bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Romanian Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Authors: Gheorghe Cristian , Seicean Andrada , Saftoiu Adrian , Tantau Marcel , Dumitru Eugen , Jinga Mariana , Negreanu Lucian , Mateescu Bogdan , Gheorghe Liana , Ciocirlan Mihai , Cijevschi Cristina , Constantinescu Gabriel , Dima Simona , Diculescu Mircea
Published: March 2015

In assessing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), its diverse etiologies and the heterogeneous population affected should be considered. Diagnosing this condition remains a challenge in clinical practice especially for mild-to-moderate EPI, with the support of the time-consuming breath test or the coefficient of fat absorption. The fecal elastase-1 test, less precise for the diagnosis, cannot be useful for assessing treatment efficacy. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is the mainstay of treatment, whereby enteric-coated mini-microspheres are taken with every meal, in progressive doses based on an individual's weight and clinical symptoms. The main indication for PERT is chronic pancreatitis, in patients who have clinically relevant steatorrhea, abnormal pancreatic function test or abnormal function tests associated with symptoms of malabsorption such as weight loss or meteorism. While enzyme replacement therapy is not recommended in the initial stages of acute pancreatitis, pancreatic exocrine function should be monitored for at least 6-18 months. In the case of unresectable pancreatic cancer, replacement enzyme therapy helps to maintain weight and improve overall quality of life. It is also indicated in patients with celiac disease, who have chronic diarrhea (in spite of gluten-free diet), and in patients with cystic fibrosis with proven EPI.
Prevalence of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Romanian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Lupu Alexandru , Diculescu Mircea , Diaconescu Razvan , Tantau Marcel , Tantau Alina , Visovan Ioana , Gheorghe Cristian , Lupei Cristina , Gheorghe Liana , Cerban Razvan , Vadan Roxana , Goldis Adrian
Published: March 2015

Background & Aims: Anemia is the most frequent systemic complication in inflammatory bowel diseases. It affects the quality of life and can interact with working capacity. Our objectives were to identify the prevalence of anemia, its main causes and its management in patients with inflammatory bowel disease from Romania.Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective study from March 2013 to August 2014. We enrolled 291 patients from three referral centers: 115 (39.52%) with Crohn's disease (CD) and 176 (60.48%) with ulcerative colitis (UC). We defined anemia according to the WHO criteria.Results: Median age of the patients was 41 years and the median time period since diagnosis was 3 years (0.75-7). The median activity index for UC (UCAI) was 4 and the median CD activity index (CDAI) was 96. More patients with CD were on antiTNFα therapy (p < 0.01), corticosteroids (p =0.18) or azathioprine (p=0.05) and required surgery for their underlying disease at study enrollment (p < 0.01). Anemia was present in 31.27% of the patients, more often in those with CD (35.65%) than with UC (28.41%) (not statistically significant); 53.26% of the patients had iron deficiency while 4.12% had folic acid and 8.59% vitamin B12 deficiency; 9.62% of the patients had received anti-anemic therapy at inclusion in the study or in the last three months prior to study enrollment.Conclusions: About one in three Romanian patients with inflammatory bowel disease has anemia, which is frequently associated with iron deficiency. About 30% of the patients with anemia are under therapy and the most frequent route for iron supplementation is the oral one. This might contribute to the high prevalence of iron deficiency and the low level of compliance.
Population structure of Oncidium poikilostalix (Orchidaceae), in coffee plantations in Soconusco, Chiapas, México
Authors: García-González Alfredo , Damon Anne , Esparza Olguín Ligia , Valle-Mora Javier
Published: March 2015

Se estudió la estructura poblacional de la orquídea epífita Oncidium poikilostalix (Kraenzl.) M.W. Chase & N.H. Williams (Orchidaceae), nuevo reporte para México en 2008, en la región del Soconusco, Estado de Chiapas, al sureste del país. Crece en plantaciones de café de sombra en dos comunidades rurales, Fracción Montecristo (FM) y Benito Juárez El Plan (BJ). En 2008-2009, se determinaron las características de estas plantaciones de café, y la distribución de los distintos estadíos de vida (plántulas, juveniles, adultos) de esta orquídea, en los dos forofitos encontrados: plantas de café (Coffea arabica L.) y árboles de sombra (Inga micheliana Harms.). Se utilizó Análisis de Componentes Principales y Análisis Discriminante, para comparar todas las variables evaluadas. Hubo 1.123 individuos (82,63%) de O. poikilostalix en FM y 236 (17,37%) en BJ. De ellos, creciendo sobre cafetos, 1.060 individuos (94,4%) en FM y 214 (91,06%) en BJ, el resto ocupando árboles de sombra (I. micheliana). A pesar de mostrar las características de una epífita de ramilla, el mayor número de ejemplares de O. poikilostalix se contabilizó en los cafetos, en el micrositio ramas, con 703 individuos (55,18%) y en el tronco, en los árboles de sombra, con 78 individuos (91,76%). Más de un tercio de la población fueron individuos juveniles (504 individuos, 37,09%). Oncidium poikilostalix probablemente entró a México desde Guatemala y parece ser una planta vigorosa, que se está adaptando con éxito a sus nuevos sitios de ocupación.
Darwin's orchids: their variation, plasticity, and natural selection
Authors: Ackerman James , Morales Mariely , Tremblay Raymond
Published: March 2015

Las consecuencias de los patrones de variación en el éxito de una planta son críticas para revelar la selección natural. Uno de los grupos más variados de plantas son las orquídeas que llevan a cabo polinización por engaño las mismas engañan a los polinizadores los cuales buscan una recompensa alimentaria en ellas. La selección negativa dependiente de frecuencia y la selección disruptiva han sido sugeridas para explicar el mantenimiento de altos niveles de variación. En la mayoría de los casos estas selecciones no han sido detectadas, provocando otras explicaciones alternas como la deriva genética. ¿Podrá la selección natural ser nublada por la plasticidad fenotípica? Usando poblaciones de Tolumnia variegata como sistema modelo, nosotros realizamos un experimento de trasplante recíproco para determinar los efectos de la luz en las características de la parte vegetativa, inflorescencia y flores, a través de diferentes épocas del año. Los resultados fueron complejos, la mayoría de los rasgos medidos presentaron respuestas significativas a la luz, pero la mayoría de estos cambios fueron obscurecidos por respuestas variadas a través de los años, probablemente por una diferencia dramática en la precipitación. La producción de frutos fue similar entre sitios de sombra y sol, pero las trayectorias de selección de las características entre los dos lugares fueron en su mayoría incongruentes. Nuestros datos indican que la selección en un ambiente heterogéneo puede ser disfrazada por la plasticidad fenotípica, pero no todas las características responden de la misma manera.
A look at "The orchid book" in celebration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday
Authors: Cameron Kenneth
Published: March 2015

En febrero 12 de 2009, el mundo celebró el 200avo cumpleaños de Charles Darwin. Sus contribuciones al estudio de la evolución y los orígenes del hombre son bien conocidos, pero su investigación botánica no ha sido apreciada en su justa medida. Darwin publicó nueve libros diferentes que se enfocaron sobre plantas domesticadas, plantas insectívoras plantas trepadoras, y otros temas botánicos, pero el más notable es su estudio sobre las orquídeas, ya que fue el primer libro publicado después del Origen de las Especies (1859). El libro de Darwin, Sobre las estrategias por las cuales las orquídeas británicas y las introducidas son fertilizadas por insectos (Darwin, 1862), fue una visión a la sistemática de las orquídeas de zonas templadas y tropicales y de sus polinizadores. Los nueve capítulos tratan especies de Orchideae, Arethuseae, Neottieae, Vanilleae, Malaxideae, Epidendreae, Vandeae, Cymbidieae (especialmente Catasetum) y Cypripedioideae. Las flores de las orquídeas fueron descritas y estudiadas por Darwin con gran detalle, cuidadosos registros del comportamiento de los polinizadores fueron mantenidos, y una gran dosis de especulación fue agregada. Nuestra comprensión de la filogenia, polinización, fisiología, y toda la historia natural de estos grupos han avanzado tremendamente en los últimos 150 años. Pocas personas han notado que “el libro de las orquídeas”, se subtitula... “y sobre el Buen Efecto del Entrecruzamiento”. Fenómeno que fue de gran interés para Darwin y las orquídeas brindaron ejemplos concretos para substanciar su teoría. Aún en nuestros tiempos, el libro de “Orquídeas” de Darwin, continúa inspirando a los biólogos evolucionistas y ejemplifica el poder de la selección natural.
The genus Coryanthes: a paradygm in ecology
Authors: Gerlach Günter
Published: March 2015

Desde la época de Darwin, la biología de polinización de Coryanthes fascinó a los naturalistas, pero no solo con este fenómeno este género sorprende a sus observadores. Dr. Crüger, el director del Jardín Botánico de Trinidad fue el primero que investigó el proceso de la polinización en 1864. Él habló de la intensa atracción del aroma floral a ciertos himenopteros, pero la verdadera recompensa buscada por las abejas fue descubierta hace tan sólo 100 años por Dodson y Vogel. Todas las especies de Coryanthes crecen únicamente en llamados jardines de hormigas, éstas comunidades pueden llegar a un tamaño de 150 cm de diametro, solo el nido de las hormigas mide unos 80 cm. Los dos organismos son dependientes uno del otro, la planta esta condenada a la muerte si la colonia de hormigas asociada muere. Las plantas ofrecen nectar en nectarios extraflorales y con su sistema de raices facilitan una base para la construción del nido, mientras las hormigas defienden su planta contra herbívoros y las fertilizan con los excrementos de vertebrados colectados del suelo. La alimentación abundante permite a la planta un crecimiento muy rápido. Plantas de Coryanthes que crecen en viveros necesitan nada mas entre 2 a 3 años para florecer. Esto es tal vez es uno de los record en las orquídeas, porque las flores son muy grandes y pesadas. Estas pueden llegar a un peso de mas que 100 g, el cual es otro record dentro de la familia de las orquídeas. Las semillas para madurar necesitan solo 60 dias, una cápsula contiene alrededor de 600.000 granos de semilla, eso probablemente es una adaptación a su habitat tan vulnerable. El proceso de polinización es sincronisado con gran precision para atraer a una o pocas especies de euglosidos, solamente ellos pueden efectuar la polinización. Si una abeja demasiado grande para el pasaje de la flor es atraída, ella tapa la salida de la orquídea, resultando en la muerte de ambas. Una abeja demasiada pequeña puede pasar la flor sin efectuar la polinización. La atracción individualizada esta causada por la preferencia especifica de los machos de euglosidos en la composición química de los aromas florales. Las diferentes especies adentro del género Coryanthes tienen diferentes aromas florales, ayudando así también al taxónomo para distinguirlas o en otro caso unir especies variables cuales clones estan polinizados por la misma especie de abeja. Todas estas peculariedades de las especies de Coryanthes menciondas aquí son las respuestas de la evolución a la sobrevivencia en una ecología extrema. La ecología de estas plantas es tan compleja y diversificada que a pesar de un largo plazo de investigación intensiva, todavia no se conoce a cabalidad ó en totalidad una serie de procesos.
How uniform is species diversity in tropical forests?
Authors: Kindlmann Pavel , Vergara Cassas Carlos
Published: March 2015

Las preguntas acerca de la diversidad de especies ha atraído a los ecologistas desde hace más de un siglo. Uno de los factores que genera preguntas es la distribución de las especies, misma que se podría ser un resultado del llamado “efecto de los botánicos” o efecto del esfuerzo de colección, así por ejemplo una zona donde existan muchos orquideólogos, con seguridad tiene una gran diversidad, pero al mismo tiempo gran esfuerzo de colección. Otro fenómeno común asociado al esfuerzo de colección de encuentra en la distribución de especies endémicas, que aparecen como más diversas al borde de los carreteros, y que declinan su diversidad hacia el interior del bosque. En este estudio probamos esta hipótesis utilizando datos de especies de orquídeas bolivianas. Se encontró diferencias entre especies terrestres y epífitas. En el caso de las terrestres, tanto la diversidad como el número de individuos disminuyó hacia el interior del bosque. Sin embargo, las especies epífitas incrementaron su abundancia y diversidad hacia el interior del bosque. Las razones que explican los patrones observados son evidentes, ya que hacia el interior del bosque hay mayor densidad de árboles por lo tanto hay menor cantidad de luz que llega al suelo, por lo cual la diversidad de las especies terrestres declina. Así, los hábitats cercanos a claros de bosque son más propicios para especies terrestres, mientras que los que se encuentran al interior del bosque son apropiados par alas especies epífitas debido a una mayor disponibilidad de árboles hospederos.
Epigenetic information – Unexplored source of natural variation
Authors: Paun Ovidiu , Chase Mark
Published: March 2015

Con la aplicación de nuevas técnicas moleculares, rápidos avances se han hecho para comprender la organización de las orquídeas a nivel de poblaciones. Uno de los mayores problemas encontrados en varios grupos de orquídeas de zonas temperadas, ha sido que los taxa ecológicamente diferentes, al parecer son genéticamente similares. Por ejemplo, sabemos que Dactylorhiza traunsteineri, D. majalis, y D. ebudensis son resultado de la hibridización de D. fuchsii y D. incarnata, pero éstas tienen ecología y distribución diferentes dentro del nor-oeste de Europa. A través de la comparación de análisis “fingerprint” de regiones expresadas, con estudios “fingerprint” de sitios sensibles a la metilación en ADN genómico, podemos detectar patrones que indican que algunas de estas diferencias se deben a efectos epigenéticos, los cuales han sido encontrados en varios grupos que han sido expuestos a la influencia del ambiente. Así, taxa que son ecológicamente diferentes, pero que son al parecer genéticamente uniformes, podrían ser el resultado de la expression de genes, debido a una alteración de los controles epigenéticos, pero sin que haya ocurrido ningún cambio en el material genético.
Orchid seed stores for sustainable use: a model for future seed-banking activities
Authors: Seaton Phillip , Pritchard Hugh
Published: March 2015

Los Almacenes de Semillas de Orquídeas para Uso Sostenible (Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use – oSSSu Por sus siglas en inglés) es una iniciativa de tres años del proyecto Iniciativa Darwin del Reino Unido, con el principal objetivo de establecer una red global de bancos de semillas de orquídeas, enfocándose inicialmente en aquellos “puntos calientes” de biodiversidad en Asia y América Latina. Al momento de escribir este documento, hay 20 instituciones participantes en 16 países. A más largo plazo, nuestro objetivo es el de incluir un mayor número de instituciones de todo el mundo, y especialmente de países africanos. Tenemos la confianza de que una semilla seca de orquídea de buena calidad tiene el potencial sobrevivir durante muchas décadas bajo condiciones de temperatura de un banco de semillas convencional de alrededor de -20 C. Las instituciones participantes han recibido tubos para el almacenamiento de semillas, junto con los fondos para adquirir una congeladora de baúl específicamente dedicada así como algunos de los suministros consumibles necesarios. Se ha acordado una serie de protocolos, que por primera vez permitirán la comparación de la germinación de semillas de más de 250 especies de orquídeas de países tropicales y templados que cubren una amplia gama de tipos de hábitat en un solo medio de germinación (Knudson C) y compararlas con su viabilidad de largo plazo. El rol de la OSSSU tanto en conservación ex situ e in situ queda ilustrado con el caso de Cattleya quadricolor, una endémica colombiana. La historia de C. quadricolor es algo muy familiar: pérdida de hábitat combinada con la ilegal recolección de esta especie tan hermosa debido a intereses comerciales. Sin embargo, aquí tenemos un proyecto en el cual todas las piezas del rompecabezas de la conservación de orquídeas calzan en forma exacta: una Lista Roja actualizada para las orquídeas de Colombia que sería de gran ayuda para apuntar a las especies raras y amenazadas, un Plan Nacional de Acción para las especies de Cattleya, la participación en OSSSU, un grupo de cultivadores amateur y profesionales con los conocimientos necesarios para germinar las semillas para el proyecto y estar en capacidad de producir plántulas, un cultivador comercial comprometido que esté dispuesto a proporcionar plantas para polinización y realizar la cosecha de semillas, y un jardín botánico que está dispuesto a actuar como punto focal para re-introducir plantas de C. quadricolor cultivadas por el proyecto a un número de sitios que ofrezcan seguridad.
Evidence of protandry in Aa Rchb.f. (Orchidaceae, Cranichideae)
Authors: Trujillo Delsy , Franke Thassilo , Agerer Reinhard
Published: March 2015

Protandry has been described in orchids since Darwin (1862) as a strategy to promote cross-pollination. Three different forms of protandry have been reported in tribe Cranichideae: downward movement of the labellum in Spiranthes species, upward movement of the column in Sauroglossum elatum Lindl. and Manniella spp., and downward movement of the column in Prescottia stachyodes (Sw.) Lindl. In the present work, through longitudinal and transverse sections of flowers of different developmental stages, we reported column movement of Aa erosa (Rchb.f.) Schltr. and the mechanism responsible for the movement. Our result shows that in an early flower stage (male phase), the column of Aa erosa is straight. The gradual cell death of the dorsal side of the column and size increase of the cells of the ventral side cause the column to bend downward to almost 90o representing the female stage. Some authors have suggested self-pollination in Aa. But flies exploring inflorescences of Aa species have been observed in the field by the author. This observation plus the evidence of protandry in Aa erosa could discard self- pollination as the only strategy of pollination in this genus.
What will be left of the primary forest in Ecuador?
Authors: Hirtz Alexander
Published: March 2015

Ecuador es uno de los países más pequeños de América del Sur (250,000 kilómetros cuadrados) pero que tiene la más alta densidad de población humana con la red más alta de caminos primarios y secundarios, lo cual explica porqué Ecuador tiene la relación más alta per capita de corte y quema en América (aproximadamente 250,000 hectáreas por año). En exceso de un 20% de la superficie del país ha sido declarada como reservas naturales privadas o del gobierno, donde por lo menos 2 /3 del área es totalmente inaccesible y nunca ha sido estudiadas botánicamente. Así, un gran porcentaje de las aproximadamente 1000 especies endémicas de orquídeas descritas hasta la fecha para el Ecuador, probablemente no estén creciendo en estas reservas. El 80% restante de la tierra se encuentra subdividida en 843,000 propiedades, de las cuales el 4% son parcelas de más de 50 hectáreas. Se puede concluir que ningún bosque primario que se encuentre fuera de las reservas podrá sobrevivir en el futuro cercano y que las respectivas especies endémicas se extinguirán en la naturaleza. Por lo tanto la conservación ex-situ resulta imperativa.
New species and records of Orchidaceae from Costa Rica. II
Authors: Karremans Adam , Bogarín Diego , Fernández Melania , Smith Christina , Blanco Mario
Published: March 2015

Después de la publicación del tratamiento más reciente y completo de Orchidaceae en el Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica, nuevas especies siguen descubriéndose con regularidad en el país. Se discuten novedades en Acianthera, Epidendrum, Lepanthes, Masdevallia, Pleurothallis y Specklinia. Presentamos ocho nuevos registros incluyendo la reconsideración de Epidendrum concavilabium (como distinto de E. circinatum) y el primer registro del género Epistephium (E. ellipticum) en el país. Se describen tres nuevos taxones, Epidendrum alieniferum, Epidendrum × sandiorum (un híbrido natural putativo entre E. oerstedii y E. ciliare) y Lepanthes kabebatae.
Uso de análise discriminante para identificação da propensão para a aquisição de imóveis
Authors: Floriani Ricardo , Tambosi Silvana Silva Vieira , Hein Nelson
Published: March 2015

Os imóveis normalmente representam uma grande conquista para pessoas e famílias, pois possuem um valor agregado elevado em comparação com os rendimentos familiares. Este artigo tem por objetivo identificar a intenção de compra de imóvel, bem como a finalidade do imóvel que as pessoas ou famílias tendem a comprar, se para moradia ou para investimento. Para isto, propõe a seguinte pergunta de pesquisa: Quais as características que melhor descrevem as pessoas/famílias que têm intenção de adquirir imóveis? O estudo se justifica pela importância econômica do setor imobiliário para a economia, bem como para os players do mercado imobiliário que podem desenvolver seus produtos imobiliários baseados no perfil dos potenciais adquirentes. Como ferramenta estatística, foi utilizada a análise discriminante aplicada a dados obtidos por meio de um questionário enviado por e-mail. Foram obtidas 334 respostas ao questionário. Com base no estudo realizado, pode-se observar que é possível a identificação da propensão ou intenção para aquisição de bens imóveis, bem como a finalidade da aquisição do bem, para moradia ou para investimento.Palavras-chave: Imóveis. Aquisição. Análise Discriminante.
Redução de custos no processo produtivo com a utilização do ABC e Ferramentas Lean: estudo de caso em uma indústria de componentes de refrigeração
Authors: Guimarães Levi da Silva , Medeiros Hyggor da Silva , Santana Alex Fabiano Bertolo , Pereira Marcelo da Silva
Published: March 2015

O presente artigo tem como enfoque a gestão da produção no que diz respeito aos custos operacionais que incidem diretamente no valor do produto. Como base para o estudo foi utilizado o sistema de custos baseado em atividades (Activity Based Costing – ABC), que fornece informações quanto a descoberta dos custos das atividades, e algumas ferramentas lean como o: mapa de fluxo de valor (VSM – Value Stream Mapping), Single minute exchange die (SMED), Kanban etc. O método adotado para essa pesquisa foi o estudo de caso. O estudo foi realizado em uma empresa de componentes de refrigeração no Polo industrial de Manaus, as análises e observações partiram inicialmente da aplicação do ABC em uma linha de produção, e do mapeamento do processo através do fluxo de valor, medindo o estado atual das atividades (Tempo de ciclo, setup, etc). Após mapeamento foi possível identificar os desperdícios em cada atividade e com base na metodologia Lean reduzir as perdas no processo. Os resultados obtidos depois deste estudo mostraram-se na redução de aproximadamente 20% dos custos relacionado ao processo produtivo.Palavras-chave: Sistema de custos baseado em atividades – ABC. Mapa de fluxo de valor. Lean manufacturing. Polo industrial de Manaus. Desperdícios.
Do growing degree days predict phenology across butterfly species?
Authors: Cayton Heather L. , Haddad Nick M. , Gross Kevin , Diamond Sarah E. , Ries Leslie
Published: March 2015

Global climate change is causing shifts in phenology across multiple species. We use a geographically and temporally extensive data set of butterfly abundance across the state of Ohio to ask whether phenological change can be predicted from climatological data. Our focus is on growing degree days (GDD), a commonly used measure of thermal accumulation, as the mechanistic link between climate change and species phenology. We used simple calculations of median absolute error associated with GDD and an alternative predictor of phenology, ordinal date, for both first emergence and peak abundance of 13 butterfly species. We show that GDD acts as a better predictor than date for first emergence in nearly all species, and for peak abundance in more than half of all species, especially univoltine species. Species with less ecological flexibility, in particular those with greater dietary specialization, had greater predictability with GDD. The new method we develop for predicting phenology using GDD offers a simple yet effective way to predict species' responses to climate change.
Community-Based Case Management and Health Care Use in Older Adults: Outcomes of a Collaborative Multiagency Approach
Authors: Giunta Nancy , Cain Kathleen
Published: March 2015

Case management (CM) establishes valuable connections between clients and needed supports. There are, however, mixed results on its prediction of health care use. This quasi-experimental record review (N = 96) of a collaborative CM consortium examined predictors of health care use among older adults (aged older than 60 years) who had received CM for at least 6 months. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate models were used to predict differences in outcomes (hospitalization and emergency room [ER] visits) between participants who received CM and those who did not. Hospitalization rates were significantly lower among CM recipients. Living alone, identifying as White/non-Hispanic, and higher numbers of medications were significant copredictors of hospital use. CM was not a significant predictor of ER use. Race/ethnicity, however, remained significant in that White/non-Hispanic participants were 4 times likely to have at least 1 ER visit than persons of color. Implications for future research are discussed to promote better understanding of the effectiveness of CM, particularly within ethnically and racially diverse communities. Further inquiry is needed around the experiences of older adults of color, those who live alone, or who take multiple medications as needed. Further testing of a consortium model is necessary to determine value added through a multiagency approach.
The Analysis for the Causes of Surgical Cancellations in a Brazilian University Hospital
Authors: Cihoda Josiane Harumi , Alves Jessika Rojo , Fernandes Luciano Augusto , de Souza Neto Edmundo Pereira
Published: March 2015

Background: The aim of our study is to quantify the occurrence of suspension of scheduled surgeries in a Brazilian university hospital, trying to identify the causes of suspension of these operations and meet the medical specialties that most contributed to the cancellation.

Methods: This study takes the form of an exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative enquiry carried out by analyzing the database from 2008 to 2011 of the operating theater.

Results: Of the 29,518 scheduled surgeries, 16.1% were cancelled. The patient was the main reason, accounting for more than 40% of all suspensions. When calculating the rate of surgery suspended from a specialty, dividing the number of cancelled surgeries in a specialty by the number of scheduled surgeries in the same, we found that otolaryngology is the specialty with the highest rate of 21.3%.

Conclusions: One of the main reasons in our sample why surgeries were cancelled is nonappearance of the patient. Improving communication between patient and hospital facilitates the client program and also contributes to avoid cancellations.
Organizational Wellbeing among Workers in Mental Health Services: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sancassiani Federica , Campagna Marcello , Tuligi Francesco , Machado Sergio , Cantone Elisa , Carta Mauro Giovanni
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Organizational wellbeing in mental health services influences the outcomes of users and their families. Workers should be motivated, have a positive morale and be able to recognize values and the deep meaning of their work. This survey aims to examine the organizational wellbeing of the services provided by the Department of Mental Health (DSM) in Lanusei (Italy) and the correlations between job satisfaction and the psychosomatic health of its workers.Materials and Methodology:Descriptive-correlational study on a population of 43 mental health workers. Organizational wellbeing, as well as workers’ job satisfaction and psychosomatic health, were measured using the “Multidimensional Organizational Health Questionnaire” (MOHQ). It is a self-report questionnaire able to examine 14 dimensions of organizational wellbeing, 14 indicators about individual discomfort, 12 indicators about individual wellbeing, 8 psychosomatic symptoms related to job distress.Results:31 workers (72%) participated in the survey. Regarding the organizational wellbeing of DSM, the general profile mean±sd was 2.66±0.28 (values from 1 to 4: 1=never, 4=often). Job satisfaction was negatively correlated with headaches and concentration difficulties (R=-.584, p=0.001), nervousness, restlessness, anxiety (R=-.571, p=0.001), sense of excessive fatigue (R=-.634, p=0.000) and sense of depression (R=-.558, p=0.001) reported by workers.Conclusions:Data denoted an overall healthy state of the DSM. There were significant correlations between workers’ job satisfaction and their psychosomatic health. The recognition and restitution about the weakness and strengths of the services could be useful to point out some organizational development perspectives.
Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Routinely: An Example in the Context of Elective Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Dawson Jill , Rogers Katherine , Doll Helen , Fitzpatrick Ray , Cooper Cushla , Carr Andrew
Published: March 2015

Objectives:

This paper evaluates the usefulness of a set of PROMs data collected prospectively, in a relational
database, over several years. The data were collected as part of routine practice, to audit patients undergoing shoulder
surgery.

Methods:

Data, rendered anonymous, which included all upper limb surgical procedures and all outcome questionnaires
(including Oxford Shoulder Score, OSS) data, were downloaded, prepared and analysed to produce the shoulder surgery
study population. Details of procedures and questionnaires were merged by shoulder and analysed for completeness and
accuracy. Pre- and post-operative OSS scores, with repeated observations from individual patients, were analysed using
maximum likelihood mixed effects linear regression models.

Results:

Data preparation and cleaning was intensive. The final dataset contained 2110 questionnaires representing 815
surgical procedures and 755 patients. In relation to procedures, only 538 (66%) had a pre- and post-operative OSS score:
78 (9.5%) a pre-operative OSS only, 199 (24.4%) a post-operative OSS only, and 31 (3.8%) no OSS completed. OSS
questionnaires had been completed in varying numbers and at varying times per procedure. There was a considerable
amount of ‘missing’ data that was not missing completely at random. Missing data had a significant influence on OSS
scores.

Conclusions:

In the absence of a research question (eg. exploratory research, descriptive audits, registers), a reason for
collecting PROMs data should be stipulated and methods of data collection and storage standardised. Poor data cannot be
‘fixed’ in statistical analysis; statistical advice should be sought during the planning stages.
The Geography of Fatty Infiltrates Within the Cervical Multifidus and Semispinalis Cervicis in Individuals With Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders
Authors: Abbott Rebecca , Pedler Ashley , Sterling Michele , Hides Julie , Murphey Todd , Hoggarth Mark , Elliott James
Published: March 2015

Study Design

Cross-sectional.

Objectives

To quantify the magnitude and distribution of muscle fat infiltration (MFI) within the cervical multifidus and semispinalis cervicis muscles in participants with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) compared to those who have fully recovered from a whiplash injury and healthy controls.

Background

Previous research has established the presence of increased MFI throughout the cervical extensor muscles of individuals with WAD when compared to healthy controls. These changes appear to be greater in the deepest muscles (eg, multifidus and semispinalis cervicis) than in the more superficial muscles. A detailed analysis of the distribution of MFI within these deep extensor muscles in chronic WAD, recovered, and control groups would provide a foundation for further investigation of specific mechanisms, etiologies, and targets for treatments.

Methods

Fifteen participants (WAD, n = 5; recovered, n = 5; and control, n = 5) were studied using a 3-D fat-water separation magnetic resonance imaging sequence. Bilateral measures of cervical multifidus and semispinalis cervicis MFI in 4 quartiles (1 [medial] to 4 [lateral]) at cervical levels C3 through C7 were included in the analysis. Intrarater and interrater reliability were established. A mixed-model analysis was performed to control for covariates, identify interaction effects, and compare MFI distribution between groups.

Results

The limits of agreement confirmed strong intrarater and interrater agreement at all levels (C3–C7). Sex, age, and body mass index were identified as significant covariates for MFI. Significant interactions were found between group and muscle quartile (P<.001) and between muscle quartile and cervical level (P<.001). Pairwise comparisons for intraquartile MFI between groups revealed significantly greater MFI in the WAD group when compared to the recovered group in the first quartile (P<.001), second quartile (P<.001), and third quartile (P = .03). When compared to the control group, the WAD group had significantly greater MFI in the first quartile (P = .002) and the second quartile (P = .045). The control group had significantly higher MFI in comparison to the recovered group in the first quartile (P = .048).

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary data mapping the spatial distribution of MFI in the cervical multifidus and semispinalis cervicis muscles in individuals with chronic WAD, those who have recovered from a whiplash injury, and healthy controls. Muscle fat infiltration is more concentrated in the medial portion of the muscles in all participants. However, the magnitude of MFI in the medial quartiles (1 and 2) is greatest in the chronic WAD group. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(4):281–288. Epub 4 Mar 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5719
Young New Zealand women's sexual decision making in casual sex situations: A qualitative study
Authors: Cooper Annette , Gordon Barrie
Published: March 2015

This qualitative study explores the sexual decision making (SDM) of a group of young New Zealand women who had previously participated in casual sex without a condom. In doing so, it helps address a gap in the literature of first-hand accounts of the factors that have influenced SDM related to sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk in New Zealand. Eleven women were interviewed with the intention of gaining a greater understanding of their SDM before, and in, the ‘heat of the moment’. Four major themes related to SDM emerged from the data: 1) the importance of being in a relationship; 2) the influence of alcohol on SDM; 3) the power of societal expectations and the women's desire to be seen as “normal”; and 4) the sense of powerlessness many felt in negotiating condom use. The findings are discussed in relation to their relevance for sexual health promotion in the social context of New Zealand and in terms of research indicating that similar factors influence the SDM of young women in other Western countries.
Characterizing Usage Patterns for Powered Two-Wheelers from Automatic Vehicle Identification Data in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Delbosc Alexa , Rose Geoffrey
Published: March 2015

Australia's cities face increasing concerns about traffic congestion and pollution, concerns that encourage an interest in sustainable transport choices. Most of the focus of these concerns has been on cars, public transport, and active transport, whereas the role of powered two-wheelers (PTWs)–-specifically, motorcycles and motor scooters–-has received little attention. Most PTW research focuses on road safety implications, and little is known about their usage patterns. Automatic vehicle identification counts at two major tolled freeways in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia–-one radial freeway close to the city center and one orbital freeway 20 to 30 km southeast of the city center–-were analyzed. Automatic vehicle classification equipment recorded hourly traffic counts and PTW counts from 2006 to 2012. The classified count data were analyzed to explore the pattern of PTW use by time of day, by day of week, and across the seasons. Regression analyses were used to examine weather effects. Comparisons were drawn between PTW and non-PTW traffic and between the radial and orbital freeways. A discussion of the findings and suggestions for additional research are presented.
Chemical Constituents and Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Four Typical Bamboo Species Leaves
Authors: Wang Cheng-Zhang , Zhang Hong-Yu , Li Wen-Jun , Ye Jian-Zhong
Published: March 2015

In order to find bamboo leaves with high contents of bioactive polysaccharides, 32 samples were chosen to analyze their polysaccharide content by GC and sulfuric acid-anthrone colorimetric assays. Purified polysaccharides (BLPS) were separated from the four varieties P. nigra (Lodd.) Munro (PN), P. vivax McClure (PV), Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Fenzi) Makino (CQ), and P. bambussoides cv. Tanakae (PB) by ultrasound extraction, solution precipitation, ion exchange resin, DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. BLPS structural characterization was accomplished by HPLC-GPC, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and NaIO4-HIO4 oxidation reactions. The results showed that the total polysaccharides of the bamboo leaves in samples 1–32 ranged between 1.4% and 5.4%, Samples No. 29–No. 32 (PN, PV, CQ, and PB) contained 2–3 fold more polysaccharides than No. 1~No. 28 among the 32 different species, particularly the content of galactose was in a range of 21.5%–34.1% for these four typical bamboo species leaves, which was also more than 2–3 fold higher than in No. 1–No. 28. Sugar analysis indicated that PN-PBLPS-1, PV-PBLPS-1, CQ-PBLPS-1 and PB-PBLPS-1 from the four varieties were homogeneous polysaccharides with molecular weights of 2.04 × 104, 1.15 × 104, 8.75 × 104 and 1.48 × 104 Da, respectively. PB-PBLPS-1 was a mixture of α-galactopyranose and β-d-glucopyranose linkages with α-(1→6) or β-(1→6)glycosidic bonds, while PN-PBLPS-1, PV-PBLPS-1, and CQ-PBLPS-1 had α galactopyranose linkages with α-(1→6) glycosidic bonds.
Natural Products for the Treatment of Trachoma and Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Potroz Michael , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: March 2015

The neglected tropical disease (NTD) trachoma is currently the leading cause of eye disease in the world, and the pathogenic bacteria causing this condition, Chlamydia trachomatis, is also the most common sexually transmitted pathogenic bacterium. Although the serovars of this bacterial species typically vary between ocular and genital infections there is a clear connection between genital C. trachomatis infections and the development of trachoma in infants, such that the solutions to these infections are closely related. It is the unique life cycle of the C. trachomatis bacteria which primarily leads to chronic infections and challenges in treatment using conventional antibiotics. This life cycle involves stages of infective elementary bodies (EBs) and reproductive reticulate bodies (RBs). Most antibiotics only target the reproductive RBs and this often leads to the need for prolonged therapy which facilitates the development of drug resistant pathogens. It is through combining several compounds to obtain multiple antimicrobial mechanisms that we are most likely to develop a reliable means to address all these issues. Traditional and ethnobotanical medicine provides valuable resources for the development of novel formulations and treatment regimes based on synergistic and multi-compound therapy. In this review we intend to summarize the existing literature on the application of natural compounds for controlling trachoma and inhibiting chlamydial bacteria and explore the potential for the development of new treatment modalities.
A Novel and Effective Chromatographic Approach to the Separation of Isoflavone Derivatives from Pueraria lobata
Authors: Fu Jiang , Jing Wenguang , Wang Weihao , Chen Sha , Zhang Jun , Liu An
Published: March 2015

A novel and effective chromatographic approach to the separation and purification of isoflavone compounds from Pueraria lobata is described. The method is based on flash chromatography (FC), coupled to preparative high performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) via a six-way valve. The FC step comprised tandem reversed phase columns, pre-packed with MCI gel (Mitsubishi Chemical Corp., Tokyo, Japan) and C18 (Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd, Osaka, Japan) resin, respectively, and was designed to separate a crude Pueraria lobata extract into several preliminary fractions. Fractions containing the target compounds were then directly injected via the six-way valve into prep-HPLC columns, without further treatment, for final isolation and purification. Nine isoflavonoids were successfully isolated, three through an online mode and the other six through an offline mode. The purities of all compounds exceeded 95.0%, as determined by HPLC with an UV-vis photodiode array detector. The convenience, low solvent consumption, and time-saving advantages of this method offer an attractive and promising approach to the isolation of natural products.
Assessment of Surface Soil Moisture Using High-Resolution Multi-Spectral Imagery and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Hassan-Esfahani Leila , Torres-Rua Alfonso , Jensen Austin , McKee Mac
Published: March 2015

Many crop production management decisions can be informed using data from high-resolution aerial images that provide information about crop health as influenced by soil fertility and moisture. Surface soil moisture is a key component of soil water balance, which addresses water and energy exchanges at the surface/atmosphere interface; however, high-resolution remotely sensed data is rarely used to acquire soil moisture values. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to quantify the effectiveness of using spectral images to estimate surface soil moisture. The model produces acceptable estimations of surface soil moisture (root mean square error (RMSE) = 2.0, mean absolute error (MAE) = 1.8, coefficient of correlation (r) = 0.88, coefficient of performance (e) = 0.75 and coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.77) by combining field measurements with inexpensive and readily available remotely sensed inputs. The spatial data (visual spectrum, near infrared, infrared/thermal) are produced by the AggieAir™ platform, which includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that enables users to gather aerial imagery at a low price and high spatial and temporal resolutions. This study reports the development of an ANN model that translates AggieAir™ imagery into estimates of surface soil moisture for a large field irrigated by a center pivot sprinkler system.
Distributed Multi-Level Supervision to Effectively Monitor the Operations of a Fleet of Autonomous Vehicles in Agricultural Tasks
Authors: Conesa-Muñoz Jesús , Gonzalez-de-Soto Mariano , Gonzalez-de-Santos Pablo , Ribeiro Angela
Published: March 2015

This paper describes a supervisor system for monitoring the operation of automated agricultural vehicles. The system analyses all of the information provided by the sensors and subsystems on the vehicles in real time and notifies the user when a failure or potentially dangerous situation is detected. In some situations, it is even able to execute a neutralising protocol to remedy the failure. The system is based on a distributed and multi-level architecture that divides the supervision into different subsystems, allowing for better management of the detection and repair of failures. The proposed supervision system was developed to perform well in several scenarios, such as spraying canopy treatments against insects and diseases and selective weed treatments, by either spraying herbicide or burning pests with a mechanical-thermal actuator. Results are presented for selective weed treatment by the spraying of herbicide. The system successfully supervised the task; it detected failures such as service disruptions, incorrect working speeds, incorrect implement states, and potential collisions. Moreover, the system was able to prevent collisions between vehicles by taking action to avoid intersecting trajectories. The results show that the proposed system is a highly useful tool for managing fleets of autonomous vehicles. In particular, it can be used to manage agricultural vehicles during treatment operations.
The Influence of Interethnic Ideologies on Intention to Discriminate through In-Group Favoritism
Authors: Courtois Marie , Herman Ginette
Published: March 2015

This study examines the effects of two interethnic ideologies (assimilation and multiculturalism) on in-group favoritism and discrimination intention toward immigrants. Specifically, this study aims to test the concomitant impact of these two ideologies on intergroup biases in order to affirm whether these two paths are related to intergroup bias. Moreover, this study is designed to extend previous work that found relationships between interethnic ideologies and in-group favoritism to discrimination intention. Graduate students in management programs (N = 182) answered a questionnaire. The findings show that both interethnic ideologies are concomitantly related to in-group favoritism. In particular, while assimilation is positively related to in-group favoritism, multiculturalism is negatively related to in-group favoritism. Additionally, it shows evidence of indirect relationships between interethnic ideologies and the discrimination intention through in-group favoritism. The results are discussed in light of interethnic ideologies literature and presents directions for future research.
Relationship of Deoxynivalenol Content in Grain, Chaff, and Straw with Fusarium Head Blight Severity in Wheat Varieties with Various Levels of Resistance
Authors: Ji Fang , Wu Jirong , Zhao Hongyan , Xu Jianhong , Shi Jianrong
Published: March 2015

A total of 122 wheat varieties obtained from the Nordic Genetic Resource Center were infected artificially with an aggressive Fusariumasiaticum strain in a field experiment. We calculated the severity of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and determined the deoxynivalenol (DON) content of wheat grain, straw and glumes. We found DON contamination levels to be highest in the glumes, intermediate in the straw, and lowest in the grain in most samples. The DON contamination levels did not increase consistently with increased FHB incidence. The DON levels in the wheat varieties with high FHB resistance were not necessarily low, and those in the wheat varieties with high FHB sensitivity were not necessarily high. We selected 50 wheat genotypes with reduced DON content for future research. This study will be helpful in breeding new wheat varieties with low levels of DON accumulation.