Article
Fisheries
Richard Law, Michael J. Plank
Summary: This paper proposes that appropriately scaled fishing could help maintain biodiversity and protect rarer species, while allowing some exploitation of species with greater production. Based on a dynamic model of a marine ecosystem, numerical evidence is provided to support this idea.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Russell K. Engelman
Summary: This study finds that the occipital condyle width (OCW) can accurately estimate the body mass of mammals, especially species with relatively large heads. Compared to traditional measurement metrics, OCW has higher model accuracy and can be used without close living analogues, providing a reliable method for estimating body mass in previously problematic groups.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dong Sun, Yixiang Chen, Yunzhi Feng, Zhensheng Liu, Xin Peng, Yuming Cai, Peisong Yu, Chunsheng Wang
Summary: The study investigated the factors influencing the spatial variation of Z/P in the East China Sea using field data from four seasons. It found that the size diversity of zooplankton was the most important determinant of Z/P, with the normalized biomass size spectrum slope of zooplankton only being significant in summer.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tonje Knutsen Sordalen, Kim Tallaksen Halvorsen, Esben Moland Olsen
Summary: This study compared the body growth of European lobsters between marine-protected areas (MPAs) and fished areas. The results showed that after 14 years of protection, the densities of lobsters in MPAs increased considerably. Females molted more frequently and grew more during each molt in MPAs, while males showed a similar but weaker pattern. The study suggests that MPAs can protect wild populations from slow-growth selection and contribute to the rapid recovery of size structure.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
A. M. Segura, R. Wiff, A. J. Jaureguizar, A. C. Milessr, G. Perera
Summary: This study proposed a macroscopic approach combining the size-density relationship and Taylor's law to predict the temporal variance of exploited and unexploited fish populations. The variability of targeted fish populations was 2 orders of magnitude greater than that of non-targeted fish populations, solely explained by their higher relative abundance rather than their specific trophic position. This approach is useful in predicting fish variability and fishing effect in the whole community, especially in cases where specific details of the interacting species are lacking.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jean-Michel O. Matte, Dylan M. Glaser, John R. Post, Dylan J. Fraser
Summary: Sustainable harvesting of wild populations requires evidence-based knowledge to predict outcomes for both species and ecosystems. Size-selective harvesting induces additional pressures that are challenging to forecast, and whether there are generalizable patterns in response to harvest remains unclear.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kelsey Lyberger, Thomas W. Schoener, Sebastian J. Schreiber
Summary: The study demonstrates that size-based harvesting not only selects for larger individuals but also decreases population density, significantly impacting the life-history evolution of organisms. The results show that both size selection and density-dependent selection are important drivers of life-history evolution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastien Levionnois, Camille Salmon, Tancrede Almeras, Bruno Clair, Camille Ziegler, Sabrina Coste, Clement Stahl, Andres Gonzalez-Melo, Christine Heinz, Patrick Heuret
Summary: The leaf size-stem size spectrum is a key aspect of plant ecological strategies. Our study in French Guiana investigated the scaling of hydraulic and mechanical constraints with shoot size, revealing the interrelationships between anatomical tissue area, flexural stiffness, and xylem vascular architecture. The findings suggest that water supply and mechanical stability are both maintained across the range of shoot sizes without conflict.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Kieran J. Murphy, Gretta T. Pecl, Jason D. Everett, Ryan F. Heneghan, Shane A. Richards, Anthony J. Richardson, Jayson M. Semmens, Julia L. Blanchard
Summary: The body-size relationships between predators and prey are diverse, challenging the assumptions of traditional size-based models. By studying cephalopods, researchers found that incorporating greater biological realism improved the accuracy and predictive ability of ecosystem models.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Russell K. Engelman
Summary: This study estimates the body mass of large, extinct rodents using occipital condyle width and finds that previous estimates were widely controversial and inaccurate.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuhua Sun, Ping Wang, Jun Lu, Jingmang Xu, Peigen Wang, Shouyong Xie, Yunwu Li, Jun Dai, Bowen Wang, Mingyuan Gao
Summary: This study introduces a sustainable approach for online monitoring of rail corrugation using a self-contained energy harvesting system, which can identify rail corrugation based on vibration energy and induced voltage. This method reduces reliance on environmentally-unfriendly batteries and decreases manual involvement in railway track inspection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meng Xu, Joel E. Cohen
Summary: Researchers utilized generalized least-squares models to describe three types of Taylor's law, analyzing three purely statistical models to predict its form and slope. The study found that temporal and spatial autocorrelations strongly influence estimates of the slope of Taylor's law.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Leilei Li
Summary: Cells have various mechanisms to regulate size, with the double-adder mechanism being validated. Chromosome replication and cell division are regulated independently by different proteins. Cell size homeostasis originates from division control, not affected by replication initiation control.
COMMUNICATIONS IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Felipe Cunha, Diego Stingo-Hirmas, Rita France Cardoso, Dominic Wright, Rie Henriksen
Summary: The study reveals that larger chickens have moderately more neurons and non-neuronal cells in their brains, with the absolute number correlating positively with density. This neural scaling pattern differs between species compared to within a species, suggesting important implications for the evolutionary origins of brain diversity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jasper C. Croll, Tobias van Kooten, Andre M. de Roos
Summary: Density dependence plays a regulatory role in recovering fish stocks and affects both reproduction and individual growth. Recent research shows that density dependence is linked to resource availability and individual life history processes. Managing fish stocks should take into account the impact of density dependence on individual growth.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Camilla Novaglio, Julia L. Blanchard, Michael J. Plank, Elizabeth Putten, Asta Audzijonyte, Javier Porobic, Elizabeth A. Fulton
Summary: Ecosystem-based fisheries management aims to ensure sustainability while maximizing socio-economic benefits. Examining the effects of different management strategies on mixed fisheries, the study found that specialized fleets are more likely to achieve optimal outcomes under single species management, highlighting the importance of considering fleet interactions in evaluating management strategies.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas Steyn, Michael J. Plank, Rachelle N. Binny, Shaun C. Hendy, Audrey Lustig, Kannan Ridings
Summary: This article develops a mathematical model to estimate the impact of New Zealand's vaccine rollout on the potential spread and health impacts of COVID-19. The study aims to provide policy advice on border restrictions and control measures during the vaccination roll-out. The model finds that reaching the population immunity threshold would require close to 100% vaccination coverage, but achieving such coverage is unlikely. Relaxing controls completely would risk serious health impacts, but higher vaccine coverage would provide collective protection and make it easier to control outbreaks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nao Takashina, Michael J. Plank, Clinton N. Jenkins, Evan P. Economo
Summary: The species-range size distribution is influenced by speciation, transformation of range sizes, and extinction. A mathematical framework called the gain-loss-allopatric speciation model was developed to integrate these processes and predict species richness dynamics. The model was fitted to empirical data of birds, mammals, and beetles, providing insights into the formation of range-size distributions.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Economics
Shaun C. Hendy, Siouxsie Wiles, Rachelle Binny, Michael J. Plank
Summary: This article questions Gibson's analysis and points out the problems in his research. He neglects the spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, selects arbitrary cross-sectional data, and chooses an instrument variable that may be correlated with the explanatory variable, introducing bias.
NEW ZEALAND ECONOMIC PAPERS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rachelle N. Binny, Patricia Priest, Nigel P. French, Matthew Parry, Audrey Lustig, Shaun C. Hendy, Oliver J. Maclaren, Kannan M. Ridings, Nicholas Steyn, Giorgia Vattiato, Michael J. Plank
Summary: Reverse transcription PCR remains a sensitive technique for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection and has played an important role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. Sensitivity peaks 4-5 days postinfection and remains above 88% between 5 and 14 days postinfection. Vaccinated individuals, females, those under 40, and Pacific peoples exhibit a more rapid decline in sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Michael J. Plank
Summary: Countries like New Zealand, Australia, and Taiwan have adopted an elimination strategy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic by implementing strict border controls and rapidly responding to eliminate border-related re-introductions. Decision-makers face the challenge of determining the appropriate threshold for implementing strict control measures when a re-introduction occurs. This study uses a highly idealized model to identify factors that impact the choice of threshold and minimize the duration of control measures.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachelle N. Binny, Audrey Lustig, Shaun C. Hendy, Oliver J. Maclaren, Kannan M. Ridings, Giorgia Vattiato, Michael J. Plank
Summary: Real-time estimation of the effective reproduction number during the Delta variant outbreak in New Zealand provides valuable insights for decision makers. The study highlights the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccination coverage on transmission dynamics, and emphasizes the effectiveness of strict restrictions and increasing vaccination coverage in controlling the outbreak.
Article
Fisheries
Richard Law, Michael J. Plank
Summary: This paper proposes that appropriately scaled fishing could help maintain biodiversity and protect rarer species, while allowing some exploitation of species with greater production. Based on a dynamic model of a marine ecosystem, numerical evidence is provided to support this idea.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Giorgia Vattiatio, Audrey Lustig, Oliver J. Maclaren, Michael J. Plank
Summary: New Zealand experienced a wave of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in 2022, with a projected second wave in the second half of the year. Peak hospital occupancy and daily infections were generally lower in the second wave, influenced by the speed of waning and age distribution of infections. Scenarios with higher transmission did not always lead to higher peaks, but resulted in more sustained healthcare demand. The health burden of Covid-19 in the medium term is sensitive to the strength and durability of immunity against reinfection, which is uncertain.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael J. Plank, Shaun C. Hendy, Rachelle N. Binny, Giorgia Vattiato, Audrey Lustig, Oliver J. Maclaren
Summary: This article presents a mechanistic model of intermediate complexity that can be fitted to data in real-time and is suitable for investigating longer-term dynamics. The model serves as a bridge between assumption-driven scenario models and primarily empirical approaches to forecasting, and it played a role in informing policy response during New Zealand's 2021 outbreak of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Giorgia Vattiato, Rachelle N. Binny, Sam J. Davidson, Andrea E. Byrom, Dean P. Anderson, Michael J. Plank, Joanna K. Carpenter, Alex James
Summary: Management of invasive mammal pests is crucial for the conservation of New Zealand's native flora and fauna. This paper reviews studies on spatial detectability parameters of ten invasive mammal pests in New Zealand, considering factors such as habitat, season, and surveillance device type. The findings highlight the variation in detectability under different conditions and identify knowledge gaps for future research.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
James m. Mccaw, Michael j. Plank
Summary: This article provides an overview of how mathematical modelling and data analytics have supported the policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand. It discusses various model outputs used in different contexts and the communication issues between modellers and stakeholders. The article concludes with future challenges and opportunities in this area.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Giorgia Vattiato, Oliver Maclaren, Audrey Lustig, Rachelle N. Binny, Shaun C. Hendy, Michael J. Plank
Summary: New Zealand delayed the introduction of the Omicron variant by using strict border controls and took advantage of the time to increase vaccination rates and roll out booster doses. A mathematical model was used to assess the potential impact of an Omicron wave, and it was found that an accelerated booster programme combined with public health measures is crucial to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonah J. Klowss, Alexander P. Browning, Ryan J. Murphy, Elliot J. Carr, Michael J. Plank, Gency Gunasingh, Nikolas K. Haass, Matthew J. Simpson
Summary: In vitro tumour spheroids have been widely used in studying avascular tumour growth and drug design. The recent development of real-time fluorescent cell cycle imaging enables the monitoring of individual cells within the spheroid, leading to the concept of a four-dimensional tumour spheroid.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Nicholas Steyn, Audrey Lustig, Shaun C. Hendy, Rachelle N. Binny, Michael J. Plank
Summary: Combining testing and home isolation strategies can significantly reduce the risk of community outbreaks caused by infectious travellers; in certain circumstances, using daily lateral flow tests or a combination of lateral flow tests and PCR tests can reduce the risk to a comparable or lower level; controlling the number of travellers from countries with high COVID-19 prevalence helps manage the risk of COVID-19 at the border.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE MODELLING
(2022)
