bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE AS POETRY: HEIDEGGER's CHALLENGE
Authors: STRHAN ANNA
Published: February 2009

This paper examines how Heidegger's view that language is poetry might provide a helpful way of understanding the nature of religious language. Poetry, according to Heidegger, is language in its purest form, in that it both reveals Being, whilst also showing the difference between word and thing. In poetry, Heidegger suggests, we come closest to the essence of language itself and encounter its strangeness and impermeability, and its revelatory character. What would be the implications for viewing religious language in this way? Through examining Heidegger's view that poetry is the purest form of language, I suggest that it would also be possible to view religious language as poetry in this way, in that it also shows the transcendence of what cannot be brought to presence in language, except as concealed. Such a view of religious language does not regard it as a problematic type of language, deserving special treatment, but rather suggests that in religious language the inarticulable relationship between word and world is revealed.
Oestrogen Increases Nociception Through ERK Activation in the Trigeminal Ganglion: Evidence for a Peripheral Mechanism of Allodynia
Authors: Liverman CS , Brown JW , Sandhir R , Klein RM , McCarson K , Berman NEJ
Published: February 2009

The mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), is activated in experimental models of chronic pain, and is also activated by oestrogen. We used an established model of inflammatory trigeminal pain, injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the masseter muscle, to determine whether ERK activation may play a role in hormone-related trigeminal pain disorders. We measured withdrawal responses to stimulation of the masseter (V3, primary allodynia) and whisker pad (V2, secondary allodynia) using graded monofilaments. Oestrogen treatment in the presence of inflammation increased withdrawal response to stimulation of both masseter and whisker pad compared with inflammation alone, indicating an additive effect of inflammation and oestrogen on both primary and secondary allodynia. We examined ERK activation in trigeminal ganglia from each treatment group using western blot and immunohistochemistry. Both masseter inflammation and oestrogen treatment increased ERK activation, and combined treatment had an additive effect. Both masseter inflammation and oestrogen increased the percentage of pERK immunoreactive neurons in divisions 1 and 2 (V1/2), and combined treatment increased pERK immunoreactivity in V1/2 compared with inflammation alone. We stereotactically administered ERK antagonist U0126, or inactive control U0124, to the trigeminal ganglion of CFA+E2-treated rats. U0126 decreased withdrawal responses to mechanical stimulation of the whisker pad compared with U0124-treated rats. Because the secondary allodynia in V2 after inflammation in V3 was reduced by antagonizing ERK activation in the periphery, these data suggest a peripheral component to secondary allodynia mediated through ERK activation.
Quality of Sleep, Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness in Migraine—A Controlled Study
Authors: Seidel S , Hartl T , Weber M , Matterey S , Paul A , Riederer F , Gharabaghi M , Wöber-Bingöl Ç , Wöber C ,   PAMINA Study Group
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the quality of sleep and the degree of fatigue and daytime sleepiness are related to migraine. We investigated 489 subjects comprising 97 patients with eight or more, 77 patients with five to seven and 196 patients with one to four migraine days per month, and 119 migraine-free controls with fewer than six headache days per year. The patients were recruited via articles in newspapers not stressing the subject of the study. All participants underwent a semistructured interview and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Self-rating Depression Scale and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale. For statistical analysis we used two way MANOVAs, post hoc univariate two-way ANOVAs and Hochberg's GT2 tests as well as three-way mixed design ANOVAs. The PSQI total score was highest in patients with frequent migraine (5.9 ± 4.3) and lowest in controls (4.3 ± 2.5, P = 0.04). Four subscores of the PSQI showed similar statistically significant differences. The FSS and ESS scores did not differ in the four study groups. Analysing depression and anxiety revealed a significant impact on PSQI, FSS and ESS, but did not demonstrate interactions with migraine, thus suggesting that the impact of migraine is similar in patients without and with psychiatric comorbidity. In conclusion, the quality of sleep is decreased in patients with migraine, whereas fatigue and daytime sleepiness do not differ from healthy controls. The decreased quality of sleep in migraineurs is also a consequence of migraine itself and cannot be explained exclusively by comorbidity with depression or anxiety.
Age Effects on Placebo Response Rates in Clinical Trials of Acute Agents for Migraine: Pooled Analysis of Rizatriptan Trials in Adults
Authors: Ho TW , Fan X , Rodgers A , Lines CR , Winner P , Shapiro RE
Published: February 2009

This study examined the effect of age on placebo response rates in rizatriptan trials in adults. Data from eight rizatriptan adult trials involving patients treating moderate/severe migraine attacks with rizatriptan 5 mg ( N = 1819), rizatriptan 10 mg ( N = 2046) or placebo ( N = 1322) were pooled for post hoc analysis. Logistic regression was used to model 2-h pain relief (reduction to mild or none) and 2-h pain freedom rates by treatment groups. Older patients had lower placebo response rates than younger patients; the estimated odds ratio (older vs. younger) for a 10-year age increase was 0.83 for pain relief [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75, 0.93] and 0.81 for pain freedom (95% CI 0.68, 0.97). The response proportion vs. age trend was flat for rizatriptan 5 mg and slightly increased for rizatriptan 10 mg. The treatment-by-age interaction was significant for pain relief ( P < 0.001) and pain freedom ( P = 0.001), suggesting an increasing trend of treatment advantage of rizatriptan over placebo as age increased. Age appeared to be an important predictor of placebo response rate in rizatriptan trials, with older patients being less likely to respond to placebo and more likely to respond to rizatriptan.
Efficacy of partner notification for Chlamydia trachomatis among young adults in youth health centres in Uppsala County, Sweden
Authors: Sylvan SPE , Hedlund J
Published: February 2009

Background  The study was conducted to define the contact‐tracing success rate of the partner notification services routinely provided by the community‐based youth health centres and the county medical officer for communicable disease control (CMO) in Uppsala County, Sweden.

Objective  The study had three goals, (i) to register the number of sexual partners routinely reported by each diagnosed index case with CT and the success rate in tracing and testing these partners for CT infection. (ii) To analyse the current notification practices in reporting the number of cases of unsuccessful contact tracing to the CMO. (iii) To determine the contact tracing success rate of the partner notification services provided by the CMO.

Methods  Each diagnosed case of CT is obliged by law to participate in the contact‐tracing procedure performed by the physician managing the patient or by a specialised sexually transmitted infection (STI) adviser. Successful contact‐tracing is defined as the confirmed attendance of a sexual contact within 12 months of the contact with the index case.

Results  The number of CT cases diagnosed by the youth health centres during the study period was 463 (299 females and 164 males). The females reported 660 male sexual contacts and the males reported 386 female contacts. Successful partner notification was achieved for 73% of all sexual contacts. 284 (190 females and 94 males) unsuccessful partner notifications were reported to the CMO of whom 98 (52%) of the female contacts and 20 (21%) of the male contacts were successfully notified by the CMO. However, for 134 (71 females and 63 males) partners, personal details given by the index case were insufficient for identification of the partner.

Conclusions  When asymptomatic, genital CT infection spreads among sexually active young adults with multiple, unidentified sexual partners, appropriate methods of partner notification are not sufficient to achieve its aims at the population level.

Conflicts of interest

None declared
Delayed language development due to infantile thiamine deficiency
Authors: FATTAL‐VALEVSKI AVIVA , AZOURI‐FATTAL IRIS , GREENSTEIN YORAM J , GUINDY MICHAL , BLAU AYALA , ZELNIK NATHANEL
Published: February 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the language development of 20 children who had been exposed to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in infancy due to feeding with soy‐based formula that was accidentally deficient of thiamine. In this case–control study, 20 children (12 males, eight females; mean age 31.8mo [SD 4.1], range 24–39mo) who were fed thiamine‐deficient formula in infancy were compared with 20 children (12 males, eight females; mean age 32.2mo [SD 3.9], range 25–39mo) fed with other milk sources and matched for age, sex, and maternal education. Receptive and expressive language development was assessed with the Preschool Language Scale, 3rd edition. Other assessments included mental development (Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition), evaluation for autistic spectrum disorders, and neurological examination.Motor development was compared by age at independent walking. The study and control groups differed significantly in the expressive communication (p<0.001) and auditory comprehension language subscales (p<0.001), the Mental Developmental Index score (p<0.001), and age at independent walking (p=0.001). A significant correlation was found between the receptive language score and age at independent walking, i.e. poorer language associated with later walking (r=–0.601,p=0.005). The conclusion was that thiamine deficiency in infancy could affect language development in childhood.
Electroencephalographic abnormalities during sleep in children with developmental speech‐language disorders: a case–control study
Authors: PARRY‐FIELDER BRONWYN , COLLINS KEVIN , FISHER JOHN , KEIR EDDIE , ANDERSON VICKI , JACOBS RANI , SCHEFFER INGRID E , NOLAN TERRY
Published: February 2009

Earlier research has suggested a link between epileptiform activity in the electroencephalogram (EEG) and developmental speech‐language disorder (DSLD). This study investigated the strength of this association by comparing the frequency of EEG abnormalities in 45 language‐normal children (29 males, 16 females; mean age 6y 11mo, SD 1y 10mo, range 4y–9y 10mo) and 54 community‐ascertained children (35 males, 19 females; mean age 5y 7mo, SD 1y 6mo, range 4y–9y 11mo) with a diagnosis of severe DSLD, defined as a score at least 2 SD below the mean on at least one speech‐language measure, and a performance IQ of at least 80 points. All participants underwent sleep EEGs after sedation. Children with DSLD also had detailed speech‐language, hearing, and psychological assessments. Results failed to support the previously identified strong association between abnormal EEG and DSLD. There was a weak, non‐significant relationship between DSLD and epileptiform EEG. Epileptiform EEG was significantly associated with low performance IQ (p=0.04). This study draws into question previously reported associations between epileptiform activity and DSLD probably because it examined a purer cohort of children with more severe language difficulties who did not have seizures.
Interactive computer play in rehabilitation of children with sensorimotor disorders: a systematic review
Authors: SANDLUND MARLENE , MCDONOUGH SUZANNE , HÄGER‐ROSS CHARLOTTE
Published: February 2009

The aim of this review was to examine systematically the evidence for the application of interactive computer play in the rehabilitation of children with sensorimotor disorders. A literature search of 11 electronic databases was conducted to identify articles published between January 1995 and May 2008. The review was restricted to reports of intervention studies evaluating the impact of interactive computer play on motor rehabilitation in children. For each study the quality of the methods and the strength of the evidence were assessed by two independent reviewers using the guidelines of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. A total of 74 articles were identified, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. Three studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and half were case series or case reports. Areas investigated were movement quality, spatial orientation and mobility, and motivational aspects. Thirteen studies presented positive findings. Two of the three RCTs investigating movement quality and one level III study examining spatial orientation showed no significant improvements. Interactive computer play is a potentially promising tool for the motor rehabilitation of children but the level of evidence is too limited to assess its value fully. Further and more convincing research is needed.
Are infants with torticollis at risk of a delay in early motor milestones compared with a control group of healthy infants?
Authors: ÖHMAN ANNA , NILSSON STAFFAN , LAGERKVIST ANNA‐LENA , BECKUNG EVA
Published: February 2009

Recently it has been claimed that infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) are at risk of a delay in early motor milestones. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether infants with CMT are indeed at risk in comparison with a control group of healthy infants. A second aim was to investigate whether the time spent in a prone position and plagiocephaly had any influence on motor development. Eighty‐two infants with CMT (35 females and 47 males) were compared with 40 healthy infants (18 females and 22 males). Motor development was assessed with the Alberta Infant Motor scale (AIMS). Multiple regression showed that infants in the CMT group had a significantly lower AIMS score than the control group at 2 months (p=0.03) and 6 months of age (p=0.05). Infants who spent at least three occasions daily in a prone position when awake had significantly higher AIMS scores than infants who spent less time prone at 2 months (p=0.001), 6 months (p<0.001), and 10 months of age (p<0.001). The CMT group achieved early motor milestones significantly later than the control group until the age of 10 months, but the risk of delay seems to be more strongly associated with little or no time prone when awake than with CMT.
Stability and decline in gross motor function among children and youth with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 21 years
Authors: HANNA STEVEN E , ROSENBAUM PETER L , BARTLETT DOREEN J , PALISANO ROBERT J , WALTER STEPHEN D , AVERY LISA , RUSSELL DIANNE J
Published: February 2009

This paper reports the construction of gross motor development curves for children and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to assess whether function is lost during adolescence. We followed children previously enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort study for an additional 4 years, as they entered adolescence and young adulthood. The resulting longitudinal dataset comprised 3455 observations of 657 children with CP (369 males, 288 females), assessed up to 10 times, at ages ranging from 16 months to 21 years. Motor function was assessed using the 66‐item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM‐66). Participants were classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). We assessed the loss of function in adolescence by contrasting a model of function that assumes no loss with a model that allows for a peak and subsequent decline. We found no evidence of functional decline, on average, for children in GMFCS Levels I and II. However, in Levels III, IV, and V, average GMFM‐66 was estimated to peak at ages 7 years 11 months, 6 years 11 months, and 6 years 11 months respectively, before declining by 4.7, 7.8, and 6.4 GMFM‐66 points, in Levels III, IV, and V respectively, as these adolescents became young adults. We show that these declines are clinically significant.
Airway clearance in neuromuscular weakness
Authors: GAULD LEANNE MAREE
Published: February 2009

Impaired airway clearance leads to recurrent chest infections and respiratory deterioration in neuromuscular weakness. It is frequently the cause of death. Cough is the major mechanism of airway clearance. Cough has several components, and assessment tools are available to measure the different components of cough. These include measuring peak cough flow, respiratory muscle strength, and inspiratory capacity. Each is useful in assessing the ability to generate an effective cough, and can be used to guide when techniques of assisting airway clearance may be effective for the individual and which are most effective. Techniques to assist airway clearance include augmenting inspiration by air stacking, augmenting expiration by assisting the cough, and augmenting both inspiration and expiration with the mechanical insufflator‐exsufflator or by direct suctioning via a tracheostomy. Physiotherapists are invaluable in assisting airway clearance, and in teaching patients and their families how to use these techniques. Use of the mechanical insufflator‐exsufflator has gained popularity in recent times, but several simpler, more economical methods are available to assist airway clearance that can be used effectively alone or in combination. This review examines the literature available on the assessment and management of impaired airway clearance in neuromuscular weakness.
The ketogenic diet improves recently worsened focal epilepsy
Authors: VILLENEUVE NATHALIE , PINTON FLORENCE , BAHI‐BUISSON NADIA , DULAC OLIVIER , CHIRON CATHERINE , NABBOUT RIMA
Published: February 2009

Aim  We observed a dramatic response to the ketogenic diet in several patients with highly refractory epilepsy whose seizure frequency had recently worsened. This study aimed to identify whether this characteristic was a useful indication for the ketogenic diet.

Method  From the 70 patients who received the ketogenic diet during a 3‐year period at our institution, we retrospectively selected patients with focal epilepsy. There were 22 children, 13 females and nine males, aged from 5 months to 18 years 6 months (mean 6y 9mo, SD 5y 11mo). Fifteen had symptomatic and seven had cryptogenic focal epilepsy. Seizure frequency 1 week before initiating the ketogenic diet was compared with that at 1 month and at the last visit on the diet.

Results  Eleven patients were responders (defined as reduction of seizures by more than 50%) at 1 month. Responders were higher (p=0.046) in the group with a recent worsening of seizures than in those with stable seizure frequency. Seven patients were still seizure‐free at 6 months on the diet. Tolerability was excellent in 10 patients. Five patients stopped the diet because of early side effects.

Interpretation  The ketogenic diet may be a valuable therapeutic option for children with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy, particularly those with a recent deterioration of seizure control and neurological status. Because of its rapid effect, the ketogenic diet may be a useful support to intravenous emergency drugs in such a situation.
Limbic encephalitis associated with anti‐GAD antibody and common variable immune deficiency
Authors: AKMAN CIGDEM I , PATTERSON MARC C , RUBINSTEIN ARYE , HERZOG RONIT
Published: February 2009

A variety of autoantibodies have been identified with complex neurological disorders including limbic encephalitis. The underlying trigger for the immune‐mediated process and the role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of limbic encephalitis remain to be clarified. Here, we report a 16‐year‐old female who was diagnosed with acute‐onset non‐neoplastic limbic encephalitis. The initial treatment with pulse doses of i.v. methylprednisolone improved the neurological symptoms. During the next 12 months, progressive decline was reported in her academic functioning and seizure control. Additional diagnostic evaluation revealed no evidence of malignancy or central nervous system infection but circulating anti‐GAD antibodies were present in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Intravenous gammaglobulin infusion was initiated and continued monthly. Intravenous and oral steroids were added to the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment because of the worsening course and seizures, despite treatment with antiepileptic medications. Screening for quantitative immunoglobulins demonstrated hypogammaglobulinaemia with low immunoglobulin M and G in addition to low immunoglobulin A levels. There was a lack of protective pneumococcal antibody titers before and after immunization. Therefore, common variable immunodeficiency was suspected despite there being no history of recurrent infections. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a possible link between immune‐mediated limbic encephalitis and immune deficiency.
Treadmill training with partial body‐weight support in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: MUTLU AKMER , KROSSCHELL KRISTIN , SPIRA DEBORAH GAEBLER
Published: February 2009

Aim  The aim of this systematic review was to examine the literature on the effects of partial body‐weight support treadmill training (PBWSTT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) on functional outcomes and attainment of ambulation.

Method  We searched the relevant literature from 1950 to July 2007. We found eight studies on the use of PWSBTT on functional outcomes in children with CP. The methodology to develop systematic reviews of treatment interventions as suggested by the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and the Critical Review Form‐Quantitative Studies Methodological Quality was used to evaluate each article.

Results  As two of the eight published articles reported on different outcomes of the same study, this review reports on seven studies with a total of 41 children. The evidence for the functional effects is limited. Statistical significance is not demonstrated in several of the studies, despite reported improvements in gross motor function, functional status, walking performance, and gait parameters.

Interpretation  This systematic review is limited by the small number of participants, the heterogeneous level of abilities of participants from Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to IV, and the low quality of trials. Because of these limitations, we cannot conclude that PBWSTT results in improvements for children with CP. Additional studies and well‐established randomized controlled (or clinical) trials are clearly needed before determining the benefits and efficacy that would support continued use of this intervention in the clinical setting.
Impairment in movement skills of children with autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: GREEN DIDO , CHARMAN TONY , PICKLES ANDREW , CHANDLER SUSIE , LOUCAS TOM , SIMONOFF EMILY , BAIRD GILLIAN
Published: February 2009

Aim  We undertook this study to explore the degree of impairment in movement skills in children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and a wide IQ range.

Method  Movement skills were measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M‐ABC) in a large, well defined, population‐derived group of children (n=101: 89 males,12 females; mean age 11y 4mo, SD 10mo; range 10y–14y 3mo) with childhood autism and broader ASD and a wide range of IQ scores. Additionally, we tested whether a parent‐completed questionnaire, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ), was useful in identifying children who met criteria for movement impairments after assessment (n=97 with complete M‐ABCs and DCDQs).

Results  Of the children with ASD, 79% had definite movement impairments on the M‐ABC; a further 10% had borderline problems. Children with childhood autism were more impaired than children with broader ASD, and children with an IQ less than 70 were more impaired than those with IQ more than 70. This is consistent with the view that movement impairments may arise from a more severe neurological impairment that also contributes to intellectual disability and more severe autism. Movement impairment was not associated with everyday adaptive behaviour once the effect of IQ was controlled for. The DCDQ performed moderately well as a screen for possible motor difficulties.

Interpretation  Movement impairments are common in children with ASD. Systematic assessment of movement abilities should be considered a routine investigation.
Psychometric properties of the WeeFIM in children with cerebral palsy in Turkey
Authors: TUR BIRKAN SONEL , KÜÇÜKDEVECI AYŞE A , KUTLAY ŞEHIM , YAVUZER GÜNEŞ , ELHAN ATILLA H , TENNANT ALAN
Published: February 2009

The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) instrument has recently been adapted and validated for non‐disabled children in Turkey. The aim of this study was to validate the instrument in children with cerebral palsy (CP). One hundred and thirty‐four children with CP were assessed using the WeeFIM. Reliability was tested by internal consistency, intraclass and interrater correlation coefficients (ICCs), internal construct validity by Rasch analysis, and external construct validity by correlation with the Denver II Development Test (Denver II). Mean age of the participants (70 females, 64 males) was 4y 6mo (SD 3y 8mo, range 6mo–16y). CP type was: diplegia in 37.3%, hemiplegia in 20.2%, quadriplegia in 8.2%, ‘baby at risk’ (i.e. infants who show neuromotor delay but cannot be classified in a CP type) in 29.9%, and other in 4.5%. Reliability of the WeeFIM was excellent with high Cronbach’s alpha and ICC values ranging between 0.91 and 0.98 for the motor and cognitive scales. After collapsing response categories, both motor and cognitive scales met Rasch model expectations. Unidimensionality of the motor scale was confirmed after adjustment for local dependency of items. There was no substantive differential item functioning and strict unidimensionality for both scales was shown by analysis of the residuals. External construct validity was supported by expected high correlations with developmental ages determined by the social, fine motor function, language, and gross motor function domains of the Denver II. We conclude that the WeeFIM is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating the functional status of Turkish children with CP.
Scale dependency of diversity components estimated from primary biodiversity data and distribution maps
Authors: Lira‐Noriega Andrés , Soberón Jorge , Navarro‐Sigüenza Adolfo G. , Nakazawa Yoshinori , Peterson A. Townsend
Published: February 2009

Different sources of information about biodiversity may lead to unrealistic or biased estimation of its components, with different patterns according to the scale of analysis. In this study, we analyse patterns of species richness at the local (average alpha) and regional (gamma) scales, and the relationship between them (Whittaker's beta), in central Mexico, using as a source of data for the species’ distributions: (1) museum specimen occurrence data for birds, and (2) distribution maps based on ecological niche models developed and refined by experts. We performed analyses at five spatial resolutions (1/32°−1/2°). Scale changes (grain and extent) affected significantly the estimates of average alpha, gamma, and beta. Use of raw occurrence data vs. distribution maps yielded contrasting results, with raw data underestimating alpha and overestimating beta, as functions of area. As regards species–area relationships, our results suggest a natural decomposition of factors into an area‐invariant component (related to alpha), and an area dependent factor (related to beta). Most of our results are maintained in a null model that randomizes occurrences without changing observed range‐size distributions. From this result we argue that average alpha and Whittaker's beta capture little information about the spatial covariation of species distribution patterns.
Feather deuterium measurements reveal origins of migratory western loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) wintering in Mexico
Authors: Pérez Guillermo E. , Hobson Keith A.
Published: February 2009

Understanding the winter distributions of migrant birds is important because productivity and recruitment are influenced by conditions at several locations and periods in the life cycle of individuals. The western loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, is a threatened species in Canada, and its decline is attributed to potential limitations on the wintering grounds. We examined patterns of stable‐hydrogen isotope (δD) distributions in feathers of loggerhead shrikes, primarily of L. l. excubitorides, during winter at three regions in north and central Mexico, to establish relative abundance and origins of migrants. We also investigated potential movements of Mexican winter resident individuals. Using shrike museum specimens of known summer provenance, a shrike deuterium base map for Mexico was developed from isotopic measurement of feathers of resident shrikes and use of a recently established feather base map for raptors in North America. Stable hydrogen isotope analyses of inner secondary feather (s9) of all loggerhead shrikes examined in Mexico during winter indicated that north‐central (Region A), north‐eastern (Region B) and south‐central (Region C) sites in Mexico consisted of 28.1%, 73.7% and 63.8% of migrant individuals from northern breeding grounds, respectively. Isotopic evidence suggested movements of a few local residents birds (7.9%) into the Chihuahuan desert from south‐western USA and north‐eastern Mexico to winter.
Endemic freshwater finfish of Asia: distribution and conservation status
Authors: De Silva Sena S. , Abery Nigel W. , Nguyen Thuy T. T.
Published: February 2009

Freshwater finfish species richness and level of endemism in East, and South and South‐East Asia that included 17 nations were studied using available databases, and included nation‐wise distribution, habitat types, and conservation status. The number of endemic finfish species in the region was 559, belonging to 47 families. Families Cyprinidae and Balitoridae accounted for 43.5% and 16.2% of the total number of endemic species in the region, respectively, followed by Sisoridae (25), Gobiidae (20), Melanotaeniidae (19), and Bagridae (16), and the other 41 families had at least one endemic species. Nation‐wise the most number of endemic freshwater finfish species occur in India (191), followed by China (88), Indonesia (84), and Myanmar (60). In India, the endemic species accounted for 26.4% of the native freshwater fish fauna, followed by South Korea (16.9%), the Philippines, (16.3%) and Myanmar (15.7%).

Statistically significant relationships discerned between the number of indigenous and endemic species richness to land area (Xla in 103 km2) of the nations in the region were, Yin = 218.961 Ln(Xla) – 843.1 (R2 = 0.735; P < 0.001) and Ye = 28.445 Ln Xla−134.47 (R2 = 0.534; P < 0.01), respectively, and between indigenous and endemic species richness was Ye = 0.079Xn− 1.558 (R2 = 0.235; P < 0.05).

The overall conservation status of endemic finfish in Asia was satisfactory in that only 92 species were in some state of vulnerability, of which 37 species (6.6%) are endangered or critically endangered. However, the bulk of these species (83.7%) were cave‐ and or lake‐dwelling fish. However, nation‐wise, the endemic freshwater finfish fauna of the Philippines and Sri Lanka, based on the imperilment index, were found to be in a highly vulnerable state. Among river basins, the Mekong Basin had the highest number of endemic species (31.3%). The discrepancies between databases are highlighted and the need to consolidate information among databases is discussed. It is suggested that the Mekong Basin be considered as a biodiversity hotspot, and appropriate management strategies be introduced in this regard.
Rarity in Chilean forest birds: which ecological and life‐history traits matter?
Authors: Cofre Hernán L. , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Marquet Pablo A.
Published: February 2009

While it is a truism that species rarity is non‐randomly distributed across regions, habitats, and taxa, there is little consensus on which factors are the best predictors of low abundances and restricted geographical ranges. In this study, we evaluate the effects of ecological and life‐history traits, as well as phylogeny, on rarity in the abundance and distribution of land birds inhabiting forest habitats in the Mediterranean and temperate regions of Chile. We use data on abundance collected at 16 sites and data on latitudinal distribution obtained from a literature compilation. Statistical analyses were based on multiple regression and multivariate models. We used Signed Mantel test to analyse the relationship between species ecological and life‐history traits and rarity, taking into account the effect of phylogenetic relatedness. We found that rarity, in terms of distribution, is associated with a low investment in reproduction, non‐migratory status, and degree of habitat specialization. These ecological and life‐history traits, in association with forest loss due to climatic changes and human impacts, may explain the narrow distribution of most endemic forest birds species. Rarity in abundance, on the other hand, is more difficult to explain. However, the fact that large species with an insectivorous diet showed low density in the assemblages studied suggests that abundance is mostly regulated by energy (resource) requirements and availability. Finally, our study shows that there is no phylogenetic influence in the observed patterns.
Modelling the distribution of stygobionts in the Jura Mountains (eastern France). Implications for the protection of ground waters
Authors: Castellarini Fabiana , Malard Florian , Dole‐Olivier Marie‐José , Gibert Janine
Published: February 2009

Ground waters have exceptional conservation value due to the high endemism of their biota, the high occurrence of species relicts and because they are the second most important reservoir of freshwater after the glaciers. We used habitat‐based models to predict the distribution of obligate groundwater species (stygobionts) in the Jura Mountains, eastern France. Current and historical environmental variables were selected to predict the occurrence of 19 stygobionts collected in different groundwater habitats. Species occurrence was weakly correlated with most of the physico‐chemical variables and better correlated to habitat type, elevation gradient, hydraulic conductivity and the distance of the last glacial event. We identified two main groups of species, those whose distributions correlated with the last glacial event and those that did not. Our findings suggested that abilities for migrate and opportunities for dispersal using connections among habitats may explain part of these distributions and that specific spatial components should be incorporated in future modelling. We propose the identification of rich‐species areas and protection of the complete spectrum of GW habitats as pertinent measures to achieve the stygobitoic persistence.
Computing β‐diversity with Rao's quadratic entropy: a change of perspective
Authors: Ricotta Carlo , Marignani Michela
Published: February 2009

Ecologists have traditionally viewed β‐diversity as the ratio between γ‐diversity and average α‐diversity. More recently, an alternative way of partitioning diversity has been proposed for which β‐diversity is obtained as the difference between γ‐diversity and average α‐diversity. Although this additive model of diversity decomposition is generally considered superior to its multiplicative counterpart, in both models β‐diversity is a formally derived quantity without any self‐contained ecological meaning; it simply quantifies the diversity excess of γ‐diversity with respect to average α‐diversity. Taking this excess as an index of β‐diversity is a questionable operation. In this paper, we show that a particular family of α‐diversity measures, the most celebrated of which is Rao's quadratic entropy, can be adequately used for summarizing β‐diversity. Our proposal naturally leads to a new additive model of diversity for which, given two or more sets of plots, overall plot‐to‐plot species variability can be additively partitioned into two non‐negative components: average variability in species composition within each set of plots and the species variability between the set of plots. For conservation purposes, the suggested change of perspective in the summarization of β‐diversity allows for a flexible analysis of spatial heterogeneity in ecological diversity so that different hierarchical levels of biotic relevance (i.e. from the genetic to the landscape level) can be expressed in a significant and consistent way.
Population structure, propagule pressure, and conservation biogeography in the sub‐Antarctic: lessons from indigenous and invasive springtails
Authors: Myburgh M. , Chown S. L. , Daniels S. R. , Van Vuuren B. Jansen
Published: February 2009

The patterns in and the processes underlying the distribution of invertebrates among Southern Ocean islands and across vegetation types on these islands are reasonably well understood. However, few studies have examined the extent to which populations are genetically structured. Given that many sub‐Antarctic islands experienced major glaciation and volcanic activity, it might be predicted that substantial population substructure and little genetic isolation‐by‐distance should characterize indigenous species. By contrast, substantially less population structure might be expected for introduced species. Here, we examine these predictions and their consequences for the conservation of diversity in the region. We do so by examining haplotype diversity based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data, from two indigenous (Cryptopygus antarcticus travei, Tullbergia bisetosa) and two introduced (Isotomurus cf. palustris, Ceratophysella denticulata) springtail species from Marion Island. We find considerable genetic substructure in the indigenous species that is compatible with the geological and glacialogical history of the island. Moreover, by employing ecological techniques, we show that haplotype diversity is likely much higher than our sequenced samples suggest. No structure is found in the introduced species, with each being represented by a single haplotype only. This indicates that propagule pressure is not significant for these small animals unlike the situation for other, larger invasive species: a few individuals introduced once are likely to have initiated the invasion. These outcomes demonstrate that sampling must be more comprehensive if the population history of indigenous arthropods on these islands is to be comprehended, and that the risks of within‐ and among‐island introductions are substantial. The latter means that, if biogeographical signal is to be retained in the region, great care must be taken to avoid inadvertent movement of indigenous species among and within islands. Thus, quarantine procedures should also focus on among‐island movements.
Multivariate correlates of extinction proneness in a naturally fragmented landscape
Authors: Watling James I. , Donnelly Maureen A.
Published: February 2009

Habitat loss and fragmentation threaten a large proportion of terrestrial biodiversity, and identifying the ecological traits associated with extinction proneness is of widespread interest. We used a multivariate statistical approach to identify combinations of ecological traits that best allowed us to identify extinction‐prone amphibians and reptiles in a fragmented landscape in north‐eastern Bolivia. Extinction‐prone amphibians were rare and did not utilize the savannah matrix separating forest islands, whereas extinction‐prone reptiles were trophically specialized. Rarity and matrix aversion are among the most widely reported correlates to extinction proneness, and we argue that an increased understanding of their role as drivers of extinction processes is necessary. We suggest that the absence of reptilian vertebrate predators may exacerbate trophic cascades in habitat patches.
Are there general rules governing parasite diversity? Small mammalian hosts and gamasid mite assemblages
Authors: Korallo Natalia P. , Vinarski Maxim V. , Krasnov Boris R. , Shenbrot Georgy I. , Mouillot David , Poulin Robert
Published: February 2009

Parasite biodiversity varies on several scales, and in particular among different host species. Previous attempts at finding relationships between host features and the diversity of the parasite assemblages they harbour have yielded inconsistent results, suggesting strongly that any patterns might be taxon‐specific. Here, we examined the potential of three host characteristics (host body mass, basal metabolic rate, and area of the geographical range) as determinants of parasite diversity in one group of ectoparasites, gamasid mites (superfamily Dermanyssoidea), using data from 63 species of small mammalian hosts. Our analyses used three measures of parasite diversity (species richness, the Shannon diversity index, and average taxonomic distinctness), and controlled for sampling effort and phylogenetic influences. Although several significant relationships were observed, they depended entirely on which diversity measure was used, or on which host taxon was investigated (insectivores vs. rodents and lagomorphs). In addition, the present results on patterns of mite diversity were not consistent with those of an earlier study involving roughly the same host taxa and the same biogeographical area, but a different group of ectoparasites, i.e. fleas. Thus, there appears to be no universal determinant of parasite diversity, and associations between host features and parasite diversity probably evolve independently in different host–parasite systems.
Rapid plant diversity assessment using a pixel nested plot design: A case study in Beaver Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA
Authors: Kalkhan Mohammed A. , Stafford Evan J. , Stohlgren Thomas J.
Published: February 2009

Geospatial statistical modelling and thematic maps have recently emerged as effective tools for the management of natural areas at the landscape scale. Traditional methods for the collection of field data pertaining to questions of landscape were developed without consideration for the parameters of these applications. We introduce an alternative field sampling design based on smaller unbiased random plot and subplot locations called the pixel nested plot (PNP). We demonstrate the applicability of the PNP design of 15 m × 15 m to assess patterns of plant diversity and species richness across the landscape at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado, USA in a time (cost)‐efficient manner for field data collection. Our results produced comparable results to a previous study in the Beaver Meadow study (BMS) area within RMNP, where there was a demonstrated focus of plant diversity. Our study used the smaller PNP sampling design for field data collection which could be linked to geospatial information data and could be used for landscape‐scale analyses and assessment applications. In 2003, we established 61 PNP in the eastern region of RMNP. We present a comparison between this approach using a sub‐sample of 19 PNP from this data set and 20 of Modified Whittaker nested plots (MWNP) of 20 m × 50 m that were collected in the BMS area. The PNP captured 266 unique plant species while the MWNP captured 275 unique species. Based on a comparison of PNP and MWNP in the Beaver Meadows area, RMNP, the PNP required less time and area sampled to achieve a similar number of species sampled. Using the PNP approach for data collection can facilitate the ecological monitoring of these vulnerable areas at the landscape scale in a time‐ and therefore cost‐effective manner.
Impacts of Dreissena invasions on benthic macroinvertebrate communities: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Ward Jessica M. , Ricciardi Anthony
Published: February 2009

Dreissenid mussels (the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha and the quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis) have invaded lakes and rivers throughout North America and Europe, where they have been linked to dramatic changes in benthic invertebrate community diversity and abundance. Through a meta‐analysis of published data from 47 sites, we developed statistical models of Dreissena impact on benthic macroinvertebrates across a broad range of habitats and environmental conditions. The introduction of Dreissena was generally associated with increased benthic macroinvertebrate density and taxonomic richness, and with decreased community evenness (of taxa excluding Dreissena). However, the strength of these effects varied with sediment particle size across sites. The effects of Dreissena differed among taxonomic and functional groups of macroinvertebrates, with positive effects on the densities of scrapers and predators, particularly leeches (Hirudinea), flatworms (Turbellaria), and mayflies (Ephemeroptera). Gastropod densities increased in the presence of Dreissena, but large‐bodied snail taxa tended to decline. Dreissena was associated with declines in the densities sphaeriid clams and other large filter‐feeding taxa, as well as burrowing amphipods (Diporeia spp.), but had strong positive effects on gammarid amphipods. These patterns are robust to variation in the methodology of primary studies. The effects of Dreissena are remarkably concordant with those of ecologically similar species, suggesting universality in the interactions between introduced byssally attached mussels and other macroinvertebrates.