bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Our Food: How we went wrong
Authors: Shahzad Aamir
Published: April 2022

The editorial, ‘Our food: How we went wrong' in your recent Life and Science magazine (Vol. 3, No. 1, Jan 2022) needs rephrasing and a bit of explanation. The editorial represents the journal's official standing on a scientific issue. So it has to be carefully worded.

The editorial referred above claims, ‘Glucose is not a mandatory fuel for metabolizing tissue cells. Protein and fat deficiencies are known to cause disorders. There is no disease produced by absence of glucose from diet.'

This statement gives an impression that glucose is not essential for the human body as its deficiency does not lead to any chronic deficiency disease, (unlike fats and protein, so they are more essential). This statement is likely to create misunderstanding. Infant glucose is extremely essential and life depends upon its uninterrupted supply to vital organs. Its deficiency is not known to cause any disease as a low glucose level below a certain limit will result in death within a few minutes. That's why our body homeostasis does not allow glucose to be decreased critically and immediately starts gluconeogenesis to convert amino acids and fatty acids to glucose.

There are certain conditions in which the capacity of gluconeogenesis is overwhelmed and all those situations are considered urgent life threatening situations.

Claim that, 'Sugars and starches have addictive potential' is likely to stretch the definition of 'Addiction' to a new unscientific limit. Moreover in the said editorial, it is mentioned that our forefathers who were hunter-gatherer perhaps had great health given their circumstances favoring better survival based on diverse foods. This phrase is also in need of further elaboration. There is no medical/archeological evidence that hunter-gatherers enjoyed better health or more life expectancy. Rather it is the other way round. With advancement of modern science, overall health and life expectancy has improved a lot.

In Fact the problem nowadays is lack of physical activities, use of refined sugars, and processed food leading to an epidemic of metabolic syndrome and its associated complications. Although the editorial does mention these facts as well but still some further explanation is essential. Most of the diet programs (like Mediterranean and DASH diet) suggest 50% of daily calories from carbohydrate, 30 % from Protein and 20% from fat. Keto diet is still debatable as far as its long term effects on health are concerned.

How to cite this: Shahzad A. Our Food: How we went wrong. Life and Science. 2022; 3(2): 81-81. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.008

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Comparison of Primary Outcomes in Extra-Abdominal Versus Intra-Abdominal Uterine Repair at Caesarean Section: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kashif Sanum , Hanif Asia
Published: April 2022

Objective: To compare extra-abdominal repair of uterine incision, in caesarean section with in situ repair, in terms of duration of surgery.Study Design: Comparative study.                       Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Gynae and Obstetrics Department of CMH Abbottabad from May 2016 to Nov 2017.Materials and Methods: A total of 362 patients were randomized by creating permuted blocks of 6. In Group A (n=181), uterus was exteriorized, following delivery of baby and in Group B (n=181) in-situ repair of uterus was performed. Lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) with Pfannenstiel incision was made, with uterine repair in two layers. Data was collected by the trainee herself on the annexed pro forma. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.Results: The mean age of participants was 29.57 ± 5.79 years while mean age in group-A was 29.09 ± 5.52 years and in group-B was 30.04 ± 6.02 years. The mean gestational age in group-A and group-B was 37.26 ± 3.05 weeks and 37.24 ± 2.98 weeks respectively.  The mean operative time in group-A was significantly lower (34.90 ± 5.84 minutes) then group-B (36.25 ± 6.36 minutes), p-value = 0.036 (< 0.05)Conclusion: The surgical time in extra abdominal uterine repair in caesarean sections was significantly short as compared to intra-abdominal repair, so exteriorization of uterus is more advantageous than in situ repair in terms of postoperative recovery.

How to cite this: Kashif S, Hanif A. Comparison of Primary Outcomes in Extra-Abdominal Versus Intra-Abdominal Uterine Repair at Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life and Science. 2022; 3(2): 79-82.  doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.185

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Regional Lymph Node Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer: Single Anterior Supraclavicular Field vs. Two Anterior and Posterior Opposed Supraclavicular Fields
Authors: Anwer Attique , Ijaz Ahmed , Arshad Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Objective: To compare different alternatives for the two regional Auxiliary lymph node (AXLN) and Supraclavicular lympnode (SCLNs) treatment programs by providing a perfect balance of homogeneity and by arranging target volume coverage.Study Design: Cross sectional.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from 11th March 2020 to 11th September 2020 at the oncology ward of the Tertiary Care Hospital, Multan.Materials and Methods: Forty breast cancer patients were included in the study. A three-dimensional (3D) planning system and a 6MV Compact machine technique were planned for the patients with breast cancer treated with post-surgery radiation that included the SC field.Results: The minimum weight of these patients was 40kg, maximum 110kg. The minimum height was 148cm, the highest 175cm. Measurements averaged 63.5kg and 163.5cm respectively. The depth of the SC was 3-7 cm whereas the diameter of the chest wall was 12-21 cm. Body mass index has a relation with the mean of both the diameter of the chest wall and SC depth.Conclusion: Two anterior and posterior opposed supraclavicular field is a better choice for the treatment as compared to single anterior supraclavicular fields. Several hot spots were produced at the two anterior and posterior opposed supraclavicular fields due to the use of single-photon.

How to cite this: Anwer A, Ijaz A, Arshad M. Regional Lymph Node Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer: Single Anterior Supraclavicular Field vs. Two Anterior and Posterior Opposed Supraclavicular Fields. Life and Science. 2022; 3(2): 70-74.  doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.202

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Financial Confidence in Dealing with Unexpected Expenditure and Consumer Financial Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Subjective Financial Knowledge
Authors: Fuzhong Chen  , Haoyue Chen
Published: April 2022

Utilizing data from the U.S. National Financial Capability Study in 2018, the purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between financial confidence in dealing with unexpected expenditure (FCDUE) and consumer financial satisfaction, which is informative for policymakers and financial institutions to carry out more effective measures to improve consumer financial satisfaction. Besides, this study further explores the moderating role of subjective financial knowledge. To produce more accurate estimates, this study employs the approach of ordered probit regression. The results indicate positive associations between FCDUE and consumer financial satisfaction. Besides, the results suggest that the moderating role of subjective financial knowledge enhances the positive effects of FCDUE on consumer financial satisfaction. The empirical findings imply that maintaining appropriate financial confidence in emergency savings and adequate financial literacy is in favor of enhancing consumer financial satisfaction.
Relationship between Handgrip Strength, Socioeconomic Status and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Correlation Study
Authors: Anisha Sharma  , Samuel SE  , Abhilash PV
Published: April 2022

Objective: Dynapenia involves decline in a range of functional abilities and phenotypes, many of which are associated with socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms. Reduced handgrip strength (HGS) predicts disability, morbidity and mortality but it is unclear if it is influenced by socioeconomic factors and depression. This study therefore, aimed to assess SES, depressive symptoms and HGS among older adults. Methods: A total of 33 community dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Kuppuswamy socioeconomic scale, geriatric depression scale (GDS) and handheld dynamometer were used to assess socioeconomic status, depressive symptoms and handgrip strength respectively.Results: The mean HGS was 22.8 kg for men and 17.4 kg for women. In adjusted linear regression analysis among both men and women SES has a significant association with HGS and depressive symptoms in older adults. Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with grip strength while positively associated with SES. Conclusion: Our results suggest that lower HGS, using standardised age and gender is associated with depressive symptoms and SES. HGS can be a simple tool and guidelines for health workers and caregivers to identify and reduce clinical, functional, psychological, social and economic risk factors for disability
Evaluation of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Aneurysm With CAD-RADS Scoring System Using MDCT Angiography
Authors: ŞAHİN Tuna
Published: April 2022

Aim: This article aims to investigate the degree and frequency of atherosclerosis using the “Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System” (CAD-RADS) classification in patients who underwent coronary Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Angiography with a preliminary diagnosis of coronary artery disease and were found to have coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) and also to discuss the predisposing factors, prevalence, diagnostic criteria and complications in CAA with CT images.Material and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the examinations of 3694 patients who underwent coronary MDCT angiography. We evaluated a total of 69 patients including 23 patients with CAA and 46 patients without CAA, in terms of atherosclerotic involvement using the CAD-RADS classification system and compared the findings.Results: CAA was most frequently found in the right coronary artery (RCA), followed by the left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex (LCX), left main coronary artery (LMCA), and posterolateral branch (PLB). In patients with CAA, the most frequently atherosclerosis observed vessels were LAD, LCX, RCA, and LMCA, respectively, while LAD, RCA, LCX, LMCA, PLD, and PDA were detected in patients without an aneurysm. No atherosclerosis was detected in 5 patients (21.7 %) with CAA and 15 patients (32.6 %) without CAA (p>0.05). Conclusion: The number of atherosclerotic vessels and the degree of stenosis calculated using the CAD-RADS scoring in patients with CAA are similar to patients without an aneurysm. The fact that atherosclerosis is an important factor in the etiology of aneurysms may explain this situation.
Is There an Association Between Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Authors: KAHRAMAN Şerif Şamil , YÜCEDAĞ Fatih
Published: April 2022

Aim: To determine whether or not there is any relationship between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and Methods: The study included 67 patients who presented at Karaman Training and Research Hospital between November 2020 and February 2021, were diagnosed with BPPV with provocative tests, and were applied with canal-specific repositioning manoeuvre. The patients were questioned in respect of how many days after the onset of dizziness complaints they presented at the polyclinic, whether or not they had previously experienced such an attack, how many times the manoeuvre was applied in treatment, and when the dizziness recovered after the manoeuvre. The patients were followed up for 12 months in respect of recurrence.Results: The 67 patients comprised 64.2% females and 35.8% males with a mean age of 55.34±16.58 years. A previous attack was reported by 80.6% of the patients. During the mean 12-month follow-up period, 94% of the patients experienced no new attack. The mean number of therapeutic manoeuvres applied to each patient was 1.5. There was determined to be a history of COVID-19 infection in 14 patients. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that there seemed to be a relationship between BPPV and the pandemic by COVID-19 infection affecting the peripheral vestibular system. The association with COVID-19 infection did not cause any increase in the number of therapeutic manoeuvres or BPPV recurrence. Further studies will contribute to clarifying this condition.
SATISFAÇÃO DOS USUÁRIOS DE SERVIÇO DE FISIOTERAPIA NO BRASIL: UMA REVISÃO DA LITERATURA
Authors: Sardinha Souza Lopes Wilinghton , Salgado Xavier Daniel
Published: April 2022

A satisfação em saúde consiste na expectativa e na percepção dos indivíduos quanto ao serviço recebido, diante do exposto três aspectos relevantes devem ser observados: a atenção técnica, a relação interpessoal e o ambiente físico. A avaliação da satisfação é uma importante ferramenta qualitativa na gestão em sáude, uma vez que diante dos resultados obtidos, medidas resolutivas poderão ser implementadas a fim de garantir que haja uma melhor percepção por parte dos usuários acerca dos serviços prestados. Resultados produzem crescimento no setor, além de representar uma oportunidade de conquistar o público alvo dos serviços. A meta é inferir dados sobre a qualidade e a satisfação dos usuários de serviços em fisioterapia no Brasil. As pesquisas foram  realizadas nas seguintes bases de dados: LILACS, SciELO e PubMed considerando os unitermos fisioterapia, satisfação do paciente, gestão da informação em saúde no periodo de 2012 a 2022. Foram selecionados 6 estudos para análise, dentro do métodode revisão e posterior produção deste estudo. De modo geral, os usuários se mostraram satisfeitos em relação à prestação de serviço em fisioterapia. Em geral as clínicas-escola foram os serviços mais bem avaliados, o que de certa forma parece sugerir que os usuários se sentem confortáveis em serem atendidos por estagiários.
A Partial Filament Eruption in Three Steps Induced by External Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Dai Jun , Li Zhentong , Wang Ya , Xu Zhe , Zhang Yanjie , Li Leping , Zhang Qingmin , Su Yingna , Ji Haisheng
Published: April 2022

We present an investigation of partial filament eruption on 2012 June 17 in the active region NOAA 11504. For the first time, we observed the vertical splitting process during the partial eruption with high-resolution narrowband images at 10830 Å. The active filament was rooted in a small δ-sunspot of the active region. Particularly, it underwent the partial eruption in three steps, i.e., the precursor, the first eruption, and the second eruption, while the latter two were associated with a C1.0 flare and a C3.9 flare, respectively. During the precursor, slow magnetic reconnection took place between the filament and the adjoining loops that also rooted in the δ-sunspot. The continuous reconnection not only caused the filament to split into three groups of threads vertically but also formed a new filament, which was growing and accompanied brightening took place around the site. Subsequently, the growing filament erupted together with one group splitted threads, resulted in the first eruption. At the beginning of the first eruption, a subsequent magnetic reconnection occurred between the erupting splitted threads and another ambient magnetic loop. After about 3 minutes, the second eruption occurred as a result of the eruption of two larger unstable filaments induced by the magnetic reconnection. The high-resolution observation provides a direct evidence that magnetic reconnection between filament and its ambient magnetic fields could induce the vertical splitting of the filament, resulting in partial eruption.
High-precision Calibration of the Fluxgate Magnetometer Offset Vector in the Terrestrial Magnetosheath
Authors: Wang Guoqiang
Published: April 2022

High-precision magnetic field measurements are of great significance for the in-depth study of the physical processes in the astrophysical plasma environment. To obtain accurate natural magnetic fields, in-flight calibration is one key step to obtaining zero offset of the spaceborne fluxgate magnetometer (FGM). Mirror mode structures, widely existing in the solar wind and planetary magnetosheaths and magnetospheres, can be used to calculate the zero offset. However, it is difficult to obtain an accurate zero offset by the current methods using mirror mode structures in the planetary magnetosheath. Here, we develop a new method to calculate the zero offset of the spaceborne FGM using magnetic dips, which are a kind of mirror mode structure. This method is based on the assumption that the magnetic field is zero in the cross section of the magnetic dip. Our method is able to calculate the zero offset using only one magnetic dip. We test this method by using the data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, and find that the calculation errors of 78.1% of the estimated zero offsets are <0.5 nT when using 25 magnetic dips in the terrestrial magnetosheath. This suggests that our method is able to achieve a high accuracy of the zero offset in the planetary magnetosheath.
Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Spicular Jet Propagation Applied to Lower Solar Atmosphere Model. II. Case Studies with Tilted Jets
Authors: Mackenzie Dover Fionnlagh , Sharma Rahul , Erdélyi Robertus
Published: April 2022

We report on numerical simulations of a propagating momentum pulse, representing an inclined jet structure in a stratified lower solar atmosphere model. Here, the numerical jets were generated via injection of a momentum pulse misaligned with the radial magnetic field, which resulted in a collimated structure that mimicked the observed inclined jet features in the chromosphere. The influence of inclination angle was examined for a variety of initial driver conditions (amplitude, period) and magnetic field magnitudes to identify their potential role in determining the morphological and dynamical characteristics of chromospheric jets. The numerical jets in our computational domain were consistent with the observed magnitudes of apex height and cross-sectional width for average inclination of chromospheric features. Furthermore, with an increasing misalignment between the momentum pulse and ambient magnetic field, the simulated structures showed a drop in the maximum apex height and length, while an increase in cross-sectional width magnitudes. Our numerical experiments also revealed the development of a pulse-like transverse motions in jets along with high density edges/nodes in the direction of jet displacement. It is postulated that dynamic kink instability might be responsible for the observed kinematic behavior of the inclined jet structures in the solar chromosphere.
The Extended Tidal Tails of NGC 7089 (M2)
Authors: Grillmair Carl J.
Published: April 2022

Using photometry and proper motions from Gaia Early Data Release 3, we detect a 45° long trailing stellar debris stream associated with the old, metal-poor globular cluster NGC 7089. With a width on the order of 100 pc, the extended stream appears to be as dynamically cold as the coldest known streams found to date. There is some evidence for an extended leading tail extending between 28° and 37° from the cluster, though the greater distance of this tail, combined with proper motions that are virtually indistinguishable from those of foreground stars, make the detection much less certain. The proper motion profile and the path on the sky of the trailing tail are not well matched using a simple Galactic potential composed purely of a disk, bulge, and spherical halo. However, the addition of a moving, massive (M = 1.88 × 1011
M
⊙) Large Magellanic Cloud brings the model predictions into much better agreement with the observables. We provide tables of the most highly ranked candidate stream stars for follow-up by ongoing and future spectroscopic surveys.
Surface Brightness Profile of Lyman-α Halos out to 320 kpc in HETDEX
Authors: Lujan Niemeyer Maja , Komatsu Eiichiro , Byrohl Chris , Davis Dustin , Fabricius Maximilian , Gebhardt Karl , Hill Gary J. , Wisotzki Lutz , Bowman William P. , Ciardullo Robin , Farrow Daniel J. , Finkelstein Steven L. , Gawiser Eric , Gronwall Caryl , Jeong Donghui , Landriau Martin , Liu Chenxu , Cooper Erin Mentuch , Ouchi Masami , Schneider Donald P. , Zeimann Gregory R.
Published: April 2022

We present the median-stacked Lyman-α (Lyα) surface brightness profiles of 968 spectroscopically selected Lyα emitting galaxies (LAEs) at redshifts 1.9 < z < 3.5 in the early data of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment. The selected LAEs are high-confidence Lyα detections with high signal-to-noise ratios observed with good seeing conditions (point-spread function FWHM <1.″4), excluding active galactic nuclei. The Lyα luminosities of the LAEs are 1042.4–1043 erg s−1. We detect faint emission in the median-stacked radial profiles at the level of

(
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from the surrounding Lyα halos out to r ≃ 160 kpc (physical). The shape of the median-stacked radial profile is consistent at r < 80 kpc with that of much fainter LAEs at 3 < z < 4 observed with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), indicating that the median-stacked Lyα profiles have similar shapes at redshifts 2 < z < 4 and across a factor of 10 in Lyα luminosity. While we agree with the results from the MUSE sample at r < 80 kpc, we extend the profile over a factor of two in radius. At r > 80 kpc, our profile is flatter than the MUSE model. The measured profile agrees at most radii with that of galaxies in the Byrohl et al. cosmological radiative transfer simulation at z = 3. This suggests that the surface brightness of a Lyα halo at r ≲ 100 kpc is dominated by resonant scattering of Lyα photons from star-forming regions in the central galaxy, whereas at r > 100 kpc, it is dominated by photons from galaxies in surrounding dark matter halos.
Systematics in the Spectral Energy Distribution Fitting Parameter Estimation of Composite Galaxies
Authors: Zine Katherine , Salim Samir
Published: April 2022

Derivation of physical properties of galaxies using spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting is a powerful method, but can suffer from various systematics arising from model assumptions. Previously, such biases were mostly studied in the context of individual galaxies. In this study, we investigate potential biases arising from performing the SED fitting on the combined light of two galaxies, as would be the case in postmerger systems. We use the GALEX-SDSS-WISE Legacy Catalog of z < 0.3 galaxies to identify 9000 galaxy pairs that could eventually merge. For these we investigate if the UV/optical SED fitting accurately determines the stellar mass and (specific) star formation rate (sSFRs) if the pair was unresolved (merged). The sum of the stellar masses (and star formation rates (SFRs)) of individual galaxies in the pair establishes the ground truth for these quantities. For star-forming galaxies no biases (<0.1 dex) are found in the stellar mass, SFR, or sSFRs. Moderate systematics in SFR (∼0.1 dex) are found for systems with an extreme contrast in dust content between the two galaxies. We conclude that biases that would arise in the determination of masses and SFRs of postmerger systems on account of the two original galaxies having potentially very different star formation histories and different dust properties are small and that the approach with simple two-component star formation histories is adequate. The approach presented in this study, using flux compositing with empirically determined ground truth, offers new opportunities for testing the results of SED fitting in general.
General Relativistic Radiation Magnetohydrodynamics Simulations of Black Hole Accretion Disks: Comparison of Methods Based on Variable Eddington Tensor and Based on M1 Closure
Authors: Asahina Yuta , Ohsuga Ken
Published: April 2022

We perform 2.5-dimensional general relativistic radiation magnetohydrodynamics simulations of black hole accretion disks and disk winds in the range of mass accretion rate from 0.1 to 104.5 times the Eddington limit. In this paper, we compare the results of the INAZUMA code, in which the frequency-integrated time-dependent radiation transfer equation is solved in order to evaluate the Eddington tensor, with those of the first momentum (M1) approximation method. In both methods, accretion disks and disk winds appear, and there is no remarkable difference in accretion rate, outflow rate, or luminosity. However, the significant difference in the radiation field appears around the rotation axis. In the M1 method, the radial component of the radiation flux tends to be amplified owing to unphysical radiation collisions. Such an enhancement of the outward radiation flux does not appear in INAZUMA. Also, the problem of radiation not reaching the rotation axis occurs with M1, but not with INAZUMA. Our results indicate that the radiation transfer equation should be solved to obtain the accurate radiation field in the optically thin region around the rotation axis.
Gas-phase Metallicity Profiles of Star-forming Galaxies in the Modified Accretion Disk Framework
Authors: Wang Enci , Lilly Simon J.
Published: April 2022

Simulations indicate that the inflow of gas of star-forming galaxies is almost coplanar and corotating with the gas disk, and that the outflow of gas driven by stellar winds and/or supernova explosions is preferentially perpendicular to the disk. This indicates that the galactic gas disk can be treated as a modified accretion disk. In this work, we focus on the metal enhancement in galactic disks in this scenario of gas accretion. Assuming that the star formation rate surface density (ΣSFR) is of exponential form, we obtain the analytic solution of gas-phase metallicity with only three free parameters: the scale length of ΣSFR (h
R), the metallicity of the inflowing gas, and the mass-loading factor defined as the wind-driven outflow rate surface density per ΣSFR. According to this simple model, the negative gradient of gas-phase metallicity is a natural consequence of the radial inflow of cold gas that is continuously enriched by in situ star formation as it moves toward the disk center. We fit the model to the observed metallicity profiles for six nearby galaxies chosen to have well-measured metallicity profiles extending to very large radii. Our model can well characterize the overall features of the observed metallicity profiles. The observed profiles usually show a floor at the outer regions of the disk, corresponding to the metallicity of inflow gas. Furthermore, we find the h
R of ΣSFR inferred from these fits agree well with independent estimates from ΣSFR profiles, supporting the basic model.
Drivers of torpor during the active season of Hazel Dormouse
Authors: Armitage Charlotte
Published: April 2022

Torpor is a life history strategy within more than half of mammalian orders, to achieve the conservation of energy particularly when species are experiencing unfavourable conditions. Daily torpor is limited to a duration of less than 24 hours and occurs when an animal reduces its metabolic rate and lowers its body temperature between bouts of activity. Hazel Dormice utilise daily torpor as an energy saving strategy during their active period (April-October) and the prevalence of torpor varies from year to year. The intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of daily torpor in Hazel Dormice are not yet well understood. I have identified drivers of torpor among Hazel Dormice which include climatic variables and the life history of individual animals. Dormice were more likely to be found in torpor on colder and wetter days and during colder and wetter seasons. Weight was a strong predictor of torpor; lighter individuals were more likely to be torpid earlier in the year (April-August) and heavier individuals later in the year (September-October). Individuals found in breeding nest boxes rarely enter torpor and solitary animals are more likely to be torpid. Sex only affects the prevalence of torpor in two months, August and September; males were more likely to be torpid in August and females in September. Using the resulting model I can predict how daily torpor occurrence might change under a changing climate. This will have consequences for Hazel Dormice in the UK as it is likely to affect survival and breeding rates.
Evolutionary history of the Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula)
Authors: El Mojahid Anissa , Nedyalkov Nedko , Astaras Christos , Juškaitis Rimvydas , Bivoleanu Ramona-Andreea , Ladurner Eva , Aloise Gaetano , Stakheev Valeriy , Michaux Johan , Mouton Alice
Published: April 2022

The Forest Dormouse, Dryomys nitedula, has a wide geographic distribution, from Switzerland in the west, through eastern and southern Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus, to central Russia, central Asia and Mongolia in the east. Previous phylogenetic studies revealed highly divergent lineages in some part of the distribution, suggesting that the history of the species might be complex and a revision of the taxonomy might be warranted. In order to clarify the status of the subspecies identified in previous studies, we increased the current Genbank dataset (n=106) by analyzing >150 samples from Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, and Greece. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses, based on cytochrome b, show the presence of five super lineages with two highly divergent lineages in Iran and Russia. These preliminary results will be completed by additional samples from Mongolia and Afghanistan. This study should help shed light on the evolutionary history of this species across its distribution.
Historical distribution of the Garden Dormouse in Poland
Authors: Cichocki Jan , Klimaszewski Krzysztof , Ważna Agnieszka , Wojtowicz Błażej , Sobczuk Maria , Suchecka Agnieszka
Published: April 2022

The Garden Dormouse (Eliomys quercinus), is the rarest species of the Gliridae family in Central Europe. So far, information on the occurrence of this species in Poland is based mainly on historical data in the literature. The presence of the Garden Dormouse is additionally confused by the occurrence of the Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) of similar appearance. The range of both species overlap in Poland, and they have often been distinguished incorrectly.

The aim of the research was to critically analyse the known localities of the Garden Dormouse in Poland, using both literature data and museum collections. The analysis of museum collections indicated errors in species identification, where specimens of the Forest Dormouse were usually described as a Garden Dormouse. New, previously unknown, localities have also been found. Most numerous in the collections are specimens from the vicinity of Babia Góra (Western Carpathians), where 5 individuals were caught in the early 1960s. Another occurrence of the Garden Dormouse in the Carpathians was recorded in Zakopane in the second half of the 19th century. Another region of the species’ occurrence is the area of Lusatia, in the lowland, western part of the country, where one specimen was found. The last specimen was found in Silesia in the first half of the 20th century. The remaining literature information should be considered uncertain. The last certain information about the occurrence of the Garden Dormouse in Poland comes from the 1960s from Zawoja (vicinity of Babia Góra) and since then, despite intensive searches in the 1970s and 1980s, this species has not been found in the localities where it was captured earlier. There have been significant changes in the landscape in the areas where the species historically occurred. The mosaic of mountain pastures, arable fields and small spruce forests, constituting a favourable habitat for the Garden Dormouse, has been replaced by beech forests, which are currently dominated by the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis).
Solitary vs communal use of nest boxes by the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis)
Authors: Adamik Peter , Zdarilova Nikola
Published: April 2022

The Edible Dormouse often forms group associations in den sites. We characterize, over a 13-year period, how often the dormice rest alone or communally in nest boxes. The majority (87%) of individuals are solitary, resting alone during the daytime in nest boxes. In communal associations, groups of two or three individuals were the most common. We assessed the role of ambient temperature, seed mast, density of nest boxes and the surrounding vegetation on occupancy patterns. Seed mast and nest box density had a significant effect on group associations. Groups were more common in non-masting years. The lower the density of nest boxes at the study sites, the more common were group associations. In addition, a higher proportion of beech trees surrounding the nest boxes was associated with more frequent group associations.
Habitats change habits: How Garden Dormice cope with different environments in Germany
Authors: Lang Johannes , Battermann Julia-Marie , Sommer Franziska , Waldinger Silvia , Wuttke Mona , Meinig Holger , Famira-Parcsetich Eva Marie , Büchner Sven
Published: April 2022

The Garden Dormouse is currently disappearing from parts of its range. While its population is declining in many parts of Germany including forest habitats in low mountain ranges, a stable occurrence is found in some cities. A radiotelemetry study was performed in the spruce forests of the Harz National Park (mountains) and the city of Wiesbaden to compare space and habitat use, and the structure and use of daytime nest sites (DNS) used for rest.

In total, eight individuals (5 males, 3 females) were tracked between May and September 2021. They used smaller home ranges in the city (MCP100: 2.39 ± 1.34 ha; n = 4) than in the forest (MCP100: 4.56 ± 3.13 ha; n = 4). At night, the animals used structures offering protection from predators and providing food like wide hedges in the city and rock crevices and berry bushes in the forest.

The animals were located in a DNS a total of 133 times, and one to ten different DNS per animal were identified. They were situated in structures providing a high degree of protection from predators and also had consistent temperatures (e.g. rock crevices , deadwood piles , hedges, vines on buildings, nest boxes, and buildings). While females rarely changed their DNS, males used several of them.

Recommended conservation measures for Garden Dormice include raising public awareness and also the protection and promotion of facade greening, hedges and old buildings in urban areas. A dense rocky cover, as well as a well-developed shrub layer with raspberry bushes are valuable in spruce woodlands .
Acoustic detection of Garden Dormice: a field mapping study in an urban habitat in Germany
Authors: Nava Teresa , Burn Pamela , Büchner Sven , Meinig Holger , Lang Johannes
Published: April 2022

Garden Dormouse populations have been decreasing in range and declining in number throughout Europe. For effective conservation strategies, it is important to know where and in which habitats the species still occurs. Effective monitoring methods are therefore urgently needed especially because Glirids are difficult to monitor due to their nocturnal activity and their relatively low population density. The city of Wiesbaden (central Germany close to the River Rhine) harbors a stable Garden Dormouse population. In summer 2019 a field mapping study was conducted in which the occurrence of this species was investigated. During the summertime detection of the animals, based on their characteristic vocalizations, was used for the first time to map the occurrence of the species. Within 20 nights we obtained 128 acoustic detections of Garden Dormice, involving at least 168 individuals, and resulting in records for 55 out of 61 km² grids investigated. In Wiesbaden, the species is widespread and could be easily detected by its calls. It was found over almost the whole area, mainly in semi-open areas like gardens and allotments, but also in highly built up and cultivated areas, right in the immediate vicinity of humans, and in some cases even inside buildings. Thus, the Garden Dormouse has successfully adjusted to a life in an urban environment. Using this simple, cheap, fast and non-invasive method can provide many data for biodiversity monitoring and should therefore be given more consideration in future surveys.
Developing a novel bioacoustic monitoring for Garden Dormice using passive sound recorders and machine learning
Authors: Thivierge Sarah , Sandfort Robin , Meinig Holger , Schäffler Livia , Lang Johannes
Published: April 2022

One of the challenges of small mammal conservation is to be able to find the target species in the field. This is especially true for small nocturnal hibernators like dormice. Passive bioacoustic monitoring, as a non-invasive method, can be a useful tool to more efficiently find vocalizing animals in the field. However, bioacoustic methods produce a large amount of data, of which the manual analysis is highly time consuming. Therefore, there is need for an automatized process for identifying animal vocalization in acoustic data. Two types of recorders, audiomoths and BAR-LT recorders, were installed at a total of 10 locations of known Garden Dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) activity in Germany and were left recording in the field from June to September, producing a total of 3.54 TB of data. Based on our own and volunteers’ observations, Garden Dormouse vocalizations were manually identified in a subset of the sound files produced. These vocalizations, as well as ambient sound samples, were labelled and extracted to train a TensorFlow model, which was then tested on new subsets of the complete dataset. Comparing sound quality and acquisition costs of the two recorder types shows the potential for large-scale monitoring applications using the less expensive and open source audiomoth. Next steps include a time analysis of Garden Dormouse calls to find out when they are vocally more active during the study period. Such knowledge can help narrow the temporal scale of future bioacoustic studies on this species.
The slow invasion of England by the non-native Edible Dormouse (Glis glis): where and how many after 120 years?
Authors: Trout Roger , Morris Pat , Brooks Sarah
Published: April 2022

Since the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) was introduced to England in 1902, it very slowly invaded a wider area west of London. A recent and more rapid increase in both numbers and distribution is reported. Regular population monitoring for 23 years by volunteers at a woodland study site using nestboxes, and microchipping individuals, confirmed consistently increasing numbers. Independent reports of culling in buildings (under Licence) also indicates an increasing level of conflict. As part of a formal assessment of all British mammals published in 2018, the Glis population size was unfortunately based on estimated density data from two decades ago, indicating <1/ha. This was in a non-breeding year, when evidence indicates many marked adult Glis are not available to be counted, but re-appear the next year. We compare more recent information using a variety of different methods of density estimation which each indicate the total population to be at least an order of magnitude greater at 10-20 adults/ha. Our interpretation of these analyses discounts the suggestion that nestbox presence alone has directly caused the population increase, as happens with some bird species. Additionally, evidence from culls in woodland match our live capture population estimates. The principal aim of the national Invasive Species Strategy is to minimise the risk and negative impacts of invasive non-native species in Great Britain. Edible Dormice damage trees, predate nests of woodland birds and cause problems in the built environment. Our updated estimates affect the seriousness with which this slowly invading species should be regarded.
When is a dormouse ‘Endangered’? Continued population decline of Hazel Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Great Britain. (Poster)
Authors: Scopes Eleanor , Goodwin Cecily , Al-Fulaij Nida , White Ian , Langton Steve , Walsh Katherine , Broome Alice , McDonald Robbie
Published: April 2022

It is important to monitor species populations to identify changes in Red List assessment, whether increases from conservation or continued declines. This can be more difficult when there are multiple modelling options available. Using data from the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme, provided by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, we explore the change in British Hazel Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) populations using two appropriate generalised additive models. The first uses the negative binomial distribution, and second the Poisson distribution, with a fixed effect of month included. Both models indicate that dormice have declined by >70% between 1994 and 2018 in Great Britain, indicating a continuation of the chronic decline of the species. Our models do not differ significantly in their evaluation of the population trend, but do indicate different Red List categories, leading us to ask: when is the dormouse population considered ‘endangered’?
A 24-year investigation of the reproductive ecology of the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis)
Authors: Brooks Sarah , Trout Roger , Hill Davina
Published: April 2022

The Edible Dormouse is a non-native rodent introduced to the Chilterns, UK, in 1902. It shows extreme annual variation in breeding; either having one litter per year or, in some years, failing to breed at all. Despite this slow reproductive rate compared to other rodents, its population is increasing, and has spread beyond the anticipated landscape barriers. Communal nesting is sometimes observed. This study aims to characterise the reproduction parameters over time, including from communal breeding.

Based on a population of >11,000 PIT-tagged individuals, 600 litters and 4000 nestlings at our Chilterns study site over 24 years, we show the best fit of the number of new-borns is an increasing exponential. Monthly weight of nestlings also increased over the 24 years, while annual reproduction rate, litter size and nestling growth rates remained unchanged. Litter size decreased from 6.6 new-borns in August to 4.3 in October, indicating an average death rate of 37% in the first two months of life. Preliminary analysis suggests a small decrease in death rate over the years. Average growth rate of nestlings was c.100% of birth weight per week in their first month, but then slowed. We also examined evidence of kinship between nest sharers and investigated whether this, or communal breeding in general, promotes offspring survival. Our results will provide a deeper insight into the factors that drive the reproductive success of this invasive species and enable investigation of the effect of climatic variables on the number, survival and growth rate of nestlings.
The masked singer: vocalization in the Garden Dormouse (Eliomys quercinus)
Authors: Meinig Holger , Nava Teresa , Thivierge Sarah , Büchner Sven , Lang Johannes
Published: April 2022

Many animals make sounds for various reasons, mostly for mating and agonistic behaviour, but also for more complex social communication. These sounds are used for mapping and monitoring many animal groups and species (e.g. birds, bats, whales, grasshoppers, crickets) for mapping and monitoring. Although Glirids are known to use sounds for communication, to our knowledge vocalisations have only been used to map the Edible Dormouse. We checked the possibility of detecting the Garden Dormouse calls and used oscillograms and spectrograms to analyze these sounds. Garden Dormouse calls were recorded as mp4 files and converted to WAV format for this purpose. In combination with video recordings, the vocalisations could often be associated with the respective behaviour of the animals. Most analysed calls were related to apparent arousal, intraspecific aggression, mating or social communication within a family group between old and young animals. Some of the different calls are not yet clearly understood in their ethological context. Regardless of this, Garden Dormouse vocalizations can be clearly assigned to the species and distinguished from other species. It therefore provides a new method for mapping this species. When Garden Dormice mainly call in urban habitats, human impacts like habitat fragmentation, direct disturbance or noise pollution may challenge their acoustic behaviour in this environment.
Bridging environment, physiology and life history: stress hormones in the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis)
Authors: Havenstein Nadine , Langer Franz , Fietz Joanna
Published: April 2022

The performance of wild animals is impacted by diverse challenges imposed by the environment and distinct life history stages such as breeding and hibernation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormonal mediators that reflect the response to these challenges, exerting their far-reaching effects on numerous processes such as energy allocation, immunity and behavior. Whereas short term elevations of GC levels are crucial for survival, by activation of the emergency life history stage, chronically increased GCs are capable of impairing various body functions and ultimately hamper survival and reproduction. The aim of this study was to disentangle the effects of reproductive activity, prolonged food limitation and hibernation on stress hormone levels in the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) and to link them to formerly observed survival rates. We therefore measured urinary cortisol levels in wild Edible Dormice in South-western Germany during their active season (2012-2014). Results of our study revealed that reproductive activity was associated with high cortisol levels. During the mating season, particular individuals with a low body mass had high stress hormone levels. Elevated levels of cortisol were also measured during pre-hibernation fattening and were increased in females that had formerly invested in reproduction. Thus, reproduction represents a demanding, potentially stressful, event for both sexes and is linked to distinctly lowered survival rates occurring during years of high reproductive activity. Prolonged food limitation occurring during years of mast failure, did not affect stress levels and were not associated with increased mortality, demonstrating the ability of dormice to predict and cope with food restriction.
Detecting Hazel Dormice in the UK: what are we missing?
Authors: Bullion Simone , Looser Alison
Published: April 2022

Multiple techniques can be used to detect the presence of Hazel Dormice and as a result, there is reasonable confidence that lack of detection means that dormice are probably absent. In the UK, ancient woodlands are frequently considered as the reservoir of Hazel Dormouse populations and are a usual starting point for surveys. However, we present evidence that this may be one of the most difficult habitats in which to detect the species. This is largely due to many of these woodlands being unmanaged, with a poorly developed shrub layer due to heavy shading. This reduces the probability of finding natural field signs such as nests and chewed hazel nuts. Similarly, because detection devices (nest boxes, nest tubes and footprint tunnels) are typically positioned no more than two metres from the ground for ease of study, there is an assumption that Hazel Dormice will leave the dense canopy to use them. We predict that there is a higher risk of false negatives in this habitat type and that more research is needed to provide better certainty of detection when surveying in high canopy woodland.