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opencc-zeroNov 2021View details →

Exploitative competition for floral resources reduces sugar intake but differently impacts the foraging behaviour of two non-bee flower visitors

Identifying which behavioural strategies maximize individual fitness is a key objective in ecology. Organisms are known to adapt their foraging behaviour to their environment in response to abiotic and biotic constraints, such as the distribution of resources or the presence of competitors. For instance, bees are known to avoid recently visited flowers and thus focus their foraging on more rewarding patches. Whether other flower-visiting insects adapt their foraging behaviour in response to exploitative competition for floral resources remains unknown. Here, we asked if a predatory hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) and a parasitoid (Aphidius colemani) 1) are physiologically impacted by flower resource limitation following exploitation of flowers by a competitor (either the bumblebee Bombus terrestris or E. balteatus); 2) have the ability to discriminate flowers that were previously exploited by a competitor; and 3) modify their foraging behaviour accordingly. Episyrphus balteatus and A. colemani individuals foraging on previously exploited flowers were found to be less concentrated in sugar compounds, especially in fructose and glucose, suggesting that previously exploited flowers contained less available sugars. Nevertheless, individuals did not avoid previously exploited patches in the choice experiment. On the contrary, E. balteatus females preferentially landed on inflorescences that had previously been exploited by conspecifics (but not by B. terrestris), while A. colemani did not show preferences between inflorescences. However, female hoverflies spent more time feeding on unexploited patches, suggesting that exploited patches were resource limited. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the use of social cues among E. balteatus individuals in food foraging strategies. It also shows that even insects with tiny nectar requirements, such as parasitoids, can suffer from heavy exploitative competition. Such results may have applied consequences for the understanding of natural enemy conservation, in particular in agroecosystems where competition with honeybees may be important.

opencc-zeroNov 2021View details →

The impact of indoor residual spraying on Plasmodium falciparum microsatellite variation in an area of high seasonal malaria transmission in Ghana, West Africa

Here, we report the first population genetic study to examine the impact of indoor residual spraying (IRS) on Plasmodium falciparum in humans. This study was conducted in an area of high seasonal malaria transmission in Bongo District, Ghana. IRS was implemented during the dry season (November-May) in three consecutive years between 2013 and 2015 to reduce transmission and attempt to bottleneck the parasite population in humans towards lower diversity with greater linkage disequilibrium. The study was done against a background of widespread use of long-lasting insecticidal nets, typical for contemporary malaria control in West Africa. Microsatellite genotyping with 10 loci was used to construct 392 P. falciparum multilocus infection haplotypes collected from two age-stratified cross-sectional surveys at the end of the wet seasons pre- and post-IRS. Three-rounds of IRS, under operational conditions, led to a >90% reduction in transmission intensity and a 35.7% reduction in the P. falciparum prevalence (p < .001). Despite these declines, population genetic analysis of the infection haplotypes revealed no dramatic changes with only a slight, but significant increase in genetic diversity (He : pre-IRS = 0.79 vs. post-IRS = 0.81, p = .048). Reduced relatedness of the parasite population (p < .001) was observed post-IRS, probably due to decreased opportunities for outcrossing. Spatiotemporal genetic differentiation between the pre- and post-IRS surveys (D = 0.0329 [95% CI: 0.0209 - 0.0473], p = .034) was identified. These data provide a genetic explanation for the resilience of P. falciparum to short-term IRS programmes in high-transmission settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

opencc-zeroNov 2021View details →

Data for: The long-term impacts of deer herbivory in determining temperate forest stand and canopy structural complexity

1. Ungulates place immense consumptive pressure on forest vegetation globally, leaving legacies of reduced biodiversity and simplified vegetative structure. However, what remains unresolved is whether browse-induced changes occurring early in succession ultimately manifest themselves in the developed forest canopy. Understanding the development and persistence of these legacies is critical as canopy structure is an important determinant of forest ecosystem functions like carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat. 2. We measured how white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) browse during stand initiation affected canopy structure, tree species richness, diversity, stem density, and basal area on Pennsylvania's Allegheny Plateau using a portable canopy LiDAR system. We capitalized on an historic deer enclosure experiment where forests were subjected to four deer densities (4, 8, 15, and 25 deer/km2) for ten years following stand initiation. 3. Deer browsing impacts on the forest canopy are apparent nearly four decades since stand initiation. The highest deer density treatment experienced a significant reduction in tree species diversity, density, and basal area with stands becoming dominated by black cherry (Prunus serotina). Reductions in overstory diversity and tree density resulted in a more open canopy with low leaf area and high horizontal leaf variability. Canopies were tallest at the lowest and highest deer densities. 4. Synthesis and Applications: Using a portable canopy LiDAR system and a former deer enclosure experiment, we show that high deer browsing pressure during stand initiation can have a decades-long impact on stand and canopy structure. High deer densities led to stands with lower species diversity and tree density, which resulted in canopies that were taller and less dense. Managers should consider the lasting legacy of ungulate herbivory on canopy structure, as canopy structure influences several important management goals, such as forest carbon sequestration, maintenance of diverse understory communities, and creation of wildlife habitat.

opencc-by-4.0Nov 2021View details →

Dataset_Scoping review_Impact COVID-19 for patients with cardiac diseases

Data on which the conclusions of the study "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital services for patients with cardiac diseases: a scoping review" rely, namely: articles included in the Scoping Review and performance indicators extracted. Preprint of the study available at: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.01.21267100v1.

opencc-zeroDec 2021View details →

Data from: Intraspecific trait changes have large impacts on community functional composition but do not affect ecosystem function

1. Plant functional traits can provide a mechanistic understanding of community responses to global change and of community effects on ecosystem functions. Nitrogen enrichment typically shifts trait composition by promoting the dominance of acquisitive plants (high specific leaf area [SLA] and low leaf dry matter content [LDMC]), translating into high biomass production. Changes in mean trait values can be due to shifts in species identity, relative abundances and/or intraspecific trait values. However, we do not know the relative importance of these shifts in determining trait responses to environmental changes, or trait effects on ecosystem functioning, such as biomass production. 2. We quantified the relative importance of species composition, abundance and intraspecific shifts in driving variation in SLA and LDMC, and how these shifts affected above- and belowground biomass. We measured traits in a grassland experiment manipulating nitrogen fertilisation, plant species richness, foliar fungal pathogen removal and sown functional composition (slow vs. fast species). We fitted structural equation models to test the importance of abundance and intraspecific shifts in determining 1) responses of functional composition to treatments and 2) effects on above and belowground biomass. 3. We found that species intraspecific shifts were as important as abundance shifts in determining change in functional composition (community weighted mean trait values), and even had large effects compared to substantial initial variation in sown trait composition. Intraspecific trait shifts resulted in convergence towards intermediate SLA in diverse communities; although convergence was reduced by nitrogen addition and enhanced by pathogen removal. In contrast, large intraspecific shifts in LDMC were not influenced by the treatments. However, despite large responses, intraspecific trait shifts had no effect on above or belowground biomass. Only interspecific trait variation affected functioning: belowground biomass was reduced by SLA and increased by LDMC, while aboveground biomass was increased by SLA. 4. Our results add to a growing body of literature showing large species intraspecific trait variation and emphasise the importance of using field sampled data to determine community functional composition. However, they also show that intraspecific variation does not necessarily affect ecosystem functioning and therefore response-effect trait relationships may differ between vs. within species.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2021View details →

Hyper and viscoelastic single point ball impact FEM model Abaqus data

Finite element models of a rubber ball  impact on a steel or polyurethane target published in connection with the journal paper: Jespersen, K. M., Eftekhar, M., Johansen, N. F.-J., Bech, J. I., Mishnaesvky Jr., L., Mikkelsen, L. P. (2022), High rate response of elastomeric coatings for wind turbine blade erosion protection evaluated through impact tests and numerical models (Reference to be updated!) Videos with reference to the Fig. 7  in the paper: Nitrile_Impacting_PU_U2_video.avi: <a href="https://video.dtu.dk/media/Nitrile_Impacting_PU_U2_video/0_v62cln3h">https://video.dtu.dk/media/Nitrile_Impacting_PU_U2_video/0_v62cln3h</a> Nitrile_Impacting_Steel_U2_video.avi: <a href="https://video.dtu.dk/media/Nitrile_Impacting_Steel_U2_video/0_q3twt90u">https://video.dtu.dk/media/Nitrile_Impacting_Steel_U2_video/0_q3twt90u</a> Nitrile_Impacting_Steel_HighspeedVideo.avi: <a href="https://video.dtu.dk/media/Rubber_Impacting_Steel_HighspeedVideo/0_ns450rev">https://video.dtu.dk/media/Rubber_Impacting_Steel_HighspeedVideo/0_ns450rev</a> Combined video: <a href="https://video.dtu.dk/media/Combined-PU-Steel-HighSpeed/0_u3y3228x">https://video.dtu.dk/media/Combined-PU-Steel-HighSpeed/0_u3y3228x</a>

opencc-zeroDec 2021View details →

Negative impact of roadside mowing on arthropod fauna and its reduction with arthropod-friendly mowing technique

This dataset contains data from the paper: "Steidle, J. L.M., Kimmich, T., Csader, M. Betz, O. 2021. Negative impact of roadside mowing on arthropod fauna and its reduction with "arthropod-friendly" mowing technique. Journal of Applied Entomology." The study investigates the impact of a conventional mowing head ("MK1200") and a supposedly "insects-friendly" mowing head ("Eco 1200") during roadside mowing on the arthropod fauna. Mowing with a conventional mowing head caused considerable losses in arthropods, ranging from 29% for Heteroptera over around 50% in Araneae, Cicadina, Hymenoptera, and Diptera, up to 73% for holometabolous larvae, and 87% for Lepidoptera. These losses were fully offset for Araneae, Cicadina, Heteroptera, Lepidoptera, and larvae of holometabolous insects when using the mowing head Eco 1200. For Hymenoptera and Diptera, the losses were reduced by 15 and 25%, respectively. For Saltatoria and Coleoptera, we did not find any significant differences between all treatments. The study shows that mowing of roadsides with conventional mowing technology has a highly detrimental effect on the grassland arthropod fauna. This effect can be offset or at least mitigated by the use of "arthropod-friendly" mowing technique.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2021View details →

Metagenome-assembled genomes for "Impacts of beaver ponds on biogeochemical cycling of organic nitrogen within a fire-impacted watershed"

This dataset includes all of the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) used in Roth et al.: "Impacts of beaver ponds on biogeochemical cycling of organic nitrogen within a fire-impacted watershed" (in prep.). The metagenomic sequencing was completed on a suite of sediment samples collected from the sediment-water interface of beaver ponds within wildfire burn scars.

opencc-zeroDec 2021View details →

Constructing a social-behavioral association network to study management impact on waterbird community ecology using digital video recording cameras

Studying social behavior and species associations in ecological communities is challenging because it is difficult to observe the interactions in the field. Animal behavior is especially difficult to observe when selection of habitat and activities are linked to energy costs of long-distance movement. Migrating communities tend to be resource specific and prefer environments that offer more suitability for coexisting in a shared space and time. Given the recent advances in digital technologies, digital video recording systems are gaining popularity in wildlife research and management. We used digital video recording cameras to study social interactions and species-habitat linkages for wintering waterbird communities in shared habitats. Examining over 8,640 hours of video footages, we built tetrapartite social behavioral association network of wintering waterbirds over habitat (n=5) selection events in sites with distinct management regimes. We analyzed these networks to identify hub species and species role in activity persistence, and to explore the effects of hydrological regime on these network characteristics. Although the differences in network attributes were not significant at treatment level (p = 0.297) in terms of network composition and keystone species composition, our results indicated that network attributes were significantly different (p = 0.000, r2 = 0.278) at habitat level. There were evidences suggesting that the habitat quality was better at the managed sites, where the formed networks had more species, more network nodes and edges, higher edge density, and stronger intra- and inter-species interactions. In addition, we also calculated the species interaction preference scores (SIPS) and behavioral interaction preference scores (BIPS) of each network. The results showed that species synchronize activities in shared space for temporal niche partitioning in order to avoid or minimize any potential competition for shared space. Our social network analysis (SNA) approach is likely to provide a practical use for ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

A global meta-analysis of tree plantations impacts on biodiversity

By conducting a meta-analysis of 361 observations from 138 sites worldwide, we explored the global patterns and associated drivers of biodiversity responding to tree plantations by comparing biodiversity levels in plantations and its adjacent habitats.

Data for "The Geologic Impact of 16 Psyche's Surface Temperatures"

This repository contains the data used to create the figures in "The Geologic Impact of 16 Psyche's Surface Temperatures"

Human recreation impacts seasonal activity and occupancy of American black bears (Ursus americanus) across the urban-wildlife interface

The datasets used for all analyses throughout the study that are downloaded from the Yooper Wildlife Watch Project found on Zooniverse.

Genome-wide analysis of natural and restored eastern oyster populations reveals local adaptation and positive impacts of planting frequency and broodstock number

The release of captive-bred plants and animals has increased worldwide to augment declining species. However, insufficient attention has been given to understanding how neutral and adaptive genetic variation are partitioned within and among proximal natural populations, and the patterns and drivers of gene flow over small spatial scales, which can be important for restoration success. A seascape genomics approach was used to investigate population structure, local adaptation, and the extent to which environmental gradients influence genetic variation among natural and restored populations of Chesapeake Bay eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica. We also investigated the impact of hatchery practices on neutral genetic diversity of restored reefs and quantified the broader genetic impacts of large-scale hatchery-based bivalve restoration. Restored reefs showed similar levels of diversity as natural reefs, and striking relationships were found between planting frequency and broodstock numbers and genetic diversity metrics (effective population size and relatedness), suggesting that hatchery practices can have a major impact on diversity. Despite long-term restoration activities, haphazard historical translocations, and high dispersal potential of larvae that could homogenize allele frequencies among populations, moderate neutral population genetic structure was uncovered. Moreover, environmental factors, namely salinity, pH, and temperature, play a major role in the distribution of neutral and adaptive genetic variation. For marine invertebrates in heterogeneous seascapes, collecting broodstock from large populations experiencing similar environments to candidate sites may provide the most appropriate sources for restoration and ensure population resilience in the face of rapid environmental change. This is one of a few studies to demonstrate empirically that hatchery practices have a major impact on the retention of genetic diversity. Overall, these results contribute to the growing body of evidence for fine-scale genetic structure and local adaptation in broadcast-spawning marine species and provide novel information for the management of an important fisheries resource.

Impact of water resources development on connectivity and primary productivity across a tropical river floodplain

1. Floodplain wetlands provide an important subsidy for riverine food webs as sites of high algal production. However, this subsidy depends on the degree of landscape connectivity during flood pulses, which provides the opportunity for movement of higher order consumers between rivers and floodplains to access these productive habitats. Changes in floodplain inundation extent and duration, due to variable wet season flows or water resources development (WRD), can impact landscape connectivity and ultimately the magnitude of the food web subsidy. 2. We explored landscape connectivity using graph theory and derived four new metrics to measure how different flow scenarios can affect connectivity and algal production. We considered a historic scenario with the present level of water resource development in our study area, the Mitchell River, and a WRD scenario with the inclusion of three new dams in the catchment. We generated 240 unique daily spatial graphs, using surface water inundation maps across 40-day flood events to compare a dry year (2006), an average flow year (2001), and a wet year (2009) with and without a WRD scenario. 3. Drier years and WRD scenario resulted in floodplain fragmentation, potentially constraining the movement of higher order consumers. Changes in connectivity due to WRD resulted in predicted reductions of up to 26% of algal production on the floodplain that was otherwise connected to the main river channels. 4. Synthesis and applications. The approach developed in this study provides new metrics to identify how changes in floodplain surface water extent due to water resource development and climatic variation may impact ecosystem function such as connectivity that facilitates access of higher order consumers to primary production in floodplain wetlands. With a direct link to river flow alteration, these metrics can inform catchment planning and management to ensure that the conservation of floodplain ecosystem functions is adequately considered in water resource management decisions.

Impact of sourdough and yeast on the organoleptic and nutritional quality of bread

In this deposit, you will find all the data, script and analysis link to the article : Impact of sourdough and yeast on the organoleptic and nutritional quality of bread

Does salinization impact long-term Daphnia assemblage dynamics? Evidence from the sediment egg bank in a small hard-water lake

Salinization of freshwater ecosystems threatens global aquatic biodiversity. There is a need for studies that follow populations in situ during salinization to understand the effects on species and ecosystems. We follow 170 years of Daphnia dynamics in the sediment ephippia archive of a small urban lake near St. Paul, Minnesota, to characterize effects of severe recent salinization on lake Daphnia. We found modest changes in the flux of ephippia in this lake; all three key Daphnia functional groups remained in the assemblage throughout the period of salinization. Reconstruction of the size distribution of D. pulicaria demonstrated that predation pressure by fish may not have increased for the largest and most susceptible member of the assemblage despite cultural meromixis. Our findings highlight that in hardwater lakes, the effects of salinization are nuanced and require further investigation to better understand overall impacts of salinization on lake Daphnia assemblages.

Impact of four inorganic impurities – iron, copper, nickel and zinc - on the quality attributes of a Fc-fusion protein upon incubation at different temperatures.

Data regarding the impact of four inorganic impurities – iron, copper, nickel and zinc - on the quality attributes of a Fc-fusion protein upon incubation at different temperatures.

Cover crop and irrigation impacts on weeds and maize yield

Winter cover crops (CC) may facilitate weed management by inhibiting weed seed germination and seedling emergence and suppressing weed growth within the cash crop. In southern New Mexico, with scarce winter precipitation and limited irrigation water, producing sufficient CC biomass for effective weed suppression while conserving water resources is challenging. This study assessed the water requirement to produce a CC with enough biomass for weed suppression benefits during cash crop growth at two locations in New Mexico. Three winter CC species, barley, Austrian winter pea and mustard, grown singly and in a three‐way mix, under three differential irrigation treatments (one, two or three irrigations after emergence) were evaluated for their weed‐suppressive potential. Maize was planted as a cash crop four weeks after winter CC termination. Number of irrigations had no effect on the CC and weed biomass production. All CCs had lower weed density prior to maize planting compared with fallow. Barley and the three‐way mix reduced weed density by 56–96% and 68–95%, respectively. All CC treatments had lower weed biomass at the end of critical period for weed control in maize compared with fallow. Weed biomass at maize harvest did not differ between treatments. The maize yield was consistently higher in conventionally managed, weed‐free subplots, than in unsprayed weedy subplots, suggesting that CCs did not suppress weeds throughout the maize growing season. Except for barley, CCs did not cause reductions in maize yield compared with fallow. Overall, the study suggested that with adequate winter precipitation, weed‐suppressive winter cover crop stands can be produced with just one irrigation at seeding and one supplemental irrigation, making them a viable option in water‐limited agroecosystems.

opencc-zeroFeb 2022View details →

Impact of COVID-19 on international medical education

Purpose: To assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the current study methods and future plans of medical students compared to those in the pre-pandemic period. Materials and methods: Second-grade medical students reported their academic experiences, study methods, and future career plans before (between 2016 and 2019) and during the pandemic (2020) using a questionnaire-based survey at Hokkaido University, Japan (n = 534). Results: From 2016 to 2019, we found an increasing trend for participation in short-term international exchange programs, taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), clinical training, and undertaking research abroad among the students. However, these percentages significantly declined (35.5%) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 for all the assessed future plans, including short-term exchange programs (-27.9%), taking USMLE (-19.8%), clinical training (-24.5%), and undertaking research abroad (-13.2%) compared to 2019, wherein 67.9% of the students wished to have at least one of these four above-mentioned academic activities. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely and significantly influenced our medical students plans to go abroad for clinical and research training. Future studies are warranted to assess the long-term influence of this pandemic on the career planning of medical students.