scholarly journals Effects of Canopy Microclimate on Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) Nut Yield and Quality

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Yue Wen ◽  
Shuchai Su ◽  
Haicheng Zhang

There are considerable differences in chestnut yield and quality across different chestnut-producing regions in China, indicating that environmental factors affect these properties of chestnuts. Furthermore, nut yield and quality differ depending on canopy position. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between the canopy microclimate, nut yield, and quality. We determined microclimate factors from blossoming to ripening at different positions in the canopy. Nut yield and quality and the number of different branch types were measured at various canopy positions. The light intensity and temperature of the different canopy layers exhibited funnel-form distributions ranging from 0 to 3600 μmol·m2·s−1 and from 32 to 37 °C, respectively. Canopy humidity showed an inverted funnel-shaped distribution ranging from 26% to 40%. Nut yield and quality in the top and outer canopies were higher than in the bottom and inner canopies. Branches in the top-middle and peripheral parts of the canopy also produced higher yields, especially strong branches that bore more nuts. Nut yield and quality had positive correlations with light intensity (r = 0.735) and temperature (r = 0.709), whereas they were inversely associated with humidity (r = −0.584). The nut yield was more than 200 gm−3 when the light intensity was above 1500 μmol·m2·s−1, the temperature was above 34.4 °C, and the humidity was below 27.5%.

2017 ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Carmona-Jiménez ◽  
Gustavo Montejano-Zurita

The results of a phycofloristic study on three springs in the Huasteca Potosina region are presented; 67 species are reported. Floristic similarities and differences among the springsare analized, as well as the relationship between species and environmental factors. Microhabitas were defined in the springs as well as the principal algal asociations that characterize them. Light intensity and current velocity are the most important factors affecting the predominant growth forms present in this type of habitat.


el–Hayah ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 07
Author(s):  
Bambang Feriwibisono ◽  
Marsoedi Marsoedi ◽  
Amin Setyo Leksono

This study aims to analyze and describe the relationship between altitude, aerial variables (temperature, light intensity, humidity), water qualities (water temperature, pH, BOD, COD, DO, TOM, and water velocity), and vegetation with the diversity of Odonate assemblages. Odonate samplings were conducted at six survey sites based on altitude and vegetation characteristics. Measurement of altitude, aerial variables, water qualities and vegetation characteristics were replicate in the first day and third day. Analysis of correlations of all environmental factors with the odonate diversity was done through structural equation model using Partial Least Squares (PLS), Open source Smart Software and Microsoft Excel. The aerial variables and water qualities affected indirectly on odonate diversity. The aerial variables directly or with interaction to other factor affected the water qualities and vegetation characteristics. The vegetation characteristics directly influenced to odonate diversity. Water flow affected water quality, light intensity affected the aerial, while morning period observation affected the odonate diversity. Predictive relevance (Q2) for a model designed amounted to 99.95%, while the rest of 0.05% are explained by other variables.<p> </p>


Author(s):  
Dale A. Kiefer

In this chapter we will consider the fate of photons that are absorbed by phytoplankton. While such interaction will involve both the scattering and absorption of photons, we will be concerned with absorption and the subsequent processes of photosynthesis and the fluorescence of chlorophyll a. In particular and as the title of this chapter indicates, I wish to consider the environmental factors that cause variations in the cellular rates of light absorption, fluorescence, and photosynthesis. This consideration will focus on how environmental factors such as temperature, nutrient concentration, light intensity, and photoperiod effect changes in these three processes. Our approach to examining the relationship between light absorption, fluorescence, and photosynthesis is based upon phenomenological formulations between these three processes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1047-1047
Author(s):  
Wan-yue Liu ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
Shu-na Huang ◽  
Yu-zhen Lin ◽  
Hong-yan Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To investigate the main environmental factors of hypertension and the relationship between hypertension and circular RNAs in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Methods This was a case–control study. A total of 681 hypertension patients and 485 subjects without hypertension were recruited between April 2017 and October 2018. All participations completed the questionnaire investigation, physical examination, and laboratory detection. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze circRNAs (hsa_circ_0001946 and hsa_circ_0125589) in peripheral blood leukocytes in 84 hypertensives and 84 controls. Multivariate logistic regression and crossover analysis were used to analyze the interaction and association between environmental factors and circRNAs in hypertension. Results After adjusted by gender, age and marital status, overweight/obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–2.22), abdominal obesity (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.54–3.04), anxiety (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.41–3.28), family history of hypertension (OR = 4.26, 95% CI 3.18–5.70), and higher levels of hsa_circ_0001946 (OR = 4.13, 95% CI 1.85–9.21) were risk factors for hypertension, while levels of hsa_circ_0125589 were not associated with hypertension. Crossover analysis showed that the risk of hypertension was 13.12 times higher (95% CI 3.89–44.23) in overweight subjects with high hsa_circ_0001946 levels compared with normal weight subjects with low hsa_circ_0001946 levels. Further, the risk of hypertension was 17.78 times higher (95% CI 1.88–168.61) in subjects with anxiety and high hsa_circ_0001946 levels. Conclusions Hypertension is the result of both environmental factors and genetic factors. Higher hsa_circ_0001946 levels, overweight and anxiety may increase the risk of hypertension, while hsa_circ_0125589 levels are not related to hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract Autism is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by early-onset difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour and interests. The worldwide population prevalence is about 1% with an increasing incidence and prevalence rates. Autism affects more male than female individuals, and comorbidity is common (&gt;70% have concurrent conditions). Determinants of these changes in incidence and prevalence rates may also be related to exposure to environmental factors and to modifications in diagnostic concepts and criteria. In spite of the uncertainty in determinants of incidence of autisms, there is evidence that environmental characteristics play a significant role both as autism risk factors and as potential obstacles that influence the capabilities of autonomously and fully “using” everyday spaces. The workshop aims to provide a framework on risk factors of autism and explore the relationship with the built environment, focusing on the quality of the everyday spaces and projecting the effects that it could have in the long term on achieving a desirable level of quality of life. The 11th Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” underlines the necessity of designing policies and projects acting to enhance and promote healthy cities and communities by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups of inhabitants. Herewith we bring together the discipline of Public Health and Urban Design to promote an interdisciplinary debate on a little explored topic investigating how the approaches adopted during childhood to promote the wellbeing of people with ASD can be related or strengthen by focusing also on built environment design intervention to pursue and reach the same objectives even during adulthood. The workshop will consist of four presentations. The first focuses on giving an overview on current knowledge of intervention for people with autism, presenting also criteria for evidence-based interventions. The second explores the relationship between autism and built environment by providing an exhaustive framework of the available research literature in order to identify a first set of spatial requirements for autism friendly cities. The third examines the impact of built environment on ASD users with the aim of developing a specific evaluation tool for healthcare spaces and best practices formulation according to the specific sensorial hypo- or hyper-activation of people with autism. Finally, the fourth reports the results of a two years Research & Development project called “GAP REDUCE” finalized at developing an Assistive Technology tool to support people with ASD, adult and high-functioning, to plan urban itineraries towards daily destinations. Key messages World's incidence of autism is about 1% with an increasing incidence whose determining rates may also be related to environmental factors and to modifications in diagnostic concepts and criteria. Environmental characteristics play a significant role also as potential obstacles that influence the capabilities of people with autism of autonomously and fully “using” everyday spaces.


Author(s):  
Bartosz Wilczyński ◽  
Jakub Hinca ◽  
Daniel Ślęzak ◽  
Katarzyna Zorena

Rugby is a demanding contact sport. In light of research, poor balance, reduced jumping ability, muscle strength, and incorrect landing patterns might contribute to the increased risk of injury in athletes. Investigating the relationship between tests assessing these abilities might not only allow for the skillful programming of preventive training but also helps in assessing the risk of injury to athletes. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic balance, vertical and horizontal jumps, and jump-landings movement patterns. Thirty-one healthy amateur adolescent rugby players (age: 14.3 ± 1.6 years, height 171.4 ± 9.7 cm, body mass 80 ± 26 kg) participated in the study. Data were collected by the Y-balance Test (YBT), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Single Leg Hop for Distance (SLHD), and Landing Error Score System (LESS). Significant positive correlations were found between SLHD both legs (SLHDb) and YBT Composite both legs (COMb) (r = 0.51, p = 0.0037) and between SLHDb and CMJ (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). A relationship was also observed between the CMJ and YBT COMb test (r = 0.51, p = 0.006). Moderate positive correlations were found between the dominant legs in SLHD and the posterolateral (r = 0.40, p = 0.027), posteromedial (r = 0.43, p = 0.014), and composite (r = 0.48, p = 0.006) directions of the YBT. These results indicate that variables that are dependent on each other can support in the assessment of injury-risk and in enhancing sports performance of young athletes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xunyi Wang ◽  
Yun Zheng ◽  
Gang Li ◽  
Jingzhe Lu ◽  
Yan Yin

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Outcome assessment for hearing aids (HAs) is an essential part of HA fitting and validation. There is no consensus about the best or standard approach for evaluating HA outcomes. And, the relationship between objective and subjective measures is ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the outcomes after HA fitting, explore correlations between subjective benefit and acoustic gain improvement as well as objective audiologic tests, and investigate several variables that may improve patients’ perceived benefits. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty adults with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss using HAs for at least 1 month were included in this study. All subjects completed the pure tone average (PTA) threshold and word recognition score (WRS) tests in unaided and aided conditions. We also administered the Chinese version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to measure participants’ subjective benefits. Objective HA benefit (acoustic gain improvement) was defined as the difference in thresholds or scores between aided and unaided conditions indicated with ΔPTA and ΔWRS. Thus, patients’ baseline hearing levels were taken into account. Correlations were assessed among objective audiologic tests (PTA and WRS), acoustic gain improvement (ΔPTA and ΔWRS), multiple potential factors, and IOI-HA overall scores. <b><i>Results:</i></b> PTA decreased significantly, but WRS did not increase when aided listening was compared to unaided listening. Negative correlations between PTAs and IOI-HA scores were significant but weak (<i>r</i> = −0.370 and <i>r</i> = −0.393, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Significant weak positive correlations were found between WRSs and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.386 and <i>r</i> = 0.309, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). However, there was no correlation among ΔPTA, ΔWRS, and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.056 and <i>r</i> = −0.086, all <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Moreover, 2 nonaudiological factors (age and daily use time) were significantly correlated with IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = −0.269 and <i>r</i> = 0.242, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Correlations among objective audiologic tests, acoustic gain, and subjective patient-reported outcomes were weak or absent. Subjective questionnaires and objective tests do not reflect the same hearing capability. Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate both objective and subjective outcomes when analyzing HA benefits on a regular basis and pay equal attention to nonaudiological and audiological factors.


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