bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stable isotopes reveal limited Eltonian niche conservatism across carnivore populations
Authors: Manlick Philip J. , Petersen Shelby M. , Moriarty Katie M. , Pauli Jonathan N. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Niche conservatism—the retention of ecological traits across space and time—is an emerging topic of interest because it can predict responses to global change. The conservation of Grinnellian niche characteristics, like species‐habitat associations, has received widespread attention, but the conservation of Eltonian traits such as consumer–resource interactions remains poorly understood.

The inability to quantify Eltonian niches through space and time has historically limited the assessment of Eltonian niche conservatism and the dynamics of foraging across populations. Consequently, the relative influence of endogenous factors like phylogeny versus exogenous features like environmental context has rarely been addressed.

We tested Eltonian niche conservatism using a paired design to compare foraging among four populations of American martens Martes americana and Pacific martens Martes caurina, morphologically and ecologically similar sister taxa that are allopatrically distributed throughout western North America. We developed a three‐stage isotopic framework and then quantified dietary niche overlap between the sister species and paired island‐mainland sites to assess the relative influence of endogenous (i.e., species) versus exogenous (i.e., environment) factors on Eltonian niches. First, we calculated pairwise dietary overlap in scaled δ‐space using standard ellipses. We then estimated proportional diets (“p‐space”) for individuals using isotopic mixing models and developed a novel utilization distribution overlap approach to quantify proportional dietary overlap. Lastly, we estimated population‐level proportional diets and quantified the differential use of functional prey groups across sites.

We detected no pairwise overlap of dietary niches in δ‐space, and distributions of individual diets in p‐space revealed little overlap in core diets across populations. All pairwise comparisons of individuals revealed significant differences in diet, and population‐level comparisons detected contrasting use of functional prey groups.

We developed a multi‐faceted isotopic framework to quantify Eltonian niches and found limited evidence of Eltonian niche conservatism across carnivore populations. Our findings are consistent with the growing recognition of dietary plasticity in consumers and suggest that consumer–resource dynamics are largely driven by exogenous environmental factors like land cover and community composition. These results illustrate the context‐dependent nature of foraging and indicate consumer functionality can be dynamic.

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Causes and mechanisms of synchronous succession trajectories in primeval Central European mixed Fagus sylvatica forests
Authors: Rey Fabian , Gobet Erika , Schwörer Christoph , Wey Othmar , Hafner Albert , Tinner Willy 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Natural succession trajectories of Central European forest ecosystems are poorly understood due to the absence of long‐term observations and the pervasive effects of past human impacts on today's vegetation communities. This knowledge gap is significant given that currently forest ecosystems are expanding in Europe as a consequence of global change.

Annually laminated sediments were extracted from two small lowland lakes (Moossee 521 m a.s.l.; Burgäschisee 465 m a.s.l.) on the Swiss Plateau. We combine high‐resolution palaeoecological and quantitative analyses to assess changes in vegetation during the Neolithic. We test for regionally synchronous land‐use phases and plant successional patterns that may originate from complex interactions between human and climatic impacts.

Mixed Fagus sylvatica forests dominated the Swiss Plateau vegetation over millennia. During the period 6,500–4,200 cal year bp, pronounced forest disruptions accompanied by increased fire and agricultural activities occurred at c. 6,400–6,000 cal year bp, 5,750–5,550 cal year bp, around 5,400 cal year bp and at 5,100–4,600 cal year bp. Biodiversity increased during these land‐use phases, likely in response to the creation of new open habitats. After decades to centuries of land‐use, arboreal vegetation re‐expanded. In a first succession stage, heliophilous Corylus avellana shrubs were replaced by pioneer Betula trees. These open arboreal communities were out‐competed within 150–200 years by late‐successional F. sylvatica and Abies alba forests. Most strikingly, cross‐correlations show that these successions occurred synchronously (±11 years) and repeatedly over large areas (>1,000 km2) and millennia.

Synthesis. First notable human impact shaped the primeval mixed Fagus sylvatica forests in Central Europe from c. 6,800–6,500 cal year bp on. Agrarian societies were susceptible to climate changes and we hypothesize that climate‐induced, simultaneous agricultural expansion and contraction phases resulted in synchronous regional forest successions. Currently, forests are expanding in Central Europe as a result of land abandonment in marginal areas. Our results imply that mixed Fagus sylvatica forests with Abies alba and Quercus may re‐expand rapidly in these areas, if climate conditions will remain within the range of the mid‐Holocene climatic variability (with summers c. +1–2°C warmer than today).
Maternal anaemia and maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes in a prospective cohort study in India and Pakistan
Authors: Parks S , Hoffman MK , Goudar SS , Patel A , Saleem S , Ali SA , Goldenberg RL , Hibberd PL , Moore J , Wallace D , McClure EM , Derman RJ 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveTo describe the association of maternal anaemia with maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingRural India and Pakistan.PopulationPregnant women residing in the study catchment area.MethodsWe performed an analysis of a prospective pregnancy registry in which haemoglobin is commonly obtained as well as maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes for 42 days post‐delivery. Women 40 years or older who delivered before 20 weeks or had a haemoglobin level of <3.0 g/dl were excluded. Our primary exposure was maternal anaemia, which was categorised in keeping with World Health Organization criteria based on a normal (≥11 g/dl), mild (>10–10.9 g/dl), moderate (7–9.9 g/dl) or severe (<7 g/dl). haemoglobin level. The primary maternal outcome was maternal death, the primary fetal outcome was stillbirth, and the primary neonatal outcome was neonatal mortality <28 days.ResultsA total of 92 247 deliveries and 93 107 infants were included, of which 87.8% were born to mothers who were anaemic (mild 37.9%, moderate 49.1%, and severe 0.7%). Maternal mortality (number per 100 000) was not associated with anaemia: normal 124, mild 106, moderate 135, and severe 325 (P = 0.64). Fetal and neonatal mortality was associated with severe anaemia: stillbirth rate (n/1000)—normal 27.7, mild 25.8, moderate 30.1, and severe 90.9; P < 0.0001; 28‐day neonatal mortality (n/1000)—normal 24.7, mild 22.9, moderate 28.1, and severe 72.6 (P < 0.0001). Severe maternal anaemia was also associated with low birthweight (<2500 and <1500 g), preterm birth, and postpartum haemorrhage.ConclusionSevere maternal anaemia is associated with higher risks of poor maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes but other degrees of anaemia are not. Interventions directed at preventing severe anaemia in pregnant women should be considered.Tweetable abstractSevere maternal anaemia is associated with adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes in low/middle‐income countries.
Genomic sequence capture of haemosporidian parasites: Methods and prospects for enhanced study of host–parasite evolution
Authors: Barrow Lisa N. , Allen Julie M. , Huang Xi , Bensch Staffan , Witt Christopher C. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAvian malaria and related haemosporidians (Plasmodium, [Para]Haemoproteus and Leucocytoozoon) represent an exciting multihost, multiparasite system in ecology and evolution. Global research in this field accelerated after the publication in 2000 of PCR protocols to sequence a haemosporidian mitochondrial (mtDNA) barcode and the development in 2009 of an open‐access database to document the geographic and host ranges of parasite mtDNA haplotypes. Isolating haemosporidian nuclear DNA from bird hosts, however, has been technically challenging, slowing the transition to genomic‐scale sequencing techniques. We extend a recently developed sequence capture method to obtain hundreds of haemosporidian nuclear loci from wild bird samples, which typically have low levels of infection, or parasitemia. We tested 51 infected birds from Peru and New Mexico and evaluated locus recovery in light of variation in parasitemia, divergence from reference sequences and pooling strategies. Our method was successful for samples with parasitemia as low as ~0.02% (2 of 10,000 blood cells infected) and mtDNA divergence as high as 15.9% (one Leucocytozoonsample), and using the most cost‐effective pooling strategy tested. Phylogenetic relationships estimated with >300 nuclear loci were well resolved, providing substantial improvement over the mtDNA barcode. We provide protocols for sample preparation and sequence capture including custom probe sequences and describe our bioinformatics pipeline using atram 2.0, phyluce and custom Perl/Python scripts. This approach can be applied to thousands of avian samples that have already been found to have haemosporidian infections of at least moderate intensity, greatly improving our understanding of parasite speciation, biogeography and evolutionary dynamics.
Signal transmission at invaginating cone photoreceptor synaptic contacts following deletion of the presynaptic cytomatrix protein Bassoon in mouse retina
Authors: Babai Norbert , Gierke Kaspar , Müller Tanja , Regus‐Leidig Hanna , Brandstätter Johann H. , Feigenspan Andreas 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimA key feature of the mammalian retina is the segregation of visual information in parallel pathways, starting at the photoreceptor terminals. Cone photoreceptors establish synaptic contacts with On bipolar and horizontal cells at invaginating, ribbon‐containing synaptic sites, whereas Off bipolar cells form flat, non‐ribbon‐containing contacts. The cytomatrix protein Bassoon anchors ribbons at the active zone, and its absence induces detachment of ribbons from the active zone. In this study we investigate the impact of a missing Bassoon on synaptic transmission at the first synapse of the visual system.MethodsRelease properties of cone photoreceptors were studied in wild‐type and mutant mouse retinae with a genetic disruption of the presynaptic cytomatrix protein Bassoon using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings. Light and electron microscopy revealed the distribution of Ca2+ channels and synaptic vesicles, respectively, in both mouse lines.ResultsWhole‐cell recordings from postsynaptic horizontal cells of the two mouse lines showed that the presence of Bassoon (and a ribbon) enhanced the rate of exocytosis during tonic and evoked release by increasing synaptic vesicle pool size and replenishment rate, while at the same time slowing synaptic vesicle release. Furthermore, the number of Cav1.4 channels and synaptic vesicles was significantly higher at wild‐type than at Bassoon mutant synaptic sites.ConclusionThe results of our study demonstrate that glutamate release from cone photoreceptor terminals can occur independent of a synaptic ribbon, but seems restricted to active zones, and they show the importance of a the synaptic ribbon in sustained and spatially and temporally synchronized neurotransmitter release.
The survival of pathogenic bacteria and plant growth promoting bacteria during mesophilic anaerobic digestion in full‐scale biogas plants
Authors: Qi Guangdou , Pan Zhifei , Yamamoto Yuki , Andriamanohiarisoamanana Fetra Jules , Yamashiro Takaki , Iwasaki Masahiro , Ihara Ikko , Tangtaweewipat Suchon , Umetsu Kazutaka 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe introduction of biogas plants is a promising way to recycle organic wastes with renewable energy production and reducing greenhouse gas. Application of anaerobic digestate as a fertilizer reduces the consumption of chemical fertilizers. In this study, the survival of pathogenic bacteria and plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) in two full‐scale biogas plants operated at mesophilic condition were investigated. Feedstock and anaerobic digestate samples were collected from biogas plants and bacteria load in samples were detected using standard dilution plate method. Pathogenic bacteria were reduced to not detected level through mesophilic digestion tank except for Campylobacter. However, it could be reduced by 98.7% through a sterilization tank. Bacillus was detected at 8.00 and 7.81 log10 CFU/g dry matter in anaerobic digestates, and it was also resistant to sterilization tank. Bacillus spp. is considered to be the safe bacteria that hold remarkable abilities for promoting plant growth. The results showed that treatment at biogas plants is effective to reduce pathogenic bacteria in dairy manure, and sterilization could further reduce the sanitary risks of pathogenic bacteria relating to anaerobic digestate application. Anaerobic digestates could also be utilized as bio‐fertilizer as the high load of plant growth promoting bacteria.
Evaluation of standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement for 8–20 kg pigs fed low crude protein diets
Authors: Zhou Hua , Chen Daiwen , Mao Xiangbing , He Jun , Yu Jie , Zheng Ping , Luo Junqiu , Gao Jun , Htoo John Khun , Yu Bing 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys) requirement for weaned pigs fed with low crude protein (CP) diet. In Experiment 1, 144 pigs were fed a normal CP (20%) diet with 12.3 g/kg SID Lys and five low CP (18.5%) diets providing SID Lys levels of 9.8, 11.1, 12.3, 13.5, and 14.8 g/kg, respectively, for 28 days. Reducing dietary CP from 20% to 18.5% enhanced (p < 0.05) the growth performance. The average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased (linear and quadratic; p < 0.05), serum urea nitrogen (SUN) decreased (linear and quadratic; p < 0.05) as SID Lys increased. The SID Lys levels required to maximize ADG and optimize G:F were 12.8 and 13.1 g/kg using a curvilinear plateau model, and to minimize SUN was 13.4 g/kg using a two‐slope broken‐line model, which averaged 13.1 g/kg SID Lys. In Experiment 2, 18 pigs were used in a 12‐day N balance trial and received the same diets of Experiment 1. Total N excretion was decreased when dietary CP reduced and further decreased when SID Lys increased. Collectively, 1.5% dietary CP reduction improved the growth performance and decreased the N excretion; the optimal SID Lys requirement was at 13.1 g/kg of 8–20 kg pigs fed with 18.5% CP diet.
Effects of substituting kraft pulp with corn silage on dry matter intake, ruminal mat formation, rumen fermentation, and rumination activity in non‐lactating cows
Authors: Izumi Kenichi , Tamura Tatuya , Fujii Ryoya , Nakatsuji Hiroki , Morita Shigeru 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe present study examined the effects of substituting kraft pulp (KP) with corn silage (CS) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal mat and rumen fermentation characteristics, and rumination. Four non‐lactating, rumen‐cannulated Holstein cows were fed a CS diet comprising 36% grass silage (GS) and 64% CS or a KP diet comprising 36% GS, 57% KP, and 7% soybean meal. DMI was significantly lower in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.05), whereas rumination time did not significantly differ between the treatments. Dry matter content in the rumen immediately before and 3 h after feeding was significantly higher in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.05). The consistency and thickness of the ruminal mat did not significantly differ between the treatments. The ruminal mean retention time of feed particles tended to be longer in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.10). The ruminal digestion rate of KP was comparable to that of GS and CS. Because ruminal mat was formed and rumination was stimulated, KP was considered to have the equivalent physical effectiveness as CS.
Examining engagement and achievement in learners with individual needs through robotic‐based teaching sessions
Authors: Hughes‐Roberts Thomas , Brown David , Standen Penny , Desideri Lorenzo , Negrini Marco , Rouame Aziz , Malavasi Massimiliano , Wager George , Hasson Conor 
Published: December 2018

AbstractResearch suggests that robotics can provide an engaging learning experience for learners with special educational needs. However, further work is required to explore the impact of robots within the classroom, particularly for learners with intellectual disabilities (ID). This paper seeks to further explore the potential effects of robots on such learners through examining engagement and goal achievement within teaching sessions. Eleven participants with ID were recruited from two countries to take part in the study using an ABAB design where the participants acted as their own controls. An appropriate learning goal for each participant was selected by the teacher and equivalent control sessions designed seeking to achieve the same learning goal but without the robot. Engagement, using eye‐gaze, learning goal achievement with and without help and goals not achieved provided the outcome measures from the sessions. This study found no significant difference between the robot and the control sessions for any of the outcome measures utilized suggesting robots are as effective as teaching tools as traditional methods. Through an increased sample size and a rigorously applied experimental protocol, this study provides new data and methodological considerations for further work based on the techniques applied in this study.
Practitioner NotesWhat we already know about this topic

Robots can encourage engagement in the learning process for students with intellectual disabilities.
There is a lack of work examining the potential use of robots within formal learning.
There is a lack of work utilizing experimental protocols to study the use of robots.
What this paper adds

Knowledge of the impact of robots on learner engagement using eye‐gaze as an outcome measure.
Knowledge of the impact of robots on goal achievement in pursuit of structured learning objectives.
Knowledge of the experimental protocol and suggestions for refinement of the outcome measures in future trials.
Implications for practice and/or policy

Robots can be as effective as traditional teaching methods in promoting engagement in learning for students with intellectual disabilities.
Robots can be as effective as traditional teaching methods in the pursuit of learning goals for students with intellectual disabilities.
The effect of robots on learning appears to be variable depending on individual learner characteristics.
Movement segmentation and visual perturbation increase developmental differences in motor control and learning
Authors: Wu Jiamin , Chan John S. Y. , Yan Jin H. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe examined the developmental differences in motor control and learning of a two‐segment movement. One hundred and five participants (53 female) were divided into three age groups (7–8 years, 9–10 years and 19–27 years). They performed a two‐segment movement task in four conditions (full vision, fully disturbed vision, disturbed vision in the first movement segment and disturbed vision in the second movement segment). The results for movement accuracy and overall movement time show that children, especially younger children, are more susceptible to visual perturbations than adults. The adults’ movement time in one of the movement segments could be increased by disturbing the vision of the other movement segment. The children's movement time for the second movement segment increased when their vision of the first movement segment was disturbed. Disturbing the vision of the first movement segment decreased the percentage of central control of the second movement in younger children, but not in the other two age groups. The children's normalized jerk was more easily increased by visual perturbations. The children showed greater improvement after practice in the conditions of partial vision disturbance. As the participants’ age increased, practice tended to improve their feedforward motor control rather than their feedback motor control. These results suggest that children's central movement control improves with age and practice. We discuss the theoretical implications and practical significance of the differential effects of visual perturbation and movement segmentation upon motor control and learning from a developmental viewpoint.
Talking about proportion: Fraction labels impact numerical interference in non‐symbolic proportional reasoning
Authors: Hurst Michelle A. , Cordes Sara 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAcross two experiments, we investigated how verbal labels impact the way young children attend to proportional information, well before the introduction of formal fraction education. Five‐ to seven‐year‐old children were introduced to equivalent non‐symbolic proportions labeled in one of three ways: (a) a single, categorical label for multiple fractions (both 3/4 and 6/8 referred to as “blick”), (b) labels that focused on the numerator [e.g., 3/4 labeled as “three blicks” (Experiment 1) or “three‐fourths” (Experiment 2)], or (c) labels that had a complete part‐whole structure (“three‐out‐of‐four”). Children then completed measures of non‐symbolic proportional reasoning that pitted whole‐number information against proportional information for novel proportions. Across both experiments, children who heard the categorical labels were more likely to match non‐symbolic displays based on proportion than children in any of the other conditions, who demonstrated higher levels of numerical interference. These findings suggest that fraction labels have the potential to shape children's attention to proportional information even in the context of non‐symbolic part‐whole displays and for children who are not familiar with formal fraction symbols. We discuss these findings in terms of children's developing understanding of proportional reasoning and its implications for fraction education.