bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring antimicrobial use on dairy farms: a longitudinal method comparison study
Authors: Rees G. M. , Barrett D. C. , Sánchez-Vizcaíno F. , Reyher K. K.
Published: April 2020

Antimicrobial use on UK dairy farms is measured for surveillance purposes and utilizes veterinary sales data as a proxy for use. Two other methods of recording use have been used commonly on-farm: medicine waste bins and farm medicine records. However, none of these methods have been validated to measure antimicrobial use. The objectives of this research are to assess agreement between the 3 most common methods for measuring on-farm antimicrobial use with a pre-determined “gold standard” measure. Antimicrobial use was measured prospectively on 26 UK dairy farms using medicine waste bins into which participants placed all discarded medicine packaging for a 12-month period. At the end of 12 months, farm medicine records and veterinary sales data were obtained retrospectively for participating farms. The systematic difference between the mean on-farm antimicrobial use measured by each of the 3 methods with a gold standard measure was investigated using one-way repeated measures ANOVAs. Reliability and clinical relevance of the agreement between each pair of methods was quantified using the concordance correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman method, respectively. Veterinary sales data shows excellent reliability for all forms of antimicrobial when compared with the gold standard. Medicine waste bins show moderate to excellent reliability for injectables, poor to good reliability for intramammaries and no agreement for other forms of antimicrobial. Farm medicine records do not show agreement for any form of antimicrobial when compared with the gold standard. The use of veterinary sales data as a proxy for on-farm antimicrobial use in the UK represents excellent statistical reliability and offers a clinically acceptable agreement with a gold standard method when used to measure both injectable antimicrobials and intramammary antimicrobials. These results have policy implications both nationally and internationally and are essential in quantifying the actual impact of agricultural antimicrobial use on both animal and human health.
Mouse Classical and Non-Classical Monocytes Express Comparable Levels of Chemokine Receptor CX3CR1
Authors: Cassetta Luca , Heideveld Esther , Matilionyte Gabriele , Fragkogianni Stamatina , van der Akker Emile , Kippen Nicolle , Kitamura Takanori , Pollard Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2020

Human and mouse monocytes are divided into two subpopulations, classical (C-Mo) and non-classical (NC-Mo) monocytes. CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and CX3C-chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) are common features of monocyte subsets between humans and mice, i.e., C-Mo and NC-Mo are characterized as CCR2highCX3CR1lowand CCR2lowCX3CR1high. Since many studies utilize mouse models to investigate roles of monocytes in human diseases, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between human and mouse monocytic subsets. In this study, we show that the expression ofCx3cr1mRNA and CX3CR1 cell surface protein are different between circulating monocytic subsets in human but not in mice. We analyzed monocyte subsets in the blood using wild type C57BL/6 andCx3cr1-GFP knock-in (Cx3cr1GFP/+) reporter mice. We observed higherCx3cr1promoter activity indicated by GFP expression in NC-Mo compared to C-Mo. However, there were no differences between the subsets in CX3CR1 mRNA nor surface protein expression determined by anti-CX3CR1 antibody or binding of fluorophore-conjugated ligand. However in the bone marrow ofCx3cr1GFP/+mice, CX3CR1 expression was higher in NC-Mo compared to C-Mo, suggesting that mouse NC-Mo express higher level of CX3CR1 than C-Mo in the bone but this difference disappears in the blood. In contrast, human NC-Mo differentially expressed CX3CR1 compared to C-Mo in both blood and bone marrow. Given these findings, the discrepancy between promoter activity and protein levels should be considered when the roles of CX3CR1 are investigated in mouse models of human diseases.

Summary sentence

In this study, we show that the expression ofCx3cr1mRNA is different between circulating monocytic subsets in human but not in mice.
Morphology and Blood Metabolites Reflect Recent Spatial Differences Among Lake Winnipeg Walleye,Sander vitreus
Authors: Thorstensen Matt J. , Wiens Lilian M. , Jeffrey Jennifer D. , Klein Geoffrey M. , Jeffries Ken M. , Treberg Jason R.
Published: April 2020

The invasive rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) was an abundant food source for Lake Winnipeg walleye (Sander vitreus), especially in the north basin of the lake, until the smelt’s collapse in approximately 2013. We quantified changing length-at-age (≈ growth rates) and relative mass (≈ body condition) in Lake Winnipeg walleye caught for a gillnet index data set. Here, walleye showed smaller length-at-age, particularly in the north basin with young fish, over time. This approach to assessing growth suggests a constraint in the north basin fish, possibly a nutritional limitation between 2017 and 2018, that was not present in the south. We then analyzed a separate group of walleye (≥452 mm in fork length) sampled in 2017 as part of a large-scale tracking study, which had a similar slope in length-mass relationship to large walleye caught in that year for the gillnet index data. A panel of metabolites associated with amino acid metabolism and protein turnover was compared in whole blood. These metabolites revealed elevated essential amino acids and suggest protein degradation may be elevated in north basin walleye. Therefore, based on both growth estimates and metabolites associated with protein balance, we suggest there were spatially distinct separations affecting Lake Winnipeg walleye with decreased nutritional status of walleye in the north basin of Lake Winnipeg being of particular concern.
Structural interactions between pandemic SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and human Furin protease
Authors: Vankadari Naveen
Published: April 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an urgent global public health emergency and warrants investigating molecular and structural studies addressing the dynamics of viral proteins involved in host cell adhesion. The recent comparative genomic studies highlight the insertion of Furin protease site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein alerting possible modification in the viral spike protein and its eventual entry to host cell and presence of Furin site implicated to virulence. Here we structurally show how Furin interacts with the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein homotrimer at S1/S2 region, which underlined the mechanism and mode of action, which is a key for host cell entry. Unravelling the structural features of biding site opens the arena in rising bonafide antibodies targeting to block the Furin cleavage and have great implications in the development of Furin inhibitors or therapeutics.
Efficacy and Safety of Tradipitant in Diabetic and Idiopathic Gastroparesis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Carlin Jesse L. , Lieberman V. Rose , Dahal Arya , Keefe Madison S. , Xiao Changfu , Birznieks Gunther , Abell Thomas L. , Lembo Anthony , Parkman Henry P. , Polymeropoulos Mihael H.
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

There is a high unmet need for the treatment of gastroparesis and studies of NK1-R antagonists suggest potential benefit in reducing the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. We hypothesized that tradipitant, an NK1-R antagonist, would be effective in treating patients with idiopathic or diabetic gastroparesis.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study across 47 U.S. sites, 152 gastroparesis patients were randomized to receive oral 85mg BID tradipitant (n=77) or placebo (n=75) daily for four weeks. Symptoms were assessed using a daily symptom dairy, Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), and other patient reported questionnaires.

Results

Patients receiving tradipitant had a significant decrease in nausea score at Week 4 compared to placebo (−1.2 improvement vs −0.7, respectively, p=0.0099), and a significant increase in nausea-free days (28.8% increase on tradipitant vs 15.0% on placebo p=0.0160). Patients with both nausea and vomiting at baseline (n=101) showed an even greater decrease in nausea score (−1.4 improvement on tradipitant vs −0.4 on placebo p<0.0001) and an increase in nausea free days (32.3% improvement on tradipitant vs 7.6% on placebo p=0.0003). 32.9% of patients treated with tradipitant were nausea responders (average nausea score ≤ 1 at week 4) compared to 11.8% of patients on placebo (p=0.0013). 46.6% of patients treated with tradipitant had a greater than 1-point improvement in GCSI score compared to 23.5% of patients on placebo (p=0.0053).

Conclusions

Tradipitant treatment resulted in statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in nausea and overall gastroparesis symptoms. These robust efficacy results suggest tradipitant has the potential to become a useful pharmacological treatment for gastroparesis.
Cell-Type-Specific Expression of Renin-Angiotensin-System Components in the Human Body and Its Relevance to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Suryawanshi Hemant , Morozov Pavel , Muthukumar Thangamani , tenOever Benjamin R. , Yamaji Masashi , Williams Zev , Tuschl Thomas
Published: April 2020

We have analyzed the cell-type-specific expression of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components across 141 cell types or subtypes as defined by single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analysis. ACE2, one of the components of RAS, also facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells in cooperation with its associated protease TMPRSS2. Therefore, our analysis also contributes to the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection, spreading of the virus throughout the body, and potential viral interference with RAS in COVID-19 patients.
Evaluation of heating and chemical protocols for inactivating SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Pastorino Boris , Touret Franck , Gilles Magali , de Lamballerie Xavier , Charrel Remi N.
Published: April 2020

Clinical samples collected in COVID-19 patients are commonly manipulated in BSL-2 laboratories for diagnostic purpose. We used the French norm NF-EN-14476+A2 derived from the European standard EN-14885. To avoid the risk of exposure of laboratory workers, we showed that Triton-X100 must be added to guanidinium thiocyanate-lysis buffers to obtain a 6-log reduction of infectious virus. Although heating protocol consisting of 92°C-15min was more effective rather than 56°C-30min and 60°C-60min to achieve 6-log reduction, it is not amenable for molecular detection on respiratory specimens because of important decrease of detectable RNA copies in the treated samplevsuntreated sample. The 56°C-30min and 60°C-60min should be used for inactivation of serum / plasma samples for serology because of the 5log10 reduction of infectivity and low viral loads in blood specimens.
Cdk5 and GSK3β inhibit Fast Endophilin-Mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Ferreira Antonio P. A. , Casamento Alessandra , Roas Sara Carrillo , Panambalana James , Subramaniam Shaan , Schützenhofer Kira , Halff Els F. , Wah Hak Laura Chan , McGourty Kieran , Kittler Josef T. , Thalassinos Konstantinos , Martinvalet Denis , Boucrot Emmanuel
Published: April 2020

Endocytosis mediates the cellular uptake of micronutrients and cell surface proteins. Parallel to Clathrin-mediated endocytosis, additional Clathrin-independent endocytic routes exist, including fast Endophilin-mediated endocytosis (FEME). The latter is not constitutively active but requires the activation of selected receptors. In cell culture, however, the high levels of growth factors in the regular culture media induce spontaneous FEME, which can be suppressed upon serum starvation. Thus, we predicted a role for protein kinases in this growth factor receptor-mediated regulation of the pathway. Using chemical and genetic inhibition, we found that Cdk5 and GSK3β are negative regulators of FEME. Their inhibition was sufficient to activate FEME promptly in resting cells and boosted the production of endocytic carriers containing β 1-adrenergic receptor, following dobutamine addition. We established that the kinases suppress FEME at several levels. They control Dynamin-1 and Dynein recruitment and sorting of cargo receptors such as Plexin A1 and ROBO1 into FEME carriers. They do so by antagonizing the binding of Endophilin to Dynamin-1 as well as to Collapsin response mediator protein 4 (CRMP4), a Plexin A1 adaptor. Cdk5 and GSK3β also hamper the binding and recruitment of Dynein onto FEME carriers by Bin1. Interestingly, we found that GSK3β binds to Endophilin, thus imposing a local regulation of FEME. Collectively, these findings place the two kinases as key regulators of FEME, licensing cells for rapid uptake by the pathway only upon when Cdk5 and GSK3β activity is low.
BIP4COVID19: Releasing impact measures for articles relevant to COVID-19
Authors: Vergoulis Thanasis , Kanellos Ilias , Chatzopoulos Serafeim , Karidi Danae Pla , Dalamagas Theodore
Published: April 2020

Since the beginning of the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic, a large number of relevant articles has been published or become available in preprint servers. These articles, along with earlier related literature, compose a valuable knowledge base affecting contemporary research studies, or even government actions to limit the spread of the disease and treatment decisions taken by physicians. However, the number of such articles is increasing at an intense rate making the exploration of the relevant literature and the identification of useful knowledge in it challenging. In this work, we describe BIP4COVID19, an open dataset compiled to facilitate the coronavirus-related literature exploration, by providing various indicators of scientific impact for the relevant articles. Additionally, we provide a publicly accessible Web interface on top of our data, allowing the exploration of the publications based on the computed indicators.
Noradrenergic circuits in the forebrain control affective responses to novelty
Authors: Lustberg Daniel , Tillage Rachel P. , Bai Yu , Pruitt Molly , Liles L. Cameron , Weinshenker David
Published: April 2020

Rationale

In rodents, exposure to novel environments elicits initial anxiety-like behavior (neophobia) followed by intense exploration (neophilia) that gradually subsides as the environment becomes familiar. Thus, innate novelty-induced behaviors are useful indices of anxiety and motivation in animal models of psychiatric disease. Noradrenergic neurons are activated by novelty and implicated in exploratory and anxiety-like responses, but the role of norepinephrine (NE) in neophobia has not been clearly delineated.

Objective

We sought to define the role of central NE transmission in neophilic and neophobic behaviors.

Methods

We assessed dopamine β-hydroxylase knockout (Dbh -/-) mice lacking NE and their NE-competent (Dbh +/-) littermate controls in neophilic (novelty-induced locomotion; NIL) and neophobic (novelty-suppressed feeding; NSF) behavioral tests with subsequent quantification of brain-wide c-fos induction. We complimented the gene knockout approach with pharmacological interventions.

Results

Dbh -/-mice exhibited blunted locomotor responses in the NIL task and completely lacked neophobia in the NSF test. Neophobia was rescued inDbh -/-mice by acute pharmacological restoration of central NE with the synthetic precursor L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS), and attenuated in control mice by the inhibitory α2-adrenergic autoreceptor agonist guanfacine. Following either NSF or NIL,Dbh -/-mice demonstrated reduced c-fos in the anterior cingulate cortex, medial septum, ventral hippocampus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and basolateral amygdala.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that central NE signaling is required for the expression of both neophilic and neophobic behaviors. Further, we describe a putative noradrenergic novelty network as a potential therapeutic target for treating anxiety and substance abuse disorders.
Proliferation control of kidney interstitial cells
Authors: McCarthy Sarah S. , Gower Lindsey , Karolak Michele , England Alicia , Carroll Thomas , Oxburgh Leif
Published: April 2020

Expansion of interstitial cells in the adult kidney is a hallmark of chronic disease, whereas their proliferation during fetal development is necessary for organ formation. An intriguing difference between adult and neonatal kidneys is that the neonatal kidney has the capacity to control interstitial cell proliferation when the target number has been reached. In this study, we define the consequences of inactivating the TGFβ/Smad response in the interstitial cell lineage. We find that pathway inactivation through loss ofSmad4leads to over-proliferation of interstitial cells regionally in the kidney medulla. Genetic and molecular interaction studies showed that Smad3/4 participates in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is responsible for promoting proliferation of interstitial cells. Specifically,Smad4is required for the expression of the Wnt feedback inhibitorApcdd1, and based on these findings we propose a model for interstitial cell proliferation control in which the Wnt/β-catenin proliferative signal is attenuated by TGFβ/Smad signaling to ensure that proliferation ceases when the target number of interstitial cells has been reached in the neonatal medulla.

Summary statement

This study describes a novel function for TGFβ signaling in the developing renal interstitium. Mice with Foxd1-Cre-mediated deletion of Smad4 have interstitial expansion and activated Wnt signaling.
Disentangling the determinants of transposable elements dynamics in vertebrate genomes using empirical evidences and simulations
Authors: Bourgeois Yann , Ruggiero Robert , Hariyani Imtiyaz , Boissinot Stéphane
Published: April 2020

Background

The interactions between transposable elements (TEs) and their hosts constitute one of the most profound co-evolutionary processes found in nature. The population dynamics of TEs depends on factors specific to each TE families, such as the rate of transposition and insertional preference, the demographic history of the host and the genomic landscape. How these factors interact has yet to be investigated holistically. Here we are addressing this question in the green anole (Anolis carolinensis) whose genome contains an extraordinary diversity of TEs (including non-LTR retrotransposons, SINEs, LTR-retrotransposons and DNA transposons).

Results

We observe a positive correlation between recombination rate and TEs frequencies and densities for LINEs, SINEs and DNA transposons. For these elements, there was a clear impact of demography on TE frequency and abundance, with a loss of polymorphic elements and skewed frequency spectra in recently expanded populations. On the other hand, some LTR-retrotransposons displayed patterns consistent with a very recent phase of intense amplification. To determine how demography, genomic features and intrinsic properties of TEs interact we ran simulations using SLiM3. We determined that i) short TE insertions are not strongly counter-selected, but long ones are, ii) neutral demographic processes, linked selection and preferential insertion may explain positive correlations between average TE frequency and recombination, iii) TE insertions are unlikely to have been massively recruited in recent adaptation..

Conclusions

We demonstrate that deterministic and stochastic processes have different effects on categories of TEs and that a combination of empirical analyses and simulations can disentangle the effects of these processes.
Recruitment methods, recruitment outcomes and information credibility and sufficiency
Authors: Muduli Ashutosh , Trivedi Jeegnesh J.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Recruiters’ decision to use recruitment methods (RMs) depends on several expected outcomes such as number applications, quality of applicants, speed of filling up vacancy, post joining job performance, absenteeism, commitment and satisfaction of the applicants. RMs may vary from each other in terms of its capability to communicate different type of information. The current research aims at exploring recruiter's intention to use RMs like job advertisement (JA), online recruitment (OLR) and social media in reference to several recruitment outcomes (ROs). Further, the role of information credibility and sufficiency (ICS) on recruiter's intention to use has been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 242 recruiters from the manufacturing and service sector of India. The survey instrument consists of RMs, recruitment outcome and credibility and satisfaction that are identified following the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used for a simultaneous assessment of overall and specific elements of measurement validity and reliability. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The result shows that RMs significantly relates with ROs. In detail, social media recruitment (SMR) significantly relates with pre ROs and post ROs; OLR significantly relates with pre ROs and post ROs and JA significantly relates post ROs. Only JA insignificantly relates with pre ROs. The result also supports the hypothesis that ICS acts as a mediator between the influences of RMs on ROs.

Research limitations/implications

The result of the study has important theoretical and managerial implications. The theoretical implication is explained from the perspective of signaling theory (ST) and elaboration likelihood model (ELM) theory.

Originality/value

The study is unique as multiple RMs have been studied with reference to both pre and post ROs using the data collected from the recruiters.
State and determinants of inter-regional market entry practices in the Chinese construction industry: evidence from national quality award projects
Authors: Wang Guangbin , Xia Chen , Cao Dongping
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Due to the lack of industrywide data, now there is only perceptual knowledge, through survey data, that construction firms may face great challenges in geographical diversification. The article aims to provide an objective description on the state of interregional market entry practices in the Chinese construction industry. How these practices are influenced by related set of regional and industry-related factors is further studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Description analysis of the practices is first performed based on a first-hand industrial data set including 1,020 projects and 404 construction firms. Combining provincial panel data in the National Bureau of Statistics of China, related regional and industry-related factors on these practices are further analyzed through hierarchical regression models.

Findings

(1) Interregional market entry practices are not quite prevalent during the past two decades, only involving 271 projects and 111 firms which accounts for 26.57% and 27.47% of the analyzed subjects respectively; (2) Large, state-owned and experienced firms are more frequently involved in the practices; (3) A number of regional factors such as local market protection and industry scale also significantly impact the practices.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical analysis of this study was conducted using the specific dataset from the National Quality Award Projects where firms tend to be national, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to the whole industry contexts.

Originality/value

While most of the research on market entry practices in the project-based construction industry is undertaken at project or firm level based on survey data, this research represents an exploratory effort of using objective data to provide a macro overview of the practices at the industry level. The findings could contribute to a deepened understanding of how these practices are impacted by related regional- and industry-level factors.
Sexual and reproductive health in schools in Fiji: a qualitative study of teachers' perceptions
Authors: Ram Sharan , Mohammadenzhad Masoud
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Teachers are a key to success for school-based sex health education programmes; however, they may not be able to consistently implement it due to a myriad of reasons. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of teachers regarding the delivery of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education in secondary schools in Fiji.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study design was used to collect the data from SRH education teachers in Suva, Fiji between July and August 2018. This study included teachers who taught sex education for at least two years. Five focus group discussions (FGDs) were run using a semi-structure questionnaire among groups stratified by gender. Data collected were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.

Findings

The study findings reveal that implementation of SRH education is vague, not mandatory and not comprehensive. Teachers acknowledged that SRH was not adequately covered in homes and underscored its importance for young people. Teachers viewed schools as ideal place for delivering sex education, however, could not consistently implement due to a lack of adequate information and skills, feared negative parental reaction, felt uncomfortable delivering sensitive topics and in most cases felt apprehensive to discuss sexuality issues in light of lack of training and resources.

Originality/value

To improve SRH education delivery, there need to be a focus on strengthening capacity building of teachers through pre-service and in-service health education, improved monitoring, evaluation and context–specific resource development and allocation.
The effectiveness of employee retention through an uplift modeling approach
Authors: Rombaut Evy , Guerry Marie-Anne
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The main goal of employee retention is to prevent competent employees from leaving the company. When analysing the main reasons why employees leave and determining their turnover probability, the question arises: Which retention strategies have an actual effect on turnover and for which profile of employees do these strategies work?

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the effectiveness of different retention strategies, an overview is given of retention strategies that can be found in the literature. Next, the paper presents a procedure to build an uplift model for testing the effectiveness of the different strategies on HR data. The uplift model is based on random forest estimation and applies personal treatment learning estimation.

Findings

Through a data-driven approach, the actual effect of retention strategies on employee turnover is investigated. The retention strategies compensation and recognition are found to have a positive average treatment effect on the entire population, while training and flexibility do not. However, with personalised treatment learning, the treatment effect on the individual level can be estimated. This results in an ability to profile employees with the highest estimated treatment effect.

Practical implications

The results yield useful information for human resources practitioners. The personalised treatment analysis results in detailed retention information for these practitioners, which allows them to target the right employees with the right strategies.

Originality/value

Even though the uplift modelling approach is becoming increasingly popular within marketing, this approach has not been taken within human resources analytics. This research opens the door for further research and for practical implementation.
Science to inform policy: Linking population dynamics to habitat for a threatened species in Canada
Authors: Johnson Cheryl A. , Sutherland Glenn D. , Neave Erin , Leblond Mathieu , Kirby Patrick , Superbie Clara , McLoughlin Philip D.
Published: April 2020

Boreal forests provide numerous ecological services, including the ability to store large amounts of carbon, and are of significance to global biodiversity. Increases in industrial activities in boreal landscapes since the mid‐20th century have added to concerns over biodiversity loss and climate change. Boreal forests are home to dwindling populations of boreal caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada, a species at risk that requires large, undisturbed landscapes for persistence. In 2012, the Canadian government defined critical habitat for boreal caribou by relating calf recruitment to disturbances. Some have questioned whether the recruitment relationship can be extrapolated beyond the environmental conditions represented in the analysis.

We examined the effects of human disturbances and fire (alone and in combination) on variation in recruitment and adult female survival using data from 58 study areas in Canada. Top models were used in aspatial scenarios of landscape change to evaluate the efficacy of the critical habitat definition in achieving the recovery objectives for boreal caribou in two contrasting landscapes: Little Smoky, dominated by high levels of human disturbances, and the northern boreal shield of Saskatchewan (SK1), dominated by fire.

The top recruitment model suggested the negative effect of fire was three to four times smaller than human disturbances. The top adult female survival model included human disturbances only. These results re‐affirm that human disturbances are the primary factor contributing to boreal caribou declines.

Our aspatial scenarios suggested that undisturbed habitat would have to increase to ≥68% for Little Smoky to maintain a self‐sustaining population of boreal caribou with some degree of certainty. In contrast, the SK1 population was self‐sustaining with 40% undisturbed habitat when fire disturbance predominates, but could become vulnerable with increases in human disturbances (8%–9%).

Policy implications. Boreal caribou are listed as threatened under Canada's Species at Risk Act. Our results suggest that the 65% undisturbed critical habitat designation in Canada's boreal caribou Recovery Strategy may serve as a reasonable proxy for achieving self‐sustaining populations of boreal caribou in landscapes dominated by human disturbances. However, some populations may be less or more vulnerable, as illustrated by the scenarios in a landscape dominated by fire (SK1). Continued population monitoring will be essential to assessing the effectiveness of land management strategies developed for boreal caribou recovery, especially with climate change.
Spillover of terrestrial arthropod species and beta diversity in perennial crops relative to spatial scale of land‐use intensity
Authors: van Schalkwyk Julia , Pryke James S. , Samways Michael J. , Gaigher René
Published: April 2020

Arthropod diversity in agricultural areas is influenced by land‐use intensity (LUI) at both local and landscape scales. In agricultural systems, non‐crop habitats are important for promoting in‐field arthropod diversity, although in perennial orchard systems, boundary contrast (i.e. structural differences between crop and non‐crop habitats) may impede spillover of arthropods from non‐crop areas.

We focus on ground‐dwelling arthropods sampled within orchards in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa, that do not show a strong association with this habitat type (i.e. ‘non‐cultural’ species), and assess the influence of local (in‐field scale; FLUI) and landscape scale LUI (LLUI), boundary contrast, cover‐crop management, and population effects on species richness, assemblage variation within orchards, and the dissimilarity between assemblages in crop and non‐crop habitats (i.e. ‘cross‐edge dissimilarity’).

Higher LLUI (lower amounts of non‐crop habitat) was associated with higher in‐field species richness but also higher cross‐edge dissimilarity (i.e. these habitats were more distinct in certain landscapes). FLUI was important for non‐cultural species, especially non‐cultural predators and detritivores, for which higher levels of fertilization reduced in‐field species richness. Reduced contrast enhanced in‐field species richness, but there was limited evidence that this enhanced spillover from non‐crop habitats.

Synthesis and applications. In production systems with high border contrast and highly productive crop habitats, higher landscape scale land‐use intensity can enhance in‐field diversity. By supporting a subset of the assemblage able to thrive in both crop and non‐crop habitats, this is contributing to community divergence. To promote farmland diversity, we advocate the reduction of agrochemical inputs, production diversification at the landscapes scale, and the incorporation of a network of non‐crop corridors and stepping‐stone habitats to maintain connectivity and resilience across the landscape.
Occupational therapy entry‐level education scholarship in Australia from 2000 to 2019: A systematic mapping review
Authors: Roberts Melanie , Hooper Barbara , Molineux Matthew
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The number of occupational therapy degree programs in Australia has increased substantially over the last decade. During this time, Australian academics have produced a significant amount of scholarship focussed on entry‐level education; however, the landscape of this scholarship has not been examined. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the scholarship of entry‐level Australian occupational therapy education programs, specifically the topics explored and methods employed.

Methods

An extensive search of nine databases produced 1,002 papers related to occupational therapy education. Two researchers screened each paper using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seventy‐six articles, published between 2000 and September 2019, were included. Data were extracted using a coding tool, and entered into NVivo, where data were analysed using queries and tallies of the characteristics of the articles.

Results

Sixty‐eight articles were research and eight were other peer reviewed literature. Articles primarily focussed on student characteristics and perceptions. Quantitative research designs were predominant with surveys the most frequently used method. There were few articles that addressed the topic of teaching methods and approaches, and of these none addressed occupation‐centred teaching. No articles addressed the learning environment. Four articles reported on an educational intervention that targeted participation, and attitudes/perceptions or knowledge/skills of students and/or academics. These findings inform understanding about what has been completed so far in the scholarship; and what topic focus and research designs could address gaps in existing knowledge.

Conclusions

This review elucidated topics that have been well researched (student focus), as well as gaps in the scholarship (teaching methods and approaches including occupation‐centred teaching, and the learning environment). It showed that quantitative designs were predominant, with qualitative approaches less frequently adopted. The results of this review could assist academics and researchers to focus their scholarship on topics that require further investigation and diversify research methods.
An empirical analysis of municipal efficiency and local resident satisfaction by council type in Victorian local government
Authors: Tran Carolyn‐Dung Thi Thanh , Dollery Brian
Published: April 2020

Although a voluminous empirical literature has examined local government efficiency, much less attention has focused on municipal effectiveness and almost no effort has been directed at the relationship between efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper, we seek to add to the latter nascent literature by investigating the relationship between operational efficiency and local resident satisfaction for three different municipal categories (metropolitan, regional, and rural councils) in the Victorian local government system over the period 2014–2015 to 2017–2018 using data envelopment analysis and an advanced regression model. We find that although a strong relationship exists between efficiency and satisfaction for metropolitan and regional councils, the same is not true of rural councils.
Value‐added exports and the skill premium: Evidence from China’s international and regional production networks
Authors: Cui Chuantao , Li Leona Shao‐Zhi , Peng Daoju
Published: April 2020

The present study examines the impact of value‐added exports on the skill premium in a large developing country. We distinguish two margins of value‐added trade: direct exporting measures the economic activities of de jure exporters, while indirect exporting reflects the induced demand for suppliers for exporters. We integrate China’1s internal and external production networks and draw empirical evidence from both population and economic censuses. Our findings show that aggregate value‐added export intensity is associated with a higher skill premium, but it encompasses two contrasting effects: the direct exporting channel increases the skill premium, whereas the indirect channel decreases it. The latter channel has been neglected in existing published studies, which can lead to an overestimation of the positive relationship between exports and inequality in the South. We discuss the possible mechanisms and important implications.
Planned induction versus spontaneous delivery among women using prophylactic anticoagulation therapy: a retrospective study
Authors: Rottenstreich A , Zacks N , Kleinstern G , Levin G , Sompolinsky Y , Mankuta D , Ezra Y , Rottenstreich M , Yagel S , Kalish Y
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To examine the outcomes of planned induction of labour versus spontaneous onset of labour among women using prophylactic‐dose low‐molecular weight heparin (LMWH) therapy.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

University hospital.

Population

Women receiving antepartum prophylactic LMWH therapy undergoing a trial of vaginal delivery.

Methods

Charts from 2018–2019 were reviewed.

Main outcome measures

Duration of anticoagulation interruption and eligibility to receive neuraxial anaesthesia.

Results

Data from 199 women were analysed; 78 (39.2%) were admitted following spontaneous onset of labour and 121 (60.8%) underwent planned induction of labour. Compared to women who underwent planned induction of labour, women who presented with spontaneous onset of labour had a shorter median admission‐to‐delivery interval (4.7 versus 29.3 hours, P < 0.001). Similarly, intervals from the last LMWH injection to delivery (25.8 versus 48.2 hours, P < 0.001) and to the first postpartum LMWH injection (41.2 versus 63.7 hours, P < 0.001) were shorter. Among those with spontaneous onset of labour, 69 (88.5%) were eligible to receive neuraxial anaesthesia. Rates of postpartum haemorrhage and blood transfusion were similar between the groups. No thrombotic events were encountered in those with spontaneous onset of labour, but four (3.3%) women who delivered following induction of labour developed a postpartum thrombotic event.

Conclusion

Planned induction of labour was associated with a higher risk of postpartum thrombotic events than was spontaneous onset of labour (4 of 121 [3.3%] versus 0 of 78 [0%]), presumably due to prolonged duration of anticoagulation interruption, although the difference was not statistically significant. Allowing spontaneous onset of labour was associated with comparable rates of bleeding complications, and only a low proportion (9 of 78, 11.5%) were not eligible to receive neuraxial anaesthesia.

Tweetable abstract

Planned induction among women using prophylactic LMWH therapy might increase the risk of thromboembolic complications.
The impact of age and high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) status on the prevalence of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) in women with persistent hrHPV‐positive, cytology‐negative screening samples: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Tidy JA , Lyon R , Ellis K , Macdonald M , Palmer JE
Published: April 2020

Objective

To establish the prevalence of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) in women referred to colposcopy with persistent high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) cytology‐negative screening sample according to hrHPV genotype, age at referral and colposcopic performance.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single colposcopy clinic linked to a population‐based screening programme.

Population

Women referred with persistent hrHPV cytology‐negative routine screening samples.

Methods

Prospective study with descriptive statistics from a single colposcopy unit between June 2014 and July 2019.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of hrHPV genotypes and CIN2+, positive predictive value for colposcopic impression, and inadequate colposcopic examinations.

Results

A total of 3107 women were referred. Prevalence of CIN2+ was highest for persistent HPV16 infections (10.7%) compared with HPV18 (3.6%) or HPVO (4.7%). Prevalence of CIN2+ declined with age (25–34 years 14.2% to 55–64 years 1.1%) whereas the percentage of women with an inadequate colposcopic examination increased (25–34 years 0.9% to 55–64 years 29.5%). High‐grade colposcopic impression fell over time during the study from 16.1 to 5.1%. The positive predictive value for colposcopic impression of CIN2+ was affected by hrHPV genotype (57.3% for HPV16 versus 32.1% for nonHPV16). The adjunctive use of electrical impedance spectroscopy detected an extra 42 cases of CIN2+, which was irrespective of hrHPV genotype.

Conclusions

Primary hrHPV cervical screening increases detection of CIN2+; however, low specificity results in more women being referred to colposcopy with a low prevalence of CIN2+. Colposcopy performs poorly in some groups, particularly with HPVO infections and women over 50 years of age. An appropriate threshold for referral to colposcopy in primary hrHPV screening has not been established.

Tweetable abstract

Low prevalence of CIN2+ in HPV‐positive negative cytology samples. HPV genotype, age and prevalence of CIN2+ affect colposcopic performance.
The efficacy and safety of balloon dilation for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction before placement of self‐expanding metal stents
Authors: Shen Zhen Yang , Wang Jun Jun , Lu Lun Gen , Wan Rong , Wan Xin Jian , Cai Xiao Bo
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate whether patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) benefit from balloon dilation before the placement of a self‐expanding metal stent (SEMS) for palliative biliary drainage.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with SEMS placement for palliative management of MBO were retrospectively included. Comparative analyses of serum bilirubin levels, post‐procedural adverse events, stent patency time, stent dysfunction, and patient survival were performed between the dilation and non‐dilation groups.

Results

A total of 221 patients underwent palliative endoscopic SEMS implantation for MBO from January 2014 to June 2018. Dilation significantly improved the percentage of serum bilirubin improvement (37.0% vs 14.3%, P = 0.001), with a decreasing trend in the incidence of post‐procedural cholangitis (2.5% vs 7.8%, P = 0.075), while the rates of other complications such as pancreatitis and bleeding were not increased. The patency time of SEMS and patient survival did not significantly differ between patients with and without dilation. Patients had endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) but not dilation showed similar short‐term outcomes as patients underwent dilation but without ENBD.

Conclusions

Dilation with a small‐caliber balloon catheter before the placement of SEMS is a safe and effective approach for MBO. Balloon dilation may improve the short‐term efficacy of SEMS placement, while long‐term outcomes are not obviously affected. The short‐term effect of stricture dilation may be achieved by ENBD. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.
Plant morphological traits associated with field resistance to cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Authors: Jacob Thuruthumkara K. , Senthil Kumar Chellappa M. , Devasahayam Selvakaran , D'Silva Sharon , Kumar Rathinampillai Senthil , Biju Chakkiyanickal N. , Praveena Ravindran , Ankegowda Shettahalli K. J.
Published: April 2020

Cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) is a major insect pest of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) causing severe economic losses to the crop in all cardamom producing countries. The present control measures rely heavily on chemical insecticides, which in addition to increased input costs also lead to pesticide residues in the produce and environmental hazards. Although the crop is of high commercial value, limited efforts have been made to identify sources of resistance to this major pest. Exploiting sources of resistance along with integrated pest management tactics will help to reduce pesticide usage in this crop promoting sustainable production. The present study aimed at identifying sources of resistance against cardamom thrips and the associated plant morphological traits conferring resistance against the pest. Field screening of 180 cardamom germplasm accessions for 3 years at Appangala, Karnataka, India, resulted in identification of eight accessions resistant to cardamom thrips. Differences in panicle type and the nature of adherence of leaf sheath to the pseudostem explained a significant amount of the variance in resistance and therefore are likely to play a major role in conferring resistance against this pest. Multiple regression analysis of the different traits indicated that accessions with prostrate panicles having leaf sheath loosely adhered to the pseudostems were found to have significantly less thrips damage, when compared with other panicle and leaf sheath types. However, persistence of flower bract did not have a significant additive effect on imparting resistance against thrips. Metabolomic analysis of the accessions may provide further insight into the existence of supplementary biochemical mechanisms, if any, in imparting resistance. The identified traits and accessions can be exploited in future breeding programmes for developing thrips resistant cardamom varieties.