bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foraminiferal diversification during the late Paleozoic ice age
Authors: Groves John R. , Yue Wang
Published: July 2009

A record of late Paleozoic foraminiferal diversity, origination and extinction frequencies, and provincialism at million-year temporal resolution and species-level taxonomic resolution has been achieved by analyzing composite standard databases. Foraminiferal species diversity increased throughout Mississippian and Pennsylvanian time leading up to its peak at the Pennsylvanian/Permian boundary. Foraminifers then experienced a steep decline in diversity during the Early Permian. Frequencies of origination and extinction broadly tracked changes in global diversity. From Late Mississippian time onward, patterns in total foraminiferal diversity were dominated by fusulinoideans. There is no clear relationship between rates of foraminiferal evolution and the alternating glacial and nonglacial intervals that characterized the late Paleozoic ice age. Rather, high rates of origination and extinction might reflect instability of neritic environments as a consequence of high-frequency, high-amplitude base-level fluctuations (cyclothemic deposition). Further, the advent of algal symbiosis in fusulinoideans was a physiologic innovation that promoted diversification as these symbiont-bearing taxa experimented with morphologic adaptations for partitioning the low-nutrient environments to which they were specialized. Growth to large size and delayed maturation in fusulinoideans might have been enabled by the late Paleozoic hyperoxic atmosphere and the widespread development of oligotrophic, carbonate platform and shelf environments. The late Paleozoic history of foraminiferal diversification was influenced also by closure of the Rheic Ocean beginning in Late Mississippian time. Foraminiferal associations on opposite sides of Pangea exhibited relatively high similarity prior to the closure, but then similarity decreased steadily after destruction of the subequatorial marine corridor. Arctic-Eurasian and North American associations were nearly isolated from one another throughout the main burst of fusulinoidean diversification, so that parallel lineages developed independently in the two regions, resulting in many instances of convergence.
Stability of regional brachiopod diversity structure across the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary
Authors: Heim Noel A.
Published: July 2009

The middle Carboniferous was an interval of global change when the climate was transitioning from greenhouse to icehouse conditions. Field collections of paleotropical brachiopod assemblages across the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary reveal a taxonomic turnover event in which the overall diversity structure is conserved, despite an apparent regional extinction of 63% of latest Mississippian genera and an apparent regional origination of 50% of earliest Pennsylvanian. An analysis of the global ranges of the brachiopods encountered in the field reveals that turnover was driven primarily by extirpation and immigration rather than true extinctions and originations. Taxonomic richness and evenness are indistinguishable between the latest Mississippian and earliest Pennsylvanian stages. Additive diversity partitioning shows that the within-collection, between-collections (i.e., within-bed), and between-bed diversity components do not change across the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary for richness or evenness. Rank-abundance plots of genera show the same distribution for both stages, but with no correlation between the Mississippian abundances of range-through genera and their abundance in the Pennsylvanian. Detrended correspondence analysis shows a major change in taxonomic composition across that Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary and consistency in the general gradient along which genera were distributed. An estimation of spatio-temporal heterogeneity of taxonomic composition within each stage reveals that the earliest Pennsylvanian was significantly more homogeneous. These results suggest that middle Carboniferous brachiopod assemblages from tropical shallow-water carbonate platform settings were organized by some factor that was independent of the specific taxa present. Furthermore, the increased homogeneity in taxonomic composition in the Morrowan did not affect the overall diversity structure. Strong competitive interactions among taxa do not appear to be important in determining the taxonomic compositions and abundances of brachiopod stage-level assemblages.
Directional evolution in the conodontPterospathodus
Authors: Jones David
Published: July 2009

The excellent fossil record of conodonts represents an ideal, yet underutilized, resource for resolving fundamental issues of pattern and process in evolutionary theory. However, this potential has not been exploited because the quantitative understanding of the evolution of conodont element morphology is limited. This work applies standardized morphometric protocols to skeletal elements belonging to the conodontPterospathodus, derived from a densely sampled section from Estonia. It has established a robust quantitative framework for morphological variation inPterospathodus, permitting statistical analysis of the current qualitative hypotheses of evolutionary pattern within this genus for the first time. Apparent directional trends were statistically compared with patterns expected for directional evolution, an unbiased random walk and stasis, using maximum-likelihood model fitting, rescaled range analysis, and the runs test. Results confirmed the presence of trends in size and shape change through time, providing an example of convincing directional morphological change in a fossil lineage. The morphometric analyses have also allowed quantitative investigation of ontogenetic processes inPterospathodus, suggesting that allometric repatterning was the proximal mechanism responsible for mediating the observed shifts in morphology through time. The results have demonstrated that conodonts represent an important resource for understanding evolutionary pattern and process in the fossil record.
Optimal estimators of the position of a mass extinction when recovery potential is uniform
Authors: Wang Steve C. , Chudzicki David J. , Everson Philip J.
Published: July 2009

Numerous methods have been developed to estimate the position of a mass extinction boundary while accounting for the incompleteness of the fossil record. Here we describe the point estimator and confidence interval for the extinction that are optimal under the assumption of uniform preservation and recovery potential, and independence among taxa. First, one should pool the data from all taxa into one combined “supersample.” Next, one can then apply methods proposed by Strauss and Sadler (1989) for a single taxon. This gives the optimal point estimator in the sense that it has the smallest variance among all possible unbiased estimators. The corresponding confidence interval is optimal in the sense that it has the shortest average width among all possible intervals that are invariant to measurement scale. These optimality properties hold even among methods that have not yet been discovered. Using simulations, we show that the optimal estimators substantially improve upon the performance of other existing methods. Because the assumptions of uniform recovery and independence among taxa are strong ones, it is important to assess to what extent they are satisfied by the data. We demonstrate the use of probability plots for this purpose. Finally, we use simulations to explore the sensitivity of the optimal point estimator and confidence interval to nonuniformity and lack of independence, and we compare their performance under these conditions with existing methods. We find that nonuniformity strongly biases the point estimators for all methods studied, inflates their standard errors, and degrades the coverage probabilities of confidence intervals. Lack of independence has less effect on the accuracy of point estimates as long as recovery potential is uniform, but it, too, inflates the standard errors and degrades confidence interval coverage probabilities.
Reconstructing a lost world: Ediacaran rangeomorphs from Spaniard's Bay, Newfoundland
Authors: Narbonne Guy M. , Laflamme Marc , Greentree Carolyn , Trusler Peter
Published: July 2009

Ediacaran fronds at Spaniard's Bay on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland exhibit exquisite, three-dimensional preservation with morphological features less than 0.05 mm in width visible on the best preserved specimens. Most of the nearly 100 specimens are juvenile rangeomorphs, an extinct Ediacaran clade that numerically dominated the early evolution of complex multicellular life. Spaniard's Bay rangeomorphs are characterized by cm-scale architectural elements exhibiting self-similar branching over several fractal scales that were used as modules in construction of larger structures. Four taxa of rangeomorph fronds are present – Avalofractus abaculus n. gen. et sp., Beothukis mistakensis Brasier and Antcliffe, Trepassia wardae (Narbonne and Gehling), and Charnia cf. C. masoni Ford. All of these taxa exhibit an alternate array of primary rangeomorph branches that pass off a central stalk or furrow that marks the midline of the petalodium. Avalofractus is remarkably self similar over at least four fractal scales, with each scale represented by double-sided rangeomorph elements that were constrained only at their attachment point with the higher-order branch and thus were free to rotate and pivot relative to other branches. Beothukis is similar in organization, but its primary branches show only one side of a typical rangeomorph element, probably due to longitudinal branch folding, and the position of the individual branches was moderately constrained. Trepassia shows only single-sided branches with both primary and secondary branches emanating from a central stalk or furrow; primary branches were capable of minor pivoting as reflected in bundles of secondary branches. Charnia shows only single-sided primary branches that branch from a zigzag central furrow and that were firmly constrained relative to each. This sequence provides a developmental linkage between Rangea-type and Charnia-type rangeomorphs. Avalonian assemblages show a wide array of rangeomorph constructions, but later Ediacaran assemblages contain a lower diversity of rangeomorphs represented mainly by well-constrained forms.
Implications for the study of fossil Asteroidea (Echinodermata) of new genera and species from the Eocene of Florida
Authors: Blake Daniel B. , Portell Roger W.
Published: July 2009

Oyenaster oblidus, Ocalaster timucum, andOcalaster seloyiare new genera and species of the family Goniasteridae (Asteroidea) described from the Eocene Ocala Limestone of Florida. Although the fossil record of asteroids is sketchy, goniasterids appear to have been important contributors to marine communities since at least the Middle Jurassic. Similarities between living goniasterids and their fossil precursors indicate that plesiomorphy and convergence have been important in family history, and as a result, taxonomic interpretation is challenging. Even partial fossil goniasterids are rare, forcing systematists to rely heavily on isolated marginal ossicles, although some authors have expressed the need for caution. Building around three new taxa, we suggest that broader approaches can aid systematic interpretation of all crown-group asteroids. We also suggest that the inevitably idiosyncratic interpretations of marginal-based systematics can be partially tested using blind evaluations.
Ontogeny and geographic variation of a new species of the corynexochine trilobiteZacanthopsis(Dyeran, Cambrian)
Authors: Hopkins Melanie J. , Webster Mark
Published: July 2009

Assessment of ontogenetic and geographic variation can have substantial influence on species delimitation and thereby on perceived patterns of species-level morphological variation and diversity in space and time. Here we describe the ontogeny and intraspecific variation of the early Cambrian trilobite,Zacanthopsis palmerin. sp., based on silicified material from east-central Nevada, USA.Zacanthopsis palmeriis the oldest documented Cambrian corynexochine to shift from possessing a fused rostal-hypostomal plate to a functional hypostomal suture in mature specimens during ontogeny. Six geographically distinct samples of matureZ. palmerifrom a single silicified limestone bed traceable over tens of kilometers in east-central Nevada permit exploration of geographic variation within this species using geometric morphometric methods. No one sample encompasses all of the shape variation expressed byZ. palmeriand several geographically segregated samples show some degree of morphological separation in pairwise comparison. Nonetheless, these samples are not qualitatively or quantitatively different from one another when all samples are taken into account. The degree of variation withinZ. palmeriis similar in magnitude to the differences between other species in the genus known from much less material.
The first Mid-Blancan occurrence ofAgriotherium(Ursidae) In North America: A record from Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Idaho
Authors: Samuels Joshua X. , Meachen-Samuels Julie A. , Gensler Philip A.
Published: July 2009

Members of the subfamily Ursinae dispersed into North America from Africa and Asia during the Miocene, with the appearance ofUrsavus(Schlosser, 1899),Indarctos(Pilgrim, 1913), andAgriotherium(Wagner, 1837) (Dalquest, 1986; Miller and Carranza-Castañeda, 1996; Hunt, 1998). However, none of these genera were thought to have survived past the Hemphillian Land Mammal Age in North America. It is thought that these genera were replaced, and possibly out-competed, by members of the extant genusUrsus(Linnaeus, 1758), orPlionarctos(Frick, 1926), as suggested by several sources (Bjork, 1970; Dalquest, 1986; Bell et al., 2004). It has also been suggested that the Ursavini (AgriotheriumandIndarctos) may have given rise to the extant ursids and the Tremarctinae (Harrison, 1983; Miller and Carranza-Castañeda, 1996). Of the Ursavini,Agriotheriumis consistently found in the Hemphillian Land Mammal Age, and so is used as an index fossil in that its absence is assumed to indicate that a site is Blancan rather than Hemphillian (Lundelius et al., 1987; Bell et al., 2004; Hunt, 2004).
Brachiopoda from the Soom Shale Lagerstätte (Upper Ordovician, South Africa)
Authors: Bassett Michael G. , Popov Leonid E. , Aldridge Richard J. , Gabbott Sarah E. , Theron Johannes N.
Published: July 2009

Within the Soom Shale Lagerstätte of South Africa (Upper Ordovician, Hirnantian), two brachiopod taxa preserve traces of organic tissue. InTrematis, presumed bands of periostracum are preserved on the flanks of the pedicle notch, and clay mineral casts of the pedicle are preserved in many specimens ofKosoidea.Both these genera are organophosphatic-shelled Linguliformea, together with a third genus identified asPlectoglossa. A fourth brachiopod taxon in the fauna belongs within the calcitic-shelled Rhynchonelliformea (Plectothyrella).Kosoidea cedarbergensisis a new species of discinoidean.
New malacostracan Crustacea from the Carboniferous (Stephanian) Lagerstätte of Montceau-les-Mines, France
Authors: Racheboeuf Patrick R. , Schram Frederick R. , Vidal Muriel
Published: July 2009

Investigations of recently cracked concretions from the Carboniferous Montceau-les-Mines, France, Lagerstätte led to the recognition of two new malacostracan Crustacea: a palaeophreatoicid isopod, Sottyella montcellensis n. g., n. sp., and a gorgonophontid stomatopod, Chabardella spinosa n. g., n. sp. The occurrence of the palaeophreatoicid isopod Palaeocrangon is discussed, and a new specimen of the syncarid Palaeocaris secretanae allows us to clarify some of its morphological characters. The recognition of these taxa increases the faunal inventory of malacostracans in the Montceau-les-Mines Lagerstätte.
Katian (Ordovician) radiolarians from the Malongulli Formation, New South Wales, Australia, a reexamination
Authors: Noble Paula J. , Webby Barry D.
Published: July 2009

Upper Ordovician radiolarians are described from limestone within the Malongulli Formation in the Cliefden Caves area using revised systematics. Eight genera and 12 species are described, including the following four new species:Protoceratoikiscum crossingi, Haplotaeniatum ovatum, Haplotaeniatum prolatum, andBorisella dunhilli, and two new combinations,Borisella subulataandHaplotaeniatum spongium.All samples are dominated byKalimnasphaera maculosa, B. subulata, andPalaeoephippium octaramosumwith lesser abundances ofHaplotaeniaumspp. andInanigutta complanata, and rare occurrences ofProtoceratoikicsumspp. The rare speciesEtymalbaillella yennieniiis reported for the first time outside of China. The Malongulli Formation is upper Eastonian through lower Bolindian (Katian global stage) based on graptolite and conodont biostratigraphy. From a stratigraphic standpoint, the limestone intervals sampled appear to represent two or possibly three stratigraphically separate intervals within the Malongulli Formation. Conodonts recovered from Coppermine Creek, Angullong/Belubula, and Gleesons Creek localities occur in the lower and middle parts of the formation and fall within one conodont zone, theO. velicuspisZone. The stratigraphic position of the limestone at the Sugarloaf Creek locality is higher, possibly as high as lower Bolindian, based on proximity to the top of the formation where Bolindian graptolites have been recovered. Despite the different stratigraphic positions of the limestones, the radiolarians contained within are essentially the same fauna, barring some differences in relative abundance inHaplotaeniatumandPalaeoephippium.The Malongulli fauna is discussed with respect to other Upper Ordovician faunas, most notably those from siliceous facies in the eastern Lachlan Orogen and from the Hanson Creek Formation of Nevada, U.S. The radiolarian species occur across different depositional environments and from a range of geographically widespread localities, which bodes well for them being recognized as biostratigraphically important faunal markers with correlation potential within the Katian.
Turbulent length–time scales distributions in hydraulic jumps
Authors: Kucukali S. , Chanson H.
Published: July 2009

Air–water flow measurements were performed in hydraulic jump flows for a range of inflow Froude numbers. The experiments were conducted in a large-sized facility using phase-detection intrusive probes. The void fraction measurements showed the presence of an advective diffusion shear layer where the air concentration vertical distributions were successfully compared with an analytical solution of the advective diffusion equation for air bubbles. In the air–water shear layer, a new empirical relationship between the maximum air concentration decay as a function of both the distance from the jump toe and the inflow Froude number was derived. Air–water turbulent time and length scales were deduced from auto- and cross-correlation analyses based on the method of Chanson (2007). The result provided some characteristic transverse time and length scales of the eddy structures advecting the air bubbles in the developing shear layer. The turbulence time scale data showed an increase with the relative elevation above the bed, as well as some decrease with increasing distance from the toe. The dimensionless integral turbulent length scale Lxz/d1was closely related to the inflow depth.
Weighing Lysimeters for Evapotranspiration Research on Clay Soil
Authors: Clawson Ernest L. , Hribal Sean A. , Piccinni Giovanni , Hutchinson Robert L. , Rohli Robert V. , Thomas Daniel L.
Published: July 2009

Local crop evapotranspiration (ET) measurements are needed for northeastern Louisiana. Objectives were to install, calibrate, and assess soil water characteristics of paired weighing lysimeters at Saint Joseph, LA. Installed in 2005, the lysimeters have inner tanks 1.5 m long, 1.5 m deep, and 1.0 m wide that rest on load cells within outer tanks. The inner tanks contain refilled Sharkey clay (very‐fine, smectitic, thermic Chromic Epiaquerts) and allow removal of freely draining water. Available irrigated fetch is ≥50 m in all directions with two discontinuities. Calibration yielded, with little hysteresis, a linear relationship (R2 > 0.99) between applied mass and summed load cell output for each lysimeter. Measurement errors for mass changes during calibration were consistently equivalent to <0.2 mm water. In 2007, at a 1.2‐m depth, lysimeter and surrounding field soil water potentials were similar. The lysimeters appear suitable in mechanical operation and drainage to measure daily well‐watered crop ET.
Soil Properties and Crop Yields in Response to Mixed Paper Mill Sludges, Dairy Cattle Manure, and Inorganic Fertilizer Application
Authors: N'Dayegamiye Adrien
Published: July 2009

The contribution of organic wastes to crop yields and soil fertility may be influenced by their composition and the soil type. This 6‐yr study (2001–2006) evaluated the effects of repeated additions of mineral fertilizers (MF), mixed paper mill sludges (PMS) (18, 36, and 54 Mg ha−1), dairy cattle manure (DCM) (36 Mg ha−1) alone or with reduced mineral fertilizer (60% NPK) (RMF) and a control, on soil properties and corn (Zea maysL.), barley (Hordeum vulgarisL.), and soybean (Glycine maxL. Merr.) yields in a clay loam and sandy loam. The applications of PMS and DCM increased mostly N mineralization and crop yields in the sandy loam than in the clay loam. However, increases of soil C contents, water‐stable aggregates and MWD following their application were higher in the clay loam than in the sandy loam. The DCM effects on the soil property changes were of less magnitude than those of PMS. Except in the first year, the PMS applications at rates of 36 and 54 Mg ha−1without NPK, and PMS applied at a rate of 18 Mg ha−1with 60% NPK, produced highest crop yields in both soils and were comparable to those obtained with MF. The increase in yield following DCM additions (36 Mg ha−1) was lower than that obtained with PMS. Annual MF applications increased crop yields in both soil without significant changes on soil properties. The benefits of PMS and DCM on soil properties and crop yields varied depending on organic wastes and soil type.
Recovery of Residual Fertilizer‐Nitrogen by Wheat in a Winter Wheat–Summer Maize Rotation in the North China Plain: A Soil Column Study
Authors: Wu Yong‐Cheng , Zhou Shun‐Li , Wang Zhi‐Min , Feng Han‐Yu , Lu Lai‐Qing , Wang Run‐Zheng
Published: July 2009

Cropping systems is potentially useful practice for mitigating nitrate leaching and increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) because deeper rooted crops could capture the leached N from previous shallower rooted crops. The recovery of fertilizer nitrogen (FN) applied to maize (Zea mays L.) by the succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a winter wheat–summer maize rotation in North China Plain (NCP) was studied in 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 by creating 15N‐labeled soil columns. We found that the in‐season maize plant use efficiency of FN was about 46 to 48% and the total residual fertilizer nitrogen (RFN) in a 2‐m soil profile at maize harvest was 34% in 2003–2004 and 41% in 2005–2006, the ratios of FN unaccounted for were about 19 and 12%, respectively. The RFN declined significantly down the soil profile. About 13 and 10% of total RFN, or 4.4 and 4.0% of total applied FN were observed below the 1.2 m soil depth. Wheat was able to recover the RFN up to the 2.0‐m soil depth, the recovery ratio from upper soil layers was higher than that from lower layers and ranged from 4.4 to 23% in 2003–2004 and 4.6 to 34% in 2005–2006. Corresponding total recovery ratios were 13.7 and 21.4% of total RFN, or 4.9 and 8.7% of total applied FN, respectively. The annual recovery ratios were 51.6% in 2003–2004 and 56.2% in 2005–2006. The deep‐rooting characteristics of winter wheat for deep N uptake should be taken as an important index in N fertilizer management in the rotation system.
Three Experimental Systems to Evaluate Phosphorus Supply from Enhanced Granulated Manure Ash
Authors: Crozier C. R. , Havlin J. L. , Hoyt G. D. , Rideout J. W. , McDaniel R.
Published: July 2009

Three experimental systems were used to evaluate a new P fertilizer since residual P levels at typical farm sites may make response detection unlikely. The systems were (i) greenhouse with low P soil, (ii) long‐term research sites with preexisting soil P gradients, and (iii) agricultural fields with prior P fertilization based on agronomic recommendations. The new fertilizer (animal waste by‐product, AWP: 5% N, 28% P2O5, 4% K2O, and 1% S) is an enhanced granulated manure ash. Corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth, P uptake, and residual soil Mehlich‐3 P were measured with agronomic rates of AWP or triple superphosphate (TSP). Greenhouse corn and wheat P uptake, and soil Mehlich‐3 P increased similarly with either fertilizer at rates equivalent to 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg P ha−1. In long‐term research sites, grain yield increased with P fertilization in 8 of 12 tests, and was greater with TSP than with AWP in 3 of 12 tests. Plant P uptake increased in all 12 tests, and was greater with TSP in 1 of 12 tests. In previously fertilized agricultural fields, soil Mehlich‐3 P, but not yield, increased due to P fertilization. Fertilizer source differences were infrequent and relatively minor, but possibly due to lower water soluble P content of the AWP (70% versus 78% for TSP). Evaluation of such products requires an appropriate experimental system with low P soils that may be difficult to find on typical North Carolina farms.
The Longer‐Term Phytoavailability of Biosolids‐Phosphorus
Authors: Miller Matt , O'Connor George A.
Published: July 2009

Phosphorus based nutrient management could limit biosolids application to rates based on crop fertilizer P recommendations (P‐based rates). Determinations of biosolids P phytoavailability relative to inorganic P fertilizers are necessary when P‐based rates are mandated. Previous shorter‐term (≤4 mo) studies successfully distinguished P phytoavailability differences among biosolids, but the longer‐term (>4 mo) phytoavailability of biosolids‐P is incompletely characterized. Furthermore, no a priori tool exists to distinguish biosolids relative P phytoavailability differences. A 16‐mo greenhouse study was conducted to characterize the longer‐term phytoavailability of biosolids‐P and to identify a useful measure of biosolids‐P phytoavailability. Seven biosolids and triple super phosphate (TSP) were used as P sources and applied to an Immokalee soil (sandy siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Alaquod) at three P application rates: 56 (P‐based rate), 112, and 224 kg ha−1 (N‐based rate). Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) was grown continuously in soil columns and harvested every 4 to 8 wk to characterize P uptake. The longer‐term relative P phytoavailability of less soluble‐P biosolids was ∼50 to 80% that of TSP, but more soluble‐P biosolids were as phytoavailable as TSP. Estimates of biosolids relative P phytoavailability were well correlated with biosolids phosphorus saturation index (PSI; the molar ratio of oxalate‐extractable P to oxalate‐extractable iron and aluminum) values, suggesting that biosolids PSI values could be used to distinguish P phytoavailability differences among biosolids. Biosolids application rates should increase to account for the reduced relative P phytoavailability of less soluble‐P biosolids, but no application rate adjustment is warranted more soluble‐P biosolids.
Economic Value of Biosolids in a Semiarid Agroecosystem
Authors: Lagae Hubert J. , Langemeier Michael , Lybecker Donald , Barbarick Kenneth
Published: July 2009

Over half of the municipal biosolids generated in the United States are being applied to agricultural land. More information is needed on crop response to biosolids application and on the optimal level of the application from an economic prospective. With this in mind, data from two sites used in a long‐term biosolids application study of an Eastern Colorado wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fallow rotation was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The site on which biosolids had been applied since 1982 showed little significant (p < 0.10) response to biosolids added for the years studied. These plots also averaged one third higher in total N in the top 20 cm of soil. The other site, started in 1993, showed a very significant response to biosolids. For this site, the estimated maximum wheat yield was obtained at a biosolids application rate of 9.0 Mg ha−1. The economically optimal level of biosolids to apply depended on both the price of wheat and the cost of the biosolids. With wheat price of $0.20 kg−1 (USD) and a cost for biosolids (including application cost) of $4.00 Mg−1 the optimal level of biosolids applied was 7.3 Mg ha−1. Given an N fertilizer price of $1.10 per kg, a producer could afford to pay $7.47 Mg−1. Using biosolids as a soil amendment can have positive economic benefits; however, it needs to be monitored to avoid excessive nitrate accumulation or excessive levels of other nutrients or heavy metals.
Pod Removal, Shade, and Defoliation Effects on Soybean Yield, Protein, and Oil
Authors: Proulx Rob A. , Naeve Seth L.
Published: July 2009

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield formation in field environments can be either source‐limited or sink‐limited, depending on the assimilatory capacity of the mother plant relative to the assimilate demands of the developing seeds. Our objective was to evaluate yield and seed quality relationships under source‐limited and sink‐limited conditions during the seed‐filling period, as protein and oil comprise on average more than 600 g kg−1 of the soybean seed. Field experiments were conducted in five central Minnesota environments to examine the effects of multiple pod removal, shade, and defoliation treatments on soybean yield, seed size, seed protein concentration, and seed oil concentration. Pod removal, shade, and defoliation treatments each resulted in decreased yield and altered protein and oil concentrations relative to the control. Averaged across all levels for each treatment, pod removal increased seed size 19% over the control, while defoliation and shade resulted in respective seed size reductions of 7.7 and 15% when compared to the control. Despite differential treatment effects on individual seed growth, pod removal and shade treatments each resulted in increased seed protein concentration and decreased seed oil concentration. In contrast, defoliation resulted in seeds with lower protein concentration and higher oil concentration than pod removal and shade. Pod removal and shade effects on seed quality differed primarily in magnitude, as the average oil concentration across all shade treatments was 10 g kg−1 lower than the average oil concentration across all pod removal treatments. No individual treatment resulted in increased oil concentration relative to the control.
Sprinkler Irrigation Changes Maize Canopy Microclimate and Crop Water Status, Transpiration, and Temperature
Authors: Cavero J. , Medina E. T. , Puig M. , Martínez‐Cob A.
Published: July 2009

During a sprinkler irrigation event some water is lost due to wind drift and evaporation (WDEL). After the irrigation event, plant‐intercepted water is lost due to evaporation. The water lost causes microclimatic changes which could result in positive or negative plant physiological changes. We studied the microclimatic and physiological changes on two fields grown with maize (Zea mays L.) irrigated with a solid‐set sprinkler system. The temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of the air were measured at the crop canopy level and above and below the canopy. Changes in maize canopy temperature, transpiration, and leaf water potential (LWP) were determined. Sprinkler irrigation during daytime strongly modified the microclimate where plants grow during the irrigation time and for a short period after the irrigation event finished. Daytime irrigation decreased air temperature by 3.3 to 4.4°C and VPD by 1.0 to 1.2 kPa at 0.5 m below the crop canopy height. The decrease was lower as the measurement height increased. Microclimatic changes during nighttime irrigation were minimal. Daytime irrigation reduced maize canopy temperature by 4 to 6°C and plant transpiration by 58%, and increased LWP from −1.2 and −1.4 MPa to −0.54 MPa. Transpiration reduction must be considered positive because it supposes a reduction of WDEL. The decrease in maize canopy temperature could be positive or negative, but the increase in LWP is a positive effect.
Data Transformation in Statistical Analysis of Field Trials with Changing Treatment Variance
Authors: Piepho Hans‐Peter
Published: July 2009

Mixed model packages can be used to analyze designed experiments with variance structures that allow for heterogeneity of variance between treatments. Such analyses are useful, when the error structure is complex. Alternatively, when a simple data transformation is found that stabilizes the variance, a standard ANOVA can be performed. Such a simple analysis has several practical advantages, including efficient use of error degrees of freedom and the facility to produce letter displays with a constant critical difference when data are balanced. It is therefore generally worth thoroughly exploring different data transformations before embarking on a more complex mixed model analysis.
Oral Giant Cell Granuloma in a Patient with Glycogen Storage Disease
Authors: Amaral Fabrício Rezende do , Carvalho Vinicius Magalhães , Fraga Marina Guimarães , Amaral Tânia Mara Pimenta , Gomes Carolina Cavaliéri , Gomez Ricardo Santiago
Published: July 2009

The glycogen storage disease (GSD) is a group of inherited disorders that involve deficiencies in the enzymes that metabolize glycogen. The purpose of the present paper is to report a rare case of GSD type 1b that presented both peripheral and central giant cell granuloma, and to discuss the possible explanation for this unusual finding. The use of corticosteroids in the management of central giant cell granuloma is also demonstrated.
Regression From Pre-Diabetes to Normal Glucose Regulation in the Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: Perreault Leigh , Kahn Steven E. , Christophi Costas A. , Knowler William C. , Hamman Richard F. ,   the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE

Participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) randomized to intensive lifestyle modification (ILS) or metformin had a significantly reduced incidence of diabetes compared with those randomized to placebo, yet most were still at risk because they had pre-diabetes. We explored the effect of baseline characteristics, weight change, ILS, and metformin on regression from pre-diabetes to the lowest-risk state of normal glucose regulation (NGR) defined by American Diabetes Association criteria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The DPP was a prospective randomized trial. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify predictors of regression from pre-diabetes to NGR over 3 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Lower baseline fasting (hazard ratio 1.52, P < 0.01) and 2-h (1.24, P < 0.01) glucose predicted regression to NGR, as did younger age (1.07, P < 0.01) and greater insulin secretion (1.09, P = 0.04). ILS (2.05, P < 0.01) and weight loss (1.34, P < 0.01) had significant and independent effects on regression. A nonsignificant trend for regression was also observed for metformin (1.25, P = 0.06), male sex (1.17, P = 0.08), and insulin sensitivity (1.07, P = 0.09). In those entering the study with both impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), male sex and insulin sensitivity predicted regression to isolated IFG, whereas ILS, metformin, female sex, and greater insulin secretion predicted regression to isolated IGT.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin secretion, and other biologic processes retained with younger age, are key in restoring NGR in people with pre-diabetes. However, NGR may also be attained through weight loss and additional aspects of ILS.
Design Tools in Didactical Research: Instrumenting the Epistemological and Cognitive Aspects of the Design of Teaching Sequences
Authors: Ruthven Kenneth , Laborde Colette , Leach John , Tiberghien Andrée
Published: July 2009

European programs of design research have developed distinctive types of apparatus to structure and support the process of didactical design. This article illustrates how intermediate frameworks and design tools serve to mediate the contribution of grand theories to the design process, by coordinating and contextualizing theoretical insights on the epistemological and cognitive dimensions of a knowledge domain for the particular purposes of designing teaching sequences and studying their operation. The development and analysis of intermediate frameworks and design tools of these types provides a promising approach to establishing a public repertoire of theoretically informed apparatus for didactical design.
Predictable Failure of Federal Sanctions-Driven Accountability for School Improvement—And Why We May Retain It Anyway
Authors: Mintrop Heinrich , Sunderman Gail L.
Published: July 2009

The federal accountability system, made universal through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, is a system driven by quotas and sanctions, stipulating the progression of underperforming schools through sanctions based on meeting performance quotas for specific demographic groups. The authors examine whether the current federal accountability system is likely to succeed or fail, by asking, Does the sanctions-driven accountability system work? Is it practical? And is it legitimate among those who must implement it? The authors argue that even though sanctions-driven accountability may fail on practical outcomes, it may be retained for its secondary benefits and because there is a sense that credible policy alternatives are lacking. They conclude by proposing alternative policies and approaches to the current system.
Bacterial Stressors in Minimally Processed Food
Authors: Capozzi Vittorio , Fiocco Daniela , Amodio Maria Luisa , Gallone Anna , Spano Giuseppe
Published: July 2009

Stress responses are of particular importance to microorganisms, because their habitats are subjected to continual changes in temperature, osmotic pressure, and nutrients availability. Stressors (and stress factors), may be of chemical, physical, or biological nature. While stress to microorganisms is frequently caused by the surrounding environment, the growth of microbial cells on its own may also result in induction of some kinds of stress such as starvation and acidity. During production of fresh-cut produce, cumulative mild processing steps are employed, to control the growth of microorganisms. Pathogens on plant surfaces are already stressed and stress may be increased during the multiple mild processing steps, potentially leading to very hardy bacteria geared towards enhanced survival. Cross-protection can occur because the overlapping stress responses enable bacteria exposed to one stress to become resistant to another stress. A number of stresses have been shown to induce cross protection, including heat, cold, acid and osmotic stress. Among other factors, adaptation to heat stress appears to provide bacterial cells with more pronounced cross protection against several other stresses. Understanding how pathogens sense and respond to mild stresses is essential in order to design safe and effective minimal processing regimes.
Density Functional Study of Structures and Electron Affinities of BrO4F/BrO4F-
Authors: Gong Liangfa , Xiong Jieming , Wu Xinmin , Qi Chuansong , Li Wei , Guo Wenli
Published: July 2009

The structures, electron affinities and bond dissociation energies of BrO4F/BrO4F− species have been investigated with five density functional theory (DFT) methods with DZP++ basis sets. The planar F-Br…O2…O2 complexes possess 3A' electronic state for neutral molecule and 4A' state for the corresponding anion. Three types of the neutral-anion energy separations are the adiabatic electron affinity (EAad), the vertical electron affinity (EAvert), and the vertical detachment energy (VDE). The EAad value predicted by B3LYP method is 4.52 eV. The bond dissociation energies De (BrO4F → BrO4-mF + Om) (m = 1-4) and De- (BrO4F- → BrO4-mF- + Om and BrO4F- → BrO4-mF + Om-) are predicted. The adiabatic electron affinities (EAad) were predicted to be 4.52 eV for F-Br…O2…O2 (3A'← 4A') (B3LYP method).
Novel Biodegradable Polyesters. Synthesis and Application as Drug Carriers for the Preparation of Raloxifene HCl Loaded Nanoparticles
Authors: Bikiaris Dimitrios , Karavelidis Vassilios , Karavas Evangelos
Published: July 2009

Raloxifene HCl is a drug with poor bioavailability and poor water solubility. Furthermore nο pharmaceutically acceptable organic solvent has been reported before to dilute the drug. It was observed that Raloxifene HCl can be diluted in a solvent mixture of acetone/water or ethanol/water. The aim of this study was to use biodegradable polymers in order to prepare Raloxifene HCl nanoparticles. For this purpose a series of novel biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate-co-propylene adipate) P(ESu-co-PAd) polyesters were synthesized following the polycondensation method and further, poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) and poly(propylene adipate) (PPAd) were used. The prepared polyesters were characterized by intrinsic viscosity measurements, end group analysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1Η-NMR and 13C-NMR) and Wide-angle X-ray Diffractometry (WAXD). The drug nanoparticles have been prepared by a variation of the co-precipitation method and were studied by Wide-angle X-ray Diffractometry (WAXD), FTIR spectrometry, light scattering size distribution, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and release behavior measurements. The interactions between the polymers and the drug seem to be limited, so the drug occurs in crystalline form in all nanoparticles. The size of the nanoparticles seems to be in the range of 150-350 nm, depending on the polymer that was used. The drug release depends on the melting point and degree of crystallinity of the polyesters used. An initial high release rate was recorded followed by very slow rates of controlled release.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activities of New Metronidazole and Imidazole Derivatives
Authors: Atia Abdul Jabar Kh.
Published: July 2009

New imidazole ring derivatives comprising 1,3-oxazoline, Schiff's bases, thiadiazole, oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole moieties are reported. 3-Aminobiimidazol-4-one compounds 7a-c were synthesized by the reaction of compounds 6a-c with hydrazine hydrate. Biimidazole esters 9a-c were converted into biimidazole hydrazide esters 10a-c. Compounds 7a-c and 10a-c were converted into a variety of derivatives.
Synthesis of 3-N-Sugar-substituted-2, 4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedionesas Anti-Angiogenesis Agents
Authors: Huang Conghai , Meng Xiangbao , Cui Jingrong , Li Zhongjun
Published: July 2009

A series of novel 3-N-sugar-substituted quinazolinediones were synthesizedthrough the cyclization of the intermediate 2-aminobenzamides using triphosgene as the condensing reagent. Their anti-angiogenesis activities were investigated. The compound 3-(2'-aminoglucosyl)-2,4-(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione, (5d) showed good anti-angiogenesis activity.
Selenium in Camel – A Review
Authors: Faye Bernard , Seboussi Rabiha
Published: July 2009

Requirements for trace minerals in camels, particularly selenium, are not well-known. Selenium supplementation using a pharmaceutical form or commercial mineral mixture is common practice in camels to address the cardiomyopathy often attributed to selenium deficiency. This supplementation is often empirical and based on estimated needs for cattle. Nowadays the use of selenium in animal foodstuffs is commonplace and further investigation of its metabolism (ingestion, dynamic of storage-destocking, excretion) in camels is warranted. The present review aimed to synthesize all the experimental research (comparative selenium status in cow and camel, response to different levels of supplementation at different physiological stages, excretion maternal transfer, experimental toxicosis) and field observations (deficiency, supplementation practices) undertaken in camels. The results underline the particularity of the unique metabolic profile of the camel and lead to practical recommendations for supplementation in camels, highlighting its relative sensitivity to excess Se intake at lower levels than in cattle. The maximal tolerable dose is 8 mg and the recommended doses range from 2 to 4 mg.
Biophysical Micromixer
Authors: Wang Chin-Tsan , Hu Yuh-Chung , Hu Tzu-Yang
Published: July 2009

In this study a biophysical passive micromixer with channel anamorphosis in a space of 370 mm, which is shorter than traditional passive micromixers, could be created by mimicing features of vascular flow networks and executed with Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 90. Split and recombination (SAR) was the main mixing method for enhancing the convection effect and promoting the mixing performance in the biophysical channel. The 2D numerical results reveal that good mixing efficiency of the mixer was possible, with εmixing = 0.876 at Reynolds number ration Rer = 0.85. Generally speaking, increasing the Reynolds number will enhance the mixing. In addition, the sidewall effect will influence the mixing performance and an optimal mixing performance with εmixing = 0.803 will occur at an aspect ratio of AR = 2. These findings will be useful for enhancing mixing performance for passive micromixers.
Impact of Modified Richards Equation on Global Soil Moisture Simulation in the Community Land Model (CLM3.5)
Authors: Decker Mark , Zeng Xubin
Published: July 2009

A fundamental deficiency has been found in the numerical solution of the soil moisture‐based Richards equation using the mass‐conservative scheme in the Community Land Model (CLM) in the first part of our efforts (Zeng and Decker 2009). This study implements the revised form of the Richards equation from that study (which doesn't change the property of the differential equation but does remove the deficiency of the numerical solution) along with a new bottom boundary condition into the current version of CLM (CLM3.5) for global offline modeling evaluations. CLM3.5 represents a significant improvement over its earlier version (CLM3.0), but it also introduces a new deficiency in the vertical distribution of the soil moisture variability. Mean soil moisture in CLM3.5 is also too wet. It is found that the new treatments (primarily a numerically correct solution of Richards equation with a new bottom boundary condition) with minimal tuning are able to maintain the improvements of the CLM3.5 over CLM3.0 and, at the same time, remove the new deficiencies of CLM3.5 based on in situ and satellite data analysis. Because the deficiency in the numerical solution of the soil moisture‐based Richards equation is also expected in other land models, implementation details are provided to facilitate similar tests using other land models in the future.
The adjudication of miracles: Rethinking the criteria of historicity
Authors: Licona Michael R. , Van der Watt Jan G.
Published: July 2009

This is the second article in a series of two that discusses whether historians are within their professional rights to investigate miracle claims. In the first, I made a positive case that they are and then proceeded to examine two major arguments in support of a negative verdict to the issue: the principle of analogy and antecedent probability. I argued that neither should deter historians from issuing a positive verdict on miracle claims when certain criteria are met and the event is the best explanation of the relevant historical bedrock. In this second article, I examine three additional objections commonly appealed to by biblical scholars: the theological objection, lack of consensus and miracle claims in multiple religions. The resurrection of Jesus is occasionally cited as an example.