bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nocturia and sleep quality after transurethral resection of the prostate
Authors: Wada Naoki , Numata Atsushi , Hou Kyokushin , Watanabe Masaki , Kita Masafumi , Matsumoto Seiji , Osanai Hiroaki , Fujisawa Makoto , Kakizaki Hidehiro 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate on nocturia and sleep disorders in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction.MethodsA prospective multicenter study including lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction patients with nocturia (twice or more) undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate was carried out. All patients were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline, and 6 months after transurethral resection of the prostate.ResultsOverall, 49 patients were included in the study. A total of 20 of them (41%) had a sleep disorder defined as a score of 5.5 or more on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score. The nocturia score significantly correlated with component 4 of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (habitual sleep efficiency). Nocturia significantly decreased after transurethral resection of the prostate from 3.0 ± 1.2 to 1.9 ± 0.8, whereas the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score did not. In 20 patients with a sleep disorder before transurethral resection of the prostate, subjective sleep quality (component 1) and habitual sleep efficiency (component 4) significantly decreased after transurethral resection of the prostate, but this was not the case for the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. In 16 patients with a persistent sleep disorder after transurethral resection of the prostate, International Prostate Symptom Score, voiding and storage symptoms score were higher than those of patients without a sleep disorder, although the nocturia score improved equivalently in both groups.ConclusionsTransurethral resection of the prostate diminishes nocturnal urinary frequency and partly improves sleep quality in patients with nocturia and lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction. A persistent sleep disorder after transurethral resection of the prostate is associated with persistent voiding and storage symptoms.
Leaf traits and litter flammability: evidence for non‐additive mixture effects in a temperate forest
Authors: de Magalhães Rita M. Q. , Schwilk Dylan W. 
Published: May 2013

Summary1. Although it is recognized that plant species vary in their flammability, we currently lack a mechanistic understanding of how plant traits influence fire and how litter mixtures behave in a fire. As modified fire regimes and climate change shift the species composition of communities, a mechanistic perspective is especially important to understand and predict fire in potentially novel plant communities. This work addresses three questions: (i) How do eight species common in Sierra Nevada mixed‐conifer forest differ in their litter flammability? (ii) What leaf traits are associated with various flammability components? and (iii) Do individual species measurements predict multi‐species combinations, or are there non‐additive effects?2. Leaf litter was collected in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California, from eight dominant tree species in mixed‐conifer forest. Controlled flammability tests were performed on reconstructed monospecific litter beds and on mixed litter beds, using litter from three species. We tested for non‐additive effects in multi‐species mixtures using the weighted mean of single‐species measures for each flammability component as a null expectation for each mixture; departures from this null indicated non‐additive effects.3. Most flammability components fell within two major axes of variation, one relating to total heat release and another to fire intensity. The eight species differed significantly in all flammability components, with large‐leaved species creating litter that burned with higher intensity.4. Non‐additive species mixture effects are common in this system. Flammability tends to be driven by the most flammable component of the mixture.5. Synthesis. We have demonstrated positive non‐additive effects in mixtures of leaf litter. The most flammable constituent species of a mixture has disproportionate effects on the fire environment faced by the entire community. This could potentially influence community assembly and alter the selective environment faced by co‐occurring species.
Driving factors of forest growth: a reply to Ferry et al. (2012)
Authors: Toledo Marisol , Poorter Lourens , Peña‐Claros Marielos , Alarcón Alfredo , Balcázar Julio , Leaño Claudio , Licona Juan C. , Llanque Oscar , Vroomans Vincent , Zuidema Pieter A. , Bongers Frans 
Published: May 2013

Summary1. In a recent paper, we analysed the effects of climate, soil and logging disturbance on tree and forest growth (Toledo et al. 2011a). We took advantage of one of the largest data sets in the Neotropics, consisting of 165 1‐ha plots and over 62 000 trees distributed over an area of c. 160 000 km2, across large environmental gradients in lowland Bolivia. The main findings were that climate was the strongest driver of spatial variation in tree growth, whereas soils had only a modest effect on growth and that the effect of logging disappeared after a few years.2. Ferry et al. (2012) suggest that we underestimated the disturbance effects on growth because of a supposedly wrong coding of Time After Logging (TAL) for unlogged plots. Although we have good biological reasons why we coded TAL like we did, we checked Ferry et al.’s suggestions for recoding and found no differences in variables that significantly explained tree and forest growth. We agree, however, that for future research, it is important to go beyond simple descriptors such as time after logging and basal area logged, to better describe the variation in logging impact found in areas under forest management.3. Ferry et al. claim that we did not define basal area growth properly. We believe this is a semantic issue, as we clearly defined basal area growth as the net change in basal area. This net basal area change in Bolivian forests is indeed relatively high compared to other studies, which may be attributed to the higher soil fertility and biogeographic differences in species composition and their traits.4. Synthesis. Many apparent discrepancies in the ecological literature arise because tropical forest ecologists tend to see the world from the perspective of their ‘own’ forest (despite clear biogeographic differences) and try to capture the same ecological processes using different variables and measurement protocols. To advance our understanding and go beyond single‐case studies, we need to assemble large databases, quantify forest dynamics and disturbances in similar ways, be aware of differences among forests and analyse environmental dose–response curves.
Trait evolution and the coexistence of a species swarm in the tropical forest understorey
Authors: Sedio Brian E. , Wright S. Joseph , Dick Christopher W. 
Published: May 2013

Summary1. A small number of species‐rich plant genera make a substantial contribution to the α diversity of tropical forests. These ‘species swarms’ (Gentry 1982) challenge a view of community assembly that maintains that niche overlap, and hence, the likelihood of competitive exclusion should increase with phylogenetic affinity. Related species may, however, occupy different microhabitats within a forest stand or, alternatively, differ ecologically in ways that allow them to coexist syntopically.2. To explore the relationship between phylogenetic history and niche differentiation among sympatric, congeneric species, we performed phylogenetic analyses of microhabitat preferences, photosynthetic and hydraulic traits, and experimental responses to light and water availability for 20 species ofPsychotria(Rubiaceae) from Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama.3. ThePsychotriapresent in small (3‐m radius), circular plots were more closely related than expected by chance. Photosynthetic and hydraulic traits were both associated with species habitat distributions, but only hydraulic traits were conserved phylogenetically. Experimental responses to water availability were also conserved phylogenetically. Functional trait analyses revealed little or no evidence of niche partitioning within sites.4. We conclude thatPsychotriaspecies’ responses to both light and moisture availability determine their microhabitat distributions on BCI and that evolutionarily conserved hydraulic traits lead to phylogenetic clustering of co‐occurring species.5. Synthesis. The evolutionary conservation of hydraulic traits related to soil moisture tolerance largely explains phylogenetic clustering in the local assembly of the hyperdiverse genusPsychotria. We suggest that close relatives are unlikely to exclude one another from shared habitats because resource availability is determined largely by asymmetric competition with the overstorey, rather than by competition with neighbouring understorey plants. In light of the recent biogeographic admixture in central Panama, the phylogenetic niche conservatism exhibited byPsychotriaon BCI raises the possibility of an association between local microhabitats and the ancestral climatic regimes under which majorPsychotrialineages evolved before arriving in sympatry.
Loss of a dominant nitrogen‐fixing shrub in primary succession: consequences for plant and below‐ground communities
Authors: St. John Mark G. , Bellingham Peter J. , Walker Lawrence R. , Orwin Kate H. , Bonner Karen I. , Dickie Ian A. , Morse Chris W. , Yeates Gregor W. , Wardle David A. 
Published: May 2013

Summary
1. Many ecosystems are gaining some species and losing others, leading to large shifts in community composition. Plants that support nitrogen (N)‐fixing symbionts (hereafter N‐fixers) are major ecosystem drivers but human‐induced environmental changes can lead to their loss; the impacts of this loss have seldom been studied. In New Zealand, the gain of some invasive herbivorous mammals leads to the loss of N‐fixing shrubs that are pioneers during primary succession.
2. We studied primary successional surfaces caused by river floods and landslides in a remote valley in New Zealand's South Island. We set up and maintained a removal experiment over 10 years, with N‐fixing
Carmichaelia odorata (hereafter
Carmichaelia) either left intact or removed to represent the effects that invasive herbivorous mammals could cause under high densities.
3. Above‐ground effects of 10 years of
Carmichaelia removal included a 7‐fold reduction of woody plant biomass, but had no effect on the shorter non‐woody vegetation. Foliar N concentrations of two woody species were also reduced.
Carmichaelia removal reduced local or α‐diversity but enhanced β‐diversity of the remaining vegetation at the functional group but not the species level.
4. Below‐ground effects of 10 years of
Carmichaelia removal included large reductions in soil carbon (C) and N levels, and biomass or abundance of several groups of soil biota occupying three consumer trophic levels as well as the root‐, bacterial‐ and fungal‐based energy channels. Invertebrate bacterial consumers were more adversely affected than were fungal consumers.
Carmichaelia loss reduced α‐diversity of some below‐ground groups, while β‐diversity was unresponsive or enhanced.
5. Synthesis. Our results reveal that loss of a single functionally distinct plant species, such as occurs through herbivore invasion, can cause substantial effects both above‐ground and below‐ground. This may affect the trajectory of the ecosystem over successional time, especially in primary seres that otherwise have very low soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) reservoirs. More generally, our results support the view that the simultaneous gains of some organisms (e.g. invasive herbivorous mammals) and resultant losses of others (e.g. palatable N‐fixing plants) are a major element of human‐induced global change that may be transforming many communities and ecosystems world‐wide.
Strong persistent growth differences govern individual performance and population dynamics in a tropical forest understorey palm
Authors: Jansen Merel , Zuidema Pieter A. , Anten Niels P. R. , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel 
Published: May 2013

SummaryPersistent variation in growth rate between individual plants can have strong effects on population dynamics as fast growers reach the reproductive size at an earlier age and thus potentially contribute more to population growth than slow growers. In tropical forests, such persistent growth differences have so far been documented for canopy tree species, where they are primarily associated with forest gap dynamics, but not for forest understorey species which are less responsive to gaps. Here, we study persistent growth differences and their demographic consequences for a tropical forest understorey palm,Chamaedorea elegans.We measured internodes along stems and annual leaf production rates to reconstruct lifetime growth trajectories. Using regression analysis, we determined the relative effect of stem length and past growth rate on vital rates (survival, growth and reproduction). We then simulated population dynamics using integral projection models (IPMs), in which individuals were categorized by both stem length and lifetime past growth rate.Stem growth differences among individual palms persisted over most of their lifetime. Past growth rate averaged over the palm's lifetime proved to be a very good predictor of growth, reproduction probability and seed production, often much better than stem length or age. The effects of past growth rate were positive, indicating that fast growers maintain high rates of growth and reproduction.Projected population growth rate (λ) was 1.056, and stable stage distributions closely resembled observed population structures. Separating individuals with above‐median and below‐median past growth rates in IPMs revealed substantial differences in elasticity values. The 50% fastest growers had a 1.8 times higher elasticity, and thus a 1.8 times higher contribution to population growth, compared to slow growers.Synthesis. Strong and persistent growth differences that are probably associated with environmental (edaphic) and/or genetic factors govern individual performance and population dynamics of a tropical forest understorey palm. Overall, our study shows that strong inter‐individual growth variation is not limited to canopy trees and that it can be generated by other factors than canopy dynamics. It is likely that persistently fast‐growing ‘super performers’ govern population growth of many long‐lived species.
Functional traits and their plasticity predict tropical trees regeneration niche even among species with intermediate light requirements
Authors: Laurans Marilyne , Martin Olivier , Nicolini Eric , Vincent Gregoire 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Niche differentiation is a key issue in the current debate on community assembly mechanisms. In highly diverse moist tropical forests, tree species sensitivity to canopy openness is thought to be a major axis in niche differentiation. In the past, the syndrome of traits driving the demographic trade‐off involved in the niche‐based theory of coexistence has always been established among species situated at the two extremities of the shade‐tolerance gradient, even though most tropical tree species have intermediate light requirements. In addition, trait plasticity has seldom been linked to tropical tree species distribution along environmental gradients.
This article examines covariations between leaf traits, whole‐plant traits and niche parameters among 14 tree species with intermediate light requirements in French Guiana and across a range of canopy openness. Each functional trait measured under field conditions was characterized by a median value and a degree of plasticity expressed under contrasting light regimes. Niche differentiation was characterized in terms of spatial light gradient. We first examined covariations between functional traits then explored to what degree the median value and plasticity in functional traits could predict light niche characteristics at the sapling stage and the ontogenetic change in light availability estimated by adult stature.
Leaf mass per area (LMA) was positively correlated with leaf life span (LLS); species with higher LMA and higher LLS displayed lower diameter growth rates (GRs) and lower responsiveness to canopy gap at both whole‐plant and population levels. This proved that the relationships previously established over a broader range of species held true within the narrow range of the light requirements covered.
Height GR plasticity accounted for 49% of the variation in light niche optimum. LMA plasticity, unlike LLS plasticity, was significantly correlated with light niche breadth and adult stature.
Synthesis. This study demonstrates the relevance of considering the phenotypic plasticity in functional traits in community ecology, particularly for quantifying breadth of species distribution over environmental gradients. Our findings did not support Hubbell's hypothesis of functional equivalence and suggest that even a rather subtle variation in forest canopy disturbance promotes the coexistence of tropical tree species.
Plant responses to soil heterogeneity and global environmental change
Authors: García‐Palacios Pablo , Maestre Fernando T. , Bardgett Richard D. , de Kroon Hans 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Recent evidence suggests that soil nutrient heterogeneity, a ubiquitous feature of terrestrial ecosystems, modulates plant responses to ongoing global change (GC). However, we know little about the overall trends of such responses, the GC drivers involved and the plant attributes affected.
We synthesized literature to answer the question: Does soil heterogeneity significantly affect plant responses to main GC drivers, such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2), nitrogen (N) enrichment and changes in rainfall regime?
Overall, most studies have addressed short‐term effects of N enrichment on the performance of model plant communities using experiments conducted under controlled conditions. The role of soil heterogeneity as a modulator of plant responses to elevated CO2 may depend on the plasticity in nutrient uptake patterns. Soil heterogeneity does interact with N enrichment to determine plant growth and nutrient status, but the outcome of this interaction has been found to be both synergistic and inhibitory. The very few studies published on interactive effects of soil heterogeneity and changes in rainfall regime prevented us from identifying any general pattern.
We identify the long‐term consequences of soil heterogeneity on plant community dynamics in the field, and the ecosystem‐level responses of the soil heterogeneity × GC driver interaction, as the main knowledge gaps in this area of research.
To fill these gaps and take soil heterogeneity and GC research a step forward, we propose the following research guidelines: (i) combining morphological and physiological plant responses to soil heterogeneity with field observations of community composition and predictions from simulation models and (ii) incorporating soil heterogeneity into a trait‐based response‐effect framework, where plant‐resource‐use traits are used as both response variables to this heterogeneity and GC, and predictors of ecosystem functioning.
Synthesis. There is enough evidence to affirm that soil heterogeneity modulates plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 and N enrichment. Our synthesis indicates that we must explicitly consider soil heterogeneity to accurately predict plant responses to GC drivers.
Effects of disturbance intensity on species and functional diversity in a tropical forest
Authors: Carreño‐Rocabado Geovana , Peña‐Claros Marielos , Bongers Frans , Alarcón Alfredo , Licona Juan‐Carlos , Poorter Lourens 
Published: May 2013

SummaryDisturbances are widespread and may affect community assembly, species composition, (functional) diversity and hence ecosystem processes. It remains still unclear to what extent disturbance‐mediated species changes scale‐up to changes in community functional properties, especially for species‐rich tropical forests.A large‐scale field experiment was performed in which the dynamics of 15 000 stems >10 cm in diameter was monitored for 8 years in 44 one‐ha forest plots. Twelve functional effect and response traits were measured for the most dominant tree species. The effects of different intensities of disturbance caused by logging and silvicultural treatments on the species and functional diversity of a Bolivian tropical forest community were evaluated, along with how these changes were driven by underlying demographic processes.Disturbance treatments did not affect species diversity or functional diversity indices based on multiple traits related to primary productivity and decomposition rate. This result suggests that species richness is conserved, and traitvariationis maintained, which can buffer the community against environmental change.In contrast, disturbance intensity affected theaverageplant trait values in the community (the community‐weighted mean) for seven of 12 traits evaluated. At high disturbance intensity, the community had a lower wood density of stem and branches, lower leaf toughness and dry matter content, but higher specific leaf area and leaf N‐ and P concentration, with the value of these traits changing on average 6% over the 8‐year period. The functional spectrum of the community changed, therefore, from ‘slow’, conservative, shade‐tolerant species towards ‘fast’, acquisitive, light‐demanding species. These functional changes inmeantrait values may enhance primary productivity and decomposition rate in the short term.Temporal changes in community functional properties were mainly driven by recruitment, and little by mortality or survival.Synthesis. Moderate levels of (logging) disturbance neither affected species diversity nor functional diversity per se in the 8‐year period after logging. Disturbance did, however, change the functional community composition towards ‘fast’ species with more acquisitive traits, thus potentially fuelling primary productivity and nutrient and carbon cycling. In conclusion, tropical forest management may contribute to conserving functional biodiversity of trees while providing forest resources.