bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regime shifts in demersal assemblages of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem: a comparative assessment
Authors: Kirkman Stephen P. , Yemane Dawit , Atkinson Lara J. , Kathena John , Nsiangango Silvi E. , Singh Larvika , Axelsen Bjorn E. , Samaai Toufiek 
Published: February 2015

AbstractUsing long‐term survey data, changes in demersal faunal communities in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem were analysed at community and population levels to provide a comparative overview of the occurrence and timing of regime shifts. For South Africa, the timing of a community‐level shift observed in the early 1990s, and of a lesser shift observed in the mid‐2000s, corresponded well with the results of other studies that showed environmental, community‐level or population‐level changes at similar times, suggesting that environmental forcing had played a role. Several population‐level shifts were detected for Namibia; these and a regime shift in the overall community identified for this country corresponded well to the timing of severe environmental perturbations and an extensive regime shift in the pelagic ecosystem of this area. However, the interpretation of these shifts was confounded by changes in sampling gear; closer scrutiny of the types of species affected and the direction of shifts (increase/decrease) in relation to the timing and nature of sampling gear modifications, revealed that the observed shifts were potentially an artefact of gear changes. This highlighted the importance of accounting for changes in sampling protocols during the analysis and interpretation of long‐term data. For Angola, a community level shift in the mid‐2000s and population‐level changes for a few species (mainly positive), could not have been influenced by gear changes which took place mainly before the onset of the time series under consideration. However, no clear environmental or anthropogenic changes that could have influenced these shifts were obvious.
Have the spawning habitat preferences of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the southern Benguela changed in recent years?
Authors: Mhlongo Nandipha , Yemane Dawit , Hendricks Marc , van der Lingen Carl D. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper examines whether the ranges of occurrence of anchovy and sardine eggs have changed off the South African coast in recent years, and whether this could be linked to changes in sea surface temperature (SST). We used a single parameter quotient analysis with randomization to estimate the preferred and tolerated SST ranges of the spawning habitats of anchovy and sardine in the southern Benguela over the period 1988–2009. Previous studies have reported long‐term change in SST off the South African coast, and our analysis was aimed at determining whether spawning habitat selection by these small pelagic fish tracked such change. The analysis used data on egg occurrence collected concurrently with in situ SST data during annual surveys of pelagic fish biomass conducted along the South African coast. Results show that anchovy typically, but not always, spawn in warmer waters (17.0–23.0°C) than sardine do (16.0–22.0°C), and sardine almost always showed a wider SST tolerance range than did anchovy, over the time‐series. The analysis further suggests evidence of an increase in the surface temperature conditions along the South African coast recently; the spawning patterns of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardinops sagax) appear to track these changes through time. Therefore, the spawning habitat preferences of anchovy and sardine in the southern Benguela have changed in recent years, but this is unlikely to be due to warming alone.
Oxygen‐depleted bottom waters along the west coast of South Africa, 1950–2011
Authors: Jarre A. , Hutchings L. , Crichton M. , Wieland K. , Lamont T. , Blamey L. K. , Illert C. , Hill E. , van den Berg M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAs part of the southern Benguela upwelling ecosystem, South Africa's west coast represents a very productive marine habitat. Decadal‐scale environmental and ecosystem regime shifts have been documented based on wind and ocean temperature data, as well as biota. This study analyses the variability of oxygen‐depleted (<2 mL L−1) bottom waters on South Africa's west coast shelf using data from St Helena Bay, the most productive embayment in the ecosystem, from 1957, data from demersal and pelagic fisheries surveys since the 1980s, and monthly observations from a fixed transect off St Helena Bay from 2000 to 2011. Oxygen‐depleted waters are generally restricted to bottom depths <150 m, and occur regularly during austral summer and autumn, albeit with variable severity. The high spatial variability makes it impossible to define any single station as an indicator station for the extent of oxygen depletion. We provide estimates of the shelf area, 30–33°S, covered by oxygen‐depleted bottom water in austral summer and autumn, and show a parabolic relationship between oxygen depletion and upwelling strength. The results suggest that the cumulative upwelling divergence from the onset of the upwelling season (September) to the establishment of oxygen depletion (January) can be used as a proxy indicator for oxygen depletion in summer. Periods of better bottom ventilation are indicated for the second half of the 1960s to the early 1980s; more extensive oxygen depletion at the beginning of the 1950s, and the mid‐1990s to the mid‐2000s. Implications for environmental monitoring and marine living resources are discussed.
Genetic diversity is related to climatic variation and vulnerability in threatened bull trout
Authors: Kovach Ryan P. , Muhlfeld Clint C. , Wade Alisa A. , Hand Brian K. , Whited Diane C. , DeHaan Patrick W. , Al‐Chokhachy Robert , Luikart Gordon 
Published: February 2015

AbstractUnderstanding how climatic variation influences ecological and evolutionary processes is crucial for informed conservation decision‐making. Nevertheless, few studies have measured how climatic variation influences genetic diversity within populations or how genetic diversity is distributed across space relative to future climatic stress. Here, we tested whether patterns of genetic diversity (allelic richness) were related to climatic variation and habitat features in 130 bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations from 24 watersheds (i.e., ~4–7th order river subbasins) across the Columbia River Basin, USA. We then determined whether bull trout genetic diversity was related to climate vulnerability at the watershed scale, which we quantified on the basis of exposure to future climatic conditions (projected scenarios for the 2040s) and existing habitat complexity. We found a strong gradient in genetic diversity in bull trout populations across the Columbia River Basin, where populations located in the most upstream headwater areas had the greatest genetic diversity. After accounting for spatial patterns with linear mixed models, allelic richness in bull trout populations was positively related to habitat patch size and complexity, and negatively related to maximum summer temperature and the frequency of winter flooding. These relationships strongly suggest that climatic variation influences evolutionary processes in this threatened species and that genetic diversity will likely decrease due to future climate change. Vulnerability at a watershed scale was negatively correlated with average genetic diversity (r = −0.77; P < 0.001); watersheds containing populations with lower average genetic diversity generally had the lowest habitat complexity, warmest stream temperatures, and greatest frequency of winter flooding. Together, these findings have important conservation implications for bull trout and other imperiled species. Genetic diversity is already depressed where climatic vulnerability is highest; it will likely erode further in the very places where diversity may be most needed for future persistence.
Modelling the impact of agricultural management on soil carbon stocks at the regional scale: the role of lateral fluxes
Authors: Nadeu Elisabet , Gobin Anne , Fiener Peter , van Wesemael Bas , van Oost Kristof 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAgricultural management has received increased attention over the last decades due to its central role in carbon (C) sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. Yet, regardless of the large body of literature on the effects of soil erosion by tillage and water on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural landscapes, the significance of soil redistribution for the overall C budget and the C sequestration potential of land management options remains poorly quantified. In this study, we explore the role of lateral SOC fluxes in regional scale modelling of SOC stocks under three different agricultural management practices in central Belgium: conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and reduced tillage with additional carbon input (RT+i). We assessed each management scenario twice: using a conventional approach that did not account for lateral fluxes and an alternative approach that included soil erosion‐induced lateral SOC fluxes. The results show that accounting for lateral fluxes increased C sequestration rates by 2.7, 2.5 and 1.5 g C m−2 yr−1 for CT, RT and RT+i, respectively, relative to the conventional approach. Soil redistribution also led to a reduction of SOC concentration in the plough layer and increased the spatial variability of SOC stocks, suggesting that C sequestration studies relying on changes in the plough layer may underestimate the soil's C sequestration potential due to the effects of soil erosion. Additionally, lateral C export from cropland was in the same of order of magnitude as C sequestration; hence, the fate of C exported from cropland into other land uses is crucial to determine the ultimate impact of management and erosion on the landscape C balance. Consequently, soil management strategies targeting C sequestration will be most effective when accompanied by measures that reduce soil erosion given that erosion loss can balance potential C uptake, particularly in sloping areas.
Long‐term effect of biochar on the stabilization of recent carbon: soils with historical inputs of charcoal
Authors: Hernandez‐Soriano Maria C. , Kerré Bart , Goos Peter , Hardy Brieuc , Dufey Joseph , Smolders Erik 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis study was set up to identify the long‐term effect of biochar on soil C sequestration of recent carbon inputs. Arable fields (n = 5) were found in Belgium with charcoal‐enriched black spots (>50 m2; n = 14) dating >150 years ago from historical charcoal production mound kilns. Topsoils from these ‘black spots’ had a higher organic C concentration [3.6 ± 0.9% organic carbon (OC)] than adjacent soils outside these black spots (2.1 ± 0.2% OC). The soils had been cropped with maize for at least 12 years which provided a continuous input of C with a C isotope signature (δ13C) −13.1, distinct from the δ13C of soil organic carbon (−27.4 ‰) and charcoal (−25.7 ‰) collected in the surrounding area. The isotope signatures in the soil revealed that maize‐derived C concentration was significantly higher in charcoal‐amended samples (‘black spots’) than in adjacent unamended ones (0.44% vs. 0.31%; P = 0.02). Topsoils were subsequently collected as a gradient across two ‘black spots’ along with corresponding adjacent soils outside these black spots and soil respiration, and physical soil fractionation was conducted. Total soil respiration (130 days) was unaffected by charcoal, but the maize‐derived C respiration per unit maize‐derived OC in soil significantly decreased about half (P < 0.02) with increasing charcoal‐derived C in soil. Maize‐derived C was proportionally present more in protected soil aggregates in the presence of charcoal. The lower specific mineralization and increased C sequestration of recent C with charcoal are attributed to a combination of physical protection, C saturation of microbial communities and, potentially, slightly higher annual primary production. Overall, this study provides evidence of the capacity of biochar to enhance C sequestration in soils through reduced C turnover on the long term.
The effect of tree cover on the biomass and diversity of the herbaceous layer in a Mediterranean dehesa
Authors: López‐Carrasco C. , López‐Sánchez A. , San Miguel A. , Roig S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMediterranean dehesas are an archetypal example of high nature value farmland in Europe. To better understand the interactions between trees and grasslands in the conservation and management of the dehesa, we measured, over 3 years, the contribution of scattered trees to the diversity and biomass dry‐matter (DM) yield of the herb layer and the relationship between the herb layer (biomass and diversity interaction) and the trees. The study was based on 135 subplots representing four aspects and three distances from fifteen trees selected randomly in a plot within a dehesa in central Spain. The specific questions were the following: (i) To what extent do trees affect biomass of the herbaceous layer? (ii) What is the relationship between herbaceous layer biomass and species diversity under the influence of trees? and (iii) What are the effects of trees and small‐scale topography on the herbaceous diversity? Results differed between years depending on water availability. Legume and forb DM yields were highest at the edge of the tree crown and beyond the canopy. Species richness was positively related to legume DM yield, and both were higher at the bottom of the hillside, especially in dry conditions. Given the importance of tree influence on the biomass and diversity of grasslands, maintaining proper agroforestry management practices for trees and grasslands is important for conserving dehesa diversity and productivity under the conditions of high climatic and soil variability in Mediterranean dehesas.
Effect of pharmacological treatment for urinary incontinence in the elderly and frail elderly: A systematic review
Authors: Samuelsson Eva , Odeberg Jenny , Stenzelius Karin , Molander Ulla , Hammarström Margareta , Franzen Karin , Andersson Gunnel , Midlöv Patrik 
Published: February 2015

AimThe prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) increase with age and comorbidity. The benefits of pharmacotherapy for UI in the elderly are questionable. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for UI in the elderly and frail elderly.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Cinahl databases through October 2013 to identify prospective controlled trials that evaluated pharmacological treatment for UI in persons aged ≥65 years. Elderly persons living in nursing homes were regarded as frail elderly. Outcomes were urinary leakage, quality of life and adverse events.ResultsWe screened 1038 abstracts and assessed 309 full‐text articles. We identified 13 trials of high or moderate quality; 11 evaluated anticholinergic drugs and two evaluated duloxetine. Oxybutynin, the only drug studied in the frail elderly population, had no effect on urinary leakage or quality of life in elderly with urgency UI (UUI). Seven trials evaluated the effects of darifenacin, fesoterodine, solifenacin, tolterodine or trospium. Urinary leakage decreased (standard mean difference: −0.24, 95% confidence interval −0.32–0.15), corresponding to a reduction of half a leakage per 24 h. Common side‐effects of treatment were dry mouth and constipation. Data were insufficient for evaluation of the effect on quality of life or cognition. The evidence was insufficient to evaluate the effects of duloxetine. No eligible studies on mirabegron and estrogen were found.ConclusionsAnticholinergics have a small, but significant, effect on urinary leakage in older adults with UUI. Treatment with drugs for UUI in the frail elderly is not evidence based. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 521–534.
Effectiveness of a community‐based multidomain cognitive intervention program in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kim Hee‐Jin , Yang YoungSoon , Oh Jeong‐Gun , Oh Seongil , Choi Hojin , Kim Kyoung Hee , Kim Seung Hyun 
Published: February 2015

AimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multidomain program in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsA total of 53 patients with probable AD participated in the present study. The participants were classified to a cognitive programming group (n = 32) and control group (n = 21). Participants in the cognitive intervention program received multidomain cognitive stimulation including art, music, recollection and horticultural therapy, each period of intervention lasting 1 h. This program was repeated five times per week over a period of 6 months at the Seongdong‐gu Center for Dementia. The Mini‐Mental State Examination, the Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease, Clinical dementia rating scales, and the Korean version of the Quality of Life‐Alzheimer's Disease were used to evaluate cognitive ability at baseline and after intervention. After 6 months, cognitive abilities were compared between patients actively participating in cognitive intervention and the pharmacotherapy only group.ResultsPatients receiving cognitive intervention showed significant cognitive improvement in the word‐list recognition and recall test scores versus the control. There was no change in the overall Clinical dementia rating score, but the domain of community affairs showed a significant improvement in the cognitive intervention group. Quality of Life‐Alzheimer's Disease of caregivers was slightly improved in the cognitive intervention group after 6 months.DiscussionMultidomain cognitive intervention by regional dementia centers has great potential in helping to maintain cognitive function in patients with dementia, increase their social activity and reduce depression, while enhancing the quality of life of caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 191–199.
Fall risk in Chinese community‐dwelling older adults: A physiological profile assessment study
Authors: Siong Kar‐Ho , Kwan Marcella Mun‐San , Lord Stephen R , Lam Andrew Kwok‐Cheung , Tsang William Wai‐Nam , Cheong Allen Ming‐Yan 
Published: February 2015

AimThe short‐form Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) is increasingly used in clinical practice for assessing fall risk in older people. However, a normative database is only available for Caucasian populations. The purpose of the present study was to develop a normative database for Hong Kong Chinese older people and examine the fall risk profile of this population.MethodsA total of 622 participants aged 60–95 years were recruited. Participants underwent the PPA (containing tests of contrast sensitivity, proprioception, quadriceps strength, reaction time and sway), and composite fall risk scores were computed. Participants were then followed up for falls for 1 year.ResultsQuadriceps strength and lower limb proprioception scores were comparable with those reported for Caucasian populations. However, contrast sensitivity, simple reaction time and postural sway scores were relatively poor. The average composite fall risk score was 1.7 ± 1.5, showing a “moderate” fall risk when compared with the Caucasian norms. Despite the relatively poor physical performances and moderately high fall risk scores, the incidence of one plus falls in the 1‐year follow‐up period was just 16.4%, with just 2.6% reporting two plus falls. The area under the curve for composite fall risk scores in discriminating fallers from non‐fallers was 0.53 (95% CI 0.45–0.60).ConclusionsDespite poorer performance in PPA tests, the incidence of prospective falls in a Hong Kong Chinese population was low. In consequence, the PPA could not discriminate well between fallers and non‐fallers. The present study provided normality data for short‐form PPA measures for older Chinese people as a reference for further studies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 259–265.
Acupuncture Is All Placebo and Here Is Why
Authors: McGeeney Brian E. 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundAlternative and complementary medicines such as acupuncture remain popular with the general public and many clinicians. The term “integrative medicine” is often now used to describe this type of non‐science‐based medicine, which has become more of a faith‐based method of practice, making it harder to challenge. Acupuncture is commonly used to treat headache along with just about any other symptom and condition known to man.DiscussionPhysicians regularly fall into many misunderstandings when erroneously believing a real effect from acupuncture, when there is none. A perfunctory and poorly informed media contribute to the misinformation. Sixteen logical traps are identified which together explain most of the false reasoning behind the alleged effect of acupuncture.ConclusionPractitioners need to do a better job of discerning truth from information and data available on acupuncture.
An immunohistochemical study of potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of wild‐type gastrointestinal stromal tumours
Authors: Wong Newton A C S , Wingate Jenny , Gradhand Elise 
Published: February 2015

AimsThe aims of this study were to investigate whether succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and/or BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry could screen for wild‐type gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and to determine what proportion of wild‐type GISTs expressed these proteins and might therefore represent candidates for targeted therapies.Methods and resultsTwenty‐seven wild‐type GISTs and 91 KIT‐mutated or PDGFRA‐mutated GISTs were immunostained for SDHB, IGF1R, HER2, and EGFR. A preliminary study of the BRAF VE1 antibody showed non‐specific staining, and indicated it was neither a specific nor a sensitive marker of wild‐type GISTs. SDHB loss showed 100% specificity but only 37% sensitivity as such a marker. EGFR and IGF1R were expressed by 63% and 33% of the wild‐type GISTs but also by 56% and 32% of the KIT/PDGFRA mutant GISTs, respectively. Therefore, adding EGFR and/or IGF1R to SDHB as a panel only decreased the specificity of SDHB loss as a marker for wild‐type status.ConclusionsAll five antibodies failed, individually or collectively, to represent highly sensitive and highly specific markers for wild‐type GIST. However, whereas HER2 has been excluded as a therapeutic biomarker, both EGFR and IGF1R are expressed by some wild‐type GISTs and are therefore potential therapeutic targets.