bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The color of greater flamingo feathers fades when no cosmetics are applied
Authors: Chiale Maria Cecilia , Rendón Miguel A. , Labaude Sophie , Deville Anne‐Sophie , Garrido‐Fernández Juan , Pérez‐Gálvez Antonio , Garrido Araceli , Rendón‐Martos Manuel , Béchet Arnaud , Amat Juan A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGreater flamingos use cosmetic coloration by spreading uropygial secretions pigmented with carotenoids over their feathers, which makes the plumage redder. Because flamingos inhabit open environments that receive direct solar radiation during daytime, and carotenoids bleach when exposed to solar radiation, we expected that the plumage color would fade if there is no maintenance for cosmetic purposes. Here, we show that the concentrations of pigments inside feathers and on the surface of feathers were correlated, as well as that there was a correlation between the concentrations of pigments in the uropygial secretions and on the surface of feathers. There was fading in color (becoming less red) in feathers that received direct solar radiation when there was no plumage maintenance, but not so in others maintained in darkness. When we controlled for the initial color of feathers, the feathers of those individuals with higher concentration of pigments on the feather surfaces were those that lost less coloration after experimental exposure of feathers to sunny conditions. These results indicate that exposure to sunlight is correlated with the fading of feather color, which suggests that individuals need to regularly apply makeup to be more colorful. These results also reinforce the view that these birds use cosmetic coloration as a signal amplifier of plumage color. This may be important in species using highly variable habitats, such as wetlands, since the conditions experienced when molting may differ from those when the signal should be functional, usually months after molting.
The mitogenome of Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) and its relationships with other trombidiform mites as inferred from nucleotide sequences and gene arrangements
Authors: Thia Joshua A. , Young Neil D. , Korhnen Pasi K. , Yang Qiong , Gasser Robin B. , Umina Paul A. , Hoffmann Ary A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker, 1925: Trombidiformes, Eupodoidea, Penthaleidae), is an invasive mite species. In Australia, this mite has become a pest of winter pastures and grain crops. We report the complete mitogenome for H. destructor, the first to represent the family Penthaleidae, superfamily Eupodoidea. The mitogenome of H. destructor is 14,691 bp in size, and has a GC content of 27.87%, 13 protein‐coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. We explored evolutionary relationships of H. destructor with other members of the Trombidiformes using phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences and the order of protein‐coding and rRNA genes. We found strong, consistent support for the superfamily Tydeoidea being the sister taxon to the superfamily Eupodoidea based on nucleotide sequences and gene arrangements. Moreover, the gene arrangements of Eupodoidea and Tydeoidea are not only identical to each other but also identical to that of the hypothesized arthropod ancestor, showing a high level of conservatism in the mitogenomic structure of these mite superfamilies. Our study illustrates the utility of gene arrangements for providing complementary information to nucleotide sequences with respect to inferring the evolutionary relationships of species within the order Trombidiformes. The mitogenome of H. destructor provides a valuable resource for further population genetic studies of this important agricultural pest. Given the co‐occurrence of closely related, morphologically similar Penthaleidae mites with H. destructor in the field, a complete mitogenome provides new opportunities to develop metabarcoding tools to study mite diversity in agro‐ecosystems. Moreover, the H. destructor mitogenome fills an important taxonomic gap that will facilitate further study of trombidiform mite evolution.
Feeding habits and novel prey of larval fishes in the northern San Francisco Estuary
Authors: Jungbluth Michelle J. , Burns Jillian , Grimaldo Lenny , Slaughter Anne , Katla Aspen , Kimmerer Wim 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFood limitation can dampen the survival and growth of fish species during early development. To investigate prey diversity important to the planktivorous larval longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) from the San Francisco Estuary, we used DNA metabarcoding analysis of the cytochrome oxidase I gene on the guts of these fishes and on environmental zooplankton samples, in comparison with results from abundance analyses of zooplankton samples. Overall, both fish consumed the prey that were commonly available and relatively abundant: Diets were dominated by arthropods but also included soft‐bodied and difficult to identify organisms. Prey taxa substantially overlapped between the two species (Schoener's index = 0.66), and alpha diversity analysis suggested high variability in the content of guts from different individuals. Abundant prey taxa in both fish species included the copepods Eurytemora carolleeae, Acanthocyclops americanus, and A. robustus; Acanthocyclops spp. are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Differential abundance analysis suggested that both species consumed the most abundant zooplankton in lower proportions than their availability in the environment. A few uncommon prey observed in the diets may hint at feeding strategies employed by the larvae, such as herring DNA in the longfin smelt diets, suggesting feeding on eggs near substrates or schooling behavior. Herring consumed the small (<0.5 mm) copepod Limnoithona tetraspina much more frequently (30%) than did smelt (2%), possibly indicating differences in foraging behavior or sensory abilities. Among the unexpected prey found in the diets was the cnidarian Hydra oligactis, the polychaete Dasybranchus sp., and the copepod Mesocyclops pehpeiensis, a species not previously described in the San Francisco Estuary. Our findings illustrate the power of molecular methods in revealing feeding patterns and novel plankton diversity that can be undetectable with complementary morphological analysis methods.
Narratives in an authoritarian environment: Narrative strategies, plots, and characters in Moscow’s public transport reforms debate
Authors: Uldanov Artem , Gabriichuk Tatiana , Karateev Dmitry , Makhmutova Maria 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article draws on the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) to analyze the recent debates over Moscow's public transport policy. Despite a proliferation of NPF implementations in recent years, applications in authoritarian institutional settings remain rare. We seek to fill this gap by examining how the actors combine narrative strategies, characters, and plots to advocate their vision of public transport development in Moscow. To this end, this study tests NPF meso‐level hypotheses on narrative strategies and their connections with plots and characters used in the context of Russian electoral authoritarian regime. The results show that the NPF hypotheses are applicable for the analysis of policy debates in an authoritarian context. While the governmental coalition uses an angel shift strategy—focusing on heroes, beneficiaries, and stories of control—to contain the scope of conflict, the opposing coalition implies a devil shift strategy with a specific attention to villains, victims, and different plots to expand the scope of conflict.
An explicit finite volume scheme on staggered grids for the Euler equations: Unstructured meshes, stability analysis, and energy conservation
Authors: Goudon Thierry , Llobell Julie , Minjeaud Sebastian 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe set up a numerical strategy for the simulation of the Euler equations, in the framework of finite volume staggered discretizations where numerical densities, energies, and velocities are stored on different locations. The main difficulty relies on the treatment of the total energy, which mixes quantities stored on different grids. The proposed method is strongly inspired, on the one hand, from the kinetic framework for the definition of the numerical fluxes, and, on the other hand, from the discrete duality finite volume (DDFV) framework, which has been designed for the simulation of elliptic equations on complex meshes. The time discretization is explicit and we exhibit stability conditions that guaranty the positivity of the discrete densities and internal energies. Moreover, while the scheme works on the internal energy equation, we can define a discrete total energy which satisfies a local conservation equation. We provide a set of numerical simulations to illustrate the behavior of the scheme.
The Sport Fish Restoration Program as a Funding Source to Manage and Monitor Bowfishing and Monitor Inland Commercial Fisheries
Authors: Scarnecchia Dennis L , Schooley Jason D , Lackmann Alec R , Rider Steven J , Riecke Dennis K , McMullen Joseph , Ganus J Eric , Steffensen Kirk D , Kramer Nicholas W , Shattuck Zachary R 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The Sport Fish Restoration Program (SFR) has been a stable and highly successful funding program supporting state fisheries research, propagation, and management activities since its inception in 1950. The expanding sport of bowfishing in the past 2 decades, and research over a comparable time period showing very long lifespans of underappreciated native fish species, opens the door to some new ways to classify, manage, and fund monitoring of these natives under the SFR program, while encouraging sport and commercial take of invasives. Evidence from bowfishing and from changes in angling patterns for some nongame species indicates that the time has come to consider reclassifying underappreciated native species into some form of sport status (entirely separate from non-native invasives) and thereby potentially expanding the scope of species projects financed with SFR funds. Reclassification will also function to upgrade the status of underappreciated native species taken within agencies, with bowfishers and anglers, and with the public. It then opens the door to improved, and necessary, monitoring of inland commercial fisheries (often targeting the same species), an activity which has needed improvement and a reliable funding source for decades. We suggest that our approach is a comparatively straightforward one that is scientifically defensible and implementable within the existing state–federal management jurisdictions and institutions.
Occurrence and associated factors of aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk in South Gondar Zone, North West Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Admasu Fitalew Tadele , Melak Addisu , Demissie Biruk , Yenew Chalachew , Habtie Mezgebu Legesse , Bekele Tigist Tefera , Feyesa Teka Obsa , Chanie Ermias Sisay , G/Medhin Markeshaw Tiruneh , Malik Tabarak , Dejenie Tadesse Asmamaw 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAflatoxin M1 is the most significant toxin of milk and milk products. It is immunosuppressive, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds to humans. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the concentration of aflatoxin M1 and its determinants in raw cow milk sample intended for human consumption in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on a total of 100 dairy farmers from January to February 2020. Around 50 ml, 100 raw milk samples were collected for aflatoxin M1 analysis. A simple random sampling technique was applied to get the households. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were used to see the association between predictor and outcome variables. From the 100 dairy farmers who had participated, 38% had heard about aflatoxin in the milk sample. Aflatoxin M1 was detected in the 99(99%) raw milk samples, of these 41 (41%) exceeded the limit of the European Union. The logistic regression analysis result showed that residence, awareness about the level of aflatoxin in the milk sample, management mold‐contaminated animal feed, animal feed storage facility, and grazing systems were significantly associated with the high level of aflatoxin in the milk sample. Almost all milk samples analyzed were positive for aflatoxin M1, and 41% of samples were above the limit set by European Union. Many easily manageable and preventable factors were associated with higher levels of aflatoxin M1 in the milk sample than the European Union limit, which suggests continuous monitoring of milk and milk products is necessary.
Ovarian germ cell tumor/mastocytosis with KIT mutation: A unique clinicopathological entity
Authors: Xiao Peifang , Chen Ping , Lang Xingping , An Qi , Yang Chunxiao , Chen Si , Wang Kai , Chen Nan , Hao Yang , Ding Jingwen , Li Zhiheng , Hu Shaoyan , Xiao Sheng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMost tumors are sporadic and originated from somatic mutations. Some rare germline mutations cause familial tumors, often involving multiple tissues or organs. Tumors from somatic mosaicism during embryonic development are extremely rare. We describe here a pediatric patient who developed both an ovarian germ cell tumor and systemic mastocytosis. Targeted DNA next‐generation sequencing analysis revealed similar genomic changes including the same KIT D816V mutation in both tissues, suggesting a common progenitor cancer cell. The KIT mutated cells are likely from early embryonic development during germ cell migration. A literature search found additional eight similar cases. These diseases are characterized by pediatric‐onset, all‐female, neoplastic proliferation in both gonad and bone marrow, and a common oncogenic cause, that is, KIT mutation, constituting a clinically and genetically homogenous disease entity. Importantly, the association of germ cell tumors with hematopoietic neoplasms suggests that the primordial germ cells are the primitive hematopoietic stem cells, a much‐debated and unsettled question.
Variability of tree transpiration across three zones in a southeastern U.S. Piedmont watershed
Authors: Boggs Johnny L. , Sun Ge , Domec Jean‐Christophe , McNulty Steven G. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractQuantifying the spatial variability of species‐specific tree transpiration across hillslopes is important for estimating watershed‐scale evapotranspiration (ET) and predicting spatial drought effects on vegetation. The objectives of this study are to (1) assess sap flux density (Js) and tree‐level transpiration (Ts) across three contrasting zones a (riparian buffer, mid‐hillslope and upland‐hillslope, (2) determine how species‐specific Js responds to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and (3) estimate watershed‐level transpiration (Tw) using Ts derived from each zone. During 2015 and 2016, we measured Js in eight tree species in the three topographic zones in a small 12‐ha forested watershed in the Piedmont region of central North Carolina. In the dry year of 2015, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Js rates were significantly higher in the riparian buffer when compared to the other two zones. In contrast, Js rates in tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and red maple (Acer rubrum) were significantly lower in the buffer than in the mid‐hillslope. Daily Ts varied by zone and ranged from 10 to 93 L/day in the dry year and from 9 to 122 L/day in the wet year (2016). Js responded nonlinearly to VPD in all species and zones. Annual Tw was 447, 377 and 340 mm based on scaled‐Js data for the buffer, mid‐hillslope and upland‐hillslope, respectively. We conclude that large spatial variability in Js and scaled Tw was driven by differences in soil moisture at each zone and forest composition. Consequently, spatial heterogeneity of vegetation and soil moisture must be considered when accurately quantifying watershed level ET.
Effects of 4‐nonylphenol on adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and C3H/10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wu Shuang , Xiao Qianqian , Kang Chenping , Hu Hong , Hou Xiaohong , Wei Xuetao , Hao Weidong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObesogens are a subset of endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) that cause obesity. The typical EDC 4‐nonylphenol (4‐NP) has been identified as an obesogen. However, the in vitro effects of 4‐NP on adipogenesis remain unclear. In this study, 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and C3H/10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used to investigate the influence of 4‐NP on adipogenesis. The differentiation protocols for 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and C3H/10T1/2 MSCs took 8 and 12 days, respectively, beginning at Day 0. In differentiated 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes, 20 μM 4‐NP decreased cell viability on Days 4 and 8. Exposure to 4‐NP inhibited triglyceride (TG) accumulation and adipogenic marker expression on Days 0–8, but the inhibitory effects were weaker on Days 2–8. The protein expression of pSTAT3 or STAT3 decreased on Days 0–8 and 2–8. Conversely, 4‐NP promoted TG accumulation and the adipogenic marker expression in C3H/10T1/2 adipocytes. The opposing effects were attributed to physiological differences between the two cell lines. The 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes are dependent on mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) to drive differentiation, while C3H/10T1/2MSCs and human preadipocytes are not. Additionally, 4‐NP downregulated β‐catenin expression in C3H/10T1/2 adipocytes. Accordingly, we hypothesized that 4‐NP promotes adipogenesis. The role of the canonical Wnt pathway in the promotion of adipogenesis by 4‐NP requires further validation. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms and appropriate risk management of 4‐NP.
Gender diversity inclusive board structure and firm performance: Evidence from West Africa
Authors: Tuo Siele Jean , Chang Li , Tesfagebreal Mebrahtu , Edjoukou Akadje Jean Roland 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe analyze the relationship of board structure features with non‐financial firm's performance among West African listed companies. The data was collected though content analysis of annual reports and audited financial statement of 109 West African listed companies over 2002–2017 by utilized three financial performance proxies, namely return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin Q. We employed several model specification tests and regression methods including pooled OLS, fixed effects and GMM two stage models. The results indicate statistically positive relationship between board size and firm performance but only significant with Tobin's Q and positive significant effect of women directorship and women chief executive officer on firm performance. Independent director has statistically positive significant effect on firm financial performance. Paradoxically, women independent directors has negative significant impact on financial performance. Findings imply that corporations should have a board structure including women executives’ directors, woman CEO and men independent directors as a way to enhance firm's performance. This paper contributes to developing countries scant literature on determinants financial performance and corporate governance practices by provides evidence on why and how corporation should have independent directors and gender diversity inclusive board structure to enhance firm's performance ones in developing countries.
Facile Co3O4 nanoparticles deposited on polyvinylpyrrolidine for efficient water oxidation in alkaline media
Authors: Mugheri Abdul Qayoom , Tahira Aneela , Aftab Umair , Nafady Ayman , Vigolo Brigitte , Ibupoto Zafar Hussain 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTo develop an inexpensive, earthabundant, efficient, and stable catalyst is very crucial for the realization of renewable energy for practical applications, but it is a difficult task. In this research study, we have deposited Co3O4 nanoparticles on polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) through electro‐spun technique followed by carbonization. The structure and composition studies were carried by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and powder X‐ray diffraction techniques. The Co3O4 nanoparticles are deposited on the nanofibers of PVP with improved surface area and conductivity; therefore, the hybrid material has shown an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. The onset potential for the presented OER catalyst is about 1.46 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, and an overpotential of 280 mV is needed to reach a current density of 10 mAcm−2. The Co3O4 nanoparticles are highly durable for 20 hr and very stable. The low charge transfer resistance of 29.23 Ω is offered by the Co3O4 hybrid material, which facilitated the OER kinetics in alkaline media. These obtained OER results may be utilized for the overall water splitting and the synthetic strategy is low cost, thus it favors the mass production of functional materials for diverse electrochemical applications.
Seven tumor‐associated autoantibodies as a serum biomarker for primary screening of early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Ping , Lu Wei , Chen Tingting 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyze the levels of tumor‐associated autoantibodies (TAAbs) in lung diseases and determine their diagnostic efficiency in early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the levels of 7‐TAAbs in 177 newly diagnosed early‐stage NSCLC patients, 202 patients with lung benign diseases and 137 healthy cases. The levels of a panel of 7‐TAAbs, including p53, GAGE7, PGP9.5, CAGE, MAGE A1, SOX2, GBU4‐5, were measured by ELISA.ResultsThe serum levels of p53, GAGE7, PGP9.5, CAGE, MAGE A1, SOX2, and GBU4‐5 were not statistically different among NSCLC, benign and healthy groups (p > 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of 7‐TAAbs was all lower than 0.70. The sensitivity of combined detection was the highest (23.73%), while the specificity was the lowest (88.79%). The positive rates of PGP9.5, SOX2, and combined detection were significantly different among the three groups (p < 0.05). Among them, PGP9.5 and combined detection were significantly different between the NSCLC and benign groups (p < 0.05), PGP9.5, SOX2 and combined detection were significantly different between the NSCLC and healthy groups (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe diagnostic efficiency of 7‐TAAbs in early‐stage NSCLC was not high, so it cannot be used alone as a screening method for NSCLC.