bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen yield advantage from grass–legume mixtures is robust over a wide range of legume proportions and environmental conditions
Authors: Suter Matthias , Connolly John , Finn John A. , Loges Ralf , Kirwan Laura , Sebastià Maria‐Teresa , Lüscher Andreas 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCurrent challenges to global food security require sustainable intensification of agriculture through initiatives that include more efficient use of nitrogen (N), increased protein self‐sufficiency through homegrown crops, and reduced N losses to the environment. Such challenges were addressed in a continental‐scale field experiment conducted over 3 years, in which the amount of total nitrogen yield (Ntot) and the gain of N yield in mixtures as compared to grass monocultures (Ngainmix) was quantified from four‐species grass–legume stands with greatly varying legume proportions. Stands consisted of monocultures and mixtures of two N2‐fixing legumes and two nonfixing grasses. The amount of Ntot of mixtures was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than that of grass monocultures at the majority of evaluated sites in all 3 years. Ntot and thus Ngainmix increased with increasing legume proportion up to one‐third of legumes. With higher legume percentages, Ntot and Ngainmix did not continue to increase. Thus, across sites and years, mixtures with one‐third proportion of legumes attained ~95% of the maximum Ntot acquired by any stand and had 57% higher Ntot than grass monocultures. Realized legume proportion in stands and the relative N gain in mixture (Ngainmix/Ntot in mixture) were most severely impaired by minimum site temperature (R = 0.70, P = 0.003 for legume proportion; R = 0.64, P = 0.010 for Ngainmix/Ntot in mixture). Nevertheless, the relative N gain in mixture was not correlated to site productivity (P = 0.500), suggesting that, within climatic restrictions, balanced grass–legume mixtures can benefit from comparable relative gains in N yield across largely differing productivity levels. We conclude that the use of grass–legume mixtures can substantially contribute to resource‐efficient agricultural grassland systems over a wide range of productivity levels, implying important savings in N fertilizers and thus greenhouse gas emissions and a considerable potential for climate change mitigation.
The impact of ENSO on coral heat stress in the western equatorial Pacific
Authors: Kleypas Joan A. , Castruccio Frederic S. , Curchitser Enrique N. , Mcleod Elizabeth 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe Coral Triangle encompasses an extensive region of coral reefs in the western tropical Pacific with marine resources that support millions of people. As in all other reef regions, coral reefs in the Coral Triangle have been impacted by anomalously high ocean temperature. The vast majority of bleaching observations to date have been associated with the 1998 La Niña phase of ENSO. To understand the significance of ENSO and other climatic oscillations to heat stress in the Coral Triangle, we use a 5‐km resolution Regional Ocean Model System for the Coral Triangle (CT‐ROMS) to study ocean temperature thresholds and variability for the 1960–2007 historical period. Heat‐stress events are more frequent during La Niña events, but occur under all climatic conditions, reflecting an overall warming trend since the 1970s. Mean sea surface temperature (SST) in the region increased an average of ~ 0.1 °C per decade over the time period, but with considerable spatial variability. The spatial patterns of SST and heat stress across the Coral Triangle reflect the complex bathymetry and oceanography. The patterns did not change significantly over time or with shifts in ENSO. Several regions experienced little to no heat stress over the entire period. Of particular interest to marine conservation are regions where there are few records of coral bleaching despite the presence of significant heat stress, such as in the Banda Sea. Although this may be due to under‐reporting of bleaching events, it may also be due to physical factors such as mixing and cloudiness, or biological factors that reduce sensitivity to heat stress.
Analysis of stable states in global savannas: is the CART pulling the horse? – a comment
Authors: Staver A. Carla , Hansen Matthew C. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn their recent paper, Hanan et al. (Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2014, 23, 259–263) argue that the use of classification and regression trees (CARTs) to calibrate global remote sensing datasets, including the MODIS VCF tree‐cover dataset, makes these data inappropriate for analysing the frequency distribution of tree cover. While we agree with their most general point – that the use of remote sensing products should be informed and deliberate – their analysis overlooks a few key aspects of the use of CARTs in generating global tree‐cover data. Firstly, while their presentation of flaws in the use of CARTs is compelling, their use of hypothetical data obscures the reasons why CARTs are a useful tool. Secondly, they do not actually examine the error distributions of the MODIS VCF tree‐cover data. Such an analysis, which we perform, revealed the following: (1) the MODIS VCF product may not be useful for differentiating over small ranges of tree cover (less than c. 10%); (2) that the bimodality of low and high tree cover, with a frequency minimum at intermediate tree cover, is not attributable to bias in MODIS VCF tree‐cover calibrations; and (3) that the MODIS VCF is not well‐resolved below c. 20–30% tree cover, such that MODIS cannot be used with any confidence to evaluate multimodality in tree cover in that range. Further validation and calibration are likely to be helpful and, at low tree cover, necessary for improving MODIS VCF tree‐cover estimates. However, the MODIS VCF – which has facilitated major steps in our ability to examine ecological phenomena at global scales – remains a useful tool for well‐informed ecological analysis.
Geo‐awareness, Geo‐enablement, Geotechnologies, Citizen Science, and Storytelling: Geography on the World Stage
Authors: Kerski Joseph J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFive converging global trends – geo‐awareness, geo‐enablement, geotechnologies, citizen science, and storytelling– have the potential to offer geography a world audience – attention from education and society that may be unprecedented in the history of the discipline. Issues central to geography are now part of the global consciousness. Everyday objects are rapidly becoming locatable, and thus able to be monitored and mapped. Many tools and data sets that were formerly used and examined only by geographers and other earth and environmental scientists are now in the hands of the general public. Citizens outside academia are becoming involved in contributing data to the scientific community. Multimedia and cloud‐based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have greatly multiplied the attraction that maps have had for centuries to tell stories. But despite these trends bringing opportunity to geography, is geoliteracy becoming increasingly valued? How can educators, researchers, and practitioners seize the opportunity that these trends seem to present to actively promote geographic content knowledge, skills, and perspectives throughout education and society?
Leaf age, leaf blade portion and light intensity as determinants of leaf photosynthesis in Panicum maximum Jacq.
Authors: Pedreira Bruno C. , Pedreira Carlos G. S. , Lara Márcio A. S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe objective in this research was to identify photosynthetic responses of three leaf age groups measured in three portions of the leaf blade of two morphologically contrasting genotypes of Panicum maximum. Photosynthetic rate (PR) varied across leaf age groups and among leaf portions. Highest PR (20.6 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) was recorded on the youngest fully expanded leaf, followed by the oldest green leaf and the expanding leaf. The middle and apical portions of the leaf had, on average, the highest PR (24.2 and 26.3 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, respectively). In both ‘Massai’ and ‘Tobiatã’ cultivars the photosynthetic response was dependent upon leaf age groups and portions of the blade, with highest rates measured on the middle portion of the youngest fully expanded leaf. The P. maximum had similar parameters for the light response curve suggesting similar photosynthetic light response to light intensity across genotypes.
Reducing unacceptable missed doses: pharmacy assistant-supported medicine administration
Authors: Baqir Wasim , Jones Kate , Horsley William , Barrett Scott , Fisher David , Copeland Richard , Campbell David , Stephenson Rosemary 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe potential harm from omitted and delayed medicines for hospital inpatients was highlighted by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). Despite evidence of omitted doses, few interventional studies have been reported on preventing the problem. This study aimed to assess the impact on omitted doses when medicine administration was supported by pharmacy assistants (PAs).MethodsPAs were trained to support nurses on medicine administration rounds. Using stratified random sampling, two intervention and control wards were selected. Three study groups were defined: (A) intervention group (PA-supported medicine administration); (B) intra-ward control group; and (C) inter-ward control group. Primary outcome measure was number of patients with unacceptable omitted doses (UODs) in group A versus C. Secondary outcome measures were patients with critical UOD (cUOD), as defined by the NPSA, in groups A, B and C and UODs in group B versus A and C. Data were collected over 2 weeks (December 2011 and February 2012).Key findingsUsing aggregated data over 2 weeks, 778 patients were assessed; 308 were male (40%). The overall proportion of patients with ≥1 UOD was 12.4% (n = 96). The proportion of patients with ≥1 UOD was 1.1% (n = 2) in group A (intervention) and 18.5% (n = 68) in group C (control). There were significantly fewer patients with cUOD in group A (1.1%; n = 2) compared with group C (7.4%; n = 27).ConclusionPA-supported medication rounds can significantly reduce the rate of omitted doses. This study provides evidence for a potential solution to the problem of omitted doses for hospital inpatients.
Evaluation of a consultant audit and feedback programme to improve the quality of antimicrobial prescribing in acute medical admissions
Authors: Roberts Elaine , Dawoud Dalia M , Hughes Dyfrig A , Cefai Christopher 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Objectives
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship intervention, consisting of consultant performance audit and feedback, on antimicrobial prescribing quality.

Methods
From October 2010 to September 2012, the prescribing performance of medical consultant teams rotating on the acute medical admissions unit was measured against four quality indicators. Measurements were taken at baseline then at quarterly intervals during which time consultants received feedback. Proportion of prescriptions adhering to each indicator was compared with baseline using paired sample z-test (significance level P &lt; 0.01, Bonferroni corrected). Consultants’ views were explored using anonymous questionnaires.

Key findings
Overall, 2609 antimicrobial prescriptions were reviewed. Improvement from baseline was statistically significant in all follow-up periods for two indicators: ‘antimicrobials should have a documented indication in the medical notes’ and ‘antimicrobials should adhere to guideline choice or have a justification for deviation’, reaching 6.0% (95% CI 2.5, 9.6) and 8.7% (95% CI 3.7, 13.7), respectively. Adherence to the indicator ‘antimicrobials should have a documented stop/review prompt’ improved significantly in all but the first follow-up period. For the indicator: ‘antimicrobial assessed by antimicrobial specialists as unnecessary’, improvement was statistically significant in the first (−4.7%, 95% CI −8.0, −1.4) and fourth (−4.2%, 95% CI −7.7%, −0.8%) periods. Service evaluation showed support for the pharmacist-led stewardship activities.

Conclusions
There were significant and sustained improvements in prescribing quality as a result of the intervention. Consultants’ engagement and acceptance of stewardship activities were demonstrated.
Patient expectations and willingness to use primary care pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hasan Sanah , Sulieman Hana , Stewart Kay , Chapman Colin B , Kong David C M 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Objectives
No previous studies have investigated patients’ expectations of, or interest in, using primary care pharmacy services in the UAE. The study investigated primary care services that patients would use if they were provided through community pharmacies.

Methods
A questionnaire was developed in English and translated to Arabic. Participants were asked to rate their likelihood of using future primary care services on a three-point Likert-type scale (very likely–unlikely). Services included screening for disease, monitoring of disease control, health advice and referral, lifestyle and preventive care, supply of printed information, counselling on medication use and side effects, patient record keeping, and pharmacist intervention in chronic disease. The questionnaire was distributed to patrons of public places by hand to eligible participants: ≥21 years, taking at least one scheduled prescription medication and having adequate Arabic or English proficiency.

Key findings
Areas of most interest were as follows: the pharmacist explaining how to use medications (Median = 3, interquartile range (IQR) = 1), the pharmacist advising on side effects of medications (Median = 3, IQR = 1), receiving advice on how to use devices (Median = 3, IQR = 1) and receiving printed information about medications (Median = 3, IQR = 1). Participants were least supportive of pharmacists keeping medication records (Median = 2, IQR = 1) and intervening in chronic disease management (Median = 2, IQR = 1). Participants anticipated a caring professional service by pharmacists and a pharmacy layout that allows private communication.

Conclusions
Participants were interested in accessing enhanced primary care services by community pharmacists. Participants were more supportive of receiving information about medications, help in self-management and monitoring, and advice about disease prevention than management of chronic disease.
Australian case managers' perceptions of mental health consumers use of antipsychotic medications and associated side‐effects
Authors: Morrison Paul , Meehan Tom , Stomski Norman Jay 
Published: January 2015

Abstract The present study explores Australian case managers' perceptions of mental health consumers' use of antipsychotic medications and the side‐effects resulting from these medications. Semistructured interviews were used to elicit material from nine case managers in a community care setting in South–East Queensland, Australia. Content analysis was used to examine the transcripts, and the audio‐recordings were replayed to identify important contextual cues. The analysis identified several main themes, including perceptions of the use of antipsychotic medications and associated side‐effects, the provision of information about antipsychotic medication side‐effects; the assessment of antipsychotic medication side‐effects; and the promotion of effective management of antipsychotic medication side‐effects. The participants believed that antipsychotic medication provided clear benefits to mental health consumers. Most participants believed that consumers adapted to side‐effects and came to accept them. The case managers themselves often felt poorly informed about antipsychotic medication side‐effects, leading them to request more succinct types of information. It was notable to find that there was a lack of systematic approach to the assessment of side‐effects. This finding highlighted the need to incorporate the routine structured assessment of antipsychotic medication side‐effects in providing care to mental health consumers in the community.
Therapeutic relationships and involuntary treatment orders: Service users' interactions with health‐care professionals on the ward
Authors: Wyder Marianne , Bland Robert , Blythe Andrew , Matarasso Beth , Crompton David 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that an involuntary hospital admission and treatment can undermine the therapeutic relationship. While good relationships with staff are important factors influencing long‐term recovery, there is little information on how people experience their relationships with staff while under an involuntary treatment order (ITO). Twenty‐five involuntary inpatients were interviewed about their experiences of an ITO. The interviews were analysed by a general inductive approach. Participants described the following themes: (i) the ITO admission was a daunting and frightening experience; (ii) staff behaviours and attitudes shaped their experiences in hospital; (iii) importance of staff listening to their concerns; (iv) importance of having a space to make sense of their experiences; (v) importance of staff ability to look beyond their illness and diagnosis; and (vi) importance of staff working in partnership. These findings highlight that when using recovery principles, such as an empathic engagement with the patients' lived experience, forging partnerships with patients in treatment decision‐making to enhance agency, an involuntary treatment order does not have to limit the ability to establish positive relationships.
Fire and climate: contrasting pressures on tropical Andean timberline species
Authors: Bush Mark B. , Alfonso‐Reynolds Andrea M. , Urrego Dunia H. , Valencia Bryan G. , Correa‐Metrio Y. Alexander , Zimmermann Michael , Silman Miles R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimThe aim was to test competing hypotheses regarding migration of the Andean timberline within the last 2000 years.LocationThe upper forest limit in Manu National Park, Peru.MethodsA randomized stratified design provided 21 soil profiles from forested sites just below the timberline, 15 from puna grassland sites just above the timberline and 15 from the transitional habitat at the puna–forest boundary. From each profile a surface sample (hereafter modern) and a sample from the base of the organic horizon (hereafter historical) were collected. Pollen and charcoal were analysed from the modern and historical layers of the 51 soil profiles. A chronological framework was provided by 24 14C dates. Data were ordinated as modern and historical groups and the temporal trends illustrated by Procrustes rotation.ResultsThe organic layer from the soil profiles represented the last 600–2000 years. Fire was much more abundant in all habitat types (puna, transitional and forested) in the modern compared with the historical groups. Samples that had historically been in puna just above the timberline showed encroachment by woody species. Samples that had been forested were still classified as forest but their composition had become more transitional. Sites that were transitional appeared to represent a new or expanded class of sites that was far less abundant historically.Main conclusionsOur results are consistent with ongoing warming causing an upslope migration of species, although not necessarily of the timberline. Weedy fire‐tolerant species are spreading upslope, creating a transitional forest, softening the boundary between forest and puna. Simultaneously, fire introduced to improve grazing outside the park has increasingly penetrated the forest and is causing the upper timberline to shift towards more fire‐tolerant and weedy species. Consequently, both the form of the ecotone between forest and grassland and the species composition of these forests is changing and is expected to continue to change, representing a shifting baseline for what is considered to be natural.
Development and Evaluation of Silver Zeolite Antifouling Coatings on Stainless Steel for Food Contact Surfaces
Authors: Griffith Alexander , Neethirajan Suresh , Warriner Keith 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe majority of foodborne illness outbreaks can be linked to cross‐contamination events through contact with contaminated surfaces. Consequently, there is a sustained interest in developing antimicrobial coatings such as silver zeolite to reduce contamination levels. In this study, we examined the efficacy of silver zeolite for preventing biofilm formation by common foodborne pathogens such as Listeria innocua Seeliger and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Biofilm formation was assessed by cresyl violet assay, quantification of colony‐forming units and scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. For silver zeolite suspended in growth media, concentrations of 0.3% w/v were effective at reducing bacterial growth of L. innocua after 8 h. For E. coli incubated with silver zeolite, there was a dose‐dependent reduction in bacteria after 4 h. When coated stainless steel coupons were incubated with Listeria and E. coli, significant reductions in bacterial growth were achieved. Coating stainless steel food processing surfaces with silver zeolite may provide a means of reducing cross‐contamination events of pathogens and spoilage microbes. The ability of the surface to resist the attachment of biofilms provides a complementary approach to chemical sanitation.Practical ApplicationsAntimicrobial coatings are gaining importance for the food manufacturing and food processing industries for food safety applications. The results of this study demonstrate that the silver zeolite could inhibit foodborne pathogenic biofilm formation and could potentially serve as an effective antimicrobial coating for food contact surfaces. The methodology for impregnating the silver zeolite in polymers followed by coating on stainless steel surface provides detailed procedure for preparing the antimicrobial surfaces.
Melatonin enhances L‐DOPA therapeutic effects, helps to reduce its dose, and protects dopaminergic neurons in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced parkinsonism in mice
Authors: Naskar Amit , Prabhakar Visakh , Singh Raghavendra , Dutta Debashis , Mohanakumar Kochupurackal P. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractL‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA) reduces symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but suffers from serious side effects on long‐term use. Melatonin (10–30 mg/kg, 6 doses at 10 hr intervals) was investigated to potentiate L‐DOPA therapeutic effects in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced parkinsonism in mice. Striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, TH, and phosphorylated ser 40 TH (p‐TH) protein levels were assayed on 7th day. Nigral TH‐positive neurons stereology was conducted on serial sections 2.8 mm from bregma rostrally to 3.74 mm caudally. MPTP caused 39% and 58% decrease, respectively, in striatal fibers and TH protein levels, but 2.5‐fold increase in p‐TH levels. About 35% TH neurons were lost between 360 and 600 μm from 940 μm of the entire nigra analyzed, but no neurons were lost between 250 μm rostrally and 220 μm caudally. When L‐DOPA in small doses (5–8 mg/kg) failed to affect MPTP‐induced akinesia or catalepsy, co‐administration of melatonin with L‐DOPA attenuated these behaviors. Melatonin administration significantly attenuated MPTP‐induced loss in striatal TH fibers (82%), TH (62%) and p‐TH protein (100%) levels, and nigral neurons (87–100%). Melatonin failed to attenuate MPTP‐induced striatal dopamine depletion. L‐DOPA administration (5 mg/kg, once 40 min prior to sacrifice, p.o.) in MPTP‐ and melatonin‐treated mice caused significant increase in striatal dopamine (31%), as compared to L‐DOPA and MPTP‐treated mice. This was equivalent to 8 mg/kg L‐DOPA administration in parkinsonian mouse. Therefore, prolonged, effective use of L‐DOPA in PD with lesser side effects could be achieved by treating with 60% lower doses of L‐DOPA along with melatonin.