bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Francisella novicida
Cas9 interrogates genomic DNA with very high specificity and can be used for mammalian genome editing
Authors: Acharya Sundaram , Mishra Arpit , Paul Deepanjan , Ansari Asgar Hussain , Azhar Mohd. , Kumar Manoj , Rauthan Riya , Sharma Namrata , Aich Meghali , Sinha Dipanjali , Sharma Saumya , Jain Shivani , Ray Arjun , Jain Suman , Ramalingam Sivaprakash , Maiti Souvik , Chakraborty Debojyoti
Published: October 2019

Genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used to make precise heritable changes in the DNA of organisms. Although the widely used
Streptococcus pyogenes
Cas9 (SpCas9) and its engineered variants have been efficiently harnessed for numerous gene-editing applications across different platforms, concerns remain regarding their putative off-targeting at multiple loci across the genome. Here we report that
Francisella novicida
Cas9 (FnCas9) shows a very high specificity of binding to its intended targets and negligible binding to off-target loci. The specificity is determined by its minimal binding affinity with DNA when mismatches to the target single-guide RNA (sgRNA) are present in the sgRNA:DNA heteroduplex. FnCas9 produces staggered cleavage, higher homology-directed repair rates, and very low nonspecific genome editing compared to SpCas9. We demonstrate FnCas9-mediated correction of the sickle cell mutation in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and propose that it can be used for precise therapeutic genome editing for a wide variety of genetic disorders.
Sampling can be faster than optimization
Authors: Ma Yi-An , Chen Yuansi , Jin Chi , Flammarion Nicolas , Jordan Michael I.
Published: October 2019

Significance

Modern large-scale data analysis and machine learning applications rely critically on computationally efficient algorithms. There are 2 main classes of algorithms used in this setting—those based on optimization and those based on Monte Carlo sampling. The folk wisdom is that sampling is necessarily slower than optimization and is only warranted in situations where estimates of uncertainty are needed. We show that this folk wisdom is not correct in general—there is a natural class of nonconvex problems for which the computational complexity of sampling algorithms scales linearly with the model dimension while that of optimization algorithms scales exponentially.
Cooling requirements fueled the collapse of a desert bird community from climate change
Authors: Riddell Eric A. , Iknayan Kelly J. , Wolf Blair O. , Sinervo Barry , Beissinger Steven R.
Published: October 2019

Climate change threatens global biodiversity by increasing extinction risk, yet few studies have uncovered a physiological basis of climate-driven species declines. Maintaining a stable body temperature is a fundamental requirement for homeothermic animals, and water is a vital resource that facilitates thermoregulation through evaporative cooling, especially in hot environments. Here, we explore the potential for thermoregulatory costs to underlie the community collapse of birds in the Mojave Desert over the past century in response to climate change. The probability of persistence was lowest for species occupying the warmest and driest sites, which imposed the greatest cooling costs. We developed a general model of heat flux to evaluate whether water requirements for evaporative cooling contributed to species’ declines by simulating thermoregulatory costs in the Mojave Desert for 50 bird species representing the range of observed declines. Bird species’ declines were positively associated with climate-driven increases in water requirements for evaporative cooling and exacerbated by large body size, especially for species with animal-based diets. Species exhibiting reductions in body size across their range saved up to 14% in cooling costs and experienced less decline than species without size reductions, suggesting total cooling costs as a mechanism underlying Bergmann’s rule. Reductions in body size, however, are unlikely to offset the 50 to 78% increase in cooling costs threatening desert birds from future climate change. As climate change spreads warm, dry conditions across the planet, water requirements are increasingly likely to drive population declines, providing a physiological basis for climate-driven extinctions.
Intact carbonic acid is a viable protonating agent for biological bases
Authors: Aminov Daniel , Pines Dina , Kiefer Philip M. , Daschakraborty Snehasis , Hynes James T. , Pines Ehud
Published: October 2019

Significance

The paper demonstrates the previously unappreciated feature that, despite its instability, carbonic acid (CA) acts as an effective protonating agent consistent with its pK
a
value, which is here accurately determined over the full physiological temperature range. The equilibrium concentration of CA in the blood plasma is about 70× larger than (H
+
)
aq
, and, given CA’s acidic reactivity established here, it is concluded that, in contrast to current thought, CA should be considered a far more important protonation agent in the blood than is (H
+
)
aq
. These conclusions should be also considered when evaluating conditions resulting in CA concentration increase, such as acidosis in the physiological context and the gradual acidification of the oceans in the environmental setting.
A large-scale study reveals 24-h operational rhythms in hospital treatment
Authors: Ruben Marc D. , Francey Lauren J. , Guo Yuping , Wu Gang , Cooper Edward B. , Shah Amy S. , Hogenesch John B. , Smith David F.
Published: October 2019

Hospitals operate 24 h a day, and it is assumed that important clinical decisions occur continuously around the clock. However, many aspects of hospital operation occur at specific times of day, including medical team rounding and shift changes. It is unclear whether this impacts patient care, as no studies have addressed this. We analyzed the daily distribution of ∼500,000 doses of 12 separate drugs in 1,546 inpatients at a major children’s hospital in the United States from 2010 to 2017. We tracked both order time (when a care provider places an electronic request for a drug) and dosing time (when the patient receives the drug). Order times were time-of-day−dependent, marked by distinct morning-time surges and overnight lulls. Nearly one-third of all 103,847 orders for treatment were placed between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. First doses from each order were also rhythmic but shifted by 2 h. These 24-h rhythms in orders and first doses were remarkably consistent across drugs, diagnosis, and hospital units. This rhythm in hospital medicine coincided with medical team rounding time, not necessarily immediate medical need. Lastly, we show that the clinical response to hydralazine, an acute antihypertensive, is dosing time-dependent and greatest at night, when the fewest doses were administered. The prevailing dogma is that hospital treatment is administered as needed regardless of time of day. Our findings challenge this notion and reveal a potential operational barrier to best clinical care.
Noncanonical auxin signaling regulates cell division pattern during lateral root development
Authors: Huang Rongfeng , Zheng Rui , He Jun , Zhou Zimin , Wang Jiacheng , Xiong Yan , Xu Tongda
Published: October 2019

Significance

Development in multicellular organisms consists of a series of cell divisions followed by cell expansions, which are tightly controlled both spatially and temporally. Disorganized cell division causes serious growth defects in both animals and plants. Auxin has been repeatedly implicated in regulating cell division patterns during organogenesis in plants; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated. Here, we demonstrate that auxin signaling controls cell division pattern by activating Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)-signaling cascade during lateral root development. Our work reveals how signal transduction pathways regulate cell division pattern and also provides a connection between auxin signaling and MAPK signaling in plants.
Multibioinspired slippery surfaces with wettable bump arrays for droplets pumping
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxuan , Sun Lingyu , Wang Yu , Bian Feika , Wang Yuetong , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: October 2019

Significance

Efficient droplet manipulation has been widely studied and used in various applications, including water treatment, chemical and biological analysis, etc. However, most of the approaches for droplet manipulation still face many challenges such as external energy dependence, single-directional droplets handling, and nonrecyclability. In this study, inspired by the features and strategies of Namib desert beetles, Nepenthes pitcher plants, and emergent aquatic plants, we present a multibioinspired slippery surface for efficient droplet manipulation by combining bottom-up colloidal self-assembly, top-down photolithography, and microstructured mold replication. It has been demonstrated that the prepared surface could well address these challenges and behave well in conducting multiplexed tasks including droplet capturing, pumping, and collecting.
Beyond proficiency
Authors: Towns Stuart G. , Watson Todd Richard
Published: October 2019

Many studies have investigated the correlations between linguistic features and human judgements of writing quality. These studies usually investigate either proficient student writing or exceptional literary writing. The current study attempts to bridge these two perspectives by comparing proficient writing to award-winning exceptional writing using movie reviews written by bloggers and Pulitzer Prize winners. A range of linguistic features representing syntactic complexity, lexical complexity, and lexical cohesion were analyzed using both automated and interpretive methods. It is found that some, but not all, of the trends seen in writing development studies continue on to exceptional writing, with lexical sophistication and lexical cohesion through conceptual associations making the largest contributions to the differences between proficient and exceptional writers.
Incorporating methods and findings from neuroscience to better understand placebo and nocebo effects in sport
Authors: Beedie Christopher , Benedetti Fabrizio , Barbiani Diletta , Camerone Eleanora , Lindheimer Jacob , Roelands Bart
Published: October 2019

Placebo and nocebo effects are a factor in sports performance. However, the majority of published studies in sport science are descriptive and speculative regarding mechanisms. It is therefore not unreasonable for the sceptic to argue that placebo and nocebo effects in sport are illusory, and might be better explained by variations in phenomena such as motivation. It is likely that, in sport at least, placebo and nocebo effects will remain in this empirical grey area until researchers provide stronger mechanistic evidence. Recent research in neuroscience has identified a number of consistent, discrete and interacting neurobiological and physiological pathways associated with placebo and nocebo effects, with many studies reporting data of potential interest to sport scientists, for example relating to pain, fatigue and motor control. Findings suggest that placebos and nocebos result in activity of the opioid, endocannabinoid and dopamine neurotransmitter systems, brain regions including the motor cortex and striatum, and measureable effects on the autonomic nervous system. Many studies have demonstrated that placebo and nocebo effects associated with a treatment, for example an inert treatment presented as an analgesic or stimulant, exhibit mechanisms similar or identical to the verum or true treatment. Such findings suggest the possibility of a wide range of distinct placebo and nocebo mechanisms that might influence sports performance. In the present paper, we present some of the findings from neuroscience. Focussing on fatigue as an outcome and caffeine as vehicle, we propose three approaches that researchers in sport might incorporate in their studies in order to better elucidate mechanisms of placebo/nocebo effects on performance.
Isometric exercises and somatosensory training as intervention programmes for patellofemoral pain in young dancers
Authors: Steinberg Nili , Tenenbaum Shay , Waddington Gordon , Adams Roger , Zakin Gal , Zeev Aviva , Siev‐Ner Itzhak
Published: October 2019

Patellofemoral pain (PPF) is a common problem experienced by young dancers. Currently, there is no clear indication as to the optimal intervention programme for reducing the level of pain and improving functional abilities in young dancers with PFP. Our aim was to examine the efficacy of two intervention programmes compared with controls in relation to PFP symptoms (shown by pain level, Grinding test, and patellar inhibition test‐PIT) and functional abilities of dancers with PFP. Ninety‐eight young dancers (mean age 13.4 ± .97) with PFP were assessed for clinical parameters and functional abilities pre and post an intervention programme lasting 12 weeks. Using cluster sampling controlling for grade and school, the dancers were divided into three groups: isometric exercises (IE), somatosensory training (ST), and control (CO). Post‐intervention, significantly lower pain levels upon patellar provocation testing were reported for the two treatment groups compared with controls. There was a significantly lower rate of legs recovered in the CO group compared with both intervention groups on the Grinding test, and on the PIT. Postural balance ability and proprioception abilities were significantly better post‐treatment for the two treatment groups compared with controls. A significant interaction showed that hip abduction muscle strength improved more in the IE group. In conclusion, both isometric exercises and somatosensory training were effective for decreasing clinical symptoms and improving some functional abilities in young dancers with PFP. Further studies on these types of interventions could determine the most effective training protocol for prevention and treatment of PFP in young dancers.
Structure, function, and allosteric modulation of NMDA receptors
Authors: Hansen Kasper B. , Yi Feng , Perszyk Riley E. , Furukawa Hiro , Wollmuth Lonnie P. , Gibb Alasdair J. , Traynelis Stephen F.
Published: October 2019

NMDA-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate a Ca2+-permeable component of excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). They are expressed throughout the CNS and play key physiological roles in synaptic function, such as synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. NMDA receptors are also implicated in the pathophysiology of several CNS disorders and more recently have been identified as a locus for disease-associated genomic variation. NMDA receptors exist as a diverse array of subtypes formed by variation in assembly of seven subunits (GluN1, GluN2A-D, and GluN3A-B) into tetrameric receptor complexes. These NMDA receptor subtypes show unique structural features that account for their distinct functional and pharmacological properties allowing precise tuning of their physiological roles. Here, we review the relationship between NMDA receptor structure and function with an emphasis on emerging atomic resolution structures, which begin to explain unique features of this receptor.
Recovery from acidosis is a robust trigger for loss of force in murine hypokalemic periodic paralysis
Authors: Mi Wentao , Wu Fenfen , Quinonez Marbella , DiFranco Marino , Cannon Stephen C.
Published: October 2019

Periodic paralysis is an ion channelopathy of skeletal muscle in which recurrent episodes of weakness or paralysis are caused by sustained depolarization of the resting potential and thus reduction of fiber excitability. Episodes are often triggered by environmental stresses, such as changes in extracellular K+, cooling, or exercise. Rest after vigorous exercise is the most common trigger for weakness in periodic paralysis, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we use knock-in mutant mouse models of hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoKPP; NaV1.4-R669H or CaV1.1-R528H) and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperKPP; NaV1.4-M1592V) to investigate whether the coupling between pH and susceptibility to loss of muscle force is a possible contributor to exercise-induced weakness. In both mouse models, acidosis (pH 6.7 in 25% CO2) is mildly protective, but a return to pH 7.4 (5% CO2) unexpectedly elicits a robust loss of force in HypoKPP but not HyperKPP muscle. Prolonged exposure to low pH (tens of minutes) is required to cause susceptibility to post-acidosis loss of force, and the force decrement can be prevented by maneuvers that impede Cl− entry. Based on these data, we propose a mechanism for post-acidosis loss of force wherein the reduced Cl− conductance in acidosis leads to a slow accumulation of myoplasmic Cl−. A rapid recovery of both pH and Cl− conductance, in the context of increased [Cl]in/[Cl]out, favors the anomalously depolarized state of the bistable resting potential in HypoKPP muscle, which reduces fiber excitability. This mechanism is consistent with the delayed onset of exercise-induced weakness that occurs with rest after vigorous activity.
Review of wave energy harvesters
Authors: Poenaru V. , Scurtu I.C. , Dumitrache C. L. , Popa A.
Published: October 2019

Nowadays modern technologies are harvesting wave energy in various and ingenious ways using latest techniques and technologies. Wave, tides and currents form a natural part of abundantly available energy which can be harnessed as a substitute for oil & coal to meet our energy demands. This paper will present actual harvesters and practices to obtain energy from sea.
Recording of parameters characteristic to engine and vehicle in order to validate a simulation model for fuel consumption
Authors: Barothi Laszlo , Voicu Daniela , Stoica Ramona-Monica , Singureanu Marius
Published: October 2019

Present paper aims to validate a simulation model through experimental research in order to determine fuel consumption of a vehicle.

To this purpose, the experimental test consisted in the usage of a specialized tester in order to record several parameters characteristic to vehicle and engine functioning. Specific data were subsequently used to determine real fuel consumption.

To perform a comparative analysis, the theoretical fuel consumption was determined with the use of data acquired during experimental tests and simulated graphical software.
Fractal analysis of the influence of the distribution of road networks on the traffic
Authors: Prada D , Montoya S , Sanabria M , Torres F , Serrano D , Acevedo A
Published: October 2019

Urban population growth, together with the industrial advances, leads to consider time as one of the most precious goods and therefore, an indicator of quality of life. Larger cities usually have mobility challenges due to inefficient or insufficient transport means or inadequate design of the road layout. Therefore, people may spend large portions of their daytime moving around places. It is precisely in this type of cities, where it is more complicated to find solutions that really solve the problem because it would be harder to change the already existing infrastructure. Two roads compositions, from the cities of Barcelona, Spain, and La Plata, Argentina, were selected to incorporate a fractal analysis in order to relate it with homogeneity. This was performed using a box counting methodology which determines the fractal dimension. As a complement, fractal lagunarity was calculated to get a value of the existing voids in the magnetic resonance images. The results show that the images have similar fractal dimension regarding the differences in road structure. However, the lagunarity is not the same, La Plata, Argentina, has a lower value than Barcelona, Spain, which indicates more coherence in the road structure.
Styles of reasoning according to the taxonomy structure of observed learning outcome of John Biggs in the students of geometry of the specialty of mathematics
Authors: Fernández E , Nieto Z , Mendoza L
Published: October 2019

The objective of this investigation was to determine the styles of reasoning according to the taxonomy structured of observed learning objectives of John Biggs in the students of geometry of the specialty of mathematics of the “Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador”, Venezuela. The stated problem is that teachers of mathematics must know the problems of teaching mathematics; besides, they should know how their students learn, since according to the reasoning styles of John Biggs, one can determine how and with what depth a person learns. The methodology is quantitative, not experimental, and descriptive at the field level, where specialized literature was reviewed, and the results obtained from the application of the test with the super-item, as a data collection instrument, were analyzed by objectives based on the construction of the database in statistical package for the social sciences, the statistical analysis and the detailed interpretation of the procedure performed for each item, which allowed the analysis and interpretation of the results. These results reach the uni-structural level catalogued by Biggs as inferior or superficial. Therefore, recommendations are offered to improve the learning level of the students in question.
The accounting dynamics of industrial companies and their relationship with them information and communication technologies
Authors: Sánchez C A Pacheco , Castilla M M Rodríguez , Quintero W Quintero
Published: October 2019

Current technological changes have allowed companies to make transformation of business accounting information regardless of distance, time or volume of data, therefore, this research aims to know the current relationship between accounting processes and the use of information and communication technologies in the industrial sector of the city of Ocaña, Colombia, through a quantitative methodological approach of cross-sectional descriptive type, using statistical software SPSS for processing and analysis of information from data obtained from the questionnaire type Likert applied to 83 micro small and medium sized enterprises in the industrial sector; where the results obtained show that local industrial companies face challenges, restrictions and paradigms against the use of information and communication technologies because they do not know many tools, programs and platforms that facilitate the systematization of data, bringing as a consequence the low speed of dissemination and processing, the lack of control of expenses and costs, the relevant errors before the delivery and substantiation of accounting reports and finally to the generation of barriers that prevent them from reducing the participation gap in the world of the information society.
Regional climate model projections underestimate future warming due to missing plant physiological CO2 response
Authors: Schwingshackl Clemens , Davin Edouard L , Hirschi Martin , Sørland Silje Lund , Wartenburger Richard , Seneviratne Sonia I
Published: October 2019

Many countries rely on regional climate model (RCM) projections to quantify the impacts of climate change and to design their adaptation plans accordingly. In several European regions, RCMs project a smaller temperature increase than global climate models (GCMs), which is hypothesised to be due to discrepant representations of topography, cloud processes, or aerosol forcing in RCMs and GCMs. Additionally, RCMs do generally not consider the vegetation response to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations; a process which is, however, included in most GCMs. Plants adapt to higher CO2 concentrations by closing their stomata, which can lead to reduced transpiration with concomitant surface warming, in particular, during temperature extremes. Here we show that embedding plant physiological responses to elevated CO2 concentrations in an RCM leads to significantly higher projected extreme temperatures in Europe. Annual maximum temperatures rise additionally by about 0.6 K (0.1 K in southern, 1.2 K in northern Europe) by 2070–2099, explaining about 67% of the stronger annual maximum temperature increase in GCMs compared to RCMs. Missing plant physiological CO2 responses thus strongly contribute to the underestimation of temperature trends in RCMs. The need for robust climate change assessments calls for a comprehensive implementation of this process in RCM land surface schemes.
Influence of Large-scaled Reclamation on the Cold Wave in Coastal Area of Jiangsu Province
Authors: Cao Hongsheng , Pan Xishan , Li Chunhui , Wang Yan , Wang Shaopeng
Published: October 2019

Taking the large-scaled reclamation in Jiangsu Sea as study background, on the premise of large-scaled area (East China Sea) having a good accuracy. The cold wave of Jiangsu Sea is simulated by the nested model of SWAN, and analysing the Hs (significant wave height) near the reclamation area extracted from the results. It is found that the cold wave field around the reclamation area is influenced remarkably by large-scaled reclamation. The large change of wave field is mainly concentrated in the southern part of central Jiangsu province, and it has a significant influence on the wave field. Due to the effect of covering, the wave height of the southern sea area of Dongsha, Gaoni and Lengjiasha reclamation area decreases greatly, and the decline can be as much as 30%. Due to the extent of reclamation is small, the change of wave field in the northern part of Jiangsu province is not obvious, and the range of change is not obvious.
Enhancement of Biological Nutrient Removal in an Alternating Anaerobic-Aerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor: Optimization of Anaerobic and Aerobic Hydraulic Retention Times
Authors: Pang J W , Yang S S , Yang X Y , Wu Z Y , Ren N Q
Published: October 2019

Biological phosphorus removal (BPR), possesses the significant advantages of low operational costs and little environmental impacts, is an economical and sustainable process to remove P by recycling the activated sludge through anaerobic and aerobic processes. For the BPR system, the hydraulic retention times (HRT) in aerobic and anaerobic processes are the most significant controlling parameters which can directly affect the effluent quality, especially the effluent phosphorus removal efficiencies. In this study, six lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated to conduct the single-factor experiments. 13 experimental runs designed by a 2-factor and 5-level response surface methodology (RSM) using Central composite design (CCD) were used to optimize the relationship between anaerobic HRT (X1, h) and aerobic HRT (X2, h) and two most important responses, COD removal efficiency (CRE, Y1, %) and P removal efficiency (PRE, Y2, %). High squared regression coefficients R2 (> 0.99) and adjusted R2 (> 0.99) indicated a high degree of correlation between the predicted and actual responses, which means that the model could fit the response well. Experimental validation by operating under the optimal combination of the two operational HRTs were conducted. Good correlation between the predicted and experiments values provides confidence in the obtained models.
Evaluation of Tsunami Scouring on Subsea Pipelines
Authors: Komata R.
Published: October 2019

It is important that subsea pipelines are designed and maintained to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis, especially in earthquake-prone regions such as Japan. Tsunami scouring of the seabed may reduce the amount of soil covering a subsea pipeline, exposing it to harmful wave action. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of a subsea pipeline by calculating the tsunami scouring volume for representative tsunamis via numerical analysis. As a case study, we determined how subsea pipelines in the Kashima-nada sea area, Japan, would be affected. The results obtained indicate that for both a level 2 tsunami and a level 1 tsunami, scouring does not significantly affect the pipeline and no construction is subsequently required to restore the soil cover.
Thinking from a sea bauxite accident
Authors: Liu Qi , Tian Baijun , Qiu Xintong , Zhang Lixia
Published: October 2019

In this paper, a typical case of transporting bauxite ore on the ship is studied. From the perspective of maritime safety, the bauxite is studied in the classification of goods in the IMSBC rules and the improvement measures in the current transportation process are proposed to provide the maritime transport, So as to provide reference for maritime transport and reduce the recurrence of such accidents.
The enhancement of high dielectric properties for pure PVDF-HFP by using the suitable stirred temperature and time
Authors: Salea A , Jehlaeh K , Putson C
Published: October 2019

A novel light-weight electronic device from the dielectric polymer is so remarkable as the actuators, sensors, energy storage device and energy conversion. For this work, the thin film electroactive polymer is fabricated by casting technique which PVDF-HFP dissolve in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The three stirred temperatures (30, 55 and 80 °C) and two stirred times (6 and 12 h) are completely considering. The highest polarization as the β phase is also considered for dielectric properties improvement. The FTIR, LCR and DSC equipment are used to measure the electroactive improvement. As a result, the 12 h stirred time with 30 °C stirred temperature is the best condition. The 0.25 g/ml concentration is also the suitable condition. The better dielectric properties are the requisite condition for a novel energy storage device in the future.
Energy Poverty in India
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Rao Smitha , Yadama Gautam N.
Published: October 2019

Energy poverty is lack of access to adequate, high-quality, clean, and affordable forms of energy or energy systems. It is a prominent risk factor for global burden of disease and has severe environmental, social, and economic implications. Despite recent international attention to address energy for the poor, there is a limited consensus over a unified framework defining energy poverty, which impacts almost 2.8 billion mostly poor people, especially in Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have the largest number of energy poor. India, in South Asia, comprises a significant proportion of energy-impoverished households. There is a continued effort by the Indian government, non-profit agencies, and private organizations to address the needs of energy poor. Social workers have a significant role to play in these interventions addressing energy poverty in India. Emerging research and practice in the energy poverty field in India calls for transdisciplinary collaboration especially between social work practitioners of community development, environmental health, public health, and social policy.
The Critical Importance of Asking Good Questions: The Role of Epidemiology Doctoral Training Programs
Authors: Fox Matthew P , Edwards Jessie K , Platt Robert , Balzer Laura B
Published: October 2019

Epidemiologic methods have advanced tremendously in the last several decades. As important as they are, even the most sophisticated approaches are unable to provide meaningful answers when the user lacks a clear study question. Yet, instructors have more and more resources on how to conduct studies and analyze data but few resources on how to ask clearly defined study questions that will guide those methods. Training programs have limited time for coursework, and if novel statistical estimation methods become the focus of instruction, programs that go this route may end up underemphasizing the process of asking good study questions, designing robust studies, considering potential biases in the collected data, and appropriately interpreting the results of the analysis. Given the demands for space in curricula, now is an appropriate time to reevaluate what we teach epidemiology doctoral students. We advocate that programs place a renewed focus on asking good study questions and following a comprehensive approach to study design and data analysis in which questions guide the choice of appropriate methods, helping us avoid methods for methods’ sake and highlighting when application of a new method can provide the opportunity to answer questions that were intractable with traditional approaches.
The Association Between Social Media Use and Hazardous Alcohol Use Among Youths: A Four-Country Study
Authors: Savolainen Iina , Oksanen Atte , Kaakinen Markus , Sirola Anu , Miller Bryan Lee , Paek Hye-Jin , Zych Izabela
Published: October 2019

Aims

To examine the continuing role of daily popular social media use in youth hazardous alcohol consumption in four countries across continents.

Methods

A web-based survey was given to youths aged 15–25 in the USA (n = 1212), South Korea (n = 1192), Finland (n = 1200) and Spain (n = 1212). Hazardous alcohol use (alcohol use disorders identification test-C) was the dependent variable. Main independent variables measured daily use of different social media services. Controls included compulsive Internet use, offline belonging, psychological distress, impulsivity, risk-taking, age and gender. Linear regression models and mediation analyses with bootstrapping were done for each country.

Results

Daily use of Facebook and Instagram was associated with higher hazardous alcohol use among youths in Finland, South Korea and Spain. Daily instant messaging was related to higher hazardous alcohol use among South Korean and Finnish youths. Daily YouTube use was associated with higher hazardous alcohol use among youths in South Korea, but lower hazardous alcohol use among youths in the USA and Finland. Daily Twitter use was related to lower hazardous drinking among youths in Finland but higher hazardous drinking among youths in Spain. The mediation analyses revealed that uploading pictures to social media is a possible facilitator of social media-related hazardous alcohol use among youths in the USA and Spain.

Conclusion

Certain social media platforms might inspire and/or attract hazardously drinking youths, contributing to the growing opportunities for social media interventions.
Spacing out at Mono Lake: Breeding Success, Nest Density, and Predation in the Snowy Plover
Authors: Page Gary W. , Stenzel Lynne E. , Winkler David W. , Swarth Christopher W.
Published: October 2019

Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) nesting on the exposed lake bed surrounding Mono Lake, California lose up to 40% of their clutches. Most are destroyed by predators, predominantly California Gulls (Larus californicus). In 1978 Snowy Plover reproduction was estimated at 0.49-0.70 fledged young per female. Population stability was estimated to require 0.80 fledged young per female. A series of experiments with artificial clutches placed at different densities in the nesting area demonstrates that the predators can have an effect on the plovers' nesting success that is dependent upon their nest density. The maintenance of low nesting density is an important antipredator adaptation. We consider predation on clutches and broods to be the major limiting factor on the Snowy Plover population at Mono Lake.
Current Status of the Brown-headed Cowbird in the Sierra National Forest
Authors: Verner Jared , Ritter Lyman V.
Published: October 2019

Seasonal distribution and abundance, habitat preferences and use, and host relationships of Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in the Sierra Nevada of California were studied in the Sierra National Forest in 1980 and 1981. From several hundred counts, including many made in 1978 and 1979, the relative numbers of cowbirds and potential hosts were estimated for a variety of habitats and for varying distances from known loci of afternoon foraging aggregations. Intensive searches were made for nests and fledged broods of potential hosts. Cowbirds strongly prefer meadow edges as breeding habitats, using clearcuts and incompletely logged forests to some extent and unlogged forests rarely or not at all. In the preferred meadow habitats, cowbird abundance declined rapidly with increasing distance from human-based sources of food, such as pack stations. The relative abundance of Warbling Vireos (Vireo gilvus) was negatively correlated with that of cowbirds, supporting other evidence of high rates of parasitism on this host species in the Sierra Nevada. Because cowbirds are rare in or absent from many major habitat types and areas remote from human-based sources of supplemental food, however, we doubt that any species in the Sierra Nevada is currently threatened by cowbird parasitism. The problem needs periodic monitoring, however, as human developments become more widespread in the mountains.
Parental Recognition of Offspring in the Cliff Swallow
Authors: Stoddard Philip K. , Beecher Michael D.
Published: October 2019

We examined variation in the calls and facial patterns of Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) chicks to test the prediction that, in species in which dependent young intermingle, coloniality necessitates parent-offspring recognition and thus favors the evolution of highly variable "signature" traits. The calls of Cliff Swallow chicks were found to be highly distinctive: interindividual variation was significantly greater than intraindividual variation for five measured parameters. Playback experiments indicated that parents could locate their chicks by these signature calls alone. We found that chick faces were individually distinctive as well. Chick faces could be readily distinguished by human observers, although we did not test whether or not Cliff Swallow parents actually use this information. Studies of several swallow species implicate coloniality as the variable in this family that separates species with distinctive chick signatures and strong parental recognition [Cliff Swallows and Bank Swallows (Riparia riparia)] from species in which these traits are weak or absent [Northern Rough-winged Swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica)].
Annual Variability in the Abundance of Migrant Landbirds on Southeast Farallon Island, California
Authors: DeSante David F.
Published: October 2019

I analyzed the occurrences of 217 species of migrant landbirds on Southeast Farallon Island, 43 km west of San Francisco, California, from 10 yr of daily censuses, fall 1968 to spring 1978. I divided species into 12 subgroups to reflect seasonal and geographical distributions on the mainland. The abundances of the various subgroups on the Farallones, in both fall and spring, were directly related to the proximity to the island of their breeding and wintering ranges and normal migration routes. For most subgroups, abundances were greater in fall than in spring. The great majority of fall individuals were hatching-year birds, and I suspect that many, if not most, spring individuals were second-year birds. Highly significant year-to-year variations occurred in the number of individuals that arrived on the Farallones and in the proportion of individuals in the various subgroups, despite the fact that the number of species and proportion of species in the various subgroups remained statistically invariant from year to year. Of particular interest were 5 fall days and 4 spring days when exceptional numbers of birds arrived on the island. These wave days were probably the result of local weather conditions near the Farallones. The numbers of individuals of most subgroups of wintering and summering species, especially coastal subgroups, increased significantly on wave days, but the numbers of vagrants did not. The annual variations in abundance of Farallon landbirds were probably caused by variations in the number of young produced each summer, by long-range weather patterns acting over large areas of the continent, and by variations in local weather conditions. Vagrant species significantly increased in abundance in both fall and spring during the second 5 yr of this study. I suggest that this could be caused by a selective increase in the proportion of dispersing individuals (including vagrants) in populations subjected to increased rates of habitat change.
Tests of Habituation to Song Repertoires by Carolina Wrens
Authors: Simpson Barbara S.
Published: October 2019

In a series of playback experiments with Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus), each with 25-43 song types, I tested the effect of song repertoires on habituation in simulated long-range countersinging between territorial neighbors by playing back songs 75 m or 100 m outside the territorial boundary of each subject. One experiment tested differences in response to six repertoire sizes during 15-min continuous playbacks. A second experiment tested habituation to four different repertoire sizes over 2 h of intermittent playbacks. In both experiments birds sang more in response to playbacks than to controls. The response to playbacks of single song types did not decline over time. The subjects did not respond different to large repertoires compared to single songs, nor did different sizes of repertoires affect the changes in the birds' responses over time. The results provide no evidence for an effect of song repertoires in reducing habituation to neighboring intruders. Species like the Carolina Wren, in which individuals communicate over long distances by repeating the same song, might in fact evolve resistance to habituation to acoustically simple, repeated signals.
Effects of a Transmission Line on Bird Populations in the Red Lake Peatland, Northern Minnesota
Authors: Niemi Gerald J. , Hanowski JoAnn M.
Published: October 2019

The effects of a 500-kV transmission line on bird populations were assessed by comparing paired treatment areas [which included a transmission line and right-of-way (ROW)] with similar control areas in six different habitat types during the breeding and migration seasons. Habitat structure was measured to examine the inherent differences between control and treatment areas. Using two census methods, territorial mapping and transect counts, we determined that Sedge Wrens and LeConte's Sparrows had lower breeding-population densities in treatment areas than in control areas. LeConte's Sparrows and Connecticut Warblers occurred at greater mean distances from the transmission line in treatment areas than from a similarly positioned line in control areas. Fifteen paired t-tests (five habitats in 3 yr), in which territorial mapping data were used, revealed that community densities were lower in one treatment habitat (high shrub) in 1 of 3 yr (P < 0.05). A two-way analysis of variance with transect counts, however, was not confirmatory when yearly variation was included. Transect counts revealed lower population densities in one treatment habitat (low shrub) in 2 of 3 yr (P < 0.05). In contrast, we observed greater species richness (P < 0.05) in two treatment habitats (closed spruce and sedge fen) than in controls. Treatment habitats were most similar in habitat structure to their paired control habitats, but each habitat of the pair was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the other in at least 2 of 10 habitat characteristics analyzed. We suggest that the avian differences observed between paired areas were primarily attributable to (1) the inherent habitat differences between control and treatment areas, and (2) the new habitat created under the transmission line. Our data indicated negligible effects of this transmission line on bird populations, but interpretations are difficult, because the effects varied with (1) habitat, (2) season, and (3) method considered. Postimpact studies, which compare control and treatment areas, are less effective than before-and-after studies, because differences in habitat structure exist between any two areas.
Hourly Variation in Morning Point Counts of Birds
Authors: Verner Jared , Ritter Lyman V.
Published: October 2019

We studied hourly variation in measures of the abundance of individual species and the species composition of bird assemblages in different habitats and seasons in the western Sierra Nevada of California, using 8- and 10-min point counts. Results failed to show clearly that any one of the first 4-5 h after sunrise is better than another. The advantages of more counts or more sites sampled, or both, gained by counting over several hours outweigh any advantage that might result from restricting counts to periods that give counts with lower variance. Species richness was better measured by sampling over a period of several hours than by sampling an equal period of time during any single hour.
Thermal Insulation of the Down and Feathers of Pygoscelid Penguin Chicks and the Unique Properties of Penguin Feathers
Authors: Taylor Jan R. E.
Published: October 2019

The thermal insulation of the down and feathers of Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) and Gentoo (P. papua) penguin chicks was measured throughout development in still air and in wind parallel and perpendicular to the plumage. Insulation increased with age. Whole-body insulation of chicks measured in still air (body core to environment) was significantly correlated with the insulation of their pelts at a given age. The insulation of the downy pelts of 10- and 15-day-old chicks was significantly lower than that of all older chicks, and explains the dependence of chicks of that age on continuous brooding by parents, despite their high thermogenic capacities. The down of older chicks provided good insulation in wind speeds of 3-5 m/s. With no wind, the down of Gentoos immediately before molting was a better insulator than feathers of prefledged chicks. The insulation of the feathers of prefledged chicks in parallel air flow up to 5 m/s was 87-112% of its value in still air. However, the insulation increased at higher wind speeds; in Gentoo pelts at winds of 15 m/s, it averaged 136% (maximum 179%) of the insulation in still air. Increasing insulative values of feathers or fur under increasing wind speeds have not been demonstrated previously in any bird or mammal. The insulation of down at various wind speeds and micrometeorological data from the Gentoo Penguin rookery on King George Island, Antarctica were compared. It follows that heat loss of older downy Gentoo chicks is not affected significantly by wind. These chicks can remain within their thermoneutral zones on windy days.
Relationships among Territory Size, Habitat, Song, and Nesting Success of Northern Cardinals
Authors: Conner Richard N. , Anderson Mary E. , Dickson James G.
Published: October 2019

We collected data from 30 territories of Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) during 3 breeding seasons (1979-1981) in eastern Texas. Territory size was positively correlated with tree height and negatively correlated with the density of foliage at ground level and at 3 m above the ground, and with the density of shrubs. Nesting success was positively correlated with presence of patchy understory foliage and arthropod biomass in territories. Cardinals with low song complexity and shorter songs held better-quality territories and had better nesting success than cardinals with more complex songs. We suspect that young males may use long, complex songs to establish a territory initially, and in subsequent years put less time and effort into song and more into care and defense of young.