Mixed Effects Research Articles

Antidepressants as new endocrine disruptors? – transcriptomic profiling in gonads of Mytilus trossulus exposed to norfluoxetine

In this study an impact of norfluoxetine (NFLU) on Mytilus trossulus gonads was investigated focusing on sex-related differences in hormonal changes, gene expression, and transcriptomic profiling. Sex-specific differences in gonadal serotonin levels were found. NFLU stimulates serotonin synthesis and/or transport in female gonads, potentially accelerating oocyte maturation and gamete release. In males, NFLU decreases serotonin level what likely leads to impeding sperm maturation and thus spawning delay. Transcriptomic analyses highlighted the presence of NFLU-induced changes in gene expression related to gametogenesis and neurotransmission. In females, NFLU upregulated genes associated with oocyte development and downregulated those involved in sperm maturation. NFLU-treated males exhibited mixed effects in their genes in relation to spermatogenesis. Additionally, sex-related differences in the expression of the CYP450 genes responsible for detoxification were found. Overall, norfluoxetine acts as an endocrine-disrupting chemical and impacts gonadal serotonin levels and gene expression, potentially disrupting reproductive success of M. trossulus.

Decarbonization under geoeconomic distress? Energy shocks, carbon lock‐ins, and Germany's pathway toward net zero

AbstractHow can decarbonization governance endure under increasing geoeconomic distress? Global tensions threaten to divert financial and political resources from the green transition toward national security issues. However, we lack the analytical tools to assess decarbonization governance in this age of global rivalries. To address this gap, we develop an analytical framework to study the effects of geoeconomic shocks through investment, operational, and political channels. Using macro‐ and company‐level data and document analysis, we empirically test our framework using Germany's decarbonization governance following the cutoff of its Russian gas supply in 2022 as a case study. We find that this shock had negative short‐term effects on decarbonization via the operational channel, mixed effects via the political channel, and positive long‐term effects via the investment channel. Our framework and findings contribute to establishing climate change and energy politics as core issues for future political economy research.

Standardized Temporary Atrial Epicardial Wire Locations Lead to Enhanced Atrial Signal Identification.

Background: Arrhythmias, common after pediatric cardiac surgery, are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Atrial epicardial wires (AEW) improve diagnostic accuracy but have variable pacing and sensing properties based on their location. Even so, there are no longitudinal prospective pediatric studies examining ideal placement of AEW. Methods: This multicenter study compared atrial amplitudes, pacing sensitivities and thresholds via AEW placed at Bachmann's Bundle (BB) and the interatrial groove near the right pulmonary veins (IGRPV) versus the surgeons' standard locations. An AtriAmp system was used to obtain an atrial ECG to calculate atrial and ventricular amplitude from atrial electrograms on the bedside monitor. Sensitivities and thresholds via a temporary pacemaker were documented. ANOVA tests with repeated measures and post-hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to compare variables within the first 24-h postoperative hours. Mixed effects linear regression models were employed to examine daily trends. Results: In the first 24-h following cardiac surgery, AEW at BB and IGRPV showed significantly larger atrial amplitudes than the surgeons' standard locations. In addition, there was a negative trend in atrial ECG amplitude in all AEW from postoperative days 0 to 1; however, subsequent days showed a positive mean change in atrial amplitude with largest increase seen at BB. Atrial sensing as measured by the temporary pacemaker had statistically greater atrial signal amplitude from the BB-IGRPV set in both polarities (ie, with the BB as the - or + electrode pair) as compared to the surgeons' standard locations. No difference in atrial thresholds (mA) were noted in the immediate postoperative period or over time, with a relatively low atrial threshold at all sites. Conclusion: Standardization of AEW at Bachmann's Bundle can yield largest atrial amplitudes by atrial ECG and highest atrial sensing parameters without compromising atrial thresholds.

Supporting driver performance in closely spaced tunnel-interchange structure: Traffic control devices and effects on driving behavior

Objectives With the rapid development of expressways in the mountainous regions of southwestern China, closely spaced tunnel-interchange structures have inevitably emerged due to topographical constraints and environmental limitations. Given the unfavorable road geometry and rapid cross-section transitions, drivers face significant safety concerns. This study aims to investigate drivers’ safety performance at closely spaced tunnel-interchange sections and determine how safety risks can be mitigated through improved traffic control devices design. Methods Thirty-nine participants conducted an experimental study in a fixed-base simulator. The test scenario was modeled on the Xingyan Freeway-S3801 and accurately reproduced in the simulator. For each safety performance metric, the driving simulator experiments yielded a dataset with 780 observations. To address the idiosyncratic variation due to individual driver differences, a series of linear mixed effects models (LMM) were developed to analyze drivers’ behavior responses. Results In closely spaced tunnel-interchange sections, a general impairment of both longitudinal and lateral performance was observed. This study identified potential critical impact variables in traffic control device systems. According to the LMM results: (a) Removing the 0.5 km interchange ramp exit advance guide sign located in the tunnel exit area reduces dangerous behavior in the corresponding impact area. (b) Replacing the 0.5 km interchange ramp exit advance guide sign with arrow pavement markers as an information source supports improved driver performance, promoting driver safety. (c) Adding tunnel exit distance signs within tunnels is recommended to enhance situation awareness for drivers. Conclusions This study addresses the scientific issues related to traffic control devices setup for closely spaced tunnel-interchange sections, focusing on identifying potential critical impact variables. The findings provide guidance on the design of traffic control devices for such sections and support revisions to national engineering standards.

Impaired belief revision yet intact information seeking in positive schizotypy: A modified task of bias against disconfirmatory evidence

Cognitive models of delusions emphasize the role of bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE) in maintaining false beliefs, but sources of this tendency remain elusive. While impaired information integration could be an explanation for this tendency, the lack of information seeking motive could also result in disregard for new evidence once a (false) belief is formed. The role of information seeking in the association between psychosis-proneness and belief inflexibility has not been investigated in the context of a social interpretation task. In this study, we modified the Interpretation Inflexibility Task (IIT), which assess bias against disconfirmatory evidence in interpersonal contexts, to permit assessment of information seeking by allowing participants to skip seeing increasingly disambiguating information (in the form of pictures at varying degrees of degradation). A robust regression analysis was conducted to examine whether increasing severity of positive schizotypy is associated with more frequent skipping of later trial stages, to examine information seeking. Controlling for the number of pictures seen by participants, a robust mixed effects analysis was conducted to investigate the associations of positive schizotypy, trait anxiety, and the emotional valence of the scenario with a measure of belief revision. Participants higher in positive schizotypy did not opt out of seeing disambiguating information more frequently, p = 0.65, ß = 0.04; despite this, they still exhibited heightened belief inflexibility by rating the lures and true explanations as equally plausible, p < 0.001, ß = -0.32. These results suggest that bias against disconfirmatory evidence in positive schizotypy is unlikely a result of reduced information seeking, leaving impaired information integration as a more likely source.

A Dynamic Analysis of Sustainable Economic Growth and FDI Inflow in Saudi Arabia Using ARDL Approach and VECM Technique

This study investigates the relationship between sustainable economic growth and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Saudi Arabia from 1980 to 2023. The ARDL approach and VECM technique are employed to analyze the short-run and long-run dynamics. The short-run results show mixed effects. Sustainable economic growth has a positive impact on current and one-period lagged FDI but a negative impact on the two periods lagged. Trade openness and infrastructure negatively affect FDI in the short run. Interestingly, oil rents and real economic growth also have negative short-run impacts on FDI, but these effects become positive with a longer lag. Long-run analysis reveals a negative relationship between trade openness, infrastructure, and oil rents with FDI, suggesting a potential crowding-out effect. Trade openness has a positive long-run impact on most variables, including sustainable growth, FDI, real growth, and CO2 emissions. Oil rents also have a positive long-run impact on these variables. This study finds six bidirectional causal relationships in the short run, primarily between trade openness, infrastructure, oil rents, and FDI. Unidirectional causality runs from oil rents, trade openness, exchange rate, sustainable growth, and real growth to FDI and infrastructure. Additionally, CO2 emissions cause FDI, and trade openness causes sustainable growth. While sustainable economic growth benefits FDI in the long run, short-term policies regarding trade openness and infrastructure require reevaluation. Oil revenue and real economic growth may initially deter FDI, but this reverses in the long term. To attract sustainable FDI, policymakers should focus on long-term economic growth strategies and consider reforms in trade and infrastructure policies. A comprehensive FDI strategy that moves beyond oil dependence and leverages trade openness is crucial to long-term economic diversification.

Effect of Group Mixing and Available Space on Performance, Feeding Behavior, and Fecal Microbiota Composition during the Growth Period of Pigs.

Stress significantly affects the health, welfare, and productivity of farm animals. We performed a longitudinal study to evaluate stress's effects on pig performance, feeding behavior, and fecal microbiota composition. This study involved 64 Duroc pigs during the fattening period, divided into two experimental groups: a stress group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 32). Stressed groups had less space and were mixed twice during the experiment. We monitored body weight, feed efficiency, feeding behavior, and fecal microbiota composition. Compared to the control group, the stressed pigs exhibited reduced body weight, feed efficiency, fewer feeder visits, and longer meal durations. In the fecal microbiota, resilience was observed, with greater differences between groups when sampling was closer to the stressful stimulus. Stressed pigs showed an increase in opportunistic bacteria, such as Streptococcus, Treponema and members of the Erysipelotrichaceae family, while control pigs had more butyrate- and propionate-producing genera like Anaerobutyricum, Coprococcus and HUN007. Our findings confirm that prolonged stress negatively impacts porcine welfare, behavior, and performance, and alters their gut microbiota. Specific microorganisms identified could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for stress, potentially informing both animal welfare and similar gut-brain axis mechanisms relevant to human research.

Simulation of Bingham–Papanastasiou model within trapezoidal cavity with mixed convection effects

The study of Bingham–Papanastasiou fluids is conducted in lid-driven cavity with consideration of viscous dissipation. The upper and left wall of the cavity is cold while other walls are insulated. Numerical simulations are conducted to study the isotherms, temperature profile, local and average Nusselt number. The main focus of work is to analyse the behaviour of heat transfer within trapezoidal cavity. The governing system of nonlinear dimensionless partial differential equations is analysed by using PDE solver of finite element method in COMSOL. The analysis is carried out for different parameters like Reynolds number, Bingham parameter, stress growth parameter, Eckert number and Prandtl number. It is observed that impact of Bingham parameter on temperature variation is negligible while the impact of stress parameter leads to the reduction in temperature within cavity. The novelty of this work is that no work is done for the case of trapezoidal cavity where Bingham–Papanastasiou fluid behaviour is observed under the consideration of viscous dissipation and mixed convection.

Lifestyle intervention improves cognition and quality of life in persons with early Multiple Sclerosis

BackgroundLifestyle changes have been demonstrated to impact pathophysiology in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Various diet and exercise protocols have been reported to improve symptoms and function in persons with MS. Evidence is accumulating that interventions as early as possible in the disease course are warranted. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a remotely delivered lifestyle program focusing on specific diet and exercise recommendations in persons with early MS. MethodsMS patients, with disease diagnosis no more than 2 years prior, were recruited from the patient population of the MS clinic of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Participants followed recommendations for diet and exercise delivered via remote heath coaching. Each participant received 6 sessions with a health coach over a 12-week period. They were given parameters of a Mediterranean-type diet to follow, and specific and individualized recommendations about duration, intensity and type of exercise and physical activity. Outcome measures included Quality of Life (QOL), cognition (Symbol Digit Modalities Test, SDMT), fatigue (Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Impact Scale, MFIS), fitness (estimated with Metabolic equivalents, METS) and other objective and patient reported outcomes (PRO). Changes in outcomes were analyzed using mixed effects general linear models and standardized pre-post differences.(Cohen's d) ResultsFifteen persons with early (≤ 2 years) MS enrolled in the study, 14 of whom completed the study. We observed significant improvements in QOL (p = 0.02), SDMT (p = 0.006), fatigue(p = 0.005), fitness (p = 0.04), and other PRO and objective metrics at the end of the protocol compared to baseline. Adherence and patient satisfaction measures were high. ConclusionsSpecific and individualized lifestyle recommendations can be effectively delivered remotely, and may produce improvement in symptoms and function in persons with early MS. Larger controlled trials of these interventions are warranted.

A hybrid non‐parametric ground motion model of power spectral density based on machine learning

AbstractIn the fields of engineering seismology and earthquake engineering, researchers have predominantly focused on ground motion models (GMMs) for intensity measures. However, there has been limited research on power spectral density GMMs (PSD‐GMMs) that characterize spectral characteristics. PSD, being structure‐independent, offers unique advantages. This study aims to construct PSD‐GMMs using non‐parametric machine learning (ML) techniques. By considering 241 different frequencies from 0.1 to 25.12 Hz and evaluating eight performance indicators, seven highly accurate and stable ML techniques are selected from 12 different ML techniques as foundational models for the PSD‐GMM. Through mixed effects regression analysis, inter‐event, intra‐event, and inter‐site standard deviations are derived. To address inherent modeling uncertainty, this study uses the ratio of the reciprocal of the standard deviation of the total residuals of the foundational models to the sum of the reciprocals of the total residuals of the seven ML GMMs as weight coefficients for constructing a hybrid non‐parametric PSD‐GMM. Utilizing this model, ground motion records can be simulated, and seismic hazard curves and uniform hazard PSD can be obtained. In summary, the hybrid non‐parametric PSD‐GMM demonstrates remarkable efficacy in simulating and predicting ground motion records and holds significant potential for guiding seismic hazard and risk analysis.

Determinants of pivot kinematics in posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundRestoring medial knee pivot kinematics post-total knee arthroplasty is widely recognized to enhance patient satisfaction. Our study investigates the kinematics of patients who received posterior stabilized implants via robotic-arm assisted surgery, specifically analyzing effects of implant alignment and soft tissue balance on pivot location. MethodsTwelve high-functioning patients with unilateral posterior stabilizing knee implants underwent CT-guided robotic-arm assisted surgery. We then evaluated their knee kinematics using stereo radiography during gait, stair descent, lunge, seated knee extension and leg press. Femoral low-point condylar kinematics were used to calculate the transverse center of rotation, or pivot, using principal component analysis. Linear mixed effects regression was used to identify surgical parameters that influence pivot location across a flexion range. FindingsAcross all five activities a central pivot pattern emerged as the primary pivot location (40 %) followed by medial (25 %), no pivot (22 %) and lateral (14 %). Tibial medial resection depth and Tibial implant flexion-extension placement were significantly associated with shifting the pivot location laterally prior to cam-post engagement. Femoral implant external-internal implant placement, and medial compartment laxity in extension were significantly associated with shifting the pivot location laterally during the cam-post engagement, while femoral distal-lateral resection depth was associated with a medial shift. InterpretationCentral and medial pivot locations are predominant in patients with posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty, facilitated by robotic-arm assisted surgery. Despite significant associations between surgical parameters such as tibial medial resection depth and lateral compartment laxity with medial pivot, these variables explained a small portion of the variability in pivot location. This suggests that while surgical precision influences pivot kinematics, individual patient factors may play a more critical role, suggesting a need for further research into patient-specific biomechanics to optimize post-surgical outcomes.

Enhanced particle mixing performance of liquid-solid reactor under non-periodic chaotic stirring

This paper introduces the Chebyshev non-periodic chaotic stirring speed based on chaos theory. Additionally, it constructs the DEM-VOF coupled computational model to investigate non-periodic mixing within the reactor system. Numerical calculations are employed to compare and analyze Constant Stirring Speed (CSS) with Chebyshev Non-Periodic Chaotic Stirring Speed and its reverse (CRS, CRS-R). The results indicate that the number of particles deposited at the bottom of end diffusion decreases by 54.3 %. Moreover, it samples particle concentration per unit volume, resulting in a 70.3 % decrease in the Relative Concentration Standard Deviation (RCSD) of particles. Furthermore, it quantifies the mixing effect based on the distribution of distances between particles, leading to a 20.3 % increase in the Unit Block Mixing Index (UBMI). In conclusion, this study improves particle distribution characteristics by utilizing appropriate non-periodic variable speed intervals. Additionally, it provides technical support for production scenarios involving the mixing and dispersion of multiphase non-homogeneous systems.

Respiratory effects of prone position in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome differ according to the recruitment-to-inflation ratio: a prospective observational study

BackgroundImprovements in oxygenation and lung mechanics with prone position (PP) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are inconstant. The objectives of the study were (i) to identify baseline variables, including the recruitment-to-inflation ratio (R/I), associated with a positive response to PP in terms of oxygenation (improvement of the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure over the inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2) ≥ 20 mmHg) and lung mechanics; (ii) to evaluate whether the response to the previous PP session is associated with the response to the next session.MethodsIn this prospective, observational, single-center study in patients who underwent PP for ARDS due to COVID-19, respiratory variables were assessed just before PP and at the end of the session. Respiratory variables included mechanical ventilation settings and respiratory mechanics variables, including R/I, an estimate of the potential for lung recruitment compared to lung overinflation.ResultsIn 50 patients, 201 PP sessions lasting 19 ± 3 h were evaluated. Neuromuscular blockades were used in 116 (58%) sessions. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased from 109 ± 31 mmHg to 165 ± 65 mmHg, with an increase ≥ 20 mmHg in 142 (71%) sessions. In a mixed effect logistic regression, only pre-PP PaO2/FiO2 (OR 1.12 (95% CI [1.01–1.24])/every decrease of 10 mmHg, p = 0.034) in a first model and improvement in oxygenation at the previous PP session (OR 3.69 (95% CI [1.27–10.72]), p = 0.017) in a second model were associated with an improvement in oxygenation with PP. The R/I ratio (n = 156 sessions) was 0.53 (0.30–0.76), separating lower- and higher-recruiters. Whereas PaO2/FiO2 improved to the same level in both subgroups, driving pressure and respiratory system compliance improved only in higher-recruiters (from 14 ± 4 to 12 ± 4 cmH2O, p = 0.027, and from 34 ± 11 to 38 ± 13 mL/cmH2O, respectively, p = 0.014).ConclusionsA lower PaO2/FiO2 at baseline and a positive O2-response at the previous PP session are associated with a PP-induced improvement in oxygenation. In higher-recruiters, lung mechanics improved along with oxygenation. Benefits of PP could thus be greater in these patients.

Comparative outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection for laterally spreading lesions in inflammatory bowel disease.

The role of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for laterally spreading lesions (LSLs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains controversial despite its effectiveness in the general population. We aimed to characterize outcomes of EMR for IBD-associated LSLs compared with controls without IBD. We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of patients with IBD who underwent EMR and endoscopic follow-up for LSLs, compared with a control group without IBD. The primary outcome was histologic recurrence. Secondary outcomes included en bloc resection and adverse events. Factors associated with recurrence were identified using multivariate mixed effects logistic regression. 210 premalignant lesions in 155 patients were included. By histology, 91.0% were adenoma/low grade dysplasia or sessile serrated lesions. Median (IQR) lesion size was 25 (12-30) mm in the IBD group and 20 (12-30) mm in the control group. Recurrence was detected in 30.4% of IBD-associated lesions (7/23) compared with 20.9% of controls (39/187; odds ratio [OR] 2.51, 95%CI 0.59-10.71). En bloc resection was less common in the IBD group (2/23 [8.7%], 95%CI 1.1-28.0) versus controls (106/187 [56.7%], 95%CI 50.4-65.2). After adjusting for lesion size and histology, recurrence appeared more common in patients with IBD compared with controls (OR 3.08, 95%CI 1.04-9.13). Recurrence of LSLs after EMR appeared to be more frequent in patients with IBD. Given the added complexity, EMR in patients with IBD should be performed in expert centers with close endoscopic surveillance.

Synergistic association of Aβ and tau pathology with cortical neurophysiology and cognitive decline in asymptomatic older adults.

Animal and computational models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) indicate that early amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits drive neurons into a hyperactive regime, and that subsequent tau depositions manifest an opposite, suppressive effect as behavioral deficits emerge. Here we report analogous changes in macroscopic oscillatory neurophysiology in the human brain. We used positron emission tomography and task-free magnetoencephalography to test the effects of Aβ and tau deposition on cortical neurophysiology in 104 cognitively unimpaired older adults with a family history of sporadic AD. In these asymptomatic individuals, we found that Aβ depositions colocalize with accelerated neurophysiological activity. In those also presenting medial-temporal tau pathology, linear mixed effects of Aβ and tau depositions indicate a shift toward slower neurophysiological activity, which was also linked to cognitive decline. We conclude that early Aβ and tau depositions relate synergistically to human cortical neurophysiology and subsequent cognitive decline. Our findings provide insight into the multifaceted neurophysiological mechanisms engaged in the preclinical phases of AD.

High Efficiency Non‐Doped Organic Light Emitting Diodes Based on Pure Organic Room Temperature Phosphorescence by High‐Lying Singlet Exciton Fission

AbstractHeavy‐metal‐free pure organic room temperature phosphorescence (ORTP) holds great potential in the field of organic optoelectronic devices owing to low economic cost, simple preparation techniques, and high exciton utilization. However, it is still filled with challenges in realizing high efficiency organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and exploring the internal physical mechanism based on these ORTP molecules. Here, a high‐performance OLED induced by an unexpected interfacial spin‐mixing process between the ORTP molecule and interlayers is demonstrated, and the high efficiency electroluminescence (EL) mechanism is studied through magneto–electroluminescence (MEL) and magneto–photoluminescence (MPL) measurements. The steady‐state and transient PL properties imply that the interfacial effect is related to a high‐lying singlet fission (HLSF) process in the ORTP molecule itself. Further, the HLSF process and the corresponding energy level position are confirmed by the incident wavelength‐ and temperature‐dependent PL spectra and the magnetic‐field‐dependent transient PL. Finally, by optimizing the interfacial material adjacent to the emissive layer to utilize this interfacial spin mixing effect, a high‐efficiency non‐doped ORTP‐OLED with external quantum efficiency of 16% and CIE coordinates of (0.27, 0.49) is developed. The proposed mechanism during the EL process will give insight to produce more efficient OLEDs based on ORTP materials in the future.

Influence of eating while watching TV on food preference and overweight/obesity among adolescents in China: a longitudinal study.

Eating while watching TV was found associated with unhealthy food preferences and obesity in adolescents in foreign studies, which is not clear in China. The study aims to explore the influence of eating while watching TV on food preferences and overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents. Data from 1768 adolescents (aged 12-17 years) in the 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) was analyzed. The height and weight were measured. Mixed effect models were used to identify the associations between eating while watching TV and adolescents' food preferences and overweight/obesity. Adolescents eating while watching TV ≥1 time/week were more likely to prefer fast food, salty snacks and soft drinks than those eating while watching TV <1 time/week. Adolescents eating meals while watching TV ≥1 time/week were less likely to prefer vegetables than those eating meals while watching TV <1 time/week. In addition, adolescents eating snacks while watching TV ≥1 time/week were more likely to be overweight/obesity than those eating meals while watching TV <1 time/week (odds ratio [OR] = 7.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-36.93). Eating snacks while watching TV was positively associated with adolescents' unhealthy food preferences and overweight/obesity. Eating meals while watching TV was associated with adolescents' unhealthy food preferences. Implementing web-based Community-based participatory research (CBPR) about reducing eating while watching TV may be a practical strategy to develop healthy food preferences and prevent overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents.

Mixed effects of honey bees on pollination function in the Tibetan alpine grasslands

The global expansion of domesticated plant and animal species has profoundly impacted biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, the spillover effect of non-native honey bees from mass-flowering crops into adjacent natural vegetation on pollination function within plant communities remains unclear. To address this, we conduct field experiments to investigate the ecological impacts of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and a mass-flowering crop (Brassica rapa var. oleifera) on pollinator communities, plant-pollinator interactions, and reproductive performance of wild plants in 48 pollinator-limited alpine grasslands. Our findings indicate that the transition of dominant pollinators from flies to honey bees enhances visitation fidelity of pollinator species and reconfigures pollination interactions due to an increase in competition between honey bees and native pollinator species. Additionally, honey bees increase, decrease or do not alter plant reproductive success, depending on the plant species. Here, we report the mixed effects of honey bees on pollination function in pollinator-limited alpine grasslands.

Health Services Use for SARS-CoV-2-Infected Children With Croup or Bronchiolitis.

Croup and bronchiolitis are common reasons for hospitalization in children, and the role of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on utilization outcomes for these conditions is not well understood. To compare health care utilization including the rates of hospitalization, readmission, length of stay, and ICU admission for croup and bronchiolitis in children with and without evidence of concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection over the pandemic period. This retrospective cohort study used inpatient and outpatient electronic health record data from PEDSnet institutions to examine health services use for children aged 30 days to 14 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection and diagnosed with croup or bronchiolitis. The time frame (March 2020-May 2022) was divided into predelta, delta, and omicron variant periods. Multivariable mixed effects logistic and log gamma regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for factors linked to utilization outcomes for children with versus without SARS-CoV-2 infections. Disease burden was described by variant time period. Across all time periods, among subjects with croup and bronchiolitis, 9.65% of croup patients and 3.92% of bronchiolitis patients were SARS-CoV-2-positive. The omicron variant period had the highest number of SARS-CoV-2 cases for both croup and bronchiolitis. After controlling for patient-level variables and hospital variability, we found no statistically significant differences in utilization outcomes comparing children with and without SARS-CoV-2. Pediatric patients with croup and bronchiolitis and positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing did not exhibit a significant increase in hospital and ICU admissions, which may have implications for future staffing models and public health recommendations.

Fiscal policy in the face of the health crisis: A simulation using a hybrid DSGE‐SIR model

AbstractThis study employs a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model, integrated with a Susceptible‐Infected‐Recovered (SIR) epidemiological framework, to assess the macroeconomic impacts of fiscal policy during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Morocco. Calibrated with Moroccan COVID‐19 data, the model links epidemiological dynamics to macroeconomic variables, offering a detailed analysis of fiscal interventions. The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of various fiscal measures, including government spending shocks, consumption tax cuts, and labor tax reductions, in stimulating economic activity and supporting households and businesses impacted by the pandemic. The results indicate that government spending shocks significantly stimulated economic activity and employment, but also led to increased public debt and inflationary pressures, thereby illustrating the inherent trade‐offs. Consumption tax cuts, intended to boost demand, had mixed effects on inflation; while prices for some goods declined, higher demand caused price increases in others. Labor tax reductions, aimed at enhancing employment, generated varied effects on labor supply and contributed to rising public debt due to lower tax revenues. The study underscores the necessity of balanced fiscal strategies to achieve both immediate economic recovery and long‐term fiscal sustainability, highlighting the critical role of well‐calibrated fiscal policies in mitigating the economic consequences of pandemics.