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- Jones, Christopher, et al.
(author)
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Geospatial variation in co-occurrence networks of nitrifying microbial guilds
- 2019
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In: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 28, s. 293-306
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microbial communities transform nitrogen (N) compounds, thereby regulating the availability of N in soil. The N cycle is defined by interacting microbial functional groups, as inorganic N-products formed in one process are the substrate in one or several other processes. The nitrification pathway is often a two-step process in which bacterial or archaeal communities oxidize ammonia to nitrite, and bacterial communities further oxidize nitrite to nitrate. Little is known about the significance of interactions between ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) and nitrite-oxidizing bacterial communities (NOB) in determining the spatial variation of overall nitrifier community structure. We hypothesize that non-random associations exist between different AO and NOB lineages that, along with edaphic factors, shape field-scale spatial patterns of nitrifying communities. To address this, we sequenced and quantified the abundance of AOA, AOB, and Nitrospira and Nitrobacter NOB communities across a 44-hectare site with agricultural fields. The abundance of Nitrobacter communities was significantly associated only with AOB abundance, while that of Nitrospira was correlated to AOA. Network analysis and geostatistical modelling revealed distinct modules of co-occurring AO and NOB groups occupying disparate areas, with each module dominated by different lineages and associated with different edaphic factors. Local communities were characterized by a high proportion of module-connecting versus module-hub nodes, indicating that nitrifier assemblages in these soils are shaped by fluctuating conditions. Overall, our results demonstrate the utility of network analysis in accounting for potential biotic interactions that define the niche space of nitrifying communities at scales compatible to soil management.
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| 3. |
- Hsieh, Yu-Hsin, et al.
(author)
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Applying Eye-Gaze Assistive Technology in Daily Life in Children and Youth with Severe Physical Disabilities and Complex Communication Needs- A study protocol
- 2019
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Children and youth with severe physical disabilities and complex communication needs might have decreased participation in school and community life. Recent studies have shown that using eye-gaze assistive technology (AT) with support from social environments, engagement of main caregivers and team collaboration could help their voices been heard based on ICF framework. However, the research evidences are insufficient.Purpose: This paper describes the study protocol that aims to investigate the feasibility of eye-gaze AT for participation and communication/social interaction in daily living in children and youth with severe physical disabilities and complex communication needs in Taiwan.Methods: A nonconcurrent multiple probe design with mixed methods will be conducted from September 2019 to August 2020. The eye gaze AT intervention will be implemented in daily activities with support from the multi-professional team to explore the acceptability and implementation in Taiwan’s contexts. The research data will be collected at baseline, at 3 months, 6 months, and at 7 months since provision of the eye-gaze AT, encompassing quantitative outcomes on children’s daily participation and social communication and qualitative interviews with parents and service providers.Expected results: This study expects to provide a preliminary evidence of eye-gaze AT implementation in Taiwan and bring new knowledge in both a national and international perspective.
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| 5. |
- Morrell, Jane
(author)
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Improving sperm banking efficiency in endangered species through the use of a sperm selection method in brown bear (Ursus arctos) thawed sperm
- 2017
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In: BMC Veterinary Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1746-6148. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sperm selection methods such as Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) have been demonstrated to be a useful tool to improve the quality of sperm samples and therefore to increase the efficiency of other artificial reproductive techniques in several species. This procedure could help to improve the quality of genetic resource banks, which is essential for endangered species. In contrast, these sperm selection methods are optimized and focused on farm animals, where the recovery task is not as important as in endangered species because of their higher sperm availability. The aim of this study was to evaluate two centrifugation methods (300 x g/20 min and 600 x g/10 min) and three concentrations of SLC media (Androcoll-Bear -80, 65 and 50%) to optimise the procedure in order to recover as many sperm with the highest quality as possible. Sperm morphology could be important in the hydrodynamic relationship between the cell and centrifugation medium and thus the effect of sperm head morphometry on sperm yield and its hydrodynamic relationship were studied.Results: The samples selected with Androcoll-Bear 65% showed a very good yield (53.1 +/- 2.9) although the yield from Androcoll-Bear 80% was lower (19.3 +/- 3.3). The latter showed higher values of motility than the control immediately after post-thawing selection. However, both concentrations of colloid (65 and 80%) showed higher values of viable sperm and viable sperm with intact acrosome than the control. After an incubation of 2 h at 37 degrees C, the samples from Androcoll-Bear 80% had higher kinematics and proportion of viable sperm with intact acrosome. In the morphometric analysis, the sperm selected by the Androcoll-Bear 80% showed a head with a bigger area which was more elongated than the sperm from other treatments.Conclusions: We conclude that sperm selection with Androcoll-Bear at either 65% or 80% is a suitable technique that allows a sperm population with better quality than the initial sample to be obtained. We recommend the use of Androcoll-Bear 65% since the yield is better than Androcoll-Bear 80%. Our findings pave the way for further research on application of sperm selection techniques to sperm banking in the brown bear.
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| 6. |
- Nielsen, Niklas, et al.
(author)
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Adverse events and their relation to mortality in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia
- 2011
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In: Critical Care Medicine. - 0090-3493 .- 1530-0293. ; 39:1, s. 57-64
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate the association between adverse events recorded during critical care and mortality in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Design: Prospective, observational, registry-based study. Setting: Twenty-two hospitals in Europe and the United States. Patients: Between October 2004 and October 2008, 765 patients were included. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Arrhythmias (7%-14%), pneumonia (48%), metabolic and electrolyte disorders (5%-37%), and seizures (24%) were common adverse events in the critical care period in cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia, whereas sepsis (4%) and bleeding (6%) were less frequent. Sustained hyperglycemia (blood glucose >8 mmol/L for >4 hrs; odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.6-3.6, p < .001) and seizures treated with anticonvulsants (odds ratio 4.8, 95% confidence interval 2.9-8.1, p < .001) were associated with increased mortality in a multivariate model. An increased frequency of bleeding and sepsis occurred after invasive procedures (coronary angiography, intravascular devices for cooling, intra-aortic balloon pump), but bleeding and sepsis were not associated with increased mortality (odds ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.46-2.2, p = .91, and odds ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.79, p = .01, respectively). Conclusions: Adverse events were common after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Sustained hyperglycemia and seizures treated with anticonvulsants were associated with increased mortality. Bleeding and infection were more common after invasive procedures, but these adverse events were not associated with increased mortality in our study.
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