Opportunity For Local Adaptation Research Articles

The utilization of systematic review evidence in formulating India's National Health Programme guidelines between 2007 and 2021.

Evidence-informed policymaking integrates the best available evidence on programme outcomes to guide decisions at all stages of the policy process and its importance becomes more pronounced in resource-constrained settings. In this paper, we have reviewed the use of systematic review evidence in framing National Health Programme (NHP) guidelines in India. We searched official websites of the different NHPs, linked to the main website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in December 2020 and January 2021. NHP guideline documents with systematic review evidence were identified and information on the use of this evidence was extracted. We classified the identified systematic review evidence according to its use in the guideline documents and analysed the data to provide information on the different factors and patterns linked to the use of systematic review evidence in these documents. Systematic reviews were mostly visible in guideline documents addressing maternal and newborn health, communicable diseases and immunization. These systematic reviews were cited in the guidelines to justify the need for action, to justify recommendations for action and opportunities for local adaptation, and to highlight implementation challenges and justify implementation strategies. Guideline documents addressing implementation cited systematic reviews about the problems and policy options more often than citing systematic reviews about implementation. Systematic reviews were linked directly to support statements in few guideline documents, and sometimes the reviews were not appropriately cited. Most of the systematic reviews providing information on the nature and scale of the policy problem included Indian data. It was seen that since 2014, India has been increasingly using systematic review evidence for public health policymaking, particularly for some of its high-priority NHPs. This complements the increasing investment in research synthesis centres and procedures to support evidence-informed decision making, demonstrating the continued evolution of India's evidence policy system.

Implementing a “Low-Rules” Provincial Integrated Care Initiative in Canada:The Role of Environmental & Organizational Context

Introduction: This study explores the implementation of “Health Links”, a provincial integrated care initiative aimed at transforming care systems for high needs patients in Ontario, Canada. Launched in 2012 with 19 early adopters, there are currently 54 operational Health Links in Ontario. Each Health Link consists of multiple providers and is led by a coordinating partner such as a hospital, primary care group, or community support agency. We explored the implementation of Health Links from the perspective of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). LHINs are regional planning and funding bodies that have played an active role in overseeing the implementation process. In this study, we aimed to understand how environmental and organizational contexts influence the implementation and success of Health Links. Theory/Methods: We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with LHIN leaders directly engaged in overseeing and managing the Health Links within their boundaries. The interviews focused on the LHIN role in implementing and supporting the Health Links, achievements to date, key challenges, and perceived similarities, differences, and degrees of success and innovation among the Health Links in their region. Probing questions were used to clarify the nature and extent of influence of organizational or environmental factors on the participants’ experiences and perceptions. The Context for Integrated Care (CIC) Framework (recently developed by the authors) was used as an analytical framework for data analysis. Interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed in two successive rounds. In the first round, an open-ended, iterative approach was used to identify International Journal of Integrated Care – Volume 15, 27 May– URN:NBN:NL:UI:10-1-116989 – http://www.ijic.org/ 15th International Conference on Integrated Care, Edinburgh, UK, March 25-27, 2015 2 recurrent themes. In the second round, the dimensions of the CIC Framework were used to code the transcripts. Results: Fourteen interviews were conducted with 26 participants between August and September 2014, representing a 100% participation rate from all fourteen of Ontario’s LHINs. Significant differences across Health Links were noted in target patient populations, primary care versus hospital leadership, perceived success in rural versus urban areas, and a flexible versus standardized approach to structuring and implementing the network. The response to the “lowrules”, grass-roots style of implementation by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was also varied, with some LHINs choosing to impose a prescriptive standardized approach across their Health Links and others embracing the flexibility and opportunity for local adaptation. Despite significant diversity across the LHINs, several common environmental challenges were identified including loss of momentum during the Health Link application and approval process, a lack of clarity regarding the role and accountability of LHINs, measurement limitations impacting evaluation, and sustainability of funding. When mapped on to the CIC Framework, which has an explicit focus on the organizational and network levels, the following factors were evoked most frequently: resources, leadership, primary care engagement, readiness to change, a strategic focus on improvement, and historical inter-organizational relationships. Discussion: Results of the qualitative analysis show that LHIN experiences implementing Health Links varied on a continuum that ranged from positive and eager to demonstrate impact to frustrated and change-fatigued. Despite differences in network structure, implementation approach and geography and demography, recurring themes were identified that reflect the potency of environmental and organizational factors on efforts to integrate services. The CIC Framework enabled a comprehensive analysis of organizational context. The results suggest that factors such as organizational culture, internal design, and work environment are less important to the implementation of integrated care initiatives than leadership, resources, and readiness for change. Although multiple perspectives are required before drawing firm conclusions about the relative importance of various factors, these results can be used to help prioritize key areas for discussion, measurement and/or change management. Conclusions: The results of this study have implications for policymakers, organizational leaders, and researchers. Policymakers should consider how best to balance flexibility and standardization in the implementation of new programs to support a diverse range of needs and capabilities. Rapid feedback and approval turn-around during the implementation process is crucial to maintain momentum, as is clarity of roles between levels of governance, a shared evaluation framework, and sustainability plans. Leaders must be attuned to the context of their organization, and partnering organizations, to enhance synergy and build on respective strengths. Finally, additional research is required to understand when and how specific contextual factors matter. Although generalizability is limited by the focus on one jurisdiction in Canada, given the diversity of the Health Links in terms of geography, target patient population, organizational partners, and integrated care model/intervention design, we expect that the results have some transferability to other settings. The research team is currently engaged in interviews with clinicians and leaders working directly within the Health Links.

Fine-scale genetic structure of the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) in a Sky Island mountain range

Landscape complexity provides opportunities for local adaptation and creates population genetic structure at limited geographic scales. We determined if fine-scale genetic structure was evident in a population of ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) inhabiting the Guadalupe Mountains, a small, isolated, and ecologically diverse mountain range in the southwest United States. We hypothesized that ringtails would exhibit either a genetic pattern of isolation by distance (IBD), because their small body size would most likely limit dispersal distances, or a pattern of isolation by resistance (IBR), because the topographical complexity of the mountain range would result in complex dispersal patterns. To investigate for the presence of fine-scale genetic structure in this population, we genotyped 153 ringtails at 15 microsatellite loci and described genetic structure using 2 Bayesian clustering techniques. Six genetic clusters were identified revealing complex spatial genetic structure within a localized geographic a...

Oceanography and life history predict contrasting genetic population structure in two Antarctic fish species.

Understanding the key drivers of population connectivity in the marine environment is essential for the effective management of natural resources. Although several different approaches to evaluating connectivity have been used, they are rarely integrated quantitatively. Here, we use a ‘seascape genetics’ approach, by combining oceanographic modelling and microsatellite analyses, to understand the dominant influences on the population genetic structure of two Antarctic fishes with contrasting life histories, Champsocephalus gunnari and Notothenia rossii. The close accord between the model projections and empirical genetic structure demonstrated that passive dispersal during the planktonic early life stages is the dominant influence on patterns and extent of genetic structuring in both species. The shorter planktonic phase of C. gunnari restricts direct transport of larvae between distant populations, leading to stronger regional differentiation. By contrast, geographic distance did not affect differentiation in N. rossii, whose longer larval period promotes long-distance dispersal. Interannual variability in oceanographic flows strongly influenced the projected genetic structure, suggesting that shifts in circulation patterns due to climate change are likely to impact future genetic connectivity and opportunities for local adaptation, resilience and recovery from perturbations. Further development of realistic climate models is required to fully assess such potential impacts.

A tale of two seas: contrasting patterns of population structure in the small-spotted catshark across Europe

Elasmobranchs represent important components of marine ecosystems, but they can be vulnerable to overexploitation. This has driven investigations into the population genetic structure of large-bodied pelagic sharks, but relatively little is known of population structure in smaller demersal taxa, which are perhaps more representative of the biodiversity of the group. This study explores spatial population genetic structure of the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), across European seas. The results show significant genetic differences among most of the Mediterranean sample collections, but no significant structure among Atlantic shelf areas. The data suggest the Mediterranean populations are likely to have persisted in a stable and structured environment during Pleistocene sea-level changes. Conversely, the Northeast Atlantic populations would have experienced major changes in habitat availability during glacial cycles, driving patterns of population reduction and expansion. The data also provide evidence of male-biased dispersal and female philopatry over large spatial scales, implying complex sex-determined differences in the behaviour of elasmobranchs. On the basis of this evidence, we suggest that patterns of connectivity are determined by trends of past habitat stability that provides opportunity for local adaptation in species exhibiting philopatric behaviour, implying that resilience of populations to fisheries and other stressors may differ across the range of species.

Comparative population genetics of a parasitic nematode and its host community: The trichostrongylid Neoheligmonella granjoni and Mastomys rodents in southeastern Senegal

Contrasting host and parasite population genetic structures can provide information about the population ecology of each species and the potential for local adaptation. Here, we examined the population genetic structure of the nematode Neoheligmonella granjoni at a regional scale in southeastern Senegal, using 11 microsatellite markers. Using the results previously obtained for the two main rodent species of the host community, Mastomys natalensis and Mastomys erythroleucus, we tested the hypothesis that the parasite population structure was mediated by dispersal levels of the most vagile host. The results showed similar genetic diversity levels between host and parasite populations, and consistently lower levels of genetic differentiation in N. granjoni, with the exception of one outlying locus with a high F ST. The aberrant pattern at this locus was primarily due to two alleles occurring at markedly different frequencies in one locality, suggesting selection at this locus, or a closely linked one. Genetic differentiation levels and isolation by distance analyses suggested that gene flow was high and random in N. granjoni at the spatial scale examined. The correlation between pair-wise genetic differentiation levels in the parasite and its main host was consistent with the hypothesis tested. Models of local adaptation as a function of the dispersal rates of hosts and parasites suggest that opportunities for local adaptation would be low in this biological system.

Cross-scale Adaptation Challenges in the Coastal Fisheries: Findings from Lebesby, Northern Norway

Cross-scale adaptation challenges in the coastal fisheries in Lebesby municipality, Finnmark County, northern Norway are examined on the basis of fieldwork conducted there. Although fishery actors in Lebesby are aware of, experience, and describe a number of connections between climate variability and coastal fishing activities, they do not characterize their livelihoods as being particularly vulnerable to climate change. Nevertheless, they identify a range of social factors that shape the flexibility of coastal fishing activities and livelihoods to deal with changing environmental conditions. We argue that these factors, and actors' perceptions of their own resilience, constitute important aspects of adaptive capacity and may challenge local responses to climate variability and change. We identified four adaptation arenas: local perceptions of vulnerability and resilience to climate change, Lebesby's social and economic viability, national fishery management and regulations, and the markets and economy of coastal fishing. The adaptation arenas arise and interact across geographic and temporal scales, creating specific barriers and opportunities for local adaptation. Our findings suggest the need to pay close attention to the cross-scale adaptation challenges facing Arctic communities that depend on natural resources. The concept of adaptation arenas helps to illustrate these challenges and should be applied more widely.

Host‐plant use in the range expansion of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa

Abstract 1. During range expansions of phytophagous insects, secondary or novel hosts may allow colonisation of areas without primary hosts. Because plant species often differ in their relative attractiveness and suitability for insects, insect preference for, and performance on, these hosts can determine recruitment potential in the current and future expansion areas.2. This study explores the relative roles of female preference and larval performance in an important pine defoliator, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae), which colonises three Pinus species at its current range margin in the Italian Alps: P. nigra (primary host), P. sylvestris (secondary host), and P. mugo (novel host).3. Host use patterns in multiple insect populations were studied through choice and no‐choice oviposition experiments in cages, field surveys of mixed stands, and laboratory and field monitoring of larval growth and mortality. It was predicted that a specific life‐history trait – time limitation of short‐lived females to lay a single batch of eggs – would act as a component of female performance, and lead to similar rates of host acceptance in no‐choice settings.4. In the choice experiment, P. nigra was accepted the most frequently while P. sylvestris was accepted the least frequently, confirming nest density patterns in the field. Contrary to prediction, females remained discriminating in no‐choice settings in spite of time limitation. In contrast, relative growth rate (RGR) and mortality of larvae did not differ significantly among the three hosts, highlighting a discrepancy between female preference and larval performance.5. Recruitment potential of T. pityocampa in future expansion into stands of P. sylvestris and P. mugo is evaluated by combining host quality, conservatism in oviposition behaviour, habitat suitability, and the opportunity for local adaptation.

MINIMAL SELFING, FEW CLONES, AND NO AMONG‐HOST GENETIC STRUCTURE IN A HERMAPHRODITIC PARASITE WITH ASEXUAL LARVAL PROPAGATION

Little is known about actual mating systems in natural populations of parasites or about what constitutes the limits of a parasite deme. These parameters are interesting because they affect levels of genetic diversity, opportunities for local adaptation, and other evolutionary processes. We expect that transmission dynamics and the distribution of parasites among hosts should have a large effect on mating systems and demic structure, but currently we have mostly speculation and very few data. For example, infrapopulations (all the parasites in a single host) should behave as demes if parasite offspring are transmitted as a clump from host to host over several generations. However, if offspring are well mixed, then the parasite component population (all the parasites among a host population) would function as the deme. Similarly, low mean intensities or a high proportion of worms in single infections should increase the selfing rate. For species having an asexual amplification stage, transmission between intermediate and definitive (final) hosts will control the variance in clonal reproductive success, which in turn could have a large influence on effective sizes and rates of inbreeding. We examined demic structure, selfing rates, and the variance in clonal reproductive success in natural populations of Plagioporus shawi, a hermaphroditic trematode that parasitizes salmon. Overall levels of genetic diversity were very high. An a posteriori inference of population structure overwhelmingly supports the component population as the deme, rather than individual infrapopulations. Only a single pair of 597 adult individuals was identified as clones. Thus, the variance in clonal reproductive success was almost zero. Despite being hermaphroditic, P. shawi appears to be almost entirely outcrossing. Genetic estimates of selfing (<5%) were in accordance with the proportion of parasites from single infections. Thus, it appears that individual flukes outcross whenever possible and only resort to selfing when alone. Finally, our data support the hypothesis that aquatic transmission and the use of several intermediate hosts promotes high genetic diversity and well-mixed infrapopulations.

Measuring and interpreting genetic structure to minimize the genetic risks of translocations

Genetic subdivision of a species indicates the potential for local adaptation, and the genetic differences among populations are a key component of genetic diversity. Molecular genetic markers are generally used to assess the extent and pattern of subdivision. These traits provide an abundance of simple genetic markers, and they allow comparisons across studies. However, the connection of molecular genetic variation to local adaptation and, hence, to possible genetic problems of translocation, is weak. In the extreme case of no genetic subdivision, there is no reason to expect genetic problems with translocation. Where there is deep genetic structure, indicating substantial evolutionary independence of sets of populations, translocations may threaten basic components of genetic diversity. Between these extremes, however, predicting genetic problems of translocations is extremely difficult. The molecular markers used to measure genetic structure indicate where there has been opportunity for local adaptation, but they are not directly related to such adaptation. The relationship of the level of genetic divergence to genetic incompatibilities is very loose, although quantitative tests are scarce. However, studies of reproductive isolation between species illustrate the fundamental inadequacy of using measures of genetic divergence to predict interactions between populations. Although it is tempting to use simple measures as predictors, such use may provide a false sense of scientific rigour. There is no substitute for direct tests for variation in ecologically relevant traits and possible genetic incompatibilities among populations.