bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observation of tool use in striped skunks: how community science and social media help document rare natural phenomena
Authors: Pesendorfer Mario B. , Dickerson Suzanne , Dragoo Jerry W. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTool use, the manipulation of one object to change the state of another, is found in <1% of animal taxa and most often observed in captivity. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. The skunk is shown manipulating a rock in a manner that strongly suggests the goal of breaking the frozen surface of a water bowl to drink. Skunks join other carnivores that innovated tool use and proto‐tool use in the context of extractive foraging. Their versatile dexterity and manipulative foraging, likely facilitated by their large relative brain size, provide the ideal context for the innovation of novel foraging techniques. We therefore hypothesize that tool use will be observed in other members of the skunk family (Mephitidae), particularly as the broad availability of trail cameras, and the rapid dissemination of interesting observations via social media will increase the discovery rate of rare natural history phenomena. We encourage our colleagues to strengthen this pipeline to discovery, which reverses the information flow of community science projects, to bring amateur and professional naturalists closer together.
Fenced sanctuaries deliver conservation benefits for most common and threatened native island birds in New Zealand
Authors: Bombaci Sara , Pejchar Liba , Innes John 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIsland species are disproportionately threatened with extinction, and invasive species are the primary driver of biodiversity loss. Globally, eradicating invasive mammals from small oceanic islands has led to the recovery of threatened populations, but eradicating mammals from large islands and continents is more challenging. In New Zealand, conservation organizations have established a large network of fenced sanctuaries that use predator‐proof fencing to exclude invasive mammals and conserve native flora and fauna. Yet, critics question if sanctuaries meet these targets, given a lack of evidence on outcomes. We surveyed birds in three sanctuaries and three paired sites on New Zealand's North Island to investigate whether sanctuaries increase bird population densities relative to sites with minimal mammal control. Densities of nine endemic bird species were higher in sanctuaries compared to unprotected sites (0.27–9.00 more birds/ha), but we found no significant difference in mean population densities for introduced and biogeographically recent native species. These findings provide compelling evidence that fenced sanctuaries effectively conserve native island bird populations, and affirm predictions that native species are more likely to benefit from invasive mammal eradications than introduced species. New Zealand's novel approach to recovering rare species holds great promise for conserving biota at risk from invasion in other global hotspots of endemism.
Imprints of management history on hemiboreal forest ecosystems in the Baltic States
Authors: Jõgiste Kalev , Frelich Lee E. , Laarmann Diana , Vodde Floortje , Baders Endijs , Donis Janis , Jansons Aris , Kangur Ahto , Korjus Henn , Köster Kajar , Kusmin Jürgen , Kuuluvainen Timo , Marozas Vitas , Metslaid Marek , Metslaid Sandra , Polyachenko Olga , Poska Anneli , Rebane Sille , Stanturf John A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn the Baltic States region, anthropogenic disturbances at different temporal and spatial scales mostly determine dynamics and development phases of forest ecosystems. We reviewed the state and condition of hemiboreal forests of the Baltic States region and analyzed species composition of recently established and permanent forest (PF). Agricultural deforestation and spontaneous or artificial conversion back to forest is a scenario leading to ecosystems designated as recent forest (RF, age up to two hundred years). Permanent forest (PF) was defined as areas with no records of agricultural activity during the last 200 yr, including mostly forests managed by traditional even‐aged (clear‐cut) silviculture and salvage after natural disturbances. We hypothesized that RF would have distinctive composition, with higher dominance by hardwoods (e.g., aspen and birch), compared to PF. Ordination revealed divergence in the RF stands; about half had the hypothesized composition distinct from PF, with a tight cluster of stands in the part of the ordination space with high hardwood dominance, while the remaining RF stands were scattered throughout the ordination space occupied by PF with highly variable species composition. Planting of conifers, variability in site quality, and variability in spatial proximity to PF with relatively natural ecosystem legacies likely explained the variable compositions of this latter group of RF. We positioned the observations of RF in a classic quantification of site type conditions (based on Estonian forest vegetation survey previously carried out by Lõhmus), which indicated that RF was more likely to occur on areas of higher soil fertility (in ordination space). Climatic and anthropogenic changes to RF create complex dynamic trends that are difficult to project into the future. Further research in tracing land use changes (using pollen analysis and documented evidence) should be utilized to refine the conceptual framework of ecosystem legacy and memory. Occurrence and frequency of deforestation and its characteristics as a novel disturbance regime are of particular interest.
Constituents of effective support for homecare workers providing care to people with dementia at end of life
Authors: Yeh I‐Ling , Samsi Kritika , Vandrevala Tushna , Manthorpe Jill 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to enhance understanding about homecare workers providing care to people with dementia at end of life by exploring homecare workers' perceptions of challenges and the support they needed and sometimes received.MethodsQualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 29 homecare workers and 13 homecare managers in England. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.FindingsFour overarching challenges were identified: working with clients with dementia, including clients' sometimes unpredictable responses, communication difficulties, and mood changes; caring for the dying; conflict with family members; and working alone, which often left homecare workers at risk of exhaustion, fatigue, and a sense of isolation. When their work entailed high levels of emotion, such as a client's death or getting embroiled in a client's family conflict, they felt emotionally drained, under‐prepared, and overwhelmed. Supportive elements include receiving encouragement and learning from experienced peers and their feelings being acknowledged by managers at their employing homecare agency. Some workers were offered time off or encouraged to attend the client's funeral as a means of supporting the process of bereavement.ConclusionsPeer and manager support are essential and effective in coping with work pressures. There is a need to develop models of effective support to alleviate staff's practical, emotional, and interpersonal pressures. However, due to the isolating nature of homecare work, managers may not recognise early signs of their staff finding stress unmanageable and miss the opportunity to mitigate these negative effects.
Social decision‐making in the brain: Input‐state‐output modelling reveals patterns of effective connectivity underlying reciprocal choices
Authors: Shaw Daniel , Czekóová Kristína , Gajdoš Martin , Staněk Rostislav , Špalek Jiří , Brázdil Milan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDuring social interactions, decision‐making involves mutual reciprocity—each individual's choices are simultaneously a consequence of, and antecedent to those of their interaction partner. Neuroeconomic research has begun to unveil the brain networks underpinning social decision‐making, but we know little about the patterns of neural connectivity within them that give rise to reciprocal choices. To investigate this, the present study measured the behaviour and brain function of pairs of individuals (N = 66) whilst they played multiple rounds of economic exchange comprising an iterated ultimatum game. During these exchanges, both players could attempt to maximise their overall monetary gain by reciprocating their opponent's prior behaviour—they could promote generosity by rewarding it, and/or discourage unfair play through retaliation. By adapting a model of reciprocity from experimental economics, we show that players' choices on each exchange are captured accurately by estimating their expected utility (EU) as a reciprocal reaction to their opponent's prior behaviour. We then demonstrate neural responses that map onto these reciprocal choices in two brain regions implicated in social decision‐making: right anterior insula (AI) and anterior/anterior‐mid cingulate cortex (aMCC). Finally, with behavioural Dynamic Causal Modelling, we identified player‐specific patterns of effective connectivity between these brain regions with which we estimated each player's choices with over 70% accuracy; namely, bidirectional connections between AI and aMCC that are modulated differentially by estimates of EU from our reciprocity model. This input‐state‐output modelling procedure therefore reveals systematic brain–behaviour relationships associated with the reciprocal choices characterising interactive social decision‐making.
Machine learning of brain gray matter differentiates sex in a large forensic sample
Authors: Anderson Nathaniel E. , Harenski Keith A. , Harenski Carla L. , Koenigs Michael R. , Decety Jean , Calhoun Vince D. , Kiehl Kent A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDifferences between males and females have been extensively documented in biological, psychological, and behavioral domains. Among these, sex differences in the rate and typology of antisocial behavior remains one of the most conspicuous and enduring patterns among humans. However, the nature and extent of sexual dimorphism in the brain among antisocial populations remains mostly unexplored. Here, we seek to understand sex differences in brain structure between incarcerated males and females in a large sample (n = 1,300) using machine learning. We apply source‐based morphometry, a contemporary multivariate approach for quantifying gray matter measured with magnetic resonance imaging, and carry these parcellations forward using machine learning to classify sex. Models using components of brain gray matter volume and concentration were able to differentiate between males and females with greater than 93% generalizable accuracy. Highly differentiated components include orbitofrontal and frontopolar regions, proportionally larger in females, and anterior medial temporal regions proportionally larger in males. We also provide a complimentary analysis of a nonforensic healthy control sample and replicate our 93% sex discrimination. These findings demonstrate that the brains of males and females are highly distinguishable. Understanding sex differences in the brain has implications for elucidating variability in the incidence and progression of disease, psychopathology, and differences in psychological traits and behavior. The reliability of these differences confirms the importance of sex as a moderator of individual differences in brain structure and suggests future research should consider sex specific models.
Informing the Delineation of Input Uncertainty Space in Exploratory Modelling Using a Heuristic Approach
Authors: Moallemi Enayat A. , Elsawah Sondoss , Ryan Michael J. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTExploratory modelling is an emerging approach which can address the challenge of model‐based decision making in dealing with input model uncertainties. Exploratory modelling samples from an input uncertainty space and generates extensive computational experiments to analyse possible model behaviours in an output solution space. The way that the input uncertainty space is delineated influences the results of exploratory modelling and its computational cost. In this article, we show the statistical significance of the implication of the size of an input uncertainty space on the resulted output solution space. We also propose a heuristic approach which informs the delineation of input uncertainties by screening the relevant model behaviour in the solution space. An illustrative example of an aircraft fleet management system is used to demonstrate the implementation of our approach in practice. We conclude that the delineation of input uncertainty space can be a way to control simulations in exploratory modelling and to enhance the efficiency of the exploration process and the confidence of the final results.
Envisioning Systems Engineering as a Transdisciplinary Venture
Authors: Sillitto Hillary , Martin James , Griego Regina , McKinney Dorothy , Arnold Eileen , Godfrey Patrick , Dori Dov , Krob Daniel , Jackson Scott 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTWe envision that systems engineering can be transformed into a truly transdisciplinary discipline ‐ a foundational meta‐discipline that supports and enables collaboration between all the disciplines that should be involved in conceiving, building, using and evolving a system such that it will continue to be successful and fit for purpose as time passes. Systems engineering can be applied in different ways depending on the situation and how well current systems engineering process patterns are matched to the problem in hand. We identify four elements of this new transdisciplinary framework: systems engineering tenets; systems engineering approach; systems engineering process; and systems engineering toolbox. We suggest that the use of systems engineering then needs to be considered in three domains: problem space, solution space, and transformation space that helps us along the development‐delivery‐evolution trajectory. We propose twelve systems engineering tenets and show how they should be applied in these three domains. We perceive that even though all elements of the current systems engineering process can be justified in terms of the twelve tenets applied to these three domains, the current commonly used, standardized systems engineering process is not suitable for all situations requiring a systems engineering approach or an application of the systems engineering tenets. We claim that the framework presented in this paper can act as a unifying structure that facilitates the evolution of systems engineering from the current focus on a “standardized” process model suited to a particular class of problem, to a more agile and capable “transdiscipline” that will provide an enabling construct for more successful collaborations that can better deal with a wider range of complicated, complex and chaotic problem situations.
A Framework for Testability Analysis from a Systems Architecture Perspective
Authors: Efatmaneshnik Mahmoud , Ryan Michael J , Shoval Shraga 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we study the effects of system architecture on testability. We present a probabilistic model of testability that enables us to study the relationships between system architecture and testability. A Markov Chain model obtains the quality of system after test as a function of its quality before test and the test quality. We focus on the costs and benefits associated with the modularization for testability. We show that choosing the proper testing architecture through careful modularization can enhance efficiency and effectiveness of system testing. We base the model on repetitive testing which means we will repeat the test after a fail test outcome.
Perspectives on Managing Emergent Risk Due to Rising Complexity in Aerospace Systems
Authors: DeTurris Dianne , Palmer Andrew 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTManaging complexity in the aerospace industry is essential for effective development of modern engineered systems. Preventing emergent risk while maintaining cost and schedule discipline is the main objective for addressing uncontrolled self‐organization due to complexity. Engineers can quantify emergent risk by viewing systems from multiple stakeholder and design perspectives to assess unforeseen behaviors more accurately. In aerospace engineers consider and transpose methods for dealing with complexity that come from the systems, organizational, and complexity science perspectives. This survey highlights commonalities between complexity management methods, systems design models, and elements of systems thinking that can help engineers predict and prepare for emergent behavior in the system. Using new points‐of‐view in design gives practicing engineers more information with which to view and manipulate system properties. The solution for managing complexity lies in multidisciplinary collaboration to solve problems that span multiple academic domains.
Adaptive Cyber‐Physical‐Human Systems: Exploiting Cognitive Modeling and Machine Learning in the Control Loop
Authors: Madni Azad M. , Sievers Michael , Madni Carla Conaway 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTCyber‐physical‐human (CPH) systems are purposeful arrangements of sensors, computers, communication devices, and humans to perform tasks that achieve specific mission objectives. These systems typically allow other systems, devices, and data streams to connect/disconnect as needed during mission execution. The roles of humans in CPH systems are quite varied. In adaptive CPH systems, humans collaborate with the cyber‐physical elements to jointly accomplish tasks, and adapt to changing contexts to accomplish mission goals. Mutual adaptation based on prior knowledge, cognitive modeling, and online machine learning are key characteristics of adaptive CPH systems. This paper presents key challenges in realizing adaptive CPH systems. It discusses learning and adaptation, as well as human and CPS roles in adaptive CPH systems. It offers a functional (reference) architecture to inform and guide the development of adaptive CPH systems. It concludes with a discussion of research needed to advance the state‐of‐the‐art of adaptive CPH systems.
Rethinking Bone Disease in Kidney Disease
Authors: Damasiewicz Matthew J , Nickolas Thomas L 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTRenal osteodystrophy (ROD) is the bone component of chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD). ROD affects bone quality and strength through the numerous hormonal and metabolic disturbances that occur in patients with kidney disease. Collectively these disorders in bone quality increase fracture risk in CKD patients compared with the general population. Fractures are a serious complication of kidney disease and are associated with higher morbidity and mortality compared with the general population. Furthermore, at a population level, fractures are at historically high levels in patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), whereas in contrast the general population has experienced a steady decline in fracture incidence rates. Based on these findings, it is clear that a paradigm shift is needed in our approach to diagnosing and managing ROD. In clinical practice, our ability to diagnose ROD and initiate antifracture treatments is impeded by the lack of accurate noninvasive methods that identify ROD type. The past decade has seen advances in the noninvasive measurement of bone quality and strength that have been studied in kidney disease patients. Below we review the current literature pertaining to the epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and management of ROD. We aim to highlight the pressing need for a greater awareness of this condition and the need for the implementation of strategies that prevent fractures in kidney disease patients. Research is needed for more accurate noninvasive assessment of ROD type, clinical studies of existing osteoporosis therapies in patients across the spectrum of kidney disease, and the development of CKD‐specific treatments. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
LncRNA CRNDE promotes the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via enhancing the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Zhu Liying , Yang Nenghong , Du Guiqin , Li Chengcheng , Liu Guoqi , Liu Shengju , Xu Yongjie , Di Yanan , Pan Wei , Li Xing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractColorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) is a significantly upregulated long noncoding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CRNDE could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while its molecular mechanisms were still largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CRNDE. CRNDE was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, we revealed that knockdown of CRNDE inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and cell invasion capacities in HCC. Animal studies indicated that CRNDE knockdown represses both growth and metastasis of HCC tumors in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the cell epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing the expression of E‐cadherin and ZO‐1, whereas, decreasing the expression of N‐cadherin, slug, twist, and vimentin in HCC cells. We also revealed that knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in HCC. Thus, CRNDE could modulate EMT of HCC cells and knockdown of CRNDE impaired the mesenchymal properties. CRNDE increased invasion of HCC cells might be through activating the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
Traditional Chinese medicine as targeted treatment for epithelial‐mesenchymal transition‐induced cancer progression
Authors: Liu Jianrong , Ke Fei , Cheng Haibo , Zhou Jinrong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, which loosens cell‐cell adhesion complexes, endows cells with enhanced migratory and invasive properties. Furthermore, this process facilitates both the development of drug resistance and immunosuppression by tumor cells, which preclude the successful treatment of cancer. Recent research has demonstrated that many signaling pathways are involved in EMT progression. In addition, cancer stem cells (CSCs), vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and the tumor‐related immune microenvironment all play important roles in tumor formation. However, there are few reports on the relationships between EMT and these factors. In addition, in recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has developed a unique system for treating cancer. In this review, we summarize the crucial signaling pathways associated with the EMT process in cancer patients and discuss the interconnections between EMT and other molecular factors (such as CSCs, VM, and the tumor‐related immune microenvironment). We attempt to identify common regulators that might be potential therapeutic targets to thereby optimize tumor treatment. In addition, we outline recent research on TCM approaches that target EMT and thereby provide a foundation for further research on the exact mechanisms by which TCMs affect EMT in cancer.