Functional Dimensions Research Articles

Urbanization drives biotic homogenization of the avian community in China.

Urbanization-driven biotic homogenization has been recorded in various ecosystems on local and global scales; however, it is largely unexplored in developing countries. Empirical studies on different taxa and bioregions show conflicting results (i.e. biotic homogenization vs. biotic differentiation); the extent to which the community composition changes in response to anthropogenic disturbances and the factors governing this process, therefore, require elucidation. Here, we used a compiled database of 760 bird species in China to quantify the multiple-site β-diversity and fitted distance decay in pairwise β-diversities between natural and urban assemblages to assess whether urbanization had driven biotic homogenization. We used generalized dissimilarity models (GDM) to elucidate the roles of spatial and environmental factors in avian community dissimilarities before and after urbanization. The multiple-site β-diversities among urban assemblages were markedly lower than those among natural assemblages, and the distance decays in pairwise similarities in natural assemblages were more rapid. These results were consistent among taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional aspects, supporting a general biotic homogenization driven by urbanization. The GDM results indicated that geographical distance and temperature were the dominant predictors of avian community dissimilarity. However, the contribution of geographical distance and climatic factors decreased in explaining compositional dissimilarities in urban assemblages. Geographical and environmental distances accounted for much lower variations in compositional dissimilarities in urban than in natural assemblages, implying a potential risk of uncertainty in model predictions under further climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. Our study concludes that taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional dimensions elucidate urbanization-driven biotic homogenization in China.

Key subphenotypes of bipolar disorder are differentially associated with polygenic liabilities for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) features heterogenous clinical presentation and course of illness. It remains unclear how subphenotypes associate with genetic loadings of BD and related psychiatric disorders. We investigated associations between the subphenotypes and polygenic risk scores (PRS) for BD, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder (MDD) in two BD cohorts from Sweden (N = 5180) and the UK (N = 2577). Participants were assessed through interviews and medical records for inter-episode remission, psychotic features during mood episodes, global assessment of functioning (GAF, function and symptom burden dimensions), and comorbid anxiety disorders. Meta-analyses based on both cohorts showed that inter-episode remission and GAF-function were positively correlated with BD-PRS but negatively correlated with schizophrenia-PRS (SCZ-PRS) and MDD-PRS. Moreover, BD-PRS was negatively, and MDD-PRS positively, associated with the risk of comorbid anxiety disorders. Finally, SCZ-PRS was positively associated with psychotic symptoms during mood episodes. Assuming a higher PRS of certain psychiatric disorders in cases with a positive family history, we further tested the associations between subphenotypes in index BD people and occurrence of BD, schizophrenia, or MDD in their relatives using Swedish national registries. BD patients with a relative diagnosed with BD had: (1) higher GAF and lower risk of comorbid anxiety than those with a relative diagnosed with schizophrenia or MDD, (2) lower risk of psychotic symptoms than those with a relative diagnosed with schizophrenia. Our findings shed light on the genetic underpinnings of the heterogeneity in clinical manifestations and course of illness in BD, which ultimately provide insights for developing personalized approaches to the diagnosis and treatment.

Integrating Technology into Urban Open Space Assessment: The ‘YouWalk-UOS’ Approach

This article introduces the YouWalk-UOS mobile application that evaluates urban open spaces (UOS) using functional, social, and perceptual dimensions. This app uses the Likert scale for user feedback, allowing for a more nuanced study of user perspectives and interactions. Allowing users to add images to evaluations and providing visual evidence, the app generates quantitative data and enrich future decision-making. It helps decision-makers analyse UOS for adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable urban planning by combining data visualisation tools. The article highlights the significance of YouWalk-UOS in bridging urban design and environmental psychology to promote collaborative urban space assessment and design that meets community needs and perspectives.

Empathic voice assistants: Enhancing consumer responses in voice commerce

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled voice assistants (VAs) are transforming firm-customer interactions but often come across as lacking empathy. This challenge may cause business managers to question the overall effectiveness of VAs in shopping contexts. Recognizing empathy as a core design element in the next generation of VAs and the limits of scenario-based studies in voice commerce, this article investigates how empathy exhibited by an existing AI agent (Alexa) may alter consumer shopping responses. AI empathy moderates the original structural model bridging functional, relational, and social-emotional dimensions. Findings of an individual-session online experiment show higher intentions to delegate tasks, seek decision assistance, and trust recommendations from AI agents perceived as empathic. In contrast to individual shoppers, families respond better to functional VA attributes such as ease of use when AI empathy is present. The results contribute to the literature on AI empathy and conversational commerce while informing managerial AI design decisions.

Drivers of functional diversity in small-bodied mammals across a deforestation frontier in the Southern Brazilian Amazon

Deforestation remains the most pervasive driver of biodiversity erosion across tropical forests. Understanding how species can cope with such habitat changes is particularly important along the rapidly expanding agricultural frontiers. To do so, we used a functional perspective examining small mammal responses to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation across the ‘Arc of Deforestation’ in the Southern Brazilian Amazon. Small mammals were surveyed using a combination of conventional and pitfall traps across 20 forest fragments—ranging from 42 to 4743 ha—in addition to two relatively continuous forest sites (> 7000 ha). These fragments lie isolated by a cattle pasture matrix of varying grazing intensity. We then analysed taxonomic and functional diversity patterns—represented by Simpson Diversity and Rao Quadratic entropy indices—in Generalised Linear Models containing local- to landscape-scale predictors of variation. Further, we used a functional trait composition approach based on community-weighted mean trait values to depict and predict small mammal functional variations across this degradation gradient. From a total of 847 individuals recorded belonging to 24 taxa, functional responses tended to follow the taxonomic diversity, both increasing with fragment area. The functional dimension further was promoted by low fire-related disturbance. Functional trait composition was mainly driven by habitat quality, represented by tree density, arthropod biomass, and fire-related disturbance. Our results reinforce that small forest fragments sustain depauperate small mammal assemblages both taxonomically and functionally. Accounting for habitat quality further allows for boosting the persistence across functional groups. Our findings can be used to improve the efficiency of management practices thereby maximising the multiple dimensions of small mammal diversity and their associated ecosystem services across tropical deforestation frontiers.

Deepening the synergistic role of additive manufacturing and computational strategies in jewellery

This study investigates the synergy between additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and computational design strategies in jewellery and how that synergy can be successfully exploited to extend innovation in that field further. A case study called Ecdysis, a bioinspired jewellery collection, is presented. A dedicated computational algorithm has been developed and is described in detail. This algorithm allows for the exploitation of the shape and functional complexity dimensions allowed by AM and the control of the printability of the generated concept. Shape and functional complexity are exploited to mimic the beauty and dynamism of snakes’ slithering mechanism. At the same time, starting from the developed algorithm, multiple digital models and physical prototypes have been fabricated, leveraging material extrusion, vat photopolymerisation, and powder bed fusion processes. This further development step of the collection thus confirms the versatility of both the proposed approach and AM technologies for jewellery. Therefore, the paper demonstrates how unique wearing experiences can be created and how uniqueness can be simultaneously preserved and democratised in jewellery by deepening the synergy between AM technologies and computational strategies.

Impact of Psychiatric Symptoms on Nasal Perception in Septorhinoplasty Patients.

Psychological assessment plays a crucial role in the preoperative phase of septorhinoplasty (SRPL), exerting potential influence on both pre- and postoperative aspects of quality of life (QoL). In this prospective study, SRPL patients were systematically screened using two validated questionnaires for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and one each for anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Nasal perception was evaluated utilizing two disease-specific, self-report instruments: The Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17). A total of 95 patients were enrolled. Positive screening rates were 40.4 and 28.3% for BDD, 37.3% for elevated anxiety, 16.4% for depression, and 22.4% for SSD. Mean scores on the ROE and FROI indicated lower QoL in all positive screening groups. Statistically significant differences were observed for anxiety (FROI total score: 47.1 ± 14.6 to 37.8 ± 16.2; p = 0.021) and BDD (ROE: 43.7 ± 15.7 to 32.5 ± 15.5; p = 0.003 and FROI total score: 47.4 ± 15.3 to 37.8 ± 17.1; p = 0.014). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale exhibited a significant correlation with the preoperative FROI score (r = 0.34, p = 0.005). Patients with positive screenings for depression, anxiety, BDD, and SSD demonstrated compromised QoL during preoperative assessments compared with their negative counterparts, reflecting diminished nasal perception in both esthetic and functional dimensions. Surgeons must be cognizant of these psychological aspects during preoperative evaluations.

A Study on Design Appeal of Green Packaging in China

This quantitative study examines the relationship between consumption functionality and green packaging dimensions among 484 consumers in China. The data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS to test the impact of consumption functionality on product meaningfulness and willingness to purchase, as well as the mediating role of green packaging. As packaging has evolved to add functional, emotional and social value to products, influencing brand image, this study investigates the design appeal of green packaging. The aim is to determine how consumption functionality affects product meaningfulness and willingness to purchase green packaged products, and whether green packaging mediates these relationships. The variables studied include consumption functionality, product meaningfulness, willingness to purchase, and green packaging components such as symbolic, economic and altruistic values. The literature review examined prior research on the impacts of consumption functionality on product meaningfulness and purchase willingness. It also covered studies on the symbolic, economic and altruistic values of green packaging and its potential mediating effects. The results provide insights into Chinese consumer responses to green packaging, specifically the mechanisms by which consumption functionality and green packaging influence product meaningfulness and willingness to purchase. This helps marketing practitioners determine effective positioning and messaging approaches for green packaged goods. It provides guidance on tactical elements like packaging design. The findings can shape creative strategies for brands looking to leverage green packaging appeals among Chinese consumers. Further research can build on this study to deepen knowledge in this emerging area as the popularity of sustainable packaging grows.

A change in social participation affects cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: analysis of a Chinese longitudinal study on aging (2011-2018).

One of the biggest challenges facing older adults is cognitive decline and social participation has always been considered a protective factor. However, it is not clear whether social participation predicts cognitive function in this population, rather than depressive symptoms, self-reported health, and activities of daily life, with sufficient capacity to detect unique effects. This study included adults aged 45 and above in China (N = 5,258) who participated in a large national older adult health survey and provided data from 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018. The unique associations between the predictors of social participation and cognitive function over time and context were evaluated in the Latent Growth Model (LGM). Among the 5,258 participants in our study, an overall cognitive decline was observed. Social participation predicts two dimensions of cognitive function, with a degree of impact comparable to depressive symptoms, self-reported health, and activities of daily life. Among them, social participation exhibits a noteworthy prognostic impact on episodic memory during the same period. The regression coefficient is approximately 0.1 (p < 0.05) after controlling other mixed variables (depressive symptoms, self-reported health, and activities of daily life). In contrast, social participation is also a significant predictor of mental intactness in the same period, with a regression coefficient of 0.06 (p < 0.05), even if all mixed variables are controlled. Over time, the correlation strength of social participation is comparable to other recognized cognitive function prediction indicators, indicating that promoting social participation among middle-aged and older Chinese adults is a meaningful way to improve cognitive function degradation, which has important policy and practical significance.

Temporal variations of the multifaceted biodiversity and assembly mechanisms in lake fish assemblages

AbstractUnderstanding long‐term changes in fish diversity and community assembly rules is crucial for freshwater conservation. Growing evidence indicates that studying functional and phylogenetic diversity beyond purely taxonomic considerations can provide different but complementary information on community assembly. Here, the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic β‐diversity of fish communities, as well as the community assembly mechanisms, were explored in five impounded lakes of the China's South‐to‐North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) from the 1980s to the 2010s. We found that (1) there was an obvious trend of species homogenization in the five impounded lakes, but the long‐term transformations of different dimensional β‐diversity were divergent; (2) water quality and land use variables have greater impacts on multidimensional β‐diversity; and (3) community assembly process in taxonomic and functional dimensions were dominated by random process in both periods, while shifting from limiting similarity to habitat filtering in the phylogenetic dimension. These results highlight that functional and phylogenetic diversity are important additional ecological indices for assessing the patterns of fish diversity in lakes.

MHealth Apps for the Self-Management of Low Back Pain: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis.

With the rapid development of mobile health (mHealth) technology, many health apps have been introduced to the commercial market for people with back pain conditions. However, little is known about their content, quality, approaches to care for low back pain (LBP), and associated risks of use. The aims of this research were to (1) identify apps for the self-management of LBP currently on the market and (2) assess their quality, intervention content, theoretical approaches, and risk-related approaches. The UK iTunes and Google Play stores were initially searched for apps related to the self-management of LBP in May 2022. A repeat search in June 2023 was conducted to ensure that any relevant new apps developed in the last year were incorporated into the review. A total of 3 keywords recommended by the Cochrane Back and Neck Group were used to search apps "low back pain," "back pain," and "lumbago." The quality of the apps was assessed by using the 5-point Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). A total of 69 apps (25 iOS and 44 Android) met the inclusion criteria. These LBP self-management apps mainly provide recommendations on muscle stretching (n=51, 73.9%), muscle strengthening (n=42, 60.9%), core stability exercises (n=32, 46.4%), yoga (n=19, 27.5%), and information about LBP mechanisms (n=17, 24.6%). Most interventions (n=14, 78%) are consistent with the recommendations in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The mean (SD) MARS overall score of included apps was 2.4 (0.44) out of a possible 5 points. The functionality dimension was associated with the highest score (3.0), whereas the engagement and information dimension resulted in the lowest score (2.1). Regarding theoretical and risk-related approaches, 18 (26.1%) of the 69 apps reported the rate of intervention progression, 11 (15.9%) reported safety checks, only 1 (1.4%) reported personalization of care, and none reported the theoretical care model or the age group targeted. mHealth apps are potentially promising alternatives to help people manage their LBP; however, most of the LBP self-management apps were of poor quality and did not report the theoretical approaches to care and their associated risks. Although nearly all apps reviewed included a component of care listed in the NICE guidelines, the model of care delivery or embracement of care principles such as the application of a biopsychosocial model was unclear.

Definition criteria determine the success of old-growth mapping

Old-growth forests have been widely studied for decades. The extreme diversity of old forest characteristics has inspired an equally diverse set of old-growth definitions, and makes mapping old-growth difficult across large areas and different forest types. While the use of remote sensing in old-growth research is not new, there is a growing need for large scale mapping to improve understanding of old forest processes and to support old-growth conservation. Old-growth mapping requires definitions that are ecologically relevant to old forests while also transferable to remote sensing data. In this paper we develop a conceptual framework to evaluate three dimensions of old-growth—a temporal dimension related to tree ages, a physical dimension related to tree sizes, and a functional dimension related to forest processes. In the first part of our analysis, we classify forests throughout the eastern US as old or not with respect to each old-growth dimension using existing old-growth definitions and data from the US Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. We estimate the proportion of forest classified as old within a hexagon grid, resulting in a unique map of old forest proportion (OFP) for each dimension. Subsequently, we use spaceborne lidar data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) to reproduce each OFP map in a modeling framework designed to 1) assess the extent to which each dimension of forest oldness can be mapped at large spatial scales, and 2) identify biophysical GEDI variables related to each dimension of forest oldness. We estimate that only 2% of forest classified as old in any dimension satisfied the old criteria in all three dimensions. We found substantial spatial variation in the mapped OFP estimates across the three dimensions, highlighting how definition criteria impacts old-growth maps. We also found that physically old forests were more effectively mapped using GEDI data than functionally or temporally old forests, and that physically old forests were more structurally similar to one another than temporally or functionally old forests. Our modeling results indicate that while remote sensing may be best suited to mapping physical old-growth characteristics, definitions that rely solely on physical characteristics do not adequately represent old forests throughout the eastern US. We propose that future efforts to map old-growth with spaceborne remote sensing data may maximize utility through collaboration between western and indigenous old-growth experts to determine broad yet nuanced approaches that are appropriately tailored to the target variable of old forests. These efforts should balance explicit and ecologically relevant old-growth definitions specifically for mapping that can be linked to remotely sensed data, 2) appropriate spatial resolutions, and 3) flexible quantitative frameworks that encompass the complexities and heterogeneity of old forests.

Dyspnea-Related Dimensions And Self-Efficacy: Associations With Well-Being in Advanced Lung Cancer

ContextDyspnea is a complex, multidimensional symptom comprising sensory-perceptual, affective, and functional domains that commonly persists in patients with lung cancer and impairs mental health and quality of life (QOL). However, data are lacking on how dyspnea's dimensions or self-efficacy to manage dyspnea are associated with patient outcomes. ObjectivesTo assess the associations of dyspnea dimensions (dyspnea-related sensory–perceptual experience, affective distress, and functional impact) and dyspnea self-efficacy with depression, anxiety, and QOL in patients with advanced lung cancer reporting dyspnea. MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of baseline clinical trial data testing a supportive care intervention for dyspnea. Patients with advanced lung cancer reporting at least moderate dyspnea (≥2 on the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale) self-reported dyspnea and patient outcome measures. Hierarchical regressions tested the associations of the dyspnea dimensions with depressive and anxiety symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung) while adjusting for variables known to affect these outcomes. ResultsThe sensory–perceptual experience of dyspnea (effort) was associated with worse depressive symptoms (b = 0.21, P < 0.01) and QOL (b = −0.53, P = 0.01). Dyspnea self-efficacy was associated with improved depressive (b = −1.26, P < 0.01) and anxiety symptoms (b = −1.72, P < 0.01) and QOL (b = 3.66, P < 0.01). The affective and functional dimensions of dyspnea were not associated with the patient outcomes in the final models. ConclusionsDyspnea-related sensory–perceptual experience and self-efficacy were associated with mental health and QOL outcomes in patients with lung cancer. Examining the individual contributions of dyspnea's multiple dimensions provides a nuanced understanding of its patient impact.

Online mindfulness-based stress reduction improves anxiety and depression status and quality of life in caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders.

To explore the effects of online mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the anxiety and depression status, and quality of life in the caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders. Ninety-three caregivers for patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, who were hospitalized in Yunnan Provincial Mental Hospital in March 2021, were enrolled and randomly divided into control group (n=47) and MBSR intervention group (n=46). Both groups received basic health education and rehabilitation skill training, while the intervention group received additional online MBSR for 8 weeks. The anxiety and depression status, and the quality of life of the caregivers were evaluated by Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) before and 8 weeks after intervention, respectively. Thirteen caregivers dropped out of the study, and 80 subjects (40 in each group) were included in the final analysis. At the baseline, there were no significant differences in SAS, SDS and SF-36 scores between two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the baseline, SAS and SDS scores in the intervention group significantly decreased after 8 weeks of intervention (both P<0.01) and were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.01). There were no significant changes in the control group (all P>0.05). Except the physiological function dimension, the total score and the scores of each dimension of SF-36 in the intervention group were significantly increased after 8-week intervention (all P<0.05), and were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.01). There were no significant changes in the control group before and after intervention (all P>0.05). Online MBSR can reduce the anxiety and depression levels, improve the quality of life in the caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders.

Linguistic variation in supreme court oral arguments by legal professionals: A novel multi-dimensional analysis

This study uses the method of novel Multi-Dimensional Analysis to compare the discourses of justices, appellant’s attorneys, and respondent’s attorneys to provide a corpus-based description of linguistic co-occurrence patterns in their registers during oral arguments based on the extracted seven functional dimensions: (1) Instructive argumentation versus Informational production; (2) Elaborative exposition; (3) Concern with degree; (4) Concern with projection; (5) Narrative versus Non-narrative expression; (6) Impersonal expression; and (7) Stance-focused expression. Three profession-based legal corpora, totaling 32,107,839 words, were built using case transcripts from oral arguments between 1979 and 2014. The results show that justices are more argumentative, concerned with degrees, projection-, and stance-focused than attorneys. Attorneys are more informative, elaborative, narrative, and impersonal than justices. Among attorneys, appellant’s attorneys are relatively more informative, elaborative and impersonal, and less projection-concerned than respondent’s attorneys. This study has implications for MD analysis, courtroom discourse analysis, language pedagogy, and accounting research.

Radyoterapi sırasında karşılanmayan bakım gereksinimlerinden yaşam kalitesinin öngörülebilirliği: Kesitsel bir çalışma

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive effect of unmet care needs on the quality of life in the radiotherapy process, to determine the factors affecting unmet care needs. &#x0D; Methods: The study was carried out with patients who received outpatient radiotherapy. Individual Identification Form, Supportive Care Needs Scale Short Form and European Cancer Research and Treatment Organization Quality of Life Scale were used to collect research data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis.&#x0D; Results: The unmet care needs of the patients are 66.48±14.76 out of a total of 145 points. As the total score patients receive from the scale increases, their unmet care needs also increase.. EORTC QLQ-C30 scale mean scores of the patients; functional dimension is 61.70±15.41, symptom dimension is 27.97±1421, general health dimension is 53.63±15.28. It was determined that the unmet health service and sexuality needs of the patients did not have a predictive effect on the quality of life, while female gender, the unmet daily life and psychological needs were effective in the estimation of the quality of life.&#x0D; Conclusion: Health professionals can obtain information about the quality of life of patients receiving radiotherapy based on the presence of unmet psychological and daily life needs.

Prevalence and risk factors of fatigue and its association with quality of life among patients with chronic pancreatitis: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundFatigue is a debilitating symptom found in various chronic diseases and is associated with more severe symptoms and worse quality of life (QoL). However, this symptom has not been adequately addressed in chronic pancreatitis (CP), and there have been no studies on fatigue in patients with CP. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at the Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China. Data on the patients’ sociodemographic, disease, and therapeutic characteristics were collected. Fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20. QoL was assessed utilizing the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer of QoL questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30). Sleep quality, anxiety and depression, and pain was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Brief Pain Inventory, respectively. ResultsThe prevalence of fatigue among Chinese patients with CP was 35.51 % (87/245). Multivariate analysis showed that steatorrhea (OR = 2.638, 95 % CI: 1.117–6.234), history of smoking (OR = 4.627, 95 % CI: 1.202–17.802), history of endoscopic treatment (OR = 0.419, 95 % CI: 0.185–0.950), depression (OR = 5.924, 95 % CI: 2.462–14.255), and sleep disorder (OR = 6.184, 95 % CI: 2.543–15.034) were influencing factors for the presence of fatigue. The scores for global health and all functional dimensions in the EORTC-QLQ-C30 significantly decreased, whereas the scores for all symptom dimensions significantly increased in patients with fatigue. ConclusionsThis study indicated that Fatigue is a common symptom and has a negative impact on the QoL of patients with CP. Steatorrhea, smoking history, endoscopic treatment, depression, and sleep disorders were associated with fatigue.

A Multidimensional Analysis of a High-Stakes English Listening Test: A Corpus-Based Approach

The Gaokao, also known as China’s national college entrance exam, is a high-stakes exam for nearly all Chinese students. English has been one of the three most important subjects for a long time, and listening plays an important role in the Gaokao English test. However, relatively little research has been conducted on local versions of Gaokao’s English listening tests. This study analyzed the linguistic features and corresponding functional dimensions of the three different text types in the Gaokao’s listening test, investigating whether the papers used in three major regions of China were differentiated in terms of the co-occurrence patterns of lexicogrammatical features and dimensions of the transcripts. A corpus consisting of 170 sets of test papers (134,913 words) covering 31 provinces and cities from 2000 to 2022 was analyzed using a multidimensional analysis wherein six exclusive dimensions were extracted. The results showed that there were meaningful differences across short conversations, long conversations, and monologues with regard to the six dimensions’ scores, and regions further had significant differences in three dimensions: Syntactic and Clausal Complexity, Oral versus Literate Discourse, and Procedural Discourse, while Time Period was not associated with any differences. Implications for language teaching and assessment are discussed.

Climate anomalies and neighbourhood crowding interact in shaping tree growth in old‐growth and selectively logged tropical forests

Abstract Climate extremes and biotic interactions at the neighbourhood scale affect tropical forest dynamics with long‐term consequences for biodiversity, global carbon cycling and climate change mitigation. However, forest disturbance may change crowding intensity, and thus the relative contribution of climate extremes and neighbourhood interactions on tree growth, thereby influencing tropical forest resistance and resilience to climate change. Here, we aim to evaluate the separate and interactive effects of climate and neighbours on tree growth in old‐growth and disturbed tropical forests. We used 30 years of growth measurements for over 300 tropical tree species from 15 forest plots in French Guiana to investigate the separate and interactive effects of climate anomalies (in solar radiation, maximum temperature, vapour pressure deficit and climatic water deficit) and neighbourhood crowding on individual tree growth. Contrasting old‐growth and selectively logged forests, we also examined how disturbance history affects tree growth sensitivity to climate and neighbours. Finally, for the most abundant 100 species, we evaluated the role of 12 functional traits pertaining to water relations, light and carbon use in mediating tree growth sensitivity to climate anomalies, neighbourhood crowding and their interactions. Climate anomalies tied to heat and drought stress and neighbourhood crowding independently reduced tree growth, and showed positive interactive effects which attenuated their separate effects on tree growth. Their separate and interactive effects were stronger in disturbed than undisturbed forests. Fast‐growing species (i.e. higher intrinsic growth rates) were more abundant in disturbed forests and more sensitive to climate anomalies and neighbourhood crowding. Traits related to water relations, light and carbon use captured species sensitivities to different climate anomalies and neighbourhood crowding levels but were weak predictors of their interactions. Synthesis: Our results demonstrate that climate anomalies and neighbourhood crowding can interact to shape tropical tree growth, suggesting that considering the biotic context may improve predictions of tropical forest dynamics facing altered climate regimes. Furthermore, species traits can capture tree growth sensitivity to the separate effects of climate and neighbours, suggesting that better representing leading functional dimensions in tropical tree strategies offers a promising way towards a better understanding of the underlying ecological mechanisms that govern tropical forest dynamics.

Factorization and resummation for sequential recombination jet cross sections

We extend the class of factorization theorems for non-global observables from fixed angular constraints to cross sections defined in terms of sequential jet clustering. The associated hard and soft functions depend not only on the directions of the hard partons, but also on their energy fractions. We derive the one-loop anomalous dimension of the hard functions that drives the leading-logarithmic resummation. The anomalous dimension imposes energy ordering, which simplifies the clustering sequence. We perform resummations for gap-between-jet observables defined with different jet algorithms and explain the effects of the clustering on the importance of secondary emissions and on the effective gap size.