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graecum populations was also investigated by correlation of their genetic diversity with certain environmental variables. Aridity arose as the dominant factor positively affecting the genetic diversity of C. graecum populations. We modelled the realized climatic niche of C. graecum in an ensemble forecasting scheme under three different global circulation models and two climate change scenarios. In all cases, a severe range contraction for C. graecum is projected, highlighting the high extinction risk that is probably going to face during the coming decades. These results could be a valuable tool towards the implementation of an integrated in situ and ex situ conservation scheme approach for activating management programmes for this endemic and threatened species. © Crown copyright 2020.Mediterranean high mountain grasslands are shaped by climatic stress and understanding their functional adaptations can contribute to better understanding ecosystems' response to global change. The present work analyses the plant functional traits of high-elevation grasslands growing in Mediterranean limestone mountains to explore, at the community level, the presence of different plant strategies for resource use (conservative vs. acquisitive) and functional diversity syndromes (convergent or divergent). Thus, we compared the functional composition and diversity of the above-ground traits related to resource acquisition strategies of subalpine and alpine calcareous grasslands in the central Apennines, a mountain region characterized by a dry-summer Mediterranean climate. We used georeferenced vegetation plots and field-measured plant functional traits (plant maximum height, specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content) for the dominant species of two characteristic vegetation types the subalpine Sesleria jonservative resource use strategy and relatively lower functional diversity of the leaf traits are likely related to a high level resistance to aridity over a longer growing season. Our outcomes indicate the preadaptation strategy of the subalpine S. juncifolia grassland to shift upwards to the alpine zone that will become warmer and drier as a result of anthropogenic climate change. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.While individual ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness is related to training intensity and sport performances, sport athletes may develop specific passive joint stiffness among the spectrum from endurance to powerful types of sports. The objective of this study examined whether marathon runners, basketball players, and other sports athletes would demonstrate distinct passive ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness as well as vertical stiffness. Fifteen marathon runners, nineteen basketball players, and seventeen other sports athletes performed both joint stiffness measurement and single-leg hopping tests. We used a computerized dynamometer to control foot alignment and speed for passive ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness measurements. We calculated vertical stiffness by body deceleration and body mass displacement during hopping on the force platform. One-way ANOVA was performed to identify the group differences. Bivariate correlation test was also performed among ankle, metatarsophalangeal, and vertical stiffness. The basketball group displayed 13% higher ankle passive stiffness than the other sports players group (P = 0.03). selleck chemicals Metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness in sitting and standing positions was 23% higher in the basketball group than the runner and other sports athlete groups (P less then 0.01). However, there was no significant group differences in metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness and vertical stiffness. Significant correlations among all stiffness variables were determined (P less then 0.05). These findings indicate that ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness, rather than vertical leg stiffness, would be in relation to types of sports participation. Ankle and toe strengthening exercises could improve basketball players' performance and prevent injury. Copyright © 2020 Yu Liu et al.Dual mobility hip implants have been widely introduced to overcome dislocation in recent years. However, the potential influence of different gaits on kinematics and contact mechanics for dual mobility hip implants is still unclear. Furthermore, a large range of motion coupling with the implant position, especially high inclination or anteversion angle, may result in poor kinematics and contact mechanics. A previously developed dynamic finite element method was adopted in this study to examine the kinematics and corresponding stability of dual mobility hip implants under different gaits coupling with different inclinations or anteversion angles. The results showed only inner relative sliding under knee-bending for dual mobility hip implants under moderate inclination and anteversion angles, whereas an anteversion angle of 25° induced both impingement and consequent relative sliding of the outer articulation. However, the impingement (between the stem neck and the liner inner rim) indeed happened under stair-climbing and sitting-down/stand-up as well as combined movements when inclination and anteversion angles were set as 45° and 0°, respectively, and this finally led to relative sliding at the outer articulation. A high inclination angle did not worsen both the impingement and related outer sliding compared to modest inclination and anteversion angles of the liner, but a high anteversion angle prolonged the period of both the impingement and the outer relative sliding. The extreme motions and high anteversion angles are hardly inevitable, and they indeed lead to motions at both articulations for dual mobility hip implants. Copyright © 2020 Yongchang Gao et al.Objective To prospectively investigate early prognostic assessments of patients with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in the Elderly (MODSE) who were receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Methods The clinical data of 351 patients were enrolled prospectively between January 2013 and January 2018. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), APACHE III, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II), and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS) were calculated. According to the outcome of 28-day, the patients were divided into survivors and nonsurvivors. Additionally, based on whether weaning could be implemented, all patients were divided into a successful-weaning group and a failure-to-wean group. Results According to the prognosis, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the APACHE II, APACHE III, SAPS II, and MODS scoring systems were 0.837, 0.833, 0.784, and 0.860, respectively. MODS exhibited the highest sensitivity, whereas APACHE II showed the highest specificity, and successful weaning was conducive to ameliorating patients' prognosis.