bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of food availability and distribution on the movement patterns of a forest avian frugivore, the puff-throated bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus)
Authors: Khamcha Daphawan , Savini Tommaso , Brockleman Warren Y. , Chimchome Vijak , Gale George A. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:Bulbul species (family Pycnonotidae) are important seed dispersers in Asian forests, but almost nothing is known of their movement patterns inside intact forest, which are likely to impact forest dynamics. We examined the movement patterns of the forest-dwelling puff-throated bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus) in relation to fruit productivity and distribution of fruiting trees/lianas in an evergreen forest in north-eastern Thailand. Movement patterns of 10 groups were precisely mapped by following colour-ringed individuals in each group 4 h mo−1 for 1 y. We evaluated fruit productivity and dispersion of fruiting trees/lianas based on monthly phenologies. There were clear seasonal fluctuations in fruit availability, which appeared to affect movement patterns, particularly distance moved between fruiting trees, time spent feeding and food selection. When fruit availability was low, bulbuls spent more time on average at a given food plant and moved longer distances between fruiting plants than compared with periods of higher fruit availability (low availability: 58 s, 83.2 m; high availability: 10 s, 43.4 m). This study points to the importance of seasonal availability of fruit resources on frugivore movement patterns. Seasonal dynamics of movement may be useful for understanding interactions between fruiting trees and their dispersers, and forest tree recruitment patterns.
Tree species distribution in Andean forests: influence of regional and local factors
Authors: Blundo Cecilia , Malizia Lucio R. , Blake John G. , Brown Alejandro D. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:We identified and quantified regional and local environmental factors and spatial variation associated with tree-species composition across a 2000-m altitudinal gradient of Andean forest in north-western Argentina. A network of 47 1-ha plots was established along the altitudinal gradient within an area of about 25 000 km2; all trees ≥ 10 cm dbh were identified and measured. Constrained ordinations and variance-partitioning analyses were performed to investigate the determinants of tree-species distribution at the regional scale, across and within forest types (i.e. dry and cloud forests). We marked and measured a total of 22 240 trees belonging to 160 species. Significant environmental factors and spatial location combined accounted for 35% of total variation explained. A high proportion of variation was explained by climatic factors that were spatially structured; after removing the spatial effect, climate explained more variation in species composition across the complete gradient than did local factors. Relative importance of regional and local factors varied with geographic extent. Local factors explained more variation in tree-species composition at the within-forest scale than at the scale of the complete gradient. Our findings support the conceptual model of multi-scale controls on vegetation distribution, where local community composition and abundance result from processes at both regional and local scales.
Pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus infection coinciding with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in neutropenic patients
Authors: VEHRESCHILD J. J. , BRÖCKELMANN P. J. , BANGARD C. , VERHEYEN J. , VEHRESCHILD M. J. G. T. , MICHELS G. , WISPLINGHOFF H. , CORNELY O. A. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYIn patients receiving anti-neoplastic chemotherapy, the impact of influenza on the incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains unknown. We matched data of the Cologne Cohort of Neutropenic Patients (CoCoNut) with records from the Institute for Virology and compared the findings to historical data. During the pandemic, we diagnosed influenza A(H1N1) in five patients with malignancies and febrile neutropenia refractory to antibiotic therapy. Probable IPA was diagnosed in three of these patients on the grounds of typical computed tomography morphology and microbiological results. Three of five patients receiving remission-induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia developed aspergillosis although receiving posaconazole prophylaxis. In the 3 years before the influenza pandemic, only 2/77 patients of this group developed infection. Infection with influenza A(H1N1) may increase the risk for invasive aspergillosis in neutropenic patients. Pulmonary aspergillosis is an important additional differential diagnosis in neutropenic influenza patients with pneumonia.
The impact of complex survey design on prevalence estimates of intakes of food groups in the Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
Authors: Burden Sandy , Probst Yasmine , Steel David , Tapsell Linda 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of the complex survey design used in the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (ANCNPAS07) on prevalence estimates for intakes of groups of foods in the population of children.DesignThe impacts on prevalence estimates were determined by calculating design effects for values for food group consumption. The implications of ignoring elements of the sample design including stratification, clustering and weighting are discussed.SettingThe ANCNPAS07 used a complex sample design involving stratification, a high degree of clustering and estimation weights.SubjectsAustralian children aged 2–16 years.ResultsDesign effects ranging from <1 to 5 were found for the values of mean consumption and proportion of the population consuming the food groups. When survey weights were ignored, prevalence estimates were also biased.ConclusionsIgnoring the complex survey design used in the ANCNPAS07 could result in underestimating the width of confidence intervals, higher mean square errors and biased estimators. The magnitude of these effects depends on both the parameter under consideration and the chosen estimator.
Optimized Deconvolution for Maximum Axial Resolution in Three-Dimensional Aberration-Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Ramachandra Ranjan , de Jonge Niels 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) datasets were recorded of gold nanoparticles placed on both sides of silicon nitride membranes using focal series aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Deconvolution of the 3D datasets was applied to obtain the highest possible axial resolution. The deconvolution involved two different point spread functions, each calculated iteratively via blind deconvolution. Supporting membranes of different thicknesses were tested to study the effect of beam broadening on the deconvolution. It was found that several iterations of deconvolution was efficient in reducing the imaging noise. With an increasing number of iterations, the axial resolution was increased, and most of the structural information was preserved. Additional iterations improved the axial resolution by maximal a factor of 4 to 6, depending on the particular dataset, and up to 8 nm maximal, but also led to a reduction of the lateral size of the nanoparticles in the image. Thus, the deconvolution procedure optimized for the highest axial resolution is best suited for applications where one is interested in the 3D locations of nanoparticles only.
“You can build it but will they come?” A Trial Implementation of eTextbooks at The College of Law
Authors: Barber Marianne 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMarianne Barber offers some practical observations from a trial introduction of eTextbooks at the College of Law. Ebook versions of the textbooks produced by the College (and published commercially by College of Law Publishing) were made available for the first time in 2010 to its Legal Practice Course students. This paper was originally presented at the BIALL Conference in June 2011 and included an overview of the variety of licensing models/platforms available, an analysis of the then level of response from teaching staff and students and likely touch-points for mass adoption in the legal field.
High‐latitudeEregion ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling: A comparative study using in situ and incoherent scatter radar observations
Authors: Burchill J. K. , Clemmons J. H. , Knudsen D. J. , Larsen M. , Nicolls M. J. , Pfaff R. F. , Rowland D. , Sangalli L. 
Published: December 2011

We present in situ and ground‐based measurements of the ratioκof ion cyclotron angular frequency to ion‐neutral momentum transfer collision frequency to investigate ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) coupling in the auroralE region. In situ observations were obtained by NASA sounding rocket 36.234, which was launched into the nightside E region ionosphere at 1229 UT on 19 January 2007 from Poker Flat, AK. The payload carried instrumentation to determine ion drift angle and electric field vectors. Neutral winds were measured by triangulating a chemical tracer released from rocket 41.064 launched two minutes later. κis calculated from the rotation of the ion drift angle relative to the E‐cross‐B drift direction in a frame co‐rotating with the payload. Between the altitudes of 118 km and 130 kmκ increases exponentially with a scale height of 9.3 ± 0.7 km, deviating from an exponential above 130 km. κ = 1 at an altitude z0 of 119.9 ± 0.5 km. The ratio was also estimated from Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) measurements using the rotation of ion velocity with altitude. Exponential fits to the PFISR measurements made during the flight of 41.064 yield z0 = 115.9 ± 1.2 km and a scale height of 9.1 ± 1.0 km. Differences between in situ and ground‐based measurements show that theE region atmospheric densities were structured vertically and/or horizontally on scales of 1 km to 10 km. There were no signs of ionospheric structure in ion density or ion temperature below scales of 1 km. The observations demonstrate the accuracy with which the in situ and PFISR data may be used as probes of IT coupling.
Enhancement of Helicobacter pylori outer inflammatory protein DNA vaccine efficacy by co‐delivery of interleukin‐2 and B subunit heat‐labile toxin gene encoded plasmids
Authors: Chen Jiansen , Lin Liping , Li Neng , She Feifei 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTDevelopment of an effective vaccine for controlling H. pylori‐associated infection, which is present in about half the people in the world, is a priority. The H. pylori outer inflammatory protein (oipA) has been demonstrated to be a potential antigen for a vaccine. In the present study, use of oipA gene encoded construct (poipA) for C57BL/6 mice vaccination was investigated. Whether co‐delivery of IL‐2 gene encoded construct (pIL‐2) and B subunit heat‐labile toxin of Escherichia coli gene encoded construct (pLTB) can modulate the immune response and enhance DNA vaccine efficacy was also explored. Our results demonstrated that poipA administered intradermally (‘gene gun’ immunization) promoted a strong Th2 immune response, whereas co‐delivery of either pIL‐2 or pLTB adjuvant elicited a Th1‐biased immune response. PoipA administered with both pIL‐2 and pLTB adjuvants promoted a strong Th1 immune response. Regardless of the different immune responses promoted by the various vaccination regimes, all immunized mice had smaller bacterial loads after H. pylori challenge than did PBS negative and pVAX1 mock controls. Co‐delivery of adjuvant(s) enhances poipA DNA vaccine efficacy by shifting the immune response from being Th2 to being Th1‐biased, which results in a greater reduction in bacterial load after H. pylori challenge. Both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination can achieve sterile immunity in some subjects.
Natural selection. III. Selection versus transmission and the levels of selection*
Authors: FRANK S. A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractGeorge Williams defined an evolutionary unit as hereditary information for which the selection bias between competing units dominates the informational decay caused by imperfect transmission. In this article, I extend Williams’ approach to show that the ratio of selection bias to transmission bias provides a unifying framework for diverse biological problems. Specific examples include Haldane and Lande's mutation–selection balance, Eigen's error threshold and quasispecies, Van Valen's clade selection, Price's multilevel formulation of group selection, Szathmáry and Demeter's evolutionary origin of primitive cells, Levin and Bull's short‐sighted evolution of HIV virulence, Frank's timescale analysis of microbial metabolism and Maynard Smith and Szathmáry's major transitions in evolution. The insights from these diverse applications lead to a deeper understanding of kin selection, group selection, multilevel evolutionary analysis and the philosophical problems of evolutionary units and individuality.
Evolution of Nemertesia hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa, Plumulariidae) from the shallow and deep waters of the NE Atlantic and western Mediterranean
Authors: Moura Carlos J. , Cunha Marina R. , Porteiro Filipe M. , Yesson Chris , Rogers Alex D. 
Published: December 2011

Moura, C. J., Cunha, M. R., Porteiro, F. M., Yesson, C. & Rogers, A. D. (2011) Evolution of Nemertesia hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa, Plumulariidae) from the shallow and deep waters of the NE Atlantic and Western Mediterranean. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 79–96.Hydroid species from the genus Nemertesia develop some of the largest and most complex hydrozoan colonies. These colonies are abundant and ecologically important in both shallow and deep waters worldwide. Here, we analyse the systematics of most Nemertesia species from the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean using morphology and phylogenetic inferences of 16S rRNA haplotype data. Phylogeographical analysis revealed multiple movements of taxa to and from the Mediterranean after the Messinian salinity crisis through shallow and deep waters. The nominal species Nemertesia belini and Nemertesia antennina revealed multiple genetic lineages representing cryptic species diversity. Molecular phylogenetic evidence was supported by consistent phenotypic differences between lineages, and three and seven putative species were resolved within the N. belini and N. antennina complexes, respectively. Three putative species of the N. antennina complex found at different seamounts of Azores grouped in a clade clustered amongst the other four cryptic species present at neighbouring bathyal localities of the Gulf of Cadiz. These cryptic species, mostly from the deep sea, form a clade distantly related to the typical N. antennina from European coastal waters. Depth or environmental correlates of depth seem to influence the reproductive strategies of Nemertesia colonies and ultimately speciation. In particular, speciation of these hydroids must have been influenced by hydrography, habitat heterogeneity, isolation by distance and larval dispersal capacity. The deep sea is shown as an important environment in the generation and accumulation of lineages that may occasionally invade coastal waters in the NE Atlantic. Glacial cycles of cooling, along with changes in sea level, and eradication of some coastal faunas likely facilitated speciation and evolutionary transitions from deep to shallow waters.
Characteristics of dog bites among nursing students and knowledge about their emergency management
Authors: Ioannidou C. , Galanis P. , Tsoumakas K. , Pavlopoulou I.D. 
Published: December 2011

IOANNIDOU C., GALANIS P., TSOUMAKAS K. & PAVLOPOULOU I.D. (2012) Characteristics of dog bites among nursing students and knowledge about their emergency management. International Nursing Review59, 245–251Background:  Dog bites represent a significant health concern leading to a variety of consequences. Nursing students should be appropriately educated in order to manage and help prevent such injuries.Aim:  This paper is the first to report the lifetime experience and characteristics of dog bites among Greek nursing students and their knowledge in managing the above injuries.Methods:  A cross‐sectional quantitative study was performed using an anonymous questionnaire distributed to first and fourth year nursing students from April though June 2009. A knowledge score based on key questions was set on a scale from 0 to 7, to assess their competence on bite injuries management.Results:  Of 237 nursing students recruited, 56 (23.6%) had experienced a dog bite. Men outnumbered women as dog bite victims [n = 15 (39.5%) vs. n = 41 (20.6%), P = 0.012]. Mean age at the attack was 11.1 (standard deviation = 5.6) years and legs sustained the majority of injuries (n = 31; 55.4%). Most bites (n = 39; 69.9%) involved a dog known to the victim, were provoked (n = 30; 53.6%) and occurred in a public place (n = 35; 62.5%). Ten (17.9%) of the victims sustained a moderate or severe injury. The majority (67.9%) of students answered correctly to less than or equal to three out of seven key knowledge questions. After multiple linear regression analysis, previous educational course attendance was the only factor associated with increased score (b = 0.48, standard deviation = 0.17, 95% confidence interval = 0.12–0.84, P = 0.009).Conclusions:  Dog bites were common and presented characteristic patterns among nursing students, but knowledge in their management was suboptimal. Improved education should be provided during undergraduate studies.
Social Policy Excellence – Peer Review or Metrics? Analyzing the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise in Social Work and Social Policy and Administration
Authors: McKay Stephen 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA metrics‐based assessment can predict reasonably well the overall outcome of the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 for social work and social policy and administration in terms of research environment, but not in terms of research outputs. It is not possible to replicate peer review of the research outputs using existing data. It is sometimes argued that citation counts provide an alternative approach that might help research assessment, but it is one fraught with difficulties. Academics did not, in fact, routinely chose to submit their most cited work. At least in this subject, metrics are more suited as handmaiden to peer review than its replacement.
Colonoscopist and Primary Care Physician Supply and Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Benarroch‐Gampel Jaime , Sheffield Kristin M. , Lin Yu‐Li , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Goodwin James S. , Riall Taylor S. 
Published: December 2011

Objective. To determine whether racial/ethnic disparities in colonoscopy use vary by physician availability.Data Source. We used 100 percentTexasMedicare claims data for 2003–2007.Study Design. We identified beneficiaries aged 66–79 in 2007, examined racial/ethnic differences in colonoscopy use from 2003 to 2007, and estimated the percentage of white, black, andHispanic beneficiaries who underwent colonoscopy by level of physician availability and area income.Principal Findings. For the 974,879 beneficiaries, colonoscopy use was higher in whites (40.7 percent) compared to blacks (35.0 percent) andHispanics (28.7 percent,p < .001). For whites, increasing availability of colonoscopists and primary care physicians (PCPs) was associated with higher colonoscopy use. For blacks andHispanics, colonoscopy use was unchanged or decreased with increases in colonoscopist andPCPavailability. In multilevel models, the odds of colonoscopy were 20 percent lower for blacks (OR0.80, 95 percentCI0.79–0.82) and 32 percent lower forHispanics (OR0.68, 95 percentCI0.66–0.69) compared to whites; adjusting for availability of colonoscopists orPCPsdid not attenuate racial/ethnic disparities. We found greater racial/ethnic disparities in areas with greater colonoscopist andPCPavailability.Conclusions. Greater area availability of colonoscopists andPCPsis associated with increased use of colonoscopy in whites but decreased use in minorities, resulting in larger racial/ethnic disparities.
Prevalence of Unplanned Hospitalizations Caused by Adverse Drug Reactions in Older Veterans
Authors: Marcum Zachary A. , Amuan Megan E. , Hanlon Joseph T. , Aspinall Sherrie L. , Handler Steven M. , Ruby Christine M. , Pugh Mary Jo V. 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of unplanned hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older veterans and to examine the association between this outcome and polypharmacy after controlling for comorbidities and other patient characteristics.DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingVeterans Affairs Medical Centers.ParticipantsSix hundred seventy‐eight randomly selected unplanned hospitalizations of older (aged ≥ 65) veterans between October 1, 2003, and September 30, 2006.MeasurementsNaranjo ADR algorithm, ADR preventability, and polypharmacy (0–4, 5–8, and ≥9 scheduled medications).ResultsSeventy ADRs involving 113 drugs were found in 68 (10%) hospitalizations of older veterans, of which 25 (36.8%) were preventable. Extrapolating to the population of more than 2.4 million older veterans receiving care during the study period, 8,000 hospitalizations may have been unnecessary. The most common ADRs that occurred were bradycardia (n = 6; beta‐blockers, digoxin), hypoglycemia (n = 6; sulfonylureas, insulin), falls (n = 6; antidepressants, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors), and mental status changes (n = 6; anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines). Overall, 44.8% of veterans took nine or more outpatient medications and 35.4% took five to eight. Using multivariable logistic regression and controlling for demographic, health‐status, and access‐to‐care variables, polypharmacy (≥9 and 5–8) was associated with greater risk of ADR‐related hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43–10.61 and AOR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.03–7.85, respectively).ConclusionADRs, determined using a validated causality algorithm, are a common cause of unplanned hospitalization in older veterans, are frequently preventable, and are associated with polypharmacy.
Sexual behavior and high‐risk human papillomavirus in 15‐ to 22‐year‐old Lithuanian women
Authors: BUMBULIENE ZANA , ALISAUSKAS JONAS 
Published: December 2011

Abstract We determined the risk of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection in 169 15‐ to 22‐year‐old sexually active Lithuanian women attending two outpatient clinics in Vilnius. The Digene® Hybrid Capture II DNA test was used to test for HR‐HPV infection on material collected by cervical swabs. The findings were compared with the pattern of sexual behavior as given in questionnaire replies. The overall risk of HR‐HPV was 23.1%, but 60.0% in adolescents ≤15 years old. Mean age at first intercourse was 17.1 years; 73.5% of women had only had one sexual partner and 24.5% more than one. The risk of HR‐HPV was higher in women with more than one sexual partner, and related to being a smoker and to early age at the first intercourse. Our results confirm that smoking, early coitarche, multiple sexual partners and unprotected vaginal intercourse are related to the risk of HR‐HPV infection in young women.