Design-based mapping of tree attributes by 3P sampling

The estimation of individual values (marks) in a finite population of units (e.g., trees) scattered onto a survey region is considered under 3P sampling. For each unit, the mark is estimated by means of an inverse distance weighting interpolator. Conditions ensuring the design-based consistency of maps are considered under 3P sampling. A computationally simple mean squared error estimator is adopted. Because 3P sampling involves the prediction of marks for each unit in the population, prediction errors rather than marks can be interpolated. Then, marks are estimated by the predictions plus the interpolated errors. If predictions are good, prediction errors are more smoothed than raw marks so that the procedure is likely to better meet consistency requirements. The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical and empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the interpolation based on prediction errors to prove that the proposed strategy is a tool of general validity for mapping forest stands.     

Multiple trade‐offs regulate the effects of woody plant removal on biodiversity and ecosystem functions in global rangelands

Woody plant encroachment is a major land management issue. Woody removal often aims to restore the original grassy ecosystem, but few studies have assessed the role of woody removal on ecosystem functions and biodiversity at global scales. We collected data from 140 global studies and evaluated how different woody plant removal methods affected biodiversity (plant and animal diversity) and ecosystem functions (plant production, hydrological function, soil carbon) across global rangelands. Our results indicate that the impact of removal is strongly context dependent, varying with the specific response variable, removal method, and traits of the target species. Over all treatments, woody plant removal increased grass biomass and total groundstorey diversity. Physical and chemical removal methods increased grass biomass and total groundstorey biomass (i.e., non‐woody plants, including grass biomass), but burning reduced animal diversity. The impact of different treatment methods declined with time since removal, particularly for total groundstorey biomass. Removing pyramid‐shaped woody plants increased total groundstorey biomass and hydrological function but reduced total groundstorey diversity. Environmental context (e.g., aridity and soil texture) indirectly controlled the effect of removal on biomass and biodiversity by influencing plant traits such as plant shape, allelopathic, or roots types. Our study demonstrates that a one‐size‐fits‐all approach to woody plant removal is not appropriate, and that consideration of woody plant identity, removal method, and environmental context is critical for optimizing removal outcomes. Applying this knowledge is fundamental for maintaining diverse and functional rangeland ecosystems as we move toward a drier and more variable climate.     

A method to study slug predation on seedlings in the field

Dandelion is a common Asteraceae species that populates disturbed sites and gaps within swards where it becomes an important competitor of grasses. The natural control against dandelion includes seedling predation, with slugs, particularly Arion lusitanicus, being the most important in the Czech Republic. However, the study of slug seedling consumption is difficult because naturally established seedlings are not always available. Therefore, we developed a method of exposing laboratory‐grown seedlings as bait for slug predation. Dandelion seeds were sown in plastic cups containing a bottom layer of moist substrate. The emerged seedlings were thinned to 20 and displayed in an open area. During 2008–2010, the seedling baits were placed at 15 sites at 1 month intervals throughout the dandelion vegetative season, in parallel with plasticine baits that monitored slug feeding activity. For each 1 month interval, seedling survival was observed for a period of 8 days, and the estimated time to death was calculated; the percentage of surviving seedlings was then recorded. This method of seedling presentation demonstrated that local and temporal variation in seedling survival is correlated with slug feeding activity. The advantage of this technique is that the seedlings in baits may be presented at any place and time, as required by the experimental design; however, we found that the estimated time to seedling death was shorter for the exposed baits than for the naturally established seedlings. The method is suitable for the study of plant species other than dandelion, and also for aims other than the study of spatiotemporal trends in seedling consumption by slugs.     

Diversity and diversification of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in New Caledonia

Contemporary taxonomic work on New Caledonian Eumolpinae (Chrysomelidae) has revealed their high species richness in this Western Pacific biodiversity hotspot. To estimate total species richness in this community, we used rapid DNA‐based biodiversity assessment tools, exploring mtDNA diversity and phylogenetic structure in a sample of 840 specimens across the main island. Concordance of morphospecies delimitation with units delimited by phenetic and phylogenetic algorithms revealed some 98–110 species in our sample, twice as many as currently described. Sample‐based rarefaction curves and species estimators using these species counts doubled this figure (up to 210 species), a realistic estimate considering taxonomic coverage, local endemism, and characteristics of sampling design, amongst others. New Caledonia, compared with larger tropical islands, stands out as a hotspot for Eumolpinae biodiversity. Molecular dating using either chrysomelid specific rates or tree calibration using palaeogeographical data dated the root of the ingroup tree (not necessarily a monophyletic radiation) at 38.5 Mya, implying colonizations after the Cretaceous breakage of Gondwana. Our data are compatible with the slowdown in diversification rates through time and are also consistent with recent faunal origins, possibly reflecting niche occupancy after an initial rapid diversification. Environmental factors (e.g. soil characteristics) seemingly played a role in this diversification process. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

粪便标本小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌筛检方法的比较

目的 比较分离培养法、反转录‒聚合酶链反应法对腹泻粪便中小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌的检测情况。方法 在2016年6月至2017年6月临床收治的腹泻患者中选取368例,均使用分离培养法、反转录‒聚合酶链反应法对其粪便中的小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌展开检验,对比分析两种方法的检验结果。结果 反转录‒聚合酶链反应法阳性率为77.17%,比分离培养法的51.09%高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;反转录‒聚合酶链反应法致病菌株检出率为83.10%,高于分离培养法的59.57%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 对腹泻患者粪便标本中的小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌检测时,相较于分离培养法,反转录‒聚合酶链反应法阳性检出率更高,可使小肠结肠炎耶尔森菌性腹泻诊断准确率提升。     

干旱和盐胁迫诱导甜菜叶中的甜菜碱醛脱氢酶的积累

应用双向免疫扩散方法测定表明,甜菜叶片的甜菜碱醛脱氢酶能与菠菜的甜菜碱醛脱氢酶抗体发生交叉反应。渗透势－０．６５￣－２．６ＭＰａ的甘露醇溶液或２００～３００ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＮａＣｌ溶液,诱导甜茶叶片甜菜碱醛脱氢酶积累明显增加。     

Tissue Aspiration and Inverse Finite Element Characterisation of Soft Tissues

In this work we examined the determination of soft tissue parameters via tissue aspiration experiments and inverse finite element characterisation. An aspiration tube was put against the target tissue. The deformation of the tissue inside the tube caused by weak suction was tracked with a video based system. A strain energy function was employed to model the elastic behaviour of soft tissue and viscoelasticity was accounted for by means of a quasi-linear viscoelastic formulation. Friction between the aspiration tube and the aspirated tissue was included in the model. Based on the assumed material model, an optimal set of material parameters was found, in order to best fit the experimental data obtained from ex-vivo experiments on pig kidney cortex. The inverse method resulted in robust determination of the unknown material parameters.     

Bone remodelling around the tibia due to total ankle replacement: effects of implant material and implant–bone interfacial conditions

Abstract

One of the major causes of implant loosening is due to excessive bone resorption surrounding the implant due to bone remodelling. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of implant material and implant–bone interface conditions on bone remodelling around tibia bone due to total ankle replacement. Finite element models of intact and implanted ankles were developed using CT scan data sets. Bone remodelling algorithm was used in combination with FE analysis to predict the bone density changes around the ankle joint. Dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion positions were considered, along with muscle force and ligaments. Implant–bone interfacial conditions were assumed as debonded and bonded to represent non-osseointegration and fully osseointegration at the porous coated surface of the implant. To investigate the effect of implant material, three finite element models having different material combinations of the implant were developed. For model 1, tibial and talar components were made of Co–Cr–Mo, and meniscal bearing was made of UHMWPE. For model 2, tibial and talar components were made of ceramic and meniscal bearing was made of UHMWPE. For model 3, tibial and talar components were made of ceramic and meniscal bearing was made of CFR-PEEK. Changes in implant material showed no significant changes in bone density due to bone remodelling. Therefore, ceramic appears to be a viable alternative to metal and CFR-PEEK can be used in place of UHMWPE. This study also indicates that proper bonding between implant and bone is essential for long-term survival of the prosthetic components.     

Finite elements/Taguchi method based procedure for the identification of the geometrical parameters significantly affecting the biomechanical behavior of a lumbar disc

The aim of this work is to show a quick and simple procedure able to identify the geometrical parameters of the intervertebral disc that strongly affect the behavior of the FEM model. First, we allocated a selection criterion for the minimum number of geometrical parameters that describe, with a good degree of approximation, a healthy human vertebra. Next, we carried out a sensitivity analysis using the ‘Taguchi orthogonal array’ to arrive at a quick identification of the parameters that strongly affect the behavior of the Fem model.     

简易注气法测定刺槐木质部导管组织长度

导管组织在木本植物水力学特性及水分关系中的作用逐渐受到关注,但其长度的传统测试装置和方法相对繁琐。本研究在注气法原理基础上进行改进,改进后装置简易、操作便捷。结果表明,本方法可以成功测定刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia L.)导管的长度及相关参数:气体传导耗散系数为0.111±0.012;最大导管长度为56.9±1.5 cm;平均导管长度为19.6±2.5 cm;最大分布导管长度为9.8±1.3 cm。枝条注气方向对测试结果没有明显影响。测试过程中注气端压强变化不明显,对导管长度及相关参数的测定和计算影响不显著。本方法与传统注气法相比具有更高的精确度。