Long-term Survey Research Articles

Crop yield increments will enhance soil carbon sequestration in coastal arable lands by 2100

Coastal lands are crucial arable land reserves that play a vital role in ensuring future global food security. In arable coastal lands, low soil quality often results in limited crop yield and soil organic carbon (SOC), making them promising sites for enhancing both soil carbon sequestration and agricultural production. However, a scarcity of long-term site experiments has led to a research gap regarding SOC sequestration in coastal arable lands, leaving potential uncertainties due to variations in planting systems, crop yields, and the influence of climate change. In this study, we focused on the Yellow River Delta (YRD) in China, which is a typical coastal agricultural area. We verified the adaptability of the Denitrifcation-Decomposition (DNDC) model in coastal farmlands based on an 11-year long-term observation experiment and continuous sampling survey data. We further explored the spatiotemporal changes of regional SOC stocks under two Shared Socio-Economic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios based on five Global Climate Models (GCMs) derived from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), along with three yield increase scenarios from 2020 to 2100. The results indicated that promoting single-cotton cultivation in coastal saline–alkali lands would result in at least 88.2% of farmland being converted into carbon sinks. In contrast, promoting the cultivation of a wheat–maize rotation system can promote regional SOC sequestration as a whole, with a maximum increase of 31.90 Mg C ha−1. By 2100, the SOC stocks decreased in cotton and wheat–maize rotation farmland by 3.9% and 11.6%, respectively, in the SSP585 scenario compared with that in the SSP126 scenario. Except for farmlands with wheat-maize rotation cropping system under the SSP126 scenario, the SOC stocks in all other scenarios are projected to reach their theoretical maximum values before 2050. Additionally, when reaching the North China Plain (S1) and national (S2) high-yield levels of farmland, the SOC stocks in cotton farmland by 2100 increased by 16.7% and 21.6%, respectively, whereas the SOC stocks in wheat-maize farmland increased by 1.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Our study revealed the mutually beneficial relationship between yield increment and SOC sequestration in coastal farmlands under climate change, as well as the potential for future SOC sequestration. We provided scientific support for land management and climate change mitigation strategic decision-making in coastal saline–alkali farmlands.

Making and Unmaking Witchcraft Attacks in Twenty-First Century Lorraine (France)

If witchcraft in Lorraine (France) has been widely studied and commented on by medieval and modern historians thanks to the analysis of the context of the Inquisition, books on demonology, witchcraft trials and ordeals such as torture or the stake, this is because it has long been considered and described as a peasant superstition, even a naive belief, which disappeared decades ago. However, since the second half of the 20th century, ethnologists and social and cultural anthropologists have sought to show that witchcraft remains a living social and cultural phenomenon in many regions of France and Europe. In the same way, this article aims to affirm, with regard to the results of a long-term field survey of unwitchers-healers and their clientele, that 21st century witchcraft still constitutes an explanation of misfortune, the disease, which aims to be coherent and effective in the face of events or symptoms deemed unexplained or strange. The article also proposes implicitly to question the status, place and role of contemporary healers in a region of eastern France. It is therefore a question of enriching the reflection on the plurality of the offer of care which is deployed in French society and comes to question the monopoly of scientific medicine.

A Visual Approach to the Damage Diagnosis of Monoliths from the Monquira Archaeological Park - El Infiernito in Colombia

Natural stones of monuments represent an important part of our world’s cultural heritage but deteriorate by the direct or indirect interaction of mineral and stone weathering. Application of damage indices improves stone damage diagnosis and is very appropriate for the determination of necessary preservation procedures as well as the long-term survey and maintenance of stone monuments. The sandstones used at El Infiernito in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, today show weathering damages of partly extreme intensity. In-situ surveys allowed damage mapping to identify major causes of damage and to understand their relationship with stone and environment characteristics. In this research, the results of describing the state of deterioration of the pre-Hispanic phallic monoliths in the Archaeological Park of Monquirá "El Infiernito", are presented in the form of monument visual posters. On the basis of the visualizing of weathering forms at representative monoliths, the state of deterioration is precisely characterized and evaluated. The monument mapping and photographic documentation method can also be useful for reassessing weather damage in the framework of long-term monitoring and maintenance of monuments. This article presents the methodology of mapping weathering forms of stone monuments by using a visual classification system developed over the years with various applications.

Long-term survey discloses a shift in the dynamics pattern of an emerging disease of cockles Cerastoderma edule, marteiliosis, and raises hypothesis to explain it

Drivers of marine disease outbreaks are poorly understood in spite of their growing impact. We present here results from a unique case study examining how cockles Cerastoderma edule have responded to the introduction of the novel protistan Marteilia cochillia, which led in 2012 to cockle fishery collapse in Galician rias. Based on intensive survey for eight years (2011-2019) of two affected shellfish beds, inner and outer in the Ría de Arousa, involving monthly evaluation of cockle health status and estimation of mortality, detailed information is provided of the declining impact of marteiliosis over a wild cockle population with evidence suggesting its increasing resistance. Disease dynamics involved an annual “breaking wave” of prevalence and subsequent cockle mass mortality, causing the nearly extinction of every recruited cohort. A shift in this pattern, from a severe epidemic towards an endemic profile was observed in the inner shellfish bed since the cohort recruited in 2016, suggesting the hypothesis of increasing marteiliosis resistance through natural selection. Risk factors that may contribute to trigger marteiliosis outbreaks were analysed. Host age and sex did not influence susceptibility to marteiliosis. No clear relationships between environmental conditions (temperature, salinity and upwelling index) or cockle density and disease dynamics were found. Spatial differences in disease dynamics could be due to differences in the abundance of infective stages hypothetically linked to spatial differences in the population dynamics of a putative planktonic intermediate host. All these findings have potential implications for the management of diseased populations.

Indoor monitoring and long-term survey to identify the risks of Energy Poverty: the case of social housing in Northern Italy

Low-income families often live in poorly heated houses belonging to social housing programs. Tenants’ wellbeing and health in social housing is typically threatened by problems associated with energy inefficiency and poor Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). These conditions are among the symptoms of a social issue known as Energy Poverty (EP), which occurs when residents face difficulty in paying energy bills. In 2020 about 2.1 million households (8% of the total) were suffering from energy poverty in Italy. The risk of EP is mainly favored by three factors: the low income of the family, the high final price of energy and the poor technical construction characteristics of the building which can lead to poor IEQ. Four indicators have been proposed by the European Commission and some others developed in the scientific literature, but often neither the thresholds to assess the status of EP nor the methodology to collect data have been defined. This study aims to assess some of the recommended European indicators on a case study. The risks of EP have been investigated in social housing located in Northern Italy by means of an integrated methodology based on a site inspection, a survey, and the continuous monitoring of the indoor environmental parameters during the winter season. The proposed method allowed detecting the presence of EP in 5 dwellings out of 8.

Overview of Balaenoptera whales strandings in Southern Brazil from 1993 to 2018

The ecology and distribution of most baleen whales are poorly known in Brazilian waters, despite the history of whaling and the recent increase in the research effort. Although stranding data presents some caveats, it is useful to understand patterns of distribution and occurrence and to detect population trends. In this scenario, data from 25 years of a monitoring marine mammal stranding program were used to evaluate the composition and spatial-temporal patterns of Balaenoptera whales in southern Brazil. A stretch of 270 km on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul State (from 29°20’S to 31°21’S) was surveyed year-round between 1993 and 2018. Whales were identified, measured and sex determined whenever possible. Molecular identification through mtDNA analysis was obtained for 22 individuals and confirmed field identification in 17 cases. Forty-eight whales of four species were recorded: common minke whale B. acutorostrata n = 27, Antarctic minke whale B. bonaerensis n = 1, Bryde’s whale B. brydei n = 13, fin whale B. physalus n = 1. In addition, six whales were not identified at species level due to advanced decomposition. The larger number of strandings of common minke and Bryde’s whales may be related to their greater abundance and/or more coastal distribution. Both species were recorded year-round, but strandings of common minke and Bryde’s whales occurred mostly during winter/spring (77.77%) and spring/summer (66.66%), respectively. Although Bryde’s whales appear to remain in southern Brazilian waters during the entire year, the results suggest the existence of seasonal inshore-offshore movements. Moreover, the greater number of strandings of juveniles of common minke whales compared to adults (ratio 1.86:1) and their occurrence in different seasons suggest that some immature individuals may not leave this region, as previously pointed out by other studies. This long-term survey brings new evidence of the importance of this region in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean for some Balaenoptera species.

The Importance of Multidisciplinary Trauma-Informed Training in Addressing Campus-Based Sexual Violence.

This study investigates the impact of a professional development training series among a multidisciplinary team (MDT) during establishment of a trauma-informed sexual assault response and prevention program at a midsized university in the southeastern United States. MDT members included forensic nurses, advocates, counselors, law enforcement officers, and relevant faculty and staff. After completion of a baseline survey assessing attitudes toward trauma-informed care and perceptions of the team climate within the MDT, team members engaged in a trauma-informed care (TIC) professional development training series consisting of (a) 4-hour-long didactic lectures with incorporated group discussion and (2) one 2-hour in-situ simulation-based training exercise. MDT members subsequently completed 3-month and long-term follow-up surveys to assess the immediate and enduring impacts of the training series.The TIC training series significantly increased MDT members' perceptions of participative safety, task orientation, and support for innovation within the group at the 3-month assessment. No long-term differences were found, likely because of a small sample size and low statistical power.Intensive TIC MDT professional development at the beginning of a campus-wide sexual assault prevention and response initiative enhances psychological safety within the group, evidenced by increased perceptions of participative safety and support for innovation, and builds team cohesiveness around a shared set of tasks. Within the present MDT, the professional development training series also appeared to facilitate adoption of a shared set of values for accomplishing the team's goal of preventing and responding to sexual assault on campus. Recommendations for MDTs with similar goals are discussed.

Effects of heatwave events on the seagrass-dwelling crustacean Pandalus latirostris in a subarctic lagoon

Heatwaves often cause mass mortality of organisms in seagrass areas, and they eventually alter some ecological functions of seagrass ecosystems. In subarctic regions, however, the effects of heatwaves on seagrass areas are still unclear. In a subarctic lagoon of northern Japan, we examined the effects of heatwaves on the Hokkai shrimp, Pandalus latirostris, a commercially exploited species distributed in seagrass areas of northern Japan and eastern Russia. A long-term survey of the surface water temperature in the lagoon clarified a gradual increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwave events since 1999. Surveys of the water temperature at a seagrass area in the lagoon during summer have also demonstrated that the maximum water temperature had been exceeding 25 °C, unusually high for this location, regardless of water depth. These results indicate that the effects of heatwaves in seagrass areas in a subarctic region had become as severe as those in tropical and temperate regions. We also experimentally evaluated the effects of this unusually high water temperature (25 °C) on the survival of P. latirostris by changing the length of exposure time. Some individuals suffered damage to their intestinal mucosal structure after exposure for 12 h or longer, and all individuals died after exposure for 120 h. Our results suggest that heatwaves possibly cause mass mortality in P. latirostris in the following sequence: heat stress, damage to the intestinal epithelial mucosal structure, degradation of nutrient absorption and immunological function of the intestine, energy deficiency and disease infection, and finally mortality. This study, conducted in subarctic closed waters, concludes that it is essential to become familiar with not only trends in heatwaves but also the intermittent occurrence of unusually high water temperature in seagrass areas in order to better understand the process of mortality of organisms that inhabit these ecosystems.

Did Gender Egalitarianism Weaken Religiosity in Baby Boom Women? A Developmental-Historical Approach.

This investigation used long-term longitudinal survey data from baby boomer women to identify whether strengthening gender role egalitarianism in early adulthood predicted declines in religious service attendance and religious intensity in later life. The aging of this cohort coincided with dramatic societal shifts in gender values and religiosity. The data were derived from 350 women participating in the Longitudinal Study of Generations, a study originally fielded in 1971 of families living in Southern California. Respondents were initially assessed in their late teens and early 20s and followed up to their early-to-mid 60s. Using growth curve modeling, we linked the change in egalitarian gender attitudes from 1971 to 1988 to a change in religiosity from 1994 to 2016. Women who became more egalitarian in their gender attitudes experienced sharper declines in religious intensity, but not in religious attendance in the period studied. Controlling for life-course transitions did not alter these results. The findings are discussed in terms of the connection between two asynchronous social changes occurring over the lives of women in a uniquely positioned birth cohort.

Predicting Unmet Healthcare Needs in Post-Disaster: A Machine Learning Approach.

Unmet healthcare needs in the aftermath of disasters can significantly impede recovery efforts and exacerbate health disparities among the affected communities. This study aims to assess and predict such needs, develop an accurate predictive model, and identify the key influencing factors. Data from the 2017 Long-term Survey on the Change of Life of Disaster Victims in South Korea were analyzed using machine learning techniques, including logistic regression, C5.0 tree-based model, and random forest. The features were selected based on Andersen's health behavior model and disaster-related factors. Among 1659 participants, 31.5% experienced unmet healthcare needs after a disaster. The random forest algorithm exhibited the best performance in terms of precision, accuracy, Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC-ROC), and F-1 scores. Subjective health status, disaster-related diseases or injuries, and residential area have emerged as crucial factors predicting unmet healthcare needs. These findings emphasize the vulnerability of disaster-affected populations and highlight the value of machine learning in post-disaster management policies for decision-making.

Patient-reported reactogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations vs. comparator vaccinations: a comparative observational cohort study

BackgroundIn the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, multiple vaccines were developed. Little was known about reactogenicity and safety in comparison to established vaccines, e.g. influenza, pneumococcus, or herpes zoster. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare self-reported side effects in persons vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 with the incidence of side effects in persons receiving one of the established vaccines.MethodsA longitudinal observational study was conducted over a total of 124 days using web-based surveys. Persons receiving either a vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 or one of the established vaccines (comparator group) were included. In the first questionnaire (short-term survey), 2 weeks after vaccination, mainly local and systemic complaints were evaluated. The long-term survey (42 days after vaccination) and follow-up survey (124 weeks after vaccination) focused on medical consultations for any reason. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the influence of the vaccine type (SARS-CoV-2 vs. comparator) and demographic factors.ResultsIn total, data from 16,636 participants were included. Self-reported reactogenicity was lowest in the comparator group (53.2%) and highest in the ChAdOx1 group (85.3%). Local reactions were reported most frequently after mRNA-1273 (73.9%) and systemic reactions mainly after vector-based vaccines (79.8%). Almost all SARS-CoV-2 vaccines showed increased odds of reporting local or systemic reactions. Approximately equal proportions of participants reported medical consultations. None in the comparator group suspected a link to vaccination, while this was true for just over one in 10 in the mRNA-1273 group. The multivariate analysis showed that people with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were not more likely to report medical consultations; patients who had received a regimen with at least one ChAdOx1 were even less likely to report medical consultations. Younger age, female gender and higher comorbidity were mostly associated with higher odds of medical consultations.ConclusionThe rate of adverse reactions after established vaccinations was roughly comparable to previous studies. Two weeks after vaccination, participants in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination group reported more local and systemic local reactions than participants in the comparator group. In the further course, however, there were no higher odds of medical consultations in either of the two groups. Thus, altogether, we assume comparable safety.Trial registrationDRKS-ID DRKS00025881 and DRKS-ID DRKS00025373.

Assessing the impact of the wildlife trade in West Africa (Benin): Functional diversity matters too

We tackle the potential impact of bushmeat markets (BM) and traditional medicine markets (TMM) on the functional diversity of mammalian communities in southern Benin, West Africa. A hybrid approach combining direct observations, DNA-typing and questionnaires allowed us to identify 94 species-level taxa across 11 mammalian orders, the greatest ever reported numbers for African wildlife markets. TMM sold species of high conservation concern or regulated by international conventions and sourced among all the taxonomic orders and bioclimatic zones of the country. BM were taxonomically and functionally 100% nested within TMM. However, functional richness was high in both markets, impacting nine diet specializations and five ecological functions, which included seed dispersion (frugivores, folivores and omnivores), prey regulation (carnivores and invertivores), browsing (folivores), grazing (omnivores) and fertilization (nectarivores). TMM likely jeopardized the regulatory, structural and production functions of the sourced ecosystems as they sold species with the greatest body weights and generation lengths, and smallest litter sizes, including large herbivores and keystone predators. BM, despite their restricted range, sourced among a non-selective taxonomic and functional spectrum and as such, also represent a significant threat to ecosystem functioning in southern Benin. The functional database that we provide can serve as a starting point to pursue the quantification of functional diversity in African mammals and further investigate the impact of wildlife markets on ecosystem functioning in tropical Africa. Overall, long-term surveys of the two types of wildlife markets are needed to accurately quantify the threat they constitute to mammalian biodiversity and the sustainability of ecosystem services.

Two negatives make an affirmative: can extreme flooding reduce the expansion of invasive submerged macrophyte in a large river?

Plant invasion and extreme climate event are both important ecological issues under the background of global climate change. However, how these two incidents interact with each other is still debatable in different ecosystems. In this study we investigated the interaction between the extreme flooding event during the autumn of 2021 in the Han River and the invasion of Elodea nuttallii based on a long-term field survey from 2020 to 2023 and two indoor controlled experiments (propagule bank experiment and decomposition experiment). We hypothesized that two negatives (extreme flooding event and invasive submerged macrophytes) can make an affirmative (macrophyte community consisting of native species). The field survey found that the extreme flooding caused a critical change of transparency until seven months later the water quality turned into the initial condition, and the maximum biomass of E. nuttallii decreased significantly in 2022 after the flooding. Abundant propagule bank of native macrophytes in the sediment contributed to the strong resilience of macrophyte community responding to the extreme flooding; the maximum total biomass of macrophyte community in 2022 did not differ from that in the two years prior to the flooding. Additionally, more species of native macrophyte was found in the field survey after the extreme flooding. Decomposition rates of E. nuttallii fragments was large as 0.69 d−1, and long-time high turbidity lead to a very fast run-out of the only reproduction tissue (fragments) of this alien species in the river, which resulted in the slowing of its recovery. Inspired by this study, we further proposed a cost-effective methodology to control the invasive species E. nuttallii, i.e., the combination of propagule bank of native macrophytes in the sediment and artificially manipulated pulse flooding.

Topsoil selenium (Se) under Se-rich farming in China: Current status, cropping impacts and ecological risk assessment

Selenium (Se), as an essential microelement, can be supplied through Se-biofortified food from Se-rich soils and associated farming practices for human health, while it can also cause eco-risks if overapplied. In this study, a multi-scale spatiotemporal meta-analysis was conducted to guide sustainable Se-rich farming in China by combining a long-term survey with a reviewed database. The weighted mean concentration, spatial distribution of soil Se, nationwide topsoil Se variation from cropping impacts and its bioavailability-based ecological risks were assessed and quantified. The results showed that the weighted mean content (0.3 mg kg−1) of China was slightly higher than that of previous nationwide topsoil Se surveys, as more Se-rich areas were found in recent high-density sampling surveys. Cropping has overall reduced Se content by 9.5% from farmland across China and deprived more with the increase in farming rotation driven by geo-climatic conditions. Long-term cropping removed Se from Se-rich areas but accumulated it in Se-deficient areas. Additionally, the bioavailable Se content of topsoil in China ranged from 0 to 332 μg kg−1, and the bioavailability-based eco-risks indicated that high eco-risks only existed in overfertilized and extremely high-Se soils, such as in Enshi, Ziyang and some coalfield areas. This work provides evidence for the development of sustainable Se-rich farming with proper utilization of soil Se resources, simultaneously protecting the soil eco-environment.

Long term sexual outcomes of Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser Syndrome patients after Uncu-modified Davydov procedure.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome has an incidence of 1 in 4000. The absence of the vagina and uterus results in sexual dysfunction and infertility. The first-line treatment is vaginal dilatation. There exists a number of second-line surgical options including the Uncu-modified Davydov procedure. To determine the complication rate, anatomical outcomes, and long-term sexual outcomes of MRKH syndrome patients after Uncu-modified Davydov procedure. Patients with MRKH syndrome who underwent paramesonephric remnant-supported laparoscopic double-layer peritoneal pull-down vaginoplasty (aka Uncu-modified Davydov procedure) between January 2008 and December 2021. The procedure involves laparoscopic circular dissection of the pelvic peritoneum followed by pulling down, through the opened vaginal orifice, and suturing the vaginal cuff with the support of uterine remnants. The long-term complication rate, anatomical outcomes, and sexual function outcomes (as measured by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)) were ascertained. Main Outcome Measures: The long-term complication rate, anatomical outcomes and FSFI survey results. A total of 50 patients with MRKH syndrome underwent the Uncu-modified Davydov procedure between Jan 2008- Dec 2021. There were four perioperative complications: three bladder injuries (6%) and one rectal serosa injury (2%). Four long-term postoperative complications were identified: one vesicovaginal fistula (2%), one recto-vaginal fistula (2%), and two vaginal stenoses (4%). All patients were physically examined at least one year after surgery. The mean vaginal length was 8.4 + 1.9 cm. The mean FSFI score was 31.5 + 3.9 (minimum score of 24, maximum score of 36). Conclusion: The Uncu-modified Davydov procedure has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment option with high female sexual function index scores for patients with MRKH syndrome. The long-term complication rate, anatomical and sexual outcomes of Uncu-modified laparoscopic peritoneal pull-down vaginoplasty were reported in this study. The results indicated that the surgical approach could be used in selective MRKH patients who failed first-line self-dilatation therapy.

Marine heatwaves are not a dominant driver of change in demersal fishes.

Marine heatwaves have been linked to negative ecological effects in recent decades1,2. If marine heatwaves regularly induce community reorganization and biomass collapses in fishes, the consequences could be catastrophic for ecosystems, fisheries and human communities3,4. However, the extent to which marine heatwaves have negative impacts on fish biomass or community composition, or even whether their effects can be distinguished from natural and sampling variability, remains unclear. We investigated the effects of 248 sea-bottom heatwaves from 1993 to 2019 on marine fishes by analysing 82,322 hauls (samples) from long-term scientific surveys of continental shelf ecosystems in North America and Europe spanning the subtropics to the Arctic. Here we show that the effects of marine heatwaves on fish biomass were often minimal and could not be distinguished from natural and sampling variability. Furthermore, marine heatwaves were not consistently associated with tropicalization (gain of warm-affiliated species) or deborealization (loss of cold-affiliated species) in these ecosystems. Although steep declines in biomass occasionally occurred after marine heatwaves, these were the exception, not the rule. Against the highly variable backdrop of ocean ecosystems, marine heatwaves have not driven biomass change or community turnover in fish communities that support many of the world's largest and most productive fisheries.

Geochemical landscapes as drivers of wildlife reproductive success: Insights from a high-Arctic ecosystem

The bioavailability of essential and non-essential elements in vegetation is expected to influence the performance of free-ranging terrestrial herbivores. However, attempts to relate the use of geochemical landscapes by animal populations directly to reproductive output are currently lacking. Here we measured concentrations of 14 essential and non-essential elements in soil and vegetation samples collected in the Zackenberg valley, northeast Greenland, and linked these to environmental conditions to spatially predict and map geochemical landscapes. We then used long-term (1996–2021) survey data of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) to quantify annual variation in the relative use of essential and non-essential elements in vegetated sites and their relationship to calf recruitment the following year. Results showed that the relative use of the geochemical landscape by muskoxen varied substantially between years and differed among elements. Selection for vegetated sites with higher levels of the essential elements N, Cu, Se, and Mo was positively linked to annual calf recruitment. In contrast, selection for vegetated sites with higher concentrations of the non-essential elements As and Pb was negatively correlated to annual calf recruitment. Based on the concentrations measured in our study, we found no apparent associations between annual calf recruitment and levels of C, Mn, Co, Zn, Cd, Ba, Hg, and C:N ratio in the vegetation. We conclude that the spatial distribution and access to essential and non-essential elements are important drivers of reproductive output in muskoxen, which may also apply to other wildlife populations. The value of geochemical landscapes to assess habitat-performance relationships is likely to increase under future environmental change.

Spatial analysis of overweight prevalence in China: exploring the association with air pollution

BackgroundOverweight is a known risk factor for various chronic diseases and poses a significant threat to middle-aged and elderly adults. Previous studies have reported a strong association between overweight and air pollution. However, the spatial relationship between the two remains unclear due to the confounding effects of spatial heterogeneity.MethodsWe gathered height and weight data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Long-term Survey (CHARLS), comprising 16,171 middle-aged and elderly individuals. We also collected regional air pollution data. We then analyzed the spatial pattern of overweight prevalence using Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics. To quantify the explanatory power of distinct air pollutants for spatial differences in overweight prevalence across Southern and Northern China, as well as across different age groups, we utilized Geodetector's q-statistic.ResultsThe average prevalence of overweight among middle-aged and elderly individuals in each city was 67.27% and 57.39%, respectively. In general, the q-statistic in southern China was higher than that in northern China. In the north, the prevalence was significantly higher at 54.86% compared to the prevalence of 38.75% in the south. SO2 exhibited a relatively higher q-statistic in middle-aged individuals in both the north and south, while for the elderly in the south, NO2 was the most crucial factor (q = 0.24, p < 0.01). Moreover, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) also demonstrated an important effect on overweight. Furthermore, we found that the pairwise interaction between various risk factors improved the explanatory power of the prevalence of overweight, with different effects for different age groups and regions. In northern China, the strongest interaction was found between NO2 and SO2 (q = 0.55) for middle-aged individuals and PM2.5 and SO2 (q = 0.27) for the elderly. Conversely, in southern China, middle-aged individuals demonstrated the strongest interaction between SO2 and PM10 (q = 0.60), while the elderly showed the highest interaction between NO2 and O3 (q = 0.42).ConclusionSignificant spatial heterogeneity was observed in the effects of air pollution on overweight. Specifically, air pollution in southern China was found to have a greater impact on overweight than that in northern China. And, the impact of air pollution on middle-aged individuals was more pronounced than on the elderly, with distinct pollutants demonstrating significant variation in their impact. Moreover, we found that SO2 had a greater impact on overweight prevalence among middle-aged individuals, while NO2 had a greater impact on the elderly. Additionally, we identified significant statistically interactions between O3 and other pollutants.

Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes Comparing Oncoplastic Breast Surgery and Conventional Breast-Conserving Surgery: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) combines plastic surgery techniques with conventional breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and expands BCS eligibility. Limited data are available on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after OBS. Here we compare long-term PROs after OBS and BCS utilizing the BREAST-Q. Women undergoing OBS or BCS between 2006 and 2019 who completed ≥ 1 long-term BREAST-Q survey 3-5 years postoperatively were identified. Baseline characteristics were compared between women who underwent OBS/BCS. Women who underwent OBS were paired with those who underwent BCS using 1:2 propensity matching [by age, body mass index (BMI), race, T stage, and multifocality]. BREAST-Q scores were compared preoperatively and 3-5 years postoperatively. A total of 297 patients were included for analysis (99 OBS/198 BCS). Women who underwent OBS were younger (p < 0.001) and had higher BMI (p = 0.005) and multifocal disease incidence (p = 0.004). There was no difference between groups in nodal stage, re-excision rates, axillary surgery, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or radiotherapy. After propensity matching preoperatively, women who underwent OBS reported lower psychosocial well-being (63 versus 100, p = 0.039) but similar breast satisfaction and sexual well-being compared with women who underwent BCS; however, only three patients who underwent BCS had preoperative BREAST-Q scores available for review. In long-term follow-up, women who underwent OBS reported lower psychosocial scores (74 versus 93, p = 0.011) 4 years postoperatively, but not at 5 years (76 versus 77, p = 0.83). There was no difference in long-term breast satisfaction or sexual well-being. Women who undergo OBS present with a larger disease burden and may represent a group of non-traditional BCS candidates; they reported similar long-term breast satisfaction and sexual well-being compared with women who undergo BCS. While women who underwent OBS reported lower psychosocial well-being scores preoperatively and during a portion of the follow-up period, this difference was no longer seen at 5 years postoperatively.

Sky survey mission planning based on particle swarm optimization

In 2024, China plans to launch the Chinese Space Station Telescope, and how to plan the telescope’s observing mission efficiently is of great importance. The space telescope mission planning faces many problems, like large observation areas, plenty of constraints, and difficulty in task optimization arrangement. In order to solve these problems, we consider the actual situation of the mission, take the telescope in-orbit constraint and observation constraint as constraints, and take energy consumption and observation efficiency as optimization objectives. We establish the sky survey mission planning model and sky survey planning algorithm based on multi-objective particle swarm optimization. The results show that the sky survey mission planning algorithm in this paper can effectively accomplish long-term sky survey mission planning and is more practical than existing algorithms.