bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving the precision and accuracy of animal population estimates with aerial image object detection
Authors: Eikelboom Jasper A. J. , Wind Johan , van de Ven Eline , Kenana Lekishon M. , Schroder Bradley , de Knegt Henrik J. , van Langevelde Frank , Prins Herbert H. T. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAnimal population sizes are often estimated using aerial sample counts by human observers, both for wildlife and livestock. The associated methods of counting remained more or less the same since the 1970s, but suffer from low precision and low accuracy of population estimates.Aerial counts using cost‐efficient Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or microlight aircrafts with cameras and an automated animal detection algorithm can potentially improve this precision and accuracy. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of the multi‐class convolutional neural networkRetinaNetin detecting elephants, giraffes and zebras in aerial images from two Kenyan animal counts.The algorithm detected 95% of the number of elephants, 91% of giraffes and 90% of zebras that were found by four layers of human annotation, of which it correctly detected an extra 2.8% of elephants, 3.8% giraffes and 4.0% zebras that were missed by all humans, while detecting only 1.6 to 5.0 false positives per true positive. Furthermore, the animal detections by the algorithm were less sensitive to the sighting distance than humans were.With such a high recall and precision, we posit it is feasible to replace manual aerial animal count methods (from images and/or directly) by only the manual identification of image bounding boxes selected by the algorithm and then use a correction factor equal to the inverse of the undercounting bias in the calculation of the population estimates. This correction factor causes the standard error of the population estimate to increase slightly compared to a manual method, but this increase can be compensated for when the sampling effort would increase by 23%. However, an increase in sampling effort of 160% to 1,050% can be attained with the same expenses for equipment and personnel using our proposed semi‐automatic method compared to a manual method. Therefore, we conclude that our proposed aerial count method will improve the accuracy of population estimates and will decrease the standard error of population estimates by 31% to 67%. Most importantly, this animal detection algorithm has the potential to outperform humans in detecting animals from the air when supplied with images taken at a fixed rate.
New robust weighted averaging‐ and model‐based methods for assessing trait–environment relationships
Authors: ter Braak Cajo J. F. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Statistical analysis of trait–environment association is challenging owing to the lack of a common observation unit: Community‐weighted mean regression (CWMr) uses site points, multilevel models focus on species points, and the fourth‐corner correlation uses all species‐site combinations. This situation invites the development of new methods capable of using all observation levels. To this end, new multilevel and weighted averaging‐based regression methods are proposed.

Compared to existing methods, the new multilevel method, called MLM3, has additional site‐related random effects; they represent the unknowns in the environment that interact with the trait. The new weighted averaging method combines site‐level CWMr with a species‐level regression of Species Niche Centroids on to the trait. Because species can vary enormously in frequency and abundance giving diversity variation among sites, the regressions are weighted by Hill's effective number (N2) of occurrences of each species and the N2‐diversity of a site, and are subsequently combined in a sequential test procedure known as the max test.

Using the test statistics of these new methods, the permutation‐based max test provides strong statistical evidence for trait–environment association in a plant community dataset, where existing methods show weak evidence. In simulations, the existing multilevel model showed bias and type I error inflation, whereas MLM3 did not. Out of the weighted averaging‐based regression methods, the N2‐weighted version best controlled the type I error rate. MLM3 was superior to the weighted averaging‐based methods with up to 30% more power.

Both methods can be extended (a) to account for phylogeny and spatial autocorrelation and (b) to select functional traits and environmental variables from a greater set of variables.
Sex differences in cocaine self‐administration behaviour under long access versus intermittent access conditions
Authors: Algallal Hajer , Allain Florence , Ndiaye Ndeye Aissatou , Samaha Anne‐Noël 
Published: August 2019

AbstractStudies in humans suggest that women progress more rapidly from initial cocaine use to addiction. Similarly, female rats can show more incentive motivation for cocaine than male rats do. Most preclinical studies on this issue have used self‐administration procedures that provide continuous cocaine access during each session (“long‐access” or LgA and “short‐access”). However, intermittent access (IntA) cocaine self‐administration better models the intermittency of human cocaine use. Here, we compared cocaine use in female and male rats that received ten, daily 6‐hour LgA or IntA sessions. Cocaine intake was greatest under LgA, and female LgA rats escalated their intake. Only IntA rats (both sexes) developed locomotor sensitization to self‐administered cocaine, and sensitization was greatest in females. Five and 25 days after the last self‐administration session, we quantified responding for cocaine (0.083‐0.75 mg/kg/infusion) under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule, a measure of motivation for drug. Across conditions, females earned more cocaine infusions than males under the PR schedule. Across sexes, IntA rats earned more infusions than LgA rats, even though IntA rats had previously taken much less cocaine. Cumulative cocaine intake significantly predicted responding for cocaine under the PR schedule in male LgA rats only. In IntA rats, the extent of locomotor sensitization significantly predicted responding under the PR schedule. Thus, LgA might be appropriate to study sex differences in cocaine intake, whereas IntA might be best suited to study sex differences in sensitization‐related neuroadaptations involved in cocaine addiction. This has implications for modelling distinct features of cocaine addiction in preclinical studies.
Atopic dermatitis in adults: An Australian management consensus
Authors: Smith Saxon , Baker Christopher , Gebauer Kurt , Rubel Diana , Frankum Brad , Soyer H. Peter , Weightman Warren , Sladden Michael , Rawlin Morton , Headley Alexander P. , Somerville Colin , Beuth Julie , Logan Nick , Mewton Erin , Foley Peter 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesAtopic dermatitis (AD) has significant negative impact on health‐related quality of life, mood, sleep, work productivity and everyday activities. Research into the use of new drugs in the management of AD continues to develop, and international updates and recommendations have been published. However, questions remain in the Australian setting. This consensus aims to provide evidence‐based insights and practical advice on the management of adult AD in Australia.MethodsA panel (five dermatologists and one clinical immunologist) met to review the literature, critically examine clinical questions of relevance to Australian healthcare practitioners and develop a series of recommendation statements. A consensus panel, comprising the initial panel plus nine additional members, used a 2‐round Delphi voting process to determine a set of final guidance statements. Consensus: ≥75% agreement in the range 7–9.ResultsRound 1 voting comprised 66 guidance statements. Of these, consensus was reached on 26, which were retained, and five were removed. The remainder (35) were modified and one new guidance statement was added for inclusion in round 2 voting. After round 2, consensus was reached on 35, which were retained, and one was removed (considered redundant). The 61 guidance statements upon which consensus was reached were then used to support a series of core consensus recommendations and a management flow chart.ConclusionsExpert consensus recommendations providing practical guidance of clinical relevance to specialists and primary care physicians in Australia have been developed. Dissemination of this guidance and evaluation of its impact on patient outcomes remain to be undertaken.
Review article: can bugs be drugs? The potential of probiotics and prebiotics as treatment for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Koopman Nienke , Molinaro Antonio , Nieuwdorp Max , Holleboom Adriaan G. 
Published: August 2019

SummaryBackgroundNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver condition. A major current research effort is ongoing to find potential strategies to treat NAFLD‐non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with special attention to the gut microbiota. Multiple animal studies and pilot clinical trials are assessing different gut microbiota modulating strategies such as faecal microbiota transplantation, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics.AimTo review the role of microbiota in NAFLD‐NASH and determine whether pro‐ and prebiotics have potential as treatmentMethodsInformation was obtained from critically reviewing literature on PubMed on targeting the gut microbiota in NAFLD. Search terms included NAFLD, NASH, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis; combined with microbiome, microbiota, gut bacteria, probiotics and prebiotics.ResultsAnimal studies and the first emerging studies in humans show promising results for both the common probiotics Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococci as for short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate‐producing bacteria. Also, prebiotics have positive effects on different mechanisms underlying NAFLD‐NASH.ConclusionsThe most promising strategies thus far developed to alter the microbiome in NAFLD‐NASH are probiotics and prebiotics. However, pre‐ and probiotic treatment of NAFLD‐NASH is relatively new and still under development. Actual understanding of the involved mechanisms is lacking and changes in the intestinal microbiota composition after treatment are rarely measured. Furthermore, large clinical trials with comparative endpoints are unavailable. Personalised treatment based on metagenomics gut microbiota analysis will probably be part of the future diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD‐NASH.
Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy vs the standard approach: a systematic review and analysis of comparative outcomes
Authors: Checcucci Enrico , Veccia Alessandro , Fiori Cristian , Amparore Daniele , Manfredi Matteo , Di Dio Michele , Morra Ivano , Galfano Antonio , Autorino Riccardo , Bocciardi Aldo Massimo , Dasgupta Prokar , Porpiglia Francesco 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesTo summarize the current evidence on Retzius‐sparing (RS)‐robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to compare its oncological, peri‐operative and functional outcomes with those of standard retropubic RARP (S‐RARP).Materials and MethodsAfter establishing an a priori protocol, a systematic electronic literature search was conducted in January 2019 using the Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid) and Cochrane databases. The search strategy relied on the ‘PICO‘ (Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome) criteria and article selection was carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Only studies reporting the oncological and functional outcomes of RARP (as determined by type of procedure [RS‐RARP vs S‐RARP]) were considered for inclusion. Risk of bias and study quality were assessed. Finally, peri‐operative and functional outcomes were recorded and analysed.ResultsA shorter operating time was associated with RS‐RARP (weighted mean difference [WMD] 14.7 min, 95% confidence interval [CI] −28.25, 1.16; P = 0.03), whereas no significant difference was found in terms of estimated blood loss (WMD 1.45 mL, 95% CI −31.18, 34.08; P = 0.93). Also, no significant difference between the two groups was observed for overall (odds ratio [OR] 0.86, 95% CI 0.40, 1.85; P = 0.71) and major (Clavien >3; OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.30, 2.57) postoperative complications; however, the likelihood of positive surgical margins (PSMs) was lower for the S‐RARP group (rate 15.2% vs 24%; OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.12, 2.60; P = 0.01). The cumulative analysis showed a statistically significant advantage for RS‐RARP in terms of continence recovery at 1 month (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.16, 5.53; P = 0.02), as well as at 3 months (OR 3.86, 95% CI 2.23, 6.68; P < 0.001), 6 months (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.88, 6.91; P = 0.001), and 12 months (OR 7.29, 95% CI 1.89, 28.13; P = 0.004).ConclusionOur analysis confirms that RS‐RARP is a safe and feasible alternative to S‐RARP. This novel approach may be associated with faster and higher recovery of continence, without increasing the risk of complications. One caveat might be the higher risk of PSMs, and this can be regarded as a current pitfall of the technique, probably related to an expected learning curve.
Andean hypersaline lakes in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile: Between lithium exploitation and unique biodiversity conservation
Authors: Gajardo Gonzalo , Redón Stella 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHypersaline lakes or brines are unique ecosystems with unique value and biodiversity that provide economic (mining) and noneconomic services (waterbird habitat). As they are shrinking around the world due to brine diversion and climatic oscillations, this article alerts on the fragility of Andean high‐altitude hypersaline lagoons in Salar de Atacama in the hyperarid Atacama Desert, northern Chile. As an integral part of the world's largest lithium exploitation from brine pumped from beneath the Salar, brine diversion and water shortage should compromise lagoons structure, functioning, and their high ecological value as habitat for endangered migratory birds like flamingos. Conserving the unique biodiversity and properties of these lagoons require long‐term monitoring, including keystone taxa like the brine shrimp Artemia. How Chile will combine biodiversity agreements, treaties on wetlands and endangered birds conservation under the soaring lithium demand to support electromobility? Chile's government has granted new lithium extraction quotas to mining companies until 2030, which raises a concern and shows the difficulty to reconcile profit‐driven economic development with nature conservation. As these lagoons may be shrinking and their food web altered, a problem only noticed so far by the declining flamingos, there is an urgent need to consider them in the environmental impact assessment legislation.
Routine surveillance endoscopy and biopsy after isolated intestinal transplantation—Revisiting the gold standard
Authors: Moon Jang I. , Schiano Thomas D. , Iyer Kishore R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe value of endoscopy and biopsy after intestinal transplantation in the absence of clinical concerns has never been investigated. We examined clinical yield of routine surveillance endoscopy and biopsy (control group, n = 28, Jan 2011 to Jun 2014). Most episodes of acute rejection were diagnosed when there were clinical symptoms or signs such as increased stoma output, fever, or bacteremia, but not by routine surveillance endoscopy and biopsy. The new protocol abandoned routine surveillance. Intestinal allografts were examined only when relevant clinical symptoms and/or signs raised concern for graft dysfunction. We compared outcomes between control and study groups (new protocol, n = 25, Jul 2014 to Dec 2016). Incidence of acute rejection (32% vs 32%), graft salvage rate after acute rejection treatment (78% vs 63%), patient survival (75% vs 88% 1 year, 71% vs 83% 3 years after intestinal transplantation), and graft survival (68% vs 80% 1 year, 61% vs 76% 3 years after intestinal transplantation) were similar between control and study groups. Protocol‐driven, routine surveillance endoscopy, and biopsy do not appear to confer any survival advantage to patients or grafts. Endoscopy and biopsy “for cause” without routine surveillance seem to be effective and adequate to monitor intestinal allografts.
Invisible dermatosis, diagnostic discrepancy between the general pathologist and dermatopathologist
Authors: Alhumidi Ahmed , Alshamlan Najd , Alfaraidi Mona , Mohajer Khaled 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundMany clinically indicated skin biopsies show minimal histological changes referred to as “invisible dermatoses.” They pose a challenge to general pathologists and dermatopathologists. This study determines the discrepancy between the general pathologists' diagnosis and the dermatopathologist's diagnosis and helps define a pathway for reaching the correct diagnosis.MethodsIn total, 81 skin cases were selected from a tertiary hospital pathology department. They were diagnosed by general pathologists as “no specific diagnosis,” or “minimal pathologic changes.” These cases were reviewed carefully and diagnosed by a dermatopathologist. His diagnoses were compared with the original diagnoses.ResultsOut of the 81 cases, 43 cases (53%) were reported by the dermatopathologist to have a specific diagnosis while 38 cases (46.9%) remained nonspecific. Both inflammatory and neoplastic diagnoses of potential clinical significance were made in the first group of 43 cases. The remaining 38 cases with nonspecific results were due to inadequate biopsy, inactive lesions or inadequate clinical data.Conclusion“Invisible dermatoses” describes skin diseases with clinically evident but histologically hidden changes. They are difficult cases for general pathologists and dermatopathologists to diagnose. Hence, it is important to be aware that minor changes on a skin biopsy do not mean it is disease‐free.
GLP‐1 receptor agonists for prevention of cardiorenal outcomes in type 2 diabetes: An updated meta‐analysis including the REWIND and PIONEER 6 trials
Authors: Giugliano Dario , Maiorino Maria Ida , Bellastella Giuseppe , Longo Miriam , Chiodini Paolo , Esposito Katherine 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA meta‐analysis of cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) comparing glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) and placebo concerning cardiorenal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is presented. An electronic search without language restrictions up to June 15, 2019 was conducted to determine eligible trials. A meta‐analysis of available trial data was undertaken, using a random‐effects model to calculate overall hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data from seven CVOTs, comprising 56 004 patients (68.9% with established cardiovascular disease) were included. GLP‐1RA reduced major cardiovascular events (MACE) by 13% (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80–0.96; P = 0.011) with a non‐significant heterogeneity between subgroups of patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) (P = 0.220). GLP‐1RA also reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 12%, of non‐fatal stroke by 16%, of hospitalization for heart failure by 9%, of all‐cause mortality by 11%, and the broad composite kidney outcome by 17%; the latter appeared to be driven only by a reduction in macroalbuminuria (HR, 0.76 [0.68–0.86]; P = 0.003). GLP‐1RAs have moderate benefits concerning MACE, and also reduce hospitalization for heart failure and all‐cause mortality; they also robustly reduce the incidence of macroalbuminuria, without affecting the progression of diabetic renal disease.
Do prey select for vacant hunting domains to minimize a multi‐predator threat?
Authors: Kohl Michel T. , Ruth Toni K. , Metz Matthew C. , Stahler Daniel R. , Smith Douglas W. , White P.J. , MacNulty Daniel R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMany ecosystems contain sympatric predator species that hunt in different places and times. We tested whether this provides vacant hunting domains, places and times where and when predators are least active, that prey use to minimize threats from multiple predators simultaneously. We measured how northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) responded to wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Puma concolor), and found that elk selected for areas outside the high‐risk domains of both predators consistent with the vacant domain hypothesis. This enabled elk to avoid one predator without necessarily increasing its exposure to the other. Our results demonstrate how the diel cycle can serve as a key axis of the predator hunting domain that prey exploit to manage predation risk from multiple sources. We argue that a multi‐predator, spatiotemporal framework is vital to understand the causes and consequences of prey spatial response to predation risk in environments with more than one predator.
Health Behaviors and Social Determinants of Migraine in a Canadian Population‐Based Sample of Adults Aged 45‐85 Years: Findings From the CLSA
Authors: Hammond Nicole G. , Stinchcombe Arne 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundSocial determinants of health are well linked to adverse health outcomes, but less is known about how they relate to migraine. While much attention has been given to the role of modifiable lifestyle factors which may mitigate risk of migraine, the role of physical activity in headache management is not yet understood.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between social determinants of health, health behaviors, and migraine prevalence in a sample of the Canadian population aged 45‐85 years.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional analysis of baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, respondents were between 45 and 85 years of age and migraine was self‐report of physician diagnosis. Analyses were stratified by sex/gender (nwomen = 22,176, nmen = 21,549).ResultsThe weighted prevalence of migraine for men and women was 7.5% and 19.6%, respectively. There were relationships between social determinants of health and migraine for both men and women. Notably, higher perceived social status was associated with a 3% reduced odds of migraine among women (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.98, P < .001). Gay and bisexual men had 50% higher odds of migraine compared to heterosexual men (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.99, P = .005). Some forms of physical activity were associated with reduced odds of migraine for women: walking for 30 minutes but less than 1 hour (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.96, P = .005), light sports for less than 30 minutes (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73, 1.00, P = .048), and 1 hour but less than 2 hours (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.97, P = .018), strenuous sports for 30 minutes but less than 1 hour (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.89, P < .001), and 1 hour but less than 2 hours (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.92, P = .001). Men who engaged in daily walking as a form of leisure time physical activity had higher odds of migraine: walking less than 30 minutes (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.45, P = .042), 2 hours but less than 4 hours (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.80, P = .005), and 4 hours or more (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.31, P = .004).ConclusionsSocial determinants of health are associated with migraine prevalence for both men and women. Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle factor which merits further exploration as an intervention option for migraine headaches in aging samples, especially among older women. Greater odds of migraine among older men who walked for exercise may be explained by reverse causality.