bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Litter conversion into detritivore faeces reshuffles the quality control over C and N dynamics during decomposition
Authors: Joly François‐Xavier , Coq Sylvain , Coulis Mathieu , Nahmani Johanne , Hättenschwiler Stephan 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

In many terrestrial ecosystems, detritivorous soil organisms ingest large amounts of leaf litter returning most of it to the soil as faeces. Such conversion of leaf litter into faeces may stimulate decomposition by increasing the surface area available for microbial colonisation. Yet, experimental support for either the outcome or the mechanism of these conversion effects is lacking.

Based on the hypothesis that the identity of plant species from which leaf litter is transformed into faeces has a critical role in how faeces decomposition proceeds, we collected faeces of the widely abundant millipede Glomeris marginata fed with leaf litter from seven distinct tree species. We compared the physical and chemical characteristics and the rates of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) loss between litter and faeces.

We found that after 100 days of exposure under controlled conditions, C loss was on average higher in faeces (40.0%) than that in litter (26.6%), with a significant increase for six of the seven species. Concurrently, N dynamics switched from a net immobilisation (7.7%) in litter to a net release (14.6%) in faeces, with a significant increase for five of the seven species.

Litter conversion into faeces generally homogenised differences in physical and chemical characteristics among species. Despite such homogenisation, variability in rates of faeces C and N loss among species was similar compared to leaf litter, but correlated with a different set of traits. Specifically, faecal pellet C loss was positively related to compaction (decreased specific area and increased density of faecal pellets), and both C and N loss from faecal pellets were positively related to fragmentation (increased specific area and perimeter of particles within faecal pellets).

We conclude that litter fragmentation and compaction into detritivore faecal pellets lead to substantially enhanced decomposition, with a particularly strong impact on N dynamics that changed from immobilisation to net release depending on litter species. Moreover, litter quality control on decomposition is reshuffled by litter conversion into faeces. In ecosystems with high detritivore abundance, this so far largely overlooked pathway of organic matter turnover may strongly affect ecosystem C and N cycling.

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Bioturbation by bandicoots facilitates seedling growth by altering soil properties
Authors: Valentine Leonie E. , Ruthrof Katinka X. , Fisher Rebecca , Hardy Giles E. St. J. , Hobbs Richard J. , Fleming Patricia A. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Animals that forage for food via bioturbation can alter their habitat, influencing soil turnover, nutrient cycling and seedling recruitment, effectively acting as ecosystem engineers. Many digging mammals forage for food by digging small pits and creating spoil heaps with the discarded soil. We examined how small‐scale bioturbation, created by the foraging actions of an ecosystem engineer, can alter soil nutrients and subsequently improve growth of plants.

We investigated the microbial and chemical properties of soil disturbed by the foraging of an Australian marsupial bandicoot, quenda (Isoodon fusciventer). Soil was collected from the base of 20 recent foraging pits (pit), the associated spoil heaps (spoil) and adjacent undisturbed soil (control) and analysed for nutrients (phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, organic carbon and conductivity) and microbial activity. Soil cores were collected from the same locations and seeds of the dominant canopy species, tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala), added to the soil under glasshouse conditions. The growth of seedlings was measured (height, maximum growth, basal stem width, shoot and root biomass) over a 4‐month period and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungi colonisation rates of seedling roots investigated.

Soil from the spoil heaps had the greatest levels of conductivity and potassium. Both the spoil and undisturbed soil had greater amounts of microbial activity and organic carbon. In contrast, the pits had less nutrients and microbial activity.

Seedlings grown in spoil soil were taller, heavier, with thicker stems and grew at a faster rate than seedlings in the pit or control soil. Colonisation with AM fungi was greatest for seedlings grown in pit soil. The best predictors of seedling growth were greater amounts of potassium, electrical conductivity and microbial activity. The best predictor of higher colonisation rates of AM fungi was less phosphorus.

Bioturbation by ecosystem engineers, like quenda, can alter soil nutrients and microbial activity, facilitating seedling growth. We propose this may be caused by enhanced litter decomposition beneath the discarded spoil heaps. As the majority of Australian digging mammals are threatened, with many suffering substantial population and range contractions, the loss of these species will have long‐term impacts on ecosystem processes.

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The nutritional nexus: Linking niche, habitat variability and prey composition in a generalist marine predator
Authors: Machovsky‐Capuska Gabriel E. , Miller Mark G. R. , Silva Fabiola R. O. , Amiot Christophe , Stockin Karen A. , Senior Alistair M. , Schuckard Rob , Melville David , Raubenheimer David 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Our understanding of the niche concept will remain limited while the quantity and range of different food types eaten remain a dominant proxy for niche breadth, as this does not account for the broad ecological context that governs diet. Linking nutrition, physiology and behaviour is critical to predict the extent to which a species adjusts its nutritional niche breadth at the levels of prey (“prey composition niche,” defined as the range of prey compositions eaten) and diet (“realized nutritional niche” is the range of diets composed through feeding on the prey).

Here, we studied adult chick‐rearing Australasian gannets Morus serrator to propose an integrative approach using sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTa), geographic location and bathymetry over different years, to explore their relationship with the nutritional composition of prey and diets (i.e. prey composition and nutritional niche breadth), habitat use and foraging behaviour.

We found that gannets feed on prey that varied widely in their nutritional composition (have a broad prey composition niche), and composed diets from these prey that likewise varied in composition (have a broad realized nutritional niche), suggesting generalism at two levels of macronutrient selection.

Across seasons, we established “nutritional landscapes” (hereafter nutriscapes), linking the nutritional content of prey (wet mass protein‐to‐lipid ratio—P:L) to the most likely geographic area of capture and bathymetry. Nutriscapes varied in their P:L from 6.06 to 15.28, over time, space and bathymetry (0–150 m).

During warm water events (strong positive SSTa), gannets expanded their foraging habitat, increased their foraging trip duration and consumed prey and diets with low macronutrient content (wet mass proportions of P and L). They were also constrained to the smallest prey composition and realized nutritional niche breadths.

Our findings are consistent with previous suggestions that dietary generalism evolves in heterogeneous environments, and provide a framework for understanding the nutritional goals in wild marine predators and how these goals drive ecological interactions and are, in turn, ultimately shaped by environmental fluctuations.
Coexistence and the niche in a nurse–cactus interaction: Is cyclic dynamics justified?
Authors: Flores‐Torres Arnoldo , Montaña Carlos , Franco Miguel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe interaction between the nurse plantLarrea tridentataand the cactiCylindropuntia leptocaulisis thought to follow cyclical‐replacement dynamics. However, the required changing nature of their interaction, from facilitation to competition, has not been investigated through their full life cycle.In order to test the hypothesised cyclical dynamics, we compared the demography of four subpopulations (LA =Larreaassociated toCylindropuntia; CA =Cylindropuntiaassociated toLarrea, LS = solitaryLarrea; CS = solitaryCylindropuntia) in the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, over the period 2008–2015. This allowed us to compare their demography at varying levels of the generally low and unpredictable limiting resource, water. Given the protection afforded toC. leptocaulisseedlings byL. tridentataand their presumed increasingly competitive effect onL. tridentata, which would justify the expectation of cyclic replacement dynamics, we expected to find a zero or positive per capita rate of population growth (r ≥ 0) in CA and LS, and a negative one in CS and LA.The overallrover the study period was close to equilibrium (r = 0) for both LA and LS, with no significant difference between them. In contrast, and as expected,rof CA was consistently and significantly larger than that for CS. In both species, λ (=er) was positively correlated with annual rainfall with no significant difference between LA and LS and a significant difference between CA and CS in this relationship.L. tridentatacan exist alone and coexist withC. leptocaulisacross the levels of precipitation experienced at the study site, whileC. leptocauliscannot persist in the absence ofL. tridentata. The cyclical dynamics of replacement does not occur in this system and, given the static nature of the evidence on which the original conclusion was based, it is unlikely to exist as a general rule across the species’ geographic range.Synthesis.Our findings stress the importance of elucidating the demographic mechanisms that allow species competing for a common limiting resource to coexist when the resource varies temporally, and expose the difficulty of identifying a species’ ecological niche in the absence of detailed, long‐term demographic information.
‘I kind of figured it out’: the views and experiences of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in using social media—self‐determination for participation and inclusion online
Authors: Brunner Melissa , Palmer Stuart , Togher Leanne , Hemsley Bronwyn 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundSocial media can support people with communication disability to access information, social participation and support. However, little is known about the experiences of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who use social media to determine their needs in relation to social media use.AimsTo determine the views and experiences of adults with TBI and cognitive‐communication disability on using social media, specifically: (1) the nature of their social media experience; (2) barriers and facilitators to successful use; and (3) strategies that enabled their use of social media.Methods & ProceduresThirteen adults (seven men, six women) with TBI and cognitive‐communication disability were interviewed about their social media experiences, and a content thematic analysis was conducted.Outcomes & ResultsParticipants used several social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and virtual gaming worlds. All but one participant used social media several times each day and all used social media for social connection. Five major themes emerged from the data: (1) getting started in social media for participation and inclusion; (2) drivers to continued use of social media; (3) manner of using social media; (4) navigating social media; and (5) an evolving sense of social media mastery. In using platforms in a variety of ways, some participants developed an evolving sense of social media mastery. Participants applied caution in using social media, tended to learn through a process of trial and error, and lacked structured supports from family, friends or health professionals. They also reported several challenges that influenced their ability to use social media, but found support from peers in using the social media platforms. This information could be used to inform interventions supporting the use of social media for people with TBI and directions for future research.Conclusions & ImplicationsSocial media offers adults with TBI several opportunities to communicate and for some to develop and strengthen social relationships. However, some adults with TBI also reported the need for more information about how to use social media. Their stories suggested a need to develop a sense of purpose in relation to using social media, and ultimately more routine and purposeful use to develop a sense of social media mastery. Further research is needed to examine the social media data and networks of people with TBI, to verify and expand upon the reported findings, and to inform roles that family, friends and health professionals may play in supporting rehabilitation goals for people with TBI.
A Pragmatic Approach to Designing Changes Using Convergent Interviews: Occupational Violence Against Paramedics as an Illustration
Authors: Thynne Lara , Rodwell John 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDeveloping a change program to address complex problems can appear overwhelming. This study presents how an inductive diagnostic technique known as convergent interviewing can provide a summary of the critical issues that could be addressed by a change program. A systems perspective is used to show how the issues raised by the diagnostic process can be targeted in order to have the most effect and be pragmatically implementable. The use of the tool is illustrated by analysing an employee problem that needs to be addressed in public services, the high rates of occupational violence against paramedics. The resulting inductive systems model can be used for diagnosis or for informing a variety of change interventions. Convergent interviews are relatively easy to use, powerful, and applicable to many situations. This tool is particularly useful for developing innovations regarding a specific problem, changes that could be a source of substantial public value.
Cynicism about Change, Work Engagement, and Job Satisfaction of Public Sector Nurses
Authors: Nguyen Diep T. N. , Teo Stephen T. T. , Pick David , Jemai Mohamed 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis paper uses the job demands‐resources theory to examine the consequences of changes on nursing work. Data were collected from 220 public sector nurses in Australia to test the model. We conducted a two‐wave data collection process where independent variables (organisational change, workload, job control, nursing administrative stressors, cynicism about organisational change, and demographic variables) were collected in Time 1. The dependent variables (nursing work engagement and job satisfaction) were collected 6 months later. Changes to nursing work were found to cause high workload and an increase of administrative stressors that leads to an increase in nurses’ change cynicism. Job control was needed to cope with the increase in workload and reduction in cynicism about change. Cynicism about organisational change was found to have a direct negative effect on nurses’ engagement which in turn was found to negatively impact job satisfaction. Our contribution to theory and practice arises from the discovery that the connections between organisational change, work environment variables, and job outcomes of nurses are more complicated than previous research suggests. Theoretical and practical implications will be discussed.
A Knowledge‐Based Approach to Public Value Management: A Case Study of Change Implementation in Disability Services in Western Australia
Authors: Soo Christine , Chen Shannon , Edwards Mark G. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis paper provides a knowledge‐based perspective to understanding public value management (PVM). As distinct from other approaches to public administration, PVM focuses on collaborative capacity building for the creation of public value. To develop the notion of PVM further, we explore the role of a knowledge‐based strategy in a case study of change implementation in 18 disability service organisations in Western Australia. Our findings show important inter‐relationships between knowledge management strategy, adopting a person‐centred approach to service provision, and sustainability of change implementation. We discuss the implications of the study for disability sector change management and for the further exploration of the strategic role of knowledge management capabilities in the study and practice of PVM in public sector administration. The paper explores the relationship between an organisation's knowledge capture and sharing systems and processes and its ability to implement change in a way that generates long‐term benefits for both public sector employees (e.g., engaging with key stakeholders to generate innovative solutions for serving client needs) and clients (i.e., increased well‐being through better service design and support).
Managing the Re‐Entry Process of Returnee Government Scholars in an Emerging Transition Economy – An Embeddedness Perspective
Authors: Ho Nga Thi Thuy , Seet Pi‐Shen , Jones Janice T. , Hoang Hung Trong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis paper reports the findings of a study that investigates the factors affecting the re‐entry and readjustment process of returnee government scholars in Vietnam. These returnee scholars were originally sent overseas to study as part of changes introduced by the Vietnamese government to develop its domestic talent pool. Using the perspective of home country embeddedness, we find that career and community embeddedness factors, together with readjustment factors, have an effect on returnee scholars’ career and life satisfaction in their home country. These factors subsequently affected their intention to stay or re‐expatriate. The study contributes to public sector change management theory by examining factors affecting the re‐entry process of returnees within an emerging transition economy. It also adds to the limited studies on understanding and managing the re‐entry processes and state‐led diaspora strategies among returnee government scholars from emerging transition economies and their effectiveness.
Public Sector ‘Modernisation’: Examining the Impact of a Change Agenda on Local Government Employees in England
Authors: Glennon Russ , Hodgkinson Ian , Knowles Joanne , Radnor Zoe , Bateman Nicola 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCan public sector reform change service performance for the better? This is a hotly contested debate that carries significant theoretical and practical importance. In England, as in many countries, modernisation was at the heart of local government reform and represented an interpretation of New Public Management into a policy framework. This paper examines the role of the modernisation change agenda in England and what this has subsequently meant for ‘service improvement’. Drawing on both document analyses and qualitative interviews with local government employees, we find that while modernisation sought to establish continuous improvement, unintended consequences of modernisation have led to Staff Reductions, Skill Deficiencies, and Loss of a Competent Middle Core in local government, as well as performance outcomes creating an environment for Commissioning, Service Reduction, and Self‐Policing. Implications for the lasting roles and behaviours of public managers affected by this national change agenda are discussed, and conclusions for theory and practice are drawn.
Maternal intra‐ and postpartum near‐miss following assisted reproductive technology: a retrospective study
Authors: Cromi A , Marconi N , Casarin J , Cominotti S , Pinelli C , Riccardi M , Ghezzi F 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo assess whether risk of severe maternal morbidity at delivery differs for women who conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART), compared with those with a spontaneous conception.DesignA cohort study using a prospectively maintained institutional database.SettingA tertiary university maternity hospital.PopulationAll women delivering at Del Ponte Hospital, Italy, between 2005 and 2016.MethodsData from 650 ART‐conceived pregnancies were compared with 22 803 spontaneously conceived pregnancies. We used multivariable analysis to estimate the odds of severe maternal morbidity at delivery associated with ART conception, adjusting for maternal demographic and health factors, gestational age, and mode of delivery.Main outcome measuresThe World Health Organization criteria for potentially life‐threatening conditions and near‐miss maternal mortality were used.ResultsThe incidence of near‐miss in the entire cohort was 3.3 cases per 1000 births (95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 2.6–4.1). The crude prevalences of potentially life‐threatening conditions and maternal near‐miss were higher among ART than among non‐ART deliveries (27.1 versus 5.7% and 2.6 versus 0.3%, respectively). The three most common causes of maternal near‐miss cases were peripartum hysterectomy, transfusion of ≥5 units of red blood cells, and cardiovascular dysfunction requiring vasoactive drugs. The odds of a maternal near‐miss at delivery were increased for ART‐conceived pregnancies compared with non‐ART‐conceived pregnancies (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 3.61, 95% CI 1.61–8.09, for ART‐conceived pregnancies with autologous oocytes; aOR 13.57, 95% CI 5.45–33.77, for ART pregnancies conceived with donor oocytes).ConclusionAlthough we cannot exclude unmeasured confounding, we found that pregnancies conceived via ART, especially those conceived with donor oocytes, are at increased risk of maternal potentially life‐threatening conditions and near‐miss at delivery.FundingThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not‐for‐profit sectors.Tweetable abstractConceiving through assisted reproductive technology increases the likelihood of maternal near miss.
Challenges and Consequences of Reduced Skilled Nursing Facility Lengths of Stay
Authors: Tyler Denise A. , McHugh John P. , Shield Renée R. , Winblad Ulrika , Gadbois Emily A. , Mor Vincent 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo identify the challenges that reductions in length of stay (LOS) pose for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and their postacute care (PAC) patients.Data Sources/SettingSeventy interviews with staff in 25 SNFs in eight U.S. cities, LOS data for patients in those SNFs.Study DesignData were qualitatively analyzed, and key themes were identified. Interview data from SNFs with and without reductions in median risk‐adjusted LOS were compared and contrasted.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe conducted 70 semistructured interviews. LOS data were derived from minimum dataset (MDS) admission records available for all patients in all U.S. SNFs from 2012 to 2014.Principal FindingsChallenges reported regardless of reductions in LOS included frequent and more complicated re‐authorization processes, patients becoming responsible for costs, and discharging patients whom staff felt were unsafe at home. Challenges related to reduced LOS included SNFs being pressured to discharge patients within certain time limits. Some SNFs reported instituting programs and processes for following up with patients after discharge. These programs helped alleviate concerns about patients, but they resulted in nonreimbursable costs for facilities.ConclusionsThe push for shorter LOS has resulted in unexpected challenges and costs for SNFs and possible unintended consequences for PAC patients.