Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) is an extensively used cool-season grass for fine turf areas such as golf course putting greens, but suffers from poor summer stress tolerance. These studies were conducted to investigate the influences of natural plant growth regulators (NPGR) and Fe on creeping bentgrass photochemical activity (PA), antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, root growth and leaf color under two fertilization regimes. The bentgrass was maintained in well-watered field conditions or water-stressed glasshouse conditions. A mature bentgrass was treated monthly during the field season with seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum Jol.) extract (SWE) at 50 mg·m-2 or humic acid (HA) at 150 mg·m-2 or in combination with or without FeSO4 at 520 mg·m-2 and grown under a low or a high fertilization regime. Foliar application of SWE + Fe increased PA (14% to 15%), while applications of SWE + HA or SWE + HA + Fe increased SOD activity (49% to 114%) of creeping bentgrass in Summer 1997 and Summer 1998. There was no significant fertilization × NPGR interaction for PA and SOD activity. Bentgrass PA was increased by 13% to 46% when treated with NPGR with or without Fe compared to the control measured in May. The addition of Fe with each NPGR application improved fall and winter leaf color. All NPGR and Fe treatments increased root mass (17% to 29%) in Aug. 1997 and 1998, except HA alone in 1998. Under sustained low soil moisture (-0.5 MPa) conditions, application of NPGR with or without Fe increased PA and SOD activity. The data indicate that SWE and HA enhance the physiological function of `Southshore' creeping bentgrass, resulting in improved root growth regardless of low or high fertilization regime. However, addition of Fe to these NPGR served primarily to improve late season leaf color. The results suggest that, in addition to maintaining adequate plant-available nutrients, applications of natural PGRs, such as SWE and HA, prior to and during summer abiotic stresses would be beneficial.

Physician assistants (PAs) are a growing group of healthcare providers who could facilitate the adoption of electronic healthcare (e‐Health) into practice. In 2018, we conducted a Canada‐wide web‐based survey study of practicing PAs and student PAs regarding their current exposure to e‐Health, as well as their perceived value for its use and interest in future adoption. For this study, e‐Health was defined as technology that allows direct communication between patients and healthcare providers or facilitates patient self‐management for the purpose of assessment and management. We focused on telehealth, direct messaging (e.g. text, email), patient‐directed web‐based applications (apps) and patient‐provider shared web‐based apps. Survey responses were analysed descriptively and compared between practicing and student PAs with Chi‐square tests of independence. We also examined correlations between age, exposure, perceived value and interest in future adoption for practicing PAs and student PAs separately. About 186 respondents completed the survey; 145 practicing PAs and 39 student PAs. Fewer than half of respondents had exposure to the studied e‐Health modalities. Compared to practicing PAs, student PAs more often perceived value in e‐Health and expressed interest in its expanded adoption. In both groups, perceived value frequently correlated significantly with interest in adoption. Student PAs report little formal education during their training, and both practicing PAs and student PAs note a need for infrastructure support, and general knowledge about what is available and safe in order to enable them to expand their use of e‐Health in practice. The most interest is present for patient‐directed apps and patient‐provider shared apps. With workload and remuneration barriers to physician adoption of e‐Health, salary‐based PAs could have a role in facilitating the integration of e‐Health solutions into practice. Additional awareness, exposure and support for PAs to do so are required.

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