Southwestern United States Research Articles

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as putative vectors of zoonotic Onchocerca lupi (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) in northern Arizona and New Mexico, southwestern United States.

Onchocerca lupi (Rodonaja, 1967) is an understudied, vector-borne, filarioid nematode that causes ocular onchocercosis in dogs, cats, coyotes, wolves, and is also capable of infecting humans. Onchocercosis in dogs has been reported with increasing incidence worldwide. However, despite the growing number of reports describing canine O. lupi cases as well as zoonotic infections globally, the disease prevalence in endemic areas and vector species of this parasite remains largely unknown. Here, our study aimed to identify the occurrence of O. lupi infected dogs in northern Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, United States and identify the vector of this nematode. A total of 532 skin samples from randomly selected companion animals with known geographic locations within the Navajo Reservation were collected and molecularly surveyed by PCR for the presence of O. lupi DNA (September 2019-June 2022) using previously published nematode primers (COI) and DNA sequencing. O. lupi DNA was detected in 50 (9.4%) sampled animals throughout the reservation. Using positive animal samples to target geographic locations, pointed hematophagous insect trapping was performed to identify potential O. lupi vectors. Out of 1,922 insects screened, 38 individual insects and 19 insect pools tested positive for the presence of O. lupi, all of which belong to the Diptera family. This increased surveillance of definitive host and biological vector/intermediate host is the first large scale prevalence study of O. lupi in companion animals in an endemic area of the United States, and identified an overall prevalence of 9.4% in companion animals as well as multiple likely biological vector and putative vector species in the southwestern United States. Furthermore, the identification of these putative vectors in close proximity to human populations coupled with multiple, local zoonotic cases highlight the One Health importance of O. lupi.

Influence of Stationary Waves on Precipitation Change in North American Summer during the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract Paleo-proxy reconstructions reveal a moistening of the American Southwest during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21 ka). However, the primary mechanisms driving the moistening trend are still debated, with relatively few studies focused on hypotheses related to synoptic changes in precipitation. Analysis of the Paleoclimate Intercomparison Model Project (PMIP3) simulations shows enhancement of precipitation in the southwest and south-central United States during the winter and summer. Here, we suggest that summertime eastward phase shifting of stationary waves at the LGM enhanced precipitation in the south-central United States and dried the southeastern United States. Mechanism denial experiments performed with version 3 of the Hadley Centre Coupled Model (HadCM3) indicate that the thermodynamic effect of the Laurentide Ice Sheet forced eastward phase shifting of stationary waves. By comparing a synthesis of LGM proxies to the PMIP3 ensemble, we find models that compare more favorably to the reconstructions simulate a weaker Laurentide ice thermodynamic effect, smaller eastward phase shifting of stationary waves, and weaker jet stream anomalies. Significance Statement Our study is motivated by the impact of climate change on hydroclimate in North America, especially in the semiarid areas near the southwestern United States, and the persistent problem of significant disagreements among CMIP model projections. Yet modern models and observations alone cannot tell us the likeliest climate change outcome in this region. Here we analyze precipitation during the LGM reconstructed from proxies and as simulated by the PMIP3, which reveal a precipitation trend with wetting in the southwestern United States and drying in the southeastern United States. Our interpretation of the PMIP3 simulations involves application of simple theories for midlatitude stationary waves, and indicates that the LGM precipitation is generated by the phase shift of stationary waves from the enhancement of jet speeds. Our model–data comparison also suggests that in the PMIP3 simulations, weak LGM jet stream anomalies, due to weak polar amplification, compare more favorably to the proxies.

539 Contact Burns Associated with Concomitant use of Methamphetamines and Heat Stroke, Resulting in Neurological Sequela

Abstract Introduction On a summer day in the desert southwest, ground surfaces can soar to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, posing significant risk to individuals who sustain contact with such surfaces, particularly if unable to get up. These individuals are also at risk for heat stroke. This summer, an increased number of patients admitted with contact burns were positive for methamphetamine and concomitant heat stroke. The purpose of this case series is to describe the hospital course and outcomes of this subset of patients. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients admitted between June and September 2022 was completed. Criteria for inclusion included contact burn, initial core body temperature > 38.8°C, and a methamphetamine positive drug screen. Outcome measures included length of stay, discharge disposition, number of operations, admission Glasgow Coma Score, neurology work-up and sequela. Results A total of 23 patients were admitted who suffered contact burns and tested positive for methamphetamine. Ten of those patients had core body temperatures greater than 38.8°C upon initial evaluation. The mean age was 36.6 years (24-62), with an average temperature of 42.3°C (40.5-43.1°. All 10 were found down in the community with altered mental status, the average Glasgow Coma Scale was 5.9 (3- 12). CT scans were done on 9, all were negative for acute intracranial abnormalities. Neurology was consulted for 3 patients with 2 having EEGs performed, both displayed slowing and attenuation secondary to hyperthermia. Ten of these patients were concurrently positive for fentanyl. The mean total burn surface area burned was 9.6% (4-17.5%), The average number of operations was 4.1/patient (1-11). Of the 8 patients discharged the average LOS was 30 days (10-61), 2 patients remain hospitalized in the ICU with a current LOS of 61-71 days. Of the 8 patients discharged, all required post-acute care with only 1 meeting rehabilitation criteria. Conclusions Elevated temperatures in the Southwestern United States have been known to cause an increase in surface-related contact burns during the summer months. Historically, the at-risk patient population has been elderly individuals prone to falls with limited physical ability to get up. This summer highlighted a new phenomenon of younger individuals suffering both contact burns and heat stroke secondary to the combination of methamphetamine use and elevated summer temperatures. This patient population suffered significant morbidity, and none were able to be discharged home. This case series highlights the dangers posed by ambiently heated surfaces during the summer months, particularly in combination with illicit drug use. Applicability of Research to Practice This case series, demonstrates the increased risk of sequela associated with burn patients who have comorbid substance abuse disorder.

Books and Bullies: Responses to Bullying in Preschool Students

AbstractBullying begins in the preschool years and presents a public health concern for children of all ages with negative outcomes observed for victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. With an eye on intervention, research suggests that reading and discussing books may help to encourage perspective taking and compassion for others, even at an early age. The current study presented preschoolers withThe New York Timesbestselling storybook featuring an active bystander in a bullying situation and examined definitions of and responses to bullying both before and after reading the storybook. At the end of the study, participants reported what they learned from the storybook. Responses were categorized as direct defending (e.g., confronting the bully), indirect defending (e.g., supporting the victim), and inaction (e.g., remaining quiet). Participants included 89 children recruited from preschools in the Southwestern United States. When asked to consider themselves in the role of a bystander, results indicated that children were more likely to engage in an active response to bullying after reading the storybook. Findings suggest that educators may be able to use books highlighting active bystanders to discourage bullying behavior among preschool students.

Expanding Social Network Conceptualization, Measurement, and Theory: Lessons from Transnational Refugee Populations

With forcible displacement at unprecedented levels and only expected to increase as conflict, economic inequities, and climate change escalate, it is critical to understand the ways in which social networks of migrants are disrupted and reconstituted in new contexts. This requires critical examination and expansion of existing social network conceptualization, measurement, and theory that considers transnational movement and experiences to ensure cultural and contextual validity. As part of a community-engaged intervention study designed to promote the well-being of recently resettled refugees by addressing social determinants of mental health, the social networks of refugees were measured over time. This paper describes the conceptualization, operationalization, data collection, and data analysis of refugees’ social networks; challenges and lessons learned; and implications for transdisciplinary social network theory and methodologies. Tracing the development of quantitative and qualitative instruments and participatory processes of iteratively refining them throughout implementation with four cohorts of refugees (2013–2017; N = 290) resettling in a medium-sized city in the Southwestern United States, we offer innovative ways of viewing social networks that expand conceptualization, improve measurement, and extend theory. Our findings address known challenges to social network data collection (e.g., instrument bias, participant recall bias, and interviewer capacity) and suggest how social networks data collection can be strengthened through approaches that include (1) community members as collaborative researchers, (2) transdisciplinary theoretical and methodological perspectives, and (3) team-based practices that share leadership, learning experiences, and responsibility for data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination.

Emotional connection and customer orientation as moderators in improving the customer satisfaction–behavioral intention link: A moderated moderation service model

Customer engagement is one of the significant operational and quality practices service providers use to build service experiential relationships with customers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating role emotional connection and customer orientation play in customer relationship building. A quantitative survey method is carried out among 515 self-reported active members at a single fast-growing non-denominational faith-based organization in Southwestern United States. Using a hierarchical multiple regression to evaluate our research model, we find relationship satisfaction is positively associated with customers’ behavioral intention in doing business with a service firm, while emotional connection shows no moderating effect on such a relationship. However, we found a significant three-way interaction effect of relationship satisfaction, emotional connection, and customer orientation on behavioral intentions. Customer orientation strengthens and fortifies the relationship between satisfaction and behavioral intentions for customers with high emotional connection than for customers with low emotional connection. The focus on customer orientation and emotional connection provides a framework that can assist service firms develop quality operational strategies that target the emotions and feelings of customers to value the relationship while supporting service employees with quality operational practices and customer orientated activities to better manage customers.

Future exposure of forest ecosystems to multi‐year drought in the United States

AbstractAs the future climate becomes hotter or drier, forests may be exposed to more frequent or severe droughts. To inform efforts to ensure resilient forests, it is critical to know which forests may be most exposed to future drought and where. Longer duration droughts lasting 2–3 years or more are especially important to quantify because forests are likely to experience impacts. We summarized exposure to 36‐month drought for forests across the conterminous United States using the Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) overlaid on forest inventory plot locations. Exposure was quantified under 10 scenarios that combined five modeled climates and two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs, 4.5 and 8.5) through 2070. Future projections indicate a tripling of the monthly spatial extent of forests exposed to severe or extreme drought—38% of forests were exposed on average by mid‐century as opposed to 11% during 1991–2020 (2041–2070). Increases in drought exposure were greatest under hotter (HadGEM2‐ES), drier (IPSL‐CM5A‐MR), and middle (NorESM1‐M) climate models, under either RCP. Projections agreed that forests in portions of the western United States, especially the southwestern United States, could face high levels of exposure. Forest types including pinyon/juniper, woodland hardwoods, and ponderosa pine were projected to be exposed to drought more than 50% of the time on average across all scenarios by mid‐century, when no forest type was exposed more than 25% of the time under any scenario during the recent period. Projections agreed less for the eastern United States, but in some scenarios, particularly under RCP 8.5, large portions of the East could be exposed to drought nearly as often as parts of the West. Moreover, a substantial portion of oak/hickory forests occur in eastern regions, where projections agree on increased drought exposure. This study provides novel insights about the changing conditions forests face in both the eastern and western United States. Our results can be combined with information about the sensitivities and adaptive capacities of forest ecosystems to prioritize drought adaptation efforts.

Robust projections and consequences of an expanding bimodal growing season in the western United States

AbstractPlant growth is restricted to times of the year when actual evapotranspiration (AET) is greater than zero because AET requires both the presence of water in the soil and temperatures warm enough to allow transpiration. Locations where water rather than temperature limits plant growth, such as semi‐arid areas of the southwestern United States, often have a bimodal growing season, such that distinct AET (growth) peaks occur in the spring and late summer, with a period of very limited plant growth occurring during the intervening summer months. We hypothesized that future warming will increase the zone containing bimodal growth seasons, likely resulting in significant changes in the competitive relationships between plant species that differ in their tolerance of a bimodal seasonality. This will likely alter plant distributions. Using climate projections to drive a water balance model, we mapped geographic regions within the continental United States projected to experience bimodal growing seasons in the future. The area containing bimodal seasonality increased under all 13 general circulation models (GCMs) and two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) examined. This robust result (seen in all alternative futures examined) nevertheless showed considerable variability depending on the GCM examined. The bimodal zone was projected to increase 13%–212% (49,000–792,000 km2) by the late 21st century relative to 1981–2010 estimates. Climate futures that contained the greatest temperature increases and greatest precipitation decreases projected the greatest expansion in the bimodal zone. For plant species that depend on relatively long, consistent time periods that are favorable to growth each year, the projected shift in seasonality may be an acute disturbance that could cause widespread mortality. These changes will likely have cascading ecological and management implications, including changes in the dominant plant life history strategies that occur in affected areas.

Lack of effectiveness of Bebtelovimab monoclonal antibody among high-risk patients with SARS-Cov-2 Omicron during BA.2, BA.2.12.1 and BA.5 subvariants dominated era.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants are expected to be resistant to Bebtelovimab (BEB) monoclonal antibody (MAb) and the real-world experience regarding its effectiveness is scarce. This retrospective cohort study reports a data analysis in Banner Healthcare System (a large not-for-profit organization) between 4/5/2022 and 8/1/2022 and included 19,778 Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) positive (by PCR or direct antigen testing) patients who were selected from Cerner-Electronic Health Record after the exclusions criteria were met. The study index date for cohort was determined as the date of BEB MAb administration or the date of the first positive COVID-19 testing. The cohort consist of COVID-19 infected patients who received BEB MAb (N = 1,091) compared to propensity score (PS) matched control (N = 1,091). The primary composite outcome was the incidence of 30-day all-cause hospitalization and/or mortality. All statistical analyses were conducted on the paired (matched) dataset. For the primary composite outcome, the event counts and percentages were reported. Ninety-five percent Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals for percentages were computed. The study cohorts were 1:1 propensity matched without replacement across 26 covariates using an optimal matching algorithm that minimizes the sum of absolute pairwise distance across the matched sample after fitting and using logistic regression as the distance function. The pairs were matched exactly on patient vaccination status, BMI group, age group and diabetes status. Compared to the PS matched control group (2.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7%, 3.7%), BEB MAb use (2.2%; 95% CI: 1.4%, 3.3%) did not significantly reduce the incidence of the primary outcome (p = 0.67). In the subgroup analysis, we observed similar no-difference trends regarding the primary outcomes for the propensity rematched BEB MAb treated and untreated groups, stratified by patient vaccination status, age (<65 years or ≥65), and immunocompromised status (patients with HIV/AIDS or solid organ transplants or malignancy including lymphoproliferative disorder). The number needed to treat (1/0.026-0.022) with BEB MAb was 250 to avoid one hospitalization and/or death over 30 days. The BEB MAb use lacked efficacy in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants (mainly BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.5) in the Banner Healthcare System in the Southwestern United States.

Diagnostic Approach to Coccidioidomycosis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. While coccidioidomycosis is associated with mostly mild infections in the general population, it can lead to devastating infections in immunocompromised patients, including solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Early and accurate diagnosis is important in achieving better clinical outcomes in immunocompromised patients. However, the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis in SOT recipients can be challenging due to the limitations of diagnostic methods including cultures, serology, and other tests in providing a timely and accurate diagnosis. In this review, we will discuss the available diagnostic modalities and approaches when evaluating SOT recipients with coccidioidomycosis, from the use of conventional culture methods to serologic and molecular testing. Additionally, we will discuss the role of early diagnosis in assisting with the administration of effective antifungal therapy to reduce infectious complications. Finally, we will discuss ways to improve the performance of coccidioidomycosis diagnostic methods in SOT recipients with an option for a combined testing approach.

Assessment of Potential Recovery Viability for Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon

Abstract Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius, the Colorado River's top native predatory fish, was historically distributed from the Gulf of California delta to the upper reaches of the Green, Colorado, and San Juan rivers in the Colorado River basin in the Southwestern United States. In recent decades Colorado Pikeminnow population abundance has declined, primarily as a result of predation by warmwater nonnative fish and habitat modification following dam construction. Small, reproducing populations remain in the Green and upper Colorado rivers, but their current population trajectory is declining and the San Juan River population is maintained primarily through stocking. As such, establishment of an additional population could aid recovery efforts and increase the species' resilience and population redundancy. The Colorado River in Grand Canyon once supported Colorado Pikeminnow, but until recently habitat suitability in this altered reach was considered low as a result of depressed thermal regime and abundant nonnative predators. Climate change and ongoing drought has presented an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of native fish restoration in a system where declining reservoir storage has led to warmer releases and re-emergence of riverine habitat. These changes in the physical attributes of the river have occurred in concert with a system-wide decline in nonnative predators. Conditions 10 y ago were not compatible with reintroduction feasibility in Grand Canyon; however, as a result of rapidly changing conditions an expert Science Panel was convened to evaluate whether the physical and biological attributes of this reach could now support various life stages of Colorado Pikeminnow. Here, we report on the evaluation process and outcome from the Science Panel, which developed a science-based recommendation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on reintroduction feasibility. The Science Panel concluded that current habitat attributes in Grand Canyon could satisfy some, but perhaps not all, Colorado Pikeminnow life history requirements. This reach has the potential to support adult and subadult growth, foraging, migrations, and spawning, but low juvenile survival may limit recruitment. However, populations of other native species are successfully reproducing and increasing in western Grand Canyon, even in areas once considered suboptimal habitat. Should managers decide to move to the next phase of this process, actions such as experimental stocking and monitoring, telemetry studies, bioenergetics modeling, and laboratory-based research may provide additional information to further evaluate a potential reintroduction effort in this rapidly changing but highly altered system.

Seasonal water source patterns in a northern Arizona pine forest

The relationships among stand density and seasonal plant water source patterns in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests are important for informed management decisions in a bimodal climate with increasing variability in winter and monsoon precipitation inputs. Winter precipitation recharges soil moisture, yet it has declined over the past 20 years in the southwestern United States, and monsoon precipitation is becoming more variable in both magnitude and timing. Near Flagstaff, Arizona in August 2013 (monsoon), October 2013 (post-monsoon), and May 2014 (post winter snow melt), we measured soil moisture, soil water δD at five depths, and xylem water δD in Muhlenbergia montana (a perennial C4 grass), Festuca arizonica (a perennial C3 grass), and P. ponderosa seedlings (&amp;lt; 2 years old), saplings (2–5 cm basal diameter), and mature trees (&amp;gt; 60 cm diameter at breast height) in treated (thinned and burned) and untreated (no thinning, no burning) stands. We found that soil moisture was higher at all soil depths in treated stands in May, after snow melt, and this pattern persisted through August in the deepest soil (60 cm). We also found that, in all sampling months, δD in xylem water of grasses and pine seedlings indicated use of shallower soil water than for pine saplings and mature trees, presumably due to differences in rooting depths. Additionally, in August, δD in xylem water of pine saplings and mature trees indicated greater reliance on a deeper water source in untreated stands than in treated stands, likely due to greater competition for shallow water in untreated stands. Our isotopic data indicate that grasses and seedlings used predominantly monsoon water in August and October, while pine saplings and mature trees used predominantly winter water during all sampling months. Importantly, our data indicate that regenerating trees (seedlings and saplings) used both winter and monsoon seasonal water sources, suggesting an increasingly important role for monsoon precipitation if winter precipitation inputs continue to decline. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that management actions can benefit forests via increased soil moisture, that overstory trees rely predominantly on winter precipitation, and that monsoon precipitation is important for herbaceous species and younger, regenerating overstory trees.

Chromatographic (LC-MS and GC-MS) and biological (antiproliferative) evaluation of a naturalized plant in Jordan: Parkinsonia aculeata L.

IntroductionParkinsonia aculeata L. (Caesalpiniaceae), native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southwestern USA and northern Mexico, has been introduced and successfully propagated in Jordan within the Greening the Desert Project. No phytochemical or biological studies have been carried out with this species grown in Jordan. MethodsThe hydrodistilled essential oils of P. aculeata, from the fresh leaves and flowers (fully grown and at the pre-flowering stage), as well as their spontaneous emitted volatiles, were determined by Solid-Phase-Micro-Extraction (SPME), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Water and ethanol extracts were screened by LC-MS and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities on two colorectal- (Caco2 and HCT116) and two breast cancer- (MCF7 and T47D) cell lines. ResultsThe monoterpene trans-ocimene appeared as the major compound of the aroma profile of all the studied organs while the hydro-distilled oils contained larger percentages of non-terpenoid volatile substances. LC-MS analyses of the water extract of the aerial parts revealed the presence of sixteen compounds, with 4-methylumbelliferone, succinic acid, vitexin, and hyperoside being the major identified compounds. In the ethanol extract of the aerial parts eleven compounds were identified, with iso-orientin and chrysoeriol-7-glucoside as the major compounds. Biologically, the water extract of the P. aculeata showed promising antiproliferative activity against the four tested cell lines with IC50s ranging between 17.5 and 77 μg/mL. ConclusionFindings encourage future studies to isolate the water extract components of P. aculeata to investigate their anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines and to consider it as a complementary therapy for colorectal cancer.

Improvements in Cardiometabolic Effects and Body Composition Outcomes Following an Online 8-Week Plant-Based Dietary and Lifestyle Worksite Intervention

Plant-based diets may positively impact body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors. An online 8-week plant-based dietary and lifestyle worksite intervention was implemented in spring 2021 among staff ( n = 52) at a public university in the southwestern United States. Participants attended weekly online small group counseling sessions and healthy living workshops with cooking classes. All measures and fasting blood draws were completed at baseline and 8-week post-intervention with changes analyzed using paired sample t-tests. Multiple linear regressions examined associations among knowledge gained and online attendance with outcomes. Results from paired sample t-tests indicated numerous statistically significant improvements from baseline to 8-week post-intervention: total cholesterol (mg/dL) (MBL = 193 ± 39, MPI = 176 ± 36), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mg/dL) (MBL = 110 ± 33, MPI = 98 ± 30), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) (MBL = 26.3 ± 6.3, MPI = 25.9 ± 6.1), fat mass (lb) (MBL = 62.0 ± 29.4, MPI = 60.3 ± 28.4), fat-free mass (lb) (MBL = 104.1 ± 29.4, MPI = 102.4 ± 19.6), phase angle (MBL = 5.1 ± .6, MPI = 5.0 ± .6), and diet quality (MBL = 62.4 ± 12.5, MPI = 75.2 ± 10.3). High-density lipoprotein cholestero l(HDL-C) decreased significantly (MBL = 65 ± 18, MPI = 61 ± 18). Knowledge negatively predicted LDL-C (B = −.226, P = .048) and positively predicted diet quality (B = .155, P = .021). Attendance at group sessions positively predicted phase angle (B = .055, P = .038). Findings demonstrate how a plant-based lifestyle can improve cardiometabolic health by reducing risk factors for chronic disease and enhancing body composition. Clinicians can support patients by encouraging plant-based diets.

Phoretic mite assemblage of the pinyon pine beetle, Ips confusus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in Arizona

Mites are among the most common associates of bark beetles and they can influence the ecology and microbial composition within bark beetle-colonized trees. The pinyon pine engraver, Ips confusus is a common beetle in pinyon trees in the southwestern United States, but the mite composition associated with this beetle has been little studied. In this study, we quantify the abundance, diversity, and attachment locations of phoretic mites on Ips confusus that emerge from naturally infested trees. In total, we observed 342 beetles for mites, 95% of which had at least one mite. We collected a total of 5842 mites, representing seven families and seven species: Cercoleipus coelonotus (Cercomegistidae) Dendrolaelaps quadrisetosimilis (Digamasellidae), Ereynetes propescutulis (Ereynetidae), Iponemus confusus confusus (Tarsonemidae), Mexecheles cf. virginiensis (Cheyletidae), Proctolaelaps subcorticalis (Melicharidae), and Trichouropoda californica (Trematuridae). We calculated the average number of mites per beetle to be 18, with a maximum of 147 mites on a single beetle. The vast majority of mites (98% of total abundance) was represented by three species (I. c. confusus, D. quadrisetosimilis, and T. californica). Attachment locations on the beetle varied across mite species, with mite species exhibiting a preference for specific locations. Mite abundances on emerging host beetles varied over time, with some species occurring mostly on early-emerging beetles, while others occurred on later emerging beetles.

A qualitative exploration of the eight dimensions of wellness in opioid use disorder recovery during the postpartum period

BackgroundRecovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) during the perinatal period has unique challenges. We examined services for perinatal women with OUD using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) eight dimensions of wellness (DoW), which reflect whole person recovery. MethodsWe enrolled professionals from the Southwestern United States who work with people with OUD during the perinatal period. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted from April to December 2020. Participants were shown the DoW diagram (emotional, social, environmental, physical, financial, spiritual, occupational, intellectual) and asked to share how their clinic/agency addresses each DoW for perinatal people with OUD. Responses were transcribed and coded by two researchers using Dedoose software. ResultsThematic analysis revealed ways professionals (n = 11) see how the services they provide fit into the DoW. This included: the need to provide mothers emotional support with a nonjudgmental approach, groups providing social support; guidance on nutrition, self-care, and a focus on the mother/infant dyad; assistance with employment and activities of daily living; parenting education; connecting mothers with resources and grants; providing a variety of spiritual approaches depending on the desire of the mother; and navigating the interpersonal environment as well as the physical space. ConclusionsThere are opportunities to expand the treatment and services provided to women with OUD during the perinatal period within all eight DoWs. Additional research is needed to identify effective strategies to incorporate these components into patient-centered, holistic care approaches.

Examination of Clinical and Assessment Type Differences Between Toddlers with ASD from Multiplex and Simplex Families.

Few studies have examined differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotype between children from multiplex and simplex families at the time of diagnosis. The present study used an age- and gender-matched, community-based sample (n = 105) from the southwestern United States to examine differences in ASD symptom severity, cognitive development, and adaptive functioning. No significant differences between children from multiplex and simplex families were observed. Exploratory analysis revealed that parents underreported receptive and expressive language and fine motor skills compared to professional observation, especially among children from multiplex families. These findings suggest that diagnosticians may need to consider family structure when choosing and interpreting assessments of receptive language, expressive language, and fine motor skills.

Are medical students happy despite unhappy conditions: a qualitative exploration of medical student cohorts during disruptive conditions

BackgroundShortly after the World Health Organization declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak a worldwide pandemic, medical school governing bodies issued guidance recommending pausing clinical rotations. Prior to the availability of COVD-19 vaccines, many schools implemented exclusively online curriculums in the didactic and clinical years. These unprecedented events and paradigm changes in medical education could contribute to trainee burnout, wellness, and mental health.MethodsThis single-institution study interviewed first, second, and third-year medical students from a medical school in the southwestern United States. A semi-structured interview was conducted with paper-based Likert scale questions rating perceived happiness were administered both at the time of the interview and one year later in order to understand how their student experience and happiness were impacted. In addition, we asked participants to describe any major life events they experienced since the first interview.ResultsTwenty-seven volunteers participated in the original interview. Twenty-four from the original cohort participated in the one-year follow-up. Happiness as a sense of self and who you “should be” was challenged during the pandemic and changes in happiness over time were not systematic across classes. Stress was caused not only by the pandemic which was experienced by all, but by a tripartite state of individual circumstances, academic workload requirements, and the world at large. Primary themes from the interviews were clustered around the individual, learner, and future professional levels and focused on the primacy of relationships, emotional wellness, stress management, professional identity, and impacts of educational disruptions. These themes created risk factors for developing imposter syndrome. Students demonstrated resiliency across cohorts and were able to utilize a variety of strategies to achieve and maintain both physical and mental health, but the primacy of relationships both personally and professionally was noted.ConclusionMedical students’ identities as individual persons, a learner, and future medical professionals were all impacted by the pandemic. The results from this study suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the learning format and environment may create a new risk factor in the development of imposter syndrome. There is also an opportunity to re-consider resources to achieve and maintain wellness during a disrupted academic environment.

Effects of nurse shrubs and biochar on planted conifer seedling survival and growth in a high-severity burn patch in New Mexico, USA

The synergistic effects of widespread high-severity wildfire and anthropogenic climate change are driving large-scale vegetation conversion. In the southwestern United States, areas that were once dominated by conifer forests are now shrub- or grasslands after high-severity wildfire, an ecosystem conversion that could be permanent without human intervention. Yet, the reforestation of these landscapes is rarely successful, with a mean planted seedling survival of just 25 %. Given these low rates, we carried out a planting experiment to quantify the impacts of biochar as a soil amendment and shrubs as nurse plants on planted conifer seedling survival and growth following high-severity wildfire. We planted 1200 seedlings of three species (Pinus ponderosa, P. strobiformis, and Pseudotsuga menziesii) in a 2-ha area within the footprint of the Las Conchas fire in New Mexico, USA. We used four treatments: under shrubs, or in the open and with or without biochar in a full-factorial design. We found that planting tree seedlings underneath shrubs increased tree seedling survival by 46 % after 3 years, with some marginal evidence that shrubs inhibited seedling diameter growth (mean R2 = 0.08). The addition of biochar increased seedling survival by 11 % but had no effect on seedling growth. Our study suggests that planted seedling survival in post-wildfire areas can be increased by planting under shrubs in soil amended with biochar. The widespread adoption of these methods may improve the success rates of post-wildfire reforestation efforts in semi-arid areas, regaining some of the ecosystem services lost to high-severity wildfire.

The Preclassic military macaw (Ara militaris) from the Cueva de Avendaños (Chihuahua, Mexico) was not locally procured

AbstractThe oldest macaw specimen in Pre‐Hispanic Mexico and the southwestern United States was recovered in Cueva de Avendaños, Chihuahua, Mexico, at the base of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It dates to the Late Archaic/Early Agricultural period (1929–2057 cal BP). The head is the only preserved element of the macaw and it was mummified through natural causes. Research on this specimen examines its sex identification and its geographical range, questioning whether this specimen belongs to a local population living in the vicinity of the cave. A species distribution model over the last 2000 years was elaborated to ascertain the presence of military macaw in the study area. Our results show that the macaw was non‐local, sustaining the idea that the practice of early animal husbandry existed in the early stages of the Pre‐Hispanic world, and also suggest that a significant and rapid climate changes characterized the Holocene, affecting the military macaw's distributional range.