bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Island rule and bone metabolism in fossil murines from Timor
Authors: Miszkiewicz Justyna J , Louys Julien , Beck Robin M D , Mahoney Patrick , Aplin Ken , O’Connor Sue 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Skeletal growth rates reconstructed from bone histology in extinct insular hippopotamids, elephants, bovids and sauropods have been used to infer dwarfism as a response to island conditions. Limited published records of osteocyte lacunae densities (Ot.Dn), a proxy for living osteocyte proliferation, have suggested a slower rate of bone metabolism in giant mammals. Here, we test whether insularity might have affected bone metabolism in a series of small to giant murine rodents from Timor. Ten adult femora were selected from a fossil assemblage dated to the Late Quaternary (~5000–18 000 years old). Femur morphometric data were used in computing phylogenetically informed body mass regressions, although the phylogenetic signal was very low (Pagel’s λ = 0.03). Estimates of body weight calculated from these femora ranged from 75 to 1188 g. Osteocyte lacunae densities from histological sections of the midshaft femur were evaluated against bone size and estimated body weight. Statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05) and strongly negative relationships between Ot.Dn, femur size and estimated weight were found. Larger specimens were characterized by lower Ot.Dn, indicating that giant murines from Timor might have had a relatively slow pace of bone metabolic activity, consistent with predictions made by the island rule.
WormQTL2: an interactive platform for systems genetics in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Snoek Basten L , Sterken Mark G , Hartanto Margi , van Zuilichem Albert-Jan , Kammenga Jan E , de Ridder Dick , Nijveen Harm 
Published: December 2019

AbstractQuantitative genetics provides the tools for linking polymorphic loci to trait variation. Linkage analysis of gene expression is an established and widely applied method, leading to the identification of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). (e)QTL detection facilitates the identification and understanding of the underlying molecular components and pathways, yet (e)QTL data access and mining often is a bottleneck. Here, we present WormQTL2, a database and platform for comparative investigations and meta-analyses of published (e)QTL data sets in the model nematode worm C. elegans. WormQTL2 integrates six eQTL studies spanning 11 conditions as well as over 1000 traits from 32 studies and allows experimental results to be compared, reused and extended upon to guide further experiments and conduct systems-genetic analyses. For example, one can easily screen a locus for specific cis-eQTLs that could be linked to variation in other traits, detect gene-by-environment interactions by comparing eQTLs under different conditions, or find correlations between QTL profiles of classical traits and gene expression. WormQTL2 makes data on natural variation in C. elegans and the identified QTLs interactively accessible, allowing studies beyond the original publications.Database URL: www.bioinformatics.nl/WormQTL2/
The Impact of Prescribed Burning on Native Bee Communities (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) in Longleaf Pine Savannas in the North Carolina Sandhills
Authors: Moylett Heather , Youngsteadt Elsa , Sorenson Clyde 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPrescribed burning is a common silvicultural practice used in the management of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill., Pinales: Pinaceae) savannas to reduce hardwood encroachment and ground cover and to maintain biodiversity. We investigated the response of the native bee community (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) in the Sandhills of North Carolina to prescribed burning on a 3-yr rotation over two consecutive years (2012 and 2013). We deployed bee bowl traps in sites that had been burned the year of sampling, 1 yr before, 2 yr before, and in unburned controls. In total, 2,276 bees of 109 species were captured. Bee abundance declined with time since fire, with 2.3 times more bees captured in the most recently burned sites than in unburned controls. Bee diversity also declined with time since fire, with 2.1 times more species captured in the most recently burned sites than in controls. Bee community composition also responded to fire; we present evidence that this response was mediated in part by the effect of fire on the amount of bare ground and canopy cover. Bees nesting aboveground were unaffected by fire, contrary to our expectation that fire would destroy the wood and stems in which these species nest. Our results indicate that prescribed burning is a silvicultural practice consistent with pollinator conservation in longleaf pine ecosystems of the North Carolina sandhills.
Plant Selection by Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Montane Riparian Habitat of California
Authors: Cole Jerry S , Siegel Rodney B , Loffland Helen L , Elsey Erin A , Tingley Morgan W , Johnson Matthew 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Many bumble bee species (Bombus Latreille) have declined dramatically across North America and the globe, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of the habitat required to sustain or recover populations. Determining bumble bee species’ plant selection is important for retaining and promoting high-quality plant resources that will help populations persist. We used nonlethal methods to sample 413 plots within riparian corridors and meadows in the Sierra Nevada of California for bumble bees during two summers following extremely low and normal precipitation years, respectively. We assessed the five most abundant bumble bee species’ plant selection by comparing their floral use to availability. Additionally, we described the shift in plant selection between years for the most abundant species, Bombus vosnesenskii Radoszkowski. Bumble bee species richness was constant between years (13 species) but abundance nearly tripled from 2015 to 2016 (from 1243 to 3612 captures), driven largely by a dramatic increase in B. vosnesenskii. We captured bumble bees on 104 plant species or complexes, but only 14 were significantly selected by at least one bumble bee species. Each of the five most frequently captured bumble bee species selected at least one unique plant species. Plant blooming phenology, relative availability of flowers of individual plant species, and plant selection by B. vosnesenkii remained fairly constant between the two study years, suggesting that maintaining, seeding, or planting with these ‘bumble bee plants’ may benefit these five bumble bee species.
Root microbiomes as indicators of seagrass health
Authors: Martin Belinda C , Alarcon Marta Sanchez , Gleeson Deirdre , Middleton Jen A , Fraser Matthew W , Ryan Megan H , Holmer Marianne , Kendrick Gary A , Kilminster Kieryn 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
The development of early warning indicators that identify ecosystem stress is a priority for improving ecosystem management. As microbial communities respond rapidly to environmental disturbance, monitoring their composition could prove one such early indicator of environmental stress. We combined 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the seagrass root microbiome of Halophila ovalis with seagrass health metrics (biomass, productivity and Fsulphide) to develop microbial indicators for seagrass condition across the Swan-Canning Estuary and the Leschenault Estuary (south-west Western Australia); the former had experienced an unseasonal rainfall event leading to declines in seagrass health. Microbial indicators detected sites of potential stress that other seagrass health metrics failed to detect. Genera that were more abundant in ‘healthy’ seagrasses included putative methylotrophic bacteria (e.g. Methylotenera and Methylophaga), iron cycling bacteria (e.g. Deferrisoma and Geothermobacter) and N2 fixing bacteria (e.g. Rhizobium). Conversely, genera that were more abundant in ‘stressed’ seagrasses were dominated by putative sulphur-cycling bacteria, both sulphide-oxidising (e.g. Candidatus Thiodiazotropha and Candidatus Electrothrix) and sulphate-reducing (e.g. SEEP-SRB1, Desulfomonile and Desulfonema). The sensitivity of the microbial indicators developed here highlights their potential to be further developed for use in adaptive seagrass management, and emphasises their capacity to be effective early warning indicators of stress.
Newly designed high-coverage degenerate primers for nitrogen removal mechanism analysis in a partial nitrification-anammox (PN/A) process
Authors: Wang Qingkun , He Jianzhong 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTReliable tools for quantification of different functional populations are required to achieve stable, effective nutrients removal in partial nitrification and anammox (PN/A) processes. Here we report the design and validation of degenerate PCR primer pairs targeting anammox bacteria, aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AeAOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) with high coverage but without sacrificing specificity. The new primer pairs are able to cover a broader range of the targeted populations (58.4 vs 21.7%, 49.5 vs 47.6%, 80.7 vs 57.2% and 70.5 vs 42.3% of anammox bacteria, AeAOB, Nitrobacter and Nitrospina, respectively) than previously published primers. Particularly, the Amx719F/875R primer can retrieve a larger number of 16S rRNA genes from different types of samples with amplicons covering all known anammox bacteria genera (100% coverage) including the recently found novel genus, Asahi BRW. These newly desinged primers will provide a more reliable molecular tool to investigate the mechanisms of nitrogen removal in PN/A processes, which can provide clearer links between reactor performance, the metabolic activities and abundances of functional populations, shedding light on conditions that are favorable to the establishment of stable PN/A.
Long-term climate ocean oscillations inform seabird bycatch from pelagic longline fishery
Authors: Bi Rujia , Jiao Yan , Bakka Haakon , Browder Joan A 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSeabirds are facing increasing threats in both marine and terrestrial habitats, and many populations have experienced dramatic declines over past decades. Fisheries bycatch is the most pervasive at-sea threat and is of increasing concern in fisheries management and marine conservation. We predicted spatial and temporal heterogeneities of seabird bycatch probability in the US Atlantic pelagic longline fishery (PLL) through an interactive Barrier model based on observer data from the National Marine Fisheries Service Pelagic Observer Program. The Barrier model prevents bias caused by physical barriers such as coastlines by defining the spatial correlation function as a collection of paths between points and eliminating any paths across physical barriers. The integrated nested Laplace approximations methodology and stochastic partial differential equations approach were applied to fit the model, greatly reducing execution time. Seabird bycatch had a hotspot of high bycatch probability in the mid-Atlantic bight in most years, and the hotspot varied in presence and location yearly. The inter-annual variations in bycatch hotspot are correlated with Gulf Stream meanders. Special area and time fishing restrictions predicted by relationships with Gulf Stream positions might enable the US Atlantic PLL to avoid peak areas and periods of seabird bycatch and thereby support seabird conservation.
Chrysolampine Wasps (Chalcidoidea: Perilampidae sensu lato) From Baltic Amber
Authors: Burks Roger A , Krogmann Lars , Heraty John M 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Chrysolampine wasps belong to a unique lineage of Chalcidoidea characterized by mobile first instar larvae and known as the planidial clade. The fossil history of this biologically highly derived group of parasitoids is still little known due to the scarcity of preserved fossils. Here, we report the discovery of four specimens of Chrysolampinae from Eocene Baltic amber, representing the first fossil record for the subfamily. All specimens can be assigned to the extant genus Brachyelatus Hoffer & Novicky and are described as Brachyelatus marthae sp. nov. Brachyelatus is characterized by a number of putative plesiomorphies, such as a short petiole and a smoothly sloping pronotum. Synapomorphies with other Chrysolampinae include pores in sloping depressions on the male scape, shape of the clypeus, and features of the fore wing venation. The fossils differ from all examined extant members of Chrysolampinae by the arrangement of the uncal sensilla on the fore wing stigma in a straight line.
Fertile Ground for Conflict
Authors: Berman Nicolas , Couttenier Mathieu , Soubeyran Raphael 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe investigate how variations in soil productivity affect civil conflicts. We first present a model with heterogeneous land in which variations in input prices (fertilizers) affect appropriable rents and the opportunity costs of fighting. The theory predicts that spikes in input prices increase the likelihood of conflicts through their effect on income and inequality, and that this effect is magnified when soil fertility is naturally more heterogeneous. We test these predictions using data on conflict events covering all Sub-Saharan African countries at a spatial resolution of 0.5 $\times$ 0.5 degree latitude and longitude over the 1997–2013 period. We combine information on soil characteristics and worldwide variations in fertilizer prices to identify local exogenous changes in input costs. As predicted, variations in soil productivity triggered by variations in fertilizer prices are positively associated with conflicts, especially in cells where land endowments are more heterogeneous. In addition, we find that the distribution of land fertility both within and across ethnic groups affects violence, and that the effect of between-group heterogeneity in soil quality is magnified in densely populated areas. Overall, our findings imply that inequality in access to fertile areas—an issue largely neglected in the literature dealing with the roots of Sub-Saharan African civil wars—constitutes a serious threat to peace at the local level.
Colorectal Cancer Care Among Young Adult Patients After the Dependent Coverage Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Nogueira Leticia , Chawla Neetu , Han Xuesong , Jemal Ahmedin , Yabroff K Robin 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The effect of the Dependent Coverage Expansion (DCE) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on receipt of colorectal cancer treatment has yet to be determined. We identified newly diagnosed DCE–eligible (aged 19–25 years, n = 1924) and DCE–ineligible (aged 27–34 years, n = 8313) colorectal cancer patients from the National Cancer Database from 2007 to 2013. All statistical tests were two-sided. Post-ACA, there was a statistically significant increase in early-stage diagnosis among DCE–eligible (15 percentage point increase, confidence interval = 9.8, 20.2; P &lt; .001), but not DCE–ineligible (P = .09), patients. DCE–eligible patients resected for IIB–IIIC colorectal cancer were more likely to receive timely adjuvant chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.05 to 1.71; 7.0 days’ decrease in restricted mean time from surgery to chemotherapy, P = .01), with no differences in DCE–ineligible patients (hazard ratio = 1.10, 95% confidence interval = 0.98 to 1.24; 2.1 days’ decrease, P = .41) post-ACA. Our findings highlight the role of the ACA in improving access to potentially lifesaving cancer care, including a shift to early-stage diagnosis and more timely receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Arabidopsis MAPKKK δ-1 is required for full immunity against bacterial and fungal infection
Authors: Asano Tomoya , Nguyen Thi Hang-Ni , Yasuda Michiko , Sidiq Yasir , Nishimura Kohji , Nakashita Hideo , Nishiuchi Takumi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe genome of Arabidopsis encodes more than 60 mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) kinases (MAPKKKs); however, the functions of most MAPKKKs and their downstream MAPKKs are largely unknown. Here, MAPKKK δ-1 (MKD1), a novel Raf-like MAPKKK, was isolated from Arabidopsis as a subunit of a complex including the transcription factor AtNFXL1, which is involved in the trichothecene phytotoxin response and in disease resistance against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC3000). A MKD1-dependent cascade positively regulates disease resistance against PstDC3000 and the trichothecene mycotoxin-producing fungal pathogen Fusarium sporotrichioides. MKD1 expression was induced by trichothecenes derived from Fusarium species. MKD1 directly interacted with MKK1 and MKK5 in vivo, and phosphorylated MKK1 and MKK5 in vitro. Correspondingly, mkk1 mutants and MKK5RNAi transgenic plants showed enhanced susceptibility to F. sporotrichioides. MKD1 was required for full activation of two MAPKs (MPK3 and MPK6) by the T-2 toxin and flg22. Finally, quantitative phosphoproteomics suggested that an MKD1-dependent cascade controlled phosphorylation of a disease resistance protein, SUMO, and a mycotoxin-detoxifying enzyme. Our findings suggest that the MKD1–MKK1/MKK5–MPK3/MPK6-dependent signaling cascade is involved in the full immune responses against both bacterial and fungal infection.
A transdisciplinary protocol for digital scholarship
Authors: Jacobs Brendan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
While the field of digital humanities continues to evolve and expand, the affordances of the digital medium are becoming increasingly applicable to research in the field of education. This article provides an overview of some of the issues involved with publishing educational research as a digital web-based thesis. It also introduces the term multimodal theses and dissertations (MTDs) and reports on a Ph.D. research project which is an early example of an MTD in the field of education. The purpose of this article is three-fold: (1) to stand on the shoulders of those in the digital humanities to expand the growing field of digital scholarship to include education; (2) to report on a range of unanticipated affordances arising from the MTD format in addition to the obvious benefits of ease of use, embedded media, and functionality; (3) to propose a transdisciplinary protocol for digital scholarship to assist researchers, librarians, and graduate school administrators in various disciplines.
Newborn Screening Pulse Oximetry to Detect Critical Congenital Heart Disease: A Follow-Up Survey of Current Practice at Army, Navy and Air Force Hospitals
Authors: Robinson David L , Craig Mark S , Wells Ronald S , Liesemer Kirk N , Studer Matthew A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Introduction
The purpose of this study was to assess the evolution of newborn pulse oximetry screening (+POx) among Army, Air Force, and Naval military hospitals (MH), including prevalence, protocol use, quality assurance processes, access to echocardiography, and use of telemedicine. This is a follow-up from a prior study published in 2011.

Materials and Methods
An Internet-based questionnaire was forwarded to the chief pediatrician at MH worldwide which support newborn deliveries. Descriptive data were reported using percentages. Grouped responses, as applicable, were further compared using the chi-square test. A p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
Seventy-eight percent (36/46) of MH supporting deliveries worldwide responded to the survey (17 Army hospitals, 11 Navy Hospitals, 8 Air Force hospitals). All responding hospitals utilize +POx, of which 94% endorsed protocol compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Nine (25%) hospitals were located outside of the United States. Delivery volumes (infants per month) range between 1–49 (36%), 50–99 (28%), 100–199 (19%), and 200–300 (17%). Eleven hospitals reported regular review of +POx data, with most reviewing them monthly. Four MH share findings with state institutions. Ten hospitals either have a staff pediatric cardiologist or use tele-echocardiography for on-site evaluations. Ten hospitals are located greater than 60 miles from the nearest center with echocardiography capabilities. Of the five hospitals using tele-echocardiography, four confirmed critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) using this practice, and all five reported averting transfer of an infant using this technology. Of the 22 hospitals lacking the ability to obtain on-site echocardiography, 12 (55%) are interested in implementing a tele-echocardiography protocol.

Conclusions
All responding MH use +POx, representing significant increase from the 30% of MH reporting use of +POx seven years ago. The majority of MH follow AAP +POx guidelines, and though most have providers review results prior to discharge, only one-third report periodic chart review for quality assurance. Most MH transfer infants with positive +POx results for evaluation due to a lack of on-site echocardiography. Tele-echocardiography was reported as a potential solution to diagnose or rule out CCHD. Over half of remaining hospitals without cardiologists are interested in using this technology to evaluate stable infants with positive CCHD screening.
Surface superconductivity in the type II Weyl semimetal TaIrTe4
Authors: Xing Ying , Shao Zhibin , Ge Jun , Luo Jiawei , Wang Jinhua , Zhu Zengwei , Liu Jun , Wang Yong , Zhao Zhiying , Yan Jiaqiang , Mandrus David , Yan Binghai , Liu Xiong-Jun , Pan Minghu , Wang Jian 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The search for unconventional superconductivity in Weyl semimetal materials is currently an exciting pursuit, since such superconducting phases could potentially be topologically non-trivial and host exotic Majorana modes. The layered material TaIrTe4 is a newly predicted time-reversal invariant type II Weyl semimetal with the minimum number of Weyl points. Here, we report the discovery of surface superconductivity in Weyl semimetal TaIrTe4. Our scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) visualizes Fermi arc surface states of TaIrTe4 that are consistent with the previous angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy results. By a systematic study based on STS at ultralow temperature, we observe uniform superconducting gaps on the sample surface. The superconductivity is further confirmed by electrical transport measurements at ultralow temperature, with an onset transition temperature (Tc) up to 1.54 K being observed. The normalized upper critical field h*(T/Tc) behavior and the stability of the superconductivity against the ferromagnet indicate that the discovered superconductivity is unconventional with the p-wave pairing. The systematic STS, and thickness- and angular-dependent transport measurements reveal that the detected superconductivity is quasi-1D and occurs in the surface states. The discovery of the surface superconductivity in TaIrTe4 provides a new novel platform to explore topological superconductivity and Majorana modes.
Why Are Women with Fibromyalgia so Stigmatized?
Authors: Quintner John 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Introduction
Many female pain sufferers with medically unexplained pain are at risk of being stigmatized in our Western society. Fibromyalgia is offered as the exemplar condition.

Aim
To understand why these women are being stigmatized.

Methods
A review of the recent literature was conducted with a focus on the perceptions of women with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia who have been stigmatized.

Results
Three intertwined themes emerged as contributing to their stigmatization: moralizing attitudes, disbelief as to the reality of pain, and pain’s invisibility.

Conclusion
Given how embedded the factors responsible for the stigmatization of women with fibromyalgia in Western society are, the realistic prospects for addressing this issue are poor.