bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training and Organization Programs Increases Maize Yield and Nitrogen‐Use Efficiency in Smallholder Agriculture in China
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Cao Guoxin , Zhao Yi , Zhang Hongyan , Chen Xinping , Li Xiaolin , Cui Zhengling
Published: August 2016

The knowledge and technologies to achieve both high yield and high N‐use efficiency in northern China already existed; however, there has been little progress in their implementation. We hypothesized that their adoption could be improved by offering farmers training programs (TPs, two trainings a year) and organizational and training programs (OTPs, besides training, which also provide in‐ field guidance and the cooperative purchase of seeds and fertilizers by groups of smallholder farmers.). In this study we evaluated maize (Zea mays L.) yield, N application rates, N‐use efficiency (partial factor productivity), net economic gains (defined as the difference between economic return of maize and N fertilizer cost), and technology adoption rate by farmers in a county who were assigned to TP and OTP groups vs. those following conventional farming practices (FPs) during the years 2009 to 2013. For TP and OTP groups of 1668 farmers, maize yield increased significantly by 10 and 18%, respectively, compared with the FP group, as did N‐use efficiency (22 and 37%, respectively). This led to significant increase in economic gains of 11 and 20%, in the TP and OTP groups, respectively. The adoption rate of formulated fertilizers, maize hybrid cultivars, and optimized planting density differed significantly between the FP (31, 52, and 43%, respectively), TP (57, 56, and 65%, respectively), and OTP (83, 90, and 78%, respectively) groups. These results demonstrate that innovation and agronomic participatory approaches are essential to improvement of both yield and N‐use efficiency in smallholder agriculture in China.

Core Ideas

Maize yield and N‐use efficiency was significantly increased by offering farmer training program and organizational and training program.

Adoption rate of the technology package was improved by farmers who attended the training program and the organizational and training program.

These results demonstrated that innovation and participatory approaches in agronomic and management practices are essential to improve both grain yield and N‐use efficiency in the smallholder agriculture.
Evidence for the Ability of Active‐Optical Sensors to Detect Sulfur Deficiency in Corn
Authors: Franzen David W. , Sharma Lakesh K. , Bu Honggang , Denton Anne
Published: August 2016

Prediction of S deficiency is difficult due to poor soil test relationship to crop response. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence that the use of an N‐sufficient area established for use as a standard for active‐optical (AO) sensor directed in‐season N application could also serve to detect S deficiency in corn (Zea mays L.). Nitrogen rate experiments at Oakes and Arthur, ND, exhibited corn upper‐leaf yellowing in high N treatments while control treatments (0 N) were greenest. Two AO sensors were utilized to record red normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) and red edge NDVI values. The high‐N treatment had the lowest NDVI readings, and the control treatments had the highest NDVI readings. Within 24 h, an application of gypsum containing 22 kg S ha−1 was applied. Seven days following S application, the sites were revisited. The AO sensors were again used to record red NDVI and red edge NDVI. At both sites, the high N treatment had the highest NDVI readings and the control treatment had the lowest NDVI readings. These experiments indicate that high N treatment can increase the severity of S deficiency in corn. If a lower NDVI reading is recorded in a high N application area than in the surrounding area, S deficiency may be present.

Core Ideas

Sulfur deficiency in corn is difficult to anticipate using soil analysis.

When N availability is low, the affect of S deficiency in corn is minimized.

When N availability is high, the affect of S deficiency is intensified.

Active‐optical sensors can be used along with an N‐sufficient area to reveal S deficiency.
Divergent Selection for Rind Penetrometer Resistance and Its Effects on European Corn Borer Damage and Stalk Traits in Corn
Authors: Martin Sheri A. , Darrah Larry L. , Hibbard Bruce E.
Published: August 2016

Corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield is affected by a number of factors, including stalk lodging and pests such as the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner; ECB). European corn borers contribute to stalk lodging and also cause a direct grain yield reduction through physiological effects that decrease the plant's ability to produce and translocate photosynthates. Although much progress has been made in improving standability, stalk lodging remains a major problem, and breeding for stalk lodging resistance continues to be important, especially if it also plays a role in ECB resistance. Missouri Second Cycle Stiff Stalk Synthetic (MoSCSSS) was selected for stalk strength by using a rind penetrometer. Twelve cycles of bidirectional selection have been completed, which has resulted in increased and decreased stalk strength in the high and low directions of selection, respectively. Selected cycles were evaluated for grain yield, stalk lodging, rind penetrometer resistance, first‐ and second‐generation ECB damage, leaf penetrometer resistance at the whorl stage and anthesis, and stalk traits including crude fiber, cellulose, lignin, and silica. Evaluation showed a decrease in grain yield in both directions of selection. Selection for high rind penetrometer resistance was effective at providing resistance to second‐generation ECB damage as well as resistance to stalk lodging. Leaf penetrometer resistance was higher in the high direction of selection at whorl stage, but reversed by anthesis where the low direction of selection had higher leaf penetrometer resistance. Crude fiber, cellulose, and lignin increased in the high direction of selection, but silica decreased in the high direction of selection. Significant correlations between the stalk traits analyzed demonstrated that stalk composition was important in providing rind penetrometer resistance, stalk lodging resistance, and second‐generation ECB resistance.
Gene Flow in Wheat at the Field Scale
Authors: Matus‐Cádiz M. A. , Hucl P. , Horak M. J. , Blomquist L. K.
Published: August 2016

In wheat (Triticum L.), large‐scale field studies were conducted to assess the level of intra‐ and interspecific pollen‐mediated gene movement that may exist at varying distances from a pollinator source. The objectives of this research were to measure gene flow rates from a blue‐grained pollinator (T. aestivum cv. Purendo‐38) to (i) red‐grained spring wheat cv. CDC Teal (T. aestivum) over distances of 0.2 to 160 m, (ii) amber durum wheat cv. AC Navigator (T. turgidum L.) over distances of 0.2 to 260 m, and (iii) CDC Teal and AC Navigator over distances of 180 to 2760 m. In 2000 and 2001, 50‐ by 50‐m blue‐grained pollinator blocks were sown and surrounded by recipient fields of either CDC Teal or AC Navigator at Saskatoon, SK. At maturity, 0.5‐ by 4‐m strips were harvested at specified distances between 0.2 and 160 m or 260 m along eight transects (N, E, S, W, NE, SE, SW, NW) radiating out from Purendo‐38. In addition, random sampling was conducted in 2000 and 2001 from surrounding wheat fields to estimate gene flow rates over distances of 180 to 2760 m. Gene flow from Purendo‐38 to recipient plants was identified by the expression of a light‐blue pigment in the aleurone layer of F1 hybrid seed. Confirmed intra‐ and interspecific pollen‐mediated gene flow rates remained below 0.5% and declined rapidly with distance from the pollinator. Elevated gene flow rates to the N, W, and NW of the pollinator were associated with prevalent winds in 2000, but not in 2001. In 2000, long distance intraspecific gene flow was confirmed at a frequency of 0.005% at a position 300 m northwest of the pollinator. No evidence of interspecific gene flow was observed at ≥40 m from the pollinator. The results suggest that gene flow occurrence in spring wheat is relatively low but that a tolerance level of 0% transgenic wheat in nontransgenic wheat grain is unrealistic.
Pedigree Analysis of a Major QTL Conditioning Soybean Resistance to Southern Root‐Knot Nematode
Authors: Ha Bo‐Keun , Bennett J. Brandon , Hussey Richard S. , Finnerty Steven L. , Boerma H. Roger
Published: August 2016

The southern root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood] (Mi) is a serious pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the southern USA. Many soybean cultivars with Mi resistance and high productivity have been developed in the USA during the past few decades. DNA markers have been used to identify a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) near the top of Linkage Group O (LG‐O) conferring resistance to Mi. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of elite Mi‐resistant cultivars that inherited the major Mi resistance QTL on LG‐O and determine the ancestral source of the Mi‐resistance allele at this QTL. Forty‐eight soybean lines, including ancestral, Mi‐susceptible, and Mi‐resistant genotypes were analyzed at six simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci that flank the major Mi QTL on LG‐O. Codescent analysis of markers and phenotypes across six cycles of breeding showed that Mi‐resistant cultivars inherited a 200‐bp band at Satt358 and a 238‐bp band at Sat_132 from ‘Palmetto’. The tight linkage of both Satt358 and Sat_132 to the Mi QTL on LG‐O indicates that selection for the Mi‐resistant parent's allele at either of these markers should be highly effective in identifying Mi‐resistant plants or lines.
Rapid Iodine Staining Techniques for Identifying the Waxy Phenotype in Sorghum Grain and Waxy Genotype in Sorghum Pollen
Authors: Pedersen J. F. , Bean S. R. , Funnell D. L. , Graybosch R. A.
Published: August 2016

Visual classification of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grain for the waxy phenotype is subjective and can be confounded by genetic background, maturity, environment, and experience of the classifier. Rapid iodine staining methods for identifying the waxy phenotype in sorghum grain and waxy genotypes in sorghum pollen were developed. Mature single sorghum seeds were placed in 48‐well micro‐plates and crushed. Water was added and the mixture heated to 95°C for 1 h to gelatinize the starch. After cooling, iodine solution was added and color scored after 10 to 60 s allowing for very high sample throughput. Sorghum pollen was analyzed for waxy genotype by mixing isolated pollen with iodine solution and viewing under a microscope at 40×. Waxy pollen was visually distinguishable from wild‐type pollen using freshly collected as well as aged pollen. These methods will allow large‐scale screening of both mature sorghum grains as well as sorghum pollen for waxy characteristics.
Comparison of S1 with Open‐Pollination Progenies in Selection for Yield in Crested Wheatgrass
Authors: Berdahl John D. , Ray Ian M.
Published: August 2016

Genetic gain from selection for high dry matter yield in most cross‐pollinated forage grasses has been an elusive goal, in spite of sustained breeding efforts. This study was conducted to determine the value of one generation of self‐pollinating (S1) before selection for yield in crested wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.). Dry matter yields were compared at two locations near Mandan, ND, for synthetic populations derived from selection among and within S1 or among and within open‐pollination (OP) progenies from three source populations. Within each source population, the 20 parents used to produce S1 progenies were in common with the 20 maternal parents of the OP progenies. Soil was a Parshall fine sandy loam (coarse‐loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Haplustolls) at Location 1 and a Wilton silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Haplustolls) at Location 2. In space‐plant tests, S1 family means for dry matter yield averaged 52% of OP family means, indicating high levels of inbreeding depression. In solid‐seeded tests, yield differences between S1– and OP‐derived synthetic populations were significant (P ≤ 0.05) for only one comparison. On the basis of three distinct source populations, we found that S1 and OP families were both effective when used as the selection unit to choose high yielding parents for synthetic populations. Additional resources required to produce and evaluate S1 families over OP families could not be justified in the crested wheatgrass source populations evaluated in this study.
Tocopherol Content of Soybean Lines with Reduced Linolenate in the Seed Oil
Authors: McCord Kristen L. , Fehr Walter R. , Wang Tong , Welke Grace A. , Cianzio Silvia R. , Schnebly Steven R.
Published: August 2016

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil is an important source of the tocopherols (vitamin E) used as a dietary supplement and as an antioxidant in foods. Previous research studies have indicated that genotypes with lower linolenate than that of conventional soybean genotypes have less tocopherols and that the relative amounts of α‐ and γ‐tocopherol may change as linolenate content is reduced by genetic modification. Those studies have utilized a limited number of genotypes with diverse genetic backgrounds and with greater linolenate content than that of currently available genotypes. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the tocopherol content of 20 lines with reduced linolenate of about 10 g kg−1 and 20 lines with normal linolenate of about 70 g kg−1 derived from each of three single‐cross populations segregating for the trait. The lines were grown in replicated tests at Isabela, PR, and at two locations near Ames, IA, during 2002. The mean total tocopherol content of the lines with reduced linolenate was 6.0% less than for the normal‐linolenate lines averaged across populations and environments. There was significant variation for total tocopherol among the lines of each type in each population, and some reduced‐linolenate lines were not significantly different from normal‐linolenate lines for the trait. Lower total tocopherol in reduced‐linolenate lines was due to a proportionate decrease in α, γ, and δ tocopherol, and the mean percentages of the three tocopherols in the total tocopherol were not significantly different in the reduced‐ and normal‐linolenate lines. It should be possible to develop cultivars with about 10 g kg−1 linolenate that have an acceptable content of total tocopherol and with the same proportions of α, γ, and δ tocopherol as conventional soybean cultivars.
Vertical Profile of Leaf Senescence during the Grain‐Filling Period in Older and Newer Maize Hybrids
Authors: Valentinuz Oscar R. , Tollenaar Matthijs
Published: August 2016

Grain yield improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids has been associated with delayed leaf senescence. The objective of this study was to quantify the vertical profile of leaf senescence during the grain‐filling period in an older hybrid (‘Pride 5’) and two more recent maize hybrids (‘Pioneer 3902’ and ‘Pioneer 3893’). Leaf senescence was rated visually from silking to maturity on each individual leaf across the vertical leaf‐area profile along the stem of maize plants growing in the field at 1, 3.5, and 12 plants m−2 near Elora, ON, Canada, during the 1999 to 2001 growing seasons. Maximum leaf area index (LAI) at silking was greater in newer hybrids than in the older hybrid. Rate of leaf senescence across hybrids and plant population densities progressed at a linear rate of 0.44% d−1 during the first half of the grain‐filling period, whereas the rate was 1.87% d−1 during the second half of the grain‐filling period. Rates of leaf senescence were 3.4 and 2.1 times greater in the older hybrid than in the newer hybrids during the first and second half of the grain‐filling period, respectively. During the first half of the grain‐filling period, leaf senescence increased from the medium to the highest plant population density, whereas rates of senescence during the second half of the grain‐filling period declined with an increase in plant population density for the older hybrid and rates were lowest at the medium plant population density for the newer hybrids. A top–bottom profile of leaf senescence was observed during the second half of the grain‐filling period, with leaves in the central section of the canopy being the last leaves to senesce, and this phenomenon was more marked in the newer hybrids.
Physiological Responses of Cotton to Two‐Spotted Spider Mite Damage
Authors: Reddall A. , Sadras V. O. , Wilson L. J. , Gregg P. C.
Published: August 2016

Spider mites are important pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), capable of dramatically affecting growth, yield, and fiber quality. This study investigated the physiological response of cotton leaves to feeding damage by the two‐spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in two experiments in the field over two seasons. Mite colonies initially established and developed in the basal areas of leaves, where the leaf blade joins the petiole. These infestations caused rapid and severe reductions in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, transpiration efficiency (TE), and chlorophyll content. In basal areas, a peak of 68 adult female mites per leaf caused photosynthesis to decline to zero, while undamaged leaves averaged 33 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 Differences in plant responses to mites occurred between seasons despite similar infestation levels, possibly related to later timing of infestation and harder leaves in the second season. Compensation for mite damage was not apparent at the leaf level, since photosynthesis was reduced on undamaged portions of damaged leaves. The sequence of mite damage events on the undamaged leaf portions was determined to be: first, reduction of stomatal conductance; second, reduction of transpiration; third, reduction of photosynthetic rate; and finally, reduction of transpiration efficiency. At the leaf level, the overall effect of mite damage on photosynthesis was greater than expected because undamaged areas surrounding those visibly damaged were also affected.
Physical Properties of Three Sand Size Classes Amended with Inorganic Materials or Sphagnum Peat Moss for Putting Green Rootzones
Authors: Bigelow Cale A. , Bowman Daniel C. , Cassel D. Keith
Published: August 2016

Modern putting green rootzones are typically constructed using sands to avoid compaction and facilitate rapid drainage. Sands are often amended with organic matter (OM) such as sphagnum peat moss (SP) to increase moisture holding capacity. However, OM decomposition into finely divided material may negatively affect long‐term soil physical properties. Inorganic amendments (IAs) having high water retention may be more suitable because of their resistance to biodegradation. A laboratory study determined the physical properties [bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), water retention, and pore size distribution] of three USDA sand size classes (fine, medium, and coarse) with and without amendment. Amendments used were calcined clay, vitrified clay, extruded diatomaceous earth, a processed zeolite, and SP. Amendments were tested at two incorporation rates (10 and 20% v/v), and in situ in 30‐cm‐deep rootzones at two incorporation depths (15 and 30 cm). Bulk density decreased, total porosity increased, and Ksat declined with amendment rate, but varied considerably depending on amendment, sand size, and incorporation depth. The Ksat was high for all mixtures, averaging 250 cm h−1, probably because of the very uniform sands. On the basis of standard pressure plate methods, IAs increased total water holding capacity (WHC) of all three sands but did not increase available water. However, a unique bioassay for available water indicated that porous IAs may contain appreciably more available water than measured by the pressure plate technique. Although the IAs significantly altered the physical properties of the three sands, they were not as effective as SP at improving water retention in coarse‐textured, drought‐prone sands.
Total Nonstructural Carbohydrate Assessment in Creeping Bentgrass at Different Mowing Heights
Authors: Narra Siddhartha , Fermanian Thomas W. , Swiader John M. , Voigt Thomas B. , Branham Bruce E.
Published: August 2016

Any future precision turfgrass management system will benefit from the evaluation of turfgrass stress through indirect measurements of plant components. One such component might be the accumulation dynamics of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). The effects of mowing height (MH) on TNC concentrations were measured in a field experiment. Clippings were collected from eight creeping bentgrass cultivars {Agrostis palustris Huds. [= A stolonifera var. palustris (Huds.) Farw.]} mowed at three different heights (0.64, 1.27, 1.90 cm) from 1998 through 2001. Clippings were evaluated 29 times by sampling early in the photoperiod before 1200 h. Collected clippings were instantly frozen in liquid nitrogen and freeze‐dried before TNC analyses. The TNC levels were predicted with near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) after building a predictive equation for each carbohydrate fraction with conventional laboratory values. Seasonal trends in TNC concentrations and differences in TNC accumulation among creeping bentgrass cultivars were also evaluated. Mowing heights showed significant differences in TNC content, with 0.64‐cm mowed plots having higher TNC levels than 1.27‐ and 1.90‐cm mowed plots on 13 of the 29 dates of evaluation. No consistent differences were observed in TNC concentrations among different cultivars across different growing seasons. However, there were significant seasonal fluctuations in average TNC content at all MHs. The average TNC content of the clippings during 1999 and 2000 started decreasing in mid‐July, showing the lowest TNC content in August. The average TNC content showed an increasing trend in September, exhibiting the highest amount of TNC accumulation in October and November.
Identifying New Sources of Resistance to Brown Stem Rot in Soybean
Authors: McCabe Chantal E. , Singh Asheesh K. , Leandro Leonor F. , Cianzio Silvia R. , Graham Michelle A.
Published: August 2016

Brown stem rot (BSR), caused by the fungus Phialophora gregata f. sp. sojae (Allington & D.W. Chamberlain) W. Gams (syn. Cadophora gregata), causes yield losses up to 38%. Three dominant BSR‐resistant genes have been identified: Rbs1, Rbs2, and Rbs3. Additional BSR resistance loci will complement breeding efforts by expanding the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genetic base. The objective of this research was to determine if PI 594637, PI 594638B, PI 594650A, and PI 594858B contained novel BSR resistance genes. The accessions were crossed to three genotypes with known BSR resistance genes and populations were developed for allelism studies. A minimum of 60 F2:3 families tracing to individual F2 plants in each population were used, and six seeds from each F2:3 family were tested. Resistant and susceptible controls and parents were also included. The BSR symptoms were assessed under growth chamber conditions 5 wk after inoculation by measuring foliar and stem severities and recovery of P. gregata from stem sections. Allelism tests of F2:3 plants from crosses of PI 594638B, PI 594858B, and PI 594650A with the resistant sources fit a 15:1 ratio, indicating that the resistant gene possessed by each of the PIs was nonallelic to Rbs1, Rbs2, and Rbs3. The three PIs contain at least one novel BSR resistance gene and have the potential to serve as donors to elite germplasm, increasing stability of host resistance to P. gregata. Allelism tests of PI 594637 segregated in a 3:1 ratio and no significant difference was found between PI 594637 and the susceptible controls, indicating that PI 594637 is susceptible to BSR.
Visual Assessment of Sulfate Reduction to Identify Hydric Soils
Authors: Vaughan Karen L. , Miller Florence , Navarro Nico , Appel Christopher
Published: August 2016

Core Ideas

Iron monosulfides determine the presence of highly reduced conditions.

Visual sulfate reduction on IRIS surfaces can be used to identify hydric soils.

Greater S content in saturated soils results in greater monosulfide formation.

Some hydric soils present a unique set of problems associated with their identification, including morphological features not reflective of current hydrology and/or masked redoximorphic features. A simple, reliable tool to identify reduced soil environments is IRIS (Indicator of Reduction in Soil) tubes and panels. In saturated, anaerobic soils with substantial sulfur (S) contents, a commonly observed phenomenon is the reduction of S to form black iron monosulfides (FeS). The objective of this experiment was to document S reduction on polyvinylchloride surfaces coated with synthesized iron (Fe) oxides to simplify the identification of hydric soils wetlands containing moderate to high S concentrations. The IRIS panels were installed in soil mesocosms containing varying concentrations of sulfate and saturated for 11 wk. Oxidation–reduction potential and pH were measured weekly throughout the study. At the termination of the experiment, the IRIS panels were removed and analyzed quantitatively for percentage of oxidized iron (Fe3+) remaining, reduced iron (Fe2+) removed, and reduced S (FeS) precipitated onto the panel. When IRIS panels displayed 2% FeS precipitate, 77% of the panels met the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soil criteria using reduced Fe removal from IRIS panels, and 100% of the panels met the criteria established using measured oxidation–reduction potential. The strong visual observation of FeS is a simple, quick determination of highly reduced conditions. Wetlands are a valuable natural resource that can be challenging to delineate, and the incorporation of a visual S reduction criteria on IRIS surfaces is beneficial for the timely and accurate identification of hydric soils.
Psychological Factors Affecting EFL Students’ Speaking Performance
Authors: Ariyanti Ariyanti
Published: August 2016

Speaking has become one of important skills in learning a language especially English. Particularly, to speak in English for EFL student is not easy and need much effort to produce acceptable utterances in English. This article is aimed to investigate psychological barriers faced by Indonesian students which affect their speaking performance. Moreover, as this research is a qualitative study, direct observation is done to capture all of phenomenon happened in the speaking class in natural setting. In addition, interview is also conducted by the researcher to know what psychological factors influence their oral performance in the class. The research findings from observation and interview show that the students tend to feel anxious when performing their speaking because they are afraid of making mistakes. The feeling of fear of making mistakes, somehow related to the students’ lack of self-esteem in using English so that they often combine their speaking with their mother tongue. Psychological barriers also appear in discussion session, where in this case some students do not want to participate because they are too afraid of making mistakes, lack of self-esteem and motivation so they prefer to keep silent in the class. From the natural phenomenon happened in the speaking class, it can be concluded that psychological factors which hinder the students in performing their speaking are possibly caused by the feeling of too worried of making mistakes and the lack of self-esteem which are related to shyness and their anxiety level. By looking at this phenomenon, it is better for teacher to give their students assistance so that they can perform their English speaking better
Multimodal Teaching Proposal in an English as a Foreign Language Subject
Authors: Martínez Lirola María
Published: August 2016

XXI century society has a multimodal nature and it is referred as 2.0 era, in which the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is essential. This implies that tertiary education needs to be adapted to this context and, therefore it is necessary to highlight multimodal teaching in University classrooms thanks to Power Point or Prezi presentations, the use of videos or social networks such as Facebook or Twitter, the use of google tools, etc. This article describes some activities that promote multimodality used in the subject English Language V of the degree in English Studies at the University of Alicante. The selection of activities is determined not only for its multimodal nature but also because they contribute to the acquisition of competences that are essential for the labour market. In addition, a survey was prepared in order to know students’ opinions about a teaching proposal based on multimodality.
Assessment of some combinations of hard and fuzzy clustering techniques for regionalisation of catchments in Sefidroud basin
Authors: Ahani Ali , Mousavi Nadoushani S. Saeid
Published: August 2016

Cluster analysis methods are a type of well-known technique for regionalisation of catchments to perform regional flood frequency analysis. In this study, a fuzzy extension of hybrid clustering algorithms is evaluated. Self-organizing feature maps and four hierarchical clustering algorithms were used to provide the initial cluster centres for fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm. The hybrid approach was used for regionalisation of catchments in Sefidroud basin based on feature vectors including five catchment attributes: longitude and latitude, drainage area, runoff coefficient and mean annual precipitation. The results showed that according to the values of both the objective function and the cluster validity indices, the performances of FCM algorithm often was improved by using the proposed hybrid approach. Also, it was evident from the results that in the case of minimizing the objective function, the combination of Ward's algorithm and FCM provided best results, but according to the cluster validity indices, other hybrid algorithms such as combinations of single linkage or complete linkage and FCM algorithm presented the most desirable results. In addition, according to the results, there are two well-defined homogeneous regions in Sefidroud basin identified by all the examined hybrid algorithms.
Self-adjustment mechanism of bed structures under hydrology and sediment regimes
Authors: Liu Huaixiang , Wang Zhaoyin , Lu Yongjun
Published: August 2016

Bed structures develop in many coarse gravel-bed rivers, and the distribution of bed structures is obviously impacted by the environment conditions, especially hydrology and sediment regimes. This study carried out field investigations in natural tributaries of the Yangtze River to study the sizes of bed structures, their distribution in the basin, as well as their connections with local hydrology and sediment regimes. A field experiment was also conducted to study the evolution and functions of bed structures. Results of both the investigations and experiment indicated that under the conditions of low bedload, the structure intensity is in a positive correlation with the unit-width stream power, which is consumed by bed structures when the river is in a dynamic equilibrium. If the structures are not able to dissipate the whole energy, the river status turns into disequilibrium and the riverbed would be eroded by excess energy, and the river system would move to a stable position on the structure-power equilibrium line. The fluvial morphology of coarse-grained riverbeds is controlled by this mechanism to some extent. Sometimes excess energy can be consumed by bedload transport even with insufficient structure intensity, thus a unified power consumption model including bedload is also discussed.
Comparison of wastewater treatment processes on the removal efficiency of organophosphate esters
Authors: Pang Long , Yang Peijie , Zhao Jihong , Zhang Hongzhong
Published: August 2016

Organophosphate esters (OPs), widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers, are regarded as a class of emerging pollutants. The effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plants is generally considered to be the main contributor of OP pollution to the surface water. In this study, anoxic–oxic (AO) and University of Capetown (UCT) processes were selected to investigate the removal efficiency of OPs. The results indicated that the UCT process showed better removal efficiency than that of the AO process. For the chlorinated OPs, approximately 12.3% of tri(2-chloroethyl)phosphate and 11.8% of tri(chloropropyl)phosphate can be removed in the UCT process, which was 12% and 7.8% higher than that of the AO process. In contrast, non-chlorinated OPs, including tris(2-butoxyethyal)phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, and tributyl phosphate, were able to be removed in both processes, with the removal rate of 85.1%, 74.9%, and 29.1% in the AO process, and 88.4%, 63.6%, and 25.2% in the UCT process. Furthermore, linear correlation between the removal rate and logKow of OPs (r2 = 0.539) was observed in the AO process, indicating that OPs with high Kow value (e.g. tri(dichloropropyl)phosphate and triphenyl phosphate) are prone to be removed by adsorption on the residual activated sludge.
Probiotic traits of lactic acid bacteria isolated from aerial surfaces of pomegranate
Authors: Gajbhiye Milind H.
Published: July 2016

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from aerial plant surfaces of pomegranate viz., Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris PB6, Lactobacillus brevis PFR77, L. lactis subsp. cremoris PFL9, Enterococcus faecium PB119 and L. lactis subsp. lactis PFL4 were tested for hemolysis, antibiotic susceptibility, gelatinase activity, tolerance to low pH and bile, resistance to digestive enzymes and antibacterial activity against human pathogens. All the isolates were non-hemolytic and non-gelatinolytic. These isolates were sensitive to clinically important antibiotics (amoxyclav, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamycin, methicillin, penicillin G, Rifampicin and tetracycline), whereas resistance was recorded in case of norfloxacin and vancomycin. They could survive for more than 2h at pH 3 and the survival period of PB6, PFR77 and PFL9 was 3 h. Thus, the tolerance level of these LAB isolates was higher than the suggested values which indicate their good tolerance to stomach pH. In case of PB6, PFR77 and PFL9, around 80% of population survived in presence of 0.3% bile for 6 h. Also, they could survive at 1% concentration for 6 h. Thus, these isolates had good bile salt tolerance. All the isolates inhibited the growth of Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial pathogens with greater inhibition zones. PB6, PFR77 and PFL9 showed 60-70% survival in presence of trypsin whereas in presence of pepsin the survival decreased in between 50 and 60%. These isolates also showed good resistance to amylase and lipase. Thus, these LAB may be good candidates in formulation of probiotic preparations.
CSR Practices in Steel Authority of India Limited – A Descriptive Study
Authors: Maurya Ritika
Published: July 2016

Corporate Social Responsibility is the path to attain sustainable development including both social and economic interest. It is a concept where organizations serve the society by taking the responsibility for the impact of their activities on both the micro and macro environment in every aspect. For a Public Sector Enterprise, the CSR practices become more important as the expectations of society are higher than from any Private Sector Enterprise. Steel Authority of India Limited with the prestigious status of “Maharatna” upholds high ethical standards in conduct of business and endeavors to fulfill diversified initiatives and activities for sustainable development of society under Corporate Social Responsibility. Thus the present study is aimed at highlighting the extent up to what the CSR practices are followed by the Steel Authority of India Limited. Study also focuses on the initiative taken in new facets such as Medical & Healthcare, Education,Livelihood Generation, empowering underprivileged sections of the society through Integrated Development Center.
Sobre a pesquisa científica em direito
Authors: Souto Cláudio
Published: August 2016

Lidando com a pesquisa científica em Direito, o artigo mostra como se dá, deterministicamente, a atração e a repulsão nas interações mentais e sociais, e propõe um modelo teórico unificado mental-social, assim como mostra que o conhecimento científico já adquirido nessa área pode ser aplicado à vida prática
Ambiguidades socioeducativas: funções declaradas e não declaradas das atividades pedagógicas no CASE Santa Luzia - Recife-PE
Authors: Amaral Machado Érica Babini Lapa do , Castro Helena Rocha Coutinho de
Published: August 2016

O trabalho discute as ambiguidades socioeducativas do Centro de Atendimento Socioeducativo Santa Luzia, em Recife, Pernambuco, a partir de dados extraídos de pesquisa financiada pelo CNJ. Percebeu-se que, no plano teórico (funções declaradas), são estabelecidas atividades correspondentes ao estereótipo de mulher honesta, como uma espécie de legitimação pretensão socioeducativa (escola e atividades domésticas). Entretanto, na prática, observou-se a inocuização, escamoteada pela pretensão de feminização, que sequer é real. À luz da teorização de Goffman, pôde-se verificar que os que detêm o poder – equipe técnica – “definem a situação” do que pode ser considerado como correto; e as adolescentes, por fachada, fazem o esforço para se manter à altura da dignidade do que os técnicos esperam. Mas na verdade, o que se dá é a sujeição da contenção por parte das adolescentes.
The Definitions of Net Income and Comprehensive Income and Their Implications for Measurement
Authors: Nishikawa Ikuo , Kamiya Takao , Kawanishi Yasunobu
Published: August 2016

SYNOPSIS:

Historically, accounting standard-setters have not been successful in defining net income. Nor have they been successful in justifying the use of other comprehensive income (OCI) and recycling. This paper proposes the definitions of net income and comprehensive income and an approach to measurement based on the proposed definitions. Net income and comprehensive income should be defined as two separate elements of financial statements, with OCI being the linkage factor that reconciles the two elements. Recycling of all OCI items is required for both elements to have the characteristic of all-inclusiveness. Net income should represent the irreversible outcomes of an entity's business activities, and it follows that the measurement basis of current value should be used from the perspective of reporting an entity's financial performance only when an asset (or a liability) is readily converted to cash (or settled) and the entity's business activity does not legally, contractually, or economically restrict the entity's opportunity to convert the asset to cash (or settle the liability).
SERCA2 Deficiency Impairs Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Response to Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Tong Xin , Kono Tatsuyoshi , Anderson-Baucum Emily K. , Yamamoto Wataru , Gilon Patrick , Lebeche Djamel , Day Richard N. , Shull Gary E. , Evans-Molina Carmella
Published: August 2016

The sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA2) pump is a P-type ATPase tasked with the maintenance of ER Ca2+ stores. Whereas β-cell SERCA2 expression is reduced in diabetes, the role of SERCA2 in the regulation of whole-body glucose homeostasis has remained uncharacterized. To this end, SERCA2 heterozygous mice (S2HET) were challenged with a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 45% of kilocalories from fat. After 16 weeks of the HFD, S2HET mice were hyperglycemic and glucose intolerant, but adiposity and insulin sensitivity were not different between HFD-fed S2HET mice and HFD-fed wild-type controls. Consistent with a defect in β-cell function, insulin secretion, glucose-induced cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization, and the onset of steady-state glucose-induced Ca2+ oscillations were impaired in HFD-fed S2HET islets. Moreover, HFD-fed S2HET mice exhibited reduced β-cell mass and proliferation, altered insulin production and proinsulin processing, and increased islet ER stress and death. In contrast, SERCA2 activation with a small molecule allosteric activator increased ER Ca2+ storage and rescued tunicamycin-induced β-cell death. In aggregate, these data suggest a critical role for SERCA2 and the regulation of ER Ca2+ homeostasis in the β-cell compensatory response to diet-induced obesity.
Partial Disruption of Lipolysis Increases Postexercise Insulin Sensitivity in Skeletal Muscle Despite Accumulation of DAG
Authors: Serup Annette Karen , Alsted Thomas Junker , Jordy Andreas Børsting , Schjerling Peter , Holm Cecilia , Kiens Bente
Published: August 2016

Type 2 diabetes and skeletal muscle insulin resistance have been linked to accumulation of the intramyocellular lipid-intermediate diacylglycerol (DAG). However, recent animal and human studies have questioned such an association. Given that DAG appears in different stereoisomers and has different reactivity in vitro, we investigated whether the described function of DAGs as mediators of lipid-induced insulin resistance was dependent on the different DAG isomers. We measured insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) knockout (KO) mice after treadmill exercise to stimulate the accumulation of DAGs in skeletal muscle. We found that, despite an increased DAG content in muscle after exercise in HSL KO mice, the HSL KO mice showed a higher insulin-stimulated glucose uptake postexercise compared with wild-type mice. Further analysis of the chemical structure and cellular localization of DAG in skeletal muscle revealed that HSL KO mice accumulated sn-1,3 DAG and not sn-1,2 DAG. Accordingly, these results highlight the importance of taking the chemical structure and cellular localization of DAG into account when evaluating the role of DAG in lipid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and that the accumulation of sn-1,3 DAG originating from lipolysis does not inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.
Explaining the Frequency and Variety of Crimes through the Interaction of Individual and Contextual Risk Factors
Authors: Parent Geneviève , Laurier Catherine , Guay Jean-Pierre , Fredette Chantal
Published: August 2016

This study explored the explanatory power of the interaction model between individual and contextual risk, in comparison to the additive model, to explain delinquency. It was conducted with 235 offenders, who completed self-report questionnaires regarding antisocial traits and attitudes, criminal entourage, lifestyle, and delinquency. Multiple linear regression analyses (additive combination) and regression trees (interaction combination) were produced. In general, the factors favouring the formation of criminogenic situations (personal characteristics, criminal entourage, and deviant lifestyle) all significantly contributed to the explanation of the frequency and variety of crimes. However, the regression tree results suggested that it is necessary to understand the level of both individual and contextual risk to adequately explain delinquency. Our results suggest abandoning the additive approach currently used in the assessment of recidivism risk in favour of an interactional approach because it better reflects reality.
Mechanochemical synthesis of CaMoO4 nanoparticles: kinetics and characterization
Authors: Hoseinpur Arman , Bezanaj Malihe Mohammadi , Khaki Jalil Vahdati
Published: August 2016

This research introduces the mechanosynthesis process for CaMoO4 nanoparticles by using MoO3 and CaO as initial reactants. An empirical model was developed to describe the kinetics of the reaction. X-ray diffraction was used at each step of the milling to evaluate the developed model. The experimental data and the results from the model are in good agreement. The synthesized powders in this research were characterized using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, dynamic laser scattering, and photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques. Photoluminescence characterizations revealed that the synthesized CaMoO4 generated two photoluminescence emissions, at 377 nm (violet) and 515 nm (green). It was also observed that further milling of the synthesized powders changed the photoluminescence properties of the product. After 12 h of milling, the synthesized CaMoO4 generated a novel photoluminescence emission at 564 nm. The results of this research indicate that mechanical milling can be employed to control the photoluminescent properties of CaMoO4.
Registration of ‘UFCP 84‐1047’ Sugarcane for Use as a Biofuel Feedstock
Authors: Gordon Vanessa S. , Comstock Jack C. , Sandhu Hardev S. , Gilbert Robert A. , Sood Sushma , Korndorfer Pedro , El-Hout Nael , Arundale Rebecca
Published: August 2016

‘UFCP 84‐1047’ (Reg. No. CV‐168, PI 674424) sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) was released by the USDA‐ARS, Canal Point (CP), FL, and the University of Florida (UF) for its potential use in cellulosic ethanol production. UFCP 84‐1047 is a high‐fiber sugarcane clone, which was developed to produce genetic diversity in a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production in Florida. The UFCP 84‐1047 clone results from a CP 78‐0349 × Mandalay cross. UFCP 84‐1047 is highly resistant to smut (caused by Sporisorium scitamineum) with significantly lower infestation than the reference check ‘L 79‐1002’ following both naturally occurring environmental and artificial inoculations. UFCP 84‐1047 was also resistant, or moderately resistant, to several other sugarcane diseases including brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala Syd. and P. Syd.), orange rust [caused by P. kuehnii (Kruger) E. Butler], leaf scald (caused by Xanthomonas albilinenas [Ashby] Dawson), and Sugarcane mosaic virus. Mean dry biomass yield of UFCP 84‐1047 was approximately 11% greater than L 79‐1002. Plant composition of UFCP 84‐1047 was very similar to L 79‐1002. UFCP 84‐1047 was released to be cultivated on marginal or sandy soils of Florida for cellulosic ethanol production.
Response of Broccoli (Brassica oleracia L.) to Different Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Hussain M J , Rannu R P , Razzak M A , Ahmed R , Sheikh M H R
Published: August 2016

The study was conducted at the experimental field of Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur during Rabi seasons in three years (2012 to 2015) to investigate the response of broccoli (cv. Premium crop) under different irrigation regimes. The experiment was conducted in RCBD with five replications. There were four treatments: I1=Irrigation up to FC at 5 days interval after plant establishment (PE), I2= Irrigation up to FC at 10 days interval after PE, I3 = Irrigation up to FC at 15 days interval after PE and I4= Irrigation up to FC at 20 days interval after PE. A significant response of broccoli to different irrigation levels was observed. Among the different treatments, I2 (irrigation at 10 days interval) was significantly better yielding (19.98 t/ha, 20.63 t/ha and 16.24 t/ha in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, respectively). The lowest yields were observed from the treatment I4 each in all 3 years. The highest seasonal water (382.30 mm, 296.58 mm and 305.00 mm in 1st, 2nd  and 3rd year) were used in treatment I1 and the lowest (204.60 mm, 185.66 mm and 179.77mm in the 1st, 2nd  and 3rd year) were used in treatment I4, I3 and I3, respectively. The results suggest that irrigation at 10 days interval (I2) might be optimum irrigation schedule for broccoli production on the basis of gross return. But in respect of economic profitability, the highest marginal rate of return is obtained from treatment I3.The Agriculturists 2016; 14(1) 98-106