scholarly journals New methods of spatial analysis in urban gardens inform future vegetation surveying

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 761-778
Author(s):  
Monika H. Egerer ◽  
Benjamin Wagner ◽  
Brenda B. Lin ◽  
Dave Kendal ◽  
Kai Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
And Function

Abstract Context Land use change requires measuring shifting patterns in biodiversity at various spatial scales to inform landscape management. Assessing vegetation change at different scales is challenging in urban ecosystems managed by many individuals. Thus, we do not know much about the structure and function of green spaces that support biodiversity. Objective We aim to understand how vegetation structure and function indicators in urban community gardens vary with spatial scale, applying new and traditional methods in landscape ecology to inform future research and application. Methods We performed two methods to assess garden vegetation structure (height) and function (species diversity, cover) at the garden- and garden plot scale. First, we used traditional field sampling to estimate garden vegetation at the garden scale (1 m2 quadrats along transects) and at the plot scale (estimated within entire plot) to measure height, diversity and cover. Second, we used UAV aerial imagery to derive measures of garden and plot vegetation using canopy height models (CHMs). We evaluated differences in CHMs at each scale across the gardens, and compared field and UAV-derived measures. Results Garden vegetation characteristics vary with spatial scale. Plant species richness and vegetation cover, but not height, related to UAV-derived imagery. Conclusions New technologies paired with traditional field methods can together inform how vegetation structure and function vary with spatial scale in urban landscapes. Spatial scale is key to accurate and meaningful urban vegetation analyses. New and traditional methods in urban ecology research should develop together to improve and streamline their future application.

scholarly journals Using Tertiary Sulci to Map the “Cognitive Globe” of Prefrontal Cortex

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Jacob A. Miller ◽  
Mark D'Esposito ◽  
Kevin S. Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
And Function

Stuss considered the human prefrontal cortex (pFC) as a “cognitive globe” [Stuss, D. T., & Benson, D. F. Neuropsychological studies of the frontal lobes. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 3–28, 1984] on which functions of the frontal lobe could be mapped. Here, we discuss classic and recent findings regarding the evolution, development, function, and cognitive role of shallow indentations or tertiary sulci in pFC, with the goal of using tertiary sulci to map the “cognitive globe” of pFC. First, we discuss lateral pFC (LPFC) tertiary sulci in classical anatomy and modern neuroimaging, as well as their development, with a focus on those within the middle frontal gyrus. Second, we discuss tertiary sulci in comparative neuroanatomy, focusing on primates. Third, we summarize recent findings showing the utility of tertiary sulci for understanding structural–functional relationships with functional network insights in ventromedial pFC and LPFC. Fourth, we revisit and update unresolved theoretical perspectives considered by C. Vogt and O. Vogt (Allgemeinere ergebnisse unserer hirnforschung. Journal für Psychologie und Neurologie, 25, 279–462, 1919) and F. Sanides (Structure and function of the human frontal lobe. Neuropsychologia, 2, 209–219, 1964) that tertiary sulci serve as landmarks for cortical gradients. Together, the consideration of these classic and recent findings indicate that tertiary sulci are situated in a unique position within the complexity of the “cognitive globe” of pFC: They are the smallest and shallowest of sulci in pFC, yet can offer insights that bridge spatial scales (microns to networks), modalities (functional connectivity to behavior), and species. As such, the map of tertiary sulci within each individual participant serves as a coordinate system specific to that individual on which functions may be further mapped. We conclude with new theoretical and methodological questions that, if answered in future research, will likely lead to mechanistic insight regarding the structure and function of human LPFC.

scholarly journals Emerging concepts in smooth muscle contributions to airway structure and function: implications for health and disease

2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (6) ◽  
pp. L1113-L1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. S. Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Growth And Aging ◽  
And Function

Airway structure and function are key aspects of normal lung development, growth, and aging, as well as of lung responses to the environment and the pathophysiology of important diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and fibrosis. In this regard, the contributions of airway smooth muscle (ASM) are both functional, in the context of airway contractility and relaxation, as well as synthetic, involving production and modulation of extracellular components, modulation of the local immune environment, cellular contribution to airway structure, and, finally, interactions with other airway cell types such as epithelium, fibroblasts, and nerves. These ASM contributions are now found to be critical in airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling that occur in lung diseases. This review emphasizes established and recent discoveries that underline the central role of ASM and sets the stage for future research toward understanding how ASM plays a central role by being both upstream and downstream in the many interactive processes that determine airway structure and function in health and disease.

Lactoferrin – 50 years on

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy H. Brock
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Antimicrobial Agent ◽  
Iron Transport ◽  
Iron Absorption ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Transport Protein ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Iron Binding ◽  
Plasma Iron ◽  
And Function

It is now some 50 years since iron-binding lactoferrin was first isolated and purified, an event that opened the way to subsequent extensive research on lactoferrin structure and function. The initial recognition that lactoferrin closely resembled the plasma iron-transport protein transferrin meant that lactoferrin was first thought to mediate intestinal iron absorption or to act as an antimicrobial agent. It was also suggested that it could mediate the hyposideraemia of inflammation. This paper will assess to what extent early proposals have stood the test of time and also suggest possible mechanisms by which lactoferrin can mediate the large number of potential functions that have subsequently been proposed. It will also review the ability of lactoferrin to resist digestion in the gastrointestinal tract and identify areas for future research.

Schemas and Frames

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lee Wood ◽  
Dustin S. Stoltz ◽  
Justin Van Ness ◽  
Marshall A. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Frame Analysis ◽  
Public Culture ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Structure Perception ◽  
And Function

A perennial concern in frame analysis is explaining how frames structure perception and persuade audiences. In this article, we suggest that the distinction between personal culture and public culture offers a productive way forward. We propose an approach centered on an analytic contrast between schemas, which we define as a form of personal culture, and frames, which we define as a form of public culture. We develop an “evocation model” of the structure and function of frames. In the model, frames are conceived as material assemblages that activate a network of schemas, thereby evoking a response when people are exposed to them. We discuss how the proposed model extends, and clarifies, extant approaches, and consider new directions for future research.

scholarly journals Using tertiary sulci to map the “cognitive globe” of prefrontal cortex

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Miller ◽  
Mark D'Esposito ◽  
kevin weiner
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Comparative Neuroanatomy ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Mechanistic Insight ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
And Function

Stuss (1984) considered the human prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a “cognitive globe” on which functions of the frontal lobe could be mapped. Here, we discuss classic and recent findings regarding the evolution, development, function, and cognitive role of shallow indentations, or tertiary sulci, in PFC with the goal of using tertiary sulci to map the “cognitive globe” of PFC. First, we discuss lateral PFC (LPFC) tertiary sulci in classical anatomy and modern neuroimaging, as well as their development, with a focus on those within the middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Second, we discuss tertiary sulci in comparative neuroanatomy, focusing on primates. Third, we summarize recent findings showing the utility of tertiary sulci for understanding structural-functional relationships with functional network insights in ventromedial and LPFC. Fourth, we revisit and update unresolved theoretical perspectives considered by Vogt and Vogt (1919) and Sanides (1964) that tertiary sulci serve as landmarks for cortical gradients. Together, the consideration of these classic and recent findings indicate that tertiary sulci are situated in a unique position within the complexity of the “cognitive globe” of PFC: they are the smallest and shallowest of sulci in PFC, yet can offer insights that bridge spatial scales (microns to networks), modalities (functional connectivity to behavior), and species. As such, the map of tertiary sulci within each individual participant serves as a coordinate system specific to that individual on which functions may be further mapped. We conclude with new theoretical and methodological questions that if answered in future research, will likely lead to mechanistic insight regarding the structure and function of human LPFC.

Multi-scale and multi-system perspectives of zooplankton structure and function in Canadian freshwaters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette Pinel-Alloul ◽  
Alain Patoine ◽  
Jérôme Marty
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Freshwater Zooplankton ◽  
Anthropogenic Stressors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Function

This review provides a Canadian perspective on freshwater zooplankton diversity and ecology across scales and systems. It aims at describing how zooplankton is a source of biodiversity in forms and functions, a key component of plankton food web, a model for ecological theories and a sentinel for monitoring lake ecological integrity and function facing environmental changes and anthropogenic stressors. These objectives are addressed across a continuum of spatial scales and ecosystem types. Zooplankton communities demonstrated a wide range of responses to anthropogenic disturbances across scales and systems due to interactions with watershed biogeochemistry and climate. This review supports the Multiple Forces hypothesis where forcing by abiotic factors have a primordial role at global scale over Canadian ecoregions, and at regional scale in the Boreal ecozones. In contrast, forcing by biotic factors is more influential at local scale, in resort and urban regions. Future research challenge will be to combine all new concepts and approaches in a holistic perspective to examine the response of freshwater zooplankton to multiple environmental changes and anthropogenic stressors.

Sequencing the genome and beyond

2019 ◽  
pp. 250-268
Author(s):  
Glenn-Peter Sætre ◽  
Mark Ravinet
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Evolutionary Context ◽  
The Face ◽  
And Function ◽  
Near Future

Science is defined by continual progress and new technologies. This final chapter starts with introducing what it means to sequence and assemble a reference genome. It is easy to forget that the true genome is not linear but has structure and function. In this chapter the genome is explored as a 3D entity—from how it is transcribed, to how proteins interact with it, and finally to how it is actually structured. This also gives an opportunity to focus on epigenetics and how to interpret processes such as DNA methylation in an evolutionary context. The second part of the chapter focuses on ways we can interact with the genome—exploring how we might test the function and role that candidate genes play. The chapter introduces transgenics, in particular the transformative technology of CRISPR/CAS9, and explores how this might change the face of evolutionary biology in the near future.

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