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Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are a class of insecticides that have high insecticidal activity and are extensively used worldwide. However, increasing evidence suggests their long-term residues in the environment and toxic effects on nontarget organisms. NEO residues are frequently detected in water and consequently have created increasing levels of pollution and pose significant risks to humans. Many studies have focused on NEO concentrations in water; however, few studies have focused on global systematic reviews or meta-analyses of NEO concentrations in water. The purpose of this review is to conduct a meta-analysis on the concentration of NEOs in global waters based on published detections from several countries to extend knowledge on the application of NEOs. In the present study, 43 published papers from 10 countries were indexed for a meta-analysis of the global NEO distribution in water. Most of these studies focus on the intensive agricultural area, such as eastern Asia and North America. The order of mean concentrations is identified as imidacloprid (119.542 ± 15.656 ng L−1) > nitenpyram (88.076 ± 27.144 ng L−1) > thiamethoxam (59.752 ± 9.068 ng L−1) > dinotefuran (31.086 ± 9.275 ng L−1) > imidaclothiz (24.542 ± 2.906 ng L−1) > acetamiprid (23.360 ± 4.015 ng L−1) > thiacloprid (11.493 ± 5.095 ng L−1). Moreover, the relationships between NEO concentrations and some environmental factors are analyzed. NEO concentrations increase with temperature, oxidation–reduction potential, and the percentage of cultivated crops but decrease with stream discharge, pH, dissolved oxygen, and precipitation. NEO concentrations show no significant relations to turbidity and conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies that consider all dimensions of sustainable development (well-being of communities, protection of natural environment, and the competitive economy) are scarce. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate relationships between socio-eco-financial inputs and outputs and investigate high-tech companies' dynamic efficiency. Relationships were assessed by estimating Spearman as well as canonical correlations. Changes in socio-eco-efficiency through 2010–2016 were calculated using the panel data variant of data envelopment analysis – Malmquist index. High-tech companies were split into manufacturing (HTM) and knowledge-intensive services (HTKIS) sectors and, for additional insights, into Europe, North America, Asia & Pacific, and other regions. Findings indicate tight interrelatedness of socio-eco aspects and their weak relationship to the financial situation, where undesirable socio-eco situation reduces sales and return on assets only in HTM sector. Technological changes reveal post-crisis market recovery with increasing competition bringing fluctuating socio-eco-efficiency changes during the period analyzed. Pharmaceuticals in HTM and renewable energy in HTKIS had the highest efficiency changes of 0.73% and 0.81% on average, respectively, but these changes were not statistically significant. Meanwhile, for a few NACE categories significantly negative changes were found. North America featured a non-significantly positive socio-eco-efficiency change on average (only in HTM), whereas the Asia & Pacific region featured the most stable efficiency dynamics. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first research that recognizes all three dimensions of sustainable development to investigate high-tech companies' correlation patterns and dynamic efficiency throughout different sectors and world regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to provide new insights into a hidden pattern in the cross-national scholarly network structure from an altmetric perspective. We investigate and visualize the dynamic and complex nature of altmetric-based referrals using a social network algorithm that measures societal use (via Twitter) and scientific impact (via Mendeley). We also use a variety of network indices and a QAP (quadratic assignment procedure) to validate the structural relationships between inter-country sharing networks. Finally, we identify several groups including Asia, Europe, and North America through a transcontinental sharing analysis. The findings suggest that policymakers need to track the international routes of word-of-mouth, which constitute socially mediated data-sharing, regarding scientific publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper updates the results obtained earlier with the climate model developed at the A.M. Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS CM) and describing the impact of atmospheric sulfur dioxide on the terrestrial carbon cycle. Since no global data are available for the near-surface SO2 concentration, a statistical model was used to reconstruct its concentration from appropriate data on surface sulfate concentrations; the coefficients of this model were tuned by using the output of the RAMS-CMAQ atmospheric chemistry and transport model. The results obtained in this study are generally consistent with data reported earlier. Specifically, the most significant SO2 impact on the terrestrial carbon cycle was found to be for southeastern North America and for Europe. However, this impact for southeastern Asia obtained in this study is considerably weaker than the value obtained earlier, which can be explained by the excessive moisture content in the atmosphere used in the IAP RAS CM for this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of individuals to heavy metals (HMs) is a growing concern with far-reaching implications for human health. HMs encompass a diverse range of elements that, when present in excess or in particular chemical forms, have the potential to elicit adverse effects on the central nervous system and cognitive function. This systematic review aims to comprehensively investigate the relationship between exposure to HMs and neurocognitive function in adults. The methodological framework for this review adheres rigorously to the Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. A meticulous and extensive search strategy was executed within PubMed and Web of Science, specifically targeting articles published in the English language until the cutoff date of December 5, 2023. The evaluation of the retrieved studies was systematically conducted by employing the assessment approach outlined by (Gascon et al. in Environ Int 86 60 67, 2016). The initial search yielded a substantial pool of 1573 articles, culminating in a refined selection comprising eight pertinent studies, collectively enrolling a participant cohort totalling n = 1,828,126. Notably, the studies under review predominantly manifested a cross-sectional or cohort design and were geographically situated within the continents of North America and Asia. Furthermore, it is imperative to underscore that a predominant and recurring observation emanating from the majority of the scrutinized investigations underscores a significant correlation between exposure to cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) and deleterious neurocognitive outcomes in the adult population. In summary, our systematic review postulates that exposure to HMs through various routes of exposure harbors the potential for adverse effects on adult neurocognitive function; however, it is incumbent upon future research endeavors to validate and corroborate these findings through further empirical exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a poll made by the journal "Nature" on what and how metrics are used in academic institutions. It says that 150 readers responded to the survey and provosts, department heads, and other administrators were also surveyed at nearly 30 research institutions throughout the world. It states that three-quarters of the researchers surveyed said that metrics are used in promotion and hiring decisions, and about 70% mentioned that metrics are applied in performance review and tenure decisions. Moreover, most administrators asserted that they ignore the metrics in promotion, hiring, and tenure decisions. It discusses how metrics are used in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Summary: The quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture was estimated in 2,808 fractured patients from 11 countries. Analysis showed that there were significant differences in the quality of life (QoL) loss between countries. Other factors such as QoL prior fracture and hospitalisation also had a significant impact on the QoL loss. Introduction: The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS) was initiated in 2007 with the objective of estimating costs and quality of life related to fractures in several countries worldwide. The ICUROS is ongoing and enrols patients in 11 countries (Australia, Austria, Estonia, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, Spain, UK and the USA). The objective of this paper is to outline the study design of ICUROS and present results regarding the QoL (measured using the EQ-5D) during the first 4 months after fracture based on the patients that have been thus far enrolled ICUROS. Methods: ICUROS uses a prospective study design where data (costs and quality of life) are collected in four phases over 18 months after fracture. All countries use the same core case report forms. Quality of life was collected using the EQ-5D instrument and a time trade-off questionnaire. Results: The total sample for the analysis was 2,808 patients (1,273 hip, 987 distal forearm and 548 vertebral fracture). For all fracture types and countries, the QoL was reduced significantly after fracture compared to pre-fracture QoL. A regression analysis showed that there were significant differences in the QoL loss between countries. Also, a higher level of QoL prior to the fracture significantly increased the QoL loss and patients who were hospitalised for their fracture also had a significantly higher loss compared to those who were not. Conclusions: The findings in this study indicate that there appear to be important variations in the QoL decrements related to fracture between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the collapse of the Soviet regime, post-communist states have rapidly learned the modern face of slavery. Slavic women have been trafficked to the sex markets of Western Europe, Asia, and North America. The surge in human trafficking is the result of numerous factors, including the dramatic fall of the economic system and complete deterioration of the social safety net. This paper explores the causes and conditions of the growth of the trade in persons in the region, the profile and typical behavior of the victims, and the public perception of the trafficking problem. It identifies the inefficiencies behind the national and international responses to trafficking and the complications for policymaking associated with the stigma attached to sex workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symplocarpus L. (Araceae) is a disjunct genus including S. foetidus (L.) Nutt. var. latissimus (Makino) S. Hara, S. nipponicus Makino, and S. nabekuraensis Otsuka & K. Inoue in temperate eastern Asia; S. egorovii N. S. Pavlova & V. A. Nechaev in the Russian far east; and S. foetidus (L.) Nutt. in temperate northeastern North America. For the first time, pollen morphology of Symplocarpus was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopes. Symplocarpus foetidus var. latissimus and S. foetidus had reticulate surfaces and rounded (obtuse), long, equatorial axis tips, whereas S. nipponicus had microreticulate surfaces and acute tips. Symplocarpus foetidus in North America had larger pollen grains than S. foetidus var. latissimus in eastern Asia. Thus, based on pollen characteristics, S. foetidus var. latissimus is more closely related to S. foetidus than to S. nipponicus. Other lines of evidence, such as molecular phylogenetic studies and phenology, support the phylogenetic relationships among these species proposed in this study. The slightly modified acetolysis procedure conducted in this paper is a promising application to study weak exine or exineless pollen grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines global diversification benefits provided by developed property markets over 1992-2007. We employ a cointegration methodology, invariant to pair-wise correlational instability plaguing MPT approaches, to investigate regional and country property market diversification benefits for U.S. domiciled global real estate investors. We show, theoretically and empirically, the cointegration procedure aptly identifies markets integrated by common trends that mitigate diversification potential. We show global property markets are interregionally independent but find intraregional market cointegration. A portfolio of markets independent of cointegrating relationships performs best during the period but is insufficiently diversified relative to a cointegrated portfolio. Independent country markets do account for the bulk of global property diversification gains but cointegrated markets, particularly from the North American and Asia Pacific regions, retain some diversifying qualities. We also show cointegrated markets converge toward benchmark characteristics, reducing their attraction as portfolio candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter (ALMA) Array Front End (FE) system is the first element in a complex chain of signal receiving, conversion, processing and recording. 70 Front Ends will be required for the project. The Front End is designed to receive signals in ten different frequency bands. In the initial phase of operations, the antennas will be fully equipped with six bands. These are Band 3 (84-116 GHz), Band 4 (125-163 GHz), Band 6 (211-275 GHz), Band 7 (275-373 GHz), Band 8 (385-500 GHz) and Band 9 (602-720 GHz). It is planned to equip the antennas with the missing bands at a later stage of ALMA operations, with a few Band 5 (163-211 GHz) and Band 10 (787-950 GHz) receivers in use before the end of the construction project. The ALMA Front End is far superior to any existing receiver systems; spin-offs of the ALMA prototypes are leading to improved sensitivities in existing millimeter and submillimeter observatories. The Front End units are comprised of numerous elements, produced at different locations in Europe, North America and East Asia and are integrated at several Front End integration centers (FEIC) to insure timely delivery of all the units to Chile. The North American FEIC (NA FEIC) is at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. This paper describes the design and performance of the test set used at the NA FEIC to check the performance of the Front Ends, following integration and prior to shipment to Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the impact of protected areas on land-cover clearing, using a metadata analysis of information on 49 locations from 22 countries. Protected areas had significantly lower rates of clearing in comparison to their surroundings. In addition, protected areas had also significantly lowered rates of clearing within their boundary following initiation of protection. Thus, protected areas do appear to be effective at limiting overall land-cover clearing. There was some variation in the rates of clearing across regions, where most protected areas from North America and Europe showed positive rates of land-cover change, while protected areas from Asia had the highest rates of land-cover clearing. While most protected areas from North America and Europe involved a relatively smaller number of actors, a greater number of actors and drivers of clearing was implicated in protected areas from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, indicating the increased difficulties faced by park management in these regions. In contrast, country income levels and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources category of protection did not appear to impact the likelihood of land-cover clearing in protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of plants and its products in all forms of life cannot be overemphasized. The medicinal products from plant are phytochemicals, drugs, food supplements, beauty products, etc. In ethnomedicine, leaves, fruits, stem, bark, root and fluids from plants are used in the cure, management and prevention of several diseases. Cupressus sempervirens, sometimes called Italian or Mediterranean cypress, is found in subtropical Asia, North America and eastern Mediterranean region. Pharmacological investigations of Cupressus sempervirens showed biological properties such as aromatherapeutic, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic or anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiperspirant, diuretic and antispasmodic. Chemical analysis of Cupressus sempervirens gives phytochemicals like monoterpenes, diterpenes, flavonoid glycosides and bioflavonoids. The current review highlights interactions, conventional uses and biological actions of Cupressus sempervirens plant and plant products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Of the Review: The purpose of the current paper was to review and summarize the literature on ADHD and maltreatment over the past 10 years.Recent Findings: The majority of research on ADHD and exposure to maltreatment focuses on the high rates of comorbidity, including international studies from Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. Longitudinal studies showed that early exposure to maltreatment is a risk factor for ADHD symptoms later in development; however, this finding was not consistent. There were some preliminary studies on the neurological and genetic mechanisms underlying the link between ADHD and exposure to maltreatment. Finally, ADHD and exposure to maltreatment were found to have an additive effect on clinically salient outcomes (e.g., aggression, suicide attempts). Results from the review have direct clinical and future implications, including the need to understand the effect of comorbid ADHD and exposure to maltreatment in treatment studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentha species are planted worldwide for extraction of their metabolites, including essential oils and phenolic acid compounds, which have therapeutic and commercial value. Mentha piperita L. and Mentha canadensis L. both belong to the menthol chemotype. M. piperita is widely used in North America, and M. canadensis is one of the most important mint species in Asia. Here, an improved Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method using internode segments instead of leaves as explants of M. piperita was reported. Histological examination showed that adventitious buds formed from cortical cells of internode. An efficient method for regeneration of M. canadensis was also established. Internode pieces were excised and cultured on a regeneration medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts plus vitamin B5, 5.0 mg L−1 TDZ, 0.2 mg L−1 IAA, and 25% coconut water. Explants were then moved to the basal MS medium without plant growth regulator after initiation of shoots and regeneration rates achieved 100%. According to different selection markers used in individual transformation experiments, 3 mg L−1 hygromycin B (antibiotic) or bialaphos (herbicide) was appropriate the concentration for the regeneration selection stage, while 5 mg L−1 hygromycin B or bialaphos could be used during the shoot elongation selection stage. An Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol for M. canadensis was produced within 4 mo. Positive transgenic lines with gusA gene were verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and β-glucuronidase histochemical staining. Using 500 to 600 internode pieces as explants could obtain 3 to 4 transgenic lines of M. canadensis. Our methods established here will facilitate the basic gene function research as well as genetic breeding and trait improvement of this important mint species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal forecasts of summer continental United States (CONUS) rainfall have relatively low skill, partly due to a lack of consensus about its sources of predictability. The East Asian monsoon (EAM) can excite a cross-Pacific Rossby wave train, also known as the Asia–North America (ANA) teleconnection. In this study, we analyze the ANA teleconnection in observations and model simulations from the Community Atmospheric Model, version 5 (CAM5), comparing experiments with prescribed climatological SSTs and prescribed observed SSTs. Observations indicate a statistically significant relationship between a strong EAM and increased probability of positive precipitation anomalies over the US west coast and the Plains-Midwest. The ANA teleconnection and CONUS rainfall patterns are improved in the CAM5 experiment with prescribed observed SSTs, suggesting that SST variability is necessary to simulate this teleconnection over CONUS. We find distinct ANA patterns between ENSO phases, with the La Niña-related patterns in CAM5 disagreeing with observations. Using linear steady-state quasi-geostrophic theory, we conclude that incorrect EAM forcing location greatly contributed to CAM5 biases, and jet stream disparities explained the ENSO-related biases. Finally, we compared EAM forcing experiments with different mean states using a simple dry nonlinear atmospheric general circulation model. Overall, the ANA pattern over CONUS and its modulation by ENSO forcing are well described by dry dynamics on seasonal-to-interannual timescales, including the constructive (destructive) interference between El Niño (La Niña) modulation and the ANA patterns over CONUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the temperature divergence between Holocene proxy reconstructions and model simulations remains controversial, but it possibly results from potential biases in the seasonality of reconstructions or in the climate sensitivity of models. Here we present an extensive dataset of Holocene seasonal temperatures reconstructed using 1310 pollen records covering the Northern Hemisphere landmass. Our results indicate that both summer and winter temperatures warmed from the early to mid-Holocene (~11–7 ka BP) and then cooled thereafter, but with significant spatial variability. Strong early Holocene warming trend occurred mainly in Europe, eastern North America and northern Asia, which can be generally captured by model simulations and is likely associated with the retreat of continental ice sheets. The subsequent cooling trend is pervasively recorded except for northern Asia and southeastern North America, which may reflect the cross-seasonal impact of the decreasing summer insolation through climatic feedbacks, but the cooling in winter season is not well reproduced by climate models. Our results challenge the proposal that seasonal biases in proxies are the main origin of model–data discrepancies and highlight the critical impact of insolation and associated feedbacks on temperature changes, which warrant closer attention in future climate modelling. The study reconstructed Holocene seasonal temperatures using 1,310 pollen records covering the Northern Hemisphere landmass, and show that both summer and winter temperatures peaked at ~7 ka BP, but with significant spatial variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this meta-analysis, we analyzed 9 cross-sectional studies for an association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and bone mineral density (BMD) in children. We found that BMD Z-scores were significantly reduced in children with T1DM. Introduction: Recent cross-sectional studies have examined how T1DM influences bone health in children and adolescents, but the relationship between T1DM and BMD remains unclear due to conflicting reports. Methods: In this meta-analysis, we systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane library, and Web of Science databases (for publications through March 12, 2020), and calculated weight mean difference (WMD) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 method. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Results: Data were analyzed from 9 eligible studies, including a total of 1522 children and adolescents. These data were tested for an association between T1DM and BMD. This analysis found a significant decrease in BMD Z-score in the whole body (pooled WMD, − 0.47, 95% CI, − 0.92 to − 0.02, I2 = 80.2%) and lumbar spine (pooled WMD, − 0.41, 95% CI, − 0.69 to − 0.12, I2 = 80.3%) in children and adolescents with T1DM, which was consistent in published studies from Asia and South America, but inconsistent in the North America and Europe. Importantly, the differences in BMD Z-scores were independent of age, level of glucose control (HbA1c), and prepubertal stage. Sensitivity analyses did not modify these findings. Funnel plot and the Egger test did not reveal significant publication bias. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that T1DM may play a role in decreasing BMD Z-scores in the whole body and lumbar spine in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies by Adelman and by Friedlander and Silver, which have investigated whether regression equations derived from cross-section data can be used to predict the impact of socioeconomic development on changing levels of fertility, are reviewed critically. Regression analyses based on data for 57 countries c. 1960 show that fertility (gross reproduction rate) varies cross-sectionally with region as well as with level of development (as measured by per capita income, percent labor force in primary sector, expectation of life, illiteracy rate). Using equations derived from the cross-section study and time-series data for five European countries during the period that their fertility rates fell, it is shown that predictions about past fertility changes are in error. The results suggest caution in the use of cross-section relations to predict the course of fertility in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective liner shipping is important for the global seaborne trade. The volume of cargoes transported by liner shipping has been increasing over the past decades. Liner shipping companies face three levels of decision problems, including strategic, tactical, and operational problems. The tactical-level decisions are commonly made every three to 6 months. These decisions include: (1) port service frequency determination; (2) fleet deployment; (3) sailing speed optimization; and (4) vessel schedule design. Most of the concurrent liner shipping studies have addressed the tactical-level decision problems separately. Even though a few studies have proposed joint planning models that capture multiple decision problems at the same time, none of the conducted studies has integrated all the four tactical-level decision problems. To address this gap in the state-of-the-art, this study presents a holistic optimization model that addresses all the tactical-level liner shipping decision problems, aiming to maximize the total profit obtained from liner shipping services. The key route service cost components, found in the liner shipping literature, are considered in this study, which include: (1) vessel operational cost; (2) vessel chartering cost; (3) port handling cost; (4) port late arrival cost; (5) fuel consumption cost; (6) container inventory costs in sea and at ports of call; and (7) emission costs in sea and at ports of call. An exact optimization approach is adopted for the developed mathematical model. The computational experiments, conducted for a set of Asia-North America liner shipping routes, showcase the efficiency of the proposed approach and offer some important managerial insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil moisture is a key variable of the land surface and its variations are an important issue in climate studies. In this study, we employed the Community Earth System Model (CESM) for 20 ensemble member simulations of the 50-year period from 1965 to 2014 and used canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and multiple regression to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of soil moisture predictability. The effects of soil moisture persistence and sea surface temperature (SST) as an external forcing on its predictability were analyzed. Results show that the soil moisture predictability due to its persistence is 1–2 months and considering SST as an external forcing can significantly increase its predictability. Regions that exhibit a significant increase in predictability are mainly tropical regions, North America and Western Asia during winter and spring. In tropical regions, SST increases the predictability of soil moisture by influencing the local surface temperature and precipitation. In other regions, the effects of SST on wind speed, cloud cover, and surface evaporation also contribute significantly to the increase in soil moisture predictability. The results were validated through the analysis based on soil moisture data from land data assimilation system and observed precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether there is a difference in citation rate between open access and subscription access articles in the field of radiology.Methods: This study included consecutive original articles published online in European Radiology. Pearson χ2, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess for any differences between open access and subscription access articles. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine the association between open access publishing and citation rate, adjusted for continent of origin, subspeciality, study findings in article title, number of authors, number of references, length of the article, and number of days the article has been online. In a secondary analysis, we determined the association between open access and number of downloads and shares.Results: A total of 500 original studies, of which 86 (17.2%) were open access and 414 (82.8%) were subscription access articles, were included. Articles from Europe or North America were significantly more frequently published open access (p = 0.024 and p = 0.001), while articles with corresponding authors from Asia were significantly less frequently published open access (p < 0.001). In adjusted linear regression analysis, open access articles were significantly more frequently cited (beta coefficient = 3.588, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.668 to 6.508, p = 0.016), downloaded (beta coefficient = 759.801, 95% CI 630.917 to 888.685, p < 0.001), and shared (beta coefficient = 0.748, 95% CI 0.124 to 1.372, p = 0.019) than subscription access articles (beta coefficient = 3.94, 95% confidence interval 1.44 to 6.44, p = 0.002).Conclusion: Open access publishing is independently associated with an increased citation, download, and share rate in the field of radiology.Key Points: • A minority of articles are currently published open access in European Radiology. • European and North American authors tend to publish more open access articles than Asian authors. • Open access publishing seems to offer an independent advantage in terms of citation, download, and share rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trillium has fascinated the botanical world with its peculiar biology and high medicinal value. The genus appears in North America and Asia, and is widely used for traditional medicine on both continents. Medicinal value has been validated recently through the isolation and ex situ testing of constituent compounds. This study reviews biology, medicinal value, ecological threats and knowledge gaps, and offers suggestions for conservation and sustainable utilization. Findings indicate that the biology of the genus is well explored and the reproductive constraints are well recognized. Steroidal compounds and pharmaceutical potential of the genus are reported, but controlled clinical trials on humans are yet to be conducted. High medicinal value and the peculiar biology have made the genus susceptible to several threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Engaging in scientific misconduct and questionable research practices (QRPs) is a noted problem across fields, including health professions education (HPE). To mitigate these practices, other disciplines have enacted strategies based on researcher characteristics and practice factors. Thus, to inform HPE, this study seeks to determine which researcher characteristics and practice factors, if any, might explain the frequency of irresponsible research practices. Method: In 2017, a cross-sectional survey of HPE researchers was conducted. The survey included 66 items adapted from three published surveys: two published QRP surveys and a publication pressure scale. The outcome variable was a self-reported misconduct score, which is a weighted mean score for each respondent on all misconduct and QRP items. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, reliability and correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression modelling. Results and Discussion: In total, 590 researchers completed the survey. Results from the final regression model indicated that researcher age had a negative association with the misconduct score (b = -0.01, β = -0.22, t = -2.91, p <0.05), suggesting that older researchers tended to report less misconduct. On the other hand, those with more publications had higher misconduct scores (b = 0.001, β = 0.17, t = 3.27, p < 0.05) and, compared with researchers in the region of North America, researchers in Asia tended to have higher misconduct scores (b = 0.21, β = 0.12, t = 2.84, p < 0.01). In addition, compared with those who defined their work role as clinician, those who defined their role as researcher tended to have higher misconduct scores (b = 0.12, β = 0.13, t = 2.15, p < 0.05). Finally, publication pressure emerged as the strongest individual predictor of misconduct (b = 0.20, β = 0.34, t = 7.82, p < 0.01); the greater the publication pressure, the greater the reported misconduct. Overall, the explanatory variables accounted for 21% of the variance in the misconduct score, with publication pressure accounting for 10% of the variance in the outcome, above and beyond the other explanatory variables. Although correlational, these findings suggest several researcher characteristics and practice factors that could be targeted to address scientific misconduct and QRPs in HPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous observational analyses show that the land-surface diurnal temperature range (DTR) has decreased in the past 6 decades worldwide. Based on a newly developed China Meteorological Administration-Land Surface Air Temperature (CMA-LSAT) dataset, we analyzed the DTR changes between 1901 and 2014. Results indicate that the global land surface DTR significantly decreased at a rate of − 0.036 °C decade− 1 over the 1901-2014 period, mainly due to the large decrease in DTR from 1951 to 2014. For the first half of the twentieth century, most grid boxes (spatial resolution 5° × 5°) show a positive DTR trend, with the positive trends of 32.4% grid boxes being statistically significant, leading to a large and significant increase of 0.048 °C decade− 1 in DTR. However, a dramatic reversal in DTR change occurred in early 1950s, with most parts of global lands exhibiting a shift from increasing to decreasing trends. The global land average DTR decrease during 1951-2014 was − 0.054 °C decade− 1, with 45.0% grid boxes showing significant negative trends. The reverse phenomenon is more obvious in the Northern Hemisphere than that in the Southern Hemisphere. For the periods 1979-2014 and 1998-2014, the decreasing trends in DTR mainly occur in the Northern Hemisphere. The DTR in the Southern Hemisphere experienced much larger increases during the two recent periods than during the period 1951-2014. Asia, Eastern North America, and Australia exhibited widespread decreases in DTR, although the trend pattern for global DTR is generally mixed during 1979-2014 and 1998-2014. There is a good negative correlation between DTR and precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere from 1901 to 2014, with a correlation coefficient of − 0.61. The change in precipitation and number of volcanic eruptions, and the "early brightening" of Europe (Stockholm) all benefit the increase of DTR at global and regional scales in the first half of the twentieth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue of global concern and there is a dearth of research into the culture-specific barriers that migrant women in Australia face. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which migrant women in Australia experience IPV, and to understand the factors that influence their help-seeking behavior. One hundred and thirty migrant women from the continents of Asia, Europe, South America, North America and Africa aged between 19 and 65 years (M = 38.15 years) reported their experiences of IPV and their preparedness to seek assistance through surveys. The results showed that over 50% of the participants experienced some form of IPV, with the most common type being verbal and emotional, followed by physical and psychological, and then financial. Most women indicated that they needed help, however, many refrained from seeking it; a range of barriers influenced their decision to not seek assistance. The findings have implications for future studies examining violence against culturally and linguistically diverse minority women, the barriers in them seeking assistance and their main sources of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes areal changes and regional climate variations in global semi-arid regions over 61 years (1948-2008) and investigates the dynamics of global semi-arid climate change. The results reveal that the largest expansion of drylands has occurred in semi-arid regions since the early 1960s. This expansion of semi-arid regions accounts for more than half of the total dryland expansion. The area of semi-arid regions in the most recent 15 years studied (1990-2004) is 7 % larger than that during the first 15 years (1948-1962) of the study period; this expansion totaled 0.4 × 10 and 1.2 × 10 km within the American continents and in the Eastern Hemisphere, respectively. Although semi-arid expansion occurred in both regions, the shifting patterns of the expansion are different. Across the American continents, the newly formed semi-arid regions developed from arid regions, in which the climate became wetter. Conversely, in the continental Eastern Hemisphere, semi-arid regions replaced sub-humid/humid regions, in which the climate became drier. The climate change in drying semi-arid regions over East Asia is primarily dominated by a weakened East Asian summer monsoon, while the wetting of semi-arid regions over North America is primarily controlled by enhanced westerlies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cultural values shape a woman's experience of disease and introduce novel stressors that influence psychosocial needs and adaptation. This literature review examines the psychosocial impact of breast cancer in South Asian women, a large group that has received little attention in this regard.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature published before April 2014 using Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PubMED, CINHAL, EMBASE, and Sociological Abstracts. We searched for articles about the psychosocial impact of breast cancer in South Asian women. We retained 23 studies for review.Results: The literature concerning South Asian women's experiences identified culturally linked themes that play significant roles in shaping the illness experience; e.g., stigma and breast cancer, low priority of women's health, collective experience of disease, and religion and spirituality.Conclusion: There is a growing need for culturally sensitive care for South Asian women. By understanding the core cultural values and integrating them into clinical practice, Western healthcare providers may improve the quality of care they deliver and help women to extract the maximum benefit.Implications For Cancer Survivors: Developing culturally competent support services may enhance effectiveness in addressing the healthcare needs of South Asian women and may serve other ethnic minorities in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research had the primary goal of investigating the difference in police reporting patterns by sexual assault victims in Western and in non-Western countries. The data for the present study were obtained from the International Crime Victimization Survey. The present work found a significant difference in police reporting behavior by sexual assault victims in Western and in non-Western countries. Gender, urban residency, and the number of offenders were important factors for victims in non-Western countries, but not for those in Western countries. On the other hand, a victim's prior relationship with his or her offender and family income level were significantly related to police reports in Western countries, but not in non-Western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In winter, northeastern North America and northeastern Asia are both colder than other regions at similar latitudes. This has been attributed to the effects of stationary weather systems set by elevated terrain (orography), and to a lack of maritime influences from the prevailing westerly winds. However, the differences in extent and orography between the two continents suggest that further mechanisms are involved. Here we show that this anomalous winter cold can result in part from westward radiation of large-scale atmospheric waves-nearly stationary Rossby waves-generated by heating of the atmosphere over warm ocean waters. We demonstrate this mechanism using simulations with an idealized general circulation model, with which we show that the extent of the cold region is controlled by properties of Rossby waves, such as their group velocity and its dependence on the planetary rotation rate. Our results show that warm ocean waters contribute to the contrast in mid-latitude winter temperatures between eastern and western continental boundaries not only by warming western boundaries, but also by cooling eastern boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncertain nature of the demand for university parking has now created a major problem for university planners. From a facilities planning perspective, it is important to comprehend the probabilistic nature of the demand for parking and parking rules violations. Given this background, in our note, we shed light on two insufficiently studied issues concerning university parking. First, we focus on short-term and long-term parkers. We determine the mean parking time of an arriving car and then we compute the probability distribution function of the number of occupied parking spots at any particular time. Second, we concentrate on parking rules violators and we calculate the probability distribution function of the number of violators who are fined at an inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Not much is known about cross-geographic region differences in quality of life (QoL) in women with and without prevalent vertebral fractures (VFX). QoL differed between continents, countries, and ethnicities. The observed differences in QoL mostly appeared larger than the difference in QoL between women with or without mild to moderate VFX. Quality of life (QoL) is an increasingly important outcome measure in randomized controlled trials and cost-utility studies. However, not much is known about cross-geographic region differences in QoL. The objective of this study was to describe the cross-geographic region differences in QoL in women with and without mild to moderate prevalent vertebral fractures (VFX). The study was performed using baseline data of the bazedoxifene study. The study was carried out in 25 countries in six continents ( n = 7117). QoL was assessed using the index and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of the EQ-5D, Qualeffo-41, and Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ). VFX were assessed using semi-quantitative and quantitative morphometric methods. In general, all four instruments followed more or less the same pattern. In most analyses, the reported QoL was lowest in Asia and Europe and highest in North America and Oceania. To examine the influence of ethnicity, North and South America were stratified on race. In both continents, a lower QoL was observed in Hispanic people. QoL differed between continents, countries, and ethnicities. The observed differences in QoL appeared larger between most continents and countries than the difference in QoL between women with or without mild to moderate VFX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Cenozoic terrestrial fossil records of North America are biased by a predominance of mid-latitude deposits, mostly in the western half of the continent. Consequently, the biological history of eastern North America, including the eastern deciduous forest, remains largely hidden. Unfortunately, vertebrate fossil sites from this vast region are rare, and few pertain to the critically important late Tertiary period, during which intensified global climatic changes took place. Moreover, strong phylogenetic affinities between the flora of eastern North America and eastern Asia clearly demonstrate formerly contiguous connections, but disparity among shared genera (eastern Asia-eastern North America disjunction) implies significant periods of separation since at least the Miocene epoch. Lacustrine sediments deposited within a former sinkhole in the southern Appalachian Mountains provide a rare example of a late Miocene to early Pliocene terrestrial biota from a forested ecosystem. Here we show that the vertebrate remains contained within this deposit represent a unique combination of North American and Eurasian taxa. A new genus and species of the red (lesser) panda (Pristinailurus bristoli), the earliest and most primitive so far known, was recovered. Also among the fauna are a new species of Eurasian badger (Arctomeles dimolodontus) and the largest concentration of fossil tapirs ever recorded. Cladistical analyses of the two new carnivores strongly suggest immigration events that were earlier than and distinct from previous records, and that the close faunal affinities between eastern North America and eastern Asia in the late Tertiary period are consistent with the contemporaneous botanical record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on crude oil prices. It is informed that oil prices went down between the period of mid-1996 and the end of 1998, then rose until September 2000. Oil stocks were low at the beginning of 2000, and so it was no surprise that prices remained high until the summer. But the sustained nature of the price rise was not expected because, following a number of production increases by organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) in the second and third quarters of the year, much more crude oil was being produced than consumed. Many observers believed the fall in crude oil prices in 1997 and 1998 meant that OPEC had lost control over the oil markets. But the sharp price increase caused in 1999 by the relatively modest production restrictions imposed by OPEC showed that this was probably a premature conclusion. According to the most recent scenarios published by the International Energy Agency and the American Energy Information Administration, world oil consumption will increase substantially over the next 10 to 20 years if there is no fundamental change in energy policy with North America and the Asian developing countries accounting for a large part of the increase.

This article reports on a telephone survey of business school faculty in the United Kingdom, Asia and North America concerning efforts to internationalize the teaching of business ethics. International dimensions of business ethics are currently given only limited coverage in the business school curriculum with over half of the faculty surveyed indicating that less then 10% of their ethics teaching focuses on global issues. Teaching objectives vary widely with some faculty emphasizing a relativistic, diversity oriented perspective while others stress the universality of values. The respondents identified a great need to develop teaching materials based upon non-U.S, corporations and/or non-U.S. incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]