bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acid frogs can stand the heat: amphibian resilience to wildfire in coastal wetlands of eastern Australia
Authors: Lowe Katrin , Castley J. Guy , Hero Jean-Marc
Published: July 2013

Fire has varying effects on species ecology. Knowledge of amphibian responses to fire is particularly limited, with variable responses reported amongst studies. Variability is attributed to differences in fire regimes, sampling methodologies, historical exposure to fire and species traits. Acid frogs, a group of amphibians restricted to acidic coastal heath wetlands of eastern Australia, occupy a discrete ecological niche that is exposed to regular and intense fires. Visual encounter surveys conducted monthly over 2 years revealed different short- and long-term responses to fire in three threatened acid frog species (Litoria olongburensis, Litoria freycineti and Crinia tinnula). Fires altered the thermal properties of habitats by increasing substrate temperature and widening daily temperature ranges. Acid frog populations did not suffer adversely from moderate intensity fires as suitable refuges, including standing water, were available. All species were present shortly after fire with subsequent successful reproduction occurring once wetlands were sufficiently inundated. Time since fire was a strong predictor of landscape scale differences in average relative abundance of acid frogs, yet the relationships varied among species. This highlights the importance of assessing community-wide responses to fire at the landscape scale. The dynamic and adaptive responses observed within acid frog populations demonstrate substantial resilience to fire processes in these fire prone environments.
Family routines and rituals in the context of chronic conditions: A review
Authors: Crespo Carla , Santos Susana , Canavarro Maria Cristina , Kielpikowski Magdalena , Pryor Jan , Féres‐Carneiro Terezinha
Published: July 2013

This paper is a systematic review of 39 empirical studies on family routines and rituals in the context of a chronic condition of a family member. The search strategy encompassed a wide spectrum of chronic conditions affecting family members from childhood/adolescence to adulthood. Twenty quantitative, 13 qualitative, 3 mixed‐methods, and 3 intervention studies published between 1995 and 2012 were reviewed. A conceptual framework of routines and rituals as key elements of family health was adopted, resulting in three main findings. First, a chronic condition in a family member impacted the frequency and nature of family's routines and rituals. Second, these whole‐family interactions held important functions for individuals and families, constituting strategic resources in the condition's management and opportunities for emotional support exchanges, and providing the family with a sense of normalcy amid the challenges posed by chronic conditions. Third, family routines and rituals were linked to positive health and adaptation outcomes for both patients and family members. Implications for future research include the need for the distinction between routines and rituals against a conceptual background, use of validated assessment methods, and empirical examination of predictors of changes in routines and rituals throughout the course of the condition and of the mechanisms linking these family events to positive outcomes. Conclusions support the inclusion of routines and rituals in a family‐centered care approach to the understanding and treatment of chronic conditions.
Mobility and Identity in a Wider European Union
Authors: Marcu Silvia
Published: July 2013

Over the past two decades, the theoretical frameworks of human mobility studies have undergone profound changes. The rise of transnational and border analysis, the formulation of the embodied experiences of migration, the increasing interest in migrants' attachment to place and sense of home have coalesced to enrich our understanding of human mobility. This paper explores how Romanian immigrants in Spain interpret the changes to their global identity in terms of self-perceptions within the context of the enlargement of the European Union (EU) towards Eastern Europe. By means of qualitative research, the principal aim of this article is to highlight how the migration process, which is closely tied to border dynamics and European expansion, and which has occurred in stages from 1990 to the present, has influenced the (re)construction of identity and the changes in discourse among immigrants. The experiences of the interviewees show that migration/mobility and place – that left behind in the country of origin and the new place in the receiving country – are essential factors in the reconstruction of identity in the twenty-first century.
Mirror symmetry and projective geometry of Reye congruences I
Authors: Hosono Shinobu , Takagi Hiromichi
Published: July 2013

Studying the mirror symmetry of a Calabi-Yau threefold

X
X

of the Reye congruence in

P

4

\mathbb {P}^4

, we conjecture that

X
X

has a non-trivial Fourier-Mukai partner

Y
Y

. We construct

Y
Y

as the double cover of a determinantal quintic in

P

4

\mathbb {P}^4

branched over a curve. We also calculate BPS numbers of both

X
X

and

Y
Y

(and also a related Calabi-Yau complete intersection

X
~

0

\tilde X_0

) using mirror symmetry.
Seasonality, weather and climate affect home range size in roe deer across a wide latitudinal gradient within Europe
Authors: Morellet Nicolas , Bonenfant Christophe , Börger Luca , Ossi Federico , Cagnacci Francesca , Heurich Marco , Kjellander Petter , Linnell John D. C. , Nicoloso Sandro , Sustr Pavel , Urbano Ferdinando , Mysterud Atle
Published: July 2013

Because many large mammal species have wide geographical ranges, spatially distant populations may be confronted with different sets of environmental conditions. Investigating how home range (HR) size varies across environmental gradients should yield a better understanding of the factors affecting large mammal ecology.

We evaluated how HR size of a large herbivore, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), varies in relation to seasonality, latitude (climate), weather, plant productivity and landscape features across its geographical range in Western Europe. As roe deer are income breeders, expected to adjust HR size continuously to temporal variation in food resources and energetic requirements, our baseline prediction was for HR size to decrease with proxies of resource availability.

We used GPS locations of roe deer collected from seven study sites (EURODEER collaborative project) to estimate fixed‐kernel HR size at weekly and monthly temporal scales. We performed an unusually comprehensive analysis of variation in HR size among and within populations over time across the geographical range of a single species using generalized additive mixed models and linear mixed models, respectively.

Among populations, HR size decreased with increasing values for proxies of forage abundance, but increased with increases in seasonality, stochastic variation of temperature, latitude and snow cover. Within populations, roe deer HR size varied over time in relation to seasonality and proxies of forage abundance in a consistent way across the seven populations. Thus, our findings were broadly consistent across the distributional range of this species, demonstrating a strong and ubiquitous link between the amplitude and timing of environmental seasonality and HR size at the continental scale.

Overall, the variability in average HR size of roe deer across Europe reflects the interaction among local weather, climate and seasonality, providing valuable insight into the limiting factors affecting this large herbivore under contrasting conditions. The complexity of the relationships suggests that predicting ranging behaviour of large herbivores in relation to current and future climate change will require detailed knowledge not only about predicted increases in temperature, but also how this interacts with factors such as day length and climate predictability.
Recent progress on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Yu Cheng Gong , Huang Qin
Published: July 2013

In recent years investigations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have advanced rapidly with regard to the relationship between the host immune response and gut microbiota. Patients with IBD have been shown to have an abnormal composition of gut microbiota and host immune dysregulation. Abnormal components of gut microbiota, to which the host mounts aberrant immune responses in genetically vulnerable individuals, appear to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Therefore, inappropriate innate and adaptive host immune responses to abnormal components of gut microbiota and their products form the basis of IBD pathogenesis. Modern molecular genetic methods should be utilized to help to illuminate the pathogenetic mechanism of IBD and to develop personalized therapeutic strategies for this disease.
Outcome of active anti‐cancer treatment in elderly patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: A single center experience
Authors: Kim Ji Hye , Ryu Min Sun , Ryu Yon Ju , Lee Jin Hwa , Shim Sung Shine , Kim Yookyung , Chang Jung Hyun
Published: July 2013

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of active anti‐cancer treatment (AAT) compared with best supportive care (BSC) in elderly patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 144 patients, aged 70 or older, with stage IIIb/IV NSCLC from 672 patients with confirmed lung cancer, was conducted.

Results

Median age at diagnosis was 77 years and median survival time was five months. On multivariate analysis, AAT independently contributed to a decreased hazard ratio of death (P = 0.04), whereas male gender (P = 0.004), a body mass index of less than 18.5 (P = 0.004), and a poor performance score were associated with an increased risk of death (P < 0.001). The 52 subjects receiving AAT experienced longer survival than the 92 subjects receiving BSC (median seven months [AAT] versus three months [BSC]; P < 0.001). When sub‐classified into five‐year age intervals, AAT was a significant advantage in overall survival (OS) to patients aged 70–74, but not to those ≥75 years old.

Conclusions

AAT for patients ≥70 years old with advanced NSCLC extended OS. However, care should be taken in decisions on active anti‐cancer treatments for patients over 75 years old. A prospective multicenter trial is required in the near future.
Landscape resource mapping for wildlife research using very high resolution satellite imagery
Authors: Recio Mariano R. , Mathieu Renaud , Hall G. Brent , Moore Antoni B. , Seddon Philip J.
Published: July 2013

Quantifying wildlife‐habitat relationships through resource selection analysis (RSA) has traditionally relied on landscape variables extracted at medium‐to‐coarse scales and general‐purpose digital maps. However, RSA at fine scales, facilitated by accurate positional data obtained using GPS‐tags, requires improved measures of habitat resources. The combination of cutting‐edge remote sensing technology, such as very high spatial resolution (VHSR) satellite imagery and object‐based image analysis (OBIA), can provide landscape maps that are suitable for the extraction of detailed variables at fine scale.

We used Quickbird satellite imagery and OBIA to produce a map using the multispectral bands (MULT), and explored the usefulness of the technique for resource identification by combining the panchromatic (highest spatial resolution) and multispectral (spectral information) bands (PAN:MULT) to produce a second map. Each of the mapping methods was used in a heterogeneous braided‐river environment in New Zealand to: (1) classify and delimit ground features using an object‐based accuracy assessment approach; (2) detect ground features of different sizes; (3) extract independent landscape variables at fine scale (within buffers between 20 and 30 m) for separate RSA for introduced hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and feral cats (Felis catus).

Per‐pixel accuracy assessment produced overall accuracies of 82% (PAN:MULT) and 79% (MULT). The per‐object assessment using shrubs as the testing class yielded further information on classification and delimitation of object accuracy, with accuracies of 80% for shrub patches ≥30 m2 in MULT and ≥5 m2 in PAN:MULT. The inclusion of the panchromatic band noticeably improved the identification and delimitation of cover. However, RSA using each of the maps did not yield differences in the best models for cats or hedgehogs.

VHSR imagery and OBIA provide a valuable method to identify smaller ground features and thus to produce more detailed landscape maps to study animal habitat use at fine scale. Improvements in ground feature detection achieved by including the panchromatic band may not justify its cost, as it was shown for the studies on cats and hedgehogs presented here. However, the level of detail offered by the panchromatic layer may be useful for addressing other RSA questions or applications at fine scale, such as remote censusing of colonial species.
Susceptibility of tall fescue to Rhizoctonia zeae infection as affected by endophyte symbiosis
Authors: Pańka D. , West C.P. , Guerber C.A. , Richardson M.D.
Published: July 2013

Endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium often form symbiotic associations with grasses. The host plants usually benefit from the association with an endophyte. Presence of the symbiont may increase host resistance to infection by some pathogens. However, the exact mechanism of the lower susceptibility of endophyte‐infected plants to diseases is still unclear. Growth chamber trials were conducted to determine whether (a) tall fescue plants infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (E+) are more resistant to sheath and leaf spot disease caused by Rhizoctonia zeae than endophyte‐free (E−) plants, and (b) R. zeae growth inhibition is associated with endophyte presence. Tall fescue genotypes, each symbiotic with a genetically different native endophyte strain, were inoculated with isolates of R. zeae. The tillers infection by R. zeae, density of endophyte hyphae and content of total phenolic compounds in tillers were studied. Antifungal activity of the N. coenophialum towards R. zeae, Rhizoctonia solani, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Curvularia lunata was also investigated in dual‐culture assays. For Tf3, Tf4, TfA2 and TfA9 tall fescue genotypes, the E+ plants had reduced R. zeae infection. In the Tf9 and Tf8085 genotypes, R. zeae infection was similar for both E+ and E− plants. The strongest effect was observed for the Tf4 endophyte. A strongly positive correlation (r = 0.94) occurred between endophyte hyphal density and disease index across all tall fescue genotypes. Dual‐culture assays showed no inhibitory interaction between the seven endophyte strains and the R. zeae isolates; however, some endophytes inhibited R. solani, B. sorokiniana and C. lunata. Endophyte presence increased the production of phenolic compounds by the host grasses. The level of phenolics also differed significantly depending on the time of analysis after inoculation of plants by R. zeae. The results indicate that N. coenophialum can suppress disease severity caused by R. zeae infection. The mechanism of higher resistance of E+ plants is likely not based on direct inhibition such as antibiosis or competition. Thus, the induction of specific mechanisms in the host plant, for example, production of phenolic compounds, seems to be the main way of providing resistance to the grass by the endophyte.
Reversal of rocuronium induced neuromuscular block with sugammadex or neostigmine: a large observational study
Authors: DELLA ROCCA G. , POMPEI L. , PAGAN DE PAGANIS C. , TESORO S. , MENDOLA C. , BONINSEGNI P. , TEMPIA A. , MANSTRETTA S. , ZAMIDEI L. , GRATAROLA A. , MURABITO P. , FUGGIANO L. , DI MARCO P.
Published: July 2013

Background

This ‘real‐life’ study aimed to analyze the time from the start of neostigmine or sugammadex administration to recovery to a train of four ratio (TOFr) of 0.9 in a real‐life in patients receiving rocuronium. The secondary aims were to assess the proportion of patients: presenting TOFr < 0.9 after 5, 10, and 20 min from reversal agent administration, receiving opioids for intraoperative analgesia and extubated in the post‐anesthesia care unit (PACU).

Methods

This was a multisite, prospective, nonrandomized, observational real‐life study. Reversal agent was administered at either T2 reappearance or at a post‐tetanic count of 1 or 2. Drugs dosages were free according to each investigator's usual practice.

Results

Three hundred fifty‐nine patients were enrolled onto the study. Time from reversal administration to TOFr to 0.9 is significantly faster in the sugammadex group than in the neostigmine group (shallow block: 2.2 vs. 6.9 min, respectively; P < 0.0001; deep block: 2.7 vs. 16.2 min, respectively; P < 0.0001). The number of patients with TOFr < 0.9 at 5, 10, and 20 min post‐reversal agent administration was higher in the neostigmine than in the sugammadex group. Just five patients did not receive opioids. All patients were extubated in the operative room except for a single patient in the sugammadex group who was extubated following PACU admission.

Conclusions

This real‐life study confirms that reversal time is faster in patients receiving sugammadex than in those receiving neostigmine. TOFr < 0.9 20 min after reversal was only present in patients treated with neostigmine.
Global land investments in the bio‐economy: evidence and policy implications
Authors: Deininger Klaus
Published: July 2013

For countries dependent on agriculture, the recent wave of investor interest in farmland could, in principle, help set in motion a virtuous cycle of economic growth and poverty reduction. A large literature documenting failure of such investments documents the risks involved. To appreciate associated opportunities and challenges, we review past experience, quantify country‐level potential for area expansion versus intensification, and identify determinants of countries’ attractiveness for investors in the initial stages of the “land rush.” The fact that weak land governance seems to increase, rather than reduce, land demand justifies an emphasis on improving institutions, transparency, and accountability while at the same time providing concrete suggestions for policy and research.
A simple test for alternative states in ecological restoration: the use of principal response curves
Authors: Alday Josu G. , Marrs Rob H.
Published: July 2013

Aims

Ecological resistance and resilience and its link to alternative states is an important concept in ecological restoration. In many situations there is a need to flip one ecosystem state to another and then keep it there; thus there is a need to overcome the resistance/resilience of the starting community and create another one with sufficient resistance/resilience to maintain it in that state. The difficulty for ecological restoration is that these concepts are complicated to measure in practice, and hence tend to be discussed in rather abstract terms. Here, we describe the application of principal response curves (PRC) to test for the creation of alternative states or alternative stable states in ecological restoration studies.

Location

Six experiments on acid grassland and heathland invaded by Pteridium aquilinum across Great Britain.

Methods

We use PRC, a multivariate approach, to measure change in ecological restoration experiments that allows a formal test of whether alternative states are created. We used PRC to test for change in plant species composition in a series of replicated experiments designed to change a late‐successional ecosystem, dominated by P. aquilinum, into either heathland or acid grassland. Here, we tested three Pteridium control treatments, including two ‘one‐off’ treatments (applied only at the start) and a ‘repeated’ (applied regularly) treatment, against an untreated experimental control.

Results

In the heathland targets, alternative states were induced within 10 yrs using the ‘repeated’ treatment (cutting twice per year). All ‘one‐off’ treatments either did not overcome the resistance of the starting community or if they did, produced a temporary displacement, but the resilience of the initial state was too high and there was a rapid reversion to the starting community. In the grassland community, alternative states were induced by ‘repeated’ treatment (cutting twice per year), but the ‘one‐off’ treatment suggested creation of an alternative stable state that lasted 10 yrs.

Conclusions

For the first time, there is a methodology using PRC that tests for the creation of alternative states or alternative stable states in ecological restoration research. The drawback is that a long‐term data set from replicated experiments with an untreated control treatment is needed.
Immunocytochemical localization of cysteine‐rich beta‐proteins in the extensible epidermis of the dewlap in the lizard Anolis carolinensis
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: July 2013

The dewlap in the lizard Anolis carolinensis is made of scales separated by large interscale regions capable of broad stretching during fan extension. This indicates that the skin contains proteins that allow extension of interscale regions. The immunocytochemical analysis of the epidermis indicates that HgG5, a glycine‐rich hydrophobic beta‐protein poor in cysteine is localized only in the stiff beta‐layer of the outer scale surface, but is completely absent in mesos and alpha‐layers and in hinge regions. HgGC10, a cysteine‐medium‐rich beta‐protein is present in beta‐layers but especially in alpha‐layers of interscale epidermis that presents folds and lacks a beta‐layer. HgGC3 is weakly localized in the alpha‐layer, but is mainly found in hinge regions. HgGC8 and HgG13 are low to absent in the alpha‐ and beta‐layer. The immunolocalization of cysteine‐rich beta‐proteins such as HgGC10/3 in alpha‐layers and interscale epidermis suggests that these small proteins are involved in the formation of a corneous material compatible with dewlap extension. The basement membrane underneath scales is joined to bundles of collagen fibrils in the dermis through anchoring fibrils that likely determine flattening of the epidermis during the extension of the throat fan.
Managing behaviour in child residential group care: unique tensions
Authors: McLean Sara
Published: July 2013

Residential group care workers are frequently required to support children with extremely challenging and aggressive behaviour. Our knowledge about the tensions that may exist for workers that manage difficult behaviour is theoretically and empirically underdeveloped. The aim of this exploratory study was to contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of behaviour management in the residential environment by identifying the worker‐reported tensions involved in the management of challenging and disruptive behaviour. Seventeen South Australian residential group care workers participated in semi‐structured interviews in which they were asked to describe their management of behaviour. These interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis revealed several dynamics that influence workers' management of challenging behaviour: the sense of parenting at a distance, the pressure for consistency, the desire for balance between control and connection, the desire for normality and the inconsistent nature of relationships. These findings contribute to our knowledge about the interpersonal context in which behaviour is addressed in the residential group home and enhance our understanding of the unique tensions that workers' experience in managing behaviour in the residential environment. The findings have implications for the development of staff training and the support of residential care workers managing challenging behaviour.
Physical needs of Aboriginal foster parents
Authors: Brown Jason D. , Skrodzki Donna , Gerritts Julie , Ivanova Viktoria , Mehta Nisha
Published: July 2013

Aboriginal foster parents were surveyed about their physical needs. Each was asked ‘What do you need physically to be a good foster parent?’ A total of 39 unique responses were made. They were grouped together by participants and the grouping data were analysed using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Five concepts resulted from the analysis. The concepts included physical, financial and emotional resources, supplies and equipment, community, fitness and wellness. Results were compared and contrasted with the fostering literature.
An audit of the nature and impact of clinical coding subjectivity variability and error in otolaryngology
Authors: Nouraei S.A.R. , Hudovsky A. , Virk J.S. , Chatrath P. , Sandhu G.S.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To audit the accuracy of clinical coding in otolaryngology, assess the effectiveness of previously implemented interventions, and determine ways in which it can be further improved.

Design

Prospective clinician–auditor multidisciplinary audit of clinical coding accuracy.

Participants

Elective and emergency ENT admissions and day‐case activity.

Main outcome measures

Concordance between initial coding and the clinician–auditor multi‐disciplinary teams (MDT) coding in respect of primary and secondary diagnoses and procedures, health resource groupings health resource groupings (HRGs) and tariffs.

Results

The audit of 3131 randomly selected otolaryngology patients between 2010 and 2012 resulted in 420 instances of change to the primary diagnosis (13%) and 417 changes to the primary procedure (13%). In 1420 cases (44%), there was at least one change to the initial coding and 514 (16%) health resource groupings changed. There was an income variance of £343,169 or £109.46 per patient. The highest rates of health resource groupings change were observed in head and neck surgery and in particular skull‐based surgery, laryngology and within that tracheostomy, and emergency admissions, and specially, epistaxis management. A randomly selected sample of 235 patients from the audit were subjected to a second audit by a second clinician–auditor multi‐disciplinary team. There were 12 further health resource groupings changes (5%) and at least one further coding change occurred in 57 patients (24%). These changes were significantly lower than those observed in the pre‐audit sample, but were also significantly greater than zero. Asking surgeons to ‘code in theatre’ and applying these codes without further quality assurance to activity resulted in an health resource groupings error rate of 45%. The full audit sample was regrouped under health resource groupings 3.5 and was compared with a previous audit of 1250 patients performed between 2007 and 2008. This comparison showed a reduction in the baseline rate of health resource groupings change from 16% during the first audit cycle to 9% in the current audit cycle (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Otolaryngology coding is complex and susceptible to subjectivity, variability and error. Coding variability can be improved, but not eliminated through regular education supported by an audit programme.
Programs as Causal Models: Speculations on Mental Programs and Mental Representation
Authors: Chater Nick , Oaksford Mike
Published: July 2013

Judea Pearl has argued that counterfactuals and causality are central to intelligence, whether natural or artificial, and has helped create a rich mathematical and computational framework for formally analyzing causality. Here, we draw out connections between these notions and various current issues in cognitive science, including the nature of mental “programs” and mental representation. We argue that programs (consisting of algorithms and data structures) have a causal (counterfactual‐supporting) structure; these counterfactuals can reveal the nature of mental representations. Programs can also provide acausal modelof the external world. Such models are, we suggest, ubiquitous in perception, cognition, and language processing.
Evidence‐based topical management of chronic wounds according to the T.I.M.E. principle
Authors: Klein Silvan , Schreml Stephan , Dolderer Juergen , Gehmert Sebastian , Niederbichler Andreas , Landthaler Michael , Prantl Lukas
Published: July 2013

The number of patients suffering from chronic wound healing disorders in Germany alone is estimated to be 2.5–4 million. Therapy related expenses reach 5–8 billion Euros annually. This number is partially caused by costly dressing changes due to non‐standardized approaches and the application of non‐evidence‐based topical wound therapies. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate a straightforward principle for the management of chronic wounds, and to review the available evidence for the particular therapy options. The T.I.M.E.‐principle (Tissue management, Inflammation and infection control, Moisture balance, Epithelial [edge] advancement) was chosen as a systematic strategy for wound bed preparation. Literature was retrieved from the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases and subjected to selective analysis.

Topical wound management should be carried out according to a standardized principle and should further be synchronized to the phases of wound healing. Despite the broad implementation of these products in clinical practice, often no benefit exists in the rate of healing, when evaluated in meta‐analyses or systematic reviews. This insufficient evidence is additionally limited by varying study designs. In case of non‐superiority, the results suggest to prefer relatively inexpensive wound dressings over expensive alternatives. Arbitrary endpoints to prove the effectiveness of wound dressings, contribute to the random use of such therapies. Defining rational endpoints for future studies as well as the deployment of structured therapy strategies will be essential for the economical and evidence‐based management of chronic wounds.
Testing large‐scale conservation corridors designed for patterns and processes: comparative phylogeography of three tree species
Authors: Potts Alastair J. , Hedderson Terry A. , Cowling Richard M.
Published: July 2013

Aim

Primary drainage basins and megaherbivore suitability underpin the design of conservation corridors aimed at preserving regional patterns and processes in the Albany Subtropical Thicket (AST) biome. We use comparative phylogeography to investigate the influences of these two features on population‐level processes (long‐distance seed dispersal) of three tree species.

Location

Albany Subtropical Thicket biome, South Africa.

Methods

Three dominant and widespread AST tree species (Nymania capensis, Pappea capensis and Schotia afra) were sampled across their distribution within the biome. Phylogeographical patterns were established using chloroplast DNA sequences, tested against drainage basin configuration and compared with the different seed dispersal syndromes of each tree species.

Results

Two species, N. capensis and P. capensis, show strong and significant evidence of population isolation within basins, whereas S. afra has no evidence of restricted gene flow across the AST. We argue that this contradicting pattern is driven by the different seed dispersal syndromes found within each species: N. capensis is wind‐dispersed, P. capensis is bird‐dispersed, whereas a range of large herbivores disperse S. afra seeds including African elephants.

Main conclusions

The evolutionary processes that make primary drainage basins significant biogeographical units within the AST continue to operate at the intraspecific level due to a lack of long‐distance interpopulation seed dispersal between basins. Thus, drainage basins in this system, and in other topographically complex landscapes, are important surrogates of biodiversity and evolutionary processes that should underpin conservation planning. However, we suggest that this surrogacy breaks down when a species is dispersed by large herbivores, which are ideal agents of long‐distance dispersal in complex landscapes. These results support the two significant components of the planning decision for the AST megaconservancy network: (1) drainage basins as major biogeographical (and also now phylogeographical) units, and (2) establishing interbasin networks with the aim of allowing long‐distance movement of large mammals, including elephants.
Silver European eels health in Mediterranean habitats
Authors: Amilhat Elsa , Fazio Géraldine , Simon Gaël , Manetti Marc , Paris Séverine , Delahaut Laurence , Farrugio Henri , Lecomte‐Finiger Raymonde , Sasal Pierre , Faliex Elisabeth
Published: July 2013

The degradation in the quality of silver eel and their health could have been a major factor in the collapse of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) population. However, the health status of the spawners has been poorly studied until now. This study evaluated the quality of migrant male silver eels from four Mediterranean habitats in France presenting different degrees of contamination: Canet‐Saint‐Nazaire, Salses‐Leucate and Bages‐Sigean lagoons and La Berre River. We considered pathogens including Anguillicoloides crassus and EVEX virus and the concentration of chemical contaminants including PCBs, OCs and heavy metals. Our study results revealed different patterns of pollution and infection in the four habitats, with high individual variability. No single silver eel was free of pollution. Total dichloro‐diphenyl‐trichloroethane (DDT) and copper contaminations, as well as the Swim bladder Degenerative Index (induced by parasitism), were remarkably high in eels from Canet lagoon, while eels from Salses lagoon showed lower levels of contaminants and parasite infection. A non‐negligible proportion of eels were strongly impacted with levels of contaminants/parasites that could potentially impair their migration and reproduction. Our study revealed low to moderate contamination levels compared with the other Mediterranean sites previously reported, except for high concentrations of DDTs and Cu in Canet lagoon. We discuss the contribution of these results in the context of possible implications for silver eels reproductive success and local eel population management.
Risk of white pine blister rust to limber pine in Colorado and Wyoming, USA
Authors: Kearns H. S. J. , Jacobi W. R. , Reich R. M. , Flynn R. L. , Burns K. S. , Geils B. W.
Published: July 2013

Cronartium ribicola, the introduced pathogen that causes white pine blister rust (WPBR), continues to spread to additional limber pine populations in the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. Because WPBR can severely impact ecosystems, forecasts of its potential distribution and incidence would be useful to land managers. Site and climate data from long infested study areas in Wyoming were fit with two regression models [logistic and classification and regression trees (CART)] to determine the environmental conditions associated with the distribution of WPBR. These models were then used to map limber pine stands at risk of infestation by C. ribicola throughout Wyoming (where it has long occurred) and Colorado (where it is just becoming established). Although variables representing vegetation and landform could identify infested plots, 1‐km‐scale climate variables for monthly temperature and moisture were better predictors of current WPBR distribution and were available for mapping expected future distribution across the region. Of 280 485 ha where limber pine was projected to occur in Colorado, 41% was forecast by the logistic model to be at risk of infestation, and 53%, by the CART model. Of an estimated 782 229 ha in Wyoming with limber pine, the logistic model projected 61% to be at risk; CART projected 79%. Additional regression models were fit with site and climate data to predict WPBR incidence (per cent of trees infected) and intensification (incidence/age of the oldest canker). Nearly one half of the plot‐to‐plot variation in incidence was explained using environmental variables readily available to land managers. Although mean plot incidence increased over time, mean intensification decreased 50% per decade. This work provides managers with several tools to reduce uncertainty over the expected distribution and incidence of WPBR, but surveillance and monitoring remain prudent activities for supplementing forecasts of WPBR epidemics.
A randomized controlled trial of vocational intervention for young people with first‐episode psychosis: method
Authors: Killackey Eóin , Allott Kelly , Cotton Susan M. , Jackson Henry , Scutella Rosanna , Tseng Yi‐Ping , Borland Jeff , Proffitt Tina‐Marie , Hunt Sally , Kay‐Lambkin Frances , Chinnery Gina , Baksheev Gennady , Alvarez‐Jimenez Mario , McGorry Patrick D.
Published: July 2013

Aim

Young people who are experiencing first‐episode psychosis (FEP) are at increased risk of being unemployed compared to either their same age peers in the general population, or those with other mental illnesses. Significant research has been conducted examining employment interventions for those with chronic psychotic illness. This has yielded strong results in favour of an intervention called individual placement and support (IPS). However, significantly less work has examined the benefit of this approach to those in FEP when the potential for vocational rehabilitation is perhaps greater. This study adds to the knowledge of vocational intervention in first‐episode psychotic illness. Additionally, it expands this work into the areas of cognition, social cognition, social inclusion and economics.

Methods

The study is a single‐blind, randomized controlled trial comparing receiving high‐quality FEP treatment as usual plus IPS (IPS + TAU) to a FEP treatment as usual (TAU) intervention alone within a specialized FEP service.

Results

The study recruited 146 people attending a first‐episode psychosis service over 2 years. They were assessed at baseline, 6 months (end of intervention) 12 and 18 months with a battery covering psychopathology, economic, demographic, social cognitive, cognitive and diagnostic variables.

Conclusions

This paper describes the methodology for the largest attempted study of IPS in FEP. This study has the capacity to answer questions about the benefits on illness and economic impacts of vocational recovery in FEP. Further, it has the capacity to extend knowledge about the contribution of cognitive and social cognitive factors to recovery in this domain.
Turn costs change the value of animal search paths
Authors: Wilson R. P. , Griffiths I. W. , Legg P. A. , Friswell M. I. , Bidder O. R. , Halsey L. G. , Lambertucci S. A. , Shepard E. L. C.
Published: July 2013

The tortuosity of the track taken by an animal searching for food profoundly affects search efficiency, which should be optimised to maximise net energy gain. Models examining this generally describe movement as a series of straight steps interspaced by turns, and implicitly assume no turn costs. We used both empirical‐ and modelling‐based approaches to show that the energetic costs for turns in both terrestrial and aerial locomotion are substantial, which calls into question the value of conventional movement models such as correlated random walk or Lévy walk for assessing optimum path types. We show how, because straight‐line travel is energetically most efficient, search strategies should favour constrained turn angles, with uninformed foragers continuing in straight lines unless the potential benefits of turning offset the cost.
How species richness and total abundance constrain the distribution of abundance
Authors: Locey Kenneth J. , White Ethan P.
Published: July 2013

The species abundance distribution (SAD) is one of the most intensively studied distributions in ecology and its hollow‐curve shape is one of ecology's most general patterns. We examine the SAD in the context of all possible forms having the same richness (S) and total abundance (N), i.e. the feasible set. We find that feasible sets are dominated by similarly shaped hollow curves, most of which are highly correlated with empirical SADs (most R2 values > 75%), revealing a strong influence of N and S on the form of the SAD and an a priori explanation for the ubiquitous hollow curve. Empirical SADs are often more hollow and less variable than the majority of the feasible set, revealing exceptional unevenness and relatively low natural variability among ecological communities. We discuss the importance of the feasible set in understanding how general constraints determine observable variation and influence the forms of predicted and empirical patterns.
Back to the future: evolving bacteriophages to increase their effectiveness against the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Betts Alex , Vasse Marie , Kaltz Oliver , Hochberg Michael E.
Published: July 2013

Antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly problematic for the treatment of infectious disease in both humans and livestock. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often found to be resistant to multiple antibiotics and causes high patient mortality in hospitals. Bacteriophages represent a potential option to combat pathogenic bacteria through their application in phage therapy. Here, we capitalize on previous studies showing how evolution may increase phage infection capacity relative to ancestral genotypes. We passaged four different phage isolates (podoviridae, myoviridae) through six serial transfers on the ancestral strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. We first demonstrate that repeated serial passage on ancestral bacteria increases infection capacity of bacteriophage on ancestral hosts and on those evolved for one transfer. This result is confirmed when examining the ability of evolved phage to reduce ancestral host population sizes. Second, through interaction with a single bacteriophage for 24 h, P. aeruginosa can evolve resistance to the ancestor of that bacteriophage; this also provides these evolved bacteria with cross‐resistance to the other three bacteriophages. We discuss how the evolutionary training of phages could be employed as effective means of combatting bacterial infections or disinfecting surfaces in hospital settings, with reduced risk of bacterial resistance compared with conventional methods.
Leveraging social semantic components in executable environments for learning
Authors: Damiano Rossana , Gena Cristina , Lombardo Vincenzo
Published: July 2013

Learning can benefit from the modern Web structure through the convergence of top‐down encyclopedic institutional knowledge and bottom‐up user‐generated annotations. A promising approach to such convergence consists in leveraging the social functionalities in 3.0 executable environments through the recommendation of tags with the mediation of lexical and semantic resources.

This paper addresses such issues through the design and evaluation of a tag recommendation system in a Web 3.0 Web portal, ‘150 Digit’. Designed for schools, 150 Digit encourages students and teachers to interact with a set of four exhibitions on the historical and social aspects of the Italian unification process in a virtual environment. The website displays the exhibits and their related documents promoting the users' active participation through tagging, voting and commenting on the exhibits. Tags become a way for students to create and explore new relations among the site contents, orthogonal to the institutional viewpoint. In this paper, we illustrate the recommendation strategy incorporated in 150 Digit, which relies on a semantic middleware to mediate between the input expressed by the users through tags and the top‐down institutional classification provided by the curators of the exhibitions. Following this, we describe the evaluation process conducted in a real experimental setting and discuss the evaluation results and their implications for learning environments.
Dual effect of cAMP agonist on ameliorative function of PKA inhibitor in morphine‐dependent mice
Authors: Seyedi Seyedeh Y. , Salehi Forouz , Payandemehr Borna , Hossein Sara , Hosseini‐Zare Mahshid S. , Nassireslami Ehsan , Yazdi Behnoosh B. , Sharifzadeh Mohammad
Published: July 2013

The present study shows interactive effects of bucladesine (db‐cAMP) as a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) agonist and H‐89 as a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor on naloxone‐induced withdrawal signs in morphine‐dependent mice. Animals were treated subcutaneously with morphine thrice daily with doses progressively increased from 50 to 125 mg/kg. A last dose of morphine (50 mg/kg) was administered on the 4th day. Several withdrawal signs were precipitated by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of naloxone (5 mg/kg). Different doses of bucladesine (50, 100, 200 nm/mouse) and H‐89 (0.05, 0.5, 1, 5 mg/kg) were administered (i.p.) 60 min before naloxone injection. In combination groups, bucladesine was injected 15 min before H‐89 injection. Single administration of H‐89 (0.5, 1, 5 mg/kg) and bucladesine (50, 100 nm/mouse) significantly attenuated prominent behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal. Lower doses of bucladesine (50, 100 nm/mouse) in combination with H‐89 (0.05 mg/kg) increased the inhibitory effects of H‐89 on withdrawal signs while in high dose (200 nm/mouse) decreased the ameliorative function of H‐89 (0.05 mg/kg) in morphine‐dependent animals. It is concluded that H‐89 and bucladesine could affect morphine withdrawal syndrome via possible interaction with cyclic nucleotide messengering systems, protein kinase A signaling pathways, and modified related neurotransmitters.
Otolith biochronologies as multidecadal indicators of body size anomalies in yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera)
Authors: Black Bryan A. , Matta Mary E. , Helser Thomas E. , Wilderbuer Thomas K.
Published: July 2013

Dendrochronology (tree‐ring analysis) techniques have been increasingly applied to generate biochronologies from the otolith growth‐increment widths of marine and freshwater fish species. These time series strongly relate to instrumental climate records and are presumed to reflect interannual variability in mean fish condition or size. However, the relationship of these otolith chronologies to fish somatic growth has not been well described. Here, this issue was addressed using yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) in the eastern Bering Sea, for which a 43‐yr otolith chronology was developed from 47 otoliths and compared with body size for 6943 individuals collected in 1987, 1994, and 1999 through 2006. Among several metrics of size normalized for age and sex, average body mass index (defined as weight/length) had the strongest relationship to the otolith chronology, especially when the chronology was averaged over the 5 yr preceding fish capture date (R2 = 0.88; P < 0.001). Overall, sample‐wide anomalies in otolith growth reflected sample‐wide anomalies in body size. These findings suggest that otolith chronologies could be used as proxies of body size in data‐poor regions or to hind‐cast somatic growth patterns prior to the start of fisheries sampling programs.