The YOPP Final Summit: Assessing Past and Forecasting Future Polar Prediction Research

The successes of YOPP from the presentations and keynote presentations included * a better understanding of the impact of key polar measurements (radiosondes and space-based instruments such as microwave radiometers), and recent advancements in the current NWP observing system, achieved through coordinated OSEs in both polar regions (e.g., Sandu et al. 2021);* enhanced understanding of the linkages between Arctic and midlatitude weather (e.g., Day et al. 2019);* advancements in the atmosphere–ocean–sea ice and atmosphere–land–cryosphere coupling in NWP, and in assessing and recognizing the added value of coupling in Earth system models (e.g., Bauer et al. 2016);* deployment of tailored polar observation campaigns to address yet-unresolved polar processes (e.g., Renfrew et al. 2019);* progress in verification and forecasting techniques for sea ice, including a novel headline score (e.g., Goessling and Jung 2018);* advances in process understanding and process-based evaluation with the establishment of the YOPPsiteMIP framework and tools (Svensson 2020);* better understanding of emerging societal and stakeholder needs in the Arctic and Antarctic (e.g., Dawson et al. 2017);and * innovative transdisciplinary methodologies for coproducing salient information services for various user groups (Jeuring and Lamers 2021). The YOPP Final Summit identified a number of areas worthy of prioritized research in the area of environmental prediction and services for the polar regions: * coupled atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean models with an emphasis on advanced parameterizations and enhanced resolution at which critical phenomena start to be resolved (e.g., ocean eddies);* improved definition and representation of stable boundary layer processes, including mixed-phase clouds and aerosols;incorporation of wave–ice–ocean interactions;* radiance assimilation over sea ice, land ice, and ice sheets;understanding of linkages between polar regions and lower latitudes from a prediction perspective;* exploring the limits of predictability of the atmosphere–cryosphere–ocean system;* an examination of the observational representativeness over land, sea ice, and ocean;better representation of the hydrological cycle;and * transdisciplinary work with the social science community around the use of forecasting services and operational decision-making to name but a few. The presentations and discussions at the YOPP Final Summit identified the major legacy elements of YOPP: the YOPPsiteMIP approach to enable easy comparison of collocated multivariate model and observational outputs with the aim of enhancing process understanding, the development of an international and multi-institutional community across many disciplines investigating aspects of polar prediction and services, the YOPP Data Portal3 (https://yopp.met.no/), and the education and training delivered to early-career polar researchers. Next steps Logistical issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, but also new scientific questions (e.g., the value of targeted observations in the Southern Hemisphere), as well as technical issues emerging toward the end of the YOPP Consolidation Phase, resulted in the decision to continue the following three YOPP activities to the end of 2023: (i) YOPP Southern Hemisphere (YOPP-SH);(ii) Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (MIIP);of which YOPPSiteMIP is a critical element;and (iii) the Societal, Economics and Research Applications (PPP-SERA) Task Team.

Understanding Information Processing and Protective Behaviors during the Pandemic: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Background: Few existing studies have examined information processing as an independent variable to predict subsequent information behaviors in a pandemic context, and the mechanism of subsequent information behavior processing following the initial or prior information behavior is unclear. Objective: Our study aims to apply the risk information seeking and processing model to explain the mechanism of subsequent systematic information processing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A three-wave longitudinal online national survey was administered during the period of July 2020 to September 2020. Path analysis was conducted to test the relationships between prior and subsequent systematic information processing and protective behaviors. Results: One important finding was the key role of prior systematic information processing, as indirect hazard experience was found to be a direct predictor of risk perception (β = 0.15, p = 0.004) and an indirect predictor of protective behaviors. Another important finding was the central role of information insufficiency as a mediator/driving force in subsequent systematic information processing and protective behavior. Conclusions: The study has made important contributions in that it extends the scholarship on health information behaviors by (a) highlighting that relevant hazard experience in risk information seeking and processing model should be expanded to include indirect experience, and (b) providing the mechanism of subsequent systematic information processing following prior information processing. Our study also provides practical implications on health/risk communication and protective behaviors' promotion in the pandemic context.

Understanding Information Processing and Protective Behaviors during the Pandemic: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Few existing studies have examined information processing as an independent variable to predict subsequent information behaviors in a pandemic context, and the mechanism of subsequent information behavior processing following the initial or prior information behavior is unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to apply the risk information seeking and processing model to explain the mechanism of subsequent systematic information processing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal online national survey was administered during the period of July 2020 to September 2020. Path analysis was conducted to test the relationships between prior and subsequent systematic information processing and protective behaviors. RESULTS: One important finding was the key role of prior systematic information processing, as indirect hazard experience was found to be a direct predictor of risk perception (ß = 0.15, p = 0.004) and an indirect predictor of protective behaviors. Another important finding was the central role of information insufficiency as a mediator/driving force in subsequent systematic information processing and protective behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The study has made important contributions in that it extends the scholarship on health information behaviors by (a) highlighting that relevant hazard experience in risk information seeking and processing model should be expanded to include indirect experience, and (b) providing the mechanism of subsequent systematic information processing following prior information processing. Our study also provides practical implications on health/risk communication and protective behaviors' promotion in the pandemic context.

Analysis of the Influencing Factors of Seeking Intention on COVID-19 Risk Information: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Information seeking, as an important part of the prevention and control of infectious diseases, can lead to positive outcomes by reducing uncertainty and alleviating panic. However, most previous studies have limited their analysis to individual-level psychosocial factors, and little is known about how social-level factors influence individuals' information-seeking intentions. Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 30, 2020 to August 15, 2020 in China. We used a convenience sampling strategy to recruit participants from among the Internet users. The structural equation model was used to identify the incentives associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk information-seeking intention. Results: In this study, the responses of 871 Internet users who reflected a response rate of 85% were analyzed. Information-seeking intention was found to be directed by informational subjective norms (ISNs), perceived information need, risk knowledge, the sense of community (SOC), and negative affective responses, and ISNs were found to be the strongest driving factor. Individuals with a stronger SOC, which was associated with greater pressure and expectations, show negative affective responses. COVID-19 risk knowledge can affect the information-seeking intention of Internet users not only directly but also indirectly through their perceived information need. In addition, more risk knowledge was associated with a lower perceived risk likelihood. Conclusion: When formulating risk communication strategies, governments and health institutions should take targeted measures to improve the public's SOC and knowledge. This will provide an opportunity to explore the role of individual cognition and environmental risk information in public health.

Dynamic and Comparative Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Key Factors Contributing to Cadmium Tolerance in Broomcorn Millet.

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) has great potential in Cd phytoextraction, but its mechanisms are largely unknown. Two contrasting broomcorn millet varieties, 'Ningmi6' (Cd-sensitive variety) and '4452' (Cd-tolerant variety), were investigated through morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses to determine the factors responsible for their differential Cd tolerance and translocation. The Cd-tolerant variety can accumulate more Cd, and its cell wall and vacuole component Cd proportions were higher compared with the Cd-sensitive variety. Under Cd stress, the glutathione content and peroxidase activity of the Cd-tolerant variety were significantly higher than those of the Cd-sensitive variety. Additionally, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed hub modules that were associated with Cd stress and/or variety. Notably, genes involved in these hub modules were significantly enriched for roles in glutathione metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, ABC transport, and metal ion transport process. These results suggested that regulation of genes associated with cell wall precipitation and vacuole compartmentalization may increase Cd tolerance and reduce Cd translocation in the Cd-tolerant variety, although it can absorb more Cd. This study provides a foundation for exploring molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance and transport in broomcorn millet and new insights into improving Cd phytoremediation with this crop through genetic engineering.

Epidemiological Study and Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 Cases in Xuzhou, China

In this paper, an epidemiological study was performed by focusing on all confirmed patients with COVID-19 in Xuzhou, a prefecture-level city, and a transportation hub with 10.44 million population in the east region of China. The median age of the patients is 42-year-old and 45.57% are male;25 cases (31.65%) are imported. 23 cases (29.11%) were confirmed between January 26 to 31, 2020 while 56 cases (70.89%) were from February 1 to 16, 2020. Among the ten administrative divisions of Xuzhou city, Suining county (n=31) and Pizhou City (n=15) have the most cases while Tongshan district has none. A representative familial cluster with 6 cases was analyzed in detail in order to get a better understanding of the transmission routes of the virus. Furthermore, we performed a retrospective, single-centre study of 41 COVID-19 patients at Xuzhou Infectious Diseases Hospital in terms of clinical findings, which provided an insightful understanding of the disease.

Health Disparities in Online COVID-19 Information Seeking and Protective Behaviors: A Two-Wave Longitudinal Study.

The COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the U.S. However, the adoption of protective behaviors in response to COVID-19 varies among sociodemographic groups. To better understand the disparities in U.S. adults' adoption of protective behaviors in relation to sociodemographic factors, we conducted a two-wave panel survey in the U.S. Although sociodemographic factors were not found to be significant predictors in lagged regression analysis, results from a cross-sectional analysis showed that the White, younger, and higher educated individuals were more likely to take protective behaviors. Furthermore, based on the structural equation modeling, indirect effects were observed. Specifically, online COVID-19 information seeking mediated the effects of age and education on performance of protective behaviors, and subjective norms and online COVID-19 information seeking were found to be significant serial mediators of these relationships. The study not only extends the health disparities and health information seeking literature, but also offers practical insights to health campaigns and interventions promoting protective behaviors during a pandemic and reducing health disparities.

Would Older Adults Perform Preventive Practices in the Post-COVID-19 Era? A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

During the post-COVID-19 era, preventive practices, such as washing hands and wearing a mask, remain key measures for controlling the spread of infection for older adults. This study investigated the status of preventive practices among older adults and identified the related influencing factors. Participants who were ≥60 years old were recruited nationwide. Data were collected through self-designed questionnaires, including demographic variables, knowledge, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, anxiety and preventive practices. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed. Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictors. A total of 2996 participants completed this study. Of them, 2358 (78.7%) participants reported washing hands regularly in the last two weeks, and 1699 (56.7%) always wore masks outside this year. Knowledge (hand washing: OR = 1.09, p < 0.01; mask wearing: OR = 1.17, p < 0.01) and response efficacy (hand washing: OR = 1.61, p < 0.01; mask wearing: OR = 1.70, p < 0.01) were positively associated with preventive practices, whereas perceived vulnerability had a negative effect (hand washing: OR = 0.54, p < 0.01; mask wearing: OR = 0.72, p < 0.01). Knowledge, response efficacy and perceived vulnerability were found to be significant predictors of the preventive practice among older adults in the post-COVID-19 era. This study provides new insights into preventive suggestions after the peak of the pandemic and also has significant implications in improving the life quality of older adults.

Understanding the landscape and propagation of COVID-19 misinformation and its correction on Sina Weibo.

The prevalence of health misinformation on social media could significantly influence individuals' health behaviors. To examine the prevalent topics, propagation, and correction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) misinformation, automated content analyses were conducted for posts on Sina Weibo, which is China's largest microblogging site. In total, 177,816 posts related to COVID-19 misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak in China were analyzed. The structural topic modeling identified 23 valid topics regarding COVID-19 misinformation and its correction, which were further categorized into three general themes. Sentiment analysis was conducted to generate positive and negative sentiment scores for each post. The zero-inflated Poisson model indicated that only the negative sentiment was a significant predictor of the number of comments (ß = 0.003, p < 0.001) but not reposts. Furthermore, users are more prone to repost and comment on information regarding prevention/treatment (e.g., traditional Chinese medicine preventing COVID) as well as potential threats of COVID-19 (e.g., COVID-19 was defined as an epidemic by World Health Organization). Health education and promotion implications are discussed.

The efficient use of radiation, water, and nitrogen uptake by low-nitrogen-tolerant broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) increased grain yield in the Loess Plateau, China

• Low N input decreased broomcorn millet grain yield by poor resource use efficiency. • Low-N-tolerant cultivars performed better than low-N-sensitive cultivars at low N. • Low-N-tolerant cultivars had increased photosynthesis and dry matter transport. • Low-N-tolerant cultivars had high productivity under field conditions. The development of highly productive, low-N-tolerant cultivars is important to facilitate green and sustainable agriculture. However, it is unclear how low-N-tolerant cultivars achieve high grain yields under field conditions. In this study, the physiology facilitating the strong growth and efficient resource use of four low-N-tolerant Panicum miliaceum L. cultivars was compared with two low-N-sensitive cultivars using low and typical N fertilization applications (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha−1) on the semiarid Loess Plateau, China in 2019 and 2020. Compared to normal N fertilization, low N fertilization treatments significantly decreased plant photosynthetic capacity by regulating leaf stomatal closing, resulting in reduced dry matter accumulation and transportation, growth inhibition, weakened resource utilization, and consequently, a 28.9% decrease in grain yield. Compared to the low-N-sensitive cultivars, the low-N-tolerant cultivars had improved growth, leaf photosynthetic capacity, and dry matter transportation. These improved physiological characteristics resulted in more effective resource capture in the low-N-tolerant cultivars. This included higher and more efficient radiation use (24.4% and 26.9%), water use (63.5% and 48.2%), and N uptake (37.0% and 33.7%) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Furthermore, the low-N-tolerant cultivars had increased productivity, with higher grain yields (38.6-41.6%) and harvest index values (16.7-28.2%) under low N conditions in the two years of the study. Overall, the results of this study determined the effect of low N input on broomcorn millet productivity and illustrated the strategies by which low-N-tolerant cultivars increased grain yield in semiarid field conditions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Agricultural & Forest Meteorology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Role of Information Avoidance in Managing Uncertainty from Conflicting Recommendations about Electronic Cigarettes.

Insufficient scientific evidence about electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has led to conflicting recommendations (CRs) by credible scientific organizations, creating a public health debate that could prove especially difficult to reconcile as current and former smokers make decisions about whether to use e-cigarettes. To investigate how CRs about e-cigarettes may affect intentions to engage in healthy behaviors, 717 former and current smokers were randomly exposed to one of five conditions (varying in the level of conflict in recommendations) in this between-subject experiment. Our results indicated a significant interaction between the message level of conflict and individuals' information avoidance, employed to maintain hope and deniability. These results suggest the effects of CRs stemming from scientific uncertainty vary with subgroups of people, pointing to several pressing theoretical and practical implications.