bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The SPICE carbon isotope excursion in Siberia: a combined study of the upper Middle Cambrian–lowermost Ordovician Kulyumbe River section, northwestern Siberian Platform
Authors: KOUCHINSKY ARTEM , BENGTSON STEFAN , GALLET YVES , KOROVNIKOV IGOR , PAVLOV VLADIMIR , RUNNEGAR BRUCE , SHIELDS GRAHAM , VEIZER JAN , YOUNG EDWARD , ZIEGLER KAREN 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAn integrated, high-resolution chemostratigraphic (C, O and Sr isotopes) and magnetostratigraphic study through the upper Middle Cambrian–lowermost Ordovician shallow-marine carbonates of the northwestern margin of the Siberian Platform is reported. The interval was analysed at the Kulyumbe section, which is exposed along the Kulyumbe River, an eastern tributary of the Enisej River. It comprises the upper Ust'-Brus, Labaz, Orakta, Kulyumbe, Ujgur and lower Iltyk formations and includes the Steptoean positive carbon isotopic excursion (SPICE) studied here in detail from upper Cambrian carbonates of the Siberian Platform for the first time. The peak of the excursion, showing δ13C positive values as high as +4.6‰ and least-altered87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70909, is reported herein from the Yurakhian Horizon of the Kulyumbe Formation. The stratigraphic position of the SPICE excursion does not support traditional correlation of the boundary between the Orakta and Labaz formations at the Kulyumbe River with its supposedly equivalent level in Australia, Laurentia, South China and Kazakhstan, where theGlyptagnostus stolidotusandG. reticulatusbiozones are known to immediately precede the SPICE excursion and span the Middle–Upper Cambrian boundary. The Cambrian–Ordovician boundary is probably situated in the middle Nyajan Horizon of the Iltyk Formation, in which carbon isotope values show a local maximum below a decrease in the upper part of the Nyajan Horizon, attributed herein to the Tremadocian Stage. A refined magnetic polarity sequence confirms that the geomagnetic reversal frequency was very high during Middle Cambrian times at 7–10 reversals per Ma, assuming a total duration of about 10 Ma and up to 100 magnetic intervals in the Middle Cambrian. By contrast, the sequence attributed herein to the Upper Cambrian on chemostratigraphic grounds contains only 10–11 magnetic intervals.
The limiting form of inertial instability in geophysical flows
Authors: GRIFFITHS STEPHEN D. 
Published: May 2008

The instability of a rotating, stratified flow with arbitrary horizontal cross-stream shear is studied, in the context of linear normal modes with along-stream wavenumberkand vertical wavenumberm. A class of solutions are developed which are highly localized in the horizontal cross-stream direction around a particular streamline. A Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation analysis is performed, yielding asymptotic series for the frequency and structure of these solutions in terms ofkandm. The accuracy of the approximation improves as the vertical wavenumber increases, and typically also as the along-stream wavenumber decreases. This is shown to correspond to a near-inertial limit, in which the solutions are localized around the global minimum offQ, wherefis the Coriolis parameter andQis the vertical component of the absolute vorticity. The limiting solutions are near-inertial waves or inertial instabilities, according to whether the minimum value offQis positive or negative.We focus on the latter case, and investigate how the growth rate and structure of the solutions changes withmandk. Moving away from the inertial limit, we show that the growth rate always decreases, as the inertial balance is broken by a stabilizing cross-stream pressure gradient. We argue that these solutions should be described as non-symmetric inertial instabilities, even though their spatial structure is quite different to that of the symmetric inertial instabilities obtained whenkis equal to zero.We use the analytical results to predict the growth rates and phase speeds for the inertial instability of some simple shear flows. By comparing with results obtained numerically, it is shown that accurate predictions are obtained by using the first two or three terms of the perturbation expansion, even for relatively small values of the vertical wavenumber. Limiting expressions for the growth rate and phase speed are given explicitly for non-zerok, for both a hyperbolic-tangent velocity profile on anf-plane, and a uniform shear flow on an equatorial β-plane.
Safety of sublingual grass pollen immunotherapy after anaphylaxis
Authors: Nichani J R , de Carpentier J 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim:To demonstrate that sublingual immunotherapy is a safe treatment option in patients who have previously suffered anaphylaxis when undergoing subcutaneous grass pollen immunotherapy.Case report:We report two patients who developed a systemic anaphylactic reaction following subcutaneous grass pollen immunotherapy, resulting in discontinuation of treatment. Following treatment of the acute anaphylactic episode, both patients were subsequently safely commenced on sublingual grass pollen immunotherapy.Conclusion:Injection immunotherapy has a relatively low risk of severe adverse events, although anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal complication and usually results in termination of the immunotherapy programme. Sublingual immunotherapy has a safer side effect profile than subcutaneous immunotherapy, with no reported cases of anaphylaxis.
Non-sibling parasites (Strepsiptera) develop together in the same paper wasp
Authors: VANNINI L. , CARAPELLI A. , FRATI F. , BEANI L. 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARYHost discrimination by immature host-seeking endoparasites is a complex and somewhat unexplored topic. In the case of multiple infections, conflicts among conspecifics may occur to monopolize space and resources in the same host. Two or more 1st instar larvae ofXenos vesparum(Strepsiptera, Stylopidae) may enter into aPolistes dominulus(Hymenoptera, Vespidae) larva and develop together until the adult stage of both parasite and host. We carried out a screening of mitochondrial haplotypes inX. vesparumindividuals extracted from superparasitized wasps taken in 5 naturally infected nests from different areas of Tuscany (Italy), to assess whether non-sibling parasites may infect the same colony and host. In total, we obtained 12 different haplotypes out of 122 genotyped individuals of both sexes: 17 of 34 superparasitized wasps hosted parasites that originated from females differing in their haplotypes. To date, this is the first described case of superparasitism with non-sibling host-seeking larvae infecting a single individual hymenopteran host. In addition, at least in heavily infected colonies, there is evidence of a male-biased sex-ratio and synchronous development of the parasites, regardless of their haplotypes. Finally, the distribution of haplotypes per nest is consistent with either phoretic infection or larvipositing on nests by means of superparasitized wasps.
Energy flow and nutrient cycling in the Marion Island terrestrial ecosystem: 30 years on
Authors: Smith Valdon R. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThis article is a sequel to a word-model description of the ecosystem of sub-Antarctic Marion Island, published in this journal 30 years ago (Smith 1977). It expands on the qualitative considerations of patterns of energy flow and nutrient cycling presented in that paper, by providing quantitative information from subsequent research at the island. Primary production of the island's lowland plant communities is high on an annual basis, because the vegetation has a long growing season due to the lack of severely cold winters or drought. Daily productivity is actually low due to low radiation levels and a cool growing season. The vegetation is particularly efficient regarding its use of nutrients for its growth, but still requires substantial amounts of nutrients to support the high annual production. Seabirds and seals import large quantities of nutrients from the ocean when they breed and moult on the island. They markedly enhance soil and plant nutrient status in the areas in which they occur, and also in adjacent areas. However, by far the greater part of the island's inland vegetation is not directly influenced by birds or seals and most of the nutrients required for plant growth are provided by decomposition of plant litter and peat. Soil invertebrates are crucial facilitators of decomposition processes, which are otherwise restricted by low soil temperatures and high soil moisture contents. Introduced house mice have invaded almost all parts of the island and predate heavily on the invertebrates, thus affecting nutrient mineralisation. This threatens not only the functioning (lowered nutrient availability leading to slower plant growth and the production of a lower quality, more decomposition-recalcitrant plant litter), but also the structure (an altered balance between production and decomposition leads to a change in the relation between peat formation and degradation, which is an important determinant of vegetation succession) of the island's ecosystem. It is suggested that mice may also affect the island's ecology by predating on seabird chicks.
Communicating traditional environmental knowledge: addressing the diversity of knowledge, audiences and media types
Authors: Bonny Eleanor , Berkes Fikret 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTAlthough there are a number of distinct audiences (for example students, hunter and trapper organisations, and co-management agencies) for traditional environmental knowledge, little work has been done in analysing how indigenous knowledge can be best communicated to these different groups. Using examples mainly from northern Canada and Alaska, we explore the challenge of collecting and communicating different kinds of traditional environmental knowledge; the media types or communication modes that can be used; and the appropriateness of these kinds of media for communicating with different audiences. A range of communication options is available, including direct interaction with knowledge holders, use of print media, maps, DVD/video, audio, CD ROM, and websites. These options permit a mix-and-match to find the best fit between kinds of knowledge, the intended audience, and the media type used. This paper does not propose to replace traditional methods of communication with technology. Rather, we examine how technology can serve community and other needs. No single option emerges as a clear best choice for communicating indigenous knowledge. Nevertheless, various media types offer avenues through which northern people can meet their educational, cultural, and political needs, and build cross-cultural understanding.
Benjamin Leigh Smith's second Arctic expedition: Svalbard and Jan Mayen, 1872
Authors: Capelotti P.J. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTIn 1872, the British yachtsman and explorer Benjamin Leigh Smith led his second expedition to the Arctic. Seeking to further the impressive oceanographic and geographic research of his first expedition in the summer of the previous year, Leigh Smith first explored Jan Mayen and then sailed to Svalbard. There, after investigating Moffen, adverse ice conditions precluded effective continuation of the voyage and almost wrecked his research vessel,Sampson. During a brief meeting with Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld's Swedish polar expedition, a bond was formed between the two explorers with fortuitous benefits for the Swedish expedition the following year as it struggled to escape from the north coast of Svalbard. Leigh Smith was forced to make for England in September 1872, without sailing nearly as far to the north or east as during his first expedition. His 1872 experiences led him to reconsider his method for Arctic exploration, and consequently, for his third expedition in 1873, he decided to include a chartered steamer as his primary research vessel withSampsonrelegated to the role of support vessel.
The frozen continent: an Antarctic play
Authors: Moore Jason Kendall , Wöppke Consuelo León 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThis one-act play was recently presented at an Antarctic workshop held at Universidad Marítima de Chile, Viña del Mar, Chile. Apart from being entertaining, it provided an example of how theatre can be used to generate or reinforce interest in polar studies. The script has been translated from Spanish by the playwright.
Fairness in multi-agent systems
Authors: JONG STEVEN DE , TUYLS KARL , VERBEECK KATJA 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMulti-agent systems are complex systems in which multiple autonomous entities, called agents, cooperate in order to achieve a common or personal goal. These entities may be computer software, robots, and also humans. In fact, many multi-agent systems are intended to operate in cooperation with or as a service for humans. Typically, multi-agent systems are designed assuming perfectly rational, self-interested agents, according to the principles of classical game theory. Recently, such strong assumptions have been relaxed in various ways. One such way is explicitly including principles derived from human behavior. For instance, research in the field of behavioral economics shows that humans are not purely self-interested. In addition, they strongly care aboutfairness. Therefore, multi-agent systems that fail to take fairness into account, may not be sufficiently aligned with human expectations and may not reach intended goals. In this paper, we present an overview of work in the area of fairness in multi-agent systems. More precisely, we first look at the classical agent model, that is, rational decision making. We then provide an outline of descriptive models of fairness, that is, models that explain how and why humans reach fair decisions. Then, we look at prescriptive, computational models for achieving fairness in adaptive multi-agent systems. We show that results obtained by these models are compatible with experimental and analytical results obtained in the field of behavioral economics.
Solutions of second order multi-point boundary value problems
Authors: GRAEF JOHN R. , KONG LINGJU 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe consider classes of second order boundary value problems with a nonlinearity f(t, x) in the equations and subject to a multi-point boundary condition. Criteria are established for the existence of nontrivial solutions, positive solutions, and negative solutions of the problems under consideration. The symmetry of solutions is also studied. Conditions are determined by the relationship between the behavior of the quotient f(t, x)/x for x near 0 and ∞ and the largest positive eigenvalue of a related linear integral operator. Our analysis mainly relies on the topological degree and fixed point index theories.
The threefold containing the Bordiga surface of degree ten as a hyperplane section
Authors: MAEDA HIDETOSHI 
Published: May 2008

AbstractLet be a very ample vector bundle of rank 2 on $\Bbb P^2$ with c1() = 4 and c2() = 6. Then it is proved that is the cokernel of a bundle monomorphism $\mathcal O_{\Bbb P^2}(1)^{\oplus 2}\to T_{\Bbb P^2}^{\oplus 2}$, where $T_{\Bbb P^2}$ is the tangent bundle of $\Bbb P^2$. This gives a new example of a threefold containing a Bordiga surface as a hyperplane section.
Impact of the B-15 iceberg “stranding event” on the physical and biological properties of sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica
Authors: Remy J.-P. , Becquevort S. , Haskell T.G. , Tison J.-L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIce cores were sampled at four stations in McMurdo Sound (Ross Sea) between 1999 and 2003. At the beginning of year 2000, a very large iceberg (B-15) detached itself from the Ross Ice Shelf and stranded at the entrance of the Sound, preventing the usual oceanic circulation purging of the annual sea ice cover from this area. Ice textural studies showed that a second year sea ice cover was built-up at three out of the four stations: ice thickness increased to about 3 m. Repeated alternation of columnar and platelet ice appeared, and bulk salinity showed a strong decrease, principally in the upper part of the ice sheet, with associated brine volume decrease. Physical modification influenced the biology as well. By decreasing the light and space available for organisms in the sea ice cover, the stranding of B-15 has i) hampered autotrophic productivity, with chlorophyllaconcentration and algae biomass significantly lower for second year ice stations, and ii) affected trophic relationships such as the bacterial biomass/chlaconcentration correlation, or the autotrophic to heterotrophic ratio.
Psychometric evaluation of the German version of the Life Attitude
Profile–Revised (LAP-R) in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Mehnert Anja , Koch Uwe 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:There has been an increasing interest in the measurement of patients efforts
to find meaning during the experience of a life-threatening illness. The aim
of this study was to validate the German version of the Life Attitude
Profile–Revised (LAP-R), a multidimensional measure of meaning
and purpose.Methods:A total of 511 prostate cancer patients with an average age of 64 years
filled in the questionnaire during outpatient follow up care (response rate
70%).Results:Five of the original six dimensions were replicated by exploratory and
confirmatory factor analysis: Coherence, Existential Vacuum,
Choice/Responsibleness, Death Acceptance, and Goal Seeking. The Purpose
dimension was not replicated. Most LAP-R subscales showed good internal
consistencies with Cronbach's α between .80 and .82,
whereas the reliability for Existential Vacuum
(α = .69) and Goal Seeking
(α = .74) was less sufficient,
but still acceptable. Results show significant concurrent associations
between all LAP-R dimensions and measures of emotional distress, coping, and
health-related quality of life; however, moderate correlations were found
only for Existential Vacuum and depression, and inversely for depressive
coping and the mental health subscale.Significance of research:The German LAP-R is a reliable and valid instrument that can be recommended
for further use in research and clinical cancer care.
General practitioners' experiences of the psychological aspects in the care of a dying patient
Authors: Kelly Brian , Varghese Francis T , Burnett Paul , Turner Jane , Robertson Marguerite , Kelly Patricia , Mitchell Geoffrey , Treston Pat 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:General practitioners (GPs) play an integral role in addressing the psychological needs of palliative care patients and their families. This qualitative study investigated psychosocial issues faced by GPs in the management of patients receiving palliative care and investigated the themes relevant to the psychosocial care of dying patients.Method:Fifteen general practitioners whose patient had been recently referred to the Mt. Olivet Palliative Home Care Services in Brisbane participated in an individual case review discussions guided by key questions within a semistructured format. These interviews focused on the psychosocial aspects of care and management of the referred patient, including aspects of the doctor/patient relationship, experience of delivering diagnosis and prognosis, addressing the psychological concerns of the patients' family, and the doctors' personal experiences, reactions, and responses. Qualitative analysis was conducted on the transcripts of these interviews.Results:The significant themes that emerged related to perceived barriers to exploration of emotional concerns, including spiritual issues, and the discussion of prognosis and dying, the perception of patients' responses/coping styles, and the GP's personal experience of the care (usually expressed in terms of identification with patient).Significance of results:The findings indicate the significant challenges facing clinicians in discussions with patients and families about death, to exploring the patient's emotional responses to terminal illness and spiritual concerns for the patient and family. These qualitative date indicate important tasks in the training and clinical support for doctors providing palliative care.
Psychiatric issues in palliative care: Recognition of delirium in patients enrolled in hospice care
Authors: Irwin Scott A. , Rao Sanjai , Bower Kimberly A. , Palica Joanna , Rao Sanjay S. , Maglione Jeanne E. , Soskins Matt , Betterton Amy E. , Ferris Frank D. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjectives:Delirium is prevalent, difficult to assess, under-recognized, and undertreated in hospice and palliative care settings. Furthermore, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Under-recognition of delirium results in under-treatment and increased suffering. The intent of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the recognition of delirium in a large cohort of hospice patients by interdisciplinary hospice care teams.Methods:A retrospective chart review of 2,716 patients receiving hospice care was conducted in order to determine the baseline rate of recognition of delirium in patients with advanced, life-threatening illnesses by front-line hospice clinicians. Documentation of “delirium” as either a diagnosis or problem was used as an estimate of how often these disorders were considered significant issues by the treating interdisciplinary team.Results:Of the patients receiving home/long-term care, 17.8% (386/2168) had delirium documented as a diagnosis or significant problem. The presence of recognized delirium in this setting was associated with significant differences in marital status, ethnicity, hospice diagnosis, and age. Total length of hospice care was also significantly longer. Of patients receiving inpatient care, 28.3% (614/548) had delirium documented as a diagnosis or significant problem. Recognized delirium in this setting was associated with significant differences in gender, ethnicity, hospice diagnosis, and length of inpatient stay.Significance of results:If documentation is representative of the care that the interdisciplinary teams provide, delirium of any kind appears to be under-recognized in this population. In fact, it is on the low end of prevalence estimates in the literature. Improved delirium assessment is needed in order to minimize the impact of delirium on patients living with advanced, life-threatening illnesses and their caregivers.
Consensus guideline on parenteral methadone use in pain and palliative care
Authors: Shaiova Lauren , Berger Ann , Blinderman Craig D. , Bruera Eduardo , Davis Mellar P. , Derby Susan , Inturrisi Charles , Kalman Jill , Mehta Davendra , Pappagallo Marco , Perlov Eugene 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTOnce used only as third-line therapy for chronic pain management, methadone is now being used as first- and second-line therapy in palliative care. The risks and stigma associated with methadone use are known, but difficulties with dosing methadone and lack of an established conversion protocol from other opiates have limited the access for patient populations who could potentially benefit from this medication. For palliative care patients, the benefits of methadone can far outweigh its risks. This article provides an overview and specific recommendations on the use of parenteral methadone in pain and palliative care, with a focus on the transition from hospital to home/hospice care. The goal of this consensus guideline is to assist clinicians who are providing chronic pain management in acute care hospital and nonhospital settings (i.e., hospice, long-term care facilities, and community) for patients with life-limiting illnesses, where the goals of care are focused on comfort (i.e., palliative care). The recommendations in this article intend to promote a standard of care involving the use of intravenous methadone with the aim of reaching a broader population of patients for whom this drug would provide important benefits.