bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproductive ecology and scientific inference of steepness: a fundamental metric of population dynamics and strategic fisheries management
Authors: Mangel Marc , Brodziak Jon , DiNardo Gerard 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe relationship between the biomass of reproductively mature individuals (spawning stock) and the resulting offspring added to the population (recruitment), the stock–recruitment relationship, is a fundamental and challenging problem in all of population biology. The steepness of this relationship is commonly defined as the fraction of recruitment from an unfished population obtained when the spawning stock biomass is 20% of its unfished level. Since its introduction about 20 years ago, steepness has become widely used in fishery management, where it is usually treated as a statistical quantity. Here, we investigate the reproductive ecology of steepness, using both unstructured and age‐structured models. We show that if one has sufficient information to construct a density‐independent population model (maximum per capita productivity and natural mortality for the unstructured case or maximum per capita productivity, natural mortality and schedules of size and maturity at age for the structured model) then one can construct a point estimate for steepness. Thus, steepness cannot be chosen arbitrarily. If one assumes that the survival of recruited individuals fluctuates within populations, it is possible, by considering the early life history, to construct a prior distribution for steepness from this same demographic information. We develop the ideas for both compensatory (Beverton–Holt) and over‐compensatory (Ricker) stock–recruitment relationships. We illustrate our ideas with an example concerning bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus/orientalis, Scombridae). We show that assuming that steepness is unity when recruitment is considered to be environmentally driven is not biologically consistent, is inconsistent with a precautionary approach, and leads to the wrong scientific inference (which also applies for assigning steepness any other single value).
Robust and Efficient Surface Reconstruction From Range Data
Authors: Labatut P. , Pons J.‐P. , Keriven R. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract We describe a robust but simple algorithm to reconstruct a surface from a set of merged range scans. Our key contribution is the formulation of the surface reconstruction problem as an energy minimisation problem that explicitly models the scanning process. The adaptivity of the Delaunay triangulation is exploited by restricting the energy to inside/outside labelings of Delaunay tetrahedra. Our energy measures both the output surface quality and how well the surface agrees with soft visibility constraints. Such energy is shown to perfectly fit into the minimum s − t cuts optimisation framework, allowing fast computation of a globally optimal tetrahedra labeling, while avoiding the “shrinking bias” that usually plagues graph cuts methods. The behaviour of our method confronted to noise, undersampling and outliers is evaluated on several data sets and compared with other methods through different experiments: its strong robustness would make our method practical not only for reconstruction from range data but also from typically more difficult dense point clouds, resulting for instance from stereo image matching. Our effective modeling of the surface acquisition inverse problem, along with the unique combination of Delaunay triangulation and minimum s − t cuts, makes the computational requirements of the algorithm scale well with respect to the size of the input point cloud.
Transnational Ties During a Time Of Crisis: Israeli Emigration, 2000 To 2004
Authors: Gold Steven , Hart Rona 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDespite their impressive patterns of economic mobility and generally successful adaptation into Western host societies, Israeli emigrants frequently view their stay abroad through the perspective of Zionism. As such, they express ambivalence about their presence on foreign soil. They seldom describe themselves as host country nationals, commonly socialize with other Israelis, frequently describe their intentions to return home, and often do so.However, recent events may challenge this outlook. During the 1990s, Israel’s significant demographic and economic growth, relatively peaceful relations with neighbouring countries and increasingly globalized economy had the effect of lessening the stigma on going abroad. Then, since the fall of 2000, Israel has been rocked by the Al Aksa Intifada, as well as a major recession. These events have made life more difficult for Israelis. Accordingly, conditions of the last several years can be seen as altering Israelis’ motives for emigration and simultaneously shifting the probability of return among those already overseas.While a topic of interest in its own right, the experience of Israeli emigrants since late 2000 also offers a natural experiment for evaluating how theories about migrant transnationalism consider the consequences of specific events upon relations with citizens abroad.This paper relies on in‐depth interviews and other data sources to explore Israeli emigrants’ views about remaining in host societies versus returning to Israel since late 2000. In so doing, it considers how emigrants evaluate potential benefits, costs and feelings of identification associated with residence overseas versus Israel. The paper also seeks more general insights into how relations between migrants and the country of origin are altered when events affect political and economic conditions in the country of origin.
Strengthening Data and Research Tools on Migration and Development
Authors: Black Richard , Skeldon Ronald 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper reviews available data sources for the study of migration and development through both retrospective and continuous data collection systems. It is argued that much basic data already exists for the study of international migration but that the addition of a relatively small number of simple, although not necessarily cheap measures can be taken to improve existing data. The priority is to generate flow data between countries for recent time periods and the paper makes suggestions how this can be best achieved. The paper goes on to an assessment of the types and availability of data needed to understand better the relationships between migration and development more broadly. Data at several scales, macro and micro, and for a variety of types of migration will be required in order to achieve this objective, particularly if less visible flows, such as those internal to developing countries, or those involving women, are to be better understood. The paper concludes by moving beyond the traditional state‐led data‐gathering systems to examine the potential for civil society organizations to help in strengthening data and research on migration and development.
Can Migration Foster Development in Mexico? The Case of Poverty and Inequality
Authors: Latapí Agustín Escobar 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe impact of migration on development can be analysed from a number of perspectives. This article focuses on poverty and inequality. It assesses the relative contribution of migrants to Mexico′s economy through remittances, compared to other Latin American countries; analyses the distributional impact of remittances (with an emphasis on the poor), and compares this impact to the counterfactual impact of migrants’ stay‐at‐home income. It explains the processes leading to scant economic success rates among poor international migrants. Finally, it describes the nature and impact of current Mexican migrant‐oriented policies, and recommends a shift in focus, to lessen emigration, increase the income of migrants, promote returns, and bolster the economic impact of returning migrants.
Optimal Robust Two‐Stage Designs for Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Trang , Pahl Roman , Schäfer Helmut 
Published: October 2009

SummaryOptimal robust two‐stage designs for genome‐wide association studies are proposed using the maximum of the recessive, additive and dominant linear trend test statistics. These designs combine cost‐saving two‐stage genotyping with robustness against misspecification of the genetic model and are much more efficient than designs based on a single model specific test statistic in detecting multiple loci with different modes of inheritance. For given power of 90%, typical cost savings of 34% can be realised by increasing the total sample size by about 13% but genotyping only about half of the sample for the full marker set in the first stage and carrying forward about 0.06% of the markers to the second stage analysis. We also present robust two‐stage designs providing optimal allocation of a limited budget for pre‐existing samples. If a sample is available which would yield a power of 90% when fully genotyped, genotyping only half of the sample due to a limited budget will typically cause a loss of power of more than 55%. Using an optimal two‐stage approach in the same sample under the same budget restrictions will limit the loss of power to less than 10%. In general, the optimal proportion of markers to be followed up in the second stage strongly depends on the cost ratio for chips and individual genotyping, while the design parameters of the optimal designs (total sample size, first stage proportion, first and second stage significance limit) do not much depend on the genetic model assumptions.
Mutation spectrum of the fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) gene in Taiwanese patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Hung Chia‐Cheng , Lin Shin‐Yu , Lee Chien‐Nan , Cheng Hui‐Yu , Lin Shuan‐Pei , Chen Ming‐Ren , Chen Chih‐Ping , Chang Chien‐Hui , Lin Chiou‐Ya , Yu Chih‐Chieh , Chiu Hsin‐Hui , Cheng Wen‐Fang , Ho Hong‐Nerng , Niu Dau‐Ming , Su Yi‐Ning 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to establish a national database of mutations in the fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) gene that cause Marfan syndrome (MFS) in the Taiwanese population. In this study, we screened 294 patients from 157 families for the presence of FBN1 mutations using polymerase chain reaction/ denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (PCR/DHPLC). We identified 56 mutations in 62 of the 157 (40%) families including 49 single‐base substitutions (36 missense mutations, seven nonsense mutations, and six splicing sites), one small insertion, four small deletions, one small indel (insertion and deletion), and one exonic deletion (Exon 36). When family history was taken into consideration, the mutation detection rate rose to 91% (29 of 32). We further investigated the phenotypic data and found that one third (47 of 157) of the families fit the Ghent criteria for MFS. Based on that data, the mutation rate was 98% (46/47). That finding implies that family history and the Ghent criteria play a more important role than clinical manifestations in establishing a clinical diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. Among the 56 mutations found in this study, 40 (71%) have not been registered in the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) or in the Universal Mutation Database (UMD). This is the first study of the mutation spectrum of MFS in a cohort of patients in Taiwan. The database is expected to considerably improve genetic counseling for and medical care of MFS families.
Worster‐Drought syndrome: poorly recognized despite severe and persistent difficulties with feeding and speech
Authors: CLARK MARIA , HARRIS REBECCA , JOLLEFF NICOLA , PRICE KATIE , NEVILLE BRIAN GR 
Published: October 2009

Aim  Worster‐Drought syndrome (WDS), or congenital suprabulbar paresis, is a permanent movement disorder of the bulbar muscles causing persistent difficulties with swallowing, feeding, speech, and saliva control owing to a non‐progressive disturbance in early brain development. As such, it falls within the cerebral palsies. The aim of this study was to describe the physical and neuropsychological profiles of children with WDS.Method  Forty‐two children with WDS (26 males, 16 females; mean age 7y 10mo, SD 3y 1mo; range 2y 6mo to 16y 5mo) were studied prospectively using a standard protocol.Results  All of the children had severe bulbar dysfunction; 36 out of 42 had feeding difficulties and 23 of 38 had unintelligible speech, which was poorly compensated for by augmentative communication. There were accompanying disturbances in cognition (mean non‐verbal IQ 59), behaviour (12/40 attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]), social communication (8/42 autism), and epilepsy (12/39). The severity of bulbar dysfunction and impact of additional impairments made it difficult to use formal assessments.Interpretation  WDS causes severe and persistent bulbar dysfunction that is often accompanied by additional impairments, as in other cerebral palsies. Speech prognosis is particularly poor. Early diagnosis with appreciation of the underlying neurology would encourage critical evaluation of interventions and long‐term planning to improve outcome.
Supporting ‘Best Research for Best Health’ with best information
Authors: Beecroft Claire , Booth Andrew , Otter Mary Edmunds , Keen Christine , Lynch Colin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  This article describes the potential role for National Health Service (NHS) libraries in supporting health research. The content is partly based on the proceedings of the ‘Best Information for Best Research for Best Health’ event at University of Leicester in November 2006.Objectives:  With reference to the UK Department of Health's Research and Development (R&D) strategy, Best Research for Best Health and the Cooksey Review of public funding of health research, the article seeks to identify areas where NHS library and information staff can become involved in supporting the research process.Methods:  The authors examined the challenges and opportunities that these reports offer and looked at two areas where library and information services (LIS) staff can potentially expand their services‐supporting researchers at every stage of the research process and transferring research into practice.Results:  Staff in NHS libraries need to create an environment in which their role in the research process is recognized and valued. LIS staff can develop roles within the research process and thereby improve the robustness and validity of research outputs. Training and development of LIS staff is a key priority and can be taken forward despite the limitations of budgets and staffing levels.Conclusions:  A proactive and assertive approach is needed to achieve a cultural shift within NHS library practice from supporting research from the outside, to being fully integrated within the research process.
Sharing the cost: health information licensing programmes in Canada
Authors: Stieda Vivian , Bačić Marijana 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  Increasing pressure on health libraries to provide access to electronic resources to their clientèle has witnessed the establishment of a number of initiatives in Canada’s provinces.Objectives:  To provide a structured and descriptive account of Canadian initiatives that focus primarily on licensing health‐related information to post‐secondary education institutions, hospitals, libraries and related organisations in the health sector.Methods:  Programmes were identified via communication with peers, an unpublished paper and the authors’ existing knowledge. This resulted in a survey of the programmes using an online questionnaire.Results:  A total of seven programmes were identified. A descriptive account of their establishment, aim and function, governance, funding, resource selection and licensing is provided.Conclusions:  Sharing out the cost of subscribing to electronic resources in the health sciences is a continued concern, as witnessed by continuing developments in this area.
Scenario planning: a tool for academic health sciences libraries
Authors: Ludwig Logan , Giesecke Joan , Walton Linda 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective:  Review the International Campaign to Revitalise Academic Medicine (ICRAM) Future Scenarios as a potential starting point for developing scenarios to envisage plausible futures for health sciences libraries.Method:  At an educational workshop, 15 groups, each composed of four to seven Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) directors and AAHSL/NLM Fellows, created plausible stories using the five ICRAM scenarios.Results:  Participants created 15 plausible stories regarding roles played by health sciences librarians, how libraries are used and their physical properties in response to technology, scholarly communication, learning environments and health care economic changes.Conclusions:  Libraries are affected by many forces, including economic pressures, curriculum and changes in technology, health care delivery and scholarly communications business models. The future is likely to contain ICRAM scenario elements, although not all, and each, if they come to pass, will impact health sciences libraries. The AAHSL groups identified common features in their scenarios to learn lessons for now. The hope is that other groups find the scenarios useful in thinking about academic health science library futures.
Geolocators map the wintering grounds of threatened Lesser Kestrels in Africa
Authors: Rodríguez Airam , Negro Juan J. , Bustamante Javier , Fox James W. , Afanasyev Vsevolod 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim To identify the wintering grounds of the threatened western European Lesser Kestrels to focus conservation efforts in those areas.Location Huelva Province, southern Spain, as breeding range, and western Africa (Senegal and Mauritania), as wintering range.Methods We used archival light level geolocators (1.5 g) to map the wintering areas and determine some characteristics of the migratory journeys of 20 adult Lesser Kestrels from the Iberian Peninsula tagged in 2007.Results Thirteen geolocators were recovered the following breeding season (2008) after attachment in 2007. Four recovered geolocators provided useful data. According to kernel density analyses, kestrels wintered near the Senegal River (border between Mauritania and Senegal). Pre‐nuptial migration took longer than the post‐nuptial migration, which may be the consequence of a loop migration.Main conclusions Geolocators have solved a crucial conservation question (i.e. the winter destination of western European Lesser kestrels), and these devices have thus proved useful to determine the location of the winter quarters of small sized migratory species. Our data indicate that European Lesser Kestrels winter in West Africa, in accordance with previous suggestions based on scattered observations during the winter months. This valuable information should serve to focus conservation efforts both in northern Senegal and southern Mauritania. Large roosts gathering thousands of lesser kestrels had been recorded in these areas over the years, but there was no previous confirmation of individuals staying all winter long. Specific and sustained protection of the roost sites, where the birds may be most vulnerable, should be sought in conjunction with local authorities.
The prehistory and biogeography of terrestrial vertebrates on Guam, Mariana Islands
Authors: Pregill Gregory K. , Steadman David W. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  By establishing a prehistoric fossil record for the vertebrate fauna of Guam, we can document the composition of the island’s fauna prior to Western contact. It will also complement the extensive prehistoric fossil data already known from the nearby islands of Rota, Tinian and Aguiguan, and improve our understanding of natural distributional patterns through a chronologically deeper view of the biogeography of the Mariana Islands.Location  Northern Guam, Mariana Islands, Micronesia.Methods  Fossil‐bearing sediment was removed from karst features with vertically and horizontally controlled excavation methods. Age determinations of the fossils were estimated by radiocarbon dating associated wood charcoal samples.Results  The 3314 bones (fossils) of terrestrial vertebrates date to the past two millennia and represent 34 species. Among 12 species of squamate reptiles, one is extinct (a gekkonid lizard) and another, the monitor lizard, Varanus indicus, was introduced to Guam no later than about 1600 years ago. The 17 species of birds feature five that are extinct. Two others not recorded previously on Guam are extirpated. Eight others were lost on Guam in historic times. We also recovered bones of two species of indigenous bats, (Pteropus sp., extirpated; Emballonura semicaudata, probably extirpated), and non‐native rodents, (Rattus spp.).Main conclusions  Guam’s contemporary faunal losses have been well documented since invasion of the Brown Treesnake (Boiga irregularis) during or shortly after WWII. Other exotics, as well as habitat deterioration, have abetted this snake’s deleterious presence. Our data further show that human impact led to declines or losses of vertebrate populations by late prehistoric times. Numerous anthropogenic extirpations would not be evident without studying fossils. Our chrono‐stratigraphic evidence argues for the arrival of non‐native rats (Rattus sp.) only about 1000 years ago, which helps to explain why a flightless rail survived on Guam into modern times, unlike on most other islands in Oceania.
European green crabs (Carcinus maenas) in the northeastern Pacific: genetic evidence for high population connectivity and current‐mediated expansion from a single introduced source population
Authors: Tepolt C. K. , Darling J. A. , Bagley M. J. , Geller J. B. , Blum M. J. , Grosholz E. D. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) expanded dramatically after its introduction to the west coast of North America, spreading over 1000 km in < 10 years. We use samples of Carcinus maenas collected over time and space to investigate the genetic patterns underlying the species’ initial establishment and spread, and discuss our findings in the context of the species’ life history characteristics and demography.Location  The central west coast of North America, encompassing California, Oregon, and Washington (USA) and British Columbia (Canada).Methods  We collected 1040 total samples from 21 sites representing the major episodes of population establishment and expansion along the west coast of North America. Microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic diversity and structure at different time points in the species’ spread, to investigate connectivity between embayments and to estimate both short‐term effective population sizes and the number of original founders. Assignment testing was performed to determine the likely source of the introduction.Results  Carcinus maenas in western North America likely derived from a single introduction of a small number of founders to San Francisco Bay, CA from the east coast of North America. Throughout its western North American range, the species experiences periodic migration between embayments, resulting in a minor loss of genetic diversity in more recently established populations versus the populations in the area of initial establishment.Main conclusions  Low genetic diversity has not precluded the ability of C. maenas to successfully establish and spread on the west coast of North America. An efficient oceanographic transport mechanism combined with highly conducive life history traits are likely the major drivers of C. maenas spread. Evidence for a single introduction underscores the potential utility of early detection and eradication of high‐risk invasive species.