Standardized Sampling Protocol Research Articles

Pathologic evaluation of response to neoadjuvant therapy drives treatment changes and improves long-term outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Systemic therapy for breast cancer may be given before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery. When neoadjuvant systemic therapy is given, response to treatment can be evaluated. However, some prognostic information (for example, pathologic tumor size pretreatment) is then lost and pathologic evaluation of breast specimens after neoadjuvant therapy is more difficult. Pathologic complete response (pCR), defined as no invasive disease in the breast (ypT0/is or ypT0) and no disease in all sampled lymph nodes (ypN0), identifies patients with a lower risk of recurrence or death compared to those with residual disease. Multidisciplinary collaboration, marking of the tumor site and any lymph node involvement pretreatment, and access to specimen imaging to facilitate correlation of gross and microscopic findings are critical for accurate determination of pCR. For HER2-positive and triple negative tumors requiring systemic therapy, giving the treatment before surgery identifies a high-risk group of patients that can receive additional adjuvant therapy after surgery if a pCR is not achieved. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that this approach reduced recurrence risk. More than ever, pathologic evaluation of response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy directs treatment received after surgery. Using a single standardized protocol for sampling of the post-neoadjuvant surgical specimen allows pathologists to ensure accurate determination of pCR or residual disease and quantify residual disease. Residual cancer burden (RCB) and AJCC stage provide complementary quantitative information about residual disease and prognosis.

MON-LB035 Adrenal Venous Sampling in the Lateralization of Acth-Independent Cushing Syndrome With Bilateral Adrenal Masses: A Case With a 5-Year Follow-Up

Background Nearly 25% of adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) patients with bilateral adrenal masses have unilateral hypercortisolism, making localization crucial for surgical planning. Since there is no standardized protocol for adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in lateralizing adrenal hypercortisolism, we share our experience with a case of CS with bilateral adrenal masses in which lateralization via AVS permitted unilateral adrenalectomy. Clinical Case A 59-year-old woman with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and prediabetes was hospitalized for worsening back pain and hypertension. Her BMI was 26.5 kg/m2, BP 173/93 mmHg, HR 73/min, she was anxious, diaphoretic, and hirsute. Glucose was 118 mg/dL and HbA1c 6.6%. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a type B aortic dissection with both right (6.1 x 3.1cm and 3.6 x 2.4cm), and left (largest 1.7 cm) sided adrenal masses. Plasma and 24 hour-urine metanephrine, normetanephrine and catecholamines, as well as plasma renin and aldosterone levels, were normal. AM cortisol on three different occasions was 21.30, 20.70, and 21.30 mcg/dL. Midnight cortisol was 17.8 mcg/dL, and 24-hour urine free cortisol on two occasions was 163 mcg (urine volume 3.4L with creatinine 1.14) and 99.2 mcg (urine volume 1.15L). After 1mg dexamethasone her AM ACTH and cortisol were <5 and 18.70 mcg/dL, respectively. Preoperative AVS was performed and 8mg of dexamethasone was administered the night prior to ensure ACTH suppression during the procedure, and epinephrine was measured to ascertain adequate adrenal vein cannulation. Cortisol levels (in mcg/dL) from the common iliac, right and left adrenal veins were 14.7, 61.5, and 23.5 at 0 minute and 15.2, 61.0, and 22.7 at 2 minutes, respectively. Epinephrine levels (in pg/dL) from the common iliac, right and left adrenal veins were 42, 577, and 3225 at 0 minutes, and 46, 718, and 2989 at 2 minutes. Despite higher epinephrine levels from the left adrenal, the cortisol ratio of the right adrenal vein to peripheral vein was 4.18 with the right-to-left ratio of 2.59 and 2.68 at 0 and 2 minutes, suggesting hypersecretion of cortisol from the right adrenal gland. Unilateral right adrenalectomy revealed a 5.6 cm adrenal adenoma arising in a background of adrenal cortical hyperplasia. Morning postoperative cortisol was 2.2 mcg/dL. She was placed on hydrocortisone and tapered over a 10-month period with remission maintained for more than 3.5 years post-operatively. Conclusion This case demonstrates the safety, usefulness, and necessity, of AVS in localizing cortisol production when bilateral adrenal masses are present. In addition, this case suggests that the use of high dose dexamethasone and measurement of catecholamines may be helpful for more accurate interpretation. More data on AVS in CS patients with bilateral adrenal masses is needed so a well-validated and standardized CS-specific ACS protocol can be developed.

The Influence of Taxonomy and Environment on Leaf Trait Variation Along Tropical Abiotic Gradients

Abstract Deconstructing functional trait variation and co-variation across a wide range of environmental conditions should increase the mechanistic understanding of community assembly processes and improve current parameterization of dynamic vegetation models. Here, we present a study that deconstructs leaf trait variation and co-variation to iithin-species, taxonomic-interspecific, and plot-environment components comparing three tropical environmental gradients in Peru, Brazil and Ghana. We measured photosynthetic, chemical and structural leaf traits using a standardized sampling protocol, totalling more than 1,000 individuals belonging to 367 species sampled. Variation associated with the whole interspecific taxonomic component (species+genus+family) for most traits was relatively consistent across environmental gradients, but intra-specificwithin-species variation and the plot-environment variation was strongly dependent on the environmental gradient. Trait-trait co-variation was also strongly linked to the environmental gradient where the traits were measured, although some traits had consistent co-variation components irrespective of environmental gradient. Our results demonstrate that filtering along gradients is mostly expressed through trait intra- and interspecifictaxonomic variation, but that trait co-variation is strongly dependent on the local environment, and thus global trait co-variation relationships might not always apply at smaller scales.

Bioassessment of benthic macroinvertebrates in wetlands: a paired comparison of two standardized sampling protocols

We compared a rapid bioassessment protocol (Traveling Sweep Approach [TSA]) with a more conventional time intensive protocol (Composite Transect Approach [CTA]) to describe macroinvertebrates in wetlands in Alberta, Canada. We collected one macroinvertebrate sample using each protocol from 16 wetlands and compared abundance, catch per unit effort, and relative abundance between sample protocols. We also quantified and compared the logistics required to implement each protocol. The macroinvertebrate communities differed statistically between protocols for all three response variables; however, the differences were generally small and communities similar. The CTA protocol tended to yield higher variability in the samples, likely driven by the way these samples are collected and composited, which may introduce an unwanted source of variation when the primary monitoring objective is to assess effects of human activities over time and between sites. The CTA protocol also required significantly greater investment of time (ca. 50% greater processing time), money (ca. 1.9 times sample processing cost), and resources to execute (e.g., requirement for watercraft). Both protocols provided adequate characterization of macroinvertebrate communities in wetlands, but differences in variability and resources for deployment and processing are important considerations when choosing a sampling protocol. The rapid time-limited sweep protocol (TSA) appears to be a viable monitoring approach given that macroinvertebrate communities identified by each protocol were relatively similar but were collected using the TSA protocol at a lower cost.

Spatio-temporal patterns of macrourid fish species in the northern Mediterranean Sea

The present study describes for the first time the spatial distribution of five macrourid species throughout the Mediterranean Sea and analyses depth, geographical and time-related trends regarding their abundance, biomass and mean fish weight. The data were collected as part of the MEDITS annual bottom trawl survey carried out by several European Mediterranean countries from 1994 to 2015, using the same standardized gear and sampling protocol. The most represented species in terms of abundance and biomass was Coelorinchus caelorhincus. The bathymetric trend was different for each species. The shallowest occurring species was C. caelorhincus, followed by Hymenocephalus italicus and Nezumia sclerorhynchus, while Nezumia aequalis and Trachyrincus scabrus were the deepest. Overall, the mean weight of all the species increased with depth. C. caelorhincus and H. italicus occurred in the entire study area: the first species showed relatively high catches in most areas, while the second was more abundant in the central and easternmost areas. N. aequalis and T. scabrus were mainly reported in the western basin, and N. sclerorhynchus in the central-eastern areas of the Mediterranean. An increasing inter-annual trend in abundance was only detected for C. caelorhincus and N. sclerorhynchus, while variable fluctuations were observed in the other species.

Thirty years of the Journal of Vegetation Science

Thirty years of the Journal of Vegetation Science

Gillnet catchability of Walleye (Sander vitreus): comparison of North American and provincial standards

Multi-mesh index gillnet surveys are widely employed for the assessment of fish populations, including Walleye (Sander vitreus), an important commercial and recreational species in North America. In this paper, we estimate gillnet catchability of Walleye for two standard sampling protocols: the North American (NA) and the Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN), allowing the conversion of Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) into absolute estimates of fish density or abundance. We combined mark-recapture studies from 14 lakes in Ontario and Quebec, 11 of which were concurrently sampled using NA and FWIN methods, totalling 53 recapture surveys from 1996 to 2012. To account for lake-specific influences on catchability, we analyzed the data with Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) using lake as a random factor and a model-averaging approach to calculate mean estimates and variances. Catchability for Walleye ≥ 350mm total length was 1.04 ha/gang for the FWIN, meaning each fish caught in a FWIN net gang (1.8 x 61 m) represents roughly one fish per hectare. Catchability for one gang of NA net (1.8 x 24.8 m) was 0.52 ha/gang, which is 20% higher than FWIN catchability after accounting for net area. Two important sources of variation in catchability were: (i) lake-specific differences and (ii) seasonal changes within the NA protocol. The mechanisms underlying such variation are still not clear and will require additional studies covering a broader geographic range to reveal potential environment-catchability relationships. We provide recommendations for estimating Walleye density and confidence intervals, and for how to combine our catchability estimates with size-selectivity curves to predict density at any specific size interval.

Effects of different land use patterns on seasonal termite species diversity within the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province, South Africa

This study evaluated the effects of three different land use types: mango orchards, maize fields and communal grazing lands on termite species distribution in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The main objective was to identify the termite species found in the area and investigate the effect of land use on termite species. Termites were collected from six study sites using a standardized transect sampling protocol and baiting methods in a transect of 2 × 100 m during the dry and wet seasons. A total of 18 termite species from 2 families (Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae), 5 subfamilies (Macrotermitinae, Amitermitinae, Apicotermitinae, Nasutitermitinae and Cubitermitinae) and 11 genera (Allodontotermes, Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes, Microcerotermes, Rhadinotermes, Trinervitermes, Psammotermes, Schedorhinotermes and Cubitermes) were recorded. A higher species diversity index was observed for the wet season. Communal grazing resulted in a higher Shannon diversity index (H′) of 2.23 and Simpson diversity index (1-D) of 0.84 followed by mango orchard (H′ = 1.41, 1-D = 0.68), while maize field recorded the lowest (H′ = 1.07, 1-D = 0.48). Macrotermitinae constituted 77% of the total number of species recorded across all the land use types. Edible termite species recorded are important in rural communities to supplement human protein requirements and they provide ecosystem services thus, there is a need for studies that quantify the trade-off between costs (crop damage) and benefits of maintaining termites in agricultural landscapes.

Calibration of the zooplankton community size spectrum as an indicator of change in Canadian Shield lakes

Developing the crustacean zooplankton community size spectrum into an indicator of change in lakes requires quantification of the natural variability in the size spectrum related to broad-scale seasonal, annual, and spatial factors. Characterizing seasonal patterns of variation in the size spectrum is necessary so that monitoring programs can be designed to minimize the masking effects that seasonal processes can have on detecting longer-term temporal change. We used a random effects model to measure monthly, annual, and interlake variability in the slope (i.e., relative abundance of small and large organisms) and centered height (i.e., total abundance) of the crustacean zooplankton normalized abundance size spectrum from 1981 to 2011 among eight Canadian Shield lakes. Consistent with theoretical predictions, the slope was a relatively stable characteristic of the zooplankton community compared with the height, which varied significantly among lakes. We identified a seasonal signal in height and slope and used a mixed effects model to characterize the linear rate of change from May to October; there was an overall decline in height and an overall increase in slope. Seasonal variance was greater than annual variance for both the height and the slope, suggesting that long-term monitoring of lakes and interlake comparisons using zooplankton size spectra should be based on temporally standardized sampling protocols that minimize the effects of seasonal processes. We recommend sampling the zooplankton community in midsummer because this results in size spectrum estimates close to seasonal mean values.

Environmental sampling to assess the bioburden of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in drylot pens on California dairies.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a bacterium that can cause substantial economic losses in infected dairy herds due to reduced milk production and increased cow-replacement costs. In order to control MAP in dairies with drylot pens, a standardized environmental sampling protocol to quantify MAP in fecal slurry was developed based on an existing protocol for freestall pens. Specifically, following a 24 h hold of the flush, a grab sample of approximately 10 ml of fecal slurry was collected every 1 m along the flush lane of the drylot pens, avoiding individual cow fecal pats. To determine the reliability and repatability of the new environmental sampling protocol for estimation of MAP bioburden at the pen level, two collectors simultaneously collected fecal slurry samples every day for 3 days from six drylot cow pens on two Central California dairies. During the study period no cow movement between pens was allowed with the exception of sick cows. The study herds had MAP seroprevalence of 5.8% and 3.2%, respectively, based on whole pen serum ELISA results. Variance components models for quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) results showed samples collected from different pens on different dairies accounted for greater variablitiy in MAP concentration (65%), while samples collected by different collectors had the least variability (0.1%). In contrast, variability in MAP concentration in environmental samples collected on different days had 25% variability. The intraclass correlation coefficient showed high reliability (93%) of environmental sampling simultaneously by different collectors. In contrast, the reliability of environmental sampling at different days was 65%, which was similar to the reliability for sampling by different collectors on different days. Investigators can expect high reliability when employing the new environmental sampling protocol along with qPCR testing of environmental samples from drylot pens.

Reducing the rate of false absences of cryptic species in inventory and sampling work

When doing inventory for cryptic and rare species, it can be difficult to determine with great confidence that a sampled area has no occurrences of the target species. Boreal Felt lichen (Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue.) P.M.Jorg.) and Vole Ears lichen (Erioderma mollissimum (G.Sampaio) Du Rietz) are two rare species of cyanolichens that have several populations in North America, including Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Alaska. These lichens occur in small numbers and are difficult to spot with the untrained eye; therefore, they are likely to be overlooked in standard sampling protocols. In this paper, we develop and test a sampling method that enables us to determine with confidence that a sample site has zero occurrences of the species of interest within a defined area (i.e., an absence of detections indicates an absence of the target lichen species and is not a false absence). On 50 sites, we randomly assigned “decoy lichen” treatments (small pieces of felt that resemble boreal felt lichen) and three seekers with different survey experience and time limits carried out their respective searches for these decoys. This sampling method is very applicable to sessile, rare organisms, such as lichens and mosses. Using circular sample plots of 5m in radius, we determined that 20 minutes is the required search effort to detect at least one rare and cryptic lichen individuals within the plot. We also found that decoy density on a plot had a strong influence on decoy detectability, regardless of seeker experience. Detection reliability was greater for the two seekers with prior cryptic survey experience compared to the seeker with none. High confidence in the “true absence” rate is useful for comparative studies of optimal and non-optimal habitat, and the methods here are useful to estimate detection rates for other cryptic organisms.

Predicting plant available phosphorus using infrared spectroscopy with consideration for future mobile sensing applications in precision farming

Phosphorus (P) fertilisation recommendations rely primarily on soil content of plant available P (Pavl) that vary spatially within farm fields. Spatially optimized P fertilisation for precision farming requires reliable, rapid and non-invasive Pavl determination. This laboratory study aimed to test and to compare visible-near infrared (Vis–NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for Pavl prediction with emphasis on future application in precision agriculture. After calibration with the conventional calcium acetate lactate (CAL) extraction method, limitations of Vis–NIRS and MIRS to predict Pavl were evaluated in loess topsoil samples from different fields at six localities. Overall calibration with 477 (Vis–NIRS) and 586 (MIRS) samples yielded satisfactory model performance (R2 0.70 and 0.72; RPD 1.8 and 1.9, respectively). Local Vis–NIRS models yielded better results with R2 up to 0.93 and RPD up to 3.8. For MIRS, results were comparable. However, an overall model to predict Pavl on independent test data partly failed. Sampling date, pre-crop harvest residues and fertilising regime affected model transferability. Varying transferability could partly be explained after deriving the cellulose absorption index from the Vis–NIR spectra. In 62 (Vis–NIRS) and 67% (MIRS) of all samples, prediction matched the correct Pavl content class. Rapid discrimination between high, optimal and low P classes could be carried out on many samples from single fields thus marking an improvement over the common practice. However, Pavl determination by means of IR spectroscopy is not yet satisfactory for determination of precision fertilizer dosage. For introduction into agricultural practice, a standardized sampling protocol is recommended to help achieve reliable spectroscopic Pavl prediction.

The interaction between microbiome and pig efficiency: A review.

The existence of genetic control over the abundance of particular taxa and the link of these to energy balance and growth has been documented in model organisms and humans as well as several livestock species. Preliminary evidence of the same mechanisms is currently under investigation in pigs. Future research should expand these results and elicit the extent of genetic control of the gut microbiome population in swine and its relationship with growth efficiency. The quest for a more efficient pig at the interface between the host and its metagenome rests on the central hypothesis that the gut microbiome is an essential component of the variability of growth in all living organisms. Swine do not escape this general rule, and the identification of the significance of the interaction between host and its gut microbiota in the growth process could be a game-changer in the achievement of sustainable and efficient lean meat production. Standard sampling protocols, sequencing techniques, bioinformatic pipelines and methods of analysis will be paramount for the portability of results across experiments and populations. Likewise, characterizing and accounting for temporal and spatial variability will be a necessary step if microbiome is to be utilized routinely as an aid to selection.

Mercury speciation in meconium and associated factors

Meconium is formed early in gestation and it is normally not excreted until after birth. Thus it may provide a longer and cumulative record of exposure to mercury (Hg). The present study aims to speciate Hg in meconium samples (N = 488) from Slovenian and Croatian new-borns prenatally exposed to low levels of methyl-Hg (MeHg) from maternal seafood intake and to Hg0 from maternal dental amalgam fillings. We had complete data of total Hg (THg) and MeHg in meconium and THg in maternal hair (MH), while THg and MeHg in maternal blood (MB) were available only for Croatian mothers. Personal data namely maternal seafood intake, age, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, smoking, estimated gestational age at birth, sex, and birth weight were available for the majority of participants, except the number of dental amalgams which was in most cases missing for Croatian mothers. The median THg concentration in meconium was 11.1 (range: 0.41–375.2) ng/g and inorganic Hg (Hg(II)) presented 98.8% (range: 82%–100%, CV: 2%) of THg. We observed significant correlation between meconium and MH Hg levels, with the highest correlation between hair THg and meconium MeHg. Correlation analysis including MB (available only for Croatian population) showed a significant positive correlation between THg in meconium and THg in MB (Rs = 0.642). Additionally, MeHg from MB was correlated with MeHg in meconium (Rs = 0.898), while the correlation between Hg(II) in MB and meconium was positive, but not significant. Maternal seafood intake was significantly correlated with meconium MeHg (Rs = 0.498) and Hg(II) (Rs = 0.201). Multiple linear regression (performed on the Slovenian population, N = 143) confirmed a positive association between meconium MeHg and seafood intake. Furthermore, meconium Hg(II) was positively associated with the number of maternal dental amalgam fillings, but linear regression models did not confirm correlation between seafood intake and meconium Hg(II) levels. We assume that Hg0 released from maternal dental amalgam fillings and MeHg from seafood intake were both transported through the placental barrier and portioned between different foetal compartments including meconium. Weak correlation between maternal seafood intake and Hg(II) levels in meconium suggests that there is certain evidence of MeHg demethylation. However, because this correlation was not confirmed by the multiple regression, MeHg demethylation during prenatal life cannot be neither confirmed nor excluded. Further investigations at higher level of exposure are needed to confirm this observations. We can conclude that meconium is a suitable biomarker for MeHg and Hg0 exposure during pregnancy. However, comparability of the results reported in meconium in different studies is hindered by a lack of standardized sampling protocols, storage, and analysis.

Standard Assessments Reveal Context‐Dependent Responses of Crappie Populations to a Length‐Based Regulation in Ohio Reservoirs

AbstractFisheries managers implement minimum length limits (MLLs) to improve the size structure of populations of crappie Pomoxis spp. throughout Midwestern and southeastern U.S. reservoirs. The success of these regulations has been mixed, with several implementations resulting in undesirable outcomes, including slow growth and stunting of crappies, and ultimately regulation removal. Consequently, it is unclear whether and where MLLs should be used to improve crappie size structure. Beginning in 2003, Ohio instituted a statewide standard sampling protocol to monitor reservoir crappie populations, and between 2003 and 2010 a 229‐mm MLL was implemented at over 40 reservoirs throughout the state. Using these spatially and temporally extensive crappie population data, we sought to (1) test for the response of crappie population adult abundance, growth, and size structure to the MLL, (2) test whether reservoir surface area and/or productivity mediated this response, and (3) model fisheries outcomes at different reservoir sizes and productivities to predict where application of a MLL would be most appropriate. Using linear mixed‐effects models and an information theoretic approach, we found that crappie population abundances generally increased, whereas growth decreased in small, unproductive reservoirs but increased in large, productive reservoirs. Overall, the MLL failed to produce increases in size structure, except in large reservoirs. Yield‐per‐recruit models predicted a decrease in angler yield in response to a 229‐mm MLL in small reservoirs, whereas in large, productive reservoirs this regulation was predicted to increase angler yield. Consequently, the MLL could improve crappie fisheries in reservoirs larger than 1,000 ha with high productivity (total phosphorus concentrations &gt; 50 μg/L) but could be counterproductive in small, unproductive reservoirs. Finally, our approach highlights the benefits of standard sampling as we were able to integrate data across years and reservoirs to make comparisons on a statewide scale.

Differences in pteridophyte diversity between limestone forests and non-limestone forests in the monsoonal tropics of southwestern China

Compared with non-limestone forests, limestone forests tend to show lower pteridophyte diversity, yet they are known to harbor a unique set of species due to their substrate conditions and naturally fragmented habitat areas. Pteridophyte assemblage composition, however, has not been quantitatively investigated in Xishuangbanna, southwestern China, known as one of the most species-rich areas of China. Using a fully standardized sampling protocol, we tested the following hypotheses: (1) pteridophyte species composition is different between limestone forests (LF) and non-limestone forests (NLF); and the differences are attributable to (2) lower species richness in LF; (3) greater spatial and temporal turnovers (beta diversity) in LF; and (4) higher proportion of pteridophyte species restricted to LF. We found significant differences in pteridophyte assemblage compositions between LF and NLF. Average species richness per transect (alpha diversity) was lower in LF than in NLF, but we found no difference in overall species richness (gamma diversity) between LF and NLF at the scale of this study, because species turnover among samples (beta diversity) was higher in LF than in NLF. A total of 23 species were restricted to LF and 32 species restricted to NLF; however, geographic distribution of LF species was limited to certain habitat patches within this habitat. Our results suggest that LF pteridophyte biodiversity cannot be protected by conserving a limited number of habitat patches, because loss of one LF habitat patch may result in local extinction of species or extinction of endemic species that are yet to be discovered.

StoX: An open source software for marine survey analyses

Abstract Scientists across the globe conduct survey programs to monitor and characterize abundance, population structure, biodiversity and geographical distributions. To assess the state of marine fish and zooplankton, population surveys are often repeated annually using standardized sampling protocols and analysis techniques to establish trustworthy stock status. However, although transparency and repeatability are recognised as important principles of this process, it is often difficult to obtain comprehensive documentation of metadata and data processing steps. This is particularly challenging for workflows that include manual processing steps. StoX was principally built to process research‐vessel survey data, and we have included several standard survey estimation models. The software was developed to be robust and versatile and aimed at the open source community, such that users could easily build their own models. StoX is fully integrated with R to utilize the large number of R‐packages and enable any StoX function and stock estimation model to be controlled using R. There has been a large need for a freely available software for research–vessel survey estimation, and StoX is tested in surveys carried out in four continents and is the official tool for many important fish stock surveys. The basic workflow and transparency principles of StoX, together with a customizable GUI, makes StoX applicable for any geographically coded surveys. Future versions of StoX will include statistical models to estimate the catch composition in commercial fisheries. In fields such as conservation management, there is also a need to document the estimation methods, and additional estimation and analyses models, including biodiversity indices are currently implemented. In parallel, we envision a closer web service integration with existing international and national data centres.

Generation and sampling of quantum states of light in a silicon chip

Implementing large instances of quantum algorithms requires the processing of many quantum information carriers in a hardware platform that supports the integration of different components. While established semiconductor fabrication processes can integrate many photonic components, the generation and algorithmic processing of many photons has been a bottleneck in integrated photonics. Here we report the on-chip generation and processing of quantum states of light with up to eight photons in quantum sampling algorithms. Switching between different optical pumping regimes, we implement the Scattershot, Gaussian and standard boson sampling protocols in the same silicon chip, which integrates linear and nonlinear photonic circuitry. We use these results to benchmark a quantum algorithm for calculating molecular vibronic spectra. Our techniques can be readily scaled for the on-chip implementation of specialised quantum algorithms with tens of photons, pointing the way to efficiency advantages over conventional computers.

Survey and morphological identification of termites (Insecta: Isoptera) in Teaching Forest of Hasanuddin University, Indonesia

This study aimed to observe and identify of Coptotermes species based on morphological characteristics. Termites survey was conducted on Teaching Forest of Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi area Indonesia with the elevation range 406-628 meter asl; specimens collected used the standardized transect sampling protocols at four different landscapes (natural forest, Swietenia mahagony plantation, Acacia mangium plantation, and Pinus merkusii forest Observation, and measurement of nine morphological characters of soldier was conducted, i.e: head length without mandibles, head width at the base of mandibles, maximum width of head, left mandible length, number of antennal segments, pronotum length, maximum width of pronotum, postmentum length, and maximum width of postmentum; also three indices were calculated, i.e., bHW/mHW, MHW/HL, LML/HL. The results showed that there are nine species found based on the morphological characteristics and morphometrical data, namely: Odontotermes sp.1, Odontotermes sp. 2, Odontotermes sp.3, Coptotermes curvignathus, Nasutitermes sp., Schedorhinotermes sp. Microcerotermes serrula, Bulbitermes sp., dan Havilanditermes sp.

Future direction of searching for root economics spectrum: focusing on the fibrous roots “absorptive unit”

AbstractAs one of the trait‐based approaches, leaf economics spectrum (LES) has led to significant advances in plant ecology; however, hypothetical root economics spectrum (RES) which is even more important than the LES aboveground is still less well understood. By analogy with the LES, hypothetical RES may emerge from the coordinated functional traits of fine roots. However, lots of previous studies revealed inconsistent evidence of an RES across the woody species which dominate the terrestrial ecosystem. By discussing the sampling problems in previous studies, we realize that the main reason of failing to search the RES across woody species might be the lack of a standardized sampling protocol. Using inconsistent and inaccurate basic samples of absorptive roots in previous studies impeded the search for an RES. Mycorrhizal interactions and soil matrix constraints do have influences on fine‐root traits; however, there is no adequate evidence to support that these factors can offset or impede selection for an RES. In order to make sure the comparability across species and between studies, we come up with a concept absorptive unit of fibrous roots. The absorptive unit, which integrates all the absorptive fibrous root orders interconnected in a distal nonwoody cluster as a whole, is a parallel to a leaf. Excluding all the pioneer roots and treating absorptive unit as a basic sample can make sure the comparability across species and between studies. We believe it will offer a promising way to find consistent evidence that support the RES.