bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lifting the Veil of Darkness: Thermal Technology Facilitates Collection of Flight‐Initiation Distances by Night
Authors: Rendall Anthony R. , Plotz Roan D. , Yokochi Kaori , Krauss Joel , Pengelly Aaron , Di Stefano Sam A. , Swindell Sarah , Ranawana Kithsiri , Vidanapathirana Dulan R. , Weston Michael A. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTFlight‐Initiation Distance (FID)—a direct measure of an individual animal's escape response—is a widely used method to study escape ecology in fauna. The technique has primarily been applied to bird species that are active by day. Indexing the escape behaviour of nocturnal species has been limited due to the need for light to detect and observe animals which confounds behavioural responses. We demonstrate the use of existing high‐end thermal technology to facilitate standardised, un‐biased, nocturnal FIDs in small and large, terrestrial and arboreal animals, which feature initial separation (starting) distances which are the same by day and night. We provide the following (1) method for collecting FIDs by night which specifically addresses solutions to novel challenges associated with collecting these by night, (2) report of the FIDs of some strictly nocturnal bird and mammal species and compare diurnal and nocturnal FIDs for some species, (3) demonstration that the positive daytime relationship between FID and Starting Distance also occurs by night, and (4) minimum sample size threshold for quantifying escape responses and how these vary when sampling the FIDs of different animal species by night. We demonstrate the capacity to conduct nocturnal FIDs on a broad range of taxa not previously studied. We recommend 25–50 samples are needed to accurately quantify a species escape response in a particular context. Our method expands the capacity to understand how species escape by night, a critical period during which many predator–prey interactions occur.
A Trade‐Off Between Leaf Carbon Economics and Plant Size Among Mangrove Species in Dongzhaigang, China
Authors: Jiang Dalong , Nie Tao , He Qiuyu , Yan Jing , Feng Erhui , Ye Qing 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTPlant size is closely linked to its leaf trait characteristics, which are essential for determining its form and function. These relationships constitute a fundamental component of the global spectrum of plant diversity. Despite this, the size–trait relationships in coastal mangroves have often been overlooked, with a common assumption that they would mirror those found in terrestrial tropical trees. However, recent studies have begun to challenge this assumption, revealing unique adaptations and trait variations in mangroves that are influenced by their specific environmental conditions, such as salinity and nutrient availability. In this research, we investigated the leaf structural traits, plant height, and diameter at breast height or basal height (DBH) of 10 shrub and tree species. This study was carried out along an intertidal gradient within a mangrove forest located in Southeast China. We found that leaf traits differed significantly between shrubs and trees in their response to intertidal gradients, indicating that different species have evolved specific adaptations to thrive in their respective intertidal zones. This insight can help us decipher the selective pressures that have shaped trait evolution. Among all species, leaf carbon (C) economics (leaf dry mass content, leaf mass per area, and leaf density) decreased significantly with increasing plant height and DBH. For each growth form and intertidal zone, the relationships between plant size (height or DBH) and leaf C economics traits were consistent with those in the pooled dataset. Our study reveals that mangrove plants exhibit size‐related adjustments in leaf C economic strategies, indicating that plant size potentially acts as a proxy for the “slow–fast” continuum of plant performance. This discovery is pivotal for advancing our understanding of plant functional ecology and for enhancing the precision of global C cycle models, which are highly responsive to perturbations in atmospheric CO2 and climate change.
The Development of DNA Markers to Resolve Uncertainties of Seabird Bycatch Identification From Longline Fisheries in Australian Waters
Authors: Polanowski Andrea M. , MacDonald Anna J. , Double Mike C. , Barrington Jonathon H. S. , Burg Theresa M. , Wienecke Barbara , McInnes Julie C. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTIncidental mortality in fisheries is a major driver of population declines for albatrosses and petrels globally. However, accurate identification of species can be difficult due to the poor condition of bycaught birds and/or visual similarities between closely related species. We assessed three genetic markers for their ability to distinguish the 36 albatross and petrel species listed in Annex 1 to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and in Australia's Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for the bycatch of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations. We generated 275 new sequences, from 29 species, to improve the coverage of reference databases for these listed species. The combined use of the selected Cytochrome b and Control Region markers enabled the identification of 31 of 36 listed seabirds to species level and four to sister species. One petrel species could not be evaluated as no reference sequences were available. We tested these markers on 59 feathers from bycaught seabirds and compared these to onboard visual identification. We successfully assigned all procellariiforms to species (n = 58), whereas only two seabirds were correctly identified to species visually onboard, highlighting the difficulty of visual species assignment and the need for alternative methods. We assessed the utility of our two chosen markers for the assignment of all procellariiform species, with 74% of species with reference sequences identified to species or sister species level. However, a precautionary approach is needed for application beyond our listed species due to unvalidated reference sequences. The approach described here provides a streamlined framework for the molecular identification of seabird bycatch. This approach is recommended for use in fisheries within and outside Australian waters to improve the resolution of bycatch reporting and to corroborate logbook entries, observer reports and audits of images captured by electronic monitoring systems as well as help inform conservation efforts.
Fertile Hybrids Could Aid Coral Adaptation
Authors: Lamb Annika M. , Peplow Lesa M. , Chan Wing Yan , Crane Zoe J. , Everson Glenn A. , Harrison Peter L. , Hite Talley E. , Hoffmann Ary A. , Humphrey Craig A. , Koukoumaftsis Lonidas P. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTFertile hybrids can enhance the adaptive capacity and resilience of species under stress by increasing genetic diversity within populations, masking the effects of deleterious recessive alleles, and facilitating the introgression of beneficial genetic variants into parental species. However, many hybrids are infertile. We compared the fertility of aquarium‐reared F1 hybrid and purebred corals of the species Acropora loripes and Acropora kenti and examined the viability of early life stages of second‐generation (F2) hybrid and back‐crossed planula larvae and recruits. The F1 hybrids spawned viable gametes and the F2 hybrid and back‐crossed embryos developed into planula larvae and settled to become sessile coral recruits. The F1 hybrids had greater reproductive fitness than the F1 A. loripes purebred stock in an aquarium environment based on their probability of spawning and their fertilization success in crosses using their gametes. Interspecific coral hybrids can therefore be fertile and have high reproductive fitness, which could benefit the persistence of threatened coral reefs.
Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus
Authors: Li Siqing , Dai Wenyu , Wang Zhenkang , Wu Zhaoning , Wang Jiechen 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTAmphibian declines, driven by climate change (e.g., shifting temperatures, altered precipitation) and human activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization, may lead to local extinctions. Quantifying the relative impact of climate change versus human influence remains challenging. This study uses species distribution models (SDMs) and nearly 1000 years of historical distribution data from ancient texts and local archives to reconstruct the past distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) and to assess the spatiotemporal shifts in its range over time. The results reveal that over the past millennium, the potential distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander consistently contracted, decreasing by 10% from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and a further 30% from the Qing Dynasty to the modern era. Losses are concentrated in eastern plains with abundant water bodies, resulting in available habitat reduction to 27% of the Qing Dynasty's area. Climate factors have been key in shaping the salamander's distribution, but our findings reveal that population density has consistently impacted its range throughout history, highlighting the lasting influence of human activity. Climate models project a about 10% decrease in suitable habitat by around 2090, with northward shifts in suitable habitat. Given the urgent threat of habitat loss and environmental degradation, immediate and effective actions are crucial to prevent the local extinction of the Chinese giant salamander, including habitat protection, environmental restoration, and strict regulations against hunting and habitat destruction. This study, analyzing the Chinese giant salamander's suitable habitat historically, identifies human activities as a pivotal force in early amphibian species decline in China, contributing valuable perspectives to future amphibian conservation and management.
Tree damage risk across gradients in tree species richness and stand age: Implications for adaptive forest management
Authors: Jonsson Micael , Bengtsson Jan , Moen Jon , Snäll Tord 
Published: November 2024

AbstractForest disturbances are expected to increase in severity with climate change and intensified land use, threatening future delivery of several ecosystem services, including the climate‐mitigating potential of forests. Alleviating these consequences through adaptive forest management demands a greater understanding of what drives the impacts of disturbances on forests, which, in turn, requires collection of high‐quality data through large‐scale and long‐term monitoring programs. The Swedish National Forest Inventory has been recording “damages” on living trees across a forest area of 230,000 km2, in addition to a wide range of stand characteristics and environmental conditions. Using 15 years of these data, we investigated the frequency of different types of tree damages and the causes of these damages and modeled damage risk among tree species and across gradients in stand attributes and environmental conditions. We found that 94% of all surveyed trees had some type of damage, but for 65% of these, the underlying cause was not identified. Nevertheless, for all damage types and causes, we found that damage risk varied considerably among tree species and across gradients in tree species richness, tree height, and stand age. For a few damages, stand age or tree species richness interacted with climate to influence risks. Among identified causes of damage, “wind and snow” was most common (11.9% of surveyed trees), followed by “forestry” (6.9%). Further, for most causes of damage where stand age was significant, the risk was highest in young or the youngest stands. As such, our results indicate that there is great potential for reducing the risk of tree damages via adaptive management, such as altered tree species composition and increased rotation length. However, for a greater understanding of what is driving the frequency and magnitude of forest damages, and to be able to provide specific, useful information to stakeholders, collection of higher‐quality data must be prioritized by monitoring programs.
Agricultural mosaics offer nesting habitat to dabbling ducks in the arid Intermountain West of the United States
Authors: Setash Casey M. , Behney Adam C. , Gammonley James H. , Pejchar Liba , Reddy Matt A. , Koons David N. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe debate over the best agricultural practices for biological conservation often focuses on the degree to which agricultural lands should be interspersed with desirable habitat versus protecting lands entirely from production. It is important to understand the benefits agriculture provides for wildlife because it is consuming an increasing proportion of the landscape. We evaluated the nesting ecology of breeding ducks within a mosaic of flood‐irrigated conservation areas and agricultural lands in hay production. We assessed how habitat features at two spatial scales across these lands were related to nest site selection, nest density, and nest survival of multiple duck species. Birds selected nest sites with higher visual obstruction, a higher proportion of shrubs around the nest, and less bare ground, but we did not detect evidence of selection per se at larger spatial scales. Nest density was marginally higher along linear features, including irrigation ditches and riparian stretches, but nest survival remained similar across land‐use types and habitats features. This system is representative of many agricultural landscapes around the globe and highlights the ways agroecosystems can be managed to maintain habitat suitability for wildlife on working lands.
Study on the Liquid‐Holding Rate Law of Gas–Water–Foam Three‐Phase Flow in a Wavy Pipe
Authors: Wei Wang , Guowei Wang , Zhenhua Wu , Hui Yang , Bin Ma , Jian Wu , Longyu Xu , Ruiquan Liao 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTAs a common method for liquid drainage in wave‐shaped pipelines, foam drainage has been used in gas‐gathering pipelines in various oil and gas fields. One of the common problems encountered in wave‐shaped foam drainage pipelines is the inaccurate prediction of the liquid retention rate. This issue makes it difficult to predict liquid accumulation points, which affects gas output efficiency, causes pipeline corrosion, and generates natural gas hydrates. To clarify the liquid‐holding rate law of wavy foam drainage pipelines is studied. In this study, through experiments to verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation method, we investigate the easiest liquid accumulation points and the liquid‐holding rate of wave‐shaped foam drainage pipelines, with factors such as inlet gas velocity, inlet liquid velocity, import and export differential pressure, undulation angle, and inlet temperature change rule. Among them, the error between the numerical simulation results and the experimental results is 4.68%. Finally, after considering the influence of the aforementioned factors on the liquid retention rate of wave‐shaped pipelines, a new liquid retention rate calculation model for wave‐shaped pipelines with foam drainage is established by introducing dimensionless numbers, such as gas‐phase velocity coefficient, liquid‐phase velocity coefficient, and angle correction coefficient. The method is compared with the results of previous research, and the error is within 15%. The model has a simple form and high calculation accuracy, providing a theoretical basis for pipeline inspectors to predict liquid accumulation conditions and reasonably adjust production schedules.
Combining electrical resistivity tomography and passive seismic to characterise the subsurface architecture of a deeply weathered lateritic hill within the Avon River critical zone observatory
Authors: Weller Jessie , Jakica Sara , Thompson Sally , Leopold Matthias 
Published: November 2024

AbstractObserving the subsurface architecture of the deep Critical Zone (CZ), which lies beyond the uppermost layer of accessible soil, is a complex but crucial task. Near‐surface geophysics offers an alternative to accessing the deep CZ at scales relevant to fluid, nutrient and gas transport. As geophysical instruments are sensitive to different subsurface physical properties, their combination can enhance insight into CZ architecture. However, the agreement between and complementarity of multiple geophysical techniques has not been widely assessed for CZ‐related questions. This study employed geophysics to image a highly weathered lateritic hill rich in iron oxides developed from Archean granite within the Avon River Critical Zone Observatory, Western Australia. Data gathered from an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and horizontal‐to‐vertical‐spectral‐ratio (HVSR) passive seismic transect were used to visualise CZ architecture through specific resistivity values and ambient noise contrasts. Both techniques revealed a notable degree of lateral variability consistent with the formation of the ~3–4 m thick duricrust‐capped hilltop, the creation of gullies in the sodic material of the pallid zone exposed along the slope and the deposition of ~11 m thick colluvial sediment at the foot slope. Calculated bedrock depth was consistent between the HVSR and ERT instruments along the hilltop plateau but varied from ~23 m to 31 m on the slope and 32 m to 39 m at the foot slope, respectively. Overall, the vertical variation depicted by the ERT, including the differentiation of two layers within the lateritic weathering profile ‐ the pallid zone and saprolite – made up for the inaccuracy of the HVSR technique in depicting layers of similar composition. Moreover, the HVSR method clearly depicted bedrock depth, overcoming the partial masking of the bedrock by saline groundwater in the ERT model. The complementarity of these two methods allowed the development of a detailed conceptual model of subsurface CZ architecture within a saline lateritic weathering profile.
Anatomy of a deep Piedmont critical zone: Evaluating hypotheses on regolith depth controls through comparison of ridge and valley boreholes
Authors: Cosans Cassandra L. , Hayes Jorden L. , Carr Bradley J. , Holbrook Steven , Harman Ciaran J. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractControls on the physical and chemical architecture of the subsurface critical zone are somewhat controversial, with multiple hypotheses proposed to account for variations in the depth of weathering between sites, and with landscape position at a site. In the Piedmont region of the Mid‐Atlantic US weathering of crystalline bedrock has been observed to extend tens of meters below the surface and groundwater in a'bow‐tie’ shape – i.e. weathering extends to lower elevations below ridges than below channels. The chemical and physical structure of a hillslope transect in the Maryland Piedmont was explored with a 45 m borehole in the ridge, as well as shallow bedrock boreholes at the toe of the slope and valley. Chemical weathering fronts were characterized using elemental abundances and mineralogical analysis. The ridge borehole did not extend deeper than the chemically and physically weathered rock. Surface and borehole geophysics and density measurements were used to characterize the weathered rock and saprolite. Na and Ca results suggest that plagioclase feldspar weathering is similar between samples collected from 45 m under the ridge and 2.2 m under the valley bottom. A narrow Fe oxidation garnet weathering front co‐insides with the transition from weathered bedrock to saprolite, suggesting that this reaction may generate initial saprolite porosity. Muscovite weathering co‐occurs with complete depletion of plagioclase a few meters above the Fe oxidation front. These nested weathering fronts in the saprolite appear to follow a subdued version of the surface topography. The location and shape of the nested saprolite weathering fronts may be controlled by the feedback between the transport of reactants and solutes and reaction‐generated porosity, consistent with the conceptual “valve” hypothesis. Differing dominant control mechanisms on deep bedrock weathering and saprolite initiating reactions may explain the thickness and structure of the critical zone at our site.
The Effects of Okra Consumption on Glycemic Parameters and Lipid Profile in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Miao Jinxin , Song Yagang , Miao Mingsan 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThe clinical research findings on the effects of okra consumption on blood glucose and lipids are inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of okra consumption on glycemic parameters and lipid profile in adults, including homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). To find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we systemically searched EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus until April 2024. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies involving 521 participants were ultimately included in the present study. Compared to placebo, okra consumption remarkably decreased FBG (WMD: −32.56 mg/dL; 95% CI: −48.83, −16.28; p < 0.001; I2 = 84.7%), HbA1c (WMD: −0.48%; 95% CI: −0.81, −0.16; p = 0.004; I2 = 5.5%), TG (WMD: −13.16 mg/dL; 95% CI: −23.54, −2.77; p = 0.013; I2 = 0.0%), and TC (WMD: −9.70 mg/dL; 95% CI: −14.95, −4.46; p < 0.001; I2 = 38.3%) in adults. However, okra showed no notable impact on HOMA‐IR, HDL‐C, and LDL‐C. Okra consumption has an improving effect on adult FBG, HbA1c, TG, and TC levels. More large‐scale RCT studies are necessary to validate the beneficial effects of okra on adults due to the limited number of included RCTs.Trial Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42024540121
Comparative Post‐Marketing Surveillance of Memantine and Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Cardiovascular Adverse Events With a Focus on Sex Differences Using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database
Authors: Aksoyalp Zinnet Şevval , Nemutlu‐Samur Dilara 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the proportion of cardiovascular adverse events (AEs) associated with the utilization of memantine and cholinesterase inhibitors and to highlight the potential impact of sex differences in these AEs.MethodsCardiac and vascular disorders AEs with antidementia medications were obtained from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database. The reporting odds ratio and its corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The chi‐squared test was used to evaluate differences in categorical variables, and a two‐way ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni post‐test was used to compare the AEs reported for antidementia medications.ResultsMemantine was associated with 544 selected cardiac and vascular disorder AEs. A signal for bradycardia, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrest has been observed in patients receiving choline esterase inhibitors compared to those receiving memantine. On the other hand, cardiac failure and deep vein thrombosis AEs were found to be more common in patients receiving memantine. The majority of reported cardiac and vascular AEs were reported more frequently in female patients. More cases of cardiac failure, cardiac arrest, and deep vein thrombosis were reported in females than males taking memantine, but bradycardia was more common in males than females.ConclusionHealthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for cardiovascular AEs during treatment with antidementia medications and the possibility of sex differences in this regard. Memantine differs from cholinesterase inhibitors in terms of cardiovascular AEs, and there may be sex‐related differences in the proportion of these AEs.