bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Puddling Intensity for Late-season Sawah Systems Based on Soil Hydrophysical Conditions and Rice Performance
Authors: Obalum Sunday E. , Watanabe Yoshinori , Igwe Charles A. , Obi Martin E. , Wakatsuki Toshiyuki 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Lowland sawah farmers often puddle to improve soil hydrophysical conditions for rice, but the puddling intensity beyond which no extra yield increases occur is unknown. Agronomic effects of six mechanical puddling intensities were assessed in three Nigerian inland-valley bottoms. All puddled plots, irrespective of intensity, produced similar effects at all three locations. At 10 days after transplanting, soil bulk density of all puddled plots represented mean decreases relative to control plots of about 22.4, 15.8, and 31.7% at Akaeze, Adani, and Ejeti, respectively. Soil bulk density and moisture content upon saturation were similar during 40-120 days after transplanting. All puddled plots consistently showed taller plants and greater tillering than control plots only at Ejeti. Grain yields were similar among treatments in Akaeze and Adani (mean, 3.71 and 6.42 Mg ha-1, respectively), but one-pass puddling yielded numerically highest in both locations. At Ejeti, grain yields followed the trend for plant growth, with mean values of 4.36 and 1.81 Mg ha-1 for puddled and control plots, respectively. One-pass puddling may be sufficient for sawah rice grown late particularly in less humid environments.
Scaling the Hydraulic Functions of A Water Repellent Sandy Soil
Authors: Stoffregen Heiner , Wessolek Gerd 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The heterogeneity of both unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention was measured with a high spatial resolution on a transect using an evaporation method. Fifteen undisturbed 100 cm3 soil cores were taken on a transect every 10 cm from the topsoil of a water repellent sandy site. Five dynamic water retention curves and four unsaturated conductivity curves were determined for each core. We conducted measurements without further saturation in the laboratory in order to achieve field-like conditions. The initial water contents were heterogeneous, indicating different hysteretic conditions and water repellent areas. The scattering of the water retention curves was high, while the heterogeneity of unsaturated conductivity curves was unexpectedly low. Two scaling approaches were used to describe the heterogeneity: one with and one without considering hysteresis. The concept of scaling applies well to describing the heterogeneity of both hydraulic functions. Including hysteresis leads to similar results than excluding hysteresis. The distribution of the hydraulic conductivity and the water retention were independent from each other. The results give important information for numerical simulation of the water flow with heterogeneous hydraulic functions.
Relationship Between Root and Yield Related Morphological Characters in Pea (Pisum Sativum L.)
Authors: Ciaglo-Androsiuk Sylwia 
Published: August 2014

AbstractRelation between morphological traits of the root system and yield related traits is an important issue concerning efforts aiming at improving of ideotype of cultivated plants species, including pea. In this paper, to analyse the dependency between traits describing the root system morphology and yield potential, Person’s andSpearman's_correlations as well as canonical correlations were used.Root system was analyzed in 14 and 21 day-old seedlings growing in blotting-paper cylinders. Yield potential of pea was analysed in a field experiment. Results of Person’s and Spearman's_correlations revealed that number of lateral roots and lateral roots density were correlated witch yield related traits. Correlation between root length and shoot length was observed only for 14 day-old seedlings. The result of canonical correlations revealed that number of lateral roots and lateral roots density had the largest effect on yield related traits. This work highlights, that in order to improve the yield of pea it might become necessary to understand genetic determination of morphological traits of the root system, especially number of lateral roots.
Study of Dielectric Properties of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella Foenum Graecum)
Authors: Shafi Khan Mohd. , Chandel Vishal Singh , Manohar Rajiv , Shukla Jagdeesh Prasad 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The present paper studied the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac conductivity of fenugreek seed, a medicinal seed (Trigonella foenum graecum), within the frequency range of 10 kHz and 10 MHz and the temperature range of 30°C and 50°C. Impedance gain/phase analyser (HP 4194 A) was used to measure the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss and Julabo (temperature controller, F-25, Germany) was used for keeping the temperature of fenugreek seeds constant. It was found that the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss decrease with the increase in the frequency while the same increase with the increase in temperature and moisture content. The ac conductivity increased with the increase in frequency, moisture and temperature.
Selected Traits of Spring Wheat in Polish Climatic Conditions
Authors: Gut Magdalena , Szecówka Przemysław , Bichoński Andrzej 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The purpose of the paper was to determine phenotype and genotype variability of yield components structure (number of grains, grain mass and 1000 grain weigh) as well as of the basic technological traits (sedimentation number, falling number, protein percentage content per grain). The research also considered the issue of pre-harvest sprouting. During each vegetation season rainfall and temperature were recorded. The examined material were the strains of F6 - F7 generation. Coefficients of correlation between the values of particular traits and mean temperatures and rainfall sum during a given season showed that yield component parameters were significantly modified by temperature; whilst warm vegetation seasons proved to be beneficial. Negative correlation between the rainfall sum and the number of grains and grain mass as well as 1000 grain weight suggests that the excess of water may be more detrimental for the yield than its shortage. Coefficients of correlation between the values of basic technological parameters and mean temperature were negative and not very high or low or even – insignificant, as in the case of falling number. High h2 coefficients suggest a good heritability of yield components parameters, and yield per ear seem to be the trait that was transmitted best. Amongst the basic quality indicators, the highest heritability was observed in the case of falling number and the lowest one in the case of sedimentation number. The weakest genetic conditioning was observed in the case of resistance to sprouting, measured as the percentage of sprouting grains in the ear. It seems therefore that genetic variability was, to a large degree, masked by the environmental impact and, in spite of a high degree of genetic conditioning, the effectiveness of selection based on a visual evaluation of the forms rated for further cultivation might be limited.
Variation and Heritability of Sixteen Characters in West African Okra, Abelmoschus Caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels
Authors: Alake C.O. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Genotypic and phenotypic variances, genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for 16 agronomical characters in West African okra for two seasons, using 25 West African okra lines of diverse origin. Considerable differences were observed for some characters in the two seasons. Number of days to flowering, number of leaves at flowering, plant height at flowering and number of pods at branches showed seasonal differences. The estimates of genotypic coefficients of variation (gcv) in the two seasons were close in many cases. The gcv values ranged from 1.41 for number of days to flowering in the early season to 68.63 for number of branches per plant in the late season planting. Heritability estimates ranged from 5.02% for number of leaves at flowering in the early season to 99.54% for weight of matured pod during the early season. This study highlighted the significance of genotype-environment interaction in the breeding programmes of West African okra. The relatively large genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability estimates and genetic advance for number of pods at stem, number of pods per plant, number of branches per plant, weight of matured pods and seed yield per plant, were indicative of likely effectiveness of selection for such characters.
Genetic Variability of Sotol (Dasylirion Cedrosanum) Populations in the Mexican Coahuila Southern Area
Authors: Rentería Norma Paola Meléndez , Padilla Veronica , Lozano Gerardo Gaona , Aguilar Cristobal Noe , Rodríguez-Herrera Raúl 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
In the Chihuahuan desert area, in Mexico, exist an endemic plant denominated Sotol (Dasylirion spp); which is used by rural producers to manufacture a liqueur named Sotol. This beverage has origin denomination but it industrial application has lack scientific reports, as well as the plant genetic information. This is the first study about ecological distribution of sotol plants and, may be, a first step to continue the scientific investigation of a Mexican endemic plant, with many potential industrial applications. In this paper, we used AFLP molecular markers to calculate population genetics parameters as genetic diversity, a conglomerate analyses, poblational structure based in Wright's statistics and analysis of molecular variance. Differences in soil composition and weather conditions, of the sampling region, may affect sotol plants growth and their morphologic characteristics; as consequence the organisms generate ample genetic variability, which ensures the species permanence. Genetic diversity values were similar to the average for cross-pollinated plants, while the heterozygosis detection was deficient; Wright statistics suggest plants genetics interchange in the subpopulation; AMOVA found significant differences within and between collections. These results help us to maintenance the genetic diversity, in order to prevent potential extinction and guarantee sustainable development; the preservation of the endemic plants is necessary to the ecosystems conservation and after Sotol origin denomination, by the Mexican government, the importance of D. cedrosanum plants was increased.
Selection-Based heritability of Resistance to Pythium Ultimum in Safflower
Authors: Nikmanesh Elham , Pahlevani Mohammadhadi , Razavi Seyed Esmaeil 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Damping-off disease caused by Pythium ultimum can kill both germinating seeds and young seedlings and cause considerable damage in saflower cultivation. An estimation of heritability lets saflower breeders determine the most effective method for improving seedling emergence in soils infected with P. ultimum, the causal agent of seed rot and damping-off. Two cycles of selection were performed to estimate the realized heritability of resistance to the pathogen in five safflower populations. Undamaged seedlings were selected as resistant individuals and were kept to produce seed. The results showed that selection for two consecutive generations increased the emergence of seedlings in Pythium-infected soil from 46 to 53 %. The heritability estimates varied between 1.72 and 77.66 % over the genotypes and environments, in inverse proportion to the severity of the disease. Estimates of heritabilities showed that genes conferring resistance to P. ultimum in safflower are highly heritable and would respond to selection breeding, particularly in some of the studied genotypes, like Isfahan and Zarghan259. However, different breeding methods must be explored for other genotypes.
Assessment of Stability, Adaptability and Yield Performance of Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Cultivars in South Estern Ethiopia
Authors: Ayalneh T. , Letta T. , Abinasa M. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The success of crop improvement and production activities can be enhanced with scientific information generated form genotype-environment interactions. GEI reduces the association between phenotype and genotype which result in relative ranking and stability differences of genotypes across environments. This study were conducted with the objective to identify stable, and adaptable bread wheat genotypes under various environments. Eighteen genotypes were tested across nine environments for two years on randomized block design of three replication. Plot size of 1.2 m × 2.5 m and 20cm spacing between rows were used. All recommended agronomic practices and managements were applied uniformly. Data were collected on plot basis and converted to ton ha-1. and analyzed with appropriate statistical software for stability parameters. Combined analysis over nine environments showed, variety Tuse (HAR-1407) ranked first in mean yield(3.11ton × ha-1), and K-6295–4A ranked second (3.01 ton × ha-1) and Dashen came third(2.98 ton ha-1). Analysis of AMMI model showed that the first principal component, PCA 1 explained 53.72% of the interaction sum of squares while the second principal component, PCA 2 explained 17.61% interaction sum of squares. Ecovalence(Wi) analysis showed that G2 (Sofumar(HAR-1889)), G4 (Kubsa(HAR-1685)), G5 (Tura(HAR-1407)), G7 (Galema (HAR-604)), G12 (Wabe (HAR-710)), almost equally the lowest ecovalence that evidenced less fluctuation across environment and found to be stable.
Effects of Water supply on Seed Development and Quality of Chickpea Cultivars
Authors: Ghassemi-Golezani Kazem , Ghassemi Saeid 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA split plot experiment (using RCB design) with three replications was conducted in 2012 and seed physiological quality of three chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) cultivars (Azad, Arman and Jame) was evaluated at seven stages under well and limited irrigation conditions. Maximum seed weight (mass maturity) was achieved at 40–45 days after flowering. However, maximum seed quality was obtained 7 to 10 days after mass maturity, depending on irrigation intervals and cultivars. At earlier harvests, because of immaturity, and at later harvests, due to ageing, seed quality was low. Seed filling rate and maximum seed weight of chickpea decreased with decreasing water supply, but water deficit had no significant effects on seed quality as measured by germination percentage, germination rate and seedling dry weight. Significant differences in seedling dry weight among chickpea cultivars were attributed to significant variation in seed weight affected by genetic constitution.
Roads Less Traveled in Middle East Anthropology—And New Paths in Gender Ethnography
Authors: Inhorn Marcia C. 
Published: August 2014

Marcia C. Inhorn is the recipient of the 2013 Middle East Distinguished Scholar Award, given by the Middle East Section (MES) of the American Anthropological Association. This biennial award was established in 2006 to recognize the efforts of “a senior scholar in Middle Eastern anthropology who is an outstanding academic in terms of scholarly publications and service to Middle Eastern anthropology.” The MES Award Committee wrote to Inhorn: “Our committee greatly values your efforts as a scholar, a mentor, and a leader who has been deeply invested in the anthropology of the Middle East. We very much value your impressive pioneering and important work on medical anthropology, science and reproductive technologies, the anthropology of gender, and religion in the Middle East. Your thick ethnographic accounts of the lives of men and women who struggle with infertility and how they appropriate different discourses and technologies in their quest for conception as well as your engagement with broader theories and concerns in anthropology have been very valuable contributions to our field. We also greatly value your service to the anthropology of the Middle East and leading role in making our discipline more visible in different institutions and organizations, including MESA as well as your committed work with the Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies. In addition, we deeply appreciate your mentoring of students and junior faculty. As was communicated by one of your students, you are renowned among graduate students and recent PhDs ‘as one of the best mentors in the field’ for your ‘support, enthusiasm, and warmth.’ On behalf of the MES Distinguished Scholar Award Committee, I would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations and warmly invite you to give our Distinguished Lecture at the MES Business Meeting during the AAA’s 2013 Annual Meetings, and we look forward to celebrating your work and contributions to our field.” Inhorn’s Distinguished Lecture reflects on the state of Middle East anthropology, including ten directions for the future. New paths in Middle East gender ethnography are highlighted.
Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 3 and Nod2 Synergistically Protect Mice from Dextran Sodium Sulfate–Induced Colitis
Authors: Jing Xuefang , Zulfiqar Fareeha , Park Shin Yong , Núñez Gabriel , Dziarski Roman , Gupta Dipika 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Aberrant immune response and changes in the gut microflora are the main causes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (Pglyrp1, Pglyrp2, Pglyrp3, and Pglyrp4) are bactericidal innate immunity proteins that maintain normal gut microbiome, protect against experimental colitis, and are associated with IBD in humans. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (Nod2) is an intracellular bacterial sensor and may be required for maintaining normal gut microbiome. Mutations in Nod2 are strongly associated with Crohn’s disease, but the causative mechanism is not understood, and the role of Nod2 in ulcerative colitis is not known. Because IBD is likely caused by variable multiple mutations in different individuals, in this study, we examined the combined role of Pglyrp3 and Nod2 in the development of experimental colitis in mice. We demonstrate that a combined deficiency of Pglyrp3 and Nod2 results in higher sensitivity to dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis compared with a single deficiency. Pglyrp3−/−Nod2−/− mice had decreased survival and higher loss of body weight, increased intestinal bleeding, higher apoptosis of colonic mucosa, elevated expression of cytokines and chemokines, altered gut microbiome, and increased levels of ATP in the colon. Increased sensitivity to dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis in Pglyrp3−/−Nod2−/− mice depended on increased apoptosis of intestinal epithelium, changed gut microflora, and elevated ATP. Pglyrp3 deficiency contributed colitis-predisposing intestinal microflora and increased intestinal ATP, whereas Nod2 deficiency contributed higher apoptosis and responsiveness to increased level of ATP. In summary, Pglyrp3 and Nod2 are both required for maintaining gut homeostasis and protection against colitis, but their protective mechanisms differ.
Innate Immune Cell CD45 Regulates Lymphopenia-Induced T Cell Proliferation
Authors: Saunders Amy E. , Shim Yaein A. , Johnson Pauline 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The leukocyte-specific tyrosine phosphatase, CD45, severely impacts T cell development and activation by modulating TCR signaling. CD45-deficient (CD45KO) mice have reduced peripheral T cell numbers where CD8 T cells are underrepresented. In this article, we show that CD45KO mice are unable to support efficient homeostatic proliferation, affecting CD8 T cells more than CD4 T cells. Using CD45-RAG1 double-deficient (45RAGKO) mice, we show that lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP) of CD45-sufficient T cells is defective in a host environment lacking CD45 on innate immune cells. We identify two deficiencies in the 45RAGKO mice that affect LIP. One involves CD11c+ cells and the second the production of IL-7 by lymphoid stromal cells. CD45KO dendritic cells were not defective in foreign Ag–induced T cell proliferation, yet CD45KO CD11c+ cells were unable to rescue the spontaneous LIP in the 45RAGKO mice. This was in contrast with the CD45-sufficient CD11c+ cells that partially rescued this spontaneous proliferation and did so without affecting IL-7 levels. The absence of CD45 also led to reduced IL-7 production by lymphoid stromal cells, suggesting an indirect effect of CD45 on innate immune cells in influencing IL-7 production by lymphoid stromal cells. These findings demonstrate a novel role for CD45 on innate immune cells in promoting lymphopenia-induced T cell proliferation and suggest that innate immune cells may communicate with stromal cells to regulate IL-7 production.
Chlamydia trachomatisInhibits Inducible NO Synthase in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Stimulating Polyamine Synthesis
Authors: Abu-Lubad Mohammad , Meyer Thomas F. , Al-Zeer Munir A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractChlamydia trachomatis is considered the most common agent of sexually transmitted disease worldwide. As an obligate intracellular bacterium, it relies on the host for survival. Production of NO is an effective antimicrobial defense mechanism of the innate immune system. However, whether NO is able to arrest chlamydial growth remains unclear. Similarly, little is known about the mechanisms underlying subversion of cellular innate immunity by C. trachomatis. By analyzing protein and mRNA expression in infected human mesenchymal stem cells, combined with RNA interference and biochemical assays, we observed that infection with C. trachomatis led to downregulated expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Furthermore, infection upregulated the expression of the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, ornithine decarboxylase, diverting the iNOS substrate l-arginine toward the synthesis of polyamines. Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase activity using small interfering RNA or the competitive inhibitor difluoromethylornithine restored iNOS protein expression and activity in infected cells and inhibited chlamydial growth. This inhibition was mediated through tyrosine nitration of chlamydial protein by peroxynitrite, an NO metabolite. Thus, Chlamydia evades innate immunity by inhibiting NO production through induction of the alternative polyamine pathway.
The Proto-MHC of Placozoans, a Region Specialized in Cellular Stress and Ubiquitination/Proteasome Pathways
Authors: Suurväli Jaanus , Jouneau Luc , Thépot Dominique , Grusea Simona , Pontarotti Pierre , Du Pasquier Louis , Rüütel Boudinot Sirje , Boudinot Pierre 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe MHC is a large genetic region controlling Ag processing and recognition by T lymphocytes in vertebrates. Approximately 40% of its genes are implicated in innate or adaptive immunity. A putative proto-MHC exists in the chordate amphioxus and in the fruit fly, indicating that a core MHC region predated the emergence of the adaptive immune system in vertebrates. In this study, we identify a putative proto-MHC with archetypal markers in the most basal branch of Metazoans—the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens, indicating that the proto-MHC is much older than previously believed—and present in the common ancestor of bilaterians (contains vertebrates) and placozoans. Our evidence for a T. adhaerens proto-MHC was based on macrosynteny and phylogenetic analyses revealing approximately one third of the multiple marker sets within the human MHC-related paralogy groups have unique counterparts in T. adhaerens, consistent with two successive whole genome duplications during early vertebrate evolution. A genetic ontologic analysis of the proto-MHC markers in T. adhaerens was consistent with its involvement in defense, showing proteins implicated in antiviral immunity, stress response, and ubiquitination/proteasome pathway. Proteasome genes psma, psmb, and psmd are present, whereas the typical markers of adaptive immunity, such as MHC class I and II, are absent. Our results suggest that the proto-MHC was involved in intracellular intrinsic immunity and provide insight into the primordial architecture and functional landscape of this region that later in evolution became associated with numerous genes critical for adaptive immunity in vertebrates.