bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competence for Genetic Transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: Mutations in σ
A
Bypass the
comW
Requirement
Authors: Tovpeko Yanina , Morrison Donald A.
Published: August 2014

Competence for genetic transformation in the genus
Streptococcus
depends on an alternative sigma factor, σ
X
, for coordinated synthesis of 23 proteins, which together establish the X state by permitting lysis of incompetent streptococci, uptake of DNA fragments, and integration of strands of that DNA into the resident genome. Initiation of transient accumulation of high levels of σ
X
is coordinated between cells by transcription factors linked to peptide pheromone signals. In
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, elevated σ
X
is insufficient for development of full competence without coexpression of a second competence-specific protein, ComW. ComW, shared by eight species in the
Streptococcus mitis
and
Streptococcus anginosus
groups, is regulated by the same pheromone circuit that controls σ
X
, but its role in expression of the σ
X
regulon is unknown. Using the strong, but not absolute, dependence of transformation on
comW
as a selective tool, we collected 27 independent
comW
bypass mutations and mapped them to 10 single-base transitions, all within
rpoD
, encoding the primary sigma factor subunit of RNA polymerase, σ
A
. Eight mapped to sites in
rpoD
region 4 that are implicated in interaction with the core β subunit, indicating that ComW may act to facilitate competition of the alternative sigma factor σ
X
for access to core polymerase.
Long-term follow-up results in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents: results from a single high-volume PCI centre
Authors: Yao Hai-Mu , Wan You-Dong , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Shen De-Liang , Zhang Jin-Ying , Li Ling , Zhao Luo-Sha , Sun Tong-Wen
Published: August 2014

Objective

To assess both short-term and long-term prognosis in consecutive patients with coronary heart disease treated with drug-eluting stents in a high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centre.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

A hospital in the Henan province, China, between 2009 and 2011.

Participants

A total of 2533 patients were enrolled. Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with urgent PCI accounted for 3.9% of cases; patients with STEMI treated with delayed PCI accounted for 20.5% of cases; patients with stable angina accounted for 16.5% of cases; and patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) accounted for 58.6% of cases.

Primary outcomes

Death, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: death/myocardial infarction/stroke), and target vessel revascularisation.

Results

Follow-up after a median of 29.8 months was obtained for 2533 patients (92.6%). The mortality rate during hospitalisation was highest in the urgent PCI group (p<0.001). During follow-up, although the incidences of death and MACCE were highest in the urgent PCI group, no significant differences were observed among the different groups. The incidences of cardiac death and myocardial infarction were significantly higher in the paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) group than in the sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) group. Independent predictors of death during follow-up were age, left ventricular ejection function <40%, diabetes mellitus, prior coronary artery bypass graft and chronic total occlusion.

Conclusions

PCI patients with STEMI had the worst hospital and long-term prognosis. The mortality rate after hospital increased markedly in patients with NSTE-ACS. SESs seem to be more effective than PESs.
Assessing the feasibility of a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the role of intraperitoneal ropivacaine in gastric bypass surgery: a protocol
Authors: Wu Robert , Haggar Fatima , Porte N'Gai , Eipe Naveen , Raiche Isabelle , Neville Amy , Yelle Jean Denis , Ramsay Tim , Mamazza Joseph
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Postoperative pain control remains a major challenge for surgical procedures, including laparoscopic gastric bypass. Pain management is particularly relevant in obese patients who experience a higher number of cardiovascular and pulmonary events. Effective pain management may reduce their risk of serious postoperative complication, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intraperitoneal local anaesthetic, ropivacaine, to reduce postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Methods and analysis

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to compare intraperitoneal ropivacaine (intervention) versus normal saline (placebo) in 120 adult patients undergoing bariatric bypass surgery. Ropivacaine will be infused over the oesophageal hiatus and throughout the abdomen. Patients in the control arm will undergo the same treatment with normal saline. The primary end point will be postoperative pain at 1, 2 and 4 h postoperatively. Pain measurements will then occur every 4 h for 24 h and every 8 h until discharge. Secondary end points will include opioid use, peak expiratory flow, 6 min walk distance and quality of life assessed in the immediate postoperative period. Intention-to-treat analysis will be used and repeated measures will be analysed using mixed modelling approach. Post-hoc pairwise comparison of the treatment groups at different time points will be carried out using multiple comparisons with adjustment to the type 1 error. Results of the study will inform the feasibility of recruitment and inform sample size of a larger definitive randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness of intraperitoneal ropivacaine.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board and Health Canada in April 2014. The findings of the study will be disseminated through national and international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

Clinicaltrial.govNCT02154763.
Read-back improves information transfer in simulated clinical crises
Authors: Boyd Matt , Cumin David , Lombard Braam , Torrie Jane , Civil Nina , Weller Jennifer
Published: August 2014

Background

Safe and effective healthcare is frustrated by failures in communication. Repeating back important information (read-back) is thought to enhance the effectiveness of communication across many industries. However, formal communication protocols are uncommon in healthcare teams.

Aims

We aimed to quantify the effect of read-back on the transfer of information between members of a healthcare team during a simulated clinical crisis. We hypothesised that reading back information provided by other team members would result in better knowledge of that information by the receiver than verbal response without read-back or no verbal response.

Method

Postanaesthesia care unit nurses and anaesthetic assistants were given clinically relevant items of information at the start of 88 simulations. A clinical crisis prompted calling an anaesthetist, with no prior knowledge of the patient. Using video recordings of the simulations, we noted each time a piece of information was mentioned to the anaesthetist. Their response was coded as read-back, verbal response without read-back or no verbal response.

Results

If the anaesthetists read back the item of information, or otherwise verbally responded, they were, respectively, 8.27 (p<0.001) or 3.16 (p=0.03) times more likely to know the information compared with no verbal response.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that training healthcare teams to use read-back techniques could increase information transfer between team members with the potential for improved patient safety. More work is needed to confirm these findings.
Unusual intravascular migration of a wooden skewer resulting in vena caval thrombosis identified postmortem in a dog
Authors: Kelly P. A. , Cloak B. , Cassidy J. P.
Published: August 2014

A two‐year‐old entire male dalmatian had a 60‐day history of on‐going depression and lethargy. Over this time‐period, the dog had intermittent pyrexia and two subcutaneous swellings had been observed on the abdominal body wall. Abdominal and thoracic radiographs taken on 60 and 16 days prior to euthanasia revealed no significant abnormalities. Similarly, no abnormalities were noted following an abdominal ultrasound on day 16 prior to euthanasia. By day 60, the dog had a right‐sided heart murmur, subcutaneous haematoma formation, a packed cell volume of 29 per cent, increased pro‐thrombin (>180 seconds), and activated partial thromboplastin (>300 seconds) times. Following euthanasia, postmortem examination revealed a 16 cm long×4 mm diameter wooden skewer embedded in a partially occluding vena caval thrombus. This represents a clinically challenging and very unusual cause of vena‐caval thrombosis and migratory route for a foreign body.
Visceral form of pseudotuberculosis in a dromedary with biovarequi
Authors: Prohaska Sarah , Regenscheit Nadine , Hilbe Monika , Gerspach Christian , Wittenbrink Max M.
Published: August 2014

A five‐year‐old male dromedary died with symptoms of cachexia and was subjected to etiologic examination. During necropsy, a pyogranulomatous hepatitis, a multifocal granulomatous lymphadenitis and subcutaneous abscess formation in the caudal xyphoid region of the cranial abdomen were identified.Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosisbiovarequiwas isolated in pure culture from the liver. The visceral form of pseudotuberculosis with biovarequicausing gross liver lesions has not previously been reported in dromedaries.
Multiple organised haematomas in the presternal region of a cattle
Authors: Alasonyalilar‐Demirer A. , Kahraman M. M. , Ipek V. , Yildirim B.
Published: August 2014

This is the presentation of a case of numerous elastic masses with subcutaneous and mostly intramuscular localisation in the presternal region of a three‐year‐old dairy cattle. The masses were accidentally encountered at the meat inspection and submitted for further identification of their nature to the pathology department. Findings are presented here to make a contribution to the differential diagnosis from soft‐tissue neoplasms and ectopic trematode parasites when they are encountered at meat inspection or postmortem examination. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no report on organised haematomas occurring at the presternal region of a cow except a textbook‐recorded case, which was reported in the hip muscle of a cattle.
Magnetic resonance findings in a domestic short‐hair cat with presumptive mucopolysaccharidosis
Authors: Fernandes Ricardo , Cherubini Giunio Bruto , Caine Abby , Palus Viktor
Published: August 2014

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are lysosomal storage diseases of humans and domestic animals generally inherited by an autosomal recessive trait. Affected animals are normal at birth but they then have progressive growth abnormalities and generally exhibit neurologic abnormalities. An 18‐month‐old female, neutered, domestic, short‐hair cat presented for evaluation of progressive pelvic limb ataxia, generalised weakness and spinal hyperaesthesia. The result of a toluidine spot test indicated the presence of glycosaminoglycans in the urine. This result is strongly suggestive of MPS. The magnetic resonance abnormalities found are very similar to the abnormalities described in human medicine. This is the first case report where magnetic resonance findings in a patient with MPS are described in veterinary medicine.
Nasal carcinoma in a dog with Linguatula serrata infection
Authors: Bordicchia Matteo , Falcioni Daniele , Scarpona Silvia , Rossi Giacomo
Published: August 2014

A six‐year‐old dog that presented with signs of nasal cavity disease was diagnosed with nasal carcinoma. Another dog from the household had been diagnosed with the same condition a few months prior. Samples of nasal mucosa were collected postmortem to investigate possible aetiological factors. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis and revealed the presence of a parasite within the neoplastic tissue. The parasite was identified as a Linguatula serrata nymph based on in its morphological characteristics. This is the first report of nasal carcinoma with concurrent linguatulosis in a dog. It is proposed that inflammation associated with L serrata infestation may be a predisposing factor in the development of nasal cavity neoplasia.
Caudoventral abdominal lymphangiosarcoma in a cat treated with metronomic chemotherapy
Authors: Castro‐López Jorge , Bermúdez Nuria , Martínez Jorge , Ramos‐Varas José , Planellas Marta , Pastor Josep
Published: August 2014

A 10‐year‐old, male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred for reddish discolouration of its abdominal skin with serosanguineous discharge. The affected skin was bruised, nodular and had fluid‐filled cavities. It was painful on palpation. A final diagnosis of lymphangiosarcoma was made by prospero‐related homeobox gene‐1 (PROX‐1) immunohistochemistry. Metronomic chemotherapy treatment was instaured with toceranib phosphate, chlorambucil and meloxicam. Partial remission was achieved at 18 days and stable disease was maintained for 36 days (survival time: 54 days). Afterward, the tumour began to regrow aggressively and the patient developed anorexia; owners elected for euthanasia. Total survival time achieved was 63 days. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of feline caudoventral abdominal lymphangiosarcoma treated with metronomic chemotherapy.
Migrating sewing needle in the cervical vertebral canal in a dog
Authors: Lafuente Pilar , Driver Colin John
Published: August 2014

An eight‐month‐old female labrador retriever was evaluated for progressive cervical hyperaesthesia after being seen coughing, close to a broken sewing kit two weeks prior to presentation. Physical examination showed cervical hyperaesthesia and mild proprioceptive deficits in the right thoracic and pelvic limbs. CT imaging of the neck showed a thin metallic foreign body (sewing needle) going in a ventrodorsal direction through the vertebral canal at the atlanto‐occipital junction. A ventral midline approach to the larynx, with dissection along the right side of the larynx was performed to gain access to its dorsal aspect. The exposed needle was grasped with Mosquito forceps, and removed in its entirety. Marked clinical improvement was observed the day after surgery. In a follow‐up telephone conversation four months after surgery, the owner reported a complete recovery of the patient, with return to normal activities.
Acute respiratory aspergillosis in commercial ducklings
Authors: Parker Daniel , Walker Andrew
Published: August 2014

Sudden onset high mortality was reported in eight‐day‐old Pekin ducklings. Initial investigations failed to confirm a definitive diagnosis due to the lack of gross pathological signs and limited microbiological screening of postmortem samples. Poor quality top‐up bedding was the likely source of the Aspergillus infection, and final mortalities of the flocks were 60 per cent and 52 per cent. Investigation into high‐mortality episodes in ducklings should include microbiological screening for fungal infections even if there are no clinical signs or gross pathological signs on postmortem examination suggestive of Aspergillus. Bedding should be routinely screened for Aspergillus contamination prior to use in neonatal ducklings.
Successful management of intestinal pseudo‐obstruction in a dog
Authors: Murtagh Kevin , Oldroyd Lucy , Ressel Lorenzo , Batchelor Daniel
Published: August 2014

Chronic IPO (CIPO) is typically primary, caused by intestinal leiomyositis, and causes intermittent gastrointestinal signs and weight loss. The aetiology of CIPO remains poorly understood but may represent an immune‐mediated destruction of intestinal smooth muscle cells of CIPO in the dog using immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy.
An outbreak of bovine thromboembolic meningoencephalitis in Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Ortega‐Pacheco Antonio , Gutierrez‐Blanco Eduardo , Blanco‐Molina Jose M. , Guillermo‐Cordero Jose L.
Published: August 2014

Seventeen Beef‐Master cattle (three calves, one male and thirteen cows) died within a period of two months with neurological signs. A neurological syndrome was evident in the patients characterised by ataxia, incoordination, dysmetria, hyperacusia, muscle tremors and ptyalism. A dysfunction of trigeminal, facial and vestibulocochlear cranial nerves was also observed. At necropsy a septic process was evident. Histopathology of internal organs showed necrosis as a consequence of septicaemia. Complete blood cell count showed leukocytosis due to neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis. Macroscopically the brain showed severe congestion and the histology showed a thromboembolic meningoencephalitis and thickening of the meninges. To stop the outbreak, oxytetracycline was provided to the entire herd for 10 days and all susceptible animals vaccinated against Histophilus somni. No other case was presented until a month later when two cows and one calf died with the same symptomatology. Immunosuppression was associated with the development of the disease.
Biliary cystadenoma in a male domestic Dutch rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Sabater Mikel , Mancinelli Elisabetta , Stidworthy Mark Frederick
Published: August 2014

A two‐year‐old castrated male Dutch rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was referred due to acute onset of anorexia. A firm, non‐painful, round, approximately 10 cm diameter mass was palpated in the left cranial abdomen. No other major abnormalities were identified during physical exam. Radiography and ultrasonography characterised the mass. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a pedunculated mass attached to the quadrate hepatic lobe which was removed without complications. Histopathology confirmed the complete removal of a mass identified as hepatic biliary cystadenoma not showing evidence of malignancy or intra‐hepatic dissemination. The rabbit was healthy on further rechecks up to one year later. This is the second reported case of diagnosis and successful removal of a biliary cystadenoma in a rabbit with the peculiarity of this patient being a male rabbit. Biliary cystadenoma should, therefore, be part of the differential diagnosis of hepatic neoplasia in male domestic rabbits.
Tension pneumothorax secondary to a grass awn in a dog
Authors: Tsioli Vassiliki , Limberis Antonios , Pardali Dimitra , Galatos Apostolos D
Published: August 2014

A 15‐month‐old female mixed breed dog was referred with a 3‐day history of progressive dyspnoea and change in bark. Thoracic radiography showed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and atelectatic caudal lung lobes. Despite repeated thoracentesis and thoracostomy tube drainage, dyspnoea and cyanosis relapsed leading to the diagnosis of tension pneumothorax. An emergency exploratory thoracotomy showed a perforation on the ventral aspect of the right caudal lung lobe associated with a grass awn. Partial lobectomy was performed, followed by routine thoracotomy closure. The dog had an uneventful recovery and, on re‐examination 2 and 6 months later, was normal.
Pituitary abscess syndrome in a Simmental heifer
Authors: Müller Kristina Ruth , Blutke Andreas , Matiasek Kaspar , Wieland Matthias Josef
Published: August 2014

The clinical and pathological findings in a 1.7‐year‐old Simmental heifer with pituitary abscess syndrome due to sphenoid osteomyelitis, presumably resulting from a frontal sinusitis that developed subsequently to dehorning, are described. The heifer presented with depression, head‐neck extension, persistently dropped jaw with impaired mastication, drooling and dysphagia. On physical examination, purulent discharge was draining from the right horn stub of the recently dehorned animal. Clinical biochemistry revealed increased concentrations of total protein, a reduced clotting time in the glutaraldehyde test and metabolic acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate. Because of the poor prognosis, the heifer was euthanased. On postmortem examination, a necrotising sinusitis of the right frontal sinus and a severe purulent‐ascending osteomyelitis of the sphenoid bone, extending into the pituitary fossa, were present. Trueperella pyogenes was cultured from the perihypophyseal abscess.
Retinopathy and optic neuropathy following closantel treatment of ewes
Authors: Crilly James Patrick , del Pozo Jorge , Scott Philip R , Wilson David J , Sargison Neil D , Truyers Isabelle
Published: August 2014

An outbreak of sudden onset blindness subsequent to dosing with oral closantel affecting 1 per cent of a six hundred ewe flock was investigated. Clinical examination and histopathology both revealed features fully consistent with closantel toxicity despite the maximum dose received by the affected sheep not exceeding 14.5 mg/kg (recommended dose rate 10 mg/kg). The interval between dosing and the onset of clinical signs had been recorded accurately (minimum interval eight days) and was found to be longer than in previous reports.
Congenital mandibular myxosarcoma in a foal
Authors: Orsini James , Foster David , Habecker Perry
Published: August 2014

A five‐week‐old Arabian filly presented with a rapidly expanding congenital mass on the rostral portion of the mandible involving the deciduous incisors (#701–703 and 801–802). Radiographs revealed a mass of soft tissue and bone containing a multicameral area of marked osteolysis. On biopsy, the mass contained abundant mucinous fluid; myxosarcoma was diagnosed on clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features. Surgical excision was performed, but excision was incomplete and two months later the tumour recurred rostrally. Rostral hemimandibulectomy was performed, but the foal was euthanased five weeks after discharge because of persistent colic; no tumour recurrence or metastasis was found. Myxomatous tumours are rare in the horse, largely associated with the head and radiographic findings are consistent with a locally invasive mass on the head that appears cystic and osteolytic. While mucin within the mass is highly suggestive, histopathology is required for definitive diagnosis. Complete surgical excision with wide, clean margins is the treatment of choice.
Osteochondroma and multiple cartilagenous exostosis involving the distal radius and ulna on adjacent cortices: an unusual manifestation of a common condition
Authors: le Roux Christelle , Kirberger Robert , Bogner Gary
Published: August 2014

The findings of two canine patients presenting with distal antebrachial multiple cartilaginous exostoses (MCE) highlights the difference in presentation and clinical significance of MCE impinging on the adjacent radius and ulna. We suspect that a lesion in this region, affecting the adjacent bones, may be missed as a cause of lameness. This may be due to a lack of knowledge of the normal radiological anatomy of this region on a mediolateral view, and because of the close anatomical association between the distal ulna and radius and thus superimposition on radiographs. Additionally, skeletal immaturity may mask the exostosis as the thicker cartilage cap is not visible radiologically. CT allows a much better understanding of the pathology involved due to its cross‐sectional imaging.
Sciatic T‐cell neurolymphomatosis in a dog
Authors: Rupp Angie , Ives Edward , Rudorf Heike , Constantino‐Casas Fernando
Published: August 2014

Infiltration of peripheral nerves distal to the plexus by neoplastic lymphocytes has been rarely reported in dogs; only one previous case report describes B‐cell infiltration of the femoral nerve. A 4.5‐year‐old female cross‐breed dog presented with a three‐week history of tail flaccidity, tenesmus, anorexia and progressive monoparesis of the right pelvic limb. Ultrasound imaging revealed a thickened gastric wall and a large mass at the root of the mesentery. MRI demonstrated enlargement of the right L6 and L7 spinal nerve roots and thickening of the proximal aspect of the right sciatic nerve. Postmortem histopathology of stomach, mesenteric mass, right L7 spinal nerve and sciatic nerve revealed marked infiltration with sheets of CD3‐positive cells, consistent with a diagnosis of T‐cell lymphoma. The spinal cord appeared to be free from infiltrates.
Acquired salivary mucoceles in two domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Thas Inge
Published: August 2014

Ferret 1 was a seven‐year‐old entire male ferret that was presented with a unilateral swelling on the head and ipsilateral exophthalmos. Cytology of the fluid inside the mass, histopathology of the wall and (contrast) radiographs led to diagnosis of a zygomatic mucocele. Marsupialisation provided only temporary relief and total excision of the zygomatic salivary gland was indicated. A CT scan performed before surgery demonstrated the extent of the mucocele around the zygomatic arch. Although excision of the salivary gland went uneventfully, atrophy of the temporalis muscle was observed postoperatively. Temporary unilateral facialis nerve paralysis developed immediately post surgery. Ferret 2 was a two‐year‐old entire male ferret with a history of regurgitation that was presented with a painless fluctuant mandibular swelling. Cytology of the fluid inside the mass led to presumptive diagnosis of a mandibular mucocele. The mass was surgically excised and histopathology of the removed tissue led to the diagnosis of a mandibular salivary gland mucocele with concurrent adenoma.
Isolation of Mycoplasma bovigenitalium from infertile dairy cattle
Authors: Catania Salvatore , Tavella Alexander , Gobbo Federica , Nicholas Robin Ashley John
Published: August 2014

Mycoplasma bovigenitalium can cause vulvovaginitis, epididymitis and infertility in cattle and has also been isolated from cases of mastitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis and arthritis. The authors describe an infertility syndrome in a dairy cattle herd where cattle presenting vulvovaginitis required at least four attempts of artificial insemination (AI) to become pregnant. Diagnostic tests carried out for infectious agents that could affect the reproductive system were negative except for M bovigenitalium which was isolated from vaginal swabs. Antibiotic susceptibility testing on the isolated strains showed high in vitro effectiveness to tylosin. Based on this, 10 heifers were treated daily with tylosin following the manufacturer's dosing regimen beginning two days before the animals were inseminated and finishing three days after. All 10 treated heifers subsequently became pregnant within a maximum of two AI procedures. Investigations as to the likely source of the infection are underway with contaminated semen being the chief suspect.
Diagnosis and management of a mediastinal abscess in a Holstein heifer
Authors: French Hilari , Dumas Sarah , Aldridge Brian , Matheson Jodi , French Dennis
Published: August 2014

Reports of the identification and successful clinical management of mediastinal masses in adult cattle are uncommon. A two‐year‐old Holstein heifer presented with tachycardia, muffled heart sounds and oedema, similar to a cow with traumatic reticulopericarditis. Following several diagnostics including thoracic ultrasonographic examination, a cranial mediastinal mass was identified. An empirical antibiotic treatment was attempted without resolution of clinical signs. Successful treatment required an ultrasound‐guided drainage of the mass and antibiotic therapy based on culture and sensitivity. This case is interesting because each of the likely differentials that could explain the physical exam findings on initial presentation is associated with a poor prognosis for recovery. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade secondary to mediastinal obstruction of pericardial drainage in any domestic species. The report supports the use of an uncomplicated, systematic approach to cases of thoracic disease in adult cattle.
Proximal phalangeal fracture and repair following digit amputation in a calf
Authors: Crilly James Patrick , Scott Philip
Published: August 2014

Fracture and repair of the proximal (first) phalanx of the remaining digit following amputation of the paired digit has not been previously reported. Here, we describe a case of proximal phalangeal fracture in the medial digit following lateral digit amputation through the distal portion of the proximal phalanx (P1) in a young Aberdeen Angus crossbred calf. Successful repair was achieved through external coaptation using a fibreglass cast.
Omphalocele in a Red Holstein calf
Authors: Wieland Matthias Josef , Reischer Nina , Reichmann Frederike , Mann Sabine
Published: August 2014

A newborn, female Red Holstein calf was referred because of a hairless mass detected in the umbilical region by the owner immediately after birth. The umbilical mass was found to be an omphalocele containing parts of the small intestine, abomasum and liver. Surgical repair of the omphalocele was performed. Recovery of the calf was uneventful. This case highlights the clinical findings and surgical treatment as well as the importance of the initial first care and handling of newborns with a case of omphalocele. Knowledge about this birth defect is of great importance to the veterinarian as providing correct advice to the farmer when possible omphalocele is reported will improve the prognosis.
Parasitic nephritis and meningoencephalomyelitis in a horse
Authors: Brown Peter , Elsheikha Hany M. , Turner Simon
Published: August 2014

A 10‐year‐old horse developed ataxia and incoordination and was submitted for necropsy after euthanasia. The main gross postmortem finding was of bilateral renal masses, and a renal carcinoma had been suspected. Also, nematodes were present in histological sections of the cervical spinal cord. The microscopic feature was marked granulomatous inflammation, in both kidneys and local lymph nodes, and the clinical and morphologic features of this case resemble those observed in other reports ofHalicephalobus gingivalisinfection in horses. Aspects of the pathogenesis and pathology are discussed. Infection withH gingivalisshould be included in the differential diagnosis of horses with acute neurological disease. However, lesions ofH gingivalisare likely to be present in other organs that may be clinically inapparent. Owing to the widespread geographic distribution ofH gingivalisand its zoonotic potential, this parasite poses a risk to animal and human health.
Repair of a transverse radial and ulnar fracture in a fennec fox (Vulpes zerda)
Authors: Kubiak Marie , Barton Mark
Published: August 2014

A fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) was presented with 10/10 lameness of the right forelimb. Radiographs showed transverse fractures of the radius and ulna. Surgical repair was carried out using an intramedullary pin in the ulna and an external fixator in the radius. Implants were removed after radiographs demonstrated sufficient healing at five weeks postsurgery and the patient remains clinically well with complete limb function one year later.
Using piezocone dissipation test to estimate the undrained shear strength in cohesive soil
Authors: Mantaras F.M. , Odebrecht E. , Schnaid F.
Published: August 2014

This paper describes a method developed to link the measured piezocone dissipation excess pore-water pressure (Δu) to the soil undrained shear strength (su). In cohesive soils, both Δu and suare dependent on the same variables (compressibility, stress state, stress history), which allows them to be related by the theoretical cavity expansion – critical state framework. A mathematical derivation is presented to demonstrate that the ratio of normalized maximum excess pore pressure and the normalized undrained shear strength fluctuates around a mean value, being affected by soil strength and compressibility and independent of stress history. The predicted suvalues obtained from the proposed approach are calibrated against field vane shear strength in both normally consolidated (monotonic dissipation tests) and overconsolidated soils (dilatory dissipation tests). Reported results are consistent and encourage the use of the method in engineering practice. On a routine basis, suestimated from pore pressure can be compared with values predicted from penetration resistance, adding desired redundancy for purposes of error detection when interpreting cone penetration testing with pore pressure measurement (CPTU) data.
Forest diversity as a factor influencing Engelmann spruce resistance to beetle outbreaks
Authors: Conner Lafe G. , Bunnell Michael C. , Gill Richard A.
Published: August 2014

Tree mortality because of beetle outbreaks has become substantial and widespread in conifer forests in western North America. A number of environmental and physiological factors influence patterns of mortality. Tree diversity may reduce the severity and extent of insect damage to host trees by providing associational resistance, but the existence and importance of associational resistance varies by forest type and by tree and insect species. We assessed whether plot-level tree diversity contributed to survival of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) following a spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) epidemic. Our study plots comprised 2 to 5 tree species including Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt.), Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and white fir (Abies concolor (Gordon & Glend.) Hildebr.). We used a model-selection analysis to compare the importance of tree diversity with other known factors that influence spruce survival. We found lower rates of spruce survival in stands where spruce was the dominant tree species (by percent of stand density index) and higher survival in stands where nonspruce conifers (Douglas-fir, subalpine, and white fir) were dominant. We also found that tree diversity (Shannon index) did not show a positive correlation to spruce survival and that there was no additional benefit derived from the presence of aspen, which has higher phylogenetic distance from Engelmann spruce than the other trees in this study. The relationship between diversity and survival is complicated by factors that naturally co-vary with diversity, such as elevation, aspect, and stand density of spruce. Our results best support an explanation that if associational resistance does increase spruce survival during a beetle epidemic, it is due to host or resource dilution, which may be an indirect effect of higher stand diversity.
Daily, seasonal, and annual variations in individual home-range overlap of two sympatric species of deer
Authors: Richard Emmanuelle , Saïd Sonia , Hamann Jean-Luc , Gaillard Jean-Michel
Published: August 2014

Behavioural tactics of animals are determined by both environmental and social factors. Among nonmigratory ungulates, most home-range studies focused either on the effect of environmental variables on home-range size or on the overlap between home ranges of different individuals. Here, as rarely in previous studies, we aim to identify the dynamics of the home range of a given individual, involving variation in home-range size and home-range overlap between periods, for two resident populations of contrasting species: red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)). In both species, yearly and seasonal home-range fidelity was high and constant (mean of 64% in red deer and mean of 66% in roe deer), possibly because of benefits accruing from knowledge of spatial distribution of food resources and refugia. Home range in winter, when food availability was low, was larger than other seasonal home ranges for both species. Differences in body size between red deer and roe deer accounted for observed between-species differences in space use, especially when the species were active at night. Our study clearly demonstrates that patterns of variation in home-range size are similar; however, between-species differences in body size lead to differential patterns of home-range size and fidelity.
Test of immunocompetence handicap hypothesis in mice (Mus musculus) infected with Trichinella spiralis
Authors: Zhang T. , He H.
Published: August 2014

The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (ICHH) proposes that testosterone enhances the expression of sexual traits but suppresses immune function. However, studies to test the hypothesis have shown mixed results. Alternatively, sexual traits, immune function, and parasite susceptibility may be mediated by the stress hormone corticosterone. Here, we report an experimental test of the ICHH that included the manipulation of both testosterone and parasites in male laboratory mice (Mus musculus L., 1758). We conducted a factorial experiment, injecting each individual mouse with testosterone or not and infecting them with the nematode parasite Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) or not. As predicted, testosterone enhanced the scent attractiveness of male mice, whereas parasite infection reduced it, but only in male mice not injected with testosterone. However, we found no evidence that corticosterone is involved in mediating the effects of testosterone. These results confirm that maintaining high testosterone levels entails the cost of increased parasite abundance. This study provides direct evidence supporting the ICHH.
A Mathematica package for calculation of one-loop penguins in FCNC processes
Authors: Bednyakov Alexander Vadimovich , Tanyıldızı Şükrü Hanif
Published: August 2014

In this work, we present a Mathematica package Peng4BSM@LO which calculates the contributions to the Wilson Coefficients of certain effective operators originating from the one-loop penguin Feynman diagrams. Both vector and scalar external legs are considered. The key feature of our package is the ability to find the corresponding expressions in almost any New Physics model which extends the SM and has no flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) transitions at the tree level.
A novel dynamics combination model reveals the hidden information of community structure
Authors: Li Hui-Jia , Li Huiying , Jia Chuanliang
Published: August 2014

The analysis of the dynamic details of community structure is an important question for scientists from many fields. In this paper, we propose a novel Markov–Potts framework to uncover the optimal community structures and their stabilities across multiple timescales. Specifically, we model the Potts dynamics to detect community structure by a Markov process, which has a clear mathematical explanation. Then the local uniform behavior of spin values revealed by our model is shown that can naturally reveal the stability of hierarchical community structure across multiple timescales. To prove the validity, phase transition of stochastic dynamic system is used to indicate that the stability of community structure we proposed is able to describe the significance of community structure based on eigengap theory. Finally, we test our framework on some example networks and find it does not have resolute limitation problem at all. Results have shown the model we proposed is able to uncover hierarchical structure in different scales effectively and efficiently.
Crystallization processes and magnetic properties of Fe78Co2Zr8Nb2B10-xGex (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) amorphous alloys
Authors: Hua Z. , Zuo B. , Sun Y. M. , Wang X. N. , Dong L. R. , Li B.
Published: August 2014

Fe 78 Co 2 Zr 8 Nb 2B10-x Ge x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) amorphous alloys were prepared by melt-spinning and annealed at different temperatures. The microstructures and magnetic property were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. The crystallization processes of Fe 78 Co 2 Zr 8 Nb 2 B 10 amorphous alloy at different quenching rates are similar and complex. The α- Fe ( Co ) and α- Mn type phases are observed in their initial stage of crystallization process. Hc increases with increasing annealing temperature in general. Only α- Fe ( Co ) phase is observed in the initial stage of the crystallization processes of Fe 78 Co 2 Zr 8 Nb 2 B 10-x Ge x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) alloys. The change trend of coercivity is complex compared with Ge -free samples. The magnetic property of Fe 78 Co 2 Zr 8 Nb 2 B 7 Ge 3 is better.
Plasma dispersion in fractional-dimensional space
Authors: Mohapatra K. M. , Panda B. K.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we calculate a self-contained theoretical analysis of the dynamical response of the electron system in the fractional dimensional space within the random phase approximation. We find the static response function in several integer and non-integer dimensions. The plasma frequencies except in the quasi-one-dimensional system are damped into particle–hole excitation. In the long-wavelength limit the plasma frequency is finite at zero wave vector in three-dimensional system while these vanish at the same wave vector in the lower-dimensional systems.
A class of bound entangled states violating the Breuer–Hall criterion
Authors: Cheng Wei , Xu Fang , Li Hua
Published: August 2014

A strong and computational entanglement criterion, i.e. the Breuer–Hall criterion, has been proposed independently by Breuer [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97 (2006) 080501; J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 39 (2006) 11847] and Hall [J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 39 (2006) 14119]. As the first explicit example, we show that the class of bound entangled states found by Fei et al. [Phys. Lett. A 352 (2006) 321] exactly violate the Breuer–Hall criterion. This example can be considered as one of the test platforms of a variety of entanglement criteria and may be helpful for us to develop more powerful entanglement criteria.
The BICEP2 data and a single Higgs-like interacting scalar field
Authors: Verma Murli Manohar , Pathak Shankar Dayal
Published: August 2014

It is proposed that the recently announced BICEP2 value of tensor-to-scalar ratio r ~ 0.2 can be explained as containing an extra contribution from the recent acceleration of the universe. In fact this contribution, being robust, recent and of much longer duration (by a large order of magnitude) may dominate the contribution from the inflationary origin. In a possible scenario, matter (dark or baryonic) and radiation etc. can emerge from a single Higgs-like tachyonic scalar field in the universe through a physical mechanism not yet fully known to us. The components interact among themselves to achieve the thermodynamical equilibrium in the evolution of the universe. The field potential for the present acceleration of the universe would give a boost to the amplitude of the tensor fluctuations of gravity waves generated by the early inflation and the net effects may be higher than the earlier Planck bounds. In the process, the dark energy, as a cosmological constant decays into creation of dark matter. The diagnostics for the three-component, spatially homogeneous tachyonic scalar field are discussed in detail. The components of the field with perturbed equation of state (EoS) are taken to interact mutually and the conservation of energy for individual components gets violated. We study mainly the Om(x) diagnostics with the observed set of H(z) values at various redshifts, and the dimensionless statefinders for these interacting components. This analysis provides a strong case for the interacting dark energy in our model.
HIGH-k GATE DIELECTRIC: AMORPHOUS Ta/La2O3 FILMS GROWN ON Si AT LOW PRESSURE
Authors: BAHARI ALI , KHORSHIDI ZAHRA
Published: August 2014

In the present study, Ta / La 2 O 3 films ( La 2 O 3 doped with Ta 2 O 5) as a gate dielectric were prepared using a sol–gel method at low pressure. Ta / La 2 O 3 film has some hopeful properties as a gate dielectric of logic device. The structure and morphology of Ta / La 2 O 3 films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrical properties of films were performed using capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current density-voltage (J–V) measurements. The optical bandgap of samples was studied by UV-visible optical absorbance measurement. The optical bandgap, E opt , is determined from the absorbance spectra. The obtained results show that Ta / La 2 O 3 film as a good gate dielectric has amorphous structure, good thermal stability, high dielectric constant (≈ 25), low leakage current and wide bandgap (≈ 4.7 eV).
Parameter-dependent associative Yang–Baxter equations and Poisson brackets
Authors: Odesskii Alexander , Rubtsov Vladimir , Sokolov Vladimir
Published: August 2014

We discuss associative analogues of classical Yang–Baxter equation (CYBE) meromorphically dependent on parameters. We discover that such equations enter in a description of a general class of parameter-dependent Poisson structures and double Lie and Poisson structures in sense of Van den Bergh. We propose a classification of all solutions for one-dimensional associative Yang–Baxter equations (AYBE).
On the geometry of sculpting-like gauging processes
Authors: Garcia del Moral María Pilar
Published: August 2014

Recently, a new gauging procedure called Sculpting mechanism was proposed to obtain the M-theory origin of type II gauged Supergravity theories in 9D. We study this procedure in detail and give a better understanding of the different deformations and changes in fiber bundles that are able to generate new relevant physical gauge symmetries in the theory. We discuss the geometry involved in the standard approach (Noether-like) and in the new Sculpting-like one and comment on possible new applications.
The median function on Boolean lattices
Authors: Ortega Oscar , García-Martínez C.
Published: August 2014

A median of a sequence π = ( x1, x2, …, xk) of elements of a finite metric space (X, d) is an element x ∈ X for which [Formula: see text] is a minimum. The function Median with domain the set of all finite sequences on X and defined by Med (π) = {x : x is a median of π} is called the median function on X. In this paper, the median function on finite Boolean lattices is axiomatically characterized via location functions.
EXERGETIC ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF HYBRID REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR DAIRY APPLICATIONS
Authors: ANAND S. , GUPTA A. , TYAGI S. K.
Published: August 2014

The application of biogas powered refrigeration system is being studied because of many folds increase in the cost of conventional fuels. This paper presents a numerical study of biogas operated ammonia–water hybrid vapor compression absorption refrigeration system for onsite dairy cooling applications. This system involves the compressor between the generator and condenser and use biogas (generated from the cattle dung) fired boiler to heat water which acts as an energy source for generator in the hybrid system. The variation of performance parameters such as heat load of different components, exergy loss, COPcooling, COPheating and exergy efficiency are studied with varying generator temperature. The results indicate that COPcooling as well COPheating values are in the range of 0.1125–0.2159 and 1.112–1.169, respectively, for the same variation in the generator temperature from 65°C to 130°C. The work done by the compressor is also calculated and found to be decreasing with an increase in the condenser, evaporator and generator temperature. The effect of the ambient temperature on the exergy loss in different components is also studied in the analysis and the results revealed that the maximum exergy loss is found in the generator and it is found to be the lowest in compressor.