bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Islands in the desert for cavity‐nesting bees and wasps: Ecology, patterns of diversity, and conservation at oases of Baja California Peninsula
Authors: Falcón‐Brindis Armando , Jiménez Jiménez María Luisa , Rodríguez‐Estrella Ricardo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimsThe oases of Baja California Peninsula (BCP) have been proposed as important hotspots of biodiversity that hold an exceptional richness in the middle of desert conditions. We tested the effect of habitat and anthropogenic disturbance on communities of cavity‐nesting taxa, with specific emphasis on bees, wasps, and their natural enemies.MethodsIn oases of BCP and desert neighbor environments, trap‐nesting taxa were evaluated in response to factors affecting the nest abundance, richness, and community structure. We used statistical models to find correlates of nest abundance and patterns of diversity, as well as ecological analyses to determine the effect of habitat and human disturbance on species diversity and community structure.ResultsSolar irradiation, distance to a perennial waterbody and relative humidity influenced the presence of nests, number of brood cells, and parasitism. In general, abundance, species richness, and parasitism were higher in oases, especially in those with less human disturbance. Bees did not discriminate between oases and deserts to nest, whereas mud‐daubing wasps were more dependent of oases. The degree of anthropogenic disturbance did not affect the occurrence of parasitism, but it had an adverse effect on the parasitism intensity (number of attacked cells). The community structure was more complex and even in oases and low‐disturbed sites. The similarity between sites did not exceed 30%, and the proportion of shared species between oases and deserts varied from 2.7% to 26.6%.Main conclusionsThe oases of Baja California are functioning as mesic islands in the desert, each oasis hosting a unique community of cavity‐nesting taxa. About 65% of the nests and 50% of species occurred exclusively in the oasis. Thus, cavity‐nesting species that depend on mesic conditions could be threatened if the oases of BCP disappear in the future. Local conditions in the oases and deserts of the BCP are shaping the community structure. However, large‐scale factors such as climate can influence the seasonality and occurrence of species within the community of cavity‐nesting dwellers. Since habitat loss and fragmentation can degrade the oases’ functionality, strategies to maintain the ecosystem services of pollination and biological control should be included in the conservation programs of these fragile habitats.
Direct and indirect effects of environmental factors, spatial constraints, and functional traits on shaping the plant diversity of montane forests
Authors: Li Ting , Xiong Qinli , Luo Peng , Zhang Yubo , Gu Xiaodong , Lin Bo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the relative importance of the factors driving the patterns of biodiversity is a key research topic in community ecology and biogeography. However, the main drivers of plant species diversity in montane forests are still not clear. In addition, most existing studies make no distinction between direct and indirect effects of environmental factors and spatial constraints on plant biodiversity. Using data from 107 montane forest plots in Sichuan Giant Panda habitat, China, we quantified the direct and indirect effects of abiotic environmental factors, spatial constraints, and plant functional traits on plant community diversity. Our results showed significant correlations between abiotic environmental factors and trees (r = .10, p value = .001), shrubs (r = .19, p value = .001), or overall plant diversity (r = .18, p value = .001) in montane forests. Spatial constraints also showed significant correlations with trees and shrubs. However, no significant correlations were found between functional traits and plant community diversity. Moreover, the diversity (richness and abundance) of shrubs, trees, and plant communities was directly affected by precipitation, latitude, and altitude. Mean annual temperature (MAT) had no direct effect on the richness of tree and plant communities. Further, MAT and precipitation indirectly affected plant communities via the tree canopy. The results revealed a stronger direct effect on montane plant diversity than indirect effect, suggesting that single‐species models may be adequate for forecasting the impacts of climate factors in these communities. The shifting of tree canopy coverage might be a potential indicator for trends of plant diversity under climate change.
A framework for conceptualizing dimensions of social organization in mammals
Authors: Prox Lea , Farine Damien 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMammalian societies represent many different types of social systems. While some aspects of social systems have been extensively studied, there is little consensus on how to conceptualize social organization across species. Here, we present a framework describing eight dimensions of social organization to capture its diversity across mammalian societies. The framework uses simple information that is clearly separated from the three other aspects of social systems: social structure, care system, and mating system. By applying our framework across 208 species of all mammalian taxa, we find a rich multidimensional landscape of social organization. Correlation analysis reveals that the dimensions have relatively high independence, suggesting that social systems are able to evolve different aspects of social behavior without being tied to particular traits. Applying a clustering algorithm allows us to identify the relative importance of key dimensions on patterns of social organization. Finally, mapping mating system onto these clusters shows that social organization represents a distinct aspect of social systems. In the future, this framework will aid reporting on important aspects of natural history in species and facilitate comparative analyses, which ultimately will provide the ability to generate new insights into the primary drivers of social patterns and evolution of sociality.
Fire and development influences on sagebrush community plant groups across a climate gradient in northern Nevada
Authors: Wood David J. A. , Seipel Tim , Irvine Kathryn M. , Rew Lisa J. , Stoy Paul C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe sagebrush biome covers much of the western United States yet is at risk from ongoing disturbances. Physical disturbances such as fire often overcome the resistance of sagebrush communities to biological disturbances such as invasion by non‐native species, but the impact of burn severity or combined disturbance types on sagebrush community composition remains unclear. We examined the relationship between native functional groups and non‐native annual grass cover to the number of fires, burn severity, anthropogenic development, and vegetation treatments in northern Nevada, USA. We used Bureau of Land Management vegetation monitoring plots and existing climate, fire, and vegetation treatment databases to explore relationships using beta regression. After accounting for mean annual precipitation and temperature, and elevation, we quantified functional group mean cover related to levels of burn severity, numbers of fires, development, and vegetation treatments. Native herbaceous (grass and forb) groups were resilient to fire, but fire caused large declines in shrub and sagebrush cover. Non‐native annual grass cover was associated with higher burn severity and the first fire at a site. We did not find evidence that post‐fire restoration treatments were associated with increased native cover or decreased non‐native cover. However, shrub control and soil disturbing treatments (discing and chaining) were associated with decreased native perennial grass cover and increased non‐native annual grass cover. Functional groups displayed varying patterns related to anthropogenic development and fire. For example, development had a larger impact on non‐native cover at lower levels of burn severity, whereas forbs increased following fire only at lower levels of development. Although in some cases sagebrush communities showed resilience to disturbance, our results showed resistance to invasion by non‐native annual grasses can be overcome by combinations of disturbances at lower levels or by severe events.
Hydrothermal sensitivities of seed populations underlie fluctuations of dormancy states in an annual plant community
Authors: Liu Shuangshuang , Bradford Kent J. , Huang Zhenying , Venable D. Lawrence 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPlant germination ecology involves continuous interactions between changing environmental conditions and the sensitivity of seed populations to respond to those conditions at a given time. Ecologically meaningful parameters characterizing germination capacity (or dormancy) are needed to advance our understanding of the evolution of germination strategies within plant communities. The germination traits commonly examined (e.g., maximum germination percentage under optimal conditions) may not adequately reflect the critical ecological differences in germination behavior across species, communities, and seasons. In particular, most seeds exhibit primary dormancy at dispersal that is alleviated by exposure to dry after‐ripening or to hydrated chilling to enable germination in a subsequent favorable season. Population‐based threshold (PBT) models of seed germination enable quantification of patterns of germination timing using parameters based on mechanistic assumptions about the underlying germination physiology. We applied the hydrothermal time (HTT) model, a type of PBT model that integrates environmental temperature and water availability, to study germination physiology in a guild of coexisting desert annual species whose seeds were after‐ripened by dry storage under different conditions. We show that HTT assumptions are valid for describing germination physiology in these species, including loss of dormancy during after‐ripening. Key HTT parameters, the hydrothermal time constant (θHT) and base water potential distribution among seeds (Ψb(g)), were effective in describing changes in dormancy states and in clustering species exhibiting similar germination syndromes. θHT is an inherent species‐specific trait relating to timing of germination that correlates well with long‐term field germination fraction, while Ψb(g) shifts with depth of dormancy in response to after‐ripening and seasonal environmental variation. Predictions based on variation among coexisting species in θHT and Ψb(g) in laboratory germination tests matched well with 25‐yr observations of germination dates and fractions for the same species in natural field conditions. Seed dormancy and germination strategies, which are significant contributors to long‐term species demographics under natural conditions, can be represented by readily measurable functional traits underlying variation in germination phenologies.
Antioxidant Effect Potential of Garlic In Vitro and Real Food System: Effects of Garlic Supplementation on Oxidation Stability and Sensory Properties of Butter
Authors: Aydın Serap , Tahmas Kahyaoğlu Deren 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this research, the effect of adding garlic and synthetic antioxidant to butter produced on both quality characteristics and oxidation stability during the storage (1st, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th, and 90th days) process is investigated. With this aim, two replicates of butter samples as control, containing different proportions of garlic (butter treated with 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% crushed garlic) and with 50 ppm butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) added are prepared. 2,2′‐Azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical‐scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power value of garlic are found as 26.05%; 87.48%; 70 mm mL−1, respectively. Total phenolic content, total flavonoids, and total antioxidant capacity of fresh garlic are determined. The main components of essential oil of garlic are determined. The rate of oxidation decreases as the garlic rate increases. The highest sensory analysis scores for the first days of storage are for the control and butter with 50 ppm BHT added, followed by samples with 5%, 2.5%, and 7.5% garlic added. At the end of storage, the highest sensory analysis scores are obtained by the butter with 5% garlic added. The butter with 10% garlic added is not liked in terms of sensory properties.Practical Applications: Oxidation‐causing or accelerating factors are oxygen, light, temperature, metal ions, some pigments, and degree of unsaturation. Oxidation is eliminated when these factors are eliminated. But in practice this is not possible. Therefore, it is very difficult to prevent oxidation without adding any material. Antioxidants are the most effective substances in the food industry for the production, storage, transport, and marketing of vegetable and animal fats and fat‐containing foods, delaying the effect of atmospheric oxygen at normal temperatures, preventing food spoilage, and rancidity for a certain period of time. Due to the carcinogenic effects of synthetic antioxidants, interest in natural antioxidants has increased. It is known that garlic has antioxidant effects. Natural antioxidants are used in the food industry for different purposes due to their extensive bioactivity profile. Peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid tests are generally used to determine the degree of lipid oxidation in butter.
Sensitive Nucleic Acid Detection at NH2‐MWCNTs Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and its Application for Monitoring of Gemcitabine‐DNA Interaction
Authors: Shahzad Suniya , Karadurmus Leyla , Dogan‐Topal Burcu , Taskin‐Tok Tugba , Shah Afzal , Ozkan Sibel A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAn electrochemical dsDNA nanobiosensor was fabricated using amino‐functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (NH2fMWCNTs/GCE) for the sensitive detection of DNA bases and electrochemical monitoring of drug‐DNA interaction. The influence of functional groups on MWCNT was studied by MWCNT functionalized with NH2 (NH2fMWCNTs) and COOH (COOHfMWCNT) groups based on the signal of DNA bases. The modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. One layer of calf thymus double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ct‐dsDNA) was immobilized onto the NH2fMWCNTs/GCE (dsDNA/NH2fMWCNTs/GCE). The dsDNA/NH2fMWCNTs/GCE were used to investigate the interaction between the dsDNA and the anticancer drug gemcitabine by differential pulse voltammetry in acetate buffer of pH 4.70. For the confirmation of interaction, the lowering in intensity of the current signals of guanine and adenine was considered as an indicator. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were performed for the comparison of the modified surfaces. In order to define and visualize the interaction mechanism between gemcitabine and dsDNA/NH2fMWCNTs/GCE at the molecular level, in silico methods including docking and molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
Wood process domains and wood loads on floodplains
Authors: Wohl Ellen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDowned large wood on floodplains creates similar geomorphic and ecological effects as wood in the active channel, but has been the subject of fewer geomorphic studies. I propose floodplain large wood process domains that are distinguished based on recruitment source at the reach to river‐length scale. Wood recruited to the floodplain can be autochthonous (individual or mass recruitment from floodplain forest), fluvially transported, or transported from adjacent hillslopes via mass movements that come down the valley side slopes or down the main channel. Fluvially transported wood can be further distinguished as being deposited: within the channel and subsequently accreted to the floodplain; marginal to the channel; on the floodplain during overbank flow; or on tributary fans. The mechanism of wood recruitment to a floodplain influences the spatial distribution of the wood across the floodplain and the proportion of wood pieces within jams, which in turn influences geomorphic and ecological effects of the floodplain wood. Using published studies of floodplain wood load for unmanaged river corridors, I hypothesize that the climate‐controlled balance between forest primary productivity and decay rates of downed wood is the first‐order control on floodplain large wood loads. Disturbance regime and wood recruitment mechanism are second‐order controls on wood load and primary controls on the spatial distribution of large wood. Understanding of floodplain large wood can be applied to quantifying the effect of large wood on river corridors; river restoration; paleoenvironmental inferences; and estimation of organic carbon stock in river corridors. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics of landslides in forests and grasslands triggered by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake
Authors: Koyanagi Kenta , Gomi Takashi , Sidle Roy C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe examined the characteristics of landslides triggered by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (Mw = 7.0: focal depth=10.0 km) in forests and grasslands within two affected watersheds (Tokosegawa: 6.9 km2 and Nigorigawa: 6.1 km2) in southwestern Japan. We identified 190 landslides using aerial photographs and analyzed their sizes by geographic information system (GIS). Field investigations were conducted to obtain landslide depth, volume and residual sediment for 38 selected landslides (21 in forests and 17 in grasslands). The minimum area of detected landslides in grasslands (400 m2) was smaller than in forests (1000 m2), probably because of reduced detectability of landslides under tree cover. The ratio of total area occupied by landslides for a given range of slope gradient in the watersheds increased from 3.2% on gentle grassland slopes (10–15°) to 15.5% on steep (>45°) slopes, whereas the maximum landslide‐area ratio in forest sites (7.4%) occurred on relatively gentle slopes (25–30°). Estimated landslide volume ranged from 27 to 9622 m3, based on mean depth of each landslide measured around individual landslide scars. Moreover, the volumetric ratio of landslide deposit volume to total landslide volume exceeded 100% for 48% of the landslides within forests and 35% of the landslides within grasslands. Our findings show that land cover had extensive and recognizable effects on the characteristics of landslides and resulting in‐channel sediment accumulations. Resetting sediment dynamics after earthquakes associated with different land cover distributions needs to be considered within watersheds. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of water erosion on flame retardancy of high‐impact polystyrene/magnesium hydroxide composite and its mode of action
Authors: Liu Jichun , Li Hang , Chang Haibo , He Yunpeng , Zhong Anyang , Wu Sai , Pan Bingli 
Published: December 2019

SummaryHigh‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) flame retarded by magnesium hydroxide (MH) was treated in water at different conditions. The effect of water erosion on flame retardancy of the HIPS/MH composite and its mode of action was investigated by various means. The results indicate that both limiting oxygen index value and UL‐94 rating of the HIPS/MH composite decrease observably after water erosion. The average heat release rate, average mass loss rate, total heat release, and total smoke release of the composite all increase remarkably after water erosion. The MH content in the surface layer of the HIPS/MH composite reduces, and the surface of this composite becomes rough and porous after erosion. The water‐eroded composite shows a loose and discrete surface morphology after subjected to fire, which favors heat transfer and mass exchange between flame area and the underlying polymers. Consequently, both flame retardancy and smoke suppression of the polymer composite decrease significantly. The decrease in flame retardancy occurs in condensed phase. The result of this work has provided a basis for further investigations to prevent this detrimental effect induced by water erosion.
Reference‐based multiple imputation for missing data sensitivity analyses in trial‐based cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Leurent Baptiste , Gomes Manuel , Cro Suzie , Wiles Nicola , Carpenter James R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMissing data are a common issue in cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) alongside randomised trials and are often addressed assuming the data are ‘missing at random’. However, this assumption is often questionable, and sensitivity analyses are required to assess the implications of departures from missing at random. Reference‐based multiple imputation provides an attractive approach for conducting such sensitivity analyses, because missing data assumptions are framed in an intuitive way by making reference to other trial arms. For example, a plausible not at random mechanism in a placebo‐controlled trial would be to assume that participants in the experimental arm who dropped out stop taking their treatment and have similar outcomes to those in the placebo arm.Drawing on the increasing use of this approach in other areas, this paper aims to extend and illustrate the reference‐based multiple imputation approach in CEA. It introduces the principles of reference‐based imputation and proposes an extension to the CEA context. The method is illustrated in the CEA of the CoBalT trial evaluating cognitive behavioural therapy for treatment‐resistant depression. Stata code is provided. We find that reference‐based multiple imputation provides a relevant and accessible framework for assessing the robustness of CEA conclusions to different missing data assumptions.
Better monitoring of abused children by designing a child abuse surveillance system: Determining national child abuse minimum data set
Authors: Karbasi Zahra , Kadivar Maliheh , Safdari Reza , Shahmoradi Leila , Zahmatkeshan Maryam , Zakerabasali Somayyeh , Abhari Shahabeddin , Sayarifard Azadeh 
Published: December 2019

SummaryBackgroundMonitoring the trend of child abuse can significantly help in measuring the magnitude of the problem and understanding its recurrence. The minimum data set (MDS) is a set of elements of each domain that provides the basis for decision‐making. This study was conducted to determine the comprehensive national minimum data set for child abuse surveillance system (CASS) in Iran.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional descriptive study. Data were gathered from the selected countries and child abuse registry and surveillance systems. The MDS questionnaire was designed based on a review of the publications and experts' opinions. The final data elements of the CASS were determined using the Delphi technique by visiting pediatricians.ResultsIn total, 147 data elements were included in the Delphi survey. The data elements of the CASS were classified into seven categories as follows: demographic data, incident related data, medical history, diagnostic tests, incident nature, therapeutic measures, and other required data.ConclusionThe existence of national MDS as the core of the child abuse surveillance program is essential and leads to appropriate decisions in this regard. The MDS can meet the needs of professionals, decision makers, researchers, and policymakers who decide on reducing the incidence of child abuse.