bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hunting as the main technique used to control wild pigs in Brazil
Authors: Rosa Clarissa Alves Da , Wallau Marcelo Osório , Pedrosa Felipe 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTWild pigs (Sus scrofa) have expanded their range in Brazil since late 1980s, with reports of damage becoming more frequent in recent years. In 2013, use of lethal methods for wild pig control was legalized by the federal environmental agency. However, several restrictions related to the purchase and transportation of guns and ammunition hamper the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Nevertheless, many citizens engaged in wild pig control in Brazil do not officially report their control activities as required by the legislation. Our goal was to characterize the profile of wild pig controllers in Brazil to understand their methods and motivations, estimate the number of wild pigs killed per person per year, and evaluate current regulations regarding their applicability to the situations observed in the field. We formulated and distributed a structured questionnaire distributed in 2014 and 2015 to pig controllers (n = 172), including both hunters and nonhunters. Respondents reported killing 2,389 wild pigs, and killing an average of 17.2 (SE = 24.8) pigs/respondent/year, with male and female pigs killed in the same proportion. Forty percent of respondents were acting illegally. Hunters primarily controlled wild pigs to defend third‐party properties. Volunteers provided most of the effort toward controlling wild pigs in Brazil and farmers suffered most of the impacts. Therefore, we believe that adjusting the approach to use of hunting after crop harvest, or implementing an integrated program of hunting and traps placed around crops, could be an important new management tool for reducing wild pig population and crop damage. Further, to enhance wild pig control in Brazil, we recommend incentivizing use of corral traps and cages because such techniques have the greatest effect on reducing wild pig population. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
On the viscous core boundary layer of the injection and suction driven channel flows with expanding or contracting walls
Authors: Majdalani Joseph , Xuan Li‐Jun 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis work extends a sequence of studies devoted to the analysis of the laminar flow in porous channels with retracting walls. This problem was originally used to model slab propellant grain regression. After identifying a subtle endpoint singularity that affects the former solution in its third derivative, a stretched variable is introduced to capture the rapid variations in the channel's core. The core refers to the midsection plane where the shear layer is displaced due to hard blowing at the walls. Then using matched‐asymptotic expansions with logarithmic corrections, a composite solution is developed following successive integrations that start with the fourth derivative. In the process, the inner correction is retrieved from the fourth‐order equation governing the symmetric injection‐driven flow near the core. The resulting approximation is expressed in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions and is confirmed using numerics and limiting process verifications. The composite solution is shown to outperform the former, outer solution, as the core is approached or as the injection Reynolds number is increased. Without undermining the practicality of the former solution outside the thin core region, the development of a matched‐asymptotic approximation enables us to suppress the often overlooked singular terms, thus ensuring a uniformly valid outcome down to the third and fourth derivatives, which affect the pressure distribution and its normal gradients.
Heterogeneity in Income Tax Capitalization: Evidence from the Swiss Housing Market
Authors: Morger Mario 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThere is evidence that taxes capitalize into housing prices, but great uncertainty about the magnitude of income tax capitalization. One explanation why empirical evidence is unclear may stem from the fact that capitalization is something personal, depending on income, mobility, and on the individual tax burden of the bidding households. Therefore, income tax capitalization may theoretically differ substantially between different housing price segments. Results obtained from the analysis of a large Swiss dataset suggest that capitalization is lower for apartments for rent compared to apartments for sale. Capitalization is insignificant or less than 100% for all rental segments. Concerning apartments for sale, capitalization is well above 100% for the low and top price segments.
Is Governance Related to Investment Performance and Asset Allocation? Empirical Evidence from Swiss Pension Funds
Authors: Ammann Manuel , Ehmann Christian 
Published: February 2018

Summary
This study investigates the relationship between governance, investment performance and asset allocation of pension funds in Switzerland. Our sample includes survey data from 139 Swiss occupational pension plans for which we develop a governance metric comprising attributes of organisational design, management incentives, target setting, investment strategy, investment processes, risk management, monitoring, and transparency. We find empirical evidence that pension fund governance is positively related to excess returns, benchmark outperformance and Sharpe ratios. Pension funds in the top governance quartile outperform those in the bottom quartile by approximately 1% in terms of average excess returns and benchmark deviation. Furthermore, our study results indicate that asset allocation decisions are not related to governance, but rather to institutional factors.
Permanent Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: Results from a National Registry
Authors: Nordenström Erik , Bergenfelz Anders , Almquist Martin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionHypoparathyroidism is the most common complication following thyroidectomy. There are few population‐based reports on the rate of hypoparathyroidism in children. The incidence of medical treatment of permanent hypoparathyroidism in children is reported using a national registry.MethodsThe study population included patients below 18 years of age undergoing total thyroidectomy reported to the Scandinavian Quality Registry for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery 2004–2014. Patients with previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery or treatment with vitamin D before surgery were excluded from analysis. Permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism was defined as treatment with vitamin D for more than 6 months after thyroidectomy. Risk factors for permanent hypoparathyroidism were calculated with uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression. Using data from the Swedish Inpatient Registry, rates of readmissions and annual number of days in hospital after total thyroidectomy were compared between patients with and without permanent hypoparathyroidism.ResultsSome 274 children (215 girls and 59 boys) underwent total thyroidectomy. The median age was 14 (range 0–17) years. Indications for surgery were Graves’ disease (214, 78.1%), other benign disease (27, 9.9%) and thyroid cancer (33, 12%). Median follow‐up was 4.8 years. Twenty (7.3%) children developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. No statistically significant risk factors for permanent hypoparathyroidism were identified. Rates of readmission and annual number of days in hospital after discharge were similar in patients with and without permanent hypoparathyroidism.ConclusionsThe rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy in children was high and is a cause of concern.
An exploration of concepts and polices on ‘affordable housing’ in England, Italy, Poland and The Netherlands
Authors: Czischke Darinka , van Bortel Gerard 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe term ‘affordable housing’ has been rapidly gaining currency over the last decade across Europe, both in policy and research circles. While it is often used as a synonym or close relative of the term ‘social housing’, more recently it is finding its own definition and policy instruments in specific cities and countries. However, boundaries between both concepts remain unclear. To shed light on recent developments of each of these terms, this paper presents findings from a study commissioned by the European Investment Bank, which investigated current trends in definitions, programmes and policies both in social housing and affordable housing. This paper focuses on findings for England, Italy, Poland and The Netherlands. Methods used included desk research and interviews with key informants in each of the four countries. In addition, in-depth information about Italy and The Netherlands was gathered through stakeholder workshops carried out between September and November 2016. Findings show that affordable housing in all four countries is becoming a more distinct field, in parallel to developments in social housing. In addition, the paper describes some innovative policies undertaken to develop affordable housing solutions. The paper concludes with a reflection on scenarios for future policy developments and an agenda for further research.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in India: The Current Scenario and Potential Developments
Authors: Kar Bibhas , Aftab Afreen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPreimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is the selective process undertaken during the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure to diagnose genetic abnormalities in the embryos using various genetic techniques and implant only those embryos that are devoid of genetic abnormalities. It was established in the 1990s and is still a developing technology in India. This review summarizes the need for widespread and competent PGD centres equipped with advanced diagnostic techniques to reduce disease burden upon the country’s economy and the requirement for sufficient education of the general population on the advantages of PGD. Issues such as high frequency of consanguinity and genetic disorders such as hemoglobinopathies especially thalassemia can be addressed with the use of PGD. There also needs to be awareness campaigns that help enhance knowledge in this field to improve its use such as reducing the dilemma of increased congenital anomalies in consanguineous unions and prevent its misuse such as preimplantation sex selection and sex based discrimination.
Interpersonal violence and suicidality among former child soldiers and war-exposed civilian children in Nepal
Authors: Bhardwaj Anvita , Bourey Christine , Rai Sauharda , Adhikari Ramesh Prasad , Worthman Carol M. , Kohrt Brandon A. 
Published: February 2018

Background.Suicide risk reduction is crucial for 15–29-year-old youth, who account for 46% of suicide deaths in low- and middle-income countries. Suicide predictors in high-resource settings, specifically depression, do not adequately predict suicidality in these settings. We explored if interpersonal violence (IPV) was associated with suicidality, independent of depression, in Nepal.Methods.A longitudinal cohort of child soldiers and matched civilian children, enrolled in 2007 after the People's War in Nepal, were re-interviewed in 2012. The Depression Self-Rating Scale and Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed depression and suicidality, respectively. Non-verbal response cards were used to capture experiences of sexual and physical IPV.Results.One of five participants (19%) reported any lifetime suicidal ideation, which was associated with sexual IPV, female gender, former child soldier status and lack of support from teachers. Among young men, the relationship between sexual IPV and suicidality was explained by depression, and teacher support reduced suicidality. Among young women, sexual IPV was associated with suicidality, independent of depression; child soldier status increased suicidality, and teacher support decreased suicidality. Suicide plans were associated with sexual IPV but not with depression. One of 11 female former child soldiers (9%) had attempted suicide.Conclusion.Sexual IPV is associated with suicidal ideation and plans among conflict-affected young women, independent of depression. Reducing suicide risk among women should include screening, care, and prevention programs for sexual IPV. Programs involving teachers may be particularly impactful for reducing suicidality among IPV survivors.
John Richardson's ‘missing’ Arctic journal, 6–29 October 1821
Authors: Cavell Janice 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe 1819–1822 overland Arctic expedition led by John Franklin was one of the most disastrous in polar history. In 1821, 20 men travelled to the Arctic Ocean by way of the Coppermine River; only nine of them survived. John Richardson's expedition journal, as published by C. Stuart Houston in 1984, is incomplete. There are no entries between 7 and 29 October 1821, even though five of the 11 deaths (some or possibly all of them by murder) occurred during this critical period. The omission of these events from the journal on which Houston's edition was based has raised suspicions that the account published in Franklin's 1823 narrative may be inaccurate. This article prints the ‘missing’ journal entries, which were located in the files of the Colonial Office, and analyses the differences between these previously unknown entries and the 1823 account.
The rise of Portuguese Antarctic research: implications for Portugal's status under the Antarctic Treaty
Authors: Xavier José C. , Gray Andrew D. , Hughes Kevin A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTPortugal has developed an active Antarctic programme over the past decade. Here, we examine Portuguese Antarctic activity using a variety of bibliometric measures, showing that Portuguese scientific output has grown substantially faster than the field as a whole, with quality remaining broadly constant. Antarctic science made up a growing percentage of overall Portuguese research, up to 0.14% of all papers in 2016—a level comparable to many other nations with well-established research programmes. Alongside this, Portugal has increasingly engaged in policy discussions and produced policy papers for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, some of which were based on Portuguese environmental science. The Antarctic Treaty reserves decision-making powers to ‘Consultative Parties’—those who have been recognised as demonstrating substantial research activity in the continent. Our data indicates that Portugal is currently the fourth most productive non-Consultative Party, and has similar or greater output than several Parties who have already attained consultative status—its publication record is similar to that of the Czech Republic, which became a Consultative Party in 2014. The rapid growth of Portugal's Antarctic research may make it well placed to consider attaining consultative status to the Antarctic Treaty in the near future.
On the Harnack inequality for quasilinear elliptic equations with a first-order term
Authors: Merchán Susana , Montoro Luigi , Sciunzi Berardino 
Published: February 2018

We consider weak solutions towith p > 1, q ≥ max{p − 1, 1}. We exploit the Moser iteration technique to prove a Harnack comparison inequality for C1 weak solutions. As a consequence we deduce a strong comparison principle.
The interaction between monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and childhood maltreatment as a predictor of personality pathology in females: Emotional reactivity as a potential mediating mechanism
Authors: Byrd Amy L. , Manuck Stephen B. , Hawes Samuel W. , Vebares Tayler J. , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit , Chowdari Kodavali V. , Hipwell Alison E. , Keenan Kate , Stepp Stephanie D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractResearch consistently demonstrates that common polymorphic variation in monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) moderates the influence of childhood maltreatment on later antisocial behavior, with growing evidence that the “risk” allele (high vs. low activity) differs for females. However, little is known about how this Gene × Environment interaction functions to increase risk, or if this risk pathway is specific to antisocial behavior. Using a prospectively assessed, longitudinal sample of females (n = 2,004), we examined whether changes in emotional reactivity (ER) during adolescence mediated associations between this Gene × Environment and antisocial personality disorder in early adulthood. In addition, we assessed whether this putative risk pathway also conferred risk for borderline personality disorder, a related disorder characterized by high ER. While direct associations between early maltreatment and later personality pathology did not vary by genotype, there was a significant difference in the indirect path via ER during adolescence. Consistent with hypotheses, females with high-activity MAOA genotype who experienced early maltreatment had greater increases in ER during adolescence, and higher levels of ER predicted both antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder symptom severity. Taken together, findings suggest that the interaction between MAOA and early maltreatment places women at risk for a broader range of personality pathology via effects on ER.
Randomized control trials demonstrate that nutrition-sensitive social protection interventions increase the use of multiple-micronutrient powders and iron supplements in rural pre-school Bangladeshi children
Authors: Hoddinott John , Ahmed Akhter , Roy Shalini 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the impact of a nutrition-sensitive social protection intervention on mothers’ knowledge of Fe deficiency, awareness of multiple-micronutrient powders (MMP) and the consumption of MMP and other Fe supplements by their children aged 6–59 months.DesignTwo randomized controlled trials with treatment arms including cash transfers, food transfers, cash and food transfers, cash and nutrition behaviour change communication (BCC), and food and nutrition BCC were implemented over two years. Both included a control group that received no transfer or BCC. Transfer recipients were mothers living in poor households with at least one child aged less than 2 years at baseline. Probit models were used to analyse endline data.SettingRural areas in north-west and south Bangladesh.SubjectsMothers (n 4840) and children 6–59 months (n 4840).ResultsA transfer accompanied by nutrition BCC increased the share of mothers with knowledge of Fe deficiency (11·9 and 9·2 percentage points for North and South, respectively, P≤0·01), maternal awareness of MMP (29·0 and 22·2 percentage points, P≤0·01), the likelihood that their children 6–59 months had ever consumed MMP (32 and 11·9 percentage points, P≤0·01), consumed MMP in the preceding week (16·9 and 3·9 percentage points, P≤0·01) and consumed either MMP or an Fe supplement in the preceding week (22·3 and 7·1 percentage points, P≤0·01). Improvements were statistically significant relative to groups that received a transfer only.ConclusionsNutrition-sensitive social protection (transfers with BCC added) may be a promising way to advance progress on micronutrient deficiencies.
Identification of new sources of resistance for pearl millet downy mildew disease under field conditions
Authors: Kanfany Ghislain , Fofana Amadou , Tongoona Pangirayi , Danquah Agyemang , Offei Samuel , Danquah Eric , Cisse Ndiaga 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPearl millet is an important cereal crop for smallholder farmers’ food security in Africa and India. However, its production has stagnated due to several factors such as downy mildew (DM). Thus, a study was conducted to identify new sources of resistance from pearl millet inbred lines derived from a collection of landraces originated from West and Central African countries. A set of 101 lines, including 99 inbred lines from West and Central Africa along with a 7042S and SOSAT C 88 as susceptible and resistant checks, respectively, were evaluated under field conditions with infector rows in Bambey and Nioro research stations during the rainy season of 2016. Data on DM incidence and severity, plant height, flowering time, panicle length and productive tillers were recorded. The results showed highly significant differences among lines for all observed traits. Among the tested lines, 55 including SOSAT C 88 were resistant, 16 moderately resistant and 30 including 7042S were susceptible to the disease. Out of the 55 resistant lines, 20 were disease free. Hierarchical ascendant cluster analysis grouped the lines into three clusters with the DM parameters and plant height as the most discriminant factors. Cluster II contains the susceptible lines, while cluster III comprises the moderately resistant lines. The lines which belongs to cluster I were characterized by their resistance to the disease. Further use of these available new sources of resistance will be very useful for improvement of pearl millet for DM resistance and other agronomic traits.
Competition–colonization tradeoffs structure fungal diversity
Authors: Smith Gabriel R , Steidinger Brian S , Bruns Thomas D , Peay Kabir G 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Findings of immense microbial diversity are at odds with observed functional redundancy, as competitive exclusion should hinder coexistence. Tradeoffs between dispersal and competitive ability could resolve this contradiction, but the extent to which they influence microbial community assembly is unclear. Because fungi influence the biogeochemical cycles upon which life on earth depends, understanding the mechanisms that maintain the richness of their communities is critically important. Here, we focus on ectomycorrhizal fungi, which are microbial plant mutualists that significantly affect global carbon dynamics and the ecology of host plants. Synthesizing theory with a decade of empirical research at our study site, we show that competition–colonization tradeoffs structure diversity in situ and that models calibrated only with empirically derived competition–colonization tradeoffs can accurately predict species–area relationships in this group of key eukaryotic microbes. These findings provide evidence that competition–colonization tradeoffs can sustain the landscape-scale diversity of microbes that compete for a single limiting resource.