bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polynomially Computable Bounds for the Probability of the Union of Events
Authors: Boros Endre , Scozzari Andrea , Tardella Fabio , Veneziani Pierangela
Published: June 2014

We consider the problem of finding upper and lower bounds for the probability of the union of events when the probabilities of the single events and the probabilities of the intersections of up to m events are given.

It is known that the best possible bounds can be obtained by solving linear programming problems with a number of variables that is exponential in the number of events. Because of their size and structure, these large linear programs are known to be very hard to solve. In the literature simpler, polynomially sized aggregations are considered and numerous closed form or polynomially computable bounds are derived from those.

We present here a new approach that introduces additional constraints to the dual linear programming problems in such a way that those become polynomially solvable. By using different sets of additional constraints, we introduce three new classes of polynomially computable upper and lower bounds. We show that they dominate almost all efficiently computable bounds known in the literature. Furthermore, by characterizing the vertices of two new classes of polyhedra, we can show that in two cases our bounds coincide with classical bounds, proving new extremal properties for those well-known bounds. Finally, we provide extensive numerical results comparing the average tightness of the various bounds on a large number of instances.
Dynamic Pricing Strategies in the Presence of Demand Shifts
Authors: Besbes Omar , Sauré Denis
Published: June 2014

Many factors introduce the prospect of changes in the demand environment that a firm faces, with the specifics of such changes not necessarily known in advance. If and when realized, such changes affect the delicate balance between demand and supply and thus current prices should account for these future possibilities. We study the dynamic pricing problem of a retailer facing the prospect of a change in the demand function during a finite selling season with no inventory replenishment opportunity. In particular, the time of the change and the postchange demand function are unknown upfront, and we focus on the fundamental trade-off between collecting revenues from current demand and doing so for postchange demand, with the capacity constraint introducing the main tension. We develop a formulation that allows for isolating the role of dynamic pricing in balancing inventory consumption throughout the horizon. We establish that, in many settings, optimal pricing policies follow a monotone path up to the change in demand. We show how one may compare upfront the attractiveness of pre- and postchange demand conditions and how such a comparison depends on the problem primitives. We further analyze the impact of the model inputs on the optimal policy and its structure, ranging from the impact of model parameter changes to the impact of different representations of uncertainty about future demand.
The Dial-a-Ride Problem with Split Requests and Profits
Authors: Parragh Sophie N. , Pinho de Sousa Jorge , Almada-Lobo Bernardo
Published: June 2014

In this paper we introduce the dial-a-ride problem with split requests and profits (DARPSRP). Users place transportation requests, specifying a pickup location, a delivery location, and a time window for either of the two. Based on maximum user ride time considerations, the second time window is generated. A given fleet of vehicles, each with a certain capacity, is available to serve these requests, and maximum route duration constraints have to be respected. Each request is associated with a revenue and the objective is to maximize the total profit, that is, the total revenue minus the total costs. Transportation requests involving several persons may be split if it is beneficial to do so. We formulate the DARPSRP as a mixed-integer program using position variables and in terms of a path-based formulation. For the solution of the latter, we design a branch-and-price algorithm. The largest instance solved to optimality, when applied to available instances from the literature, has 40 requests; when applied to newly generated instances, the largest instance solved to optimality consists of 24 requests. To solve larger instances a variable neighborhood search algorithm is developed. We investigate the impact of request splitting under different geographical settings, assuming favorable settings for request splitting in terms of the number of people per request. The largest benefits from request splitting are obtained for problem settings exhibiting clustered customer locations.
Which 5-ASA? Understanding the choices in ulcerative colitis therapy
Authors: Sidhu Prabhjot Singh , Karwa Ravi , Kenneth Victoria , Oxley Debi , Agrawal Anurag
Published: June 2014

Ulcerative colitis is an intrusive and unpredictable condition that significantly affects the quality of life of the patients diagnosed with it. 5-aminosalycilic acid (5-ASA) medication is a valid and safe treatment option not only for patients with quiescent disease but also for those who have flare-ups. There are a variety of 5-ASA preparations with subtle yet important differences in doses, route of administration, release profile, site of maximal efficacy, side effects, and treatment costs. It is important for patients to understand the important aspects of the treatment therapy because those who adhere to their treatment are more likely to have favourable outcomes. The role of specialist nursing support in the management of ulcerative colitis cannot be overstated. Specialist nurses can play a valuable role not only in the initiation of 5-ASA treatment for their colitic patients, but also in the collaborative management and empowering of the patients.
Assessing the body image and subjective wellbeing of ostomists living in Brazil
Authors: Costa Viviane Ferreira , Alves Suellen Garcia , Eufrásio Cremilda , Salomé Geraldo Magela , Ferreira Lydia Masako
Published: June 2014

This descriptive, analytic, prospective clinical study assessed subjective wellbeing and body image in patients with an intestinal ostomy. It was conducted between December 2010 and May 2013 on 70 adult patients with an intestinal stoma. A questionnaire assessing the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients, the Brazilian version of the Body Investment Scale, and a Subjective Well-Being Scale were used for data collection. Most patients had a permanent colostomy, were retired, aged ≥60 years, had a household income of 1 to 3 Brazilian minimum monthly wages, and were participating in a support group. Patients with an intestinal stoma reported low scores on body image and body touch, reflecting their negative feelings about their body; morever, scores on the subjective wellbeing components indicated that these patients were unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives.
Can red flags solve staffing issues?
Authors: Harrison Penny
Published: June 2014

Penny Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at De Montfort University, Leicester, critically analyses the use of ‘red flags’ given the current non-existence of enforceable and mandatory staffing rules
a look at the life of a … Paediatric Gastroenterology Nurse Specialist
Authors: Cullen Mick
Published: June 2014

Mick Cullen, Paediatric Gastroenterology Nurse Specialist at Southampton General Hospital, takes centre stage.
Showing children how to cook up a healthy future
Authors: Elfer Katie
Published: June 2014

Pre-schools have an important role to play when it comes to educating children that cooking from scratch is best. Children's cookery school, Cookery Doodle Doo, suggests how to start them off.
Prepare for a wider world
Authors: Smith Sue
Published: June 2014

Childminders can take practical steps to help children make the big step to nursery. They should also offer awareness, sensitivity and encouragement as they embark on their journey, says Sue Smith.
Experimental investigation of process parameters for WEDM of Ti-6Al-4V/TiN composites
Authors: Urtekin Levent
Published: June 2014

Ti-6Al-4V alloys are difficult-machine materials. These alloys are extensively used in medicine, chemical units, marine and food industries, and particularly in the aerospace industry. Machinability of Ti-6Al-4V in wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) has been empirically investigated. WEDM performance tests were conducted on TiN coated Ti-6Al-4V alloy with physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, which is harder and has higher wear resistance. The performance of machinability of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-4V/TiN materials was analyzed. The most important performance characteristics of WEDM cutting are surface roughness, machining gap, and cutting speed. The tests were conducted under cutting parameters including varying pulse durations (300, 500, 700 μs), tension (50, 100 V) and wire feed rate (5, 8 m/min). Based on tension, pulse duration, and wire feed rate of heat-treated uncoated samples when compared to untreated samples and coated samples, feed rates were found to be at the highest value.
The dilemma of ischemia testing with different methods
Authors: Donataccio Maria Pia , Reverberi Claudio , Gaibazzi Nicola
Published: June 2014

A 52-year-old man presented after one episode of effort angina, normal treadmill electrocardiogram (ECG), and clearly positive adenosine cardiac magnetic resonance (aCMR) for reversible perfusion defects in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery territory. Contrast high-dose dipyridamole (0.84 mg/kg per 6 min) stress echocardiography (cSE) demonstrated normal myocardial perfusion (MP) and wall motion at rest, while perfusion defects were shown in the lateral and apical segments after dipyridamole. Wall motion at stress was completely normal and stress/rest Doppler diastolic velocity ratio on the LAD demonstrated reduced flow reserve. In this case, cSE was the provocative test detecting both the LAD and circumflex obstructive lesions, thanks to MP analysis, while wall motion assessment was negative, not different from treadmill ECG, and aCMR highlighted only the LAD disease.

Learning points

In spite of the low sensitivity of wall motion assessment during stress-echocardiography to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with multivessel disease and balanced ischemia, the addition of cSE with myocardial perfusion assessment, is not only able to overcome this limitation of false negative rate on a per-patient basis, but may also depict multivessel myocardial perfusion defects more efficiently than aCMR, as in the reported case, thanks to high spatial resolution.

Myocardial perfusion assessment during cSE, although not always technically feasible, has a very high spatial and temporal resolution which can easily demonstrate multivessel subendocardial perfusion defects during maximal vasodilation, which is often the only detectable marker of multivessel, balanced CAD.

It is known that wall motion analysis during pharmacologic stress may result in falsely negative multivessel disease; in these cases perfusion imaging or Doppler measurement of coronary flow reserve may be helpful to detect multivessel obstructive CAD, which is a significant and dismal prognostic finding. aCMR is assumed as the perfect imaging modality for CAD detection, but in selected cases, such as the one presented, an advanced echocardiographic method in experienced hands can provide even more comprehensive results.
Assessment of aortic and mitral annuli dynamics during the cardiac cycle using speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Bai Wenjuan , Li Hui , Tang Hong , Zhang Qing , Zhu Ye , Rao Li
Published: June 2014

The aims of this study were i) to evaluate mitral and aortic annuli excursion, and aortomitral angle (AMA) during the cardiac cycle in healthy adults using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, ii) to assess two annuli dynamics and coupling behaviors as an integral, and iii) to detect the relation between two annuli and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). A total of 74 healthy adults underwent transthoracic echocardiography. In the parasternal long-axis view, a number of points were extracted, including right coronary aortic annular, aortomitral fibrous junction, and posterior mitral annular points. The annuli excursion and AMA were measured using a speckle tracking-derived software during the cardiac cycle. During the isovolumic contraction and the isovolumic relaxation phase, annuli excursion and AMA remain stable for a short time. During the systole, annuli excursion increased sharply to the maximum, while AMA narrowed quickly to the minimum value. During the diastole, there are three patterns of decrease in annuli excursion and AMA expansion in different phases. The annuli excursion of three points correlates well with the LVEF (right coronary aortic annulus excursion,r=0.71,P<0.05; non-coronary aortic annulus excursion,r=0.70,P<0.05; posterior mitral annulus excursion,r=0.82,P<0.05). Moreover, there are positive correlations between annuli excursion and the variation of AMA (r=0.60,P<0.05). The annuli excursion and AMA have various regular patterns in healthy adults. The interactions of mitral and aortic annuli correlate with the left ventricular function. Our findings may have relevance to the evaluation of left ventricular function and presurgical planning of patients with valvular diseases.
Placental heme receptor LRP1 correlates with the heme exporter FLVCR1 and neonatal iron status
Authors: Cao Chang , Pressman Eva K , Cooper Elizabeth M , Guillet Ronnie , Westerman Mark , O'Brien Kimberly O
Published: June 2014

LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a transmembrane receptor highly expressed in human placenta. It was recently found to be the receptor for heme and its plasma-binding protein hemopexin (Hx) and is integral to systemic heme clearance. Little is known about systemic concentrations of Hx during pregnancy and whether maternal Hx and placental LRP1 contributes to fetal iron (Fe) homeostasis during pregnancy. We hypothesized that placental LRP1 would be upregulated in maternal/neonatal Fe insufficiency and would be related to maternal circulating Hx. Placental LRP1 expression was assessed in 57 pregnant adolescents (14–18 years) in relationship with maternal and cord blood Fe status indicators (hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, transferrin receptor), the Fe regulatory hormone hepcidin and serum Hx. Hx at mid-gestation correlated positively with Hb at mid-gestation (r=0.35,P=0.02) and Hx at delivery correlated positively with cord hepcidin (r=0.37,P=0.005). Placental LRP1 protein expression was significantly higher in women who exhibited greater decreases in serum Hx from mid-gestation to term (r=0.28,P=0.04). Significant associations were also found between placental LRP1 protein with cord hepcidin (r=−0.29,P=0.03) and placental heme exporter feline leukemia virus C receptor 1 (r=0.34,P=0.03). Our data are consistent with a role for placental heme Fe utilization in supporting fetal Fe demands.
Genome-Wide Linkage-Disequilibrium Profiles from Single Individuals
Authors: Lynch Michael , Xu Sen , Maruki Takahiro , Jiang Xiaoqian , Pfaffelhuber Peter , Haubold Bernhard
Published: June 2014

Although the analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) plays a central role in many areas of population genetics, the sampling variance of LD is known to be very large with high sensitivity to numbers of nucleotide sites and individuals sampled. Here we show that a genome-wide analysis of the distribution of heterozygous sites within a single diploid genome can yield highly informative patterns of LD as a function of physical distance. The proposed statistic, the correlation of zygosity, is closely related to the conventional population-level measure of LD, but is agnostic with respect to allele frequencies and hence likely less prone to outlier artifacts. Application of the method to several vertebrate species leads to the conclusion that >80% of recombination events are typically resolved by gene-conversion-like processes unaccompanied by crossovers, with the average lengths of conversion patches being on the order of one to several kilobases in length. Thus, contrary to common assumptions, the recombination rate between sites does not scale linearly with distance, often even up to distances of 100 kb. In addition, the amount of LD between sites separated by <200 bp is uniformly much greater than can be explained by the conventional neutral model, possibly because of the nonindependent origin of mutations within this spatial scale. These results raise questions about the application of conventional population-genetic interpretations to LD on short spatial scales and also about the use of spatial patterns of LD to infer demographic histories.
Promoting Positive Education, Resilience and Student Wellbeing Through Values Education
Authors: Broadbent Carolyn , Boyle Maureen
Published: June 2014

This paper provides details of a government funded national Values Education and Student Wellbeing Schools Project, implemented in Canberra, Australia. The Project focuses on student wellbeing and values education through curriculum implementation and staff development across early childhood, primary and secondary sectors. It comprises two stages: Stage 1. School-based project implementation and reporting of evidence related to the aims of the key objectives; and Stage 2. Research and evaluation conducted by university research teams on the impact of Stage 1 to provide an evidence base for further developing a whole school approach to values education, student wellbeing, resilience and positive education. The collaborative processes, development and findings from the Stage 2 research component form the basis of this paper and provided valuable information as the research proceeded. Mixed methodologies were adopted to capture the richness and impact of the work being conducted in schools. Data collected from ten schools saw the emergence of a number of themes and outcomes that highlighted the positive impact of the Project on teachers, students and the school culture and community. The findings of the study highlight the importance of a whole school approach to values education in promoting positive change in schools and student wellbeing through quality pedagogy and curriculum, increased opportunities for student participation and leadership and establishment of stronger school-community engagement.
The Impact of Grouping Gifted Students on Motivation
Authors: Chessor Danuta
Published: June 2014

Encouraging and facilitating learning for children is an important role for educators. How best to motivate children to learn is a critical question when educating gifted children? Motivation is that commitment to involvement with the learning process. A distinction can be made between goal orientations to achievement with a focus in this study on mastery goal orientation and performance goal orientation. This study considered whether mastery goal orientation was more prevalent when gifted pre-adolescent children (aged 10-12 years) in NSW schools, Australia, were grouped together in a selective class (experimental group) in contrast to children placed in non-selective class situations (comparison group). The results indicated that mastery goal orientation decreased significantly for all children over time but the magnitude of these decreases was similar across the two groups. In fact, for this age group all motivation was decreased over time for both the selective class groups and the non-selective class groups. Further research on the affective and motivational outcomes for gifted children and their learning is suggested. Pre-adolescent developmental influences are discussed.
Reviewing the Impact of the National Strategies Design and Technology Framework for Key Stage Three
Authors: McLain Matt , Bell Dawne , Smith Justine , Martin Mike
Published: June 2014

Since the beginning of Design and Technology (D&T) in the English secondary school curriculum, the teaching of design has been identified as less effective than that of making. In 2004 as part of the National Strategies, the D&T framework was launched, aiming to support the teaching of design skills. This small-scale study begins to explore the experiences of pupils and teachers in four schools in the Northwest of England. The study uses a mixed methods approach, gathering quantitative and qualitative data in a questionnaire with a convenience sample of school pupils. Responses are analysed alongside qualitative interviews with D&T teachers from the schools. The findings indicate that many pupils had a clear understanding of the role and function of designing. However, some common assumptions of the nature of design activity centering on the act of sketching or drawing were evident. Whilst some progress has been made in the teaching of design, through the use of design activities introduced in the D&T Framework, the support experienced by teachers was limited and were not sustained beyond the initial training. There are implications for initial teacher educators in supporting beginning teachers and balancing the tensions trainees experience whilst on placements in school.
Delinquent and No delinquent Male Adolescents’ Conceptions of Their Intimate Relationships with Parents
Authors: Kõiv Kristi
Published: June 2014

Using a retrospective method developed by Pipp et al. (1985), delinquent (N=100) and nondelinquent (N=100) 16-17 years old male adolescents' used diagrams and questionnaire ratings to portray their relationships with both parents during four age periods. From early childhood to their current age, delinquents perceived their intimate relationships with parents as less loving and close compared with matched controls. Both study groups perceived themselves as gaining progressively more responsibility and dominance during childhood, but differed from each other in the area of dominance, responsibility and friendship during current relationships and during early childhood in the area of independence and similarity.
Aetiology of Pedophile Sufferers
Authors: Safitri Jehan , Fauzia Rahmi , Sholihah Qomariyatus
Published: June 2014

Every human being has the sexual desire, which is sometimes distributed by way and objects that are not reasonable, that if the urge arises of course be done how to fulfill that desire, as well as for people with pedophilia. However, attention is often focused on children who become victims, even though the patient also has the right to deliver their sexual drive. This study was conducted to determine how the history of the formation of pedophilia disorders. By knowing what causes a person to have a pedophilia sexual orientation, this study expected to maximize the treatment given to people with pedophilia. This research is a qualitative research case study approach. The subject of this research are 2 people who are undergoing prison sentence associated with cases of sexual abuse in children. The research was conducted in prison, Singaraja. Data collection methods used were interviews and psychological tests. The data validation done using source triangulation. Results from this study is that the parents do not functioning properly as an adult figure and there is failure in identifying the parent figure as an adult. Domination by the older figures in childhood can also lead to the need to dominate and control others who can be seen as a compensation of the powerlessness of childhood. In addition, the presence of traumatic events in childhood or unpleasant experience with adult figures, thus forming a bad perception about the adults. These factors can trigger sexual deviation as in the case of pedophilia. However, many other factors outside of what has been mentioned above, that can strengthen the urge to deviate from patients with pedophilia and it is a dynamic process of how the formation history of these disorders.
Relationship Work Fatigue Related to Work Stress on Circadian Rythm Night Shift Operator Employee PT. Indonesia Bulk Terminal Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Sholihah Qomariyatus , Fauzia Rahmi
Published: June 2014

Background Excessive workload can cause not only physical fatigue, as well as the emotions which then become a source of stress. Fatigue is a factor that may impede the achievement of productivity. Physical fatigue, mental, and emotional stress suffered due to long periods of time due to the high productivity demands. Aims Determine the relationship of fatigue to the stress of working on the night shift employees at the operator. Methods Observational analytic cross-sectional approach. The study population was all part of the service employees at PT. IBT as many as 130 employees of the operator. The research sample was taken by using purposive sampling as many as 97 people. The research instrument used in this study was a questionnaire fatigue and work stress. Results The level of employee fatigue as much as 62% exhausted, to the level of work stress 58% stress level is high. Work stress and relationships based on employee fatigue 72% exhausted. Conclusions There is a relationship to work stress fatigue on operator night shift employees. Suggestion alternate shift pattern and shift off before. Giving out bond program for employee. In order to create a new atmosphere and relaxed and a sense of togetherness and belonging. So that productivity increases as well as health and safety realized.
Stacked n-i-p-n-i-p Heterojunctions for Image Recognition
Authors: Vieira M. , Fantoni A. , Fernandes M. , Louro P. , Rodrigues I.
Published: June 2014

This work aims to clarify possible improvements and physical limits of the Color Laser Scanned Photodiode image sensor when used as high sensitive non-pixel image reader. A new design based on a stacked n-i-p-n-i-p heterojunction is proposed and compared with the old single n-i-p sensing structure. Results show that a B-W image is acquired with an improved resolution. The readout frequency is optimized showing that scans speeds up to 104lines per second can be achieved without degradation in the resolution. A physical model is presented and supported by an electrical and a numerical simulation of the output characteristics of the sensor.
Humidity-driven deformation of ordered mesoporous silica films
Authors: Sharifi Parvin , Marmiroli Benedetta , Sartori Barbara , Cacho-Nerin Fernando , Keckes Jozef , Amenitsch Heinz , Paris Oskar
Published: June 2014

The mechanical response of two ordered mesoporous silica films on silicon substrates was investigated by in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering during change of relative humidity. Films were prepared by using well known approaches of evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) of block-copolymer templated silica precursor sols. A thick film (≈500 nm) was prepared by dip coating and a thin film (≈100 nm) was prepared by spin coating. Both films exhibited a distorted 2D-hexagonal arrangement of cylindrical mesopores. While for the thin film these pores were highly oriented within the film plane, the thick film was much more disordered with respect to the in-plane orientation. The evaluation of the pore lattice strain as a consequence of changing relative humidity reveals a similar magnitude of deformation and similar elastic properties in the out-of-plane direction for the two samples. However, the in-plane strains are completely different. While the thin film is essentially unstrained within the plane of the film as expected for a thin film on a rigid substrate, there seems to be a considerable in-plane strain for the thick film. This result underlines the importance of film thickness and film quality when aiming at using such systems for bioinspired bilayer actuators.
Influence of reconstitution method on the behaviour of completely decomposed granite
Authors: MADHUSUDHAN B.N. , BAUDET B.A.
Published: June 2014

Reconstituting soil is common in construction yet the method used can affect the mechanical behaviour of the reconstituted soil when the soil contains a significant amount of fines. A completely decomposed granite was reconstituted following different methods, namely, dry deposition, moist tamping, slurrying and reconstituting after separating fines by washing; then it was tested in compression and shearing. The test results highlight the sensitivity of the soil behaviour to the method of preparation used for reconstitution. It was found that preparation methods involving large amounts of water, such as slurrying (S) or reconstitution after washing the fines (F), can lead to a release of fines, with effect to change the grading and change the mineralogy. Differences between dry-deposited (D)/moist-tamped (MT) specimens and slurried (S)/washed-reconstituted (F) specimens were observed mainly in the volumetric response. Two different normal compression and critical state lines were obtained for the two main methods of preparation (D/MT and S/F). The distance between the normal compression line and critical state line is larger for the S/F specimens than for the D/MT specimens. For residual soils like Hong Kong completely decomposed granite, which contains a significant amount of fines, it therefore seems necessary to understand the potential differences caused by different preparation methods of reconstitution.
Performance assessment of hollow RC bridge columns with triangular reinforcement details
Authors: Kim Tae-Hoon , Lee Jae-Hoon , Shin Hyun Mock
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of hollow reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns with triangular reinforcement details for materials quantity reduction and to provide data for developing improved design criteria. Hollow column sections are designed based on the economic considerations of the cost savings associated with reduced materials and design moments compared with increased construction complexity and hence increased labour costs. The proposed triangular reinforcement details are economically feasible and rational and facilitate shorter construction periods. Five hollow RC bridge columns were tested under a constant axial load and a cyclically reversed horizontal load. The effect of the proposed reinforcement details on the performance of hollow bridge columns was investigated. The computer program RCAHEST (Reinforced concrete analysis in higher evaluation system technology) was used to analyse RC structures. The proposed numerical method for the performance assessment of hollow RC bridge columns was verified by comparison with experimental results. As a result, the proposed reinforcement details were designed prior to the existing reinforcement details in terms of required performance. Additionally, the studies and discussions presented here provide insight into the key behavioural aspects of hollow RC bridge columns with triangular reinforcement details.
Microbial composition alters the response of litter decomposition to environmental change
Authors: Matulich Kristin L. , Martiny Jennifer B. H.
Published: June 2014

Recent studies demonstrate that microorganisms are sensitive to environmental change, and that their community composition influences ecosystem functioning. However, it is unknown whether microbial composition interacts with the environment to affect the response of ecosystem processes to changing abiotic conditions. To investigate the potential for such interactive effects on leaf litter decomposition, we manipulated microbial composition and three environmental factors predicted to change in the future (moisture, nitrogen availability, and temperature). We isolated fungal and bacterial taxa from leaf litter and used them to construct unique communities. Communities were inoculated into microcosms containing sterile leaf litter and exposed to four environmental treatments (control conditions, increased temperature, decreased moisture, and elevated nitrogen availability). Respiration was tracked over 60 days, and communities were pyrosequenced to assess compositional changes. As hypothesized, composition and environmental treatment interacted to influence respiration rates. In particular, microbial composition interacted more strongly with changing nitrogen availability and less so with changing moisture or temperature. Further, the magnitude of a community's response to a particular environmental change was partly explained by changes in composition over the course of the experiment; microcosms that showed a large change in respiration rate included more taxa whose relative abundance changed as well. Together, these results suggest that information about microbial composition may be more useful for predicting functional responses to some types of environmental changes than others.
Overcoming the Antagonistic Effect from Spray Carrier Minerals on Imazethapyr Activity
Authors: Aliverdi A. , Ganbari A. , Rashed-Mohassel M.H. , Nassiri-Mahallati M. , Zand E.
Published: June 2014

Minerals in spray carrier water can adversely influence the activity of weak acid herbicides, thus overcoming them has been considered a main research priority. A series of dose–response pot experiments were conducted to compare the water softening chemical methods [(NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, C6H8O7, and KHPO4] and a new water softening physical method (passing through a magnetic field of 0.7 T) for overcoming antagonism from the carriers containing 0.5 g L−1 of CaCO3, MgCO3, Na2CO3, K2CO3, or Fe2(CO3)3 on imazethapyr (2‐[4,5‐dihydro‐4‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)‐5‐oxo‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl]‐5‐ethyl‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid) activity on jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.). The imazethapyr activity was significantly increased by all methods when distilled water was used as the carrier. The (NH4)2SO4 (relative potency [RP] = 3.52) was the most effective method, followed by C6H8O7 and NH4NO3 (RP = 2.58), a magnetized carrier (RP = 1.83), and then KHPO4 (RP = 1.48) to improve imazethapyr activity. The imazethapyr activity was clearly antagonized when carbonate salts were added to distilled water. The intensity of the antagonistic effects depended on the cation's valence and ranked as Fe2(CO3)3 (RP = 0.47) > MgCO3 (RP = 0.52) = CaCO3 (RP = 0.53) > K2CO3 (RP = 0.69) = Na2CO3 (RP = 0.66). The application of a magnetized carrier was not as effective a method for overcoming this antagonism as the addition of (NH4)2SO4 or C6H8O7, but it was more effective than the addition of NH4NO3 or KHPO4. Nonetheless, from different points of view—agronomic, environmental, and economic—applying a magnetized carrier is recommended as a technique because it not only needs no chemical but it also causes no side effects.
Changes in Area, Yield Gains, and Yield Stability of Sorghum in Major Sorghum‐Producing Countries, 1970 to 2009
Authors: Rakshit Sujay , Hariprasanna K. , Gomashe Sunil , Ganapathy K. N. , Das I. K. , Ramana O. V. , Dhandapani A. , Patil J. V.
Published: June 2014

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a drought‐resilient crop, grown extensively in semiarid tropics of the world. To understand the scenario of sorghum cultivation across the world, trends in area and yield gain and associated changes in yield stability were analyzed in the top 10 sorghum‐producing countries from 1970 to 2009. Asian countries and the United States recorded a large drop in harvested area. Grain yield levels increased substantially in all the countries except Sudan. Relative to yield level of 1970, sorghum productivity increased annually at 0.96% yr−1 across the top 10 countries analyzed. China (100.9 kg ha−1 yr−1) and Nigeria (48.6 kg ha−1 yr−1) experienced phenomenal yield gain before reaching a plateau. Overall yield gain was not associated with increased yield stability in a majority of countries except Ethiopia. In fact, in China and India (post‐rainy‐season sorghum), the yield variability increased over time. Genetic gain for grain yield over years in the Indian sorghum improvement program was prominent in rainy‐season hybrid trials (18.5 kg ha−1 yr−1), whereas both in post‐rainy‐season hybrid and varietal trials it was insignificant. Much progress in rainy‐season variety trials after 1985 was not observed. Across years in India, the gap between potential and farm yield declined 0.32% yr−1 among rainy‐season cultivars and 0.46% yr−1 among post‐rainy‐season cultivars. The analysis reveals that though substantial progress has been made towards yield gain, this was not represented by increased production because of extensive loss of the sorghum area to other remunerative crops.
Evaluation of Soybean Germplasm Accessions for Resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi Populations in the Southeastern United States, 2009–2012
Authors: Walker David R. , Harris Donna K. , King Zachary R. , Li Zenglu , Boerma H. Roger , Buckley J. Blair , Weaver David B. , Sikora Edward J. , Shipe Emerson R. , Mueller John D. , Buck James W. , Schneider Raymond W. , Marois James J. , Wright David L. , Nelson Randall L.
Published: June 2014

Between 2009 and 2012, 118 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection were screened for resistance to soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) at up to five locations in the southeastern United States. In 2009, plant introductions (PIs) from maturity groups III through IX were evaluated for relative disease severity and intensity of sporulation from uredinia compared with 12 susceptible cultivars from the same range of maturity groups. Resistance evaluations were based primarily on disease severity and intensity of sporulation from rust pustules. To assess resistance at several nurseries, a rust index score was calculated from the severity and sporulation ratings. Many of the PIs were moderately to highly resistant at the 2009 locations between Alabama and South Carolina, but the P. pachyrhizi population in Bossier City, LA, was virulent on most of those accessions. The 2011 rating data from Quincy, FL, indicated an increase in the virulence of the pathogen there since 2009, and this trend was observed again in 2012. In contrast, many of the same PIs developed substantially less soybean rust in Attapulgus, GA, in 2012. Despite the comparatively greater disease that many accessions had in Louisiana in 2009 and in Quincy in 2011 and 2012, at least 78 PIs were resistant in Georgia in 2012, and 20 of those were at least moderately resistant in both Florida and Georgia that year. No accessions were immune to rust at all of the nurseries, but PI 200492 (Rpp1), PI 547875 (a backcross line with Rpp1), and PI 567102B (Rpp6) were the most resistant of the accessions with named resistance genes and were among the most resistant accessions overall. Among the most resistant accessions with unknown resistance genes, PI 416826A, PI 417125, PI 567034, and PI 567104B consistently had effective levels of resistance in different locations and years. Information about the most resistant PIs and their reactions to soybean rust infection across years and locations will be useful for the development of rust‐resistant soybean cultivars in the United States.
Characterizing Changes in Soybean Spectral Response Curves with Breeding Advancements
Authors: Christenson Brent S. , Schapaugh William T. , An Nan , Price Kevin P. , Fritz Allan K.
Published: June 2014

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) crop yield has steadily increased in the past 60 yr due in part to breeding advances. Relations between canopy spectral reflectance to specific plant functions may help characterize the impact of breeding on soybean cultivar development. The objectives of this study were to: 1) find specific regions of the soybean canopy spectral reflectance response curves that show genotypic differences; and 2) determine the effect of the breeding process on spectral reflectance response curves of soybean cultivars. Canopy spectral reflectance measurements were taken on 20 maturity group III (MGIII) and 20 maturity group IV (MGIV) soybean cultivars ranging in release year from 1923 to 2010 (arranged in a randomized complete block design) in 2011 and 2012 in Manhattan, KS. Large genotypic differences were found among cultivars, especially in the green (500 nm–600 nm), red (600 nm–700 nm), and red‐edge (700nm–730 nm) portions of the spectra. Reflectance in the visible (VIS) (400–700 nm), red‐edge (700–730 nm), and near‐infrared (NIR) (730–1305) portions of the spectra varied with year of release (YOR) among cultivars. The more recently released cultivars tended to have lower reflectance values in the VIS and red‐edge spectra portions and higher values in the NIR portion of the spectra than earlier‐released cultivars. Results also indicate that spectral reflectance in the NIR portion of the spectra are highly confounded with maturity and other agronomic traits. These results indicate that breeding advancement has had an impact on canopy spectral reflectance curves and the VIS and red‐edge portions of the spectra may be a source of variation for further cultivar development and advancement.
Yield, Morphological Characteristics, and Chemical Composition of European‐ and Mediterranean‐Derived Birdsfoot Trefoil Cultivars Grown in the Colder Continental United States
Authors: Grabber J. H. , Riday H. , Cassida K. A. , Griggs T. C. , Min D. H. , MacAdam J. W.
Published: June 2014

North American birdsfoot trefoil (BFT, Lotus corniculatus L.) cultivars such as Norcen produce forage with low condensed tannin (CT) concentrations that may be insufficient for optimal livestock performance. Our objective was to identify European‐ and Mediterranean‐derived cultivars with higher CT concentrations that would be suitable for production in the colder continental United States. One alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and 14 BFT cultivars were established during 2005 in MI, UT, WI, and WV and harvested under a two‐ or three‐cut management to determine herbage chemical composition in 2006 and dry matter yield (DMY) in 2006 and 2007. During 2006, variances in crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were mainly influenced by location‐harvest environments, while CT was influenced by both cultivar and environment. Earlier‐maturing cultivars such as Bokor, AU Dewey, Rodeo, and Grasslands Goldie produced herbage with relatively high CT concentrations, but not undesirably low CP or high NDF, ADF, and ADL concentrations compared with Norcen BFT or alfalfa. By the second full production year in 2007, total DMY in UT exceeded WI by twofold and MI by ninefold, and total DMY of the moderate CT‐containing cultivar Lotar surpassed most other cultivars, suggesting it may be well suited for forage production in the United States. Yields of alfalfa in all environments exceeded BFT by about 1.5‐fold. Additional studies are needed to identify optimal CT concentrations in BFT for ruminants and to improve the compositional uniformity and yield of harvested BFT in various environments.
A New Common Bacterial Blight Resistance QTL in VAX 1 Common Bean and Interaction of the New QTL, SAP6, and SU91 with Bacterial Strains
Authors: Viteri Diego M. , Cregan Perry B. , Trapp Jennifer J. , Miklas Phillip. N. , Singh Shree P.
Published: June 2014

Common bacterial blight (CBB) is a severe disease in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). New resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) should facilitate development of cultivars with high levels of resistance. Our objectives were to (i) identify new resistance QTL in VAX 1 and verify its presence in VAX 3, (ii) determine the interaction between QTL with existing SAP6 and SU91 QTL, and (iii) examine the interaction between QTL with less aggressive ARX8AC and aggressive Xcp25 bacterial strains. Sixty‐one F6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from ‘Othello’/VAX 1 and 100 RIL from Othello/VAX 3 were screened in the greenhouse. Disease severity of inoculated primary leaves, first and second trifoliolate leaves, and pods, was scored from 1 = no symptoms to 9 = completely diseased. Genotyping was performed using 5398 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BeadChip and CBB resistance QTL‐linked sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers, SAP6 and SU91. A novel resistance QTL with major effect was detected on Pv11 linkage group in Othello/VAX 1 and verified in Othello/VAX 3. This Pv11 QTL, defined by the closest marker SNP47467 (45,059,806 bp), explained 23% of the phenotypic variance for resistance in primary and 18% in trifoliolate leaves in Othello/VAX 1, and 13% and 22%, respectively, in Othello/VAX 3 to ARX8AC. The Pv11 QTL, named Xa11.4OV1,OV3, had greater influence against Xcp25, with respective values for variance for resistance explained in primary and trifoliolate leaves of 45% and 51% in Othello/VAX 1 and 26% and 37% in Othello/VAX 3. Conversely, SAP6 was only effective against ARX8AC in both populations, and surprisingly, SU91 was only effective against Xcp25 in Othello/VAX 3. SAP6 was the only QTL to condition resistance in pods. QTL interactions and differential reactions to strains indicate that the new Xa11.4OV1,OV3 QTL is critical in breeding for stable and higher levels of foliage resistance to CBB in common bean.
Forest Overstory Effect on Soil Organic Carbon Storage: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Boča Antra , Van Miegroet Helga , Gruselle Marie-Cécile
Published: June 2014

A meta‐analysis using 77 studies from 28 countries was performed to assess the effect of hardwood vs. conifer overstory on soil organic C (SOC) storage in forest floor (FF), mineral soil, and whole soil (FF + mineral soil). Overall, FF stocks were 38% higher under conifers, mineral SOC stocks were similar, and whole soil SOC was 14% higher under conifers. An analysis with six of the seven most reported tree genera reaffirmed higher FF and whole soil C stocks under conifer stands. Analysis with all seven of the genera showed more pronounced variability in mineral SOC results compared with the overall results.Eucalyptuswas the only hardwood that stored significantly (17%) more SOC in the mineral soil than adjacent conifers.Piceawas the only conifer that stored significantly (7%) more SOC in the mineral soil than hardwoods. Differences in FF SOC stocks had a limited predictive power in explaining the variability of mineral SOC stock differences, suggesting that they are not very closely linked with regard to SOC storage. Only when comparing FF SOC stocks among genera did precipitation, age difference, soil texture, and previous land use moderate SOC storage differences between conifers and hardwoods. In other cases, neither climate nor soil variables could explain differences between SOC stocks. Our findings suggest that using plant‐trait‐driven vegetation categories may be a more descriptive way of detecting vegetation effects on SOC.
Regional Assessment of Soil Microbial Functional Diversity of Douglas‐fir Forests
Authors: McGinnis Megan L. , Holub Scott M. , Myrold David D.
Published: June 2014

Extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) provides a functional fingerprint of soil microbial communities and can be an indicator of change following disturbance. This study examined the EEA of nine managed, Douglas‐fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] dominated forests in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It assessed the variability of EEA both within and among sites and correlated EEA with environmental variables covered by the broad geographical range of the study sites. This characterization was linked with measures of community size, C and N cycling ability, and other soil properties, such as texture and nutrient status, to provide insights into extracellular enzyme production and microbial function. Principal components analysis and multiple response permutation procedure results indicated that EEA is highly variable among sites but much less variable within sites. It also revealed that the functional fingerprint of the soil tended to be more similar for soils within the same soil order. Additionally, the results implied that phosphatase and the C‐cycling enzymes β‐glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase are constitutive in these systems, whereas the N‐scavenging enzymes N‐acetylglucosaminidase and leucine aminopepdidase are facultative. Furthermore, the N‐cycling EEA suggests an N limitation in these sites despite N fertilization. This characterization will be critical in assessing microbial community changes following timber harvest.