High population density recruitment and survival of a harvested coral reef fish

A negative relationship between population growth and population density (direct density dependence) is necessary for population regulation and is assumed in most models of harvested populations. Experimental tests for density dependence are lacking for large-bodied, harvested fish because of the difficulty of manipulating population density over large areas. We studied a harvested coral reef fish, Lutjanus apodus (schoolmaster snapper), using eight large, isolated natural reefs (0.4–1.6 ha) in the Bahamas as replicates. An initial observational test for density dependence was followed by a manipulation of population density. The manipulation weakened an association between density and shelter-providing habitat features and revealed a positive effect of population density on recruitment and survival (inverse density dependence), but no effect of density on somatic growth. The snappers on an individual reef were organized into a few shoals, and we hypothesize that large shoals on high-density reefs were less vulnerable to large piscivores (groupers and barracudas) than the small shoals on low-density reefs. Reductions in predation risk for individuals in large social groups are well documented, but because snapper shoals occupied reefs the size of small marine reserves, these ecological interactions may influence the outcome of management actions

Boundary management of employees’ non-work lives: effects on South African workers’ commitment

Employees’ lives are holistic, and are comprised of many roles, resulting in complex interactions between their work and non-work lives. Broadly speaking, organisational responses to this could include ignoring employees’ non-work lives (separation), active involvement (integration), or creating flexibility and tolerance, thereby enabling employees to manage conflict (respect). This study investigates whether such response types impact differently on employee commitment. The findings suggest that a separation response decreases affective commitment, moderated by greater non-work involvement or role conflict. A respect response increases affective commitment, moderated by high non-work involvement, role conflict, ‘hindrance’ coping or lower career commitment. Continuance and normative commitment were not affected. These findings suggest that managers might take a role in employees’ non-work lives by creating flexibility and tolerance at work. However, managers should probably avoid implementing paternalistic approaches that attempt active involvement

Factors that influence development of speech pathology skills required for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies

Background Perceptual, cognitive and previous clinical experience may influence a novice Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) analyst's trajectory towards competency. Understanding these factors may allow trainees to be better prepared for VFSS training and may allow training to be developed to accommodate differences between trainees. Aims This study explored a range of factors previously suggested in the literature as influencing the development of novice analysts’ VFSS skills. We hypothesised that knowledge of swallow anatomy and physiology, visual perceptual skills, self-efficacy and interest, and prior clinical exposure would all influence VFSS novice analysts’ skill development. Methods & Procedures Participants were undergraduate speech pathology students recruited from an Australian university, who had completed the required theoretical units in dysphagia. Data assessing the factors of interest were collected—the participants identified anatomical structures on a still radiographic image, completed a physiology questionnaire, completed subsections of the Developmental Test of Visual Processing—Adults, self-reported the number of dysphagia cases they managed on placement, and self-rated their confidence and interest. Data for 64 participants relating to the factors of interest were compared with their ability to accurately identify swallowing impairments following 15 h of VFSS analytical training, using correlation and regression analysis. Outcomes & Results Success in VFSS analytical training was best predicted by clinical exposure to dysphagia cases and the ability to identify anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. Conclusions & Implications Novice analysts vary in the acquisition of beginner-level VFSS analytical skill. Our findings suggest that speech pathologists who are new to VFSS may benefit from clinical exposure to dysphagia cases, sound foundational knowledge of anatomy relevant to swallowing and the ability to see the anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. Further research is required to equip VFSS trainers and trainees for training, to understand differences between learners during skill development. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subject • The existing literature suggests that no vice Video fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) analysts training may be influenced by their personal characteristics and experience. What this study adds • This study found that student clinicians, clinical exposure to dysphagia cases and their ability to identify anatomical landmarks relevant to swallowing on still radiographic images prior to training best predicted their ability to identify swallowing impairments after training. What are the clinical implications of this work? • Given the expense of training health professionals, further research is required into the factors that successfully prepare clinicians for VFSS training, including clinical exposure, foundational knowledge of anatomy relevant to swallowing and the ability to identify the anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images

Chemogenomic Profiling of Antileishmanial Efficacy and Resistance in the Related Kinetoplastid Parasite <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>

The arsenal of drugs used to treat leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania spp., is limited and beset by emergent resistance and toxicity. Our understanding of drug mode-of-action and potential routes to resistance is also limited. Forward genetic approaches have revolutionised our understanding of drug mode-of-action in the related kinetoplastid parasite, Trypanosoma brucei. Therefore, we screened our genome-scale T. brucei RNAi library for knockdowns that render cells resistant to the current anti-leishmanial drugs, sodium stibogluconate (antimonial), paromomycin, miltefosine and amphotericin-B. Identification of T. brucei orthologues of the known Leishmania antimonial and miltefosine plasma membrane transporters effectively validated our approach, while a cohort of 42 novel drug efficacy determinants provides new insights and serves as a resource

Temporal trends in anthropogenic marine macro-debris and micro-debris accumulation on the California Channel Islands

Accumulation of anthropogenic marine debris on shorelines is an issue of global concern, even impacting areas that are remote, uninhabited, or have protected area status. On islands in Southern California, USA, within the boundaries of a National Park and National Marine Sanctuary, we collected macro-debris on beaches and assessed micro-debris in beach sediment seasonally between 2016-2020. Macro-debris (&gt;5mm) was collected from seven beaches on two California Channel Islands and two sites on the mainland. We assessed both the number of items collected and total mass of debris. Composition of macro-debris items was dominated by plastics, particularly fragmented hard and foamed plastics and food packaging. A substantial quantity of lost or discarded fishing gear was collected, with the most fishery-related debris found at sites with historically highest spiny lobster fishing effort. The initial density of debris items ranged from 0.01-0.13 items m-2 and the initial density of debris mass ranged from 0.01-0.02 kg m-2. Mean accumulation rates of debris were strongly site-dependent and ranged from 0.03-0.34 items m-2 yr-1 and 0.01-0.05 kg m-2 yr-1, and tended to be highest in the fall and winter months. Anthropogenic micro-debris (&lt;5mm) was found in beach sediment at all sites. Micro-debris had no statistically significant relationship with accumulation rates of total macro-debris items, or plastic macro-debris items. There were, however, statistically significant relationships between accumulation rates of total macro-debris mass and plastic macro-debris mass. We compared the rate of accumulation of fishing debris items and mass during the lobster season (October-March) for the years 2017 to 2020. The accumulation of fishery-related debris differed significantly among sites, with apparent declines over time, likely reflecting declining effort in the fishery and trap-limit regulations implemented in the 2017-2018 season. Our assessment of marine debris accumulation on California Channel Island beaches has provided detailed information on the types of debris and patterns of accumulation. Unfortunately, remoteness from direct human impact and protected-area status does not protect these habitats against the onslaught of marine litter. Assessments of marine debris are critical to identify sources, to inform policy and to support efforts to reduce the impact of marine litter on vital coastal ecosystems

Can virtual International exchanges improve primary health care?

Aims/Objectives/background: Globalisation has a significant impact on our health through an increasingly interconnected world and, even before the COVID pandemic, there were calls in the medical literature for all doctors to have up-to-date training in important global health issues. Traditionally doctors developed skills in international medicine through medical electives overseas but these often precluded qualified doctors with work and family commitment, and have been limited by COVID for the foreseeable future. An alternative, innovative approach may be through ‘virtual international exchanges’. Content: A systematic literature review on ‘virtual international exchange’ (VIE) and ‘collaborative online international learning’ for health care professionals was undertaken to determine the potential benefits of developing virtual international exchanges for local GPs and GP trainees. We summarise the literature and discuss key themes that emerged, such as the ability of virtual exchanges to foster cross cultural understanding; improve communications skills; enhance learning of clinical topics; and prepare clinicians to work in multicultural environments. Relevance/Impact: Virtual international exchanges offer an innovative means to develop cross cultural understanding, foster sustainable links between primary healthcare clinicians and promote good practice internationally. Outcomes/Discussion: International exchanges for NHS doctors have often been available for the privileged few with many qualified GPs not being able to travel overseas due to work and family commitments. COVID has made them unlikely for anyone for the forthcoming future. We aim to pilot VIE for GPs locally and further research is needed to establish how they can best promote excellence in primary healthcare internationally

Developing novice analysts’ videofluoroscopic swallowing study skills in speech-language pathology : a randomised control trial comparing blended and online training approaches

Purpose. This research investigates the relative effectiveness of independent online and blended learning approaches for novice analysts’ development of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) analytical skills. The secondary aims were to explore the impact of training on decision-making and to describe learners’ perspectives of training outcomes. Method. Undergraduate speech-language pathology students (n = 74) who had completed the dysphagia academic curriculum in an undergraduate speech-language pathology program were recruited for a randomised control trial. The ability to identify swallowing impairments in adults was compared pre- and post-training across three conditions: independent online (n = 23), peer-supported (n = 23), and expert-facilitated training (n = 28). The training comprised online VFSS training and practice with a commercially available digital video disc (DVD). Result. The three training approaches were equal in improving novice analysts’ identification of impairments on VFSS. Participants’ analysis improved pre- to post-training (p = <.001), with no statistical difference amongst training conditions (p = .280). However, the expert facilitation condition resulted in better decision-making skill for novice analysts, as well as higher levels of confidence and greater engagement in the learning. Conclusion. Well-designed independent online methods are appropriate to prepare novice analysts for VFSS analytical training. Expert facilitation and peer-supported environments may have benefits for more advanced skill development and engagement, and should be investigated in future studies

Factors that influence development of speech pathology skills required for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies

Background. Perceptual, cognitive and previous clinical experience may influence a novice Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) analyst's trajectory towards competency. Understanding these factors may allow trainees to be better prepared for VFSS training and may allow training to be developed to accommodate differences between trainees. Aims. This study explored a range of factors previously suggested in the literature as influencing the development of novice analysts’ VFSS skills. We hypothesised that knowledge of swallow anatomy and physiology, visual perceptual skills, self-efficacy and interest, and prior clinical exposure would all influence VFSS novice analysts’ skill development. Methods & Procedures. Participants were undergraduate speech pathology students recruited from an Australian university, who had completed the required theoretical units in dysphagia. Data assessing the factors of interest were collected—the participants identified anatomical structures on a still radiographic image, completed a physiology questionnaire, completed subsections of the Developmental Test of Visual Processing—Adults, self-reported the number of dysphagia cases they managed on placement, and self-rated their confidence and interest. Data for 64 participants relating to the factors of interest were compared with their ability to accurately identify swallowing impairments following 15 h of VFSS analytical training, using correlation and regression analysis. Outcomes & Results. Success in VFSS analytical training was best predicted by clinical exposure to dysphagia cases and the ability to identify anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. Conclusions & Implications. Novice analysts vary in the acquisition of beginner-level VFSS analytical skill. Our findings suggest that speech pathologists who are new to VFSS may benefit from clinical exposure to dysphagia cases, sound foundational knowledge of anatomy relevant to swallowing and the ability to see the anatomical landmarks on still radiographic images. Further research is required to equip VFSS trainers and trainees for training, to understand differences between learners during skill development

The HIKCUPS trial: a multi-site randomized controlled trial of a combined physical activity skill-development and dietary modification program in overweight and obese children

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing health issues of our time. Key health organizations have recommended research be conducted on the effectiveness of well-designed interventions to combat childhood obesity that can be translated into a variety of settings. This paper describes the design and methods used in the Hunter Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parent Support (HIKCUPS) trial, an ongoing multi-site randomized controlled trial, in overweight/obese children comparing the efficacy of three interventions: 1) a parent-centered dietary modification program; 2) a child-centered physical activity skill-development program; and 3) a program combining both 1 and 2 above. METHODS/DESIGN: Each intervention consists of three components: i) 10-weekly face-to-face group sessions; ii) a weekly homework component, completed between each face-to-face session and iii) three telephone calls at monthly intervals following completion of the 10-week program. Details of the programs' methodological aspects of recruitment, randomization and statistical analyses are described here a priori. DISCUSSION: Importantly this paper describes how HIKCUPS addresses some of the short falls in the current literature pertaining to the efficacy of child obesity interventions. The HIKCUPS trial is funded by the National Medical Research Council, Australia

Improving the normalization of complex interventions : part 2 - validation of the NoMAD instrument for assessing implementation work based on normalization process theory (NPT)

Funding This study is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council Study [Grant Number RES-062-23-3274] which is gratefully acknowledged. This work was also partially supported by funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 733025, ImpleMentAll project. This content reflects only the author’s view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.The Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, receives core funding from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates. CRV was funded by a Clinician Scientist award supported by the National Institute for Health Research during this independent research. Availability of data and materials The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are deposited on UK Datashare (record 852,387). Further information is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Peer reviewedPublisher PD