bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maintaining ecosystem properties after loss of ash in Great Britain
Authors: Hill Louise , Hemery Gabriel , Hector Andy , Brown Nick 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Acute outbreaks of pests and disease are increasingly affecting tree populations around the world, causing widespread ecological effects. In Britain, ash dieback Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Baral et al.) has severe impacts on common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) populations, and the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is likely to add to the impact in future. This will cause significant changes to the character and functioning of many ecosystems. However, the nature of these changes and the best approach for conserving ecosystems after ash loss are not clear.

We present a method to locate those areas most ecologically vulnerable to loss of a major tree species (common ash) and identify the resultant damage to distinctive ecosystem properties. This method uses the functional traits of species and their distributions to map the potential degree of change in traits across space and recommend management approaches to reduce the change. An analytic hierarchy process is used to score traits according to ecological importance.

Our results indicate that in some areas of Britain, provision of ash‐associated traits could be reduced by over 50% if all ash is lost. Certain woodland types, and trees outside woodlands, may be especially vulnerable to ash loss. However, compensatory growth by other species could halve this impact in the longer term.

We offer management guidance for reducing ecosystem vulnerability to ash loss, including recommending appropriate alternative tree species to encourage through planting or management in particular areas and woodland types.

Synthesis and applications. The method described in this paper allows spatially explicit assessment of species traits to be used in the restoration of ecosystems for the first time. We offer practical recommendations for the ash dieback outbreak in Britain to help conserve functional traits in ecosystems affected by the loss of ash. This technique is widely applicable to a range of restoration and conservation scenarios and represents a step forward in the use of functional traits in conservation.
The Spillover Effect of SEC Comment Letters on Qualitative Corporate Disclosure: Evidence from the Risk Factor Disclosure
Authors: Brown Stephen V. , (Shaolee) Tian Xiaoli , Wu Tucker Jennifer 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTIn this study we use the recently mandated risk factor disclosure to examine the spillover effect of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) review of qualitative corporate disclosure. We find that firms not receiving any comment letter (“No‐letter Firms”) modify their subsequent year's disclosures to a larger extent if the SEC has commented on the risk factor disclosure of (i) the industry leader, (ii) a close rival, or (iii) numerous industry peers. We refer to this effect as “spillover.” Further, we find that after SEC comments on the industry leader's disclosure, No‐letter Firms also provide more firm‐specific disclosures in the subsequent year. The increased disclosure specificity reduces these firms’ likelihood of receiving SEC risk disclosure comments on their new filings. Our evidence suggests an indirect effect of the SEC review of qualitative disclosure.
Insider Trading Restrictions and Insiders’ Supply of Information: Evidence from Earnings Smoothing
Authors: Zhang Ivy Xiying , Zhang Yong 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTWe exploit the setting of first‐time enforcement of insider trading laws to investigate the relationship between insider trading opportunities and insiders’ supply of information. Insider trading opportunities motivate insiders to reduce their supply of information by concealing firm performance, thereby increasing their information advantage over outsiders, resulting in higher insider trading profits. Using data from 40 countries over the 1988–2004 period, we find that reporting opacity, as captured by earnings smoothness, decreases significantly after the initial enforcement of insider trading laws in countries with strong legal institutions. The decrease in earnings smoothness is positively related to the strictness of insider trading laws. The decrease in earnings smoothness is also more pronounced for countries that have more persistent insider trading law enforcement and for countries that impose more severe penalties on insider trading cases. Further analyses show that the decrease in earnings smoothness following insider trading enforcement is concentrated among firms that are not closely held and among high‐growth firms. In addition to uncovering a channel through which insider trading restrictions affect the information environment, our evidence highlights the importance of country‐ and firm‐level governance structures in determining the consequences of insider trading restrictions.
Public Disclosures in the Presence of Suppliers and Competitors
Authors: Arya Anil , Mittendorf Brian , Yoon Dae‐Hee 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTFirms’ reluctance at times to publicly disclose financial information is often attributed to concern that the information may be used against them by self‐interested outside parties. These outside parties may interact with the firm in the horizontal realm (e.g., retail competitors) or in the vertical arena (e.g., wholesale suppliers). This article is built on the premise that fully understanding the strategic consequences of disclosure requires joint consideration of horizontal and vertical relationships. When both rivals and suppliers are accounted for, we demonstrate that (i) lower intra‐industry correlation in product demand favors disclosure, with the precise correlation‐cutoff dependent on the firm's use of input suppliers; and (ii) the more a firm relies on input suppliers with pricing power, the less attractive is disclosure.
Deciduous dentition approximal caries lesion progression and regression following preventive treatment: literature review
Authors: Pakdaman A , Montazeri A , Evans RW 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe objective of this review was to investigate rates of caries lesion progression, arrest, and regression in approximal surfaces of deciduous teeth following secondary preventive interventions in order to inform caries management protocols. Studies published in English and other languages from 1960 till February 2017 were searched in electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled clinical trials and longitudinal studies that involved non‐invasive preventive treatment. We excluded: in vivo studies and incidence studies. 805 potential articles were located, of 38 full text reviews, 10 were included. Two types of studies were found; those reporting the mean percentage of lesion progression as progression estimate and those reporting the survival rate of lesions presented as the mean or median survival time in months as survival estimate. Weak evidence suggests it would appear that the most effective secondary preventive intervention was one involving a combination of silver fluoride and stannous fluoride, but this has not been substantiated. To inform treatment protocols better, it is recommended (i) that new well‐designed RCTs are conducted to test the effectiveness of different forms of fluoride to arrest lesion progression in deciduous teeth and (ii) to continue ongoing research into the caries preventive effects of approximal surface sealants.
Genome‐wide variability and selection signatures in Italian island cattle breeds
Authors: Cesarani A. , Sorbolini S. , Criscione A. , Bordonaro S. , Pulina G. , Battacone G. , Marletta D. , Gaspa G. , Macciotta N. P. P. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryIn the present study, a sample of 88 animals belonging to four local (Modicana, Sarda, Sardo‐Bruna and Sardo‐Modicana) and one cosmopolitan (Italian Brown Swiss) cattle breeds were genotyped with a medium density SNP beadchip and compared to investigate their genetic diversity and the existence of selection signatures. A total of 43 012 SNPs distributed across all 29 autosomal chromosomes were retained after data quality control. Basic population statistics, Wright fixation index and runs of homozygosity (ROH) analyses confirmed that the Italian Brown Swiss genome was shaped mainly by selection, as underlined by the low values of heterozygosity and minor allele frequency. As expected, local cattle exhibited a large within‐breed genetic heterogeneity. The FST comparison revealing the largest number of significant SNPs was Sardo‐Bruna vs. Sardo‐Modicana, whereas the smallest was observed for Italian Brown Swiss vs. Sardo‐Modicana. Modicana exhibited the largest number of detected ROHs, whereas the smallest was observed for Sardo‐Modicana. Signatures of selection were detected in genomic regions that harbor genes involved in milk production traits for Italian Brown Swiss and fitness traits for local breeds. According to the results of multi‐dimensional scaling and the admixture analysis the Sardo‐Bruna is more similar to the Sarda than to the Italian Brown Swiss breed. Moreover, the Sardo‐Modicana is genetically closer to the Modicana than to the Sarda breed. Results of the present work confirm the usefulness of single nucleotide polymorphisms in deciphering the genetic architecture of livestock breeds.
Maxillofacial reconstruction using in‐house virtual surgical planning
Authors: Smithers Fiona A. E. , Cheng Kai , Jayaram Rahul , Mukherjee Payal , Clark Jonathan R. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundMandibular and maxillary reconstruction using fibula free transfer is common in many tertiary referral centres. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a relatively recent adjunct that allows surgeons to plan resection and reconstruction prior to theatre. This has been shown to reduce operative times and decrease surgeon stress intraoperatively. VSP requires technicians with the appropriate skill set and required materials, software and technology, which is accompanied by a cost that may be prohibitive. Usually, this is outsourced to an external company. We present a preliminary case series of VSP in maxillofacial reconstruction done using our own staff without external resources.MethodsSix patients underwent mandible (n = 5) or maxillary (n = 1) reconstruction with a fibula free flap using in‐house VSP. The cases ranged from relatively simple to complex. We present our steps in the planning process and application of this technique.Results and conclusionIn‐house VSP is a feasible process with low cost and turnaround time, making surgery more efficient.
Retrospective study showed that blood sampling errors risked children's well‐being and safety in a Swedish paediatric tertiary care
Authors: Hjelmgren Henrik , Nilsson Anna , Andersson‐Papadogiannakis Nina , Ritzmo Carina , Ygge Britt‐Marie , Nordlund Björn 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimBlood analyses containing preanalytical errors (PAEs) are hazardous for patients. This study investigated the frequency of PAEs in blood analysis and the corresponding quality indicators of the sampling process in Swedish paediatric tertiary care.MethodsData were retrieved from the laboratory at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital between 2013 and 2014. Preanalytical blood sampling performance was analysed according to the Six Sigma scale, ranging from 0 to 6 (933 137–3.4 defects per million [DPM]).ResultsOf the 1 148 716 analyses, 61 656 (5.4%) were rejected due to PAEs. The PAEs ranged between hospital specialities from 1.9 to 9.4% (p < 0.001) and work shift times, from 6.0% in the day to 5.7% in the evening and 4.3% at night (p values <0.001). Clotting was the most prominent error (51.3%), affecting mostly haematology and coagulation analyses. Incorrectly filled samples represented almost 25% of all PAEs, with effects on chemistry, haematology and coagulation analyses. The sigma score for the overall preanalytical phase (3.2) corresponded to 44 565 DPM.ConclusionSamples with PAEs were frequently clotted and insufficiently filled, and the distribution of errors varied within working shifts and specific analyses. The overall quality control in paediatric blood sampling was barely acceptable.
HINT: a novel prognostic model for patients with hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Wu Daxian , Sun Zeyu , Liu Xiaoli , Rao Qunfang , Chen Wenqian , Wang Jie , Xie Zhongyang , Zhang Sainan , Jiang Zhengyi , Chen Er'mei , Huang Kaizhou , Hu Chenxia , Zhang Xiaoqian , Wu Jie , Zhang Yimin , Gao Hainv , Li Lanjuan 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundHBV‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF) deteriorates rapidly in the short term, which necessitates accurate initial clinical decision making.AimsTo develop a novel prognostic score for patients with HBV‐ACLF and clarify the role of thyroid hormones in HBV‐ACLF.MethodsA retrospective cohort of 635 HBV‐ACLF patients was enrolled to develop and validate a novel prognostic score for HBV‐ACLF. Additionally, a cross‐sectional cohort (n = 199) and a prospective longitudinal HBV‐ACLF cohort (n = 56) were recruited to clarify the association between thyroid hormone status and the 30‐day mortality of HBV‐ACLF.ResultsHINT, a novel prognostic score based on hepatic encephalopathy, INR, neutrophil count, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) using the deriving cohort (n = 426), was significantly higher in non‐survivors than survivors (1.17 ± 2.38 vs −1.87 ± 1.26, P < 0.0001). The AUROC of HINT for 30‐day mortality was 0.889, which was significantly higher than that of the Child‐Pugh, MELD, CLIF‐SOFA, CLIF‐C ACLF, and COSSH‐ACLF scores (all P < 0.05). These results were confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 209), except that the AUROC of HINT was comparable to that of COSSH‐ACLF (P = 0.357). Among thyroid hormones, only the TSH level on admission was significantly lower in non‐survivors than in survivors (P = 0.01). During the 14‐day longitudinal observation, TSH levels increased significantly in the improvement group (P < 0.001) but did not change in the deterioration or fluctuation groups, and gradually increased in survivors (P < 0.001) but not in non‐survivors.ConclusionsHINT, as a prognostic score for HBV‐ACLF, is simpler than and superior to the Child‐Pugh, MELD, CLIF‐SOFA, and CLIF‐C ACLF scores and at least comparable with the COSSH‐ACLF score. Sequential TSH measurements may facilitate prediction of the clinical course of ACLF.
The role of temperature in competition and persistence of an invaded ant assemblage
Authors: Roeder Karl A. , Roeder Diane V. , Kaspari Michael 
Published: August 2018

1. To achieve numerical dominance, an ectotherm consumer requires a sizeable abiotic window in which it can forage. Here we explore how one abiotic factor, temperature, provides opportunity and regulates the impact of the invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, on an urban ant assemblage.2. We first quantified S. invicta's ability to outcompete native species by contrasting its foraging biomass to that of its potential competitors. In doing so, we found that S. invicta deployed more ant biomass at baits than the estimated whole colony biomass of three of the four co‐occurring native species. It did so across c. 75% of the hours in a summer day, those hours below its thermal maximum of 49 °C. Higher thermal maxima allowed two native species to avoid encountering workers of S. invicta.3. Exclosure experiments revealed that a third species, Dorymyrmex flavus, more similar in body size and thermal tolerance to S. invicta, was competitively suppressed by the invasive. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis suggests that D. flavus' persistence is likely due to dietary differences.4. Although thermal and dietary traits help predict how species coexist in this invaded assemblage, one key to S. invicta's success is likely to be its ability to forage in all but 6 h of a summer's day.
Range limits in sympatric cryptic species: a case study in Tetramorium pavement ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) across a biogeographical boundary
Authors: Cordonnier Marion , Bellec Arnaud , Dumet Adeline , Escarguel Gilles , Kaufmann Bernard 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

In the context of climate changes, factors that determine the distribution patterns of European species of the ubiquitous ant genus Tetramorium were investigated.

The study took place along a steep North‐South climatic gradient across the boundary between the European Continental and Mediterranean biogeographical regions spanning 460 km along the Rhône valley, France.

Ants from 1690 Tetramorium colonies were collected in 19 sampling zones. Species were identified using an integrative approach based on a two‐step process combining nuclear DNA (14 microsatellite markers), morphological examination and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I sequencing. The impact of climate on species distribution patterns was tested using bioclimatic variables.

Species discrimination was successful, despite a complex situation with cryptic species, inter‐specific hybridisation and uneven sampling across species. Our results showed a strong effect of latitude, temperature and rainfall on the distribution of three of four species. Tetramorium semilaeve was found only south of the boundary, in warmer and dryer sites; Tetramorium caespitum extended north and 70 km south of the boundary and favoured colder sites with strong seasonal variation. Tetramorium immigrans was absent from the northernmost sampling zones and favoured warmer and wetter sites. Tetramorium moravicum was mostly found close to the boundary, but without significant climatic preferences.

The fundamental role of climate as a factor limiting the ranges of these species at a major biogeographical boundary is confirmed. Monitoring range limits of these strongly climate‐dependant species may offer exciting insights on the impact of climate changes on species distributions.
Local ordering and interfacial structure between spinel crystal and aluminosilicate glasses from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Sun Wei , Du Jincheng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMolecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the interfaces of soda magnesia aluminosilicate glass and MgAl2O4 spinel crystals. The glass structures were first generated and characterized. It was found that the glass‐forming network consists of fourfold coordinated [SiO4] and [AlO4] tetrahedra connected through corner sharing with Na+ and Ca2+ acting as modifiers or charge compensators. The glass and crystal interfaces were then constructed on low energy spinel surfaces with special measures to ensure two natural interfaces. The interfacial structures were characterized by z‐density profile, pair distribution function and coordination number analysis. The results show that there exist local ordering on the glass side and preferential adsorption of specific cation near the interface. Cation coordination analyses showed that aluminum ions changed from mainly fourfold coordination in the glass to five and sixfold coordination near the interface suggesting a gradual change in structural role of aluminum from the glass to the crystal. The ordering and segregation of cations, as well as change in aluminum coordination, at the glass/crystal interface strongly suggest that the ordered crystal structure influence the atom distribution and local structure of the adjacent glasses and this ordering can be the initial stage of nucleation or crystal growth.
Medical needs and major complaints related to pruritus in Germany: a 4‐year retrospective analysis using Google AdWords Keyword Planner
Authors: Zink A. , Schuster B. , Rüth M. , Pereira M.P. , Philipp‐Dormston W.G. , Biedermann T. , Ständer S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundIt is difficult to estimate the prevalence of acute and chronic pruritus in the population at large due to a lack of affected persons seeking medical assistance.ObjectiveTo discover the incidence of pruritus in Germany and determine what the most common related complaints are via an analysis of Google's search volume.MethodsFrom June 2013 to April 2017, the Google AdWords Keyword Planner was utilized to select and critically assess relevant keywords for ‘pruritus’.ResultsAmong a total of 13 691 470 German language Google searches on the topic of pruritus, it was found that the most searched for terms included atopic eczema (24.3%) and the layman's term for psoriasis (‘Schuppenflechte’; 17.8%), as well as just psoriasis (13.4%). ‘Juckreiz’, the German word for pruritus, was determined to be only the sixth most searched for term (2.9%). Anal pruritus and pruritus of the entire body comprised the most searched for localizations. The various factors that impact pruritus, particularly skin conditions and disorders, were established to be among the most searched for terms (72.6%). A decreased monthly search volume was associated with the changing seasons; the summertime had the lowest number of searches for pruritus.ConclusionThe Google search engine analysis provided insight for this study into the unexpectedly large number of unmet medical needs of those suffering from pruritus within Germany, especially that of specific localizations on the body.
Effect of supplemental simethicone for bowel preparation on adenoma detection during colonoscopy: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Pan Peng , Zhao Sheng‐Bing , Li Bing‐Han , Meng Qian‐Qian , Yao Jun , Wang Dong , Li Zhao‐Shen , Bai Yu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground and AimAlthough several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported that supplemental simethicone (SIM) can improve bowel preparation based on polyethylene glycol, there is no consensus as to whether SIM can ultimately increase the adenoma detection rate (ADR) during colonoscopy. A meta‐analysis was performed to assess the effect of SIM on ADR during colonoscopy.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to find relevant RCTs. RCTs evaluating the effect of pre‐procedure SIM on the ADR during colonoscopy were finally included, and fixed effect models were applied.ResultsSix trials involving 1855 patients were finally included. The present meta‐analysis suggested that the ADR during colonoscopy was significantly increased by supplemental SIM (27.9% vs 23.3%, P = 0.02), with a relative risk of 1.20 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.39). Subgroup analysis suggested that supplemental SIM may be more useful to improve ADR during colonoscopy in endoscopic centers with low baseline ADR.ConclusionsSupplemental SIM for bowel preparation based on polyethylene glycol is useful to improve the ADR during colonoscopy.
Open Science Badges in the Journal of Neurochemistry
Authors: Schweitzer Barbara , Schulz Jörg B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe Open Science Framework (OSF) has the mission to increase openness, integrity, and reproducibility in research. The Journal of Neurochemistry became a signatory of their Transparency and Openness guidelines in 2016, which provides eight modular standards (Citation standards, Data Transparency, Analytic Methods/Code Transparency, Research Materials Transparency, Design and Analysis Transparency, Study Pre‐registration, Analysis Plan Transparency, Replication) with increasing levels of stringency. Furthermore, OSF recommends and offers a collection of practices intended to make scientific processes and results more transparent and available in a standardized way for reuse to people outside the research team. It includes making research materials, data, and laboratory procedures freely accessible online to anyone. This editorial announces the decision of the Journal of Neurochemistry to introduce Open Science Badges, maintained by the Open Science Badges Committee and by the Center for Open Science (COS). The Open Science Badges, visual icons placed on publications, certify that an open practice was followed and signal to readers that an author has shared the corresponding research evidence, thus, allowing an independent researcher to understand how to reproduce the procedure.
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