bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defining practical and robust study designs for interventions targeted at terrestrial mammalian predators
Authors: Khorozyan Igor 
Published: July 2021

AbstractConflicts between humans and mammalian predators are globally widespread and increasing, creating a long‐lasting challenge for conservation and local livelihoods. Protection interventions, which are essential to conflict mitigation, should be based on solid evidence of effectiveness produced by robust study designs. Yet, it is unclear what study designs have been used in predator‐targeted interventions and how they can be improved to provide best practices for replications. I examined how applications of five study designs (before‐after, before‐after‐control‐impact, control‐impact, crossover [i.e., the same randomly assigned study units acting as treatments and controls during alternating trials], and randomized controlled trial) have changed over time and how these changes are related to authors, predator species, countries, and intervention types (aversion, husbandry, mixed interventions, invasive management, lethal control, and noninvasive management). I applied multinomial regression modeling to 434 cases (28 predator species and 45 countries) from 244 studies published from 1955 to 2020. Study design was related only to intervention type. Less reliable before‐after and control‐impact studies were the most common (47.7% and 38.2% of cases, respectively), and their use increased over years as did all interventions. The contribution of the most robust before‐after‐control‐impact (7.4%), randomized controlled trial (5.3%), and crossover designs (1.4%) remained minor over time. Crossover is suitable for aversion, most husbandry techniques, and a few other interventions, but crossover interventions also have the most limitations in terms of applicability. Randomized controlled trial is generally applicable, but impractical or inappropriate for some interventions, and before‐after‐control‐impact appears to be the most widely applicable study design for predator‐targeted interventions.
Acceptance of semipermeable glove liners compared to cotton glove liners in health care workers with work‐related skin diseases: Results of a quasi‐randomized trial under real workplace conditions
Authors: Heichel Theres , Brans Richard , John Swen Malte , Nienhaus Albert , Nordheider Kathrin , Wilke Annika , Sonsmann Flora K 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundGlove liners (GLs) made of cotton (COT) are worn under impermeable gloves to prevent occlusion effects. Semipermeable GLs made of Sympatex (SYM) might be an alternative.ObjectivesTo evaluate the acceptance of GLs (COT/SYM) in health care workers (HCWs) with work‐related skin diseases (WRSDs).MethodsOne hundred sixty‐one HCWs with WRSDs were asked to wear GLs in combination with occlusive gloves for 10 ±2 weeks under workplace conditions. A questionnaire was applied to compare acceptance and usability of the respective glove combinations and previously used protective gloves (PUGs).ResultsA total of 120 data sets were available (SYM: n = 65, 77.4%; COT: n = 55, 71.4%). Both GLs provided a significantly lower sweating sensation, more pleasant climate, comfortable wearing experience, and moist or dry feeling on the skin compared to PUGs. SYM‐GLs performed significantly better than COT‐GLs regarding mobility of hands, sensitivity, and sense of touch. COT‐GLs were significantly better than SYM‐GLs in the categories fit, donning and doffing, and material contact.ConclusionsBoth GLs did not impair work performance, were applicable in various areas of health care activities, and were preferred over PUGs. Our results indicate that SYM‐GLs are an alternative to COT‐GLs and thus may contribute to current prevention strategies.
Inflation and public debt reversals in advanced economies
Authors: Fukunaga Ichiro , Komatsuzaki Takuji , Matsuoka Hideaki 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper quantitatively assesses the effects of inflation shocks on the public debt‐to‐GDP ratio in 19 advanced economies using simulation and estimation approaches. The simulations suggest that 1 percentage point shock to the inflation rate can reduce the debt‐to‐GDP ratio by about 0.7 percentage points on average across countries, while the estimated impulse responses are a little larger and more persistent. Additional assumptions taking into account financial repression do not necessarily make these effects substantially larger. These results imply that modestly higher inflation, even if accompanied by some financial repression, could reduce the public debt burden only marginally.
Accelerated weathering performance of wood‐plastic composites reinforced with carbon and glass fibre‐woven fabrics
Authors: Durmaz Sefa , Erdil Yusuf Ziya , Ozgenc Ozlem 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWood‐plastic composites (WPCs) are new generation materials widely used in outdoor conditions; however, the appearance and mechanical properties of WPCs change with exposure to weather. In this study, high‐density polyethylene‐based flat‐pressed WPCs are reinforced with carbon and glass fibre‐woven fabrics for uses where high mechanical properties are needed in outdoor conditions. For this purpose, WPCs are exposed to accelerated weathering conditions to determine the effect of weathering with and without reinforcement. The results show that, after weathering, colour changes are inevitable for WPCs. Attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform‐infrared analysis reveals the changes in the matrix's chemical structure, illustrating the alterations in WPC surface characteristics. The mechanical properties of WPCs decrease as a result of photodegradation. However, the reinforced WPCs have higher mechanical properties than the control samples, despite extensive degradation. Carbon fibre (200 g/m2) achieved the greatest flexural strength and modulus of elasticity, 150% and 122% higher, respectively, than unreinforced WPCs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that, despite the intensive photodegradation on the surface, the integration of the matrix and woven fabrics was still strong. The surface erosion was observed with light microscopy. The visual appearance also exhibited some changes that occurred on the surface of WPCs.
Retrofit ecopassages effectively reduce freshwater turtle road mortality in the Lake Simcoe Watershed
Authors: Read Kaitlyn D. , Thompson Bill 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough the negative impacts of roads on herpetiles are well documented, broad‐scale implementation of effective mitigation measures to address these impacts remains limited. Here, we evaluated whether a novel, cost‐effective, retrofit ecopassage design can reduce road mortality of herpetiles in the Lake Simcoe Watershed, using a before‐after‐control‐impact study. We also examined whether the ecopassages impacted the movement of turtles across the landscape using wildlife cameras. Our study indicated that the ecopassages significantly reduced turtle road mortality at the treatment sites but were not effective at mitigating road mortality of other herpetiles. Most turtle road‐kill at the ecopassages sites occurred at fence ends, highlighting the need for solutions to address fence‐end effects for herpetiles. There was no evidence that the ecopassages reduced turtles' ability to move between habitats as individuals were observed crossing through the ecopassages. Our results suggest that inexpensive solutions can effectively mitigate road mortality for turtles and taller fencing could improve the design for other species. Ecopassages, such as the ones tested in this study, should be widely implemented in road‐kill hotspots across all regions, especially in habitats of rare or at‐risk species, in order to protect turtles and other wildlife from the increasing threat of roads.
The future of human‐chimpanzee coexistence in West Africa: Reconsidering the role of shifting agriculture in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) conservation planning
Authors: Leblan Vincent , Soiret Serge Pacome Keagnon 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe IUCN has recently updated its 2003 western chimpanzee conservation action plan for the period 2020–2030. Recent estimates find an 80% population reduction occurred between 1990 and 2014. Further, 83% of these chimpanzees are estimated to live outside any high‐level protected area. Ivory Coast's drastic chimpanzee decline, within a commercial agriculture setting, has much inspired this new protected area‐centered action plan. We discuss two contrasting mechanisms contributing to population decline within Ivory Coast in order to assess their relevance to address range‐wide conservation issues. We then consider the role of rotational agriculture, which dominates the subsistence economy of neighboring countries, as either a threat or a part of the solution to this subspecies' conservation. We identify knowledge gaps in three critical areas. First, little is known about the habitat types that have experienced the greatest losses across the range of the western chimpanzee. Second, relatively little is known about chimpanzee use of fallowed agricultural fields. Finally, little is known about farmer's ecological knowledge about chimpanzees and their potential to coexist. Establishing new protected areas over the next decade will likely be as an offset to areas used in infrastructure development, implying that ever larger areas will be lost to subsistence farming. We propose to broaden conservation plans for the western chimpanzee. Specifically, we call for deeper consideration of habitat sharing of agricultural fallows within subsistence agricultural landscapes as a means to foster human‐chimpanzee coexistence. A focus on coexistence could help mitigate conservation‐subsistence farming conflicts.
Drinking location moderates the association between social group size and alcohol consumption among young adults: An event‐level study
Authors: Anderson Goodell Erin M. , Kuntsche Emmanuel , Labhart Florian , Thrul Johannes 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionPrevious studies have demonstrated relationships between social and environmental characteristics of the drinking context and alcohol use. However, the use of event‐level data to investigate individual and joint relationships between such characteristics and alcohol use remains a gap in the literature. This study aimed to examine associations between drinking context (location and social group size) and alcohol consumption, and estimate the relationship between the interaction of context and alcohol consumption.MethodsUsing an Internet‐based cellphone‐optimised assessment technique, 183 Swiss young adults (mean: 23 years; range: 17–37 years) completed hourly assessments from 8 pm to midnight Thursday through Saturday for five consecutive weeks. Participants contributed 3454 hourly questionnaires. The number of drinks, the number of friends present and location (off‐premise–home, outdoors; on‐premise–bars, restaurants) were assessed based on the previous hour. Multilevel mixed‐effects models were used to assess the relationships of interest.ResultsBeing off‐premise compared to on‐premise was associated with fewer hourly drinks consumed (b = −0.44, P < 0.001). Greater numbers of friends present were associated with more drinks consumed (b = 0.02, P < 0.001). The association between number of friends and number of drinks consumed was significantly stronger for off‐premise compared to on‐premise locations (b = 0.03, P < 0.001).Discussion and ConclusionsCompared to off‐premise locations, on‐premise locations are associated with more hourly drinks consumed. However, the positive relationship between social group size and drinks consumed is significantly stronger for off‐premise locations compared to on‐premise locations. Findings have implications for tailored interventions focused on reducing alcohol consumption by young adults.
Very early and early neurophysiological abnormalities in Guillain–Barré syndrome: A 4‐year retrospective study
Authors: Rasera Andrea , Romito Silvia , Segatti Alessia , Concon Elisa , Alessandrini Luca , Basaldella Federica , Badari Andrea , Bonetti Bruno , Squintani Giovanna 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeIn its initial stages, Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is difficult to identify, because diagnostic criteria may not always be fulfilled. With this retrospective study, we wanted to identify the most common electrophysiological abnormalities seen on neurophysiological examination of GBS patients and its variants in the early phases.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical records of patients admitted to our Neurology Unit with a confirmed diagnosis of GBS. The study sample was divided in two subgroups according to whether the neurophysiological examination was performed: within 7 days (very early group) or within 7–15 days (early group). H reflex, F waves, and motor and sensory conduction parameters were judged abnormal if they were outside the normal range for at least two nerves. We evaluated neurophysiological findings in Miller–Fisher syndrome (MFS) separately.ResultsThe study sample comprised 36 patients. In GBS, the most frequent abnormal neurophysiological parameter was the bilateral absence of the H reflex, followed by F wave abnormalities. Motor conduction parameters were altered in less than 50% of patients, and even less common were sensory nerve action potential reduction and the "sural‐sparing" pattern. In MFS, H reflex was absent bilaterally in 100% of patients, followed by a predominant peripheral sensory involvement, whereas motor conduction parameters were frequently normal.ConclusionsBilateral absence of the H reflex is the most sensitive parameter in early diagnosis of GBS and its variants.
Cladribine suppresses disease activity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Rejdak Konrad , Papuć Ewa 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a difficult condition to treat. Cladribine selectively and transiently depletes B and T lymphocytes, leading to long‐lasting immune reconstitution. This report describes observations from 24 months of follow‐up after cladribine in NMOSD patients.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of a case series including 12 seropositive patients with NMOSD. Patients were given cladribine by subcutaneous injections in a series of several 2‐day cycles of 20 mg administered at intervals of 4–6 weeks. Thus, the full treatment course delivered a cumulative bioavailable dose similar to that approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis. Annualized relapse rate (ARR), disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score) and safety in the 24 months preceding and the 24 months following the initiation of cladribine treatment were assessed.ResultsThe mean ARR in the 24 months preceding cladribine treatment was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–1.62). The mean ARR in the 24 months following initiation of cladribine treatment was 0.21 (95% CI 0.08–0.56). The ratio in the rate of events post versus prior cladribine initiation was 0.20 (95% CI 0.07–0.59) and highly significant (p = 0.0073). The EDSS score did not change over the follow‐up period (2.5 ± 1.7; mean ± SD) compared to baseline (2.5 ± 1.5; mean ± SD). No serious adverse events considered to be linked to cladribine were observed during follow‐up.ConclusionsCladribine was safe in NMOSD patients over a 2‐year observation period. Cladribine treatment was associated with clinical stabilization, as evidenced by significantly decreased ARR and no progression of EDSS score.
Male privilege revisited: How men in female‐dominated occupations notice and actively reframe privilege
Authors: Schwiter Karin , Nentwich Julia , Keller Marisol 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOur article aims at refocusing the debate in privilege studies from tackling the invisibility to challenging justifications of gender privilege. Focusing on instances in which men acknowledge that they receive preferential treatment, this study sheds light on how privilege is perceived and talked about in interviews with men in female‐dominated occupations. In contrast to existing literature on the invisibility of privilege to the privileged, our analysis shows that the privileging of men is indeed known to them. However, our interviewees then employ specific discursive strategies to actively reframe and thereby silence privilege. They either justify privilege as an individual achievement or as a natural advantage of male bodies. In our discussion, we show how these discursive reframings build on existing discourses on gendered bodies and neoliberal subjectivity. Based on our key argument that gendered privilege is not invisible, but it is acknowledged and then actively reframed and thereby silenced, we argue for expanding the focus of privilege studies: Instead of primarily investing in making privilege visible to those who have it, we need to challenge the discourses that allow for reframing and silencing it.
Application of WeChat platform in the management of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Ma Huan , Zhao Xin‐hua , Zhang Li‐li , Wu Li‐meng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of using WeChat platform to manage the patients with H. pylori infection.Methods566 patients were randomly divided into two groups: The control group was treated with traditional management method, and the experimental group established WeChat group and implemented the informatization management. The two groups were given a unified plan to eradicate H. pylori. After the treatment, the C14 breath test was reexamined. The follow‐up rate and H. pylori eradication rate of the two groups were counted.ResultsIn the experimental group, 289 patients were enrolled and 271 patients were followed up. The follow‐up rate was 93.8%. The number of H. pylori‐negative patients was 244, and the eradication rate was 90.0%. In the control group, 277 patients were enrolled in the study, and 215 patients were followed up. The follow‐up rate was 77.6%. 169 cases of H. pylori‐negative conversion were found, and the eradication rate was 78.6%.ConclusionThrough WeChat management, the medication adherence, regular follow‐up, and H.pylori infection eradication rate of the patients with H.pylori infection in the experimental group were better than that in control group, during the treatment of eradicating H.pylori, and the difference was statistically significant.
RETRACTED: Long non‐coding RNA LINC00607 silencing exerts antioncogenic effects on thyroid cancer through the CASP9 Promoter methylation
Authors: Li Lanzhen , Gao Zhongcheng , Zhao Lei , Ren Peiyou , Shen Hongyan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThyroid cancer (TC) was the most frequent thyroid malignant tumour, accounting for about 1% of all malignant tumours. Some long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to exert essential tumour promotion effects, while caspase‐9 (CASP9) gene could play a promotive role in the cell apoptosis in TC. However, whether they have a specific effect on TC remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to explore the relationship between LINC00607 and CASP9, and its effect in TC. LINC00607 expression in the TC tissues and cell lines was determined. Then, we explored the combination effect between a LINC00607 and a methylation inhibitor 5‐Aza‐dc in doxorubicin‐resistant ARO cells using colony formation assay, flow cytometry, WST‐1 and EdU assay, as well as in vivo tumour growth assay. Besides, the dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay, RIP, ChIP, methylation‐specific PCR and BSP method were employed to detect the relationship between LINC00607 and CASP9 and its methylation. LINC00607 expression was up‐regulated in the doxorubicin‐resistant TC cell lines and tissues and negatively correlated to the poor prognosis of TC patients. Knockdown of LINC00607 suppressed doxorubicin resistance, proliferation and colony formation, and promoted cell apoptosis of TC cells in vitro, as well as suppressed tumour growth in vivo, whereas LINC00607 overexpression was observed to exercise the opposite effects. Notably, it was also revealed that LINC00607 down‐regulated the CASP9 expression by promoting CASP9 promoter methylation. In conclusion, LINC00607 could inhibit the apoptosis and augment the doxorubicin resistance of TC cells by decreasing CASP9 expression, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for TC treatment.
Social animal models for quantifying plasticity, assortment, and selection on interacting phenotypes
Authors: Martin Jordan S. , Jaeggi Adrian V. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBoth assortment and plasticity can facilitate social evolution, as each may generate heritable associations between the phenotypes and fitness of individuals and their social partners. However, it currently remains difficult to empirically disentangle these distinct mechanisms in the wild, particularly for complex and environmentally responsive phenotypes subject to measurement error. To address this challenge, we extend the widely used animal model to facilitate unbiased estimation of plasticity, assortment and selection on social traits, for both phenotypic and quantitative genetic (QG) analysis. Oursocialanimal models (SAMs) estimate key evolutionary parameters for the latent reaction norms underlying repeatable patterns of phenotypic interaction across social environments. As a consequence of this approach, SAMs avoid inferential biases caused by various forms of measurement error in the raw phenotypic associations between social partners. We conducted a simulation study to demonstrate the application of SAMs and investigate their performance for both phenotypic and QG analyses. With sufficient repeated measurements, we found desirably high power, low bias and low uncertainty across model parameters using modest sample and effect sizes, leading to robust predictions of selection and adaptation. Our results suggest that SAMs will readily enhance social evolutionary research on a variety of phenotypes in the wild. We provide detailed coding tutorials and worked examples for implementing SAMs in the Stan statistical programming language.
Inactivation of viruses using nonthermal plasma in viral suspensions and foodstuff: A short review of recent studies
Authors: Aman Mohammadi Masoud , Ahangari Hossein , Zabihzadeh Khajavi Maryam , Yousefi Mohammad , Scholtz Vladimír , Hosseini Seyede Marzieh 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis review tries to introduce the novel and promising technology of the nonthermal plasma against different viruses and virus surrogates, which can trigger food infections and gastroenteritis. It has been reported that the noroviruses are responsible for 21 million cases of gastrointestinal illness annually just in the United States. The article is divided into the introduction for nonthermal plasma, its antiviral mechanism, and the most effective parameters on its antiviral functionality. This technology offers many advantages, including simple in designing, leaving no toxic residues, fast processing, and no thermal degradation of samples. According to the accomplished studies, the exposure distance, processing time, and generated amount of reactive species, particularly singlet oxygen are the main parameters affecting the performance of nonthermal plasma against food viruses. Especially, the capsid and genome of viruses seem to be under influence of nonthermal plasma. Deformation of the capsid envelope through oxidation and damage to the sugar phosphate backbone of viral RNA and DNA are considered the most important factors of reactive species generated by nonthermal plasma on viruses.