bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Simulation to Model Customer Behavior in the Context of Customer Lifetime Value Estimation
Authors: Ansari Shahid , Nanni Alfred J. , Pachamanova Dessislava A. , Kopcso David P.
Published: June 2010

This article illustrates how simulation can be used in the classroom for modeling customer behavior in the context of customer lifetime value estimation. Operations research instructors could use this exercise to introduce multiperiod spreadsheet simulation models in a business setting that is of great importance in practice, and the simulation approach to teaching this subject could be of interest also to marketing and accounting instructors. At Babson College, the spreadsheet simulation exercise is part of an integrated one-case teaching day of the marketing, accounting, and operations research disciplines in the full-time MBA program, but the exercise is directly transferable to stand-alone courses as well. In our experience, students have felt empowered by the ability to incorporate their ideas about customer behavior directly into customer lifetime value models, and have appreciated the ease with which simulation enables them to obtain intuition about the sensitivity of their estimates to different assumptions.
Information Acquisition for Capacity Planning via Pricing and Advance Selling: When to Stop and Act?
Authors: Boyacı Tamer , Özer Özalp
Published: June 2010

This paper investigates a capacity planning strategy that collects commitments to purchase before the capacity decision and uses the acquired advance sales information to decide on the capacity. In particular, we study a profit-maximization model in which a manufacturer collects advance sales information periodically prior to the regular sales season for a capacity decision. Customer demand is stochastic and price sensitive. Once the capacity is set, the manufacturer produces and satisfies customer demand (to the extent possible) from the installed capacity during the regular sales period. We study scenarios in which the advance sales and regular sales season prices are set exogenously and optimally. For both scenarios, we establish the optimality of a control band or a threshold policy that determines when to stop acquiring advance sales information and how much capacity to build. We show that advance selling can improve the manufacturer's profit significantly. We generate insights into how operating conditions (such as the capacity building cost) and market characteristics (such as demand variability) affect the value of information acquired through advance selling. From this analysis, we identify the conditions under which advance selling for capacity planning is most valuable. Finally, we study the joint benefits of acquiring information for capacity planning through advance selling and revenue management of installed capacity through dynamic pricing.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog and Insulin Combination Therapy in the Management of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tzefos Maria , Olin Jacqueline L
Published: June 2010

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of combination glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs and insulin in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults.

Data Source:

A MEDLINE search (1966–April 2010) was conducted using the key terms glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, exenatide, incretin mimetic, liraglutide, diabetes mellitus, and insulin.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All English-language articles identified from the data source were evaluated and reviewed for inclusion. Original research and retrospective cohorts were included in this review. The references of articles that we identified were examined for any additional studies appropriate for review.

Data Synthesis:

Exenatide is a subcutaneously administered GLP-1 receptor agonist that is used for the improvement of glycemic control in adults with T2DM. Through actions similar to those of endogenous GLP-1, exenatide contributes to improved postprandial glycemic control and weight loss. The concomitant use of exenatide and insulin is currently not Food and Drug Administration-approved due to lack of clinical trial data. However, combination insulin and exenatide may be advantageous, especially for reducing weight gain, particularly for obese patients with T2DM. Several small prospective and retrospective studies evaluating combination therapy found statistically significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c (A1C), weight, and total daily insulin dose requirements. The most common adverse effects reported included gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and vomiting, and hypoglycemia.

Conclusions:

Although there is a limited amount of data and not all studies demonstrated A1C reduction, the combination of exenatide with insulin therapy appears to be a safe option in the management of T2DM. It may be a promising therapeutic strategy for some patients, as reductions in weight and insulin doses were observed. Further well-designed prospective trials are warranted to fully determine the long-term effectiveness and safety of this combination as well as its place in therapy.
A Multiplex Immunoassay for Human Adipokine Profiling
Authors: Schipper Henk S , de Jager Wilco , van Dijk Mariska EA , Meerding Jenny , Zelissen Pierre MJ , Adan Roger A , Prakken Berent J , Kalkhoven Eric
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND

Adipose tissue secretory proteins, called adipokines, play pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of obesity and its associated disorders such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Because methods for comprehensive adipokine profiling in patient plasma and other biological samples are currently limited, we developed a multiplex immunoassay for rapid and high-throughput measurement of 25 adipokines in only 50 μL of sample.

METHODS

(Pre)adipocyte and ex vivo cultured adipose tissue supernatants were generated and together with plasma from 5 morbidly obese patients and 5 healthy and normal weight controls used to develop the adipokine multiplex immunoassay and test its usefulness in biological samples. We assessed adipokine dynamic ranges, lower limits of detection and quantification, cross-reactivity, intra- and interassay variation, and correlation with adipokine ELISAs.

RESULTS

The limits of quantification and broad dynamic ranges enabled measurement of all 25 adipokines in supernatants and patient plasmas, with the exception of TNF-α in plasma samples. Intraassay variation was <10% for all adipokines; interassay variation was <15%. The multiplex immunoassay results correlated significantly with ELISA measurements. Plasma adipokine profiling showed significantly higher concentrations of the novel adipokines cathepsin S (5.1 × 104 vs 4.3 × 104 ng/L, P = 0.003) and chemerin (4.1 × 105 vs 2.7 × 105 ng/L, P = 0.0008) in morbidly obese patients than normal weight controls, besides the established differences in adiponectin and leptin concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore the relevance of the novel adipokines cathepsin S and chemerin, but foremost the potential of this novel method for both comprehensive adipokine profiling in large patient cohorts and for biological discovery.
Flows of Quantum Noise
Authors: Hudson Robin L. , Lindsay J. Martin , Parthasarathy K. R.
Published: June 2010

The dynamics of classical and quantum systems in the presence of noise is usually described in the language of stochastic differential equations. When the system observables comprise a C*-algebra, stochastic evolutions are obtained by solving such equations driven by creation, preservation and annihilation processes on Fock space, with linear maps on the algebra as coefficients. *-Homomorphic evolutions are obtained precisely when the collection of maps has a certain structure; this structure admits a cohomological description. Here we consider equations governing the joint evolution of the system and noise (from input to output) by supposing that the characteristics of the (input) noise processes are given by a group representation. The structure required for *-homomorphic evolution is determined.
Uncoupling Measures and Eigenvalues of Stochastic Matrices
Authors: Pokarowski P.
Published: June 2010

This paper gives bounds for the uncoupling measures of a stochastic matrix P in terms of its eigenvalues. The proofs are combinatorial. We use the Matrix–Tree Theorem which represents principal minors of I – P as sums of weights of directed forests.
Evolution of large mammal populations and distribution in Zakouma National Park (Chad) between 2002 and 2008
Authors: Poilecot Pierre , N'Gakoutou Etienne Bemadjim , Taloua Nicolas
Published: June 2010

The relatively scarcely known Zakouma National Park serves as a real sanctuary for Chad's Sudanese fauna owing to the possibility of permanent access to standing water throughout the dry season. With a density of elephants approaching an animal per square kilometre this protected area is exceptional for the species in West Africa. A census by systematic sample counts from the air in 2002 showed that the numbers of most species of large herbivore had increased from those of 1986. A new census using the same method was undertaken during the 2008 dry season with the aim of acquiring another estimate of the numbers of the large mammal species and to verify recent reports of an upsurge in elephant poaching. Comparison of the two censuses shows that large mammal populations were stable or increasing for all species except elephant that showed a drastic decline. Evidence of poaching on a large scale, including the presence of numerous recent carcasses, is enough to explain this decline. Although some species, waterbuck and topi, occupied the same areas in both censuses others, buffalo, roan antelope and hartebeest, had ranges that extended farther west in the park in 2008.
The Interplay of Energy Disposal and Reaction Rates in Exoergic Processes at Metal Surfaces: Desorption Rates in Vibrationally Excited Adlayers
Authors: Molinari E. , Tomellini M.
Published: June 2010

We report on the desorption kinetics of adsorbates from metal surfaces in the presence of exoergic-processes, either atom recombination or non-dissociative adsorption. The modeling takes into account the dissipation of the adatom energy to both the solid and the adlayer and permits one to investigate the effect of these processes on the desorption rate. The model kinetics, which is solved analytically for two recombination channels under non steady state conditions, shows that the desorption rate is ruled by the ratio between the rate constant for recombination and for energy loss to the solid. The behavior of the vibrational distribution function of the adatoms on this control parameter is analyzed and compared with Boltzmann equilibrium distributions. Rate coefficients for energy disposal to a metal surface, evaluated for a relaxation process involving electron-hole pair excitation, are shown to be linked to the electron density, which than becomes a control parameter of reaction rates at metal surfaces.
Heterogeneous Catalysed Esterification of Propionic Acid with n-Amyl Alcohol over a Microporous Cation-exchange Resin Dowex 50Wx4
Authors: Erdem Beyhan , Izci Alime
Published: June 2010

Kinetics of heterogeneous catalysed esterification of propionic acid with n-amyl alcohol was studied with a microporous cation-exchange resin catalyst, Dowex 50Wx4, in a stirred batch reactor to synthesise amyl propionate. Effects of various parameters such as speed of agitation, catalyst loading, and reaction temperature on reaction rate were investigated. The equilibrium conversion of propionic acid increased with in catalyst loading and reaction temperature. Stirrer speed had virtually no effect on the reaction rate under the experimental conditions. The apparent activation energy was found to be 43.167 kJmol−1 for the formation of amyl propionate and the equilibrium constant, which is independent of temperature ranging from 318 to 348 K, was found to be 4.05. It was also observed that the initial reaction rate decreased with water concentrations and increased with that of acid and increased with that of alcohol linearly. The reaction was found to occur between an adsorbed acid molecule and a molecule of alcohol in the bulk and it was concluded that the reaction mechanism can be represented by Eley-Rideal model.
The Art of Transition: After Haydn Year 2009
Authors: Lowe Melanie
Published: June 2010

Haydn Year 2009 spanned the globe, encompassing live performances, festivals, and conferences in addition to numerous scholarly articles and Haydn-related books. Now that the anniversary year has passed, its significance as a moment of transition may be appreciated. For if a modern phase of Haydn studies arose in the mid twentieth century (marked by path-breaking work on authenticity, chronology, and sources), to be followed by yet another era in the last decade of the twentieth century (focused largely on aesthetics, historiography, and notions of music as a rhetorical art), then this latest, transitional wave of scholarly energy has led to fresh questions about Haydn's life, music, and milieux (including matters of politics, aesthetics, genre, social context, and much more) that could hardly have been imagined a generation ago. The three essays in this special issue of the Journal of Musicology exemplify the newly broadened range of Haydn scholarship as they explore the composer's expressive ambivalence (w. Dean Sutcliffe), the significance of his polyphonic craft (James Grier), and the early reception of his monumental late oratorio, The Creation (Deirdre loughridge). Together, these studies attest to the capacity for Haydn scholarship—like Haydn's art itself—to thrive in the midst of transition.
The Reinstatement of Polyphony in Musical Construction: Fugal Finales in Haydn's Op. 20 String Quartets
Authors: Grier James
Published: June 2010

The title, borrowed from Paul Henry Lang's description of Haydn's op. 20 string quartets in Music in Western Civilization, characterizes Haydn's endeavor to create more independent partwriting in the string quartet. First, Haydn's fugal practice is noteworthy particularly for the construction of the fugal exposition and his treatment of multiple subjects, the question of what constitutes a regular countersubject, and the treatment of redundant entries. Second, the chief strategy in these movements is the invention of invertible counterpoint in three voices. Haydn writes a double fugue (with a regular countersubject), as well as a triple and quadruple fugue, in which the principal issue is the ability of each subject (including the double fugue's countersubject) to serve as any voice—top, middle or bottom—in a texture of invertible counterpoint.

The expertise he attained with these works then allows him to exploit the technique in later quartets, principally in the development sections of sonata-form movements. There, he uses invertible counterpoint to establish the independence of each voice, and to create longer passages unarticulated by cadences, sections distinct from the more clearly articulated periodic expositions and recapitulations. The three fugal finales of op. 20, therefore, constitute Haydn's advanced study not so much in fugal procedure as in the practice of invertible counterpoint.
Haydn's Creation as an Optical Entertainment
Authors: Loughridge Deirdre
Published: June 2010

"What can aesthetics have to say," Johann Triest complained of Haydn's Creation two years after its premiere, "to a natural history, or geogony, set to music, where objects pass before us as in a magic lantern?" By contrast, Carl Friedrich Zelter praised the oratorio as a "fine shadow-play." Both agreed, however, that the work was like an optical entertainment. Triest's and Zelter's metaphors point to a hitherto unexplored context for The Creation's early reception that contributed at once to its popularity and to its dubious status. Retrieving the exhibition practices employed by itinerant magic lanternists reveals that barrel organ music had an established place in their entertainments and that certain numbers of The Creation echoed the auditory component of magic lantern shows. For Triest, the resemblance of these numbers to a magic lantern presentation suggested that tone-paintings were meaningless without verbal specification, and that in composing the oratorio Haydn was much like an organ-grinder cranking out a predetermined tune. In Zelter's counterargument to the magic lantern, the shadow-play characterized Haydn's oratorio as a species of illusionistic display demonstrating mastery over the raw materials of music. The alternative framework Zelter developed for Haydn's oratorio placed the work alongside fireworks and other philosophical entertainments that inspired awe at human accomplishment. Together, Triest's and Zelter's metaphors suggest that optical entertainments provided terms not only for describing the oratorio and the experience of listening to it, but also for elevating Haydn to the status of master over nature—-or else lowering him to the status of machine.
Real Vampires as an Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community
Authors: Laycock Joseph
Published: June 2010

"Real vampires" believe that they must either consume blood or feed on "subtle" energy in order to maintain their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Recent scholarship has analyzed vampirism as a religious movement or as a cluster of "vampire religions." This article argues that vampirism should be viewed foremost as an identity around which social and religious institutions have formed. This model accounts for the mosaic of religious and cultural orientations held by vampires and acknowledges the vampire community's claims that vampirism is not a choice. It also facilitates a functionalist reading of vampire discourse as validating a new category of person.
Paraneoplastic syndromes secondary to neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Kaltsas Gregory , Androulakis Ioannis I , de Herder Wouter W , Grossman Ashley B
Published: June 2010

Neuroendocrine tumours may be either benign or malignant tumours, and have the ability to synthesise and secrete biologically active substances characteristic of the cell of origin that can cause distinct clinical syndromes. The term ‘paraneoplastic syndromes’ (PNSs) is used to denote syndromes secondary to substances secreted from tumours not related to their specific organ or tissue of origin and/or production of autoantibodies against tumour cells; such syndromes are mainly associated with hormonal and neurological symptoms. Appreciation of the presence of such syndromes is important as clinical presentation, if not identified, may delay the diagnosis of the underlying neoplasia. Conversely, early recognition can allow for more rapid diagnosis, particularly as the coexistence of a neoplasm with a clinical or biochemical marker offers an additional determinant of tumour status/progression. PNSs can complicate the patient's clinical course, response to treatment, impact prognosis and even be confused as metastatic spread. Their diagnosis involves a multidisciplinary approach, and detailed endocrinological, neurological, radiological and histological studies are required. Correct diagnosis is essential as the treatment of choice will be different for each disorder, particularly in the case of malignant tumours; it is therefore important to develop appropriate means to correctly identify and localise these tumours. Clinical awareness and the incorporation into clinical practise of 111In-octreotide scintigraphy, chromogranin A and other evolving biochemical marker measurement techniques have substantially contributed to the identification of patients harbouring such syndromes. Disease-specific medical therapies are mandatory in order to prevent recurrence and/or further tumour growth. Owing to their rarity, central registration of these syndromes is very helpful in order to be able to provide evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Variation in 2C Nuclear DNA Content of Zoysia spp. as Determined by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Schwartz Brian M. , Kenworthy Kevin E. , Engelke M. C. , Genovesi A. Dennis , Odom Rachel M. , Quesenberry Kenneth H.
Published: June 2010

Little is known about the variation of 2C nuclear DNA content in zoysiagrass (Zoysia Willd.). Therefore, a glasshouse study including 20 cultivars and 16 experimental genotypes of Zoysia japonica Steud., Z. macrantha Desv., Z. matrella (L.) Merr., Z. minima (Colenso) Zotov, Z. pacifica (Goudswaard) M. Hotta & Kuroki, Z. pauciflora Mez, and select interspecific hybrids was conducted in 2008 at Gainesville, FL. Nuclei were stained with propidium iodide, and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis was conducted with a laser cytometer. Genotypes from Z. minima and Z. matrella had the largest (0.96 pg) and smallest (0.77 pg) 2C nuclear DNA content, respectively. The observed 0.19 pg spread between zoysiagrass species was less than variation reported in other tetraploid warm‐season grasses within the same species. Results further suggest that midparent values for 2C nuclear DNA content of interspecific hybrids between Z. minima and other Zoysia spp. may be statistically detectable. Zoysiagrasses have one of the smallest genome sizes but are extremely diverse with respect to morphology, growth habit, and response to abiotic and biotic stresses. This information supports the large genome constraint hypothesis that species with small genome sizes are better able to adapt to environmental changes due to a lack of evolutionary limitations associated with large amounts of repetitive DNA.
Marker Genotype Imputation in a Low‐Marker‐Density Panel with a High‐Marker‐Density Reference Panel: Accuracy Evaluation in Barley Breeding Lines
Authors: Iwata Hiroyoshi , Jannink Jean‐Luc
Published: June 2010

We evaluated a strategy in which the scores of markers untyped in a low‐density experimental panel were imputed on the basis of data from a high‐density reference panel, in its application to whole‐genome genotyping of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding lines. Using a barley core set consisting of 98 lines genotyped with 3205 markers (high‐density reference panel), we imputed marker scores untyped in 863 barley breeding lines genotyped with 1330 common markers (low‐density experimental panel). In repeated analyses, the scores of one common marker were masked in the experimental panel, and then imputed as an untyped marker. Imputation accuracy was evaluated by comparing imputed scores with true ones. The correct imputation rate was >0.9 in 92% of markers. The square of correlation coefficient between true genotypes and mean imputed genotypes was >0.6 in 90% of the markers. Factors affecting imputation accuracy were minor allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium with neighbor common markers, minimum distance to the closest common marker, and degree of differentiation among subpopulations. Actual quantitative trait loci (QTL) would be unobserved in both reference and experimental panels. Markers masked in both panels to mimic this situation sometimes showed larger correlation to imputed markers than to typed common markers, indicating that imputation can sometimes capture the variation of unknown QTL better than the genotypes of common markers.
QTL Analysis of Seed Coat Cracking in Soybean
Authors: Oyoo Maurice E. , Benitez Eduardo R. , Matsumura Hisakazu , Takahashi Ryoji
Published: June 2010

The seed coat of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] cracks under field conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic basis of seed coat cracking using DNA markers. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from a cross between a sensitive cv. Nasushirome and a tolerant cv. Enrei. Ninety‐five F6RILs (2006) and 92 F7RILs (2007) with an average of 24 plants per line were grown in the field. Seed coat cracking was promoted by removing the upper 50% of pods at 40 d after anthesis. The degree of cracking of each seed was scored by a cracking index (not cracked, 0, to severely cracked, 4). Cracking index was averaged per plant and, subsequently, per line (average cracking index, ACI). Linkage mapping was performed using 114 simple sequence repeat markers and one morphological trait. The markers were associated with 18 linkage groups spanning 1232 cM. Two quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ACI, cr1 in molecular linkage group (MLG) D1b and cr2 in MLG M, were identified. The cr2 QTL was detected only in the F6generation, whereas cr1 was identified across years and generations. The cr1 had a logarithm of odds score of 4.78 (F6) and 4.77 (F7), accounting for 27.2 (F6) and 23.5% (F7) of phenotypic variation. The cr1 was not associated with seed size or maturity in F8near‐isogenic lines. Therefore, markers around the QTL may be useful for breeding to reduce cracking symptoms without altering seed size or maturity.
Respiration and Its Relationship to Germination, Emergence, and Early Growth Under Cool Temperatures in Sorghum
Authors: Balota M. , Payne W. A. , Veeragoni S. K. , Stewart B. A. , Rosenow D. T.
Published: June 2010

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is generally not cold tolerant. Enhanced germination and emergence at low temperatures would facilitate early planting and adaptation to cooler regions due to latitude or elevation. This study examined the relationship between respiration, germination, elongation, and early seedling growth, with a view toward evaluating respiration as a selection trait for improved cold tolerance in sorghum. Germination, elongation, seedling fresh wt., and O2 uptake of 12 cultivars from different genetic backgrounds were measured at temperatures from 5 to 30°C. For most cultivars, the rates of germination and elongation were positively and linearly correlated with O2 uptake. Other cultivars showed a plateau of germination rates at around 25°C even though respiration continued to increase at higher temperatures. Cultivars from high elevations in Ethiopia and Rwanda had the greatest respiration, germination, and elongation rates, and those from Egypt had the smallest. Factor analysis showed that germination and elongation rates were not strongly associated with shoot and root fresh wt., but respiration was associated with all variables. Respiration rates measured at 10 and 15°C had the highest association with germination and elongation rates, while respiration at 25°C was associated with seedling growth characteristics. Our study suggests that respiration can serve as a useful selection criterion for early cold tolerance in sorghum.
Genetic Diversity of Common Carpetgrass Revealed by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers
Authors: Wang Zan , Kenworthy Kevin E. , Wu Yanqi
Published: June 2010

Common carpetgrass [Axonopus fissifolius (Raddi) Kuhlm.] is a perennial, warm‐season grass. Its low maintenance attributes make it a desirable turfgrass species for use in the southeastern United States. Information on the extent of genetic diversity at the molecular level for common carpetgrass germplasm is limited. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to assess the genetic diversity and relatedness among 59 common carpetgrass accessions, including 48 accessions collected from the southeastern United States, one from Hawaii, one from the NPGS, and another nine derived from commercial seed (seed‐derived) using fluorescence‐labeled amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Twenty selected AFLP primer combinations generated a total of 1046 amplification bands, of which 469 (44.1%) were polymorphic. Genetic similarity coefficients among accessions ranged from 0.807 to 0.980. A low level of genetic diversity (Shannon's information index = 0.24, gene diversity = 0.16) was observed for this collection. Naturalized accessions had relatively higher genetic diversity than seed‐derived accessions. Accessions from both sources were randomly distributed throughout the dendrogram with no definite geographic or source patterns. More comprehensive sampling throughout its center of origin is needed to increase the genetic diversity of common carpetgrass for breeding.
Agronomic Performance and Lamb Health among Several Tall Fescue Novel Endophyte Combinations in the South‐Central USA
Authors: Hopkins A. A. , Young C. A. , Panaccione D. G. , Simpson W. R. , Mittal S. , Bouton J. H.
Published: June 2010

Deployment of novel endophytes [Neotyphodium coenophialum(Morgan‐Jones & Gams) Glenn, Bacon & Hanlin] may expand the use of tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum(Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire] in the south‐central United States. Our objectives were to compare agronomic performance of, and health of lambs (Ovis aries) grazing, several tall fescue–novel endophyte combinations in the south‐central United States. Two tall fescue populations (97TF1 and PDF) were inoculated with four novel endophytes (AR514, AR524, AR542, and AR584). At most locations, persistence of the eight combinations under grazing by beef cattle (Bos taurus) was similar to Jesup MaxQ. However, the combination PDF AR584 had greater persistence than Jesup MaxQ at Booneville, AR (24 vs. 14% stands, respectively) and Burneyville, OK (31 vs. 8% stands, respectively). Forage yields of the eight combinations were comparable to Jesup MaxQ, with PDF AR584 having greater yields on occasion. Lambs grazing PDF AR584, 97TF1 AR584, PDF AR542, PDF AR524, and Jesup MaxQ gained an average of >139 g d−1, more than twice the 68 g d−1gained by animals grazing endophyte‐infected Kentucky‐31. Prolactin and urinary alkaloid data indicated no detrimental health effects for animals grazing the novel endophyte combinations. Several tall fescue–novel endophyte combinations, and in particular PDF AR584, appear to be suited for the south‐central United States, based on competitive agronomic performance and health of grazing lambs.
Wheat Development, Productivity, and Nitrogen Use Are Unaffected by Stable Isotope Form of the Nitrogen Source
Authors: Subedi K. D. , Ma B. L.
Published: June 2010

Under conditions where an adequate amount of isotopic 15N is supplied, it is not known whether wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants have a preference for 14N against the heavy isotope. A pot experiment was conducted for 2 yr with manually controlled nitrogen (N) supply to assess crop development, dry matter production, and N acquisition and partitioning in spring wheat plants grown in plastic pots filled with Ottawa sand. A set of plants were supplied with N from an 14N source (0.37 atom % 15N) throughout the growing period, while another set of plants received the same amounts of N from an 15N‐enriched fertilizer source (91.2 atom % 15N). At crop maturity, about 60% of the applied 15N was recovered in different plant parts, and 65% of the total N content in the plant was enriched with 15N compared with<0.5% in the control treatment. There were not any visual differences between the two sets of plants; neither was there a difference in quantitative traits such as plant height, leaf greenness, dry matter production, N acquisition and partitioning. This study demonstrated that given similar concentrations of the two N treatments that differed markedly in their 15N enrichment, there was no differentiation in N uptake and partitioning resulting from isotopic enrichment of the two N sources. This indicated that there is no preference against 15N by the wheat plants, and the greater natural abundance of the 14N is the main reason why plant tissues are dominated with 14N isotope.
Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance in Current Soft Red Winter Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Hughes K. R. , Griffey C. A. , Parrish D. J. , Barbeau W. E. , Souza E. , Thomason W. E.
Published: June 2010

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) results in unacceptable flour quality for a portion of the mid‐Atlantic soft red winter wheat (SRWW) (Triticum aestivum L.) crop annually. This research evaluates inherent dormancy in current mid‐Atlantic wheat cultivars using grain falling number after delayed harvest and the weighted germination index (WGI) to predict PHS. Individual spikes from 15 wheat cultivars grown in Virginia in 2007 and 2008 were harvested at physiological maturity and seeds germinated under controlled conditions. A WGI was calculated that gave greater weight to cultivars with seeds that germinated more quickly. The WGI effectively identified very high and low dormancy SRWW cultivars; however, the influence of environment during grain fill was important, especially for cultivars with moderate dormancy. To evaluate PHS tolerance by line under natural conditions, plots were left standing up to 6 wk after normal harvest date. Final harvest falling numbers were used to separate cultivars into PHS resistance groups. Strong relationships were found among PHS resistance groups, and WGI was determined at both 10 and 30°C. This indicates that PHS resistance groups were good predictors of dormancy and relative response of cultivars to delayed harvest. The morphological characteristics of head angle, glume tenacity, and awn length had no significant effect on PHS. Artificial wetting resulted in a major loss of quality after just one event, emphasizing the need for timely wheat harvest.
Heat Stress in Field‐Grown Maize: Response of Physiological Determinants of Grain Yield
Authors: Cicchino M. , Edreira J. I. Rattalino , Uribelarrea M. , Otegui M. E.
Published: June 2010

Heat stress around flowering has negative effects on maize (Zea maysL.) grain yield. Most research on this topic focused on the response of pollen viability and pollination constraints, and little is known about the relative response to heat of plant grain yield (PGY) components [kernel number per plant (KNP) and individual kernel weight (KW)] and the physiological determinants of grain yield [light interception efficiency (ei), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and harvest index (HI)]. Field experiments were performed to study the response of physiological traits to contrasting air temperature regimes at ear level [nonheated control (TC) and heated (TH; with air temperature >35°C around noon)]. Heating was performed during periods of approximately 15 d at two growth stages [presilking (GS1) and postsilking (GS2)]. All silked ears received fresh pollen. Heating during GS1caused (i) a larger delay in silking date than in anthesis date, (ii) an increase in male and female sterility, and (iii) a reduction in plant height and leaf area index, but not in eiHeating always caused a reduction in (i) plant and ear growth rates (EGR) around silking, (ii) RUE around silking, and (iii) HI and KNP. Final PGY was related to KNP (r2= 0.89,p< 0.001) but not to KW. Variations in KNP were explained (r2= 0.71,p< 0.0001) by variations in EGR postsilking (EGRPOST) and not presilking, evidence of long‐term effects of heat stress during GS1Variations in EGRPOSTdepended on variations in RUE postsilking (RUEPOST) and not on biomass partitioning to the ear.
Resistance of Early Generation Maize Inbred Lines and Their Hybrids to Maize Weevil [Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky)]
Authors: Dari Shorai , Pixley Kevin V. , Setimela Peter
Published: June 2010

Maize weevil [Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky)] causes important losses to maize (Zea mays L.) grain stored on‐farm by small‐scale farmers, thereby threatening food security throughout the developing world. We compared weevil resistance of S1, S2, S3, and S4 inbred lines with that of their testcross hybrids, studied gene action for resistance, and developed recommendations for weevil resistance breeding in maize. Weevil resistance was evaluated for lines and hybrids from two maize populations by infesting F2 grain samples with weevils and incubating the samples in a controlled temperature and humidity laboratory. Genotypic variation among lines and hybrids and both general and specific combining ability effects were significant for weevil resistance. Broad sense heritabilities were 62 and 50% for number of weevils emerged and 67 and 55% for grain weight loss among lines and hybrids, respectively. Weevil resistance of inbreds was generally not significantly correlated with, and thus could not be a useful predictor of, resistance of their hybrids. Grain weight loss from infestation and feeding was identified as a useful trait for weevil resistance breeding because of its moderate heritability, moderately high phenotypic correlation with number of weevils emerged (r = 0.55 to 0.77, p < 0.001), and ease of measurement. Useful genetic variation exists, and maize breeding programs can address weevil resistance with strategies that use both additive and nonadditive gene action.
Molecular and Cytogenetic Characterization of Wheat Introgression Lines Carrying the Stem Rust Resistance Gene Sr39
Authors: Yu Guo Tai , Zhang Qijun , Klindworth Daryl L. , Friesen Timothy L. , Knox Ron , Jin Yue , Zhong Shaobin , Cai Xiwen , Xu Steven S.
Published: June 2010

The stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f.sp. tritici Eriks. and Henn.) resistance gene Sr39, which confers resistance to TTKSK (Ug99), has been incorporated into the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome from Aegilops speltoides in the form of a chromosome translocation but it has not been deployed into adapted cultivars. In this study, we characterized translocation lines carrying Sr39 in four different wheat backgrounds with fluorescent genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results indicated that RL5711 and RL6082 had translocation chromosomes of comparable structure. The translocation chromosome in PI 600683 has lost Ae. speltoides chromatin in the telomeric end of the 2S long arm. Six translocation lines derived from the cross PI 600683/3*HY438 had translocation chromosomes of comparable structure to the one found in PI 600683. However, one line (P9714‐AM03C51), showed a substantial reduction in Ae. speltoides chromatin in the short arm of the translocated chromosome. The study demonstrated that it is apparently feasible to shorten Ae. speltoides chromatin in some wheat‐Ae. speltoides translocation lines. These results and the identification of diagnostic SSR markers will be useful in guiding chromosome manipulation efforts to further shorten the Ae. speltoides chromosome segments in these materials. Greenhouse inoculation of translocation lines with stem rust indicated that the Sr39 gene conditions resistance to at least seven stem rust races.
Minnesota Corn Breeding History: Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics Centennial
Authors: Troyer A. Forrest , Mikel Mark A.
Published: June 2010

A century of corn (Zea mays L.) breeding at Agronomy & Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, developed Minnesota 13 cultivar (Minn13) that enlarged the U.S. Corn Belt and also developed 273 corn inbreds. Minn13 was widely grown in 15 northern and higher elevation states for 40 yr before hybrid corn. Minnesota inbreds were used in 30.6% of the seed for the 1975 U.S. corn crop: Minnesota A632 15.2%, A634 7.8%, A619 4.2%, W117 (1/2 Minn13) 1.8%, A635 0.9%, A554 0.6%, and A654 0.1%. Our main objective is to measure the contribution of Minnesota corn breeding to today's corn. We define today's corn as the 305 proprietary corn inbred lines registered by U.S. Plant Variety Protection or utility patent 2004 to 2008. Minnesota developed corn inbreds contributing most to today's corn are C49 (A9), A509, A556, B164, and A237. These corn inbreds were sources of earliness that formed the Pioneer Early Iodents (PEI) at Mankato, MN in the early 1960s. They average 1.1% of the genes and 137 (45%) of the descendents among today's corn. The Minn13 inbred line descendents contributing most to today's corn are DeKalb/Monsanto's (DKM) 3IIH6, PEI's PH207, PHG3BD2, Ohio Oh43, and Holden/Monsanto's (HFM) LH82. Minn13 descendents have maintained about 4% genetic contribution 1984 to 2008. Clustering pedigree based genetic distance of Minn13 derived progeny in today's corn showed three major pedigree groups: HFM's LH82, PEI, and DKM's Iodent. The latter two are Early Iodent germplasm.
Congenital club foot
Authors: Vukasinovic Z.S. , Slavkovic N.S. , Zivkovic Z.M. , Bascarevic V.D.
Published: June 2010

Congenital club foot is the most frequent foot deformity. It occurs in 1% of newborns, two times more frequently in boys, with family inheritance. Patoanatomicaly, entity consists of bone deformities, articular malpositions and soft tissues retraction. All these produce adduction of the forefoot and varus and equinovarus of the hindfoot. Lateral side of the foot is convex and medial side is concave. Forefoot is in adduction and plantar flexion in relation to the hindfoot. The heel is rotated medially which induces varus and eqinus of the foot. The aim of the treatment is to establish anatomically normal foot, painless, with moderate movements, which is suitable for normal shoes. At the beginning treatment is nonsurgical. If nonsurgical treatment fails further step should be surgical treatment. The success of treatment of congenital clubfoot depends on the time of diagnosis and treatment beginning.
Predators and parasitoids of Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Serbia
Authors: Jerinic-Prodanovic Dusanka , Protic Ljiljana , Mihajlovic Ljubodrag
Published: June 2010

The presence of C. pyri and its natural enemies was studied in both treated and untreated pear orchards in Serbia from 2005 to 2009. Five parasitoid and 21 predator species were identified as present on a considerable number of sites. The following parasitoid species were found: Prionomitus mitratus (Dalman), Psyllaephagus procerus Marcet, Syrphophagus ariantes (Walker), Syrphophagus taeniatus (F?rster) and Tamarixia sp. In the study, the species Psyllaephagus procerus, Syrphophagus ariantes and Tamarixia sp. were for the first time identified as parasitoids of C. pyri and as new species in the Serbian fauna. Among the parasitoids determined, Prionomitus mitratus predominated. Of the predators, the following species in four orders were registered: Dermaptera [Forficula auricularia Linnaeus (Forficulidae)], Heteroptera [Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius), Anthocoris nemorum (Linnaeus), Orius (Heterorius) minutus (Linnaeus), Orius (Heterorius) niger Wolff (Anthocoridae), Campylomma verbasci (Mayer-D?r), Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber (Linnaeus) and Deraeocoris (Knightocarsus) lutescens (Schilling) (Miridae)], Neuroptera [Chrysopa pallens Rambur, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Chrysopa sp. (Chrysopidae)], and Coleoptera [Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, Adalia bipunctata Linnaeus, Adalia decempunctata (Linnaeus), Hippodamia tredecimpunctata (Linnaeus), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (Linnaeus), Calvia (Anisocalvia) quatuordecimguttata (Linnaeus) (Coccinellidae), Cantharis rustica Fall?n, Rhagonycha fulva (Scopoli) and Rh. testacea (Linnaeus) (Cantharidae)]. Of the predators determined, 12 species were registered for the first time as predators of C. pyri in Serbia, while C. rustica, Rhagonycha fulva and Rh. testacea have so far been known neither in Serbia nor in the world as predators of pear suckers.
Interdependence between oscillations and transients of delayed fluorescence induction processes in the thylakoid membrane of the intact maize leaf: Responses to effects of increased temperatures and drought
Authors: Radenovic Cedomir , Markovic Ksenija , Radojcic Aleksandar , Andjelkovic Violeta , Kalauzi Aleksandar
Published: June 2010

Standard induction processes of delayed fluorescence (DF) of chlorophyll (induction signals) occur when an intact leaf segment of maize inbreds and hybrids is kept in the phosphoroscope darkroom for more than 15 minutes (t > 15 min), and at the same time the leaf is illuminated with the intermittent white light. Resolved induction processes of DF chlorophyll into transients: A, B, C, D and E occur when the intact leaf segment of maize inbreds and hybrids is kept in the phosphoroscope darkroom for a significantly shorter period (500 s > t > 30 s), with the time rate t of 30 s, prior to its illumination with the intermittent white light. Induction transients: A, B, C, D and E are characterized with the time of their generation: tA = 31?6 ms (A), tB = 5 ? 0,5 s (B), tC = 15?5 s (C), tD = 360?20 s (D) and tE = 670?35 s (E), dynamics of changes in transients intensities (IA, IB, IC, ID and IE) and mechanisms of their generation. The induction processes of chlorophyll DF of the intact leaf of maize inbreds and hybrids resolved into transients: A, B, C, D and E are accompanied by the occurrence and different levels of activation energy (Ea, kJ mol-1) that correspond to critical temperatures ranging from 28 to 33?C. The generation mechanisms of induction transients A, B, C, D and E classify them into two groups. Transients A and B are of a physical character, while the transients: C, D, and E are of a chemical character. It is shown that the generation of the induction transients: B, C, D and E simultaneously follows establishing of the oscillations of induction processes of the DF chlorophyll. Oscillating of induction processes of DF chlorophyll is explained by the ion (K+, Na+, H+, Cl-) transport mechanism across the thylakoid membrane of the intact leaf of maize inbreds and hybrids grown under conditions of air drought, increased temperatures and water deficiency in the medium.
Vegetation of the classes Hydrochari-Lemnetea Oberd. 1967 and Potametea Tx. et Prsg. 1942 in the Jegricka watercourse (The province of Vojvodina, Serbia)
Authors: Dzigurski Dejana , Stojanovic Slobodanka , Knezevic Aleksa , Nikolic Ljiljana , Ljevnaic-Masic Branka
Published: June 2010

The Jegricka, once a natural watercourse traversing the southwestern part of the Backa region, has been turned into a canal, which became part of the main canal network of the hydro-system Danube-Tisza-Danube (Hs DTD). In its turn, the Hs DTD is part of the European waterway linking the North Sea to the Black Sea, i.e., part of the navigable Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. The watercourse is 65.4 km long and it is divided into three levels. The presence of the regulated and the nonregulated sections of the canal, frequent and abrupt changes in water level in the individual sections, different depths and surface water widths of the various sections and the fishpond constructed in the lower section cause considerable vegetation diversity. The vegetation comprises aquatic associations of the classes Hydrochari-Lemnetea Oberd. 1967 and Potametea Tx. et Prsg. 1942. The class Hydrochari-Lemnetea Oberd. 1967 includes the following phytocoenoses: Salvinio-Spirodeletum polyrrhizae Slavnic 1956, Ceratophylletum demersi (So? 27) Hild. 1956, Lemno-Utricularietum vulgaris So? 1928 and Hydrocharidetum morsus-ranae Van Langendonck 1935. The class Potametea Tx. et Prsg. 1942 includes the associations Myriophyllo-Potametum So? 1934, Najadetum marine Fukarek 1961, Nymphaeetum albae Vollmar 1947, Nymphoidetum peltate (Allorge 1922) Oberd. et M?ller 1960 and Trapetum natantis M?ller et G?rs 1960.