Biogeographic patterns and environmental drivers of species richness in the globally distributed Millettioid/Phaseoloid clade (Fabaceae, subfamily Papilionoideae)

IntroductionThe Millettioid/Phaseoloid (MP) clade of Fabaceae is globally distributed, economically important, and highly diverse, making it an attractive system for studying biogeographic and macroecological patterns at a global scale. We conducted the first global macroecological study to map and explore the environmental drivers of the MP clade's species richness patterns.MethodsWe compiled 116,212 species occurrences (161 genera) for the MP clade and 20 environmental variables (19 bioclimatic variables and elevation). Geospatial analyses were performed to estimate species richness patterns and biogeographic heterogeneity. The effects of environmental variables on the species richness of the MP clade were measured through multiple regression models.ResultsOur study identified the megathermal regions as hotspots of species richness for the MP clade. While species distributions and richness largely fit the latitudinal diversity gradient pattern, there was a significant negative relationship between the species richness of the MP clade along the latitude and longitude. The Afrotropic biogeographic realm had the highest alpha diversity (~36%); in terms of biome types, tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests had the highest alpha diversity (25%), while the beta diversity revealed a high dispersal rate and habitat tracking. Furthermore, the species richness was positively influenced by multiple climatic factors, with the mean diurnal range of temperatures and precipitation in the warmest quarter having strongest influence.DiscussionOverall, the staggering species richness patterns could be explained by multiple diversity gradient hypotheses. Particularly, colder climates play a crucial role in shaping the species richness pattern by limiting the ecological opportunities for MP clade species in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. This suggests that the species richness patterns of the MP clade can be described as "when dispersal meets adaptation." Our study provides a new basis for identifying priority regions for conservation of legumes

Is facet joint distraction a cause of postoperative axial neck pain after ACDF surgery?

Introduction: Intervertebral distraction in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been postulated to injure the degenerative facet joints posteriorly and increase postoperative pain and disability. This study aims to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of facet distraction and postoperative patient reported outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative pathologies was performed. Each patient received lateral cervical spine x-rays at the immediate postoperative time point and were split into groups based on the amount of facet distraction measured on these films: Group A: \u3c 1.5 mm; Group B: 1.5-2.0 mm; and Group C: \u3e 2.0 mm. Patients reported outcome measures were obtained preoperatively and at 1-year postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare outcomes between groups. Results: A total of 229 patients were included with an average follow-up of 19.8 [19.0, 20.7] months with a mean facet joint distraction of 1.7mm. There were 87 patients in Group A, 76 patients in Group B, and 66 patients in Group C. Patients significantly improved across all outcome measures from baseline to postoperatively (p \u3c 0.05). There was no difference between groups at any time point with respect to outcome scores (p \u3e 0.05). Multiple regression analysis did not identify increasing distraction as a predictor of patient outcomes. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between patient outcomes and the amount of facet distraction after ACDF surgery. Multivariate analysis did not find a correlation between facet distraction and overall HRQOL outcome

A Targeted Enrichment Strategy for Massively Parallel Sequencing of Angiosperm Plastid Genomes

Premise of the study: We explored a targeted enrichment strategy to facilitate rapid and low-cost next-generation sequencing (NGS) of numerous complete plastid genomes from across the phylogenetic breadth of angiosperms

A Model for Moist Convection in an Ascending Atmospheric Column

This article presents a single-column model of moist atmospheric convection. The problem is formulated in terms of conservation laws for mass, moist potential temperature and specific humidity of air parcels. A numerical adjustment algorithm is devised to model the convective adjustment of the column to a statically stable equilibrium state for a number of test cases. The algorithm is shown to converge to a weak solution with saturated and unsaturated parcels interleaved in the column as the vertical spatial grid size decreases. Such weak solutions would not be obtainable via discrete partial differential equation (PDE) methods, such as finite differences or finite volumes, from the governing Eulerian PDEs. An equivalent variational formulation of the problem is presented and numerical results show equivalence with those of the adjustment algorithm. Results are also presented for numerical simulations of an ascending atmospheric column as a series of steady states. The adjustment algorithm developed in this article is advantageous over similar algorithms because first it includes the latent heating of parcels due to the condensation of water vapour, and secondly it is computationally efficient making it implementable into current weather and climate models

Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Affects Pseudarthrosis Rates and Influences Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort review. Objectives: Cervical pseudarthrosis is a frequent cause of need for revision anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and may lead to worse patient-reported outcomes. The effect of proton pump inhibitors on cervical fusion rates are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients taking PPIs have higher rates of nonunion after ACDF. Methods: A retrospective cohort review was performed to compare patients who were taking PPIs preoperatively with those not taking PPIs prior to ACDF. Patients younger than 18 years of age, those with less than 1-year follow-up, and those undergoing surgery for trauma, tumor, infection, or revision were excluded. The rates of clinically diagnosed pseudarthrosis and radiographic pseudarthrosis were compared between PPI groups. Patient outcomes, pseudarthrosis rates, and revision rates were compared between PPI groups using either multiple linear or logistic regression analysis, controlling for demographic and operative variables. Results: Out of 264 patients, 58 patients were in the PPI group and 206 were in the non-PPI group. A total of 23 (8.71%) patients were clinically diagnosed with pseudarthrosis with a significant difference between PPI and non-PPI groups (P = .009). Using multiple linear regression, PPI use was not found to significantly affect any patient-reported outcome measure. However, based on logistic regression, PPI use was found to increase the odds of clinically diagnosed pseudarthrosis (odds ratio 3.552, P = .014). Additionally, clinically diagnosed pseudarthrosis negatively influenced improvement in PCS-12 scores (P = .022). Conclusions: PPI use was found to be a significant predictor of clinically diagnosed pseudarthrosis following ACDF surgery. Furthermore, clinically diagnosed pseudarthrosis negatively influenced improvement in PCS-12 scores

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

The Development and Historic Use of Habitat Structures in Channel Restoration in the United States: The Grand Experiment in Fisheries Management

The use of instream structures to modify aquatic habitat has a long history in the United States. Pioneering work by wealthy landowners in the Catskills region of New York produced a range of designs in the decades preceding the Great Depression in an effort to replenish fish populations depleted from overfishing. The scientific evaluation of structures began in 1930. Within two years, a Michigan research team claimed improved fish populations. Cheap labor and government-sponsored conservation projects spearheaded by the Civilian Conservation Corps allowed the widespread adoption of the techniques in the 1930s, before adequate testing of the long-term impact of the devices. The start of World War II temporarily ended the government conservation efforts and prevented the continued evaluation of structures. During the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, designs of instream structures remained essentially unchanged. Meanwhile, the small number of evaluations of the impact of the structures often were flawed. The continued use of early designs of instream structures helped instill a false belief that instream structures were proven to be a benefit to fish. Even modern use of instream structures continues to rely on the basic blueprints developed in the Catskills, despite documented problems with the use of these designs.L’emploi de structures aménagées dans le lit des rivières visant à modifier l’habitat aquatique a une longue histoire aux États-Unis. Des travaux pionniers effectués par de riches propriétaires terriens dans la région des Catskills (État de New York) ont entraîné l’élaboration d’un éventail de designs durant les décennies qui ont précédé la Grande Dépression ; ceux-ci visaient le rétablissement des populations de poissons lourdement touchées par une pêche excessive. L’évaluation scientifique de ces structures a débuté en 1930. En moins de deux ans, une équipe de recherche du Michigan a déclaré avoir obtenu un accroissement des populations de poissons. Dans les années 1930, une main-d’oeuvre bon marché et des projets de conservation subventionnés par le gouvernement et supervisés par le Civilian Conservation Corps ont concouru à étendre à grande échelle l’emploi des techniques du Michigan et ce, avant même qu’une évaluation adéquate des effets à long terme de tels dispositifs ne soit complétée. Le début de la Seconde Guerre mondiale a temporairement interrompu les efforts de conservation gouvernementaux et a empêché l’évaluation suivie des structures en place. Durant les années 1940, 1950 et 1960, le design de ce type de structures est demeuré pratiquement inchangé et les quelques recherches réalisées pour évaluer leur impact se sont souvent révélées erronées. L’usage continu de ces dispositifs primitifs a contribué à corroborer la fausse croyance selon laquelle leur effet bénéfique sur les poissons était démontré. Même maintenant, l’utilisation de ces structures aménagées dans les cours d’eau continue à reposer sur les plans rudimentaires élaborés autrefois dans les Catskills, malgré les problèmes relatés dans la littérature quant à leur emploi.In den Vereinigten Staaten hat die Anwendung von instream Strukuturen zur Verbesserung des Wasserbiotops eine lange Geschichte. Die erste veröffentlichte Anwendung von solchen Konstruktionen in den Vereinigten Staaten fand in der Catskills Gegend von New York statt. In den Jahrzehnten vor der Großen Depression brachte die Pionierarbeit reicher Großgrundbesitzer eine Reihe von Entwürfen hervor. Die wissenschaftliche Auswertung dieser Strukturen begann jedoch erst in den dreißiger Jahren in Michigan. Innerhalb von zwei Jahren vermeldete das Michigan-Forschungsteam große Erfolge bei der Erhaltung der Fischbestände. Noch bevor die notwendige Überprüfung der langfristigen Wirkungsweise in Michigan abgeschlossen wurde, ermöglichten billige Arbeitskräfte sowie die durch die Regierung unterstützten Naturschutzprojekte unter der Leitung des “Bürgerlichen Naturschutzbunds” (Civilian Conservation Corps) die weitverbreitete Übernahme der Michiganer Methoden. Den Naturschutzbemühungen der Regierung setzte der Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkrieges ein vorläufiges Ende und verhinderte die weiteren Auswertungen der schon installierten Strukturen. In den vierziger, fünfziger und sechzsiger Jahren blieb der Entwurf von instream Strukturen im Grunde unverändert. Unterdessen waren die wenigen Studien, die zur Auswertung der Wirkungsweise von instream Strukturen durchgeführt wurden, oft mangelhaft. Die fortgesetzte Anwendung von ähnlichen Struktur-Entwürfen aus den dreißiger bis sechzsiger Jahren trug dazu bei, daß sich die falsche Überzeugung etablierte, wonach instream Strukturen den Wasserbeständen von erwiesem Vorteil seien. Auch die moderne Anwendung von instream Sturkturen verläßt sich weiterhin auf die Grundentwürfe aus den Catskills, trotz der belegten Probleme mit der Anwendung solcher Pläne

Optimizing Analog Ensembles for Sub-Daily Precipitation Forecasts

This study systematically explores existing and new optimization techniques for analog ensemble (AnEn) post-processing of hourly to daily precipitation forecasts over the complex terrain of southwest British Columbia, Canada. An AnEn bias-corrects a target model forecast by searching for past dates with similar model forecasts (i.e., analogs), and using the verifying observations as ensemble members. The weather variables (i.e., predictors) that select the best past analogs vary among stations and seasons. First, different predictor selection techniques are evaluated and we propose an adjustment in the forward selection procedure that considerably improves computational efficiency while preserving optimization skill. Second, temporal trends of predictors are used to further enhance predictive skill, especially at shorter accumulation windows and longer forecast horizons. Finally, this study introduces a modification in the analog search that allows for selection of analogs within a time window surrounding the target lead time. These supplemental lead times effectively expand the training sample size, which significantly improves all performance metrics—even more than the predictor weighting and temporal-trend optimization steps combined. This study optimizes AnEns for moderate precipitation intensities but also shows good performance for the ensemble median and heavier precipitation rates. Precipitation is most challenging to predict at finer temporal resolutions and longer lead times, yet those forecasts see the largest enhancement in predictive skill from AnEn post-processing. This study shows that optimization of AnEn post-processing, including new techniques developed herein, can significantly improve computational efficiency and forecast performance

Optimizing Analog Ensembles for Sub-Daily Precipitation Forecasts

This study systematically explores existing and new optimization techniques for analog ensemble (AnEn) post-processing of hourly to daily precipitation forecasts over the complex terrain of southwest British Columbia, Canada. An AnEn bias-corrects a target model forecast by searching for past dates with similar model forecasts (i.e., analogs), and using the verifying observations as ensemble members. The weather variables (i.e., predictors) that select the best past analogs vary among stations and seasons. First, different predictor selection techniques are evaluated and we propose an adjustment in the forward selection procedure that considerably improves computational efficiency while preserving optimization skill. Second, temporal trends of predictors are used to further enhance predictive skill, especially at shorter accumulation windows and longer forecast horizons. Finally, this study introduces a modification in the analog search that allows for selection of analogs within a time window surrounding the target lead time. These supplemental lead times effectively expand the training sample size, which significantly improves all performance metrics—even more than the predictor weighting and temporal-trend optimization steps combined. This study optimizes AnEns for moderate precipitation intensities but also shows good performance for the ensemble median and heavier precipitation rates. Precipitation is most challenging to predict at finer temporal resolutions and longer lead times, yet those forecasts see the largest enhancement in predictive skill from AnEn post-processing. This study shows that optimization of AnEn post-processing, including new techniques developed herein, can significantly improve computational efficiency and forecast performance