Genomic reconstruction of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in England.

The evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus leads to new variants that warrant timely epidemiological characterization. Here we use the dense genomic surveillance data generated by the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium to reconstruct the dynamics of 71 different lineages in each of 315 English local authorities between September 2020 and June 2021. This analysis reveals a series of subepidemics that peaked in early autumn 2020, followed by a jump in transmissibility of the B.1.1.7/Alpha lineage. The Alpha variant grew when other lineages declined during the second national lockdown and regionally tiered restrictions between November and December 2020. A third more stringent national lockdown suppressed the Alpha variant and eliminated nearly all other lineages in early 2021. Yet a series of variants (most of which contained the spike E484K mutation) defied these trends and persisted at moderately increasing proportions. However, by accounting for sustained introductions, we found that the transmissibility of these variants is unlikely to have exceeded the transmissibility of the Alpha variant. Finally, B.1.617.2/Delta was repeatedly introduced in England and grew rapidly in early summer 2021, constituting approximately 98% of sampled SARS-CoV-2 genomes on 26 June 2021

Overfishing of small pelagic fishes increases trophic overlap between immature and mature striped dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea

The interactions among diet, ecology, physiology, and biochemistry affect N and C stable isotope signatures in animal tissues. Here, we examined if ecological segregation among animals in relation to sex and age existed by analyzing the signatures of δ15N and δ13C in the muscle of Western Mediterranean striped dolphins. Moreover, we used a Bayesian mixing model to study diet composition and investigated potential dietary changes over the last two decades in this population. For this, we compared isotope signatures in samples of stranded dolphins obtained during two epizootic events occurring in 1990 and 2007–2008. Mean δ13C values for females and males were not significantly different, but age-related variation indicated δ13C enrichment in both sexes, suggesting that females and males most likely fed in the same general areas, increasing their consumption of benthic prey with age. Enrichment of δ15N was only observed in females, suggesting a preference for larger or higher trophic level prey than males, which could reflect different nutritional requirements. δ13C values showed no temporal variation, although the mean δ15N signature decreased from 1990 to 2007–2008, which could indicate a dietary shift in the striped dolphin over the last two decades. The results of SIAR indicated that in 1990, hake and sardine together contributed to 60% on the diet of immature striped dolphins, and close to 90% for mature striped dolphins. Conversely, the diet of both groups in 2007–2008 was more diverse, as hake and sardine contributed to less than 40% of the entire diet. These results suggest a dietary change that was possibly related to changes in food availability, which is consistent with the depletion of sardine stocks by fishing

Driving after stroke

Driving a motor vehicle is an important instrumental activity of daily living recognized across countries and cultures. Driving provides convenience, independence, and mobility. However, after a stroke, patients may exhibit visual, cognitive, behavioral, and motor symptoms that may negatively affect driving ability. Patients often ask healthcare providers when they can resume driving. It can be difficult to identify those who are fit to drive, those who are not, and those who would benefit from driving rehabilitation. The aim of this chapter is to present evidence to guide clinical decision-making in returning to drive after stroke. The authors are from three different continents and represent important disciplines involved in driving after stroke: medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and psychology. We first explain the importance of return to driving as a key rehabilitation goal in post-stroke care. We then present an evidence-based overview of key issues related to driving after stroke. Afterwards, we provide a framework for driving screening, assessment, and intervention based on best evidence and practice. An illustrative case study is presented to demonstrate the multiple factors involved in a driving assessment and rehabilitation after stroke. Each chapter starts with a description of the clinical problem encountered. This is followed by a systematic, but concise review of the evidence (RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses) that is relevant for clinical decision-making, and comments on assessment, therapy (training, technology, medication), and the use of technical aids as appropriate. Based on these summaries, clinical algorithms / pathways are provided and the main clinical-decision situations are portrayed. The book is invaluable for all neurorehabilitation team members, clinicians, nurses, and therapists in neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and related fields. It is a World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR) educational initiative, bridging the gap between the rapidly expanding clinical research in stroke rehabilitation and clinical practice across societies and continents. It can be used for both clinical decision-making for individuals and as well as clinical background knowledge for stroke rehabilitation service development initiatives

Dugongs: Seagrass community specialists

Dugongs exploit a relatively wide diet including seagrasses, macro-invertebrates and algae within intertidal and subtidal tropical and subtropical seagrass communities. The importance of seagrass genera to dugongs differs among locations and may change at the same location during times of seagrass loss. Dugongs feed by excavating or cropping, depending on seagrass morphology and the nature of the sediment. An individual dugong can disturb a considerable area of seagrass in a single day, especially in areas with low biomass. The local impact on seagrass biomass can be very significant and cause a loss of over 50% of production. The food quality of the seagrass forage eaten by dugongs is similar to the forage eaten by many wild, large, terrestrial, herbivorous mammals. Dugongs are less effective at masticating fibrous seagrasses than low-fibre seagrasses. This limitation may be most important under lengthy periods of food scarcity, such as at times of seagrass loss. The effect of dugongs feeding on seagrasses is complex and can be measured at several spatial scales including: (1) the individual feeding scar, (2) the area disturbed per day by an individual animal, and (3) the effect of a large group of animals on an individual plant community and using several responses variables: (1) microbial processes, (2) above- and below-ground plant biomass, (3) plant species composition, (4) plant nutrients, (5) invertebrate community composition and detritus, plus (6) the time taken by each of these variables to return to the pre-disturbed condition. Marked temporal fluctuations in dugong mortality and fecundity track major changes in the seagrass communities on which dugongs depend for food