Nutrient versus seed bank depletion approaches to controlling exotic annuals in threatened Box Gum woodlands

Control of exotic annuals is often a priority when restoring degraded grasslands or shrublands. This study evaluated combinations of nutrient‐depleting (carbon addition) and seed bank‐depleting approaches for controlling exotic annuals, and compared the seed bank depletion technique of spring burning with the more easily applied technique of pulse grazing. Treatments were applied in two Box Gum woodlands over 4 years. Consistent with earlier studies, carbon addition dramatically reduced exotic annuals and available nutrients in all 3 years at both sites. Exotic annual grass abundance was significantly reduced in burnt plots following the first year and in grazed plots following the second year of application. Spring burning or grazing did not reduce available nutrients or exotic annual broadleaf abundance at either site. The effect of carbon addition on exotic annuals and available nutrients was so powerful that no additional benefit of the combination treatments was found, although at one site burning and grazing slightly reduced the effectiveness of carbon addition in suppressing broadleaf exotic annuals. We conclude that nutrient‐depleting approaches are most effective because they control both exotic annual grasses and broadleaf exotics annuals, but given their expense seed bank‐depleting approaches may be more practical where exotic annual grasses dominate. In particular, pulse grazing is readily applied across large areas, offering a relatively simple tool that if appropriately implemented could enhance outcomes of restoration investments in vegetation communities invaded by exotic annual grasses.     

The Lived Experience of Companion-animal Loss: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate qualitative studies of the lived experience of companion-animal loss and grief. Six electronic databases (PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, Ovid MEDLINE, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for English language, peer-reviewed articles from 1970 to July 2015. Only primary empirical studies using a qualitative method with textual data describing a direct ongoing relationship with, and subsequent loss of, a companion animal were included. A narrative synthesis was conducted on 11 eligible studies using inductive open coding techniques. Analysis revealed that pets were often labeled as family, and strong emotional connections between animals and humans were reported in some studies, whereas in other studies findings were inconsistent. Loss experience was predominantly with prototypical animals (cats, dogs); two studies involved other animals (horse, fish). Grief was described in five studies, with participants’ experience ranging from low to overwhelming. Prolonged grief was associated with self-disenfranchisement, whereas subjective healing was associated with remembrance, in which the animal remained as a memory in a “new” normal. Clinical implications are discussed.     

A pilot randomised controlled trial of negative pressure wound therapy to treat grade III/IV pressure ulcers [ISRCTN69032034

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely promoted as a treatment for full thickness wounds, however there is a lack of high-quality research evidence regarding its clinical and cost effectiveness. A trial of NPWT for the treatment grade III/IV pressure ulcers would be worthwhile but premature without assessing whether such a trial is feasible. The aim of this pilot randomised controlled trial was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III and IV pressure ulcers and to pilot all aspects of the trial. METHODS: This was a two centre (acute and community), pilot randomised controlled trial. Eligible participants were randomised to receive either NPWT or Standard Care (SC) (spun hydrocolloid, alginate or foam dressings). The primary outcome measure was time to healing of the reference pressure ulcer. Secondary outcome measures included recruitment rates, frequency of treatment visits, resources used and duration of follow-up. RESULTS: 312 patients were screened for eligibility into this trial over a 12-month recruitment period and 12/312 participants (3.8%) were randomised; six to NPWT and six to SC. Only one reference pressure ulcer healed (NPWT group) during follow up (time to healing 79 days). The mean number of treatment visits per week was 3.1 (NPWT) and 5.7 (SC). 6/6 TNP and 1/6 SC participants withdrew from their allocated trial treatment. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.8 (NPWT) and 5.0 (SC) months. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial yielded vital information for the planning of any future full study including a projected recruitment rate, required duration of follow up and extent of research nurse support required. Data were also used to inform cost-effectiveness and value of information analyses which were conducted alongside the pilot trial.