bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inoculación con Azospirillum spp y Enterobacter aglomerans en Pasto Guinea (Panicum maximum Jacq.) en el Departamento de Cesar (Colombia)
Authors: Cárdenas Caro Diana María , Garrido Rubiano María Fernanda , Roncallo Fandiño Belisario Antonio , Bonilla Buitrago Ruth Rebeca
Published: November 2014

Se evaluó el efecto de los aislados SRGM2, SRGM3 y SRGM4 de Azospirillum spp. en el crecimiento y desarrollo de plantas de pasto Guinea (Panicum maximum Jacq cv. Tanzania) en la Estación Experimental Motilonia de Corpoica, del municipio Agustín Codazzi (Cesar, Colombia). Se realizó inoculación por imbibición de las semillas, y en el momento de la siembra, en las macetas en condiciones de casa malla. Se utilizó inoculación simple de los aislados de Azospirillum sp y co-inoculación con una cepa fosfato solubilizadora de Enterobacter aglomerans (UV1), aislada de suelos cultivados con algodón en el departamento de Cesar. Las variables estudiadas en las plantas fueron: germinación, peso foliar fresco y seco, peso radical fresco y seco, fósforo y proteína foliar. Los resultados mostraron que la inoculación simple y combinada promovió la germinación de semillas del pasto guinea (P≤0,05) con respecto al tratamiento sin inoculación (testigo absoluto); y aunque no se presentaron diferencias significativas (P≤0,05) en las demás variables estudiadas, se encontraron aumentos de hasta 26,80% en proteína cruda, y 45,67% en materia seca foliar comparada con las plantas tratadas con 100% de fertilización nitrogenada. Se observó que el aislado de Azospirillum SRGM2 co-inoculado con Enterobacter aglomerans UV1 registró los mayores valores en el crecimiento vegetal del pasto guinea, por lo que se consideró como una rizobacteria promisoria para la biofertilización de esta gramínea utilizada en la alimentación bovina en la costa caribe colombiana.
Private Sector Profitability of Maize Production in the Bajío Region of Guanajuato, Mexico
Authors: Guzmán Soria Eugenio , De la Garza Carranza María Teresa , García Salazar José Alberto , Rebollar Rebollar Samuel , Hernández Martínez Juvencio
Published: November 2014

Agriculture, generally speaking, is the basis of the food system of any country. Mexico's maize crop is particularly important, not only in terms of food security but also as in terms of culture and identity. The fact that, in recent decades, Mexico has positioned itself as the second largest importer of maize is worrying. For the purpose of measuring the private sector profitability of maize production in the Bajío region of Guanajuato, this study analyzed data from 2,996 producers who participate in the "High Yield Maize Assessment Program (PROEMAR)", of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias- Bajío Experiment Camp (INIFAP-CEBAJ). We used the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) developed in 1989 by Monke and Pearson. The results indicate that the benefit-cost ratios of the three technological systems analyzed (considering in their total income, the sale of grain and sub products), were 2.20 for rainfall (T); 1.50 for irrigation with livestock (RCA) and 1.01 for irrigation without livestock (RSA), excluding land costs; including land costs decreased the ratios to 2.13, 1.35 and 0.91. The private cost ratio (RCP), excluding the land, by production system was: T = 0.04, RCA = 0.13 and RSA = 0.85, which implies that the maize producers in the Bajío region of Guanajuato are competitive. When including land rent in the production costs, the rainfall and irrigation with livestock systems remained competitive with a RCP of 0.07 and 0.32, respectively; not so for the production unit with the irrigation system without livestock (2.04). The most significant input was fertilizer costs, which represented 50% of the costs.
E. coli Lipopolysaccharide Decreases the Expression of Proteins of Tight Junctions in the Jejunum of Weaning Piglets
Authors: Ciro Galeano Johana Andrea , López Herrera Albeiro , Parra Suescún Jaime Eduardo
Published: November 2014

In order to assess the effect of the addition of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum of weaned piglets (the animals were weaned at 21-days-old), 64 piglets were slaughtered at 1, 5, 7 and 10 days postweanig and complete extraction of jejunum was carried out in order to evaluate the molecular expression of Claudine 3 (C3), Claudine 4 (C4), and Zonula Ocludens-1 (ZO-1). To induce intestinal inflammation, animals were fed a basal diet supplemented with four levels of E. coli LPS (0, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 mg mg-1 of feed). The statistical design consisted of randomized blocks in a 4X4 factorial arrangement (four LPS concentrations and four post-weaning periods). A decrease was observed (P<0.01) in the expression of C3, C4, and ZO-1 in the animals that were fed the diet with the highest LPS-inclusion level. LPS contributes to the appearance of anatomical and intestinal functional disorders which are denoted by a decrease in the molecular expression of proteins from the intestinal barrier. This, in turn, is associated with an indiscriminate paracellular transport of molecules, microorganisms, and toxic compounds into the circulatory system. This results in post-weaning diarrhea and a decrease in the productive efficiency of piglets.
Association Between Conformation Traits and Reproductive Traits in Holstein Cows in the Department of Antioquia - Colombia
Authors: Madrid Gaviria Stephania , Echeverri Zuluaga José Julián
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to adapt and validate a computer model using the Computational Fluid Dinamics (CFD), in the prediction of temperature and air speed in a duct distribution system coupled to a heating furnace that is used in typical poultry houses in tropical and subtropical countries. The validation of the model with experimental data was satisfactory, presenting normalized mean square error NMSE values of 0.25 and 0.02 for air temperature and air speed, respectively. The results evidenced that the proposed model is adequate for predicting the air speed and temperature for this type of system, and could be used to improve the efficiency of the distribution of heat inside and around air ducts using different air speeds, types of materials and dimensions.
Evaluación del Residuo del Cultivo de Agaricus bisporus como Alimento de Vacas Lecheras en Lactancia Media
Authors: Gómez Urrego Juan Miguel , Correa Londoño Guillermo , Barahona Rosales Rolando
Published: November 2014

Se evaluó el potencial del residuo del cultivo de la seta Agaricus bisporus como materia prima para la alimentación de vacas lecheras en segundo tercio de lactancia. Para esto, se sustituyó 10% del concentrado comercial por el residuo (sin turba) y se evaluó su efecto en la producción, el balance nutricional de las vacas y el costo final del concentrado. El diseño experimental fue un cross-over o de intercambio con medidas repetidas en el tiempo. Cada periodo experimental tuvo una duración de 14 días. Se utilizaron dos grupos de animales, uno con 4 vacas Holstein y otro con 4 vacas cruzadas Holstein x BON. En promedio, las vacas tenían 117 ± 18,6 días en leche, 2,6 ± 0,9 partos, 529,5 ± 52,9 kg peso vivo y una producción de leche/día de 15,42 ± 2,6 L. El tratamiento experimental redujo los nutrientes digeribles totales de la dieta total en 2%. No hubo diferencias estadísticas en el balance nutricional de las vacas a causa del tratamiento experimental. Tampoco hubo diferencia estadística en cuanto a la producción de leche (14,4 L) y calidad composicional (% de grasa:3,86; % de proteína: 3,5; relación grasa: proteína: 1,11). El análisis de costos mostró que al incluirse en el concentrado un 10% del residuo de A. bisporus (Champiñosa) se obtenía una reducción en los costos de alimentación de $403 pesos colombianos/vaca/día.
Caracterización Física, Química y Mineralógica de Suelos con Vocación Forestal Protectora Región Andina Central Colombiana
Authors: Echeverri Tafur Leyder , Estévez Varón Jaime Vicente , Estévez Varón Jaime Vicente , Bedoya Patiño Juan Guillermo , Bedoya Patiño Juan Guillermo
Published: November 2014

En la Reserva Forestal Protectora Bosques de la CHEC, ubicada sobre la vertiente occidental de la cordillera central colombiana, municipios de Manizales y Villamaría, departamento de Caldas, se hizo la caracterización física, química y mineralógica de dos perfiles de suelos, descritos sobre dos laderas, con un manejo actual correspondiente a una plantación de aliso (Alnus acuminata) y un bosque secundario. Los resultados permitieron establecer, desde el punto de vista físico, el dominio de clase textural areno francosa en la plantación de aliso y franco arenoso en el bosque secundario. Químicamente el suelo del perfil plantado con aliso, presentó valores de pH más bajos, mayor saturación de acidez intercambiable y menor saturación de bases en comparación con el perfil del bosque secundario. En ambos perfiles, el análisis óptico con microscopio petrográfico, permitió observar que los feldespatos, del grupo de las plagioclasas y el vidrio volcánico, se destacan como minerales abundantes en la fracción arena; mientras que en la fracción arcilla, el material no cristalino, se considera mineral predominante, seguido de la cristobalita y los feldespatos, según la metodología de difracción de rayos X. Se concluye que la vocación de uso forestal protector, bajo el cual se encuentran sometidos ambos suelos, es el más adecuado, teniendo en cuenta que las limitaciones químicas, dificultan el establecimiento de sistemas de producción agropecuaria.
Evaluation of a Heating System in Poultry Houses Using a CFD Model
Authors: Alves Damasceno Flávio , Osorio Saraz Jairo Alexander , Barreto Mendes Luciano , Martin Samuel , Aredes Martins Marcio
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to adapt and validate a computer model using the Computational Fluid Dinamics (CFD), in the prediction of temperature and air speed in a duct distribution system coupled to a heating furnace that is used in typical poultry houses in tropical and subtropical countries. The validation of the model with experimental data was satisfactory, presenting normalized mean square error NMSE values of 0.25 and 0.02 for air temperature and air speed, respectively. The results evidenced that the proposed model is adequate for predicting the air speed and temperature for this type of system, and could be used to improve the efficiency of the distribution of heat inside and around air ducts using different air speeds, types of materials and dimensions.
SueMulador: Herramienta para la Simulación de Datos Faltantes en Series Climáticas Diarias de Zonas Ecuatoriales
Authors: Chica Ramírez Héctor Alberto , Peña Quiñones Andrés Javier , Giraldo Jiménez José Fernando , Obando Bonilla Diego , Riaño Herrera Néstor Miguel
Published: November 2014

En la actualidad, los modelos de cultivo son una herramienta útil a la hora de tomar decisiones, no obstante, pese a su disponibilidad y facilidad de uso, la información necesaria para utilizarlos no existe o no tiene la calidad suficiente. Un ejemplo preciso del déficit de calidad en los datos lo constituyen las series meteorológicas diarias en las que predominan faltantes. Para hacer frente a esta situación y poder utilizar los modelos de cultivo se elaboró un software para llenar espacios vacíos en series climáticas diarias, basada en una cadena de Markov de orden dos y dos estados. La herramienta llamada SueMulador, se probó y validó con éxito en tres estaciones ubicadas en zonas contrastantes de la geografía colombiana.
Efectos de los Biocombustibles en la Seguridad Alimentaria en Colombia: Una Aproximación Sistémica
Authors: Giraldo Ramírez Diana Patricia , Arango Aramburo Santiago , Martínez Jaramillo Juan Esteban
Published: November 2014

Los biocombustibles se están tornando en una alternativa cada vez más importante para los países, tanto en política agraria como para diversificar su portafolio energético. Debido a su naturaleza y a su interrelación con factores críticos como la tierra y el agua, nace la necesidad de estudiar y entender cómo las políticas públicas y el desarrollo de los mercados de biomasa pueden afectar la Seguridad Alimentaria. Se tomó a Colombia como caso debido a su contexto, en el que existen incentivos para el biodiesel y el bioetanol, tanto en la regulación de precios como en ayudas financieras para los productores. Se realiza una mirada sistémica sobre las relaciones entre los biocombustibles y la Seguridad Alimentaria. Esto se hace a través de un modelo causal en el que se plantean las relaciones de interdependencia entre las variables principales de estos sistemas. El análisis muestra cómo al incentivar la producción de biocombustibles se puede generar un decrecimiento en la producción de alimentos y poner en riesgo la Seguridad Alimentaria. Se plantea la necesidad de la construcción de modelos de simulación para cuantificar los efectos y evaluar las políticas actuales en el tiempo.
Post-Socialist transition in a 25-year perspective
Authors: Mihályi Péter
Published: November 2014

A recent international conference, entitled Transition in Perspective offered an opportunity for the author to take stock of the achievements of the post-socialist economies since the regime change in 1989/90. The analysis was carried out in two dimensions, in the political and the economic one. Regarding the first one, the record is largely positive: many countries have regained their independence, although in some cases the price was high and the fundamentals of democracy are still missing. In civil wars and inter-ethnic fights far too many people were killed and/or displaced. Since about 2000, many countries fell in the hand of autocratic leaders. In terms of catching-up with the income levels of the advanced economies, less than half of the countries were truly successful. The people have good reasons to be disappointed.
The soft budget constraint
Authors: Kornai János
Published: November 2014

The author’s ideas on the soft budget constraint (SBC) were first expressed in 1976. Much progress has been made in understanding the problem over the ensuing four decades. The study takes issue with those who confine the concept to the process of bailing out loss-making socialist firms. It shows how the syndrome can appear in various organizations and forms in many spheres of the economy and points to the various means available for financial rescue. Single bailouts do not as such generate the SBC syndrome. It develops where the SBC becomes built into expectations. Special heed is paid to features generated by the syndrome in rescuer and rescuee organizations. The study reports on the spread of the syndrome in various periods of the socialist and the capitalist system, in various sectors. The author expresses his views on normative questions and on therapies against the harmful effects. He deals first with actual practice, then places the theory of the SBC in the sphere of ideas and models, showing how it relates to other theoretical trends, including institutional and behavioural economics and theories of moral hazard and inconsistency in time. He shows how far the intellectual apparatus of the SBC has spread in theoretical literature and where it has reached in the process of “canonization” by the economics profession. Finally, he reviews the main research tasks ahead.
Global, regional, and country-specific components of financial market indicators
Authors: Kocsis Zalán
Published: November 2014

This paper studies the global, regional, and country-specific components of four key financial market indicators: sovereign CDS spreads, equity indices, exchange rates, and EMBI Global bond spreads. In all four markets, the results support the findings of the literature of a significant global component, but also point out the importance of regional correlations. Variance decompositions point to roughly a third of variance explained by both global and country-specific components in each of the four analysed financial markets, although there is considerable cross-country heterogeneity in this respect. The global factors of indicators are correlated across asset classes, but the market- and country-specific components of indicators are still significantly large to suggest diversification benefits of both multi-asset and multi-country portfolios. An application of the factor model suggests that the link between Central Eastern European and Euro zone periphery markets is stronger and more direct in the case of equity indices than in the case of sovereign CDS spreads.
Did the financial crisis bring any changes in the monetary policy preferences of Romania?
Authors: Nagy Ágnes , Benyovszki Annamária
Published: November 2014

The turbulence in global financial markets presents a serious challenge to the stability of the monetary policy trilemma configuration. The trilemma states that a country may simultaneously choose only two of the following three policy goals: monetary policy independence, exchange rate stability, and financial integration. In order to analyse if the financial crisis brought changes in Romania’s monetary policy preference, we have constructed indexes that measure the trilemma policy goals individually in the period between 2005 and 2012. Using these indices, we have shown that there are significant differences between the means of monetary independence and exchange rate stability indices in the pre- and post-crisis periods.
The effects of fiscal policy in a small open transition economy: The case of Croatia
Authors: Deskar-Škrbić Milan , Šimović Hrvoje , Ćorić Tomislav
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we use the structural VAR model to analyse the dynamic effects of (discretionary) fiscal shocks on the economic activity of the private sector in Croatia between 2000 and 2012. Due to the fact that Croatia is a small open transition economy, we assume that shocks of foreign origin can have notable effects on its performance. Therefore, the original Blanchard-Perotti identification method is extended by introducing variables that represent external (foreign) demand shocks. The results show that government spending has a positive and statistically significant effect on private aggregate demand and private consumption, and that net indirect taxes have a negative and statistically significant effect on private consumption and private investment.
R&D-based integration and upgrading in Hungary
Authors: Sass Magdolna , Szalavetz Andrea
Published: November 2014

The Hungarian economy is highly integrated in global value chains (GVC). Upgrading within GVCs is a key factor of sustaining the initial developmental push GVC participation provides. The article concentrates on R&D-based upgrading opportunities and their practical implementation by multinationals’ Hungarian subsidiaries in the automotive and electronics sectors. The content and the development of R&D activities; Hungary’s locational advantages for R&D projects, and their local impact are analysed based on interviews with twenty foreign-owned companies in the two selected sectors. We show that local R&D units’ activity is multifaceted, though they feature similar upgrading trajectories. Investors’ motivations: the knowledge- and efficiency-seeking nature of their projects and the related locational advantages are examined. We demonstrate that local R&D-intensive subsidiaries have a limited local impact except for the intensive contacts with local universities — with varying content and motives on the side of the R&D units. Drawing on our findings we formulate economic policy recommendations about the ways to foster and enhance R&D-based upgrading.
Growth drivers of middle-income transitional countries: The case of the Republic of Macedonia
Authors: Shukarov Miroljub
Published: November 2014

As the world is moving ahead, all national economies need to find their own development path. The economic growth should be continually high enough to provide for a normal and growing standard of living for the citizens and, at the same time, provide opportunities for introducing and engaging the new, incoming generations in the world of business. The countries differ not only by the levels of attained development standard, but also by the possible methods which might be used for accelerating growth.The paper discusses growth factors which could help Macedonia find its way to catch up with the developed world in the long run — if this is possible. Obviously, the importance of institutions understood as the “rules of the game” and underpinning them is one of the most important issues related to development that should be seen as aconditio sine qua nonand a basic prerequisite of a “developmental wave”.
A new view into political business cycles: Household behaviour in Albania
Authors: Lami Endrit , Kächelein Holger , Imami Drini
Published: November 2014

Over the last decades, there has been plenty of research and publications on Political Business Cycles (PBC), aimed at analysing and explaining the use of fiscal and monetary instruments to stimulate economic growth before elections, with the intention of impressing potential voters. Previous research on PBC in Albania reveals clear evidence of fiscal expansion before elections, but no significant changes in GDP and inflation as theory predicts. One possible explanation of this result could be economic agents’ expectations, which is the subject of this paper. We analyse consumers’ expectations before elections, the main factors underlying expectations, and the way in which these expectations influence their behaviour toward spending, and consequently the macroeconomic outcomes, deploying standard econometric methods widely applied in PBC related research. According to our research results, households’ consumption spending decreases before elections because of the higher uncertainty about their future economic situation due to the highly politicised public employment.
Attitudes towards entrepreneurial activity: Differences between business administration students in two universities of the UK and Spain
Authors: Sánchez-Cañizares Sandra , Fuentes-García Fernando , Castillo-Canalejo Ana
Published: November 2014

There is some degree of consensus regarding the view that universities should become more involved in the economic and social development of their community to ensure that the knowledge they generate is useful to society. Given that one of the most pressing needs in the current economic environment is the creation of new businesses, this paper aims to study the entrepreneurial attitudes of students in two schools located in Cordoba (Spain) and Oxford (UK) devoted to the training of entrepreneurs. The results show that although there are very few differences in terms of the reasons students at both universities set up a business and the obstacles they encounter in doing so, intention to start up is much higher in the British case. The paper also examines students’ views on the feasibility of embarking on a venture of this type and the perception they have of themselves. We conclude that universities must work to counteract the adverse effects of the environment and collaborate with students to create an atmosphere conducive to social development based on the pillars of entrepreneurship and innovation.
An evolutionary logic towards the convergence of international business ethics
Authors: Tan Boon , Ko Stephen
Published: November 2014

The fundamental problem in developing a theory of international business ethics, without imposing ethnocentric assumptions, lies in the inherent conflict between the need for universal ethics and the reality of diverse national cultures. Integrative social contracts theory holds an intermediate position between ethical universalist and relativist positions — recognizing universal hypernorms on the one hand and moral free space on the other. We argue that all businesses share a common objective of sustaining long-run economic value for their stakeholders. We develop this argument using an evolutionary logic into a hypernorm along three propositions: First, the firm influences, and is influenced by, members of the society (social context proposition). Second, managers maximize profit subject to joint constraints of technical feasibility and ethical norms (managerial decision proposition). Third, ethical norms evolve from interactions among the stakeholders without a central authority. Natural selection favors norms that maximize long run economic value for the society (natural selection proposition). We show that the hypernorm can spawn widely agreed authentic ethical norms. However, moral bounded rationality when interpreting the hypernorm generates different authentic norms in the moral free space. The evolutionary logic is testable along the dimensions of variation, inheritance and selection of ethical norms.
Impact of the 2008 financial crisis on corporate trade finance
Authors: Broens Herbert
Published: November 2014

Trade finance plays a significant role in the global trade of merchandise, which witnessed a sharp fall in late 2008 and early 2009. Firms across the world experienced restricted access to bank credit in the wake of the financial crisis, and this had a considerable impact on the operation and growth of their businesses. The financial crisis led to a contagion on trade finance and product sellers’ payment terms. Furthermore, corporate trade credit is a potential alternative to institutional financing that serves as an important source of finance. Corporate trade finance represents an important part of short-term financing for firms, especially during financial crises. This paper evaluates the impact of the increased use of corporate trade finance in two unique portfolios of production firms during the financial crisis. All have an active treasury organization. The analysis demonstrates the impact of the financial crisis on corporate trade credit demographically. Furthermore, it uses financial performance and working capital data of other German stock-listed production firms. It analyses how developments or changes in working capital impact a firm’s sales growth, EBIT interest, tangible net and EBITDA margin, and total asset worth.
Ensuring safe mobility in Stockholm, Sweden
Authors: Ceccato Vania
Published: November 2014

Stockholm is one of the most accessible cities in Europe. This Scandinavian capital received the 2013 Access City award for disabled-friendly cities, a third place after Berlin and Nantes, France. However, the goal of providing safe mobility for all remains a challenge. People with one or more disabilities report being victims of assault and robbery twice as often as the general population. They avoid going out after dark because they are afraid of being exposed to crime more often than the rest of the population. The elderly, women and the disabled are often pointed out as being more fearful than other groups of passengers. The aim of this paper is to report on the safety conditions for passengers who report themselves as having a disability using data from different sources. The study also illustrates a number of initiatives that are intended to provide safe mobility for all, both from the perspective of those who are responsible for the delivery of transportation services and from those who use the system. The paper finishes with a discussion of current challenges both in practice and research.
Modeling spatially varying landscape change points in species occurrence thresholds
Authors: Wagner Tyler , Midway Stephen R.
Published: November 2014

Predicting species distributions at scales of regions to continents is often necessary, as large‐scale phenomena influence the distributions of spatially structured populations. Land use and land cover are important large‐scale drivers of species distributions, and landscapes are known to create species occurrence thresholds, where small changes in a landscape characteristic results in abrupt changes in occurrence. The value of the landscape characteristic at which this change occurs is referred to as a change point. We present a hierarchical Bayesian threshold model (HBTM) that allows for estimating spatially varying parameters, including change points. Our model also allows for modeling estimated parameters in an effort to understand large‐scale drivers of variability in land use and land cover on species occurrence thresholds. We use range‐wide detection/nondetection data for the eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a stream‐dwelling salmonid, to illustrate our HBTM for estimating and modeling spatially varying threshold parameters in species occurrence. We parameterized the model for investigating thresholds in landscape predictor variables that are measured as proportions, and which are therefore restricted to values between 0 and 1. Our HBTM estimated spatially varying thresholds in brook trout occurrence for both the proportion agricultural and urban land uses. There was relatively little spatial variation in change point estimates, although there was spatial variability in the overall shape of the threshold response and associated uncertainty. In addition, regional mean stream water temperature was correlated to the change point parameters for the proportion of urban land use, with the change point value increasing with increasing mean stream water temperature. We present a framework for quantify macrosystem variability in spatially varying threshold model parameters in relation to important large‐scale drivers such as land use and land cover. Although the model presented is a logistic HBTM, it can easily be extended to accommodate other statistical distributions for modeling species richness or abundance.
Understanding Heterogeneity in Adaptation to Retirement: A Growth Mixture Modeling Approach
Authors: Muratore Alexa M. , Earl Joanne K. , Collins Catherine G.
Published: November 2014

Previous research has shown that as people transition to retirement they display heterogeneous growth in outcomes. Typically three subgroups are observed, in which people either increase, decrease, or maintain their scores over time. Extending this research, this study investigates whether subgroups exist independent of the retirement event and compares growth in two outcome measures–retirement adjustment and life satisfaction. Survey data were collected from 360 retirees across three time points. For life satisfaction, growth mixture modeling identified three distinctly growing subgroups. The majority maintained their scores over time, and two smaller groups showed increases and decreases in life satisfaction over time. No subgroups were identified for retirement adjustment. Implications of these results are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.
Time for Living and Caring: An Intervention to Make Respite More Effective for Caregivers
Authors: Lund Dale A. , Utz Rebecca L. , Caserta Michael S. , Wright Scott D. , Llanque Sarah M. , Lindfelt Chris , Shon Herb , Whitlatch Carol J. , Montoro-Rodriguez Julian
Published: November 2014

This article presents the rationale for and description of a promising intervention, Time for Living and Caring (TLC), designed to enhance the effectiveness of respite services for family caregivers. It is guided by the theoretical principles of the Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model, which individually coaches caregivers on how to assess their personal circumstances, identify their greatest needs and preferences, and engage in goal setting and attainment strategies to make better use of their respite time. Focusing on respite activities that match caregivers' unique needs is likely to result in improved well-being. We report on a pilot study examining TLC's feasibility and potential benefits and how caregivers viewed their participation. While additional research is needed to test and refine the intervention, we need to find more creative ways to enhance respite services.
Using Research Poetics “Responsibly”: Applications for Health Promotion Research
Authors: Nichols Tracy R. , Biederman Donna J. , Gringle Meredith R.
Published: November 2014

Research poetics, a form of arts-based research methods, has been underutilized in the field of health promotion. Poetic methods have most commonly been used as a form of re/presentation of the lived experience in qualitative research. For the community-engaged researcher, re/presenting findings through poetry offers unique opportunities for engaging the reader and reaching diverse communities. However, this approach also has implications as an analytic method and allows the analyst to have a more meaningful and personal engagement with participants' stories. Perhaps most importantly, this approach acknowledges and brings to the forefront the co-construction of qualitative findings and de-centers the authority of the researcher by preserving and promoting the participant's voice. Using examples from the authors' own research, this article describes opportunities for incorporating research poetics into health promotion research and argues for its applicability for community-engaged health promotion researchers.

Figurative language can give shape to the difficult and the painful. It can make visible and “felt” that which is invisible and “unfeelable.” Imagery, more than anything else, can take us out of our own existence and let us stand in the condition of another instance, or another life. It can make the subject of the poem, whatever it is, as intimate as honey—or ashes—in the mouth. Use it responsibly [1, p. 108].
Does Disability Matter? Disability in Sexual and Reproductive Health Policies and Research in Ghana
Authors: Kwadwo Wisdom , Anafi Patricia , Sekyere Frank Owusu
Published: November 2014

Gaps in national Ghanaian sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policies and research in terms of attention given to persons with disabilities are identified and ways to redirect policies to include them suggested. Policies and research in seven major documents from government sources and nongovernmental organizations were reviewed for policy and practice statements relevant to disability to determine if and how they addressed SRH concerns of persons with disabilities. The findings indicated attention given to persons with disabilities has been cursory. There is need for more attention on disability issues in SRH research and policies to make the needs of persons with disabilities visible and to guide and provide disability-friendly services and information.
Distance, Transportation Cost, and Mode of Transport in the Utilization of Facility-Based Maternity Services: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Keya Kaji Tamanna , Rob Ubaidur , Rahman Md. Moshiur , Bajracharya Ashish , Bellows Benjamin
Published: November 2014

Although the maternal mortality ratio in Bangladesh has decreased, significant underutilization of facilities continues to be a persistent challenge to policy makers. Women face long distances and significant transportation cost to deliver at health facilities. This study identifies the distance traveled to utilize facilities, associated transportation cost, and transport mode used for maternal healthcare services. A total of 3,300 mothers aged 18–49 years, who had given birth in the year before the survey, were interviewed from 22 sub-districts in 2010. Findings suggest that facility-based maternal healthcare service utilization was very poor. Only 53% of women received antenatal care, 20% used delivery care. and 10% used postnatal care from health centers. Median distance traveled for antenatal and postnatal check-ups was 2 kilometers but 4 kilometers for complication management care and delivery. Most women used non-motorized rickshaw or van to reach a health facility. On average, women spent Taka 100 (US$1.40) as transportation cost for antenatal care, Taka 432 (US$6.17) for delivery, and Taka 132 (US$1.89) for postnatal check-up. For each additional kilometer, the cost increased by Taka 9 (US$0.13) for antenatal, Taka 31 (US$0.44) for delivery, and Taka 8 (US$0.11) for postnatal care.
Assessing the Effectiveness of a Healthy Homes Training
Authors: Saffell Amanda , Scales Ja'Qualane , Bursac Zoran , Ferguson Alesia
Published: November 2014

This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of a National Center for Healthy Housing training model on understanding common hazards. An additional objective was to look at local interest in establishing a healthy homes training program in Arkansas. The study involved an intensive 2-day training model with the use of pre- and post-surveys of 69 participants from various invited public health fields. These surveys were administered before and after the training to test for significant change in understanding of healthy home concepts. Proficiency skill level ratings showed significant improvement (all p < 0.0001) in perceived learning across all topic areas. Participants showed post-training improvement in knowledge-based questions in most, but not all topic areas. Study results show improvements are needed in specific training areas addressing skills to keep the home dry and ventilated. The current training model is effective as a potential healthy homes training program; however, some areas of training could be improved and targeted to specific professions.
Substance Use and Sexual Behaviour among Female Students in Nigerian Universities
Authors: Oye-Adeniran B. A. , Aina O. F. , Gbadegesin A. , Ekanem E. E.
Published: November 2014

Substance use continues to constitute social and health problems, more so among adolescents and young adults. One consequence is risky sexual behavior, a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa already facing the synergistic problems of poverty and HIV/AIDS. This study of female students aged ≥ 18 years in two universities in Nigeria uses a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, and each subject that gave consent to the study was administered with a structured questionnaire by trained interviewers; 2,408 female students were studied (1,854 from the University of Ibadan and 554 from the Bayero University, Kano). The mean age of the respondents was 21.6 ( SD = 2.9), and about two-thirds (65.7%) were aged between 20–24, with 2,204 (91.5%) being single and 4.3% married. In all, 23.4% of the subjects used one form of substance. Alcoholic drinks of palm wine, alcoholic wine, and beer were the most common of substances used (22.7%), followed by tobacco (2%) and cannabis (1%). Substance use was significantly associated with religious affiliation of the students ( p < 0.001), as the prevalence of substance use was least among Muslim students (11.7%) and highest among those who professed traditional religion (39.4%). Alcohol use was also positively associated with sexual activity ( p < 0.001). Among the 547 students who used alcohol, 147 (26.9%) had sex in the 4 weeks prior to the survey, while among the 1,861 non-users, only 8.9% did so. The practice of unprotected sex was found not to be associated with substance use: a slightly lower proportion (29.5% vs. 36.6%) of substance users engaged in unprotected sex in their last encounter compared to non-users. There is need to scale up public health education on the dangers of substance use and its associated sexual risk behavior.
Ethnographic Edutainment for Transformative Medical Education: Thailand
Authors: Woratanarat Thira
Published: November 2014

Transformative learning is a most important issue in medical education. Ethnographic edutainment is a concept that consists of reward, competition, and motivation strategies, which are more effective in engaging with learners. First-year medical students ( N = 321) were included in this study during the Doctor and Society course at Chulalongkorn University in 2011. Four preset learning objectives were set and participants assigned a term group project with clouding technologies. The deliverables and the attitude toward this method were evaluated. Nineteen of 20 (95%) groups achieved all objectives. Females rated higher scores for this activity than males ( P < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were found between lecture-based sessions and field visit sessions as well as ethnographic edutainment activity sessions and other types ( P < 0.01). The results were consistent in both male and female groups. Ethnographic edutainment can be well-accepted with higher satisfaction than some other types of teaching.
Comparison of peribulbar and retrobulbar regional anesthesia with bupivacaine in cats
Authors: Shilo-Benjamini Yael , Pascoe Peter J. , Maggs David J. , Pypendop Bruno H. , Johnson Eric G. , Kass Philip H. , Wisner Erik R.
Published: November 2014

Objective—To compare effectiveness and complications associated with peribulbar and retrobulbar anesthesia with bupivacaine in cats.

Animals—6 healthy adult cats.

Procedures—Cats were sedated with dexmedetomidine and received a peribulbar injection of 0.5% bupivacaine (1.5 mL), iopamidol (0.5 mL), and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (1 mL) or retrobulbar injection of 0.5% bupivacaine (0.75 mL) and iopamidol (0.25 mL) in a crossover study with ≥ 2 weeks between treatments. The contralateral eye was the control. Injectate distribution was evaluated with CT. After atipamezole administration, periocular and corneal sensations, intraocular pressure (IOP), and ocular reflexes and appearance were evaluated for 24 hours.

Results—All peribulbar and 3 of 6 retrobulbar injections resulted in CT evidence of intraconal injectate. Corneal sensation and periocular skin sensation were absent or significantly reduced relative to that for control eyes for 3 hours after peribulbar injection. Mean ± SD IOP immediately after injection was significantly higher for eyes with peribulbar injections (33 ± 12 mm Hg) than for control eyes or eyes with retrobulbar injections (both 14 ± 4 mm Hg) but 10 minutes later decreased to 18 ± 3 mm Hg. Exophthalmos, chemosis, and ptosis were evident in most injected eyes, and irritation was evident in 3 of 6 peribulbar-injected and 1 of 6 retrobulbar-injected eyes. All conditions resolved within 14 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Peribulbar injection resulted in intraconal deposition of bupivicaine in a higher percentage of cats than did retrobulbar injection and induced notable anesthesia relative to that for the control eye; however, IOP increased temporarily.
Paleo‐Antarctic rainforest into the modern Old World tropics: The rich past and threatened future of the “southern wet forest survivors”
Authors: Kooyman Robert M. , Wilf Peter , Barreda Viviana D. , Carpenter Raymond J. , Jordan Gregory J. , Sniderman J. M. Kale , Allen Andrew , Brodribb Timothy J. , Crayn Darren , Feild Taylor S. , Laffan Shawn W. , Lusk Christopher H. , Rossetto Maurizio , Weston Peter H.
Published: November 2014

• Premise of study: Have Gondwanan rainforest floral associations survived? Where do they occur today? Have they survived continuously in particular locations? How significant is their living floristic signal? We revisit these classic questions in light of significant recent increases in relevant paleobotanical data.

• Methods: We traced the extinction and persistence of lineages and associations through the past across four now separated regions—Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia, and Antarctica—using fossil occurrence data from 63 well‐dated Gondwanan rainforest sites and 396 constituent taxa. Fossil sites were allocated to four age groups: Cretaceous, Paleocene–Eocene, Neogene plus Oligocene, and Pleistocene. We compared the modern and ancient distributions of lineages represented in the fossil record to see if dissimilarity increased with time. We quantified similarity–dissimilarity of composition and taxonomic structure among fossil assemblages, and between fossil and modern assemblages.

• Key results: Strong similarities between ancient Patagonia and Australia confirmed shared Gondwanan rainforest history, but more of the lineages persisted in Australia. Samples of ancient Australia grouped with the extant floras of Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Mt. Kinabalu. Decreasing similarity through time among the regional floras of Antarctica, Patagonia, New Zealand, and southern Australia reflects multiple extinction events.

• Conclusions: Gondwanan rainforest lineages contribute significantly to modern rainforest community assembly and often co‐occur in widely separated assemblages far from their early fossil records. Understanding how and where lineages from ancient Gondwanan assemblages co‐occur today has implications for the conservation of global rainforest vegetation, including in the Old World tropics.
Hughmillerites vancouverensis sp. nov. and the Cretaceous diversification of Cupressaceae
Authors: Atkinson Brian A. , Rothwell Gar W. , Stockey Ruth A.
Published: November 2014

• Premise of the study: Two ovulate conifer cones, one of which is attached terminally to a short leafy shoot, reveal the presence of a new species of Hughmillerites in the Early Cretaceous Apple Bay flora of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. This ancient conifer expands the diversity of Cupressaceae in the Mesozoic and reveals details about the evolution of Subfamily: Cunninghamioideae.

• Methods: Specimens were studied from anatomical sections prepared using the cellulose acetate peel technique.

• Key results: Vegetative shoots have helically arranged leaves that are Cunninghamia‐like. Seed cones have many helically arranged bract/scale complexes in which the bract is larger than the ovuliferous scale. Each ovuliferous scale has three free tips that separate from the bract immediately distal to an inverted seed. Several ovuliferous scales show interseminal ridges between seeds.

• Conclusions: This study documents a new extinct species of cunninghamioid conifers, Hughmillerites vancouverensis, expanding the record of the genus from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. This new extinct species emphasizes the important role that conifers from subfamily Cunninghamioideae played in the initial evolutionary radiation of Cupressaceae. In light of recent findings in conifer regulatory genetics, we use H. vancouverensis to hypothesize that variations of expression in certain gene homologues played an important role in the evolution of the cupressaceous ovuliferous scale.
Flies as pollinators of melittophilous Salvia species (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Celep Ferhat , Atalay Zeynep , Dikmen Fatih , Doğan Musa , Classen‐Bockhoff Regıne
Published: November 2014

• Premise of the study: Floral adaptation to a functional pollinator group does not necessarily mean close specialization to a few pollinator species. For the more than 950 species of Salvia, only bee and bird pollinations are known. Restriction to these pollinators is mainly due to the specific flower construction (lever mechanism). Nevertheless, it has been repeatedly suggested that Salvia flowers might also be pollinated by flies. Are flies able to handle the lever mechanism? Are they functionally equivalent pollinators? In this study, we compared and quantified pollen transfer by bees and flies to test whether flies are true pollinators in Salvia.

• Methods: We identified pollinators using field observations and photos. Video documentation of the visitation rate and the site of pollen placement on the pollinator body, morphometric measurements, quantification of pollen placement, pollen load, handling time, and stigma contact ratio were analyzed.

• Key results: Field investigations revealed that 19 insect species pollinated S. virgata and four pollinated S. verticillata, including 16 bee species from seven genera of the Apidae and three fly species from three genera of the Nemestrinidae and Tabanidae.

• Conclusions: Flies have been found to be pollinators in primarily bee‐pollinated Salvia species. This result demonstrates the potential of a given “melittoid” flower construction to broaden the range of pollinators to guarantee successful pollination and seed production. Though bees, particularly Bombus terrestris, were more efficient than flies, the study shows that flies significantly contribute to pollen transfer in Salvia.