Biology subjects

Schwabe, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Schwabe, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

ReSurveyGermany: Vegetation-plot time-series over the past hundred years in Germany

Vegetation-plot resurvey data are a main source of information on terrestrial biodiversity change, with records reaching back more than one century. Although more and more data from re-sampled plots have been published, there is not yet a comprehensive open-access dataset available for analysis. Here, we compiled and harmonised vegetation-plot resurvey data from Germany covering almost 100 years. We show the distribution of the plot data in space, time and across habitat types of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS). In addition, we include metadata on geographic location, plot size and vegetation structure. The data allow calculating temporal biodiversity change at the community scale and reach back further into the past than most comparable data yet available. They also enable tracking changes in the incidence and distribution of individual species across Germany. In summary, the data come at a level of detail that holds promise for broadening our understanding of the mechanisms and drivers behind plant diversity change over the last century.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Kinematics associated with treadmill walking in Rett Syndrome

Individuals with Rett syndrome suffer from severely impaired cognitive and motor performance. Current movement-related therapeutic programs often include traditional physical therapy activities and assisted treadmill walking routines for those patients who are ambulatory. However, there are no quantitative reports of kinematic gait parameters obtained during treadmill walking. Here we report the results of an investigation of 17 females diagnosed with typical Rett who walked on a treadmill as speed gradually increased. The objective included characterizing lower limb kinematics, including knee and hip joint range of motions, velocities, limb asymmetries, and the variance associated with these measures. Joint kinematics were obtained using a 12 camera motion capture system and associated processing and analysis software. Stride times progressively decreased as treadmill speeds increased although the range of speeds our participant could walk was quite slow: range 0.2 m/s - 0.5 m/s. There were significant main effects of speed on sagittal knee and hip range of motions and hip velocity. There were large joint asymmetries and variance values relative to both healthy walkers and others patient populations although variance values decreased as walking speed increased. There were significant correlations between joint range of motions and stride times and joint velocities and stride times. The results indicate that Rett patients can adapt their kinematic gait patterns in response to increasing treadmill speed but their ability to do so lies within a narrow range of speeds. We suggest that treadmill training for ambulatory individuals with Rett may further promote improved walking kinematics as well as overall health benefits.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

Genetic tools weed out misconceptions of strain reliability in Cannabis sativa: Implications for a budding industry

Cannabis sativa is listed as a Schedule I substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and has been federally illegal in the United States since 1937. However, the majority of states in the United States, as well as several countries, now have various levels of legal Cannabis. Products are labeled with identifying strain names but there is no official mechanism to register Cannabis strains, therefore the potential exists for incorrect identification or labeling. This study uses genetic analyses to investigate strain reliability from the consumer point of view. Ten microsatellite regions were used to examine samples from strains obtained from dispensaries in three states. Samples were examined for genetic similarity within strains, and also a possible genetic distinction between Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid types. The analyses revealed genetic inconsistencies within strains. Additionally, although there was strong statistical support dividing the samples into two genetic groups, the groups did not correspond to commonly reported Sativa/Hybrid/Indica types. Genetic differences have the potential to lead to phenotypic differences and unexpected effects, which could be surprising for the recreational user, but have more serious implications for patients relying on strains that alleviate specific medical symptoms.

molecular biology↗