In vitro efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato against unfed Amblyomma parvum (Acari: Ixodidae).

Amblyomma parvum Aragão (Acari: Ixodidae) is a tick species found with wide distribution in the Neotropical region. Even though it is a wildlife-related tick, it is also a frequent parasite of domestic animals, is aggressive to human beings and may harbor pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, it is a target species for control on domestic animals, particularly those at the rural?wildlife interface. Herein, the efficacy of two isolates (E9 and IBCB 425) of an entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato, already evaluated for ticks that parasitize domestic animals, was tested against unfed A. parvum adults. Both isolates displayed high acaricidal efficacy after immersion in fungal conidial suspensions for 5 min. Isolate E9 killed all ticks by the 7th day post-treatment, and isolate IBCB 425 did so by the 11th day. Tick mortality of 80 and 90% was achieved as early as the 3rd and 4th days, respectively, with both treatments. Thus, if a commercial M. anisopliae s.l. acaricide against domestic animal ticks is developed, it would also be effective against A. parvum

Stellar Astrophysics and Exoplanet Science with the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE)

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) is a planned 11.25-m aperture facility with a 1.5 square degree field of view that will be fully dedicated to multi-object spectroscopy. A rebirth of the 3.6m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Maunakea, MSE will use 4332 fibers operating at three different resolving powers (R ~ 2500, 6000, 40000) across a wavelength range of 0.36-1.8mum, with dynamical fiber positioning that allows fibers to match the exposure times of individual objects. MSE will enable spectroscopic surveys with unprecedented scale and sensitivity by collecting millions of spectra per year down to limiting magnitudes of g ~ 20-24 mag, with a nominal velocity precision of ~100 m/s in high-resolution mode. This white paper describes science cases for stellar astrophysics and exoplanet science using MSE, including the discovery and atmospheric characterization of exoplanets and substellar objects, stellar physics with star clusters, asteroseismology of solar-like oscillators and opacity-driven pulsators, studies of stellar rotation, activity, and multiplicity, as well as the chemical characterization of AGB and extremely metal-poor stars.Comment: 31 pages, 11 figures; To appear as a chapter for the Detailed Science Case of the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explore

Efficient recovery-based error estimation for the smoothed finite element method for smooth and singular linear elasticity

[EN] An error control technique aimed to assess the quality of smoothed finite element approximations is presented in this paper. Finite element techniques based on strain smoothing appeared in 2007 were shown to provide significant advantages compared to conventional finite element approximations. In particular, a widely cited strength of such methods is improved accuracy for the same computational cost. Yet, few attempts have been made to directly assess the quality of the results obtained during the simulation by evaluating an estimate of the discretization error. Here we propose a recovery type error estimator based on an enhanced recovery technique. The salient features of the recovery are: enforcement of local equilibrium and, for singular problems a ¿smooth + singular¿ decomposition of the recovered stress. We evaluate the proposed estimator on a number of test cases from linear elastic structural mechanics and obtain efficient error estimations whose effectivities, both at local and global levels, are improved compared to recovery procedures not implementing these features.Stephane Bordas would like to thank the partial financial support of the Royal Academy of Engineering and of the Leverhulme Trust for his Senior Research Fellowship Towards the next generation surgical simulators as well as the financial support for Octavio A. Gonzalez-Estrada and Stephane Bordas from the UK Engineering Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) under grant EP/G042705/1 Increased Reliability for Industrially Relevant Automatic Crack Growth Simulation with the eXtended Finite Element Method. Stephane Bordas also thanks partial financial support of the European Research Council Starting Independent Research Grant (ERC Stg grant agreement No. 279578) and the FP7 Initial Training Network Funding under grant number 289361 "Integrating Numerical Simulation and Geometric Design Technology, INSIST". This work has been carried out within the framework of the research project DPI2010-20542 of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Spain). The financial support from Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, PROMETEO/2012/023 and Generalitat Valenciana are also acknowledged.González Estrada, OA.; Natarajan, S.; J.J. Ródenas; Nguyen-Xuan, H.; Bordas, S. (2013). Efficient recovery-based error estimation for the smoothed finite element method for smooth and singular linear elasticity. Computational Mechanics. 52(1):37-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-012-0795-6S3752521Liu GR, Dai KY, Nguyen TT (2006) A smoothed finite element method for mechanics problems. Comput Mech 39(6): 859–877. doi: 10.1007/s00466-006-0075-4Liu GR, Nguyen TT, Dai KY, Lam KY (2007) Theoretical aspects of the smoothed finite element method (SFEM). Int J Numer Methods Eng 71(8): 902–930Nguyen-Xuan H, Bordas SPA, Nguyen-Dang H (2008) Smooth finite element methods: convergence, accuracy and properties. Int J Numer Methods Eng 74(2): 175–208. doi: 10.1002/nmeBordas SPA, Natarajan S (2010) On the approximation in the smoothed finite element method (SFEM). Int J Numer Methods Eng 81(5): 660–670. doi: 10.1002/nmeZhang HH, Liu SJ, Li LX (2008) On the smoothed finite element method. Int J Numer Methods Eng 76(8): 1285–1295. doi: 10.1002/nme.2460Nguyen-Thoi T, Liu G, Lam K, Zhang G. (2009) A face-based smoothed finite element method (FS-FEM) for 3D linear and nonlinear solid mechanics using 4-node tetrahedral elements. Int J Numer Methods Eng 78: 324–353Liu G, Nguyen-Thoi T, Lam K (2009) An edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) for static, free and forced vibration analyses of solids. J Sound Vib 320: 1100–1130Liu G, Nguyen-Thoi T, Nguyen-Xuan H, Lam K (2009) A node based smoothed finite element method (NS-FEM) for upper bound solution to solid mechanics problems. Comput Struct 87: 14–26Liu G. Smoothed Finite Element Methods. CRC Press, 2010Liu G, Nguyen-Xuan H, Nguyen-Thoi T (2010) A theoretical study on the smoothed FEM (SFEM) models: Properties, accuracy and convergence rates. Int J Numer Methods Biomed Eng 84: 1222–1256Nguyen T, Liu G, Dai K, Lam K (2007) smoothed finite element method. Tsinghua Sci Technol 12: 497–508Hung NX, Bordas S, Hung N (2009) Addressing volumetric locking and instabilities by selective integration in smoothed finite element. Commun Numer Methods Eng 25: 19–34Nguyen-Xuan H, Rabczuk T, Bordas S, Debongnie JF (2008) A smoothed finite element method for plate analysis. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 197: 1184–1203Nguyen NT, Rabczuk T, Nguyen-Xuan H, Bordas S (2008) A smoothed finite element method for shell analysis. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 198: 165–177Bordas SPA, Rabczuk T, Hung NX, Nguyen VP, Natarajan S, Bog T, óuan DM, Hiep NV (2010) Strain smoothing in FEM and XFEM. Comput Struct 88(23–24): 1419–1443. doi: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2008.07.006Bordas SP, Natarajan S, Kerfriden P, Augarde CE, Mahapatra DR, Rabczuk T, Pont SD (2011) On the performance of strain smoothing for óuadratic and enriched finite element approximations (XFEM/GFEM/PUFEM). Int J Numer Methods Biomed Eng 86: 637–666Liu G, Nguyen-Thoi T, Nguyen-Xuan H, Dai K, Lam K (2009) On the essence and the evaluation of the shape functions for the smoothed finite element method (SFEM). Int J Numer Methods Eng 77: 1863–1869. doi: 10.1002/nme.2587Strouboulis T, Zhang L, Wang D, Babuška I. (2006) A posteriori error estimation for generalized finite element methods. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 195(9–12): 852–879Bordas SPA, Duflot M (2007) Derivative recovery and a posteriori error estimate for extended finite elements. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 196(35–36): 3381–3399Xiao óZ, Karihaloo BL (2004) Statically admissible stress recovery using the moving least sóuares technique. In: Topping BHV, Soares CAM (eds) Progress in computational structures technology. Saxe-Coburg Publications, Stirling, pp 111–138Ródenas JJ, González-Estrada OA, Tarancón JE, Fuenmayor FJ (2008) A recovery-type error estimator for the extended finite element method based on singular + smooth stress field splitting. Int J Numer Methods Eng 76(4): 545–571. doi: 10.1002/nme.2313Panetier J, Ladevèze P, Chamoin L (2010) Strict and effective bounds in goal-oriented error estimation applied to fracture mechanics problems solved with XFEM. Int J Numer Methods Eng 81(6): 671–700Barros FB, Proenca SPB, de Barcellos CS (2004) On error estimator and p-adaptivity in the generalized finite element method. Int J Numer Methods Eng 60(14):2373–2398. doi: 10.1002/nme.1048Nguyen-Thoi T, Liu G, Nguyen-Xuan H, Nguyen-Tran C (2011) Adaptive analysis using the node-based smoothed finite element method (NS-FEM). Int J Numer Methods Biomed Eng 27(2): 198–218. doi: 10.1002/cnmGonzález-Estrada OA, Ródenas JJ, Bordas SPA, Duflot M, Kerfriden P, Giner E (2012) On the role of enrichment and statical admissibility of recovered fields in a-posteriori error estimation for enriched finite element methods. Eng Comput 29(8)Zienkiewicz OC, Zhu JZ (1987) A simple error estimator and adaptive procedure for practical engineering analysis. Int J Numer Methods Eng 24(2): 337–357Ródenas JJ, González-Estrada OA, Díez P, Fuenmayor FJ (2010) Accurate recovery-based upper error bounds for the extended finite element framework. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 199(37–40): 2607–2621Williams ML (1952) Stress singularities resulting from various boundary conditions in angular corners of plate in extension. J Appl Mech 19: 526–534Szabó BA, Babuška I (1991) Finite element analysis. Wiley, New YorkBarber JR. (2010) Elasticity. Series: solid mechanics and its application, 3rd edn. Springer, DordrechtChen JS, Wu CT, Yoon S, You Y (2001) A stabilized conforming nodal integration for Galerki mesh-free methods. Int J Numer Methods Eng 50: 435–466Yoo J, Moran B, Chen J (2004) Stabilized conforming nodal integration in the natural element method. Int J Numer Methods Eng 60: 861–890Zienkiewicz OC, Zhu JZ (1992) The superconvergent patch recovery and a posteriori error estimates. Part 1: The recovery technique. Int J Numer Methods Eng 33(7): 1331–1364Zienkiewicz OC, Zhu JZ (1992) The superconvergent patch recovery and a posteriori error estimates. Part 2: Error estimates and adaptivity. Int J Numer Methods Eng 33(7): 1365–1382Wiberg NE, Abdulwahab F (1993) Patch recovery based on superconvergent derivatives and eóuilibrium. Int J Numer Methods Eng 36(16): 2703–2724. doi: 10.1002/nme.1620361603Blacker T, Belytschko T (1994) Superconvergent patch recovery with eóuilibrium and conjoint interpolant enhancements. Int J Numer Methods Eng 37(3): 517–536Stein E, Ramm E, Rannacher R (2003) Error-controlled adaptive finite elements in solid mechanics. Wiley, ChichesterDuflot M, Bordas SPA (2008) A posteriori error estimation for extended finite elements by an extended global recovery. Int J Numer Methods Eng 76: 1123–1138. doi: 10.1002/nmeBordas SPA, Duflot M, Le P (2008) A simple error estimator for extended finite elements. Commun Numer Methods Eng 24(11): 961–971Ródenas JJ, Tur M, Fuenmayor FJ, Vercher A (2007) Improvement of the superconvergent patch recovery technique by the use of constraint eóuations: the SPR-C technique. Int J Numer Methods Eng 70(6): 705–727. doi: 10.1002/nme.1903Díez P, Ródenas JJ, Zienkiewicz OC (2007) Eóuilibrated patch recovery error estimates: simple and accurate upper bounds of the error. Int J Numer Methods Eng 69(10): 2075–2098. doi: 10.1002/nmeYau J, Wang S, Corten H (1980) A mixed-mode crack analysis of isotropic solids using conservation laws of elasticity. J Appl Mech 47(2): 335–341Ródenas JJ, González-Estrada OA, Fuenmayor FJ, Chinesta F (2010) Upper bounds of the error in X-FEM based on a moving least sóuares (MLS) recovery technique. In: Khalili N, Valliappan S, Li ó, Russell A (eds) 9th World congress on computational mechanics (WCCM9). 4th Asian Pacific Congress on computational methods (APCOM2010). Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and SafetyRódenas JJ, González-Estrada OA, Díez P, Fuenmayor FJ (2007) Upper bounds of the error in the extended finite element method by using an eóuilibrated-stress patch recovery technique. In: International conference on adaptive modeling and simulation (ADMOS 2007). International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), pp 210–213Menk A, Bordas S (2010) Numerically determined enrichment function for the extended finite element method and applications to bi-material anisotropic fracture and polycrystals. Int J Numer Methods Eng 83: 805–828Menk A, Bordas S (2011) Crack growth calculations in solder joints based on microstructural phenomena with X-FEM. Comput Mater Sci 3: 1145–1156Ródenas JJ (2001) Error de discretización en el cálculo de sensibilidades mediante el método de los elementos finitos. PhD Thesis, Universidad Politécnica de ValenciaAinsworth M, Oden JT (2000) A posteriori error estimation in finite element analysis. Wiley, Chicheste

Eco-epidemiological analysis of rickettsial seropositivity in rural areas of Colombia: A multilevel approach

ABSTARCT: Rickettsiosis is a re-emergent infectious disease without epidemiological surveillance in Colombia. This disease is generally undiagnosed and several deadly outbreaks have been reported in the country in the last decade. The aim of this study is to analyze the eco-epidemiological aspects of rickettsial seropositivity in rural areas of Colombia where outbreaks of the disease were previously reported. A cross-sectional study, which included 597 people living in 246 households from nine hamlets in two municipalities of Colombia, was conducted from November 2015 to January 2016. The survey was conducted to collect sociodemographic and household characteristics (exposure) data. Blood samples were collected to determine the rickettsial seropositivity in humans, horses and dogs (IFA, cut-off = 1/128). In addition, infections by rickettsiae were detected in ticks from humans and animals by real-time PCR targeting gltA and ompA genes. Data was analyzed by weighted multilevel clog-log regression model using three levels (person, household and hamlets) and rickettsial seropositivity in humans was the main outcome. Overall prevalence of rickettsial seropositivity in humans was 25.62% (95%CI 22.11-29.12). Age in years (PR = 1.01 95%CI 1.01-1.02) and male sex (PR = 1.65 95%CI 1.43-1.90) were risk markers for rickettsial seropositivity. Working outdoors (PR = 1.20 95%CI 1.02-1.41), deforestation and forest fragmentation for agriculture use (PR = 1.75 95%CI 1.51-2.02), opossum in peridomiciliary area (PR = 1.56 95%CI 1.37-1.79) and a high proportion of seropositive domestic animals in the home (PR20-40% vs 40% vs <20% = 3.14 95%CI 2.43-4.04) were associated with rickettsial seropositivity in humans. This study showed the presence of Rickettsia antibodies in human populations and domestic animals. In addition, different species of rickettsiae were detected in ticks collected from humans and animals. Our results highlighted the role of domestic animals as sentinels of rickettsial infection to identify areas at risk of transmission, and the importance of preventive measures aimed at curtailing deforestation and the fragmentation of forests as a way of reducing the risk of transmission of emergent and re-emergent pathogens

The First Post-Kepler Brightness Dips of KIC 8462852

We present a photometric detection of the first brightness dips of the unique variable star KIC 8462852 since the end of the Kepler space mission in 2013 May. Our regular photometric surveillance started in October 2015, and a sequence of dipping began in 2017 May continuing on through the end of 2017, when the star was no longer visible from Earth. We distinguish four main 1-2.5% dips, named "Elsie," "Celeste," "Skara Brae," and "Angkor", which persist on timescales from several days to weeks. Our main results so far are: (i) there are no apparent changes of the stellar spectrum or polarization during the dips; (ii) the multiband photometry of the dips shows differential reddening favoring non-grey extinction. Therefore, our data are inconsistent with dip models that invoke optically thick material, but rather they are in-line with predictions for an occulter consisting primarily of ordinary dust, where much of the material must be optically thin with a size scale <<1um, and may also be consistent with models invoking variations intrinsic to the stellar photosphere. Notably, our data do not place constraints on the color of the longer-term "secular" dimming, which may be caused by independent processes, or probe different regimes of a single process

Variation in Structure and Process of Care in Traumatic Brain Injury: Provider Profiles of European Neurotrauma Centers Participating in the CENTER-TBI Study.

INTRODUCTION: The strength of evidence underpinning care and treatment recommendations in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is low. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has been proposed as a framework to provide evidence for optimal care for TBI patients. The first step in CER is to map the existing variation. The aim of current study is to quantify variation in general structural and process characteristics among centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. METHODS: We designed a set of 11 provider profiling questionnaires with 321 questions about various aspects of TBI care, chosen based on literature and expert opinion. After pilot testing, questionnaires were disseminated to 71 centers from 20 countries participating in the CENTER-TBI study. Reliability of questionnaires was estimated by calculating a concordance rate among 5% duplicate questions. RESULTS: All 71 centers completed the questionnaires. Median concordance rate among duplicate questions was 0.85. The majority of centers were academic hospitals (n = 65, 92%), designated as a level I trauma center (n = 48, 68%) and situated in an urban location (n = 70, 99%). The availability of facilities for neuro-trauma care varied across centers; e.g. 40 (57%) had a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit (ICU), 36 (51%) had an in-hospital rehabilitation unit and the organization of the ICU was closed in 64% (n = 45) of the centers. In addition, we found wide variation in processes of care, such as the ICU admission policy and intracranial pressure monitoring policy among centers. CONCLUSION: Even among high-volume, specialized neurotrauma centers there is substantial variation in structures and processes of TBI care. This variation provides an opportunity to study effectiveness of specific aspects of TBI care and to identify best practices with CER approaches

TOI-836 : a super-Earth and mini-Neptune transiting a nearby K-dwarf

Funding: TGW, ACC, and KH acknowledge support from STFC consolidated grant numbers ST/R000824/1 and ST/V000861/1, and UKSA grant ST/R003203/1.We present the discovery of two exoplanets transiting TOI-836 (TIC 440887364) using data from TESS Sector 11 and Sector 38. TOI-836 is a bright (T = 8.5 mag), high proper motion (∼200 mas yr−1), low metallicity ([Fe/H]≈−0.28) K-dwarf with a mass of 0.68 ± 0.05 M⊙ and a radius of 0.67 ± 0.01 R⊙. We obtain photometric follow-up observations with a variety of facilities, and we use these data-sets to determine that the inner planet, TOI-836 b, is a 1.70 ± 0.07 R⊕ super-Earth in a 3.82 day orbit, placing it directly within the so-called ‘radius valley’. The outer planet, TOI-836 c, is a 2.59 ± 0.09 R⊕ mini-Neptune in an 8.60 day orbit. Radial velocity measurements reveal that TOI-836 b has a mass of 4.5 ± 0.9 M⊕, while TOI-836 c has a mass of 9.6 ± 2.6 M⊕. Photometric observations show Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) on the order of 20 minutes for TOI-836 c, although there are no detectable TTVs for TOI-836 b. The TTVs of planet TOI-836 c may be caused by an undetected exterior planet.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

A pair of Sub-Neptunes transiting the bright K-dwarf TOI-1064 characterised with CHEOPS

Funding: TGW, ACC, and KH acknowledge support from STFC consolidated grant numbers ST/R000824/1 and ST/V000861/1, and UKSA grant ST/R003203/1.We report the discovery and characterization of a pair of sub-Neptunes transiting the bright K-dwarf TOI-1064 (TIC 79748331), initially detected in the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry. To characterize the system, we performed and retrieved the CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS), TESS, and ground-based photometry, the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) high-resolution spectroscopy, and Gemini speckle imaging. We characterize the host star and determine Teff,⋆=4734±67K⁠, R⋆=0.726±0.007R⊙⁠, and M⋆=0.748±0.032M⊙⁠. We present a novel detrending method based on point spread function shape-change modelling and demonstrate its suitability to correct flux variations in CHEOPS data. We confirm the planetary nature of both bodies and find that TOI-1064 b has an orbital period of Pb = 6.44387 ± 0.00003 d, a radius of Rb = 2.59 ± 0.04 R⊕, and a mass of Mb=13.5+1.7−1.8 M⊕, whilst TOI-1064 c has an orbital period of Pc=12.22657+0.00005−0.00004 d, a radius of Rc = 2.65 ± 0.04 R⊕, and a 3σ upper mass limit of 8.5 M⊕. From the high-precision photometry we obtain radius uncertainties of ∼1.6 per cent, allowing us to conduct internal structure and atmospheric escape modelling. TOI-1064 b is one of the densest, well-characterized sub-Neptunes, with a tenuous atmosphere that can be explained by the loss of a primordial envelope following migration through the protoplanetary disc. It is likely that TOI-1064 c has an extended atmosphere due to the tentative low density, however further radial velocities are needed to confirm this scenario and the similar radii, different masses nature of this system. The high-precision data and modelling of TOI-1064 b are important for planets in this region of mass–radius space, and it allow us to identify a trend in bulk density–stellar metallicity for massive sub-Neptunes that may hint at the formation of this population of planets.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

TOI-836: A super-Earth and mini-Neptune transiting a nearby K-dwarf

We present the discovery of two exoplanets transiting TOI-836 (TIC 440887364) using data from TESS Sector 11 and Sector 38. TOI-836 is a bright ($T = 8.5$ mag), high proper motion ($\sim\,200$ mas yr$^{-1}$), low metallicity ([Fe/H]$\approx\,-0.28$) K-dwarf with a mass of $0.68\pm0.05$ M$_{\odot}$ and a radius of $0.67\pm0.01$ R$_{\odot}$. We obtain photometric follow-up observations with a variety of facilities, and we use these data-sets to determine that the inner planet, TOI-836 b, is a $1.70\pm0.07$ R$_{\oplus}$ super-Earth in a 3.82 day orbit, placing it directly within the so-called 'radius valley'. The outer planet, TOI-836 c, is a $2.59\pm0.09$ R$_{\oplus}$ mini-Neptune in an 8.60 day orbit. Radial velocity measurements reveal that TOI-836 b has a mass of $4.5\pm0.9$ M$_{\oplus}$ , while TOI-836 c has a mass of $9.6\pm2.6$ M$_{\oplus}$. Photometric observations show Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) on the order of 20 minutes for TOI-836 c, although there are no detectable TTVs for TOI-836 b. The TTVs of planet TOI-836 c may be caused by an undetected exterior planet

GrassPlot - a database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands

GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003). GrassPlot collects plot records (releves) from grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm. It focuses on precisely delimited plots of eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001;... 1,000 m(2)) and on nested-plot series with at least four different grain sizes. The usage of GrassPlot is regulated through Bylaws that intend to balance the interests of data contributors and data users. The current version (v. 1.00) contains data for approximately 170,000 plots of different sizes and 2,800 nested-plot series. The key components are richness data and metadata. However, most included datasets also encompass compositional data. About 14,000 plots have near-complete records of terricolous bryophytes and lichens in addition to vascular plants. At present, GrassPlot contains data from 36 countries throughout the Palaearctic, spread across elevational gradients and major grassland types. GrassPlot with its multi-scale and multi-taxon focus complements the larger international vegetationplot databases, such as the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and the global database " sPlot". Its main aim is to facilitate studies on the scale-and taxon-dependency of biodiversity patterns and drivers along macroecological gradients. GrassPlot is a dynamic database and will expand through new data collection coordinated by the elected Governing Board. We invite researchers with suitable data to join GrassPlot. Researchers with project ideas addressable with GrassPlot data are welcome to submit proposals to the Governing Board