bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drip heterogeneity and the impact of decreased flow rates on the vadose zone fauna in Ciur‐Izbuc Cave, NW Romania
Authors: Moldovan Oana Teodora , Constantin Silviu , Cheval Sorin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to better understand the unsaturated zone of a karst massif habitat for aquatic fauna by defining patterns of cave drip flow rates. Dripping was logged over a period of 4 years at three points inside Ciur‐Izbuc Cave (north‐western Romania). Drip rates have been analysed at different scales and also compared with rainfall. The results show the individual behaviour of drips on daily, monthly, and yearly timescales and no significant correlations between the three drip points or between them and rainfall. Yearly differences are statistically significant, showing large changes in drip behaviour over the study period. The results point to two different aspects of the water flow through the vadose zone: (a) a space and time heterogeneity raising questions about related stress for the groundwater invertebrates inhabiting this zone and (b) relative uniformity given by signals at certain time intervals that explain species diversity preservation in such a heterogeneous environment. Conservation concerns, and the need for long‐term monitoring of fauna and hydrological processes, are stressed.
Response of herbaceous wetland plant species to changing precipitation regimes
Authors: Didiano Teresa J. , Johnson Marc T.J. , Duval Tim P. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe structure of wetland plant communities is sensitive to patterns of precipitation. In some regions, climate change is expected to result in more large‐magnitude, infrequent precipitation events. Typically, the response of wetland plants to changing precipitation regimes is studied under alterations in the amount of precipitation (drought), rather than event frequency. Here, we seek to understand how changes in rainfall frequency affect (a) soil moisture variability, (b) plant performance, and (c) plant C and N concentrations. We conducted a greenhouse study using eight herbaceous plant species (three eudicots, five monocots) subject to three precipitation treatments: (a) 80 mm per month distributed in equal volumes every 3 days (control treatment), (b) 80 mm per month distributed every 15 days (infrequent treatment), and (c) 110 mm per month distributed every 15 days (large magnitude‐infrequent treatment). Infrequent treatments decreased soil moisture by >60% compared with the control. Rainfall frequency affected soil moisture losses to evapotranspiration, which differed between early‐ and late‐growing seasons. This soil moisture stress in the infrequent treatments contributed to a 10–49% decrease in biomass among all eudicot species and a 25–54% decrease in two monocots. In contrast, changes in C and N concentration were limited to two forb species. Our results show that changes in precipitation frequency can strongly impact some wetland species. For some impacted species increased magnitude can alleviate the negative effects of infrequent rainfall. These results provide insight into how forecasted changes in the frequency and magnitude of precipitation may affect wetland plant species.
Application of Bayesian robust design model to assess the impacts of a hurricane on shorebird demography
Authors: Gibson Daniel , Riecke Thomas V. , Keyes Tim , Depkin Chris , Fraser James , Catlin Daniel H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe increasing use of Bayesian inference in population demography requires rapid advancements in modeling frameworks to approach the rigor and flexibility of the current suite of maximum‐likelihood models. We developed an unbiased, Jolly–Seber robust design (JSRD) model that is both accessible and generalizable in a Bayesian hierarchical multistate framework. We integrated band and age‐classification data to estimate site entry, temporary emigration, and apparent survival rates, as well as estimate age‐class specific abundances. The complete model parameterization is provided in the Appendix S1, as well as tools for simulating capture histories and an assessment of model fit. We applied this model to determine whether these demographic processes in non‐breeding population of American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) were affected by a major hurricane event (Hurricane Matthew) in coastal Georgia. The JSRD model was demonstrably unbiased at relatively small sample sizes, and the majority of parameters were identifiable in the fully saturated model parameterization. In the model application, we found that Hurricane Matthew temporarily altered local population abundances of American oystercatchers through increased movements of individuals into and out of the observable population, but mortality rates were largely unaffected. Together, our results suggest that American oystercatchers were largely able to avoid the immediate demographic consequences (i.e., reduced survival) of Hurricane Matthew. Integrating age and band ratios from survey data allowed for more descriptive and potentially less biased estimates of age‐specific abundance, relative to estimates generated solely from either mark–resight or survey data.
Mammalian responses to changed forest conditions resulting from bark beetle outbreaks in the southern Rocky Mountains
Authors: Ivan Jacob S. , Seglund Amy E. , Truex Richard L. , Newkirk Eric S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSpruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks have impacted millions of acres of conifer forest from Alaska to northern Mexico. These species are native to North America, and periodic outbreaks have shaped the structure and composition of conifer forests for millennia. However, the extent and severity of current outbreaks, fueled by favorable climatic conditions and increased susceptibility of forests, are unmatched in recorded history. To characterize the response of a suite of mammalian species to beetle‐induced changes in vegetation in the southern Rocky Mountains, we deployed cameras at 300 randomly selected sites during summer 2013–2014. Selected sites spanned gradients of years elapsed since bark beetle outbreaks (YSO) and severity. We fit single‐season occupancy models to detection/non‐detection data collected for each species to examine a variety of plausible relationships between use of a given stand and YSO, severity, or both. Ungulates exhibited a positive association with bark beetle activity, although the nature of these associations varied by species. Elk (Cervus canadensis) were positively associated with severity, but not YSO; mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) exhibited the opposite relationship. Moose (Alces alces) responded in a quadratic fashion; use of forest stands adjacent to preferred willow habitat peaked 3–7 yr after an outbreak commenced, but only at high severity. Similarly, yellow‐bellied marmot use of impacted stands adjacent to rock outcroppings followed a quadratic trend, but only at high severity. Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) use declined in severely impacted stands, likely as a response to diminished cone crops. Golden‐mantled ground squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) and chipmunks (Neotamias spp.) exhibited a shallow negative relationship with YSO, as did coyotes (Canis latrans). Contrary to our hypotheses, black bears (Ursus americanus), American marten (Martes americana), snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), and porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) did not appear to be substantially influenced by beetle activity. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) use was positively associated with YSO, but overall use declined as severity increased. Note that changes in probability of use described here could reflect changes in abundance, home range size, habitat use, or some combination, and in several cases, there was considerable uncertainty across competing models.
Trends in vital signs for Greater Yellowstone: application of a Wildland Health Index
Authors: Hansen Andrew J. , Phillips Linda 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe Earth's remaining tracts of wildlands are being altered by increased human pressure and climate change. Yet, there is no systematic approach for quantifying change in the ecological condition of wildland ecosystems. This paper applies a Wildland Health Index (WHI) to evaluate trends in ecological vital signs in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Components of the WHI include criteria for judging ecosystem health, vital signs consistent with these criteria, monitoring at spatial scales relevant to the ecosystem, evaluating trends in condition, and communicating with decision makers. The GYE, while large, intact, and with substantial management capacity, is undergoing increasing human pressure and climate change. Thus, assessment of trends in ecological health is needed to prioritize management. We synthesized current knowledge to evaluate trends in stressors and vital signs of ecosystem function, composition, and structure for 1970 to present and forecasted to 2100. Results were summarized in a WHI Scorecard to illustrate trends in the higher level vital signs of interest to policy makers. We found that human population has doubled, and housing density has tripled in the GYE since 1970 and both are projected to double again by 2050. Human development is now estimated to cover 31% of the GYE. Temperature has warmed 0.8°C since 1950 and is projected to increase 2.5–5.3°C by 2100. These changes in land use and climate have reduced snowpack and stream flows, increased stream temperatures, favored pest outbreaks and forest die‐off, fragmented habitat types, expanded invasive species, and reduced native fish populations. Large mammal populations, in contrast, have been increasing in numbers and expanding in range. These trends differ among land allocation types. The WHI Scorecard rated 6 of 9 vital signs as relatively stable or improving in national parks and designated wilderness. On private lands, in contrast, five vital signs were rated as deteriorating. Confidence in our evaluation is not high because of lack of monitoring across the full GYE. While the National Park Service has a rigorous monitoring program, fewer vital signs are tracked on other federal lands and still fewer on private lands. Thus, trends in ecological condition are not evaluated across the entire GYE nor widely reported in the media. We recommend that the WHI approach be systematically applied across the GYE and other large wildland ecosystems in the United States to better inform management to sustain these wildlands.
Spatial distributions and environmental relationships of two species complexes of freshwater atyid shrimps
Authors: Yasser A. Gh. , Sheldon F. , Hughes J. M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractKnowledge of cryptic species distributions and their relationships with environmental factors may be extremely valuable for biodiversity conservation. In freshwater ecosystems, morphologically cryptic species often have different geographic distributions that can overlap to varying extents. The importance of differential species responses to environmental conditions in determining their spatial distributions is, however, unclear. Here, we evaluated the importance of species responses to environmental drivers, in particular the physicochemical factors, in the spatial distributions and environmental relationships of two shrimp species complexes Caridina indistincta Calman, 1926 and Paratya australiensis Kemp, 1917. We analyzed shrimp specimens from 89 sites in 17 catchments across South‐East Queensland by sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) to identify individuals. Furthermore, although there is evidence that morphologically the cryptic species of these shrimps differ very little, we made detailed morphological assessments to combine with molecular data, hoping to be able to distinguish among the species more easily and cheaply for future studies. There were significant morphological differences among the three cryptic species of the C. indistincta species complex, specifically in carapace length (cl), number of dorsal teeth (nDt), number of ventral teeth (nVt), teeth posterior to orbital margin (TPOM), and the calculated ratios A/rl, and rl/cl, while the two lineages of the P. australiensis species complex differed in the number of dorsal teeth (nDt) and the calculated ratios of A/rl, rl/cl, and rh/ch. To determine the importance of species responses in explaining the spatial distribution of cryptic species based on the species‐variables relationships, a redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to summarize these relationships. This ordination analysis showed distinct differences among cryptic species in their correlation with water quality variables and elevation. C. indistincta sp. B and C. indistincta sp. D were significantly associated with elevation and dissolved oxygen range, respectively. As well, P. australiensis lineages 4 and 6 were significantly correlated with elevation and conductivity, respectively. Overall, our results demonstrated the advantage of using analyses of biotic and abiotic variables as a valid approach for defining species responses to abiotic factors in cryptic species of atyid freshwater shrimps.
Decline of a foundation tree species due to invasive insects will trigger net release of soil organic carbon
Authors: Ignace Danielle D. , Fassler Aliza , Bellemare Jesse 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEastern U.S. forests are witnessing an ecologically disruptive decline in one of the region's distinctive foundation tree species, the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadenis). The exotic insect pests hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae, HWA) and elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa) have greatly altered many forest ecosystems previously dominated by this important evergreen conifer. The consequences for ecosystem processes are far reaching because hemlock is often replaced by deciduous tree species, such as black birch (Betula lenta), which have strongly divergent effects on forest floor microenvironments and nutrient cycling. We took advantage of an accidental experiment initiated by patch‐level timber harvesting ~30 yr ago to investigate how the removal of hemlock, and its replacement by deciduous trees, has affected leaf litter characteristics, soil organic layer mass, C:N content, and soil respiration rates. We also contrasted these areas to nearby forest plots where deciduous B. lenta has been dominant for almost a century. The inclusion of healthy, intact hemlock stands in the design, and the close proximity of plots, allowed for a powerful space‐for‐time approach to detect ecosystem changes that are likely to occur across the broader landscape with HWA‐induced hemlock loss in coming years. Three years of data collection from a series of plots in hemlock, young birch, and mature birch stands revealed dramatic differences in soil carbon pools and cycling. Between forests dominated by hemlock vs. mature birch, we saw a significant decrease in soil organic layer mass and in the C:N of the remaining organic material. Although hemlock and young birch stands showed no significant differences in soil respiration rates, mature birch stands had significantly higher soil respiration rates throughout the entire growing season, regardless of wet or dry years. Our results suggest that the carbon pool in the forest floor is likely to mobilize through greater decomposition with a 6.8× decline in soil organic layer C storage as hemlocks are replaced by deciduous trees, leading to a potential net release of ~4.5 tons C per hectare. We conclude that the ramifications of this change for carbon storage could be extensive, but may take decades to manifest.
Glucose lowering and vascular protective effects of cycloset added to GLP‐1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Alatrach Mariam , Agyin Christina , Adams John , Chilton Robert , Triplitt Curtis , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Cersosimo Eugenio 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveTo determine the glucose‐lowering mechanism of action and the effects of a quick‐release bromocriptine‐QR, a D2‐dopamine agonist (Cycloset) on vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Study design and methodsFifteen poorly controlled T2D treated with metformin plus glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) were studied after 4 months of Cycloset, 3.2 mg/d. Subjects received a 5‐hour double‐tracer (iv 3‐3H‐glucose and oral 14C‐glucose) mixed meal test (MMT) to quantitate rates of endogenous glucose production (EGP), oral glucose appearance (RaO) and disappearance (Rd) pre‐ and post‐Cycloset. Vascular assessments included 2‐day continuous BP monitoring, reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and arterial stiffness (AS).ResultsHbA1c decreased from 8.3 ± 0.3% to 7.7 ± 0.2% (P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose did not change (143 ± 4 vs 147 ± 5) and mean plasma glucose during MTT decreased from 223 ± 3 to 210 ± 4 mg/dL (P < 0.05) after Cycloset. Basal EGP (2.2 ± 0.2 vs 2.1 ± 0.2 mg/kg min) was unchanged, but there was greater MMT suppression (1.1 ± 0.1 vs 0.7 ± 0.1, P < 0.05). After Cycloset, RaO declined from 2.0 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.2 mg/kg min and peripheral oral glucose appearance from 53.1 ± 3.2 to 44.4 ± 3.1 g (P < 0.01). There were no changes in plasma insulin or glucagon concentration. Systolic (134 ± 4 vs 126 ± 6), diastolic (78 ± 3 vs 73 ± 4), mean BP (97 ± 5 vs 90 ± 4) and pulse pressure (54 ± 2 vs 51 ± 2 mm Hg) were reduced; RHI increased from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 1.9 ± 0.3 au and AS decreased modestly (19.8 ± 4.1 to 16.2 ± 3.7 au, P = NS).ConclusionsAddition of Cycloset to GLP‐1 RA improved vascular indices and postprandial hyperglycaemia in T2DM primarily by lowering oral glucose appearance, suggesting that hepatic glucose uptake was enhanced. Improved vascular indices may explain the reduction in cardiovascular events observed with Cycloset therapy in patients with T2DM.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in Asia
Authors: Tromp Jasper , Teng Tiew‐Hwa , Tay Wan Ting , Hung Chung Lieh , Narasimhan Calambur , Shimizu Wataru , Park Sang Weon , Liew Houng Bang , Ngarmukos Tachapong , Reyes Eugene B. , Siswanto Bambang B. , Yu Cheuk‐Man , Zhang Shu , Yap Jonathan , MacDonald Michael , Ling Lieng Hsi , Leineweber Kirsten , Richards A. Mark , Zile Michael R. , Anand Inder S. , Lam Carolyn S.P. ,   on behalf of the ASIAN‐HF Investigators
Published: August 2018

BackgroundHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a global public health problem. Unfortunately, little is known about HFpEF across Asia.Methods and resultsWe prospectively studied clinical characteristics, echocardiographic parameters and outcomes in 1204 patients with HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%) from 11 Asian regions, grouped as Northeast Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, n = 543), South Asia (India, n = 252), and Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, n = 409). Mean age was 68 ±12 years (37% were < 65 years) and 50% were women. Seventy per cent of patients had ≥2 co‐morbidities, most commonly hypertension (71%), followed by anaemia (57%), chronic kidney disease (50%), diabetes (45%), coronary artery disease (29%), atrial fibrillation (29%) and obesity (26%). Southeast Asian patients had the highest prevalence of all co‐morbidities except atrial fibrillation, South Asians had the lowest prevalence of all co‐morbidities except anaemia and obesity, and Northeast Asians had more atrial fibrillation. Left ventricular hypertrophy and concentric remodelling were most prominent among Southeast and South Asians, respectively (P < 0.001). Overall, 12.1% of patients died or were hospitalized for heart failure within 1 year. Southeast Asians were at higher risk for adverse outcomes, independent of co‐morbidity burden and cardiac geometry.ConclusionThese first prospective multinational data from Asia show that HFpEF affects relatively young patients with a high burden of co‐morbidities. Regional differences in types of co‐morbidities, cardiac remodelling and outcomes of HFpEF across Asia have important implications for public health measures and global HFpEF trial design.
Optimization of a reduced volume PCR amplification for PowerPlex® Fusion kit using FTA™ cards and generation of population genetic data for Brunei population
Authors: Liew Paul Vun Onn , Riccardi Laura Natalia , Afolabi Abimbola Olatunde , Goodwin William , Hadi Sibte 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe commercial PowerPlex® Fusion kit is an autosomal STR multiplex kit that has high discrimination power and is more informative in forensic, paternity, and relationship‐testing cases. Key features of this multiplex system are the possibility to direct amplify FTA™ card punches as well as non‐FTA cards and commonly used swabs; optimised inhibitor tolerance and high sensitivity generating full profiles from amount as little as 100 pg of human DNA. This study focused on the optimization of performance variables such as FTA™ punch sizes, reduced reaction volumes, and FTA™ purification reagent aiming to increase the analytical sensitivity, decrease the sample consumption, and cost effectiveness. LOD and LOQ values demonstrated high sensitivity of the PowerPlex® Fusion system. In addition, population databases of Brunei Malay and Chinese from the Brunei Darussalam were established, and parameters of forensic importance were calculated. Overall, the forensic parameters indicated an enhanced utility of the PowerPlex® Fusion kit for forensic evidence analysis and paternity testing in Brunei Malay and Chinese populations.
Production of astaxanthin at moderate temperature in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous using a two‐step process
Authors: Liu Shiwen , Liu Bingnan , Wang Han , Xiao Shan , Li Ying , Wang Jihui 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn order to achieve continuous industrial production of astaxanthin in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, a moderate temperature (25–37°C) fermentation process was needed. In this study, a two‐step process with a 20°C pre‐culture for 18 h and a 30°C culture for 30 h was performed to achieve the astaxanthin yields of 116.42 μg g−1 dry cell weight, which was lower than that in the normal process (20°C, 96 h). However, cell yield (YX/S) and product yield (YP/S) showed no significant differences between the two processes, suggesting that moderate temperature did not affect the productivity of astaxanthin. The transcriptional levels of genes involved in astaxanthin synthesis were compared in different culture times and a negative correlation between temperature and expression of carotenogenic genes was found. This work provided a potential method for continuous production of astaxanthin using X. dendrorhous at moderate temperature throughout the year.
Capacity design: Early history
Authors: Fardis Michael N. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe paper documents the little‐known story behind the development of the concept of capacity design and sheds new light regarding the individual contributions, which led to it becoming an important design tool for the control of inelastic response. The basic concept was laid out in the 1961 book by Blume, Newmark, and Corning, Design of Multistory Reinforced Concrete Buildings for Earthquake Motions, with the notable sections written by Mete Sozen; the basic concept was included in the 1967 to 1968 revision of the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) recommendations. John Hollings, a prominent structural designer in New Zealand, quoted the SEAOC recommendations and Blume, Newmark, and Corning when he used these ideas in a design procedure he proposed in 1968 to 1969 for the control of the inelastic response in concrete buildings. The term “capacity design” for that procedure seems to have been coined by a select team of structural designers of New Zealand's public buildings under the leadership of Otto Glogau, who had already introduced the new SEAOC rules in the 1968 New Zealand design code for public buildings. Tom Paulay is credited with publicizing and further development of capacity design as a holistic approach for the control of inelastic response. He was instrumental in disseminating the concept, especially in Europe, and often is called the “father” of capacity design.