bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid response of forested vegetation to multiple climatic oscillations during the last deglaciation in the northeastern United States
Authors: Yu Zicheng 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIsotopic and pollen results from a marl lake (White Lake) in the Mid-Atlantic region of USA indicate the coupling of climate and vegetation changes. Oxygen isotopes of calcite from this site show multiple oscillations at millennial and centennial scales, including the Younger Dryas with 3‰ negative shifts inδ18O at 12.4–11.4 ka (1 ka = 1000 cal yr BP) and three cold events of magnitude 1–2‰ shifts during the Bølling–Allerød warm period (BOA) at 14.3–12.4 ka. Pollen data from the same core show nearly synchronous, close correspondence with isotope-inferred climate shifts, indicating rapid forest response to deglacial climate oscillations in southern New England. A plateau-like BOA is similar to other records around the North Atlantic Ocean.
Impulsive fluid forcing and water strider locomotion
Authors: BÜHLER OLIVER 
Published: February 2007

This paper presents a study of the global response of a fluid to impulsive and localized forcing; it has been motivated by the recent laboratory experiments on the locomotion of water-walking insects reported in Hu, Chan & Bush (Nature, vol. 424, 2003, p. 663). These insects create both waves and vortices by their rapid leg strokes and it has been a matter of some debate whether either form of motion predominates in the momentum budget. The main result of this paper is to argue that generically both waves and vortices are significant, and that in linear theory they take up the horizontal momentum with share 1/3 and 2/3, respectively.This generic result, which depends only on the impulsive and localized nature of the forcing, is established using the classical linear impulse theory, with adaptations to weakly compressible flows and flows with a free surface. Additional general comments on experimental techniques for momentum measurement and on the wave emission are given and then the theory is applied in detail to water-walking insects.Owing to its generality, this kind of result and the methods used to derive it should be applicable to a wider range of wave–vortex problems in the biolocomotion of water-walking animals and elsewhere.
Vaginal symptoms and bacterial vaginosis (BV): how useful is self-report? Development of a screening tool for predicting BV status
Authors: NELSON D. B. , BELLAMY S. , ODIBO A. , NACHAMKIN I. , NESS R. B. , ALLEN-TAYLOR L. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYVaginal complaints compel an evaluation of bacterial vaginosis (BV), however, many cases of BV are asymptomatic. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of vaginal symptoms in the diagnosis of BV and examined the utility of creating a BV screening tool using clinical, behavioural and demographic characteristics. A total of 1916 pregnant women were included in this analysis. In total, 757 women screened positive for BV and over one third of BV-positive women presented without any lower genital tract symptoms (39·4%). African American race, abnormal vaginal odour, and smoking were independently related to BV positivity. A BV screening tool including these three factors was fairly predictive of BV status with the area under the ROC curve equal to 0·669. This three-item prediction rule may be useful in identifying high- risk pregnant women in need of BV screening and, given the high specificity, accurately identify the group of BV-negative pregnant women.
Multiple sites of exposure in an outbreak of ornithosis in workers at a poultry abattoir and farm
Authors: TIONG A. , VU T. , COUNAHAN M. , LEYDON J. , TALLIS G. , LAMBERT S. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYCases of ornithosis amongst workers on a rural duck abattoir and farm were notified from late 2003 to health authorities in Victoria, Australia. In May 2004 we conducted a serological survey to identify the extent of exposure toChlamydophila psittaciamongst workers and a case control study to identify high-risk work areas for ornithosis-related pneumonia. Some workers in all occupational groups showed serological evidence of exposure, while those with pneumonia were more likely to have worked in the slaughtering area of the abattoir (adjusted odds ratio 16·7, 95% confidence interval 1·3–207). High exposure to blood and feathers from recently killed birds is likely to represent an occupational hazard to workers, but pneumonia did occur in workers without these exposures. We recommended respiratory protection for all abattoir workers and improvements to airflow and reduction of environmental contamination in high-risk work areas to prevent further cases.
Experimental transmission of a ranavirus disease of common toads (Bufo bufo) to common frogs (Rana temporaria)
Authors: CUNNINGHAM A. A. , HYATT A. D. , RUSSELL P. , BENNETT P. M. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYDuring investigations of epidemic frog mortality in Britain, a novel fatal systemic haemorrhagic disease of common toads was discovered. This disease resembles a systemic haemorrhagic disease of common frogs in Britain, which is one of a range of fatal disease syndromes, characterized by systemic haemorrhages, skin ulceration or a combination of these lesions, caused by ranavirus infection. Ranavirus previously isolated from diseased toads was inoculated into common frogs to evaluate if this virus could infect and cause disease in common frogs. All virus-inoculated frogs died with systemic haemorrhages between 6 and 8 days post-inoculation, giving similar results to those produced by the inoculation of frogs with ranavirus cultured from naturally diseased frogs. These results indicate that the same, or similar, viruses are affecting both frogs and toads in the field and confirm that ranavirus has emerged as an important cause of amphibian mortality in Britain.
Reconciliation or Irredentism? The Irish Government and the Sunningdale Communiqué of 1973
Authors: FARRINGTON CHRISTOPHER 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article uses recently released archival material to examine the role of the Irish government in the negotiation of the Sunningdale communiqué of 1973, which marked, among other things, an agreement to establish a Council of Ireland and was therefore a key part of the first attempt to establish a power-sharing devolved executive in Northern Ireland. The article will problematise the distinctions which have been made between various strains of political thought held by leading intellectuals and politicians on the national question and show how the discourse of ‘revisionist nationalism’ and reconciliation which sponsored the key institution of the Sunningdale communiqué, the Council of Ireland, was in contradiction to the meaning attached to the functions of the Council, which was in fact closer to traditional nationalist aims.
Evaluation of accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of canine mammary tumours: comparative features with human tumours
Authors: Cassali G. D. , Gobbi H. , Malm C. , Schmitt F. C. 
Published: February 2007

Objective: The authors evaluated the accuracy of the fine needle aspiration cytology technique in the diagnosis of 77 canine mammary gland tumours using the same cytological and histological criteria currently applied to the diagnosis of human breast cancer.Methods: The study was performed in 73 pure or mixed‐breed female dogs submitted to surgical resections of ‘mammary tumours’. All cytological smears were stained by routine May‐Grunwald–Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains.Results: We obtained a correct cyto‐histological correlation in 52/77 cases (67.5%) when all cytopathological examinations were considered, and in 52/56 cases (92.9%) when the inconclusive cases were excluded from the analysis.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that, because of the similarity of the cytological findings in the human and canine mammary gland tumours, it is possible to use the same cytological criteria applied in human pathology for the diagnosis of canine mammary gland tumours.
Asymmetric interaction specificity between two sympatric termites and their fungal symbionts
Authors: DE FINE LICHT HENRIK H. , BOOMSMA JACOBUS J. , AANEN DUUR K. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract 1. Fungus‐growing termites live in an obligate mutualistic symbiosis with Termitomyces fungi. The functions of the fungal symbiont have been hypothesised to differ between species and to range from highly specific roles of providing plant‐degrading enzymes complementary to termite gut enzymes, to non‐specific roles of providing protein‐rich food to the termites.2. Termite species with unspecialised fungal symbionts are predicted to be associated with a wider range of symbionts than species with specialised symbionts. Recent DNA data have confirmed this prediction, but evidence for differences in functional specificity has been sparse and indirect.3. Here the consequences of symbiont interaction specificity are experimentally tested by reciprocally exchanging the fungal symbionts of sympatric colonies of Macrotermes natalensis and Odontotermes badius, which were inferred to have specialised and non‐specialised symbionts respectively.4. As expected, survival of O. badius termites on M. natalensis fungus was not significantly worse than on their own fungus, but survival of M. natalensis termites on O. badius fungus was significantly reduced.5. This asymmetric result confirms that symbiont roles differ significantly between macrotermitine genera and indicates that symbiont transplantation experiments are a powerful tool for testing the functional details of mutualistic symbioses.
Grasshopper egg mortality mediated by oviposition tactics and fire intensity
Authors: BRANSON DAVID H. , VERMEIRE LANCE T. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract 1. It is commonly assumed that arthropod species living or hibernating in the soil would not be affected by grassland fires, even though burning results in elevated surface and below‐ground soil temperatures. The importance of elevated below‐ground soil temperatures during fires on the survival of grasshopper eggs had not been examined.2. The effects of simulated autumn grassland fires of varying intensities on below‐ground egg mortality were examined with grasshopper species laying shallow egg pods (Ageneotettix deorum) and deeper egg pods (Melanoplus sanguinipes) to test the hypothesis that exposure to heat during fires was the mechanism responsible for population reductions in A. deorum following fire.3. Species‐specific oviposition characteristics mediated the effects of fire intensity on below‐ground egg mortality. The results indicate that fires occurring in areas with at least 3100 kg ha−1 standing crop biomass would be expected to significantly reduce populations of A. deorum, but not M. sanguinipes. No A. deorum eggs hatched in 12 of the 14 oviposition containers subjected to simulated fires approximating a standing crop biomass of 4500 kg ha−1. This is the first study to link field observations of rangeland insect populations following fire to mechanisms related to below‐ground egg mortality.
Participation in health‐promoting behaviour: influences on community‐dwelling older Chinese people
Authors: Kwong Enid Wai‐yung , Kwan Alex Yui‐huen 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim. This paper reports a study to determine the factors affecting community‐dwelling older Chinese people's health‐promoting behaviour in the domains of physical activity, healthy dietary practices and stress management, and to identify any barriers to these behaviours.Background. Previous studies have identified factors affecting different types of health‐promoting behaviours, including perceived self‐efficacy, perceived benefits and five individual characteristics (age, sex, marital status, education and perceived health) of older non‐Chinese people. However, few studies have simultaneously taken these factors into account in examining community‐dwelling Chinese older people's health‐promoting behaviour.Method. Individual face‐to‐face interviews were completed in 2002–2003 with a convenience sample of 896 community‐dwelling older Chinese people in Hong Kong aged between the ages of 60 and 98 (years mean 76). Participants had no apparent communication and cognition impairments. A structured interview schedule was used to collect the data.Results. Multiple regression analysis showed that perceived self‐efficacy, perceived benefits and sex together explained 38·4% of health‐promoting behaviour among community‐dwelling older Chinese people in Hong Kong. Fatigue during and after physical activity, enjoyment of unhealthy foods and inadequate family and peer support were the most frequently reported barriers to health‐promoting behaviour.Conclusion. When developing health promotion programmes to motivate community‐dwelling older Chinese clients to participate in health‐promoting behaviour and to minimize barriers, community nurses should include some activities to increase both the perceived self‐efficacy and perceived benefits of health‐promoting behaviour. Future studies should include more critical factors based on theories, empirical evidence and knowledge of culture with samples that are random and from more diverse community settings.
Pressure ulcers and their treatment and effects on quality of life: hospital inpatient perspectives
Authors: Spilsbury Karen , Nelson Andrea , Cullum Nicky , Iglesias Cynthia , Nixon Jane , Mason Su 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim.  This paper reports a study exploring patients’ perceptions and experiences of the impact of a pressure ulcer and its treatment on their health and quality of life.Background.  Pressure ulcers are a significant health problem, and their prevention and management in primary and secondary care is high on the clinical and policy agenda. However, patients’ perspectives and experiences of the impact of pressure ulcers on health and quality of life is not understood.Method.  Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were carried out from 2002 to 2004 with a purposive sample of 23 hospital inpatients (five men, 18 women: aged 33–92 years) with a pressure ulcer (graded 2–5) at various anatomical sites and with varied reasons for hospital admission. Data were analysed thematically.Findings.  The majority of participants (91%; n = 21) indicated that the pressure ulcer and its treatment affected their lives emotionally, mentally, physically and socially. They presented their perspectives on the causes of their pressure ulcer and descriptions of pain (experienced by 91%), appearance, smell and fluid leakage. Patients described amounts and quality of care they received, including levels of comfort of dressings and pressure relieving equipment and the timing of interventions. They were largely dependent on others to treat, manage and care for their ulcer, but indicated that the pain, discomfort and distress of pressure ulcers was not acknowledged by nursing staff. The pressure ulcers could be pivotal in preventing full recovery, were perceived to increase hospital stays and resulted in ongoing treatments.Conclusion.  Healthcare professionals can learn from these patients’ experiences about the management of dressings, providing information (in particular about realistic time expectations for healing), providing preventative interventions and understanding the importance of comfort and positioning for patients. The study highlights the complexities of evaluating the impact of pressure ulceration.
Impact of cardiac disease on couples’ relationships
Authors: Mahrer‐Imhof Romy , Hoffmann Andreas , Froelicher Erika Sivarajan 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim.  This paper reports a study to describe meanings that couples mutually assign to, and practices they develop, after the onset of cardiac disease and to understand the impact of the illness on the couples’ relationships in everyday life.Background.  Patients as well as partners are affected by the onset of cardiovascular disease. Social support within intimate relationships has been shown to be important for patient survival and well‐being, and couples’ coping strategies are pivotal for well‐being and adjustment to the chronic condition in both patients with cardiovascular disease and their partners.Method.  Twenty‐four couples participated in this phenomenological study. Data were collected during 2003. Participants were interviewed after having been hospitalized due to an acute event and having participated in a rehabilitation programme. Three in‐depth interviews were obtained for each dyad: one couple interview and two individual interviews with each partner of the dyad. Paradigm cases were sought and thematic analyses conducted.Findings.  All couples experienced a ‘brush with death’ at the onset of heart disease, which called for changes in lifestyle. Three distinct patterns of dealing with the illness emerged. The first revealed that some couples assess the illness as a positive, transformative experience in their lives, bringing them closer together. The second showed that a proportion of couples experience the illness as a threat which imposes fear on both partners. The challenges are faced as mutual tasks and new routines are developed. The third pattern revealed couples who experience a missed opportunity to change. These couples are disenchanted about each other but return to life as usual.Conclusions.  Nurses can use the information gained from this study to support couples in their attempts to come to terms with the illness, and can enhance their supportive role in rehabilitation efforts.
Nurses’ perception of shift handovers in Europe – results from the European Nurses’ Early Exit Study
Authors: Meißner Anne , Hasselhorn Hans‐Martin , Estryn‐Behar Madeleine , Nézet Olivier , Pokorski Janusz , Gould Dinah 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim.  This paper reports a study exploring nurses’ perceptions of the shift handover and the possible reasons for reported dissatisfaction in 10 European countries.Background.  The nursing handover fulfils a number of purposes and has important consequences for the continuity of patient care and nurses’ satisfaction with the quality of care they are able to provide. However, the performance and function of shift handovers in health care is a widely neglected topic in practice and research.Method.  The Nurses’ Early Exit Study (http://www.next‐study.net) investigates the working conditions of nurses and variables influencing nursing retention. The data for this analysis were collected between 2002 and 2003 by self‐report questionnaires in 10 European countries.Findings.  The percentage of nurses dissatisfied with shift handovers ranged from 22% in England to 61% in France. In most countries the main reason for dissatisfaction with shift handovers was ‘too many disturbances’, followed by ‘lack of time’. Most countries showed similar associations of dissatisfaction with qualification level and occupational seniority, but not with position and type of shift. ‘Poor quality of leadership’ and ‘poor support from colleagues’, were strongly associated with dissatisfaction.Conclusions.  In several (but not all) European countries, shift handovers may be a frequent cause for nurses’ irritation. The underlying causes appear to be of an organizational nature. The findings have implications for solutions. Further debate and research should clarify the different purposes of shift handovers and relate them to handover style and to the quality of patient care.
Incorporating multiple mixed stocks in mixed stock analysis: ‘many‐to‐many’ analyses
Authors: BOLKER BENJAMIN M. , OKUYAMA TOSHINORI , BJORNDAL KAREN A. , BOLTEN ALAN B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTraditional mixed stock analyses use morphological, chemical, or genetic markers measured in several source populations and in a single mixed population to estimate the proportional contribution of each source to the mixed population. In many systems, however, different individuals from a particular source population may go to a variety of mixed populations. Now that data are becoming available from (meta)populations with multiple mixed stocks, the need arises to estimate contributions in this ‘many‐to‐many’ scenario. We suggest a Bayesian hierarchical approach, an extension of previous Bayesian mixed stock analysis algorithms, that can estimate contributions in this case. Applying the method to mitochondrial DNA data from green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Atlantic gives results that are largely consistent with previous results but makes some novel points, e.g. that the Florida, Bahamas and Corisco Bay foraging grounds have greater contributions than previously thought from distant foraging grounds. More generally, the ‘many‐to‐many’ approach gives a more complete understanding of the spatial ecology of organisms, which is especially important in species such as the green turtle that exhibit weak migratory connectivity (several distinct subpopulations at one end of the migration that mix in unknown ways at the other end).
Defining population boundaries: use of three Bayesian approaches with microsatellite data from British natterjack toads (Bufo calamita)
Authors: ROWE G. , BEEBEE T. J. C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDefining boundaries between populations is often difficult in the absence of information about current levels of gene flow. Such definitions can be important, however, both for the understanding of population dynamics and for conservation planning. Recently developed Bayesian methods for analysing genetic data now provide a powerful approach to this problem. Natterjack toads Bufo calamita are endangered in Britain, where their distribution is restricted to four geographically discrete regions. In three of these regions the boundaries between populations are often uncertain. We therefore used Bayesian approaches with microsatellite data to try and define British natterjack population structure, and thus inform conservation management. A large sample of natterjack toads from all 38 locations in Britain where the species is native was genotyped at eight microsatellite loci. The genetic diversity of natterjack populations declined as a function of increasing latitude, echoing postglacial colonization dynamics. Comparisons of three assignment methods (structure, baps and geneland) generated some broad similarities but also some inconsistencies in the definitions of population structure, especially in the most complex region (south Cumbria). Implications of the analyses for the future conservation of Bufo calamita in Britain are discussed.