bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical conditions in a cattle vehicle during spring and autumn conditions in Japan, and reactions of steers to long distance transport
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate transportation conditions and behavioral and physiological responses of beef steers to long distance commercial transport in Japan. In spring (May) and autumn (September), eight (16 in total) Japanese Black × Holstein steers (7.8 ± 0.6 month of age; 310.3 ± 13.9 kg) were transported by truck. The transport distance was 1013.1 km (25 h including lairage periods) comprising 627.6 km (6.4 h) on expressways, 143.5 km (3.5 h) on arterial roads and 242.0 km (10.5 h) by ferry. The loading space of the truck gave a space allowance of about 1.62 m2/head. Internal temperature (±SD) and humidity (±SD) of the truck were 14.7 ± 4.7°C and 72.7 ± 22.4% in spring, 24.4 ± 2.8°C and 70.8 ± 14.4% in autumn. Vibration acceleration (±SD) of the truck in the longitudinal direction was greater in spring (−0.19 ± 0.43 m/s2) than in autumn (−0.15 ± 0.20 m/s2) (P < 0.05). There were no effects of season and driving conditions on the internal noise. Internal airflow velocity (±SD) of the truck was greater in spring (0.75 ± 0.70 m/s) than in autumn (0.45 ± 0.40 m/s) (P < 0.05), and it was greater while moving on expressways (0.77 ± 0.40 m/s) and arterial roads (0.63 ± 0.61 m/s) than when parked (0.16 ± 0.26 m/s) (both P < 0.05). Steers lay down more frequently while moving on expressways than the expected frequency (χ2 = 121.9, P < 0.01). Steers were oriented parallel to the direction of travel (to the front cabin: 27.9%; to the tailgate: 23.4%) more frequently than the expected probability (12.5%). Blood glucose concentration, serum ALT activity and plasma cortisol concentration were greater in spring than in autumn (all P < 0.05). Serum pH was higher in autumn than in spring (P < 0.01). Blood glucose concentration was significantly higher at the market before transport, and serum total protein, triiodothyronine and total cholesterol concentrations were also significantly higher at the market and just after transport than 1 week after transport (all P < 0.05). However, the other physiological measurements such as plasma cortisol and blood lactate concentrations, serum pH and heart rate did not change after transport. The results indicate that in Japanese spring and autumn conditions, long distance transport with appropriate conditions including low stocking density and enough lairage time with provision of food and water might not cause severe stress for steers.
Evaluation of direct and indirect measures of quarter milk from crossbred buffaloes
Authors: DHAKAL Ishwari Prasad , NEUPANE Manish , NAGAHATA Hajime 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTSomatic cell count (SCC), bacteriological findings and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured in milk from 216 quarters of 54 Murrah crossbred buffaloes for characterization of buffalo milk. Mean SCC in normal, subclinical and clinical mastitic milk was 171, 799 and 6039 × 103/mL, respectively. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the major organisms associated with subclinical mastitis, whereas CNS and coliforms were the predominant organisms in clinical mastitis. EC values were found to be significantly higher in buffalo milk with mammary infection. The best trade‐off between sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing mastitis in buffaloes by EC score was found at the cut‐off value of 3.7 mS/cm. The direct measures such as SCC, EC, bacteriological findings, and appearance of milk were found to be useful for the evaluation of udder health of buffaloes and categorization of milk.
The Influence of Soil Type on Rain Forest Insect Herbivore Communities
Authors: Eichhorn Markus P. , Compton Stephen G. , Hartley Sue E. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTInsect herbivores were collected from five species of dipterocarp tree seedling within a large‐scale reciprocal transplant experiment in Sabah, Malaysia, on alluvial and sandstone soils in both gap and understory plots. The aim was to determine whether the location and ecological specialization of seedlings influenced the herbivore communities found on and around them. Three major groups of folivores were collected: Coleoptera, Orthoptera, and larval Lepidoptera. Herbivory of all species was confirmed through laboratory trials. Herbivore abundance in the understory plots was extremely low relative to the gaps. Rank‐abundance curves were similar on both soil types, differing only within the Lepidoptera. Coleoptera and Orthoptera communities were numerically dominated by a small suite of species capable of feeding on all dipterocarp species tested, whereas lepidopteran communities had both greater species richness and diversity. When corrected for leaf area surveyed, the abundance of Coleoptera was similar on both soil types, while larval Lepidoptera were more abundant in sandstone plots and Orthoptera were more abundant in alluvial plots. Estimated species richness of all three taxa was greater in alluvial forest, but there were contrasting patterns in Simpson diversity and evenness between groups. Species richness of Lepidoptera was greatest on seedlings when grown in their native soil type, providing partial evidence for possible escape effects, although this was not matched by differences in folivore abundance. The link between herbivore communities and herbivory rates on rain forest tree seedlings is complex and is unlikely to be detected through simplistic measures of abundance, species richness, or diversity.
Small‐Scale Fragmentation Effects on Local Genetic Diversity in Two Phyllostomid Bats with Different Dispersal Abilities in Panama
Authors: Meyer Christoph F. J. , Kalko Elisabeth K. V. , Kerth Gerald 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTHabitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Despite their importance for conservation, the genetic consequences of small‐scale habitat fragmentation for bat populations are largely unknown. In this study, we linked genetic with ecological and demographic data to assess the effects of habitat fragmentation on two species of phyllostomid bats (Uroderma bilobatum and Carollia perspicillata) that differ in their dispersal abilities and demographic response to fragmentation. We hypothesized that population differentiation and the effect of habitat fragmentation on levels of genetic diversity will be a function of the species' mobility. We sequenced mtDNA from 232 bats caught on 11 islands in Gatún Lake, Panamá, isolated from the mainland for ca 90 yr, and in adjacent, continuous forest on the mainland. Populations of both species showed significant genetic differentiation (FST). Consistent with our prediction, population subdivision was lower in the highly mobile U. bilobatum (FST= 0.01) compared to the less vagile C. perspicillata (FST= 0.06), and only the latter species showed a pattern indicative of isolation by distance and, in addition, an effect of fragmentation. Genetic erosion as a result of fragmentation was also only detectable in the less mobile species, C. perspicillata, where haplotype diversity was lower in island compared to mainland populations. Our results suggest that some Neotropical bat species are prone to loss of genetic variation in response to anthropogenic small‐scale habitat fragmentation. In this context, our findings point toward mobility as a good predictor of a species' vulnerability to fragmentation and altered population genetic structure.
Species Composition of Neotropical Understory Bird Communities: Local Versus Regional Perspectives Based on Capture Data
Authors: Blake John G. , Loiselle Bette A. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTSpecies richness and composition of bird assemblages found in the understory of undisturbed Neotropical forests vary at local and regional scales but the extent of that variation has not been well documented. Yet, such variation can be important for understanding patterns of diversity and for conservation. Here, we use capture data from two ca 100‐ha study plots (sampled from March 2001 through March 2005) to compare understory assemblages at a local scale; nets on the plots were separated by approximately 1.7 km at the closest point. A total of 157 species (133 per plot) was represented in 6023 captures of 4001 individuals. After eliminating species not likely to be well‐sampled with nets, there were 122 species total with 110 and 113 on the two plots, respectively. Species‐accumulation curves and abundance‐rank relationships were almost identical on both plots. Capture rates were high (53 and 56 birds captured per 100 mist‐net‐hours, mnh) on both plots. Distributions of species and individuals among families and genera were similar on the two plots but numbers of captures of some common species differed between plots in response to small‐scale variation in environmental features. Indicator‐species analyses selected seven species as more characteristic of one plot and nine as more characteristic of the other. At the regional level, understory assemblages were most similar to a site in Peru but differed from sites in Brazil, Venezuela, and, especially, Costa Rica. Dissimilarity in species richness per family was related to geographic distance only when Costa Rica was included in the analysis.
Enhancing Public Health Law Communication Linkages
Authors: Silverman Ross D. 
Published: August 2008

The Public Health Law Association’s (PHLA) grant proposal described the problem of accessing public health law information, and the charge for this paper, as follows:The last decade has witnessed a renaissance in public health law. An array of forces have given rise to new model acts, important litigation developments and a growing body of academic research in the field. While there have been some initial attempts to collate important materials, practitioners in the field lack access to “real world” documents and practice guides. If public health law is to remain an organic and growing field and, more importantly, if the fruits of this renaissance are to have lasting practical effect, practitioners in multiple fields must have access to this body of knowledge.
Genotyping the Future: Scientists' Expectations about Race/Ethnicity after BiDil
Authors: Tutton Richard , Smart Andrew , Martin Paul A. , Ashcroft Richard , Ellison George T. H. 
Published: August 2008

In a recent discussion about how scientific knowledge might potentially change our understanding of the nature and extent of human genetic, cultural, or biological variation, the sociologist David Skinner identified two competing visions of the future: one that was decidedly dystopian, which conjured up a “re-racialized” future, and an opposing utopian future in which the potential for racialized thinking might be finally overcome. We can situate the ongoing debates about the congestive heart failure drug BiDil, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use only by African Americans, in relation to these differing future prospects.When the FDA announced its approval of BiDil in June 2005, it located the drug, and perhaps the future of pharmaceutical development, within a particular vision of the future, heralding BiDil as “representing a step toward the promise of personalized medicine.” The discourse of “personalized medicine” can be characterized as part of a utopian future, one in which clinicians will be able to make increasingly individualized decisions based on each patient’s genetic makeup so that the drugs they take will be those that work best for them.
A Note on the Inactivation of Influenza A Viruses By Solar Radiation, Relative Humidity and Temperature
Authors: Weber Thomas P. , Stilianakis Nikolaos I. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe critically investigate the claim put forward by Sagripanti and Lytle ([2007] Photochem. Photobiol. 83, 1278–1282) that inactivation of influenza A virus by solar radiation can explain the seasonality of influenza epidemics. We correct an error in the Sagripanti and Lytle paper and show that changes in relative humidity and temperature affect influenza virus inactivation as strongly as variation in solar radiation. Furthermore, it appears unlikely that transmission in outdoor settings plays an important role during influenza outbreaks, because influenza A virus is sensitive to a wide range of environmental factors.
Microneedle Arrays Permit Enhanced Intradermal Delivery of a Preformed Photosensitizer
Authors: Donnelly Ryan F. , Morrow Desmond I. J. , McCarron Paul A. , David Woolfson A. , Morrissey Anthony , Juzenas Petras , Juzeniene Asta , Iani Vladimir , McCarthy Helen O. , Moan Johan 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSilicon microneedle (MN) arrays were used to puncture excised murine and porcine skin in vitro and transdermal and intradermal delivery of meso‐tetra (N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl) porphine tetra tosylate (TMP) investigated using topical application of a bioadhesive patch containing 19 mg TMP cm−2. Animal studies, using nude mice, were then conducted to investigate the in vivo performance of the bioadhesive patch following MN puncture of skin. MN puncture significantly enhanced both intradermal and transdermal delivery of TMP in vitro, though the total amounts of drug delivered (25.22% into porcine skin and 0.07% across murine skin) were still quite small in each case. Notwithstanding this, in vivo experiments showed that MN puncture was capable of permitting a prolonged increase in TMP fluorescence at the site of application. Importantly, fluorescence was negligible at distant sites, meaning systemic delivery of the drug was not sufficient to induce TMP accumulation other than at the application site. In this study we have conclusively demonstrated proof of principle; MN puncture allows true intradermal delivery of a preformed photosensitizer in animal skin models in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, transdermal delivery was much reduced in each case. Increasing MN density would allow increased amounts of photosensitizer to be delivered. However, as MNs create aqueous pores in the stratum corneum, a preformed photosensitizer must possess at least some degree of water solubility in order to permit enhanced intradermal delivery in this way. We believe that use of MN array technology in this way has the potential to significantly improve topical photodynamic therapy of skin tumors.
Variability in UVB Tolerances of Melanized and Nonmelanized Cells of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. laurentii
Authors: Schiave Letícia A. , Pedroso Reginaldo S. , Candido Regina C. , Roberts Donald W. , Braga Gilberto U. L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSolar radiation is one of the major factors responsible for the control of fungus populations in the environment. Inactivation by UVA and UVB radiation is especially important for the control of fungi that disperse infective units through the air, including fungi such as Cryptococcus spp. that infect their vertebrate hosts by inhalation. Cryptococcus neoformans produces melanin in the presence of certain exogenous substrates such as l‐3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine and melanization may protect the fungus against biotic and abiotic environmental factors. In the present study, we investigated the effect of exposure to an UVB irradiance of 1000 mW m−2 (biologically effective weighted irradiance) on the survival of melanized and nonmelanized cells of four strains of C. neoformans and four strains of C. laurentii. The relative survival (survival of cells exposed to radiation in relation to cells not exposed) of cells grown 2, 4, 6 or 8 days on medium with or without L‐dopa was determined after exposure to UVB doses of 1.8 and 3.6 kJ m−2. Both the irradiance spectrum and the intensities of those doses are environmentally realistic, and, in fact, occur routinely during summer months in temperate regions. Differences in tolerance to UVB radiation were observed between the C. neoformans and C. laurentii strains. The C. neoformans strains were more susceptible to UVB radiation than the C. laurentii strains. In C. neoformans, differences in tolerance to radiation were observed during development of both melanized and nonmelanized cells. For most treatments (strain, time of growth and UVB dose), there were virtually no differences in tolerances between melanized and nonmelanized cells, but when differences occurred they were smaller than those previously observed with UVC. In tests with two strains of C. laurentii, there was no difference in tolerance to UVB radiation between melanized and nonmelanized cells during 8 days of culture; and in tests with four strains for less culture time (4 days) there were no significant differences in tolerance between melanized and nonmelanized cells of any strain of this species.
Efficacy and safety levels of preserved and preservative‐free tafluprost are equivalent in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: results from a pharmacodynamics analysis
Authors: Hamacher Thomas , Airaksinen Juhani , Saarela Ville , Liinamaa M. Johanna , Richter Ulrich , Ropo Auli 
Published: August 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  Tafluprost is a new prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) derivative in development for the treatment of glaucoma. Tafluprost is the first PGF2α analogue with a preservative‐free formulation.Methods:  This randomized, investigator‐masked, multicentre, crossover phase III study evaluated the pharmacodynamics and safety of preserved and preservative‐free tafluprost 0.0015% eyedrops administered for 4 weeks in 43 patients with open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The primary variable was change from baseline in overall diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) at 4 weeks. Adverse events and other safety parameters were also analysed.Results:  Decreased IOP was clearly observed with both formulations at week 1 and was sustained until week 4. The overall treatment difference (preservative‐free versus preserved formulations) at week 4 was 0.01 mmHg (95% confidence interval − 0.46 to 0.49; p = 0.96). There were no unexpected safety‐related findings. Both formulations were well tolerated and most adverse events were ocular and mild in severity.Conclusions:  The reduction in IOP achieved by preservative‐free tafluprost is equivalent to that obtained with the preserved formulation. The preservative‐free formulation was generally well tolerated.
Gradient Elasticity
Theory for Mode III Fracture in Functionally Graded Materials—Part II: Crack Parallel to the
Material Gradation
Authors: Chan Youn-Sha , Paulino Glaucio
H. , Fannjiang Albert C. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
A Mode-III crack problem in a functionally graded material modeled by anisotropic strain-gradient elasticity theory is solved by the integral equation method. The gradient elasticity theory has two material characteristic lengths ℓ and ℓ′, which are responsible for volumetric and surface strain-gradient terms, respectively. The governing differential equation of the problem is derived assuming that the shear modulus G is a function of x, i.e., G=G(x)=G0eβx, where G0 and β are material constants. A hypersingular integrodifferential equation is derived and discretized by means of the collocation method and a Chebyshev polynomial expansion. Numerical results are given in terms of the crack opening displacements, strains, and stresses with various combinations of the parameters ℓ, ℓ′, and β. Formulas for the stress intensity factors, KIII, are derived and numerical results are provided.
Constructing
Multilayer Feedforward Neural Networks to Approximate Nonlinear Functions in Engineering Mechanics
Applications
Authors: Pei Jin-Song , Mai Eric
C. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
This paper presents a major step in the development and validation of a systematic prototype-based methodology for designing multilayer feedforward neural networks to model nonlinearities common in engineering mechanics. The applications of this work include (but are not limited to) system identification of nonlinear dynamic systems and neural-network-based damage detection. In this and previous studies (Pei, J. S., 2001, “Parametric and Nonparametric Identification of Nonlinear Systems,” Ph.D. thesis, Columbia University; Pei, J. S., and Smyth, A. W., 2006, “A New Approach to Design Multilayer Feedforward Neural Network Architecture in Modeling Nonlinear Restoring Forces. Part I: Formulation,” J. Eng. Mech., 132(12), pp. 1290–1300; Pei, J. S., and Smyth, A. W., 2006, “A New Approach to Design Multilayer Feedforward Neural Network Architecture in Modeling Nonlinear Restoring Forces. Part II: Applications,” J. Eng. Mech., 132(12), pp. 1301–1312; Pei, J. S., Wright, J. P., and Smyth, A. W., 2005, “Mapping Polynomial Fitting Into Feedforward Neural Networks for Modeling Nonlinear Dynamic Systems and Beyond,” Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng., 194(42–44), pp. 4481–4505), the authors do not presume to provide a universal method to approximate any arbitrary function. Rather the focus is given to the development of a procedure which will consistently lead to successful approximations of nonlinear functions within the specified field. This is done by examining the dominant features of the function to be approximated and exploiting the strength of the sigmoidal basis function. As a result, a greater efficiency and understanding of both neural network architecture (e.g., the number of hidden nodes) as well as weight and bias values is achieved. Through the use of illuminating mathematical insights and a large number of training examples, this study demonstrates the simplicity, power, and versatility of the proposed prototype-based initialization methodology. A clear procedure for initializing neural networks to model various nonlinear functions commonly seen in engineering mechanics is provided. The proposed methodology is compared with the widely used Nguyen–Widrow initialization to demonstrate its robustness and efficiency in the specified applications. Future work is also identified.
A 12-month prospective cohort study of injury in international rowers
Authors: Wilson F , Gissane C , Gormley J , Simms C 
Published: August 2008

ObjectiveIn this study, the injury incidence and association with type and volume of training in international rowers were described.DesignA prospective cohort design was used over a 12-month period.Patients20 international rowers who were competing as part of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union squad system.MethodsThe rowers were interviewed monthly, and data were collected regarding their training and competition exposure as well as their injury experience.ResultsA mean injury rate of 3.67 per 1000 exposure hours was reported with a total of 44 injuries reported in a 12-month period. The mean number of injuries sustained per athlete was 2.2 (1.24) over the 12-month period. The area where the greatest number of injuries were reported was the lumbar spine (31.82% of total injuries, 95% CI 20 to 50) (fig 2) followed by the knee (15.91% of total injuries, 95% CI 10 to 30) and the cervical spine (11.36% of total injuries, 95% CI 5 to 24). Half of the injuries (22 injuries, 50% of total reported injuries) were to the spine (χ2= 30.8, df = 9, p = 0.0003). Ergometer training load was the most significantly associated with injury risk (r = 0.68, p = 0.01).ConclusionInternational rowers are at higher risk of injury than most non-contact sports and some contact sports. The high risk of lumbar spine injury and the significant association of high volume of ergometer training merit further research to reduce time and competition lost to injury.