Interactions Between Introduced and Native Millipede Species in South Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
TT Griffin ◽  
CM Bull
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Activity Time ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Very High

The Portugese millipede Ommaroiulus moreleti (Lucas) (Diplopoda:Julidae) has recently been introduced to South Australia where it has reached very high densities. In parts of the Adelaide Hills it now co-occurs with two native millipedes, Oncocladosoma clavigerum Jeekel (Diplopoda: Paradoxosomatidae) and Dimerogonus orophilus (Attems) (Diplopoda: Cambalidae). We attempted to show whether the introduced species, which has successfully invaded the detrivore community, has affected the ecology or behaviour of the native millipede members of that community. Experiments in laboratory and field arenas showed that the three species overlap broadly in activity time and microhabitat. The two native species showed no significant difference in habitat choice or aggregating behaviour when alone or mixed with the introduced O. moreleti, and the natives commonly aggregated with the introduced species. Although D. orophilus had reduced feeding activity in the presence of O. moreleti, neither native species rejected food that had been in contact with O. moreleti. We conclude that direct interactions between the introduced invader and the native species cause few behavioural or ecological changes within the detrivorous millipede community.

Compatibility of Schistosoma mansoni and Biomphalaria pfeifferi in Northern Senegal

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 595-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. TCHUEM TCHUENTÉ ◽  
V. R. SOUTHGATE ◽  
A. THÉRON ◽  
J. JOURDANE ◽  
A. LY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Biomphalaria Pfeifferi ◽  
Senegal River ◽  
Cercarial Production ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Parasite Relationship ◽  
Production Pattern ◽  
Very High

The construction of the Diama dam on the Senegal River and the ensuing ecological changes have led to a massive outbreak of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Northern Senegal, associated with very high intensity of infections, due to extremely intense transmission. The vectorial capacity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi from Ndombo, near Richard-Toll was investigated in order to assess the role of the snail–parasite relationship in this particular epidemiological situation. The results revealed an unusually high compatibility between the Senegalese S. mansoni strain and its local snail intermediate host, B. pfeifferi. The snail infection rate after exposure to a single miracidium per snail was 87%. The cercarial production of infected snails was very high, with a mean total production of 50456 cercariae per snail. No significant difference was found in the total cercarial output between snails exposed to 1 miracidium and those exposed to 5 miracidia. The increase in the rate of cercarial output was significantly greater in snails exposed to 5 miracidia, but there was a higher mortality in this group. The chronobiological cercarial production pattern showed a peak around mid-day. The implications of these findings on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Northern Senegal are discussed.

Natural Resource Management implications of the pre-European non-volant mammal fauna of the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. McDowell ◽  
Graham C. Medlin
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Natural Resource Management ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Sediment Surface

Sinkholes and coastal caves located in, around and between the Coffin Bay and Lincoln National Parks were surveyed for pre-European fossils, which were collected from or just below the sediment surface. Twenty-four pre-European fossil samples, including eight already in the collections of the South Australian Museum, were analysed and 25 native and five introduced species of non-volant mammal were identified. Native and introduced species were often found together, indicating that the sites have accumulated mammal remains in both pre- and post-European times. Only four of the non-volant native mammals recovered are known to be extant in the study area today: Lasiorhinus latifrons, Macropus fuliginosus, Cercartetus concinnus and Rattus fuscipes. In contrast, 20 native species recorded have been extirpated and one (Potorous platyops) is now extinct. C. concinnus was recorded from only one of the fossil assemblages but is known to be widespread in the study area today. This may indicate recent vegetation change related to European land management practices and have implications for natural resource management in the area.

Studies of the ground-dwelling mammals of eucalypt forests in south-eastern New South Wales: the species, their abundance and distribution

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
PC Catling ◽  
RJ Burt
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Management Options ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference

We examined the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in the major eucalypt communities within 500 000 ha of eucalypt forest in south-eastern New South Wales. Data for 22 species of mammal are presented from 13 areas comprising 42 eucalypt communities. Two features were the abundance and widespread distribution of the introduced red fox and cat, and the absence of small wallabies (potoroo size) and low abundance of other medium-sized native mammals such as bandicoots. Six mammal species occurred in all areas and in most eucalypt communities. Although there were differences in the distribution and abundance of species between areas there was no significant difference between areas in the number of native and introduced species. Some mammal species were absent from some eucalypt communities, but no eucalypt community was devoid of ground-dwelling mammals and each had native and introduced species present. The E. fastigata group had the highest number of species (14) and one community (E. fastigata-E. cypellocarpa) contained the highest number of native (9) and introduced (4) species. The E. maculata group contained the lowest number of native species with eastern grey kangaroos absent and common wombats present in one community only. The results of this study suggest that management options for arboreal mammals may not apply to the ground-dwelling mammals. The ground-dwelling mammals present today in south-eastern New South Wales appear to be remnants of a more diverse fauna left after clearing, forestry activities and predation by introduced species. Some species are in urgent need of protection and management if they are to persist.

Attitudes toward the use of TELL tools in English language learning among Vietnamese Tertiary English majors

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-596
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Guided Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Majors ◽  
Very High ◽  
Different Levels

Technology plays a crucial role in the self-guided learning of a second language in general and English in particular. Nevertheless, many students in different contexts still ignore the application of technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) tools in enhancing their foreign language proficiency. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate the attitudes towards the use of TELL tools in English-language learning (ELL) among English majors at one university in Vietnam. To collect data, 197 English majors participated in finishing the questionnaire, and 20 students were invited to join the interviews. The findings are that the majority of students have positive attitudes towards the use of TELL tools and the frequency of using these tools is very high. In addition, the results also reveal that there is no significant difference in attitudes towards and frequency of using TELL tools in learning English in terms of the year of study. However, students of different levels of academic achievements have different attitudes towards using TELL tools and use TELL tools to learn English differently. Received 2nd May 2019; Revised 16th July 2019, Accepted 20th October 2019

Copper Concentrations in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (37) ◽  
pp. 6373-6383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Jouybari ◽  
Faezeh Kiani ◽  
Farhad Islami ◽  
Akram Sanagoo ◽  
Fatemeh Sayehmiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Breast Tissue ◽  
Reference Lists ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cancer Risks ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Very High

: Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm, comprising 16% of all women's cancers worldwide. Research of Copper (Cu) concentrations in various body specimens have suggested an association between Cu levels and breast cancer risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize the results of published studies and examine this association. We searched the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar and the reference lists of relevant publications. The Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs) between Cu levels in cancer cases and controls and corresponding Confidence Intervals (CIs), as well as I2 statistics, were calculated to examine heterogeneity. Following the specimens used in the original studies, the Cu concentrations were examined in three subgroups: serum or plasma, breast tissue, and scalp hair. We identified 1711 relevant studies published from 1984 to 2017. There was no statistically significant difference between breast cancer cases and controls for Cu levels assayed in any studied specimen; the SMD (95% CI) was -0.01 (-1.06 - 1.03; P = 0.98) for blood or serum, 0.51 (-0.70 - 1.73; P = 0.41) for breast tissue, and -0.88 (-3.42 - 1.65; P = 0.50) for hair samples. However, the heterogeneity between studies was very high (P < 0.001) in all subgroups. We did not find evidence for publication bias (P = 0.91). The results of this meta-analysis do not support an association between Cu levels and breast cancer. However, due to high heterogeneity in the results of original studies, this conclusion needs to be confirmed by well-designed prospective studies.

scholarly journals On the Average Coefficient of Dominance of Deleterious Spontaneous Mutations

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1991-2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
A García-Dorado ◽  
A Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Deleterious Mutations ◽  
Spontaneous Mutations ◽  
Partial Dominance ◽  
High Viability ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plausible Hypothesis ◽  
Average Coefficient ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Very High ◽  
Balancer Chromosome

Abstract T. Mukai and co-workers in the late 1960s and O. Ohnishi in the 1970s carried out a series of experiments to obtain direct estimates of the average coefficient of dominance (h¯) of minor viability mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. The results of these experiments, although inconsistent, have been interpreted as indicating slight recessivity of deleterious mutations, with h¯≈0.4. Mukai obtained conflicting results depending on the type of heterozygotes used, some estimates suggesting overdominance and others partial dominance. Ohnishi's estimates, based on the ratio of heterozygous to homozygous viability declines, were more consistent, pointing to the above value. However, we have reanalyzed Ohnishi's data, estimating h¯ by the regression method, and obtained a much smaller estimate of ~0.1. This significant difference can be due partly to the different weighting implicit in the estimates, but we suggest that this is not the only explanation. We propose as a plausible hypothesis that a putative nonmutational decline in viability occurring in the first half of Ohnishi's experiment (affecting both homozygotes and heterozygotes) has biased upward the estimates from the ratio, while it would not bias the regression estimates. This hypothesis also explains the very high h¯≈0.7 observed in Ohnishi's high-viability chromosomes. By constructing a model of spontaneous mutations using parameters in the literature, we investigate the above possibility. The results indicate that a model of few mutations with moderately large effects and h¯≈0.2 is able to explain the observed estimates and the distributions of homozygous and heterozygous viabilities. Accounting for an expression of mutations in genotypes with the balancer chromosome Cy does not alter the conclusions qualitatively.

scholarly journals Comparative Evaluation of Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gamze Aytaş ◽  
Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu ◽  
Ömer C. Elçioğlu ◽  
Meltem Gürsu ◽  
A. Serra Artan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Nephropathy ◽  
Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Measure Blood Pressure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Very High

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Orthostatic hypotension (OH) affects 5–20% of the population. Our study investigates the presence of OH in diabetic nephropathy (DNP) patients and the factors affecting OH in comparison with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (NDCKD) patients. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Patients presented to the nephrology clinic, and those who consented were included in the study. DNP was defined by kidney biopsy and/or clinical criteria. NDCKD patients of the same sex, age, and eGFR were matched to DNP patients. Demographic parameters and medications were obtained from the records. OH was determined by Mayo clinic criteria. The same researcher used an electronic device to measure blood pressure (BP). All samples were taken and analyzed the same day for biochemical and hematologic parameters and albuminuria. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 112 (51 F, 61 M, mean age: 62.56 ± 9.35 years) DNP and 94 (40 F, 54 M, mean age: 62.23 ± 10.08 years) NDCKD patients were included. There was no significant difference between DNP and NDCKD groups in terms of OH prevalence (70.5 vs. 61.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.181). Male patients had significantly higher OH prevalence than female patients (74.7 vs. 60.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.026). There was no significant difference in change in systolic BP between the groups (24.00 [10.00–32.00] mm Hg vs. 24.00 [13.75–30.25] mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.797), but the change in diastolic BP was significantly higher in the DNP group (8.00 [2.00–13.00] mm Hg vs. 6.00 [2.00–9.00] mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.025). In the DNP group, patients with OH had significantly higher uric acid levels than those without OH (7.18 ± 1.55 vs. 6.36 ± 1.65 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = 0.017). And, 73.7% of patients on calcium channel blockers developed OH (<i>p</i> = 0.015), and OH developed in 80.6% of 36 patients on alpha-blockers (<i>p</i> = 0.049). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> OH prevalence is very high in CKD, and etiology of CKD does not have a statistically significant effect on the frequency of OH, despite a difference that could be meaningful clinically. Therefore, patients with CKD are checked for OH, with or without concurrent diabetes mellitus. Evaluation of postural BP changes should be a part of nephrology practice.

scholarly journals Randomised trial on clinical performances and biocompatibility of four high-flux hemodialyzers in two mode treatments: hemodialysis vs post dilution hemodiafiltration

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Morena ◽  
Caroline Creput ◽  
Mouloud Bouzernidj ◽  
Annie Rodriguez ◽  
Lotfi Chalabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Β2 Microglobulin ◽  
Inflammatory Parameters ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Good Biocompatibility ◽  
Very High ◽  
Solute Clearance

AbstractThis prospective multicenter randomized comparative cross-over trial aimed at evaluating the influence of hemodialysis vs post-dilution hemodiafiltration with high-flux dialyzers in solute clearance and biocompatibility profile. 32 patients were sequentially dialyzed with Leoceed-21HX, Polypure-22S+, Rexsys-27H and VIE-21A. Primary outcome was β2-microglobulin removal. Secondary outcomes were (i) extraction of other uremic solutes (ii) parameters of inflammation and nutrition and (iii) comparative quantification of perdialytic albumin losses (using total ‘TDC’ vs partial ‘PDC’ collection of dialysate). Significant increases in removal rates of β2-microglobulin (84.7 ± 0.8 vs 71.6 ± 0.8 mg/L), myoglobin (65.9 ± 1.3 vs 38.6 ± 1.3 µg/L), free immunoglobulin light chains Kappa (74.9 ± 0.8 vs 55.6 ± 0.8 mg/L), β-trace protein (54.8 ± 1.3 vs 26.8 ± 1.4 mg/L) and orosomucoid (11.0 ± 1.1 vs 6.0 ± 1.1 g/L) but not myostatin (14.8 ± 1.5 vs 13.0 ± 1.5 ng/mL) were observed in HDF compared to HD when pooling all dialyzers. Rexsys and VIE-A use in both HD and HDF subgroups was associated to a better removal of middle/large-size molecules compared to Leoceed and Polypure, except β2-microglobulin for Rexsys. Inflammatory parameters were unchanged between dialyzers without any interaction with dialysis modality. Mean dialysate albumin loss was comparable between TDC and PDC (1.855 vs 1.826 g/session for TDC and PDC respectively). In addition, a significant difference in albumin loss was observed between dialyzers with the highest value (4.5 g/session) observed using Rexsys. Use of all dialyzers was associated with good removals of the large spectrum of uremic toxins tested and good biocompatibility profiles, with an additional gain in removal performances with HDF. Larger surface area, thinner wall and resultant very high ultrafiltration coefficient of Rexsys should be taken into account in its clear performance advantages.

scholarly journals Q fever in South Australia: an outbreak in a meat-works

1962 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret D. Beech ◽  
A. E. Duxbury ◽  
Peter Warner
Keyword(s):  
Q Fever ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
American Continent ◽  
North American Continent ◽  
The Past ◽  
The North ◽  
Epidemiological Features ◽  
Very High ◽  
Abattoir Workers

This paper consists of an epidemiological study of 52 cases of Q fever occurring in metropolitan Adelaide in 1957 and also a description of the results of a survey of 516 sera obtained from abattoir workers.The only case occurring outside the abattoirs was a dairy farmer who probably became infected while visiting the abattoirs. If this were so the incubation period (35 days) of his disease would have been exceptionally long.The general features of the outbreak, which lasted several months, differed from those on the North American continent in that the latter occurred explosively within a few days with very high attack rates. The situation in the Adelaide abattoirs is similar to that in Brisbane, where the disease appears to be endemic. However, unlike in Adelaide, cases are commonly recognized outside the abattoirs in Brisbane.In the abattoirs the disease affected mainly inspectors, those working on killing beef, and those working on offal. Mutton workers were not so severely affected. However, all these groups had similar incidences of low titre antibodies suggesting that in the past Q fever spread equally in all killing departments. In departments not directly associated with slaughtering the incidence both of cases in 1957 and low titre antibodies was relatively small.It was suggested that the epidemiological features of Q fever in Adelaide could be explained by the irregular appearance of animals from infected herds situated perhaps in Queensland—a known endemic area. Perhaps the appearance of such animals in the Adelaide abattoirs might be governed by meteorological conditions such that they were prevented from going to the ordinarily most convenient slaughterhouse.

scholarly journals Diet composition of the invasive red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus in Mauritius

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannie Fries Linnebjerg ◽  
Dennis M. Hansen ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Jens M. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Ecological Perspective ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Invasional Meltdown ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
The Impact

Disruption of ecosystems is one of the biggest threats posed by invasive species (Mack et al. 2000). Thus, one of the most important challenges is to understand the impact of exotic species on native species and habitats (e.g. Jones 2008). The probability that entire ‘invasive communities’ will develop increases as more species establish in new areas (Bourgeois et al. 2005). For example, introduced species may act in concert, facilitating one another's invasion, and increasing the likelihood of successful establishment, spread and impact. Simberloff & Von Holle (1999) introduced the term ‘invasional meltdown’ for this process, which has received widespread attention since (e.g. O'Dowd 2003, Richardson et al. 2000, Simberloff 2006). Positive interactions among introduced species are relatively common, but few have been studied in detail (Traveset & Richardson 2006). Examples include introduced insects and birds that pollinate and disperse exotic plants, thereby facilitating the spread of these species into non-invaded habitats (Goulson 2003, Mandon-Dalger et al. 2004, Simberloff & Von Holle 1999). From a more general ecological perspective, the study of interactions involving introduced and invasive species can contribute to our knowledge of ecological processes – for example, community assembly and indirect interactions.

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