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Ecological and demographic drivers of kin‐directed cooperation in a social bird: Insights from a long‐term study
Get PDF1. The evolution of sociality is one of the major evolutionary transitions in the history of life and a key step in this transition is the occurrence of kin associations. Yet, the question of what demographic processes and environmental factors generate kin-structured populations and drive kin-directed cooperation remains open.
2. In this review, we synthesise 30 years of studies of the long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus, which has a kin-selected cooperative breeding system with redirected help: failed breeders may help to raise offspring of conspecifics, typically relatives, breeding nearby. We describe the use of ecological, demographic, genetic and behavioural approaches to reveal: (a) how kin-structured populations (here ‘kin neighbourhoods’) arise; (b) why the prevalence of cooperation varies among populations and individuals; and (c) how variation in dispersal and opportunities for cooperation influence individual fitness.
3. The kin neighbourhoods of long-tailed tits arise from three processes. First, natal dispersal is limited and sex-biased so many individuals, especially males, recruit as breeders close to their natal site. Second, neither dispersal nor migration necessarily disrupts kin associations because long-tailed tits often move with close relatives. Third, a small effective population size driven by high nest predation rates enhances within-population relatedness. Together, these processes set the scene for kin-directed helping behaviour by causing spatial clustering of relatives.
4. The prevalence of cooperation within kin neighbourhoods depends on several factors, both at the population-level (annual nest predation rate and length of the breeding season) and individual-level (relatedness, familiarity, sex and condition). However, limited information on prior social association and the reliability of kin discrimination cues hampers our current understanding of individual helping decisions.
5. Finally, variation in dispersal within and between sexes affects the probability of interacting with kin, the likelihood of cooperation, and accrual of the direct and indirect components of inclusive fitness.
6. We use this comprehensive understanding of the factors driving cooperative behaviour in long-tailed tits to highlight gaps in knowledge and suggest future avenues for research in this system, and to make general inferences about the role of dispersal, demography and kinship in social evolution
Clinical outcomes of a real‐world prospective study using Dexcom ONE continuous glucose monitoring in people with diabetes treated with two or more insulin injections per day
Get PDFAims
This study assessed real-world glycaemic outcomes associated with the use of Dexcom ONE in adults with suboptimally controlled diabetes.
Methods
In this single-site prospective study, adults with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) taking two or more insulin injections per day initiated Dexcom ONE CGM use and attended follow-up data collection visits after 3 and 6 months. During the study, participants received usual diabetes care. Primary outcome was a change in HbA1c at 6 months. Additional outcomes included change in participant-reported outcomes and CGM-derived time in glucose range 3.9–10 mmol/L (TIR), time above range >10 mmol/L (TAR), and time below range <3.9 mmol/L (TBR).
Results
There were 110 adults enrolled [T1D (n = 34): mean age 36.6 years, 55.9% female; T2D (n = 76): mean age 54.9 years, 38.2% female]. Mean HbA1c significantly decreased from 90 mmol/mol (10.3%) to 79 mmol/mol (9.4%) at 6 months (∆-12 mmol/mol, p < 0.001) in T1D users and from 86 mmol/mol (10.1%) to 67 mmol/mol (8.3%) in T2D users (∆-18 mmol/mol, p < 0.001). Perception of health and diabetes distress improved at 6 months for both groups. T1D users had modest improvement in TBR. T2D users exhibited a clinically meaningful increase in TIR (∆ + 9.0%).
Conclusion
Real-world Dexcom ONE use was associated with clinically significant reductions in mean HbA1c after 6 months, along with meaningful improvements in participant-reported outcomes. CGM-derived outcomes also improved, with the possibility of there being greater improvement than could be captured in this study. These findings support expanding access to this real-time CGM system
P-654. Health-related quality of life associated with pneumococcal disease – a global targeted literature review and meta-analysis
Get PDFNature and nurture in fussy eating from toddlerhood to early adolescence: findings from the Gemini twin cohort
Get PDFBackground
Food fussiness (FF) describes the tendency to eat a small range of foods, due to pickiness and/or reluctance to try new foods. A common behaviour during childhood, and a considerable cause of caregiver concern; its causes are poorly understood. This is the first twin study of genetic and environmental contributions to the developmental trajectory of FF from toddlerhood to early adolescence, and stability and change over time.
Methods
Participants were from Gemini, a population-based British cohort of n = 4,804 twins born in 2007. Parents reported on FF using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire ‘FF’ scale when children were 16 months (n = 3,854), 3 (n = 2,666), 5 (n = 2,098), 7 (n = 703), and 13 years old (n = 970). A mixed linear model examined the trajectory of FF, and a correlated factors twin model quantified genetic and environmental contributions to variation in and covariation between trajectory parameters. A longitudinal Cholesky twin model examined genetic and environmental influences on FF at each discrete age.
Results
We modelled a single FF trajectory for all children, which was characterised by increases from 16 months to 7 years, followed by a slight decline from 7 to 13 years. All trajectory parameters were under strong genetic influence (>70%) that was largely shared, indicated by high genetic correlations. Discrete age analyses showed that genetic influence on FF increased significantly after toddlerhood (16 months: 60%, 95% CI: 53%–67%; 3 years: 83%; 81%–86%), with continuing genetic influence as indicated by significant genetic overlap across every age. Shared environmental influences were only significant during toddlerhood. Unique environmental influences explained 15%–26% of the variance over time, with some enduring influence from 5 years onwards.
Conclusions
Individual differences in FF were largely explained by genetic factors at all ages. Fussy eating also shows a significant proportion of environmental influence, especially in toddlerhood, and may, therefore, benefit from early interventions throughout childhood. Future work needs to refine the FF trajectory and explore specific trajectory classes
Atomic Description of the Reciprocal Action between Supercoils and Melting Bubbles on Linear DNA
Get PDFTargeted-waveform optimisation for ozonising dielectric barrier discharge reactors
Get PDFIn this work, a method for maximizing the efficacy of ozone production by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is presented. By developing an optimiser-based hardware-in-the-loop system, the effects of varying input waveform parameters and the flowrate of the input gas on the reactor conditions could be explored with greater fidelity than in previous literature. The waveform used is biharmonic, consisting of the sum of two sine waves and allowing a greater number of explorable parameters. The performance of the reactor, evaluated using the parametric sweep technique, is compared to that of a hybrid optimiser combining particle swarm optimisation and pattern search. Two metrics were targeted: ozone concentration-to-power ratio (ppm/W) and ozone quantity for a given energy (g/kWh). Thus, the characteristics of the input voltage waveform and flowrate were adjusted to target high ozone generation efficacy for the reactor used in the experiment. Results show that the optimiser achieves 343 ppm/W compared to 170 ppm/W for the parametric sweep, using a similar number of measurements
Assessing the Climate Change Impacts in the Jhelum Basin of North-Western Himalayas
Get PDFClimate change, a critical global environmental crisis, profoundly impacts ecosystems,
particularly in regions with delicate environmental balances. This study focuses on the
Jhelum basin in the north-western Himalayas, examining the extensive effects of climate
change on glaciers, snow cover, land use and land cover (LULC), land surface temperature
(LST), water resources, and natural hazards. Rising temperatures have accelerated glacier
melting and altered precipitation patterns, with significant implications for local water supplies
and agriculture. The study analyses climate data from the Indian Meteorological Department
(1990 to 2020), revealing increasing trends in both maximum and minimum temperatures,
alongside variable precipitation trends across different locations. The retreat of glaciers and
the expansion of glacial lakes have been observed, with lower-elevation glaciers showing the
most significant reduction. LULC changes indicate a shift from agricultural land to settlements
and horticulture, while LST has risen, particularly in urbanized areas, reflecting the impact of
urbanization and climate change. Furthermore, the increased frequency of extreme weather
events, such as floods and landslides, exacerbates the region’s vulnerability, threatening
infrastructure, biodiversity, and local communities. The findings highlight the necessity of
comprehensive, integrated approaches to address climate change and ensure the resilience
of the Jhelum basin. This research contributes valuable insights into the region’s changing
environmental dynamics, essential for informed decision-making and effective adaptation
strategies in response to the ongoing climate crisis
Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
Get PDFBackground
There is a growing evidence base to support the use of self-management interventions for improving quality of life after stroke. However, stroke survivors with aphasia have been underrepresented in research to date. It is therefore unclear if self-management is an appropriate or effective approach for this group. To address this gap in the evidence base, we have developed a supported self-management intervention (the ‘Living with Aphasia’ intervention) specifically for stroke survivors with aphasia in the first year after stroke. The StarStep study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the intervention (including the feasibility of participant recruitment, the feasibility of delivering facilitator training, the acceptability of the intervention, the fidelity of intervention delivery and outcome data completeness).
Methods
StarStep is a mixed-methods, non-randomised feasibility study. The Living with Aphasia intervention will be facilitated by speech and language therapists and implemented in two community stroke teams in the north of England. We aim to recruit 30 stroke survivors who have aphasia (and/or their family members) and who are ≤ 12-month post-stroke to participate in data collection for the study. Following informed consent, participants will complete a baseline data collection questionnaire which will include measures of quality of life, symptoms of depression and perceived communicative effectiveness. Follow-up questionnaires will be completed at 3-month post-intervention. Qualitative data collection will include implementation groups and semi-structured interviews with speech and language therapists, semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors with aphasia (and/or their family members) and observations of the delivery of the intervention. A joint display table will be used to integrate findings from each element of data collection in order to consider overall feasibility.
Discussion
This study will provide the information necessary to optimise data collection processes and to optimise the implementation and delivery of the self-management intervention. Feasibility data will inform decision-making regarding progression to a future definitive cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
Trial registration
ISRCTN registry, trial registration number: ISRCTN10401966. Date of registration: 07/10/2023. URL of trial registry record: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10401966
NIFTy: near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging to prevent postsurgical hypoparathyroidism (PoSH) after thyroid surgery—a phase II/III pragmatic, multicentre randomised controlled trial protocol in patients undergoing a total or completion thyroidectomy
Get PDFIntroduction Postsurgical hypoparathyroidism (PoSH) is an iatrogenic condition that occurs as a complication of several different procedures with thyroid surgery being the most common. PoSH has significant short- and long-term morbidities. The volume of thyroid surgery is increasing, and PoSH is therefore likely to increase. Some studies have shown promising results using near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging in reducing the risk of PoSH which has the potential to significantly reduce morbidity and costs associated with monitoring and treatment.
Methods and analysis NIFTy is an unblinded, parallel group, multicentre, seamless phase II/III randomised controlled trial in patients undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy. The trial incorporates a process evaluation (IDEAL (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment and Long-term follow-up framework) 2a) to inform the trial protocol, a phase II (IDEAL 2b) analysis using a surrogate primary outcome of 1 day transient hypocalcaemia to determine early futility and phase III (IDEAL 3) assessment of the primary outcome of PoSH at 6 months after surgery. 454 participants will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to evaluate thyroid surgery with NIRF and indocyanine green against standard thyroid surgery in reducing PoSH at 6 months after surgery, with the phase II analysis occurring once data are available for 200 participants. Analysis in both phases will be using multilevel logistic regression incorporating random effects with respect to surgeon and adjusting for minimisation factors. Phase III secondary outcomes include protracted hypoparathyroidism, hypercalcaemia, complications, length of stay, readmissions and patient reported quality of life using the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire and Hypoparathyroid Patient Questionnaire instruments.
Ethics and dissemination NIFTy is funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (Grant Ref: 17/11/27) and approved by a Research Ethics Committee (reference: 21/WA/0375) and Health Research Authority (HRA). Trial results will be disseminated through conference presentations, peer-reviewed publication and through relevant patient groups
Uncertainty and loan pricing for public and private firms: evidence from the Brexit referendum
Get PDFWe examine the impact of uncertainty on loan pricing for public and private firms in the UK, using the 2016 Brexit referendum as an exogenous shock of uncertainty. We find that uncertainty leads to a significantly higher cost of borrowing for private firms relative to public firms. However, firm-level foreign exposure, i.e. foreign sales and subsidiaries in the foreign markets, mitigates the adverse impact of uncertainty on loan prices more for private firms than public firms. Moreover, uncertainty increases the number of financial covenants in loans for public firms with high information transparency (i.e. constituents of FTSE 100/250). However, we observe a decline in the number of financial covenants in loans for private firms with low information transparency (i.e. private firms without institutional investors) under uncertainty. Overall, we provide novel evidence highlighting the differences in the design of syndicated loan contracts between public and private firms under uncertainty
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