bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the non‐native European catfish Silurus glanis threaten French river fish populations?
Authors: Guillerault Nicolas , Delmotte Sébastien , Boulêtreau Stéphanie , Lauzeral Christine , Poulet Nicolas , Santoul Frédéric 
Published: February 2015

Summary

The European catfish, Silurus glanis, was widely introduced in western Europe, and it has now established self‐sustaining populations in numerous large rivers of western France. Using data collected from surveys conducted by the French National Agency for Water and Aquatic Environment (Onema) from 1989 to 2010 in more than 500 sites throughout the country (10636 electrofishing surveys), we investigated the potential impact of the European catfish on fish communities in French rivers.

In the first part of the analysis, we compared trends observed before and after the European catfish was established at given sites (before–after analysis). Species richness, evenness and diversity decreased significantly after the European catfish was established at 1.4%, 1.4% and 5.8% of the sites, respectively. Total fish biomass and density decreased significantly at 6.6% and 2.9% of the sites, respectively. In the second part of the analysis, we compared sites with European catfish against sites lacking European catfish during the same period (with–without analysis). Fish species richness was significantly higher in sites with European catfish. No significant differences in fish diversity, evenness, total fish biomass or density were found between sites with or without European catfish.

While our results indicate that the European catfish may in a few cases impact fish communities or populations, it does not appear to be responsible for a countrywide collapse in fish assemblages.
Twenty‐five years of change in southern African passerine diversity: nonclimatic factors of change
Authors: Péron Guillaume , Altwegg Res 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe analysed more than 25 years of change in passerine bird distribution in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho, to show that species distributions can be influenced by processes that are at least in part independent of the local strength and direction of climate change: land use and ecological succession. We used occupancy models that separate species' detection from species' occupancy probability, fitted to citizen science data from both phases of the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (1987–1996 and 2007–2013). Temporal trends in species' occupancy probability were interpreted in terms of local extinction/colonization, and temporal trends in detection probability were interpreted in terms of change in abundance. We found for the first time at this scale that, as predicted in the context of bush encroachment, closed‐savannah specialists increased where open‐savannah specialists decreased. In addition, the trend in the abundance of species a priori thought to be favoured by agricultural conversion was negatively correlated with human population density, which is in line with hypotheses explaining the decline in farmland birds in the Northern Hemisphere. In addition to climate, vegetation cover and the intensity and time since agricultural conversion constitute important predictors of biodiversity changes in the region. Their inclusion will improve the reliability of predictive models of species distribution.
Regional‐scale directional changes in abundance of tree species along a temperature gradient in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Satoshi N. , Ishihara Masae I. , Hidaka Amane 
Published: February 2015

AbstractClimate changes are assumed to shift the ranges of tree species and forest biomes. Such range shifts result from changes in abundances of tree species or functional types. Owing to global warming, the abundance of a tree species or functional type is expected to increase near the colder edge of its range and decrease near the warmer edge. This study examined directional changes in abundance and demographic parameters of forest trees along a temperature gradient, as well as a successional gradient, in Japan. Changes in the relative abundance of each of four functional types (evergreen broad‐leaved, deciduous broad‐leaved, evergreen temperate conifer, and evergreen boreal conifer) and the demography of each species (recruitment rate, mortality, and population growth rate) were analyzed in 39 permanent forest plots across the Japanese archipelago. Directional changes in the relative abundance of functional types were detected along the temperature gradient. Relative abundance of evergreen broad‐leaved trees increased near their colder range boundaries, especially in secondary forests, coinciding with the decrease in deciduous broad‐leaved trees. Similarly, relative abundance of deciduous broad‐leaved trees increased near their colder range boundaries, coinciding with the decrease in boreal conifers. These functional‐type‐level changes were mainly due to higher recruitment rates and partly to the lower mortality of individual species at colder sites. This is the first report to show that tree species abundances in temperate forests are changing directionally along a temperature gradient, which might be due to current or past climate changes as well as recovery from past disturbances.
Constraining groundwater flow in the glacial drift and saginaw aquifers in the Michigan Basin through helium concentrations and isotopic ratios
Authors: Wen T. , Castro M. C. , Hall C. M. , Pinti D. L. , Lohmann K. C. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract3He and 4He concentrations in excess of those in water in solubility equilibrium with the atmosphere by up to two and three orders of magnitude are observed in the shallow Glacial Drift and Saginaw aquifers in the Michigan Basin. A simplified He transport model shows that in situ production is negligible and that most He excesses have a source external to the aquifer. Simulated results show that 3He and 4He fluxes entering the bottom of the Saginaw aquifer are 7.5 × 10−14 and 6.1 × 10−7 cm3STPcm−2 yr−1, both of which are lower than fluxes entering the underlying Marshall aquifer, 1.0 × 10−13 and 1.6 × 10−6 cm3STPcm−2 yr−1 for 3He and 4He, respectively. In contrast, He fluxes entering the Saginaw aquifer are higher than fluxes entering the overlying Glacial Drift aquifer of 5.2 × 10−14 and 1.5 × 10−7 cm3STPcm−2 yr−1 for 3He and 4He, respectively. The unusually high He fluxes and their decreasing values from the lower Marshall to the upper Glacial Drift aquifer strongly suggest the presence of an upward cross‐formational flow, with increasing He dilution toward the surface by recharge water. These fluxes are either comparable to or far greater than He fluxes in deeper aquifers around the world. Model simulations also suggest an exponential decrease in the horizontal groundwater velocity with recharge distance. Horizontal velocities vary from 13 to 2 myr−1 for the Saginaw aquifer and from 18 to 6 myr−1 for the Marshall aquifer. The highly permeable Glacial Drift aquifer displays a greater velocity range, from 250 to 5 myr−1. While Saginaw 4He ages estimated based on the simulated velocity field display an overall agreement with 14C ages, 14C and 4He ages in the Glacial Drift and Marshall aquifers deviate significantly, possibly due to simplifications introduced in the He transport model leading to calculation of first‐order approximation He ages and high uncertainties in Glacial Drift 14C ages.
Meta‐analysis of grass ley response to phosphorus fertilization in Finland
Authors: Valkama E. , Virkajärvi P. , Uusitalo R. , Ylivainio K. , Turtola E. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractStudies have shown that yield responses of grass leys to phosphorus (P) fertilization vary considerably and initial soil test P (STP) does not always predict such variation. To identify the sources of variation in dry‐matter (DM) yield responses to P, we used a meta‐analysis to review quantitatively 38 Finnish field experiments on various soil types and growth conditions and to develop yield‐response models. The major sources of variation in the yield responses to annually applied P were soil type, soil acidity (for organic soils), initial STP and control yields fertilized with nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). According to Mitscherlich‐type exponential models, the maximum yield increases due to P fertilization in the low‐STP class were 18% over the control on mineral soils and 28% on organic soils. However, only about 40% of the variation in yield could be attributed to annual fertilizer P applications. Control yields explained about 25% of variation in yield responses to P fertilization, and P addition became less efficient with increasing control yields, which were associated with rising N rates. While applied P leads to infrequent or small yield responses on mineral soils, other practices to increase grass yields should be prioritized, including optimal N fertilization. On moderately acidic organic soils that show clearly lower P responses than do similar but less acidic soils, liming should be the first step to increase yields. Moreover, the models derived in this work indicate that revising P fertilizer recommendations in Finland would avoid unnecessary application at non‐responsive STP levels.
Reported consent processes and demographics: a substudy of the INSIGHT Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial
Authors: Denning E , Sharma S , Smolskis M , Touloumi G , Walker S , Babiker A , Clewett M , Emanuel E , Florence E , Papadopoulos A , Sánchez A , Tavel J , Grady C ,   International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT) START Study Group
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesEfforts are needed to improve informed consent of participants in research. The Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Therapy (START) study provides a unique opportunity to study the effect of length and complexity of informed consent documents on understanding and satisfaction among geographically diverse participants.MethodsInterested START sites were randomized to use either the standard consent form or the concise consent form for all of the site's participants.ResultsA total of 4473 HIV‐positive participants at 154 sites world‐wide took part in the Informed Consent Substudy, with consent given in 11 primary languages. Most sites sent written information to potential participants in advance of clinic visits, usually including the consent form. At about half the sites, staff reported spending less than an hour per participant in the consent process. The vast majority of sites assessed participant understanding using informal nonspecific questions or clinical judgment.ConclusionsThese data reflect the interest of START research staff in evaluating the consent process and improving informed consent. The START Informed Consent Substudy is by far the largest study of informed consent intervention ever conducted. Its results have the potential to impact how consent forms are written around the world.
Global HIV‐1 transmitted drug resistance in the INSIGHT Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial
Authors: Baxter JD , Dunn D , White E , Sharma S , Geretti AM , Kozal MJ , Johnson MA , Jacoby S , Llibre JM , Lundgren J ,   International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT) START Study Group
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesHIV‐1 transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in treatment‐naïve individuals is a well‐described phenomenon. Baseline genotypic resistance testing is considered standard of care in most developed areas of the world. The aim of this analysis was to characterize HIV‐1 TDR and the use of resistance testing in START trial participants.MethodsIn the Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial, baseline genotypic resistance testing results were collected at study entry and analysed centrally to determine the prevalence of TDR in the study population. Resistance was based on a modified 2009 World Health Organization definition to reflect newer resistance mutations.ResultsBaseline resistance testing was available in 1946 study participants. Higher rates of testing occurred in Europe (86.7%), the USA (81.3%) and Australia (89.9%) as compared with Asia (22.2%), South America (1.8%) and Africa (0.1%). The overall prevalence of TDR was 10.1%, more commonly to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (4.5%) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (4%) compared with protease inhibitors (2.8%). The most frequent TDR mutations observed were M41L, D67N/G/E, T215F/Y/I/S/C/D/E/V/N, 219Q/E/N/R, K103N/S, and G190A/S/E in reverse transcriptase, and M46I/L and L90M in protease. By country, the prevalence of TDR was highest in Australia (17.5%), France (16.7%), the USA (12.6%) and Spain (12.6%). No participant characteristics were identified as predictors of the presence of TDR.ConclusionsSTART participants enrolled in resource‐rich areas of the world were more likely to have baseline resistance testing. In Europe, the USA and Australia, TDR prevalence rates varied by country.
Development of an improved method for quantitative analysis of skin blotting: increasing reliability and applicability for skin assessment
Authors: Ogai K. , Matsumoto M. , Minematsu T. , Kitamura K. , Kobayashi M. , Sugama J. , Sanada H. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveA novel skin assessment tool named ‘skin blotting’ has been recently developed, which can easily predict the skin status to avoid its deterioration. The aim of this study was to propose a normalization method for skin blotting to compensate for individual differences that can hamper the quantitative comparisons and clinical applications.MethodsTo normalize individual differences, we utilized a total protein as a ‘normalizer’ with calibration curves. For evaluation, we performed a simple simulation experiment, in which the same concentration of a protein of interest [tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α] was applied at different volumes as a virtual individual difference. Moreover, to demonstrate the applicability of this normalization, male volunteers were recruited for skin blotting followed by the estimation of TNF‐α with normalization.ResultsWe obtained good calibration curves for total protein (R2 = 0.995) and TNF‐α (R2 = 0.997), both of which were necessary for an exact quantification. In the simulation experiment, we estimated the exact concentration of TNF‐α regardless of the applied volume, demonstrating the applicability of this normalization method in skin blotting. Further, skin blotting on human subjects showed a wide range of variation in the total protein content, although the normalization was thought to reduce such individual variations.ConclusionThis study has proposed total protein normalization for skin blotting with calibration curves. This method may strengthen the quantitative performance of skin blotting, which may expand the applicability of this method as a skin assessment tool in broader fields, such as nursing and cosmetology.
More action, less resistance: report of the 2014 summit of the Global Respiratory Infection Partnership
Authors: Altiner Attila , Bell John , Duerden Martin , Essack Sabiha , Kozlov Roman , Noonan Laura , Oxford John , Pignatari Antonio Carlos , Sessa Aurelio , van der Velden Alike 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
‘Antimicrobial resistance is a global health security threat that requires concerted cross-sectional action by governments and society as a whole,’ according to a report published by the WHO in April 2014[1]. On 24–25 June 2014, the Global Respiratory Infection Partnership (GRIP) met in London, UK, together with delegates from 18 different countries to discuss practical steps that can be taken at a local level to address this global problem in an aligned approach.
This was the second annual summit of GRIP. The group, formed in 2012, includes primary care and hospital physicians, microbiologists, researchers, and pharmacists from nine core countries. GRIP aims to unite healthcare professionals (HCPs) around the world to take action against inappropriate antibiotic use, focussing on one of the most prevalent therapy areas where antibiotics are inappropriately prescribed – upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
Chaired by GRIP member, Professor John Oxford (UK), the 2014 summit included engaging presentations by guest speakers examining the latest science regarding the impact of inappropriate antibiotic use.
Community pharmacists’ experience and perceptions of the New Medicines Service (NMS)
Authors: Lucas Beverley , Blenkinsopp Alison 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Objectives
The New Medicines Service (NMS) is provided by community pharmacists in England to support patient adherence after the initiation of a new treatment. It is provided as part of the National Health Service (NHS) pharmacy contractual framework and involves a three-stage process: patient engagement, intervention and follow-up. The study aims to explore community pharmacists’ experiences and perceptions of NMS within one area of the United Kingdom.

Methods
In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 14 community pharmacists. Interviews were audio-recorded, independently transcribed and thematically analysed.

Key findings
Pharmacists gave a mixed response to the operationalisation, ranging from positive opportunities for improving adherence and enhancement of practice to difficulties in terms of its administration. Pharmacists generally welcomed opportunities to utilise their professional expertise to achieve better patient engagement and for pharmacy practice to develop as a patient resource. There was a perceived need for better publicity about the service. Different levels of collaborative working were reported. Some pharmacists were working closely with local general practices most were not. Collaboration with nurses in the management of long-term conditions was rarely reported but desired by pharmacists. Where relationships with general practitioners (GPs) and nurses were established, NMS was an opportunity for further collaboration; however, others reported a lack of feedback and recognition of their role.

Conclusions
Community pharmacists perceived the NMS service as beneficial to patients by providing additional advice and reassurance, but perceptions of its operationalisation were mixed. Overall, our findings indicate that NMS provides an opportunity for patient benefit and the development of contemporary pharmacy practice, but better collaboration with GPs and practice nurses could enhance the service.
Differentiation of lower urinary tract dysfunctions: The role of ambulatory urodynamic monitoring
Authors: Rademakers Kevin LJ , Drossaerts Jamie MAFL , Rahnama'i Mohammad S , van Koeveringe Gommert A 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesTo determine the value of ambulatory urodynamic monitoring in the assessment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study including patients who underwent both conventional urodynamic and ambulatory urodynamic assessment at our Center between December 2002 and February 2013. The ambulatory urodynamic studies were interpreted in a standardized way by a resident experienced with urodynamic measurements, and one staff member who specialized in incontinence and urodynamics.ResultsA total of 239 patients (71 male and 168 female) were included in the present study. The largest subgroup of patients, 79 (33%), underwent ambulatory urodynamic monitoring based on suspicion of an acontractile bladder. However, 66 of these patients (83.5%) still showed contractions on ambulatory urodynamics. Other groups that were analyzed were patients with suspected storage dysfunction (47 patients), inconclusive conventional urodynamic studies (68 patients) and incontinence of unclear origin (45 patients). Particularly in this last group, ambulatory urodynamics appeared to be useful for discrimination between different causes of incontinence.ConclusionsAmbulatory urodynamic monitoring is a valuable discriminating diagnostic tool in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms who have already undergone conventional urodynamics, particularly in the case of patients with suspected bladder acontractility and incontinence of unclear origin during ambulatory urodynamics. Further study is required to determine the clinical implications of the findings and their relationship with treatment outcome.
Results of a pilot study using self‐collected mid‐turbinate nasal swabs for detection of influenza virus infection among pregnant women
Authors: Thompson Mark G. , Ferber Jeannette R. , Odouli Roxana , David Donna , Shifflett Pat , Meece Jennifer K. , Naleway Allison L. , Bozeman Sam , Spencer Sarah M. , Fry Alicia M. , Li De‐Kun 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundWe evaluated the feasibility of asking pregnant women to self‐collect and ship respiratory specimens.MethodsIn a preliminary laboratory study, we compared the RT‐PCR cycle threshold (CT) values of influenza A and B viruses incubated at 4 storage temperatures (from 4 to 35°C) for 6 time periods (8, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours and 30 days), resulting in 24 conditions that were compared to an aliquot tested after standard freezing (−20°C) (baseline condition). In a subsequent pilot study, during January–February, 2014, we delivered respiratory specimen collection kits to 53 pregnant women with a medically attended acute respiratory illness using three delivery methods.ResultsCT values were stable after storage at temperatures <27°C for up to 72 hours for influenza A viruses and 48 hours for influenza B viruses. Of 53 women who received kits during the pilot, 89% collected and shipped nasal swabs as requested. However, 30% (14/47) of the women took over 2 days to collect and ship their specimen. The human control gene, ribonuclease P (RNase P), was detected in 100% of nasal swab specimens. However, the mean CT values for RNase P (26·5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 26·0–27·1) and for the 8 influenza A virus positives in our pilot (32·2, 95% CI = 28·9–35·5) were significantly higher than the CTs observed in our 2010–2012 study using staff‐collected nasal pharyngeal swabs (P‐values < 0·01).DiscussionSelf‐collection of respiratory specimens is a promising research method, but further research is needed to quantify the sensitivity and specificity of the approach.
Annual Research Review: Infant development, autism, and ADHD – early pathways to emerging disorders
Authors: Johnson Mark H. , Gliga Teodora , Jones Emily , Charman Tony 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, with a high degree of co‐occurrence.MethodsProspective longitudinal studies of infants who later meet criteria for ASD or ADHD offer the opportunity to determine whether the two disorders share developmental pathways.ResultsProspective studies of younger siblings of children with autism have revealed a range of infant behavioral and neural markers associated with later diagnosis of ASD. Research on infants with later ADHD is less developed, but emerging evidence reveals a number of relations between infant measures and later symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.ConclusionsWe review this literature, highlighting points of convergence and divergence in the early pathways to ASD and ADHD.