bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two dimensions of demographic differentiation of species in a mountain grassland community: An experimental test
Authors: Herben Tomáš , Hadincová Věra , Krahulec František , Pecháčková Sylvie , Skálová Hana 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

There is remarkable variation in life histories of coexisting plant species. These “alternative designs” for the given set of environmental conditions are likely to play a role in species niche differences and thus may underlie species coexistence, although there is no clear demonstration of it. Currently available data on within‐community differentiation concern primarily easy and measurable traits that are not fully informative of life history variation. Their relevance for functional differentiation of species and species coexistence is far from clear.

Here, we examined differentiation of coexisting species in demographic parameters and how it determines species’ response to neighbours. We determined these parameters for a set of 21 co‐occurring species by fitting a process‐based model to a long‐term (30 years) data series of shoot counts. We examined the functional relevance of these parameters using species responses in a field removal experiment. We further asked with which functional traits they are correlated.

Species were differentiated along two largely independent axes: (a) slow vs. fast, separating species according to instantaneous growth rate, competitive response and intraspecific density dependence; and (b) dispersal vs. local dynamics, which separated species with strong dispersal (by seeds or vegetative) from species that tended to stay in the occupied spot. While the slow‐fast axis was associated with commonly used leaf and seed traits, the dispersal axis was best predicted by lateral spreading distance.

Each of these two axes predicted different components of species’ responses to neighbour competition: the slow‐fast axis was a good predictor of the short‐term response, whereas dispersal axis was a good predictor of the long‐term response.

Synthesis. Demographic differentiation of coexisting species resembles to an important degree demographic differentiation known from large‐scale comparisons. This differentiation is functionally meaningful also at the fine scale; its role in species’ responses to competition implies it is involved in species niche differentiation and coexistence. While seed and leaf traits are important correlates of demographic differentiation, a hitherto underappreciated trait, viz. lateral spreading distance, is an important predictor of the dispersal axis at the fine scale and should be more widely used.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Parental sublethal insecticide exposure prolongs mating response and decreases reproductive output in offspring
Authors: Müller Thorben , Römer Clara Isis , Müller Caroline 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Insecticide usage is steadily increasing, implying an ongoing threat of sublethal exposure for non‐target organisms in habitats close to farmland. The exposure to low insecticide doses is often associated with a fitness decline in affected organisms.

We determined the effects of exposure to the pyrethroid lambda‐cyhalothrin, at a concentration 20 times lower than the LC50, on the cuticle surface profile containing mating cues, the mating and aggression behaviour and fitness consequences for a beetle species (Phaedon cochleariae Fabricius), which faces agropollutants when occurring close to farmland. Traits were investigated in the insecticide‐exposed parental generation, and carry‐over effects into their unexposed offspring were studied.

In both the parental and the offspring generation, the chemical surface profile was unaffected by the insecticide exposure. Nevertheless, insecticide exposure and carry‐over effects decreased male mating acceptance of females in no‐choice situations. A reduced acceptance of insecticide‐exposed females may be related to changes in specific chemical surface cues, because males attempted to mate more readily with dummies treated with surface extracts of control females than of insecticide‐exposed females. Moreover, females became more aggressive in dual‐choice situations towards other females in the presence of an insecticide‐exposed compared to an unexposed male, potentially due to neuronal dysfunctions. Thus, both intersexual (chemical) communication during mating and intrasexual communication were altered in response to insecticide exposure.

Insecticide‐exposed parents and their offspring suffered from a decreased reproductive output, likely due to direct toxic effects or constraints induced by detoxification processes. The carry‐over effects might be mediated by a parental insecticide transfer or insecticide‐induced heritable epigenetic changes involved in detoxification processes.

Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates that sublethal insecticide exposure can have far‐reaching consequences on (non‐target) herbivores. These results have implications for population dynamics and, ultimately, for ecological communities, as insects are highly important members of food chains. Therefore, long‐term effects of short‐term insecticide exposure should be considered in the evaluation of pesticides and the discussion about pesticide usage in agriculture.
Uncertainties in the value and opportunity costs of pollination services
Authors: Magrach Ainhoa , Champetier Antoine , Krishnan Smitha , Boreux Virginie , Ghazoul Jaboury 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Pollination is an ecosystem service that directly contributes to agricultural production, and can therefore provide a strong incentive to conserve natural habitats that support pollinator populations. However, we have yet to provide consistent and convincing pollination service valuations to effectively slow the conversion of natural habitats.

We use coffee in Kodagu, India, to illustrate the uncertainties involved in estimating costs and benefits of pollination services. First, we fully account for the benefits obtained by coffee agroforests that are attributable to pollination from wild bees nesting in forest habitats. Second, we compare these benefits to the opportunity cost of conserving forest habitats and forgoing conversion to coffee production. Throughout, we systematically quantify the uncertainties in our accounting exercise and identify the parameters that contribute most to uncertainty in pollination service valuation.

We find the value of pollination services provided by one hectare of forest to be 25% lower than the profits obtained from converting that same surface to coffee production using average values for all parameters. However, our results show this value is not robust to moderate uncertainty in parameter values, particularly that driven by variability in pollinator density.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings emphasize the need to develop robust estimates of both value and opportunity costs of pollination services that take into account landscape and management variables. Our analysis contributes to strengthening pollination service arguments used to help stakeholders make informed decisions on land use and conservation practices.
Metabolomics revealed decreased level of omega‐3 PUFA‐derived protective eicosanoids in pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Liu Yantao , Zu Lingjie , Cai Wenbin , Cheng Qian , Hua Tong , Peng Liyuan , Li Gang , Zhang Xu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPre‐eclampsia (PE) is considered a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in pregnant women worldwide. Eicosanoids derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might play an important role in the occurrence and development of PE. Omega‐3 PUFAs are nutrients that are popular supplements for pregnant women and can reduce blood pressure. However, the levels of eicosanoids derived from omega‐3 PUFAs in women with PE is not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the eicosanoid metabolic signature of PE. We performed a case–control study using data for pregnant women (n = 10) with PE and normotensive pregnant women (n = 10). We investigated the difference in eicosanoid profile between the groups by LC‐MS/MS‐based metabolomics. The plasma levels of arachidonic acid metabolites and some of the lipoxygenase metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed an increasing trend, and those of the cytochrome P450 metabolites of EPA and DHA were decreased in women with PE. Levels of leukotriene B4, 14,15‐dihydroxy‐eicosatetraenoate, 16‐hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid and 8,9‐epoxy eicosatetraenoic acid were significantly correlated with PE occurrence. These eicosanoids might take part in the progression of PE in pregnant women.
Climate migrants’ survival threatened by “C” shaped anthropic barriers
Authors: BUTIKOFER Luca , JI Weihong , SACCHI Roberto , MANGIACOTTI Marco 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDespite studies on range shifts being abundant, the problem of dispersal barriers limiting climate migrants’ movement is yet to be fully included into any modeling framework. For this reason, we introduce a novel concept whereby the interplay of range shifts and dispersal barriers of a particular spatial configuration can threaten the persistence of populations under a climate change scenario. We named this concept “C‐trap,” based on the topographic shape of such barriers. After elaborating on the theoretical features of C‐traps, we provide a simple method that combines environmental data and future climate projections to locate them spatially. We use this method to determine where high C‐trap densities have the potential to further threaten the conservation of endangered, endemic animals across the world's terrestrial realm, in a climate change scenario. Our methodology detected potential C‐traps for the study system, with areas of high density mostly located in east Europe, south Asia and North America. However, finer‐scale analyses are required to assess the magnitude of the threat locally. Dispersal barriers add an additional dimension to range shift studies and can ultimately prevent otherwise successful climate migrants from tracking their climatic niche. The methodology presented here is simple and flexible enough to be adapted to a wide range of taxa and locations as well as the fast development of range shift modeling. Therefore, we encourage researchers to include the effects of anthropogenic dispersal barriers in range shifts models and in the planning of effective conservation strategies with reference to climate change.
Interactions between rodents and weeds in a lowland rice agro‐ecosystem: the need for an integrated approach to management
Authors: HTWE Nyo Me , SINGLETON Grant R. , JOHNSON David E. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRodents and weeds are important pests to rice crops in Southeast Asia. The interaction between these 2 major pests is poorly documented. In temperate cereal systems, seeds of grass weeds can be an important food source for rodents and weed cover along crop margins provides important refuge for rodents. In 2012 and 2013, a replicated study (n = 4) in Bago, Myanmar compared 4 treatments (rodents and weeds; no rodents and weeds; rodents and no weeds; no rodents and no weeds) each of 0.25 ha in transplanted rice. Weeds were managed with hand weeding in the wet season, and hand weeding and herbicides in the dry season. Plastic fences were installed to exclude rodents. We examined the weed cover and relative abundance of weed species, rodent damage, rodent population dynamics and rice yield loss caused by rodents and weeds. The dominant rodent species was Bandicota bengalensis. In the dry season, Cyperus difformis was dominant at the tillering stage and Echinochloa crus‐galli was the dominant weed species at the booting stage. In the wet season E. crus‐galli was a dominant weed throughout the season. Damage by rodents was higher in the dry season. There were larger economic benefits for best weed management and effective rodent control in the dry season (258 US$/ha) than in the wet season (30 US$/ha). Concurrent control of weeds in and around rice fields combined with coordinated community trapping of rodents during the early tillering stage and ripening stage of rice are recommended management options.
Genome analyses of the new model protist Euplotes vannus focusing on genome rearrangement and resistance to environmental stressors
Authors: Chen Xiao , Jiang Yaohan , Gao Feng , Zheng Weibo , Krock Timothy J. , Stover Naomi A. , Lu Chao , Katz Laura A. , Song Weibo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAs a model organism for studies of cell and environmental biology, the free‐living and cosmopolitan ciliate Euplotes vannus shows intriguing features like dual genome architecture (i.e., separate germline and somatic nuclei in each cell/organism), “gene‐sized” chromosomes, stop codon reassignment, programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) and strong resistance to environmental stressors. However, the molecular mechanisms that account for these remarkable traits remain largely unknown. Here we report a combined analysis of de novo assembled high‐quality macronuclear (MAC; i.e., somatic) and partial micronuclear (MIC; i.e., germline) genome sequences for E. vannus, and transcriptome profiling data under varying conditions. The results demonstrate that: (a) the MAC genome contains more than 25,000 complete “gene‐sized” nanochromosomes (~85 Mb haploid genome size) with the N50 ~2.7 kb; (b) although there is a high frequency of frameshifting at stop codons UAA and UAG, we did not observe impaired transcript abundance as a result of PRF in this species as has been reported for other euplotids; (c) the sequence motif 5′‐TA‐3′ is conserved at nearly all internally‐eliminated sequence (IES) boundaries in the MIC genome, and chromosome breakage sites (CBSs) are duplicated and retained in the MAC genome; (d) by profiling the weighted correlation network of genes in the MAC under different environmental stressors, including nutrient scarcity, extreme temperature, salinity and the presence of ammonia, we identified gene clusters that respond to these external physical or chemical stimulations, and (e) we observed a dramatic increase in HSP70 gene transcription under salinity and chemical stresses but surprisingly, not under temperature changes; we link this temperature‐resistance to the evolved loss of temperature stress‐sensitive elements in regulatory regions. Together with the genome resources generated in this study, which are available online at Euplotes vannus Genome Database (http://evan.ciliate.org), these data provide molecular evidence for understanding the unique biology of highly adaptable microorganisms.
Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis by ultrasound radiofrequency data technology in patients with Behçet's disease
Authors: Ozisler Cem , Kaplanoglu Hatice 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimWe aimed to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis based on carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and arterial stiffness measurements in patients with Behçet's disease (BD), using ultrasound (US) radiofrequency (RF) data technology.MethodsWe included 33 BD patients and 33 healthy controls in this study. The participants did not have any primary cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity. All participants were evaluated using Doppler ultrasonography. Arterial stiffness and CIMT measurements were performed in bilateral common carotid arteries using the US RF data technology.ResultsThe right, left and mean CIMT values were similar between the patient and control groups (P > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference in the right side α and β stiffness indices despite higher values in the patient group (P > 0.05). The right, left and mean distensibility coefficient (DC) and compliance coefficient (CC) values of the patient group were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The left and mean α‐ and β‐stiffness indices, and the right, left and mean pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were significantly higher in the patient group (P < 0.05). We found higher mean CIMT and PWV values, and α‐ and β‐stiffness indices in patients with mucocutaneous involvement compared with those with major organ involvement, while the mean DC and CC values were lower in the former. However, these results did not reach a statistically significant level.ConclusionThis study demonstrated evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis in BD in the absence of major atherosclerotic risk factors.
Waiting for ICU admission may increase the risk of death—A plea for better resource organization
Authors: Castro Sílvia , Jesus Pereira Isabel , Dias Cláudia Camila , Granja Cristina 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundMortality is high in critically ill patients. In order to study the risk factors associated with mortality in these patients, we conducted an observational retrospective study in the general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Faro Hospital.MethodsAll patients discharged from the general ICU in the year 2015 were evaluated for inclusion. Mortality was characterized in the first 48 hours of ICU stay, at the time of discharge from ICU, and at discharge from hospital. Collected variables included demographic variables (age), and ICU variables: type of ICU admission (scheduled surgery, urgent surgery, medical and trauma), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II), main diagnosis, hospital length of stay (HLS) before ICU (BICULS), in ICU (ICULS) and after ICU (AICULS).ResultsWhen comparing survivors with non‐survivors, we found that age, disease severity expressed by SAPS II and BICULS were significantly higher in non‐survivors. After multivariate regression analysis, BICULS was still significantly associated with mortality in the hospital.ConclusionFurther studies are needed to characterize whether this longer BICULS is related to non‐modifiable prior conditions or whether it is related to delayed ICU admission, which is a modifiable factor.
Critical Evaluation of the Association Between Elevated Mean Corpuscular Volume and Alcohol‐Related Traffic Accidents: A Retrospective Study on 6244 Car Crash Cases
Authors: Porpiglia Nadia M. , Bortolotti Federica , Dorizzi Romolo M. , Micciolo Rocco , Tagliaro Franco 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundErythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been used for decades as a biomarker of chronic alcohol abuse and in the treatment of alcohol dependence. More recently, it has also been adopted to investigate the fitness of subjects to hold the driving license to prevent traffic accidents. So far, however, the studies on the association of MCV with an increased risk of alcohol‐associated car accidents are extremely scarce, if not totally absent. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first specifically aimed at studying a plausible association between elevated MCV and crash accidents correlated with alcohol abuse.MethodsA total of 6,244 drivers involved in traffic accidents underwent mandatory laboratory analyses including blood alcohol concentration (BAC) determination and MCV analysis. BAC and MCV determinations were performed by headspace gas chromatography and complete blood count, respectively.ResultsThe chi‐square test evaluating the proportions of subjects with elevated MCVs (>95 fl) yielded a highly significant result (χ2 = 68.0; p < 0.001) in the blood samples where the BAC was above the legal limit (i.e., >0.5 g/l). However, when considering only drivers showing BACs in the range of 0.51 to 1.5 g/l, the frequencies of elevated MCV values are fairly comparable (χ2 = 0.062, p = 0.80). In contrast, limiting the evaluation to BACs > 1.5 g/l, the frequency of elevated MCVs raised to 19.1% (χ2 = 58.9, p value < 0.001 vs. the group with BAC within the legal limits).ConclusionsThe present observations show that MCV increases are typically associated with drivers involved in accidents only if driving under severe alcohol intoxication, leading to a preliminary conclusion that, in the context of the certification of the fitness to the driving license, MCV fails to reveal individuals at risk who tend to drive in a condition of low‐to‐moderate alcohol intoxication.
Assessing the cutting efficiency of different burs on zirconia substrate
Authors: Peters Ove A. , Du Daniel , Ho Mei Ying , Chu Rick , Moule Alex 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCutting dental zirconia for endodontic access preparation is difficult. Therefore, this study aimed to determine cutting efficiency of various burs when cutting this material. An air turbine handpiece was used in a customised test rig to cut sintered zirconia specimens, using a conventional blue band diamond, two different zirconia‐cutting diamond and a zirconia‐cutting tungsten carbide bur. Position and speed of the bur were continuously determined using wireless data acquisition over two successive five‐minute runs. Differences in cutting efficiency were statistically analysed. Burs were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All diamond burs cut zirconia more efficiently than the tungsten carbide bur. Overall, all burs showed decreasing cutting efficiency over time. SEM images showed discernible wear and damage to the cutting portion of each bur head. It is concluded that zirconia‐cutting burs are advantageous regarding durability, and carbide burs are rather ineffective against carbide substrate.
The Patient Needs in Asthma Treatment (NEAT) questionnaire: Further evidence on its psychometric properties
Authors: Schreitmüller Julia , Apfelbacher Christian , Sheikh Aziz , Loerbroks Adrian 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundBuilding on previous psychometric work, we sought to assess the Patient Needs in Asthma Treatment (NEAT) questionnaire's validity, responsiveness to change, and the minimal important change (MIC) over a 3‐year period (Study 1) and its reliability and the smallest detectable change (SDC) in a test‐retest study (Study 2) among patients self‐reporting physician‐diagnosed asthma.MethodsIn Study 1, a total of 207 patients completed a survey which included the NEAT, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Sydney (AQLQ‐S), and a question on treatment satisfaction in 2014 and 2017. In Study 2, a total of 78 patients completed NEAT twice on average four weeks apart in 2018.ResultsConcurrent validity: In linear regressions, unmet patient needs were cross‐sectionally associated with poorer asthma control (β = −0.21; P = 0.01), asthma‐related quality of life (QoL) (β = 0.31; P < 0.01), and treatment satisfaction (β = −0.59; P < 0.01). Predictive Validity: Higher unmet needs at baseline predicted worse treatment satisfaction at follow‐up (β = −0.28; P < 0.01), but neither asthma control nor asthma‐related QoL. Responsiveness to change was demonstrated by linear regressions of changes in the total NEAT score and changes in AQLQ‐S (β = 0.21; P < 0.01) and treatment satisfaction (β = −0.36; P < 0.01). MIC: Patients whose NEAT score increased between baseline and follow‐up by the identified MIC (0.301) reported lower treatment satisfaction at follow‐up (β = −0.17; P = 0.01). Test‐retest reliability was demonstrated by correlations between NEAT baseline and follow‐up scores (eg, intra‐class correlation coefficients for total score = 0.78). The SDC (0.384) was slightly larger than MIC.ConclusionNEAT is a promising tool for assessing asthma treatment needs.