bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of weirs on structural stream habitat and biological communities
Authors: Mueller Melanie , Pander Joachim , Geist Juergen 
Published: July 2011

Summary1. Most of the world’s rivers are affected by dams and weirs. Information on the quantitative and qualitative effects of weirs across biological communities is crucial for successful management and restoration of stream ecosystems. Yet, there is a lack of comprehensive studies that have analysed the serial discontinuity in direct proximity of weirs including diverse taxonomic groups from algae to fish.2. This study compared the abiotic stream habitat characteristics upstream and downstream of weirs as well as their effects on the community structure of periphyton, aquatic macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish at five different study rivers.3. Physicochemical habitat characteristics discriminated strongly between upstream and downstream sides of weirs in terms of water depth, current speed, substratum composition and the transition between free‐flowing water and interstitial zone. Accordingly, abundance, diversity, community structure and functional ecological traits of all major taxonomic groups were indicative of serial discontinuity, but the discriminative power of individual taxonomic groups strongly differed between rivers.4. The simultaneous inclusion of abiotic habitat variables, taxonomic diversity and biological traits in multivariate non‐metric multidimensional scaling was most comprehensive and powerful for the quantification of weir effects. In some cases, the intrastream discrimination induced by weirs exceeded the variation between geographically distant rivers of different geological origin and drainage systems. Community effects were generally detectable on high levels of taxonomic resolution such as family or order level.5.
Synthesis and applications. River sections in spatial proximity to weirs are affected seriously and should be included in the ecological assessments of the European Water Framework Directive. Multivariate models that include several taxonomic groups and physicochemical habitat variables provide a universally applicable tool for the ecological assessment of impacts on serial discontinuity and other stressors on stream ecosystem health.
The housing and support needs of people with an intellectual disability into older age
Authors: Shaw K. , Cartwright C. , Craig J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackground  People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are growing older as a population cohort. Many live at home with family members who are their carers but who are also becoming older and less able to provide care. The housing and support preferences of people with IDs and their carers into older age are poorly characterised in the literature.Methods  Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 15 people with IDs who work in supported employment and with 10 family members who care for adults with IDs. Data were thematically analysed independently by two researchers.Results  The major themes that emerged were as follows: (1) living arrangements; (2) housing preferences; (3) ageing in place; and (4) transition from informal to formal housing and support services.Conclusions  Participants with an ID and their carers want housing and support that enable people with an ID to maintain and enhance their social networks with their peers as they grow older and require transition to formal housing and support services, and to be able to ‘age in place’. A preference was expressed for models of housing that provide the opportunity for people with an ID to live in close proximity to their peers and in large groups in the community rather than in small, dispersed community housing.
Stage‐specific requirement for Isa1 and Isa2 proteins in the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei and heterologous rescue by human and Blastocystis orthologues
Authors: Long Shaojun , Changmai Piya , Tsaousis Anastasios D. , Skalický Tomáš , Verner Zdeněk , Wen Yan‐Zi , Roger Andrew J. , Lukeš Julius 
Published: July 2011

SummaryIscA/Isa proteins function as alternative scaffolds for the assembly of Fe‐S clusters and/or provide iron for their assembly in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Isa are usually non‐essential and in most organisms are confined to the mitochondrion. We have studied the function of TbIsa1 and TbIsa2 in Trypanosoma brucei, where the requirement for both of them to sustain cell growth depends on the life cycle stage. The TbIsa proteins are abundant in the procyclic form, which contains an active organelle. Both proteins are indispensable for growth, as they are required for the assembly of Fe‐S clusters in mitochondrial aconitase, fumarase and succinate dehydrogenase. Reactive oxygen species but not iron accumulate in the procyclic mitochondrion upon ablation of the TbIsa proteins, but their depletion does not influence the assembly of Fe‐S clusters in cytosolic proteins. In the bloodstream form, which has a downregulated mitochondrion, the TbIsa proteins are non‐essential. The Isa2 orthologue of the anaerobic protist Blastocystis partially rescued the growth and enzymatic activities of TbIsa1/2 knock‐down. Rescues of single knock‐downs as well as heterologous rescues with human Isa orthologues partially recovered the activities of aconitase and fumarase. These results show that the Isa1 and Isa2 proteins of diverse eukaryotes have overlapping functions.
The Isotype of Autoantibodies Influences the Phagocytosis of Antibody‐Coated Platelets in Autoimmune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Hoemberg M. , Stahl D. , Schlenke P. , Sibrowski W. , Pachmann U. , Cassens U. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAutoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is an acquired autoimmune bleeding disorder, characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia because of destruction of auto‐antibody‐coated platelets by Fc‐receptor‐mediated phagocytosis. The destruction of autoantibody‐sensitized platelets by FcγR‐bearing phagocytic cells and the following antigen presentation are considered to play a key role for the pathophysiology of AITP. Although different isotypes of AITP‐mediating autoantibodies, e.g. IgG, IgM and IgA, are frequently found in AITP patients, their role in the pathophysiology of AITP remains unclear. Using a flow cytometric monocyte‐based phagocytosis assay, we investigated the impact of disease‐associated autoantibody isotype in antibody‐mediated phagocytosis of platelets. Platelets, labelled with 5‐chloromethyl fluorescein diacetate (CMFDA), were incubated with AITP patients’ serum characterized by pure IgG or IgM antiplatelet autoantibodies. Labelled platelets were incubated with monocytes. Phagocytosis was defined as the product of percentage of CMFDA‐positive monocytes and mean fluorescence intensity of CMFDA. Adherence of platelets to monocytes was quantified by anti‐CD61‐PerCp in a CMFDA+ CD14+ gate. IgG‐coated platelets showed a significantly higher phagocytic index than IgM‐coated platelets (mean 796 ± 157 versus 539 ± 78, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences regarding platelet adherence to monocytes. The isotype of autoantibodies influences the quantity of in vitro phagocytosis of autologous platelets by monocytes. Therefore, the AITP‐mediating autoantibody isotype should be considered more carefully in pathophysiologic models and furthermore in diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic approaches in AITP.
A sedimentary facies model for stepped, fluvial tufa systems in the Iberian Range (Spain): the Quaternary Piedra and Mesa valleys
Authors: VÁZQUEZ‐URBEZ MARTA , ARENAS CONCHA , PARDO GONZALO 
Published: July 2011

AbstractStratigraphic and sedimentological analyses of the Quaternary tufa and associated deposits in the Piedra and Mesa river valleys allowed a number of stages of their sedimentary evolution to be characterized, and a depositional sedimentary model for this north‐central sector of the Iberian Range (Spain) to be established. The proposed sedimentary facies model may explain tufa arrangements in other medium to high gradient, stepped, fluvial tufa systems with narrow transverse profiles occurring in temperate, semi‐arid areas, in both recent and past scenarios. There are several tufa deposits within the Piedra and Mesa river valleys that, over a maximum thickness of about 90 m, record one or more stages of tufa deposition produced following the fluvial incision of the bedrock or previous tufa deposits. Each depositional stage begins with coarse detrital sedimentation. Six fundamental, vertical sequences of tufa facies with small amounts of detrital material reveal the sedimentary processes that occurred in different fluvial environments: channel areas with: (i) free‐flowing water; (ii) barrages and/or cascades; and (iii) dammed water and palustrine floodplains. The proposed sedimentary model involves narrow, stepped, fluvial valleys in which tufa cascades were common. Alternating intervals of bryophyte and stromatolite facies commonly formed at some cascades. Many of these represented barrage‐cascade structures that consisted of phytoclast rudstones, thick phytoherms of mosses and associated stromatolites, and curtain‐shaped phytoherms of stems. Upstream of these structures, dammed areas with bioclastic sands and silts developed and palustrine vegetation grew. The channel stretches between barrages and/or cascades were loci for extensive stromatolite growth in fast flowing water. The palustrine floodplain was home to pools and drainage channels. The model also explains the growth of some barrages in the River Piedra that surpassed the height of the divide, with the diffluence of the main channel into a secondary course forming other tufa deposits in the area. The distribution and abundance of certain types of tufa facies in fluvial basins may be an indicator of differences in their gradients. The facies studied in this work suggest that the gradient of the ancient River Piedra was steeper than that of the ancient River Mesa. Assuming similar scenarios for climate and hydrology, the depositional settings mentioned above and their dimensions would have been determined mainly by the gradient and width of the associated river valleys. This sedimentary model may also be useful for inferring variations in other river basin slopes, as well as accounting for the presence of tufas in areas that normally have no permanent water input.
Factors predicting persistent thrombocytopenia after living donor liver transplantation in pediatric patients
Authors: Honda Masaki , Yamamoto Hidekazu , Hayashida Shintaro , Suda Hiroko , Ohya Yuki , Lee Kwang‐Jong , Takeichi Takayuki , Asonuma Katsuhiro , Inomata Yukihiro 
Published: July 2011

Honda M, Yamamoto H, Hayashida S, Suda H, Ohya Y, Lee K‐J, Takeichi T, Asonuma K, Inomata Y. Factors predicting persistent thrombocytopenia after living donor liver transplantation in pediatric patients. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 601–605. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Thrombocytopenia is common after LT for pediatric end‐stage liver diseases. Seventy‐six pediatric patients (≤15 yr old) who underwent LDLT were evaluated for the incidence and predictive factors of post‐transplant thrombocytopenia (PLT <100 000/mm3). The prevalence of thrombocytopenia at two wk and at 12 months post‐transplant was 22/76 (28.9%) and 11/62 (17.7%), respectively. Thrombocytopenia at two wk after LDLT was significantly associated with age at transplant, preoperative PLT, GRWR, acute rejection, and CMV infection in univariate analysis. Moreover, preoperative PLT, GRWR, and acute rejection had a strong correlation in multivariate analysis. Thrombocytopenia at 12 months after LDLT was associated only with preoperative PLT. We also demonstrated that vascular complications caused thrombocytopenia and that successful treatment recovered the PLT. These results showed that, in addition to considering the preoperative PLT, post‐operative monitoring of platelets is very helpful for the early detection of adverse events related to the graft liver in pediatric liver transplant patients.
Cheats in a cooperative behaviour? Behavioural differences and breakdown of cooperative behaviour in aggregating, intertidal littorinids (Mollusca)
Authors: Stafford Richard , Davies Mark S. , Williams Gray A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractCooperative behaviours result in the evolution of cheats: individuals that benefit from the behaviour without sharing the costs required to generate the behaviour. Normally the proportion of cheats is small, as large numbers of cheats will result in the breakdown of the behaviour. Using empirical and simulation‐derived results we demonstrate a cooperative behaviour (aggregation between two species of intertidal snails that provides a benefit by reducing desiccation stress) that shows many characteristics similar to those of a cooperative system with cheats present. In this system, the high rocky shore littorinid Echinolittorina malaccana forages for longer after high water than Echinolittorina radiata, which stops foraging and begins to form aggregations earlier. Nevertheless, E. malaccana, the ‘cheat’ in this system, still occupies an equal proportion of the most beneficial places in aggregations. Computer simulations demonstrate that up to 65% of individual snails can show the behaviour of E. malaccana before the breakdown of this aggregation behaviour begins to occur through aggregations becoming smaller, and hence less effective against desiccation. The high proportion of ‘cheats’ possible in this cooperative behaviour implies that different selective pressures may act on individuals of different species in multi‐species cooperative behaviours to those acting on individuals engaging in single species cooperative behaviours. Social symbiosis appears to be occurring between the species, but it appears that both mutualistic and parasitic symbioses are occurring.
Physical habitat and social conditions across a coral reef shape spatial patterns of intraspecific behavioral variation in a demersal fish
Authors: Schrandt Meagan N. , Hardy Kristin M. , Johnson Kaitlin M. , Lema Sean C. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAs coral reef ecosystems decline in health worldwide, reef‐associated fishes are being impacted by changes to their coral reef habitats. While previous studies have shown coral reef structure to affect the demography of reef fishes, changes in reef conditions may also impact the behavior of reef fishes as they cope with altered habitats. In this study, we examined spatial patterns of intraspecific behavioral variation in the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) across the fringing reefs of Curaçao (Caribbean Sea), and explored how this behavioral variation associated with physical and social conditions on the reef. Principal components analysis (PCA) condensed physical parameters of the reef into principal component 1 (PC1), comprising depth, coral cover (%), rugosity, and average hole size (cm2), and principal component 2 (PC2), which represented the number of holes. PC1, but not PC2, increased spatially across the reef as the habitat transitioned from coral rubble in the shallows to live coral on the reef slope. This transition in reef structure was paralleled by changes in social conditions including decreases in bicolor damselfish density in habitats with higher PC1 values. The behavior of bicolor damselfish also varied spatially with greater aggression and more frequent shelter use in habitats with lower PC1 values. Path analysis revealed robust associations between this behavioral variation and physical habitat conditions of the reef, indicating that physical – rather than social – habitat variation is the primary determinant of these spatial patterns of intraspecific behavioral variation. Taken as a whole, this coupling between physical reef structure and behavior suggests that reef fish may show altered behaviors on coral reefs degraded by anthropogenic impacts.
Identification and molecular mapping of PmHNK54: a novel powdery mildew resistance gene in common wheat
Authors: Xu Weigang , Li Chunxin , Hu Lin , Wang Huiwei , Dong Haibin , Zhang Jianzhou , Zan Xiangcun 
Published: July 2011

With 5 figures and 2 tablesAbstractPowdery mildew of wheat is caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer f. sp. tritici (Bgt). Wheat line Zheng 9754 is resistant in Henan Province. In seedling tests with seven Bgt isolates, Zheng 9754 had a different reaction pattern from those of lines Khapli with Pm4a, Armada with Pm4b, 81‐7241 with Pm4c and Lankao 906 with PmLK906. F1 hybrids, 516 F2 plants and 327 F2:3 lines derived from Zheng 9754/Chinese Spring (CS) were used for resistance gene tagging and linkage analysis. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to test the two parents and resistant and susceptible bulks. Subsequently, three polymorphic markers were used for genotyping the F2 and F2:3 populations. Powdery mildew resistance in Zheng 9754 was conferred by a single dominant gene, tentatively designated PmHNK54, flanked by SSR markers Xgwm312, Xgwm372 and Xbarc5 on chromosome 2AL. The resistance gene was closely linked to Xbarc5 and Xgwm312, with genetic distances of 5.0 and 6.0 cM, respectively, and located on the chromosome bin 2AL‐1‐0.85 in the test with a set of deletion lines. The results suggested that PmHNK54 in Zheng 9754 is a new powdery mildew resistance gene in common wheat.
Further characterization of the scab resistance of ‘Frontana’ spring wheat and the relationships between resistance mechanisms
Authors: Yabwalo Dalitso N. , Mergoum Mohamed , Berzonsky William A. 
Published: July 2011

With 2 figures and 2 tablesAbstract‘Frontana’ spring wheat exhibits resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), but it is not clear which genes confer resistance to initial infection or spread. This study assessed the FHB resistance of reciprocal backcross monosomic (RBCM) lines previously developed using Frontana and ‘Chris’. Six RBCM lines differing for Frontana and Chris disomic chromosomes 3A, 6A and 4D were evaluated to determine which chromosome prevents disease establishment or spread after either spray or single floret inoculation (SFI). Data were collected for FHB incidence, severity and spread. The RBCM line with Frontana chromosome 3A expressed the lowest FHB severity and incidence after spray inoculation and the lowest disease spread after SFI. This confirms a major role of Frontana chromosome 3A in resistance to FHB establishment and spread. Frontana chromosomes 6A and 4D also influence resistance but have less of an impact compared with 3A. Significant correlations between disease incidence and severity and between severity and visually Fusarium damaged kernels (VFDK) suggest that type I and type II resistant mechanisms do not function independently in Frontana. Therefore, the metrics used to quantify resistance are interrelated.
Book Reviews
Authors: Boyle Moira 
Published: July 2011

Book reviewed in this article:Pediatric Occupational Therapy Winnie Dunn (Editor)Occupational Therapy: Overcoming Human Performance Deficits Charles Christiansen & Carolyn Baum (Editors)Computers for Children with an Intellectual Disability: A Parents' Guide Tracy Fay & Gwynnyth LlewellynTherapeutic Communication: A Guide to Effective Interpersonal Skills for Health Care Professionals Tova Navarra, Myron Lipkowitz & John Navarra
Low positive predictive value of the ABCD2 score in emergency department transient ischaemic attack diagnoses: the South Western Sydney Transient Ischaemic Attack Study
Authors: Ghia D. , Thomas P. , Cordato D. , Epstein D. , Beran R. G. , Cappelen‐Smith C. , Griffith N. , Hanna I. , McDougall A. , Hodgkinson S. J. , Worthington J. M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackground:  The ABCD2 stroke risk score is recommended in national guidelines for stratifying care in transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients, based on its prediction of early stroke risk. We had become concerned about the score accuracy and its clinical value in modern TIA cohorts.Methods:  We identified emergency department‐diagnosed TIA at two hospitals over 3 years (2004–2006). Cases were followed for stroke occurrence and ABCD2 scores were determined from expert record review. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) of moderate–high ABCD2 scores were determined.Results:  There were 827 indexed TIA diagnoses and record review was possible in 95.4%. Admitted patients had lower 30‐day stroke risk (n= 0) than discharged patients (n= 7; 3.1%) (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in proportion of strokes between those with a low or moderate–high ABCD2 score at 30 (1.2 vs 0.8%), 90 (2.0 vs 1.9%) and 365 days (2.4 vs 2.4%) respectively. At 30 days the sensitivity, specificity and PPV of a moderate–high score were 57% (95% confidence interval (CI) 25.0–84.2), 32.2% (95% CI 29.1–35.6) and 0.75% (95% CI 0.29–1.91) respectively.Conclusions:  Early stroke risk was low after an emergency diagnosis of TIA and significantly lower in admitted patients. Moderate–high ABCD2 scores did not predict early stroke risk. We suggest local validation of ABCD2 before its clinical use and a review of its place in national guidelines.
Can we predict sputum eosinophilia from clinical assessment in patients referred to an adult asthma clinic?
Authors: Yap E. , Chua W. M. , Jayaram L. , Zeng I. , Vandal A. C. , Garrett J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundThere is overwhelming evidence that asthma guidelines aimed at reducing airway inflammation are superior to those based on clinical symptoms alone. This involves targeting eosinophilic inflammation with inhaled corticosteroids.AimBecause induced sputum is not readily available, our study set out to investigate whether the collective or singular use of routine asthma investigations can predict sputum eosinophilia.MethodsEighty patients underwent skin prick testing, blood tests (IgE, full blood count), spirometry, exhaled fraction nitric oxide (FeNO), PD15 to hypertonic saline, and induced sputum testing at first assessment. A predictive model for sputum eosinophilia (defined as ≥3% eosinophils) was sought using routinely available tests.ResultsFifty‐four subjects underwent both induced sputum and FeNO testing. Seventeen (30%) revealed eosinophilic inflammation, nine (16%) neutrophilic, four (7%) mixed granulocytic and 26 (46%) paucigranulocytic. Positive predictors for sputum eosinophilia included low forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)% predicted, raised serum eosinophil, positive smoking history, Polynesian ethnicity and negative asthma family history. There was a non‐statistically significant trend for FeNO predicting sputum eosinophilia. The best combination of predictors was low FEV1% predicted, raised serum eosinophil, positive smoking history and negative family history of asthma.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the serum eosinophil count and FEV1 combined with aspects of a clinical history may provide a simple and practical alternative to assessment of airway (sputum) eosinophilia in the clinical setting. A full blood count can be performed at a substantially lesser cost and with greater accessibility than induced sputum. We feel the time has come for the clinical utility of the serum eosinophil count to be revisited.