bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The actin-binding protein profilin is required for germline stem cell maintenance and germ cell enclosure by somatic cyst cells
Authors: Shields Alicia R. , Spence Allyson C. , Yamashita Yukiko M. , Davies Erin L. , Fuller Margaret T.
Published: December 2013

Specialized microenvironments, or niches, provide signaling cues that regulate stem cell behavior. In the Drosophila testis, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway regulates germline stem cell (GSC) attachment to the apical hub and somatic cyst stem cell (CySC) identity. Here, we demonstrate that chickadee, the Drosophila gene that encodes profilin, is required cell autonomously to maintain GSCs, possibly facilitating localization or maintenance of E-cadherin to the GSC-hub cell interface. Germline specific overexpression of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli 2 (APC2) rescued GSC loss in chic hypomorphs, suggesting an additive role of APC2 and F-actin in maintaining the adherens junctions that anchor GSCs to the niche. In addition, loss of chic function in the soma resulted in failure of somatic cyst cells to maintain germ cell enclosure and overproliferation of transit-amplifying spermatogonia.
Purkinje cells and Bergmann glia are primary targets of the TRα1 thyroid hormone receptor during mouse cerebellum postnatal development
Authors: Fauquier Teddy , Chatonnet Fabrice , Picou Frédéric , Richard Sabine , Fossat Nicolas , Aguilera Nadine , Lamonerie Thomas , Flamant Frédéric
Published: December 2013

Thyroid hormone is necessary for normal development of the central nervous system, as shown by the severe mental retardation syndrome affecting hypothyroid patients with low levels of active thyroid hormone. The postnatal defects observed in hypothyroid mouse cerebellum are recapitulated in mice heterozygous for a dominant-negative mutation of Thra, the gene encoding the ubiquitous TRα1 receptor. Using CRE/loxP-mediated conditional expression approach, we found that this mutation primarily alters the differentiation of Purkinje cells and Bergmann glia, two cerebellum-specific cell types. These primary defects indirectly affect cerebellum development in a global manner. Notably, the inward migration and terminal differentiation of granule cell precursors is impaired. Therefore, despite the broad distribution of its receptors, thyroid hormone targets few cell types that exert a predominant role in the network of cellular interactions that govern normal cerebellum maturation.
The process of changing the mechanical properties of the composite elements, depending on the temperature
Authors: Стородубцева  , Storodubtseva Tamara , Аксомитный  , Aksomitnyy Aleksey , Томилин  , Tomilin Andrey , Черников  , Chernikov Eduard
Published: December 2013

This paper experimentally investigated and revealed the influence of heating and cooling speed on the reliability of the composite. The influence of temperature in the range – 9 ... 115 C on composite components is resea-rched. Taking into account temperature drops of the sample during the measurement devices installation and the experiment itself we took into account the temperature from zero to one hundred degrees in steps of 10 C. Empirical formulas given on chart let us calculate the required characteristic values ​​of strength and elasticity from 0 C to 100 C.
Determination of parameters characterizing the movement of logging truc-ks on the highway site of general use
Authors: Сушков  , Sushkov Sergey , Макеев  , Makeev Viktor , Фурменко  , Furmenko Aleksandr
Published: December 2013

The article discusses the theoretical position of the options for optimizing movement of logging trucks moving into areas of different length of highways for general use, which can be in any area of ​​the timber industry enterprises as well as sparsely wooded and reachly-wooded regions of our country. This takes into account the possibility of movement of logging trucks in any period of time in an existing transport stream of highway section of general use, followed by its movement to the logging roads again or road to the timber yards of enterprise.
Economic and technological aspects of use of radionuclide contaminated forest land
Authors: Бычков  , Bychkov Vladimir , Дубас  , Dubas Rostislav
Published: December 2013

The paper proposes a novel approach on the use of certain categories of forest land with the necessary environmental assessment of creation and cultivation of melioration energy plantations of shrubby willows, technological operations of growing common osier energy plantations are described, the substantiation of the environmental effectiveness of the propo-sed activities is given. Feature of the proposed approach is its environmental focus - prevention of further depreciation of organic and mineral and water regulating properties of forest land, preservation of bio-diversity.
Formation and growth of shelterbelt plantings of Voronezh region
Authors: Михин  , Mikhin Dmitriy , Трегубов  , Tregubov Oleg
Published: December 2013

Shelterbelt plantings in the Voronezh region occupy an area of approximately 60 thousand

hectares. They were created at different times with tree species: poplars, silver birch,

English oak, common and green ash , locust, elm, English field maple and Bosnian maple,

little-leaved linden; bushes – Elaeagnus angustifolia,

yellow acacia, Tatarian honeysuckle, fly honeysuckle, alder buckthorn and other

pure and mixed in composition. Width of the bands, row spacing, and planting density

determine their growth and condition. It was found that in artificial linear stands with the main species of silver birch with an increase of double width, there is average decrease of the growth parameters to 12 %. Mixed cultures of birch are more productive and in them by the age of 25 years conservation, average diameter, height is greater for 4,

8…16, 3 % as compared to pure composition

forest belts. Silver birch is in a dominant

position in the stands with green ash, locust,

Norway maple and forest apple trees.

European ash has higher inventory indices in

co-cultivation with English oak and Norway

maple than with elm and silver birch. Similar

laws are identified also for green ash. For all

the considered species active growth period in

height and diameter up to the age of 10…15

years is observed. At the same time at middleaged

stands on the main soil types, there are

differences in the growth of marginal tree belt

and central belts. During this period of growth

convex transverse profile is usually formed.
L2 development around tests: Learner response processes and dynamic assessment
Authors: Poehner Matthew E. , van Compernolle Rémi A.
Published: December 2013

This paper examines learner response processes during a Dynamic Assessment (DA) of L2 reading comprehension. We present a detailed case analysis of an L2 French learner whose success in responding to a comprehension item obscures her understanding of the text and the challenges it poses. This aligns with research indicating that learners may orient to such assessments as problem-solving rather than comprehension activities (Rupp, Fern, and Choi 2006). In DA, learner response processes are externalized through dialogue with the assessor, or mediator, who does not simply document these processes but intervenes. We trace how the mediator regulates learner orientation to the task, pursues reasons behind learner choices, and cooperates with the learner to create opportunities for learning during the assessment.
Language choices in L2 English sentence production: Why speakers could have used modal perfect but didn’t
Authors: Conroy Mark A. , Cupples Linda
Published: December 2013

This study compared production of modal perfect sentences by native English speakers and advanced non-native English speakers from Asian L1 backgrounds in discourse and discourse-free contexts. In experiment 1, native and non-native speakers reconstructed modal perfect sentences from sentential anagrams under time pressure. Both speaker groups were faster to construct modal perfect sentences than closely matched control sentences. In experiment 2, native and non-native speakers read and responded orally to stories designed to elicit modal perfect. The results revealed that non-native speakers produced significantly fewer modal perfect sentences than native speakers. Taken together, the findings suggest that although non-native speakers from Asian L1 backgrounds have the syntactic capability to produce modal perfect under constrained conditions in a sentential anagram task, they are less likely than native speakers to produce such constructions in particular discourse contexts, perhaps as a result of differences in cultural background. Implications for English language instruction are discussed.
Antenatal and Postnatal Growth and 5-Year Cognitive Outcome in Very Preterm Infants
Authors: Leppänen Marika , Lapinleimu Helena , Lind Annika , Matomäki Jaakko , Lehtonen Liisa , Haataja Leena , Rautava Päivi
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVES:

To study how antenatal growth affects cognitive outcome in very preterm infants and to determine whether there is an association between growth in any particular time period between birth and 5 years of age and cognitive outcome. Small for gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA infants were analyzed separately, because antenatal growth may affect postnatal growth.

METHODS:

Very low birth weight (<1501 g) infants born between 2001 and 2006 and infants born at <32 gestational weeks between 2004 and 2006 who were treated at Turku University Hospital (n = 181) were followed. Weight, length, and head circumference (HC) of the infants were measured at 9 time points between birth and 5 years. The growth was determined as a z score change between measurement points. Cognitive development was assessed at 5 years of age with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence–Revised. The association between growth and full-scale IQ (FSIQ) was studied.

RESULTS:

Growth in length and height was not associated with 5-year cognitive outcome. However, weight (r = 0.18, P = .04) and HC growth (r = 0.25, P = .01) between birth and 2 years of corrected age correlated to FSIQ in non-SGA children. In SGA children, HC growth (r = 0.33, P = .03) around term age correlated to FSIQ.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cognitive outcome was similar in SGA and non-SGA very preterm infants. Growth affected cognition positively in both subgroups, but the critical time period was different.
Accuracy of Pulse Oximetry in Children
Authors: Ross Patrick A. , Newth Christopher J.L. , Khemani Robinder G.
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVE:

For children with cyanotic congenital heart disease or acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, providers frequently make decisions based on pulse oximetry, in the absence of an arterial blood gas. The study objective was to measure the accuracy of pulse oximetry in the saturations from pulse oximetry (SpO2) range of 65% to 97%.

METHODS:

This institutional review board–approved prospective, multicenter observational study in 5 PICUs included 225 mechanically ventilated children with an arterial catheter. With each arterial blood gas sample, SpO2 from pulse oximetry and arterial oxygen saturations from CO-oximetry (SaO2) were simultaneously obtained if the SpO2 was ≤97%.

RESULTS:

The lowest SpO2 obtained in the study was 65%. In the range of SpO2 65% to 97%, 1980 simultaneous values for SpO2 and SaO2 were obtained. The bias (SpO2 – SaO2) varied through the range of SpO2 values. The bias was greatest in the SpO2 range 81% to 85% (336 samples, median 6%, mean 6.6%, accuracy root mean squared 9.1%). SpO2 measurements were close to SaO2 in the SpO2 range 91% to 97% (901 samples, median 1%, mean 1.5%, accuracy root mean squared 4.2%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Previous studies on pulse oximeter accuracy in children present a single number for bias. This study identified that the accuracy of pulse oximetry varies significantly as a function of the SpO2 range. Saturations measured by pulse oximetry on average overestimate SaO2 from CO-oximetry in the SpO2 range of 76% to 90%. Better pulse oximetry algorithms are needed for accurate assessment of children with saturations in the hypoxemic range.
Consumption of Raw or Unpasteurized Milk and Milk Products by Pregnant Women and Children
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES,   COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION, Brady Michael T. , Byington Carrie L. , Davies H. Dele , Edwards Kathryn M. , Glode Mary P. , Jackson Mary Anne , Keyserling Harry L. , Maldonado Yvonne A. , Murray Dennis L. , Orenstein Walter A. , Schutze Gordon E. , Willoughby Rodney E. , Zaoutis Theoklis E. , Bhatia Jatinder J.S. , Abrams Steven A. , Corkins Mark R. , de Ferranti Sarah D. , Golden Neville H. , Magge Sheela N. , Schwarzenberg Sarah Jane
Published: December 2013

Sales of raw or unpasteurized milk and milk products are still legal in at least 30 states in the United States. Raw milk and milk products from cows, goats, and sheep continue to be a source of bacterial infections attributable to a number of virulent pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella species, Brucella species, and Escherichia coli O157. These infections can occur in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals, including older adults, infants, young children, and pregnant women and their unborn fetuses, in whom life-threatening infections and fetal miscarriage can occur. Efforts to limit the sale of raw milk products have met with opposition from those who are proponents of the purported health benefits of consuming raw milk products, which contain natural or unprocessed factors not inactivated by pasteurization. However, the benefits of these natural factors have not been clearly demonstrated in evidence-based studies and, therefore, do not outweigh the risks of raw milk consumption. Substantial data suggest that pasteurized milk confers equivalent health benefits compared with raw milk, without the additional risk of bacterial infections. The purpose of this policy statement was to review the risks of raw milk consumption in the United States and to provide evidence of the risks of infectious complications associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products, especially among pregnant women, infants, and children.
Does thromboprophylaxis prevent venous thromboembolism after major orthopedic surgery?
Authors: Akpinar Evrim Eylem , Hosgun Derya , Akan Burak , Ates Can , Gulhan Meral
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important complication of major orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and factors influencing the development of VTE in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in a university hospital. METHODS: Patients who underwent major orthopedic surgery (hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, or femur fracture repair) between February of 2006 and June of 2012 were retrospectively included in the study. The incidences of PE and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were evaluated, as were the factors influencing their development, such as type of operation, age, and comorbidities. RESULTS: We reviewed the medical records of 1,306 patients. The proportions of knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty, and femur fracture repair were 63.4%, 29.9%, and 6.7%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of PE and DVT in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery was 1.99% and 2.22%, respectively. Most of the patients presented with PE and DVT (61.5% and 72.4%, respectively) within the first 72 h after surgery. Patients undergoing femur fracture repair, those aged ≥ 65 years, and bedridden patients were at a higher risk for developing VTE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that VTE was a significant complication of major orthopedic surgery, despite the use of thromboprophylaxis. Clinicians should be aware of VTE, especially during the perioperative period and in bedridden, elderly patients (≥ 65 years of age).
Inhaler use in adolescents and adults with self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema in the city of Pelotas, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Paula Duarte de , Menezes Ana Maria Baptista , Bertoldi Andrea Damaso , Wehrmeister Fernando Cesar
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of users of inhalers and the prevalence of inhaler use among adolescents and adults with self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema. METHODS: A population-based study conducted in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, involving 3,670 subjects ≥ 10 years of age, evaluated with a questionnaire. RESULTS: Approximately 10% of the sample reported at least one of the respiratory diseases studied. Among those individuals, 59% reported respiratory symptoms in the last year, and, of those, only half reported using inhalers. The use of inhalers differed significantly by socioeconomic status (39% and 61% for the lowest and the highest, respectively, p = 0.01). The frequency of inhaler use did not differ by gender or age. Among the individuals reporting emphysema and inhaler use, the use of the bronchodilator-corticosteroid combination was more common than was that of a bronchodilator alone. Only among the individuals reporting physician-diagnosed asthma and current symptoms was the proportion of inhaler users higher than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, inhalers were underutilized, and the type of medication used by the individuals who reported emphysema does not seem to be in accordance with the consensus recommendations.
Extubation failure influences clinical and functional outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Reis Helena Franca Correia dos , Almeida Monica Lajana Oliveira , Silva Mario Ferreira da , Rocha Mario de Seixas
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between extubation failure and outcomes (clinical and functional) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving 311 consecutive patients with TBI. The patients were divided into two groups according to extubation outcome: extubation success; and extubation failure (defined as reintubation within 48 h after extubation). A multivariate model was developed in order to determine whether extubation failure was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.7 ± 13.8 years. Males accounted for 92.3%. The incidence of extubation failure was 13.8%. In-hospital mortality was 4.5% and 20.9% in successfully extubated patients and in those with extubation failure, respectively (p = 0.001). Tracheostomy was more common in the extubation failure group (55.8% vs. 1.9%; p < 0.001). The median length of hospital stay was significantly greater in the extubation failure group than in the extubation success group (44 days vs. 27 days; p = 0.002). Functional status at discharge was worse among the patients in the extubation failure group. The multivariate analysis showed that extubation failure was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR = 4.96; 95% CI, 1.86-13.22). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with TBI, extubation failure appears to lengthen hospital stays; to increase the frequency of tracheostomy and of pulmonary complications; to worsen functional outcomes; and to increase mortality.
Effect of tramadol on lung injury induced by skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion: an experimental study
Authors: Takhtfooladi Mohammad Ashrafzadeh , Jahanshahi Amirali , Sotoudeh Amir , Jahanshahi Gholamreza , Takhtfooladi Hamed Ashrafzadeh , Aslani Kimia
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether tramadol has a protective effect against lung injury induced by skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Twenty Wistar male rats were allocated to one of two groups: ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and ischemia-reperfusion + tramadol (IR+T). The animals were anesthetized with intramuscular injections of ketamine and xylazine (50 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively). All of the animals underwent 2-h ischemia by occlusion of the femoral artery and 24-h reperfusion. Prior to the occlusion of the femoral artery, 250 IU heparin were administered via the jugular vein in order to prevent clotting. The rats in the IR+T group were treated with tramadol (20 mg/kg i.v.) immediately before reperfusion. After the reperfusion period, the animals were euthanized with pentobarbital (300 mg/kg i.p.), the lungs were carefully removed, and specimens were properly prepared for histopathological and biochemical studies. RESULTS: Myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide levels were significantly higher in the IR group than in the IR+T group (p = 0.001 for both). Histological abnormalities, such as intra-alveolar edema, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, and neutrophil infiltration, were significantly more common in the IR group than in the IR+T group. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our histological and biochemical findings, we conclude that tramadol prevents lung tissue injury after skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion.
Lung function in post-poliomyelitis syndrome: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa de , Minozzo Fabio Carderelli , Sousa Bolivar Saldanha , Vancini Rodrigo Luiz , Andrade Marilia dos Santos , Quadros Abrahao Augusto Juviniano , Oliveira Acary Souza Bulle , Silva Antonio Carlos da
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVE: To compare lung function between patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome and those with sequelae of paralytic poliomyelitis (without any signs or symptoms of post-poliomyelitis syndrome), as well as between patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome and healthy controls. METHODS: Twenty-nine male participants were assigned to one of three groups: control; poliomyelitis (comprising patients who had had paralytic poliomyelitis but had not developed post-poliomyelitis syndrome); and post-poliomyelitis syndrome. Volunteers underwent lung function measurements (spirometry and respiratory muscle strength assessment). RESULTS: The results of the spirometric assessment revealed no significant differences among the groups except for an approximately 27% lower mean maximal voluntary ventilation in the post-poliomyelitis syndrome group when compared with the control group (p = 0.0127). Nevertheless, the maximal voluntary ventilation values for the post-poliomyelitis group were compared with those for the Brazilian population and were found to be normal. No significant differences were observed in respiratory muscle strength among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of lower maximal voluntary ventilation, there was no significant lung function impairment in outpatients diagnosed with post-poliomyelitis syndrome when compared with healthy subjects and with patients with sequelae of poliomyelitis without post-poliomyelitis syndrome. This is an important clinical finding because it shows that patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome can have preserved lung function.
Hand Pulling Following Mowing and Herbicide Treatments Increases Control of Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)
Authors: MacDonald Neil W. , Martin Laurelin M. , Kapolka Corey K. , Botting Timothy F. , Brown Tami E.
Published: December 2013

Extensive areas in the upper Midwest have been invaded by spotted knapweed, and effective management strategies are required to reestablish native plant communities. We examined effects of mowing, mowing plus clopyralid, or mowing plus glyphosate in factorial combination with hand pulling and burning on knapweed abundances on a knapweed-infested site in western Michigan. We applied mowing and herbicide treatments in summer 2008, and seeded all plots with native grasses and forbs in spring 2009. We conducted the knapweed pulling treatment from 2009 to 2012 in July. The prescribed burn was conducted in April 2012. By 2012, hand pulling reduced adult knapweed densities to 0.57 ± 0.12 m−2(0.053 ± 0.011 ft−2) (mean ± SE), which was 5.8% of nonpulled treatments, juvenile densities to 0.29 ± 0.07 m−2(2.1% of nonpulled treatments), and seedling densities to 0.07 ± 0.06 m−2(2.6% of nonpulled treatments). After 3 yr, hand pulling reduced seed bank densities to 68 ± 26 m−2as compared to 524 ± 254 m−2in nonpulled treatments and 369 ± 66 m−2in adjacent untreated areas of the study site. Without hand pulling, effects of mowing or mowing plus glyphosate were short-lived and allowed knapweed to rapidly resurge. In comparison, although a single mowing plus clopyralid treatment maintained significantly reduced densities of knapweed for 4 yr, by 2012 knapweed biomass in the nonpulled clopyralid treatment was approximately 60% of that in the other nonpulled treatments. Burning had minimal impacts on knapweed densities regardless of treatment combination, probably as a result of low fire intensity. Results demonstrated that persistent hand pulling used as a follow-up to single mowing or mowing plus herbicide treatments can be an effective practice for treating isolated spotted knapweed infestations or for removing small numbers of knapweed that survive herbicide applications.
Modeling Potential Range Expansion of the Invasive Shrub Leucaena leucocephala in the Hengchun Peninsula, Taiwan
Authors: Chiou Chyi-Rong , Wang Hsiao-Hsuan , Chen Yen-Jui , Grant William E. , Lu Ming-Lun
Published: December 2013

Prediction of invasive species distributions from survey data is widely recognized as a significant component of forest management and conservation planning. Leucaena leucocephala is the most aggressive invasive shrub and tree in the Hengchun peninsula in southern Taiwan. We analyzed geo-referenced data to identify potential variables of invasion and to predict likelihood of further invasion using boosted regression trees. Our results, which classified 92% of the cells correctly with regard to species presence and absence, indicated probability of invasion is correlated with climatic conditions (temperature and precipitation), landscape features (altitude; slope ratio and aspect; percentages of natural or secondary forest, agriculture land, developed area, and water bodies; and distances to the nearest forest edge and river), and anthropogenic factors (length of forest edge, and distances to the nearest road and agriculture land). The most influential variables are average annual temperature, altitude, precipitation, and slope. Continued range expansion by L. leucocephala is most likely to proceed (1) from the eastern and western portions toward the central portion of Hengchun township and (2) throughout the southern and toward the eastern portions of Manjhou township. Our model should provide useful information to aid forest managers in the development of long term monitoring and control strategies for L. leucocephala, in the early detection and eradication of newly established invasions, and also a framework for the integration and analysis of new presence and absence field data as they become available.
Factors Affecting Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) Seedling Survival Rates
Authors: Maines Anastasia P. , Knochel David G. , Seastedt Timothy R.
Published: December 2013

Predicting site vulnerability to nonnative plant establishment remains a difficult goal. Seedling survival is an important component of population dynamics and can affect the success of control strategies. Field manipulations allow potential causal mechanisms of site vulnerability to be evaluated under realistic environmental conditions. We conducted field studies to determine the effects of plant competition and differing precipitation regimes on spotted knapweed seedling survival. We also examined the effect of herbivory on rosette survival and growth. Seeds were sown into plots with vegetation intact or removed at three sites. Seeds were also sown into plots where plant competition and precipitation were manipulated in a factorial design at a single site. Field studies demonstrated that site accounted for much of the variation in emergence rate, while herbivory and plant competition affected seedling survival rates. We observed a wide range in emergence rates, with site averages ranging from 13.1 to 42.5%. Survival the following year ranged from 0.5 to 9.4% of sown seeds. Rosette survival was significantly higher when herbivores were excluded from plots. Below average precipitation reduced seedling survival; however, even with supplemental water, dry-down of exposed sites resulted in low seedling survival. Of the 8,000 seeds added to plots in one study, by autumn, only eight plants resulted, seven of which survived in watered plots with intact vegetation. Collectively, these results show that seedling survival is a critical phase in spotted knapweed population dynamics and can vary among habitats on the basis of plant competition and precipitation. Furthermore, herbivory affects all stages of the lifecycle from the seedling onward. The observed differences help explain the reported variability in seedling survival in the literature and inform efforts to control spotted knapweed using plant competition and biological controls.
Do Woody Plants Prevent the Establishment of Common Reed along Highways? Insights from Southern Quebec
Authors: Albert Arnaud , Brisson Jacques , Dubé Jean , Lavoie Claude
Published: December 2013

The common reed (Phragmites australis) is one of the most invasive vascular plants in northeastern North America. A competitive genotype from Eurasia has recently invaded road and agricultural ditches, which facilitate the dispersal of the plant over long distances. However, large tracts of roadsides—apparently propitious for the establishment of the plant—are not invaded by the grass. We hypothesized that the absence of the invader is associated with physical and biological characteristics of roadsides. To test this hypothesis, we collected field data and developed two statistical models to explain the presence or absence of the common reed along a highway of southern Quebec highly invaded by the plant but with contrasting patterns of common reed distribution. The models explained 23 to 30% of the total variance and correctly predicted the presence or absence of common reed 71% of the time. The models suggest that a dense woody plant cover over a drainage ditch limits the establishment and/or expansion of the common reed, probably by competition for light and space. Also, shaded ditches are not subjected to a frequent maintenance, and are therefore less disturbed, probably further reducing common reed invasion because the germination of their seeds is less likely without soil disturbance. This study yields insights on the potential of woody plants for controlling the expansion of invasive grasses, and could help to justify the preservation of dense shrubs and tree hedges along right-of-ways.
A Pilot Study Examining the Awareness, Attitude, and Burden of Informal Caregivers of Patients With Dementia
Authors: Qadir Farah , Gulzar Wajiha , Haqqani Sabahat , Khalid Amna
Published: December 2013

Pakistan is 1 of 5 countries with the highest projected increase in prevalence of dementia in the Asia Pacific region (Access Economic, 2006), where there is a lack of structured support network for caregivers in general and for dementia caregivers in specific. The caregivers and other related individuals predominantly rely on traditional familial support for caregiving. This approach places immense burdens on the familial caregivers (Shaji, 2009). In Pakistan, there is paucity of research evidence on care of patients with dementia and the needs of caregivers dealing with such patients. This study explores awareness among caregivers, their attitudes toward family members suffering from dementia, and their experience of burden.

In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 caregivers of patients diagnosed with dementia in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Pakistan. There was a considerable lack of awareness about dementia as an illness among the caregivers. They reported a conflict between emotional and religious commitments to nurture older adult relatives and their experience of psychological, physical, and economic burden, resulting in occasional episodes of carelessness and violence toward them. The study indicated that women, particularly those who were employed outside of the home, reported higher levels of stress. It is suggested that support from extended family in all forms was perceived as a concrete form of stress relief by the primary caregiver. The findings of this study indicate that the social and financial burden of dementia on families of caregivers in Pakistan may be exacerbated if they do not have support. This indicates a need for multipronged intervention from both government and nongovernment organizations, as well as the community, to develop programs for caregivers that are nested within the cultural context of filial piety in Pakistan. These strategies should also be gender sensitive, giving priority to more at-risk groups.
Use of lidocaine-bupivacaine–infused absorbable gelatin hemostatic sponges versus lidocaine-bupivacaine retrobulbar injections for postoperative analgesia following eye enucleation in dogs
Authors: Ploog Christina L. , Swinger Robert L. , Spade Julia , Quandt Kimberly M. , Mitchell Mark A.
Published: December 2013

Objective—To compare use of lidocaine-bupivacaine–infused absorbable gelatin hemostatic sponges versus lidocaine-bupivacaine retrobulbar injections for postoperative analgesia in dogs following eye enucleation.

Design—Randomized case-control study.

Animals—19 dogs that underwent eye enucleation.

Procedures—19 client-owned dogs admitted to a referral hospital for routine eye enucleation were enrolled with owner consent and randomly assigned to receive an orbital absorbable gelatin hemostatic sponge infused with lidocaine and bupivacaine after globe removal (n = 8) or retrobulbar injection of lidocaine and bupivacaine before globe removal (11). Baseline pain scores were recorded on the basis of an ordinal pain scale. Anesthetic premedication consisted of hydromorphone, midazolam, and glycopyrrolate. Propofol was used for anesthetic induction and isoflurane for maintenance. A transpalpebral eye enucleation was performed by a board-certified ophthalmologist. Pain scores and heart rate were again recorded 15 and 30 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after extubation by trained observers masked to treatment groups. Dogs were given hydromorphone as rescue analgesia if the total pain score was ≥ 9 of 18 or any categorical pain score was ≥ 3 (on a scale from 0 to 3 or 0 to 4).

Results—There were significant differences over time for comfort level, response to touch, behavior, heart rate, and total pain score; however, there was no difference between treatment groups. One dog in the absorbable gelatin hemostatic sponge group required rescue hydromorphone 4 hours after surgery.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The absorbable gelatin hemostatic sponge proved to be as effective in providing local analgesia for eye enucleation in dogs as the retrobulbar injections.
Sparse Signal Recovery from Fixed Low-Rank Subspace via Compressive Measurement
Authors: He Jun , Gao Ming-Wei , Zhang Lei , Wu Hao
Published: December 2013

This paper designs and evaluates a variant of CoSaMP algorithm, for recovering the sparse signal s from the compressive measurement v = A(Uw+s) given a fixed low-rank subspace spanned by U. Instead of firstly recovering the full vector then separating the sparse part from the structured dense part, the proposed algorithm directly works on the compressive measurement to do the separation. We investigate the performance of the algorithm on both simulated data and video compressive sensing. The results show that for a fixed low-rank subspace and truly sparse signal the proposed algorithm could successfully recover the signal only from a few compressive sensing (CS) measurements, and it performs better than ordinary CoSaMP when the sparse signal is corrupted by additional Gaussian noise.
Tobacco Retail Outlets and Vulnerable Populations in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Chaiton Michael , Mecredy Graham , Cohen Joanna , Tilson Melodie
Published: December 2013

Interest has been increasing in regulating the location and number of tobacco vendors as part of a comprehensive tobacco control program. The objective of this paper is to examine the distribution of tobacco outlets in a large jurisdiction, to assess: (1) whether tobacco outlets are more likely to be located in vulnerable areas; and (2) what proportion of tobacco outlets are located close to schools. Retail locations across the Province of Ontario from Ministry of Health Promotion data were linked to 2006 Census data at the neighbourhood level. There was one tobacco retail outlet for every 1,000 people over age 15 in Ontario. Density of outlets varied by public health unit, and was associated with the number of smokers. Tobacco outlets were more likely to be located in areas that had high neighbourhood deprivation, in both rural and urban areas. Outlets were less likely to be located in areas with high immigrant populations in urban areas, with the reverse being true for rural areas. Overall, 65% of tobacco retailers were located within 500 m of a school. The sale of tobacco products is ubiquitous, however, neighbourhoods with lower socio-economic status are more likely to have easier availability of tobacco products and most retailers are located within walking distance of a school. The results suggest the importance of policies to regulate the location of tobacco retail outlets.
Cloud Point Extraction of Parabens Using Non-Ionic Surfactant with Cylodextrin Functionalized Ionic Liquid as a Modifier
Authors: Noorashikin Md , Raoov Muggundha , Mohamad Sharifah , Abas Mhd
Published: December 2013

A cloud point extraction (CPE) process using non-ionic surfactant (DC193C) to extract selected paraben compounds from water samples was investigated using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The CPE process with the presence of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) functionalized ionic liquid as a modifier (CPE-DC193C-βCD-IL) is a new extraction technique that has been applied on the optimization of parameters, i.e., pH, βCD-IL concentration and phase volume ratio. This CPE-DC193C-βCD-IL method is facilitated at 30 °C, showing great losses of water content in the surfactant-rich phase, resulting in a high pre-concentration factor and high distribution coefficient. The developed method CPE-DC193C-βCD-IL did show enhanced properties compared to the CPE method without the modifier (CPE-DC193C). The developed method of CPE-DC193C-βCD-IL gives an excellent performance on the detection of parabens from water samples with the limit of detection falling in the range of 0.013–0.038 µg mL−1. Finally, the inclusion complex formation, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interaction between the βCD-IL, benzyl paraben (ArP), and DC 193C were proven using 1H NMR and 2D NOESY spectroscopy.
Temporal Variation of Mycotoxin Producing Fungi in Norwegian Cereals
Authors: Sundheim Leif , Brodal Guro , Hofgaard Inger , Rafoss Trond
Published: December 2013

Spring barley is grown on about half of the Norwegian cereal area. The rest of the area is equally divided between wheat and oats. Most years the domestic production provides 70%–80% of the domestic market for bread wheat. Barley and oats are mainly grown for animal feed. During the years 2008–2012, severe epidemics of Fusarium head blight have led to increased mycotoxin contamination of cereals. During that period, precipitation was above normal during anthesis and grain maturation. The most important mycotoxin producers have been F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. langsethiae. Increased deoxynivalenol contamination of Norwegian cereals during recent years is due to severe F. graminearum epidemics.
Events as Power Source: Wireless Sustainable Corrosion Monitoring
Authors: Sun Guodong , Qiao Guofu , Zhao Lin , Chen Zhibo
Published: December 2013

This study presents and implements a corrosion-monitoring wireless sensor platform, EPS (Events as Power Source), which monitors the corrosion events in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, while being powered by the micro-energy released from the corrosion process. In EPS, the proposed corrosion-sensing device serves both as the signal source for identifying corrosion and as the power source for driving the sensor mote, because the corrosion process (event) releases electric energy; this is a novel idea proposed by this study. For accumulating the micro-corrosion energy, we integrate EPS with a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) energy-harvesting chip that recharges a supercapacitor. In particular, this study designs automatic energy management and adaptive transmitted power control polices to efficiently use the constrained accumulated energy. Finally, a set of preliminary experiments based on concrete pore solution are conducted to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of EPS.
Transcriptome Analyses in Legumes: A Resource for Functional Genomics
Authors: Garg Rohini , Jain* Mukesh
Published: December 2013

Legumes represent an important family of flowering plants in terms of providing human nutrition and capacity to fix atmospheric N for agricultural sustainability. The recent availability of genome sequence of several legume plants has helped boosting genomics research. Study of the transcriptome at a global level can provide insights into the gene space, gene function, transcriptional programs, and molecular basis of various cellular processes in legumes, even in the absence of genome sequence. Transcriptome analysis has been realized as an essential step for basic and applied research in any organism. Considering the importance of transcriptome analyses, a few studies have been performed in legumes, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], Medicago truncatula Gaertn., Lotus corniculatus L. var. japonicus Regel [syn. Lotus japonicus (Regel) K. Larsen], and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), to uncover the overall and specific transcriptional activity of genes across various tissues and/or organs and developmental stages. Several candidate genes putatively involved in important agronomic traits, such as nodule, flower, and seed development, have been identified. The availability of these transcriptome data and future investigations will enable a variety of functional genomic studies to characterize these genes and define their function in legumes.
Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis of Seed Quality Characteristics in Lentil using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers
Authors: Fedoruk Michael J. , Vandenberg Albert , Bett Kirstin E.
Published: December 2013

Seed shape, color, and pattern of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. subsp. culinaris) are important quality traits as they determine market class and possible end uses. A recombinant inbred line population was phenotyped for seed dimensions over multiple site–years and classified according to cotyledon and seed coat color and pattern. The objectives were to determine the heritability of seed dimensions, identify genomic regions controlling these dimensions, and map seed coat and cotyledon color genes. A genetic linkage map consisting of 563 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 10 simple sequence repeats, and four seed color loci was developed for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Loci for seed coat color and pattern mapped to linkage groups 2 (Ggc), 3 (Tgc), and 6 (Scp) while the cotyledon color locus (Yc) mapped to linkage group 1. The broad sense heritability estimates were high for seed diameter (broad‐sense heritability [H2] = 0.92) and seed plumpness (H2 = 0.94) while seed thickness (H2 = 0.60) and days to flowering (H2 = 0.45) were more moderate. There were significant seed dimension QTL on six of the seven linkage groups. The most significant QTL for diameter and plumpness was found at the cotyledon color locus (Yc). The markers identified in this study can be used to help enrich breeding populations for desired seed quality characteristics, thereby increasing efficiency in the lentil breeding program.
Abiotic and Biotic Stress Responses in Solanum tuberosum Group Phureja DM1‐3 516 R44 as Measured through Whole Transcriptome Sequencing
Authors: Massa Alicia N. , Childs Kevin L. , Buell C. Robin
Published: December 2013

This study conducted an in‐depth analysis of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) transcriptome in response to abiotic (salinity, drought, and heat) and biotic (Phytophthora infestans, DL‐β‐amino‐n‐butyric acid, and acibenzolar‐s‐methyl) stresses and plant hormone treatment (abscisic acid, 6‐benzylaminopurine, gibberellic acid, and indole‐3‐acetic acid) using ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA‐seq) of the doubled monoploid S. tuberosum Group Phureja DM1‐3 516 R44 clone. Extensive changes in gene expression were observed with 37% of the expressed genes being differentially expressed in at least one comparison of stress to control tissue. Stress‐inducible genes known to function in stress tolerance or to be involved in the regulation of gene expression were among the highest differentially expressed. Members of the MYB, APETALA2 (AP2)/ethylene‐responsive element binding factor (ERF), and NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2 (NAC) transcription factor families were the most represented regulatory genes. A weighted gene co‐expression network analysis yielded 37 co‐expression modules containing 9198 genes. Fifty percent of the genes within these co‐expression modules were specific to a stress condition indicating condition‐specific responses. Cross‐species comparison between potato and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. uncovered differentially expressed orthologs and defined evolutionary conserved genes. Collectively, the transcriptional profiling of RNA‐seq data presented here provide a valuable reference for potato stress responses to environmental factors that is supported by statistically significant differences in expression changes, highly interconnected genes in co‐expression networks, and evidence of evolutionary conservation.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism–based Genetic Diversity in the Reference Set of Peanut (Arachis spp.) by Developing and Applying Cost‐Effective Kompetitive Allele Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction Genotyping Assays
Authors: Khera Pawan , Upadhyaya Hari D. , Pandey Manish K. , Roorkiwal Manish , Sriswathi Manda , Janila Pasupuleti , Guo Yufang , McKain Michael R. , Nagy Ervin D. , Knapp Steven J. , Leebens‐Mack James , Conner Joann A. , Ozias‐Akins Peggy , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: December 2013

Kompetitive allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) assays have emerged as cost‐effective marker assays especially for molecular breeding applications. Therefore, a set of 96 informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was used to develop KASP assays in groundnut or peanut (Arachis spp.). Developed assays were designated as groundnut KASP assay markers (GKAMs) and screened on 94 genotypes (validation set) that included parental lines of 27 mapping populations, seven synthetic autotetraploid and amphidiploid lines, and 19 wild species accessions. As a result, 90 GKAMs could be validated and 73 GKAMs showed polymorphism in the validation set. Validated GKAMs were screened on 280 diverse genotypes of the reference set for estimating diversity features and elucidating genetic relationships. Cluster analysis of marker allelic data grouped accessions according to their genome type, subspecies, and botanical variety. The subspecies Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. fastigiata Waldron and A. hypogaea subsp. hypogaea formed distinct cluster; however, some overlaps were found indicating their frequent intercrossing during the course of evolution. The wild species, having diploid genomes, were grouped into a single cluster. The average polymorphism information content value for polymorphic GKAMs was 0.32 in the validation set and 0.31 in the reference set. These validated and highly informative GKAMs may be useful for genetics and breeding applications in Arachis species.