Viral Strategies for Targeting the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems.

Recombinant viruses allow for targeted transgene expression in specific cell populations throughout the nervous system. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is among the most commonly used viruses for neuroscience research. Recombinant AAVs (rAAVs) are highly versatile and can package most cargo composed of desired genes within the capsid's ∼5-kb carrying capacity. Numerous regulatory elements and intersectional strategies have been validated in rAAVs to enable cell type-specific expression. rAAVs can be delivered to specific neuronal populations or globally throughout the animal. The AAV capsids have natural cell type or tissue tropism and trafficking that can be modified for increased specificity. Here, we describe recently engineered AAV capsids and associated cargo that have extended the utility of AAVs in targeting molecularly defined neurons throughout the nervous system, which will further facilitate neuronal circuit interrogation and discovery.

Teaching Scientific Literature Analysis: A Systematic Adoption of Skill-Building Methods to Enrich Research Training for Undergraduate Students.

Teaching scientific literature analysis skills is a critical step in research training. Here I describe a 6-week skill-building module on understanding scientific literature, incorporated into a 10-week undergraduate honors research practice course in Neuroscience. Key pedagogical components include: 1) student-centered active-learning, skill-building and community-building activities; 2) persistent adoption of a proven CREATE method and a novel curate scientific summary (CSS) method for teaching scientific literature analysis skills; 3) collaborative class organization consisting of persistent learning pods (PLPs) to facilitate student-driven participation and peer learning; and, 4) role play of a real research lab. Skill development was assessed using a self-assessment survey (SAS) and longitudinal evaluation of the CREATE and CSS methods application by the PLPs to analyze primary research articles (PRAs) over four weeks. Outcomes demonstrate alleviation of pre-existing student anxiety to read complex scientific literature and advancement of critical-thinking and collaborative skills. Specifically, the SAS responses indicate that student perception about reading scientific literature transformed from being a daunting task to an enjoyable activity; this enhanced their confidence in evaluating scientific literature. PLPs fostered student engagement, peer instruction, and community building, and contributed to skill development. Weekly assessment of CREATE and CSS application highlighted marked improvements in students' abilities to analyze and critique complicated scientific material. Role playing a research lab setting with a focused research theme facilitated integrative understanding of a frontier topic in Neuroscience. The outlined innovative approach can be adopted in Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) and should help contribute to systematizing didactic practices to train neuroscientists.

NIR Instruments and Prediction Methods for Rapid Access to Grain Protein Content in Multiple Cereals.

Achieving global goals for sustainable nutrition, health, and wellbeing will depend on delivering enhanced diets to humankind. This will require instantaneous access to information on food-source quality at key points of agri-food systems. Although laboratory analysis and benchtop NIR spectrometers are regularly used to quantify grain quality, these do not suit all end users, for example, stakeholders in decentralized agri-food chains that are typical in emerging economies. Therefore, we explored benchtop and portable NIR instruments, and the methods that might aid these particular end uses. For this purpose, we generated NIR spectra for 328 grain samples from multiple cereals (finger millet, foxtail millet, maize, pearl millet, and sorghum) with a standard benchtop NIR spectrometer (DS2500, FOSS) and a novel portable NIR-based instrument (HL-EVT5, Hone). We explored classical deterministic methods (via winISI, FOSS), novel machine learning (ML)-driven methods (via Hone Create, Hone), and a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method for building the calibrations to predict grain protein out of the NIR spectra. All of the tested methods enabled us to build relevant calibrations out of both types of spectra (i.e., R2 ≥ 0.90, RMSE ≤ 0.91, RPD ≥ 3.08). Generally, the calibration methods integrating the ML techniques tended to enhance the prediction capacity of the model. We also documented that the prediction of grain protein content based on the NIR spectra generated using the novel portable instrument (HL-EVT5, Hone) was highly relevant for quantitative protein predictions (R2 = 0.91, RMSE = 0.97, RPD = 3.48). Thus, the presented findings lay the foundations for the expanded use of NIR spectroscopy in agricultural research, development, and trade.

Correlation of Immunological and Molecular Profiles with Response to Crizotinib in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma: An Exploratory Study Related to the EORTC 90101 "CREATE" Trial.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare subtype of soft tissue sarcoma characterized by an unbalanced translocation, resulting in ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion that transcriptionally upregulates MET expression. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 90101 "CREATE" phase II trial evaluated the MET inhibitor crizotinib in ASPS patients, achieving only limited antitumor activity. We performed a comprehensive molecular analysis of ASPS tissue samples collected in this trial to identify potential biomarkers correlating with treatment outcome. A tissue microarray containing 47 ASPS cases was used for the characterization of the tumor microenvironment using multiplex immunofluorescence. DNA isolated from 34 available tumor samples was analyzed to detect recurrent gene copy number alterations (CNAs) and mutations by low-coverage whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing. Pathway enrichment analysis was used to identify diseased-associated pathways in ASPS sarcomagenesis. Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox regression, and the Fisher's exact test were used to correlate histopathological and molecular findings with clinical data related to crizotinib treatment, aiming to identify potential factors associated with patient outcome. Tumor microenvironment characterization showed the presence of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in 10 and 2 tumors, respectively, and the absence of PD-1 in all specimens. Apart from CD68, other immunological markers were rarely expressed, suggesting a low level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in ASPS. By CNA analysis, we detected a number of broad and focal alterations. The most common alteration was the loss of chromosomal region 1p36.32 in 44% of cases. The loss of chromosomal regions 1p36.32, 1p33, 1p22.2, and 8p was associated with shorter progression-free survival. Using whole-exome sequencing, 13 cancer-associated genes were found to be mutated in at least three cases. Pathway enrichment analysis identified genetic alterations in NOTCH signaling, chromatin organization, and SUMOylation pathways. NOTCH4 intracellular domain dysregulation was associated with poor outcome, while inactivation of the beta-catenin/TCF complex correlated with improved outcome in patients receiving crizotinib. ASPS is characterized by molecular heterogeneity. We identify genetic aberrations potentially predictive of treatment outcome during crizotinib therapy and provide additional insights into the biology of ASPS, paving the way to improve treatment approaches for this extremely rare malignancy.

Accuracy of post-publication Financial Conflict of Interest corrections in medical research: A secondary analysis of pharmaceutical company payments to the authors of the CREATE-X trial report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In June 2017, Japanese and Korean authors published the results of the CREATE-X trial in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). After we identified their inadequate disclosures of Financial Conflict of Interests (FCOIs), the authors made a post-publication correction of their FCOIs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the post-publication corrections by the Japanese authors of the CREATE-X trial. All the Japanese authors of the CREATE-X trial were included in the study. We determined the payments received by these authors in 2016 using publicly available data published by 78 pharmaceutical companies based on the stipulated Japanese transparency guidelines. We retrieved the original and revised versions of the FCOI disclosures as published on the NEJM website, and compared the payments reported by the pharmaceutical companies and the original and revised FCOI disclosures of the authors. Of the 12 authors, nine received payments made by the drug manufacturer involved in the CREATE-X trial. Of these nine, only three (33.3%) originally disclosed their relationships, and another three (33.3%) later disclosed such relationships in the post-publication corrections. Similarly, of the 11 receiving at least one payment from other manufacturers of breast cancer products, none correctly disclosed the payments in the original or the revised disclosure. In the CREATE-X trial, FCOIs with pharmaceutical companies were not properly disclosed by 11 of the 12 Japanese authors, even after the post-publication corrections, which highlights the need to pay more attention to the accuracy of FCOI disclosures in academic publications.

Next-Generation Clinical Trials and Research with Successful Collaborations.

While clinical trials have evolved and improved over time, fundamental changes are needed to reflect the outcomes of great relevance to the institutions where they are performed, by integrating scientific rationale and society's movement to increase efficiency, accountability, and transparency by fast integrating the next-generation advances offered by omics technology and artificial intelligence. Several global clinical and exploratory collaborative studies that achieved successful outcomes in terms of patients' survival, drug toxicity, efficacy, safety, biomarkers, and consensus reached to improve good clinical practices are addressed in this article. Going forward, through collaborations, cooperation, and intellectual curiosity many more advances can be made in clinical trial approaches that can bring transparency, accountability, best outcomes, and develop friendship with trust among all the involved.

From CREATE Workshop to Course Implementation: Examining Downstream Impacts on Teaching Practices and Student Learning at 4-Year Institutions.

The faculty workshop model has long been used for disseminating innovative methods in STEM education. Despite significant investments by researchers and funding agencies, there is a dearth of evidence regarding downstream impacts of faculty development. CREATE is an evidence-based strategy for teaching science using primary literature. In this study, we examined whether workshop-trained faculty applied CREATE methods effectively and whether their students achieved either cognitive or affective gains. We followed 10 workshop alumni at different 4-year institutions throughout the United States. External observations of the teaching indicated a high fidelity of CREATE implementation. The students made significant gains in cognitive (e.g., designing experiments) and affective (e.g., self-efficacy in science process skills) domains. Some student outcomes correlated with particular characteristics (e.g., class size) but not with others (e.g., teaching experience). These findings provide evidence for the robustness of the CREATE dissemination model and provide perspective on factors that may influence pedagogical reform efforts.

The impact of a small-group educational intervention for allied health professionals to enhance evidence-based practice: mixed methods evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals are recommended to use evidence-based practice (EBP) principles to update and improve clinical practice. Well-designed educational initiatives, together with practice and feedback opportunities can improve individuals' EBP knowledge, skills and attitudes. METHODS: A concurrent mixed methods assessment was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of four monthly workshops on allied health professionals' knowledge, skills, self-efficacy and behaviour. In between workshops, professionals were encouraged to practice and integrate EBP learnings with colleagues in their workplace. Participants completed three pre and post intervention assessments: Evidence-based Practice Confidence Scale; adapted Fresno test; and an adapted EBP Implementation Scale. A purpose designed satisfaction questionnaire was completed immediately after the educational intervention and follow up focus groups were conducted after 3 months. Mean change in assessment data was quantitatively assessed and comments from the clinician satisfaction questionnaire and focus groups were thematically analysed and interpreted together with quantitative data using the Classification Rubric for EBP Assessment tools in Education (CREATE). RESULTS: Sixteen allied health professionals participated in the EBP workshops and completed all baseline and post intervention assessments. Seven clinicians participated in follow up focus groups. All clinicians reported a positive reaction to the learning experience, preferring short monthly workshops to a full day session. They self-reported improvements in self-efficacy (mean change 15 p < 0.001) and implementing EBP behaviours (mean change 7, p < 0.001) from pre- to post-intervention. Although the positive change in EBP knowledge measured by the adapted Fresno test was not statistically significant (mean change 10, p = 0.21), clinicians described examples of improved knowledge and skills across all five key steps of EBP during the focus groups. A further, post hoc analysis of individual questions in the two self-reported scales indicated consistent improvement across key EBP knowledge and skills. CONCLUSIONS: A tailored small group EBP education intervention can enhance AHPs' self-efficacy to develop answerable questions, search the literature, critically appraise, apply and evaluate research evidence. Through practicing these behaviours and sharing new learning with their peers, allied health professionals can enhance their capability and motivation to use research evidence to potentially improve clinical practice.

Evaluation of the Create@School Game-Based Learning-Teaching Approach.

The constructivist approach is interested in creating knowledge through active engagement and encourages students to build their knowledge from their experiences in the world. Learning through digital game making is a constructivist approach that allows students to learn by developing their own games, enhancing problem-solving skills and fostering creativity. In this context two tools, Create@School App and the Project Management Dashboard (PMD), were developed to enable students from different countries to be able to adapt their learning material by programming and designing games for their academic subjects, therefore integrating the game mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics into the academic curriculum. This paper focuses on presenting the validation context as well as the evaluation of these tools. The Hassenzahl model and AttrakDiff survey were used for measuring users' experience and satisfaction, and for understanding emotional responses, thus providing information that enables testing of the acceptability and usability of the developed apps. After two years of usage of code-making apps (i.e., Create@School and its pre-design version Pocket Code), the pupils processed knowledge from their academic subjects spontaneously as game-based embedded knowledge. The students demonstrated creativity, a practical approach, and enthusiasm regarding making games focused on academic content that led them to learning, using mobile devices, sensors, images, and contextual information. This approach was widely accepted by students and teachers as part of their everyday class routines.

A call for improved transparency in financial aspects of clinical trials: a case study of the CREATE-X trial in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Introduction Globally, laws and guidelines for managing conflict of interest are increasingly implemented to achieve transparency in financial ties between physicians and pharmaceutical and medical device industries, yet little information is available regarding the limitations of the current frameworks for disclosing these financial ties. Case In June 2017, the Capecitabine for Residual Cancer as Adjuvant Therapy (CREATE-X) trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In this study, which suggested the post-surgery addition of capecitabine would improve survival of high-risk breast cancer patients, the cost of capecitabine for off-label use was illegally claimed to the Japanese public health insurance system, rather than being covered by the research budget. This illegal claim led to the profit of more than 100,000,000 JPY (approximately 0.91 million USD) for Chugai Pharmaceutical Company (CPC), which manufactures capecitabine. Additional evidence suggests that the CPC made donations of at least 100,000,000 JPY (approximately 0.91 million USD) and 236,000,000 JPY (approximately 2.1 million USD) to the Japan Breast Cancer Research Group (JBCRG), the study's sponsor and funder where the majority of the Japanese authors served high-level positions, and the Advanced Clinical Research Organization, the other study funder, respectively, during the study period, though the total amount has not been clarified. Neither the CPC's involvement nor its undue profit was mentioned in the published article. Conclusion This case report highlights the lack of financial transparency in the CREATE-X trial, and discusses the potential limitations that may exist in the current frameworks for disclosing financial ties between physicians and relevant industries in clinical trials. Achieving improved transparency is essential to heighten credibility in the findings of clinical trials.

Making Primary Literature Come Alive in the Classroom.

By the time young scholars graduate college, they are expected to be prepared for their career. The knowledge that they have gained during their undergraduate education is assumed to prepare them for their future occupation. Understanding primary academic literature is absolutely imperative for scientists who are expected to be able to read, understand, explain, and incorporate literature into their work. Unfortunately, many new graduates are only exposed to traditional learning methods such as textbook readings, lectures, or slide shows about primary literature. It is important that while in college, students learn about the rich content of the literature that serves as the foundation for their respective fields. We review methods for integrating primary literature into the classroom and separate them into three components including (1) introduction to the literature, (2) enhancement of literacy and comprehension, (3) and humanizing the literature. These methods of teaching and learning are far more captivating than simply memorizing facts for a test. The brilliance of these methods is that they can be completed within one class time or throughout a semester. The goal is to help students become comfortable with literature, which does not have to be restricted by any time frame. It is our hope that this review of existing tools and ideas provided will help set students up for success in their field. They allow students to practice knowing and using primary literature while requiring students to be active participants in scientific discovery related to their future occupation.

"C.R.E.A.T.E."-ing Unique Primary-Source Research Paper Assignments for a Pleasure and Pain Course Teaching Neuroscientific Principles in a Large General Education Undergraduate Course.

A large (250 registrants) General Education lecture course, Pleasure and Pain, presented basic neuroscience principles as they related to animal and human models of pleasure and pain by weaving basic findings related to food and drug addiction and analgesic states with human studies examining empathy, social neuroscience and neuroeconomics. In its first four years, the course grade was based on weighted scores from two multiple-choice exams and a five-page review of three unique peer-reviewed research articles. Although well-registered and well-received, 18% of the students received Incomplete grades, primarily due to failing to submit the paper that went largely unresolved and eventually resulted in a failing grade. To rectify this issue, a modified version of the C.R.E.A.T.E. (Consider, Read, Elucidate hypotheses, Analyze and interpret data, Think of the next Experiment) method replaced the paper with eight structured assignments focusing on an initial general-topic article, the introduction-methods, and results-discussion of each of three related peer-review neuroscience-related articles, and a final summary. Compliance in completing these assignments was very high, resulting in only 11 INC grades out of 228 students. Thus, use of the C.R.E.A.T.E. method reduced the percentage of problematic INC grades from 18% to 4.8%, a 73% decline, without changing the overall grade distribution. Other analyses suggested the students achieved a deeper understanding of the scientific process using the C.R.E.A.T.E. method relative to the original term paper assignment.

A Unique Delusion with Depression in Early Stage of Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Vascular Disease: Considerations for Clinicians.

As global aging becomes more prominent, neurocognitive disorders (NCD) incidence has increased. Patients with NCD usually have an impairment in one or more cognitive domains, such as attention, planning, inhibition, learning, memory, language, visual perception, and spatial or social skills. Studies indicate that 50-80% of these adults will develop neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), such as apathy, depression, anxiety, disinhibition, delusions, hallucinations, and aberrant motor behavior. The progression of NCD and subsequent NPS requires tremendous care from trained medical professionals and family members. The behavioral symptoms are often more distressing than cognitive changes, causing caregiver distress/depression, more emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and even earlier institutionalization. This signifies the need for early identification of individuals at higher risk of NPS, understanding the trajectory of their NCD, and exploring treatment modalities. In this case report and review, we present an 82-year-old male admitted to our facility for new-onset symptoms of depression, anxiety, and persecutory delusions. He has no significant past psychiatric history, and his medical history is significant for extensive ischemic vascular disease requiring multiple surgeries and two episodes of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). On further evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with major NCD, vascular subtype. We discuss differential diagnoses and development of NPS from NCD in order to explain the significance of more thorough evaluation by clinicians for early detection and understanding of NCD prognosis.

Effects of large-scale land consolidation projects on ecological environment quality: A case study of a land creation project in Yan'an, China.

Large land consolidation projects modify the structures and functions of regional ecosystems through the reshaping of the territorial spatial pattern, thereby affecting the ecological environmental quality (EEQ). To investigate the effects of large-scale land consolidation projects on EEQ, this study takes the major land consolidation project of "bulldoze mountains to create land" (BMCL) in Yan'an City as a research object and evaluates the change of EEQ based on Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI). The consolidated area and the control area were set up to comparatively analyze the EEQ change processes and spatial distribution characteristics of these two areas in the full life cycle of BMCL. According to the results, the mean RSEI of the consolidated area was 0.128 lower than that of the control area, and the EEQ of the consolidated area was always lower than that of the control area. BMCL had a strong negative impact on the EEQ grade of the consolidated area, especially in the early stage. However, the positive effect of BMCL on EEQ gradually emerged in the late stage of the large land consolidation project. The overall EEQ grade of the consolidated area has also improved. The results of the stepwise regression analysis indicated that the wetness component and the normalized differential vegetation index played key roles in improving the EEQ of the BMCL. Overall, the local BMCL strongly affected the EEQ of the consolidated area but would not cause the EEQ of the whole region to experience any dramatic, abrupt change in the short term. This study provided references for the evaluation and analysis of the ecological effects of land consolidation at the regional scale, offering a feasible way to evaluate the spatio-temporal change of EEQ in BMCL.

Encouraging greater empowerment for adolescents in consent procedures in social science research and policy projects.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes the importance of allowing children and adolescents to influence decisions that are important to them following their age and maturity. This paper explores the principles, practices, and implications around using parental versus child/adolescent consent when participating in social science research and policy development. Experiences from two studies are presented: The Confronting Obesity: Co-creating policy with youth (CO-CREATE) and the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Cross-National study. Although parental consent may be an important gatekeeper for protecting children and adolescents from potentially harmful research participation, it may also be considered an obstacle to the empowerment of children and adolescents in case they want to share their views and experiences directly. This paper argues that evaluation of possible harm should be left to ethics committees and that, if no harm related to the research participation processes is identified and the project has a clear perspective on collaborating with the target group, adolescents from the age of 12 years should be granted the legal capacity to give consent to participate in the research project. Collaboration with adolescents in the development of the research project is encouraged.

The Coordinating Research on Emerging Arboviral Threats Encompassing the Neotropics (CREATE-NEO).

Arthropod-borne viruses, such as dengue, Zika and Mayaro, are emerging at an accelerating rate in the neotropics. The Coordinating Research on Emerging Arboviral Threats Encompassing the Neotropics (CREATE-NEO) project, a part of the NIH funded Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID) network provides a nimble and flexible network of surveillance sites in Central and South America coupled to cutting-edge modeling approaches in order to anticipate and counter these threats to public health. Collected data and generated models will be utilized to inform and alert local, regional and global public health agencies of enzootic arboviruses with high risk of spillover, emergence and transmission among humans, and/or international spread. Critically, CREATE-NEO builds capacity in situ to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging arboviruses at their point of origin, thereby maximizing the potential to avert full-blown emergence and widespread epidemics.

Synthesizing Research Narratives to Reveal the Big Picture: a CREATE(S) Intervention Modified for Journal Club Improves Undergraduate Science Literacy.

Communicating science effectively is an essential part of the development of science literacy. Research has shown that introducing primary scientific literature through journal clubs can improve student learning outcomes, including increased scientific knowledge. However, without scaffolding, students can miss more complex aspects of science literacy, including how to analyze and present scientific data. In this study, we apply a modified CREATE(S) process (Concept map the introduction, Read methods and results, Elucidate hypotheses, Analyze data, Think of the next Experiment, and Synthesis map) to improve students' science literacy skills, specifically their understanding of the process of science and their ability to use narrative synthesis to communicate science. We tested this hypothesis using a retrospective quasi-experimental study design in upper-division undergraduate courses. We compared learning outcomes for CREATES intervention students to those for students who took the same courses before CREATES was introduced. Rubric-guided, direct evidence assessments were used to measure student gains in learning outcomes. Analyses revealed that CREATES intervention students versus the comparison group demonstrated improved ability to interpret and communicate primary literature, especially in the methods, hypotheses, and narrative synthesis learning outcome categories. Through a mixed-methods analysis of a reflection assignment completed by the CREATES intervention group, students reported the synthesis map as the most frequently used step in the process and highly valuable to their learning. Taken together, the study demonstrates how this modified CREATES process can foster scientific literacy development and how it could be applied in science, technology, engineering, and math journal clubs.

[Multiplex gene editing and regulation techniques based on CRISPR/Cas system].

The CRISPR/Cas systems comprising the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and its associated Cas protein is an acquired immune system unique to archaea or bacteria. Since its development as a gene editing tool, it has rapidly become a popular research direction in the field of synthetic biology due to its advantages of high efficiency, precision, and versatility. This technique has since revolutionized the research of many fields including life sciences, bioengineering technology, food science, and crop breeding. Currently, the single gene editing and regulation techniques based on CRISPR/Cas systems have been increasingly improved, but challenges still exist in the multiplex gene editing and regulation. This review focuses on the development and application of multiplex gene editing and regulation techniques based on the CRISPR/Cas systems, and summarizes the techniques for multiplex gene editing or regulation within a single cell or within a cell population. This includes the multiplex gene editing techniques developed based on the CRISPR/Cas systems with double-strand breaks; or with single-strand breaks; or with multiple gene regulation techniques, etc. These works have enriched the tools for the multiplex gene editing and regulation and contributed to the application of CRISPR/Cas systems in the multiple fields.

The incentive effect of creating a national health city on the ecological welfare performance: based on the evidence of Yangtze River Delta in China.

Under the background of China's high-quality development, improving the ecological environment, enhancing the welfare level of residents and promoting the sustainable development of cities have become a hot issue of widespread concern in society. This paper focuses on the Yangtze River Delta region, aiming to study the direct incentive effect and spatial spillover effect of creating a national health city on the ecological welfare performance. It also further decomposes the spatial spillover effect, to study the path of spatial spillover and the characteristics of heterogeneity in different regions. The results show that (1) the ecological welfare performance in the Yangtze River Delta is increasing year by year, and the average growth rate was 0.23%. There is a spatial effect of "beggar-thy-neighbor." The improvement of local ecological welfare performance will reduce the performance level of the surrounding areas by more than 30%. (2) To create a national health city in local areas, the ecological welfare performance in local areas will be increased by 0.087%, and the ecological welfare performance in the surrounding areas will be increased by 0.031%. Among them, the ecological welfare performance of the surrounding national health cities will be increased by 0.067%, and the ecological welfare performance of the surrounding non-health cities will not be significantly improved. (3) The effect has heterogeneity in coastal and inland areas. In terms of direct incentive effect, coastal areas are more obvious than inland areas. In terms of spatial spillover effect, inland areas show more positive spatial spillover effect than coastal areas, whether in groups or within groups. This paper is the first time to study this issue, enhance the theory, and practice of ecological welfare performance.

A novel genotypic selection methodology to create a breeding population for developing drought-tolerant cultivars in tree crops.

With the adverse effects of climate change, selecting the best tolerant varieties to drought stress is highly necessary to sustain the yield and productivity of agricultural crops including tree crops. However, classical drought tolerance selection studies of tree crops have several limitations due to their relatively long lifespan. In this study, we propose a method to identify stable high-yielding trees under changing soil moisture conditions using yield data of existing elite tree populations. We develop this method using the data from a tropical tree palm, Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) as a model crop. Our selection method considers individual palms as different genotypes. The method considered both mean trait values and their stability across different environments therefore, it can be effectively used to identify elite genotypes of tree crops for drought tolerance.•We propose an analysis framework to identify stable, high-yielding individuals of tree crops under limited soil moisture conditions using the data of existing tree populations.•Individual trees that produce stable and higher yields under soil moisture stress were identified based on mean yield and regression-based coefficient over different environments characterized by inter-annual rainfall variability.•Individual trees selected by this method can be used as parental populations in breeding programs that focus on developing drought-tolerant varieties.