bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maintaining high rates of measles immunization in Africa
Authors: LESSLER J. , MOSS W. J. , LOWTHER S. A. , CUMMINGS D. A. T. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYSupplementary immunization activities (SIAs) are important in achieving high levels of population immunity to measles virus. Using data from a 2006 survey of measles vaccination in Lusaka, Zambia, we developed a model to predict measles immunity following routine vaccination and SIAs, and absent natural infection. Projected population immunity was compared between the current programme and alternatives, including supplementing routine vaccination with a second dose, or SIAs at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year intervals. Current routine vaccination plus frequent SIAs could maintain high levels of population immunity in children aged <5 years, even if each frequent SIA has low coverage (e.g. ⩾72% for bi-annual 60% coverage SIAsvs. ⩾69% for quadrennial 95% coverage SIAs). A second dose at 12 months with current coverage could achieve 81% immunity. Circulating measles virus will only increase population immunity. Public health officials should consider frequent SIAs when resources for a two-dose strategy are unavailable.
The double challenge of adapting to climate change while accelerating development in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: HASSAN RASHID 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTAccelerating economic growth and social development is necessary to reduce the vulnerability and enhance the adaptive capacity of sub-Saharan Africa to cope with the consequences of predicted unfavorable future climate. This requires major investments and policy reforms to induce a needed radical transformation of the way development is currently pursued to a more climate-sensitive path of low carbon growth. Key gaps in the current knowledge base that call for major investments and urgent attention include the ability to forecast more robust local future climate and to account for the uncertainties associated with climate risks for ecosystems' functions and probable nonconvexities in future impacts to project more plausible scenarios for future development in sub-Saharan Africa and provide better information on the costs and benefits of potential actions to avert the negative consequences of climate change.
Measuring sustainability under regime shift uncertainty: a resilience pricing approach
Authors: MÄLER KARL-GÖRAN , LI CHUAN-ZHONG 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper is concerned with the theory of resilience pricing and sustainability measurement in the presence of risk for regime shift in a dynamic economy–environment system. Following Holling (Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, vol. 4, 1973, pp. 1–23), we consider resilience as the maximal perturbation that the system can absorb without flipping into a qualitatively different state. Using a multisector growth model under uncertainty, we derive the shadow price of resilience that affects the probabilities of the system to flip in the future. We also analyze the role of resilience on sustainability with both ex-ante and ex-post welfare measures.
The economics of biodiversity: the evolving agenda
Authors: PERRINGS CHARLES 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper assesses how the economics of biodiversity, as a field, has evolved in response to developments in biodiversity science and policy over the life of the journal,Environment and Development Economics. Several main trends in the economics of biodiversity are identified. First, biodiversity change has come to be analyzed largely through its impact on ecosystem services (in the sense of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment). Second, there has been a growing focus on factors that optimally lead to biodiversity decline, i.e., the benefits to be had from reducing the abundance of pests, predators, pathogens, and competitors. Third, increasing attention is being paid to two global drivers of biodiversity change, climate and global economic integration, and the effect they have on the distribution and abundance of both beneficial and harmful species. Fourth, there has been growing interest in the development of instruments to deal with the transboundary public good aspect of biodiversity, and in particular in the development of payments for ecosystem services. The paper identifies the influence of these trends on attempts to model the role of biodiversity in the production of goods and services.
A Multiscale Approach to Assess the Complex Surface of Polyurethane Catheters and the Effects of a New Plasma Decontamination Treatment on the Surface Properties
Authors: Mrad Omar , Saunier Johanna , Aymes-Chodur Caroline , Rosilio Véronique , Bouttier Sylvie , Agnely Florence , Aubert Pascal , Vigneron Jacky , Etcheberry Arnaud , Yagoubi Najet 
Published: October 2010

AbstractPolyurethane catheters made of Pellethane 2363-80AE® were treated with a low temperature plasma developed for the decontamination of reusable polymer devices in hospitals. We investigated the modifications of the polymer surface by studying the topographic modifications, the chemical modifications, and their consequences on the wettability and bacterial adhesion. This study showed that plasma treatment modified the topography and grafted oxygen and nitrogen species onto the surface, resulting in an increase in the surface polarity. This effect could be correlated to the number of nitrogen atoms interacting with the surface. Moreover, this study demonstrated the significance of multiscale heterogeneities, and the complexity of industrial medical devices made from polymers. Their surface can be heterogeneous, and they contain additives that can migrate and change the surface composition.
The Discovery of the Long-acting PDE5 Inhibitor PF-489791 for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Bell Andrew S. , Palmer Michael J. 
Published: October 2010

Clinical studies with our male erectile dysfunction medicine, sildenafil, identified several additional indications for PDE5 inhibitors. Since these include disease indications requiring chronic treatment and/or single dose daily dosing in order to be competitive, we sought novel agents with an excellent safety profile, and in particular, no potential for off-target activity against other PDE family members.
We were able to identify a second generation PDE5 agent meeting these requirement based on a HTS–derived series. Key elements in discovery were the focus on physicochemistry and pharmacokinetics throughout the programme, together with the use of co-crystal structure data to guide design and identification of a parallel chemistry amenable, wide synthetic scope template. These elements enabled rapid discovery of a proprietary lead 3 with inherently good physicochemistry, a novel aminopyridine pharmacophore and PDE6 selectivity. Further optimisation provided advanced acidic, neutral and basic leads. Finally, a potent and selective acidic clinical candidate 13 with low clearance and an outstanding safety profile was identified. The excellent pre-clinical profile derived from our property-based strategy has successfully translated to once daily oral pharmacokinetics in man.
Satellite-based global-ocean mass balance estimates of interannual variability and emerging trends in continental freshwater discharge
Authors: Syed Tajdarul H. , Famiglietti James S. , Chambers Don P. , Willis Josh K. , Hilburn Kyle 
Published: October 2010

Freshwater discharge from the continents is a key component of Earth’s water cycle that sustains human life and ecosystem health. Surprisingly, owing to a number of socioeconomic and political obstacles, a comprehensive global river discharge observing system does not yet exist. Here we use 13 years (1994–2006) of satellite precipitation, evaporation, and sea level data in an ocean mass balance to estimate freshwater discharge into the global ocean. Results indicate that global freshwater discharge averaged 36,055 km
3
/y for the study period while exhibiting significant interannual variability driven primarily by El Niño Southern Oscillation cycles. The method described here can ultimately be used to estimate long-term global discharge trends as the records of sea level rise and ocean temperature lengthen. For the relatively short 13-year period studied here, global discharge increased by 540 km
3
/y
2
, which was largely attributed to an increase of global-ocean evaporation (768 km
3
/y
2
). Sustained growth of these flux rates into long-term trends would provide evidence for increasing intensity of the hydrologic cycle.
Asian dust particles converted into aqueous droplets under remote marine atmospheric conditions
Authors: Tobo Yutaka , Zhang Daizhou , Matsuki Atsushi , Iwasaka Yasunobu 
Published: October 2010

The chemical history of dust particles in the atmosphere is crucial for assessing their impact on both the Earth’s climate and ecosystem. So far, a number of studies have shown that, in the vicinity of strong anthropogenic emission sources, Ca-rich dust particles can be converted into aqueous droplets mainly by the reaction with gaseous HNO
3
to form Ca(NO
3
)
2
. Here we show that other similar processes have the potential to be activated under typical remote marine atmospheric conditions. Based on field measurements at several sites in East Asia and thermodynamic predictions, we examined the possibility for the formation of two highly soluble calcium salts, Ca(NO
3
)
2
and CaCl
2
, which can deliquesce at low relative humidity. According to the results, the conversion of insoluble CaCO
3
to Ca(NO
3
)
2
tends to be dominated over urban and industrialized areas of the Asian continent, where the concentrations of HNO
3
exceed those of HCl ([HNO
3
/HCl] > ∼ 1). In this regime, CaCl
2
is hardly detected from dust particles. However, the generation of CaCl
2
becomes detectable around the Japan Islands, where the concentrations of HCl are much higher than those of HNO
3
([HNO
3
/HCl] < ∼ 0.3). We suggest that elevated concentrations of HCl in the remote marine boundary layer are sufficient to modify Ca-rich particles in dust storms and can play a more important role in forming a deliquescent layer on the particle surfaces as they are transported toward remote ocean regions.
Maternal country of origin, breast milk characteristics and potential influences on immunity in offspring
Authors: Holmlund U , Amoudruz P , Johansson M A , Haileselassie Y , Ongoiba A , Kayentao K , Traoré B , Doumbo S , Schollin J , Doumbo O , Montgomery S M , Sverremark-Ekström E 
Published: October 2010

SummaryBreast milk contains pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines with potential to influence immunological maturation in the child. We have shown previously that country of birth is associated with the cytokine/chemokine profile of breast milk. In this study we have investigated how these differences in breast milk affect the cellular response of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs, cell line HT-29) to microbial challenge. Ninety-five women were included: 30 from Mali in West Africa, 32 Swedish immigrants and 33 native Swedish women. CBMCs or IECs were stimulated in vitro with breast milk, alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or peptidoglycan (PGN). Breast milk in general abrogated the LPS-induced down-regulation of surface CD14 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression on CB monocytes, while inhibiting the PGN-induced TLR-2 up-regulation. However, breast milk from immigrant women together with LPS induced a lower CBMC release of interleukin (IL)-6 (P = 0·034) and CXCL-8/IL-8 (P = 0·037) compared with breast milk from Swedish women, while breast milk from Swedish women and Mali women tended to increase the response. The same pattern of CXCL-8/IL-8 release could be seen after stimulation of IECs (HT-29). The lower CBMC and IEC (HT-29) responses to microbial compounds by breast milk from immigrant women could be explained by the fact that breast milk from the immigrant group showed a divergent pro- and anti-inflammatory content for CXCL-8/IL-8, transforming growth factor-β1 and soluble CD14, compared to the other two groups of women. This may have implications for maturation of their children's immune responses.
Low‐intensity agriculture increases farmland bird abundances in France
Authors: Doxa Aggeliki , Bas Yves , Paracchini Maria Luisa , Pointereau Philippe , Terres Jean‐Michel , Jiguet Frédéric 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. Farmland biodiversity continues to decline mainly because of agricultural intensification and land abandonment. Agri‐environment schemes can be designed to halt this loss by favouring extensification of agricultural practices and through sympathetic management of field boundaries and fallow land. In Europe, High Nature Value (HNV) farmland is defined as low‐intensity farmland supporting or associated with a high rate of biodiversity, in terms of species richness or habitat diversity and therefore plays a crucial role in the maintenance of European biodiversity. However, no large‐scale analysis has explored the role of these areas in achieving conservation goals. 2. We analysed information from widely used indicators in order to describe the impact of low‐intensity agriculture on farmland biodiversity in France. We used the HNV farmland indicator, based on agricultural statistics such as the Farm Structure Survey and the grassland survey, and common bird indicators, i.e. the Farmland Bird Indicator (FBI), the Community Specialization Index (CSI) and species richness indexes, based on the French Breeding Bird Survey. 3. Temporal trends in the farmland bird indicator showed that populations of farmland birds were more likely to increase inside HNV areas compared to non‐HNV areas. Although species richness is not higher within HNV farmland, bird communities are composed by more specialist species than in non‐HNV areas. In addition, these specialist bird species are significantly more abundant in HNV areas. 4. Synthesis and applications. Further farmland biodiversity decline is potentially reversible through an appropriate management of HNV areas. Existing and future agri‐environment schemes should focus on preserving and extending HNV farmland, by favouring the maintenance of low‐intensity agriculture and landscape complexity. Priority should be given to preserving diversity at the community level, with the help of adequate indicators, such as the ones presented here. The role of HNV farmland or similar concepts in combining agriculture and biodiversity goals should be further analysed and further used as large‐scale conservation tools.
History matters: village distances, grazing and grassland species diversity
Authors: Reitalu Triin , Johansson Lotten J. , Sykes Martin T. , Hall Karin , Prentice Honor C. 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. Temperate semi‐natural grasslands are characterized by high levels of species diversity and have a high conservation value. Plant species diversity in grazed semi‐natural grasslands is known to be influenced by management intensity and habitat connectivity. Both grazing pressure and between‐patch connectivity are expected to depend on the movement patterns of livestock in the landscape. 2. The present study examines associations between fine‐scale (within 0·25 m2 plots) plant species diversity in semi‐natural grasslands and present grazing intensity, present and historical habitat connectivity, and the (present and historical) distance from the nearest village. The study area was a local (4·5 × 4·5 km) agricultural landscape on the island of Öland, Sweden. 3. Fine‐scale (Shannon) diversity and species richness were unimodally associated with the distance from the nearest historical (ad 1800) village, with maximum values c. 1–1·5 km from villages. These associations suggest that the distance from historical villages behaves as an integrated descriptor of variation in long‐term management intensity (livestock movements) and reflects aspects of the functional connectivity between plant communities in semi‐natural grasslands. 4. Groups of variables characterizing village distances, grazing pressure and habitat connectivity had overlapping effects on species diversity. Grazing intensity had the largest individual impact on diversity, followed by the distance from the nearest historical village and present‐day habitat connectivity. 5. Synthesis and applications. The study indicates the importance of viewing grassland diversity in the context of local landscape history. Unimodal associations between fine‐scale plant species diversity and the distance from the nearest village in ad 1800 suggest that information on the proximity to villages in the historical landscape has a potential use in conservation planning – as an indicator of variation in long‐term grassland management intensity. Conservation programmes for grazed temperate grasslands should (1) give priority to old grasslands with an uninterrupted history of grazing management, (2) ensure a moderate grazing intensity, (3) avoid overgrazing and/or long breaks in the continuity of grazing management.
Patterns and mechanisms of conspecific and heterospecific interactions in a dry perennial grassland
Authors: Farrer Emily C. , Goldberg Deborah E. 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. Models of local stable coexistence require negative feedbacks, i.e. intraspecific interactions must be more negative than interspecific interactions. However, most competition experiments, often done in the glasshouse, have found evidence for competitive hierarchies. Measurement of interactions under realistic field conditions is necessary to assess their contribution to community dynamics, and explicit measurement of intermediaries thought to be important in interactions may allow studies to account for any variation in experimental results. 2. In this study, we compare conspecific and heterospecific interactions in a field experiment in a dry sand prairie in Michigan. We study the four dominant species at two different stages, germination and adult growth. Using seed addition and adult transplant experiments, we ask whether plants perform best in natural field monocultures of conspecifics, heterospecifics or no neighbour plots. We also measure abiotic environmental characteristics associated with each neighbourhood type and test whether performance can be explained by environmental effects. We hypothesize that plants will create competitive hierarchies because our experimental design is similar to classic competition experiments. 3. Neighbour species created consistent hierarchies in their effects on germination of all four target species, which is likely due to light limitation. However, interestingly, adult plant biomass for two of the three species (one species did not survive) was lower in conspecific monocultures compared to heterospecific or no neighbour plots, thus producing negative feedbacks. For two species, the effects of neighbours on adult growth are likely due to reduction of light and soil nitrate; for the third, however, resources could not explain the pattern that conspecific interactions were more negative than heterospecific. 4.
Synthesis. These results suggest that patterns in the relative strength of conspecific and heterospecific competition depend on life‐history stage. Moreover, resource uptake could explain some, but not all, of the interactions among species, suggesting that other factors such as microbial communities or other forms of niche partitioning may play a role and that field experiments are necessary to gauge their relative importance.
Spatial variation in disease resistance: from molecules to metapopulations
Authors: Laine Anna‐Liisa , Burdon Jeremy J. , Dodds Peter N. , Thrall Peter H. 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. Variation in disease resistance is a widespread phenomenon in wild plant–pathogen associations. Here, we review current literature on natural plant–pathogen associations to determine how diversity in disease resistance is distributed at different hierarchical levels – within host individuals, within host populations, amongst host populations at the metapopulation scale and at larger regional scales. 2. We find diversity in resistance across all spatial scales examined. Furthermore, variability seems to be the best counter‐defence of plants against their rapidly evolving pathogens. We find that higher diversity of resistance phenotypes also results in higher levels of resistance at the population level. 3. Overall, we find that wild plant populations are more likely to be susceptible than resistant to their pathogens. However, the degree of resistance differs strikingly depending on the origin of the pathogen strains used in experimental inoculation studies. Plant populations are on average 16% more resistant to allopatric pathogen strains than they are to strains that occur within the same population (48% vs. 32% respectively). 4. Pathogen dispersal mode affects levels of resistance in natural plant populations with lowest levels detected for hosts of airborne pathogens and highest for waterborne pathogens. 5. Detailed analysis of two model systems, Linum marginale infected by Melampsora lini, and Plantago lanceolata infected by Podosphaera plantaginis, show that the amount of variation in disease resistance declines towards higher spatial scales as we move from individual hosts to metapopulations, but evaluation of multiple spatial scales is needed to fully capture the structure of disease resistance. 6.
Synthesis. Variation in disease resistance is ubiquitous in wild plant–pathogen associations. Whilst the debate over whether the resistance structure of plant populations is determined by pathogen‐imposed selection versus non‐adaptive processes remains unresolved, we do report examples of pathogen‐imposed selection on host resistance. Here we highlight the importance of measuring resistance across multiple spatial scales, and of using sympatric strains when looking for signs of coevolution in wild plant–pathogen interactions.