bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geomorphic and Ecological Consequences of Riprap Placement in River Systems
Authors: Reid David , Church Michael 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRiprap, consisting of large boulders or concrete blocks, is extensively used to stabilize streambanks and to inhibit lateral erosion of rivers, yet its effect on river morphology and its ecological consequences have been relatively little studied. In this paper, we review the available information, most of it culled from the “grey” literature. We use a simple one‐dimensional morphodynamic model as a conceptual tool to illustrate potential morphological effects of riprap placement in a gravel‐bed river, which include inhibition of local sediment supply to the channel and consequent channel bed scour and substrate coarsening, and downstream erosion. Riprap placement also tends to sever organic material input from the riparian zone, with loss of shade, wood input, and input of finer organic material. Available information on the consequences for the aquatic ecosystem mainly concerns effects on commercially and recreationally important fishes. The preponderance of studies report unfavorable effects on local numbers, but habitat niches created by openings in riprap can favorably affect invertebrates and some small fishes. There is a need for much more research on both morphological and ecosystem effects of riprap placement.
A Hierarchical Model for Estimating Long‐Term Trend of Atrazine Concentration in the Surface Water of the Contiguous U.S.
Authors: Yun Jian , Qian Song S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAtrazine is a herbicide frequently detected in both surface and groundwater in the United States (U.S.), but its spatiotemporal distribution and concentration trends have only been analyzed recently at regional or local scales. We employed a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach to assess spatial and seasonal variation in atrazine concentration trends between 1990 and 2010 for the contiguous U.S. A Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation algorithm was used to address the problem of left‐censored data (i.e., atrazine concentration values below method reporting levels). We observed opposing temporal trends in the northern (flat or decreasing) and southern (increasing) regions of the U.S. This spatial variation in temporal trends can be partially explained by the relative amount of cropland in the region. Flat or decreasing trends in the north are more likely in regions with high cropland coverage while positive trends in the south are more likely in regions with low cropland coverage.
Participation of Elderly Adults in Randomized Controlled Trials Addressing Antibiotic Treatment of Pneumonia
Authors: Avni Tomer , Shiver‐Ofer Shahaf , Leibovici Leonard , Tacconelli Evelina , DeAngelis Giulia , Cookson Barry , Pagani Leonardo , Paul Mical 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesTo examine how relevant current evidence on antibiotic treatment of pneumonia is for elderly adults.DesignSystematic review.SettingRandomized controlled trials (RCTs; N = 43) comparing different antibiotics and prospective observational studies (N = 182) published since 2005.ParticipantsAdults with community‐acquired (CAP), healthcare‐associated (HCAP), hospital‐acquired (HAP), or ventilator‐associated (VAP) pneumonia.MeasurementsExclusion criteria that could preferentially limit participation of elderly adults were examined, subgroup or other adjusted analyses were searched for according to age, and treatment effects in participants younger than 65 in RCTs were compared with those in participants aged 65 and older. Mean participant ages in RCTs and observational studies were compared. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for differences between older and younger adults were pooled using a fixed effect metaanalysis.ResultsNo RCT reported exclusion based on an upper age limit; 100% of community CAP trials, 90% of hospitalized CAP trials, and 76% of HAP and VAP trials excluded individuals based on comorbidities. None of the RCTs reported a subgroup analysis for mortality according to age. The RR for the pooled difference in treatment failure rates between participants younger than 65 and those aged 65 and older was 1.25 (95% CI = 0.94–1.65, 12 RCTs) and between participants younger than 75 and aged 75 and older was 1.43 (95% CI = 0.98–2.09, 7 RCTs). RCT participants were significantly younger (54.0 ± 9.6) than those in observational studies of CAP (66.2 ± 8.1, P < .001). Age differences were not significant for HCAP, HAP, and VAP.ConclusionElderly adults are often excluded from RCTs of bacterial pneumonia. No data were found on the comparative efficacy of antibiotic treatment in elderly adults and the general population.
APOE‐modulated Aβ‐induced neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: current landscape, novel data, and future perspective
Authors: Tai Leon M. , Ghura Shivesh , Koster Kevin P. , Liakaite Vaiva , Maienschein‐Cline Mark , Kanabar Pinal , Collins Nicole , Ben‐Aissa Manel , Lei Arden Zhengdeng , Bahroos Neil , Green Stefan J. , Hendrickson Bill , Van Eldik Linda J. , LaDu Mary Jo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractChronic glial activation and neuroinflammation induced by the amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. APOE4 is the greatest AD‐genetic risk factor; increasing risk up to 12‐fold compared to APOE3, with APOE4‐specific neuroinflammation an important component of this risk. This editorial review discusses the role of APOE in inflammation and AD, via a literature review, presentation of novel data on Aβ‐induced neuroinflammation, and discussion of future research directions. The complexity of chronic neuroinflammation, including multiple detrimental and beneficial effects occurring in a temporal and cell‐specific manner, has resulted in conflicting functional data for virtually every inflammatory mediator. Defining a neuroinflammatory phenotype (NIP) is one way to address this issue, focusing on profiling the changes in inflammatory mediator expression during disease progression. Although many studies have shown that APOE4 induces a detrimental NIP in peripheral inflammation and Aβ‐independent neuroinflammation, data for APOE‐modulated Aβ‐induced neuroinflammation are surprisingly limited. We present data supporting the hypothesis that impaired apoE4 function modulates Aβ‐induced effects on inflammatory receptor signaling, including amplification of detrimental (toll‐like receptor 4‐p38α) and suppression of beneficial (IL‐4R‐nuclear receptor) pathways. To ultimately develop APOE genotype‐specific therapeutics, it is critical that future studies define the dynamic NIP profile and pathways that underlie APOE‐modulated chronic neuroinflammation.
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In this editorial review, we present data supporting the hypothesis that impaired apoE4 function modulates Aβ‐induced effects on inflammatory receptor signaling, including amplification of detrimental (TLR4‐p38α) and suppression of beneficial (IL‐4R‐nuclear receptor) pathways, resulting in an adverse NIP that causes neuronal dysfunction. NIP, Neuroinflammatory phenotype; P.I., pro‐inflammatory; A.I., anti‐inflammatory.
Urodynamic Efficacy and Safety of Mirabegron Add‐on Treatment with Tamsulosin for Japanese Male Patients with Overactive Bladder
Authors: WADA Naoki , IUCHI Hiromichi , KITA Masafumi , HASHIZUME Kazumi , MATSUMOTO Seiji , KAKIZAKI Hidehiro 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate urodynamic efficacy and safety of mirabegron add‐on treatment with tamsulosin for Japanese male patients with overactive bladder (OAB).MethodsA prospective study was conducted in 26 consecutive male patients with OAB who had been taking tamsulosin. OAB was diagnosed by overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). Before and 8 weeks after mirabegron add‐on treatment with preceding tamsulosin, we assessed OABSS, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), free uroflowmetry (UFM), filling cystometry and pressure‐flow study (PFS).ResultsMean age and prostate volume of the study patients were 75 ± 7 years and 32 ± 19 mL, respectively. Mirabegron significantly improved OABSS (from 8.5 ± 2.3 to 4.7 ± 2.5, P < 0.001). On free UFM, mirabegron significantly increased voided volume (from 135 ± 47 to 182 ± 102 mL, P = 0.01), maximum (from 10.7 ± 3.7 to 13.5 ± 6.4 mL/sec, P < 0.01) and average flow rate (from 5.5 ± 1.9 to 7.1 ± 3.3 mL/sec, P < 0.01), while postvoid residual urine volume did not change significantly (from 47 ± 38 to 63 ± 61 mL, P = 0.23). Before mirabegron, 24 patients (92%) had detrusor overactivity (DO). After mirabegron add‐on, maximum cystometric capacity significantly increased from 170 ± 98 to 212 ± 95 mL (P = 0.01) and DO disappeared in six patients (25%). In the other 18 patients with persistent DO, amplitude of involuntary contraction decreased and bladder volume at first involuntary contraction increased with statistical significance. On PFS, detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (from 79 ± 31 to 68 ± 19 cmH2O, P = 0.10) or bladder contractility index (from 126 ± 39 to 120 ± 27, P = 0.45) did not change significantly.ConclusionsMirabegron add‐on treatment with tamsulosin has efficacy and safety because it improves storage symptom without impairment of bladder contractility during voiding in male patients with OAB.
Obesity and vitamin D deficiency: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pereira‐Santos M. , Costa P. R. F. , Assis A. M. O. , Santos C. A. S. T. , Santos D. B. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryOver the past decade, there have been an increasing number of studies on the association between vitamin D deficiency and anthropometric state. However, we did not identify any meta‐analyses of the relationship between obesity and vitamin D deficiency in different age groups. Thus, we evaluated the association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency. We searched for observational studies published up to April 2014 in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus databases. We performed a meta‐analysis in accordance with the random‐effects model to obtain the summary measurement (prevalence ratio, PR). Among the 29,882 articles identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 35% higher in obese subjects compared to the eutrophic group (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21–1.50) and 24% higher than in the overweight group (PR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.14–1.34). These results indicate that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was more elevated in obese subjects. The vitamin D deficiency was associated with obesity irrespective of age, latitude, cut‐offs to define vitamin D deficiency and the Human Development Index of the study location.
The effects of anti‐hypertensives and type 2 diabetes on salivary flow and total antioxidant capacity
Authors: Djukić LJ , Roganović J , Brajović MD , Bokonjić D , Stojić D 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveThe present cross‐sectional study aimed to determine the effect of first‐line anti‐hypertensive drugs (enalapril, metoprolol, and combinations of enalapril with metoprolol and/or hydrochlorothiazide) on salivary gland function and salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in hypertensive patients with/without diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2.Materials and MethodsSalivary gland function was measured as xerostomia (interview) and unstimulated whole saliva flow rate (UWSFR) in 447 subjects (387 hypertensive and 60 healthy). Salivary TAC was evaluated by spectrophotometric assay.ResultsEnalapril is not xerogenic, while metoprolol and drug combinations are. In the presence of DM type 2, all drugs, except metoprolol, had pronounced xerogenic effect. Binary logistic regression analysis found enalapril to be significantly associated with decreased risk of xerogenic effect development, while DM type 2 with increased risk. In the presence of enalapril in hypertensive patients with/without DM type 2 salivary TAC was similar to that in healthy subjects, while for metoprolol was reduced.ConclusionsEnalapril is not xerogenic but is antioxidant, which moderately reduces the risk of xerogenic effect development even in the presence of DM type 2. However, metoprolol and drug combinations exhibit xerogenic effect. In DM type 2, xerogenic effect of all drugs was pronounced except of metoprolol.
Is There a Nonprofit Advantage? Examining the Impact of Institutional Context on Individual–Organizational Value Congruence
Authors: Peng Shuyang , Pandey Sheela , Pandey Sanjay K. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article addresses an important question: do nonprofit organizations have an advantage over public organizations in fostering individual–organizational value congruence? The authors argue that nonprofit organizations do have an advantage. This is because institutional differences between the two sectors become manifest through nonprofit status and the extent of external control, which influences the organization and the individual. External control and sector status (nonprofit versus public) determine the extent of centralization, organizational goal ambiguity, and work autonomy. In turn, these three organizational characteristics shape individual–organizational value congruence. Although the results provide support for the nonprofit advantage thesis, it is worth noting that organizational effects on individual–organizational value congruence are more powerful. Indeed, the results suggest that managerial and organizational actions, compared with sector status, are more likely to influence individual–organizational value congruence.
Political Equality by Precedent
Authors: Aronovitch Hilliard 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article asks about the justification for the principle of political equality in the sense of equal entitlement to basic rights. A preliminary portion criticizes standard justifications that refer to a property or properties all human beings share; these fail because they are untrue, irrelevant, or question‐begging. The more substantial and constructive portion of the article then argues for a different, indirect mode of justification, based on rebuttals of historical presumptions of inequality and the actual evolution of the idea of equality through partial steps and specific precedents. The justification of political equality is thus connected to the explanation of its emergence.
The Inverse Relation Between Risks and Benefits: The Role of Affect and Expertise
Authors: Sokolowska Joanna , Sleboda Patrycja 
Published: February 2015

Although risk and benefits of risky activities are positively correlated in the real world, empirical results indicate that people perceive them as negatively correlated. The common explanation is that confounding benefits and losses stems from affect. In this article, we address the issue that has not been clearly established in studies on the affect heuristic: to what extent boundary conditions, such as judgments’ generality and expertise, influence the presence of the inverse relation in judgments of hazards.These conditions were examined in four studies in which respondents evaluated general or specific benefits and risks of “affect‐rich” and “affect‐poor” hazards (ranging from investments to applications of stem cell research). In line with previous research, affect is defined as good or bad feelings integral to a stimulus. In contrast to previous research, affect is considered as related both to personal feelings and to social controversies associated with a hazard. Expertise is related to personal knowledge (laypersons vs. experts) as well as to objective knowledge (targets well vs. poorly known to science). The direct comparison of the input from personal and objective ignorance into the inverse relation has not been investigated previously.It was found that affect invoked by a hazard guides general but not specific judgments of its benefits and risks. Technical expertise helps to avoid simplified evaluations of consequences as long as they are well known to science. For new, poorly understood hazards (e.g., stem cell research), expertise does not protect from the perception of the inverse relation between benefits and risks.
Advanced age protects microvascular endothelium from aberrant Ca2+ influx and cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Socha Matthew J. , Boerman Erika M. , Behringer Erik J. , Shaw Rebecca L. , Domeier Timothy L. , Segal Steven S. 
Published: February 2015

Key points
Calcium signalling in endothelial cells of resistance arteries is integral to blood flow regulation. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction can prevail during advanced age and we questioned how calcium signalling may be affected.
Intact endothelium was freshly isolated from superior epigastric arteries of Young (∼4 months) and Old (∼24 months) male C57BL/6 mice. Under resting conditions, with no difference in intracellular calcium levels, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) availability was ∼1/3 greater in endothelium of Old mice while vascular catalase activity was reduced by nearly half.
Compared to Old, imposing oxidative stress (200 μm H2O2) for 20 min increased intracellular calcium to 4‐fold greater levels in endothelium of Young in conjunction with twice the calcium influx. Prolonged (60 min) exposure to H2O2 induced 7‐fold greater cell death in endothelium of Young.
Microvascular adaptation to advanced age may protect endothelial cells during elevated oxidative stress to preserve functional viability of the intima.
AbstractEndothelial cell Ca2+ signalling is integral to blood flow control in the resistance vasculature yet little is known of how its regulation may be affected by advancing age. We tested the hypothesis that advanced age protects microvascular endothelium by attenuating aberrant Ca2+ signalling during oxidative stress. Intact endothelial tubes (width, ∼60 μm; length, ∼1000 μm) were isolated from superior epigastric arteries of Young (3–4 months) and Old (24–26 months) male C57BL/6 mice and loaded with Fura‐2 dye to monitor [Ca2+]i. At rest there was no difference in [Ca2+]i between age groups. Compared to Young, the [Ca2+]i response to maximal stimulation with acetylcholine (3 μm, 2 min) was ∼25% greater in Old, confirming signalling integrity with advanced age. Basal H2O2 availability was ∼33% greater in Old while vascular catalase activity was reduced by half. Transient exposure to elevated H2O2 (200 μm, 20 min) progressively increased [Ca2+]i to ∼4‐fold greater levels in endothelium of Young versus Old. With no difference between age groups at rest, Mn2+ quench of Fura‐2 fluorescence revealed 2‐fold greater Ca2+ influx in Young during elevated H2O2; this effect was attenuated by ∼75% using ruthenium red (5 μm) as a broad‐spectrum inhibitor of transient receptor potential channels. Prolonged exposure to H2O2 (200 μm, 60 min) induced ∼7‐fold greater cell death in endothelium of Young versus Old. Thus, microvascular endothelium can adapt to advanced age by reducing Ca2+ influx during elevated oxidative stress. Protection from cell death during oxidative stress will sustain endothelial integrity during ageing.
Dynamics of resilience in forced migration: a 1-year follow-up study of longitudinal associations with mental health in a conflict-affected, ethnic Muslim population
Authors: Siriwardhana Chesmal , Abas Melanie , Siribaddana Sisira , Sumathipala Athula , Stewart Robert 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveThe concept of ‘resilience’ is of increasing interest in studies of mental health in populations facing adversity. However, lack of longitudinal data on the dynamics of resilience and non-usage of resilience-specific measurements have prevented a better understanding of resilience-mental health interactions. Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the stability of levels of resilience and its associations with sociodemographic and mental health exposures in a conflict-affected internal-migrant population in Sri Lanka.DesignA prospective follow-up study of 1 year.SettingPuttalam district of North Western province in postconflict Sri Lanka (baseline in 2011, follow-up in 2012).ParticipantsAn ethnic Muslim population internally displaced 20 years ago (in 1990) from Northern Sri Lanka, aged 18 or above and currently in the process of return migration.MeasuresIt was hypothesised that levels of resilience would be associated with mental health outcomes. Resilience was measured on both occasions using the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), social support by the Multidimensional Social Support Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale and common mental disorders by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ).ResultsOf 450 participants interviewed at baseline in 2011, 338 (75.1%) were re-interviewed in 2012 after a 1-year follow-up. The mean resilience scores measured by RS-14 were 80.2 (95% CI 78.6 to 81.9) at baseline and 84.9 (83.5 to 86.3) at follow-up. At both time points, lower resilience was independently associated with food insecurity, lower social support availability and social isolation. At both time points, there were significant associations with common mental disorders (CMDs) in unadjusted analyses, but they only showed independence at baseline. The CMD prevalence, maintenance and incidence at follow-up was 8.3%, 28.2% and 2.2%, respectively.ConclusionsIn this displaced population facing a potential reduction in adversity, resilience was more strongly and robustly associated with economic and social factors than with the presence of mental disorder.
Adherence to process of care quality indicators after percutaneous coronary intervention in Ontario, Canada: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Czarnecki Andrew , Prasad Treesa J , Wang Julie , Wijeysundera Harindra C , Cheema Asim N , Dz̆avík Vladimír , Natarajan Madhu K , Simpson Chris S , So Derek Y , Syed Jaffer , Tu Jack V , Ko Dennis T 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundPublic reporting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes has been established in many jurisdictions to ensure optimal delivery of care. The majority of PCI report cards examine in-hospital mortality, but relatively little is known regarding the adherence to processes of care.MethodsA modified Delphi panel comprising cardiovascular experts was assembled to develop a set of PCI quality indicators. Indicators such as prescription of aspirin, dual antiplatelet therapy, statins and smoking cessation counselling were identified to represent high-quality PCI care. Chart abstraction was performed at 13 PCI hospitals in Ontario, Canada from 2009 to 2010 with at least 200 PCI patients randomly selected from each hospital.ResultsOur study sample included 3041 patients, of whom 18% had stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 82% had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Their mean age was 63±12.4 years and 29% of patients were female. Prior to PCI, 89% were prescribed aspirin, and after PCI 98.7% were prescribed aspirin, 95.1% were prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months after drug-eluting stents, and 94.9% were prescribed statins. The lowest performing quality indicator was smoking cessation counselling, observed in only 42% of current and past smokers (18% in patients with stable CAD and 47% in ACS).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates high levels of adherence to most quality indicators for patients undergoing PCI procedures in Ontario. In conclusion, smoking cessation counselling was not consistently performed across hospitals and represents an opportunity for future quality improvement efforts.