bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Effects of Long-Term Growth Hormone Treatment on Adaptive Functioning in Infants With Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Lo Sin T. , Festen Dederieke A. M. , Tummers-de Lind van Wijngaarden Roderick F. A. , Collin Philippe J. L. , Hokken-Koelega Anita C. S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of growth hormone treatment on adaptive functioning in children with Prader-Willi syndrome. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) was assessed during a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and after 7 years of growth hormone treatment. In the RCT, 75 children (42 infants and 33 prepubertal children) with Prader-Willi syndrome were included. Subsequently, 53 children were treated with long-term growth hormone. Our study demonstrates a marked delay in adaptive functioning in infants and children with Prader-Willi syndrome, which was associated with older age and lower intelligence. Results of the repeated measurements show that the earlier growth hormone treatment was started during infancy, the better the adaptive skills were on the long-term.
Computer-Assisted Transgenesis of Caenorhabditis elegans for Deep Phenotyping
Authors: Gilleland Cody L , Falls Adam T , Noraky James , Heiman Maxwell G , Yanik Mehmet F 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
A major goal in the study of human diseases is to assign functions to genes or genetic variants. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans provides a powerful tool because homologs of many human genes are identifiable, and large collections of genetic vectors and mutant strains are available. However, the delivery of such vector libraries into mutant strains remains a long-standing experimental bottleneck for phenotypic analysis. Here, we present a computer-assisted microinjection platform to streamline the production of transgenic C. elegans with multiple vectors for deep phenotyping. Briefly, animals are immobilized in a temperature-sensitive hydrogel using a standard multiwell platform. Microinjections are then performed under control of an automated microscope using precision robotics driven by customized computer vision algorithms. We demonstrate utility by phenotyping the morphology of 12 neuronal classes in six mutant backgrounds using combinations of neuron-type-specific fluorescent reporters. This technology can industrialize the assignment of in vivo gene function by enabling large-scale transgenic engineering.
Water Based Inkjet Material Deposition of Donor-Acceptor Nanocomposites for Usage in Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Penmetcha Anirudh R. , Zheng Chenyu , Collison Christopher J. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTP3HT: PCBM nanoparticle based inks were fabricated using the miniemulsion technique [1]. The nanoparticles were characterized for their size using a quasi-elastic light scattering technique. The average diameter of P3HT:PCBM nanoparticles was found to be 52nm. The blending of the P3HT and the PCBM was tested using UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy – it was found that the blend ratio of the nanoparticle can be controlled by varying the individual concentrations of the P3HT and PCBM in chloroform ("the oil phase") of the miniemulsions. Finally the P3HT:PCBM nanoparticle inks were inkjet printed onto PEDOT:PSS coated ITO substrates to form the active layer of the organic photovoltaic cell. Aluminum cathodes were evaporated onto the printed nanoparticle active layer film to form functioning OPVs. The best power conversion efficiency for one of these devices was 0.07%.
Layered lower crust and mantle reflectivity as imaged by a re-processed crustal seismic profile from Sicily in the central Mediterranean
Authors: Valenti Vera , Catalano Raimondo , Wei Pingsheng , Wang Shujiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThough Sicily is a key area for understanding the central Mediterranean tectonics, a number of questions on its dynamics remains open due to the lack of detailed data on the lithospheric structure.Deep reflectivity images of the African lithosphere, beneath Sicily, have been derived from the re-processing of the crustal seismic reflection stack (SI.RI.PRO. Project).Of specific interest was the imaging, beneath central-southern Sicily, of a thinned crust with a reflective, “layered” pattern for the lower crust that differs from the one, thicker and sub-transparent, of the northern-central sector. Brittle deformation in the upper crystalline crust along a low-angle normal fault and sub-horizontal sub-Moho events are the main features, spatially associated with the “layered”, attenuated lower crust.Geological implications, which are related to the above-mentioned crustal characters, that allow us to suppose two combined hypotheses (the first suggesting that the crustal features derive from the effects of Permian and Mesozoic rifting cycles, the second connecting the crustal thinning to the latest Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic activity and tectonics), are here discussed.The imaging of the Moho patterns and the crustal/sub-crustal reflectivity characteristics, here illustrated for the first time, could provide constraints for the geodynamic processes governing this area where an interaction between African and Tyrrhenian European plates occurs.
The Alboran domain in the western Mediterranean evolution: the birth of a concept
Authors: Casciello Emilio , Fernàndez Manuel , Vergés Jaume , Cesarano Massimo , Torne Montserrat 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Since the early 70’s the majority of tectonic reconstructions of the western Mediterranean employ the Alboran domain notion as a migrating microcontinent or landmass mainly composed of Paleozoic-Triassic rocks affected by ‘Alpine’ HP-LT metamorphism. For nearly three decades, since the mid-80’s, the Alboran domain was considered as a fragment of the Alpine chain that moved westward, colliding into Iberia and North Africa to produce the Gibraltar arc and Betic-Rif chain. In 2012, a new hypothesis for the evolution of the western Mediterranean was presented in which the Betic-Rif orogenic chain originates from rollback of an initially SE-dipping subduction of the westernmost segments of the Ligurian-Tethys under the Africa margin. This interpretation considers the metamorphic ‘Alboran domain’ rocks as crustal successions of the hyper-extended African and Iberian continental margins, which have undergone a complete subduction-exhumation cycle above a NW- to W-retreating subduction. A key outcome of this hypothesis is that the Alboran domain is not a fragment of the Alpine chain but a consequence of rollback dynamics.
In this contribution we try to elucidate the historical reasons behind the classical ‘Alpine’ interpretation of the Betic-Rif, by briefly describing key contributions, which appear linked in a logical sequence that traces the evolution of the Alboran domain concept since its original formulation by Andrieux and coauthors in 1971.
Evaluating Grain Yield in Spring Wheat with Canopy Spectral Reflectance
Authors: Bowman B.C. , Chen J. , Zhang J. , Wheeler J. , Wang Y. , Zhao W. , Nayak S. , Heslot N. , Bockelman H. , Bonman J.M. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTWorldwide, improving grain yield is the most important target for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeders. Fast, cost‐effective, and nondestructive phenotyping methods for important traits are needed to increase the efficiency of cultivar development. The present study tested canopy spectral reflectance (CSR) as a potential high‐throughput method for assessing wheat grain yield in a diverse set of 540 spring‐habit accessions from the USDA–ARS National Small Grains Collection. Plots were grown under irrigated (IR) and terminal drought (DR) treatments over two growing seasons, and CSR was measured at several growth stages in each year. The CSR indices related to canopy water and N status, biomass, and photosynthetic area were evaluated for their relation to grain yield. The CSR indices were significantly correlated with yield at every growth stage, with anthesis and grain filling being the most useful for predicting grain yield in IR and DR environments. Single CSR indices selected up to 57% of the highest 25% yielding lines in DR conditions and the grain yield of accessions selected using CSR was 20% greater than randomly selected genotypes. Canopy spectral reflectance also identified up to 86% of the highest 10% yielding accessions. Canopy spectral reflectance may be valuable as a high‐throughput means of selecting for yield in large trials of genetically diverse wheat genotypes.
Genetic Characterization and Mapping of Anthracnose Resistance of Common Bean Landrace Cultivar Corinthiano
Authors: Sousa Lorenna L. , Gonçalves Aline O. , Gonçalves‐Vidigal Maria C. , Lacanallo Giselly F. , Fernandez Andrea C. , Awale Halima , Kelly James D. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to characterize the genetic resistance in the Andean common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar Corinthiano to races 8, 65, 89, and 2047 of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi & Cavara through inheritance and allelism tests and to map the source of resistance. Corinthiano was crossed with cultivars Michelite, Michigan Dark Red Kidney (MDRK), Cornell 49‐242, Mexico 222, PI 207262, TO, TU, AB 136, G 2333, Jalo Listras Pretas (JLP), Jalo Vermelho (JV), BAT 93, Ouro Negro, AND 277, Pitanga, SEL 1308, H1 line, and Crioulo 159 to generate F2 populations. Inheritance tests conducted in F2 population and F2:3 families from the cross Corinthiano (resistant [R]) × Cornell 49‐242 (susceptible [S]) inoculated with race 2047 showed segregation that fit ratios of 3R:1S and 1RR:2Rr:1rr, respectively, indicating the action of a dominant resistance gene in Corinthiano. Allelism tests demonstrated that the gene in Corinthiano is independent from those previously characterized genes: Co‐1, Co‐14, Co‐2, Co‐3, Co‐33, Co‐34, Co‐35, Co‐4, Co‐5, Co‐52, Co‐42, Co‐6, Co‐11, Co‐12, Co‐13, Co‐14, and Co‐16 that are present in the genotypes tested. The symbol Co‐15 was assigned to this newly discovered anthracnose resistance gene in Corinthiano. Molecular analyses revealed that the sequence‐tagged site (STS) marker g2685 is linked in coupling phase at 5.6 cM from the Co‐15 locus. This marker was also polymorphic in the mapping population BAT 93/Jalo EEP 558, which confirmed the location of this marker and the Co‐15 gene on Pv04. Corinthiano has shown to be an important source of resistance to anthracnose, possessing a new gene that should be valuable in breeding for anthracnose resistance in common bean.
How Genetic Variance and Number of Genotypes and Markers Influence Estimates of Genomic Prediction Accuracy in Plant Breeding
Authors: Estaghvirou Sidi Boubacar Ould , Ogutu Joseph O. , Piepho Hans‐Peter 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTGenomic prediction is revolutionizing plant and animal breeding, but its accuracy is affected by multiple factors. Here, we simulate 24 scenarios, each with 1000 datasets, to evaluate how varying the genetic variance (small, large), number of genotypes (180, 360, 540, and 698), and markers (2912, 5823, and 11,646) affects the relative performance of seven competing methods for accuracy estimation in genomic prediction in plant breeding programs. Each method was used to estimate predictive accuracy. The estimates were then compared between methods and, for each method, with the simulated true accuracy for each scenario as the gold standard. The genetic variance and the number of genotypes and markers strongly and jointly influenced estimation accuracy. Accuracy was highest when the genetic variance was large and the numbers of genotypes (n = 698) and markers (n = 11,646) were highest. A recently proposed method (Method 5) and a method commonly used in animal breeding (Method 7) produced the most globally accurate, precise, and stable estimates of accuracy. Among the methods that use cross‐validation (Methods 1–4 and 6), Method 4 gave the most stable estimates of accuracy. Reducing genetic variance whilst increasing the numbers of genotypes and markers considerably prolonged the computing time for all methods. Thus, for quantitative traits with sizable genetic variances, using about 700 genotypes and 12,000 markers and using Method 5 or 7 should result in accurate genomic prediction in plant breeding.
Identification of Unique Genetic Sources of Soybean Rust Resistance from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection
Authors: Harris Donna K. , Kendrick Mandy D. , King Zachary R. , Pedley Kerry F. , Walker David R. , Cregan Perry B. , Buck James W. , Phillips Daniel V. , Li Zenglu , Boerma H. Roger 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rust is caused by the fungal pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Six rust resistance loci (Rpp1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) have been reported. Crosses were made between 75 resistant plant introductions (PIs) and a susceptible elite line or cultivar. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was used to determine if the PI resistance genes mapped to a previously identified locus or to an unreported locus. Fifty‐two PIs had resistance genes that mapped to the Rpp3 region on chromosome 6 of the soybean genome. A set of P. pachyrhizi isolates was used to further characterize the resistance of these PIs. Forty‐two of the PIs exhibited the same reaction profiles as either PI 462312 (Rpp3) or ‘Hyuuga’ (Rpp3 and Rpp5) to the panel of isolates. The fine mapping of Rpp1, Rpp3, and Rpp4 and the availability of the SoySNP50K Infinium Chip data on the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection made it possible to use BSA and isolate data on these PIs to determine in retrospect how effective haplotype analysis would be in narrowing down the PIs to those likely to have a unique source of resistance. Thirty‐seven of the 52 PIs (71%) mapping to the Rpp3 region had a haplotype identical to that of PI 462312. A combination of these analyses could prove useful in more rapidly narrowing down resistant PIs to those likely to carry a unique resistance gene.
Hydrothermal Germination Models: Comparison of Two Data‐Fitting Approaches with Probit Optimization
Authors: Hardegree Stuart P. , Walters Christina T. , Boehm Alex R. , Olsoy Peter J. , Clark Patrick E. , Pierson Frederick B. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTProbit models for estimating hydrothermal germination rate yield model parameters that have been associated with specific physiological processes. The desirability of linking germination response to seed physiology must be weighed against expectations of model fit and the relative accuracy of predicted germination response. Computationally efficient empirical models have been proposed that do not require a priori assumptions about model shape parameters, but the accuracy of these models has not been compared to the more common probit‐optimization procedure. Thirteen seedlots, representing six native perennial rangeland grasses and an invasive annual weed, were germinated over the constant temperature range of 3 to 36°C and water potential range of 0 to ‐2.5 MPa. Hydrothermal germination models were generated using probit optimization, optimized regression, and statistical gridding. These models were evaluated for the pattern and magnitude of residual model error and the relative magnitude of predictive errors under field‐simulated temperature and moisture conditions. Residual model errors in predictions of germination rate were greatest for the probit optimization procedure. Statistical gridding and optimized regression produced lower predictive model error, but the latter procedure could not resolve germination response for slower‐germinating seed populations. The more computationally efficient and accurate regression and statistical‐gridding procedures may be desirable for identifying germination strategies and syndromes that are based on predicted response to simulated conditions of field temperature and moisture.
Oil Content and Fatty Acid Characteristics in Mediterranean Sesame Core Collection
Authors: Yol Engin , Toker Ramazan , Golukcu Muharrem , Uzun Bulent 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe Mediterranean sesame core collection is a valuable genetic resource for the development of seed quality and quantity. To better characterize and exploit the core collection, this study investigated the oil and fatty acid composition of seeds in the collection. Oil content, determined by a Soxhlet apparatus, varied from 32.3 to 57.3%, with a mean of 46.6%. Oil yield varied greatly among the accessions, with the highest oil yield being 891.1 kg ha−1. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) determination of fatty acid composition within the core collection showed significant differences among genotypes. Oleic acid contents ranged from 38.2 to 47.3% and linoleic acid contents from 31.0 to 40.9%. Up to 80% of fatty acids were unsaturated, indicating their importance for human dietary needs. Palmitic and stearic acids were present in small amounts in all accessions, ranging from 8.85 to 12.0% and from 6.3 to 8.9%, respectively. These results indicated that oil profiles varied widely among seeds in the Mediterranean sesame core collection, providing information that may enable the development of new varieties with high oil contents. A cluster analysis of fatty acid data based on continent affiliation yielded results highly similar to those of a cluster analysis based on agromorphological data. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating that agromorphological and oil composition data were compatible with geographical patterns.
Association Analysis of Stem Solidness and Wheat Stem Sawfly Resistance in a Panel of North American Spring Wheat Germplasm
Authors: Varella A. C. , Weaver D. K. , Sherman J. D. , Blake N. K. , Heo H. Y. , Kalous J. R. , Chao S. , Hofland M. L. , Martin J. M. , Kephart K. D. , Talbert L. E. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe expanding geographical range of wheat stem sawfly (WSS) damage, coupled with the limited number of effective control measures, calls for a need to better characterize and explore the genetic variability for resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm from North America. An association‐mapping analysis for stem solidness and wheat stem sawfly resistance was conducted using a set of 244 elite spring wheat lines from 10 North American breeding programs. Three previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance were confirmed, including QTL for stem solidness, heading date, and stem cutting. Three new QTL on chromosomes 2A, 3A, and 5B were identified to be associated with larval mortality and a QTL associated with early stem solidness was identified on chromosome 5D. Genetic variation for late stem solidness is mainly determined by the solid‐stem QTL on chromosome 3B, while variation for early solidness is affected by chromosomal regions on 1B, 3B, and 5D. Potential sources of a novel resistance mechanism causing larval mortality were identified among the panel lines. Favorable alleles for stem solidness and other resistance traits are available within North American wheat germplasm, but only Montana and South Dakota breeding programs appear to have favorable alleles for all QTLs detected in this study. Improvements in wheat stem sawfly management, for both historically impacted areas and for regions first experiencing damage, may be obtained using alleles that already exist in elite germplasm.
Grazing Management Affects Establishment Performance of Rhizoma Peanut Strip Planted into Bahiagrass Pasture
Authors: Castillo Miguel S. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Mullenix M. Kimberly , Blount Ann R. , Williams Mary J. , Mackowiak Cheryl L. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTEstablishing rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.; RP) in strips into existing bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) pastures has potential to increase forage nutritive value, decrease N fertilizer use, and improve N cycling. Grazing the grass–legume mixture in the year after planting may be possible, but appropriate grazing management strategies have not been defined. The objectives were to determine (i) the effect of year‐after‐planting (Y2) grazing management on ‘Florigraze’ RP performance when strip planted in bahiagrass swards, and (ii) the interaction of Y2 defoliation strategies with those imposed in the year of planting (Y1). Treatments were the factorial combinations of four Y1 defoliation strategies (no defoliation, hay production, simulated continuous stocking, and rotational stocking every 28 d) and three Y2 grazing frequencies (simulated continuous, 28 d, and 42 d to a 15‐cm bahiagrass stubble height). Grazing pastures in Y2 reduced RP contribution relative to that at the end of Y1. Canopy cover and frequency decreased from 30 to 10% and 80 to 50%, respectively, due to Y2 grazing for both Y1 no defoliation and hay production treatments. Cover remained below 10% in Y2 for both Y1 simulated continuous and rotational stocking treatments. Spread of RP into adjacent bahiagrass was greater in Y2 plots that in Y1 were not defoliated or were used for hay production (∼27 cm) than grazed (∼0 cm) plots. Results indicate that grazing during Y2 negatively affects RP establishment regardless of grazing frequency or RP cover at the beginning of Y2. Cattle preference for RP resulted in overgrazing; thus, if grazing occurs during RP establishment, target endpoints should be based on RP strips not the surrounding bahiagrass.
Validation Study of the Mini-Mental State Examination in Urdu Language for Pakistani Population
Authors: Awan Safia , Shahbaz Naila , Akhtar Syed Wasim , Ahmad Arsalan , Iqbal Sadaf , Ahmed Sellal , Naqvi Haider , Wasay Mohammad 
Published: July 2015

Validation study of the Mini-Mental State Examination in Urdu language for Pakistani population

Objective:
This study was conducted primarily to validate and determine the optimal cutoff score in the diagnosis of dementia among Pakistani’s and study the effects of gender and education on the MMSE performance in our population.

Methods:
Four hundred participants took part in the study. Patient with dementia recruited from five major hospitals from Pakistan. The MMSE was translated into Urdu.

Results:
There were 61 men and 39 women in dementia group and 225 men and 75 women in the control group. The mean score of Urdu MMSE were lower in patients with dementia 18.5 ± 5.6 (range 0-30) as compared to the controls 26.8 ± 2.6 (range 7-30). This difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). Educational based MMSE score below 15 yielded perfect sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of dementia.

Conclusions:
These finding confirm the influence of level of education on MMSE score and education stratified cutoff scores should be used while screening for cognitive impairment in this population.
New Report of Dichotomosiphon tuberosus (A.Br.) Ernst and Vaucheria sessilis D.C. of the Family Vaucheriaceae from Hooghly District, West Bengal, India
Authors: Sinha Sankar Narayan , Halder Nilu 
Published: July 2015

The present work deals with the morpho-taxonomic description of two species namely Dichotomosiphon tuberosus (A.Br.) Ernst and Vaucheria sessilis (Vauch.) D.C. of the family Vaucheriaceae under the order Heterosiphonales belonging to the class Xanthophyceae for the first time explored from Hooghly district, West Bengal, India. The two taxa constitute new record for the aforesaid district. ECOPRINT 21: 49-53, 2014 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v21i0.11904