bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of water level and grassland management on alpha and beta diversity of birds in restored wetlands
Authors: Żmihorski Michał , Pärt Tomas , Gustafson Tomas , Berg Åke 
Published: November 2015

Summary

Nearly 60% of European wetlands have been lost to drainage or to the cessation of grassland management. Large amounts of resources are put into wetland restoration with the aim to recover biodiversity. However, few studies have simultaneously evaluated effects of management, wetness and flooding dynamics on biodiversity of restored wetlands such as seasonally flooded wet grasslands.

We inventoried bird communities over 4 years at 137 sites (each 3·1 ha) within five restored wet grassland areas in Sweden to investigate whether species richness and occurrence of 12 common wet grassland species were related to (i) local conditions such as management (grazing, mowing and unmanaged areas), basic wetness and spring flooding dynamics. Further, we investigated whether (ii) the composition of the adjacent landscape (20 ha) related to local bird diversity and (iii) species turnover (i.e. beta diversity) differed between sites characterized by their basic wetness, degree of flooding and predominant management regime.

Local species richness was positively linked to degree of flooding and basic wetness of grasslands but not to type of grassland management. Species richness tended also to be negatively linked to proportion of forest at the landscape scale. Although variable, the same results were also true concerning the probability of the occurrence of a single species at the local scale.

Species turnover between sites, and thus total species richness, was distinctly higher in (i) grazed as compared to mowed grasslands except in dry non‐flooded grasslands and (ii) flooded as compared to non‐flooded sites. Similar patterns held for the subset of 12 red‐listed species. We suggest that the high beta diversity in grazed and flooded grasslands is driven by the heterogeneous vegetation structure, resulting in good conditions for foraging and nesting for several wet grassland bird species.

Synthesis and applications. The selection of wetlands for conserving wet grassland birds should prioritize temporary flooded grasslands of moderate wetness, preferably far from forest edges. Restoration and management of wet grasslands should include water level management, removal of shrubs and trees, and low‐intensity grazing, whereas mowing could be used in non‐flooded grasslands of low basic wetness.
A Better Press: A Response to John Lloyd's ‘Regulate Yourself’
Authors: Cathcart Brian 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWriting recently in The Political Quarterly, the journalist John Lloyd took issue with regulatory remedies for ‘bad journalism’ in the United Kingdom that were proposed by the Leveson inquiry of 2011–12 and endorsed by Parliament in 2013 in the form of a Royal Charter. State action will fail, he asserted, because only journalists can change journalism, and he urged British journalists to undertake this transformation. This response argues that Lloyd dismisses the Leveson process too lightly and takes too little account of the many victims of press abuses, who are entitled to better protection. A decent society had to do something about this, and the Leveson Charter process was a measured and constructive response that offers the best hope of higher press standards and of protection for ordinary citizens while safeguarding freedom of expression for journalists. Lloyd's proposal for action by journalists, by contrast, is impractical, not least because it ignores powerful forces preventing journalists from taking control.
Who does nutrition prevention work in Queensland? An investigation of structural and political workforce reforms
Authors: Vidgen Helen Anna , Adam Meg , Gallegos Danielle 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimThis study aimed (i) to determine the change in the number of government‐funded nutrition positions following structural and political reforms and (ii) to describe the remaining workforce available to do nutrition prevention work, including student placements, in Queensland.MethodsPositions funded by the Queensland government were counted using departmental human resource data and compared with data collected 4 years earlier. Positions not funded by the government were identified using formal professional networks and governance group lists. Both groups were sent an online survey that explored their position name, funding source, employer, qualifications, years of experience, work in prevention and ability to supervise students.ResultsThere was a 90% reduction in the number of nutrition prevention positions funded by the government between 2009 (137 full time equivalents (FTE)) and 2013 (14 FTE). In 2013, 313 specialist (n = 92) and generalist (n = 221) practitioners were identified as potentially working in nutrition prevention throughout Queensland. A total of 30 permanent FTEs indicated over 75% of their work focused on prevention. This included the 14 FTE funded by the Queensland government and an additional 16 FTE from other sectors. Generalists did not consider themselves part of the nutrition workforce.ConclusionsQueensland experienced an extreme reduction in its nutrition prevention workforce as a result of political and structural reforms. This disinvestment by the Queensland government was not compensated for by other sectors, and has left marked deficits in public health nutrition capacity, including student placements.
Potential cost‐effectiveness of supervised injection facilities in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada
Authors: Enns Eva A. , Zaric Gregory S. , Strike Carol J. , Jairam Jennifer A. , Kolla Gillian , Bayoumi Ahmed M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsSupervised injection facilities (legally sanctioned spaces for supervised consumption of illicitly obtained drugs) are controversial public health interventions. We determined the optimal number of facilities in two Canadian cities using health economic methods.DesignDynamic compartmental model of HIV and hepatitis C transmission through sexual contact and sharing of drug use equipment.SettingToronto and Ottawa, Canada.ParticipantsSimulated population of each city.InterventionsZero to five supervised injection facilities.MeasurementsDirect health‐care costs and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) over 20 years, discounted at 5% per year; incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios.FindingsIn Toronto, one facility cost $4.1 million and resulted in a gain of 385 QALYs over 20 years, for an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $10 763 per QALY [95% credible interval (95CrI): cost‐saving to $278 311]. Establishing one facility in Ottawa had an ICER of $6127 per QALY (95CrI: cost‐saving to $179 272). At a $50 000 per QALY threshold, three facilities would be cost‐effective in Toronto and two in Ottawa. The probability that establishing three, four, or five facilities in Toronto was cost‐effective was 17, 21, and 41%, respectively. Establishing one, two, or three facilities in Ottawa was cost‐effective with 13, 35, and 41% probability, respectively. Establishing no facility was unlikely to be the most cost‐effective option (14% in Toronto and 10% in Ottawa). In both cities, results were robust if the reduction in needle‐sharing among clients of the facilities was at least 50% and fixed operating costs were less than $2.0 million.ConclusionsUsing a $50 000 per quality‐adjusted life‐years threshold for cost‐effectiveness, it is likely to be cost‐effective to establish at least three legally sanctioned spaces for supervised injection of illicitly obtained drugs in Toronto, Canada and two in Ottawa, Canada.
Salvia divinorum: An overview of the usage, misuse, and addiction processes
Authors: Mahendran Rathi , Lim Haikel A. , Tan Joyce Y.S. , Chua Shi Min , Winslow Munidasa 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSalvia divinorum, a sage plant with leaves that can produce a psychoactive high, has been used for hundreds of years for its psycho‐mimetic effects in religious rituals in South America. Salvia has now become popular mainly with adolescents and young adults for the short‐lived relatively pleasant experiences many consider a “legal high” and its ready availability through Internet purchases. The main (psycho)active compound in salvia is Salvinorin A, a potent κ‐opioid agonist and although the short and long‐term effects have not been examined in sufficient detail, it is widely believed to have low addictive potential and low toxicity. Recent findings, however, seem to suggest that Salvinorin A can precipitate psychiatric symptoms and negatively affect cognition. Its ready availability and increasingly widespread use requires clinicians to have knowledge and awareness of its effects.
Psychometric properties of Malay neuropsychiatry unit cognitive assessment tool among Alzheimer's disease patients in comparison to Malay Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Authors: Thong Kai Shin , Chee Kok Yoon , Ng Chong Guan , Walterfang Mark , Velakoulis Dennis 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis study aims to establish psychometric properties of the Malay Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool (Malay NuCOG) in Alzheimer's disease. NuCOG was translated to Malay language and compared with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool on 80 individuals. The Malay NuCOG showed good internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.895). It demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity at the cutoff score of 78.50/100. The Malay NuCOG is a valid and reliable cognitive instrument that is sensitive and specific for the detection of dementia and has clinical advantages in its ability to examine individual cognitive domains.
Review article: potential mechanisms of action of rifaximin in the management of hepatic encephalopathy and other complications of cirrhosis
Authors: Bajaj J. S. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundProgressive gut milieu (microbiota) changes occur in patients with cirrhosis and are associated with complications [e.g. hepatic encephalopathy (HE)].AimTo examine the role of rifaximin in the management of HE and other complications of cirrhosis, including potential mechanisms of action and the need for future studies.MethodsA literature search was conducted using the keywords ‘rifaximin’, ‘hepatic encephalopathy’, ‘ascites’, ‘variceal bleeding’, ‘peritonitis’, ‘portal hypertension’, ‘portopulmonary hypertension’ and ‘hepatorenal syndrome’.ResultsThe nonsystemic agent rifaximin reduces the risk of HE recurrence and HE‐related hospitalisations in cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis, rifaximin modulates the bacterial composition of the gut microbiota without a consistent effect on overall faecal microbiota composition. However, rifaximin can impact the function or activities of the gut microbiota. For example, rifaximin significantly increased serum levels of long‐chain fatty acids and carbohydrate metabolism intermediates in patients with minimal HE. Rifaximin also favourably affects serum proinflammatory cytokine and faecal secondary bile acid levels.ConclusionsThe gut microenvironment and associated microbiota play an important role in the pathogenesis of HE and other cirrhosis‐related complications. Rifaximin's clinical activity may be attributed to effects on metabolic function of the gut microbiota, rather than a change in the relative bacterial abundance.
Review article: potential mechanisms of action of rifaximin in the management of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea
Authors: Pimentel M. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe role of gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is supported by various lines of evidence, including differences in mucosal and faecal microbiota between patients with IBS and healthy individuals, development of post‐infectious IBS, and the efficacy of some probiotics and nonsystemic antibiotics (e.g. rifaximin).AimTo review the literature regarding the role of rifaximin in IBS and its potential mecha‐nism(s) of action.MethodsA literature search was conducted using the terms ‘rifaximin’, ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ and ‘mechanism of action’.ResultsRifaximin was approved in 2015 for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea. In contrast to other currently available IBS therapies that require daily administration to maintain efficacy, 2‐week rifaximin treatment achieved symptom improvement that persisted ≥12 weeks post‐treatment. The mechanisms of action of rifaximin, therefore, may extend beyond direct bactericidal effects. Data suggest that rifaximin may decrease host proinflammatory responses to bacterial products in patients with IBS. In some cases, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may play a role in the clinical symptoms of IBS. Because of the high level of solubility of rifaximin in the small intestine, rifaximin may reset microbial diversity in this environment. Consistent with this hypothesis, rifaximin has antibiotic efficacy against isolates derived from patients with SIBO.ConclusionResetting microbial diversity via rifaximin use may lead to a decrease in bacterial fermentation and a reduction in the clinical symptoms of IBS.
Fatherhood in a New Country: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Afghan Men and Implications for Health Services
Authors: Riggs Elisha , Yelland Jane , Szwarc Josef , Wahidi Sayed , Casey Sue , Chesters Donna , Fouladi Fatema , Duell‐Piening Philippa , Giallo Rebecca , Brown Stephanie 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundFathers of refugee background are dealing with multiple, interrelated stressors associated with forced migration and establishing their lives in a new country. This has implications for the role of men in promoting the health and well‐being of their families.MethodsAfghan community researchers conducted interviews with 30 Afghan women and men who had recently had a baby in Australia. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with health professionals working with families of refugee background.ResultsFourteen men, 16 women, and 34 health professionals participated. Afghan men reported playing a major role in supporting their wives during pregnancy and postnatal care, accompanying their wives to appointments, and providing language and transport support. Although men embraced these roles, they were rarely asked by health professionals about their own concerns related to their wife's pregnancy, or about their social circumstances. Perinatal health professionals queried whether it was their role to meet the needs of men.ConclusionThere are many challenges for families of refugee background navigating maternity services while dealing with the challenges of settlement. There is a need to move beyond a narrow conceptualization of antenatal and postnatal care to encompass a broader preventive and primary care approach to supporting refugee families through the period of pregnancy and early years of parenting. Pregnancy and postnatal care needs to be tailored to the social and psychological needs of families of refugee background, including men, and incorporate appropriate language support, in order to improve child and family health outcomes.
Sialylation of anti-histone immunoglobulin G autoantibodies determines their capabilities to participate in the clearance of late apoptotic cells
Authors: Magorivska I , Muñoz L E , Janko C , Dumych T , Rech J , Schett G , Nimmerjahn F , Bilyy R , Herrmann M 
Published: November 2015

Summary
The Fc portion of immunoglobulin (Ig)G harbours a single glycosylation site. Glycan sialylation is critical for structure and for certain effector functions of IgG. Anti-histone IgG of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is reportedly responsible for the recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) to the clearance of apoptotic cells. Autoantibodies decorating secondary necrotic cells (SNEC) induce proinflammatory responses after activation of blood-borne phagocytes. Analysing the sialylation status of affinity-purified anti-histone IgG in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we demonstrated that the anti-histone IgG was contained preferentially in the non-sialylated fraction. In functional ex-vivo phagocytosis studies, non-sialylated anti-SNEC IgG directed SNEC preferentially into PMN but did not change their cytokine secretion profiles. In contrast, sialylated IgG reduced the phagocytosis by monocytes of SNEC. Moreover, the sialylated anti-SNEC IgG was not simply anti-inflammatory, but switched the cytokine secretion profiles from interleukin (IL)-6/IL-8 to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α/IL-1β. Here we describe how different sialylation statuses of IgG autoantibodies contribute to the complex inflammatory network that regulates chronic inflammation.
Nutritional management of gastric ulceration
Authors: Andrews F. M. , Larson C. , Harris P. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryGastric ulcers are common in horses and equine gastric ulcer syndrome describes ulcers in the distal oesophagus, nonglandular and glandular stomach as well as the proximal duodenum. Ulcers in the distal oesophagus and nonglandular region of the stomach are probably caused by hydrochloric acid, whereas ulcers in the glandular stomach and proximal duodenum are likely to be caused by a breakdown in the mucosal defence mechanisms. Regardless of the location of ulcers, initial treatment with pharmacological agents is necessary to suppress hydrochloric acid; however, nutrition and management changes are required to maintain ulcer healing and help prevent recurrence. In addition, many dietary supplements have been marketed to help maintain stomach health and some scientific data on their effects on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juicepHare presented.
Stochastic facility and transfer point covering problem with a soft capacity constraint
Authors: Ebrahimi Zade Amir , Lotfi M.M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractExisting models for transfer point location problems (TPLPs) do not guarantee the desired service time to customers. In this paper, a facility and TPLP is formulated based on a given service time that is targeted by a decision maker. Similar to real‐world situations, transportation times and costs are assumed to be random. In general, facilities are capacitated. However, in emergency services, they are not allowed to reject the customers for out of capacity reasons. Therefore, a soft capacity constraint for the facilities and a second objective to minimize the overtime in the facility with highest assigned demand are proposed. To solve the biobjective model with random variables, a variance minimization technique and chance‐constraint programming are applied. Thereafter, using fuzzy multiple objective linear programming, the proposed biobjective model is converted to a single objective. Computational results on 30 randomly designed experimental problems confirm satisfactory performance of the proposed model in reducing the variance of solutions as well as the overtime in the busiest facility.
Measuring Olympics performance based on a distance‐based approach
Authors: Cao Xiongfei , Fu Yelin , Du Jiangze , Sun Jiasen , Wang Ming 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMeasuring Olympics performance using either the Summer Olympic Games or Winter Olympics individually is criticized as a bias for participants. The present study develops a distance‐based approach based only on the number of medals won to propose Olympic ranking. A state‐of‐the‐art approach with mild weight restriction is used for integrating the performance in the lexicographic system. The common weights associated with the lexicographic and sum‐ranking systems for both Summer and Winter Olympic Games are determined to provide a fair ranking for National Olympic Committees. Application to the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics is used to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Evaluating the drivers of Indo‐Pacific biodiversity: speciation and dispersal of sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)
Authors: Ukuwela Kanishka D. B. , Lee Michael S. Y. , Rasmussen Arne R. , de Silva Anslem , Mumpuni  , Fry Bryan G. , Ghezellou Parviz , Rezaie‐Atagholipour Mohsen , Sanders Kate L. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimThere are several competing hypotheses to explain the high species richness of the Indo‐Australian Archipelago (IAA) marine biodiversity hotspot centred within Southeast (SE) Asia. We use phylogenetic methods to provide a novel perspective on this problem using viviparous sea snakes, a group with high species richness in the IAA that is highly distinct from other taxa previously studied, both phylogenetically (Reptilia, Amniota) and biologically (e.g. viviparity and direct development).LocationIndian Ocean and the West Pacific.MethodsWe used likelihood and Bayesian methods to reconstruct a multi‐locus time‐calibrated phylogeny for c. 70% of viviparous sea snake species, many sampled from multiple localities in Australasia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. We then compared rates and temporal concordance of inferred vicariance and dispersal events between marine basins using several approaches including new Bayesian analyses that allow for clade‐specific and event‐specific dispersal rates.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses and novel Bayesian biogeographical reconstructions indicate that viviparous sea snakes underwent rapid speciation after colonizing SE Asia c. 3 million years ago. Most of the SE Asian sea snake diversity is the result of in situ speciation, most consistent with the ‘centre of origin’ and ‘centre of refuge’ models for biodiversity hotspots. There is also speciation at the periphery, or entirely outside SE Asia; however, contrary to predictions of the ‘accumulation’ and ‘overlap’ models, these new outlying taxa do not preferentially disperse back into SE Asia. Instead, lineages are equally likely to disperse either into or away from SE Asia.Main conclusionThe high diversity of sea snakes in SE Asia (and hence the IAA) is mostly explained by in situ speciation rather than accumulation or overlap. Most speciation events are contemporaneous with sea level changes that generated and dissolved barriers between marine basins during the last 2.5 million years.