Search Results (6)

This study investigates the effects of nitrogen application and sprinkler irrigation on winter wheat growth, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield formation under dry-hot wind stress. The primary aim was to understand how nitrogen levels influence canopy structure, soil water–nitrogen coupling, and yield components under varying irrigation conditions. Field experiments were conducted with different nitrogen rates (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5) and sprinkler irrigation under heat stress. Plant height, leaf area index (LAI), canopy interception, and stemflow were measured, along with soil moisture and nitrogen content in the root zone. Results indicate that moderate nitrogen application (212 kg N ha⁻²) optimized yield and WUE, with a significant enhancement in canopy structure and water interception. High nitrogen levels resulted in increased water consumption but decreased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), while lower nitrogen treatments showed reduced yield stability under heat stress. The findings suggest that balanced nitrogen management, in combination with timely irrigation, is essential for improving winter wheat productivity under climate stress. This study highlights the importance of optimizing water and nitrogen inputs to achieve sustainable wheat production in regions facing increasing climate variability. Full article

Wildfires in Portugal have become increasingly frequent and severe, driven by a combination of fuel accumulation, extreme meteorological conditions, and topographic complexity. This study assesses the applicability of the Hot–Dry–Windy (HDW) index in characterizing fire-weather conditions during five major wildfires: Chamusca (2003), Pedrógão Grande and Lousã (2017), Monchique (2018), and Covilhã (2022). HDW values were computed at sub-daily resolution and compared against a 1991–2020 climatology. This study also evaluates the HDW index as a high-resolution fire danger indicator in Portugal and compares it with the traditional FWI using percentile-based climatology. The findings indicate that during 12 and 15 UTC, HDW in the wildfires in Chamusca (2003) and Lousã (2017) exceeded 180–370 units, suggesting extreme air conditions driven by hot, dry, and windy weather patterns. These values denoted extremely flammable conditions since they were significantly higher than the 95th percentile. A distinct peak at 15 UTC for Pedrógão Grande (2017) topped 140 units (>P95), which is consistent with the ignition timing and a rapid beginning spread. A continuous HDW anomaly that peaked above 200 units between 2 August and 5 August preceded the Monchique (2018) event, suggesting extended heat stress and increased wind contribution. While not as severe as in previous instances, HDW at Covilhã (2022) was above the 75th percentile in the early afternoon (12–18 UTC). Results show that in all cases, HDW values exceeded the 90th and 95th percentiles during the hours of ignition and early fire spread, with the most critical anomalies occurring between 12 UTC and 18 UTC. Spatial analyses revealed regional-scale patterns of HDW exceedance, aligning with observed ignition zones. Comparisons with the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) revealed that while the FWI captured seasonal fuel aridity, the HDW more effectively resolved short-term meteorological extremes, particularly wind and atmospheric dryness. The HDW index was found to identify high-risk conditions even when FWI values were moderate, highlighting its added diagnostic value. These results support the inclusion of HDW in operational fire danger rating systems for Portugal and other Mediterranean countries, where compound fire-weather extremes are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Full article

The urban ambient environment is directly responsible for the health conditions of millions of people. Comfortable living space is a significant aspect that urban policymakers need to address for sustainable planning. There is still a notable lack of studies that link the spatial profile of urban climate with city-specific built-up settings while assessing the vulnerability of the city population. Geospatial approaches can be beneficial in evaluating patterns of thermal discomfort and strategizing its mitigation. This study attempts to provide a thorough remote sensing framework to analyze the summer magnitude of thermal discomfort for a city in a tropical hot and humid climate. Spatial profiles of dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature and relative humidity were prepared for this purpose. A simultaneous assessment of various discomfort indices indicated the presence of moderate to strong heat stress to a vast extent within the study area. The central business district (CBD) of the city indicated a ‘danger’ level of heat disorder for outdoor exposure cases. Nearly 0.69 million people were vulnerable to a moderate threat from humid heat stress, and around 0.21 million citizens faced strong heat stress. Combing city morphology in the study showed that mid-rise buildings had the maximum contribution in terms of thermal discomfort. City areas with built-up cover of more than 68%, along with building height between 5.8 m and 9.3 m, created the worst outdoor discomfort situations. Better land management prospects were also investigated through a multicriteria approach using morphological settlement zones, wind direction, pavement watering, building regulations and future landscaping plans. East–west-aligned road segments of a total 38.44 km length were delineated for water spray cooling and greener pavements. This study is likely to provide solutions for enhancing ambient urban health. Full article

The effects of the co-location of energy production from a photovoltaic (PV) plant and aromatic crops (thyme, oregano, and Greek mountain tea) in a hot and dry environment have been investigated in Enel Green Power PV plant located in Kourtesi (Greece). The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the PV plant on microclimate, on soil temperature and water potential, and on the crops’ growth in a testing area (the corridors between two modules rows) compared to a full sunlight control area. The net radiation and of the wind speed recorded in the testing area showed a 44% and 38% reduction respectively, compared to the control area, while air temperature and relative humidity did not show any difference. Among crop/soil monitored parameters, cumulative reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and the average soil temperature were found 29% and 8% lower in the testing area, conversely the soil water potential (SWP) was 34% higher compared to control area. No significant differences in the plant growth have been detected between testing and control areas, except for oregano whose weight was higher in testing area. The results suggest that in hot and dry climatic conditions, the reduction of climatic stress could compensate the decrease of photosynthesis due to the shading effect of the PV modules, thus not damaging crops’ growth. Full article

Lip inflammation may manifest as mainly reversible cheilitis, mainly irreversible, or cheilitis connected to dermatoses or systemic diseases. Therefore, knowing a patient’s medical history is important, especially whether their lip lesions are temporary, recurrent, or persistent. Sometimes temporary contributing factors, such as climate and weather conditions, can be identified and avoided—exposure to extreme weather conditions (e.g., dry, hot, or windy climates) may cause or trigger lip inflammation. Emotional and psychological stress are also mentioned in the etiology of some lip inflammations (e.g., exfoliative cheilitis) and may be associated with nervous habits such as lip licking. To better manage cheilitis, it is also helpful to look for potential concomitant comorbidities and the presence of related diseases/conditions. Some forms of cheilitis accompany dermatologic or systemic diseases (lichen, pemphigus or pemphigoid, erythema multiforme, lupus, angioedema, xerostomia, etc.) that should be uncovered. Occasionally, lip lesions are persistent and involve histological changes: actinic cheilitis, granulomatous cheilitis, glandular cheilitis, and plasmacellular cheilitis. Perioral skin inflammation with simultaneous perioral dermatitis can have various causes: the use of corticosteroids and cosmetics, dysfunction of the skin’s epidermal barrier, a contact reaction to allergens or irritants (e.g., toothpaste, dental fillings), microorganisms (e.g., Demodex spp., Candida albicans, fusiform bacteria), hormonal changes, or an atopic predisposition. Epidermal barrier dysfunction can worsen perioral dermatitis lesions and can also be related to secondary vitamin or mineral deficiencies (e.g., zinc deficiency), occlusive emollient use, sunscreen use, or excessive exposure to environmental factors such as heat, wind, and ultraviolet light. Current trends in research are uncovering valuable information concerning the skin microbiome and disruption of the epidermal barrier of persons suffering from perioral dermatitis. Ultimately, an effective approach to patient management must take all these factors and new research into account. Full article

The study analyzes the long-term trends (1998–2019) of concentrations of the air pollutants ozone (O₃) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) as well as meteorological conditions at forest sites in German midrange mountains to evaluate changes in O₃ uptake conditions for trees over time at a plot scale. O₃ concentrations did not show significant trends over the course of 22 years, unlike NO₂ and NO, whose concentrations decreased significantly since the end of the 1990s. Temporal analyses of meteorological parameters found increasing global radiation at all sites and decreasing precipitation, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and wind speed at most sites (temperature did not show any trend). A principal component analysis revealed strong correlations between O₃ concentrations and global radiation, VPD, and temperature. Examination of the atmospheric water balance, a key parameter for O₃ uptake, identified some unusually hot and dry years (2003, 2011, 2018, and 2019). With the help of a soil water model, periods of plant water stress were detected. These periods were often in synchrony with periods of elevated daytime O₃ concentrations and usually occurred in mid and late summer, but occasionally also in spring and early summer. This suggests that drought protects forests against O₃ uptake and that, in humid years with moderate O₃ concentrations, the O₃ flux was higher than in dry years with higher O₃ concentrations. Full article