Future Adaptation Research Articles

Long-Term Changes in the Permafrost Temperature and Surface Frost Number in Northeast China

The permafrost in Northeast China is experiencing rapid degradation due to the influence of climate change and human activities, profoundly impacting the local ecological environment and engineering construction. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of long-term permafrost in this region is crucial; however, systematic research on this topic remains scarce. This study combines meteorological station data, MODIS land surface temperature (LST) datasets, and borehole locations to apply the surface frost number (SFn) model. This approach enables the simulation and estimation of the spatial distribution and changes in the area of the surface frost number without vegetation effects (SFnv) and permafrost temperature (PT) in Northeast China from 1971 to 2020. The area of the SFnv > 0.49 within the permafrost region decreased substantially from approximately 44.353 × 104 km2 to 19.909 × 104 km2 between 1971 and 2020, with a notable change in 1988. The area of permafrost calculated using PT < 0 was slightly smaller, declining from 39.388 × 104 km2 to 29.852 × 104 km2. There was also a significant increase in the area with PT ranging from −1 °C to 0 °C, indicating a decline in permafrost stability. Approximately 10.926 × 104 km2 of stable permafrost has been transformed into semi-stable and unstable permafrost. Moreover, from 1982 to 2020, the NDVI was negatively correlated with the area of stable permafrost and positively correlated with the area of transitional or unstable permafrost. Vegetation cover decreased as transitional or unstable permafrost degraded. These findings provide valuable information for permafrost research and engineering development in cold regions, as well as for future planning and adaptation strategies.

A Model for Detection and Prevention of AndroRat in Mobile Devices

Android operating systems has gained increasing popularity in smart phones and other mobile intelligent terminals in recent years. Unpleasantly, the accumulation development and open nature of the platform has also attracted a vast number of malware developers. This dissertation presents a model for detecting and preventing AndroRat, a notorious Remote Administration Tool (RAT), on android devices. The research systematically pursued predefined objectives, leading to the development of a robust detection framework that utilizes the Outlier Technique. This framework significantly enhances the accuracy of AndroRat identification. Moreover, the dissertation introduces a preventive mechanism based on Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), fortifying Android phones against potential threats posed by RATs. By achieving the outlined objectives, this research makes a noteworthy contribution to the field of mobile device security. It demonstrates a practical application of machine learning techniques in mitigating evolving cybersecurity threats. A dataset was gathered for constructing the model. Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) was used as the research methodology and python was used as the programming language. The implementation of the Python Programming Language in this system not only ensured efficient execution but also established a versatile and accessible platform, laying the groundwork for future enhancements and adaptations. The comparative analysis conducted against existing systems highlights the effectiveness and innovation embedded in the proposed model, affirming its potential as a valuable addition to the realm of AndroRat detection and prevention with an accuracy of 99.99%. This dissertation not only addresses current security challenges but also establishes a foundation for continued advancements in mobile device security through the integration of cutting-edge technologies.

Does Adjunctive Clindamycin Have a Role in Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia? A Protocol for the Adjunctive Treatment Domain of the Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) Randomized Controlled Trial.

The use of adjunctive antibiotics directed against exotoxin production in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is widespread, and it is recommended in many guidelines, but this is based on limited evidence. Existing guidelines are based on the theoretical premise of toxin suppression, as many strains of S. aureus produce toxins such as leukocidins (eg, Panton-Valentine leukocidin, toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, exfoliative toxins, and various enterotoxins). Many clinicians therefore believe that limiting exotoxin production release by S. aureus could reduce its virulence and improve clinical outcomes. Clindamycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotic, is commonly used for this purpose. We report the domain-specific protocol, embedded in a large adaptive, platform trial, seeking to definitively answer this question. The Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) trial is a pragmatic, randomized, multicenter adaptive platform trial that aims to compare different SAB therapies, simultaneously, for 90-day mortality rates. The adjunctive treatment domain aims to test the effectiveness of adjunctive antibiotics, initially comparing clindamycin to no adjunctive antibiotic, but future adaptations may include other agents. Individuals will be randomized to receive either 5 days of adjunctive clindamycin (or lincomycin) or no adjunctive antibiotic therapy alongside standard-of-care antibiotics. Most participants with SAB (within 72 hours of index blood culture and with no contraindications) will be eligible to participate in this domain. Prespecified analyses are defined in the statistical appendix to the core protocol, and domain-specific secondary analyses will be adjusted for resistance to clindamycin, disease phenotype (complicated or uncomplicated SAB) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive isolate.

Drivers, changes, and impacts of hydrological extremes in India: A review

AbstractThe frequency of hydrological extremes (droughts and floods) has increased in recent years in India. A dense population, intensive agriculture, and rapidly developing physical infrastructure put India under the risk of hydrological extremes. However, a comprehensive overview of the drivers, changes, and impacts associated with hydrological extremes in India has been lacking. We examine the key processes and the role of climate and human interventions on hydrological extremes in India. We discuss the observed and projected changes in hydrological extremes along with their impacts. While the Indian summer monsoon is the primary driver of the hydrological extremes in India, human interventions (irrigation, reservoir storage, and groundwater pumping) play a crucial role in the changes and variability of hydrological extremes. The relative role of climate change and direct human interventions on changing the intensity and impacts of hydrological extremes need to be considered for future adaptation planning under climate change. The observed increase in the frequency and intensity of hydrological extremes will continue in the future with compound and cascading impacts due to the warming climate. We need to strengthen the observational network, improve hydrological modeling, reduce climate uncertainty, and develop robust early warning systems to adapt and mitigate hydrological extremes in India.This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Hydrological Processes Science of Water > Water Extremes Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Index construction and real-time hazard assessment of rice sterile-type chilling injury process in Northeast China

Rice is a warm-temperature crop, and sterile-type chilling injuries may be induced by acute periods of low-temperature weather during the reproductive growth period. This study considered the daily mean and minimum temperatures in Northeast China from 1979 to 2018 as influencing factors to construct a process-based rice accumulated intensity index (PARII) and hazard assessment model based on known crop disaster periods, analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of chilling injury during the rice growth period (booting and flowering stages), used solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and yield fluctuation data to calculate the adaptability of the hazard assessment model, and selected two typical events of disaster processes to verify the proposed real-time hazard assessment model. The change in the cumulative intensity index of rice sterile-type chilling injury indicated an increasing trend in chilling injury in the rice booting stage . Based on the probability density static hazard and cumulative probability dynamics, the results of real-time hazard analysis showed that the chilling injury hazard area was significantly expanded compared with the sterile-type chilling injury during the booting and flowering periods. The hazard value was greater than 0.2 in central and southeastern Heilongjiang, and the static hazard index was significantly negatively correlated with SIF and fluctuating yield, which indicated the chilling injury impacted rice yield and physiology. Regional-scale hazard levels were assessed by daily real-time hazard evaluation to highlight spatial heterogeneity in crop stress and damage. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for real-time risk assessment and management of chilling injury in rice crops and may support future adaptation strategies for addressing risks associated with severe low-temperature events.

Advancing Evidence-Based Public Health Policy: How Core Component Thinking Can Illuminate the Multilevel Nature of Public Health Policy.

A growing body of literature uses the concept of core components to better understand small-scale programmatic interventions. Instead of interventions being viewed as unitary "black boxes," interventions are viewed as configurations of core components, which are the parts of interventions that carry their causal potential and therefore need to be reproduced with fidelity to produce the intended effect. To date, the concept of core components has not been as widely applied to public health policy interventions as it has to programmatic interventions. The purpose of this topical review is to familiarize public health practitioners and policy makers with the concept of core components as applied to public health policy interventions. Raising the profile of core component thinking can foster mindful adaptation and implementation of public health policy interventions while encouraging further research to enhance the supporting evidence base. We present 3 types of multilevel interactions in which the core components of a public health policy intervention produce effects at the population level by (1) seeking to directly affect individual behavior, (2) facilitating adoption of programmatic interventions by intermediaries, and (3) encouraging intermediaries to take action that can shape changes in upstream drivers of population health. Changing the unit of analysis from whole policies to core components can provide a basis for understanding how policies work and for facilitating novel evidence-generating strategies and rapid evidence reviews that can inform future adaptation efforts.

Rising risks of hydroclimatic swings: A large ensemble study of dry and wet spell transitions in North America

Hydroclimatic swings between dry and wet spells are increasing globally, raising concerns due to their severe impacts on society, agriculture, infrastructure systems, and water resource management. These extremes and their projected changes are traditionally assessed in isolation, which can underestimate associated risks and future resilience and adaptation plans. This study investigates climate change projections of such lagged compound dry and wet spells across North America using a single model initial-condition large ensemble (SMILE). Three dry-wet spell indices are merged into an integrated indicator to provide a comprehensive perspective on changing risks. We apply an ensemble pooling approach using the Canadian Regional Climate Model version 4 Large Ensemble (CanRCM4-LE) to enhance sample size for index estimation. Results suggest that hydroclimatic swings across North America are expected to become more frequent and intensified in a warmer climate. Trends of spatial fraction and aggregation during transitions between dry and wet spells indicate future water resource management challenges. Hot spots for intensified transitions with higher frequency, such as Northern Central America, and the southern part of Eastern and Western North America, including Mexico and the state of California, overlap with larger spatial extent and higher aggregation during transitions. The seasonal analysis of spatial characteristics indicates winter may become wetter and summer drier at higher warming levels, potentially intensifying transitions between dry and wet extremes. Clustered hydroclimatic swings may lead to severe environmental, hydrological, and socio-economic consequences, necessitating appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.

Economic Evaluation of a Web Application Implemented in Primary Care for the Treatment of Depression in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Depressive disorder and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are prevalent in primary care (PC). Pharmacological treatment, despite controversy, is commonly chosen due to resource limitations and difficulties in accessing face-to-face interventions. Depression significantly impacts various aspects of a person's life, affecting adherence to medical prescriptions and glycemic control and leading to future complications and increased health care costs. To address these challenges, information and communication technologies (eg, eHealth) have been introduced, showing promise in improving treatment continuity and accessibility. However, while eHealth programs have demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating depressive symptoms, evidence regarding glycemic control remains inconclusive. This randomized controlled trial aimed to test the efficacy of a low-intensity psychological intervention via a web app for mild-moderate depressive symptoms in individuals with T2DM compared with treatment as usual (TAU) in PC. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of a web-based psychological intervention to treat depressive symptomatology in people with T2DM compared with TAU in a PC setting. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted with 49 patients with T2DM, depressive symptoms of moderate severity, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.47% in PC settings. Patients were randomized to TAU (n=27) or a web-based psychological treatment group (n=22). This web-based treatment consisted of cognitive behavioral therapy, improvement of diabetes self-care behaviors, and mindfulness. Cost-effectiveness analysis for the improvement of depressive symptomatology was conducted based on reductions in 3, 5, or 50 points on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The efficacy of diabetes control was estimated based on a 0.5% reduction in HbA1c levels. Follow-up was performed at 3 and 6 months. The cost-utility analysis was performed based on quality-adjusted life years. Efficacy analysis showed that the web-based treatment program was more effective in improving depressive symptoms than TAU but showed only a slight improvement in HbA1c. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of 186.76 for a 3-point reduction in PHQ-9 and 206.31 for reductions of 5 and 50 percentage points were obtained. In contrast, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for improving HbA1c levels amounted to €1510.90 (€1=US $1.18 in 2018) per participant. The incremental cost-utility ratio resulted in €4119.33 per quality-adjusted life year gained. The intervention, using web-based modules incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy tools, diabetes self-care promotion, and mindfulness, effectively reduced depressive symptoms and enhanced glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Notably, it demonstrated clinical efficacy and economic efficiency. This supports the idea that eHealth interventions not only benefit patients clinically but also offer cost-effectiveness for health care systems. The study emphasizes the importance of including specific modules to enhance diabetes self-care behaviors in future web-based psychological interventions, emphasizing personalization and adaptation for this population. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03426709; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03426709. RR2-10.1186/S12888-019-2037-3.

Economic Vitality, Sustainability and Marketability of Mixed-Use Development Projects in the Leasing Industry

The study attempted to determine the economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry in the Philippines. The goal of this study is to identify the correlation among economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability. Additionally, develop a plan to enhance the economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability for stakeholders to use for future business ventures. The study employed the descriptive-correlational method of research with the help of a survey questionnaire. The population of the study came from 80 mixed-use development projects within the leasing industry in the second district of Laguna, Philippines. A sample of 67 was computed using the Slovin formula at 5% margin of error and 95% confidence interval. The actual selection of the respondents was done using a purposive random sampling technique. After thorough analysis, the following conclusions were made. The diversity of businesses and tenant types adds value to the overall development. The confidence in long-term development projects focuses on sustainability and future adaptation. Tenant satisfaction is crucial for marketability, suggesting a focus on both attracting and retaining tenants. The economic vitality has a direct relationship with the sustainability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry. Economic significantly affects the marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry. As the level of sustainability increases, the level of marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry also increases. Hence, an action plan that would improve the economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry was proposed.

Looking backwards to move forwards: insights for climate change adaptation from historical Māori relocation due to natural hazards in Aotearoa New Zealand

Climate change relocation of Indigenous communities is increasing globally. For Māori (the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand), many pā (complexes of significant structures) are at risk to climate change impacts with relocation as one potential adaptation option. For Indigenous peoples, this step is not taken lightly, as connection to place is imperative. The aim of this research is to highlight some histories of Māori communities relocating in response to natural hazards, providing insights from the past to help plan for future adaptation. To do this, we undertook a national-scale textual analysis and identified 51 examples of pā relocating in response to natural hazards since pre-1840. We then focused on a case study with members of two iwi (tribes), who relocated following the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera to identify enablers and barriers to relocation, and to draw insights to assist with Māori-led responses to climate change adaptation. We found that key enablers of relocation included whānau (family)-level decision-making, cultural norms of awhi (support), whanaungatanga (relationships), whakapapa (genealogical connection), koha (donation), tuku whenua (gifts of land), and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). In summary, Māori and other Indigenous peoples have rich histories of relocations, utilising their own Indigenous knowledge, local implementation, and adaptability to natural hazards that can be implemented in our modern context.

The Maharashtra River Basin's Flood-Drought-Water Scarcity Nexus

<p>India's droughts and floods, which have affected 8 million hectares yearly since the 1950s, make future adaptation and mitigation plans necessary, as well as an awareness of potential changes. In order to address the growing issues of flood and drought events in urban settings, the study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive water management strategies that ensure both routine water needs and severe event readiness. This study article recommends including drought and flood considerations in building codes and urban planning regulations to boost urban water resilience. The paper provides workable solutions for developing water-sensitive urban design, rainwater collecting, greywater reuse programs, and decentralized water management systems through a collection of case studies and strategy models. It also emphasizes the importance of teaching the population about the dangers of droughts and floods, water conservation methods, and emergency response procedures. The recommendations place a lot of emphasis on the need for a variety of policies that encourage cooperation between stakeholders, including local and state governments, business owners, community leaders, and experts. The policy recommendations include requests for green infrastructure, building standards for flood-resistant homes, water conservation requirements, and climate-responsive legislation, among other subjects. By encouraging sustainable water use behaviors, these concepts aim to increase urban resilience and make cities better prepared to mitigate the consequences of drought and flooding. These recommendations can aid local and state governments in creating a culture of preparedness for catastrophes, protecting communities, and fostering urban water resilience. This case study looks at the intricate relationships between a specific Maharashtrian river's floods, droughts, and water scarcity.</p>

Modelling the role of multiple risk attitudes in implementing adaptation measures to reduce drought and flood losses

Human activities have increasingly affected hydrological processes in many river basins worldwide leading to changes in the severity of droughts and floods. A number of modelling studies have used system dynamic models to represent the complex dynamics generated by the interplays between the social and physical systems. Yet, attitudes towards drought and flood risk leading to the implementation of individual and collective adaptation measures are not included in current system dynamics modelling approaches. To address this gap, we developed a system dynamic model to represent the dynamics between human societies, decision-making processes, adaptation measures, and hydrological extremes. The model accounts for a society characterized by the co-existence of four types of risk attitudes and management responses: risk-neglecting, risk-controlling, risk-downplaying, and risk-monitoring. Our findings show that the presence of a prevalent social group with a certain risk attitude has a strong influence on the awareness, preparedness, and consequent losses of the other social groups. On the other hand, the homogenous presence of social groups with diverse risk attitudes leads to higher drought and flood losses due to the unsustainable water use of risk-neglecting and risk-downplaying groups. Finally, our results highlight that societies characterized by high heterogeneity in risk-attitudes tend to implement less collective measures, opting instead for individual measures by specific social groups. This emphasizes the importance of accounting for different social groups when modelling human-water dynamics to promote an integrated risk management and design more sustainable and resilient future adaptation pathways.

Navigating adaptive futures: analysing the scope of political possibilities for climate adaptation

ABSTRACT The growing scale and intensity of climate change poses a substantial challenge to the status quo of society and politics. Adapting to the risks associated with extreme weather events and changing climatic conditions will require the re-imagination of many aspects of politics and society. Therefore, climate change can be framed as a problem of imagination; one in which our relationship to the future is central to understanding how possibilities in the present are perceived. This research analyses public submissions made on New Zealand’s first draft National Adaptation Plan to understand how future climate adaptation is framed and imagined by different groups. In analysing submissions we identify and describe four thematic ‘adaptive futures’ that each argue for varied amounts of socio-political change from the status quo: data driven resilience; growth and opportunity; nature-society change; and flaxroots transformation. Underpinning these adaptive futures are emerging advocacy coalitions that seek to shape what is seen as possible, imaginatively, politically and materially. Our analysis also highlights how risks and opportunities are perceived by whom, and insights into attempts to delineate the boundaries of adaptive imagination and political possibility. Glossary of Māori terms: hapū: kinship group; iwi: extended kinship or tribal group; kaitiakitanga: intergenerational sustainability; kaupapa Māori: Māori approach, a philosophical doctrine, incorporating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of Māori society; kawa: protocols; mana: authority, dignity, control, governance & power; mana whenua: territorial rights, power from the land, authority over land or territory, jurisdiction over land or territory; te ao Māori: the Māori worldview; tikanga: correct procedures, lore & practises Definitions sourced from Blackett et al. 2022 & Te Aka Māori Dictionary

Law, Colonial-Capitalist Floods, and the Production of Injustices in Eastern India: Insights for Climate Adaptation

AbstractFloods are not merely ‘natural’ disasters; rather, they emerge as socio-natural phenomena shaped by political, social, and economic processes. Law plays a pivotal role in producing and sustaining these processes and contributes to the creation of unjust environments. Drawing on political ecology and environmental history, this article analyzes the role of law and its interactions with colonialism and capitalism in the Damodar river valley in Eastern India. The Damodar river valley is an intensely engineered and hazardous region, a site of multiple interventions and developmental and ecological experiments for over a century. Colonial and post-colonial legacies have left a lasting imprint on legal, policy, and institutional frameworks, establishing a path-dependent trajectory for addressing future climate change adaptation challenges. While focusing on a specific case study, the article's approach and findings have broader significance, especially in the context of climate adaptation. The central argument underscores the need to understand the political and legal dimensions of flooding, and reinforces the need for a shift beyond incremental adjustments that do not tackle the underlying structures that produce the injustices associated with floods. It highlights the importance of ‘transformative adaptation’ approaches that address the root causes of climate-related disasters, such as restructuring power relations between actors, reconfiguring governance structures, and scrutinizing ideologies that mediate how water is used and distributed.

Incorporating endogenous human behavior in models of COVID-19 transmission: A systematic scoping review

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic there was a plethora of dynamical forecasting models created, but their ability to effectively describe future trajectories of disease was mixed. A major challenge in evaluating future case trends was forecasting the behavior of individuals. When behavior was incorporated into models, it was primarily incorporated exogenously (e.g., fitting to cellphone mobility data). Fewer models incorporated behavior endogenously (e.g., dynamically changing a model parameter throughout the simulation). MethodsThis review aimed to qualitatively characterize models that included an adaptive (endogenous) behavioral element in the context of COVID-19 transmission. We categorized studies into three approaches: 1) feedback loops, 2) game theory/utility theory, and 3) information/opinion spread. FindingsOf the 92 included studies, 72% employed a feedback loop, 27% used game/utility theory, and 9% used a model if information/opinion spread. Among all studies, 89% used a compartmental model alone or in combination with other model types. Similarly, 15% used a network model, 11% used an agent-based model, 7% used a system dynamics model, and 1% used a Markov chain model. Descriptors of behavior change included mask-wearing, social distancing, vaccination, and others. Sixty-eight percent of studies calibrated their model to observed data and 25% compared simulated forecasts to observed data. Forty-one percent of studies compared versions of their model with and without endogenous behavior. Models with endogenous behavior tended to show a smaller and delayed initial peak with subsequent periodic waves. InterpretationWhile many COVID-19 models incorporated behavior exogenously, these approaches may fail to capture future adaptations in human behavior, resulting in under- or overestimates of disease burden. By incorporating behavior endogenously, the next generation of infectious disease models could more effectively predict outcomes so that decision makers can better prepare for and respond to epidemics. FundingThis study was funded in-part by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MInD-Healthcare Program (1U01CK000536), the National Science Foundation (NSF) Modeling Dynamic Disease-Behavior Feedbacks for Improved Epidemic Prediction and Response grant (2229996), and the NSF PIPP Phase I: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Messaging and Modeling during Pandemics grant (2200256).

“If we don't speak the language, we aren't offered the same opportunities”: Qualitative perspectives of palliative care access for women of color living with advanced breast cancer

ContextDespite efforts to enhance equity, disparities in early palliative care (PC) access for historically minoritized patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) persist. Insight into patient and clinician perspectives are needed to inform future models aimed at improving equity in PC access and outcomes. ObjectivesTo explore qualitative barriers and facilitators to early PC access in an urban setting with Black and Latina women with ABC. MethodsIn this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted one-on-one interviews with Black and Latina women with ABC (N = 20) and interdisciplinary clinicians (N = 20) between February 2022 and February 2023. Participants were recruited from urban academic and community cancer clinics. Transcripts were analyzed using an inductive coding and thematic analysis approach. ResultsBarriers identified by both patients and clinicians included lack of communication between oncology, PC, and primary care teams, limited understanding of PC among patients and non-PC clinicians, language and health literacy-related communication challenges, and racism and marginalization, including implicit bias and lack of diverse racial/ethnic representation in the supportive care workforce. Facilitators identified by both patients and clinicians included patient-to-patient referrals, support groups breaking cultural stigma on topics including self-advocacy and PC, referrals from trusted providers, and community organizations’ abilities to overcome challenges related to social determinants of health, most specifically logistical and financial support. ConclusionsPatients and clinicians reported similar barriers and facilitators to PC access, most commonly through the lens of care coordination and communication. These findings will inform future adaptation of a culturally and linguistically care model to improve access to early PC services for Black and Latina women with ABC.

Guidelines and recommendations for cross-linguistic aphasia assessment: a review of 10 years of comprehensive aphasia test adaptations

ABSTRACT Background Standardised aphasia assessment tools may not always be available in a variety of languages, posing challenges for speech and language therapists to adequately assess and diagnose aphasia in speakers of those languages. In 2013, Working Group 2 (WG2) Aphasia Assessment & Outcomes, part of the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists network, was formed with the purpose of developing reliable and valid aphasia assessment tools and their cross-linguistic adaptations. Over the past decade, WG2 has undertaken important adaptation projects, including the cross-linguistic adaptation of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT; Swinburn et al., 2004). Aims This review aims to achieve three objectives: (a) describe the adaptation procedure of the CAT within WG2, (b) summarise common guidelines and recommendations for future adaptations, and (c) provide concrete solutions for specific cross-linguistic and cross-cultural challenges encountered during the adaptation and validation procedures of the CAT. Methods Between 2013 and 2023, WG2 employed a committee approach and fully adapted the CAT into Catalan, Croatian, Dutch, French, Hungarian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Turkish. Further adaptations are in progress for Arabic (Moroccan), Basque, Cantonese Chinese, German, Greek, Icelandic, Lithuanian, Serbian, Slovenian and Swedish. The review comprehensively addresses the linguistic/cultural adaptation and validation procedure for the three components of the battery: the Cognitive screening, the Language battery and the Aphasia Impact Questionnaire. Critical outcomes and some best practice recommendations from psychometric norming and piloting are also discussed. Outcomes and results This review builds upon prior work (Fyndanis et al., 2017) and serves as a practical guide for researchers and clinicians undertaking cross-linguistic adaptations of the CAT, with specific conclusions and recommendations drawn from WG2’s adaptations in 19 languages with diverse typological properties. Building on the work exemplified in this paper, future initiatives can direct their efforts towards adapting the CAT for PWA from different linguistic backgrounds for whom validated assessment instruments may be unavailable. This can be achieved through rigorous systematic adaptation procedures for the establishment of comparable language versions of this tool, valuable for various clinical applications. Such endeavours have the potential to provide access to valuable shared datasets for their use across international aphasia trials, and for comparable clinical work within the aphasiology community.

Bringing genomics to the field: An integrative approach to seed sourcing for forest restoration.

Global anthropogenic change threatens the health and productivity of forest ecosystems. Assisted migration and reforestation are tools to help mitigate these impacts. However, questions remain about how to approach sourcing seeds to ensure high establishment and future adaptability. Using exome-capture sequencing, we demonstrate a computational approach to finding the best n-sets from a candidate list of seed sources that collectively achieve high genetic diversity (GD) and minimal genetic load (GL), while also increasing evolvability in quantitative traits. The benefits of this three-part strategy (diversity-load-evolvability) are to increase near-term establishment success while also boosting evolutionary potential to respond to future stressors. Members of The Nature Conservancy and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative planted 58,000 seedlings across 255 acres. A subset of seedlings was monitored for establishment success and variation in growth. The results show gains in GD relative to GL and increases in quantitative genetic variation in seedling growth for pooled vs. single-source restoration. No single "super source" was observed across planting sites; rather, monitoring results demonstrate that pooling of multiple sources helps achieve higher GD:GL and evolvability. Our study shows the potential for integrating genomics into local-scale restoration and the importance of building partnerships between academic researchers and applied conservation managers.

Development of a capillary temperature control system for capillary electrophoresis instruments designed for spaceflight applications.

Capillary temperature control during capillary electrophoresis (CE) separations is key for achieving accurate and reproducible results with a broad array of potential methods. However, the difficulty of enabling typical fluid temperature control loops on portable instruments has meant that active capillary temperature control of in situ CE systems has frequently been overlooked. This work describes construction and test of a solid-state device for capillary temperature control that is suitable for inclusion with in situ instruments, including those designed for space missions. Two test articles were built, a thermal mass model (TMM) and a functional model (FM). The TMM demonstrated that temperature gradients could be limited using the proposed control scheme, and that our thermal modeling of the system can be relied on for future adaptations of physical geometries of the system. The FM demonstrated CE analytical performance while under active temperature control and that the device was compatible with the harsh thermal-vacuum environments that might be encountered during space flight.

Water Resources Management under Climate Change: A Review

Climate change affects water resources through the decrease in rainfall and the increase in temperatures and evapotranspiration. An indirect impact of climate change is also the increase in water uses by human activities. In this review, 320 papers were retrieved, of which 134, spanning five continents and dealing with impacts and solutions, were selected to be used to better understand the effects of climate change on water resources, ecosystems, human health, security, and socio-economic aspects. Here, suggestions and proposals towards solutions by scientists from around the world, tips and ideas to deal with climate change, and the best solutions for future water management are presented. The main solutions highlighted concern integrated water resource management, political direction, policies, an increase in knowledge, and new technologies. Furthermore, most of the analyzed papers underline that water resource management needs to incorporate the protection and restoration of ecosystems and their services. Nature-based solutions need to be the starting point of new scientific and innovative ways to deal with climate change and look towards future climate adaptation. In this complex evolution of the water resource, the political position of Italy is also shown, illustrating what actions could be implemented for water resource management.