bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytolith reference study for identifying vegetation changes in the forest−grassland region of northeast China
Authors: Gao Guizai , Jie Dongmei , Wang Yong , Liu Lidan , Liu Hongyan , Li Dehui , Li Nannan , Shi Jichen , Leng Chengcheng 
Published: September 2017

To provide a basis for tracing changes in vegetation and tree cover density, we studied the phytoliths of 129 common temperate plant species, and extracted the phytoliths from 75 surface soil samples from sites in grassland, forest−grassland ecotone and forest habitats in northeast China. From the analysis of shapes and morphological parameters of the plant samples, we developed a reference data set of herbaceous and woody phytoliths, and subsequently identified 21 herbaceous and 13 woody phytolith types in the surface soil samples. To test the reliability of soil phytolith analysis for distinguishing forest, grassland and the forest−grassland ecotone, we used principal components analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) to summarize the soil phytolith assemblage characteristics of the different ecosystems. The results show that the grassland and forest samples are characterized by abundant herbaceous and woody phytoliths, respectively; and that forest−grassland ecotone habitats are characterized by low abundances of blocky polyhedral, multifaceted epidermal and sclereid phytoliths. In general, the surface soil phytolith assemblages can reliably differentiate samples from forest, grassland and the forest−grassland ecotone, with up to 92% of the samples classified correctly. We also tested the reliability of phytolith indices (W/G (1), W/G (2), W/G (3)) for discriminating different vegetation types in our study area, and found that W/G (2) was the most reliable index and corresponded well with the species inventory data. The W/G values for grassland ranged from 0 to 0.3, from 0.3 to 0.6 for the forest−grassland ecotone, and exceeded 0.6 for forest. We conclude that our study provides reliable analogues for phytolith assemblages from palaeoecological contexts, which can be used to reconstruct shifts in forest−grassland ecotones and vegetation succession in temperate areas.
Optimism as a Candidate Health Asset: Exploring Its Links With Adolescent Quality of Life in Sweden
Authors: Häggström Westberg Katrin , Wilhsson Marie , Svedberg Petra , Nygren Jens M. , Morgan Antony , Nyholm Maria 
Published: September 2017

This study aims to understand the role that optimism could play in the context of a health asset approach to promote adolescent health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Adolescents (n = 948), between 11 and 16 years old from a medium‐sized rural town in Sweden, answered questionnaires measuring optimism, pessimism, and HRQOL. The findings indicate a significant decrease in optimism and a significant increase in pessimism between early and midadolescence. The study has allowed us to present associational evidence of the links between optimism and HRQOL. This infers the potential of an optimistic orientation about the future to function as a health asset during adolescence and by implication may provide additional intervention tool in the planning of health promotion strategies.
Four‐year incidence rate and predictors of root caries among community‐dwelling south Brazilian older adults
Authors: Bidinotto Augusto B. , Martins Aline B. , dos Santos Camila M. , Hugo Fernando N. , Hilgert Juliana B. , Celeste Roger Keller , Padilha Dalva Maria , De Marchi Renato José 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the incidence density (ID) of new root caries lesions and restorations among community‐living south Brazilian older adults and to assess its association with predictor variables.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort with a random sample of elders from the municipality of Carlos Barbosa, in south Brazil. Trained dentists performed interviews and oral examinations in 388 individuals at baseline, of which 273 were retained at follow‐up 4 years later. Our outcome was root caries ID, with 100 root‐years as its unit of measure. Demographic, biological and lifestyle predictors were tested with Poisson regression.ResultsThe mean number of roots at baseline among participants was 7.0 (SD ± 4.9) and the incidence rate per 100 root‐year 4.9 (SD ± 8.9). Incidence of root caries among these older Brazilians was of 47.3%. The associated factors with the incidence of root caries were age, geographic location of residence, frequency of tooth brushing and stimulated saliva flow rate.ConclusionAge, external environment, personal practices and oral status were predictors of the incidence of root caries. Preventive strategies including the use of fluorides and instruction to improve the attitude and behaviour towards oral hygiene are needed.
The crisis of patient‐physician trust and bioethics: lessons and inspirations from China
Authors: Nie Jing‐Bao , Li Lun , Gillett Grant , Tucker Joseph D. , Kleinman Arthur 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTrust is indispensable not only for interpersonal relationships and social life, but for good quality healthcare. As manifested in the increasing violence and tension in patient‐physician relationships, China has been experiencing a widespread and profound crisis of patient–physician trust. And globally, the crisis of trust is an issue that every society, either developing or developed, has to face in one way or another. Yet, in spite of some pioneering works, the subject of patient‐physician trust and mistrust – a crucial matter in healthcare especially because there are numerous ethical implications – has largely been marginalized in bioethics as a global discourse. Drawing lessons as well as inspirations from China, this paper demonstrates the necessity of a trust‐oriented bioethics and presents some key theoretical, methodological and philosophical elements of such a bioethics. A trust‐oriented bioethics moves beyond the current dominant bioethical paradigms through putting the subject of trust and mistrust in the central agenda of the field, learning from the social sciences, and reviving indigenous moral resources. In order for global bioethics to claim its relevance to the things that truly matter in social life and healthcare, trust should be as vital as such central norms like autonomy and justice and can serve as a potent theoretical framework.
Effect of dothistroma needle blight on needle and shoot lengths
Authors: Mullett M. S. , Brown A. V. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe needles of pine trees are indicative of the overall health of the tree, and their length is affected by many factors. This study describes the effect of high levels of pathogen infection on lengths of both needles and shoots. Dothistroma septosporum is an important foliar pathogen of pines causing necrosis and premature defoliation with successive years of high infection leading to growth reduction and in extreme cases tree death. Corsican pine trees with all foliage infected by D. septosporum had needles of primary, secondary and tertiary shoots reduced by 31.8%, 44.0% and 64.2%, respectively, compared to non‐infected trees. Needle lengths were reduced both in the upper and lower portions of the canopy, with a greater reduction lower in the canopy. Trees with high levels of infection had shorter shoots in the upper canopy with fewer, shorter needles on these shoots compared to trees with low levels of infection. The results demonstrate the substantial negative effect on needle and shoot lengths of trees with high levels of D. septosporum infection, comparable to factors such as water and nutrient availability known to have a strong influence on these parameters. The reductions in length reduce the photosynthetic capacity of the tree and compound the immediate reductions caused by necrosis and premature defoliation. These effects on needle and shoot lengths contribute to the reductions in volume growth of affected trees and, moreover, are longer lasting than the immediate effects of necrosis and premature defoliation.
Mirror trends of plasticity and stability indicators in primate prefrontal cortex
Authors: García‐Cabezas Miguel Á. , Joyce Mary Kate P. , John Yohan J. , Zikopoulos Basilis , Barbas Helen 
Published: September 2017

AbstractResearch on plasticity markers in the cerebral cortex has largely focused on their timing of expression and role in shaping circuits during critical and normal periods. By contrast, little attention has been focused on the spatial dimension of plasticity–stability across cortical areas. The rationale for this analysis is based on the systematic variation in cortical structure that parallels functional specialization and raises the possibility of varying levels of plasticity. Here, we investigated in adult rhesus monkeys the expression of markers related to synaptic plasticity or stability in prefrontal limbic and eulaminate areas that vary in laminar structure. Our findings revealed that limbic areas are impoverished in three markers of stability: intracortical myelin, the lectin Wisteria floribunda agglutinin, which labels perineuronal nets, and parvalbumin, which is expressed in a class of strong inhibitory neurons. By contrast, prefrontal limbic areas were enriched in the enzyme calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), known to enhance plasticity. Eulaminate areas have more elaborate laminar architecture than limbic areas and showed the opposite trend: they were enriched in markers of stability and had lower expression of the plasticity‐related marker CaMKII. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of activated astrocytes, was also higher in limbic areas, suggesting that cellular stress correlates with the rate of circuit reshaping. Elevated markers of plasticity may endow limbic areas with flexibility necessary for learning and memory within an affective context, but may also render them vulnerable to abnormal structural changes, as seen in neurologic and psychiatric diseases.
Frequency‐dependent regulation of intrinsic excitability by voltage‐activated membrane conductances, computational modeling and dynamic clamp
Authors: Szűcs Attila , Rátkai Anikó , Schlett Katalin , Huerta Ramon 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAs one of the most unique properties of nerve cells, their intrinsic excitability allows them to transform synaptic inputs into action potentials. This process reflects a complex interplay between the synaptic inputs and the voltage‐dependent membrane currents of the postsynaptic neuron. While neurons in natural conditions mostly fire under the action of intense synaptic bombardment and receive fluctuating patterns of excitation and inhibition, conventional techniques to characterize intrinsic excitability mainly utilize static means of stimulation. Recently, we have shown that voltage‐gated membrane currents regulate the firing responses under current step stimulation and under physiologically more realistic inputs in a differential manner. At the same time, a multitude of neuron types have been shown to exhibit some form of subthreshold resonance that potentially allows them to respond to synaptic inputs in a frequency‐selective manner. In this study, we performed virtual experiments in computational models of neurons to examine how specific voltage‐gated currents regulate their excitability under simulated frequency‐modulated synaptic inputs. The model simulations and subsequent dynamic clamp experiments on mouse hippocampal pyramidal neurons revealed that the impact of voltage‐gated currents in regulating the firing output is strongly frequency‐dependent and mostly affecting the synaptic integration at theta frequencies. Notably, robust frequency‐dependent regulation of intrinsic excitability was observed even when conventional analysis of membrane impedance suggested no such tendency. Consequently, plastic or homeostatic regulation of intrinsic membrane properties can tune the frequency selectivity of neuron populations in a way that is not readily expected from subthreshold impedance measurements.
Application of next‐generation sequencing to the study of non‐model insects
Authors: Wachi Nakatada , Matsubayashi Kei W. , Maeto Kaoru 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecent developments in, and widespread availability of, platforms, technologies, and computer software and hardware have enhanced the use of genetic markers to address major scientific questions in non‐model organisms, even by researchers with limited expertise in genomics. However, there are few studies investigating the genomes of non‐model insects using these approaches. This review discusses the application of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to the study of genomes of wild organisms. We first introduce currently available NGS‐based methods—including restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing; multiplexed inter‐simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing; target capture; and amplicon, transcriptome, and whole genome sequencing—as useful tools for studies of non‐model insects. We also provide guidelines for first‐time users of NGS systems. In addition to the massive amount of information that it provides, a major advantage of NGS data is the scalability to future research projects. Studies using NGS technology can answer questions related to basic entomology by focusing on the unique nature of non‐model insects in wild environments in a way that is not possible for model organisms.
Sentiment, order imbalance, and co‐movement: An examination of shocks to retail and institutional trading activity
Authors: Chelley‐Steeley Patricia , Lambertides Neophytos , Savva Christos S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUsing order flow imbalance as a measure of sentiment we show that positive and negative shocks to sentiment lead to lower co‐movement between portfolio and market returns in the post‐shock period. Furthermore, an asymmetry is present as positive shocks to sentiment have less impact on co‐movement changes than negative shocks. Moreover, shocks to retail sentiment and the sentiment of two types of institutional investors lead to a reduction in co‐movement. Positive shocks to institutional order flow imbalance lead to smaller reductions in co‐movement than associated with retail shocks. These effects exist even after controlling for firm‐specific and market‐wide news.
Increased resource use efficiency amplifies positive response of aquatic primary production to experimental warming
Authors: Hood James M. , Benstead Jonathan P. , Cross Wyatt F. , Huryn Alexander D. , Johnson Philip W. , Gíslason Gísli M. , Junker James R. , Nelson Daniel , Ólafsson Jón S. , Tran Chau 
Published: September 2017

AbstractClimate warming is affecting the structure and function of river ecosystems, including their role in transforming and transporting carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). Predicting how river ecosystems respond to warming has been hindered by a dearth of information about how otherwise well‐studied physiological responses to temperature scale from organismal to ecosystem levels. We conducted an ecosystem‐level temperature manipulation to quantify how coupling of stream ecosystem metabolism and nutrient uptake responded to a realistic warming scenario. A ~3.3°C increase in mean water temperature altered coupling of C, N, and P fluxes in ways inconsistent with single‐species laboratory experiments. Net primary production tripled during the year of experimental warming, while whole‐stream N and P uptake rates did not change, resulting in 289% and 281% increases in autotrophic dissolved inorganic N and P use efficiency (UE), respectively. Increased ecosystem production was a product of unexpectedly large increases in mass‐specific net primary production and autotroph biomass, supported by (i) combined increases in resource availability (via N mineralization and N2 fixation) and (ii) elevated resource use efficiency, the latter associated with changes in community structure. These large changes in C and nutrient cycling could not have been predicted from the physiological effects of temperature alone. Our experiment provides clear ecosystem‐level evidence that warming can shift the balance between C and nutrient cycling in rivers, demonstrating that warming will alter the important role of in‐stream processes in C, N, and P transformations. Moreover, our results reveal a key role for nutrient supply and use efficiency in mediating responses of primary producers to climate warming.
Plant community structure and nitrogen inputs modulate the climate signal on leaf traits
Authors: Borgy Benjamin , Violle Cyrille , Choler Philippe , Denelle Pierre , Munoz François , Kattge Jens , Lavorel Sandra , Loranger Jessy , Amiaud Bernard , Bahn Michael , van Bodegom Peter M. , Brisse Henry , Debarros Guilhem , Diquelou Sylvain , Gachet Sophie , Jolivet Claudy , Lemauviel‐Lavenant Servane , Mikolajczak Alexis , Olivier Jean , Ordoñez Jenny , de Ruffray Patrice , Viovy Nicolas , Garnier Eric 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimLeaf traits strongly impact biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding leaf trait variation along environmental gradients is thus essential to improve the representation of vegetation in Earth system models. Our aims were to quantify relationships between leaf traits and climate in permanent grasslands at a biogeographical scale and to test whether these relationships were sensitive to (a) the level of nitrogen inputs and (b) the inclusion of information pertaining to plant community organization.LocationPermanent grasslands throughout France.MethodsWe combined existing datasets on climate, soil, nitrogen inputs (fertilization and deposition), species composition and four traits, namely specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, for 15,865 French permanent grasslands. Trait–climate relationships were tested using the following four climatic variables available across 1,833 pixels (5 km × 5 km): mean annual temperature (MAT) and precipitation (MAP), and two indices accounting for the length of the growing season. We compared these relationships at the pixel level using either using community‐level or species’ trait means.ResultsOur findings were as follows: (a) leaf traits related to plant nutrient economy shift consistently along a gradient of growing season length accounting for temperature and soil water limitations of plant growth (GSLtw); (b) weighting leaf traits by species abundance in local communities is pivotal to capture leaf trait–environment relationships correctly at a biogeographical scale; and (c) the relationships between traits and GSLtw weaken for grasslands with a high nitrogen input.Main conclusionsThe effects of climate on plant communities are better described using composite descriptors than coarse variables such as MAT or MAP, but appear weaker for high‐nitrogen grasslands. Using information at the community level tends to strengthen trait–climate relationships. The interplay of land management, community assembly and bioclimate appears crucial to the prediction of leaf trait variations and their effects on biogeochemical cycles.
Climate‐driven trends in stem wood density of tree species in the eastern United States: Ecological impact and implications for national forest carbon assessments
Authors: Clough Brian J. , Curzon Miranda T. , Domke Grant M. , Russell Matthew B. , Woodall Christopher W. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimFor trees, wood density is linked to competing energetic demands and therefore reflects responses to the environment. Climatic trends in wood density are recognized, yet their contribution to regional biogeographical patterns or impact on forest biomass stocks is not understood. This study has the following two objectives: (O1) to characterize wood density–climate trends for coarse (i.e., angiosperm versus gymnosperm) and fine (i.e., within‐species) taxonomic units and test a predictive model that incorporates these trends into a model that assumes range‐wide wood density is constant; and (O2) to assess the impact of climate‐driven intraspecific variation on forest biomass stocks for major tree species.LocationWe use an assemblage of eastern U.S. tree species for assessing climatic trends (O1), and then apply fitted models to forest inventory data spanning the eastern U.S.A. to assess impacts of forest carbon estimation procedures (O2).MethodsWe compared hierarchical models fitted to the full data to characterize wood density/climate gradients and to assess the impact of within‐species variation (O1). Then, we compared predictions of biomass stocks from the climate‐variable model with those of the static model using the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) database (O2).ResultsWe found among‐ and within‐species trends related to temperature and moisture regimes, with differing responses between angiosperms and gymnosperms. Incorporating within‐species variation in wood density increases the carbon stock of the study region by an estimated 242 Tg when compared with a species‐only model.Main conclusionsIntraspecific variation in wood density across species ranges suggests that climate influences investment in stem wood within tree species and contributes to biogeographical patterns in wood density in the eastern U.S.A. This variation impacts forest biomass stock assessments, and thus contributes refinements to the U.S. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. In addition, our work highlights the potential for combining trait data and forest inventory to infer forest ecological processes at broad spatial scales.
Scale dependence of environmental controls on the functional diversity of coral reef fish communities
Authors: Yeager Lauren A. , Deith Mairin C. M. , McPherson Jana M. , Williams Ivor D. , Baum Julia K. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimThe functional composition of local assemblages is hypothesized to be controlled by hierarchical environmental filters, whereby the importance of different abiotic and biotic factors varies across both spatial scales and the different dimensions of functional diversity. We examine scale dependence in functional diversity–environment relationships with the ultimate aim of advancing models that predict the response of functional diversity to global change.LocationCoral reefs surrounding 23 minimally disturbed central‐western Pacific islands.Time period2010–2015.Major taxa studiedCoral reef fishes.MethodsWe surveyed 1,423 reef sites using a standardized monitoring protocol and classified the 547 taxa encountered based on traits related to resource use, body size and behaviour. For each fish community, we calculated species richness and three metrics of functional diversity: functional richness, functional redundancy and functional evenness. We then built nested models at three spatial scales to evaluate the predictive power of environmental conditions over each component of functional diversity.ResultsClimatic variables (e.g., primary productivity) and geomorphic context (e.g., bathymetric slope) were more important in predicting functional diversity at coarse spatial scales. In contrast, local measures of habitat quality, including benthic complexity, depth and hard coral cover, were generally most important at finer scales. All diversity metrics were better predicted at coarser scales, but which predictors were important varied among metrics.Main conclusionsThe observed scale dependence in environmental predictors of functional diversity generally matches models of hierarchical filters on functional community assembly. Contrary to expectation, however, functional evenness and functional redundancy, which incorporate information on biomass distributions, were not better predicted at finer spatial scales. Instead, broad‐scale variation in environmental variables was most important in predicting all components of functional diversity. Furthermore, the distinct responses of each functional diversity metric to environmental variation indicate that each measures a unique dimension of reef‐fish diversity, and environmental change may affect each differently.