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Many natural and managed organisms will require substantial functional genetic variation to respond to selection in the face of rapid environmental change. Pacific salmon have experienced strong fluctuations in critical fitness traits over the past five decades. We examined genetic and phenotypic variability over three generations in a pedigreed hatchery population of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) by monitoring seven fitness-related traits. Three-year-old adult return numbers varied more than fivefold, and jack (2-year-old males) numbers varied 13-fold. Body sizes of Inch Creek coho salmon decreased consistently such that fish were only 40.7% as heavy in 2015 as in 2006, and female reproductive traits also decreased. During the study period, the majority of families produced returning adult progeny, and effective population size was relatively constant. Heritability estimates for phenotypic traits were significantly greater than zero except for condition factor, and the estimated heritability for jacking was 0.42. The Inch Creek coho salmon population harbours substantial heritability for fitness and reproductive traits and thus likely retains substantial capacity for adaptation despite many years of hatchery propagation. De nombreux organismes naturels et faisant l'objet d'une gestion necessiteront une variation genetique fonctionnelle considerable pour reagir a la selection decoulant de changements environnementaux rapides. Les saumons du Pacifique ont presente de fortes fluctuations de caracteres cles associes a l'aptitude au cours des cinq dernieres decennies. Nous examinons la variabilite genetique et phenotypique sur trois generations dans une population d'ecloserie de saumons cohos (Oncorhynchus kisutch) de genealogie connue, en examinant sept caracteres relies a l'aptitude. Le nombre de retours d'adultes de 3 ans varie par un facteur de plus de cinq et le nombre de males furtifs (de 2 ans) varie par un facteur de treize. La taille du corps des saumons cohos d'Inch Creek a diminue de maniere soutenue, de sorte que, en 2015, la masse des poissons n'etait que de 40,7 % de celle de 2006, et des caracteres associes a la reproduction des femelles ont egalement diminue. Durant la periode d'etude, la majorite des familles ont produit une progeniture comptant des adultes de retour, et la taille effective de la population etait relativement constante. Des estimations de l'heritabilite pour des caracteres phenotypiques sont significativement superieures a zero, sauf pour le facteur d'embonpoint, et l'heritabilite estimee de la maturation sexuelle des males est de 0,42. La population de saumons cohos d'Inch Creek presente une heritabilite considerable en ce qui concerne des caracteres associes a l'aptitude et a la reproduction et conserve donc probablement une capacite significative d'adaptation, malgre des annees de propagation en ecloserie. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Many organisms are facing rapid environmental changes that may require adjustments of basic life history phenotypes to maintain high levels of fitness (Crozier et al. 2008). Before extreme conditions [...]

LuIII, a protoparvovirus pathogenic to rodents, replicates in human mitotic cells, making it applicable for use to kill cancer cells. This virus group includes H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV) and minute virus of mice (MVM). However, LuIII displays enhanced oncolysis compared to H-1PV and MVM, a phenotype mapped to the major capsid viral protein 2 (VP2). This suggests that within LuIII VP2 are determinants for improved tumor lysis. To investigate this, the structure of the LuIII virus-like-particle was determined using single particle cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction to 3.17 Å resolution, and compared to the H-1PV and MVM structures. The LuIII VP2 structure, ordered from residue 37 to 587 (C-terminal), had the conserved VP topology and capsid morphology previously reported for other protoparvoviruses. This includes a core β-barrel and α-helix A, a depression at the icosahedral 2-fold and surrounding the 5-fold axes, and a single protrusion at the 3-fold axes. Comparative analysis identified surface loop differences among LuIII, H-1PV, and MVM at or close to the capsid 2- and 5-fold symmetry axes, and the shoulder of the 3-fold protrusions. The 2-fold differences cluster near the previously identified MVM sialic acid receptor binding pocket, and revealed potential determinants of protoparvovirus tumor tropism.

ImportanceObservational studies demonstrate links between patient-centered communication, quality of life (QOL), and aggressive treatments in advanced cancer, yet few randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of communication interventions have been reported.ObjectiveTo determine whether a combined intervention involving oncologists, patients with advanced cancer, and caregivers would promote patient-centered communication, and to estimate intervention effects on shared understanding, patient-physician relationships, QOL, and aggressive treatments in the last 30 days of life.Design, setting, and participantsCluster RCT at community- and hospital-based cancer clinics in Western New York and Northern California; 38 medical oncologists (mean age 44.6 years; 11 (29%) female) and 265 community-dwelling adult patients with advanced nonhematologic cancer participated (mean age, 64.4 years, 146 [55.0%] female, 235 [89%] white; enrolled August 2012 to June 2014; followed for 3 years); 194 patients had participating caregivers.InterventionsOncologists received individualized communication training using standardized patient instructors while patients received question prompt lists and individualized communication coaching to identify issues to address during an upcoming oncologist visit. Both interventions focused on engaging patients in consultations, responding to emotions, informing patients about prognosis and treatment choices, and balanced framing of information. Control participants received no training.Main outcomes and measuresThe prespecified primary outcome was a composite measure of patient-centered communication coded from audio recordings of the first oncologist visit following patient coaching (intervention group) or enrollment (control). Secondary outcomes included the patient-physician relationship, shared understanding of prognosis, QOL, and aggressive treatments and hospice use in the last 30 days of life.ResultsData from 38 oncologists (19 randomized to intervention) and 265 patients (130 intervention) were analyzed. In fully adjusted models, the intervention resulted in clinically and statistically significant improvements in the primary physician-patient communication end point (adjusted intervention effect, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.06-0.62; P = .02). Differences in secondary outcomes were not statistically significant.Conclusions and relevanceA combined intervention that included oncologist communication training and coaching for patients with advanced cancer was effective in improving patient-centered communication but did not affect secondary outcomes.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01485627.

THE NAKED NEANDERTHAL Understanding the human creature LUDOVIC SLIMAK 208pp. Allen Lane. 20 [pounds sterling]. From the very moment of their naming in 1864 the Neanderthals have been regarded as [...]

Unidimensional measurements for estimating bill size, like length and width, are commonly used in ecology and evolution, but can be criticised due to issues with repeatability and accuracy. Furthermore, formula‐based estimates of bill surface area tend to assume uniform bill shapes across species, which is rarely the case. 3D surface scanning can potentially help overcome some such issues by collecting detailed external morphology and direct measurements of surface area, rather than composite estimates of size. Here, we evaluate the use of 3D surface scanners on avian museum specimens to test the repeatability of 3D‐based measurements and compare these to traditional formula‐based methods of estimating bill size from unidimensional measurements. Using 28 Australian bird species, we investigate inter‐observer repeatability of surface area measurements from 3D surface scans. We then compare 3D‐based size estimates to formula‐based size estimates to infer the accuracy and precision of formula‐based measurements of bill surface area. We find that morphometric measurements from 3D surface scans are highly repeatable between observers, without the need for extensive training, demonstrating an advantage over unidimensional measuring methods, like callipers. When comparing 3D‐based measurements to formula‐based estimates of bill surface area, most formulae for estimating size consistently underestimate surface area, and with considerable variation between species. Where 3D scanning is not possible, we find that a commonly used cone formula for estimating bill size is most precise across diverse bill shapes, therefore supporting its use in interspecific contexts. However, we find that incorporating an additional unidimensional measure of bill curvature into formulae improves the accuracy of the calculated area. Our results reveal the high potential for 3D surface scanners in avian morphometric research, especially for studies necessitating large sample sizes collected by multiple observers, and gives suggestions for formula‐based approaches to estimate bill size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fragmented nature of the medical device market limits our understanding of how particular sub-markets navigate the device development process. Despite the widespread use of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), its use for acquired dysarthria treatment has not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to provide a preliminary understanding of the stages involved in the development of NMES devices designed for neurorehabilitation. It also aims to investigate manufacturers' perceptions concerning factors that facilitate or impede its development and determine its applicability for acquired dysarthria. In-depth semi-structured online interviews were conducted with eight NMES device manufacturers located across Europe, North America and Oceania. The interviews were video-recorded, automatically transcribed, manually reviewed, and analysed using a qualitative content analysis. NMES device development for neurorehabilitation involves six complex phases with sequential and overlapping activities. Some emerging concepts were comparable to established medical device models, while others were specific to NMES. Its adaptability to different neurological disorders, the positive academia-industry collaborations, the industry's growth prospects and the promising global efforts for standardised regulations are all key facilitators for its development. However, financial, political, regulatory, and natural constraints emerged as barriers. Indications and challenges for the applicability of NMES for acquired dysarthria treatment were also discussed. The findings provide a foundation for further investigations on the NMES market sub-sector, particularly in the context of neurorehabilitation. The study also provides insights into the potential adoption of NMES for acquired dysarthria, which can serve as a reference for future research. The mapped neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) development phases and processes can serve as a framework for new device development initiatives Opportunities for NMES development included its adaptability to neurological disorders, its growth prospects, academia-industry relationships and regulatory standardisation initiatives Financial, political, regulatory, and natural barriers were barriers for concern. From an anatomical and practical standpoint, it seems feasible to use NMES to treat several features of acquired dysarthria, however, clinicians' limited education on the use of electrical stimulation for neurorehabilitation may pose several constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a crowdsourcing IT platform and working model intended to support knowledge management processes and systems change to help public service organizations fulfill their purpose and perform their tasks in a rapidly changing environment. The tool brings together tacit and explicit knowledge regarding organizational processes in one database and provides an AI-assisted platform for knowledge processing. Additionally, it allows for disseminating refined data to grassroots-level actors, enables the implementation of initiatives, and monitors their effectiveness. By utilizing crowdsourcing, the tool leverages the collective intelligence of actors across organizational boundaries, thereby promoting collective, knowledge-based learning and organizational self-renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community partnerships, based on 'the collaborative turn' in academic research, are an increasingly common framework through which 'bottom-up' histories, particularly of diverse and/or more marginalised communities, are being told. This article is about the 'doing' of this type of work. It focuses on the question: what lessons can be made visible when attempted cooperation fails to deliver the outcomes initially hoped for? Firstly, this article outlines the events and activities undertaken by the authors in exploring the ways that ephemera and other objects can be used to understand and transmit the historical experiences of communities often on the periphery of mainstream war commemoration. It will discuss the ways in which connections with these communities were built, with the aim of undertaking several creative writing workshops, leading to a co-produced publication of the participants' material. Secondly, as part of a broader acknowledgment of the possibility of failure and its benefits, it will explore why some of these creative workshop efforts failed to meet expectations and outline a series of recommendations for other historians and community-orientated projects to consider for future activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is a severe global threat killing more than one million people annually (WHO). With a successful TB control programme in place, there has been a decrease in the number of TB cases and deaths globally over recent years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) End TB Strategy has been momentously shocked by the COVID-19 pandemic and it seems that any success made over recent years is likely to be reversed. We are now more than one year into the pandemic, and the effect COVID-19 has had on TB services is devastating. Hospitals typically dedicated to TB have been converted to COVID-19 hospitals and diagnostic laboratories focus on COVID-19 testing rather than TB. Delivery of TB care is being prioritised for people who have active TB disease whereas prevention and diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI) is being put on hold. This pause can lead to an increase in TB cases and transmission. Here, we discuss the connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection and latent TB and highlight the importance of TB prevention management in LTBI post-COVID-19 patients. Community engagement and contact tracing are of high importance in fighting TB in the post-COVID19 era. Getting back on track with TB progress is essential, thus further modelling on the COVID-19 impact on TB burden and its determinants is critical.

We present the activities of the 'New Physics' working group for the 'Physicsat TeV Colliders' workshop (Les Houches, France, 1-19 June, 2015). Our reportincludes new physics studies connected with the Higgs boson and its properties,direct search strategies, reinterpretation of the LHC results in the buildingof viable models and new computational tool developments. Important signaturesfor searches for natural new physics at the LHC and new assessments of theinterplay between direct dark matter searches and the LHC are also considered.