bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Envelope reconstruction of speech and music highlights unique tracking of speech at low frequencies
Authors: Zuk Nathaniel J , Murphy Jeremy W , Reilly Richard B , Lalor Edmund C 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe human brain tracks amplitude fluctuations of both speech and music, which reflects acoustic processing in addition to the processing of higher-order features and one’s cognitive state. Comparing neural tracking of speech and music envelopes can elucidate stimulus-general mechanisms, but direct comparisons are confounded by differences in their envelope spectra. Here, we use a novel method of frequency-constrained reconstruction of stimulus envelopes using EEG recorded during passive listening. We expected to see music reconstruction match speech in a narrow range of frequencies, but instead we found that speech was reconstructed better than music for all frequencies we examined. Additionally, speech envelope tracking at low frequencies, below 1 Hz, was uniquely associated with increased weighting over parietal channels. Our results highlight the importance of low-frequency speech tracking and its origin from speech-specific processing in the brain.
Seismic noise attenuation by signal reconstruction: an unsupervised machine learning approach
Authors: Gao Yang , Zhao Pingqi , Li Guofa , Li Hao 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTRandom noise attenuation is an essential step in seismic data processing for improving seismic data quality and signal‐to‐noise ratio. We adopt an unsupervised machine learning approach to attenuate random noise via signal reconstruction strategy. This approach can be accomplished in the following steps: Firstly, we randomly mute a part of the input data of the neural network according to a certain percentage, and then the network outputs the reconstructed data influenced by this randomly mute. The objective function measures the distance between the input data and the reconstructed data. Secondly, we use the adaptive moment estimation algorithm to minimize the distance, and the network adjusts its internal parameters so that sparse representations can be captured by the multiple processing layers of the neural network. Finally, we take the same proportion of random mute on the raw seismic data which are fed to the trained neural network. Through this network, reconstruction of seismic data and attenuation of random noise are completed simultaneously. We use both synthetic and field data to testify the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method. Synthetic data experiment indicates that the proposed method achieves better denoised results than the conventional methods. Field data applications further demonstrate its superiority and practicality.
Niche partitioning among three snail‐eating snakes revealed by dentition asymmetry and prey specialisation
Authors: Chang Kai‐Xiang , Huang Bing‐Hong , Luo Min‐Xin , Huang Chih‐Wei , Wu Shu‐Ping , Nguyen Hung Ngoc , Lin Si‐Min 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

The level of dentition asymmetry in snail‐eating snakes may reflect their prey choice and feeding efficiency on asymmetric land snails. The three species of Pareas snakes (Squamata: Pareidae) in Taiwan, which form partially sympatric distribution on the island, provide a potential case to test the hypothesis of niche partitioning and character displacement with regard to dentition asymmetry and specialisation in feeding behaviour.

In this study, behavioural experiments confirmed that P. formosensis feeds exclusively on slugs, whereas P. atayal and P. komaii consumed both. However, P. atayal more efficiently preys on land snails than P. komaii, exhibiting a shorter handling time and fewer mandibular retractions.

Micro‐CT and ancestral character reconstruction demonstrated the lowest asymmetry in P. formosensis (the slug specialist), the highest dentition asymmetry in P. atayal (the land snail specialist) and flexibility in P. komaii (the niche switcher): increased dentition asymmetry when sympatrically distributed with the slug eater (character displacement), and decreased asymmetry when living alone (ecological niche release).

Ecological niche modelling showed that the distribution of P. formosensis is associated with the presence of slugs, while that of P. atayal could be explained by the land snails.

Combining the results from morphology, phylogeny, behavioural experiments and ecological niche modelling, we showed that competition in the sympatric region might have facilitated character displacement among congeners, while the absence of competition in allopatric region has led to ecological niche release.
Cercarial behaviour alters the consumer functional response of three‐spined sticklebacks
Authors: Born‐Torrijos Ana , Paterson Rachel A. , van Beest Gabrielle S. , Vyhlídalová Tereza , Henriksen Eirik H. , Knudsen Rune , Kristoffersen Roar , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Soldánová Miroslava 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFree‐living parasite life stages may contribute substantially to ecosystem biomass and thus represent a significant source of energy flow when consumed by non‐host organisms. However, ambient temperature and the predator's own infection status may modulate consumption rates towards parasite prey.We investigated the combined effects of temperature and predator infection status on the consumer functional response of three‐spined sticklebacks towards the free‐living cercariae stages of two common freshwater trematode parasites (Plagiorchisspp.,Trichobilharzia franki).Our results revealed genera‐specific functional responses and consumption rates towards each parasite prey: Type II forPlagiorchisspp. and Type III forT.franki, with an overall higher consumption rate onT. franki. Elevated temperature (13°C) increased the consumption rate onPlagiorchisspp. prey for sticklebacks with mild cestode infections (<5% fish body weight) only.High consumption of cercarial prey by sticklebacks may impact parasite population dynamics by severely reducing or even functionally eliminating free‐living parasite life stages from the environment. This supports the potential role of fish as biocontrol agents for cercariae with similar dispersion strategies, in instances where functional response relationships have been established.Our study demonstrates how parasite consumption by non‐host organisms may be shaped by traits inherent to parasite transmission and dispersal, and emphasises the need to consider free‐living parasite life stages as integral energy resources in aquatic food webs.
A time‐lagged association between the gut microbiome, nestling weight and nestling survival in wild great tits
Authors: Davidson Gabrielle L. , Somers Shane E. , Wiley Niamh , Johnson Crystal N. , Reichert Michael S. , Ross R. Paul , Stanton Catherine , Quinn John L. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Natal body mass is a key predictor of viability and fitness in many animals. While variation in body mass and therefore juvenile viability may be explained by genetic and environmental factors, emerging evidence points to the gut microbiota as an important factor influencing host health. The gut microbiota is known to change during development, but it remains unclear whether the microbiome predicts fitness, and if it does, at which developmental stage it affects fitness traits.

We collected data on two traits associated with fitness in wild nestling great tits Parus major: weight and survival to fledging. We characterised the gut microbiome using 16S rRNA sequencing from nestling faeces and investigated temporal associations between the gut microbiome and fitness traits across development at Day‐8 (D8) and Day‐15 (D15) post‐hatching. We also explored whether particular microbial taxa were ‘indicator species’ that reflected whether nestlings survived or not.

There was no link between mass and microbial diversity on D8 or D15. However, we detected a time‐lagged relationship where weight at D15 was negatively associated with the microbial diversity at D8, controlling for weight at D8, therefore reflecting relative weight gain over the intervening period.

Indicator species analysis revealed that specificity values were high and fidelity values were low, suggesting that indicator taxa were primarily detected within either the survived or not survived groups, but not always detected in birds that either survived or died. Therefore these indicator taxa may be sufficient, but not necessary for determining either survival or mortality, perhaps owing to functional overlap in microbiota.

We highlight that measuring microbiome‐fitness relationships at just one time point may be misleading, especially early in life. Instead, microbial‐host fitness effects may be best investigated longitudinally to detect critical development windows for key microbiota and host traits associated with neonatal weight. Our findings should inform future hypothesis testing to pinpoint which features of the gut microbial community impact on host fitness, and when during development this occurs. Such confirmatory research will shed light on population level processes and could have the potential to support conservation.
Facilitation and biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships in crop production systems and their role in sustainable farming
Authors: Brooker Rob W. , George Tim S. , Homulle Zohralyn , Karley Alison J. , Newton Adrian C. , Pakeman Robin J. , Schöb Christian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We review the need for increasing agricultural sustainability, how this can in part be delivered by positive biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) effects, the role within these of plant–plant facilitation, and how a better understanding of this role may help to deliver sustainable crop (particularly arable) production systems.

Major challenges facing intensive arable production include overall declines in biodiversity, poor soil structure and health, nutrient and soil particle run‐off, high greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing costs of synthetic inputs including herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers.

Biodiversity–ecosystem function effects have the potential to deliver win–wins for arable food production, whereby enhanced biodiversity is associated with ‘good outcomes’ for farming sustainability, albeit sometimes through negative BEF effects for some components of the system. Although it can be difficult to separate explicitly from niche differentiation, evidence indicates facilitation can be a key component of these BEF effects.

Explicit recognition of facilitation's role brings benefits to developing sustainable crop systems. First, it allows us to link fundamental ecological studies on the evolution of facilitation to the selection of traits that can enhance functioning in crop mixtures. Second, it provides us with analytical frameworks which can be used to bring structure and testable hypotheses to data derived from multiple (often independent) crop trials.

Before concrete guidance can be provided to the agricultural sector as to how facilitation might be enhanced in crop systems, challenges exist with respect to quantifying facilitation, understanding the traits that maximise facilitation and integrating these traits into breeding programmes, components of an approach we suggest could be termed ‘Functional Ecological Selection’.

Synthesis. Ultimately, better integration between ecologists and crop scientists will be essential in harnessing the benefits of ecological knowledge for developing more sustainable agriculture. We need to focus on understanding the mechanistic basis of strong facilitative interactions in crop systems and using this information to select and breed for improved combinations of genotypes and species as part of the Functional Ecological Selection approach.
The journey towards digital systemic competence: Thoughts on training, supervision and competence evaluation
Authors: Sherbersky Hannah , Ziminski Jeanne , Pote Helen 
Published: January 2021

Our rituals for training, supervision and competence assessment which once relied on in‐person interaction are rapidly becoming influenced by the digital creativity which surrounds them. Our training models have to be diverse and considerate of the multiple contextual shifts with which systemic practitioners are contending, and the current context is complex for student, supervisor and families alike. The aim of this paper is to consider how digital practices might reshape our systemic training, supervision and competence evaluation, considering issues for student and trainer as they move to digital delivery of training and supervision. This paper explores the historical context of online learning, enhancing online presence, and the ethical and practical implications of teaching and supervising digitally. It concludes with a discussion about how competence frameworks are influenced by the shift to digital practice and suggests digital skills required for systemic practice going forward.Practitioner Points

Consider how digital practices might reshape your systemic training delivery, with attention to enhancing online presence.

Pay particular consideration in live supervision to trainee’s skills in attentiveness and attunement to family and couple interactions and emotional responses.

Consider the differing processes of competence evaluation online and the need to attend to specific digital skills.
The effect of direct cognitive assessment in the Medicare annual wellness visit on dementia diagnosis rates
Authors: Lind Kimberly E. , Hildreth Kerry , Lindrooth Richard , Morrato Elaine , Crane Lori A. , Perraillon Marcelo Coca 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between direct cognitive assessment introduced with the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) and new diagnoses of dementia, and to determine if effects vary by race.Data SourcesMedicare Limited Data Set 5% sample claims 2003‐2014 and the HRSA Area Health Resources Files.Study DesignInstrumental Variable approach estimating the relationship between AWV utilization and new diagnoses of dementia using county‐level Welcome to Medicare Visit rates as an instrument.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsThree hundred twenty‐four thousand three hundred and eighty‐five fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries without dementia when the AWV was introduced in 2011.Principal FindingsAnnual Wellness Visit utilization was associated with an increased probability of new dementia diagnosis with effects varying by racial group (categorized as white, black, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian based on Social Security Administration data). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for new dementia diagnosis within 6 months of AWV utilization were as follows: 2.34 (2.13, 2.58) white, 2.22 (1.71, 2.89) black, 4.82 (2.94, 7.89) Asian, and 6.14 (3.70, 10.19) Hispanic (P < .001 for each). Our findings show that estimates that do not control for selection underestimate the effect of AWV on new diagnoses.ConclusionsDementia diagnosis rates increased with AWV implementation with heterogenous effects by race and ethnicity. Current recommendations by the United States Preventive Services Task Force state that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Biomedical rationale for acrylamide regulation and methods of detection
Authors: Cantrell Maranda S. , McDougal Owen M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcrylamide is the product of the Maillard reaction, which occurs when starchy, asparagine‐rich foods including potato or grain products and coffee are fried, baked, roasted, or heated. Studies in rodents provide evidence that acrylamide is carcinogenic and a male reproductive harmful agent when administered in exceedingly high levels. A 2002 study identified acrylamide in popular consumer food and beverage products, stimulating the European Union (EU) and California to legislate public notice of acrylamide presence in fried and baked foods, and coffee products. The regulatory legislation enacted in the EU and California has scientists working to develop foods and processes aimed at reducing acrylamide formation and advancing rapid and accurate analytical methods for the quantitative and qualitative determination of acrylamide in food and beverage products. The purpose of this review is to survey the studies performed on rodents and humans that identified the potential health impact of acrylamide in the human diet, and provide insight into established and emerging analytical methods used to detect acrylamide in blood, aqueous samples, and food.
Adrenocortical carcinoma versus renal cell carcinoma with vena caval thrombus: A case report and review
Authors: Chan Marius Wai‐Lok , Ng Chi‐Man , Ngai Ho‐Yin , Au Wing‐Hang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntravascular tumor thrombus may develop in certain malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma and adrenocortical carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma is far more common than adrenocortical carcinoma, but it can be difficult to differentiate them. In fact, they have different clinical and radiological features, as well as prognosis. Surgical planning and clinical management between them are different.We report a patient with inferior vena cava thrombus originating from adrenocortical carcinoma mimicking renal cell carcinoma clinically. Case reports and articles about adrenocortical carcinoma are reviewed.
Clash of Geofutures and the Remaking of Planetary Order: Faultlines underlying Conflicts over Geoengineering Governance
Authors: McLaren Duncan , Corry Olaf 
Published: January 2021

AbstractClimate engineering (geoengineering) is rising up the global policy agenda, partly because international divisions pose deep challenges to collective climate mitigation. However, geoengineering is similarly subject to clashing interests, knowledge‐traditions and geopolitics. Modelling and technical assessments of geoengineering are facilitated by assumptions of a single global planner (or some as yet unspecified rational governance), but the practicality of international governance remains mostly speculative. Using evidence gathered from state delegates, climate activists and modellers, we reveal three underlying and clashing ‘geofutures’: an idealised understanding of governable geoengineering that abstracts from technical and political realities; a situated understanding of geoengineering emphasising power hierarchies in world order; and a pragmatist precautionary understanding emerging in spaces of negotiation such as UN Environment Assembly (UNEA). Set in the wider historical context of climate politics, the failure to agree even to a study of geoengineering at UNEA indicates underlying obstacles to global rules and institutions for geoengineering posed by divergent interests and underlying epistemic and political differences. Technology assessments should recognise that geoengineering will not be exempt from international fractures; that deployment of geoengineering through imposition is a serious risk; and that contestations over geofutures pertain, not only to climate policy, but also the future of planetary order.
The Dahrendorf Quandary, Crisis Severity, and Country Performance
Authors: Anheier Helmut K. , Filip Alexandru 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDahrendorf´s Quandary, an early formulation of the Rodrik Trilemma, stipulates that maintaining economic competitiveness requires countries either to adopt measures detrimental to the cohesion of civil society, or to restrict civil liberties and political participation. The global financial and economic crisis of 2008–09 offers a test case for the applicability of the Quandary. We do so by examining economic, political and social stressors afflicting countries during the period of 2009–2014 relative to the severity and type of crises they experienced, and the ensuing political consequences for economy policy, democracy and society prevalent in 2019. We find that the Quandary does not apply uniformly across advanced market economies. Instead we detect distinct clusters that vary in their intensity of the tension the Quandary stipulates. We also find a consistent and positive relationship between Quandary intensity and crisis severity, yet obtain inconclusive results when looking at the relationship with current trends. The findings suggest that the crisis preparedness and the actual governance capability of countries to address the negative effects of economic globalization are key to managing the tensions inherent in the Dahrendorf Quandary and the Rodrik Trilemma.
Academic Research on the 2030 Agenda: Challenges of a Transdisciplinary Field of Study
Authors: Sianes Antonio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn 2015, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the scope to shift the world on to a resilient path focused on promoting sustainable development leaving no one behind. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, academic research on the topic has blossomed. However, most academic research has focused on specific topics within the Agenda, with a bias towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) settled on it. The aim of this study is to contribute to the comprehension and delimitation of the 2030 Agenda as a field of study. To do so, we draw upon bibliometric techniques to undertake a sound analysis of the academic and thematic basis of the discipline, by analyzing the academic research on the Agenda to date, composed by 656 research papers. The results highlight the transdisciplinary nature of the 2030 Agenda, which has gathered attention from a wide range of disciplines and authors, especially in the sustainability and green sciences. At the same time, it points out some weaknesses in the development of a deeper comprehension of the 2030 Agenda from disciplines such as political and international sciences, which could hinder its governance, efficacy and impact.
China’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation: A Top‐Down National Command Approach?
Authors: Zeng Jinghan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractChina’s open embracing of the age of artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted considerable academic and media attention. Many argue that China has taken advantage of its national approach to contest for AI supremacy and geopolitical dominance. The relevant analyses assume China’s AI plans as being Beijing’s coherent top‐down geopolitically driven national strategy, reflecting Chinese leaders’ global ambitions. This article argues that these views are mistaken. It argues that China’s AI plans are primarily driven by contestation and the struggle for resources among domestic stakeholders who are economically motivated and have little awareness of the bigger geopolitical picture. Instead of a top‐down command approach, China’s national AI plan is an upgrade of existing local AI initiatives to the national level, reflecting a bottom‐up development. This article suggests that the existing analyses vastly exaggerate: (1) Beijing’s capacity to coordinate domestic capital and actors towards a unified, specific strategic objective; and (2) the extent of China’s AI advancement and its geopolitical threat, triggering unnecessary anxiety among China’s near competitors.