bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat preferences and survival in wildlife reintroductions: an ecological trap in reintroduced grey partridges
Authors: Rantanen Elina M. , Buner Francis , Riordan Philip , Sotherton Nick , Macdonald David W. 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. Wildlife reintroductions can help to restore populations and save species from extinction. However, success rates of reintroductions are low due to inherent problems, such as behavioural deficiencies resulting in high post‐release predation rates among captive‐bred animals. In particular, the released animals may use habitats maladaptively, leading to an ecological trap, i.e. preference for low‐quality habitats leading to reduced survival and/or breeding success. Ecological traps in reintroductions can be identified only through intensive studies of habitat preferences and survival of known individuals, but such studies are lacking. 2. We investigated habitat preferences and their relationship with survival by radio‐tracking reintroduced, captive‐bred grey partridges Perdix perdix, a widely reintroduced commercial game species and native farmland bird of conservation concern in the UK. The low success rate of grey partridge releases could be due to maladaptive habitat use and a possible ecological trap. 3. Grey partridges released as pairs in spring showed preferences for crop and field margin habitat. The use of crops had a positive, and use of field margins a negative, association with survival, suggesting field margins could serve as ecological traps for released grey partridges. Predation rates were high, and field margins probably hosted concentrated predator activity. 4. Grey partridges released as family groups (coveys) in autumn exhibited a preference for game covers, i.e. areas of tall vegetation specifically planted to provide cover for game birds, and mortality rates were lower than in spring. Habitat use did not affect survival in autumn. 5. Synthesis and applications. We have shown that newly released grey partridge pairs behave maladaptively by preferring a habitat which has a negative association with survival. In grey partridge reintroductions, we recommend releasing grey partridge family groups in autumn rather than releasing pairs of birds in spring, and providing game covers that could induce the groups to settle onto the release areas. In reintroductions in general, the habitat preferences of the released animals should be documented together with their fates, to enable detection of possible ecological traps that could threaten the success of these conservation efforts.
The reproductive benefits of livestock farming in barn swallowsHirundo rustica: quality of nest site or foraging habitat?
Authors: Grüebler Martin U. , Korner‐Nievergelt Fränzi , Von Hirschheydt Johann 
Published: September 2010

Summary1. In many parts of the world, changes in agricultural land‐use have led to significant declines of bird species, including aerial insectivores such as barn swallows. In particular, barn swallow populations have been declining across Europe where mixed and livestock farming have been replaced by arable farming.2. A positive association between livestock farming and barn swallow reproductive success is well documented but the specific roles of micro‐ and macroenvironment, which are not mutually exclusive, remain unclear. A positive effect of livestock on swallow breeding performance might be due to improved feeding conditions associated with dung around cattle farms (macrohabitat). Barn swallows also might profit from raised and more constant temperatures at the nest site in stables housing farm animals (microhabitat).3. We analysed data on barn swallows breeding across Switzerland to quantify the effects of livestock farming at the micro‐ and macrohabitat on the reproductive success of single‐ and double‐brood pairs. We focus on the effects of nest temperature (expressed as presence of livestock) and food availability around the nest (quantified by the number of manure heaps providing large number of flies).4. The presence of livestock in the building with the nest and large numbers of manure heaps around nest sites increased nestling survival in double‐brood but not in single‐brood pairs. Furthermore, the presence of livestock tended to increase the probability of pairs rearing double broods and increased the annual output of double‐brood pairs by 0·8 chicks. Both factors of livestock farming combined increased the annual output by 1·6 chicks.5. Synthesis and applications.The productivity of barn swallows depends on the characteristics of the micro‐ and the macrohabitat. Since changes in farming systems, grazing patterns, landscape heterogeneity and climate may have different effects on micro‐ and macrohabitats, respectively, they affect productivity of declining bird species in a complex way. Measures designed to enhance habitat quality in aerial insectivores should improve microclimatic conditions at the nest and increase the number of food patches providing airborne insects. In general, habitat improvements should include both spatial scales, namely suitable sites for nesting and accessible food resources on the foraging grounds.
Interspecific variation in functional traits, not climatic differences among species ranges, determines demographic rates across 44 temperate and Mediterranean tree species
Authors: Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Mencuccini Maurizio , Vayreda Jordi , Retana Javier 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. Surprisingly little is known about the relationship between functional traits and demographic rates of tree species under field conditions, particularly for non‐tropical species. 2. We studied the interspecific relationship between key functional traits (wood density (WD), maximum tree height, specific leaf area, nitrogen (N) content of leaves, leaf size and seed mass), demographic rates (relative growth rate (RGR) and mortality rate (MR)) and climatic niche for the 44 most abundant tree species in Spain. 3. Demographic data were derived from the Spanish Forest Inventory, a repeated‐measures scheme including c. 90 000 permanent plots spread over a territory of c. 500 000 km2. Functional traits data came primarily from a more detailed forest inventory carried out in Catalonia, NE Spain. 4. Our study region covers a wide range of climatic conditions and, not surprisingly, the studied species differed markedly in their climatic niche. Despite that fact, our results showed that the variability in demographic rates across species was much more related to differences in functional traits than to differences in the average climate among species. 5. Maximum tree height and, particularly, WD, emerged as key functional traits, and were the best predictors of demographic rates in our study. These two variables also mediated the marginally significant relationship between RGR and MR, suggestive of a weak trade‐off between growth and survival. 6. The main aspects of our results were not altered by the explicit incorporation of phylogenetic effects, suggesting that the observed relationships are not due to divergences between a few major clades. 7. Synthesis. Our study gives support to the notion that variation in functional traits across species allows them to perform largely independently of climatic conditions along environmental gradients.
The phylogenetic structure of plant facilitation networks changes with competition
Authors: Verdú Miguel , Jordano Pedro , Valiente‐Banuet Alfonso 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. Ecological communities are assembled as complex networks of both positive (i.e. facilitation) and negative (i.e. competition) interactions. In networks established among plant species, many facilitative interactions occurring between a benefactor – a nurse – and a beneficiary – a facilitated seedling ‐ turn into competition over time as the facilitated seedling grows and outcompetes the nurse. The facilitative associations that disappear over time are mainly restricted to closely related taxa, because close relatives tend to share niche requirements and compete more strongly for the same resources. In consequence, the phylogenetic structure of a network might change as positive associations become negative. 2. This study is aimed to characterize how the overall (i.e. nestedness and connectance) and the phylogenetic structure of facilitation networks in semi‐arid communities change when facilitation turns into competition and some of the early species associations established by facilitation disappear. 3. We show that the initial facilitation networks retain the overall, but not the phylogenetic, structure. Phylogenetic analyses show that as seedlings, facilitated species tend to associate with the same subset of nurses while, on the contrary, nurses are indifferent to the identity of their facilitated seedlings. But when competition becomes important, closely related nurse species appear associated with only a subset of facilitated species in the community. 4. Synthesis. Temporal rearrangements in the phylogenetic structure of the facilitation networks provide evidence that plant–plant species interactions lead to highly species‐specific networks in which the phylogenetic history has a pervasive influence not only on recruitment but also on adult community composition. The use of phylogenetic methods combined with complex network approaches opens the possibility to understand the complexity of ecological interactions occurring in nature as for example those occurring when biological invasions take place or those producing coextinction cascades following species removal from ecosystems.
Impact of the changing food environment on dietary practices of an Inuit population in Arctic Canada
Authors: Mead E. , Gittelsohn J. , Kratzmann M. , Roache C. , Sharma S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground:  Nutritional inadequacies and increasing chronic disease prevalence amongst Inuit in the Canadian Arctic highlight the need to address dietary practices. Research is needed to investigate the individual and environmental factors impacting diet to guide interventions. The present study aimed to explore multiple community perspectives of key factors affecting food choice and availability in Inuit communities in Nunavut, Canada.Methods:  Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with Inuit adults (n = 43) in two communities in Nunavut, Canada, and included community members, community leaders, elders, health staff and food shop staff. The interviewer transcribed the audio‐taped interviews. Data were analysed using codes and the constant comparative method to determine categories and emergent themes.Results:  Thirty‐three Inuit (27 females and six males) and 10 non‐Inuit (four females and six males) adults participated. Traditional foods procured through hunting and gathering were considered the healthiest by community members, although multiple factors inhibited their procurement, including high petrol cost and decrease in traditional knowledge about hunting and gathering practices. Cost and quality were the main barriers to purchasing healthy foods at the shops. Community leaders and health staff identified multiple barriers to healthy eating in the community, such as skills to prepare some shop‐bought foods. Shop managers identified several challenges to providing fresh produce and other perishable foods, such as long transportation routes that increase costs and harsh climatic conditions that may cause spoilage. They also cited factors influencing their decisions regarding whether to stock/discontinue certain foods, such as customers’ requests, food cost and shelf‐life.Conclusions:  An intervention to reduce chronic disease risk and improve dietary adequacy amongst Nunavut Inuit may be effective by supporting individual behaviour modifications with food environment changes.
A novel double‐tryptophan peptide pheromone controls competence in Streptococcus spp. via an Rgg regulator
Authors: Mashburn‐Warren Lauren , Morrison Donald A. , Federle Michael J. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryAll streptococcal genomes encode the alternative sigma factor SigX and 21 SigX‐dependent proteins required for genetic transformation, yet no pyogenic streptococci are known to develop competence. Resolving this paradox may depend on understanding the regulation of sigX. We report the identification of a regulatory circuit linked to the sigX genes of mutans, pyogenic, and bovis streptococci that uses a novel small, double‐tryptophan‐containing sigX‐inducing peptide (XIP) pheromone. In all three groups, the XIP gene (comS), and sigX have identical, non‐canonical promoters consisting of 9 bp inverted repeats separated from a −10 hexamer by 19 bp. comS is adjacent to a gene encoding a putative transcription factor of the Rgg family and is regulated by its product, which we designate ComR. Deletion of comR or comS in Streptococcus mutans abolished transformability, as did deletion of the oligopeptide permease subunit oppD, suggesting that XIP is imported. Providing S. mutans with synthetic fragments of ComS revealed that seven C‐terminal residues, including the WW motif, cause robust induction of both sigX and the competent state. We propose that this circuit is the proximal regulator of sigX in S. mutans, and we infer that it controls competence in a parallel way in all pyogenic and bovis streptococci.
The future role of the Scandinavian anaesthesiologist: a web‐based survey
Authors: ÅNEMAN A. , MELLIN‐OLSEN J. , SØREIDE E. ,   on behalf of the SSAI Position Paper Task Force
Published: September 2010

Background: The Board of the Scandinavian Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI) decided in 2008 to undertake a survey among members of the SSAI aiming at exploring some key points of training, professional activities and definitions of the specialty.Methods: A web‐based questionnaire was used to capture core data on workforce demographics and working patterns together with opinions on definitions for practice/practitioners in the four areas of anaesthesia, intensive care medicine, emergency medicine and pain medicine.Results: One thousand seven hundred and four responses were lodged, representing close to half of the total SSAI membership. The majority of participants reported in excess of 10 years of professional experience in general anaesthesia and intensive care medicine as well as emergency and pain medicine. While no support for separate or secondary specialities in the four areas was reported, a majority of respondents favoured sub‐specialisation or recognition of particular medical competencies, notably so for intensive care medicine. Seventy‐five percent or more of the respondents supported a common framework of employment within all four areas irrespective of further specialisation.Conclusions: The future of Scandinavian anaesthesiology is likely to involve further specialisation towards particular medical competencies. With such diversification of the workforce, the majority of the respondents still acknowledge the importance of belonging to one organisational body.
Outcome of drowned hypothermic children with cardiac arrest treated with cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: SUOMINEN P. K. , VALLILA N. H. , HARTIKAINEN L. M. , SAIRANEN H. I. , KORPELA R. E. 
Published: September 2010

Background: There is a lack of data on the outcome of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) rewarming of hypothermic children with cardiac arrest following drowning.Aim of the study: To retrospectively analyze single‐center outcome of drowning victims treated with CPB.Materials and methods: This retrospective study included all hypothermic drowning victims admitted to the Hospital for Children and Adolescents with attempted resuscitation on CPB between 1994 and 2008 inclusive. Median sternotomy and cannulation of the ascending aorta and the right atrium for CPB were performed on all victims.Results: Nine hypothermic drowning victims, comprising five boys and four girls, with a median age of 3.8 years (range, 1.5–10 years). The median submersion time was 38 min (range, 5–75 min) and the median water temperature was 6.5 °C (range, 0.2–16.5 °C). The median core temperature was 21.9 °C (range 17.7–32.8 °C) at arrival to the hospital. All nine children were able to be weaned from CPB. Only one child, with mild to moderate neurological deficit, became a long‐term survivor. She was slowly rewarmed up to 33 °C with CPB and kept in mild hypothermia for 48 h.Conclusions: Large numbers of submerged children can be primarily resuscitated with CPB. Unfortunately, many of them will decease from severe hypoxic brain injury. Slow rewarming with CPB may improve the likelihood of a better neurological outcome.
Random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for test‐day milk yield in Brazilian Murrah buffaloes
Authors: Sesana R.C. , Bignardi A.B. , Borquis R.R.A. , El Faro L. , Baldi F. , Albuquerque L.G. , Tonhati H. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe objective of this work was to estimate covariance functions for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects and, subsequently, to obtain genetic parameters for buffalo’s test‐day milk production using random regression models on Legendre polynomials (LPs). A total of 17 935 test‐day milk yield (TDMY) from 1433 first lactations of Murrah buffaloes, calving from 1985 to 2005 and belonging to 12 herds located in São Paulo state, Brazil, were analysed. Contemporary groups (CGs) were defined by herd, year and month of milk test. Residual variances were modelled through variance functions, from second to fourth order and also by a step function with 1, 4, 6, 22 and 42 classes. The model of analyses included the fixed effect of CGs, number of milking, age of cow at calving as a covariable (linear and quadratic) and the mean trend of the population. As random effects were included the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. The additive genetic and permanent environmental random effects were modelled by LP of days in milk from quadratic to seventh degree polynomial functions. The model with additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects adjusted by quintic and sixth order LP, respectively, and residual variance modelled through a step function with six classes was the most adequate model to describe the covariance structure of the data. Heritability estimates decreased from 0.44 (first week) to 0.18 (fourth week). Unexpected negative genetic correlation estimates were obtained between TDMY records at first weeks with records from middle to the end of lactation, being the values varied from −0.07 (second with eighth week) to −0.34 (1st with 42nd week). TDMY heritability estimates were moderate in the course of the lactation, suggesting that this trait could be applied as selection criteria in milking buffaloes.
Seamount science scales undersea mountains: new research and outlook
Authors: Schlacher Thomas A. , Rowden Ashley A. , Dower John F. , Consalvey Mireille 
Published: September 2010

AbstractConventional wisdom suggests that seamounts harbour high levels of biodiversity and endemism, play important roles in marine biogeography, are hotspots of biological carbon processing, and support substantial fisheries. However, since fewer than 300 seamounts have been thoroughly sampled, these generalizations remain largely untested. This has provided the motivation for a number of seamount‐focused research projects in recent years, including CenSeam, a field project within the Census of Marine Life. This issue presents some of the research output facilitated by CenSeam. Here we summarize the main findings and provide a précis of future research directions highlighted by contributors to the issue. Recent studies show that seamounts can have comparable levels of benthic diversity and endemism to continental margins, but their communities also include a distinct composition of species that can attain higher biomass. Reported geographic differentiation among seamount communities suggests limited larval dispersal, local speciation, geographic isolation, or a combination of these processes. Genetic studies contained in the issue address these themes explicitly, documenting complex patterns of connectivity that depend on spatial scale and life history characteristics. Globally, seamount ecosystems are also under pressure from bottom‐contact fishing and ocean acidification. Contributions detailing the footprint of trawling and a risk assessment confirm what has long been suspected: seamount ecosystems are highly vulnerable to disturbance by bottom trawling and recovery from fishing impacts is a lengthy process, likely requiring decades at a minimum. A predicted shallowing of the aragonite saturation horizon caused by ocean acidification is predicted to place deep‐water corals at risk, but seamounts may yet provide a spatial/chemical refuge from these impacts. The issue concludes with a ‘myth‐buster’ synthesis that updates the status of the various seamount ecological paradigms.
Clinical aspects of very‐low‐birthweight infants showing reopening of ductus arteriosus
Authors: Uchiyama Atsushi , Nagasawa Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Yutaka , Tatebayashi Koji , Suzuki Hiroko , Yamada Keitaro , Arai Mayuki , Kohno Yoshinori 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground:  Indomethacin is used to treat the hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. Some infants show ductus arteriosus reopening after effective constriction by the drug. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of such infants.Methods:  We studied 57 very‐low‐birthweight infants with effective constriction of patent ductus arteriosus by the initial course of indomethacin. They were classified into the reopened group if they developed hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus again or into the closed group if they showed complete closure. Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.Results:  Ductus arteriosus reopening was shown in 15 (26%) of the 57 infants. These 15 infants had successful clinical ductal closure after a subsequent course of indomethacin or oral mefenamic acid treatment or surgical ligation without any severe complications. Infants in the reopened group showed significantly higher rates of developing chronic lung disease at 36 weeks of gestation than those in the closed group (53% vs 18%; P= 0.009). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed ductus arteriosus reopening was the only independent risk factor for developing chronic lung disease at 36 postconceptional weeks in this population (adjusted odds ratio, 6.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–31.2; P= 0.02).Conclusions:  Incomplete closure of the ductus arteriosus is associated with recurrence of a clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus and reopening of the ductus after initial closure with indomethacin is associated with chronic lung disease.
PERCUTANEOUS DILATATIONAL TRACHEOSTOMY COMPLICATED BY DELAYED LIFE‐THREATENING HAEMORRHAGE
Authors: Bernard Stephen A. , Jones Bruce MacC. , Shearer William A. 
Published: September 2010

Book reviews in this article:Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has become increasingly popular as an alternative to formal surgical tracheostomy. We report a case of profuse, life‐threatening haemorrhage which occurred after percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.
PRIMARY ADENOCARCINOMA IN A COLONIC ‘OESOPHAGEAL’ SEGMENT
Authors: Theile David E. , Smithers B. Mark , Strong Russell W. , Windsor Clement J. 
Published: September 2010

Book reviews in this article:A case of primary adenocarcinoma of the colon in a segment used to reconstruct after an oesophageal resection is reported. The original lesion was a relatively advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastro‐oesophageal junction. An ACPS ‘C’ colon carcinoma was diagnosed 12 years later. A curative resection was achieved.The literature is reviewed in regard to late complications in colonic interpositions, including primary carcinomas.