bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changing places: how the results of new field work in the Rubeho Mountains influence conservation priorities in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania
Authors: Doggart Nike , Perkin Andrew , Kiure Jacob , Fjeldså Jon , Poynton John , Burgess Neil 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe Rubeho Mountains are a poorly studied mountain block within the Eastern Arc Mountain range of Tanzania and Kenya. We present the results of field surveys for vertebrates undertaken during the period February 2000 to December 2002. One hundred and twelve man‐days of surveys recorded 35 mammal, 107 bird, ten reptile and nine amphibian species, including eleven species endemic and seven near‐endemic to the Eastern Arc, with one species new to science. Of these, nine species are regarded as threatened with extinction. The new survey data significantly elevate the biological importance of the Rubehos within the Eastern Arc range. Further analyses highlight how the overall biological ranking of the Eastern Arc mountain blocks is correlated with survey effort. The majority of the forest habitat on the Rubehos is contained in three national (Central Government) Forest Reserves (Mang'alisa, Mafwomero and Ukwiva). Our surveys recorded high levels of disturbance to the forest habitat in all three reserves and we draw attention to the need for additional conservation investment in this area.
The African savannah elephant population in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda: changes in size and structure from 1967 to 2000
Authors: Aleper Daniel , Moe Stein R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe age and sex structure of the elephant population in Kidepo Valley National Park were studied using recognition files. Moreover, population trends were reviewed using past studies. From 1967 to 2000, the elephant population varied between 200 and 500 individuals. Of the minimum number of 374 elephants found to use the Park, 352 were individually identified. Seventy‐nine per cent of these were recorded in 29 families ranging from three to 22 animals with a mean group size of ten. Young animals dominated the population (45% aged 0–9.9 years), while 11% were 10–14.9 years of age and only 18% over 25 years of age. Overall, males constituted 45% of the population, but only 32% of the individuals in the 10–14.9‐year age class were males. Individuals ≥15 years of age displayed a skewed sex ratio of 1 : 1.4 in favour of females. The extent of skew was greatest among mature animals (≥25 years of age), which had four times as many females as males. The skewed age structure in the year 2000 caused by poaching and drought, led to a significant difference between the age distribution in 1970 and 2000. Recent counts suggest that the Kidepo elephant population may be increasing.
What hope for African primate diversity?
Authors: Chapman Colin A. , Lawes Michael J. , Eeley Harriet A. C. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAvailable empirical evidence suggests that many primate populations are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic actions and we present evidence to indicate that Africa is a continent of particular concern in terms of global primate conservation. We review the causes and consequences of decline in primate diversity in Africa and argue that the major causes of decline fall into four interrelated categories: deforestation, bushmeat harvest, disease and climate change. We go on to evaluate the rarity and distribution of species to identify those species that may be particularly vulnerable to threats and examine whether these species share any characteristic traits. Two factors are identified that suggest that our current evaluation of extinction risk may be overly optimistic; evidence suggests that the value of existing forest fragments may have been credited with greater conservation value in supporting primate populations than they actually have and it is clear that the extinction debt from historical deforestation has not being adequately considered. We use this evaluation to suggest what future actions will be advantageous to advance primate conservation in Africa and evaluate some very positive conservation gains that are currently occurring.
Dispersal and seasonal distributions of black‐faced impala in the Etosha National Park, Namibia
Authors: Matson Tammie K. , Goldizen Anne W. , Jarman Peter J. , Pople Anthony R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractFactors affecting the seasonal distribution of the vulnerable black‐faced impala at Etosha National Park, Namibia and the spread of the impala in the park since their translocation there in the 1970s were studied in the hot dry season of 2000 and the wet season of 2001 in order to provide information for future translocations of this antelope. In the 30 years since their release in the park, black‐faced impala appear to have dispersed a maximum of 31.5 km from their initial release sites, effectively forming five subpopulations based on their five initial release sites. The mean minimum distance that impala had dispersed between water holes since their release was 7.11 ± 1.47 km. Black‐faced impala concentrated strongly around water holes; more than 50% were within 1 km of water holes in both seasons. Changes in population densities in different habitats may have resulted from seasonal movements of impala between adjacent habitats. The role of initial release sites in determining the distribution of threatened species such as the black‐faced impala is discussed in light of its importance for future translocations.
Active foreland deformation evidenced by shallow folds and faults affecting late Quaternary shelf–slope deposits (Adriatic Sea, Italy)
Authors: Ridente Domenico , Trincardi Fabio 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTA succession of depositional sequences, recording middle‐late Pleistocene and Holocene glacial–interglacial cycles, documents the impact of short‐term tectonic deformation on the western Adriatic margin. The western Adriatic margin is part of the Apennine foreland which was intensely, though variably, deformed during the Meso‐Cenozoic evolution of the Adriatic region from a passive margin to a foreland basin. The study area extends offshore Gargano Promontory, an uplifted sector of the Adriatic foreland, and includes three major deformation belts located along or cross‐strike to the margin: (1) the NW‐SE Gallignani‐Pelagosa ridge, (2) the WSW‐ENE Tremiti‐Pianosa high (both located north of Gargano) and (3) the W‐E to NW‐SE Gondola fault deformation belt (in the south Adriatic). Long‐term deformation along these tectonic lineaments is documented on conventional low‐frequency seismic profiles by regional folds and faults affecting Eocene–Miocene units overlain by dominantly draping Plio‐Quaternary deposits. At this scale of observation, only north of Gargano Promontory there is some evidence of Plio‐Quaternary units thinning against structural highs, thus suggesting that tectonic deformation was protracted through this interval. Based on new high‐resolution seismic data, we show that deformation along these pre‐existing tectonic structures continued during the Quaternary, affecting middle‐late Pleistocene and even Holocene units on the shelf and upper slope north and south of Gargano Promontory. These recent deformations consist of gentle folds and high‐angle faults, locally producing topographic relief that affects the stratigraphy and thickness of syn‐tectonic deposits. We interpret the small‐scale, shallow faults and gentle folds affecting middle‐late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits, north and south Gargano Promontory, as the evidence of ongoing foreland deformation along inherited regional fold and fault systems.
Benthic and pelagic food resources for zooplankton in shallow high‐latitude lakes and ponds
Authors: RAUTIO MILLA , VINCENT WARWICK F. 
Published: May 2006

Summary1. Shallow lakes and ponds are a major component of the northern landscape and often contain a high zooplankton biomass despite clear waters that are poor in phytoplankton.2. In this study we quantified zooplankton food sources and feeding rates in the shallow waters of two contrasting high‐latitude biomes: subarctic forest tundra (Kuujjuarapik, Quebec) and high arctic polar desert (Resolute, Nunavut). Five substrate types were tested (beads, bacteria, picophytoplankton, filamentous plankton and microbial mats). Special attention was given to the role of benthos, a component that is usually poorly integrated into models of aquatic foodwebs.3. Consistent with observations elsewhere in the circumpolar region, high concentrations of adult macrozooplankton occurred in all sites (up to 17 100 crustaceans m−3) while phytoplankton concentrations and primary productivity were low. The communities were composed of multiple species, including Daphnia middendorfiana, Hesperodiaptomus arcticus, Leptodiaptomus minutus, Artemiopsis stefanssoni and Branchinecta paludosa.4. Detritus made 89–98% of the planktonic resource pool and bacteria contributed the highest biomass (up to 29 mg C m−3) of the planktonic food particles available to zooplankton. Benthic resources were dominated by microbial mats that grew in nutrient‐rich conditions at the base of the ponds and which dominated overall ecosystem biomass and productivity.5. All species were flexible in their feeding but there were large, order of magnitude differences in clearance rates among taxa. These differences likely resulted from different grazing strategies among cladocerans, copepods and fairy shrimps, and possibly also from adaptation to specific food types and size ranges that occur locally in these waters.6. The subarctic cladocerans Ceriodaphnia quadrangula and D. middendorfiana, and the arctic fairy shrimp B. paludosa were observed to graze directly on the microbial mats and the feeding experiments confirmed their assimilation of benthic substrates. The other zooplankton species showed a more pelagic feeding mode but were capable of using microbial mat filaments, thus may be indirectly linked to benthic processes via resuspension.7. Our study indicates that the classical aquatic food web in which phytoplankton provide the sole production base for grazers does not apply to northern shallow lakes and ponds. Instead, microbial mats increase the physical complexity of these high latitude ecosystems and likely play a role in sustaining their high zooplankton biomass.
Bactericidal effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on some endodontic pathogens ex vivo
Authors: Bergmans L. , Moisiadis P. , Teughels W. , Van Meerbeek B. , Quirynen M. , Lambrechts P. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim  To define the role of neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers in root canal disinfection along with a minimally invasive treatment concept.Methodology  The hypothesis was tested ex vivo that Nd:YAG laser irradiation has a bactericidal effect on endodontic pathogens inoculated in root canals. Resultant colony‐forming unit counts were associated with observations of bacterial cell structural changes using conventional scanning electron microscopy (CSEM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) on inoculated dentine surfaces, following indirect and direct Nd:YAG laser irradiation, respectively.Results  The Nd:YAG laser irradiation (1.5 W, 15 Hz, four times for 5 s) of Enterococcus faecalis inoculated canals resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test) of the bacterial load, meaning a 99.7% kill, but no sterilization. The CSEM procedure verified that the extent of radiation damage was in line with the total amount of laser energy applied. After 2 h of incubation and three cycles of indirect laser treatment (i.e. through a 1‐mm‐thick dentine disc), no morphologically intact bacteria of Actinomyces naeslundii or Streptococcus anginosus were discernible. However, when micro‐colonies of S. anginosus and specially biofilms of E. faecalis were present after 2 days, the in situ experiment using ESEM and direct laser treatment showed that bacterial eradication was reduced in deep layers.Conclusions  The Nd:YAG laser irradiation is not an alternative but a possible supplement to existing protocols for canal disinfection as the properties of laser light may allow a bactericidal effect beyond 1 mm of dentine. Endodontic pathogens that grow as biofilms, however, are difficult to eradicate even upon direct laser exposure.
Deformation and fracture of RaCe and K3 endodontic instruments according to the number of uses
Authors: Troian C. H. , Só M. V. R. , Figueiredo J. A. P. , Oliveira E. P. M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim  To evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy, the deformation and fracture of NiTi RaCe and K3 size 25, 0.04 taper instruments.Methodology  Ten sets of instruments from RaCe and K3 NiTi rotary systems were used to prepare 100 simulated canals in epoxy resin blocks with 20 or 40 degree curvatures beginning 8 or 12 mm from the orifice. Each instrument set was used to prepare five simulated canals using a crowndown technique. The size 25, 0.04 taper instruments were analysed by SEM when new and again after each use. Three observers scored images of the instruments after each use for distortion of the spirals (no distortion, distortion of one spiral or distortion of more than one spiral), wear (no wear, small, moderate or severe wear) and fracture (yes or no). Two‐way anova was used to analyse differences between instruments for distortion and wear; Fisher's exact test looked for differences related to fracture of instruments.Results  No fractures occurred with K3 instruments, whereas six RaCe instruments fractured (P = 0.005). A statistically significant difference occurred between RaCe and K3 instruments in terms of distortion of spirals and surface wear (P < 0.001). Distortion of spirals and wear increased with progressive use of RaCe instruments, whereas K3 instruments remained relatively undamaged after their fifth use. The simulated canals with smaller radii of curvature were positively associated with fracture of RaCe instruments.Conclusions  A significant difference was found between RaCe and K3 in terms of deformation and fracture of size 25, 0.04 taper instruments; K3 instruments had more favourable results.
Women's attitudes to hormone replacement therapy in the aftermath of the Women's Health Initiative study
Authors: Sveinsdóttir Herdís , Ólafsson Ragnar F. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted in 2004 on the determinants of attitudes towards hormone replacement therapy in the aftermath of the report on the findings of the Women's Health Initiative study.Background.  The unexpected findings of the Women's Health Initiative study, published in July 2002, showed that the risk of using combined hormones exceeded their benefits. This complicated women's decision‐making about hormone use and made it important to study the determinants of their attitudes to hormone therapy, as these are likely to influence their behaviour.Methods.  A cross‐sectional design was conducted with a sample of 561 women drawn from the National Registry of Iceland. A self‐administered questionnaire, measuring attitudes towards hormone replacement therapy, attitudes towards menopause, extent and source of menopausal education, symptom experience, health and lifestyle and knowledge about the findings of the Women's Health Initiative, was used. The overall response rate was 56%. Attitudes to hormone replacement therapy were compared using anova, t‐tests and correlations.Results.  Participants generally had positive attitudes. Knowledge about the Women's Health Initiative study was not associated with more negative attitudes. However, receiving the information from and discussing it with a doctor were associated with more positive attitudes. Positive attitudes towards hormone therapy were also associated with higher age, time since last menstrual period and current use of hormone replacement therapy. Negative attitudes were associated with use of natural remedies and receiving information from or discussing hormone therapy with family or friends.Conclusion.  Research is needed to identify the dynamics of the medical interview, and the nature of input from friends, spouse and other family members. The content of these messages may be different and conflicting, for example, between doctors and family members. The nature of this conflict and conflicts of interests need to be identified in order to inform women's decision‐making. In addition, action needs to be taken in order to strengthen the advisory role of nurses.
Treatment advice in primary care: a comparative study of nurse practitioners and general practitioners
Authors: Seale Clive , Anderson Elizabeth , Kinnersley Paul 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study comparing the content of talk about treatments by nurse practitioners and general practitioners in order to understand how this might be related to satisfaction.Background.  Studies show that satisfaction with nurse practitioner care is high when compared with that given by general practitioners. Clinical outcomes are similar. Nurse practitioners spend statistically significantly longer on consultations, and spend more time discussing treatments as well as social and emotional aspects of patients’ lives.Methods.  Based on transcripts of audiotaped consultations, clinicians’ talk about treatment was compared across 18 matched pairs of nurse practitioner and general practitioner consultations where ‘same day’ appointments were sought. Case studies of six paired consultations were analysed in depth. The data were collected in 1998 in the United Kingdom.Results.  A statistically significantly greater proportion of nurse practitioners’ talk concerned treatments, with talk about how to use treatments and discussion of side effects contributing most to the difference. Nurse practitioners also recommended a greater number of treatments. Qualitative comparison of case study pairs suggested that nurse practitioners demonstrated greater concern with the acceptability and cost of treatments to patients.Conclusions.  Nurses offered more holistic care to these patients and it is likely that this, and the greater provision of information, led to the higher levels of satisfaction found by other investigators. General practitioners are more focused on gathering information directly relevant to diagnosing and treating the immediate presenting complaint. Both types of practitioner may benefit from seeing the detailed illustrations of different approaches provided.
Evidence‐based medicine and its role in ethical decision‐making
Authors: Borry Pascal , Schotsmans Paul , Dierickx Kris 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe recent emergence of evidence‐based medicine (EBM) presents medical ethics with the challenge of analyzing what is the current best medical evidence in ethical decision making. This article concludes that the use of the best available, most recently published research findings is a primary moral obligation. However, this does not automatically mean that the use of these research findings will lead to better ethical decision making. Research data can be distorted by methodological failings in the design and reporting of experiments, or by technical and commercial bias. Moreover, the introduction of norms, values, principles and ethical theories can lead to other choices than those proposed by empirical research findings. Ethical decision making must be informed and legitimated by the best available medical research. Nevertheless, ethical decision making is still primarily a choice based on values and norms.
The limitations of ‘evidence‐based’ public health
Authors: Kemm John 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper examines how the concept of the ‘evidence‐based’ approach has transferred from clinical medicine to public health and has been applied to health promotion and policy making. In policy making evidence has always been interpreted broadly to cover all types of reasoned enquiry and after some debate the same is now true for health promotion. Taking communities rather than individuals as the unit of intervention and the importance of context means that frequently randomized controlled trials are not appropriate for study of public health interventions. Further, the notion of a ‘best solution’ ignores the complexity of the decision making process. Evidence ‘enlightens’ policy makers shaping how policy problems are framed rather than providing the answer to any particular problem. There are lessons from the way that evidence‐based policy is being applied in public health that could usefully be taken back into medicine.
Evidence‐based clinical guidelines: a new system to better determine true strength of recommendation
Authors: Roddy Edward , Zhang Weiya , Doherty Michael , Arden Nigel K. , Barlow Julie , Birrell Fraser , Carr Alison , Chakravarty Kuntal , Dickson John , Hay Elaine , Hosie Gillian , Hurley Michael , Jordan Kelsey M. , McCarthy Christopher , McMurdo Marion , Mockett Simon , O’Reilly Sheila , Peat George , Pendleton Adrian , Richards Selwyn 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives  Clinical practice guidelines often grade the ‘strength’ of their recommendations according to the robustness of the supporting research evidence. The existing methodology does not allow the strength of recommendation (SOR) to be upgraded for recommendations for which randomized controlled trials are impractical or unethical. The purpose of this study was to develop a new method of determining SOR, incorporating both research evidence and expert opinion.
Methods  A Delphi technique was employed to produce 10 recommendations for the role of exercise therapy in the management of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The SOR for each recommendation was determined by the traditional method, closely linked to the category of research evidence found on a systematic literature search, and on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Recommendations were grouped A‐D according to the traditional SOR allocated and the mean VAS calculated. Difference across the groups was assessed by one‐way anova variance analysis.
Results  Mean VAS scores for the traditional SOR groups A‐D and one proposition which was ‘not recommended’ showed significant linearity on one‐way anova. However, certain recommendations which, for practical reasons, could not assessed in randomized controlled trials and therefore could not be recommended strongly by the traditional methodology, were allocated a strong recommendation by VAS.
Conclusions  This new system of grading strength of SOR is less constrained than the traditional methodology and offers the advantage of allowing SOR for procedures which cannot be assessed in RCTs for practical or ethical reasons to be upgraded according to expert opinion.
Attitudes of genetic clinicians in Wales to the future development of cancer genetics services
Authors: Iredale Rachel , Elwyn Glyn , Edwards Adrian , Gray Jonathon 
Published: May 2006

AbstractRationale  Cancer genetics is one of the fastest‐growing areas of clinical genetics and it is imperative to identify how services should be organized and delivered in the future.Methods  A qualitative study utilizing focus group methodology which explored the attitudes of clinicians working in the Medical Genetics Service for Wales to a number of possible models for future service delivery.Results  There was no consensus for any particular model. Greater involvement of primary care practitioners is anticipated, but this requires investment in information, education and professional development initiatives. Self‐referrals were not encouraged, though the promotion of genetic literacy amongst the general population was supported, particularly in conjunction with pharmacists.Conclusion  As demand for cancer genetics services continues to increase, some consensus about the future delivery of such services is necessary. Consultation with other stakeholder groups, especially primary care practitioners and patients, should also contribute to service planning.