Radial Increment of Beech ( L.) Is under a Strong Impact of Climate in the Continental Biogeographical Region of Croatia.

European beech ( L.) is an important component of forests in the alpine and continental biogeographical regions of Croatia. This study aimed to (1) analyze the long-term response of beech to climate, (2) identify potentially critical climatic conditions that could negatively affect the radial increment (RI) and vitality of beech, and (3) evaluate differences in the response of beech between the two biogeographical regions in Croatia.

The Effect of Environmental Factors on the Nutrition of European Beech ( L.) Varies with Defoliation.

Despite being adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, the vitality of European beech is expected to be significantly affected by the projected effects of climate change, which we attempted to assess with foliar nutrition and crown defoliation, as two different, yet interlinked vitality indicators. Based on 28 beech plots of the ICP Forests Level I network, we set out to investigate the nutritional status of beech in Croatia, the relation of its defoliation and nutrient status, and the effects of environmental factors on this relation. The results indicate a generally satisfactory nutrition of common beech in Croatia.

Mortality Rates in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis With and Without Extraarticular Manifestations and Comorbidities: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To examine mortality rates in hospitalized patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the association of extraarticular manifestations (EAMs) and comorbidities with mortality rates.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked administrative data from patients with AS who were hospitalized (n = 1791) and patients in a matched comparison group (n = 8955). Mortality data for patients were obtained from the Western Australia Death Register.

Defoliation Change of European Beech ( L.) Depends on Previous Year Drought.

European beech ( L.) forests provide multiple essential ecosystem goods and services. The projected climatic conditions for the current century will significantly affect the vitality of European beech.

Quantifying the influence of bias in reproductive and perinatal epidemiology through simulation.

Purpose: The application of simulated data in epidemiological studies enables the illustration and quantification of the magnitude of various types of bias commonly found in observational studies. This was a review of the application of simulation methods to the quantification of bias in reproductive and perinatal epidemiology and an assessment of value gained.

Methods: A search of published studies available in English was conducted in August 2020 using PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus.