Influence of Invasive Hybrid Cattails on Habitat Use by Common Loons

An invasive hybrid cattail species, Typha x glauca (T. x glauca), is rapidly expanding across the United States and Canada. Dense clonal stands of T. x glauca outcompete native wetland plants, reduce open-water habitats, and negatively affect native wetland plant diversity; however, effects of hybrid cattail expansions on native wildlife are still unclear. We used multiple surveys and single-season occupancy models to examine how the relative coverage of T. x glauca affected habitat use by common loons (Gavia immer) at 71 wetland sites in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA, during summer 2016. Delineated wetland sites (2 ha) were considered potential resource patches for common loons and positioned along a gradient of relative T. x glauca coverage. Detection of common loons was influenced negatively by the time of day surveys were conducted. Occupancy probabilities were greater at sites with deeper water levels, possibly indicating selection for areas with adequate water depths for pursuit-based foraging for fish. Contrary to our hypothesis, common loons appeared insensitive to the relative coverage of T. x glauca at wetland sites. Future research should focus on elucidating potential threshold-effects of T. x glauca expansions on additional loon demographic rates

Smart subtitles for vocabulary learning

Language learners often use subtitled videos to help them learn. However, standard subtitles are geared more towards comprehension than vocabulary learning, as translations are nonliteral and are provided only for phrases, not vocabulary. This paper presents Smart Subtitles, which are interactive subtitles tailored towards vocabulary learning. Smart Subtitles can be automatically generated from common video sources such as subtitled DVDs. They provide features such as vocabulary definitions on hover, and dialog-based video navigation. In our pilot study with intermediate learners studying Chinese, participants correctly defined over twice as many new words in a post-viewing vocabulary test when they used Smart Subtitles, compared to dual Chinese-English subtitles. Learners spent the same amount of time watching clips with each tool, and enjoyed viewing videos with Smart Subtitles as much as with dual subtitles. Learners understood videos equally well using either tool, as indicated by self-assessments and independent evaluations of their summaries

Sustainable protected areas: Synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development

Reconciling conservation and socioeconomic development goals is key to sustainability but remains a source of fierce debate. Protected areas (PAs) are believed to play an essential role in achieving these seemingly conflicting goals. Yet, there is limited evidence as to whether PAs are actually achieving the two goals simultaneously.Here, we investigate when and to what extent synergies or trade-offs between biodiversity conservation and local socioeconomic development occur. To explore these relationships, we collected data across a wide range of socioeconomic settings through face-to-face survey with PA managers from 114 African and European PAs using structured questionnaire.We found synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development for 62% of the PAs, albeit with significant differences between African (55%) and European PAs (75%). Moreover, the sustainability of PAs in conserving biodiversity was strongly correlated with the empowerment of the PA management and the involvement of local communities in PA planning and decision-making processes.Our results demonstrate that for PAs to promote synergies between biodiversity conservation and local socioeconomic development, and to enhance their long-term sustainability, they should invest in the empowerment of their respective management and involvement of local communities in their planning and management activities.Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog

Gladstone Harbour Fish Health Investigation 2011-2012

The Gladstone Harbour Fish Health Investigation occurred in response to public concerns regarding fish health in Gladstone Harbour, which were raised with the former Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (now Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)) in August 2011. The majority of concerns were regarding skin redness, lesions and eye damage observed on barramundi caught from the Boyne River or within its vicinity. Further reports included unusual skin redness and occasional lesions observed on a range of fish species from Gladstone Harbour (including sharks), as well as an increase in the incidence of shell erosion on mud crabs. The subsequent investigation aimed to determine the cause of the reported issues and specifically to address public concern regarding the potential impact of industrial activity including dredging in Gladstone Harbour. The investigation, conducted by DAFF, was part of a whole-of-government response, which included sediment and water quality testing; and investigation into human health concerns. The first reports of abnormalities in fish were received months after a major flood event happened in Gladstone from December 2010 until early 2011. The flood event caused a dramatic influx of large barramundi (estimated 30 000), as well as other species from Lake Awoonga into the Boyne River when the Awoonga Dam spilled over. The dam had not spilled over since the 1990s, well before the dam wall was raised in 2002. Many of these fish were injured (some fatally) from the force of the impact when passing over the spillway. It is believed that a smaller number of fish were washed over during a second flood event in early 2012. The initial response investigated fish with visible abnormalities (e.g. missing scales and redness), and signs of disease to indicate the cause of the observed issues. This early sampling (Phase 1) between August 2011 and February 2012 was based on observations of commercial fishing activity, contracted fish surveys and submissions by members of the public. Over 5000 fish, crustaceans and molluscs were visually assessed during this sampling. In January 2012, the Independent Gladstone Fish Health Scientific Advisory Panel released a report recommending a structured sampling program to gauge fish health in Gladstone Harbour sites against comparable unaffected sites (reference sites), through time. It also recommended the development of a conceptual model of possible cause-effect relationships to help guide studies and eliminate potential causal factors. Structured sampling in Gladstone Harbour (Phase 2) was conducted in two major surveys during April–May (Trip 1) and June–July (Trip 2) 2012. These surveys covered 11 sites including two reference sites and focussed on a subset of 10 species. The selected species represented a range of different life cycles (e.g. catadromous and estuarine) and trophic levels (e.g. predatory, omnivorous detritivores and scavengers), and had been reported with a variety of abnormalities. A third targeted survey was conducted in September 2012 to monitor potential seasonal reoccurrence of parasitic infestations in the barramundi from the Boyne River. A total of 3699 fish and crustaceans were visually assessed in the field, with 452 specimens examined by necropsy, and tissues from 120 specimens subjected to histopathology and chemical residue testing

Sustainable protected areas: Synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development

1. Reconciling conservation and socioeconomic development goals is key to sus- tainability but remains a source of fierce debate. Protected areas (PAs) are be- lieved to play an essential role in achieving these seemingly conflicting goals. Yet, there is limited evidence as to whether PAs are actually achieving the two goals simultaneously. 2. Here, we investigate when and to what extent synergies or trade- offs between biodiversity conservation and local socioeconomic development occur. To ex- plore these relationships, we collected data across a wide range of socioeco- nomic settings through face-to-face survey with PA managers from 114 African and European PAs using structured questionnaire. 3. We found synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development for 62% of the PAs, albeit with significant differences between African (55%) and European PAs (75%). Moreover, the sustainability of PAs in conserving biodiversity was strongly correlated with the empowerment of the PA management and the involvement of local communities in PA planning and decision-making processes. 4. Our results demonstrate that for PAs to promote synergies between biodiver- sity conservation and local socioeconomic development, and to enhance their long-term sustainability, they should invest in the empowerment of their respec- tive management and involvement of local communities in their planning and management activitie

Sustainable protected areas: Synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development

1. Reconciling conservation and socioeconomic development goals is key to sustainability but remains a source of fierce debate. Protected areas (PAs) are believed to play an essential role in achieving these seemingly conflicting goals. Yet, there is limited evidence as to whether PAs are actually achieving the two goals simultaneously. 2. Here, we investigate when and to what extent synergies or trade‐offs between biodiversity conservation and local socioeconomic development occur. To explore these relationships, we collected data across a wide range of socioeconomic settings through face‐to‐face survey with PA managers from 114 African and European PAs using structured questionnaire. 3. We found synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development for 62% of the PAs, albeit with significant differences between African (55%) and European PAs (75%). Moreover, the sustainability of PAs in conserving biodiversity was strongly correlated with the empowerment of the PA management and the involvement of local communities in PA planning and decision‐making processes. 4. Our results demonstrate that for PAs to promote synergies between biodiversity conservation and local socioeconomic development, and to enhance their long‐term sustainability, they should invest in the empowerment of their respective management and involvement of local communities in their planning and management activities

Disease prevention strategies for QX disease (Marteilia sydneyi) of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata)

The Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) forms the basis of an important aquaculture industry on the east coast of Australia. During the 1970s, production of S. glomerata began to decline, in part as a result of mortalities arising from Queensland unknown (QX) disease. Histological studies implicated the paramyxean parasite Marteilia sydneyi in the disease outbreaks. Disease zoning was implemented to prevent the spread of M. sydneyi-infected oysters. This control measure hindered rock oyster farming, which historically has relied on transferring wild-caught spat between estuaries for on-growing to market size and has not prevented the subsequent occurrence of QX disease in the Georges and Hawkesbury rivers in central New South Wales. Management of QX disease has been hampered by the complicated life cycle of M. sydneyi, with outbreaks of QX disease likely to be regulated by a combination of the abundance of intermediate host of M. sydneyi, environmental stressors, and the immunocompetence of S. glomerata. The future of the Sydney rock oyster industry relies on understanding these factors and progressing the industry from relying on farming wild-caught seed to the successful commercialization of hatchery-produced QX-resistant S. glomerata

Simvastatin inhibits TLR8 signaling in primary human monocytes and spontaneous TNF production from rheumatoid synovial membrane cultures

Simvastatin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that are independent of its serum cholesterol lowering action, but the mechanisms by which these anti-inflammatory effects are mediated have not been elucidated. To explore the mechanism involved, the effect of simvastatin on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling in primary human monocytes was investigated. A short pre-treatment with simvastatin dose-dependently inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) in response to TLR8 (but not TLRs 2, 4, or 5) activation. Statins are known inhibitors of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, but intriguingly TLR8 inhibition could not be reversed by addition of mevalonate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate; downstream products of cholesterol biosynthesis. TLR8 signalling was examined in HEK 293 cells stably expressing TLR8, where simvastatin inhibited IKKα/β phosphorylation and subsequent NF-κB activation without affecting the pathway to AP-1. Since simvastatin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in RA patients and TLR8 signalling contributes to TNF production in human RA synovial tissue in culture, simvastatin was tested in these cultures. Simvastatin significantly inhibited the spontaneous release of TNF in this model which was not reversed by mevalonate. Together, these results demonstrate a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of simvastatin inhibition of TLR8 signalling that may in part explain its beneficial anti-inflammatory effects

Anti-PF4 immunothrombosis without proximate heparin or adenovirus vector vaccine exposure.

Platelet-activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies and anti-PF4 antibodies cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), respectively. Diagnostic and treatment considerations differ somewhat between HIT and VITT. We identified patients with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis without proximate heparin exposure or adenovirus-based vaccination who tested strongly positive by PF4/polyanion enzyme-immunoassays and negative/weakly positive by heparin-induced platelet activation (HIPA) test but strongly positive by PF4-induced platelet activation (PIPA) test (ie, VITT-like profile). We tested these patients by a standard chemiluminescence assay that detects anti-PF4/heparin antibodies found in HIT (HemosIL AcuStar HIT-IgG(PF4-H)) as well as a novel chemiluminescence assay for anti-PF4 antibodies found in VITT. Representative control sera included an exploratory anti-PF4 antibody-positive but HIPA-negative/weak cohort obtained before 2020 (n = 188). We identified 9 patients with a clinical-pathological profile of a VITT-like disorder in the absence of proximate heparin or vaccination, with a high frequency of stroke (arterial, n = 3; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, n = 4), thrombocytopenia (median platelet count nadir, 49 × 109/L), and hypercoagulability (greatly elevated D-dimer levels). VITT-like serological features included strong reactivity by PIPA (aggregation <10 minutes in 9/9 sera) and positive testing in the novel anti-PF4 chemiluminescence assay (3/9 also tested positive in the anti-PF4/heparin chemiluminescence assay). Our exploratory cohort identified 13 additional patient sera obtained before 2020 with VITT-like anti-PF4 antibodies. Platelet-activating VITT-like anti-PF4 antibodies should be considered in patients with thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, and very high D-dimer levels, even without a proximate exposure to heparin or adenovirus vector vaccines