bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vertebrate community composition and diversity declines along a defaunation gradient radiating from rural villages in Gabon
Authors: Koerner Sally E. , Poulsen John R. , Blanchard Emily J. , Okouyi Joseph , Clark Connie J. 
Published: October 2016

Summary

Anthropocene defaunation is the global phenomenon of human‐induced animal biodiversity loss. Understanding the patterns and process of defaunation is critical to predict outcomes for wildlife populations and cascading consequences for ecosystem function and human welfare.

We investigated a defaunation gradient in north‐eastern Gabon by establishing 24 transects at varying distances (2–30 km) to rural villages and surveying the abundance and composition of vertebrate communities. Distance from village was positively correlated with observations of hunting (shotgun shells, campfires, hunters), making it a good proxy for hunting pressure.

Species diversity declined significantly with proximity to village, with mammal richness increasing by roughly 1·5 species every 10 km travelled away from a village. Compared to forest far from villages, the wildlife community near villages consisted of higher abundances of large birds and rodents and lower abundances of large mammals like monkeys and ungulates.

Distance to nearest village emerged as a key driver of the relative abundance of five of the six taxonomic guilds, indicating that the top‐down force of hunting strongly influences large vertebrate community composition and structure. Several measures of vegetation structure also explained animal abundance, but these varied across taxonomic guilds. Forest elephants were the exception: no measured variable or combination of variables explained variation in elephant abundances.

Synthesis and applications. Hunting is concentrated within 10 km around villages, creating a hunting halo characterized by heavily altered animal communities composed of relatively small‐bodied species. Although the strongest anthropogenic effects are relatively distance‐limited, the linear increase in species richness shown here even at distances 30 km from villages suggests that hunting may have altered vertebrate abundances across the entire landscape. Central African forests store >25% of the carbon in tropical forests and are home to 3000 endemic species, but roughly 53% of the region lies within the village hunting halo. Resource management strategies should take into account this hunting‐induced spatial variation in animal communities. Near villages, resource management should focus on sustainable community‐led hunting programmes that provide long‐term supplies of wild meat to rural people. Resource management far from villages should focus on law enforcement and promoting industry practices that maintain remote tracts of land to preserve ecosystem services like carbon storage and biodiversity.
Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO‐OP) as group therapy for children living with motor coordination difficulties: An integrated literature review
Authors: Anderson Leanne , Wilson Jessie , Williams Gary 
Published: October 2016

Background/aimChildren with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) demonstrate limited participation in daily occupations which negatively impacts their physical and psycho‐social wellbeing. The CO‐OP approach is strongly supported within the literature as an effective treatment for DCD when delivered as a one‐on‐one therapy. Group interventions have proven to be effective in increasing self‐esteem, decreasing feelings of isolation and are a cost effective way of delivering therapy. The purpose of this review was to explore the evidence for the use of the CO‐OP approach in a group format for children with motor coordination difficulties.MethodsSearches of CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, Proquest, PsycINFO, ERIC and OTDBase, were conducted from 2000 through until September 30, 2015. Articles included were in English, peer reviewed articles, followed principals of CO‐OP and were delivered through a group therapy approach. All articles were critically reviewed and thematically analysed.Results192 studies were retrieved with a final number of six articles included in the review. Six themes were highlighted: achieving a new level of perceived competence; feeling a sense of belonging; children learning how the condition affected them and strategies to overcome these challenges; careful formation of intervention groups; the value of following the CO‐OP protocols; and the significance of parental involvement.ConclusionThe findings of this review suggest that the CO‐OP approach, when administered in a group format, has the potential to benefit children living with motor coordination difficulties in both physical and psycho‐social domains. More research is required to confirm these findings and contribute to evidence‐based practice.
l‐arginine and l‐NMMA for assessing cerebral endothelial dysfunction in ischaemic cerebrovascular disease: A systematic review
Authors: Karlsson William K , Sørensen Caspar G , Kruuse Christina 
Published: October 2016

SummaryEndothelial dysfunction (ED), in particular cerebral ED, may be an essential biomarker for ischaemic cerebrovascular disease. However, there is no consensus on methods to best estimate cerebral ED. In this systematic review, we evaluate the use of l‐arginine and NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA) for assessment of cerebral ED. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was done. We included studies investigating cerebrovascular response to l‐arginine or l‐NMMA in human subjects with vascular risk factors or ischaemic cerebrovascular disease. Seven studies (315 subjects) were eligible according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies investigated the effect of age (n=2), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=1), cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) (n=1), leukoaraiosis (n=1), and prior ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (n=2) on cerebral ED. Most studies applied transcranial Doppler to quantify cerebral ED. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (EDV) induced by l‐arginine was impaired in elderly and subjects with leukoaraiosis, but enhanced in CADASIL patients. Studies including subjects with prior ischaemic stroke or TIA reported both enhanced and impaired EDV to l‐arginine. Responses to l‐NMMA deviated between subjects with type 2 DM and the elderly. We found only few studies investigating cerebral endothelial responses to l‐arginine and l‐NMMA in subjects with vascular risk factors or ischaemic cerebrovascular disease. Inconsistencies in results were most likely due to variations in methods and included subject populations. In order to use cerebral ED as a prognostic marker, further studies are required to evaluate the association to cerebrovascular disease.
Clinical interventions to reduce stillbirths in sub‐Saharan Africa: a mathematical model to estimate the potential reduction of stillbirths associated with specific obstetric conditions
Authors: Goldenberg RL , Griffin JB , Kamath‐Rayne BD , Harrison M , Rouse DJ , Moran K , Hepler B , Jobe AH , McClure EM 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveStillbirths are among the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes, with 98% occurring in low‐income countries. More than one‐third occur in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the medical conditions causing stillbirths and interventions to reduce stillbirths from these conditions are not well documented. We estimated the reductions in stillbirths possible with combinations of interventions.DesignWe developed a computerised model to estimate the impact of various interventions on stillbirths caused by the most common conditions. The model considered the location of obstetric care (home, clinic or hospital) and each intervention's efficacy, penetration and utilisation. Maternal transfers were also considered.Setting and populationPregnancies in SSA in 2012.MethodsFor each condition, we created a series of scenarios involving different combinations of interventions and modelled their impact on stillbirth rates.Main outcome measuresStillbirths associated with various maternal and fetal conditions and the percentage reduction with various interventions.ResultsEight to ten maternal and fetal conditions were responsible for most stillbirths, but none for more than 15%. The most common conditions causing stillbirths in SSA include obstructed labour and uterine rupture, fetal distress and umbilical cord complications, fetal growth restriction, pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia, and placental abruption/placenta praevia. Syphilis and malaria contribute smaller numbers. Reducing stillbirths requires appropriate diagnosis and management of each condition, usually including hospital care for monitoring and delivery, often by caesarean section. Maternal syphilis and malaria were the only conditions for which outpatient management alone reduced stillbirth.ConclusionsMost stillbirths in low‐income countries occur at term and during labour and therefore are preventable by appropriate obstetric care. Management focused on the maternal and fetal conditions that cause stillbirths is necessary to achieve stillbirth rates approaching those found in high‐income countries.Tweetable abstractReducing stillbirth incidence requires appropriate management of each causative condition and often caesarean delivery.
Umbilical lactate as a measure of acidosis and predictor of neonatal risk: a systematic review
Authors: Allanson ER , Waqar T , White CRH , Tunçalp Ö , Dickinson JE 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundUmbilical cord lactate is one approach to measuring acidosis and intrapartum hypoxia, knowledge of which may be helpful for clinicians involved in the care of women and newborns.ObjectiveTo synthesise the evidence on accuracy of umbilical cord lactate in measuring acidosis and predicting poor neonatal outcome.Search strategyStudies published and unpublished between 1990 and 2014 from PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and clinicaltrials.gov were assessed.Selection criteriaCross‐sectional and randomised studies that assessed fetal acidosis (using lactate as the index test) with or without an assessment of neonatal outcome.Data collection and analysisCorrelations between index and reference test(s) were recorded, as were the raw data to classify the predictive ability of umbilical lactate for neonatal outcomes. Meta‐analysis of correlation was performed. We plotted estimates of the studies' observed sensitivities and specificities on Forest plots with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Where possible, we combined data using meta‐analysis, applying the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics model and a bivariate model.Main resultsTwelve studies were included. Umbilical lactate correlated with pH [pooled effect size (ES) −0.650; 95% CI −0.663 to −0.637, P < 0.001], base excess (ES −0.710; 95% CI −0.721 to −0.699, P < 0.001), and Apgar scores at 5 minutes (ES 0.300; 95% 0.193–0.407, P < 0.001). Umbilical lactate had pooled sensitivity and specificity for predicting neonatal neurological outcome including hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy of 69.7% (95% CI 23.8–94.4%) and 93% (95% CI 86.8–96.3%).Authors' conclusionUmbilical cord lactate is a clinically applicable, inexpensive and effective way to measure acidosis and is a tool that may be used in the assessment of neonatal outcome.Tweetable abstractUmbilical cord lactate: a clinically applicable, inexpensive, effective way to measure intrapartum acidosis.
Drospirenone‐containing combined oral contraceptives and the risk of arterial thrombosis: a population‐based nested case‐control study
Authors: Larivée N , Suissa S , Eberg M , Joseph L , Eisenberg MJ , Abenhaim HA , Filion KB 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the rate of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) of drospirenone‐containing COCs to that of levonorgestrel‐containing COCs.DesignPopulation‐based cohort study.SettingUnited Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), which contains clinical records for >11 million patients.PopulationWomen aged 16–45 years prescribed a drospirenone‐ or levonorgestrel‐containing COC between May 2002 and June 2012.MethodsWe conducted nested case‐control analyses using risk set sampling to randomly select up to 10 controls for each ATE case, matched on age, cohort entry year, CPRD registration year, COC user type (first‐time ever, new, switcher, or prevalent users), duration of COC use, duration of progestin‐only or implantable contraceptive use, pre‐cohort entry duration of drospirenone and levonorgestrel use, and duration of follow up.Main outcome measuresWe used conditional logistic regression to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for high‐dimensional propensity scores.ResultsOur cohort included 339 743 women followed over a mean 4.4 years, during which 228 ATE cases occurred: 37 myocardial infarctions, 170 strokes, and 21 other ATEs; overall rate: 1.5 events per 10 000 person‐years (PYs). After adjusting for potential confounders, the hazard ratio for ATE with current use of drospirenone‐containing COCs versus current use of levonorgestrel‐containing COCs was 0.89 (95% CI 0.35, 2.28), corresponding to a rate difference of −0.16 events per 10 000 PYs.ConclusionsThe overall rate of ATE in this population is low regardless of which COC was taken. We found little evidence of a difference in the rate of ATE with drospirenone‐ versus levonorgestrel‐containing COCs.Tweetable abstractLittle evidence was found of a greater incidence of arterial thrombosis with drospirenone versus levonorgestrel contraceptives.
Institutional veto players and cabinet formation: The veto control hypothesis reconsidered
Authors: EPPNER SEBASTIAN , GANGHOF STEFFEN 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAre potential cabinets more likely to form when they control institutional veto players such as symmetric second chambers or minority vetoes? Existing evidence for a causal effect of veto control has been weak. This article presents evidence for this effect on the basis of conditional and mixed logit analyses of government formations in 21 parliamentary and semi‐presidential democracies between 1955 and 2012. It also shows that the size of the effect varies systematically across political‐institutional contexts. The estimated causal effect was greater in countries that eventually abolished the relevant veto institutions. It is suggested that the incidence of constitutional reform is a proxy for context‐specific factors that increased the incentives for veto control and simultaneously provided a stimulus for the weakening of institutional veto power.
Analytical Characterization of Polyphenols from Tara and Caesalpinia decapetala as Stabilizers of O/W Emulsions
Authors: Gallego M Gabriela , Rodríguez Tamara , Rodríguez Isaac , Almajano María Pilar 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe extracts (0.5% [w/w]) from Caesalpinia spinosa or tara (CS) and Caesalpinia decapetala (CD) leaves were evaluated for their ability to inhibit lipid oxidation using oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions as the model system. Liquid chromatography (LC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS), using a hybrid quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer, was employed for (1) the identification of potential antioxidant species in the extracts and (2) to follow their evolution through aging of the emulsions. CS extracts, containing esters and conjugated forms of gallic acid (GA), turned out to be more effective than CD, rich in flavonoid species, in stabilizing the O/W emulsions. After 3 wk at 33 °C, peroxide values of emulsions stabilized with CS and CD extracts were 6.7 and 18.2 meq hydroperoxides/kg, respectively. Responses measured for the oligomers and esterified forms of GA in CS containing emulsions decreased with time; however, the response for the free form of GA kept increasing.
Consumer Acceptance of a Polyphenolic Coffee Beverage
Authors: Nguyen Thuy , Kuchera Meredith , Smoot Katie , Diako Charles , Vixie Beata , Ross Carolyn F. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine if Chardonnay grape seed pomace (GSP), a waste stream of wine production, could be used as a functional ingredient in brewed coffee. Two consumer panels were conducted to assess the acceptance of coffee at coffee replacement (w/w) values of 0% (control), 6.25%, 12.50%, 18.75%, or 25% GSP. The 1st consumer panel (n = 80) assessed the coffee samples served “black.” The 2nd panel (n = 67) assessed the coffee samples with adjustment (that is, sweeteners, milk, and cream) options available. Consumer sensory evaluation involved evaluating the 5 treatments individually for acceptance of appearance, aroma, taste/flavor, and overall acceptance using a 9‐point hedonic scale. A check‐all‐that‐apply questionnaire surveyed the sensory attributes describing aroma, appearance, and taste/flavor of the samples. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity was used to measure the effects of antioxidant levels in GSP coffee samples. Results showed that GSP could be added at 6.25% replacement without significantly affecting the overall consumer acceptance of coffee compared to the control (0% GSP). Above 6.25% GSP supplementation, the coffee beverage was described as more tan, milky, watery/dilute, and mild, and was generally less accepted by the consumers. GSP also increased the antioxidant capacity of the coffee compared to the control (0% GSP), with no significant differences among replacement values. Therefore, 6.25% GSP replacement is recommended for creating coffee beverages acceptable to consumers. Further in vivo investigation may substantiate the free‐radical scavenging capacity of GSP coffee and its potential health benefits.
Out‐of‐sample stock return predictability in emerging markets
Authors: Bahrami Afsaneh , Shamsuddin Abul , Uylangco Katherine 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis article builds on the widely debated issue of stock return predictability by applying a broad range of predictor variables and comprehensively considering the in‐sample and out‐of‐sample stock return predictability of ten advanced emerging markets. It compares forecasts from models with a single predictor variable, multiple predictor variables and a combination forecast approach. The results confirm the findings of Welch and Goyal (2008) for US data that only a limited number of individual predictor variables are able to deliver significant out‐of‐sample forecasts. However, a combination forecast approach provides statistically and economically significant out‐of‐sample forecast results.
Corporate social responsibility and dividend policy
Authors: Cheung Adrian (Waikong) , Hu May , Schwiebert Jörg 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study outlines and tests two corporate social responsibility (CSR) views of dividends. The first view argues that firms are likely to pay fewer dividends because CSR activities lower the cost of equity, encouraging firms to invest or hoard cash rather than to pay dividends. The second view suggests that CSR activities are positive NPV projects that increases earnings and hence dividend payouts. The first (second) view predicts that firms with a stronger involvement in CSR activities should be associated with a lower (higher) dividend payouts. The finding supports the second view and is robust.
Stock price response to new‐CEO earnings news
Authors: Geertsema Paul G. , Lont David H. , Lu Helen 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNew‐CEO earnings news exhibits asymmetric effects on stock prices. Stock prices rise more on good earnings news announced by firms with new CEOs compared with those with established CEOs. By contrast, stock prices tend to fall by a smaller amount on bad earnings news for new CEOs. Both the new‐CEO quality effect and the new‐CEO honeymoon effect are more pronounced for CEOs appointed during challenging situations. The new‐CEO quality effect is stronger for firms followed by fewer analysts, while the honeymoon effect is stronger for firms followed by more analysts – illustrating the importance of a transparent information environment.
Interactions between domestic and wild carnivores around the greater Serengeti ecosystem
Authors: Craft M. E. , Vial F. , Miguel E. , Cleaveland S. , Ferdinands A. , Packer C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe domestic and wild carnivore interface is complex, yet understudied. Interactions between carnivore species have important implications for direct interference competition, cross‐species transmission of shared pathogens and conservation threats to wild carnivores. However, carnivore intraguild interactions are hard to quantify. In this study, we asked 512 villagers residing around a conservation area in the Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania, to report on the presence of wild carnivores in their village, the number of domestic dogs Canis familiaris and cats Felis catus in their household and interactions between domestic and wild carnivores. Wild carnivores are abundant near households surrounding the Serengeti National Park, villagers have many free‐ranging domestic dogs (and would like to have more) and direct and indirect contacts between wild and domestic carnivores are common. Large carnivores, such as spotted hyenas and leopards, often killed or wounded domestic dogs. Small carnivores, such as mongoose, bat‐eared fox, serval and wildcat, are locally abundant and frequently interact with domestic dogs. We demonstrate that interspecific carnivore behavior, human culture and local and regional geography play a complex role in domestic and wild carnivore interaction risk around conservation areas. Through the use of household surveys, we were able to efficiently obtain data on a wide scope of carnivore interactions over a large area, which may provide a direction for future targeted and in‐depth research to reduce interspecific conflict. Improving the health and husbandry of domestic animals and reducing the unintentional feeding of wild carnivores could reduce dog–wildlife interactions and the potential for pathogen transmission at the domestic–wild animal interface.
IgE‐associated allergic disorders: recent advances in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Zellweger F. , Eggel A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIgE‐associated allergic diseases belong to the most common inflammatory conditions. Their clinical manifestation ranges from mild symptoms to life‐threatening episodes. Often patients experience a reduction in physical and psychologic well‐being and suffer from a decreased quality of life due to disease activity. The continuously rising number of people that are affected by an allergic condition indicates an urgent need for better diagnostics and more efficient treatment options. Recent progress in the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying IgE‐associated allergic disorders has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of drug candidates that are currently under evaluation. In this review, we highlight studies and clinical trials, which have helped to gain further insight in the etiology of IgE‐associated allergic conditions as well as advances in the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches recently published in Allergy (European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology).