scholarly journals Adaptation of Forest Trees to Rapidly Changing Climate

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Kijowska-Oberc ◽  
Aleksandra M. Staszak ◽  
Jan Kamiński ◽  
Ewelina Ratajczak
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Tree Development

Climate change leads to global drought-induced stress and increased plant mortality. Tree species living in rapidly changing climate conditions are exposed to danger and must adapt to new climate conditions to survive. Trees respond to changes in the environment in numerous ways. Physiological modulation at the seed stage, germination strategy and further development are influenced by many different factors. We review forest abiotic threats (such as drought and heat), including biochemical responses of plants to stress, and biotic threats (pathogens and insects) related to global warming. We then discus the varied adaptations of tree species to changing climate conditions such as seed resistance to environmental stress, improved by an increase in temperature, affinity to specific fungal symbionts, a wide range of tolerance to abiotic environmental conditions in the offspring of populations occurring in continental climate, and germination strategies closely linked to the ecological niche of the species. The existing studies do not clearly indicate whether tree adaptations are shaped by epigenetics or phenology and do not define the role of phenotypic plasticity in tree development. We have created a juxtaposition of literature that is useful in identifying the factors that play key roles in these processes. We compare scientific evidence that species distribution and survival are possible due to phenotypic plasticity and thermal memory with studies that testify that trees’ phenology depends on phylogenesis, but this issue is still open. It is possible that studies in the near future will bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms through which trees adapt to stressful conditions, especially in the context of epigenetic memory in long-lived organisms, and allow us to minimize the harmful effects of climatic events by predicting tree species’ responses or by developing solutions such as assisted migration to mitigate the consequences of these phenomena.

Improvement of the remuneration system in modern conditions

2020 ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
S. V. Savina
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Domestic Market ◽  
Effective Demand ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Remuneration System ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Further Development

Today, a difficult situation has developed in the field of wages and incomes of the population, associated with the need to increase the level of wages and real incomes of the population, since low effective demand in the domestic market can become the main constraint on economic growth in the near future. The main goal of wage reform in modern conditions is to restore the role of wages as the main incentive for productivity growth and labor efficiency, which will have a positive impact on the functioning of production and will give an impetus to its further development.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Tourist Climate Comfortable Period of China in a Changing Climate

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Dan-Dan Yu ◽  
Shan Li ◽  
Zhong-Yang Guo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
Climate Indices ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Changing Climate

The evaluation of climate comfort for tourism can provide information for tourists selecting destinations and tourism operators. Understanding how climate conditions for tourism evolve is increasingly important for strategic tourism planning, particularly in rapidly developing tourism markets like China in a changing climate. Multidimensional climate indices are needed to evaluate climate for tourism, and previous studies in China have used the much criticized “climate index” with low resolution climate data. This study uses the Holiday Climate Index (HCI) and daily data from 775 weather stations to examine interregional differences in the tourist climate comfortable period (TCCP) across China and summarizes the spatiotemporal evolution of TCCP from 1981 to 2010 in a changing climate. Overall, most areas in China have an “excellent” climate for tourism, such that tourists may visit anytime with many choices available. The TCCP in most regions shows an increasing trend, and China benefits more from positive effects of climate change in climatic conditions for tourism, especially in spring and autumn. These results can provide some scientific evidence for understanding human settlement environmental constructions and further contribute in improving local or regional resilience responding to global climate change.

scholarly journals The The abdominal muscles – a functional review

2007 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Puckree
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Functional Organization ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Speech Control ◽  
Human Function

The role of the abdominal muscles in human function as wellas their physiological mechanisms for these has been the subject of an increasing volume of reported research for more than 20 years. The abdominal muscles participate in a wide range of diverse functional tasks.These include breathing, postural stability, expulsive maneuvers and speech control.  To perform these functions effectively and often concurrently, based on demand, the muscles are anatomically, physiologically and biochemical suited. The idea that the abdominal muscles function as a unit  has been dispelled by many scientific reports. It is now known that they function differentially as individual muscles and also differentially at the motor unit level. Regional differences in the activation patterns of these muscles are also known. In addition the motor units within muscles are functionally organized to either subserve a specific function or more than one function. Knowledge of the functional organization of the abdominal muscles is critical to any rehabilitation process especially since rehabilitation is holistic and strives to achieve functional goals. This functional review is based on current scientific evidence for the multi functionality of all abdominal muscles. Literature based on animal studies  has been excluded as far as is possible.

A new research method to test auditory preferences in young listeners: Results from a consonance versus dissonance perception study

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Di Stefano ◽  
Valentina Focaroli ◽  
Alessandro Giuliani ◽  
Domenico Formica ◽  
Fabrizio Taffoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Perception And Action ◽  
Mutual Interaction ◽  
Experimental Session ◽  
Sound Emission ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Research ◽  
Further Development

To date, behavioural procedures adopted to assess sound preferences in young children have evaluated the responses of participants while listening to the stimuli administered by the experimenter. Due to the difficulties which may arise in the interpretation of the results, recent studies have suggested some limitations to these procedures, stimulating the further development of behavioural methods. Here, we introduce a new method for testing sound preferences in children, in which participants actively produce the stimuli during the experimental session. The apparatus consists of a musical lever which emits different sounds depending on its rotation around a hinge. The device was programmed to emit consonant and dissonant harmonic intervals. The procedure has been tested with 22 participants from 19 to 40 months of age. Results show that: (a) sound emission strongly stimulates toy manipulation; (b) the examined participants distinguished the two types of sounds, showing a preference for producing consonant over dissonant stimuli. This method could be used to study a wide range of sound qualities in young listeners, such as rhythm or pitch. Grounded in the mutual interaction between perception and action, this procedure is in line with recent research highlighting the role of embodiment in the perception of music.

High frequency stable isotope signals as proxy for physiological responses to climate - Dual isotope approach at a European scale

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Vitali ◽  
Rosemarie Weigt ◽  
Stefan Klesse ◽  
Kerstin Treydte ◽  
Rolf Siegwolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Leaf Gas Exchange ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Dual Isotope

<p>Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica, are two of the most important tree species in Europe, and their responses to climate are being extensively investigated, especially at the limits of their distribution. However, their physiology at temperate sites is not yet fully understood. In a European tree-ring network, 10 sites along a climate gradient were sampled throughout Central Europe, and tree-ring width and stable isotope chronologies (C and O) were measured. The year-to-year variability of the isotopes time series for the last 100 years was analyzed in relation to tree-ring growth, spatial distribution, and seasonal climate.</p><p>Climate sensitivity of radial growth of both species was rather variable and site-dependent, and was strongest at the driest sites. On the contrary, variability in the isotopic ratios consistently responded to summer climate, particularly to vapor pressure deficit. The high δ<sup>18</sup>O coherence of the short-term variability between sites and species highlights the strength of the environmental signal in the O chronology also across long distances. On the contrary, δ<sup>13</sup>C shows lower correlations between sites and species, showing a stronger site-dependency, and a lower intra-annual variability. The generally positive correlation between the year-to-year differences in δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>18</sup>O across most sites demonstrates the strong role of stomatal conductance in controlling leaf gas exchange for these species. However, in the last decades, sites showed a dissimilar shift in the isotopes relationships, with the warmer sites showing an increase of either or both δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>18</sup>O and consequent decrease of photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance, highlighting their dependency to atmospheric moisture demand and soil water availability.</p><p>Understanding the underlying physiological mechanisms controlling the short-term variation in tree-ring records will help with defining the performance of these ecologically and economically important tree species under future climate conditions.</p>

scholarly journals The Role of Biosurfactants in the Continued Drive for Environmental Sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibukun Olasanmi ◽  
Ronald Thring
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Industry Research ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Microbial Products ◽  
Near Future

Biosurfactants are microbial products that have been increasingly researched due to their many identified advantages, such as low toxicity and high activity at extreme temperatures, but more importantly, they are biodegradable and compatible with the environment. Biosurfactants are versatile products with vast applications in the clean-up of environmental pollutants through biodegradation and bioremediation. They also have applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries. These advantages and wide range of applications have led to the continued interest in biosurfactants. In particular, there is a growing discussion around environmental sustainability and the important role that biosurfactants will increasingly play in the near future, for example, via the use of renewable by-products as substrates, waste reduction, and potential reuse of the treated waste. This has resulted in increased attention on these microbial products in industry. Research highlighting the potential of biosurfactants in environmental sustainability is required to drive efforts to make biosurfactants more viable for commercial and large-scale applications; making them available, cheaper and economically sustainable. The present review discusses the unique relationship between biosurfactants and environmental sustainability, especially the role that biosurfactants play in the clean-up of environmental pollutants and, therefore, increasing environmental protection.

scholarly journals Rola funduszy UE w promowaniu inkluzji cyfrowej w polskich regionach

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-66
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Dziembała ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Support ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Its Regions ◽  
Ict Development ◽  
Digital Exclusion ◽  
Further Development

The digitalisation process implies many benefits for its active participants. However, some companies, individuals and social groups are excluded from this process, which leads to digital inequalities. The aim of the article is to evaluate Polish regions (NUTS 2) in terms of their digital inclusion and to indicate the importance of EU funds in supporting digital inclusion in Poland. It is claimed that the role of external financial support from EU funds is important in promoting digital inclusion in Polish regions. Support for ICT development is becoming very important in Poland and its regions. In the perspective of 2014–2020, an operational programme dedicated to promoting the development and use of ICT was developed: Digital Poland 2014–2020 Operational Programme. Also within the framework of regional operational programmes implemented in the regions of Poland, including Silesia, priorities or undertakings related to the support for ICT development were identified. This requires the implementation of a wide range of projects, from the improvement of access to the Internet, through the improvement of accessibility and quality of public e-services, to further development of digital competences. Without prompt actions in this regard, the problem of digital exclusion in Poland and its regions will further intensify.

scholarly journals Voice-Controlled Intelligent Personal Assistants in Health Care: International Delphi Study

10.2196/25312 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e25312
Author(s):  
Alena Ermolina ◽  
Victor Tiberius
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Personal Health Information ◽  
Widespread Application ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Personal Assistants ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Further Development

Background Voice-controlled intelligent personal assistants (VIPAs), such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, involve artificial intelligence–powered algorithms designed to simulate humans. Their hands-free interface and growing capabilities have a wide range of applications in health care, covering off-clinic education, health monitoring, and communication. However, conflicting factors, such as patient safety and privacy concerns, make it difficult to foresee the further development of VIPAs in health care. Objective This study aimed to develop a plausible scenario for the further development of VIPAs in health care to support decision making regarding the procurement of VIPAs in health care organizations. Methods We conducted a two-stage Delphi study with an internationally recruited panel consisting of voice assistant experts, medical professionals, and representatives of academia, governmental health authorities, and nonprofit health associations having expertise with voice technology. Twenty projections were formulated and evaluated by the panelists. Descriptive statistics were used to derive the desired scenario. Results The panelists expect VIPAs to be able to provide solid medical advice based on patients’ personal health information and to have human-like conversations. However, in the short term, voice assistants might neither provide frustration-free user experience nor outperform or replace humans in health care. With a high level of consensus, the experts agreed with the potential of VIPAs to support elderly people and be widely used as anamnesis, informational, self-therapy, and communication tools by patients and health care professionals. Although users’ and governments’ privacy concerns are not expected to decrease in the near future, the panelists believe that strict regulations capable of preventing VIPAs from providing medical help services will not be imposed. Conclusions According to the surveyed experts, VIPAs will show notable technological development and gain more user trust in the near future, resulting in widespread application in health care. However, voice assistants are expected to solely support health care professionals in their daily operations and will not be able to outperform or replace medical staff.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COGNITIVE DOMAINS IN EMERGENCIES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rusi Marinov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Time Reading ◽  
Algorithmic Approaches ◽  
Information Domain ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Role Of Information

This report discusses the role of information domain and cognitive technologies in emergency management in the context of the global pandemic problems, which is also caused by a lack of leader’s capacity, knowledge transfer, lack of major investments in the security and health systems. Global emergency response plans should be based on the “artificial” reality of our planetary condition and used as a starting point for planning. Innovative companies are trying to take advantage of cognitive technologies to automate processes to solve a wide range of problems that require specific knowledge. The main aspects of knowledge are related to the so-called „P” categories (Perceive, Perception, Predict) of our critical environment and data input to such systems coming from sensors and smart elements. The new model for effective reactions in crisis refers to cognitive technologies, which, if available use an aesthetic language, generate unstructured texts, process information, used sensors for data in real-time, reading signals, access to “smart objects” and other algorithmic approaches for searching of solutions in extreme situations. The cognitive technologies used during contingency planning is oriented towards the further development of AI in order to improve the performance of machines in terms of intuition, sensitivity, emotions, and other factors that enhance the planning and decision-making tasks.

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