bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Germination characteristic of Silphium perfoliatum L. seeds
Authors: Gansberger Markus , Stüger Hans-Peter , Weinhappel Manfred , Moder Karl , Liebhard Peter , von Gehren Philipp , Mayr Josef , Ratzenböck Andreas 
Published: November 2017

Summary

Silphium perfoliatum L. is a perennial and flowering crop that has been investigated in recent years for its potential as an energy plant, particularly for biogas production. A stand establishment by sowing of seeds is complicated, owing to the low germination capacity of untreated S. perfoliatum L. seeds. Consequently, germination experiments were carried out with two- to four-factor levels to determine the effect of selected factors (medium, pretreatment, light, temperature, prechilling) on dormancy and germination of S. perfoliatum L. seeds and to achieve maximum germination rate. All factors had a highly significant effect on germination. Germination experiments displayed a primary and physiological dormancy. Germination could be significantly increased by using a 0.05% GA3 solution during the imbibition phase, a light–dark cycle, alternating temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, and a wet stratification for seven days at 0°C. The experiments helped to fully exploit the germination potential and to develop a germination test method for S. perfoliatum L.
Ordinal regression model for pea seed mass
Authors: Klimek-Kopyra Agnieszka , Strojny Jacek , Zając Tadeusz , Ślizowska Anna , Klimešova Jana , Neugschwandtner Reinhard W. 
Published: November 2017

Summary
The development of seeds at various positions in the pod is asynchronous. Thus, the differences of seed dry mass production because of environmental conditions may depend on the cultivar type, type of inoculants and interrelations between seeds per pod, pods per plant or seeds per plant. Presently, a mathematical description of pea seed categorisation is missing. The aim of the study was the assessment of two groups of variables (quantitative and qualitative) for pea seed weight categorisation by ordinal regression model. Year, cultivar and inoculant constituted the first group (qualitative variables), whilst seeds per pod, the pods per plant and seeds per plant (quantitative variables) were entered as covariates in the ordinal regression model. According to the ordinal regression model variables, seeds per pod, pods per plant, seeds per plant, year and cultivar are meaningful predictors of the seed mass categories. However, the variable inoculant is marginally significant.
A simplified maturity index to quantify the development stage of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and its relationship with yield and nutritive value
Authors: Salama Heba , Loesche Marc , Herrmann Antje , Taube Friedhelm , Gierus Martin 
Published: November 2017

Summary
Plant maturity substantially influences the yield and quality performance of grasses. Grass phenology is often not considered objectively to evaluate the new genotypes prior to registration. Measuring the mean stage by count (MSC) is time consuming, and simplified approaches are, therefore, required. Twenty diploid, intermediate heading Lolium perenne L. genotypes were evaluated in a 2-year field study in Northern Germany for yield and the content of Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), and digestible organic matter (DOM). Data from the first and second cut, each comprising three sampling dates, were included in this study. A simplified maturity index (SMI8), expressing the percentage of tillers at or beyond the boot stage, from MSC was derived. This index resulted in similar correlations with yield and quality parameters compared to MSC but is easier to use and less laborious. The SMI8 reduced the variations among genotypes, as for the first cut NDF and ADF content, where the genotype effect disappeared after considering SMI8 as the covariable. Moreover, the ranking of the genotypes was slightly modified for most studied traits, indicating that a large part of the variations in the studied parameters was caused by variations in maturity.
Is postoperative radioactive iodine associated with a survival advantage among…
Authors: Hamed Rasha Hamdy 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Aim
This trial aimed to determine wether postoperative radioactive iodine(RAI) associated with a survival benefit among intermediate-risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer patients or not.

Methods
this study is a retrospective study of intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients that were treated with or without post operative RAI from 1st January 2002 till 1st January 2012. Overall survival (OS) and multivariate regression analyses were measured for all patients.

Results
100 patients were included in this trial : 70 patients received postoperative RAI and 30 patients did not. The mean follow-up time was 7.1 (4.8 -15.1 years), and a median survival time could not be estimated. Overall survival at 10 years was 96% in the RAI vs 93% in the group without RAI (P < .001). RAI reduced risk of death by a 27% [hazard risk (HR) 0.73, confidence interval (CI) 0.64 - 0.84, P < .001]. Older patient age, male gende, larger tumor size, multifocal tumors, lymph node metastases, aggressive histology, vascular invasion, positive surgical margin, minimal extrathyroidal extension and absence of postoperative RAI were accompanied by compromised OS (all P ≤ .001).

Conclusion
This representative study addresses the survival advantage of RAI for with intermediate risk PTC patients but conducting of large prospective randomized controlled trial is still warranted.
Succession of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) communities after windthrow disturbance in a montane Norway spruce forest in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic)
Authors: Kašák Josef , Foit Jiří , Hučín Marek 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Wind disturbances are a key factor that is significantly involved in the life cycle of natural boreomontane coniferous forests. As most of these forests are currently intensively managed, we have limited knowledge on succession following natural disturbance. Succession in a Norway spruce stand after a windthrow event was studied using ground beetles as model bioindication taxa in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic). The study documented that the composition of ground beetle communities was significantly associated with stand age and its microclimatic parameters (particularly the minimal temperature and average and minimal humidity). Forest species including prey specialists, hygrophilous species, as well as habitat generalists were the most abundant in the mature stand, where the forest had the highest humidity and the least profound minimal temperatures. In contrast, open-habitat species, including euryoecious species and relict species of higher elevations, reached their highest abundances in clearing shortly after the windthrow. In clearing the humidity was lower and the temperature fluctuated significantly (the lowest minimal temperatures). Ground beetles, including forest species, were the least abundant in young stands (10 and 20 years after windthrow). We conclude that old stands are of particular importance because they harbour the highest abundance and diversity of ground beetles with various ecological requirements. Natural wind disturbances are important as well since they increase diversity by enabling the occurrence of many non-forest species. Hence, a mosaic of stands of different ages with a sufficient proportion of old stands should be maintained when managing montane coniferous forests.
Economic value production of trees as a criterion of their maturity in an uneven-aged forest
Authors: Petráš Rudolf , Mecko Julian , Kulla Ladislav 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Tree maturity of the four main tree species that are most frequent in the uneven-aged forests of the Western Carpathians was analysed. The maturity was determined on the base of the economic value production in relation to tree diameter. We derived mean timber values of spruce, fir, pine, and beech trees (€ m−3) depending on their diameters, quality and stem damage, and in the case of beech also depending on tree age. The assortment structure was calculated using the models of tree assortment tables that account for the stated tree parameters. The assortment prices were taken from the price list of logs in assortment and diameter classes of the Forests of the Slovak Republic, state enterprise, for the year 2016. Trees are mature when their mean timber monetary value is at maximum. Results show, that the highest mean value production of the majority of beech trees of average and above-average stem quality is 70 - 80 € m−3 for trees with diameters between 45 and 55 cm. Monetary values of spruce and fir trees with diameters above 60 to 90 cm are 80 - 95 € m−3, while the monetary values of pine trees with the same diameters are approximately 70 - 115 € m−3. The value production of trees is reduced if the stems are of worse quality or damaged, but in the case of beech it also decreases with greater diameter or tree age.
Reconstructing past forest status using inventory and tree ring data to support uneven-aged forest management
Authors: Kulla Ladislav , Bošeľa Michal , Murgaš Vlastimil , Roessiger Joerg , Šebeň Vladimír 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The decision to change forest management system from the traditional even-aged to the selection one based on statistical inventory is often limited by a missing previous inventory. To avoid this issue, we used available forest inventory data from ca 2 000 ha of mixed uneven-aged beech-fir-spruce-pine forest and tree ring data from 831 trees to reconstruct forest status from one decade ago. For this purpose, we have created three sets of species-specific models: 1) diameter-stump models to reconstruct the diameter of missing trees, 2) diameter-increment models based on tree ring data to estimate past diameters, and 3) height-diameter models to estimate past tree heights. This approach has allowed us to completely reconstruct the state of the forest as it was ten years ago and use the results as a substitution for a previously missing inventory.
Combining multiple statistical methods to evaluate the performance of process-based vegetation models across three forest stands
Authors: Horemans Joanna A. , Henrot Alexandra , Delire Christine , Kollas Chris , Lasch-Born Petra , Reyer Christopher , Suckow Felicitas , François Louis , Ceulemans Reinhart 
Published: November 2017

AbstractProcess-based vegetation models are crucial tools to better understand biosphere-atmosphere exchanges and ecophysiological responses to climate change. In this contribution the performance of two global dynamic vegetation models, i.e. CARAIB and ISBACC, and one stand-scale forest model, i.e. 4C, was compared to long-term observed net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE) time series from eddy covariance monitoring stations at three old-grown European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest stands. Residual analysis, wavelet analysis and singular spectrum analysis were used beside conventional scalar statistical measures to assess model performance with the aim of defining future targets for model improvement. We found that the most important errors for all three models occurred at the edges of the observed NEE distribution and the model errors were correlated with environmental variables on a daily scale. These observations point to possible projection issues under more extreme future climate conditions. Recurrent patterns in the residuals over the course of the year were linked to the approach to simulate phenology and physiological evolution during leaf development and senescence. Substantial model errors occurred on the multi-annual time scale, possibly caused by the lack of inclusion of management actions and disturbances. Other crucial processes defined were the forest structure and the vertical light partitioning through the canopy. Further, model errors were shown not to be transmitted from one time scale to another. We proved that models should be evaluated across multiple sites, preferably using multiple evaluation methods, to identify processes that request reconsideration.
ANA Testing: What should we know about the methods, indication and interpretation?
Authors: Au Elaine Yuen Ling 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThough ANA is a common test requested in several settings, one may not be aware of the potential traps for interpretation. Nowadays, there is a trend for autoantibodies diagnostics to move from traditional time honored manual methods to high throughput automated platforms. Nevertheless, the clinical significance and assay performance characteristics may be different from those “historical” methods. Though indirect immunofluorescence is the gold standard method for ANA tests, different laboratories vary in the slides (from different cell lines and commercial source, e.g., Hep 2, Hep 2000, etc.), screening dilutions, terminology, reporting format and expertise. Hence, discrepancy in results among different laboratories is not uncommon and could be confusing. Knowing the assay characteristic and limitations helps proper results interpretation and facilitate patient’s management. Indeed, the titer and pattern by indirect immunofluorescence do provide valuable information in screening patients. In particular, DFS pattern with the associated anti-DFS70 antibodies has been shown to have a role to risk stratify cases referred for suspected autoimmune rheumatic disease.
Moving Women Centre Stage: Structures of Feminist-Tragic Feeling
Authors: Aston Elaine 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn September 2015, Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of London’s Royal Court Theatre, was widely reported in the British press as commenting on the lack of female roles equivalent in stature to the tragic figures of Shakespeare’s Lear and Hamlet, or Miller’s Willy Loman. Her observation that audiences are more “comfortable” with a “male narrative” sparked considerable debate. My article engages with and develops this debate by turning a feminist gaze on two plays in Featherstone’s Royal Court repertoire: Penelope Skinner’s
Transmission Performance and Cost Analysis of Multi-Carrier-based Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Access Network
Authors: Khan Jahanzeb , Khan Yousaf , Ullah Salamat , Shafique Querishi Shahryar 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMulti-tone-based wavelength division multiplexed passive optical networks are considered to provide cost-effective access network solution. We analysed and revealed the transmission performance, power budget concern and the cost investigation of the multi-tone-based WDM PON. A differential phase shift keying and re-modulated return to zero on/off keying signals for downlink and uplink, respectively, are transmitted via a single-mode fibre. The transmission performance of the proposed architecture is analysed using key parameters of bit error rate and optical signal to noise ratio using different data rates and channel spacing. The simulation results are in agreement with the theoretical analysis. The power budget is calculated for both upstream and downstream data signals showing excellent system margins for any unseen losses. The proposed setup is also analysed in terms of cost to prove it the cost-effective solution for the next-generation optical access networks.
Crystal structure of (E)-1-(4-{[(E)-4-Diethylamino-2-hydroxybenzene methylene]amino}phenyl)ethanone methoxy oxime, C20H27ClN3O3
Authors: Li Peng-Peng , Zhao Li , Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhu Zhao-Bin 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
C20H27ClN3O3, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 10.7351(5) Å, b = 14.1177(6) Å, c = 14.3355(9) Å, β = 101.284(6)°, Z = 4, V = 2130.6(2) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0569, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1767, T = 293(2) K.
A Description of Tucumán Spanish Intonation in Argentina
Authors: Terán Virginia , Ortega-Llebaria Marta 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper documents for the first time the intonation system of Tucumán Spanish, an understudied variety of Argentinian Spanish. Semi-spontaneous speech illustrating the intonation of main sentence types, i.e. broad focus statements, partial and absolute interrogatives, and imperatives and vocatives, was elicited from 31 native speakers of Tucumán Spanish via an adapted version of the Argentinian Intonation Survey (Prieto and Roseano, 2009-2013). The two authors listened to the recordings and transcribed them using the Tones and Break Indexes conventions (ToBI) (Beckman et al. 2002, Prieto and Roseano 2010, Hualde and Prieto 2015). Transcriptions of prenuclear and nuclear configurations together with their respective frequencies allowed both an appreciation of the most used configurations within each sentence type along with detailed variation at the phonetic level. For example, yes/no questions were consistently realized with a low nuclear pitch accent L* and an ascending boundary tone. However, there was variation in the height of the boundary tones yielding the frequent contour L* ¡H%, and the less frequent L* H%. Altogether, these detailed patterns document the systematic phonetic variation of the intonation system of TS and provide a basis for future research to determine the phonological status of this variation.
Physicochemical Stability of Reconstituted Decitabine (Dacogen®) Solutions and Ready-to-Administer Infusion Bags when Stored Refrigerated or Frozen
Authors: Kim Sun Hee , Heeb Rita Marina , Krämer Irene 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundProfound knowledge about the physicochemical stability is necessary in order to determine the “beyond-use-dates” of ready-to-administer preparations after reconstitution and dilution. This is especially true for unstable azanucleoside drugs like decitabine. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical stability of decitabine after reconstitution and dilution of DacogenMethodsTo determine the stability of frozen DacogenTo determine the stability of reconstituted DacogenDiluted DacogenDecitabine concentrations were determined at 0, 5, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after preparation. The pH-values were determined at 0, 8, 24 and 48 hours. Each sample was assayed by a validated stability-indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) assay with photodiode array detection.ResultsWhen test solutions of reconstituted DacogenIn reconstituted test solutions in glass vials and in diluted test solutions in infusion bags stored under refrigeration decitabine concentrations remained above 90 % of the initial concentration for 12 hours and 24 hours, respectively. Several peaks of degradation products were observed which explicitly increased over time.In all test solutions the pH-values amounted to pH 7 and remained unchanged. No particulate matter and no colour changes were observed over the test period.ConclusionsReconstituted decitabine solution (Dacogen
Liver disease symptoms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Authors: Rafiei Rahmatollah , Bemanian Mahboobeh , Rafiei Fereshteh , Bahrami Mahmood , Fooladi Lotfollah , Ebrahimi Giti , Hemmat Ahmadreza , Torabi Zahra 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Introduction. It seems that there is a relationship between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO among NAFLD patients.

Methods. In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 98 eligible NAFLD patients were evaluated for SIBO using hydrogen breath test (HBT). They were divided into SIBO-positive and SIBO-negative groups. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained.

Results. Based on the HBT, 38 patients (39%) had bacteria overgrowth. There were no significant differences between SIBO-positive and SIBO-negative regarding demographic data and BMI classification (P > 0.05). Biochemical variables, the results of abdominal ultrasound, and liver elastography did not show any significant difference between SIBO-positive and SIBO-negative patients (P > 0.05). Patients with SIBO were found to have higher rates of bloating, while abdominal pain was more prevalent in SIBO-negative patients (P < 0.001).

Conclusions. SIBO is prevalent in NAFLD and associated with bloating in these patients. Further studies are necessary to elucidate if therapeutic manipulation of gut microbiota reduces the risk of NAFLD, fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis.
Glycoregulation During Pregnancy
Authors: Mladenovic Violeta , Dimitrijevic-Stojanovic Milica , Macut Djuro , Djukic Aleksandar 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Pregnancy is a period marked by profound changes in a woman’s hormonal status and metabolism, including the development of a carbohydrate-intolerant state. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.
The aim of this study was to estimate and analyse the parameters of glycaemic control during pregnancy. We stratified patients into the following three groups according to OGTT results: normal glucose tolerance (NTG), gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT) and GDM.
We investigated 92 pregnant women, diagnosed with vital and desired pregnancy up to 12 weeks of gestation, who had signed informed consent forms. Among them, 7 pregnant women had a spontaneous abortion, while 8 pregnant women dropped out, so a total of 77 pregnant women completed the trial. Most of the women examined had no risk factors (48%), while 35% of the women had one risk factor. The current study demonstrates that normal glucose tolerance was shown in 59 (76.6%) participants, while some form of glucose intolerance (GIGT or GDM) was shown in 18 (23.4%) patients. Our findings revealed an increase in glucose intolerance with advancing pregnancy (in the second and third trimester). In conclusion, we demonstrate that the difference in the quality of glycaemic control during pregnancy is manifested in the second and third trimester, until it manifests in the first trimester. These findings underpin the clinical significance of discovering GDM.
AXIOMATIC DETERMINATION OF A CLASS OF ORDINAL VARIATION MEASURES
Authors: Kęska Adam 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The article deals with the problem of the dispersion of ordinal variables. At first, it specifies the very concept of dispersion for this type of scale. Then some of the most known measures that fit to the concept of ordinal variation are recalled. They are constructed with two different types of statistical models: using loss functions and using distance functions. Finally, a new approach, which is the use of an axiomatic method for the construction of a dispersion measure, is proposed. Some relations and comparisons between different measures and between different approaches are shown.
THE CONCEPT OF DEGRESSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE PROPORTIONALITY AND ITS NORMATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE APPLICATIONS
Authors: Haman Jacek 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The article discusses the concept of progressive and degressive proportionality of the distribution of parliamentary seats. In the first part are presented axiological sources of the principles of proportionality and progressive and degressive proportionality and the history of degressively proportional apportionments of seats in the European Parliament. The main part of the article is devoted to the formulation of proposals for strict formal definition of degressive and progressive proportionality, and a description of the method of apportionment of seats in the European Parliament based on the strict definition of degressive proportionality and maintaining maximum compatibility with former apportionments adopted in multilateral negotiations. The last part of the article consists of a discussion of the possibilities of adopting the concept of progressive proportionality in the analysis of the functioning of parliamentary electoral systems.