bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early embryogenesis in zebrafish is affected by bisphenol A exposure
Authors: Tse William K. F. , Yeung Bonnie H. Y. , Wan H. T. , Wong Chris K. C. 
Published: March 2013

Summary
Exposure of a developing embryo or fetus to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been hypothesized to increase the propensity of an individual to develop a disease or dysfunction in his/her later life. Although it is important to understand the effects of EDCs on early development in animals, sufficient information about these effects is not available thus far. This is probably because of the technical difficulties in tracing the continuous developmental changes at different stages of mammalian embryos. The zebrafish, an excellent model currently used in developmental biology, provides new insights to the field of toxicological studies. We used the standard whole-mount in situ hybridization screening protocol to determine the early developmental defects in zebrafish embryos exposed to the ubiquitous pollutant, bisphenol A (BPA). Three stages (60–75% epiboly, 8–10 somite, and prim-5) were selected for in situ screening of different molecular markers, whereas BPA exposure altered early dorsoventral (DV) patterning, segmentation, and brain development in zebrafish embryos within 24 hours of exposure.
A Model for Estimating Productivity in Service Systems
Authors: Lopez David , Badinelli Ralph , Renedo Carlos F. 
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we introduce a new model of a technology function that describes the input–output relations of service systems. Key features of the model reflect distinguishing features of service systems and differentiate the model from the conventional modelling of input–output relations of production systems. We also derive mathematical expressions for productivity changes for service systems with this model. The model incorporates multiple input factors and output variables. The output variables are discrete as opposed to the continuous outputs of conventional production functions. The values of each output variable represent states that a service system creates as opposed to representing volumes of resources produced as in conventional models of production systems. Furthermore, to admit such categorical output variables, the model does not require the utility of output states to be monotonic in the values of the output variables. The model includes a stochastic response of the service system; this response is represented by the logit of probabilities of the output states as opposed to the inclusion of a random deviation variable. No distribution assumptions are required by the model. We derive new measures of productivity change with the model and demonstrate the application of the model to productivity estimation with a sample of data from a healthcare service system.
Evaluation of Post-Surcharge Secondary Settlement Characteristics by Constant Rate of Strain Test
Authors: Lee M. S. , Oda K. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
In general, settlement during sustained loading should be minimal because the sustained loading pressure is less than the preloading pressure. However, there have been several examples of a large degree of settlement occurring during sustained loading. In this study, the loading history was simulated by means of a constant rate of strain (CRS) test in order to determine the post-surcharge secondary consolidation behavior during the sustained loading process. The results of this test were compared with those of an incremental loading test and in situ test. The results of this study were as follows: (1) the loading history can be simulated via the CRS test, (2) the post-surcharge secondary compression index depends on the over-consolidation ratio, (3) the post-surcharge secondary compression index changes with time, and (4) when sustained loading is induced, the post-surcharge secondary compression index is smaller than when there is no previous loading history.
Consolidated-Drained Triaxial Compression Testing of Peat
Authors: O'Kelly Brendan C. , Zhang Lin 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Recent peat soil problems, including failures of dykes, foundations, and slopes in peat deposits, have focused greater attention on understanding the mechanical behavior of peat. Stability calculations routinely involve effective stress analysis, with pertinent strength and stiffness parameters often determined from standard triaxial testing, without special consideration given to internal tensile reinforcement provided by the fiber content and the high compressibility of the peat material. This paper investigates consolidated-drained triaxial compression testing applied to peat soils. Significant differences in mini-structure and fiber content among test specimens of undisturbed, reconstituted, and blended peat materials were found not to cause significant differences in shear resistance under drained triaxial compression, with mobilized shear resistance increasing approximately linearly with increasing axial strain. Hence it was concluded that c′ and φ′ deduced from drained triaxial compression testing of peat are unlikely to be intrinsic material properties, and rather are largely a function of strain level, with higher values of φ′ deduced for higher strain levels. The end of primary consolidation should be deduced from pore-water pressure measurements rather than the volume change response, although the repeatability of the triaxial consolidation tests was generally found to be poor on account of the natural variability of peat and the small size of the test specimens.
Young’s Modulus of Coarse Granular Materials via Cyclic Large Triaxial Tests: Effect of Parallel Grading and Loading Pattern
Authors: Lee Sung-Jin , Choo Yun Wook , Lee Jin-Wook , Sagong Myung 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
In this study, a new large-scale triaxial testing apparatus was constructed and calibrated. To verify the new testing system, synthetic specimens were prepared and tested by three different testing methods: tests using the newly constructed large-scale triaxial testing apparatus, resonant column/torsional shear tests, and free–free resonant column tests. Young’s moduli of the synthetic specimens measured by the three methods were compared, providing comparable results. In addition, cyclic triaxial tests were performed under various experimental conditions on coarse grain materials. Two series of parallel graded samples were prepared by mixing crushed rock. The samples were tested using the new triaxial testing apparatus under various testing conditions. The influence of grain size, loading pattern, loading frequency, and fine contents were analyzed and discussed.
Modified Cyclic Shear Test for Evaluating Disturbance Function and Numerical Formulation of Geosynthetic–Soil Interface Considering Chemical Effect
Authors: Kwak C. W. , Park I. J. , Park J. B. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Geosynthetics have been broadly used in waste landfill sites for filtration, drainage, and separation. Geosynthetics contact soil directly, creating a geosynthetic–soil interface corresponding to the external forces and conditions. The differences in the intrinsic material characteristics at the interface induce complicated stress–strain behaviors and strain-softening processes. Recent studies have presented the behaviors of geosynthetic–soil systems as depending on the interface shear strength degradation, which is affected by ambient factors such as the water content, chemical condition, etc. In this study, the disturbed state concept (DSC) and a disturbance function are introduced to explain the cyclic shear stress behavior of the interface. The degree of interface damage can be expressed by the disturbance function, and the shape of the disturbance function curve represents the intrinsic characteristics of the material. Massive sets of cyclic shear tests have been performed to investigate the effects of the pH values of leachates on the shear behavior of the geosynthetic–soil interface. Both geosynthetics and Jumunjin sand have been submerged in acid, neutral, and basic solutions for 200 days. A multi-purpose interface apparatus that can simulate the cyclic shear conditions of a geosynthetic–soil interface has been newly manufactured and modified for better performance. Test results display remarkable distinction in chemical degradation trends according to the pH values. New disturbance function parameters that determine the characteristics of the shear strength of the interface were estimated according to the chemical conditions as well. Furthermore, it was discovered via focused ion beam electronic microscopy that the different patterns of damage on the surface of soil particles with different pH values induce variation in the disturbance phase at the geosynthetic–soil interface. For the numerical formulation of the disturbance function, the constitutive equations of the DSC were modified using the Mohr–Coulomb model. Based on the modified DSC equations, verification and numerical implementation shall be performed for further study.
Use of Perforated Base Pedestal to Simulate the Gravel Subbase in Evaluating the Internal Erosion of Geosynthetic Clay Liners
Authors: Ozhan Hakki O. , Guler Erol 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
When geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are placed over coarse-grained gravel subgrades, the permittivity of the GCLs may increase because of internal erosion. To simulate this condition, geosynthetic clay liners typically are placed over gravel and tested in the laboratory under high hydraulic heads. In this study, a perforated base pedestal was used instead of gravel. The base pedestal was designed to have circular voids to represent the voids of a uniform and rounded gravel subgrade. Results obtained from tests where natural gravel and a perforated base pedestal were used were compared. To verify the effectiveness of the new approach, two different geosynthetic clay liners were tested over two different gravel subgrades. Tests also were conducted using rounded, uniform, coarse-grained gravels to compare to the results of the tests with the perforated base pedestals. The void diameter of the perforated base pedestals was chosen to be approximately the same as the maximum void size between the gravel particles. Test results indicated that a perforated base pedestal with uniform voids simulated a rounded, uniform, coarse-grained gravel subgrade in terms of internal erosion. The hydraulic heads that caused internal erosion were similar when a perforated base pedestal or a rounded gravel subgrade was placed beneath a GCL. When the same GCL was used over a base pedestal or over a gravel subgrade with equivalent void size, the difference in hydraulic heads at failure did not alter more than 5 m, except for one comparison. For most of the tests, the performance of the GCL placed over the gravel subgrade was slightly better than that of the perforated base pedestal in terms of internal erosion. These results indicated that the proposed technique of using perforated subbase to simulate gravel remains conservative for the GCLs and gravel subgrades considered as part of this study.
Small-Scale Testing of Frequency-Dependent Compaction of Sand Using a Vertically Vibrating Plate
Authors: Wersäll Carl , Larsson Stefan 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Vibratory rollers generally operate at a fixed vibration frequency. It is hypothesized that the compaction of soil could be made more efficient if the frequency could be adapted to specific project conditions. In order to study the applicability to surface compaction, the frequency dependence of compacting dry sand with a vertically vibrating plate was investigated experimentally in 85 small-scale tests. Tests were performed in a test box simulating the free-field condition and with concrete underlying the sand bed. The results show that there is a distinct frequency dependence, implying a significantly improved compaction effect close to the compactor–soil resonant frequency. It is suggested that particle velocity is the governing amplitude parameter for vibratory soil compaction, rather than displacement or acceleration. As the soil is compacted, it is also displaced, resulting in surface heave. A larger vibration amplitude implies greater displacement relative to the compacted volume. It was also observed that the compaction and strain-dependent reduction of soil stiffness are closely related.
Genetic Yield Potential Improvement of Semidwarf Winter Wheat in the Great Plains
Authors: Battenfield Sarah D. , Klatt Arthur R. , Raun William R. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTRecently, private companies and public entities have made significant investments in and improvements to their wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs. Because of this increased interest, genetic improvements made in wheat through traditional plant breeding need to be analyzed. Many studies noted the significant yield improvement from tall cultivars to semidwarf cultivars, but no studies have documented improvements made from the earliest semidwarfs to present‐day cultivars. Thirty cultivars were tested including two tall (Kharkof, released in 1919, and Triumph 64, released in 1964) and 28 semidwarf cultivars spanning the period from 1971 (TAM 101) to 2008 (Jackpot and TAM 401). Cultivars were tested in 2010 and 2011 at 11 locations across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas with fertilizer and fungicide for adequate disease protection. Increases in breeding for yield stability have been made over time. A significant yield increase of 14.607 kg ha−1 yr−1 or 0.93% per year of Kharkof yield was obtained across all locations with the tall cultivars included. When gain was restricted to only semidwarf cultivars (1971 to 2008), yield gain was reduced to 11.03 kg ha−1 yr−1 or 0.40% per year of TAM 101 (1971) yield. No evidence of a yield plateau was found.
Agronomic and Seed Traits of Soybean Lines Containing the High‐Oleate Transgene DP‐305423‐1
Authors: Spear Jordan D. , Fehr Walter R. , Schnebly Steve R. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] lines homozygous for the transgene DP‐305423‐1 have elevated oleate concentrations. It has been reported that the mean seed yield of lines with the transgene was significantly less than that of lines without the transgene from the same populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the DP‐305423‐1 transgene in multiple genetic backgrounds to determine if the yield reduction was unique to those populations previously studied. There were 27 high‐oleate, normal‐linolenate (HONL) and 27 normal‐oleate, normal‐linolenate (NONL) F3:5 lines from each of five single‐cross populations evaluated in replicated trials in Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio in 2011. On average, the HONL lines had a mean oleate concentration of 821 g kg−1 compared with 255 g kg−1 for the NONL lines. The mean yield of the HONL lines was significantly less than the NONL lines in all of the populations by an average of 4.6%. Of the top 10 highest yielding lines in each of the populations, an average of 12% were HONL lines and 88% were NONL lines. The HONL lines also had significantly lower seed weight, higher protein, and lower oil, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, and linolenate concentrations than the NONL lines in all of the populations. The results indicated that the negative impact of the transgene on seed yield was consistent across multiple genetic backgrounds, which will have an influence on the development of HONL cultivars that yield as well as NONL cultivars.
RENlon and Its Effects on Agronomic and Fiber Quality Traits in Upland Cotton
Authors: Weaver David B. , Sikkens Roelof B. , Lawrence Kathy S. , Sürmelioğlu Çigdem , van Santen Edzard , Nichols Robert L. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTCotton (Gossypium spp.) is attacked by several species of parasitic nematodes including the reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveria). Qualitative resistance (gene symbol RENlon) was discovered in a wild cotton relative (Gossypium longicalyx J. B. Hutch. & B. J. S. Lee), transferred to an upland (Gossypium hirsutum L.) background, and released as two sister germplasm lines, LONREN‐1 and LONREN‐2. In 2010 and 2011, we tested 20 homogeneous resistant and 20 homogeneous susceptible F2:4 and F2:5 lines from the cross LONREN‐1 × Fibermax 966 in two fields, one infested with reniform nematode and one not infested. The objective was to determine the effect of RENlon on cotton yield, agronomic traits, and fiber quality in a nematode‐infested and a nematode‐free environment. Lines with RENlon were stunted during early season growth and yielded less than did their sister lines null for RENlon in the nematode‐infested field. At‐harvest nematode populations were reduced in plots where lines with RENlon were planted. There were no yield differences between lines with and without RENlon in the nematode‐free field. Fiber quality was affected by RENlon, with lines carrying the gene tending to have greater fiber strength, better length uniformity, and lower short fiber content. The RENlon gene is effective in reducing nematode populations and may improve fiber quality; however, the LONREN‐1 progenies did not reduce yield losses from reniform nematodes.
Peptide‐Based Biomarker Discovery for Identification of Rice Cultivars using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Park Sei Joon , Lee Yong Ho , Nam Yun Jung , Baik Byung‐Kee , Kim Tae Wan 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTBiomarkers of desirable traits are important for selection of elite lines in multigeneration breeding processes. To develop peptide‐based biomarkers for rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotype identification, we applied surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) time‐of‐flight (TOF), a mass spectrometry (MS) technique. Dehusked rice of ‘Ilpumbyeo’ was compared with two rice cultivars, Goami‐2, which was mutagenized for development of high amylose and selected from Ilpumbyeo, and Goami‐3, which originated from Goami‐2. In the molecular range from 2000 to 25,000 Da, the three cultivars exhibited significant differences in peak intensity (p < 0.01) for 13 peptides on CM10 (weak cation exchange) and 31 peptides on Q10 (strong anion exchange). Heat mapping via supervised hierarchical clustering on the peptides showing significant differences between the three cultivars at p < 0.01 effectively distinguished cultivars and categorized these peptides into seven groups. Considering the peaks with high intensity and low probability among the cultivars, peptides of 2621, 3498, 3801, and 7854 Da for Ilpumbyeo, those of 7547 and 8889 Da for Goami‐2, and that of 11,560 Da for Goami‐3 were selected as potential biomarkers for rice genotype identification. Our work suggests that distinguished peptides of rice cultivars could be detected using SELDI‐TOF MS, which has advantages in profiling of low molecular peptides, and used as biomarkers for cultivar identification.
Development, Identification, and Genetic Analysis of a Quantitative Dwarfing Somatic Variation Line in Wheat
Authors: Wang Ke , Wang Shunli , Zhou Xiaohong , Lin Zhishan , Li Jiarui , Du Lipu , Tang Yimiao , Xu Huijun , Yan Yueming , Ye Xingguo 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTDwarfing germplasms are crucial to the development of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties with ideal plant height and combinations of agronomic traits. A novel dwarfing wheat line, AS34, was developed in this study by somatic variation. This new wheat germplasm was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, genomic in situ hybridization, and genomic scanning with 44 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and our analysis showed that AS34 was clearly derived from the somatic variation of Yumai66 (YM66), its tissue culture parent, but not from natural hybridization. Molecular tests using known primers specific to Rht8 and Rht‐B1b genes indicated that AS34 and its parent contained Rht8 but not Rht‐B1b in their genomes, which was not consistent with previous reports. Similar to YM66, AS34 was sensitive to gibberellic acid, and this characteristic might be induced only by Rht8 or by Rht8 and the new dwarfing genes simultaneously. Genetic analysis revealed that the new dwarfing trait in AS34 was controlled by multiple quantitative genes, and data from the F2 population yielded no key quantitative trait locus. According to the results of genomic scanning for different SSR markers, some of the new dwarfing genes in AS34 might be located on chromosome 4B. The new dwarfing material had positive effects on the agronomic traits related to grain yield in F2 populations, particularly the variation range in plant height. This dwarfing resource will be potentially used in wheat breeding for the development of new wheat varieties with available agronomic traits.
Toward Population Management in an Integrated Care Model
Authors: Maddux Franklin W. , McMurray Stephen , Nissenson Allen R. 
Published: March 2013

Summary
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, accountable care organizations (ACOs) will be the primary mechanism for achieving the dual goals of high-quality patient care at managed per capita costs. To achieve these goals in the newly emerging health care environment, the nephrology community must plan for and direct integrated delivery and coordination of renal care, focusing on population management. Even though the ESRD patient population is a complex group with comorbid conditions that may confound integration of care, the nephrology community has unique experience providing integrated care through ACO-like programs. Specifically, the recent ESRD Management Demonstration Project sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the current ESRD Prospective Payment System with it Quality Incentive Program have demonstrated that integrated delivery of renal care can be accomplished in a manner that provides improved clinical outcomes with some financial margin of savings. Moving forward, integrated renal care will probably be linked to provider performance and quality outcomes measures, and clinical integration initiatives will share several common elements, namely performance-based payment models, coordination of communication via health care information technology, and development of best practices for care coordination and resource utilization. Integration initiatives must be designed to be measured and evaluated, and, consistent with principles of continuous quality improvement, each initiative will provide for iterative improvements of the initiative.