scholarly journals A taxonomic, genetic and ecological data resource for the vascular plants of Britain and Ireland

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie C. Henniges ◽  
Robyn F. Powell ◽  
Sahr Mian ◽  
Clive A. Stace ◽  
Kevin J. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Data Resource ◽  
Current Knowledge Base

AbstractThe vascular flora of Britain and Ireland is among the most extensively studied in the world, but the current knowledge base is fragmentary, with taxonomic, ecological and genetic information scattered across different resources. Here we present the first comprehensive data repository of native and alien species optimized for fast and easy online access for ecological, evolutionary and conservation analyses. The inventory is based on the most recent reference flora of Britain and Ireland, with taxon names linked to unique Kew taxon identifiers and DNA barcode data. Our data resource for 3,227 species and 26 traits includes existing and unpublished genome sizes, chromosome numbers and life strategy and life-form assessments, along with existing data on functional traits, species distribution metrics, hybrid propensity, associated biomes, realized niche description, native status and geographic origin of alien species. This resource will facilitate both fundamental and applied research and enhance our understanding of the flora’s composition and temporal changes to inform conservation efforts in the face of ongoing climate change and biodiversity loss.

scholarly journals Effects of dredging on the vegetation in a small lowland river

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edyta Stępień ◽  
Andrzej Zawal ◽  
Paweł Buczyński ◽  
Edyta Buczyńska ◽  
Magdalena Szenejko
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Regulated River ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Lowland River ◽  
Life Strategies ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Second Year ◽  
The Impact

Background Conventional river engineering operations have a substantial influence on the fluvial ecosystem. Regulation and channelization generally reduce the physical heterogeneity of river beds and banks and the heterogeneity of habitats. They determine the character, diversity and species richness of plant communities. The effect of river regulation on vegetation has been repeatedly investigated, but few studies have been conducted within reaches of previously regulated rivers. The aim of this work is to expand and current knowledge about the impact of dredging on the vegetation of a regulated section of a lowland river. Materials & Methods The study included pre-dredging (1 year before) and post-dredging surveys (results 1 and 2 years after dredging). The vegetation was analysed in terms of species composition, origin of species, life forms, distribution of Grime’s life strategies, and selected ecological factors. The Shannon–Wiener biodiversity index (H) and evenness were also analysed in each year of the study. The impact of dredging on the vascular flora was assessed by ‘before-after-control-impact’ (BACI) analysis. Results The number of species and biodiversity as measured by the Shannon–Wiener index (H) increased in the analysed section of the river valley. However, enrichment of the flora was observed only on the floodplain, on the surface of the deposited dredging material, while the number of species in the river channel decreased, as dredging of the river bed and levelling of the banks had markedly reduced habitat diversity. Although species richness in the second year after the dredging approached the values recorded before the intervention, the absence of particularly species or phytocenoses associated with shallow river banks and sandbars was still observed. The change in habitat conditions and the destruction of the vegetation cover during the dredging enabled penetration by numerous previously unrecorded alien species of plants and apophytes. There was a perceptible increase in the role of therophytes in the flora. It is worth noting that the number of alien species and therophytes declined significantly in the second year after the dredging. Analysis of the proportions of species representing various life strategies showed that previously unrecorded species with the type R (ruderal) life strategy had appeared, representing by pioneer species occurring in frequently disturbed habitats. There was also a marked increase in the share of species representing the mixed C-R (competitive-ruderal) strategy, occurring in habitats with low levels of stress, whose competitive abilities are limited by repeated disturbances. By the second year after the dredging, however, these changes were largely no longer observed. Conclusions Through appropriate maintenance of the regulated river, it can be rapidly recolonized by vegetation after the procedure, but it may lead to the loss of some species and phytocoenoses.

The champions' mitochondria: is it genetically determined? A review on mitochondrial DNA and elite athletic performance

2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (13) ◽  
pp. 789-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nir Eynon ◽  
María Morán ◽  
Ruth Birk ◽  
Alejandro Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Endurance Exercise ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Aerobic Performance ◽  
East African ◽  
Athletic Status ◽  
The Status ◽  
Genetically Determined ◽  
Mtdna Variants

Aerobic ATP generation by the mitochondrial respiratory oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) is a vital metabolic process for endurance exercise. Notably, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) codifies 13 of the 83 polypeptides implied in the respiratory chain. As such, there is a strong rationale for identifying an association between mtDNA variants and “aerobic” (endurance) exercise phenotypes. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the association between mtDNA, nuclear genes involved in mitochondriogenesis, and elite endurance athletic status. Several studies in nonathletic people have demonstrated an association between certain mtDNA lineages and aerobic performance, characterized by maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max). Whether mtDNA haplogroups are also associated with the status of being an elite endurance athlete is more controversial, with differences between studies arising from the different ethnic backgrounds of the athletic cohorts (Caucasian of mixed geographic origin, Asiatic, or East African).

scholarly journals Factors Influencing the Private Involvement in Urban Rail Public-Private Partnership Projects in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongjian Ke ◽  
Weiya Hao ◽  
Huiping Ding ◽  
Yingying Wang
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Risk Allocation ◽  
Financial Model ◽  
Urban Rail ◽  
Current Knowledge Base ◽  
Private Investors ◽  
Fiscal Pressure

Private investors have been encouraged to participate in the development and operation of urban rail projects in China through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), given the fact that subnational governments are suffering from urgent development demands and severe fiscal pressure. However, there is no formal assessment to determine the private involvement in a PPP project. This problem is particularly critical in the sector of urban rail, in which the huge investment cannot rely on the private sector alone. This study hence aimed to uncover and identify the influencing factors. Multiple research methods, including content analysis, case study and focus group discussion were adopted to achieve the research purpose. Seven types of influencing factors were identified, including project financial model, government fiscal commitment, risk allocation, public accountability, efficiency considerations, policy and regulations, and organisational marketing strategies. The findings add to the current knowledge base by uncovering the drivers behind private involvement in a PPP project. They are also beneficial for industry practitioners as a basis/checklist to determine the private involvement.

Clinical Management of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel R Chamberlain
Keyword(s):  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Medical Issues ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Current Knowledge Base ◽  
Hair Pulling Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) now have their own category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. Disorders currently classified as OCRDs are obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), excoriation (skin picking) disorder, hoarding disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder. Collectively, the OCRDs are prevalent, cause considerable functional impairment, and are often overlooked by clinicians. This review surveys current definitions and diagnosis of OCRDs, highlighting recommended assessment tools, differential diagnoses, and medical issues. The heritability of OCRDs is examined, based on available twin data, along with implicated genetic factors. Neurobiological understanding of OCRDs is outlined, focusing on dysregulation of habit generation and top-down response control corticostriatal pathways. The review then highlights evidence-based treatments for OCRDs, which differ considerably between individual disorders. Treatment guidance includes descriptions of target medication doses and therapy content. Lastly, limitations in the current knowledge base for OCRDs are reviewed, with implications for future research directions. This review contains 1 figure, 7 tables, and 40 references. Key words: compulsivity, dopamine, glutamate, impulsivity, screening for OCD, serotonin 

Recruiting and Engaging Men as Fathers in Social Work Practice

2014 ◽  
pp. 235-260
Author(s):  
Joseph Fleming ◽  
Andrew King ◽  
Tara Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Engaging Men ◽  
Current Knowledge Base

Evidence in the research literature suggests that men are usually not engaged by social workers, particularly in child welfare and child protection settings. Mothers also tend to become the focus of intervention, even when there is growing evidence that men can take an active and important role in a child's development in addition to providing support to the mother and family. Whilst there have been some promising developments in including men in social work practice internationally, there remains a gap in the research regarding the engagement of men as fathers in Australia. Given the growing relevance of the topic of fathers, the purpose of this chapter is to add to the current knowledge base, to support social work students and practitioners to engage with men in their role as fathers, and to offer an evidence-based practice model that may assist social workers in their work with men as fathers.

The Important Role of Lipids in Cognitive Impairment

2011 ◽  
pp. 206-211
Author(s):  
Yu Jia ◽  
Zheng Chen ◽  
Jiangyang Lu ◽  
Liu Tingting ◽  
Zhou Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Cholesterol Homeostasis ◽  
Neonatal Lethality ◽  
Somatic Gene ◽  
Current Knowledge Base ◽  
Somatic Gene Transfer ◽  
The Brain

The current knowledge base on circulating serum and plasma risk factors of the cognitive decline of degenerative Alzheimer’s Disease is linked to cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein disturbances (i.e., total cholesterol, 24S-hydroxy-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), or apolipoprotein E. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is also expressed in the brain, with the highest levels found in the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, suggesting a possible role for LPL in the regulation of cognitive function. Little is currently known, however, about the specific role of LPL in the brain. The authors of this chapter have generated an LPL-deficient mouse model that was rescued from neonatal lethality by somatic gene transfer. The levels of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin were reduced in the hippocampus while the levels of the post-synaptic marker PSD-95 remained unchanged in the LPL-deficient mice. The decreased frequency of mEPSC in LPL-deficient neurons indicated that the number of presynaptic vesicles was decreased, which was consistent with the decreases observed in the numbers of total vesicles and docking vesicles. These findings indicate that LPL plays an important role in learning and memory function, possibly by influencing presynaptic function.

scholarly journals Thyroid disorders in subfertility and early pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204201882094585
Author(s):  
Samantha Anandappa ◽  
Mamta Joshi ◽  
Lukasz Polanski ◽  
Paul V. Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽  
Thyroid Disorders ◽  
Thyroid Function Tests ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hormone Use ◽  
Current Knowledge Base ◽  
In Pregnancy

Disorders of thyroid function are common in pregnancy and have implications for foetal and maternal health. Thyroid autoimmunity, as evidenced by the presence of elevated levels of anti-thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies) is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, though the mechanism remains poorly understood. There has been considerable focus on the implications and optimal management of pregnant women with thyroid disease, especially those undergoing assisted reproduction. Pregnancy results in significant changes in thyroid physiology and these need to be understood by clinicians involved in the care of pregnant women. Guidelines for the use of thyroxine and target thyroid function tests have been produced by international bodies but it is recognised that these predominantly reflect expert opinion rather than established evidence-based practice. Importantly a number of key clinical trials have been performed to aid understanding, particularly of the consequences of hypothyroidism for mother and baby, and the effectiveness of thyroid hormone use in autoimmune and subclinical hypothyroidism. This review summarises the current knowledge base and guidance for practice relating to thyroid disorders in pregnancy and subfertility.

Advances in Microbiome Research for Animal Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel S. Peixoto ◽  
Derek M. Harkins ◽  
Karen E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Toxic Compounds ◽  
Symbiotic Interactions ◽  
Microbiome Research ◽  
And Behavior

Host-associated microbiomes contribute in many ways to the homeostasis of the metaorganism. The microbiome's contributions range from helping to provide nutrition and aiding growth, development, and behavior to protecting against pathogens and toxic compounds. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the diversity and importance of the microbiome to animals, using representative examples of wild and domesticated species. We demonstrate how the beneficial ecological roles of animal-associated microbiomes can be generally grouped into well-defined main categories and how microbe-based alternative treatments can be applied to mitigate problems for both economic and conservation purposes and to provide crucial knowledge about host–microbiota symbiotic interactions. We suggest a Customized Combination of Microbial-Based Therapies to promote animal health and contribute to the practice of sustainable husbandry. We also discuss the ecological connections and threats associated with animal biodiversity loss, microorganism extinction, and emerging diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 9 is February 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Predicting Return To Work After Workplace Injury: A Review of Current Literature

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-102
Author(s):  
Richard Hilton
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Workplace Injury ◽  
Research Focus ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Current Knowledge Base

Eighty-four predictor variables were identified from thirty-four studies that researched return to work after workplace injury. The six most studied variables were then critically reviewed. The variables were age, sex, living arrangements, employment maintenance, delay to rehabilitation, and employment type. Based on the number of statistical findings, and on review of the articles, age, employment maintenance, and delay to rehabilitation demonstrated strong relationships with return to work. The variables of sex, living arrangements and employment type did not demonstrate such relationships. While this research brought together the current knowledge base the inability to quantitatively analyse previous results was a major limitation. It was recommended that ongoing research in this area ensures that analysis and publication of results provides information that would allow such secondary analysis in the future. It was also recommended that the current research focus on demographic variables be shifted to more prospective intervention based research.

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