Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Comparison of input signals in subspace identification of multivariable ill-conditioned systems

Ill-conditioned processes often produce data of low quality for model identification in general, and for subspace identification in particular, because data vectors of different outputs are typically close to collinearity, being aligned in the "strong" direction. One of the solutions suggested in the literature is the use of appropriate input signals, usually called "rotated" inputs, which must excite sufficiently the process in the "weak" direction. In this paper open-loop (uncorrelated and rotated) random signals are compared against inputs generated in closed-loop operation, with the aim of finding the most appropriate ones to be used in multivariable subspace identification of ill-conditioned processes. Two multivariable ill-conditioned processes are investigated and as a result it is found that closed-loop identification gives superior models, both in the sense of lower error in the frequency response and in terms of higher performance when used to build a model predictive control system. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Aldosterone to renin ratio in a primary care setting: the Bussolengo study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension associated with an elevated aldosterone to renin activity ratio (ARR) in a sample of adults aged 35-74 yr, randomly selected from the population register of the Bussolengo Health District (northern Italy) and representative of the total population of the district. Subjects (n = 1462) were randomly selected from the population register and examined by their general practitioners. Complete data for 1348 individuals were available for final statistical analysis. Apart from verapamil or alpha-blockers, no hypotensive drugs were allowed during the 4 wk before assay. Direct active renin and aldosterone were measured in the plasma of hypertensive patients after 2 h in the upright posture. Of 412 identified hypertensive patients, 287 subjects agreed to give blood (70% response rate). An aldosterone to active renin ratio (AARR) of 32 pg/ml was taken as the cut-off value, equivalent to an ARR of 50 ng/dl/ng/ml.h. An elevated AARR was observed in 32.4% of the hypertensive patients, with increased prevalence in females and in people aged 55 yr or older. As an elevated AARR is frequent in the general hypertensive population, screening should not be limited to the patients referred to specialist units

Aldosterone to renin ratio in a primary care setting:the Bussolengo study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension associated with an elevated aldosterone to renin activity ratio (ARR) in a sample of adults aged 35-74 yr, randomly selected from the population register of the Bussolengo Health District (northern Italy) and representative of the total population of the district. Subjects (n = 1462) were randomly selected from the population register and examined by their general practitioners. Complete data for 1348 individuals were available for final statistical analysis. Apart from verapamil or alpha-blockers, no hypotensive drugs were allowed during the 4 wk before assay. Direct active renin and aldosterone were measured in the plasma of hypertensive patients after 2 h in the upright posture. Of 412 identified hypertensive patients, 287 subjects agreed to give blood (70% response rate). An aldosterone to active renin ratio (AARR) of 32 pg/ml was taken as the cut-off value, equivalent to an ARR of 50 ng/dl/ng/ml.h. An elevated AARR was observed in 32.4% of the hypertensive patients, with increased prevalence in females and in people aged 55 yr or older. As an elevated AARR is frequent in the general hypertensive population, screening should not be limited to the patients referred to specialist units

ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES AND DEPRESSION: ROLE OF CIRCULATING ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS

abstract non disponibil

Frequency and clinical correlates of bipolar features in acute coronary syndrome patients

Depression and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are both extremely prevalent diseases. Studies aimed at evaluating whether depression is an independent risk factor for cardiac events provided no definitive results. In most of these studies, depression has been broadly defined with no differentiation between unipolar (MDD) versus bipolar forms (BD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of DSM-IV BD (bipolar I and bipolar II subtypes, cyclothymia), as well as temperamental or isolated bipolar features in a sample of 171 patients hospitalized for ACS. We also explored whether these psychopathological conditions were associated with some clinical characteristics of ACS