bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Putative biotic drivers of plant phenology: With special reference to pathogens and deciduousness
Authors: Burdon Rowland D. , Bartlett Michael J. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPlant phenology is not only manifested in the seasonal timing of vegetative and reproductive processes but also has ontogenetic aspects. The adaptive basis of seasonal phenology has been considered mainly in terms of climatic drivers. However, some biotic factors as likely evolutionary influences on plants’ phenology appear to have been under‐researched. Several specific cases of putative biotic factors driving plant phenology are outlined, involving both herbivores and pathogens. These illustrate the diversity of likely interactions rather than any systematic coverage or review. Emphasis is on woody perennials, in which phenology is often most multifaceted and complicated by the ontogenetic aspect. The complete seasonal leaf fall that characterizes deciduous plants may be a very important defense against some pathogens. Whether biotic influences drive acquisition or long‐term persistence of deciduousness is considered. In one case, of leaf rusts in poplars, countervailing influences of the rusts and climate suggest persistence. Often, however, biotic and environmental influences likely reinforce each other. The timing and duration of shoot flushing may in at least some cases contribute to defenses against herbivores, largely through brief periods of “predator satiation” when plant tissues have highest food value. Wide re‐examination of plant phenology, accommodating the roles of biotic factors and their interplays with environments as additional adaptive drivers, is advocated toward developing and applying hypotheses that are observationally or experimentally testable.
Camera traps are an effective tool for monitoring insect–plant interactions
Authors: Naqvi Qaim , Wolff Patrick J. , Molano‐Flores Brenda , Sperry Jinelle H. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractInsect and pollinator populations are vitally important to the health of ecosystems, food production, and economic stability, but are declining worldwide. New, cheap, and simple monitoring methods are necessary to inform management actions and should be available to researchers around the world. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of a commercially available, close‐focus automated camera trap to monitor insect–plant interactions and insect behavior. We compared two video settings—scheduled and motion‐activated—to a traditional human observation method. Our results show that camera traps with scheduled video settings detected more insects overall than humans, but relative performance varied by insect order. Scheduled cameras significantly outperformed motion‐activated cameras, detecting more insects of all orders and size classes. We conclude that scheduled camera traps are an effective and relatively inexpensive tool for monitoring interactions between plants and insects of all size classes, and their ease of accessibility and set‐up allows for the potential of widespread use. The digital format of video also offers the benefits of recording, sharing, and verifying observations.
Marine turtles are only minimally sexually size dimorphic, a pattern that is distinct from most nonmarine aquatic turtles
Authors: Figgener Christine , Bernardo Joseph , Plotkin Pamela T. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTurtles have been prominent subjects of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) analyses due to their compact taxonomy, mating systems, and habitat diversity. In prior studies, marine turtles were grouped with fully aquatic non‐marine turtles (NMATs). This is interesting because it is well‐established that the marine environment imposes a distinct selective milieu on body form of vagile vertebrates, driven by convergent adaptations for energy‐efficient propulsion and drag reduction. We generated a comprehensive database of adult marine turtle body sizes (38,569 observations across all species), which we then used to evaluate the magnitude of SSD in marine turtles and how it compares to SSD in NMAT. We find that marine turtles are only minimally sexually size dimorphic, whereas NMAT typically exhibit female‐biased SSD. We argue that the reason for this difference is the sustained long‐distance swimming that characterizes marine turtle ecology, which entails significant energetic costs incurred by both sexes. Hence, the ability of either sex to allocate proportionately more to growth than the other is likely constrained, meaning that sexual differences in growth and resultant body size are not possible. Consequently, grouping marine turtles with NMAT dilutes the statistical signature of different kinds of selection on SSD and should be avoided in future studies.
Mycophagous beetle females do not behave competitively during intrasexual interactions in presence of a fungal resource
Authors: Mitchem Lisa D. , Formica Vincent A. , Debray Reena , Homer Dana E. , Brodie Edmund D. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntrasexual interactions can determine which individuals within a population have access to limited resources. Despite their potential importance on fitness generally and mating success especially, female–female interactions are not often measured in the same species where male–male interactions are well‐defined. In this study, we characterized female–female interactions in Bolitotherus cornutus, a mycophagous beetle species native to Northeastern North America. We used dyadic, behavioral assays to determine whether females perform directly aggressive or indirectly exclusionary competitive behaviors. Polypore shelf fungus, an important food and egg‐laying resource for B. cornutus females, is patchily distributed and of variable quality, so we tested for competition over fungus as a resource. Behavior of females was assessed in three sets of dyadic trials with randomly paired female partners. Overall, females did not behave aggressively toward their female partner or perform exclusionary behaviors over the fungal resource. None of the behaviors performed by females were individually repeatable. Two scenarios may explain our lack of observed competition: our trial context may not induce competition, or female B. cornutus simply may not behave competitively in the wild. We compare our results to a similar study on male–male interactions in the same species and propose future studies on female–female interactions under different competitive contexts to expand the understanding of female competition.
Aphid galls as a double food source for woodpeckers
Authors: Londei Tiziano 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAn adult female and a young great spotted woodpeckerDendrocopos majorwere found exploiting galls of the elm balloon‐gall aphidEriosoma lanuginosumby eating both the insects and their honeydew. Literature offers sparse and indirect information to explain this behavior. Taking both aphids and honeydew from within galls is reported here for the first time for a bird species. Only one other vertebrate, the Eurasian red squirrelSciurus vulgaris, would show similar behavior. In contrast with the seeming rarity of such a feeding way, likely advantages in the double food source suggest it may have been overlooked.
Positive effects of exotic species dampened by neighborhood heterogeneity
Authors: Bowler Catherine H. , Shoemaker Lauren G. , Weiss‐Lehman Christopher , Towers Isaac R. , Mayfield Margaret M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIt is well known that species interactions between exotic and native species are important for determining the success of biological invasions and how influential exotic species become in invaded communities. The strength and type of interactions between species can substantially vary, however, from negative and detrimental to minimal or even positive. Increasing evidence from the literature shows that exotic species have positive interactions with native species more often than originally thought. Gaps in our theory for how population growth is limited when interactions are positive, however, restrict our understanding of the mechanisms by which exotic “facilitators” contribute to diversity maintenance in invaded systems. Here, we quantified interactions between seven native and four exotic (established nonnative) common annual plant species in the highly diverse, York Gum woodlands of Western Australia. We used a Bayesian demographic modeling approach that allowed for interaction coefficients to be positive or negative, and explored key sources of variation in species responses to native and exotic neighbors at per capita (individual) and neighborhood levels. We observed positive per capita effects from exotic neighbors on exotic focal species as well as on several native focal species. However, all focal species were, on average, inhibited by their interaction neighborhood, when the variance in identity and abundance of observed neighbors was considered. At the neighborhood scale, exotic species were found to suppress all focal species, particularly those with high intrinsic fecundity. Our study demonstrates that within‐neighborhood heterogeneity can regulate per capita positive effects of invaders, limiting runaway population growth of both natives and exotic invaders.
Putting the Mantel test back together again
Authors: Somers Keith M. , Jackson Donald A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe Mantel test has been widely used in ecology and evolution, but over the last two decades it has been frequently critiqued because results were inconsistent with expectations and there were issues with Type I (false‐positive) and Type II (false‐negative) error rates. Three‐matrix extensions of the Mantel test have been challenged for similar reasons. Even the null hypotheses underlying the Mantel test have been questioned. As a result, use of the Mantel test and its variants has been discouraged or limited to special situations. Here, we examine Mantel test criticisms including the lack of agreement between traditional variable‐based Pearson correlations (r) and observation‐based Mantel correlations (rm), and the unusual Type I and Type II error rates. We propose an alternate proximity measure that resolves these issues. We use simulations and examples to contrast Mantel results based on Euclidean distance, squared Euclidean distance, and the simple difference (Diff) with traditional bivariate Pearson correlations. We demonstrate that use of the simple difference in Mantel tests can resolve the underlying problems with poor agreement between bivariate Pearson and Mantel correlations, as well as appropriate Type I and Type II errors (i.e., where r = cor(x,y) and rm = cor(dx,dy), if dx = Diff(x) and dy = Diff(y), r = rm). We also show that the simple difference can provide solutions to issues with partial Mantel tests and distance‐based MANOVA. Because our results resolve many of the issues with Mantel tests, we hope that these findings will restore the popularity of the Mantel test.
Cost Effective Electrochemical Sensor for L‐Methionine Based on Graphitic Carbon Nitride Sheets Modified Electrode
Authors: Ajith Ajay , John S. Abraham 
Published: June 2022

AbstractL‐methionine (L−Me) deficiency in human body leads to several complications. In the present work, graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (GCN−S) modified glassy carbon electrode (GC/GCN−S) was developed as a cost effective electrochemical sensor for L−Me. The oxidation of L−Me at bare GC electrode shows an ill‐defined peak and it was unstable whereas a well‐defined stable oxidation peak was obtained at GC/GCN−S electrode. While increasing L−Me concentration from 100 nM to 0.2 mM, the amperometric current increases linearly with R2=0.9901 and LOD was found to be 0.32 nM (S/N=3). Finally, GC/GCN−S electrode was used to determine L−Me in blood serum samples.
Electrochemical Sensor Based on Biomass Yeast Integrated Sulfur‐doped Graphene and Carboxylated Carbon Nanotubes/MoS2 for Highly‐sensitive Detection of Pb2+
Authors: Yin Miao , Pu Hongchen , Zhang Yaoyao , Gao Panpan , Sun Qiaoqian , Yin Wei , Fa Huanbao 
Published: June 2022

AbstractGlassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) modified with sulfur‐doped graphene (SG)/carboxylated carbon nanotube (CNT−COOH)/MoS2/yeast composite were prepared for electrochemical detection for lead ions by the simple hydrothermal methods and ultrasonic methods. The combination of SG and CNT−COOH could form a double‐layer carbon structure, providing more active detection sites for detection for lead, which could also contribute to adherence of yeast and MoS2. The SG/CNT−COOH/MoS2/yeast exhibited a high response in detecting low concentrations of lead ions. And then the SG/CNT−COOH/MoS2/yeast was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Compared with traditional detection technology, the linear range of the sensor was 10−6∼10−14 g/L. And the lower of detection (LOD) down to 2.61×10−15 g/L was achieved. The sensor showed prospective applications in detection of Pb2+ in real serum samples.
Rapid, inexpensive fabrication of electrophoretic microdevices for fluorescence detection
Authors: Nelson Daniel A. , Thompson Brandon L. , Scott An‐Chi , Nouwairi Renna , Birch Christopher , DuVall Jacquelyn A. , Roux Delphine Le , Li Jingyi , Root Brian E. , Landers James P. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe laser print, cut, and laminate (PCL) method for microfluidic device fabrication can be leveraged for rapid and inexpensive prototyping of electrophoretic microchips useful for optimizing separation conditions. The rapid prototyping capability allows the evaluation of fluidic architecture, applied fields, reagent concentrations, and sieving matrix, all within the context of using fluorescence‐compatible substrates. Cyclic olefin copolymer and toner‐coated polyethylene terephthalate (tPeT) were utilized with the PCL technique and bonding methods optimized to improve device durability during electrophoresis. A series of separation channel designs and centrifugation conditions that provided successful loading of sieving polymer in less than 3 min was described. Separation of a 400‐base DNA sizing ladder provided calculated base resolution between 3 and 4 bases, a greater than 18‐fold improvement over separations on similar substrates. Finally, the accuracy and precision capabilities of these devices were demonstrated by separating and sizing DNA fragments of 147 and 167 bases as 148.62 ± 2 and 166.48 ± 3 bases, respectively.
Optimal production of bio‐char with maximum carbon content under both inert (N2) and reactive (CO2) environment employing RSM
Authors: Das Sutapa , Goud Vaibhav V. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBiomass‐derived char (bio‐char) is a stable and concentrated form of carbon that finds multiple applications from carbon sequestration to catalyst. The ambient conditions during bio‐char production play a major role in determining its physico‐chemical characteristics. This study employs a design optimization (RSM) technique to analyze the slow pyrolysis of rice husk under two different environments—inert (N2) and reactive (CO2), and analyzes the bio‐char produced. The slow pyrolysis process was optimized in a way to determine the conditions required for obtaining significant bio‐char yield with maximum carbon content. The optimal conditions under N2 environment were identified to be 521°C, 48 min, 0.87 LPM and under CO2 environment were identified to be 545°C, 43 min and 0.87 LPM, respectively. The bio‐char produced under CO2 environment was observed to have higher porosity, surface area, pH and aromaticity. These results indicated that the bio‐char obtained under a reactive (CO2) environment could be used as a potential adsorbent. The bio‐char obtained under N2 environment was found to have higher carbon content and thus, could be utilized as soil conditioners or soil enhancers, to increase the soil fertility.
Geophysical and geochemical characterization reveals topography controls on critical zone structure in a low hilly region
Authors: Wu Huayong , Song Xiaodong , Liu Feng , Li Decheng , Zhang Gan‐Lin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCharacterizing the structure of the critical zone (CZ), which is often tens of metres deep, is challenging and crucial to understand earth surface processes. Existing findings on the effect of topography on CZ thickness focused exclusively on mountainous regions with steep slopes, not considering low hilly regions with gentle slopes. Seismic refraction and borehole surveys were conducted to characterize the effects of topography on a red soil CZ structure in the low hilly region of Jiangxi Province, subtropical China. This CZ is derived from Quaternary red clay (QRC) overlying Cretaceous sandstone bedrock. Regolith with a thickness of 8.2–9.5 m consisted of an upper layer of QRC (4.8–6.2 m thick) and a lower layer of weathered sandstone (2.6–4.0 m thick). The boundary between weathered and unweathered sandstone was identified by a Ca depletion profile and calcite weathering front. The boundary between the QRC and weathered sandstone was identified by morphological and textural features and a feldspar weathering front. The QRC had seismic refraction velocities <1.3 km s−1, the weathered sandstone had velocities of 1.3–1.7 km s−1, while the sandstone bedrock had velocities >1.7 km s−1. Following the profile sequence downslope, regolith thickness decreased linearly with decreasing ground elevation. The linear fitted regression slope was <1. This was predominantly determined by QRC thickness, which in turn was mainly controlled by the difference between slopes of ground and bedrock surface and by surface erosion. Following the profile sequence across the slope, regolith thickness decreased linearly with decreasing ground elevation, with a slope of ~1. This was controlled by QRC thickness, which in turn was mainly controlled by surface erosion only, since the bedrock surface was nearly level. These results suggest that topography can control CZ structure in hilly regions with gentle slopes.
High‐performance sodium ion conducting gel polymer electrolyte based on a biodegradable polymer polycaprolactone
Authors: Sehrawat Poonam , Parveen Shadma , Hashmi S.A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractGel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are gaining recent focus for high‐performance quasi‐solid‐state energy storage devices owing to their high ionic conductivity, good interfacial properties, flexibility with high safety in comparison to liquid electrolytes. Among various polymer hosts, developed so far, polycaprolactone (PCL) is attractive for its biodegradable and biocompatible nature. In this report, we demonstrate a novel GPE composition incorporating a liquid electrolyte 1 M sodium triflurosulfonate (NaTf) in ethylene carbonate (EC):propylene carbonate (PC) mixture, immobilized in PCL as the host polymer in the form of mechanically stable, free‐standing and flexible thick films. The GPE films are characterized using various physicochemical and electrochemical techniques. The GPE comprising an approximately 80 wt.% concentration of liquid electrolyte offers an optimum ionic conductivity of ~1.3 × 10−3 S cm−1, wide electrochemical stability window up to approximately 4.3 V and high sodium ion transport number (tNa+ ~ 0.67) at room temperature. Besides, the GPE film is thermally stable up to approximately 100°C. The sodium stripping/plating tests reveal highly stable cycling under ±46 mV for over 100 hours followed by ±30 mV at a current density of 0.05 mA cm−2 indicating reversible Na‐plating/stripping behavior. The high Na+‐conductivity and suitable Na‐storage properties make a favorable biodegradable electrolyte for practical sodium‐ion battery applications.
Experimental and numerical analysis of the thermal and mechanical behaviour of steel and recycled aggregate concrete composite elements exposed to fire
Authors: Simões Yagho S. , Fernandes Felipi P. D. , Castro Alessandra L. , Munaiar Neto Jorge 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUsing recycled aggregates in the production of concrete has been a viable alternative for sustainable development. Notwithstanding advanced information on this material at room temperature, its behavior when exposed to fire is still incipient. Thus, based on experimental analyses, the objective of this article is to evaluate the behavior of concrete produced with recycled aggregates for thermal insulation of steel elements, as well as to verify the physical and mechanical properties of these mixtures. For this purpose, eight prototypes, one made of steel and the others coated with different types of concrete, conventional and with recycled aggregates, were inserted in a horizontal oven and heated for 2 h. Based on experimental tests, numerical models were proposed and tested using the ABAQUS computational code, with consistent results when coherent thermal properties were adopted. The experimental results show that recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has great thermal insulation potential and sustainable benefits, considering that the steel elements coated with this type of material, with the exception of those that underwent spalling, presented temperatures close to or below compared with concrete with natural aggregates. In this regard, it is observed that the thermal conductivity of RACs was inferior to conventional concrete, indicating that this material is a promising strategy for thermal insulation of steel structures.
Current developments of digital ground modelling in tunnelling
Authors: Exenberger Hans , Massimo‐Kaiser Ines Maria , Flora Matthias 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis article analyses and discusses the current state of the art in the development of digital ground models in tunnelling. Following a review and discussion of the literature research combined with interview responses, a deficit analysis was performed. It shows why current projects mainly work with models and software that function as isolated solutions. A lack of software developments and limited collaborative work mean that the effects of current findings cannot immediately be implemented in models. Accordingly, the enormous potential of full coaction can only be imagined. A further problem is the lack of loss‐free data exchange across varying project phases and participants. Science is already moving in the right direction with the goal of harmonising the basic systematics. Finally, requirements for a digital ground model are formulated, and in combination with collaborative working and improved communication, these result in a large number of advanced possible applications.
Prerequisites for BIM‐based invoicing in NATM projects
Authors: Winkler Leopold , Melnyk Oleksandr , Goger Gerald 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe successful management of big tunnelling projects requires the complete documentation of technical and financial data as well as their ongoing evaluation. The current study reviews the possibilities for digital documentation of tunnel construction with the subsequent integration of this data with an invoicing software. It suggests an implementation model, a building information modeling (BIM) project element list and a digital on‐site data recording tool for a workflow in New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) projects. This digital resource enables central data management that improves and speeds up automated invoicing processes.