a result, traps color and heights were found to be different in catching T. hirta adults in cherry orchard. With these results in mind, there is a strong possibility to use #C4D5E3 coded traps (Light grayish blue) successfully in cherry orchards against T. hirta adults in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Using magnet fins as a reasonable storage material in a conical solar distiller enhance heat transfer, increase water productivity, and offer cost-effectiveness. • Accumulative productivity has an improving rate for CSD-MF-2, CSD-MF-1.5, CSD-MF-1, and CSD-MF-0.5 about 44.54, 32.73, 25.45 and 16.36 respectively. • System efficiency improving rate for CSD-MF-2, CSD-MF-1.5, CSD-MF-1, and CSD-MF-0.5 about 43.07, 31.79, 29.8 and 24.49%, respectively over the traditional one (TCSD). • CSD-MF-2 has the best performance with daily productivity of 7.95 L/m2/day and average system efficiency of 42.2 %. This paper presents a comparative experimental analysis aimed at improving the production of drinking water from conical solar distillers using magnet fins as a low-cost and efficient storage material. Cylindrical magnet fins with a diameter of 1.6 cm were strategically placed at various heights (2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1 cm, and 0.5 cm) with a spacing of 5 cm on the absorber plate to increase the absorption area and heat transfer to the basin water. Three modules were tested under identical conditions over a two-day period with a fixed water depth of 2 cm (corresponding to the maximum magnet fin height). On the first day, the Traditional Conical Solar Distiller (TCSD), the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 2 cm (CSD-MF-2), and the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 1.5 cm (CSD-MF-1.5) were evaluated. On the second day, the TCSD, the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 1 cm (CSD-MF-1), and the Conical Solar Distiller with Magnet Fins at a height of 0.5 cm (CSD-MF-0.5) were tested. The results showed that the daily water yield from the TCSD at a water depth of 2 cm was 5.50 L, whereas the conical solar distillers with magnet fins at heights of 2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1 cm, and 0.5 cm produced 7.95 L, 7.30 L, 6.90 L, and 6.40 L, respectively. Consequently, the utilization of magnet fins led to a significant improvement in distiller productivity, with the best configuration being the CSD-MF-2 with a height of 2 cm, resulting in a 44.54 % increase in yield with an average overall efficiency about 42.2 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term decreasing trends of near‐surface wind speed (SWS) have been well demonstrated in China, and at the same time the factors causing the slowdown in SWS have also been explored. However, changes in wind speed and pressure gradient force (PGF) at higher elevations have received little attention. In this paper, the spatio‐temporal changes of wind speed and PGF at different heights were explored in eastern China during the period 1980–2011, and the potential causes inducing the changes of wind speed were analysed. The results included that the reduction in wind speed emerged from the near surface to 300 hPa, while the PGF also exhibited a synchronous reduction. The influence of PGF on the decrease of wind speed was relative smaller at near surface than that at higher levels (850–300 hPa). At the near surface, 71.8% of changes in annual mean SWS could be attributed to the changes of PGF, in which the seasonal difference of the influence of PGF on wind speed was less than 7.0%. At the higher levels, most of the changes in wind speed (>90%) was induced by PGF, in which the seasonal difference of the influence of PGF was less than 1.0%. Furthermore, the changes of PGF in eastern China could be mainly influenced by both the Northern Hemisphere annular mode (NAM) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The NAM could affect the inter‐annual and inter‐decadal changes of PGF, and the effects of NAM played more significant role on the inter‐annual scale than that on the inter‐decadal scale. At the same time, the correlation between NAM and PGF increased with height. Otherwise, the PDO mainly affected the inter‐decadal changes of PGF, and their correlation decreased with height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was to investigate the feeding quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) straw at different cutting heights and the related stem morphological traits. Wuyujing 3, Yangfujing 8 and Liangyoupeijiu in 2010, and Wuyujing 3, Nanjing 44, Nanjing 46, and Liangyoupeijiu in 2011 were used in this study. In 2010, we investigated the feeding quality related traits (such as nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), crude protein (CP), hemicelluloses and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents) of rice straw among three cutting heights 10cm, 20cm and 30cm. In 2011, we investigated the nutrient contents (such as NSC, CP, hemicelluloses and ADF contents and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD)) of leaf, sheath and stem in the top 1st, 2nd and 3rd nodes and the stem morphological characteristics by free hand sections. The results in 2010 indicated that the NSC content of rice straw at 10cm cutting height was higher than that at 20cm and 30cm cutting heights, CP content of rice straw at 10cm cutting height was lower than that at 20cm and 30cm cutting heights, hemicelluloses and ADF contents were not significantly different among 3 cutting heights. The results of 2011 indicated that the NSC content in stem of the top 3rd node was much higher than that in the 2nd and 1st node, and higher than that in leaf and sheath of the same node. CP content in leaf was much higher than that in stem and sheath. Hemicelluloses content in leaf and sheath was higher than that in stem, and ADF content was higher in sheath than that in leaf and stem, but all not significantly (p >0.05). IVDMD of stem was higher than leaf and sheath. Those results could explain the feeding quality differences of rice straw at different cutting heights. Wall thickness (WT) and the parenchyma area percentage of stem were significantly positively correlated with NSC content and IVDMD (p <0.05), which could be used as selection traits for more digestible rice straw. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Aims: Airborne pollen is an important source of allergens in a number of allergic diseases. Data on the concentrations of pollen at different heights in the air are scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate different types and numbers of airborne pollen and their seasonal variation at different heights in the urban area of Shenzhen (China) and their associations with meteorological factors. Methods: The concentration of airborne pollen at different heights was monitored with Burkard traps from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007, in Shenzhen; the results were analyzed with SAS 9.13 software. Results: In total, 1,095 films (at 3 heights, 365 films at each height) were exposed throughout the year, and 48 families and 85 genera of pollen taxa were identified. The total pollen count was 55,830 grains (25,204 grains at 1.5 m; 16,218 grains at 35 m, and 14,408 grains at 70 m); pollen grains were present in the atmosphere throughout the year, with two peaks of airborne pollen: one peak in February to April and the other in September to November. Conclusions: On the basis of our local investigations, the pollen concentrations and the pollen types in the air decrease gradually with increasing height. The distribution and concentrations of airborne pollen at different heights in the atmosphere were influenced by composite factors such as the season and meteorological factors. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bacterial community was analyzed in IC reactor for brewery wastewater treatment. • Proteobacteria , Bacteroidetes , Chloroflexi were dominant phyla in IC reactor. • Longilinea , Desulfomicrobium , Caldithrix and Geobacter were abundant genera. • COD and BOD removal efficiency of IC reactor were > 80% for brewery wastewater. This study analyzed bacterial community structure for large-scale brewery wastewater treatment at different heights in internal circulation (IC) reactor. Proteobacteria , Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi were dominant bacteria, which accounted for 64.17%, 64.04%, 59.87% and 55.79% in phylum level, respectively. The unidentified bacteria were accounted for a large proportion in genus level, available data showed that Longilinea , Desulfomicrobium , Caldithrix , Geobacter and Syntrophorhabdus were relatively abundant. Organic fermentation, hydrolysis, and acidification were mainly completed at the bottom, and production of hydrogen and methane were completed in the upper and middle part of reactor. Alpha diversity and cluster distance analysis showed the bacterial community could be divided into bottom, middle and upper part of IC reactor. The IC reactor possessed the COD Cr removal efficiency of 80% − 84.09%, and BOD 5 of 77.50% − 86% for brewery wastewater. This study would provide bacterial analysis references of IC reactor for industrial wastewater treatment in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]