bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Female‐biased gape and body‐size dimorphism in the New World watersnakes (tribe: Thamnophiini) oppose predictions from Rensch's rule
Authors: Burbrink Frank T. , Futterman India 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSexual‐size dimorphism (SSD) is ubiquitous across animals and often biased in the direction of larger females in snakes and other ectothermic organisms. To understand how SSD evolves across species, Rensch's rule predicts that in taxa where males are larger, SSD increases with body size. In contrast, where females are larger, SSD decreases with body size. While this rule holds for many taxa, it may be ambiguous for others, particularly ectothermic vertebrates. Importantly, this rule suggests that the outcomes of SSD over phylogenetic time scales depend on the direction of dimorphism predicated on the difference in reproductive efforts between males and females. Here, we examine SSD in the context of Rensch's rule in Thamnophiini, the gartersnakes and watersnakes, a prominent group that in many areas comprises the majority of the North American snake biota. Using a dated phylogeny, measurements of gape, body, and tail size, we show that these snakes do not follow Rensch's rule, but rather female‐biased SSD increases with body size. We in turn find that this allometry is most pronounced with gape and is correlated with both neonate and litter size, suggesting that acquiring prey of increased size may be directly related to fecundity selection. These changes in SSD are not constrained to any particular clade; we find no evidence of phylogenetic shifts in those traits showing SSD. We suggest several ways forward to better understand the anatomical units of selection for SSD and modularity.Open Research Badges

This article has been awarded Open Data and Open Materials Badges. All materials and data are publicly accessible via the Open Science Framework at https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3pn57h0.
Vegetation mapping to support greater sage‐grouse habitat monitoring and management: multi‐ or univariate approach?
Authors: Henderson Emilie B. , Bell David M. , Gregory Matthew J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractConservation planning for wildlife species requires mapping and assessment of habitat suitability across broad areas, often relying on a diverse suite, or stack, of geospatial data presenting multidimensional controls on a species. Stacks of univariate, independently developed vegetation layers may not represent relationships between each variable that can be characterized by multivariate modeling techniques, leading to inaccurate inferences on the distribution of suitable habitat. In this paper, we examine the role of variable combining in mapping multiple dimensions of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus, GRSG) habitat as a basis for GRSG conservation in the great basin ecoregion within southeastern Oregon. We compare two modeling approaches: a univariate random forest regression model (RF regression) and a multivariate random forest nearest neighbor (RFNN) imputation model , across an array of variables. These include five GRSG habitat descriptor variables: percent cover of trees, juniper, sagebrush, and GRSG food forbs, and the proportion of grasses that are exotic annuals. We also model species distributions of 51 common species in the sage steppe and combine these predictions to estimate alpha diversity. Our results show that RF regression and RFNN can yield univariate predictions with similar performance, but RF regression predictions tend to contain slightly more bias at broader spatial scales. Stacking univariate predictions from RF regression yields covariance errors that manifest as logical errors (juniper cover > tree cover), biases in estimates of GRSG habitat area, and biases in estimates of alpha diversity. Combining variables from the RFNN model does not introduce covariance errors. We conclude that multivariate modeling approaches are better suited to map multidimensional habitat niches at broader spatial scales, and also better suited to provide information for defining multivariable adaptive management triggers at the population level or above.
DNA metabarcoding in diet studies: Unveiling ecological aspects in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: de Sousa Lara Loureiro , Silva Sofia Marques , Xavier Raquel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEffective conservation of species and ecosystems requires the understanding of important ecological traits, such as dietary habits, food webs, and trophic niches. In diet studies, the visual identification of partially digested prey has been enhanced with the recent more powerful and accurate technique, DNA barcoding. Here, we summarize the contribution of this recent methodology to the investigation of both terrestrial and aquatic taxa diet, and compare the level of novelty uncovered through the use of this technique regarding species' ecology. From a total of 150 studies analyzed, focusing on more than 250 vertebrate wild species, seven domesticated taxa, and humans, we suggest that barcoding has led to more significant findings for aquatic taxa and ecosystems, where direct observations of feeding events and consequent trophic niche understanding are typically limited. Finally, we introduce the term dietary DNA (dDNA) to describe environmental approaches that use DNA extracted from gut, stomach, or fecal contents, aiming to assess both species dietary habits and describe local biodiversity. Particularly, we highlight the complementarity of environmental DNA (eDNA) and dDNA as a new tool for biodiversity assessments in remote areas, including most of the aquatic realm.
Lay discourses about Brexit and prejudice: “Ideological creativity” and its limits in Brexit debates
Authors: Andreouli Eleni , Greenland Katy , Figgou Lia 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMuch research on Brexit has studied whether the vote to leave the EU is a marker of growing prejudice. In this article, we study instead how the relationship between support for Brexit and prejudice is constructed, negotiated and contested in lay discourse. Our analysis of focus groups (N = 12) conducted prior to and following the EU referendum shows that support for Brexit was predominantly constructed as based on nationalism and anti‐immigration prejudice, especially in Remain‐supporting accounts. This prompted identity management strategies and counter‐arguments by Leave supporters, such as providing alternative constructions of prejudice and racism; relating Brexit with “progressive” values; and presenting it as rational and economically sound. In our discussion, we draw attention to the “ideological creativity” that underpins these accounts and also reflect on the possibilities and constraints of developing alternative political narratives under conditions of political polarisation.
Investigating flexible feeding effects on the biogas quality in full‐scale anaerobic digestion by high resolution, photoacoustic‐based NDIR sensing
Authors: Bierer Benedikt , Kress Philipp , Nägele Hans‐Joachim , Lemmer Andreas , Palzer Stefan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn future energy systems based on renewable energies, biogas plants can make a significant contribution to stabilizing the electricity grids. However, this requires load‐flexible and demand‐oriented electricity production by means of flexible feed management. However, these flexible feeding strategies using greatly oscillating, temporally varying high mass loads may lead to critical process failures of the anaerobic digestion process. Currently there is no online, high resolution gas quality measurement technique to detect and prevent biological process failures available. In this contribution, we present a miniaturized, low‐cost biogas quality measurement system providing data with high precision and high temporal resolution to overcome this technology gap. To highlight the capabilities of the system we have installed it using a bypass to the main biogas duct after hydrogen sulfide removal at a full‐scale research biogas plant. During a three‐month field trial, the effect of flexible feeding on the biogas quality has been monitored. The results demonstrate long‐term stability of the sensor solution and reveal the effects of changing feeding frequency and composition on gas quantity and quality, which cannot be detected with commercially available state‐of‐the‐art sensing systems.
Engineering egress data considering pedestrians with reduced mobility
Authors: Geoerg Paul , Berchtold Florian , Gwynne Steven , Boyce Karen , Holl Stefan , Hofmann Anja 
Published: August 2019

SummaryTo quantify the evacuation process, evacuation practitioners use engineering egress data describing the occupant movement characteristics. These data are typically based to young and fit populations. However, the movement abilities of occupants who might be involved in evacuations are becoming more variable—with the building populations of today typically including increasing numbers of individuals: with impairments or who are otherwise elderly or generally less mobile. Thus, there will be an increasing proportion of building occupants with reduced ability to egress. For safe evacuation, there is therefore a need to provide valid engineering egress data considering pedestrians with disabilities. Gwynne and Boyce recently compiled a series of data sets related to the evacuation process to support practitioner activities in the chapter Engineering Data in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering. This paper supplements these data sets by providing information on and presenting data obtained from additional research related to the premovement and horizontal movement of participants with physical‐, cognitive‐, or age‐related disabilities. The aim is to provide an overview of currently available data sets related to, and key factors affecting the egress performance of, mixed ability populations which could be used to guide fire safety engineering decisions in the context of building design.
Menu planning practices in early childhood education and care – factors associated with menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines
Authors: Grady Alice , Stacey Fiona , Seward Kirsty , Finch Meghan , Jones Jannah , Yoong Sze Lin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIssue addressedDespite recommendations, early childhood education and care services do not plan menus in accordance with sector dietary guidelines. This study aimed to examine the following among Australian long day care services: (a) menu planning practices; (b) prevalence of menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines; and (c) menu planning practices associated with higher menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines.MethodsLong day care services within Hunter New England, NSW participated in a pen and paper survey assessing menu planning practices and socio‐demographic and service characteristics. Two‐week menus were assessed for compliance with sector dietary guidelines, based on the number of servings of food groups and discretionary foods provided per child, per day.ResultsStaff from 72 services completed the survey and 69 provided their menu. Results indicated the service cook was fully responsible for planning the menu in 43% of services, and 57% had received written support to assist with menu planning. Service menus were compliant with an average of 0.68 out of six food groups and discretionary foods. In poisson regression models, a shorter menu cycle length (P = .04) and the receipt of training opportunities to support menu planning (P < .01) were significantly associated with higher menu compliance.ConclusionsMenu compliance with sector dietary guidelines is low among participating long day care services.So what?The implementation of practices such as shortening of the menu cycle and the provision of training opportunities may assist in the planning of menus that are more compliant with dietary guidelines in this setting.
Characterization of differential throughfall drop size distributions beneath European beech and Norway spruce
Authors: Lüpke Marvin , Leuchner Michael , Levia Delphis , Nanko Kazuki , Iida Shin'ichi , Menzel Annette 
Published: August 2019

AbstractForest canopies present irregular surfaces that alter both the quantity and spatiotemporal variability of precipitation inputs. The drop size distribution (DSD) of rainfall varies with rainfall event characteristics and is altered substantially by the forest stand properties. Yet, the influence of two major European tree species, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst), on throughfall DSD is largely unknown. In order to assess the impact of these two species with differing canopy structures on throughfall DSD, two optical disdrometers, one above and one below the canopy of each European beech and Norway spruce, measured DSD of both incident rainfall and throughfall over 2 months at a 10‐s resolution. Fractions of different throughfall categories were analysed for single‐precipitation events of different intensities. While penetrating the canopies, clear shifts in drop size and temporal distributions of incoming rainfall were observed. Beech and spruce, however, had different DSD, behaved differently in their effect on diameter volume percentiles as well as width of drop spectrum. The maximum drop sizes under beech were higher than under spruce. The mean ± standard deviation of the median volume drops size (D50) over all rain events was 2.7 ± 0.28 mm for beech and 0.80 ± 0.04 mm for spruce, respectively. In general, there was a high‐DSD variability within events indicating varying amounts of the different throughfall fractions. These findings help to better understand the effects of different tree species on rainfall partitioning processes and small‐scale variations in subcanopy rainfall inputs, thereby demonstrating the need for further research in high‐resolution spatial and temporal properties of rainfall and throughfall.
PRESENT STATUS AND DEVELOPMENTS WITH RESPECT TO ROLES OF STAKEHOLDERS IN RELATION TO THE ICID VISION 2030
Authors: Gany A. Hafied A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis paper discusses the global review on the present status of irrigation development and management in line with stakeholders' understanding and practices on Irrigation Vision 2030. The elucidation has addressed the related issues, with institutional and organizational aspects as the fundamental mechanism of stakeholder coordination. In line with the effort to comprehend the underlying status of irrigation and drainage development and management, five determinant aspects have been scrutinized in the analysis. These are: (i) human resources; (ii) institution and organization; (iii) technology for sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M); (iv) sustainable O&M funding; (v) effective regulatory instruments and enforcement. Particularly in the field of agricultural water management (AWM), it has been evident from a number of previous experiences that the absence or imbalance of an integrated relationship among any of the five aspects would bring about ineffectiveness of infrastructural functions. Therefore, institutional and organizational aspects must be reformed in line with the future direction stated by the ICID Vision 2030, among others for improving the crucial role of stakeholders toward sustainable AWM. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone regeneration response in an experimental long bone defect orthotopically implanted with alginate‐pullulan‐glass‐ceramic composite scaffolds
Authors: Popescu Radu A. , Tăbăran Flaviu A. , Bogdan Sidonia , Fărcăṣanu Alexandru , Purdoiu Robert , Magyari Klara , Vulpoi Adriana , Dreancă Alexandra , Sevastre Bogdan , Simon Simion , Papuc Ionel , Baia Lucian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn the present study, scaffolds based on alginate‐pullulan‐bioactive glass‐ceramic with 0.5 and 1.5 mol % copper oxide were orthotopically implanted in experimental rat models to assess their ability to heal an induced bone defect. By implying magnetic resonance and imaging scans together with histological evaluation of the processed samples, a progressive healing of bone was observed within 5 weeks. Furthermore, as the regenerative process continued, new bone tissue was formed, enhancing the growth of irregular bone spicules around the scaffolds. A significantly higher amount of new bone was formed (37%) in the defect that received the composite with 1.5 mol % CuO (in glass‐ceramic matrix) content implant. Nevertheless, the bone regeneration obtained by scaffold with 0.5 mol % CuO implanted is comparable with the alginate‐pullulan‐β‐tricalcium phosphate/hydroxiapatite composite implant. The assessed amount of new bone formed was found to be between 29.75 and 37.15% for all the composition involved in the present study. During this process a regeneration process was shown when the alginate‐pullulan composite materials were involved, fact that indicate the great potential of these materials to be used in tissue engineering.
Hormone-Independent Sexual Dimorphism in the Regulation of Bone Resorption by Krox20
Authors: Sabag Elias , Halperin Elinor , Liron Tamar , Hiram-Bab Sahar , Frenkel Baruch , Gabet Yankel 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
Krox20/EGR2 is a zinc finger transcription factor, implicated in the development of the hindbrain, nerve myelination, and tumor suppression. In skeletal biology, we have demonstrated that Krox20 also regulates adult bone metabolism. We and others have characterized several functions of Krox20 in the osteoclast lineage, namely, preosteoclast proliferation and differentiation, and mature osteoclast apoptosis. We have previously reported that systemically Krox20-haploinsufficient mice have a low bone mass with increased bone resorption. However, new data have now revealed that this phenotype is restricted to females. In addition, we discovered that conditional knockout of Krox20 (cKO) restricted to osteoclast progenitors is sufficient to induce the same female-specific bone loss observed in systemic mutants. To test whether this sexual dimorphism results from an interaction between Krox20 and sex hormones, we examined the sex- and hormone-dependent role of Krox20 deficiency on proliferation and apoptosis in osteoclastic cells. Our results indicate that male and female sex hormones (dihydrotestosterone [DHT] and estradiol [E2], respectively) as well as Krox20 inhibit preosteoclast proliferation and augment osteoclast apoptosis. The observation that Krox20 expression is inhibited by DHT and E2 negates the hypothesis that the effect of sex hormones is mediated by an increase in Krox20 expression. Interestingly, the effect of Krox20 deficiency was observed only with cells derived from female animals, regardless of any sex hormones added in vitro. In addition, we have identified sexual dimorphism in the expression of several Krox20-related genes, including NAB2. This sex-specific epigenetic profile was established at puberty, maintained in the absence of sex hormones, and explains the female-specific skeletal importance of Krox20. The findings described in this study emphasize the medical importance of sex differences, which may be determined at the epigenetic level. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
MRI of the Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) Disorder: Radiomics Analysis Correlates With Surgical and Pathological Outcome
Authors: Do Quyen N. , Lewis Matthew A. , Xi Yin , Madhuranthakam Ananth J. , Happe Sarah K. , Dashe Jodi S. , Lenkinski Robert E. , Khan Ambereen , Twickler Diane M. 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundPlacenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in women with previous cesarean delivery has become increasingly prevalent. Depending on the severity, patient management may involve cesarean hysterectomy.PurposeTo investigate textural analyses as the radiomics in MRI of the placenta in predicting the PAS requiring cesarean hysterectomy in a high‐risk population.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationSixty‐two women with prior cesarean delivery referred for MRI because of sonographic suspicion for PAS.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T with T1W, T2W, and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI).AssessmentTwo reviewers independently evaluated MR images based on five established PAS variables. Placental regions of interest (ROIs) were generated on T2W, DWI, and an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map, based on definitions of areas of placenta in proximity to and remote from previous surgical incision sites.Statistical TestsReader agreement was assessed by simple kappa and prevalence adjusted bias adjusted kappa (PABAK). T‐tests and chi‐square analyses between the primary outcome (hysterectomy vs. no hysterectomy) were performed. Thirteen Haralick texture features calculated from gray‐level co‐occurrence matrixes were extracted from manually drawn placental ROIs within each of three MR acquisitions. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the association with cesarean hysterectomy.ResultsOf 62 pregnancies at risk for PAS, 40 required cesarean hysterectomy (65%), with excellent correlation between need for hysterectomy and pathology confirmation of PAS in the hysterectomy specimen [κ = 0.82 (0.62, 1)]. Reader agreement was fair to moderate. Of the 13 Haralick variables within each of three acquisition groups, significant differences (P < 0.05) were seen in 22 of 39 parameters comparing placental ROIs in proximity to incision scar(s) to those ROIs remote from scar. A stepwise selection algorithm indicated that the combination of T2W Fcm.sum.var, ADC Fcm.diff.entr, and DWI Fcm.energy gave the highest leave‐one‐out‐AUC of 0.80 (0.68, 0.91).Data ConclusionAssessment of PAS severity is subjective and dependent on radiologist expertise. We identified textural features on placental MR images in the region of the prior uterine scar that differentiated pregnancies requiring cesarean hysterectomy based on clinical suspicion of PAS from those that did not, suggesting predictive capabilities of these objective radiomics features.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy Stage: 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:936–946.
PI‐RADS: Past, present, and future
Authors: Gupta Rajan T. , Mehta Kurren A. , Turkbey Baris , Verma Sadhna 
Published: August 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is extremely prevalent and is the most common noncutaneous malignancy and second‐most common cause of cancer death in men. In the last decade, there has been dramatic growth in the use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for diagnosis and characterization of PCa. With the recent and marked surge in popularity in prostate imaging and, specifically, mpMRI, there has been an increased focus on structured reporting as a means by which to provide more actionable information to the referring clinician as well as to improve diagnostic performance with this technique. This work focuses on the evolution of the major structured reporting system in prostate mpMRI, Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System (PI‐RADS), from its initial proposal and establishment in 2012 as PI‐RADS v. 1 to its most current iteration, PI‐RADS v. 2.1. This will highlight the key elements that have changed between the versions as well as provide context and rationale for these changes. In addition, this work explores what future iterations of PI‐RADS could look like based on current limitations of the system as well as explore areas for future growth of prostate mpMRI, including use of the system in active surveillance populations and in the posttreatment setting.Level of Evidence: 5Technical Efficacy: Stage 5J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:33–53.