bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The European Union as Security Community‐Building Institution: Venues, Networks and Co‐operative Security Practices
Authors: Bremberg Niklas 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHow does the European Union promote security beyond its borders? This article answers this seemingly straightforward question by exploring how the EU works as security community‐building institution vis‐à‐vis non‐members. Drawing upon practice theory in International Relations, the article unpacks the security community concept, focusing especially on the relation between co‐operative security practices and the expansion of security communities. The article discusses how recent practice‐inspired insights can be applied in empirical research to generate novel and interesting results of relevance for EU studies. It does so by recapitulating the main findings from a study on Spanish‐Moroccan co‐operation on civilian and military crisis management. The findings support the claim that common practice precedes collective identity in processes of security community‐building in that the EU has helped bring together and perpetuate a community of security practitioners in the western Mediterranean that builds upon, as well as transcends, already existing bilateral relations.
TH17 cells, interleukin‐17 and interferon‐ γ in patients and households contacts of leprosy with multibacillary and paucibacillary forms before and after the start of chemotherapy treatment
Authors: de Almeida‐Neto F.B. , Assis Costa V.M. , Oliveira‐Filho A.F. , de Souza Franco E. , Tavares Julião de Lima E.V. , Barros de Lorena V.M. , Oliveira de Souza V.M. , de Sousa Maia M.B. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundStudies on the immunology of leprosy are fundamental to the understanding of the various forms of clinical manifestation of the disease. In some diseases, lymphocytes TH17 and one of its key cytokines, interleukin‐17 has been shown to be essential in developing an effective immune response. In leprosy, involvement of lymphocyte TH17 and interleukin‐17 remains understudied.ObjectivesThis study is the first investigation to examine the association between TH17 cells, interleukin‐17 and interferon‐ γ in patients and households contacts of leprosy.MethodsTo document the participation of TH17 cells and interleukin‐17 in the immunology of leprosy, to observe the behavior of interferon‐γ in relation to interleukin‐17 and to verify the differences found between individuals paucibacillary, multibacillary and household contacts, we analyzed samples peripheral blood to identify TH‐17 cells, interleukin‐17 and IFN‐γ; establishing relationships between all the groups.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the results found in the comparison between the paucibacillary and multibacillary groups of patients (P < 0.001), as well with the household contacts (P < 0.005). The polychemotherapeutic treatment modified the profile of immune response in multibacillary patients compared to what was observed before the start of treatment.ConclusionThe principal finding was that TH17 lymphocytes and interleukin‐17 actively participating in the immune response of Hansen's disease as well these cells can stimulate the cellular immunity.
Carotenoid‐based bill coloration functions as a social, not sexual, signal in songbirds (Aves: Passeriformes)
Authors: Dey C. J. , Valcu M. , Kempenaers B. , Dale J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMany animals use coloration to communicate with other individuals. Although the signalling role of avian plumage colour is relatively well studied, there has been much less research on coloration in avian bare parts. However, bare parts could be highly informative signals as they can show rapid changes in coloration. We measured bill colour (a ubiquitous bare part) in over 1600 passerine species and tested whether interspecific variation in carotenoid‐based coloration is consistent with signalling to potential mates or signalling to potential rivals in a competitive context. Our results suggest that carotenoid bill coloration primarily evolved as a signal of dominance, as this type of coloration is more common in species that live in social groups in the nonbreeding season, and species that nest in colonies; two socio‐ecological conditions that promote frequent agonistic interactions with numerous and/or unfamiliar individuals. Additionally, our study suggests that carotenoid bill coloration is independent of the intensity of past sexual selection, as it is not related to either sexual dichromatism or sexual size dimorphism. These results pose a significant challenge to the conventional view that carotenoid‐based avian coloration has evolved as a developmentally costly, condition‐dependent sexual signal. We also suggest that bare part ornamentation may often signal different information than plumage ornaments.
Within‐season increase in parental investment in a long‐lived bird species: investment shifts to maximize successful reproduction?
Authors: Schneider N. A. , Griesser M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn nest‐building species predation of nest contents is a main cause of reproductive failure and parents have to trade off reproductive investment against antipredatory behaviours. While this trade‐off is modified by lifespan (short‐lived species prioritize current reproduction; long‐lived species prioritize future reproduction), it may vary within a breeding season, but this idea has only been tested in short‐lived species. Yet, life history theory does not make any prediction how long‐lived species should trade off current against future reproductive investment within a season. Here, we investigated this trade‐off through predator‐exposure experiments in a long‐lived bird species, the brown thornbill. We exposed breeding pairs that had no prior within‐season reproductive success to the models of a nest predator and a predator of adults during their first or second breeding attempt. Overall, parents reduced their feeding rate in the presence of a predator, but parents feeding second broods were more risk sensitive and almost ceased feeding when exposed to both types of predators. However, during second breeding attempts, parents had larger clutches and a higher feeding rate in the absence of predators than during first breeding attempts and approached both types of predators closer when mobbing. Our results suggest that the trade‐off between reproductive investment and risk‐taking can change in a long‐lived species within a breeding season depending on both prior nest predation and renesting opportunities. These patterns correspond to those in short‐lived species, raising the question of whether a within‐season shift in reproductive investment trade‐offs is independent of lifespan.
Large‐scale simulation of temperature‐dependent phenology in wintering populations of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)
Authors: Petacchi R. , Marchi S. , Federici S. , Ragaglini G. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTo implement Area‐Wide Pest Management protocols at a regional scale (Liguria, northern Italy), egg deposition and adult flight of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, were monitored during 2009, 2010 and 2011. The consequence of complete generation in late winter – early spring was also examined. The reliability of a degree‐day model was tested to simulate the insect cycle, starting from October oviposition and considering a 379.01°C cumulative degree‐day (CDD) needed to complete development. The model was validated and then used to simulate olive fruit fly phenology in the region of Liguria, using a GIS approach and the agrometeorological network in the region. The output of the CDD model was mapped with two different spatialization modelling techniques, geostatistical autocorrelation and regression correlation, and altitude, aspect and distance from the sea were assessed as elements of variability. The regression correlation model provided a more accurate indication of B. oleae diversity at the local scale than the geostatistical autocorrelation model and identified the high spatial climatic variability of Liguria. The potential application of the distribution of days after oviposition and prediction error maps in support of pest management planning is discussed.
Parasitoid dispersal and colonization lag in disturbed habitats: biological control of cereal leaf beetle metapopulations
Authors: Evans E. W. , Bolshakova V. L. J. , Carlile N. R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractNatural enemies of insect pests of annual crops have been hypothesized either to lag, or alternatively not to lag, behind their prey in dispersing to and colonizing new habitat. We examined parasitoid dispersal and parasitism of the cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus [L.]; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) by the host‐specific wasp Tetrastichus julis [Walker] (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in wheat fields of northern Utah to assess whether a colonization lag occurred. Equally high rates of parasitism of beetle larvae (including second instars early in the year) occurred in 2010 and 2011 in fields that were newly planted to wheat vs. in fields where wheat had been grown also the previous year. A caging experiment demonstrated that parasitism in these newly planted wheat fields did not arise from parasitoid adults that had matured within the fields; instead, upon emerging in other fields, parasitoid females dispersed a minimum of 100–250 m to parasitize beetle larvae early in the spring in the newly planted fields. A transect study in 2012 revealed that T. julis females dispersed rapidly at least 600 m into a newly planted wheat field to parasitize most of the early maturing beetle larvae, which occurred at very low density. Thus, the parasitoid has very strong ability to match its host in dispersal over long distances across a highly disturbed agricultural landscape, and colonization lag appears of little importance in affecting biological control associated with this host–parasitoid interaction.
Framing of scientific knowledge as a new category of health care research
Authors: Salvador‐Carulla Luis , Fernandez Ana , Madden Rosamond , Lukersmith Sue , Colagiuri Ruth , Torkfar Ghazal , Sturmberg Joachim 
Published: November 2014

AbstractRationaleThe new area of health system research requires a revision of the taxonomy of scientific knowledge that may facilitate a better understanding and representation of complex health phenomena in research discovery, corroboration and implementation.MethodA position paper by an expert group following and iterative approach.Results‘Scientific evidence’ should be differentiated from ‘elicited knowledge’ of experts and users, and this latter typology should be described beyond the traditional qualitative framework. Within this context ‘framing of scientific knowledge’ (FSK) is defined as a group of studies of prior expert knowledge specifically aimed at generating formal scientific frames. To be distinguished from other unstructured frames, FSK must be explicit, standardized, based on the available evidence, agreed by a group of experts and subdued to the principles of commensurability, transparency for corroboration and transferability that characterize scientific research. A preliminary typology of scientific framing studies is presented. This typology includes, among others, health declarations, position papers, expert‐based clinical guides, conceptual maps, classifications, expert‐driven health atlases and expert‐driven studies of costs and burden of illness.ConclusionsThis grouping of expert‐based studies constitutes a different kind of scientific knowledge and should be clearly differentiated from ‘evidence’ gathered from experimental and observational studies in health system research.
Use of temporary nursing staff and nosocomial infections in intensive care units
Authors: Bae Sung‐Heui , Brewer Carol S. , Kelly Maureen , Spencer Alexandra 
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectivesTo examine the nature and prevalence of the use of temporary nursing staff in intensive care units and relationships between the use of temporary nursing staff and the occurrence of nosocomial infections (central line‐associated blood stream infections and ventilator‐associated pneumonia).BackgroundHiring temporary nurses raises controversial issues with respect to nurse staffing, care processes and patient outcomes, yet empirical findings regarding the use of temporary nurses are mixed. Whether adverse patient outcomes in intensive care units are related to the use of temporary nursing staff remains unexamined.DesignA retrospective longitudinal design was used.MethodsData were collected monthly from 12 intensive care units at six hospitals; 144 ICU‐month data points were used for the analysis. Chi‐square, anova and logit regression models were used to examine the research questions.ResultsThe intensive care units used higher levels of temporary nursing staff, but the use of temporary nursing staff was not significantly associated with nosocomial infections. Nurses' perceptions regarding staffing and resource adequacy were significantly associated with nosocomial infections.ConclusionsNo evidence was found to link the use of temporary nursing staff and nosocomial infections. Instead, nurses' perceptions of staffing adequacy were related to nosocomial infections.Relevance to clinical practiceGiven the greater use of temporary nursing staff in intensive care units, nurse managers in intensive care units need to monitor the levels of temporary nurse staffing and develop a systematic approach for hospitals to assist in these nurses' adjustment, which can reduce the burden of both temporary and permanent intensive care unit nurses. In addition to quantitative measures of nurse staffing, nurses' perceptions regarding staffing adequacy can be used to measure nurse staffing in relation to adverse patient outcomes.
Thirst in chronic heart failure: a review
Authors: Allida Sabine M , Inglis Sally C , Davidson Patricia M , Lal Sara , Hayward Christopher S , Newton Phillip J 
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectivesThis review will (1) explore factors related to thirst in chronic heart failure and (2) describe interventions to alleviate thirst in chronic heart failure patients.BackgroundThirst is a common and troublesome symptom of chronic heart failure. Despite the burden and prevalence of this symptom, there are limited strategies to assist in its management.DesignThis is a review of literature on the burden of thirst, contributors to thirst and potential management strategies of thirst in patients with chronic heart failure.MethodsMedline, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed and Scopus were searched using the key words thirst, chronic heart failure, angiotensin II, fluid restriction and intervention. Of the 165 citations yielded, nine studies (n = 9) were included. The eligibility criteria included participants with confirmed diagnosis of chronic heart failure, randomised controlled studies or any studies with thirst as primary or secondary outcome, in humans and in English. There was no limit to the years searched.ResultsFactors related to thirst in chronic heart failure were condition; prolonged neurohormonal activation, treatment; pharmacological interventions and fluid restriction and emotion. No intervention studies were found in chronic heart failure patients. Interventions such as artificial saliva and chewing gum have been investigated for their effectiveness as a thirst reliever in haemodialysis patients.ConclusionThirst is a frequent and troublesome symptom for individuals with chronic heart failure. It is highly likely that this contributes to poor adherence with fluid restrictions. Chewing gum can help alleviate thirst, but investigation in people with heart failure is needed.Relevance to clinical practiceIncreasing awareness of thirst and interventions to relieve it in clinical practice is likely to improve the quality of care for people with chronic heart failure.
Optimization of Culture Medium for Sporulation and Biomass Production of a Nematophagous Fungus: Consideration of Nutritional and Environmental Conditions
Authors: Gao Li 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis study reports the effects of various nutritional and environmental factors on sporulation and biomass of Paecilomyces lilacinus IPC‐P. These factors included carbon and nitrogen sources, carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios, mineral elements and vitamins together with water potentials, temperatures, dark/light cycles and pH. On the basis of these results, together with a ‘two‐step’ cultivation and orthogonal method, the culture conditions for sporulation of this fungus were optimized. The spore suspension was inoculated on a basal medium (sucrose 19.00 g/l, soy peptone 4.06 g/l, K2HPO4 1.00 g/l, KCl 0.50 g/l, MgSO4 0.50 g/l, FeSO4 0.01 g/l, agar 13.00 g/l) for 4 days, before being transferred to a sporulation medium (dextrin 2.27 g/l, urea 2.13 g/l, CaCl2 3.00 g/l, ZnSO4·7H2O 0.01 g/l, agar 13.00 g/l) for a further 4 days under the following environmental conditions: −3.9 MPa/pH 7/light 24 h/temperature 29°C; these conditions were altered to −0.3 MPa/pH 6/light 24 h/temperature 23°C in order to obtain better biomass yields. The data presented provide information on the nutrient and environmental requirements of this fungus, which will be essential for its commercial production.
Melatonin and its metabolites as copper chelating agents and their role in inhibiting oxidative stress: a physicochemical analysis
Authors: Galano Annia , Medina Manuel E. , Tan Dun Xian , Reiter Russel J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe copper sequestering ability of melatonin and its metabolites cyclic 3‐hydroxymelatonin (3OHM), N1‐acetyl‐N2‐formyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine (AFMK), and N1‐acetyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine (AMK) was investigated within the frame of the Density Functional Theory. It was demonstrated that these compounds are capable of chelating copper ions, yielding stable complexes. The most likely chelation sites were identified. Two different mechanisms were modeled, the direct‐chelation mechanism (DCM) and the coupled‐deprotonation‐chelation mechanism (CDCM). It is proposed that, under physiological conditions, CDCM would be the main chelation route for Cu(II). It was found that melatonin and its metabolites fully inhibited the oxidative stress induced by Cu(II)‐ascorbate mixtures, via Cu(II) chelation. In the same way, melatonin, AFMK, and 3OHM also prevented the first step of the Haber–Weiss reaction, consequently turning off the ˙OH production via the Fenton reaction. Therefore, it is proposed that, in addition to the previously reported free radical scavenging cascade, melatonin is also involved in a concurrent ‘chelating cascade’, thereby contributing to a reduction in oxidative stress. 3OHM was identified as the most efficient of the studied compounds for that purpose, supporting the important role of this metabolite in the beneficial effects of melatonin against oxidative stress.
Long‐term entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy in treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B patients in the real‐world setting
Authors: Idilman R. , Gunsar F. , Koruk M. , Keskin O. , Meral C. E. , Gulsen M. , Elhan A. H. , Akarca U. S. , Yurdaydin C. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the long‐term efficacy of entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on the natural course of disease in chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB) with/without cirrhosis in clinical practice. A total of 355 treatment‐naïve CHB patients were enrolled into the study. The primary outcome measure was viral suppression as defined by serum HBV DNA level <20 IU/mL. A secondary outcome measure was to determine the development of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Virological and biochemical responses were similar between the two treatment groups over time. The presence of cirrhosis and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity did not appear to impact viral suppression. The cumulative probability of HBeAg loss was 41% at 4 years of therapy. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in four patients. Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score was significantly improved from baseline to week 48 and 96 under antiviral therapy (P = 0.013, P = 0.01). HCC was diagnosed in 17 patients (4.8%). The cumulative probability of the development of HCC was 3.3% at 1 year and 7.3% at 4 years of therapy. The development of HCC was independently associated with older age (P = 0.031) and the presence of cirrhosis (P = 0.004). Serum creatinine levels and creatinine clearance remained stable over time. ETV and TDF effectively maintained virological and biochemical responses in long‐term follow‐up of CHB patients with/without cirrhosis. HCC may still develop, although at a lower rate, and is more likely to develop in patients with cirrhosis, especially in older patients.
Enhanced surveillance of hepatitis C in the EU, 2006 – 2012
Authors: Duffell E. F. , van de Laar M. J. W. , Amato‐Gauci A. J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryHepatitis C is a major public health issue across Europe, and with rapidly evolving developments in the therapeutic field, it is essential that countries have access to epidemiological information. In 2011, The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) introduced enhanced surveillance of hepatitis C across EU/EEA countries collecting routine data from national notification systems using standardized case definitions. Data collected from 2006 to 2012 indicate a high burden of disease with great variation in reported cases between countries. Most cases occurred among young adult males, and although injecting drug use dominated across all cases, there were increasing numbers of acute cases reported among men who have sex with men. Geographically, the reported data were the inverse of what may be expected based on findings from recent prevalence surveys in a number of EU/EEA countries. Unexpectedly, low figures were reported through notification systems in some southern and eastern European countries where prevalence is known from surveys to be high. This discrepancy highlights the limitation of surveillance data for a disease such as hepatitis C which is largely asymptomatic until a late stage, so that notifications reflect testing practices rather than real occurrence of disease. Further improvements to the quality of the data are important to increase data utility. Improved understanding of national testing practices is necessary to allow a better interpretation of surveillance results. Additional epidemiological studies alongside routine case‐based reporting in notification systems should also be considered to better estimate the true disease burden across Europe.