bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specialization within a shifting habitat mosaic underpins the seasonal abundance of a tropical fish
Authors: Lim Isis E. , Wilson Shaun K. , Holmes Thomas H. , Noble Mae M. , Fulton Christopher J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHabitat availability can be a key driver for the distribution and abundance of animals occupying heterogeneous landscapes. How species respond to regular changes in patch habitat structure, however, remains poorly understood, especially within seasonal seascapes. We explored the importance of patch habitat quality for the seasonal population dynamics of a widespread reef fish, Leptoscarus vaigiensis, within a shifting mosaic of seaweed patch habitats. Following dietary and behavioral assessments of L. vaigiensis microhabitat preferences, we used best subsets model selection to explore the relative importance of seaweed canopy attributes (cover, height, density) and the abundance of putative competitors and predators for explaining regional variations in L. vaigiensis density across summer and winter. Dietary analysis (n = 53 individuals) and behavioral observations (n = 1014) indicated that L. vaigiensis are habitat specialists that primarily consume brown seaweeds and prefer areas within patches that have tall (>30 cm height) canopy‐forming seaweeds (Sargassum, Sargassopsis) at low to intermediate densities (1–5 holdfasts per m2). Accordingly, we found seaweed percent cover and canopy height were two of the most powerful predictors for L. vaigiensis abundance, with major seasonal shifts in L. vaigiensis abundance from summer to winter strongly related to patch‐level changes in canopy cover and height. We conclude that patch habitat quality, based upon microhabitat preferences, can be a powerful predictor for the response of species to a seasonally shifting habitat mosaic, and that high‐quality patches that provide seasonal refuges should be a focus for spatial conservation and management.
Twenty‐five‐year response of the herbaceous layer of a temperate hardwood forest to elevated nitrogen deposition
Authors: Gilliam Frank S. , Welch Nicole Turrill , Phillips Anne Hockenberry , Billmyer Jake H. , Peterjohn William T. , Fowler Zachariah K. , Walter Christopher A. , Burnham Mark B. , May Jeffrey D. , Adams Mary Beth 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIncreasing rates of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) present a novel threat to the biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems. Many forests are particularly susceptible to excess N given their proximity to sources of anthropogenic N emissions. This study summarizes results of a 25‐yr treatment of an entire central Appalachian hardwood forest watershed via aerial applications of N with a focus on effects of added N on the cover, species richness, and composition of the herbaceous layer. Research was carried out on two watersheds of the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF), West Virginia. The long‐term reference watershed at FEF (WS4) was used as a reference; WS3 was experimentally treated, receiving three aerial applications of N per year as (NH4)2SO4 totaling 35 kg N ha−1 yr−1, beginning in 1989. Cover of the herbaceous layer (vascular plants ≤1 m in height) was estimated visually in five circular 1‐m2 subplots within each of seven circular 400‐m2 sample plots spanning all aspects and elevations of each watershed. Sampling was carried out in early July of each of the following years: 1991, 1992, 1994, 2003, and 2009—2014, yielding 10 yr of data collected over a 23‐yr period. It was anticipated that the N treatment on WS3 would decrease species richness and alter herb layer composition by enhancing cover of a few nitrophilic species at the expense of numerous N‐efficient species. Following a period of minimal response from 1991 to 1994, cover of the herb layer increased substantially on N‐treated WS3, and remained high thereafter. There was also a coincidental decrease in herb layer diversity during this period, along with a sharp divergence in community composition between WS4 and WS3. Most changes appear to have arisen from unprecedented, N‐mediated increases of Rubus spp., which are normally associated with the high‐light environment of openings, rather than beneath intact forest canopies. These findings support the prediction that N‐mediated changes in the herbaceous layer of impacted forests are driven primarily by increases in nitrophilic species.
Marine infectious disease dynamics and outbreak thresholds: contact transmission, pandemic infection, and the potential role of filter feeders
Authors: Bidegain Gorka , Powell Eric N. , Klinck John M. , Ben‐Horin Tal , Hofmann Eileen E. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDisease‐causing organisms can have significant impacts on marine species and communities. However, the dynamics that underlie the emergence of disease outbreaks in marine ecosystems still lack the equivalent level of description, conceptual understanding, and modeling context routinely present in the terrestrial systems. Here, we propose a theoretical basis for modeling the transmission of marine infectious diseases (MIDs) developed from simple models of the spread of infectious disease. The models represent the dynamics of a variety of host–pathogen systems including those unique to marine systems where transmission of disease is by contact with waterborne pathogens both directly and through filter‐feeding processes. Overall, the analysis of the epizootiological models focused on the most relevant processes that interact to drive the initiation and termination of epizootics.A priori, systems with multi‐step disease infections (e.g., infection‐death‐particle release‐filtration‐transmission) reduced dependence on individual parameters resulting in inherently slower transmissions rates. This is demonstrably not the case; thus, these alternative transmission pathways must also considerably increase the rates of processes involved in transmission. Scavengers removing dead infected animals may inhibit disease spread in both contact‐based and waterborne pathogen‐based diseases. The capacity of highly infected animals, both alive and dead, to release a substantial number of infective elements into the water column, making them available to suspension feeders results in such diseases being highly infective with a very small “low‐abundance refuge”. In these systems, the body burden of pathogens and the relative importance between the release and the removal rate of pathogens in the host tissue or water column becomes paramount. Two processes are of potential consequence inhibiting epizootics. First, large water volumes above the benthic susceptible populations can function as a sink for pathogens. Second, unlike contact‐based disease models in which an increase in the number of susceptible individuals in the population increases the likelihood of transmission and epizootic development, large populations of filter feeders can reduce this likelihood through the overfiltration of infective particles.
Sprouting and seed production may promote persistence of green ash in the presence of the emerald ash borer
Authors: Kashian Daniel M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractInvasive insects and pathogens have had major impacts on many forest tree species in North America that often affect forest structure and composition. Despite these effects, variation exists in the likelihood that some native species may persist following outbreaks and establishment of exotic insects and pathogens. Emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) has killed millions of trees near its introduction point in southeastern Michigan, and several recent studies in the area have predicted functional elimination of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) from the landscape. Intensive management in yet unaffected stands that results from such predictions, however, demands data that examine the potential for persistence of the host species in the presence of the invasive. This study examined the potential for persistence of green ash in the presence of EAB by measuring surviving trees, regeneration, and seed rain characteristics in 17 small, near‐pure stands of green ash in five consecutive growing seasons. Live trees experienced 58% mortality due to EAB, significantly less than that reported for ash in mixed stands. Approximately 20% of surviving trees exhibited signs of EAB, confirming that EAB mortality has slowed significantly but is ongoing. Sprouting was the dominant mode of ash regeneration in every year, and 27% of large sprouts produced seeds during a mast year in 2011. Advanced regeneration and new seedling establishment resulted in a sizable level of ash regeneration over the five years of the study even when sapling and seedling mortality was taken into account. Seed production was reduced considerably following EAB‐caused mortality, but there was no evidence that seed dispersal limited seedling recruitment. These results suggest that the seed‐producing ability of small trees and basal sprouts, as well as continued low‐level mortality that will retain reduced host density, may allow green ash to persist in the presence of EAB. Although green ash populations and individual trees are unlikely to ever resemble the stature of those prior to EAB, their presence will continue to be an important component of forests on the landscape.
Solidago gigantea plants from nonnative ranges compensate more in response to damage than plants from the native range
Authors: Liao Huixuan , Gurgel Priscila C. S. , Pal Robert W. , Hooper David , Callaway Ragan M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractResistance and tolerance are two ways that plants cope with herbivory. Tolerance, the ability of a plant to regrow or reproduce after being consumed, has been studied less than resistance, but this trait varies widely among species and has considerable potential to affect the ecology of plant species. One particular aspect of tolerance, compensatory responses, can evolve rapidly in plant species; providing insight into interactions between consumers and plants. However, compensation by invasive species has rarely been explored. We compared compensatory responses to the effects of simulated herbivory expressed by plants from seven Solidago gigantea populations from the native North American range to that expressed by plants from nine populations from the nonnative European range. Populations were also collected along elevational gradients to compare ecotypic variation within and between ranges. Solidago plants from the nonnative range of Europe were more tolerant to herbivory than plants from the native range of North America. Furthermore, plants from European populations increased in total biomass and growth rate with elevation, but decreased in compensatory response. There were no relationships between elevation and growth or compensation for North American populations. Our results suggest that Solidago gigantea may have evolved to better compensate for herbivory damage in Europe, perhaps in response to a shift to greater proportion of attack from generalists. Our results also suggest a possible trade‐off between rapid growth and compensation to damage in European populations but not in North American populations.
Nanocrystalline Manganese Iron Oxide as a Charge Storage Electrode
Authors: Soni Disha , Pal Rahul 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPhase pure nanocrystalline manganese iron oxide [(Mn0.37Fe0.63)2O3] was synthesized by combustion technique based on propellant chemistry principle employing citric acid as fuel. The synthesized powder was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET, BJH analysis and electrochemical studies for possible application as a charge storage electrode. The average crystallite size was found to be 18.6 nm from XRD analysis. BET analysis yielded the surface area and specific pore volume of the powder to be 22.96 m2 g−1 and 0.0098 cm3 g−1 respectively. The specific capacitance from cyclic voltammetric studies at scan rate 5 mV s−1 was found to be about 30 F g−1 cm−2 while from charge discharge studies was found to be 27±1 F g−1 cm−2. In addition, the material showed appreciable stability during charge‐discharge cycling.
Development of Electrochemical Immunosensors towards Point‐of‐care Cancer Diagnostics: Clinically Relevant Studies
Authors: Laocharoensuk Rawiwan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDevelopment of electrochemical biosensors towards cancer biomarker detection has been in the spot light for several decades. Electrochemical detection holds great promise for clinical applications because it offers several advantages including sensitive, fast, simple and low‐cost. In addition, multiplexing capability for simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers is feasible. Unfortunately, transition of biosensors from laboratories to the market is challenging. This review intends to summarize recent advances in the development of electrochemical immunosensors for the next generation cancer diagnostic devices. Clinically relevant details of cancer biomarkers such as threshold value and their diagnosis/prognosis application will be given in conjunction with the electrochemical detection platforms that have been validated using clinical samples. Finally, the critical aspects that require great attention in order to fulfill the criteria of biomedical diagnostics will be covered.
Does the scientific underpinning of regulatory tools to estimate bioavailability of nickel in freshwaters matter? The European-wide environmental quality standard for nickel
Authors: Peters Adam , Schlekat Christian E. , Merrington Graham 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

A bioavailability-based environmental quality standard (EQS) was established for nickel in freshwaters under the European Union's Water Framework Directive. Bioavailability correction based on pH, water hardness, and dissolved organic carbon is a demonstrable improvement on existing hardness-based quality standards, which may be underprotective in high-hardness waters. The present study compares several simplified bioavailability tools developed to implement the Ni EQS (biomet, M-BAT, and PNECPro) against the full bioavailability normalization procedure on which the EQS was based. Generally, all tools correctly distinguished sensitive waters from insensitive waters, although with varying degrees of accuracy compared with full normalization. Biomet and M-BAT predictions were consistent with, but less accurate than, full bioavailability normalization results, whereas PNECpro results were generally more conservative. The comparisons revealed important differences in tools in development, which results in differences in the predictions. Importantly, the models used for the development of PNECpro use a different ecotoxicity dataset, and a different bioavailability normalization approach using fewer biotic ligand models (BLMs) than that used for the derivation of the Ni EQS. The failure to include all of the available toxicity data, and all of the appropriate NiBLMs, has led to some significant differences between the predictions provided by PNECpro and those calculated using the process agreed to in Europe under the Water Framework Directive and other chemicals management programs (such as REACH). These considerable differences mean that PNECpro does not reflect the behavior, fate, and ecotoxicity of nickel, and raises concerns about its applicability for checking compliance against the Ni EQS. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2397–2404. © 2016 SETAC
Effect of dietary selenium source (organic vs. mineral) and muscle pH on meat quality characteristics of pigs
Authors: Calvo Luis , Toldrá Fidel , Rodríguez Ana I. , López‐Bote Clemente , Rey Ana I. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis study evaluates the effect of organic (Se‐enriched yeast; SeY) versus inorganic selenium (sodium selenite; SeS) supplementation and the different response of selenium source according to muscle pH on pork meat quality characteristics. Pigs (n = 30) were fed the Se‐supplemented diets (0.3 mg/kg) for 65 days. Neither electric conductivity (EC) nor drip loss were affected by the selenium source. The SeY group had lower TBARS in muscle samples after day 7 of refrigerated storage and higher a* values on days 1 and 7 than the SeS group. The effect of dietary selenium source on some meat quality characteristics was affected by muscle pH. Hence, as the muscle pH increases, the drip loss decreases but this effect is more marked with the dietary organic Se enrichment. Muscle pH seems to modulate the action of selenium in pork, especially some meat characteristics such as drip loss.
Cross‐Hedging Ambiguous Exchange Rate Risk
Authors: Wong Kit Pong 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis paper examines the behavior of an exporting firm that sells its output to two foreign countries, only one of which has futures and options available for its currency. The firm possesses smooth ambiguity preferences and faces multiple sources of ambiguous exchange rate risk. We show that the separation theorem fails to hold in that the firm's production and export decisions depend on the firm's attitude toward ambiguity and on the incident to the underlying ambiguity. Given that the random spot exchange rates are first‐order independent with respect to each plausible subjective distribution, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions under which the full‐hedging theorem applies to the firm's cross‐hedging decisions. When these conditions are violated, we show that the firm includes options in its optimal hedge position. This paper as such offers a rationale for the hedging role of options under smooth ambiguity preferences and cross‐hedging of ambiguous exchange rate risk. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:132–147, 2017
Sedimentary response to ignimbrite emplacement across a fluvial–shallow‐marine transition: Ordovician Mweelrea Formation, South Mayo Trough, Western Ireland
Authors: Riggs Nancy , McConnell Brian 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe Ordovician Mweelrea Formation is part of the basin fill of the South Mayo Trough in western Ireland and records progradation of alluvial facies northwestward across shallow‐ and marginal‐marine Mweelrea ‘passage beds’ to marine Glenummera Formation facies. Early in Mweelrea Formation sedimentation, the first of a series of ignimbrites was emplaced, causing a disruption in this progradation. The preserved thickness of the ignimbrite is up to ca. 12 m, and the sedimentary response varied depending on the environment that was affected. Eastern exposures of the Mweelrea Formation are coarse grained and represent fluvial facies. Emplacement of the ignimbrite caused overlying sediment to become richer in feldspar as well as coarser grained; heavy‐mineral laminations are common here and in many supra‐ignimbrite exposures, but the depositional style was unchanged. The ignimbrite overlies decreasing thickness of fluvial sandstone towards the west to where it directly overlies shoreline and shallow‐marine passage beds. Here, sandstone that overlies the ignimbrite is fluvial, indicating that emplacement of the ignimbrite brought about an abrupt progradation. At the westernmost outcrops of Mweelrea Formation, the ignimbrite lies at the contact with the underlying marine Glenummera Formation. Marine sedimentation continued after emplacement of the ignimbrite, although a coarse conglomerate horizon immediately overlying the ignimbrite together with development of a delta suggests that sediment input was vastly increased. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epidemiology of dementia and its burden in the city of Kolkata, India
Authors: Banerjee Tapas Kumar , Dutta Saunak , Das Sujata , Ghosal Malay , Ray Biman Kanti , Biswas Atanu , Hazra Avijit , Chaudhuri Arijit , Paul Neelanjana , Das Shyamal Kumar 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesIncrease in aging population is expected to lead to increasing prevalence of dementia in India. In this study, we aimed to determine prevalence, incidence, and mortality of dementia and its subtypes and assess dementia burden in terms of disability‐adjusted life years (DALY).MethodsA community study was conducted over 5 years (2003–2008) in Kolkata, India, on 100,802 (males 53,209) randomly selected subjects to assess prevalence and capture data on incident cases and deaths. Standard case definitions were used. The data were used to estimate years of life lost (YLL) due to premature mortality, years of life lived with disability (YLD), and DALY, based on Global Burden of Disease 2010 approach.ResultsDuring 2003–2004, there were 103 (men 55) cases of dementia. The prevalence was 1.53% (age adjusted 1.12%) at age ≥65 years. In those ≥55 years age, average annual incidence rate of dementia was 72.57 per 100,000. All‐cause standardized mortality ratio in dementia cases was 4.74 (men 6.19, women 3.03). The burden of dementia in 2007–2008 revealed that overall YLL was 47.13 per 100,000 and YLD ranged from 1.87 to 16.95 per 100,000 depending on the clinical severity of dementia. The overall DALY lost per 100,000 due to dementia for the year 2007–2008 was 74.19.ConclusionsThis community study revealed a low prevalence and incidence of dementia with consequent low DALY‐derived burden of illness compared with many industrialized nations. YLL formed major component of DALY indicating premature mortality to be an outcome of dementia burden. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oncologic outcomes of patients with positive margins after laser cordectomy for T1 and T2 glottic squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Charbonnier Quentin , Thisse Anne‐Sophie , Sleghem Laurent , Mouawad François , Chevalier Dominique , Page Cyril , Mortuaire Geoffrey 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe oncologic impact of surgical margins after transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma is controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of margin status in terms of local control.MethodsRecords of 266 patients treated from 1990 to 2013 were evaluated. Patients with previous cordectomy or without preoperative CT scan were excluded from the study.ResultsA total 110 patients (85 T1a, 8 T1b, and 17 T2) were enrolled. A local recurrence was observed in 23 patients. Five‐year disease‐free survival was significantly impaired in patients with positive margins (p = .009) and in patients with deep involvement of the vocal muscle (p = .004).ConclusionThe present study shows that invaded margin is a factor of poor local control even though laser vaporization was systematically applied after resection. In case of deep vocal fold involvement, TLM should be extended beyond the vocal muscle to improve local control. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1804–1809, 2016