bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Counting the bodies: Estimating the numbers and spatial variation of Australian reptiles, birds and mammals killed by two invasive mesopredators
Authors: Stobo‐Wilson Alyson M. , Murphy Brett P. , Legge Sarah M. , Caceres‐Escobar Hernan , Chapple David G. , Crawford Heather M. , Dawson Stuart J. , Dickman Chris R. , Doherty Tim S. , Fleming Patricia A. , Garnett Stephen T. , Gentle Matthew , Newsome Thomas M. , Palmer Russell , Rees Matthew W. , Ritchie Euan G. , Speed James , Stuart John‐Michael , Suarez‐Castro Andrés F. , Thompson Eilysh , Tulloch Ayesha , Turpin Jeff M. , Woinarski John C.Z. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimIntroduced predators negatively impact biodiversity globally, with insular fauna often most severely affected. Here, we assess spatial variation in the number of terrestrial vertebrates (excluding amphibians) killed by two mammalian mesopredators introduced to Australia, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus). We aim to identify prey groups that suffer especially high rates of predation, and regions where losses to foxes and/or cats are most substantial.LocationAustralia.MethodsWe draw information on the spatial variation in tallies of reptiles, birds and mammals killed by cats in Australia from published studies. We derive tallies for fox predation by (i) modelling continental‐scale spatial variation in fox density, (ii) modelling spatial variation in the frequency of occurrence of prey groups in fox diet, (iii) analysing the number of prey individuals within dietary samples and (iv) discounting animals taken as carrion. We derive point estimates of the numbers of individuals killed annually by foxes and by cats and map spatial variation in these tallies.ResultsFoxes kill more reptiles, birds and mammals (peaking at 1071 km−2 year−1) than cats (55 km−2 year−1) across most of the unmodified temperate and forested areas of mainland Australia, reflecting the generally higher density of foxes than cats in these environments. However, across most of the continent – mainly the arid central and tropical northern regions (and on most Australian islands) – cats kill more animals than foxes. We estimate that foxes and cats together kill 697 million reptiles annually in Australia, 510 million birds and 1435 million mammals.Main conclusionsThis continental‐scale analysis demonstrates that predation by two introduced species takes a substantial and ongoing toll on Australian reptiles, birds and mammals. Continuing population declines and potential extinctions of some of these species threatens to further compound Australia's poor contemporary conservation record.
Effects of competition and habitat heterogeneity on native‐exotic plant richness relationships across spatial scales
Authors: Rossignaud Laureline , Kimberley Mark O. , Kelly Dave , Fei Songlin , Brockerhoff Eckehard G. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimThe biotic resistance hypothesis posits that greater native species richness limits invasions of exotic species. However, negative native‐exotic richness relationships (NERRs) may reverse with increasing spatial scale, seemingly refuting the hypothesis. Here, we explore the effects of species competitive interactions, environmental factors, habitat heterogeneity and vertical vegetation tiers on the NERRs across spatial scales in native forests.LocationNew Zealand.MethodsWe combined vegetation, land cover and climate data to predict exotic richness from native richness at different vertical tiers (ground to canopy), land cover, plant competition (tree basal area, native ground cover), mean annual temperature and total rainfall. We considered four spatial scales, from single 20 × 20 m plots on an 8‐km grid to groups of plots across grids up to 128 km. Habitat heterogeneity was measured using the variance of climatic conditions among plots within a group.ResultsA negative native tree‐exotic richness relationship (NTERR) was observed at plot level but reversed with increasing spatial scale. Species competitive interactions showed a negative relationship with exotic richness at small/intermediate scales (≤32 km). Rainfall and temperature heterogeneity contributed to the positive NTERR at the largest scale. Adjacent exotic grassland cover had a positive relationship with exotic richness across all scales but did not prevent the NTERR from reversing.Main conclusionsOur analysis shows the importance of considering vegetation structure and adjacent land covers, along with spatial heterogeneity and climatic factors, when testing the biotic resistance hypothesis in forest ecosystems. There is a clear indication that biotic resistance is primarily driven by native trees in the overstorey, probably by limiting resources available to ground tier plants. The results support the notion that the NERR is driven by competitive interspecific interactions at small spatial scales and by habitat heterogeneity at larger scales.
Driver collusion in ride‐hailing platforms
Authors: Tripathy Manish , Bai Jiaru , Heese H. Sebastian (Seb) 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTMany on‐demand service platforms employ state‐dependent pricing strategies to balance supply capacity and customer demand. In the context of ride‐hailing platforms, it has been observed that drivers strategically exploit the structure of such pricing policies by coordinating with each other to deactivate some drivers in order to create an artificial shortage of supply capacity and trigger so‐called surge pricing. We develop a simple and high‐level analytical framework to structurally characterize the drivers of such collusive behavior and the consequences for drivers and the platform. We find that collusive driver behavior is more likely in settings where customers exhibit moderate sensitivity to waiting time. For some of these cases, if customers continue to request service under driver collusion, the platform may benefit from the higher surge prices. For settings where driver collusion is harmful to the platform, we consider two possible mitigation strategies: a bonus payment structure to eliminate the drivers' incentives to collude, which comes at a direct cost to the platform, and a freeze period after deactivating the app during which drivers cannot reactivate. We show that with the appropriate duration, such a freeze period can effectively eliminate driver collusion without any direct costs to the platform.
Graded‐risk sensitivity in northern European mixed‐species flocks of tit and nuthatch species
Authors: Benson Scott A. , Kelly Jeffrey R. , Kullberg Cecilia , Krama Tatjana , Vrublevska Jolanta , Krams Indriķis , Freeberg Todd M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAvian species often use anti‐predator calls such that the costs and benefits of vigilance are distributed within the group. Some species respond differentially to graded risk by attending to relevant predator cues, such as head orientation and gaze direction. One benefit of graded‐risk sensitivity is fewer missed foraging opportunities. It is not known how the makeup of risk response behaviors in mixed‐species flocks may relate to the relative nuclearity of each species in the flock. In the current study, predator models were presented to two nuclear and two satellite species of passerines that frequently occur in natural mixed flocks. Predator models either faced toward or away from a nearby stocked feeder to simulate high and low risk of predation, and calling and seed‐taking rates of the present flock were recorded. The nuclear species, great tits (Parus major) and crested tits (Lophophanes cristatus), took more seeds when the predator faced away from the feeder than toward it. The satellite species, Eurasian nuthatches (Sitta europaea) and willow tits (Poecile montanus), did not show an effect of predator orientation. No species showed consistent differences in calling behavior relative to predator orientation, although insufficient calling data for great tits prevented analysis for this species. The results of this study suggest that one aspect of nuclearity in mixed‐species flocks is a tendency for graded‐risk sensitivity, or alternatively, that satellite species are more sensitive to mere predator presence rather than to predator orientation cues.
Prison staff's perceptions of procedural justice in English and Welsh prisons: A quantitative study
Authors: Wakeling Helen , Fitzalan Howard Flora 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to develop a measure of procedural justice (PJ) perceptions for prison staff, and used this to explore perceptions. A measure of PJ perceptions was created, which had good reliability and validity. Exploration of PJ perceptions found that male, older, more experienced and disciplinary staff held significantly less positive PJ perceptions. Positive PJ perceptions were associated with improved staff motivation and commitment, reduced stress, reduced sickness, and a more positive orientation towards prison residents. Better staff PJ was also associated with better prison residents’ PJ. The importance of ensuring staff feel that their workplace is fair is discussed.
Effects of the proteins of indica rice and indica waxy rice on the formation of volatiles of sweet rice wine
Authors: Yang Yurong , Zhong Haiyan , Yang Ning , Zhu Dongcai , Li Jie , Yang Zhilong , Yang Tao 
Published: March 2022

SummaryThe proteins in the raw materials affect the formation of flavour during fermentation. Among all the fermentation broth of protein fraction in the study, the rice prolamin and albumin effectively promoted floral, honey and fruity characteristics in fermentation with higher level of β‐phenylethyl alcohol, 2,4‐dimethyl‐benzaldehyde and ethyl hexadecanoate than those in the fermentation of globulin and glutelin; albumin is with higher level of higher alcohols, but higher alcohols are not good for health because of their acute toxicity and neurotoxic effects. In a further fermentation experiment of addition of prolamin, extra prolamin significantly promoted the formation of aroma volatiles, especially medium and long fatty acid esters and β‐phenylethyl alcohol and its acetate, and the content of β‐phenethyl acetate in sweet rice wine with added prolamin was more than twice that of single sweet rice wine. This study demonstrates that the different rice protein components significantly affect the volatiles generated by microorganism metabolism to impact the flavour of sweet rice wine, and the flavour quality of sweet rice wine can be enhanced by increasing the prolamin content.
Investigation of using possibility of grape pomace in wafer sheet for wheat flour substitution
Authors: Altinok Emir , Kurultay Sefik , Boluk Esra , Atik Didem Sozeri , Kopuk Berkay , Gunes Recep , Palabiyik Ibrahim , Konar Nevzat , Toker Omer Said 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this study, grape pomace (GP), a by‐product consisting of grape skins and seeds rich in dietary fibres and polyphenols, was used in wafer sheets at different concentrations [5.00 (GP5), 10.0 (GP10), and 15.0 g 100 g−1(GP15)] for the partial replacement of wheat flour (WF) and improve the functionality of wafer sheets. The GP inclusion at concentrations higher than 5.00 g 100 g−1significantly affected the texture of sheets as well as the flow behaviour of batters, resulting in softer sheets and more viscous batters (P < 0.05). Moisture contents did not significantly change after GP addition (P > 0.05). After the addition of GP, the L* values decreased and the a* values increased, making the wafers darker (P < 0.05). Moreover, under simulatedin vitrodigestion conditions, the bioaccessibility of total phenolic compounds in saliva, gastric juice, and intestinal juice was significantly higher than control even at the lowest GP concentration (P < 0.05). Regarding sensory properties, only smoothness and crispness were significantly affected by GP addition, and samples were found to be crisper with higher concentrations of GP. In conclusion, it is possible to partially replace the WF in wafers with GP at a concentration of 5.00 g 100 g−1to develop a product with higher functionality and nutrient content.
Effect of glucose levels on the rheo‐fermentation properties of dough during fermentation
Authors: Xie Dongdong , Lei Yanan , Sun Yingqi 
Published: March 2022

SummaryIn this study, recombinant dough and simulated dough medium were used to study the effect of different glucose levels on quality of dough. With the increase of glucose levels (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 g/100 g mixed flour) in recombinant dough, the water absorption and extensibility of the dough decreased significantly. Compared with the sugar‐free medium, the maximum height of the dough added with glucose gradually increased, and the CO2 retention rate decreased slightly. The glucose levels in the dough changed the water mobility and distribution. Compared with 3% glucose levels, yeast produced much more glycerol content and ethanol content in 6% and 15% glucose medium, which affected rheological properties of dough. Different glucose levels affected the fermentation state of yeast and metabolites significantly, 3% glucose medium was more suitable for the dough fermentation and growth of yeast during dough fermentation.
Nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15) loss‐of‐function variants in an Australian inflammatory bowel disease population
Authors: Afrin Sadia , Simms Lisa A. , Lord Anton , Radford‐Smith Graham L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThiopurine‐related adverse events such as leukopenia, liver dysfunction and pancreatitis are associated with variants in the NUDT15 gene. Loss‐of‐function (low or no enzyme activity) alleles are more common in Asian and Hispanic populations. The prevalence of these variants in the Australian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population has not yet been reported.AimTo evaluate the presence of NUDT15 loss‐of‐function alleles *2,*3,*9 in the Australian IBD population.MethodsThe NUDT15 screening cohort included 423 IBD patients from Brisbane, Australia. Study patients were recruited by: (i) retrospective review of clinical charts for thiopurine‐related severe adverse events; (ii) pathology data (white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts). NUDT15 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐high‐resolution melt (HRM), TaqMan genotyping and Sanger sequencing.ResultsNUDT15 mutation R139C (allele *3) was identified in 8 of 423 (1.9%) IBD patients. Seven of eight patients were R139C heterozygous (C/T) and one patient was R139C homozygous (T/T). One of the C/T group and the T/T patient developed thiopurine‐induced myelosuppression (TIM) within 60 days of dosing. One patient in the C/T group developed TIM after 60 days of thiopurine dosing. The remaining five patients in the C/T group did not show TIM; however, other thiopurine‐related events could not be ruled out and therefore careful monitoring over a long period is recommended.ConclusionsThis is the first study to report the frequency of NUDT15 haplotypes *2,*3,*9 in an Australian IBD population. The most common variant detected was the R139C mutation. PCR and Sanger sequencing are efficient and cost‐effective approaches for NUDT15 genotyping.
The effect of institutional factors and people’s preferences on expenditure for social protection
Authors: Vinci Vincenzo , Gassmann Franziska , Mohnen Pierre 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis article analyses whether and to what extent social protection expenditure varies with institutional quality and people’s preferences using cross‐section and cross‐country panel data. It uses data on expenditure taken from the International Labour Office database focusing on 52 low‐ and middle‐income countries and on 80 high‐, low‐ and middle‐income countries. The results show that both factors have an impact for the group of low‐ and middle‐income countries, but also for all the countries in the sample. The estimates are robust to different definitions of the dependent variables and different measures for the quality of institutions. Our results suggest that it is worthwhile to continue enhancing the capacity of institutions and public authorities as well as to channel people’s preferences on social protection interventions into the planning and budgeting process where the decisions on social protection programmes are taken and resources allocated.
Efficacy and safety of pectoralis muscle flap combined rectus abdominis muscle sheath fasciocutaneous flap for reconstruction of sternal infection
Authors: Yu Chieh‐Ming , Yu Chia‐Meng , Yao Wen‐Teng , Chen Yu‐Fan , Lee An‐Li , Liu Ying‐Chun , Tu Chih‐Peng , Huang Wen‐Chen , Tung Kwang‐Yi , Tsai Ming‐Feng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractFew studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of reconstruction of sternal infection using a pectoralis muscle flap combined with a rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) sheath fasciocutaneous flap. We report here our experience with this procedure to reconstruct the sternal defect in patients (n = 46) with a deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after cardiac surgery. After wound reconstruction, the proportion of prolonged mechanical ventilation use and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were 17.4% (n = 8) and 21.7% (n = 10), respectively. The 30‐day all‐cause mortality was 15.2%; recurrence rate was 17.4%; postoperative complications were 15.2%; and median hospital stay was 31 (0‐157) days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension (β = 21.32, 95%CI 4.955‐37.68, P = .014), drainage‐tube use (β = 0.944, 95%CI 0.273‐1.614, P = .008), and prolonged intensive care unit stay (β = 53.65, 95%CI 31.353‐75.938, P < .001) were significantly correlated with hospital stay. In conclusion, a procedure including surgical debridement, sternal reconstruction with bilateral PM and RAM sheath flap, long‐term antibiotics, and adequate drainage is a beneficial technique in the reconstruction of deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery. Duration of drainage tube use may be as an index for a hospital stay or wound healing.
Isolation and characterization of competitive exclusion microorganisms from animal wastes–based composts against Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Wang Hongye , Jiang Xiuping 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Aim
To isolate the slow-growing or viable but non-culturable competitive exclusion (CE) microorganisms from composts and then verify the anti-Listeria monocytogenes activities of those CE isolates in compost.

Methods and Results
CE strains were isolated from composts using double- or triple-layer agar methods, purified, and then characterized. Both compost extracts and solid compost samples were spiked with a cocktail of 3 L. monocytogenes strains which were co-inoculated with or without CE strain cocktail and incubated at both 22 and 35°C for 168 h. Results indicated that the addition of resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) promoted the growth of slow-growing species from composts. About 50% of the isolated CE strains (n = 40) were identified as Bacillus spp., 17 strains can inhibit more than 10 tested L. monocytogenes strains, and nine strains were motile and competitive biofilm formers. In compost extracts, the growth potentials of L. monocytogenes were reduced up to 2.2 logs when co-culturing with CE strains. In compost samples, the addition of CE strains reduced L. monocytogenes population by ca. 1.3 log CFU/g at 22°C after 24–168 h incubation.

Conclusion
Our modified double/triple-layer agar procedure with Rpf as growth supplement coupled with spot-on-lawn testing can be a quick and efficient method for isolating CE candidates from composts. The efficacy of CE strains against L. monocytogenes in compost extracts and compost samples was affected by compost type, nutrient level, and incubation temperature.

Significance and Impact of the Study
Compost is a rich source of CE microorganisms, and compost-adapted CE microorganisms have the potential as a biological agent to control L. monocytogenes in agricultural environments.
Historical biogeography shapes functional ecology: Inter‐continental contrasts in responses of savanna ant communities to stress and disturbance
Authors: Andersen Alan N. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMost comparative studies of biological communities in different biogeographical regions highlight ecological convergence under matched environments. Here we use savanna ant communities as a striking example where such convergence has not occurred. The savanna ant faunas of Australia, Brazil and Africa have very different functional composition due to their highly contrasting evolutionary origins.We synthesise the literature relating to the diversity and composition of savanna ant communities in the three continents, along with ant community responses to fire and aridity.Australian savannas evolved in association with a desert biome and its fauna is strongly arid adapted: it is exceptionally thermophilic, granivorous species are extremely diverse and abundant, high diversity is maintained with increasing aridity, and communities are highly resilient to simplification of vegetation structure induced by frequent fire. Brazilian savannas evolved surrounded by rainforest and have a forest‐derived ant fauna; this fauna is not so highly thermophilic, granivory is almost absent, diversity declines with increasing aridity and communities are highly sensitive to fire‐induced vegetation change. Africa has a very generalised ant fauna that has moderate representations of highly thermophilic and granivorous species, diversity appears to decline with increasing aridity, but communities are highly resilient to fire.The different biogeographical histories of tropical savannas in Australia, Brazil and Africa have led to functionally distinct ant faunas that display contrasting responses to environmental stress and disturbance. Phylogenetic niche conservatism seems to be particularly strong for granivory and thermophilia. Such intercontinental differences have important implications for understanding biodiversity responses to land management and climate change.
A review of giants: Examining the species identities of the world's heaviest extant bony fishes (ocean sunfishes, family Molidae)
Authors: Sawai Etsuro , Nyegaard Marianne 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe world's heaviest extant bony fish has long been considered the ocean sunfish Mola mola (family Molidae). However, recent taxonomic research suggests the world record specimen (2300 kg) was actually a misidentified giant sunfish M. alexandrini. Moreover, the history of taxonomic confusion in the genus Mola, combined with anecdotal size information perpetuated in both media and literature, has resulted in uncertainty in regard to species identity and actual weights of very large Mola specimens. In this study, we searched for records of molid specimens with reported body mass over 2000 kg, with a focus on the north‐west and south‐west Pacific. For each specimen, we reviewed the species identification and assessed the reliability of the information, including if the specimen had actually been weighed. Of the 15 specimens uncovered, we identified one M. mola and 14 M. alexandrini, and found that only five had actually been weighed (one with the viscera removed). Furthermore, we collected length–weight data for verified M. alexandrini specimens from the literature and museum specimens, and established the first length–weight relationship for this species [body mass (kg) = 1.1 × 10−5 × total length (cm)3.3248 (29–330 cm total length, n = 20)]. These findings are discussed in the context of other extant bony fish species, which allegedly also exceed 2000 kg in body mass, i.e., other Molidae species and the beluga sturgeon Huso huso. Overall, we conclude that M. alexandrini is the only extant bony fish species we could confirm that exceeds 2000 kg, and that basic biological information is generally not collected when very large molid specimens occasionally are stranded or are caught. Finally, we confirm that the world's heaviest extant bony fish specimen actually weighed was a female M. alexandrini (2300 kg, 272 cm total length) captured from Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on August 16, 1996.