bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Interferon-γ Levels and Leishmanin Skin Test Results in Persons Recovered for Leishmaniasis
Authors: Alimohammadian Mohammad H. , Jones Stephen L. , Darabi Haideh , Riazirad Farhad , Ajdary Soheila , Shabani Aliakbar , Rezaee Mohammad A. , Mohebali Mehdi , Hosseini Zohreh , Modabber Farrokh
Published: July 2012

Patients who recover from leishmaniasis usually show development of strong immunity and induction of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and delayed type hypersensitivity. In a randomized trial, we analyzed the IFN-γ response by using a Quantiferon–Leishmania assay against three Leishmania peptide antigens and compared it with results of the leishmanin skin test (LST) in persons residing in areas in Iran to which zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL, 181 persons), anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL, 104 persons), and zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL, 67 persons) are endemic. The percentage of persons with an IFN-γ-positive response (> 0.2 IU/mL) to three antigens and the mean concentration of IFN-γ induced by the antigens were higher for persons from areas endemic for ZVL than for persons from areas endemic for ZCL and ACL. The percentage of persons with LST-positive results (≥ 5 mm indurations) was 99%, 94%, and 70% for areas with ZCL, ACL, and ZVL, respectively. Our data indicate that the LST is significantly more sensitive than IFN-γ levels in persons who have been cured of cutaneous leishmaniasis than in persons who have been cured of ZVL.
Teaching Global Public Health in the Undergraduate Liberal Arts: A Survey of 50 Colleges
Authors: Hill David R. , Ainsworth Robert M. , Partap Uttara
Published: July 2012

Undergraduate public health and global health studies are usually found at universities with graduate programs in the disciplines. Following the experience of teaching a short course in global health within the liberal arts, we reviewed global and public health offerings at 50 liberal arts colleges for the 2009–2010 academic year. Forty-two percent had a track, concentration, or program, and 30% had global or public health student organizations. All colleges listed at least one course in the fields, with the highest number in the social sciences. However, many colleges had not coordinated them into a theme. Values of a liberal arts education are found in the study of global and public health: social responsibility, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and knowledge of the wider world. We propose identifying these programs within the undergraduate liberal arts as global public health. Capturing interest in global public health will enhance the curriculum and student experience.

In this day and age, when the world is so fluid with regard to news and information, the knowledge that unnecessary deaths are occurring and that health care lags so far behind in some regions cannot be ignored. From the standpoint of basic human rights, suffering and inequity cannot be tolerated.

Williams College student during a global health short course
Serious and Fatal Illness Associated with Falciparum and Vivax Malaria among Patients Admitted to Hospital at West Sumba in Eastern Indonesia
Authors: Nurleila Siti , Syafruddin Din , Elyazar Iqbal R. F. , Baird J. Kevin
Published: July 2012

Records of 3,449 patients admitted to Karitas Hospital at Waitabula in eastern Indonesia with microscopy-confirmed malaria through 2008 and 2009 were systematically reviewed. Falciparum, vivax, and mixed species malaria occurred among 1,541, 1,837, and 71 admissions, respectively. Among these, 400 (26%), 199 (11%), and 15 (21%) had serious illness. Fatalities occurred in 46 (12%), 18 (9%), and 2 (13%) of these patients, respectively. Although patients with a diagnosis of falciparum malaria were more likely to have serious illness compared with those with vivax malaria (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4–3.5), this diagnosis nonetheless was associated with 32% of serious illness and 27% of fatalities. Among the seriously ill with a diagnosis of falciparum or vivax malaria, no significant difference in risk of death occurred (OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 0.7–2.5). Serious and fatal illness was predominantly anemia or altered mental state syndromes among patients with either of the species diagnoses. Plasmodium vivax was associated with a substantial share of the burden of morbidity and mortality caused by malaria in this hypo- to meso-endemic community.
Development of New, Broadly Reactive, Rapid IgG and IgM Lateral Flow Assays for Diagnosis of Scrub Typhus
Authors: Silpasakorn Saowaluk , Srisamut Nujorn , Ekpo Pattama , Zhang Zhiwen , Chao Chien-Chung , Ching Wei-Mei , Suputtamongkol Yupin
Published: July 2012

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of two broadly reactive rapid immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) for detection of IgM and IgG against Orientia tsutsugamushi by using archived acute-phase serum samples from 102 patients with laboratory-confirmed scrub typhus, and from 62 archived serum samples from patients with other causes of fever as a negative control. These ICTs were constructed by using a mixture of recombinant proteins: 1) C1, a chimeric protein containing epitopes of the 56-kD antigen from Karp and TA763 strains; 2) Ktr56; and 3) Gmr56. Sensitivities of the ICTs for detection of IgM and IgG were 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 84.4–96.0%) and 86.3% (95% CI = 80.9–93.8%), respectively. Specificities were 85.5% (95% CI = 73.9–92.2%) and 96.8% (95% CI = 90.3–100%), respectively. Both assays were more sensitive and specific than the standard immune immunofluorescence assay for the early diagnosis of scrub typhus.
Reduction of Malaria Prevalence by Indoor Residual Spraying: A Meta-Regression Analysis
Authors: Kim Dohyeong , Fedak Kristen , Kramer Randall
Published: July 2012

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has become an increasingly popular method of insecticide use for malaria control, and many recent studies have reported on its effectiveness in reducing malaria burden in a single community or region. There is a need for systematic review and integration of the published literature on IRS and the contextual determining factors of its success in controlling malaria. This study reports the findings of a meta-regression analysis based on 13 published studies, which were chosen from more than 400 articles through a systematic search and selection process. The summary relative risk for reducing malaria prevalence was 0.38 (95% confidence interval = 0.31–0.46), which indicated a risk reduction of 62%. However, an excessive degree of heterogeneity was found between the studies. The meta-regression analysis indicates that IRS is more effective with high initial prevalence, multiple rounds of spraying, use of DDT, and in regions with a combination of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria.
Seroprevalence of Entamoeba histolytica Infection in China
Authors: Yang Bin , Chen Yingdan , Wu Liang , Xu Longqi , Tachibana Hiroshi , Cheng Xunjia
Published: July 2012

The seroprevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection in the residents of seven provinces in China was examined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a crude antigen and a recombinant surface antigen, C-Igl, of the parasites. A total of 1,312 serum samples were investigated. The positivity rates for these two antigens were 11.05% and 6.25%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the seropositivity to E. histolytica between men and women. We used a logistic regression model and maximal-likelihood methods to estimate the prevalence of E. histolytica infection from sequential serologic data. Seropositivity in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Sinkiang Provinces was higher than that in Beijing, Shanghai, and Qinghai Provinces. The present study provides an overview of seropositivity to E. histolytica infection in seven provinces in China and use the logistic regression model estimation method to achieve a more accurate measure of amebiasis incidence.
Portal Hypertension Secondary to Isolated Liver Tuberculosis
Authors: Mojtahedzadeh Mona , Otoukesh Salman , Shahsafi Mohammad R. , Tahbaz Mohammad O. , Rahvari Seyed K. , Poorabdollah Mihan , Sajadi Mohammad M.
Published: July 2012

In this report, we present a case of isolated liver tuberculosis (TB) as a cause of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension leading to bleeding esophageal varices. Although TB has been known to cause portal hypertension in a variety of ways, this case was notable for the presence of periportal inflammation and granulomas, also seen in hepatic schistosomiasis. Herein, we discuss isolated liver TB and the differential diagnosis of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. In endemic areas, TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.
Repeated Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies in a Malaria Hyperendemic Area of Mali: Efficacy, Safety, and Public Health Impact
Authors: Sagara Issaka , Fofana Bakary , Gaudart Jean , Sidibe Bakary , Togo Amadou , Toure Sekou , Sanogo Kassim , Dembele Demba , Dicko Alassane , Giorgi Roch , Doumbo Ogobara K. , Djimde Abdoulaye A.
Published: July 2012

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the first-line treatment of uncomplicated malaria. The public health benefit and safety of repeated administration of a given ACT are poorly studied. We conducted a randomized trial comparing artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate plus amodiaquine (AS+AQ) and artesunate plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS+SP) in patients 6 months of age and older with uncomplicated malaria in Mali from July 2005 to July 2007. The patient received the same initial treatment of each subsequent uncomplicated malaria episode except for treatment failures where quinine was used. Overall, 780 patients were included. Patients in the AS+AQ and AS+SP arms had significantly less risk of having malaria episodes; risk ratio (RR) = 0.84 (P = 0.002) and RR = 0.80 (P = 0.001), respectively. The treatment efficacy was similar and above 95% in all arms. Although all drugs were highly efficacious and well tolerated, AS+AQ and AS+SP were associated with less episodes of malaria.
Comparisons of Serum Total IgE, IgG, and IgG1 Levels in Patients with and without Echinococcosis-Induced Anaphylactic Shock
Authors: Li Yimei , Zheng Hong , Gu Meilin , Cao Xinghua , Wen Hao , Liu Zaoling , Liu Tao
Published: July 2012

We investigated serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), IgG, and IgG1 levels in patients with and without echinococcosis-induced anaphylactic shock. This was a case-control study of 11 patients with echinococcosis-induced anaphylactic shock and 22 echinococcosis patients with cyst rupture but without anaphylactic shock. Blood was collected before surgery (T0), at the time of cyst rupture (T1), and shock (Tx), 1 h (T2), 1 day (T3), and 1 week (T4) after cyst rupture. Serum IgE, IgG, and IgG1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum IgE, IgG, and IgG1 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed anaphylactic shock at all time points. Increased pre-surgical IgG and IgG1 levels were identified to be a significant risk factors for developing anaphylactic shock. The results showed that a serum IgG concentration of 312.25 μg/mL could be used as a cut-off point to predict whether an echinococcosis patient would develop anaphylactic shock.
A Prospective Assessment of the Accuracy of Commercial IgM ELISAs in Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infections in Patients with Suspected Central Nervous System Infections in Laos
Authors: Moore Catrin E. , Blacksell Stuart D. , Taojaikong Thaksinaporn , Jarman Richard G. , Gibbons Robert V. , Lee Sue J. , Chansamouth Vilada , Thongpaseuth Soulignasack , Mayxay Mayfong , Newton Paul N.
Published: July 2012

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a major cause of encephalitis in Asia. We estimated the diagnostic accuracy of two anti-JEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (Panbio and XCyton JEVCheX) compared with a reference standard (AFRIMS JEV MAC ELISA) in a prospective study of the causes of central nervous system infections in Laos. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; 515 patients) and serum samples (182 patients) from those admitted to Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, were tested. The CSF from 14.5% of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) patients and 10.1% from those with AES and meningitis were positive for anti-JEV IgM in the reference ELISA. The sensitivities for CSF were 65.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 51–78) (Xcyton), 69.2% (95% CI = 55–81) (Panbio), however 96.2% (95% CI = 87–100) with Panbio Ravi criteria. Specificities were 89–100%. For admission sera from AES patients, sensitivities and specificities of the Panbio ELISA were 85.7% (95% CI = 42–100%) and 92.9% (95% CI = 83–98%), respectively.
Potential P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug-Drug Interactions of Antimalarial Agents in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Oga Enoche F. , Sekine Shuichi , Shitara Yoshihisa , Horie Toshiharu
Published: July 2012

Antimalarials are widely used in African and Southeast Asian countries, where they are combined with other drugs for the treatment of concurrent ailments. The potential for P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between antimalarials and P-gp substrates was examined using a Caco-2 cell-based model. Selected antimalarials were initially screened for their interaction with P-gp based on the inhibition of rhodamine-123 (Rho-123) transport in Caco-2 cells. Verapamil (100 μM) and quinidine (1 μM) were used as positive inhibition controls. Lumefantrine, amodiaquin, and artesunate all showed blockade of Rho-123 transport. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of these antimalarials on the bi-directional passage of digoxin (DIG) was examined. All of the drugs decreased basal-to-apical (B-A) P-gp-mediated DIG transport at concentrations of 100 μM and 1 mM. These concentrations may reflect therapeutic doses for amodiaquin and artesunate. Therefore, clinically relevant DDIs may occur between certain antimalarials and P-gp substrates in general.
Intraspecies Variation in Trypanosoma cruzi GPI-Mucins: Biological Activities and Differential Expression of α-Galactosyl Residues
Authors: Soares Rodrigo P. , Torrecilhas Ana C. , Assis Rafael R. , Rocha Marcele N. , Moura e Castro Felipe A. , Freitas Gustavo F. , Murta Silvane M. , Santos Sara L. , Marques Alexandre F. , Almeida Igor C. , Romanha Alvaro J.
Published: July 2012

The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored mucins of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes play an important immunomodulatory role during the course of Chagas disease. Here, some biological activities of tGPI-mucins from four T. cruzi isolates, including benznidazole-susceptible (BZS-Y), benznidazole-resistant (BZR-Y), CL, and Colombiana, were evaluated. GPI-mucins were able to differentially trigger the production of interleukin-12 and nitric oxide in BALB/c macrophages and modulate LLC-MK2 cell invasion. The significance of these variations was assessed after analysis of the terminal α-galactosyl residues. Enzymatic treatment with α-galactosidase indicated a differential expression of O-linked α-galactosyl residues among the strains, with higher expression of this sugar in BZS-Y and BZR-Y T. cruzi populations followed by Colombiana and CL. Unweighted pair group method analysis of the carbohydrate anchor profile and biological parameters allowed the clustering of two groups. One group includes Y and CL strains (T. cruzi II and VI), and the other group is represented by Colombiana strain (T. cruzi I).
Utility of the Microculture Method in Non-Invasive Samples Obtained from an Experimental Murine Model with Asymptomatic Leishmaniasis
Authors: Allahverdiyev Adil M. , Bagirova Malahat , Cakir-Koc Rabia , Elcicek Serhat , Oztel Olga Nehir , Canim-Ates Sezen , Abamor Emrah Sefik , Yesilkir-Baydar Serap
Published: July 2012

The sensitivity of diagnostic methods for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) decreases because of the low number of parasites and antibody amounts in asymptomatic healthy donors who are not suitable for invasive sample acquisition procedures. Therefore, new studies are urgently needed to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic approaches in non-invasive samples. In this study, the sensitivity of the microculture method (MCM) was compared with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) methods in an experimental murine model with asymptomatic leishmaniasis. Results showed that the percent of positive samples in ELISA, IFAT, and peripheral blood (PB) -PCR tests were 17.64%, 8.82%, and 5.88%, respectively, whereas 100% positive results were obtained with MCM and MCM-PCR methods. Thus, this study, for the first time, showed that MCM is more sensitive, specific, and economic than other methods, and the sensitivity of PCR that was performed to samples obtained from MCM was higher than sensitivity of the PCR method sampled by PB.
Isolated Pancreatic Tuberculosis: A Rare Occurrence
Authors: Arora Ankur , Mukund Amar , Garg Hitendra
Published: July 2012

Isolated tuberculosis of the pancreas is rare even in developing countries where abdominal tuberculosis continues to be prevalent. We present a case of pancreatic tuberculosis in an immunocompetent male with confounding imaging findings and non-contributory clinical details.
No Evidence of Delayed Parasite Clearance after Oral Artesunate Treatment of Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Mali
Authors: Maiga Amelia W. , Fofana Bakary , Sagara Issaka , Dembele Demba , Dara Antoine , Traore Oumar Bila , Toure Sekou , Sanogo Kassim , Dama Souleymane , Sidibe Bakary , Kone Aminatou , Thera Mahamadou A. , Plowe Christopher V. , Doumbo Ogobara K. , Djimde Abdoulaye A.
Published: July 2012

Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinins by delayed parasite clearance is present in Southeast Asia. Scant data on parasite clearance after artemisinins are available from Africa, where transmission is high, burden is greatest, and artemisinin use is being scaled up. Children 1–10 years of age with uncomplicated malaria were treated with 7 days of artesunate and followed for 28 days. Blood smears were done every 8 hours until negative by light microscopy. Results were compared with a similar study conducted in the same village in 2002–2004. The polymerase chain reaction-corrected cure rate was 100%, identical to 2002–2004. By 24 hours after treatment initiation, 37.0% of participants had cleared parasitemia, compared with 31.9% in 2002–2004 (P = 0.5). The median parasite clearance time was 32 hours. Only one participant still had parasites at 48 hours and no participant presented parasitemia at 72 hours. Artesunate was highly efficacious, with no evidence of delayed parasite clearance. We provide baseline surveillance data for the emergence or dissemination of P. falciparum resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Similarities in Leptospira Serogroup and Species Distribution in Animals and Humans in the Indian Ocean Island of Mayotte
Authors: Desvars Amélie , Naze Florence , Vourc'h Gwenaël , Cardinale Eric , Picardeau Mathieu , Michault Alain , Bourhy Pascale
Published: July 2012

Our objective was to identify local animal reservoirs of leptospirosis to explain the unusual features of Leptospira strains recently described among patients on the island of Mayotte. By means of a microscopic agglutination test using local clinical isolates, we found that 11.2% of black rats were seropositive to Leptospira, whereas 10.2% of flying foxes, 2% of lemurs, 93.1% of domestic dogs, and 87.5% of stray dogs were seropositive. As observed in humans, Mini was the main serogroup circulating in animals, whereas serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was absent. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we also showed that 29.8% of rats carried leptospires in their kidneys. The sequencing of 16S rRNA gene sequences of Leptospira found in black rat kidneys identified four genomospecies (Leptospira borgpetersenii, Leptospira interrogans, Leptospira kirschneri, and L. borgpetersenii group B), which established black rats as the major source of leptospirosis transmission to humans. The origins of such a genetic diversity in Leptospira strains are discussed.
Treatable Bacterial Infections Are Underrecognized Causes of Fever in Ethiopian Children
Authors: Aarsland Sara J. , Castellanos-Gonzalez Alejandro , Lockamy Kameron P. , Mulu-Droppers Ruth , Mulu Moges , White A. Clinton , Cabada Miguel M.
Published: July 2012

Febrile illnesses remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in resource-poor countries, but too often, tests are not available to determine the causes, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. To determine the cause of febrile illnesses, we recovered the malaria smears from 102 children presenting with fever to Soddo Christian Hospital in Wolaitta Soddo, Ethiopia. DNA was isolated from the smears and evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We identified pathogen DNA with probes for Plasmodium spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Rickettsia spp., Salmonella spp., and Borrelia spp. Overall, we showed that it is possible to isolate high-quality DNA and identify treatable pathogens from malaria blood smears. Furthermore, our data showed that bacterial pathogens (especially Pneumococcus, Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp.) are common and frequently unrecognized but treatable causes of febrile illnesses in Ethiopian children.
Resuspension by fish facilitates the transport and redistribution of coastal sediments
Authors: Katz Timor , Yahel Gitai , Reidenbach Matt , Tunnicliffe Verena , Herut Barak , Crusius John , Whitney Frank , Snelgrove Paul V. R. , Lazar Boaz
Published: July 2012

Oxygen availability restricts groundfish to the oxygenated, shallow margins of Saanich Inlet, an intermittently anoxic fjord in British Columbia, Canada. New and previously reported 210Pb measurements in sediment cores compared with flux data from sediment traps indicate major focusing of sediments from the oxygenated margins to the anoxic basin seafloor. We present environmental and experimental evidence that groundfish activity in the margins is the major contributor to this focusing. Fine particles resuspended by groundfish are advected offshore by weak bottom currents, eventually settling in the anoxic basin. Transmittance and sediment trap data from the water column show that this transport process maintains an intermediate nepheloid layer (INL) in the center of the Inlet. This INL is located above the redox interface and is unrelated to water density shifts in the water column. We propose that this INL is shaped by the distribution of groundfish (as resuspension sources) along the slope and hence by oxygen availability to these fish. We support this conclusion with a conceptual model of the resuspension and offshore transport of sediment. This fish‐induced transport mechanism for sediments is likely to enhance organic matter decomposition in oxygenated sediments and its sequestration in anoxic seafloors.
Spatial distribution of intact polar lipids in North Sea surface waters: Relationship with environmental conditions and microbial community composition
Authors: Brandsma Joost , Hopmans Ellen C. , Brussaard Corina P. D. , Witte Harry J. , Schouten Stefan , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S.
Published: July 2012

We characterized and quantified the intact polar lipid (IPL) composition of the surface waters of the North Sea and investigated its relationships with environmental conditions, microbial abundances, and community composition. The total IPL pool comprised at least 600 different IPL species in seven main classes: the glycerophospholipids phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); the sulfur‐bearing glycerolipid sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG); and the nitrogen‐bearing betaine lipids diacylglyceryl‐trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), diacylglyceryl‐hydroxymethyltrimethylalanine (DGTA), and diacylglyceryl‐carboxyhydroxymethylcholine (DGCC). Although no significant relationships were found between the IPL composition and environmental parameters, such as nutrient concentrations, distance‐based ordination yielded distinct clusters of IPL species, which could in turn be tentatively correlated with the predominant microbial groups. SQDGs and PGs, as well as PC species containing saturated fatty acid moieties, were related to picoeukaryote abundances and PC species with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) moieties to nanoeukaryote abundances. The PEs were likely of mixed cyanobacterial–bacterial origin, whereas DGTA and DGCC species were mainly associated with cyanobacteria. DGTSs were likely derived from either pico‐ or nanoeukaryotes, although the DGTS species with PUFAs also showed some relationship with cyanobacterial abundances. Concentrations of the algal‐derived IPLs showed strong positive correlations with chlorophyll a concentrations, indicating they may be used as biomarkers for living photosynthetic microbes. However, direct relationships between the IPLs and microbial groups were relatively weak, implying that the predominant IPLs in marine surface waters are not derived from single microbial groups and that direct inferences of microbial community compositions from IPL compositions should be considered with care.
Using larval dispersal simulations for marine protected area design: Application to the Gulf of Lions (northwest Mediterranean)
Authors: Guizien K. , Belharet M. , Marsaleix P. , Guarini J. M.
Published: July 2012

The design (location and size) of sustaining, no‐take reserves was investigated by combining realistic numerical simulations of larval dispersal from a sedentary marine species with a population dynamics model. The method explored, a priori: (1) the planktonic larval duration (PLD) of self‐persistent populations within no‐take reserves with radii from 1 to 20 km, (2) the size of a no‐take reserve reaching self‐persistent recruitment of the reserve population, and (3) offspring spillover to adjacent fisheries for PLDs from 1 to 6 weeks. In the Gulf of Lions (northwest Mediterranean), as the radius of a no‐take reserve increased to 20 km, the median PLD of a self‐persistent species within the reserve increased from 2 to 6.5 d. No unique relation between PLD and sustaining no‐take reserve size could be established because of large spatial and temporal variabilities, thus precluding any general guidelines for marine protected area sizes. For species with mass spawning lasting < 3 d, variability due to spawning timing yielded twice the spatial variability, reflecting strong wind variability. In contrast, when spawning lasted more than 10 d, the spawning location became more important. Thus, a biological process (spawning duration) can trigger deterministic and stochastic effects of environmental variability. Finally, some unprotected areas (Narbonne to Agde and the Camargue) clearly appeared to be better locations than the existing no‐take reserves for maximizing biodiversity persistence within a reasonable no‐take reserve size (10 to 20 km) and for producing offspring spillover important for regional fisheries (80%).
Phytoplankton species predictability increases towards warmer regions
Authors: Kruk C. , Segura A. M. , Peeters E.T.H.M. , Huszar V. L. M. , Costa L. S. , Kosten S. , Lacerot G. , Scheffer M.
Published: July 2012

We explored systematic patterns in predictability of phytoplankton species from 83 lakes over a gradient ranging from subpolar to tropical regions in South America. We estimated the explained variance (proxy of predictability) of the presence and biomass (estimated as biovolume) of species using multiple regressions from commonly measured environmental variables such as nutrient levels, light, mixing depth, temperature, and zooplankton biomass. Both the presence and biomass of species occurring at least in 10 lakes were quite well predicted from the environmental variables, with average values of 35% and 58%, respectively. Predictability was not systematically related to phylogenetic affiliation or particular functional groups as defined by morphology. However, biomass predictability decreased with increasing occurrence, and improved with larger species size (maximum linear dimension). Species that were predictable in terms of biomass (R2 ≥ 0.5, p ≤ 0.05) had, on average, a larger volume, and were relatively more frequent in lakes from warmer regions, with high water temperature, low chlorophyll a, low nutrient concentrations, and low total zooplankton biomass. Although we cannot diagnose the mechanisms involved, our finding that the number of predictable species increases towards warmer regions resembles situations where competition for nutrients and grazing are likely to be less severe, and may imply that in a future warmer world phytoplankton will be easier to predict.
Hypersaline waters pose new challenges for reconstructing environmental histories of fish based on otolith chemistry
Authors: Gillanders Bronwyn M. , Munro Andrew R.
Published: July 2012

We investigated the effect of hypersaline conditions on the water chemistry of the Coorong Lagoon, the terminal estuary of Australia's largest river, and the otolith chemistry of a common fish within the system. Water samples and fish were collected from 10 sites along the Coorong, ranging in salinity from 5.8 to 123.4, on six occasions over 14 months. Water (Ca, Ba, Mg, Mn, and Sr) and otolith (Ba : Ca, Sr : Ca, Mg : Ca, Mn : Ca, Na : Ca, Li : Ca, δ13C, and δ18O) concentrations were measured. Water Sr, Mg, and Ca concentrations exhibited conservative behavior (i.e., concentrations increased with salinity). Water Ba concentration decreased from near‐freshwater to marine salinities followed by an increase from marine to hypersaline waters, a pattern not previously reported in the literature. Three of the six otolith element : Ca ratios and δ18O showed significant linear correlations with salinity, but the best fit model for Ba : Ca was a segmented regression with a breakpoint. Positive linear correlations were also found between otolith Ba : Ca and water Ba : Ca, as well as otolith Mg : Ca and water Mg : Ca. Results have implications for reconstructing past salinities inhabited by fish, because they imply that several elemental and isotopic ratios will be necessary to determine whether fish have inhabited, or been exposed to, hypersaline environments.
Bioavailable phosphorus in humic headwater streams in boreal Sweden
Authors: Jansson Mats , Berggren Martin , Laudon Hjalmar , Jonsson Anders
Published: July 2012

Bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) concentrations were determined nine times between April and October 2010 in two humic boreal headwater streams draining forest‐ and mire‐dominated catchments. BAP was analyzed in a bioassay in which natural P‐limited bacterioplankton grew with natural P as the sole P source. In both streams, approximately 90% of the BAP occurred as dissolved species (passing a 0.2‐µm filter), consisting partly of low‐molecular‐weight forms (passing a filter with nominal cutoff at 1 kDa) and partly of high‐molecular‐weight forms (passing a 0.2‐µm filter but not a 1‐kDa filter). Concentrations of total dissolved BAP varied between 1 µg L−1 and 14 µg L−1, with the highest values in the middle of the summer. Compared to the forest stream, BAP concentrations were generally higher in the mire stream, where it occasionally amounted to nearly 50% of total P. Molybdate reactive phosphorus overestimated BAP considerably. Most of the BAP was in forms other than free orthophosphate. Temporal BAP variations showed no relationships with dissolved organic carbon (C) or iron but were positively related to air temperature and negatively related to the absorbance ratio (a254 : a365) of organic compounds in the water, indicating connections between terrestrial export of BAP and temperature‐dependent terrestrial C metabolism. Concentrations of BAP can relieve stream bacteria from P limitation, and a significant share of BAP exported to streams can reach and be used in downstream lakes.
Iron‐light interactions differ in Southern Ocean phytoplankton
Authors: Strzepek Robert F. , Hunter Keith A. , Frew Russell D. , Harrison Paul J. , Boyd Philip W.
Published: July 2012

In laboratory experiments we examined the interplay of light and iron availability on the intracellular iron concentrations, specific growth rates, and photosynthetic physiology of Southern (S.) Ocean diatoms (Eucampia antarctica and Proboscia inermis) and the haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica. Intracellular iron concentrations and iron : carbon (Fe : C) molar ratios increased with decreasing irradiance in temperate coastal (Thalassiosira weissflogii) and oceanic (Thalassiosira oceanica) diatoms, in support of the well‐established antagonistic iron‐light relationship. In contrast, S. Ocean species required lower cellular iron concentrations and Fe : C ratios than temperate diatoms to grow at comparable rates, and their iron requirements decreased or remained relatively constant with decreasing light. These results suggest that the current paradigm that low light increases algal cellular iron requirements (supplied through “biodilution”) is not applicable to S. Ocean phytoplankton. Although iron use efficiencies decreased at sub‐saturating light in all species, these reductions were due primarily to lower growth rates, but not higher intracellular Fe : C ratios, in S. Ocean species. We propose that S. Ocean species have overcome the antagonistic iron‐light relationship by increasing the size, rather than the number, of photosynthetic units under low irradiances, resulting in an acclimation strategy that does not increase their cellular iron requirements.
Poincaré wave–induced mixing in a large lake
Authors: Bouffard Damien , Boegman Leon , Rao Yerubandi R.
Published: July 2012

A 10,000‐km2 hypoxic ‘dead zone’ forms, during most years, in the central basin of Lake Erie. To investigate the processes driving the hypoxia, we conducted a 2‐yr field campaign where the mixing in the lake interior during the stratification period was examined using current meters and temperature‐loggers data, as well as > 600 temperature microstructure profiles, from which turbulent mixing was computed. Near‐inertial Poincaré waves drive shear instability, generating ∼ 1‐m amplitude and 10‐m wavelength high‐frequency internal waves with ∼ 1‐mdensity overturns that lead to an increase in turbulent dissipation by one order of magnitude. The instabilities are associated with enhanced vertical shear at the crests and troughs of the Poincaré waves and may be correlated with the local gradient Richardson number. Poincaré wave–induced mixing should be an important factor when the Burger number < 0.25. The strong diapycnal mixing induced by the Poincaré wave activity will also significantly modify the energy‐flux paths. For example, we estimate that, in Lake Erie, 0.85% of the wind energy is transferred to the lake interior (below the surface layer); of this, 40% is dissipated in the interior metalimnion and 60% is dissipated at the bottom boundary. In smaller lakes, 0.42% of wind energy is transferred to the deeper water, with 90% dissipated in the boundary and 10% in the interior metalimnion.
Quantifying denitrification in rippled permeable sands through combined flume experiments and modeling
Authors: Kessler Adam J. , Glud Ronnie N. , Cardenas M. Bayani , Larsen Morten , Bourke Michael F. , Cook Perran L. M.
Published: July 2012

We measured denitrification in permeable sediments in a sealed flume tank with environmentally representative fluid flow and solute transport behavior using novel measurements. Numerical flow and reactive transport models representing the flume experiments were implemented to provide mechanistic insight into the coupled hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes. There was broad agreement between the model results and experimental data. The model showed that the coupling between nitrification and denitrification was relatively weak in comparison to that in cohesive sediments. This was due to the direct advective transport between anoxic pore water and the overlying water column, and little interaction between the mostly oxic advective region and the underlying anoxic region. Denitrification was therefore mainly fueled by nitrate supplied from the water column. This suggests that the capacity of permeable sediments with nonmigratory ripples to remove bioavailable nitrogen from coastal ecosystems is lower than that of cohesive sediments. We conclude that while experimental measurements provide a good starting point for constraining key parameters, reactive transport models with realistic kinetic and transport parameters provide critical insight into biogeochemical processes in permeable sediment that are difficult to experimentally evaluate.
Physical environments of the Caribbean Sea
Authors: Chollett Iliana , Mumby Peter J. , Müller-Karger Frank E. , Hu Chuanmin
Published: July 2012

The Caribbean Sea encompasses a vast range of physical environmental conditions that have a profound influence on the organisms that live there. Here we utilize a range of satellite and in situ products to undertake a region‐wide categorization of the physical environments of the Caribbean Sea (PECS). The classification approach is hierarchical and focuses on physical constraints that drive many aspects of coastal ecology, including species distributions, ecosystem function, and disturbance. The first level represents physicochemical properties including metrics of satellite sea surface temperature, water clarity, and in situ salinity. The second level considers mechanical disturbance and includes both chronic disturbance from wind‐driven wave exposure and acute disturbance from hurricanes. The maps have a spatial resolution of 1 km2. An unsupervised neural network classification produced 16 physicochemical provinces that can be categorized into six broad groups: (1) low water clarity and low salinity and average temperatures; (2) low water clarity but average salinity and temperature, broadly distributed in the basin; (3) low salinity but average water clarity and temperature; (4) upwelling; (5) high latitude; and (6) offshore waters of the inner Caribbean. Additional mechanical disturbance layers impose additional pattern that operates over different spatial scales. Because physical environments underpin so much of coastal ecosystem structure and function, we anticipate that the PECS classification, which will be freely distributed as geographic information system layers, will facilitate comparative analyses and inform the stratification of studies across environmental provinces in the Caribbean basin.
Cyanobacteria as a carbon source for zooplankton in eutrophic Lake Taihu, China, measured by 13C labeling and fatty acid biomarkers
Authors: de Kluijver Anna , Yu Jinlei , Houtekamer Marco , Middelburg Jack J. , Liu Zhengwen
Published: July 2012

Using a combined stable‐isotope and fatty‐acid approach, we examined carbon‐transfer routes from the cyanobacterium Microcystis to zooplankton in eutrophic Lake Taihu, China. Microcystis is generally considered poor food for zooplankton, and we hypothesized that most Microcystis carbon flows to zooplankton via dissolved organic matter (DOM)‐bacteria and detritus‐bacteria pathways rather than via direct grazing. The hypothesis was tested by analyzing 13C isotopes at natural abundance in field samples and in tracer experiments with 13C‐enriched Microcystis. 13C‐enriched Microcystis was added as live Microcystis, Microcystis detritus, or Microcystis DOM to lake‐water incubations with Bosmina sp. and Daphnia similis as the dominant species. The 13C isotope signatures of Microcystis, heterotrophic bacteria, and eukaryotic algae in seston were determined from isotope analyses of specific fatty acids, and the presence and labeling of these fatty acids were also analyzed in zooplankton consumers. Bosmina and Daphnia consumed carbon via all pathways, but the amount of carbon transfer from the Microcystis DOM was the highest, followed by the Microcystis detritus. Bosmina consumed relatively more live Microcystis than Daphnia. The presence and high 13C enrichment of bacteria‐specific fatty acids in the zooplankton consumers showed that heterotrophic bacteria were an important link between Microcystis and zooplankton. Microbial pathways dominate the energy flow from cyanobacteria to zooplankton in eutrophic lakes with heavy cyanobacteria blooms, such as Lake Taihu.
Dealing with the Archetypes Development Process for a Regional EHR System
Authors: Bax M.P. , Kalra D. , Santos M.R.
Published: July 2012

Objective: This paper aims to present the archetype modelling process used for the Health Department of Minas Gerais State, Brazil (SES/MG), to support building its regional EHR system, and the lessons learned during this process.

Methods: This study was undertaken within the Minas Gerais project. The EHR system architecture was built assuming the reference model from the ISO 13606 norm. The whole archetype development process took about ten months, coordinated by a clinical team co-ordinated by three health professionals and one systems analyst from the SES/MG. They were supported by around 30 health professionals from the internal SES/MG areas, and 5 systems analysts from the PRODEMGE. Based on a bottom-up approach, the project team used technical interviews and brainstorming sessions to conduct the modelling process.

Results: The main steps of the archetype modelling process were identified and described, and 20 archetypes were created.

Lessons learned:

– The set of principles established during the selection of PCS elements helped the clinical team to keep the focus in their objectives;

– The initial focus on the archetype structural organization aspects was important;

– The data elements identified were subjected to a rigorous analysis aimed at determining the most suitable clinical domain;

– Levelling the concepts to accommodate them within the hierarchical levels in the reference model was definitely no easy task, and the use of a mind mapping tool facilitated the modelling process;

– Part of the difficulty experienced by the clinical team was related to a view focused on the original forms previously used;

– The use of worksheets facilitated the modelling process by health professionals;

– It was important to have a health professional that knew about the domain tables and health classifications from the Brazilian Federal Government as member in the clinical team.

Conclusion: The archetypes (referencing terminology, domain tables and term lists) provided a favorable condition for the use of a controlled vocabulary between the central repository and the EMR systems and, probably, will increase the chances of preserving the semantics from the knowledge domain. Finally, the reference model from the ISO 13606 norm, along with the archetypes, proved sufficient to meet the specificities for the creation of an EHR system for basic healthcare in a Brazilian state.
Factors determining the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol: a case study in the Po Valley (Italy)
Authors: Squizzato S. , Masiol M. , Brunelli A. , Pistollato S. , Tarabotti E. , Rampazzo G. , Pavoni B.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Physicochemical properties of aerosol were investigated by analyzing the inorganic water soluble content in PM2.5 samples collected in the eastern part of the Po Valley (Italy). In this area the EU limits for many air pollutants are frequently exceeded as a consequence of local sources and regional-scale transport of secondary inorganic aerosol precursors. Nine PM2.5-bound major inorganic ions (F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) were monitored over one year in three sites categorized as semi-rural background, urban background and industrial. The acidic properties of the PM2.5 were studied by applying the recently developed E-AIM thermodynamic model 4. The experimental data were also examined in relation to the levels of gaseous precursors of SIA (SO2, NOx, NO, NO2) and on the basis of some environmental conditions having an effect on the secondary aerosols generation processes. A chemometric procedure using cluster analysis on experimental [NH4+]/[SO42-] molar ratio and NO3- concentration has been applied to determine the conditions needed for ammonium nitrate formation in different chemical environments. Finally, some considerations on the secondary inorganic aerosol formation and the most relevant weather conditions concerning the sulfate-nitrate-ammonium system were also discussed. The methods used can be easily applied to other environments to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of aerosols and the climatic conditions necessary for the formation of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate aerosols.
Calibration and intercomparison of acetic acid measurements using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS)
Authors: Haase K. B. , Keene W. C. , Pszenny A. A. P. , Mayne H. R. , Talbot R. W. , Sive B. C.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Acetic acid is one of the most abundant organic acids in the ambient atmosphere, with maximum mixing ratios reaching into the tens of parts per billion by volume (ppbv) range. The identities and associated magnitudes of the major sources and sinks for acetic acid are poorly characterized, due in part to the limitation in available measurement techniques. This paper demonstrates that Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) can reliably quantify acetic acid vapor in ambient air. Three different PTR-MS configurations were calibrated at low ppbv mixing ratios using permeation tubes, which yielded calibration factors between 7.0 and 10.9 normalized counts per second per ppbv (ncps ppbv−1) at a drift tube field strength of 132 townsend (Td). Detection limits ranged from 0.06 to 0.32 ppbv with dwell times of 5 s. These calibration factors showed negligible humidity dependence. Using the experimentally determined calibration factors, PTR-MS measurements of acetic acid during the International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation (ICARTT) campaign were validated against results obtained using Mist Chambers coupled with Ion Chromatography (MC/IC). An orthogonal least squares linear regression of paired data yielded a slope of 1.14 ± 0.06 (2σ), an intercept of 0.049 ± 20 (2σ) ppbv, and an R2 of 0.78. The median mixing ratio of acetic acid on Appledore Island, ME during the ICARTT campaign was 0.530 ± 0.025 ppbv with a minimum of 0.075 ± 0.004 ppbv, and a maximum of 3.555 ± 0.171 ppbv.
Factors Influencing Adoption and Area under Conservation Agriculture: A Mixed Methods Approach
Authors: Nyanga Progress H.
Published: July 2012

Adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) is quite low in most parts of Africa. However, Zambia has been quite successful in increasing adoption of CA among smallholder farmers. Few studies using both quantitative and qualitative approaches have been conducted in Zambia to determine factors influencing adoption of CA. This study uses mixed methods approach to document factors influencing adoption of CA among smallholder farmers under the Conservation Agriculture Project (CAP) in Zambia. From a random sample of 415 smallholder farmers, results showed that 71% had adopted CA. Quantitative analysis indicated that CA trainings, previous experience in minimum tillage, membership in farmer organisations, and ownership of CA tillage equipment significantly increased the likelihood of CA adoption. Number of CA trainings attended, farm size, number of rippers owned and use of herbicide had a significant positive influence on area under CA. Qualitative approaches showed that good rapport with farmers, trust, reciprocity and altruism, monitoring and evaluations, extension strategy, quality and extent of technical knowledge in CA within CFU, and artificial incentives positively influenced adoption of CA. Traditional leadership was reported to enhance adoption of CA in most cases. Prestige was reported to withhold some men from adopting CA basins. Women were very involved in CA basins while men were mostly involved in ADP ripping. Some worldviews of farmers had negative influence on adoption of CA. Donor support and collaboration with the Zambia National Farmers Union and private sector were other contextual factors for the high adoption of CA among sampled smallholder farmers. In the promotion of CA it is important to pay attention to both quantitative and qualitative factors influencing adoption. A mixed methods approach thus can lead to a better understanding of the adoption of CA than a single research strategy approach.