bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An orb‐weaver spider eludes plant‐defending acacia ants by hiding in plain sight
Authors: GARCIA LORIANN C. , STYRSKY JOHN D. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Myrmecophily is uncommon in spiders and adaptations that allow spider infiltration of ant colonies are poorly studied. Here, a novel interaction between the orb‐weaver spider, Eustala oblonga Chickering, and the acacia ant, Pseudomyrmex satanicus Wheeler, in central Panama is documented.
These spiders occupy webs at night, but spend most of the day crouched directly against the surface of their host acacias (Acacia melanocerus Fabaceae) amidst the plant‐defending ants. Detailed behavioural observations indicated that the spiders generally occupied areas on the acacias patrolled more actively by ants, but were attacked only if the spiders moved, which happened very infrequently. We hypothesized, therefore, that the spiders avoid ant aggression behaviourally by being still and not reacting to encounters by patrolling ants.
We tested this hypothesis experimentally by comparing ant responses to moving versus immobilised E. oblonga and moving versus immobilised individuals of another plant‐inhabiting, orb‐weaver spider (Argiope argentata Fabricius) not naturally found on ant‐acacias. Consistent with the hypothesis, ants responded significantly more aggressively to moving spiders of both species than to immobilised spiders.
Further, moving E. oblonga utilised a particular method of escape in which they suspended themselves on a dragline until ant activity waned before returning to the plant surface and crouching quietly without further agitating the ants. In contrast, moving A. argentata attempted to outrun the ants, thus, continuing to agitate them until the spiders were killed or dropped to the ground.
Our results suggest that E. oblonga may be able to inhabit ant‐defended acacias essentially by hiding in plain sight.
Fixing the Leak: Unemployment Incidence before and after a Major Reform of Unemployment Benefits in Germany
Authors: Dlugosz Stephan , Wilke Ralf A. , Stephan Gesine 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe present first empirical results on the effects of a large scale reduction in unemployment benefit entitlement lengths on unemployment inflows in Germany. We show that this highly disputed element of the Hartz-Reforms in 2006 induced a rush of workers and firms to take advantage of the previous legislation in its last days. Furthermore, we find a considerable decline in transitions to unemployment and an increase in employment rates among older workers after the reform. Our results provide new evidence for the importance of changes in unemployment inflows for the analysis of changes in unemployment outflows.
The effects of simulated summer‐to‐winter grazing management on herbage production in a grass–clover sward
Authors: Phelan P. , Casey I. A. , Humphreys J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe effects of summer‐to‐winter simulated grazing management factors, namely defoliation interval (INT: 21, 42, 56 or 84 d), defoliation height (DH: 2·7, 3·6, 5·3 or 6·0 cm) and final defoliation date (FIN: 23 September, 4 November or 16 December) on herbage production in a grass–clover sward were studied. Treatments were imposed between July and December 2008, with all plots under common management in the following March to June 2009. The 42‐d INT achieved the highest (P < 0·001) total herbage yield at 11·00 t DM ha−1. Shorter (21 d) and longer (56–84 d) intervals reduced annual clover herbage yield and biological nitrogen fixation estimates. Lowering DH from 6·0 to 2·7 cm in the summer‐to‐winter period increased sward clover content and clover herbage yield through to the following June, 6 months after treatments ended. Delaying FIN from 23 September to 16 December had no significant effect on annual clover, grass or total herbage yield. Spring–summer clover herbage yield was positively correlated with spring–summer clover stolon mass (R2 = 0·54, P < 0·001) and, to a lesser extent, light penetration through the sward in the previous winter (R2 = 0·16, P < 0·05). A 42‐d INT with low DH (2·7–3·5 cm) is therefore recommended for grass–clover swards.
Pain and hospice care in nursing home residents with dementia and terminal cancer
Authors: Monroe Todd B , Carter Michael A , Feldt Karen S , Dietrich Mary S , Cowan Ronald L 
Published: March 2013

AimOne condition associated with severe end‐of‐life pain that can lead to a poor quality of death is cancer. Cancer pain in people with dementia is of particular concern because of communication problems that occur with worsening disease. The aim of the current pilot study was to examine the association between hospice enrolment, dementia severity and pain among nursing home residents who died from advanced cancer.MethodsBetween‐groups cross‐sectional chart audits of 55 nursing home residents with dementia who died from cancer were carried out.ResultsA total of 45% of residents were in hospice at the end‐of‐life. Residents in hospice were more likely to receive an opioid (80% vs 43%, P = 0.005); but less likely to show severe cognitive impairment (20% vs 50%, P = 0.050). Enrolment in hospice was associated with an increased likelihood of receiving an opioid after controlling for level of cognitive impairment (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.1–14.0, P = 0.037). Lower levels of cognitive functioning were associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving an opioid after controlling for enrolment in hospice (OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1–0.8, P = 0.030). Notably, 40% of nursing home residents with dementia who died from cancer did not receive any opioid during this time.ConclusionsPreliminary results suggest that hospice enrolment might be influenced by the facility or region of this particular country. Hospice enrolment predicts more opioid pain treatment in residents with dementia and terminal cancer; however, no resident with very severe dementia and terminal cancer was placed in hospice care. Severely cognitively impaired nursing home residents requiring opioids are at great risk of suffering from untreated advanced cancer pain. New methods are urgently required to improve end‐of‐life palliative care for nursing home residents with terminal cancer and severe dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 1018–1025.
Src homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase‐2 expression is an independent negative prognostic factor in human breast cancer
Authors: Muenst Simone , Obermann Ellen C , Gao Feng , Oertli Daniel , Viehl Carsten T , Weber Walter P , Fleming Timothy , Gillanders William E , Soysal Savas D 
Published: March 2013

AimsSrc homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase‐2 (SHP2) is a ubiquitously expressed phosphatase that plays an essential role in the downstream signalling pathways of multiple growth factor receptors, thus representing a potential target for cancer therapy. Recent studies suggest that SHP2 contributes to tumour initiation, progression and metastasis in breast cancer, yet the impact of SHP2 expression on prognosis in human breast cancer has not been evaluated.Methods and resultsTo explore further the role of SHP2 in breast cancer, we conducted an immunohistochemical study using a tissue microarray encompassing 1401 formalin‐fixed breast cancer specimens with detailed clinical annotation and outcome data. Of 1401 evaluable breast cancers, 651 (46%) were positive for SHP2. SHP2 expression was associated positively with tumour grade, lymph node status and tumour stage. In univariate survival analysis, cases with SHP2 expression had a significantly worse overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, SHP2 remained an independent negative prognostic factor for OS. SHP2 expression was a negative prognostic factor for OS in the luminal A and the luminal B HER2− intrinsic subtypes.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate for the first time that SHP2 is an independent predictor of survival in breast cancer, suggesting that SHP2 may be a potential target for therapy.
Cutaneous PEComa does not harbour TFE3 gene fusions: immunohistochemical and molecular study of 17 cases
Authors: Llamas‐Velasco Mar , Mentzel Thomas , Requena Luis , Palmedo Gabriele , Kasten Robert , Kutzner Heinz 
Published: March 2013

AimsThe family of perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (PEComas) comprises a related group of mesenchymal tumours of uncertain origin that show both smooth muscle and melanocytic differentiation markers. TFE3 nuclear immunoreactivity may be viewed as a supporting marker, as it has been found in a subset of visceral PEComas. We immunohistochemically analysed 17 cases of primary cutaneous PEComas for TFE3, and five of them also for SOX‐10, and also analysed them by FISH for TFE3 rearrangement.Methods and resultsPEComas presented as skin‐coloured tumours, in 12 women and five men, with a median age of 49.5 years. Tumours showed either a mixed clear cell–epithelioid cell pattern or a monomorphous clear cell pattern. None of the primary cutaneous PEComas showed detectable TFE3 or SOX‐10 positivity. FISH assay for TFE3 rearrangement yielded negative results in all of the tested tumours.ConclusionsCutaneous PEComas are mostly composed of clear cells, and, unlike a subset of visceral and deep‐seated PEComas, cutaneous PEComas consistently lack TFE3 expression. Owing to the lack of SOX‐10 expression, a neural crest origin could not be shown.
Evolutionary units of Coraebus elatus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in central and eastern Europe – implications for origin and conservation
Authors: Kajtoch Łukasz , Kubisz Daniel , Gutowski Jerzy M. , Babik Wiesław 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

The distribution of steppe‐like habitats and, consequently, species dependent on these habitats in Eurasia is currently highly fragmented beyond the zone of continental climate, as a result of unfavourable climatic conditions and anthropogenic transformation of the environment. This patchy distribution may pose a threat for persistence of steppic species, especially in central Europe. To develop conservation strategies, it is essential to collect information on genetic structure of the species occupying this kind of habitats.

We investigated the genetic structure and diversity of central and eastern Coraebus elatus (F.) populations using sequences of mtDNA and an anonymous fragment of the nuclear genome. Both markers exhibited similar pattern, indicating the presence of four or five highly differentiated evolutionary units (2.1–3.2% sequence divergence in mtDNA and 0.7–2.1% in the nuclear marker) encompassing populations from the Caucasus, the Azov Sea coasts, central Europe with the Balkans (with further substructuring) and probably western Europe. These clusters should be considered evolutionary significant units for the conservation biology of this species, and may form the basis for a future taxonomic revision.

Pattern of C. elatus diversity suggests that this species presently occupies not only continental ‘warm‐stage’ refugia formerly described in Pontic and Pannonian areas but also cryptic steppic ‘warm‐stage’ refugia in north‐central Europe.

In line with other studies on steppic beetles, our data strongly suggest that such species are strongly structured genetically, with very limited genetic variation within populations, which may have very serious consequences for their persistence in the future.
Measurement of the Stress in Oxide Scales Developed Upon Oxidation of a Pt‐Based Alloy in Air at 1250°C
Authors: Odusote Jamiu Kolawole , Cornish Lesley Alison , Chown Lesley Heath , Erasmus Rudolph Marthinus 
Published: March 2013

The nature and magnitude of stress in the scales formed on Pt‐11Al‐3Cr‐2Ru (at.%) alloy oxidized in air at 1250°C, for up to 500 h, were determined. This is to establish their long‐term viability during high‐temperature applications. Residual stress in the scales was measured using luminescence piezospectroscopy and found to be compressive. It decreased gradually with increased oxidation time, before reaching a constant value. The compressive stress was also found to be lower than those of other Ni‐ and Fe‐based superalloys. Thus, the current alloy has a promising potential for high‐temperature applications.
Multilayer Ultrabroadband Piezocomposite Transducer: Fabrication and Characterization
Authors: Uzgur Erman 
Published: March 2013

The broad bandwidth is essential for the ultrasonic transducers because of two main reasons: Firstly, the image axial resolution can be improved by broad bandwidth, and secondly, the ultrasound scanning flexibility can be improved by operating the transducer over a wide range of frequencies. Particularly, nonlinear applications such as biomedical imaging that requires transmitting and receiving in different frequencies can utilize broadband characteristics of transducer efficiently. In this study, a dual‐layer piezocomposite transducer was designed by combining two 1–3 piezocomposite transducers with various thicknesses to couple their resonance frequencies and to increase the bandwidth. PZFlex code was used to determine the most promising layer thicknesses for elements of multilayer structure coupling. Finite element analysis showed that the best thickness combination is 1.2 mm and 2 mm. After fabricating multilayer transducers by traditional dice and fill method, their characteristics were examined under water by Labview automated measurement system. Relative sound pressure produced by the transducer was obtained, and their bandwidth was examined at −3 and −6 dB. By varying the individual active layer thicknesses, acoustic impedance of the backing layer and coupling material the best promising broadband transducer design was reported. In addition, ringing characteristics of the transducers were identified by performing the pulse–echo testing. Multilayer transducer with 1.2 mm and 2 mm layer thicknesses and 6 MRayls backing layer gave the best performance in terms of bandwidth and ringing characteristics.
Electrical stimulation versus extracorporeal magnetic innervation for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Terzoni Stefano , Montanari Emanuele , Mora Cristina , Ricci Cristian , Destrebecq Anne Lucie 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTNurses use several conservative methods for treating urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has a recognized role, while extracorporeal magnetic innervation (ExMI) is still under evaluation in the international guidelines. Few data are available in literature, regarding comparisons between these two treatments. The aim of the study is to compare electrical stimulation and magnetic innervation for treating urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Twenty‐two patients treated with ExMI and 18 treated with FES were enrolled in a retrospective study. ExMI was available for 6 weeks; the number of times ExMI was required by the patients to reduce their leakages to 10 g/d or less was compared. The groups had comparable age and body mass index. Initial leakages showed clinically relevant differences (median = 80 g/d in the ExMI patients and 150 g/d in the FES group). After 6 weeks, 71·9% of ExMI patients and 29·2% of FES patients had completed rehabilitation. The difference was statistically significant even after adjusting the analyses for initial leakages (p = 0·008). Six patients treated with ExMI had already undergone FES, with no clinically relevant results after five sessions (leakages reduction <50 g/d). The difference remained even after removing the data of these patients from the analysis (p = 0·004). Both FES and ExMI produce muscle strengthening, which is just one step of rehabilitation. Our findings suggest the possibility of using ExMI instead of FES to reduce the times required to improve muscular performance. Pelvic muscle exercises remain essential to develop the ability to automatically perform the contractions needed to avoid leakages.
Diagnostic and prognostic morphometric features in WHO2003 invasive endometrial stromal tumours
Authors: Feng Weiwei , Malpica Anais , Yinhua Yu , Janssen Emiel , Gudlaugsson Einar , Zhou Xianrong , Baak Jan P A 
Published: March 2013

Aims:  The aim of this study was to determine the value of morphometric features in distinguishing mild and moderate atypia and predicting the recurrence of World Health Organization 2003‐defined endometrial stromal sarcoma and highly malignant undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma.Methods and results:  Nuclear and cytological size, shape and arrangement were morphometrically evaluated in 41 cases with consensus no/mild (n = 38) or moderate (n = 3) atypia. None of the cases showed necrosis. The prognostic value of these features in predicting recurrence was also assessed. Seven features differed. The mean and standard deviation of the nuclear volume and the distance between the nuclei were the best discriminators between the no/mild and moderate atypia, with the maximum of the nuclear volume being a practically and rapidly evaluable alternative. With the use of these features, all mild and moderate atypias were correctly classified. Seven cases recurred. The distance between the nuclei and the percentage of nuclei with one neighbour (assessed with morphometric minimum spanning tree analysis) predicted recurrence.Conclusions:  In invasive endometrial stromal tumours, morphometric features are useful diagnostic support tools for distinguishing mild from moderate atypia and predicting recurrence.
A concept analysis of situational awareness in nursing
Authors: Fore Amanda M. , Sculli Gary L. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimThis article reports an analysis of the concept of situational awareness in nursing.BackgroundSituational awareness is a fundamental and well‐understood concept used to maintain operational safety in high reliability organizations; however, it has not been studied in nursing. Nurses play a critical role in providing vigilance in health care and what they do or fail to do is directly related to patient outcomes.Data sourcesMultiple databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, JSTOR, and Google Scholar, were searched with the term, ‘situational awareness’. The primary search, used to identify all uses of the concept, did not employ date criteria. A secondary search for articles measuring situational awareness as an independent or dependent variable was completed using 2009–2011 articles.DesignConcept Analysis.Review methodsThe concept of situational awareness was examined using Walker and Avant's eight step method of analysis.ResultsThree defining attributes of situational awareness include perception, comprehension, and projection. Situational awareness is defined as the perception of the elements in the environment in a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning and the projection of their status in the near future. Although situational awareness is related to other terms in nursing, there is increasing recognition that the concept, which is likely a consolidation of the related terms, has an impact on healthcare professionals.ConclusionFailures in perception, comprehension, and/or projection can significantly reduce the accuracy and appropriateness of patient care decisions. Therefore, as a precursor to decision making, poor or inadequate levels of situational awareness present serious threats to patient safety. Situational awareness needs to be examined in a theoretical context, studied systematically and openly recognized as a key factor in the delivery of safe patient care.
Efficacy of Additional Radiofrequency Applications for Spontaneous Dissociated Pulmonary Vein Activity After Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: DOi ATSUSHI , SATOMI KAZUHIRO , MAKIMOTO HISAKI , YOKOYAMA TERUKI , YAMADA YUKO , OKAMURA HIDEO , NODA TAKASHI , AIBA TAKESHI , AIHARA NAOHIKO , YASUDA SATOSHI , OGAWA HISAO , KAMAKURA SHIRO , SHIMIZU WATARU 
Published: March 2013

Radiofrequency Applications for Spontaneous Dissociated Pulmonary Vein ActivityBackgroundThe aim is to evaluate the efficacy of additional radiofrequency ablation (RFCA) for spontaneous dissociated pulmonary vein activity (DPV‐spike) after PV isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsOne hundred fifty‐two consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF referred for RFCA were enrolled. When DPV‐spike was documented after PVI, we randomly assigned these patients to receive additional RFCA for DPV‐spike or only PVI. We divided them into 4 groups: 87 patients without DPV‐spike after PVI (No‐spike group), 31 without DPV‐spike after additional RFCA (Successful group), 8 with remaining DPV‐spike after additional RFCA (Unsuccessful group), and 26 with DPV‐spike after only PVI (Spike group). AF recurrence was evaluated among the 4 groups.ResultsAfter PVI, DPV‐spike was documented in 87 PVs (14%) from 65 patients. During 16 ± 9 months of follow‐up, the incidence of the freedom from AF was significantly higher in the No‐spike group than that in the Spike group and Unsuccessful group (P < 0.05), and tended to be higher in the Successful group than that in the Spike group and Unsuccessful group (P = 0.08 and 0.11, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, the remaining PV‐spike after ablation was an independent predictor of AF recurrence (HR 2.44; CI 1.10–5.43, P < 0.05). No major complications including PV stenosis were observed during the follow‐up.ConclusionsDPV‐spike after PVI may be associated with higher electrical activity within the PVs and may be one of the risk factors for AF recurrence. Additional RFCA for DPV‐spike was effective to reduce the AF recurrence after PVI.
Educational needs concerning disaster preparedness and response: A comparison of undergraduate nursing students from Istanbul, Turkey, and Miyazaki, Japan
Authors: Öztekİn Seher Deniz , Larson Eric Edwin , Altun Uğraş Gülay , Yüksel Serpil 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimTo compare 4 year undergraduate nursing students' educational needs concerning disaster preparedness and response in Istanbul and Miyazaki.MethodsThis was a 13 question descriptive/comparative survey.ResultsFemales, aged 18–22 years, and in their second year of their nursing programs, rarely participate in disaster preparedness and response courses at their universities (75.2%) or outside (89.8%). Educational needs of Miyazaki's students who had already participated in these courses (85%) were higher than in Istanbul's (67.2%). Of those whose educational needs had not been met, 55.9% were considering taking another lecture/course in one of the following years (Istanbul, 47.4%; Miyazaki, 71.4%). The majority of students from Istanbul reported some knowledge about disaster preparedness and response from courses at their universities while Miyazaki's students showed less. Effective teaching methods/resources were mock drills. Nursing interventions in disaster situations in “response competencies” were preferred issues to be included in course content (Istanbul, 90.4%; Miyazaki, 93.1%). Most student nurses had no expectations on skills that could be gained from a disaster preparedness and response course/culture of disaster lecture (Istanbul, 48.7%; Miyazaki, 34.5%).ConclusionNursing students in both cities seem more likely to participate in disaster preparedness and response courses/lectures. The present study also addresses the need to incorporate mass casualty care and disaster management skills into undergraduate curricula. Core contents for nursing curricula in both cities need to be continued. Outcome competencies must be identified and validated through further research.