bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of γ‐Linolenic Acid and Stearidonic Acid in Seeds of Marker‐Free Transgenic Soybean1
Authors: Sato Shirley , Xing Aiqiu , Ye Xingguo , Schweiger Bruce , Kinney Anthony , Graef George , Clemente Tom
Published: July 2014

Through a single desaturation step, the Borago officinalis L. Δ6 desaturase can convert linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid to γ‐linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (STA), respectively. Both GLA and STA are of interest to the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Production of these fatty acids is costly. One potential strategy to reduce production cost would be to generate them in a major oilseed crop. To this end, a cDNA of the B. officinalis Δ6‐desaturase gene was cloned downstream of the embryo‐specific promoter β‐conglycinin. The resultant cassette was assembled into a two T‐DNA binary vector, in which the second T‐DNA element harbored a selectable marker cassette. The final plasmid was subsequently used to transform soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The simultaneous delivery of two T‐DNA elements was used as a strategy to derive soybean progeny transgenic for the Δ6 desaturase T‐DNA and free of the marker gene T‐DNA. Twenty‐nine transgenic soybean lines were recovered that harbored both T‐DNA elements, of which 17 produced GLA and STA in the seed storage lipids. Average GLA levels ranged from 3.4 up to 28.7%, while STA levels varied from just under 0.6 to 4.2% in the T1 generation. Among the 17 lines that produced GLA and STA, four lines were identified that were free of the selectable marker T‐DNA element.
Assessment of Salt Tolerance in Transgenic Potato Carrying AtNHX1 Gene
Authors: Wang Li , Zhang Junlian , Wang Di , Zhang Jinwen , Cui Yansen , Liu Yuhui , Yang Hongyu , Binyu
Published: July 2014

Salt tolerance can be assessed with plant morphological and physiological traits. This study evaluated the salt tolerance of eight transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) lines using an integrated evaluation index where plant height, leaf area expansion rate, survival rate, and tuber yield were integrated. We hypothesized that (i) the integration of several plant growth traits produced a comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance, and (ii) the level of salt tolerance in potato was also related to their physiological responses such as chlorophyll and proline contents. A greenhouse study was conducted at Gansu Agricultural University in 2011. Transgenic potato lines carrying AtNHX1 gene expressed significantly higher levels of salt tolerance than the nontransgenic check. The integrated evaluation index showed that the NG‐5 transgenic line had a salt‐tolerance level 46 times that of the check. The check plants had a lower tuber yield when NaCl concentration was 3.3 g L−1 and more than one‐half of the plants died when NaCl concentration was 6.5 g L−1. The thresholds ranged between 3.7 and 6.8 g L−1 and the half‐lethal (LD50) NaCl concentration varied from 8.7 to 14.6 g L−1 for transgenic lines. By Day 40 after salt‐stress challenges at 9 g L−1 NaCl, total chlorophyll content decreased 32% in the check but by an average of 14% in the transgenic lines, whereas proline content in the check was 2.5 times those in the transgenic lines. The integrated evaluation index provided an adequate, quantitative assessment of salt tolerance of potato and can be used effectively in the development of salt‐tolerant cultivars.
Moisture Effects on Soil Reflectance
Authors: Lobell David B. , Asner Gregory P.
Published: July 2014

Models of soil reflectance under changing moisture conditions are needed to better quantify soil and vegetation properties from remote sensing. In this study, measurements of reflected shortwave radiation (400–2500 nm) were acquired in a laboratory setting for four different soils at various moisture contents. The observed changes in soil reflectance revealed a nonlinear dependence on moisture that was well described by an exponential model, and was similar for different soil types when moisture was expressed as degree of saturation. Reflectance saturated at much lower moisture contents in the visible and near‐infrared (VNIR) spectral region than in the shortwave‐infrared (SWIR) spectral region, suggesting that longer wavelengths are better suited for measuring volumetric moisture contents above ∼20%. To explore the potential of a general reflectance model based solely on dry reflectance and moisture, we employed a Monte Carlo analysis that accounted for observed variability in the measured spectra. Modeling results indicated that the SWIR region offers significant potential for relating moisture and reflectance on an operational basis, with uncertainties less than half as large as in the VNIR. The results of this study help to quantify the strong influence of moisture on spectral reflectance and absorption features, and should aid in the development of operational algorithms as well as more physically based models in the future.
Measurement of Attenuation and Speed of Sound in Soils
Authors: Oelze Michael L. , O'Brien William D. , Darmody Robert G.
Published: July 2014

The potential application of this work is the detection and imaging of buried objects using acoustic methodology. To image buried artifacts, it is vital to know speed and attenuation of sound in the particular soil being examined because they vary in different soil types and at different moisture contents. To that end, our research involved six soils representing a range of properties expected to influence acoustic response. Clay ranged from 2 to 38%, silt from 1 to 82%, sand from 2 to 97%, and organic matter from 0.1 to 11.7%. Signals from an acoustic source were passed through soil samples and detected by an acoustically coupled hydrophone. From a total of 231 evaluations, we determined the acoustic attenuation coefficient and the propagation speed of sound in the soil samples as a function of four levels of soil moisture and two levels of compaction. Attenuation coefficients determined over frequencies of 2 to 6 kHz ranged from 0.12 to 0.96 dB cm−1 kHz−1 Lower attenuation tended to be in loose dry samples. Correlation coefficients were 0.35 (P = 0.01) and 0.31 (P = 0.03) between attenuation and soil water content and soil bulk density, respectively. Propagation speeds ranged from 86 to 260 m s−1 The correlation coefficient with speed was −0.28 (P = 0.05) for soil water content and −0.42 (P = 0.002) for total porosity. Given the acoustic properties, it is theoretically possible to detect an object down to ∼40 cm below the soil surface.
Dynamics of a Soil Microbial Community under Spring Wheat
Authors: Petersen Søren O. , Frohne Pamela S. , Kennedy Ann C.
Published: July 2014

In arable systems, seasonal fluctuations of microbiological properties can be significant. We hypothesized that adaptation to soil environmental conditions may contribute to the variation observed, and this was examined by characterization of different microbial community attributes under a range of soil conditions. Soil was sampled from no‐till and chisel‐tilled fields within a long‐term experiment in eastern Washington during growth of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum). The range of soil environmental conditions covered was extended by amendment of crop residues. Soil samples were characterized with respect to biomass N and biomass P, substrate utilization dynamics, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles and whole‐soil fatty acid (MIDI‐FA) profiles, and with respect to soil environmental variables (bulk density, soil organic C [SOC], temperature, moisture, and inorganic N and P). Bacterial and fungal lipid biomarkers were negatively correlated (P < 0.001), confirming that these subsets of fatty acids are associated with contrasting components of the microbial biomass. Biomass N was closely associated with soil conditions, notably N availability. The proportion of substrates used with no apparent lag phase decreased during summer and was negatively correlated with lipid stress indicators. Cyclopropyl fatty acids accounted for more than 60% of the variation in bacterial PLFA. These observations suggest that adaptation to environmental stresses was partly responsible for the microbial dynamics observed. Tillage practice had little effect on the relationships between soil conditions and microbiological properties. The results showed that MIDI‐FA included a significant background of nonmicrobial material and was less sensitive to soil environmental conditions than PLFA.
Manganese Distribution and Patterns of Soil Wetting and Depletion in a Piedmont Hillslope
Authors: Cassel D. K. , Afyuni M. M. , Robarge W. P.
Published: July 2014

The distribution of Mn in soils across the landscape is a function of mineralogy, topography, vegetation, and soil properties that control soil water movement and solute transport. We hypothesized (i) that current landscape properties and processes would explain the observed distribution of acid‐extractable soil Mn in a cropped hillslope in the Carolina Slate Belt of the southern Piedmont, and (ii) that the current spatial patterns of soil water movement would be related to the observed Mn distribution. Soil samples were collected in 10‐cm increments to the 1‐m depth at 5‐m intervals along 110‐m‐long Transect AB and at 10‐m intervals along 80‐m‐long Transect CD. The air‐dried samples were analyzed for acid‐extractable (1MHCl) Mn. Soil water content (θ) along the transects was periodically monitored by neutron attenuation to the 120‐cm depth. Duplicate banks of tensiometers were installed at depths of 30, 45, and 60 cm at these locations. The concentration of acid‐extractable soil Mn was greatest in the footslope (FS), exceeding values >500 and 600 mg kg−1soil for Transects AB and CD, respectively. For a wet period in July 1989, θ along Transect AB varied from 0.40 m3m−3for the FS to 0.50 m3m−3at the summit and was significantly correlated with clay content. Increases in water content of a dry soil after rainfall of 80 mm in July 1989 were similar at all landscape positions, but further increases following additional rainfall were less for the FS, indicating that soil at the FS was already near saturation. The slightly coarser‐textured FS consistently had the lowest water contents. Tensiometric and lateral Br transport data for this site, coupled with the water content measurements, indicate that subsurface flow of water and dissolved Mn from higher to lower elevations on the hillslopes is occurring.
Soil Quality in Mediterranean Mountain Environments
Authors: Sánchez-Marañón M. , Soriano M. , Delgado G. , Delgado R.
Published: July 2014

Unsuitable land use worldwide has led to environmental degradation. Land use effects on the environmental component of soil quality were assessed in 47 benchmark soils of three natural environments (Xerolls, Xerepts, and Cryepts) in southern Spain. Within each environment, soil groups with traditional land uses were compared with native sites. Soil quality changes were inferred by measuring the relative changes in chemical and physical soil properties. Irrigated terraces, rainfed cropland, and grassland, all within Xerepts, and grazed thyme scrub land were degraded with respect to native sites (significant differences atP< 0.05). In all cases, total porosity, macroporosity, and cation exchange capacity declined by more than 18% (−0.11 cm3cm−3), 30% (−0.11 cm3cm−3), and 48% [−10.5 cmol(+) kg−1], respectively. Except in irrigated terraces, soil erodibility increased by as much as 59% (+0.16 USLE factor). Substantial losses of soil organic C (37%, −14.7 Mg ha−1), available water (52%, −36.2 mm), total N (65%, −1.7 Mg ha−1), and rooting depth (68%, −39 cm) were also observed in grassland and thyme scrub land. These changes suggest adverse effects on environmental protection functions of soil because of soil compaction and/or elimination of structural binding agents. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed these morphological changes in microaggregates. Similar changes did not occur in cropland and grassland within Cryepts or in planted pine forest land. Reforestation with pine (Pinus nigraArnold,Pinus sylvestrisL., andPinus uncinataMill. ex Mirb.) provided organic cements and fungal hyphae that reinforce soil aggregation as well as ecologically valuable humus. Because cropland and grassland were able to recover the natural soil properties without human activity, we deduce that Cryepts are resilient.
Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in the Subhumid Agroecosystems of the Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Solomon D. , Fritzsche F. , Lehmann J. , Tekalign M. , Zech W.
Published: July 2014

We used natural 13C abundance coupled with particle‐size fractionation to evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics following deforestation and subsequent cultivation in the subhumid Ethiopia highlands. Surface soil (0–10 cm), leaf, root, and litter samples were collected from natural forest and fields cultivated for 25 yr (Wushwush) and from Podocarpus dominated natural forest and 30 yr cultivated fields (Munesa) and C, N and δ13C signature were measured. Total SOC declined by 55% (32.0 Mg ha−1) at Wushwush and by 63% (40.2 Mg ha−1) at Munesa following cultivation, while losses of N amounted to 52% (2.8 Mg ha−1) and 60% (3.1 Mg ha−1) at the two sites, respectively. δ13C values of bulk soils of natural forests at Wushwush (−24.3‰) and Munesa (−23.4‰) were significantly lower than those from the corresponding cultivated fields (−19.9‰, Wushwush and −15.5‰, Munesa). Deforestation and continuous cultivation at Wushwush and Munesa resulted in depletion of 80 and 96% of the initial forest‐derived SOC in sand, while 73 and 85% of C3 SOC was lost from silt fraction of the two sites, respectively. These results suggest that SOC in sand was a very labile component of SOM and is a more sensitive indicator to changes in soil C storage in response to land use changes. However, the substantial amount of forest‐derived SOC lost from silt indicates that SOM associated with silt was also quite susceptible to management changes, and that at least in the soils under study represents a moderately labile SOM pool, which is generally not the case in temperate soils. Forest‐derived SOC in clay declined by 48 and 61% at Wushwush and Munesa, respectively, suggesting that clay retained C3 derived SOC more effectively and that SOM bound to clay was more stable than SOM associated with sand and silt fractions.
Oxygen Transport to Plant Roots
Authors: Cook F. J. , Knight J. H.
Published: July 2014

A model that couples the diffusion of O2to plant roots at the microscale to diffusion of O2through the soil at the macroscale is derived. The solution is complex, but if the length scales (ZrandZm; see APPENDIX for list of symbols) are equated a simple analytical expression can be obtained. This model is used to investigate relationship between a critical air‐filled porosity (θm) and the other parameters;viztemperature (T), O2concentration in the bulk soil (C*), O2concentration at the root surface (Cr), root length density (L), the ratio of root radius (a) to the water film radius (R), microbial respiration (Mo), and length scales (ZmandZr) related to the depth to which microbial and plant respiration are active in the model using sensitivity analysis. The model shows that θmis not very sensitive to the O2concentration at the root surface (Cr), or the ratio of root radius (a)/water film radius (R), but is sensitive to all the other parameters in some part of their range. The results indicate that indices used to define soil aeration; O2diffusion rate (ODR) or O2flux, O2concentration, or air‐filled porosity, which have been previously used, are related and a single critical value for these is unlikely. If a constant critical value exists for one of these indexes it cannot exist for the other two. It is also shown that it is highly unlikely that a universal critical parameter related to soil aeration exists for any of these parameters. It is concluded that more parameters than ODR, O2concentration, or air‐filled porosity need to be measured if progress in soil aeration research is to be made.
Evaluation of a Model for Irrigation Management Under Saline Conditions
Authors: Feng G. L. , Meiri A. , Letey J.
Published: July 2014

Increasing salinity is a significant factor affecting the future agricultural productivity in semiarid irrigated regions of the world. Computer simulation models, which can be used to evaluate the consequences of differing management strategies on crop yield and salt distribution in the soil profile, would be valuable. Simulated results from models must be compared with measured results from field experiments to establish their validity. The simulated salt distribution from the ENVIRO‐GRO model were compared with measured distribution at the end of the growing season from an experiment that had treatment variables of irrigation water electrical conductivity (EC) of ≅1.7, 4.0, 5.0, 8.0, and 10.2 dS m−1 and average irrigation intervals of 3.5, 7, 14, and 21 d. Root distribution is an input variable to the model. Therefore, a second objective of the study was to test the sensitivity of the model results to the root distribution. In general, the agreement between measured and simulated salt distributions were better for the longer than for the shorter irrigation intervals. For the shorter irrigation intervals, the measured salt concentration near the soil surface was greater than was simulated. This result is explained by the fact that the model does not separate the transpiration (T) from the evaporation (E) component of evapotranspiration (ET), and assumes that all water is lost by T. The E:T ratio would be expected to increase as the irrigation frequency increases, and E would carry salts to the soil surface. Except for nonsaline conditions with frequent irrigation, the simulated yields were increased by having a deeper root distribution. The effect of a deep root system was greater for the longer irrigation interval when the water storage capacity within the root zone becomes more important.
Tendon-Holding Capacities of Two Newly Designed Implants for Tendon Repair: An Experimental Study on the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon of Sheep
Authors: Ağır İsmail , Aytekin Mahmut Nedim , Başçı Onur , Çaypınar Barış , Erol Bülent
Published: July 2014

Background:

Two main factors determine the strength of tendon repair; the tensile strength of material and the gripping capacity of a suture configuration. Different repair techniques and suture materials were developed to increase the strength of repairs but none of techniques and suture materials seem to provide enough tensile strength with safety margins for early active mobilization. In order to overcome this problem tendon suturing implants are being developed. We designed two different suturing implants. The aim of this study was to measure tendon-holding capacities of these implants biomechanically and to compare them with frequently used suture techniques

Materials and Methods:

In this study we used 64 sheep flexor digitorum profundus tendons. Four study groups were formed and each group had 16 tendons. We applied model 1 and model 2 implant to the first 2 groups and Bunnell and locking-loop techniques to the 3rd and 4th groups respectively by using 5 Ticron sutures.

Results:

In 13 tendons in group 1 and 15 tendons in group 2 and in all tendons in group 3 and 4, implants and sutures pulled out of the tendon in longitudinal axis at the point of maximum load. The mean tensile strengths were the largest in group 1 and smallest in group 3.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the new stainless steel tendon suturing implants applied from outside the tendons using steel wires enable a biomechanically stronger repair with less tendon trauma when compared to previously developed tendon repair implants and the traditional suturing techniques.
Current Concepts in Acute Knee Dislocation: The Missed Diagnosis?
Authors: McKee Lesley , Ibrahim Mazin S , Lawrence Trevor , Pengas Ioannis P , Khan Wasim S
Published: July 2014

Traumatic knee dislocation is a serious and potentially limb threatening injury that can be easily missed if meticulous history and examination have not been employed. Neurovascular injuries are common in this condition, and due diligence should be given to their thorough evaluation at time of secondary survey so as to avoid complications such as ischaemia, compartment syndrome and eventual amputation. There is growing evidence in the literature that morbid obesity is associated with low energy knee dislocation, therefore this should be considered when assessing this cohort of patients presenting with an acute knee injury. Early operative intervention especially with multi ligaments involvement is the preferable strategy in the management of this acute injury. Controversy exists whether to reconstruct or repair damaged structures, and whether to adopt a one stage or two stage reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments. Early rehabilitation is important and essential to achieve satisfactory outcomes. This article is an evidence-based overview of this rare but devastating injury.
Knee Osteochondritis Dissecans Treated by the AO Hook Fixation System: A Four Year Follow-Up of an Alternative Technique
Authors: Pengas Ioannis P , Assiotis Angelos , Kokkinakis Michail , Khan Wasim S , Meyers Paul , Arbuthnot James , Mcnicholas Michael J
Published: July 2014

Surgical fixation is recommended for stable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions that have failed nonoperative management and for all unstable lesions. In this study we set out to describe and evaluate an alternative method of surgical fixation for such lesions. Five knees with unstable OCD lesions in four male adolescent patients with open physes were treated with the AO Hook Fixation System. The outcome was evaluated both clinically and with three separate outcome systems (IKDC 2000, KOOS, Lysholm) at one and a mean four year follow-up. We demonstrated excellent clinical results in all patients. At four years, all scoring systems demonstrated statistically significant improvement when compared to the preoperative status. Our study suggests that the AO Hook Fixation System is an alternative method of surgical intervention with comparable medium term results with other existing modes of fixation and the added biomechanical advantage of the absence of distracting forces during hardware removal.
State of the Art Regarding the Management of Multiligamentous Injuries of the Knee
Authors: Mabvuure Nigel T , Malahias Marco , Haddad Behrooz , Hindocha Sandip , Khan Wasim S
Published: July 2014

Multiligamentous knee injuries are rare but serious injuries that can threaten limb viability. As such, they require careful management to give patients the best chance of immediate and ultimate functional recovery. However, as these injuries are rare, there is paucity in prospective comparative studies large enough to provide high level evidence for best practice. This lack of comprehensive and convincing evidence has made the management of multiligamentous knee injuries an area of active debate and controversy. The debate on whether surgical management leads to better outcomes than non-operative management, the optimal timing of surgery after injury and whether repair is better than reconstruction is still ongoing. Using the Oxford Levels of Evidence, this review summarises the latest high level evidence to provide answers to these issues. Recommendations for practice have also been offered and assigned a grade using a published scale.
Uncertainty as Organizing Principle of Action—Teenagers Living with Parental Somatic Illness
Authors: Winther-Lindqvist Ditte A.
Published: July 2014

Uncertainty as condition for teenage life when confronted with parental serious illness is presented as the main challenge characterizing this situation. Based on the teenagers own accounts narrated in 26 semi-structured interviews, we are able to provide an analytical description of important ways in which parental illness affects every-day life of the teenager. Findings suggest various changes and challenges in family roles and caring patterns, emotional oscillation, changes in relation to peers, and conflicting motives and tasks. These changes are linked to the impact of the uncertainties of the illness situation. A model of uncertainty is proposed which illustrates how various events feed into the underlying uncertainty and fear of losing the parent. The model thus addresses the situation, where the teenagers are compelled to making firm divisions between a private-life world and a social-life world as well as between a family-life zone and a youth-life zone.
Characterizing Active Transportation Behavior among College Students Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Chaney Robert A. , Bernard Amy L. , Wilson Bradley R. A.
Published: July 2014

Physical inactivity poses concern for health risks among all groups in the United States. Active transportation (AT) (e.g., bicycling) is one way of being physically active and may be helpful in promoting physical activity. This study characterized active transportation behavior among college students using the Theory of Planned Behavior. This study sought to describe predictors, including Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs, of AT behavior among college students at a large Midwest university. Students were recruited through the university registrar's office and e-mailed an electronic survey. Differences among AT users were determined using t-tests, and predictors of AT were identified using regression analysis. Significant differences between AT users for all TPB constructs were observed. Regression analysis using only TPB constructs accounted for 11.58% explained variation in AT use. Other variables added to the model resulted in 44.44% explained variation in AT use. The final model included subjective norms, age, perceived behavioral control, and transportation type and destination. The results of this research are insightful in explaining AT behavior. Perceived norms and the level of control students had regarding their method of transportation were important contributions to AT use. These results may be applied to promoting physical activity in community health.
Unicyclic graphs with given number of cut vertices and the maximal Merrifield-Simmons index
Authors: Hua Hongbo , Xu Xinli , Wang Hongzhuan
Published: July 2014

The Merrifield-Simmons index of a graph G, denoted by i(G), is defined to be
the total number of independent sets in G, including the empty set. A
connected graph is called a unicyclic graph, if it possesses equal number of
vertices and edges. In this paper, we characterize the maximal unicyclic
graph w.r.t. i(G) within all unicyclic graphs with given order and number of
cut vertices. As a consequence, we determine the connected graph with at
least one cycle, given number of cut vertices and the maximal
Merrifield-Simmons index.
Bounding the paired-domination number of a tree in terms of its annihilation number
Authors: Dehgardi Nasrin , Sheikholeslami Seyed , Khodkar Abdollah
Published: July 2014

A paired-dominating set of a graph G=(V, E) with no isolated vertex is a
dominating set of vertices whose induced subgraph has a perfect matching. The
paired-domination number of G, denoted by ?pr(G), is the minimum cardinality
of a paired-dominating set of G. The annihilation number a(G) is the largest
integer k such that the sum of the first k terms of the non-decreasing degree
sequence of G is at most the number of edges in G. In this paper, we prove
that for any tree T of order n?2,?pr(T)? 4a(T)+2/3 and we characterize the
trees achieving this bound.
On the extremal Narumi-Katayama index of graphs
Authors: You Zhifu , Liu Bolian
Published: July 2014

The Narumi-Katayama index of a graph G, denoted by NK(G), is defined as ?ni=1
deg(vi). In this paper, we determine the extremal NK(G) of trees, unicyclic
graphs with given diameter and vertices. Moreover, the second and third
minimal NK(G) of unicyclic graphs with given vertices and the minimal NK(G)
of bicyclic graphs with given vertices are obtained.
Band and semilattice decompositions of Xk-simple ordered semigroups
Authors: Zhu Qing , Popovic Zarko
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we define various types of k-regularity of ordered semigroups
and using generalizations of some Green?s relations and its properties, are
described the structure of band and complete semilattice of Lk-simple,
Ik-simple, Bk-simple, Hk-simple ordered semigroups.
The Effect of Competition Intensity and Competition Type on the Use of Customer Satisfaction Measures in Executive Annual Bonus Contracts
Authors: Chen Clara Xiaoling , Matsumura Ella Mae , Shin Jae Yong , Wu Steve Yu-Ching
Published: July 2014

This paper empirically examines the interactive effect of competition intensity and competition type on the use of customer satisfaction measures in executives' annual bonus contracts. Specifically, we predict a stronger association between competition intensity in an industry and the use of customer satisfaction measures in executives' annual bonus contracts when the competition is non-price-based than when the competition is price-based. Using hand-collected data from Standard & Poor's (S&P) 1500 firms' disclosures of the use of customer satisfaction measures in executive bonus contracts in 2006 and 2010 proxy statements, we find results consistent with our prediction. Our results are robust to alternative measures of competition type and competition intensity. We also find similar results when we use the weight on customer satisfaction measures in executive bonus contracts as the dependent variable. Our study extends the literature on the effect of competition on the design of managerial incentives by distinguishing between competition intensity and competition type, and providing the first large-sample empirical evidence on the joint effect of these two dimensions of competition on the incentive use of an important nonfinancial performance measure.

Data Availability: Data used in this study are obtained from publicly available sources.
Antibiotics in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Serrablo Alejandro , Tejedor Luis , Martínez Jessica
Published: July 2014

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a local inflammatory response with systemic effects and an adverse evolution in 20% of cases. Its mortality rate is 5–10% in sterile and 15–40% in infected pancreatic necrosis. Infection is widely accepted as the main reason of death in AP. The evidence to enable a recommendation about antibiotic prophylaxis against infection of pancreatic necrosis is conflicting and difficult to interpret. Up to date, there is no evidence that supports the routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with severe AP. Treatment on demand seems to be the better option, avoiding excessive treatment and selection of bacterial. In infected acute pancreatitis, antibiotics of choice are imipenem, meronem or tigecycline in patients allergic to beta-lactams. Also fluconazole must be given in determinate clinical situations.
CD39/NTPDase-1 expression and activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells are differentially regulated by leaf extracts from Rubus caesius and Rubus idaeus
Authors: Dudzinska Dominika , Luzak Boguslawa , Boncler Magdalena , Rywaniak Joanna , Sosnowska Dorota , Podsedek Anna , Watala Cezary
Published: July 2014

Many experimental studies have demonstrated the favorable biological activities of plants belonging to the genus Rubus, but little is known of the role of Rubus leaf extracts in the modulation of the surface membrane expression and activity of endothelial apyrase. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of 1–15 μg/ml Rubus extracts on CD39 expression and enzymatic activity, and on the activation (ICAM-1 expression) and viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The polyphenolic contents and antioxidative capacities of extracts from dewberry (R. caesius L.) and raspberry (R. idaeus L.) leaves were also investigated. The techniques applied were flow cytometry (endothelial surface membrane expression of ICAM-1 and CD39), malachite green assay (CD39 activity), HPLC-DAD (quantitative analysis of polyphenolic extract), ABTS, DPPH and FRAP spectrometric assays (antioxidant capacity), and the MTT test (cell viability). Significantly increased CD39 expressions and significantly decreased ATPDase activities were found in the cells treated with 15 μg/ml of either extract compared to the results for the controls. Neither of the extracts affected cell proliferation, but both significantly augmented endothelial cell ICAM-1 expression. The overall antioxidant capacities of the examined extracts remained relatively high and corresponded well to the determined total polyphenol contents. Overall, the results indicate that under in vitro conditions dewberry and raspberry leaf extracts have unfavorable impact on endothelial cells.
Sonographic Measures of the Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, and Vastus Medialis Muscles
Authors: Whittaker Jackie L. , Emery Carolyn A.
Published: July 2014

Study Design

Intrarater, repeated-measures, within-session reliability study.

Objective

To describe a standardized method and preliminary reliability estimates for sonographic measures of resting and contracted gluteus medius (GMd), gluteus minimus (GMn), and resting vastus medialis (VM) muscles.

Background

Sonography has been used to assess the morphology of a diversity of muscles in relation to a variety of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Although the GMd, GMn, and VM muscles are associated with dysfunctions such as patellofemoral pain and osteoarthritis, there is a paucity of information regarding protocols for sonographic measurements of these muscles.

Methods

A standardized method was developed and used to gather sonographic measures of resting and contracted (sidelying hip abduction task) GMd and GMn thickness and resting VM cross-sectional area during 1 measurement session in 29 female soccer players 14 to 17 years of age.

Results

Intrarater reliability values for ultrasound imaging measurements of resting, contracted, and change during contraction (intraclass correlation coefficient model 3,3 [ICC3,3]) of the GMd were 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97, 0.99), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96, 0.99), and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.92), respectively, and of the GMn were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97, 0.99), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88, 0.97), and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.76), respectively. Reliability (ICC3,3) for resting VM cross-sectional area was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99, 0.99). Standard error of measurement for GMd, GMn, and VM varied between 0.5 and 1.6 mm, 0.3 and 1.4 mm, and 0.4 cm2, respectively, and 95% minimal detectable change ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 mm for the gluteals and 0.4 to 0.5 cm2 for the VM.

Conclusion

Reliable sonographic measurements of the lateral hip and knee musculature at rest and during contraction are feasible. Further investigation is required to establish the generalizability and reproducibility of the protocols presented in this report. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(8):627–632. Epub 16 July 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5315
Pop Religion in Japan: Buddhist Temples, Icons, and Branding
Authors: Porcu Elisabetta
Published: July 2014

The need manifested by Japanese Buddhist organizations to present themselves as “modern” forces that are relevant to present-day society seems to be central in shaping their communication strategies. In this regard, one interesting aspect is represented by religious institutions’ attempts to “brand” themselves to enhance their profiles and visibility, specifically by drawing on popular culture formats. Based on fieldwork in Japan, I examine the use made by Japanese Buddhist institutions of these formats in their attempt to revive Buddhism and make its teachings attractive to an audience greater than the elderly parishioners who still maintain contact with their temples, mainly for funerary rites and other memorial rituals related to the ancestors.
Prebiotic Phosphorylation Reactions on the Early Earth
Authors: Gull Maheen
Published: July 2014

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for life. It occurs in living beings in the form of phosphate, which is ubiquitous in biochemistry, chiefly in the form of C-O-P (carbon, oxygen and phosphorus), C-P, or P-O-P linkages to form life. Within prebiotic chemistry, several key questions concerning phosphorus chemistry have developed: what were the most likely sources of P on the early Earth? How did it become incorporated into the biological world to form the P compounds that life employs today? Can meteorites be responsible for the delivery of P? What were the most likely solvents on the early Earth and out of those which are favorable for phosphorylation? Or, alternatively, were P compounds most likely produced in relatively dry environments? What were the most suitable temperature conditions for phosphorylation? A route to efficient formation of biological P compounds is still a question that challenges astrobiologists. This article discusses these important issues related to the origin of biological P compounds.
A Decision Support System for Drinking Water Production Integrating Health Risks Assessment
Authors: Delpla Ianis , Monteith Donald , Freeman Chris , Haftka Joris , Hermens Joop , Jones Timothy , Baurès Estelle , Jung Aude-Valérie , Thomas Olivier
Published: July 2014

The issue of drinking water quality compliance in small and medium scale water services is of paramount importance in relation to the 98/83/CE European Drinking Water Directive (DWD). Additionally, concerns are being expressed over the implementation of the DWD with respect to possible impacts on water quality from forecast changes in European climate with global warming and further anticipated reductions in north European acid emissions. Consequently, we have developed a decision support system (DSS) named ARTEM-WQ (AwaReness Tool for the Evaluation and Mitigation of drinking Water Quality issues resulting from environmental changes) to support decision making by small and medium plant operators and other water stakeholders. ARTEM-WQ is based on a sequential risk analysis approach that includes consideration of catchment characteristics, climatic conditions and treatment operations. It provides a holistic evaluation of the water system, while also assessing human health risks of organic contaminants potentially present in treated waters (steroids, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, bisphenol-a, polychlorobiphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petrochemical hydrocarbons and disinfection by-products; n = 109). Moreover, the system provides recommendations for improvement while supporting decision making in its widest context. The tool has been tested on various European catchments and shows a promising potential to inform water managers of risks and appropriate mitigative actions. Further improvements should include toxicological knowledge advancement, environmental background pollutant concentrations and the assessment of the impact of distribution systems on water quality variation.
Atypical McMurry Cross-Coupling Reactions Leading to a New Series of Potent Antiproliferative Compounds Bearing the Key [Ferrocenyl-Ene-Phenol] Motif
Authors: Pigeon Pascal , Görmen Meral , Kowalski Konrad , Müller-Bunz Helge , McGlinchey Michael , Top Siden , Jaouen Gérard
Published: July 2014

In the course of the preparation of a series of ferrocenyl derivatives of diethylstilbestrol (DES), in which one of the 4-hydroxyphenyl moieties was replaced by a ferrocenyl group, the McMurry reaction of chloropropionylferrocene with a number of mono-aryl ketones unexpectedly yielded the hydroxylated ferrocenyl DES derivatives, 5a–c, in poor yields (10%–16%). These compounds showed high activity on the hormone-independent breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values ranging from 0.14 to 0.36 µM. Surprisingly, non-hydroxylated ferrocenyl DES, 4, showed only an IC50 value of 1.14 µM, illustrating the importance of the hydroxyethyl function in this promising new series. For comparison, McMurry reactions of the shorter chain analogue chloroacetylferrocene were carried out to see the difference in behaviour with mono-aryl ketones versus a diaryl ketone. The effect of changing the length of the alkyl chain adjacent to the phenolic substituent of the hydroxylated ferrocenyl DES was studied, a mechanistic rationale to account for the unexpected products is proposed, and the antiproliferative activities of all of these compounds on MDA-MB-231 cells lines were measured and compared. X-ray crystal structures of cross-coupled products and of pinacol-pinacolone rearrangements are reported.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Variations in Thirteen Moringa oleifera Lam. Cultivars
Authors: Ndhlala Ashwell , Mulaudzi Rofhiwa , Ncube Bhekumthetho , Abdelgadir Hafiz , Du Plooy Christian , Van Staden Johannes
Published: July 2014

A study was undertaken to assess variation in antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of thirteen Moringa oleifera cultivars obtained from different locations across the globe. Standard antioxidant methods including the DPPH scavenging, ferric reducing power (FRAP) and β-carotene-linoleic acid model were used to evaluate the activity. Variation in the antioxidant activity was observed, with TOT4951 from Thailand being the most active, with activity five times higher than that of ascorbic acid (reference compound). A different trend was observed for the activity in the FRAP and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae) strains using the microdilution method. Acetone extracts of all cultivars exhibited good antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae (MIC values of 0.78 mg/mL). The remaining extracts exhibited weak activity against the two microorganisms. For the antifungal activity, all the extracts exhibited low activity. Variations were observed in the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Cultivars TOT5169 (Thailand) and SH (South Africa) exhibited highest amounts of total phenolic compounds while TOT5028 (Thailand) exhibited the lowest amounts of five times lower than the highest. The information offer an understanding on variations between cultivars from different geographical locations and is important in the search for antioxidant supplementation and anti-ageing products.
Mistaken Identity: Clarification of Rubus coreanus Miquel (Bokbunja)
Authors: Lee Jungmin , Dossett Michael , Finn Chad
Published: July 2014

In the U.S., there has been a recent surge in Korean black raspberry products available and in the number of reports about this species appearing in the scientific literature. Despite this, the majority of products sold and the work carried out has been on Rubus occidentalis L., not R. coreanus Miquel. The importance of accurate recognition of all starting material is multiplied for research downstream, including genetics/genomics, plant breeding, phenolic identification, food processing improvements and pharmacokinetic investigations. An overview of distinguishing characteristics separating R. coreanus from R. occidentalis will be presented. Research conducted on correctly identified fruit will also be summarized to aid future studies that might showcase the unique qualities that bokbunja can offer.
Hologram QSAR Studies of Antiprotozoal Activities of Sesquiterpene Lactones
Authors: Trossini Gustavo , Maltarollo Vinícius , Schmidt Thomas
Published: July 2014

Infectious diseases such as trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are considered neglected tropical diseases due the lack for many years of research and development into new drug treatments besides the high incidence of mortality and the lack of current safe and effective drug therapies. Natural products such as sesquiterpene lactones have shown activity against T. brucei and L. donovani, the parasites responsible for these neglected diseases. To evaluate structure activity relationships, HQSAR models were constructed to relate a series of 40 sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) with activity against T. brucei, T. cruzi, L. donovani and P. falciparum and also with their cytotoxicity. All constructed models showed good internal (leave-one-out q2 values ranging from 0.637 to 0.775) and external validation coefficients (r2test values ranging from 0.653 to 0.944). From HQSAR contribution maps, several differences between the most and least potent compounds were found. The fragment contribution of PLS-generated models confirmed the results of previous QSAR studies that the presence of α,β-unsatured carbonyl groups is fundamental to biological activity. QSAR models for the activity of these compounds against T. cruzi, L. donovani and P. falciparum are reported here for the first time. The constructed HQSAR models are suitable to predict the activity of untested STLs.
An Acetone Microsensor with a Ring Oscillator Circuit Fabricated Using the Commercial 0.18 μm CMOS Process
Authors: Yang Ming-Zhi , Dai Ching-Liang , Shih Po-Jen
Published: July 2014

This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of an acetone microsensor with a ring oscillator circuit using the commercial 0.18 μm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The acetone microsensor contains a sensitive material, interdigitated electrodes and a polysilicon heater. The sensitive material is α-Fe2O3 synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The sensor requires a post-process to remove the sacrificial oxide layer between the interdigitated electrodes and to coat the α-Fe2O3 on the electrodes. When the sensitive material adsorbs acetone vapor, the sensor produces a change in capacitance. The ring oscillator circuit converts the capacitance of the sensor into the oscillation frequency output. The experimental results show that the output frequency of the acetone sensor changes from 128 to 100 MHz as the acetone concentration increases 1 to 70 ppm.
Classification of EEG Signals Using a Multiple Kernel Learning Support Vector Machine
Authors: Li Xiaoou , Chen Xun , Yan Yuning , Wei Wenshi , Wang Z.
Published: July 2014

In this study, a multiple kernel learning support vector machine algorithm is proposed for the identification of EEG signals including mental and cognitive tasks, which is a key component in EEG-based brain computer interface (BCI) systems. The presented BCI approach included three stages: (1) a pre-processing step was performed to improve the general signal quality of the EEG; (2) the features were chosen, including wavelet packet entropy and Granger causality, respectively; (3) a multiple kernel learning support vector machine (MKL-SVM) based on a gradient descent optimization algorithm was investigated to classify EEG signals, in which the kernel was defined as a linear combination of polynomial kernels and radial basis function kernels. Experimental results showed that the proposed method provided better classification performance compared with the SVM based on a single kernel. For mental tasks, the average accuracies for 2-class, 3-class, 4-class, and 5-class classifications were 99.20%, 81.25%, 76.76%, and 75.25% respectively. Comparing stroke patients with healthy controls using the proposed algorithm, we achieved the average classification accuracies of 89.24% and 80.33% for 0-back and 1-back tasks respectively. Our results indicate that the proposed approach is promising for implementing human-computer interaction (HCI), especially for mental task classification and identifying suitable brain impairment candidates.