Neighbouring-group composition and within-group relatedness drive extra-group paternity rate in the European badger (Meles meles)

Extra-group paternity (EGP) occurs commonly among group-living mammals and plays an important role in mating systems and the dynamics of sexual selection; however, socio-ecological and genetic correlates of EGP have been underexplored. We use 23 years of demographic and genetic data from a high-density European badger (Meles meles) population, to investigate the relationship between the rate of EGP in litters and mate availability, mate incompatibility and mate quality (heterozygosity). Relatedness between within-group assigned mothers and candidate fathers had a negative quadratic effect on EGP, whereas the number of neighbouring-group candidate fathers had a linear positive effect. We detected no effect of mean or maximum heterozygosity of within-group candidate fathers on EGP. Consequently, EGP was associated primarily with mate availability, subject to within-group genetic effects, potentially to mitigate mate incompatibility and inbreeding. In badgers, cryptic female choice, facilitated by superfecundation, superfoetation and delayed implantation, prevents males from monopolizing within-group females. This resonates with a meta-analysis in group-living mammals, which proposed that higher rates of EGP occur when within-group males cannot monopolize within-group females. In contrast to the positive meta-analytic association, however, we found that EGP associated negatively with the number of within-group assigned mothers and the number of within-group candidate fathers; potentially a strategy to counter within-group males committing infanticide. The relationship between the rate of EGP and socio-ecological or genetic factors can therefore be intricate, and the potential for cryptic female choice must be accounted for in comparative studies

Effects of sleep disturbance on dyspnoea and impaired lung function following hospital admission due to COVID-19 in the UK: a prospective multicentre cohort study

Background: Sleep disturbance is common following hospital admission both for COVID-19 and other causes. The clinical associations of this for recovery after hospital admission are poorly understood despite sleep disturbance contributing to morbidity in other scenarios. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and nature of sleep disturbance after discharge following hospital admission for COVID-19 and to assess whether this was associated with dyspnoea. Methods: CircCOVID was a prospective multicentre cohort substudy designed to investigate the effects of circadian disruption and sleep disturbance on recovery after COVID-19 in a cohort of participants aged 18 years or older, admitted to hospital for COVID-19 in the UK, and discharged between March, 2020, and October, 2021. Participants were recruited from the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID). Follow-up data were collected at two timepoints: an early time point 2–7 months after hospital discharge and a later time point 10–14 months after hospital discharge. Sleep quality was assessed subjectively using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and a numerical rating scale. Sleep quality was also assessed with an accelerometer worn on the wrist (actigraphy) for 14 days. Participants were also clinically phenotyped, including assessment of symptoms (ie, anxiety [Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale questionnaire], muscle function [SARC-F questionnaire], dyspnoea [Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire] and measurement of lung function), at the early timepoint after discharge. Actigraphy results were also compared to a matched UK Biobank cohort (non-hospitalised individuals and recently hospitalised individuals). Multivariable linear regression was used to define associations of sleep disturbance with the primary outcome of breathlessness and the other clinical symptoms. PHOSP-COVID is registered on the ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN10980107). Findings: 2320 of 2468 participants in the PHOSP-COVID study attended an early timepoint research visit a median of 5 months (IQR 4–6) following discharge from 83 hospitals in the UK. Data for sleep quality were assessed by subjective measures (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and the numerical rating scale) for 638 participants at the early time point. Sleep quality was also assessed using device-based measures (actigraphy) a median of 7 months (IQR 5–8 months) after discharge from hospital for 729 participants. After discharge from hospital, the majority (396 [62%] of 638) of participants who had been admitted to hospital for COVID-19 reported poor sleep quality in response to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. A comparable proportion (338 [53%] of 638) of participants felt their sleep quality had deteriorated following discharge after COVID-19 admission, as assessed by the numerical rating scale. Device-based measurements were compared to an age-matched, sex-matched, BMI-matched, and time from discharge-matched UK Biobank cohort who had recently been admitted to hospital. Compared to the recently hospitalised matched UK Biobank cohort, participants in our study slept on average 65 min (95% CI 59 to 71) longer, had a lower sleep regularity index (–19%; 95% CI –20 to –16), and a lower sleep efficiency (3·83 percentage points; 95% CI 3·40 to 4·26). Similar results were obtained when comparisons were made with the non-hospitalised UK Biobank cohort. Overall sleep quality (unadjusted effect estimate 3·94; 95% CI 2·78 to 5·10), deterioration in sleep quality following hospital admission (3·00; 1·82 to 4·28), and sleep regularity (4·38; 2·10 to 6·65) were associated with higher dyspnoea scores. Poor sleep quality, deterioration in sleep quality, and sleep regularity were also associated with impaired lung function, as assessed by forced vital capacity. Depending on the sleep metric, anxiety mediated 18–39% of the effect of sleep disturbance on dyspnoea, while muscle weakness mediated 27–41% of this effect. Interpretation: Sleep disturbance following hospital admission for COVID-19 is associated with dyspnoea, anxiety, and muscle weakness. Due to the association with multiple symptoms, targeting sleep disturbance might be beneficial in treating the post-COVID-19 condition. Funding: UK Research and Innovation, National Institute for Health Research, and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

British Association for the Advancement of Science 150th annual meeting, Oxford 5-9 September 1988: papers for section k agriculture and forestry

The British Association for the Advancement of Science was founded in 1831, with the object of strengthening the relationship between science and the public. From the start, an Annual Meeting has been central: the first Meeting, attended by 353 people, took place in York that same year, and except during the two world wars, meetings have been held annually ever since. Early meetings provided opportunities for major discoveries to be announced, and for scientists to share recent results. More recently, with the growing number of specialist societies and conferences, the emphasis has shifted towards the popularisation of science, and the discussion of its social consequences. Today, the meeting provides a unique forum where scientists and non-scientists can meet and discuss science and technology, and the sensitive social issues which arise from their progress evolution, molecular electronics, and science education policy are three examples from this year's programme. The meeting is Britain's only festival of science, with a rich and varied range of events, from substantial discussions on serious issues, through lectures and demonstrations to scientific visits, exhibitions, films and social events. Between 2,000 and 4,000 people come each year, many of them schoolchildren and students as well as scientists, teachers, industrialists, and public servants: people with little in common save an interest in science and its progress.</p

National hardwoods programme: report of the eighth meeting and second meeting of the Uneven-aged Silviculture Group 7 January 1988

This is the eighth occasion on which research workers and practising foresters have met at the Oxford Forestry Institute to discuss ways of increasing the use of hardwoods in Britain. The presence of so many people from all sections of our industry indicates that interest continues undiminished. This year Peter Savill has joined with Rodney Helliwell in devising a joint programme which includes uneven-aged silviculture. There are three reasons why this is appropriate. The first is that the 1979-82 Census of Woodlands in England and Wales revealed that the area of broadleaved high forest has increased since the end of the last war. In particular, woodland made derelict by war time fellings has since been planted or become colonised by hardwoods, and other areas classed as scrub in the 1947 Census have since developed, either naturally or with management, into mixed broadleaved high forest. There are now several thousand hectares of woodland containing ash, birch, cherry and sycamore - in addition to beech and oak that could be converted into productive stands using systems of uneven-aged silviculture. The second reason why this joint programme is timely is the appearance of the report 'Beyond 2000' produced by the Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain. This is the most optimistic appraisal of the forestry industry that I have read for a long time. After recounting the success of coniferous forestry in the uplands it lays particular stress on the need for a policy that will arrest the decline and ensure the expansion of broadleaved forestry, especially in the lowlands of Britain. The third reason derives from the objects of the National Hardwoods Programme and the Uneven-aged Silviculture Group. All foresters appreciate the beauty of hardwoods and recognise their importance in the landscape and in our wood-using industries. Re-reading many of the papers that have been presented at past meetings held here makes it clear that the knowledge and expertise required to make broadleaved high forest profitable as well as beautiful certainly does exist in Britain. We must make sure that the best examples of hardwood silviculture become more widely known and are available for study. Two systems of uneven-aged silviculture appear important for the future, namely, group selection and irregular shelterwood. These will be discussed today. I am sure that the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the two Royal Forestry Societies will continue to take an active interest in the development of these two systems in Britain, in addition to working with the Forestry Commission in formulating the policy for broadleaved forestry.</p

British Association for the Advancement of Science 150th annual meeting, Oxford 5-9 September 1988: papers for section k agriculture and forestry

The British Association for the Advancement of Science was founded in 1831, with the object of strengthening the relationship between science and the public. From the start, an Annual Meeting has been central: the first Meeting, attended by 353 people, took place in York that same year, and except during the two world wars, meetings have been held annually ever since. Early meetings provided opportunities for major discoveries to be announced, and for scientists to share recent results. More recently, with the growing number of specialist societies and conferences, the emphasis has shifted towards the popularisation of science, and the discussion of its social consequences. Today, the meeting provides a unique forum where scientists and non-scientists can meet and discuss science and technology, and the sensitive social issues which arise from their progress evolution, molecular electronics, and science education policy are three examples from this year's programme. The meeting is Britain's only festival of science, with a rich and varied range of events, from substantial discussions on serious issues, through lectures and demonstrations to scientific visits, exhibitions, films and social events. Between 2,000 and 4,000 people come each year, many of them schoolchildren and students as well as scientists, teachers, industrialists, and public servants: people with little in common save an interest in science and its progress.</p

National hardwoods programme: report of the eighth meeting and second meeting of the Uneven-aged Silviculture Group 7 January 1988

This is the eighth occasion on which research workers and practising foresters have met at the Oxford Forestry Institute to discuss ways of increasing the use of hardwoods in Britain. The presence of so many people from all sections of our industry indicates that interest continues undiminished. This year Peter Savill has joined with Rodney Helliwell in devising a joint programme which includes uneven-aged silviculture. There are three reasons why this is appropriate. The first is that the 1979-82 Census of Woodlands in England and Wales revealed that the area of broadleaved high forest has increased since the end of the last war. In particular, woodland made derelict by war time fellings has since been planted or become colonised by hardwoods, and other areas classed as scrub in the 1947 Census have since developed, either naturally or with management, into mixed broadleaved high forest. There are now several thousand hectares of woodland containing ash, birch, cherry and sycamore - in addition to beech and oak that could be converted into productive stands using systems of uneven-aged silviculture. The second reason why this joint programme is timely is the appearance of the report 'Beyond 2000' produced by the Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain. This is the most optimistic appraisal of the forestry industry that I have read for a long time. After recounting the success of coniferous forestry in the uplands it lays particular stress on the need for a policy that will arrest the decline and ensure the expansion of broadleaved forestry, especially in the lowlands of Britain. The third reason derives from the objects of the National Hardwoods Programme and the Uneven-aged Silviculture Group. All foresters appreciate the beauty of hardwoods and recognise their importance in the landscape and in our wood-using industries. Re-reading many of the papers that have been presented at past meetings held here makes it clear that the knowledge and expertise required to make broadleaved high forest profitable as well as beautiful certainly does exist in Britain. We must make sure that the best examples of hardwood silviculture become more widely known and are available for study. Two systems of uneven-aged silviculture appear important for the future, namely, group selection and irregular shelterwood. These will be discussed today. I am sure that the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the two Royal Forestry Societies will continue to take an active interest in the development of these two systems in Britain, in addition to working with the Forestry Commission in formulating the policy for broadleaved forestry.</p

Silvicultural systems for broadleaved woodland in Britain

Conventional clear-felling and replanting is increasingly being recognised as inappropriate for those broadleaved woodlands which have a high value for landscape, amenity and for nature conservation. This prompted an investigation into 'non-plantation', 'uneven-aged' and 'irregular' silvicultural systems, which are, or could be, used in Britain. A new classification of such systems is proposed, with an initial division into coppice and high forest systems. The latter is then subdivided into 'clear-fell', 'shelterwood', and 'selection' systems. 'Group' and 'strip' variants of each of these three can then be identified. All systems can use planting, natural regeneration or a combination. For each system the following is presented: i) a description based on European use, ii) an account of British examples, iii) discussion of techniques, iv) analysis of profitability, v) evaluation of benefits for landscape, amenity and conservation. No really convincing examples of selection and shelterwood systems could be found in Britain, but some efficient group shelterwood and group selection systems exist. The failure of natural regeneration should be tackled by concentrating on prolific-seeding species such as ash and sycamore rather than oak and beech, and by more thorough preparation for good seed years especially by cultivation and careful management of overstorey density. Although establishment costs for shelterwood systems were lower than for clear-fell, the overall profitability for oak was similar. The Net Present Values of some 'low-input' options, such as simple coppice, were surprisingly high. Most profitable of all was an ash/sycamore shelterwood system. For landscape and conservation, coppice, or group systems using natural regeneration, are probably the most beneficial. A uniform shelterwood system can be as undesirable as a clear-fell and replant operation if very intensively managed. The establishment of long-term trials of the various systems is recommended, and more information is needed on the effect of degrees of canopy shading on weed and seedling growth.</p