bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Going off the grid: ERα breast cancer beyond estradiol
Authors: Perone Ylenia , Magnani Luca
Published: May 2016

Novel studies have linked cholesterol biosynthesis to drug resistance in luminal breast cancer. Structural data suggest that cholesterol metabolites, including 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), can act as ERα ligands in these cells. Additionally, hypercholesterolemia has now been linked to breast cancer progression. The focus of this review is to briefly summarize these recent findings and discuss how epigenetic reprogramming is definitively connected to endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis. We elaborate on how these data support a working model in which cholesterol biosynthesis promotes autocrine, pro-invasive signaling via activation of a series of closely related transcription factors. Importantly, we discuss how this mechanism of resistance is specifically associated with aromatase inhibitors. Finally, we examine how the field is now considering the development of anticholesterol therapeutics and companion biomarkers to stratify and treat ERα breast cancer patients. In particular, we review recent progress in pharmaceutical strategies targeting the cholesterol molecular machinery in primary and secondary breast cancers.
The role of GPR1 signaling in mice corpus luteum
Authors: Yang Ya-Li , Ren Li-Rong , Sun Li-Feng , Huang Chen , Xiao Tian-Xia , Wang Bao-Bei , Chen Jie , Zabel Brian A , Ren Peigen , Zhang Jian V
Published: May 2016

Chemerin, a chemokine, plays important roles in immune responses, inflammation, adipogenesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Our recent research has shown that chemerin has an inhibitory effect on hormone secretion from the testis and ovary. However, whether G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1), the active receptor for chemerin, regulates steroidogenesis and luteolysis in the corpus luteum is still unknown. In this study, we established a pregnant mare serum gonadotropin-human chorionic gonadotropin (PMSG-hCG) superovulation model, a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) luteolysis model, and follicle and corpus luteum culture models to analyze the role of chemerin signaling through GPR1 in the synthesis and secretion of gonadal hormones during follicular/luteal development and luteolysis. Our results, for the first time, show that chemerin and GPR1 are both differentially expressed in the ovary over the course of the estrous cycle, with highest levels in estrus and metestrus. GPR1 has been localized to granulosa cells, cumulus cells, and the corpus luteum by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In vitro, we found that chemerin suppresses hCG-induced progesterone production in cultured follicle and corpus luteum and that this effect is attenuated significantly by anti-GPR1 MAB treatment. Furthermore, when the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway was blocked, the attenuating effect of GPR1 MAB was abrogated. Interestingly, PGF2α induces luteolysis through activation of caspase-3, leading to a reduction in progesterone secretion. Treatment with GPR1 MAB blocked the PGF2α effect on caspase-3 expression and progesterone secretion. This study indicates that chemerin/GPR1 signaling directly or indirectly regulates progesterone synthesis and secretion during the processes of follicular development, corpus luteum formation, and PGF2α-induced luteolysis.
MODELO LOG-NORMAL PARA PREDICCIÓN DEL PRECIO DE LAS ACCIONES DEL SECTOR BANCARIO // LOG-NORMAL MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE PRICE OF SHARES OF THE BANKING SECTOR // LOG-NORMAL MODELO DE PREDIÇÃO DO PREÇO DAS AÇÕES DO SETOR BANCÁRIO
Authors: Parody Camargo Edder , Charris Fontanilla Arturo , García Luna Rafael
Published: May 2016

El objetivo de este artículo de investigación es la predicción de las cotizaciones de las acciones del sector bancario que cotizaron en el índice general de la bolsa de valores de Colombia (IGBC) durante el periodo 2008 – 2012. Para tal efecto, metodológicamente se hizo uso del modelo Log-normal complementado con simulaciones de Monte-Carlo a fin de determinar pruebas de bondad de ajuste del modelo mediante la raíz del error métrico cuadrado (RMSE). Los resultados encontrados indican que si bien es cierto el modelo sirve para tener una aproximación a los posibles valores mínimos y máximos que puede tomar las acciones, sus resultados carecen de la suficiente precisión para inducir la compra certera de este tipo de activo financiero, razón por la cual se recomienda en próximas investigaciones la aplicación de modelos con promedios móviles de suavizamiento exponencial y modelos de la familia Arch y Garch que generan mayor capacidad de predicción.
Problematyka uchwał w świetle projektu Kodeksu cywilnego. Zagadnienia wybrane
Authors: Kaźmierczyk Aneta
Published: May 2016

The draft of the Civil Code contains proposals for regulating the issues surrounding resolutions. These regulations are the general ones that apply to the resolutions adopted by any entity equipped with the competences to assume them. The need to implement these provisions, however, raises doubts about the legitimacy of both the same regulations as well as their content. The article is an analysis of the proposed draft solutions, through the lens of the questions that will enable a common understanding of the disputed questions and issues concerning the resolutions. Controversial issues include the definition of the legal nature of the resolution, the legal nature of the act of voting and recognising the occurrence of negative or non-existent resolutions. In order to verify that a particular purpose of the study, presented in the labor dispute views of doctrine and jurisprudence focusing on selected topics against the background of two frameworks: the current legal framework and the proposed regulation in the project. Research has shown that the proposed regulations allow only some of the above questions to be precisely defined. These include the legal nature of the resolutions, the act of voting or the response to the problem of the occurrence of negative resolutions. Although in this respect, in particular with regard to the legal nature of the resolutions, there may be discrepancies in the interpretation of the proposed legislation. In contrast, the existing dilemmas regarding the concept of non-existent glories are still, in view of the proposed solutions, the subject of the struggle doctrine and jurisprudence.
Hyperglycemia and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) Inhibitors in Phase I Trials: Incidence, Predictive Factors, and Management
Authors: Khan Khurum H. , Wong Mabel , Rihawi Karim , Bodla Shankar , Morganstein Daniel , Banerji Udai , Molife Lulama R.
Published: May 2016

Background.

Dysregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway is implicated in human cancer growth and progression. Agents targeting this pathway are associated with hyperglycemia due to interaction with the insulin-glucose regulatory axis. Identifying the predictive factors for hyperglycemia in patients treated with these agents may help direct future management.

Materials and Methods.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients treated consecutively with PI3K, AKT, or mTOR inhibitors in the Drug Development Unit, The Royal Marsden (RM) National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, between 2007 and 2012 were recorded. Baseline variables and their association with grade 3 hyperglycemia (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0) were analyzed by using the chi-square test and Fisher exact test for categorical variables and binary logistic regression for continuous variables.

Results.

A total of 341 patients were treated in 12 phase I trials of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, and 298 patients (87.4%) developed hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia was grade 1 in 217 (72.8%) and grade 2 in 61 (20.5%) patients, respectively. Grade ≥3 hyperglycemia was seen in 6.7% of patients (n = 20). According to the chi-square test, age <65 years (p = .03), history of diabetes (p = .003), and treatment with AKT and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors (p < .0005) predicted the occurrence of grade 3 hyperglycemia. Of 24 patients requiring intervention, 20 received metformin, 2 dietary advice, 1 insulin, and 1 both metformin and insulin. One patient required dose reduction. There were no permanent drug discontinuations, and no hyperglycemia-related dose-limiting toxicities were observed; thus, the recommended phase II dose was not affected by the hyperglycemia observed in our cohort.

Conclusion.

Hyperglycemia is common in patients treated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors; however, it is manageable with conventional treatment. Predictive factors of age, history of diabetes, and administration of AKT and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors warrant prospective validation.
Sustainable urban transport – the role of walking and cycling
Authors: Tight Miles
Published: May 2016

Walking and cycling are both underutilised transport modes in most UK urban areas. Among other benefits, they do not directly produce pollutants at point of use, they generate limited noise and they require less space than motor vehicles. Walking and cycling importantly provide a good source of regular exercise. The link between active travel and health has been studied extensively and is generally accepted. However, most research focuses on walking and cycling for private transport, either for leisure or for more functional reasons. The use of walking and cycling as a means of freight transport appears vastly underresearched, and the potential is unclear. This overview paper argues that it is possible to put in place packages of measures that can significantly improve both levels of walking and cycling. This may mean fundamentally changing the existing power relationships that exist between different transport modes, provision of a greater proportion of funds towards active modes of transport and consideration of novel ways of financing to encourage change.
The influence of tensile strain on the pore size and flow capability of needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles
Authors: Wu C. S. , Hong Y. S.
Published: May 2016

This work studies the effect of tensile strain on the pore size and the flow capability of needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles. Laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the variations of pore size, thickness, porosity and mean discharge velocity of water through geotextile samples (permittivity) while under different uniaxial and biaxial tensile strains ranging from 0 to 20%. Comparison of test and predicted results suggests the values of the shape factor β, describing path tortuosity and the dimensionless parameter ξ to account for the evaluations of permeability and filtration opening size for needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles under various tensile strains. The experimental data collected from three needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles show that strained geotextiles exhibit smaller pore size than unstrained geotextiles. The mean discharge velocity of water through strained geotextiles tends to decrease initially, with an increase in tensile strain for geotextiles in low strain regions, but this decreasing trend of mean discharge velocity then reverses for the same geotextiles submitted to higher strain.
Inducible Expression of Claudin-1 in Glomerular Podocytes Generates Aberrant Tight Junctions and Proteinuria through Slit Diaphragm Destabilization
Authors: Gong Yongfeng , Sunq Abby , Roth Robyn A. , Hou Jianghui
Published: May 2016

The tight junction (TJ) has a key role in regulating paracellular permeability to water and solutes in the kidney. However, the functional role of the TJ in the glomerular podocyte is unclear. In diabetic nephropathy, the gene expression of claudins, in particular claudin-1, is markedly upregulated in the podocyte, accompanied by a tighter filtration slit and the appearance of TJ-like structures between the foot processes. However, there is no definitive evidence to show slit diaphragm (SD) to TJ transition in vivo. Here, we report the generation of a claudin-1 transgenic mouse model with doxycycline-inducible transgene expression specifically in the glomerular podocyte. We found that induction of claudin-1 gene expression in mature podocytes caused profound proteinuria, and with deep-etching freeze-fracture electron microscopy, we resolved the ultrastructural change in the claudin-1–induced SD-TJ transition. Notably, immunolabeling of kidney proteins revealed that claudin-1 induction destabilized the SD protein complex in podocytes, with significantly reduced expression and altered localization of nephrin and podocin proteins. Mechanistically, claudin-1 interacted with both nephrin and podocin through cis- and trans-associations in cultured cells. Furthermore, the rat puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis model, previously suspected of undergoing SD-TJ transition, exhibited upregulated expression levels of claudin-1 mRNA and protein in podocytes. Together, our data attest to the novel concept that claudins and the TJ have essential roles in podocyte pathophysiology and that claudin interactions with SD components may facilitate SD-TJ transition that appears to be common to many nephrotic conditions.
Cold Shock Proteins Mediate GN with Mesangioproliferation
Authors: Zhu Cheng , Sauter Eva , Schreiter Anja , van Roeyen Claudia R.C. , Ostendorf Tammo , Floege Jürgen , Gembardt Florian , Hugo Christian P. , Isermann Berend , Lindquist Jonathan A. , Mertens Peter R.
Published: May 2016

DNA binding protein A (DbpA) is a member of the human cold shock domain–containing protein superfamily, with known functions in cell proliferation, differentiation, and stress responses. DbpA mediates tight junction–associated activities in tubular epithelial cells, but the function of DbpA in mesangial cells is unknown. Here, we found DbpA protein expression restricted to vascular smooth muscle cells in healthy human kidney tissue but profound induction of DbpA protein expression within the glomerular mesangial compartment in mesangioproliferative nephritis. In vitro, depletion or overexpression of DbpA using lentiviral constructs led to inhibition or promotion, respectively, of mesangial cell proliferation. Because platelet–derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) signaling has a pivotal role in mesangial cell proliferation, we examined the regulatory effect of PDGF-B on DbpA. In vitro studies of human and rat mesangial cells confirmed a stimulatory effect of PDGF-B on DbpA transcript numbers and protein levels. Additional in vivo investigations showed DbpA upregulation in experimental rat anti–Thy1.1 nephritis and murine mesangioproliferative nephritis models. To interfere with PDGF-B signaling, we injected nephritic rats with PDGF-B neutralizing aptamers or the MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126. Both interventions markedly decreased DbpA protein expression. Conversely, continuous PDGF-B infusion in healthy rats induced DbpA expression predominantly within the mesangial compartment. Taken together, these results indicate that DbpA is a novel target of PDGF-B signaling and a key mediator of mesangial cell proliferation.
ANÁLISE DE TRABALHOS APRESENTADOS NA ANPED (2004 A 2013) COM A TEMÁTICA DE GÊNERO E SEXUALIDADE NO ENSINO DAS CIÊNCIAS
Authors: Soares Alexandre Gomes , Almeida Daniel Manzoni de
Published: May 2016

O tema gênero e sexualidade vem se delineando nas reuniões anuais da Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Educação (ANPEd), especificamente no Grupo de Trabalho 4 – Didática (GT 4) e no Grupo de Trabalho 23 – Gênero, Sexualidade e Educação (GT 23). O objetivo deste artigo é analisar e compreender como esses GTs vêm concebendo pesquisas que tratam dessa temática com foco no ensino de Ciências, nas reuniões anuais da ANPEd, no período de 2004 a 2013. A metodologia utilizada envolveu a identificação e a análise dos trabalhos publicados nos anais das reuniões e o levantamento do total de artigos publicados pelos GTs 4 e 23, destacando os que trazem propostas didáticas e análises sobre ensino de gênero e sexualidade no tocante ao ensino de Ciências. Concluímos em nossa análise uma reduzida abordagem científica das temáticas sobre gênero e sexualidade no contexto das práticas pedagógicas no universo do ensino de Ciências.
GÊNERO, SEXUALIDADE E DIREITOS HUMANOS NA EDUCAÇÃO ESCOLAR: ENTRE IGUALDADES E DIVERSIDADES, A DIFERENÇA
Authors: Vasconcelos Michele De Freitas Faria de , Felix Jeane
Published: May 2016

Esse texto objetiva discutir tensionamentos políticos e pedagógicos envolvidos no desdobrar do direito à educação como um direito à igualdade e à diferença; e pensar o desafio do se criar uma zona de habitação entre igualdade e diferença no campo das políticas públicas educacionais, tomando o gênero como um operador de análises. O movimento metodológico é o de tentar imprimir um olhar de problematização, posicionando-nos contra o esvaziamento de sentidos pela naturalização de noções tão utilizadas na luta política como a de direitos e a de humanidade. Nesses tempos em que alunos/as e professoras/es se perguntam o que estão fazendo ali, nos parece que a escola tem uma função fundamental de educar para a cidadania. Apostamos na potencialidade de se fazer (micro)política no ambiente educacional, exercitando coletivamente, por entre polifonia de vozes diversas, o direito à educação (e não só a escolar) como um direito de todos/as, de cada grupo e de cada um/a.
PROFESSORES E PROFESSORAS DE CIÊNCIAS DE ARACAJU- SE FRENTE À HOMOSSEXUALIDADE
Authors: Barreto Mônica Ismerim , Araújo Maria Inêz Oliveira
Published: May 2016

Na escola, o professor de Ciências é considerado o que tem o 'saber competente' para discutir temas ligados à sexualidade. Porém, a formação deste professor, muitas vezes, não contempla tais temas. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo analisar se professores de Ciências das escolas municipais de Aracaju que participam do programa "Horas de Estudo" saberiam atuar de forma efetiva frente ao tema homossexualidade. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de questionário. O grupo pesquisado apresenta dificuldades no que se refere à forma de agir frente às agressões contra alunos homossexuais. Isso indica a necessidade que a formação contemple aspectos ligados à sexualidade.
GÊNERO, SEXUALIDADE E A IMPORTÂNCIA DE PRÁTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS INTERCULTURAIS
Authors: Machado Carla Silva
Published: May 2016

O presente artigo objetiva salientar a importância das práticas pedagógicas interculturais na perspectiva apresentada por Fleuri (2003) e Candau (2015, 2011). Faremos nosso recorte nas questões que envolvem Gênero e Educação, a partir da percepção de que esta tem sido uma temática bastante discutida. O tema teve destaque no ano de 2015, em que se discutiu amplamente o Plano Nacional de Educação (PNE) para os próximos dez anos. Ele ganhou destaque em função de posições bastante antagônicas acerca de sua inclusão no PNE. Neste artigo, daremos ênfase às práticas midiáticas na educação, abordando especificamente o cinema e as discussões de gênero e sexualidade no âmbito escolar. Para contribuir com a discussão contaremos com autores que tratam da relação entre comunicação e educação, tais como Orozco (1997), Martín-Barbero (2013), Bacega (2009) e outros. Na discussão, envolvendo cinema, educação, gênero e sexualidade, traremos Louro (2014, 2013, 2008), Duarte (2009), Ferrari e Castro (2012), além de outros estudiosos que abordam as relações entre mídia-sexualidade-gênero-educação.
EDUCAÇÃO EM DIREITOS HUMANOS E RELAÇÕES SOCIAIS DE GÊNERO: DISCUSSÕES EM BUSCA DE UMA “EDUCAÇÃO MAIS HUMANA”
Authors: Maciel Talita Santana , Brabo Tânia Suely Antonelli Marcelino
Published: May 2016

Este texto tem por objetivo refletir, por meio de estudo bibliográfico, sobre os pressupostos da educação em direitos humanos, especialmente no que concerne às relações sociais de gênero, e apresentar aspectos teórico-metodológicos que possam subsidiar a prática pedagógica em sala de aula. Entendemos que, em meio ao contexto neoliberal e das consequências negativas que tal ideologia causou, a educação em direitos humanos torna-se um dos instrumentos fundamentais para a concretização de uma cultura dos direitos humanos que seja capaz de transformar relações e práticas sociais, inclusive relações sociais de gênero, concorrendo para a perpetuação de uma “educação mais humana”. Para tanto, é essencial que o fazer educativo tenha caráter político, caminhe em uma perspectiva de formação axiológica e aconteça cotidianamente.
O FENÔMENO BULLYING: DIFERENÇAS ENTRE MENINOS E MENINAS
Authors: Silva Fernanda , Dascanio Denise , Valle Tânia Gracy Martins do
Published: May 2016

O fenômeno bullying caracteriza-se por agressões sempre em desigualdade de poder e envolve atos violentos. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar os tipos de bullying (físico, verbal, psicológico, material, virtual ou sexual) mais prevalente na população estudada e comparar o bullying entre adolescentes do sexo masculino e feminino. Utilizou-se para a coleta de dados, um questionário, elaborado pela pesquisadora. Participaram 309 alunos, 142 do sexo masculino e 167 do sexo feminino, do 6º ao 8º ano de duas escolas, uma estadual e outra municipal. Os resultados apontaram 27% dos participantes envolveram-se em episódios de bullying e que o tipo de bullying mais prevalente foi o verbal, sendo apontado por 92% das meninas e 84% dos meninos; seguido do psicológico, assinalado por 70% das meninas e 53% dos meninos. O bullying físico, contou com 46% de relatos femininos e 44% masculinos, o material foi mencionado por 27% das meninas e 16% dos meninos. No bullying tipo sexual houve maior diferença entre os sexos, sofrido por 38% das meninas e por 16% dos meninos. Somente 13% das meninas e 12% dos meninos, mencionaram sofrer o bullying virtual. Corroborando com pesquisas da área, no presente estudo a maior porcentagem de vítimas foi do sexo feminino e divergindo da literatura as meninas relataram ser agredidas verbalmente mais por meninos do que por meninas.
ESCOLA, HOMOSSEXUALIDADES E HOMOFOBIA: REMEMORANDO EXPERIÊNCIAS NA EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA ESCOLAR
Authors: Prado Vagner Matias do , Ribeiro Arilda Ines Miranda
Published: May 2016

Ancorado nos estudos de gênero e teoria queer, o presente trabalho objetiva problematizar como a marcação social da homossexualidade é instituída por intermédio de práticas escolares da Educação Física. Apresentam-se relatos da realização de seis entrevistas semiestruturadas com jovens adultos, que se autorreconheceram como homossexuais, acerca de suas experiências em aulas de educação física. Os resultados permitem problematizar que as sexualidades não heterossexuais são estigmatizadas e inseridas em relações hierárquicas nas quais jovens homossexuais são alvo constante de manifestações de preconceito que negativizam suas expressões desejantes. A compreensão sobre algumas práticas corporais na perspectiva dicotômica do gênero, como as esportivas, reitera o processo de construção cultural das masculinidades e feminilidades, relegando às homossexualidades ao âmbito das “ininteligibilidades” sociais.
Influência dos fatores individuais, relativos ao trabalho e organizacionais na adesão às precauções padrão por profissionais da odontologia
Authors: Gonçalves Patrick Raphael Vicente , Martins Ronald Jefferson , Moimaz Suzely Adas Saliba , Sundefeld Maria Lúcia Marçal Mazza , Garbin Artênio José Ísper , Garbin Cléa Adas Saliba
Published: May 2016

Justificativa e Objetivos: Os fatores individuais, relativos ao trabalho e organizacionais podem favorecer a adesão de práticas seguras no ambiente laboral, prevenindo a ocorrência de exposições a material biológico entre profissionais da área da saúde. Baseado nisso, objetivou-se verificar a influência de fatores individuais, relativos ao trabalho e organizacionais na adesão às precauções padrão. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de caráter censitário, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 79 profissionais da área odontológica (cirurgiões-dentistas e auxiliares em saúde bucal), alocados no sistema público de saúde de um município do interior paulista. Para coleta dos dados, os participantes responderam ao modelo explicativo da adesão às precauções padrão. Trata-se de um questionário validado, constituído por variáveis demográficas e escalas psicométricas, onde a associação destes fatores com a adesão às precauções padrão foi obtida por meio da análise de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: A análise estatística revelou que a idade do profissional, o tempo de atuação na profissão e de trabalho na unidade; a forma como tomou conhecimento das precauções padrão, a personalidade de risco, a eficácia da prevenção, os obstáculos para seguir as precauções padrão, o treinamento e disponibilidade do equipamento de proteção individual; as ações gerenciais de apoio a segurança do trabalhador, o feedback das práticas seguras e conhecimento da transmissão ocupacional do HIV; além da carga de trabalho, influenciaram positivamente na adesão às precauções padrão entre os profissionais integrantes do estudo. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a adesão às precauções padrão é influenciada, simultaneamente, por fatores individuais, relativos ao trabalho e organizacionais.
Land‐use intensification effects on functional properties in tropical plant communities
Authors: Carreño‐Rocabado Geovana , Peña‐Claros Marielos , Bongers Frans , Díaz Sandra , Quétier Fabien , Chuviña José , Poorter Lourens
Published: May 2016

There is consensus that plant diversity and ecosystem processes are negatively affected by land‐use intensification (LUI), but, at the same time, there is empirical evidence that a large heterogeneity can be found in the responses. This heterogeneity is especially poorly understood in tropical ecosystems.

We evaluated changes in community functional properties across five common land‐use types in the wet tropics with different land‐use intensity: mature forest, logged forest, secondary forest, agricultural land, and pastureland, located in the lowlands of Bolivia. For the dominant plant species, we measured 12 functional response traits related to their life history, acquisition and conservation of resources, plant domestication, and breeding. We used three single‐trait metrics to describe community functional properties: community abundance‐weighted mean (CWM) traits values, coefficient of variation, and kurtosis of distribution.

The CWM of all 12 traits clearly responded to LUI. Overall, we found that an increase in LUI resulted in communities dominated by plants with acquisitive leaf trait values. However, contrary to our expectations, secondary forests had more conservative trait values (i.e., lower specific leaf area) than mature and logged forest, probably because they were dominated by palm species. Functional variation peaked at intermediate land‐use intensity (high coefficient of variation and low kurtosis), which included secondary forest but, unexpectedly, also agricultural land, which is an intensely managed system. The high functional variation of these systems is due to a combination of how response traits (and species) are filtered out by biophysical filters and how management practices introduced a range of exotic species and their trait values into the local species pool.

Our results showed that, at local scales and depending on prevailing environmental and management practices, LUI does not necessarily result in communities with more acquisitive trait values or with less functional variation. Instead of the widely expected negative impacts of LUI on plant diversity, we found varying responses of functional variation, with possible repercussions on many ecosystem services. These findings provide a background for actively mitigating negative effects of LUI while meeting the needs of local communities that rely mainly on provisioning ecosystem services for their livelihoods.
Protected areas and their surrounding territory: socioecological systems in the context of ecological solidarity
Authors: Mathevet Raphaël , Thompson John D. , Folke Carl , Chapin F. Stuart
Published: May 2016

The concept of ecological solidarity (ES) is a major feature of the 2006 law reforming national park policy in France. In the context of biodiversity conservation, the objectives of this study are to outline the historical development ofES, provide a working definition, and present a method for its implementation that combines environmental pragmatism and adaptive management. First, we highlight howESprovides a focus on the interdependencies among humans and nonhuman components of the socioecological system. In doing so, we identifyESwithin a framework that distinguishes ecological, socioecological, and sociopolitical interdependencies. In making such interdependencies apparent to humans who are not aware of their existence, the concept ofESpromotes collective action as an alternative or complementary approach to state‐ or market‐based approaches. By focusing on the awareness, feelings, and acknowledgement of interdependencies between actors and between humans and nonhumans, we present and discuss a learning‐based approach (participatory modeling) that allows stakeholders to work together to construct cultural landscapes for present and future generations. Using two case studies, we show how anESanalysis goes beyond the ecosystem management approach to take into account how human interactions with the environment embody cultural, social, and economic values and endorse an ethically integrated science of care and responsibility.ESrecognizes the diversity of these values as a practical foundation for socially engaged and accountable actions. Finally, we discuss howESenhances academic support for a socioecological systems approach to biodiversity conservation and promotes collaboration with decision‐makers and stakeholders involved in the adaptive management of protected areas and their surrounding landscapes.
Ecological equivalency as a tool for endangered species management
Authors: Searcy Christopher A. , Rollins Hilary B. , Shaffer H. Bradley
Published: May 2016

The use of taxon substitutes for extinct or endangered species is a controversial conservation measure. We use the example of the endangered California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense; CTS), which is being replaced by hybrids with the invasive barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium), to illustrate a strategy for evaluating taxon substitutes based on their position in a multivariate community space. Approximately one‐quarter of CTS's range is currently occupied by “full hybrids” with 70% nonnative genes, while another one‐quarter is occupied by “superinvasives” where a specific set of 3/68 genes comprising 4% of the surveyed genome is nonnative. Based on previous surveys of natural CTS breeding ponds, we stocked experimental mesocosms with field‐verified, realistic densities of tiger salamander larvae and their prey, and used these mesocosms to evaluate ecological equivalency between pure CTS, full hybrids, and superinvasives in experimental pond communities. We also included a fourth treatment with no salamanders present to evaluate the community effects of eliminating Ambystoma larvae altogether. We found that pure CTS and superinvasive larvae were ecologically equivalent, because their positions in the multivariate community space were statistically indistinguishable and they did not differ significantly along any univariate community axes. Full hybrids were ecologically similar, but not equivalent, to the other two genotypes, and the no‐Ambystoma treatment was by far the most divergent. We conclude that, at least for the larval stage, superinvasives are adequate taxon substitutes for pure CTS and should probably be afforded protection under the Endangered Species Act. The proper conservation status for full hybrids remains debatable.
Phylogenetic signal in diatom ecology: perspectives for aquatic ecosystems biomonitoring
Authors: Keck François , Rimet Frédéric , Franc Alain , Bouchez Agnès
Published: May 2016

Diatoms include a great diversity of taxa and are recognized as powerful bioindicators in rivers. However using diatoms for monitoring programs is costly and time consuming because most of the methodologies necessitate species‐level identification. This raises the question of the optimal trade‐off between taxonomic resolution and bioassessment quality. Phylogenetic tools may form the bases of new, more efficient approaches for biomonitoring if relationships between ecology and phylogeny can be demonstrated. We estimated the ecological optima of 127 diatom species for 19 environmental parameters using count data from 2119 diatom communities sampled during eight years in eastern France. Using uni‐ and multivariate analyses, we explored the relationships between freshwater diatom phylogeny and ecology (i.e., the phylogenetic signal). We found a significant phylogenetic signal for many of the ecological optima that were tested, but the strength of the signal varied significantly from one trait to another. Multivariate analysis also showed that the multidimensional ecological niche of diatoms can be strongly related to phylogeny. The presence of clades containing species that exhibit homogeneous ecology suggests that phylogenetic information can be useful for aquatic biomonitoring. This study highlights the presence of significant patterns of ecological optima for freshwater diatoms in relation to their phylogeny. These results suggest the presence of a signal above the species level, which is encouraging for the development of simplified methods for biomonitoring survey.
Improved estimation of intrinsic growthrmaxfor long‐lived species: integrating matrix models and allometry
Authors: Dillingham Peter W. , Moore Jeffrey E. , Fletcher David , Cortés Enric , Curtis K. Alexandra , James Kelsey C. , Lewison Rebecca L.
Published: May 2016

Intrinsic population growth rate (rmax) is an important parameter for many ecological applications, such as population risk assessment and harvest management. However,rmaxcan be a difficult parameter to estimate, particularly for long‐lived species, for which appropriate life table data or abundance time series are typically not obtainable. We describe a method for improving estimates ofrmaxfor long‐lived species by integrating life‐history theory (allometric models) and population‐specific demographic data (life table models). Broad allometric relationships, such as those between life history traits and body size, have long been recognized by ecologists. These relationships are useful for deriving theoretical expectations forrmax, butrmaxfor real populations may vary from simple allometric estimators for “archetypical” species of a given taxa or body mass. Meanwhile, life table approaches can provide population‐specific estimates ofrmaxfrom empirical data, but these may have poor precision from imprecise and missing vital rate parameter estimates. Our method borrows strength from both approaches to provide estimates that are consistent with both life‐history theory and population‐specific empirical data, and are likely to be more robust than estimates provided by either method alone. Our method uses an allometric constant: the product ofrmaxand the associated generation time for a stable‐age population growing at this rate. We conducted a meta‐analysis to estimate the mean and variance of this allometric constant across well‐studied populations from three vertebrate taxa (birds, mammals, and elasmobranchs) and found that the mean was approximately 1.0 for each taxon. We used these as informative Bayesian priors that determine how much to “shrink” imprecise vital rate estimates for a data‐limited population toward the allometric expectation. The approach ultimately provides estimates ofrmax(and other vital rates) that reflect a balance of information from the individual studied population, theoretical expectation, and meta‐analysis of other populations. We applied the method specifically to an archetypical petrel (representing the genusProcellaria)and to white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in the context of estimating sustainable fishery bycatch limits.
Trade‐offs between three forest ecosystem services across the state of New Hampshire, USA: timber, carbon, and albedo
Authors: Lutz David A. , Burakowski Elizabeth A. , Murphy Mackenzie B. , Borsuk Mark E. , Niemiec Rebecca M. , Howarth Richard B.
Published: May 2016

Forests are more frequently being managed to store and sequester carbon for the purposes of climate change mitigation. Generally, this practice involves long‐term conservation of intact mature forests and/or reductions in the frequency and intensity of timber harvests. However, incorporating the influence of forest surface albedo often suggests that long rotation lengths may not always be optimal in mitigating climate change in forests characterized by frequent snowfall. To address this, we investigated trade‐offs between three ecosystem services: carbon storage, albedo‐related radiative forcing, and timber provisioning. We calculated optimal rotation length at 498 diverse Forest Inventory and Analysis forest sites in the state of New Hampshire, USA. We found that the mean optimal rotation lengths across all sites was 94 yr (standard deviation of sample means=44 yr), with a large cluster of short optimal rotation lengths that were calculated at high elevations in the White Mountain National Forest. Using a regression tree approach, we found that timber growth, annual storage of carbon, and the difference between annual albedo in mature forest vs. a post‐harvest landscape were the most important variables that influenced optimal rotation. Additionally, we found that the choice of a baseline albedo value for each site significantly altered the optimal rotation lengths across all sites, lowering the mean rotation to 59 yr with a high albedo baseline, and increasing the mean rotation to 112 yr given a low albedo baseline. Given these results, we suggest that utilizing temperate forests in New Hampshire for climate mitigation purposes through carbon storage and the cessation of harvest is appropriate at a site‐dependent level that varies significantly across the state.
Quantifying “apparent” impact and distinguishing impact from invasiveness in multispecies plant invasions
Authors: Pearson Dean E. , Ortega Yvette K. , Eren Özkan , Hierro José L.
Published: May 2016

The quantification of invader impacts remains a major hurdle to understanding and managing invasions. Here, we demonstrate a method for quantifying the community‐level impact of multiple plant invaders by applying Parker et al.'s (1999) equation (impact = range × local abundance × per capita effect or per unit effect) using data from 620 survey plots from 31 grasslands across west‐central Montana, USA. In testing for interactive effects of multiple invaders on native plant abundance (percent cover), we found no evidence for invasional meltdown or synergistic interactions for the 25 exotics tested. While much concern exists regarding impact thresholds, we also found little evidence for nonlinear relationships between invader abundance and impacts. These results suggest that management actions that reduce invader abundance should reduce invader impacts monotonically in this system. Eleven of 25 invaders had significant per unit impacts (negative local‐scale relationships between invader and native cover). In decomposing the components of impact, we found that local invader abundance had a significant influence on the likelihood of impact, but range (number of plots occupied) did not. This analysis helped to differentiate measures of invasiveness (local abundance and range) from impact to distinguish high‐impact invaders from invaders that exhibit negligible impacts, even when widespread. Distinguishing between high‐ and low‐impact invaders should help refine trait‐based prediction of problem species. Despite the unique information derived from evaluation of per unit effects of invaders, invasiveness scores based on range and local abundance produced similar rankings to impact scores that incorporated estimates of per unit effects. Hence, information on range and local abundance alone was sufficient to identify problematic plant invaders at the regional scale. In comparing empirical data on invader impacts to the state noxious weed list, we found that the noxious weed list captured 45% of the high‐impact invaders but missed 55% and assigned the lowest risk category to the highest‐impact invader. While such subjective weed lists help to guide invasive species management, empirical data are needed to develop more comprehensive rankings of ecological impacts. Using weed lists to classify invaders for testing invasion theory is not well supported.
Stochastic life history modeling for managing regional‐scale freshwater fisheries: an experimental study of brook trout
Authors: Adams Blair K. , Cote David , Fleming Ian A.
Published: May 2016

Environmental heterogeneity can combine with evolutionary responses to create very dynamic and often locally independent populations across a landscape. Such complexity creates difficulties for managers trying to conserve populations across large areas. This study develops, applies, and tests the use of stochastic life‐history modeling and Monte Carlo simulation to assess management scenarios related to the realities of regional fisheries management and conservation. We apply this approach to the management of recreational brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) fishing; an activity that can severely impact species balance, abundance, and the size structure of fish communities. Specifically, the model incorporates population‐specific life‐history information (e.g., growth rate, reproductive effort, and survival) to allow forecasts of the impact of various management strategies and/or changes to environmental conditions on a population's ecological characteristics (e.g., size structure, abundance, and probability of persistence). Sampling was carried out in 16 water bodies spread across four sites in Atlantic Canada. Each water body was sampled in 2005 and reassessed in 2008. This sampling had two primary objectives: (1) define a significant proportion of life‐history variation of brook trout in Atlantic Canada, and (2) to test the precision and accuracy of model predictions of population responses to experimental exploitation and management changes. The model successfully predicted population responses to changes in adult survival in 12 of 13 populations having sufficient data for validation testing, while also proving to be a useful tool when engaging stakeholders regarding management options and their associated risk. We suggest that such models are cost‐effective and have great potential for informing proactive management of jurisdictions with numerous and diverse populations.
Hemiparasite–host plant interactions in a fragmented landscape assessed via imaging spectroscopy and LiDAR
Authors: Barbosa Jomar M. , Sebastián‐González Esther , Asner Gregory P. , Knapp David E. , Anderson Christopher , Martin Roberta E. , Dirzo Rodolfo
Published: May 2016

Species interactions are susceptible to anthropogenic changes in ecosystems, but this has been poorly investigated in a spatially explicit manner in the case of plant parasitism, such as the omnipresent hemiparasitic mistletoe–host plant interactions. Analyzing such interactions at a large spatial scale may advance our understanding of parasitism patterns over complex landscapes. Combining high‐resolution airborne imaging spectroscopy and LiDAR, we studied hemiparasite incidence within and among tree host stands to examine the prevalence and spatial distribution of hemiparasite load in ecosystems. Specifically, we aimed to assess: (1) detection accuracy of mistletoes on their oak hosts; (2) hemiparasitism prevalence within host tree canopies depending on tree height, and (3) spatial variation in hemiparasitism across fragmented woodlands, in a low‐diversity mediterranean oak woodland in California, USA. We identified mistletoe infestations with 55–96% accuracy, and detected significant differences in remote‐sensed spectra between oak trees with and without mistletoe infestation. We also found that host canopy height had little influence on infestation degree, whereas landscape‐level variation showed consistent, nonrandom patterns: isolated host trees had twice the infestation load than did trees located at the core of forest fragments. Overall, we found that canopy exposure (i.e., lower canopy density or proximity to forest edge) is more important than canopy height for mistletoe infestation, and that by changing landscape structure, parasitic prevalence increased with woodland fragmentation. We conclude that reducing fragmentation in oak woodlands will minimize anthropogenic impact on mistletoe infestation at the landscape level. We argue that advanced remote sensing technology can provide baselines to quantitatively analyze and monitor parasite–host trajectories in light of global environmental change, and that this is a promising approach to be further tested in other temperate and tropical forests.
A long‐term evaluation of applied nucleation as a strategy to facilitate forest restoration
Authors: Corbin Jeffrey D. , Robinson George R. , Hafkemeyer Lauren M. , Handel Steven N.
Published: May 2016

Applied nucleation is a restoration technique that seeks to facilitate woody‐plant establishment by attracting birds or other animals that may introduce seeds of dispersal‐limited species. In 1991, an experimental test of applied nucleation was initiated in an abandoned landfill in New Jersey, USA. Trees and shrubs were planted into 16 10 × 10 m plots, covering <3% of the 6‐ha site. In 2010–2011, we sampled the plant community to test the impact of the treatments on forest cover and plant biodiversity. Site‐wide forest cover increased substantially in the 19 years since planting from none to 59%. The original planted plots had significantly higher stem density, particularly of bird‐dispersed species, than unplanted areas. Species composition outside the planted plots was dominated by the wind‐dispersed Fraxinus americana and several small‐seeded bird‐dispersed species, but there were few species indicative of later successional stages. The expected model of successional development via the nucleation model that rates of colonization would be highest near plantings and that forest cover would spread outward from established clusters was not supported after this time span. Given the site's isolation from potential sources of woody propagules, the experimental treatments may not have been enough to overcome many species’ dispersal limitation. Regardless of the mechanism, however, the treatments transformed the once essentially treeless site into a densely wooded habitat, and did so at a rate faster than other descriptions of reforestation following disturbances or land‐use changes in the region. Despite the relatively low species richness of the community, this experiment demonstrated that reforestation of even severely degraded habitat can be achieved with minimal management after site preparation and cluster plantings.