Changes In Patterns Research Articles

Regional Sea Level Response to External Forcings from the Twentieth to the Twenty-First Century

Abstract Using a range of Detection and Attribution Model Intercomparison Project (DAMIP) simulations from phase 6 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), we study the response of dynamic sea level (DSL) to external anthropogenic climate forcing [greenhouse gases (GHGs), aerosols, and stratospheric ozone] with a focus on the differences over the twentieth and twenty-first century. In the second half of the twentieth century, the DSL nonuniformity in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) was relatively small due to a cancellation between the effects of increasing GHGs and aerosols. In contrast, the DSL signal in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) over this period was large because stratospheric ozone depletion reinforced the effects of increasing GHGs. In the twenty-first century, the DSL response has been intensified in the NH because the warming effects of diminishing aerosols have acted to reinforce the effects of increasing GHGs. Meanwhile, the distribution of SH DSL has also become uneven although stratospheric ozone recovery has partially offset the effects of rising GHGs. Using a global ocean circulation model, we decompose the changes in the twenty-first century DSL into distinct responses to surface forcings including sea surface temperature, salinity, and wind stress. Our results show that the dipole-like pattern of DSL in the North Pacific can be attributed largely to sea surface warming, while the dipole-like pattern in the North Atlantic is attributed to subpolar surface salinity freshening. The belted pattern of DSL changes in the Southern Ocean is induced by both surface warming and intensifying/poleward-shifting westerly winds.

Relationship between dietary knowledge, food preference, and long-short term health status among Chinese adults.

In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards and changes in dietary patterns, dietary knowledge and food preference have been playing an increasingly crucial role in health. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between dietary knowledge, food preference, and long-short term health status among Chinese adults aged 18-70. This study employed cross-sectional data from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey obtained from 4822 adults. We utilized self-assessed health status as an indicator of long-term health status and utilized sickness in the last four weeks as a measure of short-term health status. Taking advantage of ordered probit regression, long-term health status was regressed on all predictors, while the binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing short-term health status. The propensity score matching is employed to account for potential selection bias in analysis, thereby increasing the robustness and credibility of results. The analysis revealed that dietary knowledge and food preference can improve an individual's long-term health status significantly. However, there is no evidence to show that short-term health status is affected by food preference. Furthermore, dietary knowledge is negatively associated with short-term health status. These findings highlight the importance of dietary education and healthy eating habits in improving the long-term health status of Chinese adults. The study suggests implications for public health strategies aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of Chinese adults.

초등돌봄교실 아동의 정서조절 및 사회성 향상을 위한 ETC 기반 집단미술치료 사례연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the changes in emotional regulation ability and social skills im-provement of children using elementary school care classes during the ETC-based group art therapy process. Methods For this purpose, a program was created through literature research and supervision, and an art therapy program was conducted for a total of 10 sessions, 80 minutes per session, once a week with three early school-age children attending a local care class in P City, Gyeonggi-do. The results of analyzing the change pat-terns by session and stage of ETC-based group art therapy according to the components of emotion regulation and sociality by collecting institutional reports and interview data, session-specific observation logs, work data, and researchers' research logs are as follows. Results Through group art therapy based on ETC, children improved their ability to regulate their own emotions and understand the emotions of others, and positive changes were seen in appropriately managing the intensity of negative emotions, especially in angry or aggressive situations. . Positive changes in emotion regulation ability were confirmed. In addition, positive changes in social skills centered on interpersonal relationships, cooperation, and sociality were confirmed. Conclusions This study demonstrates that ETC-based group art therapy has a positive effect on improving emo-tional regulation and social skills of children using elementary school care classes, and is expected to provide use-ful guidelines for designing and implementing children's emotional regulation and social development programs.

Enhancing psychological insights through machine learning: A new paradigm for guided understanding

On this age of technological advancement, the integration of system mastering's into human psychology is reworking our information of the human mind. This paper explores how advanced computational strategies are reshaping studies to find patterns of behaviour, emotional change, and tendencies in mental health. Evaluation of big datasets thru machine getting to know, together with social media and wearables, subtly detects feelings and predicts mental health troubles. Moral worries including privateness and bias require collaboration among psychologists, records scientists, and other specialists. Actual-world cases illustrate the function of device getting to know in detecting behaviour and advancing remedies. The want for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical implementation is emphasised, with the promise of a destiny with advanced mental insights.

Precipitation Trend Analysis of Highland, India

Highland regions often rely heavily on agriculture for livelihoods. Rainfall (including snowfall) trends can directly impact crop yields and agricultural productivity. Monitoring rainfall trends aid in assessing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, habitat suitability, and ecosystem services. Highland regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Analyzing long-term rainfall trends provides valuable insights into climate change patterns and helps in formulating adaptation strategies to cope with changing environmental conditions. This study is based on the long-term rainfall analysis using a novel method called the 5-year lag method. The analysis has been carried out annually and the four seasons- January and February (winter/cold weather season), March, April, and May (Pre-monsoon/summer/hot weather/thunderstorm season), June, July, August and September (South-west monsoon/summer monsoon season), October, November and December (Post-monsoon/north-east monsoon/retreating south-west monsoon season).

Centennial-scale cooling-induced megadroughts in Myanmar’s tropical arid region over the past 8000 years

The future impact of global warming on tropical arid regions is unclear due to uncertainties about the correlation between rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. A critical factor is the reliability of the sedimentary chronologies. Hence, to better understand the potential long-term consequences of climatic warming or cooling for tropical arid regions we compared a pollen record from the annually-laminated sediments of a crater lake in Myanmar with ice core records of the Siberian High, both of which have an annual resolution. Our findings reveal that over the past 8,000 years, the Myanmar region experienced six significant drought events, three of which coincided precisely with intensifications of the Siberian High-pressure system. Furthermore, five out of these six events were synchronous with the North Atlantic Bond events within the limit of the dating uncertainties. Conversely, warm periods were associated with increased precipitation along with relatively short-lived drought events. Our findings suggest that regardless of the El Niño intensity, a cooling trend in the Northern Hemisphere may result in persistent extreme drought conditions in arid tropical regions. Therefore, as well as the environmental implications of global warming, it is also important to address the potential hazards associated with cooling, especially in arid tropical regions. To facilitate effective disaster management and to develop strategies for climate change mitigation, it is crucial to better understand the complex relationship between temperature fluctuations and drought. Overall, our findings are a reminder of the importance of not ignoring the potential disasters that may arise from cooling trends while focusing exclusively on warming.

Spatiotemporal changes and drivers of ecological security based on an improved ecological footprint model: the case of Hubei Province, China

The increasing contradiction between resource supply and demand has brought ecological security (ES) to the forefront. Research on the changes of ES pattern and their driving factors is crucial for coordinating the regional ecological and economic development. Hubei Province in China exhibits uneven distribution of resources and a fragile ecological environment. In this study, an improved ecological footprint (EF) model was employed to analyze the changes in the ES pattern of Hubei Province. And the logarithmic mean Divisia index model was introduced to analyze the corresponding driving factors. The results showed that (1) from 2000 to 2020, the EF per capita (ef), the ecological carrying capacity per capita (ecc), and the ecological deficit (ED) per capita (ed) of Hubei Province increased by 47.11%, 2.71%, and 51.72%, respectively. In 2020, the cities in the province were in a state of ED, and the spatial distribution was ‘high in the central part of the province and low in the east and west’. (2) Each ef type showed an increasing trend. The increase in ef mostly came from the increase in fisheries ef, fossil energy ef and cropland ef, with a contribution of 76.70%. The increase in ecc is mainly due to the increase in freshwater ecc, with a contribution of 274.87%. (3) The ecological pressure in the province continued to rise and has been in a state of being completely unsafe. The efficiency of ecological resource use has increased, and the ecological structure tends to be rationalized, but the ecological-economic coordination has weakened. (4) The overall EF growth in the province is mostly driven by economic, population and footprint structure factors, while footprint intensity suppresses EF growth. Therefore, it is advised to boost investment in eco-friendly tech, foster green economy growth, and prioritize renewable energy development. This study can provide a reference basis for policy formulation on environmental sustainability and ecosystem management.

Emergent constraints on the future East Asian winter surface air temperature changes

In East Asia, the climate variability in boreal winter is dominated by the East Asian winter monsoon, one of the most energetic monsoon systems that can lead to disasters. The key variable, the East Asian winter surface air temperature (SAT), has significantly changed over the past century and has substantially impacted agriculture, ecosystems, economics, and public health. However, its projections are limited by considerable uncertainties. Here, we identify the first leading mode that explains almost 29.6% of the inter-model spread in future SAT change. Our research delves into the evolution of present-day biases under future scenarios and their consequential impact on the SAT. Models with stronger western currents’ heat transport in the North Pacific exhibit a warmer North Pacific at mid-latitudes during historical periods. Additionally, these models consistently demonstrate stronger western currents in the future, contributing to the amplified warming of the western North Pacific, thereby warming Eurasia via the weakened trough and subtropical jet through barotropic responses to the warm North Pacific. Incorporating observational sea surface temperature constraints reduces uncertainties by 9.40%, revealing a more reliable SAT change pattern by the end of the 21st century.

Spirometry Interpretation After Implementation of Race-Neutral Reference Equations in Children.

The implications of adopting race-neutral reference equations on spirometry interpretation in children remain unknown. To examine how spirometry results and patterns change when transitioning from Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) race-specific reference equations (GLIR, 2012) to GLI race-neutral reference equations (GLIN, 2023). Cross-sectional study of spirometry tests conducted in children aged 6 to 21 years between 2012 and 2022 at 2 large academic pediatric institutions in the US. Data were analyzed from September 2023 to March 2024. Data on participant characteristics and raw test measurements were collected. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC z scores and percent predicted were calculated using both GLIR and GLIN. In addition, test results were categorized into normal, obstructive, suspected restrictive, mixed, suspected dysanapsis, and uncategorized patterns based on z scores calculated using GLIR or GLIN. For each spirometry result, the difference between z scores and percent predicted when transitioning from GLIR to GLIN was calculated. The proportion of tests with a normal pattern and individual spirometry patterns changed by GLI reference equation applied were also examined. Data from 24 630 children were analyzed (mean [SD] age, 12.1 [3.8] years). There were 3848 Black children (15.6%), 19 503 White children (79.2%), and 1279 children of other races (5.2%). Following implementation of GLIN, FEV1 and FVC z scores decreased in Black children (mean difference, -0.814; 95% CI, -0.823 to -0.806; P < .001; and -0.911; 95% CI, -0.921 to -0.902; P < .001, respectively), while FEV1 and FVC z scores slightly increased (0.073; 95% CI, 0.069 to 0.076; P < .001). Similar changes were found when using percent predicted. In Black children, the number of tests with a normal pattern decreased from 2642 (68.7%) to 2383 (61.9%) (χ21 = 204.81; P < .001), mostly due to tests with a normal pattern transitioning to a suspected restrictive or uncategorized pattern. Opposite, albeit smaller, changes in spirometry results and patterns were seen in White children. In adjusted models, Black children had approximately 3-fold higher odds than White children of changing spirometry pattern following the implementation of GLIN (adjusted odds ratio, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.86 to 3.48; P < .001). Pronounced differences in spirometry results and patterns were found when switching between GLI reference equations, which markedly differed by race. These findings suggest that the implementation of GLIN is likely to change the treatment of children with chronic lung diseases that are more prevalent in underrepresented minorities, such as asthma.

Explaining the Dynamics of Transition to an Integrated WEF System: Two Cases of Irrigated Agriculture in Oregon, USA

In recent years, the integrated Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach has gained traction as a more effective way to manage these interdependent and essential resources. A growing number of traditional food and water irrigation systems in Oregon, USA are transitioning to modernized, holistic, and sustainable Hydro-Irrigation-Restoration Systems that embrace the WEF Nexus approach (Weber 2017). The question is: what factors explain the successful transition? Two cases of irrigation modernization in Hood River, Oregon demonstrate that system transitions follow a pattern of socio-technical change wherein four structural factors are key: economic incentives, changing values expressed in regulations, technological innovation, and external shocks (e.g., major disasters). Yet, while the structural variables associated with the social-technical change approach are necessary for explaining the transitions to new WEF systems in Hood River, they are not sufficient. The case studies display the crucial importance of individual agency, or the actor dynamics capable of enabling or hindering system transformations (see Van Driel and Schot 2005, 54). Chief among these &amp;ldquo;agency&amp;rdquo; factors are (1) facilitative, visionary, trust-worthy leadership, (2) the cultivation of trust and collaborative problem-solving capacity, (3) the willingness to embrace risk and trade short-term costs for the potential of long term gains (e.g., low discount rates), and (4) the adoption of a new set of ideas, or shared norms, governing decision-making which embraced the idea that an integrated, modernized system could simultaneously promote economic, environmental, and energy sustainability.

TAD border deletion at the Kit locus causes tissue-specific ectopic activation of a neighboring gene

Topologically associated domains (TADs) restrict promoter-enhancer interactions, thereby maintaining the spatiotemporal pattern of gene activity. However, rearrangements of the TADs boundaries do not always lead to significant changes in the activity pattern. Here, we investigated the consequences of the TAD boundaries deletion on the expression of developmentally important genes encoding tyrosine kinase receptors: Kit, Kdr, Pdgfra. We used genome editing in mice to delete the TADs boundaries at the Kit locus and characterized chromatin folding and gene expression in pure cultures of fibroblasts, mast cells, and melanocytes. We found that although Kit is highly active in both mast cells and melanocytes, deletion of the TAD boundary between the Kit and Kdr genes results in ectopic activation only in melanocytes. Thus, the epigenetic landscape, namely the mutual arrangement of enhancers and actively transcribing genes, is important for predicting the consequences of the TAD boundaries removal. We also found that mice without a TAD border between the Kit and Kdr genes have a phenotypic manifestation of the mutation — a lighter coloration. Thus, the data obtained shed light on the principles of interaction between the 3D chromatin organization and epigenetic marks in the regulation of gene activity.

Rapid dynamics of electrophysiological connectome states are heritable

Abstract Time-varying changes in whole-brain connectivity patterns, or connectome state dynamics, are a prominent feature of brain activity with broad functional implications. While infra-slow (&amp;lt;0.1 Hz) connectome dynamics have been extensively studied with fMRI, rapid dynamics highly relevant for cognition are poorly understood. Here, we asked whether rapid electrophysiological connectome dynamics constitute subject-specific brain traits and to what extent they are under genetic influence. Using source-localized EEG connectomes during resting-state (N = 928, 473 females), we quantified heritability of multivariate (multi-state) features describing temporal or spatial characteristics of connectome dynamics. States switched rapidly every ∼60–500 ms. Temporal features were heritable, particularly, Fractional Occupancy (in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands) and Transition Probability (in theta, alpha, and gamma bands), representing the duration spent in each state and the frequency of state switches, respectively. Genetic effects explained a substantial proportion of phenotypic variance of these features: Fractional Occupancy in beta (44.3%) and gamma (39.8%) bands and Transition Probability in theta (38.4%), alpha (63.3%), beta (22.6%), and gamma (40%) bands. However, we found no evidence for heritability of dynamic spatial features, specifically states’ Modularity and connectivity pattern. We conclude that genetic effects shape individuals’ connectome dynamics at rapid timescales, specifically states’ overall occurrence and sequencing.

Associations between Stress Mindset and Changes in Positive Affect during a Speech Task: A Preliminary Study

A stress mindset is an individual’s belief that stress has either enhancing (stress-is-enhancing mindset: SEM) or debilitating (stress-is-debilitating mindset: SDM) consequences. This study examined the associations between SEM and changes in positive affect during a speech task using a sample of 32 Japanese college students as participants. It was hypothesized that participants with SEM would show a greater increase in positive affect over time than those with SDM. The participants rested for three minutes, prepared for three minutes, delivered a speech about themselves in front of an evaluator and video camera (task period), and again rested for three minutes. Positive affect was measured immediately after the two resting periods and during the speech. The participants were divided into groups of 17 and 15 in the SEM and SDM groups, respectively, based on their stress mindset scores. Both groups were fairly matched concerning age and male/female ratio. Change patterns of positive affect did not differ between the two groups, which did not support the hypothesis. However, positive affect was significantly higher in the SEM group compared with the SDM group. The present results differed from previous findings reported in North America. Inconsistent results are discussed related to differences in the speech task and cross-cultural variations of happiness and coping with stressors between North America and Japan.

Which contributes more to the relict flora distribution pattern in East Asia, geographical processes or climate change? New evidence from the phylogeography of Rehderodendron kwangtungense

BackgroundRelict species are important for enhancing the understanding of modern biogeographic distribution patterns. Although both geological and climatic changes since the Cenozoic have affected the relict flora in East Asia, the contributions of geographical processes remain unclear. In this study, we employed restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) and shallow genome sequencing data, in conjunction with ecological niche modeling (ENM), to investigate the spatial genetic patterns and population differentiation history of the relict species Rehderodendron kwangtungense Chun.ResultsA total of 138 individuals from 16 populations were collected, largely covering the natural distribution of R. kwangtungense. The genetic diversity within the R. kwangtungense populations was extremely low (HO = 0.048 ± 0.019; HE = 0.033 ± 0.011). Mantel tests revealed isolation-by-distance pattern (R2 = 0.38, P < 0.001), and AMOVA analysis showed that the genetic variation of R. kwangtungense occurs mainly between populations (86.88%, K = 7). Between 23 and 21 Ma, R. kwangtungense underwent a period of rapid differentiation that coincided with the rise of the Himalayas and the establishment of the East Asian monsoon. According to ENM and population demographic history, the suitable area and effective population size of R. kwangtungense decreased sharply during the glacial period and expanded after the last glacial maximum (LGM).ConclusionOur study shows that the distribution pattern of southern China mountain relict flora may have developed during the panplain stage between the middle Oligocene and the early Miocene. Then, the flora later fragmented under the force of orogenesis, including intermittent uplift during the Cenozoic Himalayan orogeny and the formation of abundant rainfall associated with the East Asian monsoon. The findings emphasized the predominant role of geographical processes in shaping relict plant distribution patterns.

COMMUNITY SYMPATHY-BASED SLUM SANITATION PLANNING CONCEPT IN BATU BARA DISTRICT, NORTH SUMATERA, INDONESIA

ABSTRACT Slums in the Tanjung Tiram area of Batu Bara Regency are caused by high and uneven population density, limited habitable land and low awareness of environmental conservation among residents. This results in poor environmental sanitation and potentially affects environmental sustainability. The local government is trying to improve this situation through slum upgrading and community empowerment programs. Objectives: This study aims to examine community sympathy for the spatial concept and environmental sanitation improvement programs in Tanjung Tiram neighborhood, as well as the factors that influence it. Methodology and Results: The research method was qualitative with a rationalist approach. The study began with literature analysis and continued with field studies to describe community sympathy in sanitation management, identify patterns of behavior change, and analyze the factors that influence it. Conclusion, Significance, and Implication: The results highlight that the community demonstrated empathy through responsibility and mutual concern for the interests of others, such as involvement in the sanitation improvement process from preparation to monitoring in terms of toilet and bathroom use. Community motivation comes from cadre interventions that provide understanding, increase empathy and responsibility, and strengthen community motivation in sanitation management. Community cooperation and awareness must be increased through community empowerment programs.

Longitudinal changes in the volume of residual lung lobes after lobectomy for lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

It is unclear how the residual lobe volume changes over time after lobectomy. This study aims to clarify the temporal patterns of volume changes in each remaining lung lobe post-lobectomy. A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer at Yueyang Central Hospital from January to December 2021. Lung CT images were reconstructed in three dimensions to calculate the volumes of each lung lobe preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12months postoperatively. A total of 182 patients were included. Postoperatively, the median total lung volume change rates relative to preoperative values were -20.1%, -9.3%, and -5.9% at 1, 6, and 12months, respectively. Except for the right middle lobe in patients who underwent right upper lobectomy, the volumes of individual lung lobes exceeded preoperative values. The volume growth of the lung on the side of the resection was significantly more than that of the lung on the opposite side. For left lobectomy patients, the right lower lobe's volume change rate exceeded that of the right upper and middle lobes. Among right lobectomy patients, the left lower lobe and the relatively inferior lobe of right lung had higher volume change rates than the superior one. Right middle lobe change rate was more in patients with right lower lobectomy than right upper lobectomy. Six months postoperatively, FEV1% and right middle lobectomy were positively correlated with the overall volume change rate. One year postoperatively, only age was negatively correlated with the overall volume change rate. 75 patients had pulmonary function tests. Postoperative FEV1 change linearly correlated with 1-year lung volume change rate, but not with theoretical total lung volume change rate or segmental method calculated FEV1 change. Time-dependent compensatory volume changes occur in remaining lung lobe post-lobectomy, with stronger compensation observed in the relatively inferior lobe compared to the superior one(s). Preoperative lung function and age may affect compensation level.

Multi-scale population analysis unit construction method considering scene feature variability and long/short-term patterns in spatiotemporal population activities

ABSTRACT Differences in the spatial scale and component elements of urban scenes affect the analysis of spatiotemporal changes in population distribution (PD) patterns. Fixed scales and geometric forms constrained previous analyses of PD and spatiotemporal changes, which neglected the realistic characteristics of urban scenarios. These limitations hinder the ability to capture the diversity and spatiotemporal representation of PD patterns across multiple spatial scales. This study developed a multi-spatial scale population analysis unit (PAU) construction method considering the scenario heterogeneity and long/short-term patterns of spatiotemporal population changes (PC). Initially, we decompose the multi-scale changes in population time series patterns and their relationships with scene features along the temporal dimension to analyze the primary and secondary factors. Starting from the temporal characteristics of the PD and PC, we established a validation and correction method for the factors. Finally, combined with a multi-feature clustering method, a multi-scale PAU construction method driven by scene feature factors is proposed. Experiments were conducted at different spatial scales in both routine and emergent scenarios. The results indicated that this method can help to obtain more homogeneous analysis regions and enhance the stability and phase pattern representations of changes in PDs, thereby improving the interpretability of analytical results.

Changes in vessel density patterns assessed with OCTA in patients with diabetic macular edema treated with anti-VEGF therapy.

To determine the presence of sectoral changes in vessel density (VD) patterns induced by vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Prospective, interventional study. A total of 43 patients (63 eyes) were initially enrolled in the study. We performed swept source (SS) OCT and sectorial OCTA measurement to determine parafoveal VD at baseline and after six months of anti-VEGF treatment. In the locations with statistically significant differences in VD between baseline and month 6, we performed univariate and multivariate analyses to determine which, if any, of the baseline variables were associated with the observed changes. A total of 34 patients (48 eyes) were included in the final analysis. Mean VD decreased from baseline to month 6 (from 45.2 (± 3.5) to 44.6 (± 3.2) % in the SCP and from 50 (± 3.3) to 49 (± 3.9) % in the DCP). The only significant changes in VD were observed in the nasal sector of the deep capillary plexus, with a decrease of 2.9% (p = 0.001). On univariate and multivariate analyses, the only variable significantly associated with changes in VD in the nasal sector after 6months of treatment was baseline VD in the same sector. Anti-VEGF therapy has a small impact on VD values over time. These variations observed after treatment seems to be related to changes over areas of vascular anomalies and displaced vessels adjacent to cystic areas, with no significant changes over ischemic areas. No correlation was observed between this trend and other clinical baseline features.

Evaluation of Changes in Social Isolation and Loneliness with Incident Cardiovascular Events and Mortality.

It remains unknown how the patterns of change of social isolation and loneliness are associated with the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal association of changes in social isolation and loneliness with incident CVD, all-cause mortality, CVD mortality and subsequent cardiac function. This prospective cohort study included 18,258 participants aged 38-73 years who participated in visit 0 (2006-2010) and visit 1 (2012-2013) using UK Biobank (mean age 57.1, standard deviation [SD] 7.4; 48.7% males). Social isolation or loneliness was categorized into four patterns: never, transient, incident, and persistent. Incident CVD, all-cause and CVD mortality were ascertained through linkage data. Cardiac function was assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in a subsample (N = 5188; visit 2, since 2014). Over a median follow-up of 8.3 (interquartile range [IQR] 8.1-8.6) years, compared with never social isolation, persistent social isolation was associated with the higher risk of incident CVD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.33), all-cause (1.42, 1.12-1.81) and CVD (1.53, 1.05-2.23) mortality. Likewise, persistent loneliness was strongly associated with the greater risk of incident CVD (1.13, 1.00-1.27), all-cause (1.28, 1.02-1.61) and CVD mortality (1.52, 1.06-2.18). Persistent social isolation and loneliness posed a substantially higher risk for incident CVD, all-cause and CVD mortality, and cardiac dysfunction than other patterns. Persistent social isolation and loneliness, along with an increasing cumulative score, are associated with lower cardiac function.

Impacts of Deep-Rooted Apple Tree on Soil Water Balance in the Semi-Arid Loess Plateau, China

Partitioning soil water balance (SWB) is an effective approach for deciphering the impacts of vegetation change on soil hydrological processes. Growing apple trees on the Loess Plateau, China, leads to a substantial deep soil water deficit, posing a serious threat to the sustainable development of apple production. However, the impact of deep-rooted apple trees on SWB remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a “Paired Plot” experiment to achieve this objective by decoupling SWB components using water stable isotopes, tritium, and soil water contents from deep soil cores (up to 25 m) under apple orchards with a stand age gradient of 8–23 years. The results showed that deep soil water storage under apple orchards was notably reduced compared to nearby farmland, showing a stand age-related pattern of deep soil water deficit (R2 = 0.91). By analyzing the changing patterns of SWB components, we found that the main factor driving this deficit is the water uptake process controlled by the deep root system. This process is triggered by the increased transpiration demand of apple trees and short-term water scarcity. These findings have implications for understanding soil water dynamics, sustainable agroforestry management, and soil water resources’ protection in this region and other similar water-limited areas.