Self-management and HeAlth Promotion in Early-stage dementia with e-learning for carers (SHAPE): Study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

Background: With an increasing number of people with dementia worldwide and limited advancement in medical treatments, the call for new and cost-effective approaches is crucial. The utility of self-management has been proven in certain chronic conditions. However, very little work has been undertaken regarding self-management in people with dementia. Methods: The SHAPE trial will include 372 people with mild to moderate dementia to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an educational programme combining approaches of self-management, health promotion, and e-learning for care partners. The study is a multi-site, single-randomised, controlled, single-blinded trial with parallel arms. The intervention arm is compared with treatment as usual. The intervention comprises a 10-week course delivered as group sessions for the participants with dementia. The sessions are designed to develop self-management skills and to provide information on the nature of the condition and the development of healthy behaviours in a supportive learning environment. An e-learning course will be provided for care partners which covers similar and complementary material to that discussed in the group sessions for the participant with dementia. Discussion: This trial will explore the effect of the SHAPE group intervention on people with mild to moderate dementia in terms of self-efficacy and improvement in key health and mental health outcomes and cost-effectiveness, along with carer stress and knowledge of dementia. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04286139, registered prospectively February 26, 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0428613

Life-history Effects of Metal contamination in Arctic snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) breeding in Adventdalen, Svalbard.

The present study was the first to investigate element concentrations in feathers of both nestling and adult snow buntings in the Arctic environment of Adventdalen. Significant differences in concentrations between nestling- and adult feathers were found, but a clear age-dependent accumulation could not be observed among nestlings, 1 year old- and 2 years or older birds. However, external contamination of adult samples could possibly mask internal accumulation. P, K, Na, Mg, Zn, Se, Rb and Hg was present in highest concentrations in nestlings, while the rest of the examined elements were present in highest concentrations in feathers of adults. No significant effect on accumulation was discovered for sex. As nestlings hatch and develop in Adventdalen, while adults complete their annual molt in the area, feathers of both groups are considered appropriate to assess local pollution. Compared to reference concentrations in other passerine birds, coal-associated elements were mostly present in lower or equal concentrations in feathers of snow buntings from Adventdalen. Al and Co differs from the other elements, as their concentrations for comparison are higher. Hence, element concentrations in feathers of snow buntings from this area, do not reflect emissions associated with coal industry to a large extent. As toxicological implications were not a main focus of this study, the results primarily report a status regarding element concentrations in nestling and adult snow buntings in Adventdalen. However, based on comparison with reference levels in other passerine species, high concentrations of Al in adults and high concentrations of Co, Se and Zn in nestling and adults could give cause for concern. Follow-up studies using other tissues and/or organs are strongly recommended to verify and further investigate the role of age and sex in accumulation of elements in snow buntings. Such analysis combined with environmental analysis could also provide a better basis for a conclusion regarding environmental exposure, and hence, emissions from the coal power plant located in Longyearbyen. High concentrations of Al in adults, in addition to high concentrations of Co, Se and Zn in nestlings and adults, require further examinations to verify levels and examine if they are of toxicological significance for the birds

Birch sapling characteristics growing beyond the tree line in Norway and Sweden

Questions: How do population structure and recruitment characteristics of Betula saplings beyond the treeline vary among climatic regions, and what is the potential for development into tree-sized individuals with interacting grazing pressure? Location: Scandes Mountains. Methods: Sapling characteristics of Betula pubescens subsp. tortuosa, their topographic position above the treeline, growth habitat and evidence of recent grazing was investigated in three areas with a long continuous grazing history, along a latitudinal gradient (62-69°N). Results: Saplings were common up to 100 m above the treeline in all areas. The northern areas were characterised by small (<30 cm) and young (mean 14 years old) saplings in exposed micro-topographic locations unfavourable to long-term survival. In the southern area, broad height (2-183 cm) and age (4-95 years; mean 32 years) distributions were found in sheltered locations. Age declined with altitude in all areas. Sapling growth rate varied within and between areas, and the age x height interaction was significant only in the southern area. Growth rates decreased from south to north and indicated a considerable time required to reach tree size under prevailing conditions. Conclusions: Regional differences can be attributed to climatic differences, however, interacting biotic and abiotic factors such as micro-topography, climate and herbivory, mutually affect the characteristics of birch saplings. In view of the long time needed to reach tree size, the generally expected evident and fast treeline advance in response to climate warming may not be a likely short-term scenario. The sapling pool in the southern region possesses strongest potential for treeline advance

Applicability of the valve gape monitor to assist with oysters bed (Ostrea edulis) restoration projects

To monitor flat oyster reef restoration projects in offshore pilots innovative techniques with a focus on remote monitoring are needed. This will reduce the frequency with which offshore pilot study locations have to be visited. The valve gape monitor can potentially be used as an effective method to monitor survival and behaviour of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis. This is an in situ device that continuously measures the opening and closing of the shell of live bivalves (valves) equipped with sensors. It has been successfully used in combination with other bivalve species. In this study, eight oysters Ostrea edulis from two different regions (Norway and the Netherlands (Grevelingen)) were fitted with valve gape sensors. Valve gape activity was monitored during different experimental conditions (tide simulation and starvation) under controlled conditions to test the applicability of the valve gape monitor to assist with monitoring of O. edulis reef restoration projects. No significant differences in valve gape activity of Norwegian oysters and oysters from the Grevelingen were detected under controlled conditions. Tide simulation did not appear to affect valve gape activity. However, the oysters were responsive to disturbances such as daily maintenance as well as starvation. Size frequency distribution of gape class clearly shows that fed individuals show longer periods of open valves and percentage closure is significantly higher in the starved oysters. Gape width is larger in fed conditions then in starved conditions. In addition, starved oysters open less wide when they open. These results indicate that food availability affects valve gape activity and the valve gape monitor can provide information on the behaviour and stress response of Ostrea edulis. In situ monitoring of flat oyster gape activity should incorporate environmental parameters such as Chl a, temperature, salinity, current speed and oxygen to provide insight into the environmental stressors on and/or the behavioural patterns of flat oysters

Grazing and warming effects on shrub growth and plant

Questions: Vegetation in the forest–tundra ecotone faces changes in both climate and land‐use. While climate warming is an important driver of vegetation growth and composition, herbivory may have opposing effects. In the present study, we experimentally test how removal of sheep herbivory affects the vegetation in an alpine forest–tundra ecotone, and how responses are manifested at higher temperatures. Location: Dovre Mountains, Central Norway. Methods: Shrub growth (height and cover) and ground layer composition were analysed each third year over an 18‐year period in a nested, three‐factorial experiment (ambient temperature and herbivory; ambient temperature and no herbivory; increased temperature and no herbivory). Fencing and open‐top‐chambers were used as expedients. Treatment effects and interactions over time were analysed using linear mixed effects models and ordination. Results: Shrub height and cover increased over time due to reduced herbivory, but without additional warming effect. Lichen cover declined in all treatments over time, but more rapidly and earlier under warming treatment (significant after three years). Contrary to expectations, there was no statistically significant increase in woody species due to warming, although evergreen woody species displayed a trend shift after six years, comprising a sharp decline towards year twelve. Litter accumulated in all treatments, but at higher rates under warming (significant after nine years). Conclusions: Our results disclose removal of sheep herbivory as a prominent driver of shrub growth, with warming as a subordinate driver in the studied alpine vegetation. The warming‐driven increased litter abundance may, however, be caused by the decrease of wind inside chambers and the subsequent absence of wind‐driven removal of litter. This chamber effect and the displayed timing differences in vegetation responses call for the critical use of short‐term experimental data in predictions of long‐term consequences of environmental change

Grazing and warming effects on shrub growth and plant

Questions: Vegetation in the forest–tundra ecotone faces changes in both climate and land‐use. While climate warming is an important driver of vegetation growth and composition, herbivory may have opposing effects. In the present study, we experimentally test how removal of sheep herbivory affects the vegetation in an alpine forest–tundra ecotone, and how responses are manifested at higher temperatures. Location: Dovre Mountains, Central Norway. Methods: Shrub growth (height and cover) and ground layer composition were analysed each third year over an 18‐year period in a nested, three‐factorial experiment (ambient temperature and herbivory; ambient temperature and no herbivory; increased temperature and no herbivory). Fencing and open‐top‐chambers were used as expedients. Treatment effects and interactions over time were analysed using linear mixed effects models and ordination. Results: Shrub height and cover increased over time due to reduced herbivory, but without additional warming effect. Lichen cover declined in all treatments over time, but more rapidly and earlier under warming treatment (significant after three years). Contrary to expectations, there was no statistically significant increase in woody species due to warming, although evergreen woody species displayed a trend shift after six years, comprising a sharp decline towards year twelve. Litter accumulated in all treatments, but at higher rates under warming (significant after nine years). Conclusions: Our results disclose removal of sheep herbivory as a prominent driver of shrub growth, with warming as a subordinate driver in the studied alpine vegetation. The warming‐driven increased litter abundance may, however, be caused by the decrease of wind inside chambers and the subsequent absence of wind‐driven removal of litter. This chamber effect and the displayed timing differences in vegetation responses call for the critical use of short‐term experimental data in predictions of long‐term consequences of environmental change