Logistical Constraints Research Articles

COMPARING THE EFFICIENCY OF DIFFERENT CARBON DIOXIDE SOURCES IN COLLECTING MOSQUITO VECTOR SPECIES ON THE TEMPE CAMPUS OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.

We compared the effectiveness of 4 different carbon dioxide (CO2) sources (sugar-fermented BG-CO2, sugar-fermented Fleischmann yeast, dry ice, and compressed gas cylinders) in attracting different mosquito species in 2 separate 4 × 4 Latin square trials. The CO2 generated by dry ice and the gas cylinders collected more Culex quinquefasciatus than the sugar-fermented BG-CO2 and Fleischmann yeasts during the 1st trial (16-h surveillance periods), but there was no significant difference in Aedes aegypti numbers. There were no significant differences between the different CO2 sources in collecting Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the 2nd trial (24-h surveillance periods). Catches for Culiseta inornata and Cx. tarsalis were too low in both experiments for formal statistical analysis. Data can be used to inform local mosquito surveillance programs, but the selection of a CO2 source will also depend on financial and logistical constraints.

Engineering Approach Uses Underbalanced Coiled-Tubing Drilling

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 210978, “Novel Engineering Approach Using Underbalanced Coiled-Tubing Drilling Solutions for Tight Sour Gas Carbonate,” by Mohamed Osama Abd El Meguid, Ayman El Shahat, and Ali Sulaiman Bin Sumaida, ADNOC, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ Because of declining reservoir pressures in some of its onshore gas carbonate fields, the operator initiated a three-well underbalanced coiled-tubing drilling (UBCTD) campaign in its onshore Asab and Bab fields, with two wells to be drilled in Asab and one in Bab. Because of the high hydrogen sulfide (H2S) content, a closed-loop system—the first one successfully implemented in the Middle East, according to the authors—was implemented. The complete paper discusses the design and planning involved in the drilling of these three wells, the operational challenges encountered, and mitigations used. Introduction One of the operator’s main objectives was to increase production while safely maintaining or minimizing operating costs. One method of achieving these goals is the use of coiled tubing (CT) to drill formations in underbalanced mode. The Asab and Bab fields are southwest of Abu Dhabi. Both fields have high H2S and CO2 content, with a bottomhole temperature of approximately 260–270°F. The candidate wells were drilled conventionally until the top of the reservoir section; then, the UBCTD package was moved to drill the reservoir section in underbalanced mode. The typical well completions, from top to bottom, include the following: - 5.5-in. tubing - 4.5-in. tubing - 7-in. liner - 100 ft of 6-in. openhole Project Objectives Because of safety and logistical constraints, the project would use a closed-loop system and recirculate the drilling fluid, thus avoiding high water consumption. Also, the system needed to be designed to safely handle H2S in return fluids. UBCTD using a closed-loop system has been performed elsewhere but not in a high-H2S and high-CO2 environment. Trajectory Design and Tubing Forces Trajectory design is an important part of drilling operations; reservoir targets given by geologists and reservoir engineers must be met. To expose more drilling footage in producing formations and to increase overall productivity, the geologists provide formation-top coordinates so that the drilling engineer knows how to proceed as drilling progresses through the reservoir subunits. When the well trajectory was designed in the discussed case, the CT engineer input planned well surveys into software so that the CT forces could be analyzed. Because these predrilled wells had never had CT interventions, the friction coefficient was unknown and the outcome of the software could have been very different from that observed while drilling. Friction coefficients from other conventional CT operations within the UAE, as well as those from other CT drilling operations in the region, were reviewed and then used for analysis. With the lowest friction coefficient of 0.3 for open hole, the target drilling length could not be achieved. Project planning required a solution to enable the lateral to meet the proposed objectives.

Виклики металургійної галузі України в умовах сьогодення

The relevance of the study is due to the full-scale invasion of the territory of our country by the enemy, which led to the suspension of the work of most Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises in the East of Ukraine, and caused a significant decrease in planned indicators and production volumes. The constant attacks on energy infrastructure also negatively affected the operations of such enterprises. Since March 2022, mining and metals companies in the government-controlled areas of Ukraine have continued to operate at a loss. Compared to the pre-war period, the utilization of steel mills in 2022 fell by 85% on average. The article characterizes the main challenges of the metallurgical industry with the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion; the dynamics of metallurgical production indicators for ten years from 2012 to 2021 in the pre-war period, and quarterly volumes for 2022-2023 since the beginning of the war in terms of iron and steel production, including the dynamics of exports of metallurgical products, are studied. The necessary post-war directions as vectors for the development of the metallurgical industry are highlighted. The study on this topic allowed us to identify the following new challenges and obstacles to the development of the Ukrainian metallurgical industry as a result of the full-scale invasion of Ukrainian lands by the occupier: production shutdown and destruction of industrial infrastructure; shortage of working capital; logistical constraints; and lack of energy resources. Based on the above factors and the challenges faced by the Ukrainian economy during the year of the war, the following important and necessary vectors for the development of the metallurgical industry after our victory and the end of the war have been identified: the restoration of the steel industry as a leading sector of the national economy to ensure rapid growth in demand for steel structures to rebuild destroyed cities and villages; the restoration of stable energy supply and liberation from the occupation of the territories with metallurgical plants will allow restoring the full capacity of these enterprises, and, as a result, increase the volume of exports of metal products to the EU and other countries; attracting investments in the restoration of housing and machine-building infrastructure will help increase demand for metal products; facilitating access to Ukrainian goods to their markets by many countries will have a positive impact on the progress in the development of the Ukrainian steel industry.

Storing stallion sperm in SpermSafe™ at 17°C may improve fertility by reducing mPTP formation

Stallions with sperm that do not tolerate cooling have limited commercial potential. Cooling increases sperm intracellular calcium (Ca2+i; White, Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 1993;5:639-58), which in human spermatozoa triggers formation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), leading to apoptosis (Treulen et al., Human Reproduction. 2015;30:767-76). However, the mechanism of sperm mPTP formation is yet to be described in the horse. As such, this study investigated whether mPTP formation occurs in stallion spermatozoa following Ca2+i increase and whether storing spermatozoa at higher temperatures can minimize Ca2+i increase and mPTP formation, thereby improving fertility. This would be investigated by alternatively storing sperm at 17°C in SpermSafe™ (BREED Diagnostics), a medium designed for liquid-storage at higher temperatures. Experiment 1 utilised three ejaculates from each of three pony stallions (n=9) to investigate the relationship between Ca2+i and mPTP formation. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina (AV) and extended 2:1 (extender:semen) using EquiPlus (Minitube). Spermatozoa were isolated from seminal plasma and extender using single-layer colloidal centrifugation before being resuspended to 20 × 106/ml in Biggers, Whitten, and Whittingham medium. Spermatozoa were pre-loaded with calcein-AM (fluorescent mPTP probe) and exposed to various doses of ionomycin to induce the Ca2+i increase. Data were checked for normaldistribution (Shapiro-Wilk test), with oneway ANOVA (treatment effect) and Dunnets test (comparing treatments and the control) used to identify significant differences, and ‘stallion’ used as a blocking term. The mPTP formed (loss of calcein fluorescence) following ionomycin-induced Ca2+i increase at 5 nM (100±16.4 AFU vs. 44.3±8.3 AFU for control and 5 nM ionomycin, respectively; P≤0.001), indicating that stallion spermatozoa do undergo mPTP formation in response to elevated Ca2+i. Experiment 2 utilised a fertile (83% per-cycle conception rate [PCCR] with fresh semen; n=6), 5-year-old Warmblood stallion with a history of poor fertility using cooled semen. Semen was collected and extended as described above and was washed via cushioned centrifugation. Sperm pellets were resuspended to 50 × 106/ml in either EquiPlus (cooled in a standard commercial shipper) or in SpermSafe (stored at 17°C in an EquOcyte shipper) for 24 h. Due to the logistical constraints of commercial practice, split ejaculates could not be utilized, so each sample was a separate ejaculate. Fixed-time AI was performed 24 h following semen collection and ovulation induction. Pregnancy rates of 0% (0/6) and 67% (8/12) were achieved following AI with cooled vs. SpermSafe-stored spermatozoa, respectively (Chi Square; P≤0.01). In conclusion, these data suggest that storing stallion sperm at 17°C in SpermSafe before AI may improve fertility in stallions with poor cooling tolerance, potentially due to reduced mPTP formation.

Involving hard-to-reach populations is pivotal for the tailoring and implementation of an epidemiological study in cross-border communities of French Guiana and Suriname.

Hard-to-reach, vulnerable and cross-border populations are often disproportionately affected by communicable diseases. Epidemiological data on viral hepatitis in French Guiana and Suriname are available for urban areas, but not for remote communities. The Maroni River, which separates FG and Suriname, is home to Tribal and Indigenous communities. Reaching these populations is challenging due to logistical constraints, cultural and language barriers, and mistrust of outsiders. We aimed to conduct an epidemiological study of viral hepatitis [Maroni Hepatites Virales (MaHeVi)] in this remote and complex area. Here, we describe the operational hurdles and solutions required to achieve this. We undertook a preliminary assessment of the area with local community leaders and health workers to gain approval of MaHeVi, acceptance of blood sampling, and suggestions for adapting the study to cultural and logistical constraints. Anthropological assessments were conducted through focus groups and interviews with key individuals to assess knowledge, beliefs and risk factors for VH. MaHeVi was well received by the local communities. The approval of the community leaders was crucial for the implementation and acceptance of the study. The main adaptations were hiring community health mediators to overcome cultural and language differences, using blotting paper instead of venipuncture for logistical and acceptability reasons, and adapting communication materials. Careful preparation and tailoring of the communication materials and research protocol have enabled the successful implementation of the study. This process could be replicated in this area and transferred to other complex contexts combining borders, logistical hurdles and populations requiring cultural adaptations.

Creating a Statistical Analysis Plan to Continually Evaluate Intervention Adaptations that Arise in Real-World Implementation.

Evidence-based health interventions are frequently translated into real-world settings where practical needs drive changes to intervention protocols. Due to logistical and resource constraints, these naturally arising adaptations are rarely assessed for comparative effectiveness using a randomized trial. Nevertheless, when observational data are available, it is still possible to identify beneficial adaptations using statistical methods that adjust for differences among intervention groups. As implementation continues and more data are collected and assessed, we also require analysis methods that ensure low statistical error rates as multiple comparisons are made over time. This paper describes how to create a statistical analysis plan for evaluating adaptations to an intervention during ongoing implementation. This can be done by combining methods commonly used in platform clinical trials with methods used for real-world data. We also demonstrate how to use simulations based on previous data to decide the frequency with which to conduct statistical analyses. The illustration uses data from large-scale implementation of a school-based resilience and skill-building preventive intervention to which several adaptations were made. The proposed statistical analysis plan for evaluating the school-based intervention has potential to improve population-level outcomes as implementation scales up further and additional adaptations are anticipated.

Exploration of high‐throughput data for heat tolerance selection in Capsicum annuum

AbstractRecently, there has been a substantial increase in high‐throughput technologies that generate highly complex large datasets for use in the sciences. Plant breeding and genetics have benefited from this data explosion where many public and private institutions now implement genomic and phenomic data to predict performance thus informing germplasm selection. However, the multitude of methodologies and data generates a situation of strategic uncertainty. We set out to compare different methods of genomic and phenomic selection in the Capsicum core collection, developed through the G2P‐SOL project, producing a combination of unique and similar selected genotypes for heat tolerance. Combined, the methods tested identified a total of 33 genotypes that show tremendous promise for use as parents in heat tolerance breeding: with 13 of these being present in more than 1 selection method. Combining classical and multispectral phenotyping methods produced better selection results than either method alone. When each method was conducted without being informed by the other, similar results were obtained. Our weighted rank‐sum selection index identified 10 entries across environments that show heat tolerance, 8 of which are also selected within heat environments. This suggests that different breeding programs can reach similar results despite having different logistical constraints. Our case study within pepper germplasm using phenomic and genomic data exhibits the potential to compensate for the dearth of germplasm knowledge with high‐throughput data as well as the converse, to compensate for logistical or financial constraint to new technologies with breeder knowledge.

European practice patterns for antiplatelet management in NSTE-ACS patients: Results from the REal-world ADoption survey focus on Acute antiPlatelet Treatment (READAPT) survey

BackgroundThe 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with non-ST elevation-acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) recommend early invasive coronary angiography in high-risk patients and no routine pre-treatment with oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in NSTE-ACS patients prior to defining coronary anatomy. ObjectiveTo assess the implementation of this recommendation in the real-life setting. MethodsA web-survey in 17 European countries collected physician profiles and their perceptions of the diagnosis, medical and invasive management of NSTE-ACS patients at their hospital. A sample size of at least 1100 responders permitted the estimation of proportions with a precision of at least ±3.0%. ResultsAmong the 3024 targeted participants, 1154 provided valid feedback defined as a 50% response rate of answers to the survey questions. Overall, >60% of the participants declared full implementation of the guidelines at their institution. The time delay from admission to coronary angiography and PCI was reported to be <24 h in over 75% of the hospitals while pre-treatment was intended in >50% of NSTE-ACS patients. Ad-hoc percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in >70% of the cases while intravenous platelet inhibition was rarely used (<10%). Between countries differences in practice patterns for antiplatelet management for NSTE-ACS were observed, suggesting heterogeneous implementation of the guidelines. ConclusionsThis survey indicates that the implementation of 2020 NSTE-ACS guidelines on early invasive management and pre-treatment is heterogeneous, potentially due by local logistical constraints.

Sea–air methane flux estimates derived from marine surface observations and instantaneous atmospheric measurements in the northern Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay

Abstract. Vast amounts of methane (CH4) stored in submarine sediments are susceptible to release in a warming Arctic, further exacerbating climate change in a positive feedback. It is therefore critical to monitor CH4 over pan-regional scales to detect early signs of CH4 release. However, our ability to monitor CH4 is hampered in remote northern regions by sampling and logistical constraints, and few good baseline data exist in many areas. From high-resolution atmospheric CH4 measurements and discrete surface water samples, we estimated instantaneous sea–air CH4 fluxes at various locations. We also created a baseline study of current background levels of CH4 in North Atlantic waters based on the atmospheric CH4 data over 22 d in summer 2021 on a roughly 5100 km voyage in the northern Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay between 55 and 72∘ N. In addition, we measured CH4 concentrations across the water column at various stations. Measured atmospheric mixing ratios of CH4 ranged from 1944 to 2012 ppbv, with a mean of 1966 ± 8 ppbv and a baseline of 1954–1981 ppbv. Dissolved CH4 concentrations in the near-surface water peaked at 5.3 nmol L−1 within 1 km down-current of a known cold seep at Scott Inlet and were consistently oversaturated throughout the water column in Southwind Fjord, which is an area that has been recently affected by submarine landslides. Local sea–air CH4 fluxes ranged from 0.003–0.119 µmol m−2 d−1, indicating that the ocean released only small amounts of CH4 to the atmosphere at all stations. Atmospheric CH4 levels were also driven by meteorological, spatial, and temporal variations, and both onshore and ocean-based contributions to atmospheric CH4 mixing ratios are likely. Coupled high-resolution measurements of marine and atmospheric CH4 data have the potential to provide ongoing monitoring in a region susceptible to CH4 releases, as well as critical validation data for global-scale measurements and modelling.

Arsenic calamity in India’s West Bengal: a critical review of mitigation scenarios

Arsenic pollution of groundwater is a serious concern in the developing world. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in arsenic remediation in India, where millions of households are exposed to arsenic poisoning through drinking water drawn from contaminated aquifers. Arsenic-treatment units (ATUs) have been effective in helping regions where piped-water supply of surface water is unachievable due to logistic constraints. However, no policy measure exists on environmental and economic management of the voluminous wastewater produced by ATUs. The waste is highly toxic in terms of its arsenic content and leachability and therefore can readily re-contaminate local environments if suitable stabilisation methods are not implemented. This paper presents an investigation of the recent developments in arsenic-wastewater-management practices of a severely affected state called West Bengal. Commercial fixation of the waste by incorporation into building materials is often seen as a potent method for ultimate encapsulation of arsenic toxicity. By analysing the practical efficacy of such a prospective project, the author has made an attempt to model scenarios involving non-hazardous and financially beneficial arsenic waste management for sustainable arsenic mitigation in the region.

Evolving deferral criteria for blood donation in France: Plasma donation by men who have sex with men.

Since the advent of AIDS, men who have sex with men (MSM) have often been deferred from blood donation. In France, quarantine plasma donation by MSM donors with the same deferral rules as for other donors was introduced in July 2016 and continued up to March 2022. At this time, MSM-specific deferral criteria were lifted for all blood or plasma donation. The donor deferral, as well as rate of infectious markers in plasma donors who would have been otherwise deferred for MSM activity, was evaluated and compared with those of the other donors during the same time period from June 2016 to March 2022. A total of 8843 MSM donors made 12,250 plasma donation applications. The overall deferral rate was very high (75.2%), mainly due to the absence of apheresis capacity at the donation site. The deferral criteria for sexual risk were present in 12.1% of MSM donors compared with 1.0% in other plasma and blood donors (p < 0.001). Overall, 994 MSM donors made 2880 plasma donations. Of these,one donation was HIV positive (34.7 vs. 0.6/105 donations by other donors, relative risk [RR]: 61.0 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.5-437.7]), one was HBV positive (34.7 vs. 4.5/105 , RR: 7.7 [95% CI: 1.1-54.6]) and none were HCV positive (0 vs. 2.4/105 ). Additionally, 21 donations were syphilis positive (729.2 vs. 10.7/105 , RR: 67.9 [95% CI: 44.2-104.4]). A post hoc analysis of eligible MSM donors who were unable to donate plasma due to logistic constraints yielded similar findings. Plasma donation by donors who would have been otherwise deferred for MSM activity was associated with both an increased deferral rate for sexual risk and an increased rate of infectious markers, notably syphilis.

Diversifying citizen science through the inclusion of young people

The study presents findings on motivations, barriers and recommendations that enhance youth engagement in citizen science particularly, those with no prior citizen science experience. We conducted focus groups targeting young people with and without citizen science experience. Qualitative findings identify a range of motivations including career development, new interests and knowledge, altruistic values, social interactions, inclusivity and connections to new places and nature. Several barriers were identified including logistical constraints, lack of knowledge and interest, programmatic and organisational issues. We discuss the implications of our findings to broaden the diversity of citizen scientists toward a younger demographic.

Extent, Severity, and Temporal Patterns of Damage to Cuba’s Ecosystems following Hurricane Irma: MODIS and Sentinel-2 Hurricane Disturbance Vegetation Anomaly (HDVA)

Mangrove forests provide a range of ecosystem services but may be increasingly threatened by climate change in the North Atlantic due to high-intensity storms. Hurricane Irma (Category 5) hit the northern coast of Cuba in September 2017, causing widespread damage to mangroves; losses have not yet been extensively documented due to financial and logistical constraints for local scientists. Our team estimated Irma’s impacts on Cuban ecosystems in a coastal and upland study area spanning over 1.7 million ha. We developed a multi-resolution time series “vegetation anomaly” approach, where post-disturbance observations in photosynthetically active vegetation (Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI) were normalized to the reference period (dry season mean over a historical time series). The Hurricane Disturbance Vegetation Anomaly (HDVA) was used to estimate the extent, severity, and temporal patterns of ecological changes with Sentinel-2 and MODIS data and used vicarious validation with microsatellite interpretation (Planet). HDVA values were classed to convey qualitative labels useful for local scientists: (1) Catastrophic, (2) Severe, (3) Moderate, (4) Mild, and (5) No Loss. Sentinel-2 had a limited reference period (2015–2017) compared to MODIS (2000–2017), yet the HDVA patterns were similar. Mangrove and wetlands (&gt;265,000 ha) sustained widespread damages, with a staggering 78% showing damage, largely severe to catastrophic (0–0.81 HDVA; &gt;207,000 ha). The damaged area is 24 times greater than impacts from Irma as documented elsewhere. Caguanes National Park (&gt;8400 ha, excluding marine zones) experienced concentrated, severe mangrove and wetland damages (nearly 4000 ha). The phenological declines from Irma’s impacts took up to 17 months to fully actualize, a much longer period than previously suggested. In contrast, dry forests saw rapid green flushes post-hurricane. With the increase of high-intensity storm events and other threats to ecosystems, the HDVA methods outlined here can be used to assess intense to low-level damages.

Personal noise exposure during daily commutes and subjectively reported stress: A trip stage level analysis of MobiliSense data

BackgroundThe auditory and non-auditory health effects of noise have long been established in the literature but previous studies have mainly been in the context of occupational risk. Recent research suggests that daily noise exposures occurring during social activities and commute may be associated with higher psychological stress. Our aim was to explore the association between modes of transportation and noise on the one hand and noise exposures and reported stress on the other hand. Although existing literature shows that noise exposure is especially high during commutes, studies on the topic have been sparse due to cost and logistic constraints; furthermore, sample sizes have been small. MethodsThe present study uses data collected on the daily commutes of 253 participants of the Mobilisense cohort study between 2018 and 2020. Personal dosimeters were used to measure noise exposure by frequency bands over a period of 4 days, resulting in a sample of 7800 trip stage windows. Participants reported trip stress levels during an a posteriori phone mobility survey on a scale from 1 (no stress) to 7 (significantly stressful conditions). Modes of transportation (metro, car, walking, etc.) were collected from the same mobility survey based on Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. ResultsWhile all transport modes resulted in higher exposure to low frequency noise compared to walking, all modes but tramway and driving or being the passenger of a car were associated with an increased exposure to high frequency noise. The LAeq noise indicator (overall noise) was associated with reported stress: for every 10 dB(A) increase in LAeq, individuals reported experiencing 1.118 times (95% confidence interval: 1.067, 1.172) higher levels of stress. Multiple noise indicator models did not show evidence that specific frequency components were associated with stress beyond overall noise. ConclusionOur findings suggest that noise exposure during commutes vary according to modes of transportation. Given that noise exposure resulted in higher reported levels of stress, future research should examine transportation noise effects on physiological variables.

Molecular profile of patients with inborn errors of immunity from Nepal

Background and AimsInborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are increasingly being diagnosed in various regions of the world. There are significant challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of IEIs in resource-limited countries. With the availability of one immunologist and increasing awareness, IEIs are diagnosed with increasing frequency and accuracy in Nepal. IEIs are also being evaluated in children presenting with autoimmune manifestations. We describe the profile of patients diagnosed with IEIs in Nepal during 2020–2022. MethodsRecords of all patients with IEIs who were diagnosed and treated at our tertiary care center in Nepal from August 2020 to April 2022 were analysed. Lead author (DB) has examined and diagnosed all cases. IEIs were diagnosed based on the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) diagnostic criteria and genetic analysis. ResultsThirty-two patients with IEI (19 boys; 13 girls) and 801 children with autoimmune disorders were diagnosed during the study period. Genetic analysis was done on 18 patients. The diagnostic profile of the patients includes patients with chronic granulomatous disease, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, severe combined immunodeficiency, Job syndrome, selective IgA deficiency, specific antibody deficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, CTLA4 deficiency, IPEX syndrome, IFN-IL12 axis defect, hereditary angioedema, MonoMac syndrome, ARPC1B deficiency, leukocyte adhesion defect, PAPA syndrome, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, ADA2 deficiency, early-complement deficiency lupus, familial cold auto-inflammatory syndrome, A20 haploinsufficiency, and Blau syndrome. Some patients succumbed before the scope of diagnosis. HSCT is planned for 3 patients. ConclusionsOur is the first report of genetically proven IEIs in Nepal. Logistic constraints coupled with a lack of awareness of IEIs among laity and pediatrician accounted for a missed diagnosis, late diagnosis, and poor outcomes in resource-limited settings. Antimicrobial prophylaxis reduced the incidence of breakthrough infections. The lack of HSCT facilities precludes definitive treatment of many IEIs.

Management of diversity and inbreeding when importing new stock into an inbred population.

This article relates to breeding programs that seek to manage genetic diversity. The method maximizes a multicomponent objective function, applicable across breeding scenarios. However, this paper focuses on breeding decisions following immigration of 10 unrelated individuals into a highly inbred simulated population (F ≈ 0.34). We use Optimal Contribution Selection to maximize retention of genetic diversity. However, some treatments add Coancestry Assortative Mating (CAM). This helps to avoid early dilution of immigrant genetic material, maximizing its ability to contribute to genetic diversity in the longer term. After 20 generations, this resulted in considerably increased genetic diversity, with mean coancestries 59% of what random pairing gave. To manage progeny inbreeding, common practice is to reject matings above an upper limit. As a suboptimal rules-based approach, this resulted in 26% decreased genetic diversity and 8% increased inbreeding in the long term, compared with random pairing. In contrast, including mean progeny inbreeding as a continuous variable in the overall objective function decreased final inbreeding by 37% compared with random pairing. Adding some emphasis on selection for a single trait resulted in a similar pattern of effects on coancestry and inbreeding, with 12% higher trait response under CAM. Results indicate the properties of alternative methods, but we encourage users to do their own investigations of particular scenarios, such as including inbreeding depression. Practical implementation of these methods is discussed: they have been widely adopted in domestic animal breeding and are highly flexible to accommodate a wide range of technical and logistical objectives and constraints.

Community partner perspectives on the implementation of a novel safer supply program in Canada: a qualitative study of the MySafe Project

BackgroundThe adulteration of the illicit drug supply with fentanyl and its analogues is driving the ongoing overdose crisis in North America. While various harm reduction interventions address overdose-related risks, there is growing interest in safer supply programs, including the MySafe Project which utilizes a biometric dispensing machine that provides pharmaceutical opioid alternatives to the toxic drug supply. However, the experiences and perspectives of professional community partners on program implementation remain unexplored. This study aims to examine professional community partner perspectives on the feasibility, as well as barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the MySafe program.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 professional community partners involved in program implementation across four pilot locations in Canada. Thematic analysis of interviews focused on perspectives on safer supply, barriers and facilitators faced during program implementation, and recommendations to inform future scale-up of low-barrier safer supply models across Canada.ResultsParticipants identified a variety of barriers, including the dependence on clinician buy-in, coupled with regulatory and logistical constraints. In addition, some participants perceived hydromorphone to be an inadequate substitute to the increasingly toxic street opioid supply. Lastly, technical difficulties were described as barriers to service uptake and delivery. Conversely, having political and community buy-in, availability of wrap-around services, and collaborative communication from the MySafe team served as facilitators to program implementation. Though community partners preferred establishing MySafe machines into existing community organizations, they also discussed benefits of housing-based MySafe programs. The potential role of this program in mid-sized to rural cities was also emphasized.ConclusionsTo address the overdose crisis, there is an urgent need to implement and evaluate novel solutions that address supply drivers of crisis. Community partner-informed research plays an integral role in ensuring program acceptability and proper implementation. Our findings identify current gaps and facilitators underlying the efficacy of one such model, together with future directions for improvement. Participant recommendations included a diversification of medications offered and types of locations for MySafe programs, a streamlined national approach to prescribing guidelines coupled with more robust training for healthcare professionals, and an emphasis on service delivery within an integrated services model. Our findings underscore a potential gap between the goals of healthcare providers in ensuring comprehensive care and the necessity for low-barrier models such as MySafe that can function both within and outside of integrated service models.

Combined empirical techniques reveal key role for variation in plasticity in a novel environment.

This article is a Commentary on Walter et al. (2023), 239: 374–387.

Understanding drift in the treatment of eating disorders using a mixed-methods approach

ABSTRACT Despite strong empirical support for treatments of eating disorders, research has demonstrated a trend of clinicians deviating from protocols outlined in empirically supported manuals. The present study used a convergent mixed-methods design to understand clinicians’ use of and drift from empirically supported treatments in a sample of 114 licensed clinicians in the US who had substantial experience (i.e. one-third of caseload) working with patients with eating disorders and training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based therapy (FBT), and/or interpersonal therapy (IPT) for eating disorders. Results revealed that 63.7–76.3% of clinicians drift from empirically supported treatments and 71.8% were aware they deviated from empirically supported treatments. Qualitative analyses identified client differences (57.2%) to be the primary reason why clinicians drift, with less participants describing therapist factors (20.4%), treatment shortcomings (12.6%), treatment setting (11.7%), logistic constraints (4.9%) and family factors (4.9%) as reasons why they drift. These findings suggest that drift for most clinicians may be better explained under the umbrella of evidence-based practice. Clinicians also identified a number of ways in which treatment and access to treatment can be improved. This broadened understanding of the use of empirically supported treatments within evidence-based practice may serve to help bridge the gap between research and practice.

Technological innovations enhance invasive species management in the anthropocene

AbstractCurbing the introduction, spread, and impact of invasive species remains a longstanding management and policy prerogative. In recent decades, globalization and environmental change have further complicated efforts to execute science-based actions that address these challenges. New technologies offer exciting opportunities to advance invasion science knowledge, enhance management actions, and guide policy strategies but are increasingly complex and inaccessible to most practitioners. In the present article, we offer a synthetic perspective of innovative technologies with applications for invasive species management related to pathway intervention, spread prevention, impact mitigation, and public engagement. We also describe tools that augment big data processing required by some methods (e.g., remote sensing, mobile application data), such as automated image and text recognition built on machine learning. Finally, we explore challenges and opportunities for successful integration of emerging technologies into invasive species management, focusing on pipelines that enable practitioners to integrate tools into practice while recognizing logistic and financial constraints.