bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation Of Slender Spindle Form In Young ‘Topaz’ Apple Orchard*
Authors: Mészáros M. , Sus J. , Laňar L. , Náměstek J. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Two growing systems were compared – slender spindle and modified slender spindle, supplemented with or without additional summer pruning. The trial was carried out in orchard of the apple variety ‘Topaz’ in years 2012–2014. The assessed parameters were: trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), crown volume, number of cuts, dry matter weight of pruned wood, cumulative yield, yield efficiency, and relative occurrence of size classes of fruits. The objective was to confirm the hypothesized advantages of modified slender spindle in the period of increasing yields. Based on statistical analysis there was no significant difference among systems in growth measured by TCSA. Increase in crown cubage was the highest on slender spindle with additional summer pruning. The lowest increase of crown cubage was on modified spindle without summer pruning. Number of winter cuts and similarly dry weight was significantly higher on the modified spindle only in 2013. Additional summer pruning influenced both the above-mentioned parameters. There were no significant differences in cumulative yield and yield efficiency between systems. Similarly, the difference in the occurrence of various fruit size classes was not significant. We conclude that study needs to be extended in order to confirm the suggested trends.
Microfinance As A Tool For Poverty Reduction: A Study Of Jordan
Authors: Žiaková M. , Verner V. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of microfinance on the poor, particularly in the specific areas of economic and social development of people and their employment. The research was carried out in Jordan, a country with a well-developed microfinance sector. The results have shown that microfinance has led to an improvement in the financial and social situation of the poor, especially for female clients of microfinance institutions. Interestingly, the higher income of clients has not caused higher expenditure on their basic needs, but rather people have generated saving for their future and used the additional money for education. According to the results of the microfinance impact assessment, it can be assumed that people, particularly females, prefer to improve the social situation for future generations. Based on this finding, we consider microfinance an effective tool for breaking the vicious circles of poverty, especially in Jordan. Furthermore, microcredits have facilitated in increasing employment for the poor, mainly through self-employment. It is believed that there exists a direct connection to the future expansion of microcredits that will lead to the development of small businesses with a promising impact on employability throughout the population structure.
A Note on Weak vs. Strong Generation in Human Language
Authors: Fukui Naoki 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
This paper argues that various important results of formal language theory (e.g., the so-called Chomsky Hierarchy) may in fact be illusory as far as the human language faculty is concerned, as has been repeatedly emphasized by Chomsky himself. The paper takes up nested dependencies and cross-serial dependencies, the two important dependencies that typically show up in the discussion of the central classes of grammars and languages, and specifically shows that the fact that nested dependencies abound in human language while cross-serial dependencies are rather limited in human language can be naturally explained if we shift our attention from dependencies defined on terminal strings to abstract structures behind them. The paper then shows that nested dependencies are readily obtained by Merge, applying phase-by-phase, whereas cross-serial dependencies are available only as a result of copying Merge, which requires a constituency of the relevant strings. These results strongly suggest that dependencies are possible in human language only to the extent that they are the results from the structures that can be generated by Merge, leading to the conclusion that it is Merge-generability that determines various dependencies in human language, and that dependencies defined on the terminal strings are indeed illusory. A possible brain science experiment to demonstrate this point is also suggested.
A note on Fukui’s note
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Yu Edwin 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
This commentary relates Fukui’s (2015) note on weak vs. strong generation to two aspects of quantification in Chinese: quantifier scope and the syntactic licensing conditions of noninterrogative wh-expressions. It is shown that the phenomena under discussion echo Fukui’s (2015) view that only strong generation allows for a deeper understanding of natural language and that dependencies are to be distinguished structurally.
A Case of V2 in Chinese
Authors: Tsai Wei-Tien Dylan 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
As far as the left periphery is concerned, there is a conspiracy between syntax, semantics, and pragmatics to ensure the success of sentence formation. We would like to put forth the claim that peripheral features play an important role in this endeavor, which can be checked by either Merge or Move according to the parameter-settings of individual languages. Along this line, topic prominence can be regarded as the result of peripheral feature checking, and the null topic hypothesis à la Huang (1984) is reinvented as a null operator merger to fulfill interface economy in the left periphery. In this regard, Chinese provides substantial evidence from obligatory topicalization in outer affectives, evaluatives, and refutory wh-constructions, which applies only when the licensing from a D(efiniteness)-operator is blocked. The idea also extends naturally to the issues concerning pro-drop and bare nominals in general. In this light, we may well compare Chinese obligatory topicalization to those residual cases of verb-second (V2) in English, all being manifestation of the strong uniformity.
A Novel Gene Controlling the Timing of Courtship Initiation in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Luu Peter , Zaki Sadaf A , Tran David H , French Rachael L 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Over the past 35 years, developmental geneticists have made impressive progress toward an understanding of how genes specify morphology and function, particularly as they relate to the specification of each physical component of an organism. In the last 20 years, male courtship behavior in Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a robust model system for the study of genetic specification of behavior. Courtship behavior is both complex and innate, and a single gene, fruitless (fru), is both necessary and sufficient for all aspects of the courtship ritual. Typically, loss of male-specific Fruitless protein function results in male flies that perform the courtship ritual incorrectly, slowly, or not at all. Here we describe a novel requirement for fru: we have identified a group of cells in which male Fru proteins are required to reduce the speed of courtship initiation. In addition, we have identified a gene, Trapped in endoderm 1 (Tre1), which is required in these cells for normal courtship and mating behavior. Tre1 encodes a G-protein-coupled receptor required for establishment of cell polarity and cell migration and has previously not been shown to be involved in courtship behavior. We describe the results of feminization of the Tre1-expressing neurons, as well as the effects on courtship behavior of mutation of Tre1. In addition, we show that Tre1 is expressed in a sexually dimorphic pattern in the central and peripheral nervous systems and investigate the role of the Tre1 cells in mate identification.
Natural Selection and Recombination Rate Variation Shape Nucleotide Polymorphism Across the Genomes of Three Related Populus Species
Authors: Wang Jing , Street Nathaniel R , Scofield Douglas G , Ingvarsson Pär K 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
A central aim of evolutionary genomics is to identify the relative roles that various evolutionary forces have played in generating and shaping genetic variation within and among species. Here we use whole-genome resequencing data to characterize and compare genome-wide patterns of nucleotide polymorphism, site frequency spectrum, and population-scaled recombination rates in three species of Populus: Populus tremula, P. tremuloides, and P. trichocarpa. We find that P. tremuloides has the highest level of genome-wide variation, skewed allele frequencies, and population-scaled recombination rates, whereas P. trichocarpa harbors the lowest. Our findings highlight multiple lines of evidence suggesting that natural selection, due to both purifying and positive selection, has widely shaped patterns of nucleotide polymorphism at linked neutral sites in all three species. Differences in effective population sizes and rates of recombination largely explain the disparate magnitudes and signatures of linked selection that we observe among species. The present work provides the first phylogenetic comparative study on a genome-wide scale in forest trees. This information will also improve our ability to understand how various evolutionary forces have interacted to influence genome evolution among related species.
Do sensível às ideias: uma proposta de ensino de geometria, dos aspectos empíricos aos dedutivos
Authors: Lima André Ferreira , Almeida José Joelson Pimentel 
Published: January 2016

<p>Neste artigo – recorte de nossa dissertação de mestrado defendida no ano de 2015 –, fazemos uma revisão bibliográfica referente ao ensino de geometria nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental, destacando reflexões teóricas da área de Educação Matemática. Preservando a originalidade da dissertação, propomos como objetivo trazer reflexões sobre uma proposta de ensino que privilegie inicialmente uma geometria empírica, atrelada ao cotidiano dos discentes, para, em seguida, abordar noções da geometria plana, uma vez que essa exige maior esforço para sua compreensão. Podemos apontar que o desenvolvimento de um trabalho de geometria pautado na exploração dos conceitos tridimensionais e no posterior estudo dos conteúdos da geometria plana pode contribuir para a aprendizagem, na medida em que o discurso dos discentes será naturalmente enriquecido em seu repertório, que passará a envolver noções e um léxico mais apropriado às geometrias plana e espacial.</p>
Mapeamentos conceituais entre os modelos relacional e NoSQL: Uma abordagem comparativa
Authors: Freitas Myller Claudino , Souza Damires Yluska , Salgado Ana Carolina Brandão 
Published: January 2016

<p>As atuais perspectivas computacionais, vindas sobretudo da Web, têm gerado novas demandas relacionadas ao gerenciamento de dados, principalmente em termos de volume, heterogeneidade e dinamismo. Uma tendência atual para facilitar o gerenciamento de dados na Web é a utilização dos denominados Sistemas NoSQL, que se diferenciam dos sistemas que seguem o Modelo Relacional por possibilitarem a implementação de estruturas mais flexíveis. Contudo, a maioria dos bancos de dados de aplicações existentes encontra-se em estruturas relacionais, e a migração de uma base que segue o Modelo Relacional para uma NoSQL requer grande esforço dos projetistas diante das diferenças existentes. Nesse panorama, este artigo descreve os modelos citados, em termos de conceitos e estruturas, e apresenta um estudo comparativo apontando possíveis mapeamentos conceituais entre eles. Aborda também, de forma comparativa, trabalhos de conversão de dados existentes, e indica desafios e possibilidades para novas pesquisas sobre o tema.</p>
Macrofauna edáfica em consórcio de sorgo e soja sob incremento de nitrogênio na gramínea
Authors: Fidelis R. R. , Gonzaga L. A. M. , Silva J. , Aguiar R. W. S. 
Published: January 2016

Objetivou-se fazer um levantamento da macrofauna edáfica em culturas do sorgo e soja em sistema de consórcio com aplicação de doses crescentes de nitrogênio na gramínea. Foram utilizadas armadilhas do tipo pitfalls e os tratamentos ficaram assim dispostos: T1, vegetação natural; T2, sorgo solteiro + aplicação 100 kg ha-1 de N; T3, sorgo-soja com uma linha de soja + 0 kg ha-1 de N; T4, sorgo-soja com uma linha de soja + 20 kg ha-1 de N; T5, sorgo-soja com uma linha de soja + 40 kg ha-1 de N; T6, sorgo-soja com uma linha de soja + 60 kg ha-1 de N; T7, sorgo-soja com uma linha de soja + 80 kg ha-1 de N; T8, sorgo-soja com uma linha de soja + 100 kg ha-1 de N; T9, sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja + 0 kg ha-1 de N; T10, sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja + 20 kg ha-1 de N; T11, sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja + 40 kg ha-1 de N; T12, sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja + 60 kg ha-1 de N; T13, sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja + 80 kg ha-1 de N; T14, sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja + 100 kg ha-1 de N. Avaliou-se número total de indivíduos, indivíduos por m2, riqueza média, índice de diversidade de Shannon (H) e de equitabilidade de Pielou (e). O consórcio sorgo-soja com duas linhas de soja proporciona maior diversidade e uniformidade de grupos. Os himenóoptera e coleóptera predominam em relação aos demais grupos.Soil macrofauna intercropped sorghum and soybean under increment of nitrogen in grassABSTRACT - This study aimed to survey the soil macrofauna on sorghum and soybean crops in intercropping with application of increasing doses of nitrogen in grass. Traps pitfalls type were used and treatments were well prepared: T1, natural vegetation; T2, single application sorghum + 100 kg N ha-1; T3, sorghum-soybean with a line of soy + 0 kg N ha-1; T4, sorghum-soybean with a line of soy + 20 kg ha-1 N; T5, sorghum-soybean with a line of soy + 40 kg ha-1 N; T6, sorghum-soybean with a line of soy + 60 kg ha-1 N; T7, sorghum-soybean with a line of soy + 80 kg ha-1 N; T8, sorghum-soybean with a line of soy + 100 kg ha-1 N; T9, sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines + 0 kg N ha-1; T10, sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines + 20 kg ha-1 N; T11, sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines + 40 kg ha-1 N; T12, sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines + 60 kg ha-1 N; T13, sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines + 80 kg ha-1 N; T14, sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines + 100 kg ha-1 of N. We evaluated the total number of individuals, individuals per m2, mean richness, Shannon diversity index (H) and evenness equitability (e). The consortium sorghum-soybean with two soybean lines provides greater diversity and evenness of groups. The himenoptera and coleoptera predominates over the other groups.
Prevalence of Keratoconus Among a Palestinian Tertiary Student
Population
Authors: Shehadeh Mohammad M. , Diakonis Vasilios F. , Jalil Sara A. , Younis Rania , Qadoumi Jamal , Al-Labadi Liana 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:
To screen for keratoconus and potential associated risk factors in a tertiary student population sample.

Population and Methods:
This cross sectional study included 1234 students attending An-Najah National University
(Nablus, West Bank, Palestine), that were randomly selected from a total of 20,000 university students. 634 (51.3%)
student participants responded by completing a self-administered questionnaire and were assessed by means of corneal
topography. Following initial evaluation, participants were referred for Pentacam evaluation if they demonstrated either a
mean keratometry of more than 45 diopters, corneal astigmatism of more than 2 diopters and/or if asymmetric topographic
patterns were present. Pentacam images were analyzed by an experienced ophthalmologist based on a number of indices
and the participants were classified as normal, keratoconus suspects, and keratoconus patients.

Results:
A total of 620 participants (mean age, 20.1±1.6 years) were included in this study, 379 (61.1%) were females and
241 (38.9%) were males. Nine subjects were diagnosed with keratoconus, demonstrating a prevalence of 1.5%. 52 (8.4%)
participants showed at least one abnormal pentacam index, and were considered as KC suspects.

Conclusion:
Keratoconus is a prevalent disease among the tertiary Palestinian student population. This may be related to a
combination of genetic and environmental factors. The results of this study signal the need for public health outreach and
intervention for keratoconus.
Effects of Volitional Spine Stabilization and Lower Extremity Fatigue on Trunk Control During Landing in Individuals With Recurrent Low Back Pain
Authors: Haddas Ram , Sawyer Steven F. , Sizer Phillip S. , Brooks Toby , Chyu Ming-Chien , James C. Roger 
Published: January 2016

Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Background Recurrent low back pain (LBP) and neuromuscular fatigue are independently thought to increase the risk of spine injury. Volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) is thought to improve lumbar spine and pelvis control in individuals with recurrent LBP. The effects of VPAC on fatigued landing performance in individuals with recurrent LBP are unknown. Objectives To determine the effects of VPAC and lower extremity fatigue on trunk control during landing in a population of individuals with recurrent LBP. Methods Thirty-two recurrent LBP (mean ± SD age, 21.2 ± 2.7 years) and 33 healthy (age, 20.9 ± 2.3 years) subjects performed 0.30-m drop-jump landings with and without VPAC and fatigue. Trunk, pelvis, and hip biomechanical and electromyographic variables were obtained using 3-D motion capture. Hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance. Results Volitional preemptive abdominal contraction resulted in significantly earlier muscle onsets across all muscles, with and without fatigue, in both groups (mean ± SD, 0.058 ± 0.019 seconds earlier; P≤.001) and altered lumbar lateral flexion (1.4° ± 14.8° greater right lateral flexion; P = .002). Fatigue significantly delayed muscle onsets (0.040 ± 0.014 seconds later; P≤.001) and altered pelvic obliquity (1.4° ± 11.0° greater; P≤.001) and trunk side flexion (2.0° ± 14.8° less; P≤.001). The recurrent LBP group exhibited delayed muscle onsets (0.039 ± 0.031 seconds later; P≤.004) and 4.2° less hip abduction at initial contact (P≤.008) in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusion Volitional preemptive abdominal contraction decreases some of the detrimental effects of fatigue on landing biomechanics and thus may reduce spine injury risk in individuals with recurrent LBP. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(2):71–78. Epub 1 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6048
Joint Mobilization Enhances Mechanisms of Conditioned Pain Modulation in Individuals With Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Authors: Courtney Carol A. , Steffen Alana D. , Fernández-de-las-Pñas César , Kim John , Chmell Samuel J. 
Published: January 2016

Study Design An experimental laboratory study with a repeated-measures crossover design. Background Treatment effects of joint mobilization may occur in part by decreasing excitability of central nociceptive pathways. Impaired conditioned pain modulation (CPM) has been found experimentally in persons with knee and hip osteoarthritis, indicating impaired inhibition of central nociceptive pathways. We hypothesized increased effectiveness of CPM following application of joint mobilization, determined via measures of deep tissue hyperalgesia. Objective To examine the effect of joint mobilization on impaired CPM. Methods An examination of 40 individuals with moderate/severe knee osteoarthritis identified 29 (73%) with impaired CPM. The subjects were randomized to receive 6 minutes of knee joint mobilization (intervention) or manual cutaneous input only, 1 week apart. Deep tissue hyperalgesia was examined via pressure pain thresholds bilaterally at the knee medial joint line and the hand at baseline, postintervention, and post-CPM testing. Further, vibration perception threshold was measured at the medial knee epicondyle at baseline and post-CPM testing. Results Joint mobilization, but not cutaneous input intervention, resulted in a global increase in pressure pain threshold, indicated by diminished hyperalgesic responses to pressure stimulus. Further, CPM was significantly enhanced following joint mobilization. Diminished baseline vibration perception threshold acuity was enhanced following joint mobilization at the knee that received intervention, but not at the contralateral knee. Resting pain was also significantly lower following the joint intervention. Conclusion Conditioned pain modulation was enhanced following joint mobilization, demonstrated by a global decrease in deep tissue pressure sensitivity. Joint mobilization may act via enhancement of descending pain mechanisms in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(3):168–176. Epub 1 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6259
Does More Therapy in Skilled Nursing Facilities Lead to Better Outcomes in Patients With Hip Fracture?
Authors: Jung Hye-Young , Trivedi Amal N. , Grabowski David C. , Mor Vincent 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundSkilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have increasingly been providing more therapy hours to beneficiaries of Medicare. It is not known whether these increases have improved patient outcomes.ObjectiveThe study objectives were: (1) to examine temporal trends in therapy hour volumes and (2) to evaluate whether more therapy hours are associated with improved patient outcomes.DesignThis was a retrospective cohort study.MethodsData sources included the Minimum Data Set, Medicare inpatient claims, and the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting System. The study population consisted of 481,908 beneficiaries of Medicare fee-for-service who were admitted to 15,496 SNFs after hip fracture from 2000 to 2009. Linear regression models with facility and time fixed effects were used to estimate the association between the quantity of therapy provided in SNFs and the likelihood of discharge to home.ResultsThe average number of therapy hours increased by 52% during the study period, with relatively little change in case mix at SNF admission. An additional hour of therapy per week was associated with a 3.1-percentage-point (95% confidence interval=3.0, 3.1) increase in the likelihood of discharge to home. The effect of additional therapy decreased as the Resource Utilization Group category increased, and additional therapy did not benefit patients in the highest Resource Utilization Group category.LimitationsMinimum Data Set assessments did not cover details of therapeutic interventions throughout the entire SNF stay and captured only a 7-day retrospective period for measures of the quantity of therapy provided.ConclusionsIncreases in the quantity of therapy during the study period cannot be explained by changes in case mix at SNF admission. More therapy hours in SNFs appear to improve outcomes, except for patients with the greatest need.