Nonparametric comparison for panel count data with unequal observation processes

This article considers nonparametric comparison of several treatment groups based on panel count data, which often occur in, among others, medical follow-up studies and reliability experiments concerning recurrent events. For the problem, most of the existing procedures require that observation processes are identical across different treatment groups among other requirements. We propose a new class of nonparametric test procedures that allow different observation processes. The new test statistics are constructed based on the integrated weighted differences between the estimated mean functions of the underlying recurrent event processes. The asymptotic distributions of the proposed test statistics are established and their finite-sample properties are examined through Monte Carlo simulations, which indicate that the proposed approach works well for practical situations. An illustrative example is provided.     

Rehabilitation of Logged Rain Forests: Avifaunal Composition,Habitat Structure,and Implications for Biodiversity‐Friendly REDD+

The inclusion of carbon stock enhancements under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) framework will likely drive a rapid increase in biosequestration projects that remove carbon from the atmosphere through rehabilitation of degraded primary rain forests. Such projects could also present an important opportunity to reverse losses of biodiversity from degraded rain forests, but concern has recently been expressed that management interventions to increase carbon stocks may conflict with biodiversity conservation. Focusing on a large‐scale rain forest rehabilitation project in northern Borneo, we examine: (i) how intensive rehabilitation of selectively logged forests affected patterns of bird community composition and (ii) whether changes in vegetation structure explain observed shifts in avian guild structure and species composition. Bird composition differed between unlogged, naturally regenerating logged, and rehabilitated logged habitats, with the avifauna of rehabilitated forest more similar to that of naturally regenerating forest. Crucially, rehabilitation did not adversely affect either those species that declined after logging or those species that are IUCN Red Listed. Rehabilitation reduced the prevalence of vines and shrubs within regenerating forest, and across all habitats, the abundance and species richness of all birds and of obligate frugivores were positively related to vine prevalence. In contrast, the abundance and richness of frugivore–insectivore generalists and of salliers were negatively related to vines, suggesting that avifaunal responses to forest rehabilitation were attributable to liberation cutting of vines. Management intervention to increase carbon stocks had little adverse effect on avian biodiversity and we therefore argue that rain forest rehabilitation should play a strong role in future REDD+ agreements.     

Effects of organic matter availability on the life history and production of a top vertebrate predator (Plethodontidae: Gyrinophilus palleucus) in two cave streams

1. Surface ecosystems provide the primary source of organic matter to many cave communities. Variation in the strength of connectivity to the surface suggests that some caves may be more resource‐limited than others. To test this, we examined diet, prey availability and production of an obligate cave salamander Gyrinophilus palleucus (Plethodontidae), a top predator, in two south‐eastern U.S.A. caves with different levels of organic matter (Tony Sinks cave, 165 g AFDM m^?2; Bluff River cave, 62 g AFDM m^?2). 2. We quantified density, biomass, growth rate, production and diet of G. palleucus monthly for 21 months. Diet composition, differences in prey communities and seasonal patterns in prey consumption were also analysed. 3. Salamander density, biomass and secondary production were significantly greater in the high organic matter cave (0.10 m^?2, 0.18 g AFDM m^?2, 0.12 g AFDM m^?2 year^?1) than in the low organic matter cave (0.03 m^?2, 0.03 g AFDM m^?2, 0.01 g AFDM m^?2 year^?1). Although growth rates were not statistically different between the two cave salamander populations, low recaptures probably influenced this result. 4. Isopoda prey were the major contributor to salamander production in the high organic matter cave (69%). In the low organic matter cave, production was provided by isopods (41%) and oligochaetes (20%). The lower number of prey taxa contributing to salamander production in the high organic matter cave suggests the ability to forage more selectively. 5. The differences in foraging strategy, density, biomass and secondary production were probably related to differences in the strength of surface connectivity, which controls organic matter supply. Links between basal resource level and top predator performance show the importance of bottom‐up limitation in the food webs of caves and other detritus‐based ecosystems.     

Invertebrate grazing and riparian shade as controllers of nuisance algae in a eutrophic river

1. Algal growth in lotic systems is controlled either from the bottom‐up (e.g. nutrients and light, which determine growth rates) or from the top‐down (e.g. grazing pressure, which reduces accumulated biomass). Nutrient‐enriched streams that support large and diverse grazing macroinvertebrate populations and those with shaded riparian corridors rarely suffer from excessive algal growth. 2. In this study, the density of benthic algivorous macroinvertebrates was experimentally manipulated in shaded and open nutrient‐enriched stream habitats of the Owennagearagh River, south‐west Ireland. The ability of macroinvertebrate grazers and riparian shade to control benthic algal growth [particularly the nuisance alga, Cladophora glomerata (L. Kütz)] was investigated. Three sites with markedly different concentrations of plant nutrients (one site upstream and two sites downstream of the sewage outfall) were selected. The density of grazing invertebrates colonising ceramic tiles was reduced using high‐voltage localised electric pulses. Replicates of treatment (grazer‐excluded) and control (grazed) tiles were deployed in open and shaded (<25 and >80% canopy cover, respectively) patches of stream bed, in each site. 3. After 2‐week Cladophora cover, periphytic chlorophyll a and biofilm ash‐free dry mass (AFDM) were quantified for all experimental tiles. Values for all three parameters were highest on grazer‐excluded tiles from open patches. Grazed tiles from open patches accrued little Cladophora and had significantly lower levels of chlorophyll a and AFDM. Nutrient inputs were found to have an impact on the density of grazing invertebrates, with higher densities of Baetis nymphs at the most nutrient‐enriched site. 4. Our results demonstrate that in eutrophic, high‐light streams, filamentous algae can quickly accumulate to nuisance levels in the absence of invertebrate grazers. In future, greater attention should be paid to the role of grazing invertebrates in controlling nuisance algae in streams, in addition to algal–nutrient relationships.     

Follow up estimation of Aedes aegypti entomological parameters and mathematical modellings

The dengue virus is a vector-borne disease transmitted by mosquito Aedes aegypti and the incidence is strongly influenced by temperature and humidity which vary seasonally. To assess the effects of temperature on dengue transmission, mathematical models are developed based on the population dynamics theory. However, depending on the hypotheses of the modelling, different outcomes regarding to the risk of epidemics are obtained. We address this question comparing two simple models supplied with model's parameters estimated from temperature-controlled experiments, especially the entomological parameters regarded to the mosquito's life cycle in different temperatures. Once obtained the mortality and transition rates of different stages comprising the life cycle of mosquito and the oviposition rate, we compare the capacity of vector reproduction (the basic offspring number) and the risk of infection (basic reproduction number) provided by two models. The extended model, which is more realistic, showed that both mosquito population and dengue risk are situated at higher values than the simplified model, even that the basic offspring number is lower.     

Insertion and follow‐up of complete dentures: a literature review

Gerodontology 2010; 00; doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00368.x Insertion and follow‐up of complete dentures: a literature review Objective: The aim of this study was to present the importance of clinical procedures related to insertion and follow‐up of complete dentures in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: The success of rehabilitation with complete dentures results from the accuracy of clinical and laboratorial procedures that makes the denture insertion an important step of treatment. Conclusion: The follow‐up and professional maintenance of function and hygiene facilitates long‐term efficiency.     

Scale‐up of hydrophobin‐assisted recombinant protein production in tobacco BY‐2 suspension cells

Plant suspension cell cultures are emerging as an alternative to mammalian cells for production of complex recombinant proteins. Plant cell cultures provide low production cost, intrinsic safety and adherence to current regulations, but low yields and costly purification technology hinder their commercialization. Fungal hydrophobins have been utilized as fusion tags to improve yields and facilitate efficient low‐cost purification by surfactant‐based aqueous two‐phase separation (ATPS) in plant, fungal and insect cells. In this work, we report the utilization of hydrophobin fusion technology in tobacco bright yellow 2 (BY‐2) suspension cell platform and the establishment of pilot‐scale propagation and downstream processing including first‐step purification by ATPS. Green fluorescent protein‐hydrophobin fusion (GFP‐HFBI) induced the formation of protein bodies in tobacco suspension cells, thus encapsulating the fusion protein into discrete compartments. Cultivation of the BY‐2 suspension cells was scaled up in standard stirred tank bioreactors up to 600 L production volume, with no apparent change in growth kinetics. Subsequently, ATPS was applied to selectively capture the GFP‐HFBI product from crude cell lysate, resulting in threefold concentration, good purity and up to 60% recovery. The ATPS was scaled up to 20 L volume, without loss off efficiency. This study provides the first proof of concept for large‐scale hydrophobin‐assisted production of recombinant proteins in tobacco BY‐2 cell suspensions.     

Preparation and up‐conversion luminescence properties of LaOBr:Yb3+/Er3+ nanofibers via electrospinning

LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers were synthesized for the first time by calcinating electrospun PVP/[La(NO₃)₃ + Er(NO₃)₃ + Yb(NO₃)₃ + NH₄Br] composites. The morphology and properties of the final products were investigated in detail using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers are tetragonal in structure with a space group of P4/nmm. The diameter of LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers is ~ 147 nm. Under the excitation of a 980‐nm diode laser, LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers emit strong green and red up‐conversion emission centering at 519, 541 and 667 nm, ascribed to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴ F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 energy‐level transitions of Er³⁺ ions, respectively. The up‐conversion luminescent mechanism of LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers is advanced. Moreover, near‐infrared emission of LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers is obtained under the excitation of a 532‐nm laser. The formation mechanism of LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers is proposed. LaOBr:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanofibers could be important up‐conversion luminescent materials. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

升温情境中叶损对树木幼苗生长的影响

为探究升温能否在一定程度上抵消虫害叶损造成的负面影响,该研究采用控制变量法比较不同叶损程度下落叶松(Larix gmelinii)、红松(Pinus koraiensis)和冷杉(Abies fabri)幼苗当年的高生长以及来年不同温度下的萌芽情况。结果表明,当叶损程度达到50%时,落叶松幼苗当年的高生长会受到显著影响;而红松和冷杉在叶损程度达到75%时才会受到显著影响。室温下(13℃～18℃)落叶松来年的萌芽物候比20℃和25℃提前且高生长情况较好;红松和冷杉在室温下叶损75%会导致萌芽物候推迟且高生长受到影响,在20℃或25℃时,叶损造成的不利影响则会被削弱。因此,在未来变暖的情境中,推测红松和冷杉因虫害叶损造成的不利影响在一定程度上会被抵消,且对于虫害的抵抗和恢复亦明显高于落叶松。     

应用规模缩小方法的鸟苷发酵过程放大*

利用鸟苷生产菌株枯草芽孢杆菌(B.subtilis)754#,在50L发酵罐成功优化的基础上,分别在12M^3的中试规模和100M^3的生产规模进行了放大,产苷分别达到29．4g/L和21．4g/L;进而通过过程缩小(scale down)方法,从代谢流动态变化的角度研究了放大过程中存在的问题,发现DO是限制过程放大的另一重要因素,据此将50L规模克服代谢流迁移的优化工艺成功放大到生产规模,使产苦水平进一步提高了18％,达25．2g/L。