Ecological analysis of beetle (Coleoptera) density and diversity as bioindicators of accelerated succession in the UMBS FASET experiment.

This study assessed beetle (order: Coleoptera) density and diversity as bioindicators for changes in northern Michigan forests undergoing succession. At UMBS, forests are succeeding from an aspen and birch dominated canopy to that of oak, pine, and maple. To accelerate succession, the Forest Accelerated Succession Experiment (FASET) girdled all the aspen and birch trees during spring of 2008 allowing climax species to take hold. This site is compared to an ecologically similar control site, Ameriflux. We collected beetle specimens at both sites at three forest levels (ground, 1-meter, and canopy) over a five day period. We grouped beetles to according to species and identified to family. We found the FASET sites more diverse than the Ameriflux site in both Shannon's and Simpson's diversity indices. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the two plots in species composition, number of total individuals, or number of families present. There were, however, significant differences between the three forest levels in the total number of individuals and the total number of species. From the aggregate data of the two plots, the ground traps displayed the least similarity to the higher levels in Sorenson's similarity. We identified 14 families from 157 individual beetles. These families represent trends in association of families to specific habitats, however there was no clear trend of detritivore-abundance in the FASET plot as we predicted. Distribution of families Staphylinidae, Cucujidae, and Tenebrionidae showed clustering in one or two forest-heights with the near exclusion of the other/s, further suggesting a correlation between habitat specificity and family. Distribution patterns both between trap-heights and between plots varied according to several groupings and will be discussed further as biondicators of change in the FASET forest.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64516/1/Farner_Konner_McLaughlin_Stoll_2009.pd

Development of a Definition of Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

IMPORTANCE: SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with persistent, relapsing, or new symptoms or other health effects occurring after acute infection, termed postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID. Characterizing PASC requires analysis of prospectively and uniformly collected data from diverse uninfected and infected individuals. OBJECTIVE: To develop a definition of PASC using self-reported symptoms and describe PASC frequencies across cohorts, vaccination status, and number of infections. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective observational cohort study of adults with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection at 85 enrolling sites (hospitals, health centers, community organizations) located in 33 states plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Participants who were enrolled in the RECOVER adult cohort before April 10, 2023, completed a symptom survey 6 months or more after acute symptom onset or test date. Selection included population-based, volunteer, and convenience sampling. EXPOSURE: SARS-CoV-2 infection. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: PASC and 44 participant-reported symptoms (with severity thresholds). RESULTS: A total of 9764 participants (89% SARS-CoV-2 infected; 71% female; 16% Hispanic/Latino; 15% non-Hispanic Black; median age, 47 years [IQR, 35-60]) met selection criteria. Adjusted odds ratios were 1.5 or greater (infected vs uninfected participants) for 37 symptoms. Symptoms contributing to PASC score included postexertional malaise, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, palpitations, changes in sexual desire or capacity, loss of or change in smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements. Among 2231 participants first infected on or after December 1, 2021, and enrolled within 30 days of infection, 224 (10% [95% CI, 8.8%-11%]) were PASC positive at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A definition of PASC was developed based on symptoms in a prospective cohort study. As a first step to providing a framework for other investigations, iterative refinement that further incorporates other clinical features is needed to support actionable definitions of PASC