Analysis of the Structure of Heavy Ion Irradiated LaFeO3 Using Grazing Angle X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

Crystalline ceramics are candidate materials for the immobilization of radionuclides, particularly transuranics (such as U, Pu, and Am), arising from the nuclear fuel cycle. Due to the α-decay of transuranics and the associated recoil of the parent nucleus, crystalline materials may eventually be rendered amorphous through changes to the crystal lattice caused by these recoil events. Previous work has shown irradiation of titanate-based ceramics to change the local cation environment significantly, particularly in the case of Ti which was shown to change from 6- to 5-fold coordination. Here, this work expands the Ti-based study to investigate the behavior in Fe-based materials, using LaFeO3 as an example material. Irradiation was simulated by heavy ion implantation of the bulk LaFeO3 ceramic, with the resulting amorphous layer characterized with grazing angle X-ray absorption spectroscopy (GA-XAS). Insights into the Fe speciation changes exhibited by the amorphized surface layer were provided through quantitative analysis, including pre-edge analysis, and modeling of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), of the GA-XAS data.

Relationships between plant species richness and grazing intensity in a semiarid ecosystem.

Plant species richness is an important property of ecosystems that is altered by grazing. In a semiarid environment, we tested the hypotheses that (1) small-scale herbaceous plant species richness declines linearly with increasing grazing intensity by large ungulates, (2) precipitation and percent sand interact with grazing intensity, and (3) response of herbaceous plant species richness to increasing intensity of ungulate grazing varies with patch productivity. During January-March 2012, we randomly allocated 50, 1.5-m × 1.5-m grazing exclosures within each of six 2500 ha study sites across South Texas, USA. We counted the number of herbaceous plant species and harvested vegetation in 0.25-m2 plots within exclosures (ungrazed control plots) and in the grazed area outside the exclosures (grazed treatment plots) during October-November 2012-2019. We estimated percent use (grazing intensity) based on the difference in herbaceous plant standing crop between control plots and treatment plots. We selected the negative binomial regression model that best explained the relationship between grazing intensity and herbaceous plant species richness using the Schwarz-Bayesian information criterion. After accounting for the positive effect of precipitation and percent sand on herbaceous plant species richness, species richness/0.25 m2 increased slightly from 0% to 30% grazing intensity and then declined with increasing grazing intensity. Linear and quadratic responses of herbaceous plant species richness to increasing grazing intensity were greater for the least productive patches (<15.7 g/0.25 m2) than for productive patches (≥15.7 g/0.25 m2). Our results followed the pattern predicted by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis model for the effect of grazing intensity on small-scale herbaceous plant species richness.

The Clinical Frailty Scale for mortality prediction of old acutely admitted intensive care patients: a meta-analysis of individual patient-level data.

BACKGROUND: This large-scale analysis pools individual data about the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) to predict outcome in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A systematic search identified all clinical trials that used the CFS in the ICU (PubMed searched until 24th June 2020). All patients who were electively admitted were excluded. The primary outcome was ICU mortality. Regression models were estimated on the complete data set, and for missing data, multiple imputations were utilised. Cox models were adjusted for age, sex, and illness acuity score (SOFA, SAPS II or APACHE II). RESULTS: 12 studies from 30 countries with anonymised individualised patient data were included (n = 23,989 patients). In the univariate analysis for all patients, being frail (CFS ≥ 5) was associated with an increased risk of ICU mortality, but not after adjustment. In older patients (≥ 65 years) there was an independent association with ICU mortality both in the complete case analysis (HR 1.34 (95% CI 1.25-1.44), p < 0.0001) and in the multiple imputation analysis (HR 1.35 (95% CI 1.26-1.45), p < 0.0001, adjusted for SOFA). In older patients, being vulnerable (CFS 4) alone did not significantly differ from being frail. After adjustment, a CFS of 4-5, 6, and ≥ 7 was associated with a significantly worse outcome compared to CFS of 1-3. CONCLUSIONS: Being frail is associated with a significantly increased risk for ICU mortality in older patients, while being vulnerable alone did not significantly differ. New Frailty categories might reflect its "continuum" better and predict ICU outcome more accurately. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (OSF: https://osf.io/8buwk/ ).

Animal use of fence crossings in southwestern rangelands.

Net-wire fencing built to confine livestock is common on rangelands in the Southwestern USA, yet the impacts of livestock fencing on wildlife are largely unknown. Many wildlife species cross beneath fences at defined crossing locations because they prefer to crawl underneath rather than jump over fences. Animals occasionally become entangled jumping or climbing over fences, leading to injury or death. More commonly, repeated crossings under net-wire fencing by large animals lead to fence damage, though the damage is often tolerated by landowners until the openings affect the ability to enclose livestock. The usage, placement, characteristics, and passage rates of fence crossings beneath net-wire fencing are poorly understood. We monitored 20 randomly selected fence crossings on net-wire livestock fencing across two study sites on rangelands in South Texas, USA, from April 2018 to March 2019. We assessed the characteristics of fence-crossing locations (openings beneath the fence created by animals to aid in crossing) and quantified crossing rates and the probability of crossing by all species of animals via trail cameras. We documented 10,889 attempted crossing events, with 58% (n = 6271) successful. Overall, 15 species of medium- and large-size mammals and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) contributed to crossing events. Crossing locations received 3-4 crossing attempts per day on average, but the number of attempts and probability of successful crossing varied by location and fence condition. The probability of crossing attempts was most consistently influenced by the opening size of the crossing and season; as crossing size (opening) increased, the probability of successful crossing significantly increased for all species. Peaks in crossing activity corresponded with species' daily and seasonal movements and activity. The density and size of fence-crossing locations were dependent on fence maintenance and not associated with vegetation communities or habitat variables. However, crossing locations were often re-established in the same locations after fence repairs. This is one of the few studies to monitor how all animal species present interacted with net-wire livestock fencing in rangelands. Our results will help land managers understand the impact of net-wire livestock fencing on animal movement.

The FRAIL-FIT 30 Study - Factors influencing 30-day mortality in frail patients admitted to ICU: A retrospective observational cohort study.

Background: Frailty is a multi-dimensional syndrome of reduced reserve, resulting from overlapping physiological decrements across multiple systems. The contributing factors, temporality and magnitude of frailty's effect on mortality after ICU admission are unclear. This study assessed frailty's impact on mortality and life sustaining therapy (LST) use, following ICU admission. Methods: This single-centre retrospective observational cohort study analysed data collected prospectively in Glasgow Royal Infirmary ICU. Of 684 eligible patients, 171 were frail and 513 were non-frail. Frailty was quantified using the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). All patients were followed up 1-year after ICU admission. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30-days post-ICU admission. Key secondary outcomes included mortality at 1-year and LST use. Results: Frail patients were significantly less likely to survive 30-days post-ICU admission (61.4% vs 81.1%, p < 0.001). This continued to 1-year (48.5% vs 68.2%, p < 0.001). Frailty significantly increased mortality hazards in covariate-adjusted analyses at 30-days (HR 1.56; 95%CI 1.14-2.15; p = 0.006), and 1-year (HR 1.35; 95%CI 1.03-1.76; p = 0.028). Single-point CFS increases were associated with a 30-day mortality hazard of 1.23 (95%CI 1.13-1.34; p < 0.001) in unadjusted analyses, and 1.11 (95%CI 1.01-1.22; p = 0.026) after covariate adjustment. Frail patients received significantly more days of LST (median[IQR]: 5[3,11] vs 4[2,9], p = 0.008). Conclusion: Frailty was significantly associated with greater mortality at all time points studied, but most notably in the first 30-days post-ICU admission. This was despite greater LST use. The accrual effect of frailty increased adverse outcomes. Point-by-point use of frailty scoring could allow for more informed decision making in ICU.

Amine-Catalyzed Chain Polymerization of Ethyl Glyoxylate from Alcohol and Thiol Initiators.

Polyacetals have significant potential as degradable polymers, but aldehyde polymerizations are generally difficult to control. Here we show that polymerization of ethyl glyoxylate can be initiated from alcohols or thiols by activation with triethylamine to afford poly(ethyl glyoxylate) with controllable molecular weights and relatively low dispersities (D = 1.3-1.4), as evidenced by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Stabilization against depolymerization by chain-capping with benzyl chloroformate was found to proceed without side reactions observed from chain-capping with tolyl isocyanate. The use of the stronger base DBU leads to competing side reactions that limit polymer molecular weight.

Effects of harmful algal blooms and associated water-quality on endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers.

Anthropogenic eutrophication contributes to harmful blooms of cyanobacteria in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, massive blooms of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and smaller blooms of other cyanobacteria are associated with cyanotoxins, hypoxia, high pH, high concentrations of ammonia, and potentially hypercapnia. Recovery of the endangered Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus and shortnose sucker Chasmistes brevirostris in Upper Klamath Lake is obstructed by low survival in the juvenile life stage. Water quality associated with the harmful algal blooms and their decomposition (crashes) is often singled out as the primary cause of juvenile sucker mortality. We investigated this general hypothesis with a review of relevant literature and data from decades of monitoring in Upper Klamath Lake. Microcystins, hepatotoxins produced by some cyanobacteria, are unlikely to be directly lethal to suckers; potential effects of other cyanotoxins that are present in the lake warrant investigation. Dissolved-oxygen saturation declined following bloom crashes, but was infrequently low enough for long enough in Upper Klamath Lake to cause direct sucker mortality. Hypercapnia could potentially reach lethal concentrations in the fall and winter, but did not appear to be associated with the summer algal blooms. pH was highest during peaks in cyanobacteria growth, but infrequently reached directly lethal levels (> 10.3). However, pH frequently reached an observed sub-lethal effect level for juvenile suckers (10.0). Un-ionized ammonia rarely exceeded even the lowest effect level measured for suckers. Rather than act as a direct cause of large-scale mortality, the available evidence suggests that water quality associated with massive blooms of cyanobacteria in Upper Klamath Lake contributes to chronic stress for juvenile suckers and may increase mortality due to other factors.

The FRAIL-FIT study: Frailty's relationship with adverse-event incidence in the longer term, at one year following intensive care unit treatment - A retrospective observational cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a syndrome of decreased reserve and heightened vulnerability. Frailty scoring has potential to facilitate more informed decisions in the intensive care unit. To validate this, its relationship with outcomes must be tested extensively. This study aimed to investigate frailty's impact on adverse outcomes after intensive care unit admission, primarily one-year mortality. METHODS: This single-centre retrospective observational cohort study examined prospectively collected data from 400 intensive care unit patients. Frailty was assessed using the Clinical Frailty Scale and defined as Clinical Frailty Scale ≥ 5. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses tested the relationships of frailty, covariates and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 400 eligible patients, 111 (27.8%) were frail and 289 (72.3%) were non-frail. Compared to non-frail patients, frail patients were older (62 vs. 56, p < 0.001) and had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (22 vs. 19, p < 0.001). Females were more likely to be frail than males (34.1% vs. 22.9% frail, p = 0.018). Frail patients were less likely to survive the intensive care unit (p = 0.03), hospital (p = 0.003) or to one year (p < 0.001). Frailty significantly increased one-year mortality hazards in unadjusted analyses (hazard ratio 1.96; 95% confidence interval 1.41-2.72; p < 0.001) and covariate adjusted analyses (hazard ratio 1.41; 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.98; p = 0.0497). Frail patients had more hospital admissions (p = 0.014) and longer hospital stays within both one year before (p = 0.002) and one year after intensive care unit admission (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty was common and associated with greater age, female gender, higher sickness severity and more healthcare use. Frailty was significantly associated with greater risks of mortality in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Frailty scoring is a promising tool which could improve decision making in intensive care.

EFFICACY OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) TREATMENT FOR CATTLE FEVER TICKS IN SOUTHERN TEXAS, USA.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) serve as a host for cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus [Boophilus] microplus and Rhipicephalus [Boophilus] annulatus; CFTs); therefore, deer are a concern for CFT control programs in southern Texas, US. Systemic (oral delivery of ivermectin) and topical (permethrin on pelage) treatment devices have been developed for white-tailed deer; however, the efficacy of these treatment options has not been determined for CFTs in southern Texas. Our objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of CFT treatment strategies by 1) measuring exposure rates of deer to the acaricides permethrin and ivermectin, 2) determining the relationship between CFTs on deer and exposure to the acaricides, and 3) determining if photos from remote cameras at medicated bait sites can be used as a measure of acaricide treatment. We captured 327 deer at four sites in southern Texas. Deer visitation to medicated bait sites was monitored using remote cameras from March 2010 to February 2012. There was no relationship between the presence of permethrin and the probability of being infested with CFTs (P≥0.336). The probability of infestation with CFTs decreased as serum ivermectin levels increased for male (n=18, P=0.098) and female (n=33, P<0.001) deer. Our results indicate ivermectin may be more effective in treating CFTs than permethrin; thus it would be worthwhile to develop topical acaricides other than permethrin for treating white-tailed deer in southern Texas.

Invasive Wild Pigs as Primary Nest Predators for Wild Turkeys.

Depredation of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) nests is a leading cause of reduced recruitment for the recovering and iconic game species. Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are known to depredate nests, and have been expanding throughout the distributed range of wild turkeys in North America. We sought to gain better insight on the magnitude of wild pigs depredating wild turkey nests. We constructed simulated wild turkey nests throughout the home ranges of 20 GPS-collared wild pigs to evaluate nest depredation relative to three periods within the nesting season (i.e., early, peak, and late) and two nest densities (moderate = 12.5-25 nests/km2, high = 25-50 nests/km2) in south-central Texas, USA during March-June 2016. Overall, the estimated probability of nest depredation by wild pigs was 0.3, equivalent to native species of nest predators in the study area (e.g., gray fox [Urocyon cinereoargenteus], raccoon [Procyon lotor], and coyote [Canis latrans]). Female wild pigs exhibited a constant rate of depredation regardless of nesting period or density of nests. However, male wild pigs increased their rate of depredation in areas with higher nest densities. Management efforts should remove wild pigs to reduce nest failure in wild turkey populations especially where recruitment is low.

Improving Study Conduct and Data Quality in Clinical Trials of Chronic Pain Treatments: IMMPACT Recommendations.

The estimated probability of progressing from phase 3 analgesic clinical trials to regulatory approval is approximately 57%, suggesting that a considerable number of treatments with phase 2 trial results deemed sufficiently successful to progress to phase 3 do not yield positive phase 3 results. Deficiencies in the quality of clinical trial conduct could account for some of this failure. An Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials meeting was convened to identify potential areas for improvement in trial conduct in order to improve assay sensitivity (ie, ability of trials to detect a true treatment effect). We present recommendations based on presentations and discussions at the meeting, literature reviews, and iterative revisions of this article. The recommendations relate to the following areas: 1) study design (ie, to promote feasibility), 2) site selection and staff training, 3) participant selection and training, 4) treatment adherence, 5) data collection, and 6) data and study monitoring. Implementation of these recommendations may improve the quality of clinical trial data and thus the validity and assay sensitivity of clinical trials. Future research regarding the effects of these strategies will help identify the most efficient use of resources for conducting high quality clinical trials. PERSPECTIVE: Every effort should be made to optimize the quality of clinical trial data. This manuscript discusses considerations to improve conduct of pain clinical trials based on research in multiple medical fields and the expert consensus of pain researchers and stakeholders from academia, regulatory agencies, and industry.

Infection from Outdoor Sporting Events-More Risk than We Think?

Competitive sports that involve extensive contact with mud are commonly held events and growing in popularity. However, the natural environment contributes to infection risks, and these events have been implicated in multiple infectious disease outbreaks. Soils and mud contain rich microbial communities and can include pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, and parasites), thereby offering risk of infection; there is also a risk of disease due to shedding, by participants, of pathogens directly into the environment. These disease risks are ubiquitous and are present in the most developed countries, as well as elsewhere. Prevention of the further spread of mud sport-related infections through secondary infections to non-participant community members is of critical importance. We recommend shifts in practice and policy, such as site condition monitoring, improved messaging with regards to infections risk, and implementation of pre- and post-event wash stations to reduce these risks.

Hierarchical assembly in PLA-PEO-PLA hydrogels with crystalline domains and effect of block stereochemistry.

Understanding the development of microstructure (e.g., structures with length scales roughly 0.5-500 µm) in hydrogels is crucial for their use in several biomedical applications. We utilize ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS) and confocal microscopy to explore microstructure of poly(lactide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(lactide) (PLA-PEO-PLA) triblock copolymer hydrogels with varying l/d-lactide ratio. We have previously found that these polymers self-assemble on the nanoscale into micelles. Here, we observe large-scale structures with diverse morphologies, including highly porous self-similar networks with characteristic sizes spanning approximately 120 nm-200 µm. These structural features give rise to power-law scattering indicative of fractal structures in USANS. Mass fractal and surface fractal structures are found for gels with l/d ratios of 80/20 and 50/50, respectively. Confocal microscopy shows microscale water-filled channels and pores that are more clearly evident in gels with a higher fraction of l-lactide in the PLA block as compared to the 50/50 hydrogels. Tuning block stereochemistry may provide a means of controlling the self-assembly and structural evolution at both the nanoscale and microscale, impacting application of these materials in tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Impact of stereochemistry on rheology and nanostructure of PLA-PEO-PLA triblocks: stiff gels at intermediate l/d-lactide ratios.

We report rheology and structural studies of poly(lactide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(lactide) (PLA-PEO-PLA) triblock copolymer gels with various ratios of l-lactide and d-lactide in the PLA blocks. These materials form associative micellar gels in water, and previous work has shown that stereoregular triblocks with a l/d ratio of 100/0 form much stiffer gels than triblocks with a 50/50 l/d ratio. Our systems display an unexpected maximum in the storage modulus, G', of the hydrogels at intermediate l/d ratio. The impact of stereochemistry on the rheology is very striking; gels with an l/d ratio of 85/15 have storage moduli that are ∼1-2 orders of magnitude higher than hydrogels with l/d ratios of 100/0. No stereocomplexation is observed in the gels, although PLLA crystals are found for gels with l/d ratios of 95/5 and 90/10, and SANS results show a decrease in the intermicellar spacing for intermediate l/d ratios. We expect the dominant contribution to the elasticity of the gels to be intermicellar bridging chains and attribute the rheology to a competition between an increase in the time for PLA endblocks to pull out of micelles as the l/d ratio is increased and PLLA crystallization occurs, and a decrease in the number of bridging chains for micelles with crystalline PLA domains, as formation of bridges may be hindered by crowded crystalline PLA domains. These results provide a new strategy for controlling the rheology of PLA-based hydrogels for potential applications in biomaterials, as well as fundamental insights into how intermicellar interactions can be tuned via stereochemistry.

Reproductive effort and success of males in scramble-competition polygyny: Evidence for trade-offs between foraging and mate search.

Patterns of male reproductive allocation provide insight into life-history characteristics. The trade-offs associated with resource and female group defence are well-defined. However, less is understood about trade-offs in species that practise scramble-competition polygyny, where successful strategies may favour competitive mate-searching rather than contest competition and fighting. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) practise scramble-competition polygyny where solitary males search for and assess receptivity of females scattered across the landscape. Physically mature males are expected to do most of the breeding because of the high energetic costs of reproduction and high social status. However, young males may collectively sire one-third of offspring. To gain a better understanding of trade-offs associated with scramble-competition polygyny, we quantified metrics associated with reproductive effort and success. We quantified changes in body mass of harvested males, energetic costs of locomotion based on movements of GPS radiocollared males and timing of reproduction via temporal genetic parentage assignments. Young males (1.5 and 2.5 years old) sired offspring, but their mating success was mainly limited to peak rut, when most females were in oestrus. Furthermore, multiple paternity was common, indicating opportunistic reproduction. Reproductive effort, indexed by body mass loss, was highest in prime-age males (5.5-6.5 years old). Surprisingly, young and postprime males also exhibited significant body mass loss, indicative of investment in reproductive effort. Movement rates increased twofold to fourfold during rut as a function of mate search activities, but cost of locomotion would cause only about one-third of observed body mass loss. Because males are capital breeders, we infer most of body mass loss is due to reduced foraging. In scramble-competition polygyny, the repeated location of potential mates and assessment of their oestrous status appear to be important constituents of male mating strategies. Therefore, mating success may be influenced by time management and spatial memory, and not based solely on social dominance. Thus, reproductive effort should be greater for individuals capable of reducing time foraging. For those that cannot, opportunistic mating opportunities may arise when operative adult sex ratios are low. Our analyses reveal valuable insight into the trade-offs associated with scramble-competition polygyny.

Potential secondary poisoning risks to non-targets from a sodium nitrite toxic bait for invasive wild pigs.

BACKGROUND: An acute and orally delivered toxic bait containing micro-encapsulated sodium nitrite (MESN), is under development to provide a novel and humane technology to help curtail damage caused by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa). We evaluated potential secondary risks for non-target species by: testing whether four different types of micro-encapsulation coatings could reduce vomiting by invasive wild pigs, testing the levels of residual sodium nitrite (SN) in tissues of invasive wild pigs, testing the environmental persistence of SN in vomitus, and conducting a risk assessment for scavengers. RESULTS: Micro-encapsulation coatings did not affect the frequency of vomiting. We identified no risk of secondary poisoning for non-target scavengers that consume muscle, eyes, and livers of invasive wild pig carcasses because residual SN from the toxic bait was not detected in those tissues. The risk of secondary poisoning from consuming vomitus appeared low because ∼90% of the SN was metabolized or broken down prior to vomiting, and continued to degrade after being exposed to the environment. Secondary poisoning could occur for common scavengers that consume approximately ≥15% of their daily dietary requirements of digestive tract tissues or undigested bait from carcasses of invasive wild pigs in a rapid, single-feeding event. The likelihood of this occurring in a natural setting is unknown. The digestive tracts of poisoned invasive wild pigs contained an average of ∼4.35 mg/g of residual SN. CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggest no risks of secondary poisoning for non-target species (including humans) that consume muscle, liver, or eyes of invasive wild pigs poisoned with a MESN toxic bait. More species-specific testing for scavengers that consume digestive tract tissues and undigested bait is needed to reduce uncertainty about these potential risks. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Movement patterns of nilgai antelope in South Texas: Implications for cattle fever tick management.

Wildlife, both native and introduced, can harbor and spread diseases of importance to the livestock industry. Describing movement patterns of such wildlife is essential to formulate effective disease management strategies. Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) are a free-ranging, introduced ungulate in southern Texas known to carry cattle fever ticks (CFT, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, R. (B.) annulatus). CFT are the vector for the etiological agent of bovine babesiosis, a lethal disease causing high mortality in susceptible Bos taurus populations and severely affecting the beef cattle industry. Efforts to eradicate CFT from the United States have been successful. However, a permanent quarantine area is maintained between Texas and Mexico to check its entry from infested areas of neighboring Mexico states on wildlife and stray cattle. In recent years, there has been an increase in CFT infestations outside of the permanent quarantine area in Texas. Nilgai are of interest in understanding how CFT may be spread through the landscape. Thirty nilgai of both sexes were captured and fitted with satellite radio collars in South Texas to gain information about movement patterns, response to disturbances, and movement barriers. Median annual home range sizes were highly variable in males (4665ha, range=571-20,809) and females (1606ha, range=848-29,909). Female movement patterns appeared to be seasonal with peaks during June-August; these peaks appeared to be a function of break-ups in female social groups rather than environmental conditions. Nilgai, which reportedly are sensitive to disturbance, were more likely to relocate into new areas immediately after being captured versus four other types of helicopter activities. Nilgai did not cross 1.25m high cattle fences parallel to paved highways but did cross other fence types. Results indicate that females have a higher chance of spreading CFT through the landscape than males, but spread of CFT may be mitigated via maintenance of cattle fences running parallel with paved highways. Our results highlight the importance of documenting species-specific behavior in wildlife-livestock interfaces that can be used to develop effective disease management strategies in the United States and worldwide.

Growing Canopy on a College Campus: Understanding Urban Forest Change through Archival Records and Aerial Photography.

Many municipalities are setting ambitious tree canopy cover goals to increase the extent of their urban forests. A historical perspective on urban forest development can help cities strategize how to establish and achieve appropriate tree cover targets. To understand how long-term urban forest change occurs, we examined the history of trees on an urban college campus: the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Using a mixed methods approach, including qualitative assessments of archival records (1870-2017), complemented by quantitative analysis of tree cover from aerial imagery (1970-2012), our analysis revealed drastic canopy cover increase in the late 20th and early 21st centuries along with the principle mechanisms of that change. We organized the historical narrative into periods reflecting campus planting actions and management approaches; these periods are also connected to broader urban greening and city planning movements, such as City Beautiful and urban sustainability. University faculty in botany, landscape architecture, and urban design contributed to the design of campus green spaces, developed comprehensive landscape plans, and advocated for campus trees. A 1977 Landscape Development Plan was particularly influential, setting forth design principles and planting recommendations that enabled the dramatic canopy cover gains we observed, and continue to guide landscape management today. Our results indicate that increasing urban tree cover requires generational time scales and systematic management coupled with a clear urban design vision and long-term commitments. With the campus as a microcosm of broader trends in urban forest development, we conclude with a discussion of implications for municipal tree cover planning.

Comparison of natural and artificial odor lures for nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in South Texas: Developing treatment for cattle fever tick eradication.

Cattle fever ticks (CFT), vectors of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis, were eradicated from the United States by 1943, but are frequently reintroduced from neighboring border states of Mexico via stray cattle and wildlife hosts including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (WTD) and nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Nilgai antelope are exotic bovids from India that are hosts of CFT, have large home ranges as compared to WTD, thus have the potential to spread CFT through the landscape. Currently, there are no methods to control CFT on nilgai. Odor lures were evaluated to determine if nilgai could be attracted to a central point for development of control methods. Four treatments, nilgai offal a natural odor lure was used as the positive control; and compared to three artificial odors; screw worm lure, volatile fatty acids, citronella oil. Studies were conducted on a free-ranging population of nilgai at the East Foundation's Santa Rosa Ranch (Kenedy Co., near Riviera, Texas, USA). Game cameras were used to document visitation to the lures. In the ten randomly placed transects, 110 nilgai and 104 WTD were photographed. Offal had significantly more visits by nilgai (71% of total visits) than screwworm (15%), VFA (11%), and citronella (4%). For WTD, there was no significant difference in visitation at the lure treatments.

Randomized trial of preladenant, given as monotherapy, in patients with early Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adenosine 2a receptor antagonist preladenant as a nondopaminergic drug for the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) when given as monotherapy. METHODS: This was a randomized, 26-week, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, double-blind trial conducted in adults diagnosed with PD for <5 years who were not yet receiving l-dopa or dopamine agonists. Patients with a Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part 3 (motor function) score ≥10 and Hoehn & Yahr score ≤3 were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to preladenant 2, 5, or 10 mg twice daily, rasagiline 1 mg (active-control) once daily, or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline at week 26 in the sum of UPDRS parts 2 (activities of daily living) and 3 scores (UPDRS2+3). RESULTS: The number of patients treated was 1,007. Neither preladenant nor rasagiline was superior to placebo after 26 weeks. The differences vs placebo (95% confidence interval) in UPDRS2+3 scores (with a negative difference indicating improvement vs placebo) were preladenant 2 mg = 2.60 (0.86, 4.30), preladenant 5 mg = 1.30 (-0.41, 2.94), preladenant 10 mg = 0.40 (-1.29, 2.11), and rasagiline 1 mg = 0.30 (-1.35, 2.03). Post hoc analyses did not identify a single causal factor that could explain the finding of a failed trial. Preladenant was generally well-tolerated with few patients discontinuing due to adverse events (preladenant 7%, rasagiline 3%, placebo 4%). CONCLUSIONS: No evidence supporting the efficacy of preladenant as monotherapy was observed in this phase 3 trial. The lack of efficacy of the active control rasagiline makes it difficult to interpret the results. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01155479. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with early PD, preladenant is not effective as monotherapy at the doses studied (2, 5, 10 mg).