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The Ising model, initially proposed about 100 years ago to explain ferromagnetism and phase transitions, has become a central pillar of statistical physics and a powerful tool for diverse applications in other fields including environmental studies. In this paper, we introduce continuous spin values between −1 and +1 to a two-dimensional Ising model and utilize the generalized Ising lattice to simulate the dynamics of sea ice/water transition for a large area of 1500 km by 1500 km in the Arctic region. The simulation process follows the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and incorporates an innovative factor to account for the inertia of spin value changes. Using the sea ice concentration data collected by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, our results exhibit striking similarity between the simulated and the observed ice melting and freezing dynamics, and two numerical measures from the simulation—the ice coverage percentage and the ice extent—match closely with the data statistics. Moreover, the model's best-fit parameters demonstrate the substantial impact of the external forces, which can be further enriched and linked to the environmental factors in other climate change research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As wildfires become more frequent and severe, efforts to improve the resilience of forests must be grounded in data and led by Indigenous Peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic libraries are entering a new reality for collections and resource sharing due to the increased acquisition of electronic books, or ebooks, during the last decade. The need to interlibrary loan (ILL) ebooks will likely increase based on current purchasing trends, but how well are we prepared for this future? Important advancements are underway, but ILL for ebooks is hampered by restrictive licensing models, resource sharing systems, and current practices. This study provides an environmental scan of the current acquisitions and ILL practices of academic libraries. This paper guides academic libraries through these conversations so that they can support the borrowing and lending of ebooks into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction Methods Findings Conclusions This article explores my journey as a Samoan woman who migrated as a young mother to Aotearoa‐New Zealand, completed nursing qualifications, later specialising in mental health nursing, and eventually completed doctoral studies. Since July 2023 I have been a Lecturer in the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Environmental Studies, Auckland University of Technology.This article uses autoethnographic and narrative methods to collect data from my own life, to explore the experiences of Samoan people in the mental health system of Aotearoa‐New Zealand. Criteria for reporting qualitative research was used to prepare the paper.My story showcases the benefits of having both clinical and cultural understandings in the context of mental health care in Aotearoa‐New Zealand. The gap between the rhetoric and the reality of the ‘New Zealand dream’ for Samoan people mirrors the gap between policy and practice in relation to Pacific strategy plans for mental health care.By writing about my experiences, I aim to support better understanding of core concerns for Samoan people when they are engaging with mental healthcare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior. Evidence suggests that environmental pollutants are associated with ASD incidence. This review aimed to analyze the effect of environmental pollutants on ASD. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies evaluated the association between exposure to environmental pollutants and ASD. We searched COCHRANE CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and gray literature from inception to January 2023. The model used for meta-analysis was inverse variance heterogeneity (IVhet). The effect measures were the beta coefficient (β) and the relative risk (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Sensitivity analyses were carried out using an instrument to screen or diagnose autism. Results: A total of 5,780 studies were identified; 27 were included in the systematic review, and 22 were included in the meta-analysis. These studies included 1,289,183 participants and 129 environmental pollutants. Individual meta-analyses found a significant association between nitrogen dioxide RR = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.38; I2: 91%), copper RR = 1.08 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.13; I2: 0%), mono-3-carboxy propyl phthalate β = 0.45 (95% CI: 0.20 to 0.70; I2: 0%), monobutyl phthalate β = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.73; I2: 0%) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 138 RR = 1.84 (95% CI: 1.14 to 2.96; I2:0%) with ASD. Subgroup meta-analyses found a significant association with carbon monoxide RR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.25 to 1.97; I2: 0%), nitrogen oxides RR = 1.09 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.15; I2: 34%) and metals RR = 1.13 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.27; I2:24%). Conclusion: This study found positive associations nitrogen dioxide, copper, mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate, monobutyl phthalate, and PCB 138, and the development of ASD, likewise, with subgroups of pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and metals. Therefore, it is important to identify these risk factors in children and adolescents to contribute to ASD and identify prevention strategies effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a collection of abstracts from various scientific journals and publications related to ecological restoration. The abstracts cover a range of topics, including climate change, coastal and marine communities, ecological design, economics and ecosystem services, grasslands, invasive and pest species, lakes, rivers, and streams, and monitoring and adaptive management. Each abstract summarizes a specific study or research project, providing key findings and implications for ecological restoration practices. These abstracts serve as valuable resources for library patrons conducting research on these specific topics. The given text consists of summaries of various research articles related to different topics. The first article discusses the applicability of MarECAT, a marine system assessment tool developed for Australia, to marine systems worldwide. The second article explores the potential for restoring biodiversity in karstic mining regions using small-scale mining sites in Croatia. The third article compares the response of red spruce plantings on legacy coal mines and old-field restoration sites in West Virginia. The fourth article focuses on the importance of habitat networks for endangered butterflies in anthropogenic landscapes. The fifth article discusses the underutilization of biotelemetry for fisheries management in European waters. The sixth article highlights the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a molecular tool for the conservation and restoration of riverine diversity. The seventh article examines the transition from shifting cultivation to indigenous agroforestry as a nature-based solution for land restoration in the Indian Eastern Himalayas. The eighth article investigates the rapid responses of bees, butterflies, and birds [Extracted from the article]

The Biomedical Imaging and Therapy facility of the Canadian Light Source comprises two beamlines, which together cover a wide X‐ray energy range from 13 keV up to 140 keV. The beamlines were designed with a focus on synchrotron applications in preclinical imaging and veterinary science as well as microbeam radiation therapy. While these remain a major part of the activities of both beamlines, a number of recent upgrades have enhanced the versatility and performance of the beamlines, particularly for high‐resolution microtomography experiments. As a result, the user community has been quickly expanding to include researchers in advanced materials, batteries, fuel cells, agriculture, and environmental studies. This article summarizes the beam properties, describes the endstations together with the detector pool, and presents several application cases of the various X‐ray imaging techniques available to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inform the clinical practice guidelines' recommendations developed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology systematic reviews (SR) assessed using GRADE on the impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and active smoking on the risk of new‐onset asthma/recurrent wheezing (RW)/low lung function (LF), and on asthma‐related outcomes. Only longitudinal studies were included, almost all on combustion cigarettes, only one assessing e‐cigarettes and LF. According to the first SR (67 studies), prenatal ETS increases the risk of RW (moderate certainty evidence) and may increase the risk of new‐onset asthma and of low LF (low certainty evidence). Postnatal ETS increases the risk of new‐onset asthma and of RW (moderate certainty evidence) and may impact LF (low certainty evidence). Combined in utero and postnatal ETS may increase the risk of new‐onset asthma (low certainty evidence) and increases the risk of RW (moderate certainty evidence). According to the second SR (24 studies), ETS increases the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and impairs asthma control and LF (moderate certainty evidence). According to the third SR (25 studies), active smoking increases the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and of suboptimal asthma control (moderate certainty evidence) and may impact asthma‐related quality‐of‐life and LF (low certainty evidence). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this article, we explore why dairy science, technology, and innovation will for the foreseeable future remain important, and some of the future trends we can expect in the field. Given the nutrient richness and density of milk, its ubiquitous production and utility of use to produce foods and food ingredients, dairy will almost certainly continue to play an important role in diets and the global food system. Annual milk production at over 900 billion litres represents approximately 8% of total food biomass but has a disproportionate contribution to global nutrient provision. The value of the global dairy market will reach over $860 billion in 2024, employing approximately 240 million people, and supporting the livelihoods of up to one billion. The importance and long history of dairy has fuelled a vast amount of research in dairy science and technology with hundreds of thousands of papers published in the field. Given the amount of existing dairy science and technology is there anything significant left to be done? However, with advances in numerous other fields such as materials, biology and biochemistry, analytical technology, computing technology, etc., the opportunities in dairy science and technology also advance. Future innovations in the dairy sector will include those relating to environmental science and technology, the food matrix, foods tailored to diets for life stages and lifestyles, developments based on our expanding knowledge of microbiomes, and new opportunities from the use of AI. Dairy is the target for technology‐enabled disruption by those looking to produce substitute products. Some of the technologies to produce dairy alternatives will feature in the future of dairy innovation but the impact is more likely to complement rather than disrupt the dairy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of Africa's illegal mining operations are conducted in rural areas, but along the Red Sea coast, they primarily occur in the Eastern Desert, where they are regarded as the major source of revenue. Soil samples were collected and examined at an illegal gold mining site in the far south of Egypt's Eastern Desert to determine the toxicity levels of eight heavy metals for pollution load index (PLI), Igeo, and health (Au, Ag, As, Hg, Ni, Cr, Zn, and Pb). The methodology used in this study was categorized into fieldwork with restricted rules within the visit, soil samples collected from the field, chemical analyses for heavy metals, and statistical analyses by applying six equations to define the environmental status of the study area. It was found that the PLI increases contamination as an environmental risk grade, Igeo, reaches grade 6, which is highly contaminated, and the average hazard index (HI) for the individual elements is high (>0.01). The health risk assessment results for Ni and Cr showed that oral intake was the main mode of exposure to heavy metals in the tailings of illegal mines. In addition, the average levels of As, Hg, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn were higher than the equivalent background levels for soils. Thus, adult cancer risk (CR) exceeds the permissible level of 10−4. The illicit mining activities in the Eastern Desert also resulted in heavy metal contamination with substantial noncarcinogenic hazards for As and Zn, necessitating urgent remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taphonomy studies the environmental effects on remains from the time of deposition to the time of recovery and has been integrated into the field of forensic anthropology. The changes to skeletal remains are dependent on the method of disposal and the surrounding environment. This study focused on buried remains where the type and chemical composition of the soil and the microorganisms present need to be considered. The aim was to investigate the type, frequency, and correlations of the taphonomic alterations of buried domestic pigs. Six taphonomic alterations were observed which included depositional staining, adipocere formation, bone weathering, acidic soil corrosion, and plant, and animal activity. Depositional staining, weathering and plant activity were the most common alterations followed by adipocere which was present on 92.3% of the remains. The bones were mostly stained dark brown and brown; however, the trunk region was the only region to present with black staining. The right sides were darker than the left due to the body positioning as most pigs were placed on their right sides and thus were in direct contact with the cadaver decomposition island. Additionally, the right sides presented with more adipocere as well as increased plant activity suggesting that the soil retained water. Darker stains were correlated with a more complete skeleton as adipocere provides some protection. The study confirms that there are various complicated relationships between different taphonomic alterations. A good understanding of them is needed in forensic anthropology to assist in reconstructing the events that occur after death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the concept of U.S. vertical power and its effects on the expansion of the United States, with a focus on underground spaces and temporalities. It specifically explores the relationship between mining, Indigenous lands, and colonial authority. The article argues that mining was not only a means of extracting minerals, but also a tactic used to violently maintain control over Native American lands. It also discusses the long-term perspectives of U.S. empire and the lasting consequences of short-term thinking. The example of Elk Mountain in Colorado is used to illustrate these arguments. The article concludes by highlighting the connection between mining and militarism, as well as the role of miners in expanding U.S. power. [Extracted from the article]

Snow cover is an important source of data for the study of environmental pollution due to its ability to accumulate atmospheric dust particles. A total reflection x‐ray fluorescence method (TXRF) was applied to assess the concentration levels of potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, V, Mn, and Sr) in samples of snow cover solid phase collected in suburban areas of the Irkutsk region with industrial activity. Suspension was chosen as an optimal sample preparation procedure for solid phases of snow samples obtained after melting and filtration. Results were compared with those obtained by wavelength‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Precision of TXRF results expressed by repeatability values was not exceeded 15% (n = 3) for most of the elements, and the trueness of the TXRF method expressed by recovery values was in the range of 87%–115% for concentration levels of 5.0–350 μg/g. Forty samples of snow cover solid phase were analyzed by TXRF method and results were compared with the background values. The investigation showed low contamination of the studied area by Pb, Cu, V, Mn, and Sr, medium contamination by Ni, As, and Cr, and high contamination by Zn. TXRF is advantageous in being rapid, cost‐efficient, and simple and can be used as a promising method for an assessment of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates methane emissions in the mangrove forests of Xuan Thuy National Park in Vietnam, examining seasonal variations and the influence of environmental factors. Data from the field measurements present methane flux rates ranging from 0.01 to 10.42 mg m-2 day-1, are substantially lower than the default estimations recommended by IPCC guidelines. The study highlights discrepancies between actual field measurements and suggested default values, emphasizing the necessity for site-specific monitoring to avoid overestimating greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in mangrove areas. The analysis reveals strong correlations between methane flux and environmental parameters. Factors such as water pH, turbidity, temperature, and nitrogen content significantly influence methane emissions. The study emphasizes the interconnectedness of various greenhouse gas emissions within mangrove ecosystems and underlines the importance of accurate, location-specific data in environmental assessments and policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This bibliometric study employs a rigorous approach to scrutinize and visually represent the existing body of literature on indoor air quality (IAQ). Utilizing the Scopus collection database, we conducted an exhaustive exploration of published research literature in the IAQ field. The study involves a thorough visual analysis using Harzing's Publish and Perish and VOSviewer software programs, examining parameters such as citations, publication year, journals, authors, research institutions, countries, and research topics. A total of 1729 pieces of literature related to IAQ research from 2018 to 2023 were retrieved. The dominant formats were articles and conference papers, underscoring their significance in IAQ documentation. Primary subject areas included "Engineering" and "Environmental Science," highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of IAQ studies. The upward trend in IAQ publications, reaching 330 articles in 2023, emphasizes the growing importance of this field. However, citation impact varied, emphasizing the need to assess research quality alongside quantity. Global distribution identified leading countries, including the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, which were also top contributors in co‐authorship and country‐level analyses. The top journals were "Building and Environment" and "Sustainable Cities and Society," showcasing varying publication and citation powers. Notable impactful articles in the IAQ domain were led by Agarwal et al. and Van Tran, Park, and Lee. Keyword co‐occurrence analysis identified thematic clusters, with keywords such as "Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)," "Air Quality," and "Indoor Air Pollution" dominating the literature. Through a comprehensive analysis of published literature, this study provides a visual representation of studies with significant contributions to the IAQ field, offering insights into its development and changes from 2018 to 2023. The findings also guide future IAQ research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of materials and constructive systems for the conservation and preservation of architectural heritage is of great relevance in the case of the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a World Heritage Site since 1987. This palatial complex stands out for its plasterwork decorations and this work aims to study the most significant anomaly: the detachment of all the pineapples presented on the sebka surfaces. The present study focused on the organoleptic inspection of pineapples, together with a planimetric survey and the study of their environmental conditions. The study developed has allowed (i) to establish the hypothesis of the different fixation systems used over time; (ii) to identify anomalies present in decorative pineapples; and (iii) to analyse recent emergency actions undertaken in the pineapples to prevent their detachment. The results obtained represent novel information of historical, artistic, and constructive interest in these ornamental pieces in plaster, useful for future conservation and restoration interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In three foothill regions of Armenia - marzes (provinces) of Lori, Kotayk and Tavush, comprehensive research was conducted to study the total levels of organochlorine pesticides (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, 4,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, 4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, 4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane) in environmental objects and human biological media (2013-2018). An assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental status and possible adverse health effects of organochlorine pesticides on the population in regions with diverse agricultural activities. The levels of organochlorine pesticides were studied in surface waters, soil, coastal silt, as well as in plant agricultural products in dynamics (spring, summer, fall). The content of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk samples of mothers from studied regions was also determined. Material and methods: The determination of organochlorine pesticides was carried out by gas-liquid chromatography with an electron capture detector on a Perkin-Elmer F-17 gas chromatograph (Great Britain). Results: A comparative analysis of the studied regions showed that the levels of organochlorine pesticides in environmental objects did not differ significantly. In all regions, the same pattern was observed - concentrations of organochlorine pesticides increased in the summer-fall period in the following environmental order: surface water - soil - coastal silt. In Kotayk marz, compared to Lori and Tavush, residues of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane were determined with high frequency in almost all environmental objects studied, mainly in soil samples - up to 60%. The average total content of organochlorine pesticides in agricultural products, as well as in breast milk samples, was significantly higher, p=0.03-0.001 and p=0.0003-0.00003, respectively. Additionally, the highest number of samples showing the simultaneous presence of all studied organochlorine pesticides (3-4 compounds) was noted in Kotayk, accounting for 24%. This indicates the levels of load and a kind of "contamination" of the human organism with these compounds. Conclusion: The study results are an important contribution to the available information on organochlorine pesticides. They highlight the importance of conducting regular monitoring of the environment and biomedia to assess the pollution levels with organochlorine compounds. This is crucial for understanding trends in the dynamics of target indicators in certain regions of Armenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains have socio-economic and environmental importance for the entire world, and they are also one of the regions most threatened by global change. As mountains are systems in which the human and nature dimensions are tightly interconnected, studying them as social–ecological systems (SES) is increasingly common. To date, a variety of approaches and frameworks have been used to study mountain SES, making comparisons across mountain areas challenging. In this paper, we use Ostrom's SES framework to review the mountain SES peer-reviewed literature under a common scope, aiming at unraveling which frameworks, approaches, domains, sectors, and elements are studied by researchers. Among the 169 reviewed manuscripts, only 28% of them employed a framework to study their system, and custom-made frameworks were preferred over existing ones. Although most research articles were in the domain of environmental sciences, socio-economic attributes were included more often than ecological ones, and more than 30% did not combine social and ecological information. Moreover, albeit most manuscripts had an empirical approach, field data were seldomly used. Future works should focus on collecting social and ecological data at comparable scales, as well as on developing tools to effectively integrate both dimensions in mountain SES studies. Finally, we examine components of mountain socio-ecological systems commonly addressed in literature, highlighting important elements for overall and sector-specific sustainability. Regarding social aspects, understanding local inhabitants' diverse perspectives and socioeconomic context is crucial. In terms of ecological elements, describing climatic patterns and ecosystem history is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Administration of a new drug candidate in a first‐in‐human (FIH) clinical trial is a particularly challenging phase in drug development and is especially true for immunomodulators, which are a diverse and complex class of drugs with a broad range of mechanisms of action and associated safety risks. Risk is generally greater for immunostimulators, in which safety concerns are associated with acute toxicity, compared to immunosuppressors, where the risks are related to chronic effects. Current methodologies for FIH dose selection for immunostimulators are focused primarily on identifying the minimum anticipated biological effect level (MABEL), which has often resulted in sub‐therapeutic doses, leading to long and costly escalation phases. The Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) – Immuno‐Safety Technical Committee (ITC) organized a project to address this issue through two complementary approaches: (i) an industry survey on FIH dose selection strategies and (ii) detailed case studies for immunomodulators in oncology and non‐oncology indications. Key messages from the industry survey responses highlighted a preference toward more dynamic PK/PD approaches as in vitro assays are seemingly not representative of true physiological conditions for immunomodulators. These principles are highlighted in case studies. To address the above themes, we have proposed a revised decision tree, which expands on the guidance by the IQ MABEL Working Group (Leach et al. 2021). This approach facilitates a more refined recommendation of FIH dose selection for immunomodulators, allowing for a nuanced consideration of their mechanisms of action (MOAs) and the associated risk‐to‐benefit ratio, among other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though geologists have rejected the designation of an Anthropocene epoch, the idea of a major planetary transition in the mid-twentieth century remains useful across physical and social sciences, the humanities and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political responses to the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in city soundscapes around the globe. From March to October 2020, a consortium of 261 contributors from 35 countries brought together by the Silent Cities project built a unique soundscape recordings collection to report on local acoustic changes in urban areas. We present this collection here, along with metadata including observational descriptions of the local areas from the contributors, open-source environmental data, open-source confinement levels and calculation of acoustic descriptors. We performed a technical validation of the dataset using statistical models run on a subset of manually annotated soundscapes. Results confirmed the large-scale usability of ecoacoustic indices and automatic sound event recognition in the Silent Cities soundscape collection. We expect this dataset to be useful for research in the multidisciplinary field of environmental sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diana Wall, a respected environmental and sustainability scientist, has passed away at the age of 80. She was a University Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University and made significant contributions to the fields of soil ecology and sustainability science. Diana was a strong advocate for soil biodiversity and emphasized the crucial role of soil organisms in ecosystem processes. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and her legacy will continue to inspire and impact the scientific community. Additionally, the given text references several sources that provide valuable insights into the formation of soil and the significance of worms in this process, including Charles Darwin's book "The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, with Observations on Their Habits" published in 1881, a review of this book by W. Gifford et al. in 1882, H. Jenny's book "Factors of Soil Formation – A System of Quantitative Pedology" published in 1941, and a global soil biodiversity atlas by A. Orgiazzi et al. published in 2016. [Extracted from the article]

Building sustainable settlements on the water is a feasible option for climate adaptation, as long as people and ecosystems are protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, more and more studies have been conducted on source appointment of heavy metals, since they can accumulate in the food chain and have a negative impact on the ecological environment and human health. However, almost never before had scholars tried to make a comprehensive and methodical review in this field from the scientometric and bibliometric perspective. The purpose of this review is to offer insights into the research topics and trend evaluation in terms of source appointment of heavy metals over time using the visualization and analysis software, CiteSpace. We retrieved a total of 2,533 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) dated between 1994 and 2022, and analysed the progress, hotspots, and trends in this field by synthesized networks of cooperation analysis, co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis, and keywords burst analysis. The overall development of the topic can be divided into four periods, and the rapid development began from 2010. Environmental Sciences was the leading subject category, and the journal Science of the Total Environment had the highest number of publications (9.51%), which was most cited as well (2,390 times). China published the most articles in this field, in which Chinese Academy of Sciences was the leading institution. Said Muhammad and Xinwei Luwere the top two most productive authors. According to citation frequency, Hakanson L was the movers and shakers. Keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis results showed that "the health risk assessment," "lake sediments", "trace elements," "positive matrix factorization," "air pollution," "road dust," and "megacity" are likely to be hotspots. The "particulate matter," "China," "sediments" and "road dust" demonstrated the research tendencies of this domain by keyword burst analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising heavy metal (HM) pollution in coastal aquifers in rapidly urbanizing areas such as Dammam leads to significant risks to public health and environmental sustainability, challenging compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean water and life on land. This study developed the predictive-based monitoring of HM concentrations, including cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg) in the coastal aquifers of Dammam, influenced by industrial, agricultural, and urban activities. For this purpose, dynamic system identification and machine learning (ML) models integrated with three ensemble techniques, namely, simple averaging (SAE), weighted averaging (WAE), and neuro-ensemble (N-ESB), were employed to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of environmental monitoring systems. The experimental data were calibrated and validated in addition to k-fold cross-validation to ensure the predictive skills of the models. The methodology integrates extensive data collection across varied land uses in Dammam and accurate model calibration and validation phases to develop highly accurate predictive models. The findings proved that the N-ESB and Hammerstein-Wiener (HW) models surpassed other models in predicting the concentrations of all HM. For Cd, the N-ESB model achieved a root mean square error (RMSE = 0.0010 mg/kg). Similarly, Cr demonstrated superior performance (RMSE = 0.0179 mg/kg). Further numerical results indicated that the HW algorithm proved the most effective for Hg, with RMSE = 0.0000 mg/kg. The quantitative comparison suggested that the N-ESB model's consistently high performance and low error rates make it an optimal choice for real-time, precise monitoring and management of HM pollution in coastal aquifers. The outcomes of this research highlighted the importance of integrating advanced predictive modeling techniques in environmental science, providing significant and practical implications for policymaking and ecological management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In environmental studies, rhodamine dyes are commonly used to trace water movements and pollutant dispersion. Remote sensing techniques offer a promising approach to detecting rhodamine and estimating its concentration, enhancing our understanding of water dynamics. However, research is needed to address more complex environments, particularly optically shallow waters, where bottom reflectance can significantly influence the spectral response of the rhodamine. Therefore, this study proposes a novel approach: transferring pre-trained classifiers to develop a generalizable method across different environmental conditions without the need for in situ calibration. Various samples incorporating distilled and seawater on light and dark backgrounds were analyzed. Spectral analysis identified critical detection regions (400–500 nm and 550–650 nm) for estimating rhodamine concentration. Significant spectral variations were observed between light and dark backgrounds, highlighting the necessity for precise background characterization in shallow waters. Enhanced by the Sequential Feature Selector, classification models achieved robust accuracy (>90%) in distinguishing rhodamine concentrations, particularly effective under controlled laboratory conditions. While band transfer was successful (>80%), the transfer of pre-trained models posed a challenge. Strategies such as combining diverse sample sets and applying the first derivative prevent overfitting and improved model generalizability, surpassing 85% accuracy across three of the four scenarios. Therefore, the methodology provides us with a generalizable classifier that can be used across various scenarios without requiring recalibration. Future research aims to expand dataset variability and enhance model applicability across diverse environmental conditions, thereby advancing remote sensing capabilities in water dynamics, environmental monitoring and pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nearly continuous daily, global Environmental Science Data Record of NASA Standard MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow-cover extent (SCE) data products has been available since 2000. When the MODIS record ends, the 'moderate resolution' SCE record will continue with NASA Standard Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) SCE data products. The objective of this work is to evaluate and quantify the continuity between the MODIS and VIIRS SCE data products to enable the merging of the data product records. A climate data record (CDR) could be developed when 30 years of daily global moderate-resolution SCE become available if the continuity of the MODIS and VIIRS records can be established. Here, we focus on the daily cloud-gap-filled MODIS and VIIRS SCE NASA standard data products, MOD10A1F and VNP10A1F, respectively, for a case study in the Great Basin of the western United States during a period of sensor overlap. Using the methodologies described herein (daily percent of snow cover, duration of snow cover, average monthly number of days (Ndays) of snow cover, and trends in Ndays of snow cover, we show that the snow maps display excellent agreement. For example, the average monthly number of days of snow cover in the Great Basin calculated using MOD10A1F and VNP10A1F agrees with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of r = 0.99 for our 11-year study period from WY 2013 to 2023. Additionally, the SCE derived from each data product agrees very well with meteorological station data, with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of r = 0.91 and r = 0.92 for MOD10A1F and VNP10A1F, respectively. Our results support the eventual creation of a CDR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are emerging as useful tools in environmental studies due to their mobility and ability to cover large areas. In this study, we used an air analyzer attached to a UAS to measure gas and particulate matter (PM) emissions from rotationally grazed dairy pastures in northern Wisconsin. UAS-based sampling enabled wireless data transmission using the LoRa protocol to a ground station, synchronizing with a cloud server. During the measurements, latitude, longitude, and altitude were recorded using a high-precision global positioning system (GPS). Over 1200 measurements per parameter were made during each site visit. The spatial distribution of the emission rates was estimated using the Lagrangian mass balance approach and Kriging interpolation. A horizontal sampling probe effectively minimized the impact of propeller downwash on the measurements. The average concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) were 800.1 ± 39.7 mg m−3, 1.38 ± 0.063 mg m−3, and 0.71 ± 0.03 mg m−3, respectively. No significant difference was found between CO2 concentrations measured by the UAS sensor and gas chromatography (p = 0.061). Emission maps highlighted variability across the pasture, with an average CO2 emission rate of 1.52 ± 0.80 g day−1 m−2, which was within the range reported in the literature. Future studies could explore the impact of pasture management on air emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript explores the multifaceted applications of polydopamine (PDA) across various scientific and industrial domains. It covers the chemical aspects of PDA and its potential in bone tissue engineering, implant enhancements, cancer treatment, and nanotechnology. The manuscript investigates PDA's roles in tissue engineering, cell culture technologies, surface modifications, drug delivery systems, and sensing techniques. Additionally, it highlights PDA's contributions to microfabrication, nanoengineering, and environmental applications. Through detailed testing and assessment, the study identifies limitations in PDA-related research, such as synthesis complexity, incomplete mechanistic understanding, and biocompatibility variability. It also proposes future research directions aimed at improving synthesis techniques, expanding biomedical applications, and enhancing sensing technologies to optimize PDA's efficacy and scalability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study explores systemic approaches in water education, focusing on the Domestic Water Cycle (DWC) as a complex educational topic. Water education aims to cultivate responsibility for water resources, engage individuals in water-related issues, and promote sustainable behaviours. Understanding water’s complexity is paramount, and systemic approaches offer a promising way to enhance this understanding. This research develops a comprehensive systemic tool for curriculum designers, educators and teachers to implement water education projects effectively. It also analyses the representation of DWC in official documents related to compulsory education in France, focusing on cycles 1–4. Using qualitative content analysis, the study examines these documents in depth. A four-step methodology was developed to create a systemic diagram of the DWC, incorporating various approaches as guiding principles. This diagram was then used to analyze educational programs. Findings reveal progressive development in DWC treatment across educational levels. Cycles 1 and 2 include some DWC elements, but the overall flow is not identified. In Cycle 3, several elements and relationships are not explicitly included. However, Cycle 4 exhibits a stronger systemic approach, addressing DWC complexity. This study demonstrates that integrating a systemic approach and utilizing a systemic tool can provide valuable support in teaching complexity effectively. Furthermore, it suggests this approach can help students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, understanding interrelationships, and making informed decisions across various domains, including environmental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry’s transition toward electric vehicles is a key challenge for organised labour in the sector. In this context, shifting production towards socially and ecologically useful products through democratic decision-making, democratic conversion, can be a proactive just transition strategy for workers and contribute to the ecological reorganisation of production. This paper investigates the limits and potentials for this endeavour in the context of the German automotive industry by conducting a multi-level analysis of (1) the sectoral union IG Metall’s (IGM) strategies and its interrelation with (2) works council strategies at a major supplier utilising a Gramscian theoretical framework. I identify the main limitations and potentials for both realms, which interact with (3) the dominant understanding of the transition and (4) internal conditions for labour organising. I show that democratic conversion is a challenging proposal questioning key tenets of German industrial relations yet can provide innovative solutions addressing labour’s contemporary challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Clustering of longitudinal data is becoming increasingly popular in many fields such as social sciences, business, environmental science, medicine and healthcare. However, it is often challenging due to the complex nature of the data, such as dependencies between observations collected over time, missingness, sparsity and non‐linearity, making it difficult to identify meaningful patterns and relationships among the data. Despite the increasingly common application of cluster analysis for longitudinal data, many existing methods are still less known to researchers, and limited guidance is provided in choosing between methods and software packages. In this paper, we review several commonly used methods for clustering longitudinal data. These methods are broadly classified into three categories, namely, model‐based approaches, algorithm‐based approaches and functional clustering approaches. We perform a comparison among these methods and their corresponding R software packages using real‐life datasets and simulated datasets under various conditions. Findings from the analyses and recommendations for using these approaches in practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the genetic diversity in the Read Sea and related aquatic environments. They talk about the diverse ecosystem of the Red Sea, areas that provide habitats for versatile marine organisms such as invertebrates, sharks, and other fishes, and the status of the Red Sea genetic diversity studies, gaps and future directions.

The environmental filtering hypothesis predicts that abiotic factors restrict communities by selecting species capable of survival and persistence under specific conditions, resulting in variations in beta diversity, phylogenetic clustering, and niche differentiation among communities when studying environmental gradients. Cushion bogs and high-altitude wetlands along the Andes display homogeneous flora contrasting with zonal vegetation. Despite being influenced by microclimatic conditions, these ecosystems are subject to diverse environmental effects. Here, we test the environmental filtering hypothesis on the structure of cushion bog communities along a broad-scale latitudinal gradient from 15° S to 42° S. We analyzed 421 bogs and 293 species across three macroclimatic regions with distinct summer, winter, and transitional arid rainfall regimes. Using variance partitioning and membership-based regionalization models, we examined the impacts of climatic, edaphic, and spatial variables on beta diversity. We also assessed species' niche overlap and the influence of environmental filters on the communities' phylogenetic diversity. Results show that species turnover and niche overlap vary with macroclimatic differences, delineating three distinct regions. Notably, phylogenetic clustering in the driest part of the gradient (23° S–24° S) highlights the impact of environmental filtering. Aridity and temperature variations at a broad scale serve as environmental filters shaping the composition of bog communities across southern South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Inadequate management and treatment of wastewater pose significant threats, including environmental pollution, degradation of water quality, depletion of global water resources, and detrimental effects on human well-being. Biogranulation technology has gained increasing traction for treating both domestic and industrial wastewater, garnering interest from researchers and industrial stakeholders alike. However, the literature lacks comprehensive bibliometric analyses that examine and illuminate research hotspots and trends in this field. This study aims to elucidate the global research trajectory of scientific output in biogranulation technology from 1992 to 2022. Utilizing data from the Scopus database, we conducted an extensive analysis, employing VOSviewer and the R-studio package to visualize and map connections and collaborations among authors, countries, and keywords. Our analysis revealed a total of 1703 journal articles published in English. Notably, China emerged as the leading country, Jin Rencun as the foremost author, Bioresource Technology as the dominant journal, and Environmental Science as the prominent subject area, with the Harbin Institute of Technology leading in institutional contributions. The most prominent author keyword identified through VOSviewer analysis was "aerobic granular sludge," with "sequencing batch reactor" emerging as the dominant research term. Furthermore, our examination using R Studio highlighted "wastewater treatment" and "sewage" as notable research terms within the field. These findings underscore a diverse research landscape encompassing fundamental aspects of granule formation, reactor design, and practical applications. This study offers valuable insights into biogranulation potential for efficient wastewater treatment and environmental remediation, contributing to a sustainable and cleaner future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a study conducted at Loch Dee Peninsula Bog II in the Galloway Hills of Scotland. The study focuses on the sediment and pollen analysis of the bog, providing information about the geological composition, vegetation, and climate of the area. The research reveals the presence of various plant species, including oak, birch, hazel, and conifers, as well as the impact of human activity on the landscape. The study also presents radiocarbon dating results to establish the age of the deposits. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents a study on the wind-sand dynamics of blowouts in the Xilingol sandy grassland in Inner Mongolia, China. The study investigates the changes in airflow and sediment transport within the blowouts. The results show that the wind direction inside the blowout is influenced by the direction of the incoming wind, and the rate of wind speed acceleration and sand transport is primarily influenced by wind direction and wind speed. The study provides insights into the formation and development of blowouts and their impact on land resources and human livelihoods. [Extracted from the article]

Arguably the most famous principle of toxicology is "The dose makes the poison" formulated by Paracelsus in the 16th century. Application of the Paracelsus's principle to mechanistic toxicology may be challenging as one compound may affect many molecular pathways at different doses with different and often nonlinear dose-response relationships. As a result, many mechanistic studies of environmental and occupational compounds use high doses of xenobiotics motivated by the need to see a clear signal indicating disruption of a particular molecular pathway. This approach ignores the possibility that the same xenobiotic may affect different molecular mechanism(s) at much lower doses relevant to human exposures. To amend mechanistic toxicology with a simple and concise guiding principle, I suggest recontextualization of Paracelsus's following its letter and spirit: "The dose disrupts the pathway". Justification of this statement includes observations that many environmental and occupational xenobiotics affect a broad range of molecular cascades, that most molecular pathways are sensitive to chemical exposures, and that different molecular pathways are sensitive to different doses of a chemical compound. I suggest that this statement may become a useful guidance and educational tool in a range of toxicological applications, including experimental design, comparative analysis of mechanistic hypotheses, evaluation of the quality of toxicological studies, and risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diel cycle is of enormous biological importance as it imposes daily oscillation in environmental conditions, which temporally structures most ecosystems. Organisms developed biological time-keeping mechanisms – circadian clocks – that provide a significant fitness advantage over competitors by optimising the synchronisation of their biological activities. While circadian clocks are ubiquitous in Eukaryotes, they are so far only characterised in Cyanobacteria within Prokaryotes. However, growing evidence suggests that circadian clocks are widespread in the bacterial and archaeal domains. As Prokaryotes are at the heart of crucial environmental processes and are essential to human health, unravelling their time-keeping systems provides numerous applications in medical research, environmental sciences, and biotechnology. In this review, we elaborate on how novel circadian clocks in Prokaryotes offer research and development perspectives. We compare and contrast the different circadian systems in Cyanobacteria and discuss about their evolution and taxonomic distribution. We necessarily provide an updated phylogenetic analysis of bacterial and archaeal species that harbour homologs of the main cyanobacterial clock components. Finally, we elaborate on new potential clock-controlled microorganisms that represent opportunities of ecological and industrial relevance in prokaryotic groups such as anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, methanogenic archaea, methanotrophs or sulphate-reducing bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le'an Town, located in the southwest of Qingchuan County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, boasts a unique geographical position. The town's terrain is complex, and its geological environment is fragile. Multiple phases of tectonic movements have resulted in numerous cracks and faults, making the area prone to landslides, debris flows, and other disasters. Additionally, heavy rainfall and fluctuating groundwater levels further exacerbate the instability of the mountains. Human activities, such as overdevelopment and deforestation, have significantly increased the risk of geological disasters. Currently, the methods for landslide prediction in Le'an Town are limited; traditional techniques cannot provide precise forecasts, and the study area is largely covered by tall vegetation. Therefore, this paper proposes a method that combines SBAS-InSAR technology with dynamic changes in land use and hydrological conditions. SBAS-InSAR technology is used to obtain surface deformation information, while land-use changes and hydrological condition data are incorporated to analyze the dynamic characteristics and potential influencing factors of landslide areas. The innovation of this method lies in its high-precision surface deformation monitoring capability and the integration of multi-source data, which can more comprehensively reveal the geological environmental characteristics of the study area, thereby achieving accurate predictions of landslide development. The study results indicate that the annual subsidence rate in most deformation areas of Le'an Town ranges from −10 to 0 mm, indicating slow subsidence. In some areas, the subsidence rate exceeds −50 mm per year, showing significant slope aspect differences, reflecting the combined effects of geological structures, climatic conditions, and human activities. It is evident that land-use changes and hydrological conditions have a significant impact on the occurrence and development of landslides. Therefore, by utilizing SBAS-InSAR technology and cross-verifying it with other techniques, the consistency of identified landslide deformation areas can be enhanced, thereby improving results. This method provides a scientific basis for the monitoring and early warning of landslide disasters and has important practical application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some rock and soil samples exhibit significant loss of magnetic susceptibility (χ) with increasing applied field amplitude even at relatively low (10–100s of A/m) fields, a behavior which remains unexplained. Exceptionally strong negative field‐dependence of susceptibility (χHD) is present in sandstones and altered intermediate‐felsic igneous rocks in several cores from the northeastern Oklahoma subsurface. These same rocks also show elevated frequency‐dependence of susceptibility (χFD), with reasonable correlation of χHD to χFD, and frequency‐dependent χHD. Results from multiple characterization methods indicate that strongly negative χHD in these rocks is linked to a yet‐unidentified phase which begins the approach to magnetic saturation in low fields (<1 mT/800 A/m), shows elevated χFD to low temperatures, is unstable at high temperatures, possesses significant anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, and becomes paramagnetic above ∼83°C. Clear associations with fluid alteration features indicate that this material may be highly relevant to rock alteration, diagenetic, and environmental studies. Plain Language Summary: Magnetic susceptibility is usually measured using weak magnetic fields, and in many geological materials the value depends on the strength of the field used. In the low‐field range, this usually results in slightly higher susceptibility values as field strength increases. In some rocks and soils, however, susceptibility decreases with increasing applied field, which has not been explained. The lowermost sandstones and uppermost igneous rocks in the northeastern Oklahoma subsurface have been found to provide prominent examples of this "negative field‐dependence" of susceptibility. When susceptibility of the same rocks is measured using an alternating‐current field, the results are also highly dependent on the frequency of that field. The strength of these behaviors is correlated, and both are found to be associated with a yet‐unidentified magnetization carrier with an apparent Curie temperature of ∼83°C. Through direct‐current measurements, it is apparent that the negative field‐dependence is due to this mineral approaching magnetic saturation at unusually low fields relative to most natural materials. The magnetic behavior is associated with other evidence of water‐rock interaction, which may prove to be a useful indicator of chemical conditions of alteration, diagenesis, and weathering. Key Points: Negative field‐dependence of magnetic susceptibility is poorly understood and occurs in rocks near the basement unconformity of NE OklahomaThis behavior is due to low‐field magnetic saturation of an unknown magnetic carrier with a magnetic ordering temperature near 80°CThe carrier is associated with frequency‐dependence of susceptibility and fluid alteration and may complicate environmental studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are widespread geomorphological phenomena with complex mechanisms that have caused extensive causalities and property damage worldwide. The scale and frequency of landslides are presently increasing owing to the warming effects of climate change, which further increases the associated safety risks. In this study, the relationship between historical landslides and environmental variables in the Hanjiang River Basin was determined and an optimized model was used to constrain the relative contribution of variables and best spatial response curve. The optimal MaxEnt model was used to predict the current distribution of landslides and influence of future rainfall changes on the landslide susceptibility. The results indicate that environmental variables in the study area statistically correlate with landslide events over the past 20 years. The MaxEnt model evaluation was applied to landslide hazards in the Hanjiang River Basin based on current climate change scenarios. The results indicate that 25.9% of the study area is classified as a high-risk area. The main environmental variables that affect the distribution of landslides include altitude, slope, normalized difference vegetation index, annual precipitation, distance from rivers, and distance from roads, with a cumulative contribution rate of approximately 90%. The annual rainfall in the Hanjiang River Basin will continue to increase under future climate warming scenarios. Increased rainfall will further increase the extent of high- and medium-risk areas in the basin, especially when following the RCP8.5 climate prediction, which is expected to increase the high-risk area by 10.7% by 2070. Furthermore, high landslide risk areas in the basin will migrate to high-altitude areas in the future, which poses new challenges for the prevention and control of landslide risks. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the MaxEnt model as a tool for landslide susceptibility prediction in the Hanjiang River Basin caused by global warming and yields robust prediction results. This approach therefore provides an important reference for river basin management and disaster reduction and prevention. The study on landslide risks also supports the hypothesis that global climate change will further enhance the frequency and intensity of landslide activity throughout the course of the 21st Century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbialites provide geological evidence into Earth's early ecosystems, recording long‐standing interactions between co‐evolving life and the environment. Yet, after more than 100 years of research, the complex interplay between environmental and biological forces involved in microbialite growth is still debated. Laguna de Los Cisnes, located in Chilean Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, provides a unique opportunity to study these interactions. This lake, which became ice‐free around 10 000 years ago, features carbonate microbialites developed by algal–microbial communities. Macroscopically, the organo‐sedimentary deposits exhibit a consistent primary crater‐like architecture, showcasing macrostructural variations such as dish‐shaped, hemispherical, columnar and lenticular morphologies. This study explores the environmental and biological factors shaping microbialite macrostructure by analysing the distribution of dominant morphotypes across the basin. Concurrently, it examines the internal mesostructure and microstructure of microbialites in association with prevailing algal–microbial communities. The incremental development of these communities contributes to the distinct crater‐like morphology observed in microbialites from Laguna de Los Cisnes. The mineral encrustation of the green alga Percursaria percursa emerges as a primary driver of lithification, evidenced by the preservation of microfossils within the microstructure of the microbialites. Simultaneously, physical environmental factors, including waves, Langmuir cells and accommodation space influence the location of the algal–microbial carbonate factory, determining the spatial distribution and temporal succession of different crater architecture variants. Laguna de Los Cisnes, hosting well‐preserved subfossil outcrops and living microbialites, serves as a remarkable living laboratory for understanding microbialite morphogenesis. This study contributes to a novel model that captures the fundamental role of algal–microbial communities in determining the primary macrostructural architecture of microbialites before environmental factors come into play, merely reshaping this architecture into different morphotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elucidation of metal-dependent biological processes requires selective reagents for manipulating metal ion levels within biological solutions such as growth media or cell lysates. To this end, we immobilized a phosphine sulfide-stabilized phosphine (PSP) ligand on agarose to create a resin for the selective removal of copper from chemically complex biological media through simple filtration or centrifugation. Comprised of a conformationally preorganized phenylene-bridged backbone, the PSP-ligand binds Cu(I) with a 1:1 stoichiometry and exhibits a pH-independent Cu(I) dissociation constant in the low zeptomolar range. Neither Zn(II), Fe(II), nor Mn(II) interact with the ligand at millimolar concentrations, thus offering a much-improved selectivity towards copper over other commonly employed solid-supported chelators such as Chelex 100. As revealed by X-ray fluorescence elemental analysis, the immobilized chelator effectively removes copper from cell culture growth media and cell lysate isolated from mouse fibroblasts. In addition to preparing copper-depleted media or cell lysates for biological studies, PSP-immobilized ligands might prove equally useful for applications in radiochemistry, materials science, and environmental science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from the observation that there is a gap between knowledge of the environmental sciences and practical engagement, for example, in climate change or biodiversity loss, this article explores one possible explanation for this situation—namely, the process of objectification inherent in science. It then proposes to remedy the situation by defending the idea of a 'first-person ecology'. This term refers to a field of research and practice that looks at the relationship between humans and nature from the point of view of the embodied and situated nature of lived experience. The lived experience of nature at the heart of a first-person ecology is first studied from an epistemic perspective using the concept of recognition, inspired by the Frankfurt School philosopher and sociologist Axel Honneth. It is then approached from a phenomenological perspective, using the emerging field of ecospirituality to describe the characteristics of this experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma distribution is widely used in applied fields due to its flexibility of accommodating right-skewed data. This article explores statistical methods for constructing confidence intervals for both the difference and ratio of two gamma means. We propose several methods based on the concepts of generalized inference, variance estimates recovery (MOVER) and parametric bootstrapping. The performances of proposed methods are evaluated and compared via a comprehensive simulation study. Simulation results show that the hybrid method that combines MOVER with parametric bootstrapping can provide confidence intervals with reasonable coverage probabilities and interval lengths even for parameter settings with small shape parameters. Finally, two real data examples from environmental and engineering studies are analyzed using the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization worldwide has significantly altered urban climates, creating a need to balance urban growth with thermal environmental quality for sustainable development. This study examines the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and urban characteristics, particularly focusing on how green cover can mitigate urban heat and how air pollution can increase temperatures. Recognizing the predictive value of LST for urban heat island (UHI) intensity, we analyzed three distinct U.S. cities—Chicago, San Francisco, and Phoenix—each characterized by unique climate and urban planning features. This study investigates the relationship between atmospheric pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, O3) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) with land surface temperature (LST) using regression and correlation analyses. The analysis aims to elucidate how changes in atmospheric pollutants and NDVI affect variations in land surface temperature. Regression analysis is employed to estimate the coefficients of independent variables and quantify their impact on LST. Correlation analysis assesses the linear relationships between variables, providing insights into their pairwise associations. The study also examines multicollinearity between independent variables to identify potential confounding factors. The results reveal significant associations between atmospheric pollutants, NDVI, and land surface temperature, contributing to our understanding of the environmental factors influencing LST dynamics and informing climate change mitigation strategies. The observed inconsistencies in correlations across cities highlight the importance of the local context in environmental studies. Understanding these variations can aid in developing tailored urban planning policies that consider unique city characteristics for more effective climate resilience. Furthermore, a positive association was consistently obtained between pollutants and LST, indicating that increased pollution levels contribute to higher surface temperatures across different urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To advance current environmental flow standards in Texas, we developed field, laboratory, and analytical methods to model recruitment dynamics of indicator species selected to cover a range of population responses to flow variation. Preliminary investigations were conducted in three central Texas river basins to evaluate the feasibility of these methods for formulating and evaluating the state's environmental flow standards. Age analysis allowed back‐calculation of dates of fish hatching, mussel recruitment, and tree germination for estimation of temporal variation in recruitment. Recruitment data were then analyzed in relation to flow regime components. Statistical models were derived for flow–recruitment relationships of Shoal Chub Macrhybopsis hyostoma, Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus, threeridge mussel Amblema plicata, and boxelder Acer negundo. The Shoal Chub model was used to hindcast recruitment dynamics in the Brazos River, revealing a decline in recruitment after dam construction. The Smallmouth Buffalo model revealed that strong year‐classes were positively associated with springtime pulses of long duration but negatively associated with frequent short‐duration pulses. Results for the threeridge mussel were not as easily interpreted, but for all three river basins generally showed weaker recruitment during periods with extreme low and high flows. The boxelder model revealed positive associations between recruitment and high flow components and was used to forecast the probability of germination under five simulated flow regime scenarios, thereby providing an additional means for evaluating the suitability of environmental flow standards. Assessment of how hydrology influences recruitment provides an evidence‐based method to hindcast responses to past flow regimes and forecast responses to future flow scenarios, thereby providing a basis for evaluating environmental flow standards and water management options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]