Paw Morphology in the Domestic Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) and Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Mammals have adapted to different habitats, food types and modes of locomotion, which are reflected in a diverse range of paw morphologies. While the behaviour of rats and guinea pigs is well-defined, especially in terms of their locomotor and foraging behaviours, the anatomy of their foot pads has not yet been explored and compared. This study investigated adaptations in paw morphology in the domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). We predicted that rat paws would display adaptations associated with paw dexterity for handling prey items and climbing; whereas guinea pig paws would support mechanical pressure absorption for a herbivorous, sedentary and terrestrial lifestyle. Using histology techniques and scanning electron microscope, we show that rat paws have many small, deformable pads that are relatively spaced out to enable movement. The pads are clustered towards the anterior of the foot, which coincides with where the most force occurs during locomotion, as rats walk on their toes and towards the front of their paw. Guinea pigs had fewer and larger pads and the posterior pad of the forepaw was textured and contained cartilage, which may act to reduce friction and compression during standing and locomotion. We suggest that differences in paw morphology in rat and guinea pig are associated with loading during locomotion as well as paw mobility. Examining paw morphology and movement abilities in more species will give further insights in to the evolution of locomotor adaptations and paw dexterity in rodents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

The Application of Archival Concepts to a Data-Intensive Environment: Working with Scientists to Understand Data Management and Preservation Needs

The collection, organization, and long-term preservation of resources are the raison d’être of archives and archivists. The archival community, however, has largely neglected science data, assuming they were outside the bounds of their professional concerns. Scientists, on the other hand, increasingly recognize that they lack the skills and expertise needed to meet the demands being placed on them with regard to data curation and are seeking the help of “data archivists” and “data curators.” This represents a significant opportunity for archivists and archival scholars but one that can only be realized if they better understand the scientific context.National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0724300Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86738/1/Akmonetal2011.pd

Genomic reconstruction of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in England.

The evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus leads to new variants that warrant timely epidemiological characterization. Here we use the dense genomic surveillance data generated by the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium to reconstruct the dynamics of 71 different lineages in each of 315 English local authorities between September 2020 and June 2021. This analysis reveals a series of subepidemics that peaked in early autumn 2020, followed by a jump in transmissibility of the B.1.1.7/Alpha lineage. The Alpha variant grew when other lineages declined during the second national lockdown and regionally tiered restrictions between November and December 2020. A third more stringent national lockdown suppressed the Alpha variant and eliminated nearly all other lineages in early 2021. Yet a series of variants (most of which contained the spike E484K mutation) defied these trends and persisted at moderately increasing proportions. However, by accounting for sustained introductions, we found that the transmissibility of these variants is unlikely to have exceeded the transmissibility of the Alpha variant. Finally, B.1.617.2/Delta was repeatedly introduced in England and grew rapidly in early summer 2021, constituting approximately 98% of sampled SARS-CoV-2 genomes on 26 June 2021

Smoking, nicotine and pregnancy 2 (SNAP2) trial: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of an intervention to improve adherence to nicotine replacement therapy in pregnancy

Introduction: Smoking in pregnancy is harmful for unborn babies, infants, and women. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is offered as usual stop smoking support in the UK. However, this is often used in insufficient doses, intermittently, or for too short a time to be effective. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) explores whether a bespoke intervention, delivered in pregnancy, improves adherence to NRT and is effective and cost effective for promoting smoking cessation. Methods and analysis: A two-arm parallel-group RCT for pregnant women aged ≥ 16 years and who smoke ≥1 daily cigarette (pre-pregnancy smoked ≥5), and who agree to use NRT in a quit attempt. Recruitment is from antenatal care settings and via social media adverts. Participants are randomised using blocked randomisation with varying block sizes, stratified by gestational age (<14 weeks or ≥14 weeks) to receive: i) usual care stop smoking support (UC) or ii) UC plus an intervention to increase adherence to NRT, called “Baby, Me and NRT”, comprising adherence counselling, automated tailored text messages, a leaflet and website. The primary outcome is biochemically validated smoking abstinence at or around childbirth, measured from 36 weeks gestation. Secondary outcomes include NRT adherence; other smoking measures; and birth outcomes. Questionnaires collect follow up data which are augmented by medical records information. We anticipate quit rates of 10% and 16% in control and intervention groups respectively (RR = 1.6). By recruiting 1320 participants the trial should have 90% power (alpha = 5%) to detect this intervention effect. An economic analysis will use the Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy (ESIP) model to determine cost-effectiveness. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval was granted by Bloomsbury NHS Research Ethics Committee (21/LO/0123). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Findings will be disseminated to the public, funders, relevant practice / policy representatives, researchers, and participants. Trial registration: ISRCTN16830506 Protocol version 5.0, 10 Oct 202