bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed dispersal by waterbirds in southern Africa: comparing the roles of ectozoochory and endozoochory
Authors: Reynolds Chevonne , Cumming Graeme S. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Waterbirds are important seed dispersers and may play a vital role in maintaining connectivity among isolated aquatic communities. Whilst considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the dispersal function of waterbirds, the number of studies is still limited and is largely focused on migratory waterbirds in Europe.

We present the first detailed study of seed dispersal by waterbirds in Africa. We quantified and compared endo‐ and ectozoochory across six waterfowl species at three widely dispersed sampling locations in South Africa and tested for differences between dispersal agents and sampling sites. We also tested for differences in the plant communities dispersed by endo‐ and ectozoochory. All intact and germinating propagules found in freshly collected faecal samples (N = 313) and feather brushings (N = 422) were counted and identified.

A total of 1585 propagules from 48 plant taxa were recovered from the samples. Thirty‐seven per cent of all external brushings and 27% of all faecal samples contained at least one intact propagule and 15 and 8% of the samples contained at least one germinating propagule, respectively. Sampling site had a strong influence on the presence, abundance and germination of propagules recovered from both external and faecal samples. Additionally, sympatric waterfowl showed differences in the abundance and germinability of plant propagules transported by endozoochory.

The presence of at least one propagule was highest in the external samples, but propagule abundance and germination were highest in faecal samples. The community composition of propagules transported by each of these two modes was significantly different, suggesting that endo‐ and ectozoochory are complementary dispersal mechanisms.

Our results indicate an important role for waterbirds in the dispersal of aquatic plants in Africa. While ectozoochory can be an important dispersal mechanism, its effects may be heterogeneous and unpredictable relative to endozoochory. Endozoochory appears to be the more effective and dominant mechanism. Our results also point to a high capacity for the dispersal of exotic species via both ecto‐ and endozoochory.
Spatial and temporal changes in water quality along natural and restored side‐arms of a large New Zealand river
Authors: Ginders Melany A. , Collier Kevin J. , Hamilton David P. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Heterogeneity of lateral habitats along large rivers can enhance rates of ecological processes such as nutrient transformations and contaminant sequestration. Consequently, construction or reconnection of hydraulic retention zones such as side‐arms is being widely promoted in river restoration projects, although limited information is available to quantify the benefits to water quality. We sampled natural side‐arms and a reconstructed side‐arm at different phases of hydrological connectivity on a large floodplain river in northern New Zealand to quantify changes to water quality within and between side‐arms, and to determine changes associated with reconnection.

Sampling of seven side‐arm outlets during low flow indicated reduced NO3‐N concentrations but elevated conductivity and total suspended sediment (TSS) compared with the river. Longitudinal changes within disconnected side‐arms were most pronounced at outlet and/or mid‐arm locations where total nitrogen and NO3‐N declined relative to inlets, while TSS and conductivity increased. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen were also markedly reduced in side‐arms during disconnection.

The natural and reconstructed side‐arms displayed different temporal responses to connectivity, with NH4‐N and TSS in particular becoming elevated along the natural side‐arm during low connectivity, while TSS declined and PO4‐P increased along the reconstructed side‐arm. These temporal differences were likely caused by (i) differences in side‐arm age (time since formation) affecting substrate composition, riparian vegetation and hydrological pathways, and (ii) bioturbation by large benthic‐feeding invasive fish which became trapped in natural side‐arms during disconnection.

These results suggest potential for side‐arm reconstruction to influence water quality at the local scale if (i) large invasive fish that mobilise bottom sediments can be excluded at times of disconnection, and (ii) side‐arms are maintained to ensure transformation and attenuation processes persist over time and continue to provide water quality benefits.
Climate change will alter amphibian‐mediated nutrient pathways: evidence from Rana temporaria tadpoles in experimental ponds
Authors: Norlin Linnea , Byström Pär , Karlsson Jan , Johansson Martin , Liess Antonia 
Published: February 2016

Summary

With global warming, mean temperatures and brownification of many waterbodies are predicted to increase. This may have unknown consequences on aquatic consumer life histories and nutrient content, consumer‐mediated nutrient recycling, and nutrient transport between water and land.

Using a large‐scale experimental pond facility, we altered temperature (ambient/+4 °C) and brownification (clear/humic) in a 2 × 2 factorial design (n = 16 pond sections) to test two aspects of climate change on Rana temporaria tadpole life‐history traits and on tadpole‐mediated nutrient pathways. On day 16 after hatching, we examined tadpole‐mediated nutrient recycling by measuring tadpole nutrient excretion and egestion rates and tadpole body nutrient content. We estimated tadpole growth and development rates from hatching to emergence and measured emergent frog body size and body nutrient content.

Brownification increased total pond water nutrient availability and total pond water nitrogen (N) : phosphorous (P) ratios. Warming positively affected tadpole growth and development rates, whereas browning increased tadpole growth rate only under ambient temperatures. Emergent frog body P content decreased with warming, but only in the clear treatments. But despite these variations in body nutrient content, body stoichiometry remained within a relatively narrow stoichiometric range for both emergent frogs (P content: 1.4–1.8%, N content: 11.4–11.8% and carbon [C] content: 46.9–51.3%) and tadpoles (P content: 1.1–1.2%, N content: 10.1–11.7% and C content: 48.0–50.5%). Warming increased tadpole body P content and browning had a positive effect on tadpole body N content and tadpole N excretion rates, probably mediated by the increased pond water total N availability.

We conclude that warming and brownification will interact in changing aquatic consumer growth and body nutrient stoichiometry. In addition, warming has the potential to affect emergent frog body nutrient content and may thus affect nutrient transport from water to land. Last, by increasing pond water N availability, brownification appears to intensify consumer P limitation and thus amplify consumer‐meditated N recycling.
Grassland responses to increased rainfall depend on the timescale of forcing
Authors: Sullivan Martin J. P. , A.Thomsen Meredith , Suttle K. B. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractForecasting impacts of future climate change is an important challenge to biologists, both for understanding the consequences of different emissions trajectories and for developing adaptation measures that will minimize biodiversity loss. Existing variation provides a window into the effects of climate on species and ecosystems, but in many places does not encompass the levels or timeframes of forcing expected under directional climatic change. Experiments help us to fill in these uncertainties, simulating directional shifts to examine outcomes of new levels and sustained changes in conditions. Here, we explore the translation between short‐term responses to climate variability and longer‐term trajectories that emerge under directional climatic change. In a decade‐long experiment, we compare effects of short‐term and long‐term forcings across three trophic levels in grassland plots subjected to natural and experimental variation in precipitation. For some biological responses (plant productivity), responses to long‐term extension of the rainy season were consistent with short‐term responses, while for others (plant species richness, abundance of invertebrate herbivores and predators), there was pronounced divergence of long‐term trajectories from short‐term responses. These differences between biological responses mean that sustained directional changes in climate can restructure ecological relationships characterizing a system. Importantly, a positive relationship between plant diversity and productivity turned negative under one scenario of climate change, with a similar change in the relationship between plant productivity and consumer biomass. Inferences from experiments such as this form an important part of wider efforts to understand the complexities of climate change responses.
Quick and stable parallel puncture of hepatic tumors using a double‐barreled needle direction system for ultrasound‐guided bipolar radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Sakakibara Mitsuru , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Imanaka Kazuho , Miyazaki Masanori , Nawa Takatoshi , Kimura Haruki , Abe Yutaro , Katayama Kazuhiro 
Published: February 2016

AimIn bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy, insertion of multiple needles at appropriate points on a target is difficult. The aim of our study was to evaluate a simplified method for multi‐electrode insertion using a newly developed double‐barreled needle guidance system for percutaneous RFA of hepatic tumors.MethodsRFA using two bipolar electrodes was performed in 15 consecutive patients (nine men, six women; mean age, 72.0 ± 8.2 years) with a solitary small (≤3 cm) hepatic tumor. The first five nodules were treated using the conventional puncture method with the standard attachment, then 10 nodules were ablated using the parallel puncture method with the double‐barreled attachment. The times required for double‐needle placement and the shapes of the ablated areas were compared between the two puncture methods.ResultsThe parallel puncture method required a shorter time for double‐needle placement than the conventional method (12 s [range, 8–24] vs 96 s [range, 50–240]; P = 0.0003), and allowed continuous observation of the tip of all needles and the size of the ablated area as it increased until completion of the ablation. The method also provided a stable ellipsoidal ablated area. The median height, width and thickness were 30 mm (range, 22–34), 30 mm (range, 21–33) and 20 mm (range, 7–25), respectively, using 20‐mm electrodes, and 34 mm (range, 32–41), 36 mm (range, 35–38) and 24 mm (range, 23–24), respectively, using 30‐mm electrodes.ConclusionThe parallel puncture method may be a feasible procedure for multi‐needle RFA therapy.
Risk stratification of allograft failure secondary to hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation
Authors: Shiba Hiroaki , Hashimoto Koji , Kelly Dympna , Fujiki Masato , Quintini Cristiano , Aucejo Federico , Uso Teresa Diago , Yerian Lisa , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Matsushima Masato , Eghtesad Bijan , Fung John , Miller Charles 
Published: February 2016

AimHepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after liver transplantation decreases survival rates. Improved understanding of the multiple factors influencing HCV recurrence could aid decision‐making for donor–recipient pairing and maximize transplant outcomes. The aim of this study was to create a model based on pretransplant variables to stratify patients at risk of HCV‐related allograft failure.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 154 liver transplant recipients with HCV at Cleveland Clinic.ResultsAmong the study population, 54 recipients (35.1%) experienced HCV recurrence, histologically defined as moderate to severe hepatitis and/or bridging fibrosis to cirrhosis. The multivariate analysis found donor age (≥60 years, P < 0.002), donor body mass index (≥30 kg/m2, P < 0.05), African American recipient (P < 0.01) and genotype 1 (P < 0.02) as risk factors for HCV‐related allograft failure. When these four factors were scored as a combined index (no factor [n = 15], one factor [n = 76], two factors [n = 43] and three or more factors [n = 20]), the HCV recurrence‐free survival showed good stratification according to the scores: 93.3% with no factor, 79.3% with one factor, 52.0% with two factors and 24.4% with three or more factors at 3 years after transplant (P < 0.0001). Moreover, this risk index also identified the patient group at high risk of HCV recurrence after acute rejection.ConclusionWhile the introduction of direct‐acting antiviral agents has been changing the paradigm of HCV treatment, the natural history of recipients with HCV as shown in this study would help estimate the risk of HCV‐related allograft failure in those who do not tolerate such new treatment.
IN SEARCH OF NEW TIMES: TEMPORALITY IN THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND COUNTER‐ENLIGHTENMENT
Authors: JANSEN HARRY 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTIsaiah Berlin and other representatives of historicism have made the Enlightenment and the Counter‐Enlightenment into opposite cultures. The Counter‐Enlightenment is a criticism of the Enlightenment from within, so in many respects they overlap. However, with regard to perceptions of time they contradict each other. The times of the Enlightenment lean heavily toward chronology and can be labeled as “empty,” whereas the time perceptions of the Counter‐Enlightenment can be called “incarnated” and are identical with historical times. As a consequence the differences between the two temporalities lead necessarily to differences in synchronization.
THE REVEREND BAYES VS. JESUS CHRIST
Authors: Tucker Aviezer 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe Bayesian perspective on historiography is commonsensical: If historiography is not certain like a priori knowledge or sense data, and it is not fiction, historiography is probable. Richard Carrier's book argues for a Bayesian, probabilistic interpretation of historiography in general and of the debate about the historicity of Jesus in particular. Jesus can be interpreted as a historically transmitted reference of “Jesus,” as a bundle of properties, or literally. Carrier devotes too much energy to debating literalism that confuses evidence with hypotheses. But evidence preserves information to different degrees; it is true or not. Carrier proposes to apply objective, frequentist Bayesianism in historiography despite the difficulties in assigning values. He argues that ranges of values can determine historiographical hypotheses. Carrier does not analyze in Bayesian terms the main method for Bayesian determination of posterior probabilities in historiography: inference from multiple independent sources. When the prior probability of a hypothesis is low, but at least two independent evidential sources, such as testimonies, support it, however unreliable each of the testimonies is, the posterior probability leaps. The problem with the Synoptic Gospels as evidence for a historical Jesus from a Bayesian perspective is that the evidence that coheres does not seem to be independent, whereas the evidence that is independent does not seem to cohere. Carrier's explanation of some the evidence in the Gospels is fascinating as the first Bayesian reconstruction of structuralism and mimesis. Historians attempted to use theories about the transmission and preservation of information to find more reliable parts of the Gospels, parts that are more likely to have preserved older information. Carrier is too dismissive of such methods because he is focused on hypotheses about the historical Jesus rather than on the best explanations of the evidence. I leave open questions about the degree of scholarly consensus and the possible reasons for it.
“WITHOUT THINKERS … NO THEORIES OF THE WORLD”
Authors: Mitrović Branko 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTTim Crane's books Aspects of Psychologism and The Objects of Thought present a perspective on human intentionality based on internalism about mental contents. Crane understands intentionality as the defining aspect of the mental. The theory of intentionality that he formulates is similar to that of John Searle when it comes to ontological commitments, but it is also marked by a more traditional approach that retains the concept of intentional objects as its central aspect. In this review I examine the implications of Crane's internalism for the philosophy of history, by comparing his views with some well‐known arguments in favor of externalism about mental contents, such as Hilary Putnam's “Twin Earth” and Tyler Burge's “arthritis” mental experiments. Although internalism about mental contents such as Crane's is a minority view among contemporary analytic philosophers, I argue that it has significant advantages when it comes to the philosophy of history, because it is much better aligned with standard interpretive procedures in historical research. At the same time, externalism about mental contents typically results in inappropriate contextualizations and approaches that most practicing historians will find awkward. More generally, it is possible to argue that over decades, analytic philosophers’ externalist tendencies have significantly contributed to the reduced interest in their views among philosophers of history. The final section of the article reviews the implication of Crane's views on nonconceptual contents of human perception for art historiography.
A systematic review of electronic multi-compartment medication devices with reminder systems for improving adherence to self-administered medications
Authors: Paterson Mary , Kinnear Moira , Bond Christine , McKinstry Brian 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

Background
Many patients experience difficulties adhering to medication regimes. For people who forget or get confused about medication, there are products to help them such as multi-compartment medication devices (MMDs). Some of these, known as electronic MMDs (eMMDs), use audible and/or visual signals to prompt the patient when to take medication, dispense medications, give instructions to the patient, and contact a caregiver (mobile Internet or text to a carer) as needed.

Aim
To systematically review the literature on the use of eMMDs, to determine what evidence for their effectiveness is available.

Methods
A comprehensive literature search of 10 databases, plus an Internet search and hand searching was conducted, using the MeSH terms reminder systems/patient compliance/medication adherence. There were no date restrictions. Inclusion criteria were patients in any community setting, in any country and with no restrictions of age, gender, ethnicity or medical condition, using an eMMD. Peer-reviewed quantitative or qualitative studies of any design were included.

Results
Of 805 abstracts identified and 99 full text papers retrieved, six met the inclusion criteria. Five of the studies reported adherence to medication regimes; one reported design factors to improve adherence. Adherence varied by the context of the reminders, the target group and usability of the devices. The studies were small scale and only one was a well conducted randomised controlled trial.

Conclusion
Overall methodological quality of the studies was poor. Although positive effects on adherence were reported further, rigorously conducted, studies are needed to inform the use of eMMDs.
Prevalence of co‐occurring alcohol and other drug use in an Australian older adult mental health service
Authors: Searby Adam , Maude Phil , McGrath Ian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCo‐occurring mental illness and substance use disorder, known as dual diagnosis, is a significant challenge to mental health services. Few older adult specific alcohol and other drug treatment services exist, meaning older adult mental health services may become the default treatment option for many. Evidence suggests that dual diagnosis leads to substandard treatment outcomes, including higher rates of psychiatric relapse, higher costs of care and poorer treatment engagement. This paper explores the prevalence of co‐occurring alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in an older adult community mental health service in inner Melbourne, Australia. This aim was accomplished by using a retrospective file audit of clinical intake assessments (n = 593) performed on consumers presenting to the service over a two‐year period, June 2012–2014. Of consumers presenting to the service, 15.5% (n = 92) were assessed by clinicians as having co‐occurring AOD use. Depression predominated in the dual diagnosis group as the primary mental health disorder. Dual diagnosis consumers in this sample were statistically more likely to be male and younger than their non‐dual diagnosis counterparts. A limitation of this audit was the lack of implementation of screening tools, leaving assessment to clinical judgement or the interest of the clinician. This may also explain the discrepancy between the results of this study and previous work. Although appearing to be a relatively small percentage of assessments, the results accounted for 92 individuals with complex mental health, AOD and medical issues. Poor screening procedures in a population that is traditionally difficult to assess need to be rectified to meet the future challenges inherent in the ageing baby boomer generation, changing drug use trends and extended lifespans through harm reduction initiatives and medical advancements.
Motivation for physical activity and exercise in severe mental illness: A systematic review of cross‐sectional studies
Authors: Farholm Anders , Sørensen Marit 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIndividuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are less physically active than the general population. One important barrier contributing to this inactivity is lack of motivation. The aim of this paper is to systematically review all cross‐sectional literature on motivation for physical activity among people with SMI and to use the results as basis for guidance on how mental health nurses can facilitate motivation for physical activity. Systematic searches of seven databases were conducted from database inception to February 2015. Studies were eligible if they included participants with SMI and reported data on motivation for physical activity. In total, 21 articles were included and over half them were published in 2011 or later. The present results indicate preliminary evidence of how the motivational processes do not differ between individuals with SMI and the general population, and that they are independent of diagnosis, medication, age, gender, and body mass index. Results from the current systematic review can give some tentative guidance on how to facilitate motivation for physical activity within mental health‐care. However, there is still a great need for developing and examining practical strategies that can enhance adoption and adherence of physical activity among people with SMI.