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Price TL, Harper J, Francoeur SN, Halvorson HM, Kuehn KA. Brown meets green: light and nutrients alter detritivore assimilation of microbial nutrients from leaf litter. Ecology 2021; 102:e03358. [PMID: 33811660 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In aquatic detrital-based food webs, research suggests that autotroph-heterotroph microbial interactions exert bottom-up controls on energy and nutrient transfer. To address this emerging topic, we investigated microbial responses to nutrient and light treatments during Liriodendron tulipifera litter decomposition and fed litter to the caddisfly larvae Pycnopsyche sp. We measured litter-associated algal, fungal, and bacterial biomass and production. Microbes were also labeled with 14 C and 33 P to trace distinct microbial carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) supporting Pycnopsyche assimilation and incorporation (growth). Litter-associated algal and fungal production rates additively increased with higher nutrient and light availability. Incorporation of microbial P did not differ across diets, except for higher incorporation efficiency of slower-turnover P on low-nutrient, shaded litter. On average, Pycnopsyche assimilated fungal C more efficiently than bacterial or algal C, and Pycnopsyche incorporated bacterial C more efficiently than algal or fungal C. Due to high litter fungal biomass, fungi supported 89.6-93.1% of Pycnopsyche C growth, compared to 0.2% to 3.6% supported by bacteria or algae. Overall, Pycnopsyche incorporated the most C in high nutrient and shaded litter. Our findings affirm others' regarding autotroph-heterotroph microbial interactions and extend into the trophic transfer of microbial energy and nutrients through detrital food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor L Price
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406, USA.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Jennifer Harper
- Department of Biology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43403, USA
| | - Steven N Francoeur
- Department of Biology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197, USA
| | - Halvor M Halvorson
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, 72035, USA
| | - Kevin A Kuehn
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406, USA
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Vegetated Ditch Habitats Provide Net Nitrogen Sink and Phosphorus Storage Capacity in Agricultural Drainage Networks Despite Senescent Plant Leaching. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12030875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The utility of vegetated ditch environments as nutrient sinks in agricultural watersheds is dependent in part on biogeochemical transformations that control plant uptake and release during decomposition. We investigated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake and release across four P enrichment treatments in ditch mesocosms planted with rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides) during the summer growing and winter decomposition seasons. Measured N retention and modeled denitrification rates did not vary, but P retention significantly increased with P enrichment. At the end of the growing season, root biomass stored significantly more N and P than aboveground stem and leaf biomass. Decomposition rates were low (<10% organic matter loss) and not affected by P enrichment. Nitrogen and P export during winter did not vary across the P enrichment gradient. Export accounted for <10% of observed summer N uptake (1363 mg m−2), with denitrification potentially accounting for at least 40% of retained N. In contrast, net P retention was dependent on enrichment; in unenriched mesocosms, P uptake and release were balanced (only 25% net retention), whereas net retention increased from 77% to 88% with increasing P enrichment. Our results indicate that vegetated ditch environments have significant potential to serve as denitrification sinks, while also storing excess P in agricultural watersheds.
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Palmer M, Ruhi A. Linkages between flow regime, biota, and ecosystem processes: Implications for river restoration. Science 2019; 365:365/6459/eaaw2087. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw2087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
River ecosystems are highly biodiverse, influence global biogeochemical cycles, and provide valued services. However, humans are increasingly degrading fluvial ecosystems by altering their streamflows. Effective river restoration requires advancing our mechanistic understanding of how flow regimes affect biota and ecosystem processes. Here, we review emerging advances in hydroecology relevant to this goal. Spatiotemporal variation in flow exerts direct and indirect control on the composition, structure, and dynamics of communities at local to regional scales. Streamflows also influence ecosystem processes, such as nutrient uptake and transformation, organic matter processing, and ecosystem metabolism. We are deepening our understanding of how biological processes, not just static patterns, affect and are affected by stream ecosystem processes. However, research on this nexus of flow-biota-ecosystem processes is at an early stage. We illustrate this frontier with evidence from highly altered regulated rivers and urban streams. We also identify research challenges that should be prioritized to advance process-based river restoration.
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Steffan SA, Dharampal PS. Undead food-webs: Integrating microbes into the food-chain. FOOD WEBS 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2018.e00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Siders AC, Compson ZG, Hungate BA, Dijkstra P, Koch GW, Wymore AS, Grandy AS, Marks JC. Litter identity affects assimilation of carbon and nitrogen by a shredding caddisfly. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Siders
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Zacchaeus G. Compson
- Canadian Rivers Institute; Department of Biology; University of New Brunswick; Fredericton NB E3B 5A3 Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada at Canadian Rivers Institute; Department of Biology; University of New Brunswick; Fredericton E3B 5A3 Canada
| | - Bruce A. Hungate
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Paul Dijkstra
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - George W. Koch
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Adam S. Wymore
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment; University of New Hampshire; Durham New Hampshire 03824 USA
| | - A. Stuart Grandy
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment; University of New Hampshire; Durham New Hampshire 03824 USA
| | - Jane C. Marks
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
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Compson ZG, Hungate BA, Whitham TG, Koch GW, Dijkstra P, Siders AC, Wojtowicz T, Jacobs R, Rakestraw DN, Allred KE, Sayer CK, Marks JC. Linking tree genetics and stream consumers: isotopic tracers elucidate controls on carbon and nitrogen assimilation. Ecology 2018; 99:1759-1770. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zacchaeus G. Compson
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5620 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5620 USA
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Bruce A. Hungate
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5620 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5620 USA
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Thomas G. Whitham
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - George W. Koch
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5620 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5620 USA
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Paul Dijkstra
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5620 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5620 USA
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Adam C. Siders
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5620 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5620 USA
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Todd Wojtowicz
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Ryan Jacobs
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - David N. Rakestraw
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Kiel E. Allred
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Chelsea K. Sayer
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
| | - Jane C. Marks
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5620 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5620 USA
- Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; 800 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 6077 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-6077 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Northern Arizona University; 617 S. Beaver Street, P.O. Box 5640 Flagstaff Arizona 86011-5640 USA
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Balik JA, Taylor BW, Washko SE, Wissinger SA. High interspecific variation in nutrient excretion within a guild of closely related caddisfly species. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jared A. Balik
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Science Allegheny College Meadville Pennsylvania 16335 USA
- Department of Applied Ecology North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte Colorado 81224 USA
| | - Brad W. Taylor
- Department of Applied Ecology North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte Colorado 81224 USA
| | - Susan E. Washko
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Science Allegheny College Meadville Pennsylvania 16335 USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte Colorado 81224 USA
- Department of Watershed Sciences Utah State University Logan Utah 84321 USA
| | - Scott A. Wissinger
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Science Allegheny College Meadville Pennsylvania 16335 USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte Colorado 81224 USA
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Halvorson HM, Sperfeld E, Evans‐White MA. Quantity and quality limit detritivore growth: mechanisms revealed by ecological stoichiometry and co‐limitation theory. Ecology 2017; 98:2995-3002. [PMID: 28902394 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Halvor M. Halvorson
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive #5018 Hattiesburg Mississippi 39406 USA
| | - Erik Sperfeld
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis University of Oslo Oslo Norway
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Evans-White MA, Halvorson HM. Comparing the Ecological Stoichiometry in Green and Brown Food Webs - A Review and Meta-analysis of Freshwater Food Webs. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1184. [PMID: 28706509 PMCID: PMC5489555 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The framework of ecological stoichiometry was developed primarily within the context of "green" autotroph-based food webs. While stoichiometric principles also apply in "brown" detritus-based systems, these systems have been historically understudied and differ from green ones in several important aspects including carbon (C) quality and the nutrient [nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)] contents of food resources for consumers. In this paper, we review work over the last decade that has advanced the application of ecological stoichiometry from green to brown food webs, focusing on freshwater ecosystems. We first review three focal areas where green and brown food webs differ: (1) bottom-up controls by light and nutrient availability, (2) stoichiometric constraints on consumer growth and nutritional regulation, and (3) patterns in consumer-driven nutrient dynamics. Our review highlights the need for further study of how light and nutrient availability affect autotroph-heterotroph interactions on detritus and the subsequent effects on consumer feeding and growth. To complement this conceptual review, we formally quantified differences in stoichiometric principles between green and brown food webs using a meta-analysis across feeding studies of freshwater benthic invertebrates. From 257 datasets collated across 46 publications and several unpublished studies, we compared effect sizes (Pearson's r) of resource N:C and P:C on growth, consumption, excretion, and egestion between herbivorous and detritivorous consumers. The meta-analysis revealed that both herbivore and detritivore growth are limited by resource N:C and P:C contents, but effect sizes only among detritivores were significantly above zero. Consumption effect sizes were negative among herbivores but positive for detritivores in the case of both N:C and P:C, indicating distinct compensatory feeding responses across resource stoichiometry gradients. Herbivore P excretion rates responded significantly positively to resource P:C, whereas detritivore N and P excretion did not respond; detritivore N and P egestion responded positively to resource N:C and P:C, respectively. Our meta-analysis highlights resource N and P contents as broadly limiting in brown and green benthic food webs, but indicates contrasting mechanisms of limitation owing to differing consumer regulation. We suggest that green and brown food webs share fundamental stoichiometric principles, while identifying specific differences toward applying ecological stoichiometry across ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Halvor M. Halvorson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, HattiesburgMS, United States
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Evans RD, Wang W, Evans HE, Georg RB. Variation in Zn, C, and N isotope ratios in three stream insects. Facets (Ott) 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2016-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Total Zn concentrations and Zn isotope ratios were measured, using multicollector inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry (MS), in three species of aquatic insects collected from a stream in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Total Zn levels averaged 193 ± 88 μg/g dry weight (dw) in water striders (Heteroptera: Gerridae, Aquarius remigis) and were significantly higher than the concentrations measured in stonefly nymphs (Plecoptera: Perlidae, Acroneuria abnormis) and caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae, Pycnopsyche guttifer), i.e., 136 ± 34 μg/g dw and 125 ± 26 μg/g dw, respectively. Average delta values for 66Zn/64Zn in the water striders were approximately 0.7‰ lighter (−1.2‰ ± 1.0‰) and were significantly different than those measured for stoneflies (−0.45‰ ± 0.62‰) and caddisflies (−0.51‰ ± 0.54‰). Nitrogen isotope ratios were significantly different ( P < 0.05) among the three species suggesting differences in trophic positioning. Similar to the Zn isotope ratios, δ 13C values for the water striders (−28.61‰ ± 0.98‰) were significantly different than those of the stoneflies and caddisflies, i.e., −30.75‰ ± 1.33‰ and −30.68‰ ± 1.01‰, respectively. The data suggest that the differences observed in Zn ratios relate to food source for these insects. Similar to their carbon sources, Zn in water striders appears to be primarily of terrestrial origin, and of aquatic origin for the other two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Douglas Evans
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
- Water Quality Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Wei Wang
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Hayla E. Evans
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
- Water Quality Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - R. Bastian Georg
- Water Quality Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
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Sperfeld E, Halvorson HM, Malishev M, Clissold FJ, Wagner ND. Woodstoich III: Integrating tools of nutritional geometry and ecological stoichiometry to advance nutrient budgeting and the prediction of consumer‐driven nutrient recycling. OIKOS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Sperfeld
- Leibniz‐Inst. of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) Dept Experimental Limnology Alte Fischerhütte 2 OT Neuglobsow DE‐16775 Stechlin Germany
- School of Biological Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | | | - Matthew Malishev
- Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA), School of BioSciences Univ. of Melbourne Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Fiona J. Clissold
- Clissold, School of Biological Sciences and The Charles Perkins Centre The Univ. of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Nicole D. Wagner
- Environmental and Life Science Graduate Program Trent University, Peterborough ON Canada
- Environmental NMR Centre and Dept of Physical and Environmental Sciences Univ. of Toronto Scarborough ON Canada
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Litter Decomposition as an Indicator of Stream Ecosystem Functioning at Local-to-Continental Scales. ADV ECOL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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