bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of maternal carotenoid availability in relation to sex, parasite infection and health status of nestling kestrels (Falco tinnunculus)
Authors: De Neve Liesbeth , Fargallo Juan A. , Vergara Pablo , Lemus Jesús A. , Jarén-Galán Manuel , Luaces Inés 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY
Mothers can strongly influence the development of their offspring, and if maternal resources are limited, they may influence optimal reproductive strategies. In birds, maternally deposited carotenoids are a prominent component of egg yolk and are vital for the development of the embryo. However, results of long-lasting fitness consequences of this early nutritional environment have been scarce and inconsistent. In addition,sex-biased sensitivity to different egg components is one of the mechanisms postulated to account for sex-linked environmental vulnerability during early life. However, this important aspect is usually not accounted for when investigating maternal investment in carotenoids. In this study we gave carotenoid (lutein) supplements to female Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) before and during egg laying. The experiment increased female plasma carotenoids, but this effect was not apparent in hatchling and fledgling plasma carotenoid concentration. Also, results showed that carotenoid supplementation increased the high density lipoprotein to low density lipoprotein ratio in adult females, suggesting that dietary carotenoids may influence lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the effect of the treatment was manifested in several nestling health state parameters. Nestlings of carotenoid-supplemented females were infested by less intestinal parasite groups, had higher lymphocyte concentrations in blood plasma, and were less stressed (heterophile to lymphocyte ratio) than control nestlings. In addition, an interaction between the experimental treatment and nestling sex was apparent for globulin concentrations, favouring the smaller male nestlings. Thereby, suggesting that males benefited more than females from an increase in maternal carotenoid investment. Our study shows that an increase in carotenoids in the maternal diet during egg laying favours nestling development in kestrels, and may also affect nestlings in a sex-specific way.
Comparative sequence analysis of myosin heavy chain proteins from congeneric shallow- and deep-living rattail fish (genus Coryphaenoides)
Authors: Morita Takami 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY
The evolutionary adaptations of functional genes to life at high pressure are not well understood. To elucidate the mechanisms of protein adaptation to high pressure, we cloned the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) cDNA from skeletal muscle of two deep-sea fishes, Coryphaenoides yaquinae and C. armatus, and two non-deep-sea fishes, C. acrolepis and C. cinereus. The MyHCs of deep-sea fishes have a unique structure in two loop regions, loop-1 and loop-2, in comparison with those of non-deep-sea fishes. The loop-1 region of deep-sea fishes has a Pro residue and the loop-2 region, which is an actin-binding site, is shorter than the same region in non-deep-sea fishes. The amino acid substitution in the loop-1 region is expected to be mainly involved in ATPase activity, whereas the deletion in the loop-2 region affects the association of MyHC with actin filaments at high pressure. In addition, the MyHC of deep-sea fishes has biased amino acid substitutions at core positions in the coiled-coil structure of the rod region. These amino acid substitutions are likely to decrease the cavities in the coiled-coil structure and consequently make the structure more compact and unaffected by high pressure. Together, these results indicate that amino acid substitutions can adaptively alter the pressure sensitivity of a protein even if they do not directly influence core structure.
A Significant Reduction in Paediatric Post-Tonsillectomy Vomiting through Audit
Authors: Bennett AMD , Emery PJ 
Published: April 2008

INTRODUCTION Postoperative vomiting occurs more frequently after tonsillectomy than any other commonly performed paediatric operation. Postoperative vomiting is also the commonest cause of morbidity and re-admission following tonsillectomy. We present a successful completed audit cycle and literature review on the subject. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data on the risk factors for postoperative vomiting, whether the patient vomited and details of the patient's vomitus were collected prospectively on consecutive patients and compared with a gold standard. Changes in practice were agreed and a second cycle performed. RESULTS Two cycles and a total of 107 patients were included in the audit. A significant reduction in vomiting from 27% to 11% was achieved following the introduction of routine use of intravenous dexamethasone during surgery. CONCLUSIONS This simple prospective audit of paediatric post-tonsillectomy vomiting has resulted in a statistically significant reduction in vomiting which would appear to be due to use of intra-operative steroids.
Injury to the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve During Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery: A Cadaver Study
Authors: Jameson Simon S , Howcroft Daniel WJ , McCaskie Andrew W , Gerrand Craig H 
Published: April 2008

INTRODUCTIONA smaller skin incision as part of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is thought to reduce local tissue trauma. Preservation of cutaneous nerves may reduce postoperative pain and improve rehabilitation. The standard lateral approach (SLA) and two MIS approaches (anterolateral [ALA] and posterior [PA]) were compared to determine which incision preserved cutaneous nerves.PATIENTS AND METHODSFifteen cadaveric hip specimens were dissected to establish the course of branches of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The number of branches divided by each of the three incisions was recorded.RESULTSThe MIS incisions resulted in significantly less nerve division compared with the SLA. The mean difference between the SLA and the ALA was 4.4 (P < 0.0001), and between the SLA and the PA was 1.4 (P = 0.0005). The ALA divided significantly fewer nerves compared with the PA (mean difference = 3; P = 0.0001).DISCUSSIONThere is little evidence of the benefit of one MIS approach over another in the literature. The ALA preserved significantly more cutaneous nerves in this study. These results need corroboration with clinical outcomes to determine their significance.
Patient Decision Aids in Joint Replacement Surgery: A Literature Review and An Opinion Survey of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons
Authors: Adam JA , Khaw F-M , Thomson RG , Gregg PJ , Llewellyn-Thomas HA 
Published: April 2008

INTRODUCTION Patient decision aids could facilitate shared decision-making in joint replacement surgery. However, patient decision aids are not routinely used in this setting. METHODS With a view to developing a patient decision aid for UK hip/knee joint replacement practice, we undertook a systematic search of the literature for evidence on the use of shared decision-making and patient decision aids in orthopaedics, and a national survey of consultant orthopaedic surgeons on the potential acceptability and feasibility of patient decision aids. RESULTS We found little published evidence regarding shared decision-making or patient decision aids in orthopaedics. In the survey, 362 of 639 (57%) randomly selected consultant orthopaedic surgeons responded. Respondents appear representative of consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the UK. Of 272 valid responses, 79% (95% CI, 73–85%) thought patient decision aids a good or excellent idea. There was consensus on the potential helpfulness of patient decision aids and core content. A booklet to take home was the preferred medium/practice model. CONCLUSIONS Despite the increased emphasis on patient involvement in decision-making, there is little evidence in the medical literature relating to shared decision-making or the use of patient decision aids in orthopaedic surgery. Further research in this area of clinical practice is required. Our survey shows that consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the UK are generally positive about the use of patient decision aids for joint replacement surgery. Survey results could inform future development of patient decision aids for joint replacement practice in the UK.
Emergency Management of Malignant Acute Left-Sided Colonic Obstruction
Authors: Trompetas Vasileios 
Published: April 2008

INTRODUCTION The management of acute left-sided colonic obstruction still remains a challenging problem despite significant progress. METHODS A literature search was undertaken using PubMed and the Cochrane Library regarding the options in emergency management of left-sided colonic obstruction focusing on outcomes such as mortality, morbidity, long-term prognosis and cost effectiveness. DISCUSSION Colonic stenting is the best option either for palliation or as a bridge to surgery. It reduces morbidity and mortality rate and the need for colostomy formation. Stenting is likely to be cost effective, but data are variable depending on the individual healthcare system. Nevertheless, surgical management remains relevant as colonic stenting has a small rate of failure, and it is not always available. There are various surgical options. One-stage primary resection and anastomosis is the preferred choice for low-risk patients. Intra-operative colonic irrigation has no proven benefit. Subtotal colectomy is useful in cases of proximal bowel damage or synchronous tumours. Hartmann's procedure should be reserved for high-risk patients. Simple colostomy has no role other than for use in very ill patients who are not fit for any other procedure.
Toward A More Rational Taxonomy For Environmentally Induced Cracking
Authors: Ellis PF , Munson RE , Cameron J. 
Published: April 2008

An improved taxonomy (systematic nomenclature) is proposed for environmentally induced cracking in aqueous systems. This improved taxonomy reduces the number of named environmentally induced cracking phenomena from more than 25 to just 7, and places these in relationship to each other, to cracking phenomena that are independent of environmental factors, and to corrosion processes that are independent of stress.
This improved taxonomy is designed to reduce the confusion inherent in the current post hoc nomenclature and to facilitate predictive or anticipatory consideration for the potential for cracking phenomena in materials, equipment, and structures.
Monitoring Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Bioavailability Near Offshore Produced Water Discharges
Authors: Neff JM , Sauer TC , Hart AD 
Published: April 2008

Produced water is the largest volume waste associated with production of oil and gas on offshore platforms. Produced water that meets effluent limitations for total oil and grease contains low concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons, low molecular weight organic acids, and several metals. The U.S. EPA has expressed concern that some of these chemicals could be bioaccumulated to potentially toxic concentrations by marine organisms in the receiving waters of offshore produced water discharges. This paper presents the results of an intensive monitoring study to determine if marine animals bioaccumulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from produced water discharges to offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Two platform pairs, each consisting of a produced water-discharging platform and a nearby non-discharging reference platform were selected for monitoring in offshore waters (90 to 260 m depth) of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Produced water, ambient sea water, two species of bivalve mollusks, and several species of fish were collected from each platform pair. Forty PAH analytes, including parent and alkyl PAHs, were analyzed in all samples.
The two discharging platforms discharged an average of 1.75 million L/d and 1.13 million L/d of produced water containing 30 to 43 μg/L (ppb) and 24 to 51 μg/L of PAHs, respectively. More than 90 percent of the PAHs were naphthalene and alkylnaphthalenes. The two bivalves, jewel boxes and thorny oysters, collected from legs of the platforms, contained up to 800 ng/g dry wt (ppb) total PAHs in their soft tissues. Muscle tissues of fish collected from the platform pairs contained &lt;1 to 120 ng/g dry wt total PAHs. The dominant PAHs in the bivalve tissues were alkylnaphthalenes, fluorenes, phenanthrenes, and dibenzothiophenes, all characteristic of a petroleum source. A few individual PAHs were present at a significantly higher concentration in tissues of thorny oysters, but not jewel boxes, from one of the produced water-discharging platforms than from the paired reference platform. The relative concentrations of different PAHs in oysters was different than that in the produced water. The evidence for bioaccumulation of PAHs from produced water by shellfish was considered weak and inconclusive, because bioaccumulation of petroleum-derived PAHs was demonstrated in only one instance, and the source(s) of the PAHs was unclear. Concentrations of individual PAHs in fish muscle were low. Higher concentrations of individual PAHs were detected with similar frequency in fish from the reference and discharging platforms. Thus, the fish were not bioaccumulating PAHs from the produced water discharges. Bivalves are more suitable than fish for monitoring bioaccumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons near offshore produced water discharges.
Synergistic Toxicity of a Mixture of 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone and Copper on the Aquatic Plant Lemna gibba
Authors: Babu TS , Tripuranthakam S , Greenberg BM 
Published: April 2008

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals are toxic to animals, plants and microorganisms. Both these groups of contaminants coexist in the industrialized environments. Therefore, it is important to study the mixture toxicity of such pollutants on biological systems. In the present study, we have used the aquatic higher plant Lemna gibba as a test organism to study the mixture toxicity of an oxy-PAH 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone (1,2-dhATQ), and the metal copper. 3 μ,Ml,2-dhATQ inhibited photosynthetic electron transport downstream of photosystem II at the cytochrome b6/f complex. Such an inhibition results in the alteration of the redox status of the chloroplast to a reduced state because the plastoquinone pool goes to a net reduced state. Under such circumstances, when 4 μM CuSO4 was administered to L. gibba, there was a synergistic inhibition of growth and protein expression. We infer from these results that the synergistic toxicity caused by the mixture of 1,2-dhATQ plus CuSO4 is due to the catalytic transfer of electrons by Cu2+ from the reduced plastoquinone pool to O2. Such a mediation of electrons leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species, which could cause greater toxicity of 1,2-dhATQ.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals are common contaminants in industrialized environments. Both these groups of chemicals are highly toxic to a variety of biological organisms (Martineau et al. 1994, McConkey et al. 1997, Wetzel and Werner 1995). In addition to their direct effects on biological systems, most PAHs have been shown to undergo photomodification under sunlight and they have an increased toxicity following photomodification (Arfsten et al. 1996, Huang et al. 1997b).
Correlation Between Formulation Properties and Safety Measures for a Dry Product Mixing and Milling Facility
Authors: Klusacek H 
Published: April 2008

In the Bayer Crop Protection business group, we have developed a procedure to decide whether or not a mixing and milling facility is suitable to produce dry crop protection products in a safe manner.
Materials handled in such a facility may be combustible or thermally instable. The following hazards may exist: • A dust explosion may occur if a dust/air mixture is within explosion limits and an ignition source is present. • A dust/liquid aerosol hybrid mixture may be formed if flammable liquids are present. • An exothermal decomposition may occur generating pressure. Quick decomposition may lead to a heat explosion or the products of the decomposition may include flammable gases that eventually ignite and burn or explode.
Consequently, the following must be avoided to insure safety: • The start of decomposition reaction. • The explosion of a dust, gas or hybrid aerosol of flammable liquids and solids
The components and the formulated product need to be examined to determine under which conditions decomposition or explosion may occur.
A base set of material safety data is established following the German Guideline Test Methods to Determine the Safety Characteristics of Dusts (VDI 2263 Part 1).
Test methods are used to describe the undisturbed powder with respect to: • Flammability • Burning Behavior • Exothermic Decomposition • Deflagration • Impact Sensitivity
Additional test methods are used to describe the aerosolized powder • Dust Explosiveness • Minimum Ignition Energy
In a decision chart basic questions are answered with the help of these safety data to decide if a hazard is present during unit operations and which safeguards have to be taken. Additionally, one is able to decide whether or not a given facility is suitable to handle a specific product in a safe manner.
Matricap® Systems: Factors Affecting Pesticide Delivery and Targeting
Authors: Levy R , Nichols MA , Opp WR 
Published: April 2008

Matricap® controlled-delivery technology is based on the use of one or more nonpolymer coatings composed of fatty acids, fatty alcohols or esters of these products including salts (e.g., plasticizers), with or without one or more polymer binders, agglomerating agents or additional formulation aids to regulate the release rate and release profile of bioactive agents from solid carrier matrices. Specific gravity, solubility, hydrolysis, and biodegradation interactions of the coating(s), carrier, and bioactive agent in an admixture were utilized to design specific compositions for aquatic or terrestrial pest-management applications. If the formulation components were properly matched, a composition could deliver a bioactive agent to specific surface and/or subsurface areas of an aquatic or terrestrial habitat to target the orientation and/or feeding patterns of pest populations for prolonged periods.
Controlled delivery of insect growth regulators, microbial larvicides, and central nervous system inhibitors used to control mosquito larvae in surface or subsurface areas of a water column were shown to be functions of the type, concentration and/or number of coatings incorporated into a composition. Slight variations in the ratio of two or three fatty acid, fatty alcohol and/or fatty acid ester coatings in a coating complex were observed to significantly increase or decrease the duration of delivery from a solid matrix as well as alter the controlled-release profile and positional distribution of a bioactive agent in an aquatic habitat. The rate and duration of controlled delivery of an insect growth regulator used to control German cockroaches were dependent on the type and concentration of fatty acid ester(s), polymers, and bait complex utilized to fabricate coated, extruded, or continuous film bait stations.
Turbine Oil Quality and Field Application Requirements
Authors: Swift ST , Butler KD , Dewald W 
Published: April 2008

Power generation and other types of industrial turbines have always required the use of high quality lubricants. This paper will discuss the evolution of turbine oil formulation technology, and the use of different quality products in different applications. The original “R&O” type circulating oils, which are suitable for use in many hydraulic and steam turbine systems, have a long and successful history. Next came high performance products, designed for increased operating life. Finally, products have been introduced recently that provide the high stability needed for systems which operate under severe conditions of thermal stress, such as may occur in certain gas turbine operations.
Selecting a suitable turbine oil requires meeting the application requirements of equipment and service environment, while balancing initial and life cycle cost considerations and oil performance history. Field experience with different types of equipment and different turbine oil types will be described, with examples of situations where each oil type has performed successfully. Experience with field performance problem-solving will also be addressed, such as a gas turbine filter plugging problem which was resolved by selecting the appropriate turbine lubricant.
Turbine equipment manufacturers generally specify the properties and performance requirements of turbine oils according to the type and severity of operation. Standardized laboratory tests provide an indicator of an oil's performance, although such performance needs to be confirmed by field experience. New testing tools are needed which will better correlate to the performance requirements of new generation equipment.
Antioxidant Analysis for Monitoring Remaining Useful Life of Turbine Fluids
Authors: Ameye J , Kauffman RE 
Published: April 2008

In this study we measured the remaining useful life of a wide range of turbine lubricants by detecting directly the remaining activity and performance of phenolic and amine antioxidants, known as primary antioxidants. We applied a patented (linear) voltammetric technique. First we evaluated the accuracy of the voltammetric response (vs. weight %) for phenolic (BHT) and amine (PANA) types of antioxidants. The next step of the program included antioxidant performance testing using laboratory oxidation tests. The voltammetric test data were then correlated with other widely used analytical methods (RBOT, FTIR, and DSC). These tests enabled us to understand the performance of mixed antioxidant systems and their importance in the remaining useful life of the new generation of turbine lubricants.
Finally and in order to understand the chemical role of antioxidants in real life conditions we monitored several industrial steam and gas turbine lubricants (N. America and Europe) with voltammetric analyses to observe the antioxidants' depletion trends. Voltammetric analysis correlated well with the RBOT (as per ASTM D-2272), and standard physico-chemical analysis methods (TAN, viscosity, color,...). These results show that antioxidant monitoring adds valuable information to RBOT and DSC measurements for the new type of turbine lubricants. This will allow the user to enhance the management of the oil on-site; to detect abnormal equipment/usage and consequently to improve the planning of maintenance actions resulting in a more efficient oil management.