bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water Diplomacy from a Duck's Perspective: Wildlife as Stakeholders in Water Management
Authors: van Rees Charles , Reed J. Michael 
Published: August 2015

AbstractContemporary water management strategies call for the inclusion of ecological research in the decision‐making process and emphasize environmentally sustainable management solutions. Most ecological information used in water management shares two problematic characteristics; 1) simplistic, phenomenological approaches and aggregated data that may not properly describe system behavior, and 2) a “zero‐sum” perspective treating ecological water needs as constraints to management. We argue that the newly devised Water Diplomacy Framework (WDF) can help overcome these shortcomings. We also provide a simple and intuitive method for integrating ecological factors into the WDF. We suggest that treating ecological phenomena as “surrogate stakeholders” in water negotiations increases opportunities for discovering mutual‐gains solutions and encourages a hypothesis‐based approach to research on the ecology of water management. By differentiating between the “positions” and “interests” of ecological stakeholder surrogates, decision‐makers can make greater use of the potential added value of ecosystem services in water management and avoid costly misunderstandings of the behavior of relevant ecological systems. We outline how the WDF can be applied to better integrate ecological factors into water management, and show how our approach could create synergies between endangered waterbird conservation and sustainable water management on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Aligning Climate Change Adaptation Planning with Adaptive Governance: Lessons from Exeter, NH
Authors: Aytur Semra A. , Hecht Jory S. , Kirshen Paul 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAdaptive governance has been recognized as an integrative approach for analyzing the social, institutional, ecologic, and economic aspects of decision‐making to build resilience against climate change. Although closely aligned with adaptive co‐management and ecosystem management, adaptive governance is a distinct framework that explicitly focuses on decentralized decision‐making through social processes such as collaborative learning, networking, and the promotion of cross‐sectoral partnerships to enhance adaptive capacity. In this paper, we explore an ongoing engagement process for climate change adaptation planning in Exeter, New Hampshire, and its alignment with key principles of adaptive governance. Climate change poses multiple challenges to Exeter, including increased flooding, reduced low flows, water quality degradation, and associated threats to estuarine ecosystems and public health. Engagement strategies include community conversations, workshops, experiential activities, and a community advisory board comprised of different stakeholder representatives (Citizens' Working Group) collaborating with the scientific team on water resources modeling and scenario analysis. We present important lessons about conveying expectations and timeframes of technical modeling to participants, developing multiple forums for interaction between researchers and other stakeholders, and making climate change locally relevant to residents by drawing connections to the community's experiences, cultural memory, values, and upcoming decisions. This study contributes to the literature on adaptive governance and climate change adaptation by evaluating stakeholder involvement in a local institutional setting, an important arena where adaptation decisions must be deliberated. It is also among the first studies to evaluate the ways in which a climate change adaptation stakeholder engagement process aligns with adaptive governance principles, particularly through boundary objects and experiences.
Nanostructured Hybrid Carbon Nanotube/UltraHigh‐Temperature Ceramic Heterostructures: Microstructure Evolution and Forming Mechanism
Authors: Xu Baosheng , Hong Changqing , Zhang Xinghong , Han Jiecai , Han Wenbo , Qin Faxiang 
Published: August 2015

An original catalytic method has been proposed to synthesize carbon nanotubes (CNTs)–ZrB2–ZrO2 heterostructures using ZrB2 polymeric precursor. The pyrolysized gases from the ZrB2 polymeric precursor are identified to be the carbon sources for CNTs growth. A parametric study is conducted to control the CNTs growth by optimizing parameters such as synthesis temperature and catalyst content. Observations show that the in situ grown CNTs are homogeneously dispersed in the powders, and the structure and the amount of CNTs are significantly dependent on the synthesis parameters. There are two kinds of grown CNTs existed in the produced hybrid heterostructures: (i) the kinking structured CNTs that are disordered and incomplete graphitization; (ii) the improved and graphitized CNTs. The ZrB2 polymeric precursor during thermal pyrolysis provides capable of supplying substantial carbon source for CNTs nucleation and growth by homogeneous vapor–liquid–solid reactions.
Thermal Expansion of the Orthorhombic Phase in the Ln2TiO5 System
Authors: Seymour Kevin C. , Hughes Robert W. , Kriven Waltraud M. 
Published: August 2015

The thermal expansion behavior of the orthorhombic phase in the Ln2TiO5 (Ln = La, Nd, Gd, Dy, and Y) system was evaluated, using synchrotron X‐ray diffraction from room temperature to approximately 1500°C in air. The components of the thermal expansion tensor were calculated from the refined d‐spacings, using the program CTEAS. Subsequent analysis of the thermal expansion and crystallographic information revealed that the mechanism behind the thermal expansion was a result of strained trigonal‐bipyramidal structures overcoming an energy barrier to become more relaxed. The temperature at which a significant shift in the trigonal‐bipyramidal structure manifests was correlated with the size of the rare‐earth cation that dictates the volume of the overall cell. Larger rare‐earth cations with larger cell volumes allow more room for the trigonal‐bipyramidal structures to easily relax.
Structure and Luminescence Characteristics of Eu3+‐Activated Trigonal Layered Perovskite Ba2La2ZnW2O12
Authors: Yu Ruijin , Li Mengxue , Xie Nannan , Wang Ting , Xue Na 
Published: August 2015

Eu3+‐doped tungstate Ba2La2ZnW2O12 phosphors with perovskite‐structure were prepared by the high temperature solid‐state reaction. The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns and structure refinements indicate that the phosphors crystalized in the trigonal layer‐perovskite. The luminescence properties of the phosphors were investigated such as photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, decay lifetimes, and color coordinates. It was found that the pure host shows self‐activated emission excited by the UV light. Moreover, Ba2La2ZnW2O12 also shows scintillation characteristics under the X‐ray irradiation. The near‐UV and blue light can efficiently excite Eu3+‐doped Ba2La2ZnW2O12 phosphors inducing the strong orange–red luminescence. The optimal Eu3+ doping concentration in this host is 40 mol%. The luminescence spectra and the luminescence color of the phosphors strongly depend on the doping levels and excitation wavelength. The different luminescence features were discussed on the base of crystal structure. Eu3+ ions have two possible substitutions on A or B sites in this trigonal layered perovskite. The phosphor could act as a candidate for the potential application in near‐UV excited white‐LEDs lighting.
The association between subgingival periodontal pathogens and systemic inflammation
Authors: Winning Lewis , Patterson Christopher C. , Cullen Kathy M. , Stevenson Kathryn A. , Lundy Fionnuala T. , Kee Frank , Linden Gerard J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate associations between periodontal disease pathogens and levels of systemic inflammation measured by C‐reactive protein (CRP).MethodsA representative sample of dentate 60–70‐year‐old men in Northern Ireland had a comprehensive periodontal examination. Men taking statins were excluded. Subgingival plaque samples were analysed by quantitative real time PCR to identify the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia. High‐sensitivity CRP (mg/l) was measured from fasting blood samples. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using log‐transformed CRP concentration as the dependent variable, with the presence of each periodontal pathogen as predictor variables, with adjustment for various potential confounders.ResultsA total of 518 men (mean age 63.6 SD 3.0 years) were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index (p < 0.001), current smoking (p < 0.01), the detectable presence of P. gingivalis (p < 0.01) and hypertension (p = 0.01), were independently associated with an increased CRP. The detectable presence of P. gingivalis was associated with a 20% (95% confidence interval 4–35%) increase in CRP (mg/l) after adjustment for all other predictor variables.ConclusionIn these 60–70‐year‐old dentate men, the presence of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque was significantly associated with a raised level of C‐reactive protein.
Committed to work but vulnerable: self‐perceptions and mental health in NEET 18‐year olds from a contemporary British cohort
Authors: Goldman‐Mellor Sidra , Caspi Avshalom , Arseneault Louise , Ajala Nifemi , Ambler Antony , Danese Andrea , Fisher Helen , Hucker Abigail , Odgers Candice , Williams Teresa , Wong Chloe , Moffitt Terrie E. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundLabour market disengagement among youths has lasting negative economic and social consequences, yet is poorly understood. We compared four types of work‐related self‐perceptions, as well as vulnerability to mental health and substance abuse problems, among youths not in education, employment or training (NEET) and among their peers.MethodsParticipants were from the Environmental Risk (E‐Risk) longitudinal study, a nationally representative UK cohort of 2,232 twins born in 1994–1995. We measured commitment to work, job‐search effort, professional/technical skills, ‘soft’ skills (e.g. teamwork, decision‐making, communication), optimism about getting ahead, and mental health and substance use disorders at age 18. We also examined childhood mental health.ResultsAt age 18, 11.6% of participants were NEET. NEET participants reported themselves as committed to work and searching for jobs with greater diligence than their non‐NEET peers. However, they reported fewer ‘soft’ skills (B = −0.98, p < .001) and felt less optimistic about their likelihood of getting ahead in life (B = −2.41, p < .001). NEET youths also had higher rates of concurrent mental health and substance abuse problems, but these did not explain the relationship with work‐related self‐perceptions. Nearly 60% of NEET (vs. 35% of non‐NEET) youths had already experienced ≥1 mental health problem in childhood/adolescence. Associations of NEET status with concurrent mental health problems were independent of pre‐existing mental health vulnerability.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that while NEET is clearly an economic and mental health issue, it does not appear to be a motivation issue. Alongside skills, work‐related self‐perceptions and mental health problems may be targets for intervention and service provision among this high‐risk population.
Prevalence of older people with intellectual disability in Sweden: a spatial epidemiological analysis
Authors: Ng N. , Sandberg M. , Ahlström G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe expected increase in longevity of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) in many countries of the world is a direct result of medical and social advances, which have also extended the longevity of the general population. It is important to assess the need for social services for people with ID across different administrative levels to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to where they are most needed. This study estimates the annual prevalence of older people with ID from 2004 to 2012 and in different counties and municipalities in Sweden, by sex and age group; identifies proxy indicators related to the care of older people with ID in different counties in 2012 in Sweden and analyses the spatial distribution and clustering of municipalities with a high prevalence of older people with ID.MethodsIndividuals with ID were identified through the national register based on the Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (the LSS act) and the national death register. This study focuses on older individuals aged 55+ during the period of 2004–2012. The estimated prevalence was calculated at the county and municipality level and plotted on a municipality‐level map. Moran's I statistics was used to identify any spatial clustering of municipalities with a large number of individuals with ID.ResultsThe prevalence of ID among older individuals aged 55+ in Sweden increased from 2004 to 2012. The prevalence was consistently higher among men, and the gender gap increased slightly in recent years. Age‐specific prevalence estimates showed ID to be higher in younger age groups, and the gender gap decreased in older age groups. The prevalence was higher in northern counties in Sweden (over 500 individuals per 100 000 population aged 55+). Higher prevalence areas were clustered in northern municipalities, whereas municipalities with high prevalence of older individuals with ID in the middle and southern regions of Sweden demonstrated a more widespread distribution.ConclusionsThe existence of clusters of counties with a high prevalence of older individuals with ID necessitates further assessment of how resources have been allocated to different counties and municipalities in Sweden. Investigations of the quality of social services provided to individuals with ID across different counties in Sweden are warranted. It is important to ensure that high quality supports are being provided to older individuals with ID in order to grant them the same right to healthy ageing as their counterparts living without ID throughout their life course.
The neonicotinoid imidacloprid, and the pyrethroid deltamethrin, are antagonists of the insect Rdl GABA receptor
Authors: Taylor‐Wells Jennina , Brooke Basil D. , Bermudez Isabel , Jones Andrew K. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA mutation in the second transmembrane domain of the GABA receptor subunit, Rdl, is associated with resistance to insecticides such as dieldrin and fipronil. Molecular cloning of Rdl cDNA from a strain of the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, which is highly resistant to dieldrin revealed this mutation (A296G) as well as another mutation in the third transmembrane domain (T345M). Wild‐type, A296G, T345M and A296G + T345M homomultimeric Rdl were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and their sensitivities to fipronil, deltamethrin, 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT), imidacloprid and spinosad were measured using two‐electrode voltage‐clamp electrophysiology. Spinosad and DDT had no agonist or antagonist actions on Rdl. However, fipronil, deltamethrin and imidacloprid decreased GABA‐evoked currents. These antagonistic actions were either reduced or abolished with the A296G and the A296G + T345M mutations while T345M alone appeared to have no significant effect. In conclusion, this study identifies another mutation in the mosquito Rdl that is associated with insecticide resistance. While T345M itself does not affect insecticide sensitivity, it may serve to offset the structural impact of A296G. The present study also highlights Rdl as a potential secondary target for neonicotinoids and pyrethroids.
image
We show for the first time that deltamethrin (a pyrethroid insecticide) and imidacloprid (a neonicotinoid insecticide) act directly on the insect GABA receptor, Rdl. Our findings highlight Rdl as a potential secondary target of pyrethroids and neonicotinoids mutations in which may contribute to resistance to these widely used insecticides.
Patient‐reported outcomes in the Swedish National Quality Registers
Authors: Nilsson E. , Orwelius L. , Kristenson M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPatient‐reported outcomes (PROs) are important in the healthcare system to gain understanding of patients' views on the effects of a treatment. There is an abundance of available patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs), both disease specific and generic. In the Swedish healthcare system, the national quality registers are obliged to incorporate PROs for certification at a high level. A review of the latest annual applications for funding (n = 108) shows that at present, 93 national quality registers include some form of PROM or patient‐reported experience measure (PREM). Half of the registers include some type of generic measure, more than half include disease/symptom‐specific measures, and around 40% include PREMs. Several different measures and combinations of measures are used, the most common of which are the EQ‐5D, followed by the SF‐36/RAND‐36. About one‐fifth of the registers report examples of how patient‐reported data are used for local quality improvement. These examples include enhancing shared decision‐making in clinical encounters (most common), as a basis for care plans, clinical decision aids and treatment guidelines, to improve the precision of indications for surgery (patient and healthcare professional assessments may differ), to monitor complications after the patient has left hospital and to improve patient information. In addition, funding applications reveal that most registers plan to extend their array of PROMs and PREMs in future, and to increase their use of patient‐reported data as a basis for quality improvement.
Melatonin suppresses activation of hepatic stellate cells through RORα‐mediated inhibition of 5‐lipoxygenase
Authors: Shajari Shiva , Laliena Almudena , Heegsma Janette , Tuñón María Jesús , Moshage Han , Faber Klaas Nico 
Published: August 2015

AbstractLiver fibrosis is scar tissue resulting from an uncontrolled wound‐healing process in response to chronic liver injury. Liver damage generates an inflammatory reaction that activates hepatic stellate cells (HSC) that transdifferentiate from quiescent cells that control retinol metabolism to proliferative and migratory myofibroblasts that produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix proteins, in particular collagen 1a1 (COL1A1). Although liver fibrosis is reversible, no effective drug therapy is available to prevent or reverse HSC activation. Melatonin has potent hepatoprotective properties in a variety of acute and chronic liver injury models and suppresses liver fibrosis. However, it remains unclear whether melatonin acts indirectly or directly on HSC to prevent liver fibrosis. Here, we studied the effect of melatonin on culture‐activated rat HSC. Melatonin dose‐dependently suppressed the expression of HSC activation markers Col1a1 and alpha‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA, Acta2), as well as HSC proliferation and loss of lipid droplets. The nuclear melatonin sensor retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor‐alpha (RORα/Nr1f1) was expressed in quiescent and activated HSC, while the membranous melatonin receptors (Mtrn1a and Mtrn1b) were not. The synthetic RORα agonist SR1078 more potently suppressed Col1a1 and αSma expression, HSC proliferation, and lipid droplet loss, while the RORα antagonist SR1001 blocked the antifibrotic features of melatonin. Melatonin and SR1078 inhibited the expression of Alox5, encoding 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO). The pharmacological 5‐LO inhibitor AA861 reduced Acta2 and Col1a1 expression in activated HSC. We conclude that melatonin directly suppresses HSC activation via RORα‐mediated inhibition of Alox5 expression, which provides novel drug targets to treat liver fibrosis.
Dispensing good sleep health behaviours not pills – a cluster‐randomized controlled trial to test the feasibility and efficacy of pharmacist‐provided brief behavioural treatment for insomnia
Authors: Fuller Joanne M. , Wong Keith K. , Hoyos Camilla , Krass Ines , Saini Bandana 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBehavioural therapies are recommended as the first‐line treatment of insomnia; however, sedatives and hypnotics constitute the main treatment modality used in primary care. Community pharmacies provide a unique conduit for identifying and providing appropriate treatment for those with insomnia either purchasing prescription sedatives or seeking over‐the‐counter treatments. A feasibility study using a cluster‐randomized controlled trial, testing the efficacy of trained pharmacists providing behavioural interventions such as stimulus control and sleep restriction to patients with insomnia, in improving insomnia severity was conducted. The intervention involved three pharmacy visits (baseline, 1 and 3 months follow‐up). The control group received usual care and information sheets on insomnia. The primary outcome was the Insomnia Severity Index. Twelve community pharmacists (five control, seven intervention) in New South Wales, Australia were recruited and trained. These pharmacists, in turn, recruited 46 patients (22 control, 24 intervention (mean age 53.7 ± 18.4, 72% females) and delivered a brief behavioural therapy intervention. The overall decrease in Insomnia Severity Index from baseline to the 3‐month follow‐up in the intervention group, n = 17 (7.6 ± 4.3 points), was significantly greater than for the control group, n = 19 (2.9 ± 8.8 points) (mean difference 4.6, 95% confidence interval: 0.005–9.2, P = 0.05). However, when the effect of clustering was taken into account using a mixed‐effects model, the estimated difference in Insomnia Severity Index (change from baseline to visit 3) between the intervention and control groups was not significant (group difference in Insomnia Severity Index change = 3.78, 95% confidence interval: −0.81 to 8.37, P = 0.11; intracluster correlation = 0.18). The study highlights the use of a novel venue to deliver brief behavioural therapies for insomnia using trained non‐psychologist health professionals. Although, when cluster effect was taken into account, the difference in Insomnia Severity Index reduction between the intervention versus control groups was non‐significant, the results highlight that reductions in insomnia severity can be gained using trained pharmacists providing brief behavioural interventions. Future research in this area is warranted, with appropriately sized studies using the conventional, robust randomized trial design.
Association of Vitamin D Status and Clinical Outcome in Dogs with a Chronic Enteropathy
Authors: Titmarsh H. , Gow A.G. , Kilpatrick S. , Sinclair J. , Hill T. , Milne E. , Philbey A. , Berry J. , Handel I. , Mellanby R.J. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundDogs with a chronic enteropathy (CE) have a lower vitamin D status, than do healthy dogs. Vitamin D status has been associated with a negative clinical outcome in humans with inflammatory bowel disease.ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations at diagnosis and clinical outcome in dogs with a CE.AnimalsForty‐one dogs diagnosed with CE admitted to the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, Hospital for Small Animals between 2007 and 2013.MethodsRetrospective review. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were compared between dogs which were alive at follow up or had died because of non‐CE‐related reasons (survivors) and dogs which died or were euthanized due to their CE (non‐survivors). A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant predictors of death in dogs with CE.ResultsSerum concentrations of 25(OH)D at the time a CE was diagnosed were significantly lower in nonsurvivors (n = 15) (median nonsurvivors 4.36 ng/mL, interquartile range 1.6–17.0 ng/mL), median survivors (n = 26) (24.9 ng/mL interquartile range 15.63–39.45 ng/mL, P < .001). Serum 25(OH)D concentration was a significant predictor of death in dogs with CE (odds ratio 1.08 [95% CI 1.02–1.18)]).ConclusionsSerum 25(OH)D concentrations at diagnosis are predictive of outcome in dogs with CE. The role of vitamin D in the initiation and outcome of chronic enteropathies in dogs is deserving of further study.