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Total alkalinity (TA) has increased in the Baltic Sea, with implications for atmospheric CO2‐induced acidification and CO2 uptake. We compiled extensive data of TA in surface waters of the Baltic Sea, aiming to (i) identify new tendencies in the relationship between TA and salinity (TA–S relationship), (ii) update the TA trend analysis, (iii) investigate spatial–temporal patterns, and (iv) discuss potential drivers and implications. We observed a progressive decrease in the slopes and increase in the intercepts of the TA–S overtime due to the persistent process of TA enhancement. A weak seasonal pattern was identified, with warmer months presenting lower salinity and TA. Lower rates of TA increase were observed in high salinities (Skagerrak–Kattegat; +1.00 to +2.20 μmol kg−1 yr−1), intermediate trends in low salinities (Gulf of Bothnia; +3.28 to +3.57 μmol kg−1 yr−1), and maximal trends in the Central Baltic Sea (+3.70 to +4.57 μmol kg−1 yr−1) and Bornholm Basin (+4.82 to +5.32 μmol kg−1 yr−1). The increase in the intercept of the TA–S in the Gulf of Bothnia suggests a progressive increase in the external supply of TA, although lower than previously thought. The maximum trend in the Bornholm Basin suggests an increase in external supply from the Southern catchment and/or the accumulation of internal production. The positive TA–phosphorus correlations underscore a significant internal source. The TA increase amplifies the CO2 uptake by 1.8–7.8% during spring/summer and reduces the CO2 outgassing by 3.4–7.7% in autumn/winter. The TA enhancement has the potential to buffer CO2‐induced acidification by 39–60% by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigation translocations move wildlife from specific areas due to conflict with humans over land use at the site. A critical decision when carrying out mitigation translocation is the acceptable distance across which animals can be moved. This decision trades off logistical expediency of unrestricted translocation with the risk of reducing translocation success due to environmental mismatch between origin and translocation site conditions. In this study, we used a large dataset of 502 individually identifiable carcasses to examine the role of geographic origin and translocation distance in the relative survival of 2822 translocated subadult and adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), a species experiencing large‐scale mitigation translocation, at a recipient site in the Florida panhandle, USA. We hypothesized that if climate or habitat differences between the origin and translocation site influenced survival, tortoises translocated from within the Florida panhandle would have the highest survival. To the contrary, we found that survival slightly increased with increasing climatic difference between origin and recipient site, driven by higher survival of tortoises coming from central Florida sites compared to those from the panhandle and north Florida. This suggests that environmental mismatch due to long‐distance translocation is not a main driver of mortality. These models also indicated an effect of season, with a survival advantage to tortoises translocated in the spring and late fall, relative to summer translocations, and a negative effect of initial density on survival. Finally, we also estimated the upper bound on annual survival in three well‐monitored groups to be quite low (92–95%) for several years following release, suggesting caution when considering large translocated populations to be viable without first assessing adult survival. Our unexpected results highlight the importance of investigating species‐specific sensitivities to translocation distances and indicate the limitations of assumed linear effects of translocation distance on outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake level, area and volume are sensitive indicators of climate change. At present, many studies have focused on the interannual water balance of lakes, but lake level and area can change remarkably with seasons, especially for lakes with seasonal ice cover. Zhari Namco, a seasonal frozen lake, was selected as an example to investigate its seasonal water balance. Multi-source altimetry and Landsat data were used to obtain the seasonal lake level and area from 1992 to 2019, and seasonal lake volume variations were also estimated. The results indicated the average lake level, area and volume in autumn were the largest. The lake level, area, and volume experienced three turning points approximately in 2000, 2010, and 2016, and showed an overall increasing trend from 1992 to 2019, with slopes of 0.15 m/year, 2.17 km2/year, and 0.14 km3/year, respectively. The lake area expanded significantly in autumn, which was related to the abundant precipitation. Delay time of land surface runoff, increased temperature, and evaporation may be the reason for the low lake level and volume in summer. The precipitation was the dominant factor of water balance, which explained 62.09%, 62.43%, and 62.10% of the variations in lake level, area, and volume, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Although studies have shown that light affects sleep in polar populations, the sample size of most studies is small. This meta‐analysis provides the first systematic review of the effects of summer glare, spring and fall moderate daylight, and artificial lighting on general sleep problems (sleep duration, efficiency, and delay). This analysis included 18 studies involving 986 participants. We calculated the random effect size via an evidence‐based meta‐analysis that analysed the effect of bright/auxiliary light on sleep and the effect of three different types of light on sleep compared with conventional light. There was no significant correlation between specific light types and sleep duration. Intense summer light has a negative effect on sleep time and efficiency. Moderate, natural light in spring and autumn effectively delayed sleep but could not improve sleep efficiency. For artificial fill light, neither blue light nor enhanced white light has been found to have a significant effect. In summary, summer light has a detrimental effect on sleep in polar populations, and moderate natural light may be superior to conventional light. However, specific strategies to improve sleep and artificial lighting in polar populations must be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish stocks composed of several populations are considered to have more stable productivity than stocks containing only one or few populations. This stability is attributed to complementary or independent dynamics among the populations within the stock—the so-called portfolio effect. Declines of populations within stocks that have delayed recovery potentially increase risk to productivity and local extinctions. Portfolio effects may be relevant in the Baltic Sea, where autumn-spawning herring was the dominant herring ecotype until the early/mid-20th century. The current fishery assessment and management in the area assumes that the abundance of autumn spawning herring has been negligible since the 1970s; the share of spring spawning herring has become dominant and is considered to be the only ecotype. Data from a multi-annual ichthyoplankton survey in the southern Baltic Sea (Bornholm Basin) during autumn 2002–2019 show that abundance and spatial distribution of the smallest larval stages have increased significantly. This pattern could be due to an increase in autumn spawners in the area. Genetic studies confirm that these larval herring are offspring from true autumn spawners. Preserving intraspecific diversity is critical for a species' future abilities to adapt to and survive in changing environmental conditions. Thus, our results not only provide new insights to the temporal dynamics of herring ecotypes and challenge the current understanding of central Baltic herring stock processes in general, but are also important in the context of monitoring, assessment, and spatial management of herring in the Baltic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual film recovery machines has have been commonly used in cotton fields in Xinjiang Province in autumn. The plastic film can tear into strips and entangles with impurities on the film during picking. The film with impurities mixture cannot be effectively layered in the conveying process, resulting in low separation of the film with impurities, high impurity content of mulch film, and difficult recycling. This study aims to design the a two-order pin-tooth chain-plate type device for residual film recovery. The multiple tooth collaborative operation was achieved in the continuous picking for the whole residual film in the autumn season. The whole residual film was transported upward to spread on the pin-tooth chain plate. A better separation environment was obtained for the impurity to maintain the effective stratification of membrane impurity in the recovery process. The structure of film film-collecting mechanism was longitudinally arranged with 23 pin-tooth chain plates. The structural parameters of the pin-tooth chain plate were determined to analyze the force in the whole continuous picking of plastic film. The spacing range between the adjacent pin-tooth chain plates was 84mm before the pin-tooth broke the plastic film; The structural parameters were determined for the main, passive rollers, and the stripping ring in the film collecting mechanism; Meanwhile, the angle of the recovery device were also determined, where the angles of the first- and second-order pin-tooth chain plate film collecting mechanism were 125° and 105°, respectively. The kinematics and dynamics analysis showed that the film film-collecting mechanism was used to lift the residual film with impurity. The optimal conditions were clarified to realize the continuous picking, step-by-step spreading, and conveying of the whole residual film. A prototype was trial-produced to conduct the field performance tests. The main influencing factors on the residual film recovery rate of the recovery device were determined as the angular velocity of the picking-passive roller and the operating speed of machinery, according to the principle of picking up film recovery. As the two-order pin-tooth chain-plate type recovery device of the experimental prototype was driven by the front depth limiting roller, the angular velocity of the picking-passive roller was linearly related to the operating speed of the machinery; The first-order film collecting mechanism shared the little range of variation in the ratio of the linear velocity of the tooth end during picking. The operating speed of 0.97 was achieved in by the continuously picking the whole residual film. A single-factor experiment was conducted with the recovery rate of residual film and the rate of containing poles content inside the recycled plastic film as experimental indicators, while the operating speed of the machinery was the influencing factor. The field test showed that the two-order pin-tooth chain-plate type residual film recycling machine was realized for the continuous picking and step-by-step spreading and conveying of the whole film, when the operation speed was within 5.5-7.5 km/h. The average rate of residual film recovery was 89.4%, and the average rate of containing poles was 8.6% in the recovered film. The second-stage nail-tooth chain-plate type device of residual film recovery was enhanced the recovery rate of residual film, whereas, there was the a significant decrease in the rate of containing poles in the recovered film, compared with the commonly- used one. The findings can provide a strong reference for the design of residual film recovery machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using monthly data from 19 meteorological stations in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region from 1961 to 2020, this study calculated the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) based on the Penman-Monteith evapotranspiration model (SPEI_PM). The temporal and spatial variation of meteorological drought were analyzed via linear tendency estimation, and Mann-Kendall trend test. The correlation between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and meteorological drought in Guangxi was also explored by cross-correlation function, cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence. The values for summer, autumn, and annual SPEI_PM from 1961 to 2020 exhibited a significant linear trend of increasing wetness over time. Annual and seasonal droughts throughout the region were predominately mild and moderate, with less frequent severe and extreme droughts. Spring droughts were concentrated in the central part of the region, summer droughts in the southwest, autumn droughts in the southeast and northeast, and winter droughts spread throughout the region. Annual droughts were concentrated in the northeast. The rate of drought occurrence as measured by the stations in Guangxi exhibited a distinctly chronological character. Large-scale droughts (especially severe and extreme droughts) across the entire region occurred most often in the 1960s, 1970s, and 2000s. The impact of ENSO on the meteorological drought in Guangxi was characterized by spatial heterogeneity. Correlation between the ocean Niño index (ONI) and meteorological drought was highest in the northeast and southeast, as well as the northwest. There was no significant correlation between drought and ONI in coastal areas and most southwestern parts of the region. As a typical example from meteorological stations in northeastern Guangxi, SPEI-3 and ONI at the Guilin Meteorological station showed interannual oscillation cycles of 16-48 months in the period 1962-1976, and 12-64 months in the period 1990-2019. These results can serve as a useful reference for future drought forecasting and assessment in Guangxi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotoneaster zabelii is a medicinal plant that is beneficial due to its polyphenol-rich leaves. In the course of optimizing the harvest time for C. zabelii cultivated in Poland, the leaf samples were collected monthly during the annual plant vegetation season, and the hydromethanolic leaf extracts were evaluated for their phenolic composition and model biological activities, including antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. The phenolic profiles were analyzed using UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS3, HPLC-PDA, and spectrophotometric methods (total phenolic content, TPC) to understand their seasonal variability and its correlation with bioactive properties. The identified phenolic compounds included caffeic acid derivatives, flavan-3-ols (especially (−)-epicatechin and procyanidins B-type), and flavonoids like quercetin mono- and diglycosides. Leaves harvested in July and October contained the highest polyphenolic levels and demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in most tests. The leaves harvested in July, September, and October showed optimal anti-inflammatory effects, whereas the highest antihyperglycemic activity was observed in the leaves collected from June to July. Regarding polyphenolic levels and bioactivity, the summer and autumn months appear to be the most advantageous for harvesting leaf material of optimal quality for phytotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), or Mediterranean tortoise, is one of the two native species of terrestrial tortoises that inhabit the Iberian Peninsula. This is a vulnerable species protected by legislation and subjected to conservation and captive breeding programs. The present study is the first to simultaneously evaluate the four-season variations in corticosterone and total triiodothyronine in semi-captive adults and juvenile individuals of Western Hermann's tortoises (T. hermanni hermanni). The current investigation revealed that corticosterone concentrations changed seasonally depending on the sex, whereas total triiodothyronine changed seasonally in both sexes. Juvenile individuals did not show seasonal variations in any of the evaluated hormones. Overall, this study adds evidence and provides novel information about the seasonal variations in corticosterone and total triiodothyronine in adult and juvenile individuals of this protected species. The Mediterranean tortoise Testudo hermanni inhabits different regions bordering the northwestern Mediterranean. This species is vulnerable, protected by legislation, and involved in various breeding and reintroduction programs. Wild populations face numerous environmental and anthropogenic stressors that can potentially interfere with their conservation. While seasonal changes in stress-response biomarkers, such as glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones, have been widely studised in mammals and birds, there is a paucity of research in reptile species. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the seasonal fluctuations in corticosterone and total triiodothyronine levels in adult and juvenile Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) as a measure of the physiological stress response. Blood samples were collected seasonally (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) and posteriorly analyzed by using a specific and validated enzyme immunoassay for both hormones, respectively. The results showed that corticosterone levels varied seasonally and differed between sexes, whereas total triiodothyronine levels changed seasonally but did not differ between sexes. Notably, juveniles exhibited no seasonal changes in either corticosterone or total triiodothyronine levels. Additionally, no correlation between blood extraction duration and hormonal concentrations was observed. This study is pioneering in its comprehensive evaluation of corticosterone and total triiodothyronine changes across all four seasons, including winter, and its focus on juvenile Hermann's tortoises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies on the vulnerability assessment of ecological drought often focus on analyzing vegetation phenotypic characteristics, overlooking the impact of drought on ecosystem services. This study proposes an ecosystem vulnerability assessment method under ecological drought stress from the perspective of ecosystem service value (ESV), considering the characteristics and interactions of hazard-causing factors and hazard-bearing bodies. The spatiotemporal evolution of ecological drought, the spatial characteristics of ecosystem vulnerability, and the vulnerability characteristics of different ecosystem types in the North China region from 1991 to 2021 were evaluated. The results showed that: (1) ecological drought exhibited a trend of intensification followed by alleviation, with the most severe droughts occurring between 2002 and 2011, affecting up to 64.3% of the region; (2) ESV was mainly influenced by vegetation cover and precipitation gradients, displaying a spatial pattern of high values in the southeast and low values in the northwest, with total ESV averaging CNY 18.23 trillion; (3) grasslands exhibited higher sensitivity to drought compared to forests, and the sensitivity was higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. This method assessed the vulnerability of ecological drought from the perspective of ecosystem services, providing a new approach for a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of drought on ecosystem service functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate impact of Arctic aerosols, like the Arctic Haze, and their origin are not fully understood. Therefore, long-term aerosol observations in the Arctic are performed. In this study, we present a homogenised data set from a sun and star photometer operated in the European Arctic, in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, of the 20 years from 2004–2023. Due to polar day and polar night, it is crucial to use observations of both instruments. Their data is evaluated in the same way and follows the cloud-screening procedure of AERONET. Additionally, an improved method for the calibration of the star photometer is presented. We found out, that autumn and winter are generally more polluted and have larger particles than summer. While the monthly median Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) decreases in spring, the AOD increases significantly in autumn. A clear signal of large particles during the Arctic Haze can not be distinguished from large aerosols in winter. With autocorrelation analysis, we found that AOD events usually occur with a duration of several hours. We also compared AOD events with large-scale processes, like large-scale oscillation patterns, sea ice, weather conditions, or wildfires in the Northern Hemisphere but did not find one single cause that clearly determines the Arctic AOD. Therefore the observed optical depth is a superposition of different aerosol sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gross primary productivity (GPP) is vital for ecosystems and the global carbon cycle, serving as a sensitive indicator of ecosystems' responses to climate change. However, the impact of future climate changes on GPP in the Tibetan Plateau, an ecologically important and climatically sensitive region, remains underexplored. This study aimed to develop a data-driven approach to predict the seasonal and annual variations in GPP in the Tibetan Plateau up to the year 2100 under changing climatic conditions. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was employed to investigate the relationships between GPP and various environmental factors, including climate variables, CO2 concentrations, and terrain attributes. This study analyzed the projected seasonal and annual GPP from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) under four future scenarios: SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, SSP3–7.0, and SSP5–8.5. The results suggest that the annual GPP is expected to significantly increase throughout the 21st century under all future climate scenarios. By 2100, the annual GPP is projected to reach 1011.98 Tg C, 1032.67 Tg C, 1044.35 Tg C, and 1055.50 Tg C under the four scenarios, representing changes of 0.36%, 4.02%, 5.55%, and 5.67% relative to 2021. A seasonal analysis indicates that the GPP in spring and autumn shows more pronounced growth under the SSP3–7.0 and SSP5–8.5 scenarios due to the extended growing season. Furthermore, the study identified an elevation band between 3000 and 4500 m that is particularly sensitive to climate change in terms of the GPP response. Significant GPP increases would occur in the east of the Tibetan Plateau, including the Qilian Mountains and the upper reaches of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. These findings highlight the pivotal role of climate change in driving future GPP dynamics in this region. These insights not only bridge existing knowledge gaps regarding the impact of future climate change on the GPP of the Tibetan Plateau over the coming decades but also provide valuable guidance for the formulation of climate adaptation strategies aimed at ecological conservation and carbon management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudopregnancy (PSG) is one of the most common syndromes diagnosed after oestrous cycle in female dogs. We found a diagnosed prevalence of PSG at 30.81% among reproductive pathologies in bitch. Concentrated oestrous occurrences in spring and autumn influence PSG distribution. PSG onset is marked by behavioural changes, followed by physical signs (mammary enlargement and galactorrhea). The last oestrous‐PSG onset interval ranged from 1 to 6 months (median = 3.0 months) and the median for the interval spaying‐PSG onset was 7.0 days. Half of the cases were discharged after 16 days, surpassing recommended treatment periods for cabergoline (4–6 days) and metergoline (8 days). Although Elizabethan collars were recommended, actual compliance stood at two‐thirds of cases. Our study highlights the possible underestimation of the PSG prevalence, probably due to lack of identification of clinical signs by owners. Further research is warranted to better understand possible risk factors, preventive measures or therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goat production is affected by reproductive seasonality. In vitro embryo production (IVEP) could overcome this effect. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the season of semen collection/freezing on IVEP of prepubertal goat oocytes and on sperm quality and functionality concerning capacitation. Semen from six fertile bucks was collected, pooled and cryopreserved in spring and autumn and used for IVEP of oocytes recovered during the breeding season. Oocytes were IVM in TCM‐199 with hormones, EGF and cysteamine; fertilized and cultured in BO‐IVF and BO‐IVC media (IVF Bioscience, UK). Semen samples were assessed at 0 and 3 h after culture in capacitating (BO‐IVF, CAP) and non‐capacitating conditions for sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular calcium and plasma membrane lipid disorder. Blastocyst production was higher with spring sperm compared to autumn (12.0% vs. 2.1%, respectively; p <.05). After CAP, acrosome reaction and intracellular calcium were higher (p <.05) in spring than autumn sperm. No differences were found in other sperm parameters. In conclusion, seasonal variations in the IVEP of prepubertal goats could be linked to differences in sperm ability to undergo in vitro capacitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Stem growth responses to soil and atmospheric drought are critical to forecasting the tree carbon sink strength. Yet, responses of drought‐prone forests remain uncertain despite global aridification trends. Stem diameter variations at an hourly resolution were monitored in five Mediterranean tree species from a mesic and a xeric site for 6 and 12 years. Stem growth and dehydration responses to soil (REW) and atmospheric (VPD) drought were explored at different timescales. Annually, growth was determined by the number of growing days and hours. Seasonally, growth was bimodal (autumn growth ≈ 8%–18% of annual growth), varying among species and sites across the hydrometeorological space, while dehydration consistently responded to REW. Sub‐daily, substantial growth occurred during daytime, with nighttime‐to‐daytime ratios ranging between 1.2 and 3.5 (Arbutus unedo ≈ Quercus faginea < Quercus ilex < Pinus halepensis in the mesic site, and Juniperus thurifera < P. halepensis in the xeric site). Overall, time windows favourable for growth were limited by soil (rather than atmospheric) drought, modulating annual and seasonal growth in Mediterranean species, and stems maintained non‐negligible growth during daytime. These patterns contrast with observations from wetter or cooler biomes, demonstrating the growth plasticity of drought‐prone species to more arid climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates for the first time whether 33 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants originating from a moderate climate continue to be capable of air filtration of particulate matter (PM) at the end of the growing season. Research was undertaken in November in two urban meadows located in trafficked areas of Białystok (Poland). The study reveals that despite the lateness in the season, tested species remained capable of PM accumulation. Deposition of total PM exceeding 100 μg·cm−2 was found on S. vulgaris, S. latifolia, T. pratense, E. vulgare, and A. officinalis. The finest and most toxic fraction was accumulated most effectively by S. latifolia, E. vulgare, and L. vulgare (>12 μg·cm−2). Taraxacum officinale and M. sylvestris retained c. 60% of PM in their epicuticular wax. A slight significant correlation was found between rosette growth pattern and deposition of total PM on foliage, while the accumulation of the finest fraction was correlated with a simple leaf shape. These results support the usefulness of urban meadows as long-lasting air bio-filters provided that their composition includes species that have a confirmed, prolonged PM accumulation capacity and that the meadow is not mown in autumn. NOVELTY STATEMENT: This is the first time that the PM accumulation capacity of urban meadow species at the end of the vegetative season has been evaluated in real-life conditions. Evidence of prolonged PM deposition on herbaceous plants was obtained. To enhance PM mitigation in cities located in moderate climate zones, it is proposed that a selection of species be sown in urban meadows. HIGHLIGHTS: Evaluation of the PM accumulation capacity of 33 plant species at the end of the vegetative season. Herbaceous plants filtered the air effectively despite the lateness in the season. Unmown urban meadows provide long-lasting protection from PM in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf‐cutting ants (LCA) are one of the most important pests in the Neotropics region. To estimate the potential biomass consumption by LCA on Salicaceae plantations in the lower delta of the Paraná River, we studied the foraging activity and harvesting patterns of Acromyrmex lundii (Guérin‐Méneville, 1838) and Acromyrmex ambiguus (Emery, 1888) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a 14‐year‐old poplar plantation in Argentina. Foraging activity (workers/time), harvested vegetal biomass (dry weight/time) and climatic conditions (temperature and relative humidity) were monitored daily and seasonally in nests from autumn 2016 to summer 2017. The two sympatric species harvested a similar quantity of dry biomass throughout the year (4.9–6.0 kg/colony). Although both species were active in all seasons, their foraging activity was higher in spring and summer, but they avoided extreme temperatures. The accumulated biomass harvested for both species was higher in summer (28.8 and 25.7 g/colony/day, for Ac. ambiguus and Ac. lundii, respectively). However, Ac. lundii harvested three times more biomass than Ac. ambiguus in spring (30.3 and 13.1 g/colony/day, respectively). Although the highest consumption on the vegetation occurred in summer, control tasks should be started during spring (sprouting phase), the most vulnerable period for Salicaceaes. The consumption of new leaves in spring is critical for tree growth, survival and wood production, especially by Ac. lundii, the most detrimental species during this season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilized data from the NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to examine the variability of the terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) in Iraq between 2002 and 2019. The analysis focused on six grid cells representing the Iraqi territory. The season trend decomposition (SLT) method was used to decompose the signal time series of TWSA to reveal the seasonality, trend, and random noise for the six GRACE blocks. Results proved that Block01 in northwestern side of Iraq, experienced a significant reduction in TWS between 2002 and 2009, followed by a negative linear trend until 2015, and then a positive trend. Block02 which is located in the northeastern part of Iraq showed a decreasing trend in TWS until 2008, after which it had a positive trend. Block03 in the western central side of Iraq reveals a decrease in TWS from 2002 to 2008, followed by a negative linear trend until 2016, and then a positive trend. Block04 in the eastern Mesopotamian plain had a minor increase in TWS until 2006, followed by a substantial decrease until 2016, before stabilizing and showing a positive trend. Block05 in the southwestern side of Iraq demonstrated a continuous decline in TWSA. In contrast, TWS increased in block6 on the southeastern side from 2002 to 2007, then decreased from 2007 to 2009. TWSA levels remained stable from 2009 to 2016, then increased from 2016 to the end of 2019. The seasonal fluctuations in TWS varied across the blocks, but generally, surpluses were observed in winter and spring, while deficits were observed in summer and autumn. The shortage in TWS is attributed to drought and excessive use of groundwater for irrigation. The recent positive trends in TWS in some blocks suggest that the drought may be coming to an end, but further analysis is necessary to reach a definitive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methodology designed to monitor vegetation changes over multiple years in the vicinity of an apiary is presented. This approach relies on the utilization of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The findings of the analysis substantiate the viability of effectively tracking vegetation changes in a cost-efficient manner, thereby facilitating the determination of suitable geographical locations for obtaining protected designation of origin (PDO) status for bee honey. In this study, an apiary located in Malta was specifically examined for the production of Maltese autumn honey, which is harvested during December. The results conclusively showed that the vegetation surrounding the apiary remained highly stable between 2018 and 2022, providing strong evidence in support of the PDO status for the honey under examination. The proposed methodology is expected to greatly assist in the comprehensive evaluation of geographic areas for potential PDO logo. The detailed steps have been outlined, and additional studies utilizing diverse geographical regions and various types of honey are encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution in water samples from Kartepe Avluburun and Gebze Denizli drinking water treatment plants in Kocaeli, Turkey, was investigated for the first time. In Kartepe Avluburun, the particle abundance in raw, treated, and tap water samples ranged from 1579 to 5283 (mean: 3117) particles per liter, 637.5 to 2274 (mean: 1317) particles per liter, and 758.5 to 2485 (mean: 1476.6) particles per liter, respectively; whereas these results for Gebze Denizli were 786.5–3388 (mean: 1882), 397.5–2226 (mean: 1028), and 470–2821 (mean: 1256.8). Similar microplastics removal efficiency was determined in both treatment plants at all seasons except spring. In fall season, a peak removal efficiency of 76.3% was achieved. The prevalent polymer types of microplastics in the raw water were polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyamide. The most common microplastic sizes in the samples were between 1 and 20 μm (82%), the color was blue, and the shape was fragment type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed primary and secondary feather moult and fat reserves in 539 Common Snipes captured in the middle Pripyat River Valley, an important stopover site for waders in Central Europe, between 2002 and 2022. The average daily rate of feather growth was 1.89% in primaries and 2.27% in secondaries, being one of the highest documented in waders. The estimated duration of growth for a single flight feather varied from 11 to 21 days in primaries and from 8 to 11 days in secondaries. Moreover, multiple flight feathers (up to 14) were replaced simultaneously. As a result, the wing moult in Common Snipes was rapid with the mean primary moult duration estimated at 53 days (28 June–20 August) according to the Underhill–Zucchini model, and only 20 days in secondaries (31 July–20 August) based on moult estimates of individual secondaries. Hence, although secondary feathers began to grow when primary moult was already advanced, moulting of both flight feather groups was completed in most birds at almost the same time. Our study shows that Common Snipe in the middle Pripyat River Valley exhibit very rapid wing moult with large wing gaps. Fat reserves and thus body mass of Common Snipes were the lowest when the wing gap was greatest, compensating for their reduced wing area. Late and slow movement towards wintering grounds, allows them to moult rapidly at the early stage of autumn migration, which is likely to occur only in sites with abundant food resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] Soil erosion caused by compound forces is obvious in Mollisol region, studying the annual alternating superposition of natural driving factors for soil composite erosion in different typical intervals in Northeast Mollisol Region has practical significance for soil erosion control in the region. [Methods] We analyzed and compared the spatiotemporal distribution of natural driving factors of water, wind, freeze-thaw, and snowmelt in 11 typical regions of the region, and clarified the alterative and superposition characteristics of each factor. [Results] In terms of time, the driving factors of hydraulic power, wind power, freeze-thaw and snowmelt in northeast Mollisol region occurred in superposition and alternation within the year. In spring, the driving factors of wind power, freeze-thaw and snowmelt were the most complex. In Summer, the driving factors of hydraulic power, wind power and freeze-thaw were the main driving factors. In autumn, the combined effects of hydraulic power, wind power and freezing and thawing were limited, while in winter, the effects of wind power and freezing were obvious. In terms of space, the hydraulic driving effect gradually decreased from southeast to northwest. Wind effect gradually decreased from southwest to northeast. The freeze-thaw effect gradually decreased from southwest to northeast. Snowmelt gradually decreased from northwest to southeast. According to the different characteristics of erosion driving factors, the whole region was divided into hydraulic, water-wind-freeze- thaw, water-wind-snow melt, water-freeze-thaw-snow melt erosion zones, and targeted soil erosion control could be carried out in different regions. [Conclusion] Each camp showed obvious temporal and spatial differences in their erosion performance. The characteristics of the composite erosion driving factors in a year were obtained based on the alternating superposition of natural driving factors within a year, providing reference for targeted soil erosion control and in-depth research on the composite erosion prevention and control in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Rainfall irregularity in Mediterranean regions is a characterizing feature of their climate. The aim of this manuscript is to analyze, in a climate change context, the evolution of this irregularity in Barcelona. A very long monthly database (1786–2023) enables detailed analysis of rainfall evolution, with its irregularity quantified using the concept of disparity, the trends of which are assessed using moving windows and a modified Mann–Kendall test. The relationship between disparity and the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) is also explored. Additionally, the study compares rainfall amounts to the 1961–1990 reference period and evaluates autumn's contribution to annual totals. A significant and increasing disparity trend over the years is detected for the autumn months. While correlations between disparity and WeMOi are limited, the WeMOi and monthly precipitation are significantly correlated for two autumn months, October and November, and for December, aligning with previous studies. This suggests the potential influence of the WeMOi fluctuations on future rainfall during these three months. Recent evidence of the increasing autumn irregularity is seen in the consecutive low-rainfall years of 2021, 2022 and 2023, which stand out as the driest since 1835, with the last two autumns ranking among the 5% driest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivating microgreens in central-southern Chile in unheated greenhouses offers a viable and productive alternative to growers. In 2023, two experiments were conducted in autumn and spring. These experiments involved the production of microgreens of eleven vegetable species. The tray system with the substrate was employed. Subsequently, agronomic, nutritional, and sensory perception variables were assessed. Despite notable fluctuations in external temperatures between these seasons, a diverse array of microgreens can be successfully cultivated, meeting local consumer preferences. Research indicates that microgreens grown under these conditions exhibit high nutritional quality, serving as a rich source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds beneficial to human health. This nutritional value remains consistent across autumn and spring, establishing microgreens as a reliable and valuable food option. The observed acceptance and purchasing intentions among the surveyed population suggest a promising market opportunity for introducing these products regionally. Consumers appreciate microgreens' quality and nutritional advantages, underscoring their potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the spatial-temporal evolutionary trends of future temperature and precipitation considering various emission scenarios is crucial for developing effective responses to climate change. However, researchers in Iraq have not treated this issue under CMIP6 in much detail. This research aims to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of temperature and rainfall in northern Iraq by applying LARS-WG (8) under CMIP6 general circulation models (GCMs). Five GCMs (ACCESS-ESM1-5, CNRM-CM6-1, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, HadGEM3-GC31-LL, and MRI-ESM2-0) and two emissions scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) were applied to project the upcoming climate variables for the period from 2021 to 2040. The research relied on satellite data from fifteen weather sites spread over northern Iraq from 1985 to 2015 to calibrate and validate the LARS-WG model. Analysis of spatial-temporal evolutionary trends of future temperature and precipitation compared with the baseline period revealed that seasonal mean temperatures will increase throughout the year for both scenarios. However, the SSP585 scenario reveals the highest increase during autumn when the spatial coverage of class (15–20) °C increased from 27.7 to 96.29%. At the same time, the average seasonal rainfall will rise in all seasons for both scenarios except autumn for the SSP585 scenario. The highest rainfall increment percentage is obtained using the SSP585 for class (120–140) mm during winter. The spatial extent of the class increased from 25.49 to 50.19%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prescribed burns have recently become a widespread environmental management practice for biodiversity restoration to reduce fuel load, to provide forest fire suppression operational opportunities, to favor plant recruitment or to manage wild species. Prescribed fires were again applied in Doñana National Park (southern Spain) after decades of non-intervention regarding fire use. Here, we assessed their impacts on the soil CO2 effluxes over two years after burning to test the hypothesis that if the ecosystem is resilient, soil respiration will have a rapid recovery to the conditions previous to the fire. Using soil automated CO2 flux chambers to continuously measure respiration in burned and unburned sites, we showed that soil respiration varies among seasons but only showed significant differences between burned and unburned plots in the fall season one year after fire, which corresponded with the end of the dry season. Comparing soil respiration values from the burned plots in the three fall seasons studied, soil respiration increased significantly in the fall one year after fire, but decreased in the following fall to the values of the control plots. This study highlights the resilience of soil respiration after prescribed fire, showing the potential benefits of prescribed fire to reduce catastrophic wildfires, especially in protected areas subjected to non-intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asclepias syriaca L.is a perennial broad-leaved species native to North America. It has become established in many regions of Europe, and has spread with increasing rapidity in recent decades. Its reproductive behaviour allows this species to proliferate rapidly. The selected grasslands are located in the Carpathian Basin in Hungary, in the area of Kiskunság National Park, near Lake Kolon. In the framework of the research, in two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), and in two different seasons (spring and autumn), we examined the percentage cover of vascular plant species in the stands degraded by A. syriaca and the natural control (without A. syriaca), and their seasonal and interannual dynamics. Between the A. syriaca-degraded and natural control stands, there was no significant difference in the number of species in the spring and autumn of any of the examined years. Surprisingly, in the spring, the degraded stands were somewhat richer in vascular plant species. In autumn, the control stands had more vascular plant species, but to a lesser extent. The Shannon diversity was higher in the A. syriaca-dominated stands than in the control in all recording periods. Simpson diversity showed a similar pattern to Shannon diversity, with one exception in spring 2022. In the case of the social behaviour type, it can be clearly seen that the alien competitor (AC) species dominated in spring and autumn in both years in the stand dominated by A. syriaca. In the natural control stand, specialists (S) and competitors (C) dominated in both years and in both seasons. The negative effect of the invasive species on the number and diversity of species was presumably significantly reduced by the significant drying of the study area experienced in recent years. [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.)

Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) is frequently used for flush management in order to maximize flowering in litchi. However, the optimal dosage of ethephon, which balances between flush control effect and the detrimental effect on leaves, is unknown. This study aimed to identify the optimal ethephon dosage and test more efficient ethephon application methods, using a drone for flush control and flowering promotion in litchi. The effects of a single manual full-tree spray of 250, 500 or 1000 mg/L of ethephon in early November on the bud break rate, leaf drop rate, net photosynthetic rate, LcFT1 expression and floral induction (panicle emergence rate and panicle number) in 'Jingganghongnuo' litchi were examined in the season of 2021–2022. In the season of 2022–2023, the effects of drone application of 1000 mg/L of ethephon in early November on bud growth and floral induction were observed. The results showed that the manual ethephon treatments were effective at enforcing bud dormancy and elongating the dormancy period and that the effects were positively dependent on dosage. One manual spray of 1000 mg/L of ethephon in late autumn enabled a dormancy period of 6 weeks. The treatments advanced seasonal abscission of old leaves in winter and caused short-term suppression on photosynthesis within 2 weeks after treatment. Ethephon treatments, especially at 1000 mg/L, enhanced the expression of LcFT1 in the mature leaves and promoted floral induction reflected by earlier panicle emergence and increased panicle emergence rate and number in the terminal shoot. The floral promotion effect was also positively dosage dependent. The cumulative chilling hours below 15 °C from the date of treatment to the occurrence of a 20% panicle emergence rate were lowered in ethephon treatments. A drone spray of 1000 mg/L of ethephon solution consumed a sixth of the manual spray solution volume and was two thirds less effective in suppressing bud break compared with manual spraying. However, it achieved a significant flowering promotion effect comparable to traditional manual spraying. The results suggest that ethephon application enhanced flowering responsiveness to chilling as well as enforced bud dormancy. The application of ethephon with a drone proved to be an efficient method for flush control and flower promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the entire period of studies in the water bodies in the Ural River basin, comprehensive hydrobiological studies have not been carried out in many areas both on the main watercourses of the Ural and Sakmara rivers and on a large number of tributaries of different levels. The results of such studies carried out by the Water Problems Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, during expeditions in the summer and autumn 2022 are discussed. A large body of data on phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos, and juvenile fish was collected and processed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira antibodies in stray dogs and cats in Milan, Italy. The results showed that 21.7% of the dogs tested seropositive for Leptospira antibodies, particularly the serovars L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Australis. In contrast, none of the cats tested seropositive. The study highlights the importance of ongoing serological surveillance in shelter environments to mitigate the zoonotic risk posed by leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis recognised as a re-emerging infectious disease in both humans and dogs, yet the actual seroprevalence of Leptospira in pets in Italy is relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate Leptospira antibody prevalence in dogs and cats from a shelter by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), the gold standard test in leptospiral serology, and to assess risk factors for Leptospira infection. This seroepidemiological study investigated the prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in a cohort of 106 dogs and 51 cats housed in a municipal shelter in Milan. Blood samples were collected from the animals during two sampling periods: spring/summer 2014 and autumn/winter 2016/2017. Eight serogroups were evaluated: L. Australis, L. Ballum, L. Canicola, L. Grippotyphosa, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Pomona, L. Sejroe, and L. Tarassovi. Antibody titres ranged from 1:100 to 1:6400. The results indicated that 21.7% of dogs had antibodies against serogroups L. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Australis, making them the most often found. Conversely, none of the cats showed any presence of antibodies. Seropositivity was higher in the spring/summer period (32.7%) than in autumn/winter (11.1%), and no statistically significant results were found regarding sex or age. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing serological surveillance and biosecurity measures in shelter environments to mitigate the zoonotic risk posed by leptospirosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prey must balance resource acquisition with predator avoidance for survival and reproduction. To reduce risk of predation, prey may avoid areas with high predator use, but if they are unable to due to resource acquisition requirements, they may instead change their habitat use or movement speed to mitigate predation risk. Prey risk response may depend on spatially or temporally varying forage availability as well as seasonal variation in prey vulnerability and availability of alternate foods for predators. To quantify how prey respond to spatial and temporal variation in risk of brown bear predation, we examined Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) spatiotemporal behavior responses to brown bear (Ursus arctos) habitat use on Afognak and Raspberry islands, Alaska, using Global Positioning System location data during elk parturition (20 May–15 June), summer (16 June–20 September), and autumn (21 September–10 November). During parturition and summer, elk used forest and shrub landcover in areas of higher brown bear probability of use. During parturition, elk used areas with lower forage productivity in areas of higher bear probability of use, and movement speed decreased with higher bear probability of use, especially in shrub landcover. During summer, elk used areas with higher forage productivity in areas of higher brown bear probability of use. During autumn, elk were less likely to use areas with higher bear habitat probability of use across landcover categories and forage productivity. During summer and autumn, elk movement speed increased with higher brown bear probability of use. Elk behavioral response to risk of brown bear predation could increase energy expenditure and decrease their ability to acquire forage, therefore negatively impacting survival and reproduction with spatiotemporal variation in risk response potentially amplifying these impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of indoor environmental conditions of educational buildings is not only essential to ensure the correct performance of heating, cooling and ventilation systems but it is also fundamental to guarantee a suitable environment. This study aims to analyse the thermal comfort of students in teaching–learning spaces in university buildings with natural ventilation. A field measurement campaign and a questionnaire survey were carried out from September 2021 to June 2022 in educational buildings in southern Spain. The collected data were analysed and the neutral temperature in each season was obtained, based on the thermal sensation votes of 1966. The neutral temperatures found in this study were 23.5°C, 23.1°C, 23.3°C and 23.9°C, for autumn, winter, spring and summer, respectively. The ranges obtained for 90% acceptability in the winter season (21.1°C–25.1°C) provided lower temperature limits than the ranges obtained in the summer months (22.6°C–25.3°C). The highest values for clothing insulation were found in the autumn (0.90 clo) and winter (0.75 clo) seasons, compared to the spring (0.5 clo) and summer (0.4 clo) seasons. An adaptive thermal comfort model was applied. These findings could be used to improve thermal comfort and to optimise energy consumption according to the students' actual thermal perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

The study characterized the temporal and spatial variability in greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes (CO2, CH4, and N2O) between December 2020 and November 2021 and their regulating drivers in the subtropical wetland of the Indian Himalayan foothill. Five distinct habitats (M1—sloppy surface at swamp forest, M2—plain surface at swamp forest, M3—swamp surface with small grasses, M4—marshy land with dense macrophytes, and M5—marshy land with sparse macrophytes) were studied. We conducted in situ measurements of GHG fluxes, microclimate (AT, ST, and SMC(v/v)), and soil properties (pH, EC, N, P, K, and SOC) in triplicates in all the habitat types. Across the habitats, CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes ranged from 125 to 536 mg m−2 h−1, 0.32 to 28.4 mg m−2 h−1, and 0.16 to 3.14 mg m−2 h−1, respectively. The habitats (M3 and M5) exhibited higher GHG fluxes than the others. The CH4 flux followed the summer > autumn > spring > winter hierarchy. However, CO2 and N2O fluxes followed the summer > spring > autumn > winter. CO2 fluxes were primarily governed by ST and SOC. However, CH4 and N2O fluxes were mainly regulated by ST and SMC(v/v) across the habitats. In the case of N2O fluxes, soil P and EC also played a crucial role across the habitats. AT was a universal driver controlling all GHG fluxes across the habitats. The results emphasize that long-term GHG flux monitoring in sub-tropical Himalayan Wetlands has become imperative to accurately predict the near-future GHG fluxes and their changing nature with the ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban watercourses are an essential part of blue-green infrastructure (BGI) that can mitigate the negative impact of habitat loss resulting from urbanization. Many studies on temperate urban bats activity did not concern its seasonal variations. Our work evaluated the bats' activity and occurrence in different urban riverside environments throughout the vegetation period. Our results showed that long-range echolocators were represented mainly by Nyctalus noctula. Their activity peak occurred in late summer in open habitats of high anthropogenic pressure levels, and at least part of the population was present year-round in the city. Recently reported from Cracow: Hypsugo savii and Pipistrellus kuhlii were confirmed in the medium-range echolocators. The high occurrence of P. pygmeus with a relatively low P. pipistrellus was noteworthy and is probably a result of the low competitiveness of the latter in the presence of P. kuhlii. Two spring and late summer activity peaks on different rivers suggest different migration corridors from and to hibernacula. However, the autumn activity in the city center may also indicate partial hibernation in the old town. The activity peak of short-range echolocators occurred in spring, as expected - mainly in a narrow riverbed and low anthropogenic pressure environments. However, ambiguous spring and late summer activity in the open with the highest anthropogenic pressure environment may result from the rapidly progressing synurbization of M. daubentonii. Our results indicate the need to monitor the bat adaptation process to the cities in the context of dynamic climatic and environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban beaver and stormwater ponds provide hydrologic retention in the landscape while collecting dissolved organic matter (DOM)-rich runoff that can promote primary productivity. Our objective was to determine how the quantity, source, and bioavailability of DOM changed across urban stormwater and beaver pond systems, then compare the two pond types to each other. We measured dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254) from upstream, within, and downstream of seven ponds in Atlanta, GA, USA, biweekly from March to December 2021. Additionally, we completed 28-day laboratory microcosm incubations of pond in- and out-flow during summer and autumn of 2021. We found higher concentrations of DOC in the pond and outflows of stormwater ponds, whereas beaver ponds did not cause any change. Effects of pond type (beaver vs. stormwater) were greater than other controls on concentration, including flow and season. In contrast, SUVA254 showed a shift toward more aromatic carbon below both systems without a clear difference between pond types. Beaver and stormwater pond outflows had similar ranges of DOM bioavailability in summer, but during autumn bioavailability at both sites declined to near zero. Overall, we found that stormwater ponds and beaver ponds had similar impacts on aromaticity and bioavailability, however stormwater ponds increased the quantity of DOC while beaver ponds did not. This suggests that in addition to increasing hydrologic residence times in urbanized systems, urban beaver ponds may limit the export of bioavailable carbon and reduce microbial processing downstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level of consumption of summer tea is a problem in the development of China's tea industry. Current strategies to enhance the quality of summer and autumn teas primarily target the cultivation environment, with less emphasis on processing improvements. This study aimed to optimize the fermentation parameters to impact the quality of summer and autumn teas. We screened four strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) suitable for tea fermentation and determined their optimal mix. This optimized blend was applied to ferment summer and autumn teas. Through single-factor experiments, we evaluated the impact of various processing parameters, including the fixation method, rolling degree, inoculation amount, glucose concentration, fermentation temperature, and fermentation duration, on LAB growth and tea quality. The optimal processing conditions were established as microwave fixation, heavy rolling, an inoculation rate of 1.8% LAB, glucose addition at 8.8%, and fermentation at 36.5 °C for five days. Analysis revealed that the fermentation process significantly reduced the levels of polyphenols and ester-type catechins, which are associated with astringency and bitterness while enhancing the content of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Specifically, after five days, polyphenol content decreased by 26.89%, and GABA levels increased from 0.051 mg/g to 0.126 mg/g. The predominant aroma compounds in the fermented tea were alcohols with floral and fruity scents, constituting 54.63% of the total aroma profile. This research presents a methodical approach to reduce the astringency and bitterness of summer and autumn teas while concurrently increasing GABA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the contribution of atmospheric rivers (ARs) to the water budget input of the Nechako River Basin (NRB) in British Columbia (BC), western Canada. The study quantifies the fraction of precipitation, rainfall, snowfall, and snow water equivalent (SWE) associated with ARs at multiple scales and tests for trends using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test. AR‐related totals for 1950–2021 were created by linking AR events to water budget input variables of the ERA5‐Land reanalysis product on a daily scale. Associations with different phases of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate pattern and AR‐related contributions to the NRB are also investigated. Results indicate an increasing fractional contribution of rain in ARs landfalling in the NRB in the last two decades (2000–2019). Moreover, 21% of the total annual precipitation in the NRB is associated with ARs, with decreasing contributions from west to east. October has higher AR‐related total precipitation than other months, while March, May and June are the least affected. ARs contribute disproportionately more to mid‐ and high‐intensity daily precipitation totals, and provide up to 45% and 24% of the seasonal rainfall and snowfall, respectively. AR‐related SWE is relatively higher in autumn due to the increased frequency and intensity of ARs, resulting in a greater fractional contribution of ARs to the snowpack compared to winter. ARs influence snowpack accumulation during fall (18%) and winter (13%) but also increase the risk of natural hazards. The MK test for AR‐related water budget variables on the annual scale identified no significant trends. However, AR‐related snowfall shows decreasing trends in the NRB, more specifically in the Upper Nechako, Lower Nechako and Stellako sub‐basins during the summer. Over the study period, ARs consistently contribute up to one‐fifth of the annual input to the NRB's water budget. This study provides the first quantitative assessment and trend analyses of AR contributions to the water budget input of a reservoir‐regulated watershed in north‐central BC, yielding valuable information for hydropower production, ecological flows, irrigation, domestic and industrial water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The group selection cutting system provides a promising technique for transforming monospecific even-aged stands into uneven-aged, mixed stands. However, this system has scarcely been used to regenerate Mediterranean shade-intolerant species. In this study, we analyze the height increment patterns of Pinus pinaster seedlings emerging in naturally regenerated gaps. P. pinaster is a shade-intolerant pine species distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin. An experimental trial was established in a 50-year-old P. pinaster (maritime pine) plantation located in the mountains of central Spain. Gaps of two different sizes (diameter equal to 1.5 and 2.5 times the dominant height of the stand, 26 and 44 m, respectively) were opened during winter 2017–18. A total of 531 subplots with a 1-m radius were installed in spring 2018, distributed within the gaps as well as in control plots adjacent to the gaps. Seedlings were tagged individually and variables including height, along with other ecological variables, were collected twice a year (in spring and autumn), providing six time intervals for the development of our models. We applied seemingly unrelated regression to analyze the height growth in this polycyclic species, allowing us to model spring and autumn height increments at the same time. Our results showed that seedling height growth depended on the silvicultural treatment, meteorological conditions during the spring growth season, inter-specific scrub competition, position within the gap, and seedling characteristics, such as the ontogenetic development or the size of the seedling itself. This work, along with germination and survival analysis, aims to provide a holistic perspective on the suitability of the group selection cutting system to regenerate maritime pine stands, taking into account current and future climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), a prevalent respiratory pathogen affecting children and adolescents, is known to trigger periodic global epidemics. The most recent significant outbreak commenced in the first half of 2023 and reached its peak globally during the autumn and winter months. Considering the worldwide repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly essential to delve into the epidemiological characteristics of M. pneumoniae both before and after the pandemic. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the key features of M. pneumoniae epidemics in the pre-and post-COVID-19 contexts, including but not limited to shifts in the susceptible population, the molecular genotypes of the pathogen, the clinical manifestations, and potential new trends in drug resistance. Additionally, we will introduce the latest advancements in the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Redson' is a new triploid, red-fleshed pomelo x grapefruit hybrid. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of rainfall, harvest time, tree age, and yield on the postharvest storage performance of 'Redson' fruit. During 2022/23, two postharvest storage trials were conducted with early- and late-harvested fruit. The fruit from the early harvest retained good quality for up to 16 weeks of storage at 7.5 °C plus 1 week at 22 °C, whereas the late-harvested fruit suffered from a high decay incidence. During 2023/24, we expanded the postharvest trials to nine different fruit sets harvested from early season (late October) until the end of the season (January). Fruit quality was examined under the same storage conditions after 6 and 16 weeks, and the results indicated that early- and mid-season fruit retained good quality with minimal decay incidence even after prolonged storage for 16 weeks, whereas the late-season fruit suffered from significant decay incidences of 17–22% and a decline in flavor acceptability. Further analysis revealed strong and significant correlations between various rainfall parameters and harvest time and decay incidences. Overall, early-harvested fruit during the autumn had a superior postharvest storage performance, whereas late-harvested fruit during the rainy winter suffered from decay development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable application of autumn mulching technology, we examined the effects of straw input on spring maize yield and water-use efficiency in film-mulched farmland. Based on the positioning tests of different mulching methods conducted in 2013, non-mulching (NM), spring mulching (SM), autumn mulching (AM), and autumn mulching combined with the return of straw (AMS) were selected in western Liaoning from 2018 to 2021. Spring maize yield, yield component factors, soil water content, and water-use efficiency under the four treatments were assessed. In each year, the AMS treatment significantly increased the maize yield, which was 48.22%, 9.33%, 30.66%, and 9.92%, and 11.78%, 7.71%, 12.86%, and 4.77% higher than that obtained after the SM and AM treatments, respectively. However, the harvest index was not significantly improved by AMS. AMS treatment significantly improved the precipitation utilization rate in all assessed years. Moreover, the crop water consumption was significantly increased by AMS treatment. Compared with the NM treatment, water-use efficiencies for economic and biological yield were also significantly improved. Thus, autumn mulching combined with straw-returning technology is an effective technical measure for improve spring maize yield and water-use efficiency in semi-arid areas of western Liaoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spain has been the largest pork producer in the EU in recent years, leading to significant pig slurry (PS) production that requires proper management to prevent environmental impacts. The objectives of this study were to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions and to characterize the PS in storage pond systems. A straw cover pond (SP) and addition of effective microorganisms (EMs) in a biological pond (BP) were used to treat the slurries. During two periods (autumn and spring), PS was characterized and GHG (CO2, CH4, N2O) and NH3 emissions were measured with a dynamic chamber. After 5 weeks of storage, BP achieved a reduction of 96% for CO2, 98% for CH4 and 59% for NH3 compared to the control pond (CP) in spring, while SP presented a 74% reduction for CO2 in autumn, and 60% and 97% reductions for CH4 and NH3, respectively, in spring. Additionally, the PS samples showed a decreasing trend for EC, dry matter, COD, BOD5, total N, NH4+-N, Org.-N, NO3−-N, and PO43− during both seasons. This preliminary study shows promise in reducing GHG/NH3 emissions and improving PS properties, but further replication is recommended. Varying straw cover thickness, optimizing EM dose, and a pH reduction may enhance outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]