Insect immunology represents a critical component of circulatory physiology research. Considering the ecological significance of mantids and their predatory roles, this study investigated the types of hemocytes and their modulation by starvation, prey quality, and temperature in Hierodula tenuidentata and Empusa fasciata. This study also documents the presence of these two species in Semnan province, Iran for the first time, expanding our knowledge of their distribution. Field-collected oothecae were incubated under controlled conditions (temperature 25 ± 1°C, relative humidity 50%, and a photoperiod of 14:10 light:dark hours) until nymphal emergence. Following hemolymph extraction and staining with Giemsa solution, four hemocyte types – prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, and oenocytoids – were identified in both species; spherulocytes appeared exclusively in adult H. tenuidentata under a light microscope. Differential hemocyte counts revealed granulocytes as predominant in H. tenuidentata, whereas both granulocytes and plasmatocytes were abundant in E. fasciata across developmental stages. Prohemocytes were more abundant in the early-instar nymphs than in the late-instar nymphs of both mantids. Hemocyte density declined progressively with prolonged starvation, reaching a minimum after 4 days. The highest hemocyte concentrations were observed in mantids fed grasshoppers after 1 week, whereas markedly lower counts occurred with low-quality prey, such as Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and Lycaena sp. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Heat stress significantly elevated hemocyte density, whereas cold exposure induced substantial reductions in hemocyte density. Hemocyte fluctuations were more pronounced after 48 hours than after 24 hours. These findings suggest that short-term dietary deprivation, prey type, and thermal stress may rapidly alter immune profiles in H. tenuidentata and E. fasciata.

The global climate is changing, characterized by rising temperatures (projected to increase by 1.5–2 C by the end of the century) and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels (>410 ppm), which are recognized as the primary drivers of climate change. These changes significantly affect multiple aspects of weed biology, including seed germination, seedbank dynamics, photosynthesis, root growth, phenology, and biomass production, often enhancing weed growth and competitive ability by 60–90% under elevated temperature and CO2 conditions. Climate change not only modifies the biological traits of weeds but also influences the effectiveness of current management practices, including herbicide application, potentially increasing herbicide resistance. In this context, smart agriculture and artificial intelligence–based technologies offer promising tools for precise weed identification, monitoring of distribution patterns, and prediction of weed dynamics, thereby optimizing management strategies, reducing herbicide use, and improving control efficiency. Understanding climate-induced biological changes in weeds and integrating advanced technologies into management approaches are crucial for mitigating ecological threats and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production.

A series of laboratory experiments was conducted to evaluate the germination ecology of buttongrass [Dactyloctenium radulans (R. Br.) P. Beauv.] for designing weed management practices in eastern Australia. Two populations (BG3 and BG4) were evaluated under varying temperature, light, salinity, water stress, residue cover, and burial depth conditions. Germination was completely inhibited at 15/5 C (alternating day/night temperature regime) but increased at high temperature regimes, reaching 90–92% at 30/20 C and remaining high (72–88%) at 35/25 C, indicating strong adaptation to warm climates. Both populations germinated well in light (12 h)/dark (12 h) conditions (87–93%), while BG3 showed a reduction (80%) in complete darkness (24 h) compared with light/dark conditions, suggesting weak positive photoblastic behaviour. Germination decreased progressively with increasing sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations, with 50% inhibition at 40 mM NaCl, indicating moderate salt tolerance. Germination was reduced by 50% at osmotic potentials of -0.30 MPa and -0.25 MPa for BG3 and BG4 populations, respectively. Seedling emergence declined with increasing sorghum residue loads, dropping by >80% at >6 Mg ha-1, and was completely inhibited at 8 cm burial depth. These results demonstrate that D. radulans is a thermophilic, light-responsive, shallow-emerging grass capable of germinating under moderate salinity and water stress conditions, enabling persistence in semi-arid and reduced-tillage systems. High residue retention and deep burial of seeds (≥8 cm) could significantly suppress emergence, providing ecologically sustainable management options. Future studies should quantify population-level physiological variations and integrate temperature, moisture, and residue interactions into predictive emergence models to guide region-specific weed management under changing climatic conditions.

Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is a highly invasive, persistent, and problematic perennial weed in Australian cropping systems; however, its germination ecology has largely been inferred from studies conducted outside eastern Australia, where environmental conditions differ markedly. This limits accurate prediction of emergence timing and optimization of management strategies. The objectives of this study were to characterize seed dormancy mechanisms and to quantify the germination and emergence response of two populations of S. halepense from central Queensland to temperature, light, salinity, osmotic stress, and burial depth under controlled conditions. Seeds from both populations exhibited strong primary dormancy, which was partially alleviated by sodium hypochlorite immersion and more effectively by mechanical scarification using sandpaper, indicating that seed coat–related dormancy is the principal barrier to germination. Temperature significantly influenced germination, with no germination at 15/5 C and high germination (>90%) at 25/15 C to 35/25 C under both light/dark and dark conditions, demonstrating that warm temperatures largely override light requirements. Germination declined steadily with increasing sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations, and the NaCl concentration required to reduce maximum germination by 50% was approximately 173 mM. Moderate water stress −0.2 to −0.4 MPa produced less germination in comparison to the control, while −0.8 MPa greatly inhibited germination (11%). Emergence was highest from shallow burial depths of 1 to 4 cm and declined sharply beyond 8 cm. These results demonstrate that S. halepense recruitment occurs in a range of environmental conditions; however, environmental stresses or deep soil burial may help manage this weed. This study provides regionally relevant information to enhance emergence prediction and inform integrated weed management strategies in eastern Australian cropping systems.

Khasi nightshade (Solanum khasianum C.B. Clarke) is a perennial poisonous weed in tropical and subtropical regions that seriously threatens the development of grasslands. For a high-risk invasive weed, a comprehensive understanding of its seed germination characteristics is important for predicting its spread and developing effective management strategies. However, the impact of various abiotic factors on the germination of S. khasianum is not clear. This study first explored the effects of temperature, light, pH, osmotic stress, salt stress, high-temperature pretreatment, and burial depth on the germination of S. khasianum. Seeds germinated at constant temperature of 30, 33, 35, and 38 C, and the germination rate (GR) ranged from 10% to 94%. The optimum germination temperature was 35 C, while germination was completely inhibited at 25 or 40 C. The germination of S. khasianum was greatly promoted by alternating light and darkness (16/8, 12/12, 8/16 h), but was not sensitive to the time change of photoperiod. The GRs were more than 70% in the pH range of 4 to 10, and a strongly acidic environment was more suitable for germination. The GR gradually decreased with the osmotic potential from 0 to −0.2 MPa, and no germination occurred at −0.4 MPa. Accordingly, germination was also low in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution with concentrations higher than 60 mM. Seeds of S. khasianum were not tolerant to high temperature; GR decreased significantly after exposure to 40 C for 5 min, and it decreased to 3% at 120 C. The emergence rate was the highest (93%) when the seeds were buried on the soil surface, while seedlings hardly appeared when the burial depth was more than 2 cm. This study revealed the possible adaptive mechanism of invasive S. khasianum and will contribute to the effective prediction of its spread and management in grasslands.

The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the regions in Antarctica that has experienced notable and extensively studied warming since the mid-twentieth century. Meteorological data, although limited and mostly dating back to the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958), reveal dramatic climate changes in both the Antarctic Peninsula and West Antarctica, with the Antarctic Peninsula showing the highest warming trends on the continent. One major manifestation of this warming is the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme warm events. This study utilizes temperature data from the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base provided by National Weather Service, Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (INUMET), which have not previously been used or quality-controlled. Data were processed and analysed, and a quality hourly database was built for the period 1 January 1998 to 11 December 2016 for the surface temperature, constructing a complete time series interpolating the data with two other nearby Antarctic stations (C.M.A. Eduardo Frei Montalva and King Sejong). Temperature presented an annual cycle with marked interannual and seasonal variability, with the cold season being the one with the highest variability and the largest anomalies, both positive and negative. No significant trend was found for the monthly mean temperature. A study of warm temperature events was conducted at three points on King George Island, defining warm events and extreme warm events as those in which the mean daily temperature was above the 90th and 99th percentile, respectively, for at least 3 consecutive days. A high frequency of occurrence was found (all years except 2015) mostly in the cold season of the year, and with large interannual variability. In turn, it was found that certain atmospheric dynamics favour the generation of these extreme warm events, and that their occurrence is higher during La Niña years. Although the majority of the extreme warm events occurred during positive phases of the Southern Annular Mode, the statistical correlations were not significant.

Kaolinite, a widely distributed clay mineral, is extensively applied in construction, industry and agriculture due to its physical, chemical and mechanical properties. This study employed quantum mechanics-based first-principles calculations to investigate the crystal structure, electronic properties and mechanical properties of kaolinite at various temperatures from a microscopic perspective. The main conclusions are as follows: structurally, lattice parameters (a, b, c) and volume increased with temperature, with c showing the largest such increase. The interlayer spacing between silicate tetrahedral and alumina octahedral layers slightly decreased from 0.3733 to 0.3702 Å, indicating that temperature exerts a stronger influence on the interlayer hydrogen bonds than on the covalent bonds within the layers. Electronically, in the 0–750 K range, kaolinite’s band gap narrowed from 5.13 to 5.06 eV; s orbital electrons of Al atoms jumped from the valence to the conduction band, reducing insulation. Mechanically, the elastic constants C11, C22, C33, C44 and C66 decreased while C55 increased with temperature. The bulk modulus declined continuously, whereas the shear modulus and Young’s modulus first increased then decreased. The universal anisotropy index decreased markedly, reducing elastic anisotropy. Temperature (0–750 K) significantly affects kaolinite’s properties. This study provides a reliable theoretical basis for optimizing the physicochemical and mechanical properties of kaolinite-based materials.

American sloughgrass [Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud.) Fernald] is a troublesome weed in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). We tested the germination of B. syzigachne seeds under different temperatures in growth chambers (12-h dark/12-h light, 12,000 lx), simulating temperatures during the winter wheat sowing periods: early (25/15 °C), standard (20/10 °C), late (15/5 °C), and very late (5/0 °C). We also tested the accumulated temperatures required for seedling growth to the 2- to 5-leaf stages, using 225 populations collected from wheat fields in eastern China. The average 1,000-seed weight of the 225 populations was 1.2 ± 0.01 g. Overall, the populations tested did not show seed germination after 21 d of treatment (DAT) at 5/0 °C or constant 30 °C. At 14 DAT with 25/15, 20/10, and 15/5 °C, the mean germination rates were 85.4%, 6.4%, and 0.1%, respectively. These rates increased to 99.9%, 58.6%, and 21.7% at 21 DAT. Populations collected from lower-latitude regions germinated significantly faster (P < 0.05) under optimal conditions. Accumulated temperatures required for growing the second, third, fourth, and fifth leaves were 139.0 ± 1.0, 127.8 ± 1.0, 115.6 ± 1.0, and 98.9 ± 0.7 °C, which showed a significant decreasing trend. The narrower optimal temperature range for B. syzigachne seed germination and higher thermal requirements for early seedling growth constrain its distribution, while the heterogeneous seed germination facilitates its infestations in wheat-planting areas in eastern China.

Egg hatching is a critical stage in the life cycle of parasitic nematodes and is strongly influenced by abiotic factors. This study investigates, under in vitro condition, the effects of temperature (5 °C, 10 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C) and salinity (0–70 psu) on egg hatching success in the two sibling species Contracaecum rudolphii sp. A and C. rudolphii sp. B, which have been hypothesized to be adapted to brackish/marine and freshwater environments, respectively. Hatching was completely inhibited at 5 °C in both species. At temperature of 10 °C and above, both taxa showed successful hatching with largely overlapping thermal profiles; however, C. rudolphii sp. A achieved a marginally significantly higher success, with maximum hatching observed at 30 °C – a value chosen to simulate a potential heatwave scenario. Temperature also influenced developmental timing, with faster hatching occurring at higher temperatures. In contrast, significant marked differences were observed along the salinity gradient: C. rudolphii sp. A hatched across a wide range (0–70 psu); while C. rudolphii sp. B was restricted to 0–20 psu, with a steep decline above 10 psu. The observed species-specific hatching dynamics, primarily driven by salinity factor, support differential ecological adaptation of the two taxa in their respective aquatic habitats. These findings also provide a basis for predicting parasite responses to environmental change, including rising temperatures and salinity shifts in aquatic ecosystems.

Will rising temperatures from climate change affect labour markets? This paper examines the impact of temperature on hours worked, using panel data from Peru covering the period from 2007 to 2015. We combine information on hours worked from household surveys with weather reanalysis data. Our findings show that high temperatures reduce hours worked, with the effect concentrated in informal jobs rather than in weather-exposed industries. These results suggest that labour market segmentation may shape how climate change affects labour outcomes in developing countries.

Sporobolus natalensis (Steud.) T. Durand & Schinz. and Sporobolus pyramidalis P. Beauv., generally known as giant rat’s tail grasses, are two significant weed species that invade summer fields and pastures in the eastern regions of Australia. This study was conducted to examine seed germination behavior, seedling emergence, and the response of these species to various herbicides. Seed germination and seedling emergence were assessed in response to environmental factors, including alternating temperature regimes (15/5, 20/10, 25/15, 30/20, and 35/25 C), light conditions (dark and light/dark), osmotic potentials (0, −0.1, −0.2, −0.4, −0.8, and −1.6 MPa), and seed burial depths (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 cm). Furthermore, the efficacy of several post-emergence herbicides was evaluated in pots under outdoor environmental conditions. Germination was higher under light/dark (12-h light/12-h dark) conditions than under continuous darkness (24 h). The seeds of both species exhibited significantly higher germination (>95%) under 12-h light at higher temperatures (35/25 C) compared with low (20/10 C) or medium (25/15 C) temperatures. The osmotic potential required to inhibit 50% of maximum germination was −0.77 MPa for S. natalensis and −0.59 MPa for S. pyramidalis. Seedling emergence decreased with increasing burial depth, with no emergence observed from seeds buried at depths of 4 cm. Applying herbicides significantly reduced both species’ seedling survival and dry matter. The most effective herbicides for controlling spring-germinated S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis were haloxyfop, clethodim, butroxydim, glyphosate, glufosinate, and paraquat, which provided satisfactory control of both species. The findings from this study can be used to develop effective management strategies for controlling S. pyramidalis and S. natalensis in agricultural systems.

Monitoring snow depth in Antarctica is essential for understanding permafrost dynamics and soil thermal regimes. This study assesses the performance of low-cost, high-resolution, autocleaning ultrasonic sensors (MB7574-SCXL-Maxsonar-WRST7), powered by lithium D-type battery Geoprecision-Box dataloggers, in the South Shetland Islands. Traditional methods for estimating snow thickness, such as air temperature sensors in snow stakes, are economical but involve high maintenance costs and various complexities. To address these issues, we deployed ultrasonic sensors across 12 stations on Livingston and Deception islands from early 2023 to early 2024. Located at altitudes from 15 to 274 m above sea level and with varying wind exposures, these devices demonstrated notable durability and reliability, with only one sensor failure occurring due to structural damage. Data processing involved using an R script to filter out noise, and this process provided accurate hourly snow-depth measurements and revealed significant spatial and altitudinal variability, with depths ranging from 20 to 110 cm. Snow accumulation began in April and peaked in August and October, with major snowfall events contributing temporarily to snow depth but not to long-term accumulation. Our findings suggest that these sensors, as low-cost alternatives, could be integrated into networks such as the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P), supporting climate and permafrost studies.

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to break seed dormancy and to investigate the germination ecology of prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.) populations for designing weed management practices in eastern Australia. Foundational studies identified sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) immersion of seeds for 8 h as the most effective method for breaking seed dormancy and enhancing germination. Therefore, in the subsequent seed germination ecology experiments, seeds treated with NaOCl for 8 h followed by a 10-min water rinse were used, and two populations (Gatton and Nangwee) were selected for the studies. The Gatton population exhibited higher germination than the Nangwee population at alternating day/night temperatures ranging from 15/5 to 30/20 C. Germination in both populations did not vary at day/night temperatures ranging from 20/10 C to 30/20 C. Therefore, considering P. aviculare as a winter-season weed in Australia, an optimal temperature of 20/10 C was selected for further light/dark, salt and osmotic stress, residue cover, and burial depth studies. Averaged over populations, germination of P. aviculare peaked at 92% under alternating light/dark conditions but declined to 49% in complete darkness, confirming the species’ positive photoblastic nature. Under stress (salt and osmotic) conditions, the Gatton population maintained ∼50% germination at 250 mM NaCl and −0.8 MPa osmotic potential and showed higher tolerance to these stresses than the Nangwee population. Moderate residue cover (2 to 4 Mg ha⁻¹) enhanced seedling emergence (up to 58% in Nangwee and 36% in Gatton), likely due to improved surface moisture and partial light availability. However, seed burial beyond 4 cm nearly eliminated emergence due to light exclusion and mechanical resistance. These findings suggest that P. aviculare is well adapted to surface soil conditions and may thrive in reduced-tillage, residue-retained systems. Strategic deep tillage and surface-targeted herbicides are essential for effective management of this light-sensitive, residue-adapted weed.

Eclipta [Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.] is an important tropical weed that has recently emerged as a problematic weed in dry direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) (DSR) fields in China. Understanding its seed germination biology and ecology is crucial for developing integrated weed management strategies in the DSR system. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate seed germination of E. prostrata seeds under varying environmental conditions. Germination was greatest under alternating temperature regimes of 25/15 to 40/30 C, whereas it wa-s significantly reduced at 20/10 C and completely inhibited at 15/5 C. Germination was also fully suppressed under continuous darkness, indicating strong light dependency. Eclipta prostrata seeds tolerated a broad range of pH values (4 to 10) with germination rates consistently greater than 95%. However, germination declined sharply under osmotic potentials, falling below 2% at −0.6 MPa, and being completely inhibited at −0.7 MPa. Seeds also showed moderate salt tolerance, with 50% inhibition at 150 mM NaCl and no germination at 300 mM NaCl. Exposure to radiant heat (>90 C for 5 min) prevented germination, suggesting residue burning may be an effective control measure. Seedling emergence was highest (100%) on the soil surface but declined steeply with increasing burial depth, with no emergence observed beyond 0.5 cm. Similarly, surface application of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw residue (2 to 6 Mg ha−1) significantly reduced seedling emergence and biomass. These findings provide essential insights into E. prostrata germination ecology and offer practical implications for its integrated management in DSR systems.

Limited studies on the seasonality of pharyngitis and tonsillitis suggest subtle but unexplained fluctuations in case numbers that deviate from patterns seen in other respiratory diagnoses. Data on weekly acute respiratory infection diagnoses from 2010–2022, provided by the Polish National Healthcare Fund, included a total of 360 million visits. Daily mean temperature and relative humidity were sourced from the Copernicus Climate Data Store. Seasonal pattern was estimated using the STL model, while the impact of temperature was calculated with SARIMAX. A recurring early-summer wave of an unspecified pathogen causing pharyngitis and tonsillitis was identified. The strongest pattern was observed in children under 10, though other age groups also showed somewhat elevated case numbers. The reproductive number of the pathogen is modulated by warmer temperatures; however, summer holidays and pandemic restrictions interrupt its spread. The infection wave is relatively flat, suggesting either genuinely slow spread or multiple waves of related pathogens. Symptomatic data unambiguously demonstrate existence of pathogens of quite distinct characteristics. Given its consistent year-to-year pattern, identifying these potential pathogens could enhance respective treatment, including antibiotic therapy.

In heavy oil fields hosted in sandstone, steam flooding is a crucial technique for enhancing oil recovery. The swelling of clay minerals in these reservoirs, particularly those with high clay content, presents a significant challenge by causing permeability damage and hindering oil production. The objective of the present study was to investigate clay swelling phenomena in a sandstone oil reservoir where smectite-illite clays make up 40% of the reservoir rock. Through comprehensive static and dynamic tests, clay swelling behavior and its impact on permeability degradation were examined under varying temperature and salinity conditions typical of thermally enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. Results indicated that clay swelling is exacerbated under low salinity and high temperature, leading to severe permeability impairment. At high salinities (2000–4920 mg L–1), the swellability was relatively low, but it increased significantly as salinity decreased to a range of 0–2000 mg L–1. Static swelling tests revealed that the maximum clay expansion, with a 2.25-fold increase in volume, occurred in distilled water at 200°C. Additionally, the critical salt concentration (CSC) was found to increase with temperature, causing a more pronounced and earlier swelling effect. This increase in temperature coupled with a decrease in salinity impaired permeability significantly, with the most severe reduction, of 73.3%, observed at 150°C during distilled water flooding. Comparisons between static and dynamic tests showed consistent degrees of clay swelling across both methods. The findings of this study advance the understanding of clay swelling under thermal EOR conditions, particularly regarding the effects of salinity and temperature on permeability impairment in sandstone formations.