Interaction between fire and fragmentation in the successional stages of coastal dune grasslands of the southern Pampas, Argentina

Abstract Vegetation’s increased vulnerability to extrinsic disturbances is an important but less studied effect of natural habitat fragmentation. Fire is part of the evolutionary history of grassland ecosystems, but fragmentation by forest plantations can alter the fire regime and influence their resilience. This study compares the successional trajectories after fire in continuous and fragmented grassland in terms of composition and abundance of plant species. Grassland fragments of varying sizes (0.1 to 2.5 ha) surrounded by a forest matrix and grassland controls of an equivalent area in adjacent, non-fragmented sites were selected. Fire was associated with an increase in the abundance of exotic plants in the fragmented grassland whereas the continuous grasslands were much more resistant to invasion. These differences in the species composition between fragments and continuous areas, which were limited to the smaller areas before the fire, were observed one year after the fire throughout the range of sizes analyzed. These results show the impact of fragmentation on grassland resilience and how the effects of this process become evident even months after a disturbance, highlighting the synergistic effect of habitat fragmentation and biological invasions, two factors identified as the main forces of biodiversity erosion.

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Predictors of Progressive Course of Multifocal Atherosclerosis in Patients With Myocardial Infarction

Kardiologiia ◽

10.18087/cardio.2019.5.10257 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 36-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. Yu. Sedykh ◽

A. N. Kazantsev ◽

R. S. Tarasov ◽

V. V. Kashtalap ◽

A. N. Volkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Family History ◽

Syntax Score ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

Ica Stenosis ◽

The Impact ◽

Progression Of Atherosclerosis ◽

Progressive Course

Purpose. Determination of clinical and instrumental predictors of progressive course of multifocal atherosclerosis (MFA) in patients one year after myocardial infarction (MI), initially having hemodynamically insignificant stenoses of carotid arteries.Materials and methods. From database of patients with acute coronary syndrome treated in the Kemerovo Regional Clinical Cardiac Dispensary in 2009–2010 we selected for this study 141 patients with verified diagnosis of MI and hemodynamically insignificant lesions in the internal carotid artery (ICA) (stenosis up ≤ 55 %). All patients had coronary atherosclerosis verified on coronary angiography at admission because of MI. A multivariate analysis of possible predictors of the progressive course of multifocal atherosclerosis was made based on assessment of the development of cardiovascular complications (CVC) (death, MI, stroke and transient cerebral circulatory attacks [TIA]), as well as revascularizations and negative dynamics of parameters of color duplex scanning (CDS) of ICA during one year after MI. Results. One year after MI the overall incidence of CVC was 16.3 % (n=23). Structure of registered events was as follows: death from MI 7.1 % (n=10), deaths from stroke 2.1 % (n=3) and other causes 2.1 % (n=3), non-fatal MI 5.0 % (n=7), non-fatal stroke / TIA 2.1 % (n=3), carotid revascularization 2.8 % (n=4), coronary revascularization 14.9 % (n=21). CDC of ICAs was repeated in 125 patients. There were 17 (13.6 %) cases of progression of carotid atherosclerosis in the form of de novo bilateral stenoses in 14 (11.2 %) patients, stenoses in the left and right ICA 1 patient and 2 patients, respectively. The following predictors of progression of atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries were identified: family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD),ICA stenosis ≥45 %, baseline circular atherosclerotic plaque (ASP). Predictors of high risk of stroke were family history of CVD, history of stroke,ICA stenosis ≥45 %, heterogeneous hypoechoic ASP. As predictors of lethal outcome, we identified history of MI, high functional class of angina preceding the index MI, severe coronary vascular bed involvement (SYNTAX score >23), presence of any bilateral atherosclerotic lesion in ICAs, and heterogeneous hypoechoic ASP. Assessment of the contribution of adherence to therapy in the prognosis 1 year after hospital discharge was fulfilled in 125 alive patients. It allowed to conclude that patients with progression of atherosclerosis and nonfatal CVC were characterized by insufficient adherence to standard therapy.Conclusion. Predictors of the progressive course of multifocal atherosclerosis during one year after MI were identified in this study. It is necessary to strengthen therapeutic and preventive measures aimed at minimization of the impact of these factors in this category of patients.

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No Evidence of Low Genetic Diversity Despite High Levels of Inbreeding and Poor Genetic Connectivity Among Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae) Populations in Remaining Forest Areas in Cebu, Philippines

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364421x16370109698614 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 951-961

Author(s):

Jasper John A. Obico ◽

Hemres Alburo ◽

Julie F. Barcelona ◽

Marie Hale ◽

Lisa Paguntalan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Habitat Fragmentation ◽

Tropical Forests ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Genetic Connectivity ◽

Philippine Island ◽

Low Genetic Diversity ◽

History Of ◽

Gap Data ◽

The Impact

Abstract— Little is known about the effects of habitat fragmentation on the patterns of genetic diversity and genetic connectivity of species in the remaining tropical forests of Southeast Asia. This is particularly evident in Cebu, a Philippine island that has a long history of deforestation and has lost nearly all of its forest cover. To begin filling this gap, data from 13 microsatellite loci developed for Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae), a common vine species in Philippine forests, were used to study patterns of genetic diversity and genetic connectivity for the four largest of the remaining forest areas in Cebu. Evidence of relatively high levels of inbreeding was found in all four areas, despite no evidence of low genetic diversity. The four areas are genetically differentiated, suggesting low genetic connectivity. The presence of inbreeding and low genetic connectivity in a commonly encountered species such as T. loheri in Cebu suggests that the impact of habitat fragmentation is likely greater on rare plant species with more restricted distributions in Cebu. Conservation recommendations for the remaining forest areas in Cebu include the establishment of steppingstone corridors between nearby areas to improve the movement of pollinators and seed dispersers among them.

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The Effects of Ankle Sprain on Balance Tests in Adolescent Volleyball Players with Previous History of Ankle Sprain

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967114s00180 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (11_suppl3) ◽

pp. 2325967114S0018

Author(s):

Ceyda Sarıal ◽

Abdulhamıt Tayfur ◽

Beyza Kap ◽

Dılara Donder ◽

Ozum Melıs Ertuzun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankle Sprain ◽

Previous History ◽

Control Group ◽

Balance Test ◽

Balance Tests ◽

Volleyball Players ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

The Right ◽

The Impact

Objectives: To investigate the impact of having previous history of inversion ankle sprain on balance tests in adolescent volleyball players. Methods: Fourty-five adolescent volleyball players with mean age of 15.26±1.03 participated in our study. Twenty-nine were uninjured (control group) and sixteen had previously experienced inversion injuries on right ankle. 9 players had the injury more than than one year ago and 7 players had it before six to twelf months. Balancing abilities were evaluated by Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Single Limb Hurdle Test (SLHT). The fact that players with history of injury had the ankle sprain at right foot led us to perform the measurements in the control group also for the right foot. We compared the results of injured and uninjured players on both tests. Results: Uninjured players' reaching distance on right foot was found out to be significantly more than in players with ankle sprain at medial and posteromedial directions of SEBT(p<.05), whereas there were no differences detected for the other directions (p>.05). For comparing athletes' performances with SLHT, finishing time was found significantly better in uninjured players (p<.05). Conclusion: Adolescent volleyball players with history of injury show lower performance on balance tests compared to uninjured players. This demonstrates that they should be given a training including balance and stabilization programs.

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Slowness as a Strategy of the Contemporary through Films

Airea Arts and Interdisciplinary Research ◽

10.2218/airea.3059 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 82-102

Author(s):

Karen Heald

Keyword(s):

Cultural Change ◽

Profound Change ◽

Future Studies ◽

Moving Images ◽

Contemporary Life ◽

Critical Media ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

Andrei Tarkovsky ◽

The Impact

In Future Studies and the History of Technology accelerating change is a perceived increase in the rate of technological change throughout history. This may suggest faster and more profound change in the future and may or may not be accompanied by equally profound social and cultural change. Responding to the accelerating technological landscape and contemporary life, this paper researches how the concept of ‘time’ plays a significant role. The author, an experimental filmmaker, charts an experiential journey within several pivotal ‘dream films’, along with relevant artists’ moving images in relation to time and slowness in the moving image as critical media. As contemporary life has become more and more fast paced, and one year on the impact of COVID-19 is still being felt, the idea of stillness is beginning to become a more desirable commodity. The author explores ‘slow cinema’, acknowledging seminal directors Andrei Tarkovsky and Claire Denis, as well as art films which frequently emphasise long takes, offering minimalist aesthetics with little or no narrative. In an endeavour to portray different temporalities and reveal and allude to the invisibility of time, the author relates to Julia Kristeva’s notions of intertextuality, transposition and time, and Lutz Koepnik’s concept of slowness as a strategy of the contemporary. The author discusses four ‘dream films’, where painterly, poetic, non-linear narratives, and ‘in-between’ spaces are played out: FRIDA Travels to Ibiza, Cycle, Llafarganu Papagei and Frock.

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SARS-CoV-2 Infection: New Molecular, Phylogenetic, and Pathogenetic Insights. Efficacy of Current Vaccines and the Potential Risk of Variants

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13091687 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1687 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John Charles Rotondo ◽

Fernanda Martini ◽

Martina Maritati ◽

Chiara Mazziotta ◽

Giulia Di Mauro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Vector ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact ◽

First Time

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly discovered coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 has rapidly become a public health emergency of international concern. Although remarkable scientific achievements have been reached since the beginning of the pandemic, the knowledge behind this novel coronavirus, in terms of molecular and pathogenic characteristics and zoonotic potential, is still relatively limited. Today, there is a vaccine, or rather several vaccines, which, for the first time in the history of highly contagious infectious diseases that have plagued mankind, has been manufactured in just one year. Currently, four vaccines are licensed by regulatory agencies, and they use RNA or viral vector technologies. The positive effects of the vaccination campaign are being felt in many parts of the world, but the disappearance of this new infection is still far from being a reality, as it is also threatened by the presence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants that could undermine the effectiveness of the vaccine, hampering the immunization control efforts. Indeed, the current findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is adapting to transmission in humans more efficiently, while further divergence from the initial archetype should be considered. In this review, we aimed to provide a collection of the current knowledge regarding the molecular, phylogenetic, and pathogenetic insights into SARS-CoV-2. The most recent findings obtained with respect to the impact of novel emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as the development and implementation of vaccines are highlighted.

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Outcome Following Concussion: Prospective Investigation into the Cumulative Effects of a Prior History of Brain Injury and a History of Repeated Sub-Concussive Injuries on Recovery

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acz035.20 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 852-852

Author(s):

J Bailie ◽

R Remigio-Baker ◽

W Cole ◽

K Stuessi ◽

M Ettenhofer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Prior History ◽

State University ◽

Symptom Scores ◽

Two Factors ◽

History Of ◽

Severe Tbi ◽

The Ohio State University ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objective To investigate the impact of patient history of repeated head injury (RHI) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on recovery from an acute concussion. Methods There were 64 participants from 3 military installations treated for an acute concussion ( < 72 hours) and monitored at < 72 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Participants had no concussion in the last year and no history of moderate/severe TBI. TBI history was based on the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method and limited to mTBI with loss of consciousness. Primary outcome was symptoms evaluated using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory. A total of 33 participants completed the study. Results Participants were as follows: n = 12 TBI(-)/RHI(-); n = 6 TBI(+)/RHI(-); n = 9 TBI(-)/RHI(+); n = 6 TBI(+)/RHI(+). A multivariate ANOVA examining TBI/RHI group effect on symptoms was significant (F = 2.31, p = 0.010), whereby the TBI(+)/RHI(+) had higher symptom scores than other groups at < 72 hours, 1 week, and 6 months. At 1 month, TBI(+)/RHI(+) had more symptoms than the TBI(-)/RHI(+). At 3 months, the TBI(+)/RHI(+) had higher symptom scores than the TBI(-)/RHI(-) and the TBI(-)/RHI(+). The TBI(-)/RHI(+) did not differ from TBI(-)/RHI(-) except at 1 week where they had lower overall symptoms. Conclusions Participants with an acute mTBI had more severe symptoms if they had RHI and a prior remote mTBI. The combination of these two factors had a negative impact on recovery for up to 6 months. RHI in the absence of TBI did not impact recovery.

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Impacts of land management on the resilience of Mediterranean dry forests to fire

10.20944/preprints201607.0081.v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Matteo Jucker Riva ◽

Gudrun Schwilch ◽

Hanspeter Liniger ◽

Alejandro Valdecantos

Keyword(s):

Land Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Fire Regime ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Time Frame ◽

Mediterranean Forests ◽

Before And After ◽

History Of ◽

Time Specific ◽

The Impact

Wildfires have always been a part of the history of Mediterranean forests. However, forest regeneration after a wildfire is not certain. It depends on many factors, some of which may be influenced by land management activities. Failure of regeneration will cause a regime shift in the ecosystem, reducing the provision of ecosystem services and ultimately leading to desertification. How can we increase Mediterranean forests’ resilience to fire? To answer this question, we did a literature review, investigating chains of processes that allow forests to regenerate (which we label “regeneration mechanisms”), and assessed the impact of selected management practices documented in the WOCAT database on the regeneration mechanisms. We identified three distinct regeneration mechanisms that enable Mediterranean forests to recover, as well as the time frame before and after a fire in which they are at work, and factors that can hinder or support resilience. The three regeneration mechanisms enabling a forest to regenerate after a fire consist of regeneration (1) from a seed bank; (2) from resprouting individuals; and (3) from unburned plants that escaped the fire. Management practices were grouped into four categories: (1) fuel breaks, (2) fuel management, (3) afforestation, and (4) mulching. We assessed how and under what conditions land management modifies the ecosystem’s resilience. The results show that land management influences resilience by interacting with resilience mechanisms before and after the fire, and not just by modifying the fire regime. Our analysis demonstrates a need for adaptive – i.e. context- and time-specific – management strategies.

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A Single Surgeon, 10 Year Experience with the Oxford Partial Knee System: What a Difference Experience, Instruments, Implants, and Technique Can Make

Reconstructive Review ◽

10.15438/rr.7.2.180 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

David Mauerhan ◽

Nigel L Rozario

Keyword(s):

Mobile Bearing ◽

Cost Effective ◽

History Of ◽

Total Knee ◽

One Year ◽

High Degree ◽

The Impact ◽

Partial Knee Replacement ◽

Lower Morbidity

Partial knee (unicompartmental) arthroplasty (PKA) for medial compartment disease of the knee has a long and well documented history of successful results over long periods of follow up. The Oxford Partial Knee Replacement has been available in the U.S. since 2004. After completing an FDA required instructional course, surgeons may use the device. Both the implant and the instruments have evolved since its introduction in 2004. This paper outlines the authors continuous cohort of 249 patients, 286 knees from 2004 to 2014 with minimum 2 year follow up, and reports the results while discussing the impact of experience, instruments and implants, and technique on the outcome of patients in this series. For the aggregate group of 286 knees, there were 17(5.9%) all-cause revisions to TKA, including 2(0.7%) dislocations, resulting in a (83%) survivorship at ten years. The survivorship at ten years for retained implants was 97% if non-implant related causes are not included. At one year, there were 89% excellent and good results, 5% fair, and 6% poor. At two years, there were 93% excellent and good, 1 % fair, and 5.5% poor. The causes for the poor results at one and two years were tibial sided failure or persistent pain. Three (12%) of patients with a poor result at one year had converted to good and excellent at two years. The use of the Oxford Mobile Bearing™ PKA has been shown to be a useful part of the surgeon’s surgical armamentarium when dealing with anteromedial osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis of the knee. PKA has been shown to have a lower morbidity and mortality and is cost effective when compared to total knee arthroplasty. The author’s experience, as demonstrated in this study, adds validity to the concept that understanding the pathoanatomy of anteromedial osteoarthritis and gaining surgical experience through increased surgical volume, adherence to well documented technique, and the use of a time proven implant, can be accomplished with a high degree of successful outcomes for patients with the appropriate indications.

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Non tumoral portal vein thrombosis during cirrhosis: Should anticoagulation be proposed?

10.32512/jmr.1.2.2018/4.11. ◽

2018 ◽

Keyword(s):

Portal Vein ◽

Portal Vein Thrombosis ◽

Anticoagulant Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Early Introduction ◽

Vein Thrombosis ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is considered as infrequent and pejorative event in cirrhosis. Up to date, many questions remain about therapeutic management. Aim: The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of the PVT on the progression of liver disease, to review the indications for anticoagulation and its repercussions. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted over a period of 12 years (2002-2013). It included 484 cases of cirrhosis. Among these patients, 41 had non tumoral portal vein thrombosis (case group). The control group included the remaining 443 patients. Results: In our study, there was no impact of PVT on the natural history of cirrhosis both in terms of complications or survival. Only the early introduction of anticoagulant therapy was associated with a re-permeabilization of portal vein at one year (OR1.6; 95% CI [1.10-2.01]). Prolonged anticoagulation was inversely correlated with recurrent PVT after treatment. However, obtaining a portal vein re-permeabilization was not correlated to a significant gain in terms of prevention of complication related to cirrhosis and survival. Conclusions: results suggest that portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis is not a formal indication for anticoagulant therapy. It should be reserved for candidates of liver transplantation, those with an extension of the PVT to mesenteric vessels or with severe prothrombotic status. Key words: portal vein thrombosis, cirrhosis, anticoagulation.

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Abstract 4013: The Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on the outcomes of patients suffering a second Myocardial Infarction

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.118.suppl_18.s_818-b ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽

Author(s):

Yingzi Deng ◽

William J Kostis ◽

Alan C Wilson ◽

Nora Cosgrove ◽

Yu-Hsuan Shao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Percutaneous Coronary ◽

History Of ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

In the past 20 years, significant increases in hospital admissions for atrial fibrillation (AF) and in survival of acute myocardial infarction (MI) have been observed. We examined the occurrence of AF and its effect on short and long term outcomes of first MI(FMI) and second MI(SMI). Hospitalized MIs from MIDAS (Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System, N=269,110) in New Jersey from 1986 to 2005 were included in the analysis. The rate of the co-exiting MI and AF and 30-day and 1 year mortality were investigated. Approximately 11 %( N=26,631) of FMI patients had a second event. The rate of co-existing AF for the FMI was 9.6% in 1986 and 16.2% in 2005, a 40.9% increase; while AF increased 60.4%, from 7.7% to 20.5% for SMI. Patients with AF were older (76.5 vs 69.3), more likely to be female (43.6% vs 39.4%), to have subendocardial infarction (58.5% vs 49.2%). Patients AF were less likely to be black in racial (4.2% vs 8.4%) and to receive percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) (6.1% vs 10.4 %). There were more strokes (2% vs 0.9%) and heart failure hospitalizations (HF, 58% vs 39%) in the AF group(p<0.0001). Thirty-day mortality rates (AF vs non-AF) were 20.9% and 13.8% for the FMIs; and 21.5% vs 14.2% for SMIs. One-year mortality rates were 37.4% and 20.5% at FMI, and 43.3% and 28.1% at the SMI, respectively. When adjusting for age, gender, race, MI site, PCI, year of MI, diabetes, stroke and HF, AF increased the 30 day mortality by 36%( OR1.36 95% CI 1.32–1.41) for FMI, and by 33% (OR 1.33(1.22–1.46)] for SMI. The effect of AF on mortality was more pronounced at 1 year [FMI 1.54(1.50 –1.58), SMI:1.44(1.34 –1.55)]. Current AF as well as the history of AF increased both 30-day [OR for current AF: 1.35(1.22–1.50), history of AF: 1.17(1.04 –1.32)] and 1-year mortality [current AF: 1.5(1.4 –1.6), history of AF: 1.21(1.11–1.33)]. The rate of AF in MI patients has increased, especially SMIs. AF remains as a strong predictor of worse outcome for patients suffering a second MI. Both the history of AF and current AF were associated with higher mortality in MI patients.

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