When and why do trees begin to decrease their resource allocation to apical growth? The importance of the reproductive onset.

Trees reduce their allocation to apical growth compared with that to radial growth during later life stages. This has often been attributed to hydraulic and mechanical limitations; however, a growth-reproduction tradeoff might also play an important role. To test whether the height-diameter (H-D) relationship in trees changes with the timing of the onset of reproduction, we analyzed the H-D relationship of 13 deciduous broad-leaved tree species in a Japanese old-growth temperate forest using linear and segmented-linear regression models.

Opportunistic feeding strategy in wild immature chimpanzees: Implications for children as active foragers in human evolution.

Modern human (Homo sapiens) children are generally considered to be dependent on older individuals for foods, even after weaning. However, recent studies of hunter-gatherer societies have reported that children can also acquire food by themselves, although the degree of self-provisioning by children differs among groups and is considered a facultative adaptation. To investigate the dependence of children on older individuals for food and the importance of self-provisioning in early hominins, I examined feeding behavior in wild, immature chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).

Specific response of earlywood and latewood δO from the east and west of Mt. Qomolangma to the Indian summer monsoon.

This study reports the earlywood and latewood δO time series from two hemlock sites located to the east (EQ) and west (WQ) of Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) in the Himalaya. The latewood δO series from both sites were highly consistent, whereas the earlywood δO values for the two sites show variations over the investigation period.

Magnesium isotopes reveal bedrock impacts on stream organisms.

Magnesium is an essential element to aquatic organisms and understanding the origin of Mg is important for understanding their growth. Ultimately, Mg in streams is derived from the chemical weathering of bedrock in the catchment. In this study, we used Mg stable isotope ratios (δMg) to test whether stream organisms reflect lithological sources in stream catchments.

Polarity-Dependent Chemical Characteristics of Water-Soluble Organic Matter from Laboratory-Generated Biomass-Burning Revealed by 1-Octanol-Water Partitioning.

Polarity distribution of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) is an important factor in determining the hygroscopic and cloud nucleation abilities of organic aerosol particles. We applied a novel framework to quantitatively classify WSOM based on the 1-octanol-water partition coefficient (), which often serves as a proxy of polarity. In this study, WSOM was generated in a laboratory biomass-burning experiment by smoldering of Indonesian peat and vegetation samples.

Comprehensive assessment of handwashing and faecal contamination among elementary school children in an urban slum of Indonesia.

Objective: Globally, the challenge of handwashing with soap (HWWS) still exists despite the importance of HWWS being shown previously. This study aimed to evaluate faecal contamination on the hands of children and to find factors related to faecal contamination from handwashing techniques, HWWS, knowledge and awareness of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and a comprehensive WASH index.

Methods: The study was conducted at two elementary schools with 169 children in a densely populated area of Bandung, Indonesia.

Wild chimpanzees deprived a leopard of its kill: Implications for the origin of hominin confrontational scavenging.

This study reports the first observed case of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) obtaining animal prey freshly killed by a sympatric leopard (Panthera pardus) and scavenging it with the leopard still nearby. This observation has important implications for the emergence of confrontational scavenging, which may have played a significant role in human evolution. Many scholars agree that eating meat became important during human evolution, and hominins first obtained meat by scavenging.

Identification of Phosphorus Sources in a Watershed Using a Phosphate Oxygen Isoscape Approach.

Identifying nonpoint phosphorus (P) sources in a watershed is essential for addressing cultural eutrophication and for proposing best-management solutions. The oxygen isotope ratio of phosphate (δO) can shed light on P sources and P cycling in ecosystems. This is the first assessment of the δO distribution in a whole catchment, namely, the Yasu River Watershed in Japan.

Risk Factors for Undernutrition and Diarrhea Prevalence in an Urban Slum in Indonesia: Focus on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.

Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene lead to deterioration of the child health condition in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and health status of children living in an urban slum and to clarify the factors contributing to undernutrition and diarrhea prevalence by focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene from three viewpoints: household environments, child personal hygiene practices, and knowledge and awareness. The study was conducted at a preschool and two elementary schools in the densely populated area of Bandung, Indonesia.

Increased drought events in southwest China revealed by tree ring oxygen isotopes and potential role of Indian Ocean Dipole.

The highlands in southwestern China experience pronounced fluctuations in the hydroclimate with profound impacts on agriculture and economics. To investigate the drought history of this region beyond instrumental records, a tree ring cellulose oxygen isotope (δO) chronology was developed for the period 1733-2013 using samples collected from six Larix trees in the low-latitude highlands (LLH) of southwestern China. The analysis revealed that δO is significantly correlated with the rainy season (May-October) precipitation and relative humidity, as well as drought severity.

Lung Function Assessment as an Early Biomonitor of Mercury-Induced Health Disorders in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Areas in Indonesia.

The evaluation of mercury impact on humans is currently nonspecific because the body characteristics (homeostasis) of each human being varies. Therefore, in the early diagnosis of mercury toxicity, one of the most important monitoring parameters is the respiratory function examination. In this study, respiratory function was examined with a portable spirometer and correlated with the mercury levels in hair from the noses and heads of subjects.

Isotopic evidence for oligotrophication of terrestrial ecosystems.

Human societies depend on an Earth system that operates within a constrained range of nutrient availability, yet the recent trajectory of terrestrial nitrogen (N) availability is uncertain. Examining patterns of foliar N concentrations and isotope ratios (δN) from more than 43,000 samples acquired over 37 years, here we show that foliar N concentration declined by 9% and foliar δN declined by 0.6-1.

Comparing anthropogenic heat input and heat accumulation in the subsurface of Osaka, Japan.

In metropolitan areas, shallow groundwater temperatures are affected by anthropogenic heat sources. The resulting thermal conditions in the subsurface are highly site-specific, and spatial and temporal trends have only been revealed for a few cities. In this study, the anthropogenic heat input is quantified for 15 locations in Osaka, Japan using an analytical, one-dimensional conductive heat transport model.

Partial mycoheterotrophy in the leafless orchid Cymbidium macrorhizon.

Premise Of The Study: The evolution of full mycoheterotrophy is one of the most interesting topics within plant evolution. The leafless orchid Cymbidium macrorhizon is often assumed to be fully mycoheterotrophic even though it has a green stem and fruit capsule. Here, we assessed the trophic status of this species by analyzing the chlorophyll content and the natural C and N abundance in the sprouting and the fruiting season.

A shady phytoplankton paradox: when phytoplankton increases under low light.

Light is a fundamental driver of ecosystem dynamics, affecting the rate of photosynthesis and primary production. In spite of its importance, less is known about its community-scale effects on aquatic ecosystems compared with those of nutrient loading. Understanding light limitation is also important for ecosystem management, as human activities have been rapidly altering light availability to aquatic ecosystems.

Evaluation of the effect of the 2011 Tsunami on coastal forests by means of multiple isotopic analyses of tree-rings.

The March 2011 Mega-Tsunami in eastern Japan damaged at different degrees the black pine (Pinus thunbergii) forests along the coast. In order to evaluate the recovery of black pine four years later, tree-ring samples from 9 trees for the period 2002-2014 were analyzed for ring growth and stable isotopes (δC, δN and δO). The results showed that annual tree-ring width decreased approximately 70 % from the year 2011 to 2014 compared to the period previous to the tsunami (2002-2010).

A problem of social fit? Assessing the role of bridging organizations in the recoupling of socio-ecological systems.

The decoupling of human-ecosystem relationships in underutilized forested or agricultural regions poses a threat to cultural and biological diversities. Some scholars have proposed transformative strategies involving local-led efforts to reconnect social and ecological systems with the support of bridging organizations (BOs). However, empirically-based understandings about how and under what conditions BOs can address context-specific social conditions to enable transformation work remain limited.

Seasonal changes of δD and δ18O in tree-ring cellulose of Quercus crispula suggest a change in post-photosynthetic processes during earlywood growth.

Leaf photosynthetic and post-photosynthetic processes modulate the isotope ratios of tree-ring cellulose. Post-photosynthetic processes, such as the remobilization of stored starch in early spring, are important to understanding the mechanisms of xylem formation in tree stems; however, untangling the isotope ratio signals of photosynthetic and post-photosynthetic processes imprinted on tree rings is difficult. Portions of carbon-bound hydrogen and oxygen atoms are exchanged with medium water during post-photosynthetic processes.

Ground-based measurements of column-averaged carbon dioxide molar mixing ratios in a peatland fire-prone area of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Tropical peatlands in Indonesia have been disturbed over decades and are a source of carbon dioxide (CO) into the atmosphere by peat respiration and peatland fire. With a portable solar spectrometer, we have performed measurements of column-averaged CO dry-air molar mixing ratios, XCO, in Palangka Raya, Indonesia, and quantify the emission dynamics of the peatland with use of the data for weather, fire hotspot, ground water table, local airport operation visibility and weather radar images. Total emission of CO from surface and underground peat fires as well as from peatland ecosystem is evaluated by day-to-day variability of XCO.

Examining Japanese women's preferences for a new style of postnatal care facility and its attributes.

Perinatal care in rural Japan is currently facing a crisis because of the lack of medical staff, especially obstetricians. In this study, a new style of postnatal care facility that combines both medical and nonmedical support is considered. Contrary to most postnatal care facilities in Japan, this new postnatal care facility accepts a puerperant from the cooperating maternity facility soon after birth (≤2 days).

High time-resolution simulation of E. coli on hands reveals large variation in microbial exposures amongst Vietnamese farmers using human excreta for agriculture.

Infectious disease transmission is frequently mediated by the environment, where people's movements through and interactions with the environment dictate risks of infection and/or illness. Capturing these interactions, and quantifying their importance, offers important insights into effective interventions. In this study, we capture high time-resolution activity data for twenty-five Vietnamese farmers during collection and land application of human excreta for agriculture.

Megacity precipitationsheds reveal tele-connected water security challenges.

Urbanization is a global process that has taken billions of people from the rural countryside to concentrated urban centers, adding pressure to existing water resources. Many cities are specifically reliant on renewable freshwater regularly refilled by precipitation, rather than fossil groundwater or desalination. A precipitationshed can be considered the "watershed of the sky" and identifies the origin of precipitation falling in a given region.

Effects of resource-dependent cannibalism on population size distribution and individual life history in a case-bearing caddisfly.

Resource availability often determines the intensity of cannibalism, which has a considerable effect on population size distribution and individual life history. Larvae of the caddisfly Psilotreta kisoensis build portable cases from sedimentary sands and often display cannibalism. For this species, the availability of preferable case material is a critical factor that affects larval fitness, and material is locally variable depending on the underlying geology.

An Algal Diet Accelerates Larval Growth of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae).

The population sizes of Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) increase dramatically with the onset of the rainy season in sub-Saharan Africa, but the ecological mechanisms underlying the increases are not well understood. As a first step toward to understand, we investigated the proliferation of algae, the major food of mosquito larvae, in artificial fresh water bodies exposed to sunlight for a short period, and old water bodies exposed to sunlight for a long period, and the effects thereof on the development of these anopheline larvae. We found that an epizoic green algal species of the genus Rhopalosolen (Chlorophyta: Chlorophyceae) proliferated immediately after water freshly taken from a spring was placed in sunlight.