bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of lengths of stay and DRG cost weights in dermatology from 2003 to 2006
Authors: Wenke Andreas , Müller Marcel L. , Babapirali Judith , Rompel Rainer , Hensen Peter 
Published: February 2009

Summary Background: The G‐DRG per case payments are calculated annually on the basis of present output and cost data provided from German hospitals. The economic valuation of dermatology‐related DRGs depends largely on inpatients’ length of stay. At present, longitudinal analyses of dermatologic hospital data considering the development of length of stay under DRG conditions are not available. Methods: A multicenter, longitudinal study of clinical data from hospitals with different care levels was performed (n = 23). Frequent and relevant dermatologic diagnoses were grouped and analyzed over a time period of four years (2003–2006). The development of lengths of stay and of G‐DRG cost weights were studied in detail. Descriptive statistical methods were applied. Results: After introduction of DRG, the data reveal a) reduction of length of stay in inpatient dermatology and b) after an initial abrupt rise, DRG valuation of dermatologic groups moderately decreased over time. Both trends changed most rapidly in the early years but reached a stable niveau in 2006. The study furthermore points out that not only length of stay, but also other type of costs influence DRG calculations. Conclusions: German dermatology reflects the international trend showing reductions of length of stay after introduction of a DRG‐based hospital funding system. The DRG calculation and valuation of inpatient services depend on the duration of hospital stay. However, increasing per diem costs resulting from higher performances of every inpatient bed day are also taken into account. Further reduction of length of stay must not threaten the quality of inpatient care in dermatology.
Complete remission of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases of the scalp with imiquimod therapy
Authors: Heber Giada , Helbig Doris , Pönitzsch Iris , Wetzig Tino , Harth Wolfgang , Simon Jan‐Christoph 
Published: February 2009

SummaryMultiple cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases represent a therapeutic challenge. A 63‐year‐old man presented with multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases on his right parieto‐occipital region that appeared ten weeks after surgical excision of the primary tumor. Staging showed no further metastases. Because of the large area of cutaneous metastatic spread, the location and the limited possibility of a complete excision, we decided to begin immunomodulatory therapy with imiquimod applied for eight hours daily five days a week. After six weeks of imiquimod monotherapy, a partial remission of the cutaneous metastases had occurred. After 17 months, the remission of these metastases was complete. Four months later the patient is still free of cutaneous, visceral, cerebral and lymph node metastases.
A nationwide study on hospital admissions due to dehydration in exclusively breastfed infants in the Netherlands: its incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome
Authors: Pelleboer Rolf AA , Bontemps Sander TH , Verkerk Paul H , Van Dommelen Paula , Pereira Rob Rodrigues , Van Wouwe Jacobus P 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAims: To estimate the incidence and clinical characteristics in hospital admissions due to dehydration or undernutrition and their laboratory evaluation and treatment outcome in exclusively breastfed infants.Methods: All hospital admissions during the first 3 months of life assessed by the Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit (DPSU) between mid 2003 and mid 2005.Results: Nationwide 158 cases reported, correspond to an incidence of 58/y/100 000 breastfed infants; it is lower for severe dehydration at risk for hypernatraemia; 20/y/100 000. Sixty‐five per cent of cases were <2 weeks old, their median weight loss was 9.3% and median age at admission 5 days; Serum sodium value was measured in only 12% of all cases. Insufficient volume intake and inadequate growth were most frequently reported (61% and 41%). Lethargy, jaundice or clinical dehydration was scored in 11–25%, seizures or shock in 3%. A breast pump at home was used in only 31%. In the hospital breast pumps were available (82%) as lactation consultants (73%). For treatment 65% was offered formula, in 30% by nasogastric drip. Most admissions lasted up to 3 days, all recovered fully and 33% were breastfed exclusively at discharge.Conclusion: The incidence of severe dehydration in the Netherlands is relatively low. With extended use of breast pumps at home it could be lower. To prevent complications, we recommend applying a reference weight chart, a full clinical examination and more extensive screening of serum sodium and glucose.
Clonal plants and plant species diversity in wetland ecosystems in China
Authors: Song Minghua , Dong Ming 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Clonal plants play important roles in maintaining wetland ecosystems in China. By analysing 108 wetland quadrats distributed throughout China, we evaluated (1) the importance of clonal growth forms in different Chinese wetlands, (2) how the abundance of clonal plants is related to climatic and geographical conditions, and (3) how plant species diversity is related to the abundance of clonal plants.Significant differences in clonal plant importance values were found between different regions of China. Clonal plants were more important in wetland ecosystems located towards the West and North and at higher elevations and, accordingly, experiencing a colder and drier climate. Plant species diversity showed a significant inverse correlation with the importance value of ‘guerilla’‐type plants in most of the wetland regions. However, we found no significant correlation between plant species diversity and importance values of ‘phalanx’‐type plants. In most Chinese wetlands, plant species diversity decreased with increasing importance of guerilla plants and also with an increase of the entire guild of clonal plants. In wetlands with low species richness, however, plant species diversity increased with increasing importance of guerilla plants and of all clonal plants together, suggesting that in these disturbed habitats clonal growth may facilitate the establishment of other, non‐clonal wetland plants.
Light partitioning among species and species replacement in early successional grasslands
Authors: Werger Marinus J.A. , Hirose Tadaki , During Heinjo J. , Heil Gerrit W. , Hikosaka Kouki , Ito Takehiko , Nachinshonhor U.G. , Nagamatsu Dai , Shibasaki Katsuhiko , Takatsuki Seiki , van Rheenen Jan W. , Anten Niels P.R. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. We studied canopy structure, shoot architecture and light harvesting efficiencies of the species (photon flux captured per unit above‐ground plant mass) in a series of exclosures of different age (up to 4.5 yr) in originally heavily grazed grassland in N Japan.Vegetation height and Leaf Area Index (LAI) increased in the series and Zoysia japonica, the dominant in the beginning, was replaced by the much taller Miscanthus sinensis. We showed how this displacement in dominance can be explained by inherent constraints on the above‐ground architecture of these two species. In all stands light capture of plants increased with their above‐ground biomass but taller species were not necessarily more efficient in light harvesting. Some subordinate species grew disproportionally large leaf areas and persisted in the shady undergrowth. Some other species first grew taller and managed to stay in the better‐lit parts of the canopy, but ultimately failed to match the height growth of their neighbours in this early successional series. Their light harvesting efficiencies declined and this probably led to their exclusion. By contrast, species that maintained their position high in the canopy managed to persist in the vegetation despite their relatively low light harvesting efficiencies. In the tallest stands ‘later successional’ species had higher light harvesting efficiencies for the same plant height than ‘early successional’ species which was mostly the result of the greater area to mass ratio (specific leaf area, SLA) of their leaves.This shows how plant stature, plasticity in above‐ground biomass partitioning, and architectural constraints determine the ability of plants to efficiently capture light, which helps to explain species replacement in this early successional series.
Use of artificial seedlings to estimate damage of forest seedlings due to litterfall and animals
Authors: Gillman Len N. , Wright Shane D. , Ogden John 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. The artificial seedling assay method has been used in several tropical and temperate forests to estimate seedling damage and subsequent mortality due to non‐trophic micro‐disturbances such as litterfall and trampling. However, there has been no evidence presented to support the assumption that artificial seedling damage correlates with natural seedling mortality. In this study we evaluated the use of artificial seedlings in five New Zealand forests by comparing damage rates of artificial seedlings with damage and mortality rates of an equal number of selected natural seedlings. A total of 1200 artificial, and 1200 natural seedlings were monitored monthly for two years.Litterfall damage rates of natural seedlings were correlated with those of artificial seedlings. However, there was no relationship found between artificial and natural seedling damage due to animals, or between artificial seedling damage and natural seedling mortality for either cause. Artificial seedlings should not therefore be used to estimate seedling mortality due to non‐trophic microdisturbance. Monitoring natural seedlings enabled non‐trophic animal damage to be readily detected and provided additional information on animal‐plant interactions.The value of using artificial seedlings is that they provide a measure of the litterfall disturbance potential that is independent of the patchy distribution of natural seedlings within safe sites, and independent of species specific resistance to damage. They therefore provide an indication of the selective pressure on seedlings due to litterfall and are useful for comparing the relative ‘safety’ of different forests and microsites. Monitoring natural seedlings provides a measure of the damage and mortality due to litterfall for a specific seedling size class. Concurrently monitoring artificial and natural seedlings for litterfall disturbance provides more information than the same effort expended on either method alone.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Spribille Toby , Češka Adolf 
Published: February 2009

Book reviewed in this article:Rivas‐Martínez, S., Sánchez‐Mata, D. & Costa, M. 1999. North American boreal and western temperate forest vegetation. (Syntaxonomical synopsis of the potential natural plant communities of North America, II.) Itinera Geobotanica 12: 5–316. Madrid. ISSN 0213–8530. Hardcover, with colour map in map pocket. Available from the authors at dsmata@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
Prediction of forest soil nutrient status using vegetation
Authors: Gégout Jean‐Claude , Hervé Jean‐Christophe , Houllier François , Pierrat Jean‐Claude 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. A large number of plots (306) were sampled for floristic data and variables of soil nutrient availability in a wide range of forest conditions in the Vosges mountains (NE France). Half of the data were used to model species presence/absence as a function of nutritional variables using two numerical methods: parametric logistic regression and non‐parametric Kernel estimation. Species responses were established for calcium, aluminium, Ca : Al ratio, base saturation, pH and C:N measured in the upper soil horizon. The other half were used to predict these variables with vegetation with three approaches: maximum likelihood, indicator values and ecological groups.More than 80% of the 122 studied species showed a significant response to one or more nutrition factors. Species often had optima for maxima or minima of the studied values. For each variable, species were more frequent in conditions with good nutrition and/or low toxicity: maximum values were most frequent for Ca, Ca: Al, base saturation, pH and minimum values were most frequent for Al and C:N. For all variables, optima estimated by logistic regression were well correlated with those estimated by kernel estimation: R2 > 0.9.Mean differences between measured values and predictions by vegetation were ca. 2.6 meq for Ca, 1.2 for log Ca, 3.1 meq for Al, 1.8 for log Al, 30 for Ca:Al, 2.1 for log Ca:Al, 0.21 for base saturation, 0.7 for pH and 5.7 for C:N. The quality of prediction as measured by R2 between predicted and measured values varied from 0.60 to 0.14. The quality of prediction decreases from soil base saturation to aluminium according to the next order: base saturation > log Ca : Al > log Ca > Ca > C :N > pH > log Al > Al > Ca :Al. Maximum likelihood and ecological groups methods of prediction were more efficient than the indicator values method.
Is succession in wet calcareous dune slacks affected by free sulfide?
Authors: Adema Erwin B. , van Gemerden Hans , Grootjans Ab P. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Consequences of sulfide toxicity on succession in wet calcareous dune slacks were investigated. Sulfide may exert an inhibitory effect on dune slack plants, but several pioneer species exhibit ROL (Radial Oxygen Loss) and thereby protect themselves against free sulfide. Under oxic conditions free sulfide will be oxiginated to harmless sulfate. However, successive species when not capable of ROL may be sensitive to free sulfide and cannot invade the area. Therefore, the occurrence of free sulfide may have a stabilizing effect on the pioneer vegetation.Data on the vertical distribution of oxygen, redox and sulfide were collected in mesocosms with Littorella uniflora or Carex nigra, with and without microbial mats and compared to control mesocosms. Also, in situ data were collected in a dune slack on the Frisian Island of Texel.In the mesocosms, free sulfide was detected only at nighttime in C. nigra populated mesocosms and in unvegetated units, but not in L. uniflora vegetated mesocosms. In the field, sulfide and redox profiles showed distinct differences between the groundwater exfiltration and infiltration site of the dune slack. At the exfiltration site, sulfide was only occasionally found; in contrast, measurable amounts of free sulfide were regularly found at the infiltration site of the slack.Since Phragmites australis dominates in the infiltration site of the slack, the results suggest that free sulfide accelerate the succession, rather than slowing it down by the exclusion of some plant species.
Relationships between seed banks and spatial heterogeneity of North American alvar vegetation
Authors: Stark Kaeli E. , Lundholm Jeremy T. , Larson Douglas W. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.This is the first quantitative study of seed bank characteristics in North American alvar habitats. We assessed seed bank density, species richness, and species composition in 75 plots distributed among five alvar sites in Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada, each of which displayed areas of high and low vegetation cover within the alvar and a fully forested perimeter area. Forested habitats immediately adjacent to alvar patches contained minimal seed banks for species restricted to the alvar patches. Open alvars contained less than 1% seeds from woody forest species. This suggests that forest is not invading adjacent alvar habitat via seeds and that adjacent forest does not contain a reservoir of alvar seeds.When compared to areas on the alvar with high vascular plant cover, areas with low cover contained a slightly smaller viable seed bank, but seed banks from high and low vegetation cover plots had similar species composition and species richness. High vegetation cover plots had slightly higher mean and maximum soil depths compared with low cover plots, but no differences in other physical and chemical parameters. Thus, spatial heterogeneity in plant cover is associated only weakly with heterogeneity in below‐ground factors. Despite the availability of seed and soil resources, vegetation dynamics are constrained in areas with low plant cover, and thus alvar community development seems to respond non‐linearly to resource availability.
Effects of fertilization and cutting on the chemical composition of vegetation and soils of mountain heathlands in Spain
Authors: Marcos E. , Calvo L. , Luis‐Calabuig E. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.In the mountains of northern Spain, patches dominated byCalluna vulgarisare scarce and they may disappear or change as a result of continued lack of management and possibly increasing nutrient availability through atmospheric deposition. The effects in the soil properties and in the composition ofCalluna vulgarisandErica tetralixshoots on heathlands dominated byCallunaandEricasubjected to fertilization and experimental cutting were studied in three mountain passes in northern Spain. A total of 90 1‐m2plots received different combinations of cutting and twice the estimated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (5.6 g.m−2.yr−1) as ammonium nitrate. One of the dominant ericaceous species (CallunaandErica) was selectively cut by hand at ground level and their nitrogen shoot content were compared in the presence or absence of the other. Treatments were carried out in April 1998. In each plot one soil sample was taken in the original situation and 12, 24 and 36 months after the treatments. Soil properties such as organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and pH were determined. In every plot five shoots ofCallunaandEricawere also taken to analyse total nitrogen content in the original situation and 12, 24 and 36 mo after the treatments.Nitrogen addition does not necessarily lead to increased levels in the soil, and a clear pattern was not found in the three areas. A gradual decrease in available phosphorus content was detected in the three areas until two years after treatment, although values tend to recover in two of the areas in the third study year. An increase in organic matter content was observed in all areas. It is concluded that increased nutrients alone, at twice the rate of the estimated current atmospheric deposition for the area, which is relatively low, will not alter significantly the soil characteristics of the mountain heathland stands. A clear increase in plant N‐content is observed in the fertilized plots in comparison with the non‐fertilized ones andCallunaalways has higher nitrogen content thanErica. This increase is most pronounced one year after the treatments started in one of the areas and after two years in the other two areas. In some cases the elimination of one species is seen to favour nitrogen increase in the other.
Estimating net primary production of boreal forests in Finland and Sweden from field data and remote sensing
Authors: Zheng Daolan , Prince Stephen , Hame Tuomas 
Published: February 2009

We calculated annual mean stem volume increment (AMSVI) and total litter fall to produce forest net primary production (NPP) maps at 1‐km2 and half‐degree resolutions in Finland and Sweden. We used a multi‐scale methodology to link field inventory data reported at plot and forestry district levels through a remotely sensed total plant biomass map derived from 1‐km2 AVHRR image. Total litter fall was estimated as function of elevation and latitude. Leaf litter fall, a surrogate for fine root production, was estimated from total litter fall by forest type. The gridded NPP estimates agreed well with previously reported NPP values, based on point measurements. Regional NPP increases from northeast to southwest. It is positively related to annual mean temperature and annual mean total precipitation (strongly correlated with temperature) and is negatively related to elevation at broad scale. Total NPP (TNPP) values for representative cells selected based on three criteria were highly correlated with simulated values from a process‐based model (CEVSA) at 0.5°× 0.5° resolution.At 1‐km2 resolution, mean above‐ground NPP in the region was 408 g/m2/yr ranging from 172 to 1091 (standard deviation (SD) = 134). Mean TNPP was 563 (252 to 1426, SD = 176). Ranges and SD were reduced while the mean values of the estimated NPP stayed almost constant as cell size increased from 1‐km2 to 0.5°× 0.5°, as expected. Nordic boreal forests seem to have lower productivity among the world boreal forests.
Changes in soil and vegetation during dune slack succession
Authors: Sýkora Karle V. , van den Bogert Jeroen C.J.M. , Berendse Frank 
Published: February 2009

Many rare plant species occur in Dutch wet dune slacks, particularly in the Junco baltici‐Schoenetum nigricantis. For nature management it is important to understand the processes controlling the presence of these basiphilous early successional communities, which is why we investigated vegetation and soil development during succession in coastal dune slacks. We compared 12 chronosequential stages of 0, 2, 4, 9, 10, 13, 25, 30, 43, 60, 70 and 85 yr in five different dune slack systems. In four of these locations turf had earlier been removed in order to restore the basiphilous pioneer stage.The main variation in the vegetation is related to the acidification/soil enrichment gradient and the salinity/maritime gradient. During succession, organic matter accumulates and acidification takes place. Maritime influence can buffer the soil and postpone the succession of basiphilous pioneer communities for many years. A significant correlation with age was found for 18 variables. Multiple regressions predicted changes in the vegetation (dependent variables: biomass, cover of Salix repens, Calamagrostis epigejos and Schoenus nigricans) as a function of acidification, organic matter accumulation, increase in available P and presence of Na in the soil.We conclude that natural ageing of the vegetation and the associated process of accumulation of biomass drive succession in this hydrosere. The underlying soil processes are acidification and organic matter accumulation. During succession dominance shifts from S. nigricans to S. repens or C. epigejos. Maintenance of the pioneer character of the habitat is only possible by local intervention or by natural or man‐induced dune forming. The effect of sod‐stripping depends on the environmental conditions and, in case of acidification, success is limited. Succession can be postponed by mowing.
Scale‐dependent frequency distributions of plant species in dune slacks: Dispersal and niche limitation
Authors: Bossuyt B. , Honnay O. , Hermy M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:Question: How do distribution patterns change with increasing scale level, and can this shift be attributed to dispersal and/or niche limitation?Location: Dune slacks at the Belgian and North French coast.Method: Frequency distribution patterns of species were tested over different scale levels (ranging from 0.008 to 45 km2). Analyses were executed for the total species pool and for subsets of species with high and low dispersal rates and habitat generalist and specialist species.Results: Species distributions for the total species pool on scale levels larger than 1.5 km2 were unimodal, with an overrepresentation of rare species. With decreasing scale level, the proportion of common species increased, leading to weak bimodality. Distributions of subsets of slowly dispersing and habitat specialist species are on all scale levels characterised by a strongly unimodal pattern. The subset of species with high dispersal rates and habitat generalist species has a higher proportion of common species, leading to a significant core peak.Conclusions: On all scale levels both dispersal and niche limitation are hampering the wider distribution of rare species. However, since isolation and habitat heterogeneity are limited on the smaller scale levels, a larger proportion of well dispersing and habitat generalist species is able to occupy a high number of patches, resulting in a significant core peak for the total species pool.