bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bruchids (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) associated to the legume Indigofera densiflora
Authors: Ramírez-Serrano Alfredo , Romero Gómez Guillermo , Romero Nápoles Jesús
Published: November 2022

Four species of Bruchidae (Coleoptera) in three genera were reared from Indigofera densiflora M. Martens & Galeotti seeds: Acanthoscelides kingsolveri Johnson, A. ruficoxis (Sharp), Margaritabruchus cherylae Romero & Johnson, and Meibomeus campbelli Kingsolver & Whitehead. To determine the impact of these bruchid species on the plants, seed collections were made to evaluate thedamage done. Due to the comparative size of the adult beetle, only one specimen per seed developed destroying the seed. Of a total of 17,816 seeds collected, 800 or 4.5% with infestation.
Noteworthy records of mammals (Mammalia) from Durango and Nayarit states, Mexico
Authors: Tapia-Ramírez Gloria , López-González Celia , García-Mendoza Diego F. , Charre-Medellín Juan F. , Monterrubio-Rico Tiberio
Published: November 2022

The bats Glyphonycteris sylvestris and Glossophaga leachii, as well as the margay(Leopardus wiedii) and spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) are reported for the first time for the states of Durango and Nayarit, respectively. Additionally, the presence of the mouse opossum Tlacuatzin canescens is confirmed in Durango over 100 years after it was recorded for the first time
Native bees in blooming orange (Citrus sinensis) and lemon (C. limon) orchards in Yucatán, Mexico
Authors: Grajales-Conesa Julieta , Meléndez-Ramírez Virginia , Cruz-López Leopoldo , Sánchez Daniel
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the richness and abundance of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in orange and lemon orchards in bloom in Yucatan, Mexico. Eight were collected species of bees; 98% of the specimens corresponded to Apis mellifera, and the remaining 2% to bees native These findings are discussed based on the ecology of native bees and previous studiesin the same area of study.
Electronic Tracking Devices for People With Dementia: Content Analysis of Company Websites
Authors: Howes Jared , Denier Yvonne , Gastmans Chris
Published: November 2022

Background

Electronic tracking devices, also known as locators, monitors, or surveillance devices, are increasingly being used to manage dementia-related wandering and, subsequently, raising various ethical questions. Despite the known importance technology design has on the ethics of technologies, little research has focused on the companies responsible for the design and development of electronic tracking devices. This paper is the first to perform a qualitative analysis of the ethically related content of the websites of companies that design and develop electronic tracking devices.

Objective

The aim of this study was to understand how companies that design, develop, and market electronic tracking devices for dementia care frame, through textual marketing content, the vulnerabilities and needs of persons with dementia and caregivers, the way in which electronic tracking devices respond to these vulnerabilities and needs, and the ethical issues and values at stake.

Methods

Electronic tracking device company websites were identified via a Google search, 2 device recommendation lists (Alzheimer’s Los Angeles and the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health), and the 2 recent reviews of wander management technology by Neubauer et al and Ray et al. To be included, websites must be official representations of companies (not market or third-party websites) developing and selling electronic tracking devices for use in dementia care. The search was conducted on December 22, 2020, returning 199 websites excluding duplicates. Data synthesis and analysis were conducted on the textual content of the included websites using a modified form of the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven.

Results

In total, 29 websites met the inclusion criteria. Most (15/29, 52%) companies were in the United States. The target audience of the websites was largely caregivers. A range of intertwined vulnerabilities facing persons with dementia and their caregivers were identified, and the companies addressed these via care tools that centered on certain values such as providing information while preserving privacy. Life after device implementation was characterized as a world aspired to that sees increased safety for persons with dementia and peace of mind for caregivers.

Conclusions

The way electronic tracking device content is currently conveyed excludes persons with dementia as a target audience. In presenting their products as a response to vulnerabilities, particular values are linked to design elements. A limitation of the results is the opaque nature of website content origins. How or when values arise in the process of design, development, and marketing is unknown. Therefore, further research should explore the process companies use to identify vulnerabilities, how values are decided upon and integrated into the design of products, and the perceptions of developers regarding the ethics of electronic tracking devices.
Life with psoriasis: an analysis of social exchanges in online social networks (Preprint)
Authors: Halioua Bruno , Lecardeur Laurent , Barbieri Virginie , Crochard Anne , Gherardi Alexandre , Hueber Kollen Mélanie
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Patient-generated health data (PGHD) from different sources including social media were recently promoted to generate new insights into personal experience of chronic disease such as psoriasis. Psoriasis is a relatively frequent and chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease that is typically characterised by the appearance of red or silver scaly plaques, typically distributing the elbows, knees, and scalp. The disease induces an important psychosocial burden with mood disorders including depression and anxiety higher than in the general population.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this qualitative study is therefore to understand the experience of French-speaking patients with psoriasis by analysing the content of posts on several social media.

METHODS

To investigate more finely and accurately the lived experience of patients with psoriasis, spontaneous conversations on psoriasis published between 2017 and 2020 have been extracted from the following social networks: forums and blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Data analysis has allowed the classification of verbatim reports into five topics reflecting the burden induced by the psoriasis.

RESULTS

Patients with psoriasis described major consequences of the symptoms on their mood with negative thoughts such as shame and helplessness, and emotions such as sadness. A significant part of publications revealed suicidal thoughts. Patients demonstrated sometimes paroxysmic anxiety, due to the risk of symptoms exacerbation and side effects of treatments. The burden of the disease was highly impacted by pain induced by inflammatory plaques on the skin and psoriatic arthritis. Itch was described as one the most severe symptoms providing skin lesions and sleep disorders (related to depressive and anxious states). Patients’ body image was related to low self-esteem, depreciation and shame, notably in case of visible lesions. Stigmatisation and self-stigma were reported with consequences on work, social relationships and projection into the future. Stress has been considered as a cause as well as a consequence of the disease but remained controversial. Heritability has been viewed as a matter of culpability in case of transmission and of fear for future generations. Patients described some difficulties to find the accurate medical resources and to obtain an exact diagnosis. Globally the health pathway seemed complicated for patients with psoriasis. They have reported disappointing results of medications with sometimes severe side effects. Numerous patients have described their use of alternative and complementary medicines.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study of spontaneous conversations on social media in French population with psoriasis. The analysis of these patient-generated health data highlights the major psychosocial burden of psoriasis.
Automated Identification of Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning: Algorithm Development and Evaluation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Pongdee Thanai , Larson Nicholas B , Divekar Rohit , Bielinski Suzette J , Liu Hongfang , Moon Sungrim
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is an acquired inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and respiratory hypersensitivity reactions on ingestion of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Despite AERD having a classic constellation of symptoms, the diagnosis is often overlooked, with an average of greater than 10 years between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of AERD. Without a diagnosis, individuals will lack opportunities to receive effective treatments, such as aspirin desensitization or biologic medications.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to develop a combined algorithm that integrates both natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) techniques to identify patients with AERD from an electronic health record (EHR).

METHODS

A rule-based decision tree algorithm incorporating NLP-based features was developed using clinical documents from the EHR at Mayo Clinic. From clinical notes, using NLP techniques, 7 features were extracted that included the following: AERD, asthma, NSAID allergy, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis, elevated urine leukotriene E4 level, and documented no-NSAID allergy. MedTagger was used to extract these 7 features from the unstructured clinical text given a set of keywords and patterns based on the chart review of 2 allergy and immunology experts for AERD. The status of each extracted feature was quantified by assigning the frequency of its occurrence in clinical documents per subject. We optimized the decision tree classifier’s hyperparameters cutoff threshold on the training set to determine the representative feature combination to discriminate AERD. We then evaluated the resulting model on the test set.

RESULTS

The AERD algorithm, which combines NLP and ML techniques, achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve score, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.86 (95% CI 0.78-0.94), 80.00 (95% CI 70.82-87.33), and 88.00 (95% CI 79.98-93.64) for the test set, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a promising AERD algorithm that needs further refinement to improve AERD diagnosis. Continued development of NLP and ML technologies has the potential to reduce diagnostic delays for AERD and improve the health of our patients.
A Survey of Environmental Sustainability Practices in Dialysis Facilities in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Talbot Benjamin , Barraclough Katherine , Sypek Matthew , Gois Pedro , Arnold Leila , McDonald Stephen , Knight John
Published: November 2022

Background and objectives

Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the twenty-first century. Health care itself is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and dialysis programs contribute disproportionately. Nephrology societies have called for increased recognition and action to minimize the environmental effect of dialysis care, but little data exist regarding environmental sustainability practices within dialysis facilities worldwide. This survey reports a baseline of environmental sustainability practices of dialysis facilities in Australia and New Zealand.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

An online survey was used to collect data regarding key areas of environmental sustainability practices within dialysis facilities between November 2019 and December 2020. An invitation to complete the survey was sent to the heads of all dialysis facilities in Australia and New Zealand.

Results

Responses were received from 132 dialysis facilities, representing 33% (122 of 365) of dialysis services within Australia and New Zealand. Most responses were from public satellite facilities (53 of 132; 40%), in-center dialysis facilities (33 of 132; 25%), and co-located dialysis and home therapies facilities (28 of 132; 21%). Opportunities for improvement in environmental sustainability practices were identified in three domains. (1) Culture. A minority of facilities reported having an environmental sustainability strategy in place (44 of 132; 33%) or undertaking sustainability audits (27 of 132; 20%). Only 7% (nine of 132) reported the inclusion of environmental training in staff induction programs. (2) Building design, infrastructure, and energy use. Few facilities reported the use of renewable energy (18 of 132; 14%), reclaiming reverse osmosis reject water (16 of 126; 13%), or the use of motion-sensor light switches (58 of 131; 44%). (3) Operations. A minority of facilities reported waste management education (47 of 131; 36%), auditing waste generation (23 of 132; 17%), or that environmental sustainability was considered in procurement decisions (33 of 132; 25%).

Conclusions

Environmental sustainability is not currently prioritized in clinical practice, building design and infrastructure, or management systems in Australian and New Zealand dialysis facilities responding to this survey.
The Impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Oral Health in Low-Income Individuals
Authors: Barrie James R. , Wambuguh Oscar
Published: November 2022

Most low-income families struggle with financial stability making it difficult to access the health care they need. This challenge is especially prevalent for individuals trying to seek dental care services. Low-income households with limited health insurance coverage often perceive dental care as a luxury. However, good oral health signifies good overall health and can prevent future health problems. One of the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to increase dental care access for low-income individuals. The ACA was designed to expand dental coverage to be more comprehensive and decrease individuals’ financial burdens. The current study uses research and scholarly review articles from the past seven years to understand whether expanding dental care coverage through the ACA leads to better oral health for low-income individuals. The study shows that because of the ACA, there is a strong correlation between low-income individuals seeking dental care and improving their oral health. Extending dental coverage by the ACA significantly decreases the financial barrier for individuals and allows them to consult with a dentist more often. In addition, routine dental visits provide patients with proper oral health knowledge. The implementation of the ACA is also decreasing the number of emergency dental visits since individuals can access dental check-ups and prevent those visits. Further research is needed to understand how enrollees are utilizing all the benefits the Act provides for. Ensuring the ACA remains in place will allow future generations access to dental care, have better oral health, and reduce the strain on emergency dental departments.
Analysis of Milk Consumption for Toddlers in the District of Tompaso Barat, Regency of Minahasa, Province of North Sulawesi
Authors: S. Kalangi Lidya , Waleleng Poulla O. V. , Rorimpandey Boyke , P. Suak Chintia
Published: November 2022

The research aims to know the total toddlers’ milk consumption and the determining factors of total toddlers’ milk consumption in the District of Tompaso Barat, Regency of Minahasa. The sample selection of villages and respondents was the purposive sampling, which were selected based on a certain consideration or criteria, and total respondents were 30 households. The analysis method used was both descriptive and statistic, which was multiple regression analysis. The results of the research find out that the average total toddlers’ milk consumption was 120 grams/day or 3.733 grams/month. The determining factors, having a positive impact on total toddlers’ milk consumption, were the household’s income, mother’s educational background, and percentage of expenses of milk consumption, but the educational background had an insignificant impact. Also, the factor of toddler age and the price had a negative impact on total toddlers’ milk consumption, but the price had the only factor having a significant impact.
Response of Several Soybean Varieties to Co-inoculation with Rhizobium and Mycorrhiza Biofertilizers in Dryland of East Lombok, Indonesia
Authors: Wangiyana Wayan , Suheri Herman , Jaya I Komang Damar
Published: November 2022

In Indonesia, soybean is the most important legume crop, which can develop Rhizobium and mycorrhizal symbiosis for better nutrition, especially in dryland areas. A trial for investigating responses of several varieties of soybean to co-inoculation with Rhizobium and mycorrhiza biofertilizers has been carried out in East Lombok, Indonesia, from August to October 2022. The Randomized Block Design was used to arrange the two treatment factors tested, i.e. biofertilizer application (B0= without biofertilizer; B1= Rhizobium inoculant; B2: co-inoculation of soybean with Rhizobium and mycorrhiza biofertilizers) and soybean varieties (V1= Detap, V2: Biosoy-2, V3= Dena-1). The trial was made in three blocks (replications). The variables included plant height, trifoliate number, root volume, and biomass yield and pod number as a yield potential. Results indicated that co-inoculation several varieties of soybean with Rhizobium and mycorrhiza biofertilizer increased yield potential of soybean in dryland as indicated by higher nodule number, trifoliate number, pod number and biomass yield of soybean, especially of Detap (V1) and Dena-1 (V3) varieties under co-inoculation treatment (B2), compared to inoculation with Rhizobium only (B1) or unioculated control (B0). Further studies on more varieties of soybean need to be conducted in different types of soil to find out the most responsive varieties to co-inoculation with Rhizobium and mycorrhiza biofertilizer to increase soybean productivity especially in dryland areas.
The role of genetic factors in Hypertension among Iraqi citizens
Authors: Ismael Khaleel Ibrahim , Mahmood Suhair Sadai , Jumaah Abbas Abdul Wahhab , Saeed Ban Thabit , Zghair Luai Farhan
Published: November 2022

In this study, 140 patients were collected, and they were divided into two groups (120 patients and 30 control groups). The average age in this study ranged from 25 to 65 years. This paper aims to know the role of genetic factors in hypertension among Iraqi citizens and. This study was designed through cooperation with the hospital for the purpose of withdrawing the information found in the electronic record to patients, which includes primary information from demographic data (age - gender - body mass index - blood samples - smoking - alcohol - clinical history - genetic history and blood pressure. The data and demographic information related to the patients were analysed by relying on the statistical analysis program IBM soft SPSS 22. The results that were found were a collection of 140 patients (no positive result for 30 patients) (and 120 patients with a positive result), and the statistical value and the mean for the age of the patients was 45.2±15.3 as was done. Proportion of Family History with Hypertension patients and patient distribution (parents for 90 patients with 64.2% - siblings for 28 patients with 20% - offspring for 32 patients with 22.8%. Through the statistical analysis, a statistically significant relationship was found between genetic factors and their effect on arterial hypertension, with a p-value of 0.001.
The Relationship of Patient Satisfaction with Therapeutic Services with Therapeutic Compliance in Outpatient Hypertension Patients at Wonosari Hospital
Authors: Anggraini Dewi Ratih
Published: November 2022

The increasing prevalence of hypertension cases is related to the low level of patient compliance in taking antihypertensive drugs. So, adherence to therapy is an essential element in managing hypertensive patients. One of the efforts to improve patient compliance in the use of drugs is the need for good service quality toprovide satisfaction to patients with the therapeutic services obtained. This study aimed to determine the relationship between satisfaction with therapy services and adherence to therapy in outpatient hypertension patients at Wonosari Hospital. The type and research design used is analytic observational with a cross-sectionalapproach. The number of samples was determined using the Lemeshow formula. The sampling technique used in this study is nonprobability sampling with the purposive sampling method. The sample subjects used in the study were all patients with a primary diagnosis of hypertension who had met the inclusion and exclusioncriteria. The data collected is patient satisfaction with therapy services using the PSQ-18 questionnaire and therapeutic compliance with the MARS-5 questionnaire. The data obtained were then analyzed usingFisher's test. The results showed that of the 96 respondents, 89.6% were satisfied, 10.4% were dissatisfied with the health services obtained at Wonosari Hospital, 61.5% were compliant, and 38.5% were not compliant with their treatment. Fisher's analysis showed a significant relationship between patient satisfaction and adherence totherapy in hypertension patients with p = 0.000 (p <0.05). This study concludes that a meaningful relationship exists between satisfaction with therapy services and adherence to therapy in outpatient hypertension patients at Wonosari Hospital.
Liposome as Mucosal Vaccine Drug Delivery System
Authors: Barikah Kuni Zuaimah
Published: November 2022

Vaccines are a pharmaceutical product that is used to overcome infectious diseases and are a new therapeutic strategy for chronic disease treatment, recently.  However, the parenteral route as the main route of vaccination nowadays has several limitations, so mucosal vaccines rise as a potential alternative for vaccine delivery. A few research found that mucosal vaccines have better immune protection against pathogens.  Liposome, a biodegradable particulate drug delivery system, offers the most promising future as a mucosal vaccine delivery system because of its versatility. A liposome can act as an adjuvant by direct stimulation of immune response in several ways. Several liposome properties that affect system uptake after mucosal administration are size, surface charge, and hydrophilicity. To enhance liposome ability as mucosal vaccine, targeted liposomes, such as mannose receptor-targeted liposome, macrophage galactose-type C-type lectins (MGL) targeted liposome, DC-specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN), and M cells targeted liposome then developed.
Tradisi Pemilikan Keramik di dataran tinggi Jambi: Asal-usul dan pemanfaatannya
Authors: Izza Nainunis Aulia , Mahanani Nugrahadi , Adi Ari Mukti Wardoyo
Published: November 2022

Dataran Tinggi Jambi dalam perspektif arkeologi memiliki kedudukan penting. Jejak peradaban periode neolitik hingga masuknya Islam ditemukan di berbagai sudut wilayah Bukit Barisan. Masyarakat yang terbentuk saat ini diduga kuat merupakan kelanjutan dari komunitas yang telah ada ribuan tahun. Bukti tersebut tampak dari adanya berbagai pusaka adat Masyarakat Kerinci berupa benda-benda perunggu dari kebudayaan Dong-Son. Secara etnografi, masyarakat yang tinggal di dataran tinggi Jambi, seperti Kerinci dan Merangin juga dianggap memiliki kebudayaan yang khas serta unik. Salah satu keunikan tersebut dapat dilihat dari adanya tradisi pemilikan keramik. Tradisi pemilikan keramik kuno oleh masyarakat tersebut disinyalir memiliki hubungan erat dengan tradisi pemanfaatan benda-benda kuno sebagai pusaka adat. Fungsi, peranan, serta asal usul keramik yang dimiliki masyarakat tersebut tentunya perlu dikaji lebih mendalam untuk menguatkan asumsi dasar ini. Oleh karena itu, penelitian yang akan dilakukan ini berupaya untuk mengungkapkan aspek-aspek tersebut. Penelitian mengenai ini akan dilakukan dengan pendekatan etnoarkeologi. Metode yang akan digunakan adalah observasi dan wawancara terbuka. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan keramik yang dikoleksi mayoritas berasal dari Eropa, khususnya Belanda dan beberapa lainnya berasal dari China. Keramik di Dataran Tinggi Jambi merupakan salah satu objek yang diwariskan dan beberapa diantaranya menjadi salah satu sarana ritual. Tradisi pemilikan keramik berlangsung antar generasi, yaitu pewarisan dari ibu kepada anak-anak perempuannya.        
 
Jambi Highlands has a significant role from an Archaeological perspective. Archaeological remains from the neolithic period to the Islamic period are traceable in various corners of the Bukit Barisan area. The current society is born to be generations of a community that has existed for thousands of years. One of the pieces of evidence is the existence of various traditional heirlooms of the Kerinci people in the form of bronze objects from the Dong-Son culture. Based on the Ethnographical perspective, people in the Jambi Highlands, such as Kerinci and Merangin have a unique and exclusive culture. The uniqueness can be proven in the tradition of ceramic ownership. The tradition of ownership of old ceramics by the community is indicate to have a close relationship with the tradition of using ancient objects as traditional heirlooms. The function, role, and origin of ceramics owned by the community is an important topic for research. This research uses an ethnoarchaeological approach. The researcher will do observation and open interviews. The results show that most of the ceramics collected are European ceramics, especially from the Netherlands and several ceramics from China. Jambi Highlands ceramics are one of the objects that are inherited and some of them become a ritual objects. The tradition of owning ceramics is inter-generations, from mothers to their daughters.
Making sense of site index estimates in British Columbia: A quick look at the big picture
Authors: Stearns-Smith Steve
Published: November 2022

Site index remains the primary estimate of forest site productivity used throughout British Columbia and around the world. Forest managers often need a better understanding of how various site index estimates are derived in order to effectively apply them in operational settings. Historically, most site index estimates in Canada were derived from the photo-interpreted estimates of stand height and age found in extensive inventories. However, a wider range of data sources and site index tools now make both direct and indirect estimation of site index possible. Consequently, several different site index estimates may exist for any given hectare. The most prominent example involves comparisons of site index estimates derived from natural stand (old-growth) inventories versus the higher estimates frequently observed in post-harvest second-growth stands. These differences can have positive implications for timber supply. An understanding of site tree selection is essential when choosing the best available site index estimate for a given application.
Linking Indigenous peoples' knowledge and Western science in natural resource management: A dialogue
Authors: Michel Henry , Gayton Don
Published: November 2022

First Nations knowledge keeper Henry Michel and ecologist Don Gayton, both extension specialists with FORREX�Forest Research Extension Partnership, engage in an extended dialogue on the prospects of linking Indigenous peoples� knowledge and Western science. Along the way, they discuss the philosophy surrounding each world view, and some practical guidelines for linking the two knowledge systems� something seen by Michel and Gayton as crucial to the future of forest and natural resource management in British Columbia.
Overview of the potential effects of forest management on low flows in snowmelt-dominated hydrologic regimes
Authors: Pike Robin , Scherer Rob
Published: November 2022

This paper reviews potential effects of forest management on low flows in snowmelt-dominated hydrologic regimes. The hydrologic response of low flows to forest management was found to be highly variable in magnitude, time, and space. Forest management generally increases water volume—no case studies relevant to snowmelt-dominated regimes reported a decrease in water quantity as a result of forest harvesting. In areas where fog drip occurs, a decrease in water volume contributing to low flows might be observed. The longevity of increased water quantity is infrequently discussed in the literature specific to snowmelt dominated regimes. A few authors, however, have commented on expected longevity of response based upon analysis of literature not specific to snowmelt-dominated regimes. These authors generally report a return to pre-treatment low flow levels within 3–6 years with the re-establishment of vegetation.The review identifies many knowledge, research, and extension needs. Knowledge of low flows is hampered by an incomplete understanding of generation processes, particularly those relating to subsurface flow, evapotranspiration, and the interrelated effects of forest practices and climate change. Forest management is only one of many human activities that can potentially affect a watershed�s hydrologic regime. Because natural processes and human activities occur simultaneously, studying the sole effects of forest management on low flows is difficult. Limitations in low flow science around measurement methodologies, scaling of results, and inadequate research design are noted.
Native and non-native plant species in grazed grasslands of British Columbia's southern interior
Authors: Gayton Don
Published: November 2022

Herbaceous vegetation on 17 native grassland sites in southeastern British Columbia were assessed for their proportion of native and non-native plant species. All sites were on grazed Crown rangeland, and found within the Ponderosa Pine and Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones. Vegetation cover values for individual species were aggregated into native and non-native categories. Values for non-native herbaceous species at the 17 sites ranged from 0 to 84% of total herbaceous cover, with an average of 35%. When compared to ungrazed controls, results varied by site. Managers of these grasslands should review and adjust current practices to discourage not only noxious weeds, but all non-native species.
Litter decomposition in British Columbia forests: Controlling factors and influences of forestry activities
Authors: Prescott Cindy E. , Blevins Leandra L. , Staley Candis
Published: November 2022

Four commonly held beliefs about litter decomposition rates were tested in a suite of field experiments in British Columbia forests: (1) decomposition is slower in cold (northern and high-elevation) forests, (2) decomposition is faster in clearcuts than in forests, (3) broadleaf litter decomposes faster than needle litter, and (4) decomposition is faster in N-fertilized forests. Litter decomposition was slowest in dry biogeoclimatic zones and fastest in wet zones. Overall, it appears that moisture is more limiting than temperature for litter decomposition across British Columbia. The effect of clearcutting on litter decomposition rates varied among forest types. Province-wide, mass loss of pine needle litter was significantly slower in clearcuts than in adjacent forests, but this difference disappeared after 3 years. Aspen leaves and forest floor material decomposed at similar rates in forests and clearcuts. Decomposition of broadleaf litter was slightly faster than needle litter during the first 2 years, but slowed in subsequent years. After 3 years there was no significant difference between the mass remaining for broadleaf and conifer litter. In N-fertilized plots, higher N concentrations did not affect the rate of decay in litter or in forest floors. Many of our beliefs about litter decomposition and influences of forestry practices thereon should be revised in light of new empirical evidence.
Assessing success at achieving biodiversity objectives in managed forests
Authors: Houde Isabelle , Bunnell Fred L. , Leech Susan
Published: November 2022

Managing for biodiversity is an integral part of achieving sustainable forest management. Because of the complexity of ecosystems and ecosystem processes, much uncertainty faces forest managers as they attempt to design and implement forest practices to maintain biodiversity across their land base. To reduce this uncertainty, scientists and policy-makers recommend adopting an adaptive management process—a research approach that provides forest managers with a mechanism to obtain and input new information into their management plan, and to adjust the plan accordingly to meet desired forest management objectives. This process relies heavily on effectiveness monitoring; that is, assessing the extent to which management strategies were effective in achieving desired outcomes. Forest managers need to know what to monitor and how to monitor it; however, it is important to formulate these decisions within the recommended steps of the adaptive management program. This extension note provides forest managers with an overview of how adaptive management can work to help achieve forest management objectives around maintaining biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on monitoring to determine the effectiveness of the chosen strategy. We describe the four steps in the adaptive management process, explain how effectiveness monitoring fits into the process, and provide a case study that describes how this process is currently used in British Columbia. In the summary section, we provide a list of additional resources on adaptive management and effectiveness monitoring in British Columbia.
Harvest block spatial configuration as a function of logging road density: Do larger more aggregated blocks create less road?
Authors: D'Eon Robert G.
Published: November 2022

Logging roads are a large component of forest management and have been directly linked to a variety of negative ecological effects, including forest fragmentation. Much research exists that views logging roads as barriers to organism movement, and, from this standpoint, assumes roads are an element of fragmentation. However, little is known about the long-term relationship between logging-road densities and harvest patch spatial configuration—a major consideration for future trends in forest fragmentation. Using spatial landscape data from managed forest landscapes in southeast British Columbia, I tested a prediction that long-term logging road densities are correlated with harvest patch spatial configuration, which implies that logging road networks influence future forest spatial patterns. My study found that while road densities in 44 study landscapes were highly correlated with the total amount of harvesting, road densities were not correlated with spatial patch indices. I suggest that these findings are the result of road planning that is intended to access all available resources in a management area and is, therefore, independent of short-term harvest patch configuration. Furthermore, these results suggest that efforts spent on planning aggregates of larger harvest patches to achieve a goal of lower road densities may be ineffective in some cases.
Trade-off analysis for decision making in natural resources: Where we are and where we are headed
Authors: Maness Thomas
Published: November 2022

Forest management involves making trade-offs to balance social, ecological, and economic objectives of the forest. In the past this decision making was primarily done by trained professionals. Forest certification requires a greater involvement by the public, and has created a need for formal methods to make trade-offs in a transparent and balanced manner. This paper explores the nature of trade-offs in the historical context of forest management in British Columbia. It describes the development of forest management in the context of ecosystem and intergenerational trade-offs that have been made which are often in conflict with the public's value system. The difficulties in using public preferences to make decisions are discussed, and the available methods used for conducting trade-off analysis in forest management are critically reviewed. The author recommends a set of guidelines for public participation that are learning-based and designed to build public confidence in the decision-making process. A continuous improvement approach for implementing management decisions is also recommended. Research needs to provide supporting tools for sustainable forest management planning are described.
Big expectations for small forest tenures in British Columbia
Authors: Ambus Lisa , Davis-Case D'Arcy , Tyler Stephen
Published: November 2022

Small tenures diversify British Columbia?s forest tenure system and create new opportunities for local involvement in forest management. Held by local people and organizations, small tenures generate expectations that forest management will reflect a broad range of community values for forest use. Woodlot Licences and Community Forest Agreements (CFAs) are small, area-based, long-term licences that grant exclusive rights to manage and harvest timber on public land. Community Forest Agreements also include limited rights to botanical non-timber forest products. All tenures, whether large or small, carry rules established by the provincial forestry legislative and regulatory framework. Award and renewal of cfas is conditional upon demonstrating community support and receiving a satisfactory performance evaluation by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range. Small tenures are growing in popularity, but account for only a tiny fraction of the provincial forest land base and allowable annual cut. Despite their size, there are big expectations that woodlots and community forests will introduce new ways of managing forests in British Columbia.
Development and potential of the cultivated and wild-harvested mushroom industries in the Republic of Korea and British Columbia
Authors: Berch Shannon M. , Ka Kang-Hyeon , Park Hyun , Winder Richard
Published: November 2022

Inspired by collaborative work among researchers from the two jurisdictions, we explore the commercial mushroom industry in the Republic of Korea and British Columbia, Canada, searching for similarities and differences that may guide future development. First, we provide a history of forest mushroom use in both areas and summarize the development of the cultivated mushroom industry. Second, we describe the forest-harvested commercial mushrooms. We focus on pine mushroom (Tricholoma magnivelare) and provide an overview of the management in Korea of the closely related matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake) that could be translated to pine mushroom management in British Columbia. Generally, the cultivated mushroom industry in Korea is much larger and more diverse, reflecting local traditions of mushroom use. There is potential for expansion of the industries in both jurisdictions, especially in British Columbia, through the exploration and exploitation of novel native forest mushrooms and through the cultivation of additional exotic species with demonstrated market value.
Influence of past forestry practices on western spruce budworm defoliation and associated impacts in southern British Columbia
Authors: Maclauchlan Lorraine , Brooks Julie E.
Published: November 2022

The western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, is a native defoliator of interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) forests in British Columbia. Repeated budworm defoliation causes tree mortality, reduction in growth rates, and reduced lumber quality. Eight hundred and fifteen (815) plots were established between 1992 and 2002 throughout chronically defoliated areas, and areas which until recently had never been defoliated, to assess defoliation and impact (growth reduction, top kill, tree mortality) in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Stands within the Interior Douglas-fir (IDF) biogeoclimatic zone were most susceptible and suffered the greatest amount of chronic budworm activity. The driest, hottest ecosystems predominated by Douglas-fir had the greatest number of consecutive years of defoliation, as well as more frequent defoliation events (total years defoliation). Multi-storied stands with chronic budworm activity had on average 50% fewer Douglas-fir trees per hectare than stands with few or no budworm defoliation events. The understorey component (0.1–7.4 cm dbh and > 1.3 m height) of multi-storied and selectively harvested stands suffered substantial defoliation, often followed by tree mortality, due to intensive budworm feeding. Young, thinned stands and stands that had never been harvested suffered the least impact from budworm defoliation. In conclusion, changes in stand structure through harvesting have influenced the susceptibility of Douglas-fir to the western spruce budworm.
Ecosystem management: A practitioners' guide
Authors: Leech Susan , Wiensczyk Alan , Turner Jennifer
Published: November 2022

Ecosystem management represents an evolving philosophical approach to managing natural resources. Rather than managing multiple resources independently, an ecosystem-based approach focuses on the collective management of all resources - maintaining ecological integrity while allowing resource extraction. This approach seeks to ensure the co-existence of healthy, fully functioning ecosystems and human communities and development. In this extension note, we outline the basics of ecosystem management, highlighting a number of key concepts related to this shift. In particular, we discuss the wide range of ecosystem management definitions and provide a summary diagram. This diagram helps to position the many interpretations of ecosystem management along a continuum that ranges from environmentally sensitive multiple use to ecoregional management. Using available case studies as a basis for drawing conclusions, we also explore the significant changes needed to address existing institutional, policy, science-based, and management barriers to the implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to natural resource management. Finally, we offer a list of web-based resources on ecosystem-based management. Together with a companion paper, this extension note provides useful information to natural resource managers considering ecosystem management as an approach and to policy-makers interested in enabling this approach in British Columbia.
Corroboration of biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification climate zonation by spatially modelled climate data
Authors: DeLong Craig , Griesbauer Hardy , Mackenzie Will , Foord Vanessa
Published: November 2022

The biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) method for distinguishing areas of reasonably homogeneous macroclimate has been used in British Columbia for over 20 years. Because of the paucity of actual long-term climate data, the method used other means to map climate. We tested how well the BEC climate units could be discriminated from one another using spatially modelled climate data. We tested the ability of climate data to distinguish three units for each of four climatically different zones at two levels of the climatic classification using discriminant analysis. For each analysis, 60 points were randomly selected from within the boundaries of the mapped unit and climate data were generated by ClimateBC. Even at the finest level of the mapping, over 70% of the randomly selected points were correctly classified according to the mapped unit based on selected climate variables. A large proportion of the misclassified points were within 1 km horizontal distance or 100 m elevation of the boundary and are typically climatically transitional areas. We recommend that the BEC climate unit should form the basic unit for examining climate change at multiple scales from the provincial scale to the scale of watersheds or basins, and that further analysis be conducted to both improve biogeoclimatic unit mapping and climate models.
A Vulnerability-Based Strategy for Incorporating the Climate Threat in Conservation Planning: A Case Study from the British Columbia Central Interior
Authors: Kittel Timothy , Howard Sara , Horn Hannah , Kittel Gwen M. , Fairbarns Matthew , Iachetti Pierre
Published: November 2022

We present a vulnerability-based approach for considering climate as a threat in regional conservation planning.  The protocol is based on best available understanding of the climate sensitivity of species and systems of concern, has little reliance on climate or ecological change scenarios, and can be executed rapidly.  This approach has advantages of (1) not being tied to environmental scenarios with high uncertainty and (2) generating ‘no regrets’ strategies for planning for climate in the context of other threats.  The approach was implemented in an ecoregional assessment of the British Columbia Central Interior.  Regional strategies to reduce climate vulnerability were applied to set conservation targets and goals in the site-selection process.  These had a wide-ranging impact on both freshwater and terrestrial conservation assessments.  Selection of high-priority areas based on climate strategies generally (1) increased the number, size, and connectivity of selected areas, (2) included and expanded on areas selected using standard protocols, (3) drew more on moderately favorable areas, and (4) showed similar outcomes for different parts of the domain, but with some selection bias to more northern areas and higher reaches of drainages.  These planning outcomes adhere to the ‘no regrets’ goal—enhancing the adaptive capacity of species and systems to multiple threats while taking heed of a climate threat.  The resulting plan sets the regional stage for on-the-ground climate-wise strategies by providing for larger, less fragmented, and more connected conservation sites and with restoration as a complementary strategy to reduce ecosystem vulnerability.
Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management: A Review of Concepts and Ecological Economic Models
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Viet
Published: November 2022

People have tried to understand ecosystems using many different models. As a result, the concept of ecosystem-based fishery management is evolving and has no universal definition or consistent application. The objective of this paper is to provide a review of the concepts and ecological economic models related to ecosystem-based fishery management. The paper starts by reviewing basic concepts related to ecosystems and ecosystem-based fishery management. It then reviews economic models for ecosystem-based fishery management that are consistent with the reviewed concepts. The paper finishes off with some conclusions derived from previous literature reviews. We find that there is widespread agreement about the need to implement ecosystem-based fishery management even though this concept has no universal definition or consistent application. We also reveal that nutrient flow plays a crucial role in an ecosystem and that nutrients may be seen as the currency in ecological economic models for ecosystem-based fishery management.
A Summary of Extraction, Synthesis, Properties, and Potential Uses of Juglone: A Literature Review
Authors: Strugstad Maryon , Despotovski Sasko
Published: November 2022

This literature review summarizes the state of current information on the extraction, synthesis, properties, and potential uses of juglone, a natural product produced by the walnut tree (Juglandacea). Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) is known primarily for its allelopathic effect against certain plants and toxicity towards marine organisms. It has a wide variety of potential uses in medicine, and as a biocide for organic farming and pest control. This summary also provides historical uses of juglone and the walnut tree, a brief background on the biosynthesis and mode of toxicity of juglone. We further go on to recommend and outline the most common methodologies for extraction of the compound in the academic and small industrial setting.