bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of Genomic Prediction in Synthetic Populations Depending on the Number of Parents, Relatedness, and Ancestral Linkage Disequilibrium
Authors: Schopp Pascal , Müller Dominik , Technow Frank , Melchinger Albrecht E 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Synthetics play an important role in quantitative genetic research and plant breeding, but few studies have investigated the application of genomic prediction (GP) to these populations. Synthetics are generated by intermating a small number of parents (NP) and thereby possess unique genetic properties, which make them especially suited for systematic investigations of factors contributing to the accuracy of GP. We generated synthetics in silico from NP=2 to 32 maize (Zea mays L.) lines taken from an ancestral population with either short- or long-range linkage disequilibrium (LD). In eight scenarios differing in relatedness of the training and prediction sets and in the types of data used to calculate the relationship matrix (QTL, SNPs, tag markers, and pedigree), we investigated the prediction accuracy (PA) of Genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and analyzed contributions from pedigree relationships captured by SNP markers, as well as from cosegregation and ancestral LD between QTL and SNPs. The effects of training set size NTS and marker density were also studied. Sampling few parents (2≤NP&lt;8) generates substantial sample LD that carries over into synthetics through cosegregation of alleles at linked loci. For fixed NTS, NP influences PA most strongly. If the training and prediction set are related, using NP&lt;8 parents yields high PA regardless of ancestral LD because SNPs capture pedigree relationships and Mendelian sampling through cosegregation. As NP increases, ancestral LD contributes more information, while other factors contribute less due to lower frequencies of closely related individuals. For unrelated prediction sets, only ancestral LD contributes information and accuracies were poor and highly variable for NP≤4 due to large sample LD. For large NP, achieving moderate accuracy requires large NTS, long-range ancestral LD, and high marker density. Our approach for analyzing PA in synthetics provides new insights into the prospects of GP for many types of source populations encountered in plant breeding.
An Evolutionarily Conserved Transcriptional Activator-Repressor Module Controls Expression of Genes for D-Galacturonic Acid Utilization inAspergillus niger
Authors: Niu Jing , Alazi Ebru , Reid Ian D , Arentshorst Mark , Punt Peter J , Visser Jaap , Tsang Adrian , Ram Arthur F J 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe expression of genes encoding extracellular polymer-degrading enzymes and the metabolic pathways required for carbon utilization in fungi are tightly controlled. The control is mediated by transcription factors that are activated by the presence of specific inducers, which are often monomers or monomeric derivatives of the polymers. A D-galacturonic acid-specific transcription factor named GaaR was recently identified and shown to be an activator for the expression of genes involved in galacturonic acid utilization in Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger. Using a forward genetic screen, we isolated A. niger mutants that constitutively express GaaR-controlled genes. Reasoning that mutations in the gaaR gene would lead to a constitutively activated transcription factor, the gaaR gene in 11 of the constitutive mutants was sequenced, but no mutations in gaaR were found. Full genome sequencing of five constitutive mutants revealed allelic mutations in one particular gene encoding a previously uncharacterized protein (NRRL3_08194). The protein encoded by NRRL3_08194 shows homology to the repressor of the quinate utilization pathway identified previously in Neurospora crassa (qa-1S) and Aspergillus nidulans (QutR). Deletion of NRRL3_08194 in combination with RNA-seq analysis showed that the NRRL3_08194 deletion mutant constitutively expresses genes involved in galacturonic acid utilization. Interestingly, NRRL3_08194 is located next to gaaR (NRRL3_08195) in the genome. The homology to the quinate repressor, the chromosomal clustering, and the constitutive phenotype of the isolated mutants suggest that NRRL3_08194 is likely to encode a repressor, which we name GaaX. The GaaR–GaaX module and its chromosomal organization is conserved among ascomycetes filamentous fungi, resembling the quinate utilization activator-repressor module in amino acid sequence and chromosomal organization.
Cambios estacionales del fitoplancton en el área marina de pesca responsable de Paquera-Tambor, Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica
Authors: García-Rojas Andrea , Vega Bolaños Hannia 
Published: November 2016

La implementación de Áreas Marinas de Pesca Responsable (AMPR) es una herramienta para el ordenamiento pesquero, por ello, los estudios de línea base juegan un rol importante para comprender la dinámica ecológica desde las bases de la red trófica en las AMPR. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la abundancia de los grupos taxonómicos del fitoplancton en el AMPR-Paquera-Tambor, para la determinación de cambios estacionales entre variables abióticas y el fitoplancton. Se realizó un muestreo mensual (de septiembre-2013 a agosto-2014) para la toma de muestras de factores fisicoquímicos, así como de microalgas planctónicas. Los datos evidenciaron una variación temporal tanto de los factores ambientales como del fitoplancton. Las microalgas más representativas fueron las diatomeas y los dinoflagelados con una riqueza de 51 y 32 especies, respectivamente, donde se resalta la presencia de algunas especies productoras de florecimientos algales como Cochlodinium catenatum con una concentración de 5.85x104cél L-1. Con respecto a las diatomeas y los parámetros, como la profundidad del disco Secchi (r = -0.558) y el porcentaje de saturación de oxígeno (r = -0.490), se reflejó una correlación negativa debido a la variabilidad climática de la zona. Se identificaron organismos del grupo zooplanctónico de los tintínidos, los cuales presentaron una correlación positiva con las diatomeas (r = 0.433). Se evidenció una dinámica ecosistémica fundamental para el desarrollo trófico del AMPR-Paquera-Tambor, que fundamenta la importancia pesquera de la zona y refleja la relevancia de continuar con un monitoreo biótico y abiótico para la zona.
Growth Trajectories of Refugee and Nonrefugee Children in the United States
Authors: Dawson-Hahn Elizabeth , Pak-Gorstein Suzinne , Matheson Jasmine , Zhou Chuan , Yun Katherine , Scott Kevin , Payton Colleen , Stein Elizabeth , Holland Annette , Grow H. Mollie , Mendoza Jason A. 
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Limited data examine longitudinal nutrition outcomes of refugee children after United States resettlement. Among refugee children, our aims were to (1) assess the changes in weight-based nutritional status between baseline (0–3 months) and 10-24 months after arrival and (2) compare the BMI (BMIz) or weight-for-length z score (WFLz) trajectories to nonrefugee children for up to 36 months after arrival.

METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective study of refugees aged 0-16 years from Washington and Pennsylvania and compared them with an age and sex-matched nonrefugee low-income sample from Washington. Data included anthropometric measurements from the initial screening medical visit and subsequent primary care visits. Multilevel linear mixed-effects regression models evaluated the change in BMIz or WFLz trajectory.

RESULTS:
The study included 512 refugee and 1175 nonrefugee children. The unadjusted prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 8.9% to 20% (P &lt; .001) for 2- to 16-year-old refugees from baseline to 10-24 months. Refugees (2–16 years old) had a steeper increase in their BMIz per 12 months compared with nonrefugees (coefficient 0.18 vs 0.03; P &lt; .001). Refugees &lt;2 years old had a less steep increase in their WFLz per 12 months compared with nonrefugees (coefficient 0.12 vs 0.36, P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS:
Older refugee children exhibited a higher risk of obesity than nonrefugees, whereas refugees &lt;2 years old exhibited a slower increase in their risk of obesity than nonrefugee children. All age groups experienced increasing obesity prevalence. Targeted and culturally tailored obesity prevention interventions may mitigate health and nutrition inequities among refugee children.
Wundheilungsstörungen nach ventraler medianer Laparotomie beim Pferd
Authors: Winter Karsten , Brehm Walter , Kämpfert Madlen , Gittel Claudia , Scharner Doreen 
Published: November 2016

ZusammenfassungGegenstand und Ziel: Wundheilungsstörungen stellen trotz Fortschritten in der Technik der Abdominalchirurgie eine häufige Komplikation nach medianer Laparotomie beim Pferd dar. Ziel der Studie war die Erfassung der Wundheilungsstörungen an der eigenen Klinik sowie die Ermittlung möglicher Risikofaktoren. Zudem sollte untersucht werden, inwieweit die Bauchfellnaht zur Reduktion von Wundheilungsstörungen beiträgt. Material und Methoden: In einer retrospektiven Studie wurden die Patientendaten der Chirurgischen Tierklinik der Universität Leipzig von Januar 2010 bis Dezember 2015 analysiert. Eingeschlossen in die Studie wurden Pferde, bei denen aufgrund einer Kolik eine ventrale mediane Laparotomie erfolgte. Die Analyse erfasste folgende Daten: Rasse, Geschlecht, Alter der Pferde, Lokalisation der Kolik, Invasivität des Eingriffs, Dauer der Allgemeinanästhesie, Nahttechnik zum Verschluss der Laparotomiewunde sowie postoperatives Fieber oder Leukopenie. Die Wundheilungsstörungen wurden differenziert in Nahtdehiszenz, Wundsekretion und Narbenbruch. Wundödeme unterlagen einer gesonderten Betrachtung. Ergebnisse: Wundheilungsstörungen in Form von Sekretion und Nahtdehiszenz traten bei 8,9% (18/202) der Pferde auf, postoperative Hernien bei 5,2% (9/173) der Tiere. Rasse, Geschlecht, Lokalisation der Kolik, Invasivität des Eingriffs, Dauer der Allgemeinanästhesie sowie postoperative Leukopenie beeinflussten die Häufigkeit von Wundheilungsstörungen nicht. Ein erhöhtes Risiko für Wundheilungsstörungen ergab sich für Pferde ab einem Alter von 20 Jahren (Odds Ratio [OR] 17,90), Tiere mit postoperativem Fieber (OR 7,48) sowie Pferde, bei denen das Bauchfell nicht vernäht wurde (OR 7,68). Tiere mit mittel- und hochgradigen Ödemen hatten ein signifikant höheres Risiko für Wundheilungsstörungen. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Von den geprüften Risikofaktoren lässt sich nur die Nahttechnik beeinflussen. Da die Bauchfellnaht mit einem geringeren Risiko für Wundheilungsstörungen verbunden ist, sollte sie beim Verschluss von Laparotomiewunden Standard sein.
Flowering phenology of Catopsis compacta (Bromeliaceae), a dioecious epiphyte in an oak forest
Authors: Escobedo-Sarti Jeanett , Mondragón Demetria 
Published: November 2016

Background: Knowledge of the flowering phenology of species with an epiphytic habit and a dioecious sexual system is scarce.
Questions: We studied the flowering phenology of a population of the dioecious epiphytic bromeliad, Catopsis compacta , in an oak forest in Oaxaca, Mexico, to answer the following questions: 1) what type of flowering period is exhibited by this population of C. compacta ? 2) what is the degree of synchrony between the male and female flowering periods? and 3) what is the flowering synchrony index of the population?
Methods: In February 2006, in a 20 m × 20 m plot, we marked and measured 151 individuals of C. compacta ? 10 cm in height (minimum reproductive size). We recorded the number of flowers and fruits present in each individual every month for one year.
Results: Our results showed that the flowering period in both sexes lasted for three months (May–July). Only 23 marked individuals flowered (15.23 %): of these 12 (52.17 %) were female and 11 (47.83 %) were male. The index of synchrony between females and males was 0.958 ± 0.013 and the flowering synchrony index of the population was 0.833 ± 0.189.
Conclusions: The high flowering synchrony between the sexes, together with a flowering season that coincided with the period of highest rainfall when the number of arthropods (potential pollinators) is the highest, could favor breeding and, therefore, reproductive success.
The effect of training in active inspire program on teachers' perceived self-efficacy and their technology performance
Authors: ELDaou Badrie Mohammad Nour 
Published: November 2016

The current study explores the relationship between the perceived Teacher's Self-efficacy on Robert Reasoners' scale (RRSES) of 60 post-training science teachers and 12 mixed-major teachers and their computer performance grades after their third practice of teaching training in Activeinspire program. To collect data on Self-evaluation, this study uses Robert Reasoner's five components: feeling of security, feeling of belonging, feeling of identity, feeling of goal, and self-actualization which the student teachers used to rate their Self-efficacy. Using pre/post measurements of teachers' attitudes with using computer technology, using open and closed ended questionnaires and The Computer Technology Integration Survey (CTIS) in 2012, this study identified possible influences on self-efficacy beliefs, perceived usefulness of computer technology, and ratings of self-efficacy beliefs toward technology integration. Specifically, this study found that Perceived positive attitude with computer technology was found to be a significant predictor of self-efficacy beliefs towards technology integration. Also, the findings of this research revealed that pre-service teachers earned high computer technology scores. Moreover, it revealed a higher correlation between RRSES subscales scores than between the technology and RRSES scores. Recommendations and future research were discussed.

Keywords: Self- esteem, active inspire, pre-service training, perceived self - efficacy, computer, technology performance
The relationship between teachers’ self -efficacy, attitudes towards ict usefulness and students’ science performance in the lebanese inclusive schools
Authors: ELDaou Badrie , Kazan Sara 
Published: November 2016

The current study explores the effect of ICT training in Activeinspire program in four inclusive schools on the perceived Teacher's self-efficacy, ICT usefulness and attitudes, and on the students' science education performance results. To collect data on self-evaluation, this study used qualitative and quantitative methods which helped eleven science teachers to rate their self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes. Consequently, measurements of teachers' attitudes with using computer technology, using open and closed ended questionnaires and The Computer Technology Integration Survey (CTIS) took place in 2014- 2015 academic year. Also, special needs students' performance results were collected pre-and post ICT training. This study identified possible influences on self-efficacy beliefs, perceived usefulness of computer technology, and ratings of self-efficacy beliefs toward technology integration. Findings of this study revealed that teachers' self-efficacy in the level of technology, technology use, and attitudes all have significant effects on the grades and interaction of students with special needs. The results indicated that participants of group one, who were trained, were able to better define and apply technology in the science classroom than group two which was not trained . The findings suggest that knowledge and beliefs can influence teachers' intent to use technology in the classroom, especially as evidenced by the integration of ICT in their lesson plans. Moreover, results indicate a significant positive Pearson correlation r=.6 between teachers' self-efficacy, knowledge, attitudes, and special education students' science results. Recommendations, implications and future research were discussed.

Keywords: Activeinspire training; Perceived self -efficacy; Computer technology integration, Academic performance, Inclusion.
Use of mobile application: Means of communication between Parents and Class Teacher
Authors: CAN Mustafa Harun 
Published: November 2016

Collaboration in between parents and teachers is an important step for studentâ€™s achievement. Stakeholders in education sector are trying to find best solution to encourage parentsâ€™ involvement in school activities. To involve parents in schooling activities and in other events, a good info-notice system should be established. Teachers should give exact information about any studentâ€™s progress as well as other information. In Nepal, most of the schools use notebook called â€œcommunication book or school diary as the means of communication with parentsâ€. This traditional and most known system is still being used in many parts of the country.Â Class Teacher writes down a note or notice to parents on it about any information of current activities or forth coming events.The use of mobile applications has been increasing rapidly, and is being used in many aspects in education.Â The aim of this study is to investigate parentsâ€™ view on using mobile application to communicate with teachers. The Meridian Connect mobile application, which has been widely coming in use in between parents and class teachers, is used for this research.Â The study was designed to apply the questionnaire based survey methodology in which 573 parents of the students of Meridian International School were asked.. The results of data analysis indicated that parentsâ€™ view on the use of mobile application to upgrade the education environment has been proved to be positive and useful.Â
Building Sense of Community at a Distance
Authors: Rovai Alfred P. 
Published: November 2016

<P class=abstract>This article challenges the belief that strong sense of community is limited to the traditional classroom and proposes that the virtual classroom has the potential of building and sustaining sense of community at levels that are comparable to the traditional classroom. Drawing on research literature, the concept of learning community is applied to the virtual classroom by taking on the issue of how best to design and conduct an online course that fosters community among learners who are physically separated from each other. Course design principles are described that facilitate dialogue and decrease psychological distance, thereby increasing a sense of community among learners. <BR></p>

<p><B>Key Terms</B><BR>
Distance education, community, spirit, trust, interaction, learning, persistence, attrition, ALN, online</P>
The Effectiveness of Web-Based Instruction: An Initial Inquiry
Authors: Olson Tatana , Wisher Robert A. 
Published: November 2016

<p>
As the use of Web-based instruction increases in the educational and training domains, many people have recognized the importance of evaluating its effects on student outcomes such as learning, performance, and satisfaction. Often, these results are compared to those of conventional classroom instruction in order to determine which method is “better.” However, major differences in technology and presentation rather than instructional content can obscure the true relationship between Web-based instruction and these outcomes. Computer-based instruction (CBI), with more features similar to Web-based instruction, may be a more appropriate benchmark than conventional classroom instruction. Furthermore, there is little consensus as to what variables should be examined or what measures of learning are the most appropriate, making comparisons between studies difficult and inconclusive. In this article, we review the historical findings of CBI as an appropriate benchmark to Web-based instruction. In addition, we review 47 reports of evaluations of Web-based courses in higher education published between 1996 and 2002. A tabulation of the documented findings into eight characteristics is offered, along with our assessments of the experimental designs, effect sizes, and the degree to which the evaluations incorporated features unique to Web-based instruction.
</P>
Field Nitrogen Losses Induced by Application Timing of Digestate from Dairy Manure Biogas Production
Authors: Schwager Emily A. , VanderZaag Andrew C. , Wagner‐Riddle Claudia , Crolla Anna , Kinsley Chris , Gregorich Ed 
Published: November 2016

Anaerobic digestion of dairy manure has environmental benefits, but the impact of effluent (i.e., digestate [DG]) application on environmental nitrogen (N) losses from soils has not been well quantified. Our objective was to evaluate how field application of DG affected nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate (NO3) leaching compared with raw dairy manure (RM) in spring versus fall applications. We measured N losses year‐round for 2.5 yr in silage corn on tile‐drained clay soil in Alfred, Ontario, Canada. Treatments were: digestate applied in spring (DS) and fall (DF), raw dairy manure applied in spring (RS) and fall (RF), urea applied in spring, and a control. Overall, the source of N had no effect on annual N2O emissions (overall average DG and RM, 4.9 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1), but more NO3 leached from DS than RS treatments (8.8 and 4.8 kg NO3–N ha−1 yr−1 on average, respectively). Estimated indirect N2O emissions from leached NO3–N were small (<0.2 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1). Timing of application did not affect annual N2O emissions but did shift emissions to the non‐growing season for fall applications (65% on average) and to the growing season for spring applications (60% on average). Overall environmental N losses (N2O–N + NO3–N) from DG were similar to RM when applied at the same time. For the conditions of our study, downstream emissions from anaerobic digestion (i.e., emissions induced by applied digestate) do not present an adverse trade‐off to the environmental benefits incurred during the biogas production phase.Core Ideas
Biodigestion has environmental benefits, but N losses from soils are uncertain.
Nitrous oxide emissions and NO3 leaching were evaluated.
Digested and raw manure had similar annual N losses.
Application in spring had lower annual NO3 losses than fall application.
Soil emissions were not a trade‐off to environmental benefits of biogas production.