bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Fruitful Endeavor: Scent Cues and Echolocation Behavior Used by Carollia castanea to Find Fruit
Authors: Leiser-Miller L B , Kaliszewska Z A , Lauterbur M E , Mann Brianna , Riffell J A , Santana S E
Published: March 2020

Synopsis

Frugivores have evolved sensory and behavioral adaptations that allow them to find ripe fruit effectively, but the relative importance of different senses in varying foraging scenarios is still poorly understood. Within Neotropical ecosystems, short-tailed fruit bats (Carollia: Phyllostomidae) are abundant nocturnal frugivores that rely primarily on Piper fruits as a food resource. Previous research has demonstrated that Carollia employs olfaction and echolocation to locate Piper fruit, but it is unknown how their sensory use and foraging decisions are influenced by the complex diversity of chemical cues that fruiting plants produce. Using free-ranging C. castanea and their preferred food, Piper sancti-felicis, we conducted behavioral experiments to test two main hypotheses: (1) foraging decisions in C. castanea are primarily driven by ripe fruit scent and secondarily by vegetation scent, and (2) C. castanea re-weights their sensory inputs to account for available environmental cues, with bats relying more heavily on echolocation in the absence of adequate scent cues. Our results suggest that C. castanea requires olfactory information and relies almost exclusively on ripe fruit scent to make foraging attempts. Piper sancti-felicis ripe fruit scent is chemically distinct from vegetation scent; it is dominated by 2-heptanol, which is absent from vegetation scent, and has a greater abundance of β-caryophyllene, β-ocimene, γ-elemene, and α-cubebene. Although variation in echolocation call parameters was independent of scent cue presence, bats emitted longer and more frequent echolocation calls in trials where fruit scent was absent. Altogether, these results highlight the adaptations and plasticity of the sensory system in neotropical fruit bats.
Assessment of medicine use among outpatients at healthcare facilities in Ethiopia using the WHO’s prescribing indicators with a focus on antibiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Teni Fitsum Sebsibe , Wubishet Befikadu Legesse , Yimenu Dawit Kumilachew
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To summarize studies on prescribing medicine to general outpatients through the WHO/International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) prescribing indicators with a focus on antibiotic prescription.

Methods

A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of studies on the WHO prescribing indicators with a focus on the percentage of encounters with antibiotics prescribed (PEAP) was performed. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Global Index Medicus were searched.

Results

Twenty-six studies with a total of over 34 000 prescription encounters were included in the systematic review, showing a mean of two medicines per encounter. In each meta-analysis, a range of 19 to 25 studies was included. The percentages of medicines prescribed with an international non-proprietary name (INN) and from the essential medicines list (EML) were 91% and 96% of the total number of medicines, respectively, while 19% of encounters contained injections. Studies with over 25 000 prescription encounters reported an average PEAP of 58% and PEAP showed an increasing trend over the years included in this review. Multivariable meta-regression showed that PEAP increased with the average number of medicines per encounter (estimate = 0.83, P value = 0.0005). The number of medicines, study design and year of prescription explained over 40% of the variation in PEAP across studies.

Conclusions

Patterns of medicine use within and close to the WHO reference values were reported for the number of medicines, INN prescribing, prescription of injections and compliance with the EML, on average. Prescription of antibiotics requires attention as amounts much higher than the reference values were prescribed, which were even higher with polypharmacy and increasing over the years included in this review.
Evaluation of the CERTUS Environmental Listeria Species Detection Kit for the Detection of Listeria Species on Environmental Surfaces: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 101802
Authors: Bodner John , Toribo Mike , Carruthers Erin , Weber Michael , Urquhart Holly , Perera Nevin , Illingworth Simon , Miller Dean , Yamaki Kiyoshi , Bastin Benjamin , Bird Patrick , Klass Nicole , Agin James , Goins David
Published: March 2020

Background

CERTUS Environmental Listeria species Detection Kit (CERTUS EL Detection Kit) is a real-time, bio-contained assay designed to accurately detect Listeria species (L. grayi, L. innocua, L. ivanovii, L. marthii, L. monocytogenes, L. seeligeri, and L. welshimeri) from environmental surface matrixes using an antibody-coupled magnetic microparticle with a Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) nanoparticle technology test system paired with proprietary CERTUS EL Selective Growth Media and CERTUS Detection Unit.

Objective

The method was evaluated for AOAC®Performance Tested MethodSM certification.

Methods

Inclusivity and exclusivity, matrix studies, product consistency and stability were conducted to evaluate the CERTUS EL Detection Kit.

Results

In the matrix studies, stainless steel, ceramic tile, plastic (polystyrene) and sealed concrete environmental surfaces (4 × 4” test areas) were tested. No statistically significant differences were found by Probability of Detection analysis (POD) in any of the matrixes when results were compared to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cultural microbiology reference method for Listeria. The CERTUS EL Detection Kit correctly identified all 50 target Listeria isolates and correctly excluded all 30 non-target strains that were analyzed. Probability of Detection analysis of CERTUS EL Detection Kit robustness, product consistency (lot-to-lot) and stability studies demonstrated no statistically significant differences, and no variation was observed between instruments.

Conclusions

The data collected in these studies demonstrate that the CERTUS EL Detection Kit is a reliable method for the rapid and specific detection of Listeria from stainless steel, ceramic tile, plastic (polystyrene) and sealed concrete environmental surfaces.
Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) to Temephos in Thailand and Surrounding Countries
Authors: Saeung Manop , Ngoen-Klan Ratchadawan , Thanispong Kanutcharee , Muenworn Vithee , Bangs Michael J , Chareonviriyaphap Theeraphap
Published: March 2020

Aedes-borne virus disease control relies on insecticides to interrupt transmission. Temephos remains a key chemical for control of immature stage Aedes in Thailand and much of Southeast Asia. However, repeated use of insecticides may result in selection for resistance in vector populations, thus compromising operational intervention. Herein, the phenotypic response to temephos by Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) collected in Thailand and surrounding countries is presented. Data from 345 collection sites are included: 283 from literature review (244 sites with Ae. aegypti, 21 with Ae. albopictus, and 18 having both species sampled), plus 62 locations with Ae. aegypti in Thailand conducted between 2014 and 2018. Susceptibility assays followed WHO guidelines using the recommended discriminating dose of temephos (0.012 mg/liter) against late third to early fourth instar Ae. aegypti. Findings revealed 34 locations with susceptible Ae. aegypti, 13 with suspected resistance, and 15 indicating resistance. Published data between 1999 and 2019 in Thailand found Ae. aegypti resistant in 73 of 206 collection sites, whereas 3 locations from 11 sampled with low-level resistant in Ae. albopictus. From surrounding countries conducting temephos assays (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Singapore), resistance is present in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus from 27 of 56 and 19 of 28 locations, respectively. Routine insecticide susceptibility monitoring should be an operational requirement in vector control programs. Given the wide distribution and apparent increase in temephos-resistance, alternative larvicidal compounds must be considered if chemical control is to remain a viable vector control strategy.
Moving from Face-to-Face to a Web Panel: Impacts on Measurement Quality
Authors: Cernat Alexandru , Revilla Melanie
Published: March 2020

Time and cost pressures, the availability of alternative sources of data, and societal changes are leading to a move from traditional face-to-face surveys to web or mixed-mode data collection. While we know that there are mode differences between web and face-to-face (presence of an interviewer or not, type of stimuli, etc.), it is not clear to what extent these differences could threaten the comparability of data collected in face-to-face and web surveys. In this article, we investigate the differences in measurement quality between the European Social Survey (ESS) Round 8 and the CROss-National Online Survey (CRONOS) panel. We address three main research questions: (1) Do we observe differences in terms of measurement quality across face-to-face and web for the same people and questions? (2) Can we explain individual-level differences in data quality using respondents’ characteristics? and (3) Does measurement equivalence (metric and scalar) hold across the ESS Round 8 and the CRONOS panel? The results suggest that: (1) in terms of data quality, the measurement mode effect between web and face-to-face as implemented in the ESS (i.e., using show cards) is not very large, (2) none of the variables considered consistently explain individual differences in mode effects, and (3) measurement equivalence often holds for the topics studied.
Mutations in the tomato gibberellin receptors suppress xylem proliferation and reduce water loss under water-deficit conditions
Authors: Illouz-Eliaz Natanella , Nissan Idan , Nir Ido , Ramon Uria , Shohat Hagai , Weiss David
Published: March 2020

Low gibberellin (GA) activity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) inhibits leaf expansion and reduces stomatal conductance. This leads to lower transpiration and improved water status under transient drought conditions. Tomato has three GIBBERELLIN-INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) GA receptors with overlapping activities and high redundancy. We tested whether mutation in a single GID1 reduces transpiration without affecting growth and productivity. CRISPR-Cas9 gid1 mutants were able to maintain higher leaf water content under water-deficit conditions. Moreover, while gid1a exhibited normal growth, it showed reduced whole-plant transpiration and better recovery from dehydration. Mutation in GID1a inhibited xylem vessel proliferation, which led to lower hydraulic conductance. In stronger GA mutants, we also found reduced xylem vessel expansion. These results suggest that low GA activity affects transpiration by multiple mechanisms: it reduces leaf area, promotes stomatal closure, and reduces xylem proliferation and expansion, and as a result, xylem hydraulic conductance. We further examined if gid1a performs better than the control M82 in the field. Under these conditions, the high redundancy of GID1s was lost and gid1a plants were semi-dwarf, but their productivity was not affected. Although gid1a did not perform better under drought conditions in the field, it exhibited a higher harvest index.
The rest-frame UV luminosity function at z ≃ 4: a significant contribution of AGNs to the bright end of the galaxy population
Authors: Adams N J , Bowler R A A , Jarvis M J , Häußler B , McLure R J , Bunker A , Dunlop J S , Verma A
Published: March 2020

We measure the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) luminosity function (LF) at z ∼ 4 self-consistently over a wide range in absolute magnitude (−27 ≲ MUV ≲ −20). The LF is measured with 46 904 sources selected using a photometric redshift approach over ∼6 $\, {\rm deg}^2$ of the combined Cosmological Evolution Survey and XMM–Newton Large-Scale Structure fields. We simultaneously fit for both active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and galaxy LFs using a combination of Schechter or double power law (DPL) functions alongside a single power law for the faint-end slope of the AGN LF. We find a lack of evolution in the shape of the bright end of the Lyman-break galaxy (LBG) component when compared to other studies at z ≃ 5 and evolutionary recipes for the UV LF. Regardless of whether the LBG LF is fit with a Schechter function or DPL, AGNs are found to dominate at MUV < −23.5. We measure a steep faint-end slope of the AGN LF with $\alpha _{\mathrm{ AGN}} = -2.09^{+0.35}_{-0.38}$ ($-1.66^{+0.29}_{-0.58}$) when fit alongside a Schechter function (DPL) for the galaxies. Our results suggest that if AGNs are morphologically selected it results in a bias to lower number densities. Only by considering the full galaxy population over the transition region from AGN to LBG domination can an accurate measurement of the total LFs be attained.
Allosteric coupling between Mn2+ and dsDNA controls the catalytic efficiency and fidelity of cGAS
Authors: Hooy Richard M , Massaccesi Guido , Rousseau Kimberly E , Chattergoon Michael A , Sohn Jungsan
Published: March 2020

Cyclic-G/AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) triggers host innate immune responses against cytosolic double-stranded (ds)DNA arising from genotoxic stress and pathogen invasion. The canonical activation mechanism of cGAS entails dsDNA-binding and dimerization. Here, we report an unexpected activation mechanism of cGAS in which Mn2+ activates monomeric cGAS without dsDNA. Importantly, the Mn2+-mediated activation positively couples with dsDNA-dependent activation in a concerted manner. Moreover, the positive coupling between Mn2+ and dsDNA length-dependent activation requires the cognate ATP/GTP substrate pair, while negative-cooperativity suppresses Mn2+ utilization by either ATP or GTP alone. Additionally, while Mn2+ accelerates the overall catalytic activity, dsDNA length-dependent dimerization specifically accelerates the cyclization of cGAMP. Together, we demonstrate how the intrinsic allostery of cGAS efficiently yet precisely tunes its activity.
The Relationship Between Daily Physical Activity and Pain in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Burrows Nicholas J , Barry Benjamin K , Sturnieks Daina L , Booth John , Jones Matthew D
Published: March 2020

Objective

Investigate the association between physical activity and pain severity in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Design

Cross-sectional; systematic review with meta-analyses.

Methods

Thirty-one participants with knee osteoarthritis underwent assessment of symptoms via self-report questionnaires and quantitative sensory testing. Following testing, physical activity and symptoms were monitored for seven days using accelerometers and logbooks. Cross-correlation analyses were performed on fluctuations in symptoms and physical activity across the week to detect the relative timing of the strongest association between pain and activity. These data were complemented by meta-analyses of studies that examined correlations between pain from knee osteoarthritis and physical activity or fitness.

Results

Pain severity at baseline correlated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (r2 = 0.161–0.212, P < 0.05), whereby participants who were more physically active had less pain. Conversely, the peak of the cross-correlation analyses was most often positive and lagging, which indicated that pain was increased subsequent to periods of increased activity. These superficially discrepant findings were supported by the results of a meta-analysis of 13 studies and 9,363 participants, which identified significant heterogeneity for associations between physical activity and pain (I2 = 91%). Stronger inverse associations were found between fitness and pain.

Conclusions

Associations between physical activity and pain in people with knee osteoarthritis are variable and dynamic. These results reflect the beneficial impact of an active lifestyle and accompanying higher fitness. Yet, the side effect of acute periods of physical activity to transiently exacerbate pain may influence the behavior of some people to avoid activity because of pain.
Carbon Fiber–Reinforced PEEK Versus Titanium Tibial Intramedullary Nailing: A Preliminary Analysis and Results
Authors: Ziran Bruce Harris , O'Pry Erin Kathleen , Harris Robert Mitchell
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

Standard titanium nails (TN) or carbon fiber–reinforced PEEK nails (CFN) were compared to evaluate impact of material on fracture union, healing time, knee/ankle, and barometric pain.

Design:

Longitudinal cohort evaluated retrospectively comparing 2 periods using 2 implant types.

Setting:

Single surgeon series at one Level II Trauma Center.

Patients:

Standardized treatment protocol. Fifty-six tibial fracture patients suitable for intramedullary nailing over 5-year period.

Intervention:

First period—TN; second period—CFN.

Main Outcome:

Measurements: standard demographic data: OTA/AO fracture classification, fracture location, and nail type. Outcome parameters: cumulative healing at standard time intervals, infection/nonunion, associated injuries, knee/ankle, barometric pain, and implant removal. Statistical analysis comparing incident healing.

Results:

Patient populations were not statistically different regarding demographics and fracture type/location, although there was a trend toward greater fracture severity/more associated injuries in CFN group. In 56 patients, 26 received CFN and 30 received TN. Healing rates were reported at each time interval. 8 weeks: TN—0%, CFN—19%; 12 weeks: TN—17%, CFN—69%; 16 weeks: TN—57%, CFN—92%; 20 weeks: TN—87%, CFN—96%; and 24 weeks: TN—97%, CFN—96% (P < 0.0001 every interval except 24 weeks). Each group had one infected nonunion in an open fracture that healed with subsequent treatment. There was a trend toward less barometric pain with CFN that did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.065). No statistical differences with knee/ankle pain (P = 0.109)/removal of implant (P = 0.269) potentially due to low power of pilot study.

Conclusions:

In this pilot study evaluating CFR-PEEK intramedullary nail for tibial shaft fractures, there was a demonstrated accelerated healing times compared to titanium with a potential for less barometric pain.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fish oil supplementation and maintaining muscle mass in chronic disease: state of the evidence
Authors: van der Meij B.S. , Mazurak Vera C.
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

Providing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the form of fish oils, to benefit muscle is an emerging area of interest. The aim of this work was to evaluate the current literature that has assessed muscle mass as an outcome during a fish oil intervention in any chronic disease.

Recent findings

The vast majority of studies published in the last 3 years (12 of 15) have been conducted in the oncological setting, in patients undergoing treatment for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, head and neck, lung, cervix, and hematological cancers. Three studies were conducted in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fish oil was provided as part of nutrient mixtures in 12 studies and as capsules in three studies.

Overall, the evidence for an effect of fish oil supplementation on muscle mass in patients with cancer undergoing treatment and in COPD remains unequivocal and reveals limited new knowledge in the area of fish oil supplementation in the cancer setting. Recent literature continues to provide mixed evidence on the efficacy of fish oil on muscle mass and function. The present review highlights challenges in comparing and interpreting current studies aimed at testing fish oil supplementation for muscle health.
When basic science reaches into rational therapeutic design: from historical to novel leads for the treatment of β-globinopathies
Authors: Andrieu-Soler Charlotte , Soler Eric
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

β-hemoglobinopathies, such as β-Thalassemias (β-Thal) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are among the most common inherited genetic disorders in humans worldwide. These disorders are characterized by a quantitative (β-Thal) or qualitative (SCD) defects in adult hemoglobin production, leading to anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and severe secondary complications. Reactivation of the fetal globin genes (γ-globin), making-up fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which are normally silenced in adults, represents a major strategy to ameliorate anemia and disease severity.

Recent findings

Following the identification of the first ‘switching factors’ for the reactivation of fetal globin gene expression more than 10 years ago, a multitude of novel leads have recently been uncovered.

Recent findings provided invaluable functional insights into the genetic and molecular networks controlling globin genes expression, revealing that complex repression systems evolved in erythroid cells to maintain HbF silencing in adults. This review summarizes these unique and exciting discoveries of the regulatory factors controlling the globin switch. New insights and novel leads for therapeutic strategies based on the pharmacological induction of HbF are discussed. This represents a major breakthrough for rational drug design in the treatment of β-Thal and SCD.
Best practices for infection prevention in penile prosthesis surgery
Authors: Best Jordan C. , Clavijo Raul I.
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

In this review, we synthesize the most current data on strategies for the prevention and reduction of infections in men undergoing penile prosthesis surgery. We highlight important strategies for preventing infections along every step from patient selection, to the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative states.

Recent findings

Over the last decade, significant advances have been made to help minimize penile implant infections, with the most impactful likely being the introduction of antibiotic coated penile implants. Although this has led to infection rates lower than 0.5% being reported in some series, it appears that more virulent organisms are causing a larger share of infections.

The change in the microbiology and persistent occurrence of penile implant infections challenges us to develop strategies to target these organisms by using novel antibiotic mixes for irrigation, dips and implant coatings. Equally important is the continual search to identify patient risk factors for the development of infections and the further optimization of the use of oral and intravenous antibiotics. It is likely we will find inspiration by looking at nonurological surgical specialties where implantation of permanent devices is routine.
Young Adults With Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Alese Olatunji B. , Jiang Renjian , Shaib Walid , Wu Christina , Akce Mehmet , Gaines Tyra , Ni Liang , Behera Madhusmita , El-Rayes Bassel F.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The treatment and outcomes of patients younger than 50 years (young adults [YAs]) with pancreatic cancer are largely unknown. We evaluated the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of these patients.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were performed to identify variables associated with overall survival.

Results

A total of 124,442 patients with pancreatic cancer were identified, with 9657 between 18 and 50 years of age. Mean age was 45.4 years (standard deviation, 4.6 years). About 30.9% of YA patients and 25% of patients older than 50 years underwent resection of the primary tumor. Survival advantage was seen for patients 18 to 39 years (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.23; P < 0.001). This age advantage was similar across all the racial groups. Overall, YAs treated between 2009 and 2013 had higher survival rates compared with 2004 to 2008 (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.89; P < 0.001). This survival improvement was highest in American Indians and Asian/Pacific Islanders (16.6% vs 6.5%), African Americans (10.6% vs 8.5%), and Hispanics (14.5% vs 12.6%).

Conclusions

Survival of YAs with pancreatic cancer patients is superior to older patients and has improved over time, especially in minority populations.
Antiretroviral Therapy Concentrations Differ in Gut vs. Lymph Node Tissues and Are Associated With HIV Viral Transcription by a Novel RT-ddPCR Assay
Authors: Lee Sulggi A. , Telwatte Sushama , Hatano Hiroyu , Kashuba Angela D.M. , Cottrell Mackenzie L. , Hoh Rebecca , Liegler Teri J. , Stephenson Sophie , Somsouk Ma , Hunt Peter W. , Deeks Steven G. , Yukl Steven , Savic Radojka M.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Most HIV-infected cells during antiretroviral therapy (ART) persist in lymphoid tissues. Studies disagree on whether suboptimal tissue ART concentrations contribute to ongoing HIV replication during viral suppression.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study in virally-suppressed HIV+ participants measuring lymphoid tissue ART [darunavir (DRV), atazanavir (ATV), and raltegravir (RAL)] concentrations by LC-MS/MS assay. Tissue and plasma ART concentrations were used to estimate TPRs and drug-specific tissue:inhibitory concentration ratios (TICs). HIV DNA and sequentially produced HIV RNA transcripts were quantified from rectal biopsies using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays.

Results:

Tissue samples were collected in duplicate from 19 participants: 38 rectal, 8 ileal (4 RAL, 2 DRV, 2 ATV), and 6 lymph node (4 RAL, 2 DRV) samples. Overall, median TICs were higher for RAL than DRV or ATV (both P = 0.006). Median TICs were lower in lymph nodes vs. ileum (0.49 vs. 143, P = 0.028) or rectum (33, P = 0.019), and all ART levels were below target concentrations. Higher rectal TICs were associated with lower HIV RNA transcripts (read-through, long LTR, and Nef, P all < 0.026) and a lower long LTR RNA/long LTR DNA ratio (P = 0.021).

Conclusions:

We observed higher tissue ART concentrations in ileum and rectum compared with lymph nodes. We observed higher HIV transcription in participants with lower rectal ART concentrations. These findings add to the limited data supporting the idea that viral transcription may be influenced by ART concentrations in lymphoid tissues. Further exploration of tissue pharmacokinetics is needed in future HIV eradication strategies.
Exploring variability in the diet of depredating sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska through stable isotope analysis
Authors: Wild Lauren A. , Mueter Franz , Witteveen Briana , Straley Janice M.
Published: March 2020

Sperm whales interact with commercially important groundfish fisheries offshore in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This study aims to use stable isotope analysis to better understand the trophic variability of sperm whales and their potential prey, and to use dietary mixing models to estimate the importance of prey species to sperm whale diets. We analysed tissue samples from sperm whales and seven potential prey (five groundfish and two squid species). Samples were analysed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, and diet composition was estimated using Bayesian isotopic mixing models. Mixing model results suggest that an isotopically combined sablefish/dogfish group, skates and rockfish make up the largest proportion of sperm whale diets (35%, 28% and 12%) in the GOA. The top prey items of whales that interact more frequently with fishing vessels consisted of skates (49%) and the sablefish/dogfish group (24%). This is the first known study to provide an isotopic baseline of adult male sperm whales and these adult groundfish and offshore squid species, and to assign contributions of prey to whale diets in the GOA. This study provides information to commercial fishermen and fisheries managers to better understand trophic connections of important commercial species.
Superhydrophilic graphene oxide/electrospun cellulose nanofibre for efficient adsorption of organophosphorus pesticides from environmental samples
Authors: Aris Nor Izzati Fikrah , Rahman Norizah Abdul , Wahid Mohd Haniff , Yahaya Noorfatimah , Abdul Keyon Aemi Syazwani , Kamaruzaman Sazlinda
Published: March 2020

Superhydrophilic graphene oxide/electrospun cellulose nanofibre (GO/CNF) was synthesized, characterized and successfully used in a solid-phase membrane tip adsorption (SPMTA) as an adsorbent towards a simultaneous analysis of polar organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in several food and water samples. Separation, determination and quantification were achieved prior to ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detector. The influence of several parameters such as sample pH, adsorption time, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration were investigated. SPMTA was linear in the range of 0.05 and 10 mg l
−1
under the optimum adsorption conditions (sample pH 12; 5 mg of adsorbent dosage; 15 min of adsorption time) for methyl parathion, ethoprophos, sulfotepp and chlorpyrifos with excellent correlation coefficients of 0.994–0.999. Acceptable precision (RSDs) as achieved for intraday (0.06–5.44%,
n
= 3) and interday (0.17–7.76%,
n
= 3) analyses. Low limits of detection (0.01–0.05 mg l
−1
) and satisfactory consistency in adsorption (71.14–99.95%) were obtained for the spiked OPPs from Sungai Pahang, Tasik Cheras, cabbages and rice samples. The adsorption data were well followed the second-order kinetic model and fits the Freundlich adsorption model. The newly synthesized GO/CNF showed a great adsorbent potential for OPPs analysis.
Changing bird communities of an agricultural landscape: declines in arboreal foragers, increases in large species
Authors: Bain Glen C. , MacDonald Michael A. , Hamer Rowena , Gardiner Riana , Johnson Chris N. , Jones Menna E.
Published: March 2020

Birds are declining in agricultural landscapes around the world. The causes of these declines can be better understood by analysing change in groups of species that share life-history traits. We investigated how land-use change has affected birds of the Tasmanian Midlands, one of Australia's oldest agricultural landscapes and a focus of habitat restoration. We surveyed birds at 72 sites, some of which were previously surveyed in 1996–1998, and tested relationships of current patterns of abundance and community composition to landscape and patch-level environmental characteristics. Fourth-corner modelling showed strong negative responses of aerial foragers and exotics to increasing woodland cover; arboreal foragers were positively associated with projective foliage cover; and small-bodied species were reduced by the presence of a hyperaggressive species of native honeyeater, the noisy miner (
Manorina melanocephala
). Analysis of change suggests increases in large-bodied granivorous or carnivorous birds and declines in some arboreal foragers and nectarivores. Changes in species richness were best explained by changes in noisy miner abundance and levels of surrounding woodland cover. We encourage restoration practitioners to trial novel planting configurations that may confer resistance to invasion by noisy miners, and a continued long-term monitoring effort to reveal the effects of future land-use change on Tasmanian birds.
Beyond non-backtracking: non-cycling network centrality measures
Authors: Arrigo Francesca , Higham Desmond J. , Noferini Vanni
Published: March 2020

Walks around a graph are studied in a wide range of fields, from graph theory and stochastic analysis to theoretical computer science and physics. In many cases it is of interest to focus on non-backtracking walks; those that do not immediately revisit their previous location. In the network science context, imposing a non-backtracking constraint on traditional walk-based node centrality measures is known to offer tangible benefits. Here, we use the Hashimoto matrix construction to characterize, generalize and study such non-backtracking centrality measures. We then devise a recursive extension that systematically removes triangles, squares and, generally, all cycles up to a given length. By characterizing the spectral radius of appropriate matrix power series, we explore how the universality results on the limiting behaviour of classical walk-based centrality measures extend to these non-cycling cases. We also demonstrate that the new recursive construction gives rise to practical centrality measures that can be applied to large-scale networks.
A phylogenomic approach reveals a low somatic mutation rate in a long-lived plant
Authors: Orr Adam J. , Padovan Amanda , Kainer David , Külheim Carsten , Bromham Lindell , Bustos-Segura Carlos , Foley William , Haff Tonya , Hsieh Ji-Fan , Morales-Suarez Alejandro , Cartwright Reed A. , Lanfear Robert
Published: March 2020

Somatic mutations can have important effects on the life history, ecology, and evolution of plants, but the rate at which they accumulate is poorly understood and difficult to measure directly. Here, we develop a method to measure somatic mutations in individual plants and use it to estimate the somatic mutation rate in a large, long-lived, phenotypically mosaicEucalyptus melliodoratree. Despite being 100 times larger thanArabidopsis,this tree has a per-generation mutation rate only ten times greater, which suggests that this species may have evolved mechanisms to reduce the mutation rate per unit of growth. This adds to a growing body of evidence that illuminates the correlated evolutionary shifts in mutation rate and life history in plants.
Reprotoxic effects of the systemic insecticide fipronil on the butterflyPieris brassicae
Authors: Gols Rieta , WallisDeVries Michiel F. , van Loon Joop J. A.
Published: March 2020

In addition to controlling pest organisms, the systemic neurotoxic pesticide fipronil can also have adverse effects on beneficial insects and other non-target organisms. Here, we report on the sublethal effects of fipronil on the farmland butterflyPieris brassicae. Caterpillars were reared on plants that had been grown from seeds coated with fipronil or on leaf discs topically treated with a range of fipronil dosages (1–32 µg kg−1on dry mass basis). Females that had developed on fipronil plants laidcahalf the number of eggs than females that had developed on control plants. In the bioassay with leaf discs, longevity and lifetime egg production declined with increasing fipronil dosage. Remarkably, exposure to fipronil during larval development primarily affected the adult stage. Chemical analyses of leaf tissues collected from seed-treated plants revealed concentrations of fipronil and its degradation products close to the analytical limit of detection (less than or equal to 1 µg kg−1). The effective dosage was fivefold higher in the leaf-disc than in the whole-plant experiment. In the whole plant, degradation of fipronil to products that are more toxic than fipronil may explain this discrepancy. Neurotoxicity of insecticides at the level of detection decreases the probability of pinpointing insecticides as the causal agent of harmful effects on non-target organisms.
Limited evidence for sardine and anchovy asynchrony: re-examining an old story
Authors: Siple Margaret C. , Essington Timothy E. , Barnett Lewis A. K. , Scheuerell Mark D.
Published: March 2020

Asynchronous fluctuations in abundance between species with similar ecological roles can stabilize food webs and support coexistence. Sardine (
Sardinops
spp.) and anchovy (
Engraulis
spp.) have long been used as an example of this pattern because low-frequency variation in catches of these species appears to occur out of phase, suggesting that fisheries and generalist predators could be buffered against shifts in productivity of a single species. Using landings data and biomass and recruitment estimates from five regions, we find that species do not have equivalent peak abundances, suggesting that high abundance in one species does not compensate for low abundance in the other. We find that globally there is a stronger pattern of asynchrony in landings compared to biomass, such that landings data have exaggerated the patterns of asynchrony. Finally, we show that power to detect decadal asynchrony is poor, requiring a time series more than twice the length of the period of fluctuation. These results indicate that it is unlikely that the dynamics of these two species are compensatory enough to buffer fisheries and predators from changes in abundance, and that the measurements of asynchrony have largely been a statistical artefact of using short time series and landings data to infer ecology.
Disentangling functional trait variation and covariation in epiphytic lichens along a continent-wide latitudinal gradient
Authors: Hurtado P. , Prieto M. , Martínez-Vilalta J. , Giordani P. , Aragón G. , López-Angulo J. , Košuthová A. , Merinero S. , Díaz-Peña E. M. , Rosas T. , Benesperi R. , Bianchi E. , Grube M. , Mayrhofer H. , Nascimbene J. , Wedin M. , Westberg M. , Martínez I.
Published: March 2020

Characterizing functional trait variation and covariation, and its drivers, is critical to understand the response of species to changing environmental conditions. Evolutionary and environmental factors determine how traits vary among and within species at multiple scales. However, disentangling their relative contribution is challenging and a comprehensive trait–environment framework addressing such questions is missing in lichens. We investigated the variation in nine traits related to photosynthetic performance, water use and nutrient acquisition applying phylogenetic comparative analyses in lichen epiphytic communities on beech across Europe. These poikilohydric organisms offer a valuable model owing to their inherent limitations to buffer contrasting environmental conditions. Photobiont type and growth form captured differences in certain physiological traits whose variation was largely determined by evolutionary processes (i.e. phylogenetic history), although the intraspecific component was non-negligible. Seasonal temperature fluctuations also had an impact on trait variation, while nitrogen content depended on photobiont type rather than nitrogen deposition. The inconsistency of trait covariation among and within species prevented establishing major resource use strategies in lichens. However, we did identify a general pattern related to the water-use strategy. Thus, to robustly unveil lichen responses under different climatic scenarios, it is necessary to incorporate both among and within-species trait variation and covariation.
Ecological mechanisms explaining interactions within plant–hummingbird networks: morphological matching increases towards lower latitudes
Authors: Sonne Jesper , Vizentin-Bugoni Jeferson , Maruyama Pietro K. , Araujo Andréa C. , Chávez-González Edgar , Coelho Aline G. , Cotton Peter A. , Marín-Gómez Oscar H. , Lara Carlos , Lasprilla Liliana R. , Machado Caio G. , Maglianesi Maria A. , Malucelli Tiago S. , González Ana M. Martín , Oliveira Genilda M. , Oliveira Paulo E. , Ortiz-Pulido Raul , Rocca Márcia A. , Rodrigues Licléia C. , Sazima Ivan , Simmons Benno I. , Tinoco Boris , Varassin Isabela G. , Vasconcelos Marcelo F. , O'Hara Bob , Schleuning Matthias , Rahbek Carsten , Sazima Marlies , Dalsgaard Bo
Published: March 2020

Interactions between species are influenced by different ecological mechanisms, such as morphological matching, phenological overlap and species abundances. How these mechanisms explain interaction frequencies across environmental gradients remains poorly understood. Consequently, we also know little about the mechanisms that drive the geographical patterns in network structure, such as complementary specialization and modularity. Here, we use data on morphologies, phenologies and abundances to explain interaction frequencies between hummingbirds and plants at a large geographical scale. For 24 quantitative networks sampled throughout the Americas, we found that the tendency of species to interact with morphologically matching partners contributed to specialized and modular network structures. Morphological matching best explained interaction frequencies in networks found closer to the equator and in areas with low-temperature seasonality. When comparing the three ecological mechanisms within networks, we found that both morphological matching and phenological overlap generally outperformed abundances in the explanation of interaction frequencies. Together, these findings provide insights into the ecological mechanisms that underlie geographical patterns in resource specialization. Notably, our results highlight morphological constraints on interactions as a potential explanation for increasing resource specialization towards lower latitudes.
Why men invest in non-biological offspring: paternal care and paternity confidence among Himba pastoralists
Authors: Prall Sean P. , Scelza Brooke A.
Published: March 2020

Paternal investment is predicted to be a facultative calculation based on expected fitness returns and modulated by a host of social predictors including paternity uncertainty. However, the direct role of paternity confidence on the patterns of paternal investment is relatively unknown, in part due to a lack of research in populations with high levels of paternity uncertainty. Additionally, much of the work on paternity certainty uses cues of paternity confidence rather than direct assessments from fathers. We examine the effect of paternity assertions on the multiple measures of paternal investment in Himba pastoralists. Despite a high degree of paternity uncertainty, Himba have strong norms associated with social fatherhood, with men expected to invest equally in biological and non-biological offspring. Our behavioural data show patterns that largely conform to these norms. For domains of investment that are highly visible to the community, such as brideprice payments, we find no evidence of investment biased by paternity confidence. However, more private investment decisions do show some evidence of sex-specific titration. We discuss these results in light of broader considerations about paternal care and the mating–parenting trade-off.
Tropical seagrass
Halophila stipulacea
shifts thermal tolerance during Mediterranean invasion
Authors: Wesselmann Marlene , Anton Andrea , Duarte Carlos M. , Hendriks Iris E. , Agustí Susana , Savva Ioannis , Apostolaki Eugenia T. , Marbà Núria
Published: March 2020

Exotic species often face new environmental conditions that are different from those that they are adapted to. The tropical seagrass
Halophila stipulacea
is a Lessepsian migrant that colonized the Mediterranean Sea around 100 years ago, where at present the minimum seawater temperature is cooler than in its native range in the Red Sea. Here, we tested if the temperature range in which
H. stipulacea
can exist is conserved within the species or if the exotic populations have shifted their thermal breadth and optimum due to the cooler conditions in the Mediterranean. We did so by comparing the thermal niche (e.g. optimal temperatures, and upper and lower thermal limits) of native (Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea) and exotic (Greece and Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea) populations of
H. stipulacea
. We exposed plants to 12 temperature treatments ranging from 8 to 40°C for 7 days. At the end of the incubation period, we measured survival, rhizome elongation, shoot recruitment, net population growth and metabolic rates. Upper and lower lethal thermal thresholds (indicated by 50% plant mortality) were conserved across populations, but minimum and optimal temperatures for growth and oxygen production were lower for Mediterranean populations than for the Red Sea one. The displacement of the thermal niche of exotic populations towards the colder Mediterranean Sea regime could have occurred within 175 clonal generations.
Prevalence, infected density or individual probability of infection? Assessing vector infection risk in the wild transmission of Chagas disease
Authors: Botto-Mahan Carezza , Bacigalupo Antonella , Correa Juana P. , Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Cattan Pedro E. , Solari Aldo
Published: March 2020

Vector-borne infectious disease dynamics result mainly from the intertwined effect of the diversity, abundance, and behaviour of hosts and vectors. Most studies, however, have analysed the relationship between host–species diversity and infection risk, focusing on vector population instead of individuals, probably dismissing the level at which the transmission process occurs. In this paper, we examine the importance of the host community in accounting for infection risk, at both population and individual levels, using the wild transmission of the protozoan that causes Chagas disease as a vector-borne disease model. Chagas disease is caused by
Trypanosoma cruzi
, transmitted by triatomine insects to mammals. We assessed if
T. cruzi
infection in vectors is explained by small mammal diversity and their densities (total and infected), when infection risk is measured at population level as infection prevalence (under a frequency-dependent transmission approach) and as density of infected vectors (density-dependent transmission approach), and when measured at individual level as vector infection probability. We analysed the infection status of 1974 vectors and co-occurring small mammal hosts in a semiarid-Mediterranean ecosystem. Results revealed that regardless of the level of analysis, only one host rodent species accounted for most variation in vector infection risk, suggesting a key role in the transmission cycle. To determine the factors explaining vector-borne disease dynamics, infection risk should be assessed at different scales, reflecting the factors meaningful from the vector's perspective and considering vector class-specific features.
False holes as camouflage
Authors: Costello Leah M. , Scott-Samuel Nicholas E. , Kjernsmo Karin , Cuthill Innes C.
Published: March 2020

Long noted by naturalists, leaf mimicry provides some of the most impressive examples of camouflage through masquerade. Many species of leaf-mimicking Lepidoptera also sport wing markings that closely resemble irregularly shaped holes caused by decay or insect damage. Despite proposals that such markings can either enhance resemblance to damaged leaves or act to disrupt surface appearance through false depth cues, to our knowledge, no attempt has been made to establish exactly how these markings function, or even whether they confer a survival benefit to prey. Here, in two field experiments using artificial butterfly-like targets, we show that false hole markings provide significant survival benefits against avian predation. Furthermore, in a computer-based visual search experiment, we demonstrate that detection of such targets by humans is impeded in a similar fashion. Equally contrasting light marks do not have the same effect; indeed, they lead to increased detection. We conclude that the mechanism is the disruption of the otherwise homogeneous wing surface (surface disruptive camouflage) and that, by resembling the holes sometimes found in real leaves, the disruptive benefits are not offset by conspicuousness costs.