bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Area, Yield Gains, and Yield Stability of Sorghum in Major Sorghum‐Producing Countries, 1970 to 2009
Authors: Rakshit Sujay , Hariprasanna K. , Gomashe Sunil , Ganapathy K. N. , Das I. K. , Ramana O. V. , Dhandapani A. , Patil J. V. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTSorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a drought‐resilient crop, grown extensively in semiarid tropics of the world. To understand the scenario of sorghum cultivation across the world, trends in area and yield gain and associated changes in yield stability were analyzed in the top 10 sorghum‐producing countries from 1970 to 2009. Asian countries and the United States recorded a large drop in harvested area. Grain yield levels increased substantially in all the countries except Sudan. Relative to yield level of 1970, sorghum productivity increased annually at 0.96% yr−1 across the top 10 countries analyzed. China (100.9 kg ha−1 yr−1) and Nigeria (48.6 kg ha−1 yr−1) experienced phenomenal yield gain before reaching a plateau. Overall yield gain was not associated with increased yield stability in a majority of countries except Ethiopia. In fact, in China and India (post‐rainy‐season sorghum), the yield variability increased over time. Genetic gain for grain yield over years in the Indian sorghum improvement program was prominent in rainy‐season hybrid trials (18.5 kg ha−1 yr−1), whereas both in post‐rainy‐season hybrid and varietal trials it was insignificant. Much progress in rainy‐season variety trials after 1985 was not observed. Across years in India, the gap between potential and farm yield declined 0.32% yr−1 among rainy‐season cultivars and 0.46% yr−1 among post‐rainy‐season cultivars. The analysis reveals that though substantial progress has been made towards yield gain, this was not represented by increased production because of extensive loss of the sorghum area to other remunerative crops.
Evaluation of Soybean Germplasm Accessions for Resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi Populations in the Southeastern United States, 2009–2012
Authors: Walker David R. , Harris Donna K. , King Zachary R. , Li Zenglu , Boerma H. Roger , Buckley J. Blair , Weaver David B. , Sikora Edward J. , Shipe Emerson R. , Mueller John D. , Buck James W. , Schneider Raymond W. , Marois James J. , Wright David L. , Nelson Randall L. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTBetween 2009 and 2012, 118 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection were screened for resistance to soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) at up to five locations in the southeastern United States. In 2009, plant introductions (PIs) from maturity groups III through IX were evaluated for relative disease severity and intensity of sporulation from uredinia compared with 12 susceptible cultivars from the same range of maturity groups. Resistance evaluations were based primarily on disease severity and intensity of sporulation from rust pustules. To assess resistance at several nurseries, a rust index score was calculated from the severity and sporulation ratings. Many of the PIs were moderately to highly resistant at the 2009 locations between Alabama and South Carolina, but the P. pachyrhizi population in Bossier City, LA, was virulent on most of those accessions. The 2011 rating data from Quincy, FL, indicated an increase in the virulence of the pathogen there since 2009, and this trend was observed again in 2012. In contrast, many of the same PIs developed substantially less soybean rust in Attapulgus, GA, in 2012. Despite the comparatively greater disease that many accessions had in Louisiana in 2009 and in Quincy in 2011 and 2012, at least 78 PIs were resistant in Georgia in 2012, and 20 of those were at least moderately resistant in both Florida and Georgia that year. No accessions were immune to rust at all of the nurseries, but PI 200492 (Rpp1), PI 547875 (a backcross line with Rpp1), and PI 567102B (Rpp6) were the most resistant of the accessions with named resistance genes and were among the most resistant accessions overall. Among the most resistant accessions with unknown resistance genes, PI 416826A, PI 417125, PI 567034, and PI 567104B consistently had effective levels of resistance in different locations and years. Information about the most resistant PIs and their reactions to soybean rust infection across years and locations will be useful for the development of rust‐resistant soybean cultivars in the United States.
Characterizing Changes in Soybean Spectral Response Curves with Breeding Advancements
Authors: Christenson Brent S. , Schapaugh William T. , An Nan , Price Kevin P. , Fritz Allan K. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTSoybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) crop yield has steadily increased in the past 60 yr due in part to breeding advances. Relations between canopy spectral reflectance to specific plant functions may help characterize the impact of breeding on soybean cultivar development. The objectives of this study were to: 1) find specific regions of the soybean canopy spectral reflectance response curves that show genotypic differences; and 2) determine the effect of the breeding process on spectral reflectance response curves of soybean cultivars. Canopy spectral reflectance measurements were taken on 20 maturity group III (MGIII) and 20 maturity group IV (MGIV) soybean cultivars ranging in release year from 1923 to 2010 (arranged in a randomized complete block design) in 2011 and 2012 in Manhattan, KS. Large genotypic differences were found among cultivars, especially in the green (500 nm–600 nm), red (600 nm–700 nm), and red‐edge (700nm–730 nm) portions of the spectra. Reflectance in the visible (VIS) (400–700 nm), red‐edge (700–730 nm), and near‐infrared (NIR) (730–1305) portions of the spectra varied with year of release (YOR) among cultivars. The more recently released cultivars tended to have lower reflectance values in the VIS and red‐edge spectra portions and higher values in the NIR portion of the spectra than earlier‐released cultivars. Results also indicate that spectral reflectance in the NIR portion of the spectra are highly confounded with maturity and other agronomic traits. These results indicate that breeding advancement has had an impact on canopy spectral reflectance curves and the VIS and red‐edge portions of the spectra may be a source of variation for further cultivar development and advancement.
Yield, Morphological Characteristics, and Chemical Composition of European‐ and Mediterranean‐Derived Birdsfoot Trefoil Cultivars Grown in the Colder Continental United States
Authors: Grabber J. H. , Riday H. , Cassida K. A. , Griggs T. C. , Min D. H. , MacAdam J. W. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTNorth American birdsfoot trefoil (BFT, Lotus corniculatus L.) cultivars such as Norcen produce forage with low condensed tannin (CT) concentrations that may be insufficient for optimal livestock performance. Our objective was to identify European‐ and Mediterranean‐derived cultivars with higher CT concentrations that would be suitable for production in the colder continental United States. One alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and 14 BFT cultivars were established during 2005 in MI, UT, WI, and WV and harvested under a two‐ or three‐cut management to determine herbage chemical composition in 2006 and dry matter yield (DMY) in 2006 and 2007. During 2006, variances in crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were mainly influenced by location‐harvest environments, while CT was influenced by both cultivar and environment. Earlier‐maturing cultivars such as Bokor, AU Dewey, Rodeo, and Grasslands Goldie produced herbage with relatively high CT concentrations, but not undesirably low CP or high NDF, ADF, and ADL concentrations compared with Norcen BFT or alfalfa. By the second full production year in 2007, total DMY in UT exceeded WI by twofold and MI by ninefold, and total DMY of the moderate CT‐containing cultivar Lotar surpassed most other cultivars, suggesting it may be well suited for forage production in the United States. Yields of alfalfa in all environments exceeded BFT by about 1.5‐fold. Additional studies are needed to identify optimal CT concentrations in BFT for ruminants and to improve the compositional uniformity and yield of harvested BFT in various environments.
A New Common Bacterial Blight Resistance QTL in VAX 1 Common Bean and Interaction of the New QTL, SAP6, and SU91 with Bacterial Strains
Authors: Viteri Diego M. , Cregan Perry B. , Trapp Jennifer J. , Miklas Phillip. N. , Singh Shree P. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTCommon bacterial blight (CBB) is a severe disease in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). New resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) should facilitate development of cultivars with high levels of resistance. Our objectives were to (i) identify new resistance QTL in VAX 1 and verify its presence in VAX 3, (ii) determine the interaction between QTL with existing SAP6 and SU91 QTL, and (iii) examine the interaction between QTL with less aggressive ARX8AC and aggressive Xcp25 bacterial strains. Sixty‐one F6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from ‘Othello’/VAX 1 and 100 RIL from Othello/VAX 3 were screened in the greenhouse. Disease severity of inoculated primary leaves, first and second trifoliolate leaves, and pods, was scored from 1 = no symptoms to 9 = completely diseased. Genotyping was performed using 5398 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BeadChip and CBB resistance QTL‐linked sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers, SAP6 and SU91. A novel resistance QTL with major effect was detected on Pv11 linkage group in Othello/VAX 1 and verified in Othello/VAX 3. This Pv11 QTL, defined by the closest marker SNP47467 (45,059,806 bp), explained 23% of the phenotypic variance for resistance in primary and 18% in trifoliolate leaves in Othello/VAX 1, and 13% and 22%, respectively, in Othello/VAX 3 to ARX8AC. The Pv11 QTL, named Xa11.4OV1,OV3, had greater influence against Xcp25, with respective values for variance for resistance explained in primary and trifoliolate leaves of 45% and 51% in Othello/VAX 1 and 26% and 37% in Othello/VAX 3. Conversely, SAP6 was only effective against ARX8AC in both populations, and surprisingly, SU91 was only effective against Xcp25 in Othello/VAX 3. SAP6 was the only QTL to condition resistance in pods. QTL interactions and differential reactions to strains indicate that the new Xa11.4OV1,OV3 QTL is critical in breeding for stable and higher levels of foliage resistance to CBB in common bean.
Metabolic Syndrome, Prediabetes, and Brain Abnormalities on MRI in Patients With Manifest Arterial Disease: The SMART-MR Study
Authors: Tiehuis Audrey M. , van der Graaf Yolanda , Mali Willem P.T.M. , Vincken Koen , Muller Majon , Geerlings Mirjam I. 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors leading to atherosclerosis and diabetes. Diabetes is associated with both structural and functional abnormalities of the brain. MetS, even before diabetes is diagnosed, may also predispose to cerebral changes, probably through shared mechanisms. We examined the association of MetS with cerebral changes in patients with manifest arterial disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Cross-sectional data on MetS and brain MRI were available in 1,232 participants with manifest arterial disease (age 58.6 ± 10.1 years; 37% MetS). Volumes of brain tissue, ventricles, and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) were obtained by automated segmentation and expressed relative to intracranial volume. Infarcts were distinguished into lacunar and nonlacunar infarcts.

RESULTS
The presence of MetS (n = 451) was associated with smaller brain tissue volume (B −0.72% [95% CI −0.97, −0.47]), even in the subgroup of patients without diabetes (B −0.42% [95% CI −0.71, −0.13]). MetS was not associated with an increased occurrence of WMH or cerebral infarcts. Impaired glucose metabolism, abdominal obesity, and elevated triglycerides were individual components associated with smaller brain volume. Obesity and hypertriglyceridemia remained associated with smaller brain volume when patients with diabetes were excluded. Hypertension was associated with an increased occurrence of WMH and infarcts.

CONCLUSIONS
In patients with manifest arterial disease, presence of MetS is associated with smaller brain volume, even in patients without diabetes. Screening for MetS and treatment of its individual components, in particular, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and obesity, may prevent progression of cognitive aging in patients with MetS, even in a prediabetic stage.
No Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Glycemic Status or Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Subjects With Prediabetes
Authors: Sollid Stina Therese , Hutchinson Moira Y.S. , Fuskevåg Ole M. , Figenschau Yngve , Joakimsen Ragnar M. , Schirmer Henrik , Njølstad Inger , Svartberg Johan , Kamycheva Elena , Jorde Rolf 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
In observational studies, low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been associated with insulin resistance and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We present 1-year data from an ongoing 5-year trial in 511 individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) randomly assigned to 20,000 IU/week vitamin D3 or placebo. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed at baseline and after 1 year.

RESULTS
Mean baseline serum 25(OH)D was 59.9 nmol/L and 61.1 nmol/L in the vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively, and increased by 45.8 nmol/L and 3.4 nmol/L, respectively. With adjustment for baseline concentrations, no differences in measures of glucose metabolism, insulin secretion or sensitivity, blood pressure, or hs-CRP were found after 1 year. There was a slight, but significant decrease in total and LDL cholesterol in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group, but as there was also a decrease in HDL cholesterol, the change in the total/HDL cholesterol ratio did not differ significantly. Only analyzing subjects with 25(OH)D &lt;50 nmol/L did not change the results.

CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that vitamin D supplementation does not improve glycemic indices, blood pressure, or lipid status in subjects with IFG and/or IGT.
Metabolite Traits and Genetic Risk Provide Complementary Information for the Prediction of Future Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Walford Geoffrey A. , Porneala Bianca C. , Dauriz Marco , Vassy Jason L. , Cheng Susan , Rhee Eugene P. , Wang Thomas J. , Meigs James B. , Gerszten Robert E. , Florez Jose C. 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
A genetic risk score (GRS) comprised of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and metabolite biomarkers have each been shown, separately, to predict incident type 2 diabetes. We tested whether genetic and metabolite markers provide complementary information for type 2 diabetes prediction and, together, improve the accuracy of prediction models containing clinical traits.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Diabetes risk was modeled with a 62-SNP GRS, nine metabolites, and clinical traits. We fit age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression models to test the association of these sources of information, separately and jointly, with incident type 2 diabetes among 1,622 initially nondiabetic participants from the Framingham Offspring Study. The predictive capacity of each model was assessed by area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS
Two hundred and six new diabetes cases were observed during 13.5 years of follow-up. The AUC was greater for the model containing the GRS and metabolite measurements together versus GRS or metabolites alone (0.820 vs. 0.641, P &lt; 0.0001, or 0.820 vs. 0.803, P = 0.01, respectively). Odds ratios for association of GRS or metabolites with type 2 diabetes were not attenuated in the combined model. The AUC was greater for the model containing the GRS, metabolites, and clinical traits versus clinical traits only (0.880 vs. 0.856, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS
Metabolite and genetic traits provide complementary information to each other for the prediction of future type 2 diabetes. These novel markers of diabetes risk modestly improve the predictive accuracy of incident type 2 diabetes based only on traditional clinical risk factors.
Predicting the Duration of Concrete Operations Via Artificial Neural Network and by Focusing on Supply Chain Parameters
Authors: Maghrebi Mojtaba , Sammut Claude , Waller Travis S. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Being able to precisely predict the duration of concrete operations can help construction managers to organize sites and machineries more efficiently, especially when there is limited space for equipment on site. Currently there is no theoretical method for estimating the duration of the concrete pouring process. Normally, the maximum capacity of pumping facilities on construction sites is not used, and concrete pumps are idle for a considerable time as a result of the arrival of concrete trucks being delayed. In the light of this issue, this paper considers the supply chain parameters of Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) as a means of solving this problem. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is hired for modelling/predicting the productivity of a concrete operation. The proposed model is tested with a real database of an RMC in the Sydney metropolitan area that has 17 depots and around 200 trucks. Results show that there is an improvement in the achieved results when these are compared to the results of relevant studies that only considered the construction parameters for predicting the productivity of concrete operations
The effect of biodegradable direct covers on the root development, yield and quality of cucumber
Authors: Zawiska Izabela , Siwek Piotr 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT
The results of three years (2009-2011) of field studies using two types of biodegradable nonwoven covers (aromatic polyester IBWCH 75 g m-2 and polylactic acid PLA 54 g m-2) on the yield, quality and root development of cucumber are presented. Seeds of parthenocarpic cucumber (‘Mirabelle’ F1) were sown directly into the field at the beginning of May/June and covered with nonwoven field covers. A plot that remained uncovered served as the control. The covers were kept in place until the first flowers appeared. Cucumbers were harvested every three days for 5-6 weeks. Fruits were evaluated for dry matter, soluble sugars and nitrate content. After the last harvest, whole plants were harvested and evaluated for weight, surface area, total length and average diameter of the roots. The experiment showed that the covers increased the marketable yield of cucumber in 2009 and 2010 (regardless of the type of polymer), but did not influence the yield in 2011. In 2011 the fruits from the covered plots had higher levels of soluble sugars and dry matter in comparison to the control. The covers did not influence root development.
Fundamental Basis for the Conservation of Biodiversity of the Black Sea-Kazak H Steppes
Authors: Demina Olga , Bragina Tatiana 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The paper presents new approaches for assessing the conservation value of plant communities based on the use of quantitative criteria contained in databases and eco-floristic classification of steppe vegetation in the Don basin (Rostov region). The Black Sea and Kazakhstan steppes have significant potential for environmental protection. Analysis of biodiversity levels has been facilitated by descriptions of plant communities and quantitative indicators of major faunal groups of soil invertebrates (macrofauna) in the Tobol-Turgai basin (Kostanay region, Kazakhstan). As the structure of soil invertebrate communities is closely associated with vegetation, its assessment can provide insight into the degree of preservation or the depth of disturbance of ecosystems such as those found in the Black Sea and Kazakhstan steppes.
Dry Grasslands of Southern Europe: Syntaxonomy, Management and Conservation
Authors: Apostolova Iva , Dengler Jürgen , Di Pietro Romeo , Gavilán Rosario G , Tsiripidis Ioannis 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The Mediterranean area is a natural biodiversity hotspot that has also been influenced by humans for millennia. Especially the grasslands of Southern Europe have long been known for their diversity and beauty. However, several gaps remain in our knowledge about these grasslands, e.g. for some regions such as the southern Balkans, or taxonomic groups such as cryptogams. Here we introduce a Special Issue with contributions from the 9th European Dry Grassland Group meeting held in Prespa, Greece, 2012. The topic of this meeting was “Dry grasslands of Europe: grazing and ecosystem services” with special focus on Southern European regions. The Special Issue, apart from this Editorial, consists of eight contributions arranged according to the three major topics: syntaxonomy (5 articles), management (2) and conservation (1). The classification papers include descriptions of four new associations and four subassociations. Data about management practices are provided as well. We conclude that dry grassland vegetation in Southern Europe exhibits transitions between different higher syntaxa and thus requires further studies at broader scales to allow better understanding at the supranational scale.
Analysis and Synthesis of Chaotic Circuits using Memristor Properties
Authors: Hruboš Zdeněk , Gotthans Tomáš 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper provides an innovative practical realization of a memristor based chaotic circuit. The first part discusses the mathematical analysis of the proposed system, including calculation of an eigenvalues, bifurcation diagram and largest Lyapunov exponents. Another parts deal with circuitry realization and the influence of parasitic properties of active elements. The circuit simulations obtained by PSpice environment and the practical measurement results on a breadboard are presented in the last part of this paper. The main aim of this work is an innovative realization of the memristor based chaotic circuit with one type of energy-storage element (linear passive capacitor) and with simpler construction in comparison to other circuits. The next contribution consists in verification of designed circuit with respect to influence of parasitic properties of active elements to chaos destruction.
Electromagnetic Fields Produced by Inclined Return Stroke Channel
Authors: Nemamcha Abdelmalek , Houabes Mourad 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this paper further theoretical investigations to understand and elucidate recently raised questions on the characteristics of lightning return-strokes curried out. Using Antenna Theory (AT) model, which is extended to take into account the channel inclination, the electromagnetic fields expressions for vertical dipole are completed, and an inclined channel is properly modeled, vertical electric and azimuthally magnetic fields are computed at different distances (close, intermediate and far distance ranges). The computations show that amplitudes and wave forms of the electromagnetic fields at close and intermediate lightning environment are considerably affected by the channel inclination.
Detection of Power Grid Harmonic Pollution Sources based on Upgraded Power Meters
Authors: Petković Predrag , Stevanović Dejan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The paper suggests a new and efficient method for location of nonlinear loads on a grid. It is based on measuring of distortion power. The paper reviews different definitions of distortion power and proves that the method is feasible independently on particular definition. The obtained results of simulation and measurement confirm the effectiveness and applicability of the method. The proposed solution is suitable for software update of existing electronic power-meters or can be implement as hardware upgrade.