bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the risk of non‐native conifer establishment across heterogeneous landscapes
Authors: Wyse Sarah V. , Etherington Thomas R. , Hulme Philip E. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Pines (genus Pinus) are cultivated extensively for forestry purposes, particularly in regions that are outside the genus' native range. The most common forestry species are also typically those most likely to escape cultivation and spread rapidly, and thus pines constitute a substantial weed problem in many regions. However, there is limited knowledge of the factors underlying the spread of pines from plantations. Assessments across heterogeneous landscapes are required to provide rigorous data to support management tools and policies aiming to protect vulnerable ecosystems from pine invasions.

We examined the spread of Pinus radiata from forestry plantations over a ~9,000 km2 landscape on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. We used ground‐based surveys from a set of viewpoints to determine tree locations, coupled with geographical information system (GIS) viewsheds to define the area surveyed. We used boosted regression trees to build a habitat model for P. radiata establishment on Banks Peninsula.

We surveyed an area approximately 107 km2, recording 470 naturally established P. radiata individuals. Our habitat models suggested that proximity to the nearest plantation forest was the most important variable predicting P. radiata establishment, with individuals most likely to establish within 150 m of a plantation. Individuals were also most likely to establish in early successional shrub communities, proximate to roads, and on steeper topography. Highly grazed habitats were least vulnerable to P. radiata establishment.

The slope and aspect of the source plantation influenced the distances from the plantation at which P. radiata individuals were recorded, with individuals recorded furthest away likely to have originated from plantations that were south‐facing or on steeper slopes, and therefore most exposed to strong winds.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings on distances from plantations at which individuals established, vulnerable habitats, and the interactions we detected among our predictor variables, can be extended to aid management of non‐native conifer plantings elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere. These data can be used to contribute to improvements of decision support systems that assess likely spread risk from non‐native conifer plantings. Such tools can reduce the likelihood of future pine establishment, potentially preventing biological invasions.
Delivering language intervention at scale: promises and pitfalls
Authors: Snowling Margaret J. , West Gillian , Fricke Silke , Bowyer‐Crane Claudine , Dilnot Julia , Cripps Denise , Nash Marysia , Hulme Charles 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThere is now substantial evidence that language interventions delivered to small groups can be effective for improving language skills and hence strengthening the foundation for formal schooling. However, there are remaining challenges when delivering such interventions in naturalistic environments at scale.MethodWe reflect on three randomised trials designed to evaluate the impact of an early years language programme, prior to the implementation of a large effectiveness trial, delivered in partnership with speech and language professionals. We consider findings within a framework from implementation science.ResultsWe found that, in contrast to policy‐led interventions for reading and mathematics, language interventions are not prioritised in mainstream settings. Aside from this, other obstacles to delivery were the time taken to prepare and to timetable sessions, lack of communication about the requirements of delivery and the need for language screening. Crucial to success was the support from the class teacher of teaching assistants delivering the intervention. However, feedback was largely positive from most stakeholders, and the intervention was found to have a positive impact on children's language with preliminary evidence for effects on behaviour and on reading comprehension.ConclusionsWhile many educators recognise the importance of language for communication, the benefits of oral language interventions are only recently becoming prioritised by policy‐makers. We propose that challenges to successful delivery and adoption of evidence‐based language interventions in mainstream settings can be remedied through better communication with stakeholders and collaboration between researchers and professional colleagues including senior leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists and psychologists. It is imperative to take account of issues of implementation when designing an intervention and to do this successfully is a multidisciplinary enterprise.
Information shock of disaster and hazard: Impact of Kaohsiung gas explosions and risk disclosure on the equalizing difference in the housing market
Authors: Liao Wen‐Chi , Luo Yilan , Sun Yajie 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDisasters damaged economies and markets. Many studies inquired how calamities affected household risk perception and home value to understand the hazards’ influences on expected utility. A remaining challenge is identifying equalizing difference, a necessary spatial equilibrium condition, keeping households indifferent among properties with different disaster risks. We fill this gap, analyzing a quasi‐natural experiment with two events: the 2014 Kaohsiung Gas Explosions and subsequent disclosure of underground petrochemical pipelines. A spatial model with prospective reference theory predicts home‐value changes after each event for areas with different risks and distinguishes the equalizing difference from price changes induced by risk adjustments. Difference‐in‐differences (DD) analyses uncover an equalizing difference worth 2.6% home value compensating for households’ exposure to the petrochemical hazard, besides risk‐adjustment price changes concerned by existing DD studies. The equalizing difference shrank with distance to hazard and time. Also, the neighborhood struck by the disaster has regained energy, a finding with implications for urban resilience.
Safety and efficacy of ethanol ablation for benign thyroid cystic nodules: A single centre experience
Authors: Lee Henry Ho Yin , Chan Peter Wing Hong , Hui Joseph Sheung Kit 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate and audit the safety and efficacy of ultrasound guided ethanol ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid cystic nodules with pressure and cosmetic symptoms.MethodsRetrospective case series from November 2018 to March 2021 with patients presented with symptomatic benign cystic thyroid nodules and treated with ethanol ablation. The major clinical outcomes were 6‐month volume reduction rate and improvement in pressure symptom score and cosmetic symptom score. All complications were evaluated.ResultsWe studied thirty‐seven consecutive cases with symptomatic benign thyroid cystic nodules. All cystic nodules were confirmed by FNAC to be benign. Seven out of thirty‐seven cases received two sessions of ethanol ablation. The initial mean volume of cystic nodules was 17.93 ml (range 1.11 ml–60.01 ml). The mean volume of ethanol injected was 3.54 ml (range 0.5 ml–10.0 ml). The mean volume at 6‐month post ablation was 4.48 ml (range 0 ml–60.15 ml). The mean volume reduction rate at 6‐month post ablation was 80.46%. The median procedure time was 15 minutes. Adverse events were noted in three cases including transient pain and haematoma. The mean pressure symptom score improved from 4.48 (pre‐ablation)(range 0–10) to 1.20 (post‐ablation)(range 0–5). The mean cosmetic symptom score improved from 3.45 (pre‐ablation) (range 1–4) to 1.37 (post‐ablation)(range 1–3). There was one case with salvage hemithyroidectomy arranged.ConclusionUltrasound guided ethanol ablation is a safe and feasible treatment for symptomatic benign thyroid cystic nodules in terms of volume reduction and symptomatic relief, it serves as an alternative to surgical resection.
Geographical variation of the acoustic signals in the spot‐legged treefrog (Polypedates megacephalus) of Hainan Island
Authors: ZHAO Longhui , LIU Qiucheng , QIN Yuanyu , ZHAI Xiaofei , TU Feiyun , WANG Tongliang , WANG Jichao 
Published: April 2022

AbstractGeographical divergence in acoustic signals is often affected by multiple selective pressures. Environmental factors are expected to shape signals by adjusting for greater propagation efficiency. Nevertheless, such habitat‐driven hypotheses have not been well‐examined with multi‐signal and multi‐habitat types included simultaneously. In this study, we evaluated call similarity of the spot‐legged treefrog (Polypedates megacephalus), characterized by multiple call types, from 11 geographic populations across Hainan Island. We also examined multiple factors (i.e. body mass, temperature, altitude, and vegetation) among different acoustical geographic clusters, and tested whether the variation in acoustic length and frequency among different habitats was in accordance with the prediction derived from the acoustic adaptation hypothesis. We showed that P. megacephalus from Hainan Island included 3 acoustic geographic clusters: the northeastern flatlands, the southwest mountains, and the hills around the mountains. We also showed that environmental factors (i.e. altitude and vegetation) varied across these 3 acoustically distinct areas. Moreover, the duration of the different call types supported the hypothesis that they should have optimal transmission in their own habitats. Thus, our results reveal the roles of ecological selection in the geographical divergence of anuran acoustic signals.
Applying computer vision to digitised natural history collections for climate change research: Temperature‐size responses in British butterflies
Authors: Wilson Rebecca J. , de Siqueira Alexandre Fioravante , Brooks Stephen J. , Price Benjamin W. , Simon Lea M. , van der Walt Stéfan J. , Fenberg Phillip B. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Natural history collections are invaluable resources for understanding biotic response to global change. Museums around the world are currently imaging specimens, capturing specimen data and making them freely available online. In parallel to the digitisation effort, there have been great advancements in computer vision: the computer trained automated recognition/detection, and measurement of features in digital images. Applying computer vision to digitised natural history collections has the potential to greatly accelerate the use of these collections for biotic response to global change research. In this paper, we apply computer vision to a very large, digitised collection to test hypotheses in an established area of biotic response to climate change research: temperature‐size responses.

We develop a computer vision pipeline (Mothra) and apply it to the NHM collection of British butterflies (>180,000 imaged specimens). Mothra automatically detects the specimen and other objects in the image, sets the scale, measures wing features (e.g. forewing length), determines the orientation of the specimen (pinned ventrally or dorsally) and identifies the sex. We pair these measurements and specimen collection data with temperature records for 17,726 specimens across a subset of 24 species to test how adult size varies with temperature during the immature stages of species. We also assess patterns of sexual size dimorphism across species and families for 32 species trained for automated sex ID.

Mothra accurately measures the forewing lengths of butterfly specimens compared to manual measurements and accurately determines the sex of specimens, with females as the larger sex in most species. An increase in adult body size with warmer monthly temperatures during the late larval stages is the most common temperature‐size response. These results confirm suspected patterns and support hypotheses based on recent studies using a smaller dataset of manually measured specimens.

We show that computer vision can be a powerful tool to efficiently and accurately extract phenotypic data from a very large collection of digital natural history collections. In the future, computer vision will become widely applied to digital collections to advance ecological and evolutionary research and to accelerate their use to investigate biotic response to global change.
Modeling and optimizing the beef supply chain in the Northeastern U.S.
Authors: Ge Houtian , Gómez Miguel , Peters Christian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSeasonality of beef cattle supplies raises supply coordination challenges. In the Northeastern U.S., for example, producers often argue that lack of access to slaughter and processing facilities limits expansion potential, whereas slaughterers and processors posit that there is not enough supply to keep plants fully utilized. We develop an optimization model to determine whether the existing slaughter and processing infrastructure in the region meets producers’ demand for these services. The model allows us to identify the minimum‐cost solution to efficiently utilize those facilities and to assess relative costs associated with product handling. The analysis explores the spatial structure of the Northeast beef cattle assembly, slaughter, processing, and distribution system that might result if these supply chain activities were regionally coordinated. We find that a consolidated network that allows for coordination of the regional beef supply chain system can address possible bottlenecks of plant capacity. This study sheds light on ways to establish and improve regional coordination mechanisms to enhance efficiency in regional food systems.
The burden of peripheral intravenous catheters in older hospital inpatients: A national cross‐sectional study part of the ONE MILLION GLOBAL PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS CATHETERS COLLABORATION
Authors: Ní Chróinín Danielle , Ray‐Barruel Gillian , Carr Peter J. , Frost Steven A. , Rickard Claire M. , Mifflin Nicholas , McManus Craig , Alexandrou Evan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the burden of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in older hospitalised patients.MethodsA cross‐sectional prospective observational study (2014/2015) to describe the characteristics, indications and outcomes of PIVCs among patients aged ≥65 from 65 Australian hospitals.ResultsAmongst 2179 individual PIVCs (in 2041 patients, mean age 77.6 years, 45% female, 58% in NSW), 43% were inserted by doctors and 74% used that day, meaning 25% were ‘idle’. Overall, 18% (393/2179) exhibited signs of PIVC‐related complications. Most commonly exhibited PIVC‐related complications were tenderness (4.1%) and local redness (1.8%). Nearly one in three (29.1%) dressings was soiled, loosened or had come off, and only 36.8% had the time and date documented on the dressing. Both infusing IV medications (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.28–2.38, p < 0.001) and inserting the PIVC in a non‐upper limb vein (aOR 3.40 compared to forearm [reference site], 95% CI 1.62–7.17, p < 0.001) were independently associated with PIVC failure. Phlebitis was exhibited in 7% (154) of the patients. Only infusing intravenous medications increased the likelihood of developing symptoms of phlebitis (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.01–2.57, p = 0.05). Increasing age was inversely associated with symptoms of phlebitis. Among the 1575 patients (79%) who rated their PIVC experience using the Likert scale 0–10 (where 10 = ‘best possible’), the median score was 8 (IQR 6–10). Age in highest quartile (>84 years) was independently associated with lower likelihood of a high score (aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.94, p = 0.02).ConclusionsGiven 1 in 5 PIVCs were identified with having complications, further research should focus on optimising PIVC use in older patients.
“I feel reassured, but there is no guarantee.” How do women with a future childbearing desire respond to active surveillance of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2? A qualitative study
Authors: Hansen Joan , Kirkegaard Pia , Folmann Birgitte , Bungum Helle Folge , Hammer Anne 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionIn Denmark, women with a future childbearing desire diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) are recommended active surveillance instead of excisional treatment. However, we have limited and contradictory knowledge about how active surveillance of CIN2 may affect women emotionally. The aim of this study was to explore thoughts and emotional responses in women undergoing active surveillance of CIN2 and to explore how active surveillance may affect women’s future childbearing desire.Material and methodsThis qualitative study was conducted in the gynecological outpatient clinic, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gødstrup Hospital, Denmark. Women of childbearing age undergoing active surveillance with colposcopy, biopsy and smear every 6 months due to CIN2 were eligible for enrollment. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed using a phenomenological approach.ResultsA total of 20 women were included. All women experienced nervousness and anxiety when they were diagnosed with CIN2 initially. Their main concern was whether they had cancer. Most women carried on with their everyday lives with only minor occasional worries about CIN2, often prompted just before check‐up. However, some women were particularly nervous and found the period between check‐ups frustrating and challenging. Women did not want to postpone their plans for pregnancy because of CIN2, but experienced the worries and check‐ups associated with active surveillance as disruptive elements in their family planning. Women preparing for fertility treatment had their startup unnecessarily delayed due to active surveillance of CIN2, as clinical guidelines were inconsistent across subspecialties. Various factors influenced women’s emotional well‐being: life circumstances, information needs, and mental and physical discomfort during colposcopic examination.ConclusionsWomen felt that worries and check‐ups due to active surveillance of CIN2 were disrupting elements in their family planning, although they did not affect their every‐day life. Some women, however, were particularly anxious, demonstrating the importance of including women’s experiences and preferences in clinical counseling. The fact that fertility treatment was delayed due inconsistent guidelines across subspecialties, suggests a need for a revision of current guidelines.
Endothelial cells promote smooth muscle cell resilience to H2O2‐induced cell death in mouse cerebral arteries
Authors: Norton Charles E. , Shaw Rebecca L. , Mittler Ron , Segal Steven S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimBrain injury produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, little is known of how acute oxidative stress affects cell survival in the cerebral vascular supply. We hypothesized that endothelial cells (ECs) are more resilient to H2O2 and protect vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during acute oxidative stress.MethodsMouse posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs; diameter, ~80 µm) were exposed to H2O2 (200 µM, 50 min, 37°C). Nuclear staining identified dead and live cells of intact and endothelium‐disrupted vessels. SMC [Ca2+]i was assessed with Fura‐2 fluorescence, and superoxide production was assessed by dihydroethidium and MitoSOX fluorescence.ResultsIn response to H2O2: SMC death (21%) exceeded EC death (5%) and increased following endothelial disruption (to 48%) with a corresponding increase in SMC Ca2+ entry through transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Whereas pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 channels prevented SMC death and reduced Ca2+ entry for intact vessels, both remained elevated following endothelial disruption. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of TRPC3 prevented SMC death and attenuated Ca2+ entry for both intact and endothelium‐disrupted vessels. Inhibiting gap junctions increased EC death (to 22%) while SMC death and [Ca2+]i responses were attenuated by inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis or scavenging superoxide/peroxynitrite. Inhibiting NADPH oxidases also prevented SMC Ca2+ entry and death. H2O2 increased mitochondrial ROS production while scavenging mitochondria‐derived superoxide prevented SMC death but not Ca2+ entry.ConclusionsDuring acute exposure of cerebral arteries to acute oxidative stress, ECs are more resilient than SMCs and the endothelium may protect SMCs by reducing Ca2+ entry through TRPC3 channels.
The impact of a gratitude intervention on mental well‐being during COVID‐19: A quasi‐experimental study of university students
Authors: Geier Michael T. , Morris Jermaine 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPrevious research suggest that gratitude interventions are effective in improving mental well‐being, which might be beneficial to university students during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This quasi‐experimental study sought to investigate if a gratitude intervention will lead to higher mental well‐being of university students during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants (N = 47) mental well‐being was assessed before and after 10 weekly gratitude reflection journals and statistically compared with a control group (N = 40). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. The treatment group showed significantly higher well‐being after the gratitude intervention compared with the control group (Cohen's d = 0.74). The treatment group significantly increased (Cohen's d = 0.35) and the control group significantly decreased (Cohen's d = −0.41). Gratitude interventions may be effective in improving the mental well‐being of university students even during a crisis such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. Gratitude interventions seem suitable for improving mental well‐being for temporary mental challenges of university students such as a pandemic or other forms of crisis.
Effect of probiotic supplementation on the expression of tight junction proteins, innate immunity‐associated genes, and microbiota composition of broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress
Authors: Li Qiufen , Ouyang Jingxin , Zhou Hua , You Jinming , Li Guanhong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of probiotic on intestinal innate immunity‐associated gene expression and cecal microbiota in heat‐stressed broilers. A total of 180 21‐day‐old male broilers were randomly assigned to three treatment groups with four replicates per group. The thermoneutral group (TN) (23 ± 1°C) received a basal diet, and another two heat‐stressed groups (28–35–28°C for 12 h daily) were fed the basal diet (HS) or the basal diet supplemented with probiotic at a dose of 1.5 × 108 CFU/kg (HS_Pro) for 21 consecutive days. Compared with the TN group, the abundance of beneficial bacteria was decreased (p < 0.05) in the caecum of heat‐stressed broilers. Heat stress downregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)2 and upregulated (p < 0.05) the expressions of TLR5, TLR15, avian β‐defensin (AvBD)4, AvBD8, and AvBD14 in the ileum as compared with the TN group. Dietary supplementation of probiotic upregulated (p < 0.05) the occludin expression in the ileum, improved the microbiota balance in the caecum, and decreased (p < 0.05) the gene expressions of TLR5 and TLR15 in the ileum of heat‐stressed broilers. Collectively, dietary probiotic supplementation could promote intestinal barrier function via improving gut microbiota community and regulating innate immunity‐associated gene expressions in heat‐stressed broilers.