bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opening the Doors to the OR: Providing Students With Perioperative Clinical Experiences
Authors: Messina Barbara Ann M. , Ianniciello Joyce M. , Escallier Lori A.
Published: August 2011

For the past two decades, perioperative nurse leaders have written about the need for more perioperative nurses. Only a small percentage of all nurses are perioperative nurses, and within the next five years, it is estimated that nearly 20% of those currently employed will retire while demand for nurses will continue to increase. This is occurring at a time when most nursing schools have eliminated the theoretical content and clinical exposure to a perioperative curriculum. In response to these issues, faculty members at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, in collaboration with perioperative educators, developed programs to provide nursing students and RNs with the opportunity to experience perioperative nursing. We offered senior nursing students a 15‐week clinical practicum and capstone experience at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY, and we offered RNs and students a two‐week introductory OR experience at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY. We believe these types of programs could offer a partial solution to the perioperative nursing shortage and reduce nurse attrition in the perioperative setting.
Nurse Anesthesia Pocket Guide
Authors: Stannard Daphne
Published: August 2011

Nurse Anesthesia Pocket Guide Lynn Fitzgerald Macksey 2nd edition 2010, Jones & Bartlett Learning 220 pages, $36.95 spiralbound
Particle boundary layer above and downstream of an area source: scaling, simulations, and pollen transport
Authors: Chamecki Marcelo , Meneveau Charles
Published: August 2011

Dispersion of small particles emitted from an area source at the surface into a fully developed high-Reynolds-number boundary layer flow is studied as a theoretical model for pollen dispersion in the neutral atmospheric boundary layer. The particle plume above the area source is assumed to behave as a particle concentration boundary layer. Boundary layer scaling and the assumption of self-preservation lead to an analytical solution in the form of a similarity function that has an additional dependence on the ratio of gravitational settling and turbulent diffusion velocities. Similar arguments are used to predict patterns of deposition onto the surface downstream of the source. Theoretical predictions are tested using a suite of large-eddy-simulation numerical experiments, with good agreement. The combined analysis of theoretical and numerical results reveals interesting features in the patterns of downstream deposition, such as non-monotonic trends in isolation distance with particle settling velocity and surprisingly large isolation distances for practically relevant parameter ranges. Possible effects of turbulence on effective settling velocity are highlighted.
Topographies lacking tidal conversion
Authors: Maas Leo R. M.
Published: August 2011

The consensus is that in a stratified sea a classical model of tidal flow over irregular but smooth topography necessarily leads to the generation of internal tides, regardless of the shape of the topography. This is referred to as tidal conversion. Here it is shown, however, that there exists a large class of topographies for which there is neither tidal conversion nor any scattering of incident internal waves. This result is obtained in a uniformly stratified, rigid-lid sea using a barotropic tide that, owing to its large horizontal scale, is supposed to be simply a mass-conserving, periodic back-and-forth flow. The baroclinic response at the tidal frequency is, upon non-dimensionalizing and stretching of coordinates, determined by a standard hyperbolic boundary value problem (BVP). We here solve this hyperbolic BVP by mapping a domain of complicated, yet a priori unknown shape, onto a uniform-depth channel for which the same hyperbolic problem is known to display neither conversion of the barotropic tide nor scattering of internal wave modes. The map achieving this is required to satisfy hyperbolic Cauchy–Riemann equations, defined as analogues of the Cauchy–Riemann equations that are used in solving elliptic problems. Mapping the rigid-lid surface in the original Cartesian frame onto a rigid-lid surface in the transformed frame, this map is solved in terms of one arbitrary function. Each particular function defines a new topographic shape that can be computed a posteriori. The map is unique provided the Jacobian of transformation does not vanish, which is guaranteed for subcritical bottom topography, whose slope is everywhere less than that of the characteristics. For topographies that can thus be mapped onto a channel, tidal conversion and scattering are absent. Examples discussed include the (classical) wedge, a (near-Gaussian) ridge, a continental slope and (near) sinusoidal topographies.
Dynamics of a viscous thread surrounded by another viscous fluid in a cylindrical tube under the action of a radial electric field: breakup and touchdown singularities
Authors: Wang Q. , Papageorgiou D. T.
Published: August 2011

The nonlinear dynamics of a viscous filament surrounded by a second viscous fluid arranged in a core-annular configuration when a radial electric field acts in the annular region, are studied analytically and computationally using boundary element methods. The flow is characterized by the viscosity ratio, an electric Weber number measuring the strength of the electric field, a geometrical parameter measuring the thickness of the undisturbed annular region, as well as a computational parameter that fixes the wavenumber of the undulations. Axisymmetric solutions are computed by direct numerical simulations in the Stokes limit for general values of the parameters when the two fluids have equal viscosities, and an asymptotic theory is carried out to produce a novel evolution equation for thin film dynamics valid when the undisturbed annular thickness is small and the viscosity ratio is of order one. It is established (in agreement with previous computations in the absence of electric fields) that a sufficiently thick annulus enables thread breakup while a sufficiently thin one (approximately one fifth of the undisturbed thread radius for the case of equal viscosities, for instance) suppresses pinching and drives the interface to approach the tube wall asymptotically without actually touching it. The present simulations show that the electric field affects the dynamics drastically in several ways. First, it promotes interfacial wall touchdown in finite time and a comparison between direct simulations and the asymptotic solutions are in fair agreement. Second, the electric field acts to suppress pinching in the sense that solutions that lead to jet breakup due to a thick enough viscous annulus are driven to wall touchdown. When pinching takes place we find that the ultimate pinching solutions are self-similar and recover the non-electrified ones to leading order for the range of parameters studied.
Experimental investigation of longitudinal space–time correlations of the velocity field in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Zhou Quan , Li Chun-Mei , Lu Zhi-Ming , Liu Yu-Lu
Published: August 2011

We report an experimental investigation of the longitudinal space–time cross-correlation function of the velocity field, $C(r, \tau )$, in a cylindrical turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection cell using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. We show that while Taylor’s frozen-flow hypothesis does not hold in turbulent thermal convection, the recent elliptic model advanced for turbulent shear flows (He & Zhang, Phys. Rev. E, vol. 73, 055303) is valid for the present velocity field for all over the cell, i.e. the isocorrelation contours of the measured $C(r, \tau )$ have an elliptical curve shape and hence $C(r, \tau )$ can be related to $C({r}_{E} , 0)$ via ${ r}_{E}^{2} = (r\ensuremath{-} U\tau )^{2} + {V}^{2} {\tau }^{2} $ with $U$ and $V$ being two characteristic velocities. We further show that the fitted $U$ is proportional to the mean velocity of the flow, but the values of $V$ are larger than the theoretical predictions. Specifically, we focus on two representative regions in the cell: the region near the cell sidewall and the cell’s central region. It is found that $U$ and $V$ are approximately the same near the sidewall, while $U\simeq 0$ at the cell centre.
Effects of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on clinical outcome in a porcine model on post-operative infection
Authors: Langerhuus Sine Nygaard , Tønnesen Else K. , Jensen Karin H. , Damgaard Birthe M. , Halekoh Ulrich , Lauridsen Charlotte
Published: August 2011

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary n-3 and n-6 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) on clinical outcome in a porcine model on early aortic vascular prosthetic graft infection (AVPGI). A total of eighty-four pigs were randomised to a 35 d dietary treatment with 10 % (w/w) fish oil (rich in n-3 LC-PUFA), sunflower oil (rich in n-6 LC-PUFA) or animal fat. After 3 weeks of dietary treatment, the pigs had an aortic vascular prosthetic graft inserted, and it was inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus (106 colony-forming units). Changes in selected plasma and erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 LC-PUFA concentrations and in plasma PGE2 metabolite concentration were determined in the 3-week preoperative period. Clinical signs of infection, i.e. rectal temperature, hindquarter function, general appearance and feed intake, were monitored daily in the 14 d post-operative period, and, finally, daily body-weight gain was determined in both periods. The preoperative changes in plasma and erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 LC-PUFA concentrations reflected the fatty acid compositions of the dietary treatments given, and plasma PGE2 metabolite concentration decreased in the fish oil treatment (P < 0·001). In the post-operative period, feed intake (P = 0·004) and body-weight gain (P = 0·038) were higher in the fish oil treatment compared with the sunflower oil treatment. The dietary treatments did not affect the number of days pigs were showing fever, weakness in the hindquarters or impaired general appearance. In conclusion, preoperative treatment with dietary fish oil compared with sunflower oil improved clinical outcome in pigs with AVPGI by improving feed intake and body-weight gain post-operatively.
Tracing metabolic routes of dietary carbohydrate and protein in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using stable isotopes ([13C]starch and [15N]protein): effects of gelatinisation of starches and sustained swimming
Authors: Felip Olga , Ibarz Antoni , Fernández-Borràs Jaume , Beltrán Marta , Martín-Pérez Miguel , Planas Josep V. , Blasco Josefina
Published: August 2011

Here we examined the use of stable isotopes, [13C]starch and [15N]protein, as dietary tracers to study carbohydrate assimilation and distribution and protein utilisation, respectively, by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The capacity of glucose uptake and use by tissues was studied, first, by varying the digestibility of carbohydrate-rich diets (30 % carbohydrate), using raw starch and gelatinised starch (GS) and, second, by observing the effects of two regimens of activity (voluntary swimming, control; sustained swimming at 1·3 body lengths/s, exercise) on the GS diet. Isotopic ratio enrichment (13C and15N) of the various tissue components (protein, lipid and glycogen) was measured in the liver, muscles, viscera and the rest of the fish at 11 and 24 h after a forced meal. A level of 30 % of digestible carbohydrates in the food exceeded the capacity of rainbow trout to use this nutrient, causing long-lasting hyperglycaemia that raises glucose uptake by tissues, and the synthesis of glycogen and lipid in liver. Total13C recovered 24 h post-feeding in the GS group was lower than at 11 h, indicating a proportional increase in glucose oxidation, although the deposition of lipids in white muscle (WM) increased. Prolonged hyperglycaemia was prevented by exercise, since sustained swimming enhances the use of dietary carbohydrates, mainly through conversion to lipids in liver and oxidation in muscles, especially in red muscle (RM). Higher recoveries of total15N for exercised fish at 24 h, mainly into the protein fraction of both RM and WM, provide evidence that sustained swimming improves protein deposition, resulting in an enhancement of the protein-sparing effect.
UNIVERSAL ENVELOPING ALGEBRAS OF PBW TYPE
Authors: ARDIZZONI ALESSANDRO
Published: August 2011

We continue our investigation of the general notion of universal enveloping algebra introduced in [A. Ardizzoni, A Milnor–Moore type theorem for primitively generated braided Bialgebras, J. Algebra 327(1) (2011), 337–365]. Namely, we study a universal enveloping algebra when it is of Poincaré–Birkhoff–Witt (PBW) type, meaning that a suitable PBW-type theorem holds. We discuss the problem of finding a basis for a universal enveloping algebra of PBW type: as an application, we recover the PBW basis both of an ordinary universal enveloping algebra and of a restricted enveloping algebra. We prove that a universal enveloping algebra is of PBW type if and only if it is cosymmetric. We characterise braided bialgebra liftings of Nichols algebras as universal enveloping algebras of PBW type.
FRIEZES, STRINGS AND CLUSTER VARIABLES
Authors: ASSEM IBRAHIM , DUPONT GRÉGOIRE , SCHIFFLER RALF , SMITH DAVID
Published: August 2011

To any walk in a quiver, we associate a Laurent polynomial. When the walk is the string of a string module over a 2-Calabi–Yau tilted algebra, we prove that this Laurent polynomial coincides with the corresponding cluster character of the string module up to an explicit normalising monomial factor.
Abundance of primates reveals Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia as a priority area for conservation
Authors: Coudrat C. N. Z. , Rogers L. D. , Nekaris K. A. I.
Published: August 2011

We conducted a primate survey in Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, western Cambodia, during the wet season in 2009. We visually confirmed the presence of five out of six primate species thought to occur in the area: Bengal slow loris Nycticebus bengalensis, Indochinese silvered langur Trachypithecus germaini, pileated gibbon Hylobates pileatus, pig-tailed macaque Macaca leonina and long-tailed macaque Macaca fascicularis. We did not find any sign of the stump-tailed macaque Macaca arctoides and suggest it is absent in Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary and possibly from the Cardamom Mountains. We provide the abundance measures for each primate species; the three most abundant species were Bengal slow loris, Indochinese silvered langur and pileated gibbon. We propose Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary as a priority for primate conservation in Cambodia.
The role of ponds as feeding habitat for an umbrella species: best management practices for the black stork Ciconia nigra in Spain
Authors: Moreno-Opo Rubén , Fernández-Olalla Mariana , Guil Francisco , Arredondo Ángel , Higuero Rafael , Martín Manuel , Soria Carlos , Guzmán José
Published: August 2011

To establish recommendations for wetland management that promote wildlife diversity in Mediterranean habitats we examined the factors that determine feeding habitat selection by the black stork Ciconia nigra in ponds. The black stork is considered an umbrella species because it is threatened, requires large foraging ranges in priority areas, is selective in its choice of diet and nesting sites, and inhabits a characteristic biological community with endemic and threatened taxa. Eighty-five ponds were monitored in central and western Spain to detect the stork feeding. At the same time, pond variables that could affect black stork feeding preferences were periodically evaluated. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyse principal components obtained from groups of factors related to structural, location and ecological conditions. The black stork selects ponds distant from roads, with a large surface area, high water level, shallow shores, low turbidity, few traces of wild ungulates on the shores, a high diversity of fish and amphibian species, and a vegetated perimeter, in flat and open areas. Potential factors affecting feeding behaviour are discussed. We suggest measures for pond construction and management that could favour this species in particular and biodiversity in general in the Mediterranean environment.
A new population of the Critically Endangered Aders’ duiker Cephalophus adersi confirmed from northern coastal Kenya
Authors: Andanje Samuel A. , Bowkett Andrew E. , Agwanda Bernard Risky , Ngaruiya Grace W. , Plowman Amy B. , Wacher Tim , Amin Rajan
Published: August 2011

Aders’ duiker Cephalophus adersi is a small antelope endemic to the coastal forests of east Africa. Threatened by habitat loss and hunting, the species is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Until recently Aders’ duiker was known to persist only on Zanzibar, Tanzania, and in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest National Reserve, Kenya. However, in 2004 a sighting of a single individual was reported from the Dodori forest in northern coastal Kenya, raising the possibility that the species survives elsewhere. Subsequently, an opportunistic camera-trap survey was conducted in September and October 2008 to establish the occurrence of Aders’ duiker in Kenyan coastal forests north of the Tana River. One hundred and fifty six images of Aders’ duikers were obtained from 12 of 28 camera-trap sites (46 of 358 camera-trap days), confirming the existence of a population of Aders’ duiker in the Boni–Dodori forest both inside and outside the National Reserves. In addition, we sighted individuals of the species on three occasions. The relatively high encounter rates per unit effort compared to similar data from Arabuko-Sokoke forest suggest the Boni–Dodori population is significant. Initial surveys of the local Awer community revealed that Aders’ duiker is well known by the name guno. These findings significantly improve the conservation prospects for Aders’ duiker and highlight the need for greater research and management efforts in the poorly known Boni–Dodori forest.
Economic System and Welfare Regime Dynamics in Japan since the Early 2000s – The Case of Occupational Pensions
Authors: CONRAD HARALD
Published: August 2011

This article discusses significant changes of Japanese occupational pensions since the early 2000s. Our analysis shows that these schemes have been key components of policies to promote private welfare provision and have been highly compatible with human capital investment strategies that are based on long-term employment relationships of regular workers. However, since the 1990s, occupational pensions have come under increased pressure due to underfunding problems caused by depressed stock markets and changes in accounting standards that made these underfunding problems apparent. In response to these challenges, Japanese companies have restructured their occupational pension arrangements. The nature of these efforts can be explained with reference to existing institutional complementarities with the economic system on the one hand and changes in the cost–benefit calculations of employers, employees and the civil service on the other hand. Whereas complementarities, especially with human resource management factors, have ultimately defined the limits of these changes, an actor-centered analysis helps to explain the particular nature of changes within these boundaries.
A stance period approach for simplified observation of galloping as applied to canines
Authors: Singh Surya P. N. , Waldron Kenneth J.
Published: August 2011

The gallop is the preferred gait by mammals for agile traversal through terrain. This motion is intrinsically complex as the feet are used individually and asymmetrically. Simple models provide a conceptual framework for understanding this gait. In this light, this paper considers the footfall projections as suggested by an impulse model for galloping as a measurement simplifying strategy. Instead of concentrating on forces and inverse dynamics, this view focuses observations on leg motion (footfalls and stance periods) for subsequent gallop analysis and parameter estimation. In practice, this eases experiments (particularly for IR-based motion capture) by extending the experimental workspace, removing the need for single-leg contact force-plate measurements, and reducing the marker set. This provides shorter setup times, and it reduces postprocessing as data are less likely to suffer from occlusion, errant correspondence, and tissue flexion. This approach is tested using with three canine subjects (ranging from 8 to 24 kg) performing primarily rotary gallops down a 15 m runway. Normalized results are in keeping with insights from previous animal and legged robot studies and are consistent with motions suggested by said impulse model.
INTEGRATED CONDITIONAL MOMENT TESTS FOR PARAMETRIC CONDITIONAL DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Bierens Herman J. , Wang Li
Published: August 2011

In this paper we propose consistent integrated conditional moment tests for the validity of parametric conditional distribution models, based on the integrated squared difference between the empirical characteristic function of the actual data and the characteristic function implied by the model. To avoid numerical evaluation of the conditional characteristic function of the model distribution, a simulated integrated conditional moment test is proposed. As an empirical application we test the validity of a few common health economic count data models.
SPECIFICATION TEST FOR CONDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION WITH FUNCTIONAL DATA
Authors: Ferraty Frederic , Quintela-del-Río Alejandro , Vieu Philippe
Published: August 2011

In this paper we construct a statistic to test a specific form of the conditional density function. The main point of this work is to consider a functional explanatory variable, and the statistic is constructed following recent advances in nonparametric functional data analysis. The asymptotic behavior of the test statistic is studied under both the null hypothesis and some local alternative hypothesis. Then, the finite sample behavior of the method is studied through simulated examples. This paper is one of the first in the setting of nonparametric specification tests when functional data are involved.
Forest corridors facilitate movement of tropical forest birds after experimental translocations in a fragmented Neotropical landscape in Mexico
Authors: Ibarra-Macias Ana , Robinson W. Douglas , Gaines Michael S.
Published: August 2011

We evaluated effects of corridors between forest fragments surrounded by pastures in tropical Mexico. We used experimental translocations and capture–recapture data to measure the proportion of birds returning and time to return after translocation between connected and unconnected patches (five replicates for each treatment). Depending on each species’ degree of forest dependence (forest-restricted and forest-unrestricted species), we assigned birds to two groups to evaluate influence of species characteristics on effects of corridors on movement. Birds translocated between connected patches (n = 75) were seven times more likely to be recaptured in their original capture site when compared with birds translocated between unconnected patches (n = 109). Effects differed among the two species groups. In the presence of corridors, 46% of forest-unrestricted birds returned to the capture site while only 5% returned between unconnected patches. Forest-restricted birds showed similar results, but were only twice as likely to return to a connected capture site. Birds translocated between unconnected patches took longer to return than birds translocated between connected patches. The strong positive effect of corridors on movement, even for forest-unrestricted species, suggests that forested corridors facilitate bird movement and help maintain connectivity even in this highly fragmented landscape.
Primary seed dispersal by the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) in the Manombo forest, south-east Madagascar
Authors: Moses Kara L. , Semple Stuart
Published: August 2011

Seed dispersal is a pivotal ecological process but remains poorly understood on Madagascar, where lemurs are key dispersers. The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) possesses many behavioural and ecological attributes potentially conducive to effective seed dispersal, but no studies have investigated dispersal patterns in this species. This 3-mo study quantified aspects of the primary seed dispersal patterns generated by twoVarecia variegatagroups (7 individuals). Feeding and ranging behaviour was quantified using behavioural observation (345.6 h), dispersal quantity and seed identity was determined by faecal analysis, and 10-wk germination trials tested effects of gut passage on germination of four species. Individual lemurs dispersed an estimated 104 seeds d−1, of 40 species. Most seeds were large (>10 mm); the largest was 42 mm long. Gut passage was rapid (mean 4.4 h) and generally increased germination speed and success. Mean and maximum inferred dispersal distances were 180 and 506 m respectively; low compared with many anthropoids, but possibly typical of lemurs. Though limited by a short study period, results suggest that the ruffed lemur is an effective disperser of seeds and possibly a critical disperser of large-seeded species which other frugivores cannot swallow. Loss of large-bodied seed dispersers such asVarecia variegatamay have far-reaching ecological consequences including impacts on forest structure and dynamics.
Microhabitat specialization of tropical rain-forest canopy trees in the Sovi Basin, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands
Authors: Keppel Gunnar , Tuiwawa Marika V. , Naikatini Alifereti , Rounds Isaac A.
Published: August 2011

Island biotas often have lower species diversity and less intense competition has been hypothesized as a result. This should result in lower habitat specificity compared with mainland habitats due to larger realized niches. We investigate microhabitat associations of canopy trees with regard to differences in topography on an oceanic island (Viti Levu, Fiji) using twenty 10 × 60-m plots. We find high tree-species diversity (112 species with dbh ≥ 10 cm in a total of 1.08 ha) and high endemism (c. 60%), compared with other islands in Western Polynesia. Our sample plots aggregate into three distinct groups that are mostly defined by micro-topography: (1) ridges and steep slopes (well-drained sites), (2) moderate slopes and ridge flats (moderate drainage), and (3) flats (poor drainage). Associations with microhabitat are found for more than 50% of the 41 most common species but only one species is apparently restricted to a single habitat. These findings are similar to other rain forests and demonstrate considerable niche differentiation among island rain-forest tree species.
Demography and biomass change in monodominant and mixed old-growth forest of the Congo
Authors: Makana Jean-Remy , Ewango Corneille N. , McMahon Sean M. , Thomas Sean C. , Hart Terese B. , Condit Richard
Published: August 2011

Mbau forest covers much of the Congo, and shifts in its composition could have a large impact on the African tropics. The Ituri forest in east Congo is near a boundary between the monodominant mbau type and non-mbau mixed forest, and two 20-ha censuses of trees ≥ 1 cm diameter were carried out over 12 y to monitor forest change. Based on published diameter allometry, mbau forest had 535 Mg ha−1 biomass above ground and gained 1.1 Mg ha−1 y−1. Mixed forest had 399 Mg ha−1 and gained 3 Mg ha−1 y−1. The mbau tree (Gilbertiodendron dewevrei) increased its share of biomass from 4.1% to 4.4% in mixed forest; other common species also increased. Sapling density declined at both sites, likely because increased biomass meant shadier understorey, but the mbau tree increased in sapling density, suggesting it will become more important in the future. Tree mortality and growth rates were low relative to other tropical forests, especially in the mbau plots. Shifting toward G. dewevrei would represent a large gain in carbon in the mixed forest, but mbau is presently more important as a high-carbon stock: biomass lost during forest harvest could not recuperate for centuries due to slow community dynamics.
Flower number and distance to neighbours affect the fecundity of Goetzea elegans (Solanaceae)
Authors: Caraballo-Ortiz Marcos A. , Santiago-Valentín Eugenio , Carlo Tomás A.
Published: August 2011

Pollinator visits to flowers of self-incompatible tropical trees are critical for plant fecundity. However, few studies have examined how much of the variance in tropical tree fecundity is explained by individual attributes of trees (e.g. number of flowers), and how much is due to contextual variables such as distances to nearest flowering neighbours. Using multiple regressions we examined the relative contributions of these factors to the pollination and fecundity of Goetzea elegans, a mainly self-incompatible tree endemic to Puerto Rico. We studied the largest wild population of the species during the peak flowering and collected data on the frequency of pollinator visits (N = 25 trees), and the fecundity of the whole population (N = 105), including the visitation rate of two pollinators (the honey bee Apis mellifera and the bananaquit Coereba flaveola), the total number of flowers produced by each tree, and the total fruit set and seed viability per tree. We also recorded the distance to flowering conspecifics and heterospecifics, and the height for each tree. Flower number had a strong positive effect on pollinator visitation, but distance to nearest neighbours was equally or more important than flower number in influencing fecundity. Also, competition for limited pollinators between G. elegans and other species has a stronger effect than the facilitation that conspecifics may provide. Our results suggest that pollinator visits and aspects of fecundity of G. elegans depend both on the attributes of individual plants, and on those of the community of other nearby plants.
An evaluation of the California Instructional School Garden Program
Authors: Hazzard Eric L , Moreno Elizabeth , Beall Deborah L , Zidenberg-Cherr Sheri
Published: August 2011

Objective

California Assembly Bill 1535 awarded $US 15 million to California public schools to promote, develop and sustain instructional school gardens through the California Instructional School Garden Program (CISGP). The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the CISGP at assisting schools in implementing, maintaining and sustaining an academic school garden programme, determine how schools utilized the funding they received and assess the impact of the California state budget crisis on the CISGP.

Design

A mid-term evaluation was used to assess the degree to which schools achieved their instructional garden-related goals.

Setting

California.

Subjects

Only schools that applied for the CIGSP grant as part of a school district and also provided a contact email and had a unique contact person were included in the study (n3103, 80·6 %).

Results

In general, many schools reported not achieving their predicted goals with regard to the CISGP grant. Only 39·4 % of schools reported accomplishing all of their garden-related goals. Over one-third (37·8 %) of schools reported that their school gardens were negatively affected by the California budget deficit.

Conclusions

The difference between predicted and actual utilization of the CISGP grants may be due to a combination of the effects of budget shortfall and insufficiency of the grant award amount.
Availability of nutritional support services in HIV care and treatment sites in sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Anema Aranka , Zhang Wendy , Wu Yingfeng , Elul Batya , Weiser Sheri D , Hogg Robert S , Montaner Julio SG , El Sadr Wafaa , Nash Denis
Published: August 2011

Objective

To examine the availability of nutritional support services in HIV care and treatment sites across sub-Saharan Africa.

Design

In 2008, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of sites providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in nine sub-Saharan African countries. Outcomes included availability of: (i) nutritional counselling; (ii) micronutrient supplementation; (iii) treatment for severe malnutrition; and (iv) food rations. Associations with health system indicators were explored using bivariate and multivariate methods.

Setting

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief-supported HIV treatment and care sites across nine sub-Saharan African countries.

Subjects

A total of 336 HIV care and treatment sites, serving 467 175 enrolled patients.

Results

Of the sites under study, 303 (90 %) offered some form of nutritional support service. Nutritional counselling, micronutrient supplementation, treatment for severe acute malnutrition and food rations were available at 98 %, 64 %, 36 % and 31 % of sites, respectively. In multivariate analysis, secondary or tertiary care sites were more likely to offer nutritional counselling (adjusted OR (AOR): 2·2, 95 % CI 1·1, 4·5). Rural sites (AOR: 2·3, 95 % CI 1·4, 3·8) had increased odds of micronutrient supplementation availability. Sites providing ART for >2 years had higher odds of availability of treatment for severe malnutrition (AOR: 2·4, 95 % CI 1·4, 4·1). Sites providing ART for >2 years (AOR: 1·6, 95 % CI 1·3, 1·9) and rural sites (AOR: 2·4, 95 % CI 1·4, 4·4) had greater odds of food ration availability.

Conclusions

Availability of nutritional support services was high in this large sample of HIV care and treatment sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Further efforts are needed to determine the uptake, quality and effectiveness of these services and their impact on patient and programme outcomes.
Food insecurity, childhood illness and maternal emotional distress in Ethiopia
Authors: Anderson Laura C , Tegegn Ayalew , Tessema Fasil , Galea Sandro , Hadley Craig
Published: August 2011

Objective

The relationship between food insecurity, maternal emotional distress and childhood morbidity in resource-poor settings is not well clarified. The present study aimed to assess independent associations between household food insecurity and childhood morbidity and potential modifications by maternal emotional distress.

Design

A cross-sectional survey. A food security scale was used to assess household food insecurity; maternal reports were used to assess recent childhood illness; and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist was used to assess symptoms of emotional distress among mothers.

Setting

The Oromia Region, Ethiopia (rural area).

Subjects

A total of 936 mother–child pairs.

Results

Of 936 children assessed, 22·4 % had experienced diarrhoea, 20·7 % had cough and 21·5 % had fever in the 2 weeks preceding the interview. Household food insecurity was reported by 39 % of mothers. Greater food insecurity and greater maternal emotional distress were each independently associated with higher prevalence of cough and fever. Among mothers with low emotional distress, food insecurity was associated with a 2·3 times greater odds of diarrhoea in their children.

Conclusions

Household food insecurity may increase the risk of childhood illness in rural Ethiopia, and children having mothers with greater emotional distress may be at highest risk. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening policy initiatives aimed at reducing the high prevalence of food insecurity and emotional distress in Ethiopia.
Validity of an adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale in urban households in Iran
Authors: Mohammadi Fatemeh , Omidvar Nasrin , Houshiar-Rad Anahita , Khoshfetrat Mohammad-Reza , Abdollahi Morteza , Mehrabi Yadollah
Published: August 2011

Objective

To assess the validity of a locally adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) in the measurement of household food insecurity (FI) in the city of Tehran.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Urban households were selected through a systematic cluster sampling method from six different districts of Tehran. The socio-economic status of households was evaluated using a questionnaire by means of interviews. An adapted HFIAS was used to measure FI. Content validity was assessed by an expert panel, and the questionnaire was then tested among ten households for clarity. Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the measure with a number of determinants and consequences of FI. Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach'sαand exploratory factor analysis. For repeatability, the questionnaire was administered twice to twenty-five households at an interval of 20 d and Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated.

Subjects

A total of 416 households.

Results

In all, 11·8 %, 14·4 % and 17·5 % of the households were severely, moderately and mildly food insecure, respectively. Cronbach'sαwas 0·855. A significant correlation was observed between the two administrations of the questionnaire (r= 0·895,P< 0·001). Factor analysis of HFIAS items revealed two factors: the first five items as factor 1 (mild-to-moderate FI) and the last four as factor 2 (severe FI). Heads of food-secure households had higher education and higher job position compared with heads of food-insecure households (P< 0·001). Income and expenditure were lower in food-insecure households compared with food-secure households.

Conclusions

Adapted HFIAS showed acceptable levels of internal consistency, criterion validity and reliability in assessing household FI among Tehranians.
Evaluation of the first phase of a specialist weight management programme in the UK National Health Service: prospective cohort study
Authors: Morrison David S , Boyle Susan , Morrison Caroline , Allardice Gwen , Greenlaw Nicola , Forde Lorna
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the first phase of a specialist weight management programme provided entirely within the UK National Health Service.

Design

Prospective cohort study using multiple logistic regression analysis to report odds of ≥5 kg weight loss in all referrals and completers, and odds of completion, with 95 % confidence intervals. Anxiety and depression ‘caseness’ were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Setting

Glasgow and Clyde Weight Management Service (GCWMS) is a specialist multidisciplinary service, with clinical psychology support, for patients with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 or BMI ≥30 kg/m2 with co-morbidities.

Subjects

All patients referred to GCWMS between 2004 and 2006.

Results

Of 2976 patients referred to GCWMS, 2156 (72·4 %) opted into the service and 809 completed phase 1. Among 809 completers, 35·5 % (n 287) lost ≥5 kg. Age ≥40 years, male sex (OR = 1·39, 95 % CI 1·05, 1·82), BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 (OR = 1·70, 95 % CI 1·14, 2·54) and depression (OR = 1·81, 95 % CI 1·35, 2·44) increased the likelihood of losing ≥5 kg. Diabetes mellitus (OR = 0·55, 95 % CI 0·38, 0·81) and socio-economic deprivation were associated with poorer outcomes. Success in patients aged ≥40 years and with BMI ≥50 kg/m2 was associated with higher completion rates of the programme. Patients from the most deprived areas were less likely to lose ≥5 kg because of non-completion of the programme.

Conclusions

Further improvements in overall effectiveness might be achieved through targeting improvements in appropriateness of referrals, retention and effective interventions at specific populations of patients.
Nutrition-related claims on children's cereals: what do they mean to parents and do they influence willingness to buy?
Authors: Harris Jennifer L , Thompson Jacqueline M , Schwartz Marlene B , Brownell Kelly D
Published: August 2011

Objective

To examine parents’ beliefs about the meaning of common front-of-package nutrition-related claims on children's cereals and determine whether the claims would make them more willing to buy the cereals.

Design

Parents viewed images of box fronts for children's cereals of below-average nutritional quality, as assessed by a validated nutrient profiling model. These boxes featured various nutrition-related claims including ‘supports your child's immunity’, ‘whole grain’, ‘fibre’, ‘calcium and vitamin D’ and ‘organic’. Participants were provided possible meanings for these claims and asked to select any that applied with the option to write in additional meanings. They also indicated how the claim would affect their willingness to buy the product.

Setting

Online survey.

Subjects

Parents with children between the ages of 2 and 11 years (n 306) recruited through an online panel.

Results

The majority of parents misinterpreted the meaning of claims commonly used on children's cereals. They inferred that cereals with claims were more nutritious overall and might provide specific health-related benefits for their children; and these beliefs predicted greater willingness to buy the cereals.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that common front-of-package nutrition-related claims are potentially misleading, especially when placed on products with high levels of nutrients to limit (e.g. sugar, sodium) and low levels of other nutrients to encourage (e.g. fibre, protein). Additional regulation is needed to protect consumers in the USA.
Contribution of beverages to the intake of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in obese women from rural Mexico
Authors: Hervert-Hernández Deisy , Goñi Isabel
Published: August 2011

Objective

The aims of the present work were to study beverage consumption among obese women from rural communities in Mexico and to estimate daily polyphenol intake and dietary antioxidant capacity from beverages.

Design

A cross-sectional study was used to analyse the beverage intake of 139 premenopausal obese women estimated through repeated 24 h food recalls. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity were determined in eighteen beverages, representing 71 % of total beverage consumption, in order to estimate the intake of polyphenols (mg/person per d) and the dietary antioxidant capacity (μmol Trolox equivalents/person per d) from beverages.

Setting

Five rural communities located in Queretaro State, Mexico, in 2008.

Subjects

A total of 139 premenopausal women identified as obese (BMI 35·0 (se 0·4) kg/m2), aged 25–45 years.

Results

The contribution of beverages to dietary energy was 1369 kJ/d (18 % of total energy intake). Soft drinks were consumed the most (283 (se 17) ml/d), followed by coffee and fresh fruit beverages. Polyphenol intake and dietary antioxidant capacity from beverages was 180·9 (se 12·5) mg/person per d and >1000 μmol Trolox equivalents/person per d, respectively. The items that contributed most to this intake were coffee, roselle drink, peach and guava juices and infusions.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among obese women from rural Mexico. Low-sugar beverages rich in polyphenols and antioxidants may be healthier options to replace sweetened drinks and increase the intake of bioactive compounds. Nutritional advice on this topic could be a viable strategy to tackle obesity in rural areas in Mexico.
Socio-economic position and lower dietary moderation among Chinese immigrant women in the USA
Authors: Tseng Marilyn , Fang Carolyn Y
Published: August 2011

Objective

To examine associations of education and occupation, as indicators of socio-economic position (SEP), with dietary intake and diet quality in a sample of Chinese immigrant women.

Design

Cross-sectional. Data collection included four days of dietary recalls and information on education and current occupation for participants and their spouses.

Setting

Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Subjects

Chinese immigrant women (n 423) recruited from October 2005 to April 2008.

Results

In multivariate models, both higher education level and occupation category were significantly associated with higher energy density and intake of energy and sugar. Education was additionally associated with intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (P = 0·01) and lower dietary moderation (P = 0·01). With joint categorization based on both education and occupation, we observed significant trends indicating higher energy density (P = 0·004) and higher intake of energy (P = 0·001) and sugar (P = 0·04), but less dietary moderation (P = 0·02) with higher SEP.

Conclusions

In this sample of US Chinese immigrants, higher SEP as indicated by education level and occupation category was associated with differences in dietary intake and with less dietary moderation. While higher SEP is typically linked to healthier diet in higher-income nations, in these immigrants the association of SEP with diet follows the pattern of their country of origin – a lower-income country undergoing the nutrition transition.
Defining the complexity of childhood obesity and related behaviours within the family environment using structural equation modelling
Authors: Hendrie Gilly A , Coveney John , Cox David N
Published: August 2011

Objective

The present study aimed to define the complexity of the relationships between the family environment, health behaviours and obesity. A conceptual model that quantifies the relationships and interactions between parent factors, family environment, and certain aspects of children's behaviour and weight status is presented.

Design

Exploratory structural equation modelling was used to quantitatively model the relationships between parent, child and family environmental factors.

Setting

Adelaide, South Australia.

Subjects

Families (n157) with children aged 5–10 years completed self-reported questionnaires, providing data on parents’ knowledge, diet quality and activity habits; child feeding and general parenting styles; and the food and physical activity environments. Outcome variables included children's fruit and vegetable intake, activity and sedentary habits and weight status.

Results

The proposed model was an acceptable fit (normed fit index = 0·457; comparative fit index = 0·746; root-mean-squared error associated = 0·044). Parents’ BMI (β= 0·32) and nutrition and physical activity knowledge (β= 0·17) had the strongest direct associations with children's BMIZ-score. Parents’ dietary intake and energy expenditure behaviours were indirectly associated with children's behaviour through the creation of the home environment. The physical activity and food environments were associated with children's sedentary (β= −0·44) and activity habits (β= 0·29), and fruit and vegetable intake (β= 0·47), respectively.

Conclusions

A conceptual model that quantifies the complex network of family environment factors influencing children's behaviour and weight status is presented. The model provides a basis for future research on larger representative samples with a view to guiding obesity prevention interventions.
Language disturbances in ADHD
Authors: Bellani M. , Moretti A. , Perlini C. , Brambilla P.
Published: August 2011

This article aims to review the studies exploring language abilities in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; with or without comorbid language impairment) focusing on oral speech discrimination, listening comprehension, verbal and spatial working memory as well as on discourse analysis and pragmatic aspects of communication and language comprehension.