Northeastern United States Research Articles

Connectivity of toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia species assemblages between the Northeast U.S. continental shelf and an adjacent estuary

Pseudo-nitzschia harmful algal blooms have recently caused elevated domoic acid in coastal environments of the Northeast United States. In 2017, the toxigenic species P. australis was observed in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, a temperate estuarine ecosystem, for the first time since 2009 when DNA monitoring for Pseudo-nitzschia species began. This highly toxic species likely contributed to toxin-related shellfish harvest closures and is hypothesized to have been introduced by an offshore source. Little is known about offshore Pseudo-nitzschia spp. populations in the Northeast Continental Shelf marine ecosystem or how often toxigenic species enter Narragansett Bay through physical processes. Here, we collected filtered biomass samples from multiple time series sites within Narragansett Bay and along the Northeast U.S. Shelf Long-Term Ecological Research transect in winter and summer to investigate the frequency and seasonality of potential Pseudo-nitzschia spp. inflow from the continental shelf to the estuary. Species were taxonomically identified using DNA sequencing of the ITS1 region and domoic acid concentrations were quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and multiple reaction monitoring. During six years of sampling, Pseudo-nitzschia species assemblages were more similar between Narragansett Bay and the Northeast shelf in winter than summer, suggesting greater ecosystem connectivity in winter. These winter assemblages were often accompanied by higher domoic acid. Several Pseudo-nitzschia species co-occurred most often with domoic acid and were likely responsible for toxin production in this region, including P. pungens var. pungens, P. multiseries, P. calliantha, P. plurisecta, P. australis, and P. fraudulenta. Domoic acid was detected during periods of relatively low macronutrient concentrations in both seasons, warmer sea surface temperatures in winter, and colder temperatures in summer within this dataset. This study represents some of the first domoic acid measurements on the offshore Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf, a region that supplies water to other coastal environments and could seed future harmful algal blooms. The elevated domoic acid and frequency of hypothesized inflow of toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia spp. from the Northeast continental shelf to Narragansett Bay in winter indicate the need to monitor coastal and offshore environments for toxins and harmful algal bloom taxa during colder months.

Significant changes in global maize yield sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit during 1983–2010

Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is a critical factor in crop growth, and low yields are often associated with high VPD. The adverse effects of VPD on crop yield have been well-documented; however, whether and where yield sensitivity to VPD (SVPD) changes over time across global cropping areas remain elusive. Based on the observed maize yield and VPD at the grid scale, the SVPD calculated using least-squares linear regression for 27.5 % and 25.9 % of the global maize-growing areas, respectively, showed a significant (p < 0.05) decreasing and increasing trend from 1983 to 2010. Spatially, a statistically negative trend in SVPD was found in southeastern Brazil, the central United States, most of Europe, and northeastern China, whereas a positive trend was observed in the eastern United States and northern China. In particular, negative SVPD was alleviated in 23.2 % of global maize areas, primarily in the northeastern United States and northern China, but was aggravated in 18.4 % of maize areas in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. In addition, the sign of SVPD was reversed in 34.4 % of the global maize areas, notably in the central United States, northern China, and southern Brazil. The results of the random forest model show that shortwave radiation was identified as the primary co-varying factor that modulated the pattern of changing SVPD in about 26 % of the global maize area, followed by maximum temperature (24.3 %) and minimum relative humidity (21.5 %). By assessing the 14 process-based crop models, we found that their ensemble mean could reproduce the annual patterns of SVPD well but failed to capture its decadal change trends.

What are future doctors learning about sex? An assessment of sexual health curricula across medical schools in the Northeastern United States.

Sexual health is an imperative area of study in medical school education, yet many medical schools do not offer a comprehensive curriculum nor is it standardized across the United States (US). This study aims to assess written curriculum materials from sexual health curricula in medical schools across the northeast region of the US and compare the current teachings to suggested standards. A compilation of academic resources including lecture materials and syllabi were systematically reviewed utilizing a standardized and validated rubric with variables assessed including: biological and psychological aspects of human sexual development, anatomy and physiology of the human sexual response cycle, sexual health in relation to human reproduction, and contraceptive options. We analyzed our data from the document analysis to look at the frequency of inclusion and exclusion of the sexual health topics included in our rubric. The outcomes of our data set were in line with our hypothesis that there is significant variance between sexual health curricula across institutions as well as an overall lack in material covering sexual health topics. The data show significant sex specific differences such that male-specific topics were covered more frequently than female-specific information. Additionally, only one of the 10 schools examined taught about vulvar conditions. There was also a paucity of information about sexuality in the post-partum period. The clinical implications of this study aim to highlight the discrepancy between an ideal sexual health curriculum and what is actually being taught in medical schools and help to guide future work of creating a comprehensive and standardized sexual medicine education in US. medical schools. The validity of this study was strengthened by analyzing direct curricula materials as opposed to previous use of subjective, self-reported questionnaires. However, the sample location being restricted to the Northeast was a limitation to generalize findings across the country. Future studies would aim to analyze medical school curricula across different regions in the US. This study shows that there is a lack of comprehensive and standardized sexual health curriculum in medical schools in the Northeastern US and serves as initial evidence for further investigation of this topic across American medical schools.

Dimensions of community context that affect coalition effectiveness: development of an instrument

ABSTRACT This study investigates the role of multidimensional contextual factors on the perceived effectiveness of community coalitions engaged in the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) for addressing substance misuse. We introduced and validated an instrument for assessing a broad range of contextual factors for coalition development and program implementation. This research also scrutinizes how contextual factors impact coalition effectiveness, considering internal capacity indicators as mediators. Data were sourced from 295 and 297 coalition members across 2015 and 2016, respectively, involved in SPF initiatives within a northeastern state in the United States. Our analysis identifies three critical dimensions of contextual factors – collaboration and resources, politics, and demographics and norms – that significantly affect the perceived management and program effectiveness through different mechanisms. The findings underline the importance of prevention coalitions to comprehensively assess community contexts and strategically address contextual challenges to enhance their impact on substance misuse prevention.

Transferability of machine-learning-based modeling frameworks across flood events for hindcasting maximum river water depths in coastal watersheds

Abstract. Despite applications of machine learning (ML) models for predicting floods, their transferability for out-of-sample data has not been explored. This paper developed an ML-based model for hindcasting maximum river water depths during major events in coastal watersheds and evaluated its transferability across other events (out-of-sample). The model considered the spatial distribution of influential factors that explain the underlying physical processes to hindcast maximum river water depths. Our model evaluations in a six-digit hydrologic unity code (HUC6) watershed in the northeastern USA showed that the model satisfactorily hindcasted maximum water depths at 116 stream gauges during a major flood event, Hurricane Ida (R2 of 0.94). The pre-trained, validated model was successfully transferred to three other major flood events, hurricanes Isaias, Sandy, and Irene (R2&gt;0.70). Our results showed that ML-based models can be transferable for hindcasting maximum river water depths across events when informed by the spatial distribution of pertinent features, their interactions, and underlying physical processes in coastal watersheds.

Cutaneous Lesions in the Gular Region Caused by Feather Follicle Infestation with Harpirhynchidae sp. Mites in Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) in New York, USA, 2016-23.

Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus), migratory passerines with a breeding range throughout the northeastern, midwestern, and southern US, are banded annually at the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, New York, USA. In 2016, a Great Crested Flycatcher was observed with distinct lesions in the gular and ventral neck region, which prompted evaluation for similar lesions in subsequently trapped flycatchers and other passerine species. From 2016 to 2023, 62/102 banded Great Crested Flycatchers had their gular region examined, and seven were found to have lesions (11.3% incidence). Similar lesions were not found in any other species. Lesions were localized to the gular region and included extensive feather loss with thickened, corrugated, pale-yellow skin. Grossly visible 1- to 2-mm-diameter, raised, white-to-yellow foci throughout the affected region corresponded microscopically to feather follicles that were massively dilated with mites. Morphologic analysis of mites obtained from skin scrapes revealed that this mite species belongs to the family Harpirhynchidae. Mites in this family have restricted avian host ranges and cause varying clinical presentations in passerines, though many species remain unidentified. PCR efforts were unsuccessful in yielding a species-level identification. Further monitoring of Great Crested Flycatchers and other avian species is warranted, as the fitness implications of this ectoparasitism at the individual and population levels are not known.

Process Groups for Supporting Resident Wellbeing: Factors Influencing Resident Wellness amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Burnout is a well-recognized problem among resident physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the dynamics of the patient/resident relationship and introduced new stressors for medical trainees, such as new restrictions in the hospital, increased patient death, and uncertainty around safety. There is limited research on the implementation of group therapy for residents to address issues of wellbeing and burnout during the pandemic. Method: In response to perceived burnout amongst internal medicine residents, a university-based internal medicine residency program in the Northeast United States implemented process groups, a form of group therapy, in the curriculum. These sessions were held hourly once every five weeks for each cohort of twelve residents during the academic year. We sought to measure resident burnout and identify themes that impacted wellbeing to facilitate the intervention of process groups during the pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, internal medicine residents were invited to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and answer two open-ended questions about the factors that most negatively and positively influenced their wellness. Results: Of the 134 participants, 82% had high emotional exhaustion or depersonalization. The most prevalent themes hindering wellness were negative personal interactions at work, most notably rude behavior by patients, unsupportive attendings, residency program expectations, and work intensity. Findings unique to the pandemic include social isolation from family, distress from poor outcomes, and fear of contracting or spreading the virus. The most prevalent themes for supporting wellness were personal life, camaraderie, professional satisfaction, and program structured support. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that programs can tailor structured support to improve wellness, despite the presence of significant stressors.

A mediation model analysis of inclusive instructional practices for students with emotional disturbance

AbstractThe relationships among teachers' knowledge, use, and perceived effectiveness of inclusive instructional practices for students with emotional disturbance (ED) has implications for the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE). We unpacked these nuanced relationships through mediation analysis. Data for our study came from a broader survey investigation of inclusive instruction for students with ED in one of the northeastern states in the United States. The sample consisted of 176 teachers who were mostly female (85%) with an average of 12 years of teaching experiences. We found that (a) the relationship between teachers' reported knowledge and use of inclusive instructional practices was bidirectional, (b) special education teachers were far more likely to implement specialized instructional practices such as behavioural support and differentiation than general education teachers and (c) there were no reported differences in instructional practices (i.e. general practices) and classroom management between special education and general education teachers. Implications for pre‐service teacher training, professional development and teacher support are discussed.

Filling the Treatment Gap: Geographic Expansion of Buprenorphine Providers Across the U.S.

ObjectiveWith opioid-related deaths reaching epidemic levels, gaining a better understanding of access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is critical. Buprenorphine is an effective medication for the treatment of opioid addiction. The analysis is critical post-X-waiver elimination which extended the ability to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD to all practitioners with DEA Schedules II-V on their DEA Registration. The primary purpose of the analysis was to explore the geographic patterns of substance use treatment and establish a geographical baseline to assess the removal of the X-Waiver in the future. Data and MethodsWe assessed the expansion of buprenorphine providers across the data from all US counties up to December 31, 2022. We used all certified buprenorphine providers' data from the database of the buprenorphine waiver notification system (BWNS). We used county-level population data from the US Census of American Community Survey (ACS) of 2021 and the CDC's Drug-related mortality data. We implemented spatial scan statistics to identify the spatial clusters using SaTScan. ResultsThe results from our analysis show that Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (MD/DO) have the highest numbers of certified providers at 8134 (65.08%) in 2018 and 14525 (57.87%) in 2022. Our analysis shows that the distribution of buprenorphine providers across the counties of the United States was significantly clustered. Higher clusters with RR of more than 1 (p-value <0.001) were found in the states of Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and the Western borders of Montana. Similar clusters of counties with RR more than 1 (p-value <0.001) were found in the northeastern states of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. ConclusionsFrom our analysis, it is evident that buprenorphine-certified providers are clustered in areas of higher drug-related mortality filling a treatment gap. The elimination of the X-waiver will be a significant step towards increasing access to MOUD and this analysis may be used as a geographical baseline to assess in the future.

Using historical catch flexibility and fishing ground mobility as measures of the adaptive capacity of fishing communities to future ocean change

Abstract Changing ocean characteristics, moving species, and competing ocean uses challenge fishing communities reliant on marine resources. Many communities have diversified what they catch, or where they fish to cope with variation in availability of fish. However, we often lack understanding of the frequency of these adaptation strategies in response to historical variability. Here, we quantitatively evaluate catch flexibility, catch switching, and fishing ground mobility of Communities at Sea (CaS) in the Northeast USA. CaS capacity to change catch composition or shift fishing grounds differed by gear type and with regional drivers. Dredge was highly mobile but species selective, and groundfish trawl either altered their catch or shifted fishing grounds. Lobster and shrimp trawl CaS were largely unable to take advantage of either strategy, while fleets using other pots and traps did both. Differences within gear types often reflected distinct regional strategies in dealing with the loss of target species from historical fishing grounds. Overall, adaptive capacity for a port reflects its portfolio of fleets as well as shared constraints and opportunities of their home port. Understanding the degree to which fishing communities have adapted to historical variability can help prioritize efforts to enhance adaptive capacity for future ocean change.

Does participation in a court-based trauma-focused evaluation program influence permanency outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system?

BackgroundChildren involved in the child welfare system, especially those in out-of-home care, experience high rates of mental health symptoms. Mental health symptoms have been linked to worse permanency outcomes in this population. ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate whether children who received a trauma-focused evaluation, compared to children who received usual care, experienced differential permanency outcomes, as well as other court-related outcomes (e.g., legal system involvement). Participants and settingOne-hundred and twenty-five children (58% female, Mage = 10.61) from a family court in the Northeastern United States participated in a trauma-focused evaluation program. MethodsData for the current study were collected via a retrospective chart. Participants were recruited at a family court of a Northeastern state. Between-groups differences on court-related outcomes were assessed using logistic regression and Kaplan Meier estimates. FindingsThere were no significant differences between children who received the trauma-focused evaluation program versus usual care in the likelihood for guardianship changes, termination of parental rights, new child welfare petitions or new juvenile legal petitions. The groups significantly differed in the likelihood of case closure; children who received the trauma-focused evaluation program were more likely to experience case closure compared to children who received usual care. Additionally, on average, children who received the trauma-focused evaluation program achieved case closure almost 8 months sooner. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that initiatives aimed at identifying mental health concerns and linking children placed in out-of-home to relevant mental health services care can have a significant and positive impact on permanency outcomes.

Race and Ethnicity and Clinician Linguistic Expressions of Doubt in Hospital Admission Notes

Stigmatizing language in electronic health records (EHRs) can generate or reinforce negative stereotypes about patients from minoritized groups and erode their trust and experience. However, less is known about the use of such language to cast doubt on patient clinical history in hospital settings. To compare the prevalence of language expressing doubt about patient clinical history (eg, experiences and symptoms) in hospital admission notes by patient race and ethnicity. In this cohort study, natural language processing tools were applied to analyze 54 936 admission notes from 1249 clinicians about patients aged 18 years or older at admission and hospitalized at an academic health system in the Northeast US between January 1, 2018, and February 28, 2023. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023. Patient race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and racial and ethnic minoritized groups excluding non-Hispanic Black [includes multiple racial and ethnic groups, such as Hispanic and Asian]) as recorded in the EHR based on self-report or registrar determination. Binary indicator for at least 1 term casting doubt on patient clinical history was defined using epistemic stance, a linguistic construct expressing a writer's degree of certainty in information. Terms were manually validated via iterative review of notes by the study team. Among 56 325 admission notes (mean [SD] age of patients, 55.9 [19.0] years; 30 913 notes among female patients [54.9%]; 25 649 notes among non-Hispanic Black patients [45.5%], 26 442 notes among non-Hispanic White patients [46.9%], and 2985 notes among members of racial and ethnic minoritized groups excluding non-Hispanic Black patients [5.3%]), we analyzed 54 936 admission notes that had no missing data. Among all analyzed admission notes, 39 023 notes (71.0%) contained doubt language. Notes written about non-Hispanic Black patients had increased odds of containing at least 1 word or phrase of doubt (adjusted odds ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.14-1.28; P < .001) compared with notes among non-Hispanic White patients. Compared with notes among non-Hispanic White patients, notes written about members of racial and ethnic minoritized groups excluding non-Hispanic Black patients had similar odds of containing at least 1 term of doubt. In this study, language casting doubt on patient clinical history was more likely to be found in notes of non-Hispanic Black patients. These results suggest that with the implementation of policies allowing patients full access to their health records, examining clinical documentation standards may be associated with improved patient experience.

Ambient smoke exposure and indoor air quality in eastern Massachusetts during the 2023 wildfire season

ABSTRACT Widespread North American wildfires in 2023 led to exposure to ambient wildfire smoke outside of traditionally wildfire-prone regions. The objective was to evaluate levels of indoor air pollutants in relation to ambient wildfire smoke exposure in eastern Massachusetts. Using a real-time multipollutant sensor system in five Boston area households, this study assessed indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and total volatile organic compound concentrations (TVOC) two days before and during days of hazardous wildfire smoke exposure (smoke days). The relationship between ambient PM2.5 from regulatory monitors and indoor PM2.5 before and during smoke days was investigated by mixed effects linear regression. During smoke days and the preceding non-smoke days, median indoor PM2.5 was 9.9 µg/m3 and 3.5 µg/m3 (p < 0.001), respectively; median NO2 was 20.5 ppb and 18.4 ppb (p = 0.11); median TVOC was 6,715 µg/m3 and 5,361 µg/m3 (p = 0.35). A 1% increase in ambient PM2.5 was associated with a 0.93% increase in indoor PM2.5 on smoke days (95% CI, 0.54%–1.32%) and a 0.34% increase on non-smoke days (95% CI, 0.17%–0.66%), though interaction testing of smoke day status was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). In Northeastern US homes, indoor PM2.5 increased significantly during ambient wildfire smoke exposure, which may reflect increased infiltration and increased indoor particle-generating activities during smoke days. Implications: This study reports on household exposure to wildfire smoke in eastern Massachusetts, finding that indoor PM2.5 more than doubled compared to preceding non-smoke days, while indoor NO2 and TVOC did not significantly rise. Though the generalizability of this study is limited by the small number of homes studied, the findings suggest that more investigation is needed to understand indoor air pollution during future wildfire smoke exposure in regions not traditionally wildfire-prone and to inform mitigation efforts.

Revealing Public Perceptions of Biodiverse vs. Turf Swales: Balancing Enhanced Ecosystem Services with Heightened Concerns

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly implemented worldwide to address stormwater issues while providing co-benefits such as habitat provision. However, research on public perceptions of GSI’s ecosystem benefits is limited, and barriers such as perception and maintenance hinder biodiversity promotion in GSI. Through an online survey (n = 781), we explored how residents in four Northeast US urban areas—Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, MD, New York City, and Philadelphia, PA—perceived the benefits and concerns regarding two types of bioswales (biodiverse and turf). Biodiverse swales feature various plants to promote biodiversity, whereas turf swales are primarily grass-covered. Our analyses included paired-samples t-tests, independent t-tests, one-way repeated measures ANOVA tests, and one-way ANOVA tests to compare perceptions across bioswale types, aspects of benefit/concern, and locations. Both bioswale types were recognized for enhancing green spaces and neighborhood aesthetics. Residents perceived greater environmental and social benefits from biodiverse swales than turf swales, particularly for habitat provision. While overall concerns for both bioswale types were low, potential issues like pest cultivation and the unappealing appearance of biodiverse swales remain significant barriers. Notably, implementing biodiverse swales alleviated initial concerns, especially about pests, suggesting familiarity can enhance acceptance. Location-specific differences in perception were observed, with New York City showing higher perceived benefits and concerns and Montgomery County exhibiting the lowest concerns. This variance is likely due to distinct urban environments, levels of environmental awareness, and demographic profiles.

Nymphs of the Northeastern Nearctic Species of Neoleptophlebia Kluge, 1997 and Paraleptophlebia Lestage, 1917 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae).

Although male imagos of the three species of Neoleptophlebia and seven species of Paraleptophlebia known from the northeastern Nearctic region (i.e., eastern Canada and northeastern United States) are reasonably well-known and can be reliably keyed, nymphs are not as well-known and often cannot be reliably identified using the existing keys. Descriptions of nymphs of the northeastern Nearctic species of Neoleptophlebia and Paraleptophlebia vary in completeness and frequently lack important morphological details or information on variation that occurs with development or between different sexes. Thus, all existing keys based on these descriptions have problematic couplets, and some do not treat all 10 species. To address these problems a new key to nymphs of the 10 northeastern Nearctic species of Neoleptophlebia and Paraleptophlebia is presented here based on a reassessment of the morphology of nymphs and exuviae of reared specimens. The new key uses several new characters in combination with previously known diagnostic characters to increase the probability of achieving accurate species determinations. In support of the key each species is discussed regarding key characters, specifically regarding variability that may cause interpretation problems. Regional distribution and habitat also are discussed for each species. Lastly, comments are provided on the apparent vulnerability of each species to large scale changes in its occurrence within the northeast Nearctic region as a result of the predicted effects of climate change on regional aquatic habitats.

Impacts of On‐Road Vehicular Emissions on U.S. Air Quality: A Comparison of Two Mobile Emission Models (MOVES and FIVE)

AbstractOn‐road vehicles are significant contributors to air pollution globally, particularly to nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O3). Quantifying their contribution to air quality is crucial to understanding the trends of vehicle emissions as low‐ and “zero” emission vehicles join the fleet. Modeling on‐road emissions is complex due to various factors like fleet activities, traffic patterns, and meteorological conditions. We compare on‐road emissions from two mobile models: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fuel‐based Inventory of Vehicle Emission (FIVE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES), finding they contribute 4%–33% to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), NOx, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the contiguous United States (CONUS). Using a regional chemical transport model, we assess air quality effects under different emission scenarios. Both emission data sets yield satisfactory performance, with MOVES showing lower biases in ozone (O3) and PM2.5 over CONUS, while FIVE performs better at city scales due to higher urban NOx emissions. In January, on‐road emissions increased surface O3 over western and southern US by up to 9.1%–13.1% but decreased by 2.5% over the northeastern US, while PM2.5 predictions vary across the US (−85% to 24%). In July, on‐road emissions elevate O3 and PM2.5 concentrations by 15%–20% across CONUS, except in some west coast cities. They also greatly contribute to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by more than 80% near roads and in urban areas. This study highlights the significant impact of on‐road emissions on urban air quality and provides insights for improving air quality forecasting and management.

Abortion Law Changes and Occupational Therapy Practice in the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, changing access to abortion in many states. The impact of these changes on occupational therapy practice has not yet been explored through empirical research. To explore the perspectives of occupational therapy practitioners on how restrictions to abortion in the United States may have influenced their clients' needs and thus their practice. This was a qualitative research study. We used an interpretivist epistemological approach and an inductive, thematic content analysis. Participants were recruited through state occupational therapy associations and social media. Two independent researchers coded data and had an initial agreement percentage of 88%. Data trustworthiness was enhanced through documentation of decisions, reflexive thinking about our positionality and the data, and team-based discussions. Occupational therapy practitioners (N = 15) working in states with new abortion law changes at the time of interviews. The four key themes of this study were as follows: (1) abortion restriction laws are affecting some occupational therapy clients' mental health, (2) clients are discussing reproductive health with occupational therapy practitioners across a variety of settings, (3) occupational therapy practitioners are using clinical judgment and their personal beliefs to support clients affected by abortion restrictions, and (4) occupational therapy practitioners are seeking guidance and evidence-based resources to best support clients in the wake of abortion-related legislation changes. Our findings underscore the relevance of reproductive health to occupational therapy practice and highlight the importance of preparing occupational therapy practitioners to respond to client needs related to abortion care. Plain-Language Summary: We sought to determine whether occupational therapy practitioners perceive that the 2022 abortion-related restrictions are affecting occupational therapy practice; specifically, we wanted to know whether and how practice is being affected and what resources occupational therapy practitioners might need to address clients' needs. Fifteen occupational therapy practitioners were interviewed and revealed that many of their clients were experiencing stress and anxiety (i.e., mental health challenges) specifically related to abortion access. We also found that occupational therapy practitioners who routinely discuss reproductive health with clients were commonly hearing from clients about abortion-related needs. Overall, this research uncovers a need for resources and guidance from state or national occupational therapy organizations so that occupational therapy practitioners can better support their clients given these new changes in abortion access. Positionality Statement: We are a team of three researchers who identify as cisgender women, and we reside in an urban area in the northeastern United States. Two of us identify as White, and one identifies as a person of color. We have all participated in reproductive health access advocacy and critically examined our own lenses as we engaged in this analysis.

Current scenario of milk production in the North-eastern states of India: Challenges and mitigation strategies to address milk shortfall

Livestock husbandry is an inseparable part of the rural economy of Northeastern (NE) states. The local market demand for milk is expanding, indicating the need for intervention in dairy development. This study focussed on the current status of milk production and the challenges faced in improving dairy production. Secondary data were collected from the Livestock Census (2019) and Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (2019 and 2023), Government of India. The results revealed that total milk production in the NE states was 1608.04 thousand tonnes in 2022-23, accounting for only 0.70% of the country’s milk production during the same year. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of milk in the NE states was 1.59%, significantly lower than that in India (3.83%). Among NE states, Tripura registered the highest CAGR in milk production (5.2%), followed by Meghalaya (3.51%), Assam (2.42%), and Sikkim (0.01%). The remaining NE states experienced negative growth. Except for Sikkim, the per capita milk availability in the NE states was considerably lower than that in India. Additionally, there were significant gaps in meeting milk requirements according to the ICMR recommendations in these states. Mizoram had the highest shortfall of milk (-81.78%), followed by Nagaland (-79.54%), Manipur (-79.45%), Meghalaya (-74.26%), Arunachal Pradesh (-73.13%), Assam (-74.02%), and Tripura (-48.85%) during 2022-Sikkim had a surplus milk production of 15.70%. Addressing this shortfall represents substantial market potential opportunity to expand the milk market across all NE states, thereby enhancing livelihoods, food security, and the socio-economic status of millions of people.

Forest assisted migration and adaptation plantings in the Northeastern US: perspectives and applications from early adopters

Threats to the future function of forested ecosystems and stability of ecosystem service provisioning due to global change have motivated climate-adaptive forest management strategies that include various forms of tree planting termed “adaptation plantings”. Despite the emergence of these strategies, less is known as to how foresters and other natural resource managers perceive or are engaged with adaptation plantings like forest assisted migration (FAM). This knowledge gap is most pronounced in regions like New England and the North Central US (hereafter, the Northeastern US) where tree planting is less common but expected to be an important forest management tool for adaptation. To address this, we surveyed 33 natural resource managers in this region actively engaged in climate change adaptation (i.e., early adopters of the practice) to assess how tree planting for adaptation is currently being pursued against the perceived barriers, opportunities, and potential future engagement with the strategy. Survey respondents overwhelmingly (93.5%) forecast increases in the future use of adaptation plantings in their work in the region, attributed to increased awareness, acceptance, and interest in the practice. Respondents expressed notable interest in strategies related to diversification and most types of FAM (e.g., assisted population expansion and assisted range expansion), but hesitancy to engage with more contentious planting types like afforestation or FAM linked to the long-distance translocation of exotic species (e.g., assisted species migration). Although examples of local enrichment plantings (i.e., non-FAM) proliferate, nineteen of the top twenty most common tree genera planted contain at least one example of FAM in the study region. The most notable barriers reported were themed as 1) biotic and abiotic, 2) information and material, and 3) policy, social, and economic factors. While most respondents report difficulty obtaining adequate planting material from nurseries (i.e., seedlings), over 80% placed orders shortly before planting (&amp;lt; 1 year) which likely generates difficulty in sourcing seedlings suited for a specific site and future range of environmental conditions. Although this study is limited by focusing on subset of natural resource managers who are early adopters of climate change adaptation within the region, valuable inferences into the barriers and trends are possible from this population serving on the front lines of forest adaptation. Together, these results from early adopters suggest a potentially growing need for allocating resources that engage forest stewards in adaptation planning and serve to refine policy, financing, and management practices to support this adaptation strategy in this region and beyond.

Simulated particle evolution within a winter storm: contributions of riming to radar moments and precipitation fallout

Abstract. Remote sensing radars from airborne and spaceborne platforms provide critical observations of clouds to estimate precipitation rates across the globe. The ability of these radars to detect changes in precipitation properties is advanced by Doppler measurements of particle fall speed. Within mixed-phase clouds, precipitation mass and its fall characteristics are especially sensitive to the effects of riming. In this study, we quantified these effects and investigated the distinction of riming from aggregation in Doppler radar vertical profiles using quasi-idealized particle-based model simulations. Observational constraints of a control simulation were determined from airborne in situ and remote sensing measurements collected during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) for a wintry–mixed precipitation event over the northeastern United States on 4 February 2022. From the upper boundary of a one-dimensional column, particle evolution was simulated through vapor deposition, aggregation, and riming processes, producing realistic Doppler radar profiles. Despite a modest observed amount of supercooled liquid water (0.05 g m−3), riming accounted for 55 % of the ice-phase precipitation mass, cumulatively increasing reflectivity by 44 % and Doppler velocity by 68 %. Independent evaluation of process-based sensitivities showed that, while radar reflectivity is comparably sensitive to either riming- or aggregation-based particle morphology, the Doppler velocity profile is uniquely sensitive to particle density changes during riming. Thus, Doppler velocity profiles advance the diagnosis of riming as a dominant microphysical process in stratiform clouds from single-wavelength radars, which has implications for quantitative constraints of particle properties in remote sensing applications.