bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Still walking on the wild side? Management actions as steps towards ‘semi‐domestication’ of hunted ungulates
Authors: Mysterud Atle 
Published: June 2010

Summary1. Domestication is a process involving adaptations to man and the man‐made environment. Semi‐domestic animals are those for which humans have only partial control over breeding, mortality, space use and food supply, and that have not been greatly modified by artificial selection. They therefore appear more similar to their wild counterparts.2. The degree of domestication depends on the level of (i) human control over breeding, mortality, food supply, space use and thereby selection pressures; (ii) how much these differ from original states; and (iii) how strongly the phenotypic traits have been affected.3. Synthesis and applications. Both natural and sexual selection in man‐made environments may differ, and some management actions move traits of hunted ungulates closer to those associated with a semi‐domestic stage; depending on the harvest pressure and selectivity, fencing, artificial feeding and predator control. There is a trade‐off between high productivity of hunted ungulate populations and retaining wild traits.
Do changes in the frequency, magnitude and timing of extreme climatic events threaten the population viability of coastal birds?
Authors: Van De Pol Martijn , Ens Bruno J. , Heg Dik , Brouwer Lyanne , Krol Johan , Maier Martin , Exo Klaus‐Michael , Oosterbeek Kees , Lok Tamar , Eising Corine M. , Koffijberg Kees 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. Climate change encompasses changes in both the means and the extremes of climatic variables, but the population consequences of the latter are intrinsically difficult to study. 2. We investigated whether the frequency, magnitude and timing of rare but catastrophic flooding events have changed over time in Europe’s largest estuary. Subsequently, we quantified how this has affected the flooding risk of six saltmarsh nesting bird species. 3. We show that maximum high tide has increased twice as fast as mean high tide over the past four decades (0·8 vs. 0·4 cm year−1), resulting in more frequent and more catastrophic flooding of nests, especially around the time when most eggs have just hatched. 4. Using data on species’ nest elevations, on their timing of egg‐laying and on the duration that their eggs and chicks are at risk from flooding, we show that flooding risks increased for all six studied species (even after accounting for compensatory land accretion) and this is expected to worsen in the near future if they do not adapt. Moreover, our study provides the first evidence that increasing flooding risks have reduced the reproductive output below stable population levels in at least one species, the Eurasian oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus. 5. Sensitivity analyses show that currently birds would benefit most from adapting their nest‐site selection to higher areas. However, historically the lower marsh has been favoured for its proximity to the feeding grounds and for its low vegetation aiding predator detection. 6. Synthesis and applications. We argue that it is more difficult for birds to infer that habitat quality has decreased from changes in the frequency of rare and unpredictable extreme events than from trends in climatic means. Consequently, at present the lower parts of the saltmarsh may function as an ecological trap. The creation of new (i.e. low) saltmarshes – currently a restoration priority – may thus counteract the goal of increasing the avian biodiversity of an area. Management tools to mitigate the effects of climate change, either by making the higher saltmarsh more attractive (mowing, predator control) or by reducing the flooding risk of the lower marsh (building elevated plots), await to be tested.
Herbarium records identify the role of long‐distance spread in the spatial distribution of alien plants in New Zealand
Authors: Aikio Sami , Duncan Richard P. , Hulme Philip E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim To use herbarium records to characterize important correlates of spatial spread, areal occupancy and clustering of 100 alien plant species of conservation concern in the North and South Islands of New Zealand.Location New Zealand.Methods Using herbarium data of 6294 records representing 100 alien plant species, we assessed spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of alien species by examining the role of major urban areas as sources of sampling bias. A novel method to account for spatial biases in sampling effort was developed and applied to two simple distance metrics: nearest‐ and furthest‐neighbour spread rate. The relative importance of these two distance metrics in determining the range, areal extent and dispersion of alien species across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand was also assessed.Results The spatial distribution of herbarium records was highly clustered with a significant bias towards the more populated regions. Once sampling bias was taken into account, there was no indication that species were found closer to these urban centres than might be expected based on sampling effort. The nearest‐neighbour spread rates were usually 1–5 km yr−1and correlated positively with the furthest‐neighbour spread rates that were an order of magnitude higher. Range and area increased and clustering decreased with higher spread rates and longer recording time span. The spread rates divided species into five groups that were clearly distinguishable in terms of the extent of their distribution and the degree of clustering. Species occurring on both islands did not exhibit similar spread rates or spatial patterns.Main conclusions The nearest‐ and furthest‐neighbour spread rates from herbarium records can explain the area and pattern of alien plant distributions and improve the understanding of the dynamics of their spread. Five groups emerge from the spread rates in relation to a null model. Fast‐spreading plants had the widest, least clustered distribution, which suggests widespread chronic problems; slow‐spreading plants had localized, but dense, clustered distributions, indicating acutely problematic weeds. These patterns appear robust and may be useful in predicting the future patterns of spread and in planning long‐term management strategies in New Zealand.
Planning and decision making about the future care of older group home residents and transition to residential aged care
Authors: Bigby C. , Bowers B. , Webber R. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Planning for future care after the death of parental caregivers and adapting disability support systems to achieve the best possible quality of life for people with intellectual disability as they age have been important issues for more than two decades. This study examined perceptions held by family members, group home staff and organisational managers about the future of older residents and the decisions made that a move to residential aged care was necessary.Methods  Grounded Dimensional Analysis was used to guide data collection and analysis by an interdisciplinary research team. Three sets of interviews over a period of 18 months were conducted with a family member, house supervisor and the programme manager for each of seventeen older group home residents in Victoria. For the eight people for whom it was decided a move was necessary and the six who eventually moved focussed questions were asked about the decision‐making process.Results  While plans for lifelong accommodation in a group home proved unfounded, key person succession plans were effective. However, decisions to move to a residential aged care facility where necessary were made in haste and seen as a fait accompli by involved family members.Conclusions  Although family members take seriously their mandate to oversee well‐being of their older relative, they have little knowledge about their rights or avenues to safeguard untimely or inappropriate decisions being made by professionals.
Core neuropsychological characteristics of children and adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion
Authors: Jacobson C. , Shearer J. , Habel A. , Kane F. , Tsakanikos E. , Kravariti E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) confers high risk for intellectual disability and neuropsychological/academic impairment, although a minority of patients show average intelligence. Intellectual heterogeneity and the high prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in earlier studies may have obscured the prototypical neuropsychological profile in 22qDS.Methods  We examined intelligence, memory, reading and mathematical processes in 31 children/adolescents with 22qDS, selected for educational underachievement and an absence of psychiatric diagnoses, using standardised, psychometrically matched instruments that specify how typical a score is for a given intelligence quotient (IQ).Results  Corroborating earlier findings, verbal IQ was significantly superior to performance IQ; verbal memory and basic reading were relative strengths; and visual/spatial memory was a relative weakness. All four findings transcended performance characteristics that are typical of low‐IQ individuals. Rote learning yielded the highest score; reading comprehension, numerical operations and mathematical reasoning were among the lowest‐performed academic domains. Albeit in the expected direction, performance in the respective components could not be clearly differentiated from what is IQ‐appropriate.Conclusions  A superiority of verbal intelligence over non‐verbal intelligence, relative strengths in verbal memory and basic reading, and a relative weakness in visual/spatial memory are likely to be core characteristics of children/adolescents with 22qDS, transcending performance features that are typical of individuals with low IQ.
Polysomnographic and quantitative electroencephalographic correlates of subjective sleep complaints in chronic tinnitus
Authors: HÉBERT SYLVIE , FULLUM STEPHAN , CARRIER JULIE 
Published: June 2010

SummaryChronic tinnitus, or the perception of hearing sounds without the presence of external stimulation, is estimated at about 10–15% of the population, with highest prevalence after 50 years of age. Sleep complaints are among the most prominent complaints accompanying tinnitus, but objective data are rare. In this study, we examined prospectively the subjective and objective sleep parameters of this patient population in order to determine differences in sleep disturbances associated with chronic tinnitus compared to matched controls. Forty‐four subjects (22 with tinnitus and 22 controls without tinnitus), unselected with respect to sleep complaints, participated in this study. The analysis involved 1‐week sleep diaries, subjective sleep questionnaires and 1 night of polysomnographic (PSG) assessment. Compared to matched controls, the tinnitus group showed lower subjective sleep quality as measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and sleep diaries, but no significant difference in objective polysomnograph sleep parameters (i.e. sleep latency, efficiency). However, quantitative non‐rapid eye movement sleep analysis revealed lower spectral power in the delta frequency band in the tinnitus group compared to controls, and this decrease was correlated with subjective sleep complaints (the lower the delta spectral power, the greater the complaints). This is the first report of an electrophysiological correlate of sleep difficulties supportive of subjective sleep complaints in the tinnitus population.
Microsatellites reveal origin and genetic diversity of Eurasian invasions by one of the world’s most notorious marine invader, Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora)
Authors: REUSCH THORSTEN B. H. , BOLTE SÖREN , SPARWEL MAXIMILIANE , MOSS ANTHONY G. , JAVIDPOUR JAMILEH 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMarine invasions are taking place at an increasing rate. When occurring in blooms, zooplanktivorous comb jellies of the genus Mnemiopsis are able to cause pelagic regime shifts in coastal areas and may cause the collapse of commercially important fish populations. Using microsatellites, developed for the first time in the phylum Ctenophora, we show that Mnemiopsis leidyi has colonized Eurasia from two source regions. Our preliminary data set included four sites within the putative source region (US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico) and 10 invaded locations in Eurasian waters. Bayesian clustering and phylogeographic approaches revealed the origin of earlier invasions of the Black and Caspian Sea in the 1980s/1990s within or close to the Gulf of Mexico, while the 2006 invasion of the North and Baltic Seas can be directly traced to New England (pairwise FST = 0). We found no evidence for mixing among both gene pools in the invaded areas. While the genetic diversity (allelic richness) remained similar in the Baltic Sea compared to the source region New England, it was reduced in the North Sea, supporting the view of an initial invasion of Northern Europe to a Baltic Sea port. In Black and Caspian Sea samples, we found a gradual decline in allelic richness compared to the Gulf of Mexico region, supporting a stepping‐stone model of colonization with two sequential genetic founder events. Our data also suggest that current practices of ballast water treatment are insufficient to prevent repeated invasions of gelatinous zooplankton.
The change in genetic diversity down the core‐edge gradient in the eastern spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus)
Authors: MUNWES INBAR , GEFFEN ELI , ROLL URI , FRIEDMANN ADAM , DAYA ALON , TIKOCHINSKI YARON , GAFNY SARIG 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSeveral hypotheses are available to predict change in genetic diversity when approaching peripheral populations. We used the eastern spadefoot toad in Israel as a model system to examine these hypotheses using population genetics analyses and network theory. Our results contradicted most of the predictions from the ‘abundant centre’ model, that edge populations should have lower density and lower genetic diversity than core populations. Furthermore, dispersal rate between core and peripheral populations is expected to be asymmetric, mostly directed outwards from the core population, but we did not detect such a trend. Our data did not support the hypothesis of no change or a non‐linear change in genetic diversity towards the range edge. However, our results did fit the Fisher (The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1930) hypothesis, which predicts increase in genetic variability from core to edge of distribution. We attributed this finding to the much harsher climatic and abiotic conditions at the edge, which must be tolerated over generations by both tadpoles and post‐metamorphic individuals in this region. Finally, our results have significant conservation implications for the survival of this species in Israel, where it is critically endangered. We identified two distinct communities, which are genetically linked through two specific rain pools in the Upper Galilee. Details on the spatial subdivision of this species are cardinal for future management and restoration of temporary wetlands in Israel.
Using creation science to demonstrate evolution: application of a creationist method for visualizing gaps in the fossil record to a phylogenetic study of coelurosaurian dinosaurs
Authors: SENTER P. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIt is important to demonstrate evolutionary principles in such a way that they cannot be countered by creation science. One such way is to use creation science itself to demonstrate evolutionary principles. Some creation scientists use classic multidimensional scaling (CMDS) to quantify and visualize morphological gaps or continuity between taxa, accepting gaps as evidence of independent creation and accepting continuity as evidence of genetic relatedness. Here, I apply CMDS to a phylogenetic analysis of coelurosaurian dinosaurs and show that it reveals morphological continuity betweenArchaeopteryx, other early birds, and a wide range of nonavian coelurosaurs. Creation scientists who use CMDS must therefore accept that these animals are genetically related. Other uses of CMDS for evolutionary biologists include the identification of taxa with much missing evolutionary history and the tracing of the progressive filling of morphological gaps in the fossil record through successive years of discovery.
A new concept for non‐invasive renal tumour ablation using real‐time MRI‐guided radiation therapy
Authors: Kerkhof Ellen M. , Raaymakers Bas W. , van Vulpen Marco , Zonnenberg Bernard A. , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud , van Moorselaar R. Jeroen A. , Lagendijk Jan J.W. 
Published: June 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? The increasing use of imaging techniques resulted in an enormous increase of incidentally diagnosed renal cell carcinomas (RCC). At the moment surgery is the only established curative approach for the treatment of RCC. The smaller size of these incidental RCC tumours demands far less invasive treatment techniques, preferably without piercing the tumour.This study presents the latest developments in the field of radiation therapy, which provides treatment alternatives for tumour sites currently not treated with radiation therapy. Real‐time magnetic resonance imaging guided radiation therapy might become a valuable non‐invasive alternative to treat renal cell carcinoma.OBJECTIVE To present a new concept for non‐invasive renal tumour ablation using real‐time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided radiation therapy. All currently available treatment techniques for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have to be performed in a laparoscopic or percutaneous way.MATERIALS AND METHODS A technical prototype MRI‐accelerator which performs real‐time 1.5 T MRI imaging during the irradiation has been constructed. We performed a technical feasibility study on real‐time MRI‐guided arc therapy using repeated breath‐holds for renal tumour ablation by (i) investigating renal mobility during breath‐holding, (ii) performing dose calculation and (iii) measuring the radiation delivery time on a phantom. The renal mobility during free breathing and end‐expiration breath‐holding during 15 s was investigated for three patients with renal tumour appearance. Conventional MRI screening data of four patients was used for arc therapy dose calculation. Tumour and normal tissues were delineated and a tumour margin of 3 mm was applied. The radiation delivery time of a 25‐Gy arc therapy plan was measured on a phantom.RESULTS Renal mobility during free breathing varied from 10 to 25 mm, whereas breath‐holding resulted in nearly non‐moving kidneys (0 to 2 mm) for all patients. Arc therapy dose calculation resulted in an adequate tumour coverage. The radiation delivery time of the arc therapy plan was about 10 min. This means that 20 to 40 repeated breath‐holds of 15 to 30 s will be needed for a single session treatment. A higher maximum dose rate would reduce the number of breath‐holds needed and improve patient comfort. A phase I study will be started to proof the clinical feasibility.CONCLUSION Real‐time MRI‐guided radiation therapy using an MRI‐accelerator might become a valuable non‐invasive alternative to the current RCC treatment options.
Faster rate of cognitive decline in essential tremor cases than controls: a prospective study
Authors: Louis E. D. , Benito‐León J. , Vega‐Quiroga S. , Bermejo‐Pareja F. ,   the Neurological Disorders in Central Spain (NEDICES) Study Group
Published: June 2010

Background:  Mild cognitive deficits have been reported in essential tremor (ET). However, these cognitive deficits have been assessed in cross‐sectional rather than longitudinal analyses.Objective:  To determine whether decline in cognitive test scores occurs at a faster rate in ET cases than controls.Methods:  In a population‐based study of older people (≥ 65 years) in central Spain (Neurological Disorders in Central Spain, NEDICES), non‐demented ET cases and controls were followed prospectively. Participants with baseline or incident Parkinson’s disease or dementia were excluded as were participants who developed incident ET. At baseline (1994–1995) and at follow‐up (1997–1998), a 37‐item version of the mini‐mental state examination (37‐MMSE) was administered.Results:  A total of 2319 participants (72.4 ± 5.8 years) included 135 prevalent ET cases and 2184 controls. At baseline, the mean 37‐MMSE in cases was 28.8 ± 5.8 vs. 30.2 ± 4.8 in controls (P = 0.02). During the 3‐year follow‐up period, the 37‐MMSE declined by 0.70 ± 3.2 points in cases vs. 0.11 ± 3.8 points in controls (P = 0.03). In analyses that adjusted for age, education, and other potential confounders, the case–control difference remained robust.Discussion:  In this population‐based, prospective study of non‐demented elders, baseline cognitive test scores were lower in ET cases than controls; moreover, during the 3‐year follow‐up period, these scores declined at a rate that was seven‐times faster in ET cases. This study provides evidence that cognitive deficits in ET are not static, and they appear to be progressing at a faster rate than in elders without this disease.
The Impact of Incomplete Linkage Disequilibrium and Genetic Model Choice on the Analysis and Interpretation of Genome‐wide Association Studies
Authors: Iles Mark M. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryWhen conducting a genetic association study, it has previously been observed that a multiplicative risk model tends to fit better at a disease‐associated marker locus than at the ungenotyped causative locus. This suggests that, while overall risk decreases as linkage disequilibrium breaks down, non‐multiplicative components are more affected. This effect is investigated here, in particular the practical consequences it has on testing for trait/marker associations and the estimation of mode of inheritance and risk once an associated locus has been found. The extreme significance levels required for genome‐wide association studies define a restricted range of detectable allele frequencies and effect sizes. For such parameters there is little to be gained by using a test that models the correct mode of inheritance rather than the multiplicative; thus the Cochran‐Armitage trend test, which assumes a multiplicative model, is preferable to a more general model as it uses fewer degrees of freedom. Equally when estimating risk, it is likely that a multiplicative risk model will provide a good fit to the data, regardless of the underlying mode of inheritance at the true susceptibility locus. This may lead to problems in interpreting risk estimates.