bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ex Vivo Biomechanical Comparison of Pin Fixation Techniques for Canine Distal Femoral Physeal Fractures
Authors: SUKHIANI H. R. , HOLMBERG D. L. 
Published: March 2008

Objective—To compare the biomechanical properties of five intramedullary (IM) pin fixation techniques for Salter‐Harris type I fractures of the distal femur in dogs.Study Design—Randomized, one‐way factorial design composed of five treatment groups: (1) single IM pin, (2) dynamic IM crossed pins, (3) paired convergent pins, (4) crossed pins, and (5) crossed polyglycolic acid (PGA) rods.Sample Population—Forty pairs of cadaver canine femurs.Materials—One femur of each pair was manually fractured and subsequently repaired; the contralateral intact femur served as its control. Each femur was loaded in torsion until failure occurred and load‐deformation curves were generated.Results—The crossed‐pin technique sustained the greatest load to failure (116.8%) followed by the paired convergent pins (104.8%), dynamic IM pins (90.6%), single IM pin (72.1%), and crossed PGA rods (71.9%). Statistically significant differences in strength at failure were detected between the crossed‐pin and single IM pin and the crossed‐pin and crossed PGA rod techniques. All fixation techniques underwent greater deformation (1.5 times as much) and had a lower stiffness (66% to 75%) compared with the intact controls; however, there was no significant difference between techniques. Failure in the paired convergent and crossed‐pin techniques occurred by fracture of the bone; failure in the other techniques occurred by distraction at the fracture site.Conclusion—The rotational stability of any of the fixation techniques appears to be primarily determined by the ability to prevent distraction and maintain interdigitation of the physis.Clinical Relevance—When choosing a particular fixation technique for repair of a distal femoral physeal fracture, consideration should be given to the technique's relative biomechanical merits.
Whole body extract of Mediterranean fruit fly males elicits high attraction in virgin females
Authors: Mavraganis Vassilis G. , Liaropoulos Constandinos , Papadopoulos Nikos T. , Kouloussis Nikos A. , Broumas Theodoros 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe search for effective female attractants emanating from the host or body of fruit flies has been an area of intensive research for over three decades. In the present study, bodies of male Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), were extracted with diethyl ether or methanol and subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Analysis revealed substantial qualitative and quantitative differences between males from a laboratory culture and wild males captured alive in an orchard. Most notably, the hydrocarbon sesquiterpene (±)‐α‐copaene, which is known to be involved in the sexual behaviour of the species, was found in substantial amounts in wild males, but was not detected in laboratory males. In laboratory tests, 15 laboratory or wild male equivalents of diethyl ether extracts or combined diethyl ether and methanol extracts, or, to a lesser extent, methanol extracts alone, were found to attract virgin females. In a citrus orchard, traps baited with combined diethyl ether and methanol extracts of wild males attracted significantly more virgin females than traps baited with various doses of pyranone or blends of other compounds identified in the extracts or reported in the literature, such as ethyl acetate, ethyl‐(E)‐3‐octenoate, and 1‐pyrroline. Traps baited with blends of compounds, however, displayed substantial attractiveness compared to control (non‐baited) traps. These results are important for better understanding the mating system of C. capitata as well as for further improving existing monitoring and control systems.
Molecular sexing of Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis) and Carrion crow (Corvus corone corone) using a feather
Authors: FUKUI Emiko , SUGITA Shoei , YOSHIZAWA Midori 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTA molecular sexing method using the intron‐size difference between chromo‐helicase‐DNA binding protein (CHD1) genes on the Z and W sex chromosomes (CHD1Z and CHD1W, respectively) was developed for wild Jungle crows and wild Carrion crows. The polymerase chain reaction product sizes were 661 bp for CHD1Z and 465 bp for CHD1W in both the Jungle and the Carrion crows. Each male crow sample produced a single fragment (CHD1Z), whereas female samples produced two fragments (CHD1Z and CHD1W), which differed by 200 bp in crows. In the present study, sexing live Jungle and Carrion crows was performed by applying the method to a feather for molecular sexing.
Comparison of carcass and meat characteristics of Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fed on high roughage diet
Authors: LAPITAN Rosalina M. , DEL BARRIO Arnel N. , KATSUBE Osamu , BAN‐TOKUDA Tomomi , ORDEN Edgar A. , ROBLES Alberto Y. , CRUZ Libertado C. , KANAI Yukio , FUJIHARA Tsutomu 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to compare the carcass and meat quality in crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo at the same younger age and fed with high roughage in the Philippines. Ten crossbred cattle and 10 crossbred water buffalo, with an average age of 22 months (18–24 months) were used in this experiment. The animals were fed a similar diet, which consisted of 85% Napier or Para grass and 15% concentrate mixture on a dry matter basis, for 180 days before slaughter. Slaughter weight of the crossbred water buffalo was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the cattle, although the dressing percentage was significantly (P < 0.01) lower for the former than for the latter. The estimated lean yield was higher (P < 0.05) in crossbred cattle than crossbred water buffalo. The muscle fiber diameter of loin in buffalo meat was smaller (P < 0.05) than that in cattle. In regard to carcass and meat quality, the crossbred water buffalo was comparable or slightly superior to the crossbred cattle in tenderness, sensory score of color (P < 0.01) and flavor (P < 0.05). These results clearly indicate that at a younger age and even under high roughage‐based fattening rations, crossbred water buffalo are able to produce good quality meat, which will be by no means inferior to that of crossbred cattle in the Philippines.
Influence of replacing brewers' grains with green tea grounds on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics of wethers
Authors: XU Chuncheng , CAI Yimin , MORIYA Naoko , ERUDEN Bayaru , HOSODA Kenji , MATSUYAMA Hiroki 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to examine feed intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation and blood components of wethers fed diets containing increasing levels of wet green tea grounds (WGTG). The experimental design was a 4 × 4 Latin square with four wethers in four 15‐day periods. Wethers were allowed access to diets ad libitum, and allotted to one of four treatments in which WGTG replaced 0% (no WGTG added, CTG), 5% (low level, LBG), 10% (medium level, MTG), and 15% (high level, HTG) of total mixed ration (TMR) dry matter (DM) as wet brewers grains (WBG). All TMR silages were ensiled for 120 days and, irrespective of the WGTG addition, they were well preserved with a high lactic acid content, low pH and ammonia‐N contents. There were no differences among treatments in feed intake, with the exception of ether extract intake (P = 0.032). Digestibilities for LTG and MTG treatments were not different from CTG. However, the organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and energy digestibilities for HTG treatment were lower than the CTG (P < 0.05). As the level of WGTG increased, nitrogen intake did not differ, but fecal nitrogen increased (P = 0.002), while urinary nitrogen decreased (P < 0.001). No differences among treatments were found in pH level and volatile fatty acids concentrations. However, the ruminal ammonia‐N of the HTG silage was lower than for the CTG silage at all times (P < 0.05). Increasing concentrations of WGTG in the TMR silage decreased (P = 0.019) plasma urea nitrogen content. Therefore, the possible mixing proportion of WGTG for TMR silages can be 10% of the diet DM.
Phylogenetic analysis of hindgut microbiota in Hokkaido native horses compared to light horses
Authors: YAMANO Hidehisa , KOIKE Satoshi , KOBAYASHI Yasuo , HATA Hiroshi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe analysis of 16S rDNA sequence of bacteria in feces of Hokkaido native horses and light horses were performed to compare the hindgut microbiota between the two breeds. One hundred and four bacterial 16S rDNA clones (57 clones from four native horses and 47 clones from two light horses) were obtained. Only four sequences (3.8% of total sequences) showed 97% or more similarity to known species. The sequences were mainly affiliated with Cytophaga–Flavobacter–Bacteroides and low GC Gram‐positive bacteria (LGCGP). Proportion of LGCGP was higher in light horses. Other phyla including Verrucomicrobia, Spirochaetes and Archaea were detected only for native horses, suggesting high diversity of microbiota in native horses. In LGCGP, clusters related to known cellulolytic species were found only for native horses, while a cluster related to soluble sugar‐utilizing species was detected only for light horses. The library composition‐comparing software LIBSHUFF showed significant (P < 0.05) difference of fecal microbiota between the horse breeds. The number of Fibrobacter succinogenes‐related sequence and the frequency of detection of novel groups were found to be higher in native horses by selective amplification analysis. The results suggest that genetic diversity and population size of the F. succinogenes group are higher in the hindgut of native horses.
Do family practitioners in Lithuania inform their patients about adverse effects of common medications?
Authors: Liseckiene I , Liubarskiene Z , Jacobsen R , Valius L , Norup M 
Published: March 2008

Objectives:(1) To investigate the extent to which family physicians (GPs) in Lithuania inform their patients about possible side-effects when a common treatment is proposed. (2) To examine the relation between physicians’ estimation of the severity and frequency of these side-effects and their willingness to inform patients. (3) To identify the reasons for informing or not informing the patients.Methods:A questionnaire, presenting three hypothetical cases involving decisions about ordinary medical treatments and a series of general questions about information about side-effects, was distributed to 500 Lithuanian GPs. The response rate was 42%.Results:The respondents differed considerably with regard to their willingness to inform patients about side-effects, but they informed their patients significantly more if the side effect was considered to be common and serious, than in cases when it was considered to be rare and trivial. The majority of the respondents informed their patients primarily to enable them to react appropriately to the side-effects in question. The major reason for not informing was that the side-effects were considered too rare to be relevant to the patient’s decision-making.Conclusion:Information, given to patients about side-effects by Lithuanian GPs, is not in accordance with the principle of respect for patients’ autonomy and requirements of Lithuanian legislation.
Dentistry and the ethics of infection
Authors: Shaw D 
Published: March 2008

Currently, any dentist in the UK who is HIV-seropositive must stop treating patients. This is despite the fact that hepatitis B-infected dentists with a low viral load can continue to practise, and the fact that HIV is 100 times less infectious than hepatitis B. Dentists are obliged to treat HIV-positive patients, but are obliged not to treat any patients if they themselves are HIV-positive. Furthermore, prospective dental students are now screened for hepatitis B and C and HIV, and are not allowed to enrol on Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees if they are infectious carriers of these diseases.This paper will argue that: (i) the current restriction on HIV-positive dentists is unethical, and unfair; (ii) dentists are more likely to contract HIV from patients than vice versa, and this is not reflected by the current system; (iii) the screening of dental students for HIV is also unethical; (iv) the fact that dentists can continue to practise despite hepatitis B infection, but infected prospective students are denied matriculation, is unethical; and (v) that the current Department of Health protocols, as well as being intrinsically unfair, have further unethical effects, such as the waste of valuable resources on ‘lookback’ exercises and the even more damaging loss of present and future dentists. Regulation in this area seems to have been driven by institutional fear of public fear of infection, rather than any scientific evidence or ethical reasoning.
Asymptotic behavior of eigen energies of non-Hermitian cubic polynomial systems
Authors: Nanayakkara A 
Published: March 2008

The asymptotic behavior of the eigenvalues of a non-Hermitian cubic polynomial system H = (P2/2) + µx3 + ax2 + bx, where µ, a, and b are constant parameters that can be either real or complex, is studied by extending the asymptotic energy expansion method, which has been developed for even degree polynomial systems. Both the complex and the real eigenvalues of the above system are obtained using the asymptotic energy expansion. Quantum eigen energies obtained by the above method are found to be in excellent agreement with the exact eigenvalues. Using the asymptotic energy expansion, analytic expressions for both level spacing distribution and the density of states are derived for the above cubic system. When µ = i, a is real, and b is pure imaginary, it was found that asymptotic energy level spacing increases with the coupling strength a for positive a while it decreases for negative a. PACS Nos.: 03.65.Ge, 04.20.Jb, 03.65.Sq, 02.30.Mv, 05.45
About the simulation of primary grown-in microdefects in dislocation-free silicon single-crystal formation
Authors: Talanin V I , Talanin I E , Voronin A A 
Published: March 2008

A mathematical model of primary grown-in microdefects formation is proposed. The model is built on the basis of the dissociative process of diffusion. Here, we study the interaction patterns between oxygen-vacancy (O + V) and carbon-interstitial (C + I) near the crystallization front in dislocation-free silicon monocrystals grown by float-zone and Czochralski methods. As shown here, the approximate analysis formulas obtained tally with the heterogeneous mechanism of grown-in microdefects formation. PACS Nos.: 61.72Bb, 61.72.Jj, 61.72.Yx
Black holes in the varying speed of light theory
Authors: Shojaie H , Farhoudi M 
Published: March 2008

We consider the effect of the varying speed of light theory on nonrotating black holes. We show that in any varying-c theory, the Schwarzschild solution is neither static nor stationary. For a no-charged black hole, the singularity in the Schwarzschild horizon cannot be removed by coordinate transformation. Hence, no matter can enter the horizon, and the interior part of the black hole is separated from the rest of the Universe. If ċ < 0, then the size of the Schwarzschild radius increases with time. The higher value of the speed of light in the very early Universe may have caused a large reduction in the probability of the creation of the primordial black holes and their population. The same analogy is also considered for charged black holes. PACS No.: 04.70.–s
Mapping fuels at multiple scales: landscape application of the Fuel Characteristic Classification SystemThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Forum on the Fuel Characteristic Classification System.
Authors: McKenzie D. , Raymond C.L. , Kellogg L.-K.B. , Norheim R.A. , Andreu A.G. , Bayard A.C. , Kopper K.E. , Elman E. 
Published: March 2008

Fuel mapping is a complex and often multidisciplinary process, involving remote sensing, ground-based validation, statistical modelling, and knowledge-based systems. The scale and resolution of fuel mapping depend both on objectives and availability of spatial data layers. We demonstrate use of the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS) for fuel mapping at two scales and resolutions: the conterminous USA (CONUS) at 1 km resolution and the Wenatchee National Forest, in Washington State, at 25 m resolution. We focus on the classification phase of mapping — assigning a unique fuelbed to each mapped cell in a spatial data layer. Using a rule-based method, we mapped 112 fuelbeds onto 7.8 million 1 km cells in the CONUS, and mapped 34 fuelbeds onto 18 million 25 m cells in the Wenatchee National Forest. These latter 34 fuelbeds will be further subdivided based on quantitative spatial data layers representing stand structure and disturbance history. The FCCS maps can be used for both modelling and management at commensurate scales. Dynamic fuel mapping is necessary as we move into the future with rapid climatic and land-use change, and possibly increasing disturbance extent and severity. The rule-based methods described here are well suited for updating with new spatial data, to keep local, regional, and continental scale fuel assessments current and inform both research and management.
Increment and decay in Norway spruce and Scots pine after artificial logging damage
Authors: Mäkinen Harri , Hallaksela Anna-Maija , Isomäki Antti 
Published: March 2008

The effects of depth, size, location, and season of artificial logging damage on increment and decay of Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) trees were studied in long-term experiments in central Finland. Damage types applied were root damage, root collar damage, increment borer hole, and stem damage. In root collar and stem damages, two sizes (100 or 400 cm2) and depths (shallow or deep) were applied. Five to 20 years after damaging, the damages did not result in a decrease in radial, height, or volume increment. In Norway spruce, the frequency of decay in the root collar and stem damages was high. From large and deep damages, decay spread faster than from smaller and shallow ones. In Scots pine, a lower proportion of trees were decayed compared with Norway spruce. Increment coring resulted in decay in most of the trees, but the decay spread slowly. The effect of compass direction or the month of damaging was negligible. The most common decay fungus in Norway spruce was Stereum sanguinolentum (Alb. & Schwein. Fr.:) Fr. In Scots pine, only nondecay fungi were isolated. In general, logging damages decreased sawlog production through the rejection of butt logs containing decay or discoloration.
Forest and economic impacts of alternative management strategies on Crown land in New Brunswick
Authors: Kennedy Michael I.L. , Lantz Van A. , MacLean David A. 
Published: March 2008

This study evaluated the long-run economic impacts of four alternative forest management strategies on New Brunswick’s Crown land forests: two volume-based strategies focused on business as usual (BAU) and intensive (INT) timber volume production and two value-based strategies focused on forest manufacturing sector contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and government surplus (GOV). These were defined within an extended wood supply model that incorporated both economic indicators (logging sector profit, government surplus, forest manufacturing sector shipments, and forest manufacturing sector GDP) and timber supply indicators (harvest levels, operable growing stock, and products). Results showed that a number of indicator trade-offs emerge under each strategy. For instance, the GOV strategy produced the highest present value government surplus value (at $1.2 billion, exceeding INT, BAU, and GDP strategies by $352 million, $302 million, and $169 million, respectively) and logging sector profit (at $2.4 billion, exceeding BAU, INT, and GDP strategies by $4 million, $11 million, and $8 million, respectively) over an 80 year planning horizon. However, this strategy also produced the lowest forest manufacturing sector contribution to GDP (at $12.8 billion, below the GDP, INT, and BAU strategies by $4.3 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.4 billion, respectively) and the lowest annual softwood volume harvest, operable growing stock, and silvicultural investment of all strategies. Thus, although these findings emphasize that value-based strategies can produce some favourable economic outcomes, a number of trade-offs emerge that need to be further investigated before such strategies can be supported.
Canopy characteristics and growth rates of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir at long-established forest edges
Authors: Sherich Kelsey , Pocewicz Amy , Morgan Penelope 
Published: March 2008

Trees respond to edge-to-interior microclimate differences in fragmented forests. To better understand tree physiological responses to fragmentation, we measured ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. & C. Laws) and Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) leaf area, crown ratios, sapwood area, basal area (BA) growth rates, and BA growth efficiency at 23 long-established (>50 year) forest edges in northern Idaho. Trees located at forest edges had more leaf area, deeper crowns, higher BA growth rates, and more sapwood area at breast height than interior trees. Ponderosa pine had significantly higher BA growth efficiency at forest edges than interiors, but Douglas-fir BA growth efficiency did not differ, which may relate to differences in photosynthetic capacity and drought and shade tolerance. Edge orientation affected BA growth efficiency, with higher values at northeast-facing edges for both species. Edge effects were significant even after accounting for variation in stand density, which did not differ between the forest edge and interior. Although edge trees had significantly greater canopy depth on their edge-facing than forest-facing side, sapwood area was evenly distributed. We found no evidence that growing conditions at the forest edge were currently subjecting trees to stress, but higher leaf area and deeper crowns could result in lower tolerance to future drought conditions.
Bayesian estimation of a surface to account for a spatial trend using penalized splines in an individual-tree mixed model
Authors: Cappa Eduardo P. , Cantet Rodolfo J.C. 
Published: March 2008

Unaccounted for spatial variability leads to bias in estimating genetic parameters and predicting breeding values from forest genetic trials. Previous attempts to account for large-scale continuous spatial variation employed spatial coordinates in the direction of the rows (or columns). In this research, we use an individual-tree mixed model and the tensor product of B-spline bases with a proper covariance structure for the random knot effects to account for spatial variability. Dispersion parameters were estimated using Bayesian techniques via Gibbs sampling. The procedure is illustrated with data from a progeny trial of Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus Labill. Four different models were used in the sequel. The first model included block effects and the three other models included a surface on a grid of either 8 × 8, 12 × 12, or 18 × 18 knots. The three models with B-splines displayed a sizeable lower value of the deviance information criterion than the model with blocks. Also, the mixed models fitting a surface displayed a consistent reduction in the posterior mean of σ2e, an increase in the posterior means of σ2A and h2DBH, and an increase of 66% (for parents) or 60% (for offspring) in the accuracy of breeding values.