Search Results (21)

Rapid urbanization across hot arid environments transforms local microclimates, yet linkages between density, layout, and outdoor thermal comfort remain inadequately characterized. This study investigates these correlations in the desert city of Biskra, Algeria. We conducted extensive in-situ measurement campaigns during peak summer and winter periods across six neighborhoods spanning low to high-rise density fabrics. We captured air temperature, humidity, and wind velocity to enable thermal comfort assessment via the Effective Temperature (ET) and Equivalent Temperature (TEK) stress indices. Index sensitivity to density metrics from 23–86% was explored through One-Variable-At-A-Time (OVAT) analysis. Results show marked summer comfort deterioration with rising density due to constrained ventilation. However, higher densities demonstrate superior winter warmth through wind blocking despite reduced sunlight exposure. Sharp nonlinear differences emerge between seasons. Precision density thresholds prove difficult to define conclusively given typological diversities. However, indicative ranges tied to hazards are identified, providing guidelines for informed climatic adaptation. This research delivers vital evidence to advance bioclimatic strategies for enhancing habitability amidst urban expansion across delicate hot deserts. Full article

The Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) is a systematic process used to identify gaps in regional climate adaptation strategies. The CRVA method assesses regional vulnerability, adaptation capacity, exposure, and sensitivity to climate change to support improved adaptation policies. This CRVA study assesses Georgia’s climate exposure, geographic sensitivity, and socio-economic sensitivity by focusing on the impacts of climate change on regional hydrology. The projected change in climate extreme indices, defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), is assessed against the 1961–1990 baseline under future Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. These indices encompass various climate factors such as the maximum daily temperature, warmth duration, total precipitation, heavy and extreme precipitation, maximum 5-day precipitation, and consecutive drought duration. This evaluation helps us understand the potential climate exposure impacts on Georgia. The climate-induced geographic sensitivity is examined based on water stress, drought risk, and changes in soil productivity using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The climate-induced socio-economic sensitivity is determined using the Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP), Human Development Index, Education Index, and population density. The highest vulnerability to climate change was found in the Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions, with the vulnerability index values ranging from 6 to 15, followed by Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Samtskhe–Javakheti, and Shida Kartli with vulnerability index values ranging from 2 to 8. The location of these regions upstream of the Alazani-Iori, Khrami-Debeda, and Mktvari river basins indicates that the country’s water resources are vulnerable to climate change impacts in the future under the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Full article

To effectively combat climate change and put plans in place to enhance the health and quality of forests, research on the connections between long-term climate change and tree ring width is essential. Here, Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. in the Mount Tai area were studied. Specifically, their tree ring width characteristics were investigated according to the principles of dendrochronology, based on the analysis of multiyear climate data (1972–2022). The results showed that (1) the variation in tree ring width of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. generally decreased. Its basal area increment sequence presented a “growth-decline” change process. The trend for Robinia pseudoacacia L. was stability at first and then a reduction. Its basal area increment sequence presented a “growth-stabilization” change process. (2) The standard chronologies of both tree species contained more environmental information than the residual chronologies, rendering the former more appropriate for analysis. (3) The tree ring width of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. was positively correlated with the mean maximum temperature in February, March, and July, the mean temperature in May, and the mean precipitation in December of the previous year and June of the current year. The tree ring width of Robinia pseudoacacia L. was positively correlated with the mean and maximum temperatures in October of the previous year, the mean maximum temperature in May of the current year, and the mean temperature in July of the current year. This variable was positively correlated with the mean precipitation in November of the previous year and July of the current year but negatively correlated with the mean minimum temperature in November of the previous year and the mean temperature in December of the current year. (4) During 1987–1988, 1994–1995, 2005–2006, and 2018–2019, the tree ring width was restricted by rising temperatures and low precipitation, with variations in tree ring width observed in various hydrological periods. (5) The moisture index, followed by the warmth index, precipitation and temperature, was the primary climate factor determining the tree ring width in both tree species. Full article

Global warming is precipitating an amplification of severe meteorological occurrences such as prolonged dry spells and episodes of elevated temperatures. These phenomena are instigating substantial elevations in environmental warmth, with metropolitan regions bearing the brunt of these impacts. Currently, extreme heat is already impacting 30% of the global populace, and forecasts suggest that this figure will escalate to 74% in the forthcoming years. One of the objectives outlined in the United Nations 2030 agenda, specifically within Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11), is the attainment of sustainable urban development. To achieve this, it is imperative to scrutinize and delve into urban environmental conditions in order to understand their dynamics comprehensively. This understanding serves as the foundation for implementing mitigation and resilience strategies against climate change, ultimately enhancing the well-being of city residents. In this context, the field of remote sensing and geographic information systems has made substantial advancements. Notably, the UrbClim model, developed by the European Space Agency, facilitates the assessment of environmental conditions within numerous European urban centers. This research, utilizing data from UrbClim, examines the evolution of the heat stress index (Hi) during extreme heat conditions in Barcelona during the summer of 2017. Leveraging Landsat 8 satellite imagery, we derived the following variables: the normalized difference vegetation index and the normalized building difference index. Our findings reveal that during extreme heat conditions, the Hi index experiences an escalation, with areas characterized by a higher population density and industrial zones displaying lower resistance in contrast to regions with a lower population density and rural areas, which exhibit greater resilience to Hi. This disparity can be attributed to higher vegetation coverage and reduced building density in the latter areas. In this way, Hi increases more quickly and intensely and decreases more slowly when using high temperatures compared to average temperatures. This is of utmost importance for the future planning of new urban developments. Full article

The quality of parent–child relationships plays a significant role in the development of child anxiety, especially regarding aspects of parental control, intrusive behavior, and a lack of warmth. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of these parenting behaviors that are associated with the risk of child anxiety have yet to be revealed. The present study aims to examine the contribution of a cognitive aspect of parenting, i.e., openness to different ways of thinking, to the development of child anxiety through its impact on parenting style. A sample of 300 Israeli parents (72% women) over the age of 18 (M = 38.8, SD = 6.2), with at least one child over the age of 6 (M = 13.3, SD = 5.5 of oldest child), was recruited through social media platforms. Participants provided demographic information and filled out self-reported questionnaires dealing with child anxiety (using the Child Behavior Checklist), openness to different ways of thinking (using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index), and parenting style (using the Parental Behavior Inventory). The analysis confirmed the mediation role of hostile/coercive parenting style in the association between parental openness to different ways of thinking and child anxiety. However, the association between supportive/engaged parenting and child anxiety was non-significant. Apparently, openness to different ways of thinking allows for parents to consolidate parenting that does not resort to coercive and hostile behaviors, control, obedience, and severe strictness. As a result, the child develops self-regulation and coping mechanisms that reduce the risk for developing anxiety. Full article

This study aimed to use the Alexa vocal assistant as an administerer of psychometric tests, assessing the efficiency and validity of this measurement. A total of 300 participants were administered the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). After a week, the administration was repeated, but the participants were randomly divided into groups of 100 participants each. In the first, the test was administered by means of a paper version; in the second, the questionnaire was read to the participants in person, and the operator contemporaneously recorded the answers declared by the participants; in the third group, the questionnaire was directly administered by the Alexa voice device, after specific reprogramming. The third group was also administered, as a post-session survey, the Engagement and Perceptions of the Bot Scale (EPVS), a short version of the Communication Styles Inventory (CSI), the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS), and an additional six items to measure degrees of concentration, ease, and perceived pressure at the beginning and at the end of the administration. The results confirmed that the IRI did keep measurement invariance within the three conditions. The administration through vocal assistant showed an empathic activation effect significantly superior to the conditions of pencil–paper and operator-in-presence. The results indicated an engagement and positive evaluation of the interactive experience, with reported perceptions of closeness, warmth, competence, and human-likeness associated with higher values of empathetic activation and lower values of personal discomfort. Full article

During the few last years, climate change, including global warming, which is attributed to human activities, and its long-term adverse effects on the planet’s functions have been identified as the most challenging discussion topics and have provoked significant concern and effort to find possible solutions. Since the warmth arising from the Earth’s landscapes affects the world’s weather and climate patterns, we decided to study the changes in Land Surface Temperature (LST) patterns in different seasons through nonlinear methods. Here, we particularly wanted to estimate the noninteger dimension and fractal structure of the Land Surface Temperature. For this study, the LST data were obtained during the daytime by a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. Depending on the time of the year data were collected, temperatures changed in different ranges. Since equatorial regions remain warm, and Antarctica and Greenland remain cold, and also because altitude affects temperature, we selected Riley County in the US state of Kansas, which does not belong to any of these location types, and we observed the seasonal changes in temperature in this county. According to our fractal analysis, the fractal dimension may provide a complexity index to characterize different LST datasets. The multifractal analysis confirmed that the LST data may define a self-organizing system that produces fractal patterns in the structure of data. Thus, the LST data may not only have a wide range of fractal dimensions, but also they are fractal. The results of the present study show that the Land Surface Temperature (LST) belongs to the class of fractal processes with a noninteger dimension. Moreover, self-organized behavior governing the structure of LST data may provide an underlying principle that might be a general outcome of human activities and may shape the Earth’s surface temperature. We explicitly acknowledge the important role of fractal geometry when analyzing and tracing settlement patterns and urbanization dynamics at various scales toward purposeful planning in the development of human settlement patterns. Full article

Species distribution modeling (SDM) has been widely used to predict the distribution of invasive plant species based on bioclimatic variables. However, the specific selection of these variables may affect the performance of SDM. This investigation elucidates a new bioclimate variable dataset (i.e., CMCC-BioClimInd) for its use in SDM. The predictive performance of SDM that includes WorldClim and CMCC-BioClimInd was evaluated by AUC and omission rate and the explanatory power of both datasets was assessed by the jackknife method. Furthermore, the ODMAP protocol was used to record CMCC-BioClimInd to ensure reproducibility. The results indicated that CMCC-BioClimInd effectively simulates invasive plant species’ distribution. Based on the contribution rate of CMCC-BioClimInd to the distribution of invasive plant species, it was inferred that the modified and simplified continentality and Kira warmth index from CMCC-BioClimInd had a strong explanatory power. Under the 35 bioclimatic variables of CMCC-BioClimInd, alien invasive plant species are mainly distributed in equatorial, tropical, and subtropical regions. We tested a new bioclimate variable dataset to simulate the distribution of invasive plant species worldwide. This method has great potential to improve the efficiency of species distribution modeling, thereby providing a new perspective for risk assessment and management of global invasive plant species. Full article

Taking two typical subway stations in Xi’an as the research objects, the thermal environment and human thermal comfort of the station in summer were studied based on field measurements and a questionnaire survey. Based on the relative warmth index (RWI), the passengers’ thermal comfort during the process from entering to leaving the station under the operating temperature and the designed temperature was also analyzed. Moreover, the RWI method was modified based on the comparative analysis of the predicted results from the RWI and questionnaire methods. Then based on the revised RWI method, the suitable indoor air design temperature in Xi’an subway stations was discussed. The research results revealed that if the air-conditioning system was operated at the design temperature suggested by Code GB 50157-2013, it cannot meet the thermal comfort needs of most passengers. Only when the temperature of the platform was at least 1 °C lower than that in the station hall did the passengers obtain temporary relative thermal comfort. According to the control proportion that 25% of passengers need a cooler environment, the indoor air design temperature for air-conditioning in Xi’an subway stations should be 25.5 °C in the station hall and 24.5 °C on the platform. Full article

Expressed emotion (EE) is an established prognostic factor for relapse in schizophrenia. Through critical comments (CC), hostility (H) and emotional overinvolvement (EOI), a relative can be rated as high or low EE, but the role of warmth should also be evaluated in order to consider the influence of a positive affect within the family context. In this study, EE was assessed in a sample of 48 relatives of patients with schizophrenia using the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI). Questionnaires assessing coping (brief-COPE), their wellbeing (World Health Organization Well-Being Index WHO-5) and the socio-demographic variables were also administered. Relatives who expressed a higher level of warmth were found to make fewer CC (5.2 ± 4.6 vs. 8.4 ± 4.6, p = 0.009) and have, on average, higher EOI scores (3.2 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.002) than those who expressed no or very little warmth. High EE was found to be associated with having fewer family members (p = 0.035), while relatives with a higher level of education expressed less warmth (p = 0.007). Relatives with a low level of warmth had higher maladaptive coping scores and tended to score worse for their overall wellbeing in comparison to relatives who showed a higher level of warmth (28.4 ± 5.0 vs. 24.1 ± 5.2, p = 0.006 and 39.1 ± 20.4 vs. 51.3 ± 22.0, p = 0.073, respectively). Since the role of warmth is important, it should be taken into account when designing family interventions, independently from lowering EE. Customized interventions to promote warmth and the routine screening of relatives are recommended. Full article

Montane deciduous broad-leaved forests (MDB) are mainly distributed in the east monsoon realm of China. The upper limit of MDB significantly varies from mountain to mountain. However, the spatial pattern of the upper limit of MDB and its underlying drivers are still unknown. In this study, we conducted hierarchical multiple regression to quantify the effect of climatic factors, peak elevation, and cold tolerance of dominant species on the geographical distribution of the upper limit of MDB on 75 mountains in the east monsoon realm of China. The results show that: (1) the upper limit of MDB in the east monsoon realm of China, 2800 m, is the highest in Taibai peak of the Qinling mountain ranges, from where it tends to decrease both northward and southward. (2) The upper limit of MDB on the mountains with climatic treeline is mainly affected by climatic factors, the minimum temperature of the coldest month (MinT), and the precipitation seasonality (PS), with an R² of 0.733. (3) The upper limit of MDB on both temperate and subtropical mountains without climatic treeline is affected by MinT, PS, peak elevation, and cold tolerance of dominant species together, with an R² of 0.793 and 0.748, respectively. (4) The dominant species of the upper limit of MDB significantly differ temperate and subtropical ranges, the former of which is mainly in the genus Betula, and the latter of which is in the genus Quercus. The upper limit of MDB with the genus Fagus as dominant species is only distributed in the mountains towards the south of the Qinling mountain ranges. (5) The warmth index (WI) at the upper limit of deciduous broad-leaved forest on the mountains with climatic treeline is about 60 °C month, which is lower than that at the northernmost boundary of the latitudinal distributed deciduous broad-leaved forest (90 °C month). Our study revealed the spatial pattern and geographical drivers of the upper limit of MDB, improved our understanding of differences in MDB vegetation among different mountain ranges, and provided climatic correlates for predicting the dynamics of the upper limit of MDB under climate change. Full article

With a growing public interest in the social health of older adults, studies focusing on social networks and interpersonal relationships of older adults are needed. The present study was conducted to develop a structured interview to evaluate the interpersonal schema based on Self-Defining Memory of older adults. First, the word cues that the older adults often report on interpersonal events were confirmed. Next, the indices and scoring rules were prepared, including Relationship frequency (RF), Conflict frequency (CF), Dominance mean (Dm), and Warmth mean (Wm). Healthy older adults living alone (mean age = 71.81, SD = 3.95) were interviewed. Finally, the correlation between each index and Short form of Korean Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales (KIIP-SC) was analyzed for criterion validity. The inter-rater reliability was substantial (Kappa = 0.61~0.66). Based on the analysis of criterion validity, the indices of CF, Dm, and Wm indices showed an appropriate level of criterion validity. This study developed a structural interview based on a novel system of reporting autobiographical memory and established indices with appropriate validity to evaluate interpersonal relationships. The interview is expected to identify the characteristics of interpersonal relationships of the older adults and contribute to the establishment of the older adults’ community accordingly. Full article

Research highlights: Using 10-year tree height data obtained after planting from the range-wide provenance trials of Abies sachalinensis, we constructed multivariate random forests (MRF), a machine learning algorithm, with climatic variables. The constructed MRF enabled prediction of the optimum seed source to achieve good performance in terms of height growth at every planting site on a fine scale. Background and objectives: Because forest tree species are adapted to the local environment, local seeds are empirically considered as the best sources for planting. However, in some cases, local seed sources show lower performance in height growth than that showed by non-local seed sources. Tree improvement programs aim to identify seed sources for obtaining high-quality timber products by performing provenance trials. Materials and methods: Range-wide provenance trials for one of the most important silvicultural species, Abies sachalinensis, were established in 1980 at nine transplanting experimental sites. We constructed an MRF to estimate the responses of tree height at 10 years after planting at eight climatic variables at 1 km × 1 km resolution. The model was applied for prediction of tree height throughout Hokkaido Island. Results: Our model showed that four environmental variables were major factors affecting height growth—winter solar radiation, warmth index, maximum snow depth, and spring solar radiation. A tree height prediction map revealed that local seeds showed the best performance except in the southernmost region and several parts of northern regions. Moreover, the map of optimum seed provenance suggested that deployment of distant seed sources can outperform local sources in the southernmost and northern regions. Conclusions: We predicted that local seeds showed optimum growth, whereas non-local seeds had the potential to outperform local seeds in some regions. Several deployment options were proposed to improve tree growth. Full article

Hydrothermal and climatic conditions determine vegetation productivity and its dynamic changes. However, the legacy effect and the causal relationships between these climatic variables and vegetation growth are still unclear, especially in the dry regions. Based on multi-statistical methods, including bivariate correlation analysis and composite Granger causality tests, we investigated the correlation, causality, and lag length between temperature/precipitation and the vegetation growth (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) in three typical sub-watersheds in the Luanhe River Basin, China. The results show that: (1) Precipitation and temperature are the Granger causes of NDVI variation in the study catchment; (2) temperature and precipitation are not strictly positively correlated with NDVI during growing seasons along with the whole sequence, and excessive warmth and precipitation inhibits vegetative growth; (3) the lag length of vegetation growth in response to temperature/precipitation was shorter in agriculture areas (~2 months) than the forest-dominant area, which have indicated 3–4 months lag length; and (4) anthropogenic disturbance did not result in notable negative effects on vegetation growth at the Luanhe River Basin. Our study further suggests that use of these multi-statistical methods could be a valuable approach for comprehensively understanding the correlation between vegetation growth and climatic variations. We have also provided an avenue to bridge the gaps between stationary and non-stationary sequence, as well as to eliminate pseudo regression problems. These findings provide critical information for developing cost-efficient policies and land use management applications for forest conservation in arid and semi-arid area. Full article

This report proposes the stage volume ratio (V_o/V) as an acoustic design factor for concert halls and presents an investigation of the dependence of the acoustic parameters of an auditorium on the stage volume through computer simulation. Firstly, the ratio of the stage volume to the total volume of a concert hall was defined as V_o/V through case studies of existing concert halls. It was verified using a simple model that the stage acoustic parameter ST_Early and audience acoustic parameters G and C80 decreased, whereas, the reverberation time and early decay time increased with increasing V_o/V. Secondly, a computer simulation was performed for nine existing concert halls, while changing V_o/V from −20% to 30%. The room acoustic parameters exhibited the same patterns as suggested by the simple model. V_o/V significantly affected the bass ratio and bass index. A comparison of the effects of V_o/V and the sound absorption coefficient in nine concert halls revealed that V_o/V contributed approximately 15% to the reverberation and affected the bass characteristics more substantially. Thus, V_o/V is a critical design factor when determining the warmth of the audience acoustics. The study results could be used as a basis for acoustic design in the future. Full article