Publications by authors named "Rory C O'Connor"

Understanding plant ecophysiological functioning is critical in formulating effective ecologically based strategies to conserve and enhance resiliency and resistance in sagebrush steppe, as well as improving their restoration following degradation by interactive effects of climate change, wildland fire and invasive annual grasses. Recent research has shown increased reproductive photosynthesis following floral defoliation can be important to reproductive potential, yet how this is expressed in plant material selected for different functional attributes is unknown. To address this, we measured photosynthetic gas exchange in clipped and unclipped basal florets and flag leaves of two germplasms of the native perennial bunchgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, var.

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Article Synopsis
  • Climate change is making droughts (periods without rain) happen more often and for longer periods of time, which is bad for ecosystems.
  • Scientists did a big experiment in many places around the world to see how one year of drought affects grasslands and shrublands.
  • They found that extreme drought can reduce plant growth much more than expected, especially in dry areas with fewer types of plants, showing that these places are more at risk.
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Childhood trauma has been found to have serious negative consequences for mental and physical health. However, the precise mechanisms through which trauma influences health outcomes are unclear. Childhood trauma-related disruptions to sleep in adulthood represent an important potential mechanism.

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In this editorial we, as members of the 2022 NICE Guideline Committee, highlight and discuss what, in our view, are the key guideline recommendations (generated through evidence synthesis and consensus) for mental health professionals when caring for people after self-harm, and we consider some of the implementation challenges.

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Background: Participant feedback is an important consideration for increasing intervention acceptability, yet whether incorporating such feedback actually improves acceptability is rarely tested.

Purpose: The present study describes a theory-based approach to assessing whether refining an intervention based on participant feedback increases acceptability.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-three UK adults who had previously self-harmed were exposed to the same intervention at baseline and, six months later, were randomly allocated to receive either: (a) the same version of the intervention (control group), or (b) a version of the intervention that had been refined following participant feedback (experimental group).

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Introduction: Screening can reduce deaths from colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite high levels of public enthusiasm, participation rates in population CRC screening programmes internationally remain persistently below target levels. Simple behavioural interventions such as completion goals and planning tools may support participation among those inclined to be screened but who fail to act on their intentions.

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While increased foliar photosynthesis is well documented across many plant species in response to diverse modes of herbivory, the compensatory ability of photosynthetically active reproductive structures is unknown. To address this, we partially defoliated basal florets in seed heads of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.

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