bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forest soil acidification consistently reduces litter decomposition irrespective of nutrient availability and litter type
Authors: Shen Ying , Tian Dashuan , Hou Jihua , Wang Jinsong , Zhang Ruiyang , Li Zhaolei , Chen Xinli , Wei Xuehong , Zhang XinYu , He Yicheng , Niu Shuli 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and acid deposition are co‐occurring in many ecosystems, likely with complex interactive effects on litter decomposition.

Few studies have been conducted to distinguish the interactive effects of these three factors on forest litter decomposition. Thus, we performed a 5‐year litter decomposition experiment with N, P, acid addition in a temperate forest of Changbai Mountain in China, including four litter types from Pinus koraiensis, Quercus mongolica, Tilia amurensis and their mixtures.

Our results showed that acid addition consistently reduced litter decomposition rate, irrespective of nutrient addition or litter types. In contrast, N and P addition had less impact on litter decomposition. Litter decomposition rate linearly reduced with decreasing soil pH, but positively increased with soil N availability. No relationship was found between soil P availability and litter decomposition. Soil enzyme activity played a key role in regulating litter decomposition response, such as acid phosphatase, xylosidase, N‐cacetyl‐b‐D‐glucosaminidase and α‐1,4 glucosidase. Besides, low‐quality litter (i.e. high C concentration, C:N and C:P ratio) amplified the negative effect of soil acidification on litter decomposition.

This study suggests that soil acidification consistently decelerates litter decomposition in temperate forests, which is independent of soil nutrient availability and litter types. The intensifying soil acidification with continuous N deposition in the future will greatly reduce litter nutrient return to soil, increasing the risk of multiple soil nutrient limitation.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Distinguishing between unreliability and dishonesty: A comparative study of aggressive communication in crayfish
Authors: Graham Zackary A. , Angilletta Michael J. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

A major challenge in the study of animal communication is distinguishing whether signals convey honest or dishonest information. Biologists infer the honesty of a signal from its correlation with the information being signalled (e.g. fecundity or fighting ability)—the better the correlation, the more honest the signal.

However, this view of signalling potentially conflates unreliable indicators with dishonest signals. Just because a trait conveys unreliable information does not mean that the structure serves as a dishonest signal; developmental noise, genetic drift and environmental constraints can reduce the covariation between a putative signal and an organism's quality. Moreover, a trait must influence the behaviour of other organisms to qualify as a signal.

We studied how a putative signal, claw size, affects physical performance and social dominance in three species of stream‐dwelling crayfish, which fight routinely over resources. For comparison, we measured the relationship between claw size and claw strength in three species of burrowing crayfish, which do not fight.

In all species, crayfish with larger claws were not necessarily stronger, indicating that claw size poorly indicates claw strength. However, claw size is unlikely to function as a dishonest signal of fighting ability in these species for two reasons. First, claw size unreliably indicates claw strength in both the stream‐dwelling species and the burrowing species. Second, relative claw size poorly predicted whether stream‐dwelling crayfish would escalate aggression, questioning whether claw size serves as a signal. Instead, stream‐dwelling crayfish escalated aggression based on their relative body size.

Our results highlight the importance of observing behaviour when determining the honesty of a signal. As such, future studies must distinguish between phenotypes that are unreliable indicators (or reliable indicators) from phenotypes that have been selected for dishonest (or honest) signalling.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The dynamics of vegetation grazed by a food‐limited population of Soay sheep on St Kilda
Authors: Crawley Michael J. , Pakeman Robin J. , Albon Steve D. , Pilkington Jill G. , Stevenson Ian R. , Morrissey Michael B. , Jones Owen R. , Allan Eric , Bento Ana I. , Hipperson Helen , Asefa Gebre , Pemberton Josephine M. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The population of Soay sheep on the island of Hirta in the Outer Hebrides has been the subject of continuous study for more than 35 years. This paper focuses on the botanical aspects of the plant–herbivore interaction, showing how the vegetation affects and is affected by the sheep.

Grazing impacts on biomass and spatial structure varied across plant communities, with Holcus/Agrostis grasslands affected most and Wet Heath least, consistent with the hypothesis that herbivore impacts are proportional to plant productivity.

Within plant communities, the negative relationships between sheep numbers and plant abundance (sward height, gap/tussock cover and biomass) were significant in March but not significant in August, as expected if sheep numbers are limited by food supply in winter.

In most species, flower stem density declined with increasing sheep numbers. There were no examples where unpalatable plants showed increased flowering (e.g. from competitor release under selective grazing).

Plant production in temporary grazing exclosures (above‐ground net primary production) was greatest in Holcus/Agrostis grassland (12.6 t ha−1 dry matter year−1), lower in Nardus grassland (5.1 t ha−1 year−1) and least in Plantago sward (1.3 t ha−1 year−1) associated with differences in historical nutrient supply and microclimate.

The net effect of grazing on plant species richness was positive: A few highly palatable species were excluded, but small‐scale coexistence of grazing‐tolerant species was enhanced by defoliation.

The Soay sheep population fluctuated from 908 (in 1988) to 2,208 (in 2009), increasing by an average of 39 extra animals per year over the period 1985–2011. Between 2011 and 2020, the population fluctuated less widely and showed no trend.

Population change (ln(N(t + 1)/N(t))) was inversely density dependent but positively correlated with plant production in Holcus/Agrostis grassland which increased during the study.

This plant–herbivore interaction is highly resilient, and though some species (Festuca rubra and Ranunculus acris) declined in the Holcus/Agrostis grassland, there was no significant upward trend in the abundance of unpalatable plant species.

Synthesis. Implications for future studies and analyses of plant–herbivore data. Concentrating on estimating primary productivity and herbivore offtake, rather than simply measuring change in plant biomass, is likely to provide greatly improved explanatory power for understanding herbivore population dynamics.
The low‐nanomolar 4‐nitrobenzoate‐responsive repressor PnbX negatively regulates the actinomycete‐derived 4‐nitrobenzoate‐degrading pnb locus
Authors: Cheng Minggen , Qian Yingying , Xing Ziyu , Zylstra Gerben J. , Huang Xing 
Published: September 2021

SummaryNitroaromatic compounds pose severe threats to public health and environmental safety. Nitro group removal via ammonia release is an important strategy for bacterial detoxification of nitroaromatic compounds, such as the conversion of 4‐nitrobenzoate (4‐NBA) to protocatechuate by the bacterial pnb operon. In contrast to the LysR‐family transcriptional regulator PnbR in proteobacteria, the actinomycete‐derived pnb locus (4‐NBA degradation structural genes) formed an operon with the TetR‐family transcriptional regulator gene pnbX, implying that it has a distinct regulatory mechanism. Here, pnbBA from the actinomycete Nocardioides sp. strain LMS‐CY was biochemically confirmed to express 4‐NBA degradation enzymes, and pnbX was essential for inducible degradation of 4‐NBA. Purified PnbX‐6His could bind the promoter probe of the pnb locus in vitro, and 4‐NBA prevented this binding. 4‐NBA could bind PnbX at a 1:1 molar ratio with KD = 26.7 ± 4.2 nM. Low‐nanomolar levels of 4‐NBA induced the transcription of the pnb operon in strain LMS‐CY. PnbX bound a palindromic sequence motif (5'‐TTACGTTACA‐N8‐TGTAACGTAA‐3′) that encompasses the pnb promoter. This study identified a TetR‐family repressor for the actinomycete‐derived pnb operon that recognizes 10−8 M 4‐NBA as its ligand, implying that nitro group removal of nitroaromatic compounds may be especially important for actinomycetes.
Association of hysterectomy and invasive epithelial ovarian and tubal cancer: a cohort study within UKCTOCS
Authors: Taylor JA , Burnell M , Ryan A , Karpinskyj C , Kalsi JK , Taylor H , Apostolidou S , Sharma A , Manchanda R , Woolas R , Campbell S , Parmar M , Singh N , Jacobs IJ , Menon U , Gentry‐Maharaj A 
Published: September 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between hysterectomy with conservation of one or both adnexa and ovarian and tubal cancer.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThirteen NHS Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.PopulationA total of 202 506 postmenopausal women recruited between 2001 and 2005 to the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS) and followed up until 31 December 2014.MethodsMultiple sources (questionnaires, hospital notes, Hospital Episodes Statistics, national cancer/death registries, ultrasound reports) were used to obtain accurate data on hysterectomy (with conservation of one or both adnexa) and outcomes censored at bilateral oophorectomy, death, ovarian/tubal cancer diagnosis, loss to follow up or 31 December 2014. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association.Main outcome measuresInvasive epithelial ovarian and tubal cancer (WHO 2014) on independent outcome review.ResultsHysterectomy with conservation of one or both adnexa was reported in 41 912 (20.7%; 41 912/202 506) women. Median follow up was 11.1 years (interquartile range 9.96–12.04), totalling >2.17 million woman‐years. Among women who had undergone hysterectomy, 0.55% (231/41 912) were diagnosed with ovarian/tubal cancer, compared with 0.59% (945/160 594) of those with intact uterus. Multivariable analysis showed no evidence of an association between hysterectomy and invasive epithelial ovarian/tubal cancer (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.85–1.13, P = 0.765).ConclusionsThis large cohort study provides further independent validation that hysterectomy is not associated with alteration of invasive epithelial ovarian and tubal cancer risk. These data are important both for clinical counselling and for refining risk prediction models.Tweetable abstractHysterectomy does not alter risk of invasive epithelial ovarian and tubal cancer.
Structural characterization and antioxidant property of enzymatic‐transesterification derivatives of (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate and vinyl laurate
Authors: Jiang Chengyu , Wang Li , Huang Xin , Zhu Song , Ma Chaoyang , Wang Hongxin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract(−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate(EGCG) was enzymatically modified to enhance the lipophilicity and the antioxidant property. The determination of optimal reaction conditions are as follows: Lipase DF “Amano” 15 and acetone were used as catalyst and solvent, respectively. Equal molar of EGCG and vinyl laurate (1:1); lipase addition of 6.0% (w/w of total substrates); reaction temperature of 50°C and reaction time of 96 h, which obtained the conversion rate of EGCG at 80.1%. The structure of EGCG lauroyl derivatives were 5″‐O‐lauroyl‐EGCG, 3″,5″‐2‐O‐lauroyl‐EGCG, and 5′,3″,5″‐3‐O‐lauroyl‐EGCG, identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Compared with the logP of precursor EGCG (0.69 ± 0.03), the logP of EGCG lauroyl derivatives was 1.37 ± 0.19, 2.27 ± 0.33, and 3.28 ± 0.37, increasing by 0.98, 2.28, and 3.75 times, respectively (p < 0.05), suggesting the grafted fatty acid chains make EGCG derivatives more lipophilic, and the lipid solubility gradually increased as the number of substituents increased. Furthermore, EGCG lauroyl derivatives had excellent lipid oxidation than that of EGCG. The POVs (peroxide values) of soybean oil with mono‐, di‐, tri‐lauroyl EGCG were significantly reduced by 42%, 47%, and 57% than that of EGCG at 21 days, respectively, indicating the antioxidative inhibition of these derivatives decreased with the increase in substituents. This indicates that these derivatives have broad prospects of the antioxidant application while improving their solubility properties in lipophilic environments/high‐fat food.Practical Application: The lipophilic esterification reaction of EGCG catalyzed by new catalytic lipase DF “Amano” 15 was carried out in a non‐aqueous solvent.Various reaction factors on a higher conversion rate of EGCG lauroyl derivatives were evaluated. The lipophilicity and antioxidant properties of EGCG lauroyl derivatives were much excellent than that of parent EGCG.
Using metatranscriptomics to estimate the diversity and composition of zooplankton communities
Authors: Lopez Mark Louie D. , Lin Ya‐ying , Sato Mitsuhide , Hsieh Chih‐hao , Shiah Fuh‐Kwo , Machida Ryuji J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDNA metabarcoding is a rapid, high‐resolution tool used for biomonitoring complex zooplankton communities. However, diversity estimates derived with this approach can be biased by the co‐detection of sequences from environmental DNA (eDNA), nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial (NUMT) pseudogene contamination, and taxon‐specific PCR primer affinity differences. To avoid these methodological uncertainties, we tested the use of metatranscriptomics as an alternative approach for characterizing zooplankton communities. Specifically, we compared metatranscriptomics with PCR‐based methods using genomic (gDNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA) amplicons, and morphology‐based data for estimating species diversity and composition for both mock communities and field‐collected samples. Mock community analyses showed that the use of gDNA mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCO1) amplicons inflates species richness due to the co‐detection of extra‐organismal eDNA. Significantly more amplicon sequence variants, nucleotide diversity, and indels were observed with gDNA amplicons than with cDNA, indicating the presence of putative NUMT pseudogenes. Moreover, PCR‐based methods failed to detect the most abundant species in mock communities due to priming site mismatch. Overall, metatranscriptomics provided estimates of species richness and composition that closely resembled those derived from morphological data. The use of metatranscriptomics was further tested using field‐collected samples, with the results showing consistent species diversity estimates among biological and technical replicates. Additionally, temporal zooplankton species composition changes could be monitored using different mitochondrial markers. These findings demonstrate the advantages of metatranscriptomics as an effective tool for monitoring diversity in zooplankton research.
On the resilience of Australian public universities: why our institutions may fail unless vice‐chancellors rethink broken commercial business models
Authors: Guthrie James , Linnenluecke Martina K , Martin‐Sardesai Ann , Shen Yun , Smith Tom 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCOVID‐19‐related public health measures have severely impacted the Australian higher education system (AHES). This paper examines the resilience of the AHES, particularly its past reliance on onshore international students to generate revenue that cross‐subsidises operational and research expenses. By our measure, ten universities are at risk of financial default. With a different approach on the part of the Government and university leadership, surplus monies could have contributed to building a more resilient AHES. Our findings correct widely held misconceptions about the state of the AHES and aim to provide valuable learnings to individual universities and the sector more broadly.
Inguinal hernia repair: a global perspective
Authors: O'Brien James , Sinha Sankar , Turner Richard 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundInguinal hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed worldwide with most of the burden of these occurring in low‐ or middle‐income countries (LMICs). There has been much research investigating the most effective method of hernia repair in resource‐rich countries, however very little has been done to determine the most cost‐beneficial method of hernia repair in LMICs.MethodsA systematic review of the English literature through PubMed and Scopus was conducted according to the PRISMA statement.ResultsTwenty‐eight studies met the inclusion criteria of which 17 were randomised controlled trials and 11 were systematic reviews. Three areas of investigation were established from the literature search, namely operative method and type of mesh used (where applicable). Open‐mesh procedures were shown to be less costly and have shorter operative times than laparoscopic methods. People who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair regularly returned to normal activities earlier than those who had open‐mesh procedures. However, there was no other difference in complication rates between these two methods. Recent investigations have revealed that sterilised synthetic mosquito net was similar to hernia‐specific meshes whilst significantly reducing cost.ConclusionWe postulate that the most cost‐beneficial method of hernia repair for implementation in LMICs is using open‐mesh procedures with sterilised mosquito net under local anaesthetic. Further cost–benefit research is required in this area.
Future fire regimes increase risks to obligate‐seeder forests
Authors: McColl‐Gausden Sarah C. , Bennett Lauren T. , Ababei Dan A. , Clarke Hamish G. , Penman Trent D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimMany species are adapted to a particular fire regime and major deviations from that regime may lead to localized extinction. Here, we quantify immaturity risks to an obligate‐seeder forest tree using an objectively designed climate model ensemble and a probabilistic fire regime simulator to predict future fire regimes.LocationAlpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) distribution, Victoria, south‐eastern Australia.MethodsWe used a fire regime model (FROST) with six climate projections from a climate model ensemble across 3.7 million hectares of native forest and non‐native vegetation to examine immaturity risks to obligate‐seeder forests dominated by alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis), which has a primary juvenile period of approximately 20 years. Our models incorporated current and future projected climate including fuel feedbacks to simulate fire regimes over 100 years. We then used Random Forest modelling to evaluate which spatial characteristics of the landscape were associated with high immaturity risks to alpine ash forest patches.ResultsSignificant shifts to the fire regime were predicted under all six future climate projections. Increases in both wildfire extent (total area burnt, area burnt at high intensity) and frequency were predicted with an average increase of up to 110 hectares burnt annually by short‐interval fires (i.e., within the expected minimum time to reproductive maturity). The immaturity risk posed by short‐interval fires to alpine ash forest patches was well explained by Random Forest models and varied with both location and environmental variables.Main conclusionsAlpine ash forests are predicted to be burned at greater intensities and shorter intervals under future fire regimes. About 67% of the current alpine ash distribution was predicted to be at some level of immaturity risk over the 100‐year modelling period, with the greatest risks to those patches located on the periphery of the current distribution, closer to roads or surrounded by a drier landscape at lower elevations.
Lived experiences of pain in children and young people with cerebral palsy
Authors: Ostojic Katarina , Sharp Nicole L , Paget Simon P , Morrow Angela M 
Published: September 2021

AimTo explore the lived experiences of pain in children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodParticipants were recruited from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory CP Registers. Inclusion criteria were as follows: CP; aged 9 to 17 years; current/past experience of pain; fluent in English; no greater than mild intellectual disability. Purposive sampling ensured representation across age, motor subtypes, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Data were analysed following an interpretative phenomenological approach.ResultsTen participants (three male) were included (mean age 14y 5mo, SD 2y), GMFCS levels I (n=4), II (n=3), III (n=2), and IV (n=1). Analysis led to three superordinate themes: (1) Everybody’s experience of pain is different; (2) When the pain is winning; (3) ‘I know how to deal with it’. Pain contributors and locations varied between children. Pain intruded on school, physical activity, and psychosocial functioning. Children described personalized strategies used to deal with pain.InterpretationIn this study, children self‐reported highly individualized pain experiences which interfered with their daily life and psychosocial well‐being. There is a need for improvement in pain assessment and a personalized approach to pain management.
Resting echocardiographic predictors for true‐severe aortic stenosis in patients with low‐gradient severe aortic stenosis: A dobutamine stress echocardiography study
Authors: Onishi Hirokazu , Izumo Masaki , Mitomo Satoru , Naganuma Toru , Nishikawa Haruka , Suzuki Tomomi , Sato Yukio , Watanabe Mika , Kuwata Shingo , Kamijima Ryo , Akashi Yoshihiro J. , Nakamura Sunao 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveDobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is not always feasible in patients with low‐gradient severe aortic stenosis (LG‐SAS), and there are limited data available on the resting echocardiographic predictors for true‐severe aortic stenosis (TSAS). This study investigated resting echocardiographic predictors for TSAS.MethodsClinical data of 106 LG‐SAS patients who underwent DSE were retrospectively analyzed. LG‐SAS was defined as an aortic valve area index (AVAi) < .6 cm2/m2, and a mean AV pressure gradient < 40 mm Hg. The velocity ratio (VR) was calculated as the peak left ventricular outflow tract velocity/peak AV velocity. TSAS was defined as a projected AVAi < .6 cm2/m2.ResultsThe mean age was 79.3 ± 7.3 years, and 45 (42.5%) were men. The resting AV data were as follows: AVAi, .50 ± .07 cm2/m2; mean AV pressure gradient, 23.0 ± 7.4 mm Hg; and VR, .25 ± .05. The projected AVAi was .58 ± .09 cm2/m2, and TSAS was documented in 65 (61.3%) patients. In multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of TSAS were AVAi (p = 0.012) and VR (p = 0.004) with respective best cut‐off values of .52 cm2/m2 and .25 on receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis. According to incremental numbers of the predictors, correct classification percentages of TSAS significantly increased with the Cochran‐Armitage trend test (16.2% in no predictors, 65.2% in one predictor, and 95.7 % in two predictors; p < 0.001).ConclusionsResting AVAi and VR were independent predictors of TSAS in LG‐SAS patients. The true severity might be predictable using the combination of resting parameters.