bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing potential of biochar for increasing water‐holding capacity of sandy soils
Authors: Basso Andres S. , Miguez Fernando E. , Laird David A. , Horton Robert , Westgate Mark 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIncreasing the water‐holding capacity of sandy soils will help improve efficiency of water use in agricultural production, and may be critical for providing enough energy and food for an increasing global population. We hypothesized that addition of biochar will increase the water‐holding capacity of a sandy loam soil, and that the depth of biochar incorporation will influence the rate of biochar surface oxidation in the amended soils. Hardwood fast pyrolysis biochar was mixed with soil (0%, 3%, and 6% w/w) and placed into columns in either the bottom 11.4 cm or the top 11.4 cm to simulate deep banding in rows (DBR) and uniform topsoil mixing (UTM) applications, respectively. Four sets of 18 columns were incubated at 30 °C and 80% RH. Every 7 days, 150 mL of 0.001 M calcium chloride solution was added to the columns to produce leaching. Sets of columns were harvested after 1, 15, 29, and 91 days. Addition of biochar increased the gravity‐drained water content 23% relative to the control. Bulk density of the control soils increased with incubation time (from 1.41 to 1.45 g cm−3), whereas bulk density of biochar‐treated soils was up to 9% less than the control and remained constant throughout the incubation period. Biochar did not affect the CEC of the soil. The results suggest that biochar added to sandy loam soil increases water‐holding capacity and might increase water available for crop use.
Long‐term stability of fracture systems and their behaviour as flow paths in uplifting granitic rocks from the Japanese orogenic field
Authors: Yoshida H. , Metcalfe R. , Ishibashi M. , Minami M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn granitic rocks, fracture networks typically provide pathways for groundwater flow and solute transport that need to be understood to assess the long‐term performance of deep underground storage or disposal facilities such as radioactive waste repositories. However, relatively little is known about the long‐term processes of fracturing and/or the longevity of flow paths (FP) in granitic rocks distributed within orogenic belts. To clarify these issues, Japanese plutons of different ages and in situ fractures in granite at the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) located in central Japan were studied. Detailed structural characterization and geochemical analysis of in situ fracture fillings sampled from a depth of 300 m were carried out to clarify the relationship between fracturing and mineral infilling processes. Different plutons show identical episodes of fracturing and fracture filling, consisting of: brittle tensile fracturing, due to decreasing temperature through the ductile–brittle transition after plutonic intrusion (Stage I); relatively rapid uplifting (ca. a few mm/year) accompanied by hydrothermal water circulation, which produced uncrushed layered mineral fillings (Stage II); and a period of low‐temperature meteoric water circulation following exposure after uplift (Stage III). The parageneses of carbonate mineral fracture fillings and their carbon isotopic compositions (14C, δ13C) show that there were distinct episodes of carbonate mineral precipitation during the rapid uplifting of a pluton. The carbonate minerals that formed during each episode incorporated carbon from a distinct source. The evolution of fillings identified here enables development of a specific model of fracturing and persistence of fluid‐conducting systems in the plutons of the orogenic field.
Developing a structured education reminiscence‐based programme for staff in long‐stay care facilities in Ireland
Authors: Cooney Adeline , O'Shea Eamon , Casey Dympna , Murphy Kathy , Dempsey Laura , Smyth Siobhan , Hunter Andrew , Murphy Edel , Devane Declan , Jordan Fionnuala 
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectivesThis paper describes the steps used in developing and piloting a structured education programme – the Structured Education Reminiscence‐based Programme for Staff (SERPS). The programme aimed to prepare nurses and care assistants to use reminiscence when caring for people with dementia living in long‐term care. Reminiscence involves facilitating people to talk or think about their past.BackgroundStructured education programmes are used widely as interventions in randomised controlled trials. However, the process of developing a structured education programme has received little attention relative to that given to evaluating the effectiveness of such programmes. This paper makes explicit the steps followed to develop the SERPS, thereby making a contribution to the methodology of designing and implementing effective structured education programmes.DesignThe approach to designing the SERPS was informed by the Van Meijel et al. (2004) model (Journal of Advanced Nursing 48, 84): (1) problem definition, (2) accumulation of building blocks for intervention design, (3) intervention design and (4) intervention validation.MethodsGrounded theory was used (1) to generate data to shape the ‘building blocks’ for the SERPS and (2) to explore residents, family and staff's experience of using/receiving reminiscence.ResultsAnalysis of the pilot data indicated that the programme met its objective of preparing staff to use reminiscence with residents with dementia. Staff were positive both about the SERPS and the use of reminiscence with residents with dementia.ConclusionsThis paper outlines a systematic approach to developing and validating a structured education programme. Participation in a structured education programme is more positive for staff if they are expected to actively implement what they have learnt. Ongoing support during the delivery of the programme is important for successful implementation.Relevance to clinical practiceThe incorporation of client and professional experience in the design phase is a key strength of this approach to programme design.
Efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy in childhood glaucoma in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al‐Obeidan Saleh Ali , Osman Essam El‐Din Ahmed , Dewedar Ahmed Salah , Kestelyn Philippe , Mousa Ahmed 
Published: December 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy in childhood glaucoma.Methods:  A prospective cohort of 120 children presenting with glaucoma to King Abdul Aziz University Hospital (KAUH) was subjected to nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy surgery (NPDS). Eventually, 57 patients had macro perforation and converted to penetrating deep sclerectomy (PDS). Intra‐operative mitomycin C (MMC) 0.2 mg/ml was used in all patients. Pre‐ and postintervention glaucoma indices were assessed. Complete success rate (CSR) was identified as achieving an end‐point of intraocular pressure <21 without any antiglaucoma medications. Data were analysed to compare pre‐ and postintervention changes and to compare both procedures.Results:  After follow‐up of 35.8 (34.5) months, NPDS procedure went smooth in 74 eyes of 63 patients. The complete success rate was 79.7%, whereas the overall success rate was 82.4%. Thirteen cases failed. The probability to survive was 74.6% after the 12th month. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) went down to 11.5 ± 3.0 mmHg compared to 31.9 mmHg preoperatively. Comparing cases with NPDS to those with PDS, the magnitude of IOP reduction (15.8) was higher than that of the PDS (14.8); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.259). Apart from involuntary perforation of trabeculodescemetic window (TDW), neither intra‐operative nor early postoperative complications were observed.Conclusions:  Deep sclerectomy in childhood glaucoma can effectively reduce the IOP, without the occurrence of serious complications that are commonly seen after trabeculotomy or combined trabeculotomy trabeculectomy.
Disentangling the effects of dispersal and salinity on beta diversity in estuarine benthic invertebrate assemblages
Authors: Josefson Alf B. , Göke Cordula 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimThe identification of sources of beta diversity, the turnover component of diversity, is important to understand the generation of diversity, and thus central to biodiversity and biogeography. We investigated the relative importance of environmental filtering and dispersal‐based factors affecting beta diversity in benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at different spatial scales in an estuary, and tested the hypothesis that species with a long pelagic larval life are more dispersive and have lower beta diversity than species with direct benthic development.LocationDenmark, the North Sea–Baltic Sea transition area.MethodsAdditive partitioning of alpha diversity computed with multiplicative beta diversity was performed on species abundance of 279 species using 330 samples from 110 sites at four hierarchically arranged spatial scales where the largest scale comprised regions (> 100 km) with different salinity regimes, each subdivided into two sediment habitats. Pairwise beta diversity between sites was examined across environmental gradients and by distance decay functions within areas with more homogeneous environments.ResultsBeta diversity was high among regions and among sites within habitats, but low between habitats. Abundance–occupancy relationships suggested that species with a long pelagic life were more dispersive than species with direct benthic development. Beta between sites in the two dispersal groups changed at the same rate with salinity difference among regions, but showed different rates of geographical distance decay among sites within regions. Average beta diversity and decay rates were higher, and halving distances were shorter for the less dispersive species.Main conclusionsDifferent beta diversity of species groups with different propagule vagility suggest that beta diversity is negatively related to dispersivity. With the environmental filtering factor salinity as the overriding factor at the regional scale (> 100 km), and restrictions on dispersal affecting beta diversity at smaller scales, results show that the relative importance of niche‐based and dispersal‐based factors changes with scale.
Range size and climatic niche correlate with the vulnerability of epiphytes to human land use in the tropics
Authors: Köster Nils , Kreft Holger , Nieder Jürgen , Barthlott Wilhelm 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimRange‐restricted species account for a large proportion of global biodiversity, and many such species are highly threatened by deforestation and intensifying land use in the tropics. The effects of land use on the diversity of range‐restricted species have rarely been studied and remain unknown for vascular epiphytes – diverse and important elements of tropical forests. This study analyses the vulnerability of range‐restricted epiphyte species to human land use, compared to that of widespread species.LocationWestern Ecuador (Chocó ecoregion): lowland rain forest (Bilsa, 0°21′ N 79°44′ W, 450–650 m a.s.l.) and Andean cloud forest (Otonga, 0°25′ S 79°01′ W, 1650–2250 m a.s.l.).MethodsThe epiphytic vegetation of 220 study plots was surveyed. Distribution data based on herbarium specimens were compiled for all identified species in order to estimate their geographical and elevational ranges as well as the climatic conditions within the species' ranges. These range characteristics were compared for species found in contiguous primary forests, primary forest fragments, secondary forests, and for isolated remnant trees in pastures.ResultsOf the 587 identified epiphyte species, 252 were endemic to the Chocó ecoregion (42.9%). Chocó endemics were not more strongly affected by human land use than non‐endemics. However, small geographical ranges and narrow climatic niches were associated with higher vulnerability to habitat changes caused by land use. Epiphyte assemblages in young secondary forests had the lowest proportions of range‐restricted species and were dominated by species with broad elevational ranges. Species in secondary forests occupied the broadest ranges of mean annual temperature and precipitation; species on isolated remnant trees at the lowland site inhabited on average warmer and drier geographical ranges than species in the primary forest.Main conclusionsEpiphyte species with restricted geographical distributions and narrow climatic tolerances are particularly vulnerable to human‐induced habitat changes, but endemism to national or biogeographical entities alone is a poor indicator of vulnerability. Instead, narrower ecological niches correlate with lower plasticity towards changes in microclimatic habitat conditions. Besides a higher extinction risk due to their small range sizes, many range‐restricted species might be threatened by their lower tolerance to the impacts of human land use.
Comparative phylogeography reveals distinct colonization patterns of Cretan snakes
Authors: Kyriazi Panagiota , Kornilios Panagiotis , Nagy Zoltán Tamás , Poulakakis Nikos , Kumlutaş Yusuf , Ilgaz Çetin , Avcı Aziz , Göçmen Bayram , Lymberakis Petros 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimWe assessed genetic relationships among populations for each of the four snake species found on Crete (Zamenis situla, Hierophis gemonensis, Telescopus fallax and Natrix tessellata), including conspecific populations from the Aegean area. Our aim was to reconstruct their phylogeographical histories, especially regarding their occurrence on Crete.LocationCrete, Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean.MethodsGenetic diversity and relationships were based on sequences of the mitochondrial marker cytochrome b, applying phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and neighbour‐joining), a median‐joining network analysis and a molecular dating analysis.ResultsThe Z. situla phylogeny includes a clade with specimens from Crete, the Peloponnese and Thera, while specimens from Turkey, northern Greece and the eastern Aegean islands form a separate clade. The H. gemonensis tree also presents two clades: one comprising specimens from Crete and Kythera, and another representing the continental part of the species' distribution. For N. tessellata, Cretan populations are found as the sister clade to populations from Europe and western Turkey. A more complex genetic structure is found in T. fallax: specimens from Crete, Thera and Antikythera form a clade, which itself forms part of a ‘western’ clade, and an ‘eastern’ clade includes specimens from Turkey, the eastern Aegean islands and Cyprus. The splits resulting in the Cretan clades for T. fallax and N. tessellata occurred at the end of the Miocene and the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary, respectively. The Cretan lineages of H. gemonensis and Z. situla diversified during the Pleistocene.Main conclusionsZamenis situla and H. gemonensis exhibit a phylogeographical pattern that involves a transmarine dispersal from southern continental Greece to Crete (possibly by humans in the case of Z. situla). The occurrence of T. fallax on Crete is explained by a natural dispersal from the west and isolation by vicariance. Although these two patterns have also been inferred for other studied herptiles of Crete, the pattern in N. tessellata is unique and involves a transmarine dispersal from south‐western Turkey to Crete.
Deletion or activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor alters adult hippocampal neurogenesis and contextual fear memory
Authors: Latchney Sarah E. , Hein Amy M. , O'Banion M. Kerry , DiCicco‐Bloom Emanuel , Opanashuk Lisa A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand‐activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of dioxin and serves multiple developmental roles. In the adult brain, while we now localize AhR mRNA to nestin‐expressing neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, its function is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that AhR participates in hippocampal neurogenesis and associated functions. AhR deletion and activation by the potent environmental toxicant, 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD), adversely impacted neurogenesis and cognition. Adult AhR‐deficient mice exhibited impaired hippocampal‐dependent contextual fear memory while hippocampal‐independent memory remained intact. AhR‐deficient mice displayed reduced cell birth, decreased cell survival, and diminished neuronal differentiation in the DG. Following TCDD exposure, wild‐type mice exhibited impaired hippocampal‐dependent contextual memory, decreased cell birth, reduced neuronal differentiation, and fewer mature neurons in the DG. Glial differentiation and apoptosis were not altered in either TCDD‐exposed or AhR‐deficient mice. Finally, defects observed in TCDD‐exposed mice were dependent on AhR, as TCDD had no negative effects in AhR‐deficient mice. Our findings suggest that AhR should be further evaluated as a potential transcriptional regulator of hippocampal neurogenesis and function, although other sites of action may also warrant consideration. Moreover, TCDD exposure should be considered as an environmental risk factor that disrupts adult neurogenesis and potentially related memory processes.
Repositioning techniques of malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheters
Authors: Jin Jingfen , Chen Chunfang , Zhao Ruiyi , Li Aiping , Shentu Yingqing , Jiang Nan 
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectivesTo describe potential repositioning techniques of malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheters.BackgroundVarious repositioning methods have been applied in clinical practice in managing malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheters, and many of them are proved effective. However, little publication reviewed on those literatures describing repositioning techniques to malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheters.DesignSystematic review. The repositioning techniques were classified and concretely described according to different locations of malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheter tips.MethodsLiterature and relevant guidelines were reviewed, focusing on malpositioned locations and incidence, as well as repositioning skills to peripherally inserted central venous catheters. Six databases were searched, including MEDLINE, web of science, CINAHL, Cochrane library, Wanfang database and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. The articles (n = 21) were analysed using inductive content analysis.ResultsThe malpositioned locations of postplacement peripherally inserted central catheter tips mainly include right atrium, right ventricular, axillary vein, ipsilateral and contralateral internal jugular vein, subclavian vein, brachiocephalic vein, other small venous branches or catheter looped. Repositioning techniques contained automatic reposition, manual repositioning techniques, re‐advancing catheters and catheters' replacement according to different malpositioned patterns.ConclusionsThe most appropriate repositioning techniques should be adopted on the basis of malpositioned locations, direction and length of the malpositioned tip, patients' integrated conditions and available medical equipments to maintain the catheter tip in the best position.Relevance to clinical practiceThe repositioning techniques described in this review can be applied in clinical practice to ensure the infusion therapy through peripherally inserted central catheter more economical and safe.
Unmet care needs of parents of children with cancer in Jordan: implications for bed‐side practice
Authors: Arabiat Diana H , Altamimi Amina 
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the perceived care needs of parents of children with cancer in Jordan. (1) What are the parents' priority caring needs; (2) to what extent these needs are met by the healthcare team members; (3) the parents' need for further information (4) and whether socio‐demographic, disease and treatment variables predict parents' needs for further information.BackgroundProviding support for families caring for a child with a long‐term illness has been recognised all through literature, yet studies focusing on parent needs are lacking.DesignDescriptive survey.MethodsA total of 98 parents from a tertiary oncology hospital in metropolitan area in Amman completed the Arabic Family Inventory of Needs–Pediatric II.ResultsMost of the 17 needs measured by the Family Inventory of Needs–Pediatric II were considered important. Only 78% of parents needs were met by the healthcare professionals; yet, the results clearly highlighted the importance of informing parents about the child's illness, treatment and outcome. The socio‐demographic variables were not significant predictors for the family needs for further information, with two major exceptions; parents with lower level of education and parents of children undergoing bone marrow transplantation or surgery.ConclusionsThe needs of parents vary from family to another, and healthcare professionals must become familiar to these needs and acquire the skills to direct their interventions more appropriately. The Family Inventory of Needs–Pediatric II may be a useful adjunct in assessing the parents' needs for care and for information, as well as the quality of care services provided.Relevance to clinical practicePriority needs should be central in the daily care of these families and support programmes should be adopted in Jordan for planning and developing the system of care for these families, as well as their children.
Quantification of plant dispersal ability within and beyond a calcareous grassland
Authors: Diacon‐Bolli Jacqueline C. , Edwards Peter J. , Bugmann Harald , Scheidegger Christoph , Wagner Helene H. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractQuestionMany calcareous grasslands in Europe have declined in species richness in recent decades. This loss of species could be partly due to habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to increased distances and reduced connectivity through seed flow between calcareous grassland patches resulting in increased local extinction risk related to small population size, and partly due to abandonment of traditional management practices that fostered dispersal within and between patches. Here, we quantify short‐ and intermediate‐distance dispersal ability of dry calcareous grassland species and relate these to dispersal traits.LocationSchaffhauser Randen, Switzerland.MethodsWe studied wind dispersal of diaspores under natural conditions within and beyond two replicate calcareous grassland patches. Funnel traps (n = 230) were set up at heights of 0.2 m and 0.7 m along ten transects traversing the calcareous grassland and extending 40 m into the surrounding landscape. We developed a new method for quantifying short ‐ (0–1 m) and intermediate‐distance (1–40 m) dispersal ability, related these to species traits, and tested whether they were able to explain dispersal rates into the adjacent landscape.ResultsWhile grasses could be categorized as good dispersers over short or intermediate distances, or both, forbs were generally poor dispersers over both distance classes. Only small numbers of diaspores were found in the adjacent landscape, and these were predominantly grasses. Diaspore traits, such as terminal velocity or diaspore mass, contributed little to explaining dispersal ability, whereas release height was an important predictor, especially for intermediate‐distance dispersal.ConclusionsUnder natural field conditions, dispersal into the adjacent landscape depends on release height rather than terminal velocity, and is heavily biased towards grasses, so that seed rain does not reflect the species composition of the calcareous grassland community. Thus natural regeneration of species richness of degenerated calcareous grassland communities even over short distances should not rely on wind dispersal alone.