bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influences of grassland degradation on forage availability by sheep in the Inner Mongolian steppes of China
Authors: WANG Chengjie , WANG Shiping , ZHOU He , Li Zhiqiang , HAN Guodong 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTIn China and throughout the world, evaluation of the nutrient values of forages has always lagged behind research regarding the nutrient requirements of animals. In this study, the effective degradability and availability of forages were evaluated on undegraded and degraded grassland using a technique where nylon bags were incubated in sheep rumen. We found that the concentrations of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non‐fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and carbohydrates (CHO) of forage were higher (P < 0.05) and the crude protein (CP) concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in the degraded grassland than in the undegraded grassland. The effective degradability (ED) of NFC (EDNFC) was higher (P < 0.05) and EDCHO and EDNDF were lower in the undegraded grassland than in the degraded grassland. The EDOM and EDCP were not affected by the type of grassland, which may explain why ED is an inadequate parameter for the evaluation of forage availability. According to an analysis of the ratio of effectively degraded N to OM and NFC, plants of the undegraded grassland can provide more digestive nutrients to meet the requirements of grazing animals compared to plants of the degraded grassland. Results suggested that it is inadequate to consider only chemical composition and effective degradability when evaluating forage availability with grassland degradation. The ratio of effectively degraded N to OM and NFC was an appropriate indicator.
Consensual Validation of the Nursing Diagnoses Fear and Anxiety Identified at the Immediate Preoperative Period in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery
Authors: Suriano Maria Lucia Fernandez , Michel Jeanne Marlene , Zeitoun Sandra Salloum , Herdman T. Heather , de Barros Alba Lucia Botura Leite 
Published: April 2011

PURPOSE.  To identify the most frequent defining characteristics (DCs) for the diagnoses fear and anxiety in Brazilian patients in the immediate preoperative period following elective cardiac surgery; to develop conceptual and operational definitions for the DCs; to develop consensual validation.METHODS.  Clinical and observational, descriptive study developed in two phases.FINDINGS.  Forty DCs were identified for fear and 19 for anxiety. One expert judged it necessary to include “altered bowel motility” as a DC for fear. There was 100% agreement among the five experts in relation to the DCs.CONCLUSIONS.  To add “altered bowel motility” to the DCs for the nursing diagnosis fear.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE.  To enable nurses to more accurately assess patients for these diagnoses.OBJETIVOS.  Selecionar as características definidoras mais freqüentes dos diagnósticos de enfermagem de medo e ansiedade em pacientes brasileiros no pré‐operatório imediato submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca eletiva; formular definições conceituais e operacionais para as características definidoras; realizar a validação consensual.MÉTODOS.  Estudo clínico e observacional desenvolvido em duas fases.RESULTADOS.  Foram identificadas 14 características definidoras para medo e 19 para ansiedade. Inicialmente, um especialista julgou necessária a inclusão de “mobilidade intestinal alterada” para medo. Posteriormente, foram atingidos 100% de concordância entre os cinco especialistas em relação às características definidoras.CONCLUSÃO.  Acrescentar “mobilidade intestinal alterada” para o diagnóstico de enfermagem de medo.IMPLICACÕES PARA A PRÁTICA.  Fornecer subsídios para uma melhor avaliação dos pacientes com tais diagnósticos.
Increased Productivity and Reduced Seed Predation Favor a Large‐seeded Palm in Small Atlantic Forest Fragments
Authors: Andreazzi Cecilia S. , Pimenta Clarissa S. , Pires Alexandra S. , Fernandez Fernando A. S. , Oliveira‐Santos Luiz G. , Menezes Jorge F. S. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTLarge‐seeded plants are especially vulnerable to the loss of seed dispersers in small forest fragments. The palm Attalea humilis goes against this trend by reaching high abundances in small remnants. Productivity, seed dispersal and seed predation of A. humilis were investigated in two large (2400 and 3500 ha) and three small (19, 26 and 57 ha) Atlantic Forest fragments in southeastern Brazil. Palms in the small fragments produced more female inflorescences, resulting in a higher fruit production in these places. Seed dispersal rates were higher in the large fragments, where scatter hoarding was more frequent. Scolytine beetles were the main seed predators and damaged a larger number of seeds in small fragments, but predation by rodents and bruchine beetles was low irrespective of fragment size. As scolytines do not necessarily kill the seeds, low predation by bruchines and rodents, together with its own high productivity, allow A. humilis to be more abundant in small fragments despite the scarcity of its main dispersers. This increased abundance, by its turn, can increase competitive interactions between A. humilis and other plants in small fragments. Thus, abundance patterns of A. humilis are a good example of fragmentation affecting the balance of ecological interactions in a complex way, emphasizing the role of preserving ecological processes for conserving biodiversity in fragmented tropical landscapes.Abstract in Portuguese is available at http://www.blackwell‐synergy.com/loi/btp.
An elusive radio halo in the merging cluster Abell 781?
Authors: Venturi T. , Giacintucci G. , Dallacasa D. , Brunetti G. , Cassano R. , Macario G. , Athreya R. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Deep radio observations of the galaxy cluster Abell 781 have been carried out using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 325 MHz and have been compared to previous 610-MHz observations and to archival Very Large Array (VLA) 1.4-GHz data. The radio emission from the cluster is dominated by a diffuse source located at the outskirts of the X-ray emission, which we tentatively classify as a radio relic. We detected residual diffuse emission at the cluster centre at the level of S325 MHz∼ 15–20 mJy. Our analysis disagrees with Govoni et al., and on the basis of simple spectral considerations, we do not support their claim of a radio halo with the flux density of 20–30 mJy at 1.4 GHz. Abell 781, a massive and merging cluster, is an intriguing case. Assuming that the residual emission is indicative of the presence of a radio halo barely detectable at our sensitivity level, it could be a very steep spectrum source.
EFFICACY OF OZONE PRODUCE WASHERS IN REDUCING NATURAL AND ARTIFICIALLY INOCULATED MICROORGANISMS ON ROMA TOMATOES AND GREEN ONIONS
Authors: LONG III WILBERT , PAO STEVEN , INSERRA PAULA , WESTBROOK EDWINA , AHN SOOHYOUN 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the efficacy of ozone washing appliances for microbial decontamination of tomatoes and green onions. Produce were submerged for light or heavy washing in ozone Washer‐A or ‐B (Washer‐B generates higher levels of ozone and agitation) or nonozone Washer‐C. Ozone washings reduced total aerobic mesophile counts on whole tomatoes but not green onions when compared to unwashed samples. Washer‐B at heavy setting reduced coliform numbers on whole tomatoes by 1.9 cfu/g. Furthermore, Washer‐B yielded more than 2.0 log reductions of Escherichia coli (inoculation level at ∼6.3 log cfu/g) on the edible portions of tomatoes than Washer‐A at comparable settings. A follow‐up study using Washer‐B showed that ozone application can significantly reduce E. coli and Salmonella in produce wash water to prevent cross‐contamination. However, when compared to nonozone washing of produce, improved reduction of natural and artificially inoculated microorganisms by ozone applications was not found. Microscopic observation corroborates microbial enumeration showing that removing nonedible portions (stem scars or root bulbs) of washed tomatoes and green onions is beneficial for microbial decontamination.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSContaminated produce is a major cause of bacterial‐related foodborne illnesses in the U.S.A. To meet consumer's demand for safer produce, effective sanitizing methods need to be developed and verified. Data from this study expands our knowledge of ozone‐based kitchen appliances for produce sanitization and their practical value for preventing cross‐contamination during produce washing. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of removing stem‐scar and root bulb portions of washed produce for food safety.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SECONDARY METABOLITES FROM METASEQUOIA GLYPTOSTROBOIDES MIKI EX HU
Authors: BAJPAI VIVEK K. , KANG SUN CHUL 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAn increase in foodborne diseases has prompted the search for novel antibacterial agents to control foodborne pathogens. In this study, an abietane type diterpenoid, sugiol was isolated from Metasequoia glyptostroboides using a column chromatographic analysis. The structure of the compound was elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. The sugiol (50 µg/disc) showed potential antibacterial effect as diameters of inhibition zones (10.2 ± 0.3 to 16 ± 0.4 mm) against foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations values of sugiol against the employed bacteria were found in the range of 62.5 to 250 and 125 to 250 µg/mL, respectively. Also the compound had strong antibacterial effect on the viable counts of the tested bacteria. Scanning electron microscopic study demonstrated potential detrimental effect of sugiol on the morphology of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19166. These findings indicate that sugiol could be a possible candidate for using in food industry to control foodborne pathogens.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSFoodborne pathogens are the leading causes of illness and death in developed countries. These pathogens are responsible for millions of cases of infectious gastrointestinal diseases each year, costing billions of dollars in medical care and lost productivity. New foodborne pathogens and foodborne diseases are likely to emerge driven by factors such as pathogen evolution, changes in food manufacturing practices, and changes to the human host status. Fuelled by these concerns, research on plant‐based natural and biologically active secondary metabolites to control the foodborne pathogens has escalated to unprecedented levels in recent years. Plant‐based antimicrobials have been found to suppress the growth of foodborne pathogens in various in vitro and in vivo models. The findings of this study clearly indicate that biologically active diterpenoid, sugiol isolated form Metasequoia glyptostroboides could be used as an affective candidate to control the growth of certain important foodborne pathogens.
The Wnt/Frizzled pathway as a therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy: where do we stand?
Authors: ter Horst P. , Smits J. F. M. , Blankesteijn W. M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy is an enlargement of the heart muscle in response to wall stress. This hypertrophic response often leads to heart failure. In recent years, several studies have shown the involvement of Wnt signalling in hypertrophic growth. In this review, the role of Wnt signalling and the possibilities for therapeutic interventions are discussed. In healthy adult heart tissue, Wnt signalling is very low. However, under pathological condition such as hypertension, Wnt signalling is activated. In recent years, it has become clear that both β‐catenin‐dependent signalling and β‐catenin‐independent signalling are involved in hypertrophic growth. Several studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have shown that genetic interventions in Wnt signalling at different levels resulted in an attenuated or diminished hypertrophic response. Therefore, inhibition of Wnt signalling could provide a new therapeutic strategy for cardiac hypertrophy, but further research on the Wnts and Frizzleds involved in the different forms of cardiac hypertrophy will be needed to achieve this goal.
Effects of adrenaline on lactate, glucose, lipid and protein metabolism in the placebo controlled bilaterally perfused human leg
Authors: Gjedsted J. , Buhl M. , Nielsen S. , Schmitz O. , Vestergaard E. T. , Tønnesen E. , Møller N. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim:  Adrenaline has widespread metabolic actions, including stimulation of lipolysis and induction of insulin resistance and hyperlactatemia. Systemic adrenaline administration, however, generates a very complex hormonal and metabolic scenario. No studies employing regional, placebo controlled and adrenaline infusion exist. Our study was designed to test the hypothesis that local placebo controlled leg perfusion with adrenaline directly increases local lactate release, stimulates lipolysis, induces insulin resistance and leaves protein metabolism unaffected.Methods:  We studied seven healthy volunteers with bilateral femoral vein and artery catheters during 3‐h basal and 3‐h hyperinsulinemic (0.6 mU kg−1 min−1) euglycemic clamp conditions. One femoral artery was perfused with saline and the other with adrenaline (0.4 μg min m−2). Lipid metabolism was quantified with [9,10‐3H] palmitate and amino acid metabolism with 15N‐phenylalanine and lactate and glucose by raw arterio‐venous differences.Results:  Femoral vein plasma adrenaline increased ≈eightfold in the perfused leg with unaltered blood flows. Adrenaline perfusion significantly increased local leg lactate release from 0.01 to 0.25 mmol min−1 per leg, palmitate release in the basal state 11.5–16.9 μmol min−1 per leg and during the clamp 2.62–8.44 μmol min−1 per leg. Glucose uptake decreased during the clamp from ≈180 to 30 μmol min−1 per leg. Phenylalanine kinetics was not affected by adrenaline.Conclusion:  Adrenaline directly increases lactate release and lipolysis and inhibits insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in the perfused human leg. Adrenaline has no direct effects on peripheral amino acid metabolism. Adrenaline‐induced lactate release from striated muscle may be an important mechanism underlying hyperlactatemia in the critically ill.
Second International Workshop for Glycosylation Defects in Muscular Dystrophies, 11–12 November, 2010, Charlotte, USA
Authors: Chan Yiumo M. , Brown Susan C. , Lu Qi 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe second International Workshop for Glycosylation Defects in Muscular Dystrophies took place on November 11 and 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. The meeting was hosted by the Carolinas Medical Center with financial support from the Carolinas Muscular Dystrophy Research Endowment at the Carolinas HealthCare Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and funds raised by the “Jeans, Genes & Geniuses” event organized by Jane and Luther Lockwood. Since conducting the first workshop in May 2008, significant progress has been made in a subset of muscular dystrophies associated with defects in alpha‐dystroglycan (α‐DG) glycosylation. New findings on α‐DG glycosylation and creation of novel animal models have expanded our understanding of the disease mechanism. The 2010 workshop focused on the following topics; (i) functional glycosylation of α‐DG; (ii) animal models; and (iii) novel experimental therapies. The workshop brought together a total of 22 internationally renowned scientists and clinicians from US, UK, Denmark and Japan with active research and expertise in these areas. Overall, the workshop provided a unique opportunity to discuss the significance of recent progress, facilitate international collaboration, and identify new approaches to treat the disease.
Optimizing methods for PCR‐based analysis of predation
Authors: SINT DANIELA , RASO LORNA , KAUFMANN RÜDIGER , TRAUGOTT MICHAEL 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMolecular methods have become an important tool for studying feeding interactions under natural conditions. Despite their growing importance, many methodological aspects have not yet been evaluated but need to be considered to fully exploit the potential of this approach. Using feeding experiments with high alpine carabid beetles and lycosid spiders, we investigated how PCR annealing temperature affects prey DNA detection success and how post‐PCR visualization methods differ in their sensitivity. Moreover, the replicability of prey DNA detection among individual PCR assays was tested using beetles and spiders that had digested their prey for extended times postfeeding. By screening all predators for three differently sized prey DNA fragments (range 116–612 bp), we found that only in the longest PCR product, a marked decrease in prey detection success occurred. Lowering maximum annealing temperatures by 4 °C resulted in significantly increased prey DNA detection rates in both predator taxa. Among the three post‐PCR visualization methods, an eightfold difference in sensitivity was observed. Repeated screening of predators increased the total number of samples scoring positive, although the proportion of samples testing positive did not vary significantly between different PCRs. The present findings demonstrate that assay sensitivity, in combination with other methodological factors, plays a crucial role to obtain robust trophic interaction data. Future work employing molecular prey detection should thus consider and minimize the methodologically induced variation that would also allow for better cross‐study comparisons.
Epac1 promotes melanoma metastasis via modification of heparan sulfate
Authors: Baljinnyam Erdene , Umemura Masanari , De Lorenzo Mariana S. , Iwatsubo Mizuka , Chen Suzie , Goydos James S. , Iwatsubo Kousaku 
Published: April 2011

SummaryOur previous report suggested the potential role of the exchange protein directly activated by cyclic AMP (Epac) in melanoma metastasis via heparan sulfate (HS)‐mediated cell migration. In order to obtain conclusive evidence that Epac1 plays a critical role in modification of HS and melanoma metastasis, we extensively investigated expression and function of Epac1 in human melanoma samples and cell lines. We have found that, in human melanoma tissue microarray, protein expression of Epac1 was higher in metastatic melanoma than in primary melanoma. In addition, expression of Epac1 positively correlated with that of N‐sulfated HS, and N‐deacetylase/N‐sulfotransferase‐1 (NDST‐1), an enzyme that increases N‐sulfation of HS. Further, an Epac agonist increased, but ablation of Epac1 decreased, expressions of NDST‐1, N‐sulfated HS, and cell migration in various melanoma cell lines. Finally, C8161 cells with stable knockdown of Epac1 showed a decrease in cell migration, and metastasis in mice. These data suggest that Epac1 plays a critical role in melanoma metastasis presumably because of modification of HS.
The Effect of Radiofrequency Energy on Ambient Fluid Temperature in an Enclosed Compartment: An in Vitro Model of the Subacromial Space
Authors: Cloke David J. , Hinsche Andreas , Healey T. Jamie , Stanley David 
Published: April 2011

Background Radiofrequency (RF) devices are widely used in arthroscopic shoulder surgery for tissue ablation and other effects. They have heating effect during tissue application. It is known that chondrocyte death occurs with temperatures above 45 °C. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of various factors on the heating effect of RF probes in a controlled in vitro model. Methods A perspex model was used, in which volume, flow, outflow position, duration of RF probe use and inflow temperature could be closely controlled. Results Temperature rises in the bathing fluid sufficient to cause cell death were seen. The temperature rise was most noticeable when there was no fluid flow through the compartment, at smaller fluid volumes, if the fluid inflow temperature is elevated, and if the outflow is distant from the RF device. Of note, 30 seconds of use in a volume of 20 mL with no flow led to temperatures above 50 °C. Discussion Most of the factors affecting temperature rises using RF devices are directly under the surgeon's control. Further work is needed in this area to define the potential clinical effects of the use of these devices.
Hilbert's Seventeenth Problem and Hyperelliptic Curves
Authors: Mahé Valéry 
Published: April 2011

This article deals with a constructive aspect of Hilbert's seventeenth problem: producing a collection of real polynomials in two variables, of degree 8 in one variable, which are positive but are not sums of three squares of rational fractions.To do this we use a reformulation of this problem in terms of hyperelliptic curves due to Huisman and Mahé and we follow a method of Cassels, Ellison and Pfister which involves the computation of a Mordell–Weil rank over ℝ(x).
Trailing Edge Film
Cooling of Gas Turbine Airfoils—External Cooling Performance of Various Internal Pin Fin
Configurations
Authors: Horbach T. , Schulz A. , Bauer H.-J. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The present paper describes an experimental study on trailing edge film cooling of modern high pressure turbine blades using coolant ejection through planar slots on a pressure side cutback. The experimental test section consists of a generic scaled-up trailing edge model in an atmospheric open loop wind tunnel, which has been used in several earlier studies. An infrared thermographic measurement technique is employed, which allows for the application of engine-realistic density ratios around 1.6 by increasing the main flow temperature. The effects of different geometric configurations on the structure and performance of the cooling film are investigated in terms of film cooling effectiveness, heat transfer, and discharge behavior. Among other issues, the interaction of internal turbulators, namely, an array of pin fins, with the ejection slot lip is of major interest. Therefore, different designs of the coolant ejection lip are studied. Four different ratios of lip thickness to ejection slot height (t/H=0.2,0.5,1.0,1.5), as well as three different lip profiles representing typical manufacturing imperfections and wear, are investigated. Other geometric variations comprise elliptic pin fins with spanwise and streamwise orientations and the application of land extensions from the internal coolant cavity onto the cutback surface. The blowing ratio is varied at 0.2&lt;M&lt;1.25. In terms of film cooling effectiveness, the results show a strong dependency on ejection lip thickness, and minor improvements are obtained with a rounded ejection lip profile. Significant improvements are achieved using land extensions. The elliptic pin fins have a strong effect on discharge behavior as well as on film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer. Except for the elliptic pin fins, the geometric variations have only a minor influence on heat transfer.