Carbon Emission and Redistribution among Forest Carbon Pools, and Change in Soil Nutrient Content after Different Severities of Forest Fires in Northeast China

Forest fires are a significant factor that affects the boreal forest carbon distribution which emits carbon into the atmosphere and leads to carbon redistribution among carbon pools. However, knowledge about how much carbon was transferred among pools and the immediate changes in soil nutrient contents in areas that were burned by fires of various severities are still limited. In this study, we surveyed eight wildfire sites that are located in northeast China within three months after the fires occurred. Our results indicate that the total soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon contents significantly increased after moderate- and high-severity fires. The carbon emissions were 3.84, 5.14, and 12.86 Mg C/ha for low-, moderate-, and high-severity fires, respectively. The amount of carbon transferred among pools increased with fire severity except for the charcoal pool, storing the highest amounts of carbon in moderate-severity fires. Although the charcoal and ash pools accounted for a small proportion of the total ecosystem, they are important for biogeochemical cycles and are worthy of attention. The carbon redistribution information in our study is important for accurately estimating the forest carbon budget and providing crucial parameters for forest carbon cycling models to incorporate the carbon transfer process.

Correlation between the initial CT chest findings and short-term prognosis in Egyptian patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Background The recent pandemic of COVID‐19 has thrown the world into chaos due to its high rate of transmissions. This study aimed to highlight the encountered CT findings in 910 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Egypt including the mean severity score and also correlation between the initial CT finding and the short-term prognosis in 320 patients. Results All patients had confirmed COVID-19 infection. Non-contrast CT chest was performed for all cases; in addition, the correlation between each CT finding and disease severity or the short-term prognosis was reported. The mean age was higher for patients with unfavorable prognosis (P < 0.01). The patchy pattern was the most common, found in 532/910 patients (58.4%), the nodular pattern was the least common 123/910 (13.5%). The diffuse pattern was reported in 124 (13.6%). The ground glass density was the most common reported density in the study 512/910 (56.2%). The crazy pavement sign was reported more frequently in patients required hospitalization or ICU and was reported in 53 (56.9%) of patients required hospitalization and in 29 (40.2%) patients needed ICU, and it was reported in 11 (39.2%) deceased patients. Air bronchogram was reported more frequently in patients with poor prognosis than patients with good prognosis (16/100; 26% Vs 12/220; 5.4%). The mean CT severity score for patients with poor prognosis was 15.2. The mean CT severity score for patients with good prognosis 8.7., with statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). Conclusion Our results confirm the important role of the initial CT findings in the prediction of clinical outcome and short-term prognosis. Some signs like subpleural lines, halo sign, reversed halo sign and nodular shape of the lesions predict mild disease and favorable prognosis. The crazy paving sign, dense vessel sign, consolidation, diffuse shape and high severity score predict more severe disease and probably warrant early hospitalization. The high severity score is most important in prediction of unfavorable prognosis. The nodular shape of the lesions is the most important predictor of good prognosis.

Procedural Risk in Congenital Cardiac Catheterization (PREDIC 3 T)

Background Advancements in the field, including novel procedures and multiple interventions, require an updated approach to accurately assess patient risk. This study aims to modernize patient hemodynamic and procedural risk classification through the creation of risk assessment tools to be used in congenital cardiac catheterization. Methods and Results Data were collected for all cases performed at sites participating in the C3PO (Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes) multicenter registry. Between January 2014 and December 2017, 23 119 cases were recorded in 13 participating institutions, of which 88% of patients were <18 years of age and 25% <1 year of age; a high‐severity adverse event occurred in 1193 (5.2%). Case types were defined by procedure(s) performed and grouped on the basis of association with the outcome, high‐severity adverse event. Thirty‐four unique case types were determined and stratified into 6 risk categories. Six hemodynamic indicator variables were empirically assessed, and a novel hemodynamic vulnerability score was determined by the frequency of high‐severity adverse events. In a multivariable model, case‐type risk category (odds ratios for category: 0=0.46, 1=1.00, 2=1.40, 3=2.68, 4=3.64, and 5=5.25; all P ≤0.005) and hemodynamic vulnerability score (odds ratio for score: 0=1.00, 1=1.27, 2=1.89, and ≥3=2.03; all P ≤0.006) remained independent predictors of patient risk. Conclusions These case‐type risk categories and the weighted hemodynamic vulnerability score both serve as independent predictors of patient risk for high‐severity adverse events. This contemporary procedure‐type risk metric and weighted hemodynamic vulnerability score will improve our understanding of patient and procedural outcomes.

Geo-Locating and Identifying Wrong-Way Driving Entrance Points in Bexar County Highways by Implementing Mathematical Modeling and Land-Use Impact Assessment

Wrong-way driving (WWD) leads to high severity crashes and is a major concern for transportation managers. This study aims to identify WWD entry points of urban highway ramps and develop an analysis methodology using basic knowledge of WWD occurrences. The methodology examines the origin and driving behavior of impaired drivers by utilizing a land-use impact assessment (alcohol-serving establishments (ASE) proximity to exit ramps) and analyzing three distinct mathematical models: wrong-way driving events excluding 911 call analysis, wrong-way driving events including 911 call analysis, and 911 calls without wrong-way driving crashes. Data were collected and implemented from Google Maps, the 911 call database, wrong-way crash database, ASE location database, and a video camera database of a recent WWD study. Out of a total 543 exit ramps, 213 exit ramps are associated with approximately 98% of total WWD entries. The hotspots analysis of WWD entrance locations have found four major hotspots locations in Bexar County, Texas study area: 410 Loop near Culebra Road and Jackson Keller Road, 1604 Loop near US-281 highway, and IH-10 near the Medical Drive area. Outcomes of this study include a methodology for determining WWD entry locations of regional highways.

Effect of Direct Transcranial Stimulation by Continuous Current (Tdcs) in “Kiss Nightclub Fire” Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Phase II Controlled Clinical Trial

BackgroundVictims of disasters can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 30-40% of cases. Application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shown promising results in PTDS. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) similar to rTMS, which is a neuromodulation technique, has shown promise in treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.MethodA clinical trial conducted from March/2015-July-2016 in “KISS nightclub fire” disaster patients diagnosed with PTSD without complete remission of symptoms, over 18-years and who maintained pharmacological treatment. Electrodes positioned as cathode (right DLPFC) and extra-cephalic anode (contralateral deltoid muscle.) A current of 2mA used for 25cm² area (0.08mA/cm² current density) 30min once a day, for 10 continuous days. Patients were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, 30-days’ and 90-days’ post-intervention. PTSD Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C); Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-D and HAM-A) were used.Results145 subjects were initially screened and eight analysed. 87,5% were female. 30.88±7.74 years were the mean age (ranging 23-44). post-intervention results demonstrate: no cognitive impairment (MoCA); 60% reduction in HAM-D scale (patients diagnose as moderate depression turns normal diagnosis) (p <0.001); 54.39% reduction in HAM-A scale (moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety patients turns mild symptoms) (p<0.001) and 20% decrease in PCL-C scale values (patients with high severity symptoms of PTSD turns moderate to moderately high severity symptoms) (p<0.001). Improvement in PTSD symptoms were maintained 30-days post-intervention (PCL-C, p= 0.025) and improvement in symptoms of depression (HAM-D, p=0.006) and anxiety (HAM-A, p= 0.028) in 90-days post-intervention.ConclusionDespite decrease over time, this improvement in PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms was maintained throughout the first month after treatment. tDCS adjuvant can be an alternative treatment to refractory PTSD, either as a monotherapy or as a treatment enhancement strategy. They can also be an option for patients who do not want or do not tolerate pharmacological management.RBR-2qpv74b, 01/07/2021, “retrospectively registered” 03/03/2015.

Post-fire early successional vegetation buffers surface microclimate and increases survival of planted conifer seedlings in the Southwestern United States

Climate change and fire-exclusion have increased the flammability of western United States forests, leading to forest cover loss when wildfires occur under severe weather conditions. Increasingly large high-severity burn patches limit natural regeneration because of dispersal distance, increasing the chance of conversion to non-forest. Post-fire planting can overcome dispersal limitations, yet warmer and drier post-fire conditions can still reduce survival. We examined how two shrub species with different structures affect below-shrub microclimate and survival rates of planted tree seedlings (Pinus ponderosa, P. edulis, P. strobiformis, Pseudotsuga menziesii) following a high-severity fire in northern New Mexico. We expected that Gambel oak (Querus gambelii), with its denser canopy, would buffer below-shrub climate causing higher survival rates of planted seedlings more than the lower canopy density New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana). Seedlings planted under Gambel oak had survival rates 10% to 35% greater than those planted under New Mexico locust. Higher light availability beneath New Mexico locust corresponded to higher temperatures, lower humidity, and higher vapor pressure deficit, impacting the mortality of planted tree seedlings. These results indicate that by waiting for post-fire shrub establishment, selective use of shrubs can buffer microclimate and increase post-fire planting success in the southwestern United States.

A Simple Conservation Tool to Aid Restoration of Amphibians following High-Severity Wildfires: Use of PVC Pipes by Green Tree Frogs (Hyla cinerea) in Central Texas, USA

Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class based on the IUCN Red List. Their decline has been linked to anthropogenic activities, with wildfires being among the most conspicuous agents of habitat alterations affecting native amphibians. In 2011, the most destructive wildfire in Texas history occurred in the Lost Pines ecoregion of central Texas, USA, burning 39% of the 34,400 ha forest and drastically decreasing available habitats for many native wildlife species, including the green tree frog (Hyla cinerea). We investigated use of PVC pipes as artificial refuges for green tree frogs in different habitats within this post-fire pine forest. We monitored green tree frog use of small (diameter 38.1-mm, 1.5 inch) and large (diameter 50.8-mm, 2 inch) pipes located adjacent to, and 5 m from, ponds in burned and unburned areas over a 5-month period. We caught 227 frogs, 101 (24 adults and 77 juveniles) in burned and 126 (61 adults, 63 juveniles, and 2 unknown) in unburned areas. A relationship between pipe use by adults and/or juveniles and pipe location in burned versus unburned areas was found, but pipe use by adults and/or juveniles and pipe size were independent. Pipe use by adults and/or juveniles and pipe size were also independent. Juveniles were more frequently observed in pipes located adjacent to ponds. Our results confirmed that PVC pipes merit consideration as a simple, inexpensive, conservation tool to aid in restoration of green tree frog populations after high-severity wildfires. Such artificial refuges may be particularly important for survival of juveniles in severely altered post-fire habitats.