bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional synaptic organization of layer III of the human temporal neocortex
Authors: Cano-Astorga Nicolás , DeFelipe Javier , Alonso-Nanclares Lidia 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the present study, we have used Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) to perform a study of the synaptic organization of layer III of Brodmann’s area 21 in human tissue samples obtained from autopsies and biopsies. We analyzed the synaptic density, 3D spatial distribution, and type (asymmetric/symmetric), as well as the size and shape of each synaptic junction of 4945 synapses that were fully reconstructed in 3D. Significant differences in the mean synaptic density between autopsy and biopsy samples were found (0.49 and 0.66 synapses/μm3, respectively). However, in both types of samples (autopsy and biopsy), the asymmetric:symmetric ratio was similar (93:7) and most asymmetric synapses were established on dendritic spines (75%), while most symmetric synapses were established on dendritic shafts (85%). We also compared several electron microscopy methods and analysis tools to estimate the synaptic density in the same brain tissue. We have shown that FIB/SEM is much more reliable and robust than the majority of the other commonly used EM techniques. The present work constitutes a detailed description of the synaptic organization of cortical layer III. Further studies on the rest of the cortical layers are necessary to better understand the functional organization of this temporal cortical region.
Impact of microfinance programs in Thailand
Authors: Hemtanon Wittawat , Gan Christopher 
Published: January 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of microfinance programs on the income and food expenditure of farm and nonfarm households in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs secondary data from the Thai Socioeconomic Survey (cross-sectional data from 2017 and panel data from 2012 to 2017). The cross-sectional data (2017) include 43,210 households. Panel data from the 2012 and 2017 Socioeconomic surveys (SES surveys) include 4,406 households. The estimation methods include propensity score matching (PSM) and a fixed effect (FE) model.FindingsThe result shows that village funds (VFs) have a significant negative impact on income and food expenditure for both farm and nonfarm households. The empirical results reveal that the saving groups for production (SGPs) effects are positively significant in terms of income and food expenditure, but only for farm households. The FE model result also shows that while VFs have a negative impact on income they have a positive impact on food expenditure for farm households. In contrast, SPGs have no impact on both farm and nonfarm households' income and food expenditure.Practical implicationsFarm and nonfarm households require both welfare and microfinance programs. Microfinance programs can only help these households once they have the necessary education. The government should provide social programs and business skills for these households; completion of these courses should be a pre-requisite for accessing microfinance programs.Originality/valueThis study is unique because it reveals the microfinance impact between VFs and SGPs programs so that most low-income and poor people in Thailand can access basic financial services.
Predatory FDI during economic crises: insights from outbound FDI from China and host country responses
Authors: Das Arindam 
Published: January 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to analyze outbound investments from China at the time of economic crisis caused due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and how target valuation and the host country’s inbound investment policies influence the acquisition intents. As firms witness low valuations during an economic downturn, they become attractive targets for opportunistic buyers, who may be driven by motives beyond business and influenced by the home country’s political agenda. Such attempts are countered with the adoption of restrictive investment policies in host countries.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses secondary data on cross-border acquisitions from China over the past year and compares the characteristics of these acquisitions with cross-border acquisitions of acquirers from other large developed and developing economies.

Findings
Statistical analyzes show that there are significant differences in the way acquirers from China pursue strategic asset seeking, creeping and control seeking acquisitions during the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period. This paper also observes that reduced valuation of the target, due to economic downturn or otherwise, result in greater propensity in strategic asset seeking acquisitions by Chinese acquirers. At the same time, adverse policies at host nations negatively influence the strategic asset seeking propensity of these acquirers. In addition, the premium in the valuation of target assets during the pandemic does not drop significantly when compared with that of the pre-pandemic period.

Originality/value
With the outbreak of COVID-19 and its concomitant economic impact across the globe, the study brings forwards insights on predatory foreign direct investment (FDI) and explores how policy responses in host countries can be comprehensive rather than disembedded and unilateral.
Tracking temperate fish reveals their relevance for plant seed dispersal
Authors: Mulder Andrea J. E. , van Aalderen Roland , van Leeuwen Casper H. A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Seed dispersal is a fundamental process for plant communities, especially now that our changing world demands rapid colonization of new habitats. Long‐distance dispersal is especially important for plant population persistence and range expansions.

The contribution of fishes to plant seed dispersal in aquatic ecosystems (ichthyochory) has long been overlooked. Although we know fish disperse seeds, it is largely unknown where, when and how far—especially in temperate regions. Here we studied the potential of fish to disperse seeds locally and over long distances, specifically hypothesizing that (a) dispersal by fish depends on the season, (b) individual fish contribute differently to seed dispersal and (c) water‐regulating structures (barriers) inhibit seed dispersal.

We tested our hypotheses by acoustically tracking 71 common carp Cyprinus carpio with 21 hydrophones in a 38‐km long study system for >2 years in the Netherlands. We calculated potential seed dispersal throughout this system by combining nearly 1.5 million location registrations with experimentally assessed retention times of seeds after ingestion (i.e. time between ingestion and egestion).

Seed dispersal on local scales was quantitatively most important during summer and autumn, with high dispersal potential in a range of 4 km from the location of seed ingestion. Long‐distance dispersal up to 16 km was possible at low probabilities in spring. In winter, most seeds were egested within two km. Maximum and median dispersal distances varied widely among individuals, emphasizing variation in effectiveness among individual fish for seed dispersal. Less than two per cent of all fish movements reached beyond sluices and weirs, indicating that anthropogenic barriers in freshwater systems strongly reduced the potential of common carp to disperse seeds to these areas.

This study shows that common carp can locally disperse plant seeds with high probabilities, and over distances up to 16 km with low probabilities throughout temperate ecosystems. This can contribute to restoration and maintenance of plant community diversity. However, this ecosystem function of fish to plants requires intact fish populations—because not all individual fish contribute equally to dispersal—and unrestricted connectivity throughout aquatic ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Beyond forest succession: A gap model to study ecosystem functioning and tree community composition under climate change
Authors: Morin Xavier , Bugmann Harald , de Coligny François , Martin‐StPaul Nicolas , Cailleret Maxime , Limousin Jean‐Marc , Ourcival Jean‐Marc , Prevosto Bernard , Simioni Guillaume , Toigo Maude , Vennetier Michel , Catteau Eugénie , Guillemot Joannès 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Climate change impacts forest functioning and dynamics, and large uncertainties remain regarding the interactions between species composition, demographic processes and environmental drivers. There are few robust tools available to link these processes, which precludes accurate projections and recommendations for long‐term forest management. Forest gap models present a balance between complexity and generality and are widely used in predictive forest ecology. However, their relevance to tackle questions about the links between species composition, climate and forest functioning is unclear. In this regard, demonstrating the ability of gap models to predict the growth of forest stands at the annual parameterization scale resolution—representing a sensitive and integrated signal of tree functioning and mortality risk—appears as a fundamental step.

In this study, we aimed at assessing the ability of a gap model to accurately predict forest growth in the short term and potential community composition in the long term, across a wide range of species and environmental conditions. To do so, we present the gap model ForCEEPS, calibrated using an original parameterization procedure for the main tree species in France.

ForCEEPS was shown to satisfactorily predict forest annual growth (averaged over a few years) at the plot level from mountain to Mediterranean climates, regardless of the species. Such an accuracy was not gained at the cost of losing precision for long‐term predictions, as the model showed a strong ability to predict potential community compositions. The mechanistic relevance of ForCEEPS parameterization was explored by showing the congruence between the values of key model parameter and species functional traits.

We further showed that accounting for the spatial configuration of crowns within forest stands, the effects of climatic constraints and the variability of shade tolerances in the species community are all crucial to better predict short‐term productivity with gap models.

Synthesis. The dual ability of predicting short‐term functioning and long‐term community composition, as well as the balance between generality and realism (i.e. predicting accuracy) of the new generation of gap models may open great perspectives for the exploration of the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, species coexistence mechanisms and the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Changes in ecosystem properties after post‐fire management strategies in wildfire‐affected Mediterranean forests
Authors: Lucas‐Borja Manuel E. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Muñoz‐Rojas Miriam , Plaza‐Álvarez Pedro Antonio , Gómez‐Sanchez Maria E. , González‐Romero Javier , Peña‐Molina Esther , Moya Daniel , de las Heras Jorge 
Published: January 2021

AbstractForest are highly vulnerable to global change drivers, such as an increase in wildfire events. Learning more about how and why different post‐fire management strategies regulate the ability of forest ecosystem properties (e.g. plant diversity and function) to simultaneously recover after wildfire and provide multiple ecosystem functions is of critical importance.This study aims to evaluate how unburned, burned managed and burned unmanaged plots regulate the responses of multiple forest ecosystem properties (e.g. plant diversity, nutrient cycling, soil carbon stocks, water regulation, decomposition and wood production) and overall multifunctionality to wildfires. In September 2017, we selected two post‐fire management strategies in a 3‐km2watershed previously affected by a wildfire in July 2012: contour‐felled log debris (CFD), log erosion barriers area (LEB), and also unburned and unmanaged plots (BNA). We randomly distributed 12 plots among the three post‐fire management strategies (three plots per treatment) and unburned.The results showed that multiple forest ecosystem properties were significantly affected by wildfire and that specific post‐fire management treatment (e.g. LEB and CFD) can be used to efficiently support plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. Our results revealed that the general indicators of ecosystem functions decreased in Mediterranean forests after wildfires and post‐fire management strategies (LEB and CFD) significantly helped to recover the ecosystems’ short‐term community‐level properties and ecosystem functions (5 years after a wildfire event) to pre‐fire levels.Synthesis and applications. These findings demonstrate that multiple ecosystem functions are affected by wildfires in Mediterranean forests and show that post‐fire management treatments can promote multifunctionality and plant diversity. Our results unfold the potential of log erosion barriers (LEB) and contour‐felled log debris (CFD) as effective strategies for recovering community‐level properties and forest functions in the short term.
Predicting bird‐window collisions with weather radar
Authors: Elmore Jared A. , Riding Corey S. , Horton Kyle G. , O'Connell Timothy J. , Farnsworth Andrew , Loss Scott R. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Up to 1 billion birds die annually in the U.S. from window collisions; most of these casualties represent migratory native species. Because this major mortality source likely contributes to the decline of the North American avifauna, mitigation tools are needed that accurately predict real‐time collision risk, allowing hazards to be minimized before fatalities occur.

We assessed the potential use of weather surveillance radar, an emerging tool increasingly used to study and to predict bird migration, as an early warning system to reduce numbers of bird‐window collisions.

Based on bird‐window collision monitoring in Oklahoma, USA, we show that radar‐derived migration variables are associated with nightly numbers of collisions. Across the entire night, numbers of collisions increased with higher migration traffic rate (i.e. numbers of birds crossing a fixed line perpendicular to migration direction), and migration variables for specific periods within the night were also related to nightly collisions.

Synthesis and applications. Our study suggests that radar can be an invaluable tool to predict bird‐window collisions and help refine mitigation efforts that reduce collisions such as reducing nighttime lighting emitted from and near buildings.
Fertilizer quantity and type alter mycorrhizae‐conferred growth and resistance to herbivores
Authors: Getman‐Pickering Zoe L. , Stack George M. , Thaler Jennifer S. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Plants face a constant struggle to acquire nutrients and defend themselves against herbivores. Mycorrhizae are fungal mutualists that provide nutrients that can increase plant growth and alter resistance to herbivores. The beneficial effects of mycorrhizae for nutrient acquisition can depend on the quantity and type of soil nutrients available, with plants usually benefiting more in terms of growth from mycorrhizae when nutrients are limited. However, it is unclear how the addition of different nutrients might shift mycorrhizal‐conferred resistance to herbivores by changing defensive secondary chemistry and nutrient availability.

We conducted two concurrent greenhouse experiments to test how three levels of fertilizers (low, medium and high) and three types of fertilizers (organic, organically derived and inorganic) altered mycorrhizae‐conferred resistance to herbivores in tomato plants. In addition, we looked at whether mycorrhizae‐conferred resistance was driven by plant secondary metabolites or the nutrient content of the leaves.

Association with mycorrhizae was associated with an increase in biomass at low levels of fertilization and decreased biomass at high levels of fertilization. Interestingly, mycorrhizae increased resistance to herbivores at medium levels of fertilization, but had no effect at low and high levels of fertilization. Mycorrhizae improved resistance most strongly when plants were fertilized with a phosphorus rich, organically derived fertilizer. In both experiments, increased resistance was correlated with changes in the plant's foliar nitrogen content.

Synthesis and applications. Our study supports the potential for mycorrhizae to improve either crop growth or pest resistance under lower fertilizer conditions. However, mycorrhizae did not provide both growth and resistance benefits under any treatment. While mycorrhizae have the potential to benefit crops in in lower input systems, it may be challenging to maximize both growth and resistance benefits.
Synergistic impacts of aggressive species on small birds in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Westgate Martin J. , Crane Mason , Florance Daniel , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Attempts to conserve threatened species in fragmented landscapes are often challenging because factors such as habitat loss, habitat degradation and dominant species interact to reduce threatened species’ capacity to survive and reproduce. Understanding how threatening and mitigating processes interact is critical if conservation measures are to be effective.

We used data from long‐term monitoring of bird populations and multivariate latent variable models to quantify how Australian woodland birds respond to the presence of the Noisy Miner, a despotic species known to exclude other bird species. We then investigated the extent to which the presence of other aggressive species exacerbates the impacts of the Noisy Miner, and to what extent these impacts can be mitigated by dense midstorey plantings.

We found strong synergies between the Noisy Miner and two other aggressive species (Grey Butcherbird and Pied Butcherbird), despite weak effects of butcherbirds in isolation.

The impacts of aggressive birds are most pronounced for small‐bodied species, but these impacts are lessened in the presence of high midstorey cover.

Synthesis and applications. Accounting for interactions reveals that revegetation may be capable of improving conservation outcomes even when the proximate cause of species declines (i.e. exclusion or predation by aggressive bird species) cannot be managed directly.
Effects of microplastics and drought on soil ecosystem functions and multifunctionality
Authors: Lozano Yudi M. , Aguilar‐Trigueros Carlos A. , Onandia Gabriela , Maaß Stefanie , Zhao Tingting , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Microplastics in soils have become an important threat for terrestrial systems as they may potentially alter the geochemical/biophysical soil environment and can interact with drought. As microplastics may affect soil water content, this could exacerbate the well‐known negative effects of drought on ecosystem functionality. Thus, functions including litter decomposition, soil aggregation or those related with nutrient cycling can be altered. Despite this potential interaction, we know relatively little about how microplastics, under different soil water conditions, affect ecosystem functions and multifunctionality.

To address this gap, we performed an experiment using grassland plant communities growing in microcosms. Microplastic fibres (absent, present) and soil water conditions (well‐watered, drought) were applied in a fully factorial design. At harvest, we measured soil ecosystem functions related to nutrient cycling (β‐glucosaminidase, β‐D‐cellobiosidase, phosphatase, β‐glucosidase enzymes), respiration, nutrient retention, pH, litter decomposition and soil aggregation (water stable aggregates). As terrestrial systems provide these functions simultaneously, we also assessed ecosystem multifunctionality, an index that encompasses the array of ecosystem functions measured here.

We found that the interaction between microplastic fibres and drought affected ecosystem functions and multifunctionality. Drought had negatively affected nutrient cycling by decreasing enzymatic activities by up to ~39%, while microplastics increased soil aggregation by ~18%, soil pH by ~4% and nutrient retention by up to ~70% by diminishing nutrient leaching. Microplastic fibres also impacted soil enzymes, respiration and ecosystem multifunctionality, but importantly, the direction of these effects depended on soil water status. That is, under well‐watered conditions, these functions decreased with microplastic fibres by up to ~34% while under drought they had similar values irrespective of the microplastic presence, or tended to increase with microplastics. Litter decomposition had a contrary pattern increasing with microplastics by ~6% under well‐watered conditions while decreasing to a similar percentage under drought.

Synthesis and applications. Single ecosystem functions can be positively or negatively affected by microplastics fibres depending on soil water status. However, our results suggest that microplastic fibres may cause negative effects on ecosystem soil multifunctionality of a similar magnitude as drought. Thus, strategies to counteract this new global change factor are necessary.
Competition for electrons favours N2O reduction in denitrifying Bradyrhizobium isolates
Authors: Gao Yuan , Mania Daniel , Mousavi Seyed Abdollah , Lycus Pawel , Arntzen Magnus Ø. , Woliy Kedir , Lindström Kristina , Shapleigh James P. , Bakken Lars R. , Frostegård Åsa 
Published: January 2021

SummaryBradyrhizobia are common members of soil microbiomes and known as N2‐fixing symbionts of economically important legumes. Many are also denitrifiers, which can act as sinks or sources for N2O. Inoculation with compatible rhizobia is often needed for optimal N2‐fixation, but the choice of inoculant may have consequences for N2O emission. Here, we determined the phylogeny and denitrification capacity of Bradyrhizobium strains, most of them isolated from peanut‐nodules. Analyses of genomes and denitrification end‐points showed that all were denitrifiers, but only ~1/3 could reduce N2O. The N2O‐reducing isolates had strong preference for N2O‐ over NO3−‐reduction. Such preference was also observed in a study of other bradyrhizobia and tentatively ascribed to competition between the electron pathways to Nap (periplasmic NO3− reductase) and Nos (N2O reductase). Another possible explanation is lower abundance of Nap than Nos. Here, proteomics revealed that Nap was instead more abundant than Nos, supporting the hypothesis that the electron pathway to Nos outcompetes that to Nap. In contrast, Paracoccus denitrificans, which has membrane‐bond NO3− reductase (Nar), reduced N2O and NO3− simultaneously. We propose that the control at the metabolic level, favouring N2O reduction over NO3− reduction, applies also to other denitrifiers carrying Nos and Nap but lacking Nar.
Developing a Structure of Essential Services for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health System
Authors: SCHOR EDWARD L. 
Published: January 2021

Policy PointsThat child and adolescent mental health services needs are frequently unmet has been known for many decades, yet few systemic solutions have been sought and fewer have been implemented at scale.Key among the barriers to improving child and adolescent mental health services has been the lack of well‐organized primary mental health care. Such care is a mutual but uncoordinated responsibility of multiple disciplines and agencies.Achieving consensus on the essential structures and processes of mental health services is a feasible first step toward creating an organized system.