bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using multivariate adaptive regression splines to predict the distributions of New Zealand's freshwater diadromous fish
Authors: LEATHWICK J. R. , ROWE D. , RICHARDSON J. , ELITH J. , HASTIE T. 
Published: October 2005

Summary1. Relationships between probabilities of occurrence for fifteen diadromous fish species and environmental variables characterising their habitat in fluvial waters were explored using an extensive collection of distributional data from New Zealand rivers and streams. Environmental predictors were chosen for their likely functional relevance, and included variables describing conditions in the stream segment where sampling occurred, downstream factors affecting the ability of fish to move upriver from the sea, and upstream, catchment‐scale factors mostly affecting variation in river flows.2. Analyses were performed using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), a technique that uses piece‐wise linear segments to describe non‐linear relationships between species and environmental variables. All species were analysed using an option that allows simultaneous analysis of community data to identify the combination of environmental variables best able to predict the occurrence of the component species. Model discrimination was assessed for each species using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) statistic, calculated using a bootstrap procedure that estimates performance when predictions are made to independent data.3. Environmental predictors having the strongest overall relationships with probabilities of occurrence included distance from the sea, stream size, summer temperature, and catchment‐scale drivers of variation in stream flow. Many species were also sensitive to variation in either the average and/or maximum downstream slope, and riparian shade was an important predictor for some species.4. Analysis results were imported into a Geographic Information System where they were combined with extensive environmental data, allowing spatially explicit predictions of probabilities of occurrence by species to be made for New Zealand's entire river network. This information will provide a valuable context for future conservation management in New Zealand's rivers and streams.
Threshold elemental ratios for carbon versus phosphorus limitation in Daphnia
Authors: ANDERSON THOMAS R. , HESSEN DAG O. 
Published: October 2005

Summary1. The transition from carbon (C) to phosphorus (P) limited growth in Daphnia depends not only on the C : P ratio in seston, i.e. food quality, but also on food quantity. Carbon is commonly believed to be limiting at low food because of the energetic demands of basal metabolism. The critical C : P ratio in seston (otherwise known as the threshold elemental ratio, TER) above which P is limiting would then be high when food is scarce.2. A new model that differentiates between the C : P requirements for growth and maintenance is presented that includes terms for both C and P in basal metabolism. At low food the calculated TERs for Daphnia of around 230 are only slightly higher than values of 200 or so at high intake. Seston C : P often exceeds 230, particularly in oligotrophic lakes where phytoplankton concentration is low and detritus dominates the diet, indicating the potential for limitation by P.3. The analysis highlights the importance of P, as well as C, in maintenance metabolism and the overall metabolic budget, such that food quality is of importance even when intake is low. Further measurements of C and P metabolism at low food, in particular basal respiration and excretion rates, are needed in order to improve our understanding of the interacting roles of food quantity and quality in zooplankton nutrition.
Direct and indirect effects of solar ultraviolet‐B radiation on long‐term decomposition
Authors: Pancotto Verónica A. , Sala Osvaldo E. , Robson T. Matthew , Caldwell Martyn M. , Scopel Ana L. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAs a result of stratospheric ozone depletion, more solar ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B, 280–315 nm) is reaching the Earth's surface. Enhanced levels of UV‐B may, in turn, alter ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Solar UV‐B radiation could affect decomposition both indirectly, by changes in the chemical composition of leaves during growth, or directly by photochemical breakdown of litter and through changes in decomposer communities exposed to sunlight. In this experiment, we studied indirect and direct effects of solar UV‐B radiation on decomposition of barley (Hordeum vulgare). We used barley straw and leaf litter grown under reduced UV‐B (20% of ambient UV‐B) or under near‐ambient UV‐B (90% of ambient UV‐B) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and decomposed the litter under reduced or near‐ambient solar UV‐B for 29 months in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.We found that the UV‐B treatment applied during growth decreased the decay rate. On the other hand, there was a marginally significant direct effect of elevated UV‐B during the early stages of decomposition, suggesting increased mass loss. The effect of UV‐B during growth on decomposition was likely the result of changes in plant litter chemical composition. Near‐ambient UV‐B received during plant growth decreased the concentrations of nitrogen, soluble carbohydrates, and N/P ratio, and increased the concentrations of phosphorus, cellulose, UV‐B‐absorbing compounds, and lignin/N ratio. Thus, solar UV‐B radiation affects the decomposition of barley litter directly and indirectly, and indirect effects are persistent for the whole decomposition period.
Evidence of history in explaining diversity patterns in tropical riverine fish
Authors: Tedesco Pablo A. , Oberdorff Thierry , Lasso Carlos A. , Zapata Milton , Hugueny Bernard 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAim  Documentation of the ongoing effect of rain forest refuges at the last glacial maximum (LGM) on patterns of tropical freshwater fish diversity.Location  Tropical South and Central America, and West Africa.Methods  LGM rain forest regions and species richness by drainage were compiled from published data. GIS mapping was applied to compile drainage area and contemporary primary productivity. We used multiple regression analyses, applied separately for Tropical South America, Central America and West Africa, to assess differences in species richness between drainages that were connected and disconnected to rain forest refuge zones during the LGM. Spatial autocorrelation of the residuals was tested using Moran's I statistic. We added an intercontinental comparison to our analyses to see if a historical signal would persist even when a regional historical effect (climate at the LGM) had already been accounted for.Results  Both area and history (contact with LGM rain forest refuge) explained the greatest proportions of variance in the geographical pattern of riverine species richness. In the three examined regions, we found highest richness in drainages that were connected to the rain forest refuges. No significant residual spatial autocorrelation was detected after considering area, primary productivity and LGM rain forest refuges. These results show that past climatic events still affect West African and Latin American regional and continental freshwater fish richness. At the continental scale, we found South American rivers more species‐rich than expected on the basis of their area, productivity and connectedness to rain forest refuge. Conversely, Central American rivers were less species‐diverse than expected by the grouped model. African rivers were intermediate. Therefore, a historical signal persists even when a regional historical effect (climate at the LGM) had already been accounted for.Main conclusions  It has been hypothesized that past climatic events have limited impact on species richness because species have tracked environmental changes through range shifts. However, when considering organisms with physically constrained dispersal (such as freshwater fish), past events leave a perceptible imprint on present species diversity. Furthermore, we considered regions that have comparable contemporary climatic and environmental characteristics, explaining the absence of a productivity effect. From the LGM to the present day (a time scale of 18,000 years), extinction processes should have played a predominant role in shaping the current diversity pattern. By contrast, the continental effects could reflect historical contingencies explained by differences in speciation and extinction rates between continents at higher time scales (millions of years).
A survey of off‐label prescribing for inpatients with mild intellectual disability and mental illness
Authors: Haw C. , Stubbs J. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground  The term ‘off‐label prescribing’ refers to the use of a drug outside the terms of its Marketing Authorisation, including prescribing for an unlicensed indication. There have been few reports about off‐label prescribing in psychiatry. The aims of the study were to determine the frequency of off‐label prescribing of psychotropics for inpatients with mild intellectual disability (ID) and mental illness resident in a large psychiatric hospital, the nature of the off‐label clinical indications and details about patient consent and case note documentation of the off‐label usage.Methods  Cross‐sectional survey of inpatients of the ID division of a charitable hospital was carried out. Interviews with consultant psychiatrists about off‐label use of psychotropics were also made.Results  Of the 56 patients studied, 38 (67.9%) were receiving one or more psychotropic drugs and 26 (46.4%) were receiving at least one off‐label psychotropic. The most frequently cited off‐label indications were: reduction of aggression, arousal and behavioural disturbance (14 cases) and mood stabilization of affective disturbance (13). The principle psychotropics involved were atypical antipsychotics (17 cases) and mood stabilizers (13). Although in most instances the psychiatrist was aware the drug was being used off‐label and had consulted other professionals, in only two (6%) instances had the patient been informed of the off‐label usage, largely because the psychiatrist felt they lacked the capacity to understand the off‐label concept. In most cases the off‐label usage had not been documented in the case notes.Conclusions  Off‐label prescribing is common in patients with comorbid ID and mental disorder. When prescribing off‐label, psychiatrists need to consider the evidence that the drug is likely to be effective for the unlicensed indication and any risks involved. Where there is limited evidence of benefit a trial of the drug, with clinical monitoring may be indicated. Patients should be fully informed about their medication. However, many patients with ID cannot understand the off‐label concept. In some circumstances psychiatrists may find it helpful to consult other professionals before prescribing off‐label. Good case note documentation of the process is important and supports the prescriber.
Personality disorders in people with learning disabilities: follow‐up of a community survey
Authors: Lidher J. , Martin D. M. , Jayaprakash M. S. , Roy A. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground  A sample of community‐based service users with intellectual disability (ID) was re‐examined after 5 years to determine the impact of a diagnosis of personality disorder (PD).Methods  Seventy‐five of the original 101 participants were followed up. Of these, 21 people had a PD identified during the original study.Results  Compared with controls, people with a PD were significantly more likely to receive central nervous system (CNS) drugs, have more contact with psychiatric services, show increased offending behaviour, score higher on the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist and score above the threshold on the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disability (PAS‐ADD). Participants with PD recorded were more likely to have a recorded psychiatric disorder, have contact with specialist teams, and have more hospital admissions.Conclusion  People with ID and PD are able to live in the community with specialist support but improved assessment, diagnosis and support services need to be targeted more effectively to them.
The behavioural profile of psychiatric disorders in persons with intellectual disability
Authors: Kishore M. T. , Nizamie S. H. , Nizamie A. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground  Problems associated with psychiatric diagnoses could be minimized by identifying behavioural clusters of specific psychiatric disorders.Methods  Sixty persons with intellectual disability (ID) and behavioural problems, aged 12–55 years, were assessed with standardized Indian tools for intelligence and adaptive behaviour. Clinical diagnoses were conferred as per International Classification of Diseases – 10th Revision (ICD‐10) criteria. Subsequently Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behaviors (RSMB) and AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale‐Part II were administered independently.Results  Aggression and rebellious behaviours were more common in affective disorders and personality disorders. Psychotic and paranoid features were significantly more in psychosis group. Those with behavioural problems had significantly low scores on the sub‐scales of RSMB.Conclusion  RSMB and AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale‐Part II will be useful to identify behavioural clusters, which will complement clinical psychiatric diagnoses in individuals with ID.
Reliability Evaluation of Sampling Plan Fixed by Council Directive 91/68/EEC for the Maintenance of Officially Brucellosis‐free Flock Status
Authors: De Massis F. , Petrini A. , Giovannini A. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryThe European Union (EU) strategy with respect to sheep and goat brucellosis aims to eradicate the infection and achieve officially brucellosis‐free (OBF) status in all EU holdings and territories. Council Directive 91/68/EEC of 28 January 1991 states that to maintain OBF status of ovine or caprine holdings located outside an OBF territory, only a representative number of animals need to be tested annually. However, depending on the number of animals in a holding, this testing method risks non‐detection of the infection, thereby reducing the efficacy of the brucellosis control plan. The recommended sampling procedure has a low sensitivity for detecting infection in medium‐sized flocks; furthermore, the risk of not detecting re‐infection in OBF flocks, particularly in territories that have not yet gained OBF status, is also not acceptable. Moreover, in large‐sized flocks, the Directive sampling procedure entails taking an excessive number of samples, which can be very expensive. The authors evaluated, by using statistical analyses and a simulation model based on field data, the possible consequences of the current EU strategy. It is suggested that the sampling criteria for the maintenance of OBF status in the EU should be modified and that a statistically based sampling method should be applied instead of the fixed percentage method that is currently in use.
Recognition of a B‐cell Epitope of the VapA Protein ofRhodococcus equiin Newborn and Experimentally Infected Foals
Authors: Phumoonna T. , Barton M. D. , Heuzenroeder M. W. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the previously identified B‐cell epitope TSLNLQKDEPNGRASDTAGQ of the VapA protein ofRhodococcus equiand its association withR. equipneumonia. A modified peptide designated PN11‐14 corresponding to the epitope was recognized by all sera from experimentally infected foals with virulentR. equiATCC103+containing the virulence plasmid but not by its plasmid‐cured derivative ATCC103−strain. Marked levels of VapA‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G were detected in all sera from the ATCC103+infected foals at 2 weeks after the infection. One control animal had high titres as determined by the peptide enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indicating the ELISA may not absolutely differentiate between foals withR. equipneumonia and healthy exposed foals in farms where the prevalence of disease is high. However, numbers of animals used were small. Further evaluation of the peptide ELISA with field samples is necessary to determine whether the assay is diagnostically useful. This study showed that levels of passive transfer of maternal IgG antibodies to the epitope in newborn foals could be measured. Interestingly, the maternally derived antibodies were found to significantly (P < 0.05 by Student'st‐test) decline 2 weeks after birth. Seroconversion against naturally occurring VapA expressingR. equicould be detected in some foals at 4 weeks of age. Antibodies to the epitope peaked and were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in foals aged between 6 and 8 weeks. These results indicated that the peptide ELISA could be used to monitor anti‐VapA antibodies in foals, particularly those at the age of 4–6 weeks. It is possible that the ELISA may be of some use as a diagnostic test on farms whereR. equiis non‐endemic. Further studies using large number of field samples are needed to verify this assumption.
Zero tolerance ecology: improving ecological inference by modelling the source of zero observations
Authors: Martin Tara G. , Wintle Brendan A. , Rhodes Jonathan R. , Kuhnert Petra M. , Field Scott A. , Low‐Choy Samantha J. , Tyre Andrew J. , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA common feature of ecological data sets is their tendency to contain many zero values. Statistical inference based on such data are likely to be inefficient or wrong unless careful thought is given to how these zeros arose and how best to model them. In this paper, we propose a framework for understanding how zero‐inflated data sets originate and deciding how best to model them. We define and classify the different kinds of zeros that occur in ecological data and describe how they arise: either from ‘true zero’ or ‘false zero’ observations. After reviewing recent developments in modelling zero‐inflated data sets, we use practical examples to demonstrate how failing to account for the source of zero inflation can reduce our ability to detect relationships in ecological data and at worst lead to incorrect inference. The adoption of methods that explicitly model the sources of zero observations will sharpen insights and improve the robustness of ecological analyses.
The DIACOM study (effect of DosIng frequency of oral Antidiabetic agents on the COMpliance and biochemical control of type 2 diabetes)
Authors: Kardas P. 
Published: October 2005

Aim:  Sulphonylureas are widely used in the management of type 2 diabetes. The effectiveness of treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs depends largely on patient compliance. The objective of the DIACOM (effect of DosIng frequency of oral Antidiabetic agents on the COMpliance and biochemical control of type 2 diabetes) study was to compare the compliance of patients treated with once‐daily (od) or twice‐daily (bid) sulphonylureas.Methods:  One hundred and five patients, previously treated with glibenclamide, were randomized to receive gliclazide in modified‐release formulation (MR) once daily or glibenclamide twice daily for 16 weeks, using an electronic monitoring system (MEMS®).Results:  A significant difference in compliance was observed between the two groups. The overall compliance was 93.5 ± 14.0% in the once‐daily gliclazide MR group and 87.2 ± 21.1% in the twice‐daily glibenclamide group (p < 0.05), and the correct number of doses was taken on 86.3 ± 15.4 and 66.9 ± 29.0% of treatment days respectively (p < 0.0001). The percentage of missed doses was 9.3 ± 12.5% in the once‐daily group and 17.5 ± 18.0% in the twice‐daily group (p < 0.01). The percentage of doses taken in the correct time window and correct interdose interval was higher in the once‐daily group, as was therapeutic coverage. Patients in the gliclazide MR group also achieved significantly better glycaemic control [fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)] than those treated with glibenclamide (p < 0.0001).Conclusions:  The study demonstrates that patient compliance with once‐daily gliclazide MR is significantly better than with twice‐daily glibenclamide. Consistently better efficacy was observed for short‐term (fasting glucose) and long‐term glycaemic control (HbA1c) in the once‐daily group. These results demonstrate the possible therapeutic advantages of once‐daily agents over twice‐daily agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Relationship between pedometer‐registered activity, aerobic capacity and self‐reported activity and fitness in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bjørgaas M. , Vik J. T. , Sæterhaug A. , Langlo L. , Sakshaug T. , Mohus R. M. , Grill V. 
Published: October 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pedometer‐registered activity, aerobic capacity (VO2max) and self‐reported activity and fitness in patients with type 2 diabetes before and after a 12‐week exercise programme.Methods:  Twenty‐nine men with type 2 diabetes (age = 57.4 (7.8) years, BMI = 31.7 (2.8) kg/m2) underwent exercise testing, registered pedometer activity and reported their physical fitness and activity in a questionnaire. Participants were randomly allocated to an exercise (EX) group (n = 15) or a control (CO) group (n = 14). Participants in EX group were offered supervised exercise twice a week for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, participants again underwent exercise testing, fasting blood tests and registration of pedometer activity.Results:  At baseline, pedometer activity correlated with VO2max (r = 0.43, p = 0.02) and with perceived physical fitness (r = 0.48, p = 0.02). After, but not before, intervention, pedometer activity and VO2max additionally correlated with perceived everyday activity (r = 0.62, p < 0.01 and r = 0.49, p = 0.03, respectively). Both EX and CO groups tended to increase pedometer activity. In EX group, weight decreased by 2.7% (p = 0.01), VO2max increased 10.6% (p = 0.03) and HbA1c decreased by 5.2% from baseline (p = 0.02). In EX group, an increase in pedometer activity correlated with a fall in HbA1c (r = 0.84, p < 0.01) and in diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.77, p = 0.025).Conclusions:  Pedometer activity correlates with VO2max in type‐2 diabetic patients. Our exercise programme was well tolerated; it produced favourable effects on body weight, aerobic capacity and metabolic control. The use of pedometer may lead to more realistic assessment of perceived everyday physical activity.