Search Results (291)

Rodent damage significantly affects agriculture around the world. Rodenticides can sometimes control pests, but they are costly, may cause secondary poisoning to nontarget wildlife, and can become less efficient over time due to bait shyness and resistance. Using wildlife as biological pest control agents, particularly barn owls (Tyto spp.), has been suggested as an alternative. Barn owl nest boxes and hunting perches have been added to increase predator pressure, yet few studies have examined their effectiveness. We conducted a field study in forty-five 10 × 10 m² plots to compare three treatments (biological pest control by adding hunting perches, 1080 rodenticide, and control) on rodent (vole) activity and crop health (alfalfa, Medicago sativa) using unmanned aerial system (UAS) remote sensing and ground surveys. Additionally, we used 24/7 video cameras and a machine learning (YOLOv5) object detection algorithm to determine whether hunting perches increase the presence of diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Rodent activity increased during the study and did not vary among the treatments across all three treatment groups, indicating that neither the biological pest control nor the rodenticides prevented the rodent population from increasing. Moreover, the vegetation indices clearly showed that the alfalfa has become increasingly damaged over time, due to the rising damage caused by rodents. There were significantly more raptors in plots with hunting perches than in control plots and those treated with rodenticides. Specifically, barn owls and diurnal raptors (mainly black-shouldered kites) spent 97.92% more time on hunting perch plots than rodenticide plots and 97.61% more time on hunting perch plots than control plots. The number of barn owls was positively related to vole activity, indicating a bottom-up process, while the number of black-shouldered kites was unrelated to vole activity. Even though hunting perches effectively increased the presence and activity of diurnal and nocturnal raptors, rodent populations increased. Future research should investigate whether hunting perches can increase raptor populations and improve crop health in crops beyond alfalfa, which is known to be particularly challenging to control for voles. Full article

This study analyzes the dynamics of temperature and moisture in a cylindrical silo with a conical roof and floor used for storing corn in the Bajío region of Mexico, considering conditions both with and without aeration. The model incorporates external temperature fluctuations, solar radiation, grain moisture equilibrium with air humidity through the sorption isotherm (water activity), and grain respiration to simulate real storage conditions. The model is based on continuity, momentum, energy, and moisture conservation equations in porous media. This model was solved using the finite element method (FEM) to evaluate temperature and interstitial humidity variations during January and May, representing cold and warm environmental conditions, respectively. The simulations show that, without aeration, grain temperature progressively accumulates in the center and bottom region of the silo, reaching critical values for safe storage. In January, the low ambient temperature favors the natural dissipation of heat. In contrast, in May, the combination of high ambient temperatures and solar radiation intensifies thermal accumulation, increasing the risk of grain deterioration. However, implementing aeration periods allowed for a reduction in the silo’s internal temperature, achieving more homogeneous cooling and reducing the threats of mold and insect proliferation. For January, an airflow rate of 0.15 m³/(min·ton) was optimal for maintaining the temperature within the safe storage range (≤17 °C). In contrast, in May, neither this airflow rate nor the accumulation of 120 h of aeration was sufficient to achieve optimal storage temperatures. This indicates that, under warm conditions, the aeration strategy needs to be reconsidered, assessing whether a higher airflow rate, longer periods, or a combination of both could improve heat dissipation. The results also show that interstitial relative humidity remains stable with nocturnal aeration, minimizing moisture absorption in January and preventing excessive drying in May. However, it was identified that aeration period management must be adaptive, taking environmental conditions into account to avoid issues such as re-wetting or excessive grain drying. Full article

Understanding how prey and predator species partition activity patterns across time and space is essential for elucidating behavioral adaptation and ecological coexistence. In this study, we examined the diel and seasonal activity rhythms of two sympatric rodent species—Rhombomys opimus (Great gerbil) and Meriones meridianus (Midday gerbil)—and their primary predators, Otocolobus manul (Pallas’s cat) and Vulpes vulpes (Red fox), in a desert-steppe ecosystem on the northern slopes of the Qilian Mountains, China. Using over 8000 camera trap days and kernel density estimation, we quantified their activity intensity and spatiotemporal overlap. The two rodent species showed clear temporal niche differentiation but differed in their synchrony with predators. R. opimus exhibited a unimodal diurnal rhythm with spring activity peaks, while M. meridianus showed stable nocturnal activity with a distinct autumn peak. Notably, O. manul adjusted its activity pattern to partially align with that of R. opimus, whereas V. vulpes maintained a crepuscular–nocturnal rhythm overlapping more closely with that of M. meridianus. Despite distinct temporal rhythms, both rodent species shared high spatial overlap with their predators (overlap index OI = 0.64–0.83). These findings suggest that temporal partitioning may reduce predation risk for R. opimus, while M. meridianus co-occurs more extensively with its predators. Our results highlight the ecological role of native carnivores in rodent population dynamics and support their potential use in biodiversity-friendly rodent management strategies under arid grassland conditions. Full article

Petrochemical complexes are spatially expansive and host diverse emission sources, making accurate monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) challenging using conventional two-dimensional methods. This study introduces Mobile-extraction Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (Me-DOAS), a real-time, three-dimensional remote sensing technique for assessing benzene emissions in the Ulsan petrochemical complex, South Korea. A vehicle-mounted Me-DOAS system conducted monthly measurements throughout 2024, capturing data during four daily intervals to evaluate diurnal variation. Routes included perimeter loops and grid-based transects within core industrial zones. The highest benzene concentrations were observed in February (mean: 64.28 ± 194.69 µg/m³; geometric mean: 5.13 µg/m³), with exceedances of the national annual standard (5 µg/m³) in several months. Notably, nighttime and early morning sessions showed elevated levels, suggesting contributions from nocturnal operations and meteorological conditions such as atmospheric inversion. A total of 179 exceedances (≥30 µg/m³) were identified, predominantly in zones with benzene-handling activities. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between high concentrations and specific emission sources. These results demonstrate the utility of Me-DOAS in capturing spatiotemporal emission dynamics and support its application in exposure risk assessment and industrial emission control. The findings provide a robust framework for targeted management strategies and call for integration with source apportionment and dispersion modeling tools. Full article

The use of multimodal data can effectively compensate for the lack of temporal resolution in streetscape imagery-based studies and achieve hourly refinement in the study of street walkability dynamics. Exploring the 24 h dynamic pattern of urban street walkability and its diurnal variation characteristics is a crucial step in understanding and responding to the accelerated urban metabolism. Aiming at the shortcomings of existing studies, which are mostly limited to static assessment or only at coarse time scales, this study integrates multimodal data such as streetscape images, remote sensing images of nighttime lights, and text-described crowd activity information and introduces a novel approach to enhance the simulation of pedestrian perception through a visual–textual multimodal deep learning model. A baseline model for dynamic assessment of walkability with street as a spatial unit and hour as a time granularity is generated. In order to deeply explore the dynamic regulation mechanism of street walkability under the influence of diurnal shift, the 24 h dynamic score of walkability is calculated, and the quantification system of walkability diurnal change characteristics is further proposed. The results of spatio-temporal cluster analysis and quantitative calculations show that the intensity of economic activities and pedestrian experience significantly shape the diurnal pattern of walkability, e.g., urban high-energy areas (e.g., along the riverside) show unique nocturnal activity characteristics and abnormal recovery speeds during the dawn transition. This study fills the gap in the study of hourly street dynamics at the micro-scale, and its multimodal assessment framework and dynamic quantitative index system provide important references for future urban spatial dynamics planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Growing pains are a common cause of recurrent limb pain in children, but their etiology remains unclear. Physical activity and nutrition are important factors for musculoskeletal health, but their specific relationship with growing pains has not been well established in young athletes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of growing pains in child and adolescent athletes and evaluate their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 916 athletes aged 8–17 years from sports academies in Alicante, Spain. Data were collected via an online survey assessing demographics, pain types, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: Self-reported pain was highly prevalent, affecting 78.5% of children and 93.5% of adolescents. Musculoskeletal and nocturnal pain increased with age, with nocturnal pain significantly more frequent in girls among children (p < 0.001). Additionally, 32.6% of children and 51.9% of adolescents had received a formal diagnosis of growing pains. Despite this, only 13.7% reported using analgesics, with no significant gender differences. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was mostly moderate, with children reporting higher fruit and vegetable intake than adolescents, while adolescents consumed more healthy fats and carbohydrates, and participants without pain showed overall healthier dietary patterns. Conclusions: Idiopathic musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among young athletes, and their adherence to a healthy diet is suboptimal, challenging the assumption that physically active children maintain well-balanced diets. This underscores the importance of early nutritional education as a strategy to support musculoskeletal health and reduce pain in physically active youth. Full article

The circadian clock is a self-sustaining oscillator with a period of approximately 24 h, enabling organisms to anticipate daily recurring events, such as sunrise and sunset. Since the circadian period is not exactly 24 h and the environmental day length varies throughout the year, the clock must be periodically reset to align an organism’s physiology with the natural light/dark cycle. This synchronization, known as entrainment, is primarily regulated by nocturnal light, which can be replicated in laboratory settings using a 15 min light pulse (LP) and by assessing locomotor activity. An LP during the early part of the dark phase delays the onset of locomotor activity, resulting in a phase delay, whereas an LP in the late dark phase advances activity onset, causing a phase advance. The clock gene Period 2 (Per2) plays a key role in this process. To investigate its contributions, we examined the effects of Per2 deletion in neurons versus astrocytes using glia-specific GPer2 (Per2/GfapCre) knockout (KO) and neuronal-specific NPer2KO (Per2/NesCre) mice. All groups were subjected to Aschoff type II protocol, where an LP was applied at ZT14 or ZT22 and the animals were released into constant darkness. As control, no LP was applied. Phase shift, period, amplitude, total activity count, and rhythm instability were assessed. Our findings revealed that mice lacking Per2 in neurons (NPer2) exhibited smaller phase delays and larger phase advances compared to control animals. In contrast, mice with Per2 deletion specifically in glial cells including astrocytes (GPer2) displayed normal clock resetting. Interestingly, the absence of Per2 in either of the cell types resulted in a shorter circadian period compared to control animals. These results suggest that astrocytic Per2 is important for maintaining the circadian period but is not required for phase adaptation to light stimuli. Full article

Activity patterns constitute a critical adaptive trait in large carnivores, enabling them to manage interspecific competition, enhance their foraging efficiency, and adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions. At the community level, elucidating the temporal activity allocation of sympatric large carnivores is essential for understanding species coexistence mechanisms. However, the activity patterns of most large carnivores remain inadequately explored. In this study, spanning a survey period from June 2014 to April 2024, we employed infrared camera technology to collect a total of 3312, 352, 240, and 79 independently validated photographs of snow leopards (Panthera uncia Schreber, 1775), wolves (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758), brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758), and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx Linnaeus, 1758), respectively, across six distinct regions in the Sanjiangyuan Region (SR) and during different monitoring time periods. We utilized kernel density estimation and the coefficient of overlaps to assess diel activity pattern overlap and competitive intensities through pairwise comparisons among these four large carnivores. An analysis of the diel activity rhythm curves revealed that all four large carnivores predominantly exhibited nocturnal behavior, although their peak activity periods differed notably. Furthermore, the diel activity rhythm overlap between each pair of species showed moderate to high intensity throughout the year (0.5 ≤ Δ < 1), including during both the cold and warm seasons. Specifically, the diel activity rhythms of snow leopards and wolves, snow leopards and Eurasian lynx, and wolves and Eurasian lynx exhibited high levels of overlap annually and during the cold season (0.8 ≤ Δ < 1) but only moderate overlap during the warm season (0.5 ≤ Δ < 0.8). Our findings suggest that the diel activity rhythms of these four large carnivore species exhibited considerable overlap, potentially intensifying interspecific competition. This study advances our knowledge on the competitive and coexistence mechanisms of large carnivores in high-altitude mountainous ecosystems, offering critical data for their conservation and management. Full article

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis (AD), is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by persistent itching and scratching, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Effective monitoring of scratching behaviour is crucial for assessing disease severity, treatment efficacy, and understanding the relationship between itch and sleep disturbances. This review explores current technological approaches for detecting and monitoring scratching and itching in AD patients, categorising them into contact-based and non-contact-based methods. Contact-based methods primarily involve wearable sensors, such as accelerometers, electromyography (EMG), and piezoelectric sensors, which track limb movements and muscle activity associated with scratching. Non-contact methods include video-based motion tracking, thermal imaging, and acoustic analysis, commonly employed in sleep clinics and controlled environments to assess nocturnal scratching. Furthermore, emerging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches leveraging machine learning for automated scratch detection are discussed. The advantages, limitations, and validation challenges of these technologies, including accuracy, user comfort, data privacy, and real-world applicability, are critically analysed. Finally, we outline future research directions, emphasizing the integration of multimodal monitoring, real-time data analysis, and patient-centric wearable solutions to improve disease management. This review serves as a comprehensive resource for clinicians, researchers, and technology developers seeking to advance objective itch and scratch monitoring in AD patients. Full article

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important part of agricultural water consumption, yet little is known about nocturnal evapotranspiration (ETN) patterns. An eddy covariance system was used to observe ET over five consecutive years (2020–2024) during the growing season in a dry farming area of the Loess Plateau. Daytime and nocturnal evapotranspiration were partitioned using the photosynthetically active radiation threshold to reveal the changing characteristics of ETN at multiple time scales and its control variables. The results showed the following: (1) In contrast to the non-significant trend in ETN on the diurnal and daily scales, monthly ETN dynamics exhibited two peak fluctuations during the growing season. (2) The contribution of ETN to ET exhibited seasonal characteristics, being relatively low in summer, with interannual variations ranging from 10.9% to 14.3% and an annual average of 12.8%. (3) The half-hourly ETN, determined by machine learning methods, was driven by a combination of factors. The main driving factors were the difference between surface temperature and air temperature (Ts-Ta) and net radiation (Rn), which have almost equivalent contributions. Regression analysis results suggested that Ta was the main factor influencing ETN/ET at the monthly scale. This study focuses on the nighttime water loss process in dry farming fields in Northwest China, and the results provide a basis for rational allocation and efficient utilization of agricultural water resources in arid regions. Full article

The analysis of activity patterns is a valuable tool for understanding the temporal organization of mammal communities, which is determined by biological requirements, resource availability, and competitive pressures both within and between species. Research on this ecological aspect can contribute to the development of effective conservation strategies. Cloud forest is an ecosystem of high biological relevance, as this provides habitat for a wide diversity of species in Mexico, including endemic, emblematic, and threatened taxa. Our main objectives were to analyze mammalian activity patterns and predator–prey relationships in the cloud forest of the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, Tamaulipas, Mexico. From 2018 to 2020, twenty camera trap stations were installed, and independent photographic records were obtained, divided into 24 one-hour intervals, and subsequently classified as diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular, or cathemeral. Temporal activity was estimated using circular statistics in RStudio v4.3.1, and activity overlap between major carnivores and their prey was assessed using the ‘overlap’ package in R. A total of 18 medium- and large-sized mammal species were recorded in this study. The activity of four species was seasonally influenced, with a predominantly nocturnal pattern observed during the dry season. The activity overlap analysis revealed potential temporal similarity between predators and their prey. For example, Panthera onca exhibited a high overlap with Mazama temama (Δ = 0.83), Puma concolor with Nasua narica (Δ = 0.91), and Ursus americanus with M. temama (Δ = 0.77). These findings suggest that the activity patterns of certain species can be influenced by seasonality and that large predators may favor specific prey whose activity overlaps with their own. Full article

Opioid use in patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) presents therapeutic challenges within chronic pain and sleep medicine. Opioids impair respiratory drive through μ-opioid receptor activation in brainstem respiratory centers, exacerbating both obstructive and central apneas. Chronic opioid use is also linked to a high prevalence of central sleep apnea and increased nocturnal hypoventilation. Simultaneously, SDB contributes to heightened pain sensitivity via intermittent hypoxia, systemic inflammation, and alterations in neural plasticity. These mechanisms may influence opioid efficacy and dosing requirements. This review summarizes current evidence on how SDB and opioid use interact, emphasizing chronic opioid use in the setting of chronic pain management. We discuss the underlying mechanisms, clinical impacts, and potential avenues for enhanced diagnosis and therapy in this population. We conclude that the intersection of SDB and opioid use presents a complex clinical challenge that demands a multidisciplinary approach. Enhanced screening, personalized pharmacologic strategies, and integration of advanced diagnostics are essential for mitigating risks and optimizing care. Future research should focus on mechanistic studies and interventional trials to guide evidence-based management of this high-risk population. Full article

Background: Sleep is a fundamental component of health, and deprivation has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes, including reduced academic and occupational performance, greater risk of accidents, and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases and premature mortality. Dietary and lifestyle behaviors are increasingly recognized as key determinants of sleep quality. Women are particularly susceptible to sleep disturbances due to hormonal fluctuations and psychosocial factors. However, women remain underrepresented in sleep research. This study aims to examine the associations between sleep quality, nutrition, and lifestyle in a large cohort of Spanish women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 785 women aged 18–64. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the NutSo-HH questionnaire on dietary and lifestyle behaviors. Descriptive analyses, correlation matrices, Gaussian Graphical Models, and Principal Component Analyses were used to assess relationships between variables. Results: More than half of the participants rated their sleep quality as good or very good, although over 30% experienced frequent nighttime awakenings. Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with higher alcohol consumption, lower vegetable and white fish intake, and lower levels of physical activity. Diets rich in ultra-processed foods correlated moderately with subjective poor sleep and daytime dysfunction. However, no strong associations were found between stimulant consumption, late meals, or dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean diet) and sleep. Self-perceived health emerged as a protective factor, while nocturnal lifestyles were linked to longer sleep latency and fragmented sleep. Conclusions: In adult women, better sleep quality is linked to healthy dietary choices, regular physical activity, and a positive perception of general health. In contrast, alcohol use and irregular lifestyles are associated with poor sleep. Individual variability and cultural adaptation may moderate the impact of some traditionally harmful behaviors. Personalized, multidimensional interventions are recommended for promoting sleep health in women. Full article

This study documents the recolonization of the wolf using opportunistic and systematic data, including camera trapping and scat surveys in south-eastern Italy. Wolf distribution was mapped using a 10 × 10 km grid, and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were applied to identify environmental and anthropogenic drivers of stable presence. Camera trapping and scat analyses were used to provide the first insights into the activity patterns and feeding habits of the species. The results showed a significant expansion in wolf range, with occurrence increasing by 120%, especially in areas with high forest cover. During 1402 camera-trap nights, wolves and wild prey species displayed primarily nocturnal activity, reducing overlap with human presence, though prey activity peaks were offset from those of wolves. Diet analysis of 75 scats revealed a high occurrence of livestock and pets, along with all wild species living in the area (i.e., ungulates, medium-sized and micromammals). These findings underscore the wolf’s ecological adaptability and ability to thrive in heavily altered landscapes. Indeed, this study shows how wolves were able to occupy even suboptimal areas, taking advantage of both anthropogenic and wild trophic resources, still displaying nocturnal activity to lower the probability of encounters with humans. Full article

Global biodiversity losses continue despite intensive conservation efforts. Many mammal species are understudied due to their specialized ecological niches. One such species is the Philippine colugo (Cynocephalus volans), a nocturnal endemic species in the Philippines. In this study, we utilized Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to obtain baseline information on species knowledge, attitudes, population status, and threats. Between June and September 2023, we interviewed 471 residents across all villages in Anda, Bohol. The majority of local people recognized the species and had witnessed it in Anda, occasionally near households. Residents have limited knowledge of colugo diet and distribution, which they get primarily through word-of-mouth and personal experience. The species is perceived as neutral, but the willingness to conserve it is high. Although the Philippine colugo population seems to be present in several villages in Anda, one-fourth of the respondents believe it is declining. We identified hunting for consumption as the main threat to the colugo population in Anda, which, together with other threats, may corroborate this result. We recommend actively involving male farmers in colugo population monitoring and behavioral observations, as well as investigating the drivers and importance of colugo meat consumption among residents to design a proper conservation strategy. Full article