bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed dispersal at alpine treeline: an assessment of seed movement within the alpine treeline ecotone
Authors: Johnson Jeremy S. , Gaddis Keith D. , Cairns David M. , Krutovsky Konstantin V. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAlpine treelines are expected to advance to higher elevations in conjunction with global warming. Nevertheless, the importance of treeline reproductive patterns and seed dispersal within the alpine treeline ecotone remains unresolved. In this study, we address two research questions at mountain hemlock treelines on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: (1) What is the primary mode of reproduction and (2) are seeds leading to recruitment derived from within the local treeline populations or are they arriving from more distant seed sources? To answer these questions, we exhaustively sampled mountain hemlock individuals along a single mountain slope, and genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms using double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. First, we assessed mode of reproduction by determining the proportion of sampled individuals with identical multilocus genotypes that are the product of clonal reproduction. Second, we used a categorical parentage analysis to identify parent–offspring pairs, so that the proportion of treeline reproduction events could be spatially quantified and dispersal distance measured. We identified sexual reproduction as the primary mode of reproduction at our study site. Seedling establishment was characterized by extensive seed immigration and gene flow into the ecotone. The average dispersal distance was 73 m with long‐distance dispersal identified as dispersal occurring at distances greater than 450 m. We found that production of seeds within the alpine treeline ecotone is not necessarily a requirement for treelines to advance to higher elevations in response to climate change. The extensive seed dispersal and gene flow into the alpine treeline ecotone is likely sufficient to propel the ecotone higher under more favorable climate.
Effects of climate change and anthropogenic modification on a disturbance‐dependent species in a large riverine system
Authors: Zeigler Sara L. , Catlin Daniel H. , Bomberger Brown Mary , Fraser James D. , Dinan Lauren R. , Hunt Kelsi L. , Jorgensen Joel G. , Karpanty Sarah M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHumans have altered nearly every natural disturbance regime on the planet through climate and land‐use change, and in many instances, these processes may have interacting effects. For example, projected shifts in temperature and precipitation will likely influence disturbance regimes already affected by anthropogenic fire suppression or river impoundments. Understanding how disturbance‐dependent species respond to complex and interacting environmental changes is important for conservation efforts. Using field‐based demographic and movement rates, we conducted a metapopulation viability analysis for piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), a threatened disturbance‐dependent species, along the Missouri and Platte rivers in the Great Plains of North America. Our aim was to better understand current and projected future metapopulation dynamics given that natural disturbances (flooding or high‐flow events) have been greatly reduced by river impoundments and that climate change could further alter the disturbance regime. Although metapopulation abundance has been substantially reduced under the current suppressed disturbance regime (high‐flow return interval ~ 20 yr), it could grow if the frequency of high‐flow events increases as predicted under likely climate change scenarios. We found that a four‐year return interval would maximize metapopulation abundance, and all subpopulations in the metapopulation would act as sources at a return interval of 15 yr or less. Regardless of disturbance frequency, the presence of even a small, stable source subpopulation buffered the metapopulation and sustained a low metapopulation extinction risk. Therefore, climate change could have positive effects in ecosystems where disturbances have been anthropogenically suppressed when climatic shifts move disturbance regimes toward more historical patterns. Furthermore, stable source populations, even if unintentionally maintained through anthropogenic activities, may be critical for the persistence of metapopulations of early‐successional species under both suppressed disturbance regimes and disturbance regimes where climate change has further altered disturbance frequency or scope.
Variable vital rates and the risk of population declines in Adélie penguins from the Antarctic Peninsula region
Authors: Hinke Jefferson T. , Trivelpiece Susan G. , Trivelpiece Wayne Z. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPredicting population responses in changing environments is an important task for ecologists. In polar regions, climate warming, loss of sea ice, and more frequent anomalous events suggest that further reductions in ice‐dependent animal populations are likely. We assess the risk of near‐term (30‐year) depletion of an Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) population with a stochastic matrix model parameterized with 30 yr (1982–2011) of data from the Copacabana colony on King George Island, Antarctica. The model was fitted to nest census data by estimating correction factors for survival rates estimated from a multi‐state mark–recapture model. We modeled future survival and fecundity scenarios during the projection period (2012–2041) based on a two‐state Markov chain that randomly assigned survival rates and reproductive success from their respective historical distributions to represent “good” and “poor” years. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate population trajectories across a range of progressively worse survival conditions. The results suggest that, given historical distributions of survival and reproductive success, a limited scope for recovery of the population is present, commensurate with recent stabilization in population size at the study site. However, our projections mainly suggest that the Adélie penguin population will decline if the frequency of years with poor survival remains at, or increases above, its 30‐year mean. The risk of local depletion within 30 yr, defined according to International Union for Conservation of Nature categories for endangered and critically endangered species, was 33% for >90% declines, but near 100% for 50% declines given status‐quo conditions. As survival conditions worsen, the risk of substantive depletions rose rapidly. Given expectations of further environmental and ecosystem changes in the northern Antarctic Peninsula region, continued declines in Adélie penguin population size at the northern extent of their range should be expected.
Caterpillar seed predators mediate shifts in selection on flowering phenology in their host plant
Authors: Valdés Alicia , Ehrlén Johan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractVariation in selection among populations and years has important implications for evolutionary trajectories of populations. Yet, the agents of selection causing this variation have rarely been identified. Selection on the time of reproduction within a season in plants might differ both among populations and among years, and selection can be mediated by both mutualists and antagonists. We investigated if differences in the direction of phenotypic selection on flowering phenology among 20 populations of Gentiana pneumonanthe during 2 yr were related to the presence of the butterfly seed predator Phengaris alcon, and if butterfly incidence was associated with the abundance of the butterfly's second host, Myrmica ants. In plant populations without the butterfly, phenotypic selection favored earlier flowering. In populations where the butterfly was present, caterpillars preferentially attacked early‐flowering individuals, shifting the direction of selection to favoring later flowering. Butterfly incidence in plant populations increased with ant abundance. Our results demonstrate that antagonistic interactions can shift the direction of selection on flowering phenology, and suggest that such shifts might be associated with differences in the community context.
Fungi exposed to chronic nitrogen enrichment are less able to decay leaf litter
Authors: van Diepen Linda T. A. , Frey Serita D. , Landis Elizabeth A. , Morrison Eric W. , Pringle Anne 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSaprotrophic fungi are the primary decomposers of plant litter in temperate forests, and their activity is critical for carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. Simulated atmospheric N deposition is associated with reduced fungal biomass, shifts in fungal community structure, slowed litter decay, and soil C accumulation. Although rarely studied, N deposition may also result in novel selective pressures on fungi, affecting evolutionary trajectories. To directly test if long‐term N enrichment reshapes fungal responses to N, we isolated decomposer fungi from a long‐term (28 yr) N‐addition experiment and used a common garden approach to compare growth rates and decay abilities of isolates from control and N‐amended plots. Both growth and decay were significantly altered by long‐term exposure to N enrichment. Changes in growth rates were idiosyncratic, as different species grew either more quickly or more slowly after exposure to N, but litter decay by N isolates was consistent and generally lower compared to control isolates of the same species, a response not readily reversed when N isolates were grown in control (low N) environments. Changes in fungal responses accompany and perhaps drive previously observed N‐induced shifts in fungal diversity, community composition, and litter decay dynamics.
Operation Planning for High Unit Utilization in Distributed Energy Management System with Storage Devices
Authors: SHIBATA KODAI , MIYAMOTO TOSHIYUKI , KITAMURA SHOICHI , MORI KAZUYUKI , IZUI YOSHIO 
Published: January 2017

SUMMARYSuppose a special district (group) that is composed of multiple companies (agents) imposed energy demand. We have proposed a distributed energy management system (DEMS) that optimizes energy consumption of a group through energy trading in the group. In this paper, we propose an efficient operation planning method for DEMS with storage device. At first, we formulate the optimization problem for agents. Second, we propose a method to search a unit commitment state that depends on group composition. We confirmed that the proposed method enables efficient use of generators in groups.
Nutrient composition, functional, and pasting properties of unripe cooking banana, pigeon pea, and sweetpotato flour blends
Authors: Ohizua Ehimen R. , Adeola Abiodun A. , Idowu Micheal A. , Sobukola Olajide P. , Afolabi T. Adeniyi , Ishola Raphael O. , Ayansina Simeon O. , Oyekale Tolulope O. , Falomo Ayorinde 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study investigated some quality attributes of unripe cooking banana (UBF), pigeon pea (PPF), and sweetpotato (SPF) flour blends. Simplex centroid mixture design was used to obtain 17 blends from the flours. The nutrient composition, color, and functional properties of the blends were evaluated using standard methods. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test at 5% probability level. There were significant (p < .05) differences in the nutrient composition, and functional and pasting properties of the blends. The crude protein, crude fiber, ash, foaming capacity, emulsion capacity, and least gelation capacity of the blends increased as the PPF level increased. The blends had Na/K ratio of <1.0. The dispersibility, bulk density, water, and oil absorption capacities of the blends increased as SPF and UBF increased. The peak, setback, and final viscosities increased as UBF and SPF inclusion increased,whereas pasting temperature and time increased as the PPF level increased. The L*, a*, and b* values of the flour blends which were significantly (p < .05) different ranged from 79.58 to 102.71, −0.15 to 2.79, and 13.82 to 23.69, respectively. Cooking banana‐pigeon pea‐sweetpotato flour blends are desirable for alleviating malnutrition in Nigeria and developing new food formulations.
Abortion choices among women in Cambodia after introduction of a socially marketed medicated abortion product
Authors: Sotheary Khim , Long Dianna , Mundy Gary , Madan Yasmin , Blumenthal Paul D. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether a social marketing initiative focusing on medicated abortion via a mifepristone/misoprostol “combipack” has contributed to reducing unsafe abortion in Cambodia.MethodsIn a questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study, annual household surveys were conducted across 13 Cambodian provinces in 2010, 2011, and 2012. One married woman of reproductive age who was not pregnant and did not wish to be within the next 2 years in each randomly selected household was approached for inclusion. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 1843 women in 2010, 2068 in 2011, and 2059 in 2012. Manual vacuum aspiration was reported by 61 (72.6%) of 84 women surveyed in 2010 who reported an abortion in the previous 12 months, compared with only 28 (52.8%) of 53 in 2012 (P=0.001). The numbers of women undergoing medicated abortion increased from 22 (26.2%) of 84 in 2010 to 27 (49.1%) of 53 in 2012 (P=0.003), whereas the numbers undergoing unsafe abortion decreased from 4 (4.8%) in 2010 to 0 in 2012 (P=0.051).ConclusionSocial marketing of medication abortion coupled with provider training in clinical and behavioral change could have contributed to a reduction in the prevalence of unsafe abortion and shifted the types of abortion performed in Cambodia, while not increasing the overall number of abortions.
Provision of harm‐reduction services to limit unsafe abortion in Tanzania
Authors: Kahabuka Catherine , Pembe Andrea , Meglioli Alejandra 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of providing harm‐reduction services to reduce unsafe abortion in Tanzania.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 110 women who received harm‐reduction counseling at a public health center in Dar es Salaam between February 10 and October 10, 2014. Background and clinical information was collected for all women; a subgroup (n=50) undertook a semi‐structured survey that measured the type of services women received, women's perception of the services, and pregnancy outcome. The main study outcomes were attendance at the follow‐up visit, type and quality of information women received on both visits, and misoprostol use for pregnancy termination.ResultsOverall, 55 (50.0%) women attended follow‐up services. Misoprostol was used for induced abortion among 54 (98.2%); 38 (70.4%) of these women had obtained contraception at the follow‐up visit. Likelihood of attendance for follow‐up was increased among women who were older than 34 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1–35.8), were married (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.8–5.7), and had a post‐primary education level (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.8–5.3). On average, 44 (87.0%) women received all required information at the initial counseling session and none reported major complications that required hospitalization.ConclusionHarm‐reduction services for unsafe abortion are feasible and acceptable, and could provide an excellent opportunity to fight abortion‐related morbidity and mortality in Tanzania.
Association of previous severe low birth weight with adverse perinatal outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy among HIV‐prevalent urban African women
Authors: Smid Marcela C. , Ahmed Yusuf , Stoner Marie C.D. , Vwalika Bellington , Stringer Elizabeth M. , Stringer Jeffrey S.A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the association between severity of prior low birth weight (LBW) delivery and adverse perinatal outcomes in the subsequent delivery among an HIV‐prevalent urban African population.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among 41 109 women who had undergone two deliveries in Lusaka, Zambia, between February 1, 2006, and May 31, 2013. The relationship between prior LBW delivery (<2500 g) and a composite measure of adverse perinatal outcome in the second pregnancy was assessed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsWomen with prior LBW delivery (n=4259) had an increased risk of LBW in the second delivery versus those without prior LBW delivery (n=37 642). Such risk correlated with the severity of first delivery LBW. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 2.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.05–4.09) for a birth weight of 1000–1499 g, 3.05 (95% CI 2.42–3.86) for a birth weight of 1500–1999 g, and 2.02 (95% CI 1.81–2.27) for a birth weight of 2000–2499 g. Previous LBW delivery also increased the risk of adverse perinatal outcome, with an AOR of 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.7).ConclusionSevere prior LBW delivery conferred substantial risk for adverse perinatal outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy.
MODELING'S GRAND CHALLENGE — LONG TERM NATIONWIDE HIGH IMPACT THREATS
Authors: Manto Charles (Chuck) 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThe United States (US) White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) promulgated the National Weather Strategy (White House Office of Science and Technology 2015) and Action Plan (Whitehouse.gov 2016 and 2016a) in April 2014 (final strategy released in Oct 2015) calling for a “whole of community” engagement for continental wide power loss for a year or more due to extreme space weather. The likelihood of such was calculated at 6‐12% likelihood in any decade. In May 2014, the US Department of Defense's Defense Threat Reduction Agency similarly called on the small business innovation community to develop electromagnetic pulse (EMP) protected micro grids (US Small Business Innovation Research Program 2015) for critical applications both on and off military bases due to the increased likelihood of long term or permanent loss of civilian power grids. Lloyds of London (2013) warned of an 18 month long black out to the corridor between Washington, US‐DC and New York City, US‐NY due to extreme space weather and alerted the business community of the possible withdrawal of insurance support for those events. In 2016, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Regional Resiliency Assessment Program for Ashburn, VA (Argonne National Laboratory 2016), and the Internet industry based there. Its key findings included the potential impact of EMP on the Internet and cyber infrastructure and encouraged industry members to hold their own seminars and exercises to examine these threats. This provides an interesting backdrop to the problem of a simultaneous loss of both power and communication grids from EMP.On the other hand, either or both power and communications grids can be assaulted by cyber attacks which, can include physical or electromagnetic attacks. For example, the recent cyber attack on the Ukrainian power grid included physical attacks. The Metcalfe substation was a physical attack on both the transformers and the communications lines of the substation.For reasons such as these, it is prudent for government and industry to revisit their continuity plans, and best practices that take a broad cross sector analysis of possible catastrophic failure modes into account. Some of the most urgent needs may be relatively straightforward. Others will require systems of systems modeling efforts to align corporate values with the business processes and technical development under their control.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION AND RECOVERY
Authors: Shull Casey , Dietz J. Eric , Kenley C. Robert 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTTwenty five years' experience observing and developing disaster and crisis recovery plans within the electric utility industry provided the impetus and knowledge to develop a software‐based single system strategic recovery algorithm for electric utilities utilizing systems engineering techniques. The threat of system failure resulting from solar flares (security management), electromagnetic pulse (EMP) (Savage, Gilbert, and Radasky 2010) or industrial control system (ICS) cyber interruption (Weiss) on the electrical utility system can cascade up from the distribution system and/or cascade down from the high voltage transmission system (Watson et al. 2015). Systemic electrical system failure, regardless of the type of catastrophic event, causes the same socio‐ economic disasters within the region of electrical failure. This paper will address the concept of single system recovery techniques utilizing existing recovery methodologies, titled the Common Recovery Model, as an approach to hedge against, and or recover from, the potential of cascading failure of the electrical transmission and distribution system. The premise for the need of a Common Recovery Model is that one or all three of the threats are imminent, thus the necessity of electric utilities to develop a Common Recovery Model prior to the actual outage event.
CYBERSECURITY & CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE – ARE WE MISSING THE OBVIOUS?
Authors: Kepchar Kenneth J 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTAs our economy and society enjoy the benefits of living in a digital age and finds new applications every day, so must we be aware of its limitations and vulnerabilities. Because of these limitations, the issue of cybersecurity is preoccupying governments, businesses, and individuals around the globe. In particular, the US government is paying tremendous attention to critical infrastructure and the impact to various sectors of that infrastructure if they undergo disruption for any length of time. What is overlooked is the extent that critical infrastructure is dependent on the Global Positioning System (GPS), especially for precise position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. GPS plays a central role in our lives and it is vulnerable to various sources of disruption; yet, our forward planning for critical infrastructure protection does not always appreciate or consider this dependency.
A Large Inversion Involving GNAS Exon A/B and All Exons Encoding Gsα Is Associated With Autosomal Dominant Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type Ib (PHP1B)
Authors: Grigelioniene Giedre , Nevalainen Pasi I , Reyes Monica , Thiele Susanne , Tafaj Olta , Molinaro Angelo , Takatani Rieko , Ala-Houhala Marja , Nilsson Daniel , Eisfeldt Jesper , Lindstrand Anna , Kottler Marie-Laure , Mäkitie Outi , Jüppner Harald 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (PHP1B) is characterized primarily by resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and thus hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, in most cases without evidence for Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO). PHP1B is associated with epigenetic changes at one or several differentially-methylated regions (DMRs) within GNAS, which encodes the α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα) and splice variants thereof. Heterozygous, maternally inherited STX16 or GNAS deletions leading to isolated loss-of-methylation (LOM) at exon A/B alone or at all maternal DMRs are the cause of autosomal dominant PHP1B (AD-PHP1B). In this study, we analyzed three affected individuals, the female proband and her two sons. All three revealed isolated LOM at GNAS exon A/B, whereas the proband's healthy maternal grandmother and uncle showed normal methylation at this locus. Haplotype analysis was consistent with linkage to the STX16/GNAS region, yet no deletion could be identified. Whole-genome sequencing of one of the patients revealed a large heterozygous inversion (1,882,433 bp). The centromeric breakpoint of the inversion is located 7,225 bp downstream of GNAS exon XL, but its DMR showed no methylation abnormality, raising the possibility that the inversion disrupts a regulatory element required only for establishing or maintaining exon A/B methylation. Because our three patients presented phenotypes consistent with PHP1B, and not with PHP1A, the Gsα promoter is probably unaffected by the inversion. Our findings expand the spectrum of genetic mutations that lead to LOM at exon A/B alone and thus biallelic expression of the transcript derived from this alternative first GNAS exon. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.