Algoma University

About: Algoma University is a education organization based out in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Gauge theory & Species richness. The organization has 198 authors who have published 532 publications receiving 12154 citations.

Community assembly in a tropical cloud forest related to specific leaf area and maximum species height

Abstract: Question: We tested whether co-existing tree species in tropical dwarf forestswere deterministically assembled along gradients of air temperature, relativehumidityandlightavailability,accordingtotwoimportantfunctionaltraits,spe-cificleafarea(SLA)andmaximumspeciesheight(H max ).Location: Tropical montane cloud forest, Bawangling Nature Reserve, HainanIsland,southChina.Methods: Null model analyses were used in conjunction with trait and speciescomposition data collected to test our hypotheses at four plot sizes (25 m 2 ,100 m 2 , 400 m and 900 m ), addressing whether the consistent importance ofvariation in SLA and H max extends to these unique forests, as well as theoreticalpredictionsconcerninghowpatternschangewithplotsize.Results: Low SLA species were significantly over-represented within forestcommunities for the two largest plot sizes, and taller-growing tree species wereover-represented across all four plot sizes. Plot-level analyses indicated that lowSLAspecieswereassociatedwithlowertemperatures.Conclusions: Our results show that tropical dwarf forests are deterministicallyassembled with respect to these two traits, and are consistent with other studiesindicating that SLA responds to abiotic filters. Co-existing tree species were notsignificantly divergent for these two traits, indicating that variation in these twotraits among trees does not contribute to niche differences (i.e. limiting similar-ity) and therefore co-existence within forest plots. Finally, our study demon-strates that patterns of community assembly change with plot size; however,traitconvergencedidnotincreasewithplotsizeaspreviouslypredicted.IntroductionEcologists are increasingly recognizing that variation infunctional traits can contribute to community assembly(Weiher & Keddy 1999; McGill et al. 2007; Houseman G Shipley et al. 2012). Approaches that focus onthe role of functional variation among individuals (Paineet al. 2011) and species (Weiher et al. 1998) can contrib-utetoourunderstandingofthe origin ofexistingtrait vari-ation, and quantify the filters that constrain speciesmembershipandorganization withinnaturalcommunities(Houseman & Gross 2011; de Belloet al. 2012; Gotzenber-€geret al.2012).A common approach to understanding the importanceof particular traits combines field data and null models totest whether co-existing species possess non-random col-lections of important traits (Weiher et al. 1998; Franzen2004; Stubbs & Wilson 2004; Kraft et al. 2008; Schamp A Dante et al. 2013). For example, maximumspecies height (H

The Contribution of the Barcode of Life Initiative to the Discovery and Monitoring of Biodiversity

Abstract: Biodiversity has been fundamental to sustain the human population, which is currently estimated at nearly 7 billion people. However, less than one fifth of the extant species are known to science, and among those only a minuscule pro- portion was described in any biological detail. This huge gap in our knowledge of biodiversity is in deep contrast with the extraordinary level of scientific and techno- logical development that modern society has reached. How can we take advantage of the technology currently available to detect the putative high rates of biodiversity loss? How can we efficiently manage our ecosystems and biological communities if we do not even have a comprehensive inventory of biodiversity to start with? The Barcode of Life Initiative (BOLI) aims to contribute to resolve these ques- tions by building a new system for species identification using DNA sequences from standardized regions of the genome—DNA barcodes. Once fully implemented, this novel system will greatly facilitate the access to taxonomic knowledge globally and revolutionize our ability to rapidly and rigorously identify life forms in a multitude of scenarios. We anticipate major contributions of DNA barcodes for biodiversity research when integrated with other ongoing technological, organizational and conceptual developments. This can be illustrated by the growing capacity to monitor biodiver- sity, which has lead to the recognition of cryptic species, their prevalence and distri- bution patterns. The coupling of DNA barcoding with next generation sequencing will enable to capture the structure and dynamics of complex communities with unprecedented degree of detail. This can catalyze the rate of species discovery glob- ally and contribute to improve the way in which we conserve biodiversity.

Perceptions about complementary and alternative medicine use among Chinese immigrant parents of children with cancer

Abstract: Research indicates complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among children with cancer is common and widespread. CAM use, particularly traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is prevalent in the country of origin of Chinese immigrant families, yet little is known about its use after immigrating to Canada. This paper describes 25 Chinese immigrant parents’ perception about the use of CAM in their child with cancer in Canada. This qualitative grounded theory study is part of a larger study of the caregiving experiences of first generation Chinese and South Asian parents of children with cancer. Chinese parents of children at least 6 months post-diagnosis were recruited from four Canadian pediatric oncology centers. Interviews were conducted in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin and transcribed into English. Analysis involved coding and the use of the constant comparison method to identify important themes. In discussing their caregiving experiences, CAM emerged as an important theme. The following sub-themes were identified: (1) trust in conventional medicine to cure cancer; (2) use of dietary modifications and restrictions; (3) extent of communication with healthcare providers about TCM use; and (4) limited availability of culturally relevant information. While Chinese immigrant parents in this study placed their trust in conventional medicine to treat their child, the use of food as therapy is part of their daily cultural practice. To ensure safe cancer treatment and more culturally sensitive care, it is essential for health providers to offer reliable information and encourage open discussions about CAM use with Chinese immigrant parents.

Armed Conflict, Military Expenses and FDI Inflow to Developing Countries

Abstract: This paper investigates the relationship between military expenditure and FDI inflow conditioning on the exposure of a country to armed conflict in the long run. We apply the band spectrum regressi...

An optimal resource allocation algorithm for D2D communication underlaying cellular networks

Abstract: In a device to device (D2D) communication underlaying cellular network, total system sum rate can be improved if cellular user equipments (UEs) and D2D pairs share resource blocks (RBs). We consider such an optimization problem where the objective is to maximize the total sum rate of the system while sharing RBs among cellular UEs and D2D pairs and maintaining some quality of service (QoS) requirements. Most of the existing algorithms consider that sharing can only improve the sum rate. However, some sharing can also decrease the sum rate. Considering this observation, we design an optimal algorithm based on weighted bipartite matching which avoids such sharing and maximize the total system sum rate. We prove that our algorithm is optimal and validate the results through simulations which shows that our algorithm outperforms other existing heuristics in terms of maximizing system sum rate. Our algorithm also performs better in terms of total interference introduced through the sharing of resource blocks among cellular equipments and D2D pairs.