bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population dynamics of Arvicanthis niloticus (Rodentia: Muridae) in Kenya
Authors: Delany M. J. , Monro R. H. 
Published: March 2011

The population dynamics of the Grass rat Arvicanthis niloticus were studied in relation to their diet and the climate in the Nakuru district of Kenya between September 1980 and May 1982. Numbers in the study area were low at the end of 1980 with groups of animals isolated in patches of grassy habitat. Local populations declined and some became extinct during the first half of 1981. Breeding began in April, one month after the start of the rains, but with a small initial population and high juvenile mortality, numbers did not increase significantly until September, when animals born earlier in the season were old enough to reproduce. This second generation reproduction was probably very important to the survival of the population over the following dry season when adult mortality was estimated at 15% per month.Reproduction was facilitated by a nutritious diet, consisting mainly of young grasses early in the season and seeds later on. Seed production was itself related to rainfall and as that declined towards the end of 1981, breeding ceased. Arvicanthis were considerably more numerous then than one year previously, with the difference being ascribed to the longer rainy season experienced in 1981 than 1980. The density of animals in favourable habitats increased with immigration from less suitable areas between January and March 1982, and then declined until the end of the study. Breeding resumed in April, one month after the start of the rains.Peak numbers of Arvicanthis were recorded in the middle of the dry season, when few crops were in the ground. They would only become a serious pest to agriculture if they were still abundant at the start of the breeding season some months later. Expansion then could result in very high numbers by harvest time, in August or September.
A biometrical study of the family Tydeidae (Acari, Prostigmata) in the maritime Antarctic, with descriptions of three new taxa
Authors: Usher M. B. , Edwards Marion 
Published: March 2011

A series of 50 male and 42 female mites of the prostigmatid family Tydeidae from the maritime Antarctic were each scored for 67 morphological characters. Ordination of each data set clearly showed the generic groupings described by André (1980).The genera Pretriophtydeus, Paratriophtydeus and Paratydaeolus all appear to be monospecific in maritime Antarctica. Multivariate analysis of the data for the mites in the genus Apotriophtydeus indicated one distinct cluster as well as two diffuse clusters: these clusters are taken to represent three species. Whilst one species, named A. terrorn.sp., is easily recognized, the other two species, A. scotian.sp. and A. penolan.sp., are considered to be sibling species that are only clearly separable by the use of multivariate statistical techniques. Full descriptions of the new taxa are given, as well as a discussion of their geographical ranges and habitat preferences. Pretriophtydeus tilbrooki is also redescribed.
Landscape factors that shape a slow and persistent aquatic invasion: brown trout in Newfoundland 1883–2010
Authors: Westley Peter A. H. , Fleming Ian A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim We investigated watershed‐scale abiotic environmental factors associated with population establishment of one of the ‘world’s 100 worst alien invaders’ on a temperate Atlantic island. Within the context of the conservation implications, we aimed to quantify (1) the early history and demographics (numbers and origins) of human‐mediated brown trout (Salmo trutta) introductions, (2) the current distribution of established populations, and (3) the watershed‐scale environmental factors that may resist or facilitate trout establishment.Location Island of Newfoundland, Canada.Methods We combined field sampling with historical and contemporary records from literature to assemble a presence–absence and physical habitat database for 312 watersheds on Newfoundland. Probability of watershed establishment was modelled with general additive ANCOVA models to control for nonlinear effects of propagule pressure (i.e. the distance to and number of invasion foci within a biologically relevant range) and model performance based on AIC.Results Between 1883 and 1906, 16 watersheds were introduced with brown trout from the Howietoun Hatchery, near Stirling, Scotland. Since that time, populations have established in 51 additional watersheds at an estimated rate of spread of 4 km per year. We did not detect any obvious abiotic barriers to resist trout establishment, but showed that for a given amount of propagule pressure that relatively large and productive watersheds were most likely to be established.Main conclusions Brown trout have successfully invaded and established populations in watersheds of Newfoundland and are currently slowly expanding on the island. Populations are more likely to establish in relatively large and productive watersheds, thereby supporting predictions of island biogeography theory. However, we suggest that all watersheds in Newfoundland are potentially susceptible to successful brown trout invasion and that abiotic factors alone are unlikely to act sufficiently as barriers to population establishment.
Incorporating evolutionary processes into conservation planning using species distribution data: a case study with the western Mediterranean herpetofauna
Authors: Carvalho Sílvia B. , Brito José C. , Crespo Eduardo J. , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim To incorporate evolutionary processes into conservation planning using species distribution patterns and environmental gradients as surrogates for genetic diversity.Location Western Mediterranean Basin.Methods Distributions of 154 herpetological species were predicted using maximum entropy models, and groups of significantly co‐occurring species (biotic elements) were identified. Environmental gradients were characterized for the complete area and for the area covered by each biotic element, by performing a principal component analysis on the data matrix composed of nine environmental variables. The first two principal component analysis axes were classified into four categories each, and those categories were combined with each other resulting in an environmental classification with 16 categories. To identify priority conservation areas, biotic elements and environmental categories were used as surrogates for the neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity, respectively. Priority areas for conservation were identified under three scenarios: (1) setting targets for species only; (2) setting targets for species and for each environmental category of the overall area; and (3) setting targets for each species and for each environmental category within each biotic element.Results Nine biotic elements were identified – four for the amphibians and five for the reptiles. Priority areas identified in the three scenarios were similar in terms of amount of area selected, but exhibited low spatial agreement.Main conclusions Prioritization exercises that integrate surrogates for evolutionary processes can deliver spatial priorities that are fairly different to those where only species representation is considered. While new methods are emerging to incorporate molecular data in conservation prioritization, it is unlikely to be enough data for enough taxa for this to be feasible in many regions. We develop an approach using surrogates for both the neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity that may enhance biodiversity persistence and representation when molecular data are not available or geographically comprehensive.
Male‐skewed adult sex ratio, survival, mating opportunity and annual productivity in the Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Authors: STENZEL LYNNE E. , PAGE GARY W. , WARRINER JANE C. , WARRINER JOHN S. , NEUMAN KRISTINA K. , GEORGE DOUGLAS E. , EYSTER CARLETON R. , BIDSTRUP FRANCES C. 
Published: March 2011

Sex differences in adult mortality may be responsible for male‐skewed adult sex ratios and male‐skewed parental care in some birds. Because a surplus of breeding males has been reported in serially polyandrous populations of Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus, we examined sex ratio, early‐season nesting opportunities, adult survival and annual reproductive success of a Snowy Plover population at Monterey Bay, California. We tested the hypotheses that male adult survival was greater than female survival and that a sex difference in adult survival led to a skewed adult sex ratio, different mating opportunities and different annual productivity between the sexes. Virtually all females left chicks from their first broods to the care of the male and re‐nested with a new mate. As a result, females had time to parent three successful nesting attempts during the lengthy breeding season, whereas males had time for only two successful attempts. Among years, the median population of nesting Plovers was 96 males and 84 females (median difference = 9), resulting in one extra male per eight pairs. The number of potential breeders without mates during the early nesting period each year was higher in males than in females. Adult male survival (0.734 ± 0.028 se) was higher than female survival (0.693 ± 0.030 se) in top‐ranked models. Annually, females parented more successful clutches and fledged more chicks than their first mates of the season. Our results suggest that in C. alexandrinus a sex difference in adult survival results in a male‐skewed sex ratio, which creates more nesting opportunities and greater annual productivity for females than for males.
Acquisition of the 3D boundary of the Triglav glacier from archived non‐metric panoramic images
Authors: Triglav‐čekada Mihaela , Radovan Dalibor , Gabrovec Matej , Kosmatin‐Fras Mojca 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA panoramic, non‐metric, Horizont camera has been used for regular, monthly, close‐range photography of the rapidly retreating Triglav glacier in Slovenia since 1976. The unfavourable geometry of the convergent images taken from the two camera stations has made any direct stereoscopic observation and recording impossible. The aim of this research was to define the most useful method for acquiring 3D data from these panoramic, convergent images. The Horizont camera was calibrated and three methods were then tested: the generation of pseudo‐orthophotographs, the application of 2D clinometry and the interactive orientation of a detailed digital elevation model (DEM) on the images. The third turned out to be the only method suitable for determining the boundary of the Triglav glacier.The interactive orientation of a detailed DEM on the Horizont images is described in detail. The 3D glacier boundary can be acquired from individual Horizont images (camera stations A and B) enabling the computation of the glacier’s area and theoretical volume. By repeating the glacier boundary acquisition for different orientation parameters, the standard deviations of the glacier area and theoretical volume were computed. Because of the more precise average area and volume measurements achieved with the camera station B images, only these were chosen for the glacier disappearance study. Every third year between 1976 and 2005 the Horizont images were used to compute the changes in the area and volume of the glacier. The glacier area was found to have reduced to 8% of its earlier size, from 15 ha in 1976 to 1·2 ha in 2000. However, owing to harsher than average winters since then the decline in the glacier area was found to have slowed in the past decade (2000 to 2009). The glacier’s theoretical volume decreased roughly exponentially from 1976 to 2005.
The collinearity equations as a helpful tool in the design and construction of sundials
Authors: Juliá José E. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn the past, designing sundials implied graphical procedures which, though ingenious, were in general cumbersome and time‐consuming. Difficulties increased even more if, instead of solar time, civil time was required. For positions of the dial plate other than the classical horizontal and vertical, these procedures became extremely complicated. By applying the collinearity equations familiar in photogrammetry, this problem is greatly simplified and computer programs can be readily written for any position of the dial plate. Some examples of sundials telling the official time of a country are shown.
Public Engagement for Informing Science and Technology Policy: What Do We Know, What Do We Need to Know, and How Will We Get There?
Authors: PytlikZillig Lisa M. , Tomkins Alan J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis article examines social science relevant to public engagements and identifies the challenges to the goal of meaningful public input into science and technology policy. Specifically, when considering “which forms, features, and conditions of public engagement are optimal for what purposes, and why?” we find social science has not clarified matters. We offer a model to guide systematic research that defines and empirically connects variations in features and types of public engagement activities to specifically defined variations in effective processes and outcomes. The specification of models, as we have done, will guide policy makers, practitioners, and the public in determining what kinds of engagement techniques are optimal for what kinds of purposes. Our model is presented to start conversations and inspire research that in the future should help to ensure meaningful public participation that meets the promise of contributing thoughtful societal values and perspectives into governmental policies impacting science and technology research.
The globalization of nurse migration: Policy issues and responses
Authors: YEATES Nicola 
Published: March 2011

Abstract.Many countries are involved in the “production” and overseas recruitment of care workers in a major international response to the “care crisis” affecting advanced industrialized economies. But the distribution of gains and losses from care‐labour migration is becoming increasingly unequal, and the pressure to develop alternative policies is intensifying. The author assesses the relevance of different policy approaches to nurse migration in promoting sustainability, social equity, the “care commons” and social development. She argues for sustained international cooperation and coordination to address the major global challenges that nurse migration currently poses for public health, social reproduction and social development.
Influences of hyaluronic acid on the anticandidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system
Authors: Kang J‐H , Kim Y‐Y , Chang J‐Y , Kho H‐S 
Published: March 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 577–583Objective:  To investigate the fungistatic and fungicidal activity of hyaluronic acid (HA) and the influences of HA on the anticandidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system.Materials and Methods:  HA, hen egg‐white lysozyme, and the bovine lactoperoxidase system were used. Candida albicans ATCC 10231, 18804, and 11006 strains were used in the experiments. The fungistatic activity of HA was determined by measuring the optical densities of the cultures. The candidacidal activity of HA and the influences of HA on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system were determined by comparing the numbers of colony‐forming units.Results:  Hyaluronic acid displayed inhibitory effects on the growth of C. albicans, and the inhibitory effects were proportional to HA concentration. HA did not have any measurable candidacidal activity. HA showed inhibitory effects on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme, and the peroxidase system that was proportional to HA concentration. HA at 1.0–2.0 mg ml−1 almost completely inhibited the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system.Conclusions:  Hyaluronic acid possesses fungistatic activity but no candidacidal activity. HA showed inhibitory effects on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase system.
Morbidity and mortality in Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY)
Authors: Bojesen Anders , Gravholt Claus H 
Published: March 2011

AbstractKlinefelter syndrome (KS) (47,XXY) is the most common sex chromosome disorder in man and is a relatively common cause of male infertility and hypogonadism. The syndrome has been known since 1942, and many reports of different diseases associated with KS have been reported since that, but a more systematic knowledge about the long‐term outcome was not described until the last decade, where nation‐wide epidemiological studies were reported from Britain and Denmark. We here review the epidemiological data from two cohorts of patients with KS in Denmark and Britain, showing a significant increase in both mortality and morbidity from a variety of different causes. Mortality was increased by 50% (SMR 1.5 or HR 1.4) corresponding to a median loss of approximately 2 years. The risk of being admitted to hospital with any diagnosis was increased by 70%. The underlying reason for the poorer health in KS may be caused by interaction of genetic, hormonal and socio‐economic factors.Conclusion: Both morbidity and mortality are significantly increased in Klinefelter syndrome with a 50% increase in mortality risk and a 70% increase in risk of being admitted to hospital.
A Comparison of Fit of CNC‐Milled Titanium and Zirconia Frameworks to Implants
Authors: Abduo Jaafar , Lyons Karl , Waddell Neil , Bennani Vincent , Swain Michael 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground: Computer numeric controlled (CNC) milling was proven to be predictable method to fabricate accurately fitting implant titanium frameworks. However, no data are available regarding the fit of CNC‐milled implant zirconia frameworks.Purpose: To compare the precision of fit of implant frameworks milled from titanium and zirconia and relate it to peri‐implant strain development after framework fixation.Materials and Methods: A partially edentulous epoxy resin models received two Branemark implants in the areas of the lower left second premolar and second molar. From this model, 10 identical frameworks were fabricated by mean of CNC milling. Half of them were made from titanium and the other half from zirconia. Strain gauges were mounted close to the implants to qualitatively and quantitatively assess strain development as a result of framework fitting. In addition, the fit of the framework implant interface was measured using an optical microscope, when only one screw was tightened (passive fit) and when all screws were tightened (vertical fit). The data was statistically analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test.Results: All frameworks produced measurable amounts of peri‐implant strain. The zirconia frameworks produced significantly less strain than titanium. Combining the qualitative and quantitative information indicates that the implants were under vertical displacement rather than horizontal. The vertical fit was similar for zirconia (3.7 µm) and titanium (3.6 µm) frameworks; however, the zirconia frameworks exhibited a significantly finer passive fit (5.5 µm) than titanium frameworks (13.6 µm).Conclusions: CNC milling produced zirconia and titanium frameworks with high accuracy. The difference between the two materials in terms of fit is expected to be of minimal clinical significance. The strain developed around the implants was more related to the framework fit rather than framework material.
APPLICATION OF THE RESPONSE SURFACE ANALYSIS METHOD TO THE STUDY OF SALT AND WATER PROFILES IN GOAT'S CHEESE SALTED IN LAYERS
Authors: SANTAPAOLA J. , ANDRÉS A. , MALDONADO S. , FERNÁNDEZ M. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTWith the purpose of determining sodium chloride and water distribution profiles, a series of analyses were carried out on goat's cheese that had been salted by a traditional method from the province of Jujuy (Argentina). This process consists of distributing layers of dry salt between layers of curd of a constant height during the moulding operation. The sodium chloride and water concentration profiles were analyzed in relation to the height and distance of the cheese samples from the center. The response surface analysis methodology was used to interpret the results. The highest water concentration was obtained in the lower external zone, this being connected to the gravitational effect of syneresis and its contact with the cheese inside the container. In the sodium chloride profile, it was observed that the upper zone of the cheese presented the concentration furthest from the average value. This indicates that salt and water distribution can be improved by increasing the frequency of turning the cheeses after salting.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSA fundamental variable in the formulation and control over the cheese manufacturing process is the salt concentration and its profile within the product. In the case of the goat cheese, which is traditionally manufactured in the province of Jujuy, the salting is mostly made by dry salt distribution. The product have a variable salt content and heterogeneous flavor. A detailed understanding of the factors that influence in the salt distribution must allow producers to optimize the salting stage and thus improve the quality of the final product. An analysis of the salt and moisture concentration profiles developed throughout the mass transfer process is a good method to clarify the reach of the mechanisms involved in it.
Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi Antibody Profile in Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome
Authors: Chandra Abhishek , Wormser Gary P. , Marques Adriana R. , Latov Norman , Alaedini Armin 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTPatients with post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS) report persistent symptoms of pain, fatigue, and/or concentration and memory disturbances despite antibiotic treatment for Lyme borreliosis. The etiopathogenesis of these symptoms remains unknown and no effective therapies have been identified. We sought to examine the antiborrelia antibody profile in affected patients with the aim of finding clues to the mechanism of the syndrome and its relationship to the original spirochetal infection. Serum specimens from 54 borrelia-seropositive PLDS patients were examined for antibodies toBorrelia burgdorferiproteins p18, p25, p28, p30, p31, p34, p39, p41, p45, p58, p66, p93, and VlsE by automated immunoblotting and software-assisted band analysis. The presence of serum antibodies to the 31-kDa band was further investigated by examination of reactivity against purified recombinant OspA protein. Control specimens included sera from 14 borrelia-seropositive individuals with a history of early localized or disseminated Lyme disease who were symptom free (post-Lyme healthy group), as well as 20 healthy individuals without serologic evidence or history of Lyme disease. In comparison to the post-Lyme healthy group, higher frequencies of antibodies to p28 (P< 0.05), p30 (P< 0.05), p31 (P< 0.0001), and p34 (P< 0.05) proteins were found in the PLDS group. Assessment of antibody reactivity to recombinant OspA confirmed the presence of elevated levels in PLDS patients (P< 0.005). The described antiborrelia antibody profile in PLDS offers clues about the course of the antecedent infection in affected patients, which may be useful for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of the disease.
Successful Memory Response following a Booster Dose with a Virosome-Formulated Hepatitis A Vaccine Delayed Up to 11 Years
Authors: Hatz Christoph , van der Ploeg Robert , Beck Bernhard R. , Frösner Gert , Hunt Marjory , Herzog Christian 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBoosting adult travelers with the virosome-formulated, aluminum-free hepatitis A vaccine Epaxal up to 128 months after a single primary dose confers full protection against hepatitis A, even in travelers aged 50 years and above. Delaying the booster dose did not influence the immune memory response to Epaxal.