bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of revegetation and weed control on urban sensitive bird species
Authors: Archibald Carla L. , McKinney Matthew , Mustin Karen , Shanahan Danielle F. , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNature in cities is concentrated in urban green spaces, which are key areas for urban biodiversity and also important areas to connect people with nature. To conserve urban biodiversity within these natural refugia, habitat restoration such as weed control and revegetation is often implemented. These actions are expected to benefit biodiversity, although species known to be affected by urbanization may not be interacting with restoration in the ways we anticipate. In this study, we use a case study to explore how urban restoration activities impact different bird species. Birds were grouped into urban sensitivity categories and species abundance, and richness was then calculated using a hierarchical species community model for individual species responses, with “urban class” used as the hierarchical parameter. We highlight variable responses of birds to revegetation and weed control based on their level of urban sensitivity. Revegetation of open grassy areas delivers significant bird conservation outcomes, but the effects of weed control are neutral or in some cases negative. Specifically, the species most reliant on remnant vegetation in cities seem to remain stable or decline in abundance in areas with weed control, which we suspect is the result of a simplification of the understorey. The literature reports mixed benefits of weed control between taxa and between locations. We recommend, in our case study site, that weed control be implemented in concert with replanting of native vegetation to provide the understory structure preferred by urban sensitive birds. Understanding the impacts of revegetation and weed control on different bird species is important information for practitioners to make restoration decisions about the allocation of funds for conservation action. This new knowledge can be used both for threatened species and invasive species management.
Modeling forest carbon cycle using long‐term carbon stock field measurement in the Delaware River Basin
Authors: Xu Bing , Pan Yude , Plante Alain F. , McCullough Kevin , Birdsey Richard 
Published: May 2017

AbstractProcess‐based models are a powerful approach to test our understanding of biogeochemical processes, to extrapolate ground survey data from limited plots to the landscape scale, and to simulate the effects of climate change, nitrogen deposition, elevated atmosphericCO2, increasing natural disturbances, and land‐use change on ecological processes. However, in most studies, the models are calibrated using ground measurements from only a few sites, though they may be extrapolated to much larger areas. Estimation accuracy can be improved if the models are parameterized using long‐term carbon (C) stock data from multiple sites representative of the simulated region. In this study, forest biomass C stocks measured in 61 forested plots located in three research sites in the Delaware River Basin (DRB) were used to modify the PnET‐CNmodel in three ways: (1) Field‐measured mortality rates in each forest type were used to parameterize the wood turnover rate; (2) a numerical approach was used to calibrate the relationship between foliage N and maximum photosynthesis rate; and (3) stand age was incorporated into the model as an input variable, which determines the year of the last disturbance. The results showed that these model modifications improved model performance in capturing the spatial variation of forest C dynamics in theDRBforests. The spatial distribution of forest C pools and fluxes in the three sites was mapped using the modified model. The modified model was also used in experimental scenarios, which predicted that 39% of forest C sequestered over the past decade could be attributed to the combined effects of elevatedCO2and N deposition. This study demonstrated an effective method for using long‐term biometric measurements of forest biomass C stocks to constrain and improve a process‐based ecosystem model at a regional scale. Further research should target improving model parameters that are sensitive to the spatial variation of forest C dynamics.
Predator trait evolution alters prey community composition
Authors: Holdridge Erica M. , Flores Gilberto E. , terHorst Casey P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPredators have potentially strong effects on prey abundance, growth, life histories, and behavior, but the net direction and strength of these effects depend on traits in the predator population. Trait evolution that occurs on ecological timescales is common and may affect species interactions. Using laboratory microcosms of a bacterivorous ciliate (Colpidium sp.) and a diverse community of bacteria, we tested the hypothesis that predator trait evolution in response to temperature variability and nutrient concentration alters the composition of the prey community using a two‐phase experiment. The first phase consisted of a selection experiment, in which microcosm communities were randomly assigned to one of eight fully factorial treatments of high or low nutrients, variable or stable temperatures, and with or without Colpidium. The second phase was a reciprocal transplant experiment, in which a subsample of each microcosm community from the selection experiment was transferred to one of four common garden environments, consisting of all combinations of high or low nutrients and variable or stable temperature. Nutrient enrichment directly decreased bacterial species richness and altered the community composition, but also indirectly increased bacterial species richness through decreases in ciliate peak density and, subsequently, ciliate abundance. Moreover, the evolutionary effects of nutrient enrichment on predator traits were more pronounced in some contemporary common garden environments, and undetectable in others. Our findings suggest that historical and contemporary environments are equally important to consider in understanding how trait evolution affects community structure.
A framework to quantify the strength of ecological links between an environmental stressor and final ecosystem services
Authors: Bell Michael D. , Phelan Jennifer , Blett Tamara F. , Landers Dixon , Nahlik Amanda M. , Van Houtven George , Davis Christine , Clark Christopher M. , Hewitt Julie 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAnthropogenic stressors such as climate change, increased fire frequency, and pollution drive shifts in ecosystem function and resilience. Scientists generally rely on biological indicators of these stressors to signal that ecosystem conditions have been altered. However, these biological indicators are not always capable of being directly related to ecosystem components that provide benefits to humans and/or can be used to evaluate the cost‐benefit of a change in health of the component (ecosystem services). Therefore, we developed the STEPS (Stressor–Ecological Production function–final ecosystem Services) Framework to link changes in a biological indicator of a stressor to final ecosystem services. The STEPS Framework produces “chains” of ecological components that explore the breadth of impacts resulting from the change in a stressor. Chains are comprised of the biological indicator, the ecological production function (EPF, which uses ecological components to link the biological indicator to a final ecosystem service), and the user group who directly uses, appreciates, or values the component. The framework uses a qualitative score (high, medium, low) to describe the strength of science (SOS) for the relationship between each component in the EPF. We tested the STEPS Framework within a workshop setting using the exceedance of critical loads of air pollution as a model stressor and the Final Ecosystem Goods and Services Classification System (FEGS‐CS) to describe final ecosystem services. We identified chains for four modes of ecological response to deposition: aquatic acidification, aquatic eutrophication, terrestrial acidification, and terrestrial eutrophication. The workshop participants identified 183 unique EPFs linking a change in a biological indicator to a FEGS; when accounting for the multiple beneficiaries, we ended with 1104 chains. The SOS scores were effective in identifying chains with the highest confidence ranking as well as those where more research is needed. The STEPS Framework could be adapted to any system in which a stressor is modifying a biological component. The results of the analysis can be used by the social science community to apply valuation measures to multiple or selected chains, providing a comprehensive analysis of the effects of anthropogenic stressors on measures of human well‐being.
The role of ants, birds and bats for ecosystem functions and yield in oil palm plantations
Authors: Denmead Lisa H. , Darras Kevin , Clough Yann , Diaz Patrick , Grass Ingo , Hoffmann Munir P. , Nurdiansyah Fuad , Fardiansah Rico , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOne of the world's most important and rapidly expanding crops, oil palm, is associated with low levels of biodiversity. Changes in predator communities might alter ecosystem services and subsequently sustainable management but these links have received little attention to date. Here, for the first time, we manipulated ant and flying vertebrate (birds and bats) access to oil palms in six smallholder plantations in Sumatra (Indonesia) and measured effects on arthropod communities, related ecosystem functions (herbivory, predation, decomposition and pollination) and crop yield. Arthropod predators increased in response to reductions in ant and bird access, but the overall effect of experimental manipulations on ecosystem functions was minimal. Similarly, effects on yield were not significant. We conclude that ecosystem functions and productivity in oil palm are, under current levels of low pest pressure and large pollinator populations, robust to large reductions of major predators.
Approaches to Automated Scoring of Speaking for K–12 English Language Proficiency Assessments
Authors: Evanini Keelan , Hauck Maurice Cogan , Hakuta Kenji 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis report is the fifth in a series concerning English language proficiency (ELP) assessments for English learners (ELs) in kindergarten through 12th grade in the United States. The series, produced by Educational Testing Service (ETS), is intended to provide theory‐ and evidence‐based principles and recommendations for improving next‐generationELPassessment systems, policies, and practices and to stimulate discussion on better serving K–12ELstudents. The first report articulated a high‐level conceptualization of next‐generationELPassessment systems (Hauck, Wolf, & Mislevy, 2016). The second report addressed accessibility issues in the context ofELPassessments forELsandELswith disabilities (Guzman‐Orth, Laitusis, Thurlow, & Christensen, 2016). The third report focused on critical policy and research issues of summativeELPassessments that state use for accountability purposes (Wolf, Guzman‐Orth, & Hauck, 2016). The fourth report dealt with one of the major uses ofELPassessments—the initial identification and classification of ELs (Lopez, Pooler, & Linquanti, 2016). The present report discusses approaches to using automated scoring technology for the evaluation of student‐spoken responses on K–12ELPassessments. As many states have begun to use computer‐basedELPassessments, there is a growing interest in automated scoring of spoken responses to increase the efficiency of scoring. This report delineates major areas to consider in using automated speech scoring for K–12ELPassessments (i.e., assessment construct and task design, scoring and score reporting, and artificial intelligence (AI) model development and test delivery) and makes recommendations for states on how to evaluate these considerations and determine a path forward.
Age‐related mapping of intracortical myelin from late adolescence to middle adulthood using T1‐weighted MRI
Authors: Rowley Christopher D. , Sehmbi Manpreet , Bazin Pierre‐Louis , Tardif Christine L. , Minuzzi Luciano , Frey Benicio N. , Bock Nicholas A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in humans have reported that the T1‐weighted signal in the cerebral cortex follows an inverted “U” trajectory over the lifespan. Here, we investigated the T1‐weighted signal trajectory from late adolescence to middle adulthood in humans to characterize the age range when mental illnesses tend to present, and efficacy of treatments are evaluated. We compared linear to quadratic predictors of age on signal in 67 healthy individuals, 17–45 years old. We investigated ¼, ½, and ¾ depths in the cortex representing intracortical myelin (ICM), in the superficial white matter (SWM), and in a reference deep white matter tract. We found that the quadratic fit was superior in all regions of the cortex, while signal in the SWM and deep white matter showed no global dependence on age over this range. The signal trajectory in any region followed a similar shape regardless of cortical depth. The quadratic fit was analyzed in 70 cortical regions to obtain the age of maximum signal intensity. We found that visual, cingulate, and left ventromedial prefrontal cortices peak first around 34 years old, whereas motor and premotor areas peak latest at ∼38 years. Our analysis suggests that ICM trajectories over this range can be modeled well in small cohorts of subjects using quadratic functions, which are amenable to statistical analysis, thus suitable for investigating regional changes in ICM with disease. This study highlights a novel approach to map ICM trajectories using an age range that coincides with the onset of many mental illnesses. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3691–3703, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Activation of transforming growth factor‐β1 by thrombin via integrins αvβ1, αvβ3, and αvβ5 in buccal fibroblasts: Suppression by epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate
Authors: Chang Jenny Zwei‐Chieng , Hsieh Yu‐Ping , Lin Wen‐Hsin , Chen Hsin‐Ming , Kuo Mark Yen‐Ping 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundTransforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Thrombin is a key player in tissue repair, inflammation, and fibrosis after injury.MethodsEffects of thrombin on activated‐TGF‐β1 levels, Smad3 phosphorylation, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) synthesis in primary human buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs) were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or Western blot analysis.ResultsThrombin and protease‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) agonist induced TGF‐β1 activation and Smad3 phosphorylation. Pretreatment with TGF‐β‐neutralizing antibody completely inhibited thrombin‐induced CCN2 synthesis. Neutralizing antibodies to integrin αv, β1, αvβ3, αvβ5, and Rho‐associated coiled‐coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y27632 completely blocked thrombin‐induced TGF‐β1 activation, Smad3 phosphorylation, and CCN2 synthesis. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) dose‐dependently inhibited thrombin‐induced TGF‐β1 activation.ConclusionThrombin induces αvβ1, αvβ3, and αvβ5 integrins‐mediated TGF‐β1 activations via ROCK signaling. EGCG inhibits thrombin‐induced CCN2 synthesis in BMFs by suppressing latent TGF‐β1 activation.
Quantitative pretreatment CT volumetry: Association with oncologic outcomes in patients with T4a squamous carcinoma of the larynx
Authors: Shiao Jay C. , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Messer Jay A. , Hutcheson Katherine A. , Johnson Jason M. , Enderling Heiko , Kamal Mona , Warren Benjamin W. , Pham Brian , Morrison William H. , Zafereo Mark E. , Hessel Amy C. , Lai Stephen Y. , Kies Merril S. , Ferrarotto Renata , Garden Adam S. , Schomer Donald F. , Gunn G. Brandon , Phan Jack , Frank Steven J. , Beadle Beth M. , Weber Randal S. , Lewin Jan S. , Rosenthal David I. , Fuller Clifton D. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the impact of CT‐determined pretreatment primary tumor volume on survival and disease control in T4a laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 124 patients with T4a laryngeal cancer from 2000‐2011. Tumor volume measurements were collected and correlated with outcomes.ResultsFive‐year overall survival (OS) for patients with tumor volume ≥21 cm3 treated with larynx preservation (n = 26 of 41) was significantly inferior compared to <21 cm3 (42% vs 64%, respectively; P = .003). Five‐year OS for patients with tumor volumes ≥21 cm3 in the cohort treated with total laryngectomy followed by radiotherapy (RT; n = 42 of 83) was not statistically significant when compared to <21 cm3 (50% vs 63%, respectively; P = .058). On multivariate analysis, tumor volume ≥21 cm3 was a significant independent correlate of worse disease‐specific survival (DSS; P = .004), event‐free survival (P = .005), recurrence‐free survival (RFS; P = .04), noncancer cause‐specific survival (P = .02), and OS (P = .0002).ConclusionPretreatment CT‐based tumor volume is an independent prognostic factor of outcomes in T4a laryngeal cancer.
Neural circuits involved in the renewal of extinguished fear
Authors: Chen Weihai , Wang Yan , Wang Xiaqing , Li Hong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe last 10 years have witnessed a substantial progress in understanding the neural mechanisms for the renewal of the extinguished fear memory. Based on the theory of fear extinction, exposure therapy has been developed as a typical cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Although the fear memory can be extinguished by repeated presentation of conditioned stimulus without unconditioned stimulus, the fear memory is not erased and tends to relapse outside of extinction context, which is referred to as renewal. Therefore, the renewal is regarded as a great obstruction interfering with the effect of exposure therapy. In recent years, there has been a great deal of studies in understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of fear renewal. These offer a foundation upon which novel therapeutic interventions for the renewal may be built. This review focuses on behavioral, anatomical and electrophysiological studies that interpret roles of the hippocampus, prelimbic cortex and amygdala as well as the connections between them for the renewal of the extinguished fear. Additionally, this review suggests the possible pathways for the renewal: (1) the prelimbic cortex may integrate contextual information from hippocampal inputs and project to the basolateral amygdala to mediate the renewal of extinguished fear memory; the ventral hippocampus may innervate the activities of the basolateral amygdala or the central amygdala directly for the renewal. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(7):470–478, 2017
Measurement of optical properties of pig esophagus by using a modified spectrometer set‐up
Authors: Hohmann Martin , Lengenfelder B. , Kanawade R. , Klämpfl F. , Douplik A. , Albrecht H. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOptical properties (μa, μs and g) of certain human tissue types such as skin and blood have been very well investigated. However until today, for internal body organs such as the esophagus they are not well characterized. For ex‐vivo measurements “Inverse Adding Doubling” (IAD) and Inverse Monte‐Carlo‐Simulation (IMCS) are state of the art. Both methods need the measurement of the collimated transmission. Current methods lack a proper way of measuring the collimated transmission. Hence, this measurement of the g‐factor has a systematic error. Therefore, for the measurement of the collimated transmission, a new approach has been developed and evaluated with intralipid. Finally, the optical properties of mucosa, sub mucosa, muscularis and adventitia of pig esophagus tissue are calculated with IAD. The results are promising and in agreement with published literature.
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Non‐invasive diagnostic system and its opto‐mechanical probe for combining confocal Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Klemes Jan , Kotzianova Adela , Pokorny Marek , Mojzes Peter , Novak Jindrich , Sukova Lada , Demuth Jaroslav , Vesely Jaroslav , Sasek Ladislav , Velebny Vladimir 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNon‐invasive optical diagnostic methods allow important information about studied systems to be obtained in a non‐destructive way. Complete diagnosis requires information about the chemical composition as well as the morphological structure of a sample. We report on the development of an opto‐mechanical probe that combines Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), two methods that provide all the crucial information needed for a non‐invasive diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to introduce the technical design, construction and optimization of a dual opto‐mechanical probe combining two in‐house developed devices for confocal RS and OCT. The unique benefit of the probe is a gradual acquisition of OCT and RS data, which allows to use the acquired OCT images to pinpoint locations of interest for RS measurements. The parameters and the correct functioning of the probe were verified by RS scanning of various samples (silicon wafer and ex vivo tissue) based on their OCT images – lateral as well as depth scanning was performed. Both the OCT and RS systems were developed, optimized and tested with the ultimate aim of verifying the functionality of the probe. Picture: Schematic illustration and visualization of the developed RS‐OCT probe
Temporal focusing‐based widefield multiphoton microscopy with spatially modulated illumination for biotissue imaging
Authors: Chang Chia‐Yuan , Lin Cheng‐Han , Lin Chun‐Yu , Sie Yong‐Da , Hu Yvonne Yuling , Tsai Sheng‐Feng , Chen Shean‐Jen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA developed temporal focusing‐based multiphoton excitation microscope (TFMPEM) has a digital micromirror device (DMD) which is adopted not only as a blazed grating for light spatial dispersion but also for patterned illumination simultaneously. Herein, the TFMPEM has been extended to implement spatially modulated illumination at structured frequency and orientation to increase the beam coverage at the back‐focal aperture of the objective lens. The axial excitation confinement (AEC) of TFMPEM can be condensed from 3.0 μm to 1.5 μm for a 50 % improvement. By using the TFMPEM with HiLo technique as two structured illuminations at the same spatial frequency but different orientation, reconstructed biotissue images according to the condensed AEC structured illumination are shown obviously superior in contrast and better scattering suppression. Picture: TPEF images of the eosin‐stained mouse cerebellar cortex by conventional TFMPEM (left), and the TFMPEM with HiLo technique as 1.09 μm−1 spatially modulated illumination at 90° (center) and 0° (right) orientations.magnified image