bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Biopsy of Boar Testes Using Ultrasonographic Examination
Authors: Liepa Laima , Bruveris Zigmunds , Mangale Mara , Duritis Ilmars , Antane Vita , Auzans Alberts 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The biopsy of live animal testes is an important clinical manipulation to control spermatogenesis and reproductive system pathologies. The aim was to develop a method of boar testes biopsy using a biopsy gun with ultrasound guidance and to investigate the influence of this procedure on the boar testes parenchyma and quality of ejaculate. The biopsy was carried out in six 8-month-old boars. Fourteen days prior to and 21 days after biopsy, the quality of ejaculate was examined (weight of ejaculate; concentration and motility of spermatozoa) with a seven-day intervals. Ultrasound images of the testes parenchyma were recorded three times: directly before and 15 minutes after the biopsy, then 21 days after the procedure. The testes biopsies of generally anesthetized boars were performed with the biopsy gun for needle biopsy with a 12cm long, disposable 16-gauge needle 1.8mm in diameter (Vitesse) through 1cm skin incision in the depth of 1.2-1.6cm of parenchyma. Fifteen minutes after the biopsy, macroscopic injures of the parenchyma of all the boar testes were not detected in the ultrasound image. Twenty one days after biopsy, the hyperechogenic line 0.1-0.2cm in diameter was seen in the testes parenchyma of six boars in the depth of 1.2-1.6cm. The biopsy of boar testes did not influence the quality of boars ejaculate. The ultrasonographic examination of boar testicles before the biopsy reduced possibilities to traumatize large blood vessels of the testes. A perfect boar testicular biopsy was easy to perform using ultrasonographic examination in the pigsty conditions.
Determinants of Research Production at Top US Universities
Authors: David Quentin 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
In this article, I analyze the determinants of research production by higher education institutions in the US. I use four measures to build an index of top-level academic research production. I show that it is important to account for the presence of outliers in both dimensions (X and Y axes) and that most top-ranked institutions can be considered outliers. I find that university income, the share of income devoted to research expenses, and faculty size significantly increase the ability of an institution to produce top-level academic research. I also show that the relationship between average professor quality (proxied by salary) and the production of research is U-shaped, with a significant share of institutions located on the decreasing part of the curve.
Anticipated Regret or Endowment Effect? A Reconsideration of Exchange Asymmetry in Laboratory Experiments
Authors: Ratan Anmol 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
In simple exchange experiments, participants have been reported to trade their endowments with similar objects less frequently than predicted by the neoclassical demand theory. Recent research has indicated that the experimental support for exchange asymmetry is fragile in alternative environments. In this article, we report an environment which is different from all other environments previously known in which exchange asymmetry is not observed. In this environment, participants knew at the time of making exchange decisions that they will have an opportunity to reverse their decisions. We find significant differences in exchange asymmetry in this environment, and an environment in which exchange decisions were final. Such differences suggest that anticipated regret theory provides an adequate explanation for exchange asymmetry which is often reported in the laboratory experiments. Our results underscore the importance of careful design for testing theories in the laboratory experiments.
Interfacial properties of magnesium phosphate ceramics and sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
Authors: Chi Hengxuan , Englund Karl R. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The interfacial shear strength (τ
i) between magnesium phosphate ceramics (MPC) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) has been evaluated by means of a pullout test method. The binder system monopotassium phosphate (MKP) and magnesium oxide (MgO) resulted in the highest τ
i at a MKP/MgO ratio of 3:1. The influence of the levels of MPC binder and aggregates on the interfacial properties has been observed based on a mixture design model. The aggregates were Portland cement (PC), wollastonite (WO), and vitrified calcium aluminosilicates (VCAS). The MPC binder level was the primary factor influencing τ
i, while WO and VCAS can mutually promote τ
i. However, τ
i is decreased when PC is mixed with the two other aggregates. The environmental durability of VCAS-based MPC (V-MPC), PC-based MPC (C-MPC), and WO-based MPC (W-MPC) was assessed by treatments at conditioning (90% relative humidity) and water immersion. The V-MPC/maple has very poor moisture performance, while the C-MPC/maple and W-MPC/maple had reduced interfacial shear stresses but still maintained bond integrity unlike the V-MPC.
Stress concentration around a central hole as affected by material nonlinearity in fibrous composite laminated plates subject to in-plane loading
Authors: Abu-Farsakh Ghazi A. , Almasri Amin H. , Qa’dan Dana H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe distribution of stresses in laminated composite plates with a central circular hole and having various stacking sequences, different geometric dimensions and subjected to in-plane axial tensile loading was investigated. The ANSYS computer program was utilized using the finite element method to study the linear and nonlinear material effects. A new method was proposed for the purpose of incorporating the material nonlinearity model into the ANSYS computer program using the secant modulus material model. The aim of the authors is to analyze the effect of D/b and a/b ratios (where D is hole diameter, b is plate width, and a is plate length) on stresses induced in such plates. Analysis was carried out for angle-ply, four-layered symmetric laminated rectangular plates with various stacking sequences [±θ]s.
Parenthetische Teilsätze in mittelfranzösischen Texten des 14. und 15. JahrhundertsEine erste Version dieses Aufsatzes wurde im September 2011 in Berlin im Rahmen der SektionZwischen Satz und Text: Diskursmarker und Informationsstruktur in romanischer Diachroniedes 32. Romanistentages vorgetragen. Ich danke den Sektionsteilnehmern für ihre Anmerkungen und Anregungen. Martin Hummel und Ulrich Wandruszka, denen ich an dieser Stelle ebenfalls danken möchte, haben weitere Versionen des Textes gelesen und kommentiert.
Authors: Schneider Stefan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractEn ce qui concerne l’origine et le développement des clauses parenthétiques, il y a pour l’essentiel trois scénarios possibles: les clauses subordonnantes, les clauses subordonnées et les phrases indépendantes. Dans ce qui suit, ces scénarios sont examinés à la lumière des données du moyen français.
Observations on nematodes from the Indonesian shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor bicolor McClelland in India, including a revalidation of Heliconema ahiri Karve, 1941 (Physalopteridae)
Authors: Moravec František , Sheeba Sarasamma , Kumar Appukuttannair 
Published: December 2013

AbstractTwo species of parasitic nematodes, Heliconema ahiri Karve, 1941 (Physalopteridae) and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) anguillae Moravec et al., 2006 (Camallanidae), were recorded from the Indonesian shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor bicolor Mc-Clelland in the Chalakkudi River and Veli Lake, respectively, both Kerala, India. The former species (H. ahiri), rediscovered from eels in India after 82 years from its original description, has been redescribed and revalidated based on its specific feature (presence of groups of minute denticles in the mouth) distinguishing it from other congeners; its finding in A. b. bicolor represents a new host record. The latter species (P. anguillae) has been recorded in India for the first time. SEM examination of its first-stage larvae from uterus has shown that P. anguillae is another species of Procamallanus whose larvae possess a crown of digit-like processes at the tail tip.
Molecular survey of parasites in introduced Pelophylax perezi (Ranidae) water frogs in the Azores
Authors: James Harris D. , Spigonardi Maria , Maia João , Cunha Regina 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWater frogs, Pelophylax perezi, that are introduced in the Azores, were screened for parasites using PCR primers known to amplify Apicomplexa parasites, and using nematode-specific primers. With the former, three different organisms were detected: Hepatozoon, a trichodinid protozoan ciliate and a possible Stramenopile. Using the latter set of primers, a single unknown spirurid nematode was also detected. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Hepatozoon detected within amphibian hosts appear to form a clade, although relationships of these parasites do not match the vertebrate intermediate host phylogeny. Regarding the possible Stramenopile, it is unclear whether this organism was actually present on the amphibian or in the water on the surface of the tissue sample. Our findings highlight that many different organisms can be detected with these primers and that they can be used to screen introduced host populations to detect parasites that have been brought with them.
Bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae, Nycteribiidae) and mites (Acari) associated with bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in a high-altitude region in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Moras Ligiane , Bernardi Leopoldo , Graciolli Gustavo , Gregorin Renato 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA total of 71 bat flies belonging to families Nycteribiidae and Streblidae, and 37 mites were collected on 12 species of bats (Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae) from the Chapada do Abanador (Minas Gerais, Brazil), between July 2009 and April 2010. Two new occurrences of ectoparasites were recorded on Histiotus velatus (bat fly Basilia producta) and on Carollia perspicillata (mite Parichoronyssus bakeri). Five new occurrences were recorded for the state of Minas Gerais, increasing the range for bat flies Anatrichobius passosi, Paraeuctenodes similis, Basilia juquiensis, Basilia producta and for mite Periglischrus vargasi. Moreover, two new species of mites were recorded for Brazil (P. bakeri and Macronyssus aff. leislerianus). With regard to infracommunities, the most frequent association was between Anastrebla modestini and Exastinion clovisi on bat Anoura geoffroyi. This study contributed to characterize the fauna of bat ectoparasites in representative but poorly-sampled environments of the Atlantic Forest, the campos de altitude (high altitude grasslands) and cloud forests of southern Minas Gerais.
Effects of Echinostoma caproni miracidia dose on the neutral and polar lipids of Biomphalaria glabrata as determined by high-performance thin-layer chromatography
Authors: Hunsberger Alexandra , Fried Bernard , Sherma Joseph 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe effects of a 5 versus 25 miracidia exposure of Echinostoma caproni on the lipid composition of Biomphalaria glabrata was studied using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-densitometry. A 50 miracidia dose was not used because such a high level of exposure caused severe snail mortality by 3 weeks post-exposure (PE). Lipids were determined in the digestive-gland gonad complex (DGG) of the exposed snails and in the uninfected matched controls at 2 and 4 weeks PE. Extraction of lipids from DGGs was carried out by the Folch method with chloroform-methanol (2:1), and extracts were analyzed on Analtech HPTLC-HLF pre-adsorbent silica gel plates with measurement of separated bands using a CAMAG Scanner 3. For neutral lipids the mobile phase was petroleum ether-diethyl ether-glacial acetic acid (80:20:1) and the detection reagent was 5% ethanolic phosphoric acid, and for polar lipids chloroform-methanol-deionized water (65:25:4) mobile phase and 10% cupric sulfate in 8% phosphoric acid detection reagent were used. No significant differences in the concentrations of free sterols, free fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were seen at 2 weeks PE in any of the groups. At 4 weeks PE, the free fatty acid concentration increased significantly in the snails exposed to 25 miracidia compared to that of the 5 miracidia/snail group or the controls. Elevation of the free fatty acid fraction in the high dose snail group suggested that some changes occurred in the lipid metabolism of the snails in that group as a function of miracidia dose.
Genetic diversity in human malarial parasites of Khyber Agency Pakistan
Authors: Khatoon Lubna , Jan Muhammad , Khan Inam , Ullah Farhat , Malik Salman 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMalaria is wide spread in poor world and its burden has been assessed by the enumeration of malarial parasites in blood of patients. This study was designed to find a relationship between social structure, and spread of malaria in Khyber agency. The average parasite density was 2050 parasite/μl in Khyber Agency. Due to economic and social setup most of the people have habit of sleeping in open air thus playing role in high malaria prevalence and Plasmodium vivax remains the prevalent species. Genetic study performed on 110 Blood samples showed less genetic diversity for both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Eight alleles were distinguished both for Pvmsp 3α and Pvmsp 3β in total of 20 and 39 amplified samples of P. vivax respectively. Out of 17 samples amplified for P. falciparum 11 showed genotype K1 and 10 for MAD at Pfmsp-1 while 14 alleles were identified for 3D7/1C and two for FC27 of corresponding families of Pfmsp-2 gene. This shows that Plasmodium parasites are not genetically diverse in Khyber agency.
Nephroprotective Effects of Carvedilol and Curcuma longa against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Pathak NN , Rajurkar SR , Tarekh S , Badgire VV 
Published: December 2013

Objective: Goal of this study is to investigate the effects of carvedilol (5 mg/kg, p.o), aqueous and methanolic extract of Curcuma longa (500mg/kg, p.o) against cisplatin induced renal damage in Wistar rats after a single intraperitoneal injection of 7.5mg- 1. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=10). Rats in group I were normal control received normal saline (5 ml/kg; i. p.) on day zero, while group VIa and VIb were vehicle control, received carboxymethyl cellulose (2.5 ml/kg; p.o.) and propylene glycole (2.5 ml/kg, p.o.) respectively from day 3 to 17. Renal toxicity was induced in rats of group II, III, IV and V by a single administration of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg; i. p.) on day zero. Rats in group III, IV and V received a daily dose of carvedilol (5 mg/kg; p.o.), aqueous and methanolic extracts of Curcuma longa (500 mg/kg; p.o.) respectively from day 3 to 17, while group II served as cisplatin control. Results: Post treated rats with carvedilol and aqueous and methanolic extracts of Curcuma longa for 15 days significantly increased body weight, decreased cisplatin induced abnormalities and mortality and decreased all the kidney marker such as serum urea nitrogen (SUN), serum creatinine (SCr), total proteins (TP), and uric acid (UA) increased by cisplatin, however, no appreciable improvement in hematological parameters were observed when compared with cisplatin control. Conclusion: The results are indicative of nephroprotective effects of carvedilol as well as aqueous and methanolic extracts of Curcuma longa. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.5483 Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 91-98
Molecular Detection of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from Children with Acute Diarrhea in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Authors: Roy Sushmita , Shamsuzzaman SM , Mamun Kazi Z 
Published: December 2013

Objective: Multiplex PCR assay was used for diagnosis of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in stool samples of children (under 5 years) with acute diarrhea. Methods: Samples were collected from January 2011 to December 2011, from Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Dhaka Shishu Hospital. Multiplex PCR with five specific primer pairs to detect enteropathogenic E. coli (eae, bfp), enterotoxigenic E. coli (lt, st) and enteroaggregative E. coli (aat) were used. However, enteroinvasive E. coli, enterohemorrhagicE. coli and diffusely adhererentE. coli were not sought. Result: In total, 135 (67.5%) E. coli were isolated from 200 stool samples. The prevalence of DEC was 68 (34%). Among DEC, most frequently isolated pathotype was EPEC 40 (58.82%), followed by ETEC 24 (35.29%) and EAggEC 18 (26.47%). Among the EPEC, 5 (12.5%) were typical EPEC. Among the 68 DEC positive cases, 22 samples contained more than one pathogenic gene in various combinations. Among the combination of DEC, EPEC+ETEC combination was 6 (27.27%) followed by ETEC+EAggEC 4 (18.18%), EPEC+EAggEC and ETEC+EPEC+EAggEC were both in 3 (13.6%). Conclusion:This study shows that DEC is a common cause of childhood diarrhea in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. By using multiplex PCR assay, DEC can be diagnosed in one PCR reaction that makes a conclusive diagnosis of diarrhea. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.8576 Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 59-66
Biochemical Evaluation, Anthropometric Measurements in Assessment of Microvascular Complications in Females with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Munilakshmi U , Shashidhar KN , Harish R , Reddy Madhavi , Lakshmaiah V 
Published: December 2013

Objective: To investigate the role of the biochemical parameters in the prediction of the microvascular complications in Type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes female patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in R L Jalappa hospital attended to Sri Devearj Urs Medical College, Kolar. Randomly selected 45 female type 2 diabetes and non diabetes patients with the age group of 45-55 years attending medicine outpatient department from March 2011 to January 2012 were included in the study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were analyzed by standard methods. Results: Among variables studied height, obesity index and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were statistically significant between diabetes and non-diabetes. Diabetic female subjects showed higher values for insulin (16.90mcU/ml), uric acid (4.36mg/dl), urine albumin (305.71mg/dl) and albumin creatinine ratio (13.18mg/g) when compared with non-diabetic female subjects. The mean values for total cholesterol (182.09mg/dl), triglycerides (209.04mg/dl), high density lipoproteins (HDL-c) (36.44mg/dl), low density lipoproteins (LDL-c) (100.09mg/dl), Non-HDL (145.64mg/dl) and eGFR (97.03) in diabetes females and in non diabetes females 187.69mg/dl, 143.78mg/dl and 43.46mg/dl,115.20mg/dl, 144.22mg/dl, 87.03 for TC, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, non-HDL and eGFR respectively. Among parameters evaluated triglycerides and LDL-c were significant between diabetic and nondiabetic female subjects. Conclusion: In this study we observed 26.6% of nephropathy, 13.3% of retinopathy and 6.6% of neuropathy in diabetes females. However non-diabetes female subjects showed higher significant TC and LDL-c levels. This suggests that above the age of 45 year females requires comprehensive evaluation of anthropometric and biochemical parameters to avoid micro and macro vascular complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.8651 Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 113-119
Gas Quench Rate after Low Pressure Carburizing and its Influence on Fatigue Properties of Gears
Authors: Fahlkrans J. , Melander A. , Haglund S. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Process modifications of the gas quench sequence for low pressure carburized gears can increase the performance of up to 22 %, compared to direct gas quenching. Several test series were made with different interruptions of the gas quenching sequence, near the martensite start temperature Ms. The quench interruption resulted in an increase in magnitude of compressive residual stress which was attributed to temperature homogenization and rearrangement of local stresses. The increased fatigue strength was a result of the combination of enhancement of the compressive residual stress state, and of mechanical stabilization of austenite.
’We Have Become Niggers!’: Josephine Baker as a Threat to Viennese Culture
Authors: Horak Roman 
Published: December 2013

Early 1928 Josephine Baker, by that time a famous dancer and singer, came to Vienna to be part of a vaudeville show. Even before her arrival the waves went high – her possible presence in Vienna caused a major uproar there. Various commentators constructed an image of Baker that was based on the assumption that she was seriously attacked on the values of traditional European culture and, furthermore, true Viennese culture.
In my essay, where I address the Viennese Negerskandal more directly, I explore the various discourses that produced this ‘event’ along the interface of mass culture/avant-garde and high/low culture. It is evident that these events centre on a construction of ‘blackness’ and of ‘black cultural expression’; it goes without saying that racism and sexism play a central role.
I will, however, try to contextualize the ‘nigger scandal’ in a broader setting: against the background of Vienna in the late 1920s the perceived threat of ‘Americanisation’ will be discussed.
Fire Effects on Basal Area, Tiller Production, and Mortality of the C4 Bunchgrass, Purple Threeawn
Authors: Strong Dustin J. , Ganguli Amy C. , Vermeire Lance T. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractFire behavior associated with wild and prescribed fires is variable, but plays a vital role in how a plant responds to fire. Understanding the relationship between fire behavior and rangeland plant community response will help to improve the use of prescribed fire to achieve management objectives. Fire is an important ecological process in many rangeland ecosystems and can be used as a tool to maintain grassland plant communities and shift community composition. Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea Nutt.) is a grass native to North America that has poor forage quality and the ability to form near monocultures. Therefore, the identification of tools to reduce purple threeawn abundance is desirable. We assessed the effects of summer and fall prescribed fire on purple threeawn plant basal area, tiller production, and plant mortality one growing season post fire in the northern Great Plains. Thermocouples and portable data loggers were used to measure the maximum temperature, heat duration, and heat dosage that individual purple threeawn plants experienced. Fire reduced basal area and tiller production 59 % and 57 %, respectively. Heat dosage (C-statistic = 0.69) and heat duration (C-statistic = 0.65) were good predictors of purple threeawn mortality. A restrospective analysis showed maximum temperatures were similar for fall and summer fires but heat duration and dosage were 44 % and 21 % greater for summer fires, respectively. Our results indicate that purple threeawn is a fire sensitive species. The ability to predict purple threeawn mortality could enhance the efficacy of prescribed fire as tool to restore purple threeawn and other Aristida-dominated plant communities.