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Summary: Physiological and hematological traits and productive performance of Spanish Majorera and Palmera goats reared on the Island of Tenerife—Spain were assessed. 50 adult, clinically healthy, multiparous female goats were studied for 18 months. The data were analyzed in a two (breeds) x four (season) factorial scheme. Multivariate analysis and machine learning were used to assess the relationship between adaptive responses and climatic variables. There was no interaction effect between season of the year and breed for physiological responses (P > 0.05), except for coat surface temperature (P < 0.001). Respiratory rate and rectal temperature had no effect on breed c unlike heart rate and coat surface temperature. All thermoregulatory variables showed variations between seasons. The goats had a higher respiratory rate (P < 0.001) in summer and autumn. Rectal temperature was higher in spring (P < 0.001), but similar to winter (P > 0.05), whereas the heart rate was higher by 16.67% in winter when compared to other seasons (P < 0.001). The surface temperature of the coat presented higher values for the Majorera breed when compared to the Palmera in summer and spring. The Majorera breed showed greater productive performance (body weight; P < 0.05). In winter, the red blood series of Majorera goats showed higher values for hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P < 0.05). The white blood series is similar between breeds (P > 0.05). There is a dynamic in the adaptive mechanisms used by Majorera and Palmera goats during the seasons. The temperate climate on Tenerife Island has a greater impact on Majorera goats (r2 canonical = 0.76; P < 0.001) when compared to Palmera goats (P = 0.68; P < 0.001). The surface temperature of the coat is the first activated thermoregulatory mechanism for both breeds (P < 0.001). However, only Majorera goats presented secondary mechanisms which are related to heart rate for lower coat surface temperature values, possibly due to vasoconstriction in winter; and for higher values of rectal temperature when the surface temperature of the coat increases in summer. It is concluded that both breeds are adapted to the temperate climatic conditions of the Island of Tenerife, but there is a seasonal adaptive dynamic. Majorera breed animals have greater body weight, but are less tolerant to the Island's climate. In the warmer seasons, these animals increase the surface temperature of the coat to dissipate endogenous heat and in the colder seasons they increase the number of red cells, which demonstrates their adaptability to the winter climate on the Island of Tenerife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between peripheral and seminal hormones and biochemical parameters with sperm kinematics across seasons in buffalo bulls were studied. Semen from buffalo bulls (n = 13) during different seasons viz. summer, comfort (spring and autumn) and winter was collected. Sperm kinematics of ejaculates (n = 39) (three ejaculates per bull) were carried out during each season and simultaneously blood (10 mL) was collected and serum was separated for hormones (leptin, testosterone and kisspeptin) and biochemical [heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity] estimation. Total motility (TM, %), progressive motility (PM, %) and rapid motility (RM, %) showed significant differences across seasons with the highest TM, PM and RM during winter. HSP70 was higher in seminal plasma levels during summer and TAC was higher in serum than seminal plasma during all seasons. In conclusion, seminal leptin and ascorbic acid showed an association with sperm kinematics across seasons in buffalo bulls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rooting success fluctuates across seasons, with summer and autumn yielding the best results. • Specific clones root more effectively. • Stock plants with higher potassium and nitrogen levels enhance the rooting. • Higher iron and aluminium levels negatively impact rooting, but potassium helps mitigate these effects. Honeybush tea (Cyclopia sp.), an indigenous South African herbal tea, is celebrated for its health benefits. However, the increasing reliance on wild harvesting poses a threat to natural populations, highlighting the necessity for sustainable cultivation. Optimising the propagation process, particularly the rooting success of cuttings, is key to enhancing sustainable production practices. This study aimed to investigate how seasonal variations in mineral nutrient content of stock plants, specifically Cyclopia genistoides (resprouter) and C. subternata (reseeder), affect the rooting dynamics of cuttings. The hypothesis tested was that seasonal nutrient fluctuations significantly impact the rooting success of cuttings and that specific nutrient levels promote better root development. Cuttings from C. genistoides and C. subternata stock plants were collected during different seasons to assess variations in rooting potential. Rooting success was measured based on rooting percent and primary and secondary root formation, while nutrient analysis focused on key minerals like nitrogen, potassium, boron, and iron. Comparative analysis between the two species and across seasons was conducted to identify optimal nutrient ranges for rooting. Autumn-harvested C. subternata cuttings exhibited significantly more primary and secondary roots compared to C. genistoides , with C. subternata producing twice the primary roots and five times more secondary roots. Cyclopia subternata also had higher levels of copper, iron, boron, and magnesium in autumn, whereas C. genistoides showed less nutrient accumulation. Spring-harvested cuttings in both species showed lower rooting success, linked to reduced nitrogen and potassium levels and elevated boron and aluminium concentrations. Overall, C. genistoides rooted more successfully in summer and autumn, while C. subternata demonstrated superior rooting and mineral nutrient accumulation during autumn. Seasonal nutrient variations play a critical role in determining the rooting success of honeybush cuttings. Autumn provides the most favourable conditions for rooting, particularly for C. subternata. Nutrient imbalances, such as low potassium combined with high boron, iron, and aluminium, may inhibit root formation in both species. Ensuring optimal nutrient levels in stock plants is essential for enhancing propagation success. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutrient management in honeybush cultivation, particularly in relation to seasonal variations. This study provides valuable insights for improving sustainable propagation practices by identifying nutrient ranges that promote optimal rooting. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of nutrient-affected rooting dynamics and to refine cultivation guidelines for commercial honeybush production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2020 update of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model introduces a new topside option, COR2, for the formulation of its electron density profile, as well as two plasmaspheric extension options based on the GCPM model of Gallagher et al. (2000) and the IMAGE/RPI model of Ozhogin et al. (2012). We validate the COR2-Gallagher and COR2-Ozhogin topside-plasmasphere options of IRI-2020 using GNSS VTEC measurements and compare them to the NeQuick model used as the default option in IRI-2016. VTEC data from a total of 21 GNSS ground-based receivers are compared to predictions of the IRI model, ranging from low (< 30°) to middle (30°-60°) magnetic latitudes, during high (year 2014; F10.7 ∼ 140 sfu) and low (year 2019; F10.7 ∼ 70 sfu) solar activity. Peak plasma frequency (foF2) data from co-located digisondes are ingested into the model to ensure the relevance of the comparison. The three topside-plasmasphere options perform equally well at mid-latitudes (RMSE ∼ 3 TECU). At low latitudes, the NeQuick option (RMSE ∼ 9 TECU) performs better than both the COR2-Gallagher and COR2-Ozhogin options (RMSE > 10 TECU). For all options, the modeled VTEC is consistently overestimated during the autumn/winter daytime at mid-latitudes regardless of solar activity, and throughout the day at low latitudes during low solar activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous environmental drivers (e.g., temperature, salinity) have been proposed as controls to recruitment. However, these relationships often become discredited over time as further data become available. It remains unclear if these environment-recruitment relationships are spurious results of examining many variables or if environmental drivers' influences on recruitment change over time as other variables exert control, e.g., with shifting climate. We propose that it is of value to re-examine discredited environment-recruitment relationships using the poor-recruitment paradigm (Gross et al. 2022, Fish. Res. 252, 106329). This approach examines whether extreme environmental conditions are associated with poor recruitment, the idea being that non-extreme conditions are uninformative in terms of predicting recruitment. This allows one to detect patterns of poor recruitment regardless of an environment-recruitment relationship's perceived (lack of) significance. We apply the poor-recruitment paradigm approach to various stocks of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the North Atlantic for both historical environment-recruitment data from a meta-analysis (Myers 1998, Rev. Fish Biol. Fisher. 8, 285) and for recent environment-recruitment data from the 2023 stock assessments for stocks in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. From re-examining nine historical data sets, we find poor recruitment can be predicted from previously discredited or uninformative environmental variables involving temperature, salinity and zooplankton abundance. For recent cod data, we examine three stocks each with six environmental variables measured during two seasons (spring and autumn). We find that temperature continues to have predictive value for poor recruitment, but zooplankton abundance is less informative and does not always follow the poor-recruitment paradigm. These findings suggest that (1) these predictors continue to be important over time for cod recruitment and (2) that for the recent regime, temperature may be a better predictor of poor recruitment than zooplankton abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global climate is becoming warmer and wetter, and the physical properties of saline soil are easily affected by the external climate changes, which can lead to complex water–heat–salt-mechanics (WHSM) coupling effect within the soil. However, in the context of climate change, the current research on the surface energy balance process and laws of water and salt migration in saline soil are not well understood. Moreover, testing systems for studying the impact of external meteorological factors on the properties of saline soil are lacking. Therefore, this study developed a testing system that can simulate the environmental coupling effect of the WHSM in saline soil against a background of climate change. Based on meteorological data from the Hexi District in the seasonal permafrost region of China, the testing system was used to clarify the characteristics of surface energy and WHSM coupling changes in sulfate saline soil in Hexi District during the transition of the four seasons throughout the year. In addition, the reliability of the testing system was also verified using testing data. The results showed that the surface albedo of sulfate saline soil in the Hexi region was the highest in winter, with the highest exceeding 0.4. Owing to changes in the external environment, the heat flux in the sulfate saline soil in spring, summer, and early autumn was positive, while the heat flux in late autumn and winter was mainly negative. During the transition of the four seasons throughout the year in the Hexi region, the trends of soil temperature, volumetric water content, and conductivity were similar, first increasing and then decreasing. As the soil depth increased, the influence of external environmental factors on soil temperature, volumetric water content, and conductivity gradually weakened, and the hysteresis effect became more pronounced. Moreover, owing to the influence of external environmental temperature, salt expansion in the positive temperature stage accounts for approximately five times the salt-frost heave deformation in the negative temperature stage, indicating that the deformation of sulfate saline soil in the Hexi region is mainly caused by salt expansion. Therefore, to reduce the impact of external climate change on engineering buildings and agriculture in salted seasonal permafrost regions, appropriate measures and management methods should be adopted to minimize salt expansion and soil salinization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine the major causes of mortality in weka (Gallirallus australis), and to investigate associations between causes of mortality and captivity status, age, sex, decade of submission, and season. Methods: Necropsy records were obtained from the Massey University School of Veterinary Science/Wildbase Pathology database (Palmerston North, NZ) for weka submitted between 1 January 1995 and 22 March 2022. Causes of mortality were classified into categories based on aetiology. Frequency of diagnosis was tested for association with region of submission, captivity status, age, sex, decade, and season of death. Results: A total of 156 necropsy reports were included in this study, of which 96 (61%) were from wild weka, 57 (36.5%) were captive, and three (1.9%) were of an unspecified captivity status. Weka were submitted from 12 regions across New Zealand. There were 65 (41.7%) adults, 16 (10.3%) juveniles, and 75 (48.1%) weka of an undetermined age among the 156 submissions. Of the weka with a known sex, there was a similar distribution between sexes with 27 (17.3%) males and 29 (18.6%) females. A cause of death was determined in 132/156 (84.6%) cases, with 24/156 (15.4%) cases having an unknown diagnosis. The leading cause of mortality in weka was traumatic injury, which occurred in 65/156 (41.7%), followed by infectious and/or inflammatory diseases in 26/156 (16.7%), and degenerative and/or nutritional conditions affecting 20/156 (12.8%) cases. The distribution of the primary causes of death was found to be dependent on captivity status (p < 0.001). Traumatic and toxic causes of death were more frequent in wild than captive weka. The cause of death was also dependent on season (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in cause of death between summer and all other seasons (spring p = 0.008; autumn p < 0.001; winter p < 0.001) and between autumn and winter (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Trauma was identified as the most significant cause of mortality in the free-living weka necropsied. The inherent and uncertain submissions biases, and low case numbers over a long period of time, means that temporal patterns and the effect of captivity status on causes of mortality should be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Remote Sensing for Natural Resources is the property of Remote Sensing for Natural Resources Editorial Office 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 goal of this study was to investigate the metal impact (Mn, Fe, Co) on enzymatic activities of soils cultivated using the simplified method, during spring, summer, and autumn. The distribution of studied metals between fractions was assesed according to the BCR method. Four fractions were evaluated: acid soluble and exchangeable (F1), reducible, which is bound to Fe/Mn oxides (F2), oxidizable, which is bound to organic matter (F3), and residual (F4). The highest Fe and Co percentage share was stated in fraction F4 (71.0 and 49.2%, respectively). The most of Mn gathered fraction F2 (50.8%). The lowest amount of Mn and Co was found in fraction F3 (13.6 and 17.7%, respectively) and for Fe, in fraction F1 (1.3%). In spring, the significant dependence was noted between F1/Mn/dehydrogenase, F3/Fe/dehydrogenase, F2/Co/dehydrogenase, and F4/Fe/protease. Such a relationship was found between F1/Mn/urease, F3/Fe/urease, F3/Co/urease, and F3/Co/phosphatase during autumn. During summer, F1/Fe caused an increase in phosphatase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tigris River is the second longest river in West Asia. It passes through densely populated areas, especially in the city of Baghdad. As a result of the demand for water that become at its highest levels. In contrast, the discharge of the Tigris River has decreased, in addition to the poor quality of the water of the Diyala River, which is one of the tributaries of the Tigris River on the Baghdad side, due to the increasing amounts of wastewater in it. In addition, the deficiency and poor quality of wastewater treatment plants, which in turn affects the life balance of living organisms, including phytoplankton, which is considered one of the components of the food chain for living organisms in the ecosystem. Wide differences exist among algal species in their requirements for nutrient metals or in their sensitivity to pollutants and thus the predominant effect of pollutants may well be on species composition of phytoplankton communities. Five sites were chosen (Saeda on the Tigris, Al-Multaqa on Diyala, Al-Tuwaitha on Tigris, Al-Jaara on the Tigris, and Jesr Enbopy on Diyala) from which samples were taken to measure heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe), chemical oxygen demand COD, pH, and phytoplankton were diagnosed in quantity and quality for three seasons (October, January, and March) Statistical techniques were applied and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) to evaluate the changes during the three seasons, and the results that the phytoplankton species showed a dominance of Cyanophyceae in quantity and quality in the study seasons, which is followed by Chlorophyceae and then Baciliariophyceae in quantity. As for quality, Cyanophyceae is followed by Baciliariophyceae and then Chlorophyceae with low specific density and high diversity according to the Shannon-Wiener index only in autumn with a high diversity of 3.39 at site 2 of the Diyala River, followed by spring with a diversity of 3.115 at site 1 of the Tigris River., The highest biomass of phytoplankton occurred in autumn, whereas the lowest biomass was in spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the efficiency of grafting enables next-generation seed orchards to be established within a shorter period, resulting in improvement of productivity of high-quality seedlings for afforestation. This study investigates the effects of grafting methods (top-cleft and side-veneer), seasonal variation of collecting scions, and genetic variation of graft scions on the grafting survival rates of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. When comparing the grafting methods, the scion shoot elongation of top-cleft method (13.7 cm) was greater than the side-veneer method (8.9 cm), while the survival rate did not differ between the top-cleft (87.5%) and side-veneer methods (83.3%). When comparing the grafting seasons on the survival rate of top-cleft grafts, the scions collected during the autumn and early spring showed significantly higher survival rates than those collected during the summer. In addition, there was a variation in graft survival rates among the genotypes, and a significant positive correlation (r = 0.56) was found between the estimated clonal value of graft survival and of the estimated breeding value of trunk volume in the original test sites, indicating that the genotype that grew well had a higher rate of grafting success. These results can serve as practical guidance for conifer grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of macrobenthic community structure can accurately indicate the ecological health of aquatic environments. To elucidate the spatiotemporal responses of macrobenthic communities and environmental factors in reservoirs, this study investigated macrobenthos and environmental parameters in Yinghu Lake during spring (May), summer (August), and autumn (November). The results showed that the trophic level index (TLI), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were significantly higher and pH was significantly lower (P < 0.05) at the developed sites (DS) than at the undeveloped sites (UDS). The survey identified 32 macrobenthos species representing 3 phylums and 5 orders. PERMANOVA analyses showed that the macrobenthic community structure of Yinghu Lake differed significantly between regions, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri from the gathering collectors (20.47%) and Corbicula fluminea from the filtering collectors (7.82%) were the primary species driving the differences. The results of the two-way ANOVA indicated that species richness, the Margalef index (D), and the functional feeding group Margalef index (FFG-D) were significantly lower in summer than in autumn (P < 0.05). FFG-D was also significantly lower at the DS compared to the UDS (P < 0.05), while the interaction effects of season and region on these indicators were not significant (P > 0.05). Redundancy analysis (RDA) and generalized additive modelling (GAM) indicated that the permanganate index (CODMn) and total dissolved solids altered the macrobenthic community structure towards oligochaete and gathering collectors-dominated assemblages. Moreover, macrobenthic diversity was constrained by high total dissolved solids concentrations, sediment organic carbon (OC_s), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), low sediment total phosphorus (TP_s), high water temperature, and deep water. In summary, the spatiotemporal variations in water quality and macrobenthos communities in the reservoir were influenced by natural conditions and anthropogenic disturbances. This study provides valuable insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of macrobenthic communities and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the role of biodiversity in maintaining the stability of large reservoir ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seasonal migration is a behavioral strategy that animals evolved to exploit seasonally changing resources. Ungulates in northern temperate landscapes often seasonally migrate between low-elevation winter ranges and higher-elevation summer ranges, allowing individuals to exploit a diversity of forage resources during summer while avoiding extreme conditions during winter. In autumn, the timing of this behavior often overlaps with hunting seasons for managed ungulate populations. Migration presents challenges for managing ungulates when the timing of autumn migrations varies across years and migrations cross management jurisdictions. Methods: We evaluated the spatial and temporal patterns of autumn migration using GPS collar data collected during 2017–2019 from 68 female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that migrated seasonally within three study areas in northwest Montana. We related the timing of autumn migration to environmental variables including precipitation, snow depth and density, temperature, plant phenology, migration distance, and estimates of relative hunting intensity. We summarized variables across multiple temporal scales (2-day, and 1 week) to identify possible lagged or cumulative effects of conditions on mule deer behavior. We incorporated these variables into a time-to-event modeling framework to estimate their relative impacts on the timing of initiation of autumn migration. Results: The collective annual space use of deer in each study area spanned up to 9 hunting districts, and individual deer used an average of 2.1, 2.8, and 2.0 hunting districts per year (range 1–4) in the Cabinet-Fisher, Rocky Mountain Front, and Whitefish study areas, respectively. Furthermore, the return of deer to winter ranges occurred over a 3-month timeframe spanning archery, rifle, and closed hunting periods. While some deer returned to winter range relatively early during archery season in September, others remained in summer range into December, after the general rifle season concluded. Declines in daily minimum temperatures and increased weekly precipitation provided the strongest cues for mule deer to begin their autumn migration. Mule deer with longer migration distances were more likely to initiate their migration sooner, and declining forage conditions also showed a modest effect on timing. Mule deer migrations occurred during times of lower hunting activity prior to its peak during rifle season. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates changing weather conditions were the primary driver of the initiation of autumn migration for mule deer. Given most migrations spanned more than one hunting district, the boundaries of management units were mismatched with the scale of ecological processes, implying that management actions in certain districts may have unintended consequences for populations in nearby districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The underexplored impact of climate change on influenza outbreak severity and duration hampers our understanding of how climate-driven changes affect transmission dynamics. Our study employs the SIRS (Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered-Susceptible) model to simulate incremental temperature rises (2.5 °C, 5 °C, 7.5 °C, and 10 °C) in winter and summer. Results show warming significantly influences infections across seasonal, interannual, and decadal scales. Higher temperatures significantly impact infection rates, especially in autumn and winter, with long-lasting effects extending 5-6 years. Sustained warming lowers the total infection numbers compared to pre-warming levels. When winter and summer experience simultaneous warming, infection fluctuations during the warming period are mainly driven by winter warming. Winter warming also lowers the peak-to-trough infection ratio, reducing epidemic intensity fluctuations. Additionally, parameter choices can significantly affect the impact of warming on infection rates. Warming of varying intensity and duration can significantly impact influenza outbreaks, potentially altering their seasonal patterns in a global warming context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time series of Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar-C images was analysed to identify submesoscale eddies (SMEs) in the South Brazil Bight (SSB) between 2017 and 2021. This analysis provides insights into the formation mechanisms, as well as the spatial and temporal distribution of the eddies. Visual examination of 2,603 images led to the detection of 1,780 eddies. The eddies’ statistics hat the majority of these eddies have radii ranging from 1 to 3 km and exhibit a pronounced asymmetry in type and polarity, with a predominance of cyclonic eddies (94.2%) and black eddies (78.5%). Eddies were more observed during autumn and winter (61.5% of the total), with a preferential distribution over the shelf, particularly in the central and southern sectors of the SSB. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the eddies shows seasonal variations, with a higher density in the southern part during winter. This season is characterized by more intense baroclinic instabilities, possibly constituting a key mechanism for eddy formation in the SBB. In addition, higher concentrations of chlorophyll during these periods may enhance the visibility of the eddies. The generation of SMEs in the central portion of the SBB is related to the interaction between bathymetry and coastal ocean currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of climate change on crop production remains a major concern around the world, as cropping is directly linked to global food security. Therefore, accurately estimating the effects on farmers' crop production is crucial for effective adaptation strategies. We employ the panel Ricardian model to estimate the impact of changes in temperature and precipitation on crop net revenue, using a 17-year panel dataset that includes ~180,000 households in China. Our analysis accounts for market price differences and interactions between temperature and precipitation, and farmers' adaptation to climate change. We found that temperature and precipitation significantly impact crop net revenue, with farmers' adaptations partially mitigating these effects. The effects of temperature change on crop net revenue vary among different seasons, with the negative consequences of maximum daily temperature (Tmax) concentrated in spring and autumn, and the positive effects of minimum daily temperature (Tmin) only being seen in autumn. Additionally, precipitation negatively impacts crops mainly in autumn and winter. Climate change impact is more pronounced for cash crops compared to grain crops and for large farms relative to small farms. The negative effects of spring temperature are concentrated in northern regions, whereas southern regions are more sensitive to temperature and precipitation in autumn. Furthermore, simulations of future climate patterns suggest that the impact of Tmax on crop production is decreasing, while the negative effect of increasing Tmin is increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine mesoscale convective organisation in the tropical western Pacific using a multivariate analysis of column humidity, precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) observations. We demonstrate that in boreal summer and autumn, convection remains spatially random despite radiative-feedbacks acting to aggregate convection, which we attribute to the high density of convective moisture sources and the role of wind shear. Instead, in winter and spring, a weak meridional SST gradient exists and convection is usually clustered over the regions of warmer SSTs, with significant meridional humidity gradients. However, this is sporadically interrupted by episodes of convection migration to the coldest SSTs and limited spatial humidity variance. These episodes are the result of westward propagating equatorial waves, which remove meridional humidity gradients. It appears that the drivers of mesoscale convective clustering and humidity variability in the Pacific warm pool are the SST gradients, shear, and equatorial wave dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The degree to which avian migrants revisit the same sites to replicate routes from previous years has received more and more attention as the possibilities of tracking small to medium-size birds over multiple annual cycles have improved. Repeated measurements of individuals with an appropriate sampling resolution can potentially inform about their navigation and migration strategies and to what extent observed variation within and between individuals may reflect the selective potential in the population. Methods: We analysed the annual space-use of European nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus tracked with GPS-loggers in multiple years between northern Europe and southern Africa. We quantified spatial consistency of stationary sites and variation, repeatability, and latitudinal correlations in route choice and also investigated barrier-associated changes of within- and between-individual longitudinal variation in flight routes. Results: We found that the nightjars consistently used the same breeding and wintering sites. In contrast, the birds generally varied their migration routes between years, and we could only rarely confirm site fidelity to stopover sites. Nevertheless, route variation within individuals remained low for most of both autumn and spring migration, while the between individual variation generally was larger, resulting in a high repeatability in flight routes. Although we found extensive spatial autocorrelation in both seasons across latitudes, we detected significant changes in longitudinal variation associated with the passage of ecological barriers enroute. Potential intermediate goal areas were visited prior to the crossing of the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert in both seasons. In spring, within-individual route variability dropped to a few tens of kilometres at the initiation of the Sahara crossing but increased to maximum over the barrier. Conclusions: The nightjars incorporate individual-specific space use within their annual cycle that allows for a degree of flexibility during migration, possibly driven by the energetic benefits of allowing adaptive wind drift while airborne. Our data demonstrate how topography and spatial autocorrelation of positions influence flight path variability that may diminish or reinforce individuality in route choice. Hence, this study highlights that identifying and quantifying past and present external influences on emergence of realised routes can be critical for distinguishing the genetic basis and environmental variation in migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is accelerating climate disasters by triggering tipping points in various Earth systems. Although changes in precipitation patterns in High-Mountain Asia (HMA) have been extensively studied, the specific thresholds that trigger rapid snowfall loss remain unclear. A continuous piecewise linear regression model was employed to classify HMA into four distinct precipitation regimes: insensitive snowfall-dominated areas, sensitive snowfall-dominated areas, sensitive rainfall-dominated areas, and insensitive rainfall-dominated areas. Our results show that future warming will increase the sensitivity of winter and spring snowfall to climate change, whereas summer and autumn snowfall will become less sensitive. All four precipitation regimes exhibit an upward shift to higher elevations, with varying rates of elevation gain across regions and seasons. Temperature is the primary driver of snowfall loss, whereas relative humidity mitigates it. This study identifies high-risk areas vulnerable to snowfall loss, to help guide the development of effective mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies focused on the spatial diversity of ENSO's influence on tropical cyclones (TCs) in the western North Pacific (WNP), with less emphasis on temporal evolution. This study examines the variability of TC genesis in the WNP during boreal autumn (September-November) across three types of La Niña transitions: cyclic, multi-year, and episodic. The findings highlight significant differences, particularly in the South China Sea's (SCS) role within the WNP region. During a cyclic La Niña, the SCS TC frequency is approximately 2.6 times greater than those of the other two types due to higher local humidity from increased water vapor transport from the Indian Ocean and convergence in the SCS, driven by an anomalous cyclone in the SCS and Maritime Continent. Observations and model simulations revealed that a warmer sea surface temperature in the Philippine Sea, a delayed effect of the preceding El Niño, triggered this cyclonic circulation and moisture influx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed temperature and precipitation from 60 meteorological stations during a half-century (1974–2023) using the Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) to explore the spatial and temporal trends across South Korea. The ITA illustrated the trends graphically, and the Mann-Kendall (MK) test added statistical significance to these findings, allowing us to better understand climate changes over the past five decades. The ITA analysis showed a statistically significant monotonic warming trend in temperature at nearly all of the stations. While annual and seasonal changes were found to be substantial, the most relative increases were reported during the spring and summer months. There were quite clear spatial and seasonal differences in precipitation trends. The Han River and Jeju Island areas showed significant increases in precipitation during summer and autumn, which may be associated with intensified monsoonal activity. Our findings revealed a consistent warming signal in all regions and significant regional climate variability. The observed temperature increases, especially in the spring season, are likely to have significant impacts on crop yield and altered growing season due to increased heat stress, increased water demand for various activities affecting water resources, heightened risks to public health from heatwaves and broader impacts on societal well-being such as increased energy demands as well as economic costs associated with climate adaptation measures. The complex precipitation patterns revealed the influence of regional topography and oceanic drivers in modulating climate variability in South Korea, which differs from patterns seen in more continental regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uroglena sp. is a major contributor to the fishy odor in drinking water, with temperature being a key factor regulating its growth. However, no study has yet detailed its effect on Uroglena sp.'s growth. Uroglena sp. mainly blooms in spring when temperatures are lower, though similar lower temperatures are also present in autumn and winter. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the growth and decline behavior of Uroglena sp. under different temperatures and to assess the impact of microorganism composition in different samples on the growth of Uroglena sp. To achieve the objectives of this study, surface water samples collected in May (spring), September (autumn), and January (winter) were incubated under different temperatures. Findings revealed that Uroglena sp. exhibited higher and more prolonged growth at a low temperature of 5 °C. Within the temperature range of 10 to 20 °C, Uroglena sp. exhibited less vigorous growth and lysed more rapidly. No growth was observed at 30 °C. The limited growth of Uroglena sp. at higher temperatures is attributed to an increased abundance of bacteria and competition with other microalgae including Nitzschia sp., Sphaerocystis sp., Scenedesmus sp., Fragilaria sp., Attheya sp., Golenkinia sp., Melosira sp., and Dinobryon sp. This indicates that the coexistence of microalgae and bacteria plays a significant role in the growth of Uroglena sp. The maximum concentration of Uroglena sp. during incubation was higher for the water sample of May compared to the sample of September and January, which reached about 2500 colony/mL at 5 °C for the sample of May. The generally higher growth of Uroglena sp. with the sample of May suggests that less significant microalgae competition in the season could create more favorable conditions for the bloom of Uroglena sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Sea ice extent increased in the Pacific Arctic Ocean during 2021 owing to the reversal of the Beaufort Gyre, unlike in previous years. The increased sea ice concentration may restore the marine ecosystem to its previous state; nevertheless, the precise conditions and mechanisms involved remain unclear. Methods: In this study, the 2008–2017 period was defined as "the sea ice retreat year," and its zooplankton community distribution representative was estimated using generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM). Subsequently, we assessed the effect of delayed sea ice melt on the zooplankton community by comparing the zooplankton community of the sea ice retreat year with that in 2021. Results: In GDM, numerous satellite parameters significantly affected the zooplankton distribution, with the highest effect during the open-water period and annual primary production (APP) and the lowest in water temperature. The effect of APP and temperature on zooplankton similarity was high around the Bering Strait owing to the advection of Pacific copepods (Eucalanus bungii , Metridia pacifica , and Neocalanus spp.) and synchronized inflow of warm Pacific water. Under significant warming scenarios (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway [SSP]1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5), GDM-based multiple effects predicted that the zooplankton communities in high latitudes will be more affected than those on the southern shelf (northern Bering Sea to southern Chukchi Sea). In 2021, the total abundance across the northern Bering Sea to the Chukchi Sea shelf region was lower than that of the community during the sea ice retreat year. However, certain species (Limacina helicina and Pacific copepods) increased locally (northern Bering Sea and Barrow Canyon) because of the increasing volume of Pacific origin water. Discussion: Contrary to the reported increase trend on zooplankton, low primary productivity and phenological mismatch for zooplankton may prevail in the Pacific Arctic Ocean, resulting in a low abundance during autumn 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Like pelagic fishes, cephalopods represent fishery resources with high worldwide potential and an important evolutionary node animal group. Thus, exploring the spatial and seasonal variations in cephalopod distribution and their associations with environmental factors is important for elucidating cephalopod diversity and the distribution of cephalopods under changing environmental conditions and for developing reasonable resource management and conservation measures. Methods: On the basis of trawl survey data from 123 stations in the coastal waters of Zhejiang, China, in the spring and autumn of 2021, the relationships among the cephalopod species composition and diversity characteristics and the spatial and seasonal changes and environmental factors were investigated via the relative importance index (IRI), the alpha diversity index, and the GAM. Results: The results revealed that the cephalopods in the coastal waters of Zhejiang belonged to three orders, six families, and 10 genera and that the dominant species were gradually replaced by species of minor economic importance and endemic small-scale fishery species. In spring, Uroteuthis duvaucelii was the dominant species, the resource density in the southern coastal waters of Zhejiang was relatively high, and the overall distribution increased from northeast to southwest. In autumn, U. duvaucelii and Abralia multihamata were the dominant species, and the coastal waters of Zhejiang presented two high-density distribution areas in the northern and central waters, with lower resource density in the southern waters. Analysis of the alpha diversity index revealed relatively low cephalopod community diversity, with significant differences in spatial and seasonal distributions. The GAM revealed that, in spring, surface dissolved oxygen and sea bottom temperature led to significant changes in cephalopod resource density (p <0.05), and water depth significantly affected cephalopod resource density (p <0.01); in autumn, only water depth significantly affected cephalopod resource density (p <0.01). Discussion: The cephalopod resources in the coastal waters of Zhejiang are under the dual stresses of fishing and environmental changes. The protection and restoration of traditional economic cephalopod resources are needed to ensure their sustainable development and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthropogenic activities have led to increased N input and changes of N transformation processes in lake systems. However, changes in phytoplankton community structure caused by phytoplankton's preference for N utilization under the increasing N input remain poorly understood. This study used nitrate isotopes (δ15N-NO3− and δ18O-NO3−) to investigate seasonal differences in N cycling as well as associated response of phytoplankton biomass and community composition. Results: Results showed that the average δ15N-NO3− values in spring, summer, autumn, and winter were 7.6 ± 0.7‰, 6.1 ± 0.7‰, 5.5 ± 1.8‰, and 7.4 ± 1.2‰, respectively. Accordingly, the average δ18O-NO3− values showed the following order: winter (12.8 ± 1.0‰) > summer (11.5 ± 0.9‰) > spring (10.3 ± 0.9‰) > autumn (7.9 ± 1.7‰). The main nitrate sources in Lake Poyang were soil N, N fertilizer, and the manure and sewage in all seasons, contributing 93.8%, 3.3%, and 2.8%, respectively. Nitrification and algal-derived nitrate (NO3−-N) assimilation were the main biochemical processes affecting N. In spring, the signal of nitrification was stronger, while in autumn, the signals of N assimilation by algae were more pronounced. The phytoplankton community composition varied with the seasonal changes of N concentrations and forms. The total biomass of phytoplankton in winter was the lowest of all four seasons and it was negatively correlated with NO3−-N concentration (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the role of available forms of N in floodplain lake and provide essential support for prediction of phytoplankton growth and functions. Our work deciphers the role of phytoplankton in the lake N cycle, providing theoretical support to management of phytoplankton community to future environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish play a crucial role in the estuarine ecosystem due to their ecological and commercial significance. Consequently, it is essential to study the characteristics of fish communities and their impacts within the estuary. In this study, we employed a single-boat bottom trawl to conduct four fishery resource surveys in April (spring), August (summer), October (autumn), and December (winter) of 2020 at ten sampling sites along the south bank of the Yangtze River Estuary (SBYRE). The primary objective was to assess the influence of water masses and environmental variables on the spatial and temporal distribution and diversity of fish communities in the SBYRE. The results indicated that fish biomass and abundance during summer were significantly higher than those observed in the other three seasons. High-value areas were predominantly located on the nearshore of the SBYRE and the north bank of Hangzhou Bay, a finding also corroborated by the cluster heat map results. Furthermore, the environmental variables in summer differed significantly from those in the other seasons, suggesting that the temporal and spatial distribution of fish was substantially influenced by these variables during the summer months. Mantel test and redundancy analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the biomass and abundance of fish in summer and the factors of temperature and salinity. The seasonal alternation of dominant fish species contributes significantly to the heterogeneity observed in the temporal and spatial distribution of their communities. The reduced biomass and abundance of fish in spring were attributed to the lower influx of freshwater from the upstream. Seasonal variations in the fronts created by the confluence of multiple water masses in the study area, which play a crucial role in influencing the temporal and spatial distribution of fish communities. Furthermore, the presence of these fronts provides suitable habitats for spawning, feeding, and fattening for various fish species, making them ideal environments for numerous migratory fish. This study enhances our understanding of the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of fish communities in estuarine ecosystems and the factors influencing them, offering valuable insights for the protection and restoration of estuarine marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research from multiple regions indicates that Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has altered the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included children hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) from 2017 to mid-2024. Data on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), influenza A virus (IAV), influenza B virus (IBV), and parainfluenza virus (PIV)—were collected and analyzed across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Results: A total of 59173 children were included. Detection rates were 34.97% (8553/24459) pre-pandemic, 21.93% (4621/21067) during the pandemic, and 21.64% (2953/13647) post-pandemic. Mixed infections rates significantly decreased during the pandemic (0.78%) and post-pandemic (0.78%) compared to pre-pandemic levels (1.63%) (P < 0.001). RSV was the most prevalent virus across all periods (P < 0.001). Following non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in 2020, detection rates declined significantly. After restrictions eased in 2021, RSV, PIV, and IBV surged, while IAV continued to decline until its resurgence in spring 2023 (P < 0.001). Certain viruses showed altered seasonal patterns: during the spring and summer of 2021, RSV detection rates exceeded those of previous years, while the expected winter 2022 peak was delayed by approximately six months. IAV peaks disappeared during winters of 2020 and 2021, peaking in spring 2023. IBV peaked in autumn 2021 and winter 2023. PIV had an unusual rise in summer 2020, peaking in autumn, delayed by about five months. The peak in the first half of 2024 returned to its normal timing. ADV appeared to be unaffected, with increased detection in 2022, and decreased in 2023 and 2024. Conclusion: Epidemiological patterns of respiratory viruses have been altered by multiple influencing factors. The significance of vaccination, hygiene practices, public health interventions and etc. was emphasized in addressing pandemics. Additionally, ongoing dynamic monitoring is essential due to the evolving epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wing autotomy is known to occur sporadically in some heteropteran families but undocumented in the superfamily Lygaeoidea. The regular and seasonal partial de-alation of the macropterous form of the wing-dimorphic blissid bug Ischnodemus sabuleti is documented in this paper. All macropterous adults of both sexes stay full winged after emergence during the late summer and autumn and during the hibernation. Breaking down of the forewing membrane and the serious damage to the hindwings happens in the spring and coincides with the onset of the reproductive behaviour. Very likely the bugs mutilate their wings by rubbing them with the hind legs (active autotomy); however, this should be confirmed with observations. Heteropteran wing autotomy might have evolved several times independently from the normal wing-cleaning behaviour and might be triggered by natural wing injuries. Phylogenetically, the supposed wing autotomy of I. sabuleti is probably an apomorphic character. Most, if not all, heteropteran species known to mutilate their wings are the macropters of wing-dimorphic species, which fact represents another aspect of the phenomenon called 'migratory syndrome'. Concerning the possible adaptive value of I. sabuleti's supposed wing autotomy, some mutually non-exclusive hypotheses are presented and discussed. These might be also relevant to the documented wing autotomy of some other heteropteran species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) is an important source of seasonal–interannual climate prediction. However, predicting the IOD itself is a long-standing challenge due to in part the influence of tropical intraseasonal oscillation (ISO). This study revisits the influence of the ISO on the evolution of the IOD. Furthermore, the impact of intraseasonal signals on the IOD prediction is investigated using an atmosphere–ocean coupled model. Compared to the prediction without atmospheric data initialization (nudging toward observed atmosphere), the prediction skill of the IOD at lead times of 1–6 months is improved. This improvement may benefit from a realistic initial condition and prediction in the first month for tropical ISOs such as the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) and its associated easterly/westerly wind events (E/WWEs). As seen in the observation and predictions, the frequency of the active BSISO in summer is significantly correlated to the SST anomalies over the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) in autumn, and the WWEs in summer excite downwelling Kelvin waves and accumulate heat in the subsurface of the EIO. However, the effect of atmospheric nudging varies when predicting different IOD events. For instance, it improves the prediction of a positive IOD (pIOD) in 1997, while it degrades the prediction of a pIOD in 2006, which is attributed to the asymmetrical relationship between intraseasonal easterly/westerly wind and SST in the EIO. Our results reinforce the importance of high-frequency signals in the IOD prediction. The limited skill in predicting the ISO and the across-time-scale interactions may restrict the model's capability in predicting the IOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of our study is to investigate the possible relationship between meteorological values, time intervals, seasonality and the development of Stanford type A aortic dissection. Methods: We collected meteorological data of the residential area of patients treated for aortic dissection between January 2006 and April 2021. For each patient, the average values of meteorological data on the day of the incident and the previous day were determined and the differences between these values were analyzed. We also compared circadian pattern. Results: Although the peak time was between 12 and 18 h, and the peak season was the autumn, there was no statistically significant difference. When comparing the meteorological values, it was found that air pressure and air temperature decreased statistically significantly. Discussion: A significant decrease in air temperature and barometric pressure in the patient's settlement compared to the previous day may be associated with the development of acute type A aortic dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of black tea fermentation with different exogenous tannases was investigated, and processing parameters during black tea fermentation, including fermentation time, fermentation temperature, and exoenzyme amounts, were optimized, while the consumption and transformation pathways of catechins were analyzed. The results showed that tannase from Aspergillus niger was ultimately selected as the optimal enzyme to effectively increase the content of theaflavins by promoting the hydrolysis reaction and benzoylation reaction of catechins, resulting in a greater theaflavin (TF) content of 1.41%. The optimal processing conditions were found to be a fermentation time of 3 h, a fermentation temperature of 20 °C, and 1 g of tannase for 300 g of rolled tea leaves. Processing with the exogenous tannase could provide an ideal choice for the efficient utilization of summer and autumn fresh tea leaves, and could be used to develop summer and autumn black tea and to improve the content of theaflavins. It could also be used to develop deep processing of tea products with theaflavin extracts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the influence of the season of conception, and the season of birth on the incidence of preterm birth (PTB) and neonatal outcomes. This is a single center, retrospective cohort study of singleton births that took place in The Coombe Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, between January 2013 and December 2022. A comprehensive database was analyzed to determine the incidence of PTB per season of conception and season of birth. Overall neonatal outcomes were reported and stratified per the occurrence of PTB or term birth. Following exclusions, 76,988 births were analyzed. Women who conceived in winter between December-February had significantly lower rates of PTBs when compared to other seasons (5.4 % vs 6.5 % (spring) vs 5.6 % (summer) and 5.4 % (autumn), p < 0.001). When considering only spontaneous preterm labor, this trend persists, with most women experiencing spontaneous PTBs conceiving during spring (6.7 % vs 5.5 % (winter) vs 5.7 % (summer) vs 5.5 % (autumn), p = 0.001). Conversely, women who gave birth in December-February had significantly higher rates of premature births when compared to other seasons (6.2 vs 5.8, 5.5 %. and 5.5 %, p < 0,01). PTBs of spontaneous onset were highest between December and February, however no statistical significance was found (6.2 % vs 6.1 % (spring), 5.7 % (summer) and 5.4 % (autumn), p = 0.13). No significant variation in maternal risk factors or neonatal outcomes were identified between the seasons. This study has shown that there is a seasonal variation in the incidence of preterm births in this Irish-based cohort. A low prevalence of PTB was demonstrated when conceptions occurred in the winter months. However, there was a greater incidence of preterm births between December and February. This is suggestive that there are potential risk factors associated with seasonal patterns that may be modifiable. Further research to identify these specific risks is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether there are latitude and seasonal differences in the prevalence of mood episodes (depression and mania) in youth and young adults with Bipolar Spectrum Disorder (BD). Mood polarity was prospectively evaluated in 413 participants with BD. Participants were enrolled in the Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth (COBY) study at three sites (University of California Los Angeles-UCLA, Brown University, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-UPMC) and interviewed on average every 7 months for an average of 91.9 months (range: 6–228 months), with a total of 274,123 weekly mood ratings. Associations between light exposure and mood polarity were estimated using generalized linear mixed models with time-varying covariates, considering the latitude and seasonality of the study sites and other potential confounders. Average age at intake and at last assessment was 12.6 ± 3.3 and 27.2 ± 4.8 years-old, respectively. There were significantly more depressive episodes during winter than during summer, spring, and autumn. Considering latitude, UCLA showed significantly lower prevalence of depressive episodes, and an absence of seasonal pattern of depression, compared to the Brown/UPMC sites. For the entire sample, there were more manic/hypomanic episodes during summer than during winter. However, there were no significant between site seasonal differences in the prevalence of manic/hypomanic episodes. Depressive episodes are more prevalent during the winter and although less significant, manic/hypomanic episodes during the summer. Awareness and interventions to prevent or ameliorate the effects of seasonal variations in mood changes in BD are warranted. • There were significant seasonal variations in the prevalence of depressive episodes. • Depressive episodes were more prevalent in winter than in summer, spring, autumn. • Considering the latitude of the site, the results were similar at mid-latitudes with four-seasons. • There was a lack of seasonal pattern of depression at latitudes with little seasonal variation. • To a lesser extent, there were more manic episodes during summer than during winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-surface ozone is a secondary pollutant, and its high concentrations pose significant risks to human and plant health. Based on an Extra Tree (ET) model, this study estimated near-surface ozone concentrations with the high spatiotemporal resolution based on Himawari-8 aerosol optical depth (AOD) data and meteorological variables from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. The SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method was employed to evaluate the contribution of AOD and meteorological factors on ozone concentration. The results indicate that (1) the ET model achieves a sample-based cross-validation R2 of 0.75–0.87 and an RMSE (μg/m3) of 17.96–20.30. The coefficient of determination (R2) values of the model in spring, summer, autumn, and winter are 0.81, 0.80, 0.87, and 0.75, respectively. (2) Higher temperature and boundary layer heights were found to positively contribute to ozone concentration, whereas higher relative humidity exerted a negative influence. (3) From 11:00 to 15:00 (Beijing time, UTC+08:00), ozone concentration increases gradually, with the highest occurring in the summer, followed by spring. This study has obtained high spatial and temporal resolution ozone concentration data, offering valuable insights for the development of fine-scale ozone pollution prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to explore two new km-scale regional climate simulations prepared through the European Climate Prediction project over the Madeira and Canary islands, which are Portuguese and Spanish archipelagos located in the North Atlantic, off the African coast. The simulations are based on two models using different modelling approaches: COSMO-CLM with a three-step nesting at 50, 25 and 3 km grid spacing using a time-slice approach driven by a global climate model, and COSMO-crCLIM with a two-step nesting at 12 and 1 km grid spacing using the pseudo-global warming approach, where the current-day simulations are driven by ERA-Interim reanalysis. Although the modelling approaches are different, several findings are highlighted: (1) the use of km-scale simulation is essential to properly represent temperature and precipitation mean and extremes over small islands that are characterized by complex topography; (2) the projected changes in temperature and precipitation mean and extremes are qualitatively similar in all seasons except autumn; (3) the differences in the autumn projections are shown to be due to the large-scale driving conditions. Small islands, such as the Canary and Madeira ones, are often neglected by large modelling initiatives, so the presented simulations contribute to filling this gap for local policy makers, stakeholders and climate services. The encouraging results highlight the need for further coordinated km-scale projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response to the article "An examination of the ability of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) to mitigate nitrogen leaching from pasture systems" critiques Eady et al.'s assessment of nitrogen leaching from grazed pasture systems, particularly focusing on the role of dairy cow urinary-N. The response highlights flaws and omissions in Eady et al.'s analysis, emphasizing the significant contribution of urine to nitrogen leaching based on various studies. It also questions the validity of certain figures used by Eady et al. and stresses the importance of considering factors like urine deposition rates, timing, and soil characteristics in understanding nitrogen leaching. [Extracted from the article]

Excessive total suspended matter (TSM) concentrations can exert a considerable impact on the growth of aquatic organisms in fishponds, representing a significant risk to aquaculture health. This study revised existing unified models using empirical data to develop an optimized TSM retrieval model tailored for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) (R2 = 0.69, RMSE = 7.78 mg/L, and MAPE = 0.23). Employing top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance data from Landsat satellites, accessed via Google Earth Engine (GEE), the refined model facilitated the generation of TSM datasets for fishponds across the GBA from 1986 to 2019. Over these 34 years, there was a marked decline in TSM levels in fishponds, with an approximate 50% reduction in annual average TSM. This decline was particularly notable in the northern, western, and eastern GBA regions, leading to a spatial distribution characterized by higher TSM concentrations in the central and southern regions and lower concentrations in the peripheral regions. Seasonally, TSM levels in GBA fishponds are significantly higher during spring and summer compared to autumn and winter. Regarding natural factors, wind speed shows a significant positive correlation with long-term TSM fluctuations in these environments (p < 0.01). Stocking density, regulated artificially, emerges as a pivotal factor affecting TSM fluctuations. Specifically, TSM concentrations are elevated during periods of high stocking density in the rapid growth phase, and decrease during the mature and harvesting phases when stocking densities are reduced. Furthermore, fishponds situated in impervious areas exhibit significantly higher TSM concentrations compared to those in cropland or forested areas. The economic costs associated with aquaculture drive variations in stocking densities across different land uses within the GBA, contributing to the observed spatial variations in TSM levels. Given the status of the GBA as one of China's most advanced aquaculture regions, the insights from this study hold substantial value from both economic and ecological viewpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In structural recycling of wind turbine blades, two options are often distinguished: reuse and repurpose. The latter was the main subject of the present research carried out by the authors in a research consortium with the leading Polish industry waste recycler. The main goal of the project was to develop, design, and demonstrate the first domestic footbridge made of decommissioned wind turbine blades, taking into account the review of existing ideas. This paper presents an experimental investigation to determine the material parameters and to evaluate the structural behavior of a decommissioned wind turbine blade to be adopted for a footbridge. Terrestrial laser scanning and comprehensive material testing were performed according to ASTM standards to determine the actual blade geometry, the stacking sequence, and the mechanical properties of the blade composite materials. The experimentally determined strengths, elastic moduli, and Poisson's ratios of the composites extracted from the shell and the spar cap along the blade were very high and definitely sufficient for the fiber-reinforced polymer bridge girders. Then, a four-point edgewise bending test was performed on an 11 m section of the blade to evaluate its structural behavior: stiffness, ultimate strength, global safety factor, and fatigue life. The full-scale model of the blade bridge girder behaved linearly elastic in the full load range up to 1,250 kN of the total load, did not reach the ultimate carrying capacity, and exhibited only small local damages (laminate cracking). The results of these tests revealed that the LM 29.1-type wind turbine blades were suitable to be reutilized as main girders for a footbridge. Using the presented research results, the first bridge in the world made of decommissioned wind turbine blades was designed and installed in the late fall of 2021 in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter canola production in eastern Canada is a growing segment of the Canadian canola industry. Crop establishment and survival overwinter have been identified as two of the major challenges associated with the production of winter canola. Environmental conditions can interact with agronomic practices, including seeding date, plant population density, fertility, and residue management, to influence stand establishment in autumn and overwinter survival. The objective of the current research was to evaluate the impact and interaction of preceding crop residue and tillage practices on the establishment, overwinter survival, and yield of winter canola in southern Ontario. Winter canola was seeded following either winter wheat or soybean and using conventional, no-till, or strip-till practices. Over the course of the 3 years of study, the annual decline in winter canola plant population density was influenced by the type of tillage practice used but not by the preceding crop. The overwinter decrease in plant population density was largest in no-till, followed by strip-till, and finally conventional tillage. At physiological maturity, winter canola yields in reduced tillage practices (i.e., no-till and strip-till) were equivalent to those achieved utilizing conventional tillage practices. When grain yields were standardized as a function of the spring plant population density, the highest and lowest yield per plant coincided with the lowest and highest plant population densities and were observed in strip-till (14.2 g plant−1) and no-till (9.1 g plant−1), respectively. Results of this research have established that winter canola can be successfully produced in Ontario utilizing a range of tillage practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Finland Project Management Roundup: February 2025" provides an overview of Project Professionals Finland, PMI Finland Chapter, and the Kruunusillat project in Finland. Project Professionals Finland is a not-for-profit organization with over 4000 individual and 200 organizational members, hosting annual conferences and promoting project-oriented thinking. PMI Finland Chapter offers continuous learning and networking opportunities for project practitioners in Finland, with events like Breakfast Round Tables and an annual conference. The Kruunusillat project involves constructing bridges and a tram line to connect various areas in Helsinki, with an estimated completion date by the end of 2026. [Extracted from the article]

Enhanced autumn transport via the Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) has been reported to increase winter rainfall along Japan's northern coast. However, observations reveal a significantly weakened correlation after 2006. Although enhanced transport via the Eastern channel of the Tsushima Strait affects rainfall by enhancing latent heat flux along Japan's northern coast, the role of oceanic flows in varying sea-surface temperatures has weakened since 2006. Stronger northwesterly winds co-occur with enhanced surface heat loss that overwhelms the impact of the TWC. Our findings imply that atmospheric conditions should be considered when using TWC transport as a precursor for winter rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about the biology and ecology of species is fundamental for their management and conservation. Despite this, many fish species and life stages are understudied, and there is a great need for research efforts to understand their ecology. Italian riffle dace (Telestes muticellus; order Cypriniformes) is a small-sized (< 15 cm) stream fish native to the Italian peninsula. There is a scarcity of research on its ecology and behaviour. In this study, we explored the movement ecology of Telestes muticellus in a Mediterranean mountain stream in Northern Italy using passive integrated transponder (PIT) telemetry. Over 15 months, 267 fish were located 2–27 times. Most fish remained stationary, while a few roamed over several hundreds of meters. Fish covered a larger linear range during spring and autumn than during other seasons. T. muticellus showed a strong preference for pools, and this preference was strongest during summer. We observed no differences in habitat use and movements between day and night, and fish size had no major effect. Within pools, many T. muticellus displayed remarkably small home ranges (median 8 m2). Fish increased their linear ranges over a period of flood events, indicating that high-flow events may be important for the downstream and upstream dispersal of T. muticellus in small mountain streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to identify variations in wellness parameters among elite female athletes, considering simultaneously the influence of natural menstrual cycle (MC) or hormonal contraception (HC) phases and weekly and seasonal variations. A total of 54 elite female athletes were followed up with through a 6-month daily monitoring of their reported fitness, sleep quality, mood, and menstrual symptoms. Estimated cycle phases, days of the week, and seasons were all integrated into a single model to study cyclicities concomitantly. A total of 263 cycles were analyzed, totaling 7370 pieces of daily self-reported data. We observed more frequent symptoms during the menstruation and the pause phase. Reported fitness was greater in the mid-cycle and mood was lower at the end of the cycle for the MC group. Wellness parameters were rather stable for HC users. For both groups, symptoms were more frequent in summer. Reported fitness levels were lower on Monday, while mood scores were highest on Saturday and Sunday. In summer and autumn, fitness, sleep quality, and mood were greater. A cyclical wellness rhythm was identified in the menstrual cycle and persists even when considering weekdays and seasons cyclicities. This comprehensive approach helps to identify physiological influence on human behaviors, considering the specificities of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further clarify the response of phenology of several typical plants to climate change in Fenyang City, using phenological data from meteorological stations in Fenyang City during 1996 2023, the phenological change and its response to climate change were analyzed by linear trend estimation, correlation analysis and unary linear regression. The results showed that there was advanced trend of the mid leaf unfolding of Populus simonii, Ulmus pumila, Taraxacum mongolicum, Asiatic plantain and Xanthium sibiricum. There was delayed trend of the withering period of Populus simonii, Ulmus pumila and leaf fully defoliation of Asiatic plantain. There was advanced trend of the withering period of the Taraxacum mongolicum and Xanthium sibiricum. The mid leaf unfolding of Populus simonii, Ulmus pumila, Taraxacum mongolicum, Asiat- ic plantain was greatly affected by spring temperature and had a strong correlation with March temperature. The mid leaf unfolding of Xanthium sibiricum was greatly affected by spring precipitation and had a strong correlation with September temperature. The leaf fully defoliation of Populus simonii and Ulmus pumila were greatly affected by autumn temperatures and had strong correlations with temperatures in September and November, respectively. The withering period of Taraxacum mongolicum and Asiatic plantain were greatly affected by autumn sunshine duration and had strong correlations with sunshine duration in September and October, respectively. The withering period of Xanthium sibiricum was greatly affected by spring temperature and had a strong correlation with April temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To study the effects of artificial promotion of natural regeneration measures in different habitat types of North China larch plantations, develop advanced and feasible artificial promotion of natural regeneration technologies, and provide technical support for improving the natural regeneration capacity and stand quality of Larix principis-rupprechtiih plantations. [Method] In Guyuan City, Ningxia, five forest farms were selected as experimental points along the main vein of Liupan Mountain in different directions. A total of 20 artificial and natural regeneration plots of 12 mx 12 m size were established for different habitat types (nine within the forest, six in the forest gap, and five at the forest edge). Each sample was manually sown seeds in the autumn of 2021 (October) and spring of 2022 (May); six surface treatment measures were deployed at each experimental site (A-control, B-trenching, C-hole digging, D-random small hole density points, E-rough plowing, and F-fine land preparation), with each treatment repeated three times. Based on monitoring data from two consecutive years, analyze and determine the main factors affecting natural renewal, and propose measures to promote natural renewal through artificial means. [Result] In terms of the conservation density of each treatment measure for two consecutive years, under autumn sowing conditions in the forest habitat, the order is F (3.1 plants/m²)>E (2.8 plants/m²)>B (2.1 plants/m²)>C (1.8 plants/m²) >D (1.1 plants/m²)>CK (0.8 plants/m²). Under spring sowing conditions, the order is F (6.4 plants/m²)>E (5.8 plants/m²)>B (5.1 plants/m²)>C (3.0 plants/m²)>D (2.0 plants/m²)>A (1.8 plants/m²). Un- der autumn sowing conditions in the forest gap habitat, the order is E (12.6 plants/m²)>CK (8.7 plants/m²) > B (8.1 plants/m²) > C (8.0 plants/m²)>F (7.7 plants/m²) > D (6.3 plants/m²); in spring sowing, the order is E (13.9 plants/m²) > F (12.4 plants/m²) > B (8.9 plants/m²)>CK (8.2 plants/m²)>D (7.0 plants/m²)>C (6.5 plants/m²). Under the autumn sowing conditions in the forest edge habitat, the order is C (1.9 plants/m²)>B (1.8 plants/m²)>E (1.4 plants/m²)>F (1.1 plants/m²)>CK (0.6 plants/m²)>D (0.3 plants/m²). In spring sowing, the order is CK (1.6 plants/m²)>B (1.4 plants/m²)>E(1.0 plants/m²)> F (1.0 plants/m²)>C, D (0.5 plants/m²). [Conclusion] Overall, among the three types of habitats, the highest seedling preservation density is in the forest gap, followed by within the forest and at the forest edge. In the sowing season, the emergence and preservation density of the three types of habitats are better in spring sowing than in autumn sowing. In surface treatment measures, whether it is autumn or spring sowing, the preservation density of the forest, habitat is better with E and F. E and B are better with forest gap habitat, and F, E and B are better with forest edge habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding seasonal variations in fish communities is important for fishery resources conservation and management in fishery economic zones. However, there are still knowledge gaps regarding to the differential responses of fish functional traits to various disturbances. Here, we sampled fish communities of 20 sites during autumn (November 2023) and spring (April 2024) in Zhoushan Fishing Ground. Taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and functional redundancy (FR) were calculated to investigate the state of the fish communities and their seasonal changes. Beta diversity was calculated based on the pairwise communities of spring and autumn and decomposed into turnover and nestedness proportions, to investigate the dissimilarities of the fish communities between the two seasons and their drive mechanisms. We also applied R-mode linked to Q-mode (RLQ) and fourth-corner methods to test the relationships between fish functional traits and environmental variables (trait-environment relationships). These results showed that the mean values of taxonomic and functional beta diversities were 0.852 and 0.769, respectively, which indicate that taxonomic and functional structures of the fish communities have high dissimilarities between spring and autumn. However, the taxonomic and functional structures showed different ecological processes of seasonal changes with the former were mainly driven by species turnover (occupied 89.9% of the total dissimilarity) and the latter were driven by both functional turnover and nestedness (occupied 57.9% and 42.1% of the total dissimilarity, respectively). Species occurrence, environmental variables, and functional traits matrices were closely correlated, which mainly result from the significant trait-environmental relationships. Combining with TD, FD, and FR, we concluded that the fish communities in autumn had higher resistance to environmental changes than in spring. Our findings are accepted to serve as a basis for fishery management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hospital catering services, like other food and beverage businesses, have the potential to cause negative environmental impacts. This study aims to analyze the food waste, food residue, and non-food waste calculations of the menus used in hospital catering services. Method: The study was conducted in all 4 seasons and 31 day months were included in the study to standardize the number of days of practice in the selection of seasonal menus. In the menus, one of the most frequently produced dishes using traditional production methods was selected separately for lunch and dinner. In the study, food waste, food residue, and non-food waste calculations of pre-selected meals applied in hospital catering services were made. Results: In the spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons, the food waste levels of the one portion for the first group were significantly higher than the food waste levels of the second group and one portion for the third group (p < 0.001). In the summer season, the level of food residue of one portion for the second group was significantly higher than the level of food residue of one portion for the first group (p < 0.05). In all seasons, the levels of non-food waste of one portion for the second group were significantly lower than the levels of non-food waste of the first group and one portion for the third group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dietitians need to plan menus by adopting sustainable nutrition models. In this context, efforts should be made to plan menus in which local suppliers will be supported and food waste and non-food waste will be reduced. In-service training activities covering strategies and activities to reduce food waste and food residues should be planned for kitchen and service personnel under the leadership of food services and nutrition dietitians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]