Characteristics of Four Marl Lakes as Related to Biological Productivity

Physical and chemical characteristics of four dimictic eutrophic lakes of northcentral Minnesota with marl deposits are discussed in relation to production of invertebrate animals (benthos and plankton) that are the basic food of fish . Two of the lakes have a history as productive fish lakes and the other two as problem fish lakes. The productive lakes, as a type, have a larger surface area, a longer shallow-water littoral shelf, and a lower proportion of marly soils in the littoral zone than do the problem lakes. The standing crop of invertebrates was about twice as great per habitat unit in the productive as in the problem lakes. Surface waters of the productive lakes were somewhat higher in total phosphorus, total nitrogen and total iron than in the problem lakes. Since the productive lakes have brownish or greenish water as opposed to clear water in the problem lakes, chelation of iron and other trace metals by organic compounds also may be involved in productivity

Assimilation to the Unmarked

Steel, JC ORCiD: 0000-0003-3608-7542Intravitreal injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) might be an alternative approach for retinal gene therapy for certain applications. Although the jelly-like substance consists mainly of water, anti-viral antibodies against various viruses such as HIV or HSV have been observed in the human vitreous and anti-AAV neutralising antibodies (NAbs) in rhesus macaque vitreous have also been detected. In this study, the human vitreous humour was obtained from 70 post mortem unpaired eye cups and 10 paired eye cups from the Queensland Eye Bank. The transduction efficiency of 1-3 · 108 vcg of recombinant AAV-2, -5, -6 and -8 expressing secreted nanoluciferase was measured following transduction of ARPE-19 and Cos-7 cells at vitreous humour dilutions from 1:2 to 1:10 000. At vitreous humour dilution of 1:2, a reduction in transduction of over 50% was observed for AAV2 in 50.5% of samples and for AAV6 in 66.2% of samples. Only 23.2% of tested samples showed similar reduction in transduction efficiency for AAV5, and for AAV8 only 2.5% of samples inhibited transduction by 50% at 1:2 dilution. Differences in serum antibody levels have been previously observed in a similar Australian population, but low transduction inhibition at vitreous humour dilutions of 1:100 suggests that the concentration of NAbs within the vitreous humour is lower than in human serum. In addition, this study also reported an increase in transduction efficiency for AAV8 at highest vitreous humour concentrations, supporting previous reports that human albumin can increase AAV transduction but only in some serotypes

The Aquatic Trophic Ecology of Suisun Marsh, San Francisco Estuary, California, During Autumn in a Wet Year

Using stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) and mixing models, we investigated the trophic levels and carbon sources of invertebrates and fishes of a large tidal marsh in the San Francisco Estuary. Our goal was to better understand an estuarine food web comprised of native and alien species. We found the following: (1) the food web was based largely on carbon from phytoplankton and emergent-aquatic and terrestrial vegetation, but carbon from submerged aquatic vegetation and phytobenthos was also used; (2) alien species increased the complexity of the food web by altering carbon-flow pathways and by occupying trophic positions different from native species; and (3) most consumers were dietary generalists

Developing a dementia-specific health state classification system for a new preference-based instrument AD-5D

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: With an ageing population, the number of people with dementia is rising. The economic impact on the health care system is considerable and new treatment methods and approaches to dementia care must be cost effective. Economic evaluation requires valid patient reported outcome measures, and this study aims to develop a dementia-specific health state classification system based on the Quality of Life for Alzheimer's disease (QOL-AD) instrument (nursing home version). This classification system will subsequently be valued to generate a preference-based measure for use in the economic evaluation of interventions for people with dementia. Methods: We assessed the dimensionality of the QOL-AD to develop a new classification system. This was done using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and further assessment of the structure of the measure to ensure coverage of the key areas of quality of life. Secondly, we used Rasch analysis to test the psychometric performance of the items, and select item(s) to describe each dimension. This was done on 13 items of the QOL-AD (excluding two general health items) using a sample of 284 residents living in long-term care facilities in Australia who had a diagnosis of dementia. Results: A five dimension classification system is proposed resulting from the three factor structure (defined as 'interpersonal environment', 'physical health' and 'self-functioning') derived from the factor analysis and two factors ('memory' and 'mood') from the accompanying review. For the first three dimensions, Rasch analysis selected three questions of the QOL-AD ('living situation', 'physical health', and 'do fun things') with memory and mood questions representing their own dimensions. The resulting classification system (AD-5D) includes many of the health-related quality of life dimensions considered important to people with dementia, including mood, global function and skill in daily living. Conclusions: The development of the AD-5D classification system is an important step in the future application of the widely used QOL-AD in economic evaluations. Future valuation studies will enable this tool to be used to calculate quality adjusted life years to evaluate treatments and interventions for people diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia

Genética de la conservación para la recuperación de especies animales en peligro de extinción: revisión de los planes de recuperación de especies en peligro de extinción de Estados Unidos (1977–1998)

The utility of genetic data in conservation efforts, particularly in comparison to demographic information, is the subject of ongoing debate. Using a database of information surveyed from 181 US endangered and threatened species recovery plans, we addressed the following questions concerning the use of genetic information in animal recovery plans: I. What is the relative prominence of genetic vs. demographic data in recovery plan development? and, II. When are genetic factors viewed as a threat, and how do plans respond to genetic threats? In general, genetics appear to play a minor and relatively ill–defined part in the recovery planning process; demographic data are both more abundant and more requested in recovery plans, and tasks are more frequently assigned to the collection / monitoring of demographic rather than genetic information. Nonetheless, genetic threats to species persistence and recovery are identified in a substantial minority (22 %) of recovery plans, although there is little uniform response to these perceived threats in the form of specific proposed recovery or management tasks. Results indicate that better guidelines are needed to identify how and when genetic information is most useful for species recovery; we highlight specific contexts in which genetics may provide unique management information, beyond that provided by other kinds of data.La utilidad de los datos genéticos en los esfuerzos conservacionistas, en particular en comparación con la información demográfica, es objeto de un continuo debate. Utilizando una base de datos con información sobre los 181 planes de recuperación de especies amenazadas y en peligro de extinción de Estados Unidos, hemos estudiado las siguientes cuestiones referentes al uso de la información genética en los planes de recuperación de especies animales: I ¿Cuál es la importancia relativa de los datos genéticos en comparación con los demográficos en el desarrollo de los planes de recuperación? y II ¿Cuándo se considera que los factores genéticos constituyen una amenaza, y cómo responden los planes a esas amenazas genéticas? En general, parece que la genética sólo desempeña un papel menor y relativamente mal definido en el proceso de planificación de la recuperación de especies; los datos demográficos son más abundantes y más solicitados para la elaboración de planes de recuperación, y las acciones que se llevan a cabo con frecuencia se enfocan más a las recopilación/observación de los datos demográficos que a la obtención de información genética. No obstante, las amenazas genéticas para la supervivencia y recuperación de especies se indican como un importante factor minoritario (22 %) en los planes de recuperación, si bien la respuesta a esas amenazas mediante medidas de gestión o recuperación específicas es poco uniforme. Los resultados apuntan a que se necesitan unas directrices más claras para determinar cómo y cuándo resulta más útil la información genética para la recuperación de especies; hemos resaltado contextos concretos en los que la genética puede proporcionar una valiosísima fuente de información para la gestión de esas cuestiones, superior a la que se pueda obtener a partir de otros datos

High Levels of Genetic Divergence Detected in Sacramento Perch Suggests Two Divergent Translocation Sources

Translocation has been used to conserve imperiled fishes and create new fisheries. One species for which translocation has played a significant role is the Sacramento Perch Archoplites interruptus. Extirpated from its native range, the Sacramento Perch has been introduced throughout California and Nevada through multiple translocation events, though historical records are incomplete. Recent assessments of eight previously uncharacterized Sacramento Perch populations have prompted reevaluation of range-wide population structure to inform a genetic management plan for long-term resiliency of this species. We examined Sacramento Perch genetic diversity and population structure across the current range of the species using 12 microsatellite markers. We analyzed samples from the eight uncharacterized populations and seven populations previously studied by Schwartz and May (2008). Bayesian clustering supported two distinct clusters of Sacramento Perch herein designated as A and B. Within these two clusters we detected hierarchical substructure, likely due to genetic drift after population founding. Genetic differentiation among populations within the same cluster was relatively low (FST = 0.023–0.176), while differentiation among populations from different clusters was higher (FST = 0.190–0.320). The existence of two strongly divergent genetic clusters in Sacramento Perch suggests two distinct translocation sources, and we recommend that these clusters be treated as genetic management units (GMUs). The B GMU populations had fairly low levels of genetic diversity relative to the A GMU populations. All populations showed evidence of past bottlenecks, and most had effective population sizes placing them at risk for inbreeding depression. Human-facilitated gene flow is recommended to prevent further genetic diversity loss. Due to uncertainty surrounding Sacramento Perch translocation history and strong levels of divergence between the two GMUs, translocations should be facilitated only between populations within the same GMU

Deep subcutaneous application of poly-L-lactic acid as a filler for facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients

Introduction: Facial lipoatrophy is a crucial problem of HIV-infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Poly-L-lactic acid (PLA), provided as New-Fill(R)/Sculptra(TM), is known as one possible treatment option. In 2004 PLA was approved by the FDA as Sculptra(TM) for the treatment of lipoatrophy of the face in HIV-infected patients. While the first trials demonstrated relevant efficacy, this was to some extent linked to unwanted effects. As the depth of injection was considered relevant in this context, the application modalities of the preparation were changed. The preparation was to be injected more deeply into subcutaneous tissue, after increased dilution. Material and Methods: To test this approach we performed a pilot study following the new recommendations in 14 patients. Results: While the efficacy turned out to be about the same, tolerability was markedly improved. The increase in facial dermal thickness was particularly obvious in those patients who had suffered from lipoatrophy for a comparatively small period of time. Conclusion: With the new recommendations to dilute PLA powder and to inject it into the deeper subcutaneous tissue nodule formation is a minor problem. However, good treatment results can only be achieved if lipoatrophy is not too intense; treatment intervals should be about 2 - 3 weeks. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

Covariation Among Vowel Height Effects on Acoustic Measures

Covariation among vowel height effects on vowel intrinsic fundamental frequency (IF0), voice onset time (VOT), and voiceless interval duration (VID) is analyzed to assess the plausibility of a common physiological mechanism underlying variation in these measures. Phrases spoken by 20 young adults, containing words composed of initial voiceless stops or /s/ and high or low vowels, were produced in habitual and voluntarily increased F0 conditions. High vowels were associated with increased IF0 and longer VIDs. VOT and VID exhibited significant covariation with IF0 only for males at habitua

Dynamic Habitat Disturbance and Ecological Resilience (DyHDER): Modeling Population Responses to Habitat Condition

Understanding how populations respond to spatially heterogeneous habitat disturbance is as critical to conservation as it is challenging. Here, we present a new, free, and open‐source metapopulation model: Dynamic Habitat Disturbance and Ecological Resilience (DyHDER), which incorporates subpopulation habitat condition and connectivity into a population viability analysis framework. Modeling temporally dynamic and spatially explicit habitat disturbance of varying magnitude and duration is accomplished through the use of habitat time‐series data and a mechanistic approach to adjusting subpopulation vital rates. Additionally, DyHDER uses a probabilistic dispersal model driven by site‐specific habitat suitability, density dependence, and directionally dependent connectivity. In the first application of DyHDER, we explore how fragmentation and projected climate change are predicted to impact a well‐studied Bonneville cutthroat trout metapopulation in the Logan River (Utah, USA). The DyHDER model predicts which subpopulations are most susceptible to disturbance, as well as the potential interactions between stressors. Further, the model predicts how populations may be expected to redistribute following disturbance. This information is valuable to conservationists and managers faced with protecting populations of conservation concern across landscapes undergoing changing disturbance regimes. The DyHDER model provides a valuable and generalizable new tool to explore metapopulation resilience to spatially and temporally dynamic stressors for a diverse range of taxa and ecosystems