Native microorganisms on wine grape surface contribute to regional wine characteristics and quality. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China is one of the eight main wine-producing ...areas in China. To investigate the relationship between the microbial community structure of wine grape epidermises and environmental conditions, 16S rDNA and ITS sequences of 48 wine grape samples from four wine grape cultivars and six wine-growing regions in Xinjiang were sequenced, based on Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. A total of 691 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in 16 bacterial phyla and 349 OTUs in three fungal phyla were identified. Among them, Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were the predominant bacteria and fungi, respectively. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that bacterial community diversity was largely related to altitude, latitude and longitude, while that of the fungi was closely related to altitude, dryness, frost-free period, latitude and longitude. Our results suggest that microbial community structure on the surface of wine grape is controlled primarily by geographical conditions.
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•The microbial community on wine grape surface from different regions of Xinjiang was affected by environment factors.•Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were the predominant bacteria and fungi, respectively.•The complexity of fungal community composition was higher than that of bacterial community composition in all samples.•Bacterial community diversity was largely related to altitude, latitude and longitude.•Fungal community diversity was closely related to altitude, dryness, frost-free period, latitude and longitude.
Literature shows that psychological phenomena, including values (e.g., individualism vs. collectivism), personality, and behaviors (e.g., prosocial and aggressive behavior), are geographically ...clustered. The effects of temperature on interpersonal and intergroup aggression have been studied by many social psychologists. To date the interactions between temperature and other geographical factors have not been addressed. This study is aiming to examine the effects of thermal demands and the moderating effects of natural geographical factors on aggressive behavior at national level. Data for 156 societies was obtained from publicly available databases. Consistent with the life-history theory, results of this study showed that aggressive behavior has a positive relationship with heat demands, and a negative relationship with cold demands. Aggressive behavior is also positively correlated with sunlight and altitude, and negatively correlated with coastline vicinity. Forest, coastline vicinity, and rainfall moderated the effect of thermal demands on aggressive behavior. In societies with more forests, with more rainfall, and closer to coastline, the negative effects of cold demands on aggressive behavior are stronger.
Deriving high quality precipitation estimates at high spatial resolution is of prime importance for many hydrological, meteorological, and environmental investigations. Rain gauge observations and ...satellite-derived precipitation data are two main sources of precipitation estimates. Gauge observations are accurate and reliable, but are heavily point-based and sparse in areas of rugged or complex terrains. Satellite-derived precipitation products can cover large areas, but they are generally characterized by inherent bias. To optimize the use of both datasets, we propose in this paper, a downscaling-integration framework to generate high quality monthly precipitation datasets at 1 km spatial resolution by merging rain gauge observations and TRMM 3B43 products. Firstly, an area-to-point kriging (ATPK) approach is used to downscale the original TRMM product to 1 km, so as to ensure a fair comparison with rain gauge data. Then, the downscaled TRMM precipitation datasets are integrated with the gauge observations using geographically weighted regression kriging (GWRK). The geographical factors (i.e. longitude, latitude and elevation) are also used as auxiliary variables in the GWRK model. Applying this approach to an experiment conducted at the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China from 2001 to 2014 shows that: (1) the downscaled monthly TRMM precipitation data by ATPK are more accurate than the original TRMM estimates; (2) the GWRK model employing the downscaled TRMM precipitation data and geographical factors provides better monthly precipitation estimates than the conventional ordinary kriging (OK) interpolation and the commonly used merging methods (i.e. geographical difference analysis, GDA and kriging with external drift, KED); (3) the GWRK method reduces the influence of the inaccuracy (bias) of satellite-derived precipitation data on the precipitation estimates compared to GDA. The approach presented in this study has provided an efficient alternative for solving the scale mismatch problem between point-based gauge data and low resolution satellite data, and producing improved precipitation data at high spatial resolution.
•A downscaling-integration framework was proposed for precipitation estimates.•The scale difference issue was solved by using area-to-point kriging algorithm.•Geographically weighted regression kriging was implemented.•The proposed method could improve rainfall spatial estimates to 1 km resolution.•High accuracy of monthly precipitation data at 1 km resolution was acquired.
Background
The incidence of different soft tissue sarcoma (STS) histotypes among ethnic and geographic populations has not been comprehensively investigated.
Methods
Data from 2013 to 2016 were ...obtained from national cancer registry databases in France and Taiwan. Liposarcoma (LPS), leiomyosarcoma (LMS), angiosarcoma (AS), synovial sarcoma (SS), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) were selected as index STSs to estimate the age‐standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and other clinical features between patients.
Results
In total, 9398 patients (7148 from France and 2250 from Taiwan) were included. The ASRs of AS (5.4 vs. 2.8) and MPNST (2.0 vs. 1.0) were significantly higher in Taiwan; France had significantly higher ASRs for LPS (12.0 vs. 10.0), LMS (9.7 vs. 7.6), and SS (1.7 vs. 1.2). Patients in Taiwan with LMS or LPS were younger than their French counterparts. With regard to the distribution according to primary anatomic site, French patients had higher odds for extremity and truncal LMS (odds ratio OR, 2.84; p < .001), AS (OR, 2.67; p < .001), MPNST (OR, 1.55; p = .027), and LPS (OR, 1.38; p < .001) and for breast AS (OR, 10.58; p < .001). Taiwanese patients had higher odds for liver AS (OR, 10.72; p < .001) and uterine LMS (OR, 3.21; p < .001). SS age and distribution according to primary anatomic site did not differ significantly between the French and Taiwanese populations.
Conclusions
Significant differences in the incidence and clinical characteristics of index STS suggested that geographic (environmental) and ethnicity factors likely play a vital role in the pathogenesis of STS.
In two nationwide, population‐based cancer registry databases outside of the United States, the epidemiology of soft tissue sarcoma was investigated between Europeans and Asians. The incidence of five index soft tissue sarcoma histology subtypes differed significantly, as did the distribution according to sex, primary anatomic site, and age, between the two populations, and the results increase awareness that ethnicity and geographic factors are important in the pathogenesis of sarcoma.
The precipitation concentration index (PCI) is a powerful indicator for temporal precipitation distribution and is also very useful for the assessment of seasonal precipitation changes. The primary ...objectives of this study are to investigate and analyse the temporal–spatial variability patterns of annual and seasonal PCI values based on monthly precipitation data. These data were collected from 597 meteorological stations located throughout China, for the time period of 1960–2016, and were used to assess the impacts of geographical parameters (latitude, longitude, and altitude) on the PCI. Additionally, the possible teleconnection with the large‐scale circulation pattern was investigated. Our results reveal that the variation trend of annual PCI values has decreased significantly at a rate of −.234/10 year (α = .01) in China over the past 57 years. For all studied station records, 434 (72.7%) stations showed decreasing trends of PCI values, and these stations are distributed over large areas in China. On an annual scale, the average PCI value ranged from 11 in Hunan province to 44 in Qinghai province. The precipitation concentration in China can be described as strongly irregular in the western and northern parts of the northwest and in the northern region of the Tibetan Plateau, while it is irregular in the southwest and the north of China, and moderately irregular in some parts of the middle‐lower regions of the Yangtze River and southern China. The regularity of the annual precipitation pattern significantly decreased in spring, autumn, and winter from southeastern to northwestern China, and was the most in winter. However, the summer precipitation dispersion and the pattern in the considered period were more regular than those of the other seasons. Furthermore, changes in the PCI appear to be rather complex and possibly related to global atmospheric characteristics as well as geographical factors (latitude, longitude, and altitude). The results presented in this study indicate that the PCI is an essential feature for water resource planning, prediction of risk due to droughts or floods, and the management of natural resources.
Various characteristics of precipitation concentration index and its possible teleconnection with atmospheric circulation patterns in China between 1960 and 2016.
Nitrate (NO 3 − ) reduction is a key process governing the nitrogen (N) dynamics of coastal wetland sediments. Although the effects of environmental factors on the NO 3 − reduction mechanism in ...coastal wetland sediments have been examined in various studies, the effects of spatial variation in potential NO 3 − reduction processes in coastal wetland sediments and the factors driving geographical variation in these processes have not been widely examined. Here, we conducted research on surface sediment samples from four different vegetation types at six coastal wetland sites across two regions. We characterized potential rates of NO 3 − reduction processes (including denitrification (DF), anammox (ANA), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA)) using a 15 N tracer method. Additionally, we assessed the abundances of functional genes, and microbial community structure using high-throughput sequencing, and metagenomic sequencing. In six wetland sites, the contribution ranges of DF, ANA, and DNRA to NO 3 − reduction were 38.43%–55.69%, 31.33%–45.65%, and 5.26%–17.11%, respectively, and potential NO 3 − reduction was mainly driven by N removal via gaseous N (DF+ANA). Significant spatial differences were observed in the structure of bacterial and fungal microbial communities, suggesting that geographical distance has a major effect on microbial community structure. Environmental factors and Functional gene abundances were significantly related to potential NO 3 − reduction processes, and physicochemical properties had a stronger effect on potential NO 3 − reduction processes than gene abundances. Factors showing significant differences across regions were the main drivers of variation in potential NO 3 − reduction processes. Overall, our study showed that sediment substrates and geographical environmental factors rather than the abundance of functional genes and vegetation types were the main indicators of potential NO 3 − reduction activities in coastal wetlands.
The biogeographical distribution of plants and animals has been extensively studied, however, the biogeographical patterns and the factors that influence bacterial communities in lakes over large ...scales are yet to be fully understood, even though they play critical roles in biogeochemical cycles. Here, bacterial community compositional data, geographic information, and environmental factors were integrated for 326 Chinese lakes based on previously published studies to determine the underlying factors that shape bacterial diversity among Chinese lakes. The composition of bacterial communities significantly varied among the three primary climatic regions of China (Northern China, NC; Southern China, SC; and the Tibetan Plateau, TIP), and across two different lake habitats (waters and sediments). Sediment bacterial communities exhibited significantly higher alpha-diversity and distance-decay relationships compared to water communities. The results indicate that the “scale-dependent patterns” of controlling factors, primarily influenced by geographical factors, become increasingly pronounced as the spatial scale increases. At a national scale, geographical factors exerted a dominant influence on both the water and sediment communities across all lakes, as geographical barriers restrict the dispersal of individuals. At smaller spatial scales, temperature-driven selection effects played a greater role in shaping water bacterial community variation in the NC, SC, and TIP, while geographical factors had a stronger association with sediment bacterial community variation in the lakes of the three regions. This synthesis offers novel insights into the ecological factors that determine the distribution of bacteria in Chinese lakes.
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•Controlling factors of bacterial communities in Chinese lakes were identified.•Bacterial community composition significantly varied across regions and habitats.•Geographical factors drived the variation of water and sediment communities.•Temperature-driven selection effects had significant impacts on water communities.•Distance-decay relationship and α-diversity in sediments were higher than in waters.
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•Higher fish TDα, FDα and PDα were detected in summer in the nSCS.•TDβ, FDβ and PDβ of fish community significantly increased in winter.•Species replacement predominantly drove fish ...beta diversity in the nSCS.•Water environmental factors mainly influenced TDβ, FDβ, PDβ in summer.
Comprehending fish diversity through multiple dimensions is a crucial aspect in advancing our understanding of fish populations and promoting sustainable fisheries as well as diversity conservation. Traditional research on fish diversity has been limited to non-genetic methods. The advent of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology enables simultaneous examination of both non-genetic and genetic aspects of fish diversity. In this study, we evaluated the ability of eDNA to capture multidimensional fish diversity in the northern South China Sea, with emphasis on phylogenetic diversity. The effect of environmental change and geographical location on multidimensional fish diversity across different seasons was also investigated. The analysis of species accumulation curves revealed that the observed species richness approached an asymptote, achieving 94.7% and 89.5% of the predicted values during the summer and winter, respectively. Alpha diversity of taxonomic (species, 225 vs. species, 102), functional (FRic, 0.51 vs. FRic, 0.19), and phylogenetic (PD, 26.27 vs. PD, 15.81) dimensions were found to be higher in summer compared to winter, with environmental factors significantly influencing these diversities across seasons. Regarding the three dimensions of beta diversity, replacement made a greater relative contribution to total taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic beta diversity than richness difference. These effects were primarily influenced by water environment factors (e.g., NO2−, SiO32−, surface temperature) during the summer and geographical factors (e.g., longitude and latitude) during the winter. This study provides evidence supporting the feasibility of utilizing eDNA techniques to uncover fish diversity in multiple dimensions, with a specific emphasis on its intrinsic genetic characteristics, which hold substantial value for the protection of diversity and the scientific administration of fishery resources.
Embarking on a scholarly expedition through the intricate intersection of geography and basketball, this article delves into the theoretical aspects of the impact of geographical factors on the game. ...As we navigate this comprehensive exploration, we will dissect five pivotal dimensions, each contributing to the nuanced relationship between the geographical landscape and basketball's multifaceted dynamics. From the lofty altitudes affecting players' prowess to the climatic nuances shaping their performance, the enduring impact of extensive travels, the geographic analysis of talent emergence, and the transformative role of sports infrastructure – our journey traverses these theoretical realms. Together, let us unravel the intricate threads that bind geography and basketball, fostering a deeper understanding of how these factors weave into the sport's very fabric, shaping its course and influencing the athletes who grace the hardwood. Join us as we embark on an intellectual odyssey, unveiling the theoretical intricacies that underscore the profound interplay between geography and the captivating world of basketball.
