bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investments in Timberland and Softwood Timber as Parts of Portfolio Selection in the United States: A Cointegration Analysis and Capital Asset Pricing Model
Authors: Liao Xianchun , Zhang Yaoqi , Sun Changyou
Published: April 2024

In this article we investigated the financial performance of investments in timberland and timber and their correlations with nonforestry financial assets in the United States. Cointegration analysis and the capital asset pricing model were used to examine the long-run and short-run correlations with quarterly data from January 1992 to June 2006. The results of the cointegration analysis revealed that investment return on timberland tended to increase by 1.3% as Southern softwood stumpage price increased by 1%, indicating that a shift from pulpwood to sawtimber production might increase timber price and thus benefit timberland investment. The results also indicated that there were positive correlations between farmland return and Southern softwood stumpage price and between the stock market and timberland, indicating that treatments such as high-intensity site preparation might increase land quality and, hence, enlarge timber size and increase timber price. However, investors need to be cautious with the stock market because any change in the stock market has a potential effect on the timberland market. The results of the capital asset pricing model showed that timberland generated significant excess returns over the study period, but softwood timber did not. Timberland or softwood did not reduce systematic risk in a portfolio with stocks in the short run. In the short run, abnormal returns on timberland did occur, and timberland would be a desirable investment vehicle mixed with real estate.
Effect of the Inclusion of Mushroom Values on the Optimal Management of Even-Aged Pine Stands of Catalonia
Authors: Palahí Marc , Pukkala Timo , Bonet José Antonio , Colinas Carlos , Fischer Christine R. , Martínez de Aragón Juan R.
Published: April 2024

Mushrooms are an important product of the pine stands of the Central Pyrenees of Catalonia. In places where the microclimate is reasonably moist, the value of mushrooms may be clearly higher than the value of timber production. This study examines the optimal economic management for both timber and mushrooms in even-aged Scots pine and Black pine stands in Catalonia. Empirical mushroom yield models were integrated in a stand growth simulator, which was linked with an optimization algorithm to find the optimal management schedule for Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra stands on different sites and with different mushroom prices. The results showed that on sites where the potential mushroom yield is high, mushrooms should be taken into account in stand management. Thinning treatments, which usually are unprofitable, were included in the optimal management schedule when mushroom production was included in the analysis. Although thinnings have a negative short-term effect on mushroom yields, their long-term effect is often positive because they reduce stand density to a level that is favorable for mushrooms. At elevations that are suitable for P. sylvestris (900–1,500 m above sea level), the soil expectation value (SEV) of mushroom yields was commonly 4–10 times higher than the SEV of timber production. At somewhat lower elevations, where P. nigra dominates, the effect of mushrooms on the optimal stand management was smaller because mushroom yields are typically lower in P. nigra stands.
Long-Term Changes in Forest Productivity: A Consistent Assessment in Even-Aged Stands
Authors: Bontemps Jean-Daniel , Hervé Jean-Christophe , Dhôte Jean-François
Published: April 2024

The objective of the study was to provide a stand-scale assessment of long-term productivity changes in even-aged stands and to depict their chronology over the 20th century. We focused on dominant height growth as a proxy for productivity, reconstructed from stem analyses in temporary plots. Height increments from two generations of stands were compared. Stands were associated in pairs to ensure accurate control of intrinsic site fertility conditions. The historical evolution of the growth rate was estimated using a statistical modeling approach based on a mixed-effects model, with a control of both site and developmental stage effects. We placed emphasis on a model formulation that leads to a meaningful interpretation of growth rate evolution. We applied the methodology to a sample of 14 stand pairs and 84 stem analyses of common beech in northeastern France. An accelerated increase in growth rate was identified, reaching +50% over the 20th century. The trend also displayed short-term growth anomalies.
Short-Term Effects of Thinning and Burning Restoration Treatments on Avian Community Composition, Density, and Nest Survival in the Eastern Cascades Dry Forests, Washington
Authors: Gaines William , Haggard Maryellen , Begley James , Lehmkuhl John , Lyons Andrea
Published: April 2024

We monitored the short-term (<3 years) response of land birds to restoration treatments (thin, burn, and thin-burn) in dry forests located on the eastern slope of the Cascade Range in Washington. Overall avian community composition did not change among the treatments. However, individual species responses varied with the chipping sparrow showing lower density in treatments, whereas hermit thrush, mountain chickadee, white-headed woodpecker, western bluebird, American crow, and common raven increased in treatment units. Daily survival rates of nesting guilds were similar in treated versus control stands; however, burn-only showed lower daily survival rates compared with other treatments. Additional research is needed to validate this result. Cavity-nesters (mountain chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, and house wren) and foliage-nesters (chipping sparrow) used trees that were larger in diameter than available regardless of the treatment. Our results, in combination with other results from this study area, provide important implications for managers: (1) thin-burn treatments were effective at restoring habitat for several avian focal species; (2) spring burn treatments should be carefully designed to achieve desired restoration objectives; (3) large trees provide important habitat functions and are a key component for maintaining or restoring the viability of focal avian species; and (4) additional research is needed to better understand the effects of spring burning and the long-term effects of dry forest restoration treatments.
Response of the Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Systems to High-Temperature Stress in Euonymus japonicus Seedlings
Authors: Jin Song-Heng , Li Xue-Qin , Zheng Bing-Song , Wang Jun-Gang
Published: April 2024

To uncover the adaptive mechanisms of photosynthesis under high temperatures (HTs), changes in the activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco), the photosynthetic electron transport system, and antioxidant system were examined in a subtropical forest tree seedling, Euonymus japonicus. Compared with the control, the activity of rubisco and the quantum yield of photosystem (PS) II electron transport (ΦPSII) decreased in HT-treated seedlings, whereas energy-dependent quenching of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (qE) increased. An analysis of the redox change of P700 and the oxygen uptake by PSI indicated that the cyclic electron transport around PSI operated at high rates in E. japonicus seedlings exposed to HT conditions. Furthermore, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the activities of superoxide dismutase, and the activities of ascorbate peroxidase were increased in HT-treated seedlings. Therefore, it is likely that an enzyme-based water-water cycle was initiated in E. japonicus seedlings in response to HT stress and that the HT-induced ROS might play an important function in HT conditions. Enhancement of cyclic electron transport around PSI and water-water cycles might help maintain a transthylakoid energy potential under HT conditions. This coordinated defense may play an important role in adaptation of E. japonicus cells to HT.
Selection Efficiency for Solid Wood Traits in Pinus taeda using Time-of-Flight Acoustic and Micro-Drill Resistance Methods
Authors: Eckard Jonathan T. , Isik Fikret , Bullock Bronson , Li Bailian , Gumpertz Marcia
Published: April 2024

Conventional sampling and laboratory analysis of solid wood properties to facilitate clonal screening in tree improvement programs are prohibitively time-consuming and expensive. Alternative methods—time-of-flight acoustics and micro-drilling resistance—were assessed for efficiency in screening clones for wood stiffness (modulus of elasticity [MOE]), strength (modulus of rupture [MOR]), and density. Ninety clones, consisting of 30 from each of 3 full-sib families, were screened in an 8-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) field test using a TreeSonic time-of-flight tool and Resistograph drill resistance tool. The same clones were sampled for wood specimens for laboratory tests of MOE, MOR, and density. TreeSonic stress wave speed measurements produced highly repeatable clonal phenotypes that facilitated efficient selection for MOE and to a lesser extent for MOR. Resistograph amplitude measurements had a strong genetic correlation with wood density and facilitated highly efficient selection for density, with correlated responses for MOR and MOE. Combining the indirect traits into a selection index improved gain for mechanical wood traits. Both tools provided high measurement rates that resulted in cost efficiencies. Indirect measurements of solid wood properties should be attractive for clonal selection programs that must screen thousands of clones under a finite budget.
Trivariate Distribution Modeling of Tree Diameter, Height, and Volume
Authors: Wang Mingliang , Upadhyay Anoop , Zhang Lianjun
Published: April 2024

Trivariate distribution models were constructed for tree diameter (D), height (H), and volume (V) using a normal copula (a mathematical function that joins or links marginal distribution functions to form multivariate distribution functions). The model parameters were estimated by a two-stage semiparametric method as follows: univariate distribution models were fitted separately for each tree variable, and then the copula dependency (correlation) parameters were independently estimated using empirical distribution functions to approximate the marginal models. Our results indicated that, for the available trivariate data in this study, the log-logistic (a limiting form of the logit-logistic distribution) best described both D and V distributions, whereas the logit-logistic, Johnson's SB, and Weibull marginal models provided roughly the same fitting for the H distribution. The trivariate distribution models produced satisfactory estimates of trivariate frequencies for the three variables, as well as the volume predictions from the resulting median regression models, which were comparable with commonly used volume regression models. The advantage of the normal copula method is that one can use any marginal models suitable for modeling tree diameter, height, and volume distributions separately, rather than being restricted to the SB marginal model in Johnson's SBBB system.
Synthesis of Regional Wildlife and Vegetation Field Studies to Guide Management of Standing and Down Dead Trees
Authors: Marcot Bruce G. , Ohmann Janet L. , Mellen-McLean Kim , Waddell Karen L.
Published: April 2024

We used novel methods for combining information from wildlife and vegetation field studies to develop guidelines for managing dead wood for wildlife and biodiversity. The DecAID Decayed Wood Advisor presents data on wildlife use of standing and down dead trees (snags and down wood) and summaries of regional vegetation plot data depicting dead wood conditions, for forests across the Pacific Northwest United States. We combined data on wildlife use by snag diameter and density and by down wood diameter and cover, across studies, using parametric techniques of meta-analysis. We calculated tolerance intervals, which represent the percentage of each species' population that uses particular sizes or amounts of snags and down wood, and rank-ordered the species into cumulative species curves. We combined data on snags and down wood from > 16,000 field plots from three regional forest inventories and calculated distribution-free tolerance intervals compatible with those compiled for wildlife to facilitate integrated analysis. We illustrate our methods using an example for one vegetation condition. The statistical summaries in DecAID use a probabilistic approach, which works well in a risk analysis and management framework, rather than a deterministic approach. Our methods may prove useful to others faced with similar problems of combining information across studies in other regions or for other data types.
Population Estimation Using Partial Double Sampling
Authors: Loehle Craig
Published: April 2024

Detectability issues create uncertainty in field surveys of populations. Methods to overcome this problem include mark-recapture methods and double sampling. Partial double sampling involves estimating detectability, , and using this to correct the estimate in areas sampled only once. Results of this study indicate that, if population density is not uniform across sample units, there is a tradeoff for a given sampling effort, with lower population estimation error for double sampling only a portion of the area when spatial variance and/or detectability are lower but lower error for partial double sampling when spatial variance and/or detectability are higher. Thus, whereas standard double sampling increases precision, it does not give adequate accuracy in the face of spatial variation unless the entire area can be surveyed twice, which is more expensive.
Genetic Variation of Stem Forking in Loblolly Pine
Authors: Xiong Jin S. , Isik Fikret , McKeand Steven E. , Whetten Ross W.
Published: April 2024

Forking defects were studied in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in 6-year-old genetic tests from the second cycle of breeding in the North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program. Data were available from 268 test series (each with two 6-parent half-diallel mating designs, with 12 parents, 30 crosses, and 144 progeny per cross) over six geographic regions. A subset of 123 series with average forking between 20 and 80% was used for genetic analysis. Forking differed significantly among regions, with the highest in the Upper Gulf Coastal Plain (24%) and the lowest in the Georgia-Florida Coastal Plain (12%). The individual-tree heritabilities were low (0.06), but the half-sib (0.76), narrow-sense full-sib (0.59), and broad-sense full-sib (0.71) family-mean heritabilities were moderately high. This result suggests that forking is partially under genetic control at the family level, but at the individual tree level, it is mostly determined by the environment. Genetic gain was estimated for half-sib family selection with a selection differential of 20%. Gain ranged from 12 to 23% reduction in forking across different regions. A weak unfavorable genetic correlation (0.18) was found between forking and height, suggesting that selection for growth alone will negatively affect forking in loblolly pine. A favorable genetic correlation (0.33) was found between forking and straightness.
Effects of Planting Density and Seed Source on Loblolly Pine Stands in Southeastern Oklahoma
Authors: Will Rodney , Hennessey Thomas , Lynch Thomas , Holeman Randal , Heinemann Robert
Published: April 2024

Since the early 1970s, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations have been established west of the native range of the species in the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma, using faster-growing seed sources from coastal North Carolina (NCC) rather than Oklahoma or Arkansas (O/A). Although the NCC sources outperform O/A sources early in stand development, it is not known how these provenances will perform later in stand development when density-dependent mortality is occurring. We tested the effects of planting density (1,075, 1,680, 2,990, and 6,725 trees ha−1) and seed source (NCC and O/A) on stand and tree attributes for 25-year-old plantations located on a droughty, mountain soil in southeastern Oklahoma. Survival decreased with increasing stand density but did not differ among sources. Average tree diameter also decreased with increasing planting density (25.5 to 15.8 cm), and, again, the pattern was consistent across provenances. Average tree heights decreased with stand density (18.6 to 16.8 m); however, the NCC seed source was taller than the O/A seed source (18.4 versus 17.0 m). This resulted in NCC stands maintaining greater stand volume than O/A stands (329 versus 301 m3 ha−1). Basal area was similar among seed sources and did not significantly differ among densities (average 49.0 m2 ha−1). These results indicate that over 25 years, the NCC seed source performed better than the regional seed source even when grown under extremely high densities and experiencing density-dependent mortality.
Adoption of Woodland Management Practices by Private Forest Owners in Virginia
Authors: Rasamoelina Maminiaina S. , Johnson James E. , Hull R. Bruce
Published: April 2024

Sustainable management of private forests is a key issue to ensure sound rural economics and a flow of ecosystem benefits. Logistic regression models for the adoption of woodland management practices by Virginia private forest owners were developed, and they correctly classified between 66 and 89% of the cases. Separate models were developed for specific practices that improve forest health and productivity or protection and general practices associated with any type of rural landownership, such as surveying property boundary lines. For specific practices, adoption was most influenced by the use of technical assistance, followed by use of a written management plan, economic motivations, and attendance at educational programs. Probabilities of adoption ranged from 3% for forest owners who did not have any technical assistance nor used a management plan and had low economic motivations to 70% for owners who had technical assistance, used a management plan, and had high economic motivation. The general management practices were adopted at a higher rate (from 51 to 99%) and were predicted by landowners’ use of financial assistance, recreational motivations, and economic motivations.
Property Value Impacts of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Residential Forests
Authors: Holmes Thomas P. , Murphy Elizabeth A. , Bell Kathleen P. , Royle Denise D.
Published: April 2024

This study estimates the economic losses attributable to a nonindigenous forest insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsuga), using cross-sectional and difference-in-difference hedonic price models. The data span a decade of residential property value transactions in West Milford, New Jersey. Hemlock health in naturally regenerated hemlock stands was measured biannually over this period using remote sensing data and the image differencing technique. These data were linked with spatially referenced land use and land cover data, measured twice during the decade, and the locations and housing characteristics associated with parcels sold. Spatial dependence in the regression models was addressed using spatial error and fixed-effects panel data models. The empirical results demonstrated that hemlock decline consistently caused statistically significant reductions in property values both for parcels containing hemlock resources as well as for neighboring nonhemlock parcels. We conclude that failure to account for spatial spillover effects would downwardly bias estimates of economic losses and total economic losses on properties sold during the study period ranged from $0.64 million in the parcel level cross-section model to $2.2 million in the 0.5-km neighborhood difference-in-difference model.
Private Net Benefits from Afforesting Marginal Cropland and Shrubland with Cork Oaks in Spain
Authors: Ovando Paola , Campos Pablo , Oviedo José L. , Montero Gregorio
Published: April 2024

We estimate the private net benefits from afforesting marginal shrubland and cropland with cork oaks at two Spanish cork oak sites, Aljibe and Gavarres, in different time horizon frames. The analysis integrates market and nonmarket (landowner amenity) private capital incomes, including government afforestation grants. We apply cost-benefit analysis techniques for estimating the investment present value in the periods analyzed, taking residual values of cork oak woodland into account. The results show that the profitability rate of cork oak afforestation strongly depends on government subsidies. The value of private amenities, at least in Aljibe, seems to be positively affected by the forest area's share of the total estate surface. Thus, an increase in the afforested area would enhance the private amenity annual income with respect to maintaining the original property land's treeless uses. A higher level of private amenities attached to the forest area may imply a reduction in government grants for encouraging cork oak afforestation.
Simulating Fire and Forest Dynamics for a Landscape Fuel Treatment Project in the Sierra Nevada
Authors: Collins Brandon M. , Stephens Scott L. , Roller Gary B. , Battles John J.
Published: April 2024

We evaluated an actual landscape fuel treatment project that was designed by local US Forest Service managers in the northern Sierra Nevada. We modeled the effects of this project on reducing landscape-level fire behavior at multiple time steps, up to nearly 30 years beyond treatment implementation. In addition, we modeled planned treatments under multiple diameter-limited thinning scenarios to assess potential impacts on fuel treatment effectiveness. The planned fuel treatments reduced modeled conditional burn probabilities substantially across the landscape relative to those for a scenario with no simulated treatments. This reduction relative to that for the no treatment landscape was evident approximately 20 years after simulated treatment implementation. Although diameter-limited thinning scenarios resulted in different residual forest stand structures, we detected no real differences in modeled landscape-level burn probabilities. The modeling adaptations we made with respect to fuel model selection and simulated ingrowth/regeneration over simulated time, as well as incorporation of variable winds in fire simulations, collectively contribute to a robust analysis of the study area.
Hunter Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Hunting Leases
Authors: Munn Ian , Hussain Anwar , Hudson Darren , West Ben C.
Published: April 2024

Previous analyses of hunting leases need to be refined by addressing the decision to lease, incremental willingness to pay (WTP) for those already leasing, and number of leases purchased. Requisite data for this study were generated on the basis of a survey of Mississippi resident and nonresident hunters. Results suggested that a hunter decision to purchase a lease was influenced by hunting avidity, availability of alternative hunting access options, perceived hunter crowding on public lands relative to private lands, and household income, whereas the number of leases purchased was influenced by alternative access options and hunter perception of congestion on public lands compared with that on private land. Thus, factors influencing the decision whether or not to purchase a lease and number of leases purchased were not the same. Incremental median WTP ranged from $0.56 to $6.40 per acre, depending on alternative hunting access options, hunter perception of crowding on public lands, availability of game species on leased lands, and duration of the lease agreement. This result suggested that Mississippi landowners who currently allow hunting access may be able to enhance lease-related total gross annual financial returns by $800 to $9,200 if they improved management of their lands or modified their lease agreements consistent with hunters' genuine concerns.
Investigating the Utilization of Potassium Fertilizer in a Pinus patula Schiede Ex Schltdl. & Cham. Plantation
Authors: Crous Jacob W. , Morris Andrew R. , Scholes Mary C.
Published: April 2024

Previous research indicated that the application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer to Mexican weeping pine (Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham.) on gabbro-derived soils was necessary to correct a second rotation yield decline. To plan efficient fertilization of subsequent rotations, the fate and utilization of the applied K fertilizer was investigated using the rubidium (Rb)/K reverse tracer technique whereby the naturally occurring Rb in the soil was used as an indicator of native soil K. At the age of 15 years, samples from the soil, forest floor, bark, wood and live foliage were collected from a trial in which various amounts of P and K fertilizer were applied at different stages of stand development. No significant quantity of the applied K remained in the soil at the end of the 15-year rotation, but sufficient plant-available P remained on plots where 80 kg ha−1 P and K was applied. Significantly greater quantities of P per ha were found in the forest floor, wood, and foliage on the plots that received 40 or 80 kg ha−1 P and K compared with the control. The application of 80 kg ha−1 P and K increased the P content of the wood and foliage over that recorded in the 40 kg ha−1 P and K treatment. The application of 80 kg ha−1 P and K increased the K content of the forest floor and foliage compared with that of the control. Across all PK quantities, fertilizer K contributed 28, 17, and 8% to the quantity of K in the wood, bark, and foliage, respectively. The export of up to 52 kg K ha−1 from the site in wood and bark will necessitate the reapplication of at least 104 kg K ha−1 to the subsequent rotation to produce timber sustainably on the gabbro-derived soils at Usutu.
Kernel Regression of Directional Data with Application to Wind and Wildfire Data in Los Angeles County, California
Authors: Xu Haiyong , Nichols Kevin , Schoenberg Frederic P.
Published: April 2024

This article describes a method of kernel regression that can be used to investigate the relationship between a directional explanatory variable and a real-valued response variable. Cross-validation and bootstrap methods for obtaining sensible bandwidths and standard error estimates are also described. The proposed method is applied to wildfire and meteorological data from Los Angeles County, California, with the goal of summarizing and quantifying the impact of wind direction on the total area burned in wildfires ignited on a particular day. The results confirm that winds blowing from the northeast and east are associated with the ignition of wildfires of significantly larger burn areas than winds from other directions; the mean burn area of wildfires ignited on days with winds from the northeast is approximately 4.7 times that associated with the winds from the southwest. A major reason for this increase in burn area is confounding of wind direction with meteorological variables such as temperature, wind speed, and humidity, but even when generalized additive modeling is used to control for these meteorological variables, winds from the northeast are still associated with the ignition of fires of substantially larger burn areas.
Potential Influence of Forest Management on Regional Carbon Stocks: An Assessment of Alternative Scenarios in the Northern Lake States, USA
Authors: Bradford John B.
Published: April 2024

Forest management affects stand age. In consideration of the strong link between stand age and carbon cycling, altering harvesting regimes can influence regional carbon stocks and sequestration. Recent research has quantified ecosystem carbon stocks across stand age in upland conifer and aspen–birch forests of the northern Lake States. This study applied those relationships to assess how forest management could influence carbon stocks in these two forest types. US Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data were used to estimate current regional age structure and management intensity and state Gap Analysis Program data were used to assess forest type abundance. Across the region, current carbon stocks in aspen–birch and upland conifer forests are estimated to be 590 and 367 Tg C, respectively. Ceasing timber harvesting over the next century would increase the prevalence of older stands and increase ecosystem carbon stocks by 54% (31% in 50 years) and 30% (19% in 50 years) in aspen–birch and upland conifer forests, respectively. Harvesting aspen–birch stands would change ecosystem carbon stocks by +4% or −13% under annual harvesting of 1 or 2%, respectively. Harvesting upland conifer stands at a rate of 1 or 2% every year would decrease ecosystem carbon by 3 and 18%, respectively. Carbon from harvested material partly compensates for differences in total carbon stocks between no-harvest and harvest scenarios, suggesting a net positive carbon sequestration in all scenarios within 100 years. These results provide insight into the potential maximum impact of forest management on carbon stocks and sequestration in these two forest types.
Application of on-pack pH indicators to monitor freshness of modified atmospheric packaged raw beef
Authors: Bhadury Debarati , Nadeem Humayun , Lin Maoqi , Dyson Jennifer M , Tuck Kellie L , Tanner Joanne
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To deveop on-pack visual indicators for the real-time monitoring of raw beef steaks in a modified atmospheric packaging (MAP).

Materials and Methods

Three indicators were prepared by spray deposition of a nanocellulose suspension (1.5%, in mass) with the desired concentration of the pH-sensitive indicators, either red cabbage (RC) extract, black carrot (BC) extract, or chlorophenol red (CPR). The responsiveness of the colorimetric pH indicators, assessed visually and by CIE-Lab quantitative analysis, to the freshness of raw beef steaks stored under MAP conditions at 4 °C or 20 °C, was analysed over 7 d.

Results

All the indicators showed a colour change for beef steak stored at 4 °C for 7 d that was noticeable with the naked eye and had a ΔE value>12. The sensitivity of the RC pH indicator was superior to that of the BC and CPR pH indicators. A study linking total microbial count (aerobic+Escherichia coli+coliform) and the quantitative colorimetric response of the indicators (ΔE) revealed a strong linear correlation.

Conclusions

The developed colorimetric pH indicators could be used to monitor the freshness of raw beef and as an alternative to the best-before date commonly used in pre-packaged meat.
Understanding the barriers to integrating maternal and mental health at primary health care in Vietnam
Authors: Trang Do Thi Hanh , Ha Bui Thi Thu , Vui Le Thi , Chi Nguyen Thai Quynh , Thi Le Minh , Duong Doan Thi Thuy , Hung Dang The , Cronin de Chavez Anna , Manzano Ana , Lakin Kimberly , Kane Sumit , Mirzoev Tolib
Published: April 2024

The prevalence of common perinatal mental disorders in Vietnam ranges from 16.9% to 39.9%, and substantial treatment gaps have been identified at all levels. This paper explores constraints to the integration of maternal and mental health services at the primary healthcare level and the implications for the health system’s responsiveness to the needs and expectations of pregnant women with mental health conditions in Vietnam. As part of the RESPONSE project, a three-phase realist evaluation study, we present Phase 1 findings, which employed systematic and scoping literature reviews and qualitative data collection (focus groups and interviews) with key health system actors in Bac Giang province, Vietnam, to understand the barriers to maternal mental healthcare provision, utilization and integration strategies. A four-level framing of the barriers to integrating perinatal mental health services in Vietnam was used in reporting findings, which comprised individual, sociocultural, organizational and structural levels. At the sociocultural and structural levels, these barriers included cultural beliefs about the holistic notion of physical and mental health, stigma towards mental health, biomedical approach to healthcare services, absence of comprehensive mental health policy and a lack of mental health workforce. At the organizational level, there was an absence of clinical guidelines on the integration of mental health in routine antenatal visits, a shortage of staff and poor health facilities. Finally, at the provider level, a lack of knowledge and training on mental health was identified. The integration of mental health into routine antenatal visits at the primary care level has the potential help to reduce stigma towards mental health and improve health system responsiveness by providing services closer to the local level, offering prompt attention, better choice of services and better communication while ensuring privacy and confidentiality of services. This can improve the demand for mental health services and help reduce the delay of care-seeking.
The Saavedra Lamas Peace: How a Norm Complex Evolved and Crystallized to Eliminate War in the Americas
Authors: Schenoni Luis L , Goertz Gary , Owsiak Andrew P , Diehl Paul F
Published: April 2024

Abstracts

After the Napoleonic Wars interstate war regularly occurred throughout the Western Hemisphere—until in matter of decades it disappeared. After the 1930s even low-level militarized interstate conflict became less frequent, shorter, and less severe over time. What explains the change in this specific region and historical jucture? We argue that leaders in the Americas identified territorial disputes and foreign intervention as interrelated problems that frequently caused the interstate war. In response, they developed a unique regional norm-complex that bundled together the norms of territorial integrity and non-intervention with the principle of peaceful conflict resolution. This norm complex emerged via Latin American entrepreneurship shortly after independence, cascaded with Pan-Americanism, and crystallized around the signature of the Saavedra Lamas Treaty in the early 1930s. We explain how, why, and when norm complexes develop. We then investigate the evolution and effects of the Latin American norm complex via statistics and within-case counterfactuals. We conclude that interstate war disappeared from the Americas with the acceptance and codification of this norm-complex.
Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target attainment analysis of IV fosfomycin for the treatment of MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections
Authors: Wangchinda Walaiporn , Pogue Jason M , Thamlikitkul Visanu , Leelawattanachai Pannee , Koomanachai Pornpan , Pai Manjunath P
Published: April 2024

Background

IV fosfomycin is used against MDR Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) but has dose-limiting side effects, especially in patients with impaired kidney function.

Objectives

To determine the optimal dosage of IV fosfomycin for patients with varying degrees of kidney function.

Methods

Adult patients receiving IV fosfomycin for treatment of GNB were eligible. Five serial blood samples were collected after at least three doses of fosfomycin; plasma was assayed by LC-MS/MS and modelled by population pharmacokinetic analysis. The PTA for AUC24/MIC of 98.9 for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 40.8 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were computed by Monte Carlo simulations. Cumulative fractions of response (CFR) were analysed for each pathogen using EUCAST MIC distributions.

Results

A total of 24 patients were included. Creatinine clearance (CLCR) and gender significantly influenced fosfomycin clearance. The kidney function-adjusted dosing regimens are proposed by using the lowest dose that can achieve ≥90% PTA for AUC24/MIC of 98.9 at an MIC of ≤32 mg/L (EUCAST v.13 susceptibility breakpoint for Enterobacterales). For patients with normal kidney function (CLCR 91–120 mL/min), a dosage of 15 g/day is suggested. This regimen achieved 97.1% CFR against E. coli, whereas CFR was 72.9% for K. pneumoniae and 76.7% for P. aeruginosa.

Conclusions

A fosfomycin dosage of 15 g/day with adjustment according to kidney function provided high PTA and CFR when treating E. coli. This dosage is lower than that used in current practice and may improve tolerability. Higher dosages may be needed for P. aeruginosa; however, safety data are limited.
PresRecST: a novel herbal prescription recommendation algorithm for real-world patients with integration of syndrome differentiation and treatment planning
Authors: Dong Xin , Zhao Chenxi , Song Xinpeng , Zhang Lei , Liu Yu , Wu Jun , Xu Yiran , Xu Ning , Liu Jialing , Yu Haibin , Yang Kuo , Zhou Xuezhong
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Herbal prescription recommendation (HPR) is a hot topic and challenging issue in field of clinical decision support of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, almost all previous HPR methods have not adhered to the clinical principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment planning of TCM, which has resulted in suboptimal performance and difficulties in application to real-world clinical scenarios.

Materials and Methods

We emphasize the synergy among diagnosis and treatment procedure in real-world TCM clinical settings to propose the PresRecST model, which effectively combines the key components of symptom collection, syndrome differentiation, treatment method determination, and herb recommendation. This model integrates a self-curated TCM knowledge graph to learn the high-quality representations of TCM biomedical entities and performs 3 stages of clinical predictions to meet the principle of systematic sequential procedure of TCM decision making.

Results

To address the limitations of previous datasets, we constructed the TCM-Lung dataset, which is suitable for the simultaneous training of the syndrome differentiation, treatment method determination, and herb recommendation. Overall experimental results on 2 datasets demonstrate that the proposed PresRecST outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithm by significant improvements (eg, improvements of P@5 by 4.70%, P@10 by 5.37%, P@20 by 3.08% compared with the best baseline).

Discussion

The workflow of PresRecST effectively integrates the embedding vectors of the knowledge graph for progressive recommendation tasks, and it closely aligns with the actual diagnostic and treatment procedures followed by TCM doctors. A series of ablation experiments and case study show the availability and interpretability of PresRecST, indicating the proposed PresRecST can be beneficial for assisting the diagnosis and treatment in real-world TCM clinical settings.

Conclusion

Our technology can be applied in a progressive recommendation scenario, providing recommendations for related items in a progressive manner, which can assist in providing more reliable diagnoses and herbal therapies for TCM clinical task.
Specificities of Management of Perineal Burns
Authors: Boccara David , Chaouat Marc , Serror Kevin , Mimoun Maurice , Vairinho Alexandre
Published: April 2024

There is a paucity of articles addressing the management strategy for perineal burns. Pelvic floor burns present a multitude of problems. These relate to the management of stool, urine, areas of maceration, significant strain, and the risk of infection. The objective of this study was to analyze a consecutive series of perineal burns by studying their characteristics, treatment, and management of urine and feces. This was a retrospective study including 100 patients between January 2018 and December 2022. The patients had all been hospitalized after suffering burns to the perineum. In 28% of the patients, the perineal burn was complicated by infection. In 61% of cases, a cutaneous infection, in 32% of cases, a urinary tract infection, in 25% of cases, a respiratory tract infection, and in 7% of cases, an infection of the digestive tract. Superinfection is associated with an increased risk of poor engraftment. A total of 100% of the patients with poor or average engraftment had an infection in the aftermath of the burn, compared with 20% of the patients with excellent engraftment and 61% of the patients with good engraftment. In our series, the analysis revealed that, in 95% of cases, no specific procedures were implemented for stool management. Perianal involvement was associated with a risk of sub-excellent engraftment. The results were statistically significant, with P = .005 and an OR = 8.72 after multivariate analysis. We favor the least invasive approach to stool management. Indications for a rectal catheter arise in patients with the following characteristics: the patient must be sedated, the burns must be deep and close to the anal opening, and the stools must be watery and abundant. In 95% of cases, we do not install a stool management device. Colostomies should remain exceptional.
A novel hippo swarm optimization: for solving high-dimensional problems and engineering design problems
Authors: Zhou Guoyuan , Du Jiaxuan , Guo Jia , Li Guoliang
Published: April 2024

In recent years, scholars have developed and enhanced optimization algorithms to tackle high-dimensional optimization and engineering challenges. The primary challenge of high-dimensional optimization lies in striking a balance between exploring a wide search space and focusing on specific regions. Meanwhile, engineering design problems are intricate and come with various constraints. This research introduces a novel approach called Hippo Swarm Optimization (HSO), inspired by the behavior of hippos, designed to address high-dimensional optimization problems and real-world engineering challenges. HSO encompasses four distinct search strategies based on the behavior of hippos in different scenarios: starvation search, alpha search, margination, and competition. To assess the effectiveness of HSO, we conducted experiments using the CEC2017 test set, featuring the highest dimensional problems, CEC2022 and four constrained engineering problems. In parallel, we employed 14 established optimization algorithms as a control group. The experimental outcomes reveal that HSO outperforms the 14 well-known optimization algorithms, achieving first average ranking out of them in CEC2017 and CEC2022. Across the four classical engineering design problems, HSO consistently delivers the best results. These results substantiate HSO as a highly effective optimization algorithm for both high-dimensional optimization and engineering challenges.
Focus on…Students and New Professionals: Gain and Share Knowledge, Skills, and Expertise—At Your Computer
Authors: Murgia L.
Published: April 2024

A new online mentoring program through SAF allows students and new professionals to network with experienced natural resource professionals across the country.
Book Review: No Man's Garden: Thoreau and a New Vision for Civilization and Nature
Authors: Forbes W.
Published: April 2024

No Man's Garden: Thoreau and a New Vision for Civilization and Nature, by Daniel B. Botkin, builds the case for an interdisciplinary Thoreau as well as a utilitarian Thoreau interested in the welfare of human society.
Focus on ... Students and New Professionals: Tips for a Successful First Year on the Job
Authors:   none
Published: April 2024

As you enter your new career, it is important to recognize that the first year is a transition stage in which you're not a college student anymore, but you're not really a professional yet, either.
Environmental Management Systems: Assessing Their Level of Use on Industrial Forestlands
Authors: Germain R.H. , Harris S. , Luzadis V.
Published: April 2024

An industry-wide survey of the forest products industry was conducted to measure the development of environmental management systems (EMS) designed to implement sustainable forest management on industrial forestlands. The results indicated that larger capacity, publicly owned operations (i.e., paper or engineered forest products firms) that participated in a forest certification standard exhibited well-developed EMSs. Smaller capacity, privately owned operations, such as sawmills, had poorly or undeveloped EMSs. The study provides a valuable baseline by which to measure future EMS development in the forest products industry.
North Carolina's Natural Heritage Program: A Case for Public–Private Cooperation
Authors: Cassingham K.M. , Sills E.O. , Pattanayak S.K. , Mansfield C.A.
Published: April 2024

Voluntary conservation programs are an effective tool for recognizing and preserving the value of special places on private forestlands. We evaluate private landowner participation in the Natural Heritage Program of North Carolina, finding that landowners are more likely to enroll land with high ecological significance in this voluntary program. Voluntary conservation is less likely on lands that are remote from threats such as roads, that have higher value in other uses, and that are near lands already conserved by the public.
Safe Harbor for the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker: Private Forest Landowners Share Their Views
Authors: Zhang D. , Mehmood S.R.
Published: April 2024

We surveyed North Carolina and South Carolina private forest landowners to learn their attitudes about the Safe Harbor Program initiated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Defense Fund. Landowners who own large amounts of forestland near active clusters of red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis), whose forests have a high proportion of mature pine, and who practice prescribed burning or chemical or mechanical methods to control understory hardwoods are most likely to sign an agreement to participate. We found that the views of program participants and nonparticipants were similar concerning the Endangered Species Act and the alternatives to the Safe Harbor Program.
Focus on ... Field Foresters: Landscape Management System: Bringing Training to Rural Forest Managers
Authors: Hanley D.P. , Mason C.L. , McCarter J.B.
Published: April 2024

The Landscape Management System is an evolving set of software tools designed to aid in forest management planning and education at the stand and landscape levels.
Focus on ... Urban Foresters: How to Transplant Wild-Grown Trees
Authors: Snyder M.
Published: April 2024

You can dig a sapling out of the woods, drag it to a new location, stuff it in the ground, and it may actually live. Sometimes.
Characterizing Loggers' Forest Management Decisions
Authors: Keefer M.J. , Finley J.C. , Luloff A.E. , McDill M.E.
Published: April 2024

Making daily decisions with foresters and landowners, loggers play a critical role in managing forest resources. A study of Pennsylvania loggers was used to explore what factors might influence loggers' forest management decisions. Results from interviews and a mail survey suggest that loggers' choice of improvement thinnings versus diameter-limit cuts depends on their training, attitudes, and interactions with foresters. Specifically, we found that a single introductory course in forest ecology and silviculture can help loggers make more-informed management decisions, but loggers who work with some foresters may make decisions that have potentially negative impacts on the forest. Such insights into the logging industry are important for improving communication between foresters and loggers and thus improving forest practices.
Southern Forest Resource Assessment highlights: Managing for Forest Health
Authors: Mistretta P.A.
Published: April 2024

Both native and exotic insects and diseases affect southern forest health and vitality and therefore have ecological and economic effects. In addition, there are abiotic factors, such as climate change and air pollution, that may interact with and sometimes exacerbate the dynamics of insect and disease outbreaks. Managing for forest health in this changing environment remains a critical challenge for forest managers in the South. The Southern Forest Resource Assessment (SFRA) addressed questions regarding the health of forest ecosystems; this summary of the findings focuses on the implications for forest management in the region.