bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of anti-mycotoxin feed additives in preventing the adverse effects of wheat naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on performance, intestinal barrier function and nutrient digestibility and retention in weanling pigs
Authors: Van Le Thanh Bich , Lessard Martin , Chorfi Younès , Guay Frédéric
Published: March 2015

Thanh, B. V. L., Lessard, M., Chorfi, Y. and Guay, F. 2015. The efficacy of anti-mycotoxin feed additives in preventing the adverse effects of wheat naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on performance, intestinal barrier function and nutrient digestibility and retention in weanling pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 197–209. This study was designed to determine the effect of feeding deoxynivalenol (DON) contaminated wheat to growing pigs on growth performance, digestibility and retention of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca). Secondly, we wished to evaluate the potential of four commercial anti-mycotoxin additives in preventing the adverse effects of DON. Sixty piglets (6.0 kg body weight) were assigned to six different corn-soybean meal-wheat diets (control diet: <0.5 mg kg−1 DON; contaminated diet (DON-contaminated): 4 mg kg−1; and four contaminated diets supplemented with a different anti-mycotoxin additive: DON+GLUC (glucomannan), DON+YBP (yeast, live bacteria, enzymes, plant extracts), DON+ALU (aluminosilicate) and DON+PC (preservation components). Piglets were housed individually in pens for 7 d and then transferred to metabolic crates for urine and feces collection for 7 d. At the end of these 2 wk, mannitol and lactulose doses were given by oral administration. Urine was collected for 24 h for an evaluation of barrier integrity of intestinal mucosa. The piglets were then euthanatized and intestinal samples collected for morphology studies. Feeding DON-contaminated wheat reduced average daily feed intake, average daily gain and G:F ratio compared with the control diet (P<0.05). Only DON+PC diet restored the growth performance of piglets fed DON-contaminated diet. Daily retention of N and P was not affected by DON contamination or anti-mycotoxin additives, but retention of Ca was higher in piglets fed the DON-contaminated diets than the control diet. DON-contaminated diet reduced digestibility of dry matter, gross energy and fat, villi height in jejunum, and recovery of mannitol and lactulose compared with the control diet (P<0.05). Finally, DON concentrations in serum from piglets fed the DON-contaminated diets were higher than in the control diet (P<0.05). Piglets fed DON-contaminated wheat had reduced growth possibly caused by impaired jejunal morphology and decreased digestibility of energy and fat.
Color stability and antioxidant capacity of yak meat as affected by feeding with pasture or grain
Authors: Chen Cheng , Han Ling , Yu Qun-Li , Li Ru-Ren
Published: March 2015

Chen, C., Han, L., Yu, Q.-L. and Li, R.-R. 2015. Color stability and antioxidant capacity of yak meat as affected by feeding with pasture or grain. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 189–195. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of pasture or grain on color stability and antioxidant capacity of M. longissimus lumborum (LL) from pasture-fed (PF) or grain-fed (GF) yaks. The color stability and metmyoglobin percentage (MetMb%) were determined during 9 d of aerobic refrigerated storage. The antioxidant capacity was estimated by the total phenolics content, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Compared with the GF group, the LL from the PF group showed significantly (P<0.05) higher redness (a* values), with lower decline rate in a* values (P<0.05) over 1 to 7 d of refrigerated storage. The LL from the PF group had a significantly (P<0.05) lower metmyoglobin accumulation rate. At the end of storage, the muscle's MetMb% of the PF and GF group were 46.33 and 56.66%, respectively. The PF group showed significantly higher total phenolics content (+23.94%; P<0.05) in muscles, resulting in greater TEAC and FRAP, which were 24.81 and 3.99% higher than the GF group (P<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the pasture enhanced antioxidant capacity of yak meat and contributed to improve the meat color stability.
Effect of rumen degradable energy supplementation on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool season perennial grass pastures
Authors: Añez-Osuna Federico , Penner Gregory B. , Larson Kathy , Jefferson Paul G. , Lardner Herbert A. , McKinnon John J.
Published: March 2015

Añez-Osuna, F., Penner, G. B., Larson, K., Jefferson, P. G., Lardner, H. A. and McKinnon, J. J. 2015. Effect of rumen degradable energy supplementation on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool season perennial grass pastures. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 255–265. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing rumen degradable energy using blended by-product pellets that differed in starch and degradable fiber content on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool-season perennial grass (CSPG) pastures. Forty-five yearling crossbred steers (334±23.5 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to one of nine pastures (five steers/pasture) of mature cool-season perennial grasses. Each pasture was randomly assigned (n=3) to one of three treatments: no supplement (CON); low-starch/high degradable-fibre (LSHF; 40.3% starch; 29.5% NDF) pellet and high-starch/low-degradable fibre (HSLF; 48.6% starch; 22.8% NDF) pellet, both fed daily at 0.6% of BW (DM basis). The grazing period lasted 70 d (from early-August to mid-October). Over the 70-d study, forage CP decreased from 9.9±0.82 to 6.9±0.59% of DM and digestible energy content decreased from 2.6±0.04 to 2.2±0.04 Mcal kg−1of DM. Treatment did not affect forage utilization (P=0.50; 73.4±3.15%) or forage DM intake (P=0.90; 9.0±1.54 kg d−1). Final BW and average daily gain (ADG) were not different (P>0.05) between LSHF (435±6.4 kg and 1.4±0.10 kg d−1) and HSLF (439±10.4 kg and 1.5±0.14 kg d−1) treatments. However, supplemented steers had higher (P<0.05) final BW and ADG than the control steers (402±5.6 kg and 1.0±0.09 kg d−1). These results show that unsupplemented beef steers grazing stockpiled CSPG pastures were limited in both energy and protein intake and that supplementation with by-product feed pellets formulated to supply protein and energy either as starch or degradable fibre equally improved animal performance.
Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on growth performance, behavior and plasma hormones in weaned pigs
Authors: Li Y. H. , Li F. , Liu M. , Yin J. J. , Cheng B. J. , Shi B. M. , Shan A. S.
Published: March 2015

Li, Y. H., Li, F., Liu, M., Yin, J. J., Cheng, B. J., Shi, B. M. and Shan, A. S. 2015. Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on growth performance, behavior and plasma hormones in weaned pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 165–171. The study was conducted the effects of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 0 and 30 mg kg−1) on average daily intake, growth performance, behavior and plasma hormone levels in weaned pigs. A total of 96 28-d-old healthy weaned male pigs (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with similar weight were randomly assigned into two groups. Six units were included in each treatment, with eight pigs in each unit. The trial lasted 35 d. Four pigs were exchanged between every two pens in the same treatment on day 28. No difference was observed on average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio between the pigs fed 30 mg kg−1 GABA diets and the pigs fed basal diet, respectively. Longer feed consumption time and lower biting incidences were observed in pigs fed GABA, compared with those fed basal diet, respectively. Plasma growth hormone concentration was significantly increased and the plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol were lower in weaned pigs in the GABA supplementation group on day 35. Dietary GABA significantly increased the plasma neuropeptide Y concentration on day 14 and day 35. It is indicated that dietary GABA reduced aggressive behavior and regulated endocrine hormones in weaned pigs, ultimately reducing the negative influences of stress (weaning and mixing) on the pigs.
Glucosinolates in seeds, sprouts and seedlings of cabbage and black radish as sources of bioactive compounds
Authors: Sarıkamış Gölge , Yıldırım Arda , Alkan Didem
Published: March 2015

Sarıkamış, G., Yıldırım, A. and Alkan, D. 2015. Glucosinolates in seeds, sprouts and seedlings of cabbage and black radish as sources of bioactive compounds. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 681–687. The glucosinolate content of seeds, sprouts and seedlings of white head cabbage and black radish were analyzed in order to determine changes in aliphatic and indole glucosinolates during seed germination and early seedling growth. Both species with distinct glucosinolate profiles exhibited higher levels of aliphatics and to a much lesser extent indoles. Glucosinolate content decreased in germinating seeds and seedlings upon imbibition, followed by a slight increase after 48 h of germination. Total glucosinolates were highest in young seedlings at true leaf stage compared with seeds and sprouts in both species. The findings of the present study demonstrate changes in glucosinolates from seed to sprout and seedling during germination and early seedling growth as a particularly prominent factor in maximizing the concentration of the bioactive compounds available for improved health benefits.
AAC Innova general purpose spring wheat
Authors: Randhawa H. S. , Graf R. J. , Sadasivaiah R. S.
Published: March 2015

Randhawa, H. S. Graf, R. J. and Sadasivaiah, R. S. 2015. AAC Innova general purpose spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 787–791. AAC Innova is a high-yielding spring wheat cultivar eligible for the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP) wheat class. Based on 32 site-years of testing over 3 yr in the General Purpose Wheat Cooperative Registration trial (2008–2010), AAC Innova yielded 4% higher than AC Andrew and was 1 d later in maturity. Compared with AC Andrew, AAC Innova had similar test weight and the soft white kernels were slightly larger. AAC Innova was resistant to the prevalent races of leaf rust and was resistant to moderately resistant to stem rust and leaf spotting diseases. It was susceptible to common bunt, loose smut and Fusarium head blight.
Long-term cropping system impact on quality and productivity of a Dark Brown Chernozem in southern Alberta
Authors: Smith Elwin G. , Janzen H. Henry , Larney Francis J.
Published: March 2015

Smith, E. G., Janzen, H. H. and Larney, F. J. 2015. Long-term cropping system impact on quality and productivity of a Dark Brown Chernozem in southern Alberta. Can. J. Soil Sci. 95: 177–186. Long-term cropping system studies offer insights into soil management effects on agricultural sustainability. In 1995, a 6-yr bioassay study was superimposed on a long-term crop rotation study established in 1951 at Lethbridge, Alberta, to determine the impact of past cropping systems on soil quality, crop productivity, grain quality, and the relationship of yield productivity to soil quality. All plots from 13 long-term crop rotations were seeded to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a strip plot design [control, nitrogen (N) fertilizer]. Prior to seeding, soils were sampled to determine soil chemical properties. Total wheat production for the last 4 yr of the study was used as the measure of productivity. The 1995 soil analysis indicated crop rotations with less frequent fallow and with N input had higher soil quality, as indicated by soil organic carbon (SOC) and light fraction carbon (LF-C) and N (LF-N). SOC had a positive relationship to total wheat yield, but was largely masked by the application of N in this bioassay study. Frequent fallow in the previous crop rotation lowered productivity. The concentration of LF-C had a negative relationship, whereas LF-N had a positive relationship to total wheat yield, with and without N fertilization in this bioassay study. Grain N concentration was higher with applied N and when the long-term rotation included the addition of N by fertilizer, livestock manure, annual legume green manure or legume hay. This study determined that long-term imposition of management practices have lasting effects on soil quality and crop productivity.
Skolem–Mahler–Lech type theorems and Picard–Vessiot theory
Authors: Wibmer Michael
Published: March 2015

We show that three problems involving linear difference equations with rational function coefficients are essentially equivalent. The first problem is the generalization of the classical Skolem–Mahler–Lech theorem to rational function coefficients. The second problem is whether or not for a given linear difference equation there exists a Picard–Vessiot extension inside the ring of sequences. The third problem is a certain special case of the dynamical Mordell–Lang conjecture. This allows us to deduce solutions to the first two problems in a particular but fairly general special case.
De Rham cohomology and homotopy Frobenius manifolds
Authors: Dotsenko Vladimir , Shadrin Sergey , Vallette Bruno
Published: March 2015

We endow the de Rham cohomology of any Poisson or Jacobi manifold with a natural homotopy Frobenius manifold structure. This result relies on a minimal model theorem for multicomplexes and a new kind of a Hodge degeneration condition.
Definable orthogonality classes in accessible categories are small
Authors: Bagaria Joan , Casacuberta Carles , Mathias A.R.D. , Rosický Jiří
Published: March 2015

We lower substantially the strength of the assumptions needed for the validity of certain results in category theory and homotopy theory which were known to follow from Vopěnka's principle. We prove that the necessary large-cardinal hypotheses depend on the complexity of the formulas defining the given classes, in the sense of the Lévy hierarchy. For example, the statement that, for a class

\mathcal S

of morphisms in a locally presentable category

\mathcal C

of structures, the orthogonal class of objects is a small-orthogonality class (hence reflective) can be proved in ZFC if

\mathcal S

is

\mathbf \Sigma_1

, while it follows from the existence of a proper class of supercompact cardinals if

\mathcal S

is

\mathbf \Sigma_2

, and from the existence of a proper class of what we call

C(n)

-extendible cardinals if

\mathcal S

is

\mathbf \Sigma_{n+2}

for

n \ge 1

. These cardinals form a new hierarchy, and we show that Vopěnka's principle is equivalent to the existence of

C(n)

-extendible cardinals for all

n

. As a consequence of our approach, we prove that the existence of cohomological localizations of simplicial sets, a long-standing open problem in algebraic topology, is implied by the existence of arbitrarily large supercompact cardinals. This follows from the fact that

E^*

-equivalence classes are

\mathbf \Sigma_2

, where

E

denotes a spectrum treated as a parameter. In contrast with this fact,

E_*

-equivalence classes are

\mathbf \Sigma_1

, from which it follows (as is well known) that the existence of homological localizations is provable in ZFC.
On the K-theory of the C*-algebra generated by the left regular representation of an Ore semigroup
Authors: Cuntz Joachim , Echterhoff Siegfried , Li Xin
Published: March 2015

We compute the K-theory of C*-algebras generated by the left regular representation of left Ore semigroups satisfying certain regularity conditions. Our result describes the K-theory of these semigroup C*-algebras in terms of the K-theory for the reduced group C*-algebras of certain groups which are typically easier to handle. Then we apply our result to specific semigroups from algebraic number theory.
Poincaré inequalities and rigidity for actions on Banach spaces
Authors: Nowak Piotr W.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this paper is to extend the framework of the spectral method for proving property (T) to the class of reflexive Banach spaces and present a condition implying that every affine isometric action of a given group

G

on a reflexive Banach space

X

has a fixed point. This last property is a strong version of Kazhdan's property (T) and is equivalent to the fact that

H^1(G,\pi)=0

for every isometric representation

\pi

of

G

on

X

. The condition is expressed in terms of

p

-Poincar\'{e} constants and we provide examples of groups, which satisfy such conditions and for which

H^1(G,\pi)

vanishes for every isometric representation

\pi

on an

L_p

space for some

p>2

. Our methods allow to estimate such a

p

explicitly and yield several interesting applications. In particular, we obtain quantitative estimates for vanishing of 1-cohomology with coefficients in uniformly bounded representations on a Hilbert space. We also give lower bounds on the conformal dimension of the boundary of a hyperbolic group in the Gromov density model.
How emissions, climate, and land use change will impact mid-century air quality over the United States: a focus on effects at national parks
Authors: Val Martin M. , Heald C. L. , Lamarque J.-F. , Tilmes S. , Emmons L. K. , Schichtel B. A.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. We use a global coupled chemistry–climate–land model (CESM) to assess the integrated effect of climate, emissions and land use changes on annual surface O3 and PM2.5 in the United States with a focus on national parks (NPs) and wilderness areas, using the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 projections. We show that, when stringent domestic emission controls are applied, air quality is predicted to improve across the US, except surface O3 over the western and central US under RCP8.5 conditions, where rising background ozone counteracts domestic emission reductions. Under the RCP4.5 scenario, surface O3 is substantially reduced (about 5 ppb), with daily maximum 8 h averages below the primary US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 75 ppb (and even 65 ppb) in all the NPs. PM2.5 is significantly reduced in both scenarios (4 μg m−3; ~50%), with levels below the annual US EPA NAAQS of 12 μg m−3 across all the NPs; visibility is also improved (10–15 dv; >75 km in visibility range), although some western US parks with Class I status (40–74 % of total sites in the US) are still above the 2050 planned target level to reach the goal of natural visibility conditions by 2064. We estimate that climate-driven increases in fire activity may dominate summertime PM2.5 over the western US, potentially offsetting the large PM2.5 reductions from domestic emission controls, and keeping visibility at present-day levels in many parks. Our study indicates that anthropogenic emission patterns will be important for air quality in 2050. However, climate and land use changes alone may lead to a substantial increase in surface O3 (2–3 ppb) with important consequences for O3 air quality and ecosystem degradation at the US NPs. Our study illustrates the need to consider the effects of changes in climate, vegetation, and fires in future air quality management and planning and emission policy making.
Wet scavenging limits the detection of aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions
Authors: Gryspeerdt E. , Stier P. , White B. A. , Kipling Z.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Satellite studies of aerosol–cloud interactions usually make use of retrievals of both aerosol and cloud properties, but these retrievals are rarely spatially co-located. While it is possible to retrieve aerosol properties above clouds under certain circumstances, aerosol properties are usually only retrieved in cloud free scenes. Generally, the smaller spatial variability of aerosols compared to clouds reduces the importance of this sampling difference. However, as precipitation generates an increase in spatial variability, the imperfect co-location of aerosol and cloud property retrievals may lead to changes in observed aerosol–cloud–precipitation relationships in precipitating environments. In this work, we use a regional-scale model, satellite observations and reanalysis data to investigate how the non-coincidence of aerosol, cloud and precipitation retrievals affects correlations between them. We show that the difference in the aerosol optical depth (AOD)-precipitation relationship between general circulation models (GCMs) and satellite observations can be explained by the wet scavenging of aerosol. Using observations of the development of precipitation from cloud regimes, we show how the influence of wet scavenging can obscure possible aerosol influences on precipitation from convective clouds. This obscuring of aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions by wet scavenging suggests that even if GCMs contained a perfect representation of aerosol influences on convective clouds, the difficulty of separating the "clear-sky" aerosol from the "all-sky" aerosol in GCMs may prevent them from reproducing the correlations seen in satellite data.
Air–snow transfer of nitrate on the East Antarctic plateau – Part 2: An isotopic model for the interpretation of deep ice-core records
Authors: Erbland J. , Savarino J. , Morin S. , France J. L. , Frey M. M. , King M. D.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Unraveling the modern budget of reactive nitrogen on the Antarctic plateau is critical for the interpretation of ice core records of nitrate. This requires accounting for nitrate recycling processes occurring in near surface snow and the overlying atmospheric boundary layer. Not only concentration measurements, but also isotopic ratios of nitrogen and oxygen in nitrate, provide constraints on the processes at play. However, due to the large number of intertwined chemical and physical phenomena involved, numerical modelling is required to test hypotheses in a~quantitative manner. Here we introduce the model "TRansfer of Atmospheric Nitrate Stable Isotopes To the Snow" (TRANSITS), a~novel conceptual, multi-layer and one-dimensional model representing the impact of processes operating on nitrate at the air–snow interface on the East Antarctic plateau, in terms of concentrations (mass fraction) and the nitrogen (δ15N) and oxygen isotopic composition (17O}-excess, Δ17O) in nitrate. At the air–snow interface at Dome C (DC, 75°06' S, 123°19' E), the model reproduces well the values of δ15N in atmospheric and surface snow (skin layer) nitrate as well as in the δ15N profile in DC snow including the observed extraordinary high positive values (around +300 ‰) below 20 \\unit{cm}. The model also captures the observed variability in nitrate mass fraction in the snow. While oxygen data are qualitatively reproduced at the air–snow interface at DC and in East Antarctica, the simulated Δ17O values underestimate the observed Δ17O values by a~few~‰. This is explained by the simplifications made in the description of the atmospheric cycling and oxidation of NO2. The model reproduces well the sensitivity of δ15N, Δ17O and the apparent fractionation constants (15ϵapp, 17Eapp) to the snow accumulation rate. Building on this development, we propose a~framework for the interpretation of nitrate records measured from ice cores. Measurement of nitrate mass fractions and δ15N in the nitrate archived in an ice core, may be used to derive information about past variations in the total ozone column and/or the primary inputs of nitrate above Antarctica as well as in nitrate trapping efficiency (defined as the ratio between the archived nitrate flux and the primary nitrate input flux). The Δ17O of nitrate could then be corrected from the impact of cage recombination effects associated with the photolysis of nitrate in snow. Past changes in the relative contributions of the Δ17O in the primary inputs of nitrate and the Δ17O in the locally cycled NO2 could then be determined. Therefore, information about the past variations in the local and long range processes operating on reactive nitrogen species could be obtained from ice cores collected in low accumulation regions such as the Antarctic plateau.
Analysis of CO2 mole fraction data: first evidence of large-scale changes in CO2 uptake at high northern latitudes
Authors: Barlow J. M. , Palmer P. I. , Bruhwiler L. M. , Tans P.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Atmospheric variations of carbon dioxide (CO2) mole fraction reflect changes in atmospheric transport and regional patterns of surface emission and uptake. We report new estimates for changes in the phase and amplitude of observed high northern latitude CO2 seasonal variations, indicative of biospheric changes, by spectrally decomposing multi-decadal records of surface CO2 mole fraction using a wavelet transform to isolate the changes in the observed seasonal cycle. We also perform similar analysis of the first time derivative of CO2 mole fraction, ΔtCO2, that is a crude proxy for changes in CO2 flux. Using numerical experiments, we quantify the aliasing error associated with independently identifying trends in phase and peak uptake and release to be 10–25%, with the smallest biases in phase associated with the analysis of ΔtCO2. We report our analysis from Barrow, Alaska (BRW) during 1973–2013, which is representative of the broader Arctic region. We determine an amplitude trend of 0.09 ± 0.02 ppm yr−1, which is consistent with previous work. Using ΔtCO2 we determine estimates for the timing of the onset of net uptake and release of CO2 of −0.14 ± 0.14 and −0.25 ± 0.08 days yr−1, respectively, and a corresponding uptake period of −0.11 ± 0.16 days yr−1, which are significantly different to previously reported estimates. We find that the wavelet transform method has significant skill in characterizing changes in the peak uptake and release. We find a trend of 0.65 ± 0.34% (p< 0.01) and 0.42 ± 0.34% (p<0.05) for rates of peak uptake and release, respectively. Our analysis does not provide direct evidence about the balance between uptake and release of carbon, but changes in the peak uptake and release together with an invariant growing period length provides indirect evidence that high northern latitude ecosystems are progressively taking up more carbon.
Five-year flask measurements of long-lived trace gases in India
Authors: Lin X. , Indira N. K. , Ramonet M. , Delmotte M. , Ciais P. , Bhatt B. C. , Reddy M. V. , Angchuk D. , Balakrishnan S. , Jorphail S. , Dorjai T. , Mahey T. T. , Patnaik S. , Begum M. , Brenninkmeijer C. , Durairaj S. , Kirubagaran R. , Schmidt M. , Swathi P. S. , Vinithkumar N. V. , Yver Kwok C. , Gaur V. K.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. With the rapid growth in population and economic development, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the Indian subcontinent have sharply increased during recent decades. However, evaluation of regional fluxes of GHGs and characterization of their spatial and temporal variations by atmospheric inversions remain uncertain due to a sparse regional atmospheric observation network. As a result of Indo-French collaboration, three new atmospheric stations were established in India at Hanle (HLE), Pondicherry (PON) and Port Blair (PBL), with the objective of monitoring the atmospheric concentrations of GHGs and other trace gases. Here we present the results of five-year measurements (2007–2011) of CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, CO, and H2 from regular flask sampling at these three stations. For each species, annual means, seasonal cycles and gradients between stations were calculated and related to variations in the natural GHG fluxes, anthropogenic emissions, and the monsoon circulations. Covariances between species at the synoptic scale were analyzed to investigate the dominant source(s) of emissions. The flask measurements of various trace gases at the three stations show potential to constrain the inversions of fluxes over Southern and Northeastern India. However, this network of ground stations needs further extension to other parts of India to allow a better understanding of, and constraints on the GHG budgets at regional and continental scales.
The impact of speciated VOCs on regional ozone increment derived from measurements at the UK EMEP supersites between 1999 and 2012
Authors: Malley C. S. , Braban C. F. , Dumitrean P. , Cape J. N. , Heal M. R.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The impact of 27 volatile organic compounds (VOC) on the regional O3 increment was investigated using measurements made at the UK EMEP supersites Harwell (1999–2001 and 2010–2012) and Auchencorth (2012). Ozone at these sites is representative of rural O3 in south-east England and northern UK, respectively. Monthly-diurnal regional O3 increment was defined as the difference between the regional and hemispheric background O3 concentrations, respectively derived from oxidant vs. NOx correlation plots, and cluster analysis of back trajectories arriving at Mace Head, Ireland. At Harwell, which had substantially greater regional ozone increments than at Auchencorth, variation in the regional O3 increment mirrored afternoon depletion of VOCs due to photochemistry (after accounting for diurnal changes in boundary layer mixing depth, and weighting VOC concentrations according to their photochemical ozone creation potential). A positive regional O3 increment occurred consistently during the summer, during which time afternoon photochemical depletion was calculated for the majority of measured VOCs, and to the greatest extent for ethene and m + p-xylene. This indicates that, of the measured VOCs, ethene and m + p-xylene emissions reduction would be most effective in reducing the regional O3 increment, but that reductions in a larger number of VOCs would be required for further improvement. The VOC diurnal photochemical depletion was linked to the sources of the VOC emissions through the integration of gridded VOC emissions estimates over 96 h air-mass back trajectories. This demonstrated that the effectiveness of VOC gridded emissions for use in measurement and modelling studies is limited by the highly aggregated nature of the 11 SNAP source sectors in which they are reported, as monthly variation in speciated VOC trajectory emissions did not reflect monthly changes in individual VOC diurnal photochemical depletion. Additionally, the major VOC emission source sectors during elevated regional O3 increment at Harwell were more narrowly defined through disaggregation of the SNAP emissions to 91 NFR codes (i.e. sectors 3D2 (domestic solvent use), 3D3 (other product use) and 2D2 (food and drink)). However, spatial variation in the contribution of NFR sectors to parent SNAP emissions could only be accounted for at the country level. Hence, the future reporting of gridded VOC emissions in source sectors more highly disaggregated than currently (e.g. to NFR codes) would facilitate a more precise identification of those VOC sources most important for mitigation of the impact of VOCs on O3 formation. In summary, this work presents a clear methodology for achieving a coherent VOC regional-O3-impact chemical climate using measurement data and explores the effect of limited emission and measurement species on the understanding of the regional VOC contribution to O3 concentrations.
Convergent modeling of past soil organic carbon stocks but divergent projections
Authors: Luo Z. , Wang E. , Zheng H. , Baldock J. A. , Sun O. J. , Shao Q.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Soil carbon models are important tool to understand soil carbon balance and project carbon stocks in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly under global change. The initialization and/or parameterization of soil carbon models can vary among studies even when the same model and dataset are used, causing potential uncertainties in projections. Although a few studies have assessed such uncertainties, it is yet unclear what these uncertainties are correlated with and how they change across varying environmental and management conditions. Here, applying a process-based biogeochemical model to 90 individual field experiments (ranging from 5 to 82 years of experimental duration) across the Australian cereal-growing regions, we demonstrated that well-designed calibration procedures enabled the model to accurately simulate changes in measured carbon stocks, but did not guarantee convergent forward projections (100 years). Major causes of the projection uncertainty were due to insufficient understanding of how microbial processes and soil carbon composition change to modulate carbon turnover. For a given site, the uncertainty significantly increased with the magnitude of future carbon input and years of the projection. Across sites, the uncertainty correlated positively with temperature, but negatively with rainfall. On average, a 331% uncertainty in projected carbon sequestration ability can be inferred in Australian agricultural soils. This uncertainty would increase further if projections were made for future warming and drying conditions. Future improvement in soil carbon modeling should focus on how microbial community and its carbon use efficiency change in response to environmental changes, better quantification of composition of soil carbon and its change, and how the soil carbon composition will affect its turnover time.
Turbidity in the fluvial Gironde Estuary (S–W France) based on 10 year continuous monitoring: sensitivity to hydrological conditions
Authors: Jalón-Rojas I. , Schmidt S. , Sottolichio A.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Climate change and human activities impact the volume and timing of freshwater input to estuaries. These modifications in fluvial discharges are expected to influence estuarine suspended sediment dynamics, and in particular the turbidity maximum zone (TMZ). Located in the southwest France, the Gironde fluvial-estuarine systems has an ideal context to address this issue. It is characterized by a very pronounced TMZ, a decrease in mean annual runoff in the last decade, and it is quite unique in having a long-term and high-frequency monitoring of turbidity. The effect of tide and river flow on turbidity in the fluvial estuary is detailed, focusing on dynamics related to changes in hydrological conditions (river floods, periods of low-water, inter-annual changes). Turbidity shows hysteresis loops at different time scales: during river floods and over the transitional period between the installation and expulsion of the TMZ. These hysteresis patterns, that reveal the origin of sediment, locally resuspended or transported from the watershed, may be a tool to evaluate the presence of remained mud. Statistics on turbidity data bound the range of river flow that promotes the TMZ installation in the fluvial stations. Hydrological indicators of the persistence and turbidity level of the TMZ are also defined. The long-term evolution of these indicators confirms the influence of discharge decrease on the intensification of the TMZ in tidal rivers, and provides a tool to evaluate future scenarios.
Future discharge drought across climate regions around the world modelled with a synthetic hydrological modelling approach forced by three general circulation models
Authors: Wanders N. , Van Lanen H. A. J.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Hydrological drought characteristics (drought in groundwater and streamflow) likely will change in the 21st century as a result of climate change. The magnitude and directionality of these changes and their dependency on climatology and catchment characteristics, however, is uncertain. In this study a conceptual hydrological model was forced by downscaled and bias-corrected outcome from three general circulation models for the SRES A2 emission scenario (GCM forced models), and the WATCH Forcing Data set (reference model). The threshold level method was applied to investigate drought occurrence, duration and severity. Results for the control period (1971–2000) show that the drought characteristics of each GCM forced model reasonably agree with the reference model for most of the climate types, suggesting that the climate models' results after post-processing produce realistic outcomes for global drought analyses. For the near future (2021–2050) and far future (2071–2100) the GCM forced models show a decrease in drought occurrence for all major climates around the world and increase of both average drought duration and deficit volume of the remaining drought events. The largest decrease in hydrological drought occurrence is expected in cold (D) climates where global warming results in a decreased length of the snow season and an increased precipitation. In the dry (B) climates the smallest decrease in drought occurrence is expected to occur, which probably will lead to even more severe water scarcity. However, in the extreme climate regions (desert and polar), the drought analysis for the control period showed that projections of hydrological drought characteristics are most uncertain. On a global scale the increase in hydrological drought duration and severity in multiple regions will lead to a higher impact of drought events, which should motivate water resource managers to timely anticipate the increased risk of more severe drought in groundwater and streamflow and to design pro-active measures.
Ureterovaginal fistulae
Authors: Muzzonigro Giovanni , Tombolini Flavia
Published: March 2015

Ureterovaginal fistulae are pathological communications between the ureter and the vagina; it commonly occur as a rare but serious sequela of unrecognized distal ureteral injuries during pelvic operations. Patients may present symptoms as leakage of urine from the vagina, flank pain and fever; in some cases it could be possible also the loss of renal function. The purpose of this study is to review the articles from 1991 to 2014 to evaluate the most correct diagnostic procedures and endourological and surgical techniques used in the management of ureterovaginal fistula. Nowadays computered tomography and retrograde pielography are the most commonly diagnostic modalities used to identify fistulous tract and to describe its anatomical position. The major of ureterovaginal fistulae can be successfully managed by conservative methods. Modern endourological treatment will result in resolution of a ureterovaginal fistula if retrograde or anterograde passage of a suitable internal stent is feasible. When stenting failed or in complicated cases, ureteral reimplantation is necessary. Ureteroneocystostomy, psoas hitch and Boari flap are three different possible surgical techniques used to realized an ureteral reimplantation. Both open and mini invasive (laparoscopy and robot assisted) surgical approach have proved successful.
Surgical Sepsis
Authors: Sganga Gabriele
Published: March 2015

Sepsis represents a clinical syndrome following an infection and it is characterized by classical signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS): fever or ipothermia, tachycardia, tachipnea, leucocytosis or leucopenia. There may also be symptoms related to a specific infection such as a cough in pneumonia or burning with urination in a kidney infection, and abdominal pain in an intraabdominal sepsis.

Common locations for the primary infection include lungs, brain, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, and mainly abdominal organs.

Patients who develop sepsis have an increased risk of complications and death and face higher healthcare costs and longer treatment.

The infection is caused most commonly by bacteria, but can also be by fungi, viruses, or parasites.

Severe sepsis is sepsis causing poor organ function or insufficient blood flow; septic shock is the situation with ipotension and/or need for high dosage of inotropes or vasopressors and multiple organ failure syndrome is when multiple organ dysfunction or failure is present.

Outcomes depend on the severity of disease with the risk of death from sepsis being as high as 30%, severe sepsis as high as 50%, and septic shock as high as 80%.

Prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment, both medical (antibiotics) and surgical (source control), together with the prompt intensive care and organ support are crucial to increase survival rate.
Lung Cancer: Our Blood, Sweat and Fears
Authors: Chorostowska-Wynimko Joanna
Published: March 2015

Lung cancer has been the most common cancer in the world for many years now [...]
Correlation between Hyperinflation Defined as an Elevated RV/TLC Ratio and Body Composition and Cytokine Profile in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Rubinsztajn Renata , Przybyłowski Tadeusz , Maskey-Warzęchowska Marta , Paplińska-Goryca Magdalena , Karwat Krzysztof , Nejman-Gryz Patrycja , Chazan Ryszarda
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Body composition is an important prognostic factor in patients with COPD. The decrease in fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM) and increase in visceral fat is associated with an elevated secretion of cytokines which promote systemic inflammation. The aim of the study was to evaluate body composition and the cytokine profile in patients with COPD in relation with the presence of hyperinflation. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 149 patients (61F, 88M) with stable COPD in all stages of severity aged 68 ± 8.8 yrs. All the patients underwent spirometry and bodypletysmography with bronchial reversibility testing. Hyperinflation was defined as RV%TLC > 48% and > 126% predicted. Body composition was analyzed by bioimpedance. The following serum inflammatory markers were evaluated: C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a, CC16, adiponectin and resistin. Results: Hyperinflation was found in 96 patients (group A) and it was more frequent in women than men (49/61 vs. 47/88, p < 0.001). BMI and age in this group were comparable to those in patients without hyperinflation (group B). Patients with hyperinflation have lover FFM, FFM index, MM and MM index and total body water and higher fat mass and fat mass index. We found significantly higher serum concentrations of inflammatory markers in group A: IL-6 – 6.4 ± 10.9 vs. 3.6 ± 4.2 pg/ml, resistin – 9.3 ± 4.2 vs. 7.6 ± 2.4 ng/ml, CRP 4.1 ± 2.3 vs. 2.9 ± 2.1 mg/l, respectively. Conclusions: Patients with hyperinflation have a lower FFMI, TBW and MMI and a higher proportion of fat tissue. Hyperinflation is associated with elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers what may be associated with more severe disease. Body compositions abnormality and higher activity of systemic inflammation could therefore be a negative prognostic factor in COPD patients.
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Presenting as Lobar or Total Lung Collapse
Authors: Kumar Raj , Poongadan Mohammed , Singh Mandeep
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a T-helper cell 2 (Th2) mediated hypersensitive lung disorder in response to Aspergillus that usually affects asthmatic and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. ABPA rarely presents as lung collapse and such kind of presentation is very rare in non asthmatic patients. We are presenting a series of three cases in which ABPA presented as lobar or total lung collapse. ABPA presenting as opaque hemithorax is a rarity with only a few of them reported in the literature. Case series—the first case described is a 45-year non-smoker with history suggestive of bronchial asthma and on chest radiological examination was found to have opaque right hemithorax. The second case is of 62-year non-smoker non-asthmatic patient who presented to us as left lung collapse. The last case is of middle lobe collapse in asthmatic male. All cases ultimately were proved to be having ABPA and after treatment showed marked clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusions: The present case series highlights the need for aggressive approach in diagnosing this treatable condition in cases presenting as segmental or total lung collapse. The condition has a good prognosis if detected early.
Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Due to Embryonal Carcinoma with Primary Mediastinal Location
Authors: Grzegorczyk Franciszek , Dybowska Małgorzata , Kuca Paweł , Czajka Cezary , Burakowski Janusz , Langfort Renata , Orłowski Tadeusz , Tomkowski Witold
Published: March 2015

A 29-year old man was admitted to the intensive care unit after losing consciousness. On physical examination, a loud systolic murmur over the heart was found. Echocardiography revealed narrowing of pulmonary artery with high pressure gradient. Computed tomography of the chest revealed the presence of large tumour localised in the upper anterior mediastinum. Due to the risk of total closure of the pulmonary artery, interventional mediastinotomy was performed and diagnosis of carcinoma embryonale was established. Subsequent chemotherapy (BEP regimen) has brought regression of tumour and significant improvement in haemodynamic parameters (relief of pressure gradient in pulmonary artery). During the second surgery, the resection of all accessible tumour mass together with marginal resection of the right upper lobe was performed. No signs of cardiac or great vessels infiltration was found. Histopathologic examination revealed the necrotic masses and neoplastic foci diagnosed as teratoma immaturum. In a four-month follow-up the patient’s condition remained good. The patient is still under the care of both oncological and cardiological specialists. Thus far he has not required further chemotherapy. Holter ECG monitoring revealed no arrhythmia, but the patient is still treated with mexiletine. The patient is planning to return to work.
Advocate, Copycatting or Simply Pragmatic: Reconceptualising Contemporary 'Marginal' Journalism(s)
Authors: Mutibwa Daniel H.
Published: March 2015

Journalism(s) at the margins have often been perceived to focus exclusively on public service obligations.The motivation for this lies in the inability and/or unwillingness of mainstream public service and commercialmedia to provide a range of civic programming that caters to the needs and interests of diverse groupsin society. This research, however, shows that evolving socio-political and socio-economic circumstanceshave had a considerable impact on contemporary marginal journalism(s). Whilst a commitment to publicservicegoals remains perceptible, this article makes two key arguments. First, the changing conditionsin which journalists at the margins operate increasingly compel them to embrace mechanised journalisticroutines associated with mainstream media, thereby compromising their public-service function. Secondand following on from the first point, marginal journalism(s) have devised innovative media strategies tocope with the evolving circumstances in a manner reminiscent of the concept of the “third sector”. Thisevidence – based on data gathered through ethnographic research at three selected case study organisations- provides us with an enhanced understanding of current trends in this field. The article highlightsthese developments and in doing so, makes a contribution to the development of a conceptual frameworkof contemporary marginal journalism(s).
Experimentation and Imitation: The Journey to Elle 360
Authors: Champion Katherine M
Published: March 2015

It is widely acknowledged that the media industries are facing an unprecedented period of disruption within the internet age. Whilst avoiding technological determinism, it is important to recognize the scale of the changes being faced and the altering landscape which media businesses, particularly those with a strong legacy, are forced to operate in (Chan-Olmsted and Chang, 2003; Küng, 2008; Küng, Picard and Towse, 2008; Küng, 2013). This paper focuses on the initial findings from a case study of Elle, UK and the title’s explicit engagement with multi-platform which has involved multiple and wide ranging product, process and content innovations. The paper focuses on an analysis of documentary evidence and semi-structured interviews with Hearst Magazines UK and Elle UK senior employees. With regard to adjusting to a multiplatform approach to publishing, Hearst UK is considered to have innovated more quickly than rivals (Halliday and Sweney, 2013) and Elle UK has engaged with a multi-platform strategy, ‘Elle 360’ for the past 18 months. Despite a public discourse of platform neutrality, evidence from the initial research suggests that the economic strategies, as a corollary work practices and content decisions, continue to preference the print magazine above emerging and alternative platforms. This is suggested to be a result of the fact that the print magazine remains the dominant source of revenue despite wider experimentation. The paper concludes by identifying tensions in the continuing experimentation with new business models and maintaining the delicate balancing act of editorial integrity.