bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invariants of reflection groups, arrangements, and normality of decomposition classes in Lie algebras
Authors: Douglass J. Matthew , Röhrle Gerhard 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSuppose that W is a finite, unitary, reflection group acting on the complex vector space V and X is a subspace of V. Define N to be the setwise stabilizer of X in W, Z to be the pointwise stabilizer, and C=N/Z. Then restriction defines a homomorphism from the algebra of W-invariant polynomial functions on V to the algebra of C-invariant functions on X. In this note we consider the special case when W is a Coxeter group, V is the complexified reflection representation of W, and X is in the lattice of the arrangement of W, and give a simple, combinatorial characterization of when the restriction mapping is surjective in terms of the exponents of W and C. As an application of our result, in the case when W is the Weyl group of a semisimple, complex Lie algebra, we complete a calculation begun by Richardson in 1987 and obtain a simple combinatorial characterization of regular decomposition classes whose closure is a normal variety.
PB13 The Four-Hour Rule: time for a new approach?
Authors: Mackenzie A , O'Donnell R D W 
Published: March 2012

Objectives and BackgroundThe “Four-Hour Rule” (FHR) was introduced in Scotland in 2007 and remains in effect. In England and Wales this has been replaced by a range of quality indicators that came into effect on 1st April 2011. We assessed the compliance of a central Glasgow Emergency Department (ED) with Scottish standards for the FHR, how well said ED complies with new time-based quality measures and investigated the correlation between the FHR and other time-based quality indicators. Patient encounters from a central Glasgow ED spread over two consecutive days were retrospectively captured using the ED Information System.Methods487 patient encounters were captured. Following exclusion criteria n=472. Mean length of time spent in the ED=2.20 h. In 2.75% (13) patient encounters total time spent in the ED was >4 h. For 3.25% (4) of 123 patients arriving by ambulance time to initial assessment was longer than the published 20 min target. Median time to treatment=51.0 min (target: median=60.0 min).Results and ConclusionsAnalysis of this dataset suggests that the study ED may not be meeting the Scottish government target of “98% of patients seen then admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 h” The study ED does, however, achieve the College of Emergency Medicine target of 95%. When the new time-based quality measures are applied to the same dataset the study ED is shown to be achieving the median target time to treatment of 60 min but does not achieve the target of 100% patient arriving by ambulance receiving an initial assessment within 20 min of arrival. There is no meaningful correlation between time to initial assessment and total time spent in ED (r=0.033, p=0.71) but a reasonable correlation between time to treatment and total time spent in ED (r=0.409, p=0.000001).
PB19 The use of individual performance metrics to reduce prescribing errors in the emergency department
Authors: Tiah L 
Published: March 2012

Objectives and BackgroundOur emergency department (ED) receives a new cohort of junior doctors every 6 months as part of the national manpower allocation to meet health service needs. Prescribing errors by these doctors tend to be higher at the beginning of their postings followed by some improvement as they adapt to the work in ED but the magnitude and the direction of this change for each cohort has not been consistent. In an attempt to address this problem, an approach involving the use of metrics to drive individual performances through monthly plan-do-check-act cycles was implemented in May 2009. The monthly tally of prescribing errors became one of the key performance indicators for the junior doctors.MethodologyMonthly broadcasting of prescribing error counts by each doctor allows them to benchmark individual performances against one another and provides a reference for self-improvement for the following month. The monthly tally of prescribing errors are also computed into a pre-determined formula and translated into their monthly social fund as incentive for the whole cohort to keep the prescription errors as low as possible. A control chart of the monthly tally was plotted based on a total of 48 data points for 8 cohorts over 4 years from May 2007 to April 2011 to monitor the impact of the intervention.ResultsThe monthly tally showed a shift towards fewer counts of prescribing errors in the post-intervention phase, with a mean of 29 (upper control limit 45, lower control limit 13) among the pre-intervention cohorts compared to a mean of 18 (upper control limit 31, lower control limit 6) among the post-intervention cohorts.ConclusionThe use of metrics has helped to drive and sustain a reduction in prescribing errors among junior doctors as a cohort during their 6-month postings in our ED.
PB20 Analysis of Complaints Lodged by Emergency Department Patients in a Teaching Hospital in Hong Kong
Authors: Wai A , Rainer T 
Published: March 2012

Objectives and BackgroundEmergency departments (ED) are notorious for its high complaint rate by patients because EDs are usually congested with a large number of patients and the waiting time is long. Consultation time for each patient would be very limited. Short consultation and limited availability of diagnostic investigations contribute to diagnostic challenges and errors.MethodsThis is a retrospective quantitative review of complaints against EDs lodged by patients through the Public Relations Office in 2009 & 2010. The demographics of these patients and their attendances were recorded. The issues were categorised into the following: Communication, Access, Treatment, Rights, Administration, Environment and Cost. The data was compared with our previous publication on complaint in 1990–1994.ResultsThere were 114 complaints lodged in 2009–2010 (72 in 1990–1994). Apparently the age, residential district and billing patterns of these complaint patients were comparable with our overall distribution. Complaint rate would be higher during overnight shift. For urgent cases, compliant validity is 86%; (65% in 1990–1994); for non-urgent cases, validity is 78% (58% in 1990–1994). In our data, 45% were diagnosis and treatment related (it was 29% in 1990–1994). 50% were related to missing diagnosis and improper management. Around 30% is related to inadequacy of care. Proper referral and more detailed explanation is likely a solution to lower the complaint rate. In terms of specialty distribution, orthopaedics (29%) was the group with the highest risk.ConclusionsThe number of complaint cases studied was still small. We would recommend establishing a database for prospective analysis so that we can detect unforeseeable problems soon after they happened and we may act accordingly to minimise further occurrence. These cases may be reported on a half-yearly basis to all department staff, in a sharing attitude, to help colleagues to learn and beware of these problems. This should be a good start of “patient-centred care.”
Partner notification uptake for sexually transmitted infections in China: a systematic literature review
Authors: Wang Alberta L , Peng Rui-Rui , Tucker Joseph D , Cohen Myron S , Chen Xiang-Sheng 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveChina's sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemic requires comprehensive control programmes. Partner services are traditional pillars of STI control but have not been widely implemented in China. This study was a systematic literature review to examine STI partner notification (PN) uptake in China.MethodsFour English and four Chinese language databases were searched up to March 2011 to identify articles on PN of STIs including HIV in China. PN uptake was defined as the number of partners named, notified, evaluated or diagnosed per index patient.ResultsA total of 11 studies met inclusion criteria. For STI (excluding HIV) PN, a median 31.6% (IQR 27.4%–65.8%) of named partners were notified, 88.8% (IQR 88.4%–90.8%) of notified partners were evaluated and 37.9% (IQR 33.1%–43.6%) of evaluated partners were diagnosed. For HIV PN, a median 15.7% (IQR 13.2%–36.5%) of named partners were notified, 86.7% (IQR 72.9%–90.4%) of notified partners were evaluated and 27.6% (IQR 24.1%–27.7%) of evaluated partners were diagnosed. A mean of 80.6% (SD=12.6%) of patients attempted PN, and 72.4% (IQR 63.8%–81.1%) chose self-referral when offered more than one method of PN. Perceived patient barriers included social stigma, fear of relationship breakdown, uncertainty of how to notify and lack of partner contact information. Perceived infrastructure barriers included limited time and trained staff, mistrust of health workers and lack of PN guidelines.ConclusionPN programmes are feasible in China. Further research on STI PN, particularly among men who have sex with men and other high-risk groups, is an important public health priority. PN policies and guidelines are urgently needed in China.
The View from the Tower of Crossing Sails: Ji Yun's Female Informants
Authors: Huntington Rania 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis paper explores the role of women as alleged sources for Qing dynasty zhiguai (tales of the strange) collections, particularly Ji Yun's (1724-1805) Yuewei caotang biji (Jottings from the Cottage of Close Scrutiny). Tracing circulation of narratives across both single-sex and mixed-sex networks sheds light on those networks, and on shared or divergent lore and interpretations as tales are cooperatively assembled. The absence or presence of female narrators or listeners in tales focused on women's behavior also reveals differing articulations of vice and virtue.
Making 'Opposite-sex Love' in Print: Discourse and Discord in Linglong Women's Pictorial Magazine, 1931-1937
Authors: Wang Gary 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis is a case study that examines desire and its regulation in the Shanghai magazine publication Linglong of the 1930s. It highlights representational tensions in the construction of heteronormative marriage, a regulatory measure that contained the prospects of female autonomy during a period of flux. The study uses an integrated, or “horizontal,” method of reading, which regards journal issues as collectively authored texts and emphasizes the spatial relation and interplay of printed content. Writings and images are referred to as integral aspects of representation to illustrate the ways in which heteronormativity is covertly challenged at the same time that same-sex love and the rejection of marriage are forcefully stigmatized. A special focus of the analysis is an examination of how the valorization of heterosexual love is matched by vociferous attacks on men and idealizations of female bonds, which are at times valued over relations with men. Insinuations of alternative sensibilities and desires are also highlighted, especially the magazine's celebration of masculine women in images.
Courtship Communication in Meadow Katydids: Female Preference for Large Male Vibrations
Authors: de Luca Paul , Morris Glenn 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Males of the katydid Conocephalus nigropleurum (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) shake their body to produce a substrate-borne vibratory signal in the context of courtship and mate attraction. We measured the physical parameters of this tremulation signal and then tested its effectiveness in eliciting taxis by virgin females. We also investigated the role of these vibrations in the choices made by females of larger males as mates. A search for correlations between male weight and vibratory signal parameters revealed a strong negative relationship to inter-pulse interval (ipi). In two-choice playback experiments females oriented towards tremulation vibration when it was the only vibration stimulus provided. In further playback experiments females also distinguished conspecific tremulation from a control vibration. When offered simultaneous presentations of tremulation signals that differed in ipi, females moved toward the stimulus with the shorter ipi indicative of a larger male. This is the first study to demonstrate that tremulation signalling by male katydids encodes critical information on body size, and that females discriminate among different vibratory signals in favour of those indicating a larger male.
Blue Tit (Parus Caeruleus) Agonistic Displays: A Reappraisal
Authors: Scott  , Deag  
Published: March 2012

Abstract1. In order to reappraise work by Stokes (1962a, b) and subsequent interpretations of his results, a data set involving 906 dyadic Blue Tit interactions was coIlected and analysed using video playback. 2. A number of shortcomings in Stokes' original approach were highlighted, including his broad definition of attack and a lack of information on the true frequency of behaviours and of combinations of elements at an instance in time. 3. A total of 16 behaviours and actions with a clear agonistic context were identified. Similarity indices (Jaccard Index) were calculated based on the co-occurrence of behaviours at an instance in time. No behaviours were associated at a high enough level to warrant their consideration solely as compound displays. 4. True attack was rare, unpredictable and effective. Escalated fights occurred in < 1% of interactions, with peck attacks which were not escalated into fighting in a further 2% of interactions. The rarity of true attack makes it more useful to look at the relationship between behaviour and interaction outcome (win/lose), than between behaviour and subsequent actions (attack/stay/escape). 5. Seven behaviours were associated with winning (e.g. Wings out, Nape erect) and three (e.g. Crest erect) with losing. However, no behaviour was restricted to only one of these roles, no behaviour precisely predicted winning or losing, and many birds won or lost without showing these behaviours. Crest erect is associated with fear but is not simply a surrender signal. 6. In addition to the displays investigated, several other factors are thought to be involved in contest resolution. These are briefly discussed.
Female-Female Competition Affects Female Ornamentation in the Sex-Role Reversed Pipefish Syngnathus Typhle
Authors: Bernet Patricia , Rosenqvist Gunilla , Berglund Anders 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
1. In the sex role reversed pipefish Syngnathus typhle females compete for males, and males are more choosy than females. Before mating, females display a temporary sexual ornament in the form of a lateral zigzag pattern, which is an amplification of their permanent colour pattern. 2. In experiments males showed no significant preferences for permanently contrast-rich females, nor for females matching closely with the background. 3. Females in physical contact with a male could potentially develop the ornament, but under female-female competition females were more likely to display it than otherwise. 4. The ornament accurately predicted female mating success. More ornamented females displayed more actively towards males and were found closer to males than were non-ornamented females. 5. Females under predation threat were less ornamented than un-threatened females, suggesting a reduced potential for male choosiness under threat. 6. We conclude that the female ornament serves both to attract partners (males) and repel competitors (females).
Do Contingencies with Tutor Behaviour Influence Song Learning in Zebra Finches?
Authors: Houx Bart , Cate Carel Ten 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSocial interaction with a song tutor is often found to be important for the song learning process in songbirds, but the mechanism is still unclear. The main aim of this study is to find indications for contingencies between singing and interactive behaviours, between and within tutors and tutees, which might influence the song learning process of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). To this end we observed the interactions of eleven juvenile zebra finch males with their fathers (the tutors) and their mothers during the sensitive phase for song learning, and examined four different types of possible contingencies. The evidence for these contingencies was not very strong: (1) We found some weak indications that a tutee can anticipate tutor song by preceding tutor behaviour. There were no indications that (2) tutor song is contingent upon subsequent behaviour of the tutor, that (3) juvenile males can control singing of their tutor by preceding operant social behaviour, or that (4) social behaviour of the tutor reinforces singing of the tutee. We found some indications that the juvenile males attend actively to the tutor song. Furthermore, we found that the juvenile males maintained more mutual interactions with their father than with their mother. In general, we did not find any clear relationship between aspects of social interaction and song copying in zebra finches.
Responses of Golden Shiner Minnows to Chemical Cues from Snake Predators
Authors: Godard Renée , Bowers Bonnie , Wannamaker Catherine 
Published: March 2012

AbstractStudies of a limited number of species of fish in the superorder Ostariophysi have shown they they exhibit strong antipredator behaviour to conserved alarm substance in feces and in other byproducts from predatory fish that have consumed ostariophysans. Our experiments examined the ability of a previously untested ostariophysan to recognize chemical cues from two species of snake predators. In Experiment 1, shoals of golden shiners (Notemigonus chrysoleucas) exhibited strong shelter-seeking responses to water which contained waste byproducts from either a sympatric snake or an allopatric snake which had been fed golden shiners but not to a distilled water control. There was no difference in response to the sympatrie snake predator, northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon), compared to the allopatric snake predator, black-bellied garter snakes (Thamnophis melanogaster). In Experiment 2, individual shiners exhibited vigourous dashing when presented with water which contained waste byproducts from N. sipedon fed golden shiners but exhibited a much weaker response to water which contained waste byproducts from N. sipedon fed green swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri, a non-ostariophysan) or to a water control. These results suggest that the alarm substance produced in the epidermis of the golden shiners is conserved in snake waste byproducts. Experiment 3 showed that there was little difference in shelter-seeking behaviour by shoals of shiners when presented with water in which N. sipedon had soaked, water in which T. melanogaster had soaked, or a distilled water control. Thus it appears that secretions from the skin of these predators may not be chemically labelled.
Risk Factors and Emergence from Refuge in the Lizard Eumeces Laticeps
Authors: Cooper, Jr. William 
Published: March 2012

AbstractI studied effects of three risk factors, predator proximity, persistence in attacking, and speed, on latency to emerge after entering a refuge in the scincid lizard Eumeces laticeps. I simulated a predator by directly approaching a lizard until it took refuge, usually a tree hole. Costs per unit time of lost opportunities to forage or engage in other activities enhancing fitness did not vary with risk factors. Skinks remained in refuges longer when I stayed near the refuges than when I withdrew to a greater distance. At both distances, skinks monitored my presence visually from positions at or near refuge entrances. Skinks remained in refuges longer after the second of two successive similar approaches at the same speed than after the first, suggesting that they perceived increased risk due to persistence by an individual predator, but the assessment might have been based on attack rate without individual recognition. Latency to emergence increased with predator approach speed, giving another indication of response to higher risk. If lizards were approached twice in succession, latency to emergence was much greater when predator speed was faster during the second approach. When the second approach was slower, there was no significant difference in latency between trials. Risks associated with speed and persistence thus simultaneously affect risk assessment. A recent model (Sih, 1992) of emergence from refuge supposes that decisions affecting latency to emerge are based on a balance of costs of remaining in refuge (often predominantly costs of lost opportunities for feeding or mating) against risk of predation. All data are consistent with a generalized view of Sih's (1992) model, but studies are needed to assess effects of cost and limited information about predator presence.
Feeding Innovations and Forebrain Size in Australasian Birds
Authors: Lefebvre Louis , Gaxiola Aurora , Dawson Sherry , Timmermans Sarah , Rosza Lajos , Kabai Peter 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Many authors have proposed that behavioural flexibility in the field is associated with learning ability in captivity, relative forebrain size and rate of structural evolution. In birds, the frequency of feeding innovations reported in the short notes sections of ornithology journals may be a good way to operationalize flexibility. In this paper, we examine in the birds of Australia and New Zealand the relationship between forebrain size and innovation frequency found in a previous study covering North America and the British Isles. From a methodological point of view, the two variables are highly reliable: innovation frequency per taxonomic group is similar when different readers judge innovation reports and when different editorial styles govern journals; relative forebrain size yields very similar estimates whether mean residuals from a log-log regression are used or ratios of forebrain to brainstem mass. Innovation frequency per taxon is correlated between the two Australasian zones and between these zones and the more northerly ones studied previously. Innovation frequency is also associated with relative forebrain size in Australia and, to a lesser extent, in New-Zealand; in Australia, parrots show the high frequency of innovations predicted by their large forebrain, but yield no innovations in the New Zealand sample. The forebrain/innovation trend is independent of juvenile development mode, but phylogeny appears to be an important intervening variable in Australasia, as evidenced by non-significant independent contrasts.