bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure and electron density of oxysulfide Sm2Ti2S2O4.9, a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst
Authors: Yashima Masatomo , Ogisu Kiyonori , Domen Kazunari 
Published: May 2008

We report the crystal structure and electron density of samarium titanium oxysulfide, Sm2Ti2S2O4.9, photocatalyst obtained through the Rietveld analysis, maximum-entropy method (MEM) and MEM-based pattern fitting of the high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data taken at 298.7 K. The Sm2Ti2S2O4.9 has a tetragonal structure with the space group I4/mmm. Refined occupancy factors at the `equatorial' O1 and `apical' O2 sites were 0.994 (3) and 0.944 (12), respectively, which strongly suggest oxygen deficiency at the O2 site. Electron-density analyses based on the synchrotron diffraction data of Sm2Ti2S2O4.9 in combination with density-functional theory (DFT) calculations of stoichiometric Sm2Ti2S2O5 reveal covalent bonds between Ti and O atoms, while the Sm and S atoms are more ionic. The presence of S 3p and O 2p orbitals results in increased dispersion of the valence band, raising the top of the valence band and making the material active at visible wavelengths. The present DFT calculations of stoichiometric Sm2Ti2S2O5 indicate the possibility of overall splitting of water, although Sm2Ti2S2O4.9 works as a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst in aqueous solutions only in the presence of sacrificial electron donors or acceptors. The oxygen deficiency and cocatalyst seem to be factors affecting the catalytic activity.
Effect of supplementation with grain, hay or straw on the performance of weaner Merino sheep grazing old man (Atriplex nummularia) or river (Atriplex amnicola) saltbush
Authors: Norman H. C. , Masters D. G. , Wilmot M. G. , Rintoul A. J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractOld man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and river saltbush (A. amnicola) are widely used in commercial grazing systems on saline land in south‐western Australia. Three hypotheses were tested during a 3‐year study aimed at understanding the performance of weaner Merino sheep grazing saltbush‐based pastures. The first hypothesis, that young Merino sheep grazing river saltbush would be better able to maintain live weight, body condition and would grow more wool than sheep grazing old man saltbush, was not supported by the data. Across the 3 years of the study, sheep grazing old man saltbush lost significantly less live weight and grew more wool (proportionately 0·06) than sheep grazing river saltbush. Differences in animal performance were considered to be associated with differences between the plant species in in vitro digestibility, concentrations of fibre, sulphur and crude protein in the herbage and the architecture of the Atriplex plants. The second and third hypotheses concerned supplementation strategies for sheep grazing saltbush. Three supplements were offered, namely barley grain, cereal straw or cereal hay, at a rate that approximated to one‐third of the daily metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance of live weight. The performance of the sheep was higher when the grain supplement was offered but there was no effect of feeding roughage supplements compared to no supplementation. The findings suggested that the practice of feeding saltbush with adjacent crop stubbles is unlikely to be beneficial once any fallen grain has been consumed.
Age of regrowth as a factor affecting the nutritive value of hay of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) offered to lambs
Authors: Ruggia Chiesa A. P. , Kozloski G. V. , Bonnecarrère Sanchez L. M. , Lima L. D. , Oliveira L. , Härter C. J. , Fiorentini G. , Cadorin Jr R. L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe changes in chemical composition of hay of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) harvested at 50, 70 and 90 d of regrowth, and its effect on intake, digestibility, fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen (Experiment 1) and oxygen uptake by portal‐drained viscera (PDV) (Experiment 2) were evaluated. The experiments were carried out with Polwarth × Texel crossbreed lambs with a mean live weight (s.e.m.) of 35(3·0) kg housed in metabolic cages. Organic matter (OM), neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) and nitrogen (N) intake, as well as rumen ammonia‐N concentration, decreased linearly with age of regrowth (P < 0·05). Acid‐detergent fibre (ADF) and indigestible NDF intakes were similar for all treatments. Apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM), NDF and N, as well as true digestibility of OM, microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, N retention, pH of rumen fluid and sugars, amino acids and peptide concentrations in rumen fluid were similar for all treatments. Age of regrowth also did not affect the kinetics of passage of the particulate phase through the digestive tract nor oxygen uptake by PDV. Heat production by PDV represented an average of 0·039 of digestible energy (DE) intake. Increasing the age of regrowth of kikuyu grass from 50 to 90 d did not affect digestibility nor the efficiency of DE use by PDV tissues of lambs but it reduced the nutritive value of the hay due to a lower intake of OM. Intake of hay appeared to be most limited by the ADF and indigestible NDF concentrations of the hay.
Factors influencing tissue turnover during winter in perennial ryegrass‐dominated swards
Authors: Hennessy D. , O’Donovan M. , French P. , Laidlaw A. S. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractDespite low net grass growth rates in Ireland between mid‐November and February, tissue continuously turns over as new leaves are produced and older leaves senesce. The effects of closing swards from grazing on three dates in autumn (1 September, 20 September and 10 October) on tissue turnover in a perennial ryegrass sward during the winter were examined at two sites in the north‐east and south of Ireland. Leaf extension and senescence rates were greater in the south than in the north‐east, and were greatest on the earliest closing date at both sites. Leaf appearance and extension rates at both sites were closely correlated with accumulated daily air temperature above 6°C and mean soil temperature. Site‐specific factors also influenced tissue flux, possibly including grazing intensity at closing and density of tillers of perennial ryegrass. Swards in the autumn with high herbage masses [>2000 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1 approximately] and high leaf area index (LAI; about 2·5 and above) had the greatest leaf senescence rates and the greatest declines in herbage mass during the winter. Leaf senescence rates per tiller in high LAI swards were correlated positively with amount of leaf per tiller and also the proportion of green leaf in the second youngest expanding leaf lost to senescence. As potentially a complex of interactive factors influences tissue flux in winter, it is proposed that the data from this study be used in conjunction with other data to construct a dynamic model to predict more reliably optimum closing date in autumn for herbage utilization in winter.
Effects of harvest date of timothy (Phleum pratense) on its nutritive value, and on the voluntary silage intake and liveweight gain of lambs
Authors: Bernes G. , Hetta M. , Martinsson K. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe effects of harvest date of timothy on the chemical composition of herbage and silage, and on the voluntary intake, liveweight gain and feed conversion efficiency by finishing lambs, were evaluated. The herbage was harvested and ensiled on three dates: 16 June (before heading), 20 June and 26 June. The silages were analysed for chemical composition and degradation characteristics by an in vitro gas production (GP) technique with end‐point measurements (72 h) of degradability of organic matter (OM) and neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF). There were clear effects of later dates of harvest increasing the concentration of NDF, and reducing the degradability of OM and NDF, and the rate of GP, of silages made from this herbage. The silages were fed ad libitum to lambs in a feeding experiment using a Latin square design. Later harvest dates decreased the voluntary intake of silage, liveweight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Lambs fed the early‐cut silage had a liveweight gain of 152 g d−1 and those fed the silage harvested 10 d later had a liveweight gain of 76 g d−1. Changes in the chemical composition of herbage and silage and in in vitro degradation characteristics of silages with later harvests were associated, to a large extent, with the reduction in voluntary intake and liveweight gain of lambs.
Establishment and production of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in the UK. 1. Effects of sowing date and autumn management on establishment and yield
Authors: Liu Z. , Lane G. P. F. , Davies W. P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effects of sowing date and autumn management of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) were investigated over 3 years in the UK. Replicated plots were sown between April and September in 2003 and 2004. Autumn management treatments were early and late cutting carried out in the establishment year and in subsequent years. Dry matter (DM) yields were measured over 3 years. One harvest was taken from April to July sowings in the establishment year and three harvests in each of the following years. DM yields from sowings in April and May were 2·8 and 3·3 t DM ha−1, respectively, in the establishment year, which were higher (P < 0·001) than from sowings in June and July. Sowings from April to July yielded 10·9–12·5 t DM ha−1 in the first full‐harvest year, and 9·5–11·5 t DM ha−1 in the following year. Sowings in August and September only gave 5 t DM ha−1 year−1. Early‐autumn cutting of an established sward reduced yields of sainfoin at the second harvest in the first and second full‐harvest years. Sowing in May had the lowest proportion of weed species (0·06) in the establishment year, and sowing in July had the highest (0·53). Crude protein concentration increased as the seasons progressed from 149·8 to 230·1 g kg−1 DM.
Establishment and production of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in the UK. 2. Effects of direct sowing and undersowing in spring barley on sainfoin and sainfoin‐grass mixtures
Authors: Liu Z. , Lane G. P. F. , Davies W. P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe dry matter (DM) yield and herbage quality of swards of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis,) and tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) grown in monocultures and in four sainfoin:grass mixtures (0·33 sainfoin:0·66 meadow fescue, 0·66 sainfoin:0·33 meadow fescue, 0·33 sainfoin:0·66 perennial ryegrass and 0·66 sainfoin:0·33 perennial ryegrass), established by direct sowing or undersowing in spring barley, were investigated over 3 years in a field experiment in the UK. Direct sowing produced a mean yield across all species and mixtures of 1·8 t DM ha−1 in the establishment year, whereas undersowing produced no measurable yield except for that of the spring barley. Undersowing reduced the yields of sainfoin and sainfoin‐grass mixtures in the first full‐harvest year but not in the second. The annual yield of a monoculture of sainfoin was 7·53 t DM ha−1 and that of sainfoin‐grass mixtures was 8·33 t DM ha−1 averaged over 3 years. Both sainfoin and the sainfoin‐grass mixtures had higher annual DM yields than the grass monocultures. The mixture of 0·66 sainfoin:0·33 meadow fescue gave the highest mean annual yield (9·07 t DM ha−1) over the 3 years. There was a higher proportion of sainfoin maintained in mixtures with perennial ryegrass than with meadow fescue. The proportion of sainfoin in sainfoin–meadow fescue mixtures declined from 0·62 in the first year to 0·32 in the third year, whereas the proportion in sainfoin–perennial ryegrass increased from 0·48 in the first year to 0·67 in the second year and remained stable in the third year.
Effect of altering the grazing interval on growth and utilization of grass herbage and performance of dairy cows under rotational grazing
Authors: Dale A. J. , Mayne C. S. , Laidlaw A. S. , Ferris C. P. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effects of short grazing intervals in the early part of the grazing season on the growth and utilization of grass herbage, and the performance of grazing dairy cows, in a rotational grazing system were examined. Seventy‐six cows were allocated to two grazing treatments: a normal rotation treatment (20‐d rotations for the first 60 d) and a short rotation treatment (12‐, 8‐, 8‐, 8‐, 12‐ and 12‐day rotations). Thereafter, both treatments had the same grazing interval and over the season as a whole both treatments received the same amount of nitrogen fertilizer and were stocked at the same rate. The short rotation treatment significantly reduced pre‐ and post‐grazing sward heights and pre‐grazing herbage mass in May and June. Total herbage production was significantly lower on the short than the normal rotation treatment as a result of a significant reduction in the growth rate of herbage in May and June. The short rotation treatment had a significantly lower milk output per cow. Grazing shorter swards, as a result of shorter rotations, significantly reduced herbage intake, reflecting reductions in intake per bite, grazing time and total bites per day. Treatment had no significant effect on herbage quality or pre‐ and post‐grazing sward height in August and September, despite the increased grazing severity in May and June with the short rotations. The severity of rotation length in this instance had a detrimental impact on animal performance, whereas a more modest reduction in grazing interval may control herbage production, without reducing animal performance.
Endoscopy in Barrett’s oesophagus: adherence to standards and neoplasia detection in the community practice versus hospital setting
Authors: Pohl H. , Aschenbeck J. , Drossel R. , Schröder A. , Mayr M. , Koch M. , Rothe K. , Anders M. , Voderholzer W. , Hoffmann J. , Schulz H.‐J. , Liehr R.‐M. , Gottschalk U. , Wiedenmann B. , Rösch T. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract.Objective.  Potential process differences between hospital and community‐based endoscopy for Barrett’s oesophagus have not been examined. We aimed at comparing adherence to guidelines and neoplasia detection rates in medical centres (MC) and community practices (CP).Design.  Retrospective analysis.Setting.  All histologically confirmed Barrett cases seen over a 3‐year period in six MC and 19 CP covering a third of all upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (n = 126 000) performed annually in Berlin, Germany.Main outcome measure.  Rate of relevant neoplasia (high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia or more) in both settings in relation to adherence to standards.Results.  Of 1317 Barrett cases, 66% were seen in CP. CP patients had a shorter mean Barrett length (2.6 cm vs. 3.8 cm; P < 0.001) with fewer biopsies taken during an examination (2.5 vs. 4.1 for Barrett length ≤2 cm; P < 0.001). CPs also provided fewer complete esophagogastroduodenoscopy documentation (25.1% vs. 57.8%, P < 0.001). Neoplasias were found more commonly in MCs compared to CPs (9.2% vs. 0.8%; P < 0.001). However, on exclusion of all referred patients with known neoplasia (65%) or those examined for other reasons (27.5%), the detection rate at MCs decreased to 1.3%, not different from the one seen at CPs (0.8%, P = 0.43). Only 13% were found during surveillance, but 57% were diagnosed at an early stage.Conclusions.  Referral bias and not better adherence to guidelines could explain the higher neoplasia prevalence in Barrett’s oesophagus at hospital centres. Despite a generally poor adherence to guidelines, most neoplasias found were at an early and potentially curable stage.
A predatory mechanism dramatically increases the efficiency of lateral gene transfer in Streptococcus pneumoniae and related commensal species
Authors: Johnsborg Ola , Eldholm Vegard , Bjørnstad Martha Langedok , Håvarstein Leiv Sigve 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBacteria that are competent for natural genetic transformation, such as pneumococci and their commensal relatives Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis, take up exogenous DNA and incorporate it into their genomes by homologous recombination. Traditionally, it has been assumed that genetic material leaking from dead bacteria constitutes the sole source of external DNA for competent streptococci. Here we describe a mechanism for active acquisition of homologous DNA that dramatically increases the efficiency of gene exchange between and within the streptococcal species mentioned above. This mechanism gives competent streptococci access to a common gene pool that is significantly larger than their own genomes, a property representing a considerable advantage when these bacteria are subjected to external selection pressures, such as vaccination and treatment with antibiotics.
Crystal structure of Spa40, the specificity switch for the Shigella flexneri type III secretion system
Authors: Deane Janet E. , Graham Stephen C. , Mitchell Edward P. , Flot David , Johnson Steven , Lea Susan M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe pathogenic bacterium Shigella flexneri uses a type III secretion system to inject virulence factors from the bacterial cytosol directly into host cells. The machinery that identifies secretion substrates and controls the export of extracellular components and effector proteins consists of several inner‐membrane and cytoplasmic proteins. One of the inner membrane components, Spa40, belongs to a family of proteins proposed to regulate the switching of substrate specificity of the export apparatus. We show that Spa40 is cleaved within the strictly conserved amino acid sequence NPTH and substitution of the proposed autocatalytic residue abolishes cleavage. Here we also report the crystal structure of the cytoplasmic complex Spa40C and compare it with the recent structures of the homologues from Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. These structures reveal the tight association of the cleaved fragments and show that the conserved NPTH sequence lies on a loop which, when cleaved, swings away from the catalytic N257 residue, resulting in different surface features in this region. This structural rearrangement suggests a mechanism by which non‐cleaving forms of these proteins interfere with correct substrate switching of the apparatus.
Incisional surgical infection in heart transplantation
Authors: Ramos A. , Asensio A. , Muñez E. , Torre‐Cisneros J. , Blanes M. , Carratalá J. , Segovia J. , Munoz P. , Cisneros J.M. , Bou G. , Aguado J.M. , Cervera C. , Gurgui M.M. 
Published: May 2008

Background. Incisional surgical site infections (ISSIs) are common bacterial infections in heart transplantation (HT). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, etiology, timing, and risk factors for ISSIs.Methods. A prospective study was performed, which included all heart transplants carried out in the participating hospitals (pertaining to the Spanish National Hospital Network RESITRA) between August 2003 and February 2005. A population of 292 consecutive patients was included (84.9% males). The definition of ISSI used in the study was based on the Centers for Disease Control criteria.Results. Seventeen episodes of ISSIs were recorded in 14 patients (4.8%; confidence interval [CI] 95% 2.7–7.7%). The median time from transplant to ISSI was 14 days (range 3–75). Two patients (14%) died; fatality was related to ISSI (mediastinitis) in 1 patient (7%). Coagulase‐negative staphylococci (7 cases), methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (3 cases), Proteus mirabilis, extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata, 1 case each, were the isolated pathogens. The duration of extracorporeal circulation was longer in patients with ISSI, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Antibiotic prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin alone (odds ratio, 15.8; 95% CI, 1.2–216.9) was independently associated with the development of ISSI.Conclusions. ISSIs in HT are frequently caused by resistant bacteria and Candida, but are associated with good prognosis.
Identification and gene expression of porcine fatty acid transport protein 1 isoforms
Authors: Shu G. , Zhu X. T. , Wang X. Q. , Song Y. Z. , Bin Y. F. , Zhang Y. L. , Gao P. , Jiang Q. Y. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryFatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP‐1) is a membrane associated protein, which facilitates the long chain fatty acids (LCFA) transport across the plasma membrane for the LCFA utilization and storage. In this study, the cDNA structure of porcine FATP‐1 was investigated and the gene expression patterns of porcine FATP‐1 in different tissues were tested by RT‐PCR and Southern blot analysis. The results showed that there were five pFATP‐1 mRNA species, namely, FATP‐1a, FATP‐1aV, FATP‐1b, FATP‐1c and FATP‐1cV and are generated by alternative splicing of primary transcript. Deduced pFATP‐1a protein showed 91.6% and 87.5% identities with those of human and rat. RT‐PCR and Southern blot analysis demonstrated widespread tissue distribution of each pFATP‐1 isoform mRNA, most abundantly in the brain, heart, lung, jejunum, testis, pancreas and trapezius muscle. Real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that pFATP‐1 mRNA expressions in masseter and trapezius muscles were much higher than those in longissimus, gluteus medius and adipose tissues. These results suggested a crucial physiological role of pFATP‐1 in fatty acid utilization in muscles, especially red muscles tissues, rather than fat storage in adipose tissues.
Effects of field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) dietary supplementation on plasma thyroid hormones, insulin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 concentrations and mohair characteristics in growing Angora goat kids
Authors: Acuti G. , Todini L. , Malfatti A. , Antonini M. , Barbato O. , Trabalza‐Marinucci M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTwenty‐two Angora kids were used to study the effect of a dietary supplementation with field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) on hair follicle activity, mohair characteristics and plasma total thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), insulin (INS) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations. At birth, their mothers were divided in two groups (S: supplemented, C: control), the S group being supplemented with 300 g/head/day of whole field bean. At weaning, diet of kids from S group was supplemented with 80 g/head/day of whole field bean. At weaning, secondary hair follicle activity (S: 0.91 ± 0.01, C: 0.84 ± 0.02, p < 0.01) and staple length (S: 5.82 ± 0.13 cm, C: 5.16 ± 0.14 cm, p < 0.001) were greater in the S group. At 155 days of age, secondary fibre diameter (S: 16.54 ± 0.35 μm, C: 18.09 ± 0.31 μm, p < 0.01) was higher in the C kids. Concentrations of total plasma T4 and T3 were higher (p < 0.001) in S (120 ± 12 and 4.87 ± 0.92 ng/ml respectively) than in C kids (92 ± 8 and 2.97 ± 0.77 ng/ml respectively). At weaning, T4 values were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with the secondary fibre diameter and the T3/T4 ratio was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the secondary to primary hair follicle ratio. At 155 days of age, both T3 and T3/T4 values were positively correlated (p < 0.01) with staple length. Plasma INS (0.11 ± 0.03 ng/ml) and total IGF‐1 concentrations (232 ± 13 ng/ml) were not affected by diet. Improvements of diet quality in kids positively affected fibre diameter and length and follicle activity rate. We suggest that increased circulating thyroid hormones concentrations, but not those of INS and IGF‐1, may contribute to the beneficial actions of nutritional supplementation on anatomical growth and mohair production of kids.