bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pseudodidymella fagi and Petrakia deviata: Two closely related tree pathogens new to central Europe
Authors: Gross A. , Beenken L. , Dubach V. , Queloz V. , Tanaka K. , Hashimoto A. , Holdenrieder O. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryPseudodidymella fagi is a leaf blotch pathogen of Fagus crenata in Japan. This pathogen is now reported for the first time on F. sylvatica in Switzerland and Germany. Species identity was verified by morphological assessment of the asexual and sexual morphs and by comparing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of the type material from Japan and of freshly collected samples from Europe. ITS sequences proofed to be completely identical. The asexual morph Pycnopleiospora of Ps. fagi is formed on necrotic leaf spots during summer and autumn. In early spring, its sexual morph is formed in the litter of F. sylvatica. The connection between sexual and asexual morphs was verified by sequencing the ITS region of single conidium and ascospore isolates. The pathogenicity of Ps. fagi on F. sylvatica was tested by inoculations on detached leaves in vitro and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. The second pathogen we report in central Europe for the first time is Petrakia deviata, which causes a leaf blotch disease of field maple (Acer campestre). This species was collected only once in the central Caucasus region in 1929 and was never found again after its first discovery. Now it was rediscovered in two different locations in Switzerland on field maple (A. campestre) and on the new host Norway maple (A. platanoides). Species identity was verified by morphology and by comparison with the ITS sequence of the holotype specimen and freshly collected samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences suggested that Ps. fagi and P. deviata are closely related to each other. Whether these species were simply overlooked so far, profit from climate change, or represent newly introduced invasive species remains to be studied. Moreover, deeper phylogenetic analysis using multiple sequence markers should be conducted to verify species identities.
From the substance to the shadow: the role of the court in Japanese labour markets
Authors: Nakabayashi Masaki 
Published: April 2017

AbstractModern contract law generally does not allow property rights or similar claims to be made against employees. This undermines a claim on the return on the employer's investments in recruiting and training a worker, making them vulnerable to possible infringement from a bystander. Accordingly, employers’ investment in recruiting and training might become deficient. Therefore, protecting an employer's investment, balanced against the mobility of the labour market for better employer/employee matches, has emerged as an issue during the transition towards a market‐based economy. This article explores how the Japanese state court in its early period addressed this issue in the tight labour market of the silk‐reeling industry, which was the leading industry at that time. Initially, the court directly protected the interests of employers whose employees were poached, at the expense of workers’ mobility. Then, it seemed to govern transactions between employers indirectly as a shadow off‐the‐equilibrium path. Thus, an employer whose employee was poached and an employer who carried out the poaching would privately negotiate to settle the dispute, using a possible suit as a threat against the poacher. An examination of the suits that were actually filed supports this hypothesis. This indirect governance facilitated labour market mobility with some protection of the original employer's claim.
The liquidity of the London capital markets, 1825–70†
Authors: Campbell Gareth , Turner John D. , Ye Qing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article examines the liquidity of the London capital markets in the decades following the liberalization of UK incorporation law. Using comprehensive stock and bond data, we calculate a measure of market liquidity for the period 1825–70. We find that stock market liquidity trended upwards but bond market liquidity did not increase over the sample period. Stock market liquidity during our sample period was partially influenced by the bond market, rather than fluctuations in economic output. In our analysis of the cross‐sectional determinants of individual stock liquidity, we find that firm size and the number of issued shares were important determinants of liquidity. Finally, we find little evidence of an illiquidity premium, which is consistent with the view that investors did not price liquidity in this nascent market.
Plasma cytokines associated with febrile status epilepticus in children: A potential biomarker for acute hippocampal injury
Authors: Gallentine William B. , Shinnar Shlomo , Hesdorffer Dale C. , Epstein Leon , Nordli Douglas R. , Lewis Darrell V. , Frank L. Matthew , Seinfeld Syndi , Shinnar Ruth C. , Cornett Karen , Liu Binyi , Moshé Solomon L. , Sun Shumei ,   FEBSTAT Investigator Team
Published: April 2017

SummaryObjectiveOur aim was to explore the association between plasma cytokines and febrile status epilepticus (FSE) in children, as well as their potential as biomarkers of acute hippocampal injury.MethodsAnalysis was performed on residual samples of children with FSE (n = 33) as part of the Consequences of Prolonged Febrile Seizures in Childhood study (FEBSTAT) and compared to children with fever (n = 17). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained as part of FEBSTAT within 72 h of FSE. Cytokine levels and ratios of antiinflammatory versus proinflammatory cytokines in children with and without hippocampal T2 hyperintensity were assessed as biomarkers of acute hippocampal injury after FSE.ResultsLevels of interleukin (IL)‐8 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were significantly elevated after FSE in comparison to controls. IL‐1β levels trended higher and IL‐1RA trended lower following FSE, but did not reach statistical significance. Children with FSE were found to have significantly lower ratios of IL‐1RA/IL‐1β and IL‐1RA/IL‐8. Specific levels of any one individual cytokine were not associated with FSE. However, lower ratios of IL‐1RA/IL‐1β, IL‐1RA/1L‐6, and IL‐1RA/ IL‐8 were all associated with FSE. IL‐6 and IL‐8 levels were significantly higher and ratios of IL‐1RA/IL‐6 and IL‐1RA/IL‐8 were significantly lower in children with T2 hippocampal hyperintensity on MRI after FSE in comparison to those without hippocampal signal abnormalities. Neither individual cytokine levels nor ratios of IL‐1RA/IL‐1β or IL‐1RA/IL‐8 were predictive of MRI changes. However, a lower ratio of IL‐1RA/IL‐6 was strongly predictive (odds ratio [OR] 21.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–393) of hippocampal T2 hyperintensity after FSE.SignificanceOur data support involvement of the IL‐1 cytokine system, IL‐6, and IL‐8 in FSE in children. The identification of the IL‐1RA/IL‐6 ratio as a potential biomarker of acute hippocampal injury following FSE is the most significant finding. If replicated in another study, the IL‐1RA/IL‐6 ratio could represent a serologic biomarker that offers rapid identification of patients at risk for ultimately developing mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).
Development and pharmacologic characterization of the rat 6 Hz model of partial seizures
Authors: Metcalf Cameron S. , West Peter J. , Thomson Kyle E. , Edwards Sharon F. , Smith Misty D. , White H. Steve , Wilcox Karen S. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryObjectiveThe mouse 6 Hz model of psychomotor seizures is a well‐established and commonly used preclinical model for antiseizure drug (ASD) discovery. Despite its widespread use both in the identification and differentiation of novel ASDs in mice, a corresponding assay in rats has not been developed. We established a method for 6 Hz seizure induction in rats, with seizure behaviors similar to those observed in mice including head nod, jaw clonus, and forelimb clonus.MethodsA convulsive current that elicits these seizure behaviors in 97% of rats (CC97) was determined using a Probit analysis. Numerous prototype ASDs were evaluated in this model using stimulus intensities of 1.5× and 2× the CC97, which is comparable to the approach used in the mouse 6 Hz seizure model (e.g., 32 and 44 mA stimulus intensities). The ASDs evaluated include carbamazepine, clobazam, clonazepam, eslicarbazepine, ethosuximide, ezogabine, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rufinamide, tiagabine, topiramate, and sodium valproate. Median effective dose (ED50) and median toxic (motor impairment) dose (TD50) values were obtained for each compound.ResultsCompounds that were effective at the 1.5 × CC97 stimulus intensity at protective index (PI) values >1 included clobazam, ethosuximide, ezogabine, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, and sodium valproate. Compounds that were effective at the 2 × CC97 stimulus intensity at PI values >1 included ezogabine, phenobarbital, and sodium valproate.SignificanceIn a manner similar to the use of the mouse 6 Hz model, development of a rat 6 Hz test will aid in the differentiation of ASDs, as well as in study design and dose selection for chronic rat models of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. The limited number of established ASDs with demonstrable efficacy at the higher stimulus intensity suggests that, like the mouse 6 Hz 44 mA model, the rat 6 Hz seizure model may be a useful screening tool for pharmacoresistant seizures.
Population dynamics of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Spruce Creek Pennsylvania: A quarter‐century perspective
Authors: Grossman Gary D. , Carline Robert F. , Wagner Tyler 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe examined the relationship between density‐independent and density‐dependent factors on the demography of a dense, relatively unexploited population of brown trout in Spruce Creek Pennsylvania between 1985 and 2011.IndividualPCAs of flow and temperature data elucidated groups of years with multiple high flow versus multiple low flow characteristics and high versus low temperature years, although subtler patterns of variation also were observed.Density and biomass displayed similar temporal patterns, ranging from 710 to 1,803 trout/ha and 76–263 kg/ha. We detected a significantly negative linear stock‐recruitment relationship (R2 = .39) and there was no evidence that flow or water temperature affected recruitment.Both annual survival and the per‐capita rate of increase (r) for the population varied over the study, and density‐dependent mechanisms possessed the greatest explanatory power for annual survival data. Temporal trends in population r suggested it displayed a bounded equilibrium with increases observed in 12 years and decreases detected in 13 years.Model selection analysis of per‐capita rate of increase data for age 1, and adults (N = eight interpretable models) indicated that both density‐dependent (five of eight) and negative density‐independent processes (five of eight, i.e. high flows or temperatures), affectedr. Recruitment limitation also was identified in three of eight models. Variation in the per‐capita rate of increase for the population was most strongly affected by positive density independence in the form of increasing spring–summer temperatures and recruitment limitation.Model selection analyses describing annual variation in both mean length and mass data yielded similar results, although maximumwivalues were low ranging from 0.09 to 0.23 (length) and 0.13 to 0.22 (mass). Density‐dependence was included in 15 of 15 interpretable models for length and all ten interpretable models for mass. Similarly, positive density‐independent effects in the form of increasing autumn–winter flow were present in seven of 15 interpretable models for length and five of ten interpretable models for mass. Negative density independent effects also were observed in the form of high spring–summer flows or temperatures (N = 4), or high autumn–winter temperatures (N = 1).Our analyses of the factors affecting population regulation in an introduced population of brown trout demonstrate that density‐dependent forces affected every important demographic characteristic (recruitment, survivorship, the rate of increase, and size) within this population. However, density‐independent forces in the form of seasonal variations in flow and temperature also helped explain annual variation in the per‐capita rate of increase, and mean length and mass data. Consequently, population regulation within this population is driven by a complex of biotic and environmental factors, although it seems clear that density‐dependent factors play a dominant role.
Boosted food web productivity through ocean acidification collapses under warming
Authors: Goldenberg Silvan U. , Nagelkerken Ivan , Ferreira Camilo M. , Ullah Hadayet , Connell Sean D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFuture climate is forecast to drive bottom‐up (resource driven) and top‐down (consumer driven) change to food web dynamics and community structure. Yet, our predictive understanding of these changes is hampered by an over‐reliance on simplified laboratory systems centred on single trophic levels. Using a large mesocosm experiment, we reveal how future ocean acidification and warming modify trophic linkages across a three‐level food web: that is, primary (algae), secondary (herbivorous invertebrates) and tertiary (predatory fish) producers. Both elevated CO2 and elevated temperature boosted primary production. Under elevated CO2, the enhanced bottom‐up forcing propagated through all trophic levels. Elevated temperature, however, negated the benefits of elevated CO2 by stalling secondary production. This imbalance caused secondary producer populations to decline as elevated temperature drove predators to consume their prey more rapidly in the face of higher metabolic demand. Our findings demonstrate how anthropogenic CO2 can function as a resource that boosts productivity throughout food webs, and how warming can reverse this effect by acting as a stressor to trophic interactions. Understanding the shifting balance between the propagation of resource enrichment and its consumption across trophic levels provides a predictive understanding of future dynamics of stability and collapse in food webs and fisheries production.
Vulnerability to forest loss through altered postfire recovery dynamics in a warming climate in the Klamath Mountains
Authors: Tepley Alan J. , Thompson Jonathan R. , Epstein Howard E. , Anderson‐Teixeira Kristina J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn the context of ongoing climatic warming, certain landscapes could be near a tipping point where relatively small changes to their fire regimes or their postfire forest recovery dynamics could bring about extensive forest loss, with associated effects on biodiversity and carbon‐cycle feedbacks to climate change. Such concerns are particularly valid in the Klamath Region of northern California and southwestern Oregon, where severe fire initially converts montane conifer forests to systems dominated by broadleaf trees and shrubs. Conifers eventually overtop the competing vegetation, but until they do, these systems could be perpetuated by a cycle of reburning. To assess the vulnerability of conifer forests to increased fire activity and altered forest recovery dynamics in a warmer, drier climate, we characterized vegetation dynamics following severe fire in nine fire years over the last three decades across the climatic aridity gradient of montane conifer forests. Postfire conifer recruitment was limited to a narrow window, with 89% of recruitment in the first 4 years, and height growth tended to decrease as the lag between the fire year and the recruitment year increased. Growth reductions at longer lags were more pronounced at drier sites, where conifers comprised a smaller portion of live woody biomass. An interaction between seed‐source availability and climatic aridity drove substantial variation in the density of regenerating conifers. With increasing climatic water deficit, higher propagule pressure (i.e., smaller patch sizes for high‐severity fire) was needed to support a given conifer seedling density, which implies that projected future increases in aridity could limit postfire regeneration across a growing portion of the landscape. Under a more severe prospective warming scenario, by the end of the century more than half of the area currently capable of supporting montane conifer forest could become subject to minimal conifer regeneration in even moderate‐sized (10s of ha) high‐severity patches.
Exploring uncertainty of Amazon dieback in a perturbed parameter Earth system ensemble
Authors: Boulton Chris A. , Booth Ben B. B. , Good Peter 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe future of the Amazon rainforest is unknown due to uncertainties in projected climate change and the response of the forest to this change (forest resiliency). Here, we explore the effect of some uncertainties in climate and land surface processes on the future of the forest, using a perturbed physics ensemble of HadCM3C. This is the first time Amazon forest changes are presented using an ensemble exploring both land vegetation processes and physical climate feedbacks in a fully coupled modelling framework. Under three different emissions scenarios, we measure the change in the forest coverage by the end of the 21st century (the transient response) and make a novel adaptation to a previously used method known as “dry‐season resilience” to predict the long‐term committed response of the forest, should the state of the climate remain constant past 2100. Our analysis of this ensemble suggests that there will be a high chance of greater forest loss on longer timescales than is realized by 2100, especially for mid‐range and low emissions scenarios. In both the transient and predicted committed responses, there is an increasing uncertainty in the outcome of the forest as the strength of the emissions scenarios increases. It is important to note however, that very few of the simulations produce future forest loss of the magnitude previously shown under the standard model configuration. We find that low optimum temperatures for photosynthesis and a high minimum leaf area index needed for the forest to compete for space appear to be precursors for dieback. We then decompose the uncertainty into that associated with future climate change and that associated with forest resiliency, finding that it is important to reduce the uncertainty in both of these if we are to better determine the Amazon's outcome.
Aggregate patterns of macrofaunal diversity: An interocean comparison
Authors: Defeo Omar , Barboza Carlos A. M. , Barboza Francisco R. , Aeberhard William H. , Cabrini Tatiana M. B. , Cardoso Ricardo S. , Ortega Leonardo , Skinner Viviane , Worm Boris 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimWhile geographical patterns of species richness are reasonably well explored for single well‐studied taxa, less is known about aggregate patterns of total richness for major biomes and their environmental correlates. Here we analyse continental‐scale aggregate patterns of macrofaunal diversity for sandy beaches, a dominant habitat along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America.LocationSouth American coastlines.Time periodPresent day (data amassed from studies performed since 1971).Major taxa studiedBenthic macrofauna, including crustaceans, polychaetes and molluscs.MethodsWe compiled richness information for all macrofaunal groups on 263 sandy beaches in South America using standard criteria. We further matched these data with environmental variables including sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll a, grain size, beach slope, tide range and various morphometrics. We used generalized linear mixed models to relate environmental factors to observed variation in total macrofaunal richness across all beaches, testing competing hypotheses about environmental correlates and possible drivers of latitudinal diversity.ResultsMacrofaunal richness decreased from tropical to temperate beaches in the Pacific and followed a parabolic trend in the Atlantic, with the highest biodiversity found at tropical and mid‐latitudinal bands. Beach slope, tidal range and chlorophyll a mostly explained latitudinal trends in macrofaunal richness, followed by grain size, SST and ocean basin.Main conclusionsThis study indicates that richness of macrofaunal species at a given beach is most closely related to characteristics of the physical habitat, such as beach slope, area and grain size. At this scale, planktonic food supply also appeared to be more important than temperature, which is a dominant explanatory variable of global‐scale variation in species richness.
Characterization, identification and application of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Leymus chinensis silage
Authors: Zhang Qing , Yu Zhu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractLeymus chinensis is an important forage in China. To investigate the characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and select strains for enhancing fermentation quality L. chinensis silage, 167 LAB strains were isolated from L. chinensis silage prepared on steppes in China. Based on physiological, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence, the isolates were divided into 10 groups (A–J), including Lactobacillus plantarum (species ratio: 44.9%), Lactobacillus brevis (40.7%), Lactobacillus casei (6.6%), Weissella hellenica (2.4%), Enterococcus faecium (1.2%), Enterococcus faecalis (1.2%), Enterococcus mundtii (1.2%), Enterococcus durans (0.6%), Enterococcus sulfureus (0.6%) and Lactococcus garvieae (0.6%). Lactobacillus plantarum and Lb. brevis were the dominant species in L. chinensis silage. Lactobacillus plantarum NG 2 was selected and its effect on fermentation quality of L. chinensis silage was evaluated. NG 2 decreased pH, ammonia N, butyric acid contents, count of coliform bacteria, yeasts and moulds, and increased lactic acid content (P < 0.05). Overall, L. chinensis silage contains plenty of LAB species and these LAB inoculants could improve the fermentation quality. Lactobacillus plantarum NG2 can be used to enhance fermentation quality of L. chinensis silage.
Landsat to monitor an endangered beetle population and its habitat: addressing annual life history and imperfect detection
Authors: Leasure Douglas R. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Habitat‐based conservation is a priority for the endangered American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus Olivier), but its annual life history, dispersal ability, and low detectability contribute to difficulties explaining its decline, identifying manageable habitat characteristics, and mapping its distribution.

Objectives of this study were to (i) assess factors affecting detection of beetles with baited pitfall traps, (ii) identify important habitat characteristics, and (iii) map spatio‐temporal patterns of habitat quality and beetle abundance.

At a military installation in western Arkansas with one of the largest remaining N. americanus populations, 257 sites were surveyed over 5 years using three nights of baited pitfall trapping at each site.

Geographic information systems (GIS)‐based habitat assessments included three site radii (100, 800, and 1600 m). Year‐specific vegetation condition was quantified using satellite images and other GIS data.

N‐mixture models were used to account for imperfect detection and to assess competing models of beetle abundance and detection.

Detection rates (mean = 20%) were dependent on overnight temperature, dew point, and wind speed with upper and lower temperature thresholds beyond which detection was reduced.

Habitat assessments were most effective within 800 m site radii, consistent with previous estimates of N. americanus trap sample range.

Beetle abundance was associated with grasslands and open‐canopy woodlands with rolling topography, sandy loam soils, and moderate patchy disturbances from wildfire.

Landsat, unlike vegetation maps, quantified year‐specific habitat quality and allowed spatio‐temporal population dynamics to be mapped at a yearly time‐step for this annual species.