bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do seed dispersal strategies reflect adaptation to environmental variability?
Authors: Van Den Elzen Courtney L. , Sigman Nathan , Emery Nancy C.
Published: April 2023

Dispersal is one of the primary mechanisms by which organisms adapt to spatial and temporal variation in the environment. Theory predicts that increasing spatiotemporal variation drives selection for offspring dispersal away from their natal habitat and one another. However, due to inherent difficulties in measuring dispersal in plant systems, there are few empirical tests of the extent to which this hypothesis can explain variation in seed dispersal strategies.

In this study, we characterized and compared the dispersal patterns of three closely related plant species that segregate across gradients in spatiotemporal variation in seasonal wetlands.

We tracked individual seeds as they dispersed in their natural habitats to measure seed dispersal distance (the distance travelled from the maternal plant) and inter‐seed spread (distances between dispersed seeds) and to identify the plant traits causing within‐species variation in seed dispersal. We also evaluated the seed traits causing within‐species variation in seed flight distance and terminal velocity in a wind tunnel and a drop tube, respectively.

We found that average seed dispersal distance was lowest in the species that occupies the most spatiotemporally variable habitat, contradicting our predictions; however, inter‐seed spread was lowest in the species from the least variable habitat, which aligned with our expectations.

The maternal plant and seed traits explaining intraspecific variation in seed dispersal varied among species as well as the method used to measure dispersal potential. Two traits had non‐intuitive effects on dispersal, including pappus size, which reduced seed flight distance in two of the focal taxa.

Overall, our results indicate that the differences we detected in seed dispersal among three closely related plant taxa can be only partially explained by current patterns of environmental variability in their respective habitats and that the traits driving within‐species variation in seed dispersal can evolve rapidly and change with the environmental context in which they are measured.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Effects of long‐term mowing on leaf‐ and root‐associated bacterial community structures are linked to functional traits in 11 plant species from a temperate steppe
Authors: Bai Ren , Hu Hang‐Wei , Zhou Meng , Sheng Jun , Xiong Chao , Guo Yumeng , Yuan Yujia , Hou Longyu , Zhang Wen‐Hao , Bai Wenming
Published: April 2023

Long‐term mowing can cause morphological stuntedness of plants, thus reducing grassland productivity and exacerbating grassland degradation. Although plant microbiomes can enhance plant resistance against disturbance, considerable uncertainty exists regarding how mowing and mowing‐induced plant trait plasticity affect plant microbiomes in natural grasslands.

Here we examined the responses of leaf/root‐associated bacterial (LAB/RAB) communities of 11 dominant herbaceous perennials (six replicates per species) to a 17‐year mowing treatment in a temperate grassland. We also measured leaf/root physiological and morphological traits, and analysed the relationships among mowing practice, bacterial community structures and leaf/root trait parameters.

We found that both leaf and root functional traits showed interspecific variations (variations across different plant species), while only the leaf traits exhibited intraspecific variation (treatment‐induced variations within plant species) between the treatments. Similarly, the LAB community structure was more sensitive to mowing but less influenced by host species identity, compared to the RAB community. The RAB community structure was primarily shaped by host species identity, while mowing was a secondary influencing factor.

The different patterns of LAB and RAB communities in response to mowing could be specifically explained by the inter/intraspecific variations of the related leaf and root traits. The LAB community was strongly correlated with the leaf traits which exhibited mowing‐induced plasticity (intraspecific variation), with the correlations with nitrogen resorption efficiency and above‐ground dry weight being the greatest. The root traits were important indicators of bacterial community structure in the root compartment across the hosts, rather than between the treatments. Root tissue density showed the strongest interspecific variation, and was identified as an overwhelming driver of the RAB community. The shifts in LAB/RAB communities under mowing were largely attributed to the increased proportions of Actinobacteria. The high mowing sensitivity of the LAB community was associated with the enrichment of soil‐derived Actinobacteria in leaves under mowing. Actinobacteria were also the main keystone taxa in the bacterial community networks under mowing.

Our results demonstrate that the magnitude of plant‐associated microbial community response to long‐term mowing is plant compartment and trait variation dependent, and advance our understanding of the leaf/root microbiome‐trait relationships in complex plant communities.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Towards environmentally friendly finfish farming: A potential for mussel farms to compensate fish farm effluents
Authors: Kotta Jonne , Stechele Brecht , Barboza Francisco R. , Kaasik Ants , Lavaud Romain
Published: April 2023

Aquaculture is seen as a possible solution to meet the rising demand for fish but only if the sector reduces its use of wild fish in feed as well as its environmental impacts. The cultivation of extractive species along with fish farming (the integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture system) has a potential to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of fish farming. The dynamic energy budget (DEB) modelling is a powerful tool to be used in different aquaculture settings to achieve the Blue Growth goals set by the commission.

This study explored the potential of mussel for bioremediation at finfish farms to develop environmentally sustainable finfish farming solutions in the eutrophic Baltic Sea region.

The study integrated the DEB models of blue musselsMytilus edulis/trossulusand rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykissand a regional hydrodynamic‐biogeochemical model to explore the potential of mussel farming to fully compensate nutrient discharges from finfish farms.

The DEB models demonstrated that despite suboptimal mussel growth conditions (low salinity), mussel farming has a potential to fully compensate for the discharge of nutrients from fish farms and thereby provide a solution for sustainable fish farming in the Baltic Sea region.

Synthesis and applications. As such fish farming may become a necessary enabler of economically sustainable mussel farming in the region. Mussel farming facilitates finfish farming licensing whereas finfish farming covers some costs of mussel farming thereby increasing the economic feasibility of this activity in the region.
On the relative importance of resource availability and habitat connectivity as drivers of soil biodiversity in Mediterranean ecosystems
Authors: Lopezosa Paula , Berdugo Miguel , Morales‐Márquez Jimmy , Pastor Estrella , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Bonet Andreu , Wang Juntao , Singh Brajesh K. , Soliveres Santiago
Published: April 2023

Soil biota influences nutrient cycling and climate regulation and represents an important fraction of global biodiversity, yet we know very little about how this soil biota responds to habitat fragmentation and degradation of habitat quality.

We studied the response of different soil trophic groups (microbes and soil fauna), and their trophic structure, to changes in their habitat derived from forest long‐term management and extensive tree die‐off in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Specifically, we evaluated changes in (i) habitat size, (ii) habitat resource availability and heterogeneity and (iii) habitat connectivity. To do this, we sampled the soil biota of 43 holm oak trees (and five open interspaces) differing in size, quality, heterogeneity, connectivity and the effect of die‐off (healthy or affected). We sorted soil biota by trophic group and related their richness to habitat characteristics.

Seven of the 12 trophic groups evaluated increased their species richness with soil organic carbon content, which was the most frequently selected driver of soil biota (both microbial and faunal richness). Habitat connectivity positively affected the richness of larger organisms (fauna) and plant attributes (richness, productivity and specific leaf area) also showed significant but contrasting effects depending on the group evaluated.

Due to the idiosyncratic responses of different groups, the entire trophic structure (microbes and fauna) was affected by a more complex set of factors than most trophic groups in isolation, including interactions between habitat size and resource availability or connectivity. A major factor influencing habitat resource availability was the die‐off of the dominant tree species (drastically altering tree productivity). We found weaker and more negative relationships between trophic groups under trees suffering from die‐off than beneath healthy trees, particularly between microbial rather than faunal groups.

Synthesis. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the response of key members of the soil food web to habitat fragmentation and tree die‐off (landscape‐level plant–soil interactions), illustrating the major role of soil carbon, habitat connectivity and tree die‐off in driving soil biodiversity and trophic structure.
Extensive hydrolysis of milk protein and its peptidomic antigenicity analysis by LC–MS/MS
Authors: Li Hongbo , Zhao Yang , Jiang Yuelu , Li Jiaxin , Yang Jingjing , Xue Yuling , Kang Zhiyuan , Zulewska Justyna , Li Hongjuan , Yu Jinghua
Published: April 2023

Milk protein concentrate (MPC) is considered an ideal substitute of cow milk because of its similar protein and nutrition. In this study, MPC was hydrolyzed to peptides by alcalase and neutrase, and the properties of hydrolysate were evaluated. When MPC was hydrolyzed at the ratio of alcalase and neutrase of 1:1 and enzyme to substrate ratio of 6000 U/g MPC at 50°C, pH 8.5 for 3 h, the proportion of peptides with molecular weights <1 kDa was 85.31%, and the antigenicity reduction rates of casein and β‐lactoglobulin were 33.76% and 22.38%, respectively. Moreover, LC–MS/MS peptide identification revealed that the alcalase and neutrase disrupted a total of 65 epitopes of casein and 21 epitopes of whey protein, which further elucidated the mechanism of complex enzyme hydrolysis to reduce milk protein allergenicity.
Does a history of cannabis use influence onset and course of schizophrenia?
Authors: Allebeck Peter , Gunnarsson Tove , Lundin Andreas , Löfving Sofia , Dal Henrik , Zammit Stanley
Published: April 2023

Introduction

While evidence strongly supports a causal effect of cannabis on psychosis, it is less clear whether the symptom pattern, clinical course, and outcomes differ in cases of schizophrenia with and without a background of cannabis use.

Methods

Analysis of medical records from a longitudinal follow‐up of Swedish conscripts with data on cannabis use in adolescence and subsequent incidence of schizophrenia. One hundred sixty patients with schizophrenia were assessed using the OPCRIT protocol. Cases were validated for diagnosis schizophrenia according to OPCRIT.

Results

Patients with a cannabis history (n = 32), compared to those without (n = 128), had an earlier age at onset, a higher number of hospital admissions and a higher total number of hospital days. There was no significant difference in type of onset and clinical symptom profiles between the groups.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the disease burden of schizophrenia is greater in individuals who use cannabis during adolescence. Strengthening evidence on causality and teasing out long‐term effects of pre‐illness cannabis use from continued post‐illness has clinical implications for improving schizophrenia outcomes.
Immune mediated colitis: a surgical perspective
Authors: Le Khang Duy Ricky , Choy Kay Tai , Roth Sara , Heriot Alexander G. , Kong Joseph C. H.
Published: April 2023

Background

This study aims to review and summarize the current up to date literature that explore the current treatment approaches to immune mediated colitis and the role of surgical specialties in the landscape of management.

Methods

A narrative review of papers was performed following a literature search through Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Central databases pertaining to immune mediated colitis as an adverse event of cancer immunotherapy.

Results

Current guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of immune mediated colitis mirror the approach to the workup of inflammatory bowel disease and guided by treating oncology and gastroenterology specialties. Immune mediated colitis however relies on surgical specific skills as a consequence of obtaining a diagnosis as well as in the management of complications that may arise.

Conclusion

Immune mediate colitis management has largely been under the purview of medical specialties. This review explores the current landscape of managing immune mediated colitis from a surgical perspective and highlights key areas in which surgeons can engage in the multidisciplinary care of this condition. To facilitate prompt diagnosis and management of immune‐mediated colitis, there is an increasing necessity for surgeons to become familiar with the latest multidisciplinary approaches and recommendations.
Change in three‐dimensional choroidal vessel network after AR device assisted 1‐hour visual task in 2D/3D mode in young healthy subjects
Authors: Liu Yuying , Liu Lu , Liu Mingming , Wang Xuetong , Jin Chengcheng , Ni Bingbing , Ke Bilian
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes of choroidal blood perfusion in different layers and quadrants and its possible related factors after 1 h visual task by augmented reality (AR) device in two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) mode, respectively.

Methods

Thirty healthy subjects aged 22–37 years watched the same video source in 2D and 3D mode separately using AR glasses for 1 h with a one‐week interval. Swept‐source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS‐OCTA) was performed before and immediately after watching to acquire choroidal thickness (ChT), three‐dimensional choroidal vascularity index (CVI) of large‐ and middle‐sized choroidal vessels and choriocapillaris flow voids (FV%) at macular and peripapillary area. Near point of accommodation (NPA) and accommodative facility (AF) were examined to evaluate the accommodative ability. Pupil diameters by infrared‐automated pupillometer under scotopic, mesopic and photopic condition were also obtained.

Results

Compared with pre‐visual task, the subfoveal CVI decreased from 0.406 ± 0.097 to 0.360 ± 0.102 after 2D watching (p < 0.001) and to 0.368 ± 0.102 after 3D watching (p = 0.002). Pupil sizes under different illuminance conditions became smaller after both 2D and 3D watching (all p < 0.001). AF increased after both 2D and 3D watching (both p < 0.05). NPA receded in post‐3D watching (p = 0.017) while a not significant tendency was observed in post‐2D.

Conclusion

A reduction in subfoveal choroidal blood flow accompanied with pupil constriction was observed immediately after 1 h visual task using AR glasses in 2D and 3D mode. Accommodative facility improved after 2D and 3D watching with AR glasses, whereas decrease in the maximum accommodation power was only found in 3D mode.
Editorial: should NAFLD be included in the definition of Metabolic Syndrome?
Authors: Colosimo Santo , Marchesini Giulio
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Fu et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17397
Editorial: improvement of cardiovascular risk factor control in patients with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease—time for action!
Authors: Caussy Cyrielle
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Zhang et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17428 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17474
Self‐regulatory and demographic predictors of grades in online and face‐to‐face university cohorts: A multi‐group path analysis
Authors: Talsma Kate , Chapman Andrew , Matthews Allison
Published: April 2023

Predictors of academic success at university are of great interest to educators, researchers and policymakers. With more students studying online, it is important to understand whether traditional predictors of academic outcomes in face‐to‐face settings are relevant to online learning. This study modelled self‐regulatory and demographic predictors of subject grades in 84 online and 80 face‐to‐face undergraduate students. Predictors were effort regulation, grade goal, academic self‐efficacy, performance self‐efficacy, age, sex, socio‐economic status (SES) and first‐in‐family status. A multi‐group path analysis indicated that the models were significantly different across learning modalities. For face‐to‐face students, none of the model variables significantly predicted grades. For online students, only performance self‐efficacy significantly predicted grades (small effect). Findings suggest that learner characteristics may not function in the same way across learning modes. Further factor analytic and hierarchical research is needed to determine whether self‐regulatory predictors of academic success continue to be relevant to modern student cohorts.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Self‐regulatory and demographic variables are important predictors of university outcomes like grades.

It is unclear whether the relationships between predictor variables and outcomes are the same across learning modalities, as research findings are mixed.

What this paper adds

Models predicting university students' grades by demographic and self‐regulatory predictors differed significantly between face‐to‐face and online learning modalities.

Performance self‐efficacy significantly predicted grades for online students.

No self‐regulatory variables significantly predicted grades for face‐to‐face students, and no demographic variables significantly predicted grades in either cohort.

Overall, traditional predictors of grades showed no/small unique effects in both cohorts.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The learner characteristics that predict success may not be the same across learning modalities.

Approaches to enhancing success in face‐to‐face settings are not automatically applicable to online settings.

Self‐regulatory variables may not predict university outcomes as strongly as previously believed, and more research is needed.
The importance of natural forest stewardship in adaptation planning in the United States
Authors: Faison Edward K. , Masino Susan A. , Moomaw William R.
Published: April 2023

Forests are critical to the planetary operational system and evolved without human management for millions of years in North America. Actively managing forests to help them adapt to a changing climate and disturbance regime has become a major focus in the United States. Aside from a subset of forests wherein wood production, human safety, and experimental research are primary goals, we argue that expensive management interventions are often unnecessary, have uncertain benefits, or are detrimental to many forest attributes such as resilience, carbon accumulation, structural complexity, and genetic and biological diversity. Natural forests (i.e., those protected and largely free from human management) tend to develop greater complexity, carbon storage, and tree diversity over time than forests that are actively managed; and natural forests often become less susceptible to future insect attacks and fire following these disturbances. Natural forest stewardship is therefore a critical and cost effective strategy in forest climate adaptation.
Constructing clandestine communities: oaths of collective secrecy and conceptual boundaries in the late antique Mediterranean
Authors: Wuk Michael
Published: April 2023

This article explores fourth‐ to seventh‐century narratives about oaths of collective secrecy, which our sources typically frame negatively. By examining the terminology used in reference to these promises, the dynamics inherent in the practice and its relationship to oath‐taking customs in other contexts, and the influence of Christianity on the discourses around such pledges, we can see that late antique authors routinely frame the swearing of these pacts as a transition to a liminal state of existence. Through this rhetoric, church and state authorities constructed conceptual boundaries between those who agreed and disagreed with their definitions of acceptable behaviours.
Spelling correctness as a witness of changing documentary culture in Tuscia (eighth–ninth centuries)
Authors: Korkiakangas Timo
Published: April 2023

This paper discusses the evolution of documentary culture in early medieval Tuscia by quantitatively examining the Latin spelling of charter scribes in relation to the following factors: time, the distinction between the formulaic and non‐formulaic parts of the document, the scribe’s domicile, the scribe’s professional status, and the document type. The paper asks what the spelling of charters tells us about administrative and socio‐cultural changes in charter production and in scribal education. The research data is 997 charters from the Late Latin Charter Treebank, and the approach that of philological corpus linguistics.
Diving Into Students’ Transcripts: High School Course‐Taking Sequences and Postsecondary Enrollment
Authors: Ogut Burhan , Circi Ruhan
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore high school course‐taking sequences and their relationship to college enrollment. Specifically, we implemented sequence analysis to discover common course‐taking trajectories in math, science, and English language arts using high school transcript data from a recent nationally representative survey. Through sequence clustering, we reduced the complexity of the sequences and examined representative course‐taking sequences. Classification tree, random forests, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between the course sequences students complete and their postsecondary outcomes. Results showed that distinct representative course‐taking sequences can be identified for all students as well as student subgroups. More advanced and complex course‐taking sequences were associated with postsecondary enrollment.
The Dutch version of the Oral Health Assessment Tool: Translation and inter‐rater reliability among community nurses
Authors: van Noort Harm H. J. , Harderwijk Anne , Everaars Babette , Akkermans Reinier , van der Putten Gert‐Jan , Waal Getty Huisman‐de
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Translating the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) into Dutch and assessing the inter‐rater reliability among community nurses.

Methods

The original version of the OHAT was translated following the five stages of the ‘Guidelines for the Process of Cross‐Cultural Adaptation’. After a forward and backward translation, consensus on the pre‐final version was obtained in an expert panel discussion. This version was pre‐tested on its comprehensibility among 31 nurses and hereafter finalized. Then, inter‐rater reliability of the OHAT‐NL was determined by two trained nurses during oral assessments of 37 care‐dependent community‐dwelling older people. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Cohen's kappa statistic for individual items were estimated.

Results

Feedback from nurses in the pre‐test did lead to minor changes of the OHAT‐NL. Inter‐rater reliability was good (ICC 0.79; 95% CI 0.63–0.89) on the total score. Agreement on item level ranged from fair to very good, the kappa ranged from 0.36–0.89.

Conclusions

OHAT is now available in Dutch having good inter‐rater reliability among trained community nurses. Future research can further validate the OHAT‐NL and develop intervention according to total OHAT‐NL scores.
A retrospective review of immunology patients with primary and/or secondary immunodeficiency, demonstrating the benefits of the rapid transitioning from intravenous immunoglobulin to subcutaneous immunoglobulin at the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Boyle Therese , Zaragoza Reina , Li Jamma , Cvetanovski Vera , Weaver Phillippa , Hoyle Philip , Venkatesha Venkatesha , Fernando Suran L.
Published: April 2023

Forty‐four of 50 immunology patients with primary or secondary immunodeficiency receiving intravenous immunoglobulin at a hospital in New South Wales, Australia, were rapidly enrolled in the subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) programme at the onset of the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic. Health and economic outcomes demonstrated that SCIg provides clinical efficacy as evidenced by the number of infections and maintenance of IgG levels, and also facilitates cost reduction in immunoglobulin maintenance programmes.
Estimation of the influenza‐associated respiratory hospitalization burden using sentinel surveillance data, Lebanon, 2015–2020
Authors: Farah Zeina , El Naja Hala Abou , Tempia Stefano , Saleh Nadine , Abubakar Abdinasir , Maison Patrick , Ghosn Nada
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Influenza epidemics cause around 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness worldwide every year. Estimates are needed for a better understanding of the burden of disease especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The objective of this study is to estimate the number and rate of influenza‐associated respiratory hospitalizations in Lebanon during five influenza seasons (2015–2016 to 2019–2020) by age and province of residence in addition to estimating the influenza burden by level of severity.

Methods

The severe acute respiratory infection sentinel surveillance system was used to compute influenza positivity from the influenza laboratory confirmed cases. The total of respiratory hospitalizations under the influenza and pneumonia diagnosis was retrieved from the Ministry of Public Health hospital billing database. Age‐specific and province‐specific frequencies and rates were estimated for each season. Rates per 100 000 population were calculated with 95% confidence levels.

Results

The estimated seasonal average of influenza‐associated hospital admission was 2866 for a rate of 48.1 (95% CI: 46.4–49.9) per 100 000. As for the distribution by age group, the highest rates were seen in the two age groups ≥65 years and 0–4 years whereas the lowest rate was for the age group 15–49 years. For the distribution by province of residence, the highest influenza‐associated hospitalization rates were reported from the Bekaa‐Baalback/Hermel provinces.

Conclusion

This study shows the substantial burden of influenza in Lebanon mainly on high‐risk groups (≥65 years and <5 years). It is crucial to translate these findings into policies and practices to reduce the burden and estimate the illness‐related expenditure and indirect costs.
Scratch and unity design in elementary education: A study in initial teacher training
Authors: Sáez‐López José Manuel , González‐Calero José Antonio , Cózar‐Gutierrez Ramón , del Olmo‐Muñoz Javier
Published: April 2023

Background

The present study analyses the design of programming literacy in the sixth grade of Primary Education, starting from the use of simple activities with visual block‐based programming, through Scratch, and progressively linking difficulty to the use of the Unity engine, and the C# language, with simple activities identical to those created in Scratch.

Objectives

This research aims to evaluate future teachers' abilities and attitudes regarding programming and its educational possibilities. We intend to evaluate the viability of a teaching proposal that combines a visual block‐based programming environment and a more advanced one, based on C#.

Method

In the settings of two public Spanish universities, we analyse the possibilities in the training of future teachers who are studying for a degree in Primary Education Teaching and a degree in Pedagogy. Based on a test and three scales, descriptive data and statistical inference are detailed through a quasi‐experimental design with a Student's t‐test in the first dimension, and a Wilcoxon test in the second dimension.

Results

The participants improved their performance and attitudes towards programming with the intervention of the study in the use of coding.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that coding is essential in teacher training, and that a greater presence of programming training in higher education is essential. The benefits are visible in the pedagogical approach of coding related to creativity, innovation, motivation, an active approach and interest, highlighting the fact that the implementation of visual block‐based programming by blocks and engines is feasible in Elementary Education. The training proposal—provided by appropriate progression, selection, and sequencing of content—fosters basic and practical teacher training, and this can be defined as an apt training solution.
The impact of COVID‐19 on psychiatric clinical encounters among low‐income racially‐diverse children
Authors: Rusk Serena A. , DiBari Jessica , Mason Dana M. , Li Mengmeng , Hong Xiumei , Wang Guoying , Pearson Colleen , Mirolli Gabrielle , Cheng Tina L. , Kogan Michael D. , Zuckerman Barry , Wang Xiaobin
Published: April 2023

Background

There is a lack of longitudinal data to examine the impact of COVID‐19 on all types of clinical encounters among United States, underrepresented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), children. This study aims to examine the changes in all the outpatient clinical encounters during the pandemic compared to the baseline, with particular attention to psychiatric encounters and diagnoses.

Method

This study analyzed 3‐year (January 2019 to December 2021) longitudinal clinical encounter data from 3,394 children in the Boston Birth Cohort, a US urban, predominantly low‐income, Black and Hispanic children. Outcomes of interest were completed outpatient clinical encounters and their modalities (telemedicine vs. in person), including psychiatric care and diagnoses, primary care, emergency department (ED), and developmental and behavioral pediatrics (DBP).

Results

The study children's mean (SD) age is 13.9 (4.0) years. Compared to 2019, psychiatric encounters increased by 38% in 2020, most notably for diagnoses of adjustment disorders, depression, and post‐traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). In contrast, primary care encounters decreased by 33%, ED encounters decreased by 55%, and DBP care decreased by 16% in 2020. Telemedicine was utilized the most for psychiatric and DBP encounters and the least for primary care encounters in 2020. A remarkable change in 2021 was the return of primary care encounters to the 2019 level, but psychiatric encounters fluctuated with spikes in COVID‐19 case numbers.

Conclusions

Among this sample of US BIPOC children, compared to the 2019 baseline, psychiatric encounters increased by 38% during 2020, most notably for the new diagnoses of adjustment disorder, depression, and PTSD. The 2021 data showed a full recovery of primary care encounters to the baseline level but psychiatric encounters remained sensitive to the pandemic spikes. The long‐term impact of the pandemic on children's mental health warrants further investigation.
Phase 2 of collaborative action around the implementation of virtual hearing aid care: Evaluation of a clinical practice guideline
Authors: Glista Danielle , O'Hagan Robin , DiFabio Danielle , Moodie Sheila , Muñoz Karen , Pfingstgraef Dave , Curca Ioan Aurelian , Meston Christine , Richert Frances , Nageswaran Luxshmi , Brown Christine , Joseph Keiran , Bagatto Marlene
Published: April 2023

Rationale

Following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, a clinical practice guideline (CPG) around virtual hearing aid practices was developed to fill a knowledge gap within the field of audiology. Details outlining the development and mobilization of this draft guideline were outlined as Phase 1 (described in a paired paper).

Aims and Objectives

This study describes Phase 2 of this project as part of the Knowledge‐to‐Action Framework, including an evaluation of the methodological quality of the guideline and the resulting tailored version of the document (v2.0).

Method

The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument was used to assess methodological quality and to guide revisions. Twenty‐two clinicians, from a variety of clinical backgrounds, participated in the evaluation.

Results and Conclusion

Findings reported across six domains suggest high mean scores, ranging from 78% to 81%, in order of scope and purpose (highest rated), stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, applicability, clarity of presentation, and editorial independence. Specific recommendations made by in international co‐creation team during the evaluation informed the final version of the CPG. Future development and evaluation efforts should aim to include greater representation from nontraditional practice contexts to strengthen global applicability.
On the occurrence and distribution of Synodontis nigrita and Synodontis violaceus (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) in the Nilo‐Sudan, and Upper and Lower Guinea ichthyofaunal provinces
Authors: De Weirdt David , Huyghe Charlotte Elisabeth Theodora , Vreven Emmanuel Jean Michel Willem Nzambemalamu
Published: April 2023

Examination of the holotype of Synodontis nigrita, the type specimens of both its (potential) junior synonyms, Synodontis fascipinna and Synodontis ornatus, and an additional 306 specimens, previously identified as S. nigrita, confirmed that the interorbital width is the most important diagnostic character to distinguish S. nigrita from its Nilo‐Sudanic (N‐S), and Upper and Lower Guinea ichthyofaunal province congeners. Results revealed that this species has a typical N‐S distribution. In addition, the occurrence of Synodontis violaceus in the Cross River is not corroborated. Therefore, it should be considered a typical West African species.
Comparative genome analyses of three serotypes of Lactococcus bacteria isolated from diseased cultured striped jack (Pseudocaranx dentex)
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud Mostafa , Abdelsalam Mohamed , Kawato Satoshi , Harakawa Shogo , Kawakami Hidemasa , Hirono Ikuo , Kondo Hidehiro
Published: April 2023

Lactococcosis, caused by members of the genus Lactococcus, represents a devastating disease inducing mass mortalities and economic losses in many fish species worldwide. The present work aimed to compare the whole genome sequences of three different serotypes of Lactococcus garvieae isolated from diseased cultured striped jack (Pseudocaranx dentex) in Ehime prefecture, Japan. The three serotypes showed different virulence in the challenge test using Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata). The genome sequencing revealed that two of the strains (serotype I and serotype III) were identified as L. garvieae, while the third strain (serotype II) was identified as L. formosensis. The chromosome sizes of the three serotypes ranged from 1.9 to 2.0 Mb; the GC content ranges were 38.2 to 38.9%; and the numbers of predicted protein‐coding sequences (CDSs) were from 1922 to 1959. Only the serotype II harbours two plasmids, sizes of around 14 kb and 9 kb. The detected virulence factors varied among the different serotypes with some shared factors like adherence, anti‐phagocytosis, secretion system, toxin (haemolysin), serum resistance, antimicrobial resistance and others. The genomes also contained factors responsible for resistance to toxic compounds. The genome of the serotype III tended to encode more prophage regions than the other serotypes.
Changes over time in POLST use and content by race and ethnicity among California nursing home residents
Authors: Zingmond David S. , Powell David , Jennings Lee A. , Liang Li‐Jung , Escarce Jose J. , Parikh Punam , Wenger Neil S.
Published: April 2023

Background

Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment (POLST) are commonly used for nursing home (NH) residents. Treatment orders differ across race and ethnicity, presumably related to cultural and socioeconomic variation and levels of access to care and trust. Because national efforts focus on addressing the underpinnings of racial and ethnic differences in treatment (i.e., access to care and trust), we describe POLST use and content by race and ethnicity.

Methods

California requires NHs to document POLST completion and content in the Minimum Data Set. We describe POLST completion and content for all California NH residents from 2011 to 2016 (N = 1,120,376). Adjusting for resident characteristics, we compared changes in completion rate and differences by race and ethnicity in POLST content—orders for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), do not resuscitate (DNR), CPR with full treatment, DNR with selective treatment or comfort orders, and if unsigned.

Results

POLST completion increased across all racial and ethnic groups from 2011 to 2016; by 2016, NH residents had a POLST two‐thirds or more of the time. In 2011, Black residents had a POLST with a CPR order 30.4% of the time, Hispanic residents 25.6%, and White residents 19.7%. By 2016, this grew to 42.5%, 38.2%, and 28.1%, respectively, with Black and Hispanic residents demonstrating larger increases than White residents (p < 0.001). Increases over time in POLST with CPR and full treatment were greater for Black and Hispanic residents compared to White residents. The increase in POLST with DNR and DNR with Selective treatment and Comfort orders was greater for White compared to Black patients (p < 0.001). Unsigned POLST with CPR and DNR orders decreased across all racial and ethnic groups.

Conclusions

Racial and ethnic differences in POLST intensity of care orders increased between 2011 and 2016 suggesting that efforts to mitigate factors underlying differences were ineffective. Studies of newer POLST data are imperative.
Scheme for generating upscaling scenarios of emerging functional materials based energy technologies in prospective LCA (UpFunMatLCA)
Authors: Weyand Steffi , Kawajiri Kotaro , Mortan Claudiu , Schebek Liselotte
Published: April 2023

Upscaling scenarios are indispensable elements of prospective life cycle assessment (LCA). However, current studies reveal confusing terminology and a wide range of approaches in this area. Therefore, we first defined the term upscaling scenario as the description of a possible future target stage of emerging technology, including the development pathway from a current stage within the course of research and development to this future stage. Second, we developed the novel systematic scheme UpFunMatLCA for generating explorative scenarios based on possible development pathways of the specific group of emerging functional material (FunMat)‐based energy technologies, including status quo developments. UpFunMatLCA represents a three‐step extension of conventional LCAs to upscale the life cycle inventory of emerging FunMats. UpFunMatLCA is based on a clear definition of a current status quo (conceptual, lab, or pilot stage) and a target matured (fab) development stage. A core part of UpFunMatLCA is the so‐called upscaling module, providing specific modeling methods and data for the upscaling of FunMats. Using perovskite solar cells, photovoltaic devices based on several FunMats and attached with great expectations regarding the future efficient provision of solar energy, we demonstrate the application of UpFunMatLCA, focusing on the upstream greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the prospective manufacturing. In the discussion, we point out the application area of UpFunMatLCA and the possible extension to depict further environmental impacts beyond GHG to contribute to the sustainability assessment of emerging technologies in the early stages of development.
Extending effectiveness to efficiency: Comparing energy and environmental assessment methods for a wet cooling tower
Authors: Wenzel Paula M. , Radgen Peter
Published: April 2023

Improving the environmental performance and energy efficiency of cooling towers requires systematic evaluation. However, methodological challenges emerge when applying typical environmental assessment methods to cooling towers. Hence, this paper compares the methods, analyzes their strengths and weaknesses, and proposes adaptions for evaluating cooling towers. As a case study, we applied five methods for assessing the wet cooling system of the high‐performance data center in Stuttgart. These are material flow analysis (MFA), life cycle inventory, life cycle assessment (LCA), exergy analysis, and life cycle exergy analysis (LCEA). The comparison highlights that the LCA provides the most comprehensive environmental evaluation of cooling systems by considering several environmental impact dimensions. In the case of the wet cooling tower, however, electricity and water consumption cause more than 97% of the environmental impacts in all considered impact categories. Therefore, MFA containing energy flows suffices in many cases. Using exergy efficiency is controversially debated because exergy destruction is part of the technical principle applied in cooling towers and, therefore, difficult to interpret. The LCEA appears inappropriate because construction and disposal barely affect the exergy balance and are associated with transiting exergy. The method comparison demonstrates the need for further methodological development, such as dynamic extensions or the efficiency definition of cooling towers. The paper highlights that the methodological needs depend on the specific application.
Smartphone repairability indexes in practice: Linking repair scores to industrial design features
Authors: Barros Mário , Dimla Eric
Published: April 2023

Policymaking mediates the relationships between manufacturers and consumers, thus defining the boundaries for the philosophies of production set forth by major companies. Research states that policymaking falls short in addressing the waste issues, natural resources consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and other negative impacts posed by premature obsolescence; only recently have the “right‐to‐repair” guidelines demanded by environmental organizations and communities of citizens been included in policymaking. The introduction of the Index of Repairability in France as information at the point of sale aims to inform consumers and support their decision‐making in purchasing more repairable products. In this paper, we consider the two Indexes of Repairability publicly available to consumers—in the French legislation and iFixit—and assess their application to smartphones from three manufacturers. The study establishes links between the scores and the industrial design features that promote or hinder repairability, service factors and information for self‐repair, authorized repair, and independent repair. Data collection considers the available information for consumers and citizens by using netnography and secondary data from manufacturers, policymakers, and communities of users. Our findings suggest that higher scores that indicate easier repairability are not limited to product architectures that follow design for disassembly guidelines. Smartphones that are difficult to repair can still score high, and thus be perceived as easier to repair, if manufacturers provide high quality and affordable service. This paper discusses the results of the ongoing development of repairability scores for smartphones, thus suggesting paths for future research to improve methods and policies to support a longer lifetime of products.
Precision medicine in complex diseases—Molecular subgrouping for improved prediction and treatment stratification
Authors: Johansson Åsa , Andreassen Ole A. , Brunak Søren , Franks Paul W. , Hedman Harald , Loos Ruth J. F. , Meder Benjamin , Melén Erik , Wheelock Craig E. , Jacobsson Bo
Published: April 2023

Complex diseases are caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors and comprise common noncommunicable diseases, including allergies, cardiovascular disease, and psychiatric and metabolic disorders. More than 25% of Europeans suffer from a complex disease, and together these diseases account for 70% of all deaths. The use of genomic, molecular, or imaging data to develop accurate diagnostic tools for treatment recommendations and preventive strategies, and for disease prognosis and prediction, is an important step toward precision medicine. However, for complex diseases, precision medicine is associated with several challenges. There is a significant heterogeneity between patients of a specific disease—both with regards to symptoms and underlying causal mechanisms—and the number of underlying genetic and nongenetic risk factors is often high. Here, we summarize precision medicine approaches for complex diseases and highlight the current breakthroughs as well as the challenges. We conclude that genomic‐based precision medicine has been used mainly for patients with highly penetrant monogenic disease forms, such as cardiomyopathies. However, for most complex diseases—including psychiatric disorders and allergies—available polygenic risk scores are more probabilistic than deterministic and have not yet been validated for clinical utility. However, subclassifying patients of a specific disease into discrete homogenous subtypes based on molecular or phenotypic data is a promising strategy for improving diagnosis, prediction, treatment, prevention, and prognosis. The availability of high‐throughput molecular technologies, together with large collections of health data and novel data‐driven approaches, offers promise toward improved individual health through precision medicine.
Effects of subsidies on growth and welfare in a quality‐ladder model with elastic labor
Authors: Hu Ruiyang , Yang Yibai , Zheng Zhijie
Published: April 2023

This paper develops a quality‐ladder growth model with elastic labor supply and distortionary taxes to analyze the effects of different subsidy instruments: subsidies to the production of final goods, subsidies to the purchase of intermediate goods, and subsidies to research and development (R&D). Moreover, the model is calibrated to the US data to compare the growth and welfare implications of these subsidies. The main results are as follows. First, we analytically show that an optimal coordination of all instruments attains the first‐best outcome. Second, in the calibrated economy, we numerically find that for the use of a single instrument, R&D subsidy is less growth‐enhancing and welfare‐improving than the other subsidies, whereas for the use of a mix of two instruments, subsidizing the production of final goods and the purchase of intermediate goods is most effective in promoting growth but least effective in raising welfare.