bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of short-term germination delay on fitness of the annual weed Agrostemma githago (L.)
Authors: Rühl A. Theresa , Donath Tobias W. , Otte Annette , Eckstein R. Lutz 
Published: May 2016

AbstractTime of seedling emergence is an important step in the life cycle of annual plants because it may determine subsequent performance and success. Timing of emergence is especially critical to plant performance in habitats like arable fields which are subject to frequent disturbances. Within-season variation in timing of germination in the range of only a few days is typical for many arable weeds. However, since it is unclear whether such small deviations in germination date translate into fitness differences in the course of the life cycle, the aim of this paper was to quantify the effects of short germination delays on plant performance. We conducted two generalized randomized block experiments in an unheated greenhouse to study the impact of delayed germination (1, 2, 3 and 7 d) with and without competition, respectively, on the fitness of the arable weed species Agrostemma githago (L.). We expected that delayed germination significantly reduces fitness in terms of several life-history traits, and that the decrease of fitness is higher in the presence of competition. Under realistic conditions with competition through barley, Agrostemma plants with delayed germination of 7 d produced 54% fewer shoots, 57% less biomass, 52% fewer flowers, 36% lighter seeds and were 23% shorter as compared to control plants without delayed germination. Without additional stress through competition with barley this pattern was less pronounced. Thus, in the situation of interspecific competition, early emerging seedlings have biologically significant fitness advantages over later emerging seedlings of the same species.
Erythrocyte glutathione transferase: a general probe for chemical contaminations in mammals
Authors: Bocedi A , Fabrini R , Lai O , Alfieri L , Roncoroni C , Noce A , Pedersen JZ , Ricci G 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGlutathione transferases (GSTs) are enzymes devoted to the protection of cells against many different toxins. In erythrocytes, the isoenzyme (e-GST) mainly present is GSTP1-1, which is overexpressed in humans in case of increased blood toxicity, as it occurs in nephrophatic patients or in healthy subjects living in polluted areas. The present study explores the possibility that e-GST may be used as an innovative and highly sensitive biomarker of blood toxicity also for other mammals. All distinct e-GSTs from humans, Bos taurus (cow), Sus scrofa (pig), Capra hircus (goat), Equus caballus (horse), Equus asinus (donkey) and Ovis aries (sheep), show very similar amino acid sequences, identical kinetics and stability properties. Reference values for e-GST in all these mammals reared in controlled farms span from 3.5±0.2 U/gHb in the pig to 17.0±0.9 U/gHb in goat; such activity levels can easily be determined with high precision using only a few microliters of whole blood and a simple spectrophotometric assay. Possibly disturbing factors have been examined to avoid artifact determinations. This study provides the basis for future screening studies to verify if animals have been exposed to toxicologic insults. Preliminary data on cows reared in polluted areas show increased expression of e-GST, which parallels the results found for humans.
Strong infrared photoluminescence in highly porous layers of large faceted Si crystalline nanoparticles
Authors: de Jong E. M. L. D , Mannino G. , Alberti A. , Ruggeri R. , Italia M. , Zontone F. , Chushkin Y. , Pennisi A. R. , Gregorkiewicz T. , Faraci G. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlmost all physical processes in solids are influenced by phonons, but their effect is frequently overlooked. In this paper, we investigate the photoluminescence of large silicon nanoparticles (approximately 100 nm size, synthesized by chemical vapor deposition) in the visible to the infrared detection range. We find that upon increasing laser irradiance, an enormous photoluminescence emission band appears in the infrared. Its intensity exhibits a superlinear power dependence, increasing over four orders of magnitude in the investigated pump power range. Particles of different sizes as well as different shapes in porous layers are investigated. The results are discussed taking into account the efficient generation of phonons under high-power pumping and the reduced capability, porosity dependent, of the silicon nanoparticles to exchange energy with each other and with the substrate. Our findings are relevant for heat management strategies in silicon.
Identification of novel KIF11 mutations in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and a phenotypic analysis
Authors: Li Jia-Kai , Fei Ping , Li Yian , Huang Qiu-Jing , Zhang Qi , Zhang Xiang , Rao Yu-Qing , Li Jing , Zhao Peiquan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractKIF11 gene mutations cause a rare autosomal dominant inheritable disease called microcephaly with or without chorioretinopathy, lymphedema, or mental retardation (MCLMR). Recently, such mutations were also found to be associated with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). Here, we report 7 novel KIF11 mutations identified by targeted gene capture in a cohort of 142 probands with FEVR who were diagnosed in our clinic between March 2015 and November 2015. These mutations were: p.L171V, c.790-2A>C, p.Q525*, p.Q842*, p.S936*, p.L983fs and p.R1025G. Phenotypic analysis revealed that all of the affected probands had advanced FEVR (stage 4 or above). Three had microcephaly and one had chorioretinopathy, which indicated a phenotypic overlap with MCLMR. Two mutations were also found in the families of the affected probands. One parent with a p.R1025G mutation had an avascular peripheral retina and abnormal looping vessels. However, one parent with p.L983fs had normal retina, which indicated incomplete penetration of the genotype. Our results further confirmed that KIF11 is causative of FEVR in an autosomal dominant manner. We also suggest the examination of MCLMR-like features, such as microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, for patients with FEVR and wide-field fundus photography for patients with MCLMR in future practice.
Formation of Magnetic Anisotropy by Lithography
Authors: Kim Si Nyeon , Nam Yoon Jae , Kim Yang Doo , Choi Jun Woo , Lee Heon , Lim Sang Ho 
Published: May 2016

AbstractArtificial interface anisotropy is demonstrated in alternating Co/Pt and Co/Pd stripe patterns, providing a means of forming magnetic anisotropy using lithography. In-plane hysteresis loops measured along two principal directions are explained in depth by two competing shape and interface anisotropies, thus confirming the formation of interface anisotropy at the Co/Pt and Co/Pd interfaces of the stripe patterns. The measured interface anisotropy energies, which are in the range of 0.2–0.3 erg/cm2 for both stripes, are smaller than those observed in conventional multilayers, indicating a decrease in smoothness of the interfaces when formed by lithography. The demonstration of interface anisotropy in the Co/Pt and Co/Pd stripe patterns is of significant practical importance, because this setup makes it possible to form anisotropy using lithography and to modulate its strength by controlling the pattern width. Furthermore, this makes it possible to form more complex interface anisotropy by fabricating two-dimensional patterns. These artificial anisotropies are expected to open up new device applications such as multilevel bits using in-plane magnetoresistive thin-film structures.
Stellenwert ambulanter, gerätegestützter Trainingstherapie bei Atemwegs- und Lungenkrankheiten
Authors: Glöckl R. , Göhl O. , Spielmanns M. , Taube K. , Bock R. , Schultz K. , Worth H. 
Published: May 2016

ZusammenfassungDie körperliche Trainingstherapie gilt als eine der wichtigsten Therapieoptionen für Patienten mit chronischen Atemwegs- und Lungenkrankheiten: Die Effekte des Ausdauer- und Krafttrainings auf Atemnot, körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit und Lebensqualität sind unbestritten. Dennoch wird die Trainingstherapie im ambulanten Bereich durch die Rahmenvereinbarungen der Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Rehabilitation (BAR) limitiert: Nur der in Gruppen angeleitete Lungensport wird über längere Zeiträume von den Kostenträgern finanziert, das gerätegestützte Training bleibt ausgeschlossen, obwohl sich dessen herausragende Effizienz durch zahlreiche randomisiert kontrollierte Studien nachweisen lässt. In diesem Übersichtsartikel werden neben der Methodik und den Effekten auch die aktuellen organisatorischen Strukturen einer ambulanten, gerätegestützten Trainingstherapie für Patienten mit chronischen Atemwegs- und Lungenkrankheiten in Deutschland aufgezeigt und kritisch diskutiert.
Operational “problem” directors and environmental performance
Authors: Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan Md. , Hooks Jill 
Published: May 2016

PurposeThe way in which a firm’s actions are perceived by others is driven by the individual values and ethics of directors (Ntim and Soobaroyen, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of “problem” directors on the environmental performance of firms. The authors argue that if a board member has a tainted reputation, then environmental performance will be higher as the problem director seeks to rebuild his/her reputation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a sample of the top 500 US companies for 2010 and 2011 and an ordinary least square (OLS) model to capture the impact of “problem” directors on environmental performance. The authors use an independent measure of environmental performance which includes three categories: environmental impact, environmental management (green policies) and environmental reputation (which is affected by disclosure).FindingsThe findings of this paper show that the average environmental impact score is 53.32 per cent, the environmental management green policy score is 35.39 per cent and environmental reputation is 49.86 per cent. A firm which is operated by a problem director has a higher score for environmental management and environmental reputation than non-problem director-affiliated firms. Firms which are managed by a problem director(s) have lower scores for environmental impact than non-problem director-affiliated firms in the USA, indicating a higher level of emissions, water use, waste disposal, etc.Practical implicationsThe authors posit that problem directors promote environmental performance as a means to enhance their reputation and divert attention from allegations of previous poor professional behaviour. Regulators and investors should interpret the environmental performance of a firm with caution when a problem director is on the board.Originality/valuePrior research on the relationship between environmental performance and corporate governance has been based on board composition and characteristics. However, board decision-making reflects the professional experience and personal values of the directors. These factors have not been addressed in the literature to-date and, hence, form this paper’s contribution.
Attenuation modes from Vertical Seismic Profiling and sonic waveform in a carbonate reservoir, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Bouchaala F. , Ali M.Y. , Matsushima J. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIn this study, we derived accurate and high‐resolution attenuation profiles using spectral ratio, centroid frequency shift, and seismic interferometry methods. We utilized high‐quality vertical seismic profiling and sonic waveform data acquired in a carbonate reservoir located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The scattering profile of vertical‐seismic‐profiling data contributes significantly to wave attenuation that can be explained by high heterogeneity of the carbonate rocks. The scattering profile also correlates well with the reservoir lithology and fractured zones imaged by the Formation MicroImager. A tar mat zone occurs within the lower part of Arab D reservoir. This zone corresponds with a decrease in scattering attenuation. The tar mat may have filled the pores and made this zone less heterogeneous. Therefore, a decrease in scattering attenuation can be considered a potential parameter for tar mat detection. After removing the scattering effect, nonphysical negative intrinsic attenuation values still exist at certain depths. The most probable explanation for this is the three‐dimensional scattering effect, which is not taken into account in this paper, and short‐period upgoing waves. Seismic interferometry is less sensitive to the remaining scattered upgoing wave, which is why seismic interferometry method shows fewer negative values than the spectral ratio and centroid frequency shift methods. Compared with vertical‐seismic‐profiling attenuation, scattering attenuation estimated from sonic waveforms recorded in the reservoir zones is insignificant, and the intrinsic attenuation is almost equivalent to the total attenuation. We attribute this underestimation of the scattering attenuation to the sparse spatial sampling of the sonic logging data at 0.1524 m, which is not sufficient to appropriately estimate the scattering effect in heterogeneous media. The cross‐plots between sonic attenuation and various petrophysical properties show slight dependence between the sonic attenuation and neutron porosity and resistivity in the reservoir zones. However, we can highlight from these plots two zones belonging to the Arab reservoirs. The lower zone corresponds to Arab D reservoir and displays higher sonic intrinsic attenuation than the upper zone (Arab A–C reservoirs) due to higher oil saturation. This highlights the sensitivity of the intrinsic attenuation to the oil saturation.
Amorphous nanosilica particles evoke vascular relaxation through PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling
Authors: Onodera Akira , Yayama Katsutoshi , Tanaka Atsushi , Morosawa Hideto , Furuta Takuya , Takeda Naoya , Kakiguchi Kisa , Yonemura Shigenobu , Yanagihara Itaru , Tsutsumi Yasuo , Kawai Yuichi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThere have been several reported studies on the distribution and/or toxicity of nanosilica particles. However, the influence of these particles on blood vessels through which they are distributed is poorly understood. Hence, we investigated the effects of nano‐ and micromaterials on blood vessel shrinkage and relaxation. Nanosilica particles with diameters of 70 nm (nSP70) were used as the nanomaterial, and particles of 300 and 1000 nm (nSP300 and mSP1000, respectively) were used as micromaterials. A rat thoracic aorta was used as the test blood vessel. The nano‐ and micromaterials had no effect on vessel shrinkage. Of the nano‐ and micromaterials tested, only nSP70 strongly evoked vascular relaxation. Vascular relaxation evoked by nSP70 was almost completely inhibited by the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin. In addition, the selective nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester, which inhibits endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) downstream of PI3K signaling, inhibited vascular relaxation evoked by nSP70. In an analysis using bovine aortic endothelial cells (bAECs), nSP70 phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT) and eNOS acted downstream of PI3K signaling. PI3K inhibition by wortmannin reduced AKT and eNOS phosphorylation. These results demonstrated that 70‐nm amorphous nanosilica particles evoked vascular relaxation through PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling. Moreover, it was suggested that nanomaterials, in general, control or disrupt vascular function by activating a known signal cascade.
Identification and Characterization of Pothos latent virus Causing Necrotic Ringspots and Line Patterns on Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yuh‐Kun , Chang Yi‐Shan , Chao Hung‐Yu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) grown in screenhouses in Taiwan showed ringspots and concentric line patterns on leaves. A virus having isometric particles approximately 30–32 nm in diameter was isolated from affected lisianthus. Combined results of biological, cytological, serological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses show that the virus can be identified as Pothos latent virus (PoLV), genus Aureusvirus, family Tombusviridae. Inoculating the virus on non‐infected lisianthus plants reproduced the symptoms previously observed in the field. So, this is the first report of PoLV causing disease in lisianthus and the first report of the virus in Taiwan.
Production and Application of Syringomycin E as an Organic Fungicide Seed Protectant against Pythium Damping‐off
Authors: Kawasaki Yukie , Nischwitz Claudia , Grilley Michelle M. , Jones Justin , Brown Jason D. , Takemoto Jon Y. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSyringomycin E (SRE) is a cyclic lipodepsinonapeptide with potent antifungal activity and is produced by certain strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. In this study, its potential as an organic‐compatible agrofungicide and vegetable seed treatment against the soilborne pathogen Pythium ultimum var. ultimum was examined. A variant of P. syringae pv. syringae strain B301D with enhanced SRE‐producing capabilities was isolated and grown in a bioreactor with SRE yields averaging 50 mg/l in 40 h. SRE was extracted and purified through a large‐scale chromatography system using organic‐compatible processes and reagents. The minimum concentrations of the purified product required to inhibit 50 and 90% of P. ultimum oospore germination were determined as 31.3 and 250 μg/ml, respectively. Drench treatment of cucumber seeds in P. ultimum‐infested potting medium (500 oospores/g) with 50 μg/ml SRE or water with no SRE resulted in 90.2 ± 4.5% and 65.7 ± 4.6% germination rates, respectively. Seed coating with 0.03% (w/w) SRE allowed 65.7 ± 4.6% seedlings to germinate on naturally infested soil while 100.0 ± 0.0% of non‐coated seeds were unable to germinate due to Pythium infection. Organic‐compatible and scalably produced SRE is potentially a novel organic fungicide seed protectant.
Fundamental problems with the cooperative breeding hypothesis. A reply to Burkart & van Schaik
Authors: Thornton A. , McAuliffe K. , Dall S. R. X. , Fernandez‐Duque E. , Garber P. A. , Young A. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe cooperative breeding hypothesis (CBH) states that cooperative breeding, a social system in which group members help to rear offspring that are not their own, has important socio‐cognitive consequences. Thornton & McAuliffe (2015; henceforth T&M) critiqued this idea on both conceptual and empirical grounds, arguing that there is no reason to predict that cooperative breeding should favour the evolution of enhanced social cognition or larger brains, nor any clear evidence that it does. In response to this critique, Burkart & van Schaik ( henceforth B&vS) attempt to clarify the causal logic of the CBH, revisit the data and raise the possibility that the hypothesis may only apply to primates. They concede that cooperative breeding is unlikely to generate selection pressures for enhanced socio‐cognitive abilities, but argue instead that the CBH operates purely through cooperative breeding reducing social or energetic constraints. Here, we argue that this revised hypothesis is also untenable because: (1) it cannot explain why resources so released would be allocated to cognitive traits per se rather than any other fitness‐related traits, (2) key assumptions are inconsistent with available evidence and (3) ambiguity regarding the predictions leaves it unclear what evidence would be required to falsify it. Ultimately, the absence of any compelling evidence that cooperative breeding is associated with elevated cognitive ability or large brains (indeed data suggest the opposite is true in non‐human primates) also casts doubt on the capacity of the CBH to explain variation in cognitive traits.
Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticle using fractioned cellular components from eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria
Authors: Roychoudhury Piya , Bhattacharya Abhishek , Dasgupta Anjan , Pal Ruma 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIn the present investigation fractioned cellular components like intact pigment bearing thylakoids/chloroplasts, carotenoids, protein, polysaccharides were extracted from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sphaerica and green alga Chlorococcum infusionum. Each of these extracts was used separately in search for efficient reducing agents during gold nanoparticle (GNP) production in pro‐ and eukaryotic algal cell systems. The whole biomass and extracted compounds or cellular structures were exposed in 25 mg L−1 aqueous hydrogen tetrachloroaurate solutions separately at room temperature. Isolated viable chloroplasts from C. infusionum and thylakoids from A. sphaerica were found to be able to reduce gold ions. The protein extracts of both strains were also able to synthesize GNP at 4°C. Extracted polysaccharides of the two strains responded differently. Polysaccharides from A. sphaerica showed positive response in GNP synthesis, whereas no change was observed for C. infusionum. The carotenoids extracts from both strains acted like an efficient reducing agent. Initially the reducing efficiency of these extracted components was confirmed by the appearance of purple color in biomass or in experimental media. The GNPs, synthesized within the biomass were extracted by sonication with sodium citrate. The UV–vis spectroscopy of extracted purple colored suspensions and media showed the absorption bands at approximately 530–540 nm indicating a strong positive signal of GNP synthesis. Transmission electro n microscopy determined the size and shapes of the particles. The X‐ray diffraction study of the synthesized GNP revealed that the 2θ values appeared at 38.2°, 44.5°, 64.8° and 77.8°. Amongst all, isolated thylakoids and chloroplast showed only spherical GNP production with variable size range at pH 4. Monodisperse GNPs were also synthesized by isolated thylakoids and chloroplast at pH 9. A detailed morphological change of gold treated biomass was revealed employing scanning electron microscopy. The fluorescent property of gold loaded cells was studied by fluorescence microscopy.
Differential Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Granulicatella adiacens and Abiotrophia defectiva
Authors: Mushtaq Ammara , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E. , Cole Nicolynn C. , Kohner Peggy C. , Ihde Sherry M. , Strand Gregory J. , Harper Lance W. , Virk Abinash , Patel Robin 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

MICs of 25
Abiotrophia defectiva
and 109
Granulicatella adiacens
isolates were determined by broth microdilution. Using CLSI breakpoints, the susceptibilities of
A. defectiva
and
G. adiacens
isolates were, respectively, 24% and 34% to penicillin, 92% and 22% to ceftriaxone, 48% and 3% to cefepime, 72% and 87% to meropenem, 92% and 10% to cefotaxime, 100% and 97% to levofloxacin, 92% and 80% to clindamycin, and 24% and 50% to erythromycin. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. In the penicillin-susceptible subgroup, all
A. defectiva
isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone; however, 62% of
G. adiacens
isolates were ceftriaxone nonsusceptible.