bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing and testing items for the South African Personality Inventory (SAPI)
Authors: Hill Carin , Nel Jan Alewyn , Van de Vijver Fons J.R. , Meiring Deon , Valchev Velichko H. , Adams Byron G. , De Bruin Gideon P.
Published: November 2013

Orientation: A multicultural country like South Africa needs fair cross-cultural psychometric instruments.Research purpose: This article reports on the process of identifying items for, and provides a quantitative evaluation of, the South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) items.Motivation for the study: The study intended to develop an indigenous and psychometrically sound personality instrument that adheres to the requirements of South African legislation and excludes cultural bias.Research design, approach and method: The authors used a cross-sectional design. They measured the nine SAPI clusters identified in the qualitative stage of the SAPI project in 11 separate quantitative studies. Convenience sampling yielded 6735 participants. Statistical analysis focused on the construct validity and reliability of items. The authors eliminated items that showed poor performance, based on common psychometric criteria, and selected the best performing items to form part of the final version of the SAPI.Main findings: The authors developed 2573 items from the nine SAPI clusters. Of these, 2268 items were valid and reliable representations of the SAPI facets.Practical/managerial implications: The authors developed a large item pool. It measures personality in South Africa. Researchers can refine it for the SAPI. Furthermore, the project illustrates an approach that researchers can use in projects that aim to develop culturally-informed psychological measures.Contribution/value-add: Personality assessment is important for recruiting, selecting and developing employees. This study contributes to the current knowledge about the early processes researchers follow when they develop a personality instrument that measures personality fairly in different cultural groups, as the SAPI does.
Clinical Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis in the Pokot Endemic Area of Uganda and Kenya
Authors: Mueller Yolanda K. , Kolaczinski Jan H. , Koech Timothy , Lokwang Peter , Riongoita Mark , Velilla Elena , Brooker Simon J. , Chappuis François
Published: November 2013

Between 2000 and 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières diagnosed and treated 4,831 patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Pokot region straddling the border between Uganda and Kenya. A retrospective analysis of routinely collected clinical data showed no marked seasonal or annual fluctuations. Males between 5 and 14 years of age were the most affected group. Marked splenomegaly and anemia were striking features. An rK39 antigen-based rapid diagnostic test was evaluated and found sufficiently accurate to replace the direct agglutination test and spleen aspiration as the first-line diagnostic procedure. The case-fatality rate with sodium stibogluconate as first-line treatment was low. The VL relapses were rare and often diagnosed more than 6 months post-treatment. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis was rare but likely to be underdiagnosed. The epidemiological and clinical features of VL in the Pokot area differed markedly from VL in Sudan, the main endemic focus in Africa.
Lack of Evidence of Increased West Nile Virus Disease Severity in the United States in 2012
Authors: Lindsey Nicole P. , Staples J. Erin , Delorey Mark J. , Fischer Marc
Published: November 2013

In the United States, West Nile virus (WNV) causes annual seasonal outbreaks that fluctuate in size and scope. There was a large multistate outbreak of WNV in 2012, with more human disease cases reported nationally than any year since 2003. We evaluated national surveillance data to determine if the higher number of WNV cases reported in 2012 was associated with changes in the epidemiology or severity of disease compared with 2004–2011. Despite an increased incidence of neuroinvasive disease in 2012, national surveillance data showed no evidence of changes in epidemiology or increased disease severity compared with the previous 8 years.
A Simple Technique of preventing Pressure Sores of the Nasal Ala during Prolonged Nasoendotracheal Intubation with Armored Tube
Authors: Mukherji Srijon , Aggarwal Hemant
Published: November 2013

Nasal ala pressure sores or necrosis following prolonged surgeries with nasotracheal intubation has been reported many times and is a common small complication. It can be prevented by using a simple technique.

How to cite this article

Mukherji S, Aggarwal H. A Simple Technique of preventing Pressure Sores of the Nasal Ala during Prolonged Nasoendotracheal Intubation with Armored Tube. Int J Head Neck Surg 2013;4(3):136.
Post-traumatic Immediate onset Facial Palsy-delayed Exploration with Complete Recovery
Authors: Karnik Prabodh , Kulkarni Anuja Santosh , Nataraj Uma
Published: November 2013

Post-traumatic immediate onset facial palsy is well-documented clinical entity. However, it is usually described in transverse fracture of temporal bone requiring early surgical intervention. Here we report a case of immediate onset facial palsy following longitudinal fracture of temporal bone in a 50-year-old male patient who presented to us 6 months after the closed head trauma. Electroneurography and electromyography showed complete nerve degeneration. Facial palsy was completely recovered after delayed reconstruction almost 7 months after the onset. Here longitudinal fracture of temporal bone caused pressure over the incus which in turn had pressed over the dehiscent facial nerve in its tympanic segment up to the second genu thereby resulted in immediate onset facial palsy.

How to cite this article

Kulkarni AS, Karnik P, Nataraj U. Post-traumatic Immediate onset Facial Palsy-delayed Exploration with Complete Recovery. Int J Head Neck Surg 2013;4(3):148-151.
Good Governance Problems and Recent Financial Crises in Some EU Countries
Authors: Gamberger Dragan , Smuc Tomislav
Published: November 2013

The starting point for the research has been the list of 147 banking crises within the period 1976–2011 prepared by the International Monetary Fund. The countries with crises have been analysed with respect to publicly available World Bank indicators in the periods of three years before the crises. The machine learning methodology for subgroup discovery has been used for the analysis. It enabled identification of five subsets of crises. Two of them have been identified as especially useful for the characterization of EU countries with banking crises in the year 2008. Fast growing credit activity is characteristic for the first subgroup while socioeconomic problems recognized by non-increasing quality of public health are decisive for the second subgroup. Comparative analysis of EU countries included into these subgroups demonstrated statistically significant differences with respect to World Bank good governance indicator values for the period before the crisis. Control of corruption, rule of law, and government effectiveness are the indicators which are statistically different for these sets of countries. The significance of the result is in the segmentation of the corpus of countries with banking crises and the recognition of connections between banking crises, socioeconomic problems, and governance effectiveness in some EU countries.
Inverse modeling of Texas NOx emissions using space-based and ground-based NO2 observations
Authors: Tang W. , Cohan D. S. , Lamsal L. N. , Xiao X. , Zhou W.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Inverse modeling of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions using satellite-based NO2 observations has become more prevalent in recent years, but has rarely been applied to regulatory modeling at regional scales. In this study, OMI satellite observations of NO2 column densities are used to conduct inverse modeling of NOx emission inventories for two Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) modeling episodes. Addition of lightning, aircraft, and soil NOx emissions to the regulatory inventory narrowed but did not close the gap between modeled and satellite-observed NO2 over rural regions. Satellite-based top-down emission inventories are created with the regional Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) using two techniques: the direct scaling method and discrete Kalman filter (DKF) with decoupled direct method (DDM) sensitivity analysis. The simulations with satellite-inverted inventories are compared to the modeling results using the a priori inventory as well as an inventory created by a ground-level NO2-based DKF inversion. The DKF inversions yield conflicting results: the satellite-based inversion scales up the a priori NOx emissions in most regions by factors of 1.02 to 1.84, leading to 3–55% increase in modeled NO2 column densities and 1–7 ppb increase in ground 8 h ozone concentrations, while the ground-based inversion indicates the a priori NOx emissions should be scaled by factors of 0.34 to 0.57 in each region. However, none of the inversions improve the model performance in simulating aircraft-observed NO2 or ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations.
Ice particle habit and surface roughness derived from PARASOL polarization measurements
Authors: Cole B. , Yang P. , Baum B. A. , Riedi J. , C.-Labonnote L.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Ice clouds are an important element in the radiative balance of the Earth's climate system, but their microphysical and optical properties still are not well constrained, especially ice particle habit and the degree of particle surface roughness. In-situ observations have revealed common ice particle habits and evidence for surface roughness, but these observations are limited. An alternative is to infer the ice particle shape and surface roughness from satellite observations of polarized reflectance since they are sensitive to both particle shape and degree of surface roughness. In this study an adding-doubling radiative transfer code is used to simulate polarized reflectance for nine different ice habits and one habit mixture, along with 17 distinct levels of the surface roughness. A lookup table (LUT) is constructed from the simulation results and used to infer shape and surface roughness from PARASOL satellite polarized reflectance data. Globally, the retrievals yield a compact aggregate of columns as the most commonly retrieved ice habit. Analysis of PARASOL data from the tropics results in slightly more aggregates than in midlatitude or polar regions. Some level of surface roughness is inferred in nearly 70% of PARASOL data, with mean and median roughness near σ = 0.2 and 0.15, respectively. Tropical region analyses have 20% more pixels retrieved with particle surface roughness than in midlatitude or polar regions. The global asymmetry parameter inferred at a wavelength of 0.83 μm has a mean value of 0.77 and a median value of 0.75.
The chemistry of daytime sprite streamers – a model study
Authors: Winkler H. , Notholt J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The chemical processes in daytime sprite streamers in the altitude range of 30–54 km are investigated by means of a detailed ion-neutral chemistry model (without consideration of transport). The model results indicate that ozone perturbations due to daytime sprites streamers differ considerably from the ones of nighttime events. Due to liberation of atomic oxygen there is an initial increase of ozone. In terms of relative ozone change, this effect decreases with altitude. While for nighttime conditions, reactive nitrogen produced during the electric breakdown is converted into less reactive NO2, in the sunlit atmosphere NOx causes catalytic ozone destruction. As a consequence, there is significant ozone loss in sprite streamers in the daytime atmosphere, in particular at higher altitudes. At an altitude of 54 km, ozone in the streamer column has decreased by about 15% fifteen minutes after the breakdown event.
Isoprene emissions over Asia 1979–2012: impact of climate and land use changes
Authors: Stavrakou T. , Müller J.-F. , Bauwens M. , De Smedt I. , Van Roozendael M. , Guenther A. , Wild M. , Xia X.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Due to the scarcity of observational constraints and the rapidly changing environment in East and Southeast Asia, isoprene emissions predicted by models are expected to bear substantial uncertainties. The aim of this study is to improve upon the existing bottom-up estimates, and investigate the temporal evolution of the fluxes in Asia over 1979–2012. To this purpose, we calculate the hourly emissions at 0.5° × 0.5° resolution using the MEGAN-MOHYCAN model driven by ECMWF ERA-Interim climatology. This study incorporates (i) changes in land use, including the rapid expansion of oil palms, (ii) meteorological variability according to ERA-Interim, (iii) long-term changes in solar radiation (dimming/brightening) constrained by surface network radiation measurements, and (iv) recent experimental evidence that South Asian tropical forests are much weaker isoprene emitters than previously assumed, and on the other hand, that oil palms hold a strong isoprene emission capacity. These effects lead to a significant lowering (factor of two) in the total isoprene fluxes over the studied domain, and to emission reductions reaching a~factor of 3.5 in Southeast Asia. The bottom-up annual isoprene emissions for 2005 are estimated at 7.0, 4.8, 8.3, 2.9 Tg in China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively. Changes in temperature and solar radiation are the major drivers of the interannual variability and trend in the emissions. An annual positive flux trend of 0.2% and 0.52% is found in Asia and China, respectively, through the entire period, related to positive trend in temperature and solar radiation. The impact of oil palm expansion in Indonesia and Malaysia is to enhance the trends over that region, e.g. from 1.17% to 1.5% in 1979–2005 in Malaysia. A negative emission trend is derived in India (−0.4%), owing to the negative trend in solar radiation data associated to the strong dimming effect likely due to increasing aerosol loadings. The bottom-up emissions are evaluated using top-down isoprene emission estimates derived from inverse modelling constrained by GOME-2/MetOp-A formaldehyde columns through 2007–2012. The satellite-based estimates appear to support our assumptions, and confirm the lower emission rate in tropical forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. Additional flux measurements are clearly needed to better characterize the spatial variability of emission factors. Finally, a decreasing trend in the top-down Chinese emissions inferred after 2007, is in line with the cooling episode recorded in China after that year, thus suggesting that the satellite HCHO columns are able to capture climate-induced changes in emissions.
Molecular composition of biogenic secondary organic aerosols using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry: comparing laboratory and field studies
Authors: Kourtchev I. , Fuller S. J. , Giorio C. , Healy R. M. , Wilson E. , O'Connor I. P. , Wenger J. C. , McLeod M. , Aalto J. , Ruuskanen T. M. , Maenhaut W. , Jones R. , Venables D. S. , Sodeau J. R. , Kulmala M. , Kalberer M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Numerous laboratory experiments have been performed in an attempt to mimic atmospheric secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. However, it is still unclear how close the aerosol particles generated in laboratory experiments resemble atmospheric SOA with respect to their detailed chemical composition. In this study, we generated SOA in a simulation chamber from the ozonolysis of α-pinene and a biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) mixture containing α- and β-pinene, Δ3-carene, and isoprene. The detailed molecular composition of laboratory-generated SOA was compared with that of background ambient aerosol collected at a boreal forest site (Hyytiälä, Finland) and an urban location (Cork, Ireland) using direct infusion nanoelectrospray ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. Kendrick Mass Defect and Van Krevelen approaches were used to identify and compare compound classes and distributions of the detected species. The laboratory-generated SOA contained a distinguishable group of dimers that was not observed in the ambient samples. The presence of dimers was found to be less pronounced in the SOA from the VOC mixtures when compared to the one component precursor system. The elemental composition of the compounds identified in the monomeric region from the ozonolysis of both α-pinene and VOC mixtures represented the ambient organic composition of particles collected at the boreal forest site reasonably well, with about 70% of common molecular formulae. In contrast, large differences were found between the laboratory-generated BVOC samples and the ambient urban sample. To our knowledge this is the first direct comparison of molecular composition of laboratory-generated SOA from BVOC mixtures and ambient samples.
Different seasonality of pelagic and benthic Thaumarchaeota in the North Sea
Authors: Bale N. J. , Villanueva L. , Hopmans E. C. , Schouten S. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We have examined the spatial and seasonal distribution of Thaumarchaeota in the water column and sediment of the southern North Sea using the specific intact polar lipid (IPL) hexose-phosphohexose (HPH) crenarchaeol, as well as thaumarchaeotal 16S rRNA gene abundances and expression. In the water column, a higher abundance of Thaumarchaeota was observed in the winter season than in the summer, which is in agreement with previous studies, but this was not the case in the sediment where Thaumarchaeota were most abundant in spring and summer. This observation corresponds well with the idea that ammonia availability is a key factor in thaumarchaeotal niche determination. In the surface waters of the southern North Sea, we observed a spatial variability in HPH crenarchaeol, thaumarchaeotal 16S rRNA gene abundance and transcriptional activity that corresponded well with the different water masses present. In bottom waters, a clear differentiation based on water masses was not observed; instead, we suggest that observed differences in thaumarchaeotal abundance with depth may be related to resuspension from the sediment. This could be due to suspension of benthic Thaumarchaeota to the water column or due to delivery of e.g. resuspended sediment or ammonium to the water column, which could be utilized by pelagic Thaumarchaeota. This study has shown that the seasonality of Thaumarchaeota in water and sediment is different and highlights the importance of water masses, currents and sedimentary processes in determining the spatial abundance of Thaumarchaeota in the southern North Sea.
Quantifying the impact of ocean acidification on our future climate
Authors: Matear R. J. , Lenton A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Ocean acidification (OA) is the consequence of rising atmospheric CO2, and it is occurring in conjunction with global warming. Observational studies show that OA will impact ocean biogeochemical cycles. Here, we use a coupled carbon-climate Earth System Model under the RCP8.5 emission scenario to evaluate and quantify the first-order impacts of OA on marine biogeochemical cycles and the potential feedback on our future climate over this century. We find that OA impacts have only a small impact on the future atmospheric CO2 (less than 45 ppm) and future global warming (less than a 0.25 K) by 2100. While the climate change feedbacks are small, OA impacts may significantly alter the distribution of biological production and remineralization, which would alter the dissolved oxygen distribution in the ocean interior. Our results demonstrate that the consequences of OA will not be through its impact on climate change, but on how it impacts the flow of energy in marine ecosystems, which may significantly impact their productivity, composition and diversity.
Effects of model assumptions for soil processes on carbon turnover in the earth system
Authors: Foereid B. , Ward D. S. , Mahowald N. , Paterson E. , Lehmann J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Soil organic matter (SOM) is the largest store of organic carbon (C) in the biosphere, but still the turnover of SOM is incompletely understood and not well described in global C cycle models. Here we use the Community Land Model (CLM) and compare the output for soil organic C (SOC) to estimates from a global data set. We also modify the assumptions about SOM turnover in two ways: (1) we assume distinct temperature sensitivities of SOC pools with different turnover time and (2) we assume a priming effect, such that decomposition rate of native SOM increases in response to a supply of fresh organic matter. The standard model predicted the global distribution of SOM reasonably well in most areas, but it failed to predict the very high stocks of SOM at high latitudes. It also predicted somewhat too much SOC in areas with high plant productivity, such as tropical rain forests and some mid-latitude areas. Assuming that the temperature sensitivity of SOC decomposition is dependent on the turnover rate of component pools reduced total SOC at equilibrium by a relatively small amount (<1% globally). Including a priming effect reduced total global SOC more (6.6% globally) and tended to decrease SOC most in areas with high plant input (tropical and temperate forests), which were also the areas where the unmodified model overpredicted SOC (by about 40%). The model was then run with climate change prediction for the standard and modified versions. Future simulations showed that differences between the standard and modified versions were maintained in a future with climate change (4–6 and 23–47 Pg difference in soil carbon between standard simulation and the modified with temperature sensitivity and priming respectively).
Improving the complementary methods to estimate evapotranspiration under diverse climatic and physical conditions
Authors: Anayah F. M. , Kaluarachchi J. J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Reliable estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is important for the purpose of water resources planning and management. Complementary methods, including Complementary Relationship Areal Evapotranspiration (CRAE), Advection–Aridity (AA) and Granger and Gray (GG), have been used to estimate ET because these methods are simple and practical in estimating regional ET using meteorological data only. However, prior studies have found limitations in these methods especially in contrasting climates. This study aims to develop a calibration-free universal model using the complementary relationships to compute regional ET in contrasting climatic and physical conditions with meteorological data only. The proposed methodology consists of a systematic sensitivity analysis using the existing complementary methods. This work used 34 global FLUXNET sites where eddy covariance (EC) fluxes of ET are available for validation. A total of 33 alternative model variations from the original complementary methods were proposed. Further analysis using statistical methods and simplified climatic class definitions produced one distinctly improved GG-model based alternative. The proposed model produced a single-step ET formulation with results equal or better than the recent studies using data-intensive, classical methods. Average root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute bias (BIAS) and R2 values across 34 global sites were 20.57 mm month−1, 10.55 mm month−1 and 0.64, respectively. The proposed model showed a step forward toward predicting ET in large river basins with limited data and requiring no calibration.
Applying SWAT to predict orthophosphate loads and trophic status in four reservoirs in the upper Olifants catchment, South Africa
Authors: Dabrowski J. M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Excessive phosphate loading in the upper Olifants River, South Africa has resulted in widespread eutrophication and associated ecosystem health impacts. The majority of sewage treatment works (STWs) are operating poorly and are likely an important source of bioavailable orthophosphate (OP) in the catchment. The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was used to identify important sources of OP loading in the catchment and predict changes in the trophic status of four reservoirs associated with three STWs effluent OP standards; (current average of 4 mg L−1 and standards of 1 and 0.1 mg L−1). Naish-Sutcliffe and PBIAS statistics showed good model performance for simulations of flow and OP loading using a multi-site calibration and validation approach. Key sub-catchments responsible for high OP loading were identified. Three of the four reservoirs are heavily impacted by OP loading originating from STWs. Two reservoirs show mean annual OP concentrations indicative of eutrophic conditions and a 1 mg L−1 effluent standard would reduce concentrations to well within the mesotrophic range. There was little difference in OP loads and concentrations associated with the 1 and 0.1 mg L−1 effluent standard, indicating that attention to nonpoint sources would be required to realise any benefit associated with the strictest effluent standard. Regression analyses and associated 95% prediction limits between simulated OP loads and concentrations for all effluent treatment scenarios from 2002 to 2010 allowed for the quantification of OP loading that would ensure a specific trophic status in each reservoir. This study is one of the first to apply SWAT in simulating OP loading and concentrations in large reservoirs and its application in South Africa provides further support for its utility throughout a wide a geographical area.
A statistical approach for rain class evaluation using Meteosat Second Generation-Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager observations
Authors: Ricciardelli E. , Cimini D. , Di Paola F. , Romano F. , Viggiano M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Precipitation measurements are essential for short term hydrological and long term climate studies. Operational networks of rain gauges and weather radars provide fairly accurate rain rate measurements, but they leave large areas uncovered. Because of this, satellite remote sensing is a useful tool for the detection and characterization of the raining areas in regions where this information remains missing. This study exploits the Meteosat Second Generation – Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (MSG-SEVIRI) observations to evaluate the rain class at high spatial and temporal resolutions. The Rain Class Evaluation from Infrared and Visible (RainCEIV) observations technique is proposed. The purpose of RainCEIV is to supply continuous monitoring of convective as well as of stratiform rainfall events. It applies a supervised classifier to the spectral and textural features of infrared and visible MSG-SEVIRI images to classify the cloudy pixels as non rainy, light to moderate rain, or heavy to very heavy rain. The technique considers in input also the water vapour channels brightness temperatures differences for the MSG-SEVIRI images acquired 15/30/45 min before the time of interest. The rainfall rates used in the training phase are obtained with the Precipitation Estimation at Microwave frequencies (PEMW), an algorithm for rain rate retrievals based on Atmospheric Microwave Sounder Unit (AMSU)-B observations. The results of RainCEIV have been validated against radar-derived rainfall measurements from the Italian Operational Weather Radar Network for some case studies limited to the Mediterranean area. The dichotomous assessment shows that RainCEIV is able to detect rainy areas with an accuracy of about 91%, a Heidke skill score of 56%, a Bias score of 1.16, and a Probability of Detection of rainy areas of 66%.
Use of Linezolid to Treat MRSP Bacteremia and Discospondylitis in a Dog
Authors: Foster Jonathan D. , Trepanier Lauren A. , Ginn Jennifer A.
Published: November 2013

A 1.5 yr old male German shepherd dog was evaluated for recurrent intermittent episodes of fever and lethargy. Clinicopathologic abnormalities were suggestive of a discospondylitis at the seventh and eighth thoracic vertebrae. Blood and urine cultures yielded growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) that was resistant to all commonly used antibiotics. Extralabel antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated susceptibility of both blood and urine isolates to linezolid. The prescribed dose was extrapolated from pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and the isolate’s plasma minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Linezolid was administered for 23 wk and resulted in successful resolution of bacteremia, bacteriuria, and discospondylitis. When justified, linezolid should be considered to treat methicillin-resistant infections.
Canine Giant Hypertrophic Gastritis Treated Successfully with Partial Gastrectomy
Authors: Vaughn Denty P. , Syrcle Jason , Cooley Jim
Published: November 2013

A 4 yr old castrated male Jack Russell terrier was presented with a 2 mo history of vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound supported the diagnosis of gastric outflow obstruction. Celiotomy and gastrotomy revealed a large, narrowly based mass originating from the mucosa of the dorsal gastric body, occupying the lumen of the stomach and protruding through the pylorus into the duodenum. A partial gastrectomy was performed to excise the mass along with a 1 cm margin of grossly normal tissue. Giant hypertrophic gastritis was diagnosed via histopathology of the excised tissue. Giant hypertrophic gastritis is a rarely diagnosed disease of canines, characterized by giant gastric folds, hypoalbuminemia, and mucosal hypertrophy. Long-term treatment success has not been previously reported. In the case described herein, surgical excision of the affected gastric tissue provided complete resolution of clinical signs. Twelve mo following surgery, no recurrence of either vomiting or weight loss had been noted and the dog was clinically normal.
The Cardiovascular Effects of Sevoflurane and Isoflurane After Premedication of Healthy Dogs Undergoing Elective Surgery
Authors: Abed Janan M. , Pike Fred S. , Clare Monica C. , Brainard Benjamin M.
Published: November 2013

Sevoflurane and isoflurane are commonly used in veterinary anesthesia. The objective of this prospective, randomized, open-label clinical study was to compare the cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane via direct arterial blood pressure measurements and the lithium dilution cardiac output (LDCO) on premedicated healthy dogs undergoing elective tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Nineteen client-owned dogs were included. All dogs were premedicated with hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg IV and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg subcutaneously). Ten dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane and nine dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane. Eighteen dogs were instrumented with a dorsal pedal arterial catheter, and one dog had a femoral arterial catheter. All dogs had continuous, direct systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressure readings as well as heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), stroke volume variation (SVV), and pulse pressure variation (PPV) recorded q 5 min during the surgical procedure. There was no significant statistical difference in all parameters between the sevoflurane and isoflurane treatment groups. Both sevoflurane and isoflurane inhalant anesthetics appear to have similar hemodynamic effects when used as part of a multimodal anesthetic protocol in premedicated healthy dogs undergoing an elective surgical procedure.
Hemorrhagic Cystitis in a Dog Receiving Carboplatin
Authors: MacDonald Valerie , Dickinson Ryan
Published: November 2013

An 8 yr old castrated male Labrador retriever mixed-breed dog with osteosarcoma (OSA) of the left proximal humerus receiving carboplatin presented 10 days after the third chemotherapy treatment with hematuria, stranguria, and pollakiuria. A presumptive diagnosis of hemorrhagic cystitis was made based on clinical signs, urinalysis, and cytologic analysis of a traumatic catheterization sample. Carboplatin was removed from the chemotherapy treatment plan and was substituted with doxorubicin. The dog was treated with meloxicam for pain, and the cystitis signs subsided over a period of 4 wk. Carboplatin is commonly used as adjuvant chemotherapy for dogs with OSA following amputation and is not known to cause hematuria in dogs, although there are reports of this occurring in humans. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no reports in the veterinary literature of this toxicity.
Combined Use of Intravesicular Ureteroneocystostomy Techniques to Correct Ureteral Ectopia in a Male Cat
Authors: Di Mauro Francesca M. , Singh Ameet , Reynolds Debbie , Defarges Alice
Published: November 2013

A 2 yr old castrated male Himalayan presented for evaluation and treatment of persistent urinary incontinence that had been present since birth. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the urinary tract revealed suspected bilateral, extramural, ureteral ectopia that was confirmed at the time of surgical exploration. Marked left hydroureter and a normal right ureter were found entering the urethra ∼ 2 cm caudal to the bladder neck. An intravesicular mucosal apposition (modified Leadbetter-Politano) and “drop-in” ureteroneocystostomy techniques were used for reimplantation of the left and right ureter, respectively. Postoperatively, the cat gained urinary continence and remained continent and clinically normal 6 mo following surgery.
Absorption of Transdermal and Oral Cyclosporine in Six Healthy Cats
Authors: Miller Rose , Schick Anthea E. , Boothe Dawn M. , Lewis Thomas P.
Published: November 2013

Cyclosporine is commonly used orally to treat feline dermatoses. Due to difficulties administering oral medications, veterinarians sometimes prescribe compounded transdermal cyclosporine, despite studies showing limited absorption. The study objective was to compare cyclosporine blood concentrations after oral administration to concentrations after transdermal application of cyclosporine (prepared in pluronic lecithin organogel [PLO]) in six cats using a controlled, cross-over design with a 2 wk washout period. Cats were dosed at 5.1–7.4 mg/kg of cyclosporine q 24 hr either per os for 7 days or transdermally for 21 days. Cyclosporine blood concentrations were measured q 7 days and after the washout period. A monoclonal-based immunoassay (lower limit of quantitation was 25 ng/mL) was used. Median concentrations on the seventh day were 2,208 ng/mL (range, 1,357–3,419 ng/mL) 2 hr after orally administered cyclosporine and 37 ng/mL (range, 25–290 ng/mL) 2 hr after transdermally applied cyclosporine. Median concentration on day 21 was 58 ng/mL (range, 51–878 ng/mL) 2 hr after transdermally applied cyclosporine. Concentrations were quantifiable for transdermally applied cyclosporine, but considered therapeutic in only one of six cats. Based on those results, transdermally applied cyclosporine was not recommended in cats because of inconsistent absorption.
Decreased Surgical Time with a Vessel Sealing Device Versus a Surgical Stapler in Performance of Canine Splenectomy
Authors: Monarski Christopher J. , Jaffe Michael H. , Kass Phillip H.
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this retrospective study of 72 dogs was to compare a vessel sealing device with a surgical stapling device for performance of splenectomy. The results of this study demonstrate a statistically significant shorter surgical time for splenectomy, without an adverse effect on outcomes, performed in dogs with the vessel sealing device (mean time, 58.4 min ± 3.3 min; median time, 60 min; range, 22–131 min) compared with a traditional stapling device (mean time, 66.9 min ± 2.4 min; median time, 66 min; range, 40–100 min). No other significant differences were found between the two groups of patients.
Agromorphological characterization and dollar spot fungus susceptibility in accessions of common bent (Agrostis capillaris L.) collected in Northern Spain
Authors: Oliveira J.A. , Novo Uzal E. , Pomar F. , Bughrara S.S. , Afif E.
Published: November 2013

Fourteen Agrostis capillaris accessions collected in northern Spain were characterized in a trial with a lowfertilization regime, carried out in two successive years (2004 and 2005). The commercial cultivar "Golfin" was included in the study as a control. All accessions and the commercial cultivar were evaluated for 11 agromorphological characteristics and susceptibility to dollar spot disease, caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennet. The data obtained were reduced to five principal components that cumulatively explained 85.4% of the total variance. Cluster analysis was useful in identifying four groups of accessions that described 50% of the phenotypic variation among accessions. Cluster 1 consisted of four accessions with the highest resistance to dollar spot, dark green colour, late heading date and high autumn turf quality. Cluster 2 included the two earliest heading accessions, dark green colour, intermediate tolerance to dollar spot and low autumn turf quality. Cluster 3 comprised six accessions with the latest heading date, dark green colour and low tolerance to dollar spot. Cluster 4 consisted of two accessions and the "Golfin" cultivar, with lightest green colour, low autumn turf quality and the poorest tolerance to dollar spot. The results of this study suggest the potential value of some of these common bent accessions collected in northern Spain for turf and forage improvement.
Breeding potential of early-maturing flint maize germplasm adapted to temperate conditions
Authors: Ruiz de Galarreta J.I. , Álvarez A.
Published: November 2013

Early-maturing flint maize germplasm could be an important alternative for the development of new early-maturing commercial hybrids adapted to cooler summer regions. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of flint populations in crosses with four testers from different heterotic groups, as sources of new potential inbred lines. Ten flint maize populations were crossed to four inbred testers representing Reid Yellow Dent, Lancaster Sure Crop and two Spanish flint heterotic groups. Topcrosses were evaluated in four environments in north eastern Spain in 2001 and 2002. The main type of gene action expressed was additive. All populations except Enano Norteño/Vasco and Hembrilla Norteño/Vasco, had a higher specific combining ability in crosses with Reid Yellow Dent or Lancaster Sure Crop testers. Average yields were better when populations were crossed with dent lines rather than with the flint inbred line EP42. These results could be useful in the development of new inbred lines that would increase genetic variability present in commercial European flint maize.
Meat quality of Criollo Cordobes goat kids produced under extensive feeding conditions. Effects of sex and age/weight at slaughter
Authors: Bonvillani A. , Peña F. , Domenech V. , Polvillo O. , García P.T. , Casal J.J.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this work was to study meat quality and fatty acid profiles in the longissimus muscle from Criollo Cordobes (CC) suckling kids, and to determine the effect of sex and age/weight at slaughter on these characteristics. Forty suckling kids, 20 intact males and 20 females, were randomly assigned to two groups: 1 (60 +/- 2 days old and live weight 11 kg). Sex had a significant influence on meat colour, Warner- Bratzler shear force, cooking losses, water holding capacity and intramuscular fat content, while the age/weight had a significant influence on cholesterol and tenderness. The main fatty acids identified from the intramuscular fat were oleic (30.1-32.6%), palmitic (19.6-21.0%) and stearic (13.5-16.3%). Levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid ranged from 40.1% to 41.9% and from 57.6% to 59.1%, respectively. Meat from CC kids is pale red, tender, juicy and the intensity of flavour and aroma were medium-high.
Bioefficacy of Couroupita guianensis (Aubl) against Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Authors: Baskar K. , Maheswaran R. , Kingsley S. , Ignacimuthu S.
Published: November 2013

With a view to develop an ecofriendly botanical pesticide, we evaluated the bioefficacy of crude extracts of Couroupita guianensis against third instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera. Maximum feeding deterrency (81.67%) and least LC50 (2.72%) for larval mortality were seen in hexane extract. Hexane extract was subjected to column chromatography using different ratio of hexane-ethyl acetate solvent system. Totally eight fractions were collected. The fractions were screened at 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg concentrations against H. armigera using no-choice leaf disc method. Fraction eight showed maximum antifeedant (86.24%) and larvicidal (80.88%) activities at 1,000 mg/kg concentration. C. guianensis could be utilized in pest control programme.
Ovule development at anthesis in Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars
Authors: Ruiz D. , Campoy J.A. , Egea J.
Published: November 2013

The stage of ovule development at anthesis has been studied in two consecutive years in seven major cultivated plum cultivars: "Red Beaut", "Fortune", "Angeleno", "Santa Rosa", "Larry Ann", "Son Gold" and "Golden Japan". Ovules examined were in general delayed. In much of them mature embryo sacs were not found at time of anthesis. Differences among cultivars were found and these differences were consistent during both years, indicating a genetic determination. In addition, a high heterogeneity of the developmental stage of the ovules examined in each cultivar was observed. The year influenced the developmental stages of ovules at anthesis, and ovules were more delayed in 2002 than in 2003. Cultivars which showed a more advanced ovule development were those that flowered later, in spite of the fact that chilling requirements for breaking of rest were adequately fulfilled during both years. This work gives interesting information regarding the stage of ovule maturity at anthesis in Japanese plum cultivars, which is closely related to their fruit set viability.
Mergers of agrifood cooperatives and their effects: from expectations to results. An empirical study in four Spanish Autonomous Regions
Authors: Meliá E. , Juliá J. F. , Martínez A.
Published: November 2013

Mergers have become the most widely accepted formula for business growth among many different sectors. However, these processes do not always contribute to obtaining the expected results, particularly from an economic viewpoint. In light of these reflections, this study attempts to establish whether mergers carried out between Spanish agrifood cooperatives during the period 1995-2005 have contributed to reaching some of the objectives they were set out to achieve: improving the economic-financial situation of the companies involved, increasing income and reducing costs. To do so, mergers that took place during this period were analyzed in four autonomous communities (Andalusia, Navarra, La Rioja and the Basque Country). Despite the considerable variability observed following the time-based analysis of the economic-financial situation of cooperatives prior to and after merger, statistically significant differences were only found in four of the fifteen variables studied. These were operating profit (a 99% reduction), financial income (an increase of 240%), extraordinary income (400% increase) and cost of goods sold (16% reduction), of all of which are calculated with respect to production value. The results obtained generally indicate that the objectives that were originally the motivation for initiating the merger processes have not been reached, as the financial situation of the cooperatives has not, by and large, undergone any significant improvement, nor have average unit costs been reduced. Performance and profitability have not improved either and the firms involved have found themselves at lower levels than the average for the sector.
Tillage system does not affect soil macrofauna in southeastern Buenos Aires province, Argentina
Authors: Manetti P. L. , Lopez A. N. , Clemente N. L. , Faberi A. J.
Published: November 2013

Soil degradation increased incessantly in the Pampas region of Argentina, due to the intensification of agricultural activities, when carried out with conventional tillage (CT) systems. No-tillage system was adopted as conservation practices by the farmers. The objectives of this study were: a) to determine the macrofauna taxa and their relative abundance under CT and NT in two different seasons; and b) to evaluate soil tillage and seasonal effects on the density of the main macrofauna taxa. The study was conducted from 2002 to 2004 in 46 production farms, in Balcarce, Argentina. Ten soil monoliths (25.2 cm side; 30 cm depth) ramdomly directed field at July-August; and at October-November to determine the number of individuals of macrofauna and Enchytraeidae. Soil macrofauna density did not differ between tillage systems. Oligochaeta Megadrilli density was generally not affected by the tillage system (P>0.05) except in 2004 when it was greater under CT in July-August (P=0.0002). Chilopoda density was greater in soils under NT, with significant differences in 2002 in October-November (P=0.0070). In July-August of 2003 it was higher in CT (P=0.0109). Diplopoda were more abundant only under NT in July-August 2004 (P=0.0010). In July-August a significantly (P
Incidence of virus infection in old vineyards of local grapevine varieties from Majorca: implications for clonal selection strategies
Authors: Cretazzo E. , Tomás M. , Padilla C. , Roselló J. , Medrano H. , Padilla V. , Cifre J.
Published: November 2013

Three autochthonous grapevine varieties of Majorca (Spain) were analyzed for the presence of viruses listed by the international certification programs. Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) screenings were performed in 193 vines from 46 vineyards included in a clonal selection. Virus-free vines were only 6.4%, 9.6% and 11.5%, in Manto Negro, Callet and Moll, respectively. Infections by grapevine leafroll associated viruses (GLRaVs) were ascertained in 71%, 78% and 60% of Manto Negro, Callet and Moll vines, respectively. Each variety was also highly infected by Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV). The percentage of plants displaying multiple infections was 58.4% in Manto Negro, 63.8% in Callet and 42.6% in Moll. Thus, it was very difficult to find virus-free clones with suitable agronomic characteristics to be considered as a reference for the grape market. In order to obtain certified propagation material under such conditions of endemic viral infection, sanitation should be the main focus in clonal selection processes. However, the time and financial requirements for proper sanitation process bring to consideration the need to use, at least temporarily, standard multiplication material while certified clones are achieved.
The effect of defoliation on the yield of leek (Allium porrum L.)
Authors: Irigoyen I. , Domeño I. , Muro J.
Published: November 2013

The foliar area loss is a typical damage in crops caused by fungus, insects or hailstorm. A lot of studies have been carried out to describe the effect of defoliation in the main herbaceous and woody crops. The results of two trials carried out in Valle Medio of the Ebro (Spain) are described in this study to determine the effects of different levels of defoliation in several phenological stages in leek crop. Four levels of defoliation were applied: control, slight, moderate and heavy, in six different phenological stages. Defoliations were carried out by means of a jet of water under pressure. According to the results observed, a close relationship between the yield loss with the percentage of defoliation and the crop stage was found. The most critical stage was at the beginning of the stem thickening in which there are maximum losses of 41% with 100% of defoliation. These experimental results were used to obtain regression equations in which the percentage of yield reduction is calculated in relation with the phenological stage and the percentage of defoliation. These equations can be used to improve simulation patterns of the leek growth in case of foliar damages caused by fungus, insect attacks or hailstorm.