Forest edges influence more than half of the world's forests and contribute to worldwide declines in biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, predicting these declines is challenging in ...heterogeneous fragmented landscapes. Here we assembled a global dataset on species responses to fragmentation and developed a statistical approach for quantifying edge impacts in heterogeneous landscapes to quantify edge-determined changes in abundance of 1,673 vertebrate species. We show that the abundances of 85% of species are affected, either positively or negatively, by forest edges. Species that live in the centre of the forest (forest core), that were more likely to be listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reached peak abundances only at sites farther than 200-400 m from sharp high-contrast forest edges. Smaller-bodied amphibians, larger reptiles and medium-sized non-volant mammals experienced a larger reduction in suitable habitat than other forest-core species. Our results highlight the pervasive ability of forest edges to restructure ecological communities on a global scale.
Iron is an important micronutrient involved in several mechanisms in the human body and can be an important biomarker. In this work, a simple and disposable microfluidic paper-based analytical device ...(µPAD) was developed for the quantification of iron in urine samples. The detection was based on the colorimetric reaction between iron(II) and bathophenanthroline and the reduction of iron(III) to iron(II) with hydroxylamine. The developed µPAD enabled iron determination in the range 0.07–1.2 mg/L, with a limit of detection of 20 µg/L and a limit of quantification of 65 µg/L, thus suitable for the expected values in human urine. Additionally, targeting urine samples, the potential interference of the samples color was overcome by incorporating a sample blank assessment for absorbance subtraction. Stability studies revealed that the device was stable for 15 days prior to usage and that the formed colored product was stable for scanning up to 3 h. The accuracy of the developed device was established by analyzing urine samples (#26) with the developed µPAD and with the atomic absorption spectrometry method; the relative deviation between the two sets of results was below 9.5%.
Graphical abstract
The production of axionlike particles (ALPs) with small masses in ultraperipheral
Pb
–
p
and
Pb
–
Pb
collisions at the LHC is investigated. The cross section and kinematical distributions associated ...to the diphoton final state produced in the
γ
γ
→
a
→
γ
γ
subprocesses are estimated considering a realistic set of kinematical cuts. A detailed analysis of the backgrounds is performed and the expected sensitivity to the ALP production is derived. Our results demonstrate that a future experimental analysis of the exclusive diphoton production for the forward rapidities probed by the LHCb detector can improve the existing exclusion limits on the ALP–photon coupling in the mass range 2 GeV
≤
m
a
≤
5 GeV.
Human disturbance drives the decline of many species, both directly and indirectly. Nonetheless, some species do particularly well around humans. One mechanism that may explain coexistence is the ...degree to which a species tolerates human disturbance. Here we provide a comprehensive meta-analysis of birds, mammals and lizards to investigate species tolerance of human disturbance and explore the drivers of this tolerance in birds. We find that, overall, disturbed populations of the three major taxa are more tolerant of human disturbance than less disturbed populations. The best predictors of the direction and magnitude of bird tolerance of human disturbance are the type of disturbed area (urbanized birds are more tolerant than rural or suburban populations) and body mass (large birds are more tolerant than small birds). By identifying specific features associated with tolerance, these results guide evidence-based conservation strategies to predict and manage the impacts of increasing human disturbance on birds.
In this work, the design of a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for the quantification of nitrate in urine samples was described. Nitrate monitoring is highly relevant due to its ...association to some diseases and health conditions. The nitrate determination was achieved by combining the selectivity of the nitrate reductase enzymatic reaction with the colorimetric detection of nitrite by the well-known Griess reagent. For the optimization of the nitrate determination μPAD, several variables associated with the design and construction of the device were studied. Furthermore, the interference of the urine matrix was evaluated, and stability studies were performed, under different conditions. The developed μPAD enabled us to obtain a limit of detection of 0.04 mM, a limit of quantification of 0.14 mM and a dynamic concentration range of 0.14-1.0 mM. The designed μPAD proved to be stable for 24 h when stored at room temperature in air or vacuum atmosphere, and 60 days when stored in vacuum at -20 °C. The accuracy of the nitrate μPAD measurements was confirmed by analyzing four certified samples (prepared in synthetic urine) and performing recovery studies using urine samples.
Objectives To define the incidence of 30-day postdischarge emergency department (ED) visits and hospital readmissions following pediatric gastrostomy tube (GT) placement across all procedural ...services (Surgery, Interventional-Radiology, Gastroenterology) in 38 freestanding Children's Hospitals. Study design This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients <18 years of age discharged between 2010 and 2012 after GT placement. Factors significantly associated with ED revisits and hospital readmissions within 30 days of hospital discharge were identified using multivariable logistic regression. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing patients having the GT placed on the date of admission or later in the hospital course. Results Of 15 642 identified patients, 8.6% had an ED visit within 30 days of hospital discharge, and 3.9% were readmitted through the ED with a GT-related issue. GT-related events associated with these visits included infection (27%), mechanical complication (22%), and replacement (19%). In multivariable analysis, Hispanic ethnicity, non-Hispanic black race, and the presence of ≥3 chronic conditions were independently associated with ED revisits; gastroesophageal reflux and not having a concomitant fundoplication at time of GT placement were independently associated with hospital readmission. Timing of GT placement (scheduled vs late) was not associated with either ED revisits or hospital readmission. Conclusions GT placement is associated with high rates of ED revisits and hospital readmissions in the first 30 days after hospital discharge. The association of nonmodifiable risk factors such as race/ethnicity and medical complexity is an initial step toward understanding this population so that interventions can be developed to decrease these potentially preventable occurrences given their importance among accountable care organizations.
In this work, two different microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) were developed for the quantification of nitrite and nitrate in human saliva samples, in order to aid in the diagnosis ...of some diseases and health conditions associated with these ions. The development of these nitrite and nitrate μPADs involved several studies to optimize their design and construction, including an interference assessment and stability studies. These μPADs allowed a nitrite determination in a range of 5–250 μM with limits of detection and quantification of 0.05 μM and 0.17 μM, respectively, and a nitrate determination in the range 0.2–1.2 mM with limits of detection and quantification of 0.08 mM and 0.27 mM, respectively. As for the stability, both of the μPADs were stable when stored in vacuum at 4 °C (the nitrite μPAD for at least 60 days and the nitrate μPAD for at least of 14 days) and, after the sample placement, the nitrite and nitrate μPADs could be scanned within the first 4 and 2 h, respectively. The nitrite μPAD measurements were compared with the ones obtained from the standard colorimetric method and there were no statistically significant differences between these two methods. To evaluate the accuracy of nitrate μPAD measurements, 4 certified water samples were used and recovery studies using saliva samples were performed.
Display omitted
•Design of the first μPAD for nitrite and nitrate determination in human saliva.•Nitrate reduction carried out within the novel device.•Direct saliva introduction, no sample pretreatment required.•Successfully applied to saliva samples collected from healthy volunteers.
In this paper we present a detailed comparison of the dijet production by photon–photon, photon–pomeron and pomeron–pomeron interactions in
pp
,
pA
and
AA
collisions at the LHC energy. The transverse ...momentum, pseudo-rapidity and angular dependencies of the cross sections are calculated at LHC energy using the Forward Physics Monte Carlo (FPMC), which allows one to obtain realistic predictions for the dijet production with two leading intact hadrons. We see that the
γ
I
P
channel is dominant at forward rapidities in
pp
collisions and in the full kinematical range in the nuclear collisions of heavy nuclei. Our results indicate that the analysis of dijet production at the LHC can be useful to test the resolved pomeron model as well as to constrain the magnitude of the absorption effects.
The dilepton production at forward rapidities in diffractive and exclusive processes present in ultraperipheral
PbPb
collisions at the LHC is investigated. Predictions for the
e
+
e
-
,
μ
+
μ
-
and
τ
...+
τ
-
cross sections are presented taking into account of realistic cuts that can be implemented by the LHCb Collaboration in a future experimental analysis. Our results indicate that the background associated with the diffractive production can be strongly suppressed and the exclusive processes can be cleanly separated. For the
τ
+
τ
-
production, the semi and purely leptonic decay channels are considered. Our results indicate that a future experimental analysis of the dilepton production at the LHCb is feasible and can be useful to search for BSM physics.
Abstract Background There is an increased desire of patients and families to be involved in the surgical decision making process. A surgeon’s ability to provide patients and families with ...patient-specific estimates of postoperative complications is critical for shared decision making and informed consent. Surgeons can also use patient-specific risk estimates to decide whether or not to operate and what options to give to patients. Our objective was to develop and evaluate a publicly available risk estimation tool that would cover many common pediatric surgical procedures across all specialties. Study Design ACS NSQIP Pediatric standardized data from 67 hospitals were used to develop a risk estimation tool. Surgeons enter 18 preoperative variables (demographics, comorbidities, procedure) that are used in a logistic regression model to predict nine postoperative outcomes. A surgeon adjustment score is also incorporated to adjust for any additional risk not accounted for in the 18 risk factors. Results A pediatric surgical risk calculator was developed based on 181,353 cases covering 382 CPT codes across all specialties. It had excellent discrimination for mortality (c-statistic=0.98), morbidity (c-statistic=0.81), and 7 additional complications (c-statistics>0.77). The HL statistic and graphical representations also showed excellent calibration. Conclusions The ACS NSQIP Pediatric Surgical Risk Calculator was developed using standardized and audited, multi-institutional data from the ACS NSQIP Pediatric and provides empirically derived, patient-specific postoperative risks. It can be used as a tool in the shared decision making process by providing clinicians, families, and patients with useful information for many of the most common operations performed on pediatric patients in the U.S.
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