bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pindone residues in rabbit tissues: implications for secondary hazard and risk to non-target wildlife
Authors: Fisher Penny , Brown Samantha , Arrow Jane
Published: August 2015

Context
Pindone is used to control rabbits in Australia and New Zealand, but the secondary non-target risks presented by pindone-poisoned rabbits are poorly known.

Aims
We aimed to generate new data on residual concentrations of pindone in poisoned rabbits for use in a review of the secondary poisoning risks posed to non-target animals in New Zealand.

Methods
Laboratory rabbits were offered pellet bait containing 0.25 g kg–1 pindone in three trials to simulate a range of bait uptake scenarios: single exposure and low or high chronic exposure. Residual pindone concentrations measured in body tissues of laboratory rabbits that had ingested known exposures of pindone were compared with those in wild rabbit carcasses collected after three pindone-baiting operations. Residues in the faeces of some laboratory rabbits were also measured.

Key results
Highest concentrations of pindone residues were in the liver and fat tissue of poisoned rabbits, with consistently lower concentrations in muscle tissue. A dose–response relationship between pindone exposure and liver residue concentrations was found only at the highest chronic exposures. Rabbit carcasses collected after field-baiting operations had generally higher pindone residue concentrations than did laboratory rabbits that had ingested known lethal amounts of bait. Unmetabolised pindone was excreted in rabbit faeces.

Conclusions
The occurrence of the highest residual pindone concentrations in rabbit liver was consistent with the known tissue distribution of anticoagulants in mammals; however, the co-occurrence of similar-range pindone concentrations in rabbit fat has not been previously described. Re-ingestion of soft faecal pellets (caecotrophy) in rabbits that have eaten pindone bait may function as a secondary exposure to increase or prolong their oral exposure to pindone. Some rabbits poisoned following field pindone-baiting operations are likely to have consumed well in excess of a lethal amount of bait.

Implications
Concentrations of residual pindone in fat and liver of poisoned rabbits suggest that secondary poisoning hazard to some non-target predators and scavengers is high. The lack of field-based assessments of the non-target impacts of pindone is a marked information gap that needs to be addressed.
Luteipulveratus halotolerans sp. nov., an actinobacterium (Dermacoccaceae) from forest soil
Authors: Juboi Holed , Basik Ann Anni , Shamsul Sunita Sara Gill , Arnold Phil , Schmitt Esther K. , Sanglier Jean-Jacques , Yeo Tiong Chia
Published: August 2015

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium strain, C296001T, isolated from a soil sample collected in Sarawak, Malaysia, was established using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetically, strain C296001Twas closely associated with the genusLuteipulveratusand formed a distinct monophyletic clade with the only described species,Luteipulveratus mongoliensisNBRC 105296T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain C296001TandL. mongoliensiswas 98.7 %. DNA–DNA hybridization results showed that the relatedness of strain C296001TtoL. mongoliensiswas only 21.5 %. The DNA G+C content of strain C296001Twas 71.7 mol%. Using a PacBio RS II system, whole genome sequences for strains C296001Tand NBRC 105296Twere obtained. The genome sizes of 4.5 Mbp and 5.4 Mbp determined were similar to those of other members of the familyDermacoccaceae. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained lysine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and serine, representing the peptidoglycan type A4αl-Lys-l-Ser-d-Asp. The major menaquinones were MK-8(H4), MK-8 and MK-8(H2). Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphoglycolipid were the polar lipids, while the whole-cell sugars were glucose, fucose and lesser amounts of ribose and galactose. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 1H, anteiso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C18 : 0and 10-methyl C17 : 0. Chemotaxonomic analyses showed that C296001Thad typical characteristics of members of the genusLuteipulveratus,with the main differences occurring in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic evidence, it is proposed that strain C296001Tbe classified as a representative of a novel species in the genusLuteipulveratus, for which the nameLuteipulveratus halotoleranssp. nov. is recommended. The type strain is C296001T( = ATCC TSD-4T = JCM 30660T).
Description of Streptomyces fabae sp. nov., a producer of antibiotics against microbial pathogens, isolated from soybean (Glycine max) rhizosphere soil
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Manh , Kim Jaisoo
Published: August 2015

An actinomycete, designated strain T66Tand isolated from soybean rhizosphere soil at Gyeonggi Siheung Sorae in the Republic of Korea, has antibiotic activity against a broad range of microbial pathogens. The strain was determined to be closely related to several known species in the genusStreptomyceson the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data (97.73–98.07 % similarity). The strain exhibited cell-wall chemotype I and phospholipid type II. The menaquinones present were MK-9 (H6), MK-9 (H8) and MK-10 (H2). Major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, and anteiso-C17 : 0. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain T66Tand closely related type strains was determined to be below 40 %. Strain T66Thad spiral spore chains and a rugose spore surface that is different from its closest relatives. Comparison of the genotypic and phenotypic features confirmed that strain T66T( = KEMB 9005-219T = KACC 18226T = NBRC 110902T) should be considered as the type strain of a novel species in the genusStreptomyces, for which the nameStreptomyces fabaesp. nov. is proposed.
Sphaerisporangium aureirubrum sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil
Authors: Guo Lifeng , Zhao Junwei , Liu Chongxi , Bai Lu , Sun Pengyu , Han Chuanyu , Li Jiansong , Guo Xiaowei , Xiang Wensheng , Wang Xiangjing
Published: August 2015

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-GQTH1-3T, was isolated from muddy soil collected from a stream in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang Province, north-east China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the organism should be assigned to the genus Sphaerisporangium and forms a stable clade with its closest relative Sphaerisporangium rubeum JCM 13067T (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Moreover, morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-GQTH1-3T also confirmed the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Sphaerisporangium. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were glucose, galactose, madurose, mannose and ribose. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H2). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and 10-methyl C17 : 0. Mycolic acids were absent. The DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. However, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness and some phenotypic characteristics allowed the isolate to be differentiated from its closest relative. Therefore, it is concluded that strain NEAU-GQTH1-3T represents a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium, for which the name Sphaerisporangium aureirubrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-GQTH1-3T ( = CGMCC 4.7199T = JCM 30346T).
Lentisphaera profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea water
Authors: Choi Ahyoung , Song Jaeho , Joung Yochan , Kogure Kazuhiro , Cho Jang-Cheon
Published: August 2015

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-motile, coccus-shaped bacterium, designated SAORIC-696T, was isolated from deep-sea water at a depth of 1700 m in the western North Pacific Ocean. Optimal growth of strain SAORIC-696T was observed at 15 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain SAORIC-696T formed a robust phylogenetic clade with members of the genus Lentisphaera. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain SAORIC-696T was most closely related to Lentisphaera marina (98.0 % similarity) and Lentisphaera araneosa (97.3 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness between SAORIC-696T and two species of the genus Lentisphaera was only 27–42 %. The DNA G+C content of strain SAORIC-696T was 43.1 mol% and predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1ω9c (36.8 %), C14 : 0 (22.5 %) and C14 : 0 3-OH and/or iso-C16 : 1 I (10.8 %). Strain SAORIC-696T contained MK-7 as the only respiratory quinone. On the basis of taxonomic data collected in this study, it was concluded that strain SAORIC-696T represents a novel species of the genus Lentisphaera, for which the name Lentisphaera profundi sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SAORIC-696T ( = NBRC 110692T = KCTC 42681T).
Adult Drosophila sensory neurons specify dendritic territories independently of dendritic contacts through the Wnt5–Drl signaling pathway
Authors: Yasunaga Kei-ichiro , Tezuka Akane , Ishikawa Natsuko , Dairyo Yusuke , Togashi Kazuya , Koizumi Hiroyuki , Emoto Kazuo
Published: August 2015

Sensory neurons with common functions are often nonrandomly arranged and form dendritic territories in stereotypic spatial patterns throughout the nervous system, yet molecular mechanisms of how neurons specify dendritic territories remain largely unknown. In Drosophila larvae, dendrites of class IV sensory (C4da) neurons completely but nonredundantly cover the whole epidermis, and the boundaries of these tiled dendritic fields are specified through repulsive interactions between homotypic dendrites. Here we report that, unlike the larval C4da neurons, adult C4da neurons rely on both dendritic repulsive interactions and external positional cues to delimit the boundaries of their dendritic fields. We identify Wnt5 derived from sternites, the ventral-most part of the adult abdominal epidermis, as the critical determinant for the ventral boundaries. Further genetic data indicate that Wnt5 promotes dendrite termination on the periphery of sternites through the Ryk receptor family kinase Derailed (Drl) and the Rho GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio in C4da neurons. Our findings thus uncover the dendritic contact-independent mechanism that is required for dendritic boundary specification and suggest that combinatory actions of the dendritic contact-dependent and -independent mechanisms may ensure appropriate dendritic territories of a given neuron.
Sequential replication-coupled destruction at G1/S ensures genome stability
Authors: Coleman Kate E. , Grant Gavin D. , Haggerty Rachel A. , Brantley Kristen , Shibata Etsuko , Workman Benjamin D. , Dutta Anindya , Varma Dileep , Purvis Jeremy E. , Cook Jeanette Gowen
Published: August 2015

Timely ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation is fundamental to cell cycle control, but the precise degradation order at each cell cycle phase transition is still unclear. We investigated the degradation order among substrates of a single human E3 ubiquitin ligase, CRL4Cdt2, which mediates the S-phase degradation of key cell cycle proteins, including Cdt1, PR-Set7, and p21. Our analysis of synchronized cells and asynchronously proliferating live single cells revealed a consistent order of replication-coupled destruction during both S-phase entry and DNA repair; Cdt1 is destroyed first, whereas p21 destruction is always substantially later than that of Cdt1. These differences are attributable to the CRL4Cdt2 targeting motif known as the PIP degron, which binds DNA-loaded proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNADNA) and recruits CRL4Cdt2. Fusing Cdt1's PIP degron to p21 causes p21 to be destroyed nearly concurrently with Cdt1 rather than consecutively. This accelerated degradation conferred by the Cdt1 PIP degron is accompanied by more effective Cdt2 recruitment by Cdt1 even though p21 has higher affinity for PCNADNA. Importantly, cells with artificially accelerated p21 degradation display evidence of stalled replication in mid-S phase and sensitivity to replication arrest. We therefore propose that sequential degradation ensures orderly S-phase progression to avoid replication stress and genome instability.
A two-dimensional cadmium(II) polymer based on nicotinic acid and thiocyanate ligands
Authors: Zhou Lin , Wang Hui-Ting
Published: August 2015

A cadmium–thiocyanate complex, poly[[bis(nicotinic acid-κN)di-μ-thiocyanato-κ2N:S;κ2S:N-cadmium(II)] monohydrate], {[Cd(NCS)2(C6H5NO2)2]·H2O}n, was synthesized by the reaction of nicotinic acid, cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate and potassium thiocyanide in aqueous solution. In the crystal structure, each CdIIcation is in a distorted octahedral coordination environment, coordinated by the N and S atoms of nicotinic acid and thiocyanate ligands. Neighbouring CdIIcations are linked together by thiocyanate bridges to form a two-dimensional network. Hydrogen-bond interactions between the uncoordinated solvent water molecules and the organic ligands result in the formation of the three-dimensional supramolecular network.
Impact of futures trading on volatility of spot market-a case of guar seed
Authors: Sharma Dinesh Kumar , Malhotra Meenakshi
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Guar Seed crop is ruling the Indian International business mainly due to its application as a drilling fluid in shale energy industry concentrated in the USA. One of the allegations against futures market is its possible role in increasing the volatility of underlying physical market prices. Suspension of guar seed futures contract in 2012 at National Commodity Derivatives Exchange of India (NCDEX)-India, has reignited the controversy and raised an alarm bell to peek into obscure world of Indian commodity derivatives market. Against the backdrop of fiasco in guar futures trading, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether sudden surge in futures trading volume leads to increase in the volatility of spot market prices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Guar seed spot returns volatility is modeled as a GARCH (1, 1) process. Futures trading volume and open interest are segregated into expected and unexpected components. The data are analyzed from 2004 to 2011 using Augmented GARCH model to study the contemporaneous relationship between spot volatility and unexpected futures trading activity and Granger Causality test for examining the dynamic relationship between them and ascertaining causality.

Findings

– Augmented GARCH model reports positive relationship between unexpected futures trading volume (UTV) and spot returns volatility, and, Granger Causality flows from UTV to spot volatility. Therefore, when the level of futures trading volume increases unexpectedly, the volatility of spot prices increases pointing toward the destabilizing impact of futures trading. However, hedger’s activity, represented by open interest is not seen to have any causal/destabilizing impact on spot price volatility of guar seed.

Practical implications

– The study provides empirical evidence to support the concern of regulators, genuine hedgers and other traders about the presence of excessive speculation and market manipulations perpetrated through futures market that is disturbing the underlying physical market instead of strengthening it by aiding in price discovery and risk mitigation.

Originality/value

– There are very few studies which have empirically investigated the temporal relation between volume and volatility in Indian agricultural commodity markets. With guar seed as a special case the present study investigates statistically the impact of futures trading on spot price volatility. In light of the findings of the study, the curb imposed on guar seed futures trading in 2012 was justified.
Socioemotional wealth in the family farm
Authors: Dressler Jonathan B , Tauer Loren
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– A family member may work for the family business even though the direct financial benefits he or she may receive in the form of a salary may be lower than what could be earned working for a non-family business. The lower amount may be accepted because of benefits of association with the family business. This psychic non-pecuniary return has been called socioemotional wealth in the family business research literature. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to estimate socioemotional wealth and apply that technique to a group of family dairy farms to estimate socioemotional wealth for those family farms.

Design/methodology/approach

– A panel regression method was used to empirically allocate net farm income to the unpaid factors of equity, labor, and management provided by a family member in a family farm partnership. The estimated returns of labor plus management are compared to the market salary earned by farm managers who manage farms. The difference between the higher hired farm manager salary and what the family manager earns in the family farm from labor and management is an estimate of the non-pecuniary return the family member receives from managing the family farm as compared to managing the non-family farm.

Findings

– Differences in managers’ salary working for the non-family farm and the implied family manager financial compensation estimates indicate that family business managers’ non-pecuniary return from managing the family farm had an implied economic value averaging $22,026 per year over 1999-2008. Assuming that the manager would be indifferent between working for the family farm or the non-family farm if the sum of pecuniary and non-pecuniary returns were the same, the non-pecuniary annual benefits of $22,026 accrues in the form of socioemotional wealth associated as a member in the family business.

Originality/value

– Although the literature discusses how family members may accept a lower salary working for the family business than they could earn doing comparable work in a non-family business because of non-financial rewards they experience working for the family business, there have been no estimates of the value of this pecuniary benefit. The authors arrive at an estimate using a group of family dairy farm businesses that have multiple family managers.
Inter-organizational business process verification in public administration
Authors: Corradini Flavio , Polini Andrea , Re Barbara
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Public services can be modelled, analysed and implemented using notations and tools for the business process (BP) abstraction. Applying such an explicit approach public administrations (PAs) can better react to the undergoing transformation in service provisioning and they can continuously improve service quality in order to satisfy citizens and business requests, while coping with decreasing budgets. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed approach relies on using formal methods, in particular unfolding to analyse the correctness of BP. The paper also compares and selects mapping rules from semi-formal to formal modelling languages; these techniques are presented in the context of the BP Modelling Languages and Petri Net (PN).

Findings

– Main aim of this paper is to raise the need for formal verification of BP governing the interactions among PAs, which more and more need to be supported by ICT mechanisms, and then are not so much tolerant to errors and imperfections in the process specification. The paper illustrates the main motivations of such a work and it introduces a verification technique of a BP using a mapping of a high-level notation (such as BPMN 2.0) to a formal notation (such as PNs) for which formal analysis techniques can be adopted. In particular the verification step is implemented using an unfolding-based technique.

Originality/value

– The paper answers a call for further development of the body of knowledge on effective analysis of BPs, a rapidly emerging field of interest for large and ultra large scenarios, where a clear gap in literature exists. Than the paper shows that formal techniques are mature enough to be applied on real scenarios.
Adopting a management innovation in a professional organization
Authors: Hellström Andreas , Lifvergren Svante , Gustavsson Susanne , Gremyr Ida
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study critical practices when adopting improvement knowledge as a management innovation in a professional organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on an action research approach, in which practitioners and researchers are seen as a part of a participative community generating actionable knowledge. Research involved gathering data over a five-year period through more than 250 interviews and 25 focus groups.

Findings

– This paper identifies five critical practices for adopting a management innovation in a professional context: first, focussing on labeling and theorizing to create an organization’s own vocabulary; second, focussing on the role of internal change agents; third, allowing for an evolutionary adoption process; fourth, building new professional competence through the change agents; and fifth, adopting a research-driven approach to the adoption of a management innovation.

Practical implications

– For healthcare practitioners, this paper points to practices to consider when adopting improvement knowledge – for example, identifying the patient as the guiding principle and encouraging involvement and local change initiatives. For practitioners in other professionally driven organizations, this paper identifies critical practices for adopting a management innovation – for example, focussing on theorizing and labeling in order to create an organization’s own vocabulary related to the professional context.

Originality/value

– On a generic level, this paper contributes to the understanding of critical aspects when adopting management innovations in a professional organization. In a healthcare context, this paper points to the value of improvement knowledge for improving quality of care. Improvement knowledge is relatively new in healthcare, and this study provides an example of a hospital in which this management innovation helped transform the organization.
Towards developing a multi-aspectual framework for systematic evaluation of locally prepared ELT materials
Authors: Biria Reza , Mehrabi Boshrabadi Abbas
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to develop a multi-aspectual framework for evaluating locally prepared English language teaching (ELT) materials used for Iranian senior high school students. Many practitioners of the field assert that the inappropriate development of ELT materials would leave an adverse effect on the potential value of the realistic ways which translate the educational beliefs on language learning into operational goals defined by local educational systems.

Design/Methodology/Approach

– Using a stratified sampling method, 120 high school students along with 60 ex-students attending Isfahan (Khorasgan) University as well as 30 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers teaching English courses at high schools were selected. To measure the participants’ attitudes toward the pedagogical effectiveness of English textbooks (i.e.Right Path to Englishseries), a 30-item questionnaire developed based on the comprehensive guidelines suggested by Nation and Macalister (2010) about materials development was used. To improve the credibility and dependability of respondents’ perceptions, a focused-group interview was further utilized as a source of triangulation.

Findings

– The findings revealed that the multi-aspectual framework is a comprehensive and valid model utilized for post-use materials evaluation. The results also depicted that the target textbooks published by the Iranian Ministry of Education did not satisfy the actual needs of students.

Practical implications

– The findings may offer certain benefits to teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) teachers, policy makers and materials developers engaged in locally ELT material design.

Originality/value

– The present study used a comprehensive list of criteria dominating not only the curriculum development but also the principles governing the EFL classroom practices. Considering the principles as a litmus test for evaluation, the study used a principle-driven approach to evaluate the Iranian English textbooks used in senior high school level.
Effects of neonatal size on maturity and escape performance in the Trinidadian guppy
Authors: Dial Terry R. , Reznick David N. , Brainerd Elizabeth L.
Published: August 2015

The livebearing Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) produces bigger offspring in populations exposed to low predation and produces smaller, more numerous offspring in populations subject to high predation (HP).

Like most fishes, guppies respond to predator attacks with a fast‐start escape response. From the scaling of teleost fast‐start performance, we predict that larger guppy neonates should exhibit faster, more effective escape responses than smaller neonates. Increasing performance with increasing size could be due simply to size, or to both size and the acquisition of more mature body forms, as is seen in larval‐stage fishes.

We find no difference in external body proportions among guppy offspring varying in size from 5·1 mm to 7·1 mm at birth, suggesting offspring are born morphologically mature. However, based on the degree of skeletal ossification, as a proxy for internal maturity, we find that guppies are still maturing rapidly around the time of birth. The smallest neonates from the very HP Caroni confluence lack ossification of key skeletal elements that are present in their larger low predation counterparts.

In guppies from the Aripo/Caroni drainage, we show that neonatal escape performance covaries with responsiveness and increases with size along a gradient of HP offspring, but is lower in the largest low predation offspring. The scaling of escape performance in the HP populations performing maximally (scaling with length as L2·76) exceeds predictions from size alone (scaling exponent of L1·0indicates performance increases linearly with body size). This suggests that guppy neonates, like rapidly developing larval fishes, vary substantially in morphological maturity among populations.

The finding that neonatal guppy offspring covary in both size and maturity at birth means that being smaller also means being less mature, which amplifies the negative escape performance effects of being born small. Despite the negative consequences of being born both small and immature, HP environments select heavily for high fecundity, and thus small offspring size. We find selection favours female life‐history traits over offspring escape performance.
Hollows in living trees develop slowly but considerably influence the estimate of forest biomass
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Zhang Shubin , Baskin Carol , Baskin Jerry , Schaefer Doug , Yang Xiaodong , Yang Lianyan
Published: August 2015

The decomposition of wood inside living tree hollows influences forest structure and processes. Although the decomposition rate controls the formation of hollows, it has not previously been measured.

In an old‐growth subtropical montane evergreen broad‐leaved forest in south‐west China, we measured respiration rates of decaying wood inside living tree hollows, logs (downed tree trunks) and snags (standing dead trees) using infrared CO2 analysis. We compared stem radial growth rates to the horizontal expansion rates of hollows. We also estimated the proportion of hollows to total stem volume and the time required to form nesting hollows.

Overall, decaying wood inside living tree hollows had significantly higher wood density but lower a moisture content and respiration rate than logs. Wood moisture content and wood density significantly affected the respiration rates of wood inside tree hollows and logs and snags. The average respiration rate of wood inside tree hollows (0·16 ± 0·02 μmol kg−1 s−1) was 49% lower than in logs and 34% lower than in snags.

The proportion of stem volume occupied by hollows was 8·0% in this forest. The radial expansion rate of tree hollows was 2·0 mm year−1, which was slightly less than the stem radial growth rate. The rate of vertical expansion of hollows was eight times higher than radial expansion. At these rates, it would require 50–100 years for the formation of hollows large enough for honeybees Apis cerana cerana to nest.

We conclude that wood decomposition inside tree hollows is more strongly limited by moisture content than in logs, and a very long time is required to form nesting hollows by decomposition. However, the decomposition of wood inside living tree hollows can considerably influence estimates of stem biomass in old‐growth forests.
REVIEW: Potential roles of soil fauna in improving the efficiency of rain gardens used as natural stormwater treatment systems
Authors: Mehring Andrew S. , Levin Lisa A.
Published: August 2015

Natural treatment systems such as rain gardens aim to overcome the negative effects of urbanization on water quality, availability, and freshwater and marine ecosystem integrity by mimicking the natural water cycle in urban planning and design. While soils in these systems are inhabited by a diverse array of invertebrates, the soil macrofauna is ignored in the vast majority of studies on new or existing rain gardens.

Here, we review the functional roles of invertebrates commonly found within soils of rain gardens. Soil fauna have the potential to substantially alter plant growth, water infiltration rates, and the retention and removal of pathogens, nutrients, heavy metals and other contaminants. Their lack of inclusion in controlled laboratory or greenhouse studies may contribute to differences in observed function in field and laboratory settings.

Promising future research directions include the following: (i) the use of controlled experiments to study invertebrate effects on rain garden function; (ii) determining the factors affecting variability in organismal abundance among and within sites; and (iii) the design of rain gardens to facilitate development of fauna that promote desired functions.

Synthesis and applications. Soil fauna may substantially alter the function of rain gardens as natural stormwater treatment systems in urban areas. Therefore, incorporat‐ing animal effects into design and testing may better enable managers and researchers to understand and optimize rain garden functioning, and forecast the longevity of rain gardens.
Chemical suppression of embryonic cane toads Rhinella marina by larval conspecifics
Authors: Clarke Gregory S. , Crossland Michael R. , Shilton Cathy , Shine Richard
Published: August 2015

Mechanisms that evolved to suppress the development of potential competitors may offer novel methods for species‐specific control of invasive organisms. The tadpoles of cane toads Rhinella marina compete for limited food resources in small ponds and older tadpoles eliminate competitors not only by eating newly laid eggs, but also by releasing a chemical that suppresses development of conspecific eggs.

We conducted laboratory trials to assess the magnitude and generality of this suppression effect and to identify the developmental stages capable of producing the suppressor cue and those that are vulnerable to its presence.

In all clutches that we tested, the suppressor cue reduced larval growth, development and survival (>95% mortality vs. <50% in controls). The suppressor exerts a general effect on larval development, rather than causing malformations of specific organ systems.

Free‐swimming tadpoles of all developmental stages produce the cue (but are not affected by it), whereas embryos do not produce the cue, but are vulnerable to it. Tadpoles produce the cue consistently rather than facultatively (e.g. in response to detecting eggs).

A preliminary trial shows that the cue is effective in natural spawning ponds as well as in the laboratory.

Synthesis and applications. Our data have strong implications for current methods of toad control (culling tadpoles will remove suppression effects on the next generation, so it may be better to maintain live toad tadpoles in secure containers rather than removing them from the pond). Longer‐term, understanding the chemical basis of this powerful mechanism for intraspecific competition may facilitate invader control.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: REVIEW: Trait matching of flower visitors and crops predicts fruit set better than trait diversity
Authors: Garibaldi Lucas A. , Bartomeus Ignasi , Bommarco Riccardo , Klein Alexandra M. , Cunningham Saul A. , Aizen Marcelo A. , Boreux Virginie , Garratt Michael P. D. , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Kremen Claire , Morales Carolina L. , Schüepp Christof , Chacoff Natacha P. , Freitas Breno M. , Gagic Vesna , Holzschuh Andrea , Klatt Björn K. , Krewenka Kristin M. , Krishnan Smitha , Mayfield Margaret M. , Motzke Iris , Otieno Mark , Petersen Jessica , Potts Simon G. , Ricketts Taylor H. , Rundlöf Maj , Sciligo Amber , Sinu Palatty Allesh , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Taki Hisatomo , Tscharntke Teja , Vergara Carlos H. , Viana Blandina F. , Woyciechowski Michal
Published: August 2015

Understanding the relationships between trait diversity, species diversity and ecosystem functioning is essential for sustainable management. For functions comprising two trophic levels, trait matching between interacting partners should also drive functioning. However, the predictive ability of trait diversity and matching is unclear for most functions, particularly for crop pollination, where interacting partners did not necessarily co‐evolve.

World‐wide, we collected data on traits of flower visitors and crops, visitation rates to crop flowers per insect species and fruit set in 469 fields of 33 crop systems. Through hierarchical mixed‐effects models, we tested whether flower visitor trait diversity and/or trait matching between flower visitors and crops improve the prediction of crop fruit set (functioning) beyond flower visitor species diversity and abundance.

Flower visitor trait diversity was positively related to fruit set, but surprisingly did not explain more variation than flower visitor species diversity.

The best prediction of fruit set was obtained by matching traits of flower visitors (body size and mouthpart length) and crops (nectar accessibility of flowers) in addition to flower visitor abundance, species richness and species evenness. Fruit set increased with species richness, and more so in assemblages with high evenness, indicating that additional species of flower visitors contribute more to crop pollination when species abundances are similar.

Synthesis and applications. Despite contrasting floral traits for crops world‐wide, only the abundance of a few pollinator species is commonly managed for greater yield. Our results suggest that the identification and enhancement of pollinator species with traits matching those of the focal crop, as well as the enhancement of pollinator richness and evenness, will increase crop yield beyond current practices. Furthermore, we show that field practitioners can predict and manage agroecosystems for pollination services based on knowledge of just a few traits that are known for a wide range of flower visitor species.
Root herbivory indirectly affects above‐ and below‐ground community members and directly reduces plant performance
Authors: Barber Nicholas A. , Milano Nelson J. , Kiers E. Toby , Theis Nina , Bartolo Vanessa , Hazzard Ruth V. , Adler Lynn S.
Published: August 2015

There is a widespread recognition that above‐ and below‐ground organisms are linked through their interactions with host plants that span terrestrial subsystems. In addition to direct effects on plants, soil organisms such as root herbivores can indirectly alter interactions between plants and other community members, with potentially important effects on plant growth and fitness.

We manipulated root herbivory by Acalymma vittatum in Cucumis sativus to determine indirect effects on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, leaf herbivory, the leaf pathogen downy mildew and pollinators. We also manipulated pollen receipt by plants to determine whether root herbivory reduced plant reproduction through changes in pollinator visitation.

Overall, root herbivory had strong net negative effects on plant growth and fitness, with 34% reductions in both leaf and fruit production by high root damage levels relative to control, despite reduced infection by downy mildew. High root herbivory also reduced floral visitation by 39%, apparently due to lower flower production, as flower size and scent were unaffected. Above‐ground herbivory was not affected by root herbivores.

Although root herbivory reduced pollinator visits, pollen receipt manipulations had no effect on fruit set, indicating that reduced pollinator service did not affect plant reproduction.

Synthesis. Root herbivory had indirect effects on a range of community members, including mutualists and antagonists both above‐ and below‐ground. Although reduced pathogen infection associated with root herbivory would be expected to benefit plants, root herbivory had an overall strong negative effect on plant growth and reproduction, indicating that direct negative effects over‐rode any potential indirect benefits.
Comparison of techniques used to deliver a deeply impacted fetal head at full dilation: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jeve YB , Navti OB , Konje JC
Published: August 2015

Background

Second‐stage caesarean section with a deeply impacted fetal head is associated with maternal and neonatal complications.

Objectives

Systematic review and meta‐analysis to identify, appraise and synthesise existing evidence that evaluated various techniques of delivering a baby with a deeply impacted head at full‐dilation caesarean section. The primary outcome was uterine extension and secondary outcomes were other maternal and neonatal morbidities.

Search strategy

Online searches of MEDLINE (1946–January 2015), EMBASE (1950–January 2015), Web of Sciences (1950–2015), and the Cochrane Library databases were performed using a set of relevant keywords.

Selection criteria

All studies that compared the outcome of various techniques of delivering the baby's head at full‐dilation caesarean section.

Data collection and analysis

Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Data collected from each of the studies included variables on the participants, comparisons used, and feto‐maternal outcomes. Meta‐analysis was performed using review manager 5.3.

Main results

In total, 12 studies were included. Six studies (n = 455) examined primary outcomes. Meta‐analysis showed that the risks of uterine incision extension, infection, mean blood loss, and operative time were significantly higher with the push technique compared with the reverse breech extraction. The evidence to support the Patwardhan method and fetal pillow was inadequate.

Authors' conclusions

Evidence gathered from observational studies suggests that reverse breech extraction is associated with significantly lower maternal risks compared with the push method.

Tweetable abstract

Meta‐analysis suggests reverse breech extraction during caesarean section to deliver impacted fetus is safer.
The distribution of individual cabinet positions in coalition governments: A sequential approach
Authors: Ecker Alejandro , Meyer Thomas M. , Müller Wolfgang C.
Published: August 2015

Multiparty government in parliamentary democracies entails bargaining over the payoffs of government participation, in particular the allocation of cabinet positions. While most of the literature deals with the numerical distribution of cabinet seats among government parties, this article explores the distribution of individual portfolios. It argues that coalition negotiations are sequential choice processes that begin with the allocation of those portfolios most important to the bargaining parties. This induces conditionality in the bargaining process as choices of individual cabinet positions are not independent of each other. Linking this sequential logic with party preferences for individual cabinet positions, the authors of the article study the allocation of individual portfolios for 146 coalition governments in Western and Central Eastern Europe. The results suggest that a sequential logic in the bargaining process results in better predictions than assuming mutual independence in the distribution of individual portfolios.
Examination of the Sequence between Laser Printing and Rollerball Pen Writing Without an Intersecting Stroke
Authors: Wang Shaofang , Lu Caijun , Wang Gang
Published: August 2015

Examining the sequences of printing and writing is a significant method of determining the authenticity and validity of documents. Forensic document examiners have extensively studied crossing lines, which has produced useful information. However, the sequence for laser printing and rollerball pen writing without crossing strokes has not been studied. To solve this problem, volunteers were invited to write characters on A4 paper with different rollerball pens using two sequences. Four laser printers applied print to these sheets, and the materials were examined using an Optem A‐Zoom2 video tomography microscope. Consequently, distinguishing features were noted between the materials produced in both sequences. These features might provide a scientific basis for accurately determining the sequence between laser printing and rollerball pen writing in the absence of intersecting strokes.
A Direct Aqueous Derivatization GSMS Method for Determining Benzoylecgonine Concentrations in Human Urine
Authors: Chericoni Silvio , Stefanelli Fabio , Da Valle Ylenia , Giusiani Mario
Published: August 2015

A sensitive and reliable method for extraction and quantification of benzoylecgonine (BZE) and cocaine (COC) in urine is presented. Propyl‐chloroformate was used as derivatizing agent, and it was directly added to the urine sample: the propyl derivative and COC were then recovered by liquid–liquid extraction procedure. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to detect the analytes in selected ion monitoring mode. The method proved to be precise for BZE and COC both in term of intraday and interday analysis, with a coefficient of variation (CV) <6%. Limits of detection (LOD) were 2.7 ng/mL for BZE and 1.4 ng/mL for COC. The calibration curve showed a linear relationship for BZE and COC (r2 >0.999 and >0.997, respectively) within the range investigated. The method, applied to thirty authentic samples, showed to be very simple, fast, and reliable, so it can be easily applied in routine analysis for the quantification of BZE and COC in urine samples.
Assessing the Risk of Secondary Transfer Via Fingerprint Brush Contamination Using Enhanced Sensitivity DNA Analysis Methods
Authors: Bolivar Paula‐Andrea , Tracey Martin , McCord Bruce
Published: August 2015

Experiments were performed to determine the extent of cross‐contamination of DNA resulting from secondary transfer due to fingerprint brushes used on multiple items of evidence. Analysis of both standard and low copy number (LCN) STR was performed. Two different procedures were used to enhance sensitivity, post‐PCR cleanup and increased cycle number. Under standard STR typing procedures, some additional alleles were produced that were not present in the controls or blanks; however, there was insufficient data to include the contaminant donor as a contributor. Inclusion of the contaminant donor did occur for one sample using post‐PCR cleanup. Detection of the contaminant donor occurred for every replicate of the 31 cycle amplifications; however, using LCN interpretation recommendations for consensus profiles, only one sample would include the contaminant donor. Our results indicate that detection of secondary transfer of DNA can occur through fingerprint brush contamination and is enhanced using LCN‐DNA methods.
Intraosseous access in neonates and infants: risk of severe complications – a case report
Authors: Suominen P. K. , Nurmi E. , Lauerma K.
Published: August 2015

Gaining vascular access in a neonate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is crucial and challenging. Intraosseous (IO) access can offer a fast and reliable method for achieving emergency access for fluids and drugs when venous access fails in a critically ill child. IO access can however result in rare, but serious adverse events including compartment syndrome and amputation. We describe a case resulting in leg amputation due to IO infusion in a neonate after resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia. We compared 10 tibia X‐rays in three age groups. The mean medullary diameter of the proximal tibia at the recommended site for IO access was 7 mm in neonate, 10 mm in 1‐ to 12‐month‐old infants, and 12 mm in 3‐ to 4‐year‐old children. This provides a narrow margin of safety for the correct positioning and the avoidance of dislodgement of the IO needle. The correct position of the IO needle should be confirmed by bone marrow aspiration and fluid bolus. Unnecessary touching of the IO needle after fixing it in place should be avoided by inserting a luer‐lock catheter with a three‐way stop‐cock for IO drug and fluid administration. Regular observation of the circulation and possible swelling of the leg should be performed. The IO administration of inotropic infusions should also be avoided after the initial resuscitation phase. When treating with therapeutic hypothermia, it may be wise to remove the IO needle much earlier than the currently recommended 24 h because of the problems in peripheral circulation and its monitoring.
Mental health correlates of drug treatment among women who use methamphetamine
Authors: Rade Candalyn B. , Desmarais Sarah L. , Van Dorn Richard A. , Lutnick Alexandra , Kral Alex H. , Lorvick Jennifer
Published: August 2015

Background and Objectives

Women comprise over one‐third of people who use methamphetamine in the United States and have a higher prevalence of negative mental health consequences of methamphetamine use than men. Yet, few studies have investigated the mental health correlates of drug treatment among this population. We examined the relationship between mental disorders, mental health treatment, and drug treatment among women who use methamphetamine.

Methods

We used respondent‐driven sampling to recruit women who use methamphetamine (N = 322) for a survey about mental disorders, mental health treatment, drug use and treatment, and sociodemographic factors. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Bivariate analyses indicated that race/ethnicity, mental health treatment, and presence and number of mental disorders were associated with drug treatment. Multivariable analyses revealed that women who reported mental health treatment during a 6‐month period had almost twice the odds of also reporting drug treatment than other women (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.11, 3.25), after controlling for mental disorders and race/ethnicity.

Conclusion

Among women who use methamphetamine, participation in one service system (mental health treatment) is a key factor in increasing the odds of participation in another service system (drug treatment). Further research should establish the temporal association between mental health and drug treatment.

Scientific Significance

The present study demonstrates the association between mental health treatment and drug treatment, above and beyond presence or number of mental disorders, and provides direction for drug treatment providers seeking to improve treatment entry and participation among women who use methamphetamine. (Am J Addict 2015;XX:1–8)
Tungsten lamp and chronic actinic dermatitis
Authors: Hu Stephen Chu‐Sung , Lan Cheng‐Che E
Published: August 2015

Chronic actinic dermatitis is often associated with sensitivity to UV light. It is not well recognised that chronic actinic dermatitis may be exacerbated by light in the visible spectrum. We describe an unusual case of chronic actinic dermatitis exacerbated by a tungsten lamp, which emits light in the visible spectrum.