bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative characterization of five cover crop species
Authors: RAMIREZ-GARCIA J. , GABRIEL J. L. , ALONSO-AYUSO M. , QUEMADA M. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYThe introduction of cover crops in the intercrop period may provide a broad range of ecosystem services derived from the multiple functions they can perform, such as erosion control, recycling of nutrients or forage source. However, the achievement of these services in a particular agrosystem is not always required at the same time or to the same degree. Thus, species selection and definition of targeted objectives is critical when growing cover crops. The goal of the current work was to describe the traits that determine the suitability of five species (barley, rye, triticale, mustard and vetch) for cover cropping. A field trial was established during two seasons (October to April) in Madrid (central Spain). Ground cover and biomass were monitored at regular intervals during each growing season. A Gompertz model characterized ground cover until the decay observed after frosts, while biomass was fitted to Gompertz, logistic and linear-exponential equations. At the end of the experiment, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and fibre (neutral detergent, acid and lignin) contents, and the N fixed by the legume were determined. The grasses reached the highest ground cover (83–99%) and biomass (1226–1928 g/m2) at the end of the experiment. With the highest C:N ratio (27–39) and dietary fibre (527–600 mg/g) and the lowest residue quality (~680 mg/g), grasses were suitable for erosion control, catch crop and fodder. The vetch presented the lowest N uptake (2·4 and 0·7 g N/m2) due to N fixation (9·8 and 1·6 g N/m2) and low biomass accumulation. The mustard presented high N uptake in the warm year and could act as a catch crop, but low fodder capability in both years. The thermal time before reaching 30% ground cover was a good indicator of early coverage species. Variable quantification allowed finding variability among the species and provided information for further decisions involving cover crop selection and management.
Management of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the sphenoid sinus: our experience
Authors: Fyrmpas G , Konstantinidis I , Selviaridis P , Constantinidis J 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground:Closure of spontaneous sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks can be challenging because of the relative inaccessibility of the lateral recess and the presence of intracranial hypertension. We present our experience of such cases and highlight factors associated with a successful outcome.Methods:Eleven patients with spontaneous, laboratory confirmed, sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks were included. All patients underwent endoscopic closure by either a three-layer technique or fat obliteration.Results:In all but one patient, the leak was successfully sealed (success rate, 90.9 per cent; mean follow up, 37.1 months). Elevated intracranial pressure was measured in eight patients, two of whom did not exhibit relevant clinical or radiological characteristics. Five patients received diuretics and dietary advice for weight reduction. In one patient with recurrence two weeks after repair, successful revision was performed by additional placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (follow up, 67 months).Conclusion:Long-lasting cerebrospinal fluid fistula sealing in the sphenoid sinus requires stable reconstruction of the defect in three layers or fat obliteration if the anatomy is unfavourable. All patients should be intra- and post-operatively screened for elevated intracranial pressure to identify those who need additional intracranial pressure reduction measures.
The AMP-Foot 2.1 : actuator design, control and experiments with an amputee
Authors: Cherelle Pierre , Junius Karen , Grosu Victor , Cuypers Heidi , Vanderborght Bram , Lefeber Dirk 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYThe Ankle Mimicking Prosthetic (AMP-) Foot 2 is a new energy efficient, powered transtibial prosthesis mimicking intact ankle behavior. The author's research is focused on the use of a low power actuator which stores energy in springs during the complete stance phase. At push-off, this energy can be released hereby providing propulsion forces and torques to the amputee. With the use of the so-called catapult actuator, the size and weight of the drive can be decreased compared to state-of-the-art powered prostheses, while still providing the full power necessary for walking.In this article, the authors present a detailed description of the catapult actuator followed by a comparison with existing actuator technology in powered prosthetic feet with regard to torque and power requirements. The implication on the actuator's design will then be outlined. Further, a description of the control strategy behind the AMP-Foot 2 and 2.1 will be given. In the last section of the article, the actuation principle and control are illustrated by experimental validation with a transfemoral amputee. Conclusions and future work complete the paper.
Effect of anti-PMSG on distribution of estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor in mouse ovary, oviduct and uterus
Authors: Lin Zi Li , Ni He Min , Liu Yun Hai , Sheng Xi Hui , Cui Xiang Shun , Kim Nam Hyung , Guo Yong 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIt is well established that estrogen and progesterone are critical endogenous hormones that are essential for implantation and pregnancy in females. However, the distribution of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in female reproductive tracts is elusive. Herein, we report that after serial treatments with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) with or without anti-PMSG (AP), mice could regulate the distribution of ERα and PR in the murine ovary, oviduct and uterus and the level of estradiol in serum. ERα and PR regulation by PMSG and anti-PMSG was estrous cycle-dependent and critical for promoting the embryo-implantation period. Furthermore, our results suggested that AP-42 h treatment is more effective than the other treatments. In contrast, other treatment groups also affected the distribution of ERα and PR in mouse reproductive tracts. Thus, we found that anti-PMSG has the potential to restore the distribution of ERα and PR, which could effectively reduce the negative impact of residual estrogen caused by the normal superovulation effect of PMSG in mice.
Oct4 overexpression facilitates proliferation of porcine fibroblasts and development of cloned embryos
Authors: Kim Su Jin , Koo Ok Jae , Park Hee Jung , Moon Joon Ho , da Torre Bego Roibas , Javaregowda Palaksha Kanive , Kang Jung Taek , Park Sol Ji , Saadeldin Islam M. , Choi Ji Yei , Lee Byeong-Chun , Jang Goo 
Published: September 2014

SummaryOctamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) is a critical molecule for the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Recent reports have shown that Oct4 also controls cell-cycle progression and enhances the proliferation of various types of cells. As the high proliferation of donor fibroblasts is critical to the production of transgenic pigs, using the somatic cell nuclear transfer technique, we analysed the effect of Oct4 overexpression on the proliferation of porcine fibroblasts and embryos. Porcine endogenous Oct4 cDNA was cloned, sequenced and inserted into an expression vector. The vector was transfected into porcine fibroblasts, and a stable Oct4-overexpressed cell line was established by antibiotic selection. Oct4 expression was validated by the immunostaining of Oct4. Cell morphology was changed to sharp, and both proliferation and migration abilities were enhanced in Oct4-overexpressed cells. Real-time RT-PCR results showed that p16, Bcl2 and Myc were upregulated in Oct4-overexpressed cells. Somatic cell nuclear transfer was performed using Oct4-overexpressed cells, and the development of Oct4 embryos was compared with that of wild-type cloned embryos. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were improved in the Oct4 embryos. Interestingly, blastocyst formation of the Oct4 embryos was observed as early as day 5 in culture, while blastocysts were observed from day 6 in wild-type cloned embryos. In conclusion, the overexpression of Oct4 enhanced the proliferation of both porcine fibroblasts and embryos.
Paternal breed effects on expression ofIGF-II,BAK1andBCL2-L1in bovine preimplantation embryos
Authors: Valleh Mehdi Vafaye , Tahmoorespur Mojtaba , Joupari Morteza Daliri , Dehghani Hesam , Rasmussen Mikkel Aabech , Hyttel Poul , Strøbech Lotte 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe effects of the paternal breed on early embryo and later pre- and postnatal development are well documented. Several recent studies have suggested that such paternal effects may be mediated by the paternally induced epigenetic modifications during early embryogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the paternal breed on the early embryonic development and relative expression of the maternally imprinted gene,IGF-II, and the apoptosis-related genesBAK1andBCL2-L1inin vitroproduced (IVP) bovine embryos derived from two unrelated paternal breeds (Holstein and Brown Swiss). The degree of correlation ofIGF-IIexpression pattern with embryo developmental competence and apoptosis-related genes was also investigated. The relative abundance ofIGF-II,BCL2-L1andBAK1transcripts in day 8 embryos was measured by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction using the comparative Cpmethod. Our data revealed that the paternal breed did not influence cleavage rate, blastocyst rate and relative abundance ofIGF-II,BAK1andBCL2-L1in day 8 blastocysts (P> 0.05). Nevertheless,IGF-IIexpression levels were highly correlated with embryonic developmental competence (r= 0.66,P< 0.1), relative expression ofBCL2-L1(r= 0.72,P< 0.05) and ratio ofBCL2-L1/BAK1(r= 0.78,P< 0.05). In conclusion, our data show thatIGF-II,BCL2-L1andBAK1expression is not related to the chosen combination of paternal breed, but thatIGF-IIexpression is correlated with embryonic viability and apoptosis-related gene expression.
Comparative and phylogenetic perspectives of the cleavage process in tailed amphibians
Authors: Desnitskiy Alexey G. , Litvinchuk Spartak N. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe order Caudata includes about 660 species and displays a variety of important developmental traits such as cleavage pattern and egg size. However, the cleavage process of tailed amphibians has never been analyzed within a phylogenetic framework. We use published data on the embryos of 36 species concerning the character of the third cleavage furrow (latitudinal, longitudinal or variable) and the magnitude of synchronous cleavage period (up to 3–4 synchronous cell divisions in the animal hemisphere or a considerably longer series of synchronous divisions followed by midblastula transition). Several species from basal caudate families Cryptobranchidae (Andrias davidianusandCryptobranchus alleganiensis) and Hynobiidae (Onychodactylus japonicus) as well as several representatives from derived families Plethodontidae (Desmognathus fuscusandEnsatina eschscholtzii) and Proteidae (Necturus maculosus) are characterized by longitudinal furrows of the third cleavage and the loss of synchrony as early as the 8-cell stage. By contrast, many representatives of derived families Ambystomatidae and Salamandridae have latitudinal furrows of the third cleavage and extensive period of synchronous divisions. Our analysis of these ontogenetic characters mapped onto a phylogenetic tree shows that the cleavage pattern of large, yolky eggs with short series of synchronous divisions is an ancestral trait for the tailed amphibians, while the data on the orientation of third cleavage furrows seem to be ambiguous with respect to phylogeny. Nevertheless, the midblastula transition, which is characteristic of the model speciesAmbystoma mexicanum(Caudata) andXenopus laevis(Anura), might have evolved convergently in these two amphibian orders.
An engineered pathway for the biosynthesis of renewable propane
Authors: Kallio Pauli , Pásztor András , Thiel Kati , Akhtar M. Kalim , Jones Patrik R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe deployment of next-generation renewable biofuels can be enhanced by improving their compatibility with the current infrastructure for transportation, storage and utilization. Propane, the bulk component of liquid petroleum gas, is an appealing target as it already has a global market. In addition, it is a gas under standard conditions, but can easily be liquefied. This allows the fuel to immediately separate from the biocatalytic process after synthesis, yet does not preclude energy-dense storage as a liquid. Here we report, for the first time, a synthetic metabolic pathway for producing renewable propane. The pathway is based on a thioesterase specific for butyryl-acyl carrier protein (ACP), which allows native fatty acid biosynthesis of the Escherichia coli host to be redirected towards a synthetic alkane pathway. Propane biosynthesis is markedly stimulated by the introduction of an electron-donating module, optimizing the balance of O2 supply and removal of native aldehyde reductases.
Treating Myofunctional Disorders: A Multiple-Baseline Study of a New Treatment Using Electropalatography
Authors: Mantie-Kozlowski Alana , Pitt Kevin 
Published: September 2014

PurposeThis study assessed the benefit of using electropalatography (EPG) in treatment aimed at habilitating individuals with nonspeech orofacial myofunctional disorders (NSOMD).MethodThe study used a multiple-baseline design across 3 female participants who were referred for an evaluation and possible treatment of their NSOMD. Treatment sessions were 30 min and provided twice weekly. Participant 1 received 8 treatments, Participant 2 received 6 treatments, and Participant 3 received 4 treatments. The patterns of sensor activation produced when participants' tongues made contact with the electropalate during saliva swallows were compared with the patterns of age-matched peers. Individualized goals were developed on the basis of these comparisons.ResultsTreatment was generally effective for the established goals. Of the 3 participants, 2 met all their goals, and the 3rd participant made gains across 1 of 2 goals. Participants continued to perform above baseline levels for most targeted goals during testing 5–8 weeks posttreatment.ConclusionWhen used in skilled treatment, EPG has potential as a means of habilitating NSOMD. It may serve as a valuable tool, providing the clinician and client with information that allows for individualized treatment planning.
24‐GHz Patch antenna array on cellulose‐based materials for green wireless internet applications
Authors: Poggiani Martina , Alimenti Federico , Mezzanotte Paolo , Virili Marco , Mariotti Chiara , Orecchini Giulia , Roselli Luca 
Published: September 2014

A 24‐GHz patch array antenna with integrated feeding network has been fabricated exploiting a multi‐layer cellulose‐based (i.e. paper) substrate. The adopted microstrip circuitry exploits a copper adhesive laminate that is shaped by a photo‐lithographic process and transferred to the hosting substrate using a sacrificial layer. The multi‐layer structure is obtained by stacking and gluing two layers of photo‐paper with an interposed copper ground plane. The measurements show an input reflection coefficient of about −29 dB at the centre frequency, an operating bandwidth with S11 ⩽ −20 dB of 540 MHz and a gain of 7.4 dBi. The estimated radiation efficiency is 35%. The proposed design shows the feasibility of low‐cost antenna systems for green wireless internet technology and applications up to the boundary between microwaves and millimetre‐waves.
Silver nanoparticle arrays enhanced spectral surface plasmon resonance optical sensor
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ye Weixiang , Wang Cheng , Li Wenbin , Yue Zhao , Liu Guohua 
Published: September 2014

An on‐chip spectral surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical sensor with a silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) array has been designed. Dextran (Dex)‐capped Ag NP (Dex‐Ag NP) arrays were initially self‐assembled on the gold (Au) sensing film. The large perturbations and increased penetration depth of the evanescent field, which is caused by the use of the Dex‐Ag NP array self‐assembled on the Au sensing film, can effectively enhance the SPR spectral shift response. Compared with the bare Au sensing film configuration, the Au sensing film with a Dex‐Ag NP array configuration improves sensitivity from 5492 to 6613 nm/RIU.
Intra-host mathematical models of malaria.
Authors: Santos G. , Torres N. V. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Mathematical modelling of intra-host malaria is a relatively recent topic. Although the first mathematical model related to malaria was proposed by Sir Ronald Ross in 1915, the first attempt to model the parasite-host interactions was as recent as 1989. Since then, a moderate but steadily growing number of articles dealing with this topic have been published, including a couple of reviews. In this review, we aim to sum up the knowledge that this particular mathematical modelling approach has provided with respect to the role played by
Plasmodium
in infection mechanisms.
Loss of heterosis and family‐dependent inbreeding depression in plant performance and resistance against multiple herbivores under drought stress
Authors: Prill Nadine , Bullock James M. , van Dam Nicole M. , Leimu Roosa 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Inbreeding depression (ID), outbreeding depression (OD) and heterosis can occur concurrently in plant populations. ID often increases under environmental stress, but the combined effects of inbreeding, outbreeding between populations and environmental stress, such as drought, on plant performance and herbivore resistance remain unclear.

In order to determine environment‐dependent and family‐dependent ID, OD and heterosis, we conducted a common garden experiment with plants from five populations of Brassica nigra. Inbred, within‐population outbred and between‐population outbred plant families were exposed to drought or ambient water levels. We recorded the abundance and damage caused by specialist herbivores from contrasting feeding guilds, that is the phloem‐feeding Brevicoryne brassicae, the leaf‐chewing Psylliodes chrysocephalus and the stem‐boring Ceutorhynchus quadridens larvae.

Drought stress had negative effects on growth, herbivore resistance and resistance against B. brassicae and positive effects on investments in reproductive output and plant secondary metabolites (sinigrin). We found drought stress‐induced loss of heterosis for plant height and investment in reproductive output. Between‐population outbred plants were more sensitive to drought stress in terms of above‐ground biomass compared to within‐population outbred plants.

Drought and inbreeding synergistically negatively influenced traits related to growth and reproductive output (environment‐dependent inbreeding depression, EDID). There was high variation among families within populations in the degree of ID and EDID. Genetic variation in EDID could buffer the negative effects of genetic stress associated with habitat fragmentation and concurrent environmental stress. In order to capture fully the effects of both inbreeding and between‐population outbreeding under stress, the different spatial scales of the effects of inbreeding and between‐population outbreeding should be taken into account.

Synthesis. Our results indicate that drought stress influences not only inbreeding depression (ID), but also heterosis. These findings shed new light on the combined effects of anthropogenic environmental change and the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation on plants and their interactions with other organisms. Conservation programmes aiming to restore genetically degraded populations with the translocation of individuals between populations should consider environmental stress as a risk factor.
Pronoun comprehension in individuals with Down syndrome: the role of age
Authors: Sanoudaki Eirini , Varlokosta Spyridoula 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundA number of studies have suggested that language in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) may not be simply delayed compared with language in typically developing (TD) children, but deviant. The deviance has been detected in the comprehension of pronouns, and it has triggered proposals for the existence of a specific syntactic deficit in individuals with DS. However, the developmental path of pronoun comprehension in individuals with DS is unknown as there are no studies examining individuals of different ages.AimsTo perform a pilot study examining pronoun comprehension in adolescents and adults with DS in comparison with TD children. Research questions include: Are some pronoun types more difficult than others for each of the two groups (DS and TD)? Is there a difference in performance between the two groups? Does performance correlate with chronological age in the DS group?Methods & ProceduresUsing a manual picture selection task, we examined the comprehension of different types of pronouns in 14 Greek‐speaking individuals with DS, ranging from 10 to 34 years of age. We also tested a control group of TD children as well as a typical adult group. The TD and DS groups were recruited and tested in pre‐schools and schools/centres for individuals with learning disabilities, respectively. Within‐ and between‐group comparisons were performed for all conditions. For the DS group, correlations between chronological age and performance in each condition were also explored.Outcomes & ResultsResults reveal a significant positive correlation of age with performance in the DS group, but only in structures that also presented difficulties to TD children. Structures that presented difficulties only to individuals with DS do not appear to be less problematic for older participants.Conclusions & ImplicationsThese findings provide support to the deviance hypothesis by suggesting that the syntactic deficit in the comprehension of pronouns in individuals with DS is present in individuals of a wide age range. At the same time, the results, if corroborated by large‐scale studies, suggest that some aspects of grammatical development in individuals with DS may continue even after adolescence and well into adulthood. We argue that these findings can contribute towards more targeted intervention practices by increasing our knowledge of the behavioural phenotype of DS.
Identification of active denitrifiers in full‐scale nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems
Authors: McIlroy Simon Jon , Starnawska Anna , Starnawski Piotr , Saunders Aaron Marc , Nierychlo Marta , Nielsen Per Halkjær , Nielsen Jeppe Lund 
Published: September 2014

SummaryDenitrification is essential to the removal of nitrogen from wastewater during treatment, yet an understanding of the diversity of the active denitrifying bacteria responsible in full‐scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is lacking. In this study, stable‐isotope probing (SIP) was applied in combination with microautoradiography (MAR)‐fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify previously unrecognized active denitrifying phylotypes in a full‐scale WWTP with biological N and P removal. Acknowledging that different denitrifiers will have specific carbon source preferences, a fully 13C‐labelled complex substrate was used for SIP incubations, under nitrite‐reducing conditions, in order to maximize the capture of the potentially metabolically diverse denitrifiers likely present. Members of the Rhodoferax, Dechloromonas, Sulfuritalea, Haliangium and Thermomonas were represented in the 16S rRNA gene clone libraries from DNA enriched in 13C, with FISH probes optimized here for their in situ characterization. FISH and MAR confirmed that they were all active denitrifiers in the community. The combined approach of SIP and MAR‐FISH represents an excellent approach for identifying and characterizing an un‐described diversity of active denitrifiers in full‐scale systems.