bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blending Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars of Different Quality Performance Levels
Authors: Brede A. Douglas
Published: July 2014

By tradition, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turfgrass seed is sown in blends of two or more cultivars. The purpose of this study was to determine (i) the impact on turfgrass quality (TQ) of diluting a high‐performing cultivar with a lower‐performing one, (ii) whether the relationship between blend ratio and TQ is linear or nonlinear, and (iii) whether a certain quantity of diluent (lower‐performing cultivar) can be tolerated without diminishing TQ. Three field trials were planted using an elite cultivar (‘Award’) blended with either a medium‐(‘NuBlue’) or low‐ (‘Huntsville’) performance cultivar. Nonlinear regression was used to test for a segmented curve: TQ = intercept + slope × (blend ratio − pivot point), where the slope is zeroed at blend ratios < pivot point. Adding Huntsville decreased TQ of Award on 71% of rating dates, adding NuBlue decreased TQ on 60% of dates, while adding Huntsville or NuBlue increased TQ on 4% of dates, all related to establishment. Pivot points were significant on 14 of 52 monthly means for Huntsville and two for NuBlue, indicating that under certain circumstances the lower‐performing cultivar could serve as a diluent (seed price mitigator) at up to a 50:50 seed ratio, with little detriment on TQ after the first year. Lowering the cutting height to 13 mm from 32 mm in one trial year resulted in a 55% change in slope for Huntsville and 63% for NuBlue; pivot points were unchanged. More field research is needed to verify the many popular theories for blending bluegrass.
Molecular Diversity of a Germplasm Collection of Squash (Cucurbita moschata) Determined by SRAP and AFLP Markers
Authors: Ferriol María , Picó Belén , de Córdova Pascual Fernández , Nuez Fernando
Published: July 2014

Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lam.) Duchesne ex Poir. is an important crop in tropical areas. In Spain, the cultivation of this species is mainly based on landraces maintained for centuries. The Center for Conservation and Breeding of Agricultural Diversity (COMAV) maintains a germplasm collection with about 250 C. moschata landraces, primarily from the Canary Islands and the Spanish peninsula, including some accessions from Central and South America. The morphological characterization of 47 accessions showed considerable variability, comparable to that found in different C. moschata centers of diversity. Molecular analysis using AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers, which analyze neutral genetic diversity, and SRAP (sequence‐related amplified polymorphism) markers, which preferentially amplify gene regions, showed a genetic diversity concordant with the morphological variability. With both markers, the accessions clustered according to geographical origin: Central America, South America, and Spain, suggesting the existence of two independent domestications in both American areas, and/or introgressions from related species. In the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), the Central and South American accessions grouped together by AFLPs, separately from the Spanish ones, while with SRAP the South American accessions grouped separately from the other accessions. This could be due to the different information provided by each marker system. The SRAP results agree with the more primitive traits showed by the South American landraces. In addition, the accessions from the Canary Islands grouped separately from those from the Spanish peninsula. This divergence could be due to an earlier adaptation of C. moschata to the tropical climate of the islands, together with a differential germplasm introduction from America.
Evaluation and Classification of Leaflet Shape and Size in Wild Soybean
Authors: Chen Yiwu , Nelson Randall L.
Published: July 2014

Two gene pairs are known to affect leaflet shape in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], but only two categories of leaflet shape are routinely used to characterize soybean germplasm. Very little information has been published about leaflet shape and size for wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) accessions in the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection but these characteristics have been shown to be among the most diverse morphological traits in the Chinese G. soja collection. The objectives of this research are to evaluate and establish a visual classification system for the variation of leaflet shape and size in the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection. In 1998 and 1999, 661 wild soybean accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection in maturity groups 000 through IX were grown at either Urbana, IL, or Stoneville, MS. Images of fully expanded terminal leaflets were recorded with a digital camera after all accessions were in the reproductive phase. Representative leaflets were selected at approximately two‐thirds of the distance from the ground to the top of the plant. Images were analyzed by the computer software Image‐Pro Plus (Version 3.0). Six measured or calculated parameters were recorded. The FASTCLUS procedure of SAS was used to define appropriate categories of leaflet shape and size. Length/width ratio and length were chosen to define leaflet shape and leaflet size, respectively. Length/width ratio values ranged from 1.3 to 6.2 and length from 3 to 14 cm. Five categories of leaflet shape are proposed: oval, ovate, lanceolate, linear, and ultra linear; and three classes for leaflet size: small, intermediate, and large. Leaflet shape and leaflet size are associated with geographical origin. Accessions from South Korea were generally smaller than those from China, Japan, and Russia. Accessions from China had more leaflet variation than those from South Korea or Japan but those from Russia were the most variable. Nearly all of the accessions with lanceolate and linear leaflets originated from Russia.
Vapor Flow to Horizontal Wells in Unsaturated Zones
Authors: Zhan Hongbin , Park Eungyu
Published: July 2014

We have solved the linearized vapor‐flow equation in a transient, three dimensional form for a horizontal‐well sink in an unsaturated zone. This is done by solving the vapor flow to a point sink first, then superposing the point‐sink solution along a finite length of the horizontal‐well axis to obtain the solution of flow to a horizontal‐well sink. Vapor‐pressure distributions near a horizontal well are provided for both covered and uncovered ground surface cases. A computer program VF3D (available from our website) is used to calculate the vapor pressure and to generate the type curves of vapor‐pumping tests. The derived solution is used to calculate the specific vapor flux and the total vapor‐mass flux across the uncovered ground surface. The type curves at early time for a covered surface case are influenced by the locations of the monitoring wells and vertical anisotropy of the unsaturated zone. These type curves converge to the vertical‐well Theis curve at late time. The type curves for an uncovered surface case are significantly different from the Theis curve during the entire pumping time, and are similar to the type curves of leaky aquifers. The steady‐state contour maps of mass fluxes across the uncovered surfaces are plotted. The transient total mass flux rate converges exponentially to the horizontal‐well pumping rate, independent of the horizontal‐well elevation. The derived analytical and numerical solutions are useful for assessing the performance of soil‐vapor extraction, bioventing, enhanced bioremediation, air sparging, and for interpreting vapor‐pumping tests.
Horizontal and Vertical TDR Measurements of Soil Water Content and Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Nadler Arie , Green S. R. , Vogeler I. , Clothier B. E.
Published: July 2014

When time domain reflectometry (TDR) is used to measure soil water content (θ) and salinity, the probes can be installed either horizontally or vertically. We tested the common convention that θ values averaged from horizontal probes will be equal to a vertical direct measurement. In a laboratory experiment, a sandy loam soil, packed uniformly (0.02‐m layers to 0.18‐m depth) into a box, was gradually wetted to saturation by CaCl2 solutions of 0, 0.5, 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.5, 5.9, and 8.4 dS m−1 Horizontal and vertical TDR probes for measuring θ and electrical conductivity of the bulk soil (σa) were installed during soil packing. A comparison between θ values averaged from three horizontal probes and from two vertical ones showed deviations of 0.02 (L L−1). A simple water redistribution model was used to attribute this deviation to the process of averaging the horizontal results. The best practical attainable reproducibility, under our experimental conditions, were close to the theoretical limit 0.005 (L L−1) but the average experimental reproducibility of θ was 0.01 to 0.02 (L L−1). Width of the soil layer affecting the moisture measurement was reconfirmed to be close to 30 mm. The resistors‐in‐series model was found to be a good approximation to describe the soil profile σa from separately measured horizontal σa Final values of the electrical conductivity of the soil solution (σw) after sufficient leaching were in good agreement with σw values calculated by an empirical protocol that uses σa, θ, and a soil texture property.
Identification of Transport Processes in Soil Cores Using Fluorescent Tracers
Authors: Vanderborght Jan , Gähwiller Paul , Flühler Hannes
Published: July 2014

To identify soil properties that control transport of adsorbing solutes in natural soil, we carried out leaching experiments in undisturbed soil cores taken from three soil layers of a Stagni‐Humic Cambisol. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) of Cl− and two adsorbing fluorescent dye tracers, brilliant sulfaflavine (BF; 1H‐Benz(de)isoquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid, 2,3‐dihydro‐6‐amino‐1,3‐dioxo‐2‐(p‐tolyl)‐, monosodium salt) and sulforhodamine B (SB; xanthylium, 3,6‐bis(diethylamino)‐9‐(2,4‐disulfophenyl)‐, inner salt, sodium salt), were measured. Three cores were scanned with x‐rays to determine the three‐dimensional (3‐D) structure of large pores. After the leaching experiment, soil cores were horizontally sliced and dye concentration distributions on cross sections were derived from fluorescence signal images. Transport was investigated using BTCs and concentration maps, adsorption isotherms, and predictions by three different transport models: convection dispersion model (CDM), stream tube model (STM) and physical nonequilibrium model (PNEM). The dense network of large pores in the two upper soil layers induced a uniform lateral spreading of dyes and the CDM described the transport fairly well. In cores from the deeper layer, the large pore network was considerably less dense and dye patterns followed closely the few large pores without lateral mixing indicating preferential flow and explaining the fast dye breakthrough. Predictions by the STM revealed that the fast SB breakthrough could not be explained solely by preferential flow. Fitting the PNEM to breakthrough data and the low total dye concentration in the preferential flow region suggested a small sorption capacity of the preferential flow region for SB. Therefore, preferential leaching of dyes resulted from small‐scale variations in physical and chemical soil properties.
Sequential Phosphorus Extraction of a 33P‐Labeled Oxisol under Contrasting Agricultural Systems
Authors: Buehler S. , Oberson A. , Rao I. M. , Friesen D. K. , Frossard E.
Published: July 2014

Chemical sequential extraction is widely used to divide soil phosphorus (P) into different inorganic (Pi) and organic (Po) fractions, but the assignment of these fractions to pools of differing plant availability, especially for low P tropical soils, is still matter of discussion. To improve this assignment, the effect of land‐use systems and related P fertilizer inputs on size of P fractions and their isotopic exchangeability was investigated. A Colombian Oxisol, sampled from a long‐term field experiment with contrasting management treatments, was labeled with carrier free 33P and extracted after incubation times of 4 h, 1, and 2 wk. Phosphorus concentrations and 33P recovery in fractions sequentially extracted with anion exchange resin (Pi), 0.5 M NaHCO3 (Bic‐Pi, Bic‐Po), 0.1 M NaOH (Pi, Po), hot concentrated HCl (Pi, Po), and residual P were measured for each incubation time. Resin‐Pi, Bic‐Pi, NaOH‐Pi, and hot HCl‐Pi were increased with P fertilization, with the highest increase for NaOH‐Pi The recovery of 33P in the treatments with annual P fertilization clearly exceeding P outputs indicate that resin‐Pi, Bic‐Pi, and NaOH‐Pi represented most of the exchangeable P. In these treatments, label P transformed with increasing incubation time from the resin to the Bic‐Pi and NaOH‐Pi fractions. The organic or recalcitrant inorganic fractions contained almost no exchangeable P. In contrast, in soils with low or no P fertilization, more than 14% of the 33P was recovered in NaOH‐Po and HCl‐Po fractions 2 wk after labeling, showing that organic P dynamics are important when soil Pi reserves are limited.
Development of Reflectance Spectral Libraries for Characterization of Soil Properties
Authors: Shepherd Keith D. , Walsh Markus G.
Published: July 2014

Methods for rapid estimation of soil properties are needed for quantitative assessments of land management problems. We developed a scheme for development and use of soil spectral libraries for rapid nondestructive estimation of soil properties based on analysis of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. A diverse library of over 1000 archived topsoils from eastern and southern Africa was used to test the approach. Air‐dried soils were scanned using a portable spectrometer (0.35–2.5 μm) with an artificial light source. Soil properties were calibrated to soil reflectance using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and screening tests were developed for various soil fertility constraints using classification trees. A random sample of one‐third of the soils was withheld for validation purposes. Validationr2values for regressions were: exchangeable Ca, 0.88; effective cation‐exchange capacity (ECEC), 0.88; exchangeable Mg, 0.81; organic C concentration, 0.80; clay content, 0.80; sand content, 0.76; and soil pH, 0.70. Validation likelihood ratios for diagnostic screening tests were: ECEC <4.0 cmolckg−1, 10.8; pH <5.5, 5.6; potential N mineralization >4.1 mg kg−1d−1, 2.9; extractable P <7 mg kg−1, 2.9; exchangeable K <0.2 cmolckg−1, 2.6. We show the response of prediction accuracy to sample size and demonstrate how the predictive value of spectral libraries can be iteratively increased through detection of spectral outliers among new samples. The spectral library approach opens up new possibilities for modeling, assessment and management of risk in soil evaluations in agricultural, environmental, and engineering applications. Further research should test the use of soil reflectance in pedotransfer functions for prediction of soil functional attributes.
Organic Ligand and pH Effects on Isotopically Exchangeable Cadmium in Polluted Soils
Authors: Collins Richard N. , Merrington Graham , McLaughlin Mike J. , Morel Jean-Louis
Published: July 2014

Organic ligands excreted by plant roots and pH changes in the rhizosphere are two factors that may modify the phytoavailability of Cd. The effect of these components on the quantity (isotopically exchangeable) and intensity (distribution between the solid and solution phases) of Cd in a polluted acidic and calcareous soil was examined in detail using a batch experimental system. The organic ligands included (0.25–5 mM) sodium tartrate, the free acid and sodium salt of citrate, histidine, and deoxymugineic acid (DMA). A reduction of pH was identified as the mechanism of Cd solubilization in the presence of some ligands. In other cases, however, organic ligands caused greater Cd solubilization than that because of pH changes alone. It was concluded that organic ligands might increase solution concentrations of Cd, in both soils, through a number of reaction mechanisms other than decreasing pH (e.g., varying the surface charge of the soil, cation exchange, aqueous metal complexation, etc.). In the acidic soil a reduction of pH from 5.7 to 3.8 only increased the quantity of isotopically exchangeable Cd (E value) by 17%, thus, indicating the existence of a recalcitrant nonlabile fraction of Cd in this soil. The organic ligands were also unable to significantly alter the E value of Cd. In contrast, the presence of organic ligands and decreases in pH elevated the E value of Cd in the calcareous soil by as much as 300%. It is postulated that conditions in the rhizosphere may not only increase the solution concentration of Cd, but also increase the quantity of phytoavailable Cd (L value).
Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Poves Ignasi , Burdío Fernando , Dorcaratto Dimitri , Grande Luis
Published: July 2014

Open necrosectomy, the standard surgical treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN), presents a high rate of postoperative complications and an associated mortality of 20–60%. In the last decade various minimally invasive approaches (MIA) have been proposed for the treatment of IPN and the results seem to improve on those reported with open necrosectomy. These MIA include: percutaneous, retroperitoneal, endoscopic (endoluminal) and laparoscopic (transperitoneal). The adoption of the step-up approach in the management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) facilitates the implementation of MIA as the surgical treatment of choice in most cases. Since MIA require the expertise of radiologists, endoscopists and surgeons, patients suffering SAP should be treated by multidisciplinary teams in referral centers. We describe the MIA currently available and discuss their advantages, disadvantages, and results.
New (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution equation: multiple soliton solutions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: July 2014

In this work, we introduce an extended (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution equation. We determine multiple soliton solutions by using the simplified Hirota’s method. In addition, we establish a variety of travelling wave solutions by using hyperbolic and trigonometric ansatze.
A Comparison Study of KOOS-PS and KOOS Function and Sport Scores
Authors: Stratford Paul W. , Kennedy Deborah M.
Published: July 2014

Background

The KOOS-PS represents a shortened version of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Function and Sport scales. Previous investigations have not evaluated the KOOS-PS against performance measures or self-report measures composed of items that assess a broad spectrum of ability levels.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the construct validity of the KOOS Function and Sport subscales with a shorter version of the measure (KOOS-PS).

Methods

Using a cross-sectional, observational design, consecutive consenting patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were recruited at an assessment center visit to determine need for conservative or surgical management. Participants completed the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), KOOS, Timed “Up & Go” Test, and Six-Minute Walk Test. A single function-sport score (KOOS FunSportsum) and the KOOS-PS were abstracted from the KOOS. Pearson correlation coefficients were compared between the reference standards' scores (performance measures and LEFS) and KOOS scores. KOOS-PSraw scores were compared with KOOS-PSRasch scores.

Results

Three hundred seventy-seven patients with a mean age of 64.4 years (SD=10.5) participated. The correlation between performance reference standard and KOOS-PSRasch scores was significantly lower than with KOOS FunSportsum scores (mean difference in r=.08 [95% confidence interval=.03, .11], z=4.45, P1<.001). A similar finding was observed with the LEFS comparison.

Limitations

The study sample did not consist of many patients with mild or severe functional status limitations.

Conclusions

For patients with knee osteoarthritis, the KOOS-PS appears too restricted in item content to provide a comprehensive estimate of lower extremity functional status level relative to the KOOS Function and Sport subscales. Pursuit of a computer-adapted test may be a productive direction for future inquiry.
Association between silent embolic cerebral infarction and continuous increase of P2Y12 reaction units after neurovascular stenting
Authors: Kim Bum Joon , Kwon Joo Y. , Jung Jin-Man , Lee Deok Hee , Kang Dong-Wha , Kim Jong S. , Kwon Sun U.
Published: July 2014

Object

Endovascular procedures are one of the important treatment options for steno-occlusive arteries in ischemic stroke patients. However, embolic complications after such procedures are always a concern. The authors investigated the association between serial change of residual platelet reactivity and silent embolic cerebral infarction (SECI) after endovascular treatment.

Methods

Ischemic stroke patients undergoing stenting of intra- or extracranial arteries were recruited prospectively. Residual platelet reactivity, represented by aspirin reaction units (ARUs) and P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs), was measured serially (6 hours before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the procedure). A loading dosage of aspirin (500 mg) and/or clopidogrel (300 mg) was given 24 hours before the procedure to patients naïve to antiplatelet agents, whereas the usual dosage (aspirin 100 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg) was continued for patients who had previously been taking these agents for more than a week. Diffusion-weighted MRI was performed before and 24 hours after the procedure to detect new SECIs. Clinical characteristics, baseline ARU and PRU values, and the change in ARU and PRU values after stenting were compared between patients with and without SECIs.

Results

Among 69 consecutive patients who underwent neurovascular stent insertion, 41 patients (59.4%) had poststenting SECIs. The lesion was located only at the vascular territory of the stented vessel in 21 patients (51.2%), outside the stented vessel territory in 8 patients (19.5%), and both inside and outside in 12 patients (29.3%). The occurrence of SECIs was not associated with the baseline ARU or PRU value, but was associated with PRU increase after stenting (36 ± 73 vs -12 ± 59, p = 0.007), deployment of a longer stent (31.1 ± 16.5 mm vs 21.8 ± 9.9 mm, p = 0.01), and stent insertion in extracranial arteries (78.1% vs 45.2%, p = 0.008). Stent length (OR 1.066, p = 0.01) and PRU change (OR 1.009, p = 0.04) were independently associated with the occurrence of SECI.

Conclusions

Residual platelet reactivity after dual antiplatelet treatment measured before stenting did not predict poststenting SECI. However, the longer stent and the serial increase of PRU values after stenting were related to SECI. Continuous increase of platelet activation after endovascular procedure may be important in poststent cerebral infarction.
Understanding of Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile for Superior Performance Lithium/Sulfur Battery
Authors: Zhang Sheng
Published: July 2014

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) is one of the most important sulfurized carbon materials that can potentially be coupled with the carbonaceous anode to fabricate a safe and low cost “all carbon” lithium-ion battery. However, its chemical structure and electrochemical properties have been poorly understood. In this discussion, we analyze the previously published data in combination with our own results to propose a more reasonable chemical structure that consists of short –Sx– chains covalently bonded onto cyclized, partially dehydrogenated, and ribbon-like polyacrylonitrile backbones. The proposed structure fits all previous structural characterizations and explains many unique electrochemical phenomena that were observed from the Li/SPAN cells but have not been understood clearly.
Comparison and Cost Analysis of Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Requirements versus Practice in Seven Developing Countries
Authors: Crocker Jonny , Bartram Jamie
Published: July 2014

Drinking water quality monitoring programs aim to support provision of safe drinking water by informing water quality management. Little evidence or guidance exists on best monitoring practices for low resource settings. Lack of financial, human, and technological resources reduce a country’s ability to monitor water supply. Monitoring activities were characterized in Cambodia, Colombia, India (three states), Jordan, Peru, South Africa, and Uganda according to water sector responsibilities, monitoring approaches, and marginal cost. The seven study countries were selected to represent a range of low resource settings. The focus was on monitoring of microbiological parameters, such as E. coli, coliforms, and H2S-producing microorganisms. Data collection involved qualitative and quantitative methods. Across seven study countries, few distinct approaches to monitoring were observed, and in all but one country all monitoring relied on fixed laboratories for sample analysis. Compliance with monitoring requirements was highest for operational monitoring of large water supplies in urban areas. Sample transport and labor for sample collection and analysis together constitute approximately 75% of marginal costs, which exclude capital costs. There is potential for substantive optimization of monitoring programs by considering field-based testing and by fundamentally reconsidering monitoring approaches for non-piped supplies. This is the first study to look quantitatively at water quality monitoring practices in multiple developing countries.
A Novel Feature Extraction Scheme with Ensemble Coding for Protein–Protein Interaction Prediction
Authors: Du Xiuquan , Cheng Jiaxing , Zheng Tingting , Duan Zheng , Qian Fulan
Published: July 2014

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) play key roles in most cellular processes, such as cell metabolism, immune response, endocrine function, DNA replication, and transcription regulation. PPI prediction is one of the most challenging problems in functional genomics. Although PPI data have been increasing because of the development of high-throughput technologies and computational methods, many problems are still far from being solved. In this study, a novel predictor was designed by using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm with the ensemble coding (EC) method. To reduce computational time, a feature selection method (DX) was adopted to rank the features and search the optimal feature combination. The DXEC method integrates many features and physicochemical/biochemical properties to predict PPIs. On the Gold Yeast dataset, the DXEC method achieves 67.2% overall precision, 80.74% recall, and 70.67% accuracy. On the Silver Yeast dataset, the DXEC method achieves 76.93% precision, 77.98% recall, and 77.27% accuracy. On the human dataset, the prediction accuracy reaches 80% for the DXEC-RF method. We extended the experiment to a bigger and more realistic dataset that maintains 50% recall on the Yeast All dataset and 80% recall on the Human All dataset. These results show that the DXEC method is suitable for performing PPI prediction. The prediction service of the DXEC-RF classifier is available at http://ailab.ahu.edu.cn:8087/ DXECPPI/index.jsp.
Antibacterial Effect of Dental Adhesive Containing Dimethylaminododecyl Methacrylate on the Development of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm
Authors: Wang Suping , Zhang Keke , Zhou Xuedong , Xu Ning , Xu Hockin , Weir Michael , Ge Yang , Wang Shida , Li Mingyun , Li Yuqing , Xu Xin , Cheng Lei
Published: July 2014

Antibacterial bonding agents and composites containing dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) have been recently developed. The objectives of this study were to investigate the antibacterial effect of novel adhesives containing different mass fractions of DMADDM on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm at different developmental stages. Different mass fractions of DMADDM were incorporated into adhesives and S. mutans biofilm at different developmetal stages were analyzed by MTT assays, lactic acid measurement, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) staining was used to analyze the inhibitory effect of DMADDM on the biofilm extracellular matrix. Dentin microtensile strengths were also measured. Cured adhesives containing DMADDM could greatly reduce metabolic activity and lactic acid production during the development of S. mutans biofilms (p < 0.05). In earlier stages of biofilm development, there were no significant differences of inhibitory effects between the 2.5% DMADDM and 5% DMADDM group. However, after 72 h, the anti-biofilm effects of adhesives containing 5% DMADDM were significantly stronger than any other group. Incorporation of DMADDM into adhesive did not adversely affect dentin bond strength. In conclusion, adhesives containing DMADDM inhibited the growth, lactic acid production and EPS metabolism of S. mutans biofilm at different stages, with no adverse effect on its dentin adhesive bond strength. The bonding agents have the potential to control dental biofilms and combat tooth decay, and DMADDM is promising for use in a wide range of dental adhesive systems and restoratives.
A New Visual Trap for Rhagoletis cerasi (L.) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Daniel Claudia , Mathis Samuel , Feichtinger Georg
Published: July 2014

The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (L.) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the most important pest of sweet cherries in Europe. The aim of our experiments was to develop a new, cost-efficient, lead chromate-free and more eco-friendly trap for monitoring and mass trapping of R. cerasi. Five different-colored yellow panels and three different trap shapes were compared to a standard Rebell® amarillo trap in three experimental orchards in 2012. Trap color F, with a strong increase in reflectance at 500–550 nm and a secondary peak in the UV-region at 300–400 nm, captured significantly more flies than the standard Rebell® amarillo trap. Yellow traps with increased reflectance in the blue region (400–500 nm) were least attractive. Trap shape was of minor importance, as long as the object was three-dimensional and visible from all directions. Based on economic and practical considerations, a cylinder-shaped trap “UFA-Samen Kirschenfliegenfalle” was developed for commercial use and is currently under on-farm evaluation.
Spatially-Explicit Simulation of Urban Growth through Self-Adaptive Genetic Algorithm and Cellular Automata Modelling
Authors: Liu Yan , Feng Yongjiu , Pontius Robert
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a method to optimise the calibration of parameters and land use transition rules of a cellular automata (CA) urban growth model using a self-adaptive genetic algorithm (SAGA). Optimal calibration is achieved through an algorithm that minimises the difference between the simulated and observed urban growth. The model was applied to simulate land use change from non-urban to urban in South East Queensland’s Logan City, Australia, from 1991 to 2001. The performance of the calibrated model was evaluated by comparing the empirical land use change maps from the Landsat imagery to the simulated land use change produced by the calibrated model. The simulation accuracies of the model show that the calibrated model generated 86.3% correctness, mostly due to observed persistence being simulated as persistence and some due to observed change being simulated as change. The 13.7% simulation error was due to nearly equal amounts of observed persistence being simulated as change (7.5%) and observed change being simulated as persistence (6.2%). Both the SAGA-CA model and a logistic-based CA model without SAGA optimisation have simulated more change than the amount of observed change over the simulation period; however, the overestimation is slightly more severe for the logistic-CA model. The SAGA-CA model also outperforms the logistic-CA model with fewer quantity and allocation errors and slightly more hits. For Logan City, the most important factors driving urban growth are the spatial proximity to existing urban centres, roads and railway stations. However, the probability of a place being urbanised is lower when people are attracted to work in other regions.
Chemopreventive Effects of Oplopantriol A, a Novel Compound Isolated from Oplopanax horridus, on Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhang Zhiyu , Yu Chunhao , Zhang Chun-Feng , Wu Xiao-Hui , Wen Xiao-Dong , Anderson Samantha , Du Wei , Huang Wei-Hua , Li Shao-Ping , Wang Chong-Zhi , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: July 2014

Oplopanax horridus is a North American botanical that has received limited investigations. We previously isolated over a dozen of the constituents from O. horridus, and among them oplopantriol A (OPT A) is a novel compound. In this study, we firstly evaluated the in vivo chemoprevention activities of OPT A using the xenograft colon cancer mouse model. Our data showed that this compound significantly suppressed tumor growth with dose-related effects (p < 0.01). Next, we characterized the compound’s growth inhibitory effects in human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT-116 and SW-480. With OPT A treatment, these malignant cells were significantly inhibited in both a concentration- and time-dependent manner (both p < 0.01). The IC50 was approximately 5 µM for HCT-116 and 7 µM for SW-480 cells. OPT A significantly induced apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. From further mechanism explorations, our data showed that OPT A significantly upregulated the expression of a cluster of genes, especially the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and caspase family, suggesting that the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptotic pathway plays a key role in OPT A induced apoptosis.
A Novel Crosstalk Suppression Method of the 2-D Networked Resistive Sensor Array
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Wang Lei , Li Jianqing , Song Aiguo
Published: July 2014

The 2-D resistive sensor array in the row–column fashion suffered from the crosstalk problem for parasitic parallel paths. Firstly, we proposed an Improved Isolated Drive Feedback Circuit with Compensation (IIDFCC) based on the voltage feedback method to suppress the crosstalk. In this method, a compensated resistor was specially used to reduce the crosstalk caused by the column multiplexer resistors and the adjacent row elements. Then, a mathematical equivalent resistance expression of the element being tested (EBT) of this circuit was analytically derived and verified by the circuit simulations. The simulation results show that the measurement method can greatly reduce the influence on the EBT caused by parasitic parallel paths for the multiplexers’ channel resistor and the adjacent elements.
Dry EEG Electrodes
Authors: Lopez-Gordo M. , Sanchez-Morillo D. , Valle F.
Published: July 2014

Electroencephalography (EEG) emerged in the second decade of the 20th century as a technique for recording the neurophysiological response. Since then, there has been little variation in the physical principles that sustain the signal acquisition probes, otherwise called electrodes. Currently, new advances in technology have brought new unexpected fields of applications apart from the clinical, for which new aspects such as usability and gel-free operation are first order priorities. Thanks to new advances in materials and integrated electronic systems technologies, a new generation of dry electrodes has been developed to fulfill the need. In this manuscript, we review current approaches to develop dry EEG electrodes for clinical and other applications, including information about measurement methods and evaluation reports. We conclude that, although a broad and non-homogeneous diversity of approaches has been evaluated without a consensus in procedures and methodology, their performances are not far from those obtained with wet electrodes, which are considered the gold standard, thus enabling the former to be a useful tool in a variety of novel applications.
Improved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Based Gravity Matching Navigation Method
Authors: Gao Wei , Zhao Bo , Zhou Guang , Wang Qiu , Yu Chun
Published: July 2014

Gravity matching navigation algorithm is one of the key technologies for gravity aided inertial navigation systems. With the development of intelligent algorithms, the powerful search ability of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm makes it possible to be applied to the gravity matching navigation field. However, existing search mechanisms of basic ABC algorithms cannot meet the need for high accuracy in gravity aided navigation. Firstly, proper modifications are proposed to improve the performance of the basic ABC algorithm. Secondly, a new search mechanism is presented in this paper which is based on an improved ABC algorithm using external speed information. At last, modified Hausdorff distance is introduced to screen the possible matching results. Both simulations and ocean experiments verify the feasibility of the method, and results show that the matching rate of the method is high enough to obtain a precise matching position.
Experimental Assessment of the Use of a Novel Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for the Optimization ofWater Consumption in Agricultural Irrigation Process
Authors: Cannazza Giuseppe , Cataldo Andrea , De Benedetto Egidio , Demitri Christian , Madaghiele Marta , Sannino Alessandro
Published: July 2014

In this work, an innovative cellulose-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was experimentally assessed as an environmentally friendly alternative to acrylate-based SAPs, for the optimization of water consumption in agriculture. The cellulose-based SAP was synthesized and tested for its swelling capability in different aqueous media. The effectiveness of the SAP in agricultural applications was then evaluated by analyzing its performance after several absorption/desorption cycles, over a period of approximately 80 days, upon addition to different types of soil, i.e., white and red soil, for the cultivation of two varieties of plants typical of the Mediterranean area (tomatoes and chicory). The results confirmed that SAP-amended soil can store a considerable amount of water and can release it gradually to the plant roots when needed. The adoption of the proposed SAP in cultivations could thus represent a promising solution for the rationalization of water resources, especially in desert areas.
Synthesis of isoprenoid bisphosphonate ethers through C–P bond formations: Potential inhibitors of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Reilly Jacqueline E , Loerch Kathleen A , Hohl Raymond J , Wiemer David F
Published: July 2014

A set of bisphosphonate ethers has been prepared through sequential phosphonylation and alkylation of monophosphonate ethers. After formation of the corresponding phosphonic acid salts, these compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit the enzyme geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGDPS). Five of the new compounds show IC50 values of less than 1 μM against GGDPS with little to no activity against the related enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS). The most active compound displayed an IC50 value of 82 nM when assayed with GGDPS, and no activity against FDPS even at a 10 μM concentration.
Multilayered Optic Disc Hemorrhages in Adolescents
Authors: Hwang Jiunn-Feng , Lin Chun-Ju
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

To describe the clinical characteristics of multilayered optic disc hemorrhages, which are defined as subretinal, superficial retinal, and subhyaloid or vitreous hemorrhages in adolescents.

Methods:

Case records of adolescents with acute multilayered optic disc hemorrhages were identified and evaluated retrospectively from 1994 to 2012. The appearance of the hemorrhages including the size, location, extension, and disc anatomy was recorded. Fluorescein angiography, visual field examination, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were performed in select cases.

Results:

Nine boys and 7 girls were included, with a mean age of 15.0 ± 2.6 years. No precipitating factor, such as involuntary Valsalva maneuver, was identified in the majority of patients (93.75%). All eyes were myopic with an average refraction of −4.64 ± 1.88 diopters. Fifteen (93.75%) of the affected optic discs were crowded and tilted with small cups. Peripapillary subretinal hemorrhages were all crescent in shape and located at the nasal disc. Eight (50%) eyes had marked subretinal blood extension exceeding 1 disc diameter away from the disc edge. Superficial flame hemorrhages were predominantly located in the superotemporal part of the disc. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the disc showed vitreopapillary traction and obvious subretinal hemorrhage with increased thickness. All multilayered optic disc hemorrhages resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions:

Multilayered optic disc hemorrhages in adolescents more commonly affect myopic eyes with crowded and tilted discs. The visual outcome is excellent.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(5):313–318.]
Effect of General Anesthesia and Muscle Relaxants on Keratometry Measurements Using a Handheld Keratometer
Authors: Al-Haddad Christiane , Jurdy Lama , Farhat Abeer , Farah Fadi , Aouad Marie
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

Keratometry measurements are often obtained under general anesthesia in the supine position in difficult patients and pediatric procedures. This study investigates the effect of general anesthesia and muscle relaxants on keratometry readings using a handheld keratometer.

Methods:

Fifty patients (with no history of intraocular surgery or corneal pathology) undergoing general anesthesia were prospectively enrolled. Keratometry readings were obtained using the Nidek KM-500 handheld keratometer (Nidek, Inc., Fremont, CA). in three settings: when the patient was awake in the upright and supine positions, and after general anesthesia. Readings were averaged in each eye and compared among the three settings; patients were also subgrouped by whether muscle relaxants were administered at induction. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated and Bland–Altman analysis was performed.

Results:

Keratometry readings were comparable between the upright and supine positions before anesthesia in all groups. In the muscle relaxant group, keratometry readings were flatter after anesthesia and this was statistically significant for right eyes (
P
= .02), but not for left eyes (
P
= .16). In the group with no muscle relaxant, no significant differences were noted. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the differences were high (≥ 0.97) for all eyes in both groups and Bland–Altman plots showed most of the differences to be within the limits of agreement.

Conclusions:

Keratometry readings using the handheld keratometer obtained under general anesthesia were as reliable as readings obtained in the awake state, regardless of posture; administration of muscle relaxants at induction may produce flatter keratometry readings.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(5):308–312.]
An Unobtrusive Important Issue in the World, Female Suicide
Authors: Aktaş Semra Günay
Published: July 2014

Suicide is a complex structure and also affects the families of the person who commit suicide, health care professionals and society. Suicide shows large differences depending on the time, region, age level, gender and race. Suicides are chaotic events because a little confusion on one of each these factors may cause a significant change that leads to severe consequences. Chaos theorists believe that the first step to deal with chaos is to understand it. Therefore, all aspects of suicide need to be understood in detail in order to prevent it. Strategies to prevent suicide can be developed through searching and understanding the suicide geography. In this chapter, the spatial pattern of female suicide is examined with suicide maps. With suicide maps, the aim is to clarify the spatial alteration of the deaths caused by female suicide, to help in focusing on female suicide, to increase the awareness of the specific regions and groups that have a high risk and so to guide the ones who are dealing with decreasing the death ratios, public health experts and decision makers.
Graduate Students' Levels of Coping with Uncertainty
Authors: Neyişci Nilay , Potas Nihan
Published: July 2014

It is imperative to note that education is facing extremely important changes in the modern society. In the past, education was perceived as an individual process, but it is now entering the interests of states and international organizations. Concepts like 'knowledge-based society, lifelong learning, and international education fields' appear to be a reflection of this change. It is difficult or may be unnecessary to predict with certain accuracy what is going to happen next. Education and teaching are forced to deal with chaos. This chapter describes a study in which the authors asked at what level graduate students in Hacettepe University and Gazi University are inclined to exhibit uncertainty-avoiding behaviors. Does the level of the inclination of the graduate students differ in accordance with the variables of age, gender and level of education? There is a significant difference between the groups considering the working experience of the graduate students in Hacettepe University and Gazi University from the aspect of their inclination level of exhibiting uncertainty avoiding behaviors. Uncertainty-avoiding behaviors could be acquired by the students in undergraduate and graduate period of their lives and for a longer period of time. Thus, it would be more effective in acquiring the desired behavior change.
Chaos in Education as an Intelligent Complex Adaptive System
Authors: Kayman Esen Arzu
Published: July 2014

The chapter aims to open the present somewhat chaotic and uncertain situation of education to a discussion. The chapter can help the reader think about the chaos everywhere and in education and educational institutions as intelligent organizations. Educational institutions have to be intelligent to cope with the sudden and fast changes around themselves and they are complex adaptive systems that can adapt the environment and the changes in or out of the organizations. As education is a dynamic system, people should discuss it as dynamic, chaotic, and complex in present times and the future.
The Phenomenon of Peace in the Social Studies Curriculum in Turkey and Greece
Authors: Karadeniz Oğuzhan , Kaya Beytullah
Published: July 2014

In this chapter, the phenomenon of peace in the social studies curriculum is examined in the context of Turkey and Greece. The formation of the social studies curriculum and conceptual changes in programs in Turkey related with Greece is investigated. The studies that have been initiated after World Wars to prevail the perception of peace in Social Studies and History lessons are reviewed. The current status of the curriculum shows an attempt put forward by examining historically the studies initiated by UNESCO after World War II in order to eliminate the phenomenon of hostility in the textbooks which also include Turkey and Greece. Due to the nature of the study described in this chapter, the method of scanning was used. As a result of the study, it has been observed that the phenomenon of peace hasn't been given enough space, but there have been obvious positive regulations than those in the past. In this context, a continuation of the studies related with the phenomenon of peace which are included in the curriculum is suggested.
Detection and Conditioning of EMG
Authors: Göker İmran
Published: July 2014

In this chapter, the monitoring of the electrical activity of skeletal muscles is depicted. The main components of the detection and conditioning of the EMG signals is explained in the sense of the biomedical instrumentation. But, first, a brief description of EMG generation is introduced. The hardware components of the general instrumentation system used in the acquisition of EMG signal such as amplifier, filters, analog-to-digital converter are discussed in detail. Subsequently, different types of electrodes used in different EMG techniques are mentioned. Then, various EMG signals that can be detected and monitored via EMG systems are described and their clinical importance is discussed with detail. Finally, different EMG techniques used in clinical studies and their purposes are explained with detail.