Griffith University

About: Griffith University is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 13830 authors who have published 49318 publications receiving 1420865 citations.

Empirical evidence for differential organ reductions during trans-oceanic bird flight

Abstract: Since the early 1960s it has been held that migrating birds deposit and use only fat as fuel during migratory flight, with the non–fat portion of the body remaining homeostatic. Recent evidence from field studies has shown large changes in organ sizes in fuelling birds, and theory on fuel use suggests protein may be a necessary fuel during flight. However, an absence of information on the body condition of migrants before and after a long flight has hampered understanding of the dynamics of organs during sustained flight. We studied body condition in a medium–sized shorebird, the great knot ( Calidris tenuirostris ), before and after a flight of 5400 km from Australia to China during northward migration. Not only did these birds show the expected large reduction in fat content after migration, there was also a decrease in lean tissue mass, with significant decreases in seven organs. The reduction in functional components is reflected in a lowering of the basal metabolic rate by 46%. Recent flight models have tried to separate the ‘flexible’ part of the body from the constant portion. Our results suggest that apart from brains and lungs no organs are homeostatic during long–distance flight. Such organ reductions may be a crucial adaptation for long–distance flight in birds.

MicroRNAs miR-17 and miR-20a Inhibit T Cell Activation Genes and Are Under-Expressed in MS Whole Blood

Abstract: It is well established that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immune mediated disease. Little is known about what drives the differential control of the immune system in MS patients compared to unaffected individuals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding nucleic acids that are involved in the control of gene expression. Their potential role in T cell activation and neurodegenerative disease has recently been recognised and they are therefore excellent candidates for further studies in MS. We investigated the transcriptome of currently known miRNAs using miRNA microarray analysis in peripheral blood

A framework for hydrologic classification with a review of methodologies and applications in ecohydrology

Abstract: Hydrologic classification is one of the most widely applied tasks in ecohydrology. During the last two decades, a considerable effort has gone into analysis and development of methodological approaches to hydrologic classification. We reviewed the process of hydrologic classification, differentiating between an approach based on deductive reasoning using environmental regionalization, hydrologic regionalization and environmental classification whereby environmental variables assumed to be key determinants of hydrology are analysed and one based on inductive reasoning using streamflow classification whereby hydrologic data are analysed directly. We explored past applications in ecohydrology, highlighting the utility of classifications in the extrapolation of hydrologic information across sparsely gauged landscapes, the description of spatial patterns in hydrologic variability, aiding water resource management, and in the identification and prioritization of conservation areas. We introduce an overarching methodological framework that depicts critical components of the classification process and summarize important advantages and disadvantages of commonly used statistical approaches to characterize and predict hydrologic classes. Our hope is that researchers and managers will be better informed when having to make decisions regarding the selection and proper implementation of methods for hydrologic classification in the future. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Creative Work and Emotional Labour in the Television Industry

Abstract: In keeping with the focus of this special section, we concentrate initially on some of the problems of autonomist Marxist concepts such as `immaterial labour', `affective labour' and `precarity' fo...

Definitions of suicidal behavior: lessons learned from the WHO/EURO multicentre Study

Abstract: Based on the experience matured during the 15 years of the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study on Suicidal Behavior, this paper provides an excursus on main elements that characterize components for definitional needs. It describes the rationale for choosing the initial set of definitions within the study and the subsequent problems and developments. As a result, unifying terminologies are proposed.