bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenological sensitivity to climate change is higher in resident than in migrant bird populations among European cavity breeders
Authors: Samplonius Jelmer M. , Bartošová Lenka , Burgess Malcolm D. , Bushuev Andrey V. , Eeva Tapio , Ivankina Elena V. , Kerimov Anvar B. , Krams Indrikis , Laaksonen Toni , Mägi Marko , Mänd Raivo , Potti Jaime , Török János , Trnka Miroslav , Visser Marcel E. , Zang Herwig , Both Christiaan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMany organisms adjust their reproductive phenology in response to climate change, but phenological sensitivity to temperature may vary between species. For example, resident and migratory birds have vastly different annual cycles, which can cause differential temperature sensitivity at the breeding grounds, and may affect competitive dynamics. Currently, however, adjustment to climate change in resident and migratory birds have been studied separately or at relatively small geographical scales with varying time series durations and methodologies. Here, we studied differential effects of temperature on resident and migratory birds using the mean egg laying initiation dates from 10 European nest box schemes between 1991 and 2015 that had data on at least one resident tit species and at least one migratory flycatcher species. We found that both tits and flycatchers advanced laying in response to spring warming, but resident tit populations advanced more strongly in relation to temperature increases than migratory flycatchers. These different temperature responses have already led to a divergence in laying dates between tits and flycatchers of on average 0.94 days per decade over the current study period. Interestingly, this divergence was stronger at lower latitudes where the interval between tit and flycatcher phenology is smaller and winter conditions can be considered more favorable for resident birds. This could indicate that phenological adjustment to climate change by flycatchers is increasingly hampered by competition with resident species. Indeed, we found that tit laying date had an additional effect on flycatcher laying date after controlling for temperature, and this effect was strongest in areas with the shortest interval between both species groups. Combined, our results suggest that the differential effect of climate change on species groups with overlapping breeding ecology affects the phenological interval between them, potentially affecting interspecific interactions.
Seed production in grassland species: Morpho‐biological determinants in a species‐rich semi‐natural grassland
Authors: Scotton M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractStudying the seed production of herbaceous species can help to conserve grassland habitats and re‐create new high‐value grassland surfaces. Studies on grassland seed production have focused mainly on individual species and traits, without characterizing their relative importance at the plant community level. The aim of this study was to investigate the entire seed production process of the main species in a temperate grassland. Fertile shoots (FS) of twenty‐nine grasses and forbs were collected over 4 years and analysed for sixteen traits that determine inflorescence size, seed production and seed quality. The per cent viability played a predominant role in determining the total production of viable seeds. Forbs showed a range of reproductive strategies, including variable distribution of flowers among growth periods, number of inflorescences per FS and relationship between seed size and FS density in the grassland. The flower production for grasses was concentrated in the first growth period, but this limitation was mitigated by a higher seed dormancy. The number of viable seeds per FS and seed size were important components of the reproductive strategy of forbs, with heavy‐seeded species being characterised by high individual densities in the community, but producing few seeds per FS. Light‐seeded species showed an opposite pattern. The results suggest that when using seeds from semi‐natural grasslands for ecological restoration, special attention should be paid to the seed amount, germinability and viability of forbs, as they seem to depend more on seed reproduction and have a lower ovule to seed transformation efficiency.
Impact of salt reduction in meals consumed during hemodialysis sessions on interdialytic weight gain and hemodynamic stability
Authors: Colson Arthur , Brinkley Anita , Braconnier Philippe , Ammor Nadia , Burnier Michel , Pruijm Menno 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroduction: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) are advised to limit daily water‐ and salt intake to reduce interdialytic weight gain (IDWG). To counterbalance protein‐losses, protein‐rich meals are sometimes provided during HD sessions, but their salt content is not always taken into account. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a lower salt content of meals provided during HD sessions on IDWG, blood pressure (BP), and hemodynamic stability during dialysis.Methods: This monocentric, interventional study was proposed to all the patients treated with three weekly HD sessions. The first two months of the study (high salt period), the patients continued to receive one sandwich containing 2.4 g of salt per session. Then, we reduced its salt content from 2.4 to 1.4 g, and patients received this “low‐salt sandwich” at each dialysis session for four months. The mean values of IDWG, BP, and dry weight of the first two months were compared with those collected during the low salt periods (2–6 months).Findings: Forty out of 76 patients who initially agreed to participate were free of hospitalization, transplantation, and transfer to another center or death during the study period and were included in the final analysis (35% women). Median age was 63 years (range 28–90), 22.5% had a residual diuresis > 0.5 L/day. IDWG baseline decreased from 2.17 ± 0.98 to 2.03 ± 1 kg (P = 0.001) two months and to 2.09 ± 1.01 kg (P = 0.009) four months after we had lowered the salt content of the sandwich. The number of symptomatic intradialytic hypotension was also reduced (6.1% vs., respectively, 3.2% and 3.3% of HD sessions; P = 0.004).Discussion: IDWG was reduced and hemodynamic stability improved after the reduction of the salt content of perdialytic meals. This suggests that salt consumed during HD matters and might influence salt and water intake outside the dialysis unit.
Comparison between open and pharmacomechanical repair of acutely thrombosed arteriovenous hemodialysis fistulae within a decade
Authors: Regus Susanne , Almási‐Sperling Veronika , Rother Ulrich , Meyer Alexander , Schmid Axel , Uder Michael , Lang Werner 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroduction: Different declotting techniques are available for acutely thrombosed arteriovenous hemodialysis fistulae (AVF). The aim of this single‐center study was to compare immediate and follow‐up results between surgical repair and a modified interventional lyse‐and‐wait technique characterized by prolonged local reaction times of recombinant tissue‐plasminogen activator (rtPA).Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 110 consecutively treated patients between the years 2003 and 2013. All patients were on hemodialysis (HD) and suffered from an acutely thrombosed AVF. The treatment standards changed in the course of time, wherefore we compared 2 groups: the open repair (OR) (N = 50) and the endovascular repair (ER) group (N = 60).Findings: We found no significant differences in success rates (OR 92%/ER 96.7%; P = 0.28), immediate failures (IFs) (OR 8%/ER 10%; P = 0.71), and temporary catheter placements (TCPs) (OR 10%/ER 6.7%; P = 0.52). Furthermore, there were no differences in cumulative primary patency rates (P = 0.42) and secondary patency rates (P = 0.97).The infection rate was significantly increased after OR (8%) compared to ER (0%); P = 0.026. The hospital stay in days was shorter after ER (5.2 ±2.8) vs. OR (9.0 ± 3.5); P < 0.001.Conclusion: The modified lyse‐and‐wait technique with prolonged local reaction times is a successful alternative to surgical repair for acutely thrombosed AVF. Clear benefits are less infections and significant shorter hospital stays after ER. However, OR remains the preferred treatment for aneurysms and anastomotic stenoses.
Young consumers in the digital era: The selfie effect
Authors: Berg Lisbet 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis article investigates a mechanism named the selfie effect. By their frequent sharing of selfies on social media, perhaps displaying their cool new fashions or newly acquired tattoos, young people—unintentionally—help providers to promote their products and services, and thereby contribute to the commercial pressure. The existence of a selfie effect builds on hypotheses originating from a pilot interview study concerning how young adults master the consumer role. In this article, the existence of a selfie effect is investigated in a nationally representative web survey with 1,707 respondents aged 16–60, living in Norway. While 59% of the teenagers said they were posting selfies weekly or more often, only 2% among those in their fifties did. The multivariate quantitative analyses support the idea that teenagers and young adults, frequently online, become vulnerable in the consumer role. Particularly posting selfies and following bloggers increase consumer detriment and overconsumption.
Levodopa‐carbidopa intestinal gel: is the naso‐jejunal phase a redundant convention?
Authors: Vijiaratnam Nirosen , Hewer Sarah , Varley Sue , Paul Eldho , Bertram Kelly L. , Lee Will , Ligtermoet Matthew , Williams David R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLevodopa‐carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is an effective treatment for Parkinson disease. Initiating therapy involves an initial naso‐jejunal (NJ) titration phase. The NJ phase is prolonged with significant morbidity. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of proceeding without the NJ phase on resource utilisation and the outcomes of patients. Twenty‐five patients were started on LCIG using the patients existing levodopa equivalent dose (LED). We recorded change in LED, length of hospital stay, readmission rates and use of outpatient services and clinical outcomes within 6 months. The median length of stay was 4.5 days. Patients had four outpatient clinic reviews and 2.5 community nurse contacts within 6 months. There was no significant change in daily LED on discharge (P = 0.56). There were significant improvements in all Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale subscores (P < 0.05), the Freezing of Gait scale (P < 0.01) and Parkinson Disease Quality Of Life 39 score (P < 0.01). Initiating LCIG without the NJ phase resulted in short admissions, a minimal outpatient burden and no significant requirement for dose titration while producing good clinical outcomes.
The potential economic value of influenza vaccination for healthcare workers in The Netherlands
Authors: Meijboom Marjan J. , Riphagen‐Dalhuisen Josien , Hak Eelko 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundDespite the clinical evidence, influenza vaccination coverage of healthcare workers remains low. To assess the health economic value of implementing an influenza immunization program among healthcare workers (HCW) in University Medical Centers (UMCs) in the Netherlands, a cost‐benefit model was developed using a societal perspective.Methods/PatientsThe model was based on a trial performed among all UMCs in the Netherlands that included both hospital staff and patients admitted to the pediatrics and internal medicine departments. The model structure and parameters estimates were based on the trial and complemented with literature research, and the impact of uncertainty explored with sensitivity analyses.ResultsIn a base‐case scenario without vaccine coverage, influenza‐related annual costs were estimated at € 410 815 for an average UMC with 8000 HCWs and an average occupancy during the influenza period of 6000 hospitalized patients. Of these costs, 82% attributed to the HCWs and 18% were patient‐related. With a vaccination coverage of 15.47%, the societal program’s savings were € 2861 which corresponds to a saving of € 270.53 per extended hospitalization. Univariate sensitivity analyses show that the results are most sensitive to changes in the model parameters vaccine effectiveness in reducing influenza‐like illness (ILI) and the vaccination‐related costs.ConclusionIn addition to the decreased burden of patient morbidity among hospitalized patients, the effects of the hospital immunization program slightly outweigh the economic investments. These outcomes may support healthcare policymakers’ recommendations about the influenza vaccination program for healthcare workers.
Towards an adequate and sustainable replacement rate in defined benefit pension systems: The case of Spain
Authors: Alonso Fernández Juan José , Devesa Carpio José Enrique , Devesa Carpio Mar , Domínguez Fabián Inmaculada , Encinas Goenechea Borja , Meneu Gaya Robert 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe main objective of this article is to determine, based on internal data, replacement rates for a defined benefit pension system, with two aims: the adequacy of pensions – measured in terms of the expenditure of retirees – and the sustainability of the system. For this purpose two instruments are used: the internal rate of return, and techniques based on systems of notional accounts. These figures, derived from internal data, will serve, by comparison with the replacement rate of the system, to assess whether the system tends more towards adequacy or sustainability. The system studied is that of Spain.
Linking taxation and social protection: Evidence on redistribution and poverty reduction in Ethiopia
Authors: Hirvonen Kalle , Mascagni Giulia , Roelen Keetie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAlthough redistribution results from the simultaneous effects of taxes and transfers, analyses of their distributional effects in low‐income countries have largely been undertaken from singular perspectives. This article jointly assesses the distributional effect of taxes and transfers (through social protection) using Ethiopia as a case study. We find that Ethiopia's flagship social protection programme is more effective than income taxation in achieving poverty reduction, while neither policy achieves a sizeable reduction in overall inequality. We also find that Ethiopia does not currently have the capacity to close the poverty gap or to fully fund its main safety net programme using domestic income sources alone.
Commentary: The neonatal brain and the challenge of imaging biomarkers, reflections on Batalle et al. (2018)
Authors: Gilmore John H. 
Published: April 2018

This review by Batalle et al. comes at an important time in the field as neonatal imaging has matured to a point that important questions can now be asked in a more definitive way. Identifying imaging biosmarkers that reflect the prenatal and early childhood origins of cognitive ability, behavior, and risk for neuropsychiatric disorders is now possible, and this commentary offers suggestions for addressing some of the challenges that lie ahead.
Overaccumulation, Interest, and Prices
Authors: GUNN CHRISTOPHER M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractI use a financial accelerator model to study interest and prices under boom–busts driven by changes in expectations about total factor productivity (TFP) and credit. I show that inflation falls in the boom phase of the TFP episode and then recovers during the bust, yet rises in the boom phase of the credit episode and then falls during the bust. Furthermore, for both episodes, the overaccumulation of debt relative to capital during the boom is critical for the busts since it implies a fall in credit worthiness. Finally, I show that stricter inflation targeting reduces inefficiencies in all instances but the boom phase of the TFP episode.
Gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone and its mammalian orthologue RFamide‐related peptide‐3: Discovery and functional implications for reproduction and stress
Authors: Kriegsfeld L. J. , Jennings K. J. , Bentley G. E. , Tsutsui K. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAt the turn of the millennium, a neuropeptide with pronounced inhibitory actions on avian pituitary gonadotrophin secretion was identified and named gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH). Across bird species, GnIH acts at the level of the pituitary and the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal system to inhibit reproduction. Subsequent to this initial discovery, orthologues of GnIH have been identified and characterised across a broad range of species. In many vertebrates, the actions of GnIH and its orthologues serve functional roles analogous to those seen in birds. In other cases, GnIH and its orthologues exhibit more diverse actions dependent on sex, species, season and reproductive condition. The present review highlights the discovery and functional implications of GnIH across species, focusing on research domains in which the significance of this neuropeptide has been explored most.
Atmospheric skin aging—Contributors and inhibitors
Authors: McDaniel David , Farris Patricia , Valacchi Giuseppe 
Published: April 2018

SummaryCutaneous aging is a complex biological process consisting of 2 elements: intrinsic aging, which is primarily determined by genetics, and extrinsic aging, which is largely caused by atmospheric factors, such as exposure to sunlight and air pollution, and lifestyle choices, such as diet and smoking. The role of the solar spectrum, comprised of ultraviolet light, specifically UVB (290‐320 nm) and UVA (320‐400) in causing skin damage, including skin cancers, has been well documented. In recent years, the contribution of visible light (400‐700 nm) and infrared radiation (above 800 nm) in causing skin damage, similar to the photodamage caused by UV light, is also being elucidated. In addition, other atmospheric factors such as air pollution (smog, ozone, particulate matter, etc.) have been implicated in premature skin aging. The skin damage caused by environmental exposure is largely attributable to a complex cascade of reactions inside the skin initiated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes oxidative damage to cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These damaged skin cells initiate inflammatory responses leading to the eventual damage manifested in chronically exposed skin. Novel therapeutic strategies to combat ROS species generation are being developed to prevent the skin damage caused by atmospheric factors. In addition to protecting skin from solar radiation using sunscreens, other approaches using topically applied ingredients, particularly antioxidants that penetrate the skin and protect the skin from within, have also been well documented. This review summarizes current knowledge of atmospheric aggressors, including UVA, UVB, visible light, infrared radiation (IR), and ozone on skin damage, and proposes new avenues for future research in the prevention and treatment of premature skin aging caused by such atmospheric factors. New therapeutic modalities currently being developed are also discussed.
Behaviors of active sunbeds users and their knowledge on the potential health risks; results of cross‐sectional study in Poland
Authors: Gajda Maksymilian , Kamińska‐Winciorek Grażyna , Wydmański Jerzy , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Kowalska Małgorzata 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundCurrent literature review indicates that there is an increase in risk of skin melanoma due to the use of sunbeds.AimsTo assess behaviors and opinions about health risk related to tanning.MethodsFrom March 2012 to June of the same year, nonrepresentative cross‐sectional study was conducted online concerning knowledge and behaviors during tanning. Data from 4919 people (80% of women, median age 25 years [IQR: 20‐36]) were analyzed statistically with R software (level of significance at α = .05). We used the authors “active users of sunbeds” (AUS) criterion, denoting person using it ≥2 times per year with an average sessions lasting ≥5 minutes (cutoff values above 1 quartile). The reference was those not meeting above criteria.ResultsA total of 926 persons (18.8%) stated that they use sunbeds, while 680 (13.8%) met the criterion of AUS. Within the AUS group, the median number of visits in the tanning beds rooms was 10 (IQR: 5‐15) per year, with single session lasting 9 (IQR: 7‐10) minutes. The majority (83.5%) of AUS tanned naked indoors, with only 47.4% to have used safety glasses. These individuals were significantly more likely to be women, better educated, and were considered outdoor tanners. AUS were less aware of the risks associated with sunburns, with equal use of sunscreen and reapplication more frequently (as non‐AUS).ConclusionsThe level of knowledge in the field of prevention of melanoma was similar in both groups; however, AUS group more frequently took risky behaviors related to sun exposure.
Searching for unknown transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis viruses: a binational cohort study of 1.5 million transfused patients
Authors: Edgren G. , Hjalgrim H. , Rostgaard K. , Dahl V. , Titlestad K. , Erikstrup C. , Wikman A. , Norda R. , Majeed A. ,   for the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundBoth hepatitis B and C viruses were transmitted through blood transfusion before implementation of donor screening. The existence of additional, yet unknown transfusion transmittable agents causing liver disease could have important public health implications.MethodsAnalyses were based on the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions (SCANDAT2) database. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of developing chronic liver disease in recipients of blood from donors who later developed any chronic liver disease compared to recipients who received blood transfusion from healthy donors. We also studied whether the risk of liver disease was increased in patients who received units from ‘high‐risk’ donors, defined as donors who had a higher than expected occurrence of liver disease amongst their previous recipients. All analyses were stratified before and after 1992 to account for the effect of screening for hepatitis C virus.ResultsA total of 1 482 922 transfused patients were included in the analyses. Analyses showed evidence of transfusion transmission of liver diseases before, but not after the implementation of hepatitis C virus screening in 1992, with HRs for any liver disease of 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30–1.46] and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.91–1.07), before and after 1992, respectively. Similarly, blood components from ‘high‐risk’ donors conferred increased risks before, but not after 1992.ConclusionsOur data provide no evidence for transfusion transmission of agents causing liver disease after the implementation of screening for hepatitis B and C, and suggest that if such transmission does occur, it is rare.