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Increasing evidence suggests that nearshore turbid coral reefs may mitigate bleaching of reef building calcifiers and play a critical role in the future of marine biodiversity in coastal areas. However, biomineralization processes on turbid reefs are relatively understudied compared to clear water counterparts and most published work focuses on corals. Here, we investigate how the mixotrophic giant clam Tridacna squamosa, a bivalve with ecological, cultural and economic significance, grows across a mosaic of less turbid to turbid reefs in the Coral Triangle. We construct growth chronologies from live and dead collected shells by measuring daily growth increments with petrography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to gain insight into growth rate on daily, seasonal and annual scales. We find annual growth is not significantly different across a turbidity gradient when scaled to ontogeny, while seasonal growth highly varies. Kd(490) (a measurement positively correlated with turbidity) and chlorophyll-a are likely important factors driving seasonal growth on a turbid reef near a river, compared to sea surface temperature (SST), cloud cover and rainfall on a less turbid reef. On a daily scale, we investigate increment microstructure and spectral characteristics of chronologies, finding a relationship between tidal range and daily increments. Overall, our results indicate that light-enhanced calcification is likely most important in the less turbid reef, compared to heterotrophic feeding in the turbid reef. The trophic plasticity of T. squamosa may allow for its sustained growth in marginal conditions, supporting evidence that these habitats serve as important conservation hotspots for diverse reef building taxa.

Habitat restoration may depend on the recovery of plant microbial symbionts such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, but this requires a better understanding of the rules that govern their community assembly. We examined the interactions of soil and host-associated AM fungal communities between remnant and restored patches of subtropical montane forests. While AM fungal richness did not differ between habitat types, community membership did and was influenced by geography, habitat and host. These differences were largely driven by rare host-specific AM fungi that displayed near-complete turnover between forest types, while core AM fungal taxa were highly abundant and ubiquitous. The bipartite networks in the remnant forest were more specialized and hosts more specific than in the restored forest. Host-associated AM fungal communities nested within soil communities in both habitats, but only significantly so in the restored forest. Our results provide evidence that restored and remnant forests harbour the same core fungal symbionts, while rare host-specific taxa differ, and that geography, host identity and taxonomic resolution strongly affect the observed distribution patterns of these fungi. We suggest that host-specific interactions with AM fungi, as well as spatial processes, should be explicitly considered to effectively re-establish target host and symbiont communities.

Introduction: Previous research has indicated that increases in traffic offenses are linked to increased crash involvement rates, making reductions in offending an appropriate measure for evaluating road safety interventions in the short-term. However, the extent to which traffic offending predicts fatal and serious injury (FSI) crash involvement risk is not well established, prompting this new Victorian (Australia) study. Method: A preliminary cluster analysis was performed to describe the offense data and assess FSI crash involvement risk for each cluster. While controlling demographic and licensing variables, the key traffic offenses that predict future FSI crash involvement were then identified. The large sample size allowed the use of machine learning methods such as random forests, gradient boosting, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. This was done for the ‘all driver’ sample and five sometimes overlapping groups of drivers; the young, the elderly, and those with a motorcycle license, a heavy vehicle license endorsement and/or a history of license bans. Results: With the exception of the group of drivers who had a history of bans, offense history significantly improved the accuracy of models predicting future FSI crash involvement using demographic and licensing data, suggesting that traffic offenses may be an important factor to consider when analyzing FSI crash involvement risk and the effects of road safety countermeasures. Conclusions: The results are helpful for identifying driver groups to target with further road safety countermeasures, and for showing that machine learning methods have an important role to play in research of this nature. Practical Application: This research indicates with whom road safety interventions should particularly be applied. Changes to driver demerit policies to better target offenses related to FSI crash involvement and repeat traffic offenders, who are at greater risk of FSI crash involvement, are recommended.

BackgroundInternational guidelines recommend the use of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA, e.g. warfarin) for the first three months after mitral repair as a Class IIa recommendation with Level of Evidence C. High rates of atrial fibrillation, thrombogenicity of the non-endothelialised repair components, and high rates of antiplatelet resistance are cited as rationale. However, surveys of practice indicate that surgeon compliance is low, suggesting uncertainty of the evidence. We sought to establish the best current evidence by conducting a systematic review as a precursor to a randomised trial.MethodsWe included prospective randomised and retrospective observational studies of adult patients undergoing mitral valve repair with no other indications for anticoagulation. Studies had to compare a VKA to a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC), anti-platelet or placebo/null treatment (“Other”). Outcomes had to include thromboembolic complications, major bleeding or mortality within three months. The Cochrane Register, Medline, Embase and Clinical Trials Registries were checked. Risk of Bias assessments were conducted using the ROBINS-I tool as part of the GRADE Pro methodology. Quantitative synthesis was agreed following review of the methodology and a random effects model using the Mantel-Haenszel method employed.ResultsThere were no randomised controlled trials comparing VKA to other treatment strategies. Six observational studies comprising 5291 patients (2925 receiving VKA, 807 antiplatelet, 104 NOAC and 1455 null treatment) were included. Four studies reporting early thromboembolic risk found that the use of a VKA may not be associated with a reduction in risk (relative risk [RR] 0.54, 95% CI 0.13 – 2.35, p=0.41, I2= 68%, overall certainty of evidence = very low). Three studies reporting late thromboembolism also showed that use of VKA may not be associated with risk reduction (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.57 – 1.24, p=0.37, I2= 23%).Two studies reported on early risks of major bleeding and found VKA treatment had very uncertain effects (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.36 – 1.02, p=0.06, I2=0%, certainty of evidence = very low). Late bleeding reported by four studies was uncertain but seemed to show no risk reduction with VKA (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.37 – 2.52, p=0.95, I2=73%). Three studies found an unclear effect of VKA use on early mortality (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.10 – 1.51, p=0.17, I2=35%, certainty of evidence = low). Two studies comparing VKA with antiplatelets and no thromboprophylaxis respectively, showed there may be risk reduction in late mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59 – 0.87, p=0.0006, I2=0%, certainty of evidence = very low), although this effect was weighted by a single study.ConclusionThere is insufficient good quality evidence to inform anticoagulation, anti-platelet or null treatment practices following mitral valve repair. A high-quality trial is therefore required in this setting, with particular methodological focus on aspects found to increase risk of bias in current studies.FundingThere was no funding for this systematic review.RegistrationThe review protocol was published in PROSPERO (CRD42021271198).

Many traits covary with environmental gradients to form phenotypic clines. While local adaptation to the environment can generate phenotypic clines, other nonadaptive processes may also. If local adaptation causes phenotypic clines, then the direction of genotypic selection on traits should shift from one end of the cline to the other. Traditionally, genotypic selection on non-Gaussian traits like germination rate have been hampered because it is challenging to measure their genetic variance.Here we used quantitative genetics and reciprocal transplants to test whether a previously discovered cline in germination rate showed additional signatures of adaptation in the scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis). We measured genotypic and population level covariation between germination rate and early survival, a component of fitness. We developed a novel discrete log-normal model to estimate genetic variance in germination rate.Contrary to our adaptive hypothesis, we found no evidence that genetic variation in germination rate contributed to variation in early survival. Across populations, southern populations in both gardens germinated earlier and survived more.Southern populations have higher early survival but it is not caused by faster germination. This pattern is consistent with nonadaptive forces driving the phenotypic cline in germination rate, but future work will need to assess whether there is selection at other life stages. This statistical framework should help expand quantitative genetic analyses for other waiting-time traits.

Premise Across taxa, vegetative and floral traits that vary along a fast-slow life-history axis are often correlated with leaf functional traits arrayed along the leaf economics spectrum, suggesting a constrained set of adaptive trait combinations. Such broad-scale convergence may arise from genetic constraints imposed by pleiotropy (or tight linkage) within species, or from natural selection alone. Understanding the genetic basis of trait syndromes and their components is key to distinguishing these alternatives and predicting evolution in novel environments. Methods We used a line-cross approach and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to characterize the genetic basis of twenty leaf functional/physiological, life history, and floral traits in hybrids between annualized and perennial populations of scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis). Results We mapped both single and multi-trait QTLs for life history, leaf function and reproductive traits, but found no evidence of genetic co-ordination across categories. A major QTL for three leaf functional traits (thickness, photosynthetic rate, and stomatal resistance) suggests that a simple shift in leaf anatomy may be key to adaptation to seasonally dry habitats. Conclusions Our results suggest that the co-ordination of resource-acquisitive leaf physiological traits with a fast life-history and more selfing mating system results from environmental selection rather than functional or genetic constraint. Independent assortment of distinct trait modules, as well as a simple genetic basis to leaf physiological traits associated with drought escape, may facilitate adaptation to changing climates.

Understanding the relationship between time of feeding and subsequent nitrogen excretion may enable the development of better farm management strategies to reduce greenhouse gas output. This work e...

We sought to compare clinical outcomes in skeletonized versus pedicled left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafts in elective coronary artery bypass grafting through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive electronic literature search of PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and Scopus was conducted from inception to January 2020. Only short-term (30 days) studies which compared both techniques have been included in our analysis. Primary outcomes were post anastomosis flow rate and sternal wound infection rate (SWI); secondary outcomes were conduit length, acute myocardial infarction and 30-day mortality. Thirteen articles with a total of 6222 patients met the inclusion criteria. Except for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus being significantly lower in the skeletonized cohort (odds ratio [OR] 0.77 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.61, 0.97], P = 0.03), there were no differences in the preoperative demographics between the 2 groups. The skeletonized LIMA conduit was significantly longer when compared to the pedicled conduit (weighted mean difference -2.64 cm 95% CI [-3.71, -1.56], P0.0001). SWI rates were not significantly different in the skeletonized versus pedicled LIMA group (OR 0.71 95% CI [0.47, 1.06], P = 0.10). New onset of acute myocardial infarction and 30-day mortality rate was similar in the 2 groups (OR 1.04 and 0.97, respectively, P0.05 in both). The postanastomoses flow rate was higher in skeletonized LIMA (Weighted Mean Difference -11.51 mL/min 95% CI [-20.54, -2.49], P0.01). Harvesting the LIMA using the skeletonized technique is associated with higher postanastomosis flow rates and longer conduit lengths; with no difference in SWI and mortality rates when compared to the pedicled technique. We suggest that this technique should be adopted, particularly for BITA harvesting. However, further research is needed to provide clearer indications for both methods.

Roots can stabilise slopes against shallow landslides by mobilising their mechanical strength. Existing analytical models are highly simplified and typically focus on the ultimate limit state only, thus providing little insight into the underlying mechanism of reinforcement mobilisation. A new analytical model (‘DRAM’) was therefore developed to predict mechanical root reinforcement as a function of direct shear displacements. This model accounts for elasto-plastic root behaviour, three-dimensional root orientations, root failure through breakage or slippage, and a dynamically changing shear zone thickness. Comparison to two independent experimental direct shear data sets showed that the model was able to accurately predict the gradual mobilisation of root strength, the magnitude of peak root reinforcement, as well as the presence of significant root reinforcement at large shear displacements, associated with a relatively large quantity of roots slipping out of the surrounding soil. Because the newly developed model more closely resembles the underlying physics of the mobilisation of root reinforcement in direct shear while still being easy to use, it will be a useful tool for the engineering industry, in terms of quantifying root reinforcement distribution for limit analyses at the ultimate limit state, as well as for directing future research into the drivers of mechanical root reinforcement.

This article provides a detailed description of peripheral joint radiofrequency ablation and its contemporary use in the treatment of chronic knee, hip, and shoulder pain. Special attention is given to anatomy and innervation of the joints discussed, technical approach, selection criteria, contraindications, and patient outcomes.

International audience; Leaf optical properties impact leaf energy balance and thus leaf temperature. The effect of leaf development on mid-infrared (MIR) reflectance, and hence thermal emissivity, has not been investigated in detail. We measured a suite of morphological characteristics, as well as directional-hemispherical reflectance from ultraviolet to thermal infrared wavelengths (250 nm to 20 µm) of leaves from five temperate deciduous tree species over the 8 wk following spring leaf emergence. By contrast to reflectance at shorter wavelengths, the shape and magnitude of MIR reflectance spectra changed markedly with development. MIR spectral differences among species became more pronounced and unique as leaves matured. Comparison of reflectance spectra of intact vs dried and ground leaves points to cuticular developmentand not internal structural or biochemical changesas the main driving factor. Accompanying the observed spectral changes was a drop in thermal emissivity from about 0.99 to 0.95 over the 8 wk following leaf emergence. Emissivity changes were not large enough to substantially influence leaf temperature, but they could potentially lead to a bias in radiometrically measured temperatures of up to 3 K. Our results also pointed to the potential for using MIR spectroscopy to better understand species-level differences in cuticular development and composition.

Arrowleaf clover is an erect hard-seeded annual clover with potential to improve the typically low legume content of dryland hill country. A number of small plot experiments were undertaken to better understand arrowleaf management. Cultivar maturity impacted on single-cut yields, with later maturing cultivars (‘Arrotas’ and ‘Zulu 11’) having significantly higher yields than an early maturing cultivar (‘Cefalu’). When autumn oversowing was practised, the slow growth of arrowleaf during winter caused weed issues. Delaying sowing of arrowleaf clover from April to winter (July) did not affect dry matter yield, seed set or seed viability and avoided the need for a weed spray as the vigorous spring growth of arrowleaf out-competed weed species. Arrowleaf oversown on hill country and allowed to set seed to build a large bank of hard seed resulted in a bulk of fibrous trash that was difficult to clean-up with grazing stock. Four mowings to simulate grazing encouraged weed invasion and reduced legume yields (and trash). Whilst two mowings were optimal for seed yield, up to three mowings provided a compromise between setting seed, utilising feed for grazing and reducing trash after flowering.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) commonly arises after stroke. We investigated the effects of preventing PEM on spontaneous recovery of forelimb use, infarct size, and the acute phase response in the chronic post-stroke period. Male, adult, Sprague–Dawley rats were acclimatized to control diet (12.5% protein), tested for pre-stroke forelimb use symmetry in the cylinder test, and exposed to photothrombotic cortical stroke or sham surgery. Food intake was monitored daily, and body weight weekly. Forelimb use was tested on day 4 after surgery, before assignment to control diet or PEM (0.5% protein), with subsequent testing on days 16 and 29. Blood, brain, and liver were collected on day 30. The low protein diet resulted in PEM, measured by decreased body weight (p < 0.001) and food intake (p = 0.016) and increased liver lipid (p < 0.001). Stroke (p = 0.016) and PEM (p = 0.001) independently elicited increases in serum α-2-macroglobulin concentration, whereas PEM alone decreased albumin (p < 0.001). PEM reduced recovery of forelimb use symmetry during exploration on days 16 (p = 0.024) and 29 (p = 0.013) but did not influence infarct size (p = 0.775). Stroke reduced reliance on the stroke-affected forelimb to initiate exploration up until day 29 (p < 0.001); PEM had no influence (p ≥ 0.463). Preventing post-stroke PEM appears to yield direct benefits for certain types of motor recovery. Novelty Preventing post-stroke malnutrition benefits certain types of motor recovery. An acute phase response may contribute to the poorer recovery with malnutrition.

It has been over two decades since the very first robotic cardiac surgery was performed. Over the years, there has been an increase in the demand for less invasive cardiac surgical techniques. Developments in technology and engineering have provided an opportunity for robotic surgery to be applied to a variety of cardiac procedures, including coronary revascularisation, mitral valve surgery, atrial fibrillation ablation, and others. In coronary revascularisation, it is becoming more widely used in single vessel, as well as hybrid coronary artery approaches. Currently, several international centres are specialising in a totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery involving multiple vessels. Mitral valve and other intracardiac pathologies such as atrial septal defect and intracardiac tumour are also increasingly being addressed robotically. Even though some studies have shown good results with robot-assisted cardiac surgery, there are still concerns about safety, cost and clinical efficacy. There are also limitations and additional challenges with the management of cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial protection during robotic surgery. Implementing novel strategies to manage these challenges, together with careful patient selection can go a long way to producing satisfactory results. This review examines the current evidence behind robotic surgery in various aspects of cardiac surgery.

PremiseMany traits covary with environmental gradients to form phenotypic clines. While local adaptation to the environment can generate phenotypic clines, other nonadaptive processes may also. If local adaptation causes phenotypic clines, then the direction of genotypic selection on traits should shift from one end of the cline to the other. Traditionally genotypic selection on non-Gaussian traits like germination rate have been hampered because it is challenging to measure their genetic variance.MethodsHere we used quantitative genetics and reciprocal transplants to test whether a previously discovered cline in germination rate showed additional signatures of adaptation in the scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis). We measured genotypic and population level covariation between germination rate and early survival, a component of fitness. We developed a novel discrete log-normal model to estimate genetic variance in germination rate.ResultsContrary to our adaptive hypothesis, we found no evidence that genetic variation in germination rate contributed to variation in early survival. Across populations, southern populations in both gardens germinated earlier and survived more.ConclusionsSouthern populations have higher early survival but this is not caused by faster germination. This pattern is consistent with nonadaptive forces driving the phenotypic cline in germination rate, but future work will need to assess whether there is selection at other life stages. This statistical framework should help expand quantitative genetic analyses for other waiting-time traits.

We review progress towards greater mechanistic understanding and clinical translation of a strategy to improve respiratory and non-respiratory motor function in people with neuromuscular disorders, therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia (tAIH). In 2016 and 2020, workshops to create and update a "road map to clinical translation" were held to help guide future research and development of tAIH to restore movement in people living with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injuries. After briefly discussing the pioneering, non-targeted basic research inspiring this novel therapeutic approach, we then summarize workshop recommendations, emphasizing critical knowledge gaps, priorities for future research effort, and steps needed to accelerate progress as we evaluate the potential of tAIH for routine clinical use. Highlighted areas include: 1) greater mechanistic understanding, particularly in non-respiratory motor systems; 2) optimization of tAIH protocols to maximize benefits; 3) identification of combinatorial treatments that amplify plasticity or remove plasticity constraints, including task-specific training; 4) identification of biomarkers for individuals most/least likely to benefit from tAIH; 5) assessment of long-term tAIH safety; and 6) development of a simple, safe and effective device to administer tAIH in clinical and home settings. Finally, we update ongoing clinical trials and recent investigations of tAIH in SCI and other clinical disorders that compromise motor function, including ALS, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

Functional and developmental constraints on phenotypic variation may cause traits to covary over millions of years and slow populations from reaching their adaptive optima. Alternatively, trait covariation may result from selective constraint if some trait combinations are generally maladaptive. Quantifying the relative contribution of functional, developmental, and selective constraints on phenotypic variation is a longstanding goal of macroevolution, but it is often difficult to distinguish different types of constraints. The anatomy of leaves with stomata on both surfaces (amphistomatous) present a unique opportunity to test the importance of functional and developmental constraints on phenotypyic evolution. The key insight is that stomata on each leaf surface encounter the same functional and developmental constraints, but potentially different selective constraints because of leaf asymmetry in light capture, gas exchange, and other features. Independent evolution of stomatal traits on each surface imply that functional and developmental constraints alone likely do not explain trait covariance. Packing limits on how many stomata can fit into a finite epidermis and cell-size-mediated developmental integration are hypothesized to constrain variation in stomatal anatomy. The simple geometry of the planar leaf surface and knowledge of stomatal development make it possible to derive equations for phenotypic (co)variance caused by these constraints and compare them with data. We analyzed evolutionary covariance between stomatal density and length in amphistomatous leaves from 236 phylogenetically independent contrasts using a robust Bayesian model. Stomatal anatomy on each surface diverges partially independently, meaning that packing limits and developmental integration are not sufficient to explain phenotypic (co)variation. Hence, selective constraints, which require an adaptive explanation, likely contribute to (co)variation in ecologically important traits like stomata. We show how it is possible to evaluate the contribution of different constraints by deriving expected patterns of (co)variance and testing them using similar but separate tissues, organs, or sexes.

Aim Diverticulitis is a common cause for acute surgical admissions. UK guidance recommends uncomplicated diverticulitis is managed with antibiotics, and follow-up outpatient lower gastrointestinal (LGI) endoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) arranged 6-8 weeks after discharge. This audit aimed to assess compliance to national guidance and assess adenoma detection rate. Method Retrospective analysis of discharge summaries coded ‘diverticulitis’ from January 2017 – April 2020 at University Hospital Bristol(UHB). Results 426 patients presented with uncomplicated diverticulitis, mean age 60.5 years (22-92 years). 42% (179/426) of patients underwent LGI endoscopy as an inpatient or on discharge. Median time to outpatient endoscopy was 70 days (6-287 days). 23% (99/426) had LGI endoscopy within the 8-week target. Histology showed: 21% (37/179) polyp; 5% (9/179) tubular adenoma; and one patient had high grade dysplasia. The histology for the remaining 28 patients with polyps showed: hyperplasia; granulation tissue; inflammation; or samples were not sent for histology. No cases of malignancy were detected. Conclusions 58% of patients admitted with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis did not have a follow-up LGI endoscopy and only 23% had LGI endoscopy within the 8-week target. 21% had a polyp with a 5% rate of tubular adenoma and no cases of malignancy. UHB needs to improve compliance with national guidance for the arrangement of follow-up LGI endoscopy, however the absence of detection of malignancy raises the question of whether we need to re-consider its necessity for patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Plant ecophysiology is founded on a rich body of physical and chemical theory, but it is challenging to connect theory with data in unambiguous, analytically rigorous and reproducible ways. Custom scripts written in computer programming languages (coding) enable plant ecophysiologists to model plant processes and fit models to data reproducibly using advanced statistical techniques. Since many ecophysiologists lack formal programming education, we have yet to adopt a unified set of coding principles and standards that could make coding easier to learn, use and modify. We identify eight principles to help in plant ecophysiologists without much programming experience to write resilient code: (i) standardized nomenclature, (ii) consistency in style, (iii) increased modularity/extensibility for easier editing and understanding, (iv) code scalability for application to large data sets, (v) documented contingencies for code maintenance, (vi) documentation to facilitate user understanding; (vii) extensive tutorials and (viii) unit testing and benchmarking. We illustrate these principles using a new R package, {photosynthesis}, which provides a set of analytical and simulation tools for plant ecophysiology. Our goal with these principles is to advance scientific discovery in plant ecophysiology by making it easier to use code for simulation and data analysis, reproduce results and rapidly incorporate new biological understanding and analytical tools., Tired: Remembering whether ‘ACi_solanum_C_final.xlsx’ or ‘ACi_solanum_D_v3.xlsx’ has the correct parameter estimates. Wired: Using reproducible, scalable, open-source code to analyse your ecophysiological data. Get started with a gentle introduction to eight principles of coding and an R software package called photosynthesis! We cover naming functions and variables, style, modularity, scalability, documenting contingencies, help documentation, tutorials and testing. The photosynthesis package implements these principles for gas exchange and hydraulic curve fitting and modelling.

Yield and animal performance data from plantain/clover and resident ryegrass-based pastures were collected over several years from six properties on the East Coast of the North Island. This information was used in a FARMAX® model developed for a hypothetical farm based on data collected by the Beef + Lamb Economic Service. The hypothetical farm was 495 ha with 50 ha of flats used for silage and/or winter forage crop. The base model had a gross margin of $703/ha. The 50-ha flat block was modelled as if in a plantain rotation with two thirds in plantain and one third in annual ryegrass each year. The higher yields and better-quality feed on the plantain block improved animal performance and carcass weights. Early mating of one-year ewes for feeding on plantain provided a very high-returning enterprise. More ewes and lambs were killed early at heavier carcass weights with a premium before the onset of summer-dry conditions. This became a force multiplier across the entire farm as more feed was available for other stock and lamb carcass weights increased across the farm. Highest returns were generated by using the extra quality feed to increase ewe liveweights by 8 kg. Whilst ewe numbers had to be decreased, this was more than compensated for by the higher lambing percentage and greater number of lambs from mated hoggets. The combined effect was an increase in farm gross margin by around $200/ha and in farm returns of $100,000.

Background: Despite holding great potential for addressing concerns regarding public health, recent systematic reviews have found effect sizes for interventions targeting physical activity to be small. Before interventions can be improved, the factors influencing outcomes must be identified. This systematic review aimed to identify predictors of success, measured in terms of engagement (eg, involvement duration) and health behavior change (eg, increased step counts), of workplace interventions targeting physical activity. Methods: A structured search of 3 databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) was conducted to identify articles published between January 2000 and April 2017. For inclusion, articles needed to test a workplace intervention targeting physical activity and perform a quantitative analysis, identifying predictors of engagement or health behavior change. Results: Twenty-two studies were identified for review (median quality score = 70%). Demographic variables (eg, gender, age) were inconsistent predictors of success. However, employees in better health and physically active at baseline were found to have a greater likelihood of success. Conclusions: It appears that achieving successful results among employees at high risk of poor health outcomes remains a significant challenge for interventions. It is hoped that program developers can use this information to create effective interventions particularly for more sedentary employees.

The influence of human harvest on evolution of secondary sexual characteristics has implications for sustainable management of wildlife populations. The phenotypic consequences of selectively removing males with large horns or antlers from ungulate populations have been a topic of heightened concern in recent years. Harvest can affect size of horn‐like structures in two ways: (a) shifting age structure toward younger age classes, which can reduce the mean size of horn‐like structures, or (b) selecting against genes that produce large, fast‐growing males. We evaluated effects of age, climatic and forage conditions, and metrics of harvest on horn size and growth of mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis ssp.) in 72 hunt areas across North America from 1981 to 2016. In 50% of hunt areas, changes in mean horn size during the study period were related to changes in age structure of harvested sheep. Environmental conditions explained directional changes in horn growth in 28% of hunt areas, 7% of which did not exhibit change before accounting for effects of the environment. After accounting for age and environment, horn size of mountain sheep was stable or increasing in the majority (~78%) of hunt areas. Age‐specific horn size declined in 44% of hunt areas where harvest was regulated solely by morphological criteria, which supports the notion that harvest practices that are simultaneously selective and intensive might lead to changes in horn growth. Nevertheless, phenotypic consequences are not a foregone conclusion in the face of selective harvest; over half of the hunt areas with highly selective and intensive harvest did not exhibit age‐specific declines in horn size. Our results demonstrate that while harvest regimes are an important consideration, horn growth of harvested male mountain sheep has remained largely stable, indicating that changes in horn growth patterns are an unlikely consequence of harvest across most of North America.

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a key cardiac surgery procedure and is the main treatment for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. The most frequently used conduit for this procedure is the long saphenous vein (LSV). The technique of harvesting the LSV has evolved over the last 30 years from total open harvesting to endoscopic with minimal access technique. The most important determining factor for success in coronary artery surgery is the graft patency rate. The literature evidence behind each technique has been reported at different levels and there is an ongoing debate about which technique can provide optimum vein patency over the long term. This literature review aims to summarize the current evidence, the implications involved with the use of each technique for harvesting LSV and the patency rate at variable follow-up intervals.