bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing inter‐regional variation in pH niches of fen mosses
Authors: Plesková Zuzana , Jiroušek Martin , Peterka Tomáš , Hájek Tomáš , Dítě Daniel , Hájková Petra , Navrátilová Jana , Šímová Anna , Syrovátka Vít , Hájek Michal 
Published: October 2015

AbstractQuestionMosses are important ecosystem engineers in mires. Their pH optima and tolerances presented in the literature differ between regions, even though the high dispersal ability of mosses should prevent local adaptations. Nutrient availability is sometimes suggested as a reason for local niche differentiation. Are patterns in moss niche diversification, optima and tolerance with respect to pH consistent between regions differing in nutrient availability and abundance of calcareous bedrock?LocationWestern Carpathians (Slovakia, a predominantly calcareous P‐ and K‐poor region), Bohemian Massif (Czech Republic, a predominantly crystalline, P‐ and K‐rich region).MethodsAnalyses of an original stratified data set and a large database using species response curves.ResultsAlthough the above two regions differ in abundance of calcareous fens, species pH optima (either original or adjusted according to calcium level) were consistent between the regions and data sets. Calcium‐tolerant peat mosses (Sphagnum warnstorfii, S. contortum, S. teres) showed an optimum at pH 6 and rather narrow niches. Sphagnum fallax was the most acidophilous, and both S. palustre and S. flexuosum had rather wide intermediate niches. The pH amplitudes were largely consistent between the regions (especially when adjusted pH was used), but S. fallax and Aulacomnium palustre exhibited wider niches in the Bohemian Massif. Despite no significant difference in niche optimum and width, some more nutrient demanding and more generalist species occurred at higher frequency in specific parts of the pH gradient in the Bohemian Massif, while some fen specialists showed the opposite pattern.ConclusionsThe small stratified data set and the database data set yielded rather consistent results regarding fen moss niches in the Bohemian Massif and the Western Carpathians. The consistency in pH niches corresponds to the lack of large‐scale genetic differentiation in moss species. The observed inter‐regional differences in species response curves may thus reflect an increased frequency of competitively strong species in certain parts of the pH/Ca gradient in the nutrient‐richer Bohemian Massif rather than genetically conditioned niche shifts. Expansion of these species was probably triggered by potassium enrichment that took place in the 1970s–1980s. Inter‐regional differences in species response curves were observed in both data sets, but in the large database data set they were more frequently statistically significant.
Spatial variation in potential photosynthesis in Northern European bogs
Authors: Laine Anna M. , Wilson David , Alm Jukka , Schneider Julia , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina 
Published: October 2015

AbstractQuestionMeasurements of ecosystem carbon (C) exchange are usually labour‐intensive and expensive. In peatlands, these temporally and spatially limited measurements are often up‐scaled over comparable ecosystems, such as ombrotrophic bogs, to provide an estimate for ecosystem level carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes. Peatlands typically have moisture variations reflected in the presence of microforms (e.g. hummocks and hollows), each with characteristic plant life forms. However, so far the applicability of peatland type (e.g. bog, fen) or microforms for up‐scaling has not been assessed. Does the vegetation composition or function of associated species differ so greatly between the same types of peatland that up‐scaling is impossible?LocationFive ombrotrophic bogs in Northern Europe; in Ireland, Finland and western Russia.MethodsWe described the variation in vegetation of microforms within and between ombrotrophic bogs using multivariate analyses. Thereafter, we measured CO2 exchange at different microforms and evaluated the relationship between vegetation structure and the light response of photosynthesis.ResultsOur results show that the community composition of hummocks, lawns and hollows was rather uniform at the plant life‐form level. The photosynthetic capacity per leaf area unit was quite similar within microform classes over the different bogs. The observed differences between sites in capacity were mainly related to variation in leaf area.ConclusionsA reliable estimate of ecosystem‐level photosynthesis requires knowledge of the proportion of different microforms in an area and the leaf area characteristics for each microform in the year(s) in question. Assessments of ecosystem‐level photosynthesis are important with regard to current and future changes in climate, as the most dramatic changes in peatlands involve water level drawdown, which in turn is likely to lead to changes in the relative proportions of microforms within peatlands.
Ring species as demonstrations of the continuum of species formation
Authors: Pereira Ricardo J. , Wake David B. 
Published: October 2015

In the mid‐20th century, Ernst Mayr (1942) and Theodosius Dobzhansky (1958) championed the significance of ‘circular overlaps’ or ‘ring species’ as the perfect demonstration of the gradual nature of species formation. As an ancestral species expands its range, wrapping around a geographic barrier, derived taxa within the ring display interactions typical of populations, such as genetic and morphological intergradation, while overlapping taxa at the terminus of the ring behave largely as sympatric, reproductively isolated species. Are ring species extremely rare or are they just difficult to detect? What conditions favour their formation? Modelling studies have attempted to address these knowledge gaps by estimating the biological parameters that result in stable ring species (Martins et al. 2013), and determining the necessary topographic parameters of the barriers encircled (Monahan et al. 2012). However, any generalization is undermined by a major limitation: only a handful of ring species are known to exist in nature. In addition, many of them have been broken into multiple species presumed to be evolving independently, usually obscuring the evolutionary dynamics that generate diversity. A paper in this issue of Molecular Ecology by Fuchs et al. (2015), focused on the entire genealogy of a bulbul (Alophoixus) species complex, offers key insights into the evolutionary processes underlying diversification of this Indo‐Malayan bird. Their findings fulfil most of the criteria that can be expected for ring species (Fig. ): an ancestor has colonized the mainland from Sundaland, expanded along the forested habitat wrapping around Thailand's lowlands, adjacent taxa intergrade around the ring distribution, and terminal taxa overlap at the ring closure. Although it remains unclear whether ring divergence has resulted in restrictive gene flow relative to that observed around the ring, their results suggest that circular overlaps might be more common in nature than currently recognized in the literature. Most importantly, this work shows that the continuum of species formation that Mayr and Dobzhansky praised in circular overlaps is found in biological systems currently described as ‘rings of species’, in addition to the idealized ‘ring species’.
Increased cytoplasm viscosity hampers aggregate polar segregation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Oliveira Samuel M. D. , Neeli‐Venkata Ramakanth , Goncalves Nadia S. M. , Santinha João A. , Martins Leonardo , Tran Huy , Mäkelä Jarno , Gupta Abhishekh , Barandas Marilia , Häkkinen Antti , Lloyd‐Price Jason , Fonseca José M. , Ribeiro Andre S. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryIn Escherichia coli, under optimal conditions, protein aggregates associated with cellular aging are excluded from midcell by the nucleoid. We study the functionality of this process under sub‐optimal temperatures from population and time lapse images of individual cells and aggregates and nucleoids within. We show that, as temperature decreases, aggregates become homogeneously distributed and uncorrelated with nucleoid size and location. We present evidence that this is due to increased cytoplasm viscosity, which weakens the anisotropy in aggregate displacements at the nucleoid borders that is responsible for their preference for polar localisation. Next, we show that in plasmolysed cells, which have increased cytoplasm viscosity, aggregates are also not preferentially located at the poles. Finally, we show that the inability of cells with increased viscosity to exclude aggregates from midcell results in enhanced aggregate concentration in between the nucleoids in cells close to dividing. This weakens the asymmetries in aggregate numbers between sister cells of subsequent generations required for rejuvenating cell lineages. We conclude that the process of exclusion of protein aggregates from midcell is not immune to stress conditions affecting the cytoplasm viscosity. The findings contribute to our understanding of E. coli's internal organisation and functioning, and its fragility to stressful conditions.
Niche dynamics of alien species do not differ among sexual and apomictic flowering plants
Authors: Dellinger Agnes S. , Essl Franz , Hojsgaard Diego , Kirchheimer Bernhard , Klatt Simone , Dawson Wayne , Pergl Jan , Pyšek Petr , van Kleunen Mark , Weber Ewald , Winter Marten , Hörandl Elvira , Dullinger Stefan 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Biological invasions can be associated with shifts of the species’ climatic niches but the incidence of such shifts is under debate. The reproductive system might be a key factor controlling such shifts because it influences a species’ evolutionary flexibility. However, the link between reproductive systems and niche dynamics in plant invasions has been little studied so far.

We compiled global occurrence data sets of 13 congeneric sexual and apomictic species pairs, and used principal components analysis (PCA) and kernel smoothers to compare changes in climatic niche optima, breadths and unfilling/expansion between native and alien ranges. Niche change metrics were compared between sexual and apomictic species.

All 26 species showed changes in niche optima and/or breadth and 14 species significantly expanded their climatic niches. However, we found no effect of the reproductive system on niche dynamics. Instead, species with narrower native niches showed higher rates of niche expansion in the alien ranges.

Our results suggest that niche shifts are frequent in plant invasions but evolutionary potential may not be of major importance for such shifts. Niche dynamics rather appear to be driven by changes of the realized niche without adaptive change of the fundamental climatic niche.
Nitrate reductase mutation alters potassium nutrition as well as nitric oxide‐mediated control of guard cell ion channels in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Zhong‐Hua , Wang Yizhou , Wang Jian‐Wen , Babla Mohammad , Zhao Chenchen , García‐Mata Carlos , Sani Emanuela , Differ Christopher , Mak Michelle , Hills Adrian , Amtmann Anna , Blatt Michael R. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Maintaining potassium (K+) nutrition and a robust guard cell K+ inward channel activity is considered critical for plants’ adaptation to fluctuating and challenging growth environment. ABA induces stomatal closure through hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) along with subsequent ion channel‐mediated loss of K+ and anions. However, the interactions of NO synthesis and signalling with K+ nutrition and guard cell K+ channel activities have not been fully explored in Arabidopsis.

Physiological and molecular techniques were employed to dissect the interaction of nitrogen and potassium nutrition in regulating stomatal opening, CO2 assimilation and ion channel activity. These data, gene expression and ABA signalling transduction were compared in wild‐type Columbia‐0 (Col‐0) and the nitrate reductase mutant nia1nia2.

Growth and K+ nutrition were impaired along with stomatal behaviour, membrane transport, and expression of genes associated with ABA signalling in the nia1nia2 mutant. ABA‐inhibited K+in current and ABA‐enhanced slow anion current were absent in nia1nia2. Exogenous NO restored regulation of these channels for complete stomatal closure in nia1nia2.

While NO is an important signalling component in ABA‐induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis, our findings demonstrate a more complex interaction associating potassium nutrition and nitrogen metabolism in the nia1nia2 mutant that affects stomatal function.
The photosynthetic capacity in 35 ferns and fern allies: mesophyll CO2 diffusion as a key trait
Authors: Tosens Tiina , Nishida Keisuke , Gago Jorge , Coopman Rafael Eduardo , Cabrera Hernán Marino , Carriquí Marc , Laanisto Lauri , Morales Loreto , Nadal Miquel , Rojas Roke , Talts Eero , Tomas Magdalena , Hanba Yuko , Niinemets Ülo , Flexas Jaume 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Ferns and fern allies have low photosynthetic rates compared with seed plants. Their photosynthesis is thought to be limited principally by physical CO2 diffusion from the atmosphere to chloroplasts.

The aim of this study was to understand the reasons for low photosynthesis in species of ferns and fern allies (Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida). We performed a comprehensive assessment of the foliar gas‐exchange and mesophyll structural traits involved in photosynthetic function for 35 species of ferns and fern allies. Additionally, the leaf economics spectrum (the interrelationships between photosynthetic capacity and leaf/frond traits such as leaf dry mass per unit area or nitrogen content) was tested.

Low mesophyll conductance to CO2 was the main cause for low photosynthesis in ferns and fern allies, which, in turn, was associated with thick cell walls and reduced chloroplast distribution towards intercellular mesophyll air spaces.

Generally, the leaf economics spectrum in ferns follows a trend similar to that in seed plants. Nevertheless, ferns and allies had less nitrogen per unit DW than seed plants (i.e. the same slope but a different intercept) and lower photosynthesis rates per leaf mass area and per unit of nitrogen.
EVOLUTIONARILY INDUCED ALTERNATIVE STATES AND COEXISTENCE IN SYSTEMS WITH APPARENT COMPETITION
Authors: SCHREIBER SEBASTIAN J. , PATEL SWATI 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPredators often consume multiple prey and by mutually subsidizing a shared predator, the prey may reciprocally harm each other. When predation levels are high, this apparent competition can culminate in a prey species being displaced. Coupling quantitative genetics and Lotka–Volterra models, we study how predator evolution alters this and other ecological outcomes. These models account for a trade‐off between the predator's attack rates on two prey species. We provide a mathematical characterization of a strong form of persistence–permanence—for which there is a global attractor bounded away from extinction. When the evolutionary dynamics occur at a sufficiently slower time scale than the ecological dynamics, we also characterize attractors and their basins of attraction using singular perturbation theory and a graphical approach to the eco‐evolutionary dynamics. Our results show that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks can mediate permanence at intermediate trade‐offs in the attack rates. However, at strong trade‐offs, permanence is lost. Despite this loss of permanence, there can be attractors supporting coexistence. These attractors, however, may coincide with attractors at which the predator is excluded. Our results highlight that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks can alter community structure by mediating coexistence or leading to trait‐dependent alternative stable states.
Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis complicated by Down syndrome
Authors: Watanabe Hirofumi , Ayusawa Mamoru , Kato Masataka , Chou Ami , Komori Akiko , Abe Yuriko , Matsumura Masaharu , Kamiyama Hiroshi , Izumi Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shori 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe report the case of a 9‐year‐old girl with Down syndrome (DS) diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH). Although acute pneumonia complicated by hemolytic anemia was suspected, IPH was finally diagnosed on bronchoscopy. Treatment with prednisolone achieved good clinical response. An association between IPH and DS was not able to be identified, but immunological issues in DS may contribute to the onset of IPH. Recurrent and intractable respiratory symptoms with marked infiltrative shadows in the bilateral lungs and complicated by severe anemia in patients with DS should suggest IPH.
Eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis in a cohort of children with severe bronchiolitis
Authors: Hasegawa Kohei , Mansbach Jonathan M. , Piedra Pedro A. , Dunn Michelle B. , Clark Sunday , Sullivan Ashley F. , Camargo Carlos A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendations for palivizumab prophylaxis for children who are at high risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. To investigate the potential impact of the more restrictive 2014 criteria on the eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis, we applied the 2012 and 2014 AAP recommendations for palivizumab prophylaxis to a multicenter cohort of 2207 US children hospitalized for bronchiolitis. According to the 2012 AAP recommendations, 215 children (9.7%) were eligible for palivizumab prophylaxis, while 140 children (6.3%) would have been eligible based on the 2014 updated recommendations (34.9% relative decrease; 95%CI: 28.5–41.7%). The decrease was largely driven by the restriction of eligibility to preterm infants with gestational age <29 weeks. Further development of and refinement of cost‐effective approaches for the prevention of severe RSV infection are needed.
Spontaneous improvement in a pediatric patient with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kobayashi Ryoji , Suzuki Daisuke , Hori Daiki , Kishimoto Kenji , Sano Hirozumi , Nakazawa Atsuko , Yasuda Kazue , Kobayashi Kunihiko 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPeripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) is rare in children, and it has a poor prognosis compared with other types of lymphoma. We report the case of a 7‐year‐old boy with spontaneous improvement of PTCL complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome as the initial symptom. He complained of pain and swelling of the right neck and presented with high fever. Pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, elevated ferritin and soluble interleukin 2 receptor were noted on laboratory tests. Peripheral blood plasma and white blood cells were positive for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) genome but, after several days, the fever abated and laboratory data improved. On histopathology of lymph node biopsy, he was diagnosed as having PTCL not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS) with EBV infection. He received no chemotherapy and was disease free at the last follow up, 6 years 8 months after onset. This is probably the first case of spontaneous improvement in PTCL‐NOS. Careful treatment planning is therefore necessary in PTCL‐NOS, given the possibility of spontaneous improvement of symptoms.
Incidence of childhood primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Higashigawa Masamune , Maeyama Takatoshi , Yoshino Ayako , Matsuda Kazuyuki , Ito Mitsue , Maji Tomoaki , Ichimi Ryouji 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThere is a discrepancy in the reported incidence of childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) between Europe (2.9–5.3 per 100 000 persons) and Japan (1.91). Ise district is a suitable area in which to conduct epidemiological study because there is little fluctuation in the sociodemographic factors. We performed a retrospective population‐based study to clarify the incidence of primary childhood ITP. We calculated person‐years for children aged <15 years based on the Ise district demographics between 2002 and 2012. The calculated person‐years were 298 533. The number of hospitalized patients in Ise district was 25 (M/F, 14/11) during the study period. The calculated incidence was therefore 8.4 per 100 000 person‐years. It is possible that the difference in incidence between the present calculation and that of the European studies is due to variation in accuracy and/or registration criteria between the studies.
Providers' assessment of transition readiness among adolescent and young adult kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Gilleland Marchak Jordan , Reed‐Knight Bonney , Amaral Sandra , Mee Laura , Blount Ronald L. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe Readiness for Transition Questionnaire‐ provider version (RTQ‐Provider) was developed to evaluate adolescent patients' transition readiness and healthcare behaviors from the perspective of the healthcare provider. The RTQ‐Provider is a parallel version of the RTQ‐Teen and RTQ‐Parent completed by patients and parents. This study seeks to evaluate the psychometric properties of the RTQ‐Provider and its utility as a clinical transition planning tool. Participants consisted of 49 kidney transplant recipients between the ages of 15 and 21. The RTQ‐Provider was completed by the pediatric nephrologist and psychologist from the multidisciplinary healthcare team and compared to RTQ data from teens and parents. The RTQ‐Provider demonstrated good‐to‐excellent internal consistency and interrater reliability. Construct validity was supported through significant predictive relationships between providers' perceptions of transition readiness and older patient age, increased patient healthcare responsibility, and decreased parent involvement in health care. By providing parallel teen, parent, and provider forms, the RTQ has the potential to foster open communication between patients, families, and healthcare team members regarding transition readiness. The study provides initial support for the RTQ‐Provider as a clinical tool to assess providers' perceptions of transition readiness; however, future longitudinal research is needed to evaluate predictive validity following patients' transfer to adult care.
Ink, Art and Expression: Philosophical Questions about Tattoos
Authors: Dadlez E.M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis essay offers an overview of the reasons why tattoos are philosophically interesting. Considered here will be a partial survey of potential areas of philosophical interest with respect to tattoos, fortified by a little historical context. Claims about the ethical significance of tattoos and about the significance of tattoos for self‐expression and as expressions of identity will be canvassed in the first two sections, as will questions about what they express or signify, how they might do so, and whose expression we might take it to be. The final sections will address the contention that at least some tattoos are art and will raise various considerations about their closest analogs as well as their authorship. Although it will be argued that analogs can be found between tattoos and works recognized as art, it will also be maintained that tattoos raise unique aesthetic issues for consideration.
How Lay Cognition Constrains Scientific Cognition
Authors: Shtulman Andrew 
Published: October 2015

AbstractScientific cognition is a hard‐won achievement, both from a historical point of view and a developmental point of view. Here, I review seven facets of lay cognition that run counter to, and often impede, scientific cognition: incompatible folk theories, missing ontologies, tolerance for shallow explanations, tolerance for contradictory explanations, privileging explanation over empirical data, privileging testimony over empirical data, and misconceiving the nature of science itself. Most of these facets have been investigated independent of the others, and I propose directions for future research that might integrate them so as to explore potential commonalities among seemingly disparate obstacles to science learning, as well as potential strategies for bridging lay cognition and scientific cognition in the context of science education.