bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sufficiency and Suitability of Global Biodiversity Indicators for Monitoring Progress to 2020 Targets
Authors: Mcowen Chris J. , Ivory Sarah , Dixon Matthew J. R. , Regan Eugenie C. , Obrecht Andreas , Tittensor Derek P. , Teller Anne , Chenery Anna M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBiodiversity indicators are widely used tools to help determine rates of biodiversity change and the success or failure of efforts to conserve it. However, their sufficiency and suitability in providing information for decision‐makers is unclear. Here, we review the indicators brought together under the Biodiversity Indicator Partnership to monitor progress towards the Aichi Targets to determine where there are gaps. Of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Targets 2, 3, and 15 are missing indicators entirely. Scoring the indicators in relation to their alignment, temporal relevance and spatial scale shows additional gaps under Targets 1, 13, and 16–20. Predominately, gaps were found to be socio‐economic in nature (i.e., benefits, pressures, and responses) rather than status‐related (i.e., states), principally due to a poor alignment between the indicator and the text of the Aichi Target. Hence, it is critical that existing indicators are properly resourced and maintained and new indicators developed to be able to effectively monitor biodiversity and its influencing factors to 2020 and beyond.
Frequency‐dependent selection for rare genotypes promotes genetic diversity of a tropical palm
Authors: Browne Luke , Karubian Jordan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractNegative frequency‐dependent selection among species is a key driver of community diversity in natural systems, but the degree to which negative frequency‐dependent selection shapes patterns of survival and genetic diversity within species is poorly understood. In a 5‐year field experiment, we show that seedlings of a tropical palm with rare genotypes had a pronounced survival advantage over seedlings with common genotypes, with effect sizes comparable to that of light availability. This ‘rare genotype advantage’ led to an increase in population‐wide genetic diversity among seedlings compared to null expectations, as predicted by negative frequency‐dependent selection, and increased reproductive success in adult trees with rare genotypes. These results suggest that within‐species negative frequency‐dependent selection of genotypes can shape genetic variation on ecologically relevant timescales in natural systems and may be a key, overlooked source of non‐random mortality for tropical plants.
No association between Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a case–control study
Authors: Visser A. E. , Verduyn Lunel F. M. , Veldink J. H. , van den Berg L. H. 
Published: November 2016

Background and purposePrevious studies, mostly case reports and uncontrolled studies, provide a low level of evidence for the hypothesized link between Lyme disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In order to make evidence‐based recommendations regarding testing for Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in the diagnostic work‐up for ALS, the objective of this study was to explore the evidence for an association between these antibodies and ALS in a case–control design including age‐, gender‐ and residency‐matched controls.MethodsA total of 491 patients with ALS were matched to 982 controls. IgG titers against B. burgdorferi were determined by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and, in the case of positivity or borderline results, a western blot was performed. Conditional logistic regression and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the antibody titers or positivity between patients and controls.ResultsNo difference in seroprevalence of Borrelia was found between patients (4.1%) and controls (5.9%). Clinical characteristics and survival were similar between seropositive and seronegative patients. Moreover, patients with a spinal onset were not more frequently seropositive compared with patients with a bulbar onset (P = 0.47), and neither were patients with a short diagnostic delay of <6 months compared with controls (P = 0.69). None of the 20 patients with a diagnostic delay of <3 months tested positive for IgM antibodies, suggestive of a recent infection.ConclusionThis large case–control study provides evidence for a lack of association between B. burgdorferi antibodies and ALS, and therefore does not support the inclusion of routine testing for these antibodies in the diagnostic work‐up in patients with classical ALS.
Metabolic injury in a variable rat model of post–status epilepticus
Authors: Pearce Patrice S. , Wu Yijen , Rapuano Amedeo , Kelly Kevin M. , de Lanerolle Nihal , Pan Jullie W. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryObjectiveIn vivo studies of epilepsy typically use prolonged status epilepticus to generate recurrent seizures. However, reports on variable status duration have found discrete differences in injury after 40–50 min of seizures, suggesting a pathophysiologic sensitivity to seizure duration. In this report we take a multivariate cluster analysis to study a short duration status epilepticus model using in vivo 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and histologic evaluation.MethodsThe Hellier Dudek model was applied with 45 min of status epilepticus after which the animals were imaged twice, at 3 days and 3 weeks post–status epilepticus. Single voxel point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) MRS was used to acquire data from the dentate gyrus and CA3 region of the hippocampus, assessing metabolite ratios to total creatine (tCr). In a subset of animals after the second imaging study, brains were analyzed histologically by Nissl staining.ResultsA hierarchical cluster analysis performed on the 3‐day data from 21 kainate‐treated animals (dentate gyrus voxel) segregated into two clusters, denoted by KM (more injured, n = 6) and KL (less injured, n = 15). Although there was no difference in kainate dosing or seizure count between them, the metabolic pattern of injury was different. The KM group displayed the largest significant changes in neuronal and glial parameters; the KL group displayed milder but significant changes. At 3 weeks, the KL group returned to normal compared to controls, whereas the KM group persisted with depressed N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA)/tCr, glutamate/tCr, and increased inositol/tCr and glutamine/tCr. The classification was also consistent with subsequent histologic patterns at 3 weeks.SignificanceAlthough a short status period might be expected to generate a continuous distribution of metabolic injury, these data show that the short Hellier Dudek model appears to generate two levels of injury. The changes seen in segregated groups persisted into 3 weeks, and can be interpreted according to neuronal and glial biomarkers consistent with histology results.
Nutrients associated with terrestrial dissolved organic matter drive changes in zooplankton:phytoplankton biomass ratios in an alpine lake
Authors: Kissman Carrie E. H. , Williamson Craig E. , Rose Kevin C. , Saros Jasmine E. 
Published: November 2016

Summary

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is increasing in many lakes due to climate change and other environmental forcing. A 21‐day microcosm experiment that manipulated terrestrial DOM was used to determine the effect of DOM on zooplankton:phytoplankton biomass ratios (z:p). We predicted that if DOM additions increase the amount of fixed carbon available for higher trophic levels through stimulation of the microbial loop and hence zooplankton, the z:p will increase. However, if DOM additions increase other nutrients besides fixed carbon, we predict stable or decreasing z:p due to nutrient stimulation of phytoplankton that subsequently enhances zooplankton.

The effects of experimental additions of terrestrially derived DOM on zooplankton, phytoplankton, z:p and zooplankton net grazing were assessed in microcosms (sealed bags) incubated in the epilimnion (shallow; 1.5 m) and hypolimnion (deep; 8.0 m) strata of an alpine lake.

DOM addition treatments (DOM+) had a 6.0‐ to 7.5‐fold increase in phytoplankton biomass relative to controls, but only a 1.3‐ to 1.5‐fold increase in zooplankton biomass, on day 21 of the experiment. The z:p was, thus, lower in the DOM+ treatments (ratios: 2.3 deep and 4.4 shallow) than in the control treatments (ratios: 13.4 deep and 17.5 shallow), providing evidence that DOM additions provide nutrient subsidies besides fixed carbon that stimulate phytoplankton biomass accumulation.

The increase in zooplankton biomass during the experiment was similar in magnitude to the total amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the DOM added in the sealed bags at the beginning of the experiment, which suggests zooplankton biomass stimulation due to increased phytoplankton biomass, and not from DOM through the microbial loop, which would have greater trophic transfer losses. The consumer net grazing effect in the DOM+ treatments was reduced by 2.8‐fold in the shallow stratum and by 2.9‐fold in the deep stratum relative to the control treatments, indicating that zooplankton were unable to exert strong top–down control on the primary producers.

The role of nutrients needs to be considered when examining the response of pelagic ecosystems to inputs of terrestrial DOM, especially in lakes with lower DOC concentrations.
Effects of mixing on the pelagic food web in shallow lakes
Authors: Blottière Lydie , Jaffar‐Bandjee Mourad , Jacquet Stéphan , Millot Alexis , Hulot Florence D. 
Published: November 2016

Summary

We examined the effects of wind‐induced mixing and particle resuspension on the pelagic food web in eutrophic shallow lakes. These processes are known to have a major impact on a variety of biological, physical or chemical parameters such as the underwater light climate, the nutrient availability in the water column and the abundance and composition of the phytoplankton community. However, little is known about the effects of these processes on other compartments of the freshwater food web.

We conducted a 9‐week experiment comprising a manipulation of mixing intensity in 15 m3 mesocosms equipped with wavemakers in order to explore the impact of two mixing regimes on water chemistry as well as viral, bacterial, phytoplankton and zooplankton communities.

The turbidity level in mixed mesocosms (compared to calm conditions) was higher on average, especially at the bottom, indicating a successful resuspension of the sediment bed. Mixing increased chlorophyll a concentration without any clear increase in algal abundance, measured as cell counts by flow cytometry, which pointed to a change in species composition or a physiological adaptation to mixing. pH increased strongly in mixed mesocosms, suggesting enhanced primary productivity in perturbed conditions. Zooplankton responses to mixing were neutral for cladocerans and negative for copepods, which potentially mediated top–down controls on the rotifer population.

Bacterial and viral abundances were not significantly changed by the mixing regimes; however, peaks of viral lysis of heterotrophic bacteria were seen in each mixed mesocosm, while none were observed in calm mesocosms. These results suggest that viral lysis is enhanced by the water column mixing.

Our experiment demonstrates that mixing is likely to influence shallow lake functioning through a complex combination of direct and indirect effects on the underwater light climate and water chemistry, phytoplankton physiology and productivity, zooplankton growth and possibly virus–host interactions. These complex effects could play a major role in structuring pelagic and benthic communities in shallow lakes.
Identifying the microbial taxa that consistently respond to soil warming across time and space
Authors: Oliverio Angela M. , Bradford Mark A. , Fierer Noah 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSoil microbial communities are the key drivers of many terrestrial biogeochemical processes. However, we currently lack a generalizable understanding of how these soil communities will change in response to predicted increases in global temperatures and which microbial lineages will be most impacted. Here, using high‐throughput marker gene sequencing of soils collected from 18 sites throughout North America included in a 100‐day laboratory incubation experiment, we identified a core group of abundant and nearly ubiquitous soil microbes that shift in relative abundance with elevated soil temperatures. We then validated and narrowed our list of temperature‐sensitive microbes by comparing the results from this laboratory experiment with data compiled from 210 soils representing multiple, independent global field studies sampled across spatial gradients with a wide range in mean annual temperatures. Our results reveal predictable and consistent responses to temperature for a core group of 189 ubiquitous soil bacterial and archaeal taxa, with these taxa exhibiting similar temperature responses across a broad range of soil types. These microbial ‘bioindicators’ are useful for understanding how soil microbial communities respond to warming and to discriminate between the direct and indirect effects of soil warming on microbial communities. Those taxa that were found to be sensitive to temperature represented a wide range of lineages and the direction of the temperature responses were not predictable from phylogeny alone, indicating that temperature responses are difficult to predict from simply describing soil microbial communities at broad taxonomic or phylogenetic levels of resolution. Together, these results lay the foundation for a more predictive understanding of how soil microbial communities respond to soil warming and how warming may ultimately lead to changes in soil biogeochemical processes.
PD‐1 inhibitor gastroenterocolitis: case series and appraisal of ‘immunomodulatory gastroenterocolitis’
Authors: Gonzalez Raul S , Salaria Safia N , Bohannon Caitlin D , Huber Aaron R , Feely Michael M , Shi Chanjuan 
Published: November 2016

AimsPD‐1 inhibitors facilitate immune response against certain tumour types, including melanoma. These drugs have led to prolonged survival but can also result in autoimmune‐type side effects, including gastrointestinal inflammation. The histopathological effects of this medication class have not been well studied.Methods and resultsWe identified 37 gastrointestinal tract biopsies from 20 patients taking a PD‐1 or PD‐L1 inhibitor and evaluated clinicopathological findings. Diarrhoea was the most common symptom, and endoscopic findings ranged from mild erythema to erosion/ulceration. Common histological findings included lamina propria expansion, villous blunting (if applicable), intra‐epithelial neutrophils and increased crypt/gland apoptosis, although intra‐epithelial lymphocytes were rarely prominent. A few cases showed crypt rupture with resultant histiocytic/granulomatous response. Most patients responded to drug cessation and/or steroids, but follow‐up endoscopies were not performed.ConclusionsPD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors can cause gastritis, enteritis and colitis, similar to other immunomodulatory antibodies (such as CTLA‐4 inhibitors and PI3Kδ inhibitors), but the histological findings vary somewhat among drug classes. Clinical history, lack of prominent intra‐epithelial lymphocytes and crypt rupture may help to distinguish PD‐1 inhibitor gastroenterocolitis from mimics, which include other medication effect, inflammatory bowel disease, graft‐versus‐host disease, cytomegalovirus infection and autoimmune enteropathy.
A highly resistant structure between cuticle and cortex of human hair
Authors: Takahashi T. , Yoshida S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo clarify the presence and properties of a unique structure which is located between the cuticle and cortex of human hair.MethodsWhole hair fibre and longitudinally split hair were used. Treated with a mixture of urea, reductant and alkaline, hair was split at the interface between cuticle and cortex. The residues in the solution were observed by microscope, and the distribution of lipids and protein was determined.ResultsFrom the treated longitudinally split hair, a membrane‐like structure which was located at the interface between cuticle and cortex was obtained. This structure showed especially high resistance against chemical treatment and was thought to be the region into which the proximal roots of the cuticle cells are embedded. It was supposed that some steryl glucoside‐like lipid, of which the presence in the cuticle and cortex interface was previously reported, is located in this structure.ConclusionThis study proposed the presence of a membrane‐like structure, which is highly resistant against chemical treatment, at the region between cuticle and cortex of human hair. This may protect cortex from external stimuli more firmly than the surface part of cuticle.
Flow cytometry analysis of DNA ploidy levels and protein profiles distinguish between populations of Lumbriculus (Annelida: Clitellata)
Authors: Tweeten Kay A. , Morris Samantha J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractVariations in DNA ploidy have been observed in Lumbriculus, a freshwater annelid, as well as in other clitellates. Interpretation and application of experimental results using these animals may be impacted as ploidy levels affect the protein expression, reproductive behavior, and response to stressors. Ploidy is typically determined by chromosome spreads, a time‐consuming and inefficient method. We adapted flow cytometry protocols used on vertebrates and plants to determine the ploidy levels in different populations of Lumbriculus, including a laboratory strain (Environmental Protection Agency), a commercial strain (Aquatic Foods), and worms collected from natural habitats. To isolate nuclei, worms were homogenized, filtered to remove cell debris, and centrifuged through Optiprep™ density gradients. Nuclei were recovered, treated with RNAse, and stained with propidium iodide. Flow cytometry of the labeled nuclei showed that Lumbriculus from natural habitats in Minnesota and Iowa were diploid, with an estimated genome size of 2.7 pg. Populations from natural habitats in California and Oregon were highly polyploid, as were the laboratory and commercial strains. Chromosome spreads verified the high ploidy levels indicated by flow cytometry results, but also suggested that flow cytometry may be underestimating the DNA content levels. Staining of nuclei with diamidino‐2‐phenylindole indicated that this may be due to high levels of heterochromatin in nuclei from polyploid forms of Lumbriculus. To further compare the populations, proteins in worm homogenates were subjected to isoelectrofocusing gel electrophoresis. Distinct protein profiles were seen; one was shared in common by the diploid worms, the other was characteristic of polyploid populations. Diploid worms could also be distinguished from polyploid worms based on differences in hemoglobin linker proteins. The results further support taxonomic classification of the diploid and polyploid forms of Lumbriculus as distinct species.
Re‐entrant relaxor behavior in BaTiO3‐Bi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 ceramics
Authors: Wu Longwen , Wang Xiaohui , Shen Zhengbo , Luo Bingcheng , Li Longtu 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe (1−x)BaTiO3−xBi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 (x=0.10‐0.25) ceramics were fabricated via solid‐state reactions. Temperature‐dependent polarization measurement reveals that with the temperature lowering, the remnant polarization increases till a maximum value before it decreases, showing a reentrant phenomenon. Absence of apparent switching current peaks in the current density as a function of electric field should indicate the lack of a ferroelectric transition, which is further verified by the consistent macroscopic phase structure from the Raman spectra. An anomalous peak in the full width at half maximum of a deconvoluted mode at ~515 cm−1 suggests the entering of a more disordered state of dipolar dynamics, which may be originated from the competition between the freezing of polar nanoregions and the random interacting fields.
Fracture mechanics of sharp scratch strength of polycrystalline alumina
Authors: Cook Robert F. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe strength of a polycrystalline alumina containing controlled scratches introduced by translated sharp contacts is investigated and described by a multiscale fracture mechanics model. Inert strength measurements of samples containing quasi‐static and translated Vickers indentation contacts showed that scratches degraded the strength at normal contact loads an order of magnitude less than those for quasi‐static indentation. The fracture mechanics model developed to describe strength degradation by scratches over the full range of contact loads included toughening effects by crack‐wake bridging at the microscale and lateral crack‐based residual stress relaxation effects at the mesoscale. A critical element of the model is the nonlinear scaling of the residual stress field of a scratch with the normal contact load acting during scratch formation. The similarities and differences in the scratch model in comparison with prior indentation‐strength fracture mechanics models are highlighted by parallel development of both. Central to the scratch model is the use of easily controlled normal contact load as the scratch‐strength measurement variable. Scratch length and orientation are shown to have significant effects on strength. The distributions of scratch widths controlling the intrinsic strengths of as‐received samples are determined and agreement with the observed scratch dimensions is demonstrated.
Efficient dispersants for the dispersion of gallium zinc oxide nanopowder in aqueous suspensions
Authors: Li Chia‐Chen , Liu Wei‐I , Chen Yen‐Shin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAppropriate dispersants for the dispersion of gallium zinc oxide (GZO) nanopowder in aqueous suspensions were identified in this study. The dispersion efficiencies and stabilization mechanisms of water‐based dispersants ammonium poly(acrylic acid) (PAA–NH4), an anionic polyelectrolyte, and polyethylenimine (PEI), a cationic polyelectrolyte, were compared. The experimental analyses of rheology and sedimentation showed that both PAA–NH4 and PEI were good dispersants for the dispersion of GZO. Theoretical calculations based on Derjaguin‐Landau‐Verwey‐Overbeek theory revealed that the stabilization mechanism of PEI was mainly related to the steric effect, and a very low molecular weight of 1800 g/mol was insufficient for powder stabilization. GZO was well dispersed by PEI with high molecular weight of 10 000 g/mol, but agglomeration occurred when too much PEI was added. Compared with PEI, PAA–NH4 was more efficient because of its high contribution to the increase in electrostatic repulsion. Based on theoretical considerations on both steric and electrostatic effects, namely, the electrosteric stabilization mechanism, PAA–NH4 is optimal for the dispersion of GZO nanopowder in aqueous suspensions.
Wider Europe, Greater Europe? David Mitrany on European Security Order
Authors: Zwolski Kamil 
Published: November 2016

AbstractHow should the structure of European security be reorganized following the conflict in Ukraine? Some respond that the European Union should not bend to Russia's acts of aggression. Others blame the allegedly exclusionary and expansive nature of the Euro‐Atlantic organizations for the conflict. This paper embeds these competing narratives in the functional approach of David Mitrany, specifically in his two distinctive forms of regional integration, one exclusive and one inclusive. At the same time, however, the paper cautions against drawing simplified conclusions based on the parallels between Mitrany's ideal types of regional integration and contemporary arguments about the place of Russia in European security governance. Indeed, a more inclusive approach to Russia can potentially be beneficial for European security order, but there are more problems with this vision than simply the short‐sightedness of western institutions. Unfortunately, Mitrany's functional approach does not offer immediate solutions to these problems.