bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond Low and Middle Income Countries: What if There Were Five Clusters of Developing Countries?
Authors: Vázquez Sergio Tezanos , Sumner Andy 
Published: January 2013

SummaryMany have challenged the use of income per capita as the primary proxy for development. This paper continues this tradition with a twist. The paper challenges the continuing use of income per capita to classify developing countries as low income or middle income now that most of the world's poor no longer live in low income countries (LICs) and ambiguity over the usefulness of the middle income country (MIC) classification given the diversity in the group of over 100 MICs. We use a cluster analysis to identify five types of developing countries using a set of indicators covering definitions of development based on the history of thinking about ‘development’ over the last 50 years from four conceptual frames: development as structural transformation; development as human development; development as democratic participation and good governance; and development as sustainability. We find that the cluster analysis produces five types of developing country using data for the period 2005–2010. Our development taxonomy differs notably from the usual income classification of GNI per capita (Atlas method) used to classify LICs and MICs. Notably many countries commonly labelled “emerging economies” are not in the two clusters related to emerging economies because they retain characteristics of poorer countries.We find that there is no simple “linear” representation of development levels (from low to high development countries). We find that each development cluster has its own and characteristic development issues. There is no group of countries with the best (or worst) indicators in all development dimensions. It thus would be more appropriate to build “complex” development taxonomies on a five‐year basis than ranking and grouping countries in terms of per capita incomes, as this will offer a more nuanced image of the diversity of challenges of the developing world and policy responses appropriate to different kinds of countries.
Shared Societies and Armed Conflict: Costs, Inequality and the Benefits of Peace
Authors: Justino Patricia 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThis paper examines how the relationship between economic exclusion, inequality, conflict and violence shape the goal of establishing shared societies. The chapter discusses how this impact is largely determined by the emergence and organisation of social and political institutions in areas of violent conflict. Two areas of institutional change are central to understanding the relationship between armed conflict and shared societies. The first is the change caused by armed conflict on social interactions and norms of trust and cooperation. The second is the influence exercised by informal mediators, informal service providers and informal systems of governance – often controlled by non‐state armed actors – that emerge from processes of violence and are prevalent in areas of armed conflict. These forms of institutional transformation are central to understanding how societies may be able to restrict the use of violence as a strategic way of resolving social conflicts and how to transition from violence‐ridden to shared societies.
Security Management in Northern Mali: Criminal Networks and Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
Authors: Sidibé Kalilou 
Published: January 2013

The three principle and intertwining security threats in the North of Mali are trafficking (drugs, arms, cigarettes, cars, etc.), rebellious uprisings and terrorist activity. Any attempts at maintaining law and order are undermined by the fragility of state structures, and the lack of equipment and infrastructure for the armed forces. These threats also weaken the socioeconomic fabric of local communities and Malian national and territorial unity.The Malian government endeavours to address these challenges by adopting and implementing security and anti‐terrorism policies, as well as social and economic development programmes. External partners support the Malian government in its efforts through a variety of joint anti‐terrorism and development policies aiming to strengthen the state's operational capacity in the region. Furthermore, local communities work alongside state actors in the development and securitisation of Northern Mali by employing traditional conflict‐management mechanisms (intercommunity and interclan solidarity systems). This strategy builds strong links that considerably reduce the risk of open conflict and contributes to the establishment of a multilevel shared governance system.
Posthumous sperm utilization in men presenting for sperm banking: an analysis of patient choice
Authors: Pastuszak A. W. , Lai W. S. , Hsieh T.‐C. , Lipshultz L. I. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe question remains as to whether or not men would agree to posthumous sperm use for pregnancy initiation. Often, these individuals' lives are suddenly interrupted and prior consent is rarely given. Therefore, post‐mortem retrieval or use of these spermatozoa remains controversial and the incidence of consent for post‐mortem sperm use is not clear. Men who bank spermatozoa, however, represent a cohort that can be examined for frequency of consent for post‐mortem sperm use. We performed a retrospective chart review for 364 patients presenting for sperm banking at a single institution from 2009 to 2011. Banked specimens represented either ejaculated or surgically retrieved spermatozoa. Demographic information was obtained for each patient and men were grouped by reason for sperm banking, relationship and paternity status, and consent for post‐mortem sperm use. The frequency of post‐mortem consent was determined within each group. Men were grouped based on reason for banking, including infertility (‘Infertility’) or malignancy prior to treatment (‘Cancer’). Mean ± SD age of the infertility and cancer groups were 40.1 ± 9.9 years and 27.1 ± 9.6 years, respectively. Of the 364 men, 85.9% provided consent for post‐mortem sperm use. In the infertility group, 87.4% of men consented. Of these, 92.9% men in a relationship and 62.5% single men consented. Regarding paternity status, 64.7% men with and 56.6% men without children consented. Within the cancer cohort, 83.8% men consented. Of men <18 years old and ≥18 years old, 65.2 and 85.8% consented, respectively. Relationship status yielded 93.2% men in relationships and 79.4% single men consenting. Paternity status in the cancer group yielded 95.8% with and 82.4% men without children consenting. In summary, most men presenting for sperm banking provided consent for post‐mortem sperm use, irrespective of reason for banking. Men who are in a relationship or who are fathers were more likely to agree to post‐mortem sperm use.
Seminal, ultrasound and psychobiological parameters correlate with metabolic syndrome in male members of infertile couples
Authors: Lotti F. , Corona G. , Degli Innocenti S. , Filimberti E. , Scognamiglio V. , Vignozzi L. , Forti G. , Maggi M. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a diagnostic category which identifies subjects at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction (ED) and male hypogonadism. However, MetS impact on male infertility has been poorly studied. We systematically evaluated possible associations between MetS and clinical characteristics in men with couple infertility. Out of 367 consecutive subjects, 351 men without genetic abnormalities were studied. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation&American Heart Association/National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute classification. All men underwent physical, hormonal, seminal and scrotal ultrasound evaluation. Erectile and ejaculatory functions were assessed by International Index of Erectile Function‐15 erectile function domain (IIEF‐15‐EFD) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), respectively, while psychological symptoms by Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire. Out of 351 patients, 27 (7.7%) fulfilled MetS criteria. Among ultrasound features, in an age‐adjusted logistic model, only testis inhomogeneity was significantly associated with increasing MetS factors (HR = 1.36 [1.09–1.70]; p < 0.01). In an age‐adjusted model, MetS was associated with a stepwise decline in total testosterone (TT) (B = −1.25 ± 0.33; p < 0.0001), without a concomitant rise in gonadotropins. At univariate analysis, progressive motility and normal morphology were negatively related to the number of MetS components (both p < 0.0001), but when age and TT were introduced in a multivariate model, only sperm morphology retained a significant association (B = −1.418 ± 0.42; p = 0.001). The risk of ED (IIEF‐15‐EFD score <26) increased as a function of the number of MetS factors, even after adjusting for age and TT (HR = 1.45[1.08–1.95]; p < 0.02). No association between PEDT score and MetS was observed. Finally, after adjusting for age and TT, somatization and depressive symptoms were associated with increasing MetS components (B = 0.66 ± 0.03, p < 0.05; B = 0.69 ± 0.03, p < 0.02; respectively). In conclusion, in men with couple infertility, MetS is associated with hypogonadism, poor sperm morphology, testis ultrasound inhomogeneity, ED, somatization and depression. Recognizing MetS could help patients to improve not only fertility but also sexual and overall health.
Sexual intercourse with leukocytospermic men may be a possible booster of oxidative stress in female partners of infertile couples
Authors: Mändar R. , Kullisaar T. , Borovkova N. , Punab M. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryHuman semen has undoubtedly significant influence on the organism of the female counterpart. At the same time there are no studies in English literature investigating the influence of sexual intercourse on oxidative stress level in women's organism. Seventeen infertile couples where male partners were with (n = 5) or without (n = 12) leukocytospermia were enrolled in the study. Systemic oxidative stress levels were measured, whereby twice in female partners – before and 8–12 h after sexual intercourse. The men with leukocytospermia were characterized by oxidative stress that was substantially transferred to their partners during sexual intercourse as revealed by increase in 8‐isoprostanes level (median 32.7 vs. 70.4 ng/mmol creatinine, p = 0.006). Sexual intercourse with male partner having leukocytospermia increases the oxidative stress level in the women's organism that may interfere with fertilization.
A guanidinylated bioreducible polymer as a novel gene carrier to the corpus cavernosum of mice with high‐cholesterol diet‐induced erectile dysfunction
Authors: Ryu J.‐K. , Choi M. J. , Kim T.‐I. , Jin H.‐R. , Kwon K.‐D. , Batbold D. , Song K.‐M. , Kwon M.‐H. , Yin G. N. , Lee M. , Kim S. W. , Suh J.‐K. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryA prerequisite for the successful clinical application of gene therapy in erectile dysfunction (ED) is the availability of safe and efficient gene delivery systems. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of guanidinylated bioreducible polymer (GBP) polyplexes for gene delivery systems, which take advantage of the biodegradability of reducible disulfide bonds and the cell‐penetrating ability of guanidine groups. For in vitro transfection experiments, we used mouse cavernous endothelial cells and A7r5 rat vascular smooth muscle cells. For in vivo experiments, we used a mouse model of hypercholesterolaemic ED in which 2‐month‐old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid for 3 months. Animals or cells were treated with pCMV‐Luc, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI)25k/pCMV‐Luc polyplex (weight ratio: 1) and GBP/pCMV‐Luc polyplexes (weight ratio: 20, 40, 60 and 80). Gene expression was evaluated by luciferase assay, and the gene expression area was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. GBP had greater transfection efficiency as the weight ratio increased. GBP had sevenfold higher gene delivery efficiency in A7r5 cells at a weight ratio of 80 than did PEI25k. Moreover, the gene expression was more profoundly induced by GBP/pCMV‐Luc than by pCMV‐Luc in both the corpus cavernosum tissue of hypercholesterolaemic mice and in mouse cavernous endothelial cells, although the expression levels induced by the GBP gene delivery system were lower than those induced by the PEI25k gene delivery system. GBP revealed no considerable cytotoxicity to A7r5 cells and mouse cavernous endothelial cells (relative cell viability: 95 and 88% respectively), whereas PEI25k resulted in high cytotoxicity. Interestingly, immunofluorescent double staining revealed that luciferase expression induced by the GBP polyplex mainly overlapped with cavernous endothelial cells, but rarely with smooth muscle cells. The GBP‐based non‐viral gene expression system may be useful for the development of gene therapy in vasculogenic ED.
The relationships between communication, care and time are intertwined: a narrative inquiry exploring the impact of time on registered nurses' work
Authors: Chan Engle Angela , Jones Aled , Wong Kitty 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimTo report a qualitative study which explores registered nurses' views on the issue of time in the workplace.BackgroundThere is a worldwide shortage of healthcare workers, subsequently time as a healthcare resource is both finite and scarce. As a result, increased attention is being paid to the restructuring of nursing work. However, the experience of time passing is a subjective one and there exists little research which, over a prolonged period of time, describes nurses' experiences of working in time‐pressurized environments.DesignA narrative inquiry.MethodFive registered nurses were individually interviewed a total of three times over a period of 12 months, amounting to a total of 15 interviews and 30 hours of data. Data were collected and analysed following a narrative enquiry approach during the period 2008–2010.FindingsParticipants describe how attempts to work more effectively sometimes resulted in unintended negative consequences for patient care and how time pressure encourages collegiality amongst nurses. Furthermore, the registered nurses' account of how they opportunistically create time for communication with patients compels us to re‐evaluate the nature of communication during procedural nursing care.ConclusionIncreasingly nursing work is translated into quantitative data or metrics. This is an inescapable development which seeks to enhance understanding of nursing work. However, qualitative research may also offer a useful approach which captures the otherwise hidden, subjective experiences associated with time and work. Such data can exist alongside nursing metrics, and together these can build a better and more nuanced consideration of nursing practice.
Adjunctive Renal Sympathetic Denervation to Modify Hypertension as Upstream Therapy in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (H‐FIB) Study: Clinical Background and Study Design
Authors: AHMED HUMERA , MILLER MARC A. , DUKKIPATI SRINIVAS R. , CAMMACK SAM , KORUTH JACOB S. , GANGIREDDY SANDEEP , ELLSWORTH BETSY A. , D'AVILA ANDRE , DOMANSKI MICHAEL , GELIJNS ANNETINE C. , MOSKOWITZ ALAN , REDDY VIVEK Y. 
Published: January 2013

Adjunctive Renal Sympathetic Denervation to Modify HypertensionBackgroundHypertension is the most important risk factor directly attributable to the high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is one of the few modifiable risk factors for AF. Activation and overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both essential hypertension and AF. Catheter‐based renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN) appears to be an effective adjunctive treatment for refractory hypertension, and may be beneficial in other conditions characterized by SNS overactivity, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial arrhythmias.ObjectiveThe H‐FIB study is a multicenter prospective, double‐blind, randomized (1:1) controlled trial. The primary efficacy endpoint is antiarrhythmic drug‐free freedom from AF recurrence through 12 months.MethodsPatients with a history of significant hypertension who are receiving treatment with at least one antihypertensive agent who are planned for a first time ablation for symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF will be randomized to either AF ablation alone (control group) or AF ablation + RSDN (study group).ConclusionsH‐FIB is a multicenter, randomized trial that will test the hypothesis that adjunctive renal sympathetic denervation, at the time of AF ablation, will increase the freedom from recurrent AF.
Endocardial Electrogram Characteristics of Epicardial Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: TZOU WENDY S. , NGUYEN DUY T. , ALEONG RYAN G. , VAROSY PAUL D. , KATZ DAVID F. , HEATH RUSSELL R. , SCHULLER JOSEPH L. , LOWERY CHRISTOPHER M. , LEWKOWIEZ LAURENT , SAUER WILLIAM H. 
Published: January 2013

Endocardial Electrograms in Epicardial VT/PVCsIntroductionWhile most ventricular arrhythmias (VA) can be ablated successfully using an endocardial (endo) approach, epicardial (epi) mapping and ablation is sometimes required. There may be suggestive clues on the surface electrocardiogram; however, identification of an epi origin of VA with certainty remains problematic.Methods and ResultsAll patients referred for ablation of ventricular tachycardia or frequent ventricular ectopy from June 2007 to July 2011 were evaluated. Patients with completed endo and epi electroanatomical activation maps of an epi VA were included (n = 10). Bipolar electrograms (EGMs) in the area of earliest endo activation were analyzed and compared to the area of early epi activation. An EGM component was characterized as far field if it was monophasic and there was inability to capture. We identified 3 characteristics from endo mapping that consistently indicated need for epi ablation: (1) Diffusely early activation (>2 cm2 region of sites with equally earliest activation within 10 milliseconds). (2) Sequence of a far‐field EGM followed by a near‐field EGM in the region of earliest endo activation. (3) Inability to capture the far‐field component of the earliest EGM (stim‐QRS < egm‐QRS time) or reproduce morphological features of the VA complex with stimulation at the earliest endo site of activation.ConclusionsThe presence of a diffusely early area of activation and inability to capture a far‐field endo EGM indicates that epi ablation may be needed to eliminate a VA.
A Novel Alveolate in Bivalves with Chemosynthetic Bacteria Inhabiting Deep‐Sea Methane Seeps
Authors: Noguchi Fumiya , Kawato Masaru , Yoshida Takao , Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Fujikura Katsunori , Takishita Kiyotaka 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIt has recently been unveiled that a wide variety of microbial eukaryotes (protists) occur in chemosynthetic ecosystems, such as hydrothermal vents and methane seeps. However, there is little knowledge regarding protists associated with endemic animals inhabiting these environments. In the present study, utilizing PCR techniques, we detected fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA gene) from a particular protist from gill tissues of a significant fraction of the vesicomyid clams Calyptogena soyoae and C. okutanii complex and of the mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons and B. japonicus, all of which harbor chemosynthetic endosymbiont bacteria and dominate methane seeps in Sagami Bay, Japan. Based on the phylogeny of SSU rRNA gene, the organism in question was shown to belong to Alveolata. It is noteworthy that this protist did not affiliate with any known alveolate group, although being deeply branched within the lineage of Syndiniales, for which the monophyly was constantly recovered, but not robustly supported. In addition, the protist detected using PCR followed by sequencing was localized within gill epithelial cells of B. platifrons with whole‐mount fluorescence in situ hybridization. This protist may be an endoparasite or an endocommensal of Calyptogena spp. and Bathymodiolus spp., and possibly have physiological and ecological impacts on these bivalves.
Effects of dietary supplementation of citrus by‐products fermented with a probiotic microbe on growth performance, innate immunity and disease resistance against Edwardsiella tarda in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel)
Authors: Lee B‐J , Kim S‐S , Song J‐W , Oh D‐H , Cha J‐H , Jeong J‐B , Heo M‐S , Kim K‐W , Lee K‐J 
Published: January 2013

AbstractTwo consecutive studies were conducted to evaluate the dietary supplementation of citrus by‐products (CB) fermented with probiotic bacteria on growth performance, feed utilization, innate immune responses and disease resistance of juvenile olive flounder. In Experiment I, five diets were formulated to contain 0% (control) or 3% four different CB fermented with Bacillus subtilis (BS), Enterococcus faecium (EF), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) and L. plantarum (LP) (designated as CON, CBF‐BS, CBF‐EF, CBF‐LR and CBF‐LP, respectively). During 10 weeks of a feeding trial, growth performance and feed efficiency were not significantly different among all the fish groups. However, fish fed CBF containing diets had significantly higher survivals than the CON group. Disease resistance of fish against Edwardsiella tarda was increased by the fermentation of CB. In Experiment II, we chose the BS as a promising probiotic and formulated five diets to contain 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% CBF‐BS. Growth performance was not significantly affected by the CBF‐BS supplementation during 6 weeks of a feeding trial. Innate immunity of fish was significantly enhanced by CBF‐BS supplementation. Myeloperoxidase and lysozyme activities were increased in a dose‐dependent manner by dietary CBF‐BS inclusions. In a consecutive challenge test against E. tarda, an increased disease resistance was found by CBF‐BS supplementation. These studies indicate that the fermentation process of CB with probiotic has beneficial effects on innate immunity and thereby increases disease resistance of olive flounder against E. tarda. Bacillus subtilis can be used as a promising probiotic microbe for by‐product fermentation in fish feeds.
Sea lice monitoring on Atlantic salmon farms in New Brunswick, Canada: comparing audit and farm staff counts
Authors: Elmoslemany A , Whyte S K , Revie C W , Hammell K L 
Published: January 2013

AbstractSea lice audits were performed by the Atlantic Veterinary College on commercial aquaculture sites in New Brunswick, Canada, in 2011. Although the primary objective was to verify that farms were reporting similar lice counts to third‐party counts, more detailed comparisons were made to identify when lice counts were more likely to differ between the audit team and farm employees. A total of 28 sea lice audits were conducted on 16 sites between June and December 2011. During each audit, 10 cages were evaluated per site where possible, with ten fish per cage being evaluated by an audit technician and a further ten by a farm employee. Data analysis included descriptive statistics of lice counts by stage and limits of agreement plots. A random effects negative binomial model that accounted for clustering of cages within sites was applied to assess the effect of counter type and season on lice counts by stage. The results indicate that farms counts were generally in agreement with audit counts. However, when the average counts for chalimus and preadult (male and female) and adult male lice stages were high, farm counters were more likely to report a lower value. Higher lice counts were observed during autumn compared to summer especially for the adult female stage. Finally, there was a significant clustering effect for site and cage, with most of the variation attributable to site.