Effects of even-aged timber harvest on herbaceous vegetation richness in southern Missouri forests

Abstract only availableFor centuries American forests have been exploited for timber and other commodities, often with unforeseen long-term detrimental effects. As areas are cleared, the natural diversity of the forest is altered. Development of ecologically sustainable management practices is essential. Initiated in 1989, the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) is a landscape experiment designed to examine forest management impacts on multiple ecosystem attributes for large sites. In the summer of 2008, we investigated the impacts of previous clearcuts on the species richness of herbaceous and woody plants in the southeast Missouri Ozarks, within the MOFEP study sites. We determined species richness within 1-m2 representative plots randomly chosen throughout each of three even-aged management sites and one no harvest control site. We hope to better understand the effects of clearcutting on forest herbaceous plant diversity by comparing the species richness on harvested sites with that on no-harvest sites.Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Projec

Engaging Rural Youth in Physical Activity Promotion Research in an After-School Setting

BACKGROUND: West Virginia, the second most rural state in the nation, has a higher than average prevalence of chronic diseases, especially those related to physical inactivity and obesity. Innovative educational approaches are needed to increase physical activity among adults and youth in rural areas and reduce rural health disparities. This paper describes West Virginia's Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) Education and Outreach on Healthy Weight and Physical Activity. The project involved teachers and underserved high school students in social science research aimed at increasing physical activity among student and community participants. CONTEXT: The HSTA is an ongoing initiative of university–school–community partnerships in West Virginia that offers academic enrichment to high-school students in after-school clubs. For this project, six HSTA clubs were awarded grants to conduct research on physical activity promotion during the 2003–2004 school year. The project was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. METHODS: Focus groups, workshops, and targeted technical assistance were used to assist teachers and students with developing, implementing, and evaluating their research projects. Each club completed one project, and students reported on their research at the annual HSTA symposium held in the spring. Teachers documented their experience with the projects in process journals before and during implementation. CONSEQUENCES: Data from the teachers' process journals revealed that they believed this research experience increased their students' interest in health and health science careers and increased their students' understanding of social science research methods. Challenges included lack of time after school to complete all activities, competing student activities, limited social science research experience of both teachers and students, and delays that resulted from a lengthy human subjects approval process. INTERPRETATION: The entire process was too ambitious to be achieved in one school year. Recommendations for future implementation include offering training modules on social science research methods for both teachers and students. These modules could be offered as a graduate course for teachers and as an in-school elective within the curriculum or as a summer institute for students. This preparatory training might alleviate some of the time management issues experienced by all the projects and could result in more skilled teacher and student researchers

Perigraft air is not always pathological: a case report

© 2007 Ball et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Estimating energetic intake for marine mammal bioenergetic models

This work was primarily funded under an award from Office of Naval Research: N000142012392, and with support from the Marine Mammal Commission project: “A priority setting exercise to identify key unanswered questions in marine mammal bioenergetics”. Funding from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee supported fish energy analyses - award C180241-1285.Bioenergetics is the study of how animals achieve energetic balance. Energetic balance results from the energetic expenditure of an individual and the energy they extract from their environment. Ingested energy depends on several extrinsic (e.g prey species, nutritional value and composition, prey density and availability) and intrinsic factors (e.g. foraging effort, success at catching prey, digestive processes and associated energy losses, and digestive capacity). While the focus in bioenergetic modelling is often on the energetic costs an animal incurs, the robust estimation of an individual’s energy intake is equally critical for producing meaningful predictions. Here, we review the components and processes that affect energy intake from ingested gross energy to biologically useful net energy (NE). The current state of knowledge of each parameter is reviewed, shedding light on research gaps to advance this field. The review highlighted that the foraging behaviour of many marine mammals is relatively well studied via biologging tags, with estimates of success rate typically assumed for most species. However, actual prey capture success rates are often only assumed, although we note studies that provide approaches for its estimation using current techniques. A comprehensive collation of the nutritional content of marine mammal prey species revealed a robust foundation from which prey quality (comprising prey species, size and energy density) can be assessed, though data remain unavailable for many prey species. Empirical information on various energy losses following ingestion of prey was unbalanced among marine mammal species, with considerably more literature available for pinnipeds. An increased understanding and accurate estimate of each of the components that comprise a species NE intake are an integral part of bioenergetics. Such models provide a key tool to investigate the effects of disturbance on marine mammals at an individual and population level and to support effective conservation and management.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Seven-step framework to enhance practitioner explanations and parental understandings of research without prior consent in paediatric emergency and critical care trials

Background: Alternatives to prospective informed consent enable the conduct of paediatric emergency and critical care trials. Research without prior consent (RWPC) involves practitioners approaching parents after an intervention has been given and seeking consent for their child to continue in the trial. As part of an embedded study in the 'Emergency treatment with Levetiracetam or Phenytoin in Status Epilepticus in children' (EcLiPSE) trial, we explored how practitioners described the trial and RWPC during recruitment discussions, and how well this information was understood by parents. We aimed to develop a framework to assist trial conversations in future paediatric emergency and critical care trials using RWPC. Methods: Qualitative methods embedded within the EcLiPSE trial processes, including audiorecorded practitioner-parent trial discussions and telephone interviews with parents. We analysed data using thematic analysis, drawing on the Realpe et al (2016) model for recruitment to trials. Results: We analysed 76 recorded trial discussions and conducted 30 parent telephone interviews. For 19 parents, we had recorded trial discussion and interview data, which were matched for analysis. Parental understanding of the EcLiPSE trial was enhanced when practitioners: provided a comprehensive description of trial aims; explained the reasons for RWPC; discussed uncertainty about which intervention was best; provided a balanced description of trial intervention; provided a clear explanation about randomisation and provided an opportunity for questions. We present a seven-step framework to assist recruitment practice in trials involving RWPC. Conclusion: This study provides a framework to enhance recruitment practice and parental understanding in paediatric emergency and critical care trials involving RWPC. Further testing of this framework is required

Genome sequence of the acid-tolerant Burkholderia sp. strain WSM2232 from Karijini National Park, Australia

Burkholderia sp. strain WSM2232 is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming acid-tolerant rod that was trapped in 2001 from acidic soil collected from Karijini National Park (Australia) using Gastrolobium capitatum as a host. WSM2232 was effective in nitrogen fixation with G. capitatum but subsequently lost symbiotic competence during long-term storage. Here we describe the features of Burkholderia sp. strain WSM2232, together with genome sequence information and its annotation. The 7,208,311 bp standard-draft genome is arranged into 72 scaffolds of 72 contigs containing 6,322 protein-coding genes and 61 RNA-only encoding genes. The loss of symbiotic capability can now be attributed to the loss of nodulation and nitrogen fixation genes from the genome. This rhizobial genome is one of 100 sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Genomic Encyclopedia for Bacte-ria and Archaea-Root Nodule Bacteria (GEBA-RNB) project

Q’UMARA

El concepto de vida saludable es cada vez más común entre los jóvenes y adultos en el Perú, lo cual va relacionada con una mejor alimentación. Según estudios que se realizaron en las puertas de clínicas, muchas personas que siguen este estilo de vida buscan evitar una gran enfermedad, el Cáncer. A pesar que esta no es la primera causa de muerte, sino los paros cardiacos, el tratamiento es doloroso y conllevarlo es difícil, por lo cual muchas personas buscan formas sobre cómo evitarlo. De esta forma, los autores de este proyecto investigaron que los frutos oscuros y el yogurt mitigan la aparición de células cancerígenas. Por ello, se creó el emprendimiento de Q’umara, el cual ofrece un yogurt natural con toppings de frutos oscuros totalmente orgánicos. En el presente informe se detallarán el público objetivo y los planes que se llevarán al cabo para que la realización de este proyecto sea exitosa. Se necesitará un capital de 44690 nuevos soles y levantar fondos por 25940 nuevos soles para completar la inversión. Cabe resaltar que los indicadores de este proyecto son llamativos; por ejemplo, el VAN es de 46163 nuevos soles. Por otra parte, el periodo de recupero será en el mes 21.20. Además, el indicador de beneficio costo será de 4.39. Por ello, esperamos convencer a los inversionistas con esta gran idea de negocio.This project was born from the idea that healthy lifestyle is becoming more popular in Peru, which is related to healthy food. According to results of studies that were carried out at the doors of clinics, many people who follow this lifestyle seek to avoid a major disease, Cancer. Although this is not the first cause of death, the treatments are very painful and ruins quality of life This is where 5 students from Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas realized that people seek to prevent cancer through their diet. So, they researched about what kind of food could prevent this disease and the results were thar dark fruits and yogurt mitigate the appearance of cancer cells. For this reason, Q’umara was created, which offers a natural yogurt with totally organic dark fruit toppings. This report will detail the target and the plans that will be carried out to make this project successful. A capital of 44690 nuevos soles will be needed. However, as shareholders, a part of these will be placed, but it will be necessary to raise funds for 25,940 nuevos soles to complete the investment. Indicators of this project are very attractive. For example, the Net Present Value discounted with the WACC is 46163 nuevos soles. On the other hand, the recovery period will be in month 21.20. In addition, the cost benefit indicator is 4.39. With these indicators we want to show the potential of this project.Trabajo de investigació

Considerations for preparing a randomized population health intervention trial: lessons from a South African–Canadian partnership to improve the health of health workers

Background: Community-based cluster-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being conducted to address pressing global health concerns. Preparations for clinical trials are well-described, as are the steps for multi-component health service trials. However, guidance is lacking for addressing the ethical and logistic challenges in (cluster) RCTs of population health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: We aimed to identify the factors that population health researchers must explicitly consider when planning RCTs within North–South partnerships. Design: We reviewed our experiences and identified key ethical and logistic issues encountered during the pre-trial phase of a recently implemented RCT. This trial aimed to improve tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention and care for health workers by enhancing workplace assessment capability, addressing concerns about confidentiality and stigma, and providing onsite counseling, testing, and treatment. An iterative framework was used to synthesize this analysis with lessons taken from other studies. Results: The checklist of critical factors was grouped into eight categories: 1) Building trust and shared ownership; 2) Conducting feasibility studies throughout the process; 3) Building capacity; 4) Creating an appropriate information system; 5) Conducting pilot studies; 6) Securing stakeholder support, with a view to scale-up; 7) Continuously refining methodological rigor; and 8) Explicitly addressing all ethical issues both at the start and continuously as they arise. Conclusion: Researchers should allow for the significant investment of time and resources required for successful implementation of population health RCTs within North–South collaborations, recognize the iterative nature of the process, and be prepared to revise protocols as challenges emerge

Improving the safety and experience of transitions from hospital to home : a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial of the Your Care Needs You Intervention versus usual care

Background: The ‘Your Care Needs You’ (YCNY) intervention aims to increase the safety and experience of transitions for older people through greater patient involvement during the hospital stay. Methods: A cluster-randomised controlled feasibility trial was conducted on NHS inpatient wards (clusters) where ≥40% were routinely ≥75 years. Wards were randomised to YCNY or usual care using an unequal allocation ratio (3:2). We aimed to recruit up to 20 patients per ward. Follow-up included routine data collection and questionnaires at 5, 30 and 90-days post-discharge. Eligible patients were ≥75, discharged home, stayed overnight on participating wards, and could read and understand English. The trial assessed the feasibility of delivering YCNY and the trial methodology through recruitment rates, outcome completion rates, and a qualitative evaluation. The accuracy of using routinely coded data for the primary outcome in the definitive trial was assessed by extracting discharge information for up to ten non-individual consenting patients per ward. Results: Ten wards were randomised (6 intervention, 4 control). One ward withdrew and two wards were unable to deliver the intervention. 721 patients were successfully screened, and 161 were recruited (95 intervention, 66 control). The patient post-discharge attrition rate was 17.4% (n=28). Primary outcome data were gathered for 91.9% of participants with 75.2% and 59.0% providing secondary outcome data at 5 and 30 days post discharge respectively. Item completion within questionnaires was generally high. Post-discharge follow-up was terminated early due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting 90 day response rates (16.8%). Data from 88 non-individual consenting patients identified an error rate of 15% when using routinely coded data for the primary outcome. No unexpected serious adverse events were identified. Most patients viewed YCNY favourably. Staff agreed with it in principle, but ward pressures and organisational contexts hampered implementation. There was a need to sustain engagement, provide clarity on roles and responsibilities, and account for fluctuations in patients’ health, capacity, and preferences. Conclusions: If implementation challenges can be overcome, YCNY represents a step towards involving older people as partners in their care to improve the safety and experience of their transitions from hospital to home. Trial registration: ISRCTN: 5115494