bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suture exostosis with concurrent nasal septum chondrosarcoma in a horse
Authors: Bonilla A. G. , Wilson K. , Santschi E. M. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryA 15‐year‐old Hanoverian mare presented with a 10‐day history of facial swelling in the right maxillary and frontal regions, left epiphora and intermittent right epistaxis. Radiographs revealed suture exostosis of both nasofrontal sutures and a deviated and thickened nasal septum. Computed tomography (CT) of the skull revealed exostosis of the nasolacrimal sutures and ducts bilaterally of both nasofrontal sutures and of the right zygomatocomaxillary and lacrimomaxillary sutures. The mid‐to‐caudal aspect of the nasal septum was thickened and had multiple well demarcated hypoattenuated regions within the septum. Histological examination of biopsies taken from the right nasofrontal suture and the nasal septal mass revealed suture exostosis and nasal septum chondrosarcoma. The horse was treated with rest and anti‐inflammatories. The facial swelling and left epiphora were improved at 7 months telephone follow‐up. This report is the first to describe a nasal septum chondrosarcoma in a horse. Additionally, we suggest that the suture exostosis may have developed due to an alteration of the biomechanics of the skull sutures secondary to the septal tumour.
Treatment of a pulmonary granular cell tumour by repeated transendoscopic diode laser photoablation
Authors: Van Heesewijk N. , Knowles E. J. , Palgrave C. J. , Mair T. S. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryA 27‐year‐old Shetland mare was examined for persistent coughing, increased respiratory rate and mild exercise intolerance. Over the previous 5 months, the mare had experienced a persistent cough nonresponsive to medical and environmental management. Upon endoscopic examination of the lower airways, a mass was seen within the left mainstem bronchus; biopsy identified a granular cell tumour. The tumour was successfully reduced by repeated transendoscopic diode laser photoablation over a period of 4 months with no evidence of recurrence at 10 months post treatment.
Structural and catalytic effects of proline substitution and surface loop deletion in the extended active site of human carbonic anhydrase II
Authors: Boone Christopher D. , Rasi Valerio , Tu Chingkuang , McKenna Robert 
Published: February 2015

Bioengineering of a thermophilic enzyme starting from a mesophilic scaffold has proven to be a significant challenge, as several stabilizing elements have been proposed to be the foundation of thermal stability, including disulfide bridges, surface loop reduction, ionic pair networks, proline substitutions and aromatic clusters. This study emphasizes the effect of increasing the rigidity of human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II; EC 4.2.1.1) via incorporation of proline residues at positions 170 and 234, which are located in surface loops that are able to accommodate restrictive main‐chain conformations without rearrangement of the surrounding peptide backbone. Additionally, the effect of the compactness of HCA II was examined by deletion of a surface loop (residues 230–240) that had been previously identified as a possible source of thermal stability for the hyperthermophilic carbonic anhydrase isolated from the bacterium Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense YO3AOP1. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of these HCA II variants revealed that these structural modifications had a minimum effect on the thermal stability of the enzyme, while kinetic studies showed unexpected effects on the catalytic efficiency and proton transfer rates. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of these HCA II variants showed that the electrostatic potential and configuration of the highly acidic loop (residues 230–240) play an important role in its high catalytic activity. Based on these observations and previous studies, a picture is emerging of the various components within the general structural architecture of HCA II that are key to stability. These elements may provide blueprints for rational thermal stability engineering of other enzymes.DatabaseStructural data have been submitted to the Protein Data Bank under accession numbers 4QK1 (K170P), 4QK2 (E234P) and 4QK3 (Δ230—240).
Assessment of empirical formulas for prediction of the effects of projectile impact on concrete structures
Authors: Kosteski L. E. , Riera J. D. , Iturrioz I. , Singh R. K. , Kant T. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe prediction of the response of structures subjected to projectiles impact may often be accomplished by means of empirical or semi‐empirical formulas available in the technical literature, which address mainly cases of relevance in engineering practice in terms of the observed failure modes. The paper presents an evaluation of the performance of the equations most widely used in predictions of penetration, scabbing and perforation of concrete and rock structures by comparing the predicted results with experimentally observed response and with the results of detailed numerical analyses employing the truss‐like Discrete Element Method (DEM). Numerical DEM predictions were shown to be close to the experimentally determined responses of concrete plates subjected to impact throughout the range of velocities examined and were also consistent with the empirical formulas. In all cases the authors attempted to quantify the uncertainty inherent both in the predictions of empirical formulas and of the numerical analysis.
Non‐planar mixed‐mode growth of initially straight‐fronted surface cracks, in cylindrical bars under tension, torsion and bending, using the symmetric Galerkin boundary element method‐finite element method alternating method
Authors: Tian L. ‐G. , Dong L. ‐T. , Phan N. , Atluri S. N. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn this paper, the stress intensity factor (SIF) variations along an arbitrarily developing crack front, the non‐planar fatigue‐crack growth patterns, and the fatigue life of a round bar with an initially straight‐fronted surface crack, are studied by employing the 3D symmetric Galerkin boundary element method‐finite element method (SGBEM‐FEM) alternating method. Different loading cases, involving tension, bending and torsion of the bar, with different initial crack depths and different stress ratios in fatigue, are considered. By using the SGBEM‐FEM alternating method, the SIF variations along the evolving crack front are computed; the fatigue growth rates and directions of the non‐planar growths of the crack surface are predicted; the evolving fatigue‐crack growth patterns are simulated, and thus, the fatigue life estimations of the cracked round bar are made. The accuracy and reliability of the SGBEM‐FEM alternating method are verified by comparing the presently computed results to the empirical solutions of SIFs, as well as experimental data of fatigue crack growth, available in the open literature. It is shown that the current approach gives very accurate solutions of SIFs and simulations of fatigue crack growth during the entire crack propagation, with very little computational burden and human–labour cost. The characteristics of fatigue growth patterns of initially simple‐shaped cracks in the cylindrical bar under different Modes I, III and mixed‐mode types of loads are also discussed in detail.
Stable carbon isotope analysis reveals widespread drought stress in boreal black spruce forests
Authors: Walker Xanthe J. , Mack Michelle C. , Johnstone Jill F. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractUnprecedented rates of climate warming over the past century have resulted in increased forest stress and mortality worldwide. Decreased tree growth in association with increasing temperatures is generally accepted as a signal of temperature‐induced drought stress. However, variations in tree growth alone do not reveal the physiological mechanisms behind recent changes in tree growth. Examining stable carbon isotope composition of tree rings in addition to tree growth can provide a secondary line of evidence for physiological drought stress. In this study, we examined patterns of black spruce growth and carbon isotopic composition in tree rings in response to climate warming and drying in the boreal forest of interior Alaska. We examined trees at three nested scales: landscape, toposequence, and a subsample of trees within the toposequence. At each scale, we studied the potential effects of differences in microclimate and moisture availability by sampling on northern and southern aspects. We found that black spruce radial growth responded negatively to monthly metrics of temperature at all examined scales, and we examined ∆13C responses on a subsample of trees as representative of the wider region. The negative ∆13C responses to temperature reveal that black spruce trees are experiencing moisture stress on both northern and southern aspects. Contrary to our expectations, ∆13C from trees on the northern aspect exhibited the strongest drought signal. Our results highlight the prominence of drought stress in the boreal forest of interior Alaska. We conclude that if temperatures continue to warm, we can expect drought‐induced productivity declines across large regions of the boreal forest, even for trees located in cool and moist landscape positions.
Testing local and global stressor impacts on a coastal foundation species using an ecologically realistic framework
Authors: Cheng Brian S. , Bible Jillian M. , Chang Andrew L. , Ferner Matthew C. , Wasson Kerstin , Zabin Chela J. , Latta Marilyn , Deck Anna , Todgham Anne E. , Grosholz Edwin D. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractDespite the abundance of literature on organismal responses to multiple environmental stressors, most studies have not matched the timing of experimental manipulations with the temporal pattern of stressors in nature. We test the interactive effects of diel‐cycling hypoxia with both warming and decreased salinities using ecologically realistic exposures. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of negative synergistic effects on Olympia oyster growth; rather, we found only additive and opposing effects of hypoxia (detrimental) and warming (beneficial). We suspect that diel‐cycling provided a temporal refuge that allowed physiological compensation. We also tested for latent effects of warming and hypoxia to low‐salinity tolerance using a seasonal delay between stressor events. However, we did not find a latent effect, rather a threshold survival response to low salinity that was independent of early life‐history exposure to warming or hypoxia. The absence of synergism is likely the result of stressor treatments that mirror the natural timing of environmental stressors. We provide environmental context for laboratory experimental data by examining field time series environmental data from four North American west coast estuaries and find heterogeneous environmental signals that characterize each estuary, suggesting that the potential stressor exposure to oysters will drastically differ over moderate spatial scales. This heterogeneity implies that efforts to conserve and restore oysters will require an adaptive approach that incorporates knowledge of local conditions. We conclude that studies of multiple environmental stressors can be greatly improved by integrating ecologically realistic exposure and timing of stressors found in nature with organismal life‐history traits.
Plant and soil effects on bacterial communities associated with Miscanthus × giganteus rhizosphere and rhizomes
Authors: Li Dongfang , Voigt Thomas B. , Kent Angela D. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBacterial assemblages, especially diazotroph assemblages residing in the rhizomes and the rhizosphere soil of Miscanthus × giganteus, contribute to plant growth and nitrogen use efficiency. However, the composition of these microbial communities has not been adequately explored nor have the potential ecological drivers for these communities been sufficiently studied. This knowledge is needed for understanding and potentially improving M. × giganteus – microbe interactions, and further enhancing sustainability of M. × giganteus production. In this study, cultivated M. × giganteus from four sites in Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, and New Jersey were collected to examine the relative influences of soil conditions and plant compartments on assembly of the M. × giganteus‐associated microbiome. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer (ARISA) and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) targeting the nifH gene were applied to examine the total bacterial communities and diazotroph assemblages that reside in the rhizomes and the rhizosphere. Distinct microbial assemblages were detected in the endophytic and rhizosphere compartments. Site soil conditions had strong correlation with both total bacterial and diazotroph assemblages, but in different ways. Nitrogen treatments showed no significant effect on the composition of diazotroph assemblages in most sites. Endophytic compartments of different M. × giganteus plants tended to harbor similar microbial communities across all sites, whereas the rhizosphere soil of different plant tended to harbor diverse microbial assemblages that were distinct among sites. These observations offer insight into better understanding of the associative interactions between M. × giganteus and diazotrophs, and how this relationship is influenced by agronomic and edaphic factors.
Determination of silage face surface area on commercial California dairy farms
Authors: Meyer D. M. , Robinson P. H. , Price P. L. , Heguy J. M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAnalysis of exposed silage face surface area was conducted to better understand and provide feed management recommendations as well as evaluate potential compliance needs related to volatile organic compound emissions. Policy was developed by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (District) to restrict exposed surface area of silage piles to 199·7 m2 per farm if only one pile was exposed or 399·5 m2 per farm if more than one pile was exposed. Exposed surface area on piles of silages at 20 dairies was quantified to determine impacts of these surface area restrictions. Herd size ranged from 490 to 7,200 milking cows, and the number of exposed piles ranged from one to four per farm as maize and/or wheat silage. Surface area of piles was quantified based on pile measurements and geometric shapes. The measured value was compared to the estimated value using the District ‘online calculator’. The District calculator used inputs for base length and height with assumed constant relationships between base and top lengths. Five of 43 piles had >199·7 m2 of exposed surface area. Sixteen of 20 dairies with more than one exposed surface complied with the exposed surface area restriction. On average, the District calculator overestimated surface areas by 11·6% ± 14·8 (range −57·7 to 38·4%). Pile measurements and use of geometric shapes provide a more precise method to quantify exposed surface area. This will be of particular use for those operators who utilize the District calculator and find their exposed areas out of compliance.
International trends in health science librarianship part 13: Southern Africa (South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe)
Authors: Tshuma Ndumiso , Haruna Hussein , Muziringa Masimba C. , Chikonzo Agnes C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis is the 13th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. It is the first devoted to four different regions in the African continent. The present issue focuses on countries in Southern Africa – South Africa and Zimbabwe. The next issue will examine East Africa.
Bombesin staining in neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI) and other childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD)
Authors: Yancheva Slaveya G , Velani Asha , Rice Alexandra , Montero Angeles , Hansell David M , Koo Sergio , Thia Lina , Bush Andrew , Nicholson Andrew G 
Published: February 2015

AimsWe have analysed levels of bombesin‐positive neuroendocrine cells (NECs) in neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI) and other childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILDs) in order to validate proposed histological criteria for NEHI and investigate its aetiology.Methods and resultsThe extent of bombesin‐positive cells within airway epithelium was analysed in lung biopsies from seven patients diagnosed with NEHI, including two classified previously as non‐diagnostic, and other chILDs (n = 64) with age ranges of 1 month–18 years. NECs were counted and calculated as a percentage of airways containing NECs, average percentage of NECs per airway, percentage of airways with >10% NECs and number of neuroendocrine bodies (NEBs). Correlation with age and gender was also undertaken. Patients with NEHI had the highest average percentage of bombesin‐positive NECs per airway compared to other chILDs. However, NEH was also seen in many other chILDs, and appears to be most prominent in disorders associated with lung immaturity such as histological patterns associated with surfactant protein‐related disorders and pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis.ConclusionsNEH may, to a degree, be a marker of airway immaturity rather than the direct cause of NEHI. This possibility is supported by the fact that the number of bombesin‐positive NECs decreased with age in this cohort, independent of disease type. The average percentage of bombesin‐positive NECs per airway appears to be the best histological criterion for assessing the extent of NECs in the context of NEHI.
Whole of Life Tariffs in the Shadow of Europe: Penological Foundations and Political Popularity
Authors: PETTIGREW MARK 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article explores the escalating conflict between European judges and domestic politicians over the issue of whole of life tariffs. After the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Vinter and Others v. the United Kingdom and the subsequent decision of the Court of Appeal in R v. McLoughlin, there has been a very public tension between the two sides over reviewing prisoner sentences. When bids for release have previously been made by whole life prisoners, most infamously Myra Hindley, the political mood has been defiant. Now Europe has decreed that such prisoners are entitled to an enhanced review of their sentence beyond the possibility of executive release owing to terminal illness, the political stance has further hardened. Instead of enhanced sentence review, the response to Europe has been the announcement of widening the applicability of the tariff to those who kill police or prison officers.
Home‐range size and habitat use of European Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus nesting in a complex plantation‐forest landscape
Authors: Sharps Katrina , Henderson Ian , Conway Greg , Armour‐Chelu Neal , Dolman Paul M. 
Published: February 2015

In Europe, the consequences of commercial plantation management for birds of conservation concern are poorly understood. The European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus is a species of conservation concern across Europe due to population depletion through habitat loss. Pine plantation‐forest is now a key Nightjar nesting habitat, particularly in northwestern Europe, and increased understanding of foraging habitat selection is required. We radiotracked 31 Nightjars in an extensive (185‐km2) complex conifer plantation landscape in 2009 and 2010. Home‐range 95% kernels for females, paired males and unpaired males were an order of magnitude larger than song territories of paired males, emphasizing the importance of habitats beyond the song territory. Nightjars travelled a mean maximum distance of 747 m from the territory centre each night. Home‐range placement relative to landscape composition was examined by compositional analysis. Pre‐closure canopy forest (aged 5–10 years) was selected at all scales (MCP, 95% and 50% kernels), with newly planted forest (aged 0–4 years) also selected within 50% kernels. For telemetry fixes relative to habitat composition within 2 km of their territory centre, individuals again selected pre‐closure and newly planted forest, and also grazed grass heath. Open ungrazed habitat was not selected, with implications for open habitat planning for biodiversity conservation within public‐owned forests. Despite the Nightjars’ selection for younger growth, moth biomass was greater in older forest stands, suggesting that foraging site selection reflects ease of prey capture rather than prey abundance. Within large plantation‐forest landscapes, a variety of growth stages is important for this species and our results suggest that grazing of open habitats within and adjacent to forest will additionally benefit the European Nightjar.
Systemic glucocorticoids: important issues and practical guidelines for the dermatologist
Authors: Dodiuk‐Gad Roni P. , Ish‐Shalom Sophia , Shear Neil H. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe potent anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of systemic glucocorticoids have led to their wide use in the treatment of dermatologic diseases. However, glucocorticoids have been designated the “archetypal double‐edged sword of medicine” as a result of their various potential adverse side effects. Dermatologists face major challenges in their usage and require knowledge of both the risks related to their usage and strategies with which to manage them.ObjectivesThis brief review includes an evidence‐based, strategic approach to the general risk management of systemic glucocorticoids with a focus on preventing glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis (GIOP).MethodsWe assess which classes of corticosteroid are most likely to provoke allergic cross‐reactions and outline the mechanism for glucocorticoid resistance. We examine how glucocorticoids both help and impair normal physiology.ResultsFive reactivity groups are defined, based on the structural and clinical characteristics of glucocorticoids. Tests for allergy reactions and mechanisms for glucocorticoid resistance are described. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of GIOP are introduced.ConclusionGlucocorticoids play an important teleologic role in maintaining blood glucose levels adequate for brain function by inducing a catabolic state through the production of carbohydrates at the expense of proteins and fat stores. It is hoped that the various recommendations for the protection of patients treated with systemic glucocorticoids will provide physicians with practical guidelines for prescribing.
On maximin value and policy functions in an exhaustible resource model
Authors: Mitra Tapan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper studies maximin paths in the context of a standard exhaustible resource model. Under the assumption that the resource is important in production, it establishes the efficiency and uniqueness of non‐trivial maximin paths. It uses these results to study the nature of the maximin value and policy functions. The value function is shown to be differentiable with respect to the initial resource stock, and the derivative of the value function is related to the shadow prices associated with the maximin path starting from that resource stock. We show how maximin policy functions can be derived, using the maximin value function, and the fact that the maximin path always follows Hartwick's investment rule.
Ruin probabilities in models of resource management and insurance: A synthesis
Authors: Bhattacharya Rabi , Majumdar Mukul 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper synthesizes and contributes to the literature on ruin probabilities in two different contexts. First it explores a Markov (Lindley–Spitzer) process arising in a model of sustainable consumption of a renewable resource under uncertainty. The focus is on the rate of convergence of the stock process, particularly in the heavy‐tailed case. Next, it turns to the characterization of the ruin probability in the Sparre Andersen model of insurance. Both the heavy‐ and light‐tailed cases are investigated. Finally, some remarks on the mathematical connections between the two models are made.