bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Be nimble with threat mitigation: lessons learned from the reintroduction of an endangered species
Authors: Robinson Natasha M. , Dexter Nick , Brewster Rob , Maple Dion , MacGregor Chris , Rose Karrie , Hall Jane , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: August 2019

Reintroductions are increasingly being used to restore species and ecosystems. However, chances of successful establishment are often low. Key to improving success is careful consideration of threats, threat mitigation, monitoring, and subsequent improvement to management. We demonstrate this planning, implementation, and review process using the reintroduction of an endangered mesopredator, the eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus, in the first attempt to reestablish it in the wild on mainland Australia. In March 2018, 20 captive‐bred quolls (10 male, 10 female) were released into Booderee National Park and monitored via telemetry, camera, and cage trapping. There were many unknowns and, despite thorough consideration of threats, there were surprising outcomes. Within 3 months, 80% of animals had died; half due to predation, an expected threat. Other threats were unexpected yet, due to good monitoring and responsive management, were quickly detected and effective mitigation implemented. These learnings have been incorporated into revised translocation procedures. One year later, four founder quolls remained and had successfully bred. We highlight lessons applicable to other reintroductions. These are, the importance of: (1) conducting a thorough review of threats and implementing appropriate mitigation; (2) targeted monitoring and responsive management; (3) effective communication, education, and engagement with the local community and stakeholders; and (4) ensuring learnings are disseminated and incorporated into future translocation plans. Threat assessment is an important step in identifying potential reasons for failure. However, actual threats can be realized only via experimentation and monitoring. Applying this knowledge to future reintroduction attempts can increase their chance of success.
God Bless You? The Association of Religion and Spirituality with Reduction of Suicide Ideation and Length of Hospital Stay among Psychiatric Patients at Risk for Suicide
Authors: Plöderl Martin , Kunrath Sabine , Fartacek Clemens 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveReligion and spirituality (R&S) were protective against suicidal behavior in the majority of studies. In prospective studies, R&S were associated with improved outcome for patients with depression, a main risk factor for suicide. Thus, R&S may also improve recovery from suicidal crisis, but related data is lacking.MethodWe explored how aspects of R&S were associated with reduction of suicide ideation and length of hospital stay among 351 patients admitted to a psychiatric crisis intervention ward specialized in suicide prevention. We analyzed the results separately by gender and sexual orientation due to the known specific effects of R&S in these groups.ResultsOverall, there were only small and non‐significant associations between R&S and reduction of suicide ideation and length of hospital stay. For heterosexual men, some R&S variables were associated with less optimal outcome. Contrary to our hypothesis, R&S were not less or even more beneficial for sexual minority than heterosexual patients.ConclusionsReligion and spirituality were not or only weakly associated with improvement of suicide ideation and shorter hospital stay. Further studies are needed to account for selection biases and other limitations in our study. Based on our findings, R&S may not be major sources to recover from suicidal crisis in a psychiatric setting.
A before‐school physical activity intervention to improve cognitive parameters in children: The Active‐Start study
Authors: García‐Hermoso Antonio , Hormazábal‐Aguayo Ignacio , Fernández‐Vergara Omar , González‐Calderón Nicole , Russell‐Guzmán Javier , Vicencio‐Rojas Francisca , Chacana‐Cañas Cesar , Ramírez‐Vélez Robinson 
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study was threefold: (a) to test a before‐school physical activity intervention (Active‐Start) on academic performance, selective attention, and concentration capacity; (b) to test the effect of the Active‐Start intervention on anthropometry, body composition, and physical fitness parameters; and (c) whether the physical fitness components are moderators of the effect of the Active‐Start program on academic performance, selective attention, and concentration capacity in Chilean children. The Active‐Start intervention was a RCT which comprised 170 children (8‐10 years old) from three public schools with low socioeconomic status from the city of Santiago (Chile). The exercise intervention was delivered daily, before starting the first school‐class (8:00‐8:30 am) for 8 weeks. Changes in academic performance, selective attention and concentration capacity, anthropometric, body composition, and physical fitness parameters were measured. The analyses used were mixed regression models for repeated measures over time. No statistically significant changes in attention and concentration capacity were found. However, significant changes were seen in language (0.63; 95% CI 0.49‐0.77) and mathematics (0.49; 95% CI 0.32‐0.66) performance (P < .001). Also, improvements were seen in fat mass, fat‐free mass, muscular, and cardiorespiratory fitness (all P < .05). The Johnson‐Neyman technique revealed a significant relationship between the effect of intervention and attention and concentration when change in cardiorespiratory fitness was above, but not below, 3.05 and 0.70 mL/kg/min, respectively. Implementing before‐school physical activity programs such as the Active‐Start to enhance the cardiorespiratory fitness may benefit attention capacity and academic success among schoolchildren.
InfinitiveWh‐Relatives in Romance: Consequences for the Truncation‐versus‐Intervention Debate
Authors: Villalba Xavier 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRomance clitic left dislocation is widespread across all kinds of nonroot contexts, but it is forbidden in infinitivewh‐relatives. This article investigates the extent and nature of this restriction and the consequences it raises for the truncation and intervention analyses of the left periphery of embedded sentences. We will show that current proposals cannot account for the whole gamut of data. In consequence, we will propose that infinitivewh‐relatives display a maximally syncretic left periphery, whereas infinitivewh‐interrogatives have a full‐fledged left periphery, crucially involving ForceP, because they are selected by a higher predicate. This crucial difference between infinitive relatives and interrogatives will also be shown to be consistent with the existence of specialized complementizers for the former but not the latter.
Exchange rate fluctuations and quality composition of exports: Evidence from Swiss product‐level data
Authors: Fauceglia Dario 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis paper studies the relationship between exchange rate movements and the average export quality using disaggregated Swiss product‐level data between 1996 and 2015. We find evidence at different levels of aggregation that the average export quality increases in response to a currency appreciation through compositional effects: currency appreciations shift market shares towards goods that are more expensive and of higher quality. This exchange rate effect on quality is more pronounced for differentiated goods and in sectors with a greater scope for quality differentiation. From a policy perspective, this reallocation effect points to the importance of facilitating structural changes in the export composition to increase the resilience of the export sector to exchange rate shocks. Our results also suggest a positive relationship between the average export quality and aggregate export sales. From a methodological point of view, the findings imply that exchange rate pass‐through estimations without quality controls tend to be biased regardless of aggregation level or type of data.
Input tariff liberalisation and servitisation in manufacturing: Evidence from China's WTO accession
Authors: Ma Shuzhong , Xu Guangjian , Zhang Hongsheng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis paper links the sharp drop in China's manufacturing servitisation (MS) in early 21st century to China's accession to WTO featured by conspicuous input trade liberalisation (ITL). The results show that manufacturing industries exposed to higher degree of ITL suffer more MS declines after China's accession to the WTO. Heterogeneous analysis shows that industries with high import intensity, capital intensity or technology intensity suffer more MS declines following input trade liberalisation. Further analysis shows that input trade liberalisation increases the import of intermediate inputs while significantly reduces the proportion of service imports for manufacturing industries. The results are robust to a series of robustness checks.
Alcohol and other drug use among Belgian workers and job-related consequences
Authors: Lambrechts Marie-Claire , Vandersmissen Lieve , Godderis Lode 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesThis study aimed to obtain prevalence data on use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) among Belgian workers, and to explore the associations between self-reported AOD use and job-related effects as experienced by workers, and the level of workers’ well-being, respectively.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study (2016), 5367 workers filled out a questionnaire including validated instruments such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Job-related effects were defined as: being late at work, absenteeism, loss of productivity, injuries, conflicts with co-workers and sanctions by employers. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsBased on AUDIT-C, 39.1% of last year drinkers had an indication of problem drinking. The odds of experienced job-related effects was 3.6 (CI 2.86 to 4.60) times larger than the odds among workers without this indication. This ratio decreased to 3.2 (CI 2.52 to 4.11), controlling for language, gender, family context, level of education and sector. Respondents who used illicit drugs more frequently (>once a month) also had an increased risk for experienced job-related effects (OR 5.8; CI 2.87 to 11.84). Having a low level of well-being increased the risk for job-related effects due to psychoactive medication (OR 2.3, CI 1.10 to 4.91).DiscussionIn this study, self-reported AOD use was associated with short-term job-related effects. This suggests that an AOD policy in different sectors is needed with respect for the organisational culture. Its focus should lie on prevention and early detection of AOD problems, and on the mental health of workers. Attention is required for the non-medical use of prescription drugs.
Twenty-year health and economic impact of reducing cigarette use: Minnesota 1998–2017
Authors: Maciosek Michael V , LaFrance Amy B , St Claire Ann , Xu Zack , Brown Morgan , Schillo Barbara A 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundAdult smoking prevalence in Minnesota fell from 21.8% in 1997 to 15.2% in 2016. This reduction improved heart and lung health, prevented cancers, extended life and reduced healthcare costs, but quantifying these benefits is difficult.Methods1.3 million individuals were simulated in a tobacco policy model to estimate the gains to Minnesotans from 1998 to 2017 in health, medical spending reductions and productivity gains due to reduced cigarette smoking. A constant prevalence scenario was created to simulate the tobacco harms that would have occurred had smoking prevalence stayed at 1997 levels. Those harms were compared with tobacco harms from a scenario of actual smoking prevalence in Minnesota from 1998 to 2017.ResultsThe simulation model predicts that reducing cigarette smoking from 1998 to 2017 has prevented 4560 cancers, 31 691 hospitalisations for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, 12 881 respiratory disease hospitalisations and 4118 smoking-attributable deaths. Minnesotans spent an estimated $2.7 billion less in medical care and gained $2.4 billion in paid and unpaid productivity, inflation adjusted to 2017 US$. In sensitivity analysis, medical care savings ranged from $1.7 to $3.6 billion.ConclusionsMinnesota’s investment in comprehensive tobacco control measures has driven down smoking rates, saved billions in medical care and productivity costs and prevented tobacco related diseases of its residents. The simulation method employed in this study can be adapted to other geographies and time periods to bring to light the invisible gains of tobacco control.
Admission plasma uromodulin and the risk of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis: a pilot study
Authors: Patidar Kavish R. , Garimella Pranav S. , Macedo Etienne , Slaven James E. , Ghabril Marwan S. , Weber Regina E. , Anderson Melissa , Orman Eric S. , Nephew Lauren D. , Desai Archita P. , Chalasani Naga P. , El-Achkar Tarek M. 
Published: August 2019

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Uromodulin, a protein uniquely produced by the kidney and released both in the urine and circulation, has been shown to regulate AKI and is linked to tubular reserve. Although low levels of urine uromodulin are associated with AKI after cardiac surgery, it is unclear whether circulating uromodulin can stratify the risk of AKI, particularly in a susceptible population such as hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Thus, we investigated whether plasma uromodulin measured at the time of admission is associated with subsequent hospital-acquired AKI (defined by a rise in serum creatinine >0.3mg/dL within 48 h or ≥ 1.5 times baseline) in patients with cirrhosis. A total of 98 patients [mean age 54 yr, Model for Endstage Liver Disease Sodium (MELD-Na) score 19, and baseline creatinine of 0.95 mg/dL] were included, of which 13% ( n = 13) developed AKI. Median uromodulin levels were significantly lower in patients who developed AKI compared with patients who did not (9.30 vs. 13.35 ng/mL, P = 0.02). After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, albumin, and MELD-Na score as covariates on multivariable logistic regression, uromodulin was independently associated with AKI [odd ratios of 1.19 (95% confidence interval 1.02, 1.37; P = 0.02)]. Lower uromodulin levels on admission are associated with increased odds of subsequent AKI in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of uromodulin in the pathogenesis and as a predictive biomarker of AKI in this population.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we found that admission plasma uromodulin levels are significantly lower in patients who developed subsequent acute kidney injury (AKI) during their hospital stay compared with patients who did not. Additionally, uromodulin is independently associated with AKI development after adjusting for clinically relevant parameters such as age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, severity of cirrhosis, and kidney function. To our knowledge, this is the first study linking plasma uromodulin with AKI development in patients with cirrhosis.
Deletion of the Casp8 gene in mice results in ileocolitis, gut barrier dysfunction, and malassimilation, which can be partially attenuated by inulin or sodium butyrate
Authors: Kaden-Volynets Valentina , Günther Claudia , Zimmermann Julia , Beisner Julia , Becker Christoph , Bischoff Stephan C. 
Published: August 2019

Genetically modified mice have been successfully used as models for inflammatory bowel diseases; however, dietary effects were poorly examined. Here, we studied the impact of particular nutrients and supplements on gut functions related to the knockout of the epithelial caspase-8 gene. Caspase-8 knockout (Casp8∆IEC) and control (Casp8fl) mice were fed for 4 wk a control diet (CD) enriched with 10% inulin (CD-Inu) or 5% sodium butyrate (CD-But) while having free access to plain water or water supplemented with 30% fructose (+F). Body weight changes, intestinal inflammation, and selected markers for barrier function and of liver steatosis were assessed. Casp8∆IECmice developed ileocolitis accompanied by changes in intestinal barrier morphology and reduced expression of barrier-related genes such as mucin-2 ( Muc2) and defensins in the ileum and Muc2 in the colon. Casp8∆IECmice fed a CD also showed impaired body weight gain compared with Casp8flmice, which was even more pronounced in mice receiving water supplemented with fructose. Furthermore, we observed a marked liver steatosis and inflammation in some but not all Casp8∆IECmice under a CD, which was on average similar to that observed in control mice under a fructose-rich diet. Hepatic lipid accumulation, as well as markers of ileal barrier function, but not intestinal pathohistology or body weight loss, were attenuated by diets enriched with inulin or butyrate, especially in the absence of fructose supplementation. Our data show that ileocolitis, barrier dysfunction, and malassimilation in Caspase-8 knockout mice can be partially attenuated by oral inulin or butyrate supplementation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Genetic mouse models for ileocolitis are important to understand inflammatory bowel disease in humans. We examined dietetic factors that might aggravate or attenuate ileocolitis and related pathologies in such a model. Deletion of the caspase-8 gene results not only in ileocolitis but also in gut barrier dysfunction, liver steatosis, and malassimilation, which can be partially attenuated by oral inulin or sodium butyrate. Our data indicate that diet modifications can contribute to disease variability and therapy.
The differential contribution of pacemaker neurons to synaptic transmission in the pyloric network of the Jonah crab, Cancer borealis
Authors: Martinez Diana , Santin Joseph M. , Schulz David , Nadim Farzan 
Published: August 2019

Many neurons receive synchronous input from heterogeneous presynaptic neurons with distinct properties. An instructive example is the crustacean stomatogastric pyloric circuit pacemaker group, consisting of the anterior burster (AB) and pyloric dilator (PD) neurons, which are active synchronously and exert a combined synaptic action on most pyloric follower neurons. Previous studies in lobster have indicated that AB is glutamatergic, whereas PD is cholinergic. However, although the stomatogastric system of the crab Cancer borealis has become a preferred system for exploration of cellular and synaptic basis of circuit dynamics, the pacemaker synaptic output has not been carefully analyzed in this species. We examined the synaptic properties of these neurons using a combination of single-cell mRNA analysis, electrophysiology, and pharmacology. The crab PD neuron expresses high levels of choline acetyltransferase and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter mRNAs, hallmarks of cholinergic neurons. In contrast, the AB neuron expresses neither cholinergic marker but expresses high levels of vesicular glutamate transporter mRNA, consistent with a glutamatergic phenotype. Notably, in the combined synapses to follower neurons, 70–75% of the total current was blocked by putative glutamatergic blockers, but short-term synaptic plasticity remained unchanged, and although the total pacemaker current in two follower neuron types was different, this difference did not contribute to the phasing of the follower neurons. These findings provide a guide for similar explorations of heterogeneous synaptic connections in other systems and a baseline in this system for the exploration of the differential influence of neuromodulators. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The pacemaker-driven pyloric circuit of the Jonah crab stomatogastric nervous system is a well-studied model system for exploring circuit dynamics and neuromodulation, yet the understanding of the synaptic properties of the two pacemaker neuron types is based on older analyses in other species. We use single-cell PCR and electrophysiology to explore the neurotransmitters used by the pacemaker neurons and their distinct contribution to the combined synaptic potentials.
Motor cortex disruption delays motor processes but not deliberation about action choices
Authors: Derosiere Gerard , Thura David , Cisek Paul , Duque Julie 
Published: August 2019

Decisions about actions typically involve a period of deliberation that ends with the commitment to a choice and the motor processes overtly expressing that choice. Previous studies have shown that neural activity in sensorimotor areas, including the primary motor cortex (M1), correlates with deliberation features during action selection. However, the causal contribution of these areas to the decision process remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether M1 determines choice commitment or whether it simply reflects decision signals coming from upstream structures and instead mainly contributes to the motor processes that follow commitment. To do so, we tested the impact of a disruption of M1 activity, induced by continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), on the behavior of human subjects in 1) a simple reaction time (SRT) task allowing us to estimate the duration of the motor processes and 2) a modified version of the tokens task (Cisek P, Puskas GA, El-Murr S. J Neurosci 29: 11560–11571, 2009), which allowed us to estimate subjects’ time of commitment as well as accuracy criterion. The efficiency of cTBS was attested by a reduction in motor evoked potential amplitudes following M1 disruption compared with those following a sham stimulation. Furthermore, M1 cTBS lengthened SRTs, indicating that motor processes were perturbed by the intervention. Importantly, all of the behavioral results in the tokens task were similar following M1 disruption and sham stimulation, suggesting that the contribution of M1 to the deliberation process is potentially negligible. Taken together, these findings favor the view that M1 contribution is downstream of the decision process.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Decisions between actions are ubiquitous in the animal realm. Deliberation during action choices entails changes in the activity of the sensorimotor areas controlling those actions, but the causal role of these areas is still often debated. With the use of continuous theta burst stimulation, we show that disrupting the primary motor cortex (M1) delays the motor processes that follow instructed commitment but does not alter volitional deliberation, suggesting that M1 contribution may be downstream of the decision process.