bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatio‐temporal variation of nectar robbing in Salvia gesneriflora and its effects on nectar production and legitimate visitors
Authors: Cuevas E. , Rosas‐Guerrero V. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractNectar robbing occurs when floral visitors remove floral nectar through floral damage and usually without providing pollination in return. Even though nectar robbing may have negative, neutral or even positive effects on plant fitness, few studies have investigated temporal and spatial variation in robbing rate and their consequences, particularly in the tropics. In this study, robbing levels were estimated during 3 years in four populations of Salvia gesneriflora, a hummingbird‐pollinated shrub endemic to central Mexico that is mainly robbed by birds, carpenter bees and bumblebees. The effect of robbing on nectar availability, flower longevity and on visitation rate by floral visitors was also evaluated. Our results indicate great variation in robbing levels across years and populations and a positive relationship between robbing level and flower abundance per population. Moreover, our results show that nectar availability is about eight times higher in unrobbed flowers than in robbed flowers, and that nectar robbers prefer younger flowers, although lifespan of robbed and unrobbed flowers did not differ statistically. Primary and secondary nectar robbers showed a higher visitation rate compared to legitimate visitors, and neither legitimate nor illegitimate floral visitors seem to discriminate between robbed and unrobbed flowers. These results suggest that robbers may respond to food availability and that no floral visitors apparently could differentiate between robbed and unrobbed flowers. Finally, results show that nectar robbers prefer the youngest flowers, which suggests that strong competition for access to nectar between pollinators and robbers might occur, mainly at the first stages of the flowers.
Pollination ecology of two species of Elleanthus (Orchidaceae): novel mechanisms and underlying adaptations to hummingbird pollination
Authors: Nunes C. E. P. , Amorim F. W. , Mayer J. L. S. , Sazima M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRelationships among floral biology, floral micromorphology and pollinator behaviour in bird‐pollinated orchids are important issues to understand the evolution of the huge flower diversity within Orchidaceae. We aimed to investigate floral mechanisms underlying the interaction with pollinators in two hummingbird‐pollinated orchids occurring in the Atlantic forest. We assessed floral biology, nectar traits, nectary and column micromorphologies, breeding systems and pollinators. In both species, nectar is secreted by lip calli through spaces between the medial lamellar surfaces of epidermal cells. Such a form of floral nectar secretion has not been previously described. Both species present functional protandry and are self‐compatible yet pollinator‐dependent. Fruit set in hand‐pollination experiments was more than twice that under natural conditions, evidencing pollen limitation. The absence of fruit set in interspecific crosses suggests the existence of post‐pollination barriers between these sympatric co‐flowering species. In Elleanthus brasiliensis, fruits resulting from cross‐pollination and natural conditions were heavier than those resulting from self‐pollination, suggesting advantages to cross‐pollination. Hummingbirds pollinated both species, which share at least one pollinator species. Species differences in floral morphologies led to distinct pollination mechanisms. In E. brasiliensis, attachment of pollinarium to the hummingbird bill occurs through a lever apparatus formed by an appendage in the column, another novelty to our knowledge of orchid pollination. In E. crinipes, pollinarium attachment occurs by simple contact with the bill during insertion into the flower tube, which fits tightly around it. The novelties described here illustrate the overlooked richness in ecology and morphophysiology in Orchidaceae.
Intergovernmental Cooperation in the Provision of Public Safety: Monitoring Mechanisms Embedded in Interlocal Agreements
Authors: Andrew Simon A. , Short Jesseca E. , Jung Kyujin , Arlikatti Sudha 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article examines how monitoring mechanisms embedded in interlocal agreements (ILAs) are associated with vertical and horizontal intergovernmental relations. The authors hypothesize that ILAs established by local governments with higher‐level governments are likely to rely on a clearly specified set of rules to establish an administrative structure, whereas ILAs established by local governments with other local governments rely on associational benefits to ensure that policy preferences are aligned across multiple political boundaries. The article examines ILAs established by small town, county, and municipal governments in Denton County, Texas, for the provision of emergency medical, police, and fire services. Findings show that more than half of the ILAs specified a financial reporting system, but an almost equal percentage did not contain features requiring financial records to be available for audit by a third party. Quadratic assignment procedure correlation analysis confirmed the presence of cross‐monitoring mechanisms and showed that the patterns of ILAs tend to cluster around a geographic space.Practitioner Points
Monitoring mechanisms embedded in interlocal agreements (ILAs) matter, highlighting the important managerial functions played by frontline officers drafting ILAs.
The rules embedded in ILAs are important not only for encouraging intergovernmental cooperation but also for reducing the risks associated with contract failures.
With the increasing number of ILAs, local government officials need to consider various types of ILAs that are suitable to meet jurisdictional interests and policy preferences.
Conflict and Collaboration in Wildfire Management: The Role of Mission Alignment
Authors: Fleming Casey J. , McCartha Emily B. , Steelman Toddi A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractResponding to large wildfires requires actors from multiple jurisdictions and multiple levels of government to work collaboratively. The missions and objectives of federal agencies often differ from those of state land management agencies as well as local wildfire response agencies regarding land use and wildfire management. As wildfire size and intensity increase over time and associated annual suppression costs range between $2 billion and $3 billion, learning more about the existence and management of perceived agency differences becomes imperative within the academic and practitioner communities. This article examines the extent to which perceived mission misalignment exists among federal, state, and local actors and how well those differences are managed. Findings provide quantitative evidence that mission misalignment is greater within intergovernmental relationships than within intragovernmental relationships. Additionally, findings speak to the larger conversation around intergovernmental relationships within the federal structure and perceptions of the presence and management of potential interagency conflict.Practitioner PointsPotential conflict between the missions of federal and state land agencies presents a challenge for disaster management, and differing governmental levels and land‐use mandates may highlight relationships where tensions are likely greater.Wildfire managers may need to more proactively address relationships among federal agencies and state and local partners rather than relationships among multiple federal agencies.Wildfire management may benefit from increased awareness of—and discussion around—partner agencies’ stated land management philosophies and legal mandates, as structural frameworks, such as the Incident Command Structure, may not alone lead to conflict‐free collaboration.
Blood Metabolite Profiles in Cycling and Non‐cyclingFriesian–Sanga Cross‐bred Cows Grazing Natural Pasture During the Post‐partum Period
Authors: Obese FY , MacCarthy C , Osei‐Amponsah R , Ayizanga RA , Damptey JK 
Published: February 2015

ContentsAn experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of plasma concentrations of the metabolic hormones [Growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin‐like growth factor –I (IGF‐I)] and nutritional metabolites (Glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea and creatinine) on the resumption of post‐partum ovarian activity in sixteen Friesian–Sanga cows grazing extensively on native grassland. Blood samples were taken from cows from week 1 to 16 post‐partum. Cows were classified as having resumed ovarian activity when a plasma progesterone concentration of ≥ 1.0 ng/ml was recorded for two consecutive weekly samples. Based on the resumption of ovarian activity, cows were classified as early‐cycling, late‐cycling or non‐cycling. The concentrations of the metabolic hormones were measured from week 1 to 10, while those of the nutritional metabolites were measured during week 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 during the study period. The concentrations of the metabolic hormones,GHand insulin were similar (p > 0.05) in the three ovarian activity groups, likewise the concentrations of the nutritional metabolites, glucose, total protein, globulin, urea and creatinine. PlasmaIGF‐I concentration was higher (p < 0.001) in early‐cycling (18.7 ± 0.74 ng/ml) than in late‐cycling (12.4 ± 0.75 ng/ml) and non‐cycling (10.4 ± 0.91 ng/ml) cows. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in early‐cycling (1.94 ± 0.15 mmol/l) compared with late‐cycling (2.48 ± 0.12 mmol/l) and non‐cycling (2.61 ± 0.11 mmol/l) cows. For plasma albumin concentrations, the levels recorded for early‐cycling cows were higher (40.7 ± 2.85 g/l) than in late‐cycling (34.4 ± 1.97 g/l) and non‐cycling (33.6 ± 2.66) cows. The results suggest that cows with lower plasma concentrations ofIGF‐I and albumin, but higher plasma cholesterol concentrations were at risk of delayed resumption of post‐partum ovarian activity.
Detecting Discrimination: a Dynamic Perspective
Authors: Tzioumis Konstantinos 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe statistical analysis of observational data for fair lending purposes relies on the assumption that, at the firm level, racial discrimination (or the lack thereof) is stable across time. Using data from a mortgage lender during the period 1998–2006, we examine this crucial assumption for the case of pricing differentials for black applicants in household mortgage lending, effectively evaluating possible dynamics in aggregate discrimination patterns. We offer evidence that these estimated pricing differentials may vary substantially across time.
Warfarin therapy and perioperative transfusion requirement with bleeding amount in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a retrospective study
Authors: Oh C.‐S. , Choi J.‐W. , Jung E. , Kang W.‐S. , Kim S.‐H. 
Published: February 2015

SUMMARYObjectivesThe study was designed to evaluate the effect of warfarin on perioperative transfusion, bleeding and coagulation status in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).BackgroundThere were controversy about the effect of warfarin on perioperative transfusion and bleeding.Methods/MaterialsMedical records from 107 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on warfarin therapy undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from 2008 to 2013 at a single university teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed to compare the patients on to those not on warfarin therapy in terms of perioperative transfusion requirement, postoperative 24‐h bleeding amount, and coagulation status assessment using prothrombin time (PT), international normalised ratio (INR) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®).ResultsAlthough PT/INR was significantly prolonged both before and after surgery in patients on warfarin therapy, ROTEM® data, perioperative transfusion requirement and postoperative 24‐h bleeding amount (785 ± 331 vs 676 ± 303 mL, P = 0·089, respectively) were not significantly different between the patients on and those not on warfarin therapy.ConclusionIn patients on warfarin therapy undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, warfarin therapy did not significantly increase perioperative transfusion requirement and bleeding.
Household‐level risk factors for influenza among young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a case–control study
Authors: Doshi Saumil , Silk Benjamin J. , Dutt Dhiman , Ahmed Moshtaq , Cohen Adam L. , Taylor Thomas H. , Brooks W. Abdullah , Goswami Doli , Luby Stephen P. , Fry Alicia M. , Ram Pavani K. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo identify household‐level factors associated with influenza among young children in a crowded community in Dhaka, Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted a case–control study using existing active surveillance for respiratory illness. Cases were children aged 12–59 months with laboratory‐confirmed influenza. Controls were children frequency‐matched by age group with no respiratory illness in the prior 6 months. We interviewed caregivers and observed household handwashing behaviour. Soap consumption was estimated by summing weight differences of three bars of soap sequentially left in each household. We measured concentrations of airborne particulate matter <2.5 μg in diameter (PM2.5) in a subset of households. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsWe enrolled 145 cases and 341 controls between March 2009 and April 2010. Case and control household members were observed to wash hands with similar frequency during a 5‐h period (mean, 0.64 events vs. 0.63, P = 0.87), and similar daily soap consumption per capita (mean 2.92 grams vs. 2.93, P = 0.92). Case households were more likely than controls to have crowded (≥4 persons) sleeping areas (aOR = 1.67, CI: 1.06–2.63) and cross‐ventilated cooking spaces (aOR = 1.75, CI: 1.16–2.63). Case and control households had similar median 24‐h geometric mean PM2.5 concentrations in the cooking (69.2 vs. 69.6 μg/m3, P = 0.45) and sleeping (65.4 vs. 67.4 μg/m3, P = 0.19) spaces.ConclusionsHandwashing with soap was practiced infrequently and was not associated with paediatric influenza in this community. Interventions aimed at crowded households may reduce influenza incidence in young children.
Review: Pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis: skin barrier and host–micro‐organism interaction
Authors: Santoro Domenico , Marsella Rosanna , Pucheu‐Haston Cherie M. , Eisenschenk Melissa N. C. , Nuttall Tim , Bizikova Petra 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundCanine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, genetically predisposed, inflammatory and pruritic skin disease. The pathogenesis of canineADis incompletely understood.ObjectivesThe aim of this review is to provide an in‐depth update on the involvement of skin barrier and host–microbiome interaction in the pathogenesis of canineAD.MethodsOnline citation databases and abstracts from international meetings were searched for publications related to skin barrier and host–microbiome interaction (e.g. bacteria, yeast, antimicrobial peptides).ResultsA total of 126 publications were identified. This review article focuses on epidermal barrier dysfunction and the interaction between cutaneous microbes (bacteria and yeasts) and the host (antimicrobial peptides). Epidemiological updates on the presence of pathogenic organisms and canineADare also provided.Conclusions and clinical importanceMajor advances have been made in the investigation of skin barrier dysfunction in canineAD, although many questions still remain. Skin barrier dysfunction and host–microbiome interactions are emerging as primary alterations in canineAD. Based on this review, it is clear that future studies focused on the development of drugs able to restore the skin barrier and increase the natural defences against pathogenic organisms are needed.
A novel severity scoring system for dogs with heatstroke
Authors: Segev Gilad , Aroch Itamar , Savoray Michal , Kass Philip H. , Bruchim Yaron 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a statistically‐derived scoring system that can aid in severity assessment and outcome prediction for dogs with heatstroke.DesignRetrospective study.SettingVeterinary teaching hospital.AnimalsOne hundred twenty‐six client‐owned dogs diagnosed with heatstroke.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsLogistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic variables, available in the first 24 hours of hospitalization, which were associated with outcome (P≤ 0.1). These were subjected to further analyses. In Model A, continuous variables were divided into quartiles, and logistic regression was performed to yield quartile‐specific odds ratios (ORs) for the outcome. Model A was developed, assigning weighted values to each quartile, based on its corresponding OR for the outcome. An individual predictive score was calculated for each dog by summating all weighted values. Model B was a multivariable logistic regression model. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess models’ performance and to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff points. The overall mortality rate was 53%. The total predictive score (Model A) was negatively and significantly (P< 0.001) associated with probability of survival. The areas under the ROC curve for Models A and B were 0.92 and 0.86, respectively. The optimal cutoff score for Model A was 35.0, corresponding to sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 86%, correctly classifying 90% of the cases.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe proposed models are applicable, allowing objective assessment of the severity and prognosis of heatstroke in dogs; however, they should be validated further in an independent cohort, and used cautiously for assessment of individual cases.
Predictive and concurrent validity of the Braden scale in long‐term care: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wilchesky Machelle , Lungu Ovidiu 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTPressure ulcer prevention is an important long‐term care (LTC) quality indicator. While the Braden Scale is a recommended risk assessment tool, there is a paucity of information specifically pertaining to its validity within the LTC setting. We, therefore, undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis comparing Braden Scale predictive and concurrent validity within this context. We searched the Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO and PubMed databases from 1985–2014 for studies containing the requisite information to analyze tool validity. Our initial search yielded 3,773 articles. Eleven datasets emanating from nine published studies describing 40,361 residents met all meta‐analysis inclusion criteria and were analyzed using random effects models. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values were 86%, 38%, 28%, and 93%, respectively. Specificity was poorer in concurrent samples as compared with predictive samples (38% vs. 72%), while PPV was low in both sample types (25 and 37%). Though random effects model results showed that the Scale had good overall predictive ability [RR, 4.33; 95% CI, 3.28–5.72], none of the concurrent samples were found to have “optimal” sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, the appropriateness of the Braden Scale in LTC is questionable given its low specificity and PPV, in particular in concurrent validity studies. Future studies should further explore the extent to which the apparent low validity of the Scale in LTC is due to the choice of cutoff point and/or preventive strategies implemented by LTC staff as a matter of course.
Dynamics of wound healing signaling as a potential therapeutic target for radiation‐induced tissue damage
Authors: Chung Yih‐Lin , Pui Newman N. M. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWe hypothesized the histone deacetylase inhibitor phenylbutyrate (PB) has beneficial effects on radiation‐induced injury by modulating the expression of DNA repair and wound healing genes. Hamsters received a radiosurgical dose of radiation (40 Gy) to the cheek and were treated with varying PB dosing regimens. Gross alteration of the irradiated cheeks, eating function, histological changes, and gene expression during the course of wound healing were compared between treatment groups. Pathological analysis showed decreased radiation‐induced mucositis, facilitated epithelial cell growth, and preventing ulcerative wound formation, after short‐term PB treatment, but not after vehicle or sustained PB. The radiation‐induced wound healing gene expression profile exhibited a sequential transition from the inflammatory and DNA repair phases to the tissue remodeling phase in the vehicle group. Sustained PB treatment resulted in a prolonged wound healing gene expression profile and delayed the wound healing process. Short‐term PB shortened the duration of inflammatory cytokine expression, triggered repeated pulsed expression of cell cycle and DNA repair‐regulating genes, and promoted earlier oscillatory expression of tissue remodeling genes. Distinct gene expression patterns between sustained and short‐term treatment suggest dynamic profiling of wound healing gene expression can be an important part of a biological therapeutic strategy to mitigate radiation‐related tissue injury.
Should we use platelet‐rich plasma as an adjunct therapy to treat “acute wounds,” “burns,” and “laser therapies”: A review and a proposal of a quality criteria checklist for further studies
Authors: Picard Frédéric , Hersant Barbara , Bosc Romain , Meningaud Jean‐Paul 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTPlatelet‐rich plasma seems to help wound healing. The goal of this review is to determine if the adjunction of platelet‐rich plasma enhances the clinical outcome of acute wounds, burns, and laser therapies. A PubMed and Cochrane library search was performed by two reviewers with the senior author as a consultant. Medical Subject Headings search terms used were the following: [“Platelet‐rich plasma” OR “Platelet gel” OR “Platelet growth factor”] AND [“Acute wound” OR “Wound” OR “Burn” OR “Laser”]. We included controlled studies assessing the clinical outcome of acute wounds, burns, and laser therapies treated by platelet‐rich plasma. Nine randomized controlled studies, six prospective controlled studies, and two retrospective controlled studies were included. Regarding acute wounds, three randomized controlled trials found a statistical benefit regarding either the healing time, the return back to work time, the quality of life, or the pain and three prospective controlled studies found a statistical difference regarding the velocity of healing. Platelet‐rich plasma decreased the intensity or duration of erythema after laser therapy in four randomized studies. Regarding the long‐term outcome of laser therapies, two studies found a statistical benefit and two others did not. Platelet‐rich plasma accelerates acute wound healing and decreases erythema after laser therapies. Its use on burns has not been enough studied.