bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Snakes on an urban plain: Temporal patterns of snake activity and human–snake conflict in Darwin, Australia
Authors: Parkin Tom , Jolly Chris J. , de Laive Alana , von Takach Brenton 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGlobally, cities and urban areas are expanding rapidly, leading to increased human–wildlife conflict. To reduce human–snake conflict in Australia, ‘snake catchers’ are employed to remove and relocate snakes detected by the public in urban or rural areas. Where records of human–snake interactions are being collected, these data can inform our understanding of human–snake conflict and, potentially, snake urban ecology. In this study, we analysed 5210 snake–human interactions collected over a 7‐year period (2011–2017) in Darwin, Australia, to investigate temporal patterns in species activity and identify environmental drivers of human–snake conflict. Encouragingly, about 90% of recorded human–snake interactions during this period in Darwin were with harmless snakes. While there was no clear effect of human activity biasing snake callout patterns at temporal scales greater than one day, reduced callouts between 00:00 and 06:00 may be driven by either reduced human or snake activity. We found population trends of all taxa investigated, except for elapids, to be stable. Elapids appeared to have suffered a small, yet statistically significant, decline. We also found that all taxa showed strong cyclical patterns within years, with considerable variation between species in the timing of annual peaks in activity. This study proves that consistently collected and carefully analysed datasets of urban wildlife reported by citizens can be used to inform our understanding of urban wildlife ecology, as well as potentially providing insights that improve wildlife management in urban environments.
Hazardous Alcohol Use, Impulsivity, and HIV‐Risk Behavior Among HIV‐Positive Russian Patients With a History of Injection Drug Use
Authors: Chavez Kathryn , Palfai Tibor P. , Cheng Debbie M. , Blokhina Elena , Gnatienko Natalia , Quinn Emily K. , Krupitsky Evgeny , Samet Jeffrey H. 
Published: December 2020

Background and ObjectivesPrevious findings on the association between hazardous drinking and HIV‐risk behavior have been equivocal, varying by population and individual difference factors. This study examined associations between hazardous drinking, impulsivity, and HIV‐risk behaviors among HIV‐positive Russian patients with a history of injection drug use (IDU), not on antiretroviral therapy.MethodsNegative binomial regression analyses of data from a randomized controlled trial were performed (N = 241). Main independent variables were the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Outcomes were number of condomless sexual episodes (CSE; primary), number of sexual partners, and needle‐sharing frequency (secondary).ResultsHazardous drinking was positively associated with the frequency of CSE (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98‐2.36). Moderate (aIRR = 0.51, 95% CI, 0.46‐0.56) and high (aIRR = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.60‐0.73) impulsivity were associated with fewer CSE compared with low impulsivity. Hazardous drinking (aIRR = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.52‐0.79) and impulsivity (aIRR = 0.95, 95% CI, 0.94‐0.96) were both associated with fewer sexual partners. Hazardous drinking and impulsivity were each associated with increased needle sharing. The association between hazardous drinking and number of needle‐shares was strongest at higher impulsivity levels.Conclusion and Scientific significanceHazardous drinking may be a risk factor for CSE among HIV‐positive Russian patients and may influence needle sharing. Findings contribute to our understanding of the interactive associations between hazardous drinking and impulsivity with sexual risk behaviors and needle sharing among HIV‐positive Russian patients with a history of IDU. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
Examining Associations Between Licensed and Unlicensed Outlet Density and Cannabis Outcomes From Preopening to Postopening of Recreational Cannabis Outlets
Authors: Pedersen Eric R. , Firth Caislin L. , Rodriguez Anthony , Shih Regina A. , Seelam Rachana , Kraus Lisa , Dunbar Michael S. , Tucker Joan S. , Kilmer Beau , D'Amico Elizabeth J. 
Published: December 2020

Background and ObjectivesTo expand on epidemiologic studies examining associations between the legalization of recreational cannabis and use among young adults, we examined the associations between licensed and unlicensed cannabis outlet density and cannabis outcomes.MethodsA total of 1097 young adults aged 21 and older living in Los Angeles County were surveyed before licensed recreational cannabis outlets opened (Time 1: July to December 2017) and after (Time 2: July 2018 to June 2019). Using a database of open licensed and unlicensed cannabis retailers to calculate individual‐level cannabis outlet density measures, we examined associations between outlet density within a 4‐mile radius of participants’ residences with Time 2 outcomes of any past‐month use, daily use, intentions to use, quantity used, consequences, and cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms.ResultsAfter controlling for demographic factors and cannabis outcomes at a time point prior to their opening (Time 1), licensed cannabis outlets were associated with young adults’ cannabis use, heavy use, and intentions, and unlicensed outlets were associated with young adults’ heavy cannabis use and CUD symptoms.Conclusion and Scientific SignificanceThis study expands beyond studies of outlet prevalence to find that, after controlling for outcomes 1 year prior, licensed and unlicensed outlets were associated with young adults’ cannabis outcomes. The current study is among the first to find associations between cannabis use outcomes and density of cannabis outlets among young adults using data from two time points: preopening and postopening of recreational cannabis retailers. Findings can inform policies around the density and placement of cannabis outlets. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
Propensity score matching analysis for outcomes of laparoscopic versus open caudate lobectomy
Authors: Peng Yufu , Liu Fei , Xu Hongwei , Guo Suqi , Wei Yonggang , Li Bo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo date, laparoscopic caudate lobectomy (LCB) remains a challenge, and evidence about its value is rare. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the benefits of LCB for patients with tumours located in the caudate lobe compared with open caudate lobectomy (OCB).MethodsFrom October 2015 to June 2019, 102 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were eligible for this study. The patients were divided into LCB and OCB groups. Short‐term outcomes between the groups were compared with propensity score matching (PSM).ResultsLCB was performed in 31 of the 102 included patients. After PSM, 30 patients with well‐balanced baseline levels were enrolled in each group. Intraoperative blood loss in the LCB group was less than that in the OCB group (median, 100 versus 200 mL, P = 0.017), even though it did not reach a statistically significant difference after PSM (median, 100 versus 187.5 mL, P = 0.085). Moreover, although post‐operative overall complications were similar in the two groups, a tendency of lower rates of respiratory infection in the LCB group than the OCB group was observed (0% versus 12.7%, P = 0.054 before PSM; 0% versus 16.7%, P = 0.063 after PSM). There was no early mortality in either group. LCB had a shorter post‐operative hospital stay than OCB (median, 5 versus 6 days, P < 0.001). However, the hospitalization cost was higher in the LCB group than in the OCB group (P < 0.001).ConclusionLCB is safe and feasible in selected patients when performed by experienced surgeons.
Interactive Optimization of Generative Image Modelling using Sequential Subspace Search and Content‐based Guidance
Authors: Chong Toby , Shen I‐Chao , Sato Issei , Igarashi Takeo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGenerative image modeling techniques such as GAN demonstrate highly convincing image generation result. However, user interaction is often necessary to obtain desired results. Existing attempts add interactivity but require either tailored architectures or extra data. We present a human‐in‐the‐optimization method that allows users to directly explore and search the latent vector space of generative image modelling. Our system provides multiple candidates by sampling the latent vector space, and the user selects the best blending weights within the subspace using multiple sliders. In addition, the user can express their intention through image editing tools. The system samples latent vectors based on inputs and presents new candidates to the user iteratively. An advantage of our formulation is that one can apply our method to arbitrary pre‐trained model without developing specialized architecture or data. We demonstrate our method with various generative image modelling applications, and show superior performance in a comparative user study with prior art iGAN [ZKSE16].
Paediatric tonsillectomy in England: A cohort study of clinical practice and outcomes using Hospital Episode Statistics data (2008‐2019)
Authors: Keltie Kim , Donne Adam , Daniel Mat , Stephenson Kate , Wyatt Michelle , Kuo Michael , Saunders Michael , Kumar Nirmal B. , Philpott Carl M. , Bruce Iain , Smith Matthew E. , Hardman John C. , Cognigni Paola , Richardson Hayley , Gross Sam , Sims Andrew J. , Powell Steven 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the safety of paediatric tonsillectomy procedures conducted in NHS hospitals in England between 2008 and 2019.DesignRetrospective observational cohort study using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data.SettingAcute NHS trusts in England conducting paediatric tonsillectomy procedures.ParticipantsChildren (≤16 years old) undergoing bilateral tonsillectomy.Main outcome measuresNumber of tonsillectomies performed per year by procedural method. In‐hospital complications including return to theatre for arrest of haemorrhage. Readmission within 28 days, including those for pain, haemorrhage and surgical arrest of haemorrhage. Long‐term outcomes: all‐cause mortality, revision tonsillectomy.ResultsA total of 318 453 paediatric tonsillectomies were performed from 2008 to 2019:278,772 dissection (87.5%) and 39 681 coblation (12.5%). The proportion of tonsillectomy performed using coblation increased from 7% in 2008/9 to 27% in 2018/9. Five patients died in hospital (including 4 due to respiratory complications). In‐hospital complications occurred in 4202 children (1.3%), with the most frequent being haemorrhage. Within 28 days of tonsillectomy, 28 170 patients (8.8%) were readmitted and 7 deaths occurred. Readmission rates for haemorrhage and pain have increased since 2008. The proportion of children undergoing revision tonsillectomy procedures within 5 years following coblation tonsillectomy (1.4%) was approximately double that of dissection (0.6%).ConclusionsClinical practice of paediatric tonsillectomy has changed in England over the past 11 years. The overall mortality rate associated with the procedure is 0.0037%. Differences in outcomes have been identified for different procedural methods. However, routine administrative data are limited in differentiating procedural detail (eg we are unable to differentiate intra or extra‐capsular techniques from current clinical coding of tonsillectomy procedures). Therefore, prospective national data collection or more granular clinical coding is essential to capture relative outcomes of the different tonsillectomy methods and techniques being used in the NHS.
Financial literacy and security‐based crowdfunding
Authors: Meoli Michele , Rossi Alice , Vismara Silvio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractResearch Question/IssueThis study investigates the relationship between financial literacy and the survival profile of the security‐based crowdfunding platforms. Security‐based crowdfunding has recently emerged as a novel market that allows small investors to engage directly in financing entrepreneurial ventures. However, a certain level of financial literacy is required to understand and manage these digital finance tools. A better understanding of the impact of financial literacy is, therefore, central to the development of these markets and the achievement of their inclusive potential.Research Findings/InsightsUsing data of the universe of 432 security‐based crowdfunding platforms in 37 OECD countries from 2007 to 2019, we find higher platforms' survival profiles where the level of financial literacy is high. Financial literacy, however, needs to combine with specific platform characteristics to take full effect, as it matters more to those platforms that deliver voting rights and that provide poorer value‐added services to crowdfunding investors.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThis study provides empirical support to the role of governance mechanisms at the platform level for differences in the level of financial literacy across countries. As such, it contributes to literature both on financial literacy and corporate governance. Additionally, it extends previous research in crowdfunding to the platform level.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis study calls for the attention of policymakers interested in the development of crowdfunding markets. The importance of financial literacy varies with the presence of governance mechanisms and information production at the platform‐level.
Integrating dynamic processes into waterfowl conservation prioritization tools
Authors: Kemink Kaylan M. , Adams Vanessa M. , Pressey Robert L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimTraditional approaches for including species' distributions in conservation planning have presented them as long‐term averages of variation. Like these approaches, the main waterfowl conservation targeting tool in the United States Prairie Pothole Region (US PPR) is based primarily on long‐term averaged distributions of breeding waterfowl. While this tool has supported valuable conservation, it does not explicitly consider spatiotemporal changes in spring wetland availability and does not assess wetland availability during the brood rearing period. We sought to develop a modelling approach and targeting tool that incorporated these types of dynamics for breeding waterfowl and broods. This goal also presented an opportunity for us to compare predictions from a traditional targeting tool based on long‐term averages to predictions from spatiotemporal models. Such a comparison facilitated tests of the underlying assumption that this traditional targeting tool could provide an effective surrogate measure for conservation objectives such as brood abundance and climate refugia.LocationUS PPR.MethodsWe developed spatiotemporal models of breeding waterfowl and brood abundance within the US PPR. We compared the distributions predicted by these models and assessed similarity with the averaged pair data that is used to develop the current waterfowl targeting tool.ResultsResults demonstrated low similarity and correlation between the averaged pair data and spatiotemporal brood and breeding waterfowl models. The spatiotemporal breeding waterfowl model distributions did not serve as better surrogates for brood abundance than the averaged pair data.Main conclusionsOur study underscored the contributions that the current targeting tool has made to waterfowl conservation but also suggested that conservation plans in the region would benefit from the consideration of inter‐ and intra‐annual dynamics. We suggested that using only the averaged pair data and derived products might result in the omission of 58% ‐ 88% of important breeding waterfowl and brood habitat from conservation plans. [Correction added on 5 February 2021, after first online publication: ‘Results’ text has been modified and the ‘Main conclusions’ omission percentages have been corrected.]
Wild narrow‐striped mongooses use social information to enhance behavioural flexibility
Authors: Rasolofoniaina Bako , Kappeler Peter M. , Fichtel Claudia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBehavioural flexibility allows animals to adapt their behaviour to changing situations in their current habitat. Flexibility is involved in behaviours comprising decision‐making in their ecological or social environment. However, the ability to behave flexibly can co‐vary with an individual's personality and its level of inhibitory control, so that previous work has not discerned any consistent pattern in the direction of the relationship among these traits. Our aim was, therefore, to examine the influence of neophobia, inhibitory control, and social learning on behavioural flexibility performance in wild narrow‐striped mongooses (Mungotictis decemlineata) in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. To this end, we conducted novel object tests to assess neophobia, a cylinder task to assess inhibitory control, and a discrimination and reversal learning task to quantify behavioural flexibility in a natural group setting. We found that neophobia did not correlate with learning performance either in the discrimination learning task or in the reversal learning task. Further, individuals exhibiting more inhibitory control learned faster during the initial learning task, but not in the reversed task, suggesting that inhibitory control facilitated individuals' learning abilities but not behavioural flexibility. Finally, opportunities for social learning correlated with individuals' performance during the reversal learning task. Thus, in narrow‐striped mongooses, social learning seems to facilitate behavioural flexibility, in addition to individual learning, in cognitively more challenging situations, such as a reversal learning condition.
Dragline silk reveals female developmental stage and mediates male vibratory courtship in the nuptial gift‐giving spider Pisaura mirabilis
Authors: Eberhard Monika J. B. , Möller Timon A. , Uhl Gabriele 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMale mate choice likely occurs when costs are associated with courtship or mating. For example, when males produce continuous vibrational signals, provide nutritious nuptial gifts, or are likely killed during mating, they should assess female developmental and reproductive state. Substrate‐borne vibratory courtship signals are very common in spiders serving species recognition, suppressing the female's aggression towards the male, or signalling individual quality. Males of the nursery web spider, Pisaura mirabilis, usually offer a prey item wrapped in silk as a nuptial gift to the female; the gift is commonly produced prior to female contact. When touching dragline silk deposited by a female, males tremulate their opisthosoma presumably reacting to chemical cues. Courtship energy expenditure and resource transfer should select for selective male mating decisions in this species. We hypothesized that male P. mirabilis differentiate between developmental stages of the female (sub‐adult vs. adult). Differential courtship towards virgin and mated females was not expected since females forage for nuptial gifts and might continuously signal receptivity. To test this, vibrational courtship signals of male spiders towards draglines of sub‐adult, adult unmated and mated females were recorded with a Laser Doppler Vibrometer. We found that males were less likely to perform vibrational courtship and produced less pulses when contacting silk of sub‐adult females, compared to silk produced by adult females, while their reaction towards silk of unmated and mated adult females did not differ. Reduced courtship in response to sub‐adult female silk seems beneficial since it reduces energy expenditure in the face of a not yet reproductive female. When vibratory courtship occurred, the temporal patterns and dominant frequencies of the males' vibratory signals were similar, regardless of female developmental stage or mating status. Such stable patterns suggest a role in species recognition already at a distance without direct physical contact and in reducing female aggression.
NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome activation in response to cariogenic bacterial lipoteichoic acid in human dental pulp inflammation
Authors: Tian X. X. , Li R. , Liu C. , Liu F. , Yang L. J. , Wang S. P. , Wang C. L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimTo explore the presence and function of NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome in human pulp tissue and human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).MethodologyPulp tissue was collected from freshly extracted human caries‐free third molars and third molars with irreversible pulpitis. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blot were performed to assess the expression of NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome. HDPCs were prepared from normal human pulp tissues and challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qRT‐PCR were performed to assess if LPS can upregulate NLRP6 and caspase‐4. HDPCs were further challenged with LPS followed with cytosolic Streptococcus mutans lipoteichoic acid (LTA). SiRNA targeting NLRP6 and Casp4 and pharmacology inhibitor Ac‐FLTD‐CMK and MCC950 were used to assess if Streptococcus mutans LTA can activate the NLRP6 but not the NLRP3 inflammasome. Western blot and ELISA were performed to evaluate inflammasome activation. The Student’s t‐test and one‐way anova were used for statistical analysis.ResultsNLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome was upregulated and activated in inflamed human dental pulp tissue. In HDPCs, Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS upregulated the expression of NLRP6, CASP1 and CASP4 in a type I interferon dependent manner. After LPS priming, cytosolic Streptococcus mutans LTA triggered NLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome activation. Knockdown of NLRP6 or CASP4 using siRNA or using pharmacology inhibitor Ac‐FLTD‐CMK but not MCC950 efficiently suppressed inflammasome activation by cytosolic LTA.ConclusionsNLRP6‐caspase 4 inflammasome may play an important role in pulp inflammation and immune defence. Inflammatory caspases represent a pharmacological target to restrain pulpal inflammation.
Formation of liquid‐phase isolation layer on the corroded interface of MgO/Al2O3‐SiC‐C refractory and molten steel: Role of SiC
Authors: Li Tianqing , Chen Junfeng , Xiao Junli , Wei Yaowu , Li Guangqiang , Zhang Shaowei , Li Nan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFormation of a dense layer on corroded interface to suppress corrosion is always desired, but it is controlled by numerous environmental conditions. In this work, corroded microstructures of MgO/Al2O3‐SiC‐C refractories in metal bath area of ladle furnace were investigated after industrial trails. A liquid‐phase isolation layer in which MgO islands and liquid phases was established on the corroded interface of refractories with 6 wt% coarse/fine SiC‐additive. The formed isolation layer against steel/slag attacks led to an approximate 30% improvement in corrosion resistance than that of refractory with 3 wt% fine SiC‐additive. More importantly, the liquid‐phase isolation layer blocked the direct mass transfer between molten steel and refractories while it decreased exogenous pollution from refractories. SiC‐additive affected the formation process of isolation layer by controlling the generation/migration of Mg(g) on refractory' surface. A further formation mechanism of liquid‐phase isolation layer was discussed in detail and role of SiC was elucidated.