bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant–plant communication and community of herbivores on tall goldenrod
Authors: Shiojiri Kaori , Ishizaki Satomi , Ando Yoshino 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The volatiles from damaged plants induce defense in neighboring plants. The phenomenon is called plant–plant communication, plant talk, or plant eavesdropping. Plant–plant communication has been reported to be stronger between kin plants than genetically far plants in sagebrush.

Why do plants distinguish volatiles from kin or genetically far plants? We hypothesize that plants respond only to important conditions; the induced defense is not free of cost for the plant. To clarify the hypothesis, we conducted experiments and investigations using goldenrod of four different genotypes.

The arthropod community on tall goldenrods were different among four genotypes. The response to volatiles was stronger from genetically close plants to the emitter than from genetically distant plants from the emitter. The volatiles from each genotype of goldenrods were different; and they were categorized accordingly. Moreover, the arthropod community on each genotype of goldenrods were different.

Synthesis: Our results support the hypothesis: Goldenrods respond to volatiles from genetically close plants because they would have similar arthropod species. These results are important clues elucidating adaptive significance of plant–plant communication.

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Comparative transcriptomics of albino and warningly‐coloured caterpillars
Authors: Galarza Juan A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractColoration is perhaps one of the most prominent adaptations for survival and reproduction of many taxa. Coloration is of particular importance for aposematic species, which rely on their coloring and patterning acting as a warning signal to deter predators. Most research has focused on the evolution of warning coloration by natural selection. However, little information is available for color mutants of aposematic species, particularly at the genomic level. Here, I compare the transcriptomes of albino mutant caterpillars of the aposematic wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis) to those of their full sibs having their distinctive orange‐black warning coloration. The results showed >290 differentially expressed genes genome‐wide. Genes involved in the immune system, structural constituents of cuticular, and immunity were mostly downregulated in the albino caterpillars. Surprisingly, higher expression was observed in core melanin genes from albino caterpillars, suggesting that melanin synthesis may be disrupted in terminal ends of the pathway during its final conversion. Taken together, these results suggest that caterpillar albinism may not be due to a depletion of melanin precursor genes. In contrast, the albino condition may result from the combination of faulty melanin conversion late in its synthesis and structural deficiencies in the cuticular preventing its deposition. The results are discussed in the context of how albinism may impact individuals of aposematic species in the wild.
The complete mitogenome of Phymorhynchus sp. (Neogastropoda, Conoidea, Raphitomidae) provides insights into the deep‐sea adaptive evolution of Conoidea
Authors: Yang Mei , Dong Dong , Li Xinzheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe deep‐sea environment is characterized by darkness, hypoxia, and high hydrostatic pressure. Mitochondria play a vital role in energy metabolism; thus, they may endure the selection process during the adaptive evolution of deep‐sea organisms. In the present study, the mitogenome of Phymorhynchus sp. from the Haima methane seep was completely assembled and characterized. This mitogenome is 16,681 bp in length and contains 13 protein‐coding genes, 2 rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs. The gene order and orientation were identical to those of most sequenced conoidean gastropods. Some special elements, such as tandem repeat sequences and AT‐rich sequences, which are involved in the regulation of the replication and transcription of the mitogenome, were observed in the control region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Conoidea is divided into two separate clades with high nodal support. Positive selection analysis revealed evidence of adaptive changes in the mitogenomes of deep‐sea conoidean gastropods. Eight residues located in atp6, cox1, cytb, nad1, nad4, and nad5 were determined to have undergone positive selection. This study explores the adaptive evolution of deep‐sea conoidean gastropods and provides valuable clues at the mitochondrial level regarding the exceptional adaptive ability of organisms in deep‐sea environments.
Maternal effects and the outcome of interspecific competition
Authors: Van Allen Benjamin , Jones Natalie , Gilbert Benjamin , Carscadden Kelly , Germain Rachel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Maternal environmental effects create lagged population responses to past environments. Although they are ubiquitous and vary in expression across taxa, it remains unclear if and how their presence alters competitive interactions in ecological communities.

Here, we use a discrete‐time competition model to simulate how maternal effects alter competitive dynamics in fluctuating and constant environments. Further, we explore how omitting maternal effects alter estimates of known model parameters from observational time series data.

Our simulations demonstrate that (i) maternal effects change competitive outcomes, regardless of whether competitors otherwise interact neutrally or exhibit non‐neutral competitive differences, (ii) the consequences of maternal effects for competitive outcomes are mediated by the temporal structure of environmental variation, (iii) even in constant conditions, competitive outcomes are influenced by species' maternal effects strategies, and (iv) in observational time series data, omitting maternal effects reduces variation explained by models and biases parameter estimates, including competition coefficients.

Our findings demonstrate that the ecological consequences of maternal effects hinge on the competitive environment. Evolutionary biologists have long recognized that maternal effects can be an important but often overlooked strategy buffering populations from environmental change. We suggest that maternal effects are similarly critical to ecology and call for research into maternal effects as drivers of dynamics in populations and communities.
No evidence of increased fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) due to wind turbines
Authors: Coppes Joy , Kämmerle Jim‐Lino , Grünschachner‐Berger Veronika , Palme Rupert , Nopp‐Mayr Ursula 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWind energy facilities (WEFs) are a relatively novel impact on wildlife habitats, and an increasing number of studies show negative effects on wildlife. Increased stress‐associated hormone levels are an indicator of disturbance effects, and measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FCM) levels is an established noninvasive method to study disturbance effects on wildlife. We studied whether FCM levels of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), a locally threatened forest bird species with proven behavioral responses to WEF, are affected by WEF. Using a before–after–control–impact (BACI) study design at sites in Austria, Germany and Sweden we investigated whether mean FCM levels changed after the construction of WEF and whether there was spatial variation in FCM levels in relation to WEF impacts. By analyzing 553 fecal samples from five wind farms and five control sites, we did not find evidence of increased FCM levels due to WEF when comparing wind farm sites before and after WEF construction with control sites. We further could not detect any spatial variation in FCM levels at wind farms related to turbine effects. There was, however, temporal variation in FCM, with lower FCM levels toward the end of the winter season. Differences among individual study sites emphasize the importance of larger studies with a BACI study design. Facing some methodological limitations, we currently find no evidence for an increase in FCM levels in capercaillie due to WEF.
An automatic method for removing empty camera trap images using ensemble learning
Authors: Yang Deng‐Qi , Tan Kun , Huang Zhi‐Pang , Li Xiao‐Wei , Chen Ben‐Hui , Ren Guo‐Peng , Xiao Wen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCamera traps often produce massive images, and empty images that do not contain animals are usually overwhelming. Deep learning is a machine‐learning algorithm and widely used to identify empty camera trap images automatically. Existing methods with high accuracy are based on millions of training samples (images) and require a lot of time and personnel costs to label the training samples manually. Reducing the number of training samples can save the cost of manually labeling images. However, the deep learning models based on a small dataset produce a large omission error of animal images that many animal images tend to be identified as empty images, which may lead to loss of the opportunities of discovering and observing species. Therefore, it is still a challenge to build the DCNN model with small errors on a small dataset. Using deep convolutional neural networks and a small‐size dataset, we proposed an ensemble learning approach based on conservative strategies to identify and remove empty images automatically. Furthermore, we proposed three automatic identifying schemes of empty images for users who accept different omission errors of animal images. Our experimental results showed that these three schemes automatically identified and removed 50.78%, 58.48%, and 77.51% of the empty images in the dataset when the omission errors were 0.70%, 1.13%, and 2.54%, respectively. The analysis showed that using our scheme to automatically identify empty images did not omit species information. It only slightly changed the frequency of species occurrence. When only a small dataset was available, our approach provided an alternative to users to automatically identify and remove empty images, which can significantly reduce the time and personnel costs required to manually remove empty images. The cost savings were comparable to the percentage of empty images removed by models.
Accelerated vegetation succession but no hydrological change in a boreal fen during 20 years of recent climate change
Authors: Kolari Tiina H. M. , Korpelainen Pasi , Kumpula Timo , Tahvanainen Teemu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNorthern mires (fens and bogs) have significant climate feedbacks and contribute to biodiversity, providing habitats to specialized biota. Many studies have found drying and degradation of bogs in response to climate change, while northern fens have received less attention. Rich fens are particularly important to biodiversity, but subject to global climate change, fen ecosystems may change via direct response of vegetation or indirectly by hydrological changes. With repeated sampling over the past 20 years, we aim to reveal trends in hydrology and vegetation in a pristine boreal fen with gradient from rich to poor fen and bog vegetation. We resampled 203 semi‐permanent plots and compared water‐table depth (WTD), pH, concentrations of mineral elements, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), plant species occurrences, community structure, and vegetation types between 1998 and 2018. In the study area, the annual mean temperature rose by 1.0°C and precipitation by 46 mm, in 20‐year periods prior to sampling occasions. We found that wet fen vegetation decreased, while bog and poor fen vegetation increased significantly. This reflected a trend of increasing abundance of common, generalist hummock species at the expense of fen specialist species. Changes were the most pronounced in high pH plots, where Sphagnum mosses had significantly increased in plot frequency, cover, and species richness. Changes of water chemistry were mainly insignificant in concentration levels and spatial patterns. Although indications toward drier conditions were found in vegetation, WTD had not consistently increased, instead, our results revealed complex dynamics of WTD as depending on vegetation changes. Overall, we found significant trend in vegetation, conforming to common succession pattern from rich to poor fen and bog vegetation. Our results suggest that responses intrinsic to vegetation, such as increased productivity or altered species interactions, may be more significant than indirect effects via local hydrology to the ecosystem response to climate warming.
Plastid genome sequencing, identification of nuclear SNP markers, and quality assessment of medicinal rhizomatous herb Polygonatum odoratum (Asparagaceae) cultivars
Authors: Lee Shiou Yih , Chen Zhihui , Chen Zhiming , Chen Jingrui , Zhang Xinjian , Pan Jiawen , Fan Qiang , Liao Wenbo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPolygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce (Asparagaceae, Asparagales) is a widely cultivated medicinal herb in China. However, this useful herb is understudied despite being known as a medicinal resource with top grade medical and edible properties since long. In this study, P. odoratum and four cultivars were investigated. The variations in morphological characteristics and vegetative phases of each cultivar were observed. For genetic aspect, the plastid genome of P. odoratum varies in length from 154,569 bp to 155,491 bp, containing a large single‐copy region of 83,486–84,459 bp, a small single‐copy region of 18,292–18,471 bp, and two inverted repeats of 26,302–26,370 bp. A total of 131 genes were predicted, including 85 protein‐coding, 38 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Genome comparisons revealed a slight variation in the sequence across the five accessions, but two highly variable regions (trnC‐petN and rpl32‐trnL) were detected when comparing the four different cultivars. For the RAD‐seq markers, a total of 33.64 Gb of clean data, with an average value of 1.08 Gb per sample, were analyzed for the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Well‐resolved phylogenies of the P. odoratum cultivars are constructed; the nonmonophyletic relationship in the plastome‐based phylogenetic trees, yet monophyletic form in the RAD‐based linkage map suggested possibility of hybrid cultivar for P. odoratum “Dazhu” (GDDZ), which was further supported by morphological observations. Quality assessment based on the standards of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia on Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (POR) on the four cultivars used in this study recorded that PORs from P. odoratum “Zhongzhu” (GDZZ) met the minimum criteria for the acceptance as raw material for medicinal drug production. This study has provided insights on the morphological variations, genetic background, and medicinal qualities of P. odoratum cultivars that could be explored for future genetic improvement as well as breeding programs of P. odoratum for POR production.
What do you mean by false positive?
Authors: Darling John A. , Jerde Christopher L. , Sepulveda Adam J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMisunderstandings regarding the term “false positive” present a significant hurdle to broad adoption of eDNA monitoring methods. Here, we identify three challenges to clear communication of false‐positive error between scientists, managers, and the public. The first arises from a failure to distinguish between false‐positive eDNA detection at the sample level and false‐positive inference of taxa presence at the site level. The second is based on the large proportion of false positives that may occur when true‐positive detections are likely to be rare, even when rates of contamination or other error are low. And the third misunderstanding occurs when conventional species detection approaches, often based on direct capture, are used to confirm eDNA approaches without acknowledging or quantifying the conventional approach's detection probability. The solutions to these issues include careful and consistent communication of error definitions, managing expectations of error rates, and providing a balanced discussion not only of alternative sources of species DNA, but also of the detection limitations of conventional methods. We argue that the benefit of addressing these misunderstandings will be increased confidence in the utility of eDNA methods and, ultimately, improved resource management using eDNA approaches.
Left ventricular remodelling and prognosis after discharge in new‐onset acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: van den Berge Jan C. , Vroegindewey Maxime M. , Veenis Jesse F. , Brugts Jasper J. , Caliskan Kadir , Manintveld Olivier C. , Akkerhuis K. Martijn , Boersma Eric , Deckers Jaap W. , Constantinescu Alina A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to investigate the left ventricular (LV) remodelling and long‐term prognosis of patients with new‐onset acute heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction who were pharmacologically managed and survived until hospital discharge. We compared patients with ischaemic and non‐ischaemic aetiology.Methods and resultsThis cohort study consisted of 111 patients admitted with new‐onset acute HF in the period 2008–2016 [62% non‐ischaemic aetiology, 48% supported by inotropes, vasopressors, or short‐term mechanical circulatory devices, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at discharge 28% (interquartile range 22–34)]. LV dimensions, LVEF, and mitral valve regurgitation were used as markers for LV remodelling during up to 3 years of follow‐up. Both patients with non‐ischaemic and ischaemic HF had significant improvement in LVEF (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively) with significant higher improvement in those with non‐ischaemic HF (17% vs. 6%, P < 0.001). Patients with non‐ischaemic HF had reduction in LV end‐diastolic and end‐systolic diameters (6 and 10 mm, both P < 0.001), but this was not found in those with ischaemic HF [+3 mm (P = 0.09) and +2 mm (P = 0.07), respectively]. During a median follow‐up of 4.6 years, 98 patients (88%) did not reach the composite endpoint of LV assist device implantation, heart transplantation, or all‐cause mortality, with no difference between with ischaemic and non‐ischaemic HF [hazard ratio 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.19–2.45)].ConclusionsPatients with new‐onset acute HF with reduced ejection fraction discharged on optimal medical treatment have a good prognosis. We observed a considerable LV remodelling with improvement in LV function and dimensions, starting already at 6 months in patients with non‐ischaemic HF but not in their ischaemic counterparts.
Successful heart transplantation for COVID‐19‐associated post‐infectious fulminant myocarditis
Authors: Gaudriot Baptiste , Mansour Alexandre , Thibault Vincent , Lederlin Mathieu , Cauchois Aurélie , Lelong Bernard , Ross James T. , Leurent Guillaume , Tadié Jean‐Marc , Revest Matthieu , Verhoye Jean‐Philippe , Flecher Erwan , Nesseler Nicolas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractVarious clinical presentations of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) have been described, including post‐infectious acute and fulminant myocarditis. Here, we describe the case of a young patient admitted for COVID‐19‐associated post‐infectious fulminant myocarditis. Despite optimal pharmacologic management, haemodynamic status worsened requiring support by veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Emergent heart transplantation was required at Day 11 given the absence of cardiac function improvement. The diagnosis of post‐infectious COVID‐19‐associated myocarditis was made from both pathologic examination of the explanted heart and positive SARS‐CoV‐2 serology.
Easy‐to‐use preload stress echocardiography by using combined dynamic postural stress can identify high‐risk patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Shibata Nao , Katsumoto Kensuke , Shono Ayu , Suzuki Makiko , Sumimoto Keiko , Tanaka Yusuke , Yamashita Kentaro , Yokota Shun , Suto Makiko , Dokuni Kumiko , Tanaka Hidekazu , Hirata Ken‐ichi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsHaemodynamic assessment during stress testing is not commonly performed in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) because of its invasiveness, lower feasibility, and safety concerns. This study aimed to assess the haemodynamic characteristics of patients with HFrEF in response to non‐invasive preload stress during dynamic postural alterations achieved by combining both semi‐sitting position and passive leg‐lifting and to evaluate whether combined postural stress could be used for risk stratification in these patients.Methods and resultsFor this study, 101 patients with HFrEF and 35 age‐matched and sex‐matched healthy controls were prospectively recruited. After all standard echocardiographic measurements were obtained in the left decubitus position, all subjects underwent postural stress testing, which consisted of changing from semi‐sitting position to passive leg‐lifting. During a median follow‐up period of 12.2 months, 21 (21%) patients developed adverse cardiovascular events. In patients without adverse cardiovascular events, the stroke volume index (SVi) significantly changed from 28 ± 8 to 35 ± 10 mL/m2 (P < 0.001) during combined postural stress. By contrast, ΔSVi during combined dynamic postural stress was significantly smaller in patients with cardiovascular events than in those without events (ΔSVi 3.4 ± 4.0 vs. 6.4 ± 3.8 mL/m2, P = 0.002), which indicated severely diseased heart operated on a relatively flat portion of the Frank–Starling curve. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, ΔSVi (hazard ratio 0.81, P = 0.02) was an independent predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events.ConclusionsThe combined assessment of dynamic postural stress is a non‐invasive, simple, quick, and easy‐to‐use clinical tool for assessing preload reserve and risk stratification in HFrEF patients.
A decrease in tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient associates with favorable outcome in patients with heart failure
Authors: Seko Yuta , Kato Takao , Morimoto Takeshi , Yaku Hidenori , Inuzuka Yasutaka , Tamaki Yodo , Ozasa Neiko , Shiba Masayuki , Yamamoto Erika , Yoshikawa Yusuke , Kitai Takeshi , Yamashita Yugo , Iguchi Moritake , Nagao Kazuya , Kawase Yuichi , Morinaga Takashi , Toyofuku Mamoru , Furukawa Yutaka , Ando Kenji , Kadota Kazushige , Sato Yukihito , Kuwahara Koichiro , Kimura Takeshi ,   KCHF Study Investigators
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsAlthough the prognostic impact of the high tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) has been investigated, the association of the decrease in TRPG during follow‐up with clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) has not been previously studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of a decrease in TRPG between hospitalization and 6 month visit with subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with acute decompensated HF (ADHF).Methods and resultsAmong 721 patients with available TRPG data both during hospitalization and a subsequent 6 month visit, the study population was divided into two groups: a decrease in TRPG group (>10 mmHg decrease at 6 month visit) (N = 179) and no decrease in TRPG group (N = 542). The primary outcome measure was a composite of all‐cause death or HF hospitalization. The cumulative 6 month incidence of primary outcome measure was significantly lower in the decrease in TRPG group than in the no decrease in TRPG group (12.2% vs. 18.7%, P = 0.02). After adjusting for confounders, there was a significantly lower risk in decrease in TRPG group than in the no decrease in TRPG group for the measured primary outcome (hazard ratio: 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.93, P = 0.02). The lower risk in decrease in TRPG group was not different among the basal TRPG values.ConclusionsHeart failure patients with a decrease in TRPG at 6 months after discharge from ADHF hospitalization had lower subsequent risk of all‐cause death and HF hospitalization than those without a decrease in TRPG, regardless of TRPG values.