Conceptual Ecological Modelling of Shallow Sublittoral Sand Habitats to Inform Indicator Selection

The purpose of this study is to produce a series of conceptual ecological models (CEMs) which represent shallow sublittoral sand habitats in the UK. CEMs are diagrammatic representations of the influences and processes which occur within an ecosystem. They can be used to identify critical aspects of an ecosystem which may be taken forward for further study, or serve as the basis for the selection of indicators for environmental monitoring purposes. The models produced by this project are control diagrams, representing the unimpacted state of the environment free from anthropogenic pressures. The project scope included the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) predominant habitat type ‘shallow sublittoral sand’. This definition includes those habitats which fall into the EUNIS Level 4 classifications A5.23 Infralittoral Fine Sand, A5.24 Infralittoral Muddy Sand, A5.25 Circalittoral Fine Sand and A5.26 Circalittoral Muddy Sand, along with their constituent Level 5 biotopes which are relevant to UK waters. A species list of characterising fauna to be included within the scope of the models was identified using an iterative process to refine the full list of species found within the relevant Level 5 biotopes. A literature review was conducted to gather evidence regarding species traits and information to inform the models. All information gathered during the literature review was entered into a data logging pro forma spreadsheet which accompanies this report. Wherever possible, attempts were made to collect information from UK-specific peer-reviewed studies, although other sources were used where necessary. All data gathered was subject to a detailed confidence assessment. Expert judgement by the project team was utilised to provide information for aspects of the models for which references could not be sourced within the project timeframe. A model hierarchy was developed based on groups of fauna with similar species traits which aligned with previous sensitivity studies of ecological groups. A general model was produced to indicate the high level drivers, inputs, biological assemblages, ecosystem processes and outputs which occur in shallow sublittoral sand habitats. In addition to this, four detailed sub-models were produced. Each focussed on a particular functional group of fauna within the habitat: “suspension and deposit feeding infauna”, “small mobile fauna and tube dwelling species”, “mobile epifauna, scavengers and predators”, and “attached epifauna and macroalgae”. Each sub-model is accompanied by an associated confidence model which presents confidence in the links between each model component. The models are split into seven levels and take spatial and temporal scale into account through their design, as well as magnitude and direction of influence. The seven levels include regional to global drivers, water column processes, local inputs/processes at the seabed, habitat and biological assemblage, output processes, local ecosystem functions, and regional to global ecosystem functions. The models indicate that whilst the high level drivers which affect each functional group are largely similar, the output processes performed by the biota and the resulting ecosystem functions vary both in number and importance between groups. Confidence within the models as a whole is generally high, reflecting the level of information gathered during the literature review. Important drivers which influence the ecosystem include factors such as wave exposure, depth, water currents, climate and propagule supply. These factors, in combination with seabed and water column processes such as primary production, seabed mobility, suspended sediments, water chemistry and temperature and recruitment define and influence the biological assemblages. In addition, the habitat sediment type plays an important factor in shaping the biology of the habitat. Conceptual Ecological Modelling of Shallow Sublittoral Sand Habitats Output processes are variable between functional faunal groups depending on the fauna present. Important processes include secondary production, biodeposition, bioturbation, bioengineering and the supply of propagules. These influence ecosystem functions at the local scale such as nutrient and biogeochemical cycling, supply of food resources, sediment stability, habitat provision and in some cases microbial activity. The export of biodiversity and organic matter, biodiversity enhancement and biotope stability are the resulting ecosystem functions which occur at the regional to global scale. Features within the models which are most useful for monitoring habitat status and change due to natural variation have been identified using the information gathered during the literature review, through interpretation of the models and through the application of expert judgement. Features within the models which may be useful for monitoring to identify anthropogenic causes of change within the ecosystem have also been identified. Physical and biological features of the ecosystem have mostly been identified as potential indicators to monitor natural variation, whilst physical features and output processes have predominantly been identified as most likely to indicate change due to anthropogenic pressures

Conceptual Ecological Modelling of Shallow Sublittoral Mixed Sediment Habitats to Inform Indicator Selection.

The purpose of this study is to produce a series of conceptual ecological models (CEMs) which represent shallow sublittoral mixed sediment habitats in the UK. CEMs are diagrammatic representations of the influences and processes which occur within an ecosystem. They can be used to identify critical aspects of an ecosystem which may be taken forward for further study, or serve as the basis for the selection of indicators for environmental monitoring purposes. The models produced by this project are control diagrams, representing the unimpacted state of the environment free from anthropogenic pressures. The project scope included the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) predominant habitat type ‘shallow sublittoral mixed sediment’. This definition includes those habitats which fall into the EUNIS Level 4 classifications A5.43 Infralittoral Mixed Sediments and A5.44 Circalittoral Mixed Sediments, along with their constituent Level 5 biotopes which are relevant to UK waters. A species list of characterising fauna to be included within the scope of the models was identified using an iterative process to refine the full list of species found within the relevant Level 5 biotopes. A literature review was conducted to gather evidence regarding species traits and information to inform the models. All information gathered during the literature review was entered into a data logging pro forma spreadsheet which accompanies this report. Wherever possible, attempts were made to collect information from UK-specific peer-reviewed studies, although other sources were used where necessary. All data gathered was subject to a detailed confidence assessment. Expert judgement by the project team was utilised to provide information for aspects of the models for which references could not be sourced within the project timeframe. A model hierarchy was developed based on groups of fauna with similar species traits which aligned with previous sensitivity studies of ecological groups. A general model was produced to indicate the high level drivers, inputs, biological assemblages, ecosystem processes and outputs which occur in shallow sublittoral mixed sediment habitats. In addition to this, five detailed sub-models were produced. Each focussed on a particular functional group of fauna within the habitat: ‘temporary or permanently attached epifauna’, ‘mobile epifauna, scavengers and predators’, ‘suspension and deposit feeding fauna’, ‘temporary or permanently attached surface dwelling or shallowly buried larger bivalves’ and ‘small mobile epifauna and tube dwelling crustaceans’. Each sub-model is accompanied by an associated confidence model which presents confidence in the links between each model component. The models are split into seven levels and take spatial and temporal scale into account through their design, as well as magnitude and direction of influence. The seven levels include regional to global drivers, water column processes, local inputs/processes at the seabed, habitat and biological assemblage, output processes, local ecosystem functions, and regional to global ecosystem functions. The models indicate that whilst the high level drivers which affect each functional group are largely similar, the output processes performed by the biota and the resulting ecosystem functions vary both in number and importance between groups. Confidence within the models as a whole is generally high, reflecting the level of information gathered during the literature review. Important drivers which influence the ecosystem include factors such as wave exposure, depth, water currents, climate and propagule supply. These factors, in combination with seabed and water column processes such as primary production, seabed mobility, suspended sediments, water chemistry and temperature and recruitment define and Conceptual Ecological Modelling of Shallow Sublittoral Mixed Sediment Habitats influence the biological assemblages. In addition, the habitat sediment type plays an important factor in shaping the biology of the habitat. Output processes are variable between functional faunal groups depending on the fauna present. Important processes include secondary production, biodeposition, bioturbation, bioengineering and the supply of propagules. These influence ecosystem functions at the local scale such as nutrient and biogeochemical cycling, supply of food resources, sediment stability, habitat provision and in some cases microbial activity. The export of biodiversity and organic matter, biodiversity enhancement and biotope stability are the resulting ecosystem functions which occur at the regional to global scale. Features within the models which are most useful for monitoring habitat status and change due to natural variation have been identified using the information gathered during the literature review, through interpretation of the models and through the application of expert judgement. Features within the models which may be useful for monitoring to identify anthropogenic causes of change within the ecosystem have also been identified. Physical and biological features of the ecosystem have mostly been identified as potential indicators to monitor natural variation, whilst physical features and output processes have predominantly been identified as most likely to indicate change due to anthropogenic pressures

Stabilization of Hydrodynamic Flows by Small Viscosity Variations

Motivated by the large effect of turbulent drag reduction by minute concentrations of polymers we study the effects of a weakly space-dependent viscosity on the stability of hydrodynamic flows. In a recent Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 87}, 174501, (2001)] we exposed the crucial role played by a localized region where the energy of fluctuations is produced by interactions with the mean flow (the "critical layer"). We showed that a layer of weakly space-dependent viscosity placed near the critical layer can have a very large stabilizing effect on hydrodynamic fluctuations, retarding significantly the onset of turbulence. In this paper we extend these observation in two directions: first we show that the strong stabilization of the primary instability is also obtained when the viscosity profile is realistic (inferred from simulations of turbulent flows with a small concentration of polymers). Second, we analyze the secondary instability (around the time-dependent primary instability) and find similar strong stabilization. Since the secondary instability develops around a time-dependent solution and is three-dimensional, this brings us closer to the turbulent case. We reiterate that the large effect is {\em not} due to a modified dissipation (as is assumed in some theories of drag reduction), but due to reduced energy intake from the mean flow to the fluctuations. We propose that similar physics act in turbulent drag reduction.Comment: 10 pages, 17 figs., REVTeX4, PRE, submitte

Influence of recruitment and temperature on distribution of intertidal barnacles in the English Channel.

Many warm-water (Lusitanian) species reach their limits in the central English Channel, failing to penetrateto the North Sea. We re-surveyed the eastern limits of the Lusitanian intertidal barnacles Chthamalus montaguiand C. stellatus, from 1994 to 2004, a decade of exceptionally high sea temperatures, and found range extensionson both sides of the Channel compared to the 1950s and 1970s. Annual recruitment of Chthamalus on theEnglish coast was monitored. There was a consistent gradient of low recruitment to the east of Portland Bill,with significant reductions coinciding with prominent headlands. Highest recruitment occurred during thewarmest years. Cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity of annual recruitment within coastal cellssuggesting that local processes are also important. In 1999 we compared recruitment in the other commonintertidal barnacles, the boreal Semibalanus balanoides and the non-native Elminius modestus, with Chthamalus spp.All species showed low recruitment between Selsey Bill and Portland Bill, suggesting habitat limitations and/orhydrographic mechanisms. Annual recruitment of Chthamalus at existing limits on the Isle of Wight was positivelycorrelated with the number of days of westerly and south-westerly winds during the summer, coincidingwith the pelagic larval phase. A ‘pulse’ of high Chthamalus recruitment on the Isle of Wight, measured duringthe warm summer of 2000, reversed population decline. Only a higher frequency of such pulses will maintainpopulations at existing limits and increase the rate of range extension towards the North Sea. Such extensionwill be limited by lack of hard substrata, but proliferation of coastal defence schemes in recent years is increasingsuitable habitat for barnacles

Skuteczność leczenia niespecyficznego bólu dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa: metaanaliza randomizowanych badań kontrolowanych placebo

Cel. Wyniki leczenia oceniane w randomizowanych badaniach kontrolowanych placebo są bardziej wiarygodne niż w badaniach o innej konstrukcji. Celem poniższej metaanalizy była ocena skuteczności różnych sposobów leczenia stosowanych w niespecyficznym bólu dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa na podstawie wyników randomizowanych badań kontrolowanych placebo. Metoda. Przeszukano bazy danych Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsychInfo i Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials pod kątem odpowiednio dobranych badań — od najnowszych, do opublikowanych w październiku 2006 roku. Wyniki dotyczące bólu ciągłego przeliczono według wspólnej skali 0–100 i skomasowano z wykorzystaniem modelu losowego (random effects model). Wyniki. Analizą objęto 76 badań oceniających 34 sposoby leczenia. Istotne efekty wykazano w 50% ocenianych sposobów leczenia. W większości przypadków efekty były niewielkie lub umiarkowane: 47% wykazywało estymację punktową efektów leczenia poniżej 10 punktów w skali 100-punktowej, 38% — 10–20 punktów, a 15% — ponad 20 punktów. Tylko w jednym badaniu stwierdzono wyraźne efekty leczenia (> 20 pkt.). Wnioski. W poniższej metaanalizie dowiedziono, że efekt przeciwbólowy wielu sposobów leczenia niespecyficznego bólu dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa jest niewielki i nie różni się w populacjach z objawami ostrymi i przewlekłymi. Polski Przegląd Neurologiczny 2010; 6 (2): 105–11

Impacts and effects of ocean warming on intertidal rocky habitats.

• Intertidal rocky habitats comprise over 50% of the shorelines of the world, supporting a diversity of marine life and providing extensive ecosystem services worth in the region of US$ 5-10 trillion per year. • They are valuable indicators of the impacts of climate change on the wider marine environment and ecosystems. • Changes in species distributions, abundance and phenology have already been observed around the world in response to recent rapid climate change. • Species-level responses will have considerable ramifications for the structure of communities and trophic interactions, leading to eventual changes in ecosystem functioning (e.g. less primary producing canopy-forming algae in the North-east Atlantic). • Whilst progress is made on the mitigation1 required to achieve goals of a lower-carbon world, much can be done to enhance resilience to climate change. Managing the multitude of other interactive impacts on the marine environment, over which society has greater potential control (e.g. overfishing, invasive non-native species, coastal development, and pollution), will enable adaptation1 in the short and medium term of the next 5-50 years

Sub-cortical and brainstem sites associated with chemo-stimulated increases in ventilation in humans

We investigated the neural basis for spontaneous chemo-stimulated increases in ventilation in awake, healthy humans. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI was performed in nine healthy subjects using T2weighted echo planar imaging. Brain volumes (52 transverse slices, cortex to high spinal cord) were acquired every 3.9 s. The 30 min paradigm consisted of six, 5-min cycles, each cycle comprising 45 s of hypoxic-isocapnia, 45 s of isooxic-hypercapnia and 45 s of hypoxic-hypercapnia, with 55 s of non-stimulatory hyperoxic-isocapnia (control) separating each stimulus period. Ventilation was significantly (p < 0.001) increased during hypoxic-isocapnia, isooxic-hypercapnia and hypoxic-hypercapnia (17.0, 13.8, 24.9 L/min respectively) vs. control (8.4 L/min) and was associated with significant (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons) signal increases within a bilateral network that included the basal ganglia, thalamus, red nucleus, cerebellum, parietal cortex, cingulate and superior mid pons. The neuroanatomical structures identified provide evidence for the spontaneous control of breathing to be mediated by higher brain centres, as well as respiratory nuclei in the brainstem

Interprofessional education: an overview of six initiatives across the schools of health at a single university

The benefits of interprofessional education (IPE) amongst health professionals are well documented, however, the implementation of interprofessional initiatives across the USA is inconsistent. This report describes the development and content of a number of IPE initiatives that are in the early stages of development and implementation at the University of California, Davis, USA. The article describes several important factors that were found to be necessary for the initial implementation of these IPE initiatives. Evaluation data from these initiatives, which is providing a range of positive outcomes, are also presented and discussed in relation to the wider IPE literature

Phenomenology of the Lense-Thirring effect in the Solar System

Recent years have seen increasing efforts to directly measure some aspects of the general relativistic gravitomagnetic interaction in several astronomical scenarios in the solar system. After briefly overviewing the concept of gravitomagnetism from a theoretical point of view, we review the performed or proposed attempts to detect the Lense-Thirring effect affecting the orbital motions of natural and artificial bodies in the gravitational fields of the Sun, Earth, Mars and Jupiter. In particular, we will focus on the evaluation of the impact of several sources of systematic uncertainties of dynamical origin to realistically elucidate the present and future perspectives in directly measuring such an elusive relativistic effect.Comment: LaTex, 51 pages, 14 figures, 22 tables. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and Space Science (ApSS). Some uncited references in the text now correctly quoted. One reference added. A footnote adde