The trends of warm‐season thunderstorm and lightning days in China and the influence of environmental factors

Climate change is resulting in heatwaves that are more frequent, severe, and longer lasting, which is projected to double-to-triple the heat-related mortality in Boston, MA if adequate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies are not implemented. A case-only analysis was used to examine subject and small-area neighborhood characteristics that modified the association between hot days and mortality. Deaths of Boston, Massachusetts residents that occurred from 2000–2015 were analyzed in relation to the daily temperature and heat index during the warm season as part of the case-only analysis. The modification by small-area (census tract, CT) social, and environmental (natural and built) factors was assessed. At-home mortality on hot days was driven by both social and environmental factors, differentially across the City of Boston census tracts, with a greater proportion of low-to-no income individuals or those with limited English proficiency being more highly represented among those who died during the study period; but small-area built environment features, like street trees and enhanced energy efficiency, were able to reduce the relative odds of death within and outside the home. At temperatures below current local thresholds used for heat warnings and advisories, there was increased relative odds of death from substance abuse and assault-related altercations. Geographic weighted regression analyses were used to examine these relationships spatially within a subset of at-home deaths with high-resolution temperature and humidity data. This revealed spatially heterogeneous associations between at-home mortality and social and environmental vulnerability factors.

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Dynamics of physiologically active cells of pico- and nanophytoplankton in the coastal waters of Black Sea

Biological Communications ◽

10.21638/spbu03.2016.104 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ekaterina Solomonova

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

Enzyme Activity ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Black Sea ◽

Coastal Waters ◽

Seasonal Changes ◽

Warm Season ◽

Study Groups ◽

Living Cells ◽

Intracellular Enzyme

The dynamics of the abundance and viability index (VI) of pico- and nanophytoplankton in the coastal waters of Black Sea near Sevastopol were investigated by regular monthly monitoring using flow cytometry and fluorescein diacetate vital dye (FDA), as a marker of intracellular enzyme activity. Directed seasonal changes in the fraction of physiologically active cells in the study groups of algae in coastal waters was not identified. It is noted that, in the warm season and during vegetative growth of algae in the composition and pico nano-phytoplankton predominate living cells, the percentage of which varies from 70 to 100 %. Low values of the VI (30 %) picophytoplankton were obtained at individual stations in September, October and December, possibly due to the presence of this kind of cell size group Synechococcus, which are very sensitive to fluctuations of environmental factors. Refs 28. Figs 7.

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Environmental Factors Influencing Germination in Seeded Seashore Paspalum

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.5.1330 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 1330-1331 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

J.S. Shin ◽

P. Raymer ◽

W. Kim

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Warm Season ◽

Field Application ◽

Effect Of Temperature ◽

Seashore Paspalum ◽

Realistic Condition ◽

Alternating Temperature ◽

Effect Of Light

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz) is a perennial warm-season grass that is rapidly gaining popularity for use on golf courses and athletic fields. The first seeded cultivar of seashore paspalum was recently developed. Seed from the pilot production of this cultivar harvested in Oregon during 2002 by Turf-Seeds, Inc. demonstrated a high level of apparent seed dormancy with a tetrazolium test of 91% but a germination rate of less than 5% at room temperature. This seed was used in laboratory experiments to determine the effect of a number of environmental factors on germination response in this new turf species. Treatment factors are germination media, constant and alternating (night/day) temperatures, and light. A strong and significant effect of temperature on germination was observed. Total germination was increased at higher temperatures. At the same daytime temperature, seed germination under alternating temperature was better than germination at constant temperature. The effect of light on germination was significant at 20, 25, 30, 20/35 °C in water and at 25/35 °C in 0.2% KNO3 germination media. However, the effect of light on germination in KNO3 media was not significant at 35 °C constant and 20/30 °C alternating temperatures. Alternating temperature used in conjunction with KNO3 media reduced the requirement for light. The use of 0.2% KNO3 rather than water as the germination media increased germination in most temperature and light treatments. Based on our results, maximum germination percentage was obtained when seed was germinated at 35 °C constant or 20/35 °C alternating temperature. However, when we consider field application, 25/35 °C with light is more realistic condition in field. Therefore, recommended seed germination test condition is at 25/35 °C with KNO3 treatment.

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Environmental Exposure and Childhood Atopic Dermatitis in Shanghai: A Season-Stratified Time-Series Analysis

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000514685 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yabin Hu ◽

Fan Jiang ◽

Jianguo Tan ◽

Shijian Liu ◽

Shenghui Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Low Temperature ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Environmental Exposure ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Warm Season ◽

Cold Season ◽

Seasonal Effects ◽

Outpatient Visits ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease which sometimes predisposes to allergies. Environmental factors (low humidity, irritants, etc.) are prominent causative triggers of AD. Objectives: This study aims to explore the effects of both meteorological factors and air pollutants on childhood AD, and the modification effects by season in Shanghai, China. Methods: Quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression model, combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to examine the nonlinear and lagged effects of environmental factors on childhood AD from 2009 to 2017 in Shanghai. We also performed a season-stratified analysis to determine the modification effects of environmental exposure by season on childhood AD. Results: There were 1,043,240 outpatient visits for childhood AD in total, at 3 major pediatric hospitals. Low temperature and relative humidity (RH), and high daily temperature difference (DTD) and air pollutants (i.e., NO2) increased the relative risks (RRs) of outpatient visits for childhood AD in the whole year. In the cold season, an increased risk of outpatient visits for childhood AD was associated with low RH (RR 2.26, 95% CI 1.69–3.02) and high NO2 (1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.17). In the warm season, outpatient visits for childhood AD were associated with low temperature (3.49, 95% CI 3.22–3.77), low RH (1.89, 95% CI 1.74–2.06), high DTD (1.41, 95% CI 1.31–1.53), and high NO2 (1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.06). Conclusions: This study suggests that environmental exposure may be a key trigger for outpatient visits for childhood AD with apparent seasonal effects. Tailored preventive strategies to avoid environmental triggers of childhood AD should be developed.

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Comorbidities and Environmental Factors Associated with Atopic Dermatitis in Children and Adults in Dermatology-Venereology in Cotonou, Benin

Dermatology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2021/1502721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Bérénice Dégboé ◽

Félix Atadokpèdé ◽

Christabelle Nguessie ◽

Alida Kouassi ◽

Nadège Elégbédé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Analytical Study ◽

Warm Season ◽

Working Party ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Skin Irritants

Introduction. The objective of this work was to document the comorbidities and environmental factors associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in dermatology Venereology in Cotonou. Methods. A cross-sectional, prospective, and analytical study included, from January 2016 to December 2018, in the Dermatology-Venereology Department of the National Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou, children and adults after free and informed consent, in whom the diagnosis of AD was retained according to the criteria of the United Kingdom Working Party. Severity was assessed using SCORAD (severity scoring of atopic dermatitis). Results. The overall prevalence of AD was 7.7%. AD was more frequent in children (56.8% and 40.6%) and adults (59.8% and 37.4%) from urban and periurban areas (0.003 < p < 0.034 ). It was more frequent in children who regularly dewormed and those with complete vaccination (0.001 < p < 0.01 ). In 54.8% of children and 58.9% of adults, flare-ups occurred during the warm season. The main associated comorbidities were rhinitis and conjunctivitis in both children (49.7% and 36.1%, respectively) and adults (32.7% and 26.2%, respectively). The main triggering factors in children were heat (43.2%), pneumallergens (28.4%), and skin irritants (22.6%). In adults, we noted skin irritants (58.9%), heat (47.7%), and psychological factors (34.6%). In adults, the use of detergent soaps was associated with lichenified and severe AD (0.003 < p < 0.006 ) and that of lightening soaps with acute AD ( p = 0.042 ). Conclusion. AD in the Dermatology-Venereology Department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou was associated with comorbidities. It was influenced by environmental factors related to the tropical climate and by skin irritants or allergens.

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Effects of Environmental Factors on Seed Germination and Emergence of Smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) Varieties

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-11-00208.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 558-563 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Neha Rana ◽

Barton J. Wilder ◽

Brent A. Sellers ◽

Jason A. Ferrell ◽

Gregory E. MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Warm Season ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Moisture Stress ◽

Tropical Asia ◽

Wide Range ◽

Germination Experiments

Smutgrass is an invasive warm-season perennial bunch-type grass native to tropical Asia. The two varieties of smutgrass prevalent in Florida are small smutgrass and giant smutgrass. Laboratory seed germination experiments were conducted on both smutgrass varieties to determine the effect of various environmental factors on germination and emergence. The average germination rate for both varieties was 88% at 30/20 C day/night temperatures. Seed germination for both varieties was greater under simulated temperature flux than at constant temperatures. Seed of both varieties germinated at four simulated Florida temperature fluxes (22/11, 27/15, 33/24, and 29/19 C day/night), although the germination of small smutgrass and giant smutgrass was reduced at 33/24 and 22/11 C, respectively. Germination of small and giant smutgrass under dark conditions was 27 and 53%, respectively. Both smutgrass varieties germinated over a wide range of pH values. Small and giant smutgrass germination was inhibited at water potentials below −0.2 MPa and when small smutgrass seed was placed below the soil surface. Emergence of giant smutgrass seed did not occur below 3 cm. Both smutgrass varieties germinated over a broad range of environmental conditions, indicating their capability of year-round germination; however, germination is only likely to occur under field conditions during the summer growing season when rainfall is prevalent. These results indicate that both species have the ability to germinate over a wide range of environmental conditions but that germination is inhibited by moisture stress and depth of burial. Considering that giant smutgrass prefers higher temperatures than small smutgrass, the advent of rainfall from June through September is conducive for germination. Practices that focus on the germination pattern of smutgrass could lead to better long-term management of smutgrass in Florida.

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Corridors of Warm Season Precipitation in the Central United States

Monthly Weather Review ◽

10.1175/mwr3188.1 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 134 (9) ◽

pp. 2297-2317 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

John D. Tuttle ◽

Chris A. Davis

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Large Scale ◽

Warm Season ◽

Extreme Case ◽

Maximum Rainfall ◽

Convective Systems ◽

Precipitation Forecasting ◽

Central United States ◽

Mesoscale Convective

Abstract During the warm season in the central United States there often exists a corridor of precipitation where a succession of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) follow similar paths lasting several days. The total cumulative rainfall within a corridor can be substantial while precipitation at nearby regions may be below normal. Understanding the nature of the corridors and the environmental factors important for their formation thus has important implications for quantitative precipitation forecasting and hydrological studies. In this study a U.S. national composite radar dataset and model-analyzed fields are used for the 1998–2002 warm seasons (July–August) to understand the properties of corridors and what environmental factors are important for determining when and where they develop. The analysis is restricted to a relatively narrow longitudinal band in the central United States (95°–100°W), a region where convection often intensifies and becomes highly organized. It is found that ∼68% of MCSs were members of a series and that corridors typically persist for 2–7 days with an extreme case lasting 13 days. Cumulative radar-derived maximum rainfall ranges from 8 to 50 cm, underscoring the fact that corridors can experience excessive rainfall. Combining radar with Rapid Update Cycle model kinematic and thermodynamic fields, 5-yr composites are presented and stratified according to the environmental conditions. While the corridors show the expected association with areas of enhanced CAPE and relatively strong northwesterly/westerly shear, the strongest association is with the northern terminus region of the nocturnal low-level jet (LLJ). Furthermore, the relative intensity of the rainfall is positively correlated with the strength of the LLJ. The LLJ is thought to play a role through enhanced convergence and lifting, moisture transport, and frontogenesis. In the five years analyzed, the large-scale environment varied considerably, but the role of the LLJ in the formation of corridors remained persistent.

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Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x18001231 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicole M. Baran

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Developmental Genetic ◽

Term Study ◽

Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽

Mechanisms Of Plasticity

AbstractReductionist thinking in neuroscience is manifest in the widespread use of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Broader investigations of diverse behaviors in non-model organisms and longer-term study of the mechanisms of plasticity will yield fundamental insights into the neurobiological, developmental, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to the “massively multifactorial system networks” which go awry in mental disorders.

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The dual nature of obesity in metabolic programming: quantity versus quality of adipose tissue

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20201028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (18) ◽

pp. 2447-2451

Author(s):

Anissa Viveiros ◽

Gavin Y. Oudit

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Metabolic Programming ◽

Dual Nature ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Adipose Tissue Volume ◽

Males And Females ◽

Metabolically Healthy

Abstract The global prevalence of obesity has been rising at an alarming rate, accompanied by an increase in both childhood and maternal obesity. The concept of metabolic programming is highly topical, and in this context, describes a predisposition of offspring of obese mothers to the development of obesity independent of environmental factors. Research published in this issue of Clinical Science conducted by Litzenburger and colleagues (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2020) 134, 921–939) have identified sex-dependent differences in metabolic programming and identify putative signaling pathways involved in the differential phenotype of adipose tissue between males and females. Delineating the distinction between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity is a topic of emerging interest, and the precise nature of adipocytes are key to pathogenesis, independent of adipose tissue volume.

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Shared Responsibilities for Full Participation in Society: Planning Further Integration of the ICF Into AAC

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig12.83 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (12) ◽

pp. 83-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary Blake Huer ◽

Travis T. Threats

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Community Support ◽

World Health ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Social Service Agencies ◽

Persons With Disabilities ◽

Full Participation

The World Health Organization's (WHO's) 2001 International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) has as one of its central tenets the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. It acknowledges the need for medical and rehabilitation intervention in its biopscychosocial framework. However, the WHO realizes that society must do its part to facilitate this full participation and empowerment. Persons with complex communication needs (PWCCN) often need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in order to express themselves. However, in order to access and successfully use AAC, PWCCN need access to the necessary AAC devices and services, as well as a willing society to interact with them as full contributing members of society. The factors outside of a person's specific physical and/or cognitive functional limitations are addressed in the ICF via the Personal and Environmental Factors. Personal Factors include the individual's personality traits, lifestyle, experiences, social/educational/professional background, race, gender, and age. Environmental Factors include community support systems, social service agencies, governments, social networks, and those persons that interact with the PWCCN. This article addresses the sociopolitical influences on PWCCN and their functioning from a human rights perspective. The necessary introspective role of speech-language pathologists in this process is explored.

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