bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Night Temperatures During the Floral Bud Stage Increase the Abscission of Reproductive Structures in Cotton
Authors: Echer F. R. , Oosterhuis D. M. , Loka D. A. , Rosolem C. A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCotton‐producing regions throughout the world often experience high night temperatures (HNTs), affecting flowering and yield in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of high nighttime temperatures on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of cotton during the floral bud and flowering stages. Growth chamber experiments were conducted in 2011–2012 and treatments included a control (day/night temperature of 32/24 °C) and two HNT treatments (32/29 °C from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am) for 3 weeks from the beginning of each phenological stage, i.e., first floral bud (B1) and first flower (F1). The results indicated that increased night temperatures (NTs) during the floral bud and flowering stages increased the rate of flower production per plant. However, no increase was observed in the final number of reproductive structures because the rate of floral abortion also increased for both treatments compared to the control. Additionally, the increase in night temperature during the floral bud stage reduced the sucrose content in the flower, resulting in decreased pollen viability and premature abortion of reproductive structures while the onset of flowering period was also delayed and lower accumulation of reproductive dry matter was observed. HNTs during the flowering stage reduced the number of seeds per locule and the number of seeds per boll. In general, higher than optimum NTs affected sucrose metabolism of the cotton flower and consequently its pollen viability. As a result the flowering period was delayed and a reduction in reproductive dry matter accumulation was observed due to premature abortion of reproductive structures. Finally, cotton is more sensitive to HNT at floral bud stage and this finding may be important to adjust cotton planting date, management and breeding.
Polar Nanoregions and Dielectric Properties of BaTiO3‐Based Y5V Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors
Authors: Hong Jian‐Yu , Lu Hong‐Yang 
Published: March 2014

Commercial EIA‐Y5V base‐metal‐electrode multilayer ceramic capacitors (BME‐MLCCs) made of (CaO+ZrO2)‐doped BaTiO3 are analyzed for the microstructure and investigated for its relation to dielectric properties. The characteristic diffuse scattering (DS) intensities observed in BaTiO3 ceramics and the featureless “solid‐solution” grains in Y5V capacitor chips are originated from multiple Ti sites in the dynamic BaTiO3 structure. The pseudo‐cubic (PC)‐grains retaining the overall cubic (C‐) symmetry metastably at room temperature are embedded with polar nanoregions (PNRs) in the ferroelectric (FE) tetragonal (T‐), and rhombohedral (R‐) phases, as revealed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The presence of PNRs contributes effectively to large relative permittivity εr ≈ 13 200 at 25°C. The FE T‐domains grow from within PC‐grains at the expense of embedded PNRs after prolonged annealing by extending “oxidizing firing” at 950°C in pO2 = 10−7 atm. These domains contain less Zr with otherwise homogeneously distributed solutes in PNR‐dispersed PC‐grains. Although preserving the relaxors characteristics, εr is reduced to ~11 000 after 12 h, and then to ~9000 after 24 h annealing. The reduction in εr is attributed to the annealing‐induced FE T‐domains grown at the expense of PNRs in PC‐grains. The Vögel–Fulcher analysis indicates that Y5V ceramics are in the relaxor FE category, containing PNRs derived from polarization frustration.
TiB2 Powders Synthesis by Borothermal Reduction in TiO2 Under Vacuum
Authors: Guo Wei‐Ming , Zhang Guo‐Jun , You Yang , Wu Shang‐Hua , Lin Hua‐Tay 
Published: March 2014

TiB2 powders were synthesized by borothermal reduction in nanoscale TiO2 with boron under vacuum. Reaction processes were investigated, and the effect of by‐product B2O3 was evaluated. Results showed that TiO2 was firstly reduced by boron to form TiBO3 and Ti2O3, and then to produce TiB2 and B2O3 with increasing temperature. The reaction processes of TiB2 powders synthesis included two‐step reduction in TiO2 by boron and the removal of B2O3. The presence of B2O3, which was previously reported as the most important factor in promoting the coarsening of ZrB2 and HfB2 powders by borothermal reduction, did not lead to significant coarsening of TiB2 powders. Due to the minor effect of B2O3, TiB2 powders with small particle size and low oxygen content could be prepared by direct heat treatment of TiO2 and boron at 1550°C under vacuum for 1 h. The particle size and oxygen content of synthesized TiB2 powders were ~0.9 μm and ~1.7 wt%, respectively.
Mechanisms for Variability of ZrB2‐30 vol% SiC Oxidation Kinetics
Authors: Shugart Kathleen , Patterson Brandon , Lichtman David , Liu Siying , Opila Elizabeth 
Published: March 2014

The oxidation kinetics of ZrB2‐30 vol% SiC were analyzed statistically with the goal of understanding the underlying mechanisms for observed variability. A box furnace was used to oxidize specimens for times between 30 s and 100 h at temperatures of 1300°C–1550°C in air. The specimens were characterized to determine weight change, scale thickness, and scale composition to quantify the oxidation behavior. Weight gain measurements of different specimens after 100 min of exposure showed differences of up to 2 mg/cm2 for the same testing conditions where the average weight gain was 2.54 mg/cm2. Variation of 30%–80% was observed in the average thickness of each layer of the oxide within a single specimen. Viscous glass flow was ruled out as a potential mechanism. Glass bubble formation was proposed as the main cause for oxidation kinetics variability.
Microwave Dielectric Properties of Scheelite Structured PbMoO4 Ceramic with Ultralow Sintering Temperature
Authors: Xi Hai‐Hong , Zhou Di , He Bin , Xie Hui‐Dong 
Published: March 2014

In this work, a low‐firing microwave dielectric ceramic PbMoO4 with tetragonal structure was prepared via a solid‐state reaction method. The sintering temperature ranges from 570°C to 670°C. Ceramic samples with relative densities above 97% were obtained when sintering temperature was around 600°C. The best microwave dielectric properties were obtained in the ceramic sintered at 650°C for 2 h with a permittivity ~26.7, a Q × f value about 42 830 GHz (at 6.2 GHz) and a temperature coefficient value of 6.2 ppm/°C. From the X‐ray diffraction, backscattered electron imaging results of the cofired sample with 30 wt% silver and aluminum additive, the PbMoO4 ceramic was found not to react with Ag and Al at 630°C. The microwave dielectric properties and low sintering temperature of PbMoO4 ceramic make it a candidate for low‐temperature cofired ceramic applications.
Aldosterone to Active Renin Ratio Is Associated With Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Obese and Treated Hypertensive Patients: The Styrian Hypertension Study
Authors: Grübler Martin R. , Kienreich Katharina , Gaksch Martin , Verheyen Nicolas , Fahrleitner‐Pammer Astrid , Schmid Johannes , Grogorenz Jana , Ablasser Klemens , Pieske Burkert , Tomaschitz Andreas , Pilz Stefan 
Published: March 2014

High aldosterone levels are considered to play a key role in arterial hypertension. Data on the relationship between the aldosterone to active renin ratio (AARR), a quantity of aldosterone excess, and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) during the night are, however, sparse. Hypertensive patients were recruited from local outpatient clinics who underwent 24‐hour urine collection and in parallel ABPM. Plasma aldosterone and renin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. A total of 211 patients (age, 60.2±10.2 years; 51.9% female) with a mean systolic/diastolic ABPM value of 128.7±12.8/77.1±9.2 mm Hg were evaluated. In backwards linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin A1c, N‐terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, urinary sodium/potassium ratio, and ongoing antihypertensive medication, AARR was significantly associated with nocturnal systolic (ß‐coefficient: 0.177; P=.017) and diastolic BP (ß‐coefficient: 0.162; P=.027). In patients with arterial hypertension, a significant association between AARR and nighttime BP even after adjustment for a broad panel of confounders was found.
Serum Uric Acid and Hypertension in Adults: A Paradoxical Relationship in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Bjornstad Petter , Paul Wadwa R. , Sirota Jeffrey C. , Snell‐Bergeon Janet K. , McFann Kimberly , Rewers Marian , Rivard Christopher J. , Jalal Diana , Chonchol Michel B. , Johnson Richard J. , Maahs David M. 
Published: March 2014

Adults with type 1 diabetes have lower serum uric acid levels compared with nondiabetic adults. Little is known about the relationship between serum uric acid and blood pressure in type 1 diabetes and whether it differs from the positive relationship found in nondiabetic adults. The authors assessed the cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationships over 6 years between serum uric acid and blood pressure in adults with (35±9 years [n=393]) and without (38±9 years [n=685]) type 1 diabetes in the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study. In nondiabetic adults, serum uric acid was associated with systolic blood pressure in multivariable models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. In adults with type 1 diabetes, a negative association was observed between serum uric acid and systolic blood pressure after multivariable adjustments. A positive association was observed between serum uric acid and systolic blood pressure in nondiabetic adults. In contrast, an inverse relationship was demonstrated after multivariable adjustments in type 1 diabetes.
Who Decides WhatEUIssues Ministers Talk About? Explaining GovernmentalEUPolicy Co‐Ordination inFinland
Authors: Hyvärinen Anna , Raunio Tapio 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe political dynamics ofEuropeanUnion (EU) governance has arguably strengthened the role of civil servants at the expense of democratically elected office‐holders. However, whether this applies to intra‐cabinetEUdecision‐making is more difficult to analyze. Drawing on the agendas (1995–2012) of the Finnish ministerialEUCommittee and on interviews with key civil servants, this article examines whether the interests of governing parties or bureaucratic procedures are more important in determining whichEUpolicies are debated by the government and which in turn are decentralized to individual ministries. The analysis confirms the strong influence of both established administrative procedures and of a small elite of civil servants in setting the agenda of governmentalEUpolicy formulation. The paper also shows that intra‐cabinet co‐ordination focuses on high politics issues, with individualEUlaws seldom discussed by the government – a finding that raises important questions about the accountability of domesticEUco‐ordination.
Genetic causes of transitions from sexual reproduction to asexuality in plants and animals
Authors: Neiman M. , Sharbel T. F. , Schwander T. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe persistence of sexual reproduction in the face of competition from asexual invaders is more likely if asexual lineages are produced infrequently or have low fitness. The generation rate and success of new asexual lineages will be influenced by the proximate mechanisms underlying transitions to asexuality. As such, characterization of these mechanisms can help explain the distribution of reproductive modes among natural populations. Here, we synthesize the literature addressing proximate causes of transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction in plants and animals. In cyclical and facultatively asexual taxa, individual mutations can cause obligate asexuality. The evolution of asexuality in obligately sexual groups is more complex, requiring the simultaneous acquisition of two traits generally controlled by different genetic factors: unreduced gamete formation and spontaneous development of unfertilized gametes. At least three ‘pre‐adaptations’ could favour transitions to obligate asexuality in obligate sexuals. First, linkage among loci affecting separate key components of asexuality facilitates its spread, with evidence for these linkage blocks in plants. Second, asexuality should evolve more readily in haplodiploids; support for this hypothesis comes from two examples where a single locus causes transitions to asexuality. Third, standing genetic variation for the production of unreduced gametes could facilitate transitions to asexuality, but whether the ability to produce unreduced gametes contributes to the evolution of obligate asexuality remains unclear. We close by reviewing the associations between asexuality, hybridization and polyploidy, and argue that current data suggest that hybridization is more likely to play a causal role in transitions to asexuality than polyploidy.
Cooperative personalities and social niche specialization in female meerkats
Authors: Carter A. J. , English S. , Clutton‐Brock T. H. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe social niche specialization hypothesis predicts that group‐living animals should specialize in particular social roles to avoid social conflict, resulting in alternative life‐history strategies for different roles. Social niche specialization, coupled with role‐specific life‐history trade‐offs, should thus generate between‐individual differences in behaviour that persist through time, or distinct personalities, as individuals specialize in particular nonoverlapping social roles. We tested for support for the social niche specialization hypothesis in cooperative personality traits in wild female meerkats (Suricata suricatta) that compete for access to dominant social roles. As cooperation is costly and dominance is acquired by heavier females, we predicted that females that ultimately acquired dominant roles would show noncooperative personality types early in life and before and after role acquisition. Although we found large individual differences in repeatable cooperative behaviours, there was no indication that individuals that ultimately acquired dominance differed from unsuccessful individuals in their cooperative behaviour. Early‐life behaviour did not predict social role acquisition later in life, nor was cooperative behaviour before and after role acquisition correlated in the same individuals. We suggest that female meerkats do not show social niche specialization resulting in cooperative personalities, but that they exhibit an adaptive response in personality at role acquisition.
Alternative intrapopulation life‐history strategies and their trade‐offs in an African annual fish
Authors: Polačik M. , Blažek R. , Řežucha R. , Vrtílek M. , Terzibasi Tozzini E. , Reichard M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn ephemeral habitats, the same genotypes cope with unpredictable environmental conditions, favouring the evolution of developmental plasticity and alternative life‐history strategies (ALHS). We tested the existence of intrapopulation ALHS in an annual killifish, Nothobranchius furzeri, inhabiting temporary pools. The pools are either primary (persisting throughout the whole rainy season) or secondary (refilled after desiccation of the initial pool), representing alternative niches. The unpredictable conditions led to the evolution of reproductive bet‐hedging with asynchronous embryonic development. We used a common garden experiment to test whether the duration of embryonic period is associated with post‐embryonic life‐history traits. Fish with rapid embryonic development (secondary pool strategy, high risk of desiccation) produced phenotypes with more rapid life‐history traits than fish with slow embryonic development (primary pool strategy). The fast fish were smaller at hatching but had larger yolk sac reserves. Their post‐hatching growth was more rapid, and they matured earlier. Further, fast fish grew to a smaller body size and died earlier than slow fish. No differences in fecundity, propensity to mate or physiological ageing were found, demonstrating a combination of plastic responses and constraints. Such developmentally related within‐population plasticity in life history is exceptional among vertebrates.
Roles of small RNAs in plant disease resistance
Authors: Yang Li , Huang Hai 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe interaction between plants and pathogens represents a dynamic competition between a robust immune system and efficient infectious strategies. Plant innate immunity is composed of complex and highly regulated molecular networks, which can be triggered by the perception of either conserved or race‐specific pathogenic molecular signatures. Small RNAs are emerging as versatile regulators of plant development, growth and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. They act in different tiers of plant immunity, including the pathogen‐associated molecular pattern‐triggered and the effector‐triggered immunity. On the other hand, pathogens have evolved effector molecules to suppress or hijack the host small RNA pathways. This leads to an arms race between plants and pathogens at the level of small RNA‐mediated defense. Here, we review recent advances in small RNA‐mediated defense responses and discuss the challenging questions in this area.
How Stable Are Corporate Capital Structures?
Authors: DeANGELO HARRY , ROLL RICHARD 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTLeverage cross‐sections more than a few years apart differ markedly, with similarities evaporating as the time between them lengthens. Many firms have high and low leverage at different times, but few keep debt‐to‐assets ratios consistently above 0.500. Capital structure stability is the exception, not the rule, occurs primarily at low leverage, and is virtually always temporary, with many firms abandoning low leverage during the post‐war boom. Industry‐median leverage varies widely over time. Target‐leverage models that place little or no weight on maintaining a particular ratio do a good job replicating the substantial instability of the actual leverage cross‐section.
MOTHERS REQUIRING DIALYSIS: PARENTING AND END‐STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Wadd Kaylene M. , Bennett Paul N. , Grant Julian 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYBackgroundMothers requiring dialysis to treat end‐stage kidney disease face the challenging demands of the disease and dialysis treatment in addition to their role as a parent.ObjectiveTo describe the experience of mothers who require haemodialysis.MethodsFour mothers receiving haemodialysis treatment for end‐stage kidney disease in regional Australia were interviewed to explore the mothers' experiences, attitudes, beliefs and values of their dual role as mothers and haemodialysis recipients.ResultsThe overarching theme emerging from the data was the competing roles of motherhood and dialysis. Four key sub‐themes emerged: fitting everything in, internal family challenges, lost connections and striving for normality.ConclusionBeing a mother adds a range of complexities to being on dialysis. While managing dialysis, mothers struggle to care for their children and stay connected with family life. Nephrology health professionals are uniquely placed to support mothers and need to develop strategies to ease their burdens of care.
Kidney injury in cirrhosis: pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of hepatorenal syndromes
Authors: Møller Søren , Krag Aleksander , Bendtsen Flemming 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent in patients with cirrhosis. AKI and hyponatraemia are major determinants of the poor prognosis in advanced cirrhosis. The hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) denotes a functional and potential reversible impairment of renal function. Type 1 HRS, a special type of AKI, is a rapidly progressive AKI, whereas the renal function in type 2 HRS decreases more slowly. HRS is precipitated by factors such as sepsis that aggravate the effective hypovolaemia in decompensated cirrhosis, by lowering arterial pressure and cardiac output and enhanced sympathetic nervous activity. Therefore, attempts to prevent and treat HRS should seek to improve liver function and to ameliorate arterial hypotension, central hypovolaemia and cardiac output, and to reduce renal vasoconstriction. Ample treatment of HRS is important to prevent further progression and death, but as medical treatment only modestly improves long‐term survival, these patients should always be considered for liver transplantation. Hyponatraemia, defined as serum sodium <130 mmol/L, is common in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. From a pathophysiological point of view, hyponatraemia is related to an impairment of renal solute‐free water excretion most likely caused by an increased vasopressin secretion. Patients with cirrhosis mainly develop hypervolaemic hyponatraemia. Current evidence does not support routine use of vaptans in the management of hyponatraemia in cirrhosis.
Dynamic enhancement pattern of HCC smaller than 3 cm in diameter on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI: comparison with multiphasic MDCT
Authors: Park Vivian Y. , Choi Jin‐Young , Chung Yong Eun , Kim Honsoul , Park Mi‐Suk , Lim Joon Seok , Kim Ki Whang , Kim Myeong‐Jin 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsThe dynamic enhancement pattern of HCCs smaller than 3 cm in diameter on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have not been extensively investigated. We aimed to evaluate the dynamic enhancement patterns of small HCCs (≤3 cm) on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compare enhancement patterns with multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) based on tumour cellular differentiation and size.MethodsWe retrospectively included 55 patients with 67 surgically confirmed small HCCs (≤3 cm) who underwent multiphasic MDCT and gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI. Dynamic enhancement patterns were analysed according to tumour cellular differentiation and size. Hepatobiliary phase images were also analysed to assess their additional value.ResultsThe proportion of small HCCs demonstrating the typical enhancement pattern differed depending on tumour cellular differentiation on both MRI (P = 0.001) and MDCT (P = 0.001), but differed depending on tumour size only on CT (P = 0.008). Gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI more sensitively depicted the typical enhancement pattern than CT for all tumours (P = 0.001), for moderately or poorly differentiated HCCs (P = 0.021) and for HCCs ≤2 cm (P = 0.001). 80% of tumours with atypical enhancement could be diagnosed as HCC based on tumour size and hepatobiliary phase images.ConclusionsOn both gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI and multiphasic CT, the dynamic enhancement patterns of small HCCs (≤3 cm) differed according to tumour cellular differentiation. Gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI more frequently demonstrated the typical HCC enhancement pattern than CT in small HCCs.
Pool and conquer: new tricks for (c)old problems
Authors: Navarro Arcadi , Faria Rui 
Published: March 2014

The early period of genetics is closely associated with the study of chromosomal inversions. For almost a century, evolutionary biologists found evidence for the role of inversions in central processes such as adaptation and speciation. In spite of huge efforts, many questions remain about the evolutionary forces underlying the distribution and dynamics of inversions in natural populations. Fortunately, old problems can be solved with new tools. In this issue, Kapun et al. () present a remarkable combination of resources and techniques, including publicly available data, karyotyping, statistical estimation of haplotypes, Pool‐Seq data and experimental evolution, setting the ground for exciting developments in the field.