Evolutionary influences on avian clutch size

I conducted a series of studies which looked at influences on avian clutch size. Firstly I examined the traditional view that the demands of rearing chicks create a bottleneck at which clutch size is shaped by natural selection. I considered whether instead other stages such as incubation might also be important. I proposed that reproductive demands at each stage of the breeding season may be interdependent, and by developing a mathematical model, I formalised the argument and showed that data on the relationship between the number of offspring and the expenditure of resources at many stages of the season could reveal the importance of natural selection on clutch size at each stage. I then reviewed the literature on the importance of incubation for clutch size determination. Results indicated that metabolic demands of incubation were appreciable and that the incubation of enlarged clutches imposed penalties on the adults. In a field study of kittiwakes I found that breeding success was depressed during incubation and chick rearing by enlargement of clutches and broods respectively. I measured metabolic rates of kittiwakes during incubation and found them to be comparable with those during chick-rearing. Secondly, I examined whether individual adults within populations differed in their reproductive capacities (i.e. whether there was a range of 'adult quality') and whether this could then affect clutch size. In a study of kittiwakes I found clusters of birds with similar breeding performance, but found that these clusters did not persist between years. In a study of swifts, I found that some individuals were consistently good breeders but that this had negligible effects on the distribution of lifetime reproductive success between individuals. I then examined whether the low clutch sizes and high survival of swifts might reflect a bet-hedging strategy in a fluctuating environment, but found little evidence of this. I looked at whether differences in the amount of space available at the nest site could account for differences in clutch sizes of kittiwakes, but could find no such evidence. Lastly I developed a theoretical model to look at how clutch size might be affected by changes in reproductive effort with age. I examined whether the predictions of optimality models were borne out by the more appropriate population genetics approach and found that in birds the optimality models are robust

On the Road to Recovery psychological therapy versus treatment as usual for forensic mental health patients:Study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Abstract Background On the Road to Recovery (OTRTR) is a brief low intensity group psychological therapy that aims to improve patients’ insight into their mental disorder and develop adaptive coping skills to help manage distress. OTRTR is currently delivered in forensic mental health services in Scotland. However, to date, this therapy has not been evaluated as to its effectiveness or safety for forensic patients. Methods This is a parallel-group feasibility randomized controlled trial with single-blind assessments comparing OTRTR therapy to treatment as usual (TAU) for forensic mental health patients. Fifty participants will be recruited from high, medium, and low secure forensic mental health services in Scotland. Participants will receive OTRTR for approximately 12 weeks or continue treatment as usual for 12 weeks. The trial’s primary aims relate to testing the acceptability and feasibility of key trial procedures that would be necessary for a definitive RCT of OTRTR. The secondary aims include estimating therapeutic effect sizes on clinical outcomes including insight and coping skills. The study design also features an adverse event monitoring plan to estimate the safety of OTRTR for participants, as well as use of intensive longitudinal methods to identify “key ingredients” to the OTRTR therapy protocol. Discussion This study will inform the design and sample size for a future full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT), which will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the On the Road to Recovery intervention in improving forensic mental health patients’ clinical insight and coping skills. Trial registration ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN75126867 registered 27 July 201

Chitosan as a rainfastness adjuvant for agrochemicals

Chitosan has been identified as an excellent rainfastness aid for a model agrochemical. We use fluorescent labelling and microscopy to show that chitosan deposits on Vicia faba leaves are able to resist wash off by rain, both in a lab-scale test and via simulated rain. Furthermore, via the same methods it has been demonstrated that the rainfastness of azoxystrobin, a common fungicide which is fluorescently active, can be improved by formulating with chitosan. These findings via fluorescent microscopy were in agreement with a quantitative LC-MS/MS method in which the exact quantity of active ingredient on a leaf surface was determined before and after a rain wash. The potential of chitosan as a rainfastness aid is further supported by positive comparison with a commercial tank-mix standard, with almost 100% retention of the model active ingredient achieved in both cases after 1 hour of washing with 10 mm h−1 intensity rain