The Influence of Multiyear Drought-Driven Habitat Loss on the Bear Lake Sculpin (Cottus extensus) and the Bear Lake Strain of the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah)

Multiyear drought is expected to increase in occurrence and severity in dry regions across the world, such as the American Southwest, endangering native species and ecosystem health. The effects of multiyear drought are often worsened by human water use for consumption, energy production, and agriculture, which, in lakes and reservoirs, cause reduced lake elevation. Reductions in lake elevation may leave previously submerged habitat stranded along shorelines and make tributaries inaccessible to fishes. Here, we show that decreasing lake elevation, associated with drought and water withdrawal, reduces the availability of shoreline cobble habitat to fishes and increases tributary distance by creating an elevation-specific shoreline habitat map and an elevation-specific tributary channel distance map, respectively. We combined 17-years of fish survey data and lake elevation history with our elevation-specific maps to determine whet her the number of fishes observed and the number of fish hatching are related to drought-driven changes in shoreline habitat and tributary channel distance. We surveyed the shoreline zone of Bear Lake, UT-ID, from full pool to a depth of \u3e18m, totaling 94.86 surveyed km2. As lake elevation decreased \u3e6 m from full pool to the lowest historical elevation, shoreline cobble decreased by \u3e97%, and tributary channel distance increases up to 400% that of full pool. Bear Lake sculpin, a cold-water fish species of concern that relies on cobble for spawning, catch per unit effort decreased by \u3e75% at the minimum cobble area available, and the number of sculpin successfully becoming adults declined by as much as 86%. The number of Bear Lake Bonneville cutthroat trout, a sport fish that relies on connections between tributaries and the lake to complete their life cycle, successfully becoming adults declined by as much as 62%, but annual growth was not related to drought. Our research is an example of the severe consequences of multiyear drought conditions and water withdrawal on lakes and reservoirs, as well as the fishes they support. Indeed, understand the effects of extended drought on aquatic habitats is critical to maintain healthy lakes and reservoirs, to sustain native species, and to maintain the health of popular sport fisheries

Structure and Evolution of Lizard Immunity Genes

One of the most important gene families to play a role in adaptive immunity is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC class II loci are considered to be the most variable loci in the vertebrate genome, and studies have shown that this variability can be maintained through complex co-evolutionary dynamics between host and parasite. Despite the rich body of research into the MHC, there is comparatively little understanding of its genomic architecture in reptiles. Similarly, loci associated with innate immunity have received little attention in reptiles compared to other vertebrates. In the first chapter, we investigated the structure and organization of the MHC in the Anolis carolinensis genome by sequencing and annotating five bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) from the green anole genome library. We were able to identify three mhc2a, four mhc2b, and up to 15 mhc1 loci in A. carolinensis. Furthermore, we were able to link 17 scaffolds and provide sequence data to fill two significant gaps in the genome assembly. In the second chapter, we investigated the relative importance of drift and selection in shaping mhc2 variability in the reptile Podarcis erhardii. We sequenced the mhc2 gene from lizard populations from 14 islands in the Aegean that have experienced bottlenecks of differing duration and intensity. Despite signals of balancing selection, patterns of mhc2 variation were similar to microsatellites, providing evidence that the dominant evolutionary force in this system is drift. In the third chapter, we investigated how parasite infection rates impact innate immune variability in A. sabanus, a lizard indigenous to Saba Island where natural fluctuations in Plasmodium infection rates have been documented. We developed primers and sequenced part of the peptide binding region of three Toll-like receptors (TLRs) - tlr4, tlr6, and tlr13 and several beta-defensin (BD) loci. Although we were unable to characterize BD variability, we found three different haplotypes in tlr4, and five in tlr6. However, nucleotide variability was low (π \u3c 0.005) and was not associated with infection status. We nevertheless present primers for multiple TLR genes and two BDs that could be of use in future studies of reptile innate immunity

Spatio-temporal distribution and persistence of Mycobacterium Bovis in a badger population

PhD thesis Clare Benton July 2017Studying the dynamics of pathogen transmission within wildlife populations presents an array of challenges. Where populations are socially structured, this can influence parasite transmission, impacting on the effectiveness of disease management strategies. In this thesis, I focus on a well-studied social mammal, the European badger (Meles meles) which is a key wildlife reservoir of a disease of economic importance; bovine TB (caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis). The social structuring, characteristic of high density badger populations, is of well-established importance in the transmission of bovine TB and has resulted in unexpected management outcomes. However, little is known about the role of kin structure or host genotype on transmission dynamics. In this thesis, I combine traditional spatial epidemiology and ecological analysis of a well-studied badger population with more novel genetic and genomic approaches. Firstly, I investigate the role of kin structure within badger social groups in determining early life infection risk (Chapter 3). Using host genotype data, I demonstrate that cubs who are related to infected adults experience enhanced infection risks. I then explore the role of badger genotype on outcomes of M. bovis exposure and demonstrate that inbred badgers are more likely to show evidence of progressive infection (Chapter 4). Where the social structure of badgers is stable and unmanaged, this is predicted to result in a stable spatial distribution of M. bovis infection. Motivated by an observation of change in the spatial distribution of M. bovis infection in the study population, in the absence of management, I characterise the attrition of a spatially stable infection distribution (Chapter 5). To explore the drivers of this, I detect changes in the genetic population structure (Chapter 6) and present evidence that the population has experienced a period of demographic flux. Finally, I use a novel dataset generated by whole genome sequencing of M. bovis isolates and present evidence of spatial spread of M. bovis infection across the study population (Chapter 7). To conclude, I discuss how my findings demonstrate how genetic and genomic approaches can complement traditional wildlife epidemiology approaches, how they contribute to our understanding of heterogeneity in transmission dynamics and discuss their implications for wildlife disease management.This PhD studentship was funded by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and The University of Exeter. Data from the Woodchester Park study is used in chapters 3 – 7 of this thesis, and is funded by Defra

Rapid evidence review : challenges to implementing digital and data-driven technologies in health and social care

The aim of this rapid evidence review was to identify the main challenges involved in implementing digital and data-driven technologies in health and social care. We aimed to address the following research questions: RQ1: what are the main challenges involved in successfully implementing and using digital and data-driven technologies in health and social care? RQ2: what is the nature of these challenges and how do they arise? RQ3: what does the literature suggest is required to overcome these challenges? The review was carried out in two stages: an initial scoping phase (phase 1) followed by more detailed analysis of selected evidence (phase 2). Studies were selected for inclusion in phase 2 mainly on the basis of relevance to real-world implementation in the UK NHS and similar health systems in high-income countries

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING IN ONLINE CREDIT RECOVERY: DO COURSE FEATURES IMPACT ACHIEVEMENT?

This experimental study investigated whether the addition of course features based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework impacted achievement in an online English 1A credit recovery course offered by a state virtual school in the Western United States. An alternative format for completing course mastery assignments and eText support tools (ReadSpeaker and TextAid) were added to an existing version of the course. Writing prompts were also included in the alternative mastery assignments. Credit recovery students were randomly enrolled by school personnel into control and treatment sections of the English 1A courses using the enrollment mechanism of the school’s Student Information System (SIS). Out of the enrolled students approved to participate in the study (n=133/157), the control section had 68 enrollments, and the treatment section had 65 enrollments. Experimental data was gathered via pre-test, post-test scores on the four end of module tests. Course grade and final grade data was also provided through the Learning Management System (LMS) and SIS and analyzed using Independent Samples T-Tests. The state Office of Public Instruction provided demographic information on participants. Surveys were used to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the learning experience, and the course instructor was interviewed on perceptions of the course participants, UDL course features and the student learning experience. Results from the experimental aspect of the study demonstrated the null hypothesis could not be rejected. Mean score gain differences on pre-test, post-test scores were not statistically significant or important across control and treatment groups. Course grade and final grade data also did not demonstrate a statistically significant or important difference in achievement across the groups. Passing rates were higher in the treatment group than the control group (9% based on enrollment numbers, and 5% for individuals). Results from the open-ended survey questions and qualitative interviews revealed three key themes: 1) appreciation of the mastery assignment options 2) the importance of instructor/course mentor support 3) and the initial time commitment of working with the new assignment type for the instructor. Results indicated that an incremental approach to including UDL course features did not result in a statistically significant impact on student achievement. However, the results suggest that a more robust development of the learning experience based on Universal Design for Learning principles may be more likely to increase the impact on student achievement in the courses. The importance of local support on student achievement was also observed. Future research, therefore, might consider a more substantial redesign of the learning experience based on Universal Design for Learning principles as well as additional influences associated with individual engagement and the local learning environment. In addition, it was suggested that researchers also continue to investigate administrative and instructional efficacy when redesigning online credit recovery courses based on UDL principles

Vermin, victims and disease: British debates over bovine tuberculosis and badgers

This is the final version. Available on open access from Palgrave Macmillan via the DOI in this recordThis open access book provides the first critical history of the controversy over whether to cull wild badgers to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in British cattle. This question has plagued several professional generations of politicians, policymakers, experts and campaigners since the early 1970s. Questions of what is known, who knows, who cares, who to trust and what to do about this complex problem have been the source of scientific, policy, and increasingly vociferous public debate ever since. This book integrates contemporary history, science and technology studies, human-animal relations, and policy research to conduct a cross-cutting analysis of the situation. It explores the worldviews of those involved with animal health, disease ecology and badger protection between the 1970s and 1990s, before reintegrating them to investigate the recent public polarisation of the controversy. Finally it asks how we might move beyond the current impasse to explore more open and sustainable approaches to the situation.Wellcome Trus

Gold (I) Tetrathiomolybdate Clusters: Synthesis, Characterization, Computational Studies, and Reactivity With Thiophenol and Selenophenol

This thesis describes the synthesis and reactivity of heterometallic complexes containing medicinally active Au(I) and tetrathiomolybdate, [MoS4]2-. The research is motivated by the idea of multifunctional drugs, which are designed to treat diseases through two or more mechanisms of action. Five clusters of the general form, [MoS4(AuL)2] were prepared: C-1 (L=IPr), C-2 (L=IBzMe), C-3 (L=IMes), C-4 (L=PPh3), and C-5 (L=PEt3). The clusters with NHC ligands, C-1, C-2, and C-3 were prepared for the first time and thoroughly characterized by 1H NMR,13C{1H} NMR, UV-vis, cyclic voltammetry, SCXRD, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. C-4 and C-5, which were reported previously, were prepared to compare the effect of phosphine and NHC ligands on the cluster reactivity. Percent buried volume (% Vbur) calculations show that the steric bulkiness of the ligands increases in the order, C-5 \u3e C-2 \u3e C-4 \u3e C-3 \u3e C-1. A DFT calculation carried out on C-1 suggests the presence of Au-Mo interactions, which could contribute to stabilization of the clusters in addition to the bridging sulfides. The TDDFT study showed that the lowest energy transitions are primarily υ((Au, S) to Mo) and υ(S to Mo) charge transfer. This is consistent with the experimental UV-vis spectra of all five clusters which have lambda max = 487-491 nm. Clusters C-1 – C-5 were screened for antimicrobial activity by CO-ADD lab at the University of Queensland, Australia. C-2 showed notable activity against one fungal strain, Candida albicans, and C-5 showed notable activity against the gram-positive bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and one fungal strain, Cryptococcus neoformans. The reactivity of [MoS4(AuL)2] clusters with PhSH and PhSeH in DMSO-d6 was investigated as a model for thiol- and selenol nucleophiles present in cysteine and selenocysteine proteins. In general, the clusters react with PhSH to a greater extent than with PhSeH. Cluster C-3 was the most reactive with PhSH and PhSeH but this complex was inactive in antimicrobial cytotoxicity testing. Cluster C-4 was not reactive with PhSH or PhSeH and it was completely inactive in cytotoxicity testing. Additional experiments are proposed as future work to better understand the complex interplay of steric and electronic effects in the [MoS4(AuL)2] clusters