Dust storms increase the tolerance of phytoplankton to thermal and pH changes.

Aquatic communities are increasingly subjected to multiple stressors through global change, including warming, pH shifts, and elevated nutrient concentrations. These stressors often surpass species tolerance range, leading to unpredictable consequences for aquatic communities and ecosystem functioning. Phytoplankton, as the foundation of the aquatic food web, play a crucial role in controlling water quality and the transfer of nutrients and energy to higher trophic levels. Despite the significance in understanding the effect of multiple stressors, further research is required to explore the combined impact of multiple stressors on phytoplankton. In this study, we used a combination of crossed experiment and mechanistic model to analyze the ecological and biogeochemical effects of global change on aquatic ecosystems and to forecast phytoplankton dynamics. We examined the effect of dust (0-75 mg L-1 ), temperature (19-27°C), and pH (6.3-7.3) on the growth rate of the algal species Scenedesmus obliquus. Furthermore, we carried out a geospatial analysis to identify regions of the planet where aquatic systems could be most affected by atmospheric dust deposition. Our mechanistic model and our empirical data show that dust exerts a positive effect on phytoplankton growth rate, broadening its thermal and pH tolerance range. Finally, our geospatial analysis identifies several high-risk areas including the highlands of the Tibetan Plateau, western United States, South America, central and southern Africa, central Australia as well as the Mediterranean region where dust-induced changes are expected to have the greatest impacts. Overall, our study shows that increasing dust storms associated with a more arid climate and land degradation can reverse the negative effects of high temperatures and low pH on phytoplankton growth, affecting the biogeochemistry of aquatic ecosystems and their role in the cycles of the elements and tolerance to global change.

Assessing the response of marine fish communities to climate change and fishing.

Globally, marine fish communities are being altered by climate change and human disturbances. We examined data on global marine fish communities to assess changes in community-weighted mean temperature affinity (i.e., mean temperatures within geographic ranges), maximum length, and trophic levels, which, respectively, represent the physiological, morphological, and trophic characteristics of marine fish communities. Then, we explored the influence of climate change and fishing on these characteristics because of their long-term role in shaping fish communities, especially their interactive effects. We employed spatial linear mixed models to investigate their impacts on community-weighted mean trait values and on abundance of different fish lengths and trophic groups. Globally, we observed an initial increasing trend in the temperature affinity of marine fish communities, whereas the weighted mean length and trophic levels of fish communities showed a declining trend. However, these shift trends were not significant, likely due to the large variation in midlatitude communities. Fishing pressure increased fish communities' temperature affinity in regions experiencing climate warming. Furthermore, climate warming was associated with an increase in weighted mean length and trophic levels of fish communities. Low climate baseline temperature appeared to mitigate the effect of climate warming on temperature affinity and trophic levels. The effect of climate warming on the relative abundance of different trophic classes and size classes both exhibited a nonlinear pattern. The small and relatively large fish species may benefit from climate warming, whereas the medium and largest size groups may be disadvantaged. Our results highlight the urgency of establishing stepping-stone marine protected areas to facilitate the migration of fishes to habitats in a warming ocean. Moreover, reducing human disturbance is crucial to mitigate rapid tropicalization, particularly in vulnerable temperate regions.

Análisis de la respuesta de las comunidades de peces marinos ante el cambio climático y la pesca Resumen Las comunidades de peces marinos sufren alteraciones en todo el mundo causadas por el cambio climático y las perturbaciones humanas. Analizamos los datos sobre las comunidades de peces marinos de todo el mundo para valorar los cambios en la afinidad térmica media (es decir, la temperatura media dentro de las distribuciones geográficas), la longitud máxima y los niveles tróficos, todos con ponderación comunitaria, los cuales representan respectivamente las características fisiológicas, morfológicas y tróficas de las comunidades de peces marinos. Después exploramos la influencia del cambio climático y la pesca sobre estos rasgos, ya que desempeñan un papel a largo plazo en la formación de las comunidades de peces, especialmente sus efectos interactivos. Empleamos modelos espaciales lineales mixtos para investigar el impacto del cambio climático y la pesca sobre los valores promedio de los rasgos con ponderación comunitaria y sobre la abundancia de las diferentes longitudes de peces y grupos tróficos. Observamos una tendencia inicial en incremento en la afinidad térmica de las comunidades de peces marinos en todo el mundo, mientras que el promedio con ponderación comunitaria de la longitud y el nivel trófico mostró una tendencia en declinación. Sin embargo, estos cambios en las tendencias no fueron significativas, probablemente debido a la gran variación de las comunidades de latitud media. La presión de pesca incrementó la afinidad térmica de las comunidades de peces en las regiones que experimentan el calentamiento climático. Además, este calentamiento estuvo asociado con un incremento en el promedio con ponderación comunitaria de la longitud y el nivel trófico de las comunidades. La temperatura de referencia climática baja pareció mitigar el efecto del calentamiento climático sobre la afinidad térmica y los niveles tróficos. El efecto del calentamiento sobre la abundancia relativa de las diferentes clases tróficas y el tamaño de las clases exhibió un patrón no lineal. Las especies de peces pequeños y relativamente grandes podrían beneficiarse con el calentamiento climático, mientras que los grupos de mayor tamaño y tamaño mediano estarían en desventaja. Nuestros resultados resaltan la urgencia por establecer áreas marinas protegidas que faciliten la migración de peces hacia hábitats en un océano cada vez más caliente. Además, es crucial reducir la perturbación humana para mitigar la rápida tropicalización, particularmente en las regiones templadas vulnerables.

Interaction between diabetes and body mass index on severe headache or migraine in adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Research on the effects of body mass index (BMI) on severe headache or migraine is limited and controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the association between BMI and the prevalence of migraine, with particular interest in diabetes status difference. METHODS: The present study used analyzed data from people who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2004. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were applied to investigate the relationship between body mass index and migraine. RESULTS: A total of 10,074 adults aged 20 years or older were included in this study. Body mass index was positively related to migraine, and the corresponding odds ratio (OR; 95% CI) was 1.02 (1.01, 1.03; p < 0.001). And compared to participants in the lowest group of body mass index (< 25 kg/m2), the adjusted ORs for migraine in medium group (25-29.9 kg/m2), and highest group (≥ 30 kg/m2) were 1.14 (95% CI: 0.98-1.32, p = 0.09) and 1.30 (95% CI: 1.11-1.52, p = 0.0022), respectively. The relationship between BMI and migraine exhibited a linear in overall in the RCS. Our findings also suggested an interaction between BMI and diabetes. The relationship between BMI and migraine in adults with diabetes was non-linear. The OR of developing migraine was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.10-1.54) in individuals with BMI ≥ 29.71 kg/m2 in adults with diabetes. CONCLUSION: A higher body mass index is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of migraine, and diabetes status can modify the association between them.

Soil water and nutrient availability interactively modify pollinator-mediated directional and correlational selection on floral display.

The individual and combined effects of abiotic factors on pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits are not well documented. To examine potential interactive effects of water and nutrient availability on pollinator-mediated selection on three floral display traits of Primula tibetica, we manipulated pollination and nutrient availability in a factorial experiment, conducted at two common garden sites with different soil water content (natural vs addition). We found that both water and nutrient availability affected floral trait expression in P. tibetica and that hand pollination increased seed production most when both nutrient content and water content were high, indicating joint pollen and resource limitation. We documented selection on all floral traits, and pollinators contributed to directional and correlational selection on plant height and number of flowers. Soil water and nutrient availability interactively influenced the strength of both pollinator-mediated directional and correlational selection, with significant selection observed when nutrient or water availability was high, but not when none or both were added. The results suggest that resource limitation constrains the response of P. tibetica to among-individual variation in pollen receipt, that addition of nutrients or water leads to pollinator-mediated selection and that effects of the two abiotic factors are nonadditive.

Combined threats of climate change and contaminant exposure through the lens of bioenergetics.

Organisms face energetic challenges of climate change in combination with suites of natural and anthropogenic stressors. In particular, chemical contaminant exposure has neurotoxic, endocrine-disrupting, and behavioral effects which may additively or interactively combine with challenges associated with climate change. We used a literature review across animal taxa and contaminant classes, but focused on Arctic endotherms and contaminants important in Arctic ecosystems, to demonstrate potential for interactive effects across five bioenergetic domains: (1) energy supply, (2) energy demand, (3) energy storage, (4) energy allocation tradeoffs, and (5) energy management strategies; and involving four climate change-sensitive environmental stressors: changes in resource availability, temperature, predation risk, and parasitism. Identified examples included relatively equal numbers of synergistic and antagonistic interactions. Synergies are often suggested to be particularly problematic, since they magnify biological effects. However, we emphasize that antagonistic effects on bioenergetic traits can be equally problematic, since they can reflect dampening of beneficial responses and result in negative synergistic effects on fitness. Our review also highlights that empirical demonstrations remain limited, especially in endotherms. Elucidating the nature of climate change-by-contaminant interactive effects on bioenergetic traits will build toward determining overall outcomes for energy balance and fitness. Progressing to determine critical species, life stages, and target areas in which transformative effects arise will aid in forecasting broad-scale bioenergetic outcomes under global change scenarios.

Interactive effects of global change drivers as determinants of the link between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Biodiversity, both aboveground and belowground, is negatively affected by global changes such as drought or warming. This loss of biodiversity impacts Earth's ecosystems, as there is a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). Even though soils host a large fraction of biodiversity that underlies major ecosystem functions, studies exploring the relationship between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (sBEF) as influenced by global change drivers (GCDs) remain scarce. Here we highlight the need to decipher sBEF relationships under the effect of interactive GCDs that are intimately connected in a changing world. We first state that sBEF relationships depend on the type of function (e.g., C cycling or decomposition) and biodiversity facet (e.g., abundance, species richness, or biomass) considered. Then, we shed light on the impact of single and interactive GCDs on soil biodiversity and sBEF and show that results from scarce studies studying interactive effects range from antagonistic to additive to synergistic when two individual GCDs cooccur. This indicates the need for studies quantitatively accounting for the impacts of interactive GCDs on sBEF relationships. Finally, we provide guidelines for optimized methodological and experimental approaches to study sBEF in a changing world that will provide more valuable information on the real impact of (interactive) GCDs on sBEF. Together, we highlight the need to decipher the sBEF relationship in soils to better understand soil functioning under ongoing global changes, as changes in sBEF are of immediate importance for ecosystem functioning.

Interaction matters: Bottom-up driver interdependencies alter the projected response of phytoplankton communities to climate change.

Phytoplankton growth is controlled by multiple environmental drivers, which are all modified by climate change. While numerous experimental studies identify interactive effects between drivers, large-scale ocean biogeochemistry models mostly account for growth responses to each driver separately and leave the results of these experimental multiple-driver studies largely unused. Here, we amend phytoplankton growth functions in a biogeochemical model by dual-driver interactions (CO2 and temperature, CO2 and light), based on data of a published meta-analysis on multiple-driver laboratory experiments. The effect of this parametrization on phytoplankton biomass and community composition is tested using present-day and future high-emission (SSP5-8.5) climate forcing. While the projected decrease in future total global phytoplankton biomass in simulations with driver interactions is similar to that in control simulations without driver interactions (5%-6%), interactive driver effects are group-specific. Globally, diatom biomass decreases more with interactive effects compared with the control simulation (-8.1% with interactions vs. no change without interactions). Small-phytoplankton biomass, by contrast, decreases less with on-going climate change when the model accounts for driver interactions (-5.0% vs. -9.0%). The response of global coccolithophore biomass to future climate conditions is even reversed when interactions are considered (+33.2% instead of -10.8%). Regionally, the largest difference in the future phytoplankton community composition between the simulations with and without driver interactions is detected in the Southern Ocean, where diatom biomass decreases (-7.5%) instead of increases (+14.5%), raising the share of small phytoplankton and coccolithophores of total phytoplankton biomass. Hence, interactive effects impact the phytoplankton community structure and related biogeochemical fluxes in a future ocean. Our approach is a first step to integrate the mechanistic understanding of interacting driver effects on phytoplankton growth gained by numerous laboratory experiments into a global ocean biogeochemistry model, aiming toward more realistic future projections of phytoplankton biomass and community composition.

Interaction of air pollution and meteorological factors on IVF outcomes: A multicenter study in China.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies revealed associations between air-pollutant exposure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. However, modification effects of air pollution on IVF outcomes by meteorological conditions remain elusive. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 15,217 women from five northern Chinese cities during 2015-2020. Daily average concentrations of air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, and CO) and meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and sunshine duration) during different exposure windows were calculated as individual approximate exposure. Generalized estimating equations models and stratified analyses were conducted to assess the associations of air pollution and meteorological conditions with IVF outcomes and estimate potential interactions. RESULTS: Positive associations of wind speed and sunshine duration with pregnancy outcomes were detected. In addition, we observed that embryo transfer in spring and summer had a higher likelihood to achieve a live birth compared with winter. Exposure to PM2.5, SO2, and O3 was adversely correlated with pregnancy outcomes in fresh IVF cycles, and the associations were modified by air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The inverse associations of PM2.5 and SO2 exposure with biochemical pregnancy were stronger at lower temperatures and humidity. Negative associations of PM2.5 with clinical pregnancy were only significant at lower temperatures and wind speeds. Moreover, the effects of O3 on live birth were enhanced by higher wind speed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the associations between air-pollutant exposure and IVF outcomes were modified by meteorological conditions, especially temperature and wind speed. Women undergoing IVF treatment should be advised to reduce outdoor time when the air quality was poor, particularly at lower temperatures.

Complications with body-size correction in comparative biology: possible solutions and an appeal for new approaches.

The magnitude of many kinds of biological traits relates strongly to body size. Therefore, a first step in comparative studies frequently involves correcting for effects of body size on the variation of a phenotypic trait, so that the effects of other biological and ecological factors can be clearly distinguished. However, commonly used traditional methods for making these body-size adjustments ignore or do not completely separate the causal interactive effects of body size and other factors on trait variation. Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors may affect not only the variation of a trait, but also its covariation with body size, thus making it difficult to remove completely the effect of body size in comparative studies. These complications are illustrated by several examples of how body size interacts with diverse developmental, physiological, behavioral and ecological factors to affect variation in metabolic rate both within and across species. Such causal interactions are revealed by significant effects of these factors on the body-mass scaling slope of metabolic rate. I discuss five possible major kinds of methods for removing body-size effects that attempt to overcome these complications, at least in part, but I hope that my Review will encourage the development of other, hopefully better methods for doing so.

Predictive capability evaluation and optimization of Pb(II) removal by reduced graphene oxide-based inverse spinel nickel ferrite nanocomposite.

Pb(II) is a heavy metal that is a prominent contaminant in water contamination. Among the different pollution removal strategies, adsorption was determined to be the most effective. The adsorbent and its type determine the adsorption process's efficiency. As part of this effort, a magnetic reduced graphene oxide-based inverse spinel nickel ferrite (rGNF) nanocomposite for Pb(II) removal is synthesized, and the optimal values of the independent process variables (like initial concentration, pH, residence time, temperature, and adsorbent dosage) to achieve maximum removal efficiency are investigated using conventional response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). The results indicate that the initial concentration, adsorbent dose, residence time, pH, and process temperature are set to 15 mg/L, 0.55 g/L, 100 min, 5, and 30 °C, respectively, the maximum removal efficiency (99.8%) can be obtained. Using the interactive effects of process variables findings, the adsorption surface mechanism was examined in relation to process factors. A data-driven quadratic equation is derived based on the ANOVA, and its predictions are compared with ANN predictions to evaluate the predictive capabilities of both approaches. The R2 values of RSM and ANN predictions are 0.979 and 0.991 respectively and confirm the superiority of the ANN approach.

Kinetic and statistical perspectives on the interactive effects of recalcitrant polyaromatic and sulfur heterocyclic compounds and in-vitro nanobioremediation of oily marine sediment at microcosm level.

A halotolerant biosurfactant producer Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain NSH3 (NCBI Gene Bank Accession No. MN149622) was isolated to degrade high concentrations of recalcitrant polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polyaromatic heterocyclic sulfur compounds (PASHs). In biphasic batch bioreactors, the biodegradation and biosurfactant-production activities of NSH3 have been significantly enhanced (p < 0.0001) by its decoration with eco-friendly prepared magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs). On an artificially contaminated sediment microcosm level, regression modeling and statistical analysis based on a 23 full factorial design of experiments were trendily applied to provide insights into the interactive impacts of such pollutants. MNPs-coated NSH3 were also innovatively applied for nanobioremediation (NBR) of in-vitro diesel oil-polluted sediment microcosms. Gravimetric, chromatographic, and microbial respiratory analyses proved the significantly enhanced biodegradation capabilities of MNPs-coated NSH3 (p < 0.001) and the complete mineralization of various recalcitrant diesel oil components. Kinetic analyses showed that the biodegradation of iso- and n-alkanes was best fitted with a second-order kinetic model equation. Nevertheless, PAHs and PASHs in biphasic batch bioreactors and sediment microcosms followed the first-order kinetic model equation. Sustainable NBR overcome the toxicity of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, mass transfer limitation, and steric hindrance of hydrophobic recalcitrant high molecular weight hydrocarbons and alkylated polyaromatic compounds.

Interactive effects of maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer and socio-economic status on the risk of low birth weight.

BACKGROUND: Maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer and disadvantaged maternal socio-economic status (SES) have been found to associate with increased risk of low birth weight (LBW). However, whether the two factors would interact to elevate the risk of LBW remains unknown. The present study aimed to explore the interactive effects of maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer during pregnancy and low SES on the risk of term LBW (tLBW). METHODS: In this population-based case-control study, 179 tLBW cases (birthweight < 2500 g and gestational age ≥ 37 weeks) and 204 controls (birthweight ≥ 2500 g and gestational age ≥ 37 weeks) were chosen from the Perinatal Health Care Surveillance System of Pingding County, Shanxi Province, China between 2007 and 2012. Data on basic socio-demographic, dietary and lifestyle characteristics and environmental exposure were directly extracted from the system. Maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer was measured at both household level and village level. Household-level exposure was indicated by household chemical fertilizer use in farming during pregnancy and the data was collected by trained healthcare workers after the selection of cases and controls in 2013. Village-level exposure was indicated by annual amount of village chemical fertilizer consumption per acre and the data came from the Annals of National Economics Statistics of Pingding County in 2010. Interactions between maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer and SES were assessed in logistic regressions using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), which indicates an additive interaction if larger than 0. RESULTS: The combination of low maternal SES and high exposure to village-level chemical fertilizer consumption was associated with increased risk of tLBW (aOR = 2.62, 95%CI: 1.44 ~ 4.77); The combination of low maternal SES and exposure to household chemical fertilizer use was associated with elevated risk of tLBW (aOR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.24 ~ 3.83). Additive interactions were detected between high exposure to village-level chemical fertilizer consumption and low maternal SES (RERI:1.79, P < 0.001) and between exposure to household chemical fertilizer use and low maternal SES (RERI:0.77, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested negative impacts of potential agricultural pollutants on adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially in disadvantaged socio-economic populations.

Modification effects of seasonal and temperature variation on the association between exposure to nitrogen dioxide and ischemic stroke onset in Shenzhen, China.

The independent associations of extreme temperature and ambient air pollutant with the admission to hospital and mortality of ischemic stroke have been widely investigated. However, knowledge about the modification effects of variation in season and temperature on the association between exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ischemic stroke onset is still limited. This study purposed to explore the effect of NO2 on daily ischemic stroke onset modified by season and ambient temperature, and identify the potential population that susceptible to ischemic stroke onset connected with NO2 and ambient temperature. Data on daily ischemic stroke counts, weather conditions, and ambient air pollutant concentrations in Shenzhen were collected between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2014. The seasonal effect on the NO2-associated onset was measured by a distributed-lag linear model. Furthermore, a generalized additive model that incorporated with stratification analyses was used to calculate the interactive effects between NO2 and ambient temperature. During the winter, the average percentage increase in daily ischemic stroke onset for each 10 µg/m3 increment in NO2 concentration on lagged 2 days was 3.05% (95% CI: 1.31-4.82%), while there was no statistically significant effect of NO2 during summer. And the low-temperature days ([Formula: see text] mean temperature), with a 2.23% increase in incidence (95% CI: 1.18-3.29%) for the same concentration increase in NO2, were significant higher than high temperature days ([Formula: see text] mean temperature). The modification effects of temperature on the study association were more pronounced in individuals aged 65 years or more and in males. The adverse health effects of NO2 on ischemic stroke are more pronounced during winter or low temperature periods. Elderly adults or males presented higher risks with these exposures.

The Interaction of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome and Abdominal Obesity on Cognitive Function.

BACKGROUND: Both obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and obesity are related to cognitive deficits, but the interaction effects of OSAHS and abdominal obesity on cognitive function are unclear. Thus, we performed this study to investigate this issue. METHODS: We recruited subjects who received polysomnography test, anthropometric measurements and cognitive function assessment and/or blood protein test. Correlations between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and cognitive function were assessed. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the differences in cognitive function between groups and detect the interactions of OSAHS and obesity on cognitive function. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the associations between OSAHS and cognitive function. RESULTS: In total, 196 subjects with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), 161 subjects with Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Trail making test, and 44 subjects with blood protein test were enrolled. Significant negative correlations between AHI and visuo-spatial and executive, language, delayed recall and total score of MoCA were observed. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, subjects with severe OSAHS had significant lower delayed recall score and total score of MoCA, SDMT index, and Aß40 protein level than those with non-severe OSAHS group. Severe OSAHS was independently negatively associated with delayed recall score and total score of MoCA, SDMT index, and Aß40 protein level. An interactive effect of severe OSAHS and abdominal obesity on language score of MoCA was found. CONCLUSIONS: Severe OSAHS increased the risk of cognitive deficits. Interaction effect of severe OSAHS and abdominal obesity on language was seen.

Combined effects of multi-land use decisions and climate change on water-related ecosystem services in Northeast China.

Land use intensification and climate change have resulted in substantial changes in the provision of ecosystem services, particularly in China that experienced sharp increases in population growth and demands for goods and energy. To protect the environment and restore the degraded ecosystems, the Chinese government has implemented multiple national ecological restoration projects. Yet, the combined effects of climate change and land use and land cover change (LULCC) over large spatial scales that brace multiple land use decisions and great environmental heterogeneity remain unclear. We assessed the combined effects of LULCC and climate change on water-related ecosystem services (water provision and soil conservation services) from 1990s to 2020s in Northeast China using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model. We found that water yield decreased by 9.78% and soil retention increased by 30.51% over the past 30 years. LULCC and climate change exerted negative effects on water yield whereas they both enhanced soil retention; LULCC interacted with climate change to have relatively small inhibitory effects on water yield and large facilitation effects on soil retention. Changes in water yield were mainly attributed to climate change, while soil retention was largely influenced by LULCC and its interaction with climate change. Our research highlights the importance of land use decisions and its interactive effects with climate change on ecosystem services in a heavily disturbed temperate region, and provides important information to inform future land management and policy making for sustaining diverse ecosystem services and ensuring human wellbeing.

Genotypic differences in the synergistic effect of nitrogen and boron on the seed yield and nitrogen use efficiency of Brassica napus.

BACKGROUND: Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is highly sensitive to nitrogen (N) and boron (B) deficiency; however, the synergistic effects of these elements on rapeseed production are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of co-application of N and B on seed yield, N uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) of rapeseed. Three rapeseed cultivars (W10, ZS11 and HG) were treated with different N and B application rates, and the seed yield, N uptake and NUE were examined in 2-year field experiments. RESULTS: The application of B fertilizer (4.5, 9 kg borax ha-1 ) improved N uptake, NUE and seed yield. However, the magnitude of increase in seed yield by B fertilization was dependent upon the rate of N supply and genotype. The benefit of B was much greater at 180 kg N ha-1 than at 0 or 60 kg N ha-1 . The combination of N and B also improved N remobilization from sources (stems and husks) to sinks (seeds) and increased N recovery efficiency (NRE). Compared with the B-inefficient cultivar W10, the B-efficient cultivars ZS11 and HG were superior in growth, seed yield, N uptake and NUE on B deficient soils. Furthermore, B-efficient cultivars showed great potential in saving N input, and the yield increased by more than 40% under B deficiency conditions. CONCLUSION: This study highlights a markedly synergistic effect of N and B nutrition on rapeseed NUE and yield production and shows that B-efficient genotypes can increase yield and reduce N inputs under B-deficient conditions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sensitivity of agricultural crops to tropospheric ozone: a review of Indian researches.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a long-range transboundary secondary air pollutant, causing significant damage to agricultural crops worldwide. There are substantial spatial variations in O3 concentration in different areas of India due to seasonal and geographical variations. The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region is one of the most crop productive and air-polluted regions in India. The concentration of tropospheric O3 over the IGP is increasing by 6-7.2% per decade. The annual trend of increase is 0.4 ± 0.25% year-1 over the Northeastern IGP. High O3 concentrations were reported during the summer, while they were at their minimum during the monsoon months. To explore future potential impacts of O3 on major crop plants, the responses of different crops grown under ambient and elevated O3 concentrations were compared. The studies clearly showed that O3 is an important stress factor, negatively affecting the yield of crops. In this review, we have discussed yield losses in agricultural crops due to rising O3 pollution and variations in O3 sensitivity among cultivars and species. The use of ethylene diurea (EDU) as a research tool in assessing the losses in yield under ambient and elevated O3 levels also discussed. Besides, an overview of interactive effects of O3 and nitrogen on crop productivity has been included. Several recommendations are made for future research and policy development on rising concentration of O3 in India.

Climate drivers of adult insect activity are conditioned by life history traits.

Insect phenological lability is key for determining which species will adapt under environmental change. However, little is known about when adult insect activity terminates and overall activity duration. We used community-science and museum specimen data to investigate the effects of climate and urbanisation on timing of adult insect activity for 101 species varying in life history traits. We found detritivores and species with aquatic larval stages extend activity periods most rapidly in response to increasing regional temperature. Conversely, species with subterranean larval stages have relatively constant durations regardless of regional temperature. Species extended their period of adult activity similarly in warmer conditions regardless of voltinism classification. Longer adult durations may represent a general response to warming, but voltinism data in subtropical environments are likely underreported. This effort provides a framework to address the drivers of adult insect phenology at continental scales and a basis for predicting species response to environmental change.

Spatial pattern of the population casualty rate caused by super typhoon Lekima and quantification of the interactive effects of potential impact factors.

BACKGROUND: Typhoons greatly threaten human life and property, especially in China. Therefore, it is important to make effective policy decisions to minimize losses associated with typhoons. METHODS: In this study, the GeoDetector method was used to quantify the determinant powers of natural and socioeconomic factors, and their interactions, on the population casualty rate of super typhoon Lekima. The local indicator of spatial association (LISA) method was followed to explore the spatial pattern of the population casualty rate under the influence of the identified dominant factors. RESULTS: Both natural and socioeconomic factors were found to have significantly impacted the population casualty rate due to super typhoon Lekima. Among the selected factors, maximum precipitation was dominant factor (q = 0.56), followed by maximum wind speed (q = 0.45). In addition, number of health technicians (q = 0.35) and number of health beds (q = 0.27) have a strong influence on the population casualty rate. Among the interactive effects of 12 influencing factors, the combined effects of maximum precipitation and ratio of brick-wood houses, the maximum precipitation and ratio of steel-concrete houses, maximum precipitation and number of health technicians were highest (q = 0.72). Furthermore, high-risk areas with very high casualty rates were concentrated in the southeastern part of Zhejiang and northern Shandong Provinces, while lower-risk areas were mainly distributed in northern Liaoning and eastern Jiangsu provinces. CONCLUSIONS: These results contribute to the development of more specific policies aimed at safety and successful property protection according to the regional differences during typhoons.

Interactive effects of personal resources and job characteristics on mental health: a population-based panel study.

PURPOSE: We examined 10 job characteristics in a large population-based sample and tested for positive and negative effects on mental health. In addition, we tested for possible effects on mental health from interactions with locus of control and self-esteem. METHODS: The sample comprised longitudinal data on 2353 male and 1960 female employees from the German socio-economic panel collected between 2010 and 2012. Mental health was assessed with the mental component summary score derived from the short-form 12 health survey. We computed hierarchical regression analyses while controlling for potential confounds and baseline mental health. Interaction effects were specified with post hoc simple slope analyses. RESULTS: Time pressure, interruptions, job insecurity, and conflicts were negative predictors of mental health in all models. The personal resource of self-esteem was a positive predictor. Moreover, there were interactions: opportunities for promotion were beneficial only for employees with medium or high levels of self-esteem, whereas the contrary was true for employees with very low self-esteem. Working on weekends was negatively related to mental health for people with moderate to low internal control but not for people with high internal control. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that there are job demands that are related to poor mental health regardless of personal resources. These aspects are important to consider in workplace risk assessment. By contrast, with other job characteristics (e.g., opportunities for promotion, weekend work), the effects vary between individuals.