bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Electromagnetic–Triboelectric Energy Harvester Using a Dual Halbach Magnet Array Powered by Human‐Body‐Induced Motion
Authors: Salauddin Md , Cho Hyunok , Park Jae Yeong
Published: December 2017

A highly miniaturized hybridization of electromagnetic–triboelectric energy harvesters with different mechanisms in one harvester is proposed using a Halbach magnet array from human‐body‐induced motion, and it is theoretically and experimentally validated. In particular, the proposed dual Halbach array allows the concentrated magnetic flux lines to interact with the same coil in a manner that produces maximum flux linkage. To obtain much higher power generation at low‐amplitude and low‐frequency vibrations, the proposed harvester is comprised of a Halbach magnet array, sandpaper‐based microstructure polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a triboelectric, and magnetic springs. A prototype of the hybrid energy harvester is fabricated and tested, both using a vibration exciter test, and by manual handshaking. Under vibration exciter test, the fabricated hybrid harvester prototype delivers a high output current and power of 4.5 mA and 12.51 mW, respectively, corresponding to a volume power density of 411 W m−3 under a loading resistance of 617 Ω at 6.5 Hz resonant frequency and 0.5g acceleration. The hybrid prototype is also capable of delivering output current and power of 3.55 mA and 7.35 mW, respectively, if driven by handshaking vibration. The fabricated hybridized harvester exhibits much higher power density than similar recently reported works.
Broadband Terahertz Circular‐Polarization Beam Splitter
Authors: Lee Wendy S. L. , Nirantar Shruti , Headland Daniel , Bhaskaran Madhu , Sriram Sharath , Fumeaux Christophe , Withayachumnankul Withawat
Published: December 2017

Splitting circularly polarized waves is desirable for high‐data‐rate wireless communications and study of molecular chirality at terahertz frequencies. Typically, this functionality is achieved using bulk optical systems with limitations in material availability, bandwidth, and efficiency. As an alternative, metasurfaces with spatially varying broadband birefringence are employed to attain the same functionality. It is demonstrated that a metasurface designed with gradually rotated birefringent resonators can deflect normally incident left‐handed circularly polarized and right‐handed circularly polarized waves into different directions. This beam splitting functionality is maintained over an experimentally demonstrated relative deflection bandwidth of 53%, namely, covering the band of 0.58–1.00 THz.
Convex relaxations for global optimization under uncertainty described by continuous random variables
Authors: Shao Yuanxun , Scott Joseph K.
Published: December 2017

This article considers nonconvex global optimization problems subject to uncertainties described by continuous random variables. Such problems arise in chemical process design, renewable energy systems, stochastic model predictive control, and many other applications. Here, we restrict our attention to problems with expected‐value objectives and no recourse decisions. In principle, such problems can be solved globally using spatial branch‐and‐bound. However, branch‐and‐bound requires the ability to bound the optimal objective value on subintervals of the search space, and existing techniques are not generally applicable because expected‐value objectives often cannot be written in closed‐form. To address this, this article presents a new method for computing convex and concave relaxations of nonconvex expected‐value functions, which can be used to obtain rigorous bounds for use in branch‐and‐bound. Furthermore, these relaxations obey a second‐order pointwise convergence property, which is sufficient for finite termination of branch‐and‐bound under standard assumptions. Empirical results are shown for three simple examples. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3023–3033, 2018
Application of nanostructure ZnLI2 complex in construction of optical pH sensor
Authors: Shahamirifard Seyed Alireza , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Montazerozohori Morteza
Published: December 2017

This is for the first time that application of complex nanostructure is reported as pH indicator in PVC matrix. This new optical pH sensor was constructed based on incorporation of ZnLI2 complex nanostructure in PVC matrix. The synthesized nanostructure ZnLI2 complex was characterized by SEM and XRD technique. The membrane solution was speared on the glass plate to provide thin film and the membrane surface morphology was investigated via field emission scanning microscope (FE‐SEM) technique. Central composite design (CCD) combined with desirability function (DF) was applied to find the best experimental composition of membrane providing the highest absorbance. These conditions were found in correspondence with 3 mg of pH indicator, 3 mg of ionic additive and 1.5 mg/mg of DBP/PVC weight ratio. Under optimum conditions, the proposed pH sensor has two linear working ranges of 4 ‐ 8 at 393 nm (R2 = 0.9897) and 5 ‐ 8 (R2 = 0.9982) at 570 nm with response time of 4 min. The pKa of proposed pH optical sensor was calculated through three methods that found to be 5.63. The present optical sensor shows stability after 2 months without any significant divergence in response properties (less than 5% RSD). Furthermore, current pH optode was exhibited good repeatability (RSD = 1.14%) as well as reproducibility (RSD = 4.06%). No significant variation was observed on sensor response with increasing the ionic strength in the range of 0.0–0.5 M of sodium chloride. All above features indicated that the proposed sensor can be successfully used for detection of pH in solutions with different ionic strength.
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, thermal behaviour, in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities of novel ruthenium tricarbonyl complexes containing monodentate V‐shaped Schiff bases
Authors: Ramadan Ramadan M. , Elsheemy Walid M. , Hassan Nahla S. , Abdel Aziz Ayman A.
Published: December 2017

The interaction of Ru3(CO)12 with a novel family of monodentate V‐shaped Schiff base ligands (L1–4; L1: (E)‐1‐(4‐((4‐bromobenzylidene)amino)phenyl)ethanone, L2: (E)‐1‐(3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone, L3: (E)‐1‐(4‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone, L4: (E)‐1‐(3‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone) in air under atmospheric pressure afforded the novel complexes [Ru(CO)3(L1–4)2]. The parent ligands and their complexes were characterized using elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the structure of the representative ligand L1 was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The stereochemistry and theoretical optimization of the three‐dimensional geometry of the ligands and their complexes were justified. In vitro antimicrobial screening against bacterial stains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and fungus Candida albicans was conducted. Cytotoxicity of the compounds as anti‐tumour agents was evaluated against liver carcinoma (HepG2), breast carcinoma (MCF7) and colon carcinoma (HCT‐116) cell lines relative to cisplatin and doxorubicin. The complexes showed variable in vitro cytotoxic activities against the three studied cell lines, with IC50 values less than those of cis‐platin, and thus appear to be building blocks for promising anti‐tumour agents.
Denitrogenative Pd/Cu‐catalyzed Suzuki‐type Cross‐coupling of Aryltrifluoroborates with Arylhydrazine Hydrochlorides in Water under Room Temperature
Authors: Wang Guofang , Meng Mengting , Deng Liping , Cheng Kai , Qi Chenze
Published: December 2017

A water‐soluble palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki‐type cross‐coupling of aryltrifluoroborates with arylhydrazide hydrochlorides was efficiently developed under mild and environmentally benign conditions, in water without any ligand. The newly developed Pd/Cu co‐catalyzed denitrogenative reaction gave a range of structurally diverse substituted biaryls with good to excellent yields, in which the byproduct was nitrogen.
The underestimated magnitude and decline trend in near‐surface wind over China
Authors: Jiang Ying , Xu Xiyan , Liu Hanwu , Dong Xuguang , Wang Wenben , Jia Gensuo
Published: December 2017

This study reports the magnitude, spatial pattern and temporal trend of near‐surface wind speed (NWS) by comparing 20th century simulations in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and 3 (CMIP3) and the climate reanalyses with measurements at 563 weather stations in China over 1961–2005. Both CMIP5 and CMIP3 agree quite well with observations in reproducing the spatial pattern of annual mean NWS. CMIP5 models are superior to CMIP3 models in hindcasting the magnitude and spatial pattern of seasonal mean NWS, the temporal trend in annual and seasonal mean NWS. Although both CMIP3 and CMIP5 reproduced the decline trend in the annual and seasonal mean NWS, the hindcasted decline rate is smaller than observed decline trend by the magnitude of one order. The ensemble of optimal models that are better correlated to observations in both NWS and temporal trend possesses advantages over individual model hindcast and reanalyses. The reanalyzed data are not able to represent the observed either the spatial pattern or the decline trend of NWS. The analyses presented here reveal the uncertainties in the current wind field products including reanalyses and model outputs and highlight the benefits of parameterization development and increased horizontal resolution in the new‐generation CMIP models.
Visual Motion Prediction and Verbal False Memory Performance in Autistic Children
Authors: Tewolde Furtuna G. , Bishop Dorothy V. M. , Manning Catherine
Published: December 2017

Recent theoretical accounts propose that atypical predictive processing can explain the diverse cognitive and behavioral features associated with autism, and that difficulties in making predictions may be related to reduced contextual processing. In this pre‐registered study, 30 autistic children aged 6–14 years and 30 typically developing children matched in age and non‐verbal IQ completed visual extrapolation and false memory tasks to assess predictive abilities and contextual processing, respectively. In the visual extrapolation tasks, children were asked to predict when an occluded car would reach the end of a road and when an occluded set of lights would fill up a grid. Autistic children made predictions that were just as precise as those made by typically developing children, across a range of occlusion durations. In the false memory task, autistic and typically developing children did not differ significantly in their discrimination between items presented in a list and semantically related, non‐presented items, although the data were insensitive, suggesting the need for larger samples. Our findings help to refine theoretical accounts by challenging the notion that autism is caused by pervasively disordered prediction abilities. Further studies will be required to assess the relationship between predictive processing and context use in autism, and to establish the conditions under which predictive processing may be impaired. Autism Res 2018, 11: 509–518. © 2017 The Authors Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

It has been suggested that autistic individuals have difficulties making predictions and perceiving the overall gist of things. Yet, here we found that autistic children made similar predictions about hidden objects as non‐autistic children. In a memory task, autistic children were slightly less confused about whether they had heard a word before, when words were closely related in meaning. We conclude that autistic children do not show difficulties with this type of prediction.
Alcohol consumption during adolescence: A link between mitochondrial damage and ethanol brain intoxication
Authors: Tapia‐Rojas Cheril , Mira Rodrigo G. , Torres Angie K. , Jara Claudia , Pérez María José , Vergara Erick H. , Cerpa Waldo , Quintanilla Rodrigo A.
Published: December 2017

Adolescence is a period of multiple changes where social behaviors influence interpersonal‐relations. Adolescents live new experiences, including alcohol consumption which has become an increasing health problem. The age of onset for consumption has declined in the last decades, and additionally, the adolescents now uptake greater amounts of alcohol per occasion. Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for accidents, mental illnesses or other pathologies, as well as for the appearance of addictions, including alcoholism. An interesting topic to study is the damage that alcohol induces on the central nervous system (CNS) in the young population. The brain undergoes substantial modifications during adolescence, making brain cells more vulnerable to the ethanol toxicity. Over the last years, the brain mitochondria have emerged as a cell organelle which is particularly susceptible to alcohol. Mitochondria suffer severe alterations which can be exacerbated if the amount of alcohol or the exposure time is increased. In this review, we focus on the changes that the adolescent brain undergoes after drinking, placing particular emphasis on mitochondrial damage and their consequences against brain function. Finally, we propose the mitochondria as an important mediator in alcohol toxicity and a potential therapeutic target to reduce or treat brain conditions associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Surgeons, insurgents and the lost Caravaggio
Authors: Ryan É , Creavin B , Winter D C
Published: December 2017

L.14702 Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), The Taking of Christ, 1602. Oil on canvas 133·5 × 169·5 cm. On indefinite loan to the National Gallery of Ireland from the Jesuit Community, Leeson Street, Dublin, Ireland, who acknowledge the kind generosity of the late Dr Marie Lea-Wilson, 1992 (National Gallery of Ireland Collection, Photograph © National Gallery of Ireland)

The Taking of Christ (c. 1602), by Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), portrays the moment when Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. By diminishing the environs of the three-quarter-length protagonists, and eschewing any depiction of the setting, all emphasis is concentrated on the action. The painting is perhaps the finest illustration of Caravaggio's imitable style and, like many of his paintings, it demonstrates his use of chiaroscuro. At the time of its completion, it was one of the most costly and celebrated artworks of the milieu, and would later influence other artists, generating its own style, caravaggioesque.

However, just like the spectacular imagery, the provenance of the painting was for centuries shrouded in mystery, action and suspense, before a final resurrection restored its legacy. It is no surprise then that its interwoven history with the Irish medical profession and, in particular, a paediatrician, Dr Marie Lea-Wilson, is at first not obvious or well known. It was while on holiday after the assassination of her husband, a police officer, by Irish revolutionaries in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising, when a number of prominent buildings around Dublin, including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, were occupied, that she unknowingly bought the masterpiece. It is now on indefinite loan to the National Gallery of Ireland from the Jesuit Community of St Ignatius House of Writers, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Almost 100 years later, the story of how these events are associated with the discovery of a work of art of incalculable value has lost none of its peculiarity.

Read more about the fascinating events surrounding this incredible painting in an essay online.
Cost-effective surgery for better outcomes
Authors: Paterson-Brown S
Published: December 2017

Surgeons should be cost-aware
Hippocampal atrophy, asymmetry, and cognition in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Milne Nicole T. , Bucks Romola S. , Davis Wendy A. , Davis Timothy M. E. , Pierson Ronald , Starkstein Sergio E. , Bruce David G.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with global and hippocampal atrophy and cognitive deficits, and some studies suggest that the right hippocampus may display greater vulnerability than the left.

Methods

Hippocampal volumes, the hippocampal asymmetry index, and cognitive functioning were assessed in 120 nondemented adults with long duration type 2 diabetes.

Results

The majority of the sample displayed left greater than right hippocampal asymmetry (which is the reverse of the expected direction seen with normal aging). After adjustment for age, sex, and IQ, right (but not left) hippocampal volumes were negatively associated with memory, executive function, and semantic fluency. These associations were stronger with the hippocampal asymmetry index and remained significant for memory and executive function after additional adjustment for global brain atrophy.

Conclusions

We conclude that asymmetric hippocampal atrophy may occur in type 2 diabetes, with greater atrophy occurring in the right than the left hippocampus, and that this may contribute to cognitive impairment in this disorder. These cross‐sectional associations require further verification but may provide clues into the pathogenesis of cognitive disorders in type 2 diabetes.
Was student judged unfairly during disciplinary process?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: December 2017

A 2003 Cincinnati Enquirer article stated that four Miami University female students reported separate sexual assaults during one weekend, and the suspects in each assault were fellow students.
A low‐grade astrocytoma in a sixteen‐year‐old boy with a 7q11.22 deletion
Authors: van Kampen Francoise S. , Doornbos Marianne E. , van Rijn Monique A. , den Bever Yolande
Published: December 2017

Key Clinical Message

We report a patient with developmental delay due to germline AUTS2 mutation who developed a low‐grade astrocytoma. While the contribution of this mutation to the pathogenesis of the tumor is not known at this time, a role of AUTS2 in deregulation of PRC1 can be a part in tumorigenesis of a brain tumor.
Resolving bulimia nervosa using an innovative neural therapy approach: two case reports
Authors: Gurevich Michael I. , Chung Myung Kyu , LaRiccia Patrick J.
Published: December 2017

Key Clinical Message

Conventional treatment of Bulimia Nervosa is long term, expensive, and often ineffective. Neural therapy holds promise for treating Bulimia Nervosa in a shorter term, lower cost, and more effective manner. Much of neural therapy involves the superficial injection of local anesthetic injections. Implementation into current practice would be feasible.
The physiotherapeutic “Variable Approach Technique”: an example of neuromotor adaptation conveyed by the neuromuscular spindle
Authors: Russo Maria , Cultrera Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

Key Clinical Message

The subcortical systems control the proper functioning of the automatic substrate required for movement. Such a substrate is often underestimated to give attention to voluntary movement. By applying Variable Approach technique, it is possible to communicate with automatic systems through muscular spindles to achieve a more functional volunteer movement.
Filtration and Separation – Challenges for Science and Engineering by Dr.‐Ing. Harald Anlauf, Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Authors: Anlauf Harald
Published: December 2017

No abstract.
Size‐Dependent Electrochemical Performance of Monolithic Anatase TiO2 Nanotube Anodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wei Wei , Valvo Mario , Edström Kristina , Nyholm Leif
Published: December 2017

Well‐defined, monolithic TiO2 nanotube thin films have been used as model anode electrodes to study Na‐ion storage in anatase TiO2. It is shown that anatase TiO2 nanotubes with wall thicknesses up to 50 nm can be transformed into amorphous sodium titanate (e. g. Na0.2TiO2) nanotubes via an electrochemical activation process at about 0.2 V vs. Na+/Na. Due to the Na+ insertion and extraction reactions at about 0.55 and 0.75 V vs. Na+/Na, respectively, the activated TiO2 nanotubes exhibit reversible capacities of 170 mAh g−1. For the first time, it is shown that the nanotube length and wall thickness play critical roles in determining the electrochemical performances of this type of electrodes in Na‐ion cells. An excellent rate performance, yielding capacities of about 33 mAh g−1 at 20 C and 161 mAh g−1 at C/5 rates, as well as a capacity retention of more than 97 % after more than 350 cycles, could be achieved with nanotubes with a wall thickness of up to 20 nm. The cycling rate for the nanotubes with a tube length of 4.5 μm should, however, be limited to 1 C to guarantee a cycle life of about 200 cycles.
Multi‐Component Uptake of Dye Molecules by Films of Nanoporous Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Saghanejhadtehrani Mahnaz , Schneider Erik K. , Heinke Lars
Published: December 2017

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Dr. Lars Heinke. It depicts a schematic of the nanoporous thin film in the center. The three molecules investigated in this study are shown above, with the light coming from the left side, and the experimental results (UV/Vis spectra and diffusion coefficients of the three molecules investigated in this study) on the right side of the MOF film. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cphc.201701023.
A Mouse Model of West Nile Virus Infection
Authors: Graham Jessica B. , Swarts Jessica L. , Lund Jennifer M.
Published: December 2017

The use of a mouse model to study the breadth of symptoms and disease severity seen in human West Nile virus (WNV) infection can provide insight into the kinetics of the immune response and the specific pathways responsible for control of WNV infection and viral clearance. Here, we provide protocols for performing WNV infection of mice, as well as complete immunophenotyping analysis of the cellular immune response to infection in both the periphery and the central nervous system in a mouse model of WNV infection. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Study of Host Immune Responses Elicited by the Model Murine Hookworms Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Heligmosomoides polygyrus
Authors: Bouchery T. , Volpe B. , Shah K. , Lebon L. , Filbey K. , LeGros G. , Harris N.
Published: December 2017

Hookworm infections (Necator americanus or Ancylostoma duodenale) represent a major neglected tropical disease, affecting approximately 700 million people worldwide, and can cause severe morbidity due to the need for these worms to feed on host blood. N. brasiliensis and H. polygrus, both rodent parasites, are the two most commonly employed laboratory models of experimental hookworm infection. Both parasites evoke type 2 immune responses, and their use has been instrumental in generating fundamental insight into the molecular mechanisms of type‐2 immunity and for understanding how the immune response can control parasite numbers. Here we provide a complete set of methods by which to investigate the natural progression of infection and the host immunological responses in the lung and intestine of H. polygyrus– and N. brasiliensis–infected mice. Detailed information is included about the most important parasitological and immunological measurements to perform at each time point. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of microRNA Modulation in Analgesic Research
Authors: Ramanathan Sujay , Shenoda Botros B. , Ajit Seena K.
Published: December 2017

MicroRNA(miRNA)‐mediated gene regulation underlies cellular processes, playing an important role in homeostasis and diseases. The expression and function of miRNAs are altered by various pharmacological agents, with differences in the endogenous levels of miRNAs influencing drug efficacy and toxicity. Thus, miRNA levels could be a biomarker for predicting treatment response, efficacy, and safety. In addition, elucidating the mechanistic significance of miRNA alterations can aid in the identification of therapeutic targets and patient selection, and guide personalized therapy. Discussed in this overview are the properties of miRNA, their modulation, and the ways to measure them. The effects of different classes of analgesics, including opioid and non‐opioid, are described as examples of drug‐induced modifications of miRNA, with a discussion on how measurement of miRNA levels in patients receiving analgesic therapy can assist in maximizing effectiveness while minimizing the untoward responses to this drug class. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Vitro Histone Acetylation Assay
Authors: Brown James A.L.
Published: December 2017

Acetylation is a core cellular process involved in maintaining genomic integrity, gene regulation, and metabolism. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are an enzyme family that regulates these processes by catalyzing the transfer of an acetyl moiety onto target proteins. Perturbations of cellular acetylation profiles have been associated with a variety of disease states, including cancer. Changes in acetylation profiles can be achieved by mechanisms associated with acetyltransferases, such as gene down‐regulation or alterations in the activity of key acetyltransferase enzymes. An important set of tools for quantifying enzyme activity are in vitro histone acetylation assays, using either endogenous or tagged overexpressed proteins. Detailed in this unit is an in vitro acetylation assay used to quantify HAT activity. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Process Improvement for Maximized Therapeutic Innovation Outcome
Authors: Waldman Scott A. , Terzic Andre
Published: December 2017

Deconvoluting key biological mechanisms forms the framework for therapeutic discovery. Strategies that enable effective translation of those insights along the development and regulatory path ultimately drive validated clinical application in patients and populations. Accordingly, parity in What vs. How we transform novel mechanistic insights into therapeutic paradigms is essential in achieving success. Aligning molecular discovery with innovations in structures and processes along the discovery–development–regulation–utilization continuum maximizes the return on public and private investments for next‐generation solutions in managing health and disease.
Community college completion report finds success initiatives on the rise
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2017

More than half of community colleges have at least one college‐completion initiative in place already, according to a report issued by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. The report focuses on how the completion agenda impacts student success and the institution, as measured by an increase in the number or percentage of certificates or degrees awarded at community colleges nationwide.
Promote innovation using strategies validated by research
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2017

When Jill Buban was offered the position of senior director of research and innovation at the Online Learning Consortium two years ago, she liked that the position enabled her to focus on research and on thought leadership for online learning. Buban's focus throughout her career has been on improving online learning for students.
Seed dispersal as an ecosystem service: frugivore loss leads to decline of a socially valued plant, Capsicum frutescens
Authors: Egerer Monika H. , Fricke Evan C. , Rogers Haldre S.
Published: December 2017

Species interactions, both mutualistic and antagonistic, are widely recognized as providing important ecosystem services. Fruit‐eating animals influence plant recruitment by increasing germination during gut passage and moving seeds away from conspecifics. However, relative to studies focused on the importance of frugivores for plant population maintenance, few studies target frugivores as ecosystem service providers, and frugivores are underappreciated as ecosystem service providers relative to other mutualists such as pollinators. Here, we use an accidental experiment to elucidate the role of seed dispersal by frugivores for maintaining a culturally and economically important plant, the donne’ sali chili (Capsicum frutescens) in the Mariana Islands. One of the islands (Guam) has lost nearly all of its native forest birds due to an invasive snake (Boiga irregularis), whereas nearby islands have relatively intact bird populations. We hypothesized that frugivore loss would influence chili recruitment and abundance, which could have economic and cultural impacts. By using video cameras, we confirmed that birds were the primary seed dispersers. We used captive bird feeding trials to obtain gut‐passed seeds to use in a seedling emergence experiment. The experiment showed that gut‐passed seeds emerged sooner and at a higher proportion than seeds from whole fruits. Consistent with our findings that birds benefit chilies, we observed lower chili abundance on Guam than on islands with birds. In a survey questionnaire of island residents, the majority of residents reported an association between the wild chili and local cultural values and traditions. In addition, we identified a thriving market for chili products, suggesting benefits of wild chilies to people in the Marianas both as consumers and producers. Our study therefore documents seed dispersal as both a cultural and a supporting ecosystem service. We provide a comprehensive case study on how seed‐dispersed plants decline in the absence of their disperser, and how to apply mixed‐methods in ecosystem service assessments. Furthermore, we suggest that scientists and resource managers may utilize fruit–frugivore mutualisms concerning socially valuable plants to gather support for frugivore and forest conservation efforts.
Selection on the morphology–physiology‐performance nexus: Lessons from freshwater stickleback morphs
Authors: Morozov Sergey , Leinonen Tuomas , Merilä Juha , McCairns R. J. Scott
Published: December 2017

Conspecifics inhabiting divergent environments frequently differ in morphology, physiology, and performance, but the interrelationships amongst traits and with Darwinian fitness remains poorly understood. We investigated population differentiation in morphology, metabolic rate, and swimming performance in three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatusL.), contrasting a marine/ancestral population with two distinct freshwater morphotypes derived from it: the “typical” low‐plated morph, and a unique “small‐plated” morph. We test the hypothesis that similar to plate loss in other freshwater populations, reduction in lateral plate size also evolved in response to selection. Additionally, we test how morphology, physiology, and performance have evolved in concert as a response to differences in selection between marine and freshwater environments. We raised pure‐bred second‐generation fish originating from three populations and quantified their lateral plate coverage, burst‐ and critical swimming speeds, as well as standard and active metabolic rates. Using a multivariateQST‐FSTframework, we detected signals of directional selection on metabolic physiology and lateral plate coverage, notably demonstrating that selection is responsible for the reduction in lateral plate coverage in a small‐plated stickleback population. We also uncovered signals of multivariate selection amongst all bivariate trait combinations except the two metrics of swimming performance. Divergence between the freshwater and marine populations exceeded neutral expectation in morphology and in most physiological and performance traits, indicating that adaptation to freshwater habitats has occurred, but through different combinations of traits in different populations. These results highlight both the complex interplay between morphology, physiology and performance in local adaptation, and a framework for their investigation.
Microbial and organic matter patterns in a prescribed burned and thinned managed forest ecosystem
Authors: Owiti Dessy A. , Tazisong Irenus A. , Senwo Zachary N.
Published: December 2017

Prescribed burning and thinning were implemented in an Alabama forest (Bankhead National Forest) as a management strategy to control pest and disease outbreaks and also to increase forest productivity. However, using fire as a control mechanism in this forest may alter soil nutrient cycling, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil microbial populations. There is the need for continuous research on forest ecosystems to bridge knowledge gaps in our understanding ofSOMtransformations and microbial processes in a repeatedly burned forest ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to assess and document the impact of prescribed burning and thinning on soil labile organic matter fractions, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), potential carbon mineralized (PCM), enzymatic activity, and energy (ATP) potentials. Labile organic carbon was isolated using the density method, whereas enzyme activities were determined as described in Bottomley et al. (Methods of soil analysis: part 2—Microbiological and biochemical properties, Madison, Wisconsin, USA: Soil Science Society of America, 1994). Microbial biomass C and N (MBCandMBN) were determined using the fumigation‐incubation method. Treatment applications had some effects onMBCandMBNalthough these effects were not statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Light fraction carbon (LFC) and light fraction nitrogen (LFN) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by treatments. Irrespective of treatment, xylanase activity was the highest (3244 ± 327–5223 ± 567 μmol/g 24 h−1), whereas amylase activity was the lowest (12.57 ± 8.9–116 ± 42.8 μmol/g 24 h−1). Correlation analysis revealed that amylase, β‐glucosidase, andNAGase correlated with particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON), andLFC, whereas cellulase, xylanase, and invertase had no correlation with the labile organic matter fractions. Compared to the referenced treatment plot, burned and thinned plots had reducedMBC,MBN, and increasedPCMalthough this was not statistically significant. Although enzyme activities within plots were significant, no significant enzyme activities between plots were observed except with amylase. The lack of statistical significance on microbial activities,MBC, andMBNsupport our hypothesis that prescribed burning and thinning temporarily affected microbial indices, and these parameters are expected to return to pretreatment levels after a period of time.
Ecosystem dynamics and management after forest die‐off: a global synthesis with conceptual state‐and‐transition models
Authors: Cobb Richard C. , Ruthrof Katinka X. , Breshears David D. , Lloret Francisco , Aakala Tuomas , Adams Henry D. , Anderegg William R. L. , Ewers Brent E. , Galiano Lucía , Grünzweig José M. , Hartmann Henrik , Huang Cho‐ying , Klein Tamir , Kunert Norbert , Kitzberger Thomas , Landhäusser Simon M. , Levick Shaun , Preisler Yakir , Suarez Maria L. , Trotsiuk Volodymyr , Zeppel Melanie J. B.
Published: December 2017

Broad‐scale forest die‐off associated with drought and heat has now been reported from every forested continent, posing a global‐scale challenge to forest management. Climate‐driven die‐off is frequently compounded with other drivers of tree mortality, such as altered land use, wildfire, and invasive species, making forest management increasingly complex. Facing similar challenges, rangeland managers have widely adopted the approach of developing conceptual models that identify key ecosystem states and major types of transitions between those states, known as “state‐and‐transition models” (S&T models). Using expert opinion and available research, the development of such conceptual S&T models has proven useful in anticipating ecosystem changes and identifying management actions to undertake or to avoid. In cases where detailed data are available, S&T models can be developed into probabilistic predictions, but even where data are insufficient to predict transition probabilities, conceptual S&T models can provide valuable insights for managing a given ecosystem and for comparing and contrasting different ecosystem dynamics. We assembled a synthesis of 14 forest die‐off case studies from around the globe, each with sufficient information to infer impacts on forest dynamics and to inform management options following a forest die‐off event. For each, we developed a conceptual S&T model to identify alternative ecosystem states, pathways of ecosystem change, and points where management interventions have been, or may be, successful in arresting or reversing undesirable changes. We found that our diverse set of mortality case studies fit into three broad classes of ecosystem trajectories: (1) single‐state transition shifts, (2) ecological cascading responses and feedbacks, and (3) complex dynamics where multiple interactions, mortality drivers, and impacts create a range of possible state transition responses. We integrate monitoring and management goals in a framework aimed to facilitate development of conceptual S&T models for other forest die‐off events. Our results highlight that although forest die‐off events across the globe encompass many different underlying drivers and pathways of ecosystem change, there are commonalities in opportunities for successful management intervention.
Ancient Amazonian populations left lasting impacts on forest structure
Authors: Palace M. W. , McMichael C. N. H. , Braswell B. H. , Hagen S. C. , Bush M. B. , Neves E. , Tamanaha E. , Herrick C. , Frolking S.
Published: December 2017

Amazonia contains a vast expanse of contiguous tropical forest and is influential in global carbon and hydrological cycles. Whether ancient Amazonia was highly disturbed or modestly impacted, and how ancient disturbances have shaped current forest ecosystem processes, is still under debate. Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs), which are anthropic soil types with enriched nutrient levels, are one of the primary lines of evidence for ancient human presence and landscape modifications in settings that mostly lack stone structures and which are today covered by vegetation. We assessed the potential of using moderate spatial resolution optical satellite imagery to predictADEs across the Amazon Basin. Maximum entropy modeling was used to develop a predictive model using locations ofADEs across the basin and satellite‐derived remotely sensed indices. Amazonian Dark Earth sites were predicted to be primarily along the main rivers and in eastern Amazonia. Amazonian Dark Earth sites, when compared with randomly selected forested sites located within 50 km ofADEsites, were less green canopies (lower normalized difference vegetation index) and had lower canopy water content. This difference was accentuated in two drought years, 2005 and 2010. This is contrary to our expectation thatADEsites would have nutrient‐rich soils that support trees with greener canopies and forests onADEsoils being more resilient to drought. Biomass and tree height were lower onADEsites in comparison with randomly selected adjacent sites. Our results suggested thatADE‐related ancient human impact on the forest is measurable across the entirety of the 6 million km2of Amazon Basin using remotely sensed data.
Community reorganization in forest understories buried by volcanic tephra
Authors: Zobel Donald B. , Antos Joseph A.
Published: December 2017

Disturbance is a key factor contributing to community organization. Deposition of tephra (aerially transported volcanic ejecta) is a widespread disturbance of global relevance, but its effects on ecosystems have received limited attention. We studied forest understory community change for 30 yr following tephra deposition from the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens (Washington State). Four old‐growth, subalpine conifer stands had a wide range of initial damage and patterns of community re‐development. We measured understory diversity, structure, and species composition and calculated relationships of plant cover with environment and cover of other plants. Overall, those communities that were altered greatly by tephra tended to converge with time on their pre‐eruption characteristics; however, substantial divergence occurred in some situations. For example, moss cover failed to reach pre‐eruption levels in all stands, whereas importance and diversity of woody plants sometimes greatly exceeded pre‐eruption values. Plant–environment relationships that were significant before the eruption disappeared and did not re‐develop. Smaller plants were more affected by environment than larger ones. Relationships before the eruption and also 30 yr after the eruption were primarily with other plant species, whereas relationships just after the eruption were with tephra depth and factors that modified its impact. Understory plant importance was usually lower beneath a tree canopy than in gaps, but there was little sign of interference from understory growth forms. Post‐eruption soil disturbance usually increased understory plant importance, while woody debris sometimes decreased herb and tree seedling cover. Tephra deposition, which did not immediately kill canopy trees, differed from the disturbances usually studied (e.g., fire, windthrow, bark beetles). Even so, these lessons from our study should be widely applicable: Similar species may respond differently; minor, early environmental differences may induce major, long‐term community change; successional trajectories may diverge from the pre‐disturbance community; and secondary disturbances may modify successional trajectories.
Implications of the forage maturation hypothesis for activity of partially migratory male and female deer
Authors: Debeffe Lucie , Maren Rivrud Inger , Brekkum Øystein , Meisingset Erling L. , Mysterud Atle
Published: December 2017

Partial migration is common in a large variety of taxa in seasonally variable environments. Understanding the mechanisms underlying migration is important, as migration affects individual fitness. Migratory herbivores benefit from delayed forage maturation and hence higher food quality during migration and at their summer range, termed the forage maturation hypothesis (FMH). The link between diet quality and rumination time allows migrants eating a higher quality diet to spend less time on rumination, and they can thus allocate more time to additional feeding. However, such an argument implicitly assumes that deer are energy maximizers, while studies have reported also time minimization strategies under risk of predation. Male and female distributions are limited by different factors linked to both body size differences and reproductive strategies, but there is no study investigating differences in activity pattern according to the individual migratory patterns for male and female deer. We here unify the FMH with the hypotheses predicting sex‐specific time allocation strategies. To test predictions of sex‐specific activity of resident and migratory red deer (Cervus elaphus), we analyzed activity data of 286 individuals that were fitted with GPS collars from a population in western Norway. While migrants were more active during the migration itself, we found no differences in activity pattern between migrant and resident deer during the main growth season, neither in terms of proportion of daily time active nor in terms of daily mean movement speed, thus rejecting that deer were energy maximizers. Overall, we found that females were more active during the main growth season even after controlling for body size differences. These patterns are consistent with patterns predicted from sexual segregation theory linked to the reproductive strategy hypothesis. Our study highlights how the understanding of migration can be advanced by considering it in the context of different reproductive strategies of males and females.
Litter P content drives consumer production in detritus‐based streams spanning an experimental N:P gradient
Authors: Demi Lee M. , Benstead Jonathan P. , Rosemond Amy D. , Maerz John C.
Published: December 2017

Ecological stoichiometry theory (EST) is a key framework for predicting how variation in N:P supply ratios influences biological processes, at molecular to ecosystem scales, by altering the availability of C, N, and P relative to organismal requirements. We tested EST predictions by fertilizing five forest streams at different dissolved molar N:P ratios (2, 8, 16, 32, 128) for two years and tracking responses of macroinvertebrate consumers to the resulting steep experimental gradient in basal resource stoichiometry (leaf litter %N, %P, and N:P). Nitrogen and P content of leaf litter, the dominant basal resource, increased in all five streams following enrichment, with steepest responses in litter %P and N:P ratio. Additionally, increases in primary consumer biomass and production occurred in all five streams following N and P enrichment (averages across all streams: biomass by 1.2×, production by 1.6×). Patterns of both biomass and production were best predicted by leaf litter N:P and %P and were unrelated to leaf litter %N. Primary consumer production increased most in streams where decreases in leaf litter N:P were largest. Macroinvertebrate predator biomass and production were also strongly positively related to litter %P, providing robust experimental evidence for the primacy of P limitation at multiple trophic levels in these ecosystems. However, production of predatory macroinvertebrates was not related directly to primary consumer production, suggesting the importance of additional controls for macroinvertebrates at upper trophic positions. Our results reveal potential drivers of animal production in detritus‐based ecosystems, including the relative importance of resource quality vs. quantity. Our study also sheds light on the more general impacts of variation in N:P supply ratio on nutrient‐poor ecosystems, providing strong empirical support for predictions that nutrient enrichment increases food web productivity whenever large elemental imbalances between basal resources and consumer demand are reduced.
Emma Lucy Braun's forest plots in eastern North America
Authors: Ricklefs Robert E.
Published: December 2017

Relative abundances of tree species are presented for the 348 forest plots described in E. Lucy Braun's (1950) book, Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America (Hafner, New York, facsimile reprint 1972). Information about the plots includes forest type, location with latitude and longitude, WorldClim climate variables, and sources of original studies where applicable. No copyright restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this article when the data are used in other publications.
Model Biological Membranes and Possibilities of Application of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for their Characterization
Authors: Skalová Štěpánka , Vyskočil Vlastimil , Barek Jiří , Navrátil Tomáš
Published: December 2017

Biological membranes are essential parts of living systems. They represent an interface between intracellular and extracellular space. Depending on their structure, they often perform very complex functions and play an important role in the transport of both charged and uncharged particles in any organism. Structure of the biological membranes, which play very important role in electrochemical processes inside living organisms, is very complicated and still not precisely defined and explained. Model lipid membranes are used to gain detail information about properties of real biological membranes and about associated electrochemical processes. Electrochemistry, especially electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), can play a useful role in the characterization of properties of model lipid membranes (planar and supported lipid bilayers, tethered lipid membranes, liposomes, etc.). This review is focused on model biological membranes and the possibilities and limitations of electrochemical methods and namely of EIS in this field.
Happy (re)New Year: How to reset and rejuvenate
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: December 2017

If you're like a lot of people, 2017 has been a trying year personally and professionally. Although it sounds cliché, the new calendar year is a fine time to check in on ourselves.
Plan strategy for transition to competitive admissions
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2017

Sam Mahra faces a challenge many in the enrollment profession would love to have: more students who want to enroll than his institution has the capacity to serve.