bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growing Green Democracy? Barriers to Ecological Modernization in Democratizing States
Authors: O'Brien Thomas 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTEcological modernization has established an important position in the field of environmental politics. The adoption of technocratic solutions to environmental challenges is attractive to policymakers. Ecological modernization enables such an approach, in combination with mechanisms for participation and reflexive policy development. However, there are questions regarding the applicability of the concept to political contexts differing from those in the Northern European states in which it first emerged. This paper examines the challenges associated with adopting ecological modernization in the context of democratization and draws on analysis of the development of environmental politics in Bulgaria to illustrate the difficulties identified. The findings suggest that the adoption of ecological modernization during a period of democratization may lead to the hardening of closed technocratic policy‐making, limiting wider participation and preventing the development of stronger and more reflexive forms of ecological modernization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Generation of highly effective and stable murine alloreactive Treg cells by combined anti‐CD4 mAb, TGF‐β, and RA treatment
Authors: Schliesser Ulrike , Chopra Martin , Beilhack Andreas , Appelt Christine , Vogel Simone , Schumann Julia , Panov Ivo , Vogt Katrin , Schlickeiser Stephan , Olek Sven , Wood Kathryn , Brandt Christine , Volk Hans‐Dieter , Sawitzki Birgit 
Published: August 2013

The transfer of alloreactive regulatory T (aTreg) cells into transplant recipients represents an attractive treatment option to improve long‐term graft acceptance. We recently described a protocol for the generation of aTreg cells in mice using a nondepleting anti‐CD4 antibody (aCD4). Here, we investigated whether adding TGF‐β and retinoic acid (RA) or rapamycin (Rapa) can further improve aTreg‐cell generation and function. Murine CD4+ T cells were cultured with allogeneic B cells in the presence of aCD4 alone, aCD4+TGF‐β+RA or aCD4+Rapa. Addition of TGF‐β+RA or Rapa resulted in an increase of CD25+Foxp3+‐expressing T cells. Expression of CD40L and production of IFN‐γ and IL‐17 was abolished in aCD4+TGF‐β+RA aTreg cells. Additionally, aCD4+TGF‐β+RA aTreg cells showed the highest level of Helios and Neuropilin‐1 co‐expression. Although CD25+Foxp3+ cells from all culture conditions displayed complete demethylation of the Treg‐specific demethylated region, aCD4+TGF‐β+RA Treg cells showed the most stable Foxp3 expression upon restimulation. Consequently, aCD4+TGF‐β+RA aTreg cells suppressed effector T‐cell differentiation more effectively in comparison to aTreg cells harvested from all other cultures, and furthermore inhibited acute graft versus host disease and especially skin transplant rejection. Thus, addition of TGF‐β+RA seems to be superior over Rapa in stabilising the phenotype and functional capacity of aTreg cells.
Time until nursing home admission in people with mild dementia: comparison of dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: Rongve Arvid , Vossius Corinna , Nore Sabine , Testad Ingelin , Aarsland Dag 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveWe studied time until nursing home admission (NHA) in mild dementia and predictors for NHA in people with Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and how it compares to Alzheimer's dementia (AD).MethodsKaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards were applied.ResultsMedian time until NHA was 1114 days (95% confidence interval [CI] [932, 1296]). In DLB median time until NHA was 663 days [472, 998]) as compared with 1336 days (1068, 1606) in AD, p < 0.0005. Predictors of shorter time to NHA in the DLB and AD groups in unadjusted analyses were a DLB diagnosis, the use of antipsychotic medication, more advanced age, longer duration of dementia symptoms prior to diagnosis, living alone, higher reported caregiver distress, and more neuropsychiatric symptoms. The use of cholinesterase inhibitors was associated with halved risk of NHA in the combined DLB/AD group in the unadjusted Cox regression. In adjusted Cox regression in the DLB group, we found the use of cholinesterase inhibitors to be associated with reduced risk of NHA (HR = 0.24) and the use of antipsychotic medication to be associated with increased risk of NHA (HR = 37) during the study period.ConclusionPatients diagnosed with DLB had nearly 2 years shorter time to NHA than those diagnosed with AD. In the DLB group, the use of cholinesterase inhibitors was associated with reduced and the use of antipsychotics with increased risk of NHA. Future studies should explore whether better identification and management of the variety of clinical problems in patients diagnosed with DLB can delay NHA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the global character of overlap between low and high clouds
Authors: Yuan Tianle , Oreopoulos Lazaros 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe global character of overlap between low and high clouds is examined using active satellite sensors. Low‐cloud fraction has a strong land‐ocean contrast with oceanic values double those over land. Major low‐cloud regimes include not only the eastern ocean boundary stratocumulus and shallow cumulus but also those associated with cold air outbreaks downwind of wintertime continents and land stratus over particular geographic areas. Globally, about 30% of low clouds are overlapped by high clouds. The overlap rate exhibits strong spatial variability ranging from higher than 90% in the tropics to less than 5% in subsidence areas and is anticorrelated with subsidence rate and low‐cloud fraction. The zonal mean of vertical separation between cloud layers is never smaller than 5 km and its zonal variation closely follows that of tropopause height, implying a tight connection with tropopause dynamics. Possible impacts of cloud overlap on low clouds are discussed.
The influence of land use patterns on water quality at multiple spatial scales in a river system
Authors: Wang Guoqiang , A Yinglan , Xu Zongxue , Zhang Shurong 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe influence of land use patterns on water quality in a river system is scale‐dependent. In this study, a four‐order hierarchical arrangement method was used to select water sampling sites and to delineate sub‐basins in the Daliao River Basin, China. The 20 sub‐basins were classified into four spatial scales that represented four different stream orders. Pearson correlation analysis was used to quantify relationships between land use composition and the river's physical‐chemical variables for all samples collected. This analysis showed that the presence of forest cover was associated with higher water quality at the scale of the whole basin. The scale effects of land use patterns on water quality were then examined using stepwise multiple regression analysis that compared different land use types with water quality variables. The results from this analysis showed that urban areas, as opposed to forest areas, became the most significant contributors of water pollutants when scale effects were considered. The influence of urban land cover on water pollution was significantly higher at larger scales. The lack of a significant regression correlation for the forest land use type at smaller scales revealed that forest located upstream of the Daliao River Basin did not provide a buffer for improved water quality. Further analysis showed that this result could be because of disproportionate spatial distributions for forest and urban land use types. The topographic characteristics of sub‐basins, such as average slope (S) and size (A), were determined to be secondary explanatory variables that affected land use impacts on stream water quality. Areas with steep slopes were associated with increased water oxygenation, whereas areas with flatter slopes were associated with higher concentrations of pollutants. These results are significant because they can provide a better understanding of the appropriate spatial scale required for effective river basin management in the future. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel processing of bioglass ceramics from silicone resins containing micro‐ and nano‐sized oxide particle fillers
Authors: Fiocco L. , Bernardo E. , Colombo P. , Cacciotti I. , Bianco A. , Bellucci D. , Sola A. , Cannillo V. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractHighly porous scaffolds with composition similar to those of 45S5 and 58S bioglasses were successfully produced by an innovative processing method based on preceramic polymers containing micro‐ and nano‐sized fillers. Silica from the decomposition of the silicone resins reacted with the oxides deriving from the fillers, yielding glass ceramic components after heating at 1000°C. Despite the limited mechanical strength, the obtained samples possessed suitable porous architecture and promising biocompatibility and bioactivity characteristics, as testified by preliminary in vitro tests. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2502–2510, 2014.
A novel porous bioceramics scaffold by accumulating hydroxyapatite spherulites for large bone tissue engineering in vivo. II. Construct large volume of bone grafts
Authors: Zhi Wei , Zhang Cong , Duan Ke , Li Xiaohong , Qu Shuxin , Wang Jianxin , Zhu Zhuoli , Huang Peng , Xia Tian , Liao Ga , Weng Jie 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn vivo engineering of bone autografts using bioceramic scaffolds with appropriate porous structures is a potential approach to prepare autologous bone grafts for the repair of critical‐sized bone defects. This study investigated the evolutionary process of osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and compressive strength of bioceramic scaffolds implanted in two non‐osseous sites of dogs: the abdominal cavity and the dorsal muscle. Hydroxyapatite (HA) sphere‐accumulated scaffolds with controlled porous structures were prepared and placed in the two sites for up to 6 months. Analyses of retrieved scaffolds found that osteogenesis and angiogenesis were faster in scaffolds implanted in dorsal muscles compared with those placed in abdominal cavities. The abdominal cavity, however, can accommodate larger bone grafts with designed shape. Analyses of scaffolds implanted in abdominal cavities [an environment of a low mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) density] further demonstrated that angiogenesis play critical roles during osteogenesis in the scaffolds, presumably by supplying progenitor cells and/or MSCs as seed cells. This study also examined the relationship between the volume of bone grafts and the physiological environment of in vivo bioreactor. These results provide basic information for the selection of appropriate implanting sites and culture time required to engineer autologous bone grafts for the clinical bone defect repair. Based on these positive results, a pilot study has applied the grafts constructed in canine abdominal cavity to repair segmental bone defect in load‐bearing sites (limbs). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2491–2501, 2014.
Evolution of withdrawal features of the southwest monsoon over India
Authors: Raju P. V. S. , Bhatla R. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe withdrawal features of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) are investigated with the large‐scale circulations and significant terms of kinetic energy (KE), heat and moisture budget. The daily reanalysis datasets of National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) for the period of 1981–2005 are used. The results reveal that the strength of low‐level westerlies over the Arabian Sea, Indian landmass and Bay of Bengal decreases during the transition of withdrawal phase of the summer monsoon. On the other hand, the strength of upper level tropical easterly jet weakens from pre‐retreat to post‐retreat. The intensity and position of rising and sinking flow of vertical velocity shifted towards south from pre‐retreat to post‐retreat period. The diagnostic analysis indicates that the zones of Somali coast and southwest Bay of Bengal show stronger generation of KE during pre‐retreat period. Further, the flux convergence of heat observed over central Indian Ocean and the flux divergence of heat over east African region during post‐retreat period. The flux convergence of heat and moisture are stronger over the equatorial Indian Ocean during post‐retreat phase as compared to pre‐retreat. The convective activity and moisture flux convergence are stronger over the Indian Ocean during post‐retreat period, which is due to the movement of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone towards south during the transition from summer to winter monsoon over India. Thus, the dynamic and thermodynamic behaviour of monsoon has great impact on the transition during retreat phase of the ISM.
A crosstalk model and its application to stereoscopic and autostereoscopic displays
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Chung , Chen Fu‐Hao , Lin Lang‐chin , Lin Hoang Yan , Chou Yi‐Heng , Liao Ching‐Chiu , Chen Yi‐Han , Lee Kuen 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe propose a model to quantify the crosstalk phenomenon for stereoscopic and autostereoscopic displays, separate crosstalk contributed from co‐location image contrast (CIC) and system crosstalk (SCT), introduce gray scale dependency of CIC, modify model for gray scale dependency of SCT in active type 3D displays, and apply the model to derive the 3D luminance and SCT measurement formulas. The model might serve as a basis for the 3D metrology, and the results of this research should be of reference value to hardware makers and inspectors of stereoscopic and autostereoscopic displays.
Generalized fractional integrals on generalized Morrey spaces
Authors: Nakai Eiichi 
Published: August 2013

On generalized Morrey spaces with variable exponent and variable growth function the boundedness of generalized fractional integral operators is established, where . The result is a generalization of the theorems of Adams [1] (1975) and Gunawan [11] (2003). Moreover, we prove weak type boundedness. To do this we first prove the boundedness of the Hardy‐Littlewood maximal operator on the generalized Morrey spaces.
Flavonoid apigenin modified gene expression associated with inflammation and cancer and induced apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells through inhibition of GSK‐3β/NF‐κB signaling cascade
Authors: Johnson Jodee L. , de Mejia Elvira Gonzalez 
Published: August 2013

ScopeThe objective was to examine the inhibitory effects of citrus fruit bioactive compounds on BxPC‐3 and PANC‐1 human pancreatic cancer cells, focusing on the antiproliferative mechanism of action of the flavonoid apigenin related to the glycogen synthase kinase‐3β/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.Methods and resultsFlavonoids, limonoids, phenolic acids, and ascorbic acid were tested for cytotoxic effects on BxPC‐3 and PANC‐1 cells; apigenin was the most potent (IC50 = 23 and 12 μM for 24 and 48 h for BxPC‐3 and IC50 = 71 and 41 μM for 24 and 48 h for PANC‐1). Apigenin induced pancreatic cell death through inhibition of the glycogen synthase kinase‐3β/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. Apigenin arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase (36 and 32% at 50 μM for BxPC‐3 and PANC‐1, respectively) with concomitant decrease in the expression of cyclin B1. Apigenin activated the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis (44 and 14% at 50 μM for BxPC‐3 and PANC‐1, respectively) and modified the expression of apoptotic proteins. Apigenin highly upregulated the expression of cytokine genes IL17F (114.2‐fold), LTA (33.1‐fold), IL17C (23.2‐fold), IL17A (11.3‐fold), and IFNB1 (8.9‐fold) in BxPC‐3 cells, which potentially contributed to the anticancer properties.ConclusionFlavonoids have a protective role in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.
Clinical implications of a feeling of incomplete emptying with little post‐void residue in men with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Lee Joo Yong , Lee Dae Hun , Lee Hyeyoung , Bang Woo Jin , Hah Yoon Soo , Cho Kang Su 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimIt remains unclear why patients suffer from a feeling of incomplete emptying despite no or little post‐void residual (PVR). Accordingly, we evaluated the clinical implications thereof in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).MethodsRecords were obtained from a prospectively maintained database for 905 first‐visit men with LUTS. Patients with comorbidities that may affect voiding function and with PVR > 20 ml were excluded. Finally, 421 patients were eligible for the study.ResultsBy International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), a score for evaluating a feeling of incomplete emptying, 106 patients (25.2%) were characterized as experiencing no symptoms (score 0, 1), 201 (47.7%) as mild to moderate symptoms (score 2, 3), and 114 (27.1%) as severe symptoms (score 4, 5). The severity of a feeling of incomplete emptying was significantly associated with total IPSS and with subscores for both voiding and storage symptoms (P < 0.001). Comparing patients with severe symptoms (severe group, N = 114) with a propensity score‐matched control group, adjusting for age, PVR, and maximum flow rate, total IPSS was significantly different between the two groups (23.04 ± 5.68 vs. 13.21 ± 5.48, respectively; P < 0.001). The subscores for both voiding and storage symptoms were also significantly worse in the severe group. The quality of life score was 4.51 ± 0.80 in the severe group and 3.53 ± 1.05 in control group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsA feeling of incomplete emptying despite little PVR was frequently observed and, notably, this was significantly associated with worsening of both voiding and storage symptoms, even after adjusting for relevant variables. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:1123–1127, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Challenges and current evidence on the management of bladder pain syndrome
Authors: Chrysanthopoulou Eleftheria L. , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroductionBladder pain syndrome (BPS) is an enigmatic condition, which can be debilitating for the patients, affecting their quality of life. Its prevalence is believed to have become markedly higher (100–300/100,000 women) than in previous years. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown, and a number of theories based on clinical and experimental observations have been developed. It is difficult to be diagnosed and treated. There is a worldwide effort to standardize its nomenclature, definition, diagnosis, and treatment algorithm. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the current evidence on the diagnosis and management of BPS.MethodsWe performed a review of the literature (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar, conference proceedings) as well as consensus statements and guidelines from relevant professional societies. We have critically compared these statements and guidelines with emphasis on the controversies.ResultsPatients may experience pain and lower urinary tract symptoms for a long time before diagnosis, affecting their mental health and work, causing stress, sleep disturbance, depression, and sexual dysfunction. BPS has been considered as one of a group of chronic pain syndromes rather than as primarily an inflammatory bladder disorder. Despite the wide range of treatments, most are empirical and inadequate, usually offering just symptom relief. There is often delay in commencing treatment, and this may result in worse prognosis.ConclusionEfforts are focused on different pathways for the early identification of this syndrome, trying to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanism, as well as introducing effective treatments. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:1193–1201, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cost‐effectiveness analysis of retropubic midurethral sling versus transobturator midurethral sling for female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Seklehner Stephan , Laudano Melissa A. , Te Alexis E. , Kaplan Steven A. , Chughtai Bilal , Lee Richard K. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsTo compare the cost‐effectiveness (CE) of retropubic midurethral sling (RMS) versus transobturator midurethral sling (TMS) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).MethodsA Markov chain decision model was created to simulate treatment of SUI with RMS versus TMS. Costing data were obtained from the Medicare RBRVS. Data regarding the efficacy and complications associated with RMS versus TMS was compiled from a literature review of 21 randomized RCTs with a minimum of 12 months follow‐up, as were corresponding utilities for different continence states. Deterministic and probabilistic estimates of cost‐effectiveness (CE) for each procedure were calculated and compared, and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsIn the base‐case deterministic analysis, the efficacy of RMS was 6.275 versus 6.272 QALYs for TMS. QALYs represent a measure of disease burden accounting for both quantity and quality of life lived and are used to assess the monetary value of a medical intervention. The average cost for treatment with RMS however was higher at $9,579 versus $9,017 with TMS. TMS was therefore overall more cost‐effective than RMS (CE = $1,438/QALY vs. $1,527/QALY). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that physician and sling characteristics such as device cost, surgeon fee, efficacy of treatment, operative time, and duration of hospitalization could all affect the relative CE of the therapies.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that TMS was more cost‐effective than RMS as a treatment for female SUI. The efficacy of the two treatments could be affected by physician and sling characteristic factors. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:1186–1192, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional risk minimisation measures in the EU– are they eligible for assessment?
Authors: Zomerdijk Inge M. , Trifirò Gianluca , Sayed‐Tabatabaei Fakhredin A. , Sturkenboom Miriam C. J. M. , Straus Sabine M. J. M. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTPurpose“Additional” risk minimisation measures (aRMMs) can be necessary to optimise the benefit–risk balance of a drug. Evaluation of effectiveness of these measures has become mandatory with the new European Union (EU) pharmacovigilance legislation in force since July 2012. The aim of this study was to classify the aRMMs in the EU with a special emphasis on the possibilities to analyse the effectiveness of these aRMMs in existing electronic healthcare databases (EHDs).MethodsEuropean Public Assessment Reports were reviewed to identify key elements of the aRMMs. Researchers categorised the key elements based on the objectives, i.e. knowledge change or behavioural change and sub‐categorised the behavioural changes. They assessed for each key element if it would be eligible for analysis in existing EHDs.Results68 drugs with aRMMs contained 801 key elements of which 57% aimed at behavioural changes. 22% of all key elements, all aimed behavioural changes, were assessed eligible for analysis in existing EHDs. These mainly concerned recommendations targeted at healthcare professionals regarding drug prescription, e.g. dose recommendations, contraindications or the need to perform laboratory tests for patient monitoring.ConclusionsOnly a limited proportion of key elements of the aRMMs could potentially be monitored in existing EHDs as these data sources cannot capture all the required data. Due to difference between existing EHDs, not necessarily all available EHDs are appropriate for every drug or aRMM. To facilitate rapid evaluation of aRMM implementation and timely adjustments, industry and regulatory authorities should agree well‐defined key elements of aRMMs leading to unambiguous actions of the target group. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.