bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parental experience of services when their child requires long‐term ventilation. Implications for commissioning and providing services
Authors: Margolan H. , Fraser J. , Lenton S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAims  The aims of the study were to: (1) describe the families experience of the services they receive; (2) describe the care packages associated with long‐term ventilation; and (3) identify both problems and good practice.Setting  South West Region of England, 2001.Methods  A cross‐sectional survey of parents whose children had been ventilated for longer than 3 months. Fifteen families were interviewed.Results  The following issues were identified: significant delays in hospital discharge [mean duration 513 days (range 14–1460 days)]; organizational fragmentation in commissioning services (12/15); problems with supply and maintenance of equipment (10/15); significant social morbidity‐reduced family incomes, housing and social isolation (9/15); difficulties with respite care (5/15); loss of employment (9/15 mothers); and problems with access to education (12/15).Conclusions  There were significant delays in discharge from hospital largely caused by an inability to organize and fund provision in community settings. A wide variation in provision, not related to needs, was observed between families. Effective early discharge from hospital was more likely to be achieved where community children's nursing teams were already in existence. Adequate respite care was rarely available for these families.
Prevalence and Determinants of Mastitis and Milk‐borne Zoonoses in Smallholder Dairy Farming Sector in Kibaha and Morogoro Districts in Eastern Tanzania
Authors: Mdegela R. H. , Kusiluka L. J. M. , Kapaga A. M. , Karimuribo E. D. , Turuka F. M. , Bundala A. , Kivaria F. , Kabula B. , Manjurano A. , Loken T. , Kambarage D. M. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryA study was carried out to establish the prevalence and determinants of mastitis and milk‐borne zoonoses in smallholder dairy farms in Kibaha and Morogoro districts (Tanzania). A total of 57 herds comprising 114 milking cows in Kibaha and 48 herds consisting of 96 milking animals in Morogoro were included in the study. A questionnaire survey was used to assess the socio‐economic determinants of mastitis, whereas California mastitis test (CMT) and microbiological assessment of milk was carried out to establish the status of mastitis and responsible aetiological agents. Seroconversion for brucellosis was evaluated using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Animals were also tuberculin‐tested using a single comparative intradermal method and milk samples were cultured for isolation of Mycobacterium species. Based on CMT, the cow‐based prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 82.4% in Kibaha and 62.4% in Morogoro. Of the 919‐quarter milk samples cultured, 8.2% were positive for aerobic bacteria with predominant isolates being Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.8%), Staph. aureus (1.7%), Streptococcus agalactiae (1.2%) and Staph. intermedius (1.1%). There was a strong association between CMT positivity and bacteriological isolation [relative risk (RR) = 2.60; P = 0.02]. Fungal growth was observed in 21.8% (n = 881) of the samples and the isolates were yeast (19.2%), Mucor (2.5%) and Aspergillus (0.1%). Bucket feeding of calves was associated with increased risk of a quarter being CMT positive (RR = 1.24; P = 0.000), while residual calf suckling was associated with decreased risk of positivity (RR = 0.86; P = 0.015). Earth floor was associated with increased risk of CMT positivity at quarter level (RR = 1.13; P = 0.041) and Jersey breed was identified as a risk factor to mastitis. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was 0.4% (n = 259) and 1.7% (n = 181) in Kibaha and Morogoro, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of brucellosis was 1% (n = 208) in Kibaha and 1.9% (n = 104) in Morogoro. Findings from this study have demonstrated a high prevalence of subclinical mastitis and existence of health risks to milk consumers despite the low prevalence of tuberculosis and brucellosis in the study herds.
Detection of Isospora suis (Biester and Murray 1934) in Piglet Faeces – Comparison of Microscopy and PCR
Authors: Joachim A. , Ruttkowski B. , Zimmermann M. , Daugschies A. , Mundt H.‐C. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryForty‐four faecal samples from piglets (2–3 animals per group) experimentally infected with Isospora suis were examined 4, 5, 7, 10, and 11 days after infection either with a modified flotation technique followed by McMaster counting (MM), MM combined with autofluorescence microscopy of faecal smears (MM‐A), or nested‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR was the most sensitive method, detecting I. suis in 70% of the samples (MM 25%, MM‐A 52%). More positive samples were detected in the untreated and the diclazuril‐treated [15 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) once or twice, respectively] groups (10 samples per group; MM 30–40%, MM‐A 50–70%, PCR 60–90%), than in the toltrazuril‐treated (20 mg/kg BW) group (14 samples; MM 0%, MM‐A 21%, PCR 57%). Parasites could be detected in the untreated group on all days with PCR and MM‐A, while MM detected oocysts only from day 5. Autofluorescence should be used as a routine diagnostic aid for the detection of oocysts in faecal samples, while PCR, being the most sensitive technique, can be employed when large numbers of samples are examined, and in experimental setups.
Evidence of reduction of gene flow between two cytotypes of Ranunculus silerifolius Lév. (Ranunculaceae) revealed with allozyme and intersimple sequence repeat polymorphisms
Authors: MAIDELIZA TESRI , OKADA HIROSHI 
Published: April 2004

AbstractGene flow between partially reproductively isolated Otaru and Matsuyama cytotypes of Ranunculus silerifolius was revealed using allozyme polymorphisms. Otaru and Matsuyama cytotypes in the parapatric population MIX were distinguishable critically by the different alleles of the Mdh‐3 allozyme locus and the hybrids between both cytotypes shared both alleles of both cytotypes. The distribution pattern of the alleles of the Mdh‐3 locus revealed that the gene flow did not occur between cytotypes within MIX. The value of gene flow between the two cytotypes within the parapatric population MIX (i.e. 0.503) was smaller than those between allopatric populations of the same cytotype (i.e. 2.550 or 1.700). The genetic distance between cytotypes within the parapatric population MIX was larger than those between the far distant populations of the same cytotypes. Dendrograms based on the Nei's genetic distance using the variations of allozyme markers showed that Otaru and Matsuyama cytotypes formed clusters separately.
Effect of light availability on the carbon gain of beech (Fagus crenata) seedlings with reference to the density of dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) in an understory of Japan Sea type beech forest
Authors: KOBAYASHI TSUYOSHI , SHIMANO KOJI , MURAOKA HIROYUKI 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn the understory of Japan Sea type beech (Fagus crenata Bl.) forests, a beech seedling bank persists at the forest floor where the seedlings are shaded by dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis Makino et Shibata). The culm density of dwarf bamboo is reduced by shading from the overstory. To determine the effect of the dwarf bamboo on the photosynthetic productivity of beech seedlings, we evaluated the leaf carbon gain of the beech seedlings with respect to the spatiotemporal variation in light regimes and CO2 concentration in a forest at Buna‐Daira, Fukushima Prefecture, central Japan. In midsummer, we measured photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and air CO2 concentration (Camb) at the beech seedling height in the understory beneath the forest canopy with less dwarf bamboo, and in a canopy gap with dense dwarf bamboo. A frequency distribution of log10‐transformed PPFD showed that the mode PPFD class was greater beneath the closed canopy patch than in the gap (51–109 µmol/m2 per s vs 24–52 µmol/m2 per s), which was close to the estimated mean background PPFD (diffuse light) in each understory. The total sunfleck period during the midday hours and the mean PPFD of each sunfleck were also greater beneath the closed canopy than in the gap. From the diurnal course of PPFD and Camb, we simulated the midday carbon gain of beech seedlings using the CO2 assimilation (A)–PPFD and A–CO2 curves of beech leaves in the closed canopy patch. The total carbon gain of beech leaves beneath the canopy was 2.35‐fold greater than that in the gap, whether the simulation incorporated photosynthetic induction responses to sunflecks or not. High Camb at the forest floor (380–420 µmol/mol) enhanced the total carbon gain 1.12‐fold. The simulation indicated that an increase in diffuse light under sparse dwarf bamboo, which could accelerate the photosynthetic responses to sunflecks and high Camb, contributed to the photosynthetic carbon gain of beech leaves beneath the forest canopy. These findings suggest that the light environment of the understory can be determined by the effects of forest canopy structure on the density of understory dwarf bamboo and that the photosynthetic productivity of beech seedlings mainly depends on the diffuse light intensity.
Species distributions, surrogacy, and important conservation regions in Canada
Authors: Warman Leanna D. , Forsyth David M. , Sinclair A. R. E. , Freemark Kathryn , Moore Harold D. , Barrett Thomas W. , Pressey R. L. , White Denis 
Published: April 2004

AbstractConservation actions could be more efficient if there is congruence among taxa in the distribution of species. Patterns in the geographical distribution of five taxa were used to identify nationally important regions for conservation in Canada. Two measures of surrogacy were significantly and positively correlated among taxa, and conservation areas selected for one taxon represented other taxa significantly better than random selections. However, few large protected areas exist in the sites of highest conservation value in southern Canada; these regions are therefore a priority for future conservation regard. By focusing this effort on threatened and endangered species, which are a national priority in Canada, most other species could also benefit.
Species richness–decomposition relationships depend on species dominance
Authors: Dangles Olivier , Malmqvist Björn 
Published: April 2004

AbstractHuman disturbances both decrease the number of species in ecosystems and change their relative abundances. Here we present field evidence demonstrating that shifts in species abundances can have effects on ecosystem functioning that are as great as those from shifts in species richness. We investigated spatial and temporal variability of leaf decomposition rates and community metrics of leaf‐eating invertebrates (shredders) in streams. The shredder community composition dramatically influenced the diversity–function relationship; decomposition was much higher for a given species richness at sites with high species dominance than at sites where dominance was low. Decomposition rates also markedly depended on the identity of the dominant species. Further, dominance effects on decomposition varied seasonally and the number of species required for maintaining decomposition increased with increasing evenness. These findings reveal important but less obvious aspects of the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship.
Sensitivity analysis of equilibrium in density‐dependent matrix population models
Authors: Caswell Hal , Takada Takenori , Hunter Christine M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe consider the effects of parameter perturbations on a density‐dependent population at equilibrium. Such perturbations change the dominant eigenvalue λ of the projection matrix evaluated at the equilibrium as well as the equilibrium itself. We show that, regardless of the functional form of density dependence, the sensitivity of λ is equal to the sensitivity of an effective equilibrium density , which is a weighted combination of the equilibrium stage densities. The weights measure the contributions of each stage to density dependence and their effects on demography. Thus, is in general more relevant than total density, which simply adds all stages regardless of their ecological properties. As  log λ is the invasion exponent, our results show that successful invasion will increase , and that an evolutionary stable strategy will maximize . Our results imply that eigenvalue sensitivity analysis of a population projection matrix that is evaluated near equilibrium can give useful information about the sensitivity of the equilibrium population, even if no data on density dependence are available.
The performance of models relating species geographical distributions to climate is independent of trophic level
Authors: Huntley Brian , Green Rhys E. , Collingham Yvonne C. , Hill Jane K. , Willis Stephen G. , Bartlein Patrick J. , Cramer Wolfgang , Hagemeijer Ward J. M. , Thomas Christopher J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractSpecies–climate ‘envelope’ models are widely used to evaluate potential climate change impacts upon species and biodiversity. Previous studies have used a variety of methods to fit models making it difficult to assess relative model performance for different taxonomic groups, life forms or trophic levels. Here we use the same climatic data and modelling approach for 306 European species representing three major taxa (higher plants, insects and birds), and including species of different life form and from four trophic levels. Goodness‐of‐fit measures showed that useful models were fitted for >96% of species, and that model performance was related neither to major taxonomic group nor to trophic level. These results confirm that such climate envelope models provide the best approach currently available for evaluating reliably the potential impacts of future climate change upon biodiversity.
Abdominal stapled side‐to‐end anastomosis (Baker type) in low and high anterior resection: experiences and results in 69 consecutive patients at a regional general hospital in Japan
Authors: Nakada I. , Kawasaki S. , Sonoda Y. , Watanabe Y. , Tabuchi T. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractObjective  The technique of transanally introducing a circular stapled device to accomplish colorectal anastomoses has been widely used. However, the widespread popularity of this technique may have created the potential of anal sphincter injury during transanal insertion of the anastomosing stapler. Thus, to avoid the risk of anal sphincter injury during anal manipulation, we have been performing an abdominal approach, namely abdominal stapled side‐to‐end anastomosis (ASSEA) using a Purstring and premium curved EEA stapler in low and high anterior resection. This study will present our experience and results of consecutive resections.Methods  ASSEA following a resection of the rectum and sigmoid colon for carcinomas was consecutively performed between October 1998 and May 2002. Age, sex, pre‐operative anal function, the TNM classification by the UICC rules, operative methods, postoperative morbidity, mortality, anal function and bowel frequency were evaluated.Results  Sixty‐nine consecutive patients underwent a resection of the rectum and sigmoid colon with ASSEA. There were three (4.3%) clinical anastomotic leakages in the cases studied. Anastomoses that were located above the peritoneal reflection leaked in one (2.5%) of 40 cases, while anastomoses below the peritoneal reflection leaked in two (6.9%) of 29 cases. A diverting stoma was performed in five (17%) of the 29 cases with low anastomosis. Postoperative anal function was stable without soiling or faecal leakage and bowel frequency two months after surgery was less than four times in all 61 patients. There was no postoperative mortality related to the anastomosis.Conclusions  Abdominal stapled side‐to‐end anastomosis(Baker type)was found to be a safe and relatively easy method in both low and high anterior resection in association with a good quality of life.
High compliance rates observed for follow up colonoscopy post polypectomy are achievable outside of clinical trials: efficacy of polypectomy is not reduced by low compliance for follow up
Authors: Colquhoun P. , Chen H.‐C. , Kim Jong Ik , Efron J. , Weiss E. G. , Nogueras J. J. , Vernava A. M. , Wexner S. D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIntroduction  The National Polyp Study demonstrated that removal of adenomas with at least a three‐year follow up reduced the incidence of colorectal cancer. However, compliance with follow up colonoscopy may affect the estimates of reduction in colorectal cancer incidence demonstrated by the National Polyp Study. While an 80% compliance rate for follow up colonoscopy was achieved during the National Polyp Study, the compliance rate for follow up colonoscopy is unknown in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the compliance rate for follow up colonoscopy and factors which affect follow up.Methods  A retrospective medical record review to identify patients who had adenomatous polyps excised in 1997 was undertaken. Patients who had inflammatory bowel disease, a prior history of colorectal cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome, colonic surgery; incomplete polypectomy or incomplete colonoscopy, and those patients who died before planned follow up, were excluded from analysis. Follow up was performed by telephone survey.Results  Three hundred and thirty‐three patients were identified (196 males; 147 females) with a mean age of 70 years. Three hundred and thirty‐one (99%) of 333 had a documented recommendation for follow up of three years or less. Thirty‐four percent (113 of 333) had previously undergone colonoscopy; 29% (98 of 333) had previously undergone polypectomy and 54% (180 of 333) were symptomatic at the time of the colonoscopy. Twenty‐eight percent (40 of 141) had a family history of colorectal cancer. Pathology at polypectomy included a single polyp and polyps less than 10 mm in 68% and 88% of cases, respectively. Follow up was available in 211 of these cases, 179 (85%) of which had been compliant with follow up colonoscopy. In a univariate analysis, previous colonoscopy (P = 0.035), previous polyps (P = 0.043), asymptomatic status at time of colonoscopy (P = 0.021), polyp size (P = 0.008) and number of polyps (P = 0.010) were significantly associated with patients who were compliant with follow up colonoscopy. A multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed number of polyps (P = 0.036) and polyp size (P = 0.045) to be statistically significantly associated with compliance.Conclusion  Compliance with follow up colonoscopy after polypectomy is greater than 80%, regardless of age, education, family history, prior colonoscopy, or prior polypectomy. Risk reduction published in the National Polyp Study may likely reflect what can be achieved through the general use of colonoscopy for surveillance.
Long‐term urinary dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Del Río C. , Sánchez‐Santos R. , Oreja V. , De Oca J. , Biondo S. , Parés D. , Osorio A. , Martí‐Ragué J. , Jaurrieta E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractObjective  Urinary dysfunction is a well‐known complication of rectal surgery, secondary to injury to the autonomic nervous plexus. The object of this study was to evaluate the incidence, prevalence and type of micturition disorders following rectal cancer surgery and their reversibility during long‐term follow‐up.Patients and methods  A prospective study of 45 patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer between 1993 and 1998 was undertaken. Those with pre‐operative urinary dysfunction were excluded after sequential uroflowmetry and clinical interview. Ten of the surgical interventions were high anterior resections, 18 low anterior resections, and 17 abdominoperineal amputations. Pre‐operative radiotherapy was performed in 47.9% of patients. All patients underwent sequential uroflowmetry and a clinical interview 3 and 12 months after the intervention. Subjects who presented micturition disorders underwent urodynamic examination The follow up period was three years.Results  Three months after surgery alterations were found in 14 (31.3%) patients; the most frequent were stress incontinence, urinary tenesmus and the urge to urinate. At the 12‐month assessment only 6 (13.3%) patients had urinary symptomatology or uroflowmetry abnormalities. After three years, micturition disorders persisted in 3 (6.6%) patients.Conclusion  Urinary dysfunction after rectal cancer excision is associated with a high degree of reversibility. Seventy‐eight percent of the alterations detected after three months and 50% of those that persisted after a year disappeared during follow up.
Regulatory Transparency in OECD Countries: Overview, Trends and Challenges
Authors: Deighton‐Smith Rex 
Published: April 2004

The concept of transparency has rapidly gained prominence in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. It is particularly associated with the rise of the governance agenda, as transparency is a core governance value. The regulatory activities of government constitute one of the main contexts within which transparency must be assured. There is a strong public demand for greater transparency, which is substantially related to the rapid increase in number and influence of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) or ‘civil society groups’, as well as to increasingly well educated and diverse populations.Transparency initiatives now form a major part of the regulatory policies of many OECD countries: in 2000, 20 of the 30 OECD member countries had government‐wide transparency policies (OECD 2002a). Many OECD countries have now made substantial investments in improved regulatory transparency, and have reaped important gains in terms of regulatory quality, legitimacy and accountability.However, despite these gains, the results have in many cases fallen short of expectations. As well, the implementation of transparency has itself led to new stresses and problems within the regulatory process. This article considers why regulatory transparency is important and points to some of the main trends in improving regulatory transparency. It also considers a range of problems and issues that arise and suggests means of resolving these.
Security, Capacity and Post‐Market Reforms: Public Management Change in 2003
Authors: Halligan John , Adams Jill 
Published: April 2004

Public sector change in 2003 was a product of external demands and internal pressures for improvement. The specific areas addressed are responses to security threats in the international environment; strengthening internal capacity, particularly through whole‐of‐government approaches; and fine‐tuning the public management model in part through readjustments to the centre‐agency relationship and greater emphasis on horizontal structures and processes.This is the ninth year an administrative essay has been published in the journal since 1996. Earlier chronicles include: J. Stewart 55(1) 1996; S. Prasser 56(1) 1997; J. Homeshaw 57(3) 1998; J. Moon 58(2) 1999; J. Curtin 59(1) 2000; C. Broughton and J. Chalmers 60(1) 2001; N. Miragliotta 61(1) 2002; and J. Nettercote 62(1) 2003.In this issue two chronicles are published — the first, by John Halligan and Jill Adams, focuses on external security and internal capacity building. The second assessment by Scott Prasser takes a different view of compliant management, poor decisions and reactive change.