Evaluating Flow Metric-Based Stream Classification Systems to Support the Determination of Ecological Flows in North Carolina

AIM: We evaluated five stream classification systems observing: 1) differences in richness, abundance and macroinvertebrates communities among stream classes within classification systems; and 2) whether classification systems present better performance using macroinvertebrates. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of taxonomic resolution and data type (abundance and presence) on results. METHODS: Five stream classification systems were used, two based on hydroregions, one based on ecoregions by FEOW, a fourth one based on stream orders and the last one based on clusters of environment variables sampled in 37 streams at Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. We used a randomization test to evaluate differences of richness and abundance, a db-MANOVA to evaluate the differences of species assemblages and Classification Strength (CS) to evaluate the classifications performance. RESULTS: There were differences of richness and abundance among stream classes within each stream classification. The same result was found for community data, except for stream order classifications in family level. We observed that stream classes obtained for each stream classification differed in terms of environment variables (db-MANOVA). The classification based on environment variables showed higher CS values than other classification systems. The taxonomic resolution was important to the observed results. Data on genera level presented CS values 12% higher than family level for cluster classification, and the data type was dependent on the classification system and taxonomic resolution employed. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that classifications based on cluster of environment variables was better than other stream classification systems, and similar results using genera level can be obtained for management programs using family resolution in a geographical context similar to this study.

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Modeling population dynamics and nonstationary processes of difficult-to-age fishery species with a hierarchical Bayesian two-stage model

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/cjfas-2018-0298 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

pp. 2199-2214 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yan Li ◽

Laura M. Lee ◽

Jason Rock

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Population Dynamics ◽

Natural Mortality ◽

Hierarchical Bayesian ◽

Stage Model ◽

Survey Analysis ◽

Two Stage ◽

The North ◽

Fishery Species

Modeling population dynamics and establishing a comprehensive population assessment for fishery species that are difficult to age have been challenging. Determination of age for such species is still an unresolved issue or is at best uncertain. Catch-survey analysis does not require full age information but can still provide a comprehensive population assessment. It was extended to incorporate multiple surveys and multiple sources of uncertainties within the statistical catch-at-age framework in the applications to crustaceans. Here, we further generalize and extend the multiple survey catch-survey analysis into a hierarchical Bayesian two-stage model by applying the hierarchical Bayesian approach. The hierarchical Bayesian approach can sufficiently incorporate uncertainty and expert opinions in parameter estimation. We developed a series of models with different assumptions for natural mortality and catchability, including nonstationary (i.e., time-varying) assumptions. We evaluated model robustness to these assumptions and compared population dynamics estimates and population status determination. We demonstrated the application of the hierarchical Bayesian two-stage model using the North Carolina blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) example. In this example, estimation of population size and fishing mortality and determination of population status were robust to the natural mortality and catchability assumptions. The North Carolina blue crab population is less likely to have nonstationary catchability or nonstationary natural mortality. Its natural mortality is more likely to vary by stage than by sex or over time.

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Thyroid ultrasound compared with World Health Organization 1960 and 1994 palpation criteria for determination of goiter prevalence in regions of mild and severe iodine deficiency

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje.0.1430727 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 727-731 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

M Zimmermann ◽

A Saad ◽

S Hess ◽

T Torresani ◽

N Chaouki

Keyword(s):

Iodine Deficiency ◽

Urinary Iodine ◽

Thyroid Volume ◽

Classification Systems ◽

World Health ◽

Urinary Iodine Concentration ◽

Thyroid Ultrasound ◽

Iodine Deficiency Disorders ◽

Goiter Prevalence

OBJECTIVES: In 1994, WHO/International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders recommended replacing the WHO 1960 four-grade goiter classification with a simplified two-grade system. The effect of this change in criteria on the estimation of goiter prevalence in field studies is unclear. In areas of mild iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) where goiters are small, ultrasound is preferable to palpation to estimate goiter prevalence. However, in areas of moderate to severe IDD, goiter screening by palpation may be an acceptable alternative to thyroid ultrasound. To address these two issues, we compared WHO 1960 and 1994 criteria with thyroid ultrasound for determination of goiter prevalence in areas of mild and severe IDD in Morocco. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of 400 six- to 13-year-old children from two mountain villages (Ait M'hamed and Brikcha) in rural Morocco was carried out. METHODS: Urinary iodine concentration (UI), whole blood TSH and serum thyroxine were measured. Thyroid size was graded by inspection and palpation by two examiners using both WHO 1960 and 1994 criteria. Thyroid volume was determined by ultrasound. Variation between examiners and examination methods was assessed. Sensitivity and specificity of the two classification systems compared with ultrasound were calculated. RESULTS: Median UIs in Ait M'hamed and Brikcha were 183 and 24 microg/l respectively. In Ait M'hamed, using 1960 and 1994 criteria, goiter prevalence was 21 and 26% respectively, compared with 13% by ultrasound. In Brikcha, with 1960 and 1994 criteria, goiter prevalence was 64 and 67% respectively, compared with 64% by ultrasound. Agreement between observers was better with the 1994 criteria than with the 1960 criteria in Ait M'hamed (kappa=0.53 and 0.47 respectively), while in Brikcha observer agreement was similar with the two systems (kappa=0.67). Using either the 1994 or 1960 criteria, agreement with ultrasound was only moderate in Ait M'hamed (kappa=0.41-0.44), but good in Brikcha (kappa=0.55-0.64). Overall, compared with ultrasound, sensitivity increased 3-4% using 1994 criteria, while specificity decreased 4-5%. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO 1994 criteria are simpler to use than the 1960 criteria and provide increased sensitivity with only a small reduction in specificity. Agreement between observers is better with the 1994 criteria than with the 1960 criteria, particularly in areas of mild IDD. Like the 1960 criteria, the 1994 criteria overestimate goiter prevalence in areas of mild IDD, compared with ultrasound. However, the 1994 palpation criteria provide an accurate estimate of goiter prevalence in areas of severe IDD, and may be an acceptable and affordable alternative to thyroid ultrasound in these areas.

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Featured Collection Introduction: North Carolina Ecological Flows

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association ◽

10.1111/1752-1688.12499 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 3-5

Author(s):

Sam Pearsall ◽

Michele Eddy ◽

Jennifer Phelan

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Ecological Flows

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Four meta-analyses across 164 studies on atypical footedness prevalence and its relation to handedness

10.31234/osf.io/vcjxf ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Julian Packheiser ◽

Judith Schmitz ◽

Gesa Berretz ◽

David Carey ◽

Silvia Paracchini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Factors ◽

Large Scale ◽

Reference Data ◽

Population Level ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Moderating Factors ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Relationship

Human lateral preferences, such as handedness and footedness, have interested researchers for decades due to their pronounced asymmetries at population level. While there are good estimates on the prevalence of handedness in the population, there is, to this, day no large-scale estimation on the prevalence of footedness. Furthermore, the relationship between footedness and handedness still remains elusive. Here, we conducted meta-analyses with four different classification systems for footedness on 145,150 individuals across 164 studies including new data from the ALSPAC cohort. The aims of the study were to determine a reliable point estimate of footedness, to study the association between footedness and handedness, and to investigate moderating factors influencing footedness. We showed that the prevalence of atypical footedness ranges between 12.10% using the most conservative criterion of left-footedness to 23.7% including all left- and mixed-footers as a single non-right category. As many as 60.1% of left-handers were left-footed whereas only 3.2% of right-handers were left-footed. Males were 4.1% more often non-right-footed compared to females. Individuals with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders exhibited a higher prevalence of non-right-footedness. Furthermore, the presence of mixed-footedness was higher in children compared to adults as well as in experienced athletes compared to the general population. Finally, we showed that footedness is only marginally influenced by cultural and social factors, which have been shown to play a crucial role in the determination of handedness. Overall, this study provides new and useful reference data for laterality research. Furthermore, the data suggest that footedness is a valuable phenotype for the study of lateral motor biases, its underlying genetics and neurodevelopment.

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An Application of Stream Classification Systems in the Nam River, Korea

Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure ◽

10.17820/eri.2015.2.2.118 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 118-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kiheung Kim ◽

Heareyn Jung

Keyword(s):

Classification Systems ◽

Stream Classification

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Routine Measurement of Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP) To Assess Hemostatic Function in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.4014.4014 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 4014-4014

Author(s):

Alain P. Gadisseur ◽

Jeoffrey Schouten ◽

Sven Franque ◽

Marc Van der Planken ◽

Peter Michielsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Thrombin Generation ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Bleeding Tendency ◽

Endogenous Thrombin Potential ◽

Automated Assay ◽

The Mean

Abstract The maintenance of hemostasis through the production of most of the coagulation proteins is a basic liver function. In patients with cirrhosis of the liver the decrease in these proteins is one of the contributory factors to an increased bleeding tendency. Normally the hemostatic capacity of the liver is measured through routine clotting tests as the activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT). In the Child classification for liver cirrhosis the coagulation as expressed by the PT is one of the determinants. Recently a test has become available which will make it possible to routinely measure the endogenous thrombin generation potential (ETP) which may be a better alternative. In this test according to the method first described by Hemker (1993) thrombin generation is continuously measured by use of a chromogenic substrate. Results are calculated as area under the curve and as a percentage of normal. We analysed 110 patients with liver cirrhosis classified according to the Child classification, 79 patients with stage A, 19 stage B and 12 stage C, without known pre-existing coagulation abnormalities like inherited bleeding disorders, or anticoagulant drugs. In these patients ETP, APTT, PT/INR, FV, FVII and FXI were measured. We used a fully automated assay for the determination of the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) on the BCS® System (both Dade Behring, Marburg, Germany). The results for the mean PT were 81% (CI95 77 - 85) for Child A patients, 53% (CI95 44 - 63) for Child B, and 41% (CI95 33 - 50) for Child C. For the mean INR the results were 1.11 (CI95 1.08 - 1.14) for Child A patients, 1.65 (CI95 1.22 - 2.08) for Child B, and 1.82 (CI95 1.34 - 2.31) for Child C. The results for the mean normalized ETP were 0.87 (CI95 0.84 - 0.90) for Child A patients, 0.78 (CI95 0.68 - 0.88) for Child B, and 0.58 (CI95 0.51 - 0.64) for Child C (p<0.001). While the normalized ETP correlated well with both PT and INR for Child B (P<0.05) and C (p<0.01), there were significant differences within the child A patients where no significant correlation could be identified (Pearson correlation 0.203, R2=0.04, p=0.075. We conclude that the fully automated assay for the determination of the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) on the BCS® System (both Dade Behring, Marburg, Germany) is a potentially interesting test to measure the coagulation abilities in patients with liver cirrhosis which in the future may supersede the PT/INR in classification systems for hepatic disease.

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A Rapid Technique for Determination of Races of Phytophthora nicotianae on Tobacco

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-91-8-0985 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 91 (8) ◽

pp. 985-989 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Walter A. Gutiérrez ◽

Asimina L. Mila

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Tissue Culture ◽

Nicotiana Tabacum ◽

Phytophthora Nicotianae ◽

Breeding Lines ◽

Laboratory Technique ◽

Different Types ◽

Differential Cultivars ◽

Tobacco Seedlings

A laboratory technique for determining races of Phytophthora nicotianae on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was developed and compared with a commonly used greenhouse method. The laboratory technique was based on production and inoculation of tobacco seedlings in tissue culture plates. Three P. nicotianae isolates from North Carolina previously determined as race 0 and 1 were used. Four tobacco cultivars and two breeding lines with different types of resistance were used as differential cultivars: K-326, K-346, NC-71, NC-1071, L8, and Ky14xL8. Plants were evaluated 7 and 14 days after inoculation. Five differential cultivars (K-326, K-346, NC-1071, NC-71, and L8) were determined to be sufficient to differentiate races 0 and 1. Cv. Ky14xL8 was ineffective for differentiation of races and produced inconsistent results. The laboratory technique was as effective as the greenhouse technique for distinguishing different races of P. nicotianae for every isolate in all experiments. Additionally, the most reliable results for both methods were obtained when evaluations were made 14 days after inoculation. The laboratory technique was validated with 21 isolates collected from four counties in North Carolina. The laboratory technique produced results 2 weeks faster than the greenhouse technique and required significantly less space and labor than the greenhouse technique for the same number of isolates. Additionally, the larger number of seedlings used in the laboratory technique increased the robustness of the results, especially for isolates for which race identification was unclear with the greenhouse technique. We propose that the laboratory technique has the potential for evaluation of tobacco resistance in other pathosystems as well.

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