scholarly journals Intrinsic ecological dynamics drive biodiversity turnover in model metacommunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob D. O’Sullivan ◽  
J. Christopher D. Terry ◽  
Axel G. Rossberg
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Structural Instability ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Spatially Explicit Model ◽  
Ecological Dynamics ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTurnover of species composition through time is frequently observed in ecosystems. It is often interpreted as indicating the impact of changes in the environment. Continuous turnover due solely to ecological dynamics—species interactions and dispersal—is also known to be theoretically possible; however the prevalence of such autonomous turnover in natural communities remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that observed patterns of compositional turnover and other important macroecological phenomena can be reproduced in large spatially explicit model ecosystems, without external forcing such as environmental change or the invasion of new species into the model. We find that autonomous turnover is triggered by the onset of ecological structural instability—the mechanism that also limits local biodiversity. These results imply that the potential role of autonomous turnover as a widespread and important natural process is underappreciated, challenging assumptions implicit in many observation and management tools. Quantifying the baseline level of compositional change would greatly improve ecological status assessments.

scholarly journals Intrinsic ecological dynamics drive biodiversity turnover in model metacommunities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob D. O’Sullivan ◽  
J. Christopher D. Terry ◽  
Axel G. Rossberg
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Spatially Explicit Model ◽  
Ecological Dynamics ◽  
Biodiversity Change ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTTurnover of species composition through time is frequently observed in ecosystems. It is often interpreted as indicating the impact of changes in the environment. Continuous turnover due solely to ecological dynamics—species interactions and dispersal—is also known to be theoretically possible, however the prevalence of such autonomous turnover in natural communities remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that observed patterns of compositional turnover and other important macroecological phenomena can be reproduced in large spatially explicit model ecosystems, without external forcing such as environmental change or the invasion of new species into the model. These results imply that the potential role of autonomous turnover as a widespread and important natural process is underappreciated, challenging assumptions implicit in many observation and management tools. Quantifying the baseline level of compositional change would greatly improve ecological status assessments.One Sentence SummaryBiodiversity change previously attributed to external drivers is explainable as resulting from intrinsic ecosystem dynamics.

scholarly journals Catastrophes, connectivity, and Allee effects in the design of marine reserve networks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Easton R. White ◽  
Marissa L. Baskett ◽  
Alan Hastings
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Allee Effects ◽  
Spatially Explicit Model ◽  
Optimal Spacing ◽  
Optimal Reserve

AbstractCatastrophic events, like oil spills and hurricanes, occur in many marine systems. One potential role of marine reserves is buffering populations against disturbances, including the potential for disturbance-driven population collapses under Allee effects. This buffering capacity depends on reserves in a network providing rescue effects, with a potential trade-off in spacing between individual reserves to balance rescue via connectivity and independence of disturbances experienced. We use a set of population models to examine how dispersal ability and the disturbance regime interact to determine the optimal reserve spacing. We incorporate fishing in a spatially-explicit model to understand the consequences of objective choice (i.e. conservation versus fisheries yield) on the optimal reserve spacing. We show that the optimal spacing between reserves increases when accounting for catastrophes. This result is accentuated when Allee effects interact with catastrophes to increase the probability of extinction. We also show that classic tradeoffs between conservation and fishing objectives disappear in the presence of catastrophes. Specifically, we found that at intermediate levels of disturbance, it is optimal to spread out reserves in order to increase population persistence and to maximize spillover into non-reserve areas.

scholarly journals What Kept the Boat Afloat? Sustainability of Employment in Knowledge-Intensive Sectors Due to Government Measures during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8441
Author(s):  
Michal Hrivnák ◽  
Peter Moritz ◽  
Marcela Chreneková
Keyword(s):  
Key Factors ◽  
Economic Shocks ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Employment Retention ◽  
State Compensation ◽  
Business Resilience ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Econometric Approach ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed new aspects of sustainable entrepreneurship and the resilience of SMEs in the conditions of individual countries. This empirical study contributes to entrepreneurship sustainability literature and business resilience literature by estimating the impact of various utilized internal crisis management tools and state compensation measures on retaining the pre-crisis levels of employment after two waves of the pandemic on the conditions of a V4 country. The study adopts an econometric approach towards assessing the influence of key factors of mitigating the problems caused by the pandemic, and the results suggest a crucial role of digitalization, internal policies optimizing variable costs, and utilization of direct governmental supportive measures to compensate for restrictions in force for employment retention in knowledge-intensive SMEs. According to the results, knowledge-intensive SMEs appears to have increased resilience towards economic shocks due to the capability to swiftly change the management of ventures to adapt to a crisis.

Speciation and changes in male gene expression in Drosophila

Genome ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Bahar Patlar ◽  
Alberto Civetta
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Drosophila Model ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Plastic Responses ◽  
Male Gene

It has long been acknowledged that changes in the regulation of gene expression may account for major organismal differences. However, we still do not fully understand how changes in gene expression evolve and how do such changes influence organisms’ differences. We are even less aware of the impact such changes might have in restricting gene flow between species. Here, we focus on studies of gene expression and speciation in the Drosophila model. We review studies that have identified gene interactions in post-mating reproductive isolation and speciation, particularly those that modulate male gene expression. We also address studies that have experimentally manipulated changes in gene expression to test their effect in post-mating reproductive isolation. We highlight the need for a more in-depth analysis of the role of selection causing disrupted gene expression of such candidate genes in sterile/inviable hybrids. Moreover, we discuss the relevance to incorporate more routinely assays that simultaneously evaluate the potential effects of environmental factors and genetic background in modulating plastic responses in male genes and their potential role in speciation.

Inhibitory Effect of MicroRNA-376b-Overexpressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) on Malignant Characteristics of Glioma Cells Through Targeting Forkhead Box Protein P2 (FOXP2)

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 971-977
Author(s):  
Ruoyu Zhu ◽  
Zhonglin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Glioma Cell ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Glioma Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Transwell Assay ◽  
Cell Behaviors ◽  
Forkhead Box ◽  
Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated the impact of microRNA (miR)-376b derived from BMSCs on glioma progression. BMSCs were transfected with miR-376b mimic, miR-376b inhibitor or NC and then cocultured with glioma cells followed by measuring cell behaviors by MTT assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry, FOXP2 and miR-376b expression by Western blot and RT-qPCR. After confirming the inhibitory and mimicking activity of transfection, we found that overexpression of miR-376b in BMSCs decreased glioma cell invasion, migration and proliferation but promoted cell apoptosis within 24 h and 48 h after transfection along with reduced number of cells in S-phase. Mechanically, miR-376b targeted miR-376b and up-regulation of miR-376b caused down-regulation of FOXP2 (p < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-376b in BMSCs decelerated glioma cell cycle and inhibitedmalignant behaviors of glioma cells by targeting FOXP2 expression. These evidence unveils the potential role of FOXP2 as a biomarker for the treatment of gliomas.

The potential role of relatives in designing person-centred assistive technologies (innovative practice)

Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 3161-3164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudi Coetzer
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Innovative Practice ◽  
The Impact

The paper explores the important role of relatives in designing assistive technologies in collaboration with practitioners. A brief case study reports the collaborative design of a 24-hour clock to reduce the impact of visual–spatial impairment on a family member's ability to read time and prevent temporal disorientation.

scholarly journals Potential role of oxidative DNA damage in the impact of PNPLA3 variant (rs 738409 C>G) in hepatocellular carcinoma risk

Hepatology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 1110-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emeric Limagne ◽  
Vanessa Cottet ◽  
Alexia Karen Cotte ◽  
Samia Hamza ◽  
Patrick Hillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Oxidative Dna Damage ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Carcinoma Risk

scholarly journals Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antiviral Agents

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Ratan ◽  
Fazla Rabbi Mashrur ◽  
Anisha Parsub Chhoan ◽  
Sadi Md. Shahriar ◽  
Mohammad Faisal Haidere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Characterization Methods ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
The Impact

Since the early 1990s, nanotechnology has led to new horizons in nanomedicine, which encompasses all spheres of science including chemistry, material science, biology, and biotechnology. Emerging viral infections are creating severe hazards to public health worldwide, recently, COVID-19 has caused mass human casualties with significant economic impacts. Interestingly, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited the potential to destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi using various methods. However, developing safe and effective antiviral drugs is challenging, as viruses use host cells for replication. Designing drugs that do not harm host cells while targeting viruses is complicated. In recent years, the impact of AgNPs on viruses has been evaluated. Here, we discuss the potential role of silver nanoparticles as antiviral agents. In this review, we focus on the properties of AgNPs such as their characterization methods, antiviral activity, mechanisms, applications, and toxicity.

Marketing to the “middle of the pyramid” in emerging markets using a social network perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tendai Chikweche ◽  
Richard Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Executives ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to expand knowledge about how middle class consumers in Sub-Saharan African markets behave, focusing on the potential role of social networks and the subsequent interactions that take place between these consumers and firms. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research method approach comprising personal interviews and observations targeted at consumers and business executives was used covering all four countries. Findings – Key findings include identification of middle of the pyramid (MOP) social networks, their impact on consumer behaviour and nature of consumer and firm interactions that take place as a result of the impact of social networks. Research limitations/implications – The sample size was restricted to 80 consumers in each of the four countries. This might limit generalisability. Practical implications – The study provides managers with insights on the potential role of social networks on marketing to the MOP in Africa. Social implications – The study provides managers with insights on the potential opportunities for corporate social responsibility solutions at the MOP. Originality/value – Research into the middle class in markets other than western advanced economies is a relatively new area of study. The majority of studies on the middle class have focused on North America and Europe ignoring the merging middle class in Africa. Hence, this research expands knowledge by providing basis for exploring new insights on the emerging marketing opportunity within the middle class in Africa.

scholarly journals Interactions between Climate and Nutrient Cycles on Forest Response to Global Change: The Role of Mixed Forests

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester González de Andrés
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Change ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Elemental Ratios ◽  
Nutrient Mineralization ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
The Impact

Forest ecosystems are undergoing unprecedented changes in environmental conditions due to global change impacts. Modification of global biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen, and the subsequent climate change are affecting forest functions at different scales, from physiology and growth of individual trees to cycling of nutrients. This review summarizes the present knowledge regarding the impact of global change on forest functioning not only with respect to climate change, which is the focus of most studies, but also the influence of altered nitrogen cycle and the interactions among them. The carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization effect on tree growth is expected to be constrained by nutrient imbalances resulting from high N deposition rates and the counteractive effect of increasing water deficit, which interact in a complex way. At the community level, responses to global change are modified by species interactions that may lead to competition for resources and/or relaxation due to facilitation and resource partitioning processes. Thus, some species mixtures can be more resistant to drought than their respective pure forests, albeit it depends on environmental conditions and species’ functional traits. Climate change and nitrogen deposition have additional impacts on litterfall dynamics, and subsequent decomposition and nutrient mineralization processes. Elemental ratios (i.e., stoichiometry) are associated with important ecosystem traits, including trees’ adaptability to stress or decomposition rates. As stoichiometry of different ecosystem components are also influenced by global change, nutrient cycling in forests will be altered too. Therefore, a re-assessment of traditional forest management is needed in order to cope with global change. Proposed silvicultural systems emphasize the key role of diversity to assure multiple ecosystem services, and special attention has been paid to mixed-species forests. Finally, a summary of the patterns and underlying mechanisms governing the relationships between diversity and different ecosystems functions, such as productivity and stability, is provided.

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