bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impacts of key adverse weather events on the field‐grown vegetable yield variability in the Czech Republic from 1961 to 2014
Authors: Potopová Vera , Zahradníček Pavel , Štěpánek Petr , Türkott Luboš , Farda Aleš , Soukup Josef 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTThe response of field‐grown vegetables to adverse weather conditions is strongly coupled to the timing of adverse events, the sensitivity of the growth stage of the impacted crop and the management actions that are taken. To estimate the long‐term yield response to changes in temperature and precipitation as well as the short‐term response to key adverse weather events (e.g. heavy precipitation, drought and heat stress) on the yields of vegetable crops, we used several statistical approaches with six daily impact‐indicators, the four monthly drought indices and the climate trends. Our study integrated a newly available historical yield dataset at the district level (the finest spatial resolution) for all highly marketable vegetables (celeriac, late carrots, root parsley, early kohlrabi, summer savoy cabbage, late cauliflower, late cabbage, onions, green peas, tomatoes, salad and pickling cucumbers) and a high‐resolution historical climate dataset (seven daily meteorological variables at a 10 × 10 km resolution) over a 54‐year period in the Czech Republic (CZ). Different indices were used to reflect different dimensions of water and heat stress, which have different impacts on vegetable growth and yield. We find positive long‐term impacts of recent warming on fruiting vegetables (from 4.9 to 12.2% °C−1) but decreases in the yield stability of traditionally grown root vegetables in the warmest areas of the country. Short‐term extreme temperature variabilities (days with heat stress) were found to be the dominant type of adverse event for tomato and cucumber production due to its effect on increased soil water demand, which increased transpiration rates, whereas changes in both the diurnal temperature ranges and minimum temperature (Tmin) were associated with minimal risk of frost damage. Brassicas vegetables are widely irrigated in the CZ, but irrigation does not fully mitigate drought effects; hence, short‐term extreme precipitation variability largely controls crop production in the growing districts. The high frequencies of dry days and days with heavy precipitation within the critical growth stages of brassicas reflect a competition between more dry days and greater precipitation intensity on wet days. The yield variability of bulbs is largely explained by both short‐term extreme precipitation and temperature variability (drought‐heat stress), which reflects the predominantly rain‐fed system of onion cultivation. Both drought and heat stress and changes in Tmin were important in explaining yield losses of root vegetables. Legumes had the lowest risk of multiple stresses during their short growth cycle, but droughts remain the dominant type of adverse event. Years with yield gains were substantially more common than years with yield losses for brassicas, bulbs and legumes vegetables in all of the cultivated regions.
Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose films containing pyrogallic acid: physical and antibacterial properties
Authors: Han Yingying , Wang Lijuan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDAntibacterial films were prepared using sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a matrix, glycerin as a plasticizer and CaCl2 as a cross‐linking agent, and by incorporating the natural antibacterial agent pyrogallic acid (PA). The present study describes the microstructure and the physical, barrier, mechanical, optical and antibacterial properties of blended films prepared by incorporating different concentrations of PA into the SA/CMC matrix.RESULTSThe microstructure of the films was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, which revealed that PA interacts with the SA/CMC matrix through hydrogen bonding. Moreover, the incorporation of PA increased the moisture content, water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability of SA/CMC films. Films containing 40 g kg−1 of PA had the highest elongation at break result (39.60%). Compared with pure SA/CMC films, the incorporation of PA improved the barrier properties against ultraviolet light; however, it decreased the color parameter L* value and increased the a* and b* values of the films. Furthermore, films with PA, especially at higher concentrations, were more effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.CONCLUSIONAntibacterial SA/CMC films incorporating PA appear to have good potential to enhance the safety of foods and food products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A New Conceptual Approach for Voice Feminization: 12 Years of Experience
Authors: Kim Hyung‐Tae 
Published: June 2016

Objectives/HypothesisVoice feminization has been developed with various surgical techniques to increase voice pitch. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 12 years of experience using a new endoscopical surgical technique, vocal fold shortening and retrodisplacement of the anterior commissure (VFSRAC) and retraining the voice pattern performed in female patients with androphonia or male‐to‐female transsexuals.Study DesignRetrospective study.MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 362 patients who underwent VFSRAC (34 with androphonia, eight with androgenital syndrome, four with aplastic anemia treated with androgens, three with pseudohermaphroditism, and 313 male‐to‐female [MTF] transsexuals) and phonatory pattern rehabilitation between 2003 and 2014. Subjective and perceptual assessments, aerodynamic and acoustic assessments, and a videostroboscopic assessment were evaluated pre‐ and postoperatively in the female androphonia group and the MTF transsexual group.ResultsMean preoperative fundamental frequency (F0) was 144.1 Hz, and mean postoperative F0 was 207.4 Hz, 6 months postoperatively. The mean increase of F0 in the female androphonia group was 53.0 Hz but was 73.6 Hz in the MTF transsexual group after the postoperative phonatory pattern retraining program. Voice femininity increased on the postoperative subjective assessment. Acoustic and aerodynamic assessments were within the normal range. Regularity of the vocal fold mucosal wave were maintained in the normal range. These findings suggest that patients could achieve a natural phonation pattern after surgery.ConclusionsOur new approach for voice feminization, VFSRAC, and retraining of the phonatory pattern was effective for patients who wanted a natural feminine voice.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 127:1102–1108, 2017
Early Postnatal NT‐3 Gene Delivery Enhances Hearing Acquisition in the Developmental Period
Authors: Jin Yongde , Lyu Ah‐Ra , Park Sung‐Jae , Xu Jun , Cui Jie , Sohn Kyung‐Cheol , Hur Gang Min , Jin Yulian , Park Yong‐Ho 
Published: June 2016

Objectives/HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early postnatal neurotrophin‐3 (NT3) support on hearing acquisition.Study DesignA prospective experimental animal study.MethodsAdenoviral (Ad) vectors expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) alone or in combination with NT3 were injected into the scala tympani through the round window of 5‐postnatal‐day‐old (P5) rats. Changes in NT3 mRNA level, hearing thresholds, and morphological studies were done after the viral vector injection.ResultsNT3 mRNA was significantly increased in the Ad‐GFP‐NT3 group compared to the normal‐developmental group and Ad‐GFP alone group. GFP was widely expressed in the cochlea such as in the hair cells, supporting cell area, and spiral ganglion neurons. Auditory brainstem response thresholds were significantly lower in the Ad‐GFP‐NT3 group compared to the normal‐developmental group and Ad‐GFP alone group at P15.ConclusionsThese results show that early postnatal NT3 overexpression may accelerate the acquisition of hearing in rats.Level of EvidenceNALaryngoscope, 126:E379–E385, 2016
Grazing or Not Grazing: Implications for Ecosystem Services Provided by Biocrusts in Mediterranean Cork Oak Woodlands
Authors: Concostrina‐Zubiri Laura , Molla Ibrahim , Velizarova Emiliya , Branquinho Cristina 
Published: June 2016

AbstractLivestock grazing is one of the most common practices in managed woodlands affecting the abundance and diversity of plant and soil communities. While grazing effects have been studied thoroughly in vascular plants, little is known about grazing consequences for soil lichens and mosses (“biocrusts”) in managed woodlands. However, these complex communities have critical contributions to soil functioning in drylands. We evaluated grazing effects on biocrust abundance and functional composition in Mediterranean cork‐oak woodlands under long‐term grazing and after 7 and 17 years of grazing exclusion. We found four main groups in the region regarding the functional trait ‘growth form’: fruticose and foliose lichens, and short and tall mosses. Each group presented different water absorption and retention capacity, and showed group‐specific effects on soil water and temperature. Fruticose lichens were the most sensitive group to grazing, decreasing dramatically in cover with grazing (~7 times). Also, this group presented higher water retention capacity (~19 h), together with a consistent reducing effect on soil temperature along the grazing gradient (up to 0·9 °C). The shift in biocrust abundance and functional composition under grazing pressure has direct consequences in microclimate regulation, and is likely to influence other ecosystem processes such as CO2 fixation, soil surface protection and habitat provision. In particular, microclimate regulation may affect cork‐oak regeneration processes, which is one of the main concerns in managed woodlands. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile synthesis of Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanocomposites with thermosensitive and photothermal effects
Authors: Zhong Aiqing , He Zidong , Zhang Hui , Xiong Linfeng , Xu Yang , Wang Tianqi , Zhou Minghong , Huang Kun 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTIn this article, we reported a facile method to in‐situ synthesize Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanocomposites with thermosensitive and photothermal effects using amphiphilic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(pyrrolylmethylstyrene) (PNIPAM‐b‐PPMS) diblock copolymers as ligands. The hydrophobic PPMS block can in‐situ reduceto zero‐valent gold and simultaneously be oxidatively copolymerized with the free pyrrole monomers to form a crosslinked and conjugated polypyrrole (PPy) layer. The hydrophilic PNIPAM block as a stabilizer can produce highly thermosensitive effect. Moreover, the resultant Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanomaterials show a strong absorption in the near infrared (NIR) region, which endowed the system excellent photothermal effect. On the basis of the PPy photothermal and PNIPAM thermosensitive effects, the above Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanomaterials show a reversible, soluble‐precipitate transition upon the NIR irradiation off‐on. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2016,54, 3079–3085
Thiol‐epoxy “click” chemistry: Application in preparation and postpolymerization modification of polymers
Authors: Stuparu Mihaiela C. , Khan Anzar 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTBase‐catalyzed reaction between a thiol and an epoxide group is a simple fusion process that leads to the formation of a β‐hydroxythio‐ether linkage. This reaction is efficient, regio‐selective, and fast. In addition, it produces a reactive hydroxyl group upon completion. Therefore, it is of considerable potential in synthesis of reactive and functional soft materials. Here, we discuss the fundamental aspects of this process, the so‐called thiol‐epoxy “click” reaction, and its utility in the preparation and post‐polymerization functionalization of polymers and crosslinked networks. Furthermore, its application in surface modification of solid substrates is also considered. Finally, utility of multifunctional materials created using the thiol‐epoxy reaction is discussed in the biomedical arena. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 3057–3070
Purine biosynthesis is the bottleneck in trimethoprim‐treated Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Stepanek Jennifer Janina , Schäkermann Sina , Wenzel Michaela , Prochnow Pascal , Bandow Julia Elisabeth 
Published: June 2016

PurposeTrimethoprim is a folate biosynthesis inhibitor. Tetrahydrofolates are essential for the transfer of C1 units in several biochemical pathways including purine, thymine, methionine, and glycine biosynthesis. This study addressed the effects of folate biosynthesis inhibition on bacterial physiology.Experimental designTwo complementary proteomic approaches were employed to analyze the response of Bacillus subtilis to trimethoprim. Acute changes in protein synthesis rates were monitored by radioactive pulse labeling of newly synthesized proteins and subsequent 2DE analysis. Changes in protein levels were detected using gel‐free quantitative MS.ResultsProteins involved in purine and histidine biosynthesis, the σB‐dependent general stress response, and sporulation were upregulated. Most prominently, the PurR‐regulon required for de novo purine biosynthesis was derepressed indicating purine depletion. The general stress response was activated energy dependently and in a subpopulation of treated cultures an early onset of sporulation was observed, most likely triggered by low guanosine triphosphate levels. Supplementation of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine, and guanosine to the medium substantially decreased antibacterial activity, showing that purine depletion becomes the bottleneck in trimethoprim‐treated B. subtilis.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe frequently prescribed antibiotic trimethoprim causes purine depletion in B. subtilis, which can be complemented by supplementing purines to the medium.
Structural insights into SAM domain‐mediated tankyrase oligomerization
Authors: DaRosa Paul A. , Ovchinnikov Sergey , Xu Wenqing , Klevit Rachel E. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTankyrase 1 (TNKS1; a.k.a. ARTD5) and tankyrase 2 (TNKS2; a.k.a ARTD6) are highly homologous poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARPs) that function in a wide variety of cellular processes including Wnt signaling, Src signaling, Akt signaling, Glut4 vesicle translocation, telomere length regulation, and centriole and spindle pole maturation. Tankyrase proteins include a sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain that undergoes oligomerization in vitro and in vivo. However, the SAM domains of TNKS1 and TNKS2 have not been structurally characterized and the mode of oligomerization is not yet defined. Here we model the SAM domain‐mediated oligomerization of tankyrase. The structural model, supported by mutagenesis and NMR analysis, demonstrates a helical, homotypic head‐to‐tail polymer that facilitates TNKS self‐association. Furthermore, we show that TNKS1 and TNKS2 can form (TNKS1 SAM‐TNKS2 SAM) hetero‐oligomeric structures mediated by their SAM domains. Though wild‐type tankyrase proteins have very low solubility, model‐based mutations of the SAM oligomerization interface residues allowed us to obtain soluble TNKS proteins. These structural insights will be invaluable for the functional and biophysical characterization of TNKS1/2, including the role of TNKS oligomerization in protein poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation (PARylation) and PARylation‐dependent ubiquitylation.
Geometry of guanidinium groups in arginines
Authors: Malinska Maura , Dauter Miroslawa , Dauter Zbigniew 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe restraints in common usage today have been obtained based on small molecule X‐ray crystal structures available 25 years ago and recent reports have shown that the values of bond lengths and valence angles can be, in fact, significantly different from those stored in libraries, for example for the peptide bond or the histidine ring geometry. We showed that almost 50% of outliers found in protein validation reports released in the Protein Data Bank on 23 March 2016 come from geometry of guanidine groups in arginines. Therefore, structures of small molecules and atomic resolution protein crystal structures have been used to derive new target values for the geometry of this group. The most significant difference was found for NE‐CZ‐NH1 and NE‐CZ‐NH2 angles, showing that the guanidinium group is not symmetric. The NE‐CZ‐NH1 angle is larger, 121.5(10)˚, than NE‐CZ‐NH2, 119.2(10)˚, due to the repulsive interaction between NH1 and CD1 atom.
Impact of volunteer rice infestation on yield and grain quality of rice
Authors: Singh Vijay , Burgos Nilda R , Singh Shilpa , Gealy David R , Gbur Edward E , Caicedo Ana L 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDVolunteer rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains may differ in physicochemical traits from cultivated rice, which may reduce the quality of harvested rice grain. To evaluate the effect of volunteer rice on cultivated rice, fields were surveyed in Arkansas in 2012.RESULTSCropping history that included hybrid cultivars in the previous two years (2010 and 2011) had higher volunteer rice infestation (20%) compared with fields planted previously with inbred rice (5.5%). The total grain yield of rice was reduced by 0.4% for every 1% increase in volunteer rice density. The grain quality did not change in fields planted with the same cultivar for three years. Volunteer rice density of at least 7.6% negatively impacted the head rice and when infestation reached 17.7%, it also reduced the rice grain yield. The protein and amylose contents of rice were not affected until volunteer rice infestation exceeded 30%.CONCLUSIONCrop rotation systems that include hybrid rice are expected to have higher volunteer rice infestation than systems without hybrid rice. It is predicted that, at 8% infestation, volunteer rice will start to impact head rice yield and will reduce total yield at 18% infestation. It could alter the chemical quality of rice grain at >30% infestation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing ISO/IEC29110 by means of ITMark: results from an experience factory
Authors: Larrucea Xabier , Santamaría Izaskun , Colomo‐Palacios Ricardo 
Published: June 2016

AbstractISO/IEC 29110 is intended to help very small entities in improving their software processes. However, this standard is not the only initiative devoted to help organizations in these matters. For instance, ITMark is an established method with an important background in terms of number and diversity of assessments. The aim of this paper is to present a method to assess ISO/IEC 29110 by means of the evaluation performed under the ITMark certification schema built upon an experience factory. To do so, in this paper, authors present, firstly, a mapping for ITMark to ISO/IEC 29110 and, secondly, a study to test the applicability of the assessments made by ITMark in the ISO/IEC 29110 environment taking into account the previous mapping. The main conclusion from this industrial experience is that ITMark can be used as a method for assessing very small entities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inside Cover Image, Volume 6, Issue 4
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wang Houng‐Wei , Tominaga Keisuke , Hayashi Michitoshi 
Published: June 2016

The inside cover image, by Keisuke Tominaga et al., is based on the Advanced Review Mixing of intermolecular and intramolecular vibrations in optical phonon modes: terahertz spectroscopy and solid-state density functional theory, DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1256.
image
Use of a fluoride channel as a new selection marker for fission yeast plasmids and application to fast genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Fernandez Ronan , Berro Julien 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFission yeast is a powerful model organism that has provided insights into important cellular processes thanks to the ease of its genome editing by homologous recombination. However, creation of strains with a large number of targeted mutations or containing plasmids has been challenging because only a very small number of selection markers is available in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In this paper, we identify two fission yeast fluoride exporter channels (Fex1p and Fex2p) and describe the development of a new strategy using Fex1p as a selection marker for transformants in rich media supplemented with fluoride. To our knowledge this is the first positive selection marker identified in S. pombe that does not use auxotrophy or drug resistance and that can be used for plasmids transformation or genomic integration in rich media. We illustrate the application of our new marker by significantly accelerating the protocol for genome edition using CRISPR/Cas9 in S. pombe. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term reliability of sweet‐tip type screw‐in leads
Authors: Takano Asuka , Sekita Gaku , Watanabe Minako , Mukaida Hiroshi , Komatsu Sayaka , Tabuchi Haruna , Hayashi Hidemori , Tokano Takashi , Sumiyoshi Masataka , Nakazato Yuji , Daida Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundActive fixation leads have provided stable atrial and ventricular pacing; however, long‐term follow‐up data have not been satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long‐term reliability of active fixation leads and their electrical characteristic stability.MethodsA total of 1196 pacing leads were implanted in 830 patients consecutively between 2002 and 2013. In this retrospective study, we were able to trace 1092 leads in 750 patients to investigate the prognosis of implanted leads. The measurement values (including pacing thresholds, sensing amplitudes, and lead impedances of both the atrial and ventricular leads) were obtained from medical records at the time of implantation and during follow up at the outpatient device clinic. All pacing leads were FINELINE II Sterox EZ Leads (Boston Scientific, MN, USA), which are sweet‐tip type screw‐in active fixation leads, except for the shock leads in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator.ResultsThe mean follow‐up period was 51.3±29.2 months (median, 48 months). A total of 1092 leads were implanted in either the atrium (682 leads) or the ventricle (410 leads). Venous access was achieved through cephalic vein cut down (CVC) method (914 leads) or the subclavian vein puncture (SVP) method (178 leads). The overall lead survival rate was 99.6% at both 5 and 10 years. Lead fracture was observed in 4 of 1092 leads (0.37%), all of which were implanted by the SVP method. No lead fracture occurred among patients wherein CVC method was applied (p<0.01). Device‐related infection was observed in four patients (0.53%).ConclusionsThe overall reliability and stability of sweet‐tip type screw‐in leads were satisfactory throughout the long‐term follow‐up period (median, 4 years). Because it was associated with less lead fractures, cut‐down access from the cephalic vein may be recommended as the first‐line approach when considering the importance of long‐term durability of pacing leads.
Routeing on trees
Authors: Deijfen Maria , Gantert Nina 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
We consider three different schemes for signal routeing on a tree. The vertices of the tree represent transceivers that can transmit and receive signals, and are equipped with independent and identically distributed weights representing the strength of the transceivers. The edges of the tree are also equipped with independent and identically distributed weights, representing the costs for passing the edges. For each one of our schemes, we derive sharp conditions on the distributions of the vertex weights and the edge weights that determine when the root can transmit a signal over arbitrarily large distances.