bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STATE-LEVEL DIETARY DIVERSITY AS A CONTEXTUAL DETERMINANT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN IN INDIA: A MULTILEVEL APPROACH
Authors: Borkotoky Kakoli , Unisa Sayeed , Gupta Ashish Kumar 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThis study aimed to identify the determinants of nutritional status of children in India with a special focus on dietary diversity at the state level. Household-level consumption data from three rounds of the Consumer Expenditure Survey of the National Sample Survey Organization (1993–2012) were used. Information on the nutritional status of children was taken from the National Family Health Survey (2005–06). Dietary diversity indices were constructed at the state level to examine diversity in quantity of food consumed and food expenditure. Multilevel regression analysis was applied to examine the association of state-level dietary diversity and other socioeconomic factors with the nutritional status of children. It was observed that significant variation in childhood stunting, wasting and underweight could be explained by community- and state-level factors. The results indicate that dietary diversity has increased in India over time, and that dietary diversity at the state level is significantly associated with the nutritional status of children. Moreover, percentage of households with a regular salaried income in a state, percentage of educated mothers and mothers receiving antenatal care in a community are important factors for improving the nutritional status of children. Diversity in complementary child feeding is another significant determinant of nutritional status of children. The study thus concludes that increasing dietary diversity at the state level is an effective measure to reduce childhood malnutrition in India.
The intersection of basic research and conservation: a 30-year study of the Critically Endangered Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae) on Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head Crater), Hawai‘i
Authors: Sakai Ann K. , Weller Stephen G. , Yang Weigang , Ching Harbin Susan , Portner Talia , Mansker Greg , Bruegmann Marie 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe report on how a long-term study of the reproductive biology of the Critically Endangered Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae), one of Hawai‘i's rarest plant species, was leveraged for conservation purposes. Our major goals were to provide seeds with the greatest genetic variation possible for reintroduction and to ensure that both female and hermaphroditic plants of this wind-pollinated species were reintroduced in a manner that maximized both outcrossing and seed production. Schiedea adamantis was one of the first Hawaiian plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act (USA). The species has been studied intensively to test hypotheses addressing the evolution of breeding systems. Information on outcrossing levels and the extent of inbreeding depression was integrated into ongoing reintroduction efforts. Population size peaked in 1994, when 267 flowering individuals were found on Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head Crater). By 2016 only 17 flowering individuals were present, with drought and invasive species being possible causes of this decline. Reintroduction attempts in 1998 using genetically diverse seeds were unsuccessful because of drought and a lack of sufficient supplemental irrigation. Additional reintroduction attempts in 2012 and 2014 were more successful because of increased supplemental irrigation. Plants used in reintroductions represent genotypes long since absent in the natural population, and may contain the genetic variability essential for evolutionary responses to climate change and the spread of invasive species. The destruction of many plants reintroduced in 2015 and 2016 by a fire in March 2016 highlights the need for additional restoration areas at Lē‘ahi and elsewhere, and storage of seeds for future use.
Partitioning the plant diversity of semi-natural grasslands across Japan
Authors: Koyama Asuka , Koyanagi Tomoyo F. , Akasaka Munemitsu , Kusumoto Yoshinobu , Hiradate Syuntaro , Takada Masayuki , Okabe Kimiko 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEffective conservation of global species diversity requires a clear understanding of spatial scales that support overall diversity across broad scales. Abandonment of semi-natural grasslands has increased their fragmentation and decreased their areal extent. We quantified diversity patterns of plant communities in Japan across hierarchical scales to facilitate the development of an effective nationwide strategy for conserving species diversity in remnant semi-natural grasslands. We applied additive partitioning of plant species diversity, using a nested hierarchical design at three spatial scales (quadrat, grassland, and western and eastern regions of Japan) for three groups of plant species (all species, grassland species and national Red Listed species). We consistently found lower proportions of among-quadrats diversity, and higher proportions of among-grasslands diversity and between-regions diversity in the overall diversity of the entire species complement than would be expected by chance. The high contribution of among-grasslands diversity to overall diversity suggests that each grassland had a unique species content. The second-ranking contributor to overall diversity differed between grassland species and Red Listed species: the second-ranking contributor for grassland species was diversity at the among-quadrats scale but the second-ranking contributor for all species and for Red Listed species was diversity at the between-regions scale. Thus, effective conservation of diversity of the entire species complement in remnant semi-natural grasslands requires preservation of beta diversity in individual grasslands. Our findings highlight the importance of strengthening local preservation and restoration activities within each grassland, and of nationwide strategies for conserving Red Listed species in remnant semi-natural grassland communities.
Analytical study on deep penetration induced by focused moving high-energy beam
Authors: Chen B.C. , Ho C.Y. , Wen M.Y. , Lin V.H. , Lee Y.C. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper investigates the focal location effects on the penetration depth of molten region surrounding a paraboloid of revolution-shaped cavity (i.e. keyhole of this model) irradiated by a moving focused energy beam, which profile of intensity is assumed to be Gaussian distribution. Considering the momentum balance at the base of the keyhole, a quasi-steady-state thermal model relative to a constant-speed moving high-energy beam and paraboloid of revolution-shaped cavity is developed in a parabolic coordinate system. The analytical solution is obtained for this model with the adiabatic condition directly set on the workpiece surface for semi-infinite domain instead of the image method for infinite domain using the separation-of-variables method. The analytical solution of this model gives a reasonable prediction for the cavity temperatures. The predicted relation of the penetration depth to the focal location agrees with the available measured data. The effects of focal convergence angle and spot size on the penetration depth are also discussed.
Induction of chromosomal damage by ozone in the root meristems of Norway spruce
Authors: Müller M. , Grill D. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisSpruce plants (one clone of Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were exposed in environmental chambers to different levels of ozone for 42 days to study the influences of enhanced ozone on root tip chromosomes directly after fumigation had ceased. No visible symptoms resulted from these treatments. The classification of chromosomal aberrations was used as a method to characterise the influences on the root tips caused by ozone. In comparison to the control the fumigated variant showed an increased number of chromosomal abnormalities. Another clone of Picea was used to investigate the ‘post-fumigation long-term effect’ in the genetic material caused by enhanced ozone. These clonal trees appeared to be relatively ozone-sensitive, as pigment reduction and chlorotic spots were observed directly after fumigation had ceased. The spruce trees were also exposed in environmental chambers to different levels of ozone for 24 weeks and then they were transferred to a field near the Institute. Some 21 months after the fumigation had ceased those trees that had been fumigated showed an increased number of chromosomal aberrations compared with the control.The observed chromosomal abnormalities in all the variants of the experiments consisted of chromosomal ‘stickiness’, chromosome breakage, and fragmentation.
Induction of pathogen defence genes in parsley (Petroselinum crispum L.) plants by ozone
Authors: Eckey-Kaltenbach Heidrun , Großkopf Erich , Sandermann Heinrich , Ernst Dietrich 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisParsley (Petroselinum crispum L.) is known to respond to pathogen attack by the synthesis of furanocoumarins and to UV-irradiation by the synthesis of flavone glycosides, whereas ozone treatment results in the induction of both pathways. Ozone treatment (200 nl 1−1, 10 h) of parsley seedlings results in an increased mRNA level of early genes within 3 h [pathogenesis related proteins PR1, PR2 and an elicitor-induced protein with unknown function (Eli 16)], of intermediate induced genes within 6 h [phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 4-coumaroyl-CoA ligase (4CL), chalcone synthase (CHS)], and of late genes within 12 h [hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (HRGP), peroxidase (POD)]. 2D-PAGE of in vitro translated poly(A)+ RNA isolated from ozone-treated parsley seedlings revealed about 20 induced and 10 repressed translation products. A cDNA library from parsley seedlings was differential screened, yielding several induced cDNA clones. One of the ozone-induced cDNA clones could be identified as coding for PR1-1 by hybrid-selected in vitro translation and by DNA sequence analysis.
The action of 2, 21 and 100% of oxygen on primary photochemistry of photosystem II (PS II), biosynthesis of pigments and carbon dioxide fixation by etiolated bean leaves during greening
Authors: Wróblewska B. , Siedlecka M. , Poskuta J. W. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisThe responses of photosynthesis to oxygen concentration 2, 21 and 100% by etiolated bean leaves upon illumination were determined. After 0.3, 3, 6, 10, 12 and 24 h of greening the following processes were measured. (1) Functioning of PS II as reflected by changes in Fv/Fm ratios and t1/2 values. (2) Content and composition of pigments. (3) Capacity for carbon dioxide assimilation. The results showed that O2 exerts a complex inhibitory action on examined processes. The magnitudes of inhibition increased with increasing of O2 concentration and time of its action. Under applied conditions the lag phase for development of examined processes (with the exception of carotenoids) was in the range 3-10 h. After 24 h of greening in 2, 21 and 100% of O2 the Fy/Fm ratios attained values 0.55, 0.45, 0.13 respectively as compared with typical 0.80 of normal green leaves of bean. After 24 h of greening the inhibition by 100% O2 as compared with zero inhibition by 2% O2 were, in percentages: Fw/Fm, 78; t1/2, 77; chlorophyll a, 59; chlorophyll b, 69; β-carotene, 78; neoxanthin, 60; zeaxanthin, 43; violaxanthin, 35; CO2 fixation, 95.
Mechanisms of oxygen activation during plant stress
Authors: Elstner Erich F. , Osswald Wolfgang 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisGreen plants, within certain limitations, can adapt to a wide variety of unfavourable conditions such as drought, temperature changes, light variations, infectious attacks, air pollution and soil contamination. Depending on the strength of the individual impact(s), fluent or abrupt changes in visible or measurable stress symptoms indicate the deviation from normal metabolic conditions. Most of the visible or measurable symptoms are connected with altered oxygen metabolism principally concerning the transition from mostly heterolytic (two-electron transition) to increased homolytic (one-electron transition) processes. Homolytic reactions within metabolic sequences create, however, free radicals and have to be counteracted by the increase in radical-scavenging processes or compounds, thus warranting reaction sequences under metabolic control. At later states of stress episodes, the above control is gradually lost and more or less chaotic radical processes take over. Finally, cellular decompartmentalisations induce lytic and necrotic processes which are visible as the collapse of darkening cells or tissues. Every episode during this process is governed by a more or less denned balance between pro- and antioxidative capacities, including photosynthetic (strongly under metabolic and oxygen-detoxifying control) and photodynamic (only controlled by scavenger- and/or quencher-availability) reactions. This (theoretical) sequence of events in most cases can only be characterised punctually by strongly defined (analytical) indicator reactions (ESR) and is certainly species- and organ-specific.
Manipulation of glutathione reductase in transgenic plants: implications for plants' responses to environmental stress
Authors: Creissen G. P. , Broadbent P. , Kular B. , Reynolds H. , Wellburn A. R. , Mullineaux P. M. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisThe activities of a number of enzymes of the ascorbate–glutathione pathway have been shown to rise under conditions of increased oxidative stress. The potential to alter the expression of specific enzymes of this pathway by genetic manipulation has provided the opportunity to attempt to develop transgenic plants with altered levels of oxidative stress defense enzymes which should have improved stress tolerances. We have cloned a cDNA for glutathione reductase from a higher plant (Pisum sativumL.) and have used this to construct chimeric genes for the expression of the pea enzyme in the chloroplast, mitochondrion or cytosol of transgenic tobacco plants. Some of the transformed lines with elevated levels of expression of glutathione reductase accumulate higher concentrations of glutathione and show increased tolerance to paraquat, however, no evidence was found for elevated tolerance to ozone fumigation.
Free radical activity and loss of viability during drying of desiccation-sensitive tree seeds
Authors: Finch-Savage W. E. , Hendry G. A. F. , Atherton N. M. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisViability loss during desiccation in the recalcitrant seeds of Castanea saliva, Aesculus hippocastanum and Quercus robur was accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and build up of a stable free radical within their embryonic axes. We argue that the accumulation of the free radical marks the termination of a series of destructive events following the initiation of oxidative attack during moisture stress in recalcitrant seeds.
Defence mechanisms against production of free radicals in cells of ‘resurrection’ plants
Authors: Sgherri Cristina L. M. , Quartacci Mike F. , Bochicchio Adriana , Navari-Izzo Flavia 
Published: February 2017

The ability of protoplasm to revive following severe water deficit is at its greatest in desiccation-tolerant or ‘resurrection’ plants. Boea hygroscopica is a resurrection plant that is able to survive air-dryness following slow dehydration (80% RH) in a physiological state called anabiosis (Schwab & Gaff 1990). However, this plant loses the ability to recover complete physiological activity following rapid water loss (0% RH).The ability to recover complete physiological activity following repeated protoplasmic dehydration of fully differentiated tissues is an adaptation mechanism unique to resurrection plants.
Similarities between post-ischaemic injury to animal tissues and post-anoxic injury in plants
Authors: Crawford R. M. M. , Walton J. C. , Wollenweber-Ratzer B. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe return to air after periods of oxygen deprivation has long been known to be associated with injury from active radicals in a variety of animal tissues (post-ischaemic injury or reperfusion injury). In plants, a similar sequence of events has been suspected, but only on the basis of indirect evidence of peroxidative damage to membrane lipids. The role of free radicals in causing such injury was investigated in the rhizomes of two Iris species, one tolerant of anoxia (Iris pseudacorus) and one intolerant (Iris germanica). Rhizomes of both species were subjected to total anoxia for 7 days. In the following post-anoxic period, when normal air supply was restored, the generation of active radicals was detected by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) only in the anoxia-intolerant I. germanica. Radical generation was exclusively in the rhizodermis and never observed in the rhizome cortex. The radicals were successfully scavenged with the antioxidants ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione. A direct parallel can therefore be drawn between post-ischaemic injury in animal tissues and post-anoxic injury in plants on the basis of direct observation of active radical generation in sensitive tissue. The avoidance of this type of injury is discussed in relation to variation in flooding tolerance, anoxia and other stresses in higher plants.
The senescence syndrome in plants: an overview of phytogerontology
Authors: Hillman J. R. , Glidewell S. M. , Deighton N. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisThe deteriorative processes leading to the death of a population, individual or part of an individual can be genetically programmed or induced by environmental perturbations, physical damage, pests and diseases. Senescence in multicellular plants is typically a phenomenon resulting from cell differentiation and loss of totipotency. Recycling of nutrients released from senescent cells, abscission layer formation, containment of pathogens and dispersal of progeny are crucial aspects of senescence management. Senescence-related autocatalytic changes induced by substances generally thought to regulate senescence may not mirror the sequence of changes occurring naturally through correlative processes in the intact plant. The chloroplast has a key role in reversing senescence-related degradation of other organelles. Conventional symptoms of senescence used in plant sciences have obscured common theories of senescence regulation for all types of organism.
Free radical metabolism, pigment degradation and lipid peroxidation in leaves during senescence
Authors: Merzlyak Mark N. , Hendry G.A.F. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisVarious lines of evidence suggest that the controlled increase in the production of oxygen radicals is an important factor involved in phytohormone metabolism, selective changes in membrane permeability, degradation of photosynthetic pigments and unsaturated membrane lipids, oxidative modification and subsequent proteolytic degradation, and other events occurring in ageing and senescing leaves. Increased lipid peroxidation, appearance of chlorophyll allomerised products, as well as fluorescent ‘lipofuscin-like’ pigments have been documented in different systems of leaf senescence. On the other hand, the accumulation of peroxidised products may result from the alteration to native structural organisation and energy dissipation reactions of the photosynthetic apparatus. Although there are contradictory and incomplete data on the activity of the systems involved in the metabolism of oxygen radicals, it seems that senescing leaves retain, at least in part, their defence potential against both activated oxygen species and toxic lipid peroxidation products. This provides the plant with the ability to successfully dismantle its photosynthetic apparatus during senescence in a relatively safe manner.
A physical model involving Nuclepore membranes to investigate the mechanism of humidity-induced convection in Phragmites australis
Authors: Armstrong J. , Armstrong W. 
Published: February 2017

SynopsisNuclepore membranes of known pore size and porosity, attached to small glass chambers were used to investigate the mechanism of humidity-induced convection found in Phragmites and other species. The convective flow of gases and the development of static pressures were studied in relation to a variety of conditions imposed on opposite sides of the membrane. Data were obtained in relation to pore size (0.015 to 3 μm diameter) and porosity, temperature and humidity gradients, membrane area and resistance to venting.A humidity gradient across the Nuclepore membranes was far more effective than a temperature gradient per se for inducing flow; also pores of the order 0.2 μm diameter were the most effective. With a steep enough humidity gradient, however, significant flows could also be induced across pores as large as 2 μm diameter. The results accord with previous experiments and observations on Phragmites and with the mathematical treatment of the mechanism. It is concluded that humidity-induced convection should play a greater role than thermal transpiration (thermo-osmosis) in effecting convections in Phragmites and other non-floating-leaved species.
Spatial patterns of antimicrobial resistance genes in a cross-sectional sample of pig farms with indoor non-organic production of finishers
Authors: BIRKEGÅRD A. C. , ERSBØLL A. K. , HALASA T. , CLASEN J. , FOLKESSON A. , VIGRE H. , TOFT N. 
Published: February 2017

SUMMARYAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pig populations is a public health concern. There is a lack of information of spatial distributions of AMR genes in pig populations at large scales. The objective of the study was to describe the spatial pattern of AMR genes in faecal samples from pig farms and to test if the AMR genes were spatially randomly distributed with respect to the geographic distribution of the pig farm population at risk. Faecal samples from 687 Danish pig farms were collected in February and March 2015. DNA was extracted and the levels of seven AMR genes (ermB, ermF, sulI, sulII, tet(M), tet(O) and tet(W)) were quantified on a high-throughput real-time PCR array. Spatial differences for the levels of the AMR genes measured as relative quantities were evaluated by spatial cluster analysis and creating of risk maps using kriging analysis and kernel density estimation. Significant spatial clusters were identified for ermB, ermF, sulII and tet(W). The broad spatial trends in AMR resistance evident in the risk maps were in agreement with the results of the cluster analysis. However, they also showed that there were only small scale spatial differences in the gene levels. We conclude that the geographical location of a pig farm is not a major determinant of the presence or high levels of AMR genes assessed in this study.
The impact of Livestock Manure Control Policy on human leptospirosis in Republic of Korea using interrupted time series analysis
Authors: RYU S. , LAU C. L. , CHUN B. C. 
Published: February 2017

SUMMARYLeptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that the pathogen can be transmitted to humans through the excretions of infected animals. In the Republic of Korea, the Livestock Manure Control Act was enforced in September 2007 to improve underground water hygiene. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Livestock Manure Control Policy on the incidence and the trend of human leptospirosis. An interrupted time series analysis using the monthly incidence of leptospirosis was conducted based on data derived from the Korean National Surveillance System between January 1999 and January 2015. We used a Spearman correlation method to compare the level of leptospirosis incidence decrease between the metropolitan cities and rural provinces. The annual incidence of leptospirosis in South Korea decreased by 33% after policy enforcement of the policy. A significant change in the slope of human leptospirosis cases was observed after the policy enforcement (β = −0·09, P < 0·001). Moreover, we detected a clear association between the size of the rice paddy fields and the decrease in leptospirosis incidence in provinces (r = 0·817, P = 0·01). This study shows that the Livestock Manure Control Policy had significantly reduced human leptospirosis incidence in the Republic of Korea, in particular, in rural regions.