bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New data on Callovian (Middle Jurassic) belemnites and palynomorphs from the Northern Caucasus, southwest Russia
Authors: Dzyuba Oksana S. , Goryacheva Anna A. , Ruban Dmitry A. , Gnezdilova Victoria V. , Zayats Pavel P. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Palaeontological data on the Caucasus are highly important for large-scale stratigraphical and palaeobiogeographical assessment of the northern Tethyan margin, but this information is often scarce and not available in English. Field studies in the Northern Caucasus have now permitted to amass some new data. Two belemnite species are described from the stratotype section of the Kamennomostskaja Formation (Callovian, Middle Jurassic) near the town of Kamennomostskij in Adygeja (Northern Caucasus). These are Belemnopsis subhastata (von Zieten, 1831) and Rhopaloteuthis ominosa Gustomesov, 1968. The latter is a rare species, and the present find allows new insights into its taxonomy. A palyno-logical analysis of the belemnite-bearing sample was carried out, and a diverse assemblage of dinocysts, acritarchs and prasinophytes, plus pollen and spores recognised. The most abundant palynomorphs are Micrhystridium and Classopollis. Data on belemnites coupled with those on palynomorphs indicate the early Callovian age of the sample level. This interpretation differs slightly from previous conclusions based on ammonites and dinocysts. If this age is correct, the degree of condensation of Callovian deposits in the section studied was lesser than previously assumed.
Peat decomposition – shaping factors, significance in environmental studies and methods of determination; a literature review
Authors: Drzymulska Danuta 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
A review of literature data on the degree of peat decomposition – an important parameter that yields data on environmental conditions during the peat-forming process, i.e., humidity of the mire surface, is presented. A decrease in the rate of peat decomposition indicates a rise of the ground water table. In the case of bogs, which receive exclusively atmospheric (meteoric) water, data on changes in the wetness of past mire surfaces could even be treated as data on past climates. Different factors shaping the process of peat decomposition are also discussed, such as humidity of the substratum and climatic conditions, as well as the chemical composition of peat-forming plants. Methods for the determination of the degree of peat decomposition are also outlined, maintaining the division into field and laboratory analyses. Among the latter are methods based on physical and chemical features of peat and microscopic methods. Comparisons of results obtained by different methods can occasionally be difficult, which may be ascribed to different experience of researchers or the chemically undefined nature of many analyses of humification.
Data acquisition with the APEX hyperspectral sensor
Authors: Vreys Kristin , Iordache Marian-Daniel , Bomans Bart , Meuleman Koen 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
APEX (Airborne Prism EXperiment) is a high spectral and spatial resolution hyperspectral sensor developed by a Swiss-Belgian consortium on behalf of the European Space Agency. Since the acceptance of the instrument in 2010, it has been operated jointly by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO, Mol, Belgium) and the Remote Sensing Laboratories (RSL, Zurich, Switzerland). During this period, several flight campaigns have been performed across Europe, gathering over 4 Terabytes of raw data. Following radiometric, geometric and atmospheric processing, this data has been provided to a multitude of Belgian and European researchers, institutes and agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Facility for Airborne Research (EUFAR) and the Belgian Science Policy Office (BelSPO). The applications of APEX data span a wide range of research topics, e.g. landcover mapping (mountainous, coastal, countryside and urban regions), the assessment of important structural and (bio)physical characteristics of vegetative and non-vegetative species, the tracing of atmospheric gases, and water content analysis (chlorophyll, suspended matter). Recurrent instrument calibration, accurate flight planning and preparation, and experienced pilots and instrument operators are crucial to successful data acquisition campaigns. In this paper, we highlight in detail these practical aspects of a typical APEX data acquisition campaign.
Geometric correction of APEX hyperspectral data
Authors: Vreys Kristin , Iordache Marian-Daniel , Biesemans Jan , Meuleman Koen 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Hyperspectral imagery originating from airborne sensors is nowadays widely used for the detailed characterization of land surface. The correct mapping of the pixel positions to ground locations largely contributes to the success of the applications. Accurate geometric correction, also referred to as “orthorectification”, is thus an important prerequisite which must be performed prior to using airborne imagery for evaluations like change detection, or mapping or overlaying the imagery with existing data sets or maps. A so-called “ortho-image” provides an accurate representation of the earth’s surface, having been adjusted for lens distortions, camera tilt and topographic relief. In this paper, we describe the different steps in the geometric correction process of APEX hyperspectral data, as applied in the Central Data Processing Center (CDPC) at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO, Mol, Belgium). APEX ortho-images are generated through direct georeferencing of the raw images, thereby making use of sensor interior and exterior orientation data, boresight calibration data and elevation data. They can be referenced to any userspecified output projection system and can be resampled to any output pixel size.
Synthesis and characterization of Ag@polycarbazole nanoparticles using different oxidants and their dispersion behavior
Authors: Ahmad Zahoor , Choudhary M.A. , Mirza M.A. , Mirza J.A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAg nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated by polycarbazole (PCz) have been synthesized using ion adsorption method. The PCz synthesis around Ag NPs has been performed by adsorbing Ag+1and Fe+3oxidants onto Ag NPs, which initiated surface polymerization and thus, Ag NPs@PCz nanocomposite has been synthesized. The morphology of pure NPs and composite NPs was characterized by TEM which also elucidated the effect of oxidant on the core NPs, beside their morphologies and phase contrasts of metal NPs and polymer. The polymer around the surface of core NPs was characterized by FT-IR which proved that PCz was the organic phase of the composite NPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy has been employed to study surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of pure NPs and composite of NP which demonstrated that SPR of core NPs remained preserved after coating with the polymer. Furthermore, Zeta Sizer Nano series has been applied to analyze the dispersion behavior of pure NPs and composite NPs which displayed the greatly improved dispersion behavior of the composite NPs as compared to pure Ag NPs. Therefore, our study proved helpful to analyze the suitability of metal oxidants for PCz based nanocomposite synthesis and determination of their optical and dispersion behavior.
The usefulness of anorectal manometry in patients with a stoma before and after surgery to restore the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Zieliński Tomasz , Czyżewski Piotr , Szczepkowski Marek 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe operation to restore the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract is another surgical intervention in a given patient, which directly translates into an increased risk of complications during and after surgery. That is why proper qualification is important for the operation to restore the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract in terms of performance and efficiency of the anal sphincter apparatus, among other things.was to evaluate the effect of restoring physiological defecation routes on the sphincter function and to observe the parameters of anorectal manometry in patients before and after surgery to restore the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract.The study included 29 patients scheduled for restoration of the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract, 12 women and 17 men. The average age in the group was 62 years. Anorectal manometry was performed both before surgery as well as one month and three months afterwards in all patients. The average time to have a stoma was 12 months.The resting pressure in the anal canal (MRP) three months after the restoration of the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract increased by 30.4%. The maximum systolic blood pressure in the anal canal (MSP) increased by 22.2%. The value of recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) decreased by 19.2%. The length of the high pressure zone in the anal canal (HPZL) increased by 27%. The study results of visceral rectal sensation thresholds decreased by 23.3% for the sensation threshold, and 14.4% for the pressure threshold.Restoring the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract improves the anal sphincter function which is evident in the parameters of anorectal manometry. The restoration of passage improves the sphincter function, and these changes are statistically significant.
Risk factors of 30-day mortality following surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Mik Michał , Dziki Łukasz , Trzciński Radzisław , Dziki Adam 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe 30-day mortality is one of the factors reflecting the quality of treatment. All these efforts focused on decreasing 30-day mortality will directly improve quality of care.was to identify risk factors of 30-day postoperative mortality in a cohort of patients operated on for colorectal cancer in one tertiary colorectal centre.Patients operated on due to colorectal cancer (CRC) between 2008 and 2014 were included in the study. 30-day mortality was assessed as an endpoint of the retrospective study.All records were collected from prospective database.1744 patients were operated on due to CRC. The 30-day mortality was noted in 65 patients (3.5%). In multivariable analyses we revealed that spread disease and poor general condition at admission were risk factors of 30-day mortality: OR 2.35; 2.01-2.57 95%CI, p=0.03 and OR 2.18; 1.95-2.41 95% CI; p=0.01, respectively. Emergency surgery significantly increased the risk of 30-day mortality: OR 2.64; 2.45-2.87 95%CI; p=0.009. Low serum albumin concentration level and diabetes mellitus were additional risk factors for 30-day mortality, OR 1.65; 1.52-1.78 95%CI; p=0.01 and OR 1.67; 1.41-1.82 95%CI; p=0.03, respectively. Mortality was significantly higher after resection procedures than after only palliative operations: 4.21% vs 1.57%; p=0.002.Emergent patients, patients with advanced disease and in poor general state have to be assessed by multidisciplinary team to prepare them to operation. Additionally to reduce the risk of 30-day mortality decision of extend of surgery should be made by experienced surgeons.
Assessment of potentially probiotic properties of Lactobacillus strains isolated from chickens
Authors: Kizerwetter-Świda M. , Binek M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study was performed in order to isolate lactobacilli from chicken droppings and to select strains with the most promising probiotic properties. Lactobacillus strains were isolated from a flock of healthy laying hens. The first selection criterion was the ability to inhibit the growth of Salmonella Enteritidis. Then the tolerance to low pH and bile salt, the ability to coaggregate with pathogenic bacteria and hydrogen peroxide production were evaluated. Four isolates showing the best antagonistic activity against Salmonella Enetritidis were selected for further research. All isolates tested tolerated low pH and bile salt, likewise all produced hydrogen peroxide. They efficiently coaggregated with C. perfringens and relatively less with E. coli. Isolate 03’04 displayed above-average results in all criteria, thus it is considered as a potential probiotic for chickens, and will be further evaluated for health promoting effect in animals. The results presented in this study confirm the strain specific probiotic properties and prove the probiotic potential of isolate 03’04. Strong antagonistic properties against C. perfringens exhibited by certain Lactobacillus strains indicate the possibility to use them as a component of probiotic supplement in necrotic enteritis of poultry.
Prokaryotic expression, purification and antigenicity analysis of African swine fever virus pK205R protein
Authors: Wu Xulong , Xiao Lu , Peng Bin , Wang Yin , Yang Zexiao , Yao Xueping , Hu Ling , Lin Xingyu 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
African swine fever is an acute, febrile and highly virulent porcine disease causing serious economic losses worldwide. The pK205R protein of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) is largely expressed in the early stages of infection, which has given the K205R gene extensive attention. In this study, the ASFV K205R was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Expression of histidine-tagged pK205R with a molecular mass of 44 kDa was determined by 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis. Optimisation of culture conditions allowed induction of the recombinant protein with 0.4 mM Isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) at 37°C for 2 h. The protein existed in cellular supernatant and was purified using a Ni-NTA resin column. The purified protein was used to immunize rabbits four times to enable the production of polyclonal antibodies, and the antiserum titre was detected by ELISA. The results showed that the purified pK205R can react with ASFV positive serum specifically by Western blotting. The pK205R had high antigenicity, which indicated that pK205R could be used as an antigen for detection of ASFV-specific antibodies in ELISA testing, and the recombinant protein could contribute to further research of the action and structure of pK205R.
Fusarium and Aspergillus mycotoxins effects on dairy cow health, performance and the efficacy of Anti-Mycotoxin Additive
Authors: Jovaišienė J. , Bakutis B. , Baliukonienė V. , Gerulis G. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOne hundred two samples of feeds made in Lithuania, which included maize silage, grass-legume silage, hay and ensiled crimped maize were investigated during 2008-2012 for contamination with some mycotoxins. The highest concentrations of mycotoxins determined were those of deoxynivalenol (DON) - 471.0 μg/kg and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) - 21.2 μg/kg in ryegrass silage from bales, and zearalenone (ZEA) - 625.0 μg/kg in maize silage from trenches. The present study has been carried out based on these data because animal feeds contaminated with mycotoxins can cause reduced productivity of dairy cows and health disorders in the long term. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term exposure of toxic effects of a diet naturally contaminated with low concentrations of mycotoxins on milk composition and biochemical, hematological, immunological parameters of dairy cows and to determine the anti-mycotoxin effect of Mycofix Plus 3.E. Twenty eight clinically healthy, medium productive Lithuanian Red cows were selected. ZEA was a major contaminant found in the corn silage at concentration levels of up to 1000.0 μg/kg of dry matter. DON was the second major found in the hay at concentration levels of up to 600.0 μg/kg of dry matter. The highest concentration AFB1- 10.0 μg/kg was determined in ground barley. The Anti-Mycotoxin Additive (AMA) Mycofix Plus 3.E was given individually to 14 cows at a concentration of 40.0 g daily for 9 weeks.The present results indicate that feeds naturally contaminated with low concentration of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. in a diet of dairy cows can have a negative influence on somatic cell count, blood parameters and immunity. The addition of an Anti-Mycotoxin Additive (Mycofix Plus 3.E) to diet of dairy cows can prevent many of these effects.
Antioxidant status of blood and liver of turkeys fed diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids and fruit pomaces as a source of polyphenols
Authors: Jankowski J. , Juśkiewicz J. , Zduńczyk P. , Kosmala M. , Zieliński H. , Antoszkiewicz Z. , Zduńczyk Z. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIt was hypothesized that dietary polyphenol-rich fruit pomaces can improve the antioxidant status of both diets and the tissues of turkeys fed such diets. Turkeys were fed diets containing a cellulose preparation (C) or 5% dried apple pomace (AP), blackcurrant pomace (BCP), strawberry pomace (SP) and seedless strawberry pomace (SSP). Blood and liver biochemical parameters were determined in 7 birds from each experimental group slaughtered at 15 weeks of age, after 5 weeks of feeding diets containing soybean oil and linseed oil (approx. 1:1 ratio). Dietary linseed oil added to diets at 2.5% lowered the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio from approx. 7:1 to below 2:1, thus reducing the antioxidant properties of diets measured using DPPH, ABTS and photo-chemiluminescence assays, compared with diets containing only soybean oil and administered to birds in the first phase of feeding. Fruit pomaces, in particular SSP with the highest polyphenol content (32.81 g/kg) and the highest antioxidant activity (256.4 μM Trolox/g), increased the antioxidant capacity of turkey diets. In comparison with the control group, the dietary treatments with fruit pomaces improved blood antioxidant parameters, including catalase activity (groups AP and BCP), the total antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic (group AP) and lipophilic (groups AP, SP, and SSP) compounds, peroxide levels (groups AP and SSP) and antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power of plasma) assay (groups AP, BCP and SSP). Significantly lower concentrations of both vitamin E and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were noted in the livers of turkeys fed all diets with dried fruit pomaces.
Experimental osteoporosis in sheep – mechanical and histological approach
Authors: Kiełbowicz Z. , Piątek A. , Kuropka P. , Mytnik E. , Nikodem A. , Bieżyński J. , Skrzypczak P. , Pezowicz C. , Kuryszko J. , Reichert P. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The implementation of new methods of osteoporotic therapy requires tests on animal model. The use of sheep as model has numerous advantages over other animals. The aim of this study was to describe the change in parameters in sheep with osteoporosis induced using steroids and ovariorectomy methods as opposed to the parameters in healthy sheep. The study was performed on female „merinos” breed sheep divided into the three groups: negative control (NC) - healthy animals, positive control (PC) - ovariorectomized animals and steroid control group (SC) - in which methylprednisolone was administered. This paper presents histological and ultrastructural examination with mechanical comparative tests for force/strength values as well as indentation tests of joint cartilage. The obtained results confirm the loss of bone mass associated with mineral composition content in bones, which has an influence on bone strength.
Prevalence and etiological agents of subclinical mastitis at the end of lactation in nine dairy herds in North-East Poland
Authors: Sztachańska M. , Barański W. , Janowski T. , Pogorzelska J. , Zduńczyk S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and etiological agents of subclinical mastitis at the end of lactation in nine dairy herds in North-East Poland. In total, 387 Polish HF were involved in the study. The diagnosis of mastitis was performed on the basis of clinical examination of the udder, macroscopic evaluation of milk, determination of somatic cell count and bacteriological examination of milk. Subclinical mastitis was found in an average of 36.7% (range from 21.0% to 53.1%) of cows and of 15.7% (range from 9.6% to 25.2%) of quarters. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS; 31.6% of quarters), Streptococcus (Str.) agalactiae (15.6% of quarters), Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus (12.1% of quarters) and fungi (12.2% of quarters) were most frequently isolated from subclinical mastitis. Etiological agents of subclinical mastitis differed strongly between herds. The results of this study showed that the incidence of subclinical mastitis at the end of lactation in dairy herds in North-East Poland is high. CNS were the most frequently isolated from subclinical mastitis cases, however mastitis caused by the contagious pathogens Str. agalactiae and Staph. aureus is still a problem. The fungal infections of the mammary gland also play an important role.
Clinical, endoscopic and histopathological evaluation of the efficacy of budesonide in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs
Authors: Rychlik A. , Kołodziejska-Sawerska A. , Nowicki M. , Szweda M. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
This study evaluates the efficacy of budesonide in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs based on the results of clinical, endoscopic and histopathological examinations. The severity of clinical symptoms was assessed based on CIBDAI scores, and macroscopic and histopathological changes were described in accordance with the recommendations of the WSAVA Gastrointestinal Standardization Group for 2008. The results of the experiment revealed that budesonide does not offer effective treatment for canine IBD. The tested drug failed to alleviate the clinical symptoms of disease, lower CIBDAI scores, or improve the macroscopic appearance of intestinal mucosa. The effectiveness of budesonide was most highly evaluated in the histopathological picture of duodenal, jejunal and colonic mucosa.
Phylogenetic characterization of Canine Parvovirus VP2 partial sequences from symptomatic dogs samples
Authors: Zienius D. , Lelešius R. , Kavaliauskis H. , Stankevičius A. , Šalomskas A. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to detect canine parvovirus (CPV) from faecal samples of clinically ill domestic dogs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by VP2 gene partial sequencing and molecular characterization of circulating strains in Lithuania.
Eleven clinically and antigen-tested positive dog faecal samples, collected during the period of 2014-2015, were investigated by using PCR. The phylogenetic investigations indicated that the Lithuanian CPV VP2 partial sequences (3025-3706 cds) were closely related and showed 99.0-99.9% identity. All Lithuanian sequences were associated with one phylogroup, but grouped in different clusters. Ten of investigated Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequences were closely associated with CPV 2a antigenic variant (99.4% nt identity). Five CPV VP2 sequences from Lithuania were related to CPV-2a, but were rather divergent (6.8 nt differences). Only one CPV VP2 sequence from Lithuania was associated (99.3% nt identity) with CPV-2b VP2 sequences from France, Italy, USA and Korea. The four of eleven investigated Lithuanian dogs with CPV infection symptoms were vaccinated with CPV-2 vaccine, but their VP2 sequences were phylogenetically distantly associated with CPV vaccine strains VP2 sequences (11.5-15.8 nt differences).
Ten Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequences had monophyletic relations among the close geographically associated samples, but five of them were rather divergent (1.0% less sequence similarity). The one Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequence was closely related with CPV-2b antigenic variant. All the Lithuanian CPV VP2 partial sequences were conservative and phylogenetically low associated with most commonly used CPV vaccine strains.