Mammalian herbivory indirectly shapes savanna arthropod communities but only at very low or high levels

Abstract Savanna ecosystems support unique biodiversity and provide livelihoods for millions of people. Yet, wild herbivores are in decline due to poaching and land‐use change while livestock numbers are increasing. These changes in density and composition alter savanna vegetation. There are likely indirect cascading effects of altered vegetation on savanna arthropods, but our understanding is limited despite their pivotal role in ecosystem functioning. We evaluate how differences in mammalian herbivory affect terrestrial arthropods in a semiarid Kenyan savanna. We sampled ground‐active arthropods (focusing on ants) in six herbivory treatments ranging from high‐intensity herbivory to complete exclusion of large herbivores. Ant abundance and richness were not affected by herbivory treatments, but the community composition of ants and arthropods differed at extremely high and low levels of herbivory due to indirect impacts on vegetation. Community composition changes occurred under extremely high levels of herbivory because the resulting short‐grass communities and patches of bare ground led to high species turnover in ants. By contrast, extremely low herbivory promoted woody encroachment that led to the loss of savanna specialists via both species turnover and nestedness. We conclude that cascading effects of mammalian herbivory play only a relatively small role in shaping savanna arthropod communities, except at extreme levels of herbivory. However, the occurrence of savannas with these extreme levels of herbivory, both high and low, is likely to increase in the future, which may lead to more widespread changes in ecosystem functioning as a consequence of shifts in arthropod community composition.

Aerial culling alters activity patterns but not grouping or movement in invasive fallow deer

Abstract Predation has been widely documented to impact prey behaviour, group dynamics and habitat selection, ultimately influencing individual fitness, population dynamics and even trophic cascades. Such outcomes could also occur when humans manage wildlife populations through lethal control, but lethal control techniques vary widely, making responses by the target species difficult to predict. Aerial or helicopter‐based culling is a common method used to kill animals over a large area, but little is known about how target species respond to the stimuli created by the sight and sound of the helicopter, the sound of gun shots and the disturbance related to conspecifics being shot in proximity. Here, we investigate the effects of aerial culling on invasive fallow deer ( Dama dama ) in an alpine region of south‐east Australia. We used two large‐scale remote camera arrays to monitor fallow deer temporal activity patterns, grouping and movement speed during and outside of aerial control periods. We found that aerial culling did not cause major changes in grouping or movement speed, however, the operations were linked to short term decreases in deer activity, particularly during the day, coupled with relative increases in activity for the dusk and night‐time periods. This suggests that fallow deer were shifting their diel activity patterns towards dusk during aerial culling. Synthesis and applications . Though a common technique employed for the control of medium‐ to large‐bodied invasive species, there is limited research on the effect of aerial culling on the target species from both a population and behavioural standpoint. In our study, aerial control induced short‐term temporal shifts in behaviour, suggesting future research could examine how management efforts can take advantage of this behaviour to achieve sustained population reductions.

Synchrotron Micro‐X‐Ray Fluorescence Elemental Imaging Reveals Zinc Distribution in the Hyperaccumulator Sedum plumbizincicola (Crassulaceae)

ABSTRACT Sedum plumbizincicola is a zinc–cadmium (Zn–Cd) hyperaccumulator native to China with high potential for use in the phytoremediation of contaminated soils in temperate climates. This study aimed to determine the Zn accumulation and distribution in S . plumbizincicola tissues grown on soils co‐contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Zn. The efficiency of Zn accumulation was assessed in monoculture and intercropping systems with Noccaea caerulescens . The samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry and synchrotron micro‐X‐ray fluorescence elemental imaging. Sedum plumbizincicola grown in monoculture had significantly higher foliar Zn concentrations than the plants grown with N. caerulescens , with the leaf tips, petioles and nodes being the main sites of Zn localization in the aerial parts. The highest Zn concentrations were observed in the epidermis and vascular system of both leaves and stems, with the distribution pattern differing between young and mature leaves. This study highlights the Zn localization patterns in S . plumbizincicola to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of Zn hyperaccumulation. Growing in monoculture, S . plumbizincicola is an effective candidate for Zn agromining or phytoremediation of Zn‐Cd contaminated soils, with less promising results when intercropped with N. caerulescens .

Soil Functionality Undermined by Symbiotic Fungal Decline Following Forest Conversion

ABSTRACT The conversion of native forests to other terrestrial ecosystems represents a profound form of land‐use change, threatening aboveground biodiversity and biomass. However, its impact on soil ecological functions remains uncertain, particularly the regulatory role of soil microbial communities. To address this, we evaluated soil functionality related to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling by measuring nine enzyme activities in soils from native forests, plantations and croplands in subtropical China. Our results demonstrated a significant decline in soil functionality following the conversion of native forests, with the most pronounced reductions observed in croplands. This decline in soil functionality was strongly associated with a decrease in fungal richness but was independent of bacterial alpha‐diversity. Specifically, the reduction in the abundance of symbiotic fungi, including key taxa such as Lactifluus and Tomentella , was identified as a primary driver of the functional impairment. Metagenomic analyses further confirmed that the loss of microbial functional genes was linked to the observed decline in soil functionality. Our findings underscore the critical role of key fungal taxa in maintaining soil processes and highlight the importance of their conservation and restoration to ensure ecosystem functionality in managed landscapes.

The Reliability and Validity of the Systemic Practice Scale

ABSTRACT Competency‐based training is thought to increase standards of therapist practice. The Systemic Practice Scale (SPS) has been developed to measure student competence in systemic therapy. Two studies were conducted to test the reliability and validity of this scale by using student data across three different UK training sites. Reliability was assessed by checking consistency in scoring across training sites and comparing data across year groups, with an expectation that competencies would improve over time. The factorial validity was assessed by examining the factor structure and internal consistency of the scale from data collected at one training site over seven years. The results of the studies indicate that the SPS holds construct validity, as student scores increased over time, and that the scale measures a single dominant construct. However, there was a difference in scoring across sites which linked to whether the SPS was used for assessment or feedback only.

Duration of Intrauterine Balloon Tamponade in Post‐Partum Haemorrhage Management After Vaginal Delivery: A Secondary Cohort Analysis From the French TUB Trial

ABSTRACT Objective To compare the rates of bleeding recurrence and other post‐partum haemorrhage (PPH)‐related clinical outcomes in women with PPH initially controlled by intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) according to its duration. Design Exploratory cohort study from a randomised trial. Setting Eighteen hospitals in France. Population All women included in the randomised trial and managed with IUBT. Those whose balloon was removed within the first 2 h of placement because of spontaneous expulsion and those who underwent invasive procedures before the planned IUBT removal were excluded. Methods The first quartile of the distribution of the IUBT duration was 6.9 h, and we divided the population into two groups according to the duration: ≤ 7 h vs.> 7 h. To control for confounding factors, we used a propensity score adjustment approach. Main Outcome Measures Need for an invasive procedure, rate of recurrence of bleeding after removal of the IUBT, and mean quantified peri‐partum blood loss. Results Totally, 199 women were included. No invasive procedures were performed, and there was no recurrence of bleeding in either group. There were no significant differences in mean (±SD) quantified total blood loss (1126 ± 383 mL vs. 1240 ± 505 mL, p  = 0.1) or the need for transfusion (9 [18%] vs. 40 [27%], p  = 0.2) between groups, even after adjustment. Conclusions A shorter IUBT duration (7 h) is not associated with unfavourable PPH outcomes and may therefore be a reasonable option if ongoing haemorrhage has abated. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the imbalance in clinical indication between groups.

Multiple Chronic Conditions Before Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Maternal Health Outcomes: Population‐Based Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the risks of perinatal emergency department (ED) use, hospitalisation and severe maternal morbidity or mortality (SMM‐M) associated with preconception MCC, according to the number of chronic conditions, complex MCC and co‐occurring cardiometabolic conditions. Design Population‐based cohort study. Setting Ontario, Canada. Population Females aged 13–54 years, with a recognised pregnancy, 2012–2021. Methods Modified Poisson regression was used to generate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) according to the number of chronic conditions, complex MCC (≥ 3 chronic conditions affecting ≥ 3 body systems) and co‐occurring cardiometabolic conditions. aRRs were adjusted for age, parity, income quintile, rurality and immigrant/refugee status. Main Outcome Measures ED use, hospitalisation and SMM‐M from the estimated date of conception to 42 days postpartum. Results In total, 894 042 individuals had no pre‐pregnancy chronic condition; 357 398 had 1; 94 427 had 2; and 27 326 had ≥ 3 chronic conditions. Relative to those without a chronic condition, the aRR for ED use increased with 1 (1.26, 95% CI 1.25–1.27), 2 (1.55, 1.54–1.56) and ≥ 3 (1.86, 1.85–1.88) conditions. For hospitalisations, the corresponding aRRs were 1.45 (1.43–1.47), 2.06 (2.02–2.10) and 3.18 (3.09–3.27). For SMM‐M, the corresponding aRRs were 1.38 (1.35–1.42), 1.82 (1.75–1.90) and 2.75 (2.59–2.92). SMM‐M risk was even more pronounced with complex MCC (aRR 2.92, 95% CI 2.72–3.14), and ≥ 3 cardiometabolic conditions (aRR 5.45, 95% CI 4.29–6.91). Conclusions MCC, especially complex or cardiometabolic MCC, is associated with elevated risk of maternal morbidity. Multidisciplinary patient‐centred care may mitigate these risks.

Serum Bile Acid Composition in Women With Gestational Diabetes and Fasting Hyperglycaemia ( HAPO ): A Cohort Study

Identifying the Causes of Maternal Deaths: No Classification Rules Can Overcome the Inherent Limitations of Death Certificates as the Sole Source of Information

The Impact of Metabolic Complications in Pregnancy on Later Life Maternal Cardiometabolic Health: Findings From the ROLO Longitudinal Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Objective To explore associations between pregnancy metabolic complications and maternal cardiometabolic health 10 years postpartum. Design Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study following a randomised controlled trial. Setting Single‐centre. Population Pregnancy metabolic complication (pregnancy‐induced hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, or gestational diabetes) versus an uncomplicated pregnancy in secundigravid women who previously delivered a macrosomic infant. Methods Health and lifestyle data were obtained from 422 women during pregnancy and again 10 years postpartum. Anthropometry, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scans, and non‐fasting blood samples were recorded 10 years postpartum. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression explored associations between pregnancy metabolic complications and cardiometabolic markers with adjustment for potential confounders (study group allocation, age at follow‐up, maternal ethnicity, early pregnancy body mass index (BMI), use of cardiometabolic medications, maternal smoking at 10 years postpartum, and socio‐economic status). Main Outcome Measures Cardiometabolic risk profile 10 years postpartum. Results Of 422 women, 27.7% ( n  = 117) experienced a metabolic complication in pregnancy. Pregnancy metabolic complications were associated with greater postpartum weight retention ( ß  = 1.72, 95% CI 0.08, 3.36), higher BMI ( ß  = 0.70, 95% CI 0.09, 1.31), greater visceral adipose tissue mass ( ß  = 0.12, 95% CI 0.01, 0.23), greater total cholesterol ( ß  = 0.36, 95% CI 0.15, 0.58), greater LDL‐cholesterol ( ß  = 0.29, 95% CI 0.09, 0.50), greater triglycerides ( ß  = 0.06, 95% CI 0.03, 0.32), and greater glucose ( ß  = 0.22, 95% CI 0.03, 0.40) at 10 years postpartum. Conclusions Pregnancy metabolic complications were associated with an altered cardiometabolic risk profile 10 years postpartum.