bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The contribution of road‐based citizen science to the conservation of pond‐breeding amphibians
Authors: Sterrett Sean C. , Katz Rachel A. , Fields William R. , Campbell Grant Evan H. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRoadside amphibian citizen science (CS) programmes bring together volunteers focused on collecting scientific data while working to mitigate population declines by reducing road mortality of pond‐breeding amphibians. Despite the international popularity of these movement‐based, roadside conservation efforts (i.e. “big nights,” “bucket brigades” and “toad patrols”), direct benefits to conservation have rarely been quantified or evaluated.As a case study, we used a population simulation approach to evaluate how volunteer intensity, frequency and distribution influence three conservation outcomes (minimum population size, population growth rate and years to extinction) of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), often a focal pond‐breeding amphibian of CS and conservation programmes in the United States.Sensitivity analysis supported the expectation that spotted salamander populations were primarily recruitment‐driven. Thus, conservation outcomes were highest when volunteers focused on metamorph outmigration as opposed to adult in‐migration—contrary to the typical timing of such volunteer events.Almost every volunteer strategy resulted in increased conservation outcomes compared to a no‐volunteer strategy. Specifically, volunteer frequency during metamorph migration increased outcomes more than the same increases in volunteer effort during adult migration. Small population sizes resulted in a negligible effect of volunteer intensity. Volunteers during the first adult in‐migration had a relatively small effect compared to most other strategies.Synthesis and applications. Although citizen science (CS)‐focused conservation actions could directly benefit declining populations, additional conservation measures are needed to halt or reverse local amphibian declines. This study demonstrates a need to evaluate the effectiveness of focusing CS mitigation efforts on the metamorph stage, as opposed to the adult stage. This may be challenging, compared to other management actions such as road‐crossing infrastructure. Current amphibian CS programmes will be challenged to balance implementing evidence‐based conservation measures on the most limiting life stage, while retaining social and community benefits for volunteers.
Alien plants can be associated with a decrease in local and regional native richness even when at low abundance
Authors: Bernard‐Verdier Maud , Hulme Philip E. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

The impacts of alien plants on native richness are usually assessed at small spatial scales and in locations where the alien is at high abundance. But this raises two questions: to what extent do impacts occur where alien species are at low abundance, and do local impacts translate to effects at the landscape scale?

In an analysis of 47 widespread alien plant species occurring across a 1,000 km2 landscape, we examined the relationship between their local abundance and native plant species richness in 594 grassland plots. We first defined the critical abundance at which these focal alien species were associated with a decline in native α‐richness (plot‐scale species numbers), and then assessed how this local decline was translated into declines in native species γ‐richness (landscape‐scale species numbers).

After controlling for sampling biases and environmental gradients that might lead to spurious relationships, we found that eight out of 47 focal alien species were associated with a significant decline in native α‐richness as their local abundance increased. Most of these significant declines started at low to intermediate classes of abundance. For these eight species, declines in native γ‐richness were, on average, an order of magnitude (32.0 vs. 2.2 species) greater than those found for native α‐richness, mostly due to spatial homogenization of native communities. The magnitude of the decrease at the landscape scale was best explained by the number of plots where an alien species was found above its critical abundance.

Synthesis. Even at low abundance, alien plants may impact native plant richness at both local and landscape scales. Local impacts may result in much greater declines in native richness at larger spatial scales. Quantifying impact at the landscape scale requires consideration of not only the prevalence of an alien plant, but also its critical abundance and its effect on native community homogenization. This suggests that management approaches targeting only those locations dominated by alien plants might not mitigate impacts effectively. Our integrated approach will improve the ranking of alien species risks at a spatial scale appropriate for prioritizing management and designing conservation policies.
Public–Private Partnerships for Biosecurity: An Opportunity for Risk Sharing
Authors: Mato‐Amboage Rosa , Pitchford Jonathan W. , Touza Julia 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPrivate efforts to prevent and control biological pests and infectious diseases can be a public good, and so incentivising private biosecurity management actions is both desirable and problematic. Compensation contracts can encourage biosecurity efforts, provide support against the collapse of economic sectors, and create an insurance network. We conceptualise a novel biosecurity instrument relying on formal compensation private–public partnerships using contract theory. Our framework explains how the public sector can harness increased private biosecurity measures by making payments to agents which depend both on their performance and that of the other stakeholders. Doing so allows the government to spread the risk across signatory agents. The framework also improves our understanding of government involvement due to public effects of biosecurity, influenced by the private agents’ capacity to derive private benefit from their own efforts on monitoring and control. Lastly, these theoretical results provide a foundation for further study of contractual responsibility sharing for pest management.
Understanding predator densities for successful co‐existence of alien predators and threatened prey
Authors: Moseby Katherine E. , Letnic Michael , Blumstein Daniel T. , West Rebecca 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe high failure rate of threatened species translocations has prompted many managers to fence areas to protect wildlife from introduced predators. However, conservation fencing is expensive, restrictive and exacerbates prey naïveté reducing the chance of future co‐existence between native prey and introduced predators. Here, we ask whether two globally threatened mammal species protected in fenced reserves, with a history of predation‐driven decline and reintroduction failure, could co‐exist with introduced predators. We defined co‐existence as population persistence for at least 3 years and successful recruitment. We manipulated the density of feral cats within a large fenced paddock and measured the impact on abundance and reproduction of 353 reintroduced burrowing bettongs and 47 greater bilbies over 3 years. We increased cat densities from 0.038 to 0.46 per square km and both threatened species survived, reproduced and increased their population size. However, a previous reintroduction trial of 66 bettongs into the same paddock found one red fox (Vulpes vulpes), at a density of 0.027 per square km, drove the bettong population extinct within 12 months. Our results show that different predator species vary in their impact and that despite a history of reintroduction failure, threatened mammal species can co‐exist with low densities of feral cats. There may be a threshold density below which it is possible to maintain unfenced populations of reintroduced marsupials. Understanding the numerical relationships between population densities of introduced predators and threatened species is urgently needed if these species are to be re‐established at landscape scales. Such knowledge will enable a priori assessment of the risk of reintroduction failure thereby increasing the likelihood of reintroduction success and reducing the financial and ethical cost of failed translocations.
Comparison of MultiColor fundus imaging and colour fundus photography in the evaluation of epiretinal membrane
Authors: Song Ji Hun , Moon Ka Young , Jang Seran , Moon YeoRae 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPurposeTo compare MultiColor fundus imaging (MC) and colour fundus photography (CFP) for the evaluation of epiretinal membrane (ERM).MethodsIn this retrospective study, 192 eyes (181 patients) that underwent vitrectomy for ERM were imaged using Spectralis optical coherence tomography (for MC) and AFC‐210 digital camera (for CFP) 1 week before vitrectomy. Two investigators independently determined the rate of delineability and ERM area for each modality.ResultsThe intergrader agreement rates for delineability were very high for both image modalities. The rate of delineability of ERM (%) was higher for MC than for CFP, for both investigators [70.8% versus 52.6% and 73.4% versus 53.6% (both p –)]. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) area measurement showed high agreement between investigators for MC (p = 0.466) but differed significantly between the investigators for CFP (p –). The ERM area determined on MC was significantly wider than that on CFP for both investigators (p – for investigator 1 and p – for investigator 2).ConclusionThe ERM area is more clearly detectable and widely demarcated in MC than in CFP images. MultiColor imaging (MC) may be more sensitive and accurate for early detection of ERM and ERM area measurement.
The molecular mechanism of pH‐regulating C3d‐CR2 interactions: Insights from molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Zhang Yan , Guo Jingjing , Ning Lulu , Tian Jiaqi , Yao Xiaojun , Liu Huanxiang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe interactions of complement receptor 2 (CR2) and the degradation fragment C3d of complement component C3 mediate the innate and adaptive immune systems. Due to the importance of C3d‐CR2 interaction in the design of vaccines, many studies have indicated the interactions are pH‐dependent. Moreover, C3d‐CR2 interactions at pH 5.0 are unknown. To investigate the molecular mechanism of pH‐regulating C3d‐CR2 interaction, molecular dynamics simulations for C3d‐CR2 complex in different pH are performed. Our results revealed that the protonation of His9 in C3d at pH 6.0 slightly weakens C3d‐CR2 association as reducing pH from 7.4 to 6.0, initiated from a key hydrogen bond formed between Gly270 and His9 in C3d at pH 6.0. When reducing pH from 6.0 to 5.0, the protonation of His33 in C3d weakens C3d‐SCR1 association by changing the hydrogen‐bond network of Asp36, Glu37, and Glu39 in C3d with Arg13 in CR2. In addition, the protonation of His90 significantly enhances C3d‐SCR2 association. This is because the enhanced hydrogen‐bond interactions of His90 with Glu63 and Ser69 of the linker change the conformations of the linker, Cys112‐Asn116 and Pro87‐Gly91 regions. This study uncovers the molecular mechanism of the mediation of pH on C3d‐CR2 interaction, which is valuable for vaccine design.
Adequacy of EBUS‐TBNA specimen for mutation analysis of lung cancer
Authors: Cicek Tugba , Ozturk Ayperi , Yılmaz Aydın , Aktas Zafer , Demirag Funda , Akyurek Nalan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveConvex probe endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a minimally invasive technique with high sensitivity in the mediastinal staging of non‐small cell carcinoma (NSCLC). In recent years, molecular testing has been developed to study genetic mutations in NSCLC. There are studies revealing improved survival in advanced NSCLC using targeted therapy as the first‐line treatment in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of EBUS‐TBNA in providing adequate size specimens for EGFR, ALK and ROS1 genetic mutation analysis in patients with adenocarcinoma or not otherwise specified (NOS) lung cancer.Materials and MethodsCharts of patients diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma or NOS via EBUS‐TBNA were retrospectively reviewed. Information on patient demographics, number of lymph nodes sampled, their size and location, targeted gene mutations and the adequacy of the material sampled for the molecular testing was recorded.ResultsA total of 114 patients were included in the study, adenocarcinoma 86 (75%) and NOS 28 (25%). EGFR gene mutation was studied in all of the patients included in the study while ALK in 113 and ROS1 in 98. The material adequacy ratios for EGFR gene mutation, ALK and ROS1 rearrangements were found to be 88.6%, 93.8% and 91.8%, respectively. EGFR gene mutation, ALK and ROS1 rearrangements were found positive in 13 (11.4%), 9 (8%) and 1 (1%) patients, respectively.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that EBUS‐TBNA provides adequate material for mutation analysis in patients with newly diagnosed adenocarcinoma or NOS lung cancer.
Radical treatment for walled‐off necrosis: Transmural nasocyst continuous irrigation
Authors: Tamura Takashi , Itonaga Masahiro , Tanioka Kensuke , Kawaji Yuki , Nuta Junya , Hatamaru Keiichi , Yamashita Yasunobu , Yoshida Takeichi , Ida Yoshiyuki , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kitano Masayuki 
Published: December 2018

Background and AimTreatment efficiency of walled‐off necrosis (WON) using endoscopic ultrasound‐guided drainage (EUS‐D) with a double pigtail stent (DPS) is limited. Endoscopic necrosectomy is often carried out if EUS‐D fails. However, endoscopic necrosectomy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Thus, we developed transmural nasocyst continuous irrigation (TNCCI) as an alternative therapeutic option for WON. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of TNCCI therapy for WON.MethodsBetween April 2009 and March 2018, 19 of 39 patients admitted with WON underwent EUS‐D. Ten consecutive patients also received TNCCI therapy (TNCCI group) between May 2015 and March 2018. TNCCI was carried out by inserting an external tube from the gastroduodenal lumen into the WON under endoscopic ultrasonography guidance and then continuously irrigating the WON with saline at a rate of 40 ml/h. Nine consecutive patients who underwent EUS‐D without TNCCI therapy between April 2009 and April 2015 were used for comparison (control group). Various parameters were compared between the TNCCI and control groups.ResultsTime taken to reduce WON (6 vs 32 days, P = 0.001), implementation rate of endoscopic necrosectomy (0% vs 55.6%, P = 0.01), and number of endoscopic necrosectomy sessions per patient (0 vs 0.8 ± 1.0, P = 0.008) were significantly lower in the TNCCI group than in the control group.ConclusionsWalled‐off necrosis can be effectively and safely treated by endoscopic drainage with a DPS and TNCCI. This technique can be an alternative therapeutic option before carrying out endoscopic necrosectomy.
Quarantine host range and natural history of Gadirtha fusca, a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) in North America
Authors: Wheeler Gregory S. , Jones Emily , Dyer Kirsten , Silverson Nick , Wright Susan A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractClassical biological control can provide an ecologically sound, cost‐effective, and sustainable management solution to protect diverse habitats. These natural and managed ecosystems are being invaded and transformed by invasive species. Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Euphorbiaceae), is one of the most damaging invasive weeds in the southeastern USA, impacting wetlands, forests, and natural areas. A defoliating moth, Gadirtha fusca Pogue (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), was discovered feeding on Chinese tallowtree leaves in the weed's native range and has been tested for its suitability as a biological control agent. Natural history studies of G. fusca indicated that the neonates have five instars and require 15.4 days to reach pupation. Complete development from egg hatch to adult emergence required 25.8 days. No differences were found between males and females in terms of life history and nutritional indices measured. Testing of the host range of G. fusca larvae was conducted with no‐choice, dual‐choice, and multigeneration tests and the results indicated that this species has a very narrow host range. No‐choice experiments indicated that most larvae died in <3 days when fed each of the 78 non‐target taxa; a similar duration as larvae fed only water. Although 81.6% of the neonates fed Chinese tallowtree survived to adult, the only survivors in no‐choice tests were those fed the four non‐target taxa, Euphorbia hypericifolia L., Euphorbia hyssopifolia L., Euphorbia milii Des Moul., or Gymnanthes lucida Sw. where 14.3% or less of the larvae fed and completed development. The results of dual‐choice tests indicated that very little of each of these non‐target taxa was eaten when given a choice with Chinese tallowtree. Furthermore, when neonates were reared for multiple generations on each non‐target taxon, no more than two generations were completed when fed the non‐target G. lucida, whereas the larvae were unable to complete more than one generation when fed the remaining non‐targets. These tests indicate that although a small amount of feeding may occur in no‐choice conditions on four species of non‐targets, the larvae will not be able to maintain a population for more than two generations on any species except the target weed Chinese tallowtree. This species may play an important role and contribute to the integrated control of this invasive weed.
Losing autonomy: the Norwegian central bank during the Second World War
Authors: Lie Einar 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the mid‐twentieth century a number of central banks around the western world lost their operational autonomy and were placed under government control. The origin of these policy changes can be traced to the intellectual and political developments of the interwar era in addition to the introduction of the Bretton Woods monetary system. The Norwegian central bank offers a particularly stark example of this phenomenon: experiencing a rapid decline from its high level of autonomy in the interwar years, to a clear subordination to the government after 1945. Through an analysis of the correspondence between the main policy makers in the exiled Norwegian government and central bank management, this article contributes to the understanding of central bank autonomy by tracing the decisive factors that led to the Norwegian central bank's loss of agency.
Attitudes of dental undergraduate students towards patient safety in a UK dental school
Authors: Palmer Julia C. , Blanchard Jessica R. , Jones Judith , Bailey Edmund 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesPatient safety is an important issue in health care. In the United Kingdom, wrong site tooth extraction contributes to a significant proportion of adverse or harmful events, coined “never events.” Therefore, patient safety within the field of dentistry is of paramount importance. This novel study aims to explore the teaching of patient safety to undergraduate dental students and their current attitudes to the subject.MethodsFocus groups were held at Barts’ and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMUL in 2018 to ascertain the views and opinions of thirteen third‐year dental undergraduate students.ResultsThematic analysis was performed on verbatim transcripts. Key themes were highlighted. All students could provide a complete definition of patient safety and of “never events,” with examples. There was a strong emphasis upon awareness of one's own competence and the need for effective communication to maintain patient safety. Small group teaching and the requirement for standardization of teaching were encouraged. The challenge of incorporation of the patient safety concept into the clinical routine without causing repetition during teaching was highlighted.ConclusionThe results show a positive attitude towards the concept and the teaching of patient safety. All students understood patient safety concepts and techniques used to prevent adverse or harmful events. This study proves that teaching on the subject was thought to be of value. It is crucial that the teaching of patient safety is introduced and built upon within the early years of dental undergraduate training so that its practice becomes second nature.
Career pathways and professional skills of postgraduate students from a dental research‐intensive programme
Authors: Kumari Amrita , Wu David T. , Motiani Kumail K. , Wu Kevin Y. , Palumbo Maria , Tran Simon D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundWith current global trends in postgraduate education, graduate programmes must make evidence‐based improvements to offer the best programme that aligns with student needs and prepare them for their future career prospects. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the postgraduation career pathways of MSc and PhD students who graduated within the past 15 years from the McGill University Postgraduate Dental Research Program.Materials and methodsAn online questionnaire, composed of 10 closed‐ended format items, was used that covered domains such as student profile, career profile, postgraduate skill development, job search experience and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and interpretative qualitative analysis were used to evaluate student feedback.ResultsSixty‐six students responded to the online survey, out of which sixty‐two students completed the survey (61% participation rate). The majority of the graduate students, 67% (n = 44), obtained MSc degree in Dental Sciences. Overall, our results showed that most graduates started careers in academia in their original field of study and were satisfied with their income. Most graduates reported “critical and creative thinking” to be the strongest acquired skills during their postgraduate training and identified fierce competition for their position of interest as the main challenge after graduation.Discussion and conclusionOur results showed that graduates in dental research appeared to be overall satisfied with their careers after postgraduate research training, both in terms of scope of practice and income. However, strong competition in obtaining the position of their interest seemed to be the main obstacle after graduation.