Paired Plots Research Articles

Linking patterns and processes of tree community assembly across spatial scales in tropical montane forests.

Many studies have tried to assess the role of both deterministic and stochastic processes in community assembly, yet a lack of consensus exists on which processes are more prevalent and at which spatial scales they operate. To shed light on this issue, we tested two nonmutually exclusive, scale-dependent hypotheses: (1) that competitive exclusion dominates at small spatial scales; and (2) that environmental filtering does so at larger ones. To accomplish this, we studied the functional patterns of tropical montane forest communities along two altitudinal gradients, in Ecuador and Peru, using floristic and functional data from 60 plots of 0.1ha. We found no evidence of either functional overdispersion or clustering at small spatial scales, but we did find functional clustering at larger ones. The observed pattern of clustering, consistent with an environmental filtering process, was more evident when maximizing the environmental differences among any pair of plots. To strengthen the link between the observed community functional pattern and the underlying process of environmental filtering, we explored differences in the climatic preferences of the most abundant species found at lower and higher elevations and examined whether their abundances shifted along the elevation gradient. We found (1) that greater community functional differences (observed between lower and upper tropical montane forest assemblies) were mostly the result of strong climatic preferences, maintained across the Neotropics; and (2) that the abundances of such species shifted along the elevational gradient. Our findings support the conclusion that, at large spatial scales, environmental filtering is the overriding mechanism for community assembly, because the pattern of functional clustering was linked to species' similarities in their climatic preferences, which ultimately resulted in shifts in species abundances along the gradient. However, there was no evidence of competitive exclusion at more homogeneous, smaller spatial scales, where plant species effectively compete for resources.

Invasive red oak (Quercus rubra L.) modifies soil physicochemical properties and forest understory vegetation

This study assessed the effects of invasive Quercus rubra on soil physicochemical properties and understory vegetation in native plant communities. Chemical properties of senesced tree leaves were also analysed. The study was performed at paired invaded-native plots in managed forests in southern Poland. Freshly fallen senesced leaves were characterized in terms of C, Ca, K, Mg, N, P, total phenolics and condensed tannins concentrations. Soil physicochemical parameters, namely bulk soil density, moisture, water holding capacity (WHC), pH, organic C, total Ca, K, Mg, N, P, exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, N-NH4, N-NO3, P-PO4, and total phenolics were analysed in organic and mineral soil horizons, and condensed tannins were analysed in organic soil horizon. The diversity, cover and composition of understory vegetation were assessed. Although, senesced leaves of Q. rubra and native trees, Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus and Acer pseudoplatanus among others, differed only in total K, N and C/N ratio, we observed considerable differences in soil physicochemical parameters between the plot types. Soil beneath Q. rubra was characterised by significantly lower WHC, organic C, total Mg, N, P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, N-NH4, N-NO3, total phenolics and higher moisture in organic and mineral soil horizons as well as lower content of P-PO4 and condensed tannins in organic soil horizon relative to native plant communities. Q. rubra negatively influenced species richness and cover of understory vegetation. The changes in soil physicochemical parameters and understory vegetation under Q. rubra may be associated with low quality (low N, high C/N) litter that decomposes slowly and generates a physical barrier, limiting seed germination and seedling growth. The changes in soil properties and vegetation under invasive Q. rubra indicate that this species may alter the structure and function of forest ecosystems and should be avoided in forest management practices.

Soil erosion in Mediterranean chestnut tree plantations at risk due to climate change and land abandonment

Abstract Chestnut cultivation is a type of traditional centennial exploitation in southern areas of Extremadura. Currently, chestnut is in danger of extinction due to the effects of climate change, some diseases (e.g. Cryphonectria parasitica) and land mismanagement. The high temporal variability of rainfall leads to soil erosion in chestnut cultivation. New forms of management are proposed to try, among other things, to reduce soil losses. This study quantifies soil losses in areas under tree canopies and open areas considering two different age plantations; 1990s and 1960s. To achieve the proposed goal 18 erosion plots were installed as paired plots under tree canopies and open areas in both plantations. The total amount of rainfall per event, tree cover, bare soil, runoff coefficient and sediment concentration were also measured in every plot. The results showed that the highest percentage of bare soil (> 45%) coincides with the period of greatest tree cover (> 75%). The open areas and the youngest plantation showed soil losses higher than the areas under the tree and the oldest plantation. In addition, soil losses increase as higher percentages of bare soil are recorded. We conclude that the size of the trees and a better soil stability in older plantations help reduce soil losses.

1197 Utility of Fitbit Charge 2 for Sleep Monitoring in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract Introduction The wearable device may be useful in monitoring sleep. Many studies reported reliable data in detecting sleep-wake states and sleep stage proportion in healthy adults, However, only a few validation studies were performed evaluating sleep using the wearable devices in patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA), which showed insufficient accuracy. We aimed to evaluate the reliability of multi-sensory wristband (Fitbit Charge 2) in patients with OSA. Methods This was a preliminary analysis of a prospective single-center observational study. Consecutive patients underwent standard Polysomnography (PSG) for evaluation of OSA with Fitbit Charge 2. Sleep data from PSG and Fitbit charge 2 were compared using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots. Results A total of eighty-six patients were analyzed. Four of them had poor data quality, 18 of them did not show sleep stages. Compared with the PSG, Fitbit Charge 2 showed higher total sleep time (419.1±194.0 vs 269.8±22.6, p<0.001) and sleep efficiency (95.8±2.5 vs 84.6±7.1, p<0.001). Those with sleep stage data showed higher sleep efficacy (87.7±5.5 vs 82.37.5, p=0.024) and a lower proportion of N1 sleep (33.7±19.9 vs 65.3±38.8, p=0.01). Conclusion Fitbit Charge 2 showed limited utility in monitoring sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Support none

Mechanisms by Which Pre-Commercial Thinning Increases Black Spruce Growth in Different Climates and Soil Types

In the province of Québec (Canada), pre-commercial thinning (PCT) is a common silvicultural practice applied to young black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands. PCT removes some of the competing vegetation and smaller black spruce stems, in order to improve growth rates and reduce forest rotation intervals. It is uncertain whether this positive response in black spruce growth is primarily due to lower competition for resources or to other mechanisms, which may vary according to climate or edaphic conditions. We sampled soils and black spruce needles in PCT-treated and non-treated control plots occurring in two climate regimes, as well as on two contrasting soil parent materials within one of these two climate regimes (i.e., three “site types”). We performed our sampling approximately 20 years after treatment. Paired treatment plots (i.e., PCT vs. control) were replicated at four independent sites in each of the three site types, for a total of 24 plots. Over two consecutive years, we measured stand structural characteristics, indices of soil N fertility, soil microbial activity, indices of soil moisture availability, canopy openness, and foliar characteristics in each plot. In each site type, PCT decreased total basal area but increased radial growth of individual trees. Across all plots, soil N mineralization rates measured in 2016 were positively related to foliar N concentrations of one-year-old needles collected in 2017. Annual precipitation, drainage class, potential evapotranspiration, and climate moisture index all indicated that plots occurring in the drier climate and on glacial till deposits were more prone to summer moisture deficits. Accordingly, PCT increased forest floor moisture only in this site type, which may benefit tree growth. In the wetter climate and on poorly drained soils, however, we found evidence that PCT reduces soil N fertility, presumably by increasing the spread of ericaceous shrubs in the understory. In the dry fertile site type, the range in canopy openness was substantially higher (12–37%) and correlated negatively with tree diameter, suggesting that greater light availability did not improve tree growth. Taken collectively, our data suggest that PCT increases black spruce growth across a broad range of site conditions found in Québec, presumably by lowering intraspecific competition for resources. However, on drier sites, PCT may also benefit trees by increasing soil moisture availability, whereas wetter climates may mitigate the beneficial effect of PCT due to a loss of soil N fertility.

A statistical comparison of spatio‐temporal surface moisture patterns beneath a semi‐natural grassland and permanent pasture: From drought to saturation

AbstractSome 60% of the agricultural land in the UK is grassland. This is mostly located in the wetter uplands of the west and north, with the majority intensively managed as permanent pasture. Despite its extent, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how agricultural practices have altered the hydrological behaviour of the underlying soils relative to the adjacent moorland covered by semi‐natural grassland. Near‐surface soil moisture content is an expression of the changes that have taken place and is critical in the generation of flood‐producing overland flows. This study aims to develop a pioneering paired‐plot approach, producing 1,536 moisture measurements at each of the monitoring dates throughout the studied year, that were subsequently analysed by a comparison of frequency distributions, visual cum geostatistical investigation of spatial patterns and mixed‐effects regression modelling. The analysis demonstrated that the practices taking place in the pasture (ploughing, re‐seeding and drainage) reduced the natural diversity in moisture patterns. Compared to adjacent moorland, the topsoil dried much faster in spring with the effects requiring offset with moisture from slurry applications in summer. With the onset of autumn rains, these applications then made the topsoil wetter than the moorland, heightening the likelihood of flood‐producing overland flow. During the sampling within one such storm event, the adjacent moorland was almost as wet as the pasture with both visibly generating overland flow. These contrasts in soil moisture were statistically significant throughout. Further, they highlight the need to scale‐up the monitoring with numerous plot pairs to see if the observed highly dynamic, contrasting behaviour is present at the landscape scale. Such research is fundamental to designing appropriate agricultural interventions to deliver sustainable sward production for livestock or methods of mitigating overland‐flow incidence that would otherwise heighten flood risk or threaten water quality in rivers.

Technoeconomic and environmental optimization of a solar tower integrated energy system for freshwater production

A novel energy system consisting of a Brayton cycle, a heliostat field, an organic Rankine cycle and a multi-effect desalination-thermal vapor compression unit is proposed and investigated. Freshwater and electricity are the products of the proposed energy system. The present study proposes a sustainable renewable-based energy unit for freshwater production, and introduces a new concept of a pair plot, which can provide useful insights into the behavior of an energy system. A multi-objective optimization is conducted using NSGA-II with two objective functions (total cost and total exergy destruction rate) and ten decision variables. The point on the Pareto optimal solution nearest to the ideal point has a total exergy destruction rate of 4.7 MW and a total unit cost of 0.045 $/kWh. The scatter distribution and pair plot of the decision variables are illustrated and trends for each decision variable are discussed. The NSGA-II and NSGA-III performances are contrasted and compared by employing the hypervolume indicator technique. An NSGA-II genetic algorithm optimization with three objective functions is conducted and the results are discussed. The three objectives are total exergy destruction rate, total unit cost and gain output ratio. Also, the impact on CO2 emissions of the heliostat field is discussed, and a thermodynamic description of each model is developed and validated with numerical and experimental data.

Visual assessment of the impact of agricultural management practices on soil quality

AbstractThe intensification of agricultural practices to increase food and feed outputs is a pressing challenge causing deterioration of soil quality and soil functions. Such a challenge demands provision of empirical evidence to provide context‐sensitive guidance on agricultural management practices (AMPs) that may enhance soil quality. The objectives of this study are to identify the most promising AMPs (and their combinations) applied by farmers with the most positive effects on soil quality and to evaluate the sensitivity of the soil quality indicators to the applied AMPs. The effect of selected AMPs on soil quality was assessed using a visual soil assessment tool in a total of 138 pairs of plots spread across 14 study site areas in Europe and China covering representative pedo‐climatic zones. The inventory and scoring of soil quality were conducted together with landowners. Results show that 104 pairs show a positive effect of AMPs on soil quality. Higher effects of the AMPs were observed in lower fertile soils (i.e., Podzols and Calcisols) as opposed to higher fertile soils (i.e., Luvisols and Fluvisols). For the single use applications, the AMPs with positive effects were crop rotation; manuring, composting, and no‐tillage; followed by organic agriculture and residue maintenance. Cluster analysis showed that the most promising combinations of AMPs with the most positive effects on soil quality are composed of crop rotation, mulching, and min‐till. The agreement between scientific skills and empirical knowledge in the field identified by the farmers confirm our findings and ensures their applicability.

Release from sheep‐grazing appears to put some heart back into upland vegetation: A comparison of nutritional properties of plant species in long‐term grazing experiments

AbstractRewilding or wilding is a popularised means for enhancing the conservation value of marginal land. In the British uplands, it will involve a reduction, or complete removal, of livestock grazing (sheep), based on the belief that grazing has reduced plant species diversity, the ‘Wet Desert’ hypothesis. The hope is that if livestock is removed, diversity will recover. If true, we hypothesise that the species extirpated/reduced by grazing and then recover on its removal would more nutritious compared to those that persisted. We test this hypothesis at Moor House National Nature Reserve (North‐Pennines), where seven sets of paired plots were established between 1953 and 1967 to compare ungrazed/sheep‐grazed vegetation. Within these plot‐pairs, we compared leaf properties of seven focal species that occurred only, or were present in much greater abundance, in the absence of grazing to those of 10 common species that were common in both grazed and ungrazed vegetation. Each sample was analysed for macro‐nutrients, micro‐nutrients, digestibility, palatability and decomposability. We ranked the species with respect to 22 variables based on effect size derived from Generalised Linear Modelling (GLM) and compared species using a Principal Components Analysis. We also assessed changes in abundance of the focal species through time using GLMs. Our results support the ‘Wet Desert’ hypothesis, that is, that long‐term sheep grazing has selectively removed/reduced species like our focal ones and on recovery, they were more nutritious (macro‐nutrients, some micro‐nutrients) palatable, digestible and decomposable than common species. Measured changes in abundance of the focal species suggest that their recovery will take 10–20 years in blanket bog and 60 years in high‐altitude grasslands. Collectively, these results suggest that sheep grazing has brought about biotic homogenization, and its removal in (re)wilding schemes will reverse this process eventually! The ‘white woolly maggots’ have eaten at least part of the heart out of the highlands/uplands, and it will take some time for recovery.

Soil and Nutrient Cycling Responses in Riparian Forests to the Loss of Ash (Fraxinus spp. L) from Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis, Fairmaire)

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an alien invasive species that is spreading across Canada and the United States killing ash trees. In riparian forests where ash may be abundant; loss of ash can induce significant structural changes; including the creation of canopy gaps; changes in light penetration; expansion of ground vegetation; and alteration of soil nitrogen and carbon cycling. In 2014 and 2015, we examined the effects of EAB-caused gaps in riparian forests on soil nutrient dynamics. Two sites with different infestation timelines, a “new” site (mortality in past 2–3 years) and an “old” site (infested 10 years previous) were selected to determine temporal differences in effects of canopy gaps created by ash loss on litterfall, herbaceous ground vegetation, and soil nutrient cycling. Within both sites, plots with clustered dead ash (canopy gap plots—CG) were paired with nearby plots of full canopy and no ash (canopy closed plots—CC), and differences between paired plots determined. Total litterfall was observed at all sites but was only significant at the new infestation site. Reductions in leaf litter deposition in CG plots resulted in reduced N and C flux to the forest floor but soil C and N concentrations, and nitrogen mineralization rates, were not significantly different between CG and CC plots. Nitrate concentration in soil solution was significantly greater in CG plots compared to CC plots at the new infestation sites but showed the opposite trend at the old infestation sites. Herbaceous ground vegetation biomass was significantly greater (up to 10×) in CG plots than in CC plots. Overall, despite changes to riparian forest canopy structure and litterfall, there was no significant difference in soil nutrient cycling between EAB-induced canopy gaps and closed canopy plots after 10 years, suggesting a high resilience of riparian forest soils to EAB infestation

Infestation and Yield Losses Due to Sesame Webworm (Antigastra catalaunalis, (Duponchel) on Different Sesame Varieties in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is the most important oilseed crop in Ethiopia. It is basically grown during the summer season in different regions of the country and produced mainly in the northern and northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia. The production of sesame is low because of insect pests such as sesame webworm, sesame seed bug and gall midge. Among these pests, sesame webworm is one of the most important insect pests and it attacks the crop at all growth stages and causes a significant yield loss. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the infestation and avoidable yield losses of sesame due to sesame webworm on different released sesame varieties at field conditions. A field experiment was conducted to assess the infestation and yield losses with respective cost-benefit of nine released sesame varieties to sesame webworm in paired plots (treated with Diazinon 60% EC and untreated) in RCBD with three replications in 2016 production year. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between the protected and unprotected plots of each variety in leaf, flower and capsule injury. Protection of sesame from the webworm with insecticide effectively reduced leaf (0.02%), flower (<2%) and pod (<1%) damage to very low levels, On the other hand, the unprotected sesame had high levels of infestation. The highest capsule injury was recorded on BaHa-Necho (9.68%) and varieties Adi, Setit-2 and Borkena sustained <5% capsule injury. Grain yield was also increased significantly (p<0.001) in the protected plots of the nine varieties as compared to their corresponding unprotected plots. Maximum yield was obtained from Setit-2, Setit-1, Humera-1 and Higher in both treated and untreated plots. The highest avoidable yield losses were obtained from Adi, Gonder-1, BaHa-Necho, and BaHa-Zeyit with respective cost-benefit ratio 2.27, 2.02, 2.12 and 2.03. Therefore integration of sowing the varieties Setit-2, Setit-1, Humera-1 and Hirhir and spraying with Diazinon 60 EC, at a rate of one liter per hectare at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after crop emergence (WAE) has potential to reduce the yield losses of sesame due to sesame webworm infestation and to increase yield of sesame.

Evaluations of the Significant Wave Height Products of HY-2B Satellite Radar Altimeters

In the present study, the qualities of the HY-2B along-track significant wave heights (SWH) are assessed, including precision and accuracy. A quality evaluation based on 1 Hz standard deviations is proposed to detect the precision of HY-2B SWH products. The density plots of the (SWH, std) pairs obtained by the HY-2B, Jason-2 and Jason-3 are compared. And the results indicates that the HY-2B SWH root mean square error levels are significantly lower than those observed for the other altimeters. With respect to the SWH obtained from the wave rider buoys, buoys of the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), Jason-2 and Jason-3, the root mean square errors are 24 cm, 27 cm, 26 cm and 23 cm respectively. The comparison results confirm that the quality of the HY-2B SWH data higher.

Effects of warming on soil respiration during the non-growing seasons in a semiarid temperate steppe

AbstractAimsThe response pattern of terrestrial soil respiration to warming during non-growing seasons is a poorly understood phenomenon, though many believe that these warming effects are potentially significant. This study was conducted in a semiarid temperate steppe to examine the effects of warming during the non-growing seasons on soil respiration and the underlying mechanisms associated therewith.MethodsThis experiment was conducted in a semiarid temperate grassland and included 10 paired control and experimental plots. Experimental warming was achieved with open top chambers (OTCs) in October 2014. Soil respiration, soil temperature and soil moisture were measured several times monthly from November 2014 to April 2015 and from November 2015 to April 2016. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and available nitrogen content of soil were measured from 0 to 20 cm soil depth. Repeated measurement ANOVAs and paired-sample t tests were conducted to document the effect of warming, and the interactions between warming and time on the above variables. Simple regressions were employed to detect the underlying causality for the observed effects.Important FindingsSoil respiration rate was 0.24 µmol m−2 s−1 in the control plots during the non-growing seasons, which was roughly 14.4% of total soil carbon flux observed during growing seasons. Across the two non-growing seasons, warming treatment significantly increased soil temperature and soil respiration by 1.48°C (P < 0.001) and 42.1% (P < 0.01), respectively, when compared with control plots. Warming slightly, but did not significantly decrease soil moisture by 0.66% in the non-growing seasons from 2015 to 2016. In the non-growing seasons 2015–16, experimental warming significantly elevated MBC and MBN by 19.72% and 20.99% (both P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, soil respiration responses to warming were regulated by changes in soil temperate, MBC and MBN. These findings indicate that changes in non-growing season soil respiration impact other components in the carbon cycle. Additionally, these findings facilitate projections regarding climate change–terrestrial carbon cycling.

Spectral Response Assessment of Moss-Dominated Biological Soil Crust Coverage Under Dry and Wet Conditions

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are a major functional vegetation unit, covering extensive parts of drylands worldwide. Therefore, several multispectral indices have been proposed to map the spatial distribution and coverage of BSCs. BSCs are composed of poikilohydric organisms, the activity of which is sensitive to water availability. However, studies on dry and wet BSCs have seldom considered the mixed coverage gradient that is representative of actual field conditions. In this study, in situ spectral data and photographs of 136 pairs of dry and wet plots were collected to determine the influence of moisture conditions on BSC coverage detection. Then, BSC spectral reflectance and continuum removal (CR) reflectance responses to wetting were analyzed. Finally, the responses of four commonly used indices (i.e., normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); crust index (CI); biological soil crust index (BSCI); and band depth of absorption feature after CR in the red band, (BD_red)), calculated from in situ hyperspectral data resampled to two multispectral data channels (Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2), were compared in dry and wet conditions. The results indicate that: (i) on average, the estimated BSC coverage using red-green-blue (RGB) images is 14.98% higher in wet than in dry conditions (P < 0.001); (ii) CR reflectance features of wet BSCs are more obvious than those of dry BSCs in both red and red-edge bands; and (iii) NDVI, CI, and BSCI for BSC coverage of 0%–60% under dry and wet conditions are close to those of dry and wet bare sand, respectively. NDVI and BD_red cannot separate dead wood and BSC with low coverage. This study demonstrates that low-coverage moss-dominated BSC is not easily detected by the four indices. In the future, remote-sensing data obtained during the rainy season with red and red-edge bands should be considered to detect BSCs.

Deficit and Recovery of Deep Soil Water Following a Full Cycle of Afforestation and Deforestation of Apple Trees on the Loess Plateau, China

Land-use change could substantially alter the soil water balance and hydrological cycles; however, little is known on the changes in deep soil water following a cycle of afforestation and deforestation. The purpose of this study was to quantify the soil water deficit in an apple orchard and subsequent replenishment of deep soil water after the orchard was felled. Soil water changes were quantified using the “space-for-time” method through a paired plot design. The results showed that the water storage in deep soil (>3 m in depth) began to decrease when the apple tree reached about 10 years of age. The cumulative deficit of deep soil water storage in the 3–18 m soil depth could reach about 1200 mm; however, deep soil water was so depleted that apple trees can no longer adsorb water from the deep soil when apple trees are older (>22 years old). After the apple orchard was converted to cropland, precipitation replenished the desiccated deep soil to a depth of about 7 m in the first two years, but thereafter, both water recovery amount and the advance rate of the wetting front were slowed down. After 15–16 years of recovery, soil water storage increased by 512–646 mm, accounting for 42.7–53.8% of the total cumulative soil water deficit caused by the apple orchard. However, it will take more than 26 years for soil water to be replenished to the level of the original cropland prior to planting apple trees. The considerable water deficit after afforestation and subsequent long water recovery time following deforestation extend our understanding of the effect of deep-rooted trees on water balance at the decade scale.

High GJB2 mRNA expression and its prognostic significance in lung adenocarcinoma: a study based on the TCGA database.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a form of lung cancer, is reported to cause first and second-order cancer morbidity to men and women in China, respectively. We assessed the mRNA expression of GJB2 in LUAD patients in our study, based on data acquired from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and so as to increase further knowledge into the biological pathways involved in LUAD pathogenesis related to GJB2.Information on gene expression and comparing clinical data were recognized and downloaded from TCGA. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) created an arranged list of all genes is indicated by their connection with GJB2 expression.Our study cohort included 265 (54.5%) female and 221 (36.0%) male patients. The scatter plot and paired plot showed the difference of GJB2 expression between normal and tumor samples (P < .01). Overall survival (OS) analysis demonstrated that LUAD with GJB2 -high had a more terrible prognosis than that with GJB2 -low (P < .01). Multivariate analysis with the cox proportional hazards model indicated that the expression of Cx26 (HR: 1.00; 95%CI: 1.00–1.01; P = .041) and stage (HR: 1.95; 95%CI: 1.23–3.09; P = .003) were independent prognostic factors for patients with LUAD. The GSEA results showed that cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, apoptosis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, small cell lung cancer and pathways in cancer are differentially enriched in GJB2 high expression phenotype.Our study confirmed the significantly high levels of Cx26 expression in LUAD patients with several observed clinical features. GJB2 may be a potentially useful prognostic molecular biomarker of bad survival in LUAD, while further experimental ought to be performed to demonstrate the biologic effect of GJB2.

Soil greenhouse gas budget of two intensively managed grazing systems

Increasing the soil carbon stock by optimizing the grassland management is seen as a potential cost-effective mitigation strategy to counteract greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from pasture fields associated with the application of fertilizer or cattle excreta. This study presents results of GHG flux measurements in a paired field experiment of two neighboring grazing systems over a full year. Each pasture was grazed by 12 dairy cows in a rotational grazing management. Different feeding strategies (system G: grazing only; system M: grazing with supplement of maize silage) resulted in different nitrogen excretion rates. The field scale emissions of CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) were quantified using the eddy covariance (EC) technique on both parallel pasture fields excluding the direct emissions by the animals. Small-scale CH4 emissions from excreta patches and background areas were also measured using the ‘fast-box’ chamber technique. The fast-box measurements dominated by dung patch emissions were up-scaled to the field and compared to the EC measurements revealing some discrepancies between the two measurement approaches. N2O emissions resulted mainly from slurry and mineral fertilization (44 ± 17%) while both animal excreta and background emissions contributed each about 28% to the annual emissions. Total N2O emissions amounted to 3.8 ± 1.1 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1 and 3.7 ± 1.4 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1 for the pasture fields M and G, respectively. In order to determine the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) of the pasture fields, additional non-gaseous carbon fluxes were either measured (harvest, slurry application) or estimated based on an animal feeding model (grazing intake, excreta). For the investigated year, the NECB (negative sign indicating sequestration) resulted in –103 ± 74 g C m−2 yr−1 and –63 ± 67 g C m−2 yr−1 for pastures M and G, respectively, indicating the tendency of carbon storage especially in the pasture M soil. However, the emissions of CH4 and N2O almost balanced the NECB resulting in non-significant (near-neutral) net GHG budgets for the pasture soils (field M:–144 ± 277 g CO2-eq. m−2 yr−1, field G:–9 ± 256 g CO2-eq. m−2 yr−1). Due to the paired plot design of the experiment, the difference between the two pasture fields was significant with pasture M showing a reduction in net GHG emissions by 135 ± 89 g CO2-eq. m−2 yr−1 compared to pasture G.

Community‐level effects of herbicide‐based restoration treatments: structural benefits but at what cost?

Invasive species alter ecosystem structure, impact biodiversity, and have significant economic costs. In Oregon's Willamette Valley, invasive grasses Arrhenatherum elatius and Schedonorus arundinaceus alter the dynamics of the phenologically paired interaction between an endangered butterfly, Icaricia icarioides fenderi (Fender's blue), and its larval host plant, Lupinus oreganus (Kincaid's lupine). To test methods to restore this interaction, we established a 3‐year experiment where a post‐emergent grass‐specific herbicide, fluazifop‐p‐butyl, was applied to Fender's blue habitat. Plant community data were recorded throughout the growing season at eight paired plots for 1 year prior to treatment and 3 years during treatment. We asked whether annual application of herbicide could reduce the height of invasive grasses to levels at or beneath the height of Kincaid's lupine racemes throughout the Fender's blue flight season. We hypothesized that native forb species, which are critical nectar sources for Fender's blue, would increase in cover and frequency following the release from competitive dominance of invasive grasses. Grass‐specific herbicide reduced grass height during the flight season of Fender's blue, but with several costs. We found no change in nectar and a suppression of lupine growth in plots in response to experimental herbicide treatment. Each study site had multiple secondary invaders; the long‐term impact of these new invaders is unknown. We suggest that herbicide application results in a net negative effect in the context of Fender's blue habitat restoration. That is, the costs to primary resources for Fender's blue and the influx of secondary invaders may be as problematic as the primary invasion by non‐native grasses.

Diagnostic test accuracy of serum measurement of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for bone and joint infection in children and adolescents: a systematic review protocol.

The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence for the diagnostic test accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) compared to C-reactive protein (CRP) in diagnosing osteomyelitis (OM) and septic arthritis in hospitalized children and adolescents. Serum measurement of PCT has been shown to outperform CRP in diagnosing adult osteoarticular infections. Before PCT can be considered as a potential diagnostic test in children and adolescents, a systematic review is required. This review will consider studies with children and adolescents aged one month to 18 years, admitted to hospital with suspected acute osteoarticular infection. This review will consider original studies measuring the diagnostic accuracy of PCT and/or CRP in the diagnosis of acute OM or septic arthritis, defined as: positive culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation of an accepted pathogen from blood, bone biopsy or joint fluid aspirate and/or at least two of the following: i) purulent material from biopsy or aspirate specimen, ii) positive radiological findings of osteoarticular infection, and iii) symptoms and signs consistent with OM/septic arthritis. JBI methodology for systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy will be utilized. A three-step search strategy will be undertaken to find relevant studies that will be assessed and reviewed using JBI SUMARI. A standardized critical appraisal tool will be used to assess methodological quality of studies. The main outcome will be pooled sensitivity and specificity measures with 95% confidence intervals for PCT and CRP in OM or septic arthritis. Results will be presented using paired forest plots, receiver operator characteristic curves, and narrative synthesis, and will include a Summary of Findings. PROSPERO CRD42019140276.

RETRACTED: Long noncoding RNA LBX2-AS1 drives the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by sponging microRNA-384 and thereby positively regulating IRS1 expression

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. The authors reported that the in vivo study was performed without the approval from an ethics committee. This is despite previously reporting that the in vivo experiments involved animals were approved by the Animal Care and Use Ethics Committee at their hospital. All authors have agreed to retract the article and apologise to the readership of the journal for any inconvenience caused. Further concern was raised about several figures of the article”: “A pair of flow-cytometry plots share most of their points in common, and appear to have been derived from the same data set.” The Editors of Pathology Research and Practice consider these concerns as well justified.