bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of an invasive herbivore on indigenous forests
Authors: Gormley Andrew M. , Penelope Holland E. , Pech Roger P. , Thomson Caroline , Reddiex Ben 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Invasive herbivores can have large negative impacts on natural ecosystems. Management of invasive populations often requires frequent, broadscale, expensive control, which must be justified by demonstrating progress in achieving conservation objectives. This study evaluates benefits of regular extensive control of an invasive herbivore and develops an alternative strategy based on damage thresholds.

We carried out replicated experimental management of brushtail possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, in three areas of native forest in New Zealand. Each area included a site that had extensive possum control for 10 years, prior to and during the 5‐year study, and a paired site with no control. We measured indices of possum browse on c.2400 possum ‘preferred’ and c.1200 ‘non‐preferred’ trees, and an index of possum abundance, at the beginning and end of the experiment.

Extensive control was effective in reducing possum browse on preferred tree species. Reductions in browse led to increased foliage cover and decreased probability of tree mortality. The probability of browse on an individual tree decreased with increasing amounts of possum‐preferred foliage on nearby trees but increased with tree size and with increasing levels of browse on nearby trees. At one site where possum control ceased prematurely, foliage cover decreased, reducing benefits from earlier control.

Synthesis and applications. Our study provides evidence that sustained, extensive control of invasive herbivores can result in significant conservation benefits to susceptible tree species, and that both impacts and benefits can be measured using data typically collected in herbivore impact studies. Furthermore, it shows how local factors such as forest composition can influence the impact of herbivory, how this can be included in large‐scale assessments of the benefits of pest control and how site‐ and species‐specific damage thresholds can be derived for improving pest management.
Amazon diversification and cross‐Andean dispersal of the widespread Neotropical tree species Jacaranda copaia (Bignoniaceae)
Authors: Scotti‐Saintagne Caroline , Dick Christopher W. , Caron Henri , Vendramin Giovanni G. , Troispoux Valérie , Sire Pierre , Casalis Maxime , Buonamici Anna , Valencia Renato , Lemes Maristerra R. , Gribel Rogerio , Scotti Ivan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimThe phylogeographical history of Neotropical species can be difficult to reconstruct because of superimposed Neogene and Quaternary histories, and because of taxonomic uncertainty. We analysed range‐wide genetic diversity in a widespread pioneer tree species, Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don, to characterize phylogeographical structure, date the evolutionary relationships among lineages, and evaluate the role of dispersal and vicariance in establishing the present geographical range.LocationGuiana Shield; central, southern and western Amazon Basin; Chocó region; Central America.MethodsWe analysed nine nuclear simple sequence repeat loci (nuSSR), eight chloroplast SSRs (cpSSR), and two cpDNA intergenic sequences in 341 adult trees. Genetic differentiation at nuSSRs was inferred using Bayesian clustering. Dating of chloroplast lineage divergence was obtained using a range of published mutation rates and Bayesian coalescence analyses. Population divergence dating was performed using an isolation‐with‐migration model for eight loci (one cp sequence and seven nuSSRs).ResultsNuclear SSR variation identified three geographically overlapping clusters (nu‐1, nu‐2, nu‐3). Twelve cpDNA haplotypes were clustered into two haplogroups (cp‐1, cp‐2) with the central Amazon harbouring the highest diversity. Molecular dating analysis suggests that cpDNA haplotype diversification started around the end of the Pliocene (2.61 Ma on average), whereas population divergence was more recent and occurred during the mid‐Quaternary (point estimates between 357 and 436 ka).Main conclusionsThe genetic variation of J. copaia in the Neotropics was shaped mainly by Pleistocene events. Chloroplast diversity did not display the expected cis/trans Andean disjunction, indicating recent dispersal. Nuclear variation revealed that separate regions share a recent history, with a centre of diversity in the central Amazon Basin. The geographical pattern of diversity is congruent with the distribution of the two subspecies, J. copaia copaia and J. copaia spectabilis, and evidence of nuSSR admixture between the two taxa supports their classification as subspecies.
The effectiveness of a health education intervention on self‐care of traumatic wounds
Authors: Chen Yen‐Chin , Wang Yu‐Chun , Chen Wei‐Kung , Smith Marlaine , Huang Hsiang‐Ming , Huang Li‐Chi 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesTo explore the effectiveness of wound care programme for emergency traumatic patient in Taiwan.BackgroundWound care is one of the most major issues for trauma patients at home. Wound infection has been alerted mostly on medical treatment. Little is known about how healthcare education impact patient care of traumatic wound after discharged from emergency department.DesignA quasi‐experimental design was used by using two groups post‐test.MethodsRandom sampling was used to recruited participants, 89 participants in each group in emergency department at a medical centre in Taiwan. A 25‐minute wound care programme was given to patients in the intervention group. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme after 72 hours as patient followed up in out‐patient department. The data of wound infection were collected from patient's medical record by followed 2 weeks after injured.ResultsAfter wound care programme, the knowledge, skills of wounds care, the satisfaction of health education in experimental group are better than the control group (p < 0·05). Wound infection rate in experimental group (9%) is lower than control group (20·2%), and statistically significant (p < 0·05).ConclusionThe wound care programme could increase the knowledge, skills of wound care of emergency patient and reduce the wound infection rate.Relevance to clinical practiceWound care requites technical knowledge; thus, practical demonstration of teaching and self‐practice is more effectiveness for patients in learning their wound care. An appropriated health programme can improve the patients' wound care and care quality.
No decision about me without me: concordance operationalised
Authors: Snowden Austyn , Marland Glenn 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesTo demonstrate that concordance can be operationalised to the benefit of patients. Concordance can be understood as a composite of knowledge, health beliefs and collaboration.BackgroundIn discussing any clinical decision, it would be ideal if different views could be incorporated to reach the most coherent decision. This is a definition of concordance, a widely agreed ideal in nursing. There are limits, however, that make the practice of concordance problematic. Sometimes there is little time or willingness to discuss issues in depth. Some views of the world are considered more worthy than others. As a consequence, clinical guidelines currently prioritise easier to measure outcomes of negotiation, such as adherence.DesignThis discursive article argues that prioritising adherence is a fundamental error, incoherent with current strategic rhetoric such as the Department of Health's ‘no decision about me without me’.MethodsThe impact of prioritising concordance is contrasted with adherence‐based interventions.ResultsWhere adherence is a goal of treatment, non‐adherence is considered problematic. This value judgment is not useful and does not occur in a consultation that prioritises concordance. However, concordance is difficult to translate into clinical practice. This article shows that concordance can be operationalised by considering it a composite of health beliefs, knowledge and collaboration.ConclusionThe main thesis is that different behaviours can always be incorporated into a concordance framework. This negates the necessity for adherence as an endpoint in itself.Relevance to clinical practiceFifty per cent of people do not take medicines as prescribed. Interventions focused towards improving adherence are only ever partially successful. This is because it presupposes the clinician is right. Concordance by contrast is more coherent with person centred care and thus more likely to generate clinically meaningful outcomes for patients.
The role of next of kin of patients with cancer: learning to navigate unpredictable caregiving situations
Authors: Blindheim Kari , Thorsnes Sigrid L , Brataas Hildfrid V , Dahl Berit M 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesThe aims of this study are to develop knowledge about (1) the experiences of next of kin in caring for seriously ill patients with cancer and (2) the effects of strain and support on the next of kin's ability to cope.BackgroundBetter treatment has resulted in patients with cancer normally living longer. Because this treatment is typically administered in a polyclinic or at home, next of kin inherit the largely unknown and demanding role of caregiver.DesignA qualitative, descriptive and interpretive design.MethodsFocus group interviews were used. The sample comprised 16 adults who were the next of kin of patients with cancer. A thematic content analysis was performed, the text coded for meaning units, condensed and interpreted based on the understanding of the next of kin's role and ability to handle the situation.ResultsThe role of next of kin is multifaceted and challenging. It is important for next of kin to be near and to take care of the sick. Next of kin's acceptance of the situation plays a crucial role in their ability to cope and to look forward. The unpredictability of the situation adds stress and affects the daily routines.ConclusionsProviding next of kin with knowledge, support and guidance is important in helping them to understand and cope with the situation and to reduce the amount of strain that they experience in the caregiving role.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study emphasises the importance of health workers in possessing the knowledge and competence required to educate, guide and support the next of kin of those with cancer. Health workers should provide care to next of kin, and a support system for next of kin must also be available.
Quality of life in cervical cancer patients treated with radiation therapy
Authors: Pasek Małgorzata , Suchocka Lilia , Urbański Krzysztof 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the quality of life in hospitalised patients with cervical cancer treated by radiation therapy.BackgroundAside from clinical variables, the quality of life should be considered in the planning and monitoring of the therapeutic process in patients with cancer. Although it is widely known that this parameter can have a considerable impact on the therapeutic outcome, it is not routinely screened in oncological patients.DesignSurvey.MethodsThe study was performed in six cancer centres in Poland between June 2004–December 2005, and included 205 women hospitalised for any stage of cervical cancer. The EORTC QLQ‐C30 questionnaire (v.3) was used to evaluate the patients' quality of life. The survey was conducted three times: (1) stage 1 – before treatment, on admission, (2) stage 2 – after treatment, at discharge, and (3) stage 3 – five to six months after treatment.ResultsPhysical functioning was assessed the worst before the radiation treatment and increased gradually throughout further stages; all interstage differences proved to be significant. In contrast, emotional functioning was scored the highest before the initiation of the treatment and was the lowest at stage 2, a difference that proved to be significant. Role functioning was highest immediately after the treatment and the lowest prior to the treatment. Differences between stages proved to be significant. Financial problems increased their negative impact on the quality of patients' lives significantly throughout consecutive stages of this study. Age and cancer stage did not significantly influence the way participants perceived their global health, physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning, nor their financial difficulties. Overall, the quality of life was evaluated as highest immediately after the end of radiotherapy.ConclusionAlthough this study revealed that patients with cervical cancer subjected to radiotherapy are satisfied with their global quality of life, attention should be paid to certain dimensions of the latter (i.e. emotional functioning and role functioning) during post‐treatment period.Relevance to clinical practiceThe ability to performing everyday activities independently is perceived as the most important during all stages of the cervical cancer treatment, and therefore, appropriate support in this matter is necessary on the part of the nursing personnel.
Plant memory: a tentative model
Authors: Thellier M. , Lüttge U. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAll memory functions have molecular bases, namely in signal reception and transduction, and in storage and recall of information. Thus, at all levels of organisation living organisms have some kind of memory. In plants one may distinguish two types. There are linear pathways from reception of signals and propagation of effectors to a type of memory that may be described by terms such as learning, habituation or priming. There is a storage and recall memory based on a complex network of elements with a high degree of integration and feedback. The most important elements envisaged are calcium waves, epigenetic modifications ofDNAand histones, and regulation of timingviaa biological clock. Experiments are described that document the occurrence of the two sorts of memory and which show how they can be distinguished. A schematic model of plant memory is derived as emergent from integration of the various modules. Possessing the two forms of memory supports the fitness of plants in response to environmental stimuli and stress.
Engineering photorespiration: current state and future possibilities
Authors: Peterhansel C. , Krause K. , Braun H.‐P. , Espie G. S. , Fernie A. R. , Hanson D. T. , Keech O. , Maurino V. G. , Mielewczik M. , Sage R. F. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractReduction of flux through photorespiration has been viewed as a major way to improve crop carbon fixation and yield since the energy‐consuming reactions associated with this pathway were discovered. This view has been supported by the biomasses increases observed in model species that expressed artificial bypass reactions to photorespiration. Here, we present an overview about the major current attempts to reduce photorespiratory losses in crop species and provide suggestions for future research priorities.
Non‐word repetition performance in Slovak‐speaking children with and without SLI: novel scoring methods
Authors: Kapalková Svetlana , Polišenská Kamila , Vicenová Zuzana 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundNon‐word repetition (NWR) tasks have been found to correlate with language skills and to discriminate between groups of typically developing (TD) children and children with specific language impairment (SLI) across languages.AimsThe main aim was to develop an easily‐administered NWR screening test that could discriminate between Slovak‐speaking TD children and children with SLI. The second aim was to establish if the novel scoring methods for NWR tasks were equally effective at differentiating between the TD versus SLI groups. As Slovak vowels are not reduced in unstressed syllables, it was also sought to establish whether scoring vowels (in addition to the consonants usually assessed in English language tests) would be informative.Methods & ProceduresThe paper evaluated the performance of a new NWR task for Slovak‐speaking children. Study 1 compared the performance of 60 TD children in three age groups: 3‐year‐olds (N = 20), 4‐your‐olds (N = 20) and 5‐year‐olds (N = 20). Five types of scoring methods were examined: whole‐item, number of syllables, syllable structure, consonants, and vowels. Study 2 compared performance on the NWR task administered in Study 1 across three groups of child participants: an SLI group (N = 16), a TD age‐matched group (N = 16), and a TD language‐matched group (N = 14).Outcomes & ResultsStudy 1 found an age effect in the TD sample for three out of five of the scoring methods tested (number of syllables, syllable structure, and consonants). Study 2 showed that all five of the scoring methods discriminated between: (1) the group of children with SLI and the TD language‐matched (TDLM) sample and (2) the group of children with SLI and the TD age‐matched (TDAM) group.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe novel NWR tool reliably differentiated between children with SLI and TD children. Scoring cut‐off points which demonstrated high rates of success at verifying true‐positives (93.75%) and true‐negatives (100%) are provided. The most informative scoring methods for Slavic languages (whole‐item scoring and vowels correct) are identified and discussed.
Alcohol industry sponsorship and alcohol‐related harms in Australian university sportspeople/athletes
Authors: O'Brien Kerry S. , Lynott Dermot , Miller Peter G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAlthough there is evidence that alcohol sponsorship in sport is related to greater drinking, there is no empirical research on whether alcohol sponsorship is associated with alcohol‐related harms. We examined whether there is an association between receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship, and attendance at alcohol sponsor's drinking establishments (e.g. bars), and alcohol‐related aggression and antisocial behaviour in university students who play sport.Design and MethodsUniversity sportspeople (n = 652) completed surveys (response rate >80%) assessing receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship, attendance at sponsor's establishments and confounders [i.e. age, gender, sport type, location and alcohol consumption measured by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—alcohol consumption (AUDIT‐C) scores]. Participants also completed measures assessing displays and receipt of aggressive and antisocial behaviours (e.g. assaults, unwanted sexual advance, vandalism).ResultsLogistic regression models including confounders and reported attendance at alcohol sponsor's establishments showed that sportspeople receiving alcohol industry sponsorship were more likely to have been the victim of aggression (adjusted odds ratio 2.62, 95% confidence interval 1.22–5.64). Attending an alcohol sponsor's establishment was not associated with higher rates of other aggressive or antisocial behaviour. However, significant associations where found between AUDIT‐C scores and having displayed and received aggression, and having damaged or had property damaged. Male sportspeople were more likely to have displayed and received aggressive and antisocial behaviour.Discussion and ConclusionsHigher AUDIT‐C scores, gender and receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship were associated with alcohol‐related aggression/antisocial behaviours in university sportspeople. Sport administrators should consider action to reduce the harms associated with excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol industry sponsorship in sport.
Challenging Small‐Scale Farming: A Non‐Parametric Analysis of the (Inverse) Relationship Between Farm Productivity and Farm Size in Burundi
Authors: Verschelde Marijn , D’Haese Marijke , Rayp Glenn , Vandamme Ellen 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe use a non‐parametric approach to investigate the (inverse) relationship between farm productivity and farm size. A kernel regression is used on data of mixed cropping systems to study the determinants of production including different factors that have been identified in literature as missing variables in the testing of the inverse relationship such as soil quality, location and household heterogeneity. Household data on farm activities and crop production were gathered from 640 households in 2007 in two Northern provinces of Burundi. Our results do not reject the findings of an inverse relationship between farm size and productivity. However, we find that size returns vary substantially with farm size, that is, between 0.2 for the smallest farms and 0.8 for the largest farms. Other factors that significantly affect production include soil quality. Finally, we find a significant positive association between food security and farm size.
Effects of Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump Timing on Baroreflex Activities in a Closed‐Loop Cardiovascular Hybrid Model
Authors: Fresiello Libera , Khir Ashraf William , Di Molfetta Arianna , Kozarski Maciej , Ferrari Gianfranco 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDespite 50 years of research to assess the intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) effects on patients' hemodynamics, some issues related to the effects of this therapy are still not fully understood. One of these issues is the effect of IABP, its inflation timing and duration on peripheral circulation autonomic controls. This work provides a systematic analysis of IABP effects on baroreflex using a cardiovascular hybrid model, which consists of computational and hydraulic submodels. The work also included a baroreflex computational model that was connected to a hydraulic model with a 40‐cm3 balloon. The IABP was operated at different inflation trigger timings (−0.14 to 0.31 s) and inflation durations (0.05–0.45 s), with time of the dicrotic notch being taken as t = 0. Baroreflex‐dependent parameters—afferent and efferent pathway activity, heart rate, peripheral resistance, and venous tone—were evaluated at each of the inflation trigger times and durations considered. Balloon early inflation (0.09 s before the dicrotic notch) with inflation duration of 0.25 s generated a maximum net increment of afferent pathway activity of 10%, thus leading to a decrement of efferent sympathetic activity by 15.3% compared with baseline values. These times also resulted in a reduction in peripheral resistance and heart rate by 4 and 4.3% compared with baseline value. We conclude that optimum IABP triggering time results in positive effects on peripheral circulation autonomic controls. Conversely, if the balloon is not properly timed, peripheral resistance and heart rate may even increase, which could lead to detrimental outcomes.
Toward Low Energy Cities
Authors: Reiter Sigrid , Marique Anne‐Françoise 
Published: November 2012

SummaryWithin the framework of sustainable development, it is important to take into account environmental aspects of urban areas related to their energy use. In this article a methodology is proposed for assessing residential energy uses for buildings and transport at the city scale. This method is based on the use of geographic information system (GIS) tools combined with a statistical treatment of urban and transport criteria. The methodology allows us to model building and transport energy use at the city scale, as well as to consider the possible evolution of city energy consumption and to simulate the effects of some strategies of urban renewal. An application is given to study different energy management strategies for the urban area of Liège, Belgium. Building and transport energy consumption are compared at the city scale and their possible evolution in the future is highlighted. Forecast scenarios on future energy policies for Liège's building stock show that the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings and even more selective energy policies applied only to new buildings are not sufficient to widely decrease building energy consumption at the city scale. Renovation of the existing building stock has a much larger positive impact on city energy consumption reductions. The methodology developed in this article can be adapted or reproduced for many other urban regions in Belgium, but also in Europe and even further.