PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: A new p-terphenyl derivative from the insect-derived fungus Aspergillus candidus Bdf-2 and the synergistic effects of terphenyllin
items: Testing marine regional-scale hypotheses along the Yucatan continental shelf using soft-bottom macrofauna
items: Sagittal spinal morphotype assessment in 8 to 15 years old Inline Hockey players
items: Effects of low pH and feeding on calcification rates of the cold-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus
items: Symmetry systems on the wings of Dichromodes Guenée (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) are unconstrained by venation
items: Interspecific differences of stridulatory signals in three species of bark beetles from the genus Polygraphus Er. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) inhabiting the island of Sakhalin
items: Ambulatory sleep scoring using accelerometers—distinguishing between nonwear and sleep/wake states
items: Basic and target eco-environment water requirements of a dry inland river under typical flow frequencies in China
items: Use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in streams to detect feral swine (Sus scrofa)
items: The fossil record of the genus Varanus from the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia)

A new p-terphenyl derivative from the insect-derived fungus Aspergillus candidus Bdf-2 and the synergistic effects of terphenyllin
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: A new p-terphenyl derivative 4″-deoxy-2′-methoxyterphenyllin (1), along with six known p-terphenyl derivatives (2–7), a known flavonoid derivative dechlorochlorflavonin (8) and a known fellutanine A (9), were isolated from the insect-derived strain of the fungus Aspergillus candidus Bdf-2, associated with Blaptica dubia. The structure of 1 was established by the analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectra. Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Ralstonia solanacearum, and for antioxidant activities. Synergistic effects of compound 2 with the other compounds were also investigated. As a result, compound 6 displayed the best antibacterial activities in all single compound with MIC value of 32 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC29213 and R. solanacearum, respectively. However, no antibacterial effect against E. coli ATCC25922 was detected from any single compound. The combination of 2 + 6 exhibited obvious synergistic effect against S. aureus ATCC29213 and the MIC value was 4 µg/mL. Compound 6 also showed the best antioxidant activity as a single compound with an IC50 value of 17.62 µg/mL. Combinations of 5 + 6, 2 + 4 + 5 and 2 + 4 + 5 + 6 displayed synergistic effect and their antioxidant activities were better than that of any single compound.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Tijiang Shan
creator: Yuyang Wang
creator: Song Wang
creator: Yunying Xie
creator: Zehua Cui
creator: Chunyin Wu
creator: Jian Sun
creator: Jun Wang
creator: Ziling Mao
subject: Entomology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Mycology
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8221
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Shan et al.
abstract: A new p-terphenyl derivative 4″-deoxy-2′-methoxyterphenyllin (1), along with six known p-terphenyl derivatives (2–7), a known flavonoid derivative dechlorochlorflavonin (8) and a known fellutanine A (9), were isolated from the insect-derived strain of the fungus Aspergillus candidus Bdf-2, associated with Blaptica dubia. The structure of 1 was established by the analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectra. Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Ralstonia solanacearum, and for antioxidant activities. Synergistic effects of compound 2 with the other compounds were also investigated. As a result, compound 6 displayed the best antibacterial activities in all single compound with MIC value of 32 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC29213 and R. solanacearum, respectively. However, no antibacterial effect against E. coli ATCC25922 was detected from any single compound. The combination of 2 + 6 exhibited obvious synergistic effect against S. aureus ATCC29213 and the MIC value was 4 µg/mL. Compound 6 also showed the best antioxidant activity as a single compound with an IC50 value of 17.62 µg/mL. Combinations of 5 + 6, 2 + 4 + 5 and 2 + 4 + 5 + 6 displayed synergistic effect and their antioxidant activities were better than that of any single compound.
bibliographic citation: Shan et al. (2020) A new p-terphenyl derivative from the insect-derived fungus Aspergillus candidus Bdf-2 and the synergistic effects of terphenyllin. PeerJ 8:e8221 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8221
date submitted: 2019-08-09
date accepted: 2019-11-15
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shan
  given name: Tijiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yuyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Song
author list: Agent
  family name: Xie
  given name: Yunying
author list: Agent
  family name: Cui
  given name: Zehua
author list: Agent
  family name: Wu
  given name: Chunyin
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Mao
  given name: Ziling
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8221
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Shan et al.
attribution name: Shan et al.

Testing marine regional-scale hypotheses along the Yucatan continental shelf using soft-bottom macrofauna
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Different hypotheses related to the regional-scale configuration of the Yucatan Continental Shelf (YCS) between the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the Caribbean Sea have been proposed. Hypotheses regarding its regional boundaries include: (i) an ecoregional boundary at Catoche Cape, dividing the Western Caribbean and the Southern GoM ecoregions; and (ii) a boundary within the Southern GoM ecoregion at 89°W, separating the West and Mid-Yucatan areas. We tested the hypothesis of no variation in benthic macrofaunal assemblages between regions delimited by the former boundaries using the species and functional traits of soft-bottom macrofauna. We considered that the depth and temporal environmental dynamics might interact with regional variations, generating complex benthic community patterns. The data were collected over five years (2010–2012, 2015–2016) at 86 stations (N = 1, 017 samples, 10–270 m depth), comprising 1,327 species with 45 combinations of functional traits. The variation in species composition and functional trait assemblages were both consistent with the occurrence of three separate regions in the Yucatan Peninsula (West Yucatan, Mid-Yucatan and Western Caribbean). This regional configuration was consistent with changes in assemblage structure and depth zonation as well as temporal variation. Along with spatial and temporal variation, diversity diminished with depth and different regions exhibited contrasting patterns in this regard. Our results suggest that the spatial and temporal variation of soft-bottom macrofauna at YCS demonstrate the complex organization of a carbonate shelf encompassing different regions, which may represent transitional regions between the Caribbean and the GoM.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ivan Hernandez-Avila
creator: Frank A. Ocaña
creator: Daniel Pech
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Biological Oceanography
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8227
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Hernandez-Avila et al.
abstract: Different hypotheses related to the regional-scale configuration of the Yucatan Continental Shelf (YCS) between the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the Caribbean Sea have been proposed. Hypotheses regarding its regional boundaries include: (i) an ecoregional boundary at Catoche Cape, dividing the Western Caribbean and the Southern GoM ecoregions; and (ii) a boundary within the Southern GoM ecoregion at 89°W, separating the West and Mid-Yucatan areas. We tested the hypothesis of no variation in benthic macrofaunal assemblages between regions delimited by the former boundaries using the species and functional traits of soft-bottom macrofauna. We considered that the depth and temporal environmental dynamics might interact with regional variations, generating complex benthic community patterns. The data were collected over five years (2010–2012, 2015–2016) at 86 stations (N = 1, 017 samples, 10–270 m depth), comprising 1,327 species with 45 combinations of functional traits. The variation in species composition and functional trait assemblages were both consistent with the occurrence of three separate regions in the Yucatan Peninsula (West Yucatan, Mid-Yucatan and Western Caribbean). This regional configuration was consistent with changes in assemblage structure and depth zonation as well as temporal variation. Along with spatial and temporal variation, diversity diminished with depth and different regions exhibited contrasting patterns in this regard. Our results suggest that the spatial and temporal variation of soft-bottom macrofauna at YCS demonstrate the complex organization of a carbonate shelf encompassing different regions, which may represent transitional regions between the Caribbean and the GoM.
bibliographic citation: Hernandez-Avila et al. (2020) Testing marine regional-scale hypotheses along the Yucatan continental shelf using soft-bottom macrofauna. PeerJ 8:e8227 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8227
date submitted: 2019-03-27
date accepted: 2019-11-16
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hernandez-Avila
  given name: Ivan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ocaña
  given name: Frank A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Pech
  given name: Daniel
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8227
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Hernandez-Avila et al.
attribution name: Hernandez-Avila et al.

Sagittal spinal morphotype assessment in 8 to 15 years old Inline Hockey players
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Physiological sagittal spinal curvatures play an important role in health and performance in sports. For that reason, several scientific studies have assessed spinal morphology in young athletes. However, to our knowledge, no study has assessed the implications of Inline Hockey (IH) practice on sagittal integrative spinal morphotype in adolescent players. Objectives The aims of the present study were to describe habitual sagittal spinal posture in young federated IH players and its relationship with training load and to determine the sagittal integrative spinal morphotype in these players. Methods An observational analysis was developed to describe the sagittal spinal morphotype in young federated IH players. A total of 74 IH players from the Technification Plan organized by the Skating Federation of the Valencian Community (aged from 8 to 15 years) participated in the study. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures of the spine were measured in a relaxed standing position (SP), in a slump sitting position (SSP) and in maximum flexion of the trunk (MFT) to determine the “Sagittal Integrative Morphotype” of all players. An unilevel inclinometer was used to quantify the sagittal spinal curvatures. The Hip Joint Angle test was used to quantify the Lumbo-Horizontal angle in flexion (L-H fx) of all participants with a goniometer. Results When thoracic curvature was analyzed according to normality references, it was found that 64.9% of IH players had thoracic hyperkyphosis in a SSP, while 60.8% and 74.3% of players were classified as normal in a SP and in MFT, respectively. As for the lumbar curve, 89.2% in a SP and 55.4% in MFT were normal, whereas 68.9% of IH players presented lumbar hyperkyphosis in a SSP. Regarding the “Sagittal Integrative Morphotype,” only 17.6% of players were classified as “Normal” in the three measured positions for the thoracic curve, while 37.8% had “Thoracic Hyperkyphosis” and 41.8% presented “Functional Thoracic Hyperkyphosis.” As for the “S…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Pilar Sainz de Baranda
creator: Antonio Cejudo
creator: Victor Jesus Moreno-Alcaraz
creator: Maria Teresa Martinez-Romero
creator: Alba Aparicio-Sarmiento
creator: Fernando Santonja-Medina
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8229
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Sainz de Baranda et al.
abstract: Background Physiological sagittal spinal curvatures play an important role in health and performance in sports. For that reason, several scientific studies have assessed spinal morphology in young athletes. However, to our knowledge, no study has assessed the implications of Inline Hockey (IH) practice on sagittal integrative spinal morphotype in adolescent players. Objectives The aims of the present study were to describe habitual sagittal spinal posture in young federated IH players and its relationship with training load and to determine the sagittal integrative spinal morphotype in these players. Methods An observational analysis was developed to describe the sagittal spinal morphotype in young federated IH players. A total of 74 IH players from the Technification Plan organized by the Skating Federation of the Valencian Community (aged from 8 to 15 years) participated in the study. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures of the spine were measured in a relaxed standing position (SP), in a slump sitting position (SSP) and in maximum flexion of the trunk (MFT) to determine the “Sagittal Integrative Morphotype” of all players. An unilevel inclinometer was used to quantify the sagittal spinal curvatures. The Hip Joint Angle test was used to quantify the Lumbo-Horizontal angle in flexion (L-H fx) of all participants with a goniometer. Results When thoracic curvature was analyzed according to normality references, it was found that 64.9% of IH players had thoracic hyperkyphosis in a SSP, while 60.8% and 74.3% of players were classified as normal in a SP and in MFT, respectively. As for the lumbar curve, 89.2% in a SP and 55.4% in MFT were normal, whereas 68.9% of IH players presented lumbar hyperkyphosis in a SSP. Regarding the “Sagittal Integrative Morphotype,” only 17.6% of players were classified as “Normal” in the three measured positions for the thoracic curve, while 37.8% had “Thoracic Hyperkyphosis” and 41.8% presented “Functional Thoracic Hyperkyphosis.” As for the “S…
bibliographic citation: Sainz de Baranda et al. (2020) Sagittal spinal morphotype assessment in 8 to 15 years old Inline Hockey players. PeerJ 8:e8229 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8229
date submitted: 2019-07-19
date accepted: 2019-11-18
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sainz de Baranda
  given name: Pilar
author list: Agent
  family name: Cejudo
  given name: Antonio
author list: Agent
  family name: Moreno-Alcaraz
  given name: Victor Jesus
author list: Agent
  family name: Martinez-Romero
  given name: Maria Teresa
author list: Agent
  family name: Aparicio-Sarmiento
  given name: Alba
author list: Agent
  family name: Santonja-Medina
  given name: Fernando
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8229
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: © 2020 Sainz de Baranda et al.
attribution name: Sainz de Baranda et al.

Effects of low pH and feeding on calcification rates of the cold-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Cold-Water Corals (CWCs), and most marine calcifiers, are especially threatened by ocean acidification (OA) and the decrease in the carbonate saturation state of seawater. The vulnerability of these organisms, however, also involves other global stressors like warming, deoxygenation or changes in sea surface productivity and, hence, food supply via the downward transport of organic matter to the deep ocean. This study examined the response of the CWC Desmophyllum dianthus to low pH under different feeding regimes through a long-term incubation experiment. For this experiment, 152 polyps were incubated at pH 8.1, 7.8, 7.5 and 7.2 and two feeding regimes for 14 months. Mean calcification rates over the entire duration of the experiment ranged between −0.3 and 0.3 mg CaCO3 g−1d−1. Polyps incubated at pH 7.2 were the most affected and 30% mortality was observed in this treatment. In addition, many of the surviving polyps at pH 7.2 showed negative calcification rates indicating that, in the long term, CWCs may have difficulty thriving in such aragonite undersaturated waters. The feeding regime had a significant effect on skeletal growth of corals, with high feeding frequency resulting in more positive and variable calcification rates. This was especially evident in corals reared at pH 7.5 (ΩA = 0.8) compared to the low frequency feeding treatment. Early life-stages, which are essential for the recruitment and maintenance of coral communities and their associated biodiversity, were revealed to be at highest risk. Overall, this study demonstrates the vulnerability of D. dianthus corals to low pH and low food availability. Future projected pH decreases and related changes in zooplankton communities may potentially compromise the viability of CWC populations.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ariadna Martínez-Dios
creator: Carles Pelejero
creator: Àngel López-Sanz
creator: Robert M. Sherrell
creator: Stanley Ko
creator: Verena Häussermann
creator: Günter Försterra
creator: Eva Calvo
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Biological Oceanography
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8236
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Martínez-Dios et al.
abstract: Cold-Water Corals (CWCs), and most marine calcifiers, are especially threatened by ocean acidification (OA) and the decrease in the carbonate saturation state of seawater. The vulnerability of these organisms, however, also involves other global stressors like warming, deoxygenation or changes in sea surface productivity and, hence, food supply via the downward transport of organic matter to the deep ocean. This study examined the response of the CWC Desmophyllum dianthus to low pH under different feeding regimes through a long-term incubation experiment. For this experiment, 152 polyps were incubated at pH 8.1, 7.8, 7.5 and 7.2 and two feeding regimes for 14 months. Mean calcification rates over the entire duration of the experiment ranged between −0.3 and 0.3 mg CaCO3 g−1d−1. Polyps incubated at pH 7.2 were the most affected and 30% mortality was observed in this treatment. In addition, many of the surviving polyps at pH 7.2 showed negative calcification rates indicating that, in the long term, CWCs may have difficulty thriving in such aragonite undersaturated waters. The feeding regime had a significant effect on skeletal growth of corals, with high feeding frequency resulting in more positive and variable calcification rates. This was especially evident in corals reared at pH 7.5 (ΩA = 0.8) compared to the low frequency feeding treatment. Early life-stages, which are essential for the recruitment and maintenance of coral communities and their associated biodiversity, were revealed to be at highest risk. Overall, this study demonstrates the vulnerability of D. dianthus corals to low pH and low food availability. Future projected pH decreases and related changes in zooplankton communities may potentially compromise the viability of CWC populations.
bibliographic citation: Martínez-Dios et al. (2020) Effects of low pH and feeding on calcification rates of the cold-water coral Desmophyllum dianthus. PeerJ 8:e8236 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8236
date submitted: 2019-07-23
date accepted: 2019-11-19
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Martínez-Dios
  given name: Ariadna
author list: Agent
  family name: Pelejero
  given name: Carles
author list: Agent
  family name: López-Sanz
  given name: Àngel
author list: Agent
  family name: Sherrell
  given name: Robert M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ko
  given name: Stanley
author list: Agent
  family name: Häussermann
  given name: Verena
author list: Agent
  family name: Försterra
  given name: Günter
author list: Agent
  family name: Calvo
  given name: Eva
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8236
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: © 2020 Martínez-Dios et al.
attribution name: Martínez-Dios et al.

Symmetry systems on the wings of Dichromodes Guenée (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) are unconstrained by venation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The nymphalid groundplan, an idealized schematic illustrating the essential elements of butterfly wing patterns, predicts a consistent relationship between color pattern and wing venation. Moths in the family Geometridae have wing shapes and patterns that often resemble those of butterflies, and until recently, this family was believed to be among butterflies’ closest relatives. However, an examination of the geometrid genus Dichromodes Guenée, 1858 shows no consistent relationship between the central symmetry system and wing venation. Whereas the distal edge of the central symmetry system is predicted to reach the costal margin proximal to the Subcostal vein in butterflies and acronictine moths, it has no consistent relationship with the Subcostal, Radius, or Radial Sector 1 veins in Dichromodes. This finding highlights developmental diversity that was previously overlooked due to the overwhelming preference for butterflies in studies of lepidopteran wing patterns.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Sandra R. Schachat
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Entomology
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8263
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Schachat
abstract: The nymphalid groundplan, an idealized schematic illustrating the essential elements of butterfly wing patterns, predicts a consistent relationship between color pattern and wing venation. Moths in the family Geometridae have wing shapes and patterns that often resemble those of butterflies, and until recently, this family was believed to be among butterflies’ closest relatives. However, an examination of the geometrid genus Dichromodes Guenée, 1858 shows no consistent relationship between the central symmetry system and wing venation. Whereas the distal edge of the central symmetry system is predicted to reach the costal margin proximal to the Subcostal vein in butterflies and acronictine moths, it has no consistent relationship with the Subcostal, Radius, or Radial Sector 1 veins in Dichromodes. This finding highlights developmental diversity that was previously overlooked due to the overwhelming preference for butterflies in studies of lepidopteran wing patterns.
bibliographic citation: Schachat (2020) Symmetry systems on the wings of Dichromodes Guenée (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) are unconstrained by venation. PeerJ 8:e8263 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8263
date submitted: 2019-08-29
date accepted: 2019-11-21
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Schachat
  given name: Sandra R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8263
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Schachat
attribution name: Schachat

Interspecific differences of stridulatory signals in three species of bark beetles from the genus Polygraphus Er. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) inhabiting the island of Sakhalin
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Stridulatory signals are involved in conspecific interactions between bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). In this study, we compared the qualitative profiles of acoustic signals in three species from the genus Polygraphus Er. Sympatry can be periodically observed in two of them –P. proximus and P. subopacus. Sporadically they occur on the same plants. P. nigrielytris colonize distinctly different host plant species; however, on the island of Sakhalin it inhabits the same biotopes. The purpose of the study is to identify species-specific parameters and the extent of differences in stridulatory signals of these species. Airborne signals produced during the contact of males of the same species were experimentally recorded. Among tested parameters of stridulatory signals, as the most species-specific were noted: chirp duration, number of tooth-strikes per chirp, and intertooth-strike interval.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ivan Andreevich Kerchev
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Biophysics
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8281
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Kerchev
abstract: Stridulatory signals are involved in conspecific interactions between bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). In this study, we compared the qualitative profiles of acoustic signals in three species from the genus Polygraphus Er. Sympatry can be periodically observed in two of them –P. proximus and P. subopacus. Sporadically they occur on the same plants. P. nigrielytris colonize distinctly different host plant species; however, on the island of Sakhalin it inhabits the same biotopes. The purpose of the study is to identify species-specific parameters and the extent of differences in stridulatory signals of these species. Airborne signals produced during the contact of males of the same species were experimentally recorded. Among tested parameters of stridulatory signals, as the most species-specific were noted: chirp duration, number of tooth-strikes per chirp, and intertooth-strike interval.
bibliographic citation: Kerchev (2020) Interspecific differences of stridulatory signals in three species of bark beetles from the genus Polygraphus Er. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) inhabiting the island of Sakhalin. PeerJ 8:e8281 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8281
date submitted: 2019-04-30
date accepted: 2019-11-22
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kerchev
  given name: Ivan Andreevich
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8281
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Kerchev
attribution name: Kerchev

Ambulatory sleep scoring using accelerometers—distinguishing between nonwear and sleep/wake states
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Differentiating nonwear time from sleep and wake times is essential for the estimation of sleep duration based on actigraphy data. To efficiently analyze large-scale data sets, an automatic method of identifying these three different states is required. Therefore, we developed a classification algorithm to determine nonwear, sleep and wake periods from accelerometer data. Our work aimed to (I) develop a new pattern recognition algorithm for identifying nonwear periods from actigraphy data based on the influence of respiration rate on the power spectrum of the acceleration signal and implement it in an automatic classification algorithm for nonwear/sleep/wake states; (II) address motion artifacts that occur during nonwear periods and are known to cause misclassification of these periods; (III) adjust the algorithm depending on the sensor position (wrist, chest); and (IV) validate the algorithm on both healthy individuals and patients with sleep disorders. Methods The study involved 98 participants who wore wrist and chest acceleration sensors for one day of measurements. They spent one night in the sleep laboratory and continued to wear the sensors outside of the laboratory for the remainder of the day. The results of the classification algorithm were compared to those of the reference source: polysomnography for wake/sleep and manual annotations for nonwear/wear classification. Results The median kappa values for the two locations were 0.83 (wrist) and 0.84 (chest). The level of agreement did not vary significantly by sleep health (good sleepers vs. subjects with sleep disorders) (p = 0.348, p = 0.118) or by sex (p = 0.442, p = 0.456). The intraclass correlation coefficients of nonwear total time between the reference and the algorithm were 0.92 and 0.97 with the outliers and 0.95 and 0.98 after the outliers were removed for the wrist and chest, respectively. There was no evidence of an association between the mean difference (and 95% limits of agreement)…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Amna Barouni
creator: Jörg Ottenbacher
creator: Johannes Schneider
creator: Bernd Feige
creator: Dieter Riemann
creator: Anne Herlan
creator: Driss El Hardouz
creator: Darren McLennan
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8284
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Barouni et al.
abstract: Background Differentiating nonwear time from sleep and wake times is essential for the estimation of sleep duration based on actigraphy data. To efficiently analyze large-scale data sets, an automatic method of identifying these three different states is required. Therefore, we developed a classification algorithm to determine nonwear, sleep and wake periods from accelerometer data. Our work aimed to (I) develop a new pattern recognition algorithm for identifying nonwear periods from actigraphy data based on the influence of respiration rate on the power spectrum of the acceleration signal and implement it in an automatic classification algorithm for nonwear/sleep/wake states; (II) address motion artifacts that occur during nonwear periods and are known to cause misclassification of these periods; (III) adjust the algorithm depending on the sensor position (wrist, chest); and (IV) validate the algorithm on both healthy individuals and patients with sleep disorders. Methods The study involved 98 participants who wore wrist and chest acceleration sensors for one day of measurements. They spent one night in the sleep laboratory and continued to wear the sensors outside of the laboratory for the remainder of the day. The results of the classification algorithm were compared to those of the reference source: polysomnography for wake/sleep and manual annotations for nonwear/wear classification. Results The median kappa values for the two locations were 0.83 (wrist) and 0.84 (chest). The level of agreement did not vary significantly by sleep health (good sleepers vs. subjects with sleep disorders) (p = 0.348, p = 0.118) or by sex (p = 0.442, p = 0.456). The intraclass correlation coefficients of nonwear total time between the reference and the algorithm were 0.92 and 0.97 with the outliers and 0.95 and 0.98 after the outliers were removed for the wrist and chest, respectively. There was no evidence of an association between the mean difference (and 95% limits of agreement)…
bibliographic citation: Barouni et al. (2020) Ambulatory sleep scoring using accelerometers—distinguishing between nonwear and sleep/wake states. PeerJ 8:e8284 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8284
date submitted: 2018-10-23
date accepted: 2019-11-24
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Barouni
  given name: Amna
author list: Agent
  family name: Ottenbacher
  given name: Jörg
author list: Agent
  family name: Schneider
  given name: Johannes
author list: Agent
  family name: Feige
  given name: Bernd
author list: Agent
  family name: Riemann
  given name: Dieter
author list: Agent
  family name: Herlan
  given name: Anne
author list: Agent
  family name: El Hardouz
  given name: Driss
author list: Agent
  family name: McLennan
  given name: Darren
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8284
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Barouni et al.
attribution name: Barouni et al.

Basic and target eco-environment water requirements of a dry inland river under typical flow frequencies in China
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Analysis of eco-environmental water requirements (EEWRs) and water resource allocation strategies for arid, inland river basins can provide the theoretical basis for sustainable water utilization and management. In this paper, an optimal water resource allocation strategy is proposed for Yarkand River Basin in Xinjiang, China, on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of runoff data collected between 1970 and 2016, three ecological environmental protection goals, basic eco-environmental water requirement (BEEWR) aimed at sustaining aquatic ecosystems within the river, and target eco-environmental water requirements (TEEWR) aimed at protecting various types of riparian vegetation along the river. The results showed that: (1) after the runoff in Kaqun reach subtracting the BEEWR, the annual average river loss (recharge), and the amount of water diversion for irrigation (51.43 × 108 m3) from flows along the Kaqun reach, the remaining water volume during wet years was able to meet all three TEEWRs; (2) during moderately wet years, the remaining water was capable of meeting the second and third TEEWRs; and (3) during dry and extremely dry years, there was little or no residual water available to meet TEEWRs. The proposed optimal water resource allocation strategy, based on the above findings, states that the water diversion requirement for irrigation and domestic use allocated from the total amount of runoff should not exceed the National Water Policy (Three Red Lines) standard first. Then, the BEEWR allocated from the runoff should be met second, and the annual average river loss, third. Depending on the amount of remaining water, the second and third TEEWRs can be fulfilled during wet years, but during moderately wet years, only the third TEEWR can be met. During dry and extremely dry years, only the BEEWR of the river can be met and only during the flood season.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Aihong Fu
creator: Weihong Li
creator: Yi Wang
creator: Yifei Bai
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecohydrology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8285
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Fu et al.
abstract: Analysis of eco-environmental water requirements (EEWRs) and water resource allocation strategies for arid, inland river basins can provide the theoretical basis for sustainable water utilization and management. In this paper, an optimal water resource allocation strategy is proposed for Yarkand River Basin in Xinjiang, China, on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of runoff data collected between 1970 and 2016, three ecological environmental protection goals, basic eco-environmental water requirement (BEEWR) aimed at sustaining aquatic ecosystems within the river, and target eco-environmental water requirements (TEEWR) aimed at protecting various types of riparian vegetation along the river. The results showed that: (1) after the runoff in Kaqun reach subtracting the BEEWR, the annual average river loss (recharge), and the amount of water diversion for irrigation (51.43 × 108 m3) from flows along the Kaqun reach, the remaining water volume during wet years was able to meet all three TEEWRs; (2) during moderately wet years, the remaining water was capable of meeting the second and third TEEWRs; and (3) during dry and extremely dry years, there was little or no residual water available to meet TEEWRs. The proposed optimal water resource allocation strategy, based on the above findings, states that the water diversion requirement for irrigation and domestic use allocated from the total amount of runoff should not exceed the National Water Policy (Three Red Lines) standard first. Then, the BEEWR allocated from the runoff should be met second, and the annual average river loss, third. Depending on the amount of remaining water, the second and third TEEWRs can be fulfilled during wet years, but during moderately wet years, only the third TEEWR can be met. During dry and extremely dry years, only the BEEWR of the river can be met and only during the flood season.
bibliographic citation: Fu et al. (2020) Basic and target eco-environment water requirements of a dry inland river under typical flow frequencies in China. PeerJ 8:e8285 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8285
date submitted: 2019-08-15
date accepted: 2019-11-24
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Fu
  given name: Aihong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Weihong
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Bai
  given name: Yifei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8285
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: © 2020 Fu et al.
attribution name: Fu et al.

Use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in streams to detect feral swine (Sus scrofa)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Invasive feral swine can damage ecosystems, disrupt plant and animal populations, and transmit diseases. Monitoring of feral swine populations requires expensive and labor-intensive techniques such as aerial surveys, field surveys for sign, trail cameras, and verifying landowner reports. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides an alternative method for locating feral swine. To aid in detection of this harmful invasive species, a novel assay was developed incorporating molecular methods. From August 2017 to April 2018, water samples and stream data were collected along 400 m transects in two different stream types where swine DNA was artificially introduced to investigate potential factors affecting detection. A generalized linear model (family binomial) was used to characterize environmental conditions affecting swine DNA detection; detection was the dependent variable and stream measurements included stream type, distance downstream, water temperature, velocity, turbidity, discharge, and pH as independent variables. Parameters from the generalized linear model were deemed significant if 95% confidence intervals did not overlap 0. Detection probability for swine DNA negatively related to water temperature (β = − 0.21, 95% CI [−0.35 to −0.09]), with the highest detection probability (0.80) at 0 °C and lowest detection probability (0.05) at 17.9 °C water temperature. Results indicate that sampling for swine eDNA in free-flowing stream systems should occur at lower water temperatures to maximize detection probability. This study provides a foundation for further development of field and sampling techniques for utilizing eDNA as a viable alternative to monitoring a terrestrial invasive species in northern regions of the United States.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Amberly N. Hauger
creator: Karmen M. Hollis-Etter
creator: Dwayne R. Etter
creator: Gary J. Roloff
creator: Andrew R. Mahon
subject: Ecology
subject: Genetics
subject: Natural Resource Management
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8287
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Hauger et al.
abstract: Invasive feral swine can damage ecosystems, disrupt plant and animal populations, and transmit diseases. Monitoring of feral swine populations requires expensive and labor-intensive techniques such as aerial surveys, field surveys for sign, trail cameras, and verifying landowner reports. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides an alternative method for locating feral swine. To aid in detection of this harmful invasive species, a novel assay was developed incorporating molecular methods. From August 2017 to April 2018, water samples and stream data were collected along 400 m transects in two different stream types where swine DNA was artificially introduced to investigate potential factors affecting detection. A generalized linear model (family binomial) was used to characterize environmental conditions affecting swine DNA detection; detection was the dependent variable and stream measurements included stream type, distance downstream, water temperature, velocity, turbidity, discharge, and pH as independent variables. Parameters from the generalized linear model were deemed significant if 95% confidence intervals did not overlap 0. Detection probability for swine DNA negatively related to water temperature (β = − 0.21, 95% CI [−0.35 to −0.09]), with the highest detection probability (0.80) at 0 °C and lowest detection probability (0.05) at 17.9 °C water temperature. Results indicate that sampling for swine eDNA in free-flowing stream systems should occur at lower water temperatures to maximize detection probability. This study provides a foundation for further development of field and sampling techniques for utilizing eDNA as a viable alternative to monitoring a terrestrial invasive species in northern regions of the United States.
bibliographic citation: Hauger et al. (2020) Use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in streams to detect feral swine (Sus scrofa). PeerJ 8:e8287 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8287
date submitted: 2019-05-22
date accepted: 2019-11-24
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hauger
  given name: Amberly N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hollis-Etter
  given name: Karmen M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Etter
  given name: Dwayne R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Roloff
  given name: Gary J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Mahon
  given name: Andrew R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8287
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Hauger et al.
attribution name: Hauger et al.

The fossil record of the genus Varanus from the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Southern Caucasus, with its special geographic position and complex topography, is a well-known biodiversity hotspot. However, the formation of this hotspot remains largely unstudied. To reveal this, a thorough study of the fossil record of the region is necessary. In the present paper, we describe for the first time fossil monitor lizards (Varanus sp.) from two late Miocene localities from the Southern Caucasus (Jradzor, Armenia and Tetri Udabno, Georgia). We suggest that both fossils belong to a small-sized monitor lizard, comparable to the present-day species found in Iran and the Middle East (e.g., Iraq, Saudi Arabian)—the most western part of the extant monitor lizards’ Eurasian distribution range. Our finds show that the genus had a broad distribution in the Eastern Paratethyan region during the late Miocene. In addition, we provide the probable temperature ranges for fossil localities.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Davit Vasilyan
creator: Maia Bukhsianidze
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.8322
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Vasilyan and Bukhsianidze
abstract: The Southern Caucasus, with its special geographic position and complex topography, is a well-known biodiversity hotspot. However, the formation of this hotspot remains largely unstudied. To reveal this, a thorough study of the fossil record of the region is necessary. In the present paper, we describe for the first time fossil monitor lizards (Varanus sp.) from two late Miocene localities from the Southern Caucasus (Jradzor, Armenia and Tetri Udabno, Georgia). We suggest that both fossils belong to a small-sized monitor lizard, comparable to the present-day species found in Iran and the Middle East (e.g., Iraq, Saudi Arabian)—the most western part of the extant monitor lizards’ Eurasian distribution range. Our finds show that the genus had a broad distribution in the Eastern Paratethyan region during the late Miocene. In addition, we provide the probable temperature ranges for fossil localities.
bibliographic citation: Vasilyan et al. (2020) The fossil record of the genus Varanus from the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia). PeerJ 8:e8322 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8322
date submitted: 2019-09-13
date accepted: 2019-11-30
issued: 2020-01-02
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Vasilyan
  given name: Davit
author list: Agent
  family name: Bukhsianidze
  given name: Maia
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8322
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-01-02
copyright: ©2020 Vasilyan and Bukhsianidze
attribution name: Vasilyan and Bukhsianidze

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359