bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal Field Approaches for Electrokinetic In Situ Oxidation Remediation
Authors: Wu Ming Zhi , Reynolds David A. , Fourie Andy , Thomas David G. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNumerical simulations were used to identify and evaluate optimum electrode configurations and approaches for electrokinetic in situ chemical oxidation (EK‐ISCO) remediation of low‐permeability sediments. A newly developed groundwater and EK flow and reactive transport numerical model was used to conduct two‐dimensional scenario simulations of the coverage of an injected oxidant, permanganate, and the oxidation of a typical organic contaminant (tetrachloroethene, PCE). For linear configurations of vertical electrodes, the spacing of same‐polarity electrodes is recommended to be about one‐third to one‐quarter of the anode–cathode spacing. Greater coverage could also be achieved by locating additional oxidant injection wells at the divergence of the electric field in linear electrode configurations. Horizontal electrodes allowed greater contact between the injected permanganate and PCE and resulted in faster degradation of PCE compared to vertical electrodes. Pulsed oxidant injection, closer electrode spacing, and electric field reversal also resulted in faster EK‐ISCO remediation.
A geostatistical approach for groundwater head monitoring network optimisation: case of the Sfax superficial aquifer (Tunisia)
Authors: Triki Ibtissem , Zairi Moncef , Ben Dhia Hamed 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn many developing countries, the groundwater monitoring network is randomly designed, and consequently needs to be revised and optimised to reduce operation time and cost, remove redundant piezometric data, and strengthen sparseness data zone with supplementary observation well. The geostatistical approach used in this work is based on the universal kriging variance combined with cross‐validation test. Hence, a rational interpolation of water table elevations was performed to evaluate the accuracy of data employed in the piezometric head modelling. In this study, the groundwater monitoring network of the Sfax superficial aquifer in the south east of Tunisia was optimised. The elimination of five observation wells induces the invariability in the variance of estimate due to their less contribution in interpretations of the groundwater level behaviour. However, 38 wells were added at areas of high variance of the kriging in order to ameliorate the spatial coverage of the monitoring network.
The Comparative Effectiveness of Hydrochlorothiazide and Chlorthalidone in an Observational Cohort of Veterans
Authors: Lund Brian C. , Ernst Michael E. 
Published: September 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:623–629. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Indirect evidence suggests that chlorthalidone may be more effective than hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), but direct comparisons are lacking. Using national Veterans Administrative pharmacy data from 2003 to 2008, the authors performed a retrospective cohort study examining the effectiveness of chlorthalidone and HCTZ among new thiazide users. For 1 year following the thiazide start, rates of persistence of thiazide use, adequacy of response (defined as the absence of additional new antihypertensive medications following thiazide initiation), and an overall composite of treatment effectiveness incorporating both outcomes were examined. In this cohort of >125,000 individuals, persistence of thiazide use was higher for HCTZ than chlorthalidone (72.0% vs 62.0%; P<.001), but among thiazide‐persistent users, more HCTZ users had additional antihypertensives added compared with chlorthalidone (76.4% vs 70.1%; P<.001). The overall composite treatment response (thiazide persistence and no antihypertensive additions) revealed a slight advantage for HCTZ over chlorthalidone (50.7% vs 47.4%; P=.002). These findings remained consistent after adjustment using multivariable logistic regression. This study provides real‐world clinical data supporting a potential efficacy advantage of chlorthalidone among patients who tolerate the drug and remain persistent with treatment; however, strategies to optimize the way chlorthalidone is prescribed in clinical practice are necessary to increase its overall effectiveness relative to HCTZ.
Urbanisation effect onOrthoptera: which scale matters?
Authors: Penone Caterina , Kerbiriou Christian , Julien Jean‐François , Julliard Romain , Machon Nathalie , Le Viol Isabelle 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe characteristics of communities are determined by dispersal processes that are driven by landscape structure and species characteristics (traits). Understanding these processes requires a better assessment of the spatial scales that matter to species, based on their traits. This can be particularly addressed in an urban context where habitats are highly fragmented.We assessed the effects of urbanisation intensity on Orthoptera at different spatial scales and focused on two species traits: dispersal ability and habitat specialisation.We recordedTettiigonidaesounds from running trains along 209 km of five railway lines. As an urbanisation measure, the percentage of impervious surfaces around the railway edges was calculated at 11 spatial scales around the railways. We then tested the effect of urbanisation on species richness, abundance, and traits and determined at which spatial scale the relationship was strongest.Urbanisation had a negative effect on total species richness, abundance and community specialisation. This pattern was stronger at larger spatial scales, and the results differed according to the species' functional traits: mobile species were more sensitive to urbanisation at larger scales than sedentary species, and no scale effect on specialisation was detected.We conclude that insects may respond to landscapes over a broad set of spatial scales and that considering their specific traits is essential in spatial scales studies. Finally, we argue that railway edges can play a role in insect conservation in urban landscapes.
Microbial urate catabolism: characterization of HpyO, a non‐homologous isofunctional isoform of the flavoprotein urate hydroxylase HpxO
Authors: Michiel Magalie , Perchat Nadia , Perret Alain , Tricot Sabine , Papeil Aude , Besnard Marielle , de Berardinis Véronique , Salanoubat Marcel , Fischer Cécile 
Published: September 2012

SummaryIn aerobic cells, urate is oxidized to 5‐hydroxyisourate by two distinct enzymes: a coenzyme‐independent urate oxidase (EC 1.7.3.3) found in eukaryotes and bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and a prokaryotic flavoprotein urate hydroxylase (HpxO) originally found in some Klebsiella species. More cases of analogous or non‐homologous isofunctional enzymes (NISE) for urate catabolism have been hypothesized by inspecting bacterial genomes. Here, we used a functional complementation approach in which a candidate gene for urate oxidation is integrated by homologous recombination in the Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 genome at the locus of its original hpxO gene. Catabolism of urate was restored in A. baylyi ADP1 expressing a FAD‐dependent protein from Xanthomonas campestris, representing a new urate hydroxylase family that we called HpyO. This enzyme was kinetically characterized and compared with other HpxO enzymes. In contrast to the latter, HpyO is a typical Michaelian enzyme. This work provides the first experimental evidences for the function of HpyO in bacterial urate catabolism and establishes it as a NISE of HpxO.
Microbial community composition controls the effects of climate change on methane emission from rice paddies
Authors: Liu Guang Cheng , Tokida Takesi , Matsunami Toshinori , Nakamura Hirofumi , Okada Masumi , Sameshima Ryoji , Hasegawa Toshihiro , Sugiyama Shu‐ichi 
Published: September 2012

SummaryRice paddies are one of the most important sources of CH4 emission from the terrestrial ecosystem. A Free‐air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment, which included a soil warming treatment, was conducted in a rice paddy at Shizukuishi, Japan. In this study, the changes in CH4 emission from a rice paddy, caused by global climate change, were explored in relation to the structural changes that have occurred in the methanogenic archaeal communities found in the soil and roots. The composition of the archaeal community was examined by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) using the 16S rRNA gene, while its abundance was measured by real‐time PCR using the methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) gene. The archaeal community in the roots showed considerable change, characterized by the dominance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens and a corresponding decrease in acetoclastic methanogens. Seasonal changes in CH4 flux were closely related to the changes in methanogen abundance in the roots. Elevated CO2 caused an increase in root mass, which increased the abundance of methanogens leading to a rise in CH4 emissions. However, soil warming stimulated CH4 emissions by increasing CH4 production per individual methanogen. These results demonstrated that climate warming stimulates CH4 emission in a rice paddy by altering the abundance and activity of methanogenic archaea in the roots.
Reliability of the Traditional Classification Systems for Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries by Radiography
Authors: Ng Chye Yew , Smith Emma Kate , Funk Lennard 
Published: September 2012

Background The present study aimed to examine the reliability of the radiographic classification systems for acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries. Methods We initially polled 47 orthopaedic surgeons regarding what common technique they used for applying the Rockwood and the Tossy and Allman classification systems. All used a single standard AC joint view (Zanca view). We then presented 24 Zanca view radiographs of patients who had sustained AC joint injuries to 19 specialist shoulder surgeons and asked each of them to classify the injuries using the Rockwood and the Tossy and Allman classification systems. We then altered the order of radiographs and repeated the survey with the same group of surgeons 1 month later. Results The mean inter-observer agreement and the corresponding weighted kappa for the Rockwood and the Tossy and Allman classification system were 64.6% and 0.258; and 68.1% and 0.309, respectively. The mean intra-observer agreement and the corresponding weighted kappa for the systems were 59.4% and 0.150; and 67.4% and 0.113, respectively. Conclusions We conclude that the classification of AC joint injuries using a radiograph alone has limited reliability and consistency in clinical practice.
Iron replacement options: oral and intravenous formulations
Authors: CANÇADO RODOLFO D. , MUÑOZ MANUEL 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYLack of iron is one of the main causes of anemia in the general population and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment of iron deficiency with oral iron supplements is a simple and inexpensive, but oral iron is a less‐than‐ideal treatment because of gastrointestinal side‐effects and long treatment times needed to resolve anemia and replenish body iron stores. Nonadherence is common, and even in compliant patients poor intestinal absorption fails to compensate for the iron need in the presence of ongoing blood losses or inflammatory conditions. Modern intravenous (IV) iron formulations have emerged as safe and effective alternatives to oral iron for the treatment of IDA. Given their demonstrated effectiveness and favorable safety profile in a broad spectrum of diseases associated with IDA, the current paradigm that oral iron is first‐line therapy should be reconsidered. In the past few years, three new IV iron compounds (ferric carboxymaltose, ferumoxytol and iron isomaltoside 1000) have been released for clinical use in patients with IDA. These new preparations with more favorable administration regimens have the potential to improve the convenience and cost‐effectiveness of IV iron therapy.
Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe of the liver
Authors: Nishigaki Youichi , Tomita Eiichi , Hayashi Hideki , Suzuki Yusuke , Iritani Soichi , Kato Tomohiro , Yamada Tetsuya 
Published: September 2012

AimRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising alternative to hepatic resection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located in the caudate lobe. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of RFA for HCC located in the caudate lobe compared with HCC located elsewhere in the liver.MethodsOverall, 555 consecutive patients treated by RFA for a single HCC tumor of less than 3 cm diameter, were enrolled in this study, including 20 patients with HCC located in the caudate lobe. Among these 20 patients, HCC was located in the Spiegel lobe in eight patients, in the paracaval portion in another 10 and in the caudate process in two. We evaluated differences in the local recurrence rate and the incidence of complications associated with RFA between the caudate and the non‐caudate groups.ResultsThe 4‐year cumulative local recurrence rate after RFA in the caudate group and the non‐caudate group was 22.3% and 4.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of factors affecting local recurrence demonstrated that tumor size and tumor location (caudate or non‐caudate) were independent significant factors. No postoperative complications were observed in the caudate group, whereas 15 patients (2.8%) in the non‐caudate group experienced complications related to RFA.ConclusionWe were able to safely treat HCC located in the caudate lobe by RFA. However, there was a high incidence of local recurrence, presumably because of the heat sink effect of the inferior vena cava and the restricted puncture approach. We should pursue a revised method to reduce local recurrence.
Prevalence of Overconditioning in Mature Horses in Southwest Virginia during the Summer
Authors: Thatcher C.D. , Pleasant R.S. , Geor R.J. , Elvinger F. 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity in horses in the eastern United States is not well documented.ObjectiveTo determine body condition and risk factors for obesity in horses in Southwest Virginia during summer.AnimalsA sample of 300 mature (4–20 years old), light breed horses (140 mares, 151 geldings, and 9 stallions) from the VMRCVM Equine Field Service practice equine database. The horses were from 114 farms and 138 owners.MethodsHorses were evaluated over a 60‐day period in this cross‐sectional, prospective study. A questionnaire was completed for each horse. Body condition score (BCS) was assigned using a scale of 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese) by 2 independent scorers. Morphometric measurements included average neck circumference (ANC), girth, body length, and height at the withers. Horses were categorized based on BCS as underconditioned (BCS < 4), optimal condition (BCS 4–6), overconditioned (BCS 7), and obese condition (BCS 8–9).ResultsFive horses (1.7%) were underconditioned, 142 horses (47.3%) were optimally conditioned, 97 horses (32.3%) were overconditioned, and 56 (18.7%) were obese. Estimated body weight (EBW) (r = 0.14, P = .015), body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.46, P < .001), and neck circumference to height ratio (NCHR) (r = 0.50, P = .001) increased with increasing BCS.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe prevalence of overconditioned and obese horses in this population was higher than reported in previous studies and indicates that obesity might be an emerging problem in horses.
Concurrent Ivermectin and Solanum spp. Toxicosis in a Herd of Horses
Authors: Norman T.E. , Chaffin M.K. , Norton P.L. , Coleman M.C. , Stoughton W.B. , Mays T. 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundRepresentatives from a herd of horses with acute onset of neurologic signs after administration of ivermectin presented for evaluation and treatment.ObjectivesDescribe clinical signs of horses intoxicated by ingestion of Solanum sp. and administered ivermectin.AnimalsSix of 11 affected unrelated horses presented for evaluation and treatment. The remaining 5 affected horses were treated at the farm. Four additional horses, housed separately, were unaffected.MethodsCase series is presented. Serum ivermectin concentrations were evaluated in the 6 hospitalized horses. The remnants of the tubes of ivermectin paste were analyzed for ivermectin concentration. The hay fed to the affected horses was analyzed for the presence of toxic plants.ResultsSerum ivermectin concentrations were higher than expected, given the dosage of ivermectin administered. The ivermectin concentration remaining in the administration tubes did not exceed specifications. The hay was heavily contaminated by 2 Solanum species. All horses returned to normal neurologic function with supportive care.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHorses might exhibit signs of ivermectin toxicity after appropriate dosing of the drug if they concurrently consume toxic plants of the Solanum family.
Equine keratomycoses in California from 1987 to 2010 (47 cases)
Authors: Reed Z. , Thomasy S. M. , Good K. L. , Maggs D. J. , Magdesian K. G. , Pusterla N. , Hollingsworth S. R. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study:Equine keratomycosis in the western USA has received little study, probably owing to its low prevalence.Objectives:To determine clinical features, predominant fungal isolates, treatment modalities and outcomes of horses with keratomycosis in California and compare these with results from different geographic regions.Methods:Records of horses presented to the University of California‐Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD‐VMTH) with confirmed keratomycosis between 1987 and 2010 were reviewed for this retrospective study. Information retrieved from the record included background, ophthalmic examination findings, treatment prior to and following presentation, visual outcome, and ocular survival.Results:A total of 48 eyes in 47 horses met the inclusion criteria and comprised 2% of cases presented to the UCD‐VMTH ophthalmology service. Prior to presentation, 20 horses (43%) received at least one topically administered anti‐inflammatory medication. Keratomycosis was confirmed by fungal culture in 38 horses (81%), by histopathology in 2 horses (4%) and by cytology in 7 horses (15%). Forty‐four isolates were identified in the 38 horses cultured;Aspergilluswas the most common isolate (64%) and a novel isolate,Papulospora,was identified in 2 horses. Treatment consisted of medication only (73%), medical and surgical treatment (25%), or immediate enucleation (2%). Globe retention was 77% and vision retention was 53%.Corneal perforation was significantly associated with loss of vision (P<0.001).Conclusions:Keratomycosis is relatively uncommon in horses presented for ophthalmic conditions at UCD‐VMTH. Corneal perforation was a negative prognostic indicator for vision in this population of northern Californian horses.
A retrospective study of horses investigated for weight loss despite a good appetite (2002–2011)
Authors: Metcalfe L. V. A. , More S. J. , Duggan V. , Katz L. M. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study: Weight loss despite a good appetite is a frequent diagnostic challenge for equine veterinarians; however, there are few objective reports and little descriptive information regarding risk factors and prognostic indicators.Objectives: To provide a descriptive epidemiological analysis of horses evaluated for weight loss despite a good appetite and evaluate relationships between historical and clinicopathological findings and final outcome (survival vs. nonsurvival) to identify risk factors and prognostic indicators.Methods: Medical records of horses referred for investigation of weight loss despite a good appetite were reviewed. Data collated included history, case details, clinical and diagnostic findings, diagnoses and outcome. Univariable associations were evaluated with a Mann–Whitney U test (continuous data), Fisher's exact test (categorical or binary data) or Pearson's rank correlation (continuous data), with P≤0.05 significant.Results: Forty cases met the inclusion criteria. Total protein (P = 0.004) and albumin concentrations (P = 0.0008) at admission were higher in survivors than nonsurvivors, with total protein (r2= 0.31; P = 0.002) and albumin (r2= 0.36; P = 0.0002) positively correlated with outcome. Hypoproteinaemic (P = 0.008, odds ratio (OR) = 12, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.99–72.4) and hypoalbuminaemic (P = 0.0009, OR = 28, 95% CI = 2.94–266.6) animals were at greater odds for nonsurvival. Body condition score was positively correlated with total protein (r2= 0.16; P = 0.05) and albumin (r2= 0.53; P<0.0001) concentrations at admission and duration of clinical signs (r2= 0.19; P = 0.03).Conclusions: The severity of hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were related with nonsurvival. Body condition score and albumin concentration could potentially be used as prognostic indicators for survival.Potential relevance: These findings highlight the importance of body condition assessment in conjunction with clinicopathological evaluation in horses with weight loss despite a good appetite.
Inhibition of hirame rhabdovirus growth by RNA aptamers
Authors: Hwang S D , Midorikawa N , Punnarak P , Kikuchi Y , Kondo H , Hirono I , Aoki T 
Published: September 2012

AbstractRNA aptamers are artificial nucleic acids that specifically bind to a wide variety of targets. They are an effective tool for pharmaceutical research and development of antiviral agents. Here, we describe four Hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)‐RNA aptamers (H1, H2, H3 and H4) that we obtained from an in vitro process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The HIRRV‐RNA aptamers specifically bind to HIRRV. Hirame natural embryo (HINAE) cells treated with virus and the RNA aptamer showed a decrease in appearance of cytopathic effect when compared with control (treated only with virus). Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was transformed with genes for the RNA aptamers, and the aptamers were detected in the culture medium, indicating that they were secreted from the cells. Thus, the recombinant R. sulfidophilum might be a powerful tool for the prevention of HIRRV in aquaculture.
Integration of natural data within a numerical model of ablative subduction: a possible interpretation for the Alpine dynamics of the Austroalpine crust
Authors: RODA M. , SPALLA M. I. , MAROTTA A. M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA numerical modelling approach is used to validate the physical and geological reliability of the ablative subduction mechanism during Alpine convergence in order to interpret the tectonic and metamorphic evolution of an inner portion of the Alpine belt: the Austroalpine Domain. The model predictions and the natural data for the Austroalpine of the Western Alps agree very well in terms of P–T peak conditions, relative chronology of peak and exhumation events, P–T–t paths, thermal gradients and the tectonic evolution of the continental rocks. These findings suggest that a pre‐collisional evolution of this domain, with the burial of the continental rocks (induced by ablative subduction of the overriding Adria plate) and their exhumation (driven by an upwelling flow generated in a hydrated mantle wedge) could be a valid mechanism that reproduces the actual tectono‐metamorphic configuration of this part of the Alps. There is less agreement between the model predictions and the natural data for the Austroalpine of the Central‐Eastern Alps. Based on the natural data available in the literature, a critical discussion of the other proposed mechanisms is presented, and additional geological factors that should be considered within the numerical model are suggested to improve the fitting to the numerical results; these factors include variations in the continental and/or oceanic thickness, variation of the subduction rate and/or slab dip, the initial thermal state of the passive margin, the occurrence of continental collision and an oblique convergence.