bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in pet dogs and cats in Beijing, China
Authors: Yu Jinhai , Ding Jun , Xia Zhaofei , Lin Degui , Li Yili , Jia Junying , Liu Qun 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSera from 534 pet dogs and 335 pet cats from Beijing (China) were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or the latex agglutination test. The seropositivity by year, season, sex and age was analysed. Overall, 128 dogs (24.0%) and 50 cats (14.9%) had antibodies to T. gondii. When analysed by season, the highest seroprevalence was found in spring for dogs (31.3%) and cats (25.1%), and the differences in seroprevalence by season was statistically significant in cats (P<0.01) but not in dogs. The seroprevalence in male dogs (23.7%) and cats (15.1%) were slightly higher than their female counterparts (18.0% in dogs and 12.3% in cats). There was no obvious pattern of seropositivity or significant difference in different age groups in dogs or cats; nonetheless, a high proportion of dogs at 4 years of age were positive to T. gondii (31.8%) while cats with relatively high seropositivity rates were at 1 or 3.4 years of age (13.14%).
Nanobacteria associated with mucous intestines of freshwater fishes and tegument of their parasites (Cestoda)
Authors: Korneva Janetta 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe teguments of four cestode species (Triaenophorus nodulosus, Proteocephalus torulosus, P. percae, P. cernuae) and the intestines of their freshwater fish hosts (Esox lucius, Barbatula barbatula, Perca fluviatilis, Gymnocephalus cernuus) inhabited by bacteria have been investigated with scanning electron microscopy. Most of the bacteria have sizes very similar to nanobacteria (that is, 0.25–0.3 μm in diameter). At least 4 microbial morphotypes were identified. These observations indicate that the normal indigenous microflora in cestodes and their fish hosts, associated with the digestive transport surfaces and consist of bacteria and nanobacteria.
Intestinal helminth communities of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) in the Italian Alps
Authors: Cerbo Anna , Manfredi Maria , Trevisiol Karin , Bregoli Marco , Ferrari Nicola , Pirinesi Francesca , Bazzoli Selvaggia 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe study analyses the intestinal helminth communities found in 645 red foxes of alpine populations from five areas of Northern Italy. In particular, the aim was to evaluate the contribution of both environmental variability and the structure of fox population (extrinsic and intrinsic factors, respectively) in shaping the structure and composition of the intestinal helminth communities. To identify the influence of the characteristics of the host (i.e. age and sex) together with extrinsic factors (year, site, season, and altitude of collection) on number of species, total load per fox, prevalence and abundance of each parasite species, general linear models were performed. Fifteen helminth species have been detected in the intestine of 545 infected animals (84.5%) with a total of 17,144 parasites collected. The analysis of factors influencing both prevalence and abundance of infection of the parasite species revealed the preponderance of extrinsic factors on intrinsic ones. In particular, geographical areas influenced prevalence and abundance of every parasite species, showing high spatial variability. The lower influence of host factors may suggest that, in this case, host dynamics play a trivial role with respect to spatial variability in determining parasite abundance. These results pointed out high prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in the Italian Alpine fox, confirmed the typical composition of parasite fauna within fox populations, underlined local differences in the structure and composition of the helminth communities. Moreover, this study highlights the major role of extrinsic factors vs intrinsic ones.
Intraspecific density-dependent effects on growth and fecundity of Diplosentis nudus (Harada, 1938) Pichelin et Cribb, 2001 (Acanthocephala, Cavisomidae)
Authors: Hassanine Reda , Al-Jahdali Mohammed 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDuring June and July of 2007, a total of 130 specimens of the fish Rastrelliger kanagurta Cuvier (Teleostei, Scombridae), ranging between 19–31 cm in total length, were caught in the Red Sea off the coast of Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt, and examined for infections by acanthocephalans (65 fish/month). Of this number, 29 (22.30%) were slightly or heavily parasitized by the acanthocephalan Diplosentis nudus (Harada, 1938) Pichelin et Cribb, 2001 (Cavisomidae); no other helminth parasites were found in the intestine of R. kanagurta. Twenty-nine infrapopulations of D. nudus, ranging from 23–218 individuals were collected from the infected fishes. These infrapopulations were distributed in a well-defined fundamental niche along the intestine of R. kanagurta, where the distribution of male worms was not random with respect to female worms size and position and suggests that the male-male competition for access to female may be intense and may select for large males. No correlation between fish size and infrapopulation size was observed. Correlations between female-to-male sex ratio and infrapopulation size, numbers of females and their mean lengths, numbers of males and their mean lengths, mean female length and mean male length within infrapopulation were very strong, and clearly suggest that as the infrapopulation size increased, the number of females and their mean lengths decreased and the number of males and their mean lengths increased. Combination of these results strongly suggests density-dependent effects and competition between male worms. The relationship between the mean female length or size and the number of eggs within its pseudocoel was strongly positive; egg production by female worm significantly decreases as the infrapopulation size increases, suggesting density-dependent reduction in female worm fecundity. Tendency for the variability in male testes size was not significant in infrapopulations of D. nudus. All of these results are discussed.
Trimusculotrema heronensis sp. nov. (Monogenea, Capsalidae) from the skin of the pink whipray Himantura fai (Elasmobranchii, Dasyatidae) from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Whittington Ian , Kearn Graham 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTrimusculotrema heronensis sp. nov. is described from the skin of the pink whipray, Himantura fai, caught at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. The parasite differs from its closest relative, T. uarnaki, by its greater size and by features of the cirrus. There is evidence that the haptor of T. heronensis secretes cement. The living parasite is unable to swim. Whether Trimusculotrema spp. are benedeniines or entobdellines is discussed.
Species of Plasmodium of passerine birds with four nuclei, with description of new species
Authors: Paperna Ilan , Yosef Reuven , Chavatte Jean-Marc , Gill Hagit , Landau Irène 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe describe and discuss species of Plasmodium with four nuclei arranged in doublets or forming a maltese cross and loose, residual cytoplasm, described from Passer hispaniolensis in Algeria. The following species are described: Plasmodium rouxi from Alauda arvensis, from France Plasmodium mohammedi sp. nov. from Passer domesticus biblicus and Plasmodium pachysomum sp. nov. from Anthus campestris, from Israel, Plasmodium pfefferi sp. nov. from Pica pica and Plasmodium sergentorum sp. nov. from Alauda arvensis and Pica pica from France and Plasmodium stellatum sp. nov. from Muscicapa striata from Israel. All species vary in the spatial position of their four nuclei and the presence or absence of refractile, blue-staining globules. All of the described species differ from P. vaughani Novy et Mac Neal, 1904 and its siblings (example: P. vaughani merulae Corradetti et Scanga, 1973) in their number of merozoites (always four versus four to eight in the latter) and their spatial arrangement in the schizont.
Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in racehorses in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Kilbaş Z. , Adanir R. , Avcioglu Hamza 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTo assess seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in asymptomatic horses in Ankara, Turkey, 19 mares and 56 stallions older than 2 years of age were examined using ELISA; 9.3% of the horses were seropositive. Seroprevalence of N. caninum in mares was twice of that in stallions (15.8 vs 7.1%) and all appeared to be asymptomatic.
Lamellodiscus crampus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae), a parasite of Dentex maroccanus (Teleostei, Sparidae) from off Tunisia
Authors: Neifar Lassâd 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLamellodiscus crampus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) is described from the gills of Dentex maroccanus (Valenciennes) collected from the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) in the oriental part of Mediterranean Sea. The new species belongs to the “ignoratus” group (sensu Oliver 1987) characterized by a lamellodisc with complete lamellae and a “lyre” shaped male copulatory organ, and the “ignoratus” sensu stricto subgroup, characterized by a haptor with simple lateral dorsal bars, as proposed by Amine and Euzet (2005). Lamellodiscus crampus can be easily distinguished from all the congeneric species of the subgroup “ignoratus” by the presence, in the “lyre” male copulatory organ, of five spines in the distal portion on the axial side of the paired piece.
Small-Scale Cogeneration Plant Data Processing and Analysis
Authors: Veidenbergs I. , Blumberga D. , Rochas C. , Romagnoli F. , Blumberga A. , Rošā M. 
Published: September 2008

Small-Scale Cogeneration Plant Data Processing and Analysis
In the article, the operational data on electricity and heat energy generation in a small-scale cogeneration plant are analysed. Different measurements done in the plant formed a basis for estimation and evaluation of the savings of primary energy in comparison with distributed energy production. The authors analyse the efficiency values for the heat and the electricity production in the cogeneration regime and the savings of primary energy when the cogeneration plant works with partial load.
Creation of Power Reserves Under the Market Economy Conditions
Authors: Mahnitko A. , Gerhards J. , Lomane T. , Ribakov S. 
Published: September 2008

Creation of Power Reserves Under the Market Economy Conditions
The main task of the control over an electric power system (EPS) is to ensure reliable power supply at the least cost. In this case, requirements to the electric power quality, power supply reliability and cost limitations on the energy resources must be observed. The available power reserve in an EPS is the necessary condition to keep it in operation with maintenance of normal operating variables (frequency, node voltage, power flows via the transmission lines, etc.). The authors examine possibilities to create power reserves that could be offered for sale by the electric power producer. They consider a procedure of price formation for the power reserves and propose a relevant mathematical model for a united EPS, the initial data being the fuel-cost functions for individual systems, technological limitations on the active power generation and consumers' load. As the criterion of optimization the maximum profit for the producer is taken. The model is exemplified by a concentrated EPS. The computations have been performed using the MATLAB program.
Surface Processing of TlBr Crystals for X- and γ-ray Detectors
Authors: Shorohov M. , Muktepavela F. , Maniks J. 
Published: September 2008

Surface Processing of TlBr Crystals for X- and γ-ray DetectorsA procedure for surface processing of TlBr crystals to be applied as X-and ?-ray detectors has been developed, providing removal of a mechanically destroyed surface layer by deep chemical etching, allowing the surfaces of good topography and thus the detectors with high energy resolution and stability to be obtained in a repeatable way. The surface quality and structural changes in the near-surface layer are estimated by the optical microscopy and indentation hardness technique.
Solar Cycle Variation of Cosmic ray Intensity along with Interplanetary and Solar Wind Plasma Parameters
Authors: Mishra Rajesh , Agarwal Rekha , Tiwari Sharad 
Published: September 2008

Solar Cycle Variation of Cosmic ray Intensity along with Interplanetary and Solar Wind Plasma ParametersGalactic cosmic rays are modulated at their propagation in the heliosphere by the effect of the large-scale structure of the interplanetary medium. A comparison of the variations in the cosmic ray intensity data obtained by neutron monitoring stations with those in geomagnetic disturbance, solar wind velocity (V), interplanetary magnetic field (B), and their product (V' B) near the Earth for the period 1964-2004 has been presented so as to establish a possible correlation between them. We used the hourly averaged cosmic ray counts observed with the neutron monitor in Moscow. It is noteworthy that a significant negative correlation has been observed between the interplanetary magnetic field, product (V' B) and cosmic ray intensity during the solar cycles 21 and 22. The solar wind velocity has a good positive correlation with cosmic ray intensity during solar cycle 21, whereas it shows a weak correlation during cycles 20, 22 and 23. The interplanetary magnetic field shows a weak negative correlation with cosmic rays for solar cycle 20, and a good anti-correlation for solar cycles 21-23 with the cosmic ray intensity, which, in turn, shows a good positive correlation with disturbance time index (Dst) during solar cycles 21 and 22, and a weak correlation for cycles 20 and 23.
Thermal Characteristics of New Building Materials and their Effect upon the Energy Efficiency
Authors: Ekmanis J. , Zebergs V. , Zeltins N. , Vrublevski V. 
Published: September 2008

Thermal Characteristics of New Building Materials and their Effect upon the Energy Efficiency
The paper formulates the role of thermal inertia of the building materials in the energy supply of buildings and in solution of the energy efficiency problems. The evolution of construction entails the application of new building materials as well as of glazed surfaces in the envelopes of buildings. An analysis is made of the influence of the thermal resistance of building materials and their heat capacity on the thermal inertia indicators of buildings. An inertia scale of buildings has been developed for the choice of the heat supply capacities of buildings at low outdoor temperatures under extreme conditions of the Latvian climate. The ratio of the ventilation capacities has been analysed in the total heating balance at a low thermal inertia of buildings. The significance of innovative ventilation technologies for raising the energy efficiency has been considered.
Effects of sample size, centrifugal acceleration and brine inclusions on the elastic modulus of sea ice
Authors: Lau Michael , Jones Stephen J. , Phillips Ryan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe present a re-analysis of the results obtained from a series of measurements on freshwater and saline ice beams under various centrifugal accelerations. The data show a strong influence of beam size, brine volume and centrifugal acceleration on the elastic modulus of ice. The data suggest a transition brine volume at around 9%, which might occur close to the melting point, at which the elastic modulus of ice drops rapidly due to a possible change of brine-pocket structure. Furthermore, for brine volumes less than 9%, there is a negligible increase in the elastic modulus measured under high centrifugal acceleration, but for brine volumes more than 9% the increase is considerable, approaching that measured with freshwater ice. This may be due to necking of brine drainage channels just above the ice/water interface at high centrifugal acceleration. A model of sea ice was constructed based on existing theories of brine inclusions in sea ice, which satisfactorily predicts the observed trends.
Glacier mass balance interpreted from biological analysis of firn cores in the Chilean lake district
Authors: Santibañez P. , Kohshima S. , Scheihing R. , Jaramillo J. , Shiraiwa T. , Matoba S. , Kanda D. , Labarca P. , Casassa G. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe first analyses of biological components in glaciers of the Chilean lake district are presented based on microalgae biovolume, pollen and other microorganisms detected in shallow (∼10 m) firn/ice cores. Three cores were retrieved, two at Volcán Mocho-Choshuenco (39°55′ S, 72°02′ W; summit at 2422 m a.s.l; east glacier at 2000 m a.s.l.), and one at the summit of Volcán Osorno (41°06′ S, 72°30′ W; 2652 m a.s.l.). Microalgae, protozoa and pollen quantified in the samples obtained from the two summit cores show clear fluctuations interpreted as seasonal signs. In contrast, δD and many chemical species from the summit cores show strong dampening at depth, probably due to water percolation. The limited information provided by isotopic and chemical analyses is used to support the seasonal interpretation of biological parameters from the summit cores, with microorganism maxima inferred to occur in summer and pollen maxima in spring. A good comparison is found between mass-balance estimations from the Volcán Mocho-Choshuenco summit core and values obtained near that site by means of the stake method. It is concluded that biological analyses of firn/ice cores provide reliable estimations of annual and seasonal markers from these temperate glaciers.
Applications of free circulating nucleic acids in clinical medicine: Recent advances
Authors: Giasuddin A.S.M. , Jhuma Khadija Akther , Haq A.M. Mujibul 
Published: September 2008

The objective of this review article was to highlight briefly the recent advances made relevant to applications of free circulating nucleic acids (FcNAs) in clinical medicine. Detection of FcNAs in plasma, serum and other body fluids from healthy subjects as well as in patients has opened up the possibility of diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. With the rapid developments in molecular biology techniques such as real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rt-qPCR), quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMS-PCR), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR), single allele primer extension reaction (SAPER) method and other techniques the applications in clinical medicine have increased. The recent discovery of epigenetic changes in placental/fetal DNA and the detection of fetal/placental-specific RNAs have made FcNAs to be used for diagnosis of genetic disorders in all pregnancies irrespective of the gender of the fetus in early intrauterine life. Â It is now possible to detect very small amounts of, and specific mutations in, fetal DNA in the presence of excess non-specific maternal DNA. In oncolÂ­ogy, detection and monitoring of tumors are now possible by the detection of tumor-derived FcNAs. In other conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, trauma and stroke FcNAs have been shown to be useful also. In spite of these advances questions reÂ­garding the origin and biologic significance of FcNAs remain to be answered. Standardization of methodologies including pre-analytical and analytical aspects will revolutionize the applications of FcNAs in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases in clinical medicine in the next few years.Keywords: Circulating nuclic acid, MedicineDOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v34i1.1168Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2008; 34: 26-32
HBeAg/anti-HBe, alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA
Authors: Rabbi Fareha Jesmin , Rezwan Md. Kamar , Shirin Tahmina 
Published: September 2008

Serum samples from a total of 72 chronic hepatitis B virus carriers were analysed by serological, biochemical and molecular assays. The aim was to evaluate the relationship of the serological and biochemical parameters with molecular markers in order to assess the infectivity of virus. Out of 72 chronic HBsAg positive carriers, 28 patients were HBeAg positive and anti-HBe negative, 38 patients were HBeAg negative and anti-HBe positive, only 3 patients were positive for both HBeAg and anti-HBe and the rest 3 patients were negative for both markers. Detectable HBV DNA level was found in 92.86% HBsAg-positive/anti-HBe negative patients along with raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (67.86%) Â compared with Â HBeAg-negative/anti-HBe positive carriers (36.84%) (p value = 0.02) and out a total of 38 HBeAg-negative/anti-HBe positive carriers, 12 (31.58%) patients had detectable level of HBV DNA. Among the 14 HBeAg-negative/anti-HBe positive patients with elevated ALT level, 8 (57.14%) had detectable HBV DNA whereas out of 24 HBeAg-negative/anti-HBe positive patients with normal ALT level only 4 (16.66%) had detectable HBV DNA level. Significantly high rate of detection of HBV DNA was seen among anti-HBe positive patients with raised ALT level compared with the patients Â with normal ALT level (p value = 0.01). Keywords: HBeAg/anti-HBe; alanine aminotransferase, HBV DNA;Â HBsAg positiveDOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v34i2.1173Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2008; 34: 39-43Â
The Bluecoat
Authors: Littlefield David 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDavid Littlefield describes how the makeover of the Bluecoat arts centre in Liverpool by the Dutch firm Biq represents ‘a robust renewal’. Eschewing a tentative or pared‐back stylised approach, they came out in favour of a ‘solid authenticity’ that is muscular in its material qualities and its insistence on usability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hardikar syndrome: New features
Authors: Poley J. Rainer , Proud Virginia K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHardikar syndrome (HS) is a disorder of multiple anomalies predominantly characterized by cleft lip/palate, liver and biliary tract disease, intestinal malrotation, obstructive uropathy, and retinopathy. To date, three patients have been reported with the unusual constellation of chronic liver/biliary tract disease and obvious defects in organogenesis [Hardikar et al. (1992): Am J Med Genet 44: 13–17; Cools and Jaeken (1997): Am J Med Genet 71: 472–474]. With this report, we add another patient with this syndrome. New features, hitherto not reported, were vaginal atresia, a type 1 choledochal cyst and, owing to the progressive nature of the liver disease, the need for liver transplantation. It is intriguing to speculate, that HS could be genetically related to Alagille syndrome (AS), since both conditions share an unusual number of phenotypic abnormalities. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.