bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrodialytic separation of levulinic acid catalytically synthesized from woody biomass for use in microbial conversion
Authors: Habe Hiroshi , Kondo Susumu , Sato Yuya , Hori Tomoyuki , Kanno Manabu , Kimura Nobutada , Koike Hideaki , Kirimura Kohtaro
Published: December 2016

Levulinic acid (LA) is produced by the catalytic conversion of a variety of woody biomass. To investigate the potential use of desalting electrodialysis (ED) for LA purification, electrodialytic separation of levulinate from both reagent and cedar‐derived LA solution (40–160 g L−1) was demonstrated. When using reagent LA solution with pH5.0–6.0, the recovery rates of levulinate ranged from 68 to 99%, and the energy consumption for recovery of 1 kg of levulinate ranged from 0.18 to 0.27 kWh kg−1. With cedar‐derived LA solution (pH6.0), good agreement in levulinate recovery (88–99%), and energy consumption (0.18–0.22 kWh kg−1) were observed in comparison to the reagent LA solutions, although a longer operation time was required due to some impurities. The application of desalting ED was favorable for promoting microbial utilization of cedar‐derived LA. From 0.5 mol L−1 of the ED‐concentrated sodium levulinate solution, 95.6% of levulinate was recovered as LA calcium salt dihydrate by crystallization. This is the first report on ED application for LA recovery using more than 20 g L−1 LA solutions (40–160 g L−1). © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:448–453, 2017
Premature pubarche in a child with abnormal 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase function and Klinefelter syndrome: the intriguing relationship between androgen deficiency and excess
Authors: Gortakowski Michele , Conroy Rushika , Aguiar Luisa , Allen Holley
Published: December 2016

Key Clinical Message

Disorders of androgen excess may coexist with disorders of androgen deficiency, such as Klinefelter syndrome, and can create diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Development of myasthenia gravis 8 years after interstitial lung disease associated with antisynthetase (anti‐EJ antibody) syndrome
Authors: Ishiguro Takashi , Kagiyama Naho , Kawate Eriko , Odashima Kyuto , Takaku Yotaro , Kurashima Kazuyoshi , Takayanagi Noboru
Published: December 2016

Key Clinical Message

Patients with antisynthetase‐positive interstitial lung disease (ILD) alone sometimes develop myositis during follow‐up, but myasthenia gravis (MG) overlapping on antisynthetase syndrome is unusual. A 56‐year‐old woman with ILD and anti‐EJ antibody treated for 8 years developed MG. Physicians should consider myositis and MG when patients develop muscle symptoms during follow‐up.
Neglected nontoxic multinodular goiter presented as a large neck mass
Authors: Papadatos Stamatis S. , Mylonas Stefanos , Zissis Christos , Galani Vasiliki
Published: December 2016

Key Clinical Message

Large multinodular goiters, obvious to the naked eye, are rarely confronted by clinicians nowadays; yet they do have a place in the differential diagnosis of the neck masses. Due to the fact that 80% of the neck masses in adults are related to malignancy, the later should be ruled out.
Double Core–Shell Si@C@SiO2 for Anode Material of Lithium‐Ion Batteries with Excellent Cycling Stability
Authors: Yang Tao , Tian Xiaodong , Li Xiao , Wang Kai , Liu Zhanjun , Guo Quangui , Song Yan
Published: December 2016

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) composed of silicon (Si) anodes suffer from severe capacity decay because of the volume expansion deriving from the formation of Li15Si4 alloy. In this study, we prepared a double core–shell Si@C@SiO2 nanostructure by the modified Stöber method. In the process of Si lithiation, the carbon layer alleviates the large pressure slightly then the silica shell restricts the lithiation degree of Si. The combination of carbon interlayer and silica shell guarantees structural integrity and avoids further decay of capacity because of the formation of stable solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) films. The resultant Si@C@SiO2 presents remarkable cycling stability with capacity decay of averagely 0.03 % per cycle over 305 cycles at 200 mA g−1, an improvement on Si@C (0.22 %) by more than a factor of 7. This encouraging result demonstrates that the designation involved in this work is effective for mitigating the capacity decay of Si‐based anodes for LIBs.
Modelling and optimization of exhaust pollutants and the properties and characteristics of ethanol‐diesel through a statistical approach
Authors: Mehri Behrouz , Pirouzfar Vahid , Bagheri Shahrzad , Pedram Mona Zamani
Published: December 2016

This work assesses the influence of diesel additives on chemico‐physical properties (flash point, density, viscosity, and cetane number) and exhaust emissions (CO, CO2, nitrogen oxides, and soot). Experimental tests are performed in a 4‐cylinder turbocharged, common rail direct injection engine. Experiments are conducted in different percentages of ethanol (5 and 10 %) and nitrogenate additives (2 and 5 %). The current essay applies various types of tertiary additives (nitro methane, nitro ethane, and 2‐methoxy ethyl ether). All the compositions of ethanol in the diesel make the cetane index, flash point, density, and viscosity reduce. In contrast, these properties get enhanced by adding tertiary additives. Experimental studies demonstrate that nitro ethane is more effective on the decrease of soot emissions and the increase of CO, CO2, and nitrogen oxides.
Microwave‐promoted Synthesis of Novel Fused Osthole Analogues
Authors: Zhang Mingzhi , Zhang Rongrong , Wang Jiaqun , Yu Xiang , Zhang Yaling , Wang Qingqing , Zhang Weihua
Published: December 2016

Osthole is a natural coumarin derivative and has a broad scope of biological activities. Two series of novel fused osthole analogues were designed, and synthesized through a highly efficient microwave‐promoted synthetic protocol via the reaction of 4‐hydroxycoumarins and β‐ketoesters. The reaction conditions including solvent, catalyst, microwave power and irradiation time were also optimized. The pyrano[3,2‐c]chromene‐2,5‐diones and furo[3,2‐c]coumarins were obtained through two distinct intramolecular cyclization processes, and the proposed mechanism was also discussed.
Antiviral and Antibacterial Activities of N‐(4‐Substituted phenyl) Acetamide Derivatives Bearing 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Moiety
Authors: Chen Ling , Wang Peiyi , Li Zhenxing , Zhou Lei , Wu Zhibing , Song Baoan , Yang Song
Published: December 2016

In this paper, a series of N‐(4‐substituted phenyl) acetamide derivatives bearing 1,3,4‐oxadiazole moiety were synthesised. Preliminary bioassays revealed that these compounds not only exhibited favourable antiviral activities toward tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) but also demonstrated sustained inhibition activities against plant pathogenic bacteria, including Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri. Among the derivatives, TC8 and TC20 exerted the strongest curative activities against TMV, with half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of 239.5 and 236.2 µg/mL, respectively, which were comparable to that of ningnanmycin (EC50=273.2 µg/mL). Given their simple synthesis, the target compounds can serve as alternative antiviral candidates.
Synthesis, Characterization of Star‐Shaped Analogue with Benzene Core and Three Naphthalene Diimide Side‐Arms
Authors: Hu Linli , Li Jinling , Huang Jie , Yin Jun
Published: December 2016

Two star‐shaped molecules with benzene core and three naphthalene diimide (NDI) side arms were facilely prepared by two‐step imidization reaction from the 1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride. Two compounds showed the similar UV–vis absorption band as well as NDI. It was found that they displayed bathochromic shift of their UV–vis absorption and emission spectra in film compared with that in solution, ascribing to the aggregation between molecules in the solid state. Reversible reduction process was observed by cyclic voltammetry and low lying LUMO energy levels (−3.83 eV for 1a, −3.87 eV for 1b) were deduced, which suggest that these two compounds possessed good electron‐acceptor property and can be used as potential n‐type materials.
Optimization Studies on Synthesis of TKX‐50
Authors: Golenko Yulia D. , Topchiy Maxim A. , Asachenko Andrey F. , Nechaev Mikhail S. , Pleshakov Dmitriy V.
Published: December 2016

A systematic study of TKX‐50 and ABTOX synthesis using both Klapötke and Tselinskii modified procedures is described. The influence of temperature, moisture, acid amount and nature on the most critical synthesis step – diazidoglyoxime cyclization is shown. Experimental results show that presence of moisture in reaction mixture leads to product yield decreasing. The reaction temperature is another key parameter affecting product yield. High reaction temperature shows negative influence on the product yield in Klapötke method. In Tselinskii procedure the yield of product grows with the reaction temperature increasing. For Klapötke one‐pot method, combination of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone with 1,4‐dioxane is the best solvent, whereas Tselinskii one‐pot procedure gives high yield of product when combination of toluene with 0.5 equiv. of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) is used. Using optimized conditions one‐pot five‐step synthesis of TKX‐50 starting from glyoxime is successfully performed and scaled up to 50 g.
Synthesis of 1,3,4,6‐Tetra‐O‐acetyl‐l‐gulose
Authors: Che Rui , Liu Xingui , Lu Wei
Published: December 2016

A novel, practical and concise synthesis of 1,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐l‐gulose is described, using d‐glucuronolactone as the starting material and other inexpensive and readily available agents (22% overall yield in 9 steps). With this method, the synthesis of l‐gulose and the tumor‐targeting disaccharide of BLMs can be more efficient and convenient.
Dynamics of the sealing zone in cultured osteoclasts
Authors: Batsir Sarit , Geiger Benjamin , Kam Zvi
Published: December 2016

Bone resorption by osteoclasts (OCs) depends on the formation and stability of the sealing zone (SZ), a peripheral belt of actin and integrin‐based podosomes. Recent studies demonstrated that the SZ is a highly dynamic structure, undergoing cycles of assembly and disassembly. In this study, we explored the mechanisms underlying the regulation of SZ stability and reorganization in OCs cultured on glass slides, and forming an SZ‐like podosome belt (SZL). By monitoring this belt in cultured RAW264.7 cells expressing GFP‐tagged actin, we show here that SZL stability is usually locally regulated, and its dissociation, occurring mostly in concave segments, is manifested in the loss of both podosome coherence, and actin belt continuity. Double labeling of cells for actin and tubulin indicated that microtubules (MTs) are mostly confined by the inner aspect of the stable SZL‐associated actin belt. However, in unstable regions of the SZL, MTs tend to extend radially, across the SZL, toward the cell edge. Disruption of MTs by nocodazole induces SZ disassembly, without affecting individual podosome stability. Inspection of the MT network indicates that it is enriched along stable SZL regions, while bypassing disorganized regions. These results suggest that the SZL is stabilized by MTs flanking its inner aspect, while disruption or misalignment of MTs leads to SZL destabilization. We further demonstrate that the MT‐associated protein dynamin2 is involved in the regulation of SZL stability, and dynamin2 knockdown or inactivation cause SZL destabilization.
Anatomy and spatial organization of Müller glia in mouse retina
Authors: Wang Jingjing , O’Sullivan Matthew L. , Mukherjee Dibyendu , Puñal Vanessa M. , Farsiu Sina , Kay Jeremy N.
Published: December 2016

Müller glia, the most abundant glia of vertebrate retina, have an elaborate morphology characterized by a vertical stalk that spans the retina and branches in each retinal layer. Müller glia play diverse, critical roles in retinal homeostasis, which are presumably enabled by their complex anatomy. However, much remains unknown, particularly in mouse, about the anatomical arrangement of Müller cells and their arbors, and how these features arise in development. Here we use membrane‐targeted fluorescent proteins to reveal the fine structure of mouse Müller arbors. We find sublayer‐specific arbor specializations within the inner plexiform layer (IPL) that occur consistently at defined laminar locations. We then characterize Müller glia spatial patterning, revealing how individual cells collaborate to form a pan‐retinal network. Müller cells, unlike neurons, are spread across the retina with homogenous density, and their arbor sizes change little with eccentricity. Using Brainbow methods to label neighboring cells in different colors, we find that Müller glia tile retinal space with minimal overlap. The shape of their arbors is irregular but nonrandom, suggesting that local interactions between neighboring cells determine their territories. Finally, we identify a developmental window at postnatal Days 6 to 9 when Müller arbors first colonize the synaptic layers beginning in stereotyped inner plexiform layer sublaminae. Together, our study defines the anatomical arrangement of mouse Müller glia and their network in the radial and tangential planes of the retina, in development and adulthood. The local precision of Müller glia organization suggests that their morphology is sculpted by specific cell to cell interactions with neurons and each other.
Survey of retinal ganglion cell morphology in marmoset
Authors: Masri Rania A. , Percival Kumiko A. , Koizumi Amane , Martin Paul R. , Grünert Ulrike
Published: December 2016

In primate retina, the midget, parasol, and small bistratified cell populations form the large majority of ganglion cells. In addition, there is a variety of low‐density wide‐field ganglion cell types that are less well characterized. Here we studied retinal ganglion cells in the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, using particle‐mediated gene transfer. Ganglion cells were transfected with an expression plasmid for the postsynaptic density 95–green fluorescent protein. The retinas were processed with established immunohistochemical markers for bipolar and/or amacrine cells to determine ganglion cell dendritic stratification. In total over 500 ganglion cells were classified based on their dendritic field size, morphology, and stratification in the inner plexiform layer. Over 17 types were distinguished, including midget, parasol, broad thorny, small bistratified, large bistratified, recursive bistratified, recursive monostratified, narrow thorny, smooth monostratified, large sparse, giant sparse (melanopsin) ganglion cells, and a group that may contain several as yet uncharacterized types. Assuming each characterized type forms a hexagonal mosaic, the midget and parasol cells account for over 80% of all ganglion cells in the central retina but only ∼50% of cells in the peripheral (>2 mm) retina. We conclude that the fovea is dominated by midget and parasol cells, but outside the fovea the ganglion cell diversity in marmoset is likely as great as that reported for nonprimate retinas. Taken together, the ganglion cell types in marmoset retina resemble those described previously in macaque retina with respect to morphology, stratification, and change in proportion across the retina.
Cognitive Analytic Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Evans Mark , Kellett Stephen , Heyland Simon , Hall Jo , Majid Shazmin
Published: December 2016

The evidence base for treatment of bipolar affective disorder (BD) demands the evaluation of new psychotherapies in order to broaden patient choice. This study reports on the feasibility, safety, helpfulness and effectiveness of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). In a pilot randomized controlled trial, BD patients in remission were randomized to either receiving 24 sessions of CAT (n = 9) or treatment as usual (n = 9) and were assessed in terms of symptoms, functioning and service usage over time. In the CAT arm no adverse events occurred, 8/9 completed treatment, 5/8 attended all 24 sessions and 2/8 were categorized as recovered. The most common helpful event during CAT was recognition of patterns in mood variability, with helpfulness themes changing according to phase of therapy. No major differences were found when comparing the arms over time in terms of service usage or psychometric outcomes. The study suggests that conducting further research into the effectiveness of CAT in treating BD is warranted and guidance regarding future trials is provided. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Treating BD with CAT appears feasible and safe.

Retaining fidelity to the reformulation, recognition and revision structure of CAT appears useful.

Participants stated that across the phases of CAT, focussing on patterns of mood variability was consistently helpful.
Cancer brings forward oviposition in the fly Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Arnal Audrey , Jacqueline Camille , Ujvari Beata , Leger Lucas , Moreno Céline , Faugere Dominique , Tasiemski Aurélie , Boidin‐Wichlacz Céline , Misse Dorothée , Renaud François , Montagne Jacques , Casali Andreu , Roche Benjamin , Mery Frédéric , Thomas Frédéric
Published: December 2016

Hosts often accelerate their reproductive effort in response to a parasitic infection, especially when their chances of future reproduction decrease with time from the onset of the infection. Because malignancies usually reduce survival, and hence potentially the fitness, it is expected that hosts with early cancer could have evolved to adjust their life‐history traits to maximize their immediate reproductive effort. Despite the potential importance of these plastic responses, little attention has been devoted to explore how cancers influence animal reproduction. Here, we use an experimental setup, a colony of genetically modified flies Drosophila melanogaster which develop colorectal cancer in the anterior gut, to show the role of cancer in altering life‐history traits. Specifically, we tested whether females adapt their reproductive strategy in response to harboring cancer. We found that flies with cancer reached the peak period of oviposition significantly earlier (i.e., 2 days) than healthy ones, while no difference in the length and extent of the fecundity peak was observed between the two groups of flies. Such compensatory responses to overcome the fitness‐limiting effect of cancer could explain the persistence of inherited cancer‐causing mutant alleles in the wild.
A fundamental study revisited: Quantitative evidence for territory quality in oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) usingGPSdata loggers
Authors: Schwemmer Philipp , Weiel Stefan , Garthe Stefan
Published: December 2016

A fundamental study by Ens et al. (1992,Journal of Animal Ecology, 61, 703) developed the concept of two different nest‐territory qualities in Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus, L.), resulting in different reproductive successes. “Resident” oystercatchers use breeding territories close to the high‐tide line and occupy adjacent foraging territories on mudflats. “Leapfrog” oystercatchers breed further away from their foraging territories. In accordance with this concept, we hypothesized that both foraging trip duration and trip distance from the high‐tide line to the foraging territory would be linearly related to distance between the nest site and the high tide line. We also expected tidal stage and time of day to affect this relationship.

The former study used visual observations of marked oystercatchers, which could not be permanently tracked. This concept model can now be tested using miniaturizedGPSdevices able to record data at high temporal and spatial resolutions.

Twenty‐nine oystercatchers from two study sites were equipped withGPSdevices during the incubation periods (however, not during chick rearing) over 3 years, providing data for 548 foraging trips. Trip distances from the high‐tide line were related to distance between the nest and high‐tide line. Tidal stage and time of day were included in a mixing model.

Foraging trip distance, but not duration (which was likely more impacted by intake rate), increased with increasing distance between the nest and high‐tide line. There was a site‐specific effect of tidal stage on both trip parameters. Foraging trip duration, but not distance, was significantly longer during the hours of darkness.

Our findings support and additionally quantify the previously developed concept. Furthermore, rather than separating breeding territory quality into two discrete classes, this classification should be extended by the linear relationship between nest‐site and foraging location. Finally, oystercatcher′s foraging territories overlapped strongly in areas of high food abundance.
Evaluating citizen science data for forecasting species responses to national forest management
Authors: Mair Louise , Harrison Philip J. , Jönsson Mari , Löbel Swantje , Nordén Jenni , Siitonen Juha , Lämås Tomas , Lundström Anders , Snäll Tord
Published: December 2016

The extensive spatial and temporal coverage of many citizen science datasets (CSD) makes them appealing for use in species distribution modeling and forecasting. However, a frequent limitation is the inability to validate results. Here, we aim to assess the reliability of CSD for forecasting species occurrence in response to national forest management projections (representing 160,366 km2) by comparison against forecasts from a model based on systematically collected colonization–extinction data. We fitted species distribution models using citizen science observations of an old‐forest indicator fungus Phellinus ferrugineofuscus. We applied five modeling approaches (generalized linear model, Poisson process model, Bayesian occupancy model, and two MaxEnt models). Models were used to forecast changes in occurrence in response to national forest management for 2020‐2110. Forecasts of species occurrence from models based on CSD were congruent with forecasts made using the colonization–extinction model based on systematically collected data, although different modeling methods indicated different levels of change. All models projected increased occurrence in set‐aside forest from 2020 to 2110: the projected increase varied between 125% and 195% among models based on CSD, in comparison with an increase of 129% according to the colonization–extinction model. All but one model based on CSD projected a decline in production forest, which varied between 11% and 49%, compared to a decline of 41% using the colonization–extinction model. All models thus highlighted the importance of protected old forest for P. ferrugineofuscus persistence. We conclude that models based on CSD can reproduce forecasts from models based on systematically collected colonization–extinction data and so lead to the same forest management conclusions. Our results show that the use of a suite of models allows CSD to be reliably applied to land management and conservation decision making, demonstrating that widely available CSD can be a valuable forecasting resource.
Are life history events of a northern breeding population of Cooper's Hawks influenced by changing climate?
Authors: Rosenfield Robert N. , Hardin Madeline G. , Bielefeldt John , Keyel Edward R.
Published: December 2016

Numerous studies have demonstrated earlier timing of spring migration and egg‐laying in small passerines, but documentation of such responses to recent climate change in the life histories of higher trophic feeding birds such as raptors is relatively scarce. Raptors may be particularly susceptible to possible adverse effects of climate change due to their longer generation turnover times and lower reproductive capacity, which could lead to population declines because of an inability to match reproductive timing with optimal brood rearing conditions. Conversely adaptively favorable outcomes due to the influence of changing climate may occur. In general, birds that seasonally nest earlier typically have higher reproductive output compared to conspecifics that nest later in the season. Given the strong seasonal decline in reproductive output, and the heritability of nesting phenology, it is possible that nesting seasons would (adaptively) advance over time. Recent climate warming may release prior ecological constraints on birds that depend on food availability at the time of egg production, as do various raptors including Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii). Under this scenario, productivity, especially clutch size, might increase because it is likely that this reproductive demographic may be the most immediate response to the earlier seasonal presence of food resources. We demonstrated a statistically significant shift of about 4–5 days to an earlier timing of egg‐hatching in spring across 36 years during 1980–2015 for a partially migratory population of Cooper's Hawks in Wisconsin, United States, which is consistent with a recent study that showed that Cooper's Hawks had advanced their timing of spring migration during 1979–2012. Both studies occurred in the Great Lakes region, an area that compared to global averages is experiencing earlier and increased warming particularly in the spring in Wisconsin. The nesting period did not lengthen. We suggest that the gradual shift of six consecutive generations of hawks was likely in response to recent climate change or warming. We did not detect any long‐term temporal change in average clutch or brood sizes. However, such indices of reproduction are among the highest known for the species and thus may be at their physio‐ecological maximum for this population. Our study population appears to show resilience to and does not appear to be adversely influenced by the recent rate of changing climate at this time.
Estimating plant abundance using inflated beta distributions: Applied learnings from a lichen–caribou ecosystem
Authors: Keim Jonah L. , DeWitt Philip D. , Fitzpatrick J. Jeremy , Jenni Noemie S.
Published: December 2016

Quantifying abundance and distribution of plant species can be difficult because data are often inflated with zero values due to rarity or absence from many ecosystems. Terrestrial fruticose lichens (Cladonia and Cetraria spp.) occupy a narrow ecological niche and have been linked to the diets of declining caribou and reindeer populations (Rangifer tarandus) across their global distribution, and conditions related to their abundance and distribution are not well understood. We attempted to measure effects related to the occupancy and abundance of terrestrial fruticose lichens by sampling and simultaneously modeling two discrete conditions: absence and abundance. We sampled the proportion cover of terrestrial lichens at 438 vegetation plots, including 98 plots having zero lichens. A zero‐inflated beta regression model was employed to simultaneously estimate both the absence and the proportion cover of terrestrial fruticose lichens using fine resolution satellite imagery and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) derived covariates. The probability of lichen absence significantly increased with shallower groundwater, taller vegetation, and increased Sphagnum moss cover. Vegetation productivity, Sphagnum moss cover, and seasonal changes in photosynthetic capacity were negatively related to the abundances of terrestrial lichens. Inflated beta regression reliably estimated the abundance of terrestrial lichens (R2 = .74) which was interpolated on a map at fine resolution across a caribou range to support ecological conservation and reclamation. Results demonstrate that sampling for and simultaneously estimating both occupancy and abundance offer a powerful approach to improve statistical estimation and expand ecological inference in an applied setting. Learnings are broadly applicable to studying species that are rare, occupy narrow niches, or where the response variable is a proportion value containing zero or one, which is typical of vegetation cover data.
Gauging megadiversity with optimized and standardized sampling protocols: A case for tropical forest spiders
Authors: Malumbres‐Olarte Jagoba , Scharff Nikolaj , Pape Thomas , Coddington Jonathan A. , Cardoso Pedro
Published: December 2016

Characterizing and monitoring biodiversity and assessing its drivers require accurate and comparable data on species assemblages, which, in turn, should rely on efficient and standardized field collection. Unfortunately, protocols that follow such criteria remain scarce and it is unclear whether they can be applied to megadiverse communities, whose study can be particularly challenging. Here, we develop and evaluate the first optimized and standardized sampling protocol for megadiverse communities, using tropical forest spiders as a model taxon. We designed the protocol COBRA‐TF (Conservation Oriented Biodiversity Rapid Assessment for Tropical Forests) using a large dataset of semiquantitative field data from different continents. This protocol combines samples of different collecting methods to obtain as many species as possible with minimum effort (optimized) and widest applicability and comparability (standardized). We ran sampling simulations to assess the efficiency of COBRA‐TF (optimized, non‐site‐specific) and its reliability for estimating taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity, and community structure by comparing it with (1) commonly used expert‐based ad hoc protocols (nonoptimized, site‐specific) and (2) optimal protocols (optimized, site‐specific). We then tested the performance and feasibility of COBRA‐TF in the field. COBRA‐TF yielded similar results as ad hoc protocols for species (observed and estimated) and family richness, phylogenetic and functional diversity, and species abundance distribution. Optimal protocols detected more species than COBRA‐TF. Data from the field test showed high sampling completeness and yielded low numbers of singletons and doubletons. Optimized and standardized protocols can be as effective in sampling and studying megadiverse communities as traditional sampling, while allowing data comparison. Although our target taxa are spiders, COBRA‐TF can be modified to apply to any highly diverse taxon and habitat as long as multiple collecting techniques exist and the unit effort per sample is comparable. Protocols such as COBRA‐TF facilitate studying megadiverse communities and therefore may become essential tools for monitoring community changes in space and time, assessing the effects of disturbances and selecting conservation areas.
Remating responses are consistent with male postcopulatory manipulation but not reinforcement in D. pseudoobscura
Authors: Davis Jeremy S. , Castillo Dean M. , Moyle Leonie C.
Published: December 2016

Reinforcement occurs when hybridization between closely related lineages produces low‐fitness offspring, prompting selection for elevated reproductive isolation specifically in areas of sympatry. Both premating and postmating prezygotic behaviors have been shown to be the target of reinforcing selection, but it remains unclear whether remating behaviors experience reinforcement, although they can also influence offspring identity and limit formation of hybrids. Here, we evaluated evidence for reinforcing selection on remating behaviors in Drosophila pseudoobscura, by comparing remating traits in females from populations historically allopatric and sympatric with Drosophila persimilis. We found that the propensity to remate was not higher in sympatric females, compared to allopatric females, regardless of whether the first mated male was heterospecific or conspecific. Moreover, remating behavior did not contribute to interspecific reproductive isolation among any population; that is, females showed no higher propensity to remate following a heterospecific first mating than following a conspecific first mating. Instead, we found that females are less likely to remate after initial matings with unfamiliar males, regardless of species identity. This is consistent with one scenario of postmating sexual conflict in which females are poorly defended against postcopulatory manipulation by males with whom they have not coevolved. Our results are generally inconsistent with reinforcement on remating traits and suggest that this behavior might be more strongly shaped by the consequences of local antagonistic male–female interactions than interactions with heterospecifics.
Variation in foraging success among predators and its implications for population dynamics
Authors: Okuyama Toshinori
Published: December 2016

The effects of the expected predation rate on population dynamics have been studied intensively, but little is known about the effects of predation rate variability (i.e., predator individuals having variable foraging success) on population dynamics. In this study, variation in foraging success among predators was quantified by observing the predation of the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata on the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus in the laboratory. A population model was then developed, and the effect of foraging variability on predator–prey dynamics was examined by incorporating levels of variation comparable to those quantified in the experiment. The variability in the foraging success among spiders was greater than would be expected by chance (i.e., the random allocation of prey to predators). The foraging variation was density‐dependent; it became higher as the predator density increased. A population model that incorporates foraging variation shows that the variation influences population dynamics by affecting the numerical response of predators. In particular, the variation induces negative density‐dependent effects among predators and stabilizes predator–prey dynamics.
Morphological divergence of lake and stream Phoxinus of Northern Italy and the Danube basin based on geometric morphometric analysis
Authors: Ramler David , Palandačić Anja , Delmastro Giovanni B. , Wanzenböck Josef , Ahnelt Harald
Published: December 2016

Minnows of the genus Phoxinus are promising candidates to investigate adaptive divergence, as they inhabit both still and running waters of a variety of altitudes and climatic zones in Europe. We used landmark‐based geometric morphometric methods to quantify the level of morphological variability in Phoxinus populations from streams and lakes of Northern Italy and the Danube basin. We analyzed body shape differences of populations in the dorsal, lateral, and ventral planes, using a large array of landmarks and semilandmarks. As the species identification of Phoxinus on morphological characters is ambiguous, we used two mitochondrial genes to determine the genetic background of the samples and to ensure we are comparing homogenous groups. We have found significant body shape differences between habitats: Minnow populations inhabiting streams had a deeper body and caudal peduncle and more laterally inserted pectoral fins than minnows inhabiting lakes. We have also found significant body shape differences between genetic groups: Italian minnows had deeper bodies, deeper and shorter caudal peduncles, and a shorter and wider gape than both groups from the Danube. Our results show that the morphology of Phoxinus is highly influenced by habitat and that body shape variation between habitats was within the same range as between genetic groups. These morphological differences are possibly linked to different modes of swimming and foraging in the respective habitats and are likely results of phenotypic plasticity. However, differences in shape and interlandmark distances between the groups suggest that some (though few) morphometric characters might be useful for separating Phoxinus species.
The development of an intermediate‐duration tag to characterize the diving behavior of large whales
Authors: Mate Bruce R. , Irvine Ladd M. , Palacios Daniel M.
Published: December 2016

The development of high‐resolution archival tag technologies has revolutionized our understanding of diving behavior in marine taxa such as sharks, turtles, and seals during their wide‐ranging movements. However, similar applications for large whales have lagged behind due to the difficulty of keeping tags on the animals for extended periods of time. Here, we present a novel configuration of a transdermally attached biologging device called the Advanced Dive Behavior (ADB) tag. The ADB tag contains sensors that record hydrostatic pressure, three‐axis accelerometers, magnetometers, water temperature, and light level, all sampled at 1 Hz. The ADB tag also collects Fastloc GPS locations and can send dive summary data through Service Argos, while staying attached to a whale for typical periods of 3–7 weeks before releasing for recovery and subsequent data download. ADB tags were deployed on sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus; N = 46), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus; N = 8), and fin whales (B. physalus; N = 5) from 2007 to 2015, resulting in attachment durations from 0 to 49.6 days, and recording 31 to 2,539 GPS locations and 27 to 2,918 dives per deployment. Archived dive profiles matched well with published dive shapes of each species from short‐term records. For blue and fin whales, feeding lunges were detected using peaks in accelerometer data and matched corresponding vertical excursions in the depth record. In sperm whales, rapid orientation changes in the accelerometer data, often during the bottom phase of dives, were likely related to prey pursuit, representing a relative measure of foraging effort. Sperm whales were documented repeatedly diving to, and likely foraging along, the seafloor. Data from the temperature sensor described the vertical structure of the water column in all three species, extending from the surface to depths >1,600 m. In addition to providing information needed to construct multiweek time budgets, the ADB tag is well suited to studying the effects of anthropogenic sound on whales by allowing for pre‐ and post‐exposure monitoring of the whale's dive behavior. This tag begins to bridge the gap between existing long‐duration but low‐data throughput tags, and short‐duration, high‐resolution data loggers.
Hopes and challenges for giant panda conservation under climate change in the Qinling Mountains of China
Authors: Gong Minghao , Guan Tianpei , Hou Meng , Liu Gang , Zhou Tianyuan
Published: December 2016

One way that climate change will impact animal distributions is by altering habitat suitability and habitat fragmentation. Understanding the impacts of climate change on currently threatened species is of immediate importance because complex conservation planning will be required. Here, we mapped changes to the distribution, suitability, and fragmentation of giant panda habitat under climate change and quantified the direction and elevation of habitat shift and fragmentation patterns. These data were used to develop a series of new conservation strategies for the giant panda. Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China. Data from the most recent giant panda census, habitat factors, anthropogenic disturbance, climate variables, and climate predictions for the year 2050 (averaged across four general circulation models) were used to project giant panda habitat in Maxent. Differences in habitat patches were compared between now and 2050. While climate change will cause a 9.1% increase in suitable habitat and 9% reduction in subsuitable habitat by 2050, no significant net variation in the proportion of suitable and subsuitable habitat was found. However, a distinct climate change‐induced habitat shift of 11 km eastward by 2050 is predicted firstly. Climate change will reduce the fragmentation of suitable habitat at high elevations and exacerbate the fragmentation of subsuitable habitat below 1,900 m above sea level. Reduced fragmentation at higher elevations and worsening fragmentation at lower elevations have the potential to cause overcrowding of giant pandas at higher altitudes, further exacerbating habitat shortage in the central Qinling Mountains. The habitat shift to the east due to climate change may provide new areas for giant pandas but poses severe challenges for future conservation.
Contrasting behavior between two populations of an ice‐obligate predator in East Antarctica
Authors: Heerah Karine , Hindell Mark , Andrew‐Goff Virginia , Field Iain , McMahon Clive R. , Charrassin Jean‐Benoît
Published: December 2016

The Austral autumn–winter is a critical period for capital breeders such as Weddell seals that must optimize resource acquisition and storage to provision breeding in the subsequent spring. However, how Weddell seals find food in the winter months remains poorly documented. We equipped adult Weddell seals after their annual molt with satellite‐relayed data loggers at two sites in East Antarctica: Dumont D'Urville (n = 12, DDU) and Davis (n = 20). We used binomial generalized mixed‐effect models to investigate Weddell seals’ behavioral response (i.e., “hunting” vs. “transit”) to physical aspects of their environment (e.g., ice concentration). Weddell seal foraging was concentrated to within 5 km of a breathing hole, and they appear to move between holes as local food is depleted. There were regional differences in behavior so that seals at Davis traveled greater distances (three times more) and spent less time in hunting mode (half the time) than seals at DDU. Despite these differences, hunting dives at both locations were pelagic, concentrated in areas of high ice concentration, and over areas of complex bathymetry. There was also a seasonal change in diving behavior from transiting early in the season to more hunting during winter. Our observations suggest that Weddell seal foraging behavior is plastic and that they respond behaviorally to changes in their environment to maximize food acquisition and storage. Such plasticity is a hallmark of animals that live in very dynamic environments such as the high Antarctic where resources are unpredictable.
Prevention of the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction by the phosphodiesterase‐5A inhibitor vardenafil in rats with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mátyás Csaba , Németh Balázs T. , Oláh Attila , Török Marianna , Ruppert Mihály , Kellermayer Dalma , Barta Bálint A. , Szabó Gábor , Kökény Gábor , Horváth Eszter M. , Bódi Beáta , Papp Zoltán , Merkely Béla , Radovits Tamás
Published: December 2016

Aims

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has a great epidemiological burden. The pathophysiological role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling has been intensively investigated in HFpEF. Elevated levels of cGMP have been shown to exert cardioprotective effects in various cardiovascular diseases, including diabetic cardiomyopathy. We investigated the effect of long‐term preventive application of the phosphodiesterase‐5A (PDE5A) inhibitor vardenafil in diabetic cardiomyopathy‐associated HFpEF.

Methods and results

Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used as a model of HFpEF and ZDF lean rats served as controls. Animals received vehicle or 10 mg/kg body weight vardenafil per os from weeks 7 to 32 of age. Cardiac function, morphology was assessed by left ventricular (LV) pressure–volume analysis and echocardiography at week 32. Cardiomyocyte force measurements were performed. The key markers of cGMP signalling, nitro‐oxidative stress, apoptosis, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis were examined. The ZDF animals showed diastolic dysfunction (increased LV/cardiomyocyte stiffness, prolonged LV relaxation time), preserved systolic performance, decreased myocardial cGMP level coupled with impaired protein kinase G (PKG) activity, increased nitro‐oxidative stress, enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and hypertrophic and fibrotic remodelling of the myocardium. Vardenafil effectively prevented the development of HFpEF by maintaining diastolic function (decreased LV/cardiomyocyte stiffness and LV relaxation time), by restoring cGMP levels and PKG activation, by lowering apoptosis and by alleviating nitro‐oxidative stress, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrotic remodelling.

Conclusions

We report that vardenafil successfully prevented the development of diabetes mellitus‐associated HFpEF. Thus, PDE5A inhibition as a preventive approach might be a promising option in the management of HFpEF patients with diabetes mellitus.
“Inflamm‐aging” influences immune cell survival factors in human bone marrow
Authors: Pangrazzi Luca , Meryk Andreas , Naismith Erin , Koziel Rafal , Lair Julian , Krismer Martin , Trieb Klemens , Grubeck‐Loebenstein Beatrix
Published: December 2016

The bone marrow (BM) plays a key role in the long‐term maintenance of immunological memory. However, the impact of aging on the production of survival factors for effector/memory T cells and plasma cells in the human BM has not been studied. We now show that the expression of molecules involved in the maintenance of immunological memory in the human BM changes with age. While IL‐15, which protects potentially harmful CD8+CD28− senescent T cells, increases, IL‐7 decreases. IL‐6, which may synergize with IL‐15, is also overexpressed. In contrast, a proliferation‐inducing ligand, a plasma cell survival factor, is reduced. IFN‐y, TNF, and ROS accumulate in the BM in old age. IL‐15 and IL‐6 expression are stimulated by IFN‐y and correlate with ROS levels in BM mononuclear cells. Both cytokines are reduced by incubation with the ROS scavengers N‐acetylcysteine and vitamin C. IL‐15 and IL‐6 are also overexpressed in the BM of superoxide dismutase 1 knockout mice compared to their WT counterparts. In summary, our results demonstrate the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in age‐related changes of immune cell survival factors in the BM, suggesting that antioxidants may be beneficial in counteracting immunosenescence by improving immunological memory in old age.
Ring opening of epoxidized methyl or ethyl oleate by alkyl glycosides
Authors: Epoune Lingome Cédric , Gadenne Benoit , Alfos Carine , Queneau Yves , Moebs‐Sanchez Sylvie
Published: December 2016

Epoxidized methyl or ethyl oleate were used as models of FAtty Methyl Esters to explore their functionalization via ring opening of the internal epoxide by alkyl glycosides. Overcoming solubility issues, medium to long‐chain alkyl glucosides gave better results than methyl glucoside. Er(OTf)3 turned out to catalyze at room temperature the selective formation of hydroxyalkylethers with good yields versus transesterification, despite the concomitant formation of fatty ketones. A brief scope of the reaction, using several available alkyl glycosides, suggests that the strategy can easily lead to new highly functionnalized amphiphilic compounds, potential precursors for biobased materials.

Practical applications: Interested in the formation of original high‐value intermediates from renewable materials, we tackled the reaction of unprotected carbohydrates and unsaturated vegetal oils featuring an internal epoxide. After ring‐opening, the obtained highly functionalized polyols are potential precursors to produce new biobased polymers, lubricants or surface‐active compounds for high‐value cosmetic or biopharmaceutical formulations.

The formation of hydroxyalkylethers from epoxidized fatty esters and alkyl glycosides are catalyzed by Er(OTf)3 at room temperature with good yields and high selectivity versus transesterification.