bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Floral Visitors and Pollination of Psychotria tenuinervis (Rubiaceae): Distance from the Anthropogenic and Natural Edges of an Atlantic Forest Fragment1
Authors: Ramos Flavio Nunes , Santos Flavio A. Maës 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTPollinators, especially insects, could be influenced by forest fragmentation. The aim of this paper was to examine whether there were differences in 1) the communities of floral visitors; 2) the frequency of visits; and 3) the fruit and seed sets of individuals of Psychotria tenuinervis occurring at anthropogenic edges (AEs), natural edges (NEs), and in the forest interior (FI) in 2 yr of study. In 2002, the total number of flower visits was greater in NE and lower in AE, while no difference among habitats was found in 2003. There were differences among sample plots, within habitats, in both years. Bees were the most frequent visitors of P. tenuinervis flowers, and the introduced honeybee Apis mellifera was the most common species observed. There were no differences in the fruit and seed sets, or in the density of reproductive individuals of P. tenuinervis among habitats. However, in 2002, NE showed the greatest proportion of fruits per flower and AE the smallest. The similarity among the habitats was probably due to the marked variation or heterogeneity among the sample plots and among the plants within the habitats, which may have masked any interhabitat differences. The observed heterogeneity and the likely importance of other factors, such as gaps and the age of the edge, on the fragment studied, could be viewed as important issues for conservation programs.
Zonation Patterns of Belizean Offshore Mangrove Forests 41 Years After a Catastrophic Hurricane1
Authors: Piou Cyril , Feller Ilka C. , Berger Uta , Chi Faustino 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTMangroves are prone to bearing frequently the full brunt of hurricanes and tropical storms. The extent of destruction and early regeneration are widely studied. The purpose of this study was to add a long‐term view of mangrove regeneration and assess the potential effects on mangrove horizontal zonation patterns of catastrophic destruction. Hattie, a category five hurricane, hit the Belizean coast in 1961. It passed directly over the Turneffe Atoll where our study area, Calabash Cay, is located. At four sites on this island, we analyzed mangrove forest structure along transects parallel to the shoreline within zones delineated by species dominance and tree height. We propose an index based on the Simpson index of diversity to express changes in the heterogeneity of the species dominance. Physical–chemical parameters and nutrient availability were also measured. The destruction levels were estimated by analysis of the distribution of diameter at breast heights of the bigger trees in the inland zones. Variations in species dominance among sites and zones could be explained by interactions of various factors. Further, different levels of destruction between the two sides of the island had a significant effect on current patterns of species and structural zonation at Calabash. We conclude that disturbance regime in general should be considered as a factor potentially influencing mangrove horizontal zonation patterns.
Growth Rates and Body Condition in Norops polylepis (Polychrotidae) Vary with Respect to Sex but not Mite Load1
Authors: Schlaepfer Martin A. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTNorops polylepis is a common anoline lizard that occupies both forest and pasture habitats at various elevations in southern Costa Rica. Previous studies have documented significant spatial variation in mite loads (Eutrombicula chiggers) on N. polylepis. My objective was to investigate whether mite load has a negative impact on growth rates and body condition. Growth rates were estimated in three sites using mark‐recapture with three intensive sampling periods over 12 mo. Nine hundred and forty lizards were captured and 200 individuals were recaptured across sampling periods. Mite load was significantly higher in forests than in pastures, and varied significantly among study sites. Males grew faster than females, and females and juveniles had higher body condition than males. I was unable, however, to detect any influence of mite load on growth rates or body condition. I conclude that Eutrombicula chiggers are either largely benign for N. polylepis or, if they do exert a negative effect on fitness, it is mediated through a trait other than growth or body condition.
A comparison of information on motor vehicle crashes as reported by written or telephone interviews
Authors: Alonso A , Laguna S , Seguí-Gómez M 
Published: April 2006

Objective:To compare information about traffic crash injuries and kilometers driven reported in a written questionnaire with information reported in a telephone interview.Design:Telephone and paper surveys.Setting:TheSeguimiento Universidad de Navarra(SUN, University of Navarra Follow-up) study, in Spain. The SUN study is an open enrollment cohort study with 17 000 enrolled graduates followed through biennial mailed questionnaires.Subjects:A sample of 542 individuals from the SUN study participants.Main outcome measure:Agreement on information about traffic crash injuries and mileage driven in a mailed questionnaire and a telephone survey.Results:Participation was 90.4%. Considering the phone survey as the gold standard, data on traffic crash injuries in the mailed questionnaire had 83% sensitivity (95% CI 77% to 89%), 77% specificity (95% CI 71% to 82%), 74% positive predictive value (95% CI 67% to 80%), and 89% negative predictive value (95% CI 83% to 93%). Agreement beyond chance, measured by the kappa statistic, was 0.63 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.70). Correlation between questionnaire and telephone surveys and kilometers driven on average during a year assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.64 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.70), p<0.001.Conclusions:Information on sustained traffic crash injuries and traveled mileage over the previous two years as reported through mailed questionnaires in a highly educated population could be used in the study of associations between traffic crash injuries and a variety of risk factors.
Ascertainment of intimate partner violence using two abuse measurement frameworks
Authors: Bonomi A E , Thompson R S , Anderson M , Rivara F P , Holt V L , Carrell D , Martin D P 
Published: April 2006

Objective:To estimate prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) according to two abuse ascertainment tools, and agreement between the tools.Methods:2504 women randomly selected from a health maintenance organization were asked about IPV exposure in their most recent intimate relationship using five questions on physical and sexual abuse, and fear due to partner’s threats and controlling behavior from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and 10 questions from the Women’s Experience with Battering (WEB) scale. IPV prevalence was estimated according to the BRFSS and WEB, and the proportion of women who were WEB+/BRFSS+, WEB−/BRFSS−, WEB−/BRFSS+, and WEB+/BRFSS−.Results:In their most recent relationship, 14.7% of women reported abuse of any type on the BRFSS versus 7.0% on the WEB scale. In direct comparisons of the WEB and BRFSS questions, a higher percentage of abused women reported any IPV on the five BRFSS questions (88.4%) compared to the 10 WEB questions (42.0%). However, both the BRFSS and WEB identified some women as abused that would have been missed by the other instrument.Conclusions:Intimate partner violence prevalence depends on how women are asked about abuse. Resources permitting, more than one abuse ascertainment strategy (for example, both the BRFSS and WEB questions) should be tried in order to broadly identify as many women as possible who interpret themselves as abused.
Estimating injury severity using the Barell matrix
Authors: Clark D E , Ahmad S 
Published: April 2006

Objective:To determine whether the Barell matrix (Inj Prev2002;8:91–6) could effectively categorize injuries by severity.Methods:Injury diagnoses of cases in the 2002 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample were classified according to the Barell matrix. For each cell of the matrix, the authors used ICDMAP-90 to determine the predominant Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) and body region, and calculated the weighted proportion surviving (bPScell) among patients with any diagnosis in that cell. These findings were used to estimate maximum AIS (bAISmax), ISS (bISS), and the minimum or product of bPScell (bPSmin, bPSprod) for injured patients in the 1996–2000 US National Hospital Discharge Surveys. Case survival was determined for different scores, and outcome models using age, sex, comorbidity, mechanism, and bISS or bPSmin were compared to models using ISS calculated from ICDMAP-90 (mISS) or using ICISS.Results:Case survival decreased with increasing bAISmax or bISS; survival was closely approximated by bPSmin, and also increased monotonically with bPSprod. Outcome models using bISS or bPSmin were similar to those using mISS or ICISS. An Abbreviated Barell Categorization, with only four groups, was also effective.Conclusion:Barell matrix categorization of administrative data allows severity scoring similar to that obtainable with ICDMAP-90 or ICISS.
Incidence of trampoline related pediatric fractures in a large district general hospital in the United Kingdom: lessons to be learnt
Authors: Bhangal K K , Neen D , Dodds R 
Published: April 2006

Aim:To test the observation that the incidence of trampoline related pediatric fractures is increasing—both nationally and in a large district general hospital.Method:A retrospective analysis was undertaken of patient records establishing mechanism of injury of pediatric fractures over three consecutive summers from 2000–03. Theatre records of fractures treated operatively were used as the initial data source.Results:A statistically significant increase in trampoline related injuries was discovered. This reflects the rising incidence of injuries from national data and furthermore corresponds to the growing popularity of domestic use trampolines in the UK.Conclusion:The incidence of injuries is increasing. There are lessons to be learnt from existing work from countries where trampoline prevalence has been greater for longer. The authors recommend various safety measures that may reduce children’s injuries.
Effectiveness of bicycle helmet legislation to increase helmet use: a systematic review
Authors: Karkhaneh M , Kalenga J-C , Hagel B E , Rowe B H 
Published: April 2006

Background:Head injuries related to bicycle use are common and can be serious. They can be prevented or reduced in severity with helmet use; however, education has resulted in modest helmet use in most developed countries. Helmet legislation has been proposed as a method to increase helmet wearing; while this social intervention is thought to be effective, no systematic review has been performed.Objectives:This review evaluates the scientific evidence for helmet use following legislation to identify the effectiveness of legislative interventions to increase bicycle helmet use among all age groups.Search strategy:Comprehensive searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, British Education Index, LILACS Database, TRIS (Transport Research Information Service), the grey literature, reference lists, and communication with authors was performed to identify eligible studies.Selection criteria:Eligible studies for this review were community based investigations including cohort studies, controlled before-after studies, interrupted time series studies, non-equivalent control group studiesData collection and analysis:Two reviewers extracted the data regarding the percentage of helmet use before and after legislation from each study. Individual and pooled odds ratios were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals.Main results:Out of 86 prescreened articles, 25 were potentially relevant to the topic and 11 were finally included in the review. Of 11 studies, eight were published articles, two were published reports, and one was an unpublished article. One additional survey was incorporated following personal communication with the author. While the baseline rate of helmet use among these studies varied between 4% and 59%, after legislation this range changed to 37% and 91%. Helmet wearing proportions increased less than 10% in one study, 10–30% in four studies, and more than 30% in seven studies. While the effectiveness of bicycle helmet legislation varied (n = 11 studies; OR range: 1.2–22), all studies demonstrated higher proportions of helmet use following legislation, particularly when the law was targeted to a specific age group.Conclusions:Legislation increased helmet use among cyclists, particularly younger age groups and those with low pre-intervention helmet wearing proportions. These results support legislative interventions in populations without helmet legislation.
Hsulf-1 regulates growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Abiatari I , Kleeff J , Li J , Felix K , Büchler M W , Friess H 
Published: April 2006

Background:Hsulf-1 is a newly identified enzyme with arylsulphatase activity that can regulate the sulphation state of cell-surface heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs). In vitro overexpression of this enzyme in pancreatic cancer cells decreases responsiveness to fibroblastic growth factor-2, as Hsulf-1 is up regulated in primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Aim:To further analyse the functions of the Hsulf-1 enzyme in vitro and in vivo with respect to growth, invasion and tumorigenicity.Methods and results:Transfection of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells with a full-length Hsulf-1 expression vector resulted in increased invasiveness and adhesiveness. An in vivo xenograft nude mouse tumour model showed a markedly reduced growth potential of Hsulf-1-expressing Panc-1 cells, which correlated with a considerably lower proliferation rate. Hsulf-1-positive nude mouse tumours showed better development of interstitial matrix structures, with increased blood vessel density in these tumours. In an orthotopic model, Hsulf-1-positive tumours exhibited enhanced local invasiveness. In human primary pancreatic cancers there was strong staining for sulphated HSPGs, which was markedly reduced in metastatic tissue samples.Conclusion:Hsulf-1-mediated desulphation of HSPGs reduces the growth ability of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells, but increases the basal invasiveness of these cells, suggesting an important role of this enzyme in pancreatic cancer progression.
Use of rapid diagnostic tests for diagnosis of malaria in the UK
Authors: Chilton D , Malik A N J , Armstrong M , Kettelhut M , Parker-Williams J , Chiodini P L 
Published: April 2006

Background:Malaria is currently diagnosed almost exclusively by microscopy in clinical laboratories. The introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) may be useful in achieving rapid detection of malaria parasites, especially in situations where malaria is not often seen or where staff are inexperienced.Aim:To explore the use of RDT in UK laboratories.Methods:The current use of RDTs was surveyed in UK laboratories subscribing to the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme blood parasitology and haematology schemes.Results:An overall survey response rate of 60.3% was seen. RDTs were found to be the preferred choice, either alone or in conjunction with microscopy in 31.2% of the samples examined during normal working hours and in 44.3% of the specimens examined on call.Conclusions:During on-call hours, the use of RDTs was observed to increase and RDTs changed the diagnosis in 12% of laboratories. No established protocol for RDT use was, however, observed in the UK. A protocol that needs to be validated in the laboratory setting is suggested.
Effects of asulam spraying on non-target ferns
Authors: Rowntree J.K. , Sheffield E. 
Published: April 2006

The systemic herbicide asulam is used extensively to control the weedy fern bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn). Other ferns were thought to be highly sensitive to asulam exposure, but there has been a dearth of experimental evidence. Eight fern species were exposed to asulam spray at three different application rates or a control of water. Asulam was applied at the recommended field application rate for bracken clearance, and at two further rates corresponding to 10 and 50 m downwind of an aerial spray event. Damage was assessed over two seasons. All ferns tested were severely damaged by exposure to the highest application rate, but sensitivity varied between species. Maximum damage occurred 1 year after spraying, and limited signs of recovery could be seen by the second season. The effects of adding the adjuvant Agral® to applications of asulam were tested on the threatened pteridophyte Pilularia globulifera L. No damage additional to that caused by exposure to asulam was observed. This work supports the view that 50 m buffer zones are sufficient to protect sensitive ferns from the effects of aerial spraying with asulam, provided that drift-reducing nozzles are used and the manufacturer’s application guidelines are observed.
The concentrations and distributions of phytic acid phosphorus and other mineral nutrients in wild-type and low phytic acid Js-12-LPA wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain parts
Authors: Joyce Charlie , Deneau Andrea , Peterson Kevin , Ockenden Irene , Raboy Victor , Lott John N.A. 
Published: April 2006

Concentrations of P, phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, IP6), and other mineral storage elements were studied in wild-type and low phytic acid (lpa) genotype Js-12-LPA wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) embryos and rest-of-grain fractions. Environmental scanning electron microscopy images revealed a decreased average size and an increased number of aleurone layer globoids in lpa grains compared with the wild type. Energy-dispersive X-ray analyses of unfixed aleurone layer and scutellum cell cytoplasm revealed mainly C, O, P, K, and Mg in both grain types. The starchy endosperm contained virtually no P, K, or Mg, demonstrating no shift of mineral nutrients to that compartment. Scanning transmission electron microscopy – energy-dispersive X-ray analyses of scutellum and aleurone layer globoids in both genotypes revealed that P, K, and Mg were the main mineral nutrients in globoids with low amounts of Ca, Fe, and Zn. Traces of Mn were only in scutellum globoids. Total P was similar between genotypes for the rest-of-grain fractions, which are 97% of grain mass. The main inositol phosphate was IP6, but a small amount of IP5 was present. Both lpa grain fractions exhibited major reductions in IP6 compared with the wild type and a threefold increase in inorganic P. The concentration of K decreased in both fractions, while Ca increased 25% in the Js-12-LPA rest-of-grain compared with the wild type. The lack of large differences in mineral concentration and distribution between the wild type and Js-12-LPA indicates that there is no direct role of localization of IP6 synthesis in mineral distribution.
Cadmium tolerance and accumulation in the noxious weed Zygophyllum fabago
Authors: Lefèvre Isabelle , Corréal Enrique , Lutts Stanley 
Published: April 2006

Zygophyllum fabago L. is an invasive weed able to proliferate in coarse mineral substrates contaminated with heavy metals. To quantify its Cd tolerance, seedlings from seeds collected from a heavy metal contaminated area in Southeast Spain were exposed for 4 weeks to a nutrient solution containing 10 µmol·L–1 CdCl2. Although Cd inhibited axillary bud development, it did not reduce plant survival or dry mass. Most of the absorbed Cd remained in the roots, but the shoots were able to accumulate up to 156 mg·kg–1 dry mass of Cd. Zygophyllum fabago was able to regulate Cd translocation from roots to shoots, where it accumulated preferentially in the older leaves. Accumulation of Cd reduced the water content and water potential in shoots, as well as osmotic potential and leaf stomatal conductance in young leaves, although the plants were able to partly adapt to reestablish a more favourable water balance after 4 weeks of stress exposure. The population displayed considerable heterogeneity, and it may be possible to select individual plants combining high biomass production and a high rate of Cd accumulation. The use of Z. fabago as a Cd-tolerant species for phytoremediation is discussed.
Reproductive biology of theIlexspecies (Aquifoliaceae) in Hong Kong, China
Authors: Tsang Anita C.W. , Corlett Richard T. 
Published: April 2006

Fourteen wild species of shrubs and trees in the dioecious genus Ilex occur in Hong Kong (22°N, 114°E). All species flowered and formed fruits once each year. Sex ratios at flowering were male biased in all but one large population studied and, in most cases, this bias could not be explained by earlier flowering in males or higher female mortality. Apis cerana accounted for >87% of flower visits in all species and there was a significant positive relationship across species between the number of visits per flower per hour and the estimated mean number of flowers on a plant. The large green fruits of Ilex chapaensis Merr. were consumed only by masked palm civets, Paguma larvata, while the red or black fruits of other species were consumed by birds. The rate of fruit removal across species was positively related to sugar content and negatively related to phenolic and saponin contents. The mean number of pyrenes per fruit was 4.0–6.2 and the mean percentage of pyrenes containing seeds was 49%–90%. Most embryos were immature (heart shaped) at fruit maturity, but <50% of embryos developed further in some species. Floral investment was 0.93–5.84 times higher in male plants, but total reproductive investment was 0.62–8.3 higher in females.
CLINICAL VALIDATION OF A NOVEL SPRING LOADED TENSIONING DEVICE AND COMPUTER ASSISTED NAVIGATION
Authors: BIGNOZZI S. , ZAFFAGNINI S. , MARTELLI S. , MARCACCI M. 
Published: April 2006

This study presents the validation of the tensioning device that applies a constant load to the medial and lateral compartments of knee joint separately, which can collapse or expand on each side independently, and that should be able to provide a better evaluation of ligament tension and allow the computer software to better plan the appropriate bone cuts or ligament release, and reports the first phase of the clinical validation of the tensioning device, including first qualitative comparison with standard navigated technique and consideration on the use of the device. A randomized study, involving five experienced orthopedic surgeons with 58 complete data sets, revealed that there is no statistical difference between the gaps obtained with standard navigated technique and tensioning device in extension, while in flexion there is an average difference 1.4 mm.
A NEW METHOD FOR ANTHROPOMETRIC ACQUISITION OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY PARAMETERS IN ELITEMASTERSWIMMERS
Authors: ZAMPAGNI MARIA LUISA , DONA GIULIA , MOTTA MARIO , MARTELLI SANDRA , BENELLI PIERO , MARCACCI MAURILIO 
Published: April 2006

The aim of the study was to test the use of a new device for anthropometric acquisition in sports applications. In particular, we used an electrogoniometer (FARO Arm) to analyze the upper extremities in 45 elderly swimmers during the 10th World Masters Championships. Conventional anthropometric parameters were measured by a conventional method (anthropometric) and also by the new method. In order to illustrate the potentiality of the new method, we also introduced a new parameter to describe the arm model in swimmers, the carrying angle.A detailed analysis of the features and potentiality of the new method is reported in the paper. The ANOVA test did not show significant differences between the main anthropometric measurements obtained with the two methods. We concluded that the use of the FARO Arm device is effective for anthropometric measurements in sports applications, as it can reproduce conventional measurements accurately and also estimate new parameters.